Karan Veer Mehra shares how Vishal Bhardwaj, Rajkumar Hirani and Omung Kumar shaped his understanding of cinema

Mumbai, Nov 30, 2025
Actor Karan Veer Mehra has opened up about the filmmakers who have deeply influenced his creative journey.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, he praised Vishal Bhardwaj, Rajkumar Hirani and Omung Kumar, calling them storytellers who have shaped Indian cinema in their own remarkable ways. Reflecting on their distinct styles and impactful narratives, Karan expressed admiration for how each of them has contributed to elevating the craft of filmmaking and inspiring artists like him along the way.

The ‘Pavitra Rishta’ actor revealed, “I have always wished to work with Vishal Bharadwaj sir. He is a magician when it comes to layered characters and raw human emotions. The way he extracts intensity from his actors and builds poetry even in tragedy is something I deeply admire. As a performer, I am hungry for roles that challenge me, and he is the master of that zone.”

For Hirani, Karan Veer added, “Hirani sir has the rare ability to make cinema socially relevant yet entertaining. His films make people laugh, cry and think at the same time. He believes in goodness even in conflict, and I feel an actor becomes better when guided by that kind of storytelling.”

The ‘Bigg Boss 18’ winner, who is currently collaborating with filmmaker Omung Kumar on an upcoming project, praised the director for his vision and sensitivity. “Omung sir sees beauty even in pain and triumph in struggle. He is a perfectionist with a very emotional lens, and I’m grateful I get to experience his process. He brings out honesty from an actor without ever raising his voice — that’s a rare quality.”

He concluded by saying, “Every actor has a bucket list. For me, this is my dream trio — directors who move hearts, shake minds, and celebrate performance.”

Work-wise, Karan is gearing up for his next big release “Sila,” directed by Omung Kumar. In the film, the actor will portray the character Zehraak, while further details about the movie remain under wraps.(Agency)

1st ODI: Pant misses, Ruturaj comes in cut as South Africa opt to bowl first against India

Ranchi, Nov 30, 2025
South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the first ODI of the three-match series here at the JSCA International Stadium Complex.

The visitors arrive hoping to carry their momentum from the Test series into the ODIs, while the hosts see this as a chance to silence critics questioning their white-ball credentials. With injuries forcing changes, India now have an unexpected opportunity to assess their depth in the 50-over format.

Despite a fairly stable batting order, India must cope without Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, creating space for new combinations. Their last ODI outing in Australia was marked by the presence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, still the marquee names in the only format they play these days, so naturally, much of the spotlight will fall on them again throughout the series.

South Africa, meanwhile, aim to intensify India’s challenges. Although they lost their previous ODI series in Pakistan earlier this month, the return of several frontline players makes them a far stronger outfit now.

With Gill sidelined due to the neck injury he picked up in the first Test in Kolkata, KL Rahul steps in to lead the Indian side, while South Africa’s regular skipper Temba Bavuma has been rested, with Aiden Markram captaining.

Stand-in Protea skipper Markram, upon winning the toss, spoke of the team combination and said, “Spent a couple of evenings, dew at night time and it’ll be slightly easier to bat at night. Different personnel, the dressing room is at a good place with a lot of energy and fun. It’s an important series, the end role the 2027 WC, still a bit of time, but we’re up against one of the best teams in the world. Just one spinner in Subrayen, I will bowl a bit – Temba and Maharaj have been rested, four seamers for us today.”

India captain Rahul said that they had been looking to bowl too. When asked of the team’s mindset and combination heading into the game, said, “The preparation has been good, the energy is there with a lot of players coming back, we want to enjoy ourselves in the middle. That’s what the chat has been, we need to use every opportunity we get in the ODI team, this is a great chance to challenge our skills against a very good team. Three spinners and three quicks for us today.

Playing XIs:

India: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman.(Agency)

Assam CM hails India’s record food grain production, says ‘Mann Ki Baat’ captures significance

Guwahati, Nov 30, 2025
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday hailed India’s record foodgrain production, describing it as a “landmark achievement” that reflects the resilience of the country’s farming community and the Centre’s consistent focus on agricultural reforms.

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks in the latest episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, CM Sarma said the message underscores how Indian agriculture has steadily moved towards smarter, technology-driven and climate-resilient practices.

