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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Vaigai, the Express which saw many firsts, turns 48
1 2 Madurai: Madurai railway division's flagship train, Vaigai Express, completed 48 years of service on Friday. Rail enthusiasts marked the milestone by cutting a cake alongside retired loco pilots who once helmed it. Introduced on Aug 15, 1977, between Madurai and Chennai, the train holds a special place in Indian Railways ' history as the country's first metre-gauge train to run at 100 kmph. It was also the first train to have a pantry car in metre gauge, which until then was exclusive to overnight trains. In 1979, it began running with YDM-4A (Metre gauge - Diesel - Mixed traffic) locomotives. It introduced the first 42-seat air-conditioned coach in a metre-gauge train in 1994, and in 1995, ran with a YAM-1 (Metre gauge Alternating current Mixed traffic) electric engine between Chennai and Villupuram. Converted to broad gauge in 1997, Vaigai Express initially ran with 16 coaches, which expanded to 24 in 2006. Electrification between Chennai and Trichy was completed in 2008 and extended to Madurai in 2014. In 2018, with the commissioning of double lines between Madurai and Chennai, journey time was reduced to 7 hours 35 minutes from 7 hours 55 minutes. Rail enthusiast Arun Pandian said Vaigai Express has been a pioneer in multiple aspects of Indian Railways. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Benefits of Trading Bitcoin CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo "Whenever new features are introduced, Vaigai is often among the first to get them, like the introduction of tube lights in the coaches," he said, adding that further travel time reductions are possible through coordinated operational efforts. Recalling his 11 years driving the train, retired loco pilot Deva Raj, 82, said, "I still remember the 1996 floods that washed away tracks near Villupuram, forcing us to halt for two days. Apart from that, it was all sweet memories." Some enthusiasts believe the train's journey time could be cut further to about six-and-a-half hours by raising its top speed. Friday's anniversary programme ended on a nostalgic note, with rail fans sharing stories, posing with memorabilia, and clicking photos beside the cake-cutting toasts. Around 50 enthusiasts even made a same-day trip to Chennai on the train before returning to Madurai to join the celebrations. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Akkenam OTT release date: When, where to watch Arun Pandian-Keerthi Pandian film
Akkenam, the 2025 Tamil action thriller film starring actors and father-daughter duo Arun Pandian and Keerthi Pandian in the lead roles, will premiere on SunNXT after its theatrical run. The film will be available on SunNXT via OTTplay Premium from August 16 onwards. Akkenam poster Akkenam OTT release date: Akkenam is an action thriller which released in theatres in July. After its big screen run, the film will make its streaming debut on SunNXT on August 16. You can watch the film with your OTTplay Premium subscription. The Tamil film marks the second collaboration of Keerthi Pandian with her father and actor Arun Pandian, after the duo shared the screen space in the 2021 Tamil film Anbirkiniyal, a remake of the Malayalam film Helen. Akkenam is written and directed by filmmaker Uday K, and also features actors Ramesh Thilak, GM Sundar, Seetha, and others as part of the cast. The film revolves around a convict who has been released recently as he teams up with a cab driver to confront a common evil. The technical crew of Akkenam includes cinematographer Vignesh Govindarajan and Devathyan handling the edits. Barath Veeraraghavan has scored the music for the film. More action thrillers to watch on OTTplay Premium If you are fan of action thriller films, then OTTplay Premium offers you a wide variety of Tamil films to stream. In case you are interested in mainstream and commercial action films, then the Arun Vijay-starrer Mission Chapter 1, Dhanush and Vetrimaaran's gangster actioner Vada Chennai, and Vikram Vedha featuring Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi in the lead roles, can be your go-to watches. In case of experimentative films, you can stream titles like Silambarasan and Venkat Prabhu's Maanaadu which involves the concept of time loop, a neo-noir actioner Aaranya Kaandam by filmmaker Thiagarajan Kumararaja, and Lokesh Kanagaraj's action thriller Kaithi, which marks the first instalment in LCU and has no female lead and songs.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Akkenam' trailer: Keerthi Pandian takes on Arun Pandian and Aditya Shivpink in a do-or-die mission
The trailer of the upcoming Tamil action thriller, Akkenam, starring Keerthi Pandian, Arun Pandian, and Aditya Shivpink, was released by the makers today. Written and directed by Uday K, the film is set to release in theatres on July 4. In the trailer, Keerthi is introduced as a cab driver, Indira, who inadvertently gets embroiled in a life-threatening issue when she comes across a mysterious item that seems to be crucial evidence in a case involving Arun's character, said to be a psychopath, and Aditya's character, who seems to be a gangster. The trailer promises an action-packed, emotional story. Notably, the film marks a reunion between Keerthi and her father Arun after 2021's Anbirkiniyal. Akkenam also features Adithya Menon, Praveen Raja, Ramesh Thilak, Seetha, and GM Sundar among others. With music scored by Barath Veeraraghavan, the film has cinematography by Vignesh Govindarajan and editing by Devathyan. Akkenam is produced by Arun Pandian under the banner of A&P Groups.
