For serious cinema aficionados, new Tamil releases provide much grist for their passion mill…off beat themes and brilliant execution, new directors and experimental cast, those who climb to stardom fast. The just released film ‘Others’ is one such medico socio psychological thriller which would have garnered praise by itself but heroine Gauri Kishen and her strident response to RS Karthik, well known YouTuber, self-anointed “hero of questions” took it viral, very fast. A double whammy for the film. Karthik was gracing the promo event of Others, themed on Male, Female and Others. Did the boldness and audacity of Others trigger his body shaming query? He asked the Director Abin Hariharan and hero Adithya Madhavan, “What is the weight of Gauri Kishen, who is lifted by the hero in the film?”. Both tried to ignore this rude query, but when the journalist persisted, Gauri took him on “what are you going to do with my weight information? How are you concerned? When Karthik persisted with his justification that heroines like Khushboo and Sarita had responded to such personal questions, Gauri put him in his place, boldly, unashamed. The viral tide of support for her has made him apologise for his insensitivity. Strangely enough, Gauri who plays a crucial doctor’s role in Others, deep down empathised with the theme …we Indians have turned judgemental and crass in taking misogyny to extreme levels …a woman has to be svelte, slim and slender for the male beholder. Thin, Normal and Fat …a woman categorised into shapes that judge their very being with Beauty Queens setting impossible templates.

The Maharashtra government’s proposal to translocate leopards, combined with the killing of a leopard in Pune after it was labelled a man-eater, has raised deep concern among environmentalists, who say these responses signal a governance failure in forest and land-use planning. Instead of addressing the factors that push wildlife into human spaces — shrinking habitats, fragmented corridors, unmanaged waste and unregulated expansion into forest-edge zones — the state is opting for short-term actions that risk intensifying conflict rather than resolving it. Leopards are territorial animals that play a stabilising role in ecosystems. When a resident leopard is killed or relocated, its territory does not remain vacant; another leopard moves in, often younger, stressed, and more unpredictable. Studies from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttarakhand show that relocated leopards frequently attempt to return to familiar terrain, travelling through villages and farms and increasing the potential for human encounters. National wildlife guidelines therefore caution against translocation as a routine conflict response. Environmentalists say lessons must be drawn from the cheetah introduction effort in Kuno, where animals struggled to adapt despite extensive planning. Wildlife cannot simply be shifted and expected to adjust; ecosystems require continuity, stable habitat and respect for territorial behaviour. NatConnect Foundation has escalated the issue to the Prime Minister’s Office. The Foundation hopes he will step in to ensure Maharashtra shifts from reactive “animal removal” measures to long-term forest and corridor management, waste regulation, humane stray animal control and trained rapid-response teams. Killing or shifting wildlife is not management — it is symptom control. Environmental advocate Jyoti Nadkarni said: “The leopard is an essential part of the food chain and the wider food web. Removing it disturbs a balance far more complex than we acknowledge. We must think before...

The ownership of 14 villages claimed by the Maharashtra and Telangana governments has been under dispute in Chandrapur district which is along the border of the two states. While the revenue department of the Maharashtra government is the claimant of the villages, the same are under the forest department of the Telangana government. The issue has a long history. According to authorities in Maharashtra, the Supreme Court has ruled in its favour. Nonetheless, the resolution of the matter is still awaiting a final outcome. Over the years, the villages in Jivti tehsil of Maharashtra occupy nearly 15,000 acres of land. The Maharashtra authorities complain that the villages have been shown by Telangana as part of its territory. Telangana’s Asifabad district forest authorities have been looking after the green cover in the area. Meanwhile, the villagers are reported to be exercising their voting rights in both states. The villages have been at the centre of the dispute, with residents often living under dual administration and having voting rights in both states. Finally, in July 2025, the Maharashtra government has announced that it has started the process to merge these 14 villages into the state’s jurisdiction. While some residents have asked to remain in Telangana to access its welfare schemes, Maharashtra’s stance is that the villages are predominantly Marathi-speaking. Due to the lack of a clear administrative structure, the villages have two sarpanchs, two Gram Panchayats and separate schools for Marathi and Telugu speakers. The issue has been holding fire but no immediate solution is forthcoming.

The 31st Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) opened with a strong focus on migration and displacement — themes at the heart of its newly introduced section, ‘Beyond Borders.’ Running from November 6 to 13, the festival will screen 315 films from 39 countries across 21 venues, with Poland as this year’s partner nation. The new segment presents nine films probing the emotional and political dimensions of migration, including Tales of the Wounded Land by Iraqi-French filmmaker Abbas Fahdel, Aisha Can’t Fly Away by Egyptian director Morad Mostafa, Passing Dreams by Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi, and Palestine 36 by another Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir. Festival chairperson and filmmaker Goutam Ghose described the new section as a response to the global displacement crisis. He noted that migration has emerged as one of the world’s defining challenges, and that filmmakers chronicling such realities take creative and political risks deserving both applause and empathy. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee was all praise for the inclusion of ‘Unheard India – Rare Language Films,’ a category honouring voices from linguistic peripheries such as Bodo, Santhali, and Konkani, remarking that cinema without grassroots connections cannot mirror ordinary lives. Mamata also announced the Bangabibhusan — West Bengal’s highest civilian honour — for legendary singer Arati Mukherjee and actor Shatrughan Sinha.

The BJP central leadership is watching with interest the tantrums that its former Tamil Nadu state president K Annamalai is throwing. Even as he dismissed reports that he may launch a new party, it seems Annamalai may not last in the BJP for long. He expressed his discontent by saying none can put a gun to one’s head and force a person to remain in a party. Annamalai has been sulking ever since Nainar Nagendran replaced him as TN BJP president in April this year. Sources in BJP headquarters say Annamalai has been working overtime to undermine Nainar and weaken the AIADMK-BJP alliance. Though he officially maintains that “the NDA should win” the 2026 Assembly elections, it is being said he is not comfortable with the idea of AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) clinching a win. He is also known to have played a role in bringing together former AIADMK leaders like VK Sasikala, KA Sengottaiyan and O Panneerselvam. More than these disparate groups of former AIADMK leaders, Annamalai’s real interest is in floating a new party and striking an alliance with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). With Vijay recently declaring that the 2026 Assembly elections would be a contest only between the TVK and the DMK, virtually writing off the AIADMK-BJP alliance, Annamalai may feel more encouraged to float his own outfit. But then the future of leaders who have quit the BJP to launch their own outfit has not been very bright. From late Kalyan Singh (UP) to BS Yediyurappa (Karnataka) to Shankersinh Vaghela (Gujarat). They have all floundered. Meanwhile, the ruling DMK is also welcoming into its fold former AIADMK leaders such as PH Manoj Pandian, son of former Speaker PH Pandian. Pandian charged AIADMK of “functioning as an extension of the BJP.”

Political controversy has intensified in West Bengal over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls after a report in Jago Bangla, the official mouthpiece of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), claimed that chief minister Mamata Banerjee had personally accepted the SIR Enumeration Form. In response, Didi clarified that she had not personally received the form. In a social media post, she explained that the designated Booth Level Officer had visited her neighbourhood and residential office, made routine inquiries about the number of voters in the household, and left the forms accordingly. She added that she had not filled out her form and that she would do so only after every eligible person in Bengal had completed theirs. Earlier this week, Didi led a protest march from Red Road to Jorasanko Thakurbari, terming the ongoing process “SIR terror” and urging citizens to remain cautious. The Opposition BJP criticised Mamata’s clarification, accusing her of double standards. Former state BJP president and Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumder stated that the CM’s actions contradicted her public position and claimed that she had accepted several forms despite urging people not to cooperate with the process. Senior TMC leaders rejected the allegations, describing them as politically motivated attempts to discredit the CM’s campaign against the SIR. Party functionaries said the report about Didi personally receiving the form was misleading and aimed at undermining the ongoing movement. According to party sources, Mamata is planning to take the issue beyond Bengal and raise it at the national level. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has already indicated that the party will intensify its protests in the coming weeks.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar is finding himself in hot water following the allegations against his son Parth in connection with a massive land deal in Pune involving hundreds of crores of rupees. Noted social activist Anna Hazare’s spirited attack against the Pawar clan has added another dimension to the suspicious deal. The web of doubt around the father-son duo is becoming thicker since Ajit has claimed that he is unaware of the transactions conducted by his son, “an adult and running his own business.” As chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a thorough enquiry into the serious charges, Ajit has gone on the defensive. Hazare’s stinging statement about the ‘culture of Baramati’ has an indirect past reference to the developments when then chief minister Sharad Pawar was facing grave allegations regarding several land deals under the civic development plan for Mumbai. Later, the allegations were declared unfounded by an inquiry committee. Incidentally, Hazare was at the forefront of levelling the allegations, along with controversial municipal officer GR Khairnar. Obliquely referring to those events, Hazare has remarked that the family and the culture of a particular place are responsible for occurrence of such deeds. In a guarded response, Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule, MP, has sided with Parth. The DCM is finding it difficult to defend or criticise, given the perceived role of Parth. The scandal’s fallout will have a bearing on the strategy for the upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra, weakening Ajit’s bargaining stakes.

