Title: Bahubali – The Beginning
Language: Hindi dubbed version
Cast: Prabhas Raju, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah Bhatia, Nasser, Ramya Krishnan, Satya Raj, Sudeep, Adavi Sesh, Tanikella Bharani and Rohini
Director: S.S. Rajamouli
Rating: ***

At par with any big ticket Hollywood caper, director SS Rajamouli’s ‘Bahubali – The Beginning’ is visually monumental, spectacular and colossal. It should not be mistaken for a story from the Jain scriptures.

A fiction drafted by V Vijayendra Prasad and narrated in a melodramatic manner with surreal fantasy, songs and epic battle scenes, it is a tale of a prince who is unaware of his identity.

The film begins with a brief geographical layout of the kingdoms of Maheshmati and Kunthala and that of Singapuram’s Bandits. And, with picturesque high waterfalls as the backdrop, the tale begins dramatically with a woman, carrying an infant in her arms and an arrow piercing her back, fleeing from her tormentors.

After a brief fight and successfully eliminating those chasing her, the lady slips into the gushing waters of the Ganges and drowns, but not before baptising the child with "Mahendra Bahubali ko jeena hoga", and holding him up in one hand, above the waters, till he is rescued.

The child, now raised as Shiva (Prabhas), by a foster mother Sangha, is curious about the waterfalls and the land beyond. And one day, when he is about 25 years old, after he finds a mask washed ashore, he is determined to explore the forbidden land.

So after scaling the water falls, he meets Avantika (Tamannaah) a rebel citizen of Maheshmati. Romance brews and soon he is embroiled in the politics of the land and the eventuality is predictable.

While most of the characters are larger-than-life, the acting is over-the-top and every actor is allotted their glorious moments. Prabhas Raju as ‘Bahubali – The Beginning’ is soft-spoken and charming. His moist eyes, rugged physique and agile demeanour, make him apt for the role. Rana Daggubati as Bhalladeva has little to offer as an actor, but he excels in the scenes where he has to flex his muscles with the bulls and in the post-battle scenes.

Sathyaraj as Kattapa the loyal warrior, Nassar as Bijjala Deva, the former king’s brother and Sudeep as Aslam Khan, the arms dealer from Kabul, are impressive in their short but marked roles.

As for the ladies, they have equally etched slots. Ramya Krishna as the Rajmata – Sivagami and Bijjala Deva’s wife, is remarkably inspiring. Anushka Shetty as Devasena, Bahubali’s mother, reminds you of veteran actress Rakhee in "Karan Arjun" as she repeatedly hams from serious to funny tones pouting, "Mera beta aayega."

Tamannaah as Shiva’s love interest and a rebel warrior, adds the mystic value that makes her special. But she fails to leave an imprint in your mind, as her character is under-developed.

On the technical front, the film is artistically conceived. Every frame is picture perfect with; brilliant atmospheric visuals, elaborate sets, beautiful costumes, well-perceived computer generated images and well executed video effects. The music and background score by MM Kreem add to the cinematic experience.

Unfortunately, the dubbing is not up to the mark and the screenplay by S.S. Rajamouli, Rahul Koda and Madhan Karky traverses from frivolous fantasy to well thought action-packed scenes with ease. While the tale focuses on Shiva and his back story and the mega battle scenes, it fails to explore his romance with Avanthika and his knowledge of battle strategy. The sub-plots too are half-baked and taken for granted.

Overall, while the film has a feel good factor, the story and its visuals are heavily inspired by Hollywood historicals. Watch the film for being an Indian version of a grandeur film.

— By Troy Ribeiro

Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan, who co-owns Pune City FC, on Friday said he never had so much fun spending money as the franchise roped in two very talented youngsters at the Indian Super League (ISL) auction here.

Pune bagged Jakichand Singh for Rs.45 lakhs and Eugeneson Lyngdoh — the first footballer to touch the crore mark (1.05 crores) from a base price of Rs.27.5 lakh.

"Initially, I was nervous thinking why people are so serious here. My heart was beating fast. There is a lot of money, strategy involved. We got exactly what we needed keeping in mind (head coach) David’s (Platt) strategy. I have never had more fun spending money because what we were buying was worth it," Hrithik told reporters at a press conference here.

