THE CLIFF NEWS

Actor Rashmika Mandanna recently provided a health update to her fans after sustaining a leg injury while working out. The actor, currently filming for *Thama*, *Sikandar*, and *Kubera*, shared pictures and a note on social media to inform about her condition. In her post, she expressed regret over the delays caused by her injury and apologized to the directors of her ongoing film projects. Rashmika reassured her fans that she is on the road to recovery, following medical advice to ensure a speedy return to work. She thanked her supporters for their concern and understanding during this time and emphasized her commitment to getting back on set as soon as possible. Neena Gupta reacted to the post with a comment, “Oh ho (sic).” Rashmika’s post read, “Well, happy New Year to me, I guess! Injured myself in my sacred gym shrine. Now I’m in “hop mode” for the foreseeable future, so it seems like I’ll be hopping my way back to sets for *Thama*, *Sikandar*, and *Kubera*! To my directors, I’m sorry for the delay. I’ll be back soon enough just making sure my legs are fit for action (or at least fit for hopping). In the meantime, if you need me, I’ll be the one in the corner doing a highly advanced bunny hop workout. HOP HOP HOP (sic).” On the work front, *Sikandar*, which stars Salman Khan alongside her, is set to release on Eid 2025. *Kubera*, a gritty crime-thriller, features Dhanush and Nagarjuna in lead roles. *Thama* is a vampire film co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana.

Directed by Kedaar Gaekwad and written by Anuj S Mehta, this political drama waves a fictionalised tale drawn from real events. The film delves into the dynamics of how powerful entities—including politicians and intelligence agencies—collaborated to craft the narrative of saffron terrorism in India, leading to widespread unrest. At the story’s heart is Colonel Avinash Patwardhan (Vineet Kumar), a decorated officer who uncovers connections between various terrorist attacks and bombings across India. However, his investigation takes a grim turn when he becomes a pawn in a larger conspiracy involving India’s ruling party and Pakistan. The story is conceptually strong as it seeks to link various terrorist events into a grand conspiracy, exposing how power can manipulate narratives to suit political agendas. It effectively sets up the intrigue of connecting dots, but its execution is where the film falters. Since the film is inspired by true events, characters and incidents are recognisable and have been recreated well. However, the excessive length drags the pace, leaving the audience disengaged in many parts. While the Kashmir undercover sequence brings moments of tension and engagement, much of the narrative feels uneven. Avinash’s victimisation loses steam, and his skill and intelligence are confined to brief montages rather than being integral to the storytelling. The screenplay juggles a multitude of elements—political intrigue, the machinations of Pakistani politics and the army, the workings of intelligence agencies, and the nexus between terrorists and politicians. However, it struggles to hold these multilayered elements cohesively. Subplots, such as Avinash’s family life, while intended to add emotional depth, feel misplaced and detract from the central narrative, disrupting its flow. Vineet Kumar convincingly portrays the brave army officer, excelling in emotional moments, though his portrayal feels somewhat superficial. Anuja Sathe, despite a brief role as his wife, delivers a decent performance. Manoj Joshi deserves credit for pulling off General Parvesh Musharraf’s look with finesse, while Shataf Figar provides commendable support. Match Fixing had all the ingredients for a gripping political thriller—an intriguing premise and nuanced themes, but the lack of narrative cohesion and inconsistent execution prevent it from rising to its potential.

Ajith Kumar Makes a Triumphant Return at Dubai 24H Car Race Actor and motor racing enthusiast Ajith Kumar made a remarkable comeback at the Dubai 24H racing event, securing third place in the 991 category. This victory marked his return to competitive racing after a gap of several years, showcasing his enduring passion for the sport. A Memorable Win and Celebrations Following the win, Ajith waved the Indian flag in celebration, with actor R. Madhavan and Ajith’s wife Shalini cheering him on. Videos from the event, widely shared on social media, captured heartfelt moments between Ajith and his family. In one such video, Ajith is seen kissing Shalini, who had been supporting him from the pit lane, and then embracing his daughter, Anoushka, in a warm hug. Ajith’s racing team announced the victory on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Double whammy for Ajith Kumar. 3rd place in the 991 category and Spirit of the Race in the GT4 category. What a remarkable comeback after an accident due to brake failure. #AjithKumar #AjithKumarRacing #24HDubai #AKRacing #DubaiRaceWeekend #Racing.” Overcoming a Major Setback Ajith’s achievement is even more noteworthy considering he suffered a high-speed accident during a practice run just days before the race. A video released by his team showed his car spinning seven times after hitting a barrier due to brake failure. Fortunately, Ajith was quickly rescued and taken to an ambulance. Speaking about the incident, his manager Suresh Chandra said, “Ajith is unhurt, hale, and healthy. He was driving at a speed of 180 km/h when the accident occurred.” Despite the setback, Ajith displayed resilience and determination, making his podium finish an inspiring comeback story. Upcoming Film Projects On the professional front, Ajith is gearing up for two major releases: Ajith Kumar’s performance at the Dubai 24H and his ability to balance his passion for racing with his acting career continue to inspire his fans and admirers.

