Jimmy Shergill: Horror genre hasn’t caught up well in India

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February 18, 2014

Actor Jimmy Shergill, who will be seen in the soon-to-release horror film Darr @ The Mall, says there is a dearth of filmmakers who can do justice to the horror genre, which he feels has not caught up really well.

“There are one or two people only in our film industry who do justice to this (horror) genre. Otherwise, it’s not a genre that has caught up really well in our industry,” the actor said.

He believes that the genre has a good scope in the country.

“There is a lot of scope for this genre and it is evident from the Hollywood horror films that release in India and the huge business they do. So why can’t our horror films do that much business,” he asked.

In Darr @ The Mall, Jimmy plays a security agent. The film’s premise is a mall haunted with spirits who have killed many people.

Jimmy said that before coming on board for Darr @ The Mall, he was sceptical about trying his hand at horror, but the film’s set-up and the script caught his interest.

“Personally, I love watching horror films but initially I was sceptical of doing horror films. But this time the script was good, character was good, producers were also very nice. Infact, the entire set-up was very nice,” said the Saheb, BiwiAur Gangster fame actor.

Directed by PawanKirpalani, the film also features NushratBharucha and will hit the theatres on February 21.

MPs should maintain decorum in parliament

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Lopamudra Ghosh

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February 18, 2014

It is needless to say that parliamentarians should maintain the dignity and decorum of the Lower House of Parliament. So the sudden and unexpected ruckus created by our various MP’s over the creation of Telangana was certainly uncalled for. The defence techniques meant to be used by girls for protecting themselves against any kind of advances and sexual harassment was used by a Parliamentarian who justifies his action saying that it was an act of self defense. No doubt his act was condemned and led to a chaos in the entire House leaving a few ill.

As if pepper spray was not enough, MP’s tried to pull out the microphone of the Speaker while others held banners and shouted slogans. Many suffered breathing problems and had to rush out of the House in haste panting for fresh air. Congress MP L. Rajagopal, who used pepper spray insisted that he only acted thus after others started “pouncing on him.” What is more shameful was that the whole event was captured by the media which could be aired all around the globe. So we have created a mockery of our parliamentary democracy internationally.

Reacting sternly to the act of indiscipline, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has directed the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges to probe the matter. This is to be done according to the rule 227 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. She insisted that the committee seriously discuss the pros and cons of various security measures to be initiated in this regard. The incident was termed as a “blot on Parliamentary tradition.” It was condemned. The Speaker insisted that the MP’s respect the decorum and democratic values which the House stands for. Three MP’s were hospitalised and for the act of vandalism, seventeen were suspended. Meanwhile, a Congress member from Telangana has asked the Speaker to inductee criminal action against the erring MP.

The issue is that people of Seemandhra are against the creation of Telangana, including Andhra Pradesh CM Kiran Reddy. This issue has led to various strikes and protests in that region. The state’s bifurcation issue has become extremely sensitive with regular eruption of violence. However, MP’s are representatives of people. They should set an example by following discipline and patience. Strict action should be taken against MP’s who act against the decorum of the House. Besides, MP’s should be subjected to frisking. Around two weeks ago, Indian parliamentarians had asked for special treatment from airport officials and airlines. However, if they indulge in such acts of violence, some preventive measures and disciplinary actions should be taken.

Selena Gomez enjoys night out with Niall Horan

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Afternoon Voice

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February 18, 2014

Pop star Selena Gomez was spotted enjoying a night out with One Direction band member Niall Horan.

The duo was seen on what appeared to be a date Feb 16 here.

A fan of the two, using the Twitter handle Jessy Barnett, shared a photo of them during the night out as she and another admirer cuddled up to both Gomez and Horan, reports dailymail.co.uk.

Barnett pasted a cat face over her own countenance for the memento.

Horan, 20, and Gomez, 21, appeared to be having a great time together out in the streets.

The `Come and get it` singer previously dated singer Justin Bieber on and off for a couple of years. She finally called it quits on her relationship with Bieber last year.

Black Eyed Peas planning new album?

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Afternoon Voice

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February 18, 2014

American hip hop band Black Eyed Peas are reportedly planning to come up with a new album.