“India’s record food grain output is a landmark moment, and Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s message in Mann Ki Baat captures its significance. It reflects the grit of our farmers and the steady shift towards smarter, more resilient agriculture,” the Chief Minister posted on X.

The Chief Minister said the milestone is not merely a statistical accomplishment but a reflection of the changing mindset of farmers who are increasingly embracing innovation, modern crop management techniques and government-backed support systems.

He added that the transformation is visible across states, including Assam, where farmers are adopting scientific methods, improved seed varieties and better water-use practices.

Prime Minister Modi, in his monthly radio address earlier in the day, highlighted India’s rising agricultural output and praised farmers for achieving record production despite global disruptions and climate-related challenges.

He emphasised the importance of expanding technology access, promoting natural farming and strengthening food security for future generations.

CM Sarma said the Prime Minister’s message would inspire farmers and agricultural institutions to maintain momentum. He noted that rising productivity, greater diversification and increased rural infrastructure investments have collectively boosted India’s farm sector in recent years.

The Chief Minister also reiterated the Assam government’s commitment to aligning with national goals to enhance food security and farmer welfare. He said state-level initiatives in irrigation, soil health, farmer collectives and digital agriculture tools are being scaled up to support long-term sustainability.

India’s latest foodgrain production figures, which officials say mark the highest output recorded so far, come at a time when the Union government is pushing for wider adoption of resilient farming systems in the face of erratic monsoons and climate pressure.

CM Sarma said the achievement demonstrates India’s growing capability to ensure food self-sufficiency while strengthening its role in global food supply chains.(Agency)

New Labour Codes come as booster shot for India’s export sector

New Delhi, Nov 30, 2025
The new Labour Codes notified by the government bring about a series of benefits for India’s export sector including textiles, garments, leather, electronics, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, auto components and IT-enabled services — especially simplifying compliance for employers and enabling improved workforce management, according to an official statement issued on Sunday.

The competitiveness of these export-oriented industries depends heavily on the ability to maintain a flexible, compliant, and skilled workforce while adhering to international labour standards. In order to catalyse the growth momentum of the sector, the government’s recent integration of 29 laws into four streamlined Codes, enables an environment that promotes industrial efficiency while safeguarding workers’ interests, the statement explained.

One of the most impactful reforms is the introduction of a uniform definition of “wages” across all labour codes. This provision eliminates the ambiguity created by multiple, inconsistent definitions in earlier laws. For export industries operating in multiple states, it simplifies payroll administration and compliance, ensuring uniformity in wage calculations for social security contributions, bonus, and gratuity.

The provision for fixing a National Floor Wage by the government establishes a benchmark below which no state can fix its minimum wage. For export-oriented industries functioning across states, this offers predictability in labour cost structures and eliminates regional disparities.

The legal recognition of digital wage payments encourages the adoption of transparent and traceable payment systems. Exporters benefit from the ability to maintain verifiable payment records, which are often required by global buyers and compliance audits.

The prohibition of gender-based discrimination in recruitment and wages ensures equal remuneration for equal work. For export-oriented industries (EOIs), this aligns domestic practices with international labour and human rights standards, particularly those demanded by global retail and sourcing partners.

The provision for fixed-term employment allows employers to hire workers directly for a specific duration or project, with all statutory benefits equivalent to those of permanent workers. This is particularly beneficial to EOIs that experience fluctuating or seasonal demand linked to global order cycles. Industries gain flexibility to scale their workforce up or down without resorting to informal or contractual hiring, thereby remaining compliant with law and maintaining a positive image among international clients.

Raising the threshold for prior government approval for lay-off, retrenchment, or closure from 100 to 300 workers offers industries operational flexibility to adjust to changing export orders and global market conditions. This provision gives exporters the confidence to expand employment during peak demand periods without the fear of excessive rigidity during downturns.

The government authorities have been given full flexibility for fixing the limit of working hours. This will enable industry to fix the hours of work as per the business needs including when they get peak orders. It will also generate growth and employment.

The new labour codes also simplify compliance and facilitate the ease of doing business. The introduction of single registration and unified returns provisions reduces the multiplicity of licenses and inspections under different labour laws. EOIs, which often operate multiple production units or engage numerous contractors, benefit from simplified compliance and reduced administrative costs.

The codes promote digital maintenance of employment records, registers, and returns. EOIs, which are frequently audited by overseas clients and certification agencies, gain credibility through transparent and traceable digital documentation.

