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Archives for March 2015

Maldives ex-leader Mohammed Nasheed jailed for 13 years

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Maldives police on Monday night denied allegations of brutality against former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, seen here being dragged into court on Monday. (Photo: Haveeru/Mohamed Sharuaan)

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, seen here being dragged into court by Maldives police. (Photo: Haveeru/Mohamed Sharuaan)

by BBC

A former president of the Maldives has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after he was found guilty of ordering the arrest of a judge while in office.

Mohamed Nasheed was cleared of the charges last month, but was re-arrested and charged under anti-terrorism laws.

His lawyers quit during the second trial, which they said was biased and intended to end his political career.

Hundreds of supporters have been protesting on a regular basis since Mr Nasheed’s arrest last month.

Both the US and India have voiced concerns over the charges.

A former human rights campaigner, Mr Nasheed became the nation’s first democratically elected leader in 2008, ending three decades of rule by former strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

The judge at the court in the capital, Male, said the prosecution had proved “beyond reasonable doubt” that Mr Nasheed ordered the “arrest or forceful abduction and detention” of Judge Abdulla Mohamed in January 2012.

Mr Mohamed was detained after ordering the release of an opposition politician, provoking weeks of protests.

Mr Nasheed eventually stepped down on 7 February, later saying he had been forced to resign at gunpoint. His allies say he was ousted in a coup.

‘Dictatorial power’

After the sentencing, Mr Nasheed urged his supporters to come out on to the streets to “confront the dictatorial power of this regime,” according to a statement released by his office.

Analysts say his arrest adds to growing instability in the small coral atoll nation.

The current president, Abdullah Yameen, has recently become alienated from key former colleagues. He arrested his defence minister, accusing him of plotting a coup, and also sacked the chief justice and another judge.

He was elected in November 2013 in a poll that saw its second-round runoff cancelled when early results put Mr Nasheed ahead.

The jail term will effectively prevent Mr Nasheed running for president at the 2018 elections but President Yameen, who is a half brother of Mr Gayoom, has denied the trial was politically motivated.

India tops in asking for content restrictions: Facebook

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facebook

New Delhi: Facebook blocked 5,832 pieces of content, including anti-religious matter and hate speeches, during July-December 2014 on orders of Indian government, the highest by any country on the social networking giant’s platform.

In its Global Government Requests Report for July to December 2014, the California-based firm said it has “restricted” 5,832 pieces of content.

“We restricted access in India to content reported primarily by law enforcement agencies and the India Computer Emergency Response Team within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, including anti-religious content and hate speech that could cause unrest and disharmony,” the social networking platform said.

Facebook’s report includes information on government requests it received for content removal and account data and national security requests under the US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and through National Security Letters.

India is followed by Turkey at 3,624 number of pieces of restricted content, then Germany at 60, Russia (55) and Pakistan (54), the report stated.

Besides, India made 5,473 requests for data, mostly concerning criminal cases, to Facebook in July-December 2014.

According to Facebook, government officials sometimes make requests for data about people who use Facebook as part of official investigations. The vast majority of these requests relate to criminal cases like robberies or kidnappings. In many of these cases, government requests seek basic subscriber information such as name and length of service. Other requests have asked for IP address logs or actual account content, it added.

“Each and every request we receive is checked for legal sufficiency. We require officials to provide a detailed description of the legal and factual basis for their request, and we push back when we find legal deficiencies or overly broad or vague demands for information.

“Even where we determine that local law would compel disclosure, we frequently share only basic subscriber information,” Facebook said.

The requests covered 7,281 user accounts and Facebook provided “some data” on 44.69 per cent of the requests.

(PTI)

Furore over Sharad Yadav's remarks on women's complexion

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Conversion Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha on Monday witnessed a furore over Sharad Yadav’s remarks on women’s complexion, as sharp words were exchanged between the JD-U leader and Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani.

The comments created a ruckus in the upper house after union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asked the member to withdraw his comments.

The Janata Dal-United chief said his comments last week on women’s complexion were misinterpreted and refused to apologise. He said he was ready for a debate on the topic.

