New Delhi: In a blow to internationally acclaimed orator Dr Zakir Naik, the Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed the petition of his NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) against the immediate ban and freezing of bank accounts.
The Delhi High Court said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sufficient materials to back ban imposed on the IRF. “Immediate action against Zakir Naik’s IRF appears to have been taken in interest of integrity and public order maintenance,” said the Delhi High Court.
Zakir Naik’s NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) was banned by the government for five years in November last year. The ban on IRF was enforced under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and approved at a meeting of the Union Cabinet.
Zakir Naik has repeatedly condemned all acts of terrorism in his public speeches. However, Home Ministry claims that Zakir Naik made many provocative speeches and had engaged in terror propaganda.
The Maharashtra Police have also registered criminal cases against Zakir Naik accusing him of involving in radicalisation of youths and luring them into terror activities.
He came under the scanner of the security agencies after Bangladeshi newspaper ‘Daily Star’ reported that one of the perpetrators of the July 1,2016 terror attack in Dhaka, Rohan Imtiaz, ran propaganda on Facebook in 2015 quoting Naik. However the newspaper had taken down the report later.
Last month, The Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued summons to Zakir Naik and the IRF under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Zakir Naik, in a 2,000-word open letter, urged the Modi government to be “fair” in its investigation and be “truthful with facts”.
(Agencies)
Saudi Arabia: Trump meeting a ‘historic turning point’
Saudi says talks highlighted shared views on Iran, expresses ‘satisfaction’ Trump’s travel ban not aimed at Muslims.
![US President Donald Trump and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House [REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque]](https://i0.wp.com/nasheman.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Donald-Trump-Saudi-Mohammed-bin-Salman.jpg)
US President Donald Trump and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House [REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque]
by Al Jazeera
Saudi Arabia has hailed a “historic turning point” in relations with the United States after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
The meeting on Tuesday was the first since Trump’s January 20 inauguration with a prince who is leading the kingdom’s efforts to revive state finances and is also its defence minister.
“The meeting today restored issues to their right path and form a big change in relations between both countries in political, military, security and economic issues,” a senior adviser to Prince Mohammed said in a statement.
The talks appeared to signal a marked difference from Riyadh’s often fraught relationship with the previous administration of Barack Obama, especially following the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
The deputy crown prince viewed the nuclear deal as “very dangerous”, the senior adviser said, adding that both leaders had identical views on “the danger of Iran’s regional expansionist activities”.
The Trump White House has said the deal was not in the best interests of the US.
Referring to a US travel ban on six Muslim-majority countries, the adviser said that Prince Mohammed did not regard it as aimed at “Muslim countries or Islam”.
Earlier this month Trump signed a revised executive order banning citizens from Yemen, Iran, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, and Libya from travelling to the US but removed Iraq from the list, after a first attempt was blocked in the courts.
The senior adviser said Prince Mohammed “expressed his satisfaction after the meeting on the positive position and clarifications he heard from President Trump on his views on Islam.”
The two leaders also discussed opportunities for US companies to invest in Saudi Arabia.
Obama late last year suspended the sale of US-made precision-guidance munitions to the Saudis, a reaction to thousands of civilian casualties from Saudi-led air raids in Yemen.
US officials said Trump was considering ending that ban and approving the sale of guidance systems made by Raytheon Co.
The US State Department has approved the move, which awaits a final White House decision, the officials said.
Gregory Gause, a Gulf expert at Texas A&M University, said that while Saudi Arabia might find the “atmospherics” of its relations with Trump better than those with Obama, it might find less change than it hopes on key issues.
For example, he said, Trump is unlikely to mount a major, costly effort to counter Iranian influence in Iraq, or to launch a full-scale campaign to oust Syrian President Bashar al Assad, as Riyadh might wish.
“I think they’re going to find rhetorically that the new administration says things and uses language they like more,” said Gause. “But I think on the ground, we’re not going to see an enormous difference.”
Karnataka offers soaps to students, farmers in 2017-18 Budget
Bengaluru: Ahead of the state assembly elections in early 2018, the Congress government in Karnataka in its Budget for fiscal 2017-18 on Wednesday doled out goodies, freebies and sops to students, urban and rural poor and farmers.
Presenting a populist and tax-free Budget in the state legislative assembly here, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told the lawmakers that free laptops would be given to 1.5 lakh students joining engineering, medical, polytechnic and degree colleges across the state in the new academic year.
“We propose to open ‘Our (Namma) Canteens’ in 198 civic wards across Bengaluru to serve breakfast at Rs 5 and lunch and dinner at Rs 10 each to the common man,” said Siddaramaiah in his two-hour-long Budget speech in Kannada.
With the state reeling under drought over the last two years, the government has waived interest amounting to Rs 125 crore on agricultural loans of 74,525 farmers.
“We have waived Rs 2,359 crore towards crop loans availed by 10.7 lakh farmers from cooperative societies since 2013-14 as against Rs 940 crore waiver given to four lakh farmers from July 1, 2011, to July 25, 2012, by the previous (the BJP) government,” recalled the Chief Minister.
“The state government has also paid Rs 45 crore interest subsidy on behalf of two-lakh farmers during fiscal 2015-16. Instalment payments for short-term and long-term loans have been extended till March 31 from September 30, 2015,” said the Chief Minister.
