Lakshmi Manchu urges Telangana govt to institutionalise digital education

Welcoming the Telangana government’s decision to implement the ‘Mana Ooru-Mani Badi’ programme in all government schools, actress Lakshmi Manchu has urged the state government to focus on “institutionalising digital education”.

In a statement, the actress said, “As an individual who has been actively working in the government schools of our country for the last seven years through our organisation, Teach for Change Trust, I wholeheartedly welcome and applaud the announcement by the Government of Telangana which will rapidly change the face of public schools and mitigate the dropout rates by providing quality education to all the children of Telangana.

“I truly believe that this visionary move by the Government of Telangana is going to transform the education system in the state over the next three years and pave the path for creating educational equity in our country,” she said.

Requesting the Telangana government to focus on institutionalising digital education, the actress said, “We, at ‘Teach for Change’, have seen positive impact in government schools by providing ICT infrastructure and dedicated ICT trainers. We would be more than happy to share our processes and curriculum to strengthen the foundational learning for primary school children with the Education Ministry if it would help the community at large.”

Tovino Thomas, Keerthy Suresh-starrer ‘Vaashi’ wrapped up

The team of director Vishnu Raghav’s Malayalam film ‘Vaashi’, featuring actors Tovino Thomas and Keerthy Suresh in the lead, on Thursday announced that it had wrapped up the film.

Actor Tovino took to his Instagram page to make the announcement.

He said, “And it’s a wrap at ‘Vaashi’! Super happy to have joined hands with buddy Vishnu Raghav in his first venture as director. I wish the world for you brother! And thanks to the amazing co-star Keerthy Suresh and the cast and the crew for making ‘Vaashi’ most memorable.”

Heightening the suspense factor, the actor said, “This film portrays something that’s super relevant and it will all reach out to you soon!”

The film, which had gone on floors on November 17 last year, had its lead cast Tovino and Keerthy Suresh joining the sets on November 28.

The film has raised expectations as this is the first time that Keerthy Suresh has worked with Tovino Thomas.

‘Squid Game’ propels South Korea to Netflix’s No. 2 content supplier

South Korea remained the No. 2 supplier of popular content to Netflix in the fourth quarter of last year, US online media have reported.

According to What’s On Netflix, a private online site that provides information on Netflix content, on Wednesday (US time), South Korean-made shows accounted for 11.8 per cent of the top 10 films and TV series in the final three months of 2021.

Korean content thus ranked No. 2 for the second consecutive quarter after the United States, which accounted for 59 per cent, reports Yonhap News Agency. The figures are based on data by the streaming analytics firm FlixPatrol, it added.

It marked a sharp increase from its share of 5.4 per cent for the third quarter, thanks to the breakout hit ‘Squid Game’, released on September 17, and other hit series.

“The fourth quarter of 2021 is likely to be an outlier with the arrival of ‘Squid Game’, but Korean content has been on a slow march up the charts regardless of ‘Squid Game’,” the report said.

‘Squid Game’ became the most successful Netflix show in history, with its total viewership reaching a record 1.65 billion hours in the first four weeks of its release.

Two subsequent series, the fantasy horror ‘Hellbound’ and the sci-fi thriller ‘The Silent Sea’, also topped Netflix’s official weekly viewership chart for non-English TV shows.

Malayalam actress Anna Ben tests positive for Covid

Malayalam actress Anna Ben has announced that she has tested positive for Covid.

The actress took to social media to make the announcement. She said, “Tested positive for Covid with all the symptoms except the loss of smell. Whoever came in contact with me, please get tested and I hope you are safe. In home quarantine at the moment.”

The actress further went on to point out that the virus, which she had managed to dodge for two years, had finally got her.

Anna Ben’s upcoming film, ‘Naradan’, directed by Aashiq Abu and featuring Tovino Thomas along with her, has also been postponed because of the onset of the third wave of Covid.

Numbers of those testing positive have been going up ever since the new year began, during the third wave of Covid.

On Wednesday, Malayalam actor and MP from Kerala, Suresh Gopi, also said he had tested positive for Covid.

