Even though the fundamental elements of competitive examinations in India over the last decade have remained similar to those of previous years, the technology associated with them continues to evolve. Imagine a JEE, NEET or IAS aspirant being able to identify and simplify the problems within
"Call me Ringo." That's what the former Beatles drummer says when asked if we should call him Sir. He joins us at the swanky Sunset Marquis hotel in West Hollywood where rock stars have gathered for decades in a luxury oasis behind the Sunset Strip."Call me Ringo
India is set to become a global sporting powerhouse. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya predicts India will rank among the top 10 sporting nations by 2036. By 2047, the nation is projected to break into the top five. This vision is fueled by government initiatives like Fit India and Khelo India
The Gauhati High Court on Friday (April 24, 2026) rejected Congress leader Pawan Khera’s anticipatory bail plea in connection with a case registered by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, in the Assam Police Crime Branch
Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty tumbled in early trade on Friday (April 24, 2026) as surging oil prices and unabated foreign fund outflows unnerved investors. Weakness in IT stocks and a negative trend in global markets also weighed on investor sentiment
Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League table with a narrow 1-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor, a result that also confirmed the hosts’ relegation on Wednesday. A fifth-minute strike from Erling Haaland proved decisive as City climbed above Arsenal on goals scored
IIT Madras's SWAYAM plus launches 3 new AI courses for beginners, registration beginsIIT Madras's SWAYAM plus has launched three new AI courses for beginners. The registration process is underway and will close on May 10. Published on: Apr 24
Chhattisgarh: Forest dept rolls out action plan for conservation, livelihoods in BalodabazarChhattisgarh: Forest dept rolls out action plan for conservation, livelihoods in Balodabazar Published on: Apr 24, 2026 2:11 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Raipur
Tamil Nadu, where cinema and politics meet
Tamil Nadu, where cinema and politics meet Premium
In Tamil Nadu, cinema and politics are the twain that always meet. In a land where politicians have historically used cinema as a vehicle for their propaganda, and leading lights from cinema (including three chief ministers) have switched to politics, an intermingling of the two is not only unavoidable; it is to be expected. But even in a happy relationship, things can get rocky from time to time.
The latest episode in this shaky co-existence involves two films. Controversy erupted last week after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) delayed approvals for the Pongal release of Jana Nayagan, featuring the popular star and emergent politician, Vijay; and Parasakthi, anchoring Sivakarthikeyan.
Jana Nayagan, reportedly Mr. Vijay's swansong, launched strategically a few months before the Assembly elections, is, going by the trailers, the launch vehicle for his political journey and party. His character's name in the film bears the initials TVK, the same as his political party Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam. The film was submitted to the CBFC in mid-December 2025 and reportedly passed initial scrutiny with suggested edits accepted, securing a U/A certification. But in a strange twist, the dissent of one member of the CBFC dragged it straight into the court halls. Some contentious portions sparked complaints that they hurt religious sentiments and misrepresented the armed forces.
Vijay's ‘Jana Nayagan', the last to court trouble, not the first
‘Jana Nayagan' censor row: Kamal Haasan seeks transparent, time-bound film certification process
Censor Board too being weaponised by BJP government, charges T.N. CM Stalin
The producer, KVN Productions, managed to get a favourable order at the Madras High Court, which allowed a U/A 16+ certificate for the movie, but on appeal from the CBFC, a division bench granted an interim stay and listed the next hearing for January 21. This meant that the movie not only missed its initial pre-Pongal Friday release (January 9), but also the long Pongal weekend (January 15-18). The producers have reportedly approached the Supreme Court seeking an urgent listing of the case on January 12.
While Mr. Vijay has maintained radio silence on the issue, others have accused the Central government of weaponising the CBFC. Filmmakers condemned the Board for harrying them and making them run from pillar to post for certification. A representative of the TVK cried that there was “deliberate sabotage”. Political representatives from the Tamil Nadu Congress condemned the CBFC for “attacking freedom of expression” and described the move as an instance of the growing politicisation of statutory institutions. Despite the rivalry between the DMK and the TVK, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M.K. Stalin charged the BJP-led Central government with having weaponised the CBFC, as it had done with the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Directorate of Enforcement, and the Income Tax department. He made the statement a few hours after the CBFC cleared Parasakthi, ahead of its scheduled release on January 10, albeit with 25 cuts.
