June 2023 - Page 4 of 52 - Lokmarg

Sidharth Cheers Wife Kiara For ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’

By LokMarg 29th June 2023

Actor Sidharth Malhotra is his wife and actor Kiara Advani’s best cheerleader. On Wednesday, he arrived at the screening of Kiara’s upcoming film ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’ in Mumbai.

Several celebrities, including the film’s lead actors Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani, attended the screening.

But, Sidharth Malhotra’s attendance at the event to cheer up his wife Kiara grabbed the attention of the netizens.

The couple can be seen holding hands as they arrived for the event. The actors were dressed in matching white outfits.

Kiara wore a suit. Sidharth, on the other hand, looked charming in a white t-shirt paired with a denim shirt and blue jeans.

Kiara and Sidharth were accompanied by Kiara’s parents.

Speaking of ‘Satya Prem Ki Katha’, the film is set to hit the theatres on June 29.

Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and directed by Sameer Vidwans, the romantic film reunites Kartik and Kiara after their 2022 hit ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’.

The trailer introduces us to Kartik as SatyaPrem and Kiara as Katha. Kartik is seen pursuing Kiara for marriage as he tries to impress her. The duo gets married. After that, Kiara and Kartik have many difficult experiences together.

The film also stars Supriya Pathak Kapur, Gajraj Rao, Siddharth Randheria, Anooradha Patel, Rajpal Yadav, Nirrmite Saawaant and Shikha Talsania.

Apart from this, Kartik will be seen in Hansal Mehta’s next ‘Captain India’ and in Kabir Khan’s next untitled project.

Kiara, on the other hand, will also be seen in director Shankar’s next, ‘Game Changer’, opposite actor Ram Charan. The official release date of the film is still awaited. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

A Rejuvenated Iran-Al-Qaeda Link Poses New Security Threats

By LokMarg 29th June 2023

Former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt Gen Gadi Eisenkot revealed earlier this month that Israel was asked by Egypt in 2015 to conduct airstrikes against Islamic State targets.

“There aren’t many countries in the world that know how to locate targets the size of a podium and to put a missile on a target in a 1,000 kilometre radius around Israel. Our enemies saw it, the Russians saw it, the Americans saw it. The ones who know best how much the IDF works in the Middle East are the ISIS men, since they paid the price of hundreds dead and wounded, and they knew,” he stated.
Yet despite the many military blows that Salafi jihadist entities have absorbed over the years–both ISIS and Al Qaeda–both have been able to survive and create new threats due to their ideology, which cannot be bombed out of existence.

In recent days, the Kurdish-led autonomy in northeast Syria announced that it will begin to hold trials for ISIS members who remain under Kurdish guard and who come from many states around the world.

Meanwhile, the new leader of Al-Qaeda, Saif al-Adel, who arrived in Afghanistan from Iran in November 2022, represents a development that has significance for Israel, according to Michael Barak, senior researcher and head of the Global Jihad Research at the International Institute for Counter Terrorism (ICT) and and a lecturer at the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at Reichman University, Herzliya.

“This is significant because al-Adel is in very good contact with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC),” Barak told the Tazpit Press Service. “It’s a relationship that goes back to the 1990s. Al-Adel has a team behind him. And Al-Qaeda and Iran have cooperated in the past–Iran can use Al-Qaeda to launch attacks against Israel while denying their involvement.”

In November 2022, an Israeli businessman in Georgia was the target of a Pakistani terror squad affiliated with Al Qaeda. The squad had traveled to the country under Iranian orders, according to media reports. Israeli and Georgian intelligence agencies worked together, reportedly, to foil the plot.

In September 2021, media reports said that Al-Qaeda’s number two, Abu Muhammad al-Masri, was allegedly assassinated in Tehran by Israeli agents.