Top BJP leader Ashish Shelar has been entrusted with the responsibility of the coming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election by the BJP, underscoring the importance of the electoral fight considered the decisive battle for the existence of the Shiv Sena (UBT). Although Andheri MLA Amit Satam was appointed Mumbai BJP chief just a month ago, his predecessor Shelar has been reassigned this assignment given the enormity of the challenge. Of late, Shelar has been mounting one attack after another against Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray and the Congress party, main partners of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The BJP is determined to wrest the BMC’s control from the arch rival Shiv Sena, which is not joined by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray. The two organisations are trying their best to lure the Marathi-speaking population’s vote by constantly harping on the ‘outsider’ tag against several BJP bigwigs, who are from Gujarat or north India. This has put the Congress party in a quandary, given the Bihar assembly election voting, forcing its top leaders to stay away from a joint morcha taken out by the two cousins. By next week, the picture is expected to be clear on this count. Nonetheless, the BJP is going ahead as the main constituent of the Mahayuti under the stewardship of Ashish Shelar, who knows Mumbai like the back of his hand.

In a major political development in Odisha, senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) strategist and former Rajya Sabha MP Amar Patnaik has quit BJD after serving it for seven years and joined the BJP ahead of the prestigious Nuapada assembly bypoll slated on November 11. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of BJD’s Rajendra Dholakia, four-time MLA and a former cabinet minister. In an interesting twist of turn, the late Dholakia’s son Jay is fighting from his father’s constituency on a BJP ticket. Naveen Patnaik headed BJD has fielded Snehangini Chhuria. BJP which is keen to win this prestigious seat has given a carte blanche to  Amar Patnaik to campaign for Jay Dholakia. Amar Patnaik’s decision to join the BJP is more than an individual move, sources say—it’s a signpost of a deeper realignment in the state’s power structure. His exit lays bare the widening cracks within the BJD, sources say. His joining BJP is now seen as a fresh blow to BJD as the Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi is determined to win the three-cornered BJP-BJD-Congress battle where BJD’s Naveen Patnaik and Congress Bhaktahari Mahatab’s are campaigning.

The Rs 1000-crore Sub Inspector Recruitment Scam in Odisha seems to have put the former chief minister Naveen Patnaik and his party, Biju Janata Dal on the backfoot. The mastermind Shankar Prusty (32), who is the leader of a syndicate involved in leaking the SI recruitment question papers, has been arrested by the Odisha state crime branch near Nepal border. Brought back to Bhubaneswar he is singing like a canary. According to him “this scam is worth at least Rs 1,000 crore” So far, BJD has denied any connection with this scam. However, the BJP terms BJD’s denial saying “chor machaye shor”. BJP says the contract for the recruitment process was signed during Patnaik’s tenure. But, the general public is asking what prevented BJP which was making big changes in the state to deep dive into Sub-Inspector recruitment issues and procedures immediately when they came to power? So far, the initial investigation report however  says the scamsters collected original certificates and blank cheques from aspirants in exchange of leaked papers, wherein the aspirants were charged Rs 20-25 lakh per candidate. The main accused Prusty has been interrogated in the presence of Munna Mohanty, his close associate to unravel the truth. Sources say both Mohanty and Prusty had reportedly amassed significant assets through recruitment scam. The SI scam gained further momentum after the arrest of Odisha’s Silicon Tech owner Suresh Chandra Nayak.

The electoral rolls for the forthcoming local self-government elections in Maharashtra will be updated up till two days before the elections. Since the state election commission is not equipped to delete duplicate names in the electoral rolls, it has devised a completely new system to identify and pinpoint duplication and try to nip instances of duplicate voting in multiple constituencies by voters. Maharashtra’s electoral department has been at the receiving end with complaints of large-scale duplications and discrepancies in electoral rolls by almost all political parties including the ruling BJP. There have been shocking claims of 127 names listed against the official address of the commissioner of the Navi Mumbai municipal corporation and also voter’s address registered as a public toilet block. Incidentally, the recent parliamentary and assembly elections were held with these discrepancies in the electoral rolls and the EC hopes that this new affidavit system will hopefully prevent the corrupt practice of voting duplication. There has been open admission of grave mistakes in rolls. Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad had also claimed that there were over a lakh bogus-voters in his home constituency including 20,000 bogus voters which had not been deleted despite official complaints. Ruling party legislators like Vilas Bhumre had boasted from political dais about how they managed to get the winning edge thanks to voters being brought in from outside their constituency. The Opposition parties had been demanding that local polls be postponed and held only after cleaning up the electoral rolls. However, the state election department has chosen to go ahead with their schedule and stick to the Supreme Court deadline of January, 2026.

The Tata-Shapoorji Pallonji corporate saga 2.0 cost Mehli Mistry, a confidant of late Ratan Tata, twin seats at the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Sir Ratan Tata Trust as board member exposing corporate India’s disruptive ruthlessness. “Morality, friendship, ethics, middle-class values hold no seat at India Inc’s boardrooms particularly, its upper echelons. Power and ego rules. Familial ties notwithstanding, Tata-SP’s corporate saga 1.0 witnessed Cyrus Mistry’s removal from Tata Sons by Ratan Tata himself. Now 2.0 bears witness to Mehli Mistry being deboarded by Tata’s brother Noel, with concurrence by his own fast, thick buddy as well, to likely be followed by more boardroom exits. Cash-strapped SP engaged in bid to marginally dilute rightful stake of 18.37% in Tata Sons, nudged for public listing, thus far stymied since the late Ratan Tata’s reign. Another source noted, “Ambiguity between charitable vs business operations of Tata group companies needs clarified settlement. Mistry may not legally challenge removal over prolonged litigation involved as PM Modi’s advice for stability, communicated through Amit Shah, may see Noel Tata assume topnotch positioning, clear authority making shareholders breathe easy. Probability of a happy ending for both prominent stakeholders – Tatas and SP – is on the cards.  One thing is clear: decisions by consensus on Tata boards are a thing of the past. With Noel Tata’s ascension, one can expect more changes at the boardroom level.  

There was a hue and cry when Sarfaraz Khan was not picked in the India ‘A’ squad for matches against South Africa ‘A’. The Mumbai right-hander displayed a fierce determination to prove his class in Test matches against England and the first Test against New Zealand at home in 2024. The doughty middle order from Mumbai cut loose to make a brilliant 150 against fast bowlers Tim Southee, Matt Henry and William O’Rourke in the second innings of the first Test in Bengaluru. But in Pune and Mumbai, he, like majority of the Indian batters, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, did not have answers to ward off the left-arm spinners Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel. Khan was tried in the India middle order after Rajat Patidar failed to get going against England. The selection committee picked him for the tour of Australia where India played five Tests for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The team played left-hander Devdutt Padikkal in the first Test in Perth, but Khan warmed the bench in all five Tests. Unfortunately, he was dropped for the five-Test series in England where the selection committee played Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan. For no rhyme or reason Khan was dropped from the squad itself. Left in the lurch, Khan suffered further when he hurt his quadriceps in Chennai and did not return to play competitive cricket until the Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir. Batting at No 6 and 5, he has not set the tournament on fire. Should he not bat at No 3 is what the critics are asking. As the Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur said, not being considered for the India ‘A’ team should not be seen as a setback to Khan’s career!

