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Archives for July 2016

Six more die in Kashmir frenzy, death toll 21

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Kashmiri women mourn the death of Burhan Wani, a separatist militant leader, during his funeral in Tral, south of Srinagar on Saturdya. Credit: Reuters.

Kashmiri women mourn the death of Burhan Wani, a separatist militant leader, during his funeral in Tral, south of Srinagar on Saturdya. Credit: Reuters.

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government appealed for calm on Sunday as six more people died in unending demonstrations against the killing of a top militant leader, taking the death toll to 21 in two days in curfew-bound Kashmir Valley.

Shabir Ahmed, 27, was shot and wounded by security forces during a street protest here and died in hospital, becoming the first to be killed outside of north Kashmir since the anti-government protests erupted on Saturday.

The incident took place in Batmaloo, a known separatist hub.

Fresh firing by security forces in Pulwama district in north Kashmir led to the death of Faiyaz Ahmed Mir. Elsewhere in Pulwama, four CRPF troopers were wounded when militants hurled grenades taking advantage of a street protest.

Four other deaths were reported earlier in the day.

A mob overran a bullet-proof police vehicle and rolled it down into the Sutlej river at Sangam in Anantnag district, drowning its constable driver while other policemen fled the scene, official sources said.

Security forces shot dead two demonstrators at Litter in Pulwama after a mob took to the streets shouting anti-government and pro-freedom slogans, the sources said.

Irfan Ahmad Malik, 17, was also killed on Sunday in firing in Pulwama after a curfew-defying mob attacked the security forces, a police official said.

The latest fatalities took the death toll in two days of widespread clashes between protesters and security forces in the Kashmir Valley to 21 — 20 demonstrators and one policeman.

Kashmir Valley erupted in anger on Saturday after security forces shot dead Burhan Wani, a top leader of the Hizbul Mujahideen, along with two of his associates on Friday. His funeral was attended by thousands.

Most protests have taken place in the northern districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian. Wani hailed from Pulwama. In most places mobs have attacked police and paramilitary forces with stones, leading to tear-gassing and firing.

Taking advantage of the outnumbered security personnel, demonstrators on Sunday set fire to the Sub Divisional Police Officer’s office in Pahalgam, a court complex in Dooru and a police post in Qazigund in Kulgam.

On Saturday, mobs torched four police stations, two police pickets and a tehsildar’s office. There were two incidents of weapon snatching and torching of several vehicles of security forces.

Senior officials said three policemen were missing following the violence and nearly 100 security personnel were injured in the street clashes which have crippled the Kashmir Valley and halted the Amarnath Yatra.

On Sunday, the Jammu and Kashmir government urged parents of young demonstrators to tell their wards not to take part in protests that were leading to civilian casualties.

Education Minister and government spokesman Naeem Akhtar also urged the separatist Hurriyat Conference to help restore calm in the Kashmir Valley, where a separatist campaign has left many thousands dead since 1989.

The government said it was also trying to arrange flights to fly out the thousands of tourists stranded in the valley due to the violence.

In New Delhi, union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, offering all possible help from New Delhi.

Senior officials expressed the hope that the situation in Kashmir would return to normal soon.

Four demonstrators, Imtiyaz Ahmad Mandoo, Mashooq Ahmad and Safeer Ahmad (all from Anantnag) and Mohammmad Altaf Rather (Pulwama) who were wounded on Saturday died on Sunday. Eleven people were killed on Saturday.

At least 100 protesters were injured on Saturday. They suffered bullet, tear smoke and pellet injuries.

Wani was buried in his native Shariefabad village on Saturday where thousands gathered defying curfew restrictions to take part in his funeral prayers.

The separatists have called for a valley-wide shutdown till Monday to protest against Wani’s killing.

(Agencies)

Dar-ul-Uloom slams media for wrongly citing its fatwas against Dr Zakir Naik

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zakir naik

Lucknow: Islamic seminary Dar-ul-Uloom Deoband has objected to media citing its fatwas against Dr Zakir Naik and linking them to the allegations against the Islamic preacher that his speeches had incited terrorists involved in Dhaka cafe attack.

Spokesman of Dar-ul-Uloom Ashraf Usmani told PTI that a few fatwas were issued by Deoband against Dr Naik on issues related to Muslim sects. But these were being “delibrately highlighted” by some newspapers and television channels in their reports on Dr Naik, who has come under scanner after it was reported that Dhaka attackers were allegedly inspired by his speeches.

“Therefore associating fatwas issued by Deoband in the past with the allegations against Naik linked to terrorism is wrong and objectionable,” Usmani said.