“Al Qaeda still has some of its leadership in Iran,” said Barak. “With Al-Adel now trying to strengthen his status within Al-Qaeda, this organization poses more of an external threat to Israel than ISIS.” (ANI/TPS)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Shah Reaches Patna For Day-Long Visit To Lakhisarai

By LokMarg 29th June 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Bihar’s capital Patna on Thursday for a one-day visit to Lakhisarai.

Amit Shah on Thursday morning left from Delhi airport for Patna.

Shah will address a mega-rally at Lakhisarai in Munger Lok Sabha constituency which is the home turf of JDU President and Lok Sabha MP Lalan Singh.

Speaking to ANI, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said that Shah, after the rally will go to the residence of Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha where a meeting of the Lok Sabha Core Committee will be held.

The minister further said that Amit Shah will go to Lakhisarai by Chopper from Patna.

“He will offer Puja in historic Ashok Dham temple and meet with trustees of Mandir as part of the party’s ‘Sampark Se Samarthan’ Abhiyan then the Home Minister will directly reach Gandhi Maidan rally venue where he will address a public meeting on the completion of nine years of the Modi government,” Rai added.

Rai further said that this is going to be a historic visit like his earlier visits to the state.

“Every visit of Amit Shah to Bihar has been historic and successful… This time also the same thing is going to happen and Lakhs of people will join the rally to listen to Amit Bhai. BJP is not only preparing for Amit Shah’s rally but also the people of Munger are busy preparing for the grand rally with equal enthusiasm. There is great enthusiasm among the people of Munger to make Narendra Modi ji the Prime Minister again in 2024,” the minister said.

Notably, this is Shah’s fifth visit to the state in nine months since his party was ousted from power in the state in August 2022 after Nitish Kumar snapped ties with the BJP, bringing an end to the coalition government in the state. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Centre Should Consider That Country Is Diverse: Farooq On UCC

By LokMarg 29th June 2023

National Conference (NC) Chief Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that the Centre before bringing the Uniform Civil Code should consider that the country is diverse.

Farooq Abdullah also extended his greetings on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. He got emotional while explaining the significance of the day, which recognises Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice everything, including his son Ismail for Allah.
Meanwhile, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir extended his wishes to the pilgrims embarking on the Amarnath Yatra, commencing on July 1.

“They (Central Government) should consider that the country is diverse. People of all religions, languages, and ideologies live here, and as for Muslims, they have their Shariat laws too. The Government should think about any possible storm that would come if they take a step in this direction (implement UCC)” he said.

“I send my best wishes to the (Amarnath) Yatra. It is starting tomorrow, may Allah bless them with success in taking blessings from here,” he said.

“I wish everyone on the occasion of Eid ul-Adha and pray to Allah to accept our sacrifices, forgive our sins, and free Jammu and Kashmir from the difficult times it is facing now,” said the PDP chief.

“Today is the day when we make sacrifices in the name of Allah. We hope Allah accepts our offerings and relieves us of some of our problems, thus allowing us to live peacefully,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief, Mehbooba Mufti, also extended her greetings to everyone on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

Eid Al-Adha or Bakra Eid, which is being observed on June 29 this year, is a holy occasion also called the ‘festival of sacrifice’ and is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic or lunar calendar. It marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Every year, the date changes as it’s based on the Islamic lunar calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the Western 365-day Gregorian calendar.

The festival is an occasion of joy and peace, where people celebrate with their families, let go of past grudges and make meaningful connections with one another. It is celebrated as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice everything for God.

Eid traditions and festivities vary around the world, and different countries have unique cultural approaches to this important festival. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

‘Trailer Promised A Treat, But Adipurush Turned Out To Be A Disaster’

By LokMarg 29th June 2023

Sanjeev Singh, a movie buff from Delhi-NCR, says filmmaker Om Raut blew a great opportunity to recreate an epic on silver screen due to mishandling of the grand theme. His views:

Adipurush is an ill-conceived venture, a bloated and boring bombast that fails to capture the majesty of the Ramayana. The film directed by Om Raut is visually stunning but surprisingly dark, its plot full of holes and its characters one-dimensional.

