Reports in Indian media have put Thalapathy Vijay’s pay for the globally released film Jana Nayagan at about Rs 300 crore. The report, published on July 25, 2026, says the payment for the lead role would be a record in Indian cinema if confirmed. The film, directed by H. Vinoth, has also drawn attention for its reported box-office performance after release.

According to the reports, Vijay was paid the amount directly and did not have an agreement to share in the film’s profits. Neither the makers nor Vijay had issued an official statement on the claim. H. Vinoth reportedly received Rs 30 crore, while music composer Anirudh Ravichander was paid about Rs 15 crore. Lead actress Pooja Hegde reportedly received Rs 10 crore and Bobby Deol about Rs 12 crore.

Other reported payments include Rs 7 crore for Prakash Raj and Rs 5 crore each for Priyamani and Gautham Vasudev Menon. Jana Nayagan, described as a political action thriller, is said to have cost about Rs 500 crore to make. Box-office trackers estimated Indian pre-sales near Rs 30 crore and first-day worldwide earnings between Rs 107 crore and Rs 112 crore, but these figures remain unconfirmed officially.

The protesting Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) is set to hold another round of talks with India’s Modi government on July 25, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over an alleged question-paper leak. The party has been staging continuous protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, with the demonstrations also spreading to other Indian cities.

On Friday, a two-member CJP delegation met central ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh. Party spokesperson Saurav Das said the delegation reiterated that it remained firm on its demand for the education minister’s resignation.

The CJP also demanded a public apology to protesters who it said were subjected to a police attack on July 20. It further sought compensation of one crore rupees for the families of people who died by suicide after the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test was cancelled on May 3. The two sides are scheduled to meet again on Saturday.

Indian educator and social activist Sonam Wangchuk has rejected allegations that he ended his hunger strike under a deal with the central government. In a 24-minute, 22-second video message posted on social media on Friday night, he said his focus was on securing justice for students and meeting their demands. He was receiving treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.

Wangchuk had begun the fast in support of ongoing protests at Jantar Mantar over question-paper leaks. He ended the 26-day strike at midnight on Thursday in the presence of central ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. He said he withdrew the fast after receiving assurances from the government and members of various political parties, but critics alleged that he had reached an agreement with the government.

Questioning the criticism, Wangchuk said that after fasting in Delhi's heat after coming from Ladakh's cold, he was being asked to prove his integrity and the sanctity of his protest. He said many people called him on Friday morning asking about his work and any possible agreement. He thanked supporters and said he would try to answer questions raised outside politics.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the country’s young people for their positive response to discussions on reforming the examination system and preventing question-paper leaks. In a video message posted on Instagram late Friday night, Modi expressed gratitude to students for watching his earlier video and offering feedback and suggestions. He said he hoped their love and support would continue and strengthen the relationship.

In the caption accompanying the video, Modi thanked all young people who sent valuable suggestions after viewing the previous day’s message. On Thursday, he had announced stricter central government action against question-paper leaks, amid allegations of irregularities in the recent NEET examination and protests across the country.

Modi said fast-track courts would be established to ensure swift trials for those involved in such offences. He also said a draft bill containing tougher punishment provisions would be presented to the cabinet soon, with an effort to pass it in parliament next week. According to his statement, legal action had been taken against accused people over the past two and a half months, and about 2.2 million students were given a chance to retake examinations, with results released on July 19.

BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu has resigned as India’s minister of state for railways and food processing industries, according to an NDTV report citing sources published on July 25. His term as a Rajya Sabha member had ended in June.

The report said Bittu may contest Punjab’s assembly election scheduled for next year. He had been closely overseeing efforts to build the BJP’s political space and establish a stronger position in the border state, which is governed by the Aam Aadmi Party.

In a post on X, Bittu thanked President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity to serve the country as a minister of state. He said serving the people of India, especially Punjab, had been a great privilege and pledged to continue his public-service journey with renewed energy. Bittu, grandson of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, formally joined the BJP in 2024. He lost the Lok Sabha election and was later nominated for the remainder of a Rajya Sabha term from Rajasthan vacated by Congress leader K C Venugopal.

