Saudis ignored U.S. plea on cleric’s execution
As the spiralling tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran threaten to unbalance its tightrope walk in the strife-torn West Asian region, the U.S has launched a massive diplomatic outreach to both countries, but would stop short of trying to “mediate.” “We want to see these kinds of tensions solved bilaterally,” said John Kirby, State Department spokesperson. Secretary of State John Kerry and several other officials are in touch with Iranian and Saudi functionaries to diffuse the situation, but Washington would avoid too close an involvement as it could complicate the matter, according to officials. Saudi’s Sunni monarchy and Iran’s Shiite theocracy are bitter adversaries in the region, but are also part of a multilateral process led by the U.S and Russia to stabilise Syria.
The White House and State Department expressed hope that the tensions triggered by the Saudi execution of an Iranian-trained Shiite cleric, Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, and the arson attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran that followed over the weekend would not derail the Syria process that is set to kick off this month. “….we see no reason why the Syria peace process shouldn’t move forward as planned. Obviously, the last thing we’d want to see is for there to be an impact on that or any other significant regional issues by the tensions over the weekend,” Mr. Kirby said.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest urged Saudi Arabia and Iran not to let the tensions affect the process of ceasefire and Syrian political transition. The Saudi action that precipitated a crisis in the region happened despite the U.S repeatedly cautioning them against the cleric’s execution. A U.S official said Washington had repeatedly taken up the issue with the Saudis, but they went ahead with the execution. The current flare-up has its origin in the Saudi monarchy’s deep resentment against the U.S-led nuclear deal with Iran that has begun to come into effect with Iran shipping its specified nuclear material to Russia last week. The Saudis accuse the U.S of giving legitimacy to Iran before roping them into the Syria process.
A U.S official said the Saudi reservations were misplaced as Iran continues to be in the U.S list of state sponsors of terrorism. “We still have a lot of sanctions against Iran,” the official said, adding that everybody would agree that Iran without nuclear weapons is better for every country in the region. “The deal was not about giving legitimacy, but about cutting off their pathways to the bomb. And Saudis have been at the table on Syria, three times now. Everybody does not want everybody and we understand that….We are not getting any sustainable solution in Syria if it does not account for the influence Iran has in Syria, it is pragmatism,” the official said.Recalling that it was not only the U.S but there was a multilateral agreement on a nuclear deal with Iran and on Syria. “Whether you like it or not, Iran has influence in the region. They have influence over Assad. No political solution is going to work without engaging Iran to some degree on this,” he said.
New sanctions against Iran But convincing the Saudis may not be easy for the U.S that condemned the attack on the Saudi embassy more strongly than the cleric’s execution by Saudi. Mr. Kirby also said the U.S was considering new sanctions against Iran for violations of the U.N. Security Council resolutions with respect to their ballistic missile program. “There are sanctions under consideration. There are still some technical issues that need to be worked out,” Mr. Kirby said.
Former India Cricketer Denies He Married For Third Time
Hyderabad: Former India cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin on Sunday denied reports that he has married for a third time. “News about my 3rd marriage is incorrect and false. Please check facts before publishing,” he tweeted. The denial came after a section of media carried reports that Azhar married his friend Shannon Marie, an American citizen. According to a report in Maharashtra Times, Azhar introduced Shanon as his wife when they visited house of his driver Jaan Mohammed in Mumbai on Saturday to console the family. The driver recently died.
The 52-year-old was reportedly spotted with Shanon during IPTL match featuring the Indian aces and Phillippine Mavericks in New Delhi. Azhar, who played 99 Tests and 334 ODIs for India, first married Naureen, with whom he had two sons. In 1996, he divorced her to marry model-turned-actress Sangeeta Bijlani. The couple is believed to have separated in 2010. Azhar, who shot to fame by hitting three consecutive centuries on debut in 1984-85, was one of the most successful captains. His career ended in disgrace in 2000 when he was banned for life from playing the game for his alleged involvement in match fixing.
Though the court lifted the ban in 2012, Azhar’s career was already over. The Hyderabad entered politics in 2009 and was elected to Lok Sabha from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh. However, last year he lost the polls from Rajasthan’s Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency.
Hero’s Black & White Dreams
Allari Naresh is not just run-of-the-mill heroes. Carving a niche with comedy, the 50-movie-old actor managed to try various genres with films like Gamyam, Nenu, Danger, Sambho Siva Sambho. While the scion of EVV Satyanarayana is all set for his directorial debut sometime soon, Naresh is apparently planning to make a special impact with it.
