In an interview, Vijay Sethupathi shared his disappointment regarding the non-selection of Super Deluxe as India’s official entry to the Oscars. Despite the film’s national and international acclaim, including his own National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, it was passed over in favour of Gully Boy, starring Ranveer Singh.

Expressing his feelings during the promotion of his upcoming film Merry Christmas, Vijay mentioned feeling shattered by the decision. He refrained from delving into the reasons behind it, attributing the outcome to politics in the film industry. Regardless of his involvement, Vijay emphasised that he would have wished for Super Deluxe to represent India at the Oscars due to its merit.

Super Deluxe, released in 2019 and directed by Thiagarajan Kumararaja, features a narrative entwining four different stories on a single day. With a stellar cast including Fahadh Faasil, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Ramya Krishnan, the movie garnered 19 wins out of 33 nominations, securing accolades like Best Movie of the Year at the Critics’ Choice Film Awards and Best Actor at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

Vijay Sethupathi, primarily recognised for his work in Tamil cinema, has also ventured into Bollywood. Following his role as an antagonist in Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan, he’s set for the release of Merry Christmas, co-starring Katrina Kaif.

A man in Bihar’s Begusarai was allegedly killed by his in-laws after he objected to his wife’s obsession with making Instagram reels on viral songs, the police said. The victim, Maheshwar Kumar Rai, married Rani Kumari, the accused, six years ago and have a five-year-old son.

The incident took in the Fafaut village in Bihar’s Begusarai last night. The 25-year-old was working in Kolkata as a labourer and returned home recently. His wife was obsessed with making reels and he objected to it, and this led to an argument between them, the police said.

The man went to his in-law’s house late at night yesterday, meanwhile, the victim’s brother, Rudal, called him and someone else picked up the phone and an argument broke out over the phone. Rudal called his family who reached the in-laws’ house and found Maheshwar Rai’s body.

The victim’s father alleged that the man was hanged to death over his objection to making reels and the woman’s family members were missing from the house when they reached the spot.

The police were informed and the body was sent to a hospital for a post-mortem and an investigation is underway.

The family alleged that when they reached the spot, they saw four people trying to dispose of the body on the pretext of taking it to a hospital.

The remarks by three Maldives ministers – which included comments critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi – “challenged the dignity of India”, Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Khoda Patel told NDTV Monday. “India will never tolerate such an insult (and) the entire country showed solidarity with the Prime Minister,” he said, adding, “I want to thank the people of India for standing by the PM and Lakshadweep.”

Mr Patel also waved away talk of demanding a public apology from Maldives, pointing out the ministers who made the comments had been disciplined. “We are not going to talk about it (a public apology)… our values are different… they did not need to make such comments. They have been punished by the government for their actions. This showed India will not tolerate any insult to its PM. From Bollywood celebrities to cricketers as well as ordinary people… India has given a befitting reply to the Maldives.”

Asked if he would welcome Maldivians to Lakshadweep, the administrator said, “This is our country’s tradition. If they want to come, appreciate our beauty and are happy, it will make us happy too. What’s wrong in it. Definitely, they should come.”

The row began after Maldivian ministers Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid posted critical remarks about Mr Modi on X. This was after the Prime Minister posted photos and videos from his visit to Lakshadweep, in which he was seen snorkelling and relaxing on pristine beaches. The PM’s posts prompted social media users to push for Lakshadweep as an alternate holiday destination.

The Maldives – which relies heavily on Indian tourists for revenue – reacted swiftly. “Those who made such posts on social media while in government positions have been suspended…” the island nation said.

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The incident has, though, snowballed into a political and diplomatic flash point, particularly with opposition lawmakers in that country using this to attack the ruling party. Former President Mohamed Nasheed called the remarks “appalling” and asked his successor, Mohamed Muizzu, to distance his government from these comments. India, meanwhile, has summoned the Maldives envoy in Delhi.

READ | India Summons Maldives Envoy Amid Row Over Remarks Against PM Modi

Ties between the two nations have been strained ever since Mohamed Muizzu, seen largely as a pro-China leader, was elected President. 

Following his election to the top post, Mr Muizzu – due to visit China this week – pushed for the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives on grounds of national security.