India

Kochi:  For years, the cricketing world knew Sreesanth as a temperamental bowler who also sledged aggressively. On Thursday, it watched as Sreesanth threw in the towel on his cricketing career after damning revelations that he was in league with bookies, taking money to spot fix matches. While the BCCI will wait for the allegations to be proven before it takes a decision on the speedster’s career, back home in Kerala, the news has left behind many fans and friends very hurt and bitter. One of Sreesanth’s fans, Amal, says the pacer has shamed his home fans. “I am a great fan. He was such a huge talent, big talent but shame on Kerala and on Keralites. He was the only one from Kerala to play two World Cups, including Twenty20 and 50 overs. He was such a motivation,” says Amal. For many of the boys who were either inspired by Sreesanth or played with him and watched him rise to heights, the turn of events has left them feeling personally bitter and let down. (Read: Rajasthan Royals will cooperate with police investigation) Thyagarajan, a cricketer who played with Sreesanth, says he feels cheated. “IPL draws the maximum crowds. In Kochi, it used to be housefull. You don’t feel like watching the game now. You feel they are cheating everyone. But we play because we are passionate.  If he has done wrong, he should be banned, punished,” he said. Till just a couple of years ago, Sreesanth was among the first faces you would see at Kochi airport as he was brand ambassador for a leading Kerala-based company. But after the Kerala Express derailed on Thursday, most have been in a hurry to distance themselves from the cricketer. Leading the way was the Kerala government that asked for Sreesanth to be removed from posters of the state-owned Kerala Lottery, Karunya Lottery. (Read: ICC supports BCCI steps to deal with spot-fixing) Kerala Cricket Association secretary TC Mathew, among those who spotted Sreesanth’s talent in the player’s Under-13 days, recalls that Sreesanth had some personality issues that did not make him most popular among fellow cricketers. (Read: Jiju was like Sreesanth’s satellite, says TC Mathew) “When he started playing Under-13 for state, I was the selector. He used to say I will play for India. He was a character with determination. On the field, he was always emotional, challenging opponents, would quarrel with fellow cricketers. Out of the ground, he was a calm boy. Even when grown up, he would fight with talented, international cricketers, respected cricketers. He even fought with Sachin Tendulkar in the Challenger Trophy. He thinks aggression motivates him. He believes that. He is not a role model but motivates others. He was always encouraging fellow cricketers from Kerala. We thought that was a good sign,” he said. (Read: Spot-fixing probe: Former Ranji player Manish Budewa among three fresh arrests) Kerala no doubt feels disappointed, let down by what they see as the biggest cricketing star out of the state. But for a state with a sporting culture, love for cricket has now taken deep roots. So despite the setback, the game will go on. Story first published on: Monday, 20 May 2013 01:17 http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/208036-in-sreesanths-hometown-betrayed-fans-say-punish-him

Kerala Cricket Association secretary T.C. Mathew on Sunday revealed that India pace-bowler S. Sreesanth was indeed very close to Jiju Janardanan. “He [Jiju was] always around Sreesanth [like] a satellite. We used to see him around Sreesanth not only in Kerala but abroad also. When Sreesanth moves in the city he [Jiju] is always seen in his car. We thought, [perhaps] he is a close friend of Sreesanth,” Mr. Mathew told a news channel. “Being a Malayali, he is eligible to play for Kerala. That’s why, maybe, Sreesanth brought him here — to help him make it to the Ranji squad,” he said. Janardanan was among the 11 bookmakers arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with alleged spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League matches. “We never suspected his intentions. One thing people used to know about him was that he was always around Sreesanth,” said Mr. Mathew. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jiju-was-like-sreesanths-satellite-says-kerala-cricket-official/article4730522.ece

Musician Gopi Sundar, who has created a super hit and associated row for his remix of the folk song ‘Ammayi’ in the movie ‘Ustad Hotel’  seems to still  love the original . He has again recorded the song, this time, in its very original tune. This folk number will appear for the movie ‘ Nikkah’ which will feature Maqbool Salman in the lead. Told in the backdrop of a Muslim Nikkah, the movie song will also feature special touches from Mappilapattu exponent Eranjoli Moosa. Gopi says he is trying to post the orginal tune so that people who came up with baseless allegations about lifting and plagiarism can correct themselves and see how much changes he has inducted into the base lyrics and tunes. http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/93726.html

