December 2022 - Page 9 of 51 - Lokmarg

Salman Rang Into His 57th B’day

By LokMarg 27th December 2022

You may love him or hate him but Bollywood megastar Salman Khan, who rang into his 57th birthday on Tuesday, can’t be simply ignored as he is a man of all seasons and a mammoth success at the box office despite all his controversies.

To connect with his fans better, like a true star, he manages to please them every now and then. He is considered among the biggest names in the Indian film industry as his charisma is more than enough to pull audiences into cinemas.
No actor of his generation has the same fan following. Even at this age, he can make girls drool over him and boys pump iron to get his enviable six-pack.

Such is the following enjoyed by the star when he flexes his bulging muscles on the silver screen, fans are even ready to let logic take a backseat. So, what makes Salman different from his contemporaries?

Salman’s wide appeal is his USP, and he makes the most of it, thus a movie is often certain to be a smash when his name is associated with the project. The euphoria generated by the actor’s macho image has placed him ahead of all the other actors in town.

Salman is truly a trendsetter. The action-induced spectacles, audience-friendly wisecracks, dancey tracks, slick camerawork, and above all, superhero-style fireworks have all come to be associated over the years with the Sallu formula. Basically, Salman is all about swag and millions of viewers seem to just love it.

What also worked exceptionally well for Salman were the one-liners like ‘Dil mein aata hoon samajh mein nahin’, ‘Ek baar jo maine commitment kar di’, ‘Mujh par ek ehsaan karna ki mujh par koi ehsaan na karna’, amongst a slew of others.

Apart from his onscreen persona, Salman is also an out and out family man. From years now the family has been staying together at the Galaxy apartment. We often see all of them going for family dinners and at several events. Also, Salman doesn’t only love his mother but he pampers his stepmom, Helen too.

Further, everybody is aware of Salman’s foundation of Being Human. He is probably one of the only stars to start a foundation for the kids and the poor.

Almost all of Salman’s films have entered the 100 crore club and some even entered the 300 crore club. And just like on the big screen, his movies have worked on the small screen too.

With films like ‘Tiger 3’ along with the ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ sequel already in place, here’s wishing many more years of unending success to one of the biggest commercial action stars that the Indian film industry has ever witnessed since its inception. (ANI)

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US: Death Toll Reaches 50 Due To Winter Storm

By LokMarg 27th December 2022

As the US continues to stay in deep freeze, the death toll has reached at least 48 as the blizzard stranded motorists, knocked electricity out for thousands of people and made it difficult for emergency crews to get residents trapped in their cars, Al Jazeera reported on Monday.

The extreme circumstances in western New York were caused by numbing cold, howling winds, and heavy “lake-effect” snow, which was picked up by freezing air flowing over warmer lake waters.
During a press conference on Monday, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced that at least 25 people had perished as a result of the storm, which hit the area over the Christmas holiday weekend, reported Al Jazeera.

Hardly hit, Buffalo city of western New York has been highly hit by snow storms. Numerous regions were also left without power as a result of the blizzard.

The storm capped an Arctic freeze and winter storm front that had spanned most of the United States for days, reaching all the way south to the Mexican border. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses remained without power on Monday as rescue and recovery efforts continued, according to Al Jazeera.

Citing the White House statement, The Hill reported on Monday that President Biden spoke by phone with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and offered federal assistance as New York deals with a massive winter storm that has claimed more than two dozen lives.

“The President shared that his and the First Lady’s prayers are with the people of New York and all those who lost loved ones. He expressed his gratitude to the Governor for her leadership and to the National Guard, law enforcement, and first responders for their tireless work,” the White House said in a statement.

As a consequence of the Arctic blast and the winter storm, numerous people have died and suffered weather-related road accidents or the cold.

The storm has sent temperatures well below freezing across the US and has destroyed Christmas eve for many. As it pounded regions, the storm delivered hurricane-force winds and whiteout conditions.

All kinds of transportation – planes, trains, and vehicles – were disrupted due to the storm this holiday weekend, closing hundreds of miles of road and air travel cancellations.

Total flight delays within, into, or out of the US amounted to about 4,000 as of Saturday morning, according to flight tracking website FlightAware, which showed that total US flight cancellations stood at around 2,000, as per CNN.

Plummeting temperatures were predicted to bring the coldest Christmas Eve on record to several cities from Pennsylvania to Georgia. (ANI)

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Delhi Wakes Up To Dense Fog As Cold Wave Continues In NCR

By LokMarg 27th December 2022

Cold wave continued in the national capital as the minimum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 7 degrees Celcius on early Tuesday morning.

