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Long written off as fringe, horror is back in India’s Bollywood, reinvented with comedy, mythology and big stars powering a box-office renaissance.”There are new stories, fresh talent, and all of this is leading to a resurgence,” said director Deepak Ramsay of the renowned filmmaking family, which has created around 30 horror titles over the decades.”Films that were once niche are turning out to be blockbusters.”Once dismissed as pulp, bigger budgets, sophisticated special effects and A-list casts are pulling Bollywood horror out of the shadows.”There is a huge audience wanting to watch such movies,” said director Aditya Sarpotdar, whose film “Thamma” — touted as India’s first vampire movie — releases this October.Billed as a “bloody love story”, it stars popular actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, and blends Bollywood’s signature song-and-dance numbers with werewolves and sharp fangs.Ramsay credits some the genre’s new-found success to prosthetics and computer-generated effects that have “gone to the next level”, noting that budgets have also shot up.From as little as $25,000 to make a horror film, “now budgets are closer to $9 million”, he said.Bollywood’s horror history runs deep.The 1949 black-and-white hit “Mahal” is widely regarded as the first Hindi horror film, when Kamal Amrohi’s supernatural tale of a reincarnated lover introduced a striking aesthetic.- ‘Get scared’ -The Ramsay Brothers pushed the genre forward in the 1970s and 1980s, with low-budget “creature” features in the style of Britain’s “Hammer House of Horror”.But despite occasional standouts, horror became associated with shoestring budgets, cheap effects and lesser-known actors.”None of the big stars would be interested because the budgets were small,” Ramsay said.And with horror films often restricted to adult viewers, “almost 50 percent of the audience would be cut off”, he added.Even so, the Ramsays had a winning formula: Blood and sex pulled in crowds with lurid gore and scantily clad women.A slow shift began in the 2000s, with Ajay Devgn starring in the 2003 success “Bhoot” (“Ghost”), while Akshay Kumar led cult hit “Bhool Bhulaiyaa” in 2007, a landmark that mixed psychological thriller and comedy.The broader popular rise began in 2018 with “Tumbbad” — the first Indian film to open Venice Critics’ Week — and “Stree”, which drew on folklore and mythology to captivate audiences.Today’s filmmakers are increasingly blending genres.”There’s a very thin line between horror and comedy,” Ram Gopal Varma, who directed “Bhoot”, told AFP.”The moment you get scared, your first reaction after the shock is to laugh.”- Biggest star -Sarpotdar said the lighter approach broadened the appeal.”When catering to mass audiences, humour becomes key,” he said.His 2024 hit “Munjya”, a 12A-rated tale of a vengeful spirit who wants to get married, turned into a family outing.”Children pulled their parents to theatres,” he said.Despite recent success, Sarpotdar believes Indian cinema has yet to give the genre its full due.”We always looked at horror as pulpy,” he said.He now has his eye on the ultimate prize: Bollywood’s biggest star.”I would love to see Shah Rukh Khan attempt horror,” said the director.”If these films are fun and entertaining, why not?”

