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Archives for August 2017

India beat SL by an innings & 171 runs, script 3-0 whitewash

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Pallekele: An authoritative India today completed a 3-0 clean sweep of Sri Lanka with an innings and 171-run annihilation in the third and final Test, bringing to an early end to one of the most lopsided series in recent years.

None of the three matches lasted five days, with the final one being the shortest, lasting just two and a half days.

With Sri Lanka resuming the day at 19 for one after following-on and facing a 352-run deficit, the final outcome was a foregone conclusion.

The hosts were eventually bundled out for 181 in 74.3 overs in their second innings shortly before tea on day three to hand the visitors a first-ever series clean sweep on overseas soil.

The pace duo of Umesh Yadav (2/21) and Mohammed Shami (3/32) provided the early breakthroughs for India before the spinners Kuldeep Yadav (1-56) and Ravichandran Ashwin (4/68) made further inroads.

Shami was most impressive as he bowled with pace and precision, carrying on from his showing in the first innings where he had struck twice.

With Sri Lanka struggling at 82 for four at lunch, it became certain that the game will not stretch to the fourth day, ensuring an extra day’s rest for the Indian team ahead of the five-match ODI series starting Sunday.

Post lunch, Dinesh Chandimal (36) and Angelo Mathews (35) took their fifth wicket partnership to 65 runs. Their stand was the bare minimum resistance to the Indian attack on this third day, and it only helped in delaying proceedings a tad as the duo brought up Lanka’s 100 in the 49th over.

Kuldeep got the breakthrough asChandimal was caught at short leg in the 51st over. Three overs later, it became a double blow as Ashwin trapped Mathews lbw to end all hopes of a stronger Lankan fightback.

Niroshan Dickwella (41) played some aggressive strokes but wickets kept falling regularly at the other end.

Dilruwan Perera (8) was caught off Ashwin at midwicket, like in the first innings, and then Mohammed Shami (3-32) had Lakshan Sandakan (8) caught behind. Ajinkya Rahane took a sharp catch at gully to dismiss Dickwella off Yadav in the 70th over.

Shortly afterwards then, Ashwin bowled Lahiru Kumara (10) to wrap up a comprehensive series win for the world number one side.

In the morning session, Shami bowled a fiery opening spell while Ashwin removed opener Dimuth Karunaratne (16) at the other end.

The ball took extra bounce and lobbed off his glove as the batsman was caught at slip in the third over of the morning.

Shami then had night watchman Malinda Pushpakumara (1) caught behind in the 21st over. Two overs later, he got the big dismissal as well, trapping Kusal Mendis (12) lbw with a sharp inswinger.

The hosts lost three for 13 in the first passage of play this morning.

Thereafter, Sri Lanka crossed 50 in the 26th over, with Chandimal and Mathews holding fort together. The duo gave up on the attack-minded tactic against the Indian bowling, instead looking to play for time.

In the 35th over, Mathews survived a shout for caught behind off Umesh Yadav (0-23), even as India appealed for DRS against the original not out decision. But there was no evidence to over-turn the decision as Mathews continued his innings.

On day one, Shikhar Dhawan (119) and KL Rahul (85) put on the highest opening stand of 188 runs on Lankan soil as India finished at 329/6 at stumps.

On day two, Hardik Pandya scored his maiden Test hundred off 86 balls to help India reach 487 in their first innings. Sri Lanka then collapsed to 135 all out in their first innings with Kuldeep Yadav picking 4-40.

India won the first Test in Galle by 304 runs and the second Test in Colombo by an innings and 54 runs.

(Agencies)

Heavy pours in Bengaluru create havoc on I day

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Bengaluru: Water accumulates in the basement of a building in Bengaluru after heavy rains lashed the city on Aug 15, 2017. (Photo: IANS)

Bengaluru: Overnight heavy rains lashed Bengaluru on the eve of Independence Day and created havoc this morning.

Several areas including Koramangala, HSR Layout, Shantinagar, Wilson Garden, K R Puram, Anugraha Layout, Ulsoor, Vivek Nagar, Murugesh Palya on Old Airport Road and Gurappana Palya on Bannerghatta Road, have been worst affected.

