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Indian-origin woman arrested for defrauding 17 couples with fake wedding venues in South Africa

“Her actions significantly impacted our plans, and what was meant to be our dream day has turned into an event where we must settle for what we can afford,” said the man, who wished to remain anonymous.

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A 53-year-old Indian-origin South African attorney, who was disbarred, has been arrested for scamming 17 couples across the country by collecting payments for the same wedding venue on the same day. She was apprehended after being tracked down by a private security firm.

Despite her arrest, promises made by her lawyer and family to reimburse all the scam victims may allow her to avoid prison time for fraud. Though her name had not been released initially due to no court appearance, the security company Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) later identified her as Prelyn Mohanlall. Her attorney, Chris Gounden, contacted RUSA to propose arrangements for repaying victims who possess proof of payment.

Mohanlall allegedly deceived couples planning their weddings into making substantial advance payments for a venue to which she had no connection. Upon arriving at the supposed venue, couples found it abandoned, lacking water and electricity, devastating their special day.

One of the affected couples, who chose to remain anonymous, enlisted RUSA’s help in December of the previous year to track Mohanlall down. The investigation revealed a total of 17 couples had fallen victim to her scheme through social media.

According to Prem Balram, head of RUSA, “Complainants came from several provinces in South Africa. A detective from SAPS Boksburg North in Gauteng informed RUSA that the same suspect was wanted for two fraud cases in Gauteng in 2024. She had previously defrauded a car dealership of R200,000 and another couple of R26,000.” Following the investigation, it emerged that Mohanlall had been barred by the Law Society for misappropriating funds from a client’s trust account.

Balram further reported that Mohanlall has a criminal record with a history of scams spanning over two decades. In a statement to the weekly Post, she denied running a scam, claiming her business was simply experiencing difficulties, which hindered her ability to refund couples who canceled their weddings. She asserted that she owed nine couples around R60,000 and intended to repay every cent.

According to PTI, Mohanlall stated, “It’s not a scam, and I am not a scammer. My company faced tremendous challenges. Late last year, I had nine cancellations and notified each couple they would receive a full refund. However, I couldn’t repay them promptly because my partners withdrew in October.”

One victim recounted the embarrassment he and his fiancée felt when they had to cancel their wedding and start saving again to plan a new date for later this year. “Her actions significantly impacted our plans, and what was meant to be our dream day has turned into an event where we must settle for what we can afford,” said the man, who wished to remain anonymous.

Bollywood news

Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh make first appearance on screen after daughter Dua’s birth, video surfaces

Viewers have responded warmly, with one delighted fan commenting, “This is the best ad featuring my favorite couple.”

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Celebrity couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have made their debut in a new advertisement for an air conditioner, marking their first collaboration since the birth of their daughter, Dua Padukone Singh. On Sunday, the brand shared a charming video featuring the duo on Instagram, generating considerable excitement among fans.

In the advertisement, Ranveer humorously points out that their party guests are more fascinated with the air conditioning than with Deepika’s culinary skills or her storytelling. Following Deepika’s playful annoyance, Ranveer sweetly wins her over, culminating in an affectionate kiss. Viewers have responded warmly, with one delighted fan commenting, “This is the best ad featuring my favorite couple.”

Fans are thrilled to see the couple in action, with one admirer sharing, “This is the sweetest thing I’ve seen all day, although I forgot to bring my popcorn.” Another mentioned, “DeepVeer look so stunning together,” expressing admiration for Deepika’s appearance with comments like, “Ma’am, you’re looking absolutely beautiful.” Many viewers are reminiscing about their on-screen presence, with notes like, “We miss seeing you both on the big screen!”

Deepika and Ranveer, who tied the knot in 2018, welcomed their daughter on September 8, 2024. They publicly introduced her last Diwali, sharing her name, ‘Dua Padukone Singh,’ alongside a heartfelt message that highlights the significance of her name — “Dua: meaning a prayer. Because she is the answer to our prayers. Our hearts are filled with love & gratitude.”

The couple last appeared together in the action-packed film, Singham Again, directed by Rohit Shetty. In this movie, Deepika took on the role of Shakti Shetty, the Lady Singham, while Ranveer reprised his character, Simmba. The ensemble cast featured other big names such as Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff. Fans are eagerly awaiting an announcement about Deepika’s upcoming projects.

