New Delhi | 12 Sep 2026

Flooding across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh has affected millions of residents, submerged villages and forced evacuations as swollen rivers remain above danger levels at several locations. The India Meteorological Department has also forecast further rain across parts of northern, central and eastern India.

Bihar floods affect more than four million people

More than four million people across 14 Bihar districts have been affected by flooding, according to state-level figures reported by multiple news organisations. Relief and rescue operations are continuing in inundated settlements.

The Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Budhi Gandak, Punpun and Ghaghra have crossed danger levels along different stretches. Bihar’s real-time flood-monitoring system showed the main Ganga channel above warning level on September 12, although some monitored rivers were falling.

The flooding has occurred despite Bihar recording about 27 per cent less rainfall than normal between June 1 and the first week of September. Heavy upstream flows and intense local rainfall have pushed rivers beyond their carrying capacity.

High Ganga level worsens drainage problems

The elevated Ganga has created a backwater effect in tributaries including the Gandak and Punpun. Because these rivers discharge into the Ganga, its high water level has restricted their flow and caused water to accumulate in adjoining areas.

Flood pressure has damaged three protective bunds in Bhagalpur, leading to fresh inundation. Authorities are monitoring embankments, river levels and vulnerable settlements while relief teams distribute essential supplies and assist displaced families.

More than 350,000 residents affected in Uttar Pradesh

Floods have affected about 353,000 people across 26 districts of Uttar Pradesh, according to figures reported by state officials. More than 17,500 residents have been moved to safer locations, while thousands are staying in relief shelters.

The Ganga has crossed or approached the danger mark at several monitoring points. Ballia, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Badaun, Farrukhabad and adjoining riverine areas have faced inundation, while the Ghaghra and other rivers have also threatened low-lying settlements.

Floodwater has submerged several Varanasi ghats and disrupted cremations at traditional sites. Relief camps have been opened for evacuated families, with arrangements for food, drinking water, bedding and medical assistance.

IMD forecasts renewed rain across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh

The IMD’s extended forecast indicates widespread rain with thunderstorms and lightning over western Madhya Pradesh from September 12 to 14. Similar conditions are forecast over eastern Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh until September 14.

Rainfall activity is expected to increase over eastern Rajasthan from September 13 to 15, with isolated heavy rain possible on September 13 and 14. Uttarakhand could also receive isolated heavy rain, raising the risk of localised flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.

Residents in flood-prone locations have been advised to follow official weather and river-level alerts, avoid overflowing roads and bridges, and comply with evacuation directions issued by local authorities.

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New Delhi | 12 Sep 2026

The 18th BRICS Summit began at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday, bringing together leaders and representatives of 11 major emerging economies as India seeks stronger cooperation on trade, investment, technology, energy security and reform of global institutions.

BRICS Summit in New Delhi draws major world leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting the two-day summit on 12–13 September under India’s 2026 BRICS chairship. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are among the prominent leaders attending.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are also participating. Brazil is represented by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, while Saudi Arabia’s delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

The United Arab Emirates is represented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Leaders and representatives from partner countries, invited nations and international organisations are also attending.

Xi Jinping arrives for first India visit in seven years

Xi arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, marking his first visit to India since 2019. He received a ceremonial welcome at the airport before joining the summit engagements.

Modi and Xi are scheduled to hold bilateral talks on Saturday evening. Their meeting will be closely watched as India and China cautiously work to stabilise relations following the deterioration caused by the 2020 military clash along their disputed Himalayan border.

China’s Foreign Ministry said ahead of the visit that Beijing was willing to view bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, manage differences appropriately and strengthen cooperation with India.

Modi and Putin discuss trade, energy and regional conflicts

Modi held bilateral talks with Putin in New Delhi on Friday, a day before the leaders’ summit. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders reviewed their special and privileged strategic partnership and discussed political, defence, energy and economic cooperation.

They also exchanged views on conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, including their effects on maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers. India and Russia have
BRICS Summit Opens in New Delhi as Modi Hosts Putin and Xi New Delhi | 12 Sep 2026

The 18th BRICS Summit opened at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday, bringing together leaders and representatives of major emerging economies for two days of talks on trade, investment, global governance, technology and regional conflicts.

BRICS Summit begins amid global economic and geopolitical tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting the September 12–13 meeting under India’s fourth BRICS chairship. India’s theme for 2026 is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with an emphasis on development-oriented cooperation and a stronger voice for the Global South.

The summit is taking place against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, war involving Iran, disruption to global energy and shipping routes, and growing disputes over tariffs, sanctions and Western-led financial systems.

