New Nissan Tekton SUV Launched Starting at ₹10.49 Lakh: Specs, Interior, and Variants Explained
Nissan has officially shaken up the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment with the global unveil and launch of the brand-new Nissan Tekton. Starting at an aggressive price point of ₹10.49 lakh and going up to ₹18.59 lakh for the top-tier flagship model (ex-showroom), the Tekton is poised to be an incredibly crucial product for the Japanese automaker. Highlighting its global significance, Nissan hosted journalists from across international markets, including South Africa and the Middle East, to witness the vehicle firsthand.
While the Tekton shares its platform and underlying mechanical architecture with the upcoming Renault Duster, Nissan has introduced distinct design identities, premium interior upgrades, and localized features to give this SUV a completely unique character.
Muscular Exterior Design and Dimensions
At first glance, Nissan has successfully given the Tekton a striking visual separation from its Renault sibling. The front fascia is completely redone, featuring zero design links to the Duster. It boasts a bold, upright grille inspired by Nissan’s legendary full-size global SUVs—the Patrol and the Pathfinder—giving it a commanding road presence. The muscular hood is heavily sculpted with deep grooves, complemented neatly by rugged plastic body cladding and stylish red accents.
From the side, while the overall silhouette and window lines resemble the Duster, the Tekton stands out with its premium 18-inch dual-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels. It also features a unique side plaque on the front doors inspired by the sharp silhouette of the Himalayan mountain range. The rear styling features a continuous connected LED light bar that looks cohesive and contemporary.
In terms of dimensions, the Tekton matches the Duster's heavy-duty underpinnings. It boasts a rugged 212 mm of ground clearance to manage rough terrains with ease. Additionally, it offers a segment-leading, cavernous 700-liter boot space equipped with a rare convenience feature in this price bracket—an electrically powered tailgate.
Engine Options and Performance
Under the hood, the Nissan Tekton offers two distinct engine configurations:
1.0-Liter Turbo Petrol Engine: Geared toward efficiency and daily commuting.
1.3-Liter Turbo Petrol Engine: Aimed at performance enthusiasts, which comes paired with either a slick manual transmission or a quick-shifting 6-speed dual-clutch (DCT) automatic gearbox.
Unlike the Renault Duster, Nissan has opted not to offer a hybrid powertrain option with the Tekton. Mechanically, the ride and handling characteristics are expected to mirror the Duster closely, providing a sturdy, mature, and identical driving experience on the road.
Premium Cabin Ambience and Features
Because hard points like dashboard moldings and door pads cannot be easily changed in shared platform development, Nissan heavily focused on enhancing material quality and cabin color themes to elevate the Tekton's cabin.
Unlike the Duster’s dark, utilitarian interior theme, the Tekton welcomes occupants with a premium burgundy and beige dual-tone upholstery. The center console and dashboard elements are highlighted with elegant rose gold accents, creating an airy, sophisticated vibe.
In terms of technology and comfort, the Tekton comes heavily loaded with modern tech:
A massive panoramic sunroof and a large, highly responsive dual-digital touchscreen infotainment cluster.
Integrated Google ecosystem features, including native Google AI and Google Assistant for a seamlessly connected driving experience.
Ventilated front seats, electronic climate control, steering-mounted controls, and custom configurable ambient lighting—a feature entirely exclusive to the Tekton over the Duster.
Safety, Variants, and Booking Timeline
Safety remains a top priority, with Nissan packing the Tekton with over 40 standard and active safety features. This includes six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ABS, and a tailored Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) suite specifically configured to include practical, everyday-use functions rather than showy tech.
To offer something for every buyer, Nissan is launching the Tekton with an incredibly widespread lineup. Customers can choose across 12 distinct variants, 3 gearbox options, 4 unique interior upholstery themes, and up to 11 vibrant color choices.
Bookings for the all-new Nissan Tekton are officially open across dealerships, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin as early as July 20, 2026. With its aggressive starting price, premium cabin space, and robust feature list, the Tekton is set to give rivals like the Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster a tough run for their money.
The Real Reason Behind Satluj Ban: Diljit Dosanjh Starrer Sparks Fierce Debate Over Free Speech and Propaganda
The raging controversy surrounding the movie Satluj (previously titled 95) shows no signs of slowing down, as it continues to ignite fiery arguments across digital platforms and mainstream media outlets. Directed by Honey Trehan and starring Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role, the film is a biographical drama based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra.
