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Movie Review: ‘The Nice guys’ is an absolutely enjoyable film

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The Nice guys

Producer: Joel Silver
Director: Shane Black
Star Cast: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Keith David, Angourie Rice, Margeret Qualley, Kim Bassinger and Matt Bomer

In 1977 Los Angeles, a boy named Bobby witnesses fading porn star Misty Mountains (Murielle Telio) die in a car crash. Later that week, down – on – his – luck private eye Holland March (Ryan Gosling) is approached by Mrs. Glenn, the aunt of Misty Mountains who is obsessively claiming to have seen her niece alive. Holland is sceptical of her claim, but realizes that a missing girl named Amelia Kutner (Margaret Qualley) is somehow involved and accepts the job. However, Amelia does not wish to be found and hires enforcer Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) to intimidate Holland into staying away from her. Healy fights with the older Guy, while Blue Face is seriously injured in a hit –and – run while chasing Holly and Amelia. Blue Face reveals to Healy that their boss has dispatched a hit man named John Boy (Matt Bomer) to kill Amelia.

Directorially the film is very powerful, take a bow Mr. Shane Blake, and the added bonanza is the sterling performances by the 2 lead actors Russell Crowe & Ryan Gosling and the surprise packet of the film is Matt Bomer, though his act sounds more like a cameo.

Its Very hard to find a spoiler in a movie so interesting.

After a long time here comes a movie which is not to be missed at any cost. A word of caution, the movie is not suitable for children of impressionable age.

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies at 74

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The heavyweight world champion’s fast fists and personality transcended sports and captivated the world.

Ali exploded on the public scene in the 1960s with several nationally televised fights [Reuters]

Ali exploded on the public scene in the 1960s with several nationally televised fights [Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

Ali’s death was confirmed in a statement issued by family spokesman Bob Gunnell late on Friday evening, a day after he was admitted to a Phoenix-area hospital with a respiratory ailment.
The cause of death or the name of the hospital where he died were not immediately disclosed.
Ali had long suffered from Parkinson’s syndrome, which impaired his speech and made the once-graceful athlete almost a prisoner in his own body.

Even so, Ali’s youthful proclamation of himself as “the Greatest” rang true until the end for the millions of people worldwide who admired him for his courage both inside and outside the ring.

“A part of me slipped away, the greatest piece,” George Foreman, a former heavyweight boxer and one of Ali’s most formidable opponents in the ring, said on Twitter after the news of Ali’s death.

Roy Jones Jr, a former champion boxer who grew up during Ali’s prime, also said on Twitter: “My heart is deeply saddened yet both appreciative and relieved that the greatest is now resting in the greatest place.”

Few could argue with his athletic prowess at his peak in the 1960s. With his dancing feet and quick fists, he could, as he put it, “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee”.

However, Ali became much more than a colourful and interesting athlete. He spoke boldly against racism in the 1960s, as well as the Vietnam War.

During and after his championship reign, Ali met scores of world leaders, travelled to promote Islam and for a time he was considered the most recognisable person on earth, known even in remote villages far from the US.

Al Jazeera’s Rob Reynolds, reporting from Los Angeles, said: “Ali was a product of his time, of the civil rights movement, of the Black Power movement. Coming of age, he was the symbol of the emergence of that way of thinking in the US.

“Things such as his conversion to Islam and his opposition to the Vietnam War, made him more than an athlete and a sports superstar. These made him more of a cultural figure.”

Ali once estimated he had made $57m in his pro career, but the effect of the punches lingered long after most of the money was gone.

Ali’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease came about three years after he retired from boxing in 1981.

His influence extended far beyond boxing. He became the unofficial spokesman for millions of blacks and oppressed people around the world because of his refusal to compromise his opinions and stand up to white authorities.

“I can’t imagine a world without Mohammad Ali. He has been such a towering figure. Not only in sports, but also culturally, politically and socially. He loved everyone and everyone who met him loved him,” Lou Eisen, a boxing writer and historian, said.

He told Al Jazeera from Toronto: “There is no bitterness in the man. He was not bitter towards the government or the boxing association, which did a lot of illegal things to him. He did not let the bitterness get to him.”

In a realm where athletes often battle inarticulateness as well as their opponents, Ali was known as the Louisville Lip and loved to talk, especially about himself.

Once asked about his preferred legacy, Ali said: “I would like to be remembered as a man who won the heavyweight title three times, who was humorous and who treated everyone right. As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him … who stood up for his beliefs … who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love.

“And if all that’s too much, then I guess I’d settle for being remembered only as a great boxer who became a leader and a champion of his people. And I wouldn’t even mind if folks forgot how pretty I was.”

Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 17, 1942, as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, a name shared with a 19th century slavery abolitionist. He changed his name after his conversion to Islam.

Ali was survived by his wife, the former Lonnie Williams, who knew him when she was a child in Louisville, along with his nine children.

NIA chief’s cleanchit to Pakistan sparks row

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NIA

New Delhi: The reported statement of NIA Chief that so far there is no hand of Pakistan government or its agency in helping JeM carry out the Pathankot attack has triggered a sparring between India and Pakistan with New Delhi saying that involvement of its nationals “is an accepted fact”.

Even as the NIA backtracked on its chief Sharad Kumar’s statement, on its part Islamabad, touted his remarks to claim “vindication” of its long standing position in this regard.

The whole row started over a written interview purportedly given by Kumar to a television channel in which he had said “no. So far, no evidence to show that Pakistan government or Pakistani government agency was helping Jaish-e- Mohammed (JeM) or Masood Azhar or his aides carry out Pathankot attack.”

Later the NIA issued a statement saying the observation attributed to DG NIA as regards Pathankot investigations “are strongly refuted.” It said his statement has been misquoted.

The External Affairs Minister reacted to the controversy today saying the DG NIA has already issued a clarification and it put out the government’s position that “the involvement of Pakistan’s nationals in the Pathankot Air Base attack is an accepted fact.

