Why Cheat India
U/A: Drama Satire
Director: Soumik Sen
Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Shreya Dhanwanthary
Rating:

The 'curse of the second half' in Hindi pictures is simply so severe, especially when it comes to films with well-known faces, that even as I find myself really enjoying a movie, there's a radar at the back of the brain constantly cautioning one to only hope that the post-interval portions even live up to the first half — by half. If so, then as an audience, you're pretty much through.

Is this movie an exception in that regard? Well, it eventually starts descending to such levels of random, thoughtless spinning of the yarn that by the end of it you're not even too sure it's the same film that you had started with in the first place. And hell yeah, it begins really well, what with highlighting the academic strains of being a teenaged 'padhaku' kid, Sattu (the boy's so brilliantly cast), in a lower-middle class family in Lucknow, coaxed into cracking a coveted engineering entrance exam (they don't call it IIT for some reason). For, how else does the father who's invested all his money into his child's supposed dream see his pension scheme through?

The film shines much-needed light on a common Indian teenaged nightmare, as sincerely presented in stand-up comedian Biswa Kalyan Rath's rather under-rated Amazon Prime series, Laakhon Mein Ek (2018). While sticking to searing realism — getting its time-setting, the year 1998 right, down to baggy trousers, and Force 10 type sneakers — the filmmakers manage to give the hero, Emraan Hashmi, a filmy sort of entry, smartly slipping in a soothing ballad, as well. Well done!

Hashmi plays a one-man racketeer who sneaks in smart kids, with counterfeit hall tickets, to max entrance tests on behalf of rich children, sitting at home, paying their way to top colleges as a result. You sort of know where the film might be going with this. And, maybe, that's the problem. Proxy contestants at overcrowded competitive exams for key educational institutions, where even well-prepared students wait for Godot to get in, is a huge multi-crore, organised industry, involving a system wholly corrupted, from top to bottom. Technology would have plugged some of the holes already; one's unaware to what extent.

If you haven't heard as much about this underworld, one should legitimately blame the news media for it — particularly in the case of the 2013 Vyapam (Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board) Scam, for instance, where close to 40 people, most of them whistleblowers, have mysteriously died, while the investigations are still on (or not quite) —but largely under-reported in the mainstream press.

And I thought this is what the film could be about — unearthing an earth-shaking scandal that should ideally knock you off your head. But, no, this is a film that attempts to combine strong commentary on the education/examination system, with a high-paced, heist thriller, with belaboured twists and turns, while trying to balance all of it with the urban slickness and high-life that Hashmi's inevitably romantically inclined, unscrupulous characters aspire for, and achieve, in his typical capers.

Watch Why Cheat India Trailer

So whatever fault you may find in the film possibly exists in the story/script to start with. And perhaps the reason is Hashmi himself, for he can't help but get on the big screen with strong baggage of the sort of flicks that have made him the star he is. The audience is obviously to blame for it, and the fact that Hashmi remains still an under-rated actor, because he is hardly commercially lauded for parts where he wholly goes off the beaten path — Dibakar Banerjee's Shanghai (2012), I'm told, tanked; Danis Tanovic's Tigers (2018) went straight to OTT (Zee 5), both being his career's best works.

And so he goes back to being himself: the trademarked flawed hero, who eventually justifies his wily actions as a natural outcome of a multiple-choice, rote-learning system that gives very few kids a choice beyond acing it to get ahead. How a scamster like his character is the solution still, and not the issue, is beyond me. Have to say though, what the audience will empathise with is the fact that far too few fine courses/colleges exist for far too many desi children: a progressively massive problem staring us in the face and an even uglier future. This affects everyone. To be fair, the government is just as clueless on how to deal with it as this totally confusing 'pop-con' pic.

Also read: Emraan Hashmi: Change of Cheat India title is illogical, ridiculous

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The Belgian Formula One Grand Prix scheduled for August 30 is in doubt after the country's ban on public gatherings was extended until the end of that month, organisers said. "All scenarios are being studied: postponement, holding it behind closed doors, or cancelling it. No-one can say what the situation will be in four and a half months," Vanessa Maes, the grand prix's director general, told Belga news agency.

Holding the event behind closed doors is unlikely with local backers unhappy with the financial fallout, according to the newspaper La Derniere Heure. The race is expected to join nine other grands prix that have already been cancelled or postponed this season as Formula One grapples with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Our absolute priority remains the health of the Belgian people and the spectators who come to Spa-Francorchamps," the race venue, said Maes.
The French Grand Prix scheduled for June 28 is also in doubt. A decision on whether to go ahead with the race behind closed doors or to postpone or scrap the event is expected in the coming days.

Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

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The COVID-19 situation is "especially serious" in Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata and a few other places in West Bengal, and violation of lockdown measures risk the spread of the Novel Coronavirus, the Centre said on Monday.

