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Chennai, Sep 10 (IANS) Actress Gayathrie, who played one of the important characters of director Lokesh Kanakaraj's blockbuster 'Vikram', celebrated the film completing 100 days in theatres by sharing an interesting piece of information on her dying scene in the film.

Taking to Instagram, the actress said: "When an actor performs a dying scene in a movie, it is customary to take a shot of them waking up and smiling at the camera. Somewhat like telling the universe that the scene was just acting and that the actor is alive and well.

"While shooting for my scene in 'Vikram' we forgot to take that shot. Pressed for time, we couldn't move the lighting set up either. So, we got innovative and took these. To everybody asking, unga thala enga, Inga paarunga da!"

The actress also shared a couple of pictures, one in which her face is covered and the next in which she is seen standing next to director Lokesh Kanagaraj, sporting a smile.

Actor Kamal Haasan has also reacted with happiness to the news of the film completing a 100-day run in theatres. On Saturday, he shared an audio clip, expressing his gratitude to fans for the film's success.

--IANS
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Durham, Sep 10 (IANS) India captain Harmanpreet Kaur feels it is good for a cricketer to take a break from the game rather than pushing themselves too hard whenever they are feeling down due to mental fatigue.

Harmanpreet's comments come after England all-rounder and stand-in captain Nat Sciver pulled out of the white-ball series against India to focus on her mental health and well-being.

"We as a team discuss a lot on these things. Your performances go up and down, and it is better to take a break than pushing too hard in such times. As a team we want to help that player, and we are very open about players taking break when there is mental fatigue and things do not go as you want."

"Last year, I went through these things playing back-to-back cricket. This year, we had the Commonwealth Games, and the Hundred was there (back-to-back), but I wanted to take a break. Playing back-to-back does take a mental toll, and it is good to take a break at times (rather) than pushing too hard," said Harmanpreet ahead of first T20I at Durham.

In the past, Harmanpreet has been vocal about the benefits of having a mental psychologist around, in whom the players can confide about their mental struggles in challenging phases of their careers.

Harmanpreet herself had spoken eloquently about how having sports psychologist Dr Mugdha Bavare helped her in getting back to form ahead of the Women's ODI World Cup in New Zealand earlier this year. In the tournament, Harmanpreet made 318 runs, including a century and two fifties, averaging 53 and at a strike-rate of 91.64.

"When we were on the New Zealand tour, (Dr Bavare) was our go-to person and helped us a lot. I hope in future also we can get her with us, because right now we are paying too much attention to our physical fitness and skills. But mental skill is something we need to take seriously."

"She was there when I was going through a lot of things. She helped me a lot, and my family and friends were talking to me and telling me every day what I am and what I can bring to the team. I spent a lot of time with Mugdha, and got positive results. I started performing again, getting those runs I really wanted to get for my team."

In recent times, talismanic men's batter Virat Kohli had spoken about his mental fatigue during a prolonged lean patch, which resulted in him taking time off cricket for a month and a half. Though the men's team has a mental conditioning coach in Paddy Upton till Men's T20 World Cup, the women's team haven't got a same person in full-time capacity.

"We represent our country, and there is a lot of pressure. Sometimes you only put so much pressure on yourself because you know your game and your ability, and what you can do your country. So sometimes expecting too much can also pull you back. In such times, if you can go to someone and express yourself and get some ideas about how to go about your own things, it will help you ease out."

"How much ever big a player you are, after a point you need someone, a mental-skill coach, because mental health is as important as your physical fitness and skills. We need to have someone always with us because that is one part that is easily ignored - not only in sports field but even out of the field."

"If we can go to people who can help us on the mental aspects, things get easier and you feel relaxed, and you feel you have more areas where you can go and express yourself," concluded Harmanpreet.


--IANS

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Chennai, Sep 10 (IANS) Actress Amala Akkineni, whose performance in her just released bilingual film 'Kanam' has come in for widespread praise, said that she made sweets for her entire unit despite not having cooked for a while.

When asked about rumours that she had made sweets for the entire crew of 'Kanam', Amala said with a laugh: "Yes. In the movie I play the role of a mother, and one day, when I was asked, 'Ma, will you cook for us,' I didn't know what to say."

"How can I tell them that I don't know how to cook? So, I did it whole-heartedly. But it doesn't come as easyly when you don't cook daily.

"The entire crew came home and ate the whole thing. Poor things, everyone ate in silence. But I doubt if it actually tasted good. You just have to ask them."

The actress, who ruled the Tamil film industry with her brilliant performances before marrying Telugu star Nagarjuna and settling down in Hyderabad, said that her dubbing in Tamil for the film surprised director Shree Karthick.

She said: "I can speak Tamil well if given as a dialogue. But when I converse normally, I think in English and translate word by word into Tamil. So it will seem slow. As Telugu is my spoken language now, I mix it up with Telugu words too. But while dubbing, Shree Karthick was surprised. Because I will speak in Tamil first and it will be spot on. It was easier than Telugu."

