Watch AP Minister Manikyala Rao Steps Back Supporting Ghazal Srinivas
Self Deportation: New Trouble for H1B Holders
Since past few years, many senators and think tanks in the US have been grumpy over the abuse of H-1B Visas by the multinational IT firms. After the US President Donald Trump came up with the ‘Buy American, Hire American’ initiative, many IT companies are being forced to hire American talent.
As a part of Trump’s election promises, the US is reportedly trying to bring some prominent changes in regulations, aiming to prevent the misuse of H1B visas. Earlier, there was a debate regarding the cut-down of H1 B visas and unofficial statistics from last few months show the sign of fall in H1B filings by US organizations.
The new proposal which is likely to become act, targets employees with H1B visas staying in the US after getting their visas renewed for maximum number of times (upto six years) and getting ‘indefinite renewals’ after that with their ‘pending Green card status’. The proposal prevents granting extension for them after six year term and also for those who already have a green card.
If it is accepted by the DHS and approved in the Senate, thousands of immigrants are bound to leave the US. For many decades, the US IT companies hired Indian workers and paid them less. With this law into practice, these IT companies would be forced to hire American workers, over immigrant Indians in the coming future.
Effect on Indian Immigrants
Tens of thousands of employees are hired by the US companies from countries like India and China annually. The US companies claim that they cannot find the ‘talent pool’ in the nation [the US], given the academic structure and other factors. But think tanks and pro-nationals have been long arguing about the low wages, which the US companies get away paying to the immigrant workers.
The H-1B Visa is a non-immigrant visa. Under the Obama administration, the USCIS (the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) issued EAD to qualified H4 Visa holders. Under the new regulations, a non-US citizen is temporarily allowed to work in the US. But, Donald Trump stated that he is looking to repeal the H4 Visa EAD, thus effecting employment of thousands of H1B Visa dependents working in the US.
Over a million green card applications are in pending for over a decade with the US DHS. Nearly half of them belongs to Indians who are currently working in the US on an H-1B Visa. This move is being made to ensure the immigrants ‘self-deport’ themselves, thereby creating a vacuum of IT jobs in the US. The unemployment rate is likely to come down, with the US companies being forced to recruit local talent.
What are the US Firms are saying?
The US IT firms have been highly vocal in rejecting the proposal from Trump. The US companies usually hire Indian immigrants paying them lower wages [by at least 30%], in comparison to an average Amercian, for the same job. Employing an American employee, not only burdens the company’s net profit but also impacts the workload, forcing them to hire more employees.
Leon Frasco, former Deputy Assistant General for the Justice Department, in the Obama Administration termed the recent happenings as ‘catastrophic developments’.
Frasco added, ‘there are thousands of people who are waiting for the approval of their green card. They have US citizen children, an own car and an own home’.
With the current proposal underway, Donald Trump might look like a hero to the US citizens, and as a Villan to the US IT firms. His move might reduce the unemployment rates in the US, which have been at an all-time high since last two years, but this move is more or less likely to cause more troubles to the Indian immigrant workers in the US.
No Help from Prabhas to UV Creations?
Unlike his counterparts Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu and Ram Charan, Young Rebel Star Prabhas doesn’t have an official production house, but UV Creations is a sort of his home production. He has been the face of UV Creations, and the promoter of their films. Prabhas attended the pre-release event of UV Creations’ most recent film, “Mahanubhavudu” as well. But, the ‘Baahubali’ star is going to give a miss to their latest release, “Gang”.
UV Creations is releasing Suriya’s “Gang” (Telugu dubbed version of Thaanaa Serndha Koottam) on January 12, during Sankranthi festival season. The film’s pre-release event will be conducted on Jan 5 in Hyderabad. Unlike the earlier films of UV Creations, this Suriya-starrer unfortunately can’t get free publicity as Prabhas wouldn’t be attending the event.
We have learnt that Prabhas is currently on vacation in US and hence he is giving a miss to the pre-release event of Gang. Suriya and film’s leading lady, Keerthy Suresh are expected to grace the event to be held on 5th Jan at JRC Convention Centre in Hyderabad.
After foraying into film industry with Prabhas’ “Mirchi”, UV Creations is bankrolling the star hero’s new film, ‘Saaho’.
