The Times of India

South Indian sci-fi cinema has evolved from grand spectacles to introspective narratives exploring human relationships and technology's psychological impact. Recent series like 'Heartiley Battery' and 'Nayanam' delve into emotional vulnerability and the burden of knowledge, reflecting a growing audience demand for thought-provoking, culturally grounded stories.

Coimbatore's Periyar Arivulagam, a new eight-storey library and science hub, is set to open next month. This facility, costing 301 crore, will house over 1.2 lakh books and features accessible floors for the differently-abled. It aims to be a significant learning resource for students and the public.

The Sahitya Akademi faces criticism for withholding awards and alleged political interference, highlighting structural flaws and an unhealthy institutional culture. Reforms are proposed to increase government nominations, ensure broader representation, and balance jury composition to restore the Akademi's credibility and national purpose.

The Madras High Court's division bench has set aside a single judge's order directing the CBFC to issue a censor certificate for actor Vijay's film 'Jana Nayagan'. Citing procedural flaws and lack of opportunity for the CBFC, the bench remitted the matter for fresh consideration, leaving the film's release uncertain.

AIADMK-led NDA leaders fiercely attacked actor-politician Vijay after he labeled the AIADMK as corrupt. Former minister Sellur K Raju dismissed Vijay's politics as 'feudalistic,' while Tamilisai Soundararajan called him a 'zero' in politics. T T V Dhinakaran alleged ticket price gouging as corruption, indicating more criticism is forthcoming.

Archaeologists in Tamil Nadu have unearthed an 8ft iron spear, the longest from India's Iron Age, from Thirumalapuram. Found alongside a shorter spear and gold objects in an urn, the find could represent a warrior's weapon or a ceremonial item signifying status. Experts suggest further studies to understand the evolution of iron use in the region.

Chennai welcomes a bright, sunny Tuesday with temperatures reaching 28C. While pleasant for outdoor activities, yesterday's moderate air quality, driven by particulate pollution, warrants caution for sensitive individuals, especially in traffic. The week ahead promises stable, sunny weather, with a slight shift towards partly cloudy conditions by early February.