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BlackBerry New Product

       BlackBerry's (BBRY) Comeback in Doubt as New Phone Sales Fizzle

BlackBerry's efforts to turn the company around with its new BlackBerry 10 software and phones are in doubt after a disappointing earnings report that sent its shares into a tailspin.

The Waterloo, Ontario-based company said today it shipped 6.8 million smartphones in the last quarter, down from 7.8 million during the same period a year ago. It posted a loss of 13 cents a share for the quarter when analysts had anticipated profit of 8 cents a share. The shares fell 29 percent today in intra-day trading, the biggest loss an over a decade.

However, even more troublesome is that there was no major boost from its new BlackBerry 10 devices, including the Z10 which was released in February and its Q10 released in May. The company only shipped 2.7 million of its new BlackBerry 10 devices, much lower than analysts had predicted. The company did not divulge how many were actually sold after being shipped to carriers and stores.

BlackBerry 10 and Z10 Review

BlackBerry CEO on New Phones, Samsung and Apple Watch Video:

BlackBerry 10 and Z10 Video Review Watch Video

 iPhone and Android Battery Life Savings Tips Watch Video:

Analysts have called the reports "dismal" and "disappointing," especially when looking at the outlook for the next quarter.

"BlackBerry (BBRY) reported a dismal fiscal first-quarter net loss but the firm's outlook for another loss next quarter is even more disappointing and indicates that the company's long-awaited BlackBerry 10 (BB10) launch has been a bust," Morningstar analyst Brian Colello wrote in his analyst note.

However, CEO Thorsten Heins, who took over a year and a half ago and has made a series of changes, including changing the name of the company from RIM to Blackberry, remains optimistic. "We are continuing on focusing on improving all areas of the business," Heins said on the company's earnings call this morning. "I am confident in the future of BlackBerry 10 and we have lots of new products to be built."

Heins referenced new products and services coming as well as enterprise support for BB10 devices. The company has begun to launch its Q5, a lower cost BlackBerry 10 phone, in numerous markets. He urged analysts to be patient and understand that this is not a sprint but "a marathon."

"It might be a marathon and not a sprint, but they got off to a pretty terrible start," Colello told ABC News. He added that the company has the cash to hang around for a while, he just doesn't see it regaining its 20 percent marketshare any time soon.

BlackBerry CEO Interview: Company Aims at Samsung and Apple with BB10

And that's because of the very large lead of the iPhone and other Android devices. Even if BlackBerry has created an interesting new product with some features that the competing devices don't provide, it simply just reacted too late to the touchscreen smartphone trend.

"BlackBerry 10 was a major improvement, but it was too little, too late," Patrick Moorhead, an analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, told ABC News. "Competition from both Apple and Samsung will keep BlackBerry from any significant gains at the high and mid-markets, and in the emerging regions, local, low-cost players are dominating.  This doesn't leave a lot of room for BlackBerry to grow."

JUST AN SMS AND YOUR RAIL TICKET IS READY

                                 Fed up with long rail ticket queues,exploiting touts and internet blues?Here comes help.Now,in a matter of minutes and with two SMSs you can book your ticket through your mobile phone.

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday launched the facility,making easy purchase of tickets by 80 per cent population that owns mobile phones.The only limitations are that the software will accept entries only in English,and you cannot book ticket between 8 am and 12noon.

IRCTC has come up with a number of options for passengers to buy tickets without having to access the internet.Besides the short code 5675714,one can even send SMS to 139 or the Airtel money system *400# or the system powered by pyro where one needs to have a BSNL SIM card enabled with java computer language.To make use of any of these options,you have to get your mobile number registered with IRCTC,each SMS will cost Rs.3 and as the project is begin launched on a  pilot basis,mobile service providers have dispensed with agent charges for now.

These charges as and when imposed would be the same one pays to other agents,including online charges.One will not be required to carry a hard copy of the ticket while travelling-the SMSconfirmation will be vaild proof.The facility allows for ticket cancellation as well.

