Author Archives: TARIQ ABDULLAH

ANI

In a shocking incident, a major data theft was recently reported at filmmakers Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s production house, Tiger Baby Digital.

Mumbai police have arrested two individuals, Ritesh Suresh Shah and Mohammad Shahid Azim Khan, for allegedly stealing 66 hard disks containing crucial film and web series data. According to the police, these storage devices contained sensitive digital assets such as raw footage, edited content, post-production files, backup data, and shooting archives. The stolen data reportedly included content related to projects like Made In Heaven, Ghost Stories, and Gandhi Money.

Ranveer Singh is not working on any film at the moment. If he was, he would be in trouble after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) asked its four lakh plus workers not to work with him, a ‘non-cooperation directive’ that could lead to serious trouble for his films.

Though such an order cannot restrain an individual’s freedom to work, it could definitely cause operational issues for his films, said Sonam Chandwani, managing partner, KS Legal and Associates.

‘Till the time he doesn’t come and attend a meeting with us, none of our members will work with him. He is not shooting for anything at the moment. If he begins, we will ensure none of us work with him,’ said a resolute B N Tiwari, president of FWICE.

On Monday, the FWICE said its members would not work with Singh following his last minute exit from Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3.

According to Chandwani, who specialises in contract law, FWICE’s directive may carry “persuasive and operational weight” within the film industry but its legal enforceability is not absolute.

Courts in India, Chandwani added, have previously taken a cautious view against industry bodies attempting to impose blanket bans or blacklisting measures without due process or contractual backing.

The FWICE’s order came after Akhtar and his partner Ritesh Sidhwani filed a complaint against Singh before the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IF-TDA), which then referred the matter to FWICE for further intervention.

Ranveer visits Chamundeshwari temple after HC directive

Ranveer Singh on Tuesday visited the Chamundeshwari temple here and offered prayers after the Karnataka High Court directed him to visit the shrine in the Kantara mimicry case against him, officials said. (Agencies)

(PTI) Kajol shared a series of pictures on social media from her film Fanaa as it completed 20 years. The film released on May 26, 2006 and was directed by Kunal Kohli. It featured Kajol alongside Aamir Khan and revolved around blind girl Zooni, who falls in love with her tour guide Rehan, only to realise he is a terrorist and is presumably killed in a bomb blast. Kajol shared pictures on her Instagram handle on Tuesday as she went down memory lane. ‘20 years to Fanaa.. my daughter was 2 and a half years old and I was… but what I remember most was Poland in all its glory.. -27 degrees Celsius, beautiful forests and sleds used on sidewalks,’ she wrote.

MISA

© 2023 UFS Dist. By Andrews McMeel for UFS

YOU CAN’T GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE GRACEFULLY

10/30

(IANS)

Filmmaker Farah Khan, on account of filmmaker and BFF Karan Johars 53rd birthday, revealed that he had worn his mother, Hiroo Johar’s expensive diamond necklace on the special occasion. She gave fans a glimpse of Karan’s trademark wit and luxury-filled style as he celebrated his birthday on the 25th of May. In a fun banter-filled video with filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan, Karan revealed that he was wearing his mother Hiroo Johar’s expensive diamond necklace, leaving Farah visibly amused and surprised. In the video shared on social media, Farah was seen teasing Karan about his extravagant jewellery while wishing him on his birthday.

'Absolute trash'

(IANS)

Renowned Bharatanatyam and Odissi dance exponent Sonal Mansingh has strongly criticised actor Ananya Panday over her Bharatanatyam fusion performance in Chand Mera Dil, calling it ‘absolute trash’ and ‘unacceptable’.

Speaking to ANI amid the ongoing backlash surrounding the performance, Mansingh said the act could not even be described as a proper performance.

“I won’t even call it a performance. I’m sorry. If you can say that Sonal Mansingh performs and Ananya Panday also performs, we can’t say that,’ she said.

A clip from the film has gone viral online, showing Ananya Panday’s character performing Bharatanatyam while co-star Lakshya watches in admiration. The film seemingly intended the sequence to present a modern twist, it has sparked a heated debate on social media, with users flooding the internet with memes and detailed critiques.

Ananya has been receiving severe backlash over her Bharatanatyam fusion performance in Chand Mera Dil.

Sonal Mansingh also rejected claims that the performance represented Bharatanatyam or even a legitimate fusion interpretation of the classical dance form.

