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Archives for November 2015

Foreign Films Roundup

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Discovery-Kids

DISCOVERY KIDS – MORENA – MUNDOLOCO FORGE AN ALLIANCE

In a top – of – their – class animation alliance, Discovery Kids, Argentina’s Cris Morena Group and MundoLoco CGI, co – founded by Juan Jose Campanella, are partnering to co – develop 3 English language kids toon series: ‘Floribella’, ‘Underdogs’ & ‘Baby Rockers’. Oscar winner Campanella & Gaston Gorali, director & exec producer of ‘Foosball’, will serve as series’ show – runners. Discovery Kids will air the series exclusively in Latin America. “This unique partnership with Cris Morena Group & MundoLoco CGI reiterates Discovery Kids commitment to expand its pipeline of original content, both with well -established hit franchises such as ‘Floribella’ & ‘Underdogs’, as well as new content, such as ‘Baby Rockers,’” commented Carolina Lightcap, EVP & CCO of Discovery Latin America / US Hispanic & Global Lead for Discovery Kids & Family.

CANAL 13 PUTS TV DRAMAS IN COMAREX’S HANDS

Highlighting once again the significant interest of international market players in Chilean TV fiction, Comarex, the Mexico City based global distrib, has signed a strategic, exclusive distribution deal with Chilean network Canal 13 to handle the broadcaster’s finished TV series & formats worldwide. Inked with Canal 13’s international sales subsid, Canal 13 Sudmedia, the pact gives Comarex distribution rights to hit shows, including ‘Machos’, ‘Papi Ricky’, ‘Witches’, ‘Primera Dama’, ‘The Vega’s’, ‘The 80s’ & ‘Neighborhood Kings’, plus upcoming releases, such as teleseries ‘Veinteañero A Los 40’, which is scheduled to launch on Canal 13’s 2 pm TV primetime slot. “This is a highly important alliance for us because we are linking to one of the biggest distributors of Latin American TV content around the world,” Marina Del Canto, VP of International Sales at Canal 13 Sudmedia, told.

WOOD UNVEILS ‘COLONIA’

Andres Woodone of Chile’s most distinguished helmer & producers, has unveiled at Mipcom his new TV project ‘Colonia’, now in development. Awood Producciones will produce the skein, an 8 seg 1 hour drama. Wood & Julio Jorquera, director of ‘My Last Round’, and the Chilean version of ‘Red Band Society’, will direct. Budgeted at $2 million, the project was presented at Mipcom under the umbrella of promo org CinemaChile TV. Inspired by true events, series follows two men, Tobias Muller & Salo Luna, who escape from the clutches of Paul Schafer, a former Nazi hidden in Southern Chile. Pic criss – crosses 2 different time periods: the 1st beginning in 1976, when 5 year old Tobias suffered abuse from Schafer, and the 2nd, showing the escape from Colonia Dignidad, now Villa Baviera, a Chilean city founded by German immigrants in the early 60’s, located 200 miles South of Santiago De Chile.

distribution partners in each market. The company said it will continue to offer HBO Go to pay – TV subscribers for no additional charge in the region, as it does in US, it didn’t specify how many countries it plans to launch the standalone service in. “We have seen changes in content & consumption habits and are launching this new HBO Go platform as an a la carte service in response to those trends,” HBO Latin America CEO Emilio Rubio said in announcing the plans.

ZFF WINNERS INCLUDE ‘RAMS’

Films from Iceland, Mexico & Austria were among the countries picking up awards at the 11th Zurich Film Festival, which ran 24th Sept, 2015 to 4th Oct, 2015. Iceland’s ‘Rams’, directed by Grimur Hakonarson, taking the Golden Eye for international feature film, ‘Los Reyes Del Pueblo Que No Existe’ by Betzabe Garcia from Mexico winning the prize for international documentary and the Focus trophy awarded to ‘Thank You for Bombing’ by Barbara Eder from Austria. ‘The Miracle Of Tekir’ by Ruxandra Zenide won the Emerging Swiss Talent Award while the Critics’ Choice Award went to ‘Pikadero’ by Ben Sharrock of Spain. The audience award went to Niklaus Hilber’s ‘Amateur Teens’ and the audience award in the ZFF for Kids section was taken home by Margus Paju’s ‘Supilinna Salaselts’. The festival honored Arnold Schwarzenegger with the Golden Icon Award.

