Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy A57 and Galaxy A37 in India on March 25, 2026, bringing fresh upgrades to its mid-range A-series lineup. These smartphones target value-driven buyers in Delhi and nationwide, offering premium AMOLED displays, Exynos power, and AI cameras at competitive prices.
Grand Launch Event Recap
The 5:30 PM IST virtual event, promoted via Samsung India’s countdown since March 19, attracted massive online viewership. Live demos highlighted fluid 120Hz scrolling, Nightography shots, and One UI 8.5’s AI tools like Circle to Search. Executives called them “everyday pro performers,” succeeding the A56 and A36 with noticeable refinements.
Sleek and Durable Design
Both feature slim 7.7mm profiles, Gorilla Glass Victus+ fronts, and IP68-rated aluminum frames for water/dust resistance—ideal for India’s monsoons. The A57 in Awesome Lightgray weighs 195g, while A37’s Lavender/Lime options incorporate 20% recycled plastic, emphasizing eco-friendliness. Punch-hole selfies and flat edges enhance one-handed use.
Superior Display Tech
A vibrant 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED with 120Hz refresh, 1,900 nits peak brightness, and Vision Booster ensures crisp visibility outdoors. HDR10+, Always-On Display, and Eye Comfort Shield support extended streaming on Hotstar or Netflix, perfect for cricket fans or movie buffs.
Performance Deep Dive
Galaxy A57’s Exynos 1680 (4nm) with vapor cooling handles BGMI at 90fps, 8GB LPDDR5X RAM, and 256GB UFS 3.1 (microSD to 1TB). A37’s Exynos 1480 excels in multitasking; both ship with Android 16/One UI 8.5, guaranteeing 6 OS upgrades and 7 years security—better than rivals.
Pro-Grade Cameras
A57’s triple array: 50MP OIS main (f/1.8, 1/1.56″), 12MP 107° ultrawide, 5MP macro, plus AI edits like Object Eraser. A37 has 8MP ultrawide but matches 4K@30fps video and 12MP front cam with Portrait Studio for social media. Night mode delivers flagship-like low-light results.
Battery Life and Fast Charging
5,000mAh cells with AI optimization last 1.5 days; A57’s 45W hits 50% in 20min, A37’s Super Fast Charging 2.0 reaches 60% in 30min. Reverse wireless sharing powers earbuds conveniently.
Pricing, Availability, Offers
Base prices: A57 ₹34,999 (6/128GB), ₹39,999 (8/256GB); A37 ₹28,999. Sales from March 28 on Samsung.com, Flipkart, Amazon, with 10% HDFC discounts, ₹5,000 exchanges, and Galaxy Forever (free accessories).
Gaming content creator OP Yaro has become the center of a fresh online controversy after a recent Instagram story related to the ongoing petroleum crisis in the country triggered strong reactions from social media users.
According to online discussions, the creator reportedly lost around 20,000 YouTube subscribers and nearly 15,000 Instagram followers within just 24 hours after the story began circulating online.
Instagram Story About Petrol Crisis Sparks Debate
The controversy started when OP Yaro shared a story on Instagram referencing the recent petrol shortage crisis, where many people across different areas were seen standing in long lines at petrol pumps to fill fuel.
In the story, the creator reportedly made a comment about the situation that some viewers considered insensitive or controversial. Screenshots of the post quickly spread across social media, leading to heated debates among followers.
While some users criticized the creator for commenting on a sensitive situation affecting many people, others argued that the post may have been misinterpreted or exaggerated online.
20K YouTube Subscribers Drop Within 24 Hours
Shortly after the story began trending, several social media users noticed a sudden drop in OP Yaro’s YouTube subscriber count. Reports suggest that nearly 20,000 subscribers unsubscribed from the channel within a single day.
The sharp decline surprised many in the gaming community and quickly became a widely discussed topic online.
15K Instagram Followers Also Lost
Along with the YouTube subscriber loss, OP Yaro also reportedly lost around 15,000 followers on Instagram. Many users unfollowed the creator after the controversial story gained attention.
The combined drop across platforms highlights how quickly a social media post can affect a creator’s online audience.
No Official Response Yet
As of now, OP Yaro has not released any official statement addressing the controversy or the sudden drop in subscribers and followers.
Fans and critics alike are now waiting to see whether the gaming creator will respond and clarify the intent behind the Instagram story that sparked the debate.
