# Today in India: 25 August 2026

2026-08-25T00:34:09+00:00 | Daily Digest | Indian Opinion Desk

25 August 2026 | 14 stories | Updated 23:26 IST

Yash's Toxic breaks advance booking records with Rs 40 crore in sales, while IIT Delhi sets up an external panel after a student's death and the Supreme Court orders Tarun Tejpal to surrender.

## Yash's Toxic advance bookings cross Rs 40 crore
Entertainment | 2 sources, 2 neutral
Yash's Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups releases worldwide on August 26, 2026, with advance bookings reportedly crossing Rs 40 crore, according to trade reports. The CBFC cleared the film with an A certificate and a runtime of 3 hours and 12 minutes, ordering two Kannada words muted but no visual cuts. The film carries huge expectations after KGF: Chapter 2 collected Rs 134.50 crore on its opening day in India.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/yashs-toxic-faces-prabhas-style-test-after-kgf-success/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/yashs-toxic-faces-prabhas-style-test-after-kgf-success.md)

## IIT Delhi forms panel after student's death, protests continue
India | 6 sources, 5 neutral, 1 sensationalist
IIT Delhi has set up a five-member external inquiry committee to investigate the death of 31-year-old MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar on August 22. The committee, led by former Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar and including AIIMS psychiatrist Professor Pratap Sharma, has two weeks to submit its report. The institute also announced an external ombudsperson for student grievances and a fund for Kumar's family. Hundreds of students have been protesting since Monday, demanding the Dean's resignation.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/iit-delhi-forms-external-panel-after-msc-student-death-protests-continue/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/iit-delhi-forms-external-panel-after-msc-student-death-protests-continue.md)

## Anil Ravipudi denies Mahesh Babu film rumours
Entertainment | 6 sources, 5 neutral, 1 sensationalist
Director Anil Ravipudi has dismissed reports of a reunion with Superstar Mahesh Babu after the actor completes Varanasi. Taking to X on August 25, Ravipudi called the news completely false and baseless, writing: 'Whatever news is currently circulating is completely false and untrue. Please don't believe or spread such rumours.' The speculation came from industry buzz that Mahesh Babu, currently filming SS Rajamouli's forest adventure Varanasi for an April 2027 release, was planning a quickie with Ravipudi.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/mahesh-babu-anil-ravipudi-in-talks-for-second-film/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/mahesh-babu-anil-ravipudi-in-talks-for-second-film.md)

## Congress urges PM to scrap caste census questionnaire
Politics | 5 sources, 5 neutral
Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the caste census questionnaire, calling its open-ended format misleading. In a letter dated August 20, they warned that allowing respondents to state their caste without a standardised list could split communities into thousands of entries and produce unusable data. The letter, the third on the issue with no reply, also flagged the absence of a separate OBC category.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/congress-urges-pm-modi-to-scrap-open-ended-caste-census-questionnaire/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/congress-urges-pm-modi-to-scrap-open-ended-caste-census-questionnaire.md)

## More from today

### India dominate Colombo Test despite Dinusha's 85
Sports | 2 sources, 2 neutral
India remain in control of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo after the hosts reached 265 for 8 at stumps on day three, still trailing by 238 runs. India declared their first innings at 503 for 9. Sonal Dinusha remained unbeaten on 85, following his scores of 100 and 84 in the first Test. Pasindu Sooriyabandara made 80. Prasidh Krishna took 3 for 47 and Manav Suthar 3 for 83. Rain and bad light ended the day early.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/india-on-top-in-colombo-test-despite-sri-lankan-fifties/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/india-on-top-in-colombo-test-despite-sri-lankan-fifties.md)

### Kriti Sanon's sister defends her after Rakhi ad backlash
Entertainment | 5 sources, 4 neutral, 1 sensationalist
Nupur Sanon has defended her sister Kriti Sanon after the actor faced backlash over her outfit in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement for jewellery brand GIVA. The ad showed Kriti wearing a bralette-style blouse and tying a rakhi to her onscreen brother and pet dog, drawing criticism from social media users and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut. Kriti responded on Instagram, saying festivals are about emotions and meaning, not clothes, and questioned why women are still judged for what they wear.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/nupur-sanon-defends-sister-kriti-over-rakhi-ad-backlash/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/nupur-sanon-defends-sister-kriti-over-rakhi-ad-backlash.md)

### Sugar ex-mill price drops 18% to Rs 55 after curbs
Business & Economy | 4 sources, 4 neutral
The ex-mill price of sugar has fallen 18 per cent to Rs 55 per kg after the government allowed imports and imposed stock limits to curb hoarding and speculation, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said. Prices had hit a record Rs 67 per kg last week, a spike Chopra attributed to mills jacking up rates. The government permitted the import of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar and ordered states to step up inspections.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/sugar-ex-mill-prices-drop-18-to-rs-55-per-kg-after-import-move/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/sugar-ex-mill-prices-drop-18-to-rs-55-per-kg-after-import-move.md)

