Over 1000 km north from Mumbai, a love story is causing a rebellion, albeit on screen. Quintessentially, Bollywood has been the stable of romances of all kinds for a huge part of the Indian audience. But it seems like the intimate, largely overlooked film industry of Jharkhand has delivered a story of love that its people can call their own: Sereng, a film in the Nagpuri language.

But the rousing success of the feature is significant not only because it’s a huge win for the local cinema, but also because it’s political and defiant, something mainstream Hindi cinema has strictly stayed away from, lest it receives the wrath of the country’s volatile political climate.

“We are planning to arrange select shows in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Goa,” director N P K Purshotam tells Sunday mid-day over a phone call. Sereng, which stars Vivek Nayak and Shweta Prajapati, registered the biggest ever opening week collection — Rs 10 lakh — for a film from the Jharkhand industry.

Released on May 8, the film has so far amassed Rs 25 lakh. It isn’t that the film industry hasn’t seen such acclaim before. In fact, the 2024 Hindi-Kurukh film Humans Of Loop earned a terrific response internationally, so much so that it entered the Oscars 2025 race in the best original screenplay category.

But what Sereng does is use something as commercial as a boy-meets-girl story to speak on all matters considered taboo. And with packed cinema halls, it only shows that the Jharkhand film industry has a voice that cannot be ignored anymore.

“Weeks ago, I had emailed Meenakshi Shedde [film curator] about my film and just a day before its release, I got an email from her that said she wanted to send the film to the Toronto International Film Festival [TIFF]. I have submitted it. Let’s see what happens,” he smiles.

A tribal girl, Maaghi Munda, migrates to Ranchi after surviving a tragedy and finds an unlikely companion in Seraj Ansari, a musician. The film explores the themes of displacement, women’s agency, and corruption, but a section is not able to move beyond the names of the lead characters — Maaghi Munda and Seraj Ansari. As Purshotam sees people walk out of theatres visibly moved by the film, he finds it hard to make sense of the word “love jihad” that some are attaching with it.

“When we released our visual assets, no one objected to anything. The romance between the two characters is in the trailer itself. But just before the release, a big group started calling for a boycott. I was shocked. When the film released, word-of-mouth was so strong that the second show was housefull. Many political leaders praised it. But those who hadn’t watched the film tried to create a narrative that I was showing love jihad. But there is no love jihad in the film. There’s a dream that the two characters weave of getting married to each other. The story shows the guy’s contribution to her evolution, and she wants to be with him. There are some propagandists, some adivasi leaders, who wanted to hog the limelight, hence claiming that the film was a negative influence on women,” he explains.

Puroshotam is unfazed, owing to his conviction in his creation. “I told these people to watch the film and then debate with me. But no one dared to do that. A Hindu nationalist leader, Bhairav Singh, who is a big face of RSS-BJP in Jharkhand, said that he would burn effigies after watching the film. After watching the film, he hugged both the actors and praised the film. In an interview, he said that the film should be sent for the Oscars, but added, ‘Seraj se bachke rahiye [Be wary of Seraj]’. He is repeatedly making that statement. So I told him, ‘The Seraj that you have seen might be different. But if my Seraj is not hurting you, then why are you saying all this?’”

What makes the filmmaker particularly happy is that the things he has achieved with this film are far greater than the controversy it finds itself in. For a man born in the small town of Simdega, who would borrow cameras from his friends to shoot for a day, and made his first short film in just Rs 60, Sereng is a big-screen expression of his socially conscious voice.

Seraj is shown as a Pasmanda Muslim. But this is not the first time that the director has brought in front under-represented communities. In his claim-to-fame short, Bandha Khet (2021), which he shot in his village with a Rs 500 budget, his protagonist belonged to a marginalized caste.

“When I screened the film in my village, I was asked by savarna people, ‘Why have you made a scheduled caste person as your hero?’ I don’t know how they look at this but, for me, it’s a character. I have always felt that cinema is a medium through which you can give a very strong message to society. My village falls under the red zone area. It is a huge area for the Maoists. I remember how the village used to be shut at least three days a week because of the Maoist movement. In Sereng, I have explored why a young person becomes a Maoist. There are job issues, internal conflicts, political conflicts, and outer interference. But when he turns into one, he criticizes it. He tells his sister, ‘Hum ek aise daldal mei phas gaye hain jahan se nikalna mushkil hai [I am stuck in a marsh which is difficult to escape]’,” he shares.

Sereng is Purushotam’s second feature after Dahleez (2022), which was removed from theatres within a week, “despite running housefull,” he says, “Because Yash Raj Films’ Jayeshbhai Jordar (2022) had arrived.” Now, it’s been almost a month, but Sereng continues its run in theatres.

After over a seven-year hiatus, singer-politician Babul Supriyo, currently serving as a Cabinet Minister in the West Bengal state government, has returned to Hindi music with the track Ankhiyaan, a collaboration with singer Shaan.

“Luckily, I got a chance to split my time between Mumbai and Kolkata. Shaan has been a great composer for a very long time. I keep hearing his work,” he says.

Revealing that earlier he was not allowed to sing due to his political career, he calls his return as “Babul 2.0”.

“Music is my passion and my better half. I resigned once in 2017 as I was not permitted to perform. Even my American tour was cancelled. But then, if given a choice, I would leave politics. I enjoy it, but it is very vitriolic, so I am trying to bring some music into politics,” he adds.

The 55-year-old entered politics in 2014 with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) before joining the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 2021.

Reflecting on his break from music, Babul says it wasn’t voluntary, adding that even at serious platforms, he was repeatedly pushed to perform. “No matter the speech, what made it to TV were the songs they made me sing, turning every appearance into an ‘entertainment quotient’,” he shares.

The singer-politician adds, “Our Prime Minister did not want me to continue singing because he felt it would dilute my position as a Union Minister, so I had to abide.”

However, the artiste credits West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allowing his return to music. “My CM promotes music. She has given me full liberty to do anything," he ends.

Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam superstar Mohanlal expressed regret Sunday over distress caused by political & social themes in his movie L2 Empuraan, sequel to Lucifer. His statement follows backlash over the film’s alleged portrayal of the 2002 Gujarat riots, leading Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to mandate 17 changes.

“As an artist, it is my duty to ensure that none of my films harbours animosity towards any political movement, ideology, or religious group,” Mohanlal wrote in a Facebook post. “I have come to understand that certain themes introduced in Empuraan have caused distress among many who care for me… We have collectively decided to remove such themes from the movie.”

However, CM Pinarayi Vijayan of CPM and opposition leader VD Satheesan of Congress defended Empuraan, condemning alleged efforts by Sangh Parivar to pressure changes to the film.

Vijayan, who watched the film Sunday, posted on social media: “I watched it amidst widespread hate campaigns unleashed by the Sangh Parivar and communal forces against the