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Empuraan: Mohanlal’s film becomes highest-grossing Malayalam movie, beats Manjummel Boys

The film has successfully captured the attention of audiences both domestically and internationally.

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Mohanlal, the celebrated superstar of Malayalam cinema, has achieved a remarkable feat with his latest film, L2: Empuraan. Released on March 27, 2025, the film became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time globally on Saturday, April 5. It has surpassed the previous record held by 2024’s Manjummel Boys and is rapidly approaching the impressive Rs 300-crore milestone at the worldwide box office.

Mohanlal took to his official X account to celebrate this significant achievement, sharing his gratitude with fans and followers.

Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, L2: Empuraan is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer. It continues the riveting story of Stephen Nedumpally, also known as Khureshi-Ab’raam, taking audiences on another thrilling journey filled with action and intrigue. The film has successfully captured the attention of audiences both domestically and internationally.

However, the film’s release has not come without its share of controversies. It has faced significant backlash primarily due to its references to the 2002 Gujarat pogrom. This controversy has led to criticism from some right-wing groups, prompting the filmmakers to make 24 ‘voluntary cuts’ to the film, which total 2.08 minutes in length.

The re-edited version of Empuraan, which was certified by the regional officer of the Central Board of Film Certification, was expected to be showcased in theaters by April 2, allowing the film to find a more extensive audience.

The screenplay for L2: Empuraan was penned by the talented Murali Gopy, who has previously collaborated with Mohanlal on successful projects. The film features an impressive ensemble cast that includes Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Abhimanyu Singh, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Arjun Das, Fazil, and Shine Tom Chacko.

Produced by Antony Perumbavoor, Gokulam Gopalan, and Subaskaran, L2: Empuraan is brought to life under the reputable banners of Aashirvad Cinemas, Sree Gokulam Movies, and Lyca Productions. This achievement marks a significant moment in Malayalam cinema, reaffirming Mohanlal’s status as a leading figure in the industry.

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Good Bad Ugly trailer: Ajith Kumar’s power-packed visuals, fiery dialogues set the stage for April 10 release

Ajith Kumar takes center stage in the high-octane trailer of Good Bad Ugly, directed by Adhik Ravichandran. The film is set for a global release on April 10, 2025.

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Ajith Kumar's Good, Bad, Ugly

The trailer of Ajith Kumar’s much-awaited action entertainer Good Bad Ugly has finally been unveiled and it’s nothing short of a mass-loaded spectacle. Directed by Adhik Ravichandran, the film is set for a grand worldwide release on April 10, 2025 and the trailer has only amplified the hype around this high-octane action drama.

Originally planned for a Pongal 2025 release, the film has been in the works since June last year and boasts a powerhouse ensemble cast featuring Ajith Kumar, Trisha, Arjun Das, Prabhu, Prasanna, and Sunil.

The trailer opens with Arjun Das in a suave villainous role, dancing alongside foreign performers to the folk tune Otha Rooba Tharen. His character directly challenges Ajith’s, branding himself as the real villain in the story. Soon after, Trisha’s character accuses Ajith’s of a past crime, sparking emotional turmoil that quickly turns into a mission for revenge and redemption.

Ajith’s character, in a fiery monologue, reveals his transformation — having given up smoking, drinking, and violence for his family — only to reclaim his old ways when his son’s safety is at risk. With electrifying action scenes, gripping face-offs, and a commanding presence, Ajith delivers one of the trailer’s strongest lines, warning an opponent that while they may retain their body parts, they won’t keep their life.

The trailer ends with the striking declaration: “Bad boy.”

The trailer’s scheduled release was briefly delayed due to what the production team called “MASS SAMBAVAM” — a response so overwhelming it caused server slowdowns. Eventually, the trailer dropped 20 minutes later, much to fans’ delight.

Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the film features music by National Award-winning composer G.V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography by Abinandhan Ramanujam, editing by Vijay Velukutty, and intense stunt sequences choreographed by Supreme Sundar and Kaloian Vodenicharov.

With its high-voltage visuals, punch-packed dialogues, and Ajith in full form, Good Bad Ugly promises to be a box-office storm when it hits theatres on April 10.

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