Nayanthara Thanks Fans With A Sweet Gesture
South Indian diva Nayanthara has completed fourteen glorious years in tinsel town and she has rightfully earned the title of lady super star.
Her recent choices of female oriented movies have garnered positive reviews from both her fans and critics alike.
With the immense success of her latest outing Aramm, Nayanthara had further cemented her position as the reigning female superstar of Tollywood.
The beautiful actress had once again proved that she alone can navigate a movie to success without the presence of a heavy weight hero.
Nayanthara who has some interesting projects in her kitty for 2018 is hoping for another amazing run in the box office.
On New Year day she wrote an open letter to her countless fans and admirers wishing them happiness on new year and also thanking them for their ‘unconditional love.’
She wrote that her fans had made her ‘believe that sincere and unconditional love exists.’
The Aramm actress wrote, “You all have made me realize that no matter what, we should just keep working harder with utmost dedication and leave the rest to God!”
Prabhas: ‘I can’t give 5 years to a film now’
He lived and breathed ‘Baahubali’ for five years, a role that established him as India’s latest heartthrob but Prabhas says he will not be able to devote so much time in a future project. The 38-year-old actor believes as a performer he has a shelf-life and taking such a risk again can have an adverse effect on his career.
“Actors have limited time. We also have a shelf life. I think I can’t give five years to one project now. Even if I ever give that much time, I will simultaneously keep doing other projects because age is also a factor. It will not be good for my career,” Prabhas told PTI in an interview.
The actor said the two-part fantasy drama was a “once- in-a-lifetime opportunity” and he was aware that the grand scale of the project demanded a certain level of dedication. Prabhas wants to build upon his success and take his career forward with projects that have universal appeal, something that ‘Baahubali’ achieved.
“Most of my projects now will have a universal appeal. Regional cinema is different, so now I am trying to choose stories that cater to my audiences across the country. I will do stories which most of the audiences like.”
Given his pan-India appeal, there has been a lot of speculation about Prabhas’ Bollywood debut.
“I am definitely interested in doing films in Bollywood. And not only in Hindi, I am open to working anywhere in the country, even if it is Punjabi. I will do films in any of the languages, provided the script is good. The region and the language don’t matter.”
The actor said his aim as an actor is to deliver mainstream entertaining fare.
“I want my films to be entertaining, not comedy, but something which is gripping. In future, I may do a dark film but currently entertainment is the main criterion.”For the Hindi version of ‘Baahubali’, Sharad Kelkar dubbed for Prabhas but the actor is working on his diction and wants to use his own voice in future projects.
“Dubbing for myself in Hindi is a big task. I know Hindi. I can read and write Hindi but I don’t normally speak the language and that is very important. I still have that South Indian accent. But I am working on it. Hindi audiences should feel that I am speaking like them and should relate to me.”
Prabhas, who is currently working on ‘Saaho’, which also stars Bollywood actor Shraddha Kapoor, said the team has shot for around 50 days. The actor will be joining Shraddha soon for a month long schedule. (PTI)
Goa New Year Party: Is That Bikini Girl Rakul?
A bunch of actors from Hyderabad has landed in Goa to celebrate the New Year eve. Before going there, the likes of Rakul Preet Kaur shared with media folks that they are going to Goa for a celebration, but none actually shared any pictures. Here is an interesting find out, however.
Surprisingly three pictures shared by three different celebs now actually found to be shot from the same place, same viewpoint. That picture shared by Varun Tej, the one shared by Raashi Khanna and the one posted by Lavanya Tripathi is speaking volumes for its look. Any layman could easily recognize that they are all shot from at same place, same time and same angle.
Probably this gang don’t want to reveal that they have all vacationed at the same place so they didn’t reveal a bit about it. And now, if that lady covered in a green cape in that picture is Lavanya Tripathi, isn’t the one to her left is Rakul Preet? Netizens are commenting that such a curvaceous look and that hair tying style belongs to Rakul only.
Actually, this same gang of Telugu stars actually enjoyed their time together at various other places also including the recently Kygo Concert in Mumbai.
Is Charan Too Slow?