HAL Airport Observatory recorded 144 mm rainfall, which has been the highest in recent times and in at least over a decade.

The rains were unexpected. Neither IMD nor Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre (KSNDMC) had predicted such rains on Monday. In fact KSNDMC had predicted very light rainfall for the city.

(Agencies)

10,000 witnessed Independence Day celebration in Bengaluru

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Bengaluru: 71st Independence Day celebration was held at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Grounds here today.

Karnataka State Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unfurled the tricolour and paid homage to soldiers who laid down their lives fighting the enemy and protecting the nation.

Addressing the gathering he said “Today we are witnessing the phenomena of communalism and casteism raising their ugly head all around, joined by fascist forces. Our concept of development is based on inclusiveness that aims to usher in improved level of standard of living.”

He further stated “The local language should get first priority in the state, and the imposition of some other language is unacceptable even in the constitution.”

“First priority should be given for the regional language in the state, and next comes all the others languages. When there is a language declared as official, it’s even unconstitutional to impose any other language in the state.” he added.

The BBMP, in association with the office of Deputy Commissioner (Bengaluru Urban) and the Bengaluru city police made elaborate security arrangements for the grand event.

Seating arrangements were made to accommodate 10,000 people, of which 4,000 were been reserved for the public.

Over 2,700 school children participated in the cultural programmes. Kikkeri Krishnamurthy and team sang the Nadageetha and Raithageethe.

(Agencies)

6.5 mn hit by floods in Bihar, over 40 dead

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Villagers in a flood-hit area in Katihar district of Bihar on Sunday. (PTI Photo)

Patna: More than 6.5 million people have been affected by floods in Bihar, that have claimed the lives of over 40 people so far, washed away thousands of huts, badly damaged buildings, roads, bridges and standing crops worth crores, officials said on Tuesday.

Bihar disaster management department officials said that 65.37 lakh people in 889 panchayats under 84 blocks in 13 districts have been affected by the floods. “So far 41 people have died in the floods,” officials said, but unconfirmed reports put death toll at 85.

Nearly three million people were affected alone in the worst-hit districts of Kishanganj, Araria, Purnea and Katihar in last three days. “Thousands were displaced due to floods,” an official said.

According to them, about 1.82 lakh people have been evacuated to safe places by the rescue teams in the last two days.

The state administration says at least five more districts including Samastipur, Khagaria and Sheohar face the threat of floods. “Flood waters have entered in some new areas and are likely to create panic among people,” officials said.

Other affected districts are Darbhanga, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Madhepura, Saharsa, Supaul, East and West Champaran.

Reports reaching here suggest that thousands of people have been forced to flee from their homes after their villages were inundated. They have taken shelter in high rise areas, including national highways, schools and government buildings.

In view of the worsening flood situation, the state government has cancelled the leave of doctors and heath department officials in flood-hit districts.

The state disaster management department has asked people living in low lying areas to move to higher places as heavy rains continued.

“The flood situation in Bihar will continue to be grim following rising water levels of rivers and incessant rains,” met department officials said.

Major rivers in the state including the Koshi, Mahananda, Gandak, Bagmati and Ganga are in spate and some rivers have breached their banks and embankments, officials said.

“With heavy rainfall in Bihar as well as in the catchment areas in Nepal, the water level of these rivers has been rising,” an official told IANS.

The government has launched massive relief and rescue operations with help from the Army, Air Force as well as National Disaster Response Force and Bihar State Disaster Response Force teams.

“We have deployed four Army teams, 22 NDRF and 15 SDRF teams along with hundreds of our own officials in relief and rescue operations in flood-affected districts,” Pratyaya Amrit, Principal Secretary in the Bihar Disaster Management Department, said.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday sought the help of the Army and Indian Air Force in relief and rescue operations. He also requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to provide all possible aid. Both have assured him of help.

Nitish Kumar, after an aerial survey of the four worst hit flooded districts on Monday, said he had told officials to speed up rescue and relief work. He again spoke with Modi and requested assistance.

