Entertainment

Case on actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, closed

Published

3 months ago

March 24, 2025

editor

More than four years after the actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his apartment in Mumbai under mysterious circumstances, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has closed the case ruling out any foul play in his death, as suspected by the family, people familiar with the development said on Saturday.
Actor Sushant Singh Rajput died in 2020.

The closure report effectively gives a clean chit to actress Rhea Chakraborty and her family members, who were accused by Rajput’s family of driving their son to suicide and embezzling his funds and confirms that the actor took his own life.

Rajput, 34, was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14, 2020. His death was shrouded in conspiracy theories including his being a victim of an alleged culture of nepotism in Bollywood which shuts out outsiders forcing them to take extreme steps.

“After an extensive investigation that involved gathering forensic evidence from various locations, technical evidence from the US, multiple medical opinions and questioning of all the persons connected, we haven’t found any foul play in the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Hence, a closure report was filed in two related cases before a special court in Mumbai,” said a senior officer, who asked not to be named.

The federal agency was investigating two cases since 2020 – one filed by Rajput’s father K K Singh with the Bihar police the same month alleging that actress Rhea Chakraborty and her family drove his son to suicide and embezzled his funds worth ₹15 crore; and a second case filed by Chakraborty in September 2020 against the late actor’s sister Priyanka Singh and a doctor from Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in Delhi for allegedly getting Sushant psychiatric drugs without consultation and by using a forged prescription.

“There is no evidence of any conspiracy in either of the cases,” said the officer cited above.

The Mumbai police had previously investigated the death, but it didn’t find any foul play. However, after Rajput’s father’s case with the Bihar police, the Centre handed over the probe to the CBI, which re-registered the case and named the actress and her family members as accused persons.

After taking over the probe, CBI formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the death and subsequent allegations-counter allegations. It said at that time that it was looking into all aspects of the actor’s death. Among the angles it explored were abetment of suicide charges against his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty; and whether the actor took the step under any professional pressure.

The premier investigation agency had also appointed a medical board of top doctors from the AIIMS Delhi, which after studying the post-mortem examination and viscera reports of Rajput, had concluded in September 2020 that the actor’s death was a case of suicide. The board had said the cause of the actor’s death was asphyxia due to hanging. There were no injury or struggle marks on his body and his clothing was not disturbed.

It also sent a formal request in 2021 to California-headquartered Google and Facebook, asking them to share details of all deleted chats, emails or posts of the actor so that it could analyse the content and understand the background to the events of June 14, 2020, the day Rajput was found dead at his apartment in Mumbai. However, nothing suspicious was found in the replies received by it.

CBI had also examined dozens of people including the actor’s friends, staff, his doctors, actress Chakraborty and her family members, and several members of the film fraternity.

In a statement in December 2020, CBI said it was probing the case using the latest scientific techniques.

“During the investigation, advanced mobile forensic equipment including the latest software has been used for extraction and analysis of relevant data available in the digital devices and also for analysis of dump data of the relevant cell tower locations related to the case,” it said then.

The agency had also visited several cities including Aligarh, Faridabad, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Manesar and Patna to collect evidence and record statements.

Rajput’s family lawyer senior advocate Vikas Singh didn’t comment on the matter on Saturday.

(hindustantimes.com)

Entertainment

Sri Lanka’s first Hollywood starlet bids adieu

Published

20 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Maureen Nelia Ballardney Hingert, Sri Lanka’s first beauty queen to act in Hollywood, has passed away at the age of 88.

The news was announced by former Miss Sri Lanka and actress Angela Seneviratne via Facebook.

Maureen made history by winning the Miss Ceylon title in 1955 and went on to represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant, where she was crowned second runner-up – a milestone achievement at the time.

Following her success, she entered the film industry and starred in several Hollywood productions. In 1958, she appeared in the film Gun Fever, and a photograph from the movie shoot was later published in Playboy magazine in September 1957 – making her the first and only Sri Lankan woman to be featured in the magazine.

She signed with major studios like 20th Century Fox and Universal International Studios, and her filmography includes titles such as The King and I, Fort Bowie, The Rawhide Trail, Gunman from Laredo, Pillars of the Sky, and The Adventures of Hiram Holiday, among others.

During her peak, she was regarded as one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood.

Maureen married Marion Zamperelli in 1958, later separating in 1970, and married William J. Ballard in 1976.

She had two children, and after the tragic passing of her daughter due to cancer, Maureen chose to live a private life away from the public eye in Los Angeles, where she remained until her death.

Ceylon’s beautiful Queen Maureen Hingert (Maureen Neliya Ballardnée Hingert (born 9 January 1937) ,mother of @Gina…
Posted by Angela Seneviratne on Monday, June 30, 2025

Entertainment

Bollywood icon SRK to visit SL?

Published

21 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is likely to attend the grand opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka on August 02, 2025.

A post on the official Facebook page of City of Dreams Sri Lanka has hinted at his presence, with a silhouette featuring his signature pose, although no official confirmation has been issued yet.

Sources close to the organisers say the actor is expected to be the star attraction at the launch of South Asia’s first fully integrated luxury resort, developed by John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) in partnership with Melco Resorts & Entertainment (MRE).

The USD 1.2 billion City of Dreams development includes a world-class casino, the ultra-luxurious Nüwa hotel, and a high-end shopping mall, making it the largest private sector investment to date in Sri Lanka’s luxury lifestyle sector.

The launch is expected to be a landmark moment in positioning Colombo as a global tourist and entertainment hub.

The event is likely to attract international celebrities, investors, and global media, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s post-crisis revival of its tourism and leisure industry.

A special someone is on the way. This one’s going to be iconic. 👑 #GuessWho #COD #CinnamonLife
Posted by City of Dreams Sri Lanka on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Entertainment

Beyoncé pauses show as flying Cadillac tilts mid-air

Published

2 days ago

June 30, 2025

editor

Beyoncé was forced to stop her show in Houston on Saturday night when the car she was sitting in started to tilt mid-air.

The elaborate stage prop – a red Cadillac – is suspended on cables and carries the superstar high over her fans near the end of her Cowboy Carter stadium show.

But during Saturday’s performance, the car started to slowly tilt to one side, leaving the 43-year-old performer clinging to a flag pole for support.

“Stop! Stop, stop, stop stop,” Beyoncé said, bringing an abrupt end to her country ballad, 16 Carriages.

Gasps could be heard from the audience when fans realised what was happening, but then applause as the star was slowly lowered to the ground, smiling and waving to the crowd.

“If ever I fall, I know y’all will catch me,” she said later.

Fans took to social media to post their videos of the frightening moment, commenting with Beyoncé’s now-infamous catchphrase “somebody’s getting fired”, which she quipped on stage during a lighting problem in 2010.

Beyoncé’s company, Parkwood Entertainment, said a “technical mishap” had caused the car to tilt.

“She was quickly lowered and no one was injured. The show continued without incident,” the statement added.

This was not the first prop malfunction Beyoncé has experienced over her years of touring.

Earlier in this tour, a robot supposed to pour her a drink missed its mark, no doubt leaving a puddle of Sir Davis whisky for the crew to clean up. And during her On The Run II tour with husband Jay-Z in 2018, a moving platform broke, forcing Beyoncé to climb down a ladder – in heels and a sequined leotard, no less.ame

The performance in her hometown of Houston, Texas, was the 23rd of her 32-show Cowboy Carter tour, which wraps up in Las Vegas next month.

The three-hour extravaganza of chaps and cowboy boots has been lauded for its high-energy and artistry, and has delighted fans with appearances by Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughters, Blue, 13, and Rumi, aged eight.

The show has broken ticket records at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London (the previous record holder was… Beyoncé) and Stade De France in Paris.

(BBC News)