To mitigate the woes of 25 lakh drought-hit farmers, the Budget has proposed to disburse Rs 13,500 crore for crop loans up to Rs 3 lakh at zero per cent and Rs 10 lakh at 3 per cent interest rate per annum.
“Similarly, loans to women self-help groups will be disbursed at zero per cent rate of interest as against 4 per cent per annum through cooperative societies,” said Siddaramaiah, presenting his 12th Budget as the state’s Finance Minster and fourth as the Chief Minister since May 2013.
The Budget has earmarked Rs 600 crore in FY 2018 to provide protective irrigation to crops during the critical stages to combat drought and obtain higher income.
“The Karnataka Raitha Suraksha Pradhana Manthri Fasal Bima Yojana will spend Rs 845 crore in 2017-18 to minimise the drought impact in 31.5 lakh hectares across the state,” said Siddaramiah.
To encourage rural youths to take to farming and use farm machinery, 174 rural farm machinery repair/service centres will be opened in each local body.
“Drip irrigation facility will be provided to 35,000 farmers with 90 per cent subsidy at a cost of Rs 233 crore. To mitigate water scarcity to crops due to drought, 50 per cent subsidy (Rs 50,000) will be provided to 10 farmers per taluk to buy water tankers,” added Siddaramaiah.
(IANS)
Shashank Manohar resigns as ICC Chairman
Dubai: In a surprise development, Shashank Manohar Wednesday resigned as ICC chairman after merely eight months in office citing personal reasons.
The 59-year-old Manohar mailed his resignation letter to ICC CEO Dave Richardson without clarifying the exact reason for this sudden move to end what was to be a two-year-tenure.
However, according to highly-placed sources Manohar has decided to quit as BCCI seems to have gained enough ground to block the constitutional and financial reforms that were set to be passed by the ICC at its next board meeting.
Any reform to be passed needs 2/3rd majority but BCCI, in all likelihood, has managed to get Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe on its side.
It is learnt, expecting a loss of face, Manohar has resigned with immediate effect. “I was elected unopposed as the first independent Chairman of ICC last year. I have tried to do my best and have tried to be fair and impartial in deciding matters in the functioning of the Board and in matters related to Member Boards along with the able support of all Directors,” Manohar has stated in his resignation letter.
“However, for personal reasons it is not possible for me to hold the august office of ICC Chairman and hence I am tendering my resignation as Chairman with immediate effect. I take this opportunity to thank all the Directors, the Management and staff of ICC for supporting me wholeheartedly. I wish ICC all the very best and hope it achieves greater heights,” he concluded.
Manohar had last year resigned from the BCCI citing his inability to carry out Lodha Committee reforms in toto. His detractors in BCCI at that time had said he left a sinking ship for the safer confines of the ICC.
He became the first independent chairman of ICC but had several run ins with BCCI on revenue sharing pattern.
The BCCI officials believe that for his personal ambitions to head the ICC, Manohar had not cared about the BCCI’s interests.
(PTI)
‘Padmavati’ film set vandalised, costumes set ablaze
Kolhapur: The set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film “Padmavati” was vandalised by unidentified persons in Kolhapur district in the wee hours Wednesday.
They also torched the costumes and the animal feed kept there, said the police.
The shooting of the Deepika Padukone-starrer film was underway at Mhasai Pathar, a rocky plateau in the western Maharashtra district, when a group of around 15-20 people came to the set between 1 AM and 2 AM today, they said.
They allegedly set on fire the costumes of the film and also torched the fodder kept for the horses, Senior Police Inspector, Panhala Police Station, Dhanya Kumar Godse said.
The film’s crew members caught hold of two of the vandals.
However, they were attacked by the other members in the group and managed to run away, Senior Police Inspector, Godse said.
The vandals also allegedly tried to set ablaze the vehicles of the crew members parked near the set.
The reason behind the protest was not yet known, the police said.
Godse said no formal complaint has been lodged so far in connection with the incident.
The film’s producers were not available for comments.
It is second such incident for the film. In January this year, some members of a Rajput community group, Karni Sena, had assaulted Bhansali in Jaipur for allegedly presenting “distorted facts” in “Padmavati”.
Following the film’s team cancelled its shooting in Jaipur and Bhansali’s production house had to release a statement clarifying the “misconception” about the film’s story.
Deepika plays the role of Rani Padmavati in the film, which also stars Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji and Shahid Kapoor as Raja Ratan Singh.
(PTI)
Congress uproar over Guvs’ role in Goa, Manipur disrupts RS work
New Delhi: Opposition Congress today forced three adjournments in the Rajya Sabha protesting the “stealing of mandate” in Manipur and Goa where it was not invited to form government despite being the single largest party. The House witnessed adjournment of proceedings thrice, twice during the Zero Hour and once during the Question Hour.
Congress cited rulings by the constitution benches of the Supreme Court to state that the Governor was bound to invite the party with the largest number of MLAs to form the government and prove its majority on the floor of the House. It alleged that the Governors in the two states, which in the recently concluded assembly elections threw up a hung assembly with Congress being the single largest party, were “acting at the behest” of the Centre.
