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After 15 seasons in the IPL as Chennai Super Kings’ talismanic personality, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has drawn attention for all the wrong reasons. He evoked encomiums for his lightning stumping of Suryakunar Yadav of Mumbai Indians and Phil Salt of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the ongoing Tata-IPL-18, but after a 50 run defeat i against the RCB, Dhoni aka “Thala” is under flak for coming to bat at No 9 (with CSK at 99 for 7) against RCB which had set a formidable target of 197. Dhoni scored a quick 30 not out off 16 balls with 3x4s and 2x6s, but his blitzkrieg has far from convinced the CSK fans of his value to the team. While the majority of them go to the extent of hero-worshipping him, there were voices of dissent about him batting at No 9. One cricket lover said that a genuine CSK fan like him cannot be fooled anymore. “He should have come ahead when the target was 197,” he said. Dhoni will turn 44 coming July and once again the grapevine is rife with the news that he will hang his boots at the conclusion of this season. Australian Brad Hogg was 45 when he played his last IPL match in 2016 for KKR and Pravin Tambe was 44 when he played his last match for Gujarat Lions in 2016; this makes Dhoni the third oldest player in the league. He has featured in 138 winning matches for the CSK, averaging a little under 45 in these matches and scoring 1000-plus runs at No 4 and 5. He has batted at No 9 only twice and the CSK fans are, naturally, angry!
Union Home Minister Amit Shah came down heavily on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his criticism of the Parliament’s functioning, saying at the allotted time to speak in the Lok Sabha, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi was in Vietnam. He also pointed out how the Congress had got 40% of the time to speak on the Budget. He said it was possible that the LoP in the Lok Sabha was perhaps not aware there are rules for speaking in the House, which cannot be run through whims and fancies. “His (Rahul’s criticism of the functioning of the Parliament) were completely misplaced. Parliament proceedings can’t be conducted like party office meetings,” pointed out Shah. Last week, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had made oral observations about improper conduct of the LoP. Rahul had walked into the House even as the proceedings were on. Instead of walking directly to his seat, Rahul had indulged in some PDA with his sister Priyanka, drawing sharp observations from the Speaker Om Birla. It was later pointed out that Rahul was not being respected as LoP as he was not allowed to speak as the House was adjourned immediately after the Speaker’s observations. Rahul had apparently wanted to speak soon after PM Modi’s statement on Mahakumbh on March 18 and wasn’t given the floor. Interestingly Shah made his remarks on Rahul at Times Now Summit. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had also mentioned about Rahul’s preference for Vietnam in the Lok Sabha.
It was the trailer launch of AR Murugadoss directed Sikandar. Salman Khan with childlike enthusiasm brought Kollywood’s grizzly actor Sathyaraj to meet his dad Salim Khan — the iconic script and screenplay writer, celebrity half of Salim-Javed. “Pappa, Kattappa,” said Salman while introducing Sathyaraj to his dad. Sathyaraj, who plays the role of a transgender villain in Sikandar said, “Salim Sir has been my hero from my college days. I have worked for 47 years in 258 films. Today, I have fulfilled the wish to meet him in person.” He was delighted that Salman introduced him by his famous character’s name. Sathyaraj reiterated that his multi-dimensional role in Sikander may well be another Kattappa. At the event Salman got an opportunity to unburden his angst. “We see Rajni and Chiranjeevi films and welcome South Indian productions wholeheartedly. But find that though Bollywood stars are celebrated down South, our films don’t get the same overwhelming reception.” Bahubali made the Pan India trend into vogue. So, is Salman on the cusp of another EID Mubarak? His future is riding on Sikandar. He must have longed for that thumping box office success of earlier times when his career seemed it would never tank. But five years of a barren streak, and his efforts to keep his premium slot intact have been obvious. Sikandar’s muqaddar is set to change. At the Press meet Salman said that “Kitna bhi log bole…mere fans 100 crore toh pahuncha dete hai”.