Railway stations in Kishanganj, Katihar and Jogbani in Araria were flooded, leaving scores of passengers stranded. Eighteen trains have been cancelled since Sunday.

According to officials, crops worth crores were damaged and road links to several places have been snapped. Reports reaching here said flood waters had submerged NH 104 in Sitamarhi, NH 31 in Kishanganj and NH 327 in Araria.

(IANS)

Xpoz India Exhibitions Brings Bengaluru’s Best Designer Boutiques Under One Roof

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Bengaluru: A new exhibition developed and curated by Xpoz India Exhibitions, is bringing together a mix of independent boutiques and designers across women’s fashion, bags, and accessories, all under one roof.

‘Boutiques of Bangalore’ will showcase and sell the work of over 40 well-curated boutiques and artists that are design-led and socially responsible. The exhibition will display works which will include designer wear, ethnic wear, abayas, wedding trousseaus, accessories, footwear, and bags.

“Most boutiques have limited customers, and don’t have many options to showcase their work, beyond their neighbourhood. An exhibition like ‘Boutiques of Bangalore’ will provide both upcoming and established boutiques with a platform to sell their work and build a large customer base. The event is also perfectly timed to coincide with the last weeks of the festive season, aiming to cater to visitors’ complete shopping, and gifting requirements,” says Sheikh Zakir, CEO, Xpoz India Exhibitions.

Some of the brands that will be showcased are Gauri by Studio Samast Roop, Coco Stone, Red Rose, Human Touch, Modest Forever, Handmade, Needles ‘N’ Threads and more.

‘Boutiques of Bangalore’ will be held on August 18, 19 and 20 at Safina Plaza, Infantry Road from 10.30 AM onwards. For details call: 88847 36540 / 98450 10246

For more info: https://www.facebook.com/XpozIndiaExhibitions/

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie’s Divorce Called Off

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Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie’s Divorce Called Off!

With this week’s news that Chris Pratt & Anna Faris are divorcing, many fans of thev celebrity couples were quick to declare love dead. The most famous couple on the planet is rumored to be giving their relationship a 2nd chance. Sources reveal that Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt have called off their divorce and are considering an attempt at saving their marriage. The divorce is off says the source as they haven’t done anything to move it forward in several months and no one thinks they are ever going to now. Many have expressed shock at the news, as Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie’s split back in Sept, 2016 was anything but amicable. The couple had parted ways following a confrontation between Brad Pitt & son Maddox aboard a private jet. Insiders say that Angelina Jolie was so appalled by her husband’s behavior that she left him the next day without hesitation. Nearly a year later, however, Angelina Jolie is reportedly considering giving Brad Pitt a 2nd chance for one simple reason: that she’s still so in love with him adds the source.

Liam Hemsworth & Miley Cyrus Secretly Married!

Not too long ago, Miley Cyrus was twerking her little heart out, singing songs about partying & wrecking balls and more partying, but now it really looks like she’s moved beyond all that. Gone are the days of constant topless selfies and weed references on Instagram, These days, it sounds like she’s moving back to her roots, both in terms of her music & her modesty. And, of course, she’s also back with her longtime love, Liam Hemsworth. Their love story really is a little bit magical. They had met all the way back in 2009, when they filmed The Last Song together, and though they did have a few little breakups along the way, they were together until 2013. That’s when they broke off their engagement and went on their separate ways for a little bit: Liam focused on his acting career, while Miley focused on all that twerking. But then, sometime in 2016, they rekindled their romance. They got re – engaged, and this time around, they both seem a lot more settled in their relationship. So settled that they went and got married without telling anyone? That’s because both Miley Cyus & Liam Hemsworth have been spotted recently with similar bands on their fingers. Over the weekend, Liam Hemsworth was photographed with Miley Cyrus’ mother, Tish Cyrus, wearing a simple band on the ring finger of his left hand. Miley was spotted with a similar band while out & about filming for The Voice. And there aren’t many reasons why an engaged couple would wear matching rings on their left hands.

