Latest news with #RifleClub
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
'Save Gujarat University' protest amid corruption allegations, students seek audit
Members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), former syndicate members, and former students, are staging protests amid allegations of large-scale corruption at Gujarat University. The protesters, carrying posters and beating drums, accused the administration of irregularities in projects like the Rifle Club, Tennis Court, Convention Center, and Food Court. They have launched a "Save Gujarat University" campaign.A heavy police presence was deployed on campus as demonstrators sat outside Vice Chancellor Neerja Gupta's office, raising slogans and demanding an audit. They have given the VC a 72-hour ultimatum to act, including filing FIRs against those syndicate member Indravijay Singh Gohil alleged that Gupta had broken a fixed deposit of Rs 150 crore out of the university's Rs 240 crore reserve for the first time in its history. He also claimed that the VC was appointing retired ONGC employees, allegedly linked to her husband, on salaries ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 further alleged that a syndicate member had demanded Rs 75 lakh from a university head of department, and that there was a recording of the incident. He accused the university of handing over facilities to private agencies without tenders, citing the convention center renovation cost of Rs 35 crore—more than its original construction cost of Rs 30 crore—as an also questioned why academy receipts for the tennis court were issued under a private name, with the university taking only 30 per cent of the Congress chief spokesperson, Manish Doshi, backed the protesters, saying corruption had increased after the implementation of the University Act. "Land is being given to private agencies without tender. FIRs must be filed and an independent audit conducted so that the truth comes out," he Chancellor Neerja Gupta rejected all allegations. She said the university had acted within four days on the Rs 75 lakh bribe matter by securing the resignation of the syndicate member involved. However, she noted that the FIR will have to be filed by those from whom the money was the fixed deposit claim, Gupta said it was false and that "proof will be given" showing the fixed deposit amount remains denied handing over the sports academy to a private agency, explaining that tenders were invited but no bidders came forward, so the university runs it with outside coaching support. "70 percent of tennis court earnings go to coaching and maintenance; the remaining 30 percent goes to the university," she clarified that the convention center had been converted into Dhanvantri Hospital during Covid-19 and was now being restored as a convention hall at a cost of Rs 35 lakh, not Rs 35 crore. She dismissed the Rifle Club allegations as "AI-generated misinformation" and denied any Rs 5 lakh membership standoff continues, with protesters insisting on swift action and the university administration standing by its denials.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Gujarat
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
‘I believe in creative freedom, everyone should fight for it'
The two years at Kalady transformed me as a filmmaker and as a person. Syam (Pushkaran) often says that the person who went to Kalady and the one who returned are two different individuals. Other friends of mine have also said the same. While I can't pinpoint exactly how I've changed, others have remarked on the difference. Perhaps it's my outlook and understanding of things that have changed. After my time at Kalady, I started finding the happiness and satisfaction in my work that I had been missing as an assistant director. When I returned, I began landing roles in films like 'Salt N' Pepper' and resumed work as an assistant director. This time around, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Was it at Kalady that you realised you had an actor in you? I had no plan to act in movies. I didn't even believe I could act. But at Kalady, it was compulsory. We have to cooperate with plays by others. That's how I started acting in some plays. Gopan Chidambaram (writer-scenarist) was a teacher there. After my first play, 'Gopan maash' started praising my acting. From that moment, I started gaining confidence in my acting. That was when they (the makers of 'Salt N' Pepper') called me to act in the movie, saying I had the 'look' of a director. Had I not acted in the plays at Kalady, I would have declined the role. Did your family support your dreams of becoming a filmmaker? To be honest, their support wasn't exactly unconditional. They were happy I had secured a job in Bengaluru after studies. When I started pursuing filmmaking, I told them I was taking a one-year break, citing stress. However, one year turned into two, and slowly, family pressure began to mount. They'd try to dissuade me from taking to the film industry, but eventually, they came round to accept it as my calling and supported me wholeheartedly. Growing up, I was a huge film enthusiast and my father would often criticise movies for not being realistic. Whenever the family sat down to watch a film, my father would start criticising. He'd say things like, 'This will only happen in a movie.' Looking back, maybe he was trying to discourage me from pursuing filmmaking. His realistic feedback was often traumatic. Whenever I watch a bad scene in any film, I worry he's going to judge it... (smiles). So, your father's critique of unrealistic elements in films shaped the realistic tone of your own work… Possibly. There's a lingering thought in my mind that I should make realistic films, driven by a deep-seated fear of his criticism. His comments left a lasting impression. Even now, maybe I'm trying to avoid his disapproval. What does your father think of your work now? His perception has completely changed, he's now a huge film enthusiast! He watches all my movies in cinemas and even gives feedback. Your roles in most films too are close to real-life characters, except perhaps 'Secretary Avaran' (in Rifle Club). How do you choose your roles? I think I receive roles that fit my persona. I've also gravitated towards realistic characters. My physique might also be a factor, as I don't fit the typical 'hero' mould. I'm more comfortable playing characters that feel authentic and rooted in real life. When it comes to more unconventional or larger-than-life roles, I rely heavily on my trust in the director. If I believe in their vision, I'll take on a role like 'Secretary Avaran' or the character in 'Trance'. Trust is key for me... if I'm unsure about a role, I'll hesitate.
