The creation of India Inc

Goras and Desis: Managing agencies and the making of corporate India

GORAS AND DESIS  Managing Agencies and the Making of Corporate India Omkar Goswami Penguin Random House  248 pages; Rs 299 (paperback) Few mainstream policy economists have devoted much time to Indian economic history, but that is changing with Penguin’s Portfolio series.  In Goras and Desis Omkar Goswami revisits some of his work and that by others, and excavates a rich set of facts, factoids, and stories.  Entertaining and informative, it is a journey on which the author regales us with stories, informs with numbers, and even teaches us ...

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The creation of India Inc

Raees and Kaabil give Bollywood its best January in years

Combined with Dec 2016 release Dangal, the three movies raked in Rs 300 cr business in Jan

Urvi Malvania  |  Mumbai  January 31, 2017 Last Updated at 02:30 IST

Shah Rukh Khan playing a gangster and Hrithik Roshan as a vengeful husband seem to have given Bollywood exactly the January it would have hoped for.  Khan’s Raees and Roshan’s Kaabil both released on Wednesday, 25 January — in a bid to take advantage of the extended weekend, with Republic Day falling on a Thursday. The trick seems to have worked.  While Rajiv Dholakia-directed Raees raked in Rs 93.2 crore, Kaabil, made by Sanjay Gupta, earned about Rs 55 crore till Sunday. After a somewhat tepid 2016, in which big-budget films such as ...

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Nilanjana S Roy: The reading life

Reading never died as a habit, despite the doomsayers, but it changed form

It’s been over 20 years since I first began writing this column. I’d never intended to build half a life on reading – you assume that at some point, the world will tap your shoulder and suggest you get on with something more useful – but to my surprise, that is what happened.  What does it mean to be a reader of books these days? It means being profitably, pleasurably, out of step with the majority, in the same way that a person who finds fulfilment in living on the edge of forests, or near wilderness, is out of step from the vast flow of humanity who ...

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Bhansali's 'Padmavati' title change demand raised by Rajput groups

Protests over Padmavati took a new turn on Monday with Rajput groups coming up with fresh demands of title change and a review before the release even as Bhansali productions made it clear that there is no romantic dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji.

The demand was raised at a joint press conference which was convened by Rajput Sabha to announce that they and Karni Sena agree over the demand that there will no distortion of the historical facts in the movie.

However, the president of the Rajput Sabha said that they have also demanded that a screening committee be formed by the group to screen the movie before its release but Bhansali productions are yet to act on the request.

During the press conference, some of the members of the Karni Sena raised another demand that the film's title should be changed and there should be no film in the name of "Padmavati" at all which was supported by the state President of Karni Sena Mahipal Singh.

"There is no romantic dream sequence or any objectionable/ romantic scene between Rani Padmavati and Allauddin Khilji. It was not a part of the script. It was a misconception and considering the sentiments of the community, we have clarified to them," Shobha Sant, CEO of the Bhansali Productions said.

"We are trying to present Rani Padmavati's courageous nature. We will make the film which will make the country proud on Rani Padmavati," she said.

Mahipal said he put forward the sentiments of the youths of the Rajput community by demanding the title change.

"We are thankful to the Bhansali productions that they have agreed to our demand that there will be no distortion of the historical facts in the movie," he said.

Sant, however, said the demand to change the title did not come up in their previous discussions with the group.

"They have made this fresh demand for which I have nothing to say anything. This is not in my jurisdiction. They also did not raise this point in our discussion held before," Sant said.

Karni Sena members created a ruckus and manhandled Bhansali while the director was shooting the movie at Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur on Friday.

The incident drew sharp reactions from the film industry with members demanding action against the miscreants.

Bhansali's production house released a statement clarifying the "misconception" about the story but the team also cancelled its shooting in the city.

When asked whether the Bhansali productions would shoot in Rajasthan, Sant, said that the issue in at present was about addressing the sentiments of the Rajput community and all other things will be taken up for consideration later on.

Girraj Singh said that MLAs Vishwendra Singh (Congress) and Kirori Meena (NPP) as well as Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria have supported the demand against distortion of historical facts.

Kataria told reporters that the state government would provide security cover for the shooting, if requested.

He said that the incident happened but no FIR was lodged. He said that some members from Bhansali's team had met him earlier but when they started the shooting was not in his knowledge.

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Bhansali's 'Padmavati' title change demand raised by Rajput groups

Kashyap opposes 'Hindu extremists', says it's sad if we have to fear PM

Kashyap was one of the first film fraternity members to speak up in favour of Sanjay Leela Bhansali

IANS  |  Mumbai  January 30, 2017 Last Updated at 14:00 IST

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who has vehemently opposed "Hindu extremists" for violence on the set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati" in Jaipur, says he has grown up learning to question those that govern the country.

In a post on his official Facebook page, Kashyap says, "I have been taught to engage and question those that govern us and I have been doing that since I was a student and V.P. Singh was the PM, followed by Congress and now BJP. I have been taught that your PM is the head of the state or country, who you can question, seek answers, argue with, but never fear him, because you chose him and he represents your well being.

"If one has to fear him than that's sad. Respect cannot be demanded it's commanded. It's earned. It does not deter me from asking and engaging."

The filmmaker, who says he has "zero political affiliation", has spoken out in reaction to the responses he received on supporting Bhansali, who faced the ire of Karni Sena activists on his "Padmavati" set in Jaipur last week.

The row was over "distortion of historical facts" in the film, which is about Alauddin Khilji, the medieval-era Delhi ruler, who fell in love with Rajput queen Padmavati.

Kashyap was one of the first film fraternity members to speak up in favour of Bhansali, and said he was ashamed to be a Rajput himself.

He has continued to support Bhansali.

"It does not matter what you say or do, attack me physically or verbally, I will voice what I feel. You mobs don't scare me, my voice will always rise over your screaming and shouting, I embrace my truth and I do not fear accusations," he added.

Kashyap maintained that he has "been taught to have the liberty to utter, argue, question freely according to my conscience, and above all, liberties. And I will always take that right... I believe in my Constitution, my rights, my liberties and I will take them and exercise them when I deem fit. So thank you for all this intense passionate love that you send my way, you are not going to stop me."

Kashyap opposes 'Hindu extremists', says it's sad if we have to fear PM

Kashyap was one of the first film fraternity members to speak up in favour of Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Kashyap was one of the first film fraternity members to speak up in favour of Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who has vehemently opposed "Hindu extremists" for violence on the set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati" in Jaipur, says he has grown up learning to question those that govern the country.

In a post on his official Facebook page, Kashyap says, "I have been taught to engage and question those that govern us and I have been doing that since I was a student and V.P. Singh was the PM, followed by Congress and now BJP. I have been taught that your PM is the head of the state or country, who you can question, seek answers, argue with, but never fear him, because you chose him and he represents your well being.

