THE CLIFF NEWS

Filmmaker Aanand L Rai is set to reunite with Dhanush for an upcoming project titled Tere Ishk Mein, which also stars Kriti Sanon. The film marks a return to the world of Raanjhanaa, the 2013 romantic drama that saw Dhanush make his Bollywood debut. Music maestro AR Rahman, who composed for Raanjhanaa, is also part of the team. The announcement was made through a special video shared by trade analyst Taran Adarsh, confirming that Tere Ishk Mein is slated for release on November 28, 2025. The film is written by Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav, with Aanand L Rai, Himanshu Sharma, Bhushan Kumar, and Krishan Kumar producing the venture. Notably, it will be released in both Hindi and Tamil. Speaking about the project in an interview, Aanand L Rai revealed that the film stems from his desire to revisit the themes of love and tragedy. He recalled that after directing Tanu Weds Manu in 2011, he was intrigued by the idea of handling a more tragic story, which led to Raanjhanaa. Now, more than a decade later, he is excited to see his own evolution in the genre. When asked about the similarities between Raanjhanaa and Tere Ishk Mein, the director emphasized that both films share themes of passion, rage, and aggressive love. However, he assured that this will be a fresh story, offering a different perspective on relationships. With a powerful team of collaborators and a story that promises to delve into the depths of intense love, Tere Ishk Mein is shaping up to be a highly anticipated cinematic experience.

Amazon MGM Studios, in collaboration with Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby, has announced the theatrical release date for its much-anticipated film, Superboys of Malegaon. The film will premiere on February 28, 2025, in India, the US, the UK, the UAE, Australia, and New Zealand. Directed by Reema Kagti and written by Varun Grover, Superboys of Malegaon features an ensemble cast, including Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora, and Anuj Singh Duhan. The film is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti under the banners of Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby. Inspired by real events, the film tells the story of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker from Malegaon, a small town in Maharashtra. In a place where Bollywood films provide an escape from daily struggles, Nasir decides to make a film for the people of Malegaon, by the people of Malegaon. He brings together a group of friends to fulfill his creative vision, capturing themes of friendship, resilience, and the transformative power of cinema. After receiving critical acclaim at prestigious film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the 68th BFI London Film Festival, the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and the Red Sea International Film Festival, the film is now set for its theatrical debut. Following its theatrical run, Superboys of Malegaon will be available for streaming on Prime Video, reaching audiences in India and over 240 countries and territories worldwide. With its heartwarming and inspirational narrative, the film promises to be a celebration of dreams, filmmaking, and the spirit of Malegaon.

A Mumbai court on Wednesday refused to extend the police custody of Mohammed Shariful Islam, a Bangladeshi national arrested in connection with the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan. Instead, the accused has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. Police Seek Extension for Further Investigation The prosecution argued that Islam had conducted a recce of Khan’s building before the attack and had made prior preparations. Officials also revealed that a team was in Kolkata investigating possible accomplices who aided Islam’s illegal entry into India and helped transfer money to his family in Bangladesh. Court Rejects Request The defense argued that the investigation was complete and that further police custody was unnecessary. The magistrate, after hearing both sides, denied the extension, stating:📌 “No fresh grounds have been noticed for extending police custody.”📌 Police can seek further custody only if new evidence emerges. Background of the Case 🔹 Date of Attack: January 16, 2025🔹 Location: Saif Ali Khan’s residence🔹 Incident: Attempted robbery gone wrong, leading to the attack🔹 Arrest: January 19, 2025, from Thane labour camp With Islam now in judicial custody, further investigations will focus on uncovering his possible network and entry route into India.

