NEW DELHI, Apr 4:
Emraan Hashmi says the story of his upcoming film “Mr X” calls for sequels but the possibility of a franchise will depend on its success at the box office.
“Mr X”, also starring Amyra Dastur, is a sci-fil movie that centres around an Anti-Terrorist Squad officer (Emraan), who undergoes a life-altering accident, which brings him face-to-face with his invisible powers.
“The film has been designed to have a long run like ‘Mr X 1’, ‘Mr X 2’ and so on… But the final decision will depend on the box-office success of the first film,” Emraan said during a visit here.
The 36-year-old actor clarified that his character in the film is not a superhero.
“Many people are misconstruing it as a superhero but I will not put Mr X in that space. Whether he becomes like that will be known if there is a trilogy. Mr X is not a superhero because if I compare him Batman, he would still think before killing Joker but Mr X won’t think before killing someone,” Emraan said.
The star, however, admitted that it is his first righteous character with just a little tinge of “grey”.
“This is the first time I am doing a family entertainer and before this I have always played devious roles. Mr X is a righteous ATS officer, he works for the anti-terrorist cell. He goes through a very traumatic incident, which almost kills him then he rises from the ashes and he has a kind of ailment where his cells stop reflecting light.
“This ailment becomes a boon later and he realises he has superpowers. But he is not using them to save humanity. In that way, he is still a little bit of grey. If he becomes a society saviour in the coming parts, is yet to be seen but in this film, he is in revenge-seeking mode,” Emraan said.
Produced by Mahesh Bhatt’s Vishesh Films and presented by Fox Star Studios, “Mr X” releases on April 17 in 3D and 2D.
The actor is particularly excited for “Mr X” because he feels he can show to his five-year-old son Ayaan.
“My wife has always kept my son away from my films, not that he can understand much but now he probably can understand more than he used to… So yeah ‘Mr X’ will be the first film I can show it to him. He is very keen to see it because my character has superpowers.
“I was always anxious to show my movies to him because he has many relevant questions as a five-year-old. When he would see his father holding a woman on screen, he would think he has ten other moms out there. ‘Who’s that?’ he would ask. So, we will cover up his eyes when a kissing scene comes.”
Though there are a few kissing scenes in “Mr X”, something that has become synonymous with Emraan’s film, the actor did not want them to be in the film.
“I was little hesitant to have them in the film because I have already done that… I did not want to bring the erotic quotient to the film but the kissing scenes have been shot aesthetically,” he said.
The Vikram Bhatt-helmed film is laced with 3D effects and Emraan, whose last film with the director was “Raaz 3D”, was all praise for the technology.
“After the success of Raaz 3D, we all at Vishesh Films felt the next film would be ‘Mr X’. It took elaborative planning because of all the special effects and the concept of invisible man, which has not been played around in our country for the longest time and that too in 3D.
“The technology has gone way ahead from the ‘Raaz’ days, it has become a much more immersive experience. In fact, in this film, you are going to feel every minute there is something coming at you,” he said. (PTI)
“Mr X” has potential to be a franchise: Emraan Hashmi
NH closed, 4 bodies recovered
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 4: While Jammu- Srinagar National Highway remained closed, four dead bodies of the family of Satish Kumar of Dessa in Doda were recovered out of seven so far.
Reports from Ramban said that at around 3.30 pm the authorities cleared road and about 300 vehicles also passed Gangroo sliding zone but as heavy rain again started the Highway was again closed at around 4.15 pm and at four more places the landslides created blockade. One truck was partially buried in the landslide while the driver and cleaner managed to escape in Ramsoo area of Ramban.
DIG Traffic Ashkoor Wani said that Jammu Srinagar National- Highway and Doda-Kishtwar road continued to be blocked even today. He said at around 3.30 pm the National Highway was cleared and over 300 stranded trucks in Banihal area also crossed Gangroo area but again heavy rain in this belt started and many stranded vehicles could not cross the dangerous zone at Gangroo. Not only this, fresh landslide at Peerah has washed away nearly 100 mt of the road. Mr Wani said that there will be no convoy from Jammu or Srinagar side and only stranded vehicles will be cleared if the highway is restored. He said that due to fresh landslides at Gangroo, Hingni, Marhog, Magarkote, Panthal, Nashri, Peerah the highway has been blocked. He said that Traffic police is managing JCBs at its own to clear the highway due to discouraging response from the BRO in these trouble prone areas.
Meanwhile, dead bodies of four family members have been recovered so far at village Dewalkund in Dessa in district Doda. They are Sushma, wife of Satish Kumar, Anju Devi and Bindu-daughters and Suresh Kumar. The dead bodies of Satish and two children are still missing.
DC Poonch M H Malik paid visit to several affected villages in Mandi and Surankote and took stock of the situation. He claimed that 32 houses have been damaged in the district during last 24 hours and some more details are coming from different areas. Malik said 11 PHE schemes and 4 Govt buildings have also been damaged.
