Chennai, May 10 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday announced 200 units of free electricity and the formation of the "SingaPen" Special Task Force as among the first major decisions of his government shortly after taking the oath.

Soon after the swearing-in ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here, Vijay signed key official files in the presence of senior officials and ministers, signalling the beginning of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government’s welfare and governance agenda.

Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar amid loud cheers from thousands of party workers, supporters and film fans gathered at the venue. He took the oaths of office and secrecy in the name of C. Joseph Vijay.

The TVK chief assumed office after his party emerged as the single largest formation in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections by winning 108 seats in the 234-member House. Though the party fell short of the majority mark of 118, the Congress extended support to it.

The Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India-Marxist, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) also backed the coalition, taking its strength to 120 MLAs.

The swearing-in ceremony witnessed elaborate security arrangements, with only around 6,000 invitees allowed inside the stadium through special passes. Chennai Police deployed massive security arrangements under the supervision of the Police Commissioner, with five Additional Commissioners and 12 Joint Commissioners overseeing arrangements.

Several prominent political leaders and film personalities attended the event, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, alliance leaders, Vijay’s parents, relatives, friends, and notables from the Tamil film industry.

Along with Vijay, N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, Dr K.G. Arunraj, K.A. Sengottaiyan, P. Venkataramanan, R. Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, Dr T.K. Prabhu, and S. Keerthan were sworn in as ministers in the new cabinet. The ceremony marked a historic political moment in Tamil Nadu, ending decades of dominance by the state’s traditional Dravidian parties and ushering in a new political era under Vijay’s leadership.

--IANS

aal/vd

Mumbai, May 10 (IANS) Investors are expected to remain cautious next week as escalating tensions between the US and Iran, rising crude oil prices, the ongoing March quarter earnings season, foreign fund outflows and rupee weakness are likely to dictate the direction of the Indian stock market.

Benchmark indices extended losses for the second consecutive session on Friday, weighed down mainly by banking and financial stocks amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.

The Sensex ended 516 points, or 0.66 per cent, lower at 77,328.19, while the Nifty slipped 151 points, or 0.62 per cent, to close at 24,176.15.

Commenting on Nifty technical outlook, experts said that on the upside, resistance levels are placed at 24,500 and 24,600.

“On the downside, support is seen at 24,000 and 23,800. A breakdown below 23,800 could result in increased selling pressure,” an analyst stated.

Market participants will closely track developments in the ongoing US-Iran conflict after tensions escalated over the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

The geopolitical tensions also pushed global crude oil prices sharply higher. Although prices later trimmed gains amid hopes of easing hostilities, concerns over potential supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz continue to keep investors on edge.

Investors will also focus on the March quarter earnings season as more than 400 companies are scheduled to announce their results in the coming week.

Corporate earnings and management commentary are expected to provide cues on demand trends, margin pressures and the broader economic outlook.

Commenting on Bank Nifty technical outlook, analyst stated that in the near term, immediate downside support is placed in the 54,600–54,200 zone in case selling pressure re-emerges.

“On the upside, 56,400 acts as immediate resistance, while 56,800 stands as the next key supply zone,” an analyst mentioned.

“Given the current market structure, traders are advised to remain disciplined and adhere to strict stop-loss strategies amid ongoing volatility,” a market expert stated.

--IANS

pk

New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the talent to succeed across all formats of the game after the Rajasthan Royals opener continued his fearless run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

Speaking about Sooryavanshi’s explosive innings against the Gujarat Titans at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday, Ashwin said the 15-year-old possesses the kind of attacking ability that can entertain crowds in every format.

“He is taking every bowler down. I wouldn’t mind watching him in a Test match, and I wouldn’t mind watching him in all three formats of the game. Get him onto cricket grounds, get people coming along, because he is going to entertain you,” Ashwin told Jio Hotstar.

Sooryavanshi once again provided Rajasthan Royals with a flying start in a daunting chase of 230, smashing 36 off just 16 balls with three fours and three sixes. The teenager attacked experienced pacers Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada fearlessly during a breathtaking powerplay that briefly kept Rajasthan in the hunt.

However, Gujarat recovered strongly through their spinners, with Rashid Khan starring with 4-33 as Rajasthan collapsed to 152 all out in 16.3 overs to lose by 77 runs.

