Thimmakka Alleges Unauthorized Biopic, Seeks Immediate Halt to Filming

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Bengaluru, June 16 –
Environmental icon and Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka has raised strong objections to the unauthorized production of a biopic on her life, alleging that the filmmakers have neither sought her permission nor informed her about the project.

The film, titled “Vrikshamate Saalumarada Thimmakka”, is reportedly being directed by Sailad Deelin Kumar and Oradashree. According to Thimmakka, she was unaware of the production until June 13, when she received calls from concerned supporters about a shoot underway near her plantation site in the Kuduru region of Ramanagara district.

Acting on the information, Thimmakka visited the location personally and confirmed that filming was in progress. She subsequently filed a complaint with the local police, demanding that the shoot be stopped immediately.

“Using my name and life story without my consent is not only unethical but deeply disrespectful,” she told reporters at a press conference held at the Press Club of Bengaluru. “I have formally brought this to the attention of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and the state government, and I urge them to intervene.”

Thimmakka also made an appeal to her supporters and the general public to maintain peace and avoid confrontation at the filming site. “I request everyone to handle the matter calmly. Please ask the crew if they have obtained permission and, if not, advise them to leave respectfully,” she said.

Tensions reportedly escalated when Thimmakka’s son, Umesh, confronted the film crew. According to Thimmakka, he was subjected to disrespectful remarks and was falsely accused of demanding money and a car.

“These are baseless and defamatory allegations. I strongly condemn them and will be initiating a defamation suit through the courts,” she announced.

The press conference was attended by several prominent figures, including:

Padma Shri Saalumarada Thimmakka

Umesh Thimmakka

A.H. Basavaraju – Former Opposition Leader, BBMP

Ramachandra (Hodi Chinni) – National President, BSS

Indiramma Belur – Author of “Saalumarada Saradari”, a biography on Thimmakka’s life


Thimmakka, often referred to as the “Mother of Trees,” is celebrated for planting and nurturing over 8,000 trees along highways in Karnataka, and her life story has inspired environmentalists worldwide.

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Shriram Wealth, Sanlam Group Launch Wealth Management Operations in Bengaluru

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Bengaluru, June 16 — In a bid to tap into India’s growing base of high-net-worth individuals and first-generation entrepreneurs, Shriram Wealth — a newly formed joint venture between the Shriram Group and South Africa’s Sanlam Group — has launched its operations in Bengaluru.

The 50:50 partnership aims to bring global expertise in wealth management to Indian investors, with a strong focus on accessibility and personalized service. The company is targeting ₹50,000 crore in assets under advice (AUA) and plans to build a team of 500 wealth professionals over the next five years.

Bengaluru, known for its startup ecosystem and emerging class of affluent professionals, has been identified as a key market for the venture. The firm’s leadership said the city’s dynamic financial landscape made it an ideal location for launching its next phase of growth. “Our goal is to become a trusted partner in wealth creation by combining human expertise with digital tools,” said Vikas Satija, Managing Director & CEO of Shriram Wealth. “With Sanlam’s global investment capabilities and Shriram’s deep understanding of Indian markets, we’re confident in our ability to deliver enduring value.”



Shriram Wealth will offer a broad suite of services including investment advisory, lending solutions, insurance, global market access, and legacy planning. The firm is positioning itself as a tech-enabled, relationship-driven wealth platform catering to affluent individuals and families.

The company is also aiming to deepen its presence in Karnataka, with Bengaluru serving as the regional hub. According to Subhasri Sriram, MD & CEO of Shriram Capital, the venture represents a strategic evolution for the group.“This partnership is not just about managing wealth — it’s about enabling financial prosperity for a wider population. It marks a significant milestone in the Shriram Group’s growth journey,” she said.

The launch is aligned with India’s long-term economic ambitions. With the country projected to become a $35 trillion economy by 2047, and the organized wealth management sector expected to cross $10 trillion, Shriram Wealth plans to play a key role in bridging the gap between financial products and underserved markets.

The company is embedding artificial intelligence and analytics into its operations, offering tailored advisory, dynamic risk profiling, and real-time portfolio management. The digital-first strategy is expected to enhance customer engagement, particularly in India’s rapidly digitizing financial landscape.

Paul Hanratty, CEO of Sanlam Group, emphasized the long-term nature of the venture. “We’re here for the next 100 years — not just to manage money, but to deliver meaningful financial solutions as India’s economy and investor base evolve,” he said.



