Sundar Pichai's Andhra Move Hurts DMK Ego, Is Foreign Investment Shying Away From TN?

Nothing has hurt DMK ego or the Dravidian model more than the announcement of the Google's decision to create the AI hub in Andhra. AIADMK leader and former minister Thangamani criticised the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government for failing to attract Google’s investment to the state, “Despite Google CEO Sundar Pichai being a Tamil, Google has gone to Andhra Pradesh and not Tamil Nadu,” he said on the floor of the Tamil Nadu assembly. Responding to the jibe, Tamil Nadu Minister TRB Raaja said the state was set to receive Foxconn’s investment worth Rs 15,000 crore which will create several jobs. He also highlighted that 14,000 engineering jobs were generated under the DMK government and urged parties to stop ridiculing ongoing efforts. Most people however feel foreign investments are moving away from TN as the DMK first family – particularly – chief minister MK Stalin's son-in law is known to seek a partnership with firms wanting to invest in the state. This has hindered investment from coming into the state. Sources point to impediments faced even by committed entrepreneurs like Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu. It is in this light PM Modi during his visit to Andhra this week congratulated the people of the state for Google’s massive AI Hub investment, hailing CM Chandrababu Naidu’s visionary leadership. Modi noted the hub will position Visakhapatnam as a global AI and connectivity centre, serving not just India but the world. Google is set to invest $15 billion to build a massive data centre cluster in Visakhapatnam—a project that could mark its largest direct investment in India’s digital economy, according to a ET report. The 1 GW-capacity data centre hub will comprise three campuses and the facilities are expected to become operational by July 2028. (By Lakshmi Iyer).

15 Leading Stars From South Are Top Influencers For National Brands

GenZ may not be familiar with this metamorphosis in the film world of South India. But old timers and mid-gens do remember the scorn and dismissive attitude of the North for Southern heroines …fat, frumpy, matronly and of course “dark”. But, Vyjayanthimala, Padmini, Hema Malini, Rekha, Sridevi changed all that…turned this perception into sheer adoration.…Bollywood geniuses threw open not just their talent but their classic beauty and striking sexuality. Today, this change into sleek, sexy and sophisticated much in demand femme fatale stars has churned up more. Fifteen south Indian actresses lead the roster in terms of the number of brands and products they endorse, pan India. The reach of these cinema influencers only highlights their talent and striking looks to launch any product, from red hot jewellery to shimmering sarees and tech gadgets, even start-ups -- any product that needs the absorbing presence of a woman of sustenance. The list is headed by Rashmika Mandana , the national crush, with Nayanthara and Kajal Aggarwal not far behind. Nayanthara’s Tanishq ad is a lesson in sleek jewellery that embellish Nayan …or is it Nayanthara’s exquisite presence launching a line of temptations? Hema Malini gave new meaning to Shudh Pani in her Kent Ad. Walk on Cathedral road, the Fifth Avenue of Chennai and Tamannaah Bhatia easily makes traffic stop with her jewellery ads. The brand success of Idhayam Nallennai is a testimony to graceful Jyothika whose calm and classy looks launch products as diverse and coveted as Diamond Jewellery to mundane ones like kitchen products. Trisha Krishnan has launched many jewellery brands. But behind these influencers who are so compelling, there must be an ethos, a work ethic, a professionalism. These stars have awesome linguistic skills to relate to customers …their regional and pan India filmi identity have launched them as ideal influencers for brands. (By Padma Ramnath)

‘Farmer’ Amitabh Is Prominent Landlord In Alibaug

India’s wealthiest ‘farmer’ Amitabh Bachchan has celebrated his 83rd birthday on 11 October by purchasing three plots of land at Alibaug near Mumbai. Already owning a land parcel in the same locality, Amitabh has been leading the list of celebrities who have preferred Alibaug for land purchases. Alibaug, the Raigad district headquarters, has emerged as perhaps the most popular tourist destination over the years outside Mumbai. Now that multiple options like the expressway and the water transport services are becoming available, land prices in Alibaug and the environment are constantly showing an upward trend. Top stars like Shahrukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon and cricketer Virat Kohli are among those who have invested in land in the area. Amitabh’s latest purchase was registered on 7 October by paying stamp duty of over Rs.39 lakh. The lands have been sold by a firm, HOABL Landbuild, which had sold land to him earlier, too. That was in April 2024. Amitabh’s previous land purchase that became famous was in Ayodhya. It took place just before the Ram Temple was inaugurated in Ayodhya. The Alibaug land is near the Mandwa jetty, which runs regular sea trips to Mumbai daily. The land holds potential of development as a sprawling villa. Amitabh has so far maintained silence over the transactions. His three bungalows in Mumbai are in the elite Juhu area. The latest acquisition by him makes him one of prominent real estate owners in India. (By Dilip Chaware)

Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli Disappoint Their Fans At Perth ODI

The legion of fans of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli must be utterly disappointed with their scores in the first of the three-match bash between India and Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday (Oct 19). Clearly not in touch with competitive cricket for seven months (which is over 200 days) after the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Dubai, Sharma (8) and Kohli (0) could not get going in the Western Australian city. They may have done their training and practice in order to prepare for their return to the highest class of one-day cricket, but Josh Hazlewood and left arm seamer Mitchell Starc outsmarted them when India was asked to bat by captain Mitchell Marsh upon winning the toss. There was much speculation about Sharma and Kohli’s selection in the 15-man squad for the three matches rostered at Perth, Adelaide and Sydney. They may not be under pressure at all before the next match at Adelaide on October 23, but India’s Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill will have a tough time picking both in the playing XI at Sydney, should the two batters fail to score heavily at Adelaide. Australia doesn’t have its all-format skipper Pat Cummins, but they still had two extraordinary seamers in Hazlewood and Starc who used the new ball efficiently to eject them from the middle. Sharma and Kohli have retired from the long format Test and Twenty20, but have chosen to play the 50 overs format with the hope of giving themselves another shot at the World Cup in 2027 at South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The national selectors have not committed themselves to pick them for all matches leading to the World Cup that India lost to Australia in the 2023 final in Ahmedabad. (By G Viswanath)

Ro-Ko Fail, But Wait, The Runs Will Come In The East

The two legends who have made a solid impression in their careers both against the red ball as well as the white were in for a big test straight away as they returned to Team India at one of the toughest venues for international cricket. Virat Kohli scored a century the last time he was at the Optus Stadium, but the bounce in the pitches of Perth in Western Australia is always a challenge, no matter if you have conquered it before. The Optus Stadium may not quite be the fearful WACA ground where the wind is another factor that helps bowlers more at a venue that is the very definition of a bowlers’ paradise. Kohli made his first duck in ODIs in Australia, that too after facing 8 balls. But that does not negate the build-up he got as he resumed the journey towards becoming the second highest all-time scorer of runs in ODIs behind the pocket powerhouse of a master batsman in Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs). The fact is Kohli (14,181) must still make 53 runs to join Kumar Sangakkara on the second highest ODI peak of 14,234 runs. Rohit Sharma also had a milestone to touch in his 500th international appearance for Team India though it wasn't the most productive with just 8 runs. Kohli may have failed to further his in-your-face experience of cricket in Australia where the crowds can get into your head through the ears. He has seen bad days in that respect as he once gave the Aussie crowd the ‘bird’ for their abusive tendencies. But at the end of it all they recognise you are a fighter, and they come to respect you, which is what Kohli said before the game. (By Tamil Raja)

Is Bollywood Losing Out To Tamil Cinemas?

This Diwali has exposed a striking contrast: Tamil cinema is enjoying a creative and commercial upswing while Bollywood offers a muted, formula-driven lineup. Two Tamil releases—Dude and Bison, both out on October 17, have captured audience attention. Dude, a breezy romantic comedy infused with local masala, opened strongly, while Bison, a sports drama from veteran director Mari Selvaraj, earned glowing reviews and solid opening numbers thanks to powerful storytelling and word-of-mouth. These films feel rooted, fresh and connected to contemporary audiences, especially younger and family viewers who respond to authenticity and strong narratives. By contrast, the Bollywood slate releasing mid-week on October 21 looks underwhelming. Thamma (an Ayushmann Khurrana horror-comedy) and Ek Deewane Ki Deewani (starring Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa) are competent but lack the novelty and scale we normally associate with Diwali. With neither superstar-driven star power nor bold thematic risks, these mid-budget releases lean on familiar formulas rather than offering new cinematic experiences. Historically, Diwali has been the domain of spectacle—big stars, family entertainers and larger-than-life marketing—but this year Bollywood’s offerings fall short of those expectations. The difference comes down to ambition and audience connection. Tamil films are taking creative risks, genre blends, culturally specific stories and directors with distinct voices, resulting in stronger word-of-mouth and sustained interest. Bollywood’s conservative programming this festive season suggests risk aversion and reliance on safe templates, which may cost it market share as regional films continue to raise the bar. (By Girish Wankhede)