He said that due to busy schedule ahead of Eid, Deoband had not decided its stand on Naik.

Meanwhile, a senior All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Maulana Rashid Farangi Mahali said cornering Naik was a part of a deep “conspiracy”.

“A person, who has more than 1.4 crore followers, of which some become terrorist, how can he be held responsible. It is gross injustice,” he said.

The Maulana welcomed an inquiry by the government against Naik.

“If you have suspicion, an inquiry should be conducted. But the manner in which his character assassination is being done by the media, it cannot be justified,” he said.

Director Shibli Academy Professor Ishtiyaq Ahmad Zilli said every person has a right to speech within the law of the country, but the “media trial” was not right.

(Agencies)

Over 220, 000 refugees enter Germany in 2016

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Refugees

by Andolu Ajansi

A total of 222,264 refugees have entered Germany in the first half of 2016, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said Friday.

Maiziere told reporters in Berlin that while 1.1 million refugees arrived in Germany in 2015, the number decreased in 2016.

About 91,000 refugees entered Germany in January, while the number decreased to about 19,000 in June, according to the minister.

He said mostly Syrian, Afghan, Iraqi, Iranian and Russian refugees arrived in the country.

Austria and Germany witnessed last year their biggest refugee crisis in decades, as hundreds of thousands of migrants, mostly from conflict regions in the Middle East and Africa, arrived to these countries.

Many migrants used Austria as a transit country to reach Germany, which accepted nearly 1.1 million refugees in 2015.

Legendary Pakistani social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi passes away in Karachi

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Abdul Sattar Edhi

Karachi: Pakistan’s most renowned and respected philanthropist and humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi passed away in Karachi on Friday at the age of 88. His son, Faisal Edhi, confirmed the news of his death.

“Edhi sahab passed away tonight. I want to tell you all, Pakistan and the world, that he is not with us anymore,” said Faisal Edhi.

Edhi’s funeral prayers will be offered at the National Stadium in Karachi after Zuhr prayers on Saturday.

The renowned humanitarian, who was the founder and chairman of the Edhi Foundation, was diagnosed with kidney failure three years ago but was since unable to receive a transplant due to his poor health.

Earlier in the day, the family had had asked to pray for Edhi whose condition deteriorated and who was said to be breathing with the help of a ventilator.

He was brought to the the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) for a regular dialysis earlier today, but was shifted to intensive care and put on the ventilator after he faced severe trouble in breathing.

Edhi had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for the past several weeks.

The philanthropist suffered from multiple diseases and complications, including diabetes, hypertension, and kidney failure. His son told reporters earlier today that he had also become very weak physically because of not being able to eat for some time.

Last act of kindness

In a last act of kindness and selflessness, Faisal Edhi said his father had wished that all his usable body organs be donated after his death.

“He had prepared for himself a grave in Edhi village about twenty-five years ago,” he said. “We will bury him there according to his wishes. Also, he wanted to be buried in the same clothes in which he died. Hence, we will also honour his wish and bury him in the clothes that he passed away,” he added.

“He also wished that his organs be donated after he passes away. Because of his condition, only his eyes can be donated,” said his son, visibly emotional and in tears.

An operation was conducted to extract his cornea for donation.

“Two people will benefit after operation tomorrow from the cornea donated by Edhi sahab,” said Faisal Edhi.

Edhi is revered as a national hero in Pakistan of nearly legendary status. He established the welfare organisation Edhi Foundation almost six decades ago that owns and runs Pakistan’s largest ambulance service, as well as nursing homes, orphanages, clinics, maternity wards, morgues, homes for the elderly, and women’s shelters, along with rehabilitation centers and soup kitchens across the country.

The head of the Edhi Foundation had received a number of international honours including Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the Lenin Peace Prize, and the Balzan Prize among several other international honours for his humanitarian work.

In 2011, then Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani proposed Edhi’s name for the Nobel Peace Prize. He appeared on the Nobel list again this year after he was nominated for the award by young Pakistani Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.

A spiritual quest for justice

Starting from humble beginnings, he was known to stay true to his roots and focus all his energy on his humanitarian work.

In an earlier interview with Geo News, Edhi said he only owned two pairs of clothes which he washed himself, a tradition he had continued for many years. He lived in a small one-room flat located above the office of his charitable organisation.

“He never established a home for his own children,” his wife told news agency AFP in an earlier interview.

Motivated by a spiritual quest for justice, over the years Edhi and his team aimed at helping those in society who cannot help themselves and picking up where limited government-run services fell short.

The most prominent symbols of the foundation — its 1,500 ambulances — are deployed with unusual efficiency to the scene of terrorist attacks that tear through Pakistan with devastating regularity.

