Arjun Kapoor completed the shooting of “India’s Most Wanted” on Monday.
The 33-year-old actor, who is collaborating with Raj Kumar Gupta on the project, will be seen playing the role of an intelligence officer for the first time on celluloid.
Kapoor announced the news on Twitter.
“Some journeys are special because of the team and the effort that the people put in to fulfil a vision… as my 12th film #indiasmostwanted wraps today all I can say is @rajkumar_rkg sir.
“It’s been an honour and privilege to work with you and your team to tell a story that needed to be told and to play one of the many unsung heroes we have in our country,” the actor wrote.
Gupta is co-producing the film with Fox Star Studios.
Actor and director Nandita Das on Sunday said that the beauty about art is that pain gives rise to something stronger and deeper.
Das, whose 2018 film ‘Manto’ on famous Urdu author Saadat Hasan Manto would be screened at the 24th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), said the writer had produced his best stories in his worst times.
“It is true artistes, writers, filmmakers flourish most when they go through really bad times,” the actor said.
At the same time, she came up with the reference of Ritwik Ghatak and Satyajit Ray as a counter-point and exceptions to her initial argument.
“I don’t know if there is a direct connection. Because great filmmakers such as Ritwik Ghatak and Satyajit Ray, processed life differently and reacted to life differently.
“However, the beauty about art remains that pain gives rise to something stronger, something deeper,” she observed while delivering the Satyajit Ray Memorial Lecture at the 24th KIFF.
Speaking on the present situation in the world, Das said, “In a way for me, doing Manto was a great pain. As the world today is so full of strife, which is constantly dividing us and telling us how we are different.”
Stating that sectarian violence was causing fissures in humanity, she said, “We are divided in the name of religion, caste, gender and colour of skin.”
Tracing the life of Manto, who died in 1955 in Lahore at the age of 43, Das said, “Manto had spoken the inconvenient truth and faced hardships in his life. It happens to many of us till this date, when people get imprisoned and I am trolled.”
She said to do a film on ‘Manto’ was not just to introduce viewers to the man he was.
“It is rather to support the Mantos that exist today. The film will make us uncomfortable collectively as a society,” she said.
Saying that the concern, struggle and dilemma of Manto resonated deeply in her own dilemma, struggle and concerns, Das said, “Both my directorial films – Firaaq and Manto – were borne out of compulsions to tell these stories of struggle.”
Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays the character of writer Saadat Hasan Manto in the film.
Describing Manto as “one of the pioneers of progressive writing,” Das described him as a “deeply sensitive and secular human.”
Manto was “very free spirited”, she said.
The “only time he did not write (was) during partition.
Some of his famous partition violence stories were written later, Das said during her lecture.
It was an iconic off-screen crossover of two of Netflix’s most popular series when “Narcos: Mexico” stars Michael Pena and Diego Luna met the cast and crew of “Sacred Games”.
Pena and Luna, along with showrunner Eric Newman, landed in Mumbai on Saturday night.
Team “Narcos: Mexico” met “Sacred Games” stars Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, showrunner Vikramaditya Motwane, directors Anurag Kashyap and Neeraj Ghaywan and writer Varun Grover for an intimate Sunday evening.
The event was attended by several Indian filmmakers including Zoya Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Vishal Bhardwaj, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Abhishek Chaubey, Anvita Dutt, Raja Menon, Anand Tiwari, Leena Yadav and Reema Kagti.
Pena and Luna, who are in India to promote the upcoming fourth season of the Netflix Original series, are spending time exploring the food specialities around the city.
On Sunday, they visited the Taj Mahal Palace to marvel at the Gateway of India and even sipped city’s famous cutting chai.
The duo recently attended the streaming giant’s See What’s Next Asia event in Singapore.
The first three seasons of “Narcos” were set in Colombia and focused on the rise of Pablo Escobar and after his downfall, the Cali Cartel.
The rebooted fourth season has moved the story to Mexico and will chart the rise of the Guadalajara Cartel in the 1980s as Felix Gallardo (Luna) takes the helm.
Meanwhile, DEA agent Kiki Camarena (Pena) moves his wife and young son from California to Guadalajara to take on a new post.
“Narcos: Mexico” starts streaming from November 16, whereas a second season of “Sacred Games” has been ordered.