Ashwin also described Sooryavanshi as a “box-office player” and urged people not to burden the youngster with excessive expectations at this early stage of his career.

“He is leaving no stone unturned, putting every ounce of force he can into the cricket ball. The way he played, even in the U-19 World Cup final, putting everything together, he is looking like a box-office player,” Ashwin said.

“There are very few windows in your cricketing career where you can absolutely enjoy your cricket, and he is only 15 years old. I think we should just let him be. There is no point asking him to do things he shouldn’t be doing at this stage of his career,” he added.

Ashwin feels that Rajasthan already have experienced names like Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, and Donovan Ferreira in the middle order, allowing Sooryavanshi the freedom to continue playing attacking cricket at the top.

“He has experienced players like Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, and Donovan Ferreira to follow. He shouldn’t be the one carrying that burden. If he can give them flying starts, then with the batting line-up they have, they should be winning games like those comfortably,” he concluded.

Sooryavanshi has played 11 matches in IPL 2026 and scored 440 runs, which includes one hundred and two half-centuries. He is the top scorer for the Rajasthan Royals this season.

--IANS

sds/

Chennai, May 10 (IANS) Actor Harshith Reddy, who made his debut with ‘Subham’, which was actress Samantha's first film as producer, has now penned an emotional note of gratitude on the occasion of the film completing one year.

Taking to his Instagram page, Harshith Reddy wrote,"One year for Subham. From dreaming about this moment to actually living it… this journey gave me memories, people, and love I’ll carry forever. Forever grateful to everyone who believed in me, supported me, and embraced our film with so much love. Still feels unreal that this was my debut. One year later… and my heart still feels the same. #OneYearForSubham."

Samantha's production house Tralala Moving Pictures wrote, "First one is always special! One year since the blockbuster debut for @tralalamovingpictures. One year for #Subham. Thank you to the audience for showering love on the film."

It may be recalled that the actress had defined the unit of this film as a “small team with big dreams” and had expressed gratitude for the journey of producing and creating this film along with her team.

Taking to X to share the teaser of her first film, ‘Subham’, Samantha had said, “Presenting to you our little labour of love. A small team with big dreams! We’re incredibly grateful for this journey and what we’ve created together. We truly hope you enjoy our film… and may this be the start of something truly special! #Subham @TralalaPictures.”

Samantha's production house, Tralala Moving Pictures, had produced this film along with Kanakavalli Talkies.

Samantha had, in a post earlier, described this film as a “project that embodies Tralala’s vision of unique, thought-provoking cinema that leaves you wanting more and hopefully over time will help audiences identify and highlight content coming out of our Tralala banner.”

Penned by Vasanth Mariganti, "Subham" had been made under the direction of Praveen Kandregula. These two had previously worked together on the acclaimed drama "Cinema Bandi".

The film also served as the debut platform for six promising upcoming talents. Apart from Harshith Reddy, the film also introduced Shriya Kontham, Charan Peri, Shalini Kondepudi, Gavireddy Srinivas, and Shravani.

The film had impressive technical crew backing it. It included cinematographer Mridul Sujit Sen, production designer Ram Charan Tej, and editor Dharmendra Kakarla.

--IANS

Mkr/

Mumbai, May 10 (IANS) Playback singer Jonita, who has sung the song ‘Tera Ho Jaun’ from the upcoming film ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’, has shared that she recorded the song remotely from a hotel room while she was on her tour.

The song has been composed by Sachin-Jigar, with lyrics furnished by Vayu. For the track, Jonita has shared the mic with Stebin Ben.

Talking about the song, Jonita told IANS, “Happy to have collaborated with Sachin and Jigar again! ‘Tera Ho Jaun’ is such a fun, breezy love song for Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. I was actually nervous about how it would all come together because I recorded the song remotely from my hotel room while I was touring. But it’s turned out beautifully, and I really hope people connect and resonate with it”.

‘Tera Ho Jaun’ is a breezy yet deeply emotional love song, and captures the excitement, vulnerability, and warmth of modern romance. With its lush soundscape and heartfelt lyrics, the track beautifully brings together Stebin’s signature emotional depth and Jonita’s smooth, expressive vocals, creating a duet that feels intimate, refreshing, and instantly memorable.

