Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

The Valley director Saila Kariat says Trump is taking America backwards

The Valley director Saila Kariat feels America is going backwards under President Donald Trump's rule.

Ever since Trump assumed power, a debate on immigrants has been raging in the US, and from the point of view of an immigrant the recent developments in the US is alarming, said Kariat.


“Starting as a child, I immigrated from U.S.-India-Canada-U.S., so I have seen the evolution of attitudes towards immigrants. When I came back to the U.S. in 1984, I felt it was so progressive compared to other countries,” Kariat told IANS.

“However, I find recent developments in the U.S. alarming. The present government is taking the country backwards. To me, it is a clear demonstration of how leadership is so important,” she added.

Kariat's The Valley is about an immigrant family as they deal with the suicide of a loved one. Depression is the key theme addressed in the movie.
“Anxiety and depression are on the rise amongst young adults, and the reasons are complex. I explore this in the movie. I have also seen mental health problems go unaccepted or ignored in the Indian community. There is a lot of stigma, particularly amongst Asians,” the director, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, said.
The film stars Alyy Khan and Suchitra Pillai and it has already swept a lot of awards in the international film festival circuit. The Valley has won accolades in the Berlin International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema, Madrid International Film Festival, Out of the Can Film Festival, and DC South Asian Film Festival.
However, making the movie was not an easy task as she faced hurdles in raising the funding and casting. Kariat could not find the right actors in the US, and she decided to reach out to India and Pakistan, and found her perfect cast in Alyy Khan, Suchitra Pillai and Samina Peerzada.

More For You

George and Amal Clooney

George and Amal Clooney’s marriage faces new challenges as career demands keep them living apart

Instagram/amalclooneyofficial1

George and Amal Clooney’s marriage in trouble? Reports of trial separation spark speculation

Rumours are swirling that George and Amal Clooney’s marriage may be facing a significant test as the couple navigates a long-distance relationship due to their demanding careers. According to reports, the pair, who married in 2014 and are parents to seven-year-old twins, are currently living thousands of miles apart, sparking speculation about a potential trial separation.

George, 63, has recently shifted his focus from Hollywood to Broadway, preparing for his debut in a stage adaptation of Good Night and Good Luck in New York City. Meanwhile, Amal, 47, a renowned human rights lawyer, has taken a prestigious position at Oxford University in the UK, where she has moved with their children. While Amal is reportedly proud of George’s career move, the physical distance between them has reportedly strained their relationship. An insider shared, “Being apart for so long hasn’t been easy. They’ve been drifting due to the irregular hours and time zones.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Netflix's 'Gone Girls' uncovers shocking new details in the Long Island serial killer case​

Netflix’s new documentary revisits the haunting mystery that baffled investigators for over a decade

Netflix

Netflix's 'Gone Girls' uncovers shocking new details in the Long Island serial killer case​

Netflix is diving back into one of America’s most chilling unsolved mysteries, the Long Island Serial Killer case. The upcoming three-part documentary series, premiering on March 31, 2025, revisits the decades-long hunt for a murderer who preyed on women and evaded justice for years.

The case first came to light in 2010 when authorities searching for a missing woman, Shannan Gilbert, stumbled upon four bodies along Long Island’s Gilgo Beach. Over the next few months, more remains were discovered, bringing the total number of victims linked to the case to at least eleven. Many of the victims were sex workers from the New York City area, sparking fears that a predator was specifically targeting them.

For over a decade, the investigation went cold. Despite the gruesome discoveries, law enforcement struggled to identify the killer. The breakthrough came in 2023 when authorities arrested 59-year-old architect Rex Andrew Heuermann. By 2024, he had been charged with multiple counts of murder, though he pleaded not guilty. His arrest marked a turning point in the case, offering some closure to families who had waited years for answers.

The Netflix series, directed by Liz Garbus known for the 2020 film Lost Girls, which dramatised the case takes an in-depth look at the investigation, the social stigma surrounding the victims, and how law enforcement handled the case. Through interviews with journalists, detectives, and people connected to both the victims and the accused, the documentary pieces together the long, frustrating search for justice.

Beyond just retelling the facts, the series highlights the systemic issues at play and how certain victims don’t receive the same urgency or attention, and how that impacts justice. It also raises tough questions about policing, media bias, and society’s treatment of marginalised women.

With new evidence and first-hand accounts, Netflix’s latest deep dive into true crime aims to shed fresh light on a case that haunted Long Island for years. Whether it will bring any new revelations remains to be seen, but for many, the hope is that revisiting the past will finally bring some long-overdue justice.

Keep ReadingShow less
commonwealth-youth-awards-regional-finalists

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 12 March 2025, hosted by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.

20 finalists announced for 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards

THE Commonwealth Youth Awards has announced 20 regional finalists for the 2025 edition, recognising young leaders working in areas including social entrepreneurship, climate action, and community health.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 12 March 2025, hosted by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.

Keep ReadingShow less
David Warner

David Warner swaps the cricket field for the big screen—catch him in Robinhood

Getty Images

David Warner’s Tollywood debut: Australian cricket star joins Telugu film ‘Robinhood’ in a surprise cameo

Australian cricketer David Warner is set to make a surprising appearance in the upcoming Telugu action film Robinhood, directed by Venky Kudumula. The film, which stars Nithiin in the lead role, has already generated buzz for its thrilling storyline and star power. Warner’s cameo adds an unexpected twist, connecting the worlds of cricket and cinema in a way that’s sure to excite fans of both.

The news of Warner’s involvement was revealed by producer Y Ravi Shankar during a promotional event for another film, Kingston. Shankar shared that Warner had shot his portion for Robinhood, marking his debut in Indian cinema. While he jokingly apologised to director Venky Kudumula for revealing the news without permission, the announcement has only heightened anticipation for the film.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wolverhampton pharmacist Sundip Gill jailed for Covid grant fraud

Gill made “false representations” and supplied “fake quotations” to support funding applications

Representative image (iStock)

Wolverhampton pharmacist Sundip Gill jailed for Covid grant fraud

Dineshwori Longjam

Sundip Gill, a registered pharmacist from Wolverhampton, has been sentenced to imprisonment after being found guilty of fraud related to Covid-19 grant applications.

According to the City of Wolverhampton Council, Gill made “false representations” and supplied “fake quotations” to support funding applications. Gill is the director of two pharmaceutical companies, Sync Chem Ltd and Collateral Ltd, and operates four pharmacy businesses in Wolverhampton—Collateral, Your Pharmacy First, Low Hill Pharmacy, and Fallings Park Pharmacy.

Keep ReadingShow less