Vadodara, Feb 6 (IANS) Royal Challengers Bengaluru off-spin bowling all-rounder Shreyanka Patil said their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 triumph was ‘very special’ and dedicated the victory to skipper Smriti Mandhana, citing challenges the skipper faced in the last few months.

RCB’s six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara sealed their second WPL crown, with Smriti’s 87 and Georgia Voll’s 79 forming the backbone of the chase. “Would love to mention three people - number one, Smriti, because she has gone through a lot in the last couple of months. Would love to dedicate this win to her.

“Malo and Anya. Today is Anya's son's birthday - first year. And again, Malo - first time he's the head coach and it's a special win for all of us,” said Shreyanka to broadcasters after the title win was sealed.

Shreyanka, who returned to the side this season after missing last year due to a shin injury, said the triumph was particularly meaningful. "Very special for me. My comeback WPL season. Couldn't have asked for more. Lovely crowd here - supported us throughout, no matter what. 200 on the board, but they had that faith and belief in us.

“I thank each and every member who has come out and supported us. Also, the people watching us in Bangalore and Karnataka would like to say big thanks to you guys," she said.

She added that the positive atmosphere in the dugout had been crucial in chasing down 204. "After the first innings got over, me and Aru (Arundhati Reddy) and I were walking towards the dugout and were like 'we're going to pull this off'. We had that very positive environment in the dugout. That's how the dugout has been throughout the season. We win, we lose, we never stop smiling," said Shreyanka.

Reflecting on the final moments, Shreyanka admitted she was stunned by the dramatic finish. "I'm still in shock - the last ball, the bails fell, and the ball went to the boundary, and I'm like, what's happening. Is it a hit wicket, is it a boundary, what should I do? And I'm like 'Malo, what is it?' and he was like 'we won'."

Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Radha Yadav, who hit the winning runs, praised the management’s role in supporting the players and preparing them for high-pressure situations. "Everyone is very happy. This team has worked very hard. The management has backed the players and given us whatever we asked for. They've actually given us more than we asked for. This win is for them.

“As players, we put in the hard work - sometimes we get the result, sometimes we don't. But the hard work put in by the management - hats off to them. We used to do situational practice - trying to achieve a certain number of runs in a certain number of balls. Our management helped a lot. Whatever skills we had, how can we improve on those? They backed us to find those ways," she said.

Radha also said the team had benefited from a short break before the final. " Can do better. Haven't played to my potential yet. Will keep working hard, and maybe I'll win us a World Cup, you never know, we'll see. We had gone for a little trip. Took time off (in the last few days) and didn't think about cricket at all.

“Was the management's decision to give us some time off so that we come back fresh and recharged. (wWheredoes this win rank for you?) My first IPL title. The World Cup is obviously first and above all. This comes second," she said.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Feb 5 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday congratulated the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) women’s team for lifting their second Women’s Premier League (WPL) trophy after defeating the Delhi Capitals by seven wickets.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated, "Once again, the RCB women’s team has lifted the WPL trophy. It was a joy to watch our RCB team, which delivered outstanding performances throughout the tournament, emerge as champions by defeating the Delhi team in today’s final."

"Congratulations to our RCB women for winning the trophy through a united and determined fight. The performance of the Delhi team, which fought hard for victory till the very end, is also commendable. Ee Sala Cup Namdu," CM Siddaramaiah.

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has congratulated the RCB women’s team for their spectacular victory over the Delhi team in the Women’s Premier League.

He said that the RCB women, by winning the 2026 Women’s Premier League title, have written yet another proud chapter in women’s cricket, and extended his heartfelt congratulations to the team.

Under the inspirational leadership of Smriti Mandhana and with the excellent, collective performance of every team member, the RCB women delivered a top-class display to clinch their second championship, he said.

This remarkable achievement, he added, has once again inscribed in golden letters the glorious legacy of dedication, discipline and excellence shown by women sportspersons in India, Kumaraswamy said.

BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra stated, "Ee Sala Nu Cup Namde! (The cup is ours this time as well). Congratulations to the RCB Women for lifting the WPL trophy for the second time and stamping their authority as the most dominant team of the season. A campaign filled with consistency, confidence, and champion spirit. Proud moment for every fan!"

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title after beating Delhi Capitals by six wickets at the BCA Stadium at Kotambi in Vadodara on Thursday.