Congress members stormed into the Well of the House shouting slogans, forcing Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to adjourn proceedings for 10 minutes. Raising the issue through a Zero Hour mention after his notice under rule 267 seeking setting aside of the business was converted, Anand Sharma (Cong) said the people’s mandate through the elections in a democracy should be accepted and respected by all.
He congratulated the ruling BJP for scoring a big victory in Uttar Pradesh and went on to say that the Congress got a massive mandate in the sensitive border state of Punjab and emerged as the single largest party with 28 MLAs in the 40 member Manipur assembly. “The incumbent Chief Minister (in Manipur) was in a position to form the government” but the Governor ignored his claim and called the BJP to form the government, Sharma said.
He said the legal position has been established through two judgements of the constitution benches of Supreme Court which have “made it absolutely clear that if there is no clear mandate, the Governor is obliged to invite the leader of the largest party to form government and prove the majority.” In case the largest party is unable to prove the majority, the second largest party is invited, he said.
“The mandate has been violated,” he said, adding Manipur and Goa have witnessed “stealing of MLAs and stealing of mandate”. The Governor “is acting at the behest of the government,” he alleged. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the reference about Governor should be expunged as references on the conduct of a person in high authority cannot be made without a substantive motion.
Kurien moved to the next Zero Hour mention and called D Raja (CPI) but Congress members would not give up easily and trooped into the Well raising slogans against the government and “murder of democracy”. Treasury benches also shouted slogans to counter them. Kurien said Raja was raising a Dalit issue and should be given a patient hearing and asked the treasury benches not to disturb and the opposition members to return to their seats. But none heeded to his advice, forcing him to adjourn the House for 10 minutes.
(Agencies)
ARCHANA CHANDELE OF NAGPUR WINS BRIGHT PERFECT MISS INDIA 2016
ARCHANA CHANDELE OF NAGPUR WINS BRIGHT PERFECT MISS INDIA 2016
Khooshi Thakkar, Gurubhai Thakkar, Yogesh Lakhani of Bright outdoor & Srinivas Rao Bhagavatula of People’s Engineering organised Bright Perfect Miss India 2016 at Sun & Sand Hotel, Juhu where celebs from Bollywood came. Designer Archana Kochhar, Sana Khan designed dresses for models who took part in finals. Sherlyn Chopra, Tinaa Ghaai, Ankita Shrivastava, Prateeka Rao, Maryam Zakaria, Ekta Jain, Tanisha Singh, Chandrakant Singh, Salma Agah, Sasha Agah, Sunil Pal, Shabab Sabri, Ajaz Khan, Sujay Mukherji, Supriya Mukherji, Geeta Hari, Sweta Khanduri, Sanchiti Sakat et al were part of this event. Archana Chandele of Nagpur won the crown, Ekta Sachgotra from Jammu was the 1st runner up & Krishna Patel was the 2nd runner up. Pooja Misrra not only anchored the event but also performed at the event. Sanchiti Sakat, Yash Wadali & Shabab Sabri sang specially for the event. Sunil Pal cracked some latest jokes at this event.
MAKERS OF ‘HARAAMKHOR’ GET HATE & THREAT EMAILS / MESSAGES
Looks like the moral policing is at work already. Recently the film HARAAMKHOR won a landmark case when they were cleared with a UA certificate by the FCAT, after being completely banned. It has been produced by Guneet Monga & Anurag Kashyap. However the good news seems to not agree with some people who have now found a new way & reason to express their concern. These self proclaimed activists have an issue of why there’s an abusive word in the title of the film. The makers have been getting several emails & messages from across proclaiming that it’s incorrect & a wrong influence to have such words & expressions in films & creative content. Guneet Monga said, “As a creative person in the film industry, it’s disheartening to see people make judgments of films, actors & content without actually having seen it themselves. Getting such messages & emails from random self authorized moral police really needs to stop but I guess people will do what they have to do. We have got our judgment & the film will release. We will keep an action prepared in case if there’s any intentional harm being caused to our film, but currently we don’t wish to dig in further and give such individuals & groups more reason to be unreasonable.”
ADITYA ROY KAPUR’S VACATION IN VOLCANIC HAWAII
Hawaii is the 8th smallest, the 11th least populous of the 50 American states & the only one located in Oceania composed entirely of islands. Aditya Roy Kapur who spent almost 2 months there visiting family, tells us what makes Hawaii irresistible: “Hawaii, a tropical paradise floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean had been beckoning me for a while. My aunt & uncle lived there and wanted us to visit them. So, around 7 years ago, I zipped off for some sun & sea. My brothers — Siddharth & Kunal — were busy, so I went with my parents. What made this vacation distinctive is that I was in Hawaii for almost 2 months, 58 days to be specific, and it was bliss! I would stay at my aunt & uncle’s home with my parents for around 4 – 5 days, then take off on my own for 7 – 10 days to explore each one the islands in turn. I was just 24 at the time, so I stayed in a hostel, sharing a dorm with 6 – 10 other young, like – minded strangers, some of whom became my friends. A 2 – hour drive from Kailua – Kona, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Big Island is a must – see. I’d love to settle in Hawaii too but that’s a distant dream. For the present I think I’ll just go back for another break, perhaps next year”.
