Harmeet Kaur Dhillon, a MAGA loyalist, nominated to head the DoJ’s Civil Rights Division. --
‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’: Allu Arjun’s Brilliance Meets Sukumar’s Genius
By Paul Nicodemus
Story: Pushpa 2: The Rule picks up from the dramatic finale of the first instalment, plunging audiences back into the gritty, high-stakes world of Pushpa Raj (Allu Arjun). This sequel raises the stakes, pitting Pushpa against Banwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil) and other formidable adversaries, while exploring his personal dilemmas more deeply. The overarching question—can Pushpa outsmart his opponents, or is there a twist in the tale?
Review: Director Sukumar’s brilliance shines through in Pushpa 2: The Rule. He masterfully balances a mass entertainer with a film rich in social commentary, weaving layers of emotion, action, and intrigue into a compelling cinematic experience. Despite the extensive runtime of 3 hours and 20 minutes, the film keeps its audience riveted with a mix of high-octane sequences, characterdriven moments, and a poignant emotional arc.
Sukumar doesn’t just focus on the grandeur of action; he incorporates subtle humour through the quirks and mannerisms of the characters, whether it’s Pushpa Raj, Banwar Singh Shekhawat, or the supporting cast. Each character has a distinct identity that enriches the story. Even when the film seems to linger towards the end, the emotional payoff in the climax redeems it, providing satisfying closure to Pushpa’s internal and external conflicts.
Allu Arjun ascends to a new echelon of his career with a transcen-
dent performance. He is firmly in a “god zone,” surpassing expectations and cementing his status as a force to reckon with in Indian cinema. The Jathara sequence is a landmark moment in his career, bound to be celebrated for years to come. Every aspect of his performance during this sequence—his physicality, emotional depth, and sheer energy—is awe-inspiring.
The choreography, visuals, and editing amplify the impact of his performance, creating a euphoric high for audiences. In Pushpa 2, Allu Arjun proves yet again that he is not just a star but an artiste who redefines the boundaries of performance.
Rashmika Mandanna shines as Srivalli, moving beyond the archetype of a supportive partner.
She becomes Pushpa’s emotional anchor, adding layers of resilience and warmth to the narrative. Her chemistry with Pushpa Raj captivates, and their peppy number Peelings is thoroughly entertaining, showcasing their dancing skills.
Fahadh Faasil is chillingly entertaining as Banwar Singh Shekhawat. His understated menace and simmering quest for respect create palpable tension in every scene he inhabits. As a formidable antagonist, he matches Allu Arjun’s intensity with a performance that commands attention.
Rao Ramesh and Jagapathi Babu bring depth to their roles as political leaders, adding intrigue and complexity to the narrative. The supporting cast, including Sunil, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Saurabh Sachdeva, Tarak Ponnappa, Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari, Brahmaji, Ajay, Kalpa Latha, Pavani Karanam, Sritej and Divi Vadthya, ensures the world of Pushpa remains immersive.
The film’s technical excellence is remarkable and a step up from the first instalment. Mirosław Kuba Brożek’s cinematography vividly captures the vibrant chaos of the forest, the intensity of the action, and the emotional nuances of quieter moments. Scene transitions are seamless, and the framing of shots is exquisite. Devi Sri Prasad’s music elevates the narrative, with tracks like Sooseki and Kissiki blending into the storytelling. The background score complements the film’s tone, while the action choreography balances grit and grandeur, offering a visual treat. -- ToI
Record Opening
The new Telugu film, Pushpa 2: The Rule has only completed its first weekend at the ticket windows and has already crossed the $90 million-mark. Featuring Indian star Allu Arjun, the film has made $97.6 million worldwide in four days, producers Mythri Movie Makers have confirmed. The film had an extended weekend as it hit theatres worldwide on December 5, Thursday. Pushpa 2: The Rule will easily cross the $100 million-mark by the time it completes a week.
With a three-day weekend, the global box office) global collection of $57 million, Pushpa 2: The Rule ranked tonly behind Hollywood blockbusters Moana 2 and Wicked.