Odisha’s Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik, former chief minister and head of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) seems to have got a jolt from his man Friday ex-IAS officer VK Pandian. The big news is Pandian has left Naveen Nivas vis a vis politics for good thereby putting his master in a spot. So, what made the influential Pandian leave Navin Nivas? Sources say, even though Pandian holds Naveen babu in a very high esteem but he sees no future for BJD nor for himself within the party. The power corridor in Odisha is buzzing with the news that Pandian is in talks with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for a senior level position to handle some part of their India ops. If he does join, it makes eminent sense, because as a seasoned IAS officer he has considerable clout both in Delhi and Odisha. Also, Bill Gates Foundation is known to hire top notch ex-IAS talents. It may be recalled that sometimes back Bill Gates while meeting both Naveen Patnaik and VK Pandian had praised Odisha’s health initiatives, sanitation intervention, effective management of Mission Shakti and Pandian’s administrative capacity to solve issues and getting proposals cleared by respective ministries. The latest news is Pandian’s wife Sujata Karthikeyan, an IAS officer who was working as special secretary – Finance Dept in Odisha has opted for VRS. The Centre has not only accepted her resignation but also waived her notice period. Is she entering politics?
The simultaneous release of three films, Tumko Meri Kasam directed by Vikram Bhatt, Pintu Ki Pappi by Shiv Hare and Baida by Sudhanshu Rai seems to have skidded at the box office. These films are emblematic of a troubling trend in the industry, characterized by poor marketing, lack of visibility, and minimal audience excitement. Tumko Meri Kasam features Adaah Sharma, Ishwak Singh, Isha Deol and Anupam Kher. However, it suffers from a lacklustre promotional strategy that fails to generate buzz. The film’s dark and dull poster does little to entice potential viewers, making it feel like a B-grade production rather than a cinematic offering worth watching. Similarly, Pintu Ki Pappi is struggling with a title that fails to convey its essence, leaving audiences confused and uninterested. With Ganesh Acharya as the producer and newcomers Sushant and Jaanya Joshi in leading roles, this film too lacks the marketing push to draw the audience. A title like Pintu Ki Pappi may be catchy, but without context or appeal, it risks alienating potential viewers. In the case of Baida, a supernatural thriller that despite its intriguing premise, has not garnered attention. Directed by Sudhanshu Rai who also stars in the film, it suffers from a lack of awareness and visibility. All three films represent small-budget productions that have entered the market without effective marketing strategies or brand recall. The absence of excitement and visibility raises serious questions about how these films expect to attract audiences to theatres. The only commonality among these releases is their dismal box office performance, highlighting the urgent need for filmmakers to prioritize marketing and audience engagement if they hope to succeed in an increasingly competitive landscape.
What made the BJP-AIADMK alliance, now being talked about freely, come about was Vijay’s refusal to tag along with anyone on the Tamil Nadu political scene and to go it alone in the 2026 polls. And he made that decision based on Prashant Kishor’s advice. It was known that Vijay had virtually decided to go with the AIADMK in an alliance to try and gain power quickly in his political career for which he was ready to be Edappadi K Palaniswami’s (EPS) deputy CM if that scenario came good. It was Prashant who told him not to do that and to go on his own as he was guaranteed to pull in at least 20% of the vote, much of it expected from youth willing to give a new idea a try and women who determined to look for change from the tired Dravidian major party scene of the DMK and the AIADMK. Prashant was said to have postulated that either he could become the kingmaker in any split decision in a hung Assembly or even king if the tide turned all in his favour. Otherwise, he would have been only second fiddle if his alliance with AIADMK did well enough to get the majority. EPS made his move to go to Delhi and seek out Amit Shah only when he came to know that Vijay was unwilling to get into an alliance with his AIADMK. It does appear then that Prashant has made this 3-way scenario come about with DMK+, AIADMK-BJP and TVK in the fray with Seeman likely to join the mega alliance with AIADMK. Having lost his banker in Vijay as an ally, EPS will soon be firmly in BJP’s lap.
AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palanisami (EPS) set off a tsunami of surmises when he rushed to Delhi for a durbar audience with home minister Amit Shah. So, who or what spooked EPS despite Shah’s multiple visits to Tamil Nadu since 2023 and open invitations to EPS to join the NDA? Chinwaggers had a field day in surmising what transpired in that crucial meet of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam chief Vijay, EPS and his son Mithun. Some earlier meets facilitated by the new entrant to TVK, Aadav Arjun had not gone unnoticed giving Arjun importance as a powerful catalyst influencer. But this time Arjun was sidelined, Mithun was the influencer for Vijay’s power play. Vijay set forth his expectations…more akin to the tail wagging the dog, a jaw dropping number of seats that EPS had to concede if Vijay was to walk into the alliance. Vijay also made it clear that even as soon as his last film, Jananayagan was wrapped up, he would start on his TN Yatra. In fact, he reiterated, it is better that ‘I announce my final decision then’. It seemed EPS was zapped even as Mithun decoded this strategy and its fallout where Vijay seemed to hold all the aces. EPS decided a bid in the hand is far worthy than a push in the bush and flew to meet Amit Shah.
Ashesh Jani, Co-founder of Ribbon App that offers multi-currency accounts and wallets for 32 currencies, recently flew into London to meet K Rajaraman, chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and Dipesh Shah, Head of Development of Financial Market & International Affairs. The IFSCA is located at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar. The meeting facilitated by the Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami was to explore the possibility of Jani setting up operations in the GIFT City. Ribbon, whose tagline is: ‘Account Before You Fly’, offers a range of services that is tailored for Indian students and professionals relocating to the UK. Seeing the huge potential in the domestic market, Jani is keen to set up an Indian office to do domestic business. Ribbon offers multi currency accounts and wallets with an embedded payments marketplace, and access to deposits, FX, Crypto and equity trading platforms. Its AI-powered app is designed to offer a hyper-personalised experience to its users. What probably attracts Ribbon to invest in India is the competitive tax environment that GIFT City offers.
A mystery surrounding a Rolls Royce car and its connection with arrested journalist Prashant Koratkar has deepened with a Pune-based builder, Tushar Kalate, claiming that the car belongs to him and not to the accused. The car, WB02 AB0123, originally belonged to Mahesh Motewar, a chit fund fraudster who is now out on bail. Koratkar’s pictures along with car and Tushar Kalate as well as a controversial person, Manohar Bhosale, have generated a lot of speculation since Koratkar was wanted by the police for threatening a historian over a caste angle. Based in Nagpur, he eluded arrest for about a month and was finally arrested in Telangana. Even the arrest became a major issue since he was escorted there by a political party worker. Kalate has declared through a press statement that he has no connection whatsoever with Koratkar. About the pictures, he has clarified that Koratkar met him and wished that a picture of himself be taken in front of the car. “As Koratkar said he was a journalist, I obliged him and the picture was taken,” Kalate says. He has claimed that the car was acquired by him in 2017 and the legal formalities about the transfer of ownership are underway. Kalate was in the news in the past since he had fought an assembly election as an independent. It is said that he had purchased a helicopter, too. The authorities are investigating the links within the links in the mystery.
Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal have markedly increased in recent years. While the BJP officially disclaims organized events for April 6, the festival is strategically positioned to shape their upcoming political campaigns, particularly with the 2026 Assembly elections in mind. The Bengal BJP is strategically delaying major street protests until after Ram Navami, planning a significant show of strength during the festival, although publicly, they avoid explicit admissions. Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari has alleged that TMC has selectively weeded out Hindu names from voter lists in Nadia and North 24 Parganas, and has vowed to protest post the Ram Navami celebrations. Likewise, BJP will also protest against the state government’s withholding of central funds, including NRLM funds for women’s self-help groups. Furthermore, the BJP plans to escalate its challenge against the state government’s OBC list reassessment which is already being challenged in the Calcutta High Court. Despite official disapproval, BJP spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya acknowledged the festival’s emotional significance, attributing the party’s restraint to respecting devotee spontaneity. However, Adhikari’s hints of a grand display of power during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti suggest a calculated political strategy. Insiders confirm that BJP cadre, alongside Sangh Parivar affiliates, are actively expanding Ram Navami rally scales. The party anticipates that a larger, more impactful celebration will galvanize its base for future political endeavours.