Dense fog was observed as the cold wave continued in Delhi.
Earlier on Monday, the India Meteorological Department predicted cold day/severe cold day conditions in Delhi.

“Cold Day/Severe Cold Day Conditions very likely in some parts over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and West Rajasthan and cold day conditions in isolated pockets over Uttarakhand on 26th and 27th December 2022,” IMD had said in a bulletin at 3.30 pm on Monday.

The weather department had also predicted dense to very dense fog in Delhi and nearby regions.

“Due to prevailing light wind and high moisture in lower tropospheric levels, Dense to Very Dense Fog is very likely to continue over some parts of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, and West Rajasthan during the next 48 hours,” the IMD said on Monday.

Earlier on Monday, the national capital New Delhi reeled under a cold wave and foggy conditions. Delhi on Sunday recorded a minimum temperature of 5.3 degrees celsius while most parts of northern India witnessed temperatures in a range between 3 to 7 degrees Celsius said India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday. (ANI)

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Hindutva Gang Hates SRK Because He Represents A Plural India

By LokMarg 27th December 2022

Vyalok, a Lucknow-based film buff and critic, debunks the controversy over Shahrukh-starrer ‘Pathaan’ and raises other problematic issues related to it

The current controversy over the movie song, Besharam Rang, reminds me of an old interview of Shahrukh Khan. The ‘boycott culture’ was not very prevalent then but it was emerging. The interviewer asked King Khan if was afraid of his films drawing boycott calls over sentiment of a particular segment.

Shahrukh, in his typical disarming smile, responded: “I have a lot of admirers in India. Uncountable. You may call it my arrogance but my admirers would outnumber my haters at any point of time. Second, this boycott thing is a good excuse for anyone who makes a bad film and fails at the box office. I know if my film is not good, it will be a flop.”

This is the straightforwardness and confidence of Shahrukh that makes the Hindutva brigade jealous of him. Just look at his stature. Shahrukh is one of the most widely identified Indian actors worldwide. Shahrukh is the brand ambassador of Dubai. He represents India’s composite culture and tolerance. And that is what riles the Hindutva groups. Clearly, vulgarity and saffron robes were not the real reason behind the protest calls; you can dig out far more vulgarity with similar robes all over the Internet and in popular movies.

His measured response in the face of the Pathaan song controversy – when he talked of positivity –speaks volumes of his maturity as a celebrity. Previously too, he has kept himself calm and composed amid controversies related to his family and films. There are many film actors who have pandered to the political powers that be for commercial gains and support but not Shahrukh.

ALSO READ: ‘Boycott Culture Won’t Work, Nor Will Vulgarity’

Having said that, I would like to add that I did find the Besharam Rang song problematic for reasons other than vulgarity. This pertains to the image of Shahrukh. Allow me to quote from another interview of King Khan with TV anchor Rajdeep Sardesai. In that interview, Khan admitted that he was a slave of his image as projected on the silver screen. This is disconcerting. Do we need to ask Shahrukh why is he still carrying on as an actor with a co-actor half his age? SRK is capable of handling the Hindutva brigade and cancel culture, but he must fight his own demons too.

In the said song, In Besharam Rang song, he appears to be an apology for his past self. Vaibhavi Merchant’s choreography is trying too hard but fails to capitalize on the magic Shahrukh-Deepika couple. Must he resort to this nonsense to remain the ‘King of Romance’?

And it is not only about Shahrukh. All Bollywood actors above 55 years of age need to rethink their roles as they age. Hindi writer Nirmal Verma wrote that “aging is a graceful process”. Even Amitabh Bachchan did not understand this point until his company was doomed and he had to reincarnate himself with a white beard in KBC.

Look at Hollywood. Leave Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino, Robert De Nero, etc, and even actors like Bruce Willis, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are choosing roles to suit their age. But here, the Hindi Hero is not ready to come out of his Armani suit and six-pack obsession! And then we raise our eyebrows when just one Hindi film gets listed in the Top-10 list of 2022!

If not Hollywood, our Hindi heroes can look closer home at the South superstar Rajinikanth. When he is not on the screen, he can be seen in a kurta-pajama with a bald head. This is not just his simplicity, it is a statement that Rajini Thalaliva sells dreams on the screen. In real life that façade is off, gracefully.