After captain Jemimah Rodrigues top-scored with 57 to take DC to 203/4, RCB completed the highest successful chase in a WPL final in 19.4 overs with immaculate ease.

The victory also made RCB the first team to win the title after finishing top of the group stage standings, and the first franchise to hold both IPL and WPL crowns simultaneously.

Captain Smriti Mandhana produced her finest WPL innings, scoring 87 off 41 balls, laced with 12 fours and three sixes.

--IANS

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Gandhinagar, Feb 5 (IANS) Gujarat has taken a significant step in strengthening healthcare and regional development with the introduction of 14 advanced MRI machines and the inauguration of 31 development projects in Kheda district.

The new MRI machines, each featuring 1.5 Tesla technology and valued at Rs 12.75 crore, have been purchased at a total cost of Rs 178.54 crore on Thursday.

They will be installed at GMERS and Civil Hospitals in Dharpur, Vadnagar, Valsad, Junagadh, Navsari, Rajpipla, Godhra, Porbandar, Morbi, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Jamnagar, and Visnagar.

The machines are expected to provide patients with faster, more accurate, and high-quality diagnostic services, improving access to affordable healthcare across the state.

On the same day, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated 31 development projects worth over Rs 348 crore in Kheda district, coinciding with the establishment of the new Fagvel taluka.

Thirteen projects, valued at over Rs 234 crore, were formally inaugurated, while 18 projects, worth more than Rs 113 crore, had their foundation stones laid.

The initiatives cover irrigation, water supply, roads, buildings, health services, and animal husbandry.

Paying respects to Veer Bhathiji Maharaj in Fagvel, CM Patel said: “Fagvel is a land of bravery and devotion, recognised not only in Gujarat but across India. In 2002, Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the Gujarat Gaurav Yatra from this sacred land, and today this development journey has reached a global scale under his leadership.”

He added: “Under the Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana, 114 villages without municipal status will receive city-level facilities. This scheme will soon expand to larger villages with populations exceeding 10,000. Land for the Fagvel Taluka Service Centre has already been allocated, and within a year, citizens will have access to a modern administrative facility.”

Cabinet Minister Raman Solanki described the occasion as “a new dawn of development” for Fagvel.

He said the inauguration of irrigation, water supply, and rural infrastructure projects would transform the region and improve public welfare.

State Revenue Minister Sanjaysinh Mahida observed: “Kheda, previously known for tobacco (golden leaf) production, is now advancing rapidly towards comprehensive development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.”

The event was attended by senior ministers, MLAs, district officials, municipal authorities, and residents.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Feb 5 (IANS) A popular social media influencer from Kolkata was arrested on Thursday evening on charges of forcibly detaining and molesting his girlfriend.

The influencer, identified as Shamik Adhikary, who goes by the name ‘Nonsane’, has a large following on social media.

The 22-year-old woman alleged that he held her captive in his home for approximately 20 hours.

During this time, she claimed she was physically assaulted and threatened.

The woman has since filed a complaint with the police.

According to the police, the accused is a resident of Behala, and the complainant is his girlfriend.

On February 2, she went to the influencer’s house due to their friendship.

She alleged that he unlawfully detained her in his home from 9.30 p.m. that night until 5 p.m. the following day.

During this time, she claimed she was beaten and punched.

She also alleged that he touched her inappropriately and pulled at her clothes.

They were reportedly arguing over an issue, and the accused also allegedly threatened her.

On Wednesday, the young woman filed a written complaint against the young man at the Behala police station in south Kolkata.

Based on the complaint, the police registered an FIR against the social media influencer under Sections 127(2), 115(2), 74, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

On Thursday, the influencer was arrested.

The accused has a significant following on Facebook, with around 32,000 followers.

He also has over 1,000 followers on Instagram.

Since the allegations came to light, his followers have been vocal in their condemnation, expressing outrage on social media.

The accused has not yet made any public statement.

He is known to be a critic of the state government and had previously made reels about the safety and security of women in the state.

Following his arrest, BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya slammed the administration for allegedly targeting social media influencers.

“West Bengal under Mamata Banerjee has turned into a dictatorial regime, where valid criticism is answered not with facts or reform, but with fake, malicious FIRs and fabricated cases.

“One after another, activists and voices who embarrass the Trinamool Congress are being targeted, subjected to relentless character assassination, intimidation, and police action,” Malviya wrote in a social media post.