Naresh doesn’t want another regular movie and toying with the idea of directing a black & white film. Interesting right?This film is going to be a youthful romance. And Naresh will not act in the film and decided to stay completely behind the camera.
“My dad always wanted my brother Rajesh to become hero and wanted to see me as director. But I managed to become successful hero. And even I’m very interesting in film making since I grew up in that atmosphere,” Naresh had shared sometime back with us. Now Naresh entered into 2016 and even completed 50 films as an actor, we expect that his directorial plans are round the corner. Let’s wait and see.
Ashwin ends 2015 as No.1 ranked Test bowler
Dubai: Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday became only the second Indian, after the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi, to be ranked as the No.1 bowler in Tests in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings released on Thursday. Ashwin achieved the top spot for the first time in his career after injury prevented South African Dale Steyn from bowling more than 3.5 overs in England’s second innings in the Durban Test.
Even though the fast bowler bagged four wickets in the first innings, it wasn’t enough for him to end the year as the No.1 bowler for the sixth time since 2009, and the position went to the Chennai man. Steyn had started the Durban Test leading Ashwin by four points and now trails the Indian tweaker by the same margin. The 29-year-old Ashwin has become the first Indian since Bedi in 1973 to achieve the milestone of finishing the year as No.1. In fact, Bedi, an ICC Hall of Famer, is the only Indian to ever top the Test bowling table while Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble peaked at No.2 during their careers.
Ashwin finished 2015 as the most successful bowler with 62 wickets in nine Tests and this is reflected in his ranking after he started the year in 15th and slowly but surely moved to the top. In the past decade, Australian Shane Warne finished in the top spot in 2005 and Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralidaran completed a hat-trick from 2006 to 2008 before Steyn got his grip on the top spot which was only broken in 2013 when his teammate Vernon Philander topped the table. “Finishing the year as the No.1 ranked Test bowler is like an icing on the cake that I have managed to build over the past 12 months. I always wanted to get there one day. There can’t be a better way to finish 2015,” Ashwin said.
“Replicating what Mr. Bedi did is something I am very proud of. The former India captain was a master at his craft and I am very humbled to follow in his footsteps. I would like to thank my Test captain Virat Kohli, who has been a big influence, and, of course, the team management, my teammates and the BCCI for their continued support.” The only other Indian in the top-10 bowlers’ list is Ravindra Jadeja, who also rose a spot to be ranked No.6.
Ashwin, for the second time in three years, also finished as the No.1 ranked Test all-rounder with Jadeja in fifth. Meanwhile, Australian captain Steve Smith, who last week won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the Cricketer of the Year as well as the Test Cricketer of the Year awards, has jumped three spots to become the No.1 ranked batsman in Tests.
Nani’s Next: Krishna Gadi Veera Prema Gadha
After breaking heads over the title for a longtime, finally the makers of Nani’s next seems to have zeroed in on title for their film. Putting an end to dilly dallying, Nani’s next film has been christened as ‘Krishna Gadi Veera Prema Gadha’.
Though the names like ‘Mahalakshmi Tho Pelliki 150 Kms Dooram’, ‘Jai Balayya’ did rounds, at last makers opted for this title. Going by the title, looks like, Nani plays the role of Krishna and it’s his love story.
Known for making aesthetic love story in form of Andala Rakshasi, director Hanu Raghavapudi carved a niche and great following among youths. Given that this is Hanu’s second film, expectations are high. 14 Reels Entertainment is producing the film.
Newcomer Mehrene Kaur Peerzada will be seen as Nani’s love interest in the film. And she’d be essaying the role of Mahalakshmi in the film. The film’s first look and title logo is expected to be unveiled soon. Ever since the film has hit the floors, expectations on the film are high. Even Nani is riding high in his career with the success of Bhale Bhale Magadivoi.
Pathankot Terror Attack: Shame On You Anwar
A man from Kerala, Malappuram district was slammed with sedition charges over derogatory remarks against Lt Col EK Niranjan, who lost his life in Pathankot terror strike. The post, which was actually written in Malayalam and was translated, says “One trouble is less now.
Now his wife will get a job and money. Common people will get nothing. What a stinking democracy!” It was really unappealing to see that such insulting remark was posted in the time when Punjab was mourning for its warriors.
The remarks bear potential to undermine the democracy of India and spark controversies. “Anwar Sadhik was arrested last night and was charged under Section 124 B,” said Shah Jahan, SI at Chevayur police station.
Shockingly, Anwar pretended as journalist working for reginal newspaper and posted the remarks. However, the newspaper organization leveled the complaint against Anwar as the remark could serve enough to tarnish the image of the firm.
