Latest news with #Shafeek
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Four held for theft of railway steel channel sleepers
Kochi: Railway Protection Force (RPF) on Friday arrested four men for the alleged theft of steel channel sleepers, a part of railway tracks, from Kalamassery. The arrested persons were identified as Hossain Jamadar, 28 of Baidyapara, Kolkata, Althaf K Ashraf, 30, of Muppathadam, Aluva, Ekbal Shaikh, 33, of Murshidabad and Shafeek S I, 34, of Peringala, Kunnathunadu. According to sources, the alleged theft came to light on Thursday night when Hossain was intercepted near Kalamassery railway station in a pickup van by RPF personnel. During interrogation, he admitted to stealing steel channel sleepers kept near bridge No 191 and named his accomplices. The accused also stated that the stolen materials were sold to a scrap dealer in Peringala. The accused also told RPF that some of the stolen sleepers were hidden in bushes near Kalamassery, and he was trying to retrieve them. Based on a tip-off, RPF conducted a search and arrested the other accused by Friday morning. They also raided the scrap godown owned by Shafeek, leading to the recovery of several stolen steel channel sleepers. He allegedly admitted to procuring 12 such sleepers from the other accused and selling them for approximately Rs 60,000. The RPF registered a case under Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act. The officials also initiated efforts to freeze Shafeek's bank account. The accused, Hossain and Shafeek, were granted interim bail, while the other two were remanded to judicial custody. RPF has also launched a probe to find whether the accused previously committed similar thefts of railway property.
Daily Tribune
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Kerala Vlogger Turns Bald Head into Billboard
In a quirky twist of creativity, Kerala-based travel vlogger Shafeek Hashim has turned his bald head into a walking advertisement — and it's already earning him money. The 36-year-old from Alappuzha, who is known for his YouTube travel videos, recently signed his first advertising deal worth Rs50,000 for a three-month campaign. The brand? A hair and skin clinic based in Kochi — whose logo is now tattooed on the back of his shiny scalp. From Hair Worries to Headlining Ads Speaking to The New Indian Express, Shafeek shared how the idea came about when he was considering a hair transplant. But instead of going under the needle, he decided to embrace his baldness and flip the narrative. 'Baldness is natural — why be ashamed of it?' he said. 'I thought, what if I turned it into a creative opportunity instead?' So, he posted an offer online, inviting companies to use his head as advertising space during his video shoots. The idea took off, attracting media attention and interest from brands. 'Bald is Beautiful — and Profitable' As part of his deal, Shafeek will feature the temporary tattoo in at least three YouTube videos, with close-up shots making sure the logo is clearly visible. The tattoo itself is safe and removable with chemicals, but Shafeek believes the concept is here to stay. 'I might be the first in India — or even the world — to rent out my bald head for brand ads,' he laughed. 'It's not just about going viral. It's about changing how people see baldness and promoting body confidence.' Owning His Story On Instagram, Shafeek opened up about being teased during his college years for his baldness. Now, he's using that same experience to spark conversation, turn heads (literally), and earn from what once made him self-conscious. 'Confidence can turn anything into a strength,' he says — and in his case, it's making a statement one video at a time.
Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Malayali pulse of The Hunt: Behind the faces that brought history to life
The Hunt, streaming on Sony LIV, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, brings to life the complex and high-stakes investigation that followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The seven-part series, based on Anirudhya Mitra's book '90 Days – The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi's Assassins', has captivated audiences across the country. It also marks a moment of pride for Kerala. A number of Malayali actors — both seasoned performers and promising newcomers — play key roles in the series. Actor and dancer Shruti Jayan, actor trainer Jyothish M.G., Shafeek Mustafa, Gauri Padmakumar, Neetu Chandra, Akhil Raj, and Akhil Kaimal — who is also the casting director — all appear in prominent roles in The Hunt. Villain of the Year: Shafeek Mustafa Shafeek Mustafa, a theatre actor, takes on the role of key LTTE operative Sivarasan in The Hunt. His intense, layered performance has earned widespread praise, with many viewers calling him the 'Villain of the Year.' 'I watched numerous films and documentaries related to the subject. I also tried to understand the differences in the Sinhala language between the past and present. I read several articles, news clips, and had detailed conversations with journalist friends,' says Shafeek, describing his preparation for the role. The physical transformation for the character was also a significant challenge. Sivarasan had sustained an eye injury during combat with armed forces, and to portray this realistically, Shafeek wore a special lens and had prosthetic makeup applied to his eyelid throughout the shoot. 'I had around 30 days of shooting. Acting with a lens in my eye and makeup on the eyelid was quite difficult. It's manageable for one or two scenes, but as the scenes got longer, it became really uncomfortable. My eyes would become watery,' Shafeek recalls. However, seeing the positive reception The Hunt is receiving now, Shafeek says all the effort and discomfort is worth it. Looks matter: Jyothish M.G Jyothish M.G., Associate Professor of Acting at the K.R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, Kerala, portrays LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in The Hunt. A seasoned theatre director and actor trainer with years of experience, Jyothish brings depth and gravitas to the role. Though he has played many characters on stage over the years, this marks his debut on screen — a transition he describes as a significant and memorable step in his artistic journey. 