Mr.Kharge said anyone with a simple mobile phone would be able to buy reserved tickets from any corner of the country.This would put an end to fleecing by touts.Railway Board chairman Vinay Mittal said once the system stabilised it would be improved further.Noting that 45 per cent of the reserved tickets were booked through the internet,he said one way of easing the pressure was  to go for new technologies.

IRCTC managing director Rakesh Tandon said value added services would be provided in due course.Currently four lakh tickets were purchased online everyday,he said.

Revised Refund Rules w.e.f. 01.07.2013
1. Railway Passengers (Cancellation of ticket and Refund of fare) Rules, 1998 have not been substantially revised in the last 15 years during which period a large number of changes have taken place in the ticketing system of Indian Railways. Firstly, Computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) as well as Computerised Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) have proliferated. Reservation through internet has also been introduced through which 45% of the total reserved tickets are issued. Integrated Train Enquiry System -- 139 is functional through which ticket status can be obtained through SMS. The above developments warranted that the refund rules be revised comprehensively. 2. Accordingly, Revised Refund Rules have been notified and shall come into force w.e.f. 01.07.2013. The amendments made in the Refund Rules are aimed at simplification, efficiency in processing and reduction of bogus refund claims. 3. The major changes in the existing rules and the amendments in refund rules are as under:- 3.1 Unused (unreserved) tickets on which no reservation has been made:
Existing Rules Amended Rules If a ticket on which no reservation of a seat or berth has been made is presented to the station master for cancellation refund of fare shall be made on every such ticket after deducting the clerkage. If a ticket on which no reservation of a seat or berth has been made is presented for cancellation, refund of fare shall be made on every such ticket after deducting the clerkage. (i) within three hours after the actual departure of the train for which the ticket is issued or (i)The ticket shall be presented for cancellation within three hours of issue of ticket. (ii) for any ticket valid for the whole day, within three hours after the actual departure of the last train of the day for the destination station (ii) In case of tickets issued in advance the ticket is presented upto 2400 hours of the day preceding the day of journey 3.2 Unused tickets on which reservation has been made: (i) if the ticket is presented for cancellation more than forty eight hours instead of the existing 24 hours in advance of the scheduled departure of the train, a minimum per passenger cancellation charge shall be deducted at the flat rate of rupees one hundred and twenty for air-conditioned first class/executive class, rupees one hundred for air-conditioned-II tier/first class, rupees ninety for air-conditioned III-tier/ 3 economy/air-conditioned chair car, rupees sixty for sleeper class and rupees thirty for second class. (ii) if the ticket is presented for cancellation between forty eight hours and upto six hours instead of existing 24 hours and upto 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation charge shall be twenty five per cent of the fare subject to a minimum of the cancellation charge. (iii) if the ticket is presented for cancellation within six hours instead of existing 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train and upto two hours irrespective of distance instead of existing 3/6/12 hours for distance 200 kms/200-500 kms/500 Kms and above after the actual departure of the train, the cancellation charge shall be fifty per cent of the fare subject to a minimum of the cancellation charge. (iv) No refund shall be granted on the reserved ticket if it is surrendered for cancellation after two hours of the actual departure of the train. (v) In case, on a party ticket or a family ticket issued for travel of more than one person, some persons have confirmed reservation and others are on waiting list, full refund of fare, less clerkage, shall be admissible for confirmed passengers also provided that the entire ticket is surrendered for cancellation within six hours instead of existing 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train and upto two hours instead of existing 3 hours after actual departure of the train..

'Kochadaiyaan'

SUPER STAR IN KOCHADAIYAAN WHICH IS TO BE AN EXPLOSION

Kochadaiyaan (also spelt as Kochadaiiyan) is an upcoming Tamil period film directed by Soundarya R. Ashwin and written by K. S. Ravikumar. The film will feature Rajinikanth in a dual role alongside
 R. Sarathkumar, Aadhi, Deepika Padukone, Shobana, Rukmini Vijayakumar, Jackie Shroff and Nassar. The film, which is expected to be shot with motion capture in 3D, will have cinematography handled by Rajiv Menon whilst background score and soundtrack will be composed by A. R. Rahman. The film will be dubbed and simultaneously released inTelugu as Vikrama Simha, Malayalam and English, and will also be released in Hindi and Japanese. As of 2012, Italian and Spanish versions of the film have also been announced. Shooting for the film was finished by the end of February 2013, and post-production works are currently going on at London, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.This movie is based on pandiyan king Kochadaiyan Ranadhiran(710-735 A.D).He was the son and successor of Arikesari Maravarman. He had waged aggressive wars against the Cheras and Cholas and defeated them. He had assumed titles like Mannar Mannan, Vanavan Sembiyan, Madura Karunatakan and Kongar Koman. 