Talks are expected to cover political and security cooperation, economic and financial coordination, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Members are also considering ways to expand trade in national currencies, strengthen supply chains and reform international institutions.

Xi Jinping arrives in India after seven years

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for the summit and a scheduled bilateral meeting with Modi. It is Xi’s first visit to India since 2019 and comes as the two Asian neighbours cautiously seek to stabilise relations damaged by the deadly 2020 border confrontation.

The Modi-Xi talks are expected to focus on bilateral relations and the management of continuing differences. China’s Foreign Ministry said before the visit that Beijing was willing to approach relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and properly manage disagreements.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are among the prominent participants.

Brazil is represented by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, while Saudi Arabia’s delegation is led by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Representatives from partner countries, invited nations and international organisations are also attending.

Modi and Putin discuss trade, energy and regional conflicts

Modi held bilateral talks with Putin in New Delhi on Friday, a day before the leaders’ summit. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said they reviewed political, defence, energy and economic cooperation and exchanged views on conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region that have affected maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers.

India and Russia have set a target of increasing bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, from nearly $70 billion in the 2024–25 financial year. New Delhi continues to defend its energy purchases from Russia as necessary for securing affordable and reliable supplies.

Expanded BRICS seeks greater influence in global governance

BRICS now comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. According to Indian government figures, the 11 members account for 49.5 per cent of the world’s population, about 40 per cent of global gross domestic product and 26 per cent of global trade.

The New Delhi summit will test whether the expanded grouping can reach common positions despite differences among members over major conflicts and their relationships with the United States and other Western powers. Negotiations on the summit’s final outcome will indicate the extent of consensus on trade, financial cooperation, multilateral reform and global security.

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New Delhi | 11 Sep 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks in New Delhi on Friday, reviewing cooperation in trade, energy, defence and technology ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.

The meeting covered the broader India-Russia strategic partnership, including civil nuclear energy, fertilisers, critical minerals, manufacturing, railways and steel. Defence proposals involving the Su-57 fighter aircraft, S-400 air-defence system and BrahMos missile programme were also expected to feature in the discussions.

Modi-Putin meeting puts defence cooperation in focus

Russia has proposed supplying its Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft to India and has expressed readiness to discuss technology sharing and domestic production. India had not announced any purchase or production agreement at the time of reporting.

The two sides were also expected to review the remaining S-400 deliveries and long-term maintenance arrangements. A proposed upgrade of India’s Su-30MKI fleet and future cooperation on advanced air-defence systems have formed part of wider defence discussions.

India and Russia are separately examining improvements to the jointly developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The proposed BrahMos-NG would be lighter than the existing system and designed for integration with a wider range of aircraft, including the Tejas fighter.

Trade, energy and Ukraine discussed

Modi and Putin discussed expanding bilateral trade and developing reliable payment and transport mechanisms. India and Russia have explored greater use of national currencies while seeking solutions to the imbalance created by India’s substantially higher imports from Russia.

Energy remains central to the relationship. India has defended its purchases of Russian oil by citing the need for secure, affordable and dependable supplies for its population and economy.

Modi reiterated India’s position that the conflict in Ukraine should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. New Delhi has said it supports credible efforts aimed at achieving peace while continuing its economic engagement with Moscow.

Civil nuclear cooperation, including existing Russian involvement at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and the possibility of additional projects, was also expected to receive attention.

BRICS Business Forum draws more than 2,000 delegates

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said more than 2,000 business leaders and delegates from BRICS member and partner countries attended the BRICS Business Forum. Discussions covered non-tariff barriers, global value chains, agriculture, services, women-led enterprises and the digital economy.

International delegations arrive in New Delhi

Nigerian Vice-President Kashim Shettima arrived in India to participate in the BRICS Summit, joining leaders and senior representatives from member, partner and invited countries.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also arrived in New Delhi and was received at the airport by Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar.

Foreign ministers hold bilateral consultations

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira at Hyderabad House. Their discussions covered bilateral relations and international issues ahead of the summit.

Modi also presented Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil work attributed to poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, during their engagement in New Delhi.

Indian cuisine and millets feature in summit hospitality

Hotels accommodating BRICS delegates prepared Indian menus featuring millet-based dishes. Amit Biswas, executive sous chef at The Lalit New Delhi, said the menu was designed to promote millets while serving the requirements of international guests.

The BRICS leaders’ summit is scheduled for 12 and 13 September at Bharat Mandapam. Leaders are expected to discuss economic cooperation, global governance, trade, financial coordination, sustainable development and current international conflicts.

