Latest news with #Vel
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Mohanlal Offers 'Thanga Vel' At Thirumalai Kumarasamy Temple After Thudarum's Success
Last Updated: Mohanlal achieved a rare milestone by starring in two Malayalam hit movies, L2: Empuraan and Thudarum Malayalam superstar Mohanlal recently visited the Thirumalai Kumarasamy Temple in Tamil Nadu and offered a 'Thanga Vel' (golden spear) as a gesture of gratitude for the success of his latest film, Thudarum. The actor's photos went viral on social media. Fans are praising his religious side. To note, Thudarum will soon be streaming on an OTT platform. Dressed in simple attire, Mohanlal was seen arriving at the temple with folded hands, accompanied by close aides and temple priests. The highlight of the visit was the ceremonial offering of the Thanga Vel, an item of deep religious significance associated with Lord Murugan. Mohanlal achieved a rare milestone by starring in two Malayalam hit movies, L2: Empuraan and Thudarum, which earned over Rs 100 crore in the same year. Thudarum continues to attract crowds even weeks after its release on April 25. The film not just earned praise from critics but fans too showered love, due to which it broke several box office records. Due to its success, the digital release was delayed by a few weeks. Now, Jio Hotstar, which holds the streaming rights for this crime thriller, has finally announced its streaming date. Those who missed the chance to watch Mohanlal's latest hit on the big screen can watch it easily at home starting this weekend. According to the streaming giant, Thudarum will be available online starting Friday, May 30. Fans can watch the Mohanlal starrer not only in its original language, Malayalam but also in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Kannada. Thudarum tells the story of Mohanlal's character, Shanmugham, aka Benz, after his old black Ambassador Mark 1 car. Once a film stunt assistant, Benz now lives a simple life as a taxi driver in the scenic town of Pathanamthitta. But his simple life turns upside down when his car gets linked to a police case, due to which Benz gets caught in a tense chain of events. Other than Mohanlal, Thudarum also stars Shobana, Prakash Varma, Farhaan Faasil, Maniyanpilla Raju, Binu Pappu, Irshad Ali, Aarsha Chandini Baiju, Thomas Mathew, Sangeeth Prathap and Krishna Prabha in key roles. First Published:
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Uddhav Sena renews pitch for reunion with Raj Thackeray as Shinde Sena steps up MNS outreach
Amid fresh buzz of a rapprochement between Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and his estranged cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra minister Uday Samant, who is from the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, met Raj at his residence in Mumbai Tuesday. This was the fourth meeting between Samant and Raj in the wake of the state Assembly polls held in November last year. Last month, Shinde had met Raj at his residence, which heightened the possibility of an alliance between the Shiv Sena and the MNS for the upcoming election to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic bodies in the state, which are slated to take place later this year. Raj had also met Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadanvis at his official residence 'Varsha' last week. These meetings between the ruling Mahayuti's key leaders and the MNS chief have raised a question mark over the prospects of a patch-up between the estranged Thackeray cousins. After meeting Raj Tuesday, Samant said it was a 'courtesy call', claiming that there was no political discussion during his visit. 'I had come to the Dadar area for some work and I only called up Saheb (Raj ). So I came and we discussed some developments. There was no political discussion, which is being speculated. If there was any discussion regarding the BMC polls, then we would have held a press conference to announce it,' he said. Reacting to the meeting between Samant and Raj, Sena (UBT) MP and spokesman Sanjay Raut said his party had responded 'positively' to Raj's overtures and that the ball was now in the latter's court. 'Raj Thackeray had started this (reconciliation bid) and we responded positively. We are responding positively today as well. Now it is up to him to respond and we are waiting for the response. We consider Raj Thackeray in high regards, we respect him,' Raut said. On April 19, both Raj and Uddhav had sent out signals for a possible reunion, saying they were ready to keep aside their 'disputes' for the larger interest of the people of Maharashtra. While speaking at a podcast with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, Raj had then set the conciliatory tone and expressed willingness to move beyond 'minor disputes' with Uddhav while stressing that the interest of Maharashtra was bigger than personal disagreements. Responding to it on the same day at a Sena (UBT) trade union event, Uddhav acknowledged the possibility of their reconciliation, saying that he was willing to set aside their differences in the interest of the Marathi people and language. However, Uddhav had also added a caveat that Raj must not associate with forces like the BJP and the Shinde Sena, which are the adversaries of the Sena (UBT). Subsequently, both Uddhav and Raj went abroad following which their patch-up exercise appeared to have been put on the backburner. On April 26, the Sena UBT's official X handle posted a message in Marathi, 'Vel Aaliye Ekatra Yenyachi', indicating that it was time for the Thackeray cousins to come together. A few days later, Raut also called for their reconciliation, stating that Uddhav has signalled his willingness in this regard and that it was up to Raj to take his call. Raj had floated the MNS in March 2006 after quitting the then Bal Thackeray-headed Shiv Sena following differences with Uddhav. Like the Sena, the MNS also centered its politics on the Marathi Manoos issue. The MNS has however been in political wilderness in the state for several years. In the November 2024 Assembly polls, it drew a blank with 1.55% vote share despite contesting 135 seats out of 288. In 2019, the party could win just one seat with 2.5% vote share. In the BMC polls, which have traditionally been dominated by the Sena, the MNS had won seven seats out of 227 in 2017, with the Uddhav-led Sena, which was then in alliance with the BJP, emerging as the single largest party with 84 seats. Uddhav and Raj have had a tumultuous relationship. There have been several instances over the years when even a public meeting between them has set off talks of an alliance and the cousins coming together. Uddhav has, however, remained wary of Raj's stance on the BJP, which has fluctuated – from warming up to it at times to occasionally criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