Story of Kochadaiyaan revolves around 3 kings played by Jackie Shroff and Nasser alongside senior Rajinikanth, who fight for a cause and the viral continues for generations.

However Junior Rajini cross-sword's Aadhi, son of Jackie Shroff in the present generation. What makes the kings declare war among them and who will win the battle marks the crux of Kochadaiyaan.

Soundarya Ashwin, the younger daughter of Rajinikanth is debuting as director with Kochadaiyaan that has music notes being composed by AR Rahman, cinematography by Rajiv Menon, story and supervision by director KS Ravikumar.

Kochadaiyaan is undergoing post production works and the movie is expected to hit the screens by September, but it may be delayed post Diwali, say trustable sources.

                                                        And Kochadaiyaan trailer

'Kochadaiyaan' Trailer was released on June 9th:

      There has been enough run up and last moment cancellation of the trailer of one of the most awaited movies of the year, 'Kochadaiyaan'. The trailer of this historic animation was to have been launched in all grandeur at the prestigious Festival de Cannes, but the plan was dropped at the penultimate moment. We hear that the director of the movie, Soundarya Rajinikanth is working on the nuances of the trailer and is just not yet satisfied with the final look, and sparks up with an idea, only at the last moment every time.

Starring Superstar Rajinikanth in dual roles and Deepika Padukone in the lead, the full length animation movie, based on historic times, is one of the most awaited and anticipated movies of all times, with fans impatient for the first sneak peek into the movie, for an irresistibly long duration now. The latest buzz has it that the trailer will see the light of the day on Sunday, June 9th; but will the director be impressed with her own work at least this time? It really is an irresistible wait.

 NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis goes on public display June29th

Beginning Saturday, the public will finally be able to visit Space Shuttle Atlantis at its new permanent home, a 900,000 square-foot facility that's part of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It's been two years since the shuttle last touched down and entered retirement on July 21st, 2011, with Atlantis now set to headline a $100 million exhibit that chronicles NASA's legendary 30-year space shuttle program. In an effort to create a more immersive experience for paying visitors, the shuttle will be propped up in a unique position that simulates the perspective astronauts would take in during space walks and other missions. A "hi-fi" recreation of the Hubble Space Telescope and dozens of interactive experiences round out the big attraction, admission to which is included in the Visitor Complex's $50 ticket fee. .

Many of the astronauts that flew on Atlantis will be on hand for Saturday's grand opening — the latest example of NASA's prized space vehicles making the transition into tourist attractions. We took at look at Space Shuttle Enterprise aboard the USS Intrepid last year. That exhibit is finally set to reopen in two weeks after sustaining damage from Hurricane Sandy.

NASA launches sun-watching satellite:

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – NASA launched a satellite late Thursday on a mission to explore a little-studied region of the sun and to better forecast space weather that can disrupt communications systems on Earth.

Unlike a traditional liftoff, the Iris satellite rode into Earth orbit on a Pegasus rocket dropped from an airplane that took off around sunset from the Vandenberg Air Force Base on California’s central coast. About 100 miles off the coast and at an altitude of 39,000 feet, the airplane released the rocket, which ignited its engine for the 13-minute climb to space.

Mission controllers clapped after receiving word that Iris separated from the rocket as planned, ready to begin its two-year mission.

“We’re thrilled,” NASA launch director Tim Dunn said in a NASA TV interview.

The launch went smoothly, but there were some tense moments when communications signals were temporarily lost. Ground controllers were able to track Iris by relying on other satellites orbiting Earth. It also took longer-than-expected for Iris to unfurl its solar panels.

