Latest news with #Jena
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New musical Come Fall in Love 'is a show for everyone' say stars
Manchester once again finds itself in the spotlight with the UK premiere of a new musical. Inspired by the the longest-running movie in Indian cinema Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, - DDLJ to its legions of fans - Come Fall in Love certainly has a lot to live up to. The multi-award winning DDLJ has been playing continuously in Mumbai since its release in 1995. The company of Come Fall In Love in rehearsal (Image: Craig Sugden) But one look at the team behind Come Fall in Love indicates that it's a show which is more than up to the task. The book and lyrics are by Nell Benjamin who was responsible for Mean Girls and who won an Olivier Award winner for Legally Blonde. The music - 18 original English language songs - is by Vishal and Shekhar, the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber of Bollywood and directing the whole thing is Aditya Chopra, who was responsible for the original movie which has inspired the show. For the musical's stars, Jena Pandya and Ashley Day, bringing the production to the stage could have proved a daunting experience. But their excitement at being part of something special is palpable. 'What was nice is that we had a workshop about six months before we started rehearsals which allowed me to get into the right head space to be working with such legends,' said Jena. 'They have been so nice and put to much trust in us. I feel so lucky to be part of this team." Ashley added: 'I've worked in musical theatre for 20 years (he's starred in An American in Paris and The Book of Mormon) but to experience this has been amazing.' Come Fall in Love was performed in San Diego in 2022 but the show has been considerably reworked for its UK debut at the Opera House. Jena plays Simran, a young British Asian woman who is travelling around Europe before her arranged marriage. On her travels she meets Rog, played by Ashley, a self-styled party boy and an unlikely romance develops. 'I think the conscious decision that was made to change to plot to introduce Rog as a British white boy is so important,' said Ashley. 'It's now about two cultures and right now that's so modern and so relevant. It's good medicine.' The quality of the writing and the music has deeply affected both of the stars. 'Legally Blonde has to be the best movie to stage adaptation of them all,' said Ashley. 'So to have Nell involved with this production is amazing. She's able to get really under the skin of the characters and her storytelling is so witty and clever. 'Then there's Vishal and Shekar, they're absolute legends. The fact that this is their first stage musical absolutely blows my mind.' 'Each song has its own style,' added Jena. 'Even in rehearsals where the surroundings are not particularly atmospheric, it makes me emotional. It's just the way they have done it blending authentic Indian melodies with songs which are pure pop, are punky or just rock. Everyone can watch it and love it.' Ashley Day and Jena Pandya in Come Fall in Love (Image: ATG) Both Ashley and Jena are keen to stress that you don't even have to be aware of DDLJ to love Come Fall in Love. 'What is great is that you don't need to know the film,' said Jena. 'It works as a stand-alone story; it's so energetic, it sucks you in and makes you feel so much – happy, sad all of those things. I think that's what people will love it. 'Of course I hope fans of the original film will come and they will feel that nostalgia for a film which has been part of their lives for so long. 'But if you're totally new to the show, you're going to love it too,' said Ashley. 'It's such a big show, it really is something special.' So how do the two stars compare to the characters they play? Simran is highly organised, someone who initially keeps her emotions under tight control. 'In some ways I suppose I am quite similar to Simran,' said Jena. 'I can certainly understand why she like the way she is. She has such strong values she has to stick to, and has always got this conflict going on inside her head to keep her friends happy and her family happy which does make her be a bit tightly strung at times. 