The biggest tragedy is that Om Raut had a golden opportunity with this project. He had a massive budget, a star-studded cast, and the source material of one of the most beloved epics in the world. But he blew it.

In Om Raut’s cinematic adaptation of the Ramayana, Prabhas stars as Raghava and Kriti Sanon as Janaki. Sunny Singh plays Raghava’s brother Shesh, while Saif Ali Khan plays Lankesh, or the demon king Ravan. The film begins with the kidnapping of Janaki and follows Raghava’s journey to Lanka with his vanar sena to rescue his wife and honour.

In spite of AI imagery, costly VFX (visual graphics) and a strong storyline, the movie fails to impress. The VFX are subpar, and some of the creature designs are downright laughable. The movie has been justifiably panned for its tapori dialogues, written by Manoj Muntashir Shukla. The sheer street-lingo used for the dialogues is not appropriate for a film of this scale. Allow me to present some of the examples:

1. Hanuman: Kapda tere baap ka. Tel tere baap ka. Aag bhi tere baap ki. Toh jalegi bhi tere baap ki.

2. Ravan: Jo hamari beheno ko hath lagayega… uski lanka laga denge.

3. Ravan: Mere Sapole ne tumhare Sheshnaag ko lamba kar diya, abhi toh pura pitara bhara pada hai.

4. Ravan: Teri bua ka bageecha hai kya jo hawa khane chala aaya.

ALSO READ: ‘Adipurush Is An Epic Joke, Watch Ramanand Sagar’

Manoj Muntashir Shukla’s dialogues are not merely bad; it is also sacrilegious, considering he is handling revered figures of a community. The Ramayana is a holy scripture for millions of Hindus, and Shukla has treated it with the utmost disdain, trivialising the lofty themes and moral narrative of the Ramayana.

The performances of the cast are generally good, with Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan giving standout performances. However, the film’s flaws are too big to ignore and take down the entire film with them.

My Advice to those planning to watch this movie is: Overall, Adipurush is a disappointing film that is marred by its cringe-worthy dialogue. If you are a fan of the holy epic Ramayana, I would recommend skipping this film. Watch it only if are prepared to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

As told to Deepti Sharma

Sonam in floral saree at Uk Sunak Reception

Sonam Represents India In Floral Saree At UK Sunak’s Reception

By LokMarg 29th June 2023

Actor Sonam Kapoor attended the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s reception in the UK-India Week 2023 in a beautiful floral printed saree.

On Wednesday, she posted a couple of pictures of herself in a floral print saree on Instagram.
Sonam draped a green saree with a white floral print blazer. She amped up the glamour quotient with red earrings and a green stone ring. She raised the glam quotient with bold red lipstick with minimal makeup. This saree is from the shelves of the designer Rohit Bal.

Along with the post, she wrote, “Representing in @rohitbalofficial for the reception at 10 Downing Street to celebrate UK india week. What a beautiful day and so happy I got to wear a sari in the gorgeous London summer.”

UK-India Week 2023 is the 5th iteration of IGF’s flagship event, a weeklong programme that seeks to honour and strengthen the longstanding partnership between these two countries by providing a platform to spotlight crucial topics, including politics, trade, business, sustainability, inclusion, and innovation.

The reception will be hosted by Rishi at his official residence and office in 10 Downing Street and is a part of India Global Forum’s flagship event UK-India Week, which is being held from June 26-30 in London.

It was known that Sonam will be attending the reception on June 28th to represent India and its cultural influence globally.

Earlier in May, Sonam also performed at King Charles III’s coronation concert.

Sonam took centre stage at the Coronation Concert as she introduced various choir performers of the Commonwealth. Her piece served as a prelude to the inspiring virtual choir performances by the Commonwealth, made up of choirs, solo artists and duos from the 56 Commonwealth countries.

Sonam also introduced Steve Winwood, who performed a modern version of his iconic song ‘Higher Love’ accompanied by a 70-piece orchestra.