In a statement, NASA said it received confirmation that the satellite deployed its solar panels and was generating power.

Previous sun-observing spacecraft have yielded a wealth of information about our nearest star and beamed back brilliant pictures of solar flares.

Unlike NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which observes the entire sun, Iris will focus on a little-explored region that lies between the surface and the corona, the glowing white ring that’s visible during eclipses.The 7-foot-long Iris, weighing 400 pounds, carries an ultraviolet telescope that can take high-resolution images every few seconds.

The goal is to learn more about how this mysterious region drives solar wind — a stream of charged particles spewing from the sun — and to better predict space weather that can disrupt communications signals on Earth.

“This is a very difficult region to understand and observe. We haven’t had the technical capabilities before now to really zoom in” and peer at it up close, NASA program scientist Jeffrey Newmark said before the launch.

The mission is cheap by NASA standards, costing $182 million, and is managed by the space agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Engineers will spend a month making sure Iris is in perfect health before powering on the telescope to begin observations.

The launch was delayed by a day so that technicians at the Air Force base could restore power to launch range equipment after a weekend outage cut electricity to a swath of the central coast.

The Pegasus, from Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., is a winged rocket designed for launching small satellites. First flown in 1990, Pegasus rockets have also been used to accelerate vehicles in hypersonic flight programs.

SCIENCE

                                    A single drop of blood helps clone a mouse

Tokyo Scientists have for the first time cloned a mouse from a single drop of blood.

Researchers used circulating blood cells collected from the tail of a donor mouse to produce the clone. 

The female mouse cloned from a peripheral leukocyte proved to be fertile by natural mating, and lived for a normal lifespan, researchers said. 

Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology in Kobe, Japan, devised a technique to avoid the diminishing returns of recloning the same cell. 

Success rates increased from the standard 3% in first-generation clones to 10% in first-generation and 14% in higher-generation clones, researchers said. 

The type of somatic cell used for this process is critical and depends largely on its efficiency in producing live clones, as well as its ease of access and readiness for experimental use. 

While cumulus cells, which surround oocytes in the ovarian follicle and after ovulation, are currently the preferred cell type, Dr Satoshi Kamimura, Atsuo Ogura, and colleagues questioned whether white blood cells (or leukocytes) collected from an easily accessed site, such as a tail, would be effective donor cells. Such cells would allow for repeated sampling with minimal risk to the donor mouse. 

There are five different types of white blood cells and, as expected, the researchers found that lymphocytes were the type that performed the most poorly: only 1.7% of embryos developed into offspring.

NEXT FILM OF THALA AJITH

                                       VALAI IS GOING TO BE BOX OFFICE

Valai is a forthcoming Tamil action thriller film directed by Vishnuvardhan. The film will feature Ajith Kumar, Arya, Nayantara and Taapsee Pannu playing lead roles. Movie is Produced by A. M. Rathnam. The film is under filming stage and will be released on summer 2013

The films title was not revealed until the post production of the film. A teaser also released without the title and became a popular video on YouTube.The film is scheduled for release on 15 August 2013 coinciding with the Indian Independence Day.In September 2011, producer A. M. Rathnam stated that he was working in a project with Ajith Kumar. Ajith will be possessing salt and pepper look from Mankatha and also hitting gym to build body in a good shape. Vishnuvardhan in an interview opened up about the film that "I am planning to work on a drama, more on family action drama."

The film was initially reported to be titled as Surangani, but was in January 2013 stated by "A source in the know" to be Valai. Although not officially confirmed, the film was henceforth referred to as Valai by the media. Vishnuvardhan, who was at Anna University’s Gateway 2013 Short Film Festival by the Department of Media Sciences revealed that that the film was not titled Valai, adding that two titles were under consideration. The films title was not revealed until the post production of the film. A teaser was also released without the title and became a popular video on YouTube.

