Thailand’s third-largest life insurer by assets met last month with potential advisers on the proposed share sale.

The post Thai Life seeks bank pitches for $700m IPO plan appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

The seven carriers are Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Bangkok Airways, Thai Smile, Thai VietjetAir and Thai AirAsia X.

The post Thai air carriers seek $491m bailout from government appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

Thai SCB is looking to issue loans up to $214 million over the next five years in Myanmar.

The post Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank secures nod to set up unit in Myanmar appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

The investment will be done through its unit Kasikorn Vision.

The post Thailand’s Kasikornbank gets approval for $40m stake in Myanmar lender appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

Kiatnakin Bank was the country's tenth-largest commercial lender by assets in 2019. 

The post IFC weighs $100m green loan for Thailand’s Kiatnakin Bank appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

Kaidee offers over 30 categories of both new and second-hand goods and services.

The post Dubai-based EMPG acquires Thai online retailer Kaidee appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

Global infections surpass 4m; cluster detected in Dordogne, new cases highlight risks as lockdowns eased

• Coronavirus – latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

New coronavirus infections rose again in Germany at the end of last week, a few days after leaders loosened social restrictions, while the Chinese city of Wuhan announced it had detected its first case in weeks, helping to push the global total past 4m on Sunday.

On the eve of the UK starting to ease its lockdown on Monday, the new cases in Germany and China illustrated the difficulties governments will face over the next months as they attempt to reopen their societies without triggering a second wave of infections.

Bad sportsmanship is not confined to either camp. Let’s have more signs of mutual respect across the divide

I’m trying to cure this summer’s unattractive impulse before it turns into a bad habit. Whenever I see someone doing something stupid or self-harming like jumping an orange light on a bike or getting tattooed from neck to ankle, I want to shout: “Brexit voter.”

It’s not nice and it’s not fair. I’m trying to stop. As Theresa May’s divided cabinet meets to decide where to go next, ministers and demoralised Whitehall officials should refrain from recrimination too. The “phoney war” lull before the negotiation storm is about to end.

Catch up on our discussion looking at whether Labour can win under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership

2.05pm BST

We’re going to close comments shortly - thanks for taking part in the debate today. We’ll have another one next Thursday lunchtime.

1.57pm BST

The Labour Party will not win the next general election, but that isn’t the right way of looking at the problem. Labour is in the midst of the same crisis as its sister social-democratic parties across Europe, with one twist: as evidenced by all those new members, it is also home to the kind of new, insurgent politics we’ve seen with Podemos in Spain, Syriza in Greece, the Bernie Sanders campaign in the US etc. Time spent this week at Momentum’s A World Transformed event in Liverpool reminded me that a great deal of Labour and the left’s future lies with some of the people involved (I’ve written a column about this, out later today), but a watershed moment is probably going to be a long time coming.

As things stand, most of what we know takes the form of negatives: that the politics of New Labour are dead, that Labour is dangerously estranged from its old working class base, that the party is pretty much finished in Scotland. What happens next is unclear: my own belief is that it will have involve Labour embracing changing the voting system, creating a politics beyond work and the worker, and understanding that amassing a critical mass of support will involve other forces and parties. All this will take time.

1.57pm BST

Can Labour win without electoral reform? Certain prominent Labour MPs have been convinced of the merits of proportional representation, and Chris, a reader from Exeter, thinks Labour needs to be thinking in terms of a progressive alliance.

The future of British politics is coalitions and he can lead a combination of Labour / Lib Dem and Greens with support from SNP. He can reach out to those who are outside the current voting patterns and disenfranchised - which is a far greater number is the vote for 16 year olds can be passed.

What really needs to change is our voting system so it takes account of proportional representation. A system where a government is formed out of 40% choice is not representative and also unfair to smaller parties

1.52pm BST

Thanks everyone, we now have 10 minutes left to discuss. Please get any final points in while you can.

1.41pm BST

Looking at the Labour party in its current state – confused, conflict-ridden and in desperate need of coherent strategy – it would be easy to assume that electoral success is off the cards for the foreseeable future. Certainly, current polling suggests the party is on track to lose dozens of seats unless something changes.

It’s fairly widely accepted that Labour is in need of some new ideas for the 21st century. Encouragingly, these issues do seem to be being discussed. The Momentum conference fringe event was buzzing with energy and many speakers were tackling difficult topics such as automation and the possibility of a citizens income. Many politicians are also keen to explore similar themes, Jonathan Reynolds MP immediately springs to mind.

1.40pm BST

How will the triggering of article 50 affect Labour’s chances? If Labour are to benefit from Conservative turmoil over Europe, what line should the party take on negotiations? Jamie, 37, from Sheffield, sees opportunities:

Corbyn undoubtedly needs to reach out to the political centre. But we should not underestimate the trouble brewing for the Tories. This is Theresa May’s honeymoon period but already the cracks are beginning to show. Brexit, specifically the failure to trigger article 50, is a time bomb waiting to go off for the Conservative party. With a slim majority, a Eurosceptic rebellion could see off this government at any moment.

