Will Smith says his character of Genie in ‘Aladdin’ will serve as Robin Williams homage

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December 20, 2018

Hollywood actor Will Smith is all set to hit the theatres as ‘Genie’ in the upcoming live-action adaptation of ‘Aladdin.’ In a recent interview, he opened up about the task he has taken up of recreating the iconic character which was originally voiced by Robin Williams.

“Whenever you’re doing things that are iconic, it’s always terrifying. The question is always: Where was there meat left on the bone? Robin didn’t leave a lot of meat on the bone with the character,” an online portal quoted Smith as saying.

While the late actor, who passed away in 2014, surely did a brilliant job of crafting Genie into a character everybody loves, Smith tried to give it his own little twist. In the process, he made sure to keep William alive in the character.

“I started to feel confident that I could deliver something that was a homage to Robin Williams but was musically different. Just the flavour of the character would be different enough and unique enough that it would be in a different lane, versus trying to compete,” he said.

As a treat to the fans, who are eagerly waiting for the film, the makers of ‘Aladdin’ released the teaser of the movie.

The movie stars Will Smith as the magical Genie, Naomi Scott as princess Jasmine, Marwan Kenzari as Jafar, Numan Acar as Hakim and Navid Negahban as The Sultan

Directed by Guy Ritchie, and co-written by John August and Ritchie, the film will hit the theatres on May 24, 2019.

Amber Heard tells what she went through after speaking out about domestic abuse

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December 20, 2018

Actor Amber Heard opened up about the aftermath of her domestic abuse allegations against ex-husband Johnny Depp.

In an opinion piece for the a leading daily, the ‘Aquaman’ star wrote she “felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out against domestic abuse.”

Speaking about how things changed for her when she finally spoke about Depp, the 32-year-old actor revealed, “Friends and advisers told me I would never again work as an actress – that I would be blacklisted. A movie I was attached to recast my role. I had just shot a two-year campaign as the face of a global fashion brand, and the company dropped me.”

Heard continued talking about how her professional life suffered due to talking about the domestic violence she faced.

“Questions arose as to whether I would be able to keep my role of Mera in the movies Justice League and Aquaman,” Heard shared.

The ‘Justice League’ actor also stated that she received death threats after coming forward with her claims against her ex-beau.

“I write this as a woman who had to change my phone number weekly because I was getting death threats. For months, I rarely left my apartment, and when I did, I was pursued by camera drones and photographers on foot, on motorcycles and in cars,” she explained.

“Tabloid outlets that posted pictures of me spun them in a negative light. I felt as though I was on trial in the court of public opinion – and my life and livelihood depended on myriad judgments far beyond my control,” she continued.

Her purpose to address the issue and write the op-ed piece was to push women to talk about their struggles.

Depp and Heard got hitched in 2015 and finalised their divorce in early 2017.

Ben Affleck collaborates with Universal to adapt wilderness drama ‘I Am Still Alive’

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December 20, 2018

Hollywood actor Ben Affleck hopped onboard with Universal Pictures for a film adaptation of ‘I Am Still Alive.’

The news comes after Universal bagged the movie rights to the Kate Allie Marshall novel “I Am Still Alive.” Interestingly, the story is described as a combination of two of the most celebrated Hollywood works, ‘Hatchet’ and ‘The Revenant.’

The plot of the novel revolves around a teenage girl who is forced to live with her off-the-grid dad in Canada after her mother is killed in a car crash.

However, after an unexpected turn of events, she finds herself stranded, far away from her home or any kind of help, with only her father’s dog to give her company. This is when she discovers that she is much stronger than she ever imagined herself to be.

The screenplay will be adapted by Lori Evans Taylor and Universal creative executive Mika Pryce will supervise on behalf of the studio.

Affleck’s past credits include ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’, ‘Justice League’ and ‘The Accountant’. He recently made headlines with his ongoing struggle with alcohol addiction.

‘Startups required to seek tax exemption from inter-ministerial board’

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December 20, 2018

Amid concerns being raised by budding entrepreneurs on angel tax, the commerce and industry ministry said on Thursday that startups need to seek the exemption from an inter-ministerial board set up for the purpose.

Ramesh Abhishek, Secretary in the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), said that the ministry is already taking up the matter with the department of revenue.

Several startups have raised concerns on taxation of angel funds under Section 56 of the Income Tax Act, which provides for taxation of funds received by an entity.

He said that the purpose of section 56(2)(viib) of Income Tax Act was to prevent money laundering, and investments made by AIF (alternate investment funds) are exempted from this provision.

“For HNIs and other type of individual investors, there was no mechanism earlier. So, DIPP and income tax department put in place a mechanism and set up an inter ministerial board.

“People who would like investments to be exempted from this particular provision under the law, have to apply,” he told reporters.

The new board was set up in April.

“We would like more and more startups to apply for tax exemption. If specific issues and problems are pointed out to us by startups, we will take that up with the concerned department,” the secretary said, adding since April only 2 startups have applied for exemption to the board.

