Latest news with #Mathrubhumi
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko hospitalised after road accident. His father dies from injuries
About Shine Tom Chacko In a shocking turn of events for Malayalam cinema fans, actor Shine Tom Chacko was admitted to a hospital after a tragic car accident in Tamil Nadu on Friday morning. The mishap not only left him and his family injured but also claimed the life of his father, C P Chacko . The family was reportedly on a road trip when the incident occurred, casting a pall of grief over the industry and his to OnManorama, the accident took place around 7 am near Palakottai, close to Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu. Shine was travelling by car with his father, mother, brother, and driver when their vehicle rammed into a lorry. Eyewitnesses at the scene reported a violent impact. All five occupants sustained injuries and were immediately rushed to the government hospital in Palakottai for treatment. According to Mathrubhumi, the actor has sustained an injury to his being rushed to the hospital immediately, C P Chacko could not survive the crash. Shine Tom Chacko, his mother, brother, and the driver are currently under medical supervision. Further updates on their condition are Tom Chacko recently appeared as Franco Salvatore in the action-packed Malayalam film Bazooka, which starred superstar Mammootty and was released on April 10 this year. A gripping gangster drama, Bazooka was produced by Vikram Mehra, Sidharth Anand Kumar, Dolwin Kuriakose, and Jinu V Abraham, with Sahil S Sharma as this year, Shine Tom Chacko was acquitted in a 2015 drug case by a Kerala court. The Ernakulam First Additional District and Sessions Judge cleared him and six others of all charges. Among those acquitted were four women—Reshma Rangaswamy, Assistant Director Blessy Sylvester, Tincy Babu, and Sneha Babu—who had also been accused under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The verdict came as a major relief to the actor and his co-accused.
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Leadership award for social activist Pandurang Hegde
Renowned environmentalist and social activist Pandurang Hegde was conferred the inaugural M P Veerendra Kumar National Thought Leadership award for his work in forest conservation and community-based environmental activism. The award was presented by water conservationist Magsaysay award winner Dr Rajendra Singh at an event commemorating the fifth death anniversary of the writer, politician, and former CMD of Mathrubhumi, M P Veerendra Kumar. The honour carries a citation, plaque, and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, which Hedge announced he was sharing with the members of Prakurti, an environmental organisation in Sirsi, Uttara Kannada.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Incremental authoritarianism at work in India, says N. Ram
A number of factors have combined to cast a shadow over India's democracy and its media landscape, N. Ram, former Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, said on Wednesday (May 28, 2025), listing troubling trends such as communalism as a political mobilisation strategy, the re-jigging and manipulation of State institutions, the rise and enormous spread of the social media in society, and the weaponisation of hate speech, disinformation, misinformation, and toxic propaganda both on social media and in sections of the mainstream media. Delivering a lecture in memory of M.P. Veerendra Kumar, former Managing Director, Mathrubhumi, Mr. Ram pointed out that the country faces an intensely divisive and polarising communal climate, orchestrated hate campaigns and crimes, and fascistic violence directed at minorities and others. 'India had witnessed and experienced some of this from the 1990s. The situation turned qualitatively worse in 2014, when there was a regime change that proved to be much more than a change of government,' he said. Modi-Trump: shared authoritarianism Drawing a comparison between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump, Mr. Ram said that while the two leaders may have strikingly different backgrounds and styles, their administrations share an authoritarian disdain for their countries' Constitutions and the values, spirit, and even the letter of these foundational charters. Quoting scholars Christophe Jaffrelot and Pratinav Anil, Mr. Ram said that independent India's first dictatorship — the Emergency imposed in June 1975 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi — was a complex phenomenon that was 'neither a parenthesis, nor so much as a turning point, but a concentrate of a style of rule, an élan alive today.' This involved, among other things, 'a dialectical relationship between populism and authoritarianism.' It is this relationship that has been at play over the past decade, Mr. Ram said, eating into the vitals of Indian democracy. The BJP regime, backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its affiliates, has taken the path of incremental authoritarianism, softening up and, wherever possible, suborning constitutional and democratic institutions and undermining India's already stressed secular foundations, he added. 