“I would remind you that investigations are ongoing. Foreign Secretary had conveyed to his Pakistani counterpart when they met in New Delhi in April that it was time for review of progress in investigation in the attack after return of Pakistan’s JIT, which had gathered all evidence that it had wanted when it visited India,” External Affairs spokesperson said in a statement.

He said enough information has also been provided to Pakistani authorities through two Letters Rogatory to conduct investigation in Pakistan so that all those associated in Pakistan with planning, support and execution of the attack are brought to justice.

“At this stage, we await further response and information from Pakistan. It would be injudicious to speculate in this situation,” he said.

At the Congress briefing, party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a scathing attack on the government accusing it of weakening India’s fight against terrorism nationally and internationally with the NIA director giving “clean chit” to Pakistan and its agencies.

He said that this was lamentable given the fact that India had succeeded in putting Pakistan in the dock after the 26-11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Faulting the Modi dispensation for inviting the Pakistani officers including those from the “infamous ISI” to visit the Pathankot airbase, he said that what did the JIT officers did after returning was to attack India and Indian government.

Raising a number of questions for the Prime Minister, he said that it has been a fact that Pakistan has sponsored terrorism and terrorist activities against India for decades. This is a fact well known in international circles.

He said it is a fact that Maulana Masood Azhar, Lakhwi or their terrot outfits or Dawood Ibrahim and other anti-India elements were roaming freely in Pakistan without any protection, help and support from Pakistan government.

Asked whether Congress would demand removal of the NIA director, Surjewala said that the director was “just a pawn” and was trotting out the line given by the Modi government. He said that it must be understood that the NIA director is an officer who has been given an extension.

He also targeted the Prime Minister for his impromptu visit to Pakistan to participate in a birthday and a marriage. He said that the terror strike at Pathankot took place a week later.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also hit at the government and tweeted “No other PM in the history of independent India knelt before Pak like this”.

(PTI)

Bollywood Stars Round Up

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HRITHIK ROSHAN

HRITHIK ROSHAN UNVEILS RADO INTRODUCES CHOCOLATE BROWN COLLECTION IN INDIA

Rado officially introduced its chocolate brown high-tech ceramic collection at the Rado boutique in Mumbai. Marking the second anniversary of the boutique, the new line of watches was launched by Rado brand ambassador Hrithik Roshan. Rado is proud to add a new colour to its growing spectrum of high-tech ceramic: chocolate brown. Hrithik Roshan states, “I am really excited to launch these stunning watches, which have become my favourite chocolate indulgence these days.”

VINDU DARA SINGH TO FULFILL HIS FATHER’S DREAM ALONG WITH HIS BROTHER

Vindu Dara Singh and his brother Amrik have now decided to take their father’s beautiful Dara Studio in Mohali Punjab to new heights with various studio sets so that the Punjab film industry can enjoy the benefits of it. The films being made in Punjab have now become as good as Bollywood and the industry there will welcome the Dara Studio which is the only film studio with open arms. Rattan Aulakh who will head operations states that various sets like a court house, dhabba, police station, jail etc will be available and a croma room too shall be at hand along with staying facilities for the unit members. Late Dara Singh’s name will keep flying high on Punjabi soil.

ROZLYN KHAN PLAYS PROSTITUTE SUGANDHI IN MANTO’S URDU PLAY!

Rozlyn Khan says, “Essaying the role of Sugandhi in the Urdu Play HATAK (The Insult) written by Saadat Hasan Manto was the most difficult role of my career ! ”The world renowned Saadat Hasan Manto was amongst the greatest writers of short stories in South Asian history! His legacy continues and in the play HATAK which was renamed as Sugandhi, Rozlyn Khan essayed the role of a poor woman, Sugandhi who is forced to sell her body for a living. This play directed by Mujeeb Khan, highlights the degradation of women. They would go for the nearest baton, if a cleaver could not be found, to bash the head of a society intent on sending its womenfolk to eke out a living by selling their charms and the physical repository of those charms. Rozlyn has confessed that essaying the role of Sugandhi was the most difficult role of her career! Incidentally, there is also a biopic being made on Manto by Nandita Das in which Nawazuddin Siddiqui is essaying the title role.

JUGRAJ CHAUHAN EXCITED ABOUT HIS SEQUEL TO ‘SARDARJI’ AS ‘SARDARJI 2’

With growing popularity of regional cinema, especially Punjabi Cinema, Rohit Jugraj Chauhan is all set to release on the 24thJune, 2016 his biggest film till date SARDAAR JI 2, as a franchise of SARDAARJI. Rohit Jugraj Chauhan for those who don’t know him is someone who has paved his own path. Having started with a perfect launch pad, assisting Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ram Gopal Verma. Chauhan also has written films like PLAYERS. However popular success for the director came when he breakthrough Punjabi cinema in a grand way and achieved a repute of becoming a path breaking director. His film SARDAARJI, today a franchise went onto become the highest grossing, most successful Punjabi film till date. Not only that he even became the trendsetter by making a film in the thriller genre called JATT JAMES BOND, a genre otherwise alien in Punjabi Cinema. Now his sequel to SARDAARJI staring the Punjabi megastar Diljit currently awaits release.