“We have a mechanism for exempting genuine investments in startups. So, people should use that mechanism. Everything is online, they should take advantage,” he said.

Startups also enjoy income tax benefit for three out of seven consecutive assessment years.

Hike tax on tobacco, alcohol, regularise Yoga in schools: NITI Aayog

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December 20, 2018

The NITI Aayog has sought a hike in the taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sweetened beverages while suggesting that yoga be made a regular activity in schools to encourages healthy choices and behaviours.

In its ‘Strategy for New India @75’ document released on Wednesday, the government think tank has sought increase in the public funding on health to at least 2.5 per cent of the GDP as envisaged in the National Health Policy, 2017.

To improve the public and preventive health system in the nation, it also called for strengthening the village health sanitation and nutrition day platform to cover a broader set of health issues across various population groups instead of only focusing on child health.

The Aayog also called for activating multiple channels– schools, colleges, women’s groups, traditional events like fairs, social media platforms among others– and prepare communication materials for catalysing behavioural change towards greater recognition of preventive health care.

It also recommended incentivising state governments to invest in creating a dedicated cadre for public health at the state, district and block levels and instituting a public health and management cadre in states.

The Niti Aayog further suggested that a designated agency needs to be set up with the required capacities and linkages to perform the functions of disease surveillance, information gathering on the health impact of policies of key non-health departments and maintenance of national health statistics among others.

Public health, the science of keeping communities healthy through the prevention of disease and promotion of health and wellness, has historically been a low priority in India, the Aayog said.

“Of the total current expenditure on health classified by healthcare functions, preventive care accounts for 6.7 per cent. The money spent on curing people on the other hand is 51 per cent of the expenditure with the remaining money being spent on pharmaceuticals, other medical goods and patient transportation,” it said.

Civil services exam: NITI suggests reducing upper age limit to 27 years

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December 20, 2018

The NITI Aayog has suggested that the upper age limit for entry into the civil services be brought down to 27 years from the present 30 years for general category candidates in a phased manner by 2022-23.

In the ‘Strategy for New India @75’ document released on Wednesday, the government think-tank also pitched for an integrated exam for all civil services.

“The upper age limit for the civil services should be brought down to 27 years for the general category in a phased manner by 2022-23,” the document said.

It also said the existing 60-plus separate civil services at the central and state level need to be reduced through rationalisation and harmonisation of services.

“Recruits should be placed in a central talent pool, which would then allocate candidates by matching their competencies and the job description of the post,” it said.

“Concomitantly, the number of exams for civil services should ideally be brought down to one with all-India ranking. States may also be encouraged to use this pool for recruitments,” the document added.

The document also said the service conditions for employees of autonomous bodies need to be regulated and harmonised.

It noted that reforms in civil services are a continuous process and several initiatives have been taken in recent years by the present government.

Calcutta High Court allows Amit Shah’s Rath Yatra in West Bengal

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December 20, 2018

In a major win for the West Bengal BJP, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday allowed the saffron party to hold three rath yatras, which was scheduled to be flagged off by party chief Amit Shah, across the state. The court also directed the administration to ensure that there is no breach of law and order.

The single bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty had given BJP lawyers 15 minutes to make their final argument and the state government 10 minutes to present their counter-argument before delivering the verdict.

She’s vomiting on Twitter, but I’d like to maintain decorum: Sonu Nigam on Sona Mohapatra

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December 20, 2018

Singer Sonu Nigam has responded to Sona Mohapatra’s tweets against him, saying that though she is “vomiting” on Twitter, he would like to maintain decorum.

Mohapatra had voiced her disapproval with Nigam for his reported comment in support of Anu Malik, who is facing #MeToo allegations. She had earlier called the music composer a “serial predator”.

Nigam was quoted as saying at a media summit over the weekend that Malik, his long time friend, was accused without any proof and had maintained a dignified silence on the #MeToo allegations.

In a statement on Thursday, the singer said, “The respectable lady vomiting on Twitter, is the wife of someone who I consider very close to me, so although she’s has forgotten the relationship, I’d like to maintain the decorum.”

Nigam said that a woman with courage shaming their oppressors is a “refreshing” change.

“Only an animal will not support #MeToo movement. Women with frankness and courage shaming their oppressors, is a refreshing sign of changing times.

“Women have been long oppressed throughout the course of history and it’s high time to end this Tribal mindset of treating them like properties or trophies, and now they walk hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder with men,” he added.

Malik has repeatedly denied all the allegations. His lawyer told PTI at the time that the #MeToo movement was being used for his client’s “character assassination”.

Following the allegations, the music composer stepped down as a jury member from “Indian Idol”, a singing reality show of which he was part since its inception in 2004.

Mohapatra was quick to hit back at Nigam.

“So, now, my identity has become ‘wife’. Not only does your reporter refer to me as that, so does the defender of a serial sexual predator. Big hurray for the boys club & big hurrah to patriarchy, not,” she wrote while tagging news report on the matter.