Times Now reporter Dev Kotak was assaulted while covering protests in India demanding action over question-paper leaks and the education minister’s resignation, according to a report published July 25. Protesters allegedly called his channel “Godi Media,” a term used by critics for pro-government outlets, before striking him and throwing a water bottle. Videos of the incident were recorded on mobile phones and circulated on social media.

Kotak, 36, said the crowd believed the media had not presented its views, though he said his reporting included injuries on both sides. Tensions intensified after police action against a protest march toward Parliament on Monday, in which many students were injured. The Editors Guild of India condemned hostility and attacks against journalists while warning that flawed and biased reporting can worsen the situation and weaken the media’s democratic role.

Separate allegations of attacks on journalists emerged during a march from Sealdah to Esplanade in Kolkata. One television journalist was hospitalized at SSKM Hospital, alongside other injured journalists and camera operators. West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari condemned the incidents and promised action against identified attackers. The Kolkata Press Club called for accountability, while some protesters denied that those responsible were part of the movement.

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the central government over allegations that security forces used pellet guns during a student protest in Delhi. At a Friday press conference, Gandhi appeared alongside Sahil Lochab, a student said to have been injured by pellets, and alleged that the government was concealing the truth. He displayed injuries on Sahil’s face, hands and body to reporters.

The allegations relate to a July 20 protest over a question-paper leak, when police action reportedly involved pellet guns. Delhi Police and the central government have denied the allegation from the outset. Several injured protesters, however, have claimed medical reports showed evidence of pellet injuries. Sahil, 19, is a final-year student at Delhi University’s School of Open Learning.

Gandhi said Sahil was injured while participating in the protest carrying the national flag and has lost vision in his right eye, with uncertainty over recovery. Sahil’s mother, Jyoti, said he was admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre and underwent surgery on Tuesday. Gandhi called for action against those responsible, an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Several student organisations demonstrated in Kolkata on Friday, backed by the Kakaroch Janata Party, to protest alleged question paper leaks in India. Police and security forces used batons and fired tear-gas shells to disperse protesters at Dorina Crossing in the Dharmatala, Esplanade area, according to a senior official cited in the report.

Protesters blocked the Dorina Crossing area and were reported to have thrown shoes and water bottles at police personnel on duty. Police were unable to fully remove the demonstrators from the area despite the baton charge and tear-gas firing, and the protesters continued their demonstration.

Police said a section of the protesters identified themselves as supporters of the Kakaroch Janata Party. According to the police account, they had cancelled their own gathering after failing to obtain permission for a separate protest march. The group later joined left-wing workers at the tail end of the procession in Dharmatala, police said.

The Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, formed around alleged question leaks in Indian public examinations, has grown into one of the country’s largest recent student movements. Thousands of students are demanding education-system reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On Monday, protesters marched toward India’s Parliament under a planned “Chalo Parliament” programme, where police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse them. The source says more students have returned to the streets each day since then.

Environmental activist and reformer Sonam Wangchuk supported the movement with a 26-day hunger strike, saying he lost 11 kilograms. He ended the fast on Thursday night, but student leaders said protests would continue until their demands are met. Researchers cited in the report argue that examinations and education can unite people across caste, class and gender divisions, making this a challenge distinct from earlier ideologically based protests.

Researcher Rahul Verma said Monday’s gathering may indicate the movement has crossed an important tipping point, with its future dependent on how the government responds. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused opposition parties of using students as political tools and said the government was committed to resolving their problems through Parliament. Analysts differ over whether the movement will have lasting political effects or fade after offering an outlet for public anger.

After Narendra Modi announced tougher action over exam paper leaks in India, cabinet discussions on the issue were reported on July 24. However, the information and broadcasting minister made no direct announcement after the meeting about a new law or punitive measures. When repeatedly questioned by journalists, he avoided the issue and said, “There is no paper leak today.”

Sources said the cabinet meeting discussed a proposed law that could impose up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 100 million rupees on people involved in paper leaks. During a news conference lasting about half an hour, the minister outlined decisions related to railway development and industrial infrastructure, but did not announce measures concerning recent examination and recruitment-test leaks.