SHREYAS TALPADE TO TURN DIRECTOR WITH ‘POSTER BOYS’ STARRING SUNNY DEOL, BOBBY DEOL & SHREYAS TALPADE
Sony Pictures Networks Productions (formerly MSM Motion Pictures) have announced their next film. The studio that brought you PIKU, will now bring to the audiences another content driven film, POSTER BOYS. The film stars Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol & Shreyas Talpade playing 3 central characters whose lives turn upside -down after a big blunder. This light – hearted drama will see the trio dealing with unforeseen circumstances, essaying roles that they have never done before in their lives. Also for the 1st time, Sunny & Bobby will not be seen as brothers on -screen. POSTER BOYS (in Marathi) was a big hit in 2014. The original film was produced by Shreyas Talpade in which he had powerful cameo. With the official remake of POSTER BOYS he also makes his directorial debut. Says Producer & actor Sunny Deol, “We loved the concept of POSTER BOYS when Shreyas shared the script with us. I have known Shreyas for a while now and relate to his sensibilities. This film is just a beginning of our association with Sony Pictures Networks Productions.” Says Shreyas Talpade “I am not sure if I had thought I would ever direct and not in my wildest dreams did I think that in my directorial debut I would be directing a legend, Sunny Deol, who I grew up watching.”
AYUSMANN KHURRANA COMES UP WITH “ORRE MON”
Ayushmann Khurrana has come up with a solo brand new track video called “Orre Mon”. It has been directed by Shlok Sharma, penned by Swanand Kirkire & Anindya Chatterjee & composed by Upal Sengupta stars Ayushmann Khurrana & Ritabhari Chakraborty along with Kamaleshwar Mukherjee, Bidipta Chakraborty et al.
HRISHITA BHATT – HEMANT PANDEY – HIMANI SHIVPURI – MANOJ PAHWA – ADITYA SHRIVASTAVA COME FOR SPECIAL SCREENING OF FILM ‘PRAKASH ELECTRONIC’
Anil Kabra of India E Commerce Ltd & Viny Raj Modi of Himalayan Dreams along with director Manoj Sharma invited the cast & guests for the special screening of film PRAKASH ELECTRONIC at PVR Juhu. Hemant Pandey, Hrishita Bhatt, Manoj Pahwa, Himani Shivpuri, Geeta, Aditya Shrivastava, Sunil Pal, Jyothi Tripathy et al came to see the film. Hemant Pandey stated that the film is an out & out comedy shot in Mumbai, Agra & Delhi. This is the 2nd film of director Manoj Sharma. Praveen Bhardwaj has not only written the lyrics for the film but has also composed the songs.
TAAPSEE PANNU ROPED IN AS BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR FRUITSUP
Manpasand Beverages Limited, India’s leading fruit juice player, has roped in actress Taapsee Pannu as Brand Ambassador for its “Fruits Up” brand which is targeted at the urban consumer market. Taapsee, who has worked in Hindi movies (BABY, PINK) and the southern film industry, will gel very well with the “Fruits Up” brand as both are young & emerging stars in their own way. “Fruits Up” is targeted at the urban consumer who, while being health conscious is open to try new things, and who better to represent this brand than a youth icon like Taapsee. The actress with her large fan following in Southern India will also help “Fruits Up” to reach out and penetrate in that market. Taapsee Pannu who has earned critical & commercial acclaim with her remarkable roles in films like PINK said, “I am really excited to be associated with “Fruits Up”, which is a very unique & innovative product. It has high content of natural fruit juice which makes this drink amazingly tasty and gives health benefits over other carbonated drinks.”
‘RAMBHAJJAN ZINDABAD’ IS A POLITICAL SATIRE
RAMBHAJJAN ZINDABAD, produced by Khalid Kidwai & Vinod Shah, written by Vishal Vijay Kumar, directed by Ranjeet Gupta and starring Om Puri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Jaideep Jaffery, Zakir Hussain, Seema Azmi, Abhay Joshi & Shweta Bhardwaj, Is a socio political satire about Ram Bhajan, a daily wage labor from a small village who aspires to become a contractor someday. Only thing which he thinks he needs to fulfill his long cherished dream is a motor cycle, which could give him the required social status & confidence to approach the clients directly for contractual work. Having no visible source to raise money for the motorbike, he takes the bait thrown at him by the compounder of the local Government hospital and a desperate wannabe politician called Om Prakash, to stage a personal tragedy that could win him a hefty compensation as per the rules of the State Government. Says Ranjeet Gupta, “When we point our fingers at the Government for being rotten & corrupt, we must not forget that the Government is corrupt because we are corrupt. We have the system we deserve. To change it, the change must begin from within us first. It’s as simple as that.” – RAMBHAJJAN ZINDABAD is slated for release on 13th Jan, 2017.
‘COFFEE WITH D’ POSTPONED DUE TO THREATS FROM D?
The release date of Sunil Grover starrer, COFFEE WITH D has been delayed. It was scheduled to be the 1st release of the year 2017 but things haven’t been going as per the plan for the makers from the time of the release of the 1st trailer. While the threat calls made to them have resulted in them filing an official police complaint, the makers are remaining rather tight – lipped about the reason. “The release the film has been pushed due to unforeseen circumstances. Things haven’t been going exactly as per the plan, but we are just taking each day as it comes and hoping for the best,” says Vishal Mishra, the director. Producer Vinod Ramani & Vishal have filed a complaint against getting repeated threat calls from underworld gangster Chhota Shakeel’s aids asking them to either delete the portions that make fun of the underworld Don Dawood Ibrahim in the film or not release the film at all. While the film has been passed through censor with minimal edits, we wonder if the underworld still has the highest say in what the masses get to watch in this country!!!