On Monday night at 8:40 PM, Air India’s Mumbai-bound flight AI 2957 sent an emergency signal to Delhi’s Air Traffic Control (ATC), indicating a possible hijack just after takeoff from Indira Gandhi International Airport. The distress signal immediately activated high-level security protocols, alerting the destination airport, security agencies, and the Indian Air Force. Swift Response Despite False Alarm Despite the pilot later clarifying that it was a false alarm, authorities did not assume it was an error. A former ATC official, speaking anonymously, explained the cautious approach:“ATC cannot assume that the pilot is not under duress. He could be at gunpoint, forced to declare everything is normal.” The flight, carrying 126 passengers, landed in Mumbai at 9:47 PM, where authorities had already declared a full emergency at 9:30 PM. An aerodrome committee was formed at Mumbai airport, and personnel from the local police, National Security Guard (NSG), and other stakeholders were deployed. The aircraft was moved to an isolation bay, and passengers were only allowed to deboard after an hour once security checks confirmed there was no threat. What Triggered the Alarm? According to Delhi airport officials, the situation arose when the aircraft’s transponder sent a ‘Squawk 7500’ code to Delhi ATC just after takeoff. The signal remained active for three minutes before being turned off. Understanding Squawk Codes:🔹 7500 – Unlawful interference (hijack) 🚨🔹 7600 – Radio communication failure 📡🔹 7700 – Aircraft emergency ⚠️ Since 7500 is specifically used for hijack situations, authorities treated it as a real threat until thorough verification was completed. Lessons from the Incident While this was a false alarm, it demonstrated the effectiveness of India’s aviation security protocols. The rapid mobilization of ATC, airport authorities, CISF, BCAS, IAF, and NSG ensured that all necessary precautions were taken. The incident highlights the importance of strict protocol adherence in aviation security, as any deviation could have catastrophic consequences. Authorities are now investigating the exact reason behind the false transponder signal.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reached a new milestone on Wednesday by successfully launching and placing the second-generation navigation satellite NVS-02 into orbit. The mission marked ISRO’s 100th rocket launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The GSLV-F15 rocket, carrying the NVS-02 navigation satellite, lifted off from the second launch pad at 6:23 AM, and within 19 minutes, it reached a 322.93 km geosynchronous transfer orbit. This mission strengthens India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, designed to provide accurate positioning, velocity, and timing (PVT) services across India and surrounding regions. Significance of the Launch ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan highlighted the organization’s achievements, stating that ISRO has launched six generations of rockets, placing 548 satellites into orbit, weighing a total of 120 tonnes—including 23 tonnes of 433 foreign satellites. Some of ISRO’s notable missions include the Chandrayaan series, Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1, and the record-breaking 104 satellites in a single launch. S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, expressed confidence in achieving the 200th launch milestone at a faster pace due to India’s evolving space ecosystem. GSLV and NVS-02: A Leap in Navigation This was the 17th flight of the GSLV rocket and the 11th flight using an indigenous cryogenic stage. It also marked the eighth operational flight of GSLV with a cryogenic stage. The 2,250 kg NVS-02 satellite will replace IRNSS-1E in the NavIC constellation. Similar to NVS-01, which was launched on May 29, 2023, NVS-02 is equipped with an indigenous atomic clock for precise timekeeping. It incorporates Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS), serving as a highly stable frequency reference for navigation. NavIC: India’s Independent Navigation System NavIC is India’s regional navigation satellite system, providing two types of services: NavIC ensures a position accuracy of better than 20 meters and timing accuracy of better than 40 nanoseconds across its coverage area, which extends 1,500 km beyond India’s landmass. Future Enhancements & Applications The NVS series (NVS-01 to NVS-05) is set to enhance the NavIC base layer with improved features, including L1 band signals for better adoption in mobile devices. Key applications of NavIC include:✅ Strategic applications✅ Terrestrial, aerial, and maritime navigation✅ Precision agriculture✅ Geodetic surveying✅ Fleet management✅ Location-based services on mobile devices✅ Satellite orbit determination✅ IoT-based applications✅ Emergency and timing services With this successful launch, ISRO continues to strengthen India’s position in global satellite navigation, enhancing its strategic and civilian capabilities. 🚀

At least seven people lost their lives, and around 10 others were injured in a tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in northern India on Wednesday. The incident occurred as tens of millions of devotees gathered for a holy dip on what is considered the most auspicious day of the six-week-long Hindu festival. The stampede took place between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. (1930-2030 GMT Tuesday) near the arena of the ascetics, where barricades had been installed to control the crowds. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath confirmed the incident and stated that the state administration was actively working to assist the victims. Despite the tragedy, he assured that the situation was under control, though the crowd remained immense. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in a post on X, mourning the loss of lives and assuring that local authorities were providing all possible support to those affected. However, he did not specify the exact number of casualties. A senior state official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, reported that more than seven people had died, and about 10 others sustained injuries. Videos and photographs from the aftermath depicted a heartbreaking scene, with bodies being carried away on stretchers, while distressed individuals sat on the ground weeping. Belongings such as clothes, shoes, backpacks, and blankets were scattered across the area as people fled the chaotic rush. A Reuters witness described seeing multiple dead bodies as ambulances rushed toward the riverbank, where the stampede occurred. Eyewitnesses recounted a massive push near the confluence of the three holy rivers—considered a particularly sacred site—which caused people to fall on top of one another. “We had barricades in front of us and police with batons on the other side. The push from behind was very powerful… people started falling,” said Vijay Kumar, a devotee from Patna who had traveled for the festival. “There were people lying all around. I don’t know if they were dead or alive.” A woman, who declined to share her name, told news agency that she and her mother were knocked down in the chaos. “People kept stepping on us,” she said, recalling the horrifying experience. Following the stampede, Chief Minister Adityanath urged attendees to avoid the affected area and cooperate with authorities to prevent further incidents. The tragedy has cast a shadow over the grand religious event, which attracts millions of pilgrims from across India and beyond.