Yadav, during the debate on the insurance bill in the Rajya Sabha last week, spoke on India’s obsession for fair skin. “Your god is dark like Ravi Shankar Prasad, but your matrimonial ads insist on white-skinned brides.”

Referring to the complexion of south Indian women, he said: “The women of the south are dark but they are as beautiful as their bodies… We don’t see it here. They know (how to) dance.”

He got away lightly when he made the comments last week, as several members laughed over them. Only DMK leader Kanimozhi had protested.

On Monday, Prasad said: “Comments were made on south Indian women, I was also mentioned, I remained quiet. I want to keep myself away from that comment.”

“I completely disagree with the comment. Ask the member to withdraw the comment,” he urged the chair.

Trying to clarify, Yadav said his comments were misinterpreted.

“There are more dusky women in India and in the world… I can discuss the issue with anyone, we are in favour of Indian culture.”

Irani, responding sharply, said the member (Yadav) should not comment on the complexion of women in any way.

“I appeal through you (chair) to the gentleman, do not make comments about the colour of any woman’s skin. You (Yadav) are a senior member, a very wrong message is going to the rest of the country,” she said.

Yadav responded by saying: “I strongly refute the allegation.”

“From (Mahatma) Gandhi to (Ram Manohar) Lohia, I have all the record of what has been said about women. A lot of struggle has been done for women with dark complexion,” he said, to which Irani responded by saying: “Please don’t do this.

Naming Lohia and Gandhi and commenting on women.”

Kanimozhi joined Irani in her protest against Yadav. “Women from all parties are together, we demand a regret on it,” she said.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said he would not allow a discussion on the issue.

“White complexion or dark complexion, it is all the same, I am not allowing a discussion on this,” Kurien said.

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the issue should not be discussed as it will get more complicated.

Yadav, however, said he was ready for a discussion.

“There has been a long struggle against discrimination based on colour… I am ready to participate in a debate any time,” he said.

Women leaders on Monday slammed the JD-U leader outside the house also.

Kanimozhi said: “The issue is why women’s body and colour was being discussed in a such a derogatory way in parliament.”

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Brinda Karat said: “The time has now come for a code of conduct for our members of parliament and that should be very strict as far as use of languages is concerned. These are senior leaders and what they say influences people.

“It is shocking that none of the other MPs said a word,” she said.

Yadav, however, decided to brazen it out by humming a popular song — “Mora Gora Rang Laile” — from 1960s Bimal Roy-directed film “Bandini” to justify his point.

(IANS)

No snooping on Rahul, it is 'transparent profiling': Jaitley

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Rahul-Gandhi

New Delhi: Government today countered the Congress charges of snooping on Rahul Gandhi saying it was making a “mountain out of what is not even a molehill” as information collection was part of a transparent security profiling used on 526 VIPs, including Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Ministers.

Responding to charges of snooping and spying on political opponents by Opposition Congress and SP in Rajya Sabha, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said the police has been collecting such information since 1987 on VIPs operating out of Lutyens Delhi through a profoma form as part of security profiling.

The proforma, which was revised in 1999, has been used to profile former prime ministers H D Dewa Gowda, I K Gujral, Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The same was also used to profile Congress President Sonia Gandhi in October 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, the Finance Minister said.

Pranab Mukherjee, before becoming the President, was profiled in 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012, while senior BJP leaders L K Advani and Sushma Swaraj, Ahmed Patel of Congress, CPI(M)’s Sitaram Yechury and Sharad Yadav of JD-U were also profiled, he said.

“526 persons have been profiled using the present form,” he said, adding this was part of “transparent, security profiling and not associated with any kind of snooping or sypying.”

“It is not that it has been started in the last 8 months,” he said and proposed to sit with Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad to go through the 526 forms filled during the previous UPA rule.

On the proforma seeking information on shoe size, colour of eyes and other such information, Jaitley said former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was identified by his shoes after his assassination.

Security needs and profiling should be left to security experts and “we should not attempt to become one”, he said, adding “the issue raised is making mountain of what is not even a molehill.”