The provision for inspector-cum-facilitator and randomised digital inspections aims to reduce the traditional “inspector raj,” where inspections were often seen as intrusive and burdensome. Inspectors will function more as facilitators- helping employers comply with law, creating awareness among workers. This shift promotes harmonious environment and facilitates ease of doing business.

Provision has been made for third-party audit and certification of start-up establishments or class of establishments. It will help EOIs to assess and improve health & safety without intervention of Inspector-cum-Facilitator.

The provision for compounding of offences will also held in the ease of doing business. First-time offences that carry only a fine can now be settled by paying 50 per cent of the maximum penalty. Offences that earlier involved a fine, imprisonment, or both can be settled by paying 75 per cent of the maximum penalty, making the law less punitive and more focused on encouraging compliance. Further, employers can avoid prolonged litigation by paying a prescribed penalty that enables quicker resolution, minimises litigation, and lowers compliance risk for small EOIs.(Agency)

Reforms reloaded after Bihar boost as Winter Session of Parliament begins tomorrow

New Delhi, Nov 30, 2025
Buoyed by the NDA’s sweeping victory in Bihar, the Central government heads into Monday’s Winter Session of Parliament with renewed energy and an ambitious reform push, led by the long-awaited legislation that will open India’s civil nuclear sector to private participation for the first time.

The three-week session, spread over 15 sittings and concluding on December 19, follows the near-total washout of the Monsoon Session and carries the clear imprint of the Bihar result, with the treasury benches determined to get a slew of Bills passed.

At the centre of the agenda is the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, which will lay down fresh rules for the production, development and regulation of atomic energy while carefully allowing private players into power generation under strict state oversight.

Joining it on the priority list are the Higher Education Commission of India Bill that aims to give universities greater autonomy through a single, transparent regulator; a National Highways amendment for quicker and cleaner land acquisition, tweaks to company and LLP laws to further ease doing business, and the sweeping Securities Markets Code, 2025 that will merge and modernise three existing laws governing capital markets.

Changes to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, two carry-over bills from the previous session, and the first supplementary demands for grants complete the packed legislative calendar. One proposed bill has already been shelved: after fierce resistance from allies and opposition alike, the government has stepped back from its plan to let the President directly frame regulations for the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had called an all-party meeting on Sunday in the hope of securing smoother floor coordination and avoiding a repeat of the last session’s chaos.

The opposition, however, is gearing up for a sharp offensive. It intends to corner the government over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across twelve states and Union territories, which many parties describe as a targeted deletion drive, and also over the continuing air pollution crisis choking the national capital.

With the Bihar triumph still fresh and both sides digging in, the coming weeks promise a combustible mix of landmark reform bills, heated political confrontations, and the faint hope that, this time, Parliament might actually manage to pass laws.(Agency)

Kerala Raj Bhavan to be renamed ‘Lok Bhavan’ from Dec 1

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 30, 2025
Kerala’s Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor, is set to be officially renamed Lok Bhavan on December 1, marking a major symbolic shift in the state’s administrative nomenclature.

Governor Rajendra Arlekar, who is currently in his home state of Goa, is expected to issue the formal notification on Monday. Once issued, the official address will henceforth read Lok Bhavan, Kerala. The renaming follows the Union government’s broader move to discard colonial-era terms from the country’s administrative vocabulary.

On November 25, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a directive asking all Raj Bhavans across India to adopt the new title ‘Lok Bhavan’, and all Raj Niwas — the residences of Lieutenant Governors — to be renamed ‘Lok Niwas’.

Governor Arlekar had originally proposed the idea during the Governors’ Conference in 2024, arguing that the redesignation would help bring the Governor’s establishment closer to the people. He emphasised that the change would symbolise accessibility, transparency, and democratic participation — values he said must be reflected in constitutional offices.

With Kerala set to implement the change on December 1, the state joins others that have already notified the transition.

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya issued the order on Friday, becoming one of the first to formalise the shift. West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose followed suit on Saturday, completing the renaming process in his state as well.

The Union government maintains that the move is part of a national effort to reinforce the idea of “Viksit Bharat”, in which administrative institutions are expected to be more people-centric. According to the MHA notification, renaming the Raj Bhavans and Raj Niwas is intended to “underscore the participatory nature of democracy” and to ensure that constitutional spaces become more publicly accessible, both symbolically and functionally.