Hrithik shares glimpse of his 68-year-old mother’s intense workout

Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan has shared a glimpse of his 68-year-old mother Pinkie Roshan’s intense workout. The actor says it gives him hope that everyone can continue to get better no matter what the age.

Hrithik on Thursday posted a slew of video clips, where his mother is seen doing high intensity workout.

He wrote as the caption: “To see her giving her all to fitness and wellness at the age of 68 gives me hope that we all can continue to get better no matter what the age. A big, big hug to all of you out there for supporting and sharing this relentless, joyful passion with my mom.”

The actor said that he knows his mother has bad days “we all do, and time and again I have seen how hard it is for her to get into the gym and get started.”

“But she does it because of the sense of community she has started feeling with all of you supporting her on insta. So this really is a thank you post for all of you helping my mom get stronger. I wish and pray that everyone out there who is pushing themselves to get better has that support from friends and family. I wish you all a beautiful day.”

Hrithik shared that his mother started working out at the age of 58.

“Just thought I should add that fact for other parents who feel it’s too late for them. It’s NEVER too late. Do it for your kids. They will love you for it,” he wrote.

On the work front, Hrithik will next be seen in ‘Vikram Vedha’.

The film stars Hrithik and Saif Ali Khan in lead roles, with Radhika Apte in a crucial role. Pushkar and Gayatri, the original writers and directors, are donning the director’s hats for the Hindi remake as well.

A cult film in its own right ‘Vikram Vedha’ is a neo-noir action crime thriller film. Based on the Indian meta-folktale ‘Vikram aur Betaal’, the film tells the story of a tough police officer who sets out to track down and kill an equally tough gangster.

This original Tamil blockbuster starred R. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi.

He also has ‘Fighter’ with Deepika Padukone.

Salman Khan, Pragya Jaiswal star in Guru Randhawa, Iulia Vantur’s music video

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and south actress Pragya Jaiswal are going to feature in the love track ‘Main Chala’ sung by Guru Randhawa and Iulia Vantur.

It is going to be a treat for music lovers and Salman fans. Guru Randhawa is all parise for singer Iulia Vantur.

He says: “I’m very excited that I could share this song with Iulia Vantur, who is not just a wonderful artiste but also a warm person. Her tone is very distinct and takes the song to the next level. The track has turned out to be beautiful and I’m confident people will love it.”

Starring Salman Khan and Pragya Jaiswal, the love song has been directed by Shabina Khan. It has been composed and penned by Shabbir Ahmed.

Adds Iulia Vantur about her experience of working with Guru Randhawa: “Main chala’ is a very soulful song, written with a lot of love. We’ve put our hearts in it and I hope it will touch people’s souls. I’m grateful for it, I’m grateful to Guru for believing in it, for making this song special, in his voice. He is an amazing artiste, I appreciate him very much as a singer and as a person as well. I believe love will be welcomed in everyone’s hearts with ‘Main Chala’.”

Produced by Salman Khan and Bhushan Kumar, the song will be released on T-Series’ YouTube channel on January 22.

Amaal Mallik’s ‘Tum Ho Toh’ features in ‘Family Guy’

Musician Amaal Mallik’s superhit song ‘Tum Ho Toh’ featured in ‘Family Guy’, one of the funniest and long-running international animated series.

The music composer is excited that the vibe of the song resonated with the makers of his favourite series.

Amaal said: “I’m thrilled that a show that popular and global looped ‘Tum Ho Toh’ in for one of its episodes. What’s more rewarding than having makers resonate with your creative work. Watching the episode refreshed my memories of creating the song with Shaan & Rashmi Virag.”

The original is a love song that has been sung by Shaan, written by Rashmi Virag and it features Taapsee Pannu and Saqib Saleem.

The instrumental of Amaal’s song appears in Episode 11 of Season 20. The part that has Mallik’s piece of music looped in shows the notorious infant Stewie and his mother Lois at a drum circle.