### Supreme Court orders Tarun Tejpal to surrender in two weeks
India | 7 sources, 7 neutral
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal to surrender within two weeks to begin serving his 10-year sentence for the 2013 Goa sexual assault case. Justice Alok Aradhe dismissed Tejpal's plea seeking exemption from surrender. His appeal against the conviction will be heard on September 22, subject to the filing of a surrender certificate. Tejpal was convicted by the Bombay High Court on August 6 for raping a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/supreme-court-directs-tarun-tejpal-to-surrender-in-two-weeks/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/supreme-court-directs-tarun-tejpal-to-surrender-in-two-weeks.md)

### Tamil Nadu scraps Parandur airport, seeks alternative site
Governance | 3 sources, 2 neutral, 1 sensationalist
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's government has abandoned the proposed greenfield airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district, citing threats to agricultural land, water bodies and local livelihoods. Only 48 per cent of the required 5,846 acres was acquired, no environmental clearance was obtained, and an environmental impact assessment was not conducted. Alternative locations will be identified, and the Airports Authority of India will assess feasibility. The decision has sparked political clashes in the Assembly.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/tamil-nadu-to-scrap-parandur-airport-seek-new-site/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/tamil-nadu-to-scrap-parandur-airport-seek-new-site.md)

### Toxic advance bookings cross 2 million tickets
Entertainment | 4 sources, 3 neutral, 1 sensationalist
Yash's Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has sold over 2 million tickets on BookMyShow and District apps combined ahead of its August 26 worldwide release, according to 123telugu.com. BookMyShow peak-hour sales are near the 50,000-ticket mark. The Telangana government approved a ticket price hike of Rs 50 in single screens and Rs 100 in multiplexes for 10 days, with shows beginning at 6:30 AM in the Telugu states. The CBFC cleared the film with an A certificate and a 3-hour-12-minute runtime.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/yashs-toxic-gets-a-certificate-runtime-set-at-3-hours-12-minutes/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/yashs-toxic-gets-a-certificate-runtime-set-at-3-hours-12-minutes.md)

## Useful today

### Onion prices surge 59%, Centre rolls out Kanda Express
Politics | 3 sources, 1 pro-government, 2 neutral
Onion prices have risen sharply, with the all-India average retail price increasing 59 per cent year-on-year to Rs 43.53 per kg on August 24. Chennai saw prices at Rs 60 per kg, Delhi at Rs 55, and Kolkata at Rs 53. The Centre has started transporting bulk onion stocks from Nashik via dedicated railway rakes called the Kanda Express, with the first rake carrying 800 tonnes.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/onion-prices-up-59-as-centre-launches-kanda-express/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/onion-prices-up-59-as-centre-launches-kanda-express.md)

### H1N1 drives 98% of India flu cases, ICMR says no panic
Health & Science | 3 sources, 3 neutral
The Indian Council of Medical Research said H1N1 accounts for nearly 98 per cent of Influenza A cases in India, with H3N2 making up the rest. ICMR director-general Rajiv Bahl said 98-99 per cent of cases are mild and self-limiting, and there is absolutely no cause for panic. Adults above 65 and immunocompromised people may consult doctors about vaccination.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/h1n1-accounts-for-98-of-flu-cases-no-need-to-panic-icmr/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/h1n1-accounts-for-98-of-flu-cases-no-need-to-panic-icmr.md)

### Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra price cut by Rs 15,000 in India
Technology | 2 sources, 2 neutral
Samsung has reduced the price of the Galaxy S26 Ultra in India. The new starting price is Rs 1,24,999 for the 12GB plus 256GB variant, down Rs 15,000 from the original price. The updated prices are live on Flipkart and the Samsung India online store. Flipkart is also offering an instant cashback of Rs 4,000 with Flipkart Axis and Flipkart SBI credit cards.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra-price-in-india-cut-by-rs-15000/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra-price-in-india-cut-by-rs-15000.md)

### ITR-4 for AY27: Six changes including two house properties
Business & Economy | 2 sources, 2 neutral
The Income Tax Department has introduced six changes to the ITR-4 form for Assessment Year 2026-2027. Key modifications include allowing taxpayers to report income from up to two house properties instead of one, adding a separate field for unrealised rent, and removing the requirement to report foreign retirement benefits. Taxpayers must now provide the name and PAN of the political party for deductions under Section 80GGC.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/itr-4-gets-six-changes-for-assessment-year-2026-27/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/itr-4-gets-six-changes-for-assessment-year-2026-27.md)

## The closing thought

The day brought a mix of spectacle and accountability, with Toxic's advance booking frenzy meeting the seriousness of the IIT Delhi death probe and the Tejpal verdict. The sugar price drop and onion price spike offer a reminder of how quickly government action can shift markets. The caste census dispute, now in its third letter, suggests a data fight that may only deepen. Watch how the Parandur airport decision reshapes Tamil Nadu politics, and whether Toxic's opening day numbers match the hype.

## Earlier digests

- [25 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-25-august-2026.md)
- [24 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-24-august-2026.md)
- [23 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-23-august-2026.md)
- [22 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-22-august-2026.md)
- [21 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-21-august-2026.md)
- [20 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-20-august-2026.md)
- [19 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-19-august-2026-2.md)

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