In the US markets, Pushpa 2: The Rule made nearly $5 million to rank at the fifth slot. Comscore recorded a collection of $4.8 million over the weekend for the film in the US. Pushpa The Rule released worldwide on December 5, in Telugu as well as Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam. After making a grand opening of nearly $35 million, Pushpa 2: The Rule went on to mesmerize the audience and lived up to all the hype created around the release breaking new records each day.
It also became the highestopening Indian film in Australia and New Zealand markets.
AryA SAmAj GreAter HouSton 3rd Annual ChaturVeda Shatak Yajna Celebrating Thanksgiving
HoustoN: Blending our rich Indian cultural heritage of celebrating seasons and harvests, members and their relatives and friends, well-wishers as well as students, teachers, volunteers and staff of both schools run by Arya Samaj joined in this 4-days program. Participants offered ahutis of
ghee and samagri (mixture of medicinal herbs) during the havan under the guidance of Acharya Bramdeo ji and Acharya Surya Nanda ji. 100 mantras from the Vedas were read daily. Some students shared a glimpse of their learning of mantras and other spiritual insights at both the Vedic Sanskriti School
and DAV Montessori Elementary School. Prasad (lunch) was served daily to the 500+ attendees. Sattvik food was a blend of Indian food, salads of the seasonal vegetables and yummy pumpkin halwa.
Our thanks to the One-and-Only Eeshvar (God), the Supreme Being who cares for everything in the
world, watches over us, provides for our needs, and fills our lives with love and joy; to Mother Earth and Mother Nature for the bounty; to our parents and the elderly, gurus (teachers, mentors), Rishis, sages and to all those who have directly or indirectly contributed in our making.
Video of Poornahuti, Sunday December 1st may be viewed @ https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=qIGAqvmHS64&t= 9106s watch?v-qIGAqvmHS64&t =9106s
Trump Loyalist to Head DoJ Civil Liberties Division
mar-a-lago: Presidentelect Donald Trump on Tuesday picked Harmeet Kaur Dhillon, a California lawyer and MAGA loyalist seen by some Indian critics as a Khalistani sympathiser, to head the US justice department’s Civil Rights Division.
Nominating her as an assistant attorney general, Trump said in a social media post that Dhillon has “stood up consistently to protect our cherished civil liberties, including taking on Big Tech for censoring our free speech.” He also called her one of the “top election lawyers in the country” ostensibly because she worked tirelessly to overturn the 2020 election results in his favor.
Trump also noted she is a “respected member of the Sikh religious community” even as proIndia critics were in ferment over the pick, calling out her purported support for Khalistani elements in US and Canada such as Gurpatwant Pannun, and for backing for militant anti-government farmers agitation in India.
In multiple social media posts, Sanjay Lazar, a Harvard lawyer who lost family members in the Air India Kanishka bombing carried out by Sikh terrorists, said
Dhillon’s pro-Khalistani & antiIndia stance “will be detrimental to India pushing for the indictment & extradition of Pannun and other Khalistani persons.”
Other pro-Trump MAGA Indian-Americans also expressed concern over the pick saying it would complicate the convivial ties between right-wing establishments in both countries, but others were sanguine, arguing that Dhillon’s activism would have to bend to higher bilateral priorities.
At the Justice Department, Dhillon will be the fourth -ranking official reporting to AG Pam Bon-
di. She’s also the second Indian-American to occupy the post after Vanita Gupta, who headed the civil rights division during the Obama presidency.
Posting under her social media handle @pnjaban, Dhillon said she is extremely honored by Trump’s nomination “to assist with our nation’s civil rights agenda” and it has been her dream to be able to serve our great country.”
She also recalled her family, saying she would “not be here today without my amazing mother and brother’s support, and my beloved father Tejpal and husband Sarv, who did not live to see this day.” She lost her husband Sarvjit Singh Randhawa, also a Republican Party activist, to cancer and Parkinson’s in August this year, right in the midst of the election campaign.
