Aamir Khan has said that while he is pleased with the response to his latest film Talaash, he knows that it won't be for everyone. "Talaash is not a universal film. There is a supernatural element in this film and it was a risky movie to make," the Bollywood star told reporters in a press conference. "Around 80 per cent of the audience liked the film." But Khan, who plays a police officer in the film, said he hopes that it will encourage filmmakers to push creative boundaries further. Talaash is directed by Reema Kagti and also stars Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor. - IANS
Kumar: action is what I am
When Akshay Kumar made his Bollywood debut in 1991 with Saugandh, he quickly became known for his action roles. After getting married and becoming a father though, he shifted his focus to comedies. The star, who is married to the actress Twinkle Khanna and has two children, says that this year is all about his return to action movies, with his recent outing Rowdy Rathore and his latest, Khiladi 786. "It is a great thing to return to action. It is my love. I have been in this industry because of action," said the 45-year-old martial arts expert. "Action is what I am. It's because of action that I am here." Khiladi 786, directed by Ashish R Mohan and co-starring Asin Thottumkal, is out today in UAE cinemas. - IANS
Kapoor talks endorsing products
Karisma Kapoor has said that endorsing healthy products helps her to connect with her fans better. "I feel endorsing brands really help with staying in touch with your fans and you feel you are reaching out people in a good way. When we tell people to eat wheat flakes, we are reaching out to consumer to tell them to try healthy options," said the 38-year-old actress, who endorses several food products. Kapoor was talking at a New Delhi press conference to launch the animated show Suraj: The Rising Star, the Indian version of the Japanese series Star of Giants. The show was launched to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. - IANS
Sivakumar turns crooner in Biryani
Fans will be able to hear the Tamil actor Karthi Sivakumar singing for the first time in his forthcoming Tamil comedy, Biryani. "Karthi recorded a song, which has lyrics by Vairamuthu, along with his co-star Premgi Amaren," said a statement from the film's production. The movie, expected to be released in the coming months, is directed by Venkat Prabhu, with music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. It also features the actors Hansika Motwani, Prasanna and Neetu Chandra. - IANS
Madhuri Dixit launches interactive app
Following the launch of her official website, the Bollywood dancing diva Madhuri Dixit now has a mobile application, deigned to help her stay in touch with her fans. "People carry a phone with them all the time, so an app is a wonderful device to stay connected with my fans," the 45-year-old actress said in a statement. The application is currently available on all iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, and iPod) and features Dixit's pictures and videos, as well as content related to beauty, fashion and dance. It will soon also be available on Android phones, Dixit said. - IANS
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Salah in numbers
€39 million: Liverpool agreed a fee, including add-ons, in the region of €39m (nearly Dh176m) to sign Salah from Roma last year. The exchange rate at the time meant that cost the Reds £34.3m - a bargain given his performances since.
13: The 25-year-old player was not a complete stranger to the Premier League when he arrived at Liverpool this summer. However, during his previous stint at Chelsea, he made just 13 Premier League appearances, seven of which were off the bench, and scored only twice.
57: It was in the 57th minute of his Liverpool bow when Salah opened his account for the Reds in the 3-3 draw with Watford back in August. The Egyptian prodded the ball over the line from close range after latching onto Roberto Firmino's attempted lob.
7: Salah's best scoring streak of the season occurred between an FA Cup tie against West Brom on January 27 and a Premier League win over Newcastle on March 3. He scored for seven games running in all competitions and struck twice against Tottenham.
3: This season Salah became the first player in Premier League history to win the player of the month award three times during a term. He was voted as the division's best player in November, February and March.
40: Salah joined Roger Hunt and Ian Rush as the only players in Liverpool's history to have scored 40 times in a single season when he headed home against Bournemouth at Anfield earlier this month.
30: The goal against Bournemouth ensured the Egyptian achieved another milestone in becoming the first African player to score 30 times across one Premier League campaign.
8: As well as his fine form in England, Salah has also scored eight times in the tournament phase of this season's Champions League. Only Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, with 15 to his credit, has found the net more often in the group stages and knockout rounds of Europe's premier club competition.
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Switching%20sides
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Company%20Profile
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