In Kerala, the transition is also expected to include changes to signage, official stationery, government communication, and digital platforms associated with the Governor’s office. While the administrative procedures are underway, officials indicated that the public unveiling and formal use of the new name would begin immediately after the Governor’s notification is issued.

The change marks the end of nearly seven decades of the term Raj Bhavan in Kerala, replacing it with a name that the Centre hopes will resonate with modern democratic values — Lok Bhavan, the People’s House.(Agency)

Cyclone Ditwah: Woman killed as wall collapses in Kumbakonam; heavy rain forecast in TN

Chennai, Nov 30, 2025
A 20-year-old woman died after a wall collapsed on her house near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, even as heavy rain continued to lash parts of the state under the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

The victim, Renuka, was the daughter of Muthuveil, a resident of Alamankurichi near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district.

According to officials, a portion of the wall of Muthuveil’s motor shed collapsed due to incessant rainfall and crashed onto the roof of their adjacent house.

Renuka died on the spot. Muthuveil, his wife Seetha and their younger daughter Kanimozhi sustained injuries and were admitted to a nearby hospital.

Local authorities have initiated relief measures and are assessing structural safety in the rain-affected neighbourhood.

Meanwhile, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, said Cyclone Ditwah, formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal, has started weakening and is expected to downgrade into a deep depression by around 5.30 p.m. on Sunday.

The system is not likely to make landfall along the Tamil Nadu coast, the RMC clarified.

According to the latest bulletin, the cyclone is currently located 220 km from Chennai, 130 km from Puducherry, and 120 km from Vedaranyam, moving at a speed of 7 kmph towards the north-northwest.

Even with the weakening trend, the weather office has warned that gale-force winds may blow up to 30 km offshore from the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on Sunday evening.

Extremely heavy rainfall remains a concern for several districts. The highest rainfall in the past 24 hours was recorded at Kodiakkarai (250 mm), indicating the intensity of the system’s rain bands over the delta and northern coastal regions.

Given the forecast, a red alert has been issued for Tiruvallur and Ranipet districts, where very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected through the day.

Several other districts may witness heavy spells of rain at isolated locations.

Officials urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain indoors, avoid water-logged zones and follow instructions from district administrations.

Disaster response teams have been kept on standby in coastal districts to handle any emergency arising from intense rainfall or localised flooding. With the cyclone weakening but still close to the coast, the RMC advised continued caution until the system fully loses strength over the sea.(Agency)

71-year-old loses Rs 1.92 crore to digital arrest scam; three arrested

Hyderabad, Nov 30, 2025
In another digital arrest case, Cybercrime Police of Hyderabad have nabbed three fraudsters who extorted Rs 1.92 crore from a senior citizen.

A 71-year-old male victim from Hyderabad had approached the police with a complaint stating that he was cheated by cyber fraudsters in the guise of a digital arrest.

The accused, who posed as officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), lured the victim into depositing Rs 1,92,50,070 into various bank accounts between November 7 and 14, a police official said on Sunday.

The fraudsters told the victim that a case had been registered against him for misuse of the Aadhaar card. He was told that using the Aadhaar card, an account was opened in Canara Bank, Mumbai. They made a video call and showed the photo of the Canara bank ATM card, and also sent him a fake FIR of the Crime Branch, Delhi. Later, they demanded money to close the case. Believing them, the victim deposited the amount in the bank accounts provided by them.

After realising that he had been cheated, the victim approached the police. A case was registered at Cybercrime Police Station under sections 66 C, 66 D of the Information Technology Act and the relevant section of the BNS.

Police arrested Pandu Vinith Raj, G. Thirupathaiah and Gouni Vishwanatham, all residents of Hyderabad. They were found involved in five cases across the country, out of which two pertain to Telangana.

The main accused, Saneep alias Alex, was absconding. Vinith Raj was the account supplier, while Thirupathaiah and Vishwanatham were joint account holders.

Police have cautioned citizens against falling victim to digital arrest.

The police clarified that there is no legal concept called a “Digital Arrest” under Indian law. Police do not conduct arrests over video calls; a genuine arrest involves officers physically coming to your location with an official, verifiable warrant, said an advisory.