Two weeks before his passing, Dhillon faced a backlash from MAGA radicals for offering ardas (Sikh prayers) at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. “ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE!! I have nothing but respect for Harmeet Dhillon but fire whoever invited her to pray to a foreign god, there is only one true God we pray to and his name
is not whatever she said. His name is YAHWEH and his only begotten Son is Jesus Christ,” a prominent MAGA social media warrior raged.
The Chandigarh-born Dhillon came to the US as a two-year old when her father, a doctor, left what she would later describe as a “Soviet-client state.” Dhillon herself would later become enamored of Russian literature. After initial years in Bronx, NY, her parents moved to North Carolina, where they registered as Republicans and became supporters of then conservative Senator, the late Jesse Helms.
Dhillon enrolled at Dartmouth College, where she became the editor-in-chief of the school’s conservative newspaper, The Dartmouth Review, during the Reagan years. Although the political scuttlebutt is she was friends with Kamala Harris when she moved to California and even contributed to her early campaigns, she has been a Republican conservative for much of her career, and more recently, a MAGA hardliner unafraid to take on the mainstream GOP.
In fact, at one point in 2023, she challenged then RNC chairperson Ronna McDaniel for the top post in the party and lost in a secret ballot. She was persuaded to stand down from a second attempt, but Trump has finally rewarded her for her unswerving loyalty.-- ToI
damascus: India evacuated 75 Indian nationals from Syria, following recent developments in that country, said govt. The evacuees included 44 ‘zaireen’ from J&K who were stranded at Saida Zainab. All Indian nationals have safely crossed over to Lebanon and will return by available commercial flights to India, said government.
The evacuation, coordinated by the embassies of India in Damascus and Beirut, was put into effect following our assessment of the security situation and requests from Indian nationals in Syria. There were 90 Indian nationals in Syria before the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, out of which 14 were employed with UN missions. “The Government of India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad. Indian nationals remaining in Syria are advised to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus at their emergency helpline number +963 993385973 (also on WhatsApp) and email ID (hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in) for updates. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely,” said the statement. -- ToI
Sushila Vijaykumar Desai (Affectionately
called “Bhabhi”)
February 19, 1924 – November 30, 2024
HoustoN: Sushila “Bhabhi” Vijaykumar Desai, aged 100, passed away on November 30, 2024, surrounded by family in Mumbai, India, during a long-awaited trip to her beloved home country.
She was born on February 19, 1924, in Rangoon, Burma, to [Chimanlal Shah] and [Chandanben Shah]. Growing up in an era when it was uncommon to educate girls, Sushila was a trailblazer in every sense. She was one of only two girls in her class, where her intelligence and tenacity became readily apparent. She was a very liberal and modern woman. She attended College both in Burma as well as in India and obtained her Bachelors. She went to college with dreams of becoming a doctor, but after losing her parents at a young age, never realized those dreams.As a young woman, she was deeply committed to Indian independence, and broke barriers as the president of the Quit India movement in Burma. She adhered to the Philosophies of both Subhash Chandra Bose as well as Mahatma Gandhi. She fled a war-torn Burma after her neighbors, revealed themselves to be Japanese spies and informed her family of the impending invasion. Many are the stories that she told of the precarious early morning escape from Burma on a ‘Steamer’. Returning to Burma (Myanmar) after the war was over. She retained her love of the sea.
In 1949, she married Vijaykumar Mohanlal Desai. She had a “love marriage” during a time when all marriages were arranged, which is to say she married a man of her own choosing rather than her family’s. They made India their permanent home in 19551956. Later, she immigrated to the United States to be closer to her family and became a U.S. citizen.
A devoted follower of Jain philosophies, Bhabhi was particularly passionate about the concept of Ahimsa (non- violence) Satya (Truth) and helping and respecting all living beings. Her compassion extended to both people and animals. She was known to bribe the dog catchers in Pune with some money and get all the caught animals released and of course ended up keeping a few. There were many people who attributed their success in life to her generosity and encouragement. She fought for the weak and believed that true strength and freedom were borne from a good education.