‘ASHLEY’ A ROMANTIC THRILLER RELEASING ON 13 JAN 2017
Swantra Goel (Savi) a US based NRI resigned from the bank’s lucrative job to seek better opportunity in USA for him and his family. Being creative writer himself, Savi Goel always wanted to make some subjective movie in Bollywood as well as Hollywood. Last year he met Mir Munir, a writer in Bollywood and decided to make a movie Ashley from his own story. Savi Goel wrote the screenplay & the dialogues jointly with Min Munir. The music was composed by Dushyant Dubey & songs recorded by Sunidhi Chauhan, Naqqash & Dev Negi while Savi Goel is himself the creative director of this film. Keval Singh was signed to direct the movie. Rishi Bhutani, Gurleen Chopra, Mohit Bagel, Shakti Kapoor, Dinesh Hingu star in the film, the shooting of which was completed in a record time of 28 days. The movie is all set to release on 13th Jan, 2017. The music has been released by Zee Music . The script, music & performance by all the actors, especially Gurleen Chopra are the main strengths of the movie.
IRRFAN PLAYS PUNJABI BUSINESSMAN FROM CHANDNI CHOWK IN ‘HINDI MEDIUM’
Irrfan Khan’s next, HINDI MEDIUM, directed by Saket Chaudhary, will show him in an unusual avatar. The actor will be seen playing a rich Punjabi businessman & clothes store owner from Chandni Chowk married to Saba Qamar. The film was shot on real locations like Chandni Chowk, Anand Lok, Karol Bagh & Sangam Vihar to keep things authentic. Irrfan met with & recorded clips of shopkeepers & salesmen while they went about their daily business to prepare for his role. “The idea was to capture the essence of affluent Chandni Chowk residents who are known to favor flashy things, so the actor will be seen sporting leather jackets & jhatak clothes; the look is bright & colorful. Interestingly, the people that are shown working in Irrfan’s store were selected from real shops. Besides Chandni Chowk the film was also shot at the posh South Delhi, Gurgaon & Noida. HINDI MEDIUM is a light hearted romantic film about a young couple in Chandni Chowk in Delhi, who aspires to move into society’s upper crust. The film traces the trials & the tribulations the couple faces on this journey and the impact it has on their relationship. HINDI MEDIUM is produced by Dinesh Vijan & Bhushan Kumar and is a T – Series & Maddock films presentation, slated for release on 31st Mar, 2017.
MAKERS OF ‘LOVE SHAGUN’ GEAR UP FOR THEIR NEXT
MAKERS OF ‘LOVE SHAGUN’ GEAR UP FOR THEIR NEXT
The makers of Bollywood romantic comedy, LOVE SHAGUN are now gearing up for their next, which will be in the space of a social drama. The film will be helmed by the same director, Saandesh B. Nayak and it is slated to roll early next year. The casting for the film is also underway. Indian Princess (the pageant that presented Urvashi Rautela in 2011) winner, Chandni Sharma will make her debut with this film. Saandesh B. Nayak stated, “Now that we have dared to take yet another plunge, I would like to say that Saanvi Nayak Films will consciously focus on quality content across genres. We are also in advanced talks and locking scripts for web series and other format of content. 70 mm is always the aspiration but audiences are ever evolving & moving to different platforms all the time so it is imperative to keep up to their speed. We are developing a talent pool of talented writers & directors to take on our web series division”. The untitled film which is a social drama will be rolled out alongside production for web series early next year. The production team has their hands full juggling between their key project – a Bollywood feature film & web series.
ACTORS CAN’T HAVE BEST OF EVERYTHING, SAYS BOMAN IRANI
Boman Irani feels that sometimes films don’t turn out to be as great as expected, but the experiences do. He says he doesn’t feel the need to differentiate between the 2 generations. He says that he is against talking about the good old days. “The good old days weren’t always good. Every actor is unique,and has their own approach, sensibility & sense of discipline. The joy of working with each person is different.”
Boman, who believes in “individuality”, says he loves hanging out with every actor he has worked with. “I am friendly with most of them. I am not stuck with people of my generation alone. I am friends with everyone,” he says. Arshad Warsi, too, is one of his closest friends. Ask him if he is waiting for the next installment of Munnabhai series like Arshad is, and he says, “Yes. The whole country is. Who isn’t?” The 57 – year – old doesn’t prefer any one genre. He says, “I like comedy & drama equally. It eventually boils down to the film, the screenplay & the role. The experience of doing a film matters the most. There have been movies that (I did) weren’t great, but the experience was awesome. As an actor, you have to choose well as not every movie turns out the way you expect. But when you are part of a really good movie, it’s fulfilling.”