Govt seeks Parliament’s nod for addl gross expenditure of Rs 85,949 cr

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December 20, 2018

The government on Thursday sought Parliament’s approval for additional gross expenditure of Rs 85,948.86 crore, about half of which is for capital infusion in public sector banks through recapitalisation bonds, during the current fiscal ending March 2019.

Of the total, only Rs 15,065.49 crore would be net cash outgo, said the second batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants 2018-19 tabled by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Lok Sabha.

Through these grants, the government proposes to infuse Rs 2,345 crore in a turnaround plan for national carrier Air India.

“Approval of Parliament is sought to authorise gross additional expenditure of Rs 85,948.86 crore. Of this, the proposal involving net cash outgo aggregates to Rs 15,065.49 crore, and gross additional expenditure, matched by savings of ministries/departments or by enhanced receipts/recoveries aggregates to Rs 70,882.21 crore,” it said.

The government has proposed additional capital infusion of Rs 41,000 crore in state-owned banks through issue of government securities (recapitalisation bonds), said the document.

In October 2017, the government decided to infuse Rs 2.11 lakh crore in PSBs over the next 2 years — through budgetary provisions of Rs 18,139 crore, recapitalisation bonds of Rs 1.35 lakh crore, and the balance through raising of capital by banks from the market while diluting government equity estimated at Rs 58,000 crore.

The government envisaged that PSBs would raise Rs 58,000 crore from the stock markets by March 2019 to meet Basel III norms.

However, due to subdued market conditions, banks have been unable to raise enough funds from the markets so far. In addition, non-performing assets of many banks have seen a spurt in the first two quarters of this fiscal, putting stress on their bottom lines.

As per the document tabled in the Lok Sabha, Parliament’s approval has been sought for expenditure of Rs 250.18 crore for providing additional equity investment in form of bonus shares issued by Oil India Ltd.

Besides, an additional spending of Rs 5,343.78 crore for various projects and schemes of Ministry of Railways has been planned.

The government plans to spend Rs 247.5 crore towards interest subvention for incremental credit to the micro, small and medium enterprises and Rs 500 crore for grant for creating capital assets to National Ganga River Basin Authority, said the document.

Ram temple issue has become another ‘Jumla’ for BJP: Shiv Sena

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December 20, 2018

The Shiv Sena on Thursday attacked senior ally BJP over the Ayodhya issue, saying the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site has become another ‘jumla’ (rhetoric) for the party and it would lead to their ouster from power.

The party said the BJP has not woken up despite its recent electoral defeats in three states and is not ready to learn from what RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat has to say in the context of teachings of the Bhagavad Gita (the Hindu scripture).

There is pressure within the BJP to construct the Ram temple in Ayodhya, but when will “achhe din” (good days) come for Lord Ram, the Sena asked.

“Shree (Mohan) Bhagwat, while citing the Bhagavad Gita says what is the use of the arrogance (by saying) what ‘I’ do is the best. ‘I’ did this. He has given a guiding principle for the BJP,” the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said.

“But what is the use? This government, like Kumbhakarna (the demon king Ravana’s brother known for sleeping for months at a stretch), is not ready to wake up even after humiliating defeats in three states,” the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

The BJP recently lost power to the Congress in the three electorally important states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

The Sena said the whole country wanted the temple to be built and that was the reason it voted for the BJP in 2014.

“However, as the issue too became another ‘jumla’ for the party, its journey for ‘wapsi’ (ouster from power) has begun,” the party said.

“When will achhe din come for Lord Ram, who is living in an open tent for the last 25 years while those in power are warming their seats,” it said in sarcastic remarks.

However, on Wednesday, speaking at an event organised by the Republic TV, BJP Chief Amit Shah said “If the Supreme Court conducts daily hearings of the Babri demolition case, it will not take more than 10 days to get a verdict.”

“Ayodhya is a title issue. The BJP clearly states that we want to build a temple on the same site. The case was pending before the SC much before 2014. We have requested the court to clear the case and complete its hearings at the earliest,” Shah had said.

The Sena claimed there was a lot of pressure within the BJP to construct the Ram temple. Questions over its construction are being raised in every meeting of the party but its high command has “no answers”.

“Internally, the party has become restless as the rulers do not have a proper plan,” the Marathi daily claimed.

The Sena, an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra, also demanded that cases against those who demolished the Babri mosque be withdrawn.

“Leave aside bringing an ordinance for Ram temple. You have not even taken back cases against those who demolished the Babri Masjid. Now that the presidential elections are long over and Lal Krishna Advani isn’t going to be the president, dissolve the Babri court,” the Sena demanded.

Advani was widely tipped as a front-runner for the post of President in July 2017 before a Supreme Court ruling in April that year on the Babri Masjid demolition case effectively ruled him out of the race.

On April 19, 2017, the Supreme Court had said BJP stalwarts Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti would be prosecuted for serious offence of criminal conspiracy in the politically-sensitive 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case and had ordered day-to-day hearing and trial concluded in two years.