In a significant development in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case, a Mumbai police team tracked down Khukumoni Sheikh, a 33-year-old woman from Nadia district, West Bengal, whose SIM card was found in the possession of Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad, the Bangladeshi national accused of attacking the actor at his Bandra home on January 16. Khukumoni, a widowed mother of three who works as a caregiver, was questioned thrice on Monday by the eight-member police team. While no immediate links between her and the suspect were established, she was instructed not to leave the jurisdiction of Krishnanagar police without informing authorities. The SIM Card Trail The investigation led the Mumbai police to Khukumoni after they traced the SIM card linked to her Aadhaar card. Khukumoni explained that she had lost her phone, along with the SIM card, a year ago while attending to a relative at NRS Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. “I called my number for two days until a man answered and claimed he was in Mumbai. He identified himself as being from Bangladesh and refused to return the SIM card,” Khukumoni told reporters. She admitted she never reported the loss to authorities. Police Investigation The Mumbai team initially visited her address listed on the Aadhaar card in Boro Angulia village but later traced her to her current residence in Jhitkapota village, where she lives with her aunt and youngest daughter. After questioning her and corroborating her account, the police found no discrepancies and allowed her to leave. Current Status While Khukumoni has been ruled out as a suspect for now, police continue to investigate how the SIM card ended up with Shahzad and whether it plays a larger role in the case. Khukumoni has been asked to remain available for further questioning if required. The case remains under investigation as authorities work to uncover the full scope of Shahzad’s activities and connections.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief serving a 20-year sentence for two rape cases, was granted parole for a month on Tuesday. His release from Haryana’s Sunaria jail comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled for February 5, raising eyebrows about the timing. According to police sources, Singh was released on Tuesday morning and will visit his ashram in Sirsa, Haryana, marking his first visit there since his conviction in 2017. Singh, who enjoys a massive following in states like Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, has previously been granted paroles that coincided with elections. Most recently, he was released in October 2024, just days before the Haryana Assembly elections. The timing of Singh’s parole has drawn criticism, with Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressing disappointment. Taking to social media platform X, she remarked, “Just release him already. At least the farce of repeated paroles will end and so will the pretence of providing justice to victimised women.” The Dera Sacha Sauda chief’s release has reignited debates over the role of influential religious figures in election dynamics. While his past paroles restricted him to his ashram in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, this parole allows him access to his Sirsa headquarters, a hub for his followers across Haryana districts such as Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, and Hisar. The decision has drawn attention to the potential political implications of Singh’s parole, especially considering his influence over a large voter base. As the elections approach, the move has sparked discussions about the intersection of politics and judicial decisions, as well as the broader impact on justice for his victims. 4o

The Madras High Court has rejected an application by Netflix India seeking dismissal of a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by actor-producer Dhanush’s production house, Wunderbar Films. The lawsuit revolves around alleged unauthorised use of behind-the-scenes footage from the movie Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in Netflix’s documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale. Justice Abdul Quddhose ruled against Netflix India’s plea and scheduled a hearing on Wunderbar Films’ interim injunction application for February 5, 2025. The Lawsuit Wunderbar Films, helmed by Dhanush, alleged that Netflix included behind-the-scenes footage from the 2015 movie Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in its 2024 documentary about actress Nayanthara without proper authorisation. Dhanush claimed the footage, along with costumes and set materials, constitutes intellectual property owned by the producer. Netflix India’s Defense Netflix India argued that the lawsuit was procedurally flawed because Dhanush sought permission to sue only Netflix India (Los Gatos) and not all defendants, violating the Copyright Act and the Letters Patent Act. The platform also pointed out that the plaintiff had not objected when a photo from the movie set was shared on social media in 2020, raising concerns only after the documentary’s release in 2024. Netflix further argued that the delayed lawsuit lacked urgency and bypassed the mandatory pre-suit mediation required under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act. Wunderbar Films’ Argument Senior Advocate PS Raman, representing Dhanush, countered that the intellectual property rights of the producer covered all movie-related materials, including behind-the-scenes footage. He explained that an email had been sent to Netflix after the documentary’s trailer release, asking them to refrain from using the footage. However, the full extent of the alleged infringement only became evident after the documentary’s release, prompting the lawsuit. What’s Next? The court has decided to proceed with the case and will hear Wunderbar Films’ interim injunction application on February 5, 2025. The decision to dismiss Netflix’s plea underscores the complexity of copyright disputes in the evolving digital content landscape.

The highly anticipated SSMB29, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, has taken a significant step forward, officially beginning production under the direction of the visionary SS Rajamouli. The film has already captured global attention, and recent updates have only added to the buzz. Earlier reports suggested that Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran was set to play a pivotal role in the film. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Prithviraj has opted out of the project. According to News24, Bollywood actor John Abraham has now been roped in to fill the role. John Abraham’s inclusion has sparked excitement among fans, and some of his scenes are reportedly scheduled to be shot in Hyderabad. SS Rajamouli teased the commencement of the project through a cryptic Instagram post, featuring himself holding a passport alongside a lion behind bars. The post, captioned “Captured,” all but confirmed the film’s production launch. Fans and cast members responded enthusiastically, with Mahesh Babu commenting, “Okkasaari commit ayithe naa maata nene vinanu” and Priyanka Chopra adding, “Finally,” showcasing their excitement. In preparation for the film, Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra recently attended a workshop in Hyderabad, where they participated in script-reading sessions and underwent look tests. These early preparations reflect the ambitious scale of the project, which promises to be a cinematic spectacle. With SS Rajamouli at the helm, SSMB29 is expected to be a landmark film that combines a stellar cast, high production values, and an engaging narrative. Fans eagerly await updates on this blockbuster-in-the-making, which is set to redefine Indian cinema on a global scale.