Sat Sharma asks ERA to stop work at Shakti Nagar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 4: MLA Jammu West Sat Sharma (CA) has given instructions to the officers of ERA to immediately stop the execution of the work at Shakti Nagar till appropriate decision in the matter is taken up by the concerned authorities. He, however, apprised the concerned Minister regarding the technical problem erupted due to the laying of pipes by the ERA and the team.
The ERA has started laying pipes for its Sewerage Treatment Plant project at the confluence point of Janipur Nallah and Shakti Nagar Nallah, near Shanti Ghat AG Office, Jammu. The local people resented the layout of the pipes, as the same could intervene and affect the flow of nallahs, which would consequently bring the surroundings at the submerged level.
The people approached Sat Sharma and sought his intervention in the matter. He immediately issued instructions to the authorities of UEED and ERA to be present at site. The MLA on reaching the site could only find the team of UEED comprising of A.K. Vaid SE, Rakesh Gupta, XEN, and Satish Sharma AEE, whereas, no officer/official of ERA was present except for the contractor who was executing the work on behalf of ERA.
The officers of UEED apprised the MLA that the decision of laying the pipes at this confluence was taken by the ERA at its own level, without taking the UEED in the confidence and their department has categorically requested the authorities of the ERA to change the alignment of the pipes, but no attention has been paid and the work continues to be executed by the contractor on the connivance of the ERA. In the meanwhile, S.K. Chauhan, SP City (North), Sriram SDPO and Daleep Singh SHO Bakshi Nagar Police Thana also reached the site on ascertaining the situation of law and order.
Basic & Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider Course concludes
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 4: Three days long Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (BLS/ ACLS) Provider Course organized by Jammu Society of Anaesthesiologists (JSA) in Association with Department of Anaesthesia, Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital Jammu concluded today.
The course was conducted by American Heart Association, accredited team of experts from Delhi and Punjab, which comprised of Dr Rakesh, Dr Sunil, Dr Shakti, Dr Anil, Dr Neera, Dr Vivek and Dr Dimple.
The entire course was conducted under the pioneering and painstaking efforts of President JSA, Dr Nandita Mehta, Prof and HoD Anaesthesiology, ASCOMS.
There was active participation by doctors from various medical specialties of Medical Education and Health Departments of entire Jammu province.
During the three day course the delegates were imparted hands on training regarding the handling of critically ill patients in and outside the hospital according to the latest guidelines. They were also trained to use life saving highly specialized equipments.
At the conclusion of the course delegates qualified to become certified BLS/ACLS providers by the American Heart Association.
Earlier, the event was inaugurated by Director Principal ASCOMS, Dr RP Kudyar, who in his message stressed upon the importance of such courses for saving lives.
‘Teach the teacher training prog in Oncology’ begins
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 4: Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in collaboration with Jammu AGOI Chapter today organized “teach the teacher training programme in oncology” at Hotel Asia.
During the inauguration, members of national faculty derived from various fields of specialty of oncology, local health professionals and prominent citizens of Jammu were present.
The national faculty of cancer care specialists from leading institutions of India and local specialists working in the field of cancer care debated with them on whether the existing education paradigm is sufficient to have knowledgeable and confident oncologists in future or they should change the system dramatically to fit the demand of current cancer care environments.
During the three day programme started today, the organizers have lined up course among the mentor and mentees who will jointly present the strategy for management of cancer patients in low resource settings.
The faculty includes Dr S K Giri, Professor and Head Department of Gynaecologist Oncology, Regional Cancer Centre, Cuttack, Dr Uma Devi K, Associate Professor, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru and others.
The programme highlights include live demonstration of operative surgery, video sessions on surgical anatomy of female pelvis and of ovarian cancer and special lectures.
During the programme, the participants will renew their existing skills and improve their ability to practicing new things, driven by a commitment for lifelong learning trying to create a future, which is driven by innovation and indigenous research enabling the local specialists to be the best provider of cancer care.
Lajwanti Medical Trust is the organizer of the programme and Dr Kasturi Lal is the convenor.
HSS delegation calls on IG Traffic
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 4: A delegation of Hindustan Shiv Sena (HSS) met IGP Traffic J.P.Singh here today and submitted a memorandum to him demanding streamline the traffic system in the State especially Jammu district.
Dimpy Kohli National President, HSS led the delegation and its other members were Vikrant Kapoor, G.I. Singh, Vinay Gupta, Rohit Singh Bhau.
Shiv Sena leaders said that Traffic Police should make it a mission to safeguard the lives of the people, to reduce the incidents of accidents, rash and negligent driving, driving under the influence of liquor and thus enhance the public safety. They said that efficient management of traffic has emerged as one of the most challenging aspect to the Government as it involves life and safety of the citizens.
Shrinking roads, ever-increasing traffic, lack of civic sense coupled with blind urge to merely imitate (without following the prescribed path) are some of the factors which add to the challenge.
