Actor Salim Kumar under expert medical supervision in Kochi hospital Kochi, June 6 Popular Malayalam actor and National Award winner Salim Kumar has been admitted to Amrita Hospital in Kochi following health related concerns. The 56-year-old actor, who had been undergoing treatment for various health issues over the past few days, has been placed on ventilator support after doctors assessed his condition to be serious. A team of specialist doctors of the hospital is closely monitoring Salim Kumar’s health and continuing treatment. However, hospital authorities and family members have not released detailed information about his present medical condition.

Salim Kumar has been facing liver-related health issues for the past few years. The actor had earlier spoken about being diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and clarified that the condition was not related to alcohol consumption but was a hereditary health issue. He had revealed that his brother, who did not even consume tea, had also suffered from a similar condition.

Salim Kumar had also spoken about the emotional challenges he faced while dealing with his illness, including periods of isolation and personal struggles related to the deadly disease. Known for his exceptional comic timing and natural style of acting, Salim Kumar has been one of the most popular and versatile performers in Malayalam cinema. Starting his career with comedy roles, he later established himself as a serious actor through powerful character portrayals.

His performance in films across different genres earned him critical acclaim, and he went on to win the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in ‘Adaminte Makan Abu’. He has also been recognised with several state and film awards for his contribution to Malayalam cinema. The news of his hospitalisation has led to an outpouring of support from colleagues, fans and well-wishers, who have expressed hope for his recovery. Known for his liking for the Congress party, the hugely popular actor has time and again come out in support of the party, especially during the election times.

Actor Ranveer Singh received major relief in the ongoing Don 3 controversy, with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) officially withdrawing its non-cooperation directive against him. The decision was announced on Wednesday (June 3) after discussions involving several key industry bodies, including the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), the Producers Guild of India (PGI) and the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA).

The move comes days after FWICE issued the directive over Ranveer’s reported exit from Farhan Akhtar’s much-awaited film Don 3. The matter later escalated when the actor sent a legal notice to the organisation.

Speaking to reporters, FWICE president BN Tiwari confirmed that the directive had been revoked with immediate effect.

“We are taking back our non cooperative directive from immediate effect after a request by IMPAA, the producers’ guild and CINTAA. We have been told that we should all sit together with the producers’ body and take an appropriate decision where neither the producers and directors nor the actor face any issues,” FWICE president BN Tiwari told reporters in Mumbai, according to PTI.

Tiwari also clarified that the organisation does not view the development as a victory or defeat for either side. “No one has won or lost in this matter. Our legal department will respond to his legal notice,” he added.

The controversy began on May 25 when FWICE announced a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer following a complaint filed by Farhan and his producing partner Ritesh Sidhwani with the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA).

The matter was subsequently referred to FWICE for intervention.

According to reports, Don 3 has been in development for nearly three years and is yet to go on floors. The producers have reportedly claimed that more than Rs 45 crore has already been invested in the film’s pre-production process.

Amid the growing dispute, Ranveer Singh chose not to comment publicly on the issue. However, his spokesperson issued a statement emphasizing the actor’s respect for everyone associated with the project and the film industry.

“Throughout the recent developments surrounding ‘Don 3’, he has consciously chosen to maintain silence, believing that professional discussions and personal equations are best handled with dignity, maturity and mutual respect,” the statement said.

The spokesperson also stated that Singh continues to hold “deep respect and goodwill” for all those connected to the film and the industry.

New Delhi, May 11: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday opposed Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea seeking to turn approver in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, telling a Delhi court that her conduct during the investigation was “not satisfactory” and that she failed to fully cooperate with the probe.

Appearing before the Patiala House Court, the federal anti-money laundering agency contended that Jacqueline did not make a “full and true disclosure” in her statements recorded under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED said that during the course of the investigation, Jacqueline’s conduct was not cooperative as she “consistently failed to make full and truthful disclosures” in connection with the proceeds of crime allegedly generated by Chandrashekhar.

Opposing her plea to become a prosecution witness, the ED further alleged that Jacqueline continued to remain in regular contact with Chandrashekhar even after becoming aware of his criminal antecedents.

According to the probe agency, Chandrashekhar had arranged “all benefits, gifts and valuables” for Jacqueline out of the proceeds of crime generated through the alleged money laundering activities.

After hearing the submissions, the Patiala House Court granted time to Jacqueline Fernandez’s counsel to file a rejoinder to the ED’s reply and posted the matter for further hearing on May 12.

The ED has accused Jacqueline of allegedly receiving luxury gifts worth around Rs 7 crore from Chandrashekhar. However, the actor has consistently maintained that she had no knowledge about his alleged criminal activities or the source of the money used for those gifts.

In September last year, the Supreme Court had declined to entertain Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea seeking the quashing of the money laundering proceedings initiated against her by the ED.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Jacqueline before the apex court, had argued that she could not be prosecuted under Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA as she had no knowledge that the gifts received from Chandrashekhar were proceeds of crime.

The Justice Datta-led Bench, however, referred to the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Vijay Madanlal Choudhary case, upholding the ED’s powers under the PMLA and observed that allegations at the stage of framing of charges must be accepted as they stand.

The ED has filed multiple charge sheets in the case and named Jacqueline Fernandez as an accused in a supplementary prosecution complaint, while another Bollywood actor, Nora Fatehi, was examined as a witness.

The probe agency has alleged that Chandrashekhar’s aide Pinky Irani facilitated the delivery of luxury gifts and expensive items to Jacqueline on his behalf.

The money laundering case stems from allegations that Chandrashekhar cheated the wives of former Ranbaxy promoters Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh of nearly Rs 200 crore. However, Fernandez maintained that she had no role in laundering Chandrashekhar’s alleged illegal wealth.

The 40-year-old Sri Lankan actress, who entered Bollywood after winning the Miss Universe Sri Lanka crown in 2006, has been a prominent figure in Hindi cinema for over a decade, also featuring in music videos and reality shows.