SALMAN TAKES HIS BRAND DABANGG TO INTERNATIONAL LEVEL WITH HIS FIRST LIVE CONCERT IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
DA BANG – The Tour – The Big Bang event by Bollywood Superstars – organised by The Chocolate Room – will be the biggest Entertainment live property from India top lining Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Bipasha Basu, Prabhu Deva, Daisy Shah, Badshah, Manish Paul et al. It is slated to be the true celebration of Salman Khan as the Sultan of the Box office in Bollywood – The True King of Box – office turnstiles. DA BANG – The Tour top lining SALMAN KHAN will be one of the biggest Live Entertainment Brand Properties with musicians, brilliant dancers, breathtaking set designs & opulent costumes et al. Yaju Vaghela, the owner of Chocolate Room Australia & the organizer from Australia quotes, “Salman Khan is a supernova Superstar! Besides he has a magnetic charisma to draw the audience as a superstar performer, a total entertainer with his trademark dances & dialogue deliveries. Just as Modiji had come to Australia, akin to his victory march and had Australia spellbound, we are confident that Salman Khan too will come to mesmerize the audiencse here in Australia & New Zealand. It will be the biggest Bollywood concert ever planned & executed in terms of scale and will overshadow everything else before”
BHANSALI GIVES RS 20.80 LAKH TO FAMILY OF WORKER WHO DIED ON FILM ‘PADMAVATI’ SETS
On the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s
film PADMAVATI, while painting on the sets, Mukesh Dhakiya died when he fell down from the top at Film City on 23rd Dec, 2016. Gangeshwarlal Shrivastava alias Sanju had demanded on behalf of Film Studios Setting & Allied Mazdoor Union as the General Secretary that Sanjay Leela Bhansali should come forward to pay a death compensation to the family of the deceased. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has now paid a compensation of Rs 20, 80,000 to the family members of the deceased painter and a sum of Rs 2,20,000 for all the workers who were present on the sets that day as compensation towards a day’s wages. Mukesh Dhakiya’s family was given Rs 23,00,000 in total on 4th Jan, 2017. Ram Kadam, Chairman of the Union & MLA will undertake the entire expenditure on the studies of the 2 sons of Mukesh Dhakiya. Says Gangeshwarlal Shrivastava the General Secretary of Film Studios Setting & Allied Mazdoor Union “We are taking all possible efforts to ensure the safety of every worker on the sets. We have not only given a letter to Film City but also asked every production house to keep ambulance, safety belts, safety caps et al. for the sake of the workers on the sets”.
ADITYA FULFILS A WISH
Aditya Roy Kapur has gone out of his way to fulfil a fan’s wish. The fan, Lunika Nagdev, suffers from a life – threatening sickness, and is being treated at a city hospital. She has apparently wanted to meet the actor for a long time. When Aditya learnt about Lunika’s wish, he made an effort to fulfil her wish and met her last week. Aditya went to meet the fan at a hospital and spent almost the entire day with her and some other patients who gathered to meet him. The team of the Make – A – Wish Foundation got in touch with Aditya’s team and facilitated this meeting. Aditya went to see Lunika with a few gifts and she gave him a heartfelt gift as well. ”Aditya, who is especially popular with girls, has always maintained a close relationship with his fans. The AASISIQUI 2 (2013) actor apparently even saves the letters he receives from his fans, and is always touched by their heartfelt gestures. Aditya isn’t active on social media and his fans have urged him to join one of the social media platforms so that they can stay in touch with him.
GETTING OSCAR FOR ‘SARBJIT’ WOULD BE DIFFERENT HIGH, SAYS JACKKY BHAGNANI
SARBJIT, has successfully managed to put itself on the Oscar map. The biopic has made it to the long list of 336 feature films eligible for the Oscars. For the brother – sister duo of Jackky Bhagnani & Deepshikha Deshmukh, both of whom debuted as producers with SARBJIT, this marks a credible victory for content – based films. “From the moment I first read the script of SARBJIT I knew I wanted to be part of this project. SARBJIT is an important film because it shows the trials & the tribulations; 100’s of innocent prisoners go through in jail on either side of the border. It feels great. This was my 1st film as a producer and I feel so blessed that we are shortlisted for the Oscars in the feauture film category alongside LALALAND MOONLIGHT, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, SILENCE, ARRIVAL & HACKSAW RIDGE. I hope it makes its way to the final list as well. 2016 has been so exciting for Pooja Films and I am looking forward to doing good content driven films as an actor & as a producer too in 2017. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences released the list of films in contention for the “Best Picture” Oscar recently. The awards will be announced on 26th Feb, 2017
‘RUNNING SHAADI ‘ IS AN ENDEARING COMEDY
RUNNING SHAADI.COM starring Taapsee Pannu & Amit Sadh is set for a 3rd Feb, 2017 release and is directed by Amit Roy. Presented by Couching Tiger Motion Pictures & Rising Sun Films, the film is a unique, endearing romantic comedy from the heart of a small – town India, which unfolds as 2 young boys come up with 1 big idea. The film is produced by Shoojit Sircar, Ronnie Lahiri & Crouching Tiger.