After a grueling three-year legal and ideological battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the makers managed to secure an uncut release on a premium Over-The-Top (OTT) platform. However, the victory was short-lived. The sudden takedown of the film from the platform within days of its release has reopened deep socio-political wounds, forcing society to address four distinct dimensions of this complicated dispute.
1. The Clash of Social Media Realities: Digital Dictatorship vs. National Security
The moment the movie was pulled down, internet audiences split down the middle. One massive faction strongly condemned the removal, viewing it as a direct assault on the freedom of expression. Online spaces were instantly flooded with viral campaigns like #Satluj, #DiljitDosanjh, and #StopCensorship. Prominent filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma lent his voice to the outrage, categorizing the film's ban as a painful wound to the creative community. Critics argued that arbitrarily pulling down content amounts to "digital dictatorship" in a democratic country.
Conversely, an equally large group supported the government's intervention. They argued that Punjab has already survived a dark, agonizing era of militancy. In their view, any media that exclusively paints the entire state machinery as a ruthless villain risks radicalizing vulnerable youngsters. This faction argued that art cannot serve as a shield to advance anti-national agendas or cater to overseas separatist narratives.
Meanwhile, the ban triggered an unintended side effect: rampant digital piracy. Unofficial download links spread rapidly across channels like Telegram and torrent sites. Acknowledging the leak during an Instagram Live session, lead actor Diljit Dosanjh noted that since many users had already downloaded the movie, it would inevitably remain accessible in some corner of the internet.
2. The Historiographical Debate: One-Sided Narrative or Harsh Truth?
A core criticism directed at Satluj is its selective portrayal of Punjab’s history during the tumultuous 1980s and 1990s. The film follows Jaswant Singh Khalra’s journey as he painstakingly gathers records of unclaimed bodies from crematoriums, exposing gross human rights violations and police brutalities.
While critics do not deny the reality of police excesses during that period, they emphasize that a historical tragedy requires holistic context. The movie has been called out for largely muting the unimaginable horrors perpetrated by insurgents during the same era. The militancy period saw the tragic loss of over 36,000 innocent Hindu and Sikh lives, alongside thousands of brave Punjab Police personnel who sacrificed their lives to restore peace. By presenting an asymmetric narrative that shows the state as the sole oppressor, critics argue the movie does injustice to the complete historical truth.
3. Cinema vs. Propaganda: Where is the Line Drawn?
The film has firmly positioned itself at the center of the age-old debate: where does cinema end and propaganda begin?
Supporters praise the film as a grounded, brave piece of investigative art. Diljit’s character is intentionally written not as a larger-than-life action figure, but as an ordinary bank employee armed only with a register and a voice of conscience. Arjun Rampal's role as a CBI officer further highlights that truth-seeking individuals existed within the system.
However, authorities likely justified the ban under the IT Rules of 2021 due to intelligence assessments. With anti-social elements actively trying to rekindle old conflicts, the government viewed the film's emotionally polarizing content as a potential threat to regional law and order rather than pure entertainment.
4. The Political Exploitation of a Creative Product
Unsurprisingly, the Satluj ban has quickly morphed into a powerful political tool. Parties like the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the SGPC have aggressively condemned the ban, labeling it an attempt to hide the historic atrocities committed against Sikhs. SAD has even announced plans to hold independent screenings across Punjab to consolidate its traditional voter base.
On the other hand, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress have criticized the removal, turning it into a classic "State vs. Center" political battle. In response, central government representatives maintained that the ban was purely a security-driven measure, adding that the filmmakers breached protocol by bypassing the 127 cuts originally recommended by the censor board. Ultimately, Satluj has evolved from a creative product into a political football, proving that cinema still holds an unmatched power to rattle society.
SBI Funds Management IPO: Biggest Public Issue of 2026 Details Announced; Check Dates, Price Band, and Lot Size
The long-awaited wait for India’s most anticipated public issue of the year is finally over. Detailed plans have been officially unveiled for the upcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO) of SBI Funds Management. Touted to be the largest public issue of 2026 so far, this mega offering has caught the undivided attention of both novice retail participants and seasoned market veterans alike.
SBI Funds Management operates as the asset management powerhouse behind the nation’s largest mutual fund business, SBI Mutual Fund. Boasting massive operational scale, the firm managed an impressive Asset Under Management (AUM) of approximately ₹12.5 lakh crore as of March 2026, solidifying its stature as India's premier asset management company.
