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NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"What Drama... They Are On A Firing Spree": BJP MP After Bengaluru Tragedy
Calling the spree of suspensions in the wake of Bengaluru stampede deaths "drama", BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Friday hinted that scapegoating has taken place and accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Deputy DK Shivakumar of evading responsibility. Eleven people died in a crowd crush outside M Chinnaswamy stadium, as tens of thousands turned up to cheer Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this week. "What drama is this? An honest police officer who is actually known for his integrity, as very few of such people remaining in the system these days, he is suspended. RCB is being hounded. And the political secretary of the chief minister, who advised him to not go ahead with the celebrations, is now sacked," Tejasvi Survya, Bengaluru South MP who is in the US as part of the multi-party delegation carrying India's Operation Sindoor message, told NDTV. Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayanand, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's political secretary K Govindaraj and head of the information department, Hemant Nimbalkar, are among those who have been suspended since Wednesday, the day of the tragedy. Earlier today, four people, including the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Marketing Head and DNA Event Management Company staffers, were arrested. "The two people who are primarily responsible for what happened are the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister and to save their own skin, they are going about on a firing spree, starting from the police commissioner to the RCB head, to his own political secretary," said Mr Surya. The BJP MP cited the example of Sacha Baron Cohen movie, "The Dictator", to drive home the point. "If you remember this movie Borat. You know, this The Dictator from Kazakhstan - left, right and center - he keeps firing everybody, you know, to suit his political whim. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar appear to be like the dictator from Borat movie at least today," said Mr Surya. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has criticised the BJP for politicising the stampede. His remarks came after the BJP accused the Congress-led state government of making the police a "scapegoat" in the incident. Mr Surya said the Chief Minister invited people for the celebration, but accused him of failing to make arrangements. "So, you invite lakhs of people, you don't make arrangements, you do not take care of protocols to be put in place. You bring your entire extended family to stand on the stage along with these cricketers, take selfies, hog the limelight, snatch the trophy from their hand and hold it high up as though you have actually earned it. And then when all hell breaks loose, you go about on a firing spree to save your skin," said Mr Surya. "This is a joke that is being played. Look at the way DK Shiv Kumar has posed with the IPL Cup. Honestly, what has he done to achieve it? In the last 18 years, what has CM Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar done to support the local cricketing talent in Karnataka? What have they done to partake undeservingly in this glory of RCB's victory?" he further asked. The Bengaluru South MP spotlighted that it is not some counter-terrorism operation where you need specific intelligence inputs, hinting at the lack of planning for the event. "This is not a failure that can be, you know, attributed to lack of intelligence input. It is a failure because of natural stupidity of Shivakumar and Chief Minister. This is not a lack of intelligence inputs from the police commissioner," he said. "Any person who has a reasonable sense of how things go will anticipate that if the state government, starting with the Chief Minister, gives an open invitation for a grand celebration on the steps of Vidhan Sauda, people are bound to come in lakhs and lakhs of numbers. You don't need an IPS officer or an intelligence chief of the state police to tell you that lakhs of people will turn up, that there is going to be an emotional frenzy. And if you don't realise it, it speaks volumes of your stupidity and you don't have a right to hold public office if this is your intellectual ability of comprehension," he said. The MP cited the case of the 2024 T20 World Cup victory celebration in Mumbai to draw a contrast between the two events. "And I have a question to ask. It's not the first time that celebrations of this kind have been arranged in this country. After we won the World Cup, there was a huge parade that was organised in Mumbai. Close to 15-16 lakh people participated in it. Not a single untoward incident took place. Because it was well-managed, well-planned, well-organised," he said. "This is extremely unfortunate. This was an avoidable but man-made, man-created. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah created the tragedy," he said further.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Queen fans have just days to watch Oscar-winning biopic 'gripping' viewers
