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Film Viswaroopam drags into political fights

    As if there is no end to miseries of Kamal Hassan’s Viswaroopam movie, today the Madras High Court has refused to stay the Tamilnadu government’s decision, which bans the film for two weeks in the state. The court has asked Kamal Hassan to give his explanation before February 4th.   In the mean time Kamal Hassan is trying for ‘an out of court settlement’ with Muslim communities in the state. He has agreed to remove some scenes from his film as asked by the Muslim leaders. However, he has decided to file a petition in Supreme Court seeking justice in his case.   While he is struggling for the release of his film, gradually politicians start taking a dip into this issue. DMK Chief Karunanidhi has flayed TN Chief Minister Kum.Jayalalitha for harassing artists like Kamal Hassan, because he has not given the satellite rights of his film to ‘Jaya TV’ channel owned by her. He also alleges Kamal Hassan’s close relationship with Finance Minister Chidambaram, who hails from Tamilnadu state, is another reason for the ban.   This reveals the ugly side of the government’s decision of banning Viswaroopam film. Since, Kamal Hassan couldn’t speak all these things to media, Karunanidhi being her rival politician has grabbed this opportunity to reveal this stunning fact. If these allegations are believed to be true, then the actress turned politician Jayalalitha instead of encouraging such a great artist of her own state, is putting hurdles in his way.   The matter also echoes far away place from Chennai at New Delhi. Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, as if encouraged by his colleague minister Chidambaram has said that “Our constitution guarantees everyone in the country freedom of expression including artists. If we find any state government breaches this basic right of the people, definitely we will intervene in the matter and assure justice to the affected.”   However, Kamal Hassan’s Viswaroopam is still hangs in the air as it is not allowed for screening in the Tamilnadu state, where its target audiences are living. Kamal Hassan is suffering silently with the political pinch from behind.

I become scapegoat in political games: Kamal Hassan

  Kamal Hassan’s ‘Viswaroopam’ movie, though had High Court clearance today for its release in Tamilnadu state, Jayalalitha government has filed another petition in the same court challenging the single judge’s verdict, which may come-up before the court in the second half today. So, Kamal Hassan was still unable to release his film in the state as the theater owners asks for the copies of the court judgment that allows screening of the film.   Speaking at a press meet held at Chennai, Kamal Hassan become very emotional and almost burst into tears for the obstructions. He said “It was my dream project for which I even have sold my house and properties to meet the financial demands that arise due to delay in release of the film. I have never thought of hurting anyone’s feelings with my films. In fact, I don’t want to disturb the social fabric of the country with my films. I strongly believe that all this happens only because of some political games between two groups and I become scapegoat between them. It appears the Tamilnadu government wants to chase me out of the state for untold reasons. If, I don’t find a place for myself in the country, then I have to flee away to some foreign country just like noted painter MF Hussein did in the past. However, I am still very hopeful about our social tolerance in the country.”

Congress high command presses panic button

    As the news of resignation of Telangana Congress MPs flashed across the TV Channels in the country, Congress high command immediately pressed the panic button. AICC member Vayalar Ravi has invited them to New Delhi to have consultations with them over the issue. Hence, Telangana Congress MPs have decided to handover their resignation letters directly to party President Sonia Gandhi tomorrow, instead of faxing them as they have planned yesterday. They are going to ask her to approve their resignation letters, if she doesn’t want to declare Telangana state immediately. Telangana Congress MPs will be leaving for New Delhi tomorrow morning.   However, they have made it clear that other than Telangana, they don’t want to discuss anything else with the party. If, the high command fails to give a firm assurance on Telangana, then they will forward their resignation letters to speaker. They said that neither they want to topple their own government nor keen to leave the party, but will be obliged to do so if the party fails to declare Telangana.