Jaitley said the practice of security profiling started in 1987 under Congress rule.

Maintaining that he had given a notice under Rule 267 to suspend business so as to take up the issue, Azad said in his 35 year career, including as a top security protectee, he had not seen such a proforma for security profiling.

Rahul Gandhi, he said, has been a SPG protectee right since his father Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister and it was beyond comprehension why Delhi Police was only now collecting such information like his shoe size, colour of hair, habits, his associates, friends and aides.

After an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Special Branch of Delhi Police visited Rahul Gandhi’s 12 Tughlaq Lane Residence on March 2, two senior officers had again visited his place on March 14 to gather information on his aides, Azad said.

Charging the government with snooping and spying on political opponents, he said the government was “resorting to threats, coersion and pressure to quell political dissent”.

“If you raise voice, the Central Government can use any measure,” he said demanding that Home Minister Rajnath Singh should come to the House and explain.

Last year there were reports of NDA government minister’s telephone being tapped, he said, adding since BJP assumed power in May 2014, religious and political freedom have been curbed. “The Delhi Police action is against privacy and against democracy,” Azad said.

K C Tyagi (JD-U) said the security profiling has “never been heard of” and demanded a discussion on invasion of privacy as well as corporate and political espionage.

Naresh Agarwal (SP) alleged that one lakh telephones were being tapped everyday without requisite permission and warned that the privacy of individuals should not be challenged.

(PTI)

Cricket World Cup 2015: West Indies win to reach quarter-finals

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chris_gayle

by Sam Sheringham, BBC Sport

West Indies secured a place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a comfortable, if unconvincing, victory over the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE crumbled to 26-5 in Napier as Windies captain Jason Holder took 4-27.

But Nasir Aziz and Amjad Javed exploited some ragged bowling to add a record-tying 107 for the seventh wicket and lift the associates to 175 all out.

Johnson Charles and Jonathan Carter struck fifties as the Windies eased home by six wickets in 30.3 overs.

In reaching their target inside 36.2 overs, West Indies went through on net run rate, although their passage was not confirmed until Pakistan beat Ireland by seven wickets in Sunday’s final Pool B contest in Adelaide.

West Indies’ performance did little to suggest they will be a match for Brendon McCullum’s unbeaten New Zealand side in Wellington on 21 March.

The inconsistency that has blighted their campaign was again in evidence as a wayward spell from Kemar Roach helped the UAE get back into the game after Holder and Jerome Taylor had blown away their top order with some high-class pace bowling.

There was also a show of dissent from former captain Darren Sammy when he reacted badly to being pulled from the attack after one over and earned himself a talking-to from Holder.

By that point, the UAE were in the midst of an impressive recovery in which Aziz and Javed equalled their own team’s record for the highest World Cup seventh-wicket stand, set against Ireland in Brisbane in February.

Aziz top-scored in his first one-day innings, while Javed reached 50 for the first time with seven fours and a huge six, when he planted Taylor into the stands over long-on.

Their partnership was finally ended in the 41st over and the Windies wrapped up the tail efficiently as Taylor dismissed captain Mohammad Tauqir for his third wicket of the day.

With Chris Gayle sidelined by a back injury, Charles was handed an opportunity at the top of the West Indies order, and he kick-started the run chase with a four and a six in the first over on his way to a 34-ball half-century.

Although Dwayne Smith and Marlon Samuels once again posted low scores, and the experiment of moving Andrew Russell up the order did not pay off, Carter found some fluency to guide them home with his maiden ODI fifty.

West Indies captain Jason Holder: “The ball came out really well for me at the start. The pitch was a bit slow but it swung and bounced a bit for me.

“I’m extremely pleased with the way the guys came out and played. We needed to win by a certain margin. We had to show positive intent. We knew we had to finish the game inside 36 overs and we did it.

“New Zealand would be a big test. They are playing some very good cricket.”

UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir: “When West Indies put us in to bat first, they took good advantage of the bowling conditions.