For now, the situation continues to be discussed across social media platforms as the gaming community closely follows the unfolding controversy.
OnePlus is preparing to refresh its mid‑range lineup in India with the OnePlus Nord 6, and early leaks suggest this could be the biggest upgrade the Nord series has seen so far. With a 165Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8‑series chipset and a massive 9,000mAh battery, the OnePlus Nord 6 aims to blur the line between mid‑range and flagship smartphones in 2026.
OnePlus Nord 6 India launch timeline
OnePlus has already started teasing a new Nord series for the Indian market, and multiple reports indicate that the OnePlus Nord 6 will debut in India very soon. According to leaks from reliable tipsters, the Nord 6 is expected to launch in India in early April 2026, with Amazon hosting a dedicated microsite confirming its availability on the platform.
The Nord 6 will launch alongside the Nord CE 6 as part of the broader Nord 6 series, positioned to replace last year’s Nord 5 lineup in the upper mid‑range segment. BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) listings for a new OnePlus device believed to be part of this series further strengthen the possibility of an imminent India launch.
OnePlus Nord 6 Expected Price in India
Pricing will be crucial for the OnePlus Nord 6, as it will compete against popular upper mid‑range phones from brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme and Nothing in India. Different sources quote slightly different expected prices, but all place the phone firmly in the sub‑₹40,000 bracket for the base variant.
Cashify lists the expected OnePlus Nord 6 5G price in India starting at ₹29,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant.
Smartprix and Bajaj Finserv both indicate an expected price closer to ₹34,999, likely for higher storage or RAM configurations.
Higher‑end variants, such as the 16GB + 1TB model, are rumoured to reach up to around ₹49,999 in India.
In practice, this means the Nord 6 could undercut many flagships while still offering a flagship‑grade chipset and big battery, targeting users who want premium performance without paying top‑tier flagship prices.
OnePlus Nord 6 Specifications (Expected)
Early leaks, retail box images and tipster reports have revealed most of the key specifications of the OnePlus Nord 6. While OnePlus has not officially confirmed the full spec sheet, multiple independent reports are consistent about the core hardware.
Display and design
The OnePlus Nord 6 is tipped to feature a large 6.78‑inch AMOLED or LTPS OLED display with a 1.5K resolution and an ultra‑smooth 165Hz refresh rate. This high refresh rate will provide a very fluid experience for scrolling, gaming and animations, making the Nord 6 particularly attractive for gamers and heavy users.
Leaked renders and descriptions suggest a modern design with slim bezels, punch‑hole selfie camera and a premium finish, staying in line with the Nord design language that OnePlus has built over the years. The phone is also expected to carry IP68/IP69 or IP69K rating, a major upgrade over the IP65‑rated Nord 5, providing protection against dust, submersion up to 1.5m and powerful hot or cold water jets.
Processor, RAM and storage
Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord 6 is rumoured to be powered by a Snapdragon 8‑series processor, most likely the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, bringing flagship‑class performance to the Nord lineup. This would make the Nord 6 one of the most powerful mid‑range Android smartphones of 2026, ideal for gaming, multitasking and heavy apps.
The phone is expected to come with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, again mirroring flagship phones in terms of memory and storage speed. Leaks point to multiple variants, including 8GB, 12GB and 16GB RAM options, and storage options going from 128GB all the way up to 1TB.
Camera setup
On the camera front, the Nord 6 is likely to feature a 50MP primary rear camera with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), paired with an additional secondary sensor (2MP or 8MP depending on configuration), forming a dual‑rear‑camera setup. Tipsters also indicate a 32MP front camera with autofocus, which should offer clear selfies and stable video calls.
While it may not carry a triple or quad‑camera setup like some rivals, OnePlus is expected to focus on optimised image processing and reliable main‑camera performance rather than adding underused lenses.
Battery and fast charging
One of the biggest highlights of the OnePlus Nord 6 is its huge battery capacity. Multiple reports agree that the phone will feature a massive 9,000mAh battery, which is significantly larger than most mainstream smartphones currently on the market and a huge jump over the 6,800mAh battery found on the Nord 5.
The Nord 6 is said to support 80W wired fast charging, with some sources also mentioning 27W wireless charging on certain variants. This combination of very large battery and fast charging should comfortably deliver one‑and‑a‑half to two days of moderate use on a single charge for most users.