"If one has to fear him than that's sad. Respect cannot be demanded it's commanded. It's earned. It does not deter me from asking and engaging."

The filmmaker, who says he has "zero political affiliation", has spoken out in reaction to the responses he received on supporting Bhansali, who faced the ire of Karni Sena activists on his "Padmavati" set in Jaipur last week.

The row was over "distortion of historical facts" in the film, which is about Alauddin Khilji, the medieval-era Delhi ruler, who fell in love with Rajput queen Padmavati.

Kashyap was one of the first film fraternity members to speak up in favour of Bhansali, and said he was ashamed to be a Rajput himself.

He has continued to support Bhansali.

"It does not matter what you say or do, attack me physically or verbally, I will voice what I feel. You mobs don't scare me, my voice will always rise over your screaming and shouting, I embrace my truth and I do not fear accusations," he added.

Kashyap maintained that he has "been taught to have the liberty to utter, argue, question freely according to my conscience, and above all, liberties. And I will always take that right... I believe in my Constitution, my rights, my liberties and I will take them and exercise them when I deem fit. So thank you for all this intense passionate love that you send my way, you are not going to stop me."

IANS

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Kashyap opposes 'Hindu extremists', says it's sad if we have to fear PM

Bhansali slap-gate: KTS Tulsi hints at agitators being 'misled'

KTS Tulsi firmly refuted all allegations that the script of the film was meddling with history

ANI  |  New Delhi  January 30, 2017 Last Updated at 12:18 IST

Following the stir caused by the assault on noted director Sanjay Leela Bhansali over his upcoming Indian period drama 'Padmavati', Senior Advocate of Supreme Court KTS Tulsi offered his support to the director and called out the mischief-makers who had misled the crowd and resorting to violent methods to demonstrate their objection.

Speaking to ANI, KTS Tulsi, Senior advocate of Supreme Court firmly refuted all allegations that the script of the film was meddling with history, adding that all period films are to an extent a dramatisation of an event.

"Sanjay Leela Bhansali has himself clarified, that there is no intimate scene between Padmini and Khilji," he said.

Accusing the director of distorting the history of Queen Padmini and her contribution to Rajput history, a Hindu extremist group, Rajput Karni Sena launched the attack on the director and the movie set on Friday.

Criticising Sena's mode of objection Tulsi said, "Somebody seems to have misled the crowd. This is not how culture is preserved.

Supporting an artist's creative liberty he added, "Culture is preserved by tolerance and knowing that there is certain latitude that is enjoyed by artists.

Bhansali was manhandled by protestors in broad daylight and alleged that the film has love scenes between Queen Padmini and Alauddin Khilji, played by actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh.

Defending his actions the founder of Rajput Karni Sena Lokendra Singh Kalvi said, that the Friday fiasco was an act of provocation, and that no manhandling of history would be tolerated by the Sena.

Clarifying his stand on his upcoming flick 'Padmavati', director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has said that the periodic film shows no objectionable scenes between Rani Padmavati and Muslim king Allauddin Khilji, while expressing confidence that the people of Mewar would be proud of the movie made on their 'revered queen'.

The official statement of the team said, "Sanjay Leela Bhansali has shot two films in Jaipur and despite his love for Rajasthan, for the safety of his crew, we have decided to stop the shoot and leave the city post the shocking incident where miscreants damaged property and misbehaved with the crew on the shoot of 'Padmavati'."

The 53-year-old has called off his Jaipur shoot and has come to Mumbai after the vandalism on the sets of his film.

Bhansali slap-gate: KTS Tulsi hints at agitators being 'misled'

KTS Tulsi firmly refuted all allegations that the script of the film was meddling with history

KTS Tulsi, Senior advocate of SC firmly refuted all allegations that the script of the film was meddling with history

Following the stir caused by the assault on noted director Sanjay Leela Bhansali over his upcoming Indian period drama 'Padmavati', Senior Advocate of Supreme Court KTS Tulsi offered his support to the director and called out the mischief-makers who had misled the crowd and resorting to violent methods to demonstrate their objection.

Speaking to ANI, KTS Tulsi, Senior advocate of Supreme Court firmly refuted all allegations that the script of the film was meddling with history, adding that all period films are to an extent a dramatisation of an event.

"Sanjay Leela Bhansali has himself clarified, that there is no intimate scene between Padmini and Khilji," he said.

Accusing the director of distorting the history of Queen Padmini and her contribution to Rajput history, a Hindu extremist group, Rajput Karni Sena launched the attack on the director and the movie set on Friday.

Criticising Sena's mode of objection Tulsi said, "Somebody seems to have misled the crowd. This is not how culture is preserved.

Supporting an artist's creative liberty he added, "Culture is preserved by tolerance and knowing that there is certain latitude that is enjoyed by artists.

Bhansali was manhandled by protestors in broad daylight and alleged that the film has love scenes between Queen Padmini and Alauddin Khilji, played by actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh.

Defending his actions the founder of Rajput Karni Sena Lokendra Singh Kalvi said, that the Friday fiasco was an act of provocation, and that no manhandling of history would be tolerated by the Sena.

Clarifying his stand on his upcoming flick 'Padmavati', director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has said that the periodic film shows no objectionable scenes between Rani Padmavati and Muslim king Allauddin Khilji, while expressing confidence that the people of Mewar would be proud of the movie made on their 'revered queen'.

The official statement of the team said, "Sanjay Leela Bhansali has shot two films in Jaipur and despite his love for Rajasthan, for the safety of his crew, we have decided to stop the shoot and leave the city post the shocking incident where miscreants damaged property and misbehaved with the crew on the shoot of 'Padmavati'."

The 53-year-old has called off his Jaipur shoot and has come to Mumbai after the vandalism on the sets of his film.

ANI

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Bhansali slap-gate: KTS Tulsi hints at agitators being 'misled'

Miss France Iris Mittenaere crowned Miss Universe 2017

Iris Mittenaere from France has been crowned the new Miss Universe during the 65th edition of the pageant, while Miss Haiti Raquel Pelissier was named first runner-up.

Iris, 24, is a Parisian native, currently pursuing a degree in dental surgery. She plans to use her Miss Universe platform to advocate for dental and oral hygiene.

Out of the 86 contestants in the finals, Iris survived the evening gown, swimsuit and numerous Q&A rounds.

She takes over from the until-now reigning Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach from Philippines.

India's Roshmitha Harimurthy failed to advance to the top 13 of the contest, which saw Andrea Tovar from Colombia emerge as second runner-up.