The incidence of cyber cheating is repeated over and over again, despite the cautionary messages circulated by the authorities. Even those conversant with online trading are no exception. In a latest shocking disclosure, it has been reported that a 36-year old woman from Panvel near Mumbai has ended her life after she was deprived of over Rs.5.30 crore by a Gujarat-based fraudster. Anagha Patil, the unfortunate victim, committed suicide owing to the frustration allegedly caused by Ravi Hareshbhai Bhadka, whom police teams are tracing. The two met in Delhi three years ago while attending an offline course. He assured Anagha of handsome returns through forex transactions. She invested some amounts and the returns lured her to pay him more and more. Soon, her other family members also started investing. But the return inflow dried up and Ravi started rejecting their telephone calls. By this time, the total remittance to him was over Rs 5.38 crore. Under stress, Anagha hanged herself on October 8. The police are trying to nab Ravi ever since. In another case that has surfaced from Nasik, a retired government officer has lost nearly Rs 2.25 crore despite his knowledge of online trading. He was assured by a woman, who claimed her name was Anjali Mehta, that he will stand to earn Rs 4.50 crore against the investment. The victim trusted her and went on sending the money. Finally, the inevitable happened. A case of cheating has been registered against the dupers.

The BJP-run Odisha government seems to be facing the wrath of the Supreme Court. This is because they have failed to take action on mining companies who have over-mined iron resources –in excess of their environmental clearances. The apex court has now put the onus on the Odisha government to enforce recovery against erring mining companies and present a status report by December 1, 2025. The Supreme Court stance is clear — the defaulting mining lessees must bear the consequences of over mining and cannot go scot-free pocketing the value of illegal mined ores. Sources say, the outstanding amount currently stands at Rs 2,700 crore plus accrued interest. The Supreme Court is now insisting on a 100% penalty on the value of illegally mined ore earlier. How will the state government act on the Supreme Court’s directive as this issue has been pending since 2018? The key issue is twofold: one, how the Odisha government will enforce recovery orders against erring mining companies with regard to compensation and second, how capping of iron ore mining would lead to substantial deficit of production of steel and other metals in view of growing market demand. Incidentally, Odisha contributes to half of the country’s iron ore production. Both the Centre, and State governments have urged the Supreme Court not to impose a cap on iron ore mining in Odisha, warning it could derail India’s growth story and Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.

Internationally famous wrestler Sikandar Shaikh’s arrest by the Punjab Police in connection with an interstate arms smuggling network has shocked sports circles in Maharashtra. Initial investigations reportedly suggest his alleged ties with the notorious Papla Gujjar gang, which has been under scrutiny for supplying illegal firearms to various regions. Shaikh shot to fame in 2004 after winning the prestigious ‘Maharashtra Kesari’ title, the state’s award for the topmost wrestler. Shaikh’s father was a labourer. Hence, his success had earned him universal accolades. Originally from Mohol taluka in Solapur district, Shaikh grabbed attention of the sports arena following his one spectacular win after another in conventional wrestling bouts. Shaikh and four others were arrested at Mohali in Punjab while allegedly transporting arms in a vehicle. His family and well-wishers have refuted the charges. The police party recovered a cash amount of Rs 1.99 lakh, five pistols, cartridges and the two vehicles. An ace wrestler, Shaikh has been residing in Punjab for the past several months, those who know him say. According to another acquaintance, Sikandar wins almost all the bouts and his annual income is rumoured to be around Rs 5 crore. So far, he has been presented with a dozen SUVs, around 10 Bullet motorcycles and 40 buffaloes as prizes. Hence, his alleged involvement in such a crime is laughable, retort his supporters.

Senior officials led by Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte will travel to London to participate in the World Travel Market that begins on 4th November 2025 to unveil the ‘Feels Like Goa’ advertising and marketing campaign. It is learnt that Director of Tourism Kedar Naik and Secretary of Tourism Sanjeev Ahuja will accompany the minister. The State government is fully geared up to make its presence felt and compete with other Indian states, and other countries to attract the world to Goa. Khaunte and his team who have booked a pavilion will showcase Goa’s rich culture, tradition, heritage and tourist destinations. Senior officials from the team say that their focus will not just be showcasing Goa as a destination, but as a feeling, one defined by its people, culture, traditions, spirituality, and culinary heritage. Khaunte assures that with its regenerative tourism approach and the ‘Feels like Goa’ campaign, the state will be bringing back the essence of what makes Goa truly unique: its people, culture, traditions and soul. This is not just a campaign, but a tribute to the timeless memories that travellers carry with them. We want the world to rediscover Goa not just as a destination, but as a feeling. Team will draw attention to initiatives such as the Ekadasa Teertha Circuit- making Goa go beyond beaches as a spiritual destination. At WTM, Goa aims to reaffirm its leadership in regenerative and cultural tourism.

What it means is hard to fathom even for the literate Malayalee. But Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in front of a capacity crowd of CPM cadres in Thiruvananthapuram alongside film star Mammootty, announced that the poverty free achievement confirms with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of “No poverty and zero hunger”. As per latest World Bank criteria, people living on less than $ 3 a day are considered to be living in extreme poverty. In order to achieve this, Kerala took the multi-dimensional poverty index route — which incorporates nutritious food, housing, cleanliness, education and basic facilities. The government claims that it has addressed all the reasons for extreme poverty like housing, livelihood, issues, ill-health due to chronic diseases and lack of access to government welfare schemes on a war footing, since 2021. While the LDF government has gone to town with its celebrations both at the ground level and media, critics and the opposition are questioning the very methodology used to arrive at the findings. In an open letter 24 signatories comprising social activists, economists and prominent media personalities have urged the State government to release an authoritative study report that identifies the extreme poor and validates the poverty eradication process. It is too early to predict whether the entire poverty free exercise is a hyperbole campaign with an eye on the ensuing Municipal elections next month and assembly elections next year or a genuine effort to eradicate extreme poverty in the state. As per 2011 census figures, there were 4.85 lakh tribal people, many of them living in extreme poverty. Yet, in the new estimates only 64,006 have been classified as extremely poor. “What magic has happened to alleviate their poverty, “questions the opposition and the elite group!

The angst, fear and insecurity of a Sri Lankan illegal immigrant family and their touching journey of acceptance by the locals is starkly and strikingly told by director Abhishan Jeevinth in Tourist Family, a runaway Tamil hit of 2025. This Rs 7 crore budget movie which raked in Rs 100 crore, now enjoying its OTT showing is surely a case study for cinematic treatment ….how an everyday event (go to Mandapam, Rameshwaram and watch the fear-ridden ephemeral no man’s land of Sri Lankan immigrants) is turned into a humanitarian story of love, laughter, fear and living in shadows. Tourist Family owes its hit status as much to its director Jeevinth as it does to its cast led by Sasi Kumar, Simran, their kids and a lovable dog, free of anxieties of an immigrant. Jeevinth is already on to his next venture. Oh, and his extraordinary success gave him another milestone …He married his 6th grade sweetheart Akila Ilangovan in a grand wedding at Poes Garden. Jeevinth proposed to her even as he was on stage for the promos of Tourist Family. He chose October to bring Akila into his family, taking a cue from Sasi Kumar and Simran’s love chemistry that holds up the hope that they will not remain tourists, permanently.

In a move aimed at ending perennial disputes over festival release slots, Tollywood’s leading industry bodies have drawn up new rules to prevent clashes of big-budget films and improve working conditions for technicians. The Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA) and the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI) — headed by Pia Sengupta and Swarup Biswas — jointly announced that no more than three Bengali films will be released on a single day. The decision follows repeated controversies over the allocation of single-screen theatres during festive seasons. Under the revised policy, there must be a minimum gap of 15 days between two major releases, allowing each film sufficient box-office run. Smaller films, however, may release in between with mutual consent. This Christmas will see the release of Dev Entertainment and Bengal Talkies joint production Prajapati 2, Surinder Films Mitin Mashi, and one film from the Srikant Mohta–Mahendra Soni stable – Bijoynagarer Heere. For January 23, 2026, Hok Kolorob, another Mohta-Soni production, and Bhanupriya Bhuter Hotel are confirmed, while films by Ankush Hazra and Firdousul Hasan have been postponed. A new production structure has also been outlined. SVF, Surinder Films and Nandi Movies will produce six films each annually; Windows, DAG Creative Media and Camellia Productions four; and Jeet, Pia Sengupta and Ankush Hazra two. Prime-time slots will be allotted based on annual output. In a parallel move, the industry has approved a 30% pay hike for small-screen technicians and 33% for big-screen technicians, while reducing maximum working hours from 24 to 18. The ceiling for low-budget films is also set to rise from Rs30 lakh to Rs 35 lakh, offering greater flexibility to independent filmmakers.

