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Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mani Ratnam reveals how Kamal Haasan inspired the concept of 'Thug Life'
Filmmaker Mani Ratnam recently opened up about the origins of his latest project, "Thug Life," revealing that the idea was sparked by legendary actor Kamal Haasan . In a candid conversation with the media, Mani Ratnam explained how Kamal Haasan's influence played a pivotal role in shaping the concept of the film, marking the beginning of the creative journey that led to "Thug Life. " During a promotional event for the film in Mumbai, when asked about how the idea of Thug Life took shape, Ratnam stated, "The first thing that came was Kamal Haasan, and then Thug Life came in. So, it started from there." Speaking about the scale of the production and assembling the film's stellar team, Ratnam added, "I think the scale is designed by the story. Whatever that demands is what you go towards. And it is always a pleasure-and it always makes a director's job easy-when you have the correct cast and crew. I've been lucky to have the best. So, it has been fantastic." Talking about his multifaceted role in the film-as actor, writer, and producer-Kamal Haasan said, "The most exciting part was working with him (Mani Ratnam). Automatically, all the other things happened." The actor also spoke about his first impression of Mani Ratnam. He recalled, "My first impression is that I knew him as a friend living in the same area. I didn't even know that he belonged to a film family. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo He was a person, and I liked the way he spoke. We became friends, and we had a group of friends. We were talking only cinema and no gossip-and that's where it started. All of the films you mentioned-we all know about them, including when we were doing Nayakan in, I think, near Colaba. And Ramesh Sippy Saab was shooting in Film City. So, we had some shots in Film City. We all went to see the shooting of Mr. Ramesh Sippy. Ultimately, the qualification that brought us here is that, like you, we have fans-we're film buffs. That's what brought us here. We'd go to any set to watch anybody work-especially those we consider talented. We'd like to watch them work. And that's what we did." Discussing the musical journey behind "Thug Life," A.R. Rahman revealed that the process involved exploring different melodic styles. He mentioned that the initial piece they worked on, which is featured in the film's trailer, stood out particularly. Rahman also highlighted a haunting vocal element in the track-sung in an unfamiliar language-that added a distinct and captivating atmosphere to the music, something that the team truly appreciated. The "Thug Life" team gathered for the first time in Mumbai for an exclusive media event to promote the film. The occasion featured the dynamic trio of Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, and A.R. Rahman, joined by key cast members including Silambarasan TR , Trisha Krishnan , Abhirami, and Ashok Selvan, as they engaged with the media. "Thug Life" is all set for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2025. 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
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Escape from the field': Social media has field day as Pakistan promotes Asim Munir to Field Marshal
04:38 Pakistan Army chief general Asim Munir was on Tuesday promoted to the rank of Field Marshal for 'successfully' leading the armed forces during the recent conflict with India . The move, approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif , makes Munir only the second officer in Pakistan's history to receive the title—after General Ayub Khan , who was defeated in the 1965 war with India. While the Pakistani government hailed it as a significant honour, many saw it as a dramatic—and ironic—gesture. — DipuSingh241769 (@DipuSingh241769) Social media users were quick to mock the promotion, calling it Pakistan's 'most ambitious promotional stunt' yet. 'He is the second Field Marshal of Pakistan. The first was Md Ayub Khan, who was defeated by India in 1965. History repeats itself,' one user posted on X. Some questioned what the title was awarded for. 'Field Marshal for what exactly?' asked one user, summing up the frustration online. Another joked: "Failed Marshal Asim Munir promotes himself after leading the country to Pakistan's latest military defeat against India." One meme doing the rounds asked: 'Ye wohi Field Marshal hai na jo field se bhag kar bunker me chhup gaya tha?' ( loosely translated as, 'Isn't he the same Field Marshal who ran from the field and hid in a bunker?') "Asim Munir got a well-deserved promotion due to his exemplary participation in an adventure sport common in Pakistani conditions called 'Hide In A Bunker The Longest'," another user remarked. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo The sarcasm didn't stop there. "Only in Pakistan you can get a promotion for your failure,' quipped another user. Some speculated if the title had less to do with military success and more with staying close to power. One viral post read: 'Only in Pakistan you can get a promotion for your failure.' Another took a dig at the title itself: "They must be confused. Must have asked him to look after Agriculture and leave the Armed Forces. For them that must mean Field Marshal." As satire mixed with disbelief, one user summed it up: 'What next? President of Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir?!' Referencing Pakistan's military record and recent losses, another viral comment read: 'Pakistan Army logic: Get defeated by India, lose 11 airbases, declare 'victory', and then promote the boss to Field Marshal.' As another user joked, the only thing left now may be an ISPR-produced Netflix comedy: 'Field Marshal – Escape from the Field.'