Paola Mayfield States That Her Husband’s Going To Kill Her

90 Day Fiance star Paola Mayfield has recently lashed out at critics pretty fearlessly, but when it comes to worries that she’s going to disappoint Russ Mayyfield? Of late she’s a nervous wreck. Because she’s in lingerie for a modeling job and even though she’s going through with it because she’s a professional … it’s complicated. She knows that her conservative husband doesn’t like it when she shows skin outside of the bedroom, and is sure to kill her making for ongoing conflict. Paola Mayfield & Russ Mayfield are somewhere in the middle as far as the state of 90 Day Fiance couples and the quality of their relationships. They’re certainly doing way better than the now – split Mohamed Jabli & Danielle Mullins. The primary source of conflict between Paola Mayfield & Russ Mayfield isn’t cheating or money but its Paola Mayfield’s job. Paola Mayfield is a fitness model and now a certified personal trainer. Russ Mayfield isn’t very comfortable with how she dresses, or how little she dresses, for work.

Judge Throws Out DJ’s Case

A judge recently threw out a former radio host’s case against Taylor Swift in a trial that delved into their dueling lawsuits over whether he groped her during a backstage meet & greet and whether she & her team ruined his career. US District Judge William Martinez determined that the pop star could not be held liable because David Mueller failed to prove that she personally set out to have him fired after the 2013 photo op in Denver. His identical allegations against Taylor Swift’s mother & her radio liaison will go to jurors for a verdict. David Mueller denies groping Taylor Swift and sued the singer, her mother, Andrea Swift & their radio handler, Frank Bell, seeking up to $3 million as compensation for his ruined career. The singer – songwriter said in her countersuit that she wanted a symbolic $1 and the chance to stand up for other women. The jury will still consider her claim. Taylor Swift was in tears as the judge read his decision and said there was no evidence of her actions being insincere. Afterward, her team smiled and embraced. David Mueller’s side didn’t speak at all. The judge’s decision came after days of testimony from the singer & others and just before the jurors were all set to hear closing arguments.

Micheal Einfield Apologizes

Talent manager Michael Einfeld has issued an apology to “friends, colleagues & clients” after one of his former assistants, Rosette Laursen, wrote a lengthy 8th Aug, 2017’s Facebook post detailing sexist remark made about her in emails and other offensive alleged behavior in the workplace. In the emails, Micheal Einfeld called her an “uppity selfish c—” and suggested that “someone should sew her vagina shut” for requesting 8th Mar, 2017 off to observe a Day Without A Woman. “Are you fucking kidding me. At the end of pilot season,” Micheal Einfeld wrote in an email that was intended only for 2 male colleagues but was accidentally distributed office wide. A day Without A Woman was a nationwide campaign encouraging women to mark International Women’s Day on 8th Mar, 2017 by taking the day off from work and refraining from making purchases in order to demonstrate their impact on the economy.

James Franco Opens Up

James Franco is recently opening up about the moment he realized he was battling depression. James Franco explained that his career choice in combination with his “very addictive” personality led to feelings of isolation. “When I was a teenager I got over certain addictions, and that’s when I started acting, at age 17, I really threw myself into it, and that became everything, to the point where I didn’t even socialize. And then after, like, 10 years of that, at age 27, I realized, Man, I’m so depressed. On the surface my life seems pretty good, I have a career & everything, but I feel isolated & lonely. So then I threw myself into school, but again it was just this sort of running, running, running.” Despite the emotional effects his career has had on him emotionally, James Franco insists he will continue to act in addition to directing. “I’ve got to say, of all the things that I’ve done, and I’ve done a lot, the actual process of directing is the most fun, because you’re in the middle of all these different creative people,” he said. “But no, I will not stop acting.”