Deepika wins the Race

      With Race 2 emerging as a winner, the entire cast of the movie is on a high. The movie is a roaring success and it has lived up to the name that Abbas-Mustan thrillers have made for themselves. However, one thing that viewers particularly remember is the lasting impression of Elena, the character essayed by Deepika Padukone in the movie. Deepika is a scene-stealer with her undeniable presence of experienced talent as she lights up the screen with her presence. Taran Adarsh from Bollywood Hungama mentioned about Deepika’s performance. His review read, “Deepika has the best scenes in the film. She looks stunning and immerses herself into her character completely. This is the first action thriller Deepika has worked on, but on watching the movie, no one would ever think so. Her gun-toting, edgy character has won a lot of praise. She is a stunner in every scene, and her look in the movie is gaining a lot of accolades”. Ananya Bhattacharya from Zee wrote, ‘“Deepika’s acting skills are going up with every single film of hers”. With Race 2, Deepika has proven that she is way ahead of her competition. From playing  Shanti Priya in Om Shanti Om to Veronica in Cocktail and now Elena in Race 2, Deepika has successfully portrayed her multi-faceted versatile side on the silver screen and that too with ease. Here’s wishing the actress the best of wishes! 2013 is clearly going to be her year of excellence with an exciting line up of films including Ram Leela, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express with King Khan and Kochadaiyaan with Rajnikanth!  

TDP crippled with group wars in Krishna

  While Chandrababu is taking pains to revamp the party with his pada-yatra, his cadres cripple the party by indulging in group wars in the party’s strong hold Krishna district. Probably, it is happening so because there were too many big heads in a small area that forces them to cross swords with their colleagues to safe guard their political interests.   Powerful leaders like Kodali Nani and Vangaveeti Radhakrishna have left the party due to the same reasons and joined YSRCP.   But, their friendship with TDP leader Vallabhaneni Vamsi Mohan seems adversely affecting his career in the party. More over, his rival Kesineni Nani’s group in the district has wrested power from him in the urban area. Hence, Vamsi and his followers have shown no hesitation in expressing their displeasure over this development. Although, Vamsi was given strong assurances by the party high command, he feel elbowed by Kesineni Nani, who dominates in Chandrababu’s pada-yatra in the district.   However, Vamsi has rubbed the wrong side of his party president Chandrababu during his pada-yatra at Keesara. If sources are to be believed, his followers have shouted slogans ‘Jai Balayya, the next CM of the state, Jai Jr.NTR’ behind Chandrababu, that irks him. It was not clear whether they were Vamsi followers or it was a game played by Kesineni Nani followers to trap their rival Vamsi. Need not to say that Chandrababu has taken a class to Vamsi in his car van. Ever since, Vamsi has been left behind in Chandrababu’s pada-yatra, while Kesineni takes the charge.   Now, Vijayawada east in-charge Gaddhe Ram Mohan, west in-charge Buddha Venkanna and central in-charge Bonda Uma also gearing-up to take full charge of Chandrababu’s pada-yatra in their respective areas, leaving no space to Vamsi and his followers. If, this situation continues further, need not to say YSR Congress party is there to take a plunge for Vallabhaneni Vamsi and to his followers.

Ponnam lands in troubles

  Ponnam Prabhakar, known as one of the vociferous leaders of pro Telangana leaders, has slipped his tongue by comparing Rajhamundry MP Undavalli Arun Kumar with Peddapuram Prostitute. While talking about Undavalli, he said that Undavalli, who often changes his stand and cheats the people with his arguments, is no less than to Peddapuram veshya (prostitute).   Obviously, it was received by the women organizations of Samaikyandhra movement, who condemned his statement and also lodged a complaint at 3Town police station in Vizag city today against Ponnam Prabhakar for hurting their feelings.

BJP to face elections in Modi's leadership

  The newly elected president of the BJP, Rajnath Singh, who srongly believes that his ego of being president of the party should not be a constraint in bring the party back to power has formally agreed to work under the leadership of Narendra Modi in the upcoming elections, who emerged as the new hope for the beleaguered party.   During their recent meeting held at New Delhi, they have discussed about this issue in detail and formally agreed to go ahead with this proposal. Although, it is not yet official, they have given clear indications to media in this regard. Modi was given a free hand to chalk out his action plan for this purpose. Most probably, he may form his own team and convey his strategy to party high command very soon, so as the party can make it official.   Although, several leaders in the party stand by Modi, a significant number in the party oppose his leadership. In addition to this, Bihar Chief Minister and the NDA partner Nithish has made it clear that if Modi is projected as Prime Ministerial candidate of the BJP, his party will bid good bye to the alliance. However, Modi is expected to overcome these teething problems soon after it was made official.