Key Dates: Subscription and Listing Timeline
According to the official schedule, the public issue is set to open for bidding on July 14, 2026, and will conclude its subscription phase on July 16, 2026. Prior to the public bidding, institutional anchor investors will place their bids on July 13, 2026.
If the tentative regulatory and allotment schedules proceed without operational delays, the equity shares of SBI Funds Management are highly expected to make their stock market debut on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on July 21, 2026.
Price Band, Lot Size, and Minimum Investment Details
The asset management firm has locked in a premium price band ranging from ₹545 to ₹574 per equity share.
For individual retail investors planning to apply, the minimum market lot size has been fixed at 26 shares. Consequently, calculating an application at the upper price band ceiling of ₹574 per share implies that a retail investor will need to commit a minimum investment value of ₹14,924 to bid for a single lot.
Issue Structure: A Pure Offer for Sale (OFS)
With an aggregate issue size of approximately ₹11,700 crore, this IPO is comfortably positioned as the single largest stock market issue of 2026. However, an interesting aspect for prospective investors to consider is its structural design; the company is not issuing any fresh equity shares.
The entire issue is structured cleanly as an Offer for Sale (OFS). This means that 100% of the capital raised through the public issue will not flow into the operational coffers of SBI Funds Management. Instead, the total proceeds will directly go to the existing co-owners who are offloading a portion of their holding.
Specifically, State Bank of India (SBI) is trimming its stake by selling a 6.3% shareholding. Concurrently, its joint venture partner, Amundi India Holding, is divesting a 3.7% stake. Together, the partners are offering roughly a cumulative 10% equity stake to the public. Post-IPO, SBI will comfortably retain its position as the dominant majority shareholder.
In a positive development for internal stakeholders, eligible employees of the firm are being offered an exclusive benefit, receiving a discount of ₹54 per share off the finalized issue price.
Why is There Extraordinary Buzz in the Market?
The massive enthusiasm surrounding this issue stems from three significant factors:
It represents the very first public listing from the country's undisputed market leader in the mutual fund sector.
At the upper limit of the price band (₹574), the total corporate valuation of the firm stands at an astronomical ₹1.17 lakh crore.
It stands out as one of the most prominent public offerings within the broader financial services landscape.
Strong preliminary institutional demand is already visible ahead of the official opening dates. High-profile sovereign wealth funds and global institutions—such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Singapore’s GIC—have reportedly shown strong early interest in anchoring the book.
To ensure seamless execution for an issue of this scale, a consortium of elite merchant bankers has been appointed to manage the book. The lead managers include Kotak Mahindra Capital, Axis Capital, BofA Securities India, HSBC Securities, ICICI Securities, JM Financial, Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors, and SBI Capital Markets.
Gold and Silver Prices Crash: Precious Metals Witness Massive Drop Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
The global bullion market has witnessed a significant correction this week as prices for both gold and silver crashed dramatically. Driven by rapidly changing global dynamics, gold fell by over ₹2,900, while silver plunged by more than ₹13,000, bringing immense relief to domestic buyers but raising concerns among investors.
According to the latest data released by the Indian Bullion Jewelers Association (IBJA), the sharp decline reflects a broader correction in international markets, heavily impacted by escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.
Massive Dip in Gold Rates Across Carats
As per the IBJA, retail benchmarks for different purities of gold dropped significantly over the week's trading sessions:
24-Carat Gold: The price for the highest purity of gold dropped by ₹2,976, closing at ₹1,43,368 per 10 grams, down from its previous high of ₹1,46,344 per 10 grams.
22-Carat Gold: Widely preferred for jewelry making, 22-carat gold fell to ₹1,31,325 per 10 grams from its earlier rate of ₹1,34,051 per 10 grams.
18-Carat Gold: Affordable jewelry variations also saw a substantial downward trend, sliding down to ₹1,07,526 per 10 grams compared to the earlier high of ₹1,09,758 per 10 grams.
Throughout the week, volatility remained evident. The lowest point for gold was recorded during the evening session on July 8, when it hit ₹1,42,350 per 10 grams. Conversely, its highest trading point was observed in the morning session on July 6, peaking at ₹1,45,833 per 10 grams.
Silver Plunges Sharply by Over ₹13,000
The silver market mirrored the bearish sentiment seen in gold, experiencing an even more aggressive correction. The price of industrial silver plummeted by ₹13,468, settling down at ₹2,20,390 per kilogram. This is a massive contraction from its previous price point of ₹2,33,858 per kilogram.