'When I came to know that I was being considered to play Velupillai Prabhakaran, my first instinct was to decline the offer. I didn't feel I physically matched the character. From the images I had seen, Prabhakaran was heavily built, and I felt I wouldn't be able to convincingly portray him. When you're portraying a real person, especially someone who actually lived, there has to be at least a basic physical resemblance — otherwise, no matter how well you act, it won't feel authentic,' says Jyothish, who was eventually convinced to join the series by the reassuring words of director Nagesh Kukunoor. 'Later, it was Nagesh Kukunoor who explained that most of the photos we see of Prabhakaran are from when he was around 56 years old. But during the time of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Prabhakaran was only 36. They even sent me a comparison — a photo of him from that time placed next to mine. And when I looked at that younger version of Prabhakaran, I realized there was actually a striking resemblance.' Also Read | The Hunt – The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case review: Gripping series gives ringside view of CBI investigation, hews close to what happened Jyothish also shared that he had concerns about the political sensitivity of the subject. 'It's a politically charged topic, and it carries a lot of emotional weight. When you get involved in something like this, you have to think through many layers — especially about how the subject is being approached. That really matters. They clarified that the series doesn't take sides or blame anyone. It's an investigative drama. During the discussions, I too gained clarity and confidence about the intent behind the project,' he said. 'Though I had read about the subject before, this time I explored multiple perspectives on Prabhakaran by reading a range of articles. That's when I realized — the Prabhakaran we knew through the media wasn't the complete picture. The real Prabhakaran was someone who smiled a lot, cracked jokes, and had a soft, almost feeble voice. But for the series, it wasn't that realistic Prabhakaran we aimed to portray — it was the version etched into the public memory. Journalist Anita Pratap, who once interviewed him in person, wrote that she was struck by the clarity, conviction, and unwavering belief he expressed during their conversation. That is the face of Prabhakaran I tried to bring to life within the limited screen time I had,' Jyothish explained. Not just a killer: Shruti Jayan A post shared by Sruthy jayan (@iam_shruthiejayan) 'I was working on a couple of Telugu web series in Hyderabad, which had streamed on Amazon Prime Video. That's where they saw my work and reached out to me. I was recommended by Vamshi Narayani, who had previously worked with Nagesh sir,' Shruti Jayan recalls about her journey to The Hunt. Shruti plays the role of Dhanu — the suicide bomber who assassinated Rajiv Gandhi. It's a character she stepped into with both excitement and deep responsibility. 'I was thrilled to get this role. The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi is a painful memory that lingers in everyone's mind. Just hearing his name evokes emotion. Many people still ask — why did she do it? That I got to portray Dhanu, such a central figure in this story, was a big moment for me. What made it more meaningful was that she wasn't shown as just a killer — the series carefully explores her mental and emotional state,' says Shruti. Her audition scene was set on a terrace, where Dhanu reaches a point of inner resolution. 'It wasn't just about tears. The director wanted a state of ultimate calm — someone who felt nothing could affect her anymore, who was experiencing complete peace, even joy. That mood was hard to capture. It made me realize this wasn't going to be an easy role.' 'As an actor, I got to explore so many emotional layers through Dhanu. I did a lot of homework for the part. My shoot lasted for about 14 days,' she adds. Shruti says the response she's received for The Hunt has been unlike anything she's experienced before. 'Anirudhya Mitra personally messaged me saying, 'I never met Dhanu in real life. But now, after seeing your performance, I feel like I've finally seen her on screen.'' Hearing that from the author himself meant a lot to me,' Shruti shares with pride. Crafted with care: Gauri Padmakumar Gauri Padmakumar is overjoyed by the overwhelming response to The Hunt, especially as it marks her very first on-screen project. She plays Shubha, a lesser-known but crucial figure in the assassination plot. Gauri came on board after responding to a casting call and successfully clearing a rigorous four-round audition process. Determined to do justice to her role, she arrived on set well-prepared, having done extensive research. 'I mostly focused on reading about the LTTE background. I didn't delve much into the Indian narrative of the issue,' Gauri explains. 'There's very little information available about Shubha. It's said that only two photographs of her are available; there's not even full clarity on whether her name was actually Shubha. Honestly, I was a bit hesitant to search too much online — it's not a topic you approach casually.' Despite the limited information available about her character, Gauri relied on instinct and insight to shape her portrayal of Shubha in The Hunt. 'From what I understood, Shubha was a strong fighter. Maybe that's why, despite letting others go, someone like Sivarasan — the mastermind — chose to keep her by his side through those intense 90 days,' she reflects. With minimal references and a character embedded in a sensitive historical narrative, Gauri's nuanced performance resonated powerfully — marking a confident and memorable screen debut. Following the release, she received a wave of messages from viewers — some thoughtful, others unexpectedly humorous. 'One person messaged saying, ''For the first time, I think I've fallen in love with an LTTE woman,'' she laughs. That even a character from such a dark chapter in history could evoke such responses, Gauri says, is a testament to the power of storytelling — and the unpredictable ways in which it touches hearts.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Time of India
