Latest news with #Vasanthi


New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Now Showing: Movies for all with audio descriptions
The waves crash against the shore as a small boat scrapes onto the sand. Dharmadas helps his wife, Vasanthi, and their two sons, Nithushan and Mulli, onto the unfamiliar beach. The air smells of salt and damp earth. Behind them lies Valvettithurai as a memory now. Ahead, Rameswaram and a sense of hope. This opening scene in Tourist Family, a Tamil film, was screened with audio description at AbilityFEST2025 in Chennai. It is rich with mood and movement, which most of us can easily understand — with wholesome visuals, emotions, and sounds. But what happens when someone can't see the screen? Or hear the nuance in a voice? After watching a movie, many cinema buffs share thoughts about it the moment they walk out of the theatre. They post Instagram stories, write reviews on Letterboxd, or talk about it with friends. But for many Persons with Disabilities (PwD), even this basic connection to a story — the joy of reacting to a scene or simply followingwhat's going on — depends on something far more fundamental: access.

The Hindu
08-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
This year on, students in Tamil Nadu's Adi Dravidar hostels to receive TAHDCO's Polivu personal care kits
Starting this year, nearly 50,000 school and college students residing in Adi Dravidar welfare hostels across Tamil Nadu will receive personal care kits under the brand name Polivu, launched by the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO). According to official sources, a total of 1,331 Adi Dravidar hostels for school and college students are functioning in the State. Nearly 35,000 school students and 15,000 college students staying in these hostels are set to receive 'Polivu' personal care kits, this year. Last academic year, the TAHDCO had distributed such kits on a pilot-basis to students residing in college hostels. Earlier, Tamil Nadu government provided financial assistance of ₹100 per month for school students and ₹150 for college students to purchase personal care products. In a move aimed at ensuring the quality of these products and creating livelihood opportunities for women from Scheduled Caste communities, TAHDCO has decided to manufacture and distribute these personal care products, replacing the financial assistance initiative, through a newly-formed society under the Polivu brand, said official sources. Vasanthi Kumaresan, State Project Manager (Schemes), TAHDCO, said the products are being made by 60 women belonging to Scheduled Caste communities from five self-help groups at a manufacturing unit located in Ambattur, Chennai, established with financial support from the National Scheduled Caste Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC). What's in the kit? Each Polivu kit contains four 75 gm bath soaps, 200 ml hair wash shampoo, 200 ml coconut oil, 500 gm detergent powder, 150 gm detergent soap and one toothbrush and toothpaste. While coconut oil is being sourced and packed under the 'Polivu' brand, the toothbrush and toothpaste are currently outsourced. TAHDCO has proposed to include bamboo toothbrushes sourced from a startup in future kits as a sustainable alternative, Ms. Vasanthi said. The kits will be distributed thrice a year to ensure students in Adi Dravidar hostels have consistent access to essential personal care products, promoting better hygiene and well-being. The initiative also empowers women from Scheduled Caste communities who could earn at least ₹ 15,000 a month, officials said.

The Hindu
08-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Nearly 50,000 students in Tamil Nadu's Adi Dravidar hostels to receive TAHDCO's Polivu personal care kits
Nearly 50,000 students residing in Adi Dravidar welfare hostels across Tamil Nadu will receive personal care kits under the brand name Polivu, launched by the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO). According to official sources, a total of 1,331 Adi Dravidar hostels for school and college students are functioning in the State. Nearly 35,000 school students and 15,000 college students staying in these hostels are set to receive 'Polivu' personal care kits, this year. Last academic year, the TAHDCO had distributed such kits on a pilot-basis to students residing in college hostels. Earlier, Tamil Nadu government provided financial assistance of ₹100 per month for school students and ₹150 for college students to purchase personal care products. In a move aimed at ensuring the quality of these products and creating livelihood opportunities for women from Scheduled Caste communities, TAHDCO has decided to manufacture and distribute these personal care products, replacing the financial assistance initiative, through a newly-formed society under the Polivu brand, said official sources. Vasanthi Kumaresan, State Project Manager (Schemes), TAHDCO, said the products are being made by 60 women belonging to Scheduled Caste communities from five self-help groups at a manufacturing unit located in Ambattur, Chennai, established with financial support from the National Scheduled Caste Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC). What's in the kit? Each Polivu kit contains four 75 gm bath soaps, 200 ml hair wash shampoo, 200 ml coconut oil, 500 gm detergent powder, 150 gm detergent soap and one toothbrush and toothpaste. While coconut oil is being sourced and packed under the 'Polivu' brand, the toothbrush and toothpaste are currently outsourced. TAHDCO has proposed to include bamboo toothbrushes sourced from a startup in future kits as a sustainable alternative, Ms. Vasanthi said. The kits will be distributed thrice a year to ensure students in Adi Dravidar hostels have consistent access to essential personal care products, promoting better hygiene and well-being. The initiative also empowers women from Scheduled Caste communities who could earn at least ₹ 15,000 a month, officials said.