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did you know Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan took four months to name Aaradhya Bachchan? Here's why
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan became proud parents in November 2011 when they welcomed their daughter Aaradhya into the world. The power couple, loved by fans all over India and beyond, were over the moon. But what many may not know is that it took them nearly four months to name their little girl—and there's a sweet reason behind it. A name worth the wait It's not often you hear of parents taking several months to pick a baby name, especially when the world is watching. But for Aishwarya and Abhishek, it was never about rushing. In a past interview with Vogue India around Aaradhya's first birthday, Aishwarya opened up about why they waited. She said, ''Aaradhya' means 'one who is worthy of worship.' It was a name both Abhishek and I had always considered, but we threw it open to our extended family. You know, when you have a baby, time flies. I wasn't even aware that it had been four months. I never realized this as acutely as I did when I had Aaradhya; time is a luxury. You can never have enough of it.' That touching explanation shows how deeply the couple thought about their daughter's name and how much love went into choosing it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Keeping her out of the spotlight Although Aaradhya is often seen in public with her mom now, especially at events like the Cannes Film Festival , her early years were more private. Aishwarya and Abhishek chose to keep her away from the limelight at first, letting her grow up without the pressure of flashing cameras. Over time, however, fans were treated to glimpses of the little girl, and she quickly became a favorite, especially during her Cannes appearances. Aishwarya has been walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for over two decades now. And for many years, her daughter Aaradhya has joined her on the glamorous trip to the French Riviera. As the 2025 edition of Cannes is here, fans are once again hoping to see the iconic mother-daughter duo light up the red carpet together. Aaradhya's presence has become something of a tradition, and she already seems right at home among the world's biggest film stars. In an earlier chat with Film Companion, Aishwarya explained why Aaradhya accompanies her to Cannes. She said, 'It's really just about being together. It's familiar to her. She knows everybody here. It's really about reuniting with friends. It's an experience that's so familiar to her. She's a lot like me in that sense; we're people's people. It begins with that. She loves the place; she loves the vibe. We haven't ever discussed this, but I'm sure she gets the fact that this is really a film festival; it's about the world of cinema.' Laal Pari Song Ignites Comedy Fever 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
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Good thing you can't kill him twice': Social media trolls JD Vance after visit to Pope Francis' grave
'Murderers always return to the scene of the crime.' That's what some social media users said after US vice president JD Vance visited the tomb of Pope Francis, just weeks after meeting the late pontiff hours before his sudden death. The visit took place during a Vatican Mass for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pope. This was Vance's second trip to the Vatican in less than a month. His first visit was in April, on Easter Sunday, when he met Pope Francis just hours before the pontiff died. On Sunday, Vance led the US delegation at the event. He later posted on X that he and second lady Usha Vance visited the late pope's grave, saying, 'Today, Usha and I visited the tomb of the late Holy Father Pope Francis. He was beloved by many Catholics around the world, and I hope you will join me in praying for the repose of his soul.' Social media quickly seized on the timing of Vance's meeting with Pope Francis and the pope's death hours later. Many users flooded the platform X with memes and comments to troll the Vice President after his visit to Pope Francis' grave. Both Pope Francis, during his papacy, and Pope Leo XIV, previously Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, have offered subtle but clear criticisms of US President Donald Trump and Vance's 'America first' political stance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Vance has surprisingly chosen not to respond to recent online criticism and instead remains low-key. His faith has drawn attention, reinforcing his status as one of the highest-ranking Catholic politicians in the world. At Sunday's Mass, Vance was seated in a prominent position in the front row, near delegations from Italy and Peru, the latter being Pope Leo XIV's homeland where he served as bishop and archbishop, NBC News reports. Vance also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome. They were joined at Villa Taverna, the US ambassador's residence, by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's top aide, according to a White House report.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Buzzed and focused: How caffeine transforms ants into memory machines
