Holly to Bolly: Shah Rukh Khan receives honorary degree, hackers spread online rumour that Britney Spears is dead, and more

Scott Roth / Invision / AP, File

Satish Kumar / The National

Angela Weiss / AFP

Honorary degree for SRK

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has received an honorary doctorate from Moulana Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad for his extraordinary contribution to promoting the Urdu language and culture through his films.

Wearing a graduation gown and sunglasses, Khan was presented the honorary doctorate by Zafar Sareshwala, chancellor of the university, and greeted with thunderous applause by the students.

In a brief speech, he thanked the university for the honour and said his parents would have been happy to see the moment, especially since he was receiving the honour in the birthplace of his mother. – IANS

Rapper recovering after Christmas Day shooting

Rapper Troy Ave is in “fair” condition in hospital after being shot twice while driving in New York on Christmas night.

The musician, real name Roland Collins, who is signed to DefJam records, was on his way to visit his family on December 25 when he was shot twice.

Police say the 31-year-old was in a red Maserati when a man fired several rounds into the car, hitting Collins in the arm and grazing his head. No arrests have been made. – AP

Season two of web series Made in India released

A second season of the web series Made In India is now online. The show, starring Flora Saini, is about Priyanka, a straight-talking and witty maid who used to live in Dubai, is tech-savvy and addicted to social media. It is available on online video entertainment channel Web Talkies.

Umesh Ghadge, the writer and director of the series and chief creative officer of Web Talkies said: "Maid in India has been one of the most successful shows during its inaugural season. The show's second season will look to build on and exceed the expectations that season one had established."

The second season was launched on December 26 and will continue till February 20. – IANS

Step into a virtual-reality experience behind the scenes on Dangal

A virtual-reality experience about the making of Aamir Khan's latest film, Dangal, has been released. It lets fans see what it was like behind the scenes and explore the movie's sets.

Filmmaker Anand Gandhi, who produced the virtual-reality film, was given special access to the crew on location in Haryana and Mumbai.

From dance rehearsals to set building and Khan's intense workout regime, the experience gives viewers an all-access pass into the Dangal team's life. – IANS

Hackers spread online rumour that Britney Spears is dead

False reports were posted on Monday by hackers on usually reliable online accounts suggesting Britney Spears had died. Her management told Entertainment Weekly that the pop star is alive and well.

Fans were alarmed when tweets from verified accounts appeared to announce her death.

“Britney Spears is dead by accident! We will tell you more soon,” read one tweet from Sony Music Global’s account.

“Rest in peace, Britney Spears,” appeared on Bob Dylan’s verified account. The tweets were soon deleted.

“I assume their accounts have been hacked,” Adam Leber, Spears’s manager, told CNN. “Britney is fine and well.” – The National Staff