In a communication to state governments, the home ministry said there have been several incidents of violence against COVID-19 frontline healthcare professionals, complete violation of social distancing norms and movement of vehicles in urban areas. These should be stopped, it said.

The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 543 and the number of cases climbed to 17,265 in the country on Monday, according to the Union health ministry. The situation is "especially serious" in Indore in MP, Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra, Jaipur in Rajasthan, and Kolkata, Howrah, East Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, the ministry said. There are 4,203 confirmed Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra of which 223 people lost their lives.

In MP, out of the 1,407 cases, 70 people have succumbed to the disease. Rajasthan has reported 1,478 cases of which 14 people died. In West Bengal, there are 339 confirmed cases of which 12 people died due to the infection, according to health ministry data.

UP CM to not attend father's funeral

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's father Anand Bisht died on Monday and will be cremated in Haridwar at a funeral which will not be attended by the CM, who said he is duty-bound to stay in his state. Bisht, 89, was admitted to the gastroenterology dept of the AIIMS after his health deteriorated.

'Flight restrictions to continue'

Restrictions on domestic and international flights will be lifted when the government is confident that spread of Coronavirus has been controlled, and poses no danger to Indians, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Monday, amidst reports of some airlines doing open bookings.

Pizza delivery boy's contacts test negative

After a pizza delivery boy in South Delhi district tested positive for COVID-19, his 16 high-risk contacts have tested negative for the virus, the administration said. According to B M Mishra, district magistrate (south), no person in the 72 houses, where the boy delivered food, has developed symptoms.

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Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors which are primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes were found to lower the risk of serious kidney problems, revealed study published in The BMJ.

Most seriously ill COVID-19 patients will be treated with the antiviral medication Remdesivir in America the maker of the drug has announced, as tensions

Job seekers with serious mental health problems are more likely to perceive their physical health as a major barrier to employment, according to a Rutgers study.

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The COVID-19 situation is especially serious in 11 cities in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal, stated sources. The Ministry

Company: RM Infotech
Qualification: Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A), Bachelor Of Computer Application (B.C.A), Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Bachelor Of Technology (B.Tech/B.E), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), Bachelor in Hotel Management (B.H.M),....

Company: RM Infotech
Qualification: Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A), Bachelor Of Computer Application (B.C.A), Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Bachelor Of Technology (B.Tech/B.E), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), Bachelor in Hotel Management (B.H.M),....

Company: RM Infotech
Qualification: Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A), Bachelor Of Computer Application (B.C.A), Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Bachelor Of Technology (B.Tech/B.E), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), Bachelor in Hotel Management (B.H.M),....

Around 42.8 percent experienced serious skin injury related to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, goggles, face shields, and protective gowns, a study has shown.

Company: RM Infotech
Qualification: Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A), Bachelor Of Computer Application (B.C.A), Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Bachelor Of Technology (B.Tech/B.E), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), Bachelor in Hotel Management (B.H.M),....

Company: RM Infotech
Qualification: Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A), Bachelor Of Computer Application (B.C.A), Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Bachelor Of Technology (B.Tech/B.E), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), Bachelor in Hotel Management (B.H.M),....

Company: RM Infotech
Qualification: Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A), Bachelor Of Computer Application (B.C.A), Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Bachelor Of Technology (B.Tech/B.E), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), Bachelor in Hotel Management (B.H.M),....

Turkey is a significant and geopolitically critical economy. Its companies, like those from many other countries, operate in corruption-prone sectors and countries. In spite of this, only 10 allegations have come to the attention of Turkish authorities since foreign bribery became an offence in Turkey in 2003.

The Phase 3 Report on Japan by the OECD Working Group on Bribery evaluates and makes recommendations on Japan'simplementation and application of the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and related instruments.

Spain’s enforcement of its foreign bribery laws has been extremely low, with not a single prosecution out of only seven investigations in 13 years since joining the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. Spain must vigorously pursue foreign bribery allegations and strengthen its legal framework for fighting bribery by addressing gaps in its Penal Code, says a new OECD report.

Turkey is a significant and geopolitically critical economy. Its companies, like those from many other countries, operate in corruption-prone sectors and countries. In spite of this, only 10 allegations have come to the attention of Turkish authorities since foreign bribery became an offence in Turkey in 2003.

The OECD Working Group on Bribery doubts Argentina’s commitment to fight foreign bribery. Argentina still has no law to punish companies for foreign bribery or prosecute its citizens who commit this crime abroad. Widespread delays continue to plague complex economic crime investigations.

Israel is not sufficiently proactive in detecting and investigating foreign bribery, with no prosecutions over the past 7 years, despite 14 allegations of foreign bribery involving Israeli individuals or companies. The OECD Working Group on Bribery is, however, encouraged by the recently-opened investigations, and will pay close attention to how these evolve.