“At 46-6 it was difficult to recover but it was a good effort by Amjad Javed and Nasir Aziz. Amjad been very consistent throughout the tournament and has been a positive for us.

“It was a decent performance for us in this tournament, a good learning experience and it has been very enjoyable.”

Tension in Haryana village after church attack

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Chandigarh: Tension prevailed in a village in Haryana’s Hisar district on Monday after an under construction church was attacked and vandalised by miscreants and the idol of a Hindu god was placed inside the premises.

Police officials said on Monday that 14 people were booked for rioting, damaging place of worship, theft and promoting enmity following a complaint from the church priest in Kaimri village in Hisar district, 260km from here.

No arrests have been made so far. The attackers allegedly damaged the cross at the church and took away some other items.

The priest told media that certain activists of the Bajrang Dal and others had threatened him earlier. He alleged that the same people could be behind the attack on the church.

“I was threatened by Bajrang Dal activists and other locals last month,” the priest, Subhash Chand, said.

Haryana has a BJP government since October last year. Local residents in the village alleged that the priest was trying to construct the church despite the fact that there was no Christian in the entire village.

(Agencies)

 

'Fresh and fit' Kejriwal discharged from Bengaluru

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Arvind-Kejriwal-Bangalore

Bengaluru: A “fresh and fit” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was discharged on Monday from a hospital here after 10 days of naturopathy treatment to cure his chronic cough and high blood sugar and immediately left for the national capital.

“Kejriwal left for airport in a private vehicle to board an evening flight to Delhi. He has recovered from the twin symptoms he had when he came here on March 5 and is fine,” Jindal Naturecure Institute medical officer Jayachandran told media later.

 

Before leaving the hospital on the city’s outskirts, Kejriwal told the media that he was feeling “fresh and fit” and was excited to return home by late evening.

“My cough and blood sugar level are under control now. I am feeling fresh and fit after treatment at Jindal,” Kejriwal said after discharge.

Expressing gratitude to the hospital staff, including doctors and nurses, for taking care of him, Kejriwal said he was relieved to be free from nagging cough and high blood sugar as they affected his health and work.

“I am looking forward to be at home with family by night and resume work soon. I have been told to strictly keep away from aerated drinks and oily food. I have learnt a lot about the importance of diet, rest and regular exercises to stay fit and remain healthy,” Kejriwal pointed out.

He added in a tweet: “Am excited to return (to Delhi) to resume work.”

The 46-year-old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader was driven to airport by the party’s state unit convener Prithvi Reddy, followed by a dozen volunteers.

Kejriwal, however, declined to comment on the crisis in the party, saying he was pre-occupied with the naturopathy treatment and had no time to discuss the issues with his colleagues in Delhi or here.

Kejriwal is accompanied by his parents Gobind Ram and Gita Devi, who too got treated for age related symptoms.

Asked about the cost of the treatment, Kejriwal hastened to say that he paid the hospital bills from his own money and won’t seek reimbursement from the Delhi government.

According to hospital sources, Kejriwal was billed Rs.17,000 a day for accommodation in a three-bed room cottage ‘Nest’ located in the midst of the sprawling institute campus on the Bengaluru-Pune National Highway.

“Total cost of treatment, including therapies, massages, yogic exercises and ayurvedic liquids, fresh juices and dietary food, would have been Rs.10,000-12,000 a day,” a source said on the condition of anonymity.

Aware of Kejriwal’s hectic schedule and pre-occupation with political and other engagements, doctors have advised him to maintain a strict diet, take food at the prescribed hour and go to bed early and to get up early.

“As Kejriwal is unable to extend his stay here due to the upcoming budget session (of the Delhi assembly) and other pressing engagements, we have prescribed a regime comprising naturopathy treatment, diet and exercises,” Jindal medical director Babina Nandakumar told IANS.

Kejriwal was earlier treated at the institute when he came with noted social activist Anna Hazare in February 2012. He then had high blood sugar level but no cough.

“Kejriwal stayed with us for 16 days and followed our nature cure regime, diet and treatment instructions meticulously. On discharge, his sugar level was within normal limits without medication,” Nandakumar recalled.

