
Directors Khalid Rahman, Ashraf Hamza arrested for possession of hybrid ganja
Khalid Rahman is known for the newly released film 'Alappuzha Gymkhana', and 'Thallumala' and 'Unda'. Ashraf Hamza is known for directing movies like 'Thamaasha', and 'Bheemante Vazhi'.Must Watch
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Scroll.in
5 days ago
- Scroll.in
Start the week with a film: In ‘Moonwalk', Michael Jackson comes to Kerala
Moonwalk is the latest Malayalam film to invite you on a stroll with its characters. Vinod AK's movie has its share of energetic scenes (the theme is dancing, after all), but what lingers are the moments of camaraderie, the small touches, the observational humour. In a small town in Kerala in the 1980s, a group of teenagers falls in love – with Michael Jackson and his breakdancing. When they watch the dance troupe Zoom Boys perform at a local event, they are smitten with the fluid moves, the manner in which limbs bend at will and most of all, the moonwalking. The young men set out to become moonwalkers themselves. They grow out their hair and practise hard. Their studies suffer. Some of them have disapproving parents. At least two members of the group are older, and from a lower class and caste, which invites scorn. There is time for love too, this time of the human kind. Adoring looks and big smiles are exchanged between boys and girls who find ways to be free from social restrictions. Moonwalk was released in Kerala earlier this year and is now being streamed on JioHotstar. Written by Vinod AK, Mathew Varghese and Sunil Gopalakrishnan, the film isn't as well put together as, say, Manjummel Boys or Alappuzha Gymkhana. There's a randomness to the sequences, and an irksome habit of cutting away from the dance routines, especially in the extended climax. But Moonwalk has its modest pleasures too. The acting is as beautiful as the dancing. The film evokes nostalgia for analogue technology (cassette tapes, video cassettes, Walkmans) and 1980s fashion (mullets abound). Composer Prashant Pillai cleverly finds ways to compensate for the inability to use any of Michael Jackson's music by coming up with his own synth-heavy songs. There are cute moments at the tailor and the hairdresser, who effortlessly adapt to the new craze. The 116-minute movie doesn't try to be ground-breaking. Rather, Moonwalk is a sweet slice-of-life story about an American phenomenon entering the consciousness of a faraway place and transforming it. In paying tribute to Michael Jackson, the movie's dancers find themselves too – a point Moonwalk makes in its own minor way. Play


Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
From users to dealers: Women drawn deeper into drug trade in Ernakulam
Kochi: Police and excise officers in Ernakulam are noting a concerning trend: An increase in the number of women apprehended in narcotic cases. Seven women have been arrested for drug offences so far this month alone. City police arrested three women with narcotics, while excise department and rural police arrested two women each. The arrests were made from apartments and hotel rooms in Kakkanad, Elamkulam, Pallimukku and Thykoodam. One woman was apprehended from a car in Kalamassery, while two others were caught with ganja in Perumbavoor. Number of men arrested for drug peddling also did not dip, as over 60 youths were arrested in major drug cases in the past two months in Ernakulam. Excise special squad inspector K P Pramod said what he observed was that in many cases, women were introduced to the drug by their friends, and it later led to addiction. "After using it for six or seven times, most become hooked on the drug. Then it is like they can't live without it. It is this addiction that derails the life of our youth. Unless the addict herself or himself decides to get out of it with conviction, it is very difficult to relinquish it once you are trapped," said Pramod. An excise officer said that one of the women they arrested was an Ernakulam native, and she was introduced to drugs by her ex-husband. "She married her boyfriend at a very young age. He was into drug abuse. After divorce, she turned into drug smuggling to make money. She started to procure drugs in large quantities from Bengaluru and then sell it here," the officer said. The officer added that she has an 11-year-old daughter, and she used to travel with the girl to avoid detection. "She had a strong customer base. She used to go to Bengaluru along with the girl after taking money in advance from her customers and then return with the substance. This largely avoided detection. It was the first time that she was caught red-handed," said an officer. In one of the cases reported last week, the arrested woman was found to be employed at a reputed company, drawing a monthly salary of over Rs 50,000. "She was introduced to drugs by her boyfriend and gradually became addicted," said a senior police officer. The woman and her friend were arrested with 30 LSD stamps from a hotel room where they were staying for a week, paying Rs 1,500 per day as rent. "They were selling drugs to support their addiction and to maintain an upscale lifestyle," the officer added. According to officers, many drug peddling rackets intentionally rope in women to avoid immediate detection by law enforcement agencies. Statistics indicate that drug trafficking is once again on the rise after a temporary decline caused by increased police surveillance in the wake of a series of violent crimes. "After the launch of Operation D-Hunt by state police, most peddlers initially went underground. Now, with improved intelligence gathering, we are locating youths holed up in apartments and hotel rooms with narcotics," a police officer said.

The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
IGP ask DSPs to review status of cases weekly
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Eluru Range, G.V.G. Ashok Kumar on Saturday directed the Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) to review progress of the on-going investigation of cases, station-wise every week. Participating in the 'Crime Review and Coordination Meeting' here on Saturday, Mr. Ashok Kumar enquired about the progress of the cases in Polavaram, Jangareddygudem, Nuzvid and Eluru sub-divisions. Superintendent of Police K. Pratap Shiva Kishore has asked the officers to utilise the technology to detect cases, and provide security to the public. The police officers reviewed the progress of POCSO Act, cyber crimes, road accidents, property disputes and other cases in the crime review meeting. Excise Superintendent A. Avulaiah, Deputy Director (Prosecutions) M. Sarada Mani, officers from Medical and Health, Transport and other departments and Public Prosecutors participated.