--IANS
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Mumbai, Sep 10 (IANS) Actress Radhika Madan, who has started dubbing for 'Sanaa', said that the movie is going to be an unforgettable part of her journey as an actor.

Radhika said: "It's been exciting going back to this character and finding my voice for Sanaa again. Sudhanshu's storytelling aesthetics are exceptional and dubbing for his directorial is allowing me to relive the magical experience of shooting for it.

"'Sanaa' truly is going to be an unforgettable part of my journey as an actor."

Her upcoming movie is a relationship drama that revolves around a headstrong and ambitious woman, who is fighting an internal battle caused by unresolved trauma.

Director Sudhanshu Saria said: "Collaborating with Radhika, who perceives cinema the way I do has been fulfilling, fun and creatively enriching. She went to lengths to embody Sanaa to the best of her calibre."

"I'll always remember her looking determined to be this feisty girl on a journey to heal. I can't imagine any other actor bringing out what she has in Sanaa."

Produced by Four Line Entertainment, directed and written by Sudhanshu Saria, 'Sanaa' stars Radhika Madan, Pooja Bhatt, Shikha Talsania and Sohum Shah.


--IANS
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Chennai, Sep 10 (IANS) Director Lokesh Kanakaraj's 'Vikram', featuring actors Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil in the lead, has now completed a magnificent 100-day run in theatres.

The film, which continues to draw crowds to theatres despite having been released on OTT from July 8, has already grossed over Rs 400 crore from its box office collections worldwide.

Written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the explosive action thriller had its worldwide theatrical release on June 3, 2022.

A delighted Kamal Haasan took to social media to thank fans for the film's success. Posting an audio clip on Twitter, Kamal Haasan said: "With the support accorded by fans, 'Vikram' has now touched the 100-day mark in theatres. I am very happy. In my heart, I hug each and every one of you who have been admiring me beyond generations. My heartfelt thanks to each and every person who was responsible for 'Vikram''s victory. My wishes and love to younger brother Lokesh."

'Vikram', which has been showered with praises from people, continues to hog the spotlight. The movie hasn't just impressed Indian trade circles, but has left International markets awestruck as well.

'Vikram' has broken several box office records and has officially become the number one grosser in Tamil Nadu.

--IANS
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Chennai, Sep 9 (IANS) Director 'Siruthai' Siva, who is now working on a film featuring actor Suriya in the lead, on Friday disclosed that the film was being made in 3D and that it would be released in a whopping 10 languages.

Releasing a motion poster of the film, an explosive action entertainer that is tentatively being referred to as #Suriya42, Siva tweeted, "With the love and blessings of the Almighty, all the fans, media friends and cinema lovers."

The exciting motion poster has a hawk hovering over a battlefield in which knights are battling it out, while Suriya's character, dressed in the attire of a commander, is seen standing on a rock and observing the proceedings on the battlefield.

It is then that the motion poster makes the disclosure that the film is being shot in 3D and that it will be released in 10 languages. The poster also has the tagline, 'A mighty valiant saga'.

The motion poster has led many fans to wonder if 'Suriya 42' is a historical or a war film.

The film is being produced by Studio Green Gnanavel Raja and has music by Devi Sri Prasad. Disha Patani plays the female lead in this film, which has cinematography by Vetri Palanisamy, who had shot superhits like Ajith-starrer 'Veeram' and 'Vedalam'.

Richard Kevin, who did a fine job editing superhits like the critically acclaimed 'Vikram Vedha' and the recently released webseries 'Suzhal', has been brought onboard this film as its editor.

--IANS
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Mumbai, Sep 9 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has paid his tribute to Britain's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on Thursday aged 96.

Amitabh took to his blog and wrote: ".. and as we live another day, the life of another has ended .. the Queen, has passed away .. the Queen of England .. and a host of moments and memories go along with her and her presence."

He recalled how his father and legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan was in England when the Queen was crowned.

"Babuji was in England for his PhD, when she was crowned and the Coronation was the huge event of the moment in 1952 .. and the news and the books and the curious designed then were dutifully sent to me in Allahabad."

"Sets of make your own Coronation coach and the various monuments and the finery of a crowning in England were among us at 17, Clive Road, Allahabad and hours spent in building them and getting books and information presented in colourful books were our prized possession ...."

He added: "A private hand shake with her when she was a State Guest during my University days, to India and that exclusive moment at Rashtrapati Bhavan, among the four or five of us."

"The select group of invitees at Buckingham Palace during the time of Babuji's stay in Cambridge when at a private Tea he was called along with, other country guests .. the Indian Cricket team in particular - the likes of Vinoo Mankad, and Hazare and more .. and the signed autographs of them sent to us on the invitation card from the Palace .. now all lost or misplaced when we shifted from Allahabad to Delhi.