‘NIGHTCRAWLER’ INSPIRED XRC

Reality Show ‘XRC’ Gets 2nd Season, Spinoff ‘XRC’ (Extreme Reality Clips), infotainment at its most intense, is a global hit for Venezuela’s Cisneros Media Distribution, which has ordered a 2nd season and spinoff. Inspired by helmer & scribe Dan Gilroy’s crime drama feature ‘Nightcrawler’ which earned him a 2014 Best Screenplay Oscar nom and critical acclaim for lead Jake Gyllenhaal, the co -production with RMG News is a hit in Asia, Africa & America, including US, where it airs on Univision sister network UniMas. Ben Silverman’s Electus has clinched exclusive rep rights to the reality series for Europe & Oz. “This powerful series, comprised of real news footage that is completely shocking & electrifying, has audiences glued to the screen, not wanting to miss any of its intriguing scenes,” said Marcello Coltro, EVP of content distribution at Cisneros Media, who has ordered another 26 episodes from producer RMG News.

NEVINS & NUNEZ AIM TO TAKE SHOWTIME

Showtime & CBS Studios International aim to take Showtime’s sales worldwide to a whole new level, Showtime Networks’ David Nevins & Armando Nuñez at CBS Global Distribution Group said at a Mipcom keynote recently. That will come about, they argued, by their pushing “addictive TV.” The new bar was set by Canada’s Bell Media in a landmark deal this Jan, in an upgrade of its SVOD offer. Via the pact, Bell Media committed to air Showtime owned 1st run series programming, as well as almost its entire catalog of scripted & unscripted series, documentaries & specials, on its premium TV streaming service, CraveTV, as well as its leading pay television service, The Movie Network (TMN). “All of our shows have tended to be in different places in each territory. And the brand strength of Showtime in the US has been at an all – time high. Canada, being just over the border, is the 1st place where there was very high awareness of Showtime, and it was very valuable to Bell Media to upgrade its SVOD service saying: We are the home of Showtime,’” said Nevins. “The next phase of our growth is to put those shows together and make Showtime start to mean something around the world in the same way it means something in North America” he added. 3 factors may well help Showtime’s move into what Nuñez called “portfolio” deals: Showtime’s drive into original production, the power of its line – up, international markets craving for what Nevins & Nuñez called “addictive TV.” Built up by Nevins over the last 5 years, 75% of Showtime’s content is now made up of own – content original shows, said Nuñez. Showtime launched its HBO Now – like broadband service this Jul, via a standalone app, available for iPhone, iPad & Apple TV and online. It also started selling subscriptions over the Internet. “Our base business has never been stronger in US, but I think a lot of our growth in the coming years is going to come through the broadband only homes,” Nevins said. As for the state of the market, Nuñez was asked whether the demand for great content was growing.

Southern Films Round Up

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Dhanush-Trisha

Dhanush & Trisha To Pair Up For The 1st Time

Dhanush & Trisha had entered the film industry around the same time and have now completed more than a decade. Both of them are presently dazzling at the top with multiple acting projects in hand. It’s a strange coincidence that the duo despite being good friends in real life have never acted together in a film. And now it seems like the time has ripen to check the onscreen chemistry of Dhanush & Trisha. Reliable sources in Kollywood reveal that Trisha is likely to be roped in as one of the heroines of Dhanush in the film to be directed by Durai Senthilkumar.

Karunakaran’s Makes An Offer To Short Filmmakers

Karunakaran, of late, is the most sought after character artiste in Kollywood and he is also acting in the lead role in a few films. Before making it big on the silver screen. Karunakaran was also a famous face in the short film circuit. He has acted in an array of short films including the ones directed by Karthick Subbaraj,Nalan Kumarasamy and others who are among the celebrated new age directors of Kollywood.