Software and connectivity
On the software side, the OnePlus Nord 6 is expected to run OxygenOS based on Android 16 for global markets, though some listings mention ColorOS 16 depending on the region. In India, users can expect OxygenOS with OnePlus’ characteristic clean UI, customisation options and gaming features such as performance modes and network optimisations.
Connectivity options should include 5G support on multiple bands, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, USB Type‑C and the usual sensor set, with no major compromises expected in this area.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8‑series, likely Snapdragon 8s Gen 4
RAM
8GB / 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X (expected)
Storage
128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB UFS 4.1 (rumoured)
Rear camera
50MP primary with OIS + secondary sensor (2MP or 8MP)
Front camera
32MP selfie camera with autofocus
Battery
9,000mAh, 80W wired fast charging, up to 27W wireless charging (expected)
Protection
IP68/IP69 / IP69K‑class water and dust resistance (rumoured)
Software
OxygenOS based on Android 16 / ColorOS 16 depending on market
Expected India price
Starts around ₹29,999–₹34,999 for base model
OnePlus Nord 6 vs OnePlus Nord 5: Major Upgrades
For readers searching “OnePlus Nord 6 vs Nord 5”, the upcoming model appears to deliver meaningful upgrades in almost every key area.
Display: Nord 5 offered up to 120Hz refresh rate, whereas Nord 6 is expected to jump to a 165Hz panel for even smoother visuals.
Performance: The Nord 5 used a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex chip, but Nord 6 is tipped to move to a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, dramatically improving CPU and GPU performance.
Battery: Battery capacity is expected to go from around 6,800mAh on the Nord 5 to 9,000mAh on the Nord 6, one of the largest batteries in the segment.
Durability: IP rating is also likely to be upgraded from IP65 on Nord 5 to IP68/IP69 on Nord 6, offering significantly better water and dust resistance.
These upgrades make the Nord 6 look less like a minor refresh and more like a substantial generational leap for the Nord series.
Should You Wait for the OnePlus Nord 6?
If you are planning to buy a new mid‑range Android smartphone in India in the ₹30,000–₹40,000 price bracket, the OnePlus Nord 6 is worth waiting for based on current leaks. The combination of a 165Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8‑series processor, huge 9,000mAh battery, fast charging and improved IP rating gives it a very strong value proposition in 2026.
Tamil social‑comedy Thaai Kizhavi, starring Radhika Sarathkumar and produced under Sivakarthikeyan’s banner, has turned into one of Kollywood’s standout commercial successes of 2026, crossing the ₹75‑crore worldwide mark within 25 days of its release. The film, directed by debutant Sivakumar Murugesan and released on February 27, 2026, has not only out‑performed its modest budget but is now on track to rank among the year’s highest‑grossing Tamil films.
Box office numbers at a glance
Worldwide gross (as of day 23–25): Around ₹77–78 crore, with estimates now touching about ₹75 crore in 25 days.
India net collections: Over ₹56 crore domestically, translating to roughly ₹66–67 crore gross in India.
Overseas gross: Close to ₹10–11 crore, with healthy holds in traditional Tamil‑diaspora markets.
Production budget: Reportedly around ₹9 crore, giving the film a return on investment of over 300–400%, comfortably earning a “Super Hit” tag.
Opening and early‑run performance
From a relatively under‑the‑radar opening, Thaai Kizhavi built word‑of‑mouth fast, with strong family and repeat‑viewing audiences. By Day 10, its India gross had already crossed ₹43 crore, and total worldwide earnings tipped past ₹50 crore, making it one of the fastest mid‑budget films of the year to cross that milestone. The film’s Day 7 India net stood at ₹23.25 crore, corresponding to about ₹27.43 crore gross, already several times its budget.
Why it became a surprise hit
Trade analysts attribute the film’s run to three key factors:
A strong script blending humor with social themes, which resonated with both urban multiplex crowds and small‑town audiences.
Radhika Sarathkumar’s comeback‑style central performance, supported by a tightly‑written ensemble cast and Sivakarthikeyan’s production‑house polish.
Low competition in the mid‑budget comedy‑drama space, allowing the film to sustain screens and occupancy for over three weekends.
By Day 15, India net had climbed to roughly ₹44–45 crore, pushing the return on investment to over 396% and formally cementing its “Super Hit” status.