Reports of a close contest between the NDA and Mahagathbandhan in Bihar polls have led to leaders resorting to a unique style to grab eyeballs and attention. With the last day of campaign closing in on Nov 4 for the first phase poll on Nov 6, both sides seemed to be putting their best foot forward and sharpening political attacks. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath compared the bonding of Rahul Gandhi-Tejaswi Yadav-Akhilesh Yadav to Gandhi’s three monkeys as Pappu,Tappu and Appu. Interestingly, on a day PM Modi was holding a road show in Patna (Nov 2), Rahul, away from the state capital, in Begusarai, while interacting with fishermen, jumped into the pond for fishing. He was accompanied by VIP leader Mukesh Sahani, who is also from the Nishad/fishermen community and Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar. Incidentally Rahul’s fishing optics seemed odd as it came in the backdrop of him charging the PM of “doing yoga asanas” for a few votes. And had warned voters that post elections all the “song and dance will be done by Adani and Ambani”. Modi, at a rally in Katihar on Nov 3, reiterated that the NDA government after being voted to power would hand out fishermen an allowance of Rs 9000. Incidentally, Lalu’s eldest son Tej Pratap Yadav, who heads Janshakti Janata Dal took a dig at Rahul’s fishing trip saying “Jalebi chhanna, machli pakadna, unko toh rasoiya hona chaiye tha(He makes sweets, catches fish, he should have been a cook) Why did he become a politician?”

Strange political formations are occurring in Maharashtra’s sport arena despite appeals from all concerned that the two should not be mixed. At the centre of these developments are veteran leader Sharad Pawar, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, representing the important political parties in the state. Elections to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and the Maharashtra Olympic Association (MOA) are due in the near future. For the cricket body, Sharad Pawar and Fadnavis are reportedly in tandem. Pawar’s recent praise of Fadnavis for ‘keeping politics out of sports’ has raised many eyebrows. While these four leaders are insistent for election of their close followers on MCA, another shade is added by another deputy CM Eknath Shinde, who is trying to induct Vihang Sarnaik, son of minister Pratap Sarnaik, the buyer of the first Tesla car in India. Ajit Pawar is peeved since his 13-year tenure as MOA president has come under severe criticism by Union minister of state Murlidhar Mohol and BJP MLC Sandip Joshi. The duo had levelled several allegations, all of which have been refuted by Ajit Pawar, who has pointed out that he is dedicated to the MOA’s interests and that the charges are made by politicians, not by any players. These developments have come at a time when the state is gearing up to hold the local body elections, including in Mumbai and Pune, the centres of the two skirmishes.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut will be out of action for at least two months, he himself has conveyed through a social media post. Raut had been spearheading the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) campaign against the ruling Mahayuti alliance government in Maharashtra ever since it was first formed in 2022. Derided as a Bhonga (loudspeaker) by his political critics, Raut made a daily appearance on TV news channels almost every morning.  Counted among close aides of Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray, the ‘Saamana’ executive editor has announced that he will be away from public life for the next two months due to health issues. The announcement has come as a dampener for the Sena and MVA since no immediate replacement is in sight, especially as it comes on the eve of the crucial BMC election, which will determine the future of the Uddhav Sena and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. In his emotional message titled “A humble request to all friends, family and workers,” Raut has urged the Sena supporters to continue their faith in him during this difficult period. “As per medical advice, I have been advised against going out and mingling with crowds. There is no way around it. I am sure I will recover well and come to meet you in the new year. May your love and blessings remain with me,” he has said in his post.

With eye on 2026 Assembly polls, the BJP in West Bengal is rethinking its strategy whether to bank, once again, on “glamour quotient” that helped thrust its women’s wing into the limelight or fall back on its loyal, traditional cadre base following a string of electoral disappointments? The internal debate follows the party’s underwhelming performance in West Bengal in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. From 2015 to 2021, the BJP Mahila Morcha was led by Roopa Ganguly, Locket Chatterjee, and Agnimitra Paul, all from the film and fashion industry. Their tenure brought visibility through protests and media outreach. Roopa Ganguly, now on the Narrative Committee, is likely to contest in 2026. Locket Chatterjee, despite losses in 2021 and 2024, remains influential and was praised for her role in the Uttarakhand 2022 polls. Agnimitra Paul, MLA from Asansol South and close to Suvendu Adhikari, lost the 2024 Medinipur seat but is expected to contest again. Their successors, Tanuja Chakraborty and Falguni Patra, both long-time BJP workers, failed to match that prominence. During the RG Kar Hospital protests, Patra’s leadership drew limited attention. A former general secretary admitted the Mahila Morcha had become “a launching pad for women from the glamour world.” Actors Payel Sarkar, Srabanti Chatterjee, Tanushree Chakraborty, Parno Mitra, and Papiya Adhikari all contested and lost. Rupanjana Mitra returned to the Trinamool Congress, citing disillusionment. Agnimitra Paul said fame helped connect with voters, while Keya Ghosh recalled that “media attention naturally follows famous faces,” citing an incident when “police tore Locket’s saree.” With glamour yet to translate into votes, the BJP is now moving cautiously. Under the State President Shamik Bhattacharya, it plans to blend visible figures with grassroots leaders as it prepares to challenge the Trinamool Congress in 2026.

Former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin joined the Telangana government on October 31, barely 10 days ahead of Jubilee Hills assembly by-election to be held on November 11. Azhar’s elevation as minister is being widely seen as an attempt to secure the support of Muslim community — about 1.3 lakh voters for the Congress in the high-stakes contest. Congress high command also wanted Azharuddin’s induction ahead of Bihar assembly elections. It is likely that as minister, Azhar will get a couple of days to campaign in Bihar. “Azhar’s entry will help us consolidate Muslim votes. Not just in Telangana but also in Bihar. Hyderabad MP and AIMIM leader Asauddin Owaisi, who is opposing us in Bihar has endorsed his elevation,” points out senior Congress leader Madhu Goud Yaskhi. Owaisi’s support for Azhar and the Congress is important at this stage as Telangana CM Revanth Reddy is keen to wrest the Jubilee Hills seat. Incidentally, Azhar had lost from Jubilee Hills in 2023 to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). The by-election has been caused following the death of three term BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath. Even though BRS is not in a great shape at present, it has fielded Gopinath’s widow, Sunitha as its candidate hoping to cash in on a sympathy wave. As a Minister Azhar, he will enter the Telangana legislature as a MLC and that will be possible only after the Supreme Court paves the way. In August, the apex court had suspended the functioning of two MLCs, holding that their swearing-in under the governor’s quota was not valid and was based on a misinterpretation of its interim order. Meanwhile, did Azhar’s entry upset traditional Muslim leaders of the Congress? Not many leaders left anyway. Barring exception of Md Shabeer Ali, say sources.

Tamil Nadu is so typical in many ways…cinema and stars, “fanatic fans, cinemaholics” are part of the culture. Rajini, Kamal and Vijay have mind boggling fan clubs. What if we tell you that police sniffer dogs in Coimbatore too have “fan clubs”and crooks are familiar with their names, to tease the police even as they indulge in prank calls and hoax threats with criminal intent? Just as the police move two steps ahead in crime patrol, these fringe elements lead by four steps with outsmarting strategies. Recently, a bomb threat call in Coimbatore rattled the keepers of law and order …but the hoaxers had boned up on the names of the canines and threw the gauntlet…we have planted a bomb. Better bring Wilma or Madhana to “fetch” the bombs. Wilma, a German Shepherd and the Belgian Shepherd Madhana were the first to be assigned to female handlers and trainers –Kavipriya and Bhavani. In 2023, Bhavani requested the top brass to let her take on as a dog handler, and these two women have cared for and trained their charges like their own children. The pranksters boldly name these sniffer dogs in the “fake” threats, to give a sense of authenticity to their threat calls. But the police are inventive …the commands barked at the canines are obeyed instantly …and this famous Doberman Pinscher who walks on his hinds backward (as elegantly as a Gucci ramp model) is waiting for that command…go get him. To have fun with rowdies. Police dogs don’t roll over for all, to be petted.

Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Group has got the green signal from the Odisha government for its big expansion plans. Agarwal has promised to invest Rs 1 lakh crore in the state to not only set up 3 MTPA aluminium smelter plant in Dhenkanal district but also set up Vedanta University over 6,000 acres at Puri. Though the Supreme Court had scrapped the Vedanta University project in Puri amidst protests two years ago terming it illegal but Odisha government has now welcomed Anil Agarwal’s Foundation to set up Vedanta University in Odisha without specifying Puri. Possibly, Vedanta Foundation has to find a new place for its University project outside Puri. People are not against Agarwal but he must follow the law of the land. According to Agarwal, the smelter plant, one of the largest aluminium in the world that will provide 30,000-40,000 jobs locally, will be set up in 42 months to produce 30 lakh tonnes annually. The work is expected to start over the next 3-4 months once the land deal is signed. Besides, Vedanta has also agreed to establish an ultra-modern ferro-alloys plant in Keonjhar district involving an outlay of Rs 2,000 crore.

The Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is one clear candidate in the reckoning who wishes to be elevated as the next BJP President. He is so coveting the top job that it is being said that both he and family are invoking blessings of the gods to secure it. On an official visit last week to Vellore, Tamil Nadu Chouhan was seen along with his wife Sadhna Singh offering special prayers at Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple in Vellore. The buzz in party circles is that the idea of offering prayers could probably be Sadhna Singh’s idea as she has been keen that Chouhan get more heft in his career by making a switch to an important party post. His family clearly sees that he would perhaps be wielding far more clout as BJP chief than as a member of the Modi Cabinet 3.0. As a four-term Madhya Pradesh CM and a prominent OBC face he would certainly fit the bill. Chouhan had also met with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Officially Chouhan has maintained that he “never ever thought of nor has anyone told me.  I can’t even think of it. I am the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister. I am doing this work like worship. Serving farmers is worship of God for me and I want to keep doing this worship.” He moved to the Centre as a Union Minister only after securing Madhya Pradesh for a record fifth time in 2023 assembly polls. In Vellore, he participated in Maha Chandi Havan for world peace.

Both Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar (DKS) are locked in an intense battle to wrest control of the State. Siddaramaiah fancies he will continue as the CM because of the loyalty and support of the majority of 138 elected Congress MLAs in 224 member House. DKS feels he should be the CM since as PCC chief he had ensured that the Congress swept to power in the 2023 assembly elections. Besides, DKS is confident that High Command will back him. It may be recalled when he was jailed in a ED case and Sonia Gandhi had visited him in Tihar.  If DKS plays the High Command card, Siddaramaiah is no push over either. As a CM, he is dangling the Cabinet reshuffle card to keep MLAs by his side. He also used his MLC son Dr Yathindra to prop up PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi — a tribal leader — as an ideological heir to his father. Jarkiholi was apparently used as a perfect foil to block AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge who is now very keen to become the CM. It is being said DKS has assured Kharge’s son Priyank Kharge, who is state IT minister to back him and has assured him that he could become Deputy CM in his team. It is being said Karnataka drama would play out only after November 14– that is after Bihar poll results. Meanwhile, the political struggle of oneupmanship between DKS and Siddaramaiah has brought Karnataka administration to a standstill. Siddaramaiah who favours Mysuru over Bengaluru, doesn’t care much for the software capital of India.

Barely a week is left for campaigning for the first phase of election in Bihar to end on November 4 and the first phase of voting is slated for November 6. However, former Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has not visited Bihar even once in the last two months. Rahul was last seen in Bihar on September 1 while concluding his ‘Voters’ Adhikar Yatra’.  With his Vote Chori campaign not making much impact with voters in the state, it appears Rahul has steered away from the state. Rahul’s absence from the political scene has also become a talking point for the ruling alliance. Mocking him for his claims to explode a hydrogen bomb (by giving further proof of vote theft), JDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar wondered why Rahul was avoiding Bihar. “That too at a time when all the top leaders, be it PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, several Union Ministers and even RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav have been tirelessly campaigning for their respective nominees.” For once Rahul Gandhi’s critics may have a valid point. That is because in the election season even Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who is not keeping good health, has been addressing one rally after another to shore up the winning chances of the NDA nominees. “We too are perplexed over the long absence of Rahul”, said a NDA leader. Notably, the Congress is contesting on 61 seats while the RJD 143. Sources in the Congress say Rahul is reportedly miffed with the way seat-sharing was done in Bihar. It is being said Rahul Gandhi would be addressing a joint rally with Tejashwi Yadav on October 29 in Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur.

All eyes are on Odisha’s high voltage triangular seat contest for the Nuapada Assembly bypoll to be held on November 11. The ruling BJP and opposition BJD, Congress have made this bypoll a prestigious issue. If BJP loses then there will be a question mark on the popularity of Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s leadership. If Naveen Patnaik’s BJD loses it would indicate Patnaik’s popularity as the Leader of Opposition is waning. Even though Patnaik would like his party to win this one, he has not gone whole hog for the fear of inviting BJP’s wrath vis a vis launching probe into financials of his BJD. It is learnt that Patnaik is opting for soft strategy, basically, eyeing the 12% SC votes and deliberately not playing the tribal card and opting to play SC card instead by fielding heavy weight Snehangini Chhuria.  Congress on its part is now playing up the tribal card and is hoping to win this seat. Now all eyes on the November 11 outcome.

After the RO-KO show at the Sydney Cricket Ground, both cricketers seem determined to play on in ODIs and end their careers with a last hurrah in the 2027 ODI World Cup. The event may be two years away, which is a long time for a 38-year-old and his partner in the century stand who is only two years younger. But they will not be lacking in enthusiasm to take their bow in a significant event, which is the ICC Cup that Rohit Sharma has not won but Virat Kohli has as a young member of the Dhoni’s 2011-12 team. What they proved in their fluency and their calm methods of scoring in ODI cricket was that they know how to beat this game regardless of 17-18 years having passed since India’s win in the 2007 T20 World Cup changed the course of cricket. What they will have is the backing of the BCCI selectors who would not dare to pass judgment on their game unlike the social media and WhatsApp experts who will bay for anyone’s blood after just a duck or two as they did in Kohli’s case when he picked up the unwanted record of his first ever ducks in Australia, a country against which both Kohli and his partner have played some of their most combative performances. The simple point delivered in their success Down Under is to please leave the question of when to call halt to their ODI careers when they wish. 

The Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is working out of the War Room. That’s because PM Modi has asked him to ensure super arrangements for the annual Chhath festival in Eastern India, which coincides with Skanda Sasti in Tamil Nadu falling on October 27-28. All trains to Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh are full because families are returning to their villages to celebrate this festival. Outside some stations in many states, nearly 2 km long queues of travellers have been seen. Indian Railways has made arrangements to run 13,000 special trains, but these are unable to cope with the rush. As Bihar goes to elections soon after the festival, Modi told the Railway Minister to ensure everything runs smoothly. So, Vaishnaw is sitting in the three war rooms at Rail Bhavan to monitor crowd management and train locations. These three war rooms monitor the movement of crowds at 35 top stations round the clock using CCTV cameras. Minute-to-minute data are being prepared, and a heat map is being developed. Every hour, footfall in at least 35 stations is recorded. Special trains are immediately sent to stations where huge crowds are noticed. In one case, when the minister noticed a huge rush at Ambala station in Haryana for a train going from Amritsar to Purnea, another train was dispatched from Jalandhar to accommodate extra passengers. Crowds were also noticed in Surat and Udhna stations in Gujarat. More than five million people travelled during Diwali and Chhath this year compared to last year. The only difference this time is that Indian Railways is trying its best to take care of travellers.

