Inspired from the life of Poorna Malavath, from a hard-up tribal family in Telengana, who became the youngest girl to scale Mount Everest, this success story helped in multiplying enrollment in state schools by thousands, and also in cutting down the dropout rate from those schools drastically. POORNA is an inspiring adventure film directed by and starring Rahul Bose as Dr. R. S. Praveen Kumar with Aditi Inamdar as Malavath Poorna. The film was screened at the 2017 Palm Springs International Film Festival where it got nominated on the festival's list of "30 Best Feature Films" and was declared tax-free in several states of India.

With the brand philosophy Sapnon Ki Udaan, &pictures will air the Republic Day Premiere of this inspirational film on Friday, 26th January. Bringing quality cinema to its viewers and also enhancing their movie-viewing experience, the channel has curated Sapnon Ki Udaan Digital Series showcasing short stories of real life heroes wherein Rahul Bose and Poorna meet several women across the nation who have similar inspirational stories.

The movie also highlights the true life story of Telangana IPS officer Dr. R.S. Praveen Kumar played by the multi-faceted actor Rahul Bose. This IPS officer turned social welfare official Dr. R.S. Praveen Kumar is the big driving force in young Poorna’s life. He comments, “We had to change the mind-sets, infrastructure and pedagogy. Once the intent was clear, everyone fell in line — the teachers and the taught. Our aim is to make students self-confident and ensure all-round character development rather than get 100% marks.”

Commenting on his journey of POORNA, Rahul Bose said, “I think it is the most moving inspirational biopic of somebody who nobody knows about. Otherwise, you might have heard of Milkha Singh, Mary Kom, Neerja, but I don’t think anybody has heard of Poorna and yet I think it is the most thrilling story. The story is not just about a 13-year-old girl who climbs Mount Everest but also about a girl who is disadvantaged, comes from a tribal background, is not very well educated, is poor and is a girl. Poorna’s story is so inspiring. I couldn’t help but give a nod to direct this film. It’s been a difficult yet beautiful journey. I am glad a lot more people will be able to watch Poorna’s story and get inspired to achieve their dreams, through the Republic Day Premiere on &pictures.”

Poorna (Aditi Inamdar) is a young tribal girl from Telangana, who barely gets to enjoy one meal a day. When her father is unable to pay her school fees, she’s made to sweep the school’s corridors as punishment. But encouraged by her sister Priya (S. Mariya), Poorna finds her way to a community school where fate opens new doors for her and among them is the opportunity to learn rock climbing. She also finds a mentor in the sensitive and forward-thinking IPS officer, Dr. R. S. Praveen Kumar (Rahul Bose). During the school holidays, Poorna is faced with a choice – to go home and be married off way too early, or get on the bus that is taking her friends on a rock climbing trip. She chooses the latter and it’s a moment that changes her life forever. The story ahead chronicles Poorna’s journey as she strives to achieve her dream of summiting the highest peak in the world, Mt. Everest.

Watch this inspirational story with the Republic Day Premiere of Poorna on Friday, 26th January at 11 AM only on &pictures

In its reply to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's invite to watch the period film PADMAAVAT, the Shri Rajput Karni Sena has asked the noted producer if the objectionable scenes of the film will be cut on its suggestions.

Sources confirmed that the Karni Sena, in the letter, also wanted to know if they ask for postponing of the film's scheduled January 25 release, would Bhansali agree.

The Rajput group, which has been vociferously protesting against the movie on grounds that it distorts history, has also asked why the film was not shown to all nine veterans who were earlier chosen by the CBFC and why it was shown only to three of them. Despite sending them an invite and being shown the film, why were their suggestions ignored and not paid heed to, the letter asks.

One of the Karni Sena members confirmed that the Supreme Court will be hearing their case after three months in accordance with the date given to us for the case filed by the group on January 18.

However, the hearing of the plea filed by the Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh government is scheduled for Tuesday where an advocate of the Karni Sena will also be represented, he said.

