Latest news with #Flask
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
7 phrases to avoid in job application emails and what to say instead
7 phrases to avoid in a job application email When applying for jobs, your email is often your first interaction with a potential employer. Whether you're writing a cold email, attaching a resume, or following up after an interview, what you say (and how you say it) can directly influence whether you get shortlisted, or silently ignored. Unfortunately, many jobseekers still use phrases that sound unclear, outdated, overly formal, or even unprofessional, especially in global or modern hiring contexts. Here are seven common phrases to avoid when emailing recruiters, HR managers, or company professionals, along with what to say instead, so your email works for you, not against you. 'Respected Sir/Madam' This phrase may sound polite in Indian contexts but can feel outdated or too generic in job applications. Worse, it shows you haven't taken the time to personalise your message. What to write instead: 'Dear Hiring Manager' (if you don't know the name) 'Dear [Full Name]' or 'Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]' if you've found their name on LinkedIn or the company site. Always check the job post or LinkedIn page to identify the right contact person if possible. 'Please do the needful' This phrase is vague and sounds like a passive command. Employers prefer candidates who communicate clearly, directly, and professionally. What to write instead: 'Please let me know if any further documents are required.' 'Looking forward to the next steps in the process.' 'Kindly confirm if my application has been received.' When applying for roles, clarity about your ask is far more valuable than vague formality. 'Please revert back ASAP' 'Revert' is often misused globally, it means to return to a previous state, not to reply. 'Revert back' is also redundant. And 'ASAP' can sound pushy unless it's truly urgent. What to write instead: 'I would appreciate a response at your earliest convenience.' 'Please let me know by [insert date], if possible.' 'Looking forward to hearing from you.' Be assertive, not aggressive. You're building a relationship, not demanding action. 'I am applying for any suitable position' This shows lack of clarity and focus. Recruiters are unlikely to spend time figuring out what role fits you, they want candidates who know what they want. What to write instead: 'I am applying for the [Job Title] position, as listed on your website.' 'I am interested in a marketing internship with your firm.' If you're open to multiple roles: 'I'm open to roles in digital marketing or content strategy.' Being specific demonstrates clarity and confidence, while vague statements can signal uncertainty or lack of preparation. 'I am a hardworking and honest candidate' These are baseline expectations, not standout qualities. Recruiters want evidence, not empty adjectives. What to write instead: 'During my internship at [Company], I led a project that improved…' 'My final-year project involved developing a prototype using Python and Flask…' Focus on skills, achievements, and results, not self-praise. 'Please consider my profile for future openings' It sounds passive and indirect. Unless the company allows speculative applications, this often goes unnoticed. What to write instead: 'I would love to be considered for future roles in [specific team/function]. Please find my resume attached for your records.' Or, better still, apply only when there's a posted vacancy, and follow the format. Show enthusiasm for future opportunities, but also highlight the value you bring, not just a hopeful request. 'Thanks in advance for your positive reply' This assumes the employer will respond positively, which can sound presumptive or overconfident. It may unintentionally pressure the reader. What to write instead: 'Thank you for your time and consideration.' 'Looking forward to your response.' 'I appreciate your attention to my application.' Maintain a tone of humility and professionalism. It's good to be optimistic, but avoid sounding entitled or presumptive. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Flask movie review: Saiju Kurup's comedy is a festival of missed opportunities, but Suresh Krishna proves he's truly the ‘convincing' star
Flask movie review: Whenever watching something penned and/or directed by Rahul Riji Nair, a sense of semi-dissatisfaction often lingers in my mind. This isn't because his works are outright poor, but more because of how weakly he develops scenes that had the potential to soar and end up settling at a middling level. Take the series Jai Mahendran (2024), written by Rahul and directed by Srikanth Mohan, for instance. Although its premise is quite outdated, it still could have been crafted into a light-hearted watch offering some genuine laughs and a bit of relaxation for the audience. Even his earlier works like the sports drama Kho-Kho (2021), the thriller Keedam (2022) and the adventure comedy Dakini (2018) could have been much better had Rahul refined the scripts further. The same is the case with his latest directorial Flask, which features several moments that could have elevated the film, but are ultimately undercut by average writing. Though a civil police officer (CPO) by profession, Jyothi Kumar's (Saiju Kurup) heart lies in music; he loves singing. Living with his small family comprising his wife Nisha (Aswathy Sreekanth), their daughter (Bhadra Mithun) and his father Kumaran (Balachandran