Notably, Parasakthi is being distributed by Red Giant Movies, founded by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. The film revolves around the anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu in the 1960s. Some cuts and modifications include references to Hindi, and phrases attributed to C.N. Annadurai. The anti-Hindi agitations still hold emotive appeal in Tamil Nadu, and increasingly outside the State as well.
In Tamil Nadu, films have repeatedly clashed with the CBFC and governments over ‘sensitive themes'. Actor Kamal Haasan, who was put through the wringer in 2013 for his film Vishwaroopam, released a statement on January 10, calling for a “principled relook at the film certification process, with defined timelines, transparent evaluation, and written, reasoned justification for every suggested cut or edit.” Vishwaroopam was banned for 15 days by the State government, following protests from Muslim groups objecting to its portrayal of terrorism, despite initial CBFC clearance. Mr. Vijay's 2017 film, Mersal, raised political hackles after it criticised GST and health care privatisation, again leading to tweaks by the CBFC. In 2025, Vetri Maaran's political drama, Manushi, on the plight of undertrial prisoners, went through a censorship battle. Finally, the Madras High Court reduced cuts and granted it a U/A certificate.
Given how cinema and politics stir passions in Tamil Nadu, the nexus will likely continue to spark controversies, with the free spirit of creation often having to accommodate the compulsions of politics, aided by the intercession of courts.
Published - January 12, 2026 12:30 am IST
state politics / Tamil cinema / Tamil Nadu
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: Quote of the Day by Mark Twain Tamil Nadu Congress leaders to meet AICC brass amid DMK hard line Meet the teenage cyclists from Tamil Nadu racing at the Track Asia Cup Can Vijay become the next MGR of Tamil Nadu politics Can Vijay’s electoral debut shake up Tamil Nadu’s politics Tamil Nadu politics is not regionalism Tamil cinema’s promo revolution Stolen’ Fame Abhishek Banerjee To Step Into Tamil Cinema — Details Inside Learn Tamil during Kashi-Tamil Sangamam Dharmendra Pradhan Speaks In Tamil At Kashi Tamil Sangamam
MI host CSK at Wankhede in IPL 2026’s biggest rivalry clash, with both teams desperate at 2-4. The loss can be daunting for both team’s playoff chances. The Wankhede Stadium prepares for a monumental showdown on Thursday, April 23, as the Mumbai Indians (MI) host their historic rivals
48 minutes ago
West Bengal Elections BJP vs TMC: Political campaigns in West Bengal are creatively using fish and meat, staples of Bengali culture, to connect with voters. This strategy highlights the significant economic importance of the state's non-vegetarian food industry
47 minutes ago
A father and his toddler daughter have gone viral after sharing videos of their bike rides together, with heartwarming clips of their outings crossing millions of views online. Gareth Williams, 33, from Blaenau Gwent in Wales, began filming short clips of rides with his daughter Indie after
47 minutes ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Under ₹1000 but still cute: These 8 summer dresses prove budget can look chicLooking stylish doesn’t have to come with a heavy price tag. These dresses prove that under ₹1000
47 minutes ago
Singapore is transforming from East-West gateway to neutral ground for the AI sector, with Chinese startups hoping to operate beyond government reach while U.S. firms seek foreign talent without the headache of stricter visa regulations. The city-state
47 minutes ago
Odisha govt asks colleges, varsities to constitute internal committees under POSH ActThe Higher Edu Dept directed universities, colleges, and teacher education institutions to strictly adhere to the provisions of the POSH Act, or face action. Published on: Apr 24
47 minutes ago
Theegala, Rai make modest start in Zurich ClassicTheegala, Rai make modest start in Zurich Classic Published on: Apr 24, 2026 11:48 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Avondale , Sahith Theegala and Aaron Rai, who are very close friends, made a modest start in the Zurich Classic
47 minutes ago
China's DeepSeek releases long-awaited new AI modelDeepSeek-V4, "features an ultra-long context", the company said in a statement on social media platform WeChat, hailing it as “world-leading.” Published on: Apr 24, 2026 1:31 PM IST AFP Share via Copy link Chinese startup DeepSeek released a
47 minutes ago
Near the Kremlin several dozen people are queuing outside the presidential administration office. They've come to submit petitions calling on President Vladimir Putin to end a crackdown on the internet. Russian authorities have been tightening control of the country's cyber space
48 minutes ago
AirPods Max 2 is Apple doubling down on a sharp formula of subtle refinementFive years after the original, the AirPods Max 2 keeps that divisive yet iconic design , but delivers important audio hardware upgrades that define renewed finesse Published on: Apr 24
48 minutes ago
![New Delhi [India], April 24 (ANI): Australian cricketing icons Matthew Hayden and Brett Lee extended birthday wishes to Indian master blaster Sachin Tendulkar](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/the-man-who-became-cricket.webp?height=520)
