THE CLIFF NEWS

The everyman-versus-the-system trope has produced cinematic gems like Naseeruddin Shah’s A Wednesday (2008). Unfortunately, Hisaab Barabar, starring R Madhavan, falls short of delivering the same impact. Despite Madhavan’s sincere efforts as Radhe Mohan Sharma, a ticket collector with a knack for math, the film stumbles under the weight of a predictable and lackluster screenplay. The premise—a ticket collector uncovering financial corruption in a bank—holds promise but is poorly executed, rendering the film a missed opportunity. The Plot: A Familiar Yet Uninspired Ride Radhe Mohan discovers discrepancies in his bank statements, leading him to suspect a larger scam targeting bank customers. The villainous Micky Mehta, played by Neil Nitin Mukesh, and his accomplice Dayal (Manu Rishi) orchestrate this fraudulent scheme. But when Radhe attempts to expose them, he faces resistance, disbelief, and even loses his job—a predictable and uninspired narrative arc. Adding to the chaos is Poonam Joshi (Kirti Kulhari), a cop with a personal history involving Radhe. Their lack of chemistry, coupled with underwhelming writing, makes their subplot feel unnecessary and devoid of emotional weight. Performances and Execution While Madhavan tries to elevate the film with his earnest performance, even his charm can’t salvage the dull screenplay. Neil Nitin Mukesh as the eccentric banker is over-the-top, and Kirti Kulhari’s character feels underwritten, leaving little room for her talent to shine. The supporting cast, including Rashami Desai and Himanshu Malik, is largely forgettable, with their roles offering little to the story. The Verdict Hisaab Barabar had the potential to be a compelling commentary on financial corruption and the struggles of the common man. However, its predictable plot, uninspired writing, and lack of emotional depth make it a mediocre watch. Bottomline: Despite a novel premise and a dependable lead actor, Hisaab Barabar fails to strike a chord. Stream it on Zee5 if you’re a Madhavan fan, but don’t expect much beyond an average entertainer.

New Delhi: A ruckus during the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 on Friday led to the suspension of 10 opposition MPs for a day. The suspended MPs include Kalyan Banerjee, Md. Jawaid, A Raja, Asaduddin Owaisi, Nasir Hussain, Mohibullah, M. Abdullah, Arvind Sawant, Nadimul Haq, and Imran Masood. Opposition Alleges Undemocratic Conduct TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee accused JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal of running the proceedings like a “jamindari” and ignoring opposition voices. Banerjee claimed the opposition’s request to reschedule meetings after January 30 was ignored, accusing the chairman of rushing proceedings for political gain ahead of the Delhi elections. “We are witnessing undeclared Emergency proceedings. The chairman refuses to respect opposition members or allow comprehensive discussions,” Banerjee alleged. Congress MP Nasir Hussain echoed the concerns, criticizing the government for hurrying the process and claiming the JPC had been reduced to a farce. BJP Hits Back at Opposition BJP MP and JPC member Nishikant Dubey accused the opposition of disrupting parliamentary democracy. He alleged that the opposition, particularly Asaduddin Owaisi, objected to the lack of full representation from Jammu and Kashmir and then resorted to unruly behavior. “Despite accommodating their suggestion to reschedule, the opposition created a ruckus during the meeting, misbehaving and acting against parliamentary norms,” Dubey said. History of Tensions in JPC on Waqf Bill This isn’t the first instance of chaos during JPC meetings on the Waqf Amendment Bill. In October, tensions escalated when Kalyan Banerjee allegedly hurled a glass bottle toward chairman Jagdambika Pal during a heated exchange, injuring himself. With both sides trading barbs, the controversy highlights deep divisions over the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. As the JPC prepares to finalize its report, calls for detailed discussions and transparency continue to clash with accusations of political motivations and disruptions.

