Some research pieces, some opinions

The mega hit maiden production of EK Entertainers 'Mungaru Male' has set a national record. Come December 29th 2007 the film starring Ganesh, Pooja Gandhi, Ananthnag, Diganth and others directed by Yogaraj Bhat will be completing one year screening in PVR cinema hall Bangalore. This is for the first time in the history of PVR in the national level an Indian language film running successfully to one year. https://web.archive.org/web/20071207093502/http:/www.indiaglitz.com/channels/kannada/article/35125.html  If you count all the theaters, the movie set a record by showing for 865 days. This is also the first movie in the Indian cinema industry to be shown in a multiplex theater for a year. https://vijaykarnataka.com/entertainment/gossip/mungaru-male/amp_articleshow/67286817.cms Now the collections: Apr 1st - Sify 'Mungaru Male' is turning out to be a mega blockbuster as collection figures touche Rs.25 Crore. https://web.archive.org/web/20120930074232/http://www.sify.com/...

 Kohli h2h in tests: All avg below 30, minimum 3 dismissals Scott Boland: 38 runs, 5 outs, avg = 7.6 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=SM+Boland&groupby=year Fidel Edwards: 30 runs,3 outs, avg = 10 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=FH+Edwards&groupby=year Kyle Jamieson: 34 runs, 3 outs, avg = 11.3 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=KA+Jamieson&groupby=year Lungi Ngidi: 68 runs, 4 outs, avg = 17 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=L+Ngidi&groupby=year Ben Hilfenhaus: 57 runs, 3 outs, avg = 19 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=BW+Hilfenhaus&groupby=year Ollie Robinson: 59 runs, 3 outs, avg = 19.7 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=OE+Robinson&groupby=year Graeme Swann: 62 runs, 3 outs, avg = 20.7 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=GP+Swann&groupby=...

 Kohli h2h in ODIs: All avg below 30, minimum 3 dismissals Junaid Khan: 3 runs, 24 balls, 3 outs, avg = 1, SR = 12.5 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=Junaid+Khan&groupby=year James Anderson: 26 runs, 38 balls, 3 outs, avg = 8.7, SR = 68.4 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=JM+Anderson&groupby=year Chanaka Welegedara : 11 runs, 22 balls, 3 outs, avg = 3.7, SR = 50 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=UWMBCA+Welegedara&groupby=year Jhye Richardson: 35 runs, 58 balls, 4 outs, avg = 8.8, SR = 60.3 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=JA+Richardson&groupby=year Josh Hazlewood: 67 runs, 106 balls, 5 outs, avg = 13.4, SR = 63.2 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=JR+Hazlewood&groupby=year Andy Mckay: 45 runs, 53 balls, 3 outs, avg = 15, SR = 84.9 https://www.cricmetric.com/matchup.py?batsman=V+Kohli&bowler=AJ+McKay&g...

Mrunal complimenting Kangana in Emergency film and in general (2025) Actor Mrunal Thakur watched Kangana Ranaut's directorial Emergency in theatres with her father and was highly impressed by the film and the team behind it. She shared her thoughts on the film, calling Kangana a "true artist and the most gifted actress of Indian cinema." "I’m still reeling from the experience," Mrunal wrote on Instagram. She added, "As a huge fan of Kangana Ranaut, I’ve been eagerly awaiting this film on the big screen, and IT WAS A MASTERPIECE." Mrunal continued, "Kangana, you’ve outdone yourself as a director! ..... Continuing her note, Mrunal added, "Kangana, you’re not just an actor; you’re a true artist and inspiration. Your courage in taking on challenging roles is admirable, and your dedication to your craft is evident in every frame." She also urged audiences to watch the film if they hadn’t yet. https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/m...

 Vishwamitra: The 16 videos which I've found are:- 1)92 vs WI, Bishop caught(No ball), 97 Barbados Test 2)44 vs WI, Ambrose caught behind(Hitting Elbow instead of bat), 97 Trinidad ODI 3)134 vs Aus, Kasprowicz LBW (Pitching outside leg,Impact outside off), 98 Sharjah ODI Final 4)61 vs Aus, Warne caught short leg(No bat involved), 99 Adelaide Test 5)0 vs Aus, McGrath shoulder before wicket(Too high), 99 Adelaide Test 6)17 vs Pak, Waqar caught behind(No Bat involved), 2000 Perth ODI 7)0 vs WI, Sanford LBW(Too High), 2002 Trinidad Test 8)0 vs NZ, Bond LBW(Impact outside Off with Line Indicator+Transparent Stumps), 2003 Wellington ODI 9)0 vs Aus, Gillespie LBW(Too High with Ball Tracking), 2003 Brisbane Test 10)52 vs Pak, Razzaq caught behind(Big gap between bat and ball),2005 Kolkata Test 11)91 vs Eng, Collingwood LBW(Impact outside off, wickets missing with Ball Tracking), 2007 Nottingham Test 12)99 vs Eng, Flintoff caught behind(No bat involved), 2007 Bristol ODI 13)30 vs Eng, Flint...