Shriram Wealth plans to begin operations in India’s top 10 cities and expand to 20 cities within a year, with a strong focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns where the Shriram Group has a long-standing presence.

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Force Motors, BMW Group India Celebrate Roll-Out of 100,000th Engine from Chennai Plant

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Chennai, June 16 — Force Motors Ltd. and BMW Group India marked a major manufacturing milestone on Monday with the roll-out of the 100,000th engine from their joint assembly facility in Chennai. The engine has been fitted into a BMW X5, symbolizing a decade of collaboration between the two automotive giants.

The ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including Marcus Wollens, Vice President of BMW’s Production Network 2; Thomas Dose, Managing Director of BMW Group Plant Chennai; and Prasan Firodia, Managing Director of Force Motors.

The Chennai facility, operational since 2015, was established exclusively to manufacture engines for BMW vehicles assembled in India. The plant features advanced automation, digital integration, and stringent quality controls, aligning with BMW’s global manufacturing standards while supporting its localization strategy.

Speaking at the event, Wollens praised the partnership, calling the 100,000-engine milestone “a testament to a decade of outstanding cooperation and dedication.”

“Our engines stand for excellent engineering and high performance. This achievement reflects the strength of Indo-German synergy and our commitment to delivering world-class products in India,” he said.

Thomas Dose highlighted the plant’s adherence to international standards and the impact of local collaboration. “Our partnership with Force Motors not only meets BMW’s stringent quality benchmarks but also exemplifies our commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative,” he noted.

Firodia described the milestone as a reflection of the strong relationship between the two companies. “It gives us immense pride to reach this landmark. Force Motors is honoured to be a trusted partner to BMW Group India, and we remain committed to delivering precision-engineered components that support their growth in the country,” he said.

The collaboration has played a key role in BMW India’s expansion strategy, with Force Motors supplying high-performance engines for a range of BMW models produced locally. The companies said the success of the Chennai plant reflects not only operational excellence but also a shared vision for building global-quality automotive components in India.

The milestone is seen as a strong endorsement of India’s growing role in global automotive manufacturing and of the continued potential of Indo-German industrial cooperation.

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ತಿಮ್ಮಕ್ಕ ಅವರ ಅನುಮತಿ ಇಲ್ಲದೇ ಚಿತ್ರೀಕರಣ: ಚಿತ್ರತಂಡದ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಕಾನೂನು ಕ್ರಮಕ್ಕೆ ಸೂಚನೆ

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ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು, ಜೂನ್ 16 –
ವೃಕ್ಷಮಾತೆ ನಾಡೋಜ ಪಾ. ಸಾಲುಮರದ ತಿಮ್ಮಕ್ಕ ಅವರ ಜೀವನವನ್ನು ಆಧಾರವಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ‘ವೃಕ್ಷಮಾತೆ ಸಾಲುಮರದ ತಿಮ್ಮಕ್ಕ’ ಎಂಬ ಶೀರ್ಷಿಕೆಯಡಿ ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ ಚಿತ್ರೀಕರಣ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವುದನ್ನು ಖಂಡಿಸಿರುವ ತಿಮ್ಮಕ್ಕ ಅವರು, ತಮ್ಮ ಅನುಮತಿ ಇಲ್ಲದೇ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಈ ಚಿತ್ರೀಕರಣವನ್ನು ತಕ್ಷಣವೇ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಲು ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಸೈಲಾಡ್ ದೀಲಿನ್ ಕುಮಾರ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಒರಟಶ್ರೀ ಎಂಬವರು ಈ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಚಿತ್ರೀಕರಣ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದು, ತಿಮ್ಮಕ್ಕ ಅವರ ಪ್ರಕಾರ, ಈ ಕುರಿತು ಯಾವುದೇ ಪೂರ್ವ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ನೀಡಲಾಗಿಲ್ಲ. ಜೂನ್ 13 ರಂದು ರಾಮನಗರ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಕುದೂರು ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಠಾಣಾ ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಚಿತ್ರೀಕರಣ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳಿಂದ ದೂರವಾಣಿ ಸಂದೇಶದ ಮೂಲಕ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಪಡೆದ ತಿಮ್ಮಕ್ಕ ಅವರು ಸ್ಥಳಕ್ಕೆ ತೆರಳಿ ಖುದ್ದು ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಪರಿಶೀಲಿಸಿ, ಪೊಲೀಸರಿಗೆ ದೂರು ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