A controversy erupted during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj after a statue of Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav was installed at a camp set up by the Mulayam Singh Yadav Smriti Seva Sansthan in Sector 16. The statue, approximately two to three feet tall, was unveiled on Saturday by SP leader Mata Prasad Pandey, who stated that the camp was organized to spread Mulayam Singh’s thoughts and ideas. The statue, he clarified, would be moved to the SP party office after the event. The installation faced strong criticism from sections of the religious community, particularly the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad. Its president, Mahant Ravindra Puri, accused Mulayam Singh Yadav of being “anti-Hindu” and “anti-Sanatan,” referencing his actions during the Ram temple movement. Puri questioned the timing and intent of placing the statue at the Maha Kumbh Mela, calling it an attempt to provoke seers and highlight contentious aspects of Mulayam Singh’s political legacy. SP leader Pandey, however, defended the move, stating it was symbolic and intended to honor the party founder’s contributions. He invited pilgrims to visit the camp, adding that the initiative aimed to provide hospitality to attendees. The controversy underscores the sensitive interplay of politics and religion at one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu & Kashmir today marks a significant step in improving connectivity and infrastructure in the region. Here’s an overview: Key Highlights of the Visit Strategic and Economic Importance Security Measures Significance of the Visit Through this visit, PM Modi is expected to emphasize the government’s commitment to infrastructure development and regional integration, fostering growth and stability in Jammu & Kashmir.

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 has officially commenced in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, marking one of the largest gatherings of humanity in the world. Here’s a detailed overview: Key Highlights Economic Impact Infrastructure and Logistics Significance

India is poised to finalize several high-value defense deals aimed at bolstering the combat and operational capabilities of its armed forces. These agreements, collectively worth over ₹1.5 lakh crore, are expected to be sealed before the end of this fiscal year (March 31, 2025). Here’s an overview: Key Defense Deals Strategic Implications Policy Revisions These developments reflect India’s commitment to building a robust defense infrastructure while leveraging both international partnerships and domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Today’s stock market performance highlights significant declines across Indian and global indices. Here’s a summary of the key points: Indian Stock Market Technical Insights: Global Markets Derivatives Market Market Outlook The ongoing consolidation phase reflects cautious investor sentiment amidst global economic pressures. A decisive move below the current support levels may trigger further downside, while a bounce above resistance could provide short-term relief. Traders should remain vigilant about crude oil trends, US payroll data, and Fed announcements.

Sonu Sood’s directorial debut, “Fateh,” and its potential sequel. Here are some key takeaways: * **Positive Reception:** Despite mixed reviews, “Fateh” has seen strong box office performance, encouraging Sonu Sood. * **Sequel Confirmed:** Sonu Sood has confirmed plans for “Fateh-2,” building upon the cliffhanger ending of the first film. * **Action Hero Ambitions:** Sonu Sood aims to establish Fateh Singh as a prominent action hero, drawing inspiration from iconic figures like John Wick. * **Action Film Appeal:** Sood believes in the enduring appeal of action films, citing their ability to connect with audiences across generations. * **Review Highlights:** “Fateh” received praise for its timely topic (cybercrime), Sonu Sood’s performance, and action choreography. However, criticisms included weaker direction and underutilized supporting actors. Overall, “Fateh” appears to be a promising start for Sonu Sood’s directorial career. The success of the sequel will depend on how well it builds upon the strengths of the first film while addressing the identified shortcomings. **Potential areas for improvement in “Fateh-2”:** * **Stronger Direction:** The sequel could benefit from a more refined directorial vision. * **Expanded Roles for Supporting Cast:** Giving Naseeruddin Shah and Vijay Raaz more screen time could enhance the film’s depth and impact. * **Further Development of the Action Genre:** Building upon the foundation of the first film, “Fateh-2” could explore more innovative and thrilling action sequences. If “Fateh-2” successfully addresses these areas and capitalizes on the strengths of the first film, it could solidify Sonu Sood’s position as a prominent figure in the Indian action film landscape.