I smoke daily a Cigar (chutta): Balayya
In Balayya’s yesteryear film Top Hero which released in the 90s, there was a song which goes like – “Beedilu Thaagandi Babulu Thaagi Swargaanni Cherandi Babulu”. Now, Balayya seems to be implementing his screen advice in his real life.
During the closing ceremony of Visakha Utsav, Balayya surprised everyone when he revealed that he smokes a cigar (chutta) every morning for good health and to maintain good diction. While Balayya’s revelation left everyone startled, he goes on explaining the various advantages of smoking and even recited several poems and a few lines from puranas that supported smoking.
Revealing that an elixir drop fell down on the earth and turned into tobacco, Balayya said that Dhritarashtra was blind and that Dashardha was separated from his son Lord Rama since they both didn’t smoke.
Continuing his health discourse further, Balayya said that Lord Krishna lost Jarasandha and King Pandu suffered from Pandu disease only because they didn’t smoke. Finally, Balayya adviced everyone to smoke and attain salvation. Well, in the times when his TDP government is spending crores to caution people about the dangers of smoking, Balayya’s advices are indeed noteworthy.
Handling Balayya In Overseas Is Little Risky!
Balakrishna is a big star in masses, however his market value in overseas is not so notable. Legend is the only film that made a decent business in the region. In fact, it is little risky spending big amounts for overseas rights of Balakrishna movies. Balakrishna’s latest flick Dictator is making good pre release business.
Distribution rights of most of the areas are done and negotiations are happening for other territories. The Sriwass directorial is promoted as wholesome entertainer which will have all needed elements for classes as well as masses. So, the makers are demanding huge prices for overseas rights.
As per our sources, they are demanding Rs 4 crores for the rights, wherein the distributors are asking for 3 Cr. The deal is expected to close somewhere between 3.5 to 4 Cr, which is a good price for Balakrishna’s film. But it will be a big gambling for them.
Usually, writers Kona Venkat and Gopi Mohan films will have good trade in US and other overseas areas, but their last few movies were debacles there. Balakrishna and other film unit members are confident of Dictator to impress all section of audiences and score a hit at box office.
It may be recalled that, Dictator satellite rights were sold to Gemini TV for a fancy price of Rs 6.25 crores. This indicates that the movie is for families too.
Distributors who have acquired the film rights for their areas are in hurry in blocking theaters. It is heard that, the movie will have huge release in Balakrishna’s key area- Ceded, despite heavy competition for the Sankranthi.
He Picks Express Raja Over Dictator
Off late, star producer Dil Raju is keen on distributing films, rather making big budgeted family entertainers under his production banner. The producer who once used to make medium to high range movies one after the other is now showing interest in distribution.
Despite buying star hero films for Nizam area, he is also betting on small time entertainers. Now, Dil Raju has taken a daring decision. When star attractions are on market for sale for the coming Sankranthi, Dil Raju picked a medium range movie.
As we all know, Dil Raju tried to acquire Dictator Nizam area rights, but dropped the idea when makers had quoted huge price for the rights. Latest we heard is the ace producer has bought Sharwanand starrer Express Raja Nizam rights.
Express Raja is releasing for the Sankranthi to clash at box office with biggies like Jr NTR’s Nannaku Prematho, Balakrishna’s Dictator and Nagarjuna’s Soggade Chinni Nayana. It is uncertain whether Vishal’s Kathakali will also hit the screens for the festival or not.
But, if this movie also arrives for Pongal, Vishal with decent market value in Telugu can also become a bothersome factor for to some extent for other releases. We can say that, Dil Raju is playing risky game for Sankranthi, when he had safe options to pick big attractions coming for the festive eve.
But, he might have his reasons for investing on low budget film for the Pongal. The intellectual producer has a track record of achieving big hits whenever he invests on small to medium range films. Let’s see whether history repeats for Express Raja too or it would bring troubles to Dil Raju!
KCR should think twice
Two major decisions taken by the TRS administration include shifting the Chanchalguda jail and the Malakpet Race Course to the outskirts of the city. While the Malakpet Race Club has expressed its willingness to relocate provided they are given suitable land, KCR should seriously think twice about shifting the Chanchalguda jail.
The jail houses nearly a thousand hard-core criminals including those involved in terror attacks. They would frequently have to presented in Nampally court and as of now, the distance is only 6 kms.
But if the jail is shifted to some place outside the city, then ferrying these criminals regularly to the Court would become a logistics nightmare apart from a huge security threat to the officials. The jail authorities have already conveyed this aspect to the Home Department. Hopefully, better sense will prevail and KCR will abandon his move.