T K Rajeev Kumar’s ‘Up Down Mukalil Oraalundu’ is all set to eye for the record for a movie whose relase has been shifted the most. The movie which was announced to be on theatres from today   has been postponed once again. This time , the shift in release came even after the mandatory advertisements announcing the release of the film today in the popular dailies. The reason for this shift at the last minute, even after the premier show that was held last day is not yet clear.. The film which tells about a group of people stuck inside an elevator has  Indrajith as a lift operator . Ganesh Kumar, Meghna Raj, Pratap Pothen , Rejith Menon, Sruti Menon and Nandu plays the others, trapped inside  the lift. Produced by Blue Mermaid Picture Company, the movie has screenplay by Sunny Joseph and Manuel George, while the dialogues are by Indugopan. http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/93727.html

As one of the Kerala’s poster boy , Sreeshanth,  is in the verge of handing big shame for the state for his alleged scandalous, behind the curtain deals in relation to cricket, the most known new generation actor from Kerala ‘Prithviraj, will be eyeing for a big Bollywood stature with his second Hindi release today. Pinning all eyes on his second release ‘Aurangazeb’ with actor Arjun Kapoor, Prithviraj, plays a Hariyanvi cop in this movie produced by Yashraj films. The movie ‘s success will ensure the free landing of Prithvi to more greener pastures and projects in Hindi. Meanwhile, his latest Mollywood release ‘Mumbai Police’  with director Roshan Andrews has been doing well and in all probabilities will end up as a hit. http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/93728.html

After their famous hits like ‘Runway’, Dileep will soon wait for orders from senior director Joshy to don another role of a hitman. He will be doing so for the new film titled ‘Saddham Shivan’ which will have him in the title role. ‘Saddham Shivan’  will be scripted by Vyasan Edavanakaad, the unofficial  media manager of the Dileep gang.The movie to start its shoot by August will be produced by Sibi K Thomas- Udhay Krissna, Dileep Kunnath and Vyasan Edavanakkad in the banner of 4B productions. http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/93733.html

‘Kamasutra 3D’ the movie is finally grooving its magic at the International platform breaking its wait! The movie on reaching Cannes celebrates the 100th birthday of Indian Cinema and its pre release hype. The very excited Sherlyn Chopra, the director Rupesh Paul and the Executive Producer, Sagar Thackar with Mitesh Patel, is raving over this international stage.The team is hoisting their flag with its much awaited second exclusive trailer release while announcing its international sales rights. Not to follow late would be its presentation of the special edition of Kamasutra book. The excitement to-the-peak would lie in the special screening of Kamasutra 3D’s unedited version of its first schedule. In short, The Kamasutra 3D team is certainly raising the tempo high at the Cannes Film Festival…not to forget the hottie, Sherlyn Chopra! http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/93747.html

Indian Cinema that buckled up with ‘Raja Harishchandra’, is all enjoying its 100th year. And embracing it is Kamasutra 3D and its team, joining the spirit of its celebrations on the go… With due regards from this International stage, India is spreading its wings at this platform with all the Indian films that are part of the festival this time. The home of Bollywood bags the third position to being honored by the festival organizers this year, following Egypt in 2011 and Brazil last year. Also the Cannes general delegate, Thierry Frmaux, takes his pride while praising the country as the most important amongst the world of cinema. Kamasutra 3D, being amongst the most anticipated movies of Indian Cinema is also enjoying a similar hype with while being getting praised for its bold and unique attempt as well as putting itself in the Indian kitty. One of the main attractions of the Kamasutra 3D at the Cannes Film Festival is the launching of the book, in the days to come, marking the ongoing spirit of the Indian Cinema’s birthday bash, there. Well, now that the movie is already an international eye candy, how can we leave behind its Indian Princess, the actress of the film, Sherlyn Chopra, who is just loving as the centre of attraction in this gala festival while cajoling up to the shutterbugs who just can’t stop clicking more and more of her! http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/93759.html

Director Aashiq Abu , inspite of his path breaking hits, has remained a  relatively silent man when speaking about his personal affairs. Only in some online forums was he more active than in person. Rima kallingal, the state award winning actress has earlier hinted about a love affair with a person not from her actor fraternity. And so the journalists and gossip mongers really found it difficult to link them, though their love story has blossomed years back.Anyway , after that big revelation by Aashiq Abu about his love for Rima, the actress also came out and cleared off any doubts about their affair. Rima maintains that they are going to tie the marital knot soon, mostly by next year.Rima was talking to a magazine while revealing her plans for marriage. Meanwhile, Aashiq Abu will start shooting for his next film ‘Idukki Gold’ from this week. http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/93760.html

A powerful storm system rumbled through the plains and upper Midwest on Sunday, spawning tornadoes that damaged roofs and structures near Oklahoma City and kicked up debris in Wichita, Kansas.