Talking about the song, Stebin Ben shared, “The emotion in the melody and lyrics felt very pure from the beginning, and I wanted to bring that honesty into my voice while recording it. Working with Jonita for the first time was special because her voice adds such freshness to the song. Working with Sachin-Jigar is always inspiring and I love their music”.

Meanwhile, ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’ stars Varun Dhawan and Mrunal Thakur. The film is directed by David Dhawan, who is known for his signature mix of slapstick comedy, romance, and family drama.

The project marks another collaboration between David and Varun after films like ‘Main Tera Hero’ and ‘Judwaa 2’.

--IANS

aa/

Chennai, May 10 (IANS) Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Sunday led greetings from the Tamil film fraternity to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay, who was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, in what is being described as a historic turning point in the state’s political history.

In a post in Tamil on X, Kamal Haasan extended his congratulations to "his brother" Vijay and expressed hope that the state would progress under his government and reach new heights.

The Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder had earlier criticised the delay in inviting Vijay to form the government, saying democratic values and the verdict of the people must be respected.

Several actors, directors and members of the film industry also congratulated Vijay on social media, describing his ascent from cinema superstar to Chief Minister as unprecedented in recent Tamil Nadu politics.

Vijay took oath as Chief Minister at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai along with a nine-member council of ministers after securing the support of 120 MLAs in the 234-member Assembly.

The TVK, which emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded Assembly elections with 108 seats, crossed the majority mark of 118 after receiving support from the Congress, the CPI, the CPI(M), the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

The swearing-in ceremony generated massive excitement across Tamil Nadu, with thousands of supporters gathering in Chennai since early morning. The venue witnessed heavy security arrangements as several national leaders, film personalities, and senior politicians arrived to attend the event. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached Chennai on Sunday morning to participate in the ceremony, underlining the importance of the new political alliance that enabled Vijay to stake claim to form the government.

Political observers described Vijay’s elevation as a watershed moment for Tamil Nadu, ending nearly six decades of alternating rule between the DMK and the AIADMK. With TVK now heading the government, the state is witnessing the emergence of a new political force that has rapidly transformed the electoral landscape within a short span of time.

--IANS

aal/vd

Bengaluru, May 10 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated C. Joseph Vijay, the President of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), on his swearing-in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, and expressed hope for effective collaboration for the benefit of the public.

Extending best wishes, PM Modi took to X and said, "Congratulations to Thiru C. Joseph Vijay on taking oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. Best wishes for his tenure ahead. The Central Government will keep working with the Tamil Nadu Government to improve the lives of people."

Vijay was sworn in on Sunday, marking a historic political shift in the state, which saw an end to nearly six decades of alternating rule by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay at a grand ceremony held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here.

Nine ministers were also sworn in alongside him as part of the new Council of Ministers.

The event was attended by several national and regional political leaders, including the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, film personalities, party workers, and thousands of supporters, prompting authorities to enforce massive security arrangements in and around the venue.

Chennai city police deployed heavy security, intensified vehicle checks and imposed strict access control measures around the stadium ahead of the ceremony.

Vijay assumes office after the TVK-led alliance secured the support of 120 MLAs in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 118 required to form the government.

While the TVK emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded Assembly elections, it fell short of an outright majority, triggering intense political negotiations over the last few days.

The uncertainty finally ended on Saturday evening after the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) extended their support to the Vijay-led formation.

Earlier, the Congress, the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the Communist Party of India-Marxist had also backed the TVK, enabling the actor-turned-politician to stake a claim to form the government.

Following the securing of support, Vijay met Governor Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Saturday night and submitted letters of support from all five allies -- the Congress, the CPI, the CPI-M, the VCK, and the IUML. The Governor subsequently appointed Vijay as Chief Minister-designate and invited him to form the ministry. He has also directed the new Chief Minister to seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly on or before May 13.

The swearing-in of Vijay marks a watershed moment in Tamil Nadu politics, as a non-Dravidian party has come to power in the state for the first time since 1967. Political observers view the development as a major realignment in the state's political landscape, long dominated by the DMK and AIADMK.

--IANS

sd/skp

Kolkata, May 10 (IANS) Even 72 hours after the murder of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, the assailants remain at large, with police yet to make any arrests.