At least eight FIITJEE coaching centres across North India, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Bhopal, Varanasi, Delhi, and Patna, have suddenly shut down over the past week, leaving hundreds of students and parents in distress as board and entrance examinations approach. The closures followed mass resignations by teachers over unpaid salaries, according to officials. The latest closure occurred in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, where attempts to replace teachers from other centres proved unsustainable. Parents have been left frustrated, alleging that the institute failed to provide prior notice or refunds. Many have filed police complaints and protested outside the now-closed branches. “I invested Rs 6 lakh, and they assured us classes would continue even after earlier closures. But now, with no teachers or classes, the situation is devastating,” said a parent from Meerut. Another parent, who recently paid Rs 4 lakh in fees, shared that teachers cited unpaid salaries as the reason for leaving. FIITJEE’s ongoing financial troubles, compounded by administrative and civic actions over licensing and fire safety violations, appear to have triggered the crisis. The situation has intensified just as students prepare for the JEE Mains Session-1 exams scheduled for January 22, 23, and 24, leaving their academic future in jeopardy. Parents are demanding immediate solutions, citing the negative impact on students’ morale and preparation. The institute has yet to issue an official statement addressing the closures.

Bhopal: The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) is intensifying efforts to claim the top spot in the Swachh Survekshan 2024 rankings. With new central government guidelines emphasizing service-level progress and ward-level performance, the competition promises to be tougher than ever. The upcoming cleanliness survey, scheduled from mid-February to the end of March, will assess cities based on progress in cleanliness services and ward-level inspections. Cities have been grouped into five population-based categories for evaluation. This year’s survey revolves around the theme “RRR” – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle – aiming to promote sustainable urban development. BMC is determined to set a benchmark by focusing on five key parameters: visible cleanliness, door-to-door waste collection, waste segregation, waste processing, and sustainability. BMC Commissioner Harendra Narayan expressed confidence in Bhopal’s prospects, stating, “Last year, we ranked 5th due to a few missed points. This time, we aim to secure the top spot.” Currently, BMC processes 400 tonnes of wet waste into Bio-CNG daily and plans to start converting dry waste into charcoal within six months, further enhancing sustainability. While Indore continues to dominate as a “super league city,” BMC’s initiatives aim to make Bhopal a leading contender in the prestigious cleanliness rankings.

Bhandara, Maharashtra: A devastating explosion occurred at the ordnance factory in the Jawahar Nagar area of Bhandara district on Friday morning, claiming the lives of at least eight people and leaving seven others injured. The blast caused the factory roof to collapse, prompting the deployment of rescue teams, including firefighters, ambulances, and earthmovers, to clear debris and search for survivors. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, expressing grief, called the incident “unfortunate” and confirmed the casualties during an event in Nagpur. He urged a minute of silence to honor the victims. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his condolences, stating, “Deeply saddened to know about the blast at Ordnance Factory in Bhandara. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Rescue teams are deployed, and all efforts are being made to assist those affected.” Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole criticized the central government, calling the incident a “failure of the Modi government.” Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing as authorities work to provide aid and ensure safety.

Mumbai Police Enhance Security for Bollywood Celebrities Following Disturbing Death Threats from Pakistan In the wake of alarming death threats directed at Kapil Sharma, Rajpal Yadav, Remo D’Souza, and Sugandha Mishra, the Mumbai police have ramped up security measures for these high-profile stars. The threats, issued via emails under the alias ‘Bishnu,’ primarily targeted Sharma, attributed to his association with the popular Comedy Nights with Kapil show and its sponsorship by Salman Khan. The initial report came from Rajpal Yadav, who alerted authorities to an email warning of potential harm. His wife, Radha Rajpal Yadav, subsequently lodged a complaint at Amboli Police Station, leading to an official case registered under Section 351(3) of the Indian Penal Code, concerning threats of harm. As the investigation unfolded, police traced the threatening IP address to Pakistan and have sought assistance from the Indian government to engage with Pakistani authorities. In response to the serious nature of these threats, the police have implemented increased personal security for Kapil Sharma and his team, including patrols near their homes and workplaces. This action underscores the growing concern within the entertainment industry regarding online threats and cybercrime, particularly given the cross-border origins of this incident. Fans and the public are rallying behind the celebrities, hoping for a swift resolution and enhanced safety.