A Labour majority is difficult to imagine. But a coalition with Labour as the largest party? Entirely achievable.

1.31pm BST

A more optimistic view from a commenter, who believes the terms of the debate - particularly on austerity - have shifted to the extent that Labour’s only viable future is one where it tacks to the left.

Before Corbyn, Labour is going the way of PASOK in Greece - a pro-austerity embarrassment of a Party surviving on the remembered fumes of the Trade Union movement. Since Corbyn became Labour the membership has doubled and the Party has shifted the debate inexorably to the Left. Austerity, as a proclaimed intent, is finished. Not even the Tories can promote themselves as the Party of inequality and free enterprise. Of course, it'll take time for the ideas which have reclaimed the Labour Party to percolate outwards, and it won't be a smooth transition as the Right doing everything in their power to stop Labour, but it's a start of something better.

1.20pm BST

Readers responding to our form have been making the point that until Labour moves public opinion on key narratives, it’s going to be very difficult for them to make electoral headway. How can the party develop a reputation for economic competence when many voters still blame them for the 2008 economic crash?

Here’s the view of Martin, a registered Labour supporter in Sheffield:

The SNP have shown that the country is ready to elect an anti-austerity government. A government that actually provides excellent public services will find a public willing to bear the cost up to point.

There is a lot that needs to go their way - but I still feel that the main challenge is to change the narrative on the economy. Until we can change the narrative that investment can be positive for the economy, or that cuts aren’t effective in dealing with debt it will be difficult to get anywhere with undecided voters.

1.04pm BST

This is an interesting comment – making points about the fact that Jeremy Corbyn spent his career on backbenches. What do you think? Is he not very good at preaching to the non-converted? Or is he a man of the people?

No one would think of appointing a CEO of a major company who had no experience at a relatively senior management level, yet this is what the Labour Party has done with Jeremy Corbyn – and Leader of the Opposition is at least as demanding a role as leading a global corporation in terms of the organisational and negotiating skills, strategic vision, stamina, drive, pragmatism and media savviness required.

Corbyn looks like what he is – someone who has spent his entire career on the backbenches, free to follow his own principles and unaccustomed with the burden of having to make compromises and prioritise. And who is now out of his depth.

1.03pm BST

We’re trying out a new poll tool. Let us know what you think in the comments - and don’t forget to vote!

12.43pm BST

A commenter below the line makes the reasonable point that it’s all far too early to tell. Given the upheavals seen in domestic and international politics over the past few years, predicting the 2020 election is very difficult - particularly with the full effects of Brexit still to come.

The next election is most likely three and a half years away during which time we will experience the unprecedented upheaval of leaving the EU. There is also issues around boundary changes, scottish independence, the relevance of UKIP, whether labour can resolve their internal issues and divisions within the tory government. So on that basis nobody can say that Labour are not going to win the next election.
In the run up to the 2010 election the tories managed to paint the 2008 crash as caused by Labour and argued they were not economically responsible, yet could not win outright power. And against Gordon Brown of all people.
During the 2015 election campaign the tories maintained the argument, cast Ed Miliband as the son of Britain hater, glorified their own work on the economy since 2010, scapegoated the Lib Dems and saw the SNP all but obliterate Labour in Scotland, yet only managed a 17 seat majority.
Who wins the next election is pure guesswork, mine is that nobody wins outright.

12.40pm BST

Possible path to victory.
1. An electoral pact. The right win because they always vote together as one big monolith. Our turn. The scare of a small handful of Tories going over to UKIP was enough to panic Cameron into a Brexit referendum. I'm in a supposed Tory safe seat but the truth is that if you counted the Lib Dem and Labour vote together, we would comfortably win. That's repeated up and down the country. An electoral pact means not standing candidates against the most likely to win. It also means people can vote strategically yet maintain allegiance with the party of their conscience.
2. Stand a Labour candidate in Northern Ireland to recover ground lost in Scotland
3. Try and win over the 40% of non-voters.
4. As far as immigration is concerned, it really isn't rocket science. Saying Labour will build 60k new council homes a year is great but it is also arbitrary. Labour should go a bit further and say "we will institute whatever policy is necessary and build however many homes are required to make sure that house and rent prices don't outstrip wages, and if we can't achieve that, we'll look to reduce immigration"

12.33pm BST

One repeated criticism of Corbyn’s electoral strategy is that he doesn’t do enough to reach out to the centre: the kind of voters with no fixed political allegiance, the kind of voted for Blair in 1997 but were more convinced by David Cameron in 2015.

One ready, a 46 year old Labour member from Brighton, got in touch to say there’s another way of winning: by reaching out to those who don’t currently vote.

At the moment more that 35% of the eligible voters in the UK don’t vote. This is equal to or more than the number of eligible voters that voted Tories to win the last election. Most of these people are mostly not taken into account by pollsters. In my view, Corbyn is connecting with this group of eligible voters. If he can bring them into play in a large number, together with the traditional labour voters that remain loyal to the party, he has a credible path to victory.