Expressing his delight, the Bollywood heartthrob added: "This man has wings (Jackichand) and he flies like a rocket. Even the experience Lyngdoh will get in the team will be huge. The growth process is fantastic. If you are paying a certain price for a value attached, I think it is truly deserving."

Englishman Platt said they bagged the two primary targets they had in mind via the auction.

"(It was) my first time in the auction. We are fortunate to have professionals and bag the two primary targets we had. Not just these players can get better, but the younger players as well can come through," Platt said.

Jackichand was seen hugging Sunil Chhetri, who went to Mumbai City FC for Rs.1.20 crore, during the auction. Asked what was it about, the Royal Wahingdoh winger said: "Sunil bhaiyaa mazak kar rahe the humein khush karne keliye (Sunil was cracking jokes to make me happy)."

Admissions are over. New college sessions are about to begin. Now, what to wear? How to make that first impression? Many freshers are likely to fret over how to look attractive and make that first great impression on the first day of the college, as students’ prerogative of looking good is taking centre stage these days.

As Donatella Versace once said, “Fashion is a weapon that you can use when you need it” and this summer, it is the ultimate artillery that a college student can own. So, for all the students seeking to arrive at the world of ‘college’, say goodbye to your old, hefty denims and somber T-shirts and brace this vibrant new college year with cool apparel and trendy accessories.

Girls can opt for ethnic fashion with contemporary fusion. Not only will it revive the ethnic look, but can also give a trendy feel.

Disney by Anouk provides choices with multiple shades and patterns through crop-tops, kurtis, palazzos and more. The collection is priced between Rs.1,099 to Rs.4,999 and is available on online stores.

Boys can flaunt Disney or Marvel character T-shirts which are priced Rs.799 onwards.

Guys can also opt for ABCD 2 movie T- shirts which is a latest fad among youngsters.

However, whatever you wear looks incomplete without latest gadgets these days.

Girls can complement their look with a cute and trendy phone case by Disney with Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse characters marked on it, whereas boys can go for other stylish accessories. Just get the mix and match right and there, you are, all set!

After getting bagged by Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) players auction, Sunil Chhetri said on Friday he is extremely happy to be a part of the tournament revealing his excitement to play alongside the team’s marquee player-cum-manager, French football great Nicolas Anelka.

Four-time All India Football Federation (AIFF) player of the year, Chhetri who had the highest base price in the auction at Rs.80 lakh, was bought by Mumbai City FC for Rs.1.20 crore. The second edition of the ISL is scheduled to start on October 3.

"As a player I understand when you lose a game and do well, the next game and next day brings about a new challenge. I am very happy and thankful that I am bought by Mumbai City FC," Chhetri said at a press conference here.

"Who wouldn’t be happy and excited to play alongside Nicolas Anelka. We saw him last year and we know what he can do with the ball. I am looking forward and excited to play with Anelka and the whole team," the India national football team captain said.

When asked if he was disappointed with the amount he was bought for, he said, "I am playing football for 13 years and money is not the priority now. I think God has been very kind to me. I am looking forward to start my training. Money is not an issue. I had a great experience in I-League and now this is a different platform and very professional."

Speaking on the team’s new inclusion, team owner and Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor said it was beyond his dream of getting Chhetri in the auction.

"We never thought in our dreams that we would get Sunil Chhetri. I level of a player he is, a great team leader. Its a dream come true to have him. It is going to be amazing. We have a budget and we had to carefully use from it. Keeping in mind all aspects from international player, Indian player, marquee player we have bought," Ranbir said.

"Last season everyone said we were the strongest on paper. But we have learnt from the mistakes we did last season. Last year we got to know how to manage a team, how to start a team. We want to make a quality team with quality players. This year we have put in lot of hard work, with a great technical team. With Sunil coming, we have an upper hand," he added.

What can prompt you to make exercise a habit that is hard to break? Certain cues can prod people to automatically go to the gym and increase exercise frequency, a study says.

Some interventions designed to help people start and continue exercising may focus on the execution habit, or an exact routine to follow at the gym, said Alison Phillips, an assistant professor of psychology at Iowa State University.