They've marched across continents, conquered kitchen counters, and ruined more picnics than we can count. But give ants a splash of caffeine, and things get even more interesting: they stop wandering aimlessly and start walking like they've got somewhere important to be, probably a TED Talk on precision foraging. A new study, published in the journal iScience, reveals that moderate doses of caffeine not only sharpen ants' memories but also straighten their paths. The result? Ants become laser-focused navigators, like tiny commuters who've just downed a triple-shot espresso. Tiny buzz, big brain boost in ant memory Apparently, caffeine is the secret ingredient that turns meandering ant trails into precision-guided ant highways. Researchers found that ants given small to moderate doses of caffeine remembered the location of a sugary treat much faster than their decaf peers. Rather than aimlessly zigzagging, they headed straight for the prize, no GPS required. In short, they became the insect version of that coworker who doesn't talk until they've had their coffee and then starts firing off ideas at 9:01 AM. Caffeine improves focus in ants Despite the caffeine boost, ants didn't actually move faster. They just moved smarter. Their speed stayed the same, but their path looked like something you'd see in a military parade: straight, sharp, and efficient. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo In comparison, non-caffeinated ants behaved more like late-night grocery shoppers, meandering, unsure, possibly questioning their life choices. So while humans often feel faster after a cup of joe, ants just think better. Who knew the real difference between chaos and order in the ant world was about 250 parts per million of caffeine? Sharper trails mean deadlier bait for invasive ants Here's the real kicker: this focus boost might be pest control's secret weapon. Normally, ants lose interest in poison baits before enough of them carry it back to the colony. But when caffeine helps them remember and revisit the bait like it's their favourite café, they lay stronger pheromone trails for their fellow ants to follow. It's like one ant discovers a coffee shop, tells everyone on Slack, and suddenly the whole colony is lining up for the same toxic latte. Too much caffeine cancels the brain benefits But, like humans who chug one too many energy drinks and then forget their own name, ants also have a tipping point. At extremely high caffeine doses, like those that could kill a honeybee, the learning benefits vanished. The ants no longer had their memory mojo, possibly due to overstimulation or their tiny hearts palpitating with regret. So while a little caffeine makes them brilliant, too much sends them into full-blown bug burnout. Potential for wider use in controlling other invasive species The researchers suspect other invasive ants, like fire ants and big-headed ants, might also respond to caffeine. If so, pest managers may have found the ant equivalent of universal bait seasoning. It's like giving every pest species the same irresistible brain-boosting snack and hoping they remember it long enough to carry poison back home. One has to wonder: Are we training ants or tricking them with cognitive enhancements? Either way, it's a dark roast plot twist for the six-legged invaders. The bittersweet lesson from a caffeine-fuelled colony Caffeine gives ants memory, motivation, and military-grade navigation. It turns chaotic foragers into straight-line superstars. And that makes them, ironically, much easier to wipe out. So next time you sip your morning brew, remember: while you're powering through your inbox, somewhere out there, an ant is laying a straighter trail thanks to its own tiny dose of coffee. And its colony? Doomed by espresso-fuelled efficiency. Ants, it turns out, are just like us. Except when their productivity spikes, they might not live to enjoy it.