The movie has been available to stream on Netflix for some time - but it's set to leave the platform this week The 2018 biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, which chronicled the extraordinary life of Queen's lead singer Freddie Mercury, made quite a splash upon its release. The film primarily focused on the iconic musician's journey, from the formation of Queen in 1970 to their unforgettable Live Aid performance at the original Wembley Stadium in 1985, and was a resounding success. Bohemian Rhapsody was a colossal commercial triumph, raking in an impressive $910.8 million globally against a production budget of $50–55 million. This led to it being crowned the highest-grossing biographical drama ever, until it was recently toppled by Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer in 2023. It also ranked as the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2018. Despite currently being available on Netflix, Bohemian Rhapsody is set to depart from the streaming platform on June 15. The screenplay for the biopic was crafted by Anthony McCarten and produced by Queen's manager Jim Beach and Graham King. Bryan Singer directed the film, which was first announced in 2010 with Sacha Baron Cohen slated to portray Freddie Mercury, reports Surrey Live. However, the Borat actor left the project in mid-2013 due to creative differences with the producers, causing the film to be put on hold until 2016 when Rami Malek was cast in the lead role. The film's production troubles didn't stop there. Bryan Singer, who was the director for most of the principal photography (which kicked off in London in September 2017), was sacked from the project in December 2017 due to his regular no-shows on set and conflicts with the cast and crew. Dexter Fletcher, who was initially considered to helm the film during its early development stages, was then roped in to complete the movie. However, due to Directors Guild of America rules, Bryan Singer retained the sole directing credit, while Dexter Fletcher was acknowledged as an executive producer. Rami Malek took centre stage as Freddie Mercury, supported by a star-studded cast that included Lucy Boynton, Ben Hardy, Tom Hollander, Joe Mazzello, Mike Myers, Gwilym Lee, and Aidan Gillen. Queen band members Brian May and Roger Taylor also lent their expertise as consultants on the film. Bohemian Rhapsody had a remarkable run on the awards circuit, scooping four major accolades at the 91st Academy Awards: Best Actor for Rami Malek, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing, along with a Best Picture nomination. Rami bagged a Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor for his performance. Bohemian Rhapsody also clinched the Best Motion Picture – Drama, at the Golden Globe Awards that year, as well as the BAFTA Award for Best British Film. The biopic garnered a mixed bag of critiques, yet Rami's depiction of the iconic Queen frontman was universally lauded, with one reviewer noting: "Malek does an impressive job of re-creating Mercury's moves onstage, but the core of the performance is Malek's intensely thoughtful, insight-rich channelling of Mercury's hurt, his alienation and isolation even at the height of his fame." Another critic was captivated by Rami's portrayal, saying: "I can't remember the last time I have been so gripped by an actor's performance, from the first frame to the last." One review acknowledged the film's merits, saying: "Bohemian Rhapsody doesn't suck. "There's a soul inside it, and some anguish, too." Yet another offered a mixed view: "Rami Malek is a revelation, but his performance feels wasted in Bohemian Rhapsody, a movie that can't decide if it wants to honour Queen frontman Freddie Mercury or punish him." Criticism arose regarding the film's treatment of Freddie Mercury's sexuality, with a commentator remarking: "Bohemian Rhapsody is a movie that consciously tries to position a gay man at its centre while strategically disengaging with the 'gay' part as much as it can..." Conversely, audience reactions were more favourable, with a viewer sharing: "This biopic shows us a glimpse of who Freddie was and became, the emotions given are pure at heart, you felt every beat and followed every step. "This story may not have been entirely factual but we are given a blue print of where the band stood and the relation to Freddie. The performance the actor has given has matched both persona and musically, the energy and time has been well placed, the cinematography is crisp. "This may be one of the few biopics that would stay true to its fallen legend. The fact Brian May was involved made this bio pic official and not superficial. "It is a must see for any Queen fan." Meanwhile, another film-goer penned: "5/5 great movie, I've seen it more than twice. "I'm not going into more details. I don't want to argue with a bunch of wanna be Queen fans. A must see movie."