Investigators say their biggest challenge is tracking the attackers' escape route due to a lack of usable CCTV footage. Several cameras along the route adjacent to Doharia-Mathpara in Madhyamgram, through which the miscreants are believed to have fled, have been out of order for a long time, a senior police officer said on Sunday.

The shooting took place on Wednesday night in the Doharia area of Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district, where the assailants stopped Rath’s car mid-road before opening fire. After the attack, the attackers are believed to have fled the scene on motorbikes via an alley road towards Peyara Bagan. A search is underway along that route, but the absence of effective CCTV coverage at key locations has hampered the investigation.

Police investigations have revealed that many CCTV cameras in the area have been non-functional for a long time, while some installed on light poles were positioned incorrectly. As a result, no clear visuals of the attackers’ movements are available. CCTV cameras at roadside shops have also yielded no clues, as most establishments were closed at the time of the incident.

A section of investigators believes the assailants deliberately waited for darkness to fall so that faces and number plates would not be clearly captured as they sped away on their bikes, the officer said.

Meanwhile, a red car has emerged as a new mystery in the case. CCTV footage shows the vehicle following Rath’s Scorpio from Birati intersection to Jessore Road and remaining close behind even after entering the Doharia area. Investigators suspect the car may have been tailing Rath from the start, and a vigorous search is underway to trace it.

A special investigation team has been formed to probe the case, which police believe was executed in a well-planned manner.

--IANS

sch/skp

Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS) Maharashtra NCP(SP) President Shashikant Shinde has written a commemorative editorial in the party’s magazine, shedding light on the hidden dynamics of the split and the alleged merger plans between the two NCP factions.

Shinde claimed that late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was forced to exit the original NCP due to threats and conspiracies orchestrated by "invisible powers."

He further said that a final decision to merge the two parties was reached in the presence of Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar and was to be announced on February 12.

In a massive revelation, Shinde asserted that Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders had agreed to hand over the entire command of the unified party to Ajit Pawar following the merger.

“Fulfilling this merger and rebuilding the party with strength would be the only true tribute to Ajit Dada," Shinde wrote.

Shinde clarified, "It was our decision to hand over all party responsibilities to Ajit Dada once the merger process was complete. However, fate had other plans. We were all mentally prepared to accept Ajit Dada’s leadership.”

Shinde appealed to the party faithful, asserting that a merger is the only true tribute to the late leader. He noted, “Ajit Pawar’s dream remains unfulfilled, and it is now the party's responsibility to complete it. Unity: Reuniting and strengthening the NCP is the ultimate goal. Leaders and workers must set aside their differences and broaden their perspective to achieve this unity.”

Following the publication of the article, senior NCP(SP) leader and former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh remarked, "I am unaware of what our State President has said. Since he wrote the article, he likely has more information than I do. I personally have no knowledge of this matter."

While Sharad Pawar has avoided commenting publicly on the matter, Shinde’s article has brought these behind-the-scenes developments to light. However, Shinde’s revelations have sparked a new controversy and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) has reacted with sharp skepticism.

Party spokesperson Suraj Chavan questioned the timing of these claims. Chavan alleged that discussing a merger while the leader’s mortal remains were still at Vidya Pratishthan suggests a "lust for power" rather than genuine respect. He clarified that Sunetra Pawar is now the ultimate authority of their party and any dialogue must happen through her.

Further, the party legislator Amol Mitkari stated that no such merger discussions have occurred within their internal party meetings, attributing the rumours to the rival camp's leaders.

While the Pawar family continues to demonstrate a unique balance of political rivalry and familial bond — recently seen at family weddings — the political future remains clouded.

All eyes are now on Sunetra Pawar. Whether she will pursue the "unfulfilled dream" of a unified NCP or maintain a separate identity, remains a question that will define the next chapter of Maharashtra politics.

--IANS

sj/rad

New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) India’s share in global electronics demand has expanded at a rapid compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2 per cent, significantly outpacing global growth of 4.4 per cent between 2015 and 2024, driven primarily by the sharp rise in mobile phone exports, according to NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly report for July-September 2025-26, launched on Friday.