During the last three years, due to pre-occupation with social and political activities and punishing schedules, Kejriwal could not maintain the lifestyle changes he had learnt at the institute.

Preliminary tests on March 5-6 showed that Kejriwal’s faulty and stressful lifestyle, including consumption of aerated drinks, irregular eating habits, high level of pollution in Delhi and accumulation of toxins in his body had resulted in chronic cough and high blood sugar.

“We gave detoxifying treatment in the form of yogic therapy and diet comprising vegetable and fresh juices, sprouts, ayurvedic liquids, soup, boiled vegetables and chapathis to rejuvenate his entire system,” the director added.

The institute has advised Kejriwal dietary changes and daily practice of prescribed yogasana, pranayama and kriya — a form of breathing technique to cleanse the inner body — when he returns to Delhi.

(Agencies)

Movie Review: 'Chappie' is fascinating but fails to live up to everyone's expectation

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Banner: Media Rights Capital
Producer: Simon Kinberg
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Cast: Sharlto Copley as Chappie (voice. & motion capture), Dev Patel, Ninja, Yo – Landi Visser, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Sigourney Weaver, Hugh Jackman, Anderson Cooper, Brandon Auret &  Watkin Tudor Jones
Music: Hans Zimmer

Director Neill Blomkamp of ‘District 9’ & ‘Elysium’ fame has treaded on a different kind of filmmaking genre, namely that of robotic world in lieu with the multi – million dollar heist angle.

The plotted scenario reveals that Deon Wilson (Dev Patel) is the lead programmer of the Scouts programme, which has provided Johannesburg with an all – robotic police force and brought order to the lawless town. Deon Wilson is working on making his machines better through giving them artificial intelligence. Vincent Moore (Hugh Jackman) is a war veteran, who doesn’t care for nerds such as colleague Deon Wilson, wears shorts to office unlike Deon Wilson’s tie & shirt and who is pushing for his own Moore programme in which humans will control a crime – busting robot via a neuro – transmitter helmet. Things take a turn when Deon Wilson is denied permission to try his breakthrough A. I. technology on his Scouts. He then secretes a dismantled robot away, is kidnapped on his way home and threatened by his abductors to load this robot with the a new technology. The result is ‘Chappie’, a robot that is like a child when rebooted, but who learns things much, much faster, is curious, inquisitive, has feelings and a consciousness. Chappie is absolutely charming. The scenario takes a turn and brings in South African musicians Ninja & Yo – Landi Visser, along with Cantillo, who play the gangsters who kidnapped Deon Wilson. Yo – Landi Visser takes on the role of Chappie’s ‘mother’, she reads him bedtime stories, delights in his paintings and the speed at which he picks up new words and tells him all about soul. On the other hand Ninja takes on the role of Chappie‘s father and begins to like him, though his primary motive remains using Chappie to pull off a multi – million dollar heist and ward off fellow robotic police officers. Time for another twist, Chappie is attacked, has his arm cut off and stumbles through his first few hours bewildered at how things are turning out. Particularly as “maker” Deon Wilson had instructed him “never, ever” to do anything criminal.

‘Chappie’ (stylized as Chappie) is an American science fiction film directed by Neill Blomkamp. The screenplay, written by Blomkamp & his real life spouse Terri Tatchell, is based on Blomkamp’s own 2004 short film ‘Tetra Vaal’. Not to forget his copied inspiration (Read Robocop). The only praiseworthy crew members are cinematographer Trent Opalach and to some extent editor Julian Clarke and music composer Hans Zimmer.

Performance wise it is Dev Patel of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ fame as Deon Wilson who walks away with all the acting honors as he makes his presence felt in all the frames throughout the film’s duration. The next in line impressive performers are Ninja & Yo – Landi Visser. The rest of the actors like Jose Pablo Cantillo, Anderson Cooper, Brandon Auret & Watkin Tudor Jones are ok. But the most let down act has been delivered by Sigourney Weaver & Hugh Jackman.