Bryan Cranston has said he is excited about the big-screen adaptation of “Breaking Bad” but is clueless about whether his character Walter White would appear in the film at all.
Last week it was announced that a movie adaptation of the hit drama series is underway with creator Vince Gilligan.
Cranston said Gilligan had reached out to him for the project and he would be up for reprising his role if asked.
“Yes, there appears to be a movie version of ‘Breaking Bad’, but honestly I have not even read the script. I have not gotten the script, I have not read the script. And so, there’s the question of whether or not we’ll even see Walter White in this movie. Ohhhhh! Think about that one…
“There’s a lot of people who felt that they wanted to see some kind of completion to some of these storylines that were left on. And this idea, from what I’m told, gets into those at least a couple of the characters who were not completed as far as their journey,” the actor said on “The Dan Patrick Show”.
The AMC show, headlined by Cranston, centred around the transformation of White, a chemistry teacher into a methamphetamine-making drug lord.
The actor dubbed “Breaking Bad” as “the greatest professional period of my life” and said he would love to come back.
“There is an appearance, or what kind of appearance flashbacks, flash-forwards, I have no clue. But I’m excited about it because it’s ‘Breaking Bad’ and it was, and I can’t wait to see all those people again, even if I just come by to visit,” he said.
The show ran for six seasons till 2013 and ended with White’s death.
Its prequel spin-off “Better Call Saul” will have its season five premiere next year.
“The Big Bang Theory” star Johnny Galecki says working on the show has been such a fun ride that nobody wanted to address its end which was due.
The actor, who plays Leonard Hoffstader in the hit CBS series, says dealing with the finale is an “emotional” feeling but he believes it is the right time to wrap the show.
“I’m getting emotional now talking about it. I don’t think anyone was in disagreement about it but that doesn’t mean that it was an easy conversation. There were a lot of tears and a lot of hugs. But even if we took the show to Season 35, that conversation is inevitable, and still would have been just as difficult and emotional. Nobody really wanted to say it out loud but it was time to talk about it.
“I don’t know if this will resonate at all but I keep thinking a good allegory for it is when you’re on a long road trip, which I like to do a lot, and you think, ‘I can keep going. I’m happy. I still have energy. I can go a couple of hundred more miles,’ but it’s not until you start to pull off the freeway that you realise, ‘No. This was a good idea. We should end this trip now’,” Galecki told News.com.au.
The actor says he could not drop any hints about the season finale, which airs next year, as he is conflicted about it.
“No, but not because I’m trying to be enigmatic, I just don’t know. The last episode is something that we’ve talked about for many, many years and there’s many variations and options. I just hope whatever we’re doing in that last episode it justifies the characters all crying because I know the cast will be.”
Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon Cooper in “TBBT”, set the ball in motion for the show’s bowing out when he decided to leave.
Galecki also rubbished the rumours of a spin-off without Parsons, saying, “Oh, absolutely not. The show could not continue without Jim.”
“No one has any interest (in a ‘Big Bang Theory’ spin-off), he added.
A prequel spin-off, based on Sheldon’s childhood in Texas, “Young Sheldon” is already in its second season.
Actors Harry Shum Jr and Shelby Rabara are pregnant with their first baby.
The “Crazy Rich Asians” star shared the news on Instagram Sunday.
Shum Jr, 36, shared a funny, captionless picture with him cradling the baby bump, with his wife giving an expression of surprise.
Rabara, 35, also revealed the news on Instagram, where she posted a couple of pictures – one of her cradling her stomach, and another of her and Shum, which shows him embracing his wife.
The couple recently celebrated their 12th anniversary of being together. They married in November 2015 after getting engaged in October 2013.
Twenty-five Dalits converted to Buddhism in a ceremony in Shamli district, alleging discrimination against the community.
Dalit leader Devidas Jayant, who also converted, said they had taken the step due to discrimination and atrocities against the community.
Bodh bhikshu Bhante Pergyashil was performed the conversion ceremony, he said.
Circle Officer Rajesh Kumar Tiwari said the event had not taken place under any coercion and added that everyone had the freedom to follow any religion they desire.
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on Monday filed its preliminary probe report relating to CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma in a sealed cover in the Supreme Court.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul took the report on record and fixed the next hearing on November 16.