As a person who would not forget his past, Karunakaran has expressed his interest to act in short films again. It was not done with the archaic Kollywood celebrity rhetoric of ‘I still wish to do it but I am not finding time.’ Instead, Karuna has specified the dates when he will be available and asked interested short filmmakers to approach him for any role, in his microblogging site.

Vijay To Be Directed By Bharatha

It seems that Ilayathalapathy Vijay has recently liked the script narrated by Bharathan of ‘Azhagiya Tamizh Magan’ fame and that the star is likely to take it up for his all important 60th film and the Vijaya Production House is likely to fund the project.
And now reports coming from Kollywood insiders say that director Hari is likely to direct the script with Vijay in the lead. Hari has apparently listened to the script and accepted to take it up after completing ‘Singam 3’ with Suriya which is expected to go on floors soon. If this becomes reality it is for the 1st time Hari will be working with ‘Ilayathalapathy’ Vijay in his 15 years of filmmaking career.

Radhika Still To Join The Team Of ‘Kabali‘

After the 1st schedule in Chennai, the 2nd schedule of shooting of Superstar Rajinikanth’s upcoming film ‘Kabali’ is taking place in Malaysia. This schedule is expected to go on in the country for a month and the scenes between Superstar and Dhanshika who plays the role of his daughter in the film are reportedly being shot at present. On the other hand Radhika Apte who had signed up to play the role of Rajini’s wife in the film took part in the initial photo shoot but she is yet to start shooting for the film. When inquired about this, reliable sources reveal that the ‘Ahalya’ actress will soon join the sets of ‘Kabali’ by Dec, 2015. Produced by Kalaipuli.S.Thanu on a grand scale ‘Kabali’ is expected as a Summer 2016 treat.

Varun’s ‘Loafer’ Shooting Wrapped Up

Mega Prince Varun Tej has wrapped up the shooting of his upcoming film ‘Loafer’. The last portion of the action sequences were shot on Varjun Tej, leading lady Disha Patani, Mukesh Rishi, Ali, Sapthagiri & Brahmanandam at an outdoor locale in the city. Directed by Puri Jagannath, the film’s post production is simultaneously progressing at rapid pace and the makers are planning to release the film for Pongal. Touted to be an action drama, Varun will be seen as a pick -pocketer in this film. C Kalyan is producing the film which also has Revathi & Posani Krishna Murali in prominent roles.

Title Locked For Yeleti & Mohanlal Movie

Director Chandrasekhar Yeleti carved a niche for himself as a versatile filmmaker. He is soon going to direct a multilingual film to be produced by Sai Korrapati on Vaarahi Chalanachitram banner. While Irrfan Khan is playing the lead role in the Hindi version, the Kannada version will have Shiva Raj Kumar as the protagonist. The Telugu version will see Mohanlal & Gautami in lead roles. Besides Yeleti has zeroed in on ‘Mahima’ as the film’s title. The pre – production is in full swing and the principle shooting of the film will commence from the 3rd week of Nov, 2015. The story of the film revolves around 4 middle class families and the struggles they face in their lives.

Prabhas & Sujeeth Movie Confirmed

Rumours were abuzz that Young Rebelstar Prabhas’s new movie with Sujeeth has been shelved due to some reasons. But now comes the news that the project is not put on hold and the film is still on. Sujeeth is currently busy with the script work and he is planning to take the film on the sets from the 2nd half of 2016. Recently, Sujeeth met Prabhas and gave his final narration to the actor. Apparently, Prabhas is very much impressed with the script and gave his final nod to the director.

Currently, Prabhas is busy preparing for the sequel of ‘Baahubali’ and the film is expected to roll later this year.

Ravi Makes Way For Akhil

Mass Maharaj Ravi Teja is working for director Sampath Nandi’s upcoming action entertainer ‘Bengal Tiger’. Produced by Radha Mohan, the film boasts of petite beauties Tamannah & Rashi Khanna as the leading ladies. The shooting of the film is almost completed except for songs and some patch work. The makers have slotted the film’s release for 6th Nov, 2015. But the latest update is that the film is now going to push its release by two weeks. Sources say Ravi Teja had asked the makers of the film to delay the release in order to make way for Akkineni Akhil’s debut film.