Market tracking showed that silver hit its peak for the week on July 6, touching ₹2,33,158 per kilogram. However, the downward pressure intensified by the end of the week, pushing it to its weekly low of ₹2,20,390 per kilogram by July 10.
International Impact and Geopolitical Triggers
The domestic price trends strictly follow movements in the international markets, where spot prices have corrected downwards sharply. Globally, gold prices have pulled back to around $4,100 per ounce, while international silver rates are hovering close to $46 per ounce.
Market experts point towards the sudden flare-up in conflict between the US and Iran as the core driver for the current market behavior. The tensions escalated rapidly after the US launched strikes targeting several Iranian cities following attacks on commercial vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, Iran targeted American military bases stationed across the Gulf nations.
While geopolitical uncertainty usually pushes investors toward safe-haven assets like gold, extreme volatility and macro-economic adjustments have triggered liquidations, resulting in this sharp drop. As the IBJA continues to update prices twice daily across morning and evening sessions, investors are advised to closely monitor international developments before making major moves.
Dhamaal 4 Review: Arshad Warsi & Jaaved Jaaferi Win Hearts, But Ajay Devgn Starrer Misses The Laughs
The Dhamaal franchise has always been synonymous with unapologetic, slapstick comedy. Ever since the original 2007 film struck gold with its hilarious ensemble cast and unforgettable punchlines, fans have held onto the hope that each successive sequel would recapture that magic. Enter Dhamaal 4, a film operating on immense confidence—the kind of confidence that assumes if one person falling down isn’t funny, throwing ten people down a cliff alongside a menagerie of CGI animals surely will be. Unfortunately, loudness does not always equal laughs, and this 2-hour and 23-minute adventure frequently struggles to find its footing.
A Razor-Thin Plot Stretched to Its Limits
The narrative baseline of Dhamaal 4 is as simple as it gets. A chaotic group of eccentric characters heads deep into a dense jungle in a mad rush to uncover Shaitan Singh’s century-old hidden gold. While a straightforward, single-line plot is perfectly fine for a comedy vehicle, the script tries to stretch this premise well beyond its natural expiration date.
The first half of the film spends a massive chunk of its runtime indulging in drawn-out ghost shenanigans that offer very few genuine scares or laughs. By the time the intermission rolls around and the setting shifts deep inside a cave for the actual treasure hunt, the pacing slows down drastically. The sequence keeps going on and on, leaving audiences less interested in whether the characters find the gold and more hopeful that they simply find the exit.
The Good: The Effortless Magic of Arshad and Jaaved
If there is a definitive saving grace in Dhamaal 4, it is the spectacular camaraderie between Arshad Warsi and Jaaved Jaaferi. Their comic timing remains absolutely effortless, proving that their chemistry hasn't aged a day. Every single time the duo shares the screen, the movie instantly wakes up from its creative slumber. Their banter delivers the sharpest, most natural comedic beats of the entire film, leaving viewers wishing the producers would give these two their own dedicated spin-off project.
Additionally, Ajay Devgn shares a fun and incredibly easy chemistry with Sanjay Mishra. Their interactions provide a steady stream of pleasant moments that work in the film's favor, keeping the middle portion of the narrative watchable.
The Bad: Outdated Humour and Wasted Potential
Where Dhamaal 4 severely falters is in its reliance on lazy, outdated writing. In an era where comedy has evolved, the film heavily relies on physical gags, characters getting whacked over the head, and people dangling precariously off cliffs. In one bizarrely absurd sequence, a character even ends up with a knife placed in a highly uncomfortable, unspoken body part.
Reality is clearly on a permanent vacation here. In past movies, we saw Ajay Devgn balancing on two moving bikes; here, he upgrades to riding two dolphins through rough, turbulent waters. Later on, he casually squares up to a tiger as if it's just a regular Tuesday afternoon, leading to a weak punchline referencing his iconic Singham avatar.
Worse still is the film's reliance on cheap fat-shaming jokes targeting the character played by Anjali. Her weight becomes the repetitive butt of the joke across multiple scenes—where every jump, heavy breath, and physical movement is aggressively played for cheap laughs. It feels entirely dated, lazy, and completely unnecessary for a modern entertainer.
The supporting cast also faces a severe lack of breathing room. While some actors struggle with highly distracting and exaggerated regional accents, seasoned veterans like Ravi Kishan and Upendra Limaye are given barely any space to showcase their skills. The brief appearances by Esha Gupta and Sanjeeda Sheikh ultimately add very little value to the overall progression of the story.