Vishnuvardhan said that Ajith Kumar will have a "salt and pepper" look, and that Ajith Kumar underwent supervised weight-training. Vishnuvardhan stated that he was "planning to work on a family action drama." Production of the film began on Chennai on 31 May 2012. The first schedule of filming began on 2 June 2012 with portions involving Ajith Kumar, Nayantara and Arya. The filming was expected to proceed until the end of the month in Mumbai, but later cancelled due to monsoon and location was shifted to Bangalore and later in Hyderabad. On 7 September, during the second schedule, Taapsee Pannu joined the crew and began shooting her portions. During the next schedule that started on 2 November 2012, filming was held in Mumbai and its suburban locations. While shooting an action sequence, Ajith Kumar was injured, suffering an ligament tear. Despite his injuries, Ajith Kumar continued shooting.

The team returned to Mumbai a third time for a 15-day schedule on 1 January 2013, with scenes involving Arya, Nayantara and Taapsee being filmed in the Bandra area of Mumbai in the first week and Ajith Kumar's part in the latter part of the schedule. Ajith filmed a boat sequence for the film in an Arab country, which was choreographed by Hollywood stuntman Lee Whittaker. After finishing the boat scene, he tweeted, "Finished amazing boat sequence here in Dubai! Ajith was absolutely amazing! Couldn't have done it without his skills!" In March 2013, Ajith, Arya and Nayantara shot a holi song featuring both Tamil and Hindi lyrics at a studio in Mumbai, which was choreographed byDinesh. The crew will be shooting the last schedule in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan from 1 May onwards, after which the unit will move to Orissa, where a song and a few scenes will be shot.

Bollywood cinema updates

                                               Chennai Express

Directed by:           Rohit shetty
produced by:         Gauri Khan
Music by:               Vishal-Shekhar
Distributed by:      UTV Motion pictures
Release date:        8 August 2013
Starring:                Shahrukh khan,Deepika padukone,Sathyaraj

Chennai Express is an upcoming 2013 Indian action romantic comedy film directed by Rohit Shetty and produced by Gauri Khan under her production banner Red Chillies Entertainment.The film features Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in lead roles. This is the second collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone after the 2007 blockbuster Om Shanti Om and the first collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Rohit Shetty. Chennai Express is about a man's journey from Mumbai to Rameshwaram and what happens along the way after he falls in love with the daughter of a don.Principal photography began on 27 September 2012. Filming began in October 2012 and was wrapped-up by May 2013.

The filming began at Mehboob Studio in Mumbai on 5 October 2012 . The lead actor was dressed in black casuals and the actress in a South Indian attire,wearing Kanjeevaram saree. Filming was done at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station with minimum crew members. These working stills of the lead actor were unofficially released in mid-October 2012.In November 2012, the cast and crew was off to Goa for the first filming schedule. The railway station of Vasco da Gama was used as a double up, portraying Kalyan. A romantic scene on board a train passing next to Dudhsagar Falls was also shot.In December 2012, the team was off to Jakarta for some scenes.By early January 2013, the next schedule was supposed to happen in Ooty but Khan opined that the opted place would be too far from commercial venue, Mumbai. Hence, recreation of the lanes of Ooty along with some of its tourist spots, was constructed as a set on the outskirts of Panchgani in Wai by art director Narendra Ruharikar. It took over 40 days to make the set at an estimated cost of 1.5 crore (US$260,000).The Wai schedule of filming ran for entire month of March 2013.A 10-day shooting schedule began in Munnar, Kerala from mid of April 2013, scenes were canned at Devikulam Lake, Meesapulimala, Wagavara and Kannimala. The shoot had to be stopped for a few days due to the heavy rainfall and the schedule was slightly extended until end of the same month.A press conference was also held in the town Munnar. In May 2013, certain scenes were canned in North Goa.The lead actress wrapped up all her portions of shoot on May 25, 2013.Khan flew to Hyderabad by end of May 2013 for remaining filming .

science &technology

Herbal medicine came from animals:

An astonishing report appeared in the december 2012 issues of 'Biology Letters'.Researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico found sparrows and finches in the campus would pick up used cigarette butts and place them in their nests.Wondering about this act,the researchers studies the matter in some detail,and found that the birds used the cigarette butts to reduce the parasite infection affecting the eggs and baby birds in the nests!They found that 'control' nests with no butts had more parasite count then the ones which did.It also appears that the butt-usage is perhaps an urban manifestation an innovation-of what sparrows do in the wild,where they collect some green plant material to line the nests to repel parasites.