People have also been advised not to transfer money. Legitimate law enforcement or government agencies (like the Police, CBI, ED, or Customs) will never ask you to pay a fine, security deposit, or transfer money via phone, UPI, cryptocurrency, or gift cards to “avoid arrest” or “clear your name.”

Police have also advised citizens not to share OTP, passwords, bank account details, Aadhaar, or PAN information over the phone or video call, especially to an unknown person claiming to be an official.(Agency)

Tahira Kashyap to cook a cherished recipe from her Nani’s notes for her father’s birthday

Mumbai, Nov 30, 2025
Ayushmann Khurrana’s wife Tahira Kashyap took to social media to pen a heartfelt note for her father Yajan Kashyap on his birthday.

The star wife shared how she plans to prepare a special dish passed down by her Nani mama—a recipe she has treasured in her notes for years. Taking to her Instagram handle, Tahira, on Sunday, posted a few photos from her morning video call with her father and expressed deep admiration for him.

Through the post, she conveyed how she sees divinity in him and how his habit of blessing not just his own children but everyone—regardless of their background—has always inspired her.

Tahira also mentioned that he is someone whom no one forgets to wish on his birthday, reflecting the love and respect he naturally attracts. Along with the pictures, she wrote, “I see God in him. When my father blesses me in the same breath he wishes for God to bless all children. The love and respect he gives everyone irrespective of whether they are successful or not, rich or not, educated or not, is an example. I love you papa, love you so so so much.”

“Pictures from today’s morning video call. He is one person nobody misses to wish and celebrate also sharing kada prashad recipe which my Nani mama shared with me, kept in my notes for ever and today I’ll be making it in mumbai celebrating your birthday papa while you soak the winter sun! There is so much to learn from you, so much may you keep radiating the warmth everywhere you go. There is ruhaniyat in you.”

Tahira Kashyap is the wife of actor Ayushmann Khurrana. The two got married in 2011 after years of dating, and are parents to two children son Virajveer and daughter Varushka. Tahira, writer and filmmaker, is recognized for her books, short films. Her published works include “I Promise,” “Cracking the Code,” and “The 12 Commandments of Being a Woman.”(Agency)

Anupam Kher opens up on receiving prestigious honours for his work beyond acting

Mumbai, Nov 30, 2025
Veteran actor Anupam Kher has been honoured by two of India’s distinguished educational institutions for his remarkable contributions both on and off the screen.

Recognized not only for his illustrious acting career but also for his efforts as an individual contributing to society, Kher expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the prestigious awards from DAV Schools and St. Xavier’s College Alumni Association.

Sharing his videos and photos, Kher wrote, “AWARDS AND HONOURS: I am deeply humbled, happy and delighted to receive two Awards/Honours from two very distinguished educational institutions of India for my work in my professional and personal capacity! Thank you Hon. Governor of #Maharashtra and #Gujarat Sh. #AcharyaDevvrat ji, a DAVian himself, President DAV Schools Sh. Poonam Suri ji, CEO Smt. Nisha Pashin ji and all the DAVians for this great Honour!.”

“Also THANKS to St. Xavier’s College Calcutta Alumni Association for the wonderful recognition! I consider these honours are also for whatever little contribution I try to make to our society! Not just as an ACTOR. But also as an INDIVIDUAL! Jai Ho! Jai Hindi! #Awards #Gratitude #Humbled.”

Meanwhile, Anupam Kher’s recent directorial “Tanvi The Great” recently returned to theatres. The film starred Jackie Shroff, Arvind Swami, Boman Irani, Pallavi Joshi, Karan Tacker, and Nasser, along with Anupam and Iain Glen.

“Tanvi The Great” narrated the story of a 21-year-old woman on the autism spectrum, who lives with her mother and grandfather. Inspired by her late father, Captain Samar Raina, an Indian Army officer, she dreams of saluting the national flag at Siachen Glacier.

Up next, the veteran actor recently announced that he has joined forces with filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya for his 549th project. On the first day of the shoot, Kher presented the Hum Saath-Saath Hain maker with an auspicious shawl from Ayodhya.

Calling the filmmaker and ‘icon, an amazing person and an amzing director’, Kher penned, “ANNOUNCING MY 549th FILM: Delighted to share that my 549th untitled film started today with one and only SOORAJ BARJATYA! Presented him the auspicious shawl which I got from #Ayodhya! (sic).”(Agency)

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