Sundar C’s Madh Gaja Raja, a project in the works for 12 long years is at last ready for release this Pongal. As if its jinxed image and optics were not enough to tarnish a good entertainer, hero Vishal attended the promo and audio launch event with high viral fever…a pitiable sight to watch his hands and voice trembling as he took the mic. MC Divya Dharshini had the presence of mind to make him sit along with Sundar, the Director and other members of the film unit. It was enough fodder for a news hungry social media and trolls to go after his reputation, and level all kinds of surmises. Vishal made his debut in 2004 with Chellamae, soon gave successive hits with Sandakozhi, Thimiru, Thaamirabharani, Malaikottai and other hits. An action hero with compelling talent and screen presence. But his aggressive and angry attitude soon came to the fore …keeping pace with his angry young man image. Tamil Film Producers Council charged big misappropriation which he stoutly denied. He took a potshot at the censor board for delay in release of his film Mark Antony. The personal life of this 47-year old star too was in turmoil, even as he acted in over 25 films. Every person has highs and lows …a film star is more vulnerable. His close friend actor Jeyam Ravi is confident that “Vishal will overcome this bad patch and get his lion-like stride back”. Till then Vishal needs empathy not brutal trolls.
PM Modi seems to have opted for a new mode of public outreach in the New Year. Instead of going for traditional TV interviews; he recorded his first podcast, which was released on January 10. The highlight of the podcast hosted by Bengaluru-based Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath was that it brought out vulnerabilities of Modi first hand. For the first time, Modi acknowledged that his public office — whether as CM or PM — have insulated him from informal interactions; he acknowledged that he has no close friend who would interact with him informally. He cited the experience of hosting his school friends when he became CM — all of them treated him in awe. Modi also used the podcast to correct a fallacy made in the 2024 campaign — he tried to clarify his claim that he had been chosen by God. Modi asserted that he can make mistakes too. “I am human, not a God.” An interesting aspect of the podcast was Modi’s statesman-like appeal to youth to join politics, urging them to come with a mission, not ambition. He made it clear his call to youth to join politics should not be seen as an appeal to join the BJP alone but to strengthen and energise all political parties. When asked if he had any specific advice to youth, Modi felt that Gen X was equipped to find its own answers. While Modi acknowledges that “it is his first podcast” he asks Nikhil about how many such podcasts he has hosted before. When the Zerodha founder says 25 podcasts have been mainly with entrepreneurs, one finds PM Modi even wondering how “it’ll go with your audience.” With Modi going for a podcast, more political players are likely to hit this mode.
Top Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has extended good wishes to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis by obliquely suggesting him “to succeed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” He, moreover, said Fadnavis has the ability, performance and courage. The veiled feeler has come at a moment when the Congress party in the state is almost leaderless. Wadettiwar is a former disciple of the then Shiv Sena’s and later BJP’s leader Narayan Rane. He followed Rane in the Congress party from the Sena and stayed on even after his mentor had followed the BJP. Wadettiwar is known for his antagonism towards state Congress president Nana Patole, a former BJP MP. Wadettiwar’s proposition was expressed at an anniversary function to remember the state’s second CM Marotrao Kannamwar at his birthplace, Chandrapur. In his acerbic speech, Wadettiwar did not feel shy of attacking Patole and Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut for the drubbing the Maha Vikas Aghadi suffered in the assembly election. Wadettiwar expressed suspicion that MVA was deliberately kept unprepared for the hustings and blamed Patole and Raut for the delay and the defeat. Fadnavis did not react to Wadettiwar’s encomium while lauding the contribution of Kannamwar. The absence of former finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar from the function in his hometown and Wadettiwar’s frank praise for Fadanvis are seen as suggestive of the shape of the things to come since the two leaders have been political competitors for a long time.