GOVINDRAO NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016

Govindrao have bagged topped the nomination list of Potential Nominee for National Excellence Awards – 2016 (NEAs) on Socio-Economic Development of the Country by ALMA AWARDS. Govindrao is making his debut by playing the lead character in the movie SLUMDOG KARODPATI. Govindrao is very excited to hear that at his initial career stage he has been nominated for the award. He said that “I’m eagerly waiting for the award day. I would love to hear my name as an awardee.” Devidas Yerme, father of Govindrao said, “I’m very happy about my son being nominated for an award even before the release of his first film as an actor. I never thought that he’ll take up acting as I’m a farmer by profession. I’ll pray to God that he’ll receive this award and make not only me but also his entire family including the farmers proud”.
KIARA ADVANI ECSTATIC ABOUT WORKING WITH KAREENA’S STAFF

It’s natural for any budding actor to look upto Kareena Kapoor Khan. After all she is one of the most talented and stunning actresses’ of B- town today. One such actress who adores her is Kiara Advani. Kiara not only looks upto Kareena but is also looking forward to working with her staff in her next film. Kiara, who will soon start shooting for Abbas Mustan’s MACHINE in Georgia will be working with Kareena’s staff. Kareena’s hairstylist Pompy Hans and her makeup artist Ritesh Naik will be travelling with her for the month long schedule. Kiara who has already met Pompy and Ritesh can’t wait to start working with the talented team. The trio has met and discussed the styling options that will suit her look in the film. Pompy and Ritesh too are looking forward to working with the talented actress. We are sure that Kiara will look nothing less than drop dead gorgeous on screen now that she has the best team working for her.

PVR STRENGTHENS ITS PRESENCE IN MAHARASHTRA WITH PANVEL GETTING ITS FIRST PVR’S 5- SCREEN MULTIPLEX

In proximity to Mumbai, Panvel gets its first PVR multiplex. Panvel is an important city of Raigad district (Maharashtra) and is highly populated due to its closeness to Mumbai. The diverse population of the city has created a customer base which is expanding at an exponential rate. However, the market is clearly untapped when one talks about the entertainment destinations. PVR, India’s largest cinema exhibition company, realizing the growing demand of a premium entertainment hub, launches its 5- screens multiplex at Orion Mall, which is also the first multi-brand mall in the city along with the multiplex. With this launch, PVR’s screen count in Maharashtra reaches to 143 screens across 35 properties. Gautam Dutta, CEO, PVR Cinemas, said, “We are very excited to open our first multiplex in the city and hope that our brand becomes equally popular with the people here as well.” Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Joint Managing Director, PVR Ltd added, “ I am sure we will be able to fulfill the expectations of our audience here. With this launch, PVR reaches a total count of 524 screens at 114 properties across 47 cities pan India”.

HIMANSH KOHLI OF YAARIAN STARS OPPOSITE ZOYA AFROZ OF EXPOSE IN ‘SWEETIE DESAI WEDS’

NRI Yaariyan lead actor Himansh Kohli is all set to win hearts again with his next college romance, SWEETIE DESAI WEDS NRI. Actress Zoya Afroz (Expose) will be starring opposite Himansh in this rom com produced by Grand Motion Pictures and Asmiya Productions. Shooting of this has been done in the interiors of Baroda, Directed by Hasnain Hyderabadwala, the movie promises to be a dhamaal comedy! While Zoya Afroz plays a happy go lucky girl (Sweetie), Himansh plays a simple Gujarati guy from Baroda and his character is on the lines of Saif Ali Khan’s from KAL HO NAA HO. The USP of the film is that it’s a clean family entertainer with melodious music sung by Arijit Singh and Palak Muchhal. What backs the movie up is the strong support from Shamiana Short Film Club’s Cyrus Dastur & director Hasnain Hyderabadwala who is known for doing commercial cinema like THE TRAIN & THE KILLER. He is all set to entertain the audience with this complete different genre

‘RANGOON’ TO RELEASE ON 24 FEBRUARY, 2017

Vishal Bhardwaj has now set the expectations soaring high for his upcoming period drama – RANGOON which will witness some epic battle scenes and historic references. Starring Shahid Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut and Saif Ali Khan the film wrapped its final shoot schedule a couple of weeks back and entire team. Sajid Nadiadwala’s production house Nadiadwala Grandson has delivered some of the biggest hits in Indian Cinema, feels that no stone should be left unturned to make this film a benchmark. Sajid wants to get the best VFX technicians from around the world to work on it. Ajit Andhare of Viacom18 Motion Pictures which has created some of the most appreciated cinema content in recent times felt that this is a film that would define the ‘epic love story’ genre and given the post production detail suggested that that the film should be released on February 24, 2017. Vishal Bhardwaj said, “When we suggested Feb 24th as the release date – Kangana was very excited as she is sentimentally attached to February given the exceptional response to TANU WEDS MANU which had released in the same period and was also produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures. Given that its Shahid’s birthday on 25th February, there is no better way to celebrate. For Saif and me, RANGOON has been even more special since it’s been ten years since Omkara and an interesting experience working together again after a full decade.”

Bhojpuri Films Round Up

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Gaon Ke Lal

Gaon Ke Lal Dubbing in Progress

The dubbing of Janub Art Movies’ Gaon Ke Lal is currently in progress at Guru Kripa Studio. The film has been produced by Er. A. N. Tripathi & M. A. Siwani & directed by Jagdish Singh. It has music by Vijay Nanda. It stars Satyendra Singh, Priya Kapoor, Bipin Singh, Santosh Shrivastav, Judy Michael, Babloo Singh, Tyagi, Vedprakash Dube, Jay Tilak, Reena Mishra, Nazar, Neelam Pandey & Seema Singh.

Kasam Maiya Ki Editing Starts

The editing of Prem Ramchela Production’s Kasam Maiya Ki has been started at Shakuntalam Studio, under the supervision of editor Kamal Sahagal. The film has been produced by Prem Sinha & Gyan Das Gupta & written & directed by Rama Mehra. It has music by Rajesh Ghayal. It stars Prem Sinha, Gyan Das Gupta, Brijesh Tripathi, Gurubachan, Ali Khan, Mahesh Raj, Dev Malhotra, Raj Gautam, Puja, Manish Vyas, Saba Khan, Aruna, Shivya, Rama Mehra & Seema Singh.

Kab Hoi Saiyan Se Milanwa Hamar Shooting Starts

Hamrahi Films’ Kab Hoi Saiyan Se Milanwa Hamar shooting has started at Ara, Patna & Rajgir in Bihar with a 25 days start to finish shooting schedule. The film has been produced by Dr. Jaya Jain, Manoj Singh & Varun Pandey & directed by Ajeet Kumar. It has music by Rajesh Gupta. It stars Pradeep Hamrahi, Priya Rajput, Puja Sinha, Pankaj Singh, Gopal Rai, Ali Khan, Ritu Pandey, Ratnesh & Uday Shreevastav.

