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Indian cinema looking at Kannada film industry with admiration: Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru, Oct 23 (IANS) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy claimed on Thursday that Indian cinema is looking at the Kannada film industry with admiration.

“Kannada film industry is achieving great heights and producing quality films. The Indian film fraternity is looking at us with admiration. Yet, Kannada cinema must achieve even greater success, and producers should get more opportunities to make good films,” said Kumaraswamy while addressing an event celebrating senior director S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu’s 50 years as a filmmaker in the Kannada film industry.

The Union Minister said that for the Kannada film industry to grow and flourish, lead actors should act in more films, and more heroes should come into the industry.

He said that the Kannada film industry has a rich history and a strong foundation, adding that Dr Rajkumar, Dr Vishnuvardhan, and Ambarish elevated Kannada cinema to great heights.

“For this legacy to continue strongly, more films need to be made. We must carry forward the tradition set by those legendary actors,” he said.

He expressed concern that fewer Kannada-language films are being made nowadays, which is why audiences are turning to dubbed movies.

“We have excellent directors and great stories here. My wish is that more and more Kannada films should be produced,” the Minister remarked.

Speaking highly of Rajendra Singh Babu, he said that completing five decades as a director and producer is no easy task.

“His entire family has been devoted to the film industry. As someone who has worked as a film exhibitor, distributor, and producer myself, I remember distributing and screening Rajendra Singh Babu’s films.”

He also praised the director, comparing him to legends like late Puttanna Kanagal and late Siddalingaiah, who were known for making films based on strong literary stories.

Former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP MLA C. N. Ashwath Narayan, former Minister and BJP MLA Munirathna, actor Kiccha Sudeep, Brahmanda Guruji, producer Rockline Venkatesh, Basanth Kumar Patil, Chamber of Commerce President Krishnegowda, veteran filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli, and publisher Veerakaputra Srinivas were among those present at the event.

–IANS

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Speeding car hits two schoolchildren in TN’s Ramanathapuram, one dies

Chennai, April 14 (IANS) A tragic accident occurred in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu on Monday when a speeding car rammed into two schoolchildren returning from a local temple festival, leaving one dead and the other critically injured.

The deceased was identified as 13-year-old Shanmuga Priya, while 14-year-old Hari Surya sustained severe injuries. Both were residents of Sayalgudi in the district.

According to the police, the two students were walking back home after attending the temple festival near their locality when a car, reportedly travelling from Rameswaram to Thoothukudi, struck them in front of their house.

Shanmuga Priya died on the spot, while Hari Surya was rushed to the Ramanathapuram Government Hospital with multiple injuries.

The Sayalgudi Police Inspector confirmed the arrest of the car driver, identified as 40-year-old Shiva.

The whole area was plunged in gloom as people assembled near the house to console the families.

The driver was being interrogated.

Despite strict enforcement of traffic rules, such a tragic accident took place.

Tamil Nadu has reported a notable decline in road accident fatalities over the past year. In 2024, the state recorded 18,074 deaths in 17,282 fatal accidents — 273 fewer deaths compared to 2023, which saw 18,347 fatalities from 17,526 accidents.

State Director General of Police, Shankar Jiwal, attributed the drop to a combination of strict traffic enforcement, crackdowns on drunk driving, and targeted interventions at accident-prone zones or ‘Black Spots’.

A detailed analysis of 2023 data revealed that driver error was the cause in 16,800 of the fatal accidents that year. To address these alarming figures, the police identified 6,165 Black Spots based on traffic density, environmental conditions, and accident history. In coordination with the State Highways Department, safety interventions were implemented at 3,165 of these locations. Speed control measures, warning signage, and road engineering improvements were among the steps taken.

Additionally, the Highway Patrol Mobile Application has played a key role in improving public awareness and enhancing on-ground enforcement.

Over 12,600 critically injured victims were rescued and provided medical attention during the crucial Golden Hour by highway patrol teams. To further foster road safety, the Tamil Nadu Police have also launched thousands of public awareness programs, encouraging responsible road behaviour.

–IANS

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Bihar polls: Jan Suraaj candidate from Munger joins BJP, a day before voting

Patna, Nov 5 (IANS) A day before the first phase of polling in the Bihar Assembly elections — slated for Thursday — the Jan Suraaj candidate from Munger Assembly constituency snapped ties with his party and jumped ship to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The fledgling party nominee, Sanjay Singh, switched over to the BJP on Wednesday.

He took the BJP membership in the presence of the latter’s Munger candidate Kumar Pranay and extended his support to the NDA alliance.

His sudden withdrawal from the electoral race and switching over to the rival party gives a new twist to what was seen as a triangular contest. The electoral battle for Munger now remains ‘fixed’ between the NDA and RJD-Cong-led Mahagathbandhan.

After joining the BJP, Sanjay Singh told the media that he believes that Bihar will rise to new heights under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

When questioned on Jan Suraaj, he said that the idea behind the new party was good and resonating among the public, but for bringing ‘real’ change, a firm and robust leadership is required, which the former is unlikely to provide.

“Considering the current political situation and circumstances, I am extending my support to ensure NDA’s victory. I will work to help them win, and I am confident they will win by a large margin of votes,” he said.

With him switching sides, the electoral equations in Munger stand completely altered. According to locals, the contest was a triangular one, but after Jan Suraj candidate, joined the BJP, the NDA and the Grand Alliance are now locked in a one-on-one contest.

This comes as a big jolt to Prashant Kishor-led Jan Suraaj, which is struggling to keep its flock together ahead of the polls. Earlier in October, three Jan Suraj candidates withdrew their candidacies. These candidates were from Danapur, Brahmapur, and Gopalganj.

The sudden switchover, a day before the polling, will trigger a war of words between the BJP and Jan Suraaj, with the latter set to accuse the former of arm-twisting and pressurising its candidates to withdraw from the race.

Earlier, Jan Suraaj chief accused the BJP of using force to obstruct its candidates from contesting elections because they are frightened of the new outfit’s mass connect with the public.

Election campaigning ended on Tuesday for 121 Assembly constituencies across 18 districts for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections. Voting is scheduled for Thursday.

–IANS

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