KCR goes extreme against Congress

  The visibly fuming KCR has turned into a fireball against the family members of Sonia Gandhi. He said that from late Jawahar Lal Nehru to present Sonia Gandhi every member of their family have been cheating the Telangana people all these years. While, late Nehru has merged the region into AP, his daughter late Indira Gandhi has cheated the people of the region by defusing the Telangana agitations with her tactical political games. Now, her daughter-in-law Sonia Gandhi also adopts the same policies of their family and has been cheating the people again and again till now. He threatens the Congress high command to burry their party in the region during the next general elections, if it fails to declare Telangana state immediately.

Vertical split in T Congress leaders

  During the 4 hour heated discussions held at Congress MP Vivek’s house today, Telangana Congress leaders split vertically over quitting their posts. While the seven MPs have decided to quit their posts, MLAs and ministers have opposed their decision.   Parliament members Gutta Sukhendar Reddy, Madhu Yashi Goud, Ponnam Prabhakar, Rajayya, Komatireddy Raja Gopalareddy, Mandha Jagannadham and G.Vivek have decided to send their resignation letters to party president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday through fax in speaker format. They have decided to enclose a letter giving the reasons for their resignations and explaining about fate of the party, if it prolongs the Telangana issue any further. A seven day grace period will be given to party high command to decide whether to declare Telangana or to let them leave the party also. This will obviously develop tremendous pressure on the Ministers and MLAs, who don’t want to quit now.   Minister K.Jana Reddy has opined that it is inappropriate for themselves to threaten the party high command, while it is likely to take favorable decision on Telangana issue. So, they differ with Congress MPs and decide to wait for a couple of weeks.   But, their decision to hang to their posts will worsen their position in the region as TRS and T-JAC has decided to concentrate their attacks on them from tomorrow onwards. TRS president KCR and his party leaders have already started a verbal war against these leaders. They have served an ultimatum to the Congress MLAs and Ministers asking to quit their posts immediately or face dire consequences.

40వ సారి రంజీ ట్రోఫీని కైవసం చేసుకున్న ముంబై

        రంజీ ట్రోఫీ ఫైనల్లో ముంబై ఘనవిజయం సాధించింది. సౌరాష్ట్ర పై 125పరుగులు ఇన్ని౦గ్స్ తేడాతో గెలిచి రికార్డ్ 40వ సారి రంజీ ట్రోఫీని కైవసం చేసుకుంది. రెండో ఇన్ని౦గ్స్ లో ధవళ్ కులకర్ణి, అజిత్ అగరార్కర్ దెబ్బకు సౌరాష్ట్ర 82కే ఆలౌటైంది. అజిత్ అగరార్కర్ 15 పరుగులు ఇచ్చి నాలుగు వికెట్లు తీయగా, కులకర్ణి 32 పరుగులు ఇచ్చి ఐదు వికెట్లు కూల్చాడు. మొదటి ఇన్ని౦గ్స్ లో  సౌరాష్ట్ర144 పరుగులు చేయగా, ముంబై 355 పరుగులు చేసింది. రెండో ఇన్ని౦గ్స్ లో కూడా సౌరాష్ట్ర బ్యాట్స్ మెన్లు పూర్తిగా విఫలమయ్యారు. ఎస్‌హెచ్ కోటక్ (0), ఎస్‌డి జోగియానీ (0), ఆర్ఆర్ దావే (5), ఎవి వాసదేవ (0), జెఎన్ షా (6), ఎస్‌పి జాక్సన్ (9), కెఆర్ మక్వానా (7), ఎస్ సానాండ్యా (16) చెత్తగా అవుటయ్యారు. టీ విరామ సమయానికి సౌరాష్ట్ర 58 పరుగులకే ఎనిమిది వికెట్లు కోల్పోయింది. టీ విరామ సమయం తర్వాత ధర్మేంద్ర సిన్హ్ జడేజా (22), జైదేవ్ ఉనద్కత్ (9) త్వరగా అవుటయ్యారు. సౌరాష్ట్ర పై ముంబై 125పరుగులు ఇన్ని౦గ్స్ తేడాతో ఘనవిజయం సాధించింది. రంజీల్లో సెంచరీల రికార్డ్ బద్దలు కొట్టిన వసీం జాఫర్ కి మ్యాన్ అఫ్ ది మ్యాచ్ అవార్డు లభించింది. 