She began her speech with ‘Namaste’. She was introduced as one of the biggest actors in Bollywood. The ‘Khoobsurat’ actor emphasized the diversity of the Commonwealth during her spoken word performance. She also elucidated upon the oneness that binds the diversity of the nation.”Our Commonwealth is a union. Together, we are one-third of the world’s people, one-third of the world’s oceans, and one-third of the world’s lands. Each of our countries is unique, and each of our people is special but we choose to stand as one. Learning from our history, blessed by our diversity, driven by our values and determined to build a more peaceful, sustainable and prosperous place where every voice is heard, ” Sonam Kapoor said in her speech.

Meanwhile, on the work front, she will be now making her grand comeback to the movies with the film ‘Blind’.Helmed by Shome Makhija, the film will stream on the OTT platform Jio Cinema from July 7. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Gauahar Dresses Up Son Zehaan In Eid Special Outfit

By LokMarg 29th June 2023

Gauahar Khan is celebrating her son Zehaan’s first Eid today.

For the special occasion, Gauahar dressed up her baby boy in a customised outfit.
Taking to Instagram, the new mommy dropped a cute picture of Zehaan. However, she did not disclose his face.

In the priceless photo, the baby boy is seen lying on his bed, and he looked cute in a white-hued customised onesie teamed with a pair of green-hued socks.

The outfit has a special message written on it.

It read, “My first Eid al-Adha with Ammi and Abbu.”

The picture also showcases a special gift that the little one received from his dad Zaid Darbar. Zehaan got his first “jaanamaz” and “topi” from his dad.

Sharing the post, Gauahar wrote, “Eid Mubarak. Thank u @arifaudi786 maamu for this eidi! #outfit and dad got him his first jaanamaz and topi ! BaarakAllahfihi.”

Gauahar and Zaid got married on December 25, 2020. Reportedly, the two met while shopping for groceries during the lockdown. The two began chatting and friendship soon turned to love.

In December last year, the duo announced the pregnancy news with an adorable animated video.

And in May 2023, the duo was blessed with a baby boy.

Gauahar announced the news of her baby’s arrival via an Instagram post that read, ” It’s a Boy As salaam u alaikum beautiful world, says our bundle of joy. Arrived 10th of May 2023 to make us realise what happiness truly means. Our blessed boy thanks everyone for their love and prayers. Grateful and giggling new parents Zaid and Gauahar.”

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Ram Charan, Jr NTR, K Jo Invited By Oscars To Join The Academy

By LokMarg 29th June 2023

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently made its membership invitations. And guess what? Indian film celebrities Ram Charan, Mani Ratnam, Karan Johar, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Chandrabose and MM Keeravani have been invited by the organisation to be members.

‘RRR’ art director Sabu Cyril and cinematographer K.K. Senthil Kumar have also been invited.
“The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement, Variety reported.

“They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide.”

Austin Butler, Ke Huy Quan, Keke Palmer, NT Rama Rao Jr and music superstar Taylor Swift are also among the 398 artists and executives invited to join the membership of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

If all of this year’s invitees accept membership, it will bring the total number of overall Academy members to 10,817 (up from 10,665 last year), with 9,375 eligible to vote (a decrease from 9,665 due to deaths, retirements and moving to emeritus status) for the 96th Oscars, set to take place on March 10, 2024.

The 2023 class is 40 per cent women. 34 per cent belong to underrepresented ethnic/racial communities and 52 per cent hail from 51 countries and territories outside the United States.

Other interesting statistics about this invitee class are four branches invited more women than men to join — casting directors, costume designers, makeup artists and hairstylists and marketing and public relations. The Actors and Directors branches had most of their candidates hail from underrepresented ethnic and racial communities.

Eight filmmakers have been invited to multiple branches — Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), Colm Bairead (“The Quiet Girl”), Edward Berger (“All Quiet on the Western Front”), Antonio Campos (“The Devil All the Time”), Lukas Dhont (“Close”), Ana Katz (“The Dog Who Wouldn’t be Quiet”) and Santiago Mitre (“Argentina, 1985”); however, they can only select one upon accepting membership.

