Salman Khan spoke with Scout and Love about Big Boss 20; said 'The days of giving you a lesson are gone'

Actor Sharad Kapoor, who had previously sought work in Bollywood, announced receiving an offer to film in a Hollywood movie. He is preparing to start work on this project soon, which should alleviate his current difficulties.

Sharad Kapoor, known from the film 'Josh' with Shah Rukh Khan, recently drew public attention through a video where he stated the need to find work due to experiencing some health issues. These problems were serious enough that he had to temporarily leave his home dogs at an animal shelter.

The organization AICWA reacted to his viral video, urging the industry to provide the actor with work. In response to the discussion of his video, Sharad Kapoor explained the reason why he had to entrust his pets to the shelter.

The actor told HT in an interview that while playing football in Barcelona, he sustained a serious leg injury when his foot collided with another player's foot. This injury made it impossible to care for the four dogs. He had to walk the dogs daily, ensure they received proper care, and maintain the cleanliness of the house.

According to Sharad, a doctor advised him to rest, predicting a full recovery within two months, after which he could return to his previous level of physical fitness and take his pets home. He emphasized that the current situation is only a temporary measure.

Kapoor also clarified the situation regarding the video where he asked for help with work. The actor stated that his goal was not to receive financial support or criticize colleagues in the industry. He noted that he lived in New York for seven years and returned to India only a year ago, and that everyone in the film industry is like family to him.

He added that he never chose projects solely for money. During this same conversation, Sharad Kapoor shared good news: he received an offer to film in a Hollywood movie, which will begin in January. He also assured that he will continue working on Bollywood projects, as India is his country, and once he fully recovers in two months, everything will return to normal.

The first gaming testing event took place in Dubai, allowing gaming enthusiasts to try out locally developed games and provide feedback to the creators. The Dubai Playtest Night event was organized by the Dubai Film and Gaming Commission (DFGC) on Friday and brought together local developers, independent studios, and video game fans for an evening of practical testing, honest exchange of opinions, and community building.

Ten locally created games in 2D and 3D formats were presented at the exhibition, including projects from universities and games intended for festivals.

Mariam Lotah, Executive Director of Talent Development at DFGC, noted the high interest from both developers and gamers. She emphasized that she saw a great diversity of games that were previously in development but are now striving for recognition and interaction with each other.

Faisal Kazim, Commissioner for Games at DFGC, viewed this event as a harbinger of the industry's future development. He stated that the enthusiastic reaction confirms the commission's commitment to creating platforms that support local studios and promote the long-term growth of the gaming industry.

Mariam compared this event to how the film industry uses test audiences. According to her, developers can showcase their games to understand what is engaging and effective before releasing the product.

Such evaluation is invaluable for developers. Ibrahim Hindawi, who spent four years creating Sange—an action roguelike RPG with its own game engine where players experience waves of enemies, create various builds, and fight a boss across five chapters—shared his impressions. He noted that the opportunity to receive feedback was very valuable, and people seemed to react positively to the game.

According to Mariam, the variety of games and the cultural code permeating them was impressive. Some games utilized Arab culture and folklore or were based in the UAE; some were created in Arabic, while others depicted Emirati villages. She added that the diversity, including well-thought-out puzzles and adventure stories, exceeded her expectations, as it naturally stems from the desire to share one's culture through games.

The evening also served as a hub for networking in the creative industries, where programmers, artists, students, and curious gamers exchanged experiences. Among them were 3D artists Nada Khalifa and Hazika, classmates from SAE, who work on creating characters, objects, and entire worlds for games.

Nada noted that it was a great opportunity for general networking, emphasizing that the presence of most developers in one place is very inspiring because it allows for direct discussion of their workflow. The pair who also manages the Dubai branch of the art community Sketchouts stated that the local scene is developing. Hazika said that although growth is slow and steady, there are now more opportunities thanks to numerous startups.

DFGC plans to hold a series of such testing evenings to raise awareness of local games and strengthen cooperation between creators and players. Mariam advised aspiring developers to constantly develop, experiment with programming and various design disciplines, and always conduct testing, as much of game development lies in finding what 'hooks' the player.

Moroccan literature author Abdelmadjid Sebba shared his views on how reading novels can transform worldviews and deepen the understanding of other people. He believes that literature provides readers with the opportunity to question their knowledge, present alternative scenarios, and better comprehend the life experiences of others.

While participating in the International Book Fair in Sharjah in 2026, and speaking with Khaleej Times, Sebba emphasized that one of the greatest strengths of literature is its ability to change perspectives, especially among the younger generation.

He noted: 'The most beautiful aspect of literature is its capacity to give us the chance to change how we see the world and, consequently, define our place in it.' Through his works, Sebba explores themes of memory, history, and truth, prompting readers not to settle for simple explanations but to form their own vision of the world.

Sebba appealed to young people, stating that existing reality can be questioned and criticized. He added that imagination allows people to envision different life paths, and youth should approach the world without taking it for granted.

Amid growing uncertainty, which can exacerbate societal division, Sebba believes that books help readers find common ground. Reading allows people to experience the lives of others, even if they are separated by different cultures, countries, or historical eras. According to the author, 'when we read about their dreams, fears, and disappointments, we discover how much we have in common with them.'

For Sebba, this ability to transcend boundaries is one of literature's most vital contributions to society. He is also convinced that fictional works can help combat prejudice by introducing readers to characters whose backgrounds and choices may differ greatly from their own.

Great literature is not about presenting people as strictly good or bad; it deeply examines their motives, struggles, and internal contradictions. Sebba asserts: 'Every time a powerful literary work helps us understand a character who is different from us, it contributes to expanding our capacity to understand others.'

Sebba's personal journey has significantly influenced his creative output. Having grown up in Morocco, he later moved to France, where he engaged in literature, translation, and academic work, which impacted the themes he addresses. His novels, including 'The Zero Hour,' 'File 42,' and 'In the Labyrinths of Professor F.N.,' analyze the relationship between truth and fiction, as well as how historical events shape individual destinies.

'The Zero Hour' won the Moroccan Book Prize in 2018, and 'File 42' was nominated for the International Arabic Prose Prize in 2021. His letters also reflect the relationship between Moroccans and the rest of the world, exploring how personal memories connect to collective history.

Beyond writing novels, Sebba's experience as a literary translator has changed his approach to language. He explained that even a single word can affect how readers understand or emotionally react to a phrase. He observed: 'When translating a literary work, I realize that the choice of one word can alter the rhythm of a sentence, its meaning, or its emotional impact.'

This realization made him more attentive to language and more aware of the cultural and historical connotations that words can carry. However, Sebba does not believe that authors should strive to embed moral lessons into every story. Instead, he sees their primary duties as artistic honesty and respect for the reader.

He concludes: 'The writer's main responsibility lies in their artistic and intellectual integrity, and subsequently, in respecting the reader's intelligence.'

For young readers, his message is that literature can help them become more open to diverse viewpoints, even those they disagree with. By studying the reasons behind the choices made by fictional characters, readers develop the patience necessary for a deeper understanding of real people. Sebba believes that this willingness to look beyond the first impression is what makes literature particularly valuable in an increasingly complex world.