1ST LOOK OF FAISSAL KHAN’S ‘DANGER’
Aamir Khan’s brother Faissal Khan’s comeback film, a Horror Thriller DANGER unveiled its 1st Look poster. DANGER is inspired by true events of Gaya (Bihar) Hotel’s brutal owner who killed people and used their meat to serve others. Faissal Khan plays a Gujrati stockbroker in the film who gets trapped into this hotel along with his wife. The film is written & directed by MAIN HOON RAJNIKANTH fame controversial director Faisal Saif and also stars Vedita Pratap Singh & Kavita Radheshyam in the leads. According to the maker, DANGER is the most “Scariest Film” India will ever witness. “This is an out & out Faissal Khan’s film as he has put in a lot of hard work into it. The audience will see a total new Faissal Khan in DANGER which they will never forget.” said Faisal Saif. The shooting of the film is completed with Pakistani actress Meera’s song and the makers are looking for 3rd Aug, 2017 release which also happens to be Faissal Khan’s birthday.
‘DIL MEIN TUMHI HO’ DUE IN FEB 2017
Sancheti Cine Vision’s DIL MEIN TUMHI HO produced by Lucky Sancheti is being readied for Feb, 2017 release all over. The film introduces Arihant Jain & Sezal Sharma in romantic leads along with Rati Agnihotri, Parikshat Sahni, Aroon Bakshi, Ameeta Nangia & Gulshan Pandey in major roles. The film’s post – production work has begun in full swing. Writer – director: Shakeel S. Saifee. Music: Shakir Wajid. 50% of the profits of the film will be donated to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives while fighting with Pakistan.
BOMAN SINGS IN A CHOIR
Boman Irani sang at the spirit of Hope concert for the Shillong Chamber choir. Boman tells us, “I have not had any formal training in music but I love singing. This is the 3rd time I have sung for them. I got introduced to them through a common friend. This year I sang 2 songs – “White Christmas” with the children and a solo, “Love Changes Everything”. While I don’t get nervous on stage, I get pre – stage jitters instead which is good as the nervous energy challenges you to perform your best. I like being on stage and I loved the tracks which I sang.” Boman adds, that he has no plans to do an album or do playback singing for films. “I have got too much on my plate right now and music is a full – time commitment. I had to keep on rehearsing with the choir. To me this experience is special because of the Shillong Chanber Choir which I think is like one of our national treasures. It felt like a mental cleansing for me and you feel like a better person. It’s music not just for your ears but for your soul too.”
JACKKY BHAGNANI JOINS HANDS WITH BMC TO PROMOTE FITNESS AMONG SCHOOL KIDS
Jackky Bhagnani has joined hands with the BMC to launch KASRAT – a unique exercise program to promote fitness among children in BMC schools. The program was launched in the presence of Yuva Sena Chief Aditya Thackeray at a school in Mumbai recently. KASRAT, a thirty – minute freehand fitness routine is meant to enhance the current physical training curriculum being followed by municipal schools and is aimed at children in the age group of 13 – 16 years (class 8th to class 10th) to help their overall growth & development.“I was very overweight as a child and this over time led to several health issues for me like asthma & high blood pressure. It’s only later as I began getting fit that I was able to overcome these. I am determined that teenagers don’t face what I had to go through in school. I am fortunate to have found support from Aditya Thackeray in allowing this vision to unfold,” said Jackky .The unique program has been designed keeping in mind the lack of access to proper exercise facilities, poor nutrition & the lack of knowledge about health among under privileged children, according to Jackky Bhagnani.
CARNIVAL GROUP TO ENTER ODISHA WITH 150 SCREENS
The Government of Odisha has approved the interest of Carnival Group for setting up 150 theatres – cum – recreation zones with each unit comprising of a multiplex, food court, retail stores & gaming zones in all the 30 districts of the state. The proposal was approved in the state’s ongoing project approval as a part of Invest Odisha in a recent meeting by Chief Secretary, Aditya Prasad Padi. The proposal was vetted by Sanjeev Chopra, IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Chairman, IDCO and CMD, IPICOL, Government of Odisha at Bhubaneswar with his team. Dr. Shrikant Bhasi, Promoter & Chairman of Carnival Group, said, “This is adding to our vision of 5250 screens, where in 1000 screens will be done by 2017. Carnival will set up 150 theatres – cum – recreational zones and the state government will facilitate us with land from an acre to 1.5 acres per project, along with a single window clearance and ease in doing business. This move is bringing not only a major boost to entertainment industry but also a big impetus for regional movies, employment & social upliftment of the area.” PV Sunil, CEO & Director, Carnival Cinemas, said, “This project is a part of Invest Odisha drive from State Government. We are trying to reach the masses at a very affordable cost with the same tier 1 multiplex ambience & technology”.
GURINDER SEAGAL & SOORAJ PANCHOLI CREATE MAGIC AS GF – BF CROSSES 60 MILLION VIEWS
Remember the beautiful rendition of GF – BF Song! This song has actually stormed the internet, when it was released in Feb, 2016. It turned out to be a chartbuster hit and now GF – BF song added a new feather in the cap. GF – BF features Gurinder Seagal, Sooraj Pancholi & Jacqueline Fernandez. Interestingly, the song is sung by Gurinder, who has also penned down the lyrics & composed it beautifully. Lately, Gurinder also released in the unplugged version of GF – BF Song which recreated the magic once again. Featuring, Gurinder Seagal, the song was presented by On Board Films in association with Bucket List. Punjabi boy Gurinder has also worked in video like “Ramz”, “Tequila”, “Dilruba” & “Smile”. At the latest, the GF – BF video song has crossed the 60 Million Views on Youtube. The originality & the popularity of this song is the only big reason why it crosses such a big numbers on Youtube. The song was presented by Gulshan Kumar, under the joint production of T – Series & Remo D’Souza Ent Pvt Ltd.
