Month: March 2022

Comedian-actor Kapil Sharma recently thanked veteran star Anupam Kher for refuting false claims against him that he deliberately didn’t invite the team of ‘The Kashmir Files’ on his popular TV show.

Last week, the comedian got trolled on social media for allegedly not inviting the team of Vivek Agnihotri’s latest directorial, ‘The Kashmir Files’, on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’. Though Kapil had explained that there was no truth to such claims, ‘Boycott Kapil Sharma’ heavily trended on Twitter.

Reacting to these claims, the lead star of the movie, Anupam Kher, in a recent interview, clarified that he was invited to Kapil’s show but chose not to attend given the movie’s sensitive subject and the show’s light-hearted nature.

However, the veteran actor also said that it was two months ago that he got invited.

On Monday night, Kapil shared a video from Anupam’s interview in which he is telling a TV anchor that he was invited to ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’, but he told his manager that he cannot attend because of the film’s subject matter, which would be inappropriate for a comedy talk show.

Reacting to the video, Kapil wrote on Twitter, “Thank you paji [?][?]@AnupamPKher for clarifying all the false allegations against me. Thanks to those who showered me with so much love without knowing the truth.”

However, Anupam later replied to Kapil saying he wish the comedian would have shared the whole video and not the “half truth”.

The veteran actor tweeted, “Dear @KapilSharmaK9! I wish you had posted the full video and not the half truth. The entire world is celebrating, you also celebrate tonight. Love and prayers always!”

In line with the actor’s tweet, a Twitter user shared the full video of Anupam and Vivek Agnihotri’s discussion of the controversy from the interview.

In the video, Vivek Agnihotri called ‘Kashmir’ the superstar of his film. Meanwhile, Anupam shared about refusing to make an appearance on the show. However, he further added that his refusal wasn’t the reason behind ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’ not promoting ‘The Kashmir Files’.

Further, Vivek divulged that the reason that he was given by the producers was different and is well known to people. Anupam then added that Kapil surely doesn’t have any malice towards him or anyone from the film.

The controversy sparked after ‘The Kashmir Files’ director Vivek Agnihotri wrote on Twitter that his team was not invited to Kapil’s show since the film didn’t feature any big stars.

Responding to a fan who wanted the movie to be promoted on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’, the director wrote, “I don’t get to decide who should be invited on @KapilSharmaK9 show. It’s his and his producers choice whom he wants to invite. As far as Bollywood is concerned, I’d say what once Mr. Bachchan was quoted saying about Gandhis: Woh raja hai, hum rank.”

‘The Kashmir Files’ has received an overwhelming response from fans and critics alike. Until now, the film has made Rs 27.15 crores.

The film, which revolves around the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, had released in theatres on March 11. It stars Anupam, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar, and others.

The film has been declared tax-free in several states including Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Goa, Haryana and Uttarakhand. (ANI)

Marking the 45th birth anniversary of the braveheart Sandeep Unnikrishnan, actor Adivi Sesh paid a tribute to the memories and experiences of the late officer in a special video recreating his real-life moments.

Living the character of Sandeep Unnikrishnan through the journey of the upcoming film ‘Major’, Adivi Sesh not only got deeply acquainted with the heroics of the brave heart but also has been deeply inspired by the courage, kindness and compassion of the late officer.

In a special video dedicated to the later officer, the makers have put together real-life pictures of the various phases and experiences of the NSG commando’s life against the recreated reel life pictures.

After the Karnataka High Court upheld the ban on wearing Hijab in educational institutions, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday urged the students to focus on education, saying “it is a question of fate and education of our children”.

The Chief Minister said, “It is a question of fate and education of our children. Education is more important than anything else. Therefore, we should all follow the verdict of a three-member bench of the High Court. Everyone should co-operate while implementing the orders of the High Court.” All should accept the judgment and maintain peace and law and order, he added.

He said, “All students must comply with the High Court order. Your education is very important. He said all should attend classes, not skip the examinations, shape your future.”

The CM also said, “Necessary arrangements have been made to maintain law and order. As the case is settled by a High Court decision, everyone must agree. On the contrary, if the law is taken into hand, our home department will take necessary action.”

Karnataka Minister ES Eshwarappa said, “I welcome the HC’s decision. Muslim students of the state faced problems for a long time. Someone had misguided them. Quality education should be given to all students. So everyone should accept the order.” (ANI)

India will start vaccinating children in the age group of 12-14 years from March 16, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written to Chief Secretaries of all states.

Only the Corbevax vaccine would be used for the beneficiaries of age group 12-13 and 13-14 years, Bhushan said.
Corbevax has been included as the third vaccine against COVID-19 and will be available at all centres where free vaccination is available, stated Bhushan.

While the precaution dose can now be provided to 60 plus and above. Prioritisation and sequencing of this dose would be based on the completion of nine months from the date of the second dose, stated Bhushan.

Vaccination of precaution dose should be with the same vaccine with which primary vaccination was done, as per Bhushan. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a BJP Parliamentary Party meeting on Tuesday expressed his support for the recently released film ‘The Kashmir Files’ against attempts, he claimed were being made to discredit it.

Bringing out the truth in the right manner, said the PM is always in favour of the nation.
‘Kashmir Files’, directed by filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri revolves around the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the year 1990.

The prime minister during the meeting stated that there are numerous topics such as the 1975 Emergency or the Partition on which no authentic films were made, adding that more films like the ‘Kashmir Files’ need to be made so that people can know the truth.