Rani Hum Ho Gaeeli Tohar Shooting Complete

A 25 days start to finish shooting schedule of Birajishri Balaji Art Films’ Rani Hum Ho Gaeeli Tohar has been completed at Varanasi, Deoria, Salempur Majhauli (Raj) recently. The film has been produced by Raja Ram Kanaujia & written & directed by Prakash Anand. It has music by Sahil. It stars Gaurav Jha, Neha Shree, Ram Mishra, Baleshwar Singh, Nagendra Yadav, Sanjay Verma, Dharmendra Singh, Shama, Harish Gupta, T. N. Tripathi, Manoj Gupta, Glory & Ranu Pandey.

Herogiri Shooting Complete

The shooting of Yash Movie Maker & Sabran Films’ Herogiri has been completed in Lakheem Pur, Uttar Pradesh this week. The film has been produced by Nirmal Chaudhari & Aaryan Raj Vijay & directed by Manoj S. Tomar. It stars Anand Ojha, Kajal Raghwani, Archana Singh, Sanjay Pandey, Manoj Tiger, C. P. Bhatt, Ritu Pandey, Pushpa Varma, Vijay Mishra, Sunil Datt Pandey et al.

Son Of Bihar Song Recording In Progress

Aadishakti Entertainment & Har Har Mahadev Entertainment’s Son Of Bihar’s song recording is in progress at krishna Studio. The film has been directed by Ravi Sinha. It stars Rakesh Mishra, Viraj Bhatt, Monalisa, Anjana Singh, Pawan Dubey, Anjana Dobson, Awadhesh Mishra, Sanjay Pandey, Neeraj Yadav & Dinesh Chaube.

Deewane Editing Starts

Aadishakti Entertainments & Galaxy Entertainment World’s Deewane’s editing has started. The film has been produced by Mohammed Imtiyaaz Khan & written & directed by Firoz Khan. It has lyrics & music by Rajkumar R. Pandey. It stars Pradeep Pandey “Chintu”, Priyanka Pandit, Shagun Dubey, Awadhesh Mishra, Sanjay Pandey, Kiran Yadav, Anoop Arora, Brijesh Tripathi, Shakila Majid, Abhay Rai, Ratnesh Burnwal, Seema Singh et al.

Khiladi Dubbing Starts

Yashi films Khiladi’s dubbing has started this week. The film has been produced by Abhay Sinha, Manish Singhal & Samir Aftab. It has music by Ghunghroo. It stars Khesarilal Yadav, Maddhu Sharma, Shivika Deewan, Sudhesh Kaul, Prakash Jais, Manoj Tiger, Prayash Pandit, Tannushree, Brijesh Tripathi, J. Neelam, Bandini Mishra, Surya Dwivedi, Mahesh Acharya, Anoop Arora, Baby Rifa & Anjana Singh in a special song.

Dulhin Chahi Pakistaan Se Editing In Full Swing

Aadishakti Entertainment & Saideep Films Presents Dulhin Chahi Pakistaan Se’s editing is in full swing. The film has been produced, directed & music by Rajkumar R. Pandey. The entire shooting of the film has been completed last month in 40 days schedule. It stars Pradeep Pandey “Chintu”, Tanushree, Subhi Sharma, Brijesh Tripathi, Anoop Arora, Shailendra Srivastva, Shakila Majid, K. K. Goswami, Karan Pandey, Meraj Khan, Tejas, Sanjay pandey, Tinu Verma & Mukesh Rishi with Sweety Chahbra & Avinash Shahi in special song.

Criminal Editing To Start

Avinash Films Presents Nutan Films & Rasleela Entertainment Criminal’s editing is to start soon. The film has been produced by Prakash Sinha & Rasbihari Lal & directed by Meraj khan. It stars Kunal Singh, Pawan Singh, Prakash Sinha, Sweety Chahbra, Priya Singh, Sanjay Pandey, Brijesh Tripathi, Subodh seth & Prem Kumar with Sangeeta Tiwari in a special role.

Gharwali Baaharwali Editing starts

Abhay Sinha Presents Saurabh Films Gharwaali Baaharwali’s editing has started under the supervision of Chaitanya Tanna. The film has been produced by Kamlesh Chahan & Chandu Gupta & written & directed by Ajay Srivastva. It has music by Chhote Baba. It stars Namit tiwari “Chintu”, Rani Chatterji, Monalisa, Anoop Arora, C. P. Bhatt & Brijesh Tripathi.

Raam Lakhan 50% Shooting Complete

Nirahua Entertainment Pvt Ltd presents Raam Lakhan’s 50% shooting has been completed in Raipur (chattisgarh) The film has been producer by Praveshlal Yadav & story -screenplay – direction by Satish Jain. It has music by Rajnish Mishra. It stars Dineshlal Yadav Nirahua, Praveshlal Yadav, Aamrapali Dubey, Subhi Sharma, Manoj Tiger, Sanjay Pandey, Kiran Yadav, Pradeep Sharma, Sanjay Mahanand, Upasana, Swastka, Santosh Srivastava & Seema Singh.

Nirahua Chalal Sasural 2 Dubbing Started

Muskan movies Nirahua Chalal Sasural 2’s dubbing has started this week. The film has been produced by Nasir Jamaal & directed by Premanshu Singh. It has music by Om Jha. It stars Dineshlal Yadav Nirahua, Aamrapali Dubey, Prakash Jais, Kiran Yadav, Manoj Tiger, Gopal Rai, Maya Yadav, Anoop Arora, Shakila Maajid, Pallavi Koli, Dev Singh, Subodh Seth, Awadhesh Mishra & Sushil Singh.