The time has arrived — in Australia — for Suryakumar Yadav, known by the popular acronym SKY, to get runs under his belt before the ICC World Twenty20 in India and Sri Lanka in Feb-Mar 2026. It’s unlikely that the bang-bang batter will be dropped should his form continue to dip. In the seven-match Asia Cup in the UAE that India won — but is yet to get its hands in the trophy — he flopped with a measly collection of 72 runs for an average of 18.00. Prior to the Asia Cup in the five match home series against England, he faced just 14 balls and made 28 runs for an average of 5.80. Before that in the away series in South Africa he tallied 26 runs in four matches for a single digit average of 8.67. All this works out to 126 runs in 16 matches. In normal circumstances Yadav, for all his versatile batting and showmanship, would have been dropped from the team, but he is the captain who has won 25 of the 29 matches and hence the selection committee as they say are “ready to give him the long rope.” The selection committee with Ajit Agarkar as Chair are not keen to upset the apple cart a few months leading to the World Cup that Rohit Sharma’s team won defeating South Africa in the final at Bridgetown, thanks to Yadav’s brilliant “bunny hop” catch to send back left hander David Miller. Yadav in jest may have said he hardly got starts in the Asia Cup, but he must be disappointed with the numbers since November 2024 and keen to hammer a big score. Yadav’s average has dipped to 37.08 from the impressive 40s.

Once a formidable rival to the BSE, the 117-year-old Calcutta Stock Exchange (CSE) is voluntarily exiting the stock exchange business, marking the end of an era in India’s capital markets. Established in 1908 as the country’s second recognised bourse, the CSE once served as Kolkata’s financial hub, attracting significant trade volumes and investor interest. The exchange’s decline accelerated following the Ketan Parekh stock market scam, which triggered a payment crisis and broker defaults. Despite attempts to modernise, CSE struggled to compete with the technologically advanced BSE and the NSE. Trading at the CSE was suspended in April 2013 by the SEBI for failing to meet mandatory turnover thresholds and establish a separate clearing corporation. Over the last decade, the exchange attempted multiple revivals, including approaching Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court challenging SEBI’s suspension order. However, these efforts added to financial strain without delivering results. In December 2024, the CSE board resolved to withdraw pending litigation and pursue a voluntary exit. Shareholders formally approved the exit at an EGM in April 2025, after which the CSE submitted its exit application to SEBI. The regulator has appointed Rajvanshi & Associates, a valuation agency to determine the exchange’s worth. Once the exit is sanctioned, CSE will transition into a holding company, with its 100% subsidiary, CSE Capital Markets Pvt Ltd, continuing broking operations as a member of NSE and BSE. Speculations are rife that CSE is seeking SEBI’s approval to sell its 3-acre EM Bypass property to the Srijan Group for Rs 253 crore. 

They say success has many fathers and failure is an orphan, and the fate of ‘War 2’ illustrates that proverb perfectly. The film began with a show of camaraderie: Hrithik Roshan and Junior NTR promoted it together in Hyderabad and Mumbai, projecting a united front. But when the film flopped, that unity evaporated. Junior NTR distanced himself and pointed fingers at the producers; in turn another producer Naga Vamsi defended his own decisions while criticizing Yash Raj Films as the Main Producer and the Decision-maker, insisting that he along with Jr NTR had trusted the studio and backed the wrong creative choices. Made on a reported budget of 400 crores, War 2 failed to recover its costs, and the public spectacle of blame-shifting left the project politically and reputationally orphaned. Cast and crew who once stood shoulder to shoulder in promotion were suddenly eager to separate their names from the failure. The fallout extended beyond personal recriminations. Director Ayan Mukerji has claimed that he merely followed the script by writer Sridhar Raghavan and therefore had limited creative inputs, a statement that coincided with his exit from Yash Raj’s Dhoom 4 and his reported move to work on Brahmastra 2 with Dharma Productions. Meanwhile Aditya Chopra and Yash Raj Films have largely refrained from talking to the press about the disappointment. The production house that enjoyed a major hit like Saiyaara and a major flop like War 2 in the same year now finds itself fielding public criticism from former collaborators rather than defenders. In the end, War 2’s failure has few takers: while many involved were quick to distance themselves, silence or deflection remain the dominant responses—leaving the film, as the proverb warns, orphaned in its failure.

Remarriages among the elite muslim community in Kerala are in vogue these days. It is not everlasting love between spouses which is prompting this new trend, but to ensure their hard-earned wealth and properties remain with their children after their demise. What began as a few isolated remarriages is rapidly becoming a powerful movement that questions the long-held authority of religious organisations over personal lives. For generations, the unequal division of property, where sons inherit twice as much as daughters, has been justified as divine law. Couples, who all along accepted this without questioning, are rewriting the narrative. They are using secular legal frameworks to ensure that their daughters and wives are treated as equals. Defying century-old patriarchal interpretations of personal law, a growing number of muslim couples are turning to the Special Marriages Act (Section 15) to secure equal inheritance rights for women. One of the latest to take this step is 76-year old Basheer and 72-year old Hasanath from Palakkad. They remarried to ensure that their daughters get equal share in property. “This is not a rebellion against faith. It is a demand for justice within it,” says Neju, State Convener of Forum for Gender Equality Among Muslims. Neju was one of the first to get remarried to her husband, Ismail, as early as December 10, 2024. “After our marriage, many approached us quietly to know how they could do the same. Hundreds of couples have already chosen this path to avoid pressure from Mahal committees and to protect the future of their daughters.” Prominent Islamic scholar C H Musthafa Moulavi revealed that he knows of a prominent Islamic leader who remarried under the SMA to safeguard his daughters. The current system is unfair to women. In Egypt and Tunisia, where Islamic law is followed, inheritance is distributed equally. 

Malayalam films have set benchmarks in many dimensions of cinema…simple yet complex stories (contradiction?), slick editing, chilling suspense and above all gripping unravelling of a credible plot at budget spends. The English subtitles have further boosted their allure to audiences, weary and wary of boy meets girl stories, families fighting over wealth, incredible plots and huge budgets. People like Dulquer Salmaan are fully conscious of the boredom and ennui of run-of-the-mill films. So Dulquer eases into the change brigade. His Wayfarer Films is now enjoying the record-breaking success of Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra which had a dream run in cinemas, grossing Rs 300 crore…it set the trend for a film superheroine, a novel status. Heroine Kalyani Priyadarshan is still savouring the fantasy theme. It is learnt that Wayfarer Films already has the sequel to Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra almost ready to hit cinemas; even as Lokah 1 breezes into OTT. But there is a big change ….Tovino Thomas is the superhero playing Chathan Kutti in Lokah Chapter 2. Dulquer appears in the sequel too as the Odiyan Ninja. Malayalam cinema is reinventing itself like Rowling’s Harry Potter series …Ministry of Magic, a universe where good and evil fight, ghouls, goblins, house elves, wizards, witches, Yakshis who transport you to the world of ancient magic. Cinema as an art form is transforming itself from a “golden era” of diverse content to new wave entertainment of bold themes. The success of Bahubali and Kantara have definitely opened up audience appeal to folklore and fantasy.

UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s internal problems came to the fore during Diwali. As Yogi gathered in Ayodhya on October 19 to celebrate Deepotsav, the focus was not on festivities but the absence of his Deputy CMs Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya. It sparked talk of a rift in the UP BJP and differences between the bureaucracy and BJP legislators. While people close to Maurya said his busy schedule in Bihar, which goes to polls next month, for his last-minute cancellation — the Deputy CM is the party’s co-in-charge in the Assembly polls — party leaders blamed an administrative mix-up. “It is the first Deepotsav in nine years that Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak has missed. While no one is saying anything officially, the miscommunication has to be looked into. There was no mention of the Deputy CMs in the advertisement for the celebrations. Not just that, it was not clear which event they would attend and where they would sit, as per the protocol. The same was true of the Governor (Anandiben Patel), whose name was missing from the local invite. The BJP’s loss in UP in the Lok Sabha elections last year sparked speculation about differences within the party’s state unit. Several leaders in the state unit also took note of Maurya’s appointment as the party’s Bihar poll co-incharge in September, months after Union Home Minister Amit Shah referred to him as “mere mitr (my friend)”. It is being said Maurya’s involvement in Bihar polls would give a boost to him ahead of UP assembly polls. It must be mentioned that Yogi is the most sought campaigner in Bihar polls. Meanwhile, Ayodhya once again lit up the world stage with a record-breaking celebration of Deepotsav 2025, illuminating the sacred city with over 26 lakh oil lamps.