Foreign bribery enforcement in the UK has increased significantly since 2012 notably thanks to the pragmatic and effective approach taken by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to investigate and resolve foreign bribery cases.

Some 16 years after joining the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, Argentina remains in serious non-compliance.

Australia’s enforcement of its foreign bribery laws has been extremely low, with just a single case leading to prosecutions out of 28 referrals in 13 years. Cases may have been closed prematurely. Australia must vigorously pursue foreign bribery allegations.

The Phase 3 Report on Japan by the OECD Working Group on Bribery evaluates and makes recommendations on Japan'simplementation and application of the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and related instruments.

The OECD Working Group on Bribery is to send a high-level mission to Brasilia as soon as possible in November, to meet with senior officials, to reinforce the message that law enforcement capacity to investigate and prosecute foreign bribery should be preserved in order to ensure that Brazil remains able and committed to meeting its obligations under the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.

There are a lot of musicals moving into London's West End right now – including "Shoes", "Million Dollar Quartet", "Betty Blue Eyes" and "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" - and rumbling in the background is the hoo-ha in New York over "Spiderman". What is the enduring appeal of the musical? Is it more diverse than its critics imagine? And, are musicals a good thing for the theatrical landscape? Jan Dalley talks to Jamie Lloyd, director of the Donmar's "Spelling Bee", and FT theatre critics Ian Shuttleworth and Sarah Hemming. Produced by Griselda Murray Brown  

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1. India will not face serious coronavirus COVID-19 situation like some developed countries: Health Minister H...  Zee News
2. Health ministry says learn to live with coronavirus as India's COVID-19 count crosses 56,000  Livemint
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4. 80 per cent of Telangana will be rid of coronavirus soon: Eatala  The New Indian Express
5. Do not anticipate worst case situation like developed countries in India: Harsh Vardhan  Times of India
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Former What Not to Wear host, Stacy London has revealed that she is in her first serious relationship with a woman. London says that she and Cat Yezbak have been dating for a year.

Liam Hemsworth and Gabriella Brooks only had eyes for each other as they stepped out for a cozy date night and enjoyed deep conversation over Italian food at Terroni in West Hollywood on Tuesday.

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Jennifer Lopez, 45, simply dazzled when she took to the stage at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday to present Nick Jonas with the Favourite Male Artist gong.

Player's union chief executive Damian Hopley has urged rugby authorities to apply 'common sense' to the process of re-scheduling matches postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Rory McIlroy believes America isn't taking the coronavirus seriously enough, amid rumours that contingency plans are being drawn up for the Masters to be played behind closed doors.

A woman who impersonated a Home and Away heart-throb to 'catfish' women online could be stung with more serious charges. 

The Strictly dancer admitted she had to agree to do things differently after her upset neighbour knocked on her door in desperation.

Player's union chief executive Damian Hopley has urged rugby authorities to apply 'common sense' to the process of re-scheduling matches postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

President Trump said there is no confirmation that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is gravely ill during Tuesday's White House press briefing.

President Donald Trump claimed that reports of North Korea's Kim Jong Un being gravely ill was 'fake news' from CNN during Thursday's daily COVID-19 briefing

Explaining yesterday's dramatic events on a conference call with his Cabinet Boris Johnson said negotiations with the EU would be helped if Parliament could not 'frustrate' Brexit.

Wesley, signed for £22m from Club Brugge last summer, suffered the damage in Villa's 2-1 win at Burnley on New Year's Day, and is currently recovering in his home country.

She has been busy promoting her Fenty make-up line. 

The moment of the explosion was caught on a CCTV camera in Lelyaky, Vinnytsia. The three men were put into intensive care and had operations to remove shrapnel.

Police confirmed on Wednesday that he is fighting for his life in hospital after an accident in a seaside pub on the evening of March 7, the night England played Wales in the Six Nations.

'Although being co-parents instead of being together is not the ultimate situation in Khloé's mind, she is very happy about how she and Tristan are raising True,' a source told People of their relationship.

Amid rising anti-China rhetoric from the Trump Administration about Beijing's alleged Covid-19 'cover-up' Barr was asked if he considered Russia or China the biggest threat to the upcoming elections.

The prospect of Russian track and field athletes taking part in the Tokyo Olympics are looking slimmer after the president of the country's athletics federation was charged on Thursday.

The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) argues that removing minicabs' exemption from the £11.50 daily fee discriminates against a 94% black and minority ethnic workforce.

The reality star, 24, lit up New York City in a seriously hot pink outfit resembling something out of the disco era. Kendall flashed her fabulous abs as she made her way out for a night on the town.

The model, 24, has hit back at claims she isn't taking California's governor orders to self-isolate seriously amid the global coronavirus pandemic.