AIADMK ups pressure on Cauvery issue, plans rallies across TN

AIADMK has said it would hold state-wide public meetings on the Cauvery issue between April 25 and 29 to urge the Centre to implement the Supreme Court verdict to ensure water for irrigation in the Delta districts.

Party Convenor and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Co-Convenor and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and senior party leader and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha M. Thambi Durai, besides other Ministers, are to address public meetings across the delta districts, explaining the State government’s stand on the CMB.

The move to further mount pressure over the Centre by the ruling AIADMK comes following a "Cauvery Rights Retrieval Rally" held by arch rival DMK and its friendly parties between April 7 and 12 covering the same Cauvery delta region.

Palaniswami would address a public meeting in Tiruvarur district on April 27, as would Food Minister R. Kamaraj. Thambi Durai and Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar, along with party functionary Vaigaichelvan, would speak in Karur district on April 28.

The AIADMK, which staged a state-wide fast on April 3, seeking constitution of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and to condemn the Centre on the issue said "the massive public meetings will be held to urge the Centre to implement the Supreme Court verdict."

On April 25, Panneerselvam and Handlooms and Textiles Minister O.S. Manian would address an event in Nagapattinam district, while Municipal Administration Minister S.P. Velumani, Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar and party functionaries Thamarai S. Rajendran and R.T. Ramachandran would speak in Ariyalur and Perambalur districts the same day.

Vijay - Ajith films to resume shoots soon

Now that the strike has been withdrawn, film crews are going ahead to resume shoots and other works.

Among them are the upcoming films of top stars Ajith and Vijay, the first directed by Siva and the next by A R Murugadoss.

According to sources, the shooting of the film starring Vijay and Keerthy Suresh in the lead is expected to resume from April 25.

While the first look of the film is expected to be announced soon, the team will be shooting some action sequences and two songs abroad.

After playing a prominent role in Karthi starrer Theeran Adhikaaram Ondru, actor Bose Venkat has been approached to play a key role in Ajith's Viswasam directed by Siva.

For the first time, Imman is composing music for Thala Ajith in Viswasam, the composer has also already delivered two songs to director Siva.

It was reported earlier that the shooting of the project was expected to commence on March 23 in Hyderabad, but because of the TFPC strike, it was postponed.

S Ve Shekher apologises for Facebook post on women journalists

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and film-drama actor S V Shekher today tendered apology to women journalists for a deragatory Facebook post on them.

In a statement, he said, "Yesterday, my face book, a message, without reading the content, by mistake forwarded by me FROM THIRUMALAI Sa Was unintentional."

He said that he removed the post after his friend pointed out that it was abusive.

He added: “When it was pointed out by a friend of mine the content was abusive one, & it was removed immediately. I do not endorse the views expressed in it. I come from a family that respects women & the women journalist.”

He added that he did not endorse the views expressed in the Facebook post. “It was not on purpose & my heartfelt apology,” he said.

Shekher added: "I am surprised how people, who are now spreading the screen shot/photoshop of the deleted post do not find it offensive."

Jyothika-Radha Mohan film titled Kaattrin Mozhi

We had already reported that Jyothika, who is currently busy shooting for Mani Ratnam’s Chekka Chivantha Vaanam in ECR, Chennai, will be reprising Vidya Balan’s role in the Tamil remake of Hindi hit Tumhari Sulu, which will be directed by Radha Mohan.

Now the latest update is that the film has been titled Kaattrin Mozhi. Remember this is the starting words of a song in Mozhi, the earlier venture of the actress and the director.

Moreover, the title fits apt to this flick since it is about a radio jockey.

G Dhananjayan, the producer of the film, says, "We wanted the title to be a reference to Jyotika and Radha Mohan’s previous collaboration, which is a popular film even today. And the song from the film, Kaattrin Mozhi, is an evergreen song. It also is a symbolic way of conveying the film’s setting — a FM radio station. So, this title seemed perfect in every way.”