However, Phillips’ research, published in the journal Health Psychology, found that it is the instigation habit – or cues that prompt people to automatically go to the gym – that increases exercise frequency.

"From a health perspective, we want people to engage in physical activity frequently, and so instigation habit is the type of habit to promote that to happen," Phillips said.

"Regardless of the type of exercise you are going to do on a particular day, if you have an instigation habit, you will start exercising without having to think a lot about it or consider the pros and cons."

For example, Phillips said many people exercise after work. The end of the workday presents their cue to drive to the gym and workout instead of driving home.

For others, the cue may be the alarm clock going off in the morning signalling that it is time to go for a run or a bike ride.

Some research suggests that it may take a month or longer of repeated behaviour before a cue reliably and automatically triggers a behaviour. Sticking with the same time of the day might help initially, Phillips said.

For anyone who is new to exercise or uncomfortable going to the gym, following the same routine can help build self-confidence at the activity and being active in general.

However, for others the repetitiveness of sticking to a specific routine may be detrimental.

"It might be important for people to start to do the same thing until they realise they can do this, but in the long-term there does not seem to be a benefit of doing the same things over and over again," Phillips said.

Admissions are over. New college sessions are about to begin. Now, what to wear? How to make that first impression? Many freshers are likely to fret over how to look attractive and make that first great impression on the first day of the college, as students’ prerogative of looking good is taking centre stage these days.

As Donatella Versace once said, “Fashion is a weapon that you can use when you need it” and this summer, it is the ultimate artillery that a college student can own. So, for all the students seeking to arrive at the world of ‘college’, say goodbye to your old, hefty denims and somber T-shirts and brace this vibrant new college year with cool apparels and trendy accessories.

Girls can opt for ethnic fashion with contemporary fusion. Not only will it revive the ethnic look, but can also give a trendy feel.

Disney by Anouk provides choices with multiple shades and patterns through crop-tops, kurtis, palazzos and more. The collection is priced between Rs.1,099 to Rs.4,999 and is available on online stores.

Boys can flaunt Disney or Marvel character T-shirts which are priced Rs.799 onwards.

Guys can also opt for ABCD 2 movie T- shirts which is a latest fad among youngsters.

However, whatever you wear looks incomplete without latest gadgets these days.

Girls can complement their look with a cute and trendy phone case by Disney with Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse characters marked on it, whereas boys can go for other stylish accessories. Just get the mix and match right and there, you are, all set!

Ambati Rayudu’s unbeaten 124 and Stuart Binny’s 77 took India to 255 for six in 50 overs against Zimbabwe in the first of their three-match One-Day International (ODI) series at the Harare Sports Club here on Friday.

Right-hander Rayudu scored his second ODI century, while Binny got his maiden half-century.

India:

Ajinkya Rahane c Masakadza b Tiripano 34

Murali Vijay c Sibanda b Vitori 1

Ambati Rayudu not out 124

Manoj Tiwary lbw b Chibhabha 2

Robin Uthappa run out (Sikandar Raza) 0

Kedar Jadhav c Mutumbami b Chibhabha 5

Stuart Binny c Mutumbami b Tiripano 77

Axar Patel not out 2

Extras (lb 2, w 8) 10

Total (six wickets in 50 overs) 255

Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Vijay, 3.2 overs), 2-60 (Rahane, 17.2), 3-74 (Tiwary, 20.4), 4-77 (Uthappa, 21.3), 5-87 (Jadhav, 24.2), 6-247 (Binny, 48.5)

Bowling:

Tinashe Panyangara 9.2-1-53-0

Brian Vitori 9-0-63-1

Donald Tiripano 8.4-1-48-2

Chamu Chibhabha 10-2-25-2

Graeme Cremer 10-0-47-0

Sean Williams 3-0-17-0

Match details:

Toss: Zimbabwe, chose to field

Umpires: Simon Fry (Australia) and Russell Tiffin (Zimbabwe)

TV umpire: Langton Rusere (Zimbabwe)

Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka)

Reserve umpire: Jeremiah Matibiri (Zimbabwe)

Grant’s, a blended scotch whisky brand from the spirits company William Grant & Sons, have announced the signing of their first ever Indian brand ambassador, Rohan Bhardwaj, who won their ‘The Awesome Job’ campaign.

