THE CLIFF NEWS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three frontline naval combatants—INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer—to the nation in a ceremony held in Mumbai. The commissioning of these vessels marks a significant milestone for the Indian Navy, as it is the first time a destroyer, a frigate, and a submarine have been inducted simultaneously. PM Modi emphasized that this development reflects India’s emergence as a major maritime power and aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. INS Vaghsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the P75 Scorpene Project, has been built in collaboration with the Naval Group of France. Known as the ‘hunter-killer’ submarine, it is equipped with advanced torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and capabilities for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and mine-laying. Defence experts have highlighted its role in strengthening India’s maritime dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly against adversaries like China and Pakistan. INS Surat, a guided missile destroyer, boasts an indigenous content of 75% and advanced weapon-sensor packages for network-centric operations. Similarly, INS Nilgiri, the first ship of the P17A Stealth Frigate Project, incorporates state-of-the-art stealth and survivability features, showcasing the next generation of Indian frigates. Both vessels underscore India’s growing capabilities in indigenous shipbuilding. Addressing the ceremony, PM Modi highlighted India’s commitment to a secure, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing development over expansionism. He also paid tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, acknowledging his contributions to naval power. Later, the Prime Minister is set to inaugurate an Iskcon Temple in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, during his visit to Maharashtra.

In April 1978, Shah Bano Begum, a 62-year-old Muslim woman, petitioned the Supreme Court for maintenance under Section 125 CrPC after her divorce through triple talaq. Her husband, Mohd. Ahmed Khan, opposed it, citing Muslim Personal Law’s requirement for maintenance only during the ‘iddat’ period. The legal battle persisted for seven years, culminating in April 1985 when the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Shah Bano.  Four decades later, the landmark case of Mohd. Ahmad Khan v. Shah Bano Begum is set to be dramatized in a new motion picture. Peepingmoon.com has exclusively learned that Yami Gautam is doing a film based on the Shah Bano case of 1985. Fresh from the massive theatrical and critical success of her film ‘Article 370’, Yami will portray Shah Bano, bringing to life the remarkable story of the seven-year-long legal battle. Junglee Pictures is producing this film in collaboration with Vishal Gurnani and Juhi Parekh Mehta (of Insomnia Media), who also produced ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai,’ and ‘Harman Baweja’ under his Baweja Studios banner. Suparn Varma, renowned for directing web series like ‘The Family Man Season 2,’ ‘Rana Naidu,’ and ‘The Trial’, will direct this film, while Reshu Nath, who has previously worked on “Illegal” and “Heera Mandi”, has written the script. The film is said to be inspired by an unpublished book by Jigna Vora, whose memoir, ‘Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison,’ inspired the 2023 Netflix series ‘Scoop’.  This film marks Yami Gautam’s first project after giving birth to her child in May 2024. She is excited to return to the set with such a challenging project and has already begun preparing for the role. On the work front, she will next feature opposite Pratik Gandhi in the romantic comedy ‘Dhoom Dhaam’.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a rare criticism of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal during his first rally for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections on 5 February. The comments come despite Congress and AAP being allies in the INDIA Alliance and contesting together in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Gandhi’s Criticism of Kejriwal: Kejriwal’s Response: Arvind Kejriwal dismissed Gandhi’s remarks, stating he would not engage in a war of words. Kejriwal remarked on X (formerly Twitter), “While Rahul Gandhi is fighting to save Congress, I am fighting to save the country.” Context and Stakes: Election Dynamics: Gandhi’s rally underscores Congress’ renewed push to re-establish its foothold in Delhi, setting the stage for a competitive electoral battle.

Ram Gopal Varma Criticizes Box Office Claims of Game Changer Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) has stirred controversy by calling out discrepancies in the reported box office figures of Ram Charan’s latest release, Game Changer. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), RGV accused the film’s makers of inflating its numbers, questioning its credibility and casting doubts on the South Indian film industry’s achievements. Key Points from RGV’s Statements: Game Changer’s Box Office Journey: Industry Implications: RGV’s remarks have sparked a broader conversation about transparency in box office reporting, especially in the South Indian film industry. While the inflated numbers have brought scrutiny, Game Changer‘s performance highlights the challenges even high-budget films face in sustaining audience interest.