In its reply to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's invite to watch the period film PADMAAVAT, the Shri Rajput Karni Sena has asked the noted producer if the objectionable scenes of the film will be cut on its suggestions.

Sources confirmed that the Karni Sena, in the letter, also wanted to know if they ask for postponing of the film's scheduled January 25 release, would Bhansali agree.

The Rajput group, which has been vociferously protesting against the movie on grounds that it distorts history, has also asked why the film was not shown to all nine veterans who were earlier chosen by the CBFC and why it was shown only to three of them. Despite sending them an invite and being shown the film, why were their suggestions ignored and not paid heed to, the letter asks.

One of the Karni Sena members confirmed that the Supreme Court will be hearing their case after three months in accordance with the date given to us for the case filed by the group on January 18.

However, the hearing of the plea filed by the Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh government is scheduled for Tuesday where an advocate of the Karni Sena will also be represented, he said.

PADMAAVAT captures the audience with its riveting visuals and gripping storytelling which is sans anything offensive, says Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) President Sunil Sethi.

Sethi watched the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial at a special screening here ahead of the movie's release on Thursday.

"It is about Rajput valour and strength of character. Rani Padmavati has been depicted as beautiful, brave and intelligent. There's no reason to protest at all. In fact, Alauddin Khilji is the deceitful villain who will get no sympathy from any quarter," Sethi told IANS.

The movie, starring Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji, has been caught in a row with some Rajput organisations demanding a ban on the film over alleged distortion of historical facts.

Sethi said there's no dream sequence featuring Khilji and Rani Padmavati, and neither a single scene where they have appeared together.

"Ranveer as Alauddin Khilji has shown exceptional talent as an actor and will win every award. Deepika has acted well too and deserves to be applauded. Surprise package is Jim Sarbh, who excels as Khilji's Man Friday. Larger than life sets… Bhansali has a sure shot winner," Sethi said.

On the 'Ghoomar' song, he said "it has been filmed in the most aesthetic way".

"There's nothing offensive to the senses anywhere in the film. (It has) Riveting visuals and gripping storytelling. One would come out wondering what the fuss has been about."

PADMAAVAT captures the audience with its riveting visuals and gripping storytelling which is sans anything offensive, says Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) President Sunil Sethi.

Sethi watched the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial at a special screening here ahead of the movie's release on Thursday.

"It is about Rajput valour and strength of character. Rani Padmavati has been depicted as beautiful, brave and intelligent. There's no reason to protest at all. In fact, Alauddin Khilji is the deceitful villain who will get no sympathy from any quarter," Sethi told IANS.

The movie, starring Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji, has been caught in a row with some Rajput organisations demanding a ban on the film over alleged distortion of historical facts.

Sethi said there's no dream sequence featuring Khilji and Rani Padmavati, and neither a single scene where they have appeared together.

"Ranveer as Alauddin Khilji has shown exceptional talent as an actor and will win every award. Deepika has acted well too and deserves to be applauded. Surprise package is Jim Sarbh, who excels as Khilji's Man Friday. Larger than life sets… Bhansali has a sure shot winner," Sethi said.

On the 'Ghoomar' song, he said "it has been filmed in the most aesthetic way".

"There's nothing offensive to the senses anywhere in the film. (It has) Riveting visuals and gripping storytelling. One would come out wondering what the fuss has been about."

Actor Sidharth Malhotra, who plays a pivotal role in AIYAARY, feels the clash between the movie and Akshay Kumar's PAD MAN could have been avoided. But he says he can only hope for the best now.

AIYAARY, which has a patriotic vibe, was originally slated for release on January 25 to make the most of the long Republic Day weekend. It was clashing with PAD MAN.

But after PADMAAVAT got a final release date of January 25, the makers of AIYAARY moved its release to February 9 to avoid clashing with it and PAD MAN.

