Was dancing better than Mohanlal and Vijay: CM Satheesan on viral AI video

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 12 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Saturday said he was stunned to see an AI-generated video showing him dancing with KSEB employees, but quipped that the technology had made him dance better than actor Mohanlal and his friend and Tamil Nadu counterpart Vijay.

Satheesan was speaking after inaugurating a three-day seminar organised jointly by the Kerala Judicial Academy and the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS).

The seminar is discussing copyright protection in the film and music sectors and the challenges posed by digital technology.

Referring to the viral video, Satheesan said technology had advanced so rapidly.

“I saw the video and found that I was dancing better than Mohanlal and my friend, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay. I was stunned and shocked,” he said.

The AI-generated video has gone viral on Instagram at a time when Kerala is witnessing a severe power crisis and widespread criticism over continuing power restrictions.

The video shows Satheesan dancing alongside KSEB employees to “Ala Bolelo”, a song composed by Anirudh for the recently released “Jailer 2”.

It was posted by the Instagram page which shares AI-generated videos mainly for entertainment.

The creators have clarified in a disclaimer that the video is not intended to insult or defame anyone and is purely an entertainment-oriented creation.

The video reportedly crossed 10 million views within a few hours of being posted.

Bigg Boss contestant and filmmaker Akhil Marar also joined the humour, commenting that “AI is in the Secretariat, but this is OG Pookki”, an apparent reference to the power cuts.

Thousands of users responded to the video, with several comments turning into criticism of the government and KSEB over the power situation.

The power crisis has already spawned considerable online satire, with earlier videos mocking the restrictions through fake announcements such as “Pookki Cut” and “Indira Cut”.

Meanwhile, Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph has said the crisis cannot be resolved simply by switching something on or off.

He said there was no supernatural solution and attributed the situation partly to a sharp rise in night-time consumption.

Satheesan’s remarks at a seminar on copyright and digital technology thus came with an unusual real-life example of how far AI-generated content has advanced.

–IANS

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Vijayan govt ‘covering up corruption’ in National Highway’s construction: Venugopal

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 29 (IANS) K. C. Venugopal, MP and AICC General Secretary (Organisation), on Saturday, said that the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the state government are acting as a front to “cover up corruption” in the construction of national highways.

Regarding the labour code, Venugopal noted that even when the CPI(M) itself opposes the labour code, there must at least be some reality in their opposition.

“It is the Communist government ruling Kerala that prepared the draft notification of the anti-worker labour code. Whose interests is this meant to protect?” he asked.

He further criticised the state government for “failing” to take a stance against companies that did not ensure safety or adhere to standards during national highway construction and for allegedly turning a blind eye to serious corruption in these projects.

“The state government is covering up the massive corruption in national highway construction,” added Venugopal.

Various Congress leaders in Kerala have time and again taken pot shots against CM Vijayan, saying he “fears” the Union government as central agencies were probing cases against his daughter.

Responding to revelations by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee about “massive fraud” and “malpractice” during the Bihar elections, he said that the “Election Commission of India acted as a facilitator to ensure the BJP’s victory”.

“Citizens’ voting rights were denied so that the wealthy could win. In Bihar, money was deposited into people’s accounts days before polling – unheard of and a blatant subversion of democracy. NDA’s victory in Bihar was achieved by undermining democratic norms,” he said.

“What happened in Bihar is a direct assault on democracy,” Venugopal had posted on X, asserting that the party would resist attempts to normalise such a precedent.

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–IANS

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Chennamma cremated with full state honours; CM Shivakumar, Union Ministers pay tributes

Hassan (Karnataka), July 20 (IANS) Chennamma, wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was cremated with full state honours at the foothills of Ranganathaswamy Hill in Mavinakere village of Hassan district on Monday, with senior leaders from both the Centre and Karnataka paying their final respects.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar paid homage to the departed and handed over the Tricolour to Deve Gowda after the state honours ceremony. He later presented the national flag to Union Minister and Chennamma’s son, H.D. Kumaraswamy

Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, attended the funeral as the representative of the Central government, while Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also joined the family in paying tributes to Chennamma.

The final rites were conducted in the presence of family members, political leaders and a large gathering of supporters. Pralhad Joshi and Shivraj Singh Chouhan offered floral tributes to Chennamma’s mortal remains and conveyed condolences on behalf of the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Deve Gowda was visibly distressed and broke down several times throughout the day. All dignitaries paid their respects and offered their condolences to him. Chief Minister Shivakumar touched Deve Gowda’s feet after handing over the Tricolour to him.

Speaking on the occasion, Pralhad Joshi expressed grief over Chennamma’s demise, saying her passing was not only a personal loss to the Deve Gowda family but also a moment of sorrow for the state. He described her as a woman of simplicity and grace who stood as a pillar of strength throughout Deve Gowda’s long public life.

Joshi said Chennamma embodied maternal affection and unwavering commitment to her family. He noted that she had remained the backbone of the Deve Gowda household and served as an example of an ideal homemaker, inspiring many through her quiet and dignified life.

The Union Minister also offered condolences to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, former minister H.D. Revanna and Bengaluru Rural MP Dr C.N. Manjunath. He prayed that the bereaved family would find the strength to bear the loss and that Chennamma’s soul would attain eternal peace.

Chennamma’s funeral drew the presence of several prominent leaders from Karnataka and across the country, reflecting the respect and affection she commanded as the matriarch of one of Karnataka’s most prominent political families.

Chennamma passed away following a cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Saturday (July 18, 2026).

She had been admitted to a hospital in Bengaluru on Wednesday night (July 16) with breathing complications, chest congestion and other age-related complications. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other prominent national leaders have expressed grief over the demise of Chennamma Deve Gowda.

–IANS

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After NGT nudge, TN govt to install steel mesh around Kapaleeswarar Temple tank

Chennai, July 7 (IANS) Acting on directions from the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has announced that a steel mesh will be installed around the Kapaleeswarar Temple tank in Mylapore to prevent waste from entering the sacred water body.

The move comes as part of a broader initiative by the NGT to safeguard temple tanks across Tamil Nadu, many of which are struggling with pollution and neglect.

The tribunal had earlier taken suo motu cognizance of the deteriorating condition of these heritage waterbodies and specifically directed the HR&CE Department to improve water quality through measures such as installing surface aeration systems.

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The Kapaleeswarar Temple tank, which holds both religious and ecological significance, has become a focal point in discussions around urban water conservation and temple tank revival. Environmentalists have welcomed the NGT’s intervention and called for similar actions across the state.

Experts emphasise that protecting such waterbodies requires not just physical infrastructure but also greater public awareness and strict enforcement against littering and pollution.

The mesh installation is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, marking a small yet significant step in restoring the health and sanctity of this historic tank.

–IANS

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