Pink Villa
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Latest South movies to watch on JioHotstar: Mohanlal starrer Thudarum and Sasikumar's Tourist Family
Popcorn ready? Because the South Indian movie lineup on JioHotstar just got hotter! These latest arrivals bring you high-octane action, heartfelt family drama, rib-tickling comedy, and much more—all at the tap of a button. If you've been hunting for new titles, your search ends here. Latest South movies to watch on JioHotstar 1. Thudarum Cast: Mohanlal, Shobana, Binu Pappu, Prakash Varma Release date: May 30, 2025 If you like Malayalam crime thrillers, then do watch Thudarum. It tells the emotional story of Shanmugham, better known as Benz. Once a daring stuntman in films, he left the industry after a tragic on-set accident took the life of his close friend Anbu. Now, he leads a quiet life as a taxi driver. He lives peacefully with his wife, their two kids, and his favorite car. However, his simple world is turned upside down when his car is seized in connection with a smuggling case. Unknown to him, the police had hidden a dead body inside his vehicle and forced him to help get rid of it. The real shock comes later—Benz discovers the body was his missing son. The truth hits hard: the police had killed his child and framed him to cover up their crime. Heartbroken and furious, Benz decides to fight back and seek justice. 2. Tourist Family Cast: M Sasikumar, Simran, Mithun Jai Sankar, Kamalesh Jagan, Yogi Babu Release date: June 2, 2025 Tourist Family centers around a Sri Lankan family of four—Dharmadas, his wife Vasanthi, and their sons Nithushan and Mulli. Due to the worsening economic situation in their home country, they flee to India and seek shelter with Vasanthi's brother, Prakash. To avoid trouble, they decide to conceal their Sri Lankan identity. The family pretends to be Malayalees, hoping to blend in. Though initially cautious, they soon grow closer to their new neighbors. Despite warnings to stay discreet, their warm nature leads to new friendships and unexpected bonds.


Time of India
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Tourist Family' OTT release date: When and where to watch Sasikumar and Simran's heartwarming family drama
'Tourist Family,' a heartwarming family drama led by M Sasikumar and Simran , premiered in theatres across India on May 1, 2025. Garnering widespread praise, the film enjoyed a remarkable box office run, grossing an impressive Rs 75 crore. Following its theatrical success, the film is now gearing up for its digital premiere, allowing a wider audience to experience its engaging storyline from the comfort of their homes. Digital premiere The digital release of 'Tourist Family' is scheduled for June 2, 2025. A social media post announcing the premiere invited viewers to "mark the date to welcome the most loved family," setting the stage for the film's highly anticipated OTT launch. The buzz surrounding its online debut on a popular digital platform has been steadily building, thanks to the film's relatable characters, emotional depth, and the feel-good atmosphere it delivers. A story of identity, resilience, and belonging told with humour and warmth The narrative centres around Dharmadas, his wife Vasanthi, and their sons Nithushan and Mulli, a Sri Lankan Tamil family displaced by economic turmoil. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication Planet Spark Learn More Undo Seeking safety and stability, they relocate to India and take shelter at Vasanthi's brother's home. In a bid to avoid attention, the family poses as Malayalees. As they integrate into the local community, they develop genuine bonds with their neighbours—despite being cautioned to maintain a low profile, leading to a blend of comedic situations and touching moments. Stellar cast and crew Joining Sasikumar and Simran are Mithun Jai Sankar of 'Aavesham' fame and child artist Kamalesh Jagan. The ensemble cast includes seasoned performers such as Yogi Babu , MS Bhaskar, Ramesh Thilak, Bagavathi Perumal , and Sreeja Ravi, among others. Written and directed by Abishan Jeevinth, who also appears in the film, the project is enhanced by Sean Roldan's evocative music, along with crisp cinematography by Aravind Viswanathan and seamless editing by Barath Vikraman. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .