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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Salman Khan got bailed out of jail by former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar in a high-profile case
Salman Khan , who was one of the accused in the 1999 blackbuck poaching case , managed to secure bail with the help of former vice president Jagdeep Dhankar. The latter recently stepped down from the position of India's vice president, citing health issues. How was Salman Khan bailed by Jagdeep Dhankar in the 1999 case? Former vice president Jagdeep Dhankar was a senior advocate and expert in the constitution. And for the unversed, he was a counsel for actor Salman Khan and the other accused in the case. And that's how he assisted them in getting bail. In 1998, he was one of the advocates representing Salman Khan's side. The actor's side also included Saif Ali Khan , Tabu, Neelam, and Sonali Bendre . Praveen Balwada, who was Dhankar's assistant at that time, told India Today, "Dhankhar was the first lawyer to argue the case for Salman Khan when Jodhpur Police arrested him in 1998 and get bail for him and the other accused." However, Jagdeep Dhankar wasn't representing Khan in the next phases of the case. Later, speaking with Rediff On The Net, the ex-vice president confirmed his involvement in the case. Dhankar talks about Salman Khan's case In the Rediff interview, when he was asked if the star really went for hunting with other actors, Dhankar decided not to give a straight answer. The senior lawyer also questioned the investigation's credibility. He added, "I pleaded before the judge, stating that Salman had fully cooperated with the police after his arrest, and therefore there is every reason to grant him bail." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Dhankar shared that he argued in the court, saying that if the villagers claimed to have seen the actors killing the animal, why didn't they chase them down at that time? The blackbuck case Salman Khan, who was shooting for a Sooraj Barjatya film in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, was accused of allegedly killing two blackbucks when he, along with other actors, went for hunting. The animal is an endangered species protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'See you on...': Is Alia Bhatt confirming her 'Alpha' cameo in Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR and Kiara Advani's 'War 2'?
Alia Bhatt's Instagram story sharing the 'War 2' trailer sparked rumors of her cameo in the film's post-credits scene alongside Sharvari Wagh. This links to the upcoming female-led YRF spy thriller 'Alpha' (releasing Christmas 2025), expanding the YRF Spy Universe with strategic secrecy and anticipation. The highly anticipated 'War 2', featuring stars Hrithik Roshan , Jr NTR , and Kiara Advani , is coming to cinemas on August 14 as the newest installment in the YRF Spy Universe. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the newly released trailer promises an adrenaline-fueled mix of action, romance, drama, and patriotism. Among the many celebrities who applauded the trailer, Alia Bhatt 's energetic response stood out and captured widespread attention. Alia Bhatt's Instagram Story Sparks Speculation Alia took to her Instagram story to share the 'War 2' trailer, captioning it with her exact words: "Mazedaaaaaar," along with fire emojis. She further added, "See you on the 14th. In a cinema near meee." This playful message, mentioning the release date of August 14, has sparked fresh excitement and rumors among fans about her potential cameo in the film's post-credit scene alongside Sharvari, as part of the Alpha storyline. Although nothing has been officially confirmed, Alia's story has certainly added fuel to the ongoing speculation. Rumours of a Strategic Post-Credits Cameo As per India Today reports, Alia and Sharvari Wagh, the stars of YRF's upcoming female-led spy thriller 'Alpha' set to release in December 2025, are rumoured to make a brief yet impactful appearance in the post-credits scene of 'War 2'. The report further said that it's short, yes, but it has tension, mystery and a hint of what these two women are capable of. It's not just a cameo—it's a setup. Filming Under Tight Security The report also stated that Alia and Wagh's cameo for 'War 2' was filmed earlier this year under strict security measures. To keep the project tightly under wraps, only a minimal crew was present during the shoot to maintain secrecy. The makers announced in October last year, "On Christmas 2025, #ALPHA will rise! Get ready for an action-packed holiday... 25th Dec, 2025". 'Alpha' Announcement and Film Details Although Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh have started filming their roles, the storyline of 'Alpha' remains largely undisclosed. Helmed by director Shiv Rawail, this film aims to build on the triumphs of YRF's acclaimed spy franchises, including 'Tiger', 'War', and 'Pathaan', by unveiling the franchise's inaugural female-centric installment, thereby broadening the YRF Spy Universe.