The delegation demanded that separate stands are made for Tata Sumo, Wimgers and other commercial vehicles and metering should start in auto rickshaws so that tourists were not looted in the State. Shiv Sena leaders said that this is high time that Pre paid metering be started in Jammu Mahanagar on the pattern of metro cities so that passengers especially tourists will heave a sigh of relief from over charging.
Omar takes note of public issues
Excelsior Correspondent
Beerwah, Apr 4: National Conference Working President and MLA Beerwah Omar Abdullah today conducted an extensive tour of Beerwah Constituency and held a meeting with party workers and met public delegations at Narbal.
The NC Working President also visited Sundarabad, Narabal Ghat, Chak-e-Qawoosa, Yarigund, Gagaripura and Gooripura where he took note of damages to public infrastructure and private property due to recent incessant rains.
Omar Abdullah asked the party workers to work in a coordinated manner to address public issues in the constituency with the goal of improving the standard of life of the common citizen. “Politics is not an end in itself but the means to an end. That end is of public welfare, progress and the betterment of the common man’s life – his empowerment and growth. This is the reason why National Conference came into being and this has been our motto over the decades”, he said, adding “I want Beerwah to be a model of these values and we should all work together to ensure there is visible and palpable change in the constituency in how public issues are highlighted, taken up and resolved.”
The NC Working President took note of various public works that need immediate attention and said he would implore the State Government to address these issues without any delay.
KCIS conducts Oxford Learner’s Workshop
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 4: K C International School has started ‘Read and Grow’ which focuses on developing reading skills among the children.
The School has introduced the concept of class library which would soon be functional in the classes. Reading log has also been added to develop reading skills among the students.
To equip the students and teachers with reading skills, a Workshop was organized in the School premises. The resource person was Priyamvada Agarwal.
She focused on as to how to develop the reading skills and highlighted as to how to use ‘pathways’ effectively in the classes.
Isaac Daniel, Vice Principal KCIS presented the vote of thanks.
Zulfkar visits flood-hit areas of Poonch
Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Apr 4: Minister for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs, Ch. Zulfkar Ali has asked the officers to remain stationed at their headquarters in view of the bad weather conditions prevailing in Poonch district.
The Minister was addressing an officer’s meeting at Dak Bunglow Poonch during his day long tour to the flood hit district.
The Minister reviewed the flood situation and the measures put in place by district administration to handle any eventuality. The Deputy Commissioner, M H Malik apprised the minister in detail about the havoc caused by the landslides and flash-floods in the district.
The meeting was informed that besides 11 kacha houses and 01 pacca house that are severely damaged, 36 kacha houses, 4 pacca house and 4 animal husbandry buildings/sheds have been fully damaged due to incessant rains while 11 kacha houses are severely damaged and 171 are partially damaged. 41 cattle shed and 18 kanal land have been damaged whereas 9 cattle and 10 polutry birds died. 89 EM&RE and 13 PHE schemes have also suffered damages. 55 flood control and 72 irrigation works have been affected while 41 PMGSY roads have suffered damages.
Appreciating the extra vigilant and proactive approach of the district administration in efficiently handling the disaster, Zulfkar asked the officers to be on high alert besides asking them to set up control rooms at the district and sub-division level to monitor the situation.
MLA, Haveli, Shah Mohammad Tantray, Director CA&PD, G S Chib, Senior Superintendent of Police, J S Johar, ADDC, Arvind Sharma, ADC, Mumtaz Ali Chowdhary, ACR Shafiq Ahmed Choudhary, ACD Shokat Mahmmood Malik besides several district officers attended the meeting.
Earlier, on his way to the district headquarters, the Minister also visited some flood hit spots like Potha, Sanai, Dhundak and Chandak. He also visited the damaged Sher-e-Kashmir bridge site where he was apprised by the Deputy Commissioner about the status of restoration work.
Kohli discusses problems of Kalakote constituency
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 4: Wasim Kohli leader Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha visited various Panchayats of Kalakote constituency and discussed the general grievances of residents.
During his six day visit, he interacted with the local residents and listened to their day to day problems and demands including road connectivity, water, electricity availability and transport problems. Kohli assured them that serious steps have already been taken through Government and directions given to different departments to solve the above problems and very soon results will be there in the form of solution of problems.
He also interacted with the farmers of different Panchayats and inspected the various areas of agriculture. He assured them that he will soon arrange best guidance and facilities for maximum agricultural production. He also assured people that ration card holders shall soon get kerosene and other ration material which is unavailable at the moment on subsidized rates through Govt ration stores. Speaking with the flood victims, he told that very soon suitable measures in the form of help shall be provided to them.
He visited Galahan, Taryath, Kalyar, Moghla, Methani, Dugga, Panglar, Manwan, Barwadi, Dagalhalal, Treru, Kothian, Qurra, Khadarian and Mangal during his tour.