12.27pm BST

An interesting comment from a reader below the line who suggests Corbyn does something to surprise voters.

For Corbyn to win he will need to do something big to convince enough Tories, Liberals and swing voters to vote for him - that's just the mathematical reality. It will be painful for him and his loyal membership perhaps, but he'll need to have at least one or two proposals that make this voting group sit up and say 'wow, I wouldn't have expected him to say that!', it's called cognitive dissonance and is used in advertising to cut through a crowded market place and change brand perceptions.

New Labour understood this; the end of Clause 4, being relaxed about the filthy rich, keeping to Tory spending plans for two years, and making the BoE independent all raised hell in the party, but were highly effective in changing damaging perceptions very quickly and forced the wider electorate to reconsider the brand. There is a downside of course; he will get slated by many on his own side and that hurts, but he has their votes already, he needs to hold his nose and put forward policies that appeal directly to the voters of his opposition.

12.07pm BST

In a year when Donald Trump’s campaign for the White House has moved from ugly fantasy to likely outcome it would take a very rash old political hack to say without reservation: “Labour cannot win a general election with Jeremy Corbyn as its leader.”

That’s what I think, of course. I do so on the basis of 40 years watching mainstream British politics from a ringside seat inside what my Twitter detractors routinely call the “Westminster bubble” - as if Momentum activists or Ukip Brexiteers don’t live in a tiny confirmation biased bubble of their own.

12.01pm BST

Comments are now open. For those without a commenting account, there’s also a form you can fill in at the start of the live blog.

11.46am BST

We’ve been hearing from Labour members on whether they think the party can turn around its electoral fortunes - keep the views coming, though we’re happy to hear from non-Labour members too. What would it take for you to vote for the party under Corbyn, and what put you off voting for them in 2015?

On opinion, we hear from a Labour member who vows to be more engaged in communicating the party message.

Our engagement isn’t just about reassuring the Labour faithful. The polls are a stark reminder of just how much work there is to do. We must turn the party into a movement that can be radical, and can win. As Corbyn said in his speech at conference, this wave of new members is in fact a “vast democratic resource” – not, as some people see it, a threat.

Related: New Labour members like me need to do more - it’s time to get involved

10.53am BST

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn gave his keynote speech to conference on Wednesday, relaunching his stewardship of the party by outlining his agenda for the country under a Labour government.

Responding to critics who accuse Corbyn of being more interested in campaigning than the more complicated and compromise-strewn business of winning general elections, Corbyn said:

Related: Jeremy Corbyn’s critics must decide: unity or terminal decline | Owen Jones

Catch up on our debate on Theresa May’s plans to push ahead with Brexit and what this means for workers and business

2.08pm BST

Nearly four months after June 23’s fateful Brexit vote, even more half baked nonsense is still being talked by both sides than was spouted during the shabby campaign. Nothing is clear except that it is all going to be a lot trickier to disengage from the EU than some foolish people said – and still say despite mounting evidence to the contrary.

So my starting point is one of humility as I learn stuff I didn’t known before. It’s safe to say that some things will be better outside the EU, others worse, some sectors and individuals will thrive, others languish. The consequences of Britain’s leap in the dark – 37% of the total electorate voted Brexit by a very slender margin – are still largely unknown for all 28 members states. Only charlatans and romantics pretend otherwise.

If we left the EU, we would end this sterile debate and we would have to recognize that most of our problems are not caused by Brussels, but by chronic British short termism, inadequate management, sloth, low skills, a culture of easy gratification and underinvestment in both human and physical capital and infrastructure.”

1.57pm BST

We will be wrapping up the debate in the next four minutes, but we welcome any final comments and remarks.

We will keep comments open until 2.15pm

1.56pm BST

A view from Nigel Stern, who runs a design agency in London:

The biggest impact will hiring staff with the right skills. It’s already almost impossible to find skilled staff for our design agency - I say this having battled to keep an Australian whose Visa ran out, and lost the battle. I can’t imagine how difficult it will be when Brexit happens. Good skills are literally the biggest growth driver, so for my business Brexit is a disaster waiting to happen

1.43pm BST

An anonymous take from a bookseller, who thinks that Brexit will be bad for business and will have profound consequences for non-British citizens living and working in the UK.

I am a small on-line antiquarian and used bookseller. Since Brexit I have noticed an uptick in sales to the United States, but I have noticed a distinct decline in sales to Europe, though they do still take place. The effect of Brexit on Europe’s perception of Britain as a country is very negative - and the announcements from the Tory party conference will only reinforce the impression that Britain is not opening up for business. In fact, the very reverse: closing down for business and pursuing policies of discrimination against foreigners, especially from Europe.

The level of discrimination against immigrants from Europe is most definitely alienating what should be Britain’s closest friends. As someone with a slight foreign accent I no longer feel entirely safe in this country. A hard Brexit would be a disaster for me - as many books go abroad and the customs paperwork would add a considerable workload as well as extra costs in the case of more valuable books. There literally is not a single advantage to be derived from Brexit except for the lower pound, which could have been lowered by other means which would have done far less damage to Britain’s economy and society. I don’t know whether in future I will be able to continue business in this country and am wondering whether to move elsewhere.