Takraav Shooting Starts

The shooting of Nishad Production’s Takraav has been started at Sutarwadi, Madh Island, Malad (w), Mumbai from 17th Mar, 2016. The film has been produced by Sanjay Nishad & Gautam Nishad & directed by Iqbal Baksh. It stars, Amrish Singh, Sangeeta Tiwari, Soham Yadav, Prayas Pandit, Nagesh Mishra, Kajal Nishad, J. P. Singh, Prakash Jais, Dheeraj Singh, Sushil Singh, Shivam et al.

Muslim soldier terminated by Army for growing beard

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indian-army

Bengaluru: The Indian Army, which allows Sikhs to wear beard and turban in uniform, has terminated a Muslim solider and termed him ‘an undesirable soldier’ just because he insisted on growing a beard on religious grounds.

34-year-old Maktum Husen, a resident of Dharwad in Karnataka, was a sepoy in the Army Medical Corps for nearly 10 years from 2001, when he first sought permission from his Commanding Officer (CO) to have a beard on religious grounds.

The CO allowed him on the condition that he get a new identity card and retain the look for the rest of his service. Shortly afterwards, however, he discovered that the original rules — Army headquarters letters of 1951 and 1978, based on which he gave his nod — had been superseded by amendments to Regulation No. 665 of the Defence Services Regulations and the Ministry of Defence (Army) letter, 1991.

Under the amended rules, those other than Sikhs cannot sport a permanent beard. Citing this, the CO revoked his order and asked Mr. Maktumhusen to comply. The jawan refused and moved the Karnataka High Court, terming the order ‘discriminatory.’

Mr. Maktumhusen was, meanwhile, transferred to Command Hospital, Pune. His CO there also asked him to get rid of his beard. When he refused, a show cause notice followed, after which he was sentenced to 14 days detention for disobedience. The soldier paid no heed to further instructions, and the Army discharged him from service as an ‘undesirable soldier’ after an enquiry.

Sikhs can; Muslims can’t!

The Armed Forces Tribunal was not swayed by the contention of his counsel, C.R. Ramesh, that he had the right to grow a beard (under Article 25 of the Constitution on religious freedom) and that he should have rights on par with Sikhs.

The Tribunal said that having a beard was not among the ‘fundamental tenets’ of Islam. “The Army is a disciplined force and denominational differences among its members based on religion, caste etc. cannot be permitted. Practice of wearing a beard claimed on the basis of religion by the applicant, which goes against Regulation 665 of the Defence Service Regulations, is not conducive to the discipline of the Force,” it said.

(Agencies)

Mathura group unleashes violence: SP among 21 killed; dozens injured

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mathura

Mathura: At least 21 people, including a Superintendent of Police and an SHO, have been killed and dozens injured in clashes during an operation to clear hundreds of acres of government land from the activists of a so-called religious group, ‘Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik Kranti Satyagrahi’, in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who spoke to Yadav, expressed anguish over the loss of lives and assured all necessary help to the state government.

19 people have been killed apart from SP City Mukul Dwivedi and SHO, Farah, Santosh Yadav, Pradeep Bhatnagar, Commissioner, Agra Division, said adding that a magisterial probe has also been ordered.

The violence had erupted when police were trying to evict illegal occupants, believed to be of Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik Kranti Satyagrahi, from Jawahar Bagh yesterday on the directions of the Allahabad High Court.

In Lucknow, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav ordered a probe by the divisional commissioner of Mathura, an official spokesperson said.

DGP Javed Ahmed and Principal Secretary (Home) Debashish Panda have rushed here.

The Union Home Minister said he has reviewed the situation in Mathura. “I have spoken to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pardesh and reviewed the situation in Mathura. I have assured him of all possible help from the Centre.

“I am anguished over the loss of lives in the incident in Mathura. May God give strength to the bereaved families,” Rajnath Singh said.

Police said some vehicles bearing Madhya Pradesh registration number have been found.

“The wrath of people against encroachers was such that when they were retreating, they were severely beaten by the public,” an official said.

The activists used not only hand grenades but also opened fire from automatic weapons after taking position on tree tops, DM Rajesh Kumar had said.

The area was filled with smoke following explosions from hand grenades and LPG cylinders and several huts caught fire, he said.

Are they not anti-national terrorists?

Over two years back, the activists of splinter group of Baba Jai Gurudeo, claiming themselves to be member of ‘Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik Kranti Satyagrahi’, had occupied hundreds of acres of land of Jawahar Bagh on the pretext of ‘dharna’.

The Allahabad High Court, acting on a PIL, had recently ordered the authorities to get the land vacated.

According to police, members of this outfit and another smaller organisation, Swadheen Bharat Subhash Sena, had been staging demonstrations at Jawahar Bagh over the last two-and-a-half years.

Their demands include the cancellation of elections for President and Prime Minister, replacement of rupee with ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ currency, and sale of 60 litres of diesel and 40 litres of petrol at Re 1 each.

Among the other demands posted on their Facebook page are: “We demand all records relating to the ‘Ruler of the Nation’, law and order, and also the document of citizenship (which shows how we are citizens of the nation) to be made public.”

(Agencies)

 

Prior to mass leave, Karnataka Police Association president arrested

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Shashisdhar

Bengaluru: President of the Karnataka State Police Association V Shashisdhar was arrested on Thursday for planning to a state-wide strike on June 4 protesting exploitation, low pay and poor working conditions.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner NS Megharikh said that a case had been registered at Yelahanka New Town police station; Shashisdhar had been arrested and presented before local court and was remanded to judicial custody till June 16.

The state government on Tuesday had warned against staging the protest and had invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) for maintaining public order and safety across the state.

However, it is said that despite the warning, the state’s association comprising of about 60,000 constabulary forces have decided to go ahead with the mass leave on Saturday.

Shashisdhar has alleged that constables were forced to work for irregular and long hours and they did not have a proper leave mechanism and were harassed by senior officers.

