Kamal Haasan's fans from Bengaluru go to Hosur to watch 'Thug Life'
Chennai (PTI): 'Thug Life,' a Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam come back movie after nearly 4 decades hit the screens on Thursday, as several frenzied fans reportedly travelled from Bengaluru to watch the movie at nearby Hosur in Tamil Nadu.
The big ticket gangster movie was accorded a big reception in Tamil Nadu by fans of Haasan and Silambarasan TR who burst firecrackers, cut cakes and danced to choicest tunes on the premises of movie halls. Some hysterical fans popped open beer bottles and poured the beverage on giant images (popularly known as cutout) of their beloved stars.
The craze among fans for the 'First Day First Show,' popularly known as FDFS resurfaced as swarms of fans descended on movie theatres. Several fans of Haasan discussed about Thug Life in social media, gave superb ratings to it and some also compared it with 'Nayakan,' (also a gangster drama) and speculated about box office collections. Mani Ratnam and Haasan are joining hands after Nayakan, which was released in 1987.
In several places, huge images of the stars were decked with flowers and mega size garlands. Reportedly, several fans from Bengaluru city and suburbs went to Hosur, a distance of about 42 km, to watch the movie. Posts in some social media accounts and reportage in some Tamil news television channels claimed that fans gathered in Hosur to watch the flick.
Haasan's recent remark suggesting that Kannada language was born out of Tamil led to a huge controversy and Karnataka leaders and the Film Chamber of the state demanded that the actor withdraw his statement and tender an apology.
However, Haasan declined to apologise and opted against releasing the movie in Karnataka on June 5, when it was released worldwide. According to Haasan's fans, the top rated star has a huge following in Karnataka for over 4 decades.
A fan, in a social media post said 'Maro Charitra' (a K Balachandar film, 1978) was continuously screened for 693 days in Bengaluru and till date it is an 'unbeaten' record.
The Haasan-starrer Thug Life's main cast includes Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abirami and Naasar and A R Rahman has composed the music.
Raaj Kamal Films International in a social media post said: #ThugLifeRules. In Coimbatore, several fans of Haasan appeared in T-shirts embossed with "Mannippu Ketka Mudiyathu," (Will not apologise) and "We stand with Kamal Haasan," slogans in bright black against milk white background.
The Tamil Nadu government allowed a special screening on Thursday. One show was special and four other shows were usual.
Noted film director Ameer, who watched the movie in Madurai, claimed Haasan did not comment anything wrong about any language or underestimate any language adding the actor only mentioned that Kannada was part of the Dravidian family of languages.
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New Zealand women's captain Sophie Devine to retire from ODIs after World Cup
Auckland, Jun 17 (PTI): New Zealand women's team captain and prolific all-rounder Sophie Devine will retire from the ODIs after the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka later this year.
The 35-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most prolific all-rounders in women's cricket, having amassed 3990 runs from 152 ODIs at an average of 31.66 with the help of eight centuries. She has also scored 3431 runs from 146 T20Is with one century.
She has also taken 107 and 119 wickets in the ODIs and T20Is respectively. She, however, has not played in any Test.
"It feels like the right time for me to start stepping away. I feel very fortunate to have NZC’s support in finding a solution that means I can still give to the WHITE FERNS," said Devine in a statement issued by New Zealand Cricket on Tuesday.
Devine's statement came ahead of the announcement of the 17 centrally contracted players by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Wednesday. She will remain available for T20I cricket on a "casual playing arrangement" but will not be centrally contracted.
"It's important that everyone knows I'm focused and dedicated to giving this group everything I can before I step away. I'm really excited by where this young group’s going and I'm looking forward to playing my part in the next six to nine months."
Her decision to retire after the ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2 came after Devine took a break from cricket to prioritise her mental health in January. She will lead the team in the ODI World Cup in September.
Devine was permanent captain of the White Ferns in 2020, and has since led the team to new heights, including a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and a maiden ICC Women's T20 World Cup victory last year.
NZC's head of women's high performance Liz Green said Devine had the organisation's full support.
"Sophie's given nearly 20 years of service to the White Ferns and NZC is fully supportive of her quest to find more balance at this stage in her career," Green said.
"We're pleased to be able to reach an agreement that means she can continue to be involved with the White Ferns on a case-by-case basis, whilst opening up the opportunity for another player to be contracted in full."
NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink praised Devine’s contribution to the White Ferns.
"Sophie has been an extraordinary leader and ambassador for the WHITE FERNS. Supporting her move to a casual playing agreement will allow her to continue contributing to the WHITE FERNS environment," he said.
The White Ferns are scheduled to begin their World Cup campaign against seven-time champions Australia on October 1 in Indore.