1.33pm BST

News of job losses in Scotland are alarming.

The Scottish economy would suffer a severe shock if the UK has a “hard Brexit”, losing up to 80,000 jobs and seeing wages fall by £2,000 a head per year, an economics thinktank has warned.

The Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) has told the Scottish parliament that entirely leaving the EU single market – known as a hard Brexit – would see the Scottish economy decline by 5% overall, or by £8bn within a decade.

Related: Hard Brexit could cost Scotland £2,000 a head and 80,000 jobs

1.21pm BST

One commenter says that Brexit will cause some economic pain, although the extent of this is not yet known.

What we know for sure is that Brexit of any substantial kind will certainly cause some economic pain in the short, medium, and long-term, from breaking existing trading relationships and loss of easy access to a large pool of human capital. The additional opportunities, on the other hand, are all long to very long-term, and are uncertain and beyond the UK's control.

Even the bits which are under the UK's control (like massive investment in training and education in a way which actually achieves something instead of pfaffing around with needless re-structuring and testing kids to the edge of mental breakdown) are all things that would have made sense before, so it's optimistic to imagine that they'll happen in a future where the public finances are under more pressure than ever before (once Brexit decline takes hold).

1.16pm BST

Here’s a view from Richard Rose, who is worried about Brexit’s impact on the car industry.

I am an engineer working at Rolls-Royce in Derby but I have spent most of my working life so far in the car industry. I am 100% certain that if the UK Brexits out of the single market, it can wave ¾ of its car industry goodbye within 5 years. The idea of replacing the current arrangement with one of tit-for-tat tariffs on cars sold into and out of the UK is preposterous – we will be in the absurd situation of paying taxpayers’ cash to car companies in the form of ongoing subsidies, and every successive government will be looking for ways to reduce or avoid these payments every four years.

The whole arrangement sounds ridiculous and seeing as all the manufacturers who build here have sites inside the Eurozone where they can avoid all that uncertainty, what do you think they’ll do? Its keeping me awake at night as I feel ‘my’ industry is potentially about to be rendered economically unviable just as my right to live and work abroad is being curtailed.

12.54pm BST

Quitting the European Union’s single market is considered bad for business unless you belong to the small band of economists who believe that Brussels’ employment and environmental protections stifle innovation, that maintaining a low pound is easier outside the EU, and restrictions on migrants is unlikely to ever be enforced.

But the threat from Nissan to switch investment in its next car away from the north east without some form of compensation is the clearest indication yet that multinationals based in the UK to benefit from the single market are going to drift away as they consider an upgrade or new factory that would be cheaper abroad.

12.46pm BST

John Flahive, 51, a documentary producer and sales agent, is concerned about the implications of a “hard Brexit” on his business.

The impact on business is inevitably negative. At the moment we have free movement of goods throughout the EU, all I have to do in my own business is put an address on a shipment and off it goes. It’s just not possible for whatever is put in its place to improve on that.

A ‘trade deal’ usually involves reduced tariffs which is a dis-improvement on no tariffs at all. This would bring back customs paperwork and all the associated admin, whereas currently we have none at all. There is no upside, only a downside.

12.42pm BST

This has just launched online. Polly Toynbee asks why the health secretary would insult the one third of our doctors who were born abroad by suggesting that they’re only “interim”.

Hunt’s claim that we will be “self-sufficient” in medical staff is nonsense – and he knows it. These new doctors won’t qualify as consultants until 2030, while everywhere has ageing populations and the WHO estimates a global shortage of 2 million doctors. The number of people in Britain over the age of 85 will double by 2037 – and who is to care for them if we chase away all foreigners?

Related: Telling NHS doctors to go home is self-harming madness | Polly Toynbee

12.36pm BST

An interesting take from one commenter below the line:

The main reason I don't think it'll be good for business is the way it is and has effected Britain's image around Europe and probably the world. Made in Britain isn't actually very popular in Europe at the moment. When I am with my girlfriend in Spain what image of Britain is on the television? Farage, Boris Johnson and their xenophobic rhetoric. After all it's the consumers who are the most important when it comes to our exports. Do you really want to buy goods from a nation who's image is one of distaste and xenophobia to their neighbours. Look at the effect the Iraq war had on French products in the U.S when they went ( rightfully ) against the Iraq war.... Everything Farage and Boris do is making it far easier for the E.U to take a tough stance in negotiations with support from their people. Especially when they act so arrogantly by saying the E.U has too much to lose and will have to take any deal we offer.

Brexiters seem to have no idea on how politics will effect us more than anything else.

12.25pm BST

Comments are open below the line and our debate is underway.

Kicking us off from the form is a small business owner in the south east of England, who has noted a definite impact of the vote:

I’ve already seen an impact in car buying attitudes in the months following the referendum. Traditionally, September is a busy time for my business (my company move new and used cars around the U.K.) and already the volume of movements compared to March and this time last year is worrying.