His work was so widely respected by across Pakistan that armed groups and bandits were known to spare his ambulances.

Frail and weak in his later years, Edhi appointed his son Faisal as managing trustee in early 2016.

“I have done a lot of work. I am satisfied with my life,” he told news agency AFP in an interview earlier this year.

Edhi is survived by four children and his wife Bilquis Edhi, who ran the Edhi foundation with him.

Kashmir tense, restrictions imposed, Amarnath yatra suspended

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Kashmir-firing

Srinagar: Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar city, and Amarnath yatra suspended as authorities apprehended protests in the Valley, where tension prevailed following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by security forces.

Protesters blocked main roads and entry to interiors of the city at many places following a strike call by top separatists leaders who were put under house arrest as a precautionary measure. Public address systems were used in some places today to relay the audio messages of Wani, who had emerged as the poster boy of militancy. Mobile internet across Kashmir has been suspended while mobile telephony services have also been restricted in south Kashmir.

A police official said the situation was by and large peaceful in most parts of Kashmir so far but Tral — the hometown of the slain militant commander — witnessed protests by residents following his killing in the encounter in Kokernag area yesterday.

“Restrictions have been imposed on movement of people in six police station areas of Srinagar city, most parts of Pulwama district and Anantnag town in south Kashmir as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order,” a senior government official said.
He said the decision was taken in view of the violent protests at some places last night in these areas after the news of Wani’s death.

“A group of youths also started pelting stones towards the camps of security forces who have not retaliated to the provocation so far,” he said.

Authorities have suspended Amarnath yatra from Jammu base camp to base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam in the Valley as a precautionary measure.

The train services between Baramulla in Kashmir and Banihal across the Pir Panjal mountain range have also been suspended for the day as the trains have been targeted by mobs in the past.

Top separatist leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik were placed under house arrest last night as they had called for a shutdown today.

The two factions of the Hurriyat had planned funeral prayers in absentia for the slain militants. Radical women’s outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Aasiya Andrabi has called for a three-day shutdown.

Meanwhile, shops, private offices, business establishments and petrol pumps were shut, while government offices and banks witnessed thin attendance, officials said.

They said public transport was off the roads, while private cars and auto-rickshaws were seen plying at some places.

Educational institutions in the Valley were closed onACCOUNT of the ongoing summer vacations. The reports of shutdown have been received from district headquarters in the Valley, the officials said.

Central University of Kashmir has postponed all examinations scheduled for today, a spokesman of the University said. He said that the new dates for the examination would be notified separately. Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education has also postponed today’s exams in view of the strike.

(Agencies)

Sultan’s Music Review

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sultan

Sultan happens to be one of the biggest films of the year directed y Ali Abbas Zafar & produced by the biggest production house namely Yash Raj Films. It stars the biggest superstar Salman Khan in & as Sultan. Sultan’s music has been composed by one of the top composer duos Vishal – Shekhar and its lyrics have been penned down by one of the top lyricists Irshad Kamil. A setting that warranted as many as 9 songs. In fact Sultan’s music comprises of a wholesome & complete soundtrack that does well as a part of the narrative and not just comes across as a series of item /quick fix songs.

It is a Haryanvi beginning for the album and soon enough within 30 seconds Vishal Dadlani brings on his boisterous vocals to give “Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai” a rollicking start. The fusion of Haryanvi tone and setting with Western styling is done amazingly well and the add – on vocals of Shalmali Kholgade & Ishita add on further fuel. The song is an instant winner and the hook manages to form an instant connect with music lovers. While the song has a wonderful flow, the rap portions by Badshah seems a tad unnecessary to begin with. However, after listening to the song for a couple of times, this one gels well too eventually.

Next to arrive is the much – in – the – news “Jag Ghoomeya” which had a version sung by Arijit Singh. However, while that is not included in the album, the one you hear is by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. While one can’t really state how Arijit’s version would have sounded, the fact remains that Rahat does a wonderful job for this love song which has a definite ‘thehrav’ around it and flows seamlessly. A beautiful melodic number that should do quite well even over the years and not just as an instant chartbuster, it later also arrives as an almost unplugged version by Neha Bhasin. This has even more traditional feel and fits in well again.

The very title of the song “440 Volt” gives an impression of a ‘tapori’ number in the offering. Well, this is what you get in Sultan, what with words like ‘dish antenna’, ‘signal’ & ‘Argentina’ thrown in. Really, within one minute of listening to this song, you get an impression that this one could just have made a straight entry into Dabangg 3. It would be interesting to see how this rhythmic & ‘smile through’ number fits into the film. Meanwhile, it has to be acknowledged that Mika Singh sounds really different from his usually full – throated best and goes relatively sober in this song that has a better ‘antara’ portions than ‘mukhda’.