Dhaka | 10 Sep 2026

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will not attend the BRICS Summit in New Delhi after Dhaka said the invitation was issued to the current BIMSTEC chair rather than to Rahman in his capacity as Bangladesh’s head of government.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir confirmed the decision while speaking to reporters on Thursday. Bangladesh will consequently have no government representative at the summit, according to the latest reports.

Dhaka clarifies BIMSTEC invitation

Bangladesh is not a BRICS member. India had invited the BIMSTEC chair to participate in an outreach session organised alongside the summit. Bangladesh currently holds the chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.

Dhaka’s position is that the invitation was addressed to the head of the regional grouping and did not constitute a formal invitation to the Bangladeshi prime minister. Indian authorities had not publicly announced a change to the invitation arrangement at the time of reporting.

BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The grouping promotes cooperation in areas including trade, connectivity, security, energy and economic development.

What is the BRICS outreach session?

The host country may invite non-member states and representatives of regional organisations to BRICS outreach meetings. These sessions allow participants outside the bloc to discuss development, trade, energy, food security and other international issues with BRICS leaders.

India previously brought BRICS and BIMSTEC leaders together during the 2016 summit in Goa. The 2026 BRICS Summit is scheduled for 12 and 13 September at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Separate India visit remains under consideration

Kabir indicated that Dhaka was considering a separate bilateral visit by Rahman, but no date had been finalised. A proposed visit in August did not take place, with Bangladesh saying at the time that no final decision had been made.

India and Bangladesh have been seeking to stabilise relations amid differences over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has remained in India since leaving Bangladesh in 2024. Dhaka has requested her extradition, while India has said the request is under examination.

Bangladesh has also signalled that future bilateral talks should address trade, water sharing and other unresolved issues. Any visit by Rahman would be his first to India since assuming office in February 2026.

New Delhi | 11 Sep 2026

A reported cloudburst and landslide closed the Kedarnath pedestrian route in Uttarakhand on Friday as renewed monsoon activity intensified flooding across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.

Large boulders reportedly fell on the Kedarnath route after heavy rain, blocking the pilgrimage track. No confirmed casualty figure was immediately available.

Kedarnath route closed after landslide

Uttarakhand remained under a yellow alert for thunderstorms and rain across all districts. Heavy rainfall was forecast at isolated places in Dehradun, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Nainital, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh.

Officials were assessing the affected section of the Kedarnath route. Travellers and pilgrims were advised to follow local administration instructions and avoid landslide-prone areas.

Floods affect 26 districts in Uttar Pradesh

More than 10 rivers, including the Ganga and Yamuna, were reported to be in spate across Uttar Pradesh. Flooding affected 26 districts and more than 400,000 people, according to figures cited in state-level reports.

A bridge was submerged in Mirzapur, while floodwater covered part of a highway in Farrukhabad. Residents of several villages in Unnao were using improvised boats after the swollen Ganga disrupted local transport.

The weather department forecast heavy rain in 48 districts on Friday. Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Kaushambi were among 32 districts that received rain on Thursday.

Bihar flood crisis affects about 4.4 million people

Eight rivers were flowing above their danger levels in Bihar, where flooding had affected approximately 4.4 million people across 2,360 villages in 14 districts, according to disaster-management figures reported by Indian media.

Nearly 27,954 people were staying in relief camps. Floodwater had also entered parts of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, while villages in Munger and other riverine districts remained inundated.

Authorities continued relief operations as rising water levels in the Ganga, Kosi and other rivers threatened low-lying settlements.

Heavy-rain alert issued for 12 Madhya Pradesh districts

The monsoon system became active again in Madhya Pradesh after a three-day break. Heavy rain was forecast in 12 districts on Friday, with further rainfall expected in the Indore, Narmadapuram and Ujjain divisions from 12 September.

Flood-like conditions were reported in Damoh, where several residential areas were waterlogged. Bhopal, Narmadapuram and Vidisha also received rain on Thursday night.

Rain alerts extend across Rajasthan and Jharkhand

Rajasthan issued a yellow alert for heavy rain in nine districts as a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal revived monsoon activity. The wet spell was expected to continue until 15 September.

Jharkhand forecast heavy rain in eight districts, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and winds of 30–40 kilometres per hour. Residents in vulnerable areas were advised to avoid flooded roads, swollen rivers and unstable slopes.

New Delhi | 11 Sep 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to hold bilateral talks in New Delhi on Friday, with defence, trade, energy and technology cooperation expected to dominate the agenda ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.

Putin arrived in the Indian capital late on Thursday for a three-day visit. The proposed sale and possible production of Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft in India may figure in the talks, but New Delhi has not announced any agreement.