Chullikkad), Jyothi is happiest when he's on stage, singing old Malayalam melodies for a music troupe, Souparnika Orchestra, based in his hometown of Pattambi. Meanwhile, his job at the Vaniyamkulam police station takes a hit when he loses an official file on a bus. As punishment, he's removed from law-and-order duties and reassigned as the personal security officer (PSO) — pejoratively referred to as a Flask, since they're often seen carrying flask containers for their principal(s) — to District Judge Venkidesh Balaji (Suresh Krishna). A strict, no-nonsense jurist, Balaji seldom even smiles when around his family either. He is even colder and distant towards his subordinates. As a result, Jyothi's musical dreams go out the window, since he must be at Balaji's beck and call almost always, despite there being another PSO. One day, as Jyothi and Balaji are proceeding to Wayanad for a function, their official car is attacked and they both are kidnapped by Maoists led by Ganeshan (Sidharth Bharathan), who hold them hostage to negotiate the release of one of their imprisoned comrades, Manu (Anand Ekarshi). What unfolds next forms the rest of the film. At its core, Flask had the potential to be something like director Khalid Rahman's Mammootty-led Unda (2019) or Amit V Masurkar's Rajkummar Rao-starrer Newton (2017). But writer-director Rahul Riji Nair makes it clear early on that he isn't interested in aiming that high and presents a string of mediocre, been-there-seen-that moments instead. In the opening sequence, we see Jyothi, in police uniform, winning over his colleagues and the audience at a local stage event by singing 'Nee En Sarga Soundaryame', composed by Ouseppachan, from Bharathan's classic Kathodu Kathoram (1985). This brings up a valid question for contemporary Malayalam filmmakers: how long are you going to milk people's nostalgia and love for Kathodu Kathoram? It was only recently that Nna Thaan Case Kodu (2022) featured a remixed version of 'Devadoothar Paadi' from the same film, and Rekhachithram was set against the backdrop of its production. With Flask also following suit, it just feels like riding the coattails of yesteryear classics. What makes the scene even more irksome is that playback singer Nikhil Menon's voice sounds nothing like Saiju Kurup's, and it feels especially jarring since we just heard the actor speak a few lines in his actual voice moments before. What follows is a series of scenes that leave little impact, mainly due to all-too-familiar dialogues and underdeveloped ideas. While Rahul maintains a certain organic flow in the narrative, the scenes themselves feel half-baked from the start. Once Jyothi joins Balaji as a PSO, we can sense that there are opportunities to explore more — be it the power imbalance, Jyothi's dissatisfaction with his job, the judge's toxic rigidity, or the possibility to slip in some humorous moments. Instead, all we get are repeated shots of Jyothi rushing to work, attending night duty, opening doors for Balaji and exchanging mundane conversations with co-workers. While these could have contributed to establishing how monotonous such people's lives are, that doesn't seem to be Rahul's intention here. As a result, this entire portion ends up feeling like a series of missed opportunities. What makes it worse is that even the few intended 'jokes' fall flat, closing off any chance of comic relief. Even after they are kidnapped by Maoists and the power dynamics between Jyothi and Balaji begin to shift, with the judge shedding his superiority complex and meeting others at their eye level, Rahul's script fails to capitalise on the narrative potential. Both the serious and comedic interactions between Ganeshan, Balaji and Jyothi are marred by poor dialogues and a complete lack of dramatic weight. In fact, the dialogue writing throughout is so uninspired that we even hear extremely cliched lines like Jyothi saying, 'Vayaru niranju (I'm full)' after being scolded by a superior, or a top cop saying during a meeting, 'Avarude mahathvam parayaanalla nammal ivide koodiyirikkunnath (We haven't gathered here to praise their greatness).' Going forward, we also witness that Ganeshan isn't just all talk as he guns down a turncoat Maoist. But since the character is so poorly developed, we feel no emotion towards him. No fear, no empathy, not even intrigue. He's just there, and hence, we are watching him. Although Balaji's eventual change of heart also could have been much more neatly shown, the writing and the execution lack the required emotional depth. In fact, from beginning to end, Rahul's writing remains largely superficial as he avoids digging deep into any character or theme. Even the final shootout lacks tension, drama and thrill, rendering it just another generic scene. Also, the superficial treatment of sensitive themes like Maoism, especially when the militants are portrayed as living in forests adjacent to tribal settlements, is not just lazy writing, but irresponsible as well, as they simply cater to popular perceptions. While Saiju Kurup is apt as Jyothi Kumar, he isn't given much space to explore or elevate the character, mostly due to weak writing and underwhelming scenes. Suresh Krishna, on the other hand, is excellent as Venkidesh Balaji, with his body language and measured dialogue delivery standing out. Despite this character also being underwritten, Suresh rises above the material to deliver a 'convincing' performance. After all, he's the 'Convincing Star'. While Sidharth Bharathan is wasted in the role of the shallowly sketched Ganeshan, Anand Ekarshi as Maoist Manu is a delight to watch in his limited screen time. On the technical front, cinematographer Jayakrishnan Vijayan and composer Sidhartha Pradeep deliver decent work, though not particularly memorable. Flask movie cast: Saiju Kurup, Suresh Krishna, Sidharth Bharathan Flask movie director: Rahul Riji Nair Flask movie rating: 2 stars Anandu Suresh is a Senior sub-editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at ... Read More