“This is not Bharatanatyam, of course not, whatever so-called movement, swinging out and in and all that. I don’t understand,’ she said.

The Padma Vibhushan awardee expressed concern over what she termed the ‘degeneration’ of creative sensibilities in Hindi cinema and accused filmmakers of disrespecting India’s cultural heritage.

“In our country, we ourselves are responsible, whether it is a Hindi film or a Bollywood. I was just watching a dance of Kamala Lakshman from Raj Kapoor’s Chori Chori. It’s unbelievable. People such as Raj Kapoor and others were inviting proper dancers to perform those so-called item numbers,’ she said.

The legendary dancer also referenced celebrated dancers and actors such as Padmini, Waheeda Rehman, Vyjayanthimala, and Sandhya and their contributions to Indian cinema.

© 1975 Peanuts Worldwide LLC. Dist. by Andrews McMeel Syndication.

PEANUTS

Snoopy thinks: “FIVE GOLD RINGS, FOUR COLLY BIRDS”

Snoopy thinks: “THREE FRENCH HENS”

Snoopy thinks: “TWO TURTLE DOVES”

Snoopy thinks: “AND WOODSTOCK IN A BIRCH TREE!”

===AUTHOR===
SCHULZ

(ANI) Netflix is all set to launch MED – its first-ever medical drama straight out of Brazil, reported Deadline. Netflix recently announced a slate of new Brazilian originals, including MED. Set to be backed by production company Paranoid, the show will feature Clara Moneke in the lead. The announcement came soon after Netflix greenlit its first legal drama from Brazil, titled Habeas Corpus, made by Cafe Royal and is currently in production. Among other titles in the slate is a documentary from Maria Farinha Filmes, which follows Brazilian sailor Tamara Klink’s solitary journey across the Arctic. A yet-to-be-titled melodrama series is also in the pipeline, set to be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Rogerio Gomes and produced by A Fabrica. Two comedies also round out the announcement, including comedy special ‘Os Crentes’ and an unnamed project on open marriage.

'Would never be mean to you'

(PTI)

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali on Tuesday issued a clarification over his viral remark about actor Deepika Padukone’s casting in his 2012 movie Cocktail, saying his comments were made in a light-hearted manner and should not be misunderstood.

Ali’s remarks about Deepika sparked controversy online and the director said he decided to post the clarification as he did not want to take a chance on their long standing friendship.

“My dearest and loveliest @deepikapadukone, you are my pal, my buddy, my safe option for humour. I think you will never misunderstand my wannabe fun remarks because you, more than anyone else, know how much I love you, admire you, understand you, and appreciate you.

“But I have been told you might misunderstand and be hurt, so I am telling you plz don’t. To be mean to you ‘is janam mein to possible nahin hai’ (not possible in this lifetime). I never thought I would write such a disclaimer to you, but it’s been a while, and I didn’t want to take a chance. Wish you the best and love always,” he wrote on Instagram.

The controversy stems from an interview that Ali gave while promoting his new movie Main Vaapas Aaunga.

Discussing Cocktail, a movie that he wrote, Ali said Deepika was offered to play Meera but he advised her to take up the role of Veronika, a free-spirited girl residing in London. Ali said he felt Deepika had that side in her despite her image of a ‘good girl’.

His remarks received a mixed response on social media with several calling it unnecessary criticism.

Cocktail, released in 2012, was directed by Homi Adajania and produced by Dinesh Vijan. The story revolved around a love triangle between Veronika, Saif Ali Khan’s flirtatious Gautam Kapoor and Diana Penty’s Meera Sahni, a reserved girl from India who relocates to London. Deepika received critical acclaim for playing Veronika.

Ali directed Deepika in Love Aaj Kal and Tamasha.

(Contd from P-3) has further damaged the local industry by crashing prices and increasing the risk of disease transmission.

Calling the current situation “morally insupportable,” the group demanded an immediate suspension of all bank recovery proceedings, direct compensation for ASF-related losses, and the creation of a state-level relief fund. They also called for stricter regulations on the entry of livestock from outside the state.

Additionally, the federation urged the government to introduce a “Buy Meghalaya Pork” policy to prioritise local farmers and called for the strengthening of veterinary infrastructure in rural areas.

The Federation of Piggery Farmers was established on March 21, 2026, to unite farming societies across the state and advocate for the welfare of pig farmers.