"The letters the books and objects of remembrance all lost .. pity .. because the idea of documentation or of reserve and storage in collectibles was never a consideration .. .. now as you look back .. the regret and remorse .."

--IANS
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Dubai, Sep 9 (IANS) Former India captain Virat Kohli said following his century-making effort against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup Super-Four stage that he had come into the tournament with only one goal -- to try and work on the things he needed to improve from a team's perspective.

"My only goal (coming into the Asia Cup) was that, all those things I needed to improve from the team's perspective, I will come and try in the tournament," said Kohli, who struck his 71st international century in the massive 101-run victory against Afghanistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday evening.

Kohli's maiden T20I century though came a tad late as India bowed out of the tournament after earlier losses to Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

"It was a very special day for us as a team. We had spoken after the previous match (loss against Sri Lanka) that we need to take the field (against Afghanistan) with a positive attitude, as that will matter a lot for us. This tournament was very important for us, definitely. We got the exposure of the knockout stages, we got exposed to pressure situations," added Kohli.

Kohli, however, said the main goal was the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November, for which the Asia Cup had given the team several learnings.

"But our goal, everyone knows, is the (T20) World Cup in Australia, and we are improving in all aspects of the game. We will learn from the matches (here) that did not go well for us," said Kohli.

Rohit Sharma complimented Kohli on his long-awaited 71st international century, saying the batting stalwart picked the gaps nicely and played some delectable shots in his century-making effort.

"71st hundred, the entire country was waiting. The time you have spent playing cricket, I'm sure this milestone was round the corner. I think today's innings was special because we wanted to end the tournament on a winning note. We saw a lot of things in your innings. You picked the gaps nicely, played some lovely shots and targeted the right bowlers," said Sharma in a video posted on BCCI.tv.

Kohli revealed the month-long break from cricket before the Asia Cup was the first time in his 13-14 years of professional career that he had not picked a cricket bat.

"Since the time I've come back to the side after the break... after 13-14 years, for the first time I did not touch the bat. A lot of things came into perspective," said Kohli, adding that support from the team played a huge role in his strong comeback.

"The support from you people (team), management... the communication was crystal clear that 'muhje khelne do' (let me play)... let me bat. I think that was very important for me because the space you all (teammates) gave me, it made me feel quite relaxed in this entire phase. And, when I returned (from the break), I was excited as to how I can contribute to the team," said Kohli.

Kolhi said he had to play the innings he played against Afghanistan in order to contribute more to the team's cause. The 33-year-old smashed an unbeaten 122 off 61 deliveries against Afghanistan on Thursday.

"I had to play this kind of an innings as the (T20) World Cup is ahead of us. If I play well, I can contribute more to the team. 3-4 days back Rahul (Dravid) bhai has spoken to me on batting first and how to optimally utilised the middle-overs phase... how I can improve my strike rate. My only goal was that all those things I needed to improve from the perspective f the team, I will come and try in the Asia Cup," added Kohli.

Kohli said he was pleasantly surprised, in fact shocked, after scoring his maiden T20I ton first following the enforced break.

"I didn't really expect (it). I was in fact shocked like many of you... that I would score a century in this format of the game first after such a long time. But I was pleasantly surprised, and I'm very grateful and honoured right now," added Kohli.

--IANS

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Srinagar, Sep 8 (IANS) Bollywood actor and film-maker, Sanjay Khan called on J&K Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar on Thursday.

The veteran actor discussed with the Lt Governor the promotion of film-related activities in Jammu & Kashmir.

The Lt Governor observed that the UT Government is taking effective measures to create a vibrant film ecosystem to bring back the golden era of filmmaking in J&K.

Key endeavours like New Film Policy, developing better facilities are aimed at transforming J&K into the most preferred film shooting destination, he added.

--IANS
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Chennai, Sep 8 (IANS) The unit of director Selvaraghavan's 'Naane Varuven', featuring actor Dhanush in the lead, has now released the first single 'Veera Soora' from the film much to the delight of fans and film buffs.

The unit, which had organised an exclusive listening session for the media on Wednesday at the Prasad Lab, later released the song on YouTube for the benefit of fans.

The dark, grim number, which has been sung by Yuvan Shankar Raja, has additional vocals from Sam, Shenbagharaj Narayanan and Muthu Sirpi.

In the song sequence, Dhanush, who is believed to be playing two characters including one with negative shades in the film, is seen driving through a forest and looking to hunt.

The song gives a glimpse of the negative character he plays in the film. Dhanush took to Twitter to announce the launch of the song. He tweeted: "'Veera Soora' -- The theme of the dark side from 'Naane Varuven'."

The lyrics for the song have been penned by director Selvaraghavan himself. The song has got a phenomenal response from fans, with Selvaraghavan announcing the number was trending with more than 2.5 million real-time views.

--IANS
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