R MADHAVAN TO ADDRESS INDIAN CONFERENCE AT HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL IN USA!!!
Besides being a prolific actor, R Madhavan is also known for his motivational speeches on varied occasions. The actor will be heading to Boston in Feb, 2017 to address the 14th edition of the Indian Conference by Harvard Business School. Madhavan, who has been specially invited for the occasion, will speak on the conference’s theme – “India: The Global Growth Engine”. It’s a great honour for Madhavan to be invited to address the 14th edition of the Indian Conference, which is being organised from 11th Feb, 2017 & 12th Feb, 2017. The India Conference at Harvard is one of the largest conferences focusing on India in US, which witnessed close to 1,000 attendees last year. It is jointly organised by students of Harvard Business School & Harvard Kennedy School — both prestigious institutes. Madhavan, who is currently shooting for a Tamil action film, is thrilled to be a part of this conference and is looking forward to meeting illustrious people from all walks of life. Though he is going to be shooting in Feb, 2017, he has already informed his movie’s crew that he will be taking a short break to attend the conference.
Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak to walk free in coming days
Public prosecutor orders release of former president as early as Tuesday following court acquittal.
![Mubarak supporters gathered outside the military hospital where he is staying [Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters]](https://i0.wp.com/nasheman.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/hosni-Mubarak.jpg)
Mubarak supporters gathered outside the military hospital where he is staying [Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters]
by Al Jazeera
Hosni Mubarak, who was overthrown as president of Egypt in an uprising in 2011, will be released from detention in a military hospital after a six-year legal battle over accusations of involvement in the killing of protesters.
“He will go to his home in Heliopolis,” Mubarak’s lawyer Farid el-Deeb said, adding the ageing former president would likely be released on Tuesday or soon after, but would be barred from leaving the country pending an ongoing corruption investigation.
The prosecutor’s decision came on Monday, days after an appeals court acquitted Mubarak on March 2 of involvement in the killing of protesters during the 2011 uprising that ousted him.
His acquittal, which is final, has angered relatives of those killed in 2011.
“Our son’s blood was spilled for nothing,” said Mostafa Morsi, whose son was shot dead aged 22 on January 28, 2011.
The president who ruled for 30 years was accused of inciting the deaths of protesters during the 18-day revolt, in which about 850 people were killed as police clashed with demonstrators.
Mubarak, 88, was sentenced to life in 2012, but an appeals court ordered a retrial, which dismissed the charges two years later.
Amid public anger, prosecutors had levelled various charges against Mubarak following his February 2011 resignation.
In January 2016, the appeals court upheld a three-year prison sentence for Mubarak and his two sons on corruption charges.
But the sentence took into account time served. Both of his sons, Alaa and Gamal, were freed.
Six years after his overthrow, most of the charges brought against his regime members have been dismissed while the country struggles to recover from the aftermath of the uprising.
The revolt ushered in instability that drove away tourists and investors, taking a heavy toll on the economy.
Mubarak’s elected Muslim Brotherhood successor, Mohamed Morsi, served for only a year before the military toppled and detained him in 2013, before launching a deadly crackdown on those who backed him.
Hundreds of Morsi’s supporters were sentenced to death after speedy trials. Morsi himself has also stood trial in several cases.
Critics say that the abuses they fought under Mubarak have returned with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the former army chief who toppled Morsi.
Mai Mogib, a politics professor at Cairo University, said times have changed since the Middle East uprisings six years ago.
“Talk of the Arab Spring has completely stopped,” she said. But “discussing Mubarak and symbols of his era has become acceptable in the media and in the street.
“He’s in a better position than all other presidents who faced the Arab Spring,” Mogib said.
Sisi’s pardon
Also on Monday, Sisi issued a pardon for 203 youths jailed for taking part in demonstrations against his rule, according to state news agency MENA. No official list of names was immediately available.
Since seizing power, Sisi has presided over a crackdown on his opponents that has seen hundreds killed and many thousands jailed.
Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein has been detained in Egypt without charge for more than 80 days.
Hussein, an Egyptian based in Qatar, was stopped, questioned, and detained by the Egyptian authorities on December 20 after travelling to Cairo for a holiday.
Employers allowed to ban the hijab, EU court says
Court of Justice rules that workplace bans on political, philosophical or religious symbols are not discriminatory.
by Al Jazeera
Employers are permitted to ban staff from wearing visible religious symbols, the European Union’s top court ruled on Tuesday – its first decision on the issue of women wearing hijabs at work.
The ECJ gave a joined judgment in the cases of two women, in France and Belgium, who were dismissed for refusing to remove hijabs. The hijab is a headscarf worn by many Muslim women who feel it is part of their religion.
“An internal rule of an undertaking which prohibits the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign does not constitute direct discrimination,” the EU’s Court of Justice (ECJ) said in a statement.
The ruling comes on the eve of a Dutch election in which Muslim immigration has been a key issue and a bellwether for attitudes towards migration and refugee policies across Europe.
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