Some of the bandmembersWill.I.Am, Apl.De.Ep, and Taboo are apparently yearning to hit the road again and perform at the concerts, reported Contactmusic.

“The Black Eyed Peas are all in agreement that they should put a new tour on for the fans – it`s not like they properly split when they parted for a hiatus in 2012,” a source said.

“This time around they`re going to head back into the studio and lay down a new album quickly and then hit the road once again,” the source added.

Will.I.Am, 38, is believed to have been instrumental in persuading the members to get back together.

However the rapper is reportedly finding it tough to get his fourth bandmemberFergie on board.

Mariah Carey’s twins to feature on new album

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Afternoon Voice

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February 18, 2014

After collaborating almost with everyone in the music industry, pop diva Mariah Carey is all set to team up with her twins in a new album.

The singer`s children, two-year-old Moroccan and Monroe, will make their recording debut on their superstar mother`s upcoming album, out in May, reported People magazine.

“It`s a song that I wrote with Bryan-Michael Cox and Jermaine Dupri. There`s a part that Jermaine says on the song that (the kids) loved, and Monroe started to say it.

“I kept having to get my iPhone and record her. So I have all these different takes of her saying things, singing things. Then I`d be like, `This is your new ad lib ?learn it!` I have to make it fun for her,” she said.

Carey isn`t the first singer to feature her child on a new track.Beyonce`s daughter Blue Ivy, 2, appeared with her on `Blue` in December.

Kim Kardashian ‘surprised’ by marriage proposal

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Afternoon Voice

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February 18, 2014

Socialite Kim Kardashian says rapper-fiancé Kanye West`s marriage proposal was the “surprise of a lifetime”.

The ‘Stronger’ hitmaker asked the brunette beauty to be his wife in front of all her loved ones at AT&T Park in San Francisco on her 33rd birthday and Kim, who has eight-month-old daughter North with Kanye, later admitted she had no idea what was going to happen.

“I`m, like, shaking. It is so crazy to me that this is all happening. Kanye really outdid himself. It feels like I`m in a dream. It`s just the most amazing experience. I am the biggest investigator, so the fact that I didn`t see one sign of this happening is the surprise of a lifetime,” contactmusic.com quoted Kim as saying.

Small time journalists joining AAP

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 18, 2014

The AAP party which was formed with an intention to cleanse the political system of India has attracted people from all walks of life from business to the common man. Last month when AAP started holding a party registration drive across the country many people joined it. Even journalists too have jumped on the AAP party bandwagon. Journalists who already are aware about the political scenario prevailing in the country has joined the party for transforming the country by eliminating corruption. Small time-journalists are also joining the party. Many of them feel that AAP party can directly connect with the masses and resolve their problems. They are impressed with party’s style of functioning where the common man is given more importance and decisions are not taken in the closed-door meetings. People are already fed up of the corruption and want to take an initiative to curb this issue which is considered as a social evil.

In past, several eminent journalists have joined the Aam Aadmi Party. Few eyebrows were raised when Ashutosh Managing Editor of IBN 7 had joined the Aam Aadmi Party. Ashutosh is not the first journalist to shift to join the political party. Manish Sisodia, Shazia Ilmi and Rakhi Birla have earlier switched from media to AAP. Abhinandan Sekhri, the co-founder of eminent portal website Newslaundry and also a journalist joined AAP. Sisodia and Birla were ministers in the AAP government at Delhi while Ilmi is a member of the AAP national executive and Abhinandan sekhri is a committee member.

AV contacted several journalists who have joined AAP. Many journalists refused to comment about their decision to join the party as it may lead to conflict of interest.

Chandan Pawar a journalist employed with a weekly Magazine joined AAP and is keen to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Dhule Constituency.

When AV asked Chandan Pawar why many journalists are joining AAP he replied, “Being a journalist, I am aware that AAP is the only party which is honest. This party will transform the society hence I wanted to join it. AAP will eliminate corruption from our society. Other parties are only interested in indulging in politics while AAP’s objective is to work for the welfare of the people.”