The opposition Cockroach Janata Party said it would not withdraw its demand for the resignation of the minister concerned. Following a meeting between the government and the party on Friday, party leaders said the government had asked for one day to decide on their demands. Allegations involving recent public and recruitment examinations have drawn criticism and anger among students, parents and job seekers.

A protest organised by Kakoroch Janata Party (CJP) in New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has triggered controversy over allegations that security forces used pellet guns against demonstrators. The march toward Parliament on July 20 demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET question-paper leak. NDTV reported that medical records from Safdarjung Hospital noted pellet injuries on several people, while Delhi Police rejected the allegation.

Hospital records cited by the report described pellet wounds on the right elbow and back of a 28-year-old protester admitted on July 20. Teenager Sahil Lochab was alleged to have suffered pellet injuries, including to his right eye, and underwent surgery. Sheikh Mansuri, 25, was also reported injured, with seven pellet wounds to his nose, forehead, eyes and cheeks.

Delhi Police called claims of pellet-gun use against peaceful protesters false and misleading. The Rapid Action Force was deployed alongside police, but the CRPF made no comment on whether pellet guns were used. Congress leaders called for an apology and action if use was ordered. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a bill providing strict punishment for question-paper leaks would be introduced in Parliament next week.

Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University have advised students not to join protests at Jantar Mantar amid a student movement linked to examination question leaks in India. The report, published on July 24, 2026, said the Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, emerged from the issue and has become one of the country’s largest recent student movements. CJP protesters have called on students across India to join the movement.

In a post on X, JNU advised students, academics and other members of its campus to act responsibly and prioritize personal safety. Citing Supreme Court directions related to public protests, the university asked them to refrain from attending any gathering at or around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

JNU also urged responsible use of social media, saying violations could lead to disciplinary action under applicable laws and the university’s code of conduct. It said members were expected to uphold academic responsibility and responsible citizenship. Delhi University had earlier issued similar advice to its students. After that instruction, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said universities could not “threaten” students.

Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has called for a transparent system amid student protests across India over question paper leaks. In a social media post published on July 24, 2026, he said a system was needed in which no student feels that their hard work has not been valued.

Tendulkar did not directly comment on the movement demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He instead stressed honesty, hard work and merit, recalling lessons from his father, a professor who taught and guided many students. Tendulkar wrote that failure can be accepted but cheating cannot, and urged people not to choose shortcuts. He said adults have a responsibility to build a culture that values effort over results and makes merit the sole measure of success. He added that students’ frustration is understandable if they believe their hard work has not been recognised, and said the aim should be to prevent any student from facing such a situation in the future.

Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal has described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of tougher action against those accused in exam paper leaks as a “hollow promise.” Modi said on Thursday that a bill containing provisions for strict action against paper leaks would be introduced in Parliament next week, and that fast-track courts would be established for such cases.

In a video message, Kejriwal said the Prime Minister had announced that a bill would be brought to Parliament on Monday to create fast-track courts for paper leak cases. He said the promise had already been shown to be hollow. Kejriwal said a CBI court had acquitted the alleged main mastermind in the 2024 NEET paper leak case. He questioned the purpose of fast-track courts if investigations did not produce evidence that could be presented in court. The former Delhi chief minister also alleged that there was a flaw in the Prime Minister’s intent.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sharply criticized Delhi University’s instruction urging students not to join ongoing protests in India. In a post on X on Friday morning, July 24, 2026, Gandhi asked how authorities could dare to threaten students for exercising their democratic rights. He said the university must be held accountable over the matter.

Delhi University had posted on social media on Thursday asking students to stay away from “illegal gatherings” at Jantar Mantar. Citing Supreme Court directions, the university said gatherings and protests there are strictly regulated and that law enforcement agencies could take legal action against those joining unlawful assemblies. It said such participation could endanger personal safety, disrupt academic activities and adversely affect students’ future professional prospects. Against the backdrop of protests spreading across several cities in recent weeks, Jawaharlal Nehru University also issued a warning on Friday, asking its stakeholders to act responsibly, prioritize safety and avoid programmes at or around Jantar Mantar.