Current run and future outlook
Even as the daily footfalls have tapered, the film continues to add a few lakh to low‑crore figures on weekdays, with weekends still showing healthy bumps. If the current trajectory holds, Thaai Kizhavi could inch toward the ₹80–85 crore global mark, potentially placing it among the top 3–5 highest‑grossing Tamil films of 2026. For a mid‑budget family‑oriented project, its box‑office rampage underlines how smart content and star‑image can still drive massive multiples in the post‑pandemic Tamil cinema landscape.
Social media platform Reddit is reportedly exploring a new Face ID-style verification system aimed at improving user authenticity and platform safety. The move could mark a major shift in how anonymity and identity are balanced on one of the internet’s most popular discussion platforms.
Why Reddit Is Considering Face Verification
According to early reports and community discussions, Reddit is testing biometric verification tools similar to Face ID used in smartphones. The goal is to:
Reduce fake accounts and bots
Prevent impersonation and scams
Strengthen trust in user interactions
Improve moderation across communities
With rising concerns about misinformation and spam, platforms like Reddit are under pressure to implement stronger identity checks without harming user privacy.
How the Face ID-Style System Could Work
While Reddit has not officially confirmed full details, the proposed system may work like this:
Users scan their face using their device camera
AI verifies that the user is a real person
The system may not store facial data permanently (privacy-focused approach)
Verified users could get a badge or increased credibility
This would be similar to how companies like Apple use Face ID for secure authentication on devices.
Concerns Around Privacy and Anonymity
Reddit has always been known for allowing anonymous participation, which is one of its biggest strengths. However, introducing biometric verification raises several concerns:
Will user data remain safe?
Could anonymity be compromised?
Will verification become mandatory in the future?
Privacy advocates argue that biometric data, if mishandled, could pose serious risks.
Reddit’s Balancing Act
Reddit faces a difficult challenge: 👉 Maintaining anonymity while improving safety
The company is expected to take a “optional verification” approach, where users can choose whether to verify themselves. This could help:
Keep the platform open and flexible
Give users control over their identity
Maintain Reddit’s core culture
What This Means for Users
If implemented, the feature could change how users interact on Reddit:
Verified users may gain more trust and visibility
Communities may prioritize verified accounts
Spam and bot activity could significantly decrease
However, users who value privacy may choose to avoid verification.
New Delhi, March 21, 2026 — The highly anticipated sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge (also known as Dhurandhar 2), starring Ranveer Singh in the lead, has taken the Indian box office by storm since its theatrical release on March 19, 2026. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the high-octane spy action thriller has not only surpassed expectations but also set new benchmarks, becoming one of the biggest openers in Bollywood history.
The film, which follows the intense revenge saga from the 2025 blockbuster Dhurandhar, was released worldwide coinciding with festivals like Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, and Eid. It features a stellar ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, and others, delivering non-stop action and intrigue that has resonated strongly with audiences.
Record-Breaking Collections So Far
Paid previews on March 18 (Day 0) alone fetched an unprecedented Rs 43 crore net in India, shattering previous records for advance screenings.
On its official opening day (March 19, Day 1), the film roared to Rs 102.55 crore net in India from over 21,000-27,000 shows, with massive occupancy. This made it the highest single-day opener for a Hindi film, surpassing previous records like Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan (Rs 75 crore) and emerging as the biggest Bollywood debut ever. Combined with previews, the domestic net tally crossed Rs 145.55 crore within the first two days, with gross figures exceeding Rs 170 crore domestically.
Day 2 (March 20) maintained the momentum with approximately Rs 96.91 crore net, pushing the cumulative domestic net to around Rs 242.46 crore (including multi-language contributions, predominantly Hindi at Rs 95+ crore, plus minor shares from Telugu, Tamil, and others).
As per the latest updates from trade trackers like Sacnilk, the film’s total collections have surged further:
Domestic gross nearing Rs 258-269 crore in the initial days.
Worldwide figures climbing rapidly, with some reports indicating totals around Rs 345-359 crore gross (including overseas contributions estimated at Rs 64-90 crore so far).
The overseas market has also contributed significantly, with strong performances in North America (early premieres minting over USD 2 million in some reports) and other territories, helping push global openings into record territory—some estimates place Day 1 worldwide gross at over Rs 240 crore.