However, Akshay Kumar, as a move in support of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and to let PADMAAVAT get a solo release, shifted PAD MAN to February 9, bringing the situation back to square one — clashing with AIYAARY.

Asked about it, Sidharth told IANS here: "Yes, it irritates, but now it's too late. What can we do now? Look, we announced the date first. When PAD MAN makers unveiled their release date, we were gracious enough to shift our release date to avoid the clash.

"This situation could have resolved earlier, people could have stuck to their dates, respecting others' space. I was not expecting the makers of PAD MAN to release their film with us, especially the second time. We thought we will get a solo release.

"See, eventually the fate of the film will speak for itself. We are confident about our film, it has its audience. Now that we cannot change anything, we can hope for the best."

In AIYAARY, Sidharth plays an Army officer who has an ideological difference with another senior officer, played by Manoj Bajpayee. The movie also features Rakul Preet Singh, Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah.

Actor Sidharth Malhotra, who plays a pivotal role in AIYAARY, feels the clash between the movie and Akshay Kumar's PAD MAN could have been avoided. But he says he can only hope for the best now.

AIYAARY, which has a patriotic vibe, was originally slated for release on January 25 to make the most of the long Republic Day weekend. It was clashing with PAD MAN.

But after PADMAAVAT got a final release date of January 25, the makers of AIYAARY moved its release to February 9 to avoid clashing with it and PAD MAN.

However, Akshay Kumar, as a move in support of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and to let PADMAAVAT get a solo release, shifted PAD MAN to February 9, bringing the situation back to square one — clashing with AIYAARY.

Asked about it, Sidharth told IANS here: "Yes, it irritates, but now it's too late. What can we do now? Look, we announced the date first. When PAD MAN makers unveiled their release date, we were gracious enough to shift our release date to avoid the clash.

"This situation could have resolved earlier, people could have stuck to their dates, respecting others' space. I was not expecting the makers of PAD MAN to release their film with us, especially the second time. We thought we will get a solo release.

"See, eventually the fate of the film will speak for itself. We are confident about our film, it has its audience. Now that we cannot change anything, we can hope for the best."

In AIYAARY, Sidharth plays an Army officer who has an ideological difference with another senior officer, played by Manoj Bajpayee. The movie also features Rakul Preet Singh, Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah.

Actress Richa Chadha loved watching Steven Spielberg's THE POST and says the filmmaker has chosen the right time to give democracy a shot in the arm with the movie.

"'The Post' is not only a fantastic film, it has health benefits! If you're suffering from feet of clay or absence of spine or if you say your hands are tied, it could put your heart in the right place. Pertinent that Spielberg chooses this time to give democracy a shot in the arm," Richa tweeted on Sunday night.

"The Post" a political thriller, stars Meryl Streep as the publisher of The Washington Post Katharine Graham and Tom Hanks as it's editor Ben Bradlee, with Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, Carrie Coon, and Matthew Rhys.

Set in the early 1970s, the movie depicts the story of journalists from The Washington Post and their attempts to publish the Pentagon Papers, classified documents regarding undisclosed information about the 30-year involvement of the United States government in the Vietnam War.

Actress Richa Chadha loved watching Steven Spielberg's THE POST and says the filmmaker has chosen the right time to give democracy a shot in the arm with the movie.

"'The Post' is not only a fantastic film, it has health benefits! If you're suffering from feet of clay or absence of spine or if you say your hands are tied, it could put your heart in the right place. Pertinent that Spielberg chooses this time to give democracy a shot in the arm," Richa tweeted on Sunday night.

"The Post" a political thriller, stars Meryl Streep as the publisher of The Washington Post Katharine Graham and Tom Hanks as it's editor Ben Bradlee, with Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, Carrie Coon, and Matthew Rhys.

Set in the early 1970s, the movie depicts the story of journalists from The Washington Post and their attempts to publish the Pentagon Papers, classified documents regarding undisclosed information about the 30-year involvement of the United States government in the Vietnam War.