Throughout her life, Bhabhi was an avid reader and instilled her passion for education in her children and grandchildren. Her love for life was also evident in her sense of fun and mischief, and she’ll always be remembered as an “ally to naughty children everywhere.” She had a particular fondness for gambling and was always up for a trip to the casino.
Bhabhi was an enthusiastic traveler, and her adventurous spirit led her to explore different regions, when it was uncommon for women to do so. She loved to take her children on spontaneous capers, imbuing their lives with both adventure and excitement. On her final trip to India, she attended her great-niece’s wedding, reunited with family and old friends, and also visited iconic landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and the Attari India-Pakistan border crossing.
Bhabhi passed away after expressing a desire to remain in India. Her final resting place is in the country she loved so dearly. A cremation service was held on November
30th, and prayers were offered at a Jain Temple on December 1st in Mumbai.
Sushila (Bhabhi) will be remembered for her remarkable life, her unyielding love for her family, and her compassionate spirit that touched everyone who knew her and loved her.
She was predeceased by her husband Vijaykumar and son Dipak She is survived by her son Pradip and daughters-in-law Toylene, Carol (ex-daughter-in-law), Shubhada; daughters Minoo and Anjanika (Meshia); adopted daughter Audrey; her grandchildren Jesal and his wife Jennifer, Anjana and her husband Nathan; Tejal and her husband Joshua; Vijay, Chirag, Riva and her husband Caleb; Sasha and her husband Kyle, and seven great grandchildren - Devak; Avery; Nolan; Brynaam; Kavya; Kayan and Niam.
Sushilaben’s daughter Anjanika (Meshia) was the Director of Asiana, the TV current affairs series produced by Indo-American News during the 1980s. Minoo has contributed to the Indo-American News as well. Our deepest condolences to the extended Desai family.
Sushilaben’s last goodbye.
Sushilaben loved to travel. Here she is at the Indo-Pak Attari border.
CHESS
Historic: Gukesh Becomes Youngest-ever World Chess Champion
By amit KamatH
Singapore: There is a now-viral video of Dommaraju Gukesh as an 11-year-old. In it, the boy who is yet to become a Grand Master is asked by IM Sagar Shah of ChessBase India what his ambition is. “I want to become the youngest chess champion in the world,” declares the boy in his thin boyish voice with the hint of a grin on a face that is yet to have even the shadow of a moustache.
About seven years after that proclamation, Gukesh has become the youngest chess champion in the world at 18, defeating Chinese Ding Liren in a battle of wills that lasted three weeks and tested both players psychologically and physically. He surpassed Garry Kasparov as the youngest.
There has been a purpose to the way that Gukesh has handled things in Singapore. It starts from
the way he enters the playing hall, striding past shouting fans. Then, in the way he sits at the chessboard, shutting his eyes to enter an almost-meditative state while his opponent Ding Liren tries to find the best moves. During games, Ding often sneaks glances at his young opponent, as if seeking approval from him or trying to interpret emotions off Gukesh’s face to figure if the move he’s made on the board is a good one. But Gukesh has been inscrutable. A locked vault of emotions. Unlike most people from his generation, he has managed to spend almost three weeks in Singapore with bare minimum social
media and internet usage. He’s chasing history after all. And in quests like these, there can
be no distractions.
As his youth coach, grandmaster Vishnu Prasanna, loves to point out, this is what Gukesh’s life has been since he was a kid. Everything he does is in service to that one goal: becoming a world champion.
“Somehow he was always been much more serious about chess than others in his age group even at age of 11,” Vishnu had told The Indian Express once. “I felt even then that this guy really wants to be something. He was very driven right from the start. He had a high level of desire. He would think about nothing else. Just focussed on one goal.
It’s a certain obsession. Of all the kids I have worked with, nobody has shown what he has shown: an obsession about the game and to be No 1.”
In Gukesh, we have a player who calculates like his mind is powered by a chip and takes risks like he had the Goddess of chess, Caissa, whispering moves in his ear.
