Latest news with #Akhila
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Middle Room: Bengaluru rewinds on a turntable
Oasis' 'Don't Look Back in Anger', which could well be July's theme song, what with the fractious Gallagher brothers burying the hatchet for an epic concert tour, washes over the Middle Room. The swish listening room recently opened at Courtyard, that meeting ground of ideas and experiences on Double Road in Bengaluru. The brainchild of Akhila Srinivas, the force behind Courtyard, Middle Room draws inspiration from audiophile bars around the world, which in turn take their inspiration from Japanese jazz kissas where music was not in the background but front and centre. Akhila, a true-blue Bangalorean, says she wanted to bring back the vibe of old Bengaluru's pubs (think Pecos and Purple Haze), where rock music, raucous sing-alongs and beer drove the party. While that sense of community and writing song requests on tatty napkins does not perfectly align with the hushed reverence of jazz kissas and the ₹500 listening fee, one can perhaps give the Middle Room a chance to find its groove within these parallel tracks. The intimate space seats 33 and operates on a time-slot booking system. We chose the 6.30 pm slot and thanks to Bengaluru's legendary traffic, staggered in by 7 pm. There are some cons to being in the middle of everything, which is what gave the listening room its name according to Akhila. Wood and red accents lend the Middle Room a warm yet edgy aesthetic. The fact that music is the heart of the Middle Room is underlined by the sleek turntable (Technics Sl 1200 mk7 from Tokyo) and a wall of vinyl of over a 1,000 LPs. Sandeep Raman, from the erstwhile Record Room (which Akhila says was more a restaurant with vinyl), presides over the records and some cassettes, playing marvellous jazz records that immediately transport you to neon-lit smoky alleys, and a slinky pair of stockinged legs unwinding from a muscle car to a wailing sax. Murthovic, music producer and DJ, who has burnt the floor in India (Echoes Of Earth, Satellite Beachside, NH7 Weekender) and abroad, and artist and creative director, Avinash, travelled the world and the seven seas, to build up the vinyl library, the equipment and acoustics. While music is the food of love at Middle Room, there is a short selection of small and large plates courtesy of Chef Adithya Kidambi. The drinks are shepherded by the grace of bar demon, Arijit Bose, the brains behind Spirit Forward and Courtyard's Wine in Progress in Bengaluru as well as Goa's Bar Tesouro. While the drinks menu is beer forward, offering Kölsch and stout from Mannheim, miso chilli sour (a Great State Ale collaboration), and Geist's Kamacitra, as well as the dreaded beer cocktails, I choose to be contrary and go for Prosecco. As we look at the cute little Star Wars action figures and the vinyls, which are a mix of old and new presses, we decide on small eats. I try the pumpkin rissois, which is an interesting marriage of curried roasted pumpkin and whipped goat cheese. The meaty flavour takes some getting used to. The char-grilled broccoli follows where the lime and green chili emulsion gives a gentle jolt of joy. My friend started with a birria dosa, which is the Middle Room's variation on the birria taco, where the crisp little dosa stands in for the taco. Stuffed with slow cooked goat leg, it made for a comfort bite. Feeling adventurous, we chose the Naga pork next. Though not at all hot (where were the ghost chillies of yesteryear), it featured lean and flavourful meat. Oh and even though Middle Room does not take requests, Sandeep was kind enough to play 'Dont Look Back in Anger,' and in place of a rowdy singalong, we quietly mouthed, 'Please don't put your life in the hands/ Of a rock 'n' roll band/ Who'll throw it all away… Middle Room is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Log on to to book your spot
Hans India
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Chandreshwar: A mythic thriller that dives deep into history and mystery