As told to Abhishek Srivastava

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Actor Tunisha Sharma’s Last Rites To Be Held Today In Mumbai

By LokMarg 27th December 2022

The last rites of Actor Tunisha Sharma, who died allegedly by suicide on the sets of a TV serial, will be held on Tuesday at around 3 pm in Mira Road in Mumbai.

The maternal uncle of Tunisha said that her body was brought from JJ Hospital to the mortuary of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Hospital in Bhayandar West late last night.
Tunisha Sharma’s family will go to the hospital by 12 noon and Tanisha’s body will be brought to her Mira Road home.

“Last night deceased’s mother was unwell, she felt dizzy when she saw Tunisha’s body,” said Tunisha’s maternal uncle.

Tunisha’s family issued a statement saying, “Our beloved Tunisha Sharma. With a sorrowful heart, we are informing you that Tunisha Sharma left us for their heavenly abode on 24th December 22. We wish for everyone to come and offer their last prayers to the departed soul.” Her cremation will take place at Mira Road cremation ground. The last rites ceremony will begin at 3 pm in Bhayander East.”

Tunisha Sharma was found dead on the sets of a TV serial. According to Waliv Police, they received information that after the tea break, the actress went to the toilet and when she did not come back, the police broke the door open and found that she had hanged herself.

No suicide note was recovered at the spot by police.

Earlier on Monday, the deceased actor’s mother accused Sheezan Khan, the prime suspect in her daughter’s death case of cheating on her and breaking his promise to marry her as she urged the police not to spare him.

Vanita Sharma accused her daughter’s former boyfriend of cheating on Tunisha and said Sheezan broke up with the 21-year-old despite promising to marry her.

Releasing a statement, Tunisha’s mother said, “Sheezan cheated on Tunisha. Started a relationship with her first, promised her of marriage and then broke up with her.”

“He (Sheezan) had involvement with another girl, while he was in a relationship with Tunisha,” she added.

“He used her for three-four months,” Tunisha Sharma’s mother said, adding that Sheezan should not be spared.

The ‘Ali Baba: Dastaan e Kabul’ actor had broken up with the actress 15 days before she was found dead inside a TV set toilet on December 24.

The police on Sunday said following the separation, she went into depression. She is said to have been under a lot of stress.

Tunisha Sharma’s former boyfriend Sheezan Khan has reportedly told police that he was “so disturbed by the atmosphere in the country that emerged after the gruesome murder of Shraddha Walkar” allegedly by her live-in partner, that Khan decided to end their relationship, sources said on Monday.

During his first day in police custody on Sunday, Sheezan told Waliv police that he ended the relationship with Tunisha after seeing repercussions emerging from the Shraddha Walkar case and told his former paramour that belonging to a different community stands in their way as did their age gap.

During interrogation, Sheezan further revealed that Tunisha had earlier also attempted suicide after they broke up. “Tunisha had recently tried to commit suicide a few days before her death, but at that time I saved her and told Tunisha’s mother to take special care of her,” police sources quoted Sheezan as saying.

On Sunday, a court in Vasai, Maharashtra, sent actor Sheezan Khan to police custody for four days in connection with Tunisha Sharma’s alleged suicide case.

Waliv police produced Khan in the court after his arrest in the case for abetment to suicide. The case was registered against him under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code.

Waliv police received information on December 24 that after a tea break, the actress went to the toilet and when she did not come back, the police were called.

The police broke the door open and found the actor hanging.

The police have sent the mobile phones of both Tunisha and Sheezan to the forensic lab so that the calls and chats between the two can be retrieved to understand what happened between the duo and what drove Tunisha to death after 15 days of breakup,” police sources said.

In another revelation, Waliv police said that Tunisha’s blood sample, ornaments, and clothes will be sent to Kalina Forensic Lab for forensic examination.

The police are now probing the reason behind her alleged suicide. (ANI)

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Sisodia Directs Hospitals To Boost Covid Preparedness

By LokMarg 26th December 2022

Amid the continuing global surge in Covid-19 cases, the Delhi government on Monday directed all public hospitals in the national capital to ramp up preparations and augment supplies in anticipation of rising infections in the coming days.

According to an official statement issued on Monday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia chaired a review meeting with directors and medical superintendents of government hospitals during which he asked them to prepare for a rise in Covid cases in the near future.
Sisodia directed the hospital heads to take stock of Covid-preparedness and ensure that all requirements, in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Union Health Ministry, are met.