Namitha To Do A Telugu film

Namitha Pramod, who has had a consistent flow of movies has reportedly signed a Telugu movie. The movie stars popular Telugu actor Aadi in the lead. Namitha will play his love interest. The movie is being directed by Veerabhadra Chaudary.

The Telugu film industry is a stepping stone for many actress to foray into the South Indian Film Industry scene. Many ace actresses like Bhavana, Nayanthara, Bhama et al had made their mark there. The glamour quotient there is always a talking point. Among Namitha’s contemporaries, Anupama of ‘Premam’ fame has signed 3 Tollywood movies.

It’s Mammootty For Sheelu

Sheelu Abraham is slowly carving a niche for herself in Mollywood. The actress got noticed with her performance in ‘She Taxi’ which had Kavya Madhavan in the lead role. Her presence in Mohanlal starrer ‘Kanal’ too was noticed. Sheelu Abraham will next be seen in a movie which will have Mammootty in the lead role. The movie is titled ‘Puthiya Niyamam’ and the actress will essay the role of an IPS officer. Nayanthara is the lead heroine of the movie.

Karthik Finally Ties The Knot

The union minister DV Sadananda Gowda’s son Karthik Gowda surrounded by controversy for his alleged affair & marriage with Kannada cinema actress Mythria Gowda (claim is made by actress) has finally taken a new shape. Karthik Gowda has recently tied the knot with Rajasri (Swathi) recently at Kushalnagar, the hilly district of Karnataka.

Karnataka Governor Vajubai Vala, Maneka Gandhi, BS Yediyurappa, Shoba Karandlaje, Nalin Kumar, Pratap Simha, Sri Ramulu, Prahllad Joshi, Suresh Kumar, Bachche Gowda, CT Ravi, Katta Subramanya Naidu, Ramachandre Gowda, Vijayashanker, Somanna, KG Bopaiah, MC Nanaiah, T John, Go Madusoodhan et al attended the marriage event. Nearly 10000 people attended the wedding.

‘Jessi’ Is Now Complete

RS Banner – Kanakapura Srinivas & KP Srikanth’s yet another well thought out project ‘Jessi’ has completed the shooting recently. The post production work has begun for this film says Srikanth producer of the film.

Pawan Wadeyar has roped in Parul Yadav who played prominent role in his 1st film ‘Govindayanamaha’ – the song “Pyar Ge Agbutaithe…” has become a rage in Gurukiran’s music direction. Parul was one of the 3 heroines of that successful ‘Govindayanamaha’ of Komal Kumar in lead. She is a solo heroine in ‘Jessi’ that stars Dhananjay of ‘Directors Special And Raate’. Dhananjay has a spree of films on the floor like ‘Vijayaditya’, ‘Boxer’, ‘Badmash’, historical ‘Allama’ et al.

Shah Rukh Khan shouldn’t be targeted because he is Muslim: Shiv Sena

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SHAHRUKH khan

Mumbai: Even as he came under attack from sections in BJP, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan on Wednesday received support from ruling ally Shiv Sena which said the superstar should not be targeted only because he is a Muslim and that the minority community in India is “tolerant”.

“This country is tolerant and the Muslims are tolerant as well. Shah Rukh Khan should not be targeted only because he is a Muslim,” Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said.

BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya had on Tuesday triggered a controversy when he tweeted that Shah Rukh’s “soul” is in Pakistan though he lives in India. His remarks came a day after the 50-year-old actor said there is “extreme intolerance” in the country.

Earlier today controversial BJP MP Yogi Adityanath compared Shah Rukh to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of Mumbai carnage, over his “extreme intolerance” comment and also suggested that he go to Pakistan.

Slamming Vijayvargiya, Raut asked the BJP general secretary not to bring Pakistan into this debate on tolerance, saying that it is India’s internal matter.

He said Shah Rukh is a superstar only because India is tolerant.

“Shah Rukh Khan is a superstar only because the country is tolerant and has never thought in the name of religion,” the Sena leader said.

However, Raut said Shah Rukh spoke quite late on the issue.

“First of all Shah Rukh Khan should not have gotten into this debate on tolerance and secondly, out of the people who have returned their awards, the number of Muslims is almost negligible. Also, Shah Rukh spoke on the issue very late,” he said.

