Mohanlal and Joshi's 'Run Baby Run' is a gripping thriller

There is always a consistency in Joshiey and he has expertise in creating a big hit, whenever he is with fine scripts. Having been able to safeguard his popularity as a hit maker, Joshiey has come up on this Onam with the film 'Run Baby Run' starring Mohanlal. Yet another example of well crafted gripping thriller, that is sure to go well with festival audiences. 'Run Baby Run' is certain to end up as a hit, if marketed well. The movie has the precise doses of actions, thrills, lighter moments and finer sequences which are also laced with a fine performance of the cast. The movie, with the media industry as its backdrop, tells the unending race between the television channels, for gaining better rating points and creating their exclusive scoop. And so, it seldom moves out of the media men in action and their political opponents. Mohanlal appears as a high profile cameraman, Venu, who is regular on the panels of international giants like Reuters. He is currently back to his homeland, after some skirmishes with his dear ones, which made him leave the state almost a five years ago. Then it was his fiancee Renuka (Amala Paul), a budding journalist, who embittered Venu for a costly sting story. That story also languishes the political aspirations of Bharathan Pillai (Sai Kumar) and industrialist Rajan Kartha (Siddique). And when Venu come back to Kochi, they are also back with a vengeance. At Kochi, Venu teams up again with Renuka, whom he hates the most. And as they are into another sting activity to expose a real time assassination of a politician, they unknowingly lands up into a heap of troubles, which rip-off their credibility as journalist and how they manage to clear the confusion, forms the rest of a story. The highlight of the movie is the even pace with which the thriller has been executed by Joshiey with the aid of his editor Shyam Sasidaran. The first independent script by Sachi, is good and never leaves a space for the viewers to think about the pitfalls and illogical developments, which helps the movie to trek to the climax with not much difficulty. Though the love angle and the song appear as a sore thumb due to the little chemistry between its lead stars, who have the age differences of more than a generation. The simple and direct narratives laced with action, suspense, and twists makes it a fiery roller coaster ride. In the acting side Mohanlal excels once again, playing with ease the role of a TV cameraman. The role doesn't offer anything new to experiment, for one the most versatile actors, while Amala Paul just manages to play to the demands of the role of a junior, who can go to any length for her credit lines. The rest of the cast is ok, while Biju Menon gets the maximum claps for another soft role. Joshiey is also supported by excellent camerawork, R D Rajasekhar, who has done fine work for his art department. The only noticeable song in the movie, Attumanal, sung by Mohanlal is also well pictured. On the flip side, the regular cliched villainy from Sai Kumar and Siddique, offer little to increase the unpredictability. Also the illogical points in the narratives are plenty and usual with this sort of adrenaline pumping thriller. Regular news casters masquerading as others to deceit the officials and police, adds to the foolishness of the investigators, who doesn't look for the call list of the persons they are after, appears pretty stupid. The pace slackens a little in the second half, but Joshiey manges pull off the plot to the climax without much complexity. But for the lovers of relatively well made thrillers, 'Run baby Run' is definitely your movie and you may love to see it, more than once. Forget the little glitches and watch the wonderful performance of Mohanlal. Review Credits:Ibnlive

Happy Onam to Malayalees around the World

Allapuzha 2 houseboats go up in flames 1 Dead

Thiruvananthapuram: One person was killed when two houseboats went up in flames in Kerala's tourist location of Alappuzha. Investigations are on to establish the cause of the ire, police said Thursday. 'Three houseboats were docked at the site. Two were gutted in the fire. The third was moved away before the flames could reach it. A casual worker who was sleeping in one of the boats died,' said Tomy Pulikattil, a leading houseboat operator in Alappuzha who witnessed the fire. 'We are given to understand that the fire was caused by a leak in a cooking gas cylinder in the kitchen of one of the houseboats,' said Pulikattil. The cause of the fire, however, will only be known with certainty once investigations conclude. The accident happened at a time when tourists were visiting the state in large numbers in view of Onam. More than 400 houseboats in Alappuzha have been serving visiting tourists. Locals heaved a sigh of relief that the damage was restricted to two houseboats. The loss is estimated at Rs.70 lakh.

Tanker explosion: death toll rises to 6

Kannur: With Ramlath and Geetha succumbing to injuries following the explosion of LPG tanker at Chala in Kannur, the death toll in the mishap has risen to six. Five out of the six deceased victims are women. Rama and Nirmala, died here Wednesday morning. They were under Abdul Aziz (55), a Chala resident and a woman who was identified as Sreelatha (47) are others who have been killed in the explosion. The condition of the injured are said to be highly critical. The tanker lorry was on its way to Kannur from Kozhikode when the incident occurred. Casualties could have been averted had the driver and cleaner of the vehicle informed the authorities on time and alerted the locals about the accident which happened at around 11 pm. The tanker overturned after hitting a divider near the Chala bypass junction in the Kuthuparamba-Kannur Road. The vehicle started emitting thick white smoke soon and exploded within 15 minutes. Around 20 houses and 10 shops nearby were gutted. Most of the injured were living in the houses nearby. The driver cabin of the ill-fated tanker was blown away and fell 30 metres away in front of a shop. Thirteen injured persons have been admitted to Pariyaram Medical College hospital. Twelve others have been admitted to Kannur AKG Hospital.