“A social media influencer whose video highlighted how women are unsafe in Bengal has suddenly been accused of assaulting a female friend. No one knows when this alleged incident occurred.

“No one knows why the so-called victim never spoke earlier. No facts are in the public domain. Yet, a complaint is filed, right on cue,” he said.

Malviya further criticised senior Trinamool Congress leaders for allegedly indulging in character assassination of the influencer.

“This is the TMC’s model of governance: Muzzle free speech, intimidate critics, weaponise the police and destroy reputations to stay in power.

“But Bengal is watching. And Bengal will not stay silent. BJP will stand with every individual victimised by Mamata Banerjee’s regime.

“Together with the people of West Bengal, we will defeat fear, expose abuse of power, and restore democracy. This is not justice. This is political persecution. And it will end,” he added.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Feb 5 (IANS) Responding to criticism by the BJP against the Congress-led government over the Metro fare hike, Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said that the issue does not fall under the jurisdiction of the state government and that no proposal in this regard has been received by him so far.

Reacting to the BJP’s criticism of the state government, Shivakumar said party leaders should raise the issue with their own Union ministers and questioned whether they were capable of doing so.

Clarifying whether the Metro fare hike is decided by the state or the Centre, he said the matter does not come under the state government’s purview.

“The committee is headed by a Union government secretary. Though there are four representatives from the state, the final decision rests with the Centre,” he said.

Responding to MPs Tejasvi Surya and P.C. Mohan’s claim that the state government could change committee members to regulate fares, Shivakumar questioned how such a change was possible and said they should first get approval to appoint a Karnataka representative as committee chairperson.

He added that the Centre contributes only 12–13 per cent to Metro projects and that an agreement had earlier been signed for the committee to be headed by a central official.

Asked whether the state government had given its consent for the Metro fare hike, he said the issue does not concern the state government and there was no discussion with them.

“Since there was no discussion, it was not placed before the Cabinet or the Chief Minister,” he said.

On whether Bengaluru Metro fares are expensive compared to other cities, he said he would compare fares with those cities.

On a possible water tariff hike, he said there is no discussion on the issue at present.

On ward reservation for Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections, he said the process would be carried out by the concerned committee and does not fall under his purview.

When asked about statements by MLAs and Satish Jarkiholi that the high command should resolve power-sharing issues soon, he declined to comment, saying it was not the time for political discussion.

On reports of MLAs being sent abroad or to Goa, he said he was unaware of any such move and had not been involved in such discussions.

Asked about his travel plans to Delhi, he said he would be visiting Mangaluru on Friday, Raichur the next day and then Gadag, adding that official travel schedules would be released by the secretariat.

On whether he expected to be called to Delhi, as suggested by some high command leaders, he said he would inform the media if and when he goes.

When asked about the Upper Krishna Project, he said the Cabinet has already taken a decision and that all projects he has decided to implement would be brought to the final stage within the next two-and-a-half years.

He said he does not make empty promises and that historic decisions have been taken for Karnataka and Bengaluru, with visible changes expected in the next two to three years.

On a possible Cabinet reshuffle, he said the question should be addressed to the Chief Minister.

He further stated, “We plan to complete the first phase of the Bengaluru Business Corridor project within the next one-and-a-half years.”

On the absence of central budgetary support for tunnel roads and Bengaluru, he said the Centre has not provided any assistance.

“Tunnel road projects are based on the build-operate model, with the government contributing only 40 per cent, and project developers will have to take the risk,” he said.

Shivakumar also said that the Deputy Head of Mission of Denmark, Martin Petersen, and the High Commissioner of South Africa met him on Thursday and expressed interest in starting industries in Karnataka and Bengaluru.

They showed interest in investing in education, technology, innovation and tourism sectors and met him to strengthen ties.

He assured them of all necessary support from the state government and noted that Bengaluru is the only city in India, apart from Delhi, where Denmark has an office.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Feb 5 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday watched a special premier show of the Hindi film ‘Godaan’ at his official residence, a day ahead of its nationwide release.

After watching the full film, CM Majhi informed the media persons that the Hindi movie Godaan will be made tax-free after its release in Odisha.

In another key announcement, the Chief Minister declared that the state government will set up two dedicated research centres, ‘Go Asundhan Kendra’ for indigenous cow breeds and cow-based products. A detailed project report (DPR) for the initiative will be prepared within the next three months.