Industry Buzz and Expectations
Experts and analysts hail Dhurandhar: The Revenge as a “box office tsunami,” with pre-release hype fueled by massive advance bookings (over 1.5 million tickets) and the legacy of the first film, which grossed over Rs 1,350 crore worldwide. Predictions suggest the sequel could aim for lifetime collections well into the Rs 1,200-1,300 crore range in India alone, potentially challenging all-time records if the strong word-of-mouth and weekend momentum continue.
The film’s A-rated intensity, combined with Ranveer Singh’s powerhouse performance and Aditya Dhar’s gripping direction, has made it the talk of the town. It stands out as the only A-certified film to achieve such monumental Day 1 numbers.
As the extended weekend unfolds and additional language releases (Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam) expand its reach, Dhurandhar: The Revenge is poised to dominate the box office charts and cement its place among the biggest blockbusters in Indian cinema history.
Crimson Desert is a massive, cinematic open‑world action‑RPG from Pearl Abyss that throws you into a war‑torn fantasy realm filled with deserts, cities, and sky‑high ruins. It’s built around exploration, deep combat, and a huge amount of content, but it also comes with pacing issues, a so‑so story, and some rough edges that can push players away if they’re not into long, grind‑heavy RPGs.
What kind of game is Crimson Desert?
Crimson Desert drops you into the land of Pywel, a fractured continent where mercenaries survive by taking jobs, fighting monsters, and getting caught between clashing factions. The setting mixes gritty medieval vibes with fantasy elements like cursed wastelands and ancient ruins, giving the world a lived‑in, war‑worn feel.
The game is designed as a single‑player, premium experience rather than a live‑service MMO, but it carries DNA from titles like Black Desert Online in its systems and visual polish. You spend most of your time exploring, fighting, upgrading gear, and doing side quests that often loop back into the main conflict.
World, visuals, and exploration
The world of Pywel is enormous, with deserts, frozen highlands, dense forests, and cities that feel like real, layered environments instead of backdrop. You constantly see ruined forts, abandoned villages, and hidden camps that invite you to climb, jump, and poke around just to see what’s inside.
Exploration is one of the game’s strongest features. You’ll unlock hundreds of points of interest, hidden caves, arenas, and “Abyss Islands” that rise into the sky and challenge you with boss‑like fights or gauntlet‑style runs. The lighting, weather, and draw distance make long‑range vistas look cinematic, and the sense of scale can pull you in for hours even without a specific objective.
Combat and movement
Combat in Crimson Desert is flashy, fast, and very flexible. You can chain together light and heavy attacks, dodge, parry, and use a grappling hook to yank enemies toward you or swing yourself around the battlefield. Mid‑air dashes and gliding moves let you stay mobile while keeping enemies in the air, which makes fights feel like a mix between an action brawler and a cinematic martial‑arts movie.
As you progress, you unlock heavier, more spectacular tools. Later‑game builds include mechs and even dragon‑riding combat, where you can dog‑fight enemies in the sky or smash through groups on the ground. For players who enjoy mastering combos and timing, the combat is deeply satisfying; for casual players, some enemies hit hard and bosses can feel unfair because of aggressive patterns and camera angles.
Story, characters, and pacing
The story centers on you as a mercenary caught between warring factions and bigger, world‑ending threats in a “dying age of legends.” The premise sets up a classic RPG setup: take jobs, uncover secrets, and slowly get pulled into the larger conflict.
However, most reviews agree that the narrative and characters are functional but not memorable. The dialogue and cutscenes are often generic, and the emotional beats don’t always land. The world itself tells a richer story through ruined cities, propaganda‑filled plazas, and scattered lore pages, but the main campaign can feel like a serviceable backdrop for the action rather than a compelling reason to keep playing.
Side content, grind, and systems
Crimson Desert is packed with systems. You have multiple skill trees, armor layers, weapon types, and support mechanics that let you build anything from a nimble acrobat to a tanky bruiser. There are also faction‑based perks, crafting, ranching, and farming features that unlock long‑term buffs and consumables.
The downside is the grind. Completing everything can easily push past 150–200 hours, and by the time you’re 80–100 hours in, many side missions start to feel repetitive. You’ll see a lot of “kill X enemies,” “deliver this item,” and “explore that ruin” loops, which can wear down even players who enjoy big open‑world RPGs.
Camera, controls, and technical feel
The camera and controls are one of the more divisive aspects of the game. Crimson Desert leans into a cinematic, over‑the‑shoulder style that swerves and swings during combat, which looks great in trailers but can be disorienting in practice. Dodging and blocking near walls or in tight spaces become harder because the camera doesn’t always frame the action clearly.