India vs Pakistan 1996 WC QF: 3 fours, 0 sixes All 3 fours are there starting from 21:03 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bENT7EpWn8w India vs Sri Lanka 1996 QC SF: 9 fours, 0 sixes from 23:09 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bENT7EpWn8w 8 of them only. Only 8 here also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk1Pm0V9PIA found the missing 4th four: at 23:03 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBXxPhmHwmg India vs Kenya 2003 WC SF: 5 fours, 1 six all of them there here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9qq9JIpJMQ Shot at 2:14 to get to 50 was also a four, not a 3. India vs Australia 2003 WC F: 1 four At 0:24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npdLpVKqQ4Q India vs Australia 2011 WC QF: 7 fours at 2:46, 3:01, 4:08, 4:22, 5:52, 8:04, 8:41 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrTAEpc4U6w India vs Pakistan 2011 WC SF: 11 fours all here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0jp9XK86Dw India vs Sri Lanka 2011 WC F: 2 fours 8:13, 8:33 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6EoIwpKOu...

Just finished watching Kishikandha Kanda movie. Merely ok story. Some of it doesn't make sense at all/not explained. Acting is also not particularly great. Don't understand how it got such that highly positive reviews. Comparisons to Drishyam? You cannot be serious!! First half is slow and too much buildup. Asif Ali is ordinary except for a few scenes. For majority of it, his emotions and delivery dialogue is flat. Aparna (Asif wife role) and Vijayaraghavan (Asif father role or grandfather for kid) are clearly better, Aparna even more so. Yes, even if Vijayaraghavan character annoyed me a quite a bit. Overall: 6.25/10 for me. Spoilers below: 1. How on earth does a kid know how to put in the bullets, remove the safety and actually fire properly? 2. The grandfather hits the kid, but doesn't remove the bullets and hide it elsewhere after kid has fired and shot the monkey? WTF. 3. The gun is still hidden within a compartment of the grandfather's room. really? 4. The loop ab...

2(15) at Sharjah 96 24:05, out at 5.5 overs, caught off Fannie de villiers slower ball https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLzc4Qt6oSk&ab_channel=ArslanMajid 17(26) at Sharjah 96 0:07 - first 4 off Pollock at 10/0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_CJsMg3JXQ&ab_channel=ArslanMajid 1:08 - 2nd 4 off Pollock at 18/0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAF7d7rHHZI&ab_channel=AnirudhKalraCricket so atleast 8 runs off Pollock 57(71) at Sharjah 96 starts from around 22:20 Sachin 0(3) 1st over - de villiers 1.1 overs: 4 off Pollock 3.3 overs: 4 off Pollock 4.6 overs: double off de villiers  5.6 overs: 4 off Pollock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyH5WzXSnUk&ab_channel=ArslanMajid 0(4) at Bloemfontein 97 https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/standard-bank-international-one-day-series-1996-97-60998/south-africa-vs-india-1st-match-66068/full-scorecard at 18:15, out at 2.3 overs, out to Pollock, bowled https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=167406981621448 1(14) at Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) 9...

Tests: Durban 96 15&4 at Durban 96 no boundaries vs Pollock. All 3 boundaries in test off Donald http://www.sportstats.com.au/zArchive/1990s/1996SI/1996SI1bbb1.pdf Capetown 97 169 at Capetown 97: 6:49 8:26 11:16 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ40mTqVtcg&t=682s&ab_channel=SheenJohn 1st innings: 88 to 92 101 to 105 154 to 158 2nd innings: 1 boundary off McMillan. So crosschecked. Only 3 boundaries off Pollock in this test. http://www.sportstats.com.au/zArchive/1990s/1996SI/1996SI2bbb1.pdf Johannesberg 97 35 at Johannesberg 97: 0:00 0:22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFsL-MTrK40&ab_channel=TheNostalgic90s 9 at Johannesburg 97: only one boundary of Cronje shown. Other boundary not there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB1NvIcjeSM&ab_channel=TESTCRICKETKEMAZE 1st innings: 0-8 - 2 boundaries off Pollock 2nd innings. 2 boundaries off Cronje. so 2 boundaries off Pollock in this test. Cross-verified. http://www.sportstats.com.au/zArchive/1990s/1996SI/1996SI3bbb1.pdf Mum...