For now, Gukesh will savour the feeling of being a world champion, a dream he has held and chased with single-minded dedication since he was 11.
The succession line of world champions in chess is now 18men-long dating back to 1886. It has names like Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen among them. But no one was a teenager when they became a world champion.
-- Indian Express
AN INVITATION TO BID
Sewa International, Houston Chapter, invites BIDS for watering 1,000 trees across esplanades in the Alief area for their US Environmental Protection Agency grant. If interested, please apply today.
Details:
Bid number: 24-27-Water 001
Contract term: 2 years minimum
Email: pmepa-houston@sewausa.org for application with Subject line as BID NUMBER.
Feel free to contact (281) 909 SEWA for questions.
Information about Sewa and EPA project
Sewa International USA, is a non-profit with grassroots volunteers serving humanity locally and across the globe in times of distress, relief and rehabilitation. Sewa promotes volunteerism and “service above self”.
HARC conducted a campaign to learn about temperature and humidity in Houston and its surrounding areas. This research observed that the cement jungles (both buildings and roads) impact the overall temperature rise in an urban city like Houston. This increasing temperature over the years has impacted not only human health but also an overall quality of life. Increasing urbanization and reduction of green spaces is also another cause of what we know as “Urban Heat Island Effect”.
Sewa, along with its partners Alief Super Neighbourhood Council, International Management District, ISeeChange with the support of Houston city council and Alief Independent School district proposed a Linear forest program to the US Environmental Protection Agency. The linear forest program is targeted to increase community engagement, with the help of the partners to plant native trees to reduce heat spots in the Alief area. The process of planting and maintaining trees cannot be completed without proper monitoring and irrigation of the planned 1000 trees.
Sewa plans to do its first three plantations on Dec 21st, Jan 11th and Jan 28th. If you are interested in helping us choose esplanades in Alief to plant trees or volunteering in any way for this great cause please contact Vaibhavi Kotnis at pmepa-houston@sewausa.org. Help us plant trees to keep surfaces cooler and contribute to temperature reduction.
ICC Elects New Directors, Trustees
directors and trustees
HoustoN: The India Culture Center held elections for vacancies to its Boards this past Sunday, December 8, at in India House on West Belfort. Almost 50 attended the meeting to elect eight Directors and three Trustees. The elections were conducted by the election committee consisting of Chair Jawahar Malhotra and members Shobana Muratee and Vale Subramaniyam.
The Directors who were elected for the 2025-2027 term are Naeem Vehvaria, Manoj Nair, Parul Fernandes, Raghvendra Sengar, Divyendu Singh, Hina Azam, Gaurav Jhaveri and Pavana Polineni. The Trustees who were elected for the 2025-2028 term are Charlie Patel, Praful Gandhi and Hemant Patel.
Right after the election re-
Dhruv Chandak’s Hiking Adventure
By dHruv cHaNdaK
I’ve had many memorable experiences in my life, from hiking the mountains in the Himalayas to the valleys below. However, along my many travels and experiences around the world, I haven’t experienced one as fulfilling and exciting as Philmont Scout Ranch.
My name is Dhruv Chandak, and I am a sophomore at Shadow Creek High School and an Eagle Scout from Troop 507. Over the summer of 2023, I participated in a high adventure backpacking trek to Philmont Scout Ranch.
Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, is a 130,000acre property owned by Boy Scouts of America. It offers youth and adults the chance to hike and camp in the Rocky Mountains, with peaks reaching 12,500 feet.
trustees their oath of office in front of the rest of the members.
The election committee, from left, Chair Jawahar Malhotra and members Shobana Muratee and Vale Subramaniyam sults were announced, Judge Juli Mathew, who is also an ICC director, gave the new directors and
Our crew of 12 -- eight scouts and four adults -- prepared rigorously for almost a year for this challenging trek, training with hikes, gear testing, and team-building activities.
Throughout the trek, we faced many difficulties as a crew, from getting lost in a forest and being off schedule by 6 hours to hurrying down a mountain to get help for an injured scout. However, each time we were faced with a challenge, we got over it, learning from our past mistakes.