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Janaki V v/s State of Kerala' to ‘Flask'—Legal battles to laugh riots; here's what's releasing this week
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) South Indian cinema lovers, buckle up! This week, theaters across the country are all set to light up with a diverse lineup of several new South Indian films, each bringing something unique to the big screen. Here's a list of every new South release this week. 'Janaki V vs. State of Kerala' Directed by Pravin Narayanan, the film follows Janaki, a young woman fighting for justice with the help of advocate David Abel Donovan. This intense narrative touches on emotional trauma and social justice and hits theaters July 17. The movie has Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran in the lead. 'Kothapallilo Okappudu' 01:50 Kothapallilo Okappudu - Official Trailer 'Kothapallilo Okappudu' (Telugu) promises laughter through a dancer hunt gone hilariously wrong. The movie has Ravindra Vijay, Manoj Chandra, Usha Bonela, and many others in pivotal roles. Directed by Praveena Paruchuri and R. Kiran, the film will hit the big screens on July 18. 'Bun Butter Jam' Bun Butter Jam - Official Trailer 'Bun Butter Jam' (Tamil) brings a Gen Z twist to love and parenting with a dose of comedy. Starring Raju Jeyamohan, Aadhiya Prasad, Bhavya Trikha, and Saranya Ponvannan in the lead, 'Bun Butter Jam' will release on July 18. The movie is directed by Raghav Mirdath. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Flexible MBA by SRM—Apply Now! SRM Online Apply Now Undo 'Flask' Flask - Official Trailer Directed by the 'Keedam' fame Rahul Riji Nair, 'Flask' features Saiju Kurup and Suresh Krishna in the lead role. 'Flask' merges police drama with dark humor and Maoist suspense. The story revolves around an arrogant district judge named Venkitesh Balaji and his personal security officer, Jyothi Kuttan. The film will release on July 18. Another upcoming Malayalam movie is 'Raveendra Nee Evide.' The film, which hit the big screens on July 18, stars Dhyan Sreenivasan and Anoop Menon in the lead. The movie turns a suspicious husband into the center of a hilariously tangled mystery. Apart from Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil, there are highly awaited films releasing in Kannada too. 'Ekka' (Kannada) delivers action and crime with Yuva Rajkumar navigating Bengaluru's underworld. 'Ekka,' starring Yuva Rajkumar, Sampada Hulivana, and Atul Kulkarni in the lead, will be released on July 18. Next is the Kannada-Telugu movie 'Junior,' starring Kireeti and Genelia. The film blends action with father-son emotions. 'Junior' will hit the big screens on July 18.
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Amazon Prime Day sees Ninja Thirsti drop to cheapest price this year
The Ninja Thirsti Water Bottle and Flask has been reduced as part of a limited time Amazon Prime Day deal Shoppers are saying they 'will never buy another water bottle' again since getting their hands on the Ninja Thirsti Water Bottle and Flask - and for a limited time it is 37% off. The brand's bestselling water bottle is now £21.99 down from £34.99 for Amazon Prime Day, beating the Ninja website and Currys, where it is full price. According to price checking site CamelCamelCamel, this is the cheapest the water bottle has been this year, and there are six different colours to choose from including mint green, black, white and grey. Shoppers will have to be a member of Amazon Prime to nab the deal, but they can sign up for a free 30 day trial here and take advantage of all the benefits. The Ninja Thirsti leak-proof travel bottle is designed to hold any drink but a feature that sets it apart from other vessels is a clever smooth interior retaining bubbles for lasting fizzy beverages. It also claims to keep cold drinks fizzy and chilled for up to 24 hours, hot for up to 12 hours and iced for up to two whole days. One customer highlighted the fizz feature as working by leaving feedback: "This is my 2nd flask I purchased this one for my husband. When we were away on holiday I put the unfinished bottle of Prosecco in my flask and the following day it was still cold and fizzy. Result." Another shopper kept their families drinks cold on holiday, writing: "This is perfect for using in hot countries it keeps the ice solid for 12hours plus making the water so lovely to drink all day. Used daily whilst in Kos when on trips or by the pool." The 700ml bottle is on sale for £21.99, however a smaller 530ml can also be snapped up for less than £20, now on sale for £19.99 down from £29.99 for Prime. Free Amazon Prime membership Product Description Stanley also stock a number of travel water bottles, such as the Iceflow Bottle. It is more expensive at £40, but there is a wider colour choice, as well as fun patterns such as Rose Petal Motion and Cream Rose Gold. Shoppers can also get a 600ml version in a block colour for £30 as part of the Stanley summer sale. Ocean Bottle is another option with