Tailpiece: ‘Chappie’ can be recommended as an enjoyable fare for Kids.

Southern movies round up

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As compared to films produced in Bollywoodian & Hollywoodian Cinema arena, South Indian Cinema is rapidly & regylaerly progressing by churning out its own brand of gems of milestone movies in all the 4 languages namely Kannada, Malyalam, Telugu & Tamil. In an exclusive Nasheman.In, Shaheen Raaj will present a sneak preview of the productional happenings of Southern Cinema every fortnight. Time to stay tuned in.

AR Rehman – Manirathnam -Vairamuthu Combo To Be Back With A Big Bang

AR Rehman – Manirathnam -Vairamuthu combo to be back with a big bang. A surprise treat is in the offing for all the die hard fans of AR Rehman – Manirathnam – Vairamuthu combo. As the single “Mental Manathil” from ‘OK Kanmani’ is releasing shortly and is all set to rock the music world. Incidentally speaking ‘OK Kanmani’ is all set to release on 14th Apr, 2015 and stars Dulquer Salman & Nithya Menon with cinematography by P. C. Sriram. The film said to be on the lines of ‘Alaipaythey’, one of the most awaited films releasing this summer.

Vishal & Mysskin Join Hands For The 1st Time Ever

Vishal & Mysskin join hands for the 1st time ever. Mysskin, the maverick director is joining hands with Vishal for the 1st time ever. Mishkin is all set to release his assistant Vadivel’s movie ‘Kallapadam’. The music rights have been bagged by Vishal’s “Vishal Music company”. The audio release function is expected soon. “K”, who scored the music for Mysskin’s ‘Yuddham Sai’ & ‘Mugamoodi’ has scored the music.

‘Kallapadam’ movie is based on “Koothupattarai” and there are 5 songs in the movie. Mysskin has written the lyrics and sung one of the songs and the rest of the songs have been sung by “Koothupattarai” members themselves.

Santosh Narayan Chooses ‘Bangalore Day’ After ‘Madras’

Santosh Narayan chooses ‘Bangalore Day’ after ‘Madras’. Santosh Narayan is one of the finest music directors of Tamil cinema as he got the knack of delivering the perfect Bank Ground Music’s and soul stirring songs. His work in ‘Madras’ got him loads of acclaims and he has become one amongst the most sought after musicians in the southern industry. The Malayalam blockbuster, ‘Bangalore Days’ is getting remade in Tamil & Telugu under ‘Bommarilu’ Baskar’s direction and the latest news to emerge from their camp is, Santosh Narayan will be composing music for this bi – lingual fare.

Poorna Shakes A Leg With Jayam Ravi

Poorna shakes a leg with Jayam Ravi. The already star – studded ‘Appatakar’ has one more addition, with Poorna coming on board for a special song. The actress will shake her legs with Jayam Ravi for a pulsating number.

The song is said to be a a mix of folk & western beats and it would have the ‘Muniyandi Vilangiyal Moondramandu’ & ‘Vithagan’ actress in different costumes, along with Jayam Ravi.

Trisha & Anjali are the heroines of ‘Appatakar’, directed by Suraaj. Vivekh & Santhanam are also there. Shooting is currently on in full swing in Pollachi.

Sivakarthikeyan Is Making Waves

Sivakarthikeyan Is Making Waves. Sivakarthikeyan is in the news for all the right reasons. His much awaited ‘Kakki Sattai’, directed by Durai Senthilkuumar & produced by Dhanush has hit the theatres on 27th Feb, 2015. There is more good news for the star’s fans that with the producers of his next film ‘Rajini Murugan’ are planning to unveil the 1st look of this film on 18th Apr, 2015. Rumors are rife that as many as 370 theatres have been booked for this film and some more are expected. This film is produced by Lingusamy & Subash Chandra Bose of Thirrupathi Brothers, Eros International has teamed up to release it worldwide & Studio Green K. E. Gnanavel Raja has acquired the Tamil Nadu theatrical rights.