'It's fun to play as she goes on this journey where she loosens up and falls in love. 'I do see myself in her especially in the way I react to my own dad, he's a classic Indian dad so it's fun to play that dynamic, that's not really acting - sorry dad, but he'd probably say the same thing!' As for loud, brash party boy Rog? 'Maybe there was a time a long time ago I was as confident as he is,' said Ashley. 'But when we first meet him he does some things which made me feel a bit 'icky'. He's not a great guy at the beginning. But he changes so much through the show - it's a great story arc.' Bringing any brand new show to the stage is a challenge and the stars of Come Fall in Love had a simple message for audiences. 'I'd say to people this probably will open your eyes in a way you didn't think they would in a musical,' said Ashley. 'You're going to feel a lot of soul and humanity and it's not fluff.' 'Don't think that this is a show for any one audience,' said Jena. 'If you think maybe you won't enjoy it or it's not for you, that's not the case.' Come Fall in Love is at Manchester Opera House until Saturday, June 21. Details from
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Time of India
Those involved in illegal mining won't be spared: Min
Rourkela/Berhampur: A day after chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered a vigilance probe into illegal mining operations and smuggling in Hemgir and Koida tehsils of Sundargarh district, mines minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said on Saturday that those involved in the irregularities would not be spared. After the CM's order, vigilance formed an eight-member SIT, led by IG (vigilance), Sanjay Kumar Kaushal, to investigate the matter. Jena told the media in Berhampur that stringent action would be taken against those individuals, whoever they may be, involved in the scam. "Our govt is committed to zero tolerance in any form of corruption, particularly in the mining sector. The CM's order for the vigilance inquiry into the alleged illegal mining in Sundargarh district indicates the govt's commitment," he added. On the direction of the CM, Jena and environment and forest minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia visited some of the areas in Sundargarh where illegal mining took place to take stock of the situation on April 18. "We have given our inquiry report to the CM," he added. During the visit, they noticed massive illegal mining in the forest areas of Hemgir and Koida tehsils. "The exact value of illegal mining will be ascertained after a thorough investigation by the special investigation team (SIT) of vigilance. Initial estimation pegged it at more than Rs 39 crore, including Rs 2.2 crore in coal and over Rs 37 crore in iron and manganese ore," said Jena. Jena said the vigilance would investigate illegal mining thoroughly and expose those involved in the scam. "It is just the beginning from Sundargarh," he added. Initial investigation revealed that 9,843 tonnes of coal were extracted illegally from 22 mining pits in Hemgir tehsil. These included the mines in Gopalpur (14), Bhogarakachhar (5) and Ratnasora (3). The value of illegal mining was estimated to be Rs 2.2 crore. An illegal coal storage facility was also discovered by officials in Jamakhani reserve forest. Similarly, officials also found illegal mining of iron and manganese in 50 pits in five villages in Koida tehsil. This involved around 20,000 tonnes of manganese and 1,200 tonnes of iron ore, valued at over Rs 37 crore, sources said. The issue gained political attention, with BJD's Sundargarh Sadar, Jogesh Singh, and BJP's Kusum Tete demanding high-level probes. In response, district collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan also ordered a probe into the illegal operations. Before the ministerial visit, a nine-member enforcement team from the directorate of mines and geology investigated the illegal mining and smuggling in Sundargarh. "I have not received any official communication pertaining to the investigation," said Surendra Nath Panigrahi, SP, Rourkela vigilance division. On Saturday, MLA Singh said, "I feel the vigilance team would not be able to crack the large-scale illegal mining and smuggling by mining mafia. Therefore, I demand a probe by CBI or STF to yield better results," he added.