Next to arrive is the title song ‘Sultan’ which has an epic feel to it in the way Shadab Faridi opens it. Soon enough Sukhwinder Singh joins in as well and the kind of guitar that comes into play along with the drum beats makes one sure that it would be a riot when heard in theatre with a state – of – art Dolby systems coming into play. A ‘desi’ rustic number with Western arrangements to it, this one should appear at a number of junctures in the film, hence lending a theme feel to the proceedings. The same song sees a relatively sober start in another version ‘Rise of Sultan’ which is rendered by Shekhar Ravjiani. A good follow – up.

Next in line is a fun song “Sachi Muchi” that takes a really long time to set in. This one is actually in a completely different mood, stage & setting when compared to the soundtrack so far. It is more in the Barfi! mode with an innocent feel to it, what with Mohit Chauhan & Harshdeep Kaur coming together for a sweet – n – simple outing. It is not a bad hear at all, it is just that you want the feel of Sultan to continue.

It is a different kind of start for the next song to follow, “Bulleya”, gets as Papon vocals are the first to arrive than any musical instrument kick – starts. While one wonders how the song would shape up in seconds to follow, the ‘sufi’ sound that follows starts giving certain groove to the tune. After a brief pause, Papon returns behind the mike and what you hear is sheer magic as his soft vocals integrate beautifully with the tune. A rather quiet song that has your feet tapping, “Bulleya” is a slow song that grows on you eventually and lends an impression that this one is in for a long run.

And finally the album concludes on a high with “Tuk Tuk” which has a Haryanvi base to it and manages to form an instant connect. If you liked “Main Ghani Bawri” from Tanu Weds Manu Returns then you would definitely pick up “Tuk Tuk” as well which has Nooran Sisters making an impression yet again as the singers. What is really remarkable is the fact that despite its regional feel to it, there is a quintessential Vishal – Shekhar sound to it as well, something which keeps becoming all the more prominent as it proceeds. While Vishal Dadlani too chips in as a rapper, it is amazing to see how two different spectrums of music integrate here.

Actually speaking the music of Sultan is a big winner. After a really long time, one gets a sense of a complete soundtrack for a film instead of a series of songs working independently without really coming together as a unit. Vishal -Shekhar arrive as composers after a while but along with Irshad Kamil, they make the wait worth it as they bring something which is different from anything that they have made before. What they succeed in doing tremendously is bringing on songs that are musical, and not ringtone tones.

To round it off my personal favourite from the soundtrack would “Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai”, “Jag Ghoomeya”, “Bulleya”, “Tuk Tuk” & above all the title track “Sultan”.

Bollywood round up

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ALI ZAFAR

ALI ZAFAR WORKS TOWARDS HIS PLEDGE OF BUILDING 141 SCHOOLS IN PAKISTAN !!!

Two years ago, actor, singer & artist
Ali Zafar had brought together 50 of Pakistan’s most loved personalities for a music video “Urainge Us Aasman Mein”, that pays tribute to the Peshawar school massacre victims. On 16th Dec, 2014, Taliban gunmen stormed a military – run school in Peshawar, leading to the loss of 141 lives, most of them children. The star pledged to build 141 schools, as many number of official deaths of children that day. Ali collaborated with a leading Pakistani educational non – profit organization, The Citizens Foundation (TCF) and 141schools.org (141 SCHOOLS), a new citizen web movement. Together, they are building 141 schools across Pakistan. Each school will be dedicated to the children & teachers who lost their lives in attack on the 16th of Dec 2014. All proceeds from the downloads of his songs are going towards building schools for the children of Pakistan and ensuring a bright future. Recently Ali also posted the royalty cheque of people who have downloaded the song online, as his medium of thanking fans, testimony to the fact that his pledge is definitely top priority despite his choc – o – bloc schedule.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA ON THE COVER OF INERNATIONAL MAGAZINE – INSTYLE !

Priyanka Chopra, is fast becoming the go – to cover girl for the biggest
magazines in America. The actress & international star, who catapulted her way to the top and within a short span of time has already featured on Time Magazine’s power cover and earlier featured on Elle US. She became the 1st major break through television star from India and was also featured on the cover of TV Guide, a bible for American television. India’s 1st global superstar recently bagged another international cover and looked like a resplendent breeze on the cover of Instyle Magazine. Priyanka shares her words of wisdom in the Aug, 2016 issue of the magazine, “You have to be the best version of you, whatever that might be, and that’s a very individual journey. You can put me in front of a camera anywhere in the world and I’ll hit my mark and say my lines and give the director what he wants. I can break out into song & dance as well. I’m kick – ass at that too. That makes me a triple threat, not a stereotype.”