Every dealership I visit, staff say the same thing; “It’s unusually quite for this time of year”. The uncertainty created by the referendum is clearly having an affect and I worry for the future of my business once article 50 is triggered. If people are out of work they won’t be buying cars, meaning I won’t be moving them round the U.K.

12.22pm BST

Polly Toynbee raised some interesting questions about the impact of hard Brexit this week. She wrote:

As speech after speech salutes “taking back control” as “a fully independent sovereign country”, only old sober-sides Philip Hammond throws cold water. There is a price to pay, he warns. He didn’t disagree with Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that Brexit will cost the UK 4% in growth in coming years.

Related: Will Theresa May be the next Tory leader to be bulldozed by the Europhobes? | Polly Toynbee

11.02am BST

Theresa May made one thing perfectly clear during this year’s Conservative party conference: Brexit means Brexit.

The Tory leader said controlling immigration and withdrawing from the jurisdiction of the European court of justice would be her priorities during European Union (EU) exit. She says Article 50 will be triggered before the end of March 2017.

30 June 1972: The much-maligned Alice Cooper band is about to perform at the Empire Pool, Wembley. At the weekend their bandwagon rolled into Pittsburgh and Michael White flew over to hear them

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you a great American success story. If not from log cabin to White House, then at least from modest beginnings in Phoenix, Arizona, whence also sprang Jenny Jerome and Barry Goldwater, to Greenwich, Connecticut, home of some of the Republic’s super-rich. Ladies and gentlemen I give you the Alice Cooper rock band.

There’s no point in pretending it’s a conventional success story, not on the surface anyway. Media penetration in the United States reached what must have been a high point last week with an Alice Cooper item in the Wall Street Journal. Over here there’s a feeling among the cognoscenti that what Billboard has described as “the best theatrical rock ‘n’ roll show since the Stones” needs more than the one previous live airing it got at the Rainbow Theatre last year to make its full impact. Hence Alice’s concert at the Empire Pool, Wembley, this evening.

Related: Alice Cooper: 'Rock music was looking for a villain'

Related: How to access the Guardian and Observer digital archive

sir required help received statement from the bank for my FD's investments in the SBI bank, regarding Interest paid and TDS deducted , But unable to understand how to pass entries in the books of accounts,,------------------------------------------------------------

<strong>EXPECTATIONS</strong> One look at the title <em>The Dark Side of Life - Mumbai City</em> and it seems more apt for a book than a feature film. Nonetheless, that is indeed the case for this film which has a mix of newcomers and experienced actors with Mahesh Bhatt being seen in a crucial part as well. While Azeem Shirazi is the biggest contributor as the lyricist, several composers come together to create half a dozen songs in the film. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-925603" src="https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/T4.jpg" alt="" width="620" height="450" /> <strong>MUSIC</strong> The kind of sound that kick-starts <strong><em>'Aawargi'</em></strong> reminds one of the kind of music that Vikram Bhatt time and again brings in his films. Jubin Nautiyal is effective as the singer in this Sabir Khan composition which is put together by Azeem Shirazi. The trouble though is that the song sounds dated by at least a decade. Hence, even though it has a soft feel to it, the overall impact is not the kind that makes you revisit it again on loop. The song that follows next is titled <strong><em>'Tu Mujhse Nikalta Nahi'</em></strong> and has the kind of hook-line which is indeed catchy. In a bigger film with a larger setup, this Prakash Prabhakar composed and heard song may well have found good traction. Again, the song is not exceptional but still has that quintessential Bhatt touch to it which makes it stand out. Moreover, Tanveer Gazi puts together a good spin of words, especially the title. Remember <em>'Manali Trance'</em> from <em>The Shaukeens</em>? The song which follows, <strong><em>'Saanp Seedhi Wala Saanp'</em></strong>, is on the same lines and belongs to the trance genre. As a matter of fact Tripty Sinha sings this one too in the same style as that of Neha Kakkar and does manage to make an impact too. It is a new team of composer Sandeep Batraa and lyricists Azeem Shirazi and Ozil Dalal who pair up for this promotional song which is expected to bring in good entertainment quotient. However, a little impact that had been created so far is diluted to a major extent by Rashid Khan composed <strong><em>'Ae Zindagi'</em></strong> which is as sad as it gets. From the composition, writing (Nisar Akhtar) as well as the singing (Altamash Faridi Brothers) perspective, the song is really depressing and just doesn't make you root for it all. A slow moving number that is all about pathos, separation and the fact that life doesn't have much to offer to the protagonists, this one belongs to the quick-skip variety. Another newcomer, Shaan Asif Raj, is the composer for <strong><em>'Muddaton'</em></strong> which starts with the sound of guitar. Seemingly a concert number, this Azeem Shirazi written song is rendered by Amit Mishra. A soft rock number, <em>'Muddaton'</em> tries to bring in the kind of mood that was created by <em>'Sun Raha Hai'</em> [<em>Aashiqui 2</em>]. Though it does fall short, it still makes for a decent hear after all. Had it carried more punch to it, this one could well have found itself a better audience. <strong><em>'Aawargi Deewangi'</em></strong> is the song that concludes the album and its depressing notes do not really help the cause. On the same lines as <em>'Ae Zindagi'</em>, this one is written by Aslam Sani with music by Ahsan Ahmed. There is just nothing in there which arrests your attention and even though Mohammed Irfan is the singer here, you don't really find much entertainment quotient in there. <strong>OVERALL</strong> The music of <em>The Dark Side of Life - Mumbai City</em> is a mixed bag and though there is no real chartbuster out there, two-three songs at least hold your attention while at play. <strong>OUR PICK(S)</strong> <em>‘Tu Mujhse Nikalta Nahi’</em>, <em>‘Saanp Seedhi Wala Saanp’</em>, <em>‘Muddaton’</em>