We have known for some time that chimpanzees and bonobos hunt around for specific plants and leaves to use them as therapy againts some diseases.They even swallow whole leaves of  some plants and defecate them in order to "flush" out intestinal parasites.Dr.Michael Huffman of Kyoto University has a comprehensive review of such instances of animal self-medication(proc Nutr Soc.62;371,2003).Well before man came on earth,animals seem to have practiced such herbal remedies.Indeed he argues that the orgini of herbal medicine has its roots deep within the animal kingdom.

In the country Gabon in Africa,local tribesmen watched how gorillas,bush pigs and porcupines go into wild frenzies after digging up and eating the roots of certain plants, and learnt about the intoxicants in the plant(and used it themselves).It was on similar observations on goats eating the coffee plant that we learnt coffee to be a stimulate.The roots of the plant"chotachand"in Nepal were found to be antidote for snake-bite,a fact learnt after watching mongooses feeding on the plant before fighting cobras.Man may not after all be the only sapient animal.

It goes further back in time and evolution.Even backbone-less species(invertebrates)practise herbal medicine. Drs. Singer, Mace and Bernays write in the March 2009 issue of the journal PLosOne that caterpillars self-medicate themselves to rid of parasites.They prefrentially chew on some plants(which are have since found to contain moleculers called pyrrolizidine alkaloids or PA)in order to survive longer and produce healthier eggs.However PA is a toxic substance,reducing the growth rate of the caterpillar.

Why would they ingest PA then?The scientist trio did control experiments with field collected caterpillar(both infected with parasites and uninfected), fed them on plates containing PA or sugar and observed.Three things became clear.Caterpillar with no parasite infection(healthier ones)survived better on sugar,while parasite infected(ill ones)survived better on PA coated food.PA is thus toxic to the parasite.Next,among the infected ones,those that ate PA survived and grew better.Thirdly, in another set of experiments they found that infection induces self-medication.Infected animals ate more food(with added sugar or added PA, did not matter)than the unparasitised ones.The sick ones"knew"what to do-you do not need big brains or backbones to practise medicine!(Pardon me doctors,I mean no offence).

Dr Huffman asks:"Why should any of this information really be a surprised?After all, from an evolutionary standpoint,preservation of health is a basic principle of survival and all species living today can be expected to have evolved a variety of ways of protecting themselves from predators and parasites,large and small, in their environment".He takes us back to the plant kingdom where the plant produces toxic substances as self-defence.

And in cases where plants and animals co-evolved,each of them utilised the other for mutual benefit.And medication need not be only therapeutic;it can also be prophylactic(toward off illness).Fruit flies are known to lay their eggs on food with high ethanol, toward off infection by parasites,wood ants layer their anthills with antimicrobial plant resins to prevent microbial growth.(An excellent summary of such self medication in animals is published by Dr de Roode and others in the 12th April 2013 issue of Science).

It would thus appear that the practice of natural medicine,indeed Ayurveda,has its origin from the plant and animals kingdom.The Panchatantra tales need to be read and understood in this context. Man living with animals and plants observed what they do,how they keep healthy and fight sickness,and learnt from them.The origins of herbal medicine go all the way to bugs and beasts,and molecular medicine its child.As Drs de Roode, Lefevre and Hunter point out in their perspective note in science,studies of animal medication may lead the way in discovering new drugs to relieve human sufferings.

Ambikapathy/ Raanjhanaa

Release Date:    

28 Jun 2013 (Tamil)

   

Ambikapathy movie is an intense love story. Direction by Anand L Rai and the movie starring with Dhanush, Sonam Kapoor.

Ambikapathy is the story of Ambikapathy, his journey from a 13 year old boy in love who goes on to become a committed, spirited young man, who’s experiences in life made him the person he is today. It’s the STORY OF LOVE.

