Talk of the town

City’s fast & fabulous club

Hyderabad’s roads are beginning to resemble a luxury auto show. From Prabhas turning heads in his Lamborghini Aventador to Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala being spotted in a Porsche GT3 RS, and Jr NTR cruising in his Lexus LM, celebrity car sightings have become social media’s latest obsession. Every drive sparks reels, fan frenzy and endless conversations. In Tollywood, the hottest blockbuster these days isn’t just on screen—it’s parked in the driveway.

Fitness formula of the new IB chief

Most bureaucrats are health conscious. But newly appointed Intelligence Bureau chief Mahesh Dixit has long stood out for his disciplined lifestyle. The soft-spoken, grounded 1993-batch IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre is an ace swimmer and is known to snack on peanuts through the day, even serving them to visitors. Few know he completed an MD in Psychiatry before joining the IPS. His batchmates recall his calm and decisive leadership as SP of Visakhapatnam Rural, where he ensured peaceful polling during the 1998 Lok Sabha and 1999 Assembly elections despite Maoist threats. Earlier, he served as ASP in Bellampally, Nizamabad and Karimnagar at the height of the Naxal movement. He later handled key assignments in Moscow, Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370, and the Northeast, earning a reputation as one of the country’s sharpest and most composed intelligence officers.

City's most anticipated wedding

AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi’s daughter is set to marry Dr Ibrahim Murtuza, a US-based doctor, in what is shaping up to be one of Hyderabad’s biggest social and political gatherings of the year. In keeping with the city’s old-world tradition, Akbaruddin has been personally calling on leaders across party lines, including Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, to extend invitations. This wedding is already the most talked-about event on the city's social calendar — the Owaisi’s are known to serve a fabulous spread with the best biryani.

Gone with the Gold

The sensational case of a 13 kg gold fraud by a city jeweller has taken a dramatic turn. It now appears that Nitin Gulabani, against whom Sudhir Agarwal of Navya Jewellers and three others filed a complaint, has fled to the US after allegedly duping them of over Rs 20 crore. Investigators believe he left the country around the time the CCS registered the case, reportedly travelling via Chicago. His family members in Hyderabad have since been questioned. But Sudhir Agarwal, Neeraj Agarwal, Ganesh Lal and Rakesh Agarwal are praying their missing gold can still be recovered!

Star power at Meher Ramesh's family wedding

It was a glittering celebration as director Meher Ramesh's daughter, Krishna Mohana, married Anirudh, son of former Jana Sena leader Thota Chandrasekhar, in Hyderabad. The wedding turned into a star-studded affair with Chiranjeevi and Surekha, AP Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Anna Lezhneva, Venkatesh, Prabhu Deva, Allu Aravind, AM Ratnam, C. Ashwini Dutt and Murali Mohan in attendance.

Curtains down

The cameras may finally stop rolling at Hyderabad’s iconic Ramanaidu Studios in Nanakramguda. Producer Suresh Babu has confirmed that Nagabandham will be the last film to be shot at the studio before the property is redeveloped. The sprawling premises have been offered to leading real estate firm Meenakshi Constructions, which plans to build a premium gated community on the site. The announcement has left Tollywood nostalgic, with generations of filmmakers and fans bidding farewell to one of the city's most cherished filmmaking landmarks. An era is coming to an end. But Suresh Babu owns huge landbanks, don’t be surprised if he comes up with another state of the art studio!

Miami calling for Viji Reddy

Alamwar founder Viji Reddy is taking Hyderabad's creative spirit to the global stage. Fresh from completing an art installation at Missoni Baia in Miami, she explored the city’s renowned Design District, including works by legendary architect Zaha Hadid and an exclusive preview of the upcoming Casa Tua project. Known for blending art, architecture and storytelling, Viji is quietly building an international presence, taking Hyderabad's creative identity to the world.

All eyes on Nizam Club

The Nizam Club elections are this Sunday — Hyderabad’s 140-year-old institution is all set for a high-stakes contest. Two panels are in the fray. The challenger team, campaigning on change, integrity, reform and transparency, comprises Ashfaq Ahmed, B. Muthyam Reddy, Lavanya Kurma, Rishi Rathore and Aamer Javeed.

Who, What, When, Where, Why

Who among the Apollo sisters is being seen as the brightest spark with a brilliant business brain? Shobhna Kamineni. Her recent interviews where she explains how she turned the pharmacy business into a superbly successful model, and how it was her vision in the initial stages of Apollo hospitals too that turned the company into what it is today, is amazing. And she says it all with a lot of humility — no showing off.

What is retired Andhra Pradesh Intelligence chief AB Venkateswara Rao’s agenda? His recent fiery video demanding the rollback of Section 22A of the AP Registration Act went viral. ABV called for a massive public protest in Tirupati on July 5. Is he joining politics?

When did Madhavi Latha win shooting gold? At the 12th Telangana State Shooting Championship

Where could Telangana Principal Secretary (Home) Shikha Goel soon be heading to? New Delhi on central deputation. She is said to be among the frontrunners for the vacant Director General posts at BPR&D or NCRB following Alok Ranjan’s retirement.

Why is everyone saying Chiranjeevi's wife, Surekha Konidela’s appointment to the Yadagirigutta Temple Trust Board was done after strong recommendation from AP Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, who also is her brother-in-law? We say what’s wrong if a family member recommends a name? Surekha seems religious and she may just prove to be a capable member.

WICKED WHISPER

A young Marwari jeweller’s marriage in Hyderabad reportedly ended within just three months because he refused to step out of his routine. It was work, home and bed by 9 pm every single day. Despite repeated requests from his outgoing wife to socialise, he wouldn't budge. Frequent arguments followed, ending in divorce. The marriage ended, but his 9 pm bedtime didn’t.