There are also some bugs, occasional performance dips, and clunky UI or tutorial choices that break immersion. On powerful PCs and current‑gen consoles, most of this is manageable after patches, but players who hate losing control or dealing with camera‑heavy action should try a demo first.
Who should play Crimson Desert?
Crimson Desert works best for:
Players who love huge open‑world games with 100+ hours of content and tons of freedom.
Fans of action‑RPGs and stylish combat who enjoy experimenting with different builds, moves, and late‑game spectacle.
People who enjoyed Pearl Abyss’ MMO titles and want a more focused, premium single‑player experience.
It’s less ideal for:
Players who want a tight, 30–50 hour story-driven adventure.
Anyone who dislikes grind, repetitive missions, or camera‑heavy action design.
If you’re okay with long play sessions, a bit of repetition, and some jank in the camera and systems, Crimson Desert can be one of the most immersive open‑world RPGs of the year. If you prefer a polished, story‑focused experience, it might be better to watch a full playthrough or try it on a lower price first.
The BMW M2 CS has finally arrived in India, bringing track-focused thrills to enthusiasts with its blistering performance and aggressive styling. Launched today at ₹1.66 crore (ex-showroom), this limited-edition coupe from BMW M promises to be the pinnacle of compact sports cars, outpacing even the standard M2 in every key metric.
Engine and Performance Highlights
At its heart lies a hand-assembled 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six S58 engine, now tuned to deliver a staggering 530 horsepower and 650Nm of torque—a healthy 50hp and 50Nm boost over the regular M2’s outputs. Exclusively mated to an 8-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with reinforced internals for quicker shifts, it propels the car from 0-100kmph in just 3.8 seconds and on to a governed top speed of 302kmph.
This powertrain prowess shines on the track, clocking a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7:25.5 minutes, making it the fastest series-production BMW in the compact class. Enhanced cooling via larger intercoolers and radiators, stiffer engine mounts, and a revised exhaust system ensure sustained performance during aggressive driving sessions.
Chassis and Handling Upgrades
BMW engineers have sharpened the M2 CS’s dynamics with a model-specific suspension setup that’s 8mm lower than the standard M2, featuring recalibrated dampers, springs, and anti-roll bars for superior body control. It tips the scales at 1,710kg—30kg lighter courtesy of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) components like the roof, hood, front splitter, and rear spoiler, plus titanium exhaust tips.
Braking is handled by larger 400mm front ventilated discs with 6-piston calipers and 380mm rears with single-piston calipers, gripped by optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R track tires on gold-hued forged 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system is available but this rear-wheel-drive CS prioritizes purist rear-drive thrills with active M differential.
Striking Exterior Design
The M2 CS stands out with its wider track, flared fenders, and a more aggressive front fascia featuring a larger kidney grille optimized for brake cooling and a carbon-fiber splitter. At the rear, a prominent ducktail spoiler, deeper diffuser, and quad matte-black exhausts amplify its menacing stance. Color options include Black Sapphire metallic, Portimao Blue, Brooklyn Grey, and the striking BMW Individual Velvet Blue, with exposed carbon accents adding exclusivity.
Luxurious Yet Track-Ready Cabin
Step inside to M Carbon bucket seats upholstered in black Merino leather with M striping and illuminated seat belts, hugging occupants firmly during high-g cornering. The cockpit boasts an Alcantara-wrapped M steering wheel with carbon-fiber shift paddles, anthracite headliner, and bespoke carbon trims on the dash and doors. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch curved touchscreen running iDrive 8.5 include M-specific displays for lap times and g-forces.
Comfort features like 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio, wireless charging, and ambient lighting balance the race-bred vibe, while parking sensors and a reversing camera aid urban usability. Limited to just a handful of units for India as a CBU import, bookings are live via BMW’s website or dealerships, with deliveries expected imminently.
Pricing and Rivals
At ₹1.66 crore ex-showroom, the M2 CS commands a ₹64 lakh premium over the ₹1.02 crore standard M2 Competition, justified by its superior power, lighter weight, and exclusive kit. It goes head-to-head with the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS (₹1.61 crore) and Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S, but carves its niche as the rawest rear-drive compact performance car available.