News18
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Did Alia Bhatt Just Confirm Her Alpha Spy Cameo In War 2? Here's Why Fans Think So
Alia Bhatt hints at possible Alpha cameo in War 2 with a cryptic Instagram post. Fans speculate after her 'See you on 14th' message goes viral. With War 2 gearing up for its grand release on August 14, the trailer of the much-anticipated YRF Spy Universe instalment dropped earlier today, promising explosive action, cinematic scale, and a dose of patriotic fervour. Starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, and directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film is already drawing massive attention — but it was Alia Bhatt's cheeky reaction that sent fans into a frenzy. Taking to her Instagram story, Alia re-shared the War 2 trailer and wrote, 'Mazedaaaaaar 🔥🔥🔥 See you on the 14th. In a cinema near meee." While the message may seem like a routine show of support at first glance, the specific mention of August 14 and her playful tone have only intensified speculation about her cameo in the film's post-credit scene. The buzz around Alia's entry into the YRF Spy Universe has been swirling for months, particularly with the announcement of Alpha — YRF's first-ever female-led spy film, co-starring Sharvari Wagh, set to release on December 25, 2025. According to a report by India Today, both Alia and Sharvari are said to appear in a mysterious post-credit cameo in War 2 — one that subtly teases the narrative of Alpha. 'It's short, yes, but it has tension, mystery, and a hint of what these two women are capable of. It's not just a cameo — it's a setup," a source told the outlet. Another insider revealed that the cameo was filmed under tight security earlier this year, with only a handful of crew members on set to preserve the secrecy. While Yash Raj Films has not officially confirmed Alia and Sharvari's involvement in War 2, fans are already connecting the dots — and Alia's Instagram story has only added fuel to the fire. If true, this would mark a strategic expansion of the YRF Spy Universe, tying the past (Tiger, Pathaan, War) with the future (Alpha) through seamless narrative integration. Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha is expected to mark a new era in Bollywood's action genre, showcasing female spies at the centre of a sprawling espionage saga. As the release of War 2 draws closer, all eyes are not just on Hrithik and Jr NTR — but also on the shadows, where the Alpha spies may quietly be preparing to make their move. First Published: July 25, 2025, 21:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


India Today
3 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
A visual timeline of Thailand-Cambodia border conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have been exchanging fire over a border dispute that finds roots in the colonial rule. The dispute is decades-old, and there is a bilateral mechanism to manage territorial differences. So, what triggered the latest flare-up? India Today puts together a timeline of events that led to Thailand launching missiles from F-16 fighter jets in Cambodia. advertisementTensions had been boiling for months, but the immediate tensions stemmed from an incident in mid-February, when Thai police stopped Cambodian tourists from singing their national anthem at one of the contested sites, Prasat Ta Moan Thom, a Khmer temple near the Thai border. Nathan Ruser, an open-source analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), has closely monitored the clashes since then, identifying visible improvements along the border, such as the clearing and building of frontline roads and fortifications, primarily by the Cambodian army. Satellite imagery suggests that the Cambodian army built at least nine new roads, built fortifications and new outposts in the Chong Bok area, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos military tensions built up, Thai troops also cleared and built a new road straddling the border near Prasat Ta Muen Thom Temple in April, connecting the complex to a road junction in a bid to boost access to the site in case of any confrontation. Cambodian troops set up a new fortified position at Hill-641 in the Chong Bok area, within 300m of the border, as per ASPI analyst Nathan Ruser In late April, Thai and Cambodian commanders met at Prasat Ta Muen Thom, apologised, and vowed to manage future border disputes calmly. Days later, Thai troops spotted Cambodian forces digging fortifications in the disputed a brief gunfire claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier near the fortification made by Cambodian troops near the disputed Chong following months were marked by the movement of infantry, artillery and cavalry towards the border by both sides. Thailand also accuses Cambodia of laying landmines in the disputed territories that injured several soldiers. THE TRIGGERThe immediate trigger was an incident where a Thai soldier lost a leg and several others were injured after triggering a landmine during their patrol of the disputed land on July 23. Thailand had already closed all border crossings with exchanges took place the next day, July 24. Both sides accused each other of initiating it. Cambodia then fired rockets on Thai soil, Thailand alleged, to which it responded with mortars. A Thai F-16 fighter jet later dropped two bombs near the road leading to Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO world heritage site, Cambodia said. Thailand has accused Cambodia of targeting civilian areas. The border dispute can be traced back to a 1907 map created during French colonial rule in Cambodia. The two countries interpret the map differently. Military fighting has broken out intermittently since 2008, but the last time that a major clash turned deadly was in STRENGTH COMPARISON Thailand is a much bigger military power in comparison to Cambodia. As per the Global Firepower Index database, Thailand maintains 3.6 lakh active soldiers as against Cambodia's 2.2 lakh. Thailand also boasts a mighty air force, with 46,000 personnel, 493 aircraft, 258 helicopters, and seven attack helicopters. Cambodia doesn't have any fighter jets or attack helicopters to support its ground troops.- EndsTune In advertisement


India.com
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Did you know ex-Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar helped Salman Khan in getting bail in Balckbuck case, read the story here
In an astonishing event, Jagdeep Dhankhar, who served as Vice President of India, resigned from his position citing health reasons. Before becoming one of the finest politicians in India, Jagdeep was a senior advocate and a constitutional expert. You will be amazed to know that Jagdeep once shared a special connection with Bollywood actor Salman Khan. Scroll down to read more about it. As the headline suggests, Dhankhar once helped Salman secure bail in the infamous blackbuck case. For the unversed, Jagdeep Dhankhar was the counsel for Bollywood actor Salman Khan and the other accused in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case. When Did Salman Khan's Blackbuck Case Happen? In October 1998, during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain in Kankani village near Jodhpur, Rajasthan, two blackbucks, which are considered sacred to the Bishnoi clan, were allegedly hunted by the actor. Blackbucks are an endangered species protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. How Did Jagdeep Dhankhar Help Salman Khan in the Blackbuck Case? Back in 1998, Jagdeep Dhankhar was part of the legal team defending Salman Khan and his co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam, and Sonali Bendre. Advocate Praveen Balwada, who was Dhankhar's assistant at the time, spoke to India Today and said, 'Dhankhar was the first lawyer to argue the case for Salman Khan when Jodhpur Police arrested him in 1998, and he secured bail for him and the other accused.' He further added, 'That was the only period when Dhankhar represented Salman Khan in the blackbuck case and wasn't engaged in the case at the subsequent stages.' Jagdeep Dhankhar Accepted Helping Salman Khan In a conversation with Rediff On The Net, Dhankhar acknowledged and opened up about his role in the case. When questioned directly about whether the actors had gone hunting during the shoot, he refrained from giving a clear answer. Instead, Dhankhar raised questions about the credibility of the investigation at the time. 'There were 300 people on the sets. How come none knew when the incident occurred?' according to the Rediff report. Following Salman Khan's arrest, Dhankhar also defended the actor's behavior. 'I pleaded before the judge stating that Salman had fully cooperated with the police after his arrest and therefore there is every reason to grant him bail,' Dhankhar said, according to the report. In court, he questioned the accuracy of the villagers' statements and the timeline they provided. 'When the villagers say the actors were involved in the killing, why did they not chase them right then rather than lodging a complaint after three weeks?' he argued.