<strong>EXPECTATIONS</strong> This one actually throws a pleasant surprise. Typically when it comes to independent films one can't really be sure of the kind of music that they would offer. However in case of <em>Bombairiya</em> there is some effort that has actually been put into creating some pleasant music. Arko is brought on board along with guest composers Amjad-Nadeem and the results are satisfactory. <img class="aligncenter wp-image-936675 size-full" title="Music Review Bombairiya" src="https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Music-Review-Bombairiya.jpg" alt="Music Review Bombairiya" width="720" height="405" /> <strong>MUSIC</strong> Arko plays the triple role of composer, lyricist and singer for <strong><em>'Sanki',</em></strong> a Punjabi-Hindi number that is just the kind that on expects from a Punjabi hip-hop album. With a catchy tune to it, <em>'Sanki' </em>turns out to be instantly catchy and makes one look forward to how it is placed in the film. Producer Michael E Ward chips in too with lyrics for this fun number that has a hook playing right through which makes one nod in appreciation. Next to arrive is <strong><em>'Bairiya'</em></strong>, the word which also forms the base for the film's title <em>Bombairiya.</em> The song arrives in two versions, one which is a Navraj Hans solo and another that has Akriti Kakar joining as well. A sufi outing which has a melodic base to it, <em>'Bairiya</em>' is composed as well as written quite well by Arko. As a matter of fact one could well have expected a song like to feature in an Akshay Kumar film since the superstar is known for including such music for a soothing love song situation. This one deserves to cover good distance in both the versions. Amjad-Nadeem chip in for <strong><em>'Sajde Karoon'</em></strong>. They write as well as compose this number which is spearheaded by Yasser Desai with Warsi brothers (Meraj Warsi, Riyaz Warsi, Faraz Warsi) adding on well in the background. A 'qawalli' that manages to establish an identity of its own and adds on to the genre that it belongs to; <em>'Sajde Karoon'</em> could well be utilized for a devotional as well as romantic outing. This one makes it three out of three for <em>Bombairiya</em>. <strong>OVERALL</strong> Music of <em>Bombairiya</em> is good and it would have covered some distance had it been promoted well. One just hopes that the soundtrack doesn't go unnoticed due to lack of awareness. <strong> OUR PICK(S)</strong> Sanki, Bairiya, Sajde Karoon &nbsp;