He said that ‘Kashmir Files’ was being discredited rather than being critiqued on its art or facts. “People who always raise the flag of freedom of expression are restless. Instead of reviewing on facts, the campaign is being been run to discredit it…” the prime minister said.

Addressing BJP’s parliamentary party meeting ahead of the beginning of the day’s proceedings in Parliament, PM Modi stated that there are a lot of topics like the 1975 emergency or the partition on which no authentic films have been made.

He went on to say that the film has shown the truth which was suppressed for years. “Those who tried to hide the truth are opposing the film now,” he said.

Hailing the film PM Modi said: “Through such films, people come to know about the truth and understand who was responsible for any incidents in the past. Who exploited or who did the correct thing, films like these try to project.”

“The Kashmir Files is a very good movie. All of you should watch it. More movies like Gandhi and Kashmiri Files need to be made for people to know the truth,” he said.

Recently, many BJP ruled states exempted the film from entertainment tax, with some Chief Ministers even explicitly backing the movie. On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh government had also declared the film tax free.

‘The Kashmir Files’, which was released in theatres on March 11, stars Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar and others. (ANI)

Youth men boxers Vishwanath Suresh and Vanshaj clinched gold medals on the final day as the Indian contingent concluded their highly successful campaign with 39 medals, including 15 gold, 10 silver and 14 bronze, at the 2022 ASBC Asian Youth and Junior Boxing Championships in Amman, Jordan.

Chennai boy Vishwanath produced a clinical performance during his thumping win against Kyrgyzstan’s Ergeshov Bekzat by unanimous margin in the 48kg final, played late on Monday night. Later Vanshaj, who hails from Sonipat, added second gold to youth men’s tally as he registered a sensational win over Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Ummataliev by a split 4-1 decision in the 63.5kg final.
However, in the +92kg category, Aman Singh Bisht ended with the silver medal after suffering a 1-4 loss to the local boxer Saif Al-Rawashdeh.

It was the second successive medals for Vishwanath, Vanshaj and Aman at the prestigious continental event as Vishwanath and Vanshaj had won silver while Aman had secured bronze in the last edition.

Raman (51kg), Anand Yadav (54kg) and Deepak (75kg) claimed bronze medals with semi-finals finishes in the men’s section as the Indian youth team secured third place in the medals table with 18 medals, including seven gold, three silver and eight bronze medals.

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan claimed first and second position respectively with 23 and 22 medals.

Among youth women, Shaheen Gill, Nivedita Karki, Tamanna, Ravina and Muskan bagged gold medals on Monday.

In the junior section, Indian boxers signed off with 21 medals including eight gold, seven silver and six bronze. Vini, Yakshika, Nikita Chand, Vidhi, Shrushti Sathe, Rudrika clinched gold medals in the girls category while Krrish Pal and Yashwardhan Singh emerged champions in the boys’ category.

Indian junior team claimed second position in the medals table with two medals less than table topper Uzbekistan.

Though the Indian contingent secured the same number of medals as the last editions held in Dubai in 2021, they bettered the gold medal count by one to last edition’s 14 gold medals.

The tournament saw both the age groups of men and women–youth and junior–playing together and witnessed a strong competition in presence of 352 boxers from 21 countries including India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. (ANI)

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, on Tuesday, got fans all hyped up by announcing his new venture in the OTT world, the details of which were later revealed by Salman Khan.

Taking to his Twitter handle, the actor shared a poster of him with his thumbs up and ‘SRK+ Coming Soon’ written on it. Along with it, he tweeted, “Kuch Kuch hone wala hai OTT ki duniya mein.”

The announcement got SRK’s fans and friends all excited and congratulatory wishes started pouring in. Among these well-wishers was Salman, who within a few minutes retweeted and wrote, “Aaj ki party teri taraf se @iamsrk. Congrats on your new OTT app, SRK+.”

Later, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap revealed that he will be collaborating with SRK on his app. He tweeted, “Dream come true! Collaborating with @iamsrk on his new OTT app, SRK+.” Karan Johar wrote on Twitter, “Biggest news of the year! @iamsrk, this is going to change the face of OTT. Super excited!!!”

Last year, SRK had teased his OTT debut by sharing a couple of promotional videos about his absence from these platforms. It featured him in a discussion with his manager while fans thronged the gates of his house Mannat.

SRK was last seen in the 2018 film ‘Zero’, co-starring Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. He will next be seen in ‘Pathaan’, which will arrive in cinemas on January 25, 2023. (ANI)

Around 5.3 lakh posts are lying vacant in various police stations across the country, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Rai, in a written reply to a question by Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi MP Dr T. R. Paarivendhar on vacancies in police stations across the country.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Rai in his response said that as per data on Police Organisations compiled by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), sanctioned strength of police is 26,23,225, actual strength is 20,91,488 and 5,31,737 vacancies are there as on January 1, 2020.

On being asked regarding the action taken by the government to fill these vacancies and the time by which all these vacant posts are likely to be filled, he replied that “Police” is a State subject falling in List-II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.

“It is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments to fill up the vacancies in the police force in their respective States.”

He added the Centre also issues advisories to the States for filling up these vacancies in the States and to bring in the requisite reforms in the police administration to meet the expectations of the people.

“In the States/UTs wise list of sanctioned and actual strength of police as per BRP&D, except the state Nagaland that has 1375 more police personnel then the sanctioned strength, rest of states short fall of their sanctioned strength. In UP over one lakh vacancies of policemen are pending followed by West Bengal (55,294) and Bihar (47,099).” (ANI)