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Anurag Kashyap says Netflix ghosted him after he sent a 900-page script: ‘Ted Sarandos doesn't understand India'
Director and screenwriter Anurag Kashyap has opened up about being frustrated with Netflix and why he chose to cut off from the producers and team associated with the platform. In an interview with The Juggernaut, Anurag shared that he spent a year and half of his life in writing a 900-page script for a series with Netflix, which went nowhere as he was 'ghosted' by them. Anurag Kashyap lashed out at Netflix and slammed Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos in a new interview. What Anurag said about Netflix During the interaction, Anurag opened up about his adaptation on Suketu Mehta's Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found, and said, "I have done the adaptation, but it's stuck. I have been with the book for 21 years. The scripts are done but the project is kind of stalled. I am desperately want to bring it to life. This was the reason why I imploded when it didn't happen. There's a reason why I fell sick and everything happened to me. I had invested over one and a half year in Maximum City. I hand write my scripts. I handwrote 900 pages. So when you put so much effort in a project and for other it's just a matter of… like you can't evaluate that in money. Somebody just to save their jobs put it aside and ghosts you… it breaks you.' 'They are doing exactly what bad television was doing to India.' He went on to add, "I challenged those people to write 10 pages by hand. It was total emotional investment. Till date, Netflix doesn't understand what makes me so angry about them. Somebody's one and half years of work where you write with your hand was disregarded. It was supposed to be a Netflix project, and they ghosted me. They didn't even dare to walk to me and tell that 'we are having a problem. Can we solve it?' or even 'We are not doing it.' They didn't have the courage. I don't know if they can bring it back. There's a whole policy. I don't understand it. I have cut myself off from the producers and everybody else because I don't know what the producer did on it… I started the debate because they don't understand India. They do the same kind of s***ty stuff. I wrote about Ted Sarandos, he does not understand India. What India office tells them, they believe that bulls**t. They are doing exactly what bad television was doing to India. And they are charging money for it. They don't understand why they are losing value in the country.' Recently, Anurag was one of the executive producers for the debutant director Karan Tejpal's Stolen. Anurag's last directorial Kennedy is yet to get a release date in India. As an actor he was recently seen in Rifle Club and Viduthalai Part 2.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anurag Kashyap needs no guidance: Roshan Mathew
Malayalam cinema's rise as a daring and inventive industry has attracted admirers like Anurag Kashyap. Roshan Mathew, who has worked with Kashyap, believes the director doesn't need guidance but appreciates the collaborative environment. The industry's competitive spirit, driven by veterans and newcomers alike, elevates the standards and pushes everyone to deliver their best work. In the last decade, the rise of Malayalam cinema as one of India's most daring and consistently inventive film industries has been hard to miss. From compelling storytelling to a relentless focus on craft, the industry has found admirers far beyond Kerala's borders — including celebrated filmmaker Anurag Kashyap . Known for his gritty, unfiltered filmmaking, Kashyap has been vocal about his love for Malayalam cinema, even claiming in interviews that he's moving his base to the South and intends to make his mark in Malayalam films. But does a filmmaker of his stature need guidance while navigating this close-knit and distinctive industry? Actor Roshan Mathew doesn't think and Roshan have worked together in the past on a film called Choked- it was Roshan's first film in Hindi and it also featured Saiyami Kher . 'I don't think he requires any guidance from me,' Roshan chuckles, speaking in a recent conversation. ' Firstly, he's so good as an actor, like Saiyami and I, we keep discussing how good he is and he's so much fun to watch on screen be it Rifle Club or Maharaja,. And I've always known that he was a great actor. I just didn't expect him to take it and embrace it so wholeheartedly.' Roshan also shared that he's very much in touch with Anurag as he spent a lot of time in Kerala recently. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo They met during the shoot of Rifle Club while he was there. He was also present at the K.R. Narayan Film Institute for a while,they also watched Kennedy together and finally adding that company is what he can provide to Anurag. Kashyap's affection for Malayalam cinema seems to stem from the same space that continues to inspire actors like Roshan — an environment charged with creativity, experimentation, and a healthy disregard for conventional filmmaking norms. For Roshan, it's a particularly exhilarating time to be working in Malayalam films. 'It's incredible,' Roshan says. 