Meanwhile, under fire for his remark against Shah Rukh, Vijayvargiya on Wednesday withdrew his controversial tweets but asserted that had there been intolerance in India, Shah Rukh would not have been the most popular actor after Amitabh Bachchan.

(PTI)

Ghulam Ali cancels all concerts in India

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ghulam-ali

New Delhi: Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, whose concert in Mumbai was called off after resistance from the Shiv Sena, has cancelled all his scheduled performances in the country, saying that he won’t return to India until “things are settled down”.

Ghulam Ali also expressed his disappointment over the recent incidents, asserting that Indian fans have always welcomed him and his music with open arms.

“I have cancelled all my future concerts in India, will never come back to India. I will not perform until things settle down. I’m hurt by recent incidents in India. As of now I have decided not to come to India. Indian fans have been very supportive. I’m a singer, I will talk about music, not politics,” the singer told CNN-IBN news channel.

All his scheduled concerts, including the one in Delhi on November 8, and another in Lucknow, have been scrapped.

According to a report in ibnlive.com, Ghulam Ali, who made an entry into Indian cinema with his popular song “Chupke chupke raat din” for B.R. Chopra’s “Nikaah”, is “hurt by the politics being played over his concerts in India” and “how political points were trying to score brownie points by not letting him perform in India”.

The singer was stopped from performing in Mumbai and in Pune last month after the Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt his concerts. It led to a debate, with artistes from all sections urging that art be kept out of politics.

He had then said that he was sad, but his admiration for India remains undiminished.

(IANS)

Govt says hate speech must be punished, supports prosecution of Subramanian Swamy

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subramanian swamy

New Delhi: The Centre has sought in the Supreme Court the dismissal of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s plea challenging the constitutional validity of penal provisions on speeches and writings that could cause enmity and hatred among communities.

“That the challenge of the constitutionality of section 153A of the IPC on the ground that it violates the guarantee of the freedom of speech and expression must be rejected because the section seeks to punish only (a) such acts which have the tendency to promote enmity or hatred between different classes (b) such as which are prejudicial to the maintenance of the harmony between different classes and which have tendency to disturb public tranquillity.

“These acts are clearly calculated to disturb public order and show the limitation imposed by section 153A are in the interest of public order. Article 19(2) would, therefore, save section 153A as being within the scope of permissible legislative restriction on the fundamental right guaranteed under Article 19 (1)(a),” said the affidavit filed by an Under Secretary in the Home Ministry.

The affidavit has also referred to a book written by the BJP leader.

“The petitioner has written a book named Terrorism in India where he has made hate speeches against the community of India. The book-its theme, its language, innuendos, similes it employs and the moral of its story, if any–in order to ascertain whether the offending passages read in the context of the book as a whole fall within the mischief of section 153A. “The book (is) to be considered in all its aspect as it contains matter which “promotes feelings of enmity and hatred between Hindus and Muslims in India.” Therefore, the petitioner has violated the sections of IPC,” the MHA said in its affidavit.

Swamy, who is facing a court case in Karimganj in Assam for allegedly delivering an inflammatory address at Kaziranga University, sought relief from the apex court in the case. He also challenged the constitutional validity of Section 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) of the Indian Penal Code.

Earlier, on May 21, a judge of the apex court had recused from hearing his plea challenging the validity of some penal provisions relating to “hate speech”.

The apex court was hearing Swamy’s plea against the order of an Assam trial court issuing an NBW against him for failing to appear before it on March 19 in a case of alleged hate speech. The NBW was issued on June 1 by a court in Karimganj on a complaint accusing him of allegedly delivering an inflammatory address on March 15 at Kaziranga University. The Karimganj court had ordered that the arrest warrant be complied with on or before June 30. Proceedings in the case have been stayed in the Assam court.

(PTI)

Shivamogga: BJP leader, who threatened to behead CM, arrested

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SN Channabasappa

Shivamogga: A Karnataka BJP leader stirred a row when he publicly threatened to behead Chief Minister Siddaramaiah if he dared to consume cow meat after which he was today arrested for his “provocative” and “intimidatory” remarks.