The 2026 Academy Awards (98th Oscars) delivered a memorable night celebrating the best films and performances of the year. The ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and was hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien.
This year, the biggest winner of the night was One Battle After Another, which dominated the ceremony and won multiple awards including the prestigious Best Picture.
Major Winners of the Night
Best Picture: One Battle After Another
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
Best Actress: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Best Supporting Actor: Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan – Weapons
Other Important Awards
Several other films also made a strong impact during the ceremony:
Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler – Sinners
Best Cinematography: Autumn Durald Arkapaw – Sinners
Best Animated Feature:KPop Demon Hunters
Best International Feature Film:Sentimental Value (Norway)
Best Documentary Feature:Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Sound:F1
Highlights From the 2026 Oscars
The film Sinners received the highest number of nominations this year, with 16 nominations across different categories.
Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history by becoming the first woman to win Best Cinematography at the Oscars.
With several major wins, One Battle After Another emerged as the biggest film of the night.
In a shocking pivot for digital privacy, Instagram—owned by Meta—has officially confirmed the discontinuation of its optional end-to-end encryption (E2EE) feature for direct messages (DMs), set to take effect after May 8, 2026. This reversal undoes a hard-fought privacy upgrade rolled out in late 2023, leaving millions of users questioning the security of their private chats. While Meta frames it as a practical decision driven by low user uptake, critics warn it opens the door to greater surveillance and data exploitation.
Background: How E2EE Came to Instagram—and Why It’s Vanishing
End-to-end encryption was introduced to Instagram DMs as an opt-in feature in December 2023, initially limited to one-on-one chats in select countries like the US, Canada, Poland, and Mexico. By mid-2024, it expanded to group chats and more regions, using the same Signal Protocol technology powering WhatsApp’s default encryption. This meant messages were scrambled on the sender’s device, only decryptable by recipients—Meta servers couldn’t access content, shielding users from hacks, subpoenas, or internal snooping.
Fast-forward to March 2026: Meta announced the sunset in app notifications and support pages, citing “very low adoption rates.” Internal data reportedly showed fewer than 1% of users enabling it across billions of daily DMs. Unlike WhatsApp, where E2EE is seamless and mandatory, Instagram’s per-chat toggle proved too cumbersome—users had to manually activate it for each conversation, deterring casual adoption. The feature will fully phase out post-May 8, with no backward compatibility.
Meta’s Official Rationale: Functionality Over Privacy?
Meta’s spokesperson explained the decision stems from balancing privacy with platform usability. E2EE chats blocked key features like spam detection, message search, and cross-device syncing, frustrating users who prioritize convenience. “A tiny fraction of people used it, and it limited experiences everyone else loves,” the statement read. Post-removal, DMs revert to server-side encryption, where Meta holds decryption keys—enabling AI moderation, ad targeting, and legal compliance but eroding user trust.
This isn’t Meta’s first encryption retreat. In 2024, similar backlash hit Facebook Messenger’s default E2EE rollout, delayed indefinitely. Proton Mail and privacy groups like the EFF decry it as prioritizing profits: unencrypted DMs fuel Meta’s $150B+ ad empire by mining conversations for behavioral data.
What This Means for Users: Your Chats Exposed
Starting May 9, 2026, all Instagram DMs—personal, business, or group—lose E2EE protection. Meta could theoretically scan content for violations, targeted ads, or government requests (over 200,000 in 2025 alone). Users in regions with strict data laws, like the EU’s GDPR or India’s DPDP Act, face added risks of breaches or mandates.
Action Steps Before Deadline:
Export Your Data: Instagram will prompt downloads of chats, photos, and videos via Settings > Your Activity > Download Your Information. Act by May 8 to avoid permanent loss—exports include metadata but not real-time access.
Switch Apps: For secure messaging, migrate to Signal (fully E2EE by default), WhatsApp (Meta-owned but encrypted), or Telegram’s Secret Chats.
Privacy Tweaks: Disable chat history backups, limit DMs to followers, and review third-party app connections.
Broader Implications: A Win for Regulators, Loss for Privacy?
Governments worldwide applaud the move, citing easier child safety enforcement. The UK’s Online Safety Bill and US Kids Online Safety Act pressured platforms to scan encrypted traffic—Meta complied here, unlike Apple’s 2021 iCloud pivot. But at what cost? Cybersecurity experts predict a surge in phishing via DMs, as hackers exploit unencrypted backups.