'All of us — my colleagues, my friends — we're just grateful to be alive and working in this industry at this particular moment. There are some extremely talented filmmakers, incredibly skilled technicians, and a bunch of really brave producers who are willing to back risky ideas. Everyone's playing together in this space, and it keeps you on your toes.' The actor believes that the collaborative and competitive spirit within the industry has pushed everyone to elevate their game. 'There are so many actors from my friend circle itself — people I've known for the past five or seven years — who I've seen grow into artists capable of delivering work I wouldn't have imagined when I first met them,' he observes. And it isn't just the newcomers or the middle generation leading the charge. The veterans continue to set the tone for the industry. 'People like Mammootty and Mohanlal are leading from the front. They're still choosing challenging roles, working with new directors, and inspiring the rest of us by showing us that there's no room to slack off,' Roshan says. The rising stature of Malayalam cinema on the national stage, coupled with its growing global footprint, hasn't made it complacent. If anything, Roshan believes it's raised the bar for everyone involved. 'It pushes you to put your best work into everything because the standards are very, very high,' he insists. As Malayalam cinema continues to script a new chapter in Indian filmmaking history, it seems there's space for both veterans and newcomers, insiders and outsiders, all united by a commitment to bold, boundary-pushing cinema. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anurag Kashyap draws parallels between SS Rajamouli and Bong Joon-ho's global impact
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap shared his perspective on the current landscape of Indian cinema , drawing an interesting comparison between the growing international acclaim for SS Rajamouli and the global cult following of Korean director Bong Joon-ho. He stated, "With Rajamouli, there is a whole audience of him that's getting built since 'Eega' internationally. That's the same phenomenon with, say, Bong Joon-ho. Bong Joon-ho broke it with 'Parasite', but his best film was 'Memories of Murder'". Kashyap's Prediction of Rajamouli's Global Success Kashyap recalled predicting RRR 's international success prior to its release, saying, "I said it much before 'RRR' released, that 'RRR' will be that film that will break out from India because it was building up." He cited his experiences at international film festivals, where filmmakers from various countries expressed keen interest in Rajamouli, adding, "I've had filmmakers from Belgium, from Switzerland, from across wanting to know more about Rajamouli." He further mentioned filmmakers visiting the sets of 'RRR'", I know two filmmakers who made 'Blood for Dracula' and one more, they came down to Mumbai, and I took permission from Rajamouli and they visited the sets of 'RRR' and spent one week there." Kashyap summarized Rajamouli's international ascent, stating, "He first became big in the filmmaking world with ' Baahubali ', then larger in cinephilia, and with RRR, he reached out to the audience beyond cinephilia and the filmmaking world." Malayalam Cinema as the ' Korean Cinema of the Late 90s' Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Want Lower Bills Without Changing a Thing? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo Anurag Kashyap also lauded the ongoing evolution of Malayalam cinema, drawing a parallel between its current state and the rise of Korean cinema in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He observed, "There's a new Malayalam cinema that I find parallels with Korean cinema, like how Korean cinema was evolving in the late '90s and early 2000s. That's what Malayalam cinema right now." He elaborated on their approach, "They are taking up ideas that are not rooted but making them rooted, like, they are making films that are not their culture, but somehow fostering culture into it or finding culture into it and making it rooted." Citing an example, he said, "When I did a Rifle Club, from the early silent movies to Hunger Games, there was a glimpse of all these influential films. So it's like parts of these films became Rifle Club." Speaking about cinematic knowledge in Kerala, he noted, "Most of the Amal Neerad films are influenced by The Godfather, various stakes of it. So their influences vary from the far-off cinema they've seen from across the world. Cinephilia in Kerala is very high. They are genuinely brokers called Godard and Lenin, and one of them is a filmmaker. So cinephilia is very high and they are trying to find their stories in the subculture." Concerns Regarding Tamil Cinema and Observations on Telugu and Kannada Cinema In contrast, he expressed concern about Tamil cinema, saying, "Whereas Tamil, they mostly see blockbuster cult films. They are just borrowing from there, they are just dotting the big director blockbuster cult films. They are not watching films made in languages they are not familiar with or not been big at a festival, or have not been Oscar-nominated." On Telugu cinema, Kashyap acknowledged its distinct direction, stating, "They are creating their mythology. They are expanding, or borrowing, rehashing, or repeating their mythological world." As for Kannada cinema, Anurag admitted to limited recent exposure, "The last very, very good Kannada film I saw was 'Rama Rama Re…' and then Natesh Hegde's 'Pedro'. I have not seen a lot of Kannada films recently." Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