MUKTA A2 CINEMAS LAUNCHED A NEW AD CAMPAIGN

Mukta A2 Cinemas have always moved beyond the conventions of a multiplex and invested in making movie watching a holistic experience for the audience. To accelerate on the objective further, the chain of Cinemas recently launched a new ad on their YouTube Channel giving an inroad to the progressive journey of Mukta A2 Cinemas coupled with customer feedback. Mukta A2 Cinemas has taken deep interest towards catering to the needs of its fan base with its lively theatres and extraordinary F & B services. People not only plan on the movie they want to watch, but also where, when, with who and what they will eat at the cinema etc. Says, Rahul Puri (Managing Director, Mukta Arts Limited) – “We at Mukta A2 Cinemas always strive to make “movie watching” a holistic experience for our patrons. To accelerate this objective further we decided to come out with a brand new ad campaign. With this campaign we have captured a lot of such emotions. The forte of this campaign is that it was all shot, edited & developed by the students of Whistling Woods International.” Mukta A2 Cinemas is growing by leaps & bounds with its presence in 12 cities, 33 screens & upcoming projects all over India. Internationally the chain will be launching cinemas in Bahrain within the year. With multiplexes in Mumbai, Sailu, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Gulbarga, Banswara, Vizag, Sangli, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Kundli & Rajpipla it plans to open properties in Aurangabad, Dehradun, Navi Mumbai – Panvel, Ahmedabad, Gurgaon, Ambarnath & Pune. Not just this, it also plans to spread & open the 1st international property in Bahrain by end of this year which is spread across 6 screens.

1ST LOOK POSTER OF ‘SHAHEB BIBI GOLAAM’

Here’s the official 1st look poster of the upcoming Bengali thriller SHAHEB BIBI GOLAAM. Produced by Friends Communication, the film has been written & directed by Pratim D. Gupta and stars Swastika Mukherjee (Detective Byomkesh Bakshy fame), Anjan Dutt & Ritwick Chakraborty in the lead. The songs of the film have been composed by Anupam Roy (Piku fame). Drishyam Films (Masaan & Dhanak fame) will release the film with English subtitles across the country and abroad on 26th Aug, 2016.

AMITABH BACHCHAN GRABS THE HIGHEST VOTES TO PLAY BALASAHEB THACKERAY IN HIS BIOPIC ‘SAHEB’

Since the announcement of Smita Thackeray’s son Rahul Thackeray’s film SAHEB; a biopic on the Marathi Tiger Balasaheb Thackeray, there has been a high amount of speculation & curiosity on who will portray the role of the strong & charismatic protagonist – Balasaheb Thackeray. Keeping in mind the powerful personality of Balasaheb Thackeray, a leading entertainment website conducted a poll amongst top 4 Bollywood actors which they thought would be perfect for the character. The options consisted of Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Akshay Kumar & Manoj Bajpayee where the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan grabbed the highest votes. Balasaheb Thackeray was one of the most loved leaders of our country and was known to be extremely stylish, creative, witty & authoritative with a tremendous aura surrounding him hence the curiosity amongst fans is tremendous. The biopic which is a tribute by the mother – son duo is currently in its pre – production phase and will be going on floors by the month of Oct, 2016. Under the banner of Smita Thackeray’s production house titled Rahul Productions, the film will be produced by Smita Thackeray. Well with such high speculations it will be exciting to know who will play the role of the roaring tiger on the big screen.

RASHMI SHARMA TELEFILMS NOW VENTURES INTO PRODUCTION WITH ‘PINK’

Rashmi Sharma Telefilms now ventures into Bollywood by producing PINK that stars Amitabh Bachchan. The film releases on 16th Sept, 2016 and also stars Tapsee Pannu & Kirti Kulhari in pivotal roles. Rashmi Sharma Telefilms, which is owned by Rashmi Sharma and Pawan Sharma, is one of the top production houses in the Television Industry of India, and now with another hand of their company named Rashmi Sharma Films, they intend to make films that will impact the audience and carry forward their prophecy. Their serials are top rated & widespread with the highest TRPs amongst the Indian audience. Like in television, Rashmi Sharma Films further aims to associate with good & crisp content in the Bollywood Film industry, which will in turn leave a mark on the audience’s hearts.