S N Channabasappa, a former president of the erstwhile Shivamogga City Municipal Council, had held out the threat last evening during a protest organised by the local party unit against Siddaramaiah’s reported comment on eating beef made last week.

“How dare you lay your hands on the neck of Gomata? You are openly saying with a dictatorial attitude that you will eat cow meat… If you have the guts, you come here and eat at Gopi Circle (in Shivamogga), then, let there be no doubt that on that day, you will be beheaded,” Channabasappa said.

“… Are you playing with the emotions of Hindus? Don’t do it…,” warned Channabasappa, who was arrested today for his remarks which were described by the Chief Minister as “a provocative statement.”

Channabasappa has been booked under IPC Sections 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation), Superintendent of Police Ravi Channannavar said.

“It is a provocative statement. I will ask the police to inquire into it. If it is true, they will definitely take action,” Siddarmaiah had said earlier.

Asked about state BJP leaders not reacting to such statements, saying those were being made by “fringe elements”, he said, “BJP people are known for it. That is why we are opposing them.”

“If I say I will eat, how will it harm majority community? Don’t we eat other kinds of meat?,” the CM said.

“…food habit is an individual’s choice and should be left to them; no one should interfere with it. Interfering and attacking one’s rights is not correct. It is against the Constitution. It is against individual liberty, it should not be done…”

At a general body meeting of the Karnataka Youth Congress last week, Siddaramaiah had reportedly said, “Till date I have never eaten cow meat. But if it suits my palate and if I want to eat beef, I will eat it. Nobody can stop me.”

Slamming the controversy over beef eating, he had raked up the Dadri lynching incident, and spoken about “growing intolerance” in the country, blaming right-wing outfits for it.

Siddaramaiah’s remarks had come under attack from BJP, with its state unit president Prahlad Joshi saying that cow is revered and worshipped by a majority of the people of the state and the Chief Minister had made the comments just to gain votes of a particular community.

(PTI)

Adityanath compares Shah Rukh Khan with Hafiz Saeed

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Yogi Adityanath

New Delhi: Controversial Bharatiya Janata Party MP Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday compared Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan with Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of Mumbai carnage, over his “extreme intolerance” comment.

This is the second attack on the actor by a BJP leader in as many days, sparking condemnation.

Hitting out at the actor two days after he added his voice to the protest by the intelligentsia against the ’climate of intolerance’, Mr. Adityanath also suggested that he go to Pakistan.

Mr. Adityanath, the MP from Gorakhpur, said Shah Rukh Khan should remember that if a “huge mass” of people in the country would boycott his films then he would also have to wander on streets like a “normal Muslim“.

On Tuesday, senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya triggered a controversy when he painted Shah Rukh as an “anti-nationalist.” In a series of tweets, he said the actor’s “soul” is in Pakistan though he lived in India.

Under fire for the remark, Mr. Vijayvargiya, a BJP general secretary, on Wednesday withdrew his controversial tweets but asserted that had there been intolerance in India, Shah Rukh Khan would not have been the most popular actor after Amitabh Bachchan. He, however, refused to apologise for his remarks.

The attack against Shah Rukh Khan by BJP leaders came notwithstanding the refrain of BJP’s top brass in the recent weeks that partymen avoid sensitive comments.

Claiming that in the name of secularism some artists and authors with radical views have started speaking as “anti-nationals”, Mr. Adityanath said “unfortunately”, Shah Rukh Khan has also matched their voice and lent his support.

According to Mr. Adityanath, this was not for the first time that Shah Rukh was doing this “Shah Rukh Khan should remember that if a huge mass in society would boycot his films, he will also have to wander on streets like a normal Muslim….I am saying these people are speaking in a terrorist’ language. I think there is no difference between the language of Shah Rukh Khan and Hafiz Saeed,” he said.

“We welcome that people go there [Pakistan], at least people who defame India will understand their own originality,” he added.

The Congress reacted to Mr. Adityanath’s statement, saying it was condemnable and would cause tension.

“This is a condemnable statement and nobody can send an individual to Pakistan,” Congress leader Tom Vadakkan said.His party colleague P C Chacko feared such comments would create tension.