Roshmitha wasn't the only India connect at this year's pageant. Sushmita Sen, who won the pageant in 1994, was one of the judges of the contest and was introduced at the event as "Bollywood superstar, former Miss Universe and champion of women's rights."

The panel of judges also included "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Cynthia Bailey, Paper magazine's Mickey Boardman and producer Francine LeFrak, as well as Miss Universes 2011 and 1993.

The competition's other top 13 finalists were Kenya, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Panama, Phillippines, Canada, Brazil, Thailand and USA.

Earlier in the ceremony, host Steve Harvey poked fun at his massive goof-up during last year's ceremony, when he accidentally announced the wrong winner.

Last year, he awarded the crown to the wrong contestant. Miss Colombia 2015 Ariadna Gutierrez was initially announced as the winner, before Harvey realised his mistake and Miss Philippines 2015 Pia Wurtzbach was handed the crown.

Organisers clearly gave the US "Family Feud" host a second chance, but Harvey immediately addressed the elephant in the room during his opening monologue.

"Let get it out of the way, I know what you're thinking," he said to the cheering crowd in Manila.

"Is that the guy from last year? Did they bring back that guy from last year? Well they did. It's me! I'm back! It's been a long year getting here. Boy, I paid the price for last year with that mistake.

"I went and had a little surgery, had some stuff done to my eyes, so when the card comes up we'll get it right this year.

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Miss France Iris Mittenaere crowned Miss Universe 2017

'Raees', 'Kaabil' likely to hit theatres in Pakistan on Monday

After Pak PM Sharif signs the policy prepared by a special committee for releasing of Indian films

Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's "Raees" and Hrithik Roshan-starrer "Kaabil" are likely to hit theatres in Pakistan on Monday after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif finally signed the summary/policy prepared by a special committee on the release of Bollywood films in Pakistan.

An official source in the ministry of information confirmed to news agency Press Trust of India that the summary had been signed by the PM.

"Under the policy once a film is imported the distributor will have it reviewed by the ministry of information and central censor board before it is released in cinema halls," a source said.

He said in all probability the latest Indian films would be available for cine-goers all over the country from Monday.

The Shah Rukh and Mahira Khan-starrer "Raees" has created a lot of interest and hype in Pakistan, where no latest Indian film has been released since last September when relations between the two countries deteriorated after the Uri incident.

Hum Films, a subsidiary of the Hum entertainment channel, has brought the rights to release "Raees" and "Kaabil" in Pakistan. Both the films hit theatres in India on January 25.

Cinema owners in the meantime are surviving on the screening of old Indian films including Salman Khan"s "Dabangg", "Housefull", "Freaky Ali" and "Baar Baar Dekho" after various cinema owners decided to start screening Indian films again but couldn't get NOCs for the release of latest films.

The Pakistani cinema owners had themselves voluntarily decided to suspend screening of Indian films after Pakistani actors were stopped from performing in India last September.

While Pakistani cinema owners are looking forward to release latest Indian films like "Dangal", "Raees" and "Kaabil" to recoup their losses, they are worried that illegal screening of these films through pirated DVDs could lead to major box office losses.

Khorem Gultasab, who is the general manager of Super Cinemas in Pakistan, said that if a film misses its first weekend, the occupancy automatically drops below 50% because people find alternative ways to watch it.

"Now, if it's also playing on television, it's definitely going to affect the business even more.'

Atrium Cinemas, Managing Director Nadeem Mandviwalla feels the situation is nothing new. "Of course, the business is going to be affected, but it already happens anyway because of the DVD shops selling pirated versions of films," he said.

'Raees', 'Kaabil' likely to hit theatres in Pakistan on Monday

After Pak PM Sharif signs the policy prepared by a special committee for releasing of Indian films

After Pak PM Sharif signs the policy prepared by a special committee for releasing of Indian films

Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's "Raees" and Hrithik Roshan-starrer "Kaabil" are likely to hit theatres in Pakistan on Monday after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif finally signed the summary/policy prepared by a special committee on the release of Bollywood films in Pakistan.

An official source in the ministry of information confirmed to news agency Press Trust of India that the summary had been signed by the PM.

"Under the policy once a film is imported the distributor will have it reviewed by the ministry of information and central censor board before it is released in cinema halls," a source said.

He said in all probability the latest Indian films would be available for cine-goers all over the country from Monday.

The Shah Rukh and Mahira Khan-starrer "Raees" has created a lot of interest and hype in Pakistan, where no latest Indian film has been released since last September when relations between the two countries deteriorated after the Uri incident.

Hum Films, a subsidiary of the Hum entertainment channel, has brought the rights to release "Raees" and "Kaabil" in Pakistan. Both the films hit theatres in India on January 25.

Cinema owners in the meantime are surviving on the screening of old Indian films including Salman Khan"s "Dabangg", "Housefull", "Freaky Ali" and "Baar Baar Dekho" after various cinema owners decided to start screening Indian films again but couldn't get NOCs for the release of latest films.

The Pakistani cinema owners had themselves voluntarily decided to suspend screening of Indian films after Pakistani actors were stopped from performing in India last September.

While Pakistani cinema owners are looking forward to release latest Indian films like "Dangal", "Raees" and "Kaabil" to recoup their losses, they are worried that illegal screening of these films through pirated DVDs could lead to major box office losses.

Khorem Gultasab, who is the general manager of Super Cinemas in Pakistan, said that if a film misses its first weekend, the occupancy automatically drops below 50% because people find alternative ways to watch it.

"Now, if it's also playing on television, it's definitely going to affect the business even more.'

Atrium Cinemas, Managing Director Nadeem Mandviwalla feels the situation is nothing new. "Of course, the business is going to be affected, but it already happens anyway because of the DVD shops selling pirated versions of films," he said.

Press Trust of India

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'Raees', 'Kaabil' likely to hit theatres in Pakistan on Monday

How the Oracle of Omaha decides on breakfast

HBO documentary reveals little known facts about self-made billionaire Warren Buffett

Every morning, billionaire Warren Buffett drives down to his office in Omaha, Nebraska in his 2014 Cadillac XTC. “One of the good things” along the way of the five-minute-trip, he explains, is the McDonald’s where he has breakfasts.

This is one of the opening scenes in HBO’s feature-length (90 minutes) documentary on 84-year-old Buffet, often called the ‘Oracle of Omaha’, because of the crowds of Berkshire Hathaway investors who come to listen to him holding forth on — quite aptly — money.

The documentary, Becoming Warren Buffett, directed by Peter Kunhardt, will debut on 30 January. A trailer can be seen on YouTube, featuring the scene of Buffett getting his breakfast from a McDonald’s.

Kunhardt has made a hand-off film, writes CNN, letting the billionaire tell his own tale, while including voices from his life and extraordinary career. “Those who watch the feature-length documentary will feel the richer for it,” according to the article.