Govt press clerk booked for forging certificate to obtain promotion
Thiruvananthapuram: Cantonment police booked a clerk working with govt press at Thycaud on Saturday for forging a certificate with the intention of obtaining promotion. The accused, identified as Muhammed Shafeek, was booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 318 (4) for cheating, 319 (2) for cheating by personation, 336 (2) for forgery, 336 (3) for forgery for the purpose of cheating and 340 (2) for the fraudulent use of a forged document. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The case was registered on the complaint of the director of the printing department, police said. To obtain a promotion, Shafeek allegedly submitted a certificate claiming he passed the departmental test conducted by the . On suspicion, the department sent the certificate to the PSC for verification. The certificate was sent to the directorate of the printing department by the accused on June 16, 2025, along with the formal application for promotion. "The accused submitted an attested copy of the certificate to the department. We usually verify the certificates and other documents while processing applications. As per the forged certificate, with the register number 129558, the accused passed the test in July 2019. During verification, it was found that a certificate existed with the registration number, but the test was passed by someone else, not the accused," said an officer of the department. Cantonment police have summoned the accused to the station for questioning and asked him to submit the original documents. Since the charges against him are based on non-bailable sections of BNS, police may arrest him if he fails to prove his innocence, said police.
Khaleej Times
26-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Meet mother-son taxi drivers who share special bond working, fasting together during Ramadan
For a mother and son duo, working together at the same company is a true blessing. Both taxi drivers, they not only look after each other but also share tips and advice on how to go about their work. During Ramadan, this bond becomes even more special as they fast, pray, and prepare meals together. After finishing a day's work, Dubai mum Shaila Thayil Kunju Muhammad, 53, would be home by half past three to prepare the day's iftar. Her son, Shafeek, 31, who has the same work hours, would also be home to help in the kitchen. 'It's a special kind of bonding for us,' Shaila told Khaleej Times during a phone call early this week from their home in Muhaisnah, where she was busy preparing biryani, samosa, pakora and other light meals, with help from Shafeek. 'We fast together, then we prepare our meals together, and we also pray together,' she added. In many families, it's typically the father who influences the career choices of his son. However, for Shaila, who has been with the Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) for nearly two decades, she took the lead in guiding her son into the same profession, encouraging him to get behind the wheel as well. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Family's sole breadwinner Shaila, who is originally from Kerala, first arrived in the UAE in 1999, four years after her husband passed away. She had to pick up the cudgels and become the family's sole breadwinner. With two young sons — Shafeek, who was just a year old at the time, and her older son Shajudeen — she took on the responsibility of supporting her family. To ensure their well-being, she left her children in the care of her family back home. She began her career as domestic staff for an Arab family in Sharjah, sending money regularly to support her sons. Determined to improve her situation, Shaila also consistently saved money to pay for enrolment in a driving school. Her determination paid off, and she earned her driving licence in 2002 on her first attempt. She initially worked as a family driver, with a salary higher than her previous employment. But her career took a turn when she saw an advertisement from DTC looking for Pink Taxi drivers. She applied and was accepted. 'Role model for my sons' Shaila's warm and friendly demeanour proved essential for her role, especially in Dubai, where taxi drivers encounter people from all walks of life. She learned conversational Arabic and polished her English, which helped her navigate the multicultural environment. Shaila takes pride in having raised her sons well. Her eldest, Shajudeen, is a graphic designer for a sales company in Dubai, while Shafeek, who holds a diploma, joined her at DTC three years ago. Having built a reputation for herself at DTC, Shaila made it easy for Shafeek to follow in her footsteps. Shafeek credits his mother for teaching him how to efficiently navigate Dubai's streets. 'Mama knows Dubai like the back of her hand,' he said. Throughout her 19 years with DTC, Shaila has maintained an impeccable record, never being involved in any accidents or committing major traffic violations. 'I drive safely and responsibly,' she proudly stated. 'I always wanted to be a role model for my sons.' In terms of health, Shaila doesn't suffer from any major ailments, though she does need to monitor her blood sugar levels regularly due to her diabetes. Despite this, she sees herself continuing to work until she's 60 or even longer, especially now that her work has become less hectic after transitioning to a limo driver position at DTC. Days before Eid, Shaila and Shafeek traveled home to Kerala to spend the holidays with their family. Shaila said she was excited to see her three grandchildren (two from Shajudeen and one from Shafeek) again.