New Delhi [India], April 24 (ANI): Australian cricketing icons Matthew Hayden and Brett Lee extended birthday wishes to Indian master blaster Sachin Tendulkar on his birthday. Sachin, perhaps the most technically flawless batter to live, with nearly every cricket record to his name
48 minutes ago
Restaurant Week India (RWI) is back this April after a decade out of circulation, but it returns to a dining culture that no longer needs an introduction. Running from April 24 to May 3 across Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru, the 2026 edition brings together over 55 restaurants offering
48 minutes ago
A woman who was taking a toilet break while on a road trip in the Australian outback ended up getting stuck waist-deep in a pit latrine after it collapsed. She was "trapped in the sewage pit for approximately three hours, until [she was] rescued by a local tradesman who happened to be passing by
48 minutes ago
Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan have officially kicked off the next schedule of their upcoming film with director Anees Bazmee, as the team heads to Kerala for an extensive shoot. The development was confirmed by Akshay himself, who shared a video on social media, giving fans a glimpse of the journey
48 minutes ago
The Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE), Dehradun, is set to announce the Class 10 and Class 12 results on April 25. The UBSE board exams for 2026 were held across the state from February 21 to March 20, while practical exams were conducted between January 16 and February 15 at schools and
48 minutes ago
A US special forces soldier involved in the military operation that captured Nicolas Maduro has been arrested after he allegedly bet on the removal of Venezuela's former leader before the information was publicly available. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged Gannon Ken Van Dyke after he
48 minutes ago
An Iranian Ship Tried to Slip the Blockade. A U.S. Destroyer Chased It Down.Hundreds of ghost-fleet vessels are playing a game of cat-and-mouse as the U.S. tries to lock down Iran’s oil trade and pressure it to accept Trump’s terms Published on: Apr 24
48 minutes ago
Marco Rubio has said that the Iranian footballers will be allowed to take part in this year’s FIFA World Cup 2026 as he distanced the U.S. government from a reported idea suggesting that Italy could replace Iran in the tournament. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office
48 minutes ago
Who is Parminder Singh? Akash Ambani welcomes ex-Google MD as CEO of Reliance-Meta AI ventureParminder Singh was appointed as the CEO of REIL, a joint venture between Reliance Intelligence Limited and Facebook Overseas Inc. Published on: Apr 24
48 minutes ago
India is projected to have 313 billionaires and more than 25,200 ultra-high net worth individuals by 2031, according to a study by global property management firm Knight Frank. India currently has 207 billionaires and 19,877 ultra-high net worth individuals, the study showed
48 minutes ago
A strong El Nino is expected in the second half of 2026. This will bring hotter, drier weather to Asia. Crops and food supplies will be affected. Farmers face fertiliser shortages and high fuel costs. India anticipates below-average monsoon rains
48 minutes ago
Nita Ambani at TIME100 Gala ditches gowns, represents India in a saree and stunning pearl-diamond jewels | PICSAt the TIME100 gala, Nita Ambani wore an exquisite traditional saree showcasing Indian craftsmanship, paired with statement jewellery from her collection. Updated on: Apr 24
48 minutes ago
Delhi HC orders protection for Uttam Nagar clash victim's family amid threat concernsJustice Girish Kathpalia recorded the State's submissions that adequate security arrangements are already in place, including the installation of CCTV cameras Updated on: Apr 24
48 minutes ago
Norway said on Friday it would present a bill in parliament by year-end to ban children from using social media until they turn 16, making technology companies responsible for the task of age verification.Several European nations seeking to rein in children's use of social media after
48 minutes ago
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has chaired a high-level meeting with heads of scheduled commercial banks and key stakeholders to assess the potential impact of emerging threats linked to recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) models
48 minutes ago
China on Friday (April 24, 2026) announced it will send two giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta in the U.S., in Beijing's latest efforts of panda diplomacy despite tensions with Washington, and less than a month before a much-anticipated visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to Beijing
48 minutes ago
Delhi has criticised "inappropriate" remarks about Indians and India shared by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account. Trump shared a four-page transcript of remarks made by podcaster Michael Savage on America's birthright citizenship where he accused people from India and China of
48 minutes ago
