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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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2 months ago

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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.

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India News

AI-generated video of miniature humans making Indian sweets goes viral with 16 million views

A viral AI-generated video shows tiny human figures crafting oversized Indian sweets in a creative reel that has captivated social media, amassing over 16 million views.

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15 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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AI-generated video of tiny humans making Indian sweets

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to redefine creativity in the digital world, and the latest viral sensation is a testament to that. A mesmerizing AI-generated video featuring miniature human figures ‘making’ traditional Indian sweets has taken social media by storm, amassing over 16 million views on Instagram.

Miniature workers crafting oversized sweets

The viral reel, shared by the Instagram page @the.aiengineer, showcases tiny human-like figures engaged in the intricate process of ‘preparing’ various Indian sweets that appear much larger than them. Dressed as construction workers, the miniature figures are depicted as ‘perfecting’ stacks of jalebis, kneading soft rasgullas, glazing gulab jamuns, and shaping laddoos, kaju katlis, barfis, patisa, and other beloved treats.

One particularly creative scene features rasgullas floating in a pond of sugar syrup, with the tiny figures rowing a boat over them. In the background, more miniature workers are seen carting, collecting, and shaping ingredients such as dry fruits and nuts. Ladders, cranes, and other construction machinery are cleverly incorporated into the scenes, making the process look like a grand culinary project.

Social media reacts with admiration and humor

The video has sparked a wave of reactions in the comment section. While many users expressed awe and appreciation for the imaginative concept, others found it humorous. Some of the top comments included:

  • “Wow, so beautiful.”
  • “Can’t stop watching it. It’s amazing.”
  • “Get me a ticket to this city.”
  • “Love the imagination.”
  • “No hygiene at all… people are walking on laddoos!”

Some viewers even drew comparisons to the world of ants, while others humorously pointed out concerns about hygiene in this whimsical world of sweets.

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Entertainment

TEST: R Madhavan, Nayanthara’s Tamil film set for Netflix release on April 4

Netflix’s first Tamil original feature film of 2025, TEST, starring R. Madhavan, Nayanthara, and Siddharth, releases on April 4.

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16 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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TEST Tamil film scene featuring R. Madhavan, Nayanthara, and Siddharth.

Netflix is set to release its first Tamil original feature film of 2025, TEST, on April 4. Starring R. Madhavan, Nayanthara, Siddharth, and Meera Jasmine, the film explores life-altering decisions made against the backdrop of a gripping cricket match.

Directed by S. Sashikanth, TEST marks his directorial debut after years of producing films. The story revolves around three protagonists, each facing intense moral dilemmas that challenge their resilience and ambitions beyond the cricket field.

Sharing his thoughts on the film, Sashikanth said, “Having nurtured stories as a producer for years, stepping into the director’s chair for TEST was both exhilarating and deeply personal. This film is about resilience, the weight of choices, and how life itself is the greatest test of all. Bringing together R. Madhavan, Nayanthara, and Siddharth, three powerhouse performers for the first time, made this journey even more special.”

Test Trailer

Netflix India’s Vice-President of Content, Monika Shergill, highlighted the film’s significance, calling it a “deeply compelling drama thriller that tests the moral thresholds of its three protagonists.”

With high stakes that transcend the game itself, TEST delves into the profound impact of one decision that can change everything.

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India News

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya ties the knot with Carnatic singer Sivasri Skandaprasad in Bengaluru

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya got married to renowned Carnatic singer Sivasri Skandaprasad in Bengaluru in a grand traditional wedding attended by top BJP leaders.

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16 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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Tejasvi Surya and Sivasri Skandaprasad’s wedding ceremony in Bengaluru

Bengaluru South MP and BJP leader Tejasvi Surya has married Carnatic singer and Bharatanatyam dancer Sivasri Skandaprasad in a traditional ceremony held in Bengaluru. The wedding was attended by several political figures, including BJP leaders Annamalai, Pratap Simha, Amit Malaviya, BY Vijayendra, and Union Minister V Somanna.

Bride and groom in traditional attire

The bride, Sivasri Skandaprasad, looked radiant in a yellow Kanchipuram silk saree paired with exquisite gold jewelry, while Tejasvi Surya donned a white and gold outfit. Another set of images from the ceremony showcased the bride in a red-maroon saree and the groom in an elegant off-white ensemble.

Tejasvi Surya’s political journey

Tejasvi Surya, a two-time Lok Sabha MP, is also the President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). Over the years, he has gained prominence in the political landscape for his dynamic leadership within the party.

Sivasri Skandaprasad’s artistic background

Sivasri Skandaprasad, apart from being a renowned Carnatic vocalist, is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering from Sastra University but chose to dedicate herself to the arts. Additionally, she obtained a Bharatanatyam degree from the University of Madras.

With a strong social media presence, she has garnered over 1.13 lakh followers on Instagram and more than two lakh subscribers on YouTube. She gained widespread recognition for her melodious renditions in filmmaker Mani Ratnam’s acclaimed movie franchise Ponniyin Selvan.

PM Modi’s appreciation for Sivasri Skandaprasad

Before the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Sivasri Skandaprasad for her rendition of a devotional song dedicated to Lord Ram. Sharing her performance on social media, he wrote,
“This rendition by Sivasri Skandaprasad in Kannada beautifully highlights the spirit of devotion to Prabhu Shri Ram. Such efforts go a long way in preserving our rich cultural heritage. #ShriRamBhajan.”

The wedding of Tejasvi Surya and Sivasri Skandaprasad marks the union of politics and arts, bringing together two influential personalities from different domains.

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