“ನನ್ನ ಅನುಮತಿ ಇಲ್ಲದೇ, ನನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು ಬಳಸಿ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ತಯಾರಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ನನ್ನ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿತ್ವಕ್ಕೆ ಅವಮಾನ. ನಾನು ಈ ವಿಷಯವನ್ನು ಗಂಭೀರವಾಗಿ ಪರಿಗಣಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ ಮತ್ತು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ ವಾಣಿಜ್ಯ ಮಂಡಳಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಗಮನಕ್ಕೆ ತಂದಿದ್ದೇನೆ” ಎಂದು ತಿಮ್ಮಕ್ಕ ಪತ್ರಿಕಾಗೋಷ್ಠಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳಿಗೂ ಅವರು ಮನವಿ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ – “ಯಾರೂ ಚಿತ್ರೀಕರಣ ಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಗದ್ದಲ ಅಥವಾ ಘರ್ಷಣೆಗೆ ಕಾರಣವಾಗಬಾರದು. ಶಾಂತಿಯುತವಾಗಿ ವಿಚಾರಿಸಿ, ಅವರಲ್ಲಿ ಅನುಮತಿ ಪಡೆದಿರುವುದೇ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಖಚಿತಪಡಿಸಿ” ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

ಇನ್ನೊಂದೆಡೆ, ತಮ್ಮ ಪುತ್ರ ಉಮೇಶ್ ಅವರು ಚಿತ್ರತಂಡವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸಿದಾಗ ಅವಮಾನಕಾರಿ ಭಾಷೆ ಬಳಕೆಯಾಗಿದೆ. ಇದನ್ನು ತಿಮ್ಮಕ್ಕ ಅವರು ಖಂಡಿಸಿ, “ಅವನ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಹಣ ಹಾಗೂ ಕಾರು ಕೇಳಿದರೆಂಬ ಸುಳ್ಳು ಅಪಪ್ರಚಾರ ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಾನು ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾನನಷ್ಟ ಮೊಕದ್ದಮೆ ಹೂಡುವೆ” ಎಂದು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟಪಡಿಸಿದರು.

ಪತ್ರಿಕಾಗೋಷ್ಠಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗಿಯಾದ ಪ್ರಮುಖರು:

ನಾಡೋಜ ಪಾ. ಸಾಲುಮರದ ತಿಮ್ಮಕ್ಕ

ಉಮೇಶ್ ತಿಮ್ಮಕ್ಕ

ಎಚ್. ಬಸವರಾಜು – ಮಾಜಿ ವಿರೋಧ ಪಕ್ಷದ ನಾಯಕರು, ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ

ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ (ಹೊಡಿ ಚಿನ್ನಿ) – ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರು, ಬಿಎಸ್‌ಎಸ್

ಇಂದಿರಮ್ಮ ಬೇಲೂರು – “ಸಾಲುಮರದ ಸರದಾರಿ” ಕೃತಿಯ ಲೇಖಕಿ

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Bhavya Kothari Tops NEET UG 2025 from South India with AIR 152; Four Bengaluru Students from Aakash Among Top 1000

Posted on by City Today News (City today.media)

Bengaluru, June 15: Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), a leading national coaching institute, has announced that four of its students from Bengaluru have secured top ranks in the NEET UG 2025 examination, with Bhavya Kothari emerging as the South India Topper by securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 152.

Alongside Kothari, three other AESL students — Udbhava Mishra (AIR 436), Manya Mittal (AIR 438), and Navya Gupta (AIR 842) — have also achieved outstanding ranks in one of the country’s most competitive medical entrance exams.

All four students were enrolled in AESL’s intensive classroom program, specifically tailored to help students prepare for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which determines admission to undergraduate courses in medicine, dentistry, and AYUSH disciplines across India.

Speaking after the results, the students credited their success to the academic rigour, well-structured study material, and expert mentoring offered at Aakash. “The comprehensive guidance and regular assessments helped us build a strong foundation and stay focused throughout our preparation,” they said.

AESL’s Chief Academic and Business Head, Mr. Dheeraj Kumar Misra, congratulated the achievers:
“This is a proud moment for Aakash. The exceptional performance of our students is the result of their dedication, their families’ support, and our faculty’s commitment. We are confident they will continue to excel in their medical careers.”



NEET UG is conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and is the sole entrance exam for undergraduate medical courses including MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH programs (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, etc.) in both government and private institutions across India. It also serves as a qualifying test for students pursuing medical education abroad.

Further details can be found at http://www.aakash.ac.in.

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