the 750ml bottle retailing for £40. Again, it's more expensive than the Amazon Prime Day Ninja Thirsti deal, but it does hold slightly more liquid, plus it can be personalised making it a great gift. It also has sustainability credentials with one bottle stopping 1000 plastic bottles from entering the ocean. The Ninja Thirsti has been rated 4.6 out of five by 1,885 Amazon customers, many that applaud the bottle for keeping drinks hot or cold, fizzy and being 100% leak-proof. It's also easy to clean in the dishwasher and ideal for travel as it is nice to hold, or can slot into the cup holder of most cars. One happy customer wrote that it is a versatile choice, commenting: "This is designed for fizzy drinks, however it is excellent for the still water that I use it for. Keeps drinks cold all day, brilliant for the recent periods of hot weather. I use mine for all day walks and playing golf on a hot day. Highly recommended, far better than any other drinks bottle I have used in the past. The other good thing is that the complete top part of the bottle unscrews making it easy to fill and clean. It then has a simple small screw lid for drinking or pouring. It is quite heavy when full, but then it does hold a lot." They did point out that it can be heavy when full, another negative that someone else also mentioned. This shopper said: "One star off because they're substantial and a bit on the weighty side." But, this hasn't put off a five star reviewer, sharing: "I absolutely love my Ninja Thirsti - gorgeous mint green - perfect for iced tea and totally leak-proof. Keeps drinks cold all day, even without ice! Colour is beautiful and even better in person! It keeps drinks cold for hours; I add ice cubes in the morning, and they're still solid after 8 hours. It also works brilliantly with hot drinks. It's completely leak-proof, even when tipped upside down in my bag, and the quality is excellent. I've dropped it multiple times and it still looks brand new. This is a well-made, reliable bottle that's totally worth the money. Highly recommend." Someone else explained: "What really sets it apart is how easy it is to clean and the thoughtful design of the mouthpiece – no leaks, no fuss, just smooth sipping every time. It also pairs perfectly with the Ninja Thirsti system for flavouring and carbonation (if you're into that like I am)." Shoppers can get the Ninja Thirsti from £19.99 from Amazon, however, the deal won't stick around for long. The Ninja Thirsti System is coming soon to the UK, but in the meantime Soda Stream's Sparkling Water Machine is half price for Prime Day, now £69.99 down from £139.99.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Producers should also be appreciated for what Malayalam cinema is today: Rahul Riji Nair
After directing Saiju Kurup and Suresh Krishna in his webseries Jai Mahendran, filmmaker Rahul Riji Nair is returning with the same cast in Flask, a 'work relationship drama'. Excerpts from an interview: A 'slice of life' film Rahul says the film is about the tussles between the police officer who does not want to work alongside a very hierarchical judge. 'It's a slice-of-life story,' says the director. 'The film shows the journey of how their work equations evolve." Sharing his excitement about working with the cast, he notes, 'After the success of Jai Mahendran, we wanted to work together as a team again. I don't think we have seen Suresh ettan in such a role before. It was very exciting for me as a filmmaker to get the best out of both of them.' OTT platforms want popular content Ask Rahul if OTT is providing a platform for experimental filmmakers and he says, 'OTT is not doing anything to push filmmaking boundaries. The movies that we see are very mainstream in terms of content, presentation, etc. They prefer films that work theatrically. They are paying you because they want that content to work on that platform.' He explains that OTT did try to do something different in the early days. 'In hindsight, OTTs did give that feeling (of being a space for experimental projects), but they didn't follow through,' he says, adding, 'They want popular content that works with everyone. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Laxmi Ji Idol For Wealth, Peace & Happiness Luxeartisanship Shop Now Undo They are not looking to raise filmmaking standards or anything. Why is it that most of the OTT shows we watch now are crime thrillers? Their decisions are logical and data-driven. " Producers don't get enough credit A producer himself, Rahul feels that producers do not get the credit that directors or actors do. 'The credit for experimental works belongs to filmmakers, individual producers or production houses. Filmmaking is a capital-intensive business. Many worthy ideas end up materialising as films only because producers back them. I don't know how much that fact is appreciated. Producers should also be appreciated for what Malayalam cinema is today. A producer is willing to back new ideas because they are driven by the passion for the medium. Why is producer Ranjith's name inseparable from Thudarum? It's because he believed in the film and didn't give up despite the hurdles he faced ,' he says. Recalling a recent incident, he says, 'When I went to collect an award for my OTT series in Mumbai, everyone there had very good things to say about Malayalam cinema. The films they named were not backed by any platform in the beginning. They were made thanks to the instinct of a producer who thought, 'OK, let me put my money into this'.'