<strong>EXPECTATIONS</strong> Rohit Shetty films are traditionally not known for their music. At best, the soundtrack of his action-comedy entertainers are functional and they solve the purpose of keeping the narrative going. Hence, one expects the same from <em>Simmba</em> as well which has Tanishk Bagchi getting his biggest break when it comes to composing most of the songs, with multiple lyricists coming together to pen their pieces. <img class="aligncenter wp-image-928962 size-full" title="Music Review: Simmba" src="https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Aankh-Marey-Simmba.jpg" alt="Music Review: Simmba" width="720" height="405" /> <strong>MUSIC</strong> Chartbuster song <strong><em>'Aankh Marey'</em></strong> from <em>Tere Mere Sapne</em> is recreated for the Ranveer Singh-Sara Ali Khan starrer and it turns out to be a massive chartbuster from the word go. It is always heartening when a recreation is done well and Tanishk Bagchi deserves full credit for getting it fantastically right with this Kumar Sanu original that is now sung by Mika Singh. The singer comes together with Neha Kakkar behind the mike and together they have loads of fun while Shabbir Ahmed comes up with new lyrics. The song is set to be played right into 2019. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's legendary number <strong><em>'Tere Bin Nahi Lagda Dil'</em></strong> is recreated as well by Tanishk Bagchi and the end result is melodious again. Rashmi Virag writes new lyrics for <em>'Tere Bin'</em> which has Rahat Fateh Ali Khan taking the lead and Tanishk Bagchi along with Asees Kaur chipping in. A beautiful number that has stayed on to be immortal for over the decades, this one is a shift from <em>'Aankh Merey'</em>, hence adding on to variety in <em>Simmba</em>. It is back to 'masti' and celebrations with Tanishk Bagchi and Shabbir Ahmed coming together for <strong><em>'Aala Re Aala'</em></strong>. A 'tapori' number, this one has a 80s feel to it and sung with aplomb by Dev Negi. An introduction song of Ranveer Singh in the film, this one has Goldi as the additional singer and together the team comes up with a functional track which suits the film's purpose. Lijo George-DjChetas pair up for <strong><em>'Mera Wala Dance'</em></strong> and one wonders why was this song not promoted earlier on. With a fantastic hook to it, courtesy Kunaal Vermaa, this could well have turned into an instant chartbuster had it been unveiled earlier on. Nonetheless, this one carries a lot more fun when compared to the song before [<em>‘Aala Re Aala’</em>] and it could well have been Ranveer Singh's entry number as well. With Kumaar as the writer and Nakash Aziz as the lead singer, it also lends Neha Kakkar yet another good platform to go and have fun. A situational number comes in next with Tanishk Bagchi spinning together <strong><em>'Bandeya Rey Bandeya'</em></strong>. Even though Arijit Singh is known for his romantic number, this one which is written by Rashmi Virag is far away from being set into a love zone. Instead, it comes in the middle of the film's second half and though it has Asses Kaur contributing too along with Altamash Faridi as Arijit Singh's singing partner, at best this one just about passes muster and can't be expected to have a long run. The soundtrack concludes with a couple of theme tracks. While Simmba Theme 1 is composed by Tanishk Bagchi, Simmba Theme 2 has Thaman S spinning it together. Both have an addictive element to them and as the film turns out to be a massive success, these pieces too would find good traction amongst the masses in order to generate good recall value. Moreover, there is distinct South feel to both the pieces which could well be seen as homage to Temper on which <em>Simmba</em> is based. <strong>OVERALL</strong> Music of <em>Simmba</em> is better than what one expected from it. Other than situational songs (most of which work), the soundtrack also boasts of songs like <em>'Aankh Marey'</em> and <em>'Mere Wala Dance'</em> which have it in them to cover a much larger distance. <strong>OUR PICK(S)</strong> <em>‘Aankh Maare’</em>, <em>‘Mere Wala Dance’</em>, <em>‘Tere Bin’</em>, <em>‘Simmba Theme 2’</em>

<strong>EXPECTATIONS</strong> From a film like<em> Badla</em>, one expects a few theme songs that would be used for promotional purpose. Since this Sujoy Ghosh directed film is more of a conversational affair, there was never any scope for songs arriving in the course of the narrative. This is what happens too in this soundtrack which has five numbers, all of which are basically theme tracks. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-961053" src="https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Music-Review-Badla.jpg" alt="" width="720" height="405" /> <strong>MUSIC</strong> It is a sad song that kick-starts the album, what with composer Amaal Mallik bringing on board his brother Armaan Malik for<strong><em> 'Kyun Rabba'</em></strong>. This is a kind of number where lyrics have an important role to play and from that perspective lyricist Kumaar doesn't disappoint. He brings in the right elements of pain, separation and regrets in the song which later arrives in the 'acoustic version' as well and does leave a decent impression. Clinton Cerejo, who has given the fantastic background score of <em>Badla</em>, is the man in charge for the rap track <strong><em>'Aukaat</em></strong>' which plays during the opening credit rolls of the film. Siddhanth Kaushal and Jizzy come together for writing this theme track that has Amitabh Bachchan trying his vocals at rap and actually doing rather well. He is joined by Clinton Cerejo along with Amit Mishra for this thumping number that does well in setting the mood for the film, though doesn't quite carry much of a shelf life. KK's voice is always special and hence when his name appears on the credits for <strong><em>'Tum Na Aaye'</em></strong>, you want to know what does composer Amaal Mallik have to offer. Yet another song about pain associated with separation, this one has sensitive lyrics by A.M.Turaz. That said, with the overall mood and setting being pretty sad and not much promotion to accompany the effort either, <strong><em>'Tum Na Aaye' </em></strong>would largely go unnoticed. Had it been picturised on someone like Emraan Hashmi for a quintessential romantic entertainer, it could have covered a distance. Last to arrive is<strong><em> 'Badla'</em></strong> and this one comes across as a rather weird effort, considering it gets into the zone of <em>'petrol ka daam badla'</em> and stuff alike, which has absolutely nothing to do with the core of the film. Moreover, this effort by composer/singer/lyricist Anupam Roy (who is supported by Manoj Yadav for the lyrics), is rather lazy and lukewarm, hence falling under the quick-skip variety. <strong>OVERALL</strong> The music of <em>Badla </em>doesn't really have much of a recall value, though <strong><em>'Kyun Rabba'</em></strong> may play on for a while. <strong>OUR PICK(S)</strong> <em>Kyun Rabba</em>