AFTER AMITABH BACHCHAN & GULSHAN GROVER PARINEETI CHOPRA LENDS HER VOICE FOR STEVEN SPIELBERG ‘THE BIG FRIENDLY GIANT’

After the last power – packed Oscar nominated movie, BRIDGE OF SPIES -Steven Spielberg is back with fantasy adventure film THE BIG FRIENDLY GIANT which is all set to release in India on 15th July, 2016. Amitabh Bachchan & Gulshan Grover have already been roped in to lend their voices in the Hindi dubbed version of Spielberg’s THE BIG FRIENDLY GIANT. Parineeti Chopra too has joined them to voice the female protagonist of the movie. She has dubbed for Sophie, played by a 12 year -old Ruby Barnhill in THE BFG aka THE BIG FRIENDLY GIANT. The gorgeous actress decided to take up the part as she loved the character and it will be Parineeti’s 1st Hollywood project. Reliance Entertainment has a Pan India release plan for this friendly giant movie in 4 languages – English, Hindi, Tamil &Telugu. The movie is all set to release in India on 15th July, 2016.

THE VIOLIN PLAYER MARKS THE HINDI FILM DEBUT OF THE BENGALI ACTOR RITWICK CHAKROBORTY

Bauddhayan Mukherji’s directorial next, THE VIOLIN PLAYER had its International Premiere at the 37th Durban International Film Festival where it won the top award of “Best Feature Film”. Starring Adil Hussain & Bengali actor Ritwick Chakraborty, THE VIOLIN PLAYER was the only Indian feature in the competition at the festival. THE VIOLIN PLAYER is the story of one day in the life of a Bollywood session violinist who finds expression in an unlikely place. The day unfolds to reveal startling truths about music, art, life & survival. The film marks the Hindi film debut of the Bengali actor Ritwick Chakraborty. It was also the only Hindi film in the International Competition at the IFFK, Kerala. The film produced by Monalisa Mukherji under the banner of Little Lamb Films, has been picked up by Alpha Violet, one of France’s leading sales agents which marked their 1st ever Indian acquisition. Bauddhayan Mukherji who made his directorial debut with the award winning Bengali feature, TEENKAHON exclaims, “The journey of THE VIOLIN PLAYER is just beginning. As far as Durban is concerned, for us filmmakers, a festival like this is like the Olympics where one gets to represent one’s country. Hence a win here makes it sweeter, as you end up winning laurels not for the film not for yourself but for India.”

FILMING COMPLETED OF ‘PATEL KI PUNJABI SHAADI’

Much awaited Rishi Kapoor – Paresh Rawal starrer PATEL KI PUNJABI SHAADI has completed its final shooting schedule. The climax scene was shot with all the actors recently in Mumbai. This romantic comedy features lead Vir Das & Payal Ghosh in romantic roles along with Prem Chopra, Jinal Belani, Divya Seth, Bharati Achrekar & Tiku Talsania. The story is about a Punjabi played by Rishi Kapoor & Gujarati Patel played by Paresh Rawal. Directed by Sanjay Chhel, the post -production work has also begun simultaneously. Lalit Pandit & Uttank Vora are the music composers. Janak Shah & Anil Bohra are the creative producers of the film. The movie is produced by Bharat Patel of Bholenath Movies.

SARA LOREN LEARNS NEPALI FOR ‘ISHQ CLICK

Often we hear stories about actors going out of their way, pushing themselves out of their comfort zones just to get into the shoes of their characters. Recently, MURDER 3 actress Sara Loren learnt a new language for her movie ISHQ CLICK. Sara learnt Nepali because she had a few scenes in the movie where she speaks in the language with the locals, as the language of locals in Darjeeling is Nepali. Sara learned Nepali as the script demanded so. Seen opposite Adhyayan Suman, the actress had a fair amount of scenes in the language. She was finding it hard to get the nuances & intonation right, and because a major part of the movie is shot in the location, she thought it would be right to just learn the language rather than mugging up the lines and making amateurish mistakes. She found time for it as the initial shooting sequences mostly has her & Adhyayan speaking in Hindi so, that bought her time. During her scenes with the locals, she was more at comfort and finished it off early. ISHQ CLICK is an intense love story that sees Adhyayan Suman playing a photographer & Sara Loren his love interest. The movie also stars theatre actress Sanskkriti Jain. It is produced by Ajay Jaiswal & Satish Tripathi . The movie is set to hit the marquee on 22nd July, 2016. Satish – Ajay have composed the music for the film. Ankit Tiwary, Mohammed Irfan, Neeti Mohan, Nakash Aziz & Shalmali Kholgade have crooned for the movie.