Speaking on the occasion, he said Godaan brings to light a historical truth linked to the cow protection movement and the sacrifices made by priests and social reformers during that period.

“Through this film, an important chapter of history has been presented with clarity and purpose,” he said.

Praising the film for its strong social message, the Chief Minister said it effectively highlights India’s cultural values, Sanatan traditions, and the significance of cow protection in Indian society.

Majhi also noted that the film beautifully portrays the central place of the cow in Sanatan Dharma, Indian family values, and cultural traditions.

He added that the storyline also exposes how certain elements misuse gaushalas for personal gain and how illegal activities threaten India’s cultural and social fabric.

Emphasising the educational value of the film, CM Majhi said it will help inculcate moral values and cultural awareness among children and families.

“The film presents family traditions and values in a way that will positively influence society, especially the younger generation,” he said.

Referring to health and sustainable living, the Chief Minister spoke about the benefits of traditional practices such as Panchagavya, including curd, ghee, cow urine and other cow-based products.

He said adopting such practices can help reduce dependency on pesticide-laden food and contribute to a healthier, disease-free India. The Chief Minister further stated that a strong Cow Protection Law will be introduced in Odisha in the future.

“The government is committed to strengthening cow protection. If required, we will also hold discussions with the Centre to ensure effective legal and institutional support,” he said.

Urging people to watch the film with their families, CM Majhi said 'Godaan' not only offers meaningful entertainment but also inspires viewers to take a positive pledge towards cultural preservation, cow protection, and rural self-reliance.

Notably, ‘Godaan’ tells the story of Surbhi, an Indian cow who transforms a modern scientist's beliefs. Her presence leads to discoveries in Panchgavya-based medicine, sustainable living, and the spiritual science behind cow reverence.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Feb 5 (IANS) During the discussion on the Governor's Address in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Leader of the Opposition, Tika Ram Jully launched a scathing attack on the Bhajan Lal Sharma government, accusing it of poor governance masked by statistical jugglery.

Blending hard data with literary references, Jully said the BJP government should remember that it is not the master of the people but merely a trustee.

Addressing the House, he stated that out of 2,717 promises made across the last two state budgets, only 754 -- just 27 per cent -- have been fulfilled.

He remarked sarcastically that BJP MLAs who praise the party's manifesto are themselves unaware of the number of promises it contained.

He pointed out that half of the government's term has already elapsed, yet only 18-20 per cent of last year’s announcements have translated into action on the ground.

Jully questioned whether there was even a single farmer in the state whose millet crop had been procured at the minimum support price (MSP).

He accused the government of mismanagement in moong and groundnut procurement in the Bikaner and Jodhpur divisions.

Highlighting failures in the education sector, he said the tender for providing scooties to 60,000 meritorious girl students was cancelled under the pretext of rules and procedures.

Referring to the Uniform Scheme, he said that against the promised Rs 1,200, only Rs 600 was disbursed, and economically weaker children from the general category were excluded.

Drawing a contrast, he said that while the Prime Minister wears a suit worth Rs 10 lakh, children under the “double-engine government” receive only Rs 600 for school uniforms.

The Leader of the Opposition stated that even after 26 months, the government cannot cite a single recruitment process that was initiated and completed during its tenure.

He said that in the first 19 months, not even one new recruitment notification was issued.

He also protested the neglect of the Valmiki community in sanitation worker recruitments and the failure to provide out-of-turn appointments to medal-winning sportspersons.

Jully alleged that a Rs 456 crore solar tender and an advance payment of Rs 46 crore constituted a scam flourishing under government patronage.

Attacking the government’s flagship ‘Rising Rajasthan’ initiative, he said: “Out of the claimed Rs 35 lakh crore in investments, only 22 per cent (Rs 8 lakh crore) are operational. Of this, Rs 6.5 lakh crore is concentrated in the solar sector, which generates negligible employment. Why is the government afraid of making the list of MOUs public?”

He criticised the renaming of the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship Scheme and the reduction of seats from 300 to 150, questioning why a scheme enabling students to pursue quality education abroad was discontinued.

Taking a dig at the Chief Minister’s convoy, Jully said the spectacle of stopping at red lights was merely symbolic, while ordinary citizens continue to remain stuck in traffic jams for hours.