Through this, we learned the true value of teamwork and perseverance. Ultimately, Philmont was a life-changing experience that taught me the importance of preparation, teamwork, and perseverance. I grew closer to my friends and shared close memories regarding companionship and resilience. This journey showed me that the real reward isn’t reaching the end but the memories and bonds formed along the way. Looking back at this memorable trip, I realize that the memories made and lessons learned there created a lasting impact that has shaped me into a more prepared and determined individual.
Supreme Court Upholds Discretionary Revocation of Visa Applications
WasHiNgtoN dc: The US Supreme Court (SC) has held that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) retains broad discretionary power to revoke approved visa petitions, even when such revocations are based on allegations of fraud or sham marriages. In a unanimous decision written by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the SC affirmed that federal courts lack jurisdiction to review these discretionary decisions under immigration law.
The case, Bouarfa v. Mayorkas, centered on a visa petition filed by US citizen Amina Bouarfa for her noncitizen spouse, Ala’a Hamayel. Initially approved by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the petition was later revoked after DHS claimed evidence suggested that Hamayel had previously entered into a fraudulent marriage to obtain immigration benefits.
Bouarfa challenged the revocation, asserting that it was arbitrary and capricious, but the Court upheld the agency’s discretion under 8 U.S.C. §1155. This statute allows DHS to revoke visa petitions ‘at any time’ for what it deems ‘good and sufficient cause.’
Broad discretion: The SC held
that §1155 grants DHS wide latitude in determining when to revoke visa petitions. Congress intentionally refrained from imposing conditions or limitations on this authority, signaling deference to agency discretion.
Judicial review barred: The SC concluded that under §1252(a)(2)(B)(ii), decisions deemed discretionary by legislation are insulated from judicial review. This includes revocations like those in Bouarfa’s case. Justice Jackson wrote, “The statutory framework demonstrates Congress’s intent to preclude judicial interference in such discretionary decisions, even when significant life consequences are at stake.”
or overreach. Proponents, however, see it as a necessary safeguard against fraud in a complex immigration system.
Implications of the decision: The order underscores the finality of agency discretion in immigration matters, reinforcing DHS’s authority to revoke visa petitions without court oversight. Critics argue that this could leave petitioners vulnerable to administrative errors
Views of immigration experts: According to Charles Kuck, immigration attorney, “The issue really is the ability of agencies to operate without court oversight. This is a very dangerous situation for immigrants and give immense power to the executive branch to revoke legitimate applications for any “good and sufficient cause” without any review. Bad actors, like President Trump, can use this to disadvantage legal immigrants.”
Cyrus D. Mehta, immigration attorney, told TOI, “This SC decision affirmed that federal courts have no jurisdiction in reviewing the revocation of an immigrant visa petition. Section 205 of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to revoke the approval of an immigrant visa petition for good and sufficient cause. Once the DHS revokes the petition, a court cannot review the revocation as it is a discretionary action. Under INA 242(a)(2)(B) federal courts have been stripped of jurisdiction to review discretionary relief or actions. Revocation of a visa petition is a discretionary decision, according to Bouarfa v. Mayorkas, which is thus unreviewable by a federal court.”
Mehta illustrates:
Illustration 1:
If an employer files an I-140 petition on behalf of its noncitizen skilled worker employee and it gets approved, and the DHS revokes the I-140 if it finds that the underlying labor certification
was obtained fraudulently, the employer cannot ask a federal court to review the revocation.
Form I-140 is filed to petition for a noncitizen worker to become a lawful permanent resident, it is a crucial step in the green card process.
Illustration 2:
A US citizen files an I-130 petition (to establish the existence of a relationship) on behalf of a noncitizen spouse and it gets approved. The DHS can later on revoke the petition if it finds that the marriage was a sham marriage. The US citizen can challenge the revocation administratively if he/she believes that the marriage was genuine, but if it is still denied administratively, the citizen cannot seek review in federal court of the revocation of the petition, according to Bouarfa v. Mayorkas.
