sanjay malhotra

Governor Malhotra Says Flexible Inflation Targeting May Not Be Enough Amid Crisis

A star-studded gathering unfolded as Bollywood icons Maheep Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and Karan Johar reunited, radiating the warmth of their enduring camaraderie. Maheep offered a charming snapshot of the evening, illustrating their unbreakable bond. This piece also delves into their individual upcoming projects and remarkable recent successes, including Karan Johar's impressive MET Gala entrance.

The Indian rupee hit a new low against the US dollar, pressured by rising oil prices and external debt. Analysts link the decline to the US-Iran conflict, which has boosted crude oil costs and strained India's economy. While the RBI and government are intervening, markets anticipate potential interest rate hikes to stabilize the currency and manage inflation.

RBI Governor sanjay malhotra urged Indian banks to become global market-makers, aiming to bring rupee price discovery onshore. This move seeks to counter offshore non-deliverable forward markets' influence on the rupee and reduce arbitrage. Malhotra also highlighted the need for improved liquidity in government securities and expanded access to the FX retail platform for fair customer deals.

The Indian rupee is facing significant pressure, weakening against the US dollar due to soaring crude oil prices driven by Middle East geopolitical tensions and persistent foreign fund outflows. Despite India's robust economic growth, the currency's slide continues as the Reserve Bank of India intervenes to curb volatility rather than target a specific exchange rate.

While Cannes 2026 showcases modern fashion, Bollywood enthusiasts recall an era of elaborate, handcrafted costumes. Iconic looks like Madhubala's Anarkali in 'Mughal-e-Azam' and Madhuri Dixit's 10kg lehenga in 'Devdas' exemplify this golden age of cinematic artistry. These ensembles, rich with embroidery and embellishments, became characters themselves, leaving a lasting legacy.

Sanjay Gagnani acknowledges that his career owes much to television, where he built a robust fanbase. Now, he's diving into the realm of OTT platforms, thrilled by the opportunity to tackle complex roles that allow for deeper storytelling. Gagnani's ambition to evolve his craft shines through as he welcomes the chance to explore different narratives.

The Centre has repeatedly asserted that there is no fuel shortage in the country and no plan to introduce rationing of petrol, diesel or LPG despite disruptions in global energy shipments linked to the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

India has kept its petrol and diesel prices unchanged for four years now - ever since the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But the rising global oil prices, past the $100 per barrel mark has made the math unsustainable for oil marketing companies.

Ranbir Kapoor and his mother, Neetu Kapoor, shared a heartwarming moment during a work outing, with Neetu planting a kiss on her son's cheek. Ranbir even playfully reenacted steps from Neetu's upcoming song. The actor is gearing up for major projects including 'Ramayana' and 'Love and War'.

A Bargi Dam cruise survivor alleges pilot and crew abandoned passengers before the boat sank, leaving them to fend for themselves. Despite a sudden storm, lifejackets were reportedly unavailable initially. Nine have died, six are missing, and a high-level probe has been ordered. Officials are struggling to confirm passenger numbers due to unregistered boardings.

Actress Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia has lauded Bengali star Parambrata Chatterjee as the "nicest person on the block" while working together on an upcoming thriller-action series in Nainital. Details about this project remain under wraps. Nimrit is also set to star in the Punjabi revenge drama 'Ab Hoga Hisaab' alongside Sanjay Kapoor and Shaheer Shaikh.

Central bank confident of country’s macro fundamentals

A senior RBI official criticized foreign-exchange market makers for exacerbating the rupee's weakness amid West Asia tensions. He highlighted how arbitrage between local and offshore markets strained dollar liquidity during periods of foreign outflows. The RBI has recently implemented measures to curb speculation and arbitrage trades by banks.

According to RBI governor Malhotra, high frequency indicators till February, 2026 suggest the continuation of strong momentum in economic activity. Growth impulses continue to be supported by robust private consumption and investment demand.

The central bank governor is of the view that this will provide the Indian economy with ‘greater resilience’ to withstand shocks. However, the downside risks to growth projections remain, especially in case of a prolonged West Asia conflict.

Shah Rukh Khan's former security chief, Yaseen Khan, lauded the superstar as a hands-on father, highlighting his active involvement in his children's lives. Yaseen recalled SRK's dedication to attending sports events, dropping children at school, and even teaching them online while abroad.

The RBI kept its policy rate at 5.25% for the second consecutive meeting, citing concerns over elevated crude oil prices and global uncertainties. Governor Malhotra expressed cautious optimism, assuring markets that temporary forex measures were aimed at curbing speculation and would be reviewed. The central bank also eased capital norms for banks to support credit growth.

Even as it is confident of India’s ability to come out of the fresh global uncertainty, RBI has flagged five risks due to the US-Iran war that could negatively impact the economy.

Producer Namit Malhotra responded to mixed reactions for the 'Ramayana' teaser, acknowledging audience feedback and expressing gratitude for the overwhelming response. He assured that the team is diligently working to honor the epic with utmost reverence. The film, featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Yash as Ravana, is slated for a two-part release in Diwali 2026 and 2027.

Fundamentally, foreign exchange reserves tell us about a country’s ability to service its external debt. The more robust the cover, the better a country’s position of economic strength. So how strong is India placed in terms of foreign exchange reserves?

The sudden nature of the measures and tighter controls risk creating an impression that India may be stepping back from its efforts to deepen integration with global financial markets.

A temporary ceasefire between Iran and the US is reshaping global markets. Oil prices have dropped significantly as the Strait of Hormuz sees cautious reopening. Stock markets worldwide are experiencing a strong rally, with Indian markets showing substantial gains. This development offers relief from geopolitical tensions and supports economic stability.