Buffet, now worth about $67 billion, “took control of a small, struggling textile maker in 1965 and created a conglomerate now valued at over $400 billion — behind only Apple, Alphabet, and Microsoft. The stock is up more than 12,000-fold on his watch,” according to Barron’s.

The man is no less fascinating than the businessman — and the documentary is more personal than business, reports Reuters. Both Buffett and his siblings recall the influence of their parents on the future billionaire. Their mother was mathematically inclined and troubled by chronic headaches and would, at times, lash out at the children. Their father was idealistic and served in the US Congress.

One of the matters on which he seems quite forthcoming is “love”, claiming, according to the Reuters report: “It’s a very strange thing, love. If you try to give it out, you get more back. If you try to hang onto it, you lose it.”

The report also provides an insight into his relationship with his first wife, Susan. “Susie really put me together,” he says in the film. Kunhardt relies on Susan’s only televised interview, in 2004 with TV host Charlie Rose, to provide nuggets of information that only a spouse can provide.

“Physical proximity with Warren doesn’t mean he’s there with you,” says Susan in that interview.

His current wife, Astrid Menks, 60, also plays an important role in his life every day. The Latvian, who once worked as a cocktail waitress, decides what her husband will have for breakfast.

She “puts $2.61, $2.95, or $3.17 into a dashboard cup for him every day, and that determines what he orders at the [McDonal] drive-through,” reports Barron’s. “On that day, it’s $2.95, which means a Sausage McMuffin with egg and cheese. ‘The market is not doing so well today,” he says, ‘so I’ll pass on the $3.17 bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit.’ When he gets to the office, he washes it down with his favorite beverage, a Coke.”   

How the Oracle of Omaha decides on breakfast

HBO documentary reveals little known facts about self-made billionaire Warren Buffett

HBO documentary reveals little known facts about self-made billionaire Warren Buffett

Every morning, billionaire Warren Buffett drives down to his office in Omaha, Nebraska in his 2014 Cadillac XTC. “One of the good things” along the way of the five-minute-trip, he explains, is the McDonald’s where he has breakfasts.

This is one of the opening scenes in HBO’s feature-length (90 minutes) documentary on 84-year-old Buffet, often called the ‘Oracle of Omaha’, because of the crowds of Berkshire Hathaway investors who come to listen to him holding forth on — quite aptly — money.

The documentary, Becoming Warren Buffett, directed by Peter Kunhardt, will debut on 30 January. A trailer can be seen on YouTube, featuring the scene of Buffett getting his breakfast from a McDonald’s.

Kunhardt has made a hand-off film, writes CNN, letting the billionaire tell his own tale, while including voices from his life and extraordinary career. “Those who watch the feature-length documentary will feel the richer for it,” according to the article.

Buffet, now worth about $67 billion, “took control of a small, struggling textile maker in 1965 and created a conglomerate now valued at over $400 billion — behind only Apple, Alphabet, and Microsoft. The stock is up more than 12,000-fold on his watch,” according to Barron’s.

The man is no less fascinating than the businessman — and the documentary is more personal than business, reports Reuters. Both Buffett and his siblings recall the influence of their parents on the future billionaire. Their mother was mathematically inclined and troubled by chronic headaches and would, at times, lash out at the children. Their father was idealistic and served in the US Congress.

One of the matters on which he seems quite forthcoming is “love”, claiming, according to the Reuters report: “It’s a very strange thing, love. If you try to give it out, you get more back. If you try to hang onto it, you lose it.”

The report also provides an insight into his relationship with his first wife, Susan. “Susie really put me together,” he says in the film. Kunhardt relies on Susan’s only televised interview, in 2004 with TV host Charlie Rose, to provide nuggets of information that only a spouse can provide.

“Physical proximity with Warren doesn’t mean he’s there with you,” says Susan in that interview.

His current wife, Astrid Menks, 60, also plays an important role in his life every day. The Latvian, who once worked as a cocktail waitress, decides what her husband will have for breakfast.

She “puts $2.61, $2.95, or $3.17 into a dashboard cup for him every day, and that determines what he orders at the [McDonal] drive-through,” reports Barron’s. “On that day, it’s $2.95, which means a Sausage McMuffin with egg and cheese. ‘The market is not doing so well today,” he says, ‘so I’ll pass on the $3.17 bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit.’ When he gets to the office, he washes it down with his favorite beverage, a Coke.”   

Uttaran Das Gupta

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Vidya Balan one of the best actor in modern Indian cinema: Anupam Kher

Vidya has established issues like equal rights and lead of women actor in this industry, says Kher

IANS  |  Mumbai  January 28, 2017 Last Updated at 14:30 IST

"There is a myth that those who don't have any formal training also try to become an actor. People think that your acting ability isn't complete unless you take training. However, Vidya is an amazing actress.

"She is one of those rare actresses who learnt the craft while doing it. Before the film starts, her preparation at home is something like the way a professionally trained actor does. That's why she is one of the best actresses we have in modern Indian cinema," he said during media interaction at his acting school on Friday.

"That is what we say self-learning. Acting is the only field where students and teachers both can learn. The most amazing thing in Vidya is her capability of trying to understand and deliver. She is more of a natural actress," he added.

The "Khosla ka Ghosla" actor thinks through her films like "The Dirty Picture" and "Kahaani", Vidya has established issues like equal rights and lead of women actresses in this industry.

Kher, 61, feels proud about ex-students Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan who got their training at Anupam Kher's acting school.

"Obviously those who have made their mark and became a star I feel proud of them. Deepika had done a full diploma course while Hrithik and Abhishek did a special course," he said.

Vidya Balan one of the best actor in modern Indian cinema: Anupam Kher

Vidya has established issues like equal rights and lead of women actor in this industry, says Kher

Vidya has established issues like equal rights and lead of women actor in this industry, says Kher

"There is a myth that those who don't have any formal training also try to become an actor. People think that your acting ability isn't complete unless you take training. However, Vidya is an amazing actress.

"She is one of those rare actresses who learnt the craft while doing it. Before the film starts, her preparation at home is something like the way a professionally trained actor does. That's why she is one of the best actresses we have in modern Indian cinema," he said during media interaction at his acting school on Friday.

"That is what we say self-learning. Acting is the only field where students and teachers both can learn. The most amazing thing in Vidya is her capability of trying to understand and deliver. She is more of a natural actress," he added.

The "Khosla ka Ghosla" actor thinks through her films like "The Dirty Picture" and "Kahaani", Vidya has established issues like equal rights and lead of women actresses in this industry.

Kher, 61, feels proud about ex-students Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan who got their training at Anupam Kher's acting school.