This is the first Hindi  film for dhanush “Raanjhanaa” .And this movie is dubbing of "Raanjhanaa".

“Raanjhanaa” is release on Friday, and its Tamil version is “Ambikapathy” will hit the screens a week later.

He says, ”Raanjhanaa” was just another film for me. I don’t think this is the Hindi or Tamil film, its just a film.  And  The script  that the character was very similar to the lover boy I have played in several Tamil films.

I knew I had to play a lover boy again, but in a different place and language and, therefore, I had nothing to worry about,” said the actor, who has teamed up with Sonam Kapoor in the love story.

“Raanjhanaa” is the love story of a Muslim girl and a Hindu boy and this is Dhanush’s first full-length romantic film.

Anand L. Rai directed this film, A R Rahmaan composed music for this film.

Story review:

Kundan (Dhanush) is a strong believer of God and a son of a Tamil priest. Since his childhood days, Kundan holds one-sided love for Zoya (Sonam Kapoor), who is a Muslim girl residing in Varanasi and her father is a professor. Being kids and having crushes makes it pointless but a few years later, Kundan is still in love with Zoya. When she is in school, he is always trying to be around holding her hand and being slapped in the process. Finally, she changes her mind because of Kundan's constancy of affection and attraction. Zoya's family is orthodox, this fact places a bar between the path of the so-called-lovers. By the time Zoya moves to Aligarh for her further studies, Kundan harmonizes with Zoya's family, assisting them with various works especially pertaining to house.The film shifts its centre when Zoya gets into Jawaharlal Nehru University and through her, the idealistic and political culture of the Delhi is explored. She discovers a long-lost strength as she confronts and then falls for student leader Akram (Abhay Deol) in Delhi.

After a gap of eight years, Zoya returns to Varanasi. Again Kundan attempts to ask Zoya for love but this time Zoya being reluctant, reveals that she is in love with Akram. Zoya then urges Kundan to convince her family about her marriage with Akram. Refusing the plans (because he still loves her) at the initial stages, Kundan eventually agrees with it. Kundan gets his work done and the wedding of Zoya and Akram gets fixed. Kundan promises Zoya that he will also tie the knot with some other girl and will forget her. Kundan proposes his childhood friend Bindiya (Swara Bhaskar) for marriage. Bindiya had crush on Kundan since their childhood days.

On the day of their marraige ,Kundan finds out through a newspaper article that Akram is actually Hindu ,with actual name of Jai.This enrages Kundan as Zoya had used their religon diffrences to convince him that their match is not possible.In a seperate flashback it is shown that zoya despite ,Jai misgiving about the plan convince him against his will to pose as muslim for asking her hand in marriage .Enraged ,Kundan goes & says everything to zoya parents ,during middle of nikah .Later ,Kundan is informed by his friend that zoya tried to commit sucide & is critical.He rushes towards hospital when he is also informed that Jai was mercileesly beaten by Zoya relatives & is critical .Later Jai parents take him back to his village & thanks Kundan for helping him . Kundan tries for redemption by taking zoya to Jai/Akram village .However ,he is devasted to find that Jai has sucummbed to injuries & this finally make kundan understand that his one sided love resulted in an innocent man death.

Kundan then began to roam here & there ,visiting various religious places & volunteering in their activities so that he could atone for his sins .During one such visit to prayag ,a man advice him to do right his wrong rather than run .

Motivated ,Kundan retrace Zoya to Delhi University ,where she is spearheading the activities of the political party created by Jai .Kundan joins the nearby canteen & serve the party people & silently endures zoya silent treatment .In course of time ,kundan become popular among the part due to his simple nature. In between kundan ,helps the party in negotiating some tough situation by using his simple wit . Slowly ,he emerges as a popular face for the party .This enrages zoya ,as she thinks the person who is responsible for Jai death is now taking his place .She also tries to instigate party people against kundan ,but Jai sister & his best friend ,advice Kundan to go on ,as he was the best alternative for fullfilling jai dreams

Kundan however has only one dream ,that to make sure zoya forgive him .He silently follow zoya instructions even if sometimes resulted in his harm .On instigated by the CM ,zoya directs kundan to a violence zone for giving a speech .Kundan quitely obliges & give a final hug to zoya & as her to be brave enough to not love him .As cm predicted ,Kundan is hurt badly & sent to ICU ,thus fulfilling Zoya revenge.