He concluded with a sharp political barb, saying that while officers may keep changing, the Chief Minister should remain in office for the entire five-year term.

--IANS

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Imphal, Feb 5 (IANS) At least five people were injured on Thursday evening after a mob clashed with security forces in Kuki-Zo tribal-dominated Churachandpur district of Manipur amid protests against MLAs from the community joining the BJP-led government, officials said.

A police official in Imphal said that protesters, mostly youths, gathered at Tuibong Bazaar, torched heaps of discarded materials and burnt tyres while raising slogans against Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, a BJP MLA belonging to the Kuki-Zo community.

The situation escalated when central and state security forces attempted to disperse the crowd. The mob initially outnumbered the security personnel and resorted to heavy stone-pelting, prompting the forces to carry out a baton charge to bring the situation under control.

Additional security personnel were later deployed in the trouble-hit areas to prevent further escalation. At least five protesters sustained minor injuries in the incident, the police official said.

The situation remains highly tense, with senior security officials rushing to the area to oversee efforts to restore normalcy, the official added. Tensions have been simmering in Churachandpur district since Wednesday evening after Kipgen, who hails from Kangpokpi district, virtually took oath as Deputy Chief Minister from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi.

Several Kuki-Zo organisations have called for a shutdown in Churachandpur district on Friday and announced plans to hold demonstrations in Kuki-Zo tribal-inhabited areas of other districts.

Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribal community, on Thursday declared a social boycott of all Kuki-Zo MLAs who participated in the formation of the Manipur government.

Three of the ten MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community -- Nemcha Kipgen, L.M. Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate -- have so far been involved in the government formation process.

Of the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs, seven, including Kipgen, Khaute and Sanate, belong to the BJP, while the remaining three are affiliated with local Kuki-Zo organisations.

--IANS

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Chennai, Feb 5 (IANS) Tamil star Sivakarthikeyan on Thursday offered prayers at the world famous Tiruchendur Murugan temple along with his entire family.

Aarthy Sivakarthikeyan, the wife of the popular Tamil star, took to Instagram to post a picture of the entire family in front of the temple. She wrote in Tamil,"Velundu Vinai illai, Mayilundu Bayamillai, Guhanundu Kuraiillai Maname" which when translated in English means, "My heart, the spear ( of Lord Murugan) is there, so no problems will be there. Have no fear as the peacock (the peacock is the mount or vahana of Lord Murugan) is there. There is Guhan (another name of Murugan), so there will be no shortages."

Sivakarthikeyan, who spoke to mediapersons after worshipping at the temple, said that he had already decided the director, producer and the content of his next film and that a formal announcement would be made soon.

Meanwhile, the actor's production house, Sivakarthikeyan Productions, which is presenting Radhika Sarathkumar's comedy drama 'Thaai Kelavi', on Thursday, released the first single from the film, 'Thaai Kizhavi Vaaraa'.

Taking to its X timeline, the production house shared the link to the first single and wrote, " High on energy. Strong on rhythm. #ThaaiKizhaviVaaraa from #ThaaiKizhavi is out now. In the voice of our @Siva_Kartikeyan. A @nivaskprasanna musical. #KarumathurManimaran #ThaaiKizhaviFromFeb20."

For the unaware, the film has been directed by Sivakumar Murugesan and features actress Radhika Sarathkumar in the lead. The makers have already announced that the film would hit screens worldwide on February 20 this year.

At the time of releasing the film's teaser, Sivakarthikeyan Productions had said, " Every film begins with belief - belief in a story and the voice that tells it. This is a story we believed in from the start,and a film we’re grateful to stand by. Here’s our #ThaaiKizhavi. With this film, we introduce a new storyteller - @Dir_SivakumarM."

The production house further said, "We’re excited to present @realradikaa ma’am in a role that reflects her enduring grace, depth, and an inspiring new dimension. Worldwide release on 20 February, 2026."

--

IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 5 (IANS) Actress Harshita Gaur, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’, has shared her experience of working on the film. The actress shared that she celebrated a working birthday on the sets of the film, and her co-actor Ali Fazal called for a cook to make the occasion special, and prepare a meal for the entire production.

The fan-favourite series that has long enjoyed cult status among audiences is officially set to make its big-screen debut with ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’. It brings together its iconic characters in a larger-than-life cinematic experience, the film promises to elevate the gritty, raw world of Mirzapur while staying rooted in the soul that made the series a phenomenon.