Modi-Putin meeting to cover major defence programmes

Discussions are expected to include pending S-400 air-defence system deliveries, maintenance support and the proposed upgrade of India’s Su-30MKI fighter fleet.

Russia has also proposed expanding cooperation on the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile programme. The two countries are examining improvements to the existing missile and the development of the lighter BrahMos-NG variant, which is intended for deployment on a wider range of aircraft.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said earlier that the possible sale of the Su-57 to India was on the agenda. Any purchase, technology-transfer arrangement or domestic production plan would require formal negotiations and approval from the Indian government.

Trade, nuclear energy and connectivity also in focus

The two leaders are expected to review bilateral trade, investment, civilian nuclear energy and payment arrangements. India and Russia have been exploring wider use of national currencies while addressing practical difficulties created by their trade imbalance.

Connectivity projects, including the International North-South Transport Corridor and the proposed Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route, may also be discussed as both countries seek faster and more reliable supply chains.

BRICS leaders and delegates arrive in Delhi

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in New Delhi for the summit and was received at the airport by Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira at Hyderabad House for discussions on bilateral relations and international issues.

Delegates attending the summit are being offered an Indian menu featuring millet-based dishes, according to Amit Biswas, executive sous chef at The Lalit New Delhi.

Iranian President arrives for BRICS Summit

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also arrived in New Delhi on Friday. He is scheduled to meet Modi separately as India engages key BRICS partners amid continuing geopolitical and economic tensions.

The BRICS leaders’ summit is scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September.

New Delhi | 11 Sep 2026

Banking services across India are expected to face disruption on Friday, 11 September, after the United Forum of Bank Unions went ahead with a nationwide strike demanding implementation of a five-day banking week. With banks also closed on the second Saturday, 12 September, and Sunday, 13 September, customers dependent on branch services could face a three-day gap in regular banking operations.

Bank strike in India goes ahead over five-day working demand

The United Forum of Bank Unions, an umbrella body of major bank employee and officer unions, decided to proceed with the strike after talks with the Indian Banks’ Association and government representatives failed to produce a definite timeline for implementing five-day banking.

In an official circular issued ahead of the strike, the All India Bank Employees’ Association said the Department of Financial Services had informed union representatives that the five-day banking proposal remained under government consideration. The unions, however, declined requests to defer the industrial action in the absence of a firm decision or timeline.

The five-day banking proposal was agreed between the unions and the Indian Banks’ Association as part of the March 2024 settlement and subsequently sent to the government for approval, according to the union.

Cash, cheque and other branch services may be affected

Customers could face delays in branch-dependent services such as cash deposits and withdrawals at counters, cheque-related work, passbook updates, loan processing and other in-person transactions, depending on employee participation in the strike.

The strike does not mean that every bank branch across India is automatically closed. September 11 is not a nationwide bank holiday under the Reserve Bank of India’s holiday calendar, and individual banks have made arrangements to maintain essential operations where possible.

State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank have cautioned customers that branch operations may be affected. The banks have advised customers to use digital and alternative banking channels for essential transactions.

UPI, ATMs and online banking expected to remain available

Digital banking services including UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and ATMs are expected to remain available during the strike. SBI has also advised customers to use its digital platforms, ATMs, automated deposit-cum-withdrawal machines and customer service points where required.

However, customers requiring physical branch assistance may experience delays, particularly because the strike immediately precedes the second Saturday and Sunday.

Why bank employees are on strike

The principal demand is the introduction of a five-day working week for banks. Unions have also raised concerns over the Performance Linked Incentive scheme and several pending service-related issues.

The Department of Financial Services has informed the unions that the Performance Linked Incentive scheme for Scale IV to VIII officers for 2025-26 has been kept in abeyance and would be discussed bilaterally. Despite that development, the UFBU said the absence of progress on five-day banking remained sufficient reason to continue with the September 11 strike.

Other issues raised by the unions include recruitment, pensions, gratuity, medical insurance for retirees and other service conditions.

More bank strikes planned if dispute remains unresolved

The September 11 stoppage is part of a wider programme of industrial action announced by the UFBU. The unions have also called for a three-day nationwide strike on 28, 29 and 30 September if their demands remain unresolved.

They have further warned of an indefinite strike from 26 October. Whether those actions proceed will depend on developments in negotiations with the government and the Indian Banks’ Association.

Cupertino | 9 Sep 2026

Apple has launched its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at its September product event in Cupertino. The iPhone Duo will start at ₹299,900 in India, while the iPhone 18 Pro range starts at ₹164,900, marking a major expansion of Apple’s premium smartphone line-up.

iPhone Duo starts at ₹299,900 in India

The iPhone Duo opens to reveal a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR folding OLED display and carries a 5.4-inch outer display for use when the device is closed. Apple says the inner screen is its largest iPhone display to date.