Odisha Govt Adheres To Centre’s Directive, Does Away With Diwali Gift Practice

The Odisha government has finally enforced a "no gift" policy this Diwali festival in state undertakings and government offices. This includes purchase of gift items, their distribution among officials, and the acceptance of presents. Call it an austerity drive… curbing non-essential spending. Simply put, the Central government wants to ensure prudent use of public money. It has given stern warning to the states not to give Diwali gifts with public money henceforth. It seems the Odisha government is complying to the finance ministry's directive which had issued an office memorandum to all central ministries, state governments, departments including PSU enterprises banning the use of public funds for festive gifts. In doing this the government intends to bring in fiscal discipline and curbing non-essential spending. The respective departments have now been asked to monitor adherence to the policy and ensure that no violations occur. Odisha's deputy chief minister Pravati Parida has already communicated the government policy on social media and has requested citizens and visitors not to bring gifts to her office. The Odisha government has declared a two-day holiday on October 20-21 for Diwali across the state for Diwali festival except those who are engaged by the poll bound Nuapada district. However, the government officers will have to work on October 25 which is a fourth Saturday.  Many feel this gifting culture should stop as costly Diwali gifts are given by people to decision makers to gain favours. According to a report by EY, a reputed global consultancy firm, there is a need for serious action as the increasing value of Diwali gifts, day by day, can turn out to be a tool of favouritism; please the person in the decision-makers seat. (By Sangram Mohanty)

Carborundum Universal's Defence Thrust, To Set Up Silicon Carbide Ceramics Plant In TN

In the emerging geopolitical context, the focus is increasingly on self-reliance. Not surprisingly, the business strategy of many revolves around this. This one too is no exception. Carborundum Universal Ltd (CUMI), a part of the Murugappa Group, is gearing up for a major expansion in its defence and aerospace vertical. The company plans to establish a new manufacturing facility at Hosur in Tamil Nadu to produce approximately 150 tonnes of silicon carbide ceramics annually, primarily for use in armour applications. The Hosur plant will also manufacture ceramic armour of different grades, including alumina, silicon carbide and zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA).“Hosur will be a key hub for us as it is also the nodal point of the Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor,” said Subbu Venkatachalam, Head – Aerospace and Defence, CUMI. “We aim to strengthen India’s local ecosystem in advanced materials and build lighter, safer and high-performance armour systems for the armed forces.” The new facility aligns with CUMI’s long-term plan to increase the capacity and range of its ceramic solutions for defence, while also deepening indigenisation in critical material production. The company currently produces raw materials such as alumina and silicon carbide in Kerala, which are then processed into ceramic armour components in Tamil Nadu. CUMI is also working towards achieving the STANAG Level 6 certification, the highest global benchmark for armour protection. The company’s R&D efforts are focused on developing newer materials and smart ceramics that can enhance protection without adding weight. With this expansion, CUMI aims to play a larger role in India’s defence supply chain and contribute to the country’s self-reliance in high-performance. (By Mohamed Ameen M)

Chicken Masala Packet Gifts Cause Outrage At Pandharpur

The reputed housekeeping giant, BVG Group, is finding itself in the eye of a storm following its distribution of chicken masala packets as Diwali gifts to employees at the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur, the most important pilgrimage sanctum sanctorum for innumerable devotees. While the BVG management is yet to come out with a response, the Vitthal temple authorities have condemned the act and indicated that reviewing the vendor contract is an option for them. BVG India Ltd is a large integrated facility management company. Founded in 1993 by struggler Hanmantrao Ramdas Gaikwad, it has grown from a social enterprise to become India's largest company in its field. It provides services such as solid waste management, emergency response and renewable energy solutions. BVG serves a wide range of sectors including government, metro rail, IT and has a trained workforce of over 100,000. BVG also provides staff for the Vitthal temple. The personnel received chicken masala packets as Diwali gifts. This triggered off a wave of anger because the Warkari sect is strictly vegetarian. Hence a non-vegetarian gift appeared as an assault on religious sentiments. was seen as a religious trespass. Minister for Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelar has ordered an immediate inquiry into the incident. The temple’s executive officer Rajendra Shelke has served a legal notice against the firm. He took preventive steps as soon as the outrage became known. Similarly, the firm stopped the distribution of the offending packets. Shelke insisted that the temple’s sanctity is the foremost and it is everybody’s sacred duty to preserve it. (By Dilip Chaware)