Between 2016 and 2024, electronics exports increased nearly five-fold, reaching USD 42.1 billion. With global electronics trade valued at USD 4.6 trillion, the sector represents one of the largest and fastest-evolving segments of the world economy. India has demonstrated particular strength in products such as mobile phones, consumer electronics, and communication equipment, with exports increasingly directed towards major final-consumption markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, the report states.

Electronics, the thematic focus of this quarter's edition, has emerged as a cornerstone of India's manufacturing and export transformation. Now the second-largest item in India's export basket, the sector is both technology-led and deeply interconnected with industries such as automotive, renewable energy, telecom, defence, and digital services, making it a powerful multiplier for industrial growth.

The report states that having established a strong foothold in assembly and system integration, India is now entering the next phase of its electronics journey, moving decisively toward component manufacturing and higher value addition. This transition is supported by targeted policy measures, including the Union Budget's Rs 40,000 crore allocation under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities.

The analysis underscores that sustained competitiveness will be driven by deeper integration into global electronics value chains, encompassing printed circuit board design, semiconductor assembly and testing, power electronics, and embedded systems. Complemented by continued improvements in logistics efficiency, tariff rationalisation, and industry-aligned skill development, these shifts position electronics as a key engine of India's export growth and technological advancement in the coming decade.

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery said, "Electronics, as the organising core of modern manufacturing value chains, with semiconductors and components, plays a key role in determining trade balances and technological sovereignty. While India has achieved scale in final assembly, sustained competitiveness will depend on correcting structural cost disabilities, deepening domestic component ecosystems, and leveraging anchor investments in components to embed Indian firms more firmly within global production networks."

The publication also provides a comprehensive assessment of global and domestic trade trends at a time when global trade growth has moderated but remains positive, with services continuing to outperform goods and developing regions emerging as key drivers.

The analysis highlights that India's trade performance in Q2 FY26 was driven by export-led momentum sustaining the overall trade expansion amid heightened global uncertainty. Services and merchandise exports recorded robust growth of around 8.5 per cent, outpacing import growth in both merchandise and services.

At a structural level, the edition underscores the deepening of trade among developing economies, which has expanded nearly four-fold since 2005 and now accounts for a rising share of global exports, with India’s trade trajectory increasingly aligned with this Global South rebalancing through regional value chains and new trade corridors.

Further, this edition highlights the growing role of e-commerce as a key enabler of future export growth. India is now among the world’s top six e-commerce markets, with electronics accounting for nearly half of online retail.

--IANS

sps/svn

New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) In a farmer-centric step to stabilise domestic markets and ensure remunerative returns to producers, the Centre on Friday approved the export of 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat, along with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products.

According to a Consumer Affairs Ministry statement, wheat stock availability with private entities during 2025–26 stands at approximately 75 LMT, which is nearly 32 LMT higher compared to the corresponding period last year.

"This substantial year-on-year increase indicates a comfortable supply position in the country. Furthermore, as on April 1, 2026, total wheat availability in the central pool with FCI is projected at around 182 LMT, thus ensuring that export permissions will not impact domestic food security requirements," it said.

Moreover, wheat acreage in Rabi 2026 has also increased to about 334.17 lakh hectares compared to 328.04 lakh hectares last year.

This reflects strong farmer confidence in wheat cultivation supported by assured MSP and procurement mechanisms, and signals the likelihood of another robust harvest, the official statement further added.

The decision to permit export of 25 LMT of wheat and 5 LMT wheat products will help stabilise domestic prices, improve market liquidity, ensure efficient stock rotation, and further strengthen farmers’ income while ensuring national food security.

Meanwhile, to facilitate sugar exports, the government decided to allow export of an additional 5 LMT of sugar to willing sugar mills during the current Sugar Season 2025–26.

Earlier, the government had permitted the export of 15 LMT of sugar during the current Sugar Season 2025–26. This decision is expected to facilitate higher sugar exports and help in managing surplus sugar availability in the country.

As per data, only about 1.97 LMT of sugar has been exported up to January 31, 2026.

In addition, approximately 2.72 LMT of sugar has been contracted for export by sugar mills to date.

The ministry said that the additional export quantity of 5 LMT shall be made available to willing sugar mills, subject to the condition that at least 70 per cent of their allocated quantity is exported by June 30, 2026.