The foldable model is powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip and uses a vapour-chamber cooling system. It features a dual-battery architecture and Apple’s C2 modem, while iOS 27 has been adapted for the folding design and supports multitasking across the larger display.

Apple is offering the iPhone Duo in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage configurations. Indian prices start at ₹299,900 for 256GB, rising to ₹449,900 for the 2TB version. The phone will be available in Night Sky and Star White finishes.

Pre-orders in India are scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm IST on 16 October, with sales starting on 23 October.

“iPhone Duo is the most transformational change to iPhone since the original.”— John Ternus, Apple CEO

Foldable design brings new display and camera features

The iPhone Duo uses a Grade 5 titanium frame and hinge cover and carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. Apple says the device measures 5.2mm thick when open and weighs 254 grams.

Both displays support ProMotion with adaptive refresh rates of up to 120Hz, Always-On functionality and peak outdoor brightness of up to 3,000 nits. The inner display also uses a nano-texture finish designed to reduce reflections and make the fold less visually prominent.

The rear camera system includes a 48MP Fusion Main camera and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera. Apple has also added a 12MP Center Stage front camera and an under-display FaceTime camera for the inner screen.

Unlike Apple’s recent flagship iPhones, the Duo uses Touch ID integrated into the side button rather than Face ID. Apple says support for the USB-C Apple Pencil will arrive later in 2026. The iPhone Duo is eSIM-only worldwide.

iPhone 18 Pro adds variable-aperture camera and longer battery life

Apple also unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, powered by the same A20 Pro processor. The Pro models introduce a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, allowing the camera to adjust for lighting conditions and depth of field.

The iPhone 18 Pro has a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display, while the Pro Max uses a 6.9-inch screen. Both models are available in Burgundy, Glacier, Silver and Black.

Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro Max can deliver up to 43 hours of video playback, the longest claimed battery life on an iPhone. The Pro range also introduces a redesigned Dynamic Island and a next-generation vapour chamber for sustained performance.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹164,900 in India. Pre-orders will open at 5:30 pm IST on 12 September, with availability beginning on 18 September.

Apple event also brings new Watches and AirPods

Alongside the new iPhones, Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5. The event was the company’s first major product launch under chief executive John Ternus.

Apple did not introduce a standard iPhone 18 during the September event, focusing its smartphone announcements on the premium iPhone 18 Pro models and the new foldable iPhone Duo.

The iPhone Duo puts Apple directly into the foldable smartphone segment already contested by companies including Samsung and Huawei, while its ₹299,900 starting price positions it well above Apple’s conventional flagship models in India.

India | 09 Sep 2026

The official trailer for Drishyam: The Conclusion was released on Wednesday, bringing Ajay Devgn back as Vijay Salgaonkar for the final chapter of the Hindi crime-thriller franchise. The film will open in cinemas on 2 October 2026.

Drishyam: The Conclusion trailer revives the Salgaonkar case

The trailer shows Vijay and his family facing renewed scrutiny as investigators continue trying to establish the truth behind the unresolved disappearance that drove the first two films.

Tabu returns as Meera Deshmukh, who remains determined to hold Vijay accountable. Shriya Saran reprises her role as Vijay’s wife, Nandini, while Ishita Dutta returns as their elder daughter, Anju.

The footage presents the concluding film as a confrontation between Vijay’s carefully maintained account and a renewed investigation supported by additional legal and police figures.

Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj join the investigation

Jaideep Ahlawat joins the franchise as a Crime Branch superintendent of police, while Prakash Raj appears as a lawyer. Their characters strengthen the investigation against Vijay and his family as the decade-long storyline moves towards its conclusion.

Akshaye Khanna, who played investigating officer Tarun Ahlawat in Drishyam 2, does not appear in the newly released trailer. The production has not announced his return for the concluding film.

Drishyam: The Conclusion releases on 2 October

Abhishek Pathak, who directed Drishyam 2, has directed the new instalment. He co-wrote the screenplay with Aamil Keeyan Khan and Parveez Shaikh.

The film is presented by Star Studio18 and produced by Panorama Studios. Alok Jain, Ajit Andhare, Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak are credited as producers.

The 2 October release date carries narrative significance for the franchise because Vijay used events associated with that date to construct his family’s alibi in the first film. The makers have promoted the new instalment as the conclusion to Vijay Salgaonkar’s story in the Hindi series.