Deepika Padukone becomes first Indian actress to receive star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Los Angeles: Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone is set to make history as the first Indian actress to be honoured with a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2026.
The announcement was made during a live press conference at Ovation Hollywood, where the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce revealed the honourees selected for the Walk of Fame’s Class of 2026. Padukone will be joined by international celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Emily Blunt, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Franco Nero, and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
The selections were made from hundreds of nominations by the Walk of Fame selection panel during a meeting held on June 20, with final approval granted by the Chamber’s board of directors on June 25.
Peter Roth, former CEO of Warner Bros. Television and chairman of the selection committee, said, “We are excited to announce the newest selections of 35 esteemed individuals who will be enshrined on the Walk of Fame as part of the prestigious Class of 2026.”
This recognition marks a significant milestone in Padukone’s career, highlighting her growing global presence. She made her Hollywood debut in 2017 opposite Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage and has been featured in TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people and Variety’s International Women’s Impact Report.
Known for her appearances at the Cannes Film Festival and the Met Gala, Padukone has been a regular at global red carpet events. In 2023, she presented the Oscar-winning song Naatu Naatu from SS Rajamouli’s RRR at the Academy Awards, introducing it to a global audience.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
