Latest news with #Sivaprasad
News18
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Maranamass OTT Release: When And Where To Stream The Malayalam Dark Comedy
Malayalam dark comedy Maranamass has made its debut on OTT platforms. Sivaprasad's debut directorial is now available on SonyLIV and OTTplay Premium in various languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. The genre-bending dark comedy thriller features Basil Joseph in the lead along with Anishma Anilkumar, Babu Antony, Rajesh Madhavan, and Suresh Krishna in prominent roles. The film is a blend of dark humour and crime, offering a fresh take on the serial killer genre. Maranamass was released in the theatres on April 10. The plot of Maranamass revolves around Luke, a local troublemaker who is suspected as a serial killer after a series of murders in Kerala. The story takes an unexpected turn in a fateful bus journey when the killer, his target, a woman, her boyfriend, and other people find themselves in the same vehicle. The bus journey follows a gripping and unexpected set of events, promising to leave the viewers stunned as the film reaches its climax.
India Today
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Maranamass director discusses crafting unconventional dark comedy with Basil Joseph
Malayalam director Sivaprasad made his commercial cinema debut with the 2025 film 'Maranamass', produced by Tovino Thomas. The dark comedy thriller stood out for its unconventional storytelling. In a candid chat with the debutant director opened up about how his latest Malayalam film - featuring Basil Joseph and an ensemble cast - came to previously worked on emotionally intense, genre-bound projects, he revealed that he had been waiting for something distinctly different."I had worked in different genres before my debut, but most of them were serious or emotionally driven. So, I couldn't find the right fit for a conventional film in the Malayalam industry. I was waiting for something unique, something offbeat. That's when Siju (Sunny), also the writer of the film, approached me with the core idea of Maranamass," the director further added that the idea was so compelling that it naturally led him to collaborate with actor-producer Tovino Thomas.'When Tovino and I started discussing the script and potential casting, Basil Joseph's name came up. We weren't sure if he'd agree, but he came on board and it turned out to be one of our best decisions,' he said, praising Basil's unique comic timing. Watch the trailer of 'Maranamass' here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sony LIV (@sonylivindia)Sivaprasad, acclaimed for multiple short films, continued, 'He brings a different wavelength of humour, and we were clear from the start that this wasn't a hero-centric film. It's an ensemble story where each character is equally important.'advertisement"That's what excited me - the idea itself demanded such characters," he director initially envisioned the film as a dark genre piece, but as it developed, it took on a more experimental tone. 'It started as a dark comedy, but eventually, the film became a mix of genres with tonal shifts, especially in the second half,' he about the cast, which includes Suresh Krishna, Rajesh Madhavan, Anishma, and others, the filmmaker expressed gratitude for the team's chemistry. "All the actors had a great sense of humour, which made a big difference. Their input was vital in shaping the comedic tone," he said. "Each character carried a thread of dark humour (laughs), which really worked in the film's favour, and helped me pull it off."He also confirmed that casting Siju in the film was his own decision. "He had experience in similar roles, and I knew he could bring the right energy," he said excitedly.'Maranamass' hit theatres on April 10. India Today reviewed the film, saying, "It tries to end on a high. However, due to one-too-many subplots, the viewers tend to get tired by the time they reach the climax, which is set in a dumpyard. Even there, you get a handful of funny moments. Not just Basil and JK, even Anshima's performance in that particular sequence adds to the hilarious quotient of the film."'Maranamass' is currently streaming on SonyLIV.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Governor urged to intervene in KTU BoG controversy
The Confederation of University Employees Organisations, Kerala, has urged Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to direct APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) Vice-Chancellor in-charge K. Sivaprasad to cancel the Board of Governors (BoG) meeting scheduled to be held on Thursday. In a formal communication, the organisation flagged various 'illegalities' in convening the special BoG meeting. It highlighted the recent judgement of the Kerala High Court, which deemed the notification issued by the Chancellor appointing Prof. Sivaprasad as the Vice-Chancellor 'not sustainable in law.' The confederation also cited Section 26(1) of the University Act, which mandates that the meeting of the BoG should be convened on the dates fixed by the Vice-Chancellor 'in the manner decided by the BoG.' In addition, Section 26(3) of the Act states that the Vice-Chancellor 'may upon a requisition in writing signed by not less than one half of the total number of members of the BoG, convene a special meeting'. The organisation stated that the proposed meeting is illegal since it is being convened without fulfilling such statutory requirements. Meanwhile, Students Federation of India (SFI) activists attempted to barge into the Vice-Chancellor's office, prompting the police to forcibly remove the protesters. Demanding Prof. Sivaprasad's resignation on account of the HC order, the activists burnt an effigy in front of the university office.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Appointment of K Sivaprasad as temporary vice-chancellor of technological university is not sustainable in law: Kerala high court
Kochi/Thrissur: High court has held that the appointment of K Sivaprasad as the temporary vice-chancellor (VC) of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) by the chancellor is not sustainable in law, as it was made without the recommendation of the state govt, contrary to the provisions of the University Act. The judgment, delivered by Justice P Gopinath, came while considering a petition by the state govt challenging the notification issued by the then chancellor, Arif Muhamed Khan, in Nov 2024. HC observed that sub-section (7) of Section 13 of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Act, 2015, mandates that the power to appoint a temporary VC must be exercised only on the recommendation of the state govt. The state had contended that Sivaprasad, a professor at Cochin University, was appointed in violation of this requirement. Agreeing with the state's argument, HC held that the impugned notification was legally unsustainable. However, noting that the statutory tenure for a temporary VC is limited to six months, and that Sivaprasad's term is set to expire on May 27, HC declined to interfere with the notification at this stage. The court directed the state govt to recommend to the chancellor the names of individuals who possess the qualifications prescribed under the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, for appointment as temporary VC pending the selection of a regular appointee. It further clarified that the UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges, 2018, would govern such appointments. Meanwhile, higher education minister R Bindu welcomed the HC order. She said that the former chancellor had repeatedly violated the rules in the Act, despite the court directives to follow the rule. Chancellor is expected to abide by the laws which he himself cleared as Governor. Such a situation where the courts have to remind him of this important convention, is something that must be avoided, Bindu added.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Row over PhD admission denial: Kerala higher education department conducts inspection at Kalam Technical University
T'puram: Amid the controversy over the alleged denial of PhD admission to a former syndicate member of APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (KTU), the state higher education department conducted an inspection at the university headquarters after minister R Bindu received a complaint. Following this, KTU vice chancellor K Sivaprasad approached governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar seeking further directions. Ever since former governor Arif Mohammed Khan appointed Sivaprasad as the interim VC of KTU against the state govt's wish, the CPM nominees in the syndicate have been constantly clashing with Sivaprasad, resulting in an academic and administrative stalemate at the university. It is alleged that the additional secretary, with a team of officials, had made a flash visit to the university headquarters, rummaged through documents, and forced the university registrar to give a statement on why PhD admission was denied to the former syndicate member. At the centre of the row is also the powers the state govt could possibly possess under the Universities Act Amendment Bill pending before governor Arlekar. The amendments empower the minister or the official deputed by her to call for the university files. However, the existing act and laws do not have such provisions. Former higher education minister KT Jaleel had landed in trouble for his direct intervention, forcing the university authorities to violate the examination rules to help a student. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Viral Video: मृत्यू कसाही येऊ शकतो! सीसीटीव्हीत कैद झाली काळीज पिळवटणारी घटना Latest News Read More Undo Earlier, the VC had apprised the governor of the additional secretary's 'unlawful' visit and examination of university files. The governor is learnt to have initiated steps to summon the official concerned at Raj Bhavan and seek an explanation.
