Best Films Nominations For Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Countdown begins for Bigg Boss Malayalam 7: Mohanlal issues warning to gossip squad
Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 is set to premiere on August 3rd, hosted by Mohanlal. A teaser hints at a season discouraging gossip and groupism, sparking debate among fans. The show will feature a new set in Chennai and rumored contestants include Anumol and Jishin Mohan. The theme is speculated to be "Hell & Heaven" with the tagline '7nte Pani'. The countdown has officially begun for the much-anticipated Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7, with just six days to go for the grand premiere on Sunday, August 3. As excitement builds up among fans, the show's makers have dropped a brand-new teaser featuring none other than the show's iconic host, Mohanlal . In the teaser, a group resembling housemates can be seen whispering and gossiping inside a set styled like the Bigg Boss house. But the tone quickly changes as Mohanlal makes a dramatic entry, warning viewers and potential contestants that this season won't favor those who rely on "gossiping" to stay relevant. He specifically calls out the so-called 'Ayalkoottam team', a nickname coined by social media users to refer to cliques that stir drama within the house. While the teaser has grabbed attention, it has also sparked a debate online. Some fans argue that gossip and groupism are part and parcel of Bigg Boss's appeal and questioning whether curbing that could make the show bland. Others feel it's a refreshing and much-needed change to ensure a more competitive and fair environment. Meanwhile, preparations for the launch are in full swing. The makers are finalizing the contestant lineup, which will reportedly include both celebrities and commoners. Among the rumoured participants are actress Anumol, actor Jishin Mohan, Shanavas Shanu, and influencer Oneal Sabu. However, Rekha Ratheesh, Avantika Mohan, and Roshan Basheer have publicly denied their participation. This season is also set to make a historic shift, with the Bigg Boss Malayalam house being built on a new set in Chennai, marking the first time the Malayalam version has its own exclusive space. Adding to the buzz are speculations about the season's theme, rumored to be "Hell & Heaven", and the tagline '7nte Pani', hinting at dramatic twists and intense gameplay. Contestants are expected to arrive in Chennai by July 31, and fans can expect the show to kick off with its signature glitz, drama, and Mohanlal's commanding presence.
The Print
12 hours ago
- The Print
Mohanlal embraces his feminine side—in a jewellery ad that redefines masculinity
Instead, the ad focuses on strong visual storytelling, showing Mohanlal gracefully embracing his feminine energy by adorning himself with jewellery. The powerful visuals need no voiceover, no tagline, and no melodrama to make its point. The latest campaign for Vinsmera Jewels breaks away from all the familiar tropes of traditional jewellery ads. There isn't any ideal daughter, blushing bride, proud father or monologues on feminism. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is earning applause on social media for his standout performance in a new jewellery commercial. It's a refreshing shift from the usual gendered storytelling in jewellery advertising. Directed by filmmaker Prakash Varma, the commercial opens on a film set. Amid the hustle and bustle of introductions, Mohanlal slips away with an intricate jewellery set and heads to his vanity van. As the crew begins a search for the missing jewellery, the camera cuts to Mohanlal, who is seen wearing the necklace, rings, and bracelet, paired with a black shirt and trousers. He admires his features in the mirror as traditional music plays in the background. When the director enters Mohanlal's van, shocked, the actor simply bursts into laughter. An unconventional approach The commercial struck a chord with the audiences, who praised Mohanlal for putting up a quiet act of rebellion. The video has clocked over 2.3 million views and over five thousand comments on YouTube. Rather than seeking approval, the plot of the advertisement focuses more on self-acceptance. After all, the biggest battle is not the one we fight against the world, but the one that we fight with ourselves. And that is where the commercial succeeds over traditional jewellery marketing. It stirs emotions instead of delivering monologues, because visuals have a long and lasting impact. It didn't go for the tried and tested backdrops of weddings. Basically, it was totally unconventional and that is what took the audience by surprise. Also, the brand isn't promoting a product in your face. It's simply putting out the thought that beauty isn't about conformity, but about embracing what speaks to your soul, and jewellery is just a medium