In a cinematic era where content is king, Chandreshwar rises as a mytho-thriller that tries to blend suspense, heritage, and spirituality into one gripping alongside biggies like Kannappa, the film managed to spark curiosity with its Shiva-centric theme, intriguing promos, and music that promised depth. But does the film truly deliver on its promise? Here's our review. Story: The story begins with a hidden ancient temple said to lie beneath the Nandivarma hills, believed to house a mysterious treasure. MD Chakravarthy (Nizhalgal Ravi) sends an archaeological team led by Professor Bose (Bose Ravi) and Akhila (Aash Venkatesh) to the remote Chandragiri village. However, villagers strongly oppose their entry, citing past deaths linked to outsiders. With some persuasion, excavations begin—but only during daylight. As deaths resurface mysteriously after nightfall, Sub-Inspector Guru Varma (Suresh Ravi) arrives and starts his own investigation. As he uncovers ancient secrets and falls for Akhila, layers of truth unfold involving forgotten temples, cursed relics, and lost paths to the treasure. The story is a rollercoaster of revelations, packed with twists right till the end. Performances: Suresh Ravi is impressive as the calm yet fierce cop, leading the investigation with conviction. Aash Venkatesh shines as Akhila, portraying both intellectual depth and emotional vulnerability. The supporting cast, including Nizhalgal Ravi and Bose Ravi, stay true to their roles, adding authenticity to the unfolding mystery. Technicalities: Director GV Perumal Vardhan deserves credit for meticulous research and storytelling that touches upon Sanatana Dharma without being preachy. The film's standout is its background score, which elevates every key moment—particularly the Shiva anthem, which gives literal goosebumps. Cinematography captures the ancient landscapes and eerie atmospheres beautifully. The visuals of forgotten temples and shadowy forests are particularly compelling. Editing could have been tighter in the first half, but the pace picks up eventually. Production values are solid and in sync with the film's historical and spiritual narrative. Analysis: The interweaving of archaeological intrigue with mythology makes Chandreshwar stand apart. Key episodes—such as the Nandivarma arc, four secret treasure paths, and the invisible sword—are major highlights. A stronger second half and more known faces could have boosted its mass appeal. Still, for audiences seeking substance and suspense, this film is a satisfying experience. If marketed smartly, Chandreshwar could evolve from a dark horse into a box office winner. It's more than just a movie—it's a mysterious journey into India's mythic soul. Review: 3/5
India.com
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress, whose first film was blockbuster, did second film with a superstar, disappeared suddenly..., is now..., her name is...
Meet actress, who's first film was blockbuster, did second film with a superstar, later vanished after..., is now..., her name is... Akhila Sasidharana, became a prominent name in the Malayalam film industry after her successful debut in Kaaryasthan . Released in 2010, the film directed by Thomson and written by hit screenwriting duo Udaykrishna and Sibi K Thomas, was a major blockbuster. Before her first film, She garnered limelight following her participation in the television dance show Vodafone Thakkadhimi and also debuted as an anchor on the famous music reality show Munch Star Singer Junior. A trained classical dancer, Akhila later appeared opposite Prithviraj in Teja Bhai and Family . Despite a promising start, she soon disappeared from the film scene, leading fans to wonder where she had been over a decade? The actor-dancer has finally broken silence on her absence from the films and what is she been up to following her brief stint in cinema. While speaking to a Malayalam YouTube channel, Akhila said, 'If you ask where I was, I was always around; engaged in creative activities. Now that I've reappeared on social media, people seem to have taken notice. We live in a time where your existence seems validated only by your presence online, which may be why people kept asking where I had disappeared to.' Addressing the reason regarding why she just disappeared after two films, Akhila said, 'There are many factors behind why certain films happen or don't. Cinema is a collaborative process, and a lot has to fall into place. Even after my two films, I remained active, appearing on several shows. Perhaps because there wasn't another film release after those two, people assumed I had disappeared.' She also revealed that following her brief appearance in films, she continued to work in Mumbai and followed her passion for arts. 'Though I started out as a Bharatanatyam dancer, I also trained in Kathak and began performing it extensively.' She noted. During the same conversation, she also addressed her single status, and why she hasn't been married yet. 'It just didn't happen. That's probably why I haven't got married. And if you ask whether there's any pressure to get married, the answer is no. If marriage is merely to fill some void, then I don't feel that way. But if it's to add something meaningful to life, I would certainly consider it (someday).' Akhila Sasidharana said.