In a significant step toward making Bhopal a rabies-free city by 2030, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed establishing six new Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres. This initiative seeks to address the rapidly growing stray dog population, which currently exceeds 1.2 lakh. Currently, Bhopal operates three ABC centres, sterilising approximately 500 stray dogs weekly, or 24,000 annually. However, BMC officials have expressed concerns that this capacity falls short of what is required to control the surge in stray dog numbers, which could double within a year given the high reproduction rate. BMC Chairman Kishan Suryavanshi emphasised the importance of expanding the city’s capacity, saying, “The current three ABC centres are inadequate to meet the needs of the city. To achieve our vision of making Bhopal the first rabies-free city in the state, we need additional centres.” Addressing the Rabies Threat The city is home to around 32,000 female stray dogs, each capable of giving birth to 8–10 puppies twice a year. Even if only half survive, the population continues to rise exponentially, posing public safety concerns and increasing the risk of rabies. Proposal Submitted to Union Government Ranveer Singh, Additional Commissioner of BMC, revealed that a proposal for six new ABC centres has been submitted to the Union government. Once approved, Bhopal will have a total of nine operational centres, significantly boosting sterilisation capacity. “Without the new centres, controlling the stray dog population and achieving the city’s rabies-free target by 2030 would be nearly impossible,” Singh said. This proposal reflects BMC’s dual focus on public health and animal welfare, setting a strong foundation for Bhopal’s transformation into a safer, rabies-free city.

What’s Good:Sky Force showcases strong performances, particularly from Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya, whose on-screen camaraderie is well-etched. The film’s second half builds up engagingly, with several combat sequences captured skillfully, paying a heartfelt tribute to real-life officers towards the end. What’s Bad:Despite its strengths, the film stumbles with overly preachy dialogues and emotional scenes that fail to resonate with audiences. Sara Ali Khan feels underutilized, and the chemistry among the IAF officers could have been better developed. Additionally, the songs fall flat, lacking the emotional connect typical of patriotic cinema. Loo Break:Be prepared for a jarring dance number that appears unexpectedly in the first half, making it an ideal moment for a bathroom break. Watch or Not?While Akshay Kumar’s fans may find value in watching this film, it feels more suited for an OTT release than the big screen. Although the air combat sequences and background score are commendable, the repetitive soundtrack does little to elevate the overall experience, feeling like echoes of previous patriotic songs in Kumar’s career. Sky Force: The Last WordSky Force possesses the potential to deliver a powerful narrative but ultimately falls short. Nevertheless, Veer Pahariya stands out with one of the year’s most promising debut performances, providing a glimmer of hope for future projects.

In a significant legal development, director Ram Gopal Varma has been sentenced to three months of simple imprisonment by a local court in Mumbai due to a cheque bounce case. The magistrate court in Andheri delivered the verdict on Tuesday, also ordering Varma to pay a compensation of Rs. 3.72 lakh to the complainant, a firm named Shree represented by Maheshchandra Mishra, within three months. Should Varma fail to pay the fine, he will face an additional three months in jail. Notably, Varma was not present in court during the delivery of the judgment, leading the court to issue a non-bailable warrant against him. In response to the court ruling, Varma took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to clarify the situation, stating, “With regard to the news about me and Andheri court, I want to clarify that it is to do with a 7-year-old case of Rs 2 lakh 38 thousand amount, relating to my ex-employee. My advocates are attending to it, and since the matter is in court, I cannot say anything further.” The cheque bounce case falls under the provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which addresses disputes arising from dishonored cheques due to insufficient funds or similar issues. Further details regarding the court’s order are expected to be released soon.

In an effort to create a conducive environment for students appearing for their 10th and 12th board exams, the Bhopal administration has imposed strict measures to curb noise pollution. Bhopal Collector Kiranloke Vikram Singh has issued an order banning the use of loudspeakers and DJs after 10 pm in the city. This rule will remain in effect from January 24 to March 31, ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for students during their exam preparations. Immediate Action Against Violations Authorities, including Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and police officers, have been instructed to take immediate action against individuals or groups violating this directive. DJs Banned for Weddings and Events The order also prohibits the use of DJs and loudspeakers at weddings or any other events after 10 pm. Violators will face strict legal consequences. Collector Kiranloke Vikram Singh urged the public to cooperate and support students during this critical time. “It is the shared responsibility of society and the administration to ensure a peaceful environment for students, helping them excel in their exams,” he stated. This proactive step reflects the administration’s commitment to prioritizing the needs of students and fostering an environment conducive to academic success.