Kalki 2898 AD movie review: Summary: The Mahabharata and a dystopian future. A storytelling and visual spectacle. An absolute must watch. Brilliance of Nag Ashwin world building-Prabhas-Amitabh-graphics team ably supported by good character roles, cameos and the rest of the team of Vyjayanthi Movies (Aswini Dutt, Swapna Dutt, Priyanka Dutt and co). India's answer to Marvel verse (till Endgame). Graphics almost as good and story better. Best film of the year. 9/10. Details: (Will give warning before spoilers, not to worry) Positives: 1. The whole worldbuilding: The flashbacks to the Mahabharata events are very well done. The dystopian future where things have gotten worse in the Kaliyuga is also very well thought of and executed - futuristic stuff, technology, weapons, Kashi, Shambala cities, the Complex etc!! 2. Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama is just absolutely brilliant. The best acting in the film. The intensity and energy at this age is mindblowing. Just so good in the fight sc...

  Kammatipaadam movie review: Summary: Routine masala movie, especially if you have watched some Telugu or Kannada movies. Can watch once to get to know the full story/for Dulquer. Dulquer is somewhere between competent to good. 6.25/10 Details (no spoilers): Positives: 1. 3-4 action sequences are pretty good. 2. Dulquer shines in some scenes - in both avatars - when younger and when older. 3. Story atleast keeps you interested. 4. Support cast is competent. Negatives or things which could have been better: 1. Routine masala movie. Nothing particularly different. 2. Character sketches not well done/not good for some characters - especially Vinayakan's Ganga

Sachin stats vs Mcgrath in ODIs with all sources: Sharjah 94 6(3?) - 1x4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVYgaPNkLyY&ab_channel=CricketFaB Colombo 94 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfcV7J9yqkY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZbnKrGNqLA - for McGrath 1st over total = 18(16)? (assuming other 2 runs in Mcgrath 1st over came off the bat) - 2x4 Sachin vs Mcgrath in Mumbai 96 (world cup): 29(20) - 5x4, 1x6 from ball to ball highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G4UTWzza1A&ab_channel=robelinda Sachin vs Mcgrath Titan Cup Bengaluru 96: 7(15) from: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/titan-cup-1996-97-60991/india-vs-australia-3rd-match-66061/ball-by-ball-commentary Sachin vs Mcgrath Titan Cup Mohali 96: 13(10) - 2x4 https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/titan-cup-1996-97-60991/india-vs-australia-9th-match-66066/ball-by-ball-commentary Sachin vs Mcgrath in 99 World Cup: 0(4) from https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-cup-1999-61046/australia-vs-india-1st-supe...

Thiruchitrambalam movie review : Summary: Story of a delivery guy (Thiruchimtrambalam aka Pazham played by Dhanush), his childhood friend/best friend Shobhana (Nithya Menon), his quirky grandfather (Bharatiraja), his father (Prakash Raj) and others. A light hearted grounded film with some relatable characters. Definitely worth a watch, even if there are couple of things I didn't particularly like. 7.75/10 (no spoilers) Positives: 1. Grounded film with relatable characters 2. Very good to excellent acting of Nithya, Dhanush and Bharatiraja. 3. The storyline for most part 4. The comedy is good 5. Good job from the support cast Things that I didn't like/flaws: 1. The twist in the pre-climax (not going to spoil) 2. His choice of profession given what happened. (again not going to spoil) 3. Not a flaw per se, but didn't particularly liked the father-son tension being there for so long. Details including spoilers: 1. Bharatiraja is very good as the funny, quirky grandfather Thiru...

Charlie movie review: Summary: Charlie is a very good, quirky, interesting movie. Starts off with an unconventional Tessa (played by Parvathy) staying in a room previously occupied by Charlie. Charlie has left some of his belongings including a picture and half-finished picture story. Tessa gets interested in that and pursues the story. By the end, the mystery and non-conventional nature of Charlie (played by Dulquer) eclipses her quirkiness such that you won't even realize what hit you. Brilliant from Dulquer and Parvathy is so very good as well. 8.75/10 IMO. Go and watch the movie if you haven't. (available on Dailymotion website with subtitles) Details (no spoilers) Positives: 1. Dulquer is absolutely brilliant and convincing as the mysterious, quirky, kind hearted Charlie. You only see Charlie, not Dulquer while watching the film. Top 3 performance from him along with the roles in Sita Ramam and Chup (in whatever order) IMO. 2. Parvathy does very well as the unconventional ...

Family Star movie review: Summary: Liked the first half of Family Star. Definitely good and entertaining. 2nd half is decent. Movie entertains overall, even though it has its flaws. Both Vijay and Mrunal have done well. Definitely worth a watch for timepass entertainment or if you are a Vijay or Mrunal fan. Just don't expect too much logic from a Parasuram (director/writer) film. Overall: 6.75 to 7/10. Details (no spoilers) Positives: 1. Good to little better than good acting by Vijay. Does a good job of showcasing both caring aspect and the crazy aspect of being The Family Star. 2. Pretty good acting by Mrunal in a new kind of role for her. Also her screen presence and looks in the movie!! First time she's done an out and out commercial movie and role in a movie in Hindi/Telugu. Another layered and substantial role here in a Telugu film. But obviously not comparable to the phenomenal roles in Sita Ramam and Hi Nanna. 3. The comedy parts (don't use too much brain type) - wo...