URVASHI RAUTELA TO PLAY A VIRGIN GHOST IN ‘GREAT GRAND MASTI’ !!!

GREAT GRAND MASTI is going to be grander and much bigger as Riteish -Vivek – Aftab are set to tickle your funny bones with their excellent camaraderie. The franchise’s major hallmark is the bromance & unmatchable chemistry amongst the three, and Urvashi Rautela, all set to scorch the screen with her oomph as a Virgin ghost, in search of her true love. Who will be the lucky one amongst Riteish – Vivek – Aftab only time will tell!!! GREAT GRAND MASTI directed by Indra Kumar & Produced by Sameer Nair & Aman Gill releases on 22nd Jul, 2016.

HOW RAJIV BECAME AKSHAY KUMAR

Akshay Kumar, who is also affectionately called Khiladi Kumar, was originally Rajiv Bhatia belonging to a Punjabi family. Not many know that Akshay Kumar was the name of a character in a Mahesh Bhatt film called AAJ. In fact, this Mahesh Bhatt’s film was also Akshay Kumar’s debut film in Bollywood. However, his character of a Karate instructor was very small, ten seconds to be exact. Obviously, no one took notice of the handsome hunk in the film. However, Akshay Kumar loved the role played in the film by Kumar Gaurav and it was known as Akshay. Akshay was so impressed with the screen name of Kumar Gaurav that he decided to change his name from Rajiv Bhatia to Akshay Kumar for his films. He will next be seen in his 125th film, Tinu Suresh Desai’s next. In his upcoming flick RUSTOM, Akshay Kumar plays the part of a naval officer and the movie is due for a worldwide release on 12th Aug, 2016.

A R MURUGADOSS REVEALS THE REASON BEHIND SONAKSHI SINHA’S SCAR IN ‘AKIRA’

The poster of AKIRA has definitely created a lot of curiosity among moviegoers about the film. What’s interesting is that the scar that is visible on Sonakshi’s forehead has an interesting back story to it. Director A R Murugadoss
wanted to establish that she has gone through enough but isn’t weak to stand up and fight it out. “In life every scar that occurs on our body has a story behind it. Similarly Akira has a past wound that has dried up & remains a scar now .The moment we see her face we should come to know that she has had a painful past. That’s why I created the scar under her eyes,” says Murugadoss.

CHANDRASHEKHAR CELEBRATED HIS 94TH BIRTHDAY

It was a memorable, enjoyable & poetic evening when the veteran actor Chandrashekhar celebrated his grand 94th birthday at his bungalow in Andheri in the presence fo his close friends & relatives. Present on the occasion were writer Achala Nagar, Shailendra Gandhi, Anju Gandhi Shakti Arora, Nehaa Saxena, journalist Ali Peter John, besides renowned poets, shayari, parody singers, comedians, mimicry actors, like Sunil Pal, Uday Media, Subhash Kabra, Devmani Pandey, Pragya Vikas, Sumita Keshwa, Jyoti Tripathi, Vijay Raval, Amarjeet Singh, Kishore Dhargalkar & TV actors like Ankita Khare, Karan Singh, Guri Singh, Aarti Gupta etc. Ravindra Arora Of KAF Awards who was also present on the occasion honoured Chandrashekharji for his valuable contribution to Cinema with a trophy for Life Time Achievement Award.

MUSIC OF ‘DIL SALA SANKI’ RELEASED

The music of DIL SALA SANKI was released by Zee Music at Hotel Sea Princess by Rajpal Yadav & Dolly Bindra. Dolly Bindra, Rajpal Yadav and the entire team also celebrated by cutting cake on this special event. It is an action – packed love story starring Yogesh Kumar & Madalsa Sharma. The film produced by Sushikailash also stars Jimmy Shergil, Hrishta Bhatt, Avtar Gill & Shakti Kapoor. The film is releasing on 5th Aug, 2016 worldwide by Screenshot Media & Entertainment Group (Israr Ahmed). Guests present at event were director Roopesh Rai Sikand, Tanisha Singh, Sunil Pal, Dilip Sen, Abhishek Agrawal etc. The film has story by Rajan Agrawal, dialogues by Aadesh K Arjun & Rajeev Agrawal, music by Pramod Panth, lyrics by Ravi Chopra, cinematography by Sebstian Anthony & Jagan Chawli, fight by Nishant Khan, choreography by Ricky Gupta, editing by Sandeep Shetty & art by Raju Sapote.

Online petition calls for ‘vilification campaign against Dr. Zakir Naik’ to stop

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A petition started by Bangalore-based Mission Possible for Justice & Rights is calling for ‘vilification campaign against Dr. Zakir Naik’ to stop.

