‘Love jihad’: Courts ask Kerala, Karnataka police to probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/BANGALORE - Is there a movement called ‘love jihad’? The courts in Kerala and Karnataka have asked police to probe charges that Muslim youths were luring non-Muslim women with promise of marriage and forcibly converting them to Islam.

Health centres have to manage waste effectively: Experts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Efficient management of bio-medical waste by hospitals and health care institutions remains a matter of grave concern in the country, experts said at a seminar in this Kerala capital Monday.

KCA gives Sreesanth final warning against indiscipline

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA), at a special meeting here Sunday, warned fast bowler S.Sreesanth against indiscipline.

Popular comedian Harisree Asokan turns singer with ‘Kanni Ayyapan’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Popular comedian Harisree Asokan turned singer with the album “Kanni Ayyapan” - he has sung two devotional songs for it.

After 40 years, Udayabhanu to sing a Malayalam film song

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - After waiting for four decades, 74-year-old playback singer K.P. Udayabhanu has got another chance to sing a Malayalam film song.

Singer Yesudas to help Thekkady boat driver

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Veteran playback singer K.J. Yesudas Thursday said he would provide all legal help to the driver of the ill-fated boat, which capsized Sep 30 at Thekkady lake in central Kerala’s Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary killing 45 people.

‘Kerala Caf’ to have world premiere at Abu Dhabi film fest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - “Kerala Caf”, a new experiment by Malayalam filmmakers where 10 directors have come together to make 10 different short films with a common theme, will be premiered at the Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi that begins Thursday.

I don’t want to be called a star: Tamil actor Pasupathi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Tamil actor Pasupathi, whose latest Malayalam film “Vairam” is running to packed houses here, says he would prefer to be known as an actor and not as a star.

Honorary degrees for Mohanlal, Resul Pookutty and Sastrikal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit Tuesday decided to confer D.Litt to superstar Mohanlal, Oscar award winner Resul Pookutty and veteran Sanskrit scholar M.H. Sastrikal.

Going is great for Mammootty with ‘Loud Speaker’ success

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Malayalam superstar Mammootty seems to be on a roll with his latest release “Loud Speaker” hitting the jackpot at the box office. The actor says he is “delighted” to hear positive reports about the comedy.

Mammootty takes day off as Kerala celebrates Eid

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - As Muslims offered prayers in large numbers at mosques dotting towns and cities in Kerala Monday, superstar Mammootty too joined in the Eid festivities by praying at an Eidgah in Kochi on his rare off-day.

Kerala’s Ponmudi resort to open Oct 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Kerala Tourism Development Corp (KTDC) is all set to welcome tourists at the Ponmudi hill resort that has been developed as a premium getaway and will open Oct 1.

Adoor gets his 5th National Award for direction

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Ace Malayalam filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan got his fifth National Award for best direction for “Nallu Pennungal”, making him the only second person to win the prestigious award five or more times. The 55th edition of the awards were announced in New Delhi Monday.

Mammootty to have quiet 56th birthday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Veteran Malayalam superstar Mammootty plans to celebrate his 56th birthday Monday in a quiet way and says he has made no resolutions for the occasion either.

Mammootty has huge expectations from ‘Pazhassi Raja’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Veteran Malayalam superstar Mammootty says he is not only excited about his forthcoming historical epic “Pazhassi Raja”, but also has huge expectations from the movie that is dubbed in three languages.

I’m not just an art filmmaker: Adoor Gopalakrishnan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Award winning Malayalam director Adoor Gopalakrishnan refuses to accept that he only makes art films.

Film shoot disrupted by wild elephant to resume Friday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The shooting of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai starrer “Raavan”, disrupted when an elephant ran amok in the jungle where it is being shot, will resume Friday, cinematographer Santosh Sivan said here Thursday.

Mammootty launches reality show to find fresh talent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Malayalam superstar Mammootty, who promised to launch fresh faces through his recently launched production company Play House, has started a talent hunt show in search of new faces.

Dev Patel to star in Hindi remake of ‘Nadodigal’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - British-Indian actor Dev Patel, who starred in Oscar winning film “Slumdog Millionaire”, could in all probability star in the Hindi remake of Tamil movie “Nadodigal”.

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal joins Territorial Army (Lead)

NEW DELHI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Malayalam actor Mohanlal Thursday donned a new cap - that of a lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army. The actor was piped by the Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor at a ceremony here.

Mohanlal to join Territorial Army Thursday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Malayalam superstar Mohanlal will be commissioned into the Territorial Army Thursday by army chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor in the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Kerala to set up film institute, cine park and archives centre

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Kerala film industry has lots more to cheer about - it is set to get a film institute, a film park and an archives centre, state Culture Minister M.A. Baby announced in the assembly Wednesday.

Jackson influenced the Malayalam film industry: Music director

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - While calling the ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson the “greatest musician”, music director M. Jayachandran said here Saturday that the legendary singer had also influenced the Malayalam film industry with his style.

Acting is easy, direction most satisfying: Filmmaker Lal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Multi-faceted Malayalam film personality Lal, who has just won the Kerala state best actor award, Saturday said that acting is the easiest part of filmmaking and production is the most lucrative, but directing a movie is the most satisfying.

Kerala’s award winning actress Priyanka says no to skin show

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Malayalam actress Priyanka, who won the state film award for the best actress for director T.V. Chandran’s “Vilaapangalkappuram”, says she is not interested in exposing on screen.

Adoor’s ‘Oru Pennun Randu Annum’ sweeps state film awards

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Internationally acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s “Oru Pennun Randu Annum” swept the State Film Awards winning five main awards. He says it will lure the people to theatres to see his movie.

Kerala film industry happy with ‘Mundakkal Sekharan’ Napoleon as minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Kerala film industry is excited to have one of its own in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s cabinet. D. Napoleon, who became a household name by playing the villanous Mundakkal Sekharan in two popular Malayalam films, has been chosen to be a minister of state.

Mohanlal celebrates a quiet birthday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Malayalam superstar Mohanlal Thursday celebrated his 49th birthday without any fanfare at a hotel in between the shooting of his latest film.