The film is a social satire about an impoverished farmer, Kalyan Singh, who is disillusioned with his family and authority. He spends his days taking his prized goat from veterinarian to veterinarian. The animal, he believes, is the descendant of a goat gifted to his ancestors by a king 500 years ago, and he is concerned about Laila's ability to produce the next generation.
The role of Singh is played by acclaimed Indian theatre actor, Raghubir Yadav, and was shot in less than a month in the Indian city of Hyderabad.
Laadli Laila(Virgin Goat) tells the story of Kalyan Singh (played by Yadav), who spends his days taking his goat from veterinarian to veterinarian. The animal, he believes, is the descendant of a goat gifted to his ancestors by a king 500 years ago, and Singh is concerned about Laila's ability to produce the next generation of prized goats.
Laadli Laila is the first Hindi script the director has worked on. His previous films, including the Malayali film, Marana Simhasanam (Throne of Death) was a critical success and won him a Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999. But it was criticised in India, particularly in Kerala, for disparaging communism.
Nair, who worked briefly as a geologist, turned his attention to films after despairing over the loneliness he felt while working on an oil rig off the shores of Mumbai.
"I got fed up of the subject," he said. "It was well paid, but very lonely and very monotonous, with just water around me. I never thought I would spend so much time alone."
After quitting his job on the rig, he travelled through India for a couple of months before settling in Mumbai to work on films.
"It was not easy. I am not from a privileged background, so my parents were very upset. I could not face them for two or three years," he said. "It was not the aura of filmmaking that attracted me to it. I had lots of stories to tell. The way stories were being developed in my mind, the way I was writing stories."
He said the journey of Kalyan Singh reflected the journey of a person within society and himself.
"As the film progresses, it becomes more emotional and intense," he said. "I see it all the time in individuals - their conflicts with society and organisations."
Abbas Khan, the first assistant director of the film, also travelled to Abu Dhabi with the crew for the screening of the film last night. After watching some of Nair's films, Khan wrote to Nair asking if he could work with him.
"This is one of my favourite projects," said Khan. "There are lots of aspects that I like about the film, including the comedy, surrealism, the way the satire stood out and the way it was conveyed."
Laadli Laila will receive a second screening at the Marina Mall at 7.30pm today.
sbhattacharya@thenational.ae
2019 ASIA CUP POTS
Pot 1
UAE, Iran, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
Pot 2
China, Syria, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Qatar, Thailand
Pot 3
Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, India, Vietnam
Pot 4
North Korea, Philippines, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Turkmenistan
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Results
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Nadhra, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Dars, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Taghzel, Malin Holmberg, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: M’Y Yaromoon, Khalifa Al Neyadi, Jesus Rosales
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeem, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
AUSTRALIA SQUADS
ODI squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Twenty20 squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh810,000
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
Afro%20salons
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Company%20Profile
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The%20specs
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Company%20Profile
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