'Independent journalism still alive' 'The present is a period in which independent and fearless journalism is at a premium in India, or so it seems,' Mr. Ram said. 'Several Indian television news channels and mainstream newspapers, daily and periodical, are clearly and conspicuously engaged in propagandising and manufacturing consent for the ideology, policies, and actions of the ruling party and the dominant saffron political formation. However, there is evidence that independent, investigative journalism is alive, active, and productive,' he added. While investigating, exploring, and experimenting, journalists of the first rank should not be satisfied with bringing to light a mass of material facts that they manage to unearth through diligent work, or that fall into their laps by a stroke of luck. 'Their real pursuit is to invest these hitherto concealed or inaccessible facts with social, moral, and often, historical meaning, and weave them into a coherent and compelling story, so that the journalism contributes significantly to raising social awareness of the issues involved and stands the test of time,' Mr. Ram said. In his book on newspapers, journalism, and the business of news in the digital age, British journalist and educator George Brock had identified four core tasks as 'the irreducible core… the foundation on which journalism in the 21st century is going to be rebuilt' — verification, bearing witness, sense making, and investigation. 'The only way to protect media freedom is to exercise your right to free speech and independence, come what may,' Mr. Ram said. Also at the event, the first National Thought Leadership Award, instituted in memory of the late Mathrubhumi Managing Director Veerendra Kumar, was presented to Karnataka-based environmentalist Panduranga Hegde by water conservationist Rajendra Singh.
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Unni Mukundan assaulted me for praising Tovino Thomas' Narivetta': Former manager alleges actor is ‘frustrated' about post-Marco career
Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan has come under fire after his former manager accused him of assault. According to the complainant, Unni physically assaulted him within the premises of his apartment complex and used abusive language. A complaint has been filed at the Infopark Police Station, and according to the latest reports, a case has been registered against the actor. Vipin Kumar, who claims to have worked with Unni for six years, alleged that the actor came to his apartment complex, demanded that he come down from his flat, and assaulted him in the parking lot. In a video posted by Asianet News on YouTube, he is heard telling the media, 'He also used abusive language. I have filed a complaint. I had been working with him for six years. I stayed in that job despite facing teasing and such behaviour from him. He has been frustrated in recent times due to various reasons, including the lack of good projects since Marco and the failure of his most recent film, Get-Set Baby, at the box office. Also, although Sree Gokulam Movies had initially agreed to produce Unni's directorial debut, they later opted out. All of this has contributed to his growing frustration. He often takes out his frustrations on those around him, which is why many people who once worked with him are no longer associated with Unni. How long can I endure all this?' Although Vipin alleged that Sree Gokulam Movies withdrew from the Unni Mukundan project, the announcement post is still available on the production company's official Instagram handle, casting doubt on his claim. Vipin then went a step further and alleged that one of his recent social media posts praising Tovino Thomas' Narivetta angered Unni and prompted him to carry out the assault. 'I am a promotion consultant who has been working in the industry for 18 years. I handle PR work for other movies and actors as well. I have worked on around 500 films. As part of Narivetta's promotions, I posted a note on social media praising the movie. Unni did not like it. He phoned me that night and fired me from the manager position. I said ok. It's after that that he came over and assaulted me,' Vipin added. He also claimed that the actor broke his glasses by stomping on them. A post shared by Sree Gokulam Movies (@sreegokulammoviesofficial) A post shared by Vipin Kumar V (@vvipink) According to Mathrubhumi, he approached the police after seeking medical treatment at a hospital. The complainant and the actor had a strained professional relationship for quite some time, the publication reported, citing police sources. Unni Mukundan is yet to comment on the matter. Following the massive success of Marco, which was marketed as 'India's most violent movie yet', Unni rose to national fame. Grossing Rs 102.55 crore worldwide, the Haneef Adeni directorial became the actor's most successful film. While Marco sparked discussions about its glorification of on-screen violence and gore, there was also a concerted effort on social media to portray Unni as a rising superstar. However, his next film, Get-Set Baby, failed at the box office, casting a long shadow over Unni's supposed stardom.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Mohanlal reveals how spiritual guru Osho helped him during a health crisis 30 years ago: 'I was deeply disturbed'....
