Latest news with #Kerala
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
'Felt like one of our own': Dubai filmmaker on casting Khalid Al Ameri in 'Chatha Pacha'
The Malayalam WWE-inspired action-comedy Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies has been generating quite the buzz lately, thanks to the unexpected guest appearance by Emirati social media favourite Khalid Al Ameri. But for Dubai-based filmmaker Shihan Shoukath, who is helming the big-ticket production under his banner Reel World Entertainment, the decision felt like a no-brainer. 'I often joke with [Khalid] that he's an adopted Malayali. The love Malayalis — especially in the Gulf — have for Khalid is something else. So when he walked onto set, it felt like one of our own showing up,' Shihan tells Khaleej Times. 'He brings this really warm, grounded, and humorous energy to everything he does, and that totally fed into the way we built his character. It was a fun mix of who he is, plus a twist to fit the tone of our crazy, chaotic world,' he adds. And with 30 days of filming now wrapped, Chatha Pacha is already turning heads, not just for the surprise cameo, but also for its star-studded cast, throwback WWE energy, and highly-anticipated soundtrack, marking Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's Malayalam film debut. Wrestling, rain and rowdies On paper, Chatha Pacha sounds like a fever dream: a Malayalam film set in Fort Kochi, where three estranged brothers come together to start their own WWE-style wrestling club. But in Shihan's hands, it's become a love letter to childhood obsessions, familial chaos, and the raw conflict of growing up in a place where dreams don't come easy. 'When the story came to me, I was instantly hit with this childhood memory of watching WWE with my brother and even my grandmother crammed into one living room, screaming every time someone did a chokeslam,' Shihan recalls. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies (@chathapachathefilm) 'That mix of chaos, brotherhood, and obsession with wrestling was so unique to our growing up. And I thought, what if we captured that energy, but rooted it in a very entertaining, local story? That's how Chatha Pacha was born. A total mad fusion of nostalgic WWE fandom and emotional Malayalam storytelling.' Star-studded cast and more With a star-studded cast including Roshan Mathew, Arjun Ashokan, Vishak Nair, and Ishan Shoukath (Dubai-based actor and Shihan's younger brother, last seen in a breakout performance in Marco), the energy on set has been anything but ordinary. 'It's been wild. Pure madness in the best way possible," says Shihan. "We were shooting in the rain, in real locations, with extras who are actual wrestling fans,' he adds. 'There were several moments when our legendary cinematographer, Anend C Chandran, framed our young child actors, and they spontaneously came up with improvised dialogues, wrestling moves, expressions. Everyone just froze. And I remember thinking to our director, Advait: this is connecting in ways we didn't even expect." And for the WWE fans, yes, there will be wrestling. Full-blown, sweat-dripping, bone-crunching wrestling. 'We're not taking wrestling lightly at all,' he adds. 'Our stunt director Kalai Kingson studied WWE's psychology, and even though it's stylised, it's grounded in real physicality. We even cast people with legit fight training. When the punches land, you will feel it.' How you could land a cameo Even before hitting the big screen, Chatha Pacha has been making noise where it counts. The film's GCC and overseas theatrical rights were recently acquired by Dubai-based distributor The Plot Pictures for a landmark sum, cementing it as one of the most valuable overseas deals in Malayalam cinema. Add to that, the music rights snapped up by a major Indian label, driven by the buzz around Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's debut. 'The soundtrack is on another level, honestly,' says Shihan. 'There's one track that's kind of a rebel anthem, which is already stuck in everyone's heads.' Meanwhile, the #ChathaPachaChallenge on social media has taken on a life of its own. Fans from across India and the Gulf are recreating their wildest WWE-style wrestling moves for a chance to score a cameo in the film. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies (@chathapachathefilm) Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies is slated for theatrical release later this year. And if the buzz is anything to go by, then our countdown has already begun!
Entrepreneur
8 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Food Startup Cookd Raises Pre-Series A Funding Led by Spring Marketing Capital
The startup will channel the funds into strengthening its presence in Tamil Nadu, expanding into Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, and enhancing its offerings in masalas, gravies, and ready-to-use kits. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Cookd, a consumer food brand based in Chennai, has raised INR 16 crore (approx. USD 2 million) in its pre-Series A funding round. The investment was led by Spring Marketing Capital, with contributions from Eternal Capital, Sun Icon Ventures, and PeerCheque. The startup will channel the funds into strengthening its presence in Tamil Nadu, expanding into Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, and enhancing its offerings in masalas, gravies, and ready-to-use kits. Aathitiyan V S, founder of Cookd, said the company sees strong demand in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh due to high engagement with its content in these regions. "With the fresh funds, we are building a new category of cooking products that combines authenticity, convenience, and control. Our goal is simple: help people cook more often and with joy," he said. Cookd was founded in 2019 and provides a variety of cooking solutions, including biryani kits, spice mixes, and pastes. All products are made without preservatives and aim to deliver on taste, ease of use, and flexibility. They are available through direct-to-consumer platforms, physical retail outlets, and quick commerce services like Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, and Zepto. Currently operating in over 1,600 retail stores, Cookd leads the biryani kit segment in fast delivery platforms. The brand leverages a strong digital presence, engaging over 6 million followers and generating more than 150 million video views monthly. Its growth strategy combines content creation with consumer insight to build loyalty and drive innovation.
Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Nimisha Priya on death row: India in talks with Yemen to suspend execution
The Attorney General of India (AGI) stated that the Indian government is making every possible effort to help Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse facing the death penalty in a murder case in Yemen. He further informed the Court that talks are ongoing with Yemeni authorities, including the public prosecutor handling Priya's case, to secure a suspension of the execution order until negotiations can be pursued. Reports have said that the 37-year-old Indian nurse from Kerala, is scheduled to be executed on July 16 for killing a Yemeni national. However, the AGI also admitted that the Indian government's ability to intervene is limited, describing it as 'a very complex issue,' adding, 'there's no way we can know what's happening (in Yemen).' 'There's nothing much that we can do… It's not like any other part of the world (where possible negotiations can be carried out)', the AGI stated. India's Supreme Court expressed sadness over the Indian government's submission that there is not much it can do in the case. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a plea seeking directions to the Indian government to save Priya from Yemen's death row, through diplomatic channel negotiations. The counsel who appeared for Priya informed the Court that the only remaining option to save her is through a blood money settlement, provided the family of the deceased is willing to accept it. Hearing the Central government's submission, Justice Sandeep Mehta expressed deep concern and remarked that it would be 'very sad if she (Priya) were to lose her life". After hearing submissions from both Priya's counsel and the AGI, the Supreme Court scheduled the matter for further hearing on Friday, July 18.
Khaleej Times
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
'JSK vs State of Kerala' gets new release date after legal battle over film's title
After weeks of controversy over the film's title, the makers of Suresh Gopi's JSK vs State of Kerala have finally announced the movie's new release date. It was earlier stated to release on June 20. Granted a U/A 16+ rating by India's censor board, actor-lawmaker Suresh Gopi took to Instagram to share that the movie will now release on July 17. While sharing the new release date, the makers wrote, "Behind every delay... have a truth worth fighting for." and in the end that truth shall always prevail !!! JANAKI V v/s STATE OF KERALA. U/A 16+ CERTIFICATION WORLDWIDE RELEASE ON JULY 17TH." View this post on Instagram A post shared by JANAKI V/S STATE OF KERALA (@jskthemovie) The release of the Malayalam movie Janaki vs State of Kerala starring Union Minister and superstar Gopi was stalled following a demand from the censor board for a film title change. As per the film's makers, the censor board asked them to change the name Janaki, saying it also refers to the Hindu goddess Sita. The movie tells the story of a woman who faced assault and mounts a legal fight against the state. The board reportedly said that god's name should not be given to a woman who was assaulted. The film's release was scheduled for June 20. The regional office of Central Board for Film Certification in Thiruvananthapuram had cleared the film with a U/A certificate. The film was later forwarded to the CBFC headquarters in Mumbai, where officials demanded a change in the title. If the film's title is changed, many dialogues in the film mentioning the name will also need to be changed, its makers said. In response to this, the makers moved the Kerala High Court to challenge the demand. Later, Malayalam cinema and television artistes under the umbrella of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Actors), Producers Association and FEFKA (Film Employees Federation of Kerala) protested in front of the regional office of Central Bureau of Film Certification at Chitranjali Studio complex at Thiruvallam in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram.
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
India's top soccer league 2025-26 season suspended
India's top soccer league's 2025-26 season has been indefinitely suspended because of contractual problems. The 13-team Indian Super League was scheduled to begin in September, but Football Sports Development Limited confirmed Friday it's on hold. The organizer's contract expires in December and hasn't been renewed. 'In the absence of a confirmed contractual framework beyond December, we find ourselves unable to effectively plan, organize, or commercialize the 2025-26 ISL season,' the FSDL said in a letter to clubs. 'The season is on hold until further clarity emerges on the contractual structure,' it added. ISL club Kerala Blasters announced Friday it allowed Spanish striker Jesus Jimenez to leave for a club in Poland. There is still optimism, however, that there will still be a new season. 'The ISL will go ahead, maybe not with the name of the ISL,' Delhi FC director Ranjit Bajaj told The Associated Press, adding that he blames mismanagement from the federation. Earlier this month, India's national team parted ways with coach Manolo Marquez after poor results put qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup in doubt.