That said, the US Supreme Court’s decision also highlighted the practical recourse available to petitioners: filing a new visa petition or challenging future DHS determinations if circumstances change. Bouarfa has reportedly filed a second visa petition for her spouse, which remains under review. -- ToI
The new
after taking their oath of office. Praful Gandhi could not attend.
TCC FALL 2024 | WINNERS: POWERSTARS | RUNNERS-UP: MASTERS
HoustoN: Powerstars won the fourth TCC Taped Ball championship defeating finalist Masters in the final of the Fall 2024 tournament.
Masters, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, delivered a disciplined bowling performance. Despite their efforts, Powerstars managed to post a competitive total of 119/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Navin Negi lit up the innings with a dazzling 63 off 57 balls, blending finesse with aggression. His precise gap-piercing shots and timely boundaries kept the scoreboard ticking. Negi’s stellar knock was brilliantly supported by Dylan Joseph, whose crucial contributions at the other end provided much needed momentum. Together, the duo stitched up a vital partnership, frustrating the bowlers and laying a strong foundation for Powerstars. Manish finished with 2 wickets and there were 3 run outs.
Masters began their chase cautiously but struggled under the
pressure applied by Powerstars’ bowlers. Karthik Vadlamudi set the tone with an outstanding spell, claiming 4 wickets for just 6 runs in 2.4 overs. His sharp variations tore through the Masters’ batting lineup. Masters were bowled out for 76 in 15.4 overs. Ronald Robinson and Dylan Joseph each took two wickets, while Sunny Nadeem played a vital role in maintaining pressure, ensuring Masters never recovered in their chase.
Navin Negi showcased unmatched dominance throughout the playoffs, starting from ball one and leaving bowlers searching for answers. His consistent brilliance with the bat and sharp wicketkeeping skills were instrumental in Powerstars’ journey to winning the prestigious TCC championship. In the final, his unbeaten 63 off 57 balls sealed the match. vkc from Powerstars was the Man of the Match for the final. For his overall impact across all playoff games, Navin from Powerstars was awarded the Tournament
MVP, highlighting his invaluable contribution to the team’s success.
The Powerstars’ dominance in the playoffs was highlighted by their top three contributors—Shubham Ranjane, Navin Negi, and Ronald Robinson—whose stellar performances made the road to the championship much smoother. With consistent runs from these key players, Powerstars were able to set competitive totals and chase down targets effortlessly. Ronald Robinson was the highest run getter and Rohit Bade was the highest wicket taker within the Powerstars squad helping them secure the coveted TCC Championship.
A special mention to Masters team for their wonderful run throughout the season. Their consistent performances were key to their successful run to the final, culminating in their being awarded the Runners-Up Trophy. Their commitment and teamwork were crucial in the team’s journey to the championship Final.
Under the able leadership of Ka-
lyan Chivukula, Powerstars have consistently grown from strength to strength, evolving into a dominant force in the Taped Ball cricket scene. Powerstars, under his guidance, have become a formidable team and a force to reckon with.
Powerstars have maintained their 100% record in TCC by winning Championship in all the 4 finals they played.
The game was followed by a well-organized presentation ceremony organized by Jagadish Biradar. Dinesh Kasliwal of Team Gladiators was thanked for voluntary work on scheduling. Kalyan Chivukula, the captain of Powerstars received the winner’s trophy and the runners up trophy was collected by Ashish Patel (Masters). Tournament award winners for Divn I were. Yesu from CFCC got best batsman with 268 runs, Jayan from Kastech Kings got best bowler with 15 wickets. Devjit from STYX got the best wicketkeeper with 22 dismissals. Yesu from CFCC got Best All Rounder with
268 runs and 8 wickets. Yesu from CFCC and Ronald from Powerstars got special awards for centuries. Ali from CSK and Sajid from CFCC got special awards for Hattricks. Tournament award winners for Divn II were. Garv from All Stars CC got best batsman with 228 runs, Khurram from Champions CC got best bowler with 14 wickets. Pavan from JavelinasGenx got the best wicketkeeper with 23 dismissals. Khurram from The Legends got Best All Rounder with 220 runs and 12 wickets. Khawar and Khurram from The Legends and Vamsi from Cougars got special awards for centuries. Ishira from All Stars CC got a special award for Hat-tricks. Scorecard is at https://cricclubs.com/3T/fullScorecard. do?matchId=2317&clubId=8675 YouTube link is at https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=okyZD-0mJjw
Report on TCC Taped Ball website is at https://triggerscricket. com/?p=1035
Winners: Powerstars full team
Runners Up: Masters full team
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Sikandar Ka Muqaddar’: Strong Acting
By arcHiKa KHuraNa
Story: After a highprofile diamond heist goes unsolved, a determined cop’s fixation on his prime suspect turns into an all-consuming obsession.