Kollywood's Unusual Movie Titles For Deepavali Releases...Dude, Diesel And Bison

Tamil Nadu’s Deepavali is not just about new clothes, sweets and crackers…a new film is a must to add to the festivities. Producers work overtime to ensure the movies are released during Deepavali. This year’s festival releases are three unusually titled films …Dude, Diesel and Bison. October 17 was truly a red-letter day for young Dhruv Vikram, veteran actor Vikram’s son. Coincidentally, Vikram’s first film too was released on October 17. Mari Selvaraj, the King creator of down-to-earth compelling movies like Pari Yerum Perumal, Karnan, Mamannan and Vazhai has again focussed on societal inequalities and caste-based exploitation …Bison is centered on Kabaddi, based on the true life Arjuna Award winner Manathi Ganesan. Selvaraj’s Bison not just holds up a clear mirror to the oppression of the underprivileged…he scores with real life depiction of a player tunnelling his way up in this caste overwhelmed social morass that makes the privileged sit up and take note …not just feel guilty about their conferred birth, but in some ways wanting to right these wrongs to bring more equity to the underdog. Kollywood is fortunate to have a clutch of prescient and compelling creators -- directors, producers, script writers who remain faithful to ideologies of social inequality and in some way raise the awareness through their artistic craft of storytelling. Weaving the politics of TN into his hard-hitting film, Selvaraj builds Bison as the angry but aspirational archetype of an oppressed young man, determined to win. Even sports are not out of the clutch of caste oppression.  (By Padma Ramnath)

Maharashtra Govt To Relocate 50 Leopards To Vantara Rescue Centre

Maharashtra intends to transfer about 50 leopards to private wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre Vantara, established by Ambani’s Reliance Foundation. Most of these leopards are from the Manikdoh Leopard rescue centre, where leopards involved in human-animal conflicts from around the sugar belt of Junnar region near Pune are rescued and kept. Forest department officials view the emergence of the private forest like Vantara as a huge relief and see this transfer as a win-win solution for its rising cases of man-animal conflicts. “We have more than 100 leopards and about 40 tigers in our various rescue centres across the state. Currently our rescue facilities are already saturated and we are finding it difficult to handle more animals that need to be necessarily rescued from conflict situations including injured animals that need to be treated, says Jitendra Ramgaokar, chief conservator of forests (wildlife). Shifting some leopards over to Vantara, not only frees up space at government facilities but helps them accept animals that are rescued from emergency situations. Also, unlike tigers which are much sought after by various zoos across the country, there are few takers for leopards. Maharashtra’s leopard population has risen from 1690 in 2018 to 1985 in 2022 - - leading to increasing instances of man-animal conflicts. Between Jan 2024-Feb 2025, about 61 persons were killed and 648 injured in wild animal attacks in Maharashtra thus leading to public uproar. The state also intends to increase capacity of its leopard rescue centres and has initiated programs like reproductive control of leopards and even setting up AI-based alert systems, installing solar fencing and taking up awareness campaigns in high-risk villages. A similar strategy is also being considered for tigers, which has increased from 101 in 2020 to 444 in 2022. (By Hepzi Anthony)

No Need To Go To Auditorium, One Theater Brings Bengali Plays On OTT Platform

No need to go to the auditorium to watch Soumitra Chatterjee’s plays. One Theater, India’s first theatre-focused OTT platform is bringing over 300 plays from Bengal’s rich dramatic heritage directly to viewers’ screens. Developed by ESI BPL Group and Banglamanch under G-TPL, the platform aims to unite theatre groups from every corner of the state, offering audiences a single, seamless digital stage. Organisers said that One Theater is more than entertainment -- rather a bold step to preserve and celebrate Bengali theatre for generations to come. A highlight of the app is a dedicated archive of late legendary actor Soumitra Chatterjee’s theatrical works, allowing audiences to experience his timeless performances. The inaugural lineup features productions that span themes from human relationships to nostalgia and moral dilemmas. Typist, directed by Soumitra Chatterjee’s daughter Poulomi delves into the subtleties of office life and romantic undercurrents, featuring veteran theatre personality Debshankar Haldar and Poulomi Chatterjee. Mitali, directed by another theatre veteran Gautam Haldar, captures the tender story of teenage love in the era of handwritten letters, long before the digital age. Meanwhile, Chandanpur-er Chor, another Shyambazar Mukhomukhi production, blends humour and humanism as three thieves enter an elderly woman’s home, confronting ethical dilemmas, with performances by Rajatab Dutta, Shankar Chakraborty, Deblina Dutta, Pritha Majumdar, Saurav Kar, and a talented ensemble of young actors. The founders of One Theater envision the platform as more than a streaming service—it is a living archive, a cultural bridge, and a digital window into Bengal’s theatrical soul. They hope this initiative will bring Bengali theatre back to the national and international spotlight, ensuring that its stories continue to resonate across generations. (By Tanya Bagchi)