"Obviously those who have made their mark and became a star I feel proud of them. Deepika had done a full diploma course while Hrithik and Abhishek did a special course," he said.

IANS

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Vidya Balan one of the best actor in modern Indian cinema: Anupam Kher

Bollywood unites to condemn attack on Bhansali in Jaipur

Film industry has come together to condemn the attack on director Sanjay Leela Bhansali during the shooting of his directorial venture Padmavati in Jaipur calling it "appalling", "ridiculous" and "mockery of democracy".

Bhansali, was shooting for his new film in Jaipur's Jaigarh Fort, when he was assaulted by activists of a Rajput community group, Karni Sena, who also vandalised the set. Celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, Anushka Sharma, Rishi Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, Omung Kumar, Sudhir Mishra, Alia Bhatt, Hrithik Roshan and Sonam Kapoor took to social media to vent their anger over the incident.

"Thoughts of what has transpired with Sanjay Bhansali today are just not leaving me!! Feeling helpless and angry!! This cannot be our future! Attacking a filmmaker and his right to free voice is no answer. So called historian and moral police! Disgusting!" Johar tweeted.

The filmmaker, who recently faced the ire of a right wing organisation during the released of his film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, said, "No member of our industry should be silent on this matter It's calls for unity and NOT selective indifference."

Kashyap also exhorted the industry to unite.

"Can once the whole film industry come together and take a stand, and refuse to be a pony that all bullshit and bullshitters ride on?

"At the same time Shame on you Karni Sena, you make me feel ashamed to be a Rajput.. Bloody spineless cowards...," he said.

Priyanka, who worked with Bhansali in Bajirao Mastani, said she is "saddened" by the whole incident.

"It's appalling to hear what happened to Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I'm so saddened. Violence is not what our forefathers taught you," she wrote.

Hrithik said he is "enraged".

"Did random people enter another person's workplace and raise their hand on him because they decide they don't like what he does? I am enraged! Mr Bhansali , Sir. I stand with you. This is so infuriating," the Guzaarish actor tweeted.

Farhan also urged the industry people to unite and give it back to the "vulgar display of self righteousness".

"My fellow film folk, if we do not unite now against these recurring incidents of bullying, it's going to get much worse. If you don't like what he's making, don't watch his film. What's with the violence?? Apart from a vulgar display of self righteousness," he wrote.

Gowariker tweeted, "Shocking! Appalling!! Despairing!!! And still, we shall not stop making what we want to!! Sanjay stay strong! I am with you! Padmavati."

Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) also condemned the attack and requested the government to take immediate action.

"Condemning the attack on its member Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Directors IFTDA appeals to the Central and state government to provide full security to him," the official IFTDA page posted.

Sudhir Mishra tweeted, "Our dignity has been violated. The entire film industry must stand with Sanjay and demand that every member of this goon squad should be arrested!

"Just got the news on what has happened on the Padmavati set. This is mockery of democracy. My full support to Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the crew," actor Arjun Rampal said.

Anushka wrote, "Appalled and horrified by what happened on Sanjay Leela Bhansali set. No amount of difference of opinion or disagreement justifies this pathetic behaviour."

Veteran producer-director Ram Gopal Varma expressed angst against the government for not ensuring safety of artists.

"Narendra Modi, I don't know when ur ache din will come but Bhansali incident makes me feel India's days going back to heights of burey din. Bhansali is an artiste and if any country cannot protect its artistes from street hooligans it doesn't deserve to be called a country," he tweeted.

President of the Film and Television Producers Guild of India Mukesh Bhatt said, "The most unfortunate thing is that we filmmakers and creative artistes live in a house of glass. We are always scared that anyone can come and hit a stone and nothing will be done about it. There is nothing done for our protection."

"My Brother Nikhil" helmer Onir said, "It is unacceptable how often the entertainment industry is targeted by these violent idiots who go scot free. Sign of progress!!! Padmavati."

"What happened on Padmavati sets is appalling and heinous. Is this the state of the world," Sonam tweeted.

Nimrat Kaur wrote, "Utterly shocked and sickened to see some so called citizens of this country stoop to such horrifying audacities. Huge shame. I stand by Sanajy Leela Bhansali."

Preity Zinta tweeted, "Sad to see how people have become today. Violence is never the medium for communication. There are others ways to make a point. Sanjay Bhansali.

"What happened on the sets of Padmavati is ridiculous. There is such a thing as creative freedom and cinematic license," actress Alia Bhatt said.

Veteran actor Rishi Kaporo said he is with the filmmaker, "How do you take justice in your hands without knowing what the facts are. Shameful! So much for Karni Sena's reputation. With you Sanjay!".

"Cowards attacked Sanjay Leela Bhansali without knowing the truth. Want to see people punished for vanadalism. Zero tolerance for goons," Richa Chadha tweeted.

"Sarbjit" director Omung said, "Appalled by this incident with Sanjay sir. The whole industry has to come together to give it back to these idiots."

"Raees" helmer Rahul Dholakia wrote, "You're Next ! Bollywood stand up Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

"What happened on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's set is absolutely deplorable. I stand by Sanjay Leela Bhansali: Over to you Rajasthan Police - Do the right thing," Riteish Deshmukh wrote.

Sushant Singh Rajput wrote, "We would suffer till the time we're obsessed with our surnames. If you're that courageous, give us your first name to acknowledge. Padmavati."

Nikkhil Advani wrote, "Not enough to condemn. As fellow director/producer/film-maker/member please let us know what action will be taken. I stand by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. You could be next!!! Film Industry Unite. I stand by Sanjay Leela Bhansali."

Athiya Shetty wrote, "Shocked and disgusted. What has the world come to? Art was always meant to have no rules."

Harshvardhan Kapoor tweeted, "This is unbelievably sad and so uncalled for, hope the guilty are punished."

Bollywood unites to condemn attack on Bhansali in Jaipur

Bhansali was shooting for Padmavati when he was assaulted by activists of a Rajput community group

Bhansali was shooting for Padmavati when he was assaulted by activists of a Rajput community group

Film industry has come together to condemn the attack on director Sanjay Leela Bhansali during the shooting of his directorial venture Padmavati in Jaipur calling it "appalling", "ridiculous" and "mockery of democracy".

Bhansali, was shooting for his new film in Jaipur's Jaigarh Fort, when he was assaulted by activists of a Rajput community group, Karni Sena, who also vandalised the set. Celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, Anushka Sharma, Rishi Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, Omung Kumar, Sudhir Mishra, Alia Bhatt, Hrithik Roshan and Sonam Kapoor took to social media to vent their anger over the incident.

"Thoughts of what has transpired with Sanjay Bhansali today are just not leaving me!! Feeling helpless and angry!! This cannot be our future! Attacking a filmmaker and his right to free voice is no answer. So called historian and moral police! Disgusting!" Johar tweeted.