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Jailed Columbia student Khalil meets newborn son for first time
Palestinian Mahmoud Khalil entered the US on a student visa in 2022 and became a lawful permanent resident last year through his wife, a US citizen. (AP pic) JENA : Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist arrested by US immigration agents in March, met his month-old son for the first time today before an immigration hearing, his attorneys said. After the daylong hearing, judge Jamee Comans of the LaSalle immigration court in Jena, Louisiana, did not decide whether the US government can proceed with deporting Khalil. She was to rule at a later date. Before the proceedings began Khalil met with his wife, Dr Noor Abdalla, and their baby Deen inside the Jena facility, an encounter made possible by a judge's ruling on Wednesday that Khalil must be allowed to meet with his wife. 'Mahmoud was able to see his baby and hold his baby and talk to his wife and hold his wife this morning,' Amy Greer, one of his attorneys, told reporters after the hearing, adding that lawyers allowed the family privacy and were unable to relay details of the encounter. Khalil, a leader in the Columbia University student movement that has criticised Israel's military campaign in Gaza, has become a central figure in the US debate over the war and Trump administration tactics to use its jailing and deportation powers against political opponents. The Trump administration has said his presence could harm US foreign policy interests. Khalil says he is the victim of US repression of free speech. His son was born after Khalil was arrested on March 8 as the state department revoked his green card under a little-used provision of US immigration law granting the US secretary of state the power to seek the deportation of any non-citizen whose presence in the country is deemed adverse to US foreign policy interests. Khalil, 30, a Palestinian who was born and raised in a refugee camp in Syria, entered the US on a student visa in 2022 and became a lawful permanent resident last year through his wife, a US citizen. In separate proceedings, a federal judge has blocked Khalil's removal while considering the student's claim his arrest was unconstitutional. That order will stand whether Comans rules in favour of deporting him until the broader questions are settled.
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Jailed Columbia student Khalil meets newborn son for first time
JENA, Louisiana, May 22 (Reuters) - Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist arrested by U.S. immigration agents in March, met his month-old son for the first time on Thursday before an immigration hearing, his attorneys said. After the daylong hearing, Judge Jamee Comans of the LaSalle Immigration Court in Jena, Louisiana, did not decide whether the U.S. government can proceed with deporting Khalil. She was to rule at a later date. Before the proceedings began Khalil met with his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, and their baby Deen inside the Jena facility, an encounter made possible by a judge's ruling on Wednesday that Khalil must be allowed to meet with his wife. "Mahmoud was able to see his baby and hold his baby and talk to his wife and hold his wife this morning," Amy Greer, one of his attorneys, told reporters after the hearing, adding that lawyers allowed the family privacy and were unable to relay details of the encounter. Khalil, a leader in the Columbia University student movement that has criticized Israel's military campaign in Gaza, has become a central figure in the U.S. debate over the war and Trump administration tactics to use its jailing and deportation powers against political opponents. The Trump administration has said his presence could harm U.S. foreign policy interests. Khalil says he is the victim of U.S. repression of free speech. His son was born after Khalil was arrested on March 8 as the State Department revoked his green card under a little-used provision of U.S. immigration law granting the U.S. secretary of state the power to seek the deportation of any non-citizen whose presence in the country is deemed adverse to U.S. foreign policy interests. Khalil, 30, a Palestinian who was born and raised in a refugee camp in Syria, entered the U.S. on a student visa in 2022 and became a lawful permanent resident last year through his wife, a U.S. citizen. In separate proceedings, a federal judge has blocked Khalil's removal while considering the student's claim his arrest was unconstitutional. That order will stand whether Comans rules in favor of deporting him until the broader questions are settled.
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Immigrant Detainees Are Being Held in Jena, La. We Went to the Town.
Emily Kask for The New York Times Jena is a rural and remote town of roughly 4,000 in central Louisiana. It is home to one of the largest ICE detention centers in the South, the centerpiece of a collection of small-town facilities known as 'detention alley.' Emily Kask for The New York Times The Trump administration's immigration crackdown has brought new attention to Jena, driven by the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate student who had been in the United States legally. Gerald Herbert/Associated Press The detention facility, the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center, is one of the biggest taxpayers in LaSalle Parish. It also offers decently paying jobs, residents said. Gerald Herbert/Associated Press The center sits on Jena's outskirts, shrouded by trees. The Rev. Chauncey M. Hardy, who leads a church in Jena, said he sometimes saw a bus with blacked-out windows carrying in detainees. 'And that's it.' Emily Kask for The New York Times The Khalil case prompted Tiffany Deville, a motel housekeeper, to reconsider her views on immigration. 'He was doing good, going to school, he had a wife,' she said. 'Just be humane about it.' Emily Kask for The New York Times Residents are wary of attention. Jena made national news nearly two decades ago, when a case involving the prosecution of six Black teenagers caused a national uproar. Damon Winter/The New York Times