Mayank Gandhi, AAP’s national executive member said, “Everyone is aware that AAP party works for the welfare of the common man. Even journalists are interested in joining the party. Hence we are inviting journalists and people working in other fields to join the party.”

Sources from the Maharashtra state Aam Aadmi Party on the condition of anonymity said, “Many journalists are in contact with AAP. They are keen to join the party.”

“Eminent journalist Punya Prasun Bajpai an eminent journalist is likely to join Aam Aadmi Party”, sources informed.

Raj Thackeray’s property to be attached to recover loss in Toll both vandalism?

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Afternoon Voice

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February 17, 2014

The Maharashtra government on Monday said that it is mulling the option of attaching MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s property to recover the cost of damage caused by party activists when they vandalize toll booths across the state.

Home Minister RR Patil said the government may recover the cost by attaching properties owned by Raj.

The MNS has been at loggerheads with the state government over the collection of toll tax across highways in the state.

MNS workers had gone on the rampage, vandalising toll plazas in different parts of the state following party chief’s diktat not to pay the levy and “thrash” those who raise a voice against it.

Raj Thackeray topped up with a direct threat. He warned of “wreaking havoc” at houses of toll contractors who use force to collect the levy.

“I appeal to people of Maharashtra not to pay toll till the state government implements changes in the toll policy,” Raj told after meeting Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on the issue.

Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi alleged that MNS’s agitation against the road toll was stage-managed by both Raj Thackeray and the state government.

“Shiv Sena first raised the toll issue in Kolhapur. To nullify Sena’s agitation, Congress used Raj Thackeray. Congress does not want to win election on the strength of the work it has done. It wants to win by making false assurances to the minorities and fooling them,” the SP leader said in a press release.

Ready to expose Gadkari and his five more scams: Anjali Damania

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 17, 2014

Maharashtra irrigation scam whistle-blower and AAP nominee Anjali Damania today said she is determined to take on BJP heavyweight Nitin Gadkari from Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency here, in order to keep exposing his corrupt ways and alleged involvement in many more scams.

“I was reluctant to fight a poll earlier because of my small kids but in the changing scenario, when AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal gave away his chair of Delhi Chief Minister to fight corruption in the country, how can I sit back home? Hence, I agreed to the party nomination,” said Damania.

“In 2011, I had exposed Gadkari’s nexus with NCP chief and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, and since then I have collected enough material to expose his five more scams. Now I am ready to face and fight him in the 2014 LS polls,” Damania said.
In her first full-fledged interview, Damania said she is aware that were will be a lot of mud-slinging (in the coming days) and therefore she is braced for a vicious campaign.

Damania, who blew the lid off the multi-crore irrigation scam, is now all set to root out corrupt leaders from politics.

“Our fight is against corruption and we want to bring a change and now is the time to begin and bring it,” she said.

“They (BJP) are accusing me of being an outsider (for Nagpur) but I belong to Maharashtra and India. When Rahul Gandhi can fight from Amethi constituency why can’t I fight from Nagpur,” she asked.

The 44-year-old RTI activist had accused the former BJP President of being hand-in glove with Sharad Pawar to suppress the alleged irregularities related to the irrigation projects in the state.

Damania had also alleged that when she approached Gadkari to seek help in filing a PIL in the scam, Gadkari refused to help.

“Now our goal is to clean the system, rout criminals and corrupt politicians from this country… For which AAP is likely to field 300 or more candidates in the forthcoming general elections,” she said.

Minor handicap girl raped in Thane

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 17, 2014

A teenaged handicap girl was allegedly raped repeatedly by her neighbour for nearly a year in Jawahar locality, police said on Monday.

The incident came to light yesterday when the family of the deaf and dumb girl filed a complaint with the police after accused –Navshu Shankar Khuva–refused to marry the victim, who is in her seventh month of pregnancy, Deputy SP Pradeep Jadhav of Jawhar police station said.

Shankar befriended the 17-year-old girl last year and sexually abused her whenever she was alone at home, police said. When her pregnancy was revealed the accused agreed to marry her and both families reached an agreement.

However, he backed out later following which an offence was registered under various sections of the IPC against Shankar, who is now absconding.

Police have launched a man hunt to arrest the accused.