The three-party Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) appears to be heading towards yet another upheaval. The reason is said to be veteran leader Sharad Pawar’s displeasure with the Congress and the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray because both the partners have shown little interest in working together against the NDA government led by BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis. Even as the INDIA bloc is still to recover from the shock administered by Uddhav with his announcement of backing the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi assembly elections, Pawar’s discontent is finding whispers among his followers. The Congress party is still to react to Uddhav’s stance but several prominent workers from all three parties have started speaking against the two other partners. The reason is that not a single serious post-election meeting of MVA has taken place after the assembly debacle to discuss the fallout. Secondly, there is no concerted action plan against the Fadnavis government. On the other hand, there are reports that some NDA leaders have approached at least half a dozen MPs from Sharad Pawar’s NCP to join the saffron alliance. Overall, the already weak Opposition in Maharashtra is appearing shaky and doddering more and more. Untimely utterances by old timers like Prithviraj Chavan have only added to the bitterness. Pawar’s anger will prove very costly electorally for MVA since local body elections across the state are likely to take place any moment. Hence, Pawar’s next move is awaited by the opposition and the ruling side equally eagerly
Incredibly, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja is in contention for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after being dumped by the wayside following his 8-0-67-0 returns in the 2017 final against Pakistan at `The Oval’ London. He, along with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (10-0-70-0), were dropped after Pakistan amassed 338 for four and won the final by 180 runs. Jadeja and Ashwin travelled to the West Indies immediately after the final on June 18, 2017. However, Jadeja was not picked again until the Asia Cup in September 2018; after a gap of 14 months, Ashwin was cast away for four and a half years. But even after his recall, he played only five more ODIs, with the then-team management opting for the wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. While Ashwin has taken a final bow from international cricket, the 36-year-old Jadeja still competes with a fellow Gujarati from Nadiad, Axar Patel, for India’s immediate ODI campaigns, including the Champions Trophy matches in Dubai. The rough and tough all-rounder from Jamnagar has taken 65 wickets @37.69 after the forgettable final in 2017. Axar, who will turn 31 on January 20, has taken 64 wickets @32.56 in 60 matches. The national selection committee may have been disappointed that Patel was not being played on spin-designer pitches against New Zealand in Pune and Mumbai. He was the first choice to replace Ashwin in Australia. Jadeja (4 matches in seven wkts) has played at the Dubai International Stadium, and Axar hasn’t. The selection committee may pick both for the CT2025; it depends on chinaman (left arm wrist spinner) bowler Kuldeep Yadav’s recovery from a groin-related issue. But to be in the fray after a mauling by the Pakistan batters in 2017 speaks of Jadeja’s unyielding attitude to compete at the highest level.
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Editor’s Note: Short Post Noticed By People Who Matter
Four years have zipped by and we are crossing another milestone on 31st January 2025 – it’s our 4th Anniversary. It feels good.
Looking back at the 1460 days, I must say Short Post has made its mark with people who matter via 4000 stories published in the areas of politics, business, entertainment and sports. All made possible by the unflinching commitment and dedication of our senior editors, most of whom have been part of this journey from Day One.
Small pack, big impact is in essence the story of Short Post which was launched at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. It shows our conviction. In all humility, I can say, we have created a new niche in the news segment space like Hindustan Unilever which created a new segment, when it launched CloseUp Gel.
Yes, we have created a brand (in a limited sense), created demand (readers) and created supply (senior journalists). But we are facing teething problems like all start-ups. What makes us happy and confident is the recognition of our efforts. For instance, we have an arrangement with the OPEN Magazine, part of the $4.5 billion Kolkata-based Sanjiv Goenka-RPG Group. This arrangement sees around 10 Short Post stories posted on OPEN Magazine website every week. This arrangement is testimony that our content has been well received! Also, I may add that the Maharashtra government has recognised Short Post and has allowed our senior editor to cover the Assembly sessions. Ditto: Odisha.
Our goal is to ensure that Short Post becomes a habit. I would like people to keep checking their smartphones to know the latest Authentic Gossip. As regards AI and the fear of it disrupting all businesses including media. On that, personally, I have no such fear as I am confident AI cannot smell news particularly Authentic Gossip. That’s the place we are well entrenched.