This sounds like exciting news for Bollywood fans! Here’s a summary of the key points: This news adds to Ranbir Kapoor’s already busy schedule, which includes “Love and War,” “Animal Park,” and the mythological epic “Ramayan.”

This is fantastic news for Shraddha Kapoor and her fans! It seems like “Nagin” is finally moving forward after a long wait. Here are some key takeaways: I’m excited to see what Shraddha Kapoor brings to this iconic role. “Nagin” has the potential to be a groundbreaking film that reimagines Indian mythology for a contemporary audience.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has reached a potential turning point with the presentation of a truce deal mediated by Qatar, involving Israeli intelligence agencies and the Qatari prime minister. The emerging agreement suggests the release of 33 hostages by Hamas in the first phase of a 42-day ceasefire. Key Elements of the Truce Deal: Reactions: Context: This truce follows extensive conflict since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, which killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military operations have led to over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry. If successfully implemented, this ceasefire could be a critical step toward de-escalating the violence and paving the way for a longer-term resolution.

The Maha Kumbh 2025 at Prayagraj has commenced with grand fervor, uniting millions in a spiritual and cultural celebration. Over 1.7 crore devotees braved the icy waters of the Triveni Sangam, where the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati converge, to take the ceremonial bath on Paush Purnima. The frigid temperatures of 10°C and a foggy morning could not deter the faithful, who thronged the 10,000-acre festival area in unending queues. The event opened with divine chants of “Har Har Gange”, meditative prayers, and a shower of rose petals from helicopters, setting a deeply spiritual atmosphere. This year’s Maha Kumbh is uniquely significant due to a rare celestial alignment that occurs once every 144 years, adding an extra layer of auspiciousness. Key Highlights: Spiritual and Cultural Significance: The Maha Kumbh 2025 is not only a showcase of India’s rich spiritual heritage but also a celebration of unity in diversity, drawing millions together in faith and harmony.

The Filmnagar police have registered a case against actor Venkatesh Daggubati, his nephew Rana Daggubati, producer D. Suresh Babu, and his son D. Abiram, following allegations of house trespass and criminal conspiracy in connection with the Deccan Kitchen demolition case. The complaint was filed by Nanda Kumar, who was previously accused in the BRS MLA poaching case. He claimed significant financial losses due to the alleged actions of the accused regarding properties leased to him for his hotel business on Road No. 1, Filmnagar, Jubilee Hills. According to Nanda Kumar, he had invested ₹20 crore in renovating and starting the restaurant, Deccan Kitchen, under lease agreements dating back to 2014. However, tensions escalated in 2018, leading to legal disputes. He alleged that in November 2022, despite an interim injunction from the Hyderabad City Civil Court, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) attempted to demolish parts of the property. The demolition was reportedly halted, but Kumar claimed the accused later sent individuals to vandalize the property and steal valuables. He further alleged that the Daggubati family completely demolished the structure in January 2024. Following these allegations, Kumar approached the Nampally Court, which directed the police to investigate. The court issued orders for a case to be registered, leading to ongoing proceedings in the matter.

Bollywood actress Tabu is set to return to the horror-comedy genre, joining the cast of Akshay Kumar’s upcoming film, Bhooth Bangla. This marks her return to the genre after her widely appreciated performance in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film also reunites Akshay Kumar with the acclaimed filmmaker after 14 years. Akshay had earlier shared his excitement about the project on social media, and on Sunday, Tabu announced her involvement by posting a photo of the clapperboard with the caption, “Hum yahan bandh hain.” Reports suggest that the film’s current schedule is being shot in Jaipur, where Tabu has joined the cast. Notable actor Paresh Rawal is also part of the ensemble, adding to the anticipation. Ektaa Kapoor, who is producing the film, welcomed Tabu warmly on social media, commenting, “Aapka swaaagat hai, always an honour, Tabu ma’am.” Fans are thrilled about the collaboration, seeing it as a crossover of iconic characters—Manjulika from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Dr. Aditya Shrivastava played by Akshay Kumar in Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Comments from excited fans include, “Manjulika meeting Dr Aditya Shrivastava,” and “Full Bhool Bhulaiyaa vibes with Priyadarshan sir’s direction.” This film promises to be a nostalgic entertainer with a stellar cast and much-loved genre elements.