Eminent Malayalam filmmaker Shaji N Karun dies at 73
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India.com
19 minutes ago
- India.com
PM Modi celebrates Rajinikanth's 50 years of stardom, Thalaiva's humble response wins hearts, says ‘I am deeply…'
PM Modi celebrates Rajinikanth's 50 years of stardom, Thalaiva's humble response wins hearts, says 'I am deeply…' In the glitzy and glamorous world of Bollywood, many stars come and go, but there are rarely any legends who stand the test of time and earn massive stardom. One such example of this is a towering figure who not only transcended generations, languages, and borders but also redefined Indian cinema. The person we are talking about is none other than Rajinikanth, also famously known as the Thalaiva of millions worldwide. Worshiped as god, this superstar's journey is of grit, charm, and unmatched charisma. On August 15, 2025, Rajinikanth completed 50 golden years in cinema, a milestone that coincided with the release of his much-awaited film Coolie. This landmark sparked heartfelt wishes from fans and stalwarts of the film fraternity, along with a special message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi's Heartfelt Tribute Prime Minister Modi shared a picture of his meeting with Rajinikanth in Delhi on X with a heartfelt caption. He wrote, 'Congratulations to Thiru Rajinikanth Ji on completing 50 glorious years in the world of cinema. His journey has been iconic, with his diverse roles having left a lasting impact on the minds of people across generations. Wishing him continued success and good health in the times to come.' PM Modi also posted the same message in Tamil. This gesture deeply resonated with fans across Tamil Nadu and beyond. Rajinikanth's Warm Reply The superstar responded with gratitude, saying: 'Respected @narendramodi Modi ji, I am deeply grateful for your warm wishes. It is truly an honour to receive them from a leader I have long held in the highest regard. Thank you for your kind words. Jai Hind.' Besides, PM of India, film fraternity also joined the celebration and poured in love for him. Kamal Haasan wrote on X, 'Marking half a century of cinematic brilliance, my dear friend @rajinikanth celebrates 50 glorious years in cinema today. I wish #Coolie resounding global success befitting this golden jubilee.' Malayalam superstar Mohanlal too extended his wishes, calling it '50 years of unmatched charisma, dedication, and magic on screen' while hoping for 'many more memorable moments ahead.' Director-producer Vignesh Shivan recalled his first meeting with the legend, writing: 'First time I met you, couldn't stop tearing up! Thalaiva… everyone who knows you loves you! Being a star and being the human you are makes all this love justified! 50 years of entertainment, style, and love from loyal fans.' Rajinikanth's cinematic journey Rajinikanth's ventured into the world of cinema in the year 1975 with K. Balachander's Apoorva Raagangal. Although, he played a brief role in the film, it was quite impactful. Now, after five decades, the superstar is 74 and still continues to command a cult following unmatched in Indian cinema.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
AMMA president Shwetha Menon's remarkable Malayalam films to watch right now
Actress Shwetha Menon made history on Friday as she became the first woman president of Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes or AMMA. From making her debut in the 1990s to doing notable roles in the 2000s, Shwetha Menon has an interesting career graph in the Malayalam film industry. Known for her bold choices in films, Shwetha Menon has done some remarkable roles that you need to watch. All these films are available on OTTplay Premium Shwetha Menon, Lal in Salt N' Pepper Shwetha Menon's films to watch now Salt N' Pepper Two middle aged people - Kalidasan and Maya - are at the centre of this film, which stood out from the usual fare with its fresh narrative style and performances. A misdialled phone call introduces Kalidasan to Maya as they connect over their common passion for food. Shwetha convincingly plays Maya, a dubbing artiste, who is battling her own set of insecurities, much like Kalidasan. Actors Asif Ali and Mythili play other key roles in the film, which is a must-watch. Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha Haridas returns to his village in Kerala, named Paleri, seeking to find the truth behind a murder that happened decades ago. Shwetha Menon plays Cheeru in this Malayalam mystery film, which fetched her very first Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress. The film is led by Malayalam megastar Mammootty, who appears in triple roles, and yet again secured a State Best Actor Award. Kalimannu This Malayalam film, courted much controversy, as it features real-life footage of Shwetha Menon's labour and childbirth. In Kalimannu, Shwetha plays Meera, a club dancer, who aspires to act in films. It follows the events after she marries a taxi driver. The 2011 film, helmed by acclaimed director Blessy, made headlines during the recent AMMA elections as well. A meek Meenakshi Pillai, who is in her 50s, files for divorce from her husband Thanu Pillai, a hardened elderly man. Through the tales of Meenakshi and Thanu, Ozhimuri (which means divorce) explores the power dynamics in a household and the matrilineal system which was prevalent in Kerala. Shwetha Menon plays Thanu's mother, a strong woman.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Amid Obscene Films Row, Shwetha Menon Becomes First Female President Of Malayalam Film Body AMMA
New Delhi: After months of speculation and controversy, actor Shwetha Menon has been elected as the first-ever female president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). What's Happening Speaking to ANI following her historic win, Shwetha Menon said she intends to bring change to the organisation. "I haven't planned anything..I do have an is a very big don't expect miracles, but we will be doing something for a change," she said. Background The election result came nearly a year after former AMMA president, actor Mohanlal, resigned from his post in August 2024. His resignation, along with that of the entire 17-member executive committee, followed growing allegations of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, as highlighted in the Justice K Hema Committee report. The report, commissioned by the Kerala government, examined the working conditions of women in Mollywood. The Justice Hema Committee's findings exposed deep-rooted issues within the industry, stating that a small group of 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors held dominant control. A redacted version of the 235-page report was later made public. The state government also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the concerns raised by several female actors. In January 2025, actor Unni Mukundan stepped down as AMMA's treasurer, citing increasing work pressure and its impact on his mental health. Shweta Menon's Controversy Last week, the Kerala High Court stayed proceedings in connection with an FIR lodged against Shwetha Menon under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act and provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. The complaint accused her of publishing or transmitting obscene scenes from some of her past films and advertisements. The interim stay was issued by Justice V G Arun in response to a plea filed by Menon seeking to quash the FIR. The court observed that there appeared to be merit in the contention of her counsel and noted that the procedures required before forwarding the complaint for investigation had not been followed. "Considering the short duration within which the complaint was filed and forwarded to the police, it appears that no such procedure was followed. Registry shall call for a report from the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakulam regarding the procedure followed before forwarding the complaint to the police for investigation," the court said. The High Court also issued notices to the state and the complainant, Martin Menachery, who had alleged that Menon acted in films and a condom advertisement containing obscene visuals for monetary gain. In her plea, Shwetha Menon stated that the allegations are "mala fide" and that the offences invoked in the FIR are not applicable. She added that the films mentioned in the complaint - including Paleri Manikyam, Rathinirvedham, and Kalimannu - had all been duly censored and certified. She also pointed out that her performance in Paleri Manikyam won her a Kerala State Award for Best Actress. Regarding the condom advertisement, Menon said it too had been cleared by the censor board years ago. "The allegation of the petitioner (Menon) being privy to running porn sites is absurd and per se defamatory. It is submitted that such allegations are raised in a callous and irresponsible manner without any supporting material," the plea stated. The actor also claimed that the timing of the complaint was linked to her decision to contest the AMMA elections. Menon is known for her performances in films like Salt N Pepper, Rathinirvedham and Kalimannu.