Tamil Nadu can only be shocked! Kerala’s ruling LDF is witnessing one of its fiercest internal flare-ups in recent times, with the CPI openly rebelling against its senior partner, the CPI(M), over the “discreet” signing of the MoU for implementing the Union government’s Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme. The CPI, caught completely off guard by the revelation that the agreement with the Union Ministry of Education’s Department of School Education and Literacy was inked on October 23, accused the CPI(M) of breaching front discipline and keeping allies in the dark. In a dramatic policy reversal, on October 19, the CPI(M) — one of the fiercest critics of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 — took that surprising U-turn. After years of vehement opposition to the Union government’s PM-SHRI scheme, which mandates the implementation of NEP, the Left-ruled Kerala decided to join the initiative. It’s learnt that on October 23, Kerala Education Secretary Dr K Vasuki flew to New Delhi to ink the MoU on behalf of the state. She was accompanied by Dr AR Supriya, Director of Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK), whose funds had earlier been frozen by the Centre due to Kerala’s refusal to join PM-SHRI. The decision could unlock nearly Rs 1,500 crore in central funds previously withheld by the Union government. The “secret manner” in which the MoU got signed has snowballed into a full-blown political controversy. The CPI has accused the CPI(M) of violating coalition etiquette and undermining collective decision-making. The Union Ministry of Education welcomed the Kerala government’s decision to sign the MoU, terming it a major milestone in transforming the state’s school education landscape. However, as the CPI and CPI(M) stick to their position, Kerala’s ruling front faces a crisis. Will the storm over PM SHRI shake the very foundations of the Left’s coalition experiment? 

Alleged suicide by a woman doctor working at a government hospital at Phaltan in Maharashtra’s Satara district has shaken the state since the name of a Member of Parliament is said to be connected with the development. There is no confirmation of this information from the police but the political undertones behind the drastic action are slowly becoming known. The deceased had written a note on the backside of her palm, clearly blaming a police sub inspector and another person. The PSI, Gopal Badne, has been suspended forthwith while investigations are underway to unravel different angles of the tragedy. The death occurred in a hotel room on October 23 night. In her suicide note, the victim wrote that Badne raped her four times over the past five months. The other individual, Prashant Bankar, had been mentally torturing her, she grieved. In view of the gravity of the incident, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis called SP Tushar Doshi and ordered the suspension. As of now, the identity of the MP is unknown although it is whispered that he had spoken with the doctor on a couple of occasions though from the mobile handsets belonging to some other persons. It is also alleged that she had been resisting pressure from certain police personnel and political workers who were demanding favourable medical reports from her in certain matters. The police have not corroborated any such social media posts while her body has been sent for a post mortem.

A public admission by senior BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankhule that mobile and WhatsApp communication of BJP cadres in Buldhana were under surveillance, has sparked much uproar in Maharashtra. Though the senior leader later clarified that he was simply referring to the one lakh WhatsApp groups of their party’s booth leaders which are linked to their party’s war room. These WhatsApp groups, he claimed, were monitored to gauge public sentiment and determine party policies and were the sole mode of communication between the party and its cadres, it gave ample ammunition to the Opposition which raked up the party’s link with Pegasus and even suggested that the Opposition and coalition leaders too were under watch. The admission comes at a time when the disciplined party has been agog with internal rifts threatening to embarrass the party and its senior leadership. In Solapur, the party cadres held public protests opposing the entry of Dilip Mane, an ex-legislator from another party. In Pune, the party’s senior union minister of state for civil aviation, Murlidhar Mohol has been at the receiving end with allegations of corrupt deals. Though the sustained attack is from a Shinde-aide Ravindra Dhangekar, the general buzz is that the allegations are being fed from his own party. All this comes at a time when the party’s senior most leader in Maharashtra, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has been emphasizing regularly that he would be very much around in the state till the next elections in 2029. He has been trying to nip a strong buzz that he would be shunted to the Centre from the top post in the state. The BJP has also been battling friction within its coalition partners emphasising that partners must follow coalition norms.

Even when the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was completed in Bihar, amid opposition protestations that died down soon enough, Maharashtra has held off its own electoral roll revision. Officialdom confirming this said, “We have informed the Election Commission of India (ECI) that we are unable to carry out the SIR in the state being seized of imminent polls to be held for 28 plus municipal corporations, councils and other local self-bodies in Maharashtra. We have already drawn requisite government personnel (mostly teachers drawn from educational institutions run by the state government) who cannot be redeployed for the purpose of conducting the SIR.” While Opposition political formations led by the Congress chief Rahul Gandhi launched protests over alleged impropriety in the electoral revision process, the large number of ineligible voters and subsequent expose over illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingyas being identified in Bihar saw the Opposition protests being muted soon enough. Maharashtra, for its part, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told newspersons over a Diwali lunch that the state electoral rolls did in fact exhibit individual voters being registered at multiple locations, the incidence of the same voter exercising her/his franchise more than once was not evident. “Address changes and the proliferating migrant populations often caused the changed residential addresses, resultantly in multiple entries in electoral rolls and yet, no double voting incidence has been found to exist…Our priority is to hold the local self-bodies’ elections on pain of inviting public ire over the inordinately delayed civic elections across the state for over three years now.”

The ruling Mahayuti in Maharashtra is facing some tough moments at present. Those at the receiving end are alleged to be related with certain questionable matters. The latest ‘expose’ in this series, by state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal, has created a sensation. Sapkal has alleged that 21 MLAs have received a Diwali gift of a Defender SUV each from the same contractor. The price of a Defender SUV is said to be around Rs 2 crore. The genesis of the charge is the Defender in which Shiv Sena (Shinde) MLA Sanjay Gaikwad was found moving around. When the MLA’s pictures in the SUV became viral, he explained that the vehicle belonged to one of his relatives, who is a contractor. “He is first my kin and then a businessman,” Gaikwad defended his position. It later transpired that Gaikwad was exposed by certain Mahayuti leaders. However, even before the dust over the matter had settled, Sapkal had burst a political bomb. He has raised many questions. For instance, he has demanded that the identity of the contractor and the beneficiary MLAs should be revealed by the authorities. Similarly, he has asked if the Defender SUV used by Gaikwad belongs to the fleet of the 21 vehicles or is it the 22nd. That SUV had become a centre of attraction in Buldana town which is Gaikwad’s constituency since it was flaunting MLA stickers. A response from the Mahayuti is eagerly awaited by its supporters and detractors.

With less than a year to go for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the anticipated alliance between the CPM and Congress remains in limbo. Despite the recent Kaliganj by-election, where Congress contested with CPM support and improved its performance, the absence of a structured coordination mechanism has left both parties drifting. Party insiders suggest that CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who was the key in maintaining crucial communication with Congress’ national leadership. But after his sudden demise in 2024 not much progress has been made. CPM sources indicate initial movement to create space for Congress, which has now stalled, with no confirmed timeline or structured plan for resuming discussions. Earlier this year, tensions between the CPM and ally RSP over seat allocation led to Congress being handed the Kaliganj seat. At the national level, AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir had urged the Bengal unit to prepare for at least 90 assembly seats, signalling both independent strength and the option of alliance-building. This is in respect to the outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha election where CPM led in just one assembly segment, while Congress held leads in 11, mostly in North Dinajpur, Malda, and Murshidabad. On several occasions symbolic unity has been absent between Pradesh Congress and CPM where state president Subhankar Sarkar and CPM leader Mohammad Salim separately organise protest programmes against the ruling Trinamool Congress. Further, internal frictions persist, including discomfort between CPM leaders and former Congress state chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, while AICC organisational chief KC Venugopal’s focus on Kerala is seen as affecting Bengal alliance efforts. With no talks between the two parties, the 2026 Assembly elections could once again see a direct fight between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.  