Amber Portwood Kisses Some Dude

If Teen Mom: OG firebrand Amber Portwood still loves Matt Baier, she sure has an unusual way of showing it. In a recent footage, Amber Portwood is seen kissing & canoodling with a new man, mere weeks after her split from Mait Baier. The video was reportedly filmed on recently and it depicts Amber Portwood getting very close & awfully cozy with someone of the opposite sex. She’s leaning against him while the guy is rubbing her waist with his arm. Captured at a marina in Indianapolis, the video culminates in Amber Portwood and this mystery dude leaning in for a kiss. Not much is known about the male, except that he’s wearing a brown shirt & white cowboy hat in the clip. He also appears to be a lot closer in age to Amber Portwood than her former fiancé, from whom Amber Portwood split in Jun, 2017. Amber Portwood & Matt Baier’s relationship fizzled out a couple months ago after Matt Baeir failed a lie detector test in the face of cheating allegations.

Wolf Warrior 2 Marches Towards $700M

The victory march continues for China’s biggest blockbuster ever. Wu Jing’s Wolf Warrior 2 continued to astonish in its 3rd frame, adding $83 million to again top the international charts. After 18 days on Chinese screens, the patriotic action movie has pulled in a colossal $683 million. The film is now the 3rd highest – grossing title of all time in a single territory, behind only Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($937 million) & Avatar’s ($750 million) historic runs in North America. To what heights Wolf Warrior 2 will ultimately ascend remains to be seen, but it will easily climb past the $700 million mark later this week. A Rambo – like patriotism & adrenaline exercise, the film was written & directed and also stars Wu, alongside American – Hong Kong actress Celina Jade & Hollywood import Frank Grillo. The action is set in deepest Africa, where Wu’s titular Special Forces agent battles cretinous Western mercenaries to rescue Chinese civilians & restore Middle Kingdom honor. The slickly produced spectacle cost just $30 million to make.

HBO Hackers Leak “Curb”’ Episodes

Hackers continue to pester HBO, releasing several unaired episodes of the highly anticipated return of Curb Your Enthusiasm on Sun in their latest leak. Season 9 of Larry David’s comedy series is set to premiere in Oct, 2017 after the show’s 6 year hiatus. The hackers, who broke into HBO’s computer network and have been doling out stolen information for the past several weeks, also released Sun night’s episode of Insecure and what appear to be episodes of other lower – profile shows, including Ballers, the unaired shows Barry & The Deuce, a comedy special and other programming. But the hackers didn’t release any material related to the network’s hit show Game Of Thrones in their latest leak. The HBO network acknowledged the hack in late Jul, 2017, and the thieves have been dribbling out stolen video & documents since then while demanding a multimillion – dollar ransom.

What happened To Former Mummy Star Brendan Fraser?

Amidst a wave of scathing reviews for the new film The Mummy, there’s never been a better time to ask: What in the world happened to Brendan Fraser? The former star of the original franchise is noticeably absent from the Tom Cruise led reboot. In fact, Brendan Fraser’s been generally absent from movies for quite a while now? Brendon Fraser enjoyed years of success following his breakout role in 1992’s Encino Man, but his career has taken a nosedive in recent years after a few bad movie choices. The movie was widely panned by critics, and put a dent in Fraser’s previously stellar reputation. But the real kicker came when he was dropped from Journey To The Center Of The Earth 2″ in favor of Dwayne Johnson that same year. What followed for the actor were a few independent movies, along with some voice parts in animations, and it’s now been 4 years since Brendon Fraser appeared on the big screen.

Why Michelle Pfeiffer Disappeared From Hollywood Scenario

Hollywood actress Michelle Pfeiffer has been missed from the Hollywoodian scenario for quite a long time. The 3 time Oscar nominee, who took a break from Hollywood after 2013’s The Family, explained her 4 year absence to Darren Aronofsky, who directs Michelle Pfeiffer, in the upcoming drama Mother!, which also stars his girlfriend, Jennifer Lawrence. She says, “Well, the first thing that comes to mind is I’m an empty nester now, in fact I’ve never lost my love for acting. I feel really at home on the movie set. I’m a more balanced person, honestly, when I’m working. But I was pretty careful about where I shot, how long I was away, whether or not it worked out with the kids’ schedule. And I got so picky that I almost was unhirable. And then, I don’t know, time just went on. And now, you know, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. I’m more open now, my frame of mind, because I really want to work now, because I can.” The actress even went on to take a theater class. Nevertheless, Michelle Pfeiffer worries that the public will start to think that she’s a “fraud,” which is one reason why she hates doing interviews.