He also directed them to submit a compliance report to the Health department.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party government in the national capital approved a budget of Rs 104 crore for government hospitals to procure general medicines and prepare for Covid-induced contingencies in the immediate future.

Reviewing the Covid-related arrangements at public hospitals, Sisodia directed that the details with regard to beds, ventilators, ICUs, number of doctors and nurses, oxygen plants, field staff, and medicines are to be shared with the Health Department by Monday evening.

“According to the directions of the Union government, a mock drill will be organized in all hospitals on Tuesday, December 27, to ensure operational readiness for effective Covid management. In case of any gaps, the issue will be addressed immediately by the health officials concerned,” Sisodia added.

The focus of the mock drill will be on assessing bed capacities, human resources, referral resources, testing capacities of hospitals, medical logistics, telemedicine services, and medical oxygen, among others, the deputy CM said.

Apart from the operational preparations for Covid, the government also sanctioned funds totalling Rs 104 crores to enable government hospitals to stock up on life-saving medicines.

Sisodia said, “This amount has been approved by the government to ensure that there is no shortage of any medicines in government hospitals and they are well prepared to deal with an emergency.” (ANI)

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Pushpa Kamal Dahal Takes Oath As Nepal’s New PM

By LokMarg 26th December 2022

CPN-Maoist Centre chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ was on Monday sworn in as Prime Minister of Nepal.

He was sworn in by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari a day after his appointment as Prime Minister following fresh elections in the Himalayan nation.
Dahal, also known by his nom de guerre Prachanda, was appointed PM for the third time after he secured the support of 169 members of the Parliament to form the new government.

He served as Prime Minister of Nepal from 2008 to 2009 and again from 2016 to 2017.

Prachanda approached the President for his appointment as Prime Minister after a coalition of six parties decided to support him to form the next government. The general elections did not produce a clear winner.

The unexpected decision came after the CPN-Maoist Centre abruptly severed ties with Sher Bahadur Deuba’s Nepali Congress party which had been in power along with its allies.

Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) is among the parties in the new ruling coalition.

Prachanda and Oli have struck an agreement to govern the country on a rotational basis, with Oli agreeing to make Prachanda Prime Minister first as per the latter’s demand.

Ironically, in 2021, it was after the Prachanda and Oli split that Sher Bahadur Deuba came to power in Kathmandu, with support from Prachanda.

“A coalition of six parties have decided to project Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the Prime Minister. An agreement has been reached. Dahal will lead the government for two-and-a-half years and the CPN-UML will be in power in the remaining two-and-a-half years,” Barshaman Pun, leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) had said.

In the new coalition, the CPN-UML has 78, Maoist Center 32, Rastriya Swatantra Party 20, Rastriya Prajatantra Party 14, Janata Samajbadi Party 12, Janamat Party 6 and Nagarik Unmukti Party has four MPs. Three independent lawmakers are also supporting Prachanda.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Prachanda on being appointed as Nepal’s PM.

“Warmest congratulations @cmprachanda on being elected as the Prime Minister of Nepal. The unique relationship between India and Nepal is based on deep cultural connections and warm people-to-people ties. I look forward to working together with you to further strengthen this friendship,” PM Modi said in a tweet. (ANI)

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Deverakonda Turns Santa, Announces All Expenses-Paid For Fans

By LokMarg 26th December 2022

Every Christmas actor Vijay Deverakonda surprises his fans with his special thanksgiving gesture #Deverasanta. Christmas 2022 was no exception as the ‘Arjun Reddy’ star announced an all-expenses-paid trip for his 100 fans.

Taking to social media, Vijay created a poll on his social media for his fans to help him choose the destination for travel to offer to his fans. He asked if his fans want a trip to — Mountains of India, Beaches of India, Cultural trip of India, or deserts in India.
“#Deverasanta, a tradition I started 5 years ago. This year I have the nicest idea so far. I am going to send 100 of you on an all-expenses paid holiday. Help me in choosing the destination. #Deverasanta2022”

Vijay’s post left his fans excited. They flooded his Twitter post with likes and comments.

“Best Christmas gift…Thank you, Anna,” a social media user commented.

“Mountains or just meet me anywhere,” another user wrote.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Vijay’s last release Liger, which was aggressively promoted as a pan-India project, bombed at the box office, earning less than Rs 100 crore. The film marked Vijay’s Bollywood debut. He will be seen in the upcoming romantic drama Khushi, alongside Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The film is supposed to release in 2023.

Vijay is all set to team up with Jersey fame Gowtam Tinnanuri for a new project. However, an official announcement regarding the same is yet to be made. (ANI)

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34 Naxals Surrender In Chhattisgarh, 4 Having Bounty Of Rs 1L

TTP Intensifies Attacks Creating Chaos

By LokMarg 26th December 2022

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) with its supporters has attacked defense establishments in Pakistan 148 times within a year. And the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan has given these terror attacks by TTP a boost. But the central government seems reluctant to take action against them, Khaama Press reported.

The TTP in the last year has conducted hundreds of terror attacks on the police and army headquarters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Quetta in the Balochistan region. The Khaama Press article quoted unconfirmed reports which said that other militant groups have joined forces with the TTP to expand their terrorist operation in tribal areas of the country.
The Khaama Press in its report also mentioned that these attacks can increase in number as the TTP recently ended the ceasefire that they had with the Pakistani authorities.

However, the common people in Pakistan have been showing their aggression in the matter via protests like the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement [PTM] demanding the establishment to take action against these groups, according to Khaama Press.

Previously, on December 23 a suicide bombing shook Islamabad killing two conspirators and a policeman. Along with this at least three police officers and seven passers-by were wounded in the bombing.

Pakistan’s capital city took place nine miles from the garrison city of Rawalpindi, home of the military and government spy agencies.

“Security has been re-alert in Islamabad. Carrying weapons is not allowed under any circumstances. Election-related meetings will not take place without the permission of the police. Election activities and corner meetings will be allowed inside the four walls,” Islamabad Police tweeted.

Police said the blast took place when police officers spotted a car and ordered the driver to halt for routine checking. Instead of stopping, its driver detonated explosives hidden inside. A female passenger in the car also was killed, Suhail Zafar Chattha, a senior police officer in Islamabad told reporters at the scene

. The TV footage showed a burning car as police officers cordoned off the area. Residents said they saw policemen on motorcycles chasing a car and ordering a man inside the vehicle to come out. Police confirmed that account, saying the suspect blew up the explosive-laden vehicle after being surrounded by police officers.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing and thanked the police. “Police officers stopped the terrorists by sacrificing their blood and the nation salutes its brave men,” Sharif said in a statement.

The responsibility for the attack was later taken by TTP. In a statement, TTP announced that the killing was orchestrated because of the killing of their senior leader.

This violence comes days after several Pakistani Taliban detainees overpowered guards at a counterterrorism center in north-western Pakistan after snatching police weapons and taking three officers hostage. (ANI)

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‘I Will Never Break Up With..’ Kartik Drops A Quirky Caption

By LokMarg 26th December 2022

Not only food but actor Kartik Aaryan is also obsessed with his workout session and he is frequently spotted outside his gym. The actor dropped a picture post-workout on Monday and inspired fans with his fitness regime.

After taking to Instagram, Kartik treated fans with another picture of himself after his hardcore training session.
In the picture, the actor could be seen posing inside his car in a workout outfit and gym gloves.

The sun in the backdrop enhanced the beauty of the picture.

Sharing the picture, he wrote, “I will never break up with my gym. We always seem to Work Out.”

As soon as the picture was shared the actor’s fans and industry friends dropped their comments.

One of the users wrote, “Motivational caption! wish mujme bhi esa junnon hotaa.”

Another user wrote, “Kahan se laate ho ye captions???”

Kartik is currently busy shooting his upcoming musical saga film ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’ in Gujarat.

Helmed by Sameer Vidhwans, and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film also stars actor Kiara Advani in the lead role and is all set to hit the theatres on June 29, 2023.

‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’ marks the second collaboration of Kartik and Kiara after their blockbuster hit horror comedy film ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’.

The film was initially titled ‘Satyanarayan Ki Katha’, which translates to the story of Satyanarayan.

However, the title evoked controversy as ‘satyanarayan’ is another name for Lord Vishnu.

In view of the controversy, the director, Sameer Vidwans, issued a statement last year announcing that the film’s title had been changed to ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’.

The ‘Luka Chuppi’ actor also reposted the statement on his official Instagram account, which said the title was changed to avoid hurting any sentiments, even if purely unintentional.

Kartik will be also seen in ‘Shehzada’ opposite Kriti Sanon. The film is helmed by David Dhawan’s son Rohit Dhawan and is slated to release on February 10, 2023.

Apart from that, he also has director Kabir Khan’s next untitled film and Hansal Mehta’s next ‘Captain India’. (ANI)

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