Ali Fazal, Kumail Nanjiani on cloud nine after Oscar nods
Mumbai: Actors Ali Fazal and Kumail Nanjiani are ecstatic as their films "Victoria & Abdul" and "The Big Sick" respectively scored nominations at the 90 Academy Awards.
The Fazal and Judi Dench-starrer bagged two nods in Best Costume Design, and Best Make-up and Hairstyling categories and the actor feels grateful for the recognition.
"And here's to the @TheAcademy for nominating us for Costume Design and Hairstyling and Make up at the 90th oscars this year. It's an absolute honour.
"And my heartiest congratulations to all the other nominees in all categories. Great year and great films to be rubbing shoulders with," he wrote on Twitter alongside stills from the Stephen Frears-directed movie.
Nanjiani's film received one but major nomination in the leagues for the Original Screenplay Oscar, which the actor co-wrote with his wife Emily V Gordon.
The Pakistani-American actor-stand-up comic, who also stars in the biographical film, said the Oscar nomination is surreal feeling for him and he would "never get over" it.
"Emily and I met when she heckled me at a comedy show in the back of a diner in 2006. We wrote a movie about it and 12 years later we're nominated for an Oscar..." he tweeted.
He also praised "The Shape of Water" for scoring the highest (13) nominations at this year's Oscars.
"Also, how cool is it that a Guillermo del Toro monster movie is the leader in Oscar nominations? The answer is very.
It's very cool," he wrote.
"Kobe Bryant and I have the same number of career Oscar nominations," Nanjiani quipped.
Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who also stars in "The Big Sick", took to social media saying he was proud to be a part of the film.
"Congratulations @emilyvgordon and @kumailn for the #OscarNominations for Best Original Screenplay for @TheBigSickMovie. So proud to be part of this gem of a film," he wrote.
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
