Sandeep Reddy Vanga made his Bollywood debut with Kabir Singh starring Shahid Kapoor, the Hindi remake of his film Arjun Reddy. Now, the director has revealed that he initially reached out to Ranveer Singh for the role in Kabir Singh. 

Mammootty’s latest venture, Kaathal – The Core, has stormed into the limelight, breaking barriers and embracing the LGBTQIA+ community in Kerala. This poignant film not only sheds light on the existence of this marginalised community but also redefines societal norms. Mammootty’s portrayal of Mathew is being hailed as a benchmark for actors, showcasing his versatility and depth.

Highlighting the struggle of regional LGBTQIA+ movements in India, the film resonates beyond urban boundaries. Directed by Jeo Baby, this film, starring Mammootty as Mathew Devassy, a retired banker turned politician, and Jyotika as Omana Mathew, his wife, delves into the complexities of their marriage within a close-knit village community.

Recently released on November 23, Kaathal – The Core has garnered widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Samantha Ruth Prabhu, among many others, has praised the film on social media, labelling it the “movie of the year” and highlighting Mammootty’s performance as unforgettable.

The narrative intricately weaves Mathew’s closeted homosexuality, his marital conflicts, and the ensuing legal battle, impacting not only their lives but also his political aspirations and the community at large.

In a bid to address potential supply chain vulnerabilities for materials like lithium, cobalt and titanium, the Centre launched the first tranche of the Critical and Strategic Minerals Auction on Wednesday. A total of 20 blocks have been put up for auction and their combined value is estimated to be Rs 45,000 crore, Union Minister of Mines Pralhad Joshi said. 

The 20 blocks are located in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chattisgarh and Jammu and Kashmir, and composite licences will be issued for 16 of them, while mining licences will be given for the remaining four. Exploration is allowed under composite licences.

The bidder will be selected based on the highest percentage of royalty rates quoted by them. Sale of tender documents will begin on Wednesday itself, and Mr Joshi encouraged prospective bidders to apply.

The Mines And Minerals (Development And Regulation) Act was amended in August and 24 minerals were notified as Critical and Strategic minerals. 

The auction is important because the minerals are essential for the country’s economic development and national security. Lithium is a core component in lithium-ion batteries that form the backbone of not just mobile communication but also electric vehicles, which are touted as the future of transportation. Batteries will also play a role in the wide adoption of solar power to store the electricity produced for use when the sun isn’t shining. 

India has committed to achieving 50% of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030 and lithium and other such minerals will have a key role to play in making that a reality. 

Cobalt also has application in storage, and titanium is widely used in the defence industry. 

Officials said the the lack of availability of these minerals or concentration of their extraction or processing in a few countries may lead to supply chain vulnerabilities. Future technologies will also depend on lithium, graphite, cobalt, titanium and other rare earth elements. 

The other key industries that depend on these minerals include agriculture and pharmaceutical production.

“We have identified a total of 100 blocks for auction. Of these, 20 are being offered in the first tranche and the auction for the others will take place in due course,” said Mr Joshi.