Nayantara To Enact A Dual Role For The 1st Time Ever

Nayantara to enact a dual role for the 1st time ever. For the 1st time in her career, Nayanthara is playing a dual role in a Tamil movie titled ‘Maaya’. It is a female centric horror entertainer.

Though the makers had first considered the title ‘Night Show’ for the film, they have changed it as ‘Maaya’. This film will be released in Telugu as ‘Mayuri’. Ashwin Saravanan is making his debut as director with this film. Nayanthara will be seen as a mother in this movie. Nayanthara is the leading heroine in Tamil now with half a dozen films in the pipeline and in Telugu, she will be seen opposite Balakrishna in the actor’s 99th film, directed by Sriwass.

Dasari Narayana Rao Teams Up With Pawan Kalyan

Dasari Narayana Rao teams up with Pawan Kalyan. The fans of Pawan Kalyan have been in a shock since Dasari Narayana Rao announced that he is going to team up with Pawan Kalyan for a movie. Though there is no official announcement, the news is that Dr. M. Mohan Babu is being considered as a villain for this movie. Mohan Babu had played negative roles during the early years of his career but it would be interesting to see him as a baddie now.

Many actors are turning villains at present and it is a good sign for the industry that our actors are getting ready to play different roles if the story demands.

Puri Jagannadh May Direct Chiranjeevi

Puri Jagannadh is all set to direct Chiranjeevi. With the big success of ‘Temper’, Puri Jagannadh is back in the big league and now the director’s aim is to direct Chiranjeevi. He said that he has been a big fan of Chiranjeevi since his childhood and will be very happy if Chiru gives him a chance to direct his 150th film. He also said that though he has no story with him, he has registered the title ‘Auto Jaani’ for Chiru long time back. He added the title would strike a chord with the masses easily and no one would bother what the story of the film is, if Chiru acts in a film with that title. Auto Jaani is the name of Chiranjeevi’s character in his super hit film, ‘Rowdy Alludu’. Lets see if Chiranjeevi gives his nod for Puri Jagannadh.

Senior Cinematographer Vincent Is No More

Senior cinematographer Vincent left for his heavenly abode recently. Senior
cinematographer Aloysius Vincent, who has worked for South as well as  Bollywood films, has passed away. He was 86. He worked with many big actors in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam & Hindi films like Sr. NTR, ANR, Rajesh Khanna, Balakrishna, Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh et al. He is best known for his work as a cinematographer for films like ‘Adavi Ramudu’, ‘Prem Nagar’ (Hindi), ‘Major Chandrakanth’, ‘Annamayya’ et al in Telugu. He was one of the most revered cinematographers in India. His son Jayanan Vincent is also a cinematographer.

Anoop Menon To Script For Priyan

Anoop Menon to write a screenplay for Priyan. “Priyadarshan…….we as a generation was fed on his films…….a master of the craft, the moments spent with him were replete with anecdotes and sheer movie magic…….will be soon writing for the maverick’…….!” wrote Anoop Menon in his social networking page thereby announcing his new project. Anoop who is excited to be a part of his favorite director Priyadarshan, is planning this project as an out & out commercial entertainer. Anoop who finds Priyadarshan as the big reason for his passion for cinema was also recently seen in a Priyadarshan movie named ‘Aamayum Muyalum’ which uynfortunately failed at the Box Office.

Pranav Says No To Acting

Pranav says no to acting. Following a statement from actor turned director Sajid Yahiya about his new film, ‘Inspector Davood Ibrahim’, reports flooded on the net about Pranav Mohanlal’s entry as hero through this film. All media were after the young assistant of Jeethu Joseph to know about the real story and its confirmation. But incidentally speaking Pranav has not yet confirmed about his entry into film acting. Citing earlier stories as baseless, it is now learned that Pranav still doesn’t have any solid acting plans. Pranav, had earlier acted in films like ‘Punarjani’ & ‘Onnaman’, while he was a child. He is currently assisting director Jeethu Joseph in the Dileep starrer ‘Life Of Josutty’.