Congress become soft target for T activists

  As expected all the Telangana protagonists have concentrated their attacks on Congress party and its Telangana leaders. While, KCR goes beyond limits in abusing Minister K.Jana Reddy, CPI general secretary of the state Narayana has flayed the Congress party for making joke of the all party meeting with its announcement.   Although it appears to be criticizing the center for its failure on making a decision on Telangana issue, underneath there are political intentions for every party. Like MIM snapped its ties with Congress on silly reasons with a view to grow itself to state level, TRS also eagerly grabs this opportunity to emerge as the savior of the Telangana, in an attempt to elbow the Congress party out of the region from the upcoming elections and to emerge as the main political party in the region.   BJP also joins this bandwagon but foreseeing a much higher target of wresting power from Congress at national level.   It is TDP, which lost this great opportunity to gain any political mileage as it is obliged to maintain a low profile to avert embarrassment to its president Chandrababu, who is now in coastal Andhra districts.   However, the Congress Ministers, MPs, MLAs are still couldn’t afford to attack their rivals nor could bear the grunt. There is no one to give asylum to these beleaguered leaders. Neither the party high command nor the state government comes to their help in this critical situation.

Brazil Nightclub Fire Kills 245

        Brazil night club fire: A fire in a nightclub killed at least 245 people in southern Brazil on Sunday when a band's pyrotechnics show set the building ablaze and fleeing partygoers stampeded toward blocked and overcrowded exits in the ensuing panic, officials said.   Police Major Cleberson Braida told local news media that the 245 bodies were brought for identification to a gymnasium in the city of Santa Maria. That toll apparently would make it the deadliest nightclub fire in more than a decade. The cause of the fire is not yet known, officials said. Officials earlier put the death toll at 180. Civil Police and regional government spokesman Marcelo Arigoni told Radio Gaucha earlier that the total number of victims is still unclear and there may be hundreds injured, The newspaper Diario de Santa Maria reported that the fire started at around 2 a.m. at the Kiss nightclub in the city at the southern tip of Brazil, near the borders with Argentina and Uruguay. Rodrigo Moura, whom the paper identified as a security guard at the club, said it was at its maximum capacity of between 1,000 and 2,000, and partygoers were pushing and shoving to escape. The fire led President Dilma Roussef to cancel a series of meetings she had scheduled at a summit of Latin American and European leaders in Chile’s capital of Santiago, and was headed to Santa Maria, according to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry. Santa Maria is a university city with a population of around a quarter of a million. A welding accident reportedly set off a December 25, 2000, fire at a club in Luoyang, China, killing 309. At least 194 people died at an overcrowded working-class nightclub in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2004. A blaze at the Lame Horse nightclub in Perm, Russia, broke out on December 5, 2009, when an indoor fireworks display ignited a plastic ceiling decorated with branches, killing 152 A nightclub fire in the U.S. state of Rhode Island in 2003 killed 100 people.

Center to restart consultations on Telangana

  AICC secretary and state in-charge Gulam Nabi Azad has said that the Center wants to talk to all the leaders of the three regions of the state to find an amicable solution to the bifurcation issue. He said the party will invite the leaders of 3 regions and also Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana for consultations on this issue. He said there will be no deadline to make an announcement on this issue as it is quite complicated and sensitive. However, he told the media that home ministry will speak about the time frame of this issue in a few minutes from now.

Chandrababu breaks pada-yatra

  TDP President Chandrababu Naidu’s ‘vasutunna meekosam’ pada-yatra for the second time had a break today. Earlier he breaks it to pay tributes to his senior leader and MP K.Yerram Naidu, who died in a car accident near Srikakulam. But, this time he has to take break due to swollen little finger of his leg. His personal doctor Rakesh has treated him and suggested for a one week rest. But, Chandrababu has agreed to take only 3 days rest due to the pressures from family members and party leaders. Probably, he may take rest at his party leaders’ house in the district.

Govt gives permission for Samara Deeksha

  When, T-JAC Chairman Prof.Kodhandaram threatens to surround CM camp office and the Secretariat if the government fails to give them permission for their 36 hours-Samara Deeksha, finally government responds positively and grants permission to them. So, T-JAC leaders, OU students, Telangana protagonists have accompanied T-JAC Chairman Prof.Kodhandaram to Indira Park, where he just begins his Samara Deeksha. Speaking on the occasion he said it is pity that the state government takes so much time to give permission to their peaceful dharna. He described getting permission is the victory of the people of Telangana region.