Krishna Iyer reacts on TP murder

 Kochi: V R Krishna Iyer who was the first law minister in the first EMS ministry said that it is really sad that CPM was being named in the killing of T P Chandrashekaran and feels ashamed to have entered politics. He was reacting to the murder of TP in angst.
He said there are vast changes happening in the CPM now though during the times of tiff between Pinarayi and VS nothing much changed. 'I'm saddened by this. I'm pained. A party which was formed by AKG and others painstakingly are undertaking murders by making a list. And this kind of news is really agrieving,' Krishna Iyer said with tears in his eyes.
'Does murder make socialism? Does blood make socialism? I feel like staying away from politics. If this is what politics is made of, then I would not have stepped into it. People's protection and their life is politics. The ongoing tiff between Pinarayi and VS are the root cause for many issues'.
Instead of working in unison, conflicts are happening. One says something and the other contradicts. That is not right. The strength lies in working in unison, said Krishna Iyer.

Shukkur murder: T.V. Rajesh’s bail plea rejected

Kannur: A first class judicial magistrate's court here Tuesday rejected the bail plea moved by CPM MLA T.V. Rajesh.
Rajesh had surrendered before the court yesterday after the High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. Rajesh who has been remanded to 14 days judicial custody is currently interred at Kannur Central Jail.

Jayarajan's remand extended till Aug 27

Kannur: The remand period of P Jayarajan, who is presently lodged at the Kannur central jail in the Shukoor murder case, was extended for 13 more days till Aug 27. He was produced at the Kannur Judicial Magistrate Court on Tuesday as his remand was to end today. Jayarajan's advocate has not submitted a fresh bail plea as his earlier plea for bail was dismissed by the High Court.

Two cops suspended for allowing Jayarajan to travel in pvt car

Kannur: Two police personnel have been suspended for reportedly allowing jailed CPI(M) leader to travel in a private vehicle to Kozhikode medical college for a medical check up, in violation of prison rules.
The two, an armed reserve camp senior police officer and civil police officer were suspended on the orders of Superintendent of police Rahul S Nair.
Nair had sought an explanation from them on how Jayarajan was allowed to travel to the hospital in a private vehicle,accompanied by party activists, allegedly in violation of jail rules.
However, Jayrajan went back to Kannur in a taxi from medical college hospital.
Jayarajan,lodged in Central prison here in connection with the murder of an IUML activist, was given treatment at Kozhikode Medical College hospital for his hearing problem, after which he was taken back to jail.Jayarajan was arrested on Aug 1 by the Special Investigating Team probing the murder of IUML youth wing activisit Abdul Shukkoor in February this year. PTI 

Jayarajan takes own vehicle for medical treatment

 Kozhikode: P Jayarajan who was arrested and lodged at the Kannur central jail in connection with the Shukkor murder case, was taken to the Kozhikode Medical College hospital for medical treatment in his own vehicle accompanied by police. This was in violation of all rules.
The rules that need to be followed when taking a jail inmate for medical treatment were violated in this case and this created a row.
Jayarajan entered the hospital after accepting his well wishers response. After his medical treatment, Jayarajan left in another vehicle.

Kerala heading towards drought: Deficient rain in five districts

Thiruvananthapuram: With decrease of 41 % rain in the state, the state is heading towards a major drought. The deficiency in rainfall in five districts was recorded over 50 %. The rainfall were 57 % in Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha, 56 % in Kollam , Pathanamthitta 59 % and 68% in Wayanad.
Indian Meteorological Department has specified conditions for declaring drought. As per this, during South west monsoon, if the rain deficiency is 26 % to 50 %, then it would be declared drought hit and if it is more than 50% its acute drought.
As per statistics, it is learnt that most of the districts are heading towards drought.
According to MDI India's crucial monsoon is expected to be 15 per cent deficient this season, the first indication of a drought in three years.The country has received 20 per cent less rains than normal since the delayed onset of monsoon in June. Till yesterday, the country had received 378.8 mm rainfall against the normal of 471.4 mm.