After Dhruva, Ram Charan hasn’t had a single release. His ongoing Rangasthalam goes on and on and on. The periodic film being directed by Sukumar continues to push Charan into tight spot as all his fans have been waiting for his release with bated breath since long time.
Whereas, Allu Arjun has been meticulously planning his career with the line-up of projects. He has already came up with DJ in 2017. And his next Naa Peru Surya Naa Illu India too progressing at a brisk pace as the makers even unveiled the first impact (almost a video teaser).
So far, only Charan’s first look and a few leaked stills of Sam have been came out. Nothing more.
No doubt, Charan too has several interesting upcoming films including Boyapati Sreenu’s film and Rajamouli’s multi-starrer. But first, he has to complete Rangasthalam and increase the pace of his work. At a time when several youngsters like Sharwannad, Nani, Vijay, Nikhil are having multiple releases in a year, Charan didn’t have a single release in 2017.
Even Jr NTR has had a film (Janatha Garage) and even hosted Bigg Boss TV show in the recently completed year.
Meanwhile, we hear that Charan is juggling between both acting and home production of Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (after Khaidi No.150). Hope Charan would soon change his style and deliver more.
Hyd as India’s Second Capital: No Chance
Stirring up the hornet’s nest, TRS MP has raised the issue of making Hyderabad as India’s second capital. Since India is a large nation with over 1.34 billion and power is centered in North with New Delhi as the capital, there has been growing demand of announcing second capital in Southern part of nation.
Recently, Tamil Nadu’s AIADMK MP A Navaneethakrishnan had said Parliament’s sessions should be moved to South India as a way out of a polluted Delhi.
Following the suit, TRS MP has raised the issue to make Hyderabad as second capital of India.
Finally, putting all those rumours to the rest, minister of state for Home Hansraj Gangaram said the centre has no plans to create a second capital in India. While replying to a written question on whether the government has any proposal to create a second capital in South India (Hyderabad), the minister said, “No”.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that TRS chief and CM KCR is said to be not happy with this. He is apparently planning to take it up the issue further and is determined to make Hyderabad as the second capital. The moot question is will Modi entertain KCR?
Pawan’s Name In Agnyaathavaasi Revealed
Ace director Trivikram always comes up with something interesting in his films by giving a philosophical touch and unseen character-drive borrowed from mythologies. Also, he comes up with unique names of his lead characters in the film. With Agnyaathavaasi release around the corner, there are a lot of speculations on Pawan Kalyan’s name too.
If we look at his past films, Trivikram has come up with fantastic names for his protagonists like Anand Vihari in A..Aa, Viraj Anand in S/o Satyamurthy, Gautham Nanda in Attarintiki Daredi, Ravindra Narayan in Julayi are some examples. In the wake of this, a hint has come through a song in Agnyaathavaasi where the lyric reads, “AB, evaro ne baby’, where Pawan romances two heroines.
According to a reliable source, Trivikram has come up with the name Abhishikt Bhargava for Pawan Kalyan this time, after creating characters like Sanjay Sahu (Jalsa) and Gowtham Nanda (AD) for him. And this Abhishikt Bhargava will be addressed as AB by his pals and associates in the film.
As the release of Agnyaathavaasi is approaching fast, every single information coming out about this film is surely rejoicing fans.
Rangula Ratnam Trailer: Breezy Romance!
Tollywood continues its fascination for weddings. Pelli Choopulu, Fidaa, Mental Madhilo all the three films – that released in 2017 and became successful – have one thing in common – wedding as the backdrop.
Joining the bandwagon is Raj Tarun and Annapurna Studios’ Rangula Ratnam. And yes, this too is a story of a young couple (Raj Tarun and Chitra Shukla). What are the simple disturbances that come in between the couple and how the duo overcome and take the big step in their life is the plot of the film.
Tamil filmmaker Shree Ranjani, who has written and directed the film, has chosen a simple yet profound point. She has nicely highlighted the points.
The smoking, drinking habit of groom doesn’t go well with the bride. But this is not all yet. There is more to it. And that we should watch only on the big screen. After Uyyala Jampala, Annapuna Studios and Raj Tarun have retained the feel-good factor.
On the whole, Rangula Ratnam trailer is quite promising and delivers to the targeted audiences. The breezy romance is slated for Sankranthi release.