Talking about the film, the actress shared , “‘Mirzapur’ has been a journey of immense growth for me, not just as an actor, but as a person. Dimpy came into my life at a very formative stage of my career, and I feel like I’ve grown up with her. Over the years, I’ve understood her silences, her strength, and her pain far more deeply. I’m incredibly grateful to this character for challenging me, shaping me, and trusting me to tell her story”.

She further mentioned, “For the film, we actually shot in Mirzapur for the very first time, which made the experience incredibly authentic and special. Being there, in the real lanes and locations, added a whole new emotional layer to the process. One of my most cherished memories is shooting on my birthday night”.

“Ali Fazal very sweetly called for a khansama for the entire production. In the middle of all the celebration, I ended up eating mutton galouti kebabs thinking they were mushroom galoutis, which still makes all of us laugh! These little moments truly made the journey even more memorable”, she added.

Apart from Harshita Gaur, Mirzapur: The Movie also brings back the ensemble cast that has defined the series’ legacy, including Ali Fazal, Abhishek Banerjee, Divyendu, Sheeba Chadha, Pankaj Tripathi, Jitendra Kumar, Rajesh Tailang, among others.

The film is set to release in cinemas on September 4, 2026.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, Feb 5 (IANS) Hollywood filmmaker Sean Baker and actress Michelle Yeoh are joining forces for a new project, which will world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival later this month.

The film titled ‘Sandiwara’ marks the return of the ‘Anora’ director to his iPhone-shooting roots. The film is touted to be an “immersive cinematic experience”, reports ‘Variety’.

The film is being made in collaboration with the London-based fashion house Self-Portrait. It’s the first film from Self-Portrait’s Residency program, which launched last year with the aim of inviting creatives “from all disciplines into the brand to design using their own distinctive style”, the release states.

The initiative provides Self-Portrait’s “infrastructure, platforms, resources, teams and distribution network to spotlight and promote external creatives, offering them the freedom to dream and create”.

As per ‘Variety’, the film stars Yeoh as five different characters, and is set in a Malaysian night market.

A synopsis for the film states that it “moves beyond fashion and into the world of cinema and storytelling to capture the heart of Malaysian culture. Each character tells their own unique story and represents a facet of Malaysian culture rarely explored”.

The film gets its title from the Malay word for “drama, theatrical performance or play” and was shot in Penang.

The Berlin Film Festival will host a special screening of ‘Sandiwara’ on February 13, followed by a conversation between the director and actor. Baker will also be on hand at the Berlinale’s opening ceremony on February 12 to present Yeoh with this year’s Honorary Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement. The Berlin Film Festival runs from February 12 to February 22, 2026.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, Feb 5 (IANS) Hollywood actress-singer Lily Allen has shared that she is addicted to "material things". The 40-year-old singer-actress is recovering after spending years dealing with drug and alcohol issues.

She has now shared that she's swapped one addiction for another and now uses shopping as an "escape", revealing she tries to "get rid" of her money by splashing her cash on "designer goods", reports ‘Female First UK’.

She told Elle, "(Addiction is) a need to escape myself. And to find something to help me with that ... Because I am unbearable. Unbearable. And alcohol and drugs numb you to that. So does sex, food, spending money, conflict. If I have an addiction, it’s to material things”.

She further mentioned, “I don’t believe that I am worthy of the things that I have in the world or money that I make, so a part of me tries to get rid of it. And designer goods are a really good way of doing that. I also feel titillated by the idea of running out of money. It drives me”.

As per ‘Female First UK’, Lily went on to reveal her recent purchases include a Porsche 911 Carrera sports car, a painting and an emerald ring. She added of the USD 1,62,762 car, "I feel a bit silly, but also I’ve always wanted one ... I don’t like to be too comfortable”.

When asked if she feels "happier on the edge?", the singer replied,"Yes, but that’s not healthy. Because if I felt like a complete, whole, full person, then I would think I was worthy of
having a nice house and paying off my mortgage and doing the weekly shopping”.

Lily added that she "really likes pretty things" and has kept a large collection of fashion pieces that she's planning to share with her two daughters, Ethel, 14, and Marnie, 13. The revelation comes after Lily revealed she narrowly avoided a nasty accident when a lorry ran her new Porsche "off the road" last month.

--IANS

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