Horro To Star In ‘Last Bus’

Horro to star in ‘Last Bus’. Last Bus is very important on many occasions. When the last bus is not caught for reaching the destination, life becomes horrible. It is not horrible but horror says director of ‘Jugari’ in his 2nd film ‘Last Bus’. The shoot has been completed for this film with 6 prominent actors. The grand children of Hasyachakravarthy Narasimharaju – SD Aravind, Avinash & Samarth are part of this film. 6 strangers in the ‘Last Bus’ travelling to Malanad reach a bungalow. They witness lots of strange developments in the stay. Pravin D. Rao has scored the background music & K. Y. Narayanaswamy has lent 3 songs. Aravind has composed songs. Avinash Narasimharaju has high expectations from this film. Deepa Gowda admitted that she had taken 35 takes for 1st shot. Manasa Joshi, Meghasri Bhagavathar expressed happiness while working for this film. Rajesh is playing Kerala Mantrik’s role. 3rd generation from Narasimharaju family Samarth is in a prominent role.

‘Kanana’ All Set To Go On The Floors

‘Kanana’ All Set To Go On The Floors. This is yet another father & son combination project. On the investment of father the young son is entering filmdom via ‘Kaanana’. S. Srinivas of S. Nalige Productions is introducing a new director Radha. Radha has written story, screenplay, & dialogue besides direction.

According to director Radha the film is on crime & punishment. The shoot will be held In Hosur, Kolar & other locales of Kerala. Son of producer Srinivas, Sushanth who is making his debut worked in England for 3 years and is currently an employee of HP company. He is also a close relative of famous comedian N. S. Rao.

"My film 'Monsoon' is the final test of my inborn histrionic talent": Shristi Sharma

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Shristi Sharma, can no longer be termed as a débutante heroine of the celluloid silver screen. In fact she has seen it all & done it all in her illustrious & chequered Bollywoodian journey. And now to bag her share of limelight & stardom she is eyeing the box office Queen to bestow her winsome smile on her. And for that She is keeping her heart, fingers, toes et al crossed for the runaway success of ‘Monsoon’. Here in this interactive telephonic encounter with SHAHEEN RAAJ, she recounts all about the success of her recently released movie ‘MONSOON’.

Please inform us about the latest development in your professional life?

First & foremost I would like to Thank God – The Almighty that slowly but steadily I am inching ahead in my career. And of late one of my film named ‘Monsoon’ has been released and has proved successful and I am 100% sure it has proved to be the final test of my Inborn histrionic talent. I am not like the other débutante starlets who keep on shouting from rooftops to tom tom about, how good & talented actresses they are. As for me I firmly & strongly believe in letting my work speak for me. Just wait & watch out for my other upcoming movies.

So what was your film ‘Monsoon’ all about?

Incidentally speaking in ‘Monsoon’ I had an author backed female oriented role. Which incidentally revolved totally & completely around me. I had enacted a very strong character in ‘Monsoon’. There were  2 looks of my character in ‘Monsoon’. One was that of a silently suffering widow and the other was the imaginary side of her reflecting her romantic side.

How was it working with a débutante actor like Vijay Singh?

My lead hero in ‘Monsoon’ was none other than débutante Vijay Singh, the winner of the Mallika Sherawat’s reality show ‘The Bachelorette India’. So if Vijay Singh was the real life hero of Mallika on the small screen then Vijay Singh happened to be my reel life hero on the big screen. He is a good actor, but he has miles to go is all I can say but of course I found him to be a very intense & dedicated actor.

And what about your director Sujat Khan?

No doubt he is a very talented director and the way he explains the gamut & the nuances of the character is awesome. I think he has a bright future ahead of him.

Anything else that you would like to add?

‘Monsoon’ has been produced by my erstwhile mentor Mahendra Dhariwal and it has been directed by Sujat Khan topped of course with some of the most daring stunts executed by none other than Tinu Verma and last but not the least is Khusi who has styled my character in ‘Monsoon’.

Tell us what other new things are happening in your professional advertisement career?

I have just done 2 ad films one is named “Khushboo” and the other one is named “Mango Freshy” made by one of my favorite directors namely Navin Batra.

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