--IANS

na/vd

Chennai, May 10 (IANS) Actress Sreeja Ravi, who is the mother of well known actress and dubbing artiste Raveena Ravi, has now penned an emotional note of gratitude in the wake of Raveena's wedding with 'Valatty' director Devan.

Taking to her Instagram page to post pictures of Raveena's wedding with Devan, Sreeja Ravi wrote, "To all dear & near ones. With all humility, love and gratitude, I seek your heartfelt blessings and prayers for our beloved daughter, Raveena Ravi, who has entered a beautiful new chapter in life with Devan (Director of Valatty)."

She went on to say, "The wedding was conducted in a very intimate manner, with only our immediate family and a few close friends present. It had always been our dream to celebrate this occasion with all our close ones — the many friends, colleagues, celebrities, technicians, and extended family who have been part of our lives and journey throughout this 50 years of film journey."

Sreeja Ravi said, "But emotionally, this was not an easy moment for me. Celebrating such a special occasion without my beloved husband Raviyettan, left me deeply overwhelmed. Everything happened within a short span of time, and I truly did not have the strength — emotionally or physically — to organize anything elaborate."

Choosing to thank all those who had stood by her on the special occasion, she said, "A special note of gratitude to my youngest sibling Jyo and RaghiJyo for being my pillars of strength always. Heartfelt thanks as well to Kavitha Arumugam, Vijay Krish, Akshay, Beula ,Jayanthi and everyone who stood beside me as my support system. By God’s grace and the blessings of all my mentors and well-wishers, everything went beautifully. More than anything, I am happy that I have now gained a loving son and a warm family through Devan."

Sreeja informed that Devan’s father, Sri. Jayan Mulangad, had contributed to Malayalam cinema as a producer and director, and his mother, Kala Jayan, was a retired professor from SD College, Alappuzha. His sister, Dr. Devi Jayan, is a psychologist in University of Chicago, and that their family was now based in the United States.

More significantly, Sreeja clarified that Raveena would continue to act and dub in films.

She said, "As a mother, one of my biggest joy is knowing that Raveena will continue pursuing her passion for dubbing and acting with the love and encouragement of her new family."

She ended the note saying, "I sincerely apologize to everyone whom I could not personally invite or inform. Please forgive me and do not hold it against me. Your love and blessings mean the world to us. Please keep Raveena & Devan in your prayers and bless them wholeheartedly as they begin this beautiful journey together ."

--IANS

mkr/

Mumbai, May 10 (IANS) Actress Trisha Krishnan, who predominantly works in Tamil cinema, attended the swearing-in ceremony of her rumoured beau, actor and politician Vijay on Sunday in Chennai.

The actress was seen in a happy mood, and she was captured in the lenses of the photographers leaving her home for the ceremony.

For the occasion, the actress opted for a teal and gold saree paired with a cream blouse as she headed to Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai for Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony as the Chief Minister.

Her mother, Uma Krishnan, also accompanied her. This comes after Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) failed to form the government multiple times earlier after the May 4 polling results.

Finally, Vijay is forming the government in Tamil Nadu with the support of several smaller parties after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections. The supporting allies include the Indian National Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian Union Muslim League, and Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam. Together, these parties helped TVK cross the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly.

Vijay’s party emerged as the single largest party after it secured 108 seats in the recently conducted Tamil Nadu assembly elections. With its victory, TVK has ended the alternating rule of the State’s two dominant Dravidian parties, DMK and AIADMK.

The Governor has also directed Mr. Vijay to seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly on or before May 13, 2026.

In February this year, it was reported that Vijay’s wife of close to three decades, Sangeeta Sornalingam, had filed for divorce, citing infidelity and alleging an affair with an unnamed actress. Days after that, in March, Vijay and Trisha wore matching cream and gold outfits as they attended a wedding reception in Chennai.

--IANS

aa/

Chennai, May 10 (IANS) Actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan's wife Anna Konidela and actresses Abhirami and Radhika Sarathkumar were among scores of people who penned tributes to mothers on the occasion of Mother's Day on Sunday.