Zoya however slowly began to understand the extent of kundan love & reveals the CM plot to media .However she is devasted ,when she founds out that Kundan already knew that ,the place she is sending him could result in grave injuries .She rushes to hospital & finally acknowledge Kundan love albeit silently .However sadly Kundan pass away .

In a final voice over ,kundan says he can born again & again in the same banaras ,with same surrounding & fell in love again with some Zoya & again become a Ranjhaana in her love.

Cover story

WILL THERE BE A THALA THALAPATHY CLASH AGAIN?

A phenomenon that was last seen in 2007 may well be expected to reoccur this year. In what could be labeled as the mother of all star-wars, there is a likelihood that Ajith and Vijay may clash at the box-office on the same day this year.

Earlier, reports had emerged that the team of Thala53, helmed by Vishnuvardhan, was working overtime with August 15 as the targeted date in mind. In the recently held Thalaivaa audio launch, producer Chandraprakash Jain indicated that the Vijay starrer is set for release in August too. Behindwoods looks at the good, bad and the entertaining side of this potential clash of the titans.

The anticipated Thala-Thalapathy clash in 2013 is surely not the first of its kind as it has taken place on several occasions in the past, such as Alwar – Pokkiri and Villain-Bhagavathy to name a few, where each star had their respective glory days in the battle. However in the year 2001, Vijay’s Friends and Ajith’s Dheena both enjoyed good success at the box-office, showing that the room was indeed big enough for two.
In a way these two stars are expected to carry forward a homegrown tradition and a legacy of matinee idol clashes. Early in the careers, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have had a number of their films competing with each other on the same day, but very unassumingly. Once they reached heightened stardom their clashes received more attention which was evident during the release of Thalapathy and Guna, where each fan group literally fought for the bigger screens. But as of today the last time the two stars saw eye to eye was in 2005 with Mumbai Express taking on Chandramukhi.

These celebrated matinee idol contests have proved to stand the test of time as in the case of the late greats, MGR and Sivaji Ganesan. Even their re-releases manage to recreate the same fervor amongst their supporters as it would decades ago when the two were in their pomp. This only goes to show that Tamil cinema fans would go to any extent to back their favorite stars, apparently, even after they are long gone.

Assuming that Thala53 and Thalaivaa do come out on the same day, the buzz around the state would be unlike anything anyone would have witnessed in recent memory. The lead up to the coveted Friday and the weekend will be filled with hair-raising anticipation and even tension. The clash will also rekindle the spirit of popular head to head battles with each fan base vying for the upper hand. One can expect the movie market on the whole to be rejuvenated, even if it’s only for a week or so.  The neighboring industries too will definitely take note of the kind of furious media coverage this event will generate.

The downside however is entirely trade related. The fact that Ajith enjoys one of the best openings in the industry is a known truth and presently Vijay is on an upward swing and is capable of matching any numbers thrown at him. The result of this evenly matched contest is that the financial rewards that a film could enjoy as a solo release would be greatly compromised and would affect the profitability of the project. Also, with the kind of fan following involved and with highly charged emotions there may be a danger of misbehavior and untoward incidents.

But mainly it’s the business aspect which has prompted many stars, including Ajith and Vijay, to prefer solo releases for the benefit of the investors. Recently two superstars in Hindi, Shahrukh Khan and Akshay Kumar, decided to separate their upcoming releases, Chennai Express and Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Again, by a week for the same reasons.

The die-hard Thala-Thalapathy fans however would be licking their lips for this proposition to come true and why wouldn’t they? Each fan group will be looking to outdo the other in terms of build-up, festivities and the accompanying hoo-haas. Apart from the fans the simple-minded neutral too would always find enjoyment in such high-profile clashes where there’s nothing but the best on display in a classic battle of wits and one-upmanship.