 Bramayugam movie review: Watched Bramayugam on OTT with subtitles. Pretty good acting, engaging enough storyline, but falters at the end. A pretty good watch for those interested in this genre (mystery/thriller/horror). I can understand why some would call it a masterpiece, but I personally wouldn't since I found more shortcomings than they did.  7.25 to 7.5/10 IMO. Details (no spoilers): Quick intro to a couple of things: in Kerala folkfore, from what I understood Chathan -> A powerful, lusty and mischevious being. translated as goblin in the movie subtitles, but not quite the same thing. Yakshi -> A seductive, tricky, female spirit/being. Positives: 1. Great acting by Mammootty as Kodumon Patti and Arjun Ashokan as Thevan. good to pretty good from Siddharth as the cook (his could have been better if there was a little better character sketch I think). 2. Movie in black and white makes it intriguing. 3. It keeps you engaged for most part with an interesting tale. 4. Th...

Article 370 Very good film (from the makers of Uri film). Engaging, well researched, well explained, well acted political thriller. I'd say must watch. 8.5/10. Details below. No spoilers. Positives: 1. Starts off with facts like Maharaja Hari Singh wanting to join India and the Nehru-Abdullah friendship resulting in making that conditional. Burns off previously instilled BS by the ecosystem. 2. Covers stuff from 1947-49 up and until abrogation of Article 370 (many things in between, won't elaborate so as to not spoil). Couple of scenes post Article 370 abrogation as well. 3. Pretty good acting by Yami, Priyamani. That film leads are 2 strong female characters - thumbs up! 4. Arun Govil (Ram of Ramayan) as Prime Minister and Kiran Karmakar (Om of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki fame) as Amit Shah character (name changed) did well. Other support cast also did well. 5. Crisp storyline. Keeps you engaged. 6. Pretty good research. 7. Simple breakdown and explanation of Article 370, and its abr...

Gangubai Kathiawadi Only saw Gangubai Kathiawadi as I wanted to see Alia's performance in it. Overall: Alia's performance merely good. Definitely not national award winning worthy, not even close. Poor film, would not recommend to watch. 4/10. No spoilers in the details Note that I am sympathetic to the plight of sex workers and possible arguments for legalization, but I am not for glorification or moralization of it. Details:  Alia was good to very good in some aspects, misfit  in couple of aspects. Starts off well,but performance is a little inconsistent. Doesn't look street toughened. Looks too young. Overall nothing more than good. National Award winning? LOL, not even remotely close. The film glamourizes prostitution, subtly in some ways, overtly in others. Still somewhat bearable till the speech at the end. The speech glorifying prostitution is just beyond shameless and shit. With no one responding back and in fact people shown cheering, it becomes worse. The film glo...

Manichitrathazhu  Manichitrathazhu (The ornate lock) released in 1993 is a Malayalam classic film. Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Apthamitra were remakes of this. I wanted to watch the original with subtitles. So I did. Very good psychological thriller film, must watch. 8.5/10, I'd say. Details (no spoilers) Positives: 1. A film well ahead of its times with respect to handling of psychology. 2. Great acting from Shobhana as Ganga. No wonder Shobhana won the National Award for this performance. The climax scene in particular is telling. Vidya Balan is a great actress, but her performance in climax scene of Bhool Bhulaiyaa doesn't hold a candle to Shobhana's in the original. Vidya was convincing enough, but you could see her trying hard. But Shobhana truly embodied the character in that climax scene. 3. Great acting from Mohanlal as Dr.Sunny and very good acting from others. 4. Interesting storyline 5. Good music and some nice comedy Negatives : 1. The line between tantra and psychology...

Sapta Saagardaache Ello Side A Watched Sapta Saagardaache Ello Side A on OTT. Disappointed compared to the reviews I had heard. I'd say 6.25/10. Definitely not a top notch movie as made out to be.  Positives : some pretty good acting pretty good chemistry between the leads Manu(Rakshith Shetty) and Priya(Rukmini Vasanth) some hard hitting reality good support cast, though not remarkable Negatives : feels like a drag of misery way too many logical flaws or stupid stuff. feels like done to drag out the misery at times or not well thought out. either way, big big -ve. . Main male character Manu being such a fool and doesn't do anything significant to redeem himself. I simply couldn't or cannot root for him Other negatives including  with expansion of logical flaws or stupid stuff below with spoilers. 1. For such a big decision, without even asking the advice of any well-wisher, Manu accepts to take the blame of accident for money for fulfilling Priya's dream. He only tel...