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Kerala Blasters: Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna join Sachin as co-owners

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Kerala Blasters

Thiruvananthapuram: Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Kerala Blasters, co-owned by cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, on Wednesday got several financial backers in the form of Indian movie stars.

A consortium of investors including regional megastars Chiranjeevi and Akkineni Nagarjuna, leading film producer Allu Arvind and industrialist and serial entrepreneur Nimmagadda Prasad have joined hands to purchase stakes in Blasters Sports Pvt. Ltd.

Tendulkar arrived here on Wednesday and had a meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his cabinet colleagues and later the cricket icon introduced the new owners of the club to the media.

At the press conference, Tendulkar, Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Allu Arvind and Nimmagadda Prasad signed a football, sporting the Kerala Blasters logo.

The third edition of the ISL is scheduled to kick off from October, 2016.

Commenting on the development, Tendulkar said, they are beginning their third season in right earnest and have some of the biggest names coming on board as investors in Kerala Blasters.

“I welcome Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Allu Arvind and Prasad to this exciting experience which is made more special with the faith and unique place that Kerala Blasters holds in the hearts of millions of its followers,” said Tendulkar.

Chiranjeevi said, he is very excited to be part of a popular team co-owned by Tendulkar.

“All of us in Kerala Blasters are committed to expanding the football base in the state and give the potential talent a platform to perform and excel,” said Chiranjeevi.

“I have been supporting sports in the country and I am excited to start with football and a very special football team – the Kerala Blasters. I am keenly looking forward to experience the craze for the game in the state and beyond and wish the team the very best,” said Nagarjuna.

Arvind said, he is very happy to strengthen his special relationship with Kerala by being a part of Kerala Blasters.

Kerala Blasters enjoys the highest television popularity in the country with an average TRP of six with a 100 per cent year-on-year increment in the Kerala market.

It also has one of the largest number of followers in the digital space among the clubs in ISL.

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Worldwide Films Round Up

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New York based Film Movement

FILM MOVEMENT ACQUIRES US RIGHTS OF THE ARDENNES

New York based Film Movement has acquired all US rights to Toronto Discovery player The Ardennes, Robin Pront’s 1st feature film. Pic stars Veerl Baetens & Jeroen Perceval. Produced by Savage Film’s Bart Van Langendonck, whose credits include Michael Roskam’s Bullhead, and a new entry in a burgeoning line of gritty Flemish family crime sagas, The Ardennes narrates a tale of betrayal between two working class criminal brothers, which erupts in unexpected violence. Arthouse genre, one of the dominant trends in international’s newest cinema, The Ardennes was written by Perceval & Pront, adapting Perceval’s screenplay. “The Ardennes is raw & powerful”, said Film Movement’s prexy Michael E. Rosenberg, who closed the US pick – up with Xiaojuan Zhou, president of Attraction Distribution.

STRAND AQCUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS OF SPA NIGHT

Strand Releasing has acquired all North American rights to Andrew Ahn’s feature debut Spa Night which world premiered at Sundance. A critically acclaimed pic, Spa Night earned its star Joe Seo a special jury prize for breakthrough performance in Park City. Set in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, Spa Night explores a Korean -American family’s dreams & realities as each struggles with the overlap of personal desire, disillusionment & sense of tradition. It centers on a closeted Korean – American teenager who takes a job at a Korean spa where he discovers an underground world of gay sex. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Strand Releasing. They have championed daring independent films by world class directors for over 2 decades. We are honored to be a part of this legacy,” said Ahn.

SHOUT! FACTORY BUZZED BY “MAYA THE BEE” SEQUEL

Los Angeles based Shout! Factory has acquired North American rights to animated feature Maya the Bee 2 – The Honey Games. The acquisition also covers other sequels to the 2014 hit Maya The Bee Movie and gives the company theatrical, video on -demand, digital, broadcast & home entertainment rights. The deal was struck with Studio 100 Media. The film is directed by Alexs Stadermann & produced by Studio 100 Media & Buzz Studios in association with Australia’s Flying Bark Prods. Delivery is set for 2017. Voice cast includes Coco Jack Gillies, Jacki Weaver, Miriam Margolyes, Richard Roxburgh, Noah Taylor, Kodi Smit – McPhee & Justine Clarke. The TV series and the 1st film are based on the century old German’s children’s novel. Popular in Europe, Australia & Asia, the self discovery tale about a bee and her animal friends was previously sold to some 160 territories.

ALTITUDE TEAMS UP WITH HOMELESS CHARITIES

Altitude Film Distribution has acquired distribution rights for the UK & Ireland to Oren Moverman’s Time Out Of Mind, which stars Richard Gere as a homeless man trying to survive in New York City. Altitude will be partnering with 2 homeless charities, Crisis & Centrepoint, on the release, which is set for 4th Mar, 2014. The distributor will seek to draw attention to the issue during a week long promotional tour Gere will make in UK, which will take in Dublin & Glasgow film festivals, Hamish Moseley, Altitude’s head of distribution said. “The film is about a very important subject, in the past 5 years since the 2010 general election, homelessness has spiraled into an epidemic in UK.”

LEONARDO DICAPRIO MOVIE DOMINATE BAFTA AWARDS

Alejandro G. Inarritu’s The Revenant came up trumps at 69th British Academy Film Awards on Sun night, nabbing 5 prizes including “Best Film”, “Best Director” & “Best Leading Actor”. George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road left the field with 4 BAFTA’s, all in the more technical fields, including “Best Costume Design”, “Best Production Design”, “Best Make Up & Hair” & “Best Editing”. The Martian, The Danish Girl, Carol & Ex -Machina all left empty handed this year. This year’s ceremony was a marked change for Inarritu compared to last year’s awards: in 2015, his pic Birdman, was up for 10 nominations but only came away with 1 win for “Best Cinematography”, given to Emmanuel Lubezki.