High tense situation in twin cities

  T-JAC decision to go ahead with its 36 hours ‘Samara Deeksha’ at Indira Park today, despite denial permission from the police leads to tensions in the city. Police have virtually clamped all the roads that lead to Indira Park and arrested Swami Goud and K.Taraka Ramarao a short while ago. OU students, who planned a rally to Raj Bhavan, were also taken into custody. T-NGO leaders have warned the government of dire sequences if they were not allowed to stage Samara Deeksha. T-JAC Chairman Prof.Kodhandaram has condemned the arrests and threatens the government to launch ‘Samara Deeksha’ where ever they were stopped. TRS leaders Harish rao and several others arrival to Assembly area further escalates tensions. So far, the situation is under control but may turn worse if the T-JAC takes any drastic decisions.

Azarenka wins Australian Open final 2013

        Victoria Azarenka has won her second straight Australian Open title, beating Li Na 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a dramatic final that included a break for fireworks and two medical timeouts.   Li tumbled twice to the court after twisting her left ankle. She had the ankle taped after falling in the fifth game of the second set. On the first point after a 10-minute pause in the third set while fireworks crackled overhead from nearby Australia Day celebrations, Li fell over again and slammed the back of her head on the court. The 2011 French Open champion was treated immediately and had another time out before being allowed to resume the match. Azarenka won five of the next six games to claim her second major title and retain the No. 1 ranking

Padma Awards announced, Ramanaidu gets Padma Bhushan

        Padma Awards 2013: The list of recipients of the prestigious Padma Award for 2013 was announced on Friday after approval from President of India, on the eve of Republic Day. In total 109 Padma Awards would be conferred this year - 5 Padma Vibhushan, 27 Padma Bhushan and 77 Padma Shri Awards. Movie Mogul Ramanaidu has been conferred the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India - the Padma Bhushan Award, in recognition for his stellar contribution to Telugu cinema. The filmmaker got the official confirmation on Friday morning. The Guinness Record holder's name was nominated of the honor along with director Bapu by the AP Government in November last year. The legendary filmmaker hold the Guinness World Record for being the most prolific film producer in the world with over 130 films to his credit. He was conferred the Dada Saheb Phakle Award -country's highest award in cinema - in 2010. Veteran filmmaker Bapu who made a comeback with Balakrishna starrer Sri Ramarajyam was also awarded the Padma Shri Award. The filmmaker who films are known for their Telugu nativity, have won many National Awards. Padma Vibhushan Prof Yashpal, Haider Raza, Raghunath Mohapatra, Rodham Narsimha. Padma Bhushan Rajesh Khanna (posthumous), D Ramanaidu, Rahul Dravid, Sushil Kumar, Mary Kom, Sharmlia Tagore Padma Shri Veteran filmmaker Bapu, Sridevi, Ramesh Sippy, Ritu Kumar, Kailesh Kher, Vijay Kumar, Fauza Singh, Gautam Gambhir, and Alok Kumar, Hilda Mit Lepcha, Mizoram educationist J Malsawma, Noted Assamese tea industrialist Hemendra Prasad Barooah, Xatriya dance exponent Ghanakanta Bora Borbayan, Mmountaineer Premlata Agrawal, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, Para athlete Hosanagara Nagarajegowda Girisha, London Olympic silver medallist shooter Vijay Kumar, boxer Ngangom Dingko Singh, Rower Bajrang Lal.  

Telangana MPs shoots letter to High Command

  AICC Secretary Gulam Nabi Azad’s announcement about the likely extension of the deadline for few more days or weeks has sparked fire in Telangana region. Soon after his announcement, TRS has aimed it guns on Congress party leaders in the region and demands them to quit their posts immediately. Unable to sustain the pressures from TRS, today they have wrote a letter to party high command asking if it couldn’t announce its decision on January 28th as promised, at least it should declare another date to announce its decision on the Telangana issue.   But, none of them could explain what makes them stop from quitting their jobs. Are they delaying because they are still hopeful on a favorable decision or are they afraid to leave the party as there is no other alternative in Telangana except TRS, which they least prefers to join? Are they afraid of their party high command? The beleaguered Telangana leaders have several questions to answer. Hope a day will come to know their minds.