The petition has already gathered more than 32,194 supporters and has been doing rounds on the social media for the past two days.

The petition says:

Dr. Zakir Naik has never said anything, which goes against the Constitution of India, in any of his speeches. Practising and propagating one’s religion in a peaceful manner is a right every citizen of this country enjoys.

Newspapers’ and channels’ role is to report facts, based on thorough investigation and not to publish over-blown, stigmatising and scaremongering reports, as is clearly evident in these and many other reports.

Media houses are creating a negative public opinion against Dr. Zakir Naik to push through their nefarious agenda.

The vilification campaign headed by Indian media against Dr. Zakir Naik must stop.

Gujarat HC grants bail to Hardik Patel in two sedition cases

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Hardik Patel

Ahmedabad: Gujarat High Court today granted bail to Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel in two sedition cases, with a rider that he will have to stay outside the state for the next six months.

However, Hardik cannot come out of jail for now, as another case of mob violence at an MLA office is pending against him in Visnagar town of Mehsana district.

Next hearing of the Visnagar case bail application in the high court is scheduled on July 11.

Justice A J Desai granted bail to Hardik with strict conditions, one of them being that he will have to stay outside Gujarat for the next six months.

The court also directed Hardik’s lawyer to give a fresh written undertaking on his behalf which should state that he would not indulge in any activities that would lead to law and order problem.

The judge, while pronouncing the judgement, said that he has listed other conditions in written order.

The 22-year-old Patel quota stir spearhead has been behind bars since October 2015, in sedition cases that were filed against him in Ahmedabad and Surat.

During the hearing of the case, Government pleader Mitesh Amin had opposed bail to Hardik saying that the state government is apprehensive that if he is let off on bail, Hardik may repeat the offence, and his presence outside the jail may create law and order situation problems in the state.

Hardik’s lawyer Zubin Bharda had told the court that his client is ready to stay out of the state for six months if the court grants bail, in order to remove the apprehensions expressed by the state pleader.

During earlier hearings, the government had declined to accept Hardik’s offer for written undertaking for bail, in which he had stated that he will refrain from activities that may affect law and order situation, but added he will “continue to agitate for grievances of the Patidar community in a peaceful and democratic manner.”

Hardik had approached the high court for bail in the sedition cases, after the lower courts in Surat and Ahmedabad (where there are separate sedition cases against Hardik) refused to grant bail.

The Patel leader and his three associates are facing charges under IPC sections 124(A) (sedition), 121 (A) (conspiracy to wage war against government) and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) here.

They are accused of inciting violence to put pressure on the government to accept the demand of OBC reservation for Patels. Hardik’s mega rally on reservation held in Ahmedabad on August 25 last year had sparked violence, in which, ten people, including one policeman, were killed and public properties and vehicles worth crores of rupees were damaged across Gujarat.

(PTI)

Dr Zakir Naik rubbishes allegations, says he never encouraged violence

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zakir naik

Mumbai: Rubbishing the fresh allegations made by a section of media against him that he inspired the terrorists in Bangaladesh, who killed 22 people in Dhaka recently, Islamic Research Foundation chief Dr Zakir Naik has made it clear that he never encouraged violence or terrorism.

“I totally disagree (with suggestion) that I inspired this act of killing innocent people. There is not a single talk of mine where I encouraged anyone to kill another person – Muslim or non-Muslim,” said the internationally acclaimed orator.

The 50-year-old former medical practitioner and an authority on comparative religion, who was reportedly in Makkah when a section of media launched a hate campaign against him, belatedly came to know about the fresh allegations, sources said.

In videos made available through his office in Mumbai, where the police has now stationed constables, Dr Naik says he is “not shocked” that the Dhaka terrorists had cited him on social media in recent posts.

“More than 90 per cent Bangladeshis know me…,” he says in English, stressing, “Every fan of mine may not follow everything I say.” In the WhatsApp-ed video, he says, “I disagree that I inspired this act of killing innocent people”.

Mumbai Police to probe

Meanwhile, Maharashtra government has asked Mumbai Police to conduct a probe into Dr Zakir Naik’s speeches.

“I have asked the Mumbai Police Commissioner to conduct a probe (into Naik’s speeches) and submit a report,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told media persons today.

Everything, including Dr Naik’s speeches, his social media accounts, sources of funding (of a foundation run by him in Mumbai) will be scrutinised, said Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio.

The direction comes amid allegations by a section of media that one of the terrorists who attacked an upmarket restaurant in the Bangladeshi capital a few days ago, killing 22 people, was inspired by sermons Dr Naik.

(Agencies)

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