Landslides and floods triggered by heavy downpours in Nepal and neighbouring India have killed more than 60 people, officials said Sunday, as rescue workers raced to reach cut-off communities in remote mountainous terrain.Torrential downpours have lashed Nepal since Friday, leaving rivers in spate and many areas in the Himalayan nation inundated.At least 44 people have died in rain-triggered disasters and five are missing, Shanti Mahat, spokeswoman for Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, told AFP.At least 37 were killed by landslides in the worst-affected eastern district of Illam. “Heavy rains overnight caused the landslides,” said local district official Sunita Nepal.”Rescue workers have reached the affected areas. It was difficult because many roads were blocked.”Rivers in the capital Kathmandu have also swelled, inundating settlements along their banks.Security personnel were deployed to assist rescue efforts with helicopters and motorboats.”There is some damage, but thanks to the authorities’ prior flood alert, we were able to move some belongings to a safe place,” said vegetable seller Rajan Khadga, 38.Landslides have blocked several highways and disrupted flights, leaving hundreds of travellers — many returning after celebrating the Hindu festival of Dashain — stranded.At least five people are still missing, according to federal disaster officials. Prime Minister Sushila Karki said government agencies were “fully prepared for rescue and relief”.”Your safety is our utmost concern. Do not hesitate to seek necessary assistance,” she said in an address, adding that the government has declared Sunday and Monday public holidays and urged people not to travel unless necessary.- ‘Red alert’ -Across the border in India, at least 20 people were killed in the tea-growing hill district of Darjeeling in West Bengal state after heavy overnight rain unleashed flash floods and landslides that destroyed homes and infrastructure.”In the wake of last night’s heavy cyclone in the Darjeeling hills, over 20 people have lost their lives,” said Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a lawmaker in India’s upper house.Footage on Indian television news showed rescue workers using cables to access cut-off regions as raging waters smashed into bridges and caved in roads.Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “pained by the loss of lives”.”The situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides,” he said in a statement on social media.India’s weather department on Sunday issued a red alert for “extremely heavy rainfall” in sub-Himalayan areas, including Darjeeling, until Monday.Relentless downpours also swelled rivers in neighbouring Bhutan, prompting the Indian army to join rescue efforts.Military helicopters were deployed to evacuate several civilians stranded in the border town of Phuentsholing, the army said in a statement.Monsoon rains, usually from June to September, bring widespread death and destruction every year across South Asia, but the number of fatal floods and landslides has increased in recent years.Experts say climate change has worsened their schedule, frequency and intensity.The Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development warned in June that communities faced heightened disaster risks this monsoon season.”Rising temperatures and more extreme rain raise the risk of water-induced disasters such as floods, landslides, and debris flows,” it said.

Landslides and floods triggered by heavy downpours in Nepal and neighbouring India have killed more than 60 people, officials said Sunday, as rescue workers raced to reach cut-off communities in remote mountainous terrain.Torrential downpours have lashed Nepal since Friday, leaving rivers in spate and many areas in the Himalayan nation inundated.At least 43 people have died in rain-triggered disasters and five are missing, Shanti Mahat, spokeswoman for Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, told AFP.At least 37 were killed by landslides in the worst-affected eastern district of Illam. “Heavy rains overnight caused the landslides,” said local district official Sunita Nepal.”With roads blocked, some areas are difficult to reach. Rescue workers are heading there on foot.”Rivers in the capital Kathmandu have also swelled, inundating settlements along their banks.Security personnel were deployed to assist rescue efforts with helicopters and motorboats. “There is some damage, but thanks to the authorities’ prior flood alert, we were able to move some belongings to a safe place,” said vegetable seller Rajan Khadga, 38.Landslides have blocked several highways and disrupted flights, leaving hundreds of travellers — many returning after celebrating the Hindu festival of Dashain — stranded.Prime Minister Sushila Karki said government agencies were “fully prepared for rescue and relief”.”Your safety is our utmost concern. Do not hesitate to seek necessary assistance,” she said in an address, adding that the government has declared Sunday and Monday public holidays and urged people not to travel unless necessary.Across the border in India, at least 20 people were killed in the tea-growing hill district of Darjeeling in West Bengal state after heavy overnight rain unleashed flash floods and landslides that destroyed homes and infrastructure.”In the wake of last night’s heavy cyclone in the Darjeeling hills, over 20 people have lost their lives,” said Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a lawmaker in India’s upper house.Footage on Indian television news showed rescue workers using cables to access cut-off regions as raging waters smashed into bridges and caved in roads.Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “pained by the loss of lives”.”The situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides,” he said in a statement on social media.Monsoon rains, usually from June to September, bring widespread death and destruction every year across South Asia, but the number of fatal floods and landslides has increased in recent years.Experts say climate change has worsened their schedule, frequency and intensity.The Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development warned in June that communities faced heightened disaster risks this monsoon season.”Rising temperatures and more extreme rain raise the risk of water-induced disasters such as floods, landslides, and debris flows,” it said.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her Pakistan counterpart Fatima Sana did not shake hands at the toss of Sunday’s Women’s World Cup cricket match, mirroring the actions of their men’s teams.Sana won the toss and chose to field at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, where there were also no formal greetings between the players of both teams before the national anthems.The neighbours faced off three times at the recent men’s Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates, and did not shake hands before or after.The Asia Cup, which concluded last Sunday with India beating their rivals, was notable for ill-feeling between the two teams and a series of on-field flashpoints.The tournament in the UAE was the first time the nuclear-armed neighbours had met since a deadly border conflict between them in May.India and Sri Lanka are co-hosting the Women’s World Cup.As part of a compromise deal, Pakistan will play all their matches including Sunday’s group match in Sri Lanka, rather than travel to India.India and Pakistan only meet in cricket in international tournaments and on neutral territory.