More than thirty years ago, acclaimed Indian actor Mohanlal went through a period of profound personal upheaval that altered the course of his life. In the early days of his cinematic journey, he faced not just a professional uphill climb but also an alarming health scare that left him both physically incapacitated and emotionally drained. What followed was not just a recovery of the body but a spiritual awakening that would leave a lasting impact on his worldview—an awakening deeply influenced by the teachings of spiritual leader Osho Rajneesh . The Crisis: A Body in Distress, a Mind in Turmoil Writing for a supplement of the popular Malayalam magazine Mathrubhumi , Mohanlal reminisced about how, at the outset of his acting career, he developed a debilitating back condition. Seeking medical help in Madras, a reputed physician informed him that the issue lay within his spine and could be corrected only through surgery involving the insertion of a bolt. The suggestion struck fear into him. Tampering with such a vital and sensitive area of the body left him deeply unsettled. Despite the doctor's strong warning that his condition would worsen within months if left untreated, he hesitated. Fear and uncertainty consumed him, making it nearly impossible to make a decision. A New Path: Embracing Ayurveda and Solitude In this moment of confusion, a guiding hand appeared in the form of renowned singer KJ Yesudas . Encouraging Mohanlal to seek a different route, Yesudas referred him to the Arya Vaidya Pharmacy in Coimbatore. There, under the care of P.V. Rama Varier and Managing Director P.R. Krishnakumar, he began a rigorous Ayurvedic healing process. The therapy extended over forty days, conducted in two intensive phases. During this period, Mohanlal was instructed to avoid all forms of strain—no reading, no prolonged sitting or walking. After every meal, he was told to lie down in complete stillness, eyes closed. Every day, his caretakers would visit, but once they departed, he was left alone. These solitary hours became mentally taxing, filled with anxious thoughts about his future, his career, and his very existence. A Spiritual Rebirth: Osho's Voice in the Silence In the midst of this inner storm, a simple gesture transformed everything. One day, Krishnakumar handed him a cassette containing a speech by Osho Rajneesh. Alone in the quiet of his room, Mohanlal listened. That experience felt like a light breaking through darkness. Osho's voice, calm yet profound, offered perspectives that touched something deep within him. Over the following days, he absorbed more of Osho's discourses. Gradually, the chaos in his mind began to settle. Questions that had once haunted him started to fade, replaced by a clarity he had never known. The teachings didn't just soothe him—they awakened something transformative, offering him a new lens through which to understand life, pain, and existence itself. Who Was Osho? Born as Chandra Mohan Jain on December 11, 1931, and later known to the world by various names—Acharya Rajneesh, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, and eventually simply Osho—he emerged as one of India's most enigmatic and polarizing spiritual figures. Until his death on January 19, 1990, Osho captivated millions with his radical ideas, challenging long-held religious traditions and stirring both admiration and controversy in equal measure. Osho was never content to follow the well-worn paths of institutionalized faith. He openly rejected the rigid dogmas of organized religion, arguing that true spirituality could never be confined to rituals, temples, or doctrines. For him, enlightenment was a deeply personal experience—one that transcended systems and structures. He carved a path of his own, one that fused deep introspection with modern sensibilities. As a mystic and thinker, he introduced the world to Dynamic Meditation—a technique that broke away from passive silence and embraced active catharsis, physical movement, and emotional release as gateways to inner peace. Far from the traditional image of a renunciate lost in a cave, Osho urged his followers to live fully, love freely, and engage deeply with the world—without becoming attached to it. To him, detachment did not mean withdrawal, but rather a conscious way of being: to immerse in life without being bound by it. Though his teachings inspired a vast following, they also sparked intense debate. His unapologetic stance on materialism, sexuality, and freedom of thought placed him at odds with both religious conservatives and political authorities. Yet despite—or perhaps because of—this storm of opposition, Osho's voice only grew louder, his message more enduring. More than a teacher, he became a movement. The Rajneesh movement, born from his vision, attracted seekers from across the globe, all drawn to his promise of liberation beyond limits.