On Thursday (Oct 23) the International Cricket Council (ICC) put out a release that a record 25166 spectators showed up to cheer the women in blue team at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai for its crucial league match against New Zealand. The BCCI (India) is the host of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup along with Sri Lanka (to facilitate Pakistan’s matches in the competition) and according to officials the turnout at Guwahati for the inaugural match between India and Sri Lanka was around 23000 and that big turnouts were seen at Visakhapatnam and Indore for matches featuring the women’s team looking to win its first ever ICC tournament. Once Bengaluru was ruled out of the World Cup itinerary because of certain shortcomings following the death of many people during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations, the ICC awarded five matches to the DY Patil Stadium created by the sports-loving Vijay Patil. The venue in the outskirts of Mumbai has been a popular one from 2008 when many IPL matches including the final was held there. Thereafter the locals demonstrated massive support for women’s internationals and the Women’s Premier League. No wonder the ICC chose the venue with good infrastructure for five World Cup matches including a semi-final and the final. A large turnout is expected for India’s last league match against Bangladesh. Harmanpreet Kaur’s team qualified for the semi-final with a resounding win against New Zealand with Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal hammering centuries. Two years ago, the men’s team drew massive crowds for its World Cup matches in India, including one lakh plus at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the final against Australia. Much the same is happening for the Women’s team, although the numbers are less.

Nothing has hurt DMK ego or the Dravidian model more than the announcement of the Google’s decision to create the AI hub in Andhra .AIADMK leader and former minister Thangamani criticised the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government for failing to attract Google’s investment to the state, “Despite Google CEO Sundar Pichai being a Tamil, Google has gone to Andhra Pradesh and not Tamil Nadu,” he said on the floor of the Tamil Nadu assembly. Responding to the jibe, Tamil Nadu Minister TRB Raaja said the state was set to receive Foxconn’s investment worth Rs 15,000 crore which will create several jobs. He also highlighted that 14,000 engineering jobs were generated under the DMK government and urged parties to stop ridiculing ongoing efforts. Most people however feel foreign investments are moving away from TN as the DMK first family – particularly – chief minister MK Stalin’s son-in law’s is known to seek a partnership with firms wanting to invest in the state. This has hindered investment from coming into the state. Sources point to impediments faced even by committed entrepreneurs like Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu. It is in this light PM Modi during his visit to Andhra this week congratulated the people of the state for Google’s massive AI Hub investment, hailing CM Chandrababu Naidu’s visionary leadership. Modi noted the hub will position Visakhapatnam as a global AI and connectivity centre, serving not just India but the world. Google is set to invest $15 billion to build a massive data centre cluster in Visakhapatnam—a project that could mark its largest direct investment in India’s digital economy, according to a ET report. The 1 GW-capacity data centre hub will comprise three campuses and the facilities are expected to become operational by July 2028.

GenZ may not be familiar with this metamorphosis in the film world of South India. But old timers and mid-gens do remember the scorn and dismissive attitude of the North for Southern heroines …fat, frumpy, matronly and of course “dark”. But, Vyjayanthimala, Padmini, Hema Malini, Rekha, Sridevi changed all that…turned this perception into sheer adoration.…Bollywood geniuses threw open not just their talent but their classic beauty and striking sexuality. Today, this change into sleek, sexy and sophisticated much in demand femme fatale stars has churned up more. Fifteen south Indian actresses lead the roster in terms of the number of brands and products they endorse, pan India. The reach of these cinema influencers only highlights their talent and striking looks to launch any product, from red hot jewellery to shimmering sarees and tech gadgets, even start-ups — any product that needs the absorbing presence of a woman of sustenance. The list is headed by Rashmika Mandana , the national crush, with Nayanthara and Kajal Aggarwal not far behind. Nayanthara’s Tanishq ad is a lesson in sleek jewellery that embellish Nayan …or is it Nayanthara’s exquisite presence launching a line of temptations? Hema Malini gave new meaning to Shudh Pani in her Kent Ad. Walk on Cathedral road, the Fifth Avenue of Chennai and Tamannaah Bhatia easily makes traffic stop with her jewellery ads. The brand success of Idhayam Nallennai is a testimony to graceful Jyothika whose calm and classy looks launch products as diverse and coveted as Diamond Jewellery to mundane ones like kitchen products. Trisha Krishnan has launched many jewellery brands. But behind these influencers who are so compelling, there must be an ethos, a work ethic, a professionalism. These stars have awesome linguistic skills to relate to customers …their regional and pan India filmi identity have launched them as ideal influencers for brands.

India’s wealthiest ‘farmer’ Amitabh Bachchan has celebrated his 83rd birthday on 11 October by purchasing three plots of land at Alibaug near Mumbai. Already owning a land parcel in the same locality, Amitabh has been leading the list of celebrities who have preferred Alibaug for land purchases. Alibaug, the Raigad district headquarters, has emerged as perhaps the most popular tourist destination over the years outside Mumbai. Now that multiple options like the expressway and the water transport services are becoming available, land prices in Alibaug and the environment are constantly showing an upward trend. Top stars like Shahrukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon and cricketer Virat Kohli are among those who have invested in land in the area. Amitabh’s latest purchase was registered on 7 October by paying stamp duty of over Rs.39 lakh. The lands have been sold by a firm, HOABL Landbuild, which had sold land to him earlier, too. That was in April 2024. Amitabh’s previous land purchase that became famous was in Ayodhya. It took place just before the Ram Temple was inaugurated in Ayodhya. The Alibaug land is near the Mandwa jetty, which runs regular sea trips to Mumbai daily. The land holds potential of development as a sprawling villa. Amitabh has so far maintained silence over the transactions. His three bungalows in Mumbai are in the elite Juhu area. The latest acquisition by him makes him one of prominent real estate owners in India.

The legion of fans of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli must be utterly disappointed with their scores in the first of the three-match bash between India and Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday (Oct 19). Clearly not in touch with competitive cricket for seven months (which is over 200 days) after the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Dubai, Sharma (8) and Kohli (0) could not get going in the Western Australian city. They may have done their training and practice in order to prepare for their return to the highest class of one-day cricket, but Josh Hazlewood and left arm seamer Mitchell Starc outsmarted them when India was asked to bat by captain Mitchell Marsh upon winning the toss. There was much speculation about Sharma and Kohli selection in the 15-man squad for the three matches rostered at Perth, Adelaide and Sydney. They may not be under pressure at all before the next match at Adelaide on October 23, but India’s Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill will have a tough time picking both in the playing XI at Sydney, should the two batters fail to score heavily at Adelaide. Australia doesn’t have its all-format skipper Pat Cummins, but they still had two extraordinary seamers in Hazlewood and Starc who used the new ball efficiently to eject them from the middle. Sharma and Kohli have retired from the long format Test and Twenty20, but have chosen to play the 50 overs format with the hope of giving themselves another shot at the World Cup in 2027 at South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The national selectors have not committed themselves to pick them for all matches leading to the World Cup that India lost to Australia in the 2023 final in Ahmedabad.

The two legends who have made a solid impression in their careers both against the red ball as well as the white were in for a big test straight away as they returned to Team India at one of the toughest venues for international cricket. Virat Kohli scored a century the last time he was at the Optus Stadium, but the bounce in the pitches of Perth in Western Australia is always a challenge, no matter if you have conquered it before. The Optus Stadium may not quite be the fearful WACA ground where the wind is another factor that helps bowlers more at a venue that is the very definition of a bowlers’ paradise. Kohli made his first duck in ODIs in Australia, that too after facing 8 balls. But that does not negate the build-up he got as he resumed the journey towards becoming the second highest all-time scorer of runs in ODIs behind the pocket powerhouse of a master batsman in Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs). The fact is Kohli (14,181) must still make 53 runs to join Kumar Sangakkara on the second highest ODI peak of 14,234 runs. Rohit Sharma also had a milestone to touch in his 500th international appearance for Team India though it wasn’t the most productive with just 8 runs. Kohli may have failed to further his in-your-face experience of cricket in Australia where the crowds can get into your head through the ears. He has seen bad days in that respect as he once gave the Aussie crowd the ‘bird’ for their abusive tendencies. But at the end of it all they recognise you are a fighter, and they come to respect you, which is what Kohli said before the game.