Final Verdict: A Frustrating Treasure Hunt
The original Dhamaal succeeded because its silliness felt organic and incredibly high-energy. Dhamaal 4 mistakes excessive chaos, shouting, and random animal encounters for genuine humor. Much like its main characters relentlessly chasing an elusive treasure through the wilderness, the film spends its entire runtime searching for something that stays frustratingly out of its reach: good comedy.
E20 Petrol Controversy: Opposition Raises Alarm Over Engine Damage And Mileage Drops As Government Defends Biofuel Move
India's ambitious stride toward energy self-reliance has run into heavy political and technical turbulent waters. The mandatory rollout of E20 petrol—a blend of 80% regular gasoline and 20% ethanol—has triggered a massive national controversy. While the central government pitches it as a monumental step toward environmental sustainability and lower carbon emissions, opposition parties and automotive experts are raising red flags over potential vehicle damage and drop in fuel efficiency.
The debate highlights a critical question gripping millions of motorists across the country: Is India's rushed transition to green fuel inadvertently offloading the financial and logistical burden onto the common citizen?
The Technical Concern: Are Older Engines At Risk?
At the heart of the technical anxiety is the compatibility of existing vehicles on Indian roads. A vast majority of the cars and two-wheelers currently in use were manufactured before the strict BS6 Phase 2 emission standards came into effect. These older engines were meticulously designed to run exclusively on pure petrol or, at most, an E10 (10% ethanol) blend.
Experts warn that introducing an aggressive E20 blend into these uncompliant engines poses a significant risk to internal components. Ethanol functions as a highly potent solvent. When exposed to higher concentrations of ethanol, conventional rubber pipes, plastic seals, gaskets, and washers inside older fuel systems tend to corrode, dissolve, or harden over time. This rapid degradation significantly increases the risk of premature engine wear and hazardous fuel leaks.
Furthermore, ethanol possesses a significantly lower energy density than pure gasoline—roughly 33% to 34% less. Consequently, automakers and data analysts indicate that motorists switching to E20 fuel are witnessing a noticeable 3% to 7% drop in vehicle mileage, hitting the middle-class consumer directly in their pockets.
Political Backlash: Opposition Demands Consumer Choice
The issue has quickly escalated into a political battleground. Senior opposition leaders have sharply criticized the mandate. Pointing to the sheer scale of the risk, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, Arvind Kejriwal, alleged that the government's stubbornness could turn millions of functioning vehicles into scrap.
"There are 22 crore motorcycles and 8 crore cars on Indian roads today that are completely non-compliant with E20 fuel," Kejriwal stated, making an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ease the policy. "Do not force a single option. The public is only asking for a choice. When a citizen goes to a petrol pump, they should have access to E0, E10, and E20 fuels at different price points. Let the consumer decide according to their budget and vehicle capacity."
Critics have also compared the situation to Brazil, which successfully integrated high-ethanol fuel. However, analysts note that Brazil spent years creating a robust infrastructure, incentivizing automakers to build dedicated flex-fuel engines, and preparing consumers before imposing mandates. In contrast, India advanced its original 2030 target directly to 2025, catching many vehicle owners off-guard.
The Government’s Defense: Rigorous Testing And Green Benefits
Despite the mounting criticism, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari have vigorously defended the biofuel policy, asserting that it is highly profitable for the country in the long run.
Addressing the mileage concerns, the government acknowledged that a minor fuel economy drop of 3% to 5% could happen in certain vehicles. However, officials maintained that overall mileage depends far more heavily on driving habits, tire pressure, timely servicing, and air conditioner usage than the fuel type alone. On the positive side, E20 fuel cleans internal engine deposits over time and reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by an impressive 40%, significantly combating urban air pollution.
Regarding the fears of engine corrosion, the government clarified that higher ethanol blends have been undergoing testing and field usage across various parts of India for over three years. Rigorous laboratory tests evaluating corrosion resistance, material durability, and drivability were completed before public distribution began.
To reassure the public, authorities cited data from Maruti Suzuki, noting that out of 2.84 crore cars serviced recently, 1.5 crore were older models running on the distributed fuel blends without a single recorded incident of ethanol-related engine failure. As the rollout reaches completion, the debate continues to hang in the balance between immediate consumer cost and long-term environmental rewards.

