怪谈

A |     The first trailer of Lockdown has arrived and it brings with it a sense of dread that lingers long after the final frame. Headlined by Anupama Parameswaran, the film imagines a world devastated by an unnamed epidemic while quietly following a woman disturbed by an inner storm she refuses to articulate. Unlike the familiar pandemic themed dramas that lean toward spectacle or chaos, Lockdown appears to settle into a more intimate space. The trailer positions Anupama’s character as someone grappling with both an external threat and a deeper psychological strain that she cannot escape.A chilling trailer introduces a woman fighting unseen terrorsThe film is directed by newcomer AR Jeeva who has crafted his debut with the backing of Subaskaran and GKM Tamil Kumaran under the Lyca Productions banner. Lockdown first reached public eyes through its premiere at the International Film Festival of India in Goa where early attendees noted the film’s measured tone and its focus on mood building. With its official theatrical release fixed for December 5, the trailer now offers audiences a closer look at its central mystery.          Rather than revealing the exact nature of the protagonist’s distress, the trailer shapes its narrative through fragments. Faint whispers, dimly lit corridors, repetitive sounds and unsteady breaths create a world in which fear takes many forms. The imagery hints at paranoia and loneliness, tracing how a crisis can magnify preexisting wounds. Anupama’s performance is one of quiet discomfort where her eyes register panic even when her words remain sparse. It suggests a restrained but emotionally loaded role for the actor who has been exploring diverse scripts in recent years.A strong ensemble and a detailed crew power the thrillerLockdown brings together an ensemble cast whose characters are likely to represent different facets of a community under pressure. Charle, Nirosha, Priya Venkat, Livingston, Indhumathi, Rajkumar, Shamji, Lollu Sabha Maran, Vinayak Raj, Vidhu, Abhirami, Ravathi, Sanjivie, Priya Ganesh and Asha appear in roles that the makers are currently keeping under wraps. The spread of familiar and experienced faces indicates that the film will widen its gaze beyond a single storyline and explore the social ripples created by widespread panic and isolation.The technical team behind the film includes Siddharth Vipin and NR Raghunanthan who are composing music. Their past bodies of work show a leaning toward mood rich soundscapes that complement emotional cinema. KA Sakthivel handles cinematography and from the trailer it is clear that he employs a visually muted palette that reflects a world robbed of warmth. VJ Sabu Joseph takes charge of editing while A Jayakumar oversees production design. Together, the crew appears to have constructed a world that avoids futuristic exaggeration and instead stays grounded in lived reality.                                         Anupama balances festival acclaim with mainstream momentumAnupama Parameswaran enters Lockdown immediately after her turn in Mari Selvaraj’s Bison Kaalamaadan which released on October 17 to generally positive reviews. Critics praised its clear-eyed storytelling and refusal to soften its commentary on caste, sport and trauma. With Lockdown, Anupama appears to pivot to a character driven psychological space while maintaining the grounded vulnerability that has shaped her strongest performances.Thematically the new film arrives at a time when audiences are increasingly interested in intimate thrillers that explore how crisis amplifies hidden emotional fractures. If Lockdown holds on to the promise of its trailer, viewers can expect a film that blends atmospheric tension with introspective character work. AR Jeeva’s debut may well emerge as a welcome surprise in the final stretch of the year.Also Read: Anupama Parameswaran’s Lockdown Secures New Release Date。    Washington, Oct 10 (UNI) More and more Indians are entering the United States from the Mexican border.

Since the beginning of the 2022 fiscal year that started last October, a record 16,290 Indian citizens have been taken into US custody at the Mexican border. The previous high of 8,997 was recorded in 2018, BBC reported.

Experts point to a number of reasons for the increase, including a climate of discrimination in India, an end to pandemic-era restrictions, a perception that the current US administration is welcoming to asylum seekers and the ramping-up of previously established smuggling networks.

While some migrants are coming to the US for economic reasons, many are fleeing persecution back home, said Deepak Ahluwalia, an immigration lawyer who has represented Indian nationals in Texas and California.

The latter group range from Muslims, Christians and "low-caste" Hindus to members of India's LGBT community who fear violence at the hands of extreme Hindu nationalists or supporters of the secessionist movement and farmers from the Punjab region, the BBC reported.

Conditions for many of these groups have deteriorated in recent years, international observers say.

Immigrants often see the US as "the ultimate gateway" to a better life, said Ahluwalia, the lawyer.

The enormous distances involved, however, make the trip to the US extremely challenging.

Traditionally, Indian migrants who arrive at the US-Mexican border use "door-to-door" smuggling services, with journeys arranged from India to South America.

They are often guided the entire way and travel in small groups with their fellow countrymen who speak the same language, rather than individually or with only family members.

These networks often begin with India-based "travel agents" which outsource parts of the journey to partner criminal groups in Latin America.

Jessica Bolter, an analyst at the Washington DC-based Migration Policy Institute, said that the number of Indian migrants is also rising as a result of a "ripple effect" that takes place when those who have used these services successfully recommend them to friends or family back in India.

"It naturally expands and draws more migrants," she said. "Of course, that doesn't happen without migrants wanting to leave originally."

Manpreet, a 20-year-old from Punjab who asked that only his first name be used, a vocal critic of India's ruling BJP, fled the country after being persecuted for his political beliefs, the BBC reported.

"From Ecuador I took a bus to Colombia, and from Colombia I took a bus to Panama," Manpreet recalled in an interview with the BBC from California. "From there, via a boat, I (went to) Nicaragua and Guatemala, and then Mexico and entered the US."

Even guided by seasoned smugglers, the trip to the border is often one that is fraught with dangers, including robberies and extortion at the hands of local gangs or corrupt authorities or extreme weather, injuries and illness.

These dangers were highlighted in 2019 when a six-year-old Indian girl from Punjab was found dead in the scorching desert near the border town of Lukeville, Arizona.

It was later reported that she died in temperatures of over 42 C (108 F) after her mother left her with a group of other Indians to go search for water.

UNI MR。