Tumhari Sulu is a 2017 comedy-drama film directed by Suresh Triveni and produced under the banners of T-Series and Ellipsis Entertainment.

The film stars Vidya Balan as the titular character, an ambitious housewife who becomes a radio jockey for a late-night relationship advice show. Manav Kaul and Neha Dhupia co-star as Sulu's husband and boss, respectively.

Tumhari Sulu was released worldwide on 17 November 2017 , both critical and box office success earned over ₹584 million on a ₹200 million budget. The film received nine Filmfare Award nominations and won the Best Actress award for Vidya.

Prof sex scandal: Top officials of MKU grilled, 7 CBCID teams formed

The panel set up to probe the sex scandal in Aruppukottai, where a woman college teacher Nirmala Devi allegedly prodded students to extend sexual favours to university officials, on Thursday launched an inquiry, while the assistant professor's lawyer claimed she faced threat in jail.

Santhanam, who was appointed by Governor Banwarilal Purohit, arrived in Madurai on Thursday morning and summoned the vice-chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University, Dr P Chellathurai, and registrar Dr V Chinnaiah, to the circuit house. The inquiry with the top university officials went on till 1.30 pm.

Earlier, speaking to a TV channel, Santhanam said that he will be submitting the case report within 15 days.

Sources said that seven special teams have been formed to interrogate Nirmala Devi. Seven districts DSPs held a meeting at the CBCID office in Virudhunagar. It is said that the teams are planning to investigate college students and University professors.

"The attempt is to find the truth and there are different ways to approach it," Santhanam said. Santhanam added that he also planned to seek permission to visit professor Nirmala Devi at the Madurai central prison either on Saturday or next week.

The whole issue came to light after an audio of purported conversation between Nirmala Devi and some students went viral in the social media on Sunday. In the audio, she is heard suggesting that the girls adjust with some (education) officials, ‘for getting 85 per cent mark and money.’

Anandaraj meets Rajini, slams Bharathiraja

Actor Anandaraj, one of the star campaigners of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, called on superstar Rajinikanth in Chennai today.

Talking to newsmen after the meeting, Anandaraj slammed Bharathiraja for criticising Rajinikanth and said the superstar has immense love for the people of Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, RJ Balaji has asked Bharathiraja, Seeman and their team to apologize for protesting against IPL matches which were scheduled in Chennai.

In his Facebook page, he posted: "Happy that the film industry is back with lot of good changes after the strike. Thousands of daily wage workers can now pay the school fees of their kids on time.

Kudos to those who worked relentlessly for finding a solution. At the same time, it is the responsibility of those who raised their voice for the boycott of cricket matches, to act/react for people’s justified anger of ‘will you now say lets boycott cinema until CMD is formed.!?!’

Yes agreed, two wrongs will not make a right. But atleast accept the mistake and apologise to people for getting it completely wrong."

Over 1000 CSK fans take special train to Pune to watch IPL match

More than 1000 die- hard fans of Chennai Super Kings, deeply hurt by the shifting of rest of Home matches to Pune, expressed their wish to CSK Management to see   the IPL matches played by their favourite team.

In response  to their wishes, a special train was arranged today by CSK for their travel to Pune. “It’s an entirely an initiative by CSK fans and  it  was taken forward by CSK Management” said a CSK Official.

Over 1000 fans started off their proud journey to Pune on Thursday day morning from Chennai by a Special train, styled, Whistlepodu Express.

A large number of enthusiastic fans, forming part of CSK’s Official club, turned up in the morning at  Central Railway Station.

According to a press note, they were cheered by officials of CSK besides Rakesh Singh, Executive President, India Cements, B Ramesh, Joint President ( Marketing), India Cements and  marketing officials.

Apart from arranging a special train and complimentary tickets for the journey, CSK management has arranged  free accommodation and food for the fans. After watching the match between CSK and Rajasthan Royals in Pune on Friday, they will return to Chennai on Sunday.