for it. Also read: CEAT to Bajaj Insurance—Shubman Gill is new poster boy of ads. Why it can also hit his brand Double standards At first glance, the flood of praise under Mohanlal's recent video might make you believe that society is finally embracing the LGBTQ+ community. But scratch the surface, and the reality is anything but progressive. One influencer rightly pointed out the hypocrisy: when a regular creator wears jewellery or dresses femininely, trolls are quick to tear them apart. But when superstar Mohanlal, who is known to be a macho Malayalam actor, does the same, it becomes 'iconic.' To this, internet users were quick to issue clarification stating that they don't celebrate the ad's message, instead they just applaud Mohanlal's acting spectrum. One user wrote, 'He's an actor. He's done mighty masculine roles like Mangalassery Neelakandan. People are praising his range of acting.' While another said, 'I don't know about others, but trust me homie, I hate that f*****g ad and you equally from the bottom of my heart.' These reactions are testament to the fact that we still have a long way to go in embracing fluidity, when it isn't wrapped in stardom. That said, one cannot unsee that the ad has sparked a larger conversation — about beauty, gender, performance, and the weight of public perception. Whether seen for its message, the rebellion, or simply Mohanlal's acting, the commercial dares to ask a quiet question in a noisy world: Who defines beauty and why? And, maybe that is what makes it unforgettable. Not because it shouts, but because it doesn't have to. Brand: Vinsmera Jewels Creatives: In-house Director: Prakash Varma Views are personal. (Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Questions arise over ‘ineffectivecrowd control, missing cops at site'
Haridwar: The Mansa Devi temple stampede has raised several questions over failure in proper crowd control and management by Haridwar district administration and police, as per locals. Many pointed out that adequate police presence on the pedestrian route and the entrance for better crowd control could have averted the tragedy, adding that the situation was exacerbated by unauthorised structures on the route. Mohan Lal, whose six-year-old nephew Arush died in the stampede, said, "Only if there were proper arrangements on the temple route, my nephew would've been alive today. There was no police presence on the narrow route. It was overcrowded with people moving up and down at the same time, leading to the congestion. Also, no one could move forward... Even after the incident, help arrived late." People started to panic when rumours spread that the temple gates were being closed, Lal said, adding: "It was a terrible sight." Video clips of the stampede showed a huge crowd of men, women and children stuck in a narrow passage leading to the temple. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Retirement Villages Near Sylhe Sadar Senior Living | Search Ads Undo Dozens of people, seemingly glued to each other and hardly moving, could only manage to hold the children above their heads, news agency PTI reported. Mahendra Pratap Singh, an eyewitness who saw the stampede from a rooftop a little distance away, was quoted by PTI as saying that excess crowd was "the only factor to the tragic incident." Ajay Jaiswal, a local, was also quoted by the agency as saying that the administration should have been more alert. "Mansa Devi is the biggest centre of attraction for devotees in Haridwar after Har Ki Pauri. Thousands of devotees come here every day. The crowd swells during the month of Sawan as a rule. Being a Sunday, the possibility of a larger crowd was very much there. So, the administration should have been more alert," he said. Haridwar-based social activist JP Badoni told TOI, "This tragedy could've been averted. Local administration is solely responsible. This is not the first such tragedy in Haridwar. However, lessons from the past have clearly not been learnt. There are over 200 illegally constructed shops along the Mansa Devi pedestrian route, many of which draw electricity illegally. Despite the area being a reserved zone, the forest department never took any action. The religious trust managing the temple also never addressed the growing risks." Badoni urged immediate legal steps against those responsible. Meanwhile, assuring a comprehensive review, DM Mayur Dixit told TOI: "The temple administration has been directed to employ private security. Crowd management protocols at religious sites will undergo review." Soon after the tragedy, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami instructed disaster management secretary Vinod Kumar Suman to conduct a comprehensive assessment of crowd management, route planning and security measures across Uttarakhand's pilgrimage sites to prevent similar incidents in future.