Toilet – Ek Prem Katha Has Strong Social Message Devoid Of Any Entertainment Value

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by Rizwan Asad & Shaheen Raaj

Banner: Viacom18, Motion Pictures, KriArj Entertainment, Neeraj Pandey, Plan C Studio, Cape Of Good Films LLP
Producers: Aruna Bhatia, Shital Bhatia, Premaa Arora, Arjun N Kapoor & Hitesh Thakkar
Director: Shree Nayaran Singh
Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar, Anupam Kher, Divyendu Sharma, Sana Khan, Shubha Khote, Rajesh Sharma, Mukesh Bhatt et al
Music: Vickey Prasad, Manas – Shikhar, Sachet – Parampara & Surendra Sodhi

Editor Shree Narayan Singh making his directorial debut with Toilet – Ek Prem Katha seems to be totally confused in his 1st ever outing as to whether to please the producers, the cine goers or remain loyal to the pro – government propaganda. Except for a few impact making scenes he loses his grip on the film entirely, not to speak of his editing caliber which highly leaves much to be desired. Well! Mr. Shree Narayan Singh better luck in your future directorial outings,

When it comes to sanitation, our country lags far behind. The shortage of toilets can be seen in each & every corner of India. It is a sad sight to see people relieving themselves in the open. For women, things are even more difficult for obvious reasons. Also, a lot of rapes & sexual assaults happen on women when they are attending the nature’s call in villages & small towns. Toilet – Ek Prem Katha throws light on this aspect and also spins a love story out of it. So does this social drama manage to make the required impact or does it fail. Your guess is as good as mine.

The scripted scenario of Toilet – Ek Prem Katha reveals that it is a love story of a man who fights the system & above all his family to install a toilet in his house for the sake of his wife. Keshav (Akshay Kumar) lives in Mandgaon village in North India with his father (Sudhir Pandey). He falls for Jaya (Bhumi Pednekar) who also starts loving him. Both get married. She is unaware that Keshav’s house doesn’t have a toilet. On the 1st day post marriage, she is made a part of the women’s “lota party”, comprising of all ladies from the neighborhood who relieve themselves in the open before sunrise. Jaya is enraged and she demands that a toilet is made in the house. Keshav’s father however puts his foot down. He argues that he won’t allow anyone to relive themselves in the house as he claims that it’s against their culture. How Keshav takes up the challenge to construct a toilet and stands up against the system forms the rest of the film.

Toilet – Ek Prem Katha’s 1st ever scene depicting how the women bond while on their way to the fields, sets the mood of the film. Akshay’s entry happens suddenly and this sequence serves no purpose to the rest of the film. The entire stalking bit is slightly objectionable but keeping in mind the small town element, it works. The marriage happens all of a sudden but the film takes a turn when Jaya finds out that there is no toilet in her marital home. The intermission point is terrific and takes the film to another level. The 2nd half too has its moments. The scenes where Jaya ridicules the women for not standing up for their rights as well as Keshav’s outburst after his toilet is destroyed are highly memorable.

On the flipside, the film gets too long and should have been shorter by at least 20 minutes. Few scenes also seemed unconvincing. More unbelievable is when the “lota party” ladies suddenly revolt against their husbands.
Garima Wahal & Siddharth Singh’s story tries to balance a love story with a social problem plaguing the country. Garima & Siddharth’s screenplay however moves at a slow pace. The manner in which Keshav goes to insane lengths to ensure that Jaya gets access to a toilet daily is amusing. But a crisper narrative was required. Also, the film gets preachy in the 2nd half and becomes a pro -government film at places that could have been avoided. Nevertheless, the 7 – locks sequence deserves applause. Besides Garima & Siddharth’s dialogues are sharp & witty. The urban audiences might cringe at the repeated use of words like “sandaas”, “shauch” et al but then there was no choice. The film wouldn’t have made an impact without these terms. But one thing that is really overlooked is that fact that Akshay Kumar & his brother Divyendu Sharma are never shown the need to relieve themselves in the open until towards the end that too in the running credit titles.