<strong>EXPECTATIONS</strong> Since <em>Romeo Akbar Walter</em> is basically a spy thriller, music is expected to be primarily an added accessory and not necessary an integral part of the film's narrative. Hence, even though there are five tracks in the John Abraham starrer, one expects a situational score at best. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-969148" src="https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Romeo-Akbar-Walter-3-1.jpg" alt="" width="720" height="450" /> <strong>MUSIC</strong> First to arrive is a patriotic number <strong><em>'Vande Mataram'</em></strong> which has Shabbir Ahmed composing and writing it. This one has an old fashioned feel to it and goes all the way into the 60s style. Sonu Nigam leads the show as a singer with Ekta Kapoor (not to be confused with the namesake film and TV producer) in this song that is just about okay and doesn't cover the distance. The one that turns out to be quite good though is <strong><em>'Bulleya'</em></strong>. In fact it is surprising that the song wasn't really pumped all over since it had the potential to emerge as one of the major chartbusters of this year. Rendered by Rabbi Shergill (of <em>'Bulla Ki Jaana Mein Kaun'</em> fame), it has Shahid Mallya as his singing partner. A well written number by Ashok Punjabi, it has a very catchy tune by Sohail Sen that belongs to Sufi genre but has been presented in a Bollywood avtar, hence turning out to be an all-around effort. Next to arrive is a romantic number <strong><em>'Jee Len De'</em></strong> which is put to tune by Raaj Aashoo and is written by Murali Agarwal &amp; Shabbir Ahmed. This one has the kind of tune which reminds one of many Emraan Hashmi numbers that were composed a decade back. As a matter of fact the beginning of the song reminds one of Mohd. Rafi's <em>'Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko'</em> that was picturised on Rajendra Kumar in <em>Sasural</em> [1961]. However, the similarity just stops at the opening line as rest of this Mohit Chauhan rendered track maintains its own identity. <strong><em>'Allah Hoo Allah'</em></strong> comes next and just like <em>'Bulleya'</em>, even this one had the potential to cover some sort of distance. Composed and written by Shabbir Ahmed, this one is crooned by Sameer Khan and is a good qawalli in the offering. In fact it also appears at a good juncture of the film's narrative and is actually one of the few songs in there that really fits in well. Last to arrive is <strong><em>'Maa'</em></strong> which is written by debutant Prince Dubey. An ordinary piece by composer and singer Ankit Tiwari, it has a slow start and stays that way right through its three minute odd duration. An ode to the mother, it is about the protagonist remembering her in the times of pain and sorrow. Though this is a situational number, it actually brings down the film's pace. <strong>OVERALL</strong> With the current trend of number of soundtracks releasing just a day or two before the film's release, it takes time for the music to grow. However, one can expect <em>'Bulleya'</em> and <em>'Jee Len De'</em> to find an audience in the long run. <strong>OUR PICK(S)</strong> <em>‘Bulleya’</em>, <em>‘Jee Len De’</em>

Shah Rukh Khan’s last film, Zero, released in December 2018 after which he went on a long sabbatical. He has been reading scripts and even shortlisted a few of them. Meanwhile, the names of a lot of filmmakers did the rounds with whom the superstar was supposedly working with. However, of late, it has come to light that SRK is working with blockbuster filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani in his next directorial flick. Recently, while answering a fan question, he also let out a strong hint that he has indeed given his nod to Rajkumar Hirani’s flick. And naturally, it led to a lot of excitement among fans.

While not much is known about the film and its subject, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learnt that for this venture, Rajkumar Hirani and his frequent collaborator writer Abhijat Joshi have been joined by Kanika Dhillon. She has become quite well known of late thanks to her work in films like Manmarziyaan (2018), Kedarnath (2018), Judgmentall Hai Kya (2019) and the web film Guilty (2020). Interestingly, in the beginning of her career, she had extensively worked with SRK’s Red Chillies Entertainment. She worked as an assistant director on SRK’s 2007 blockbuster Om Shanti Om. She wrote the screenplay of Ra.One (2011) and additional screenplay of Always Kabhi Kabhi (2011). Rajkumar Hirani’s next hence marks Kanika’s reunion with Shah Rukh and Red Chillies Entertainment after almost 9 years.

A source close to the project says, “Kanika Dhillon has come on-board and she along with Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi are busy scripting the film. Kanika is mainly scripting while Rajkumar and Abhijat are helping her with inputs. They are hoping to finish in a month or two. The film was to go on floors in August but due to the lockdown, it seems that the shoot will be pushed ahead.”

Rajkumar Hirani’s last film, Sanju, released in 2018 and was based on the controversial life of actor Sanjay Dutt. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, this flick emerged as the biggest hit of that year, earning Rs. 342.53 crores. Hirani, in fact, holds the envious record of not giving a single flop as a director. The source assures, “His film with Shah Rukh Khan too seems to be shaping up well, at the writing stage. And Rajkumar-Abhijat-Kanika collaboration has added a lot to the script and it’ll be something to watch out for.”

Also Read: Post Manmarziyaan, Taapsee Pannu and Kanika Dhillon reunite for Haseen Dillruba

Two-term Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, the first ever Indian-American to be elected as a state Governor, is among the shortlisted candidates for Trump's Cabinet, according to a media report.

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