News18
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Field Marshal Asim Munir Or Failed Marshal Asim Munir? Netizens React To Pakistan's Decision
Last Updated: As Pakistan promotes Asim Munir to Field Marshal despite a bruising conflict with India, social media users erupt in sarcasm, satire and stinging memes. General Asim Munir's promotion to Field Marshal has triggered a flood of memes and sarcastic takes across social media platforms, with users questioning the timing and reasoning behind the elevation. Netizens were quick to point out the irony, highlighting that while the Pakistan Army reportedly suffered significant setbacks during recent cross-border clashes with India under Operation Sindoor, its chief is now being rewarded with the country's highest military title. Adnan Sami, the singer and composer originally from Pakistan, who made headlines for his decision to give up his Pakistani citizenship and become an Indian national, shared a clipping from an old movie to quip at the promotion of Munir. General #AsimMunir 's Acceptance Speech addressed to the Government of Pakistan as his audience after being made FIELD MARSHAL!!🤭 — Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) May 20, 2025 Another social media user, who goes by the username @Atheist_Krishna, shared a small video from the movie Borat where Sacha Baron Cohen's character is seen shooting at runners at a 100m sprint competition, equating it with Munir's ascent. Indians & Pakistanis aren't one people. In any decent nation, Army Chief Asim Munir would've been sacked for his failures. Instead, in Pakistan, he shamelessly promotes himself to Field Marshal. A disgrace to leadership!फील्ड मार्शल — Tehseen Poonawalla Official 🇮🇳 (@tehseenp) May 20, 2025 Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir will be promoted to the rank of field marshal, the prime minister's office said in a statement on Tuesday, the first time in almost 60 years that a general has been elevated to the role. Failed Marshal !— SageofDharma 🇮🇳 (@SageofDharma) May 20, 2025 His promotion, which was approved by the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, comes days after the country's suffered military casualties and setbacks after it intervened on behalf of terrorists targeted by India during Operation Sindoor. A social media user, referring to the losses suffered, called Munir a 'failed marshal" while reacting to the development.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Isla Fisher shares telling post amid $119m divorce with Sacha Baron Cohen
Australian actress Isla Fisher has shared a cryptic post to social media amid her divorce from Sacha Baron Cohen. The Wedding Crashers star, 49, posted a photo to Instagram on Thursday of a male embracing a woman crying. 'In Japan you can rent a handsome man just to cry with you and wipe your tears,' the post read. It comes after Isla recently opened up about her divorce from Cohen and how the end of their marriage changed her life. The Aussie actress split with the Borat creator, 53, at the end of 2023 after 13 years of marriage. Speaking to Stellar, Isla revealed that now she is single again and her children are growing up she is planning to re-focus her efforts on her work. 'I think because of the challenges I've gone through in the last two years, I don't see that it will change much,' Isla admitted. She added her career had previously been put on the 'backburner' while she raised her children with Sacha. Earlier this year, the actress and her ex shared a friendly exchange on social media amid reports their divorce was getting 'messy'. The exes engaged with one another on the Australian star's recent Instagram post, which shows her in a sultry photoshoot for Style Magazine. 'Stunning,' the British actor complimented his former wife in the comments below the post, which he also 'liked'. Isla replied some hours later, tagging her ex-partner and writing, 'Thank you'. The friendly interaction occurred amid reports her amicable divorce from comedian Sacha is set to turn sour as they divide their £60million (AUD$119million) fortune. Sources close to the actor said 'it's war' and 'any remaining veneer of civility has gone' after Isla opened up about how she was handling their separation. It comes after Isla recently opened up about her divorce from Cohen and how the end of their marriage changed her life Isla and Sacha revealed in a joint statement in April, 2024 they had 'quietly separated' the year before. 'After a long tennis match lasting over 20 years, we are finally putting our racquets down,' they told fans. Discussing the split with the Sunday Times, Isla said: 'It's the most difficult thing that I've been through and I've learnt so much about myself in the process. 'I never imagined my family being separated but we are committed and loving parents.' Isla explained her own parents separated when she was nine-years-old and admitted their peaceful arrangement was what she now strives for. She said: 'It was very harmonious, I don't ever remember them fighting about anything… they were very inclusive of each other.'