Protesters in Pakistan’s Kashmir ended days of deadly anti-government demonstrations on Saturday after reaching an agreement with the government, officials said.A telecommunications blackout imposed by the government was gradually lifted throughout the day, an AFP journalist witnessed.The clashes left at least six civilians and three police officers dead.”The government has agreed to our demands, and we are thankful to it,” said Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a member of the Awami Action Committee (AAC), the civil rights group that led the protest. He confirmed the demonstration had been called off.The agreement, signed by federal ministers and shared with the media, includes pledges to reduce the size of the cabinet and senior officials in the civil service.The government also agreed to investigate the violence and vandalism during the protests, including deaths on both sides.Thousands of people took to the streets of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, from Monday, demanding structural reforms as well as political and economic rights.”The politicians here behave like gangsters ruling over our heads; we want them gone and their privileges removed,” Asad Tabbasum, a 51-year-old protester, told AFP on Wednesday.AFP reporters the same day saw streets stained with blood and littered with spent bullet casings, shards of glass and scattered stones, apparent evidence of the chaos.According to an official statement by the Azad Kashmir government on Wednesday, six civilians and three policemen were killed.More than 170 police personnel and 50 civilians were injured, it said.Protest organisers say more than 100 civilians were wounded.”Public interest and peace are our priorities, and we will continue to serve Azad Kashmir,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement.Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but has been divided between them since their independence from British rule.The area is considered highly sensitive by the Pakistani military after years of frequent skirmishes and full-blown wars.Nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan fought for four days in May, their worst clash in decades.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja starred with bat and ball as India hammered West Indies by an innings and 140 runs inside three days of the first Test on Saturday.India declared on their overnight 448-5, a lead of 286, and then bundled the West Indies out for 146 in the second session at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.It was another heavy and demoralising defeat for West Indies, who are a pale shadow of the team that once ruled world cricket.Left-handed Jadeja stood out for India with 4-54 from his spin bowling after he hit an unbeaten 104 for his sixth Test century and was named player of the match.”Honestly, I think this was the perfect game for us,” India skipper Shubman Gill said. “Three centuries and we fielded really well, so no complaints.””When you’ve got quality spinners like them, it’s difficult to be able to rotate, but it’s good to have an option of too many,” he said of his bowlers.”That’s the fun of playing in India.”Alick Athanaze, a left-handed number three, made 38 and offered some belated resistance with Justin Greaves in a partnership of 46, but the rest of the West Indies batting fell apart.Washington Sundar and then pace bowler Mohammed Siraj struck regular blows before Kuldeep Yadav wrapped up the match as the West Indies innings folded in 45.1 overs.Siraj continued his good form with figures of 4-40 in the first innings after West Indies opted to bat.He then extended his tally of wickets this year to 30, after playing a key role in India’s 2-2 draw in England.India have still not lost a Test to the West Indies at home since 1994. – ‘Improve skills’ -West Indies were swept 3-0 at home by Australia this year and were bowled out for 27 in the third match — the second-lowest score in Test history.Their batting woes continued after they won the toss and could only manage a meagre first innings total of 162.”Obviously, we had a poor batting display, that’s been something that’s been plaguing us for the past two series,” Chase told reporters. “We’ve not been able to at least bat 80 overs by a day or even get at least 250 or 300 runs on the board.””I just think that we have to improve our skill levels.”KL Rahul led India’s batting dominance with his 100 before Dhruv Jurel, who made 125, and Jadeja put on 206 for the fifth wicket on Friday.Jadeja took on the West Indies spinners, hitting left-arm orthodox Jomel Warrican for five sixes.Chase claimed two wickets and debutant left-arm spinner Khary Pierre claimed his first in a Test after wicketkeeper-batsman Jurel registered his maiden Test century.West Indies have struggled in the absence of premier fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, both ruled out with injury.India are strong favourites to win 2-0 against an opposition that is a pale shadow of the team that once ruled world cricket.The second Test begins on October 10 in New Delhi.