“If you have views against the dispensation of this country you go to Pakistan… anybody wants to tweet something he has to go to Pakistan.. Are they trying to promote Pakistan tourism?,” asked Mr. Vadakkan.

Sadhvi Prachi, controversial Hindutva leader, also hit out at Shah Rukh Khan on Tuesday, dubbing him a “Pakistani agent” for his comment on Monday when he turned 50 that there was “extreme intolerance” in the country.

(PTI)

Shoaib Malik announces retirement from Tests

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Shoaib Malik

New Delhi: Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, who made a spectacular comeback into the Pakistani Test squad after five years, on Tuesday announced retirement from the longest format of the game.

Malik confirmed the news on social micro-blogging site Twitter.

The 33-year-old said that he wanted to vacate the place for youngsters who are ready to fill in his shoes.

Malik added that he wanted to focus more on ODIs and is willing to play the 2019 World Cup.

In the first Test of the on-oing three-match series, Malik slammed 245 runs against England at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The match ended in a draw.

Malik has played 34 Tests for Pakistan where he has scored 1860 runs at an average of 35.76.

(Agencies)

Sadhvi Prachi calls Shahrukh Khan a ‘Pakistani Agent’ for talking about religious tolerance

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Sadhvi Prachi

New Delhi: Sadhvi Prachi, a VHP leader triggered another controversy by calling Superstar, Shah Rukh Khan a “Pakistani agent” for his remarks on “intolerance” yesterday.

She also slammed the actor for saying that religious intolerance in the country won’t let it grow and become a superpower. She said that for his statement, SRK should be charged with sedition and sent to Pakistan.

SRK on his 50th birthday said that he is ready to surrender his Padma Shri award.

(Agencies)

“My film Mungala is the perfect depiction of a villager’s life”: Gaurav Bhanushali

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Mungala

Producer Gaurav Bhanushali deserves a pat on his back for presenting a perfect picture of a village in the times of drought. And how the villager’s suffer more due to the politician’s mean game of using the villagers to win the so-called elections. That apart they also become the victims of a natural calamity.

So how would you describe your film Mungala?

My film Mungala is the perfect depiction of a villager’s life in a rural ambience. First of all the main protagonist Kisan has just returned from the city after being sacked by an American IT company due to recession.

And then?

And then on his return to the village Kisan discovers that the villagers are also passing through a phase of drought, the villagers are now solely depending on tanker’s everyday to fulfill their necessity of water. While they are also being used as a crowd puller for an election rally time & again by the political workers. So Kisan also whiles away his time with his coterie of friends. And then there were news reports in the papers that there was a rainfall due to a research being done on the moon. Instantly Kisan & his friends devise a plan to end the sufferings of the villagers.

This almost sounds like Mungala is an off beat venture. What say?

Maybe you are right but I think the audiences all over will like it. Rural audiences will lap up Mungala, but I firmly believe that even the urban audiences will have a lot of food for thought to ponder upon.

What according to you are the main highlights of Mungala?

First of all I would like to say that it is Vijay Devkar’s excellent directional skills that will keep the audiences all over spell bind. No we don’t want their sympathy, we just want them to realize the villager’s problem minutely & offer us a concrete solution. That apart I would like to mention the names of all my artistes like Lokesh Gupte, Jyoti Joshi, Suhas Palshikar, Ganesh Yadav, Chetan Dalvi etc for going through all the grind and literally getting into the skin of the charater and literally living their roles and lastly I would like to make a mention of my music composers Vijay Gawande & Atul Lohar who have also delivered the goods expected of them.

By the way what was the need to include an item song in such an off beat film?

Mungala is not just an off beat venture, it is also a thoroughly entertaining film. So instead of keeping a tamasha oriented lavani as usual I thought of including a proper item song which would enliven the audiences.

So what’s next on your agenda?

Frankly speaking right now Mungala is my top priority. I am seriously considering of sending Mungala to global fests as in India it has already been an official selection for Sahayadri Cine Awards for “Best Choreography” & also an official selection with 4 nominations for Nashik International Film Festival where it ultimately bagged the Golden Camera Award for “Best Rural Cinema”. Period!

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