LIONSGATE UK ACQUIRES GHOST STORIES

Lionsgate UK Acquires distribution rights to Ghost Stories, based on the Olivier nominated supernatural stage production, co – written & directed by Jeremy Dyson & Andy Nyman, and set to star Martin Freeman & BAFTA award winner George MacKay with Andy Nyman reprising his role as Professor Goodman. Principal photography will start in Sept, 2016. Phillip Goodman, professor of psychology & arch – sceptic has his rationality tested to the hilt when he receives a letter apparently from beyond the grave. His mentor Charles Cameron, the original TV parapsychologist, went missing 15 years before, presumed dead and yet now he writes to Goodman saying that the pair must meet.

LITTLE MEN GOES TO UK’S ALTITUDE

In a major territory deal on a Sundance hit, Altitude Film Distribution has acquired UK rights to Ira Sachs’ Sundance crowd pleaser Little Men. Marking Altitude’s 2nd Sachs’ title after releasing Love Is Strange, deal was struck by Altitude Film Entertainment’s Ellie Gibbons Little Men’s sales agent, Charlotte Mickie at Mongrel International. Charting the unlikely friendship between Jake (Theo Tapitz), a sensitive middle school, and brash young neighbour Tony (Michael Barbieri), Little Men chronicles the moments when young teens begin to become the people they’ll be in adulthood. Warmly reviewed at Sundance Variety’s Peter Debruge called it “a little movie brimming with little truths about modern life”, Little Men co – stars Oscar nominated Greg Kinnear, BAFTA nominated Jennifer Ehle & Berlin “Best Actress” winner Paulina Garcia.

THE SQURE PREPS TV DRAMA DEBUT

Swedish helmer Ruben Ostlund is getting ready to direct The Square, a provocative satire that looks to be one of his most ambitious movies. He will most likely shoot it in English. Ostlund will be re – teaming with his co -producer / sales agent Philippe Bober at the co – production Office, which handled his hit Force Majeure. That pic world premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight. The Square is set in a renowned museum where an artist is exhibiting a square, an installation that is meant to promote altruism, providing people with a symbolic space where only good things can happen. The Square will be produced by Ostlund’s Goteborg based shingle Plattform. Shooting will take place between Jul, 2016 & Oct, 2016.

FLX SIGNS EXCLUSIVE OUTPUT DEAL WITH SVENSK

Sweden based super – indie FLX, the company behind Nordic Box Office hit The 100 – Year – Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared, has signed an exclusive output deal with AB Svensk Filmindustri, one of Scandinavia’s biggest distributors. The pact covers the distribution of FLX’s upcoming features in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway & Iceland. Kicking off this year, the deal doesn’t, however, include the sequel to The 100 – Year – Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window, which Disney Nordic will distribute. FLX, which is headed by Felix Herngren, Pontus Edgren & Niclas Carlsson, is a subsidiary of Bonnier Growth Media and boasts a strong track record with features such as the $7 million The 100 – Year – Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared, which was handled by Studiocanal and racked up over $51 million worldwide.

MATCH FACTORY SWOOPS ON ESCALANTE’S UNTAMED

A predominant player at 2016 Berlin Film Festival, where it is selling 4 world premieres in competition, Michael Weber’s the Match Factory has secured international sales rights to one of Latin America’s big Cannes hopes: Untamed, from Cannes 2013 “Best Director” Amat Escalante. “We are thrilled to work with Amat Escalante, who adds an ideal combination of passion & ambition to his films,” said Michael Weber, managing director of Match Factory. “We’ve been collaborating with the Match Factory for at least 10 years. We have no doubt that Untamed is in best hands,” said Jaime Romandia, of Mantarraya, which produced the film. A social sci – fi drama about machismo, homophobia and the repression of women, shot in Escalante’s home town of Guanajuato, Untamed begins with a meteorite crashing into a mountain.

FILMNATION SELLS OUT INTERNATIONAL DRAMA

Glen Basner’s FilmNation Entertainment has sold out the world on Ritesh Batra’s The Sense of an Ending, one of a burgeoning slate of titles that FilmNation has either produced, financed or co – financed as it now builds rapidly as not only a sales but production -financing company. The Sense of an Ending stars Jim Broadbent, Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery & Charlotte Rampling, and is co – financed by BBC Films & produced by Origin Pictures. International sales were completed at Berlin’s European Film Market after a special screening last Thurs of footage from FilmNation’s current production slate. In major deals, Sony has acquired Latin America & Eastern Europe; Wild Bunch has closed France, Germany, Italy & Spain; Studiocanal took UK; and Fox International Channels has acquired Pan – Asian pay TV rights. Longride (Japan), Roadshow (Australia), Svensk (Scandinavia), Mediasoft (South Korea), and Lumiere (Benelux) have picked up the drama that also stars Harriet Walter & Emily Mortimer. Amongst other territories closed are Greece (Spentzos), Israel (Lev), the Middle East (Italia), Portugal (Lusomundo), Switzerland (Frenetic), Turkey (Aqua), Hong Kong (Edko), India (PVR), Indonesia (Prima Cinema), Singapore (Shaw Renters) & South Africa (Ster Kinekor).

BRUNO DUMONT SET FOR JOAN OF ARC MUSICAL DRAMA

Bruno Dumont, whose 2013 Juliette Binoche starrer Camille Claudel 1915 competed in Berlin, will next be directing Jeanette, a musical drama based on Charles Peguy’s play Le Mystere De La Charite De Jeanne D’Arc. Produced by Jean Brehat for 3B Prods, Jeanette the musical will focus on the part of Peguy’s play that deals with Joan of Arc as a child, from age 8-12, when she started to embrace her sacred mission. Arte France Cinema is co -producing. Like 2014’s Li’l Quinquin, Dumont’s comedy -drama TV mini -series that premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight & sold worldwide, Jeanette is being produced for television but will be repped by a sales agent for theatrical distribution abroad.