During the hearing, interim CBI Director M Nageswar Rao also filed his report on decisions taken by him from October 23 till date as head of the agency.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that former apex court judge A K Patnaik supervised the CVC inquiry which was completed on November 10.
The CJI observed that the Registry was open on Sunday also but no intimation was given to the Registrar regarding filing of the report.
Later the SG tendered an apology and said though he was not explaining the circumstances there was delay on their part in submitting the report.
The Union Home Ministry has given consent to the proposal of name change in 25 villages and towns in different parts of the country in last one year. I believe that the government should close down the name changing the trend in the country because there are so many core issues to be solved such as improving the livelihood of the poor, ensuring that they have better access to health care and creating employment opportunities for the unemployed youth and so on. Why is the government engaged in an unproductive renaming spree? How far is it a justice? Moreover, it also shows the least concern for governance and that is about misplaced priorities. It is also the fact that renaming of a place cannot change its geographical status.
– Mohd Faheem
2) Controversy on glorifying Tipu Sultan
It refers to the controversy on glorifying Tipu Sultan by Karnataka government under the compulsion of alliance-politics celebrating his birth-anniversary with both Chief Minister and his deputy skipping the event. It is significant that Karnataka Chief Minister was against any such celebration when he was not in power with BJP always opposing such celebrations as Tipu Sultan was accused of forcible religion-conversions.
Such celebration at state-level started in the year 2015 amidst protests and resistance only for appeasing pseudo-secular vote-bank politics. The state government should end the controversy by forming a study-team of historians for studying if Tipu Sultan really made forced religious-conversions and extinction of Kodavas community with allegations of killing 70,000 of the community and capturing other 90,000.
If allegations are proved true, then not only the celebration of birth-anniversary but even his glorification in any manner should be stopped.
– Madhu Agrawal
3) The hypocrisy of Hindutva elements
The Hindutva elements are trying to appropriate the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala as an assault on the Hindu religious beliefs. The pressure tactics are being used as regard to the Ayodhya issue as well. The Hindutva groups were on the top of the world when the Apex Court struck down the Islamic practice of Triple Talaq. Also, they welcomed the Mumbai High Court judgment upholding the permission of entry to all women in Haji Ali Dargah and the Supreme Court judgment that the mosque is not an integral part of Islam. When the Muslim fundamentalist cried over their religious beliefs, they were diminished. Now the hypocrisy of Hindutva is evident when the Sabarimala judgment is being opposed tooth and nail. The BJP president Amit Shah has even gone to the extent of advising the Apex Court over this issue.
– Mohd Usmani
4) Welcome initiative by Maha Election Commission on NOTA
It refers to Maharashtra State Election Commission MSEC ruling that should None-Of-The-Above NOTA ever get the maximum number of votes in an election, then none of the contesting candidates will be declared as elected and fresh elections would be held in all polls and by-polls to Panchayats and municipalities in the state, has ruled that the order will be applicable to polls and by-polls to all civic bodies and Panchayats. But to avoid the chain of by-elections caused by NOTA winning every time, NOTA button should be disabled in any by-election caused due to NOTA winning the polls.
It is time that the Election Commission of India should adopt the initiative made by MSEC by giving NOTA practical value by making a provision of re-poll to be held in case of NOTA getting highest votes. But to avoid any chain of re-elections caused by NOTA again winning the re-election in such case, NOTA button may be disabled in subsequent re-election caused by NOTA getting maximum votes. Also, all those getting votes less than NOTA should be disqualified to contest any election in a lifetime. The system will make political parties put best possible candidates so as to avoid NOTA winning election, and in practice will avoid any such possibility of NOTA winning in future.
– Subhash Chandra Agrawal
5) The forest department’s step can’t be titled by crime
It is being observed after the killing of tigress Avni, many people and organisations are raising their voice against this step of forest department saying that it was an illegal or criminal step as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra also has ordered a probe into her murder. But what about those 13 people who were killed by Avni? No one seems to be concerned about them and their families. I appreciate all those who are concerned about the tigress Avni, but I want to ask them is there any value of a human life? Which organisation or Minister did come forward to assist the bereaved families when they lost their breadwinners? The step that was taken by the forest department cannot be titled by criminal or illegal step, because it was just to protect the villagers who were afraid even of going to their farms.