Shree Narayan Singh’s direction is why the film suffers to such an extent. At places the film is too fast, Jaya &Keshav’s marriage happens in a jiffy and catches viewers unawares. But in the 2nd half, it drags a lot. One can’t deny however that debutante directorShree Narayan Singh has indeed helmed some scenes deftly. One of the scenes where he really impressed is when the Brahmin father is compelled to take a bath in the pre – climax scenes. Music and no entertainment & repeat value with an overdose of preaching is the biggest minus point of the film. Yet one duet song that catches your fancy is “Hans Mat Pagli…Pyaar Ho Jaayega.” While Uday Singh’s cinematography is praiseworthy & straight out of life the same cannot be said about Shree Narayan Singh’s editing which is well below average.

Performance wise Akshay Kumar is a revelation. Since the past few years, he has been essaying some well – written parts but with Toilet – Ek Prem Katha, he goes on a high. The way he reacts in the aforementioned breakdown scene is going to stun the viewers. Bhumi Pednekar gives a towering performance. She appears to be extremely confident & convincing. Divyendu Sharma as Naru brings in comic relief and is absolutely wonderful as Akshay Kumar’s youger brother. Sudhir Pandey is perfect as the strict father who is imprisoned in the age – old customs that serve no purpose in today’s times. Anupam Kher as Jaya’s uncle also raises laughs but his part is not a caricature. He has a crucial part to play in the film. Shubha Khote as Keshav’s grandmother is good especially in the pre – climax scenes. Rajesh Sharma as D M Mathur, Mukesh Bhatt as journalist Rastogi of Dainik Jagran and the young actors playing the sarpanch & the female journalist are good in their small parts. But alas Sana Khan is totally wasted.

Tail Piece: On the whole, Toilet – Ek Prem Katha, despite the minuses, integrates a strong social message and also questions several age old practices in the society. At the Box – Office turnstiles with no competition at all plus the weekend coupled with long holidays in the next week as well as the highly expected tax exemptions. Which the film totally deserves due to its strong social message, in certain states are bound to help the film resonate with the audiences.

China to remain ‘neutral’ if North Korea attacks first

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State newspaper hints at Beijing’s stance of not assisting its ally in the ‘reckless game’ between US and North Korea.

Washington warned North Korea this week it will face ‘fire and fury’ if it continues to threaten the US [AFP]

by Al Jazeera

A Chinese state-run newspaper has suggested Beijing would “stay neutral” if North Korea strikes first in a conflict with the United States, despite a mutual defence pact between the Asian allies.

The nationalistic Global Times tabloid said on Friday in an editorial that Washington and Pyongyang were playing a “reckless game” that could lead to “miscalculations and a strategic war”.

“China should also make clear that if North Korea launches missiles that threaten US soil first and the US retaliates, China will stay neutral,” the editorial said.

However, it added: “If the US and South Korea carry out strikes and try to overthrow the North Korean regime and change the political pattern of the Korean peninsula, China will prevent them from doing so.”

On Twitter, Trump again threatened on Friday a military strike against the North.

“Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely. Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path!” Trump tweeted.

The commentary came after Washington warned North Korea this week it faced “fire and fury like the world has never seen” if it continued to threaten the US with its missile and nuclear programmes.

That prompted a defiant Pyongyang to threaten a missile attack on Guam, a tiny US territory in the Pacific that is home to major US air and naval facilities.

China – which has been accused by the US of not doing enough to rein in its longtime ally – has maintained that political dialogue is the only solution.

Al Jazeera’s Adrian Brown, reporting from Beijing, said the commentary gave an inkling of China’s official stance.

“The editorial also says that if the US carries out strikes and tries to overthrow the North Korean regime then China would prevent that from happening. But it doesn’t specify how Beijing would do that,” he said.

“Now of course China is the only ally that North Korea has but China has now agreed to tougher UN sanctions against North Korea, which means it will no longer be importing coal, iron, lead and seafood. Now if China does have influence over North Korea, we have yet to really see it.”