Review: After a string of successful and taut Bollywood thrillers like A Wednesday, Special 26, and Baby, director Neeraj Pandey has carved a niche for himself with his gripping stories of secret agents and men in uniform. His recent OTT successes, Special Ops and Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, further solidify his mastery of the thriller genre. However, his latest offering, Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, while still watchable, fails to reach the high bar set by his earlier works.
Set against the backdrop of 2009 Mumbai, the film begins with an intriguing heist, where precious red solitaires worth Rs 60 crores are stolen during an exhibition. Officer Jaswinder Singh (Jimmy Shergill) quickly narrows his list of suspects to three suspects— Mangesh Desai (Rajiv Mehta), a veteran employee at the jewellery store; Kamini Singh (Tamannaah Bhatia), his colleague; and Sikandar Sharma (Avinash Tiwary), a computer techie in a hurry to leave the scene after the alarm is triggered. While Jaswinder’s instincts point towards Sikandar, his growing obsession with solving the case sends him on a 15-yearlong pursuit that spans multiple cities, including Abu Dhabi. At the heart of the story is the question of whether Sikandar or any one of the other suspects is truly guilty, or if Singh’s relentless pursuit is driven by his need to protect his reputation.
The film starts strong, with a compelling setup that draws the audience into the mystery of the missing diamonds. However, when the narrative jumps ahead 15 years, the pacing slows consider-
ably. The back-and-forth between the past and present becomes sluggish, and as the film shifts focus from the heist itself to the prolonged cat-and-mouse chase between Singh and Sikandar, the intrigue gradually fades. Although a few plot twists attempt to keep the tension alive, many are predictable, and by the time the climactic face-off between Singh and Sikandar unfolds, it struggles to hold the suspense it initially promised.
The performances are undeniably strong, with Jimmy Shergill delivering a standout turn as Officer Singh. He brings depth to the character, portraying a man driven by both duty and personal demons, struggling to maintain his reputation while dealing with mounting frustrations. Avinash Tiwary also shines as Sikandar, a man caught
in the crossfire of his own choices and a determined cop’s obsession. Tamannaah Bhatia impresses in a non-glamorous role, playing a single mother who becomes inadvertently entangled in the investigation. Despite Tiwary having more screen time, Bhatia’s portrayal arguably provides greater emotional depth. Rajiv Mehta rounds out the cast well as Mangesh Desai, another suspect whose role adds complexity to the mystery.
Visually, the film impresses. Cinematographer Arvind Singh does a great job of capturing the locales, from the vibrant streets of Mumbai to the sleek cityscape of Abu Dhabi and the historical richness of Agra. However, the 143-minute runtime feels unnecessarily stretched, with songs—though well-composed— detracting from the narrative’s momentum.
Despite flashes of brilliance, Sikandar Ka Muqaddar fails to fully capitalize on its potential. The tension wanes as the story progresses, and the twists arrive too late to redeem the sluggish pacing. While the performances and initial premise keep it afloat, the film ultimately lacks the razor-sharp intensity that defines Neeraj Pandey’s best works.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is worth a watch for its strong performances and intriguing start, but it’s not the gripping thriller fans of the genre might expect.-- ToI
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