TRUSTNORDISK INKS DEALS ON 3 MOVIES

TrustNordisk has closed raft of deals across its slate, including The Model, Magnus & Pyromaniac. The Model, directed by Sundance winning director Mads Matthiesen, stars Maria Palm as a young model struggling to make it in Parisian fashion industry. Her passion for a young photographer (Ed Skrein) turns into an obsession and propels her downfall. Pic sold to Latin America (California Films), China (HGC Entertainment), Russia CIS (Voxell Media), Hungary (Vertigo Media), Turkey (Ozen Film), Estonia (Estin Film), Lithuania (Incognito Film) & Former Yugoslavia (2i Film d.o.o.) with more territories currently in negotiation. Previous sales include France (AB Groupe), Poland (Kino Swiat), Korea (Scene & Sound), Bulgaria (Pro Films) & Middle East (Gulf Film). Magnus turns on the life of chess player Magnus Carlsen, who went from being bullied by his classmates to becoming World Chess Champion. It got sold to both Germany & Austria (NFP), Hong Kong (EDKO films Ltd.), former Yugoslavia (Discovery Film) & Benelux (September Film Rights).

THE INNOCENTS LURES BUYERS

Anne Fontaine’s The Innocents, a French drama that world premiered at Sundance, is proving one of the hottest foreign language art house movies for sale at Berlin’s EFM. Repped by Films Distribution, The Innocents has sold to Canada (Mongrel), Japan (Longride), Spain (Caramel), Brazil (Mares), Mexique (Alebrije), Italy (Goodfilms), Denmark (FilmBazar), Switzerland /Finland (Edge), Norway (Tour de Force), Portugal (Films for You), Greece (Feel Good), Switzerland (Agora), Belgium (Imagine) & Colombia (Cinecolombia). Set in Poland in Dec, 1945, The Innocents stars Lou De Laage as Mathilde, a young French Red Cross doctor based in Warsaw who crosses paths with a nun seeking her help. Entering into the convent, she soon discovers that the entire order has been profoundly traumatized and several nuns are pregnant from a series of brutal sexual assaults by the “liberating” Red Army.

BILLE AUGUST SEWS UP GIANNI VERSACE BIOPIC

Danish helmer Bille August is set to travel to Italy to direct Versace, an English language biopic of the late fashion designer Gianni Versace. The movie is being lead produced by Italy’s Oberon Prods. Jesper Morthorst at Svensk Filmindustri is co -producing. Versace will chronicle the designer’s rise to fame in the late 1970s, when he launched the brand, and end with his murder in 1997, when he was shot & killed at his Miami mansion. “It will be a biopic in the vein of Walk The Line. It will portray a genius fighting his own demons, and it will be uplifting & moving rather than being dark & tragic,” said Morthorst. Versace struggled his whole life to find an inner peace & love, and he had finally found both just before he was killed. The $12 million movie will be co – produced by Spanish & Belgian partners.

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH TO NARRATE D0CUMENTARY NAPLES 44

Benedict Cumberbatch has been recruited as voice talent to narrate high -profile documentary Naples 44 by Italian director
Francesco Patierno, based on the eponymous diary by British travel writer Norman Lewis about his experience as a British intelligence officer in the southern Italian port city following its liberation from Nazi forces. Cumberbatch is voicing Lewis who wrote the memoir while he was a sergeant in the Field Security Service of the British Army Intelligence Corps in southern Italy from Sept, 1943 to Oct, 1944. In his widely sold book he recorded the desperate lives of Neapolitan civilians who survived by relying on all types of subterfuges, and also prostitution, thievery, & beliefs in miracles & cures. Patierno, who is known for gritty drama Pater Familias and documentary The War Of The Volcanoes about how Roberto Rossellini left Anna Magnani for Ingrid Bergman, is directing Naples 44 using both archive & feature film footage, accompanied by Cumberbatch’s narration.

LUCIA PUENZO PREPS ENGLISH LANGUAGE DRAMA BARBE BLEUE

Argentina’s Lucia Puenzo, one of Latin America’s most notable distaff directors, will make her French language helming debut with Barbe Bleue. Pic is inspired by Amelie Nothomb’s 2012 novel and set in a modern day Paris. Written by Puenzo & Sergio Bizzi, Barbe Bleue is produced by Luis & Lucia Puenzo at Argentina’s Historias Cinematograficas, Francis Boespflug & Stephane Parthenay at Paris based Pyramide Prods. Barbe Bleue centers on the growing attraction of Severine, who restores paintings at the Louvre, with Elemerio, who rents her a suspiciously cheap room in a luxurious Paris mansion. She falls under his spell when he offers her the chance to restore Waterhouse’s Hylas And The Nymphs,” which he’s stolen. They become lovers, but she also investigates, “like a detective in her own horror film,” perLuis Puenzo, the fates of other young women who once lived in the mansion.

TELEFONICA STUDIOS FURTHERS DRIVE INTO LATIN AMERICA

Telefonica Studios, the film – TV production arm of telco giant Telefonica, already a key player in Spain Argentina, is taking another step into Latin America teaming with Cactus Flower & Mono Films on the Colombia shot romantic thriller Orbita 9. Part of Movistar Plus, which takes in Spain’s biggest pay TV & SVOD operation, Telefonica Studios has seen large success in Argentina, co -producing with El Deseo & Artgentina’s top broadcaster Telefe & K & S Films the country’s biggest breakout titles: Oscar shortlisted Wild Tales, a Sony Pictures Classics US hit & The Clan, Pablo Trapero’s 2015 Venice “Best Director” winner. The anticipated debut of Hatem Khraiche, screenwriter of the Cactus Flower co -produced The Hidden Face and one of Spain’s most talked up young talents, “Orbita 9” is totally Spanish. Its Colombia shoot, use of cash rebates & link up with Colombia’s top movie
producer Dynamo, which provides services, as it did on Narcos, which it executive produces reps one further step, however, in Telefonica Studios’ increased movie presence in Latin America, where it is already one of the region’s most important telcos.

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