Indian Express
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Her first film was a blockbuster, second had Prithviraj; but Akhila Sasidharan vanished after that: ‘We live in a time where…'
The chances of anyone making it big in cinema have always been significantly low. Not only is finding success in this field extremely difficult, but surviving and consistently getting work is also a herculean task, and only a few manage to build a truly fruitful career. Among the many actors who managed to break into the Malayalam film industry with a successful debut is Akhila Sasidharan. However, her story is not the same as that of many others who went field-out because of a lack of opportunities or back-to-back setbacks. Interestingly, her debut film Kaaryasthan (2010), directed by Thomson and penned by the hit screenwriting duo Udaykrishna and Sibi K Thomas, was a major blockbuster. Having made a name for herself in the television dance reality show Vodafone Thakkadhimi and as an anchor on the popular musical reality show Munch Star Singer Junior, Akhila was already a familiar face to Malayalam mini-screen audiences. Hence, her transition to the silver screen only amplified her fame, even though she was paired opposite the significantly older Dileep. However, this was also the era when Dileep reigned supreme at the box office, before he was accused of being the mastermind behind the 2017 actress assault case, and even his mediocre films found commercial success. Kaaryasthan was no exception. It went on to become one of the biggest hits of 2010. The following year, Akhila got the opportunity to star opposite the then-up-and-coming superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran in director Deepu Karunakaran's Teja Bhai & Family. Although the film was only an average grosser, it helped establish her as a bankable talent with decent acting potential. And then, suddenly, Akhila Sasidharan went MIA (missing in action). So much so that people stopped hearing about her or even thinking of her, until she recently made a return to the public eye by debuting on social media. Where had Akhila been for over a decade? What happened? The actor-dancer has finally opened up about her life post-Teja Bhai & Family, shedding light on what she's been doing since her brief stint in cinema. 'If you ask where I was, I was always around; engaged in creative activities. Now that I've reappeared on social media, people seem to have taken notice. We live in a time where your existence seems validated only by your presence online, which may be why people kept asking where I had disappeared to,' she shared during a recent chat with a Malayalam YouTube channel. Don't Miss | Ronth movie review: A solid police procedural led by Dileesh Pothan, Roshan Mathew; but Shahi Kabir's usual problematic tropes persist Addressing the burning question of why she vanished after just two films, she said: 'There are many factors behind why certain films happen or don't. Cinema is a collaborative process, and a lot has to fall into place. Even after my two films, I remained active, appearing on several shows. Perhaps because there wasn't another film release after those two, people assumed I had disappeared.' Akhila also revealed that after her brief foray into films, she spent over five years in Mumbai, continuing her artistic journey. 'Though I started out as a Bharatanatyam dancer, I also trained in Kathak and began performing it extensively.' During the interview, she also addressed her single status and views on marriage. 'It just didn't happen. That's probably why I haven't got married. And if you ask whether there's any pressure to get married, the answer is no. If marriage is merely to fill some void, then I don't feel that way. But if it's to add something meaningful to life, I would certainly consider it (someday).'
Hindustan Times
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Young Charvi's life in a chess bubble
Stavanger, Norway: The Norway Chess Open tournament — held at walking distance from the hotel that hosts the starry GMs — is a beehive of norm-chasing chess players, ranging from age 6 to 60, and local Norwegians to Indian expats. Unlike the main acts who are escorted for official post-game interviews and soon into the car, they all have things to do once their games are done: grab a snack, look for their chaperones, dial their parents for pickup. Charvi A had something else in mind. Right after coming out of the hall, the 11-year-old left the water bottle with her mother, searched for her opponent and stood talking with the older man for an extended time. Why? To analyse the game. Such post-game analysis chats can go from five minutes to thirty, said her mother, Akhila. And almost always, it is Charvi initiating them, if her opponent is willing and speaks English. For this 11-year-old, chess is not a chore, it is compulsive. And she is quite promising at it. A Woman FIDE Master (WFM) with a 1961 Elo rating, Charvi won the U-8 girls World Championship in 2022, a feat that made Viswanathan Anand post on X: 'Rise of a new star.' Charvi has picked up more accolades at the national and Asian level — she was conferred the 2024 Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, India's highest civilian honour for children, for which her parents had applied — thinking about the game in overdrive. 'Sometimes, she thinks about the moves in her dreams also,' said Akhila. It is not, however, thrust upon her. This year so far, she has played in around seven tournaments, in India, Austria, France, Uzbekistan, Budapest and Norway. Even in the few break days she gets in between, the kid is eager to do stuff around chess and puzzles. 'She has decided that she wants to only do this. We have asked her many times, but she likes the sport,' Akhila said. 'Instead of us parents forcing her to do something, we wanted to support her in what she was interested in. We realised she is really interested in chess.' And realised her ability and promise after she won the U-8 world title. Having picked up the game in her day care at age 5, chess got Charvi mesmerised, and her parents were left scrambling for YouTube videos that she demanded they watch and play with her. After finishing runner-up in a U-6 state competition, she began training with IM Shivananda BS in Bengaluru. As she progressed, Charvi was coached by GM Swayams Mishra, WGM Aarthie Ramaswamy, and even briefly by her husband RB Ramesh, R Praggnanandhaa's coach. She is now training with a 'few new coaches', names of which her mother said she could not reveal. Partly sponsored, Charvi's father has continued his IT job while Akhila, a professional in the same sector for over a decade, quit her work a couple of years ago to travel with her. Her school lessons are sent online, which Akhila oversees amid all the travel. 'I have to do this because she is very young, and may not understand what she is going through,' she said. The mother does not understand the game, nor does she discuss it with Charvi. Results are never asked until, if at all, told. The kid was a centre of attention when she met PM Narendra Modi for the award, and yet wasn't frazzled. 'She doesn't get too excited. Even after she won the world championships, she was very normal. She can handle winning, losing or the attention,' Akhila said. 'She is playing just out of passion.'