The filmmaker, who recently faced the ire of a right wing organisation during the released of his film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, said, "No member of our industry should be silent on this matter It's calls for unity and NOT selective indifference."

Kashyap also exhorted the industry to unite.

"Can once the whole film industry come together and take a stand, and refuse to be a pony that all bullshit and bullshitters ride on?

"At the same time Shame on you Karni Sena, you make me feel ashamed to be a Rajput.. Bloody spineless cowards...," he said.

Priyanka, who worked with Bhansali in Bajirao Mastani, said she is "saddened" by the whole incident.

"It's appalling to hear what happened to Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I'm so saddened. Violence is not what our forefathers taught you," she wrote.

Hrithik said he is "enraged".

"Did random people enter another person's workplace and raise their hand on him because they decide they don't like what he does? I am enraged! Mr Bhansali , Sir. I stand with you. This is so infuriating," the Guzaarish actor tweeted.

Farhan also urged the industry people to unite and give it back to the "vulgar display of self righteousness".

"My fellow film folk, if we do not unite now against these recurring incidents of bullying, it's going to get much worse. If you don't like what he's making, don't watch his film. What's with the violence?? Apart from a vulgar display of self righteousness," he wrote.

Gowariker tweeted, "Shocking! Appalling!! Despairing!!! And still, we shall not stop making what we want to!! Sanjay stay strong! I am with you! Padmavati."

Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) also condemned the attack and requested the government to take immediate action.

"Condemning the attack on its member Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Directors IFTDA appeals to the Central and state government to provide full security to him," the official IFTDA page posted.

Sudhir Mishra tweeted, "Our dignity has been violated. The entire film industry must stand with Sanjay and demand that every member of this goon squad should be arrested!

"Just got the news on what has happened on the Padmavati set. This is mockery of democracy. My full support to Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the crew," actor Arjun Rampal said.

Anushka wrote, "Appalled and horrified by what happened on Sanjay Leela Bhansali set. No amount of difference of opinion or disagreement justifies this pathetic behaviour."

Veteran producer-director Ram Gopal Varma expressed angst against the government for not ensuring safety of artists.

"Narendra Modi, I don't know when ur ache din will come but Bhansali incident makes me feel India's days going back to heights of burey din. Bhansali is an artiste and if any country cannot protect its artistes from street hooligans it doesn't deserve to be called a country," he tweeted.

President of the Film and Television Producers Guild of India Mukesh Bhatt said, "The most unfortunate thing is that we filmmakers and creative artistes live in a house of glass. We are always scared that anyone can come and hit a stone and nothing will be done about it. There is nothing done for our protection."

"My Brother Nikhil" helmer Onir said, "It is unacceptable how often the entertainment industry is targeted by these violent idiots who go scot free. Sign of progress!!! Padmavati."

"What happened on Padmavati sets is appalling and heinous. Is this the state of the world," Sonam tweeted.

Nimrat Kaur wrote, "Utterly shocked and sickened to see some so called citizens of this country stoop to such horrifying audacities. Huge shame. I stand by Sanajy Leela Bhansali."

Preity Zinta tweeted, "Sad to see how people have become today. Violence is never the medium for communication. There are others ways to make a point. Sanjay Bhansali.

"What happened on the sets of Padmavati is ridiculous. There is such a thing as creative freedom and cinematic license," actress Alia Bhatt said.

Veteran actor Rishi Kaporo said he is with the filmmaker, "How do you take justice in your hands without knowing what the facts are. Shameful! So much for Karni Sena's reputation. With you Sanjay!".

"Cowards attacked Sanjay Leela Bhansali without knowing the truth. Want to see people punished for vanadalism. Zero tolerance for goons," Richa Chadha tweeted.

"Sarbjit" director Omung said, "Appalled by this incident with Sanjay sir. The whole industry has to come together to give it back to these idiots."

"Raees" helmer Rahul Dholakia wrote, "You're Next ! Bollywood stand up Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

"What happened on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's set is absolutely deplorable. I stand by Sanjay Leela Bhansali: Over to you Rajasthan Police - Do the right thing," Riteish Deshmukh wrote.

Sushant Singh Rajput wrote, "We would suffer till the time we're obsessed with our surnames. If you're that courageous, give us your first name to acknowledge. Padmavati."

Nikkhil Advani wrote, "Not enough to condemn. As fellow director/producer/film-maker/member please let us know what action will be taken. I stand by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. You could be next!!! Film Industry Unite. I stand by Sanjay Leela Bhansali."

Athiya Shetty wrote, "Shocked and disgusted. What has the world come to? Art was always meant to have no rules."

Harshvardhan Kapoor tweeted, "This is unbelievably sad and so uncalled for, hope the guilty are punished."

Press Trust of India

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Bollywood unites to condemn attack on Bhansali in Jaipur

The Ghazi Attack: India's first underwater, war-at-sea film

The film depicts the story of the sinking of Pakistani attack submarine, PNS Ghazi in the 1971 war

In 2013, Sankalp Reddy, then a young assistant director in the Telugu film industry, visited INS Kursura in Visakhapatnam. The Kalvari-class diesel-electric attack submarine of the Indian Navy had been converted into South Asia’s first submarine museum after its decommissioning. Among the many stories he heard there was one about the mysterious sinking of PNS Ghazi, Pakistan Navy’s first fast-attack submarine, near India’s eastern coast during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.  PNS Ghazi, the story goes, had sailed out of the Karachi harbour on November 14, 1971, ...

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The Ghazi Attack: India's first underwater, war-at-sea film

CHESS#1236

Adhiban's play has been a revelation

Ten rounds into the Tata Steel Chess tournament, Wesley So has cemented a lead with 7 points. America's #2 is now the world #3 and he’s unbeaten so far, with wins versus P Harikrishna, Richard Rapport, Loek Van Wely and Radoslaw Wojtaszek. Second place is shared by a huge pack comprising Levon Aronian, Magnus Carlsen, Sergei Karjakin, Wei Yi, and Pavel Eljanov (all 6). Baskaran Adhiban (5.5) is seventh while Harikrishna (5) shares 8th-9th with Anish Giri (5).    So’s solidity indicates that the fantastic results of last year were not just the product of a ...

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CHESS#1236

19 years of a sibling rivalry

Serena has been the most prolific Grand Slam winner after age 30 in tennis history

The sibling rivalry, at least on the tennis tour, started right here at the Australian Open for the Williams sisters.

It was 1998, and older sister Venus beat younger sister Serena, 7-6 , 6-1, in a second-round match that — as intrusive as it felt to watch — surely drew more attention than any second-round match in history between a pair of Australian Open debutantes.