As tension soars in the region, South Korea’s media called on Friday for Seoul to build nuclear weapons of its own to defend itself.

South Korea, which fought a war alongside the US with the North that ended in a stalemate in 1953, is highly technologically advanced and analysts estimate it could develop an atomic device within months of deciding to do so.

“Now is time to start reviewing nuclear armament,” the Korea Herald said in an editorial.

The South, which hosts 28,500 American troops, is banned from developing its own nuclear weapons under an atomic energy deal it signed in 1974 with the US, which instead offers Seoul a “nuclear umbrella” against potential attacks.

But with Pyongyang regularly threatening to turn Seoul into a “sea of flames” – and nagging questions over Washington’s willingness to defend it if doing so put its own cities in danger of retaliatory attacks – the South’s media are leading calls for a change of tack.

After Pyongyang conducted two successful tests of an intercontinental ballistic missile last month, putting much of the mainland US within reach, the paper warned: “Trust in the nuclear umbrella the US provides to the South can be shaken.”

The US stationed some of its atomic weapons in the South following the 1950-53 Korean War, but withdrew them in 1991 when the two Koreas jointly declared they would make the peninsula nuclear-free.

But Pyongyang carried out its first nuclear test in 2006 and formally abandoned the deal in 2009.

A conflict between the North and the US could have devastating consequences for Asia’s fourth-largest economy, with Seoul within range of Pyongyang’s vast conventional artillery forces.

“A catastrophe is looming,” the South’s top-selling Chosun daily said in an editorial this week. “All options, even those considered unthinkable so far, must be on the table.”

North Korea has staged five atomic tests as it seeks to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the continental United States.

Sreesanth criticises BCCI’s decision to appeal HC order

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New Delhi: S. Sreesanth on Friday came down heavily on the the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after it asserted it will appeal against a court order lifting the fast bowler’s life ban for match-fixing.

“C’mon @bcci this is worst u can do to anyone that too who is proven innocent not just once but again and again..don’t know why u doing this?” Sreesanth, a 2011 World Cup winner, tweeted.
After the court ruling on Monday, Sreesanth said he was hoping to get his career back on track and represent India again.

“I have been working hard at the indoor nets at home and have been fortunate enough to train with some of the Kerala state team players,” Sreesanth had told ‘ANM news’.

“I am waiting for BCCI’s call and then I will try and vie for an India spot. I will be ready to play the Ranji Trophy also for Kerala if they pick me,” the 34-year-old had said.

But a BCCI official said that the board does not agree with the court’s order and will challenge the same.

Earlier, the Kerala High Court revoked the life ban imposed on Sreesanth due to his alleged involvement in a spot-fixing scandal, which marred the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2013.

“No materials or evidence before the disciplinary committee to conclude that Sreesanth was guilty of the violation of the anti corruption code formulated by the BCCI. THEY RELIED ON CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. The disciplinary committee ought to have been careful in analyzing evidence especially when the deal itself had failed to work,” the High Court order stated.

Previosuly, Sreesanth was cleared of criminal charges by a sessions court but continued to face sanctions issued on him by the governing body, based on an internal disciplinary committee report.

Sreesanth had approached the court last year after the BCCI failed to revoke the life ban though he was exonerated by a Delhi court of the charge of involvement in a spot-fixing scandal, which marred the Indian Premier League in 2013.

(IANS)

Police Arrest Moodbidri Native for Derogatory Remarks on Minister UT Khader

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Mangaluru: Kadri police arrested Moodbidri native Divya Prasad (35) in Bengaluru on August 10 and brought him to Mangaluru following a complaint against his derogatory remarks on Karnataka State Food and Civil Supplies Minister UT Khader on social media recently.

The accused works in Bengaluru and has been brought to Mangaluru on Friday after he was arrested on August 10. The arrest was made by the police after a complaint from close associates of the minister on his remarks, sources said. Divya Prasad has been booked under section 507 IPC and 67 IT Act. He will be produced before the court soon for further legal proceeding, sources said.

(Agencies)

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