CPM responsible for violence: Antony

Thiruvananthapuram: Lashing out at the CPM in Kerala, senior Congress leader and Defence Minister A K Antony Saturday blamed it for the recent incidents of political violence in the state.
Instead of doing a self-introspection on the incidents of political violence, the CPM in Kerala was indulging in more mistakes, Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
CPM has failed to understand that a majority of the people in the state were against political violence, he said. Kerala has changed a lot, the CPM did not understand this, he said.
It was unfortunate that CPI-M, the main opposition party in the state, has played a "vital" role in most recent incidents of political violence, he said. The party should take steps to end this trend, he said.
Earlier, Antony inaugurated a seminar here, organised as part of an international Expo conducted by the Coir Board from August 12 to 16 at Kochi, to showcase all the technologies developed by it and its collaborators.
Antony said Centre would extend all possible help for the revival of traditional industries including coir in the state.
Coir sector should adopt new marketing methods with new products suitable to the present time to capture domestic and international market, Antony said.

TP Murder: Charge sheet to be submitted before August 10

Kozhikode: The SIT probing the murder of RMP leader TP Chandrasekharan will submit a single charge sheet including both attempt to murder and conspiracy hatched to kill TP in 2009. The decision was taken as the SIT received legal advice that it would be better if both incidents were mentioned in a single charge sheet. As part of this both cases would be clubbed as one. Earlier the conspiracy hatched to murder Chandrasekharan in 2009 and his murder in May were dealt as two different cases.
But on issues of helping the accused go underground and SIM card issues, separate charge sheet will be prepared.
The list of accused have been prepared with Kodi Suni, TK Rajeesh, Kirmani Manoj, MC Anoop, Shinoj, Muhammed Shafi and Sijith as main accused.
It is stated that the charge sheet would be submitted before August 10 at the Vadakara First Class Magistrate Court. There would be 40 accused in the charge sheet. CPM leaders P Mohanan, Karayi Rajan would be included in second part of charge sheet.

CPM hartal harthal in Kerala on Thursday

Kannur: Senior CPM leader and party's district secretary in the Marxist fortress Kannur P. Jayarajan arrested on charges of concealing conspiracy to murder was remanded to judicial custody Wednesday.
The CM has called the arrest politically motivated and has called for a state-wide hartal Thursday.
Jayarajan was arrested earlier in the day and taken to a Magistrate Court when he arrived office of the Town Circle Inspector here for questonng. Jayarajan has been  charged with IPC section 118 (concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life).
Abdul Shukkoor, an activist of the Muslim Youth League (IUML) was murdered allegedly by CPM activists at Keezhara near Kannavam in the district in February this year.
A tense situation prevailed in the area after party activists too out a protest march against the arrest.
Jayarajan, however, dubbed the charge as "fabricated and politically motivated".
Talking to reporters before appearing before the police team, he alleged "anti-CPM elements" in the police and a section of media had been spreading canards against the party

Widespread protests in Kannur; Prohibitary orders clamped

Kannur: Widespread clashes were reported in Kannur following the arrest of CPM district secretary P Jayarajan. Prohibitary orders were clamped in the district for 2 days.
Stones were pelted at police vehicles including the vehicle of Kannur SP. Police resorted to hand grenades.
Clashes were reported in the march held towards the Koothuparamba CI office too. Stones were pelted against police and some mediamen were injured in the stone pelting.
Payannur Congress Block president A P Narayanan's house was completely destroyed. The Congress office and the League office in Koothuparambu were also attacked.
Trouble also broke out in front of the Kannur CI office where Jayarajan appeared in the morning for interrogation. Stones were pelted towards the Iritty police station and an SI was injured in the attack.
Protest marches were held by CPM activists in Kannur town after Jayarajan was arrested. Protest march was also held in Neeleshwaram. Police used grenades to disperse the protestors.

Shukoor murder case: P Jayarajan arrested

Kannur: Police arrested CPM Kannur district secretary P Jayarajan in connection with the Shukoor murder case. His arrest was recorded when Jayarajan appeared before the special investigation team for interrogation. Jayarajan reached the Town CI office in the morning along with a contingent of leaders and activists who accompanied him from the district committee office. MP Jayarajan, P K Sreemathi, James Mathew MLA were also with him.
Jayarajan was arrested under Section 120B, 118 for criminal conspiracy and for not stopping the crime though he was aware of it. With Jayarajan's arrest being recorded, his followers went into a protest mode and stoned police vehicles. He was taken to the court despite the strong protest by CPM activists. The police had infact taken all precautionary steps anticipating his arrest.
P Jayarajan was directed to appear before the probe team on Wednesday morning following the statement given by T P Rajesh MLA who was interrogated here the other day. And the police wasted no chance to arrest him. Jayaraj termed it politically motivated and blamed the CM for dancing to the tunes of IUML. He also said that the anti-legal activities of the police should be defeated.