Amaal added: “A lot of my music is heard and seen on very popular fiction and non-fiction shows in India but this is a special first for me and I thank all those who so proudly brought the episode to my notice. Gratitude to those rooting for my music.”

Porn video case: SC grants protection from arrest to actress Poonam Pandey

The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted protection from arrest to Bollywood actress Poonam Pandey in the porn films racket case, where Raj Kundra, husband of actress Shilpa Shetty is one of the main accused.

A bench of Justices Vineet Saran and B.V. Nagarathna issued notice to the Maharashtra government on an appeal filed by Pandey challenging a Bombay High Court order, which junked her anticipatory bail plea. “Issue notice.. In the meanwhile, no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioner,” said the top court in its order.

In November last year, the Bombay High Court declined to grant relief to Pandey. She moved the Supreme Court challenging the high court order. Pandey has been made an accused in the FIR along with actor Sherlyn Chopra.

On December 15, the Supreme Court granted Kundra 4 weeks protection from arrest in one of the cases related to porn film racket.

In November, the Bombay High Court had declined to entertain the anticipatory bail application filed by Kundra in connection with an FIR registered against him by the Mumbai Police in the porn film racket case. Kundra approached the top court after the high court refused relief.

Kundra, first sought anticipatory bail from the session court, which refused to grant him any relief. Thereafter, he moved the Bombay High Court claiming that he was allegedly framed.

The cyber cell of the Mumbai Police filed a case against Kundra under sections of the Indian Penal Code, Indecent Representation of Women (Prevention) Act, and Information Technology Act for allegedly distributing sexually explicit videos.

Kundra claimed he was not connected to content creation, publication or transmission of alleged illegal videos. He was arrested by Mumbai Police, in July last year, in another case where he was accused of distributing porn films through an app. In September, Kundra was granted bail.

Controversial AP minister to attend ‘Bangarraju’ success bash

The makers of ‘Bangarraju’ have invited Andhra Pradesh Cinematography Minister Perni Nani to celebrate the success of the movie.

The success event of the Nagarjuna and Naga Chaitanya-starrer is to take place in Rajahmundry on Tuesday.

Grand arrangements have been made at the venue – Marganni Estate Grounds, at VL Puram, Rajahmundry, to celebrate the blockbuster success of the movie. It is reported that Nagarjuna has invited the AP minister to attend the event as the chief guest.

While the movie ticket price issue in Andhra Pradesh has stirred much controversy, Nagarjuna openly spoke out on the issue. He also mentioned that ‘Bangarraju’ would not see any impact with regard to the ongoing issue.

Now that the ‘Bangarraju’ success event is to be attended by the controversial minister, folks from the Telugu movie industry aren’t quite happy with this.

AP Cinematography Minister Perni Nani has been in the news ever since the movie ticket prices were slashed in the state. Though many movie celebrities met him to discuss the same, there was not much the minister did for the film industry.

So it will be very interesting to see what Perni Nani would say at the ‘Bangarraju’ success meet.

Ram Gopal Varma on celeb divorces: ‘Nothing murders love faster than marriage’

Stating that nothing “murders” love faster than marriage, famed director Ram Gopal Varma on Tuesday said that the secret of happiness was to keep loving as long as it remained and then move on instead of getting into “a jail called marriage”.

Taking to Twitter, RGV put out a series of tweets on love and marriage.

He said, “Star divorces are good trendsetters to warn young people about the dangers of marriages. Nothing murders love faster than marriage. The secret of happiness is to keep loving as long as it remains and then move on instead of getting into the jail called marriage.

“Love in a marriage lasts for lesser days than the days they celebrate it, which is 3 to 5 days. Smart people love and dumbos marry.

“Only divorces should be celebrated with sangeet because of getting liberated and marriages should happen quietly in process of testing each other’s danger qualities. Marriage is the most evil custom thrust upon society by our nasty ancestors in promulgating a continuous cycle of unhappiness and sadness.”

Interestingly, these observations of RGV came hours after actor Dhanush and director Aishwaryaa Dhanush announced their decision to part ways.