The fascination in their dynamic and their futures was there from the start in Melbourne Park, known then as Flinders Park when it had only one stadium with a retractable roof instead of three. A picture of Venus consoling Serena after the match was on the front page of The New York Times.

Though it would be tempting to label their Australian Open final on Saturday as a full-circle moment and to speculate that it might be their last meeting at this late a stage of a Grand Slam tournament, it seems best to resist the temptation.

Williams sisters

The Williams sisters have taught us a lot about the limits of conventional tennis wisdom through the years. And so, even if 19 years have passed and Serena is now 35 and Venus 36, it is wise to avoid fencing them in again after they have run roughshod over so many other preconceptions.

“I watched Venus today celebrating after she won the semifinal like she was a 6-year-old girl, and it made you want to cry for joy just watching her,” said Marion Bartoli, a former Wimbledon champion. “Such a powerful image, and it makes you think about all those questions she was getting: “When are you retiring? Have you thought about retiring? How much longer?”

“You must let the champions decide when the right moment comes.”

The Williamses are both great champions, even if Serena is clearly the greater player with her 22 Grand Slam singles titles and her long run at No. 1, a spot she can reclaim from Angelique Kerber with a win Saturday.

Serena has been the most prolific Grand Slam winner after age 30 in tennis history, and she is back in rare form again after another extended break at the end of 2016. She disconnected completely from the game and physical training initially and had to push hard to get back in shape in November and December.

It worked. She has not dropped a set here despite a challenging draw, nor has she even been pushed to a tiebreaker. Newly engaged to the American technology entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, who has watched her matches from the players box, and seemingly refreshed, Serena deserves to be the favourite to win her 23rd major singles title and break her tie with Steffi Graf for the highest total in the Open era.

In this tournament, Serena has beaten two former members of the top 10 — Belinda Bencic and Lucie Safarova — and one current member, the in-form No. 9 seed Johanna Konta. Venus’s draw has been soft by comparison, devoid of top 10 players — past or present — and including only one seeded player: No. 24 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

On Thursday, she had to scrap and come back to win, 6-7 , 6-2, 6-3, against the powerful unseeded American CoCo Vandeweghe, while Serena cruised past the unseeded Croat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, 6-2, 6-1.

Serena, who already holds a 16-11 edge over her sister, could be the fresher player, too, on Saturday. But the psychology remains complex and the fallout unpredictable, even after all these years.

“When I’m playing on the court with her, I think I’m playing the best competitor in the game,” Venus said. “I don’t think I’m chump change either, you know. I can compete against any odds. No matter what, I can get out there, and I compete.”

They have not played since the 2015 United States Open, when Serena won, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3, in a quarterfinal in which Venus attacked, often successfully, from the start but had no answer in the end for Serena’s ultimate weapon: her first serve.

It was an intense match in which the big crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium seemed more reflective than fully engaged; one in which Serena’s celebration was understandably subdued with her sister across the net, even if their matches are no longer the awkward, constricted affairs of their early years.

Saturday’s final in Melbourne could be intriguing on multiple levels, in part because of the Australian public. Venus is viewed here, as elsewhere, as a sympathetic figure: the older sister who has handled the younger’s greater tennis success unselfishly and with dignity. And though both sisters have had to cope with major health problems and family tragedy, with the murder of their half sister Yetunde Price in 2003, Venus is the one whose tennis fortunes dipped more dramatically.

Christopher Clarey: 19 years of a sibling rivalry

Serena has been the most prolific Grand Slam winner after age 30 in tennis history

Serena has been the most prolific Grand Slam winner after age 30 in tennis history

The sibling rivalry, at least on the tennis tour, started right here at the Australian Open for the Williams sisters.

It was 1998, and older sister Venus beat younger sister Serena, 7-6 , 6-1, in a second-round match that — as intrusive as it felt to watch — surely drew more attention than any second-round match in history between a pair of Australian Open debutantes.

The fascination in their dynamic and their futures was there from the start in Melbourne Park, known then as Flinders Park when it had only one stadium with a retractable roof instead of three. A picture of Venus consoling Serena after the match was on the front page of The New York Times.

Though it would be tempting to label their Australian Open final on Saturday as a full-circle moment and to speculate that it might be their last meeting at this late a stage of a Grand Slam tournament, it seems best to resist the temptation.

Williams sisters

The Williams sisters have taught us a lot about the limits of conventional tennis wisdom through the years. And so, even if 19 years have passed and Serena is now 35 and Venus 36, it is wise to avoid fencing them in again after they have run roughshod over so many other preconceptions.

“I watched Venus today celebrating after she won the semifinal like she was a 6-year-old girl, and it made you want to cry for joy just watching her,” said Marion Bartoli, a former Wimbledon champion. “Such a powerful image, and it makes you think about all those questions she was getting: “When are you retiring? Have you thought about retiring? How much longer?”

“You must let the champions decide when the right moment comes.”

The Williamses are both great champions, even if Serena is clearly the greater player with her 22 Grand Slam singles titles and her long run at No. 1, a spot she can reclaim from Angelique Kerber with a win Saturday.

Serena has been the most prolific Grand Slam winner after age 30 in tennis history, and she is back in rare form again after another extended break at the end of 2016. She disconnected completely from the game and physical training initially and had to push hard to get back in shape in November and December.

It worked. She has not dropped a set here despite a challenging draw, nor has she even been pushed to a tiebreaker. Newly engaged to the American technology entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, who has watched her matches from the players box, and seemingly refreshed, Serena deserves to be the favourite to win her 23rd major singles title and break her tie with Steffi Graf for the highest total in the Open era.

In this tournament, Serena has beaten two former members of the top 10 — Belinda Bencic and Lucie Safarova — and one current member, the in-form No. 9 seed Johanna Konta. Venus’s draw has been soft by comparison, devoid of top 10 players — past or present — and including only one seeded player: No. 24 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

On Thursday, she had to scrap and come back to win, 6-7 , 6-2, 6-3, against the powerful unseeded American CoCo Vandeweghe, while Serena cruised past the unseeded Croat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, 6-2, 6-1.

Serena, who already holds a 16-11 edge over her sister, could be the fresher player, too, on Saturday. But the psychology remains complex and the fallout unpredictable, even after all these years.

“When I’m playing on the court with her, I think I’m playing the best competitor in the game,” Venus said. “I don’t think I’m chump change either, you know. I can compete against any odds. No matter what, I can get out there, and I compete.”

They have not played since the 2015 United States Open, when Serena won, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3, in a quarterfinal in which Venus attacked, often successfully, from the start but had no answer in the end for Serena’s ultimate weapon: her first serve.