Spinner Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets as India closed in on an innings victory with West Indies in deep trouble on 66-5 at lunch on day three of the first Test on Saturday.India declared on their overnight 448-5, a lead of 286, and then rattled West Indies with regular strikes at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.West Indies still trail by 220 runs in their second innings with Alick Athanaze on 27 and Justin Greaves (10) batting for survival.Pace bowler Mohammed Siraj struck early to get Tagenarine Chanderpaul caught out for eight at square leg with Nitish Kumar Reddy taking a good diving catch to his left.Left-arm spinner Jadeja had the other opener John Campbell out for 14 as West Indies once again struggled with the bat after their first-innings total of 162.Wickets kept tumbling as Kuldeep Yadav bowled skipper Roston Chase for one and Jadeja sent back wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope for the same measly score.KL Rahul led India’s batting dominance with his 100 before Dhruv Jurel, who made 125, and Jadeja, unbeaten on 104, put on a marathon fifth-wicket stand of 206 on Friday.The West Indies have struggled in the absence of premier fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, both ruled out ahead of the series with injury.India are strong favourites to win 2-0 against an opposition that is a pale shadow of the team that once ruled world cricket.

Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja hit attacking centuries to put India in total control with a lead of 286 against the West Indies in the first Test on Friday.KL Rahul led the batting show with his 100 before Jurel, who made 125, and Jadeja piled on the agony for the opposition bowlers in a marathon stand of 206 on day two in Ahmedabad.India reached 448-5 at stumps in response to West Indies’ first-innings 162.Jadeja was batting on 104 alongside fellow left-hander Washington Sundar, on nine, at close of play.Wicketkeeper-batsman Jurel raised his first Test ton with a boundary off West Indies skipper Roston Chase and the son of a war veteran celebrated with an army-like tribute with his bat.A second-choice wicketkeeper who made the team in the absence of injured Rishabh Pant, Jurel said he was grateful for any opportunity.”It’s a huge privilege, even if you are not getting the chance you are with the squad,” Jurel, who was playing his sixth Test, said.”How many get to be with the squad and how many play Test cricket? I am very glad and if I am not playing the match, I keep working hard.”I know one day I will get an opportunity and I have to be 100 percent ready to be able to deliver.”Jurel took the attack to the visitors with 15 fours and three sixes before he became the first Test wicket of debutant left-arm spinner Khary Pierre.Jadeja plundered his sixth Test hundred in front of a sparse crowd at the world’s biggest cricket stadium and celebrated with his trademark sword celebration.He hit six fours and five sixes.- ‘Tough day’ -“It was a tough day on a nice wicket to bat,” West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul said. “We tried different tactical strategies. Nothing much the bowlers could have done more.”In a rare breakthrough for the visitors, Jomel Warrican had Rahul caught at short extra-cover with his left-arm spin on the fifth ball after lunch. The opener did not trouble the scorers after reaching his 11th Test century.Rahul reached the ton in the morning session, kissing the India flag on his helmet and soaking in the applause from the few hundred fans sprinkled in a sea of orange seats at the 132,000-capacity stadium.Starting the day on 121-2, Rahul and skipper Shubman Gill, who made 50, put on 98 runs to pile on the agony for the West Indies.The two overnight batters had a few nervy moments.Rahul survived a reprieve on 57 when an edge from his bat went between the wicketkeeper and slip in the first over.Rahul, who started the day on 53, hit regular boundaries with his exquisite timing and technique.Gill looked to find his mojo after a cautious start and reached his eighth Test fifty with a single off Pierre.The captain soon got out to Chase’s off-spin after he attempted a reverse sweep but lobbed it to Justin Greaves at slip.The West Indies have struggled in the absence of premier fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, both ruled out ahead of the series with injury.India are strong favourites to win 2-0 against an opposition that is a pale shadow of the team that once ruled world cricket.

Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja hit attacking centuries to put India in total control with a lead of 286 against the West Indies in the first Test on Friday.KL Rahul led the batting show with his 100 before Jurel, who made 125, and Jadeja piled on the agony for the opposition bowlers in a marathon stand of 206 on day two in Ahmedabad.India reached 448-5 at stumps in response to West Indies’ first-innings total of 162.Jadeja, on 104, was batting alongside fellow left-hander Washington Sundar, on nine, at close of play.Wicketkeeper-batsman Jurel raised his first Test ton with a boundary off West Indies skipper Roston Chase and the son of a war veteran celebrated with an army-like tribute with his bat.Jurel took the attack to the visitors with 15 fours and three sixes before he became the first Test wicket of debutant left-arm spinner Khary Pierre.Jadeja plundered his sixth Test hundred and raised the noise of a sparse crowd at the world’s biggest cricket stadium with his trademark sword celebration. He hit six fours and five sixes.The right-left batting pair of Jurel and Jadeja wore down the opposition bowlers on a deteriorating pitch.A delivery from Jomel Warrican went past Jadeja at ankle length after hitting a rough patch formed due to bowlers’ footmarks.Warrican had Rahul caught at short extra-cover with his left-arm spin on the fifth ball after the lunch break. The opener did not trouble the scorers after reaching his 11th Test century.Rahul reached the ton in the morning session, kissing the India flag on his helmet and soaking in the applause from the few hundred fans sprinkled in a sea of orange seats at the 132,000-capacity stadium.Starting the day on 121-2, Rahul and skipper Shubman Gill, who made 50, put on 98 runs to pile on the agony for the West Indies.The two overnight batters had a few nervy moments.Rahul survived a reprieve on 57 when an edge from his bat went between the wicketkeeper and slip in the first over.Rahul, who started the day on 53, hit regular boundaries with his exquisite timing and technique.Gill looked to find his mojo after a cautious start and reached his eighth Test fifty with a single off Pierre.The captain soon got out to Chase’s off-spin after he attempted a reverse sweep but lobbed it to Justin Greaves at slip.The West Indies have struggled in the absence of premier fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph — both ruled out ahead of the series with injury.India are strong favourites to win 2-0 against an opposition that is a pale shadow of the team that once ruled world cricket.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja hit half-centuries to stretch India’s lead to 164 against the West Indies on day two of the first Test on Friday.A dominant India reached 326-4 at tea after the hosts lost KL Rahul for 100 in the first over of the second session at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.Jurel, on 68, and the left-handed Jadeja (50) then put on an unbeaten stand of 108 to further grind down the West Indies bowlers.Jurel raised his second Test fifty with a boundary off Justin Greaves and celebrated with a salute to the Indian dressing room.Jadeja hit four sixes en route to his fifty on a pitch that already seems to be breaking away.A delivery from Jomel Warrican snaked past Jadeja at ankle length after hitting a rough patch formed due to bowlers’ footmarks.Warrican had Rahul caught at short extra-cover with his left-arm spin on the fifth ball after lunch.The opener did not trouble the scorers after reaching his 11th Test century.Rahul reached the ton in the morning, kissing the India flag on his helmet and getting applause from the few hundred fans sprinkled in a sea of orange seats at the 132,000-capacity stadium.Starting the day on 121-2 in response to West Indies’ 162, Rahul and skipper Shubman Gill, who made 50, put on 98 runs to pile on the agony against the opposition bowlers.The two overnight batters had a few nervy moments.Rahul survived a reprieve on 57 when an edge from his bat went between the wicketkeeper and slip in the first over.Rahul, who started the day on 53, hit regular boundaries with his exquisite timing and technique.Gill looked to find his mojo after a cautious start and reached his eighth Test fifty with a single off debutant spinner Khary Pierre.The captain soon got out to skipper Roston Chase’s off-spin after he attempted a reverse sweep but lobbed it to Greaves at slip.India are hot favourites to sweep the two-Test series.