– M.F.U.Tandvi
6) Tip in temperature
Winter climate started mildly and arrived with a message and the temperature dips. It is time to protect the body from the cold by wearing cloth which keeps you warm. Winter memories are fresh in our minds. Slowly but surely the temperature will drop down in the coming weeks and it is time to take care of the health. With cold climate, the pollution levels are also very high and causing health issues for people having asthamatic trouble and suffering from breathing problems. Furthermore, the wind speed was low and so it did not allow swift dispersion of pollutants. Both sick seniors and infants suffer because of the change in weather. It is better to take precautions rather than expose to the vagaries of weather. Wearing the protective dress and to cover the face when going out in the morning hours will help to withstand the dip in temperature as preventive measures.
– C.K.S. Maniam
7) Beyond barriers
When my good wishes for Swapna Barman that she has clinched the gold medal, at the same time the Adidas company does deserve a salute. Asian Games gold medallist Swapna Barman will receive seven pairs of customised shoes, one each for the different events of Heptathlon, sports giants Adidas announced a few days back.
Swapna, who became the first Indian to secure a gold medal in the heptathlon at the Asian Games held earlier this year, was born with six toes in both her feet. Her plight was highlighted after she clinched the gold medal at the Jakarta Games.
After a detailed foot analysis, the brand has decided to support Swapna by designing customised high-performance footwear and shall be providing her with seven unique pairs, one each for the seven different events of Heptathlon. Her accomplishment and victory have made the entire country proud. She should be an ideal for others as she has created a hope for millions of young people especially ladies across India and gave them hope to prove their talents at the international stage. The government should take a lesson from Adidas.
I hope she would be provided with more facilities to train and enhance her skills by the centre.
– A.Z.S. Qasmi
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
The confessing of sins should be a part of a Catholic lifestyle in order to refresh one’s relationship with God. Confession is one of the Seven Sacraments taught in the Catholic Church and is encouraged to be practiced frequently. There are various perspectives on the Sacrament of Reconciliation on whether or not confession before a priest is necessary considering the opportunity to confess one’s sins to God through prayer. However, those that believe that a priest should be present are not only driven by the words of the Holy Scriptures, but the overall emotional and spiritual impacts left on them.
The Bible includes many verses that explain why it is important to confess one’s sins. The Catholic Church took the confessing of sins to the next level when the Sacrament of Reconciliation was created. The Catholic Church created this sacrament to give Catholics the opportunity to go to a higher power within the church and confess their wrongdoings, and receive a penance. Once the sins have been confessed, the sinner is believed to receive God’s grace and mercy through the priest.
Branching off of the factual conception that supports the idea of confession with the participation of a priest comes the emotional and spiritual aspects that are accompanied with the process of confession. The environment of the church is very welcoming and joyous as well as understanding and open to all things, making confession much more at ease. It is understood that confession through prayer is, and can be acceptable yet the some of the perks of Catholicism is evident through the one on one conversation with God with the help of a priest. For the Catholic Church proclaims that the sacrament of confession is Christ’s gift to us other than the church’s advertisement. With this gift, one who goes into confession with full honesty is guaranteed an overwhelming experience along with the cleansing of their sins.
Although confessing one’s sins is crucial in maintaining a strong relationship with God, some may view a direct confession with the Lord as more powerful, rather than reconciling to a priest. This way, ones confessions are private, and it provides an intimate setting to receive forgiveness. Some may not feel comfortable sharing sins they have committed with a priest. Traditionally, Catholic Reconciliation is to be done in front of a priest; however, many Christian denominations believe that confession is meant to be kept between God and an individual. In addition, confession between God and a person can be done more frequently, at any time or place. Although a priest to guide you through reconciliation may be helpful, for some it is best to create a sacred bond of confession between God and themselves.
Whatever one does, whether it is confessing before a priest or directly to God through prayer, God called on all sinners to confess their sins in one way or another. Although the Catholic Church provides evidence from the Bible that suggests that God wanted sinners to confess to a priest, there are many passages that simply say that confessing sins is necessary, yet it does not specify to whom the sins must be confessed to. The purpose of confession is to acknowledge that one has given into temptation, but also has the desire to repent. When one confesses their sin directly to God, or to a priest, the benefits are really no different. Once the sins have been recognised and have been told to God or a priest, the sinner receives immediate grace from God and the relationship with Him will continue to flourish.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