It was an intense match in which the big crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium seemed more reflective than fully engaged; one in which Serena’s celebration was understandably subdued with her sister across the net, even if their matches are no longer the awkward, constricted affairs of their early years.

Saturday’s final in Melbourne could be intriguing on multiple levels, in part because of the Australian public. Venus is viewed here, as elsewhere, as a sympathetic figure: the older sister who has handled the younger’s greater tennis success unselfishly and with dignity. And though both sisters have had to cope with major health problems and family tragedy, with the murder of their half sister Yetunde Price in 2003, Venus is the one whose tennis fortunes dipped more dramatically.

Christopher Clarey

Business Standard

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19 years of a sibling rivalry

A moment in the sunset

Call it the Sunset Effect. The more you suffer, the more attention you get

It is a small gift to come loose from your perspective, to find some strange delight in two minutes of someone else’s, someone sitting alone on a bench and silently smoking while pointing his camera at a heart-rendingly beautiful English sunset, at vivid golden colours slowly changing into a darkening sky, because he wants you to like the sunset as much as he does, or because he doesn’t want to watch it by himself, because it brings back memories of bygone days, of weird outfits relentlessly made fun of in school, of consistent (and creative) insults throughout school, and of ...

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A moment in the sunset

The look of vengeance

Demand naturally is higher in the run-up to any festive season or occasions

Cosmetic surgery to get back at a former flame or a plasma-infused facial? Ranjita Ganesan checks out a few bizarre beauty trends Revenge surgery Of all the ways to get back at an ex, this one quite literally is the most transformative. If cosmetic surgeons in India are to be believed, spurned lovers are beginning to land up at their consulting rooms with extreme requests. In the West they call this “revenge surgery”. While heartache drives a few to enhance their assets, others seek subtle facial tweaks such as eyebrow lifts or botox shots to spite former ...

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The look of vengeance

Punching below its weight

Raees is a mishmash masala flick that leaves Shah Rukh Khan dealing in just punchlines

Raees is the type of film where the protagonist emerges from behind clouds of dust, does back flips on top of a moving truck, and turns everyday objects such as hairgrips and geometric compasses into nifty weapons.  The Shah Rukh Khan-starrer pauses strategically for cheers from the audience, an audience that is willing to line up outside cinemas at 8.20 am on the day of release. With such commercial intentions affixed proudly on the sleeve, any chance of being a meaningful addition to the roster of gangster dramas is lost. What remains is a candyfloss crime movie. It ...

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Punching below its weight

Lahore at the crossroads

Ian Talbot and Tahir Kamran have produced an empathetic guide to a remarkable city

Shyam Saran  January 27, 2017 Last Updated at 23:43 IST

In their brief introduction to Lahore in the Time of the Raj,  authors Ian Talbot and Tahir Kamran point to the dichotomies that mark most colonial cities in the Indian sub-continent — the confused and congested sprawl of the old and native city and the ordered elegance and manicured spaces of the new colonial city with landmarks that are familiar in every such city. These include the Civil Lines where most of the civilian bureaucracy lived and worked; the Cantonment that housed the military units with separate quarters for the colonial masters and the natives; the inevitable ...

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Lahore at the crossroads

Nordic outing

Expedition through Iceland takes a group of adventure-seekers over glaciers, mountains, lava fields

The wind howled. Hailstones the size of cricket balls fell from the sky. Inside the Toyota, modified to navigate Iceland’s dramatic landscape that is characterised by glaciers, volcanoes, geysers and lava fields, Manish Vij and his friends waited for the storm to subside. The blizzard had briefly interrupted the journey of the first-ever all-Indian crew on a self-driving road trip through Iceland. All five vehicles in the convoy, include the one Vij was driving, had come to a halt. Manish Vij, CEO, Smile Vun Group As the minutes ticked by, Vij’s ...

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Nordic outing

Computers in the classroom

Schools without internet access are given DVDs of the software

As government school classrooms go, this room in the Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya near Delhi’s Thyagaraj Stadium is strikingly different. Instead of a blackboard, it has a projector and a screen. The teacher wields a mouse instead of chalk. The students have no notebooks — instead their digitised Class VI English textbook is on the screen. However, what makes this classroom unusual is the enthusiastic class participation. All 35 hands go up whenever the teacher asks a question, and when it is their turn to read from the text, all 35 voices rise in high-pitched unison. ...

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Computers in the classroom

The explosion at sea

The Ghazi Attack is India's first underwater, war-at-sea film

In 2013, Sankalp Reddy, then a young assistant director in the Telugu film industry, visited INS Kursura in Visakhapatnam. The Kalvari-class diesel-electric attack submarine of the Indian Navy had been converted into South Asia’s first submarine museum after its decommissioning. Among the many stories he heard there was one about the mysterious sinking of PNS Ghazi, Pakistan Navy’s first fast-attack submarine, near India’s eastern coast during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.  PNS Ghazi, the story goes, had sailed out of the Karachi harbour on November 14, 1971, ...

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The explosion at sea

The happiness of being

An exhibition of Ram Kumar's landscapes reveals his artistic trajectory

There is now scientific proof that doing what you love can add years to your life, and Ram Kumar is living proof of that. In December 2016, the nonagenarian held an exhibition of 73 works and released a book alongside. Barely a month later, he’s holding an exhibition of his recent works in New Delhi.  There are two parts to the exhibition. The first are his recent works on canvas. Unlike his usual paintings, these are colourful, abstract landscapes, done in shades of yellow, green, red and brown. The earthy, mountainous landscapes have a sense of movement and flight, ...

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The happiness of being

Coder boys

Two sixth-graders from Bengaluru are building a virtual voice assistant

Nikita Puri  January 27, 2017 Last Updated at 23:11 IST

In Mrinal Jain’s room, his mother holds up what looks like an open electrical circuit on wheels. “This was a Bluetooth-enabled car I programmed in a way that you could control it using a cell phone,” says Jain as he gazes at the piece lovingly. Now dysfunctional, wires sprout out from it in all directions.  “I am going to modify it in such a way that it’ll move on a black line drawn on the floor,” he says. Jain’s interest in robotics is only parallel to his new-found love for coding, a passion he shares with his friend and classmate, ...

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Coder boys

Queen of arts

In its ninth edition, India Art Fair gets bigger and more experimental

A fresh segment on vernacular art, focus on the new generation of young collectors from South Asia, extensive indoor and outdoor projects and the return of the popular film programme — the ninth edition of India Art Fair promises all this and more.  M F Husain’s Mithuna, presented by KNMA This year, the focus is firmly on South Asia’s ability to look inwards and have a dialogue within itself. “Renu Modi’s Tale of Two Cities is an interesting example of this,” says Neha Kirpal, the fair’s founding director. ...

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Queen of arts