In 2022, the Oscars invited 397 new members, including singer Billie Eilish, Oscar winner Ariana DeBose, “Belfast” stars Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan and Disney exec Dana Walden.

With the addition of this new member class, the Academy is now 34 per cent women, 18 per cent from underrepresented communities and 20 per cent from outside the U.S.

This year’s slate of awards contenders will have massive star power and legendary filmmakers in the mix such as Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune Part Two” with Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Pakistan defence minister on Blocking Social Media

Pak Def Min Hints Towards Blocking Social Media If Need Arises

By LokMarg 29th June 2023

Stating that the seeds of the violence perpetrated on May 9 were planted on social media, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has hinted at the possibility of blocking social media networks if the need arises, Dawn reported.

Dawn is a Pakistani English-language newspaper.
Asif said that countries such as the US, the UK and China all regulated social networks.

“There are rules and a regulatory framework, it is monitored. In our country, the medium is used to incite people to mutiny against the state,” he told Geo News on Tuesday, the Dawn reported.

“The script of the May 9 violence was prepared via social media,” Asif said, as per the Dawn.

Notably, to stem the riots that broke out in the aftermath of PTI chief Imran Khan’s arrest, the government had cut off internet access and blocked social media networks across the country for several days, the Dawn said.

The minister while referring to the action being taken against the perpetrators of the violence that unfolded on May 9, said that after the military has taken actions against their own personnel and their family members, it was the duty of the government to ensure the accountability of the perpetrators behind the riots.

Khawaja Asif appreciated the ‘swift accountability’ carried out by the military but noted that civilian authorities faced many challenges and roadblocks.

“The law [to try civilians under the army act] has been challenged in various courts, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments as well… these hurdles are holding us back,” he said, adding that these obstacles could be overcome.

When asked about the possibility of placing a ban on the PTI — something the government has hinted at in the past as well — the defence minister was of the opinion that unless the perpetrators of the May 9 violence were not punished, imposing any restrictions on the party could prove ‘counterproductive’, as per Dawn. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

FIR Against Attackers Of Bhim Army Chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad

By LokMarg 29th June 2023

Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday registered a first information report (FIR) at the Deoband police station in Saharanpur district in connection with June 28 incident in which Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Aazad was shot at by unidentified assailants in the Deoband area.

The condition of Aazad, the leader of Aazad Samaj Party who was hospitalized after the shooting incident is now reported to be stable, police said.
The FIR has been lodged based on the complaint of Chandra Shekhar’s accomplice, Manish Kumar.

According to the FIR, provisions of offences under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) Act has been een imposed along with the charges of attempt to murder against the attackers.

Aazad’s convoy was attacked by armed men in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday.

The Bhim Army chief has appealed to his friends and supporters to maintain peace.

“I did not expect such a sudden attack. I want to appeal to my friends, supporters, and workers across the country to maintain peace. We will continue our fight constitutionally. I am fine with the love and blessings of crores of people,” Azad told ANI from hospital here.

Abhimanyu Manglik, Superintendant of Police (City), Saharanpur, told ANI that he had met with and spoken to Aazad who will be discharged after a checkup on Thursday. The official added that the probe is on and the accused behind the shooting will be arrested soon.

“I had a word with his doctor also, and he told me that Azad’s vitals are stable…he will be discharged tomorrow after check-up, the probe is on. The accused behind the attack will be arrested soon, ” the official said.

“The bullet grazed his stomach. His condition is stable, he is out of danger. Police will investigate the matter and will take all the necessary action,” SSP Saharanpur Dr Vipin Tada said.

Aazad said his younger brother was also in the car when the incident occurred.

“I don’t remember well, but my people identified them. Their car went towards Saharanpur. We took a U-Turn. Five of us, including my younger brother, were in the car when the incident occurred..,” the Bhim Army chief said. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/