Anna Konidela, who took to her Instagram page to pen a tribute to mothers the world over, wrote, "To the mothers who gave birth at 19, and the mothers who waited until 40. To the women who brought children into this world naturally, and the women who fought through IVF, injections, waiting rooms, and heartbreak. To the mothers who stayed home, and the mothers who returned to work while carrying guilt they were never meant to carry."

She went on to say, "To the women raising children alone. To the women healing parts of themselves while trying to raise someone else gently. To the mothers who lost a child. To the women who survived miscarriages and had to continue living while the world kept moving around them. To the women who dream of becoming mothers someday. And to the women whose love is already big enough to choose adoption."

"There is no single way to be a woman. And there is no single way to be a mother. Behind every version of motherhood is sacrifice, fear, strength, exhaustion, love, and a thousand invisible things the world rarely stops to notice. Today is not about perfection. It’s about honouring women for everything they carry. Happy Mother’s Day," she said.

Actress Radhika Sarath Kumar, for her part, remembered her mother, who she said she missed very much. she wrote, "We all miss her, #mothersday. .Always Mother’s Day @raajuradha @mohanratha22 @nirosha_radha."

Actress Abhirami, in her Instagram tribute to mothers, wrote, "To my mother who raised me as her daughter, and to my daughter who is raising the mother in me! To all the women who are on their various journeys of motherhood. To all the women who have chosen to be childfree (yes you too... I'm sure you take on the role to someone). And to all the dads who play both roles, Happy mother's day! #motherdaughter #mothersday."

--IANS

mkr/

Chennai, May 10 (IANS) If rumours doing the rounds in the industry are to be believed, director Paul George's pan-Indian Malayalam film 'Kattalan', featuring actor Antony Varghese (Pepe) in the lead, is now slated to hit screens on May 28 this year.

Rumours of the film gearing up to hit screens on May 28 gained significance after an assistant film director shared a poster of the film showing its release date as May 28 on his Instagram page. Actor Anson Paul too shared the same poster on his Instagram page, strengthening the belief that the film was indeed slated for a May 28 release.

However, there has been no official confirmation in this regard from the producers of the film.

The makers of the film had earlier welcomed ace music director Ravi Basrur on board the unit of the film. The announcement had come as a surprise to many as earlier, the production house had announced Ajaneesh Loknath, the musical genius behind 'Kantara 2', as the film's music composer.

In February this year, the makers had announced that shooting for their film had been wrapped up. While the makers had previously announced that the film would hit screens on May 14 this year, the announcement on completion of filming had only May mentioned and the date of release missing in it.

The production house had won hearts when late last year, it paid tribute to the stuntmen who had worked on the film.

The production house had then released the footage of a four-wheeler turning turtle during the filming of a stunt sequence and offered their salutations to brave stuntmen, whose courage enabled film units to shoot such sequences.

The film has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs. For the unaware, producer Shareef Muhammed of Cubes Entertainments, best known for making the blockbuster 'Marco', is back with his next ambitious venture titled 'Kattalan', a high-octane pan-Indian action thriller that is being directed by Paul George.

While actor Antony Varghese (Pepe) and actress Rajisha Vijayan play the lead in the film, it will also feature Rapper Baby Jean, Telugu actor Sunil, best known for his performances in blockbusters like 'Pushpa: The Rise' (2021), 'Pushpa 2' (2024) and 'Jailer' (2023), actor Kabir Duhan Singh, known for his intense screen presence and powerful performances across multiple languages and veteran Malayalam actors Jagadeesh and Siddique in pivotal roles.

It may be recalled that the makers had also welcomed actor Parth Tiwari and actor Anson Paul on board the unit of the film. Prior to that, they had got on board promising talent Shon Joy. The model-turned-actor is best known for his performance in his debut film 'Alappuzha Gymkhana (2025)'. He is known to have a strong screen presence and is considered a promising talent.

Story for the film has been penned by Paul George, Joby Varghese and Jero Jacob. The dynamic trio is making its sensational writing debut with 'Kattalan'. Sources say that the writers have blended raw storytelling energy with cinematic vision to craft a gritty, high-stakes narrative that thrusts audiences deep into the world of power, betrayal, and the deadly missions.

The film has choreography by Sharief. Costumes for the film are by Dhanya Balakrishnan and cinematography is by Renadive. Editing for the film is by Shameer Muhammed.

--IANS

mkr/