Irish Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Magic movies: The 25 best comedies of the past 25 years
What happened to the modern comedy film ? They still arrive in cinemas, but few stick around as they used to. The romcom is no longer a staple. The teen romp is nowhere near as bankable as the big dumb family flick. With that in mind we have, a quarter of the way through the 21st century, gathered the 25 best from that period for you to stream, rent or (you never know) take down from the shelf. The usual compromises apply. No more than one film per director. The century begins in 2000. We are leaving animation for another day. And, yes, all these films are comedies. That genre can deal with the grimmest of issues. All titles listed as streaming are also available to rent from services such as Apple, Sky and Google. READ MORE 25. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Michael Morris, 2025 By far the best in the Bridget Jones series. Far better than it needed to be. Jonsey slips into middle age with enormous dignity. Hugh Grant softens his definitive cad. Available to rent. Read our full review here 24. Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan Larry Charles, 2006 One sensed a certain cooling, over time, on the borderline racism in this first Borat film's treatment of its title character, but the sequel was a smash – and picked up an Oscar nomination – during the Covid years. Still funny. Streaming on Prime Video 23. Force Majeure Ruben Östlund, 2014 Ruben Östlund has since won the Palme d'Or twice, but he has yet to surpass this excruciating comedy about a dad abandoning his family to an avalanche. Yes, it's a variation on George Costanza fleeing the fire in Seinfeld, but so what? Available to rent. Read our full review here 22. The Banshees of Inisherin Martin McDonagh, 2022 Not every Irish person was on board with the heightened version of island life, but Martin McDonagh's taste for the mordant humour remains as pungent as ever. 'How's the despair?' Streaming on Disney+. Read our full review here 21. Sorry to Bother You Boots Riley, 2018 Boots Riley's satirical swipe at corporate insensitivity came out of nowhere to carve out its own space. LaKeith Stanfield plays a black man who adopts a white persona to succeed at work – with predictably compromising results. Available to rent. Read our full review here 20. The Death of Stalin Armando Iannucci, 2017 Armando Iannucci assembled an incomparable cast – Simon Russell Beale, Steve Buscemi , Andrea Riseborough , Michael Palin and more – to make a grimly hilarious study of what happened after Stalin left the planet. Jason Isaacs stands out for his bluff Yorkshire take on Field Marshal Zhuko. Streaming on Netflix. Read our full review here 19. Love & Friendship Whit Stillman, 2016 It may be a stretch to call this the best Jane Austen adaptation – Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility probably retains that title – but Whit Stillman's take on the author's obscure Lady Susan is surely the funniest. Shot in Ireland. Streaming on Disney+ and Mubi. Read our full review here 18. 24 Hour Party People Michael Winterbottom, 2002 Steve Coogan stars as Tony Wilson, founder of Factory Records, in the definitive take on Manchester's postpunk scene. 'It's a pity you didn't sign the Smiths,' God tells him. 'But you were right about Mick Hucknell. His music's rubbish.' Streaming on Plex 17. The Lobster Yorgos Lanthimos, 2015 Yorgos Lanthimos's transition from Greek weird wave to the quasi-mainstream of Poor Things and The Favourite began with this pitch-black Irish production set in a world where the single life is not tolerated. Colin Farrell is heartbreakingly pathetic. Rachel Weisz is equally strong. Available to rent. Read our full review here 16. Shaun of the Dead Edgar Wright, 2004 Pretty much nobody saw it coming when Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg , colleagues from the TV show Spaced, moved into cinema with an endlessly inventive pastiche of the zombie film. Pegg is now in Mission: Impossible. Wright is all over Hollywood. Available to rent 15. Punch-Drunk Love Paul Thomas Anderson, 2003 Paul Thomas Anderson essentially asks what life would be like with an Adam Sandler character in the real world. The answer is: pretty darn terrifying. Emily Watson is equally strong as a variation on the demure heroines who fall for Sandler in his mainstream comedies. Streaming on Prime Video 14. The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson, 2014 Opinions vary on what has become of Wes Anderson . Some think he has gone from strength to strength. Others feel he has slipped into self-parody. But all agree he was at the top of his game with this period comedy inspired by the work of Stefan Zweig. Ralph Fiennes confirms his comic chops. Streaming on Disney+. Read our full review here 13. May December Todd Haynes, 2023 A masterpiece of unsettling tone from Todd Haynes . Natalie Portman catches up with Julianne Moore some years after the latter's character got in hot water for an affair with a teenager. Pitched at the level of comic melodrama throughout. Streaming on Sky Cinema. Read our full review here 12. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Jake Kasdan, 2007 Twenty years after This Is Spinal Tap finished off the rockumentary, Jake Kasdan's comedy did the same for the music biopic. John C Reilly's Dewey Cox is Jim Morrison. He's Johnny Cash. He's Brian Wilson. 'I want an army of didgeridoos!' Available to rent 11. Sexy Beast Jonathan Glazer, 2000 Yes, the director of Zone of Interest does make this list. Jonathan Glazer's debut feature is one of a kind: a geezer gangster film that features an unclassifiable comic performance from Ben Kingsley . His Don Logan is simultaneously terrifying and hilarious. Available to rent 10. Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World Radu Jude, 2023 Entirely original satire from the Romanian oddball Radu Jude about a young woman seeking cast members for a corporate video in contemporary Bucharest. Makes swift turns at every juncture. Ruthlessly funny throughout. Available to rent. Read our full review here 9. Adaptation Spike Jonze, 2002 Spike Jonze and the writer Charlie Kaufman followed up Being John Malkovich with an alleged adaptation of Susan Orlean's book The Orchid Thief that largely abandoned the text for an investigation of the screenwriting process. Nicolas Cage , as Charlie and his fictional brother Donald, has never been better. Streaming on Mubi and Plex 8. Get Out Jordan Peele, 2017 Few films listed under 'comedy' at the Golden Globes generated more disagreement than Jordan Peele's rattling horror about a young black man embarrassed by the patronising – but initially benign – attentions of white liberals. The film is, however, plainly a descendant of Peele's satirical TV sketches on race. Available to rent. Read our full review here 7. Songs from the Second Floor Roy Andersson, 2000 Roy Andersson's 21st-century films are always the same yet always surprising. As was the case with later projects, this sombre, wry collection of sketches finds various Swedes trapped in comic despair. 'What can I say? It's not easy being human,' one character says. True enough. Available to rent 6. Step Brothers Adam McKay, 2008 Like Walk Hard – another John C Reilly flick on our list – Adam McKay's comedy landed softly with audiences and critics before going on to become an endlessly quoted classic. 'You and your mom are hillbillies,' he tells his new stepbrother, Will Ferrell . 'This is a house of learned doctors!' Streaming on Prime Video 5. Frances Ha Noah Baumbach, 2012 Noah Baumbach looked to have lost his way with missteps such as Greenberg before teaming up with Greta Gerwig and finding a lighter touch with this tale of a young woman contemplating her own lack of direction in a monochrome New York City. Streaming on Prime Video. Read our full review here 4. A Serious Man Joel and Ethan Coen, 2009 So many options this century from Joel and Ethan Coen. This intricate tale of an academic in 1960s Minnesota losing his cool as his wife falls for another man and his son takes up marijuana just steals it from O Brother Where Art Thou? and Inside Llewyn Davis. Available to rent 3. Team America: World Police Trey Parker, 2004 The US didn't really get it at the time, but the South Park team's puppet-led examination of the war on terror has given the world endless memes. In truth it's as much about Hollywood's self-indulgence as it is about global politics. 'You are worthress, Arec Barrwin!' Streaming on Paramount+ 2. Anora Sean Baker, 2024 The most satisfactory retooling of screwball comedy since the 1950s. There is real poignancy to Mikey Madison's performance, but the picture is most memorable for the clattering pace of its pursuits through New York City. Antic madness combined with emotional depth. Winner of the Palme d'Or and best-picture Oscar. Available to rent. Read our full review here 1. Lady Bird Greta Gerwig, 2017 Greta Gerwig looks back to her own upbringing in Sacramento, in California, and discovers a wealth of teenage traumas for Saoirse Ronan's plucky title character to process. The tense relationship between Lady Bird and her mother – a brittle Laurie Metcalf – is particularly well handled. A contemporary classic. Available to rent. Read our full review here