Gurgaon-based Bhardwaj was voted by his friends as the perfect candidate for the campaign and was chosen on the basis of his ready wit, charm, confidence, pleasing demeanour, and wanderlust as well as knowledge and passion of spirits, read a statement.

He will be travelling to Scotland with his friends who nominated him for this job.

“Rohan is a strong, passionate man, who will now become the new advocate for the brand. This announcement also brings to an end a whirlwind experience of finding the best candidate for the post. He is the perfect ambassador to talk about drinking responsibly, tastefully and together and personifies all the attributes that the India representative of the brand should possess,” said Shweta Jain, the India marketing director at Grant&’s.

Commenting upon his selection, Bhardwaj said: “I’m simply ecstatic about the new role that I’m about to take on. The journey to the top spot for the past few months has been thrilling and has helped me get familiar with Grant&’s, it heritage, philosophy as well as aspirations to expand its outreach in India. 

“I feel privileged to be associated with a legendary brand like this and look forward to driving the brand&’s footprint in the market with a firm focus on the ideology of Grant&’s,” he added.

Bhardwaj’s role entails supporting the growth and proliferation of the brand’s award-winning and globally renowned range of whiskies in both value and volume. He will become a part of a network of brand ambassadors who share this common goal to develop the brand&’s repute in international markets across the world. 

It may sound intriguing to many but how you balance your body in different postures can reveal how stable your romantic life is, says a study.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and University of Waterloo in Canada found a strong correlation between unstable work spaces and poor intimate relationships among the participants.

The team first recruited a small group of college students who were in a committed relationship, and randomly assigned half of their volunteers to sit at a normal desk and the other half to sit at wobbly workstations, the New York Times reported.

The volunteers shared information about how satisfied they felt with their partner and whether the relationship would last.

The team found that the students seated at unstable work stations were much more likely to perceive instability in their romantic life than those whose chairs and work spaces did not wobble.

Furthermore, the researchers used an online portal to recruit a more diverse group of volunteers, some of whom had been married for years.

They asked them to position themselves in front of a computer screen.

Half of the volunteers who filled the questionnaire about their relationship status, were asked to stand on one leg while the rest stood on both feet.

Interestingly, volunteers who wobbled on one leg rated their relationships as more unstable than those who stood on both feet.

The study, however, does not show that an unstable body creates an unstable love life.

"Only when people feel physically unstable, they are more likely to perceive their romantic relationship as similarly turbulent," said lead researcher Amanda Forest, professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh.

The students of Bihar’s Super 30 – a free coaching centre for underprivileged students – who have cracked the IIT-JEE this year are a worried lot as they don’t have the money for counselling.

The families of Sujeet Kumar, Dhananjay Kumar, Prempal Kumar and Sharwan Kumar are grappling with a financial crisis as they don’t have the funds required for submission of a challan worth Rs 45,000.

Super 30 founder-director Anand Kumar said: "The banks are ready to pay the fee, including the admission fee. And they are also ready to pay the counselling fee this time, but they cannot give cash for challan."

Cash is paid through a challan in order to submit a bank draft for the admission fee. 

"The problem is that though the IIT has reduced the counselling fee from Rs.60,000 to Rs.45,000, it now asks for submission of fee through challan, which would require cash," he said.

Like previous years, as many as 25 of the 30 students of Bihar’s Super 30 have cracked IIT-JEE. Children of a taxi driver, mason, farmer, daily wager/farm labourer, helper in photo lab and migrant workers are among the successful candidates.

"If the IIT relaxes its norms, it will not only help Super 30 students but also hundreds of others who come from a poor background," said Kumar.

Super 30 was started by Anand along with former Bihar DGP Abhyanand over a decade ago. Later, Abhyanand dissociated himself from the institute.

Super 30, which helps economically backward students crack the IIT-JEE, was selected by Time magazine for the list of ‘The Best of Asia 2010’.

Students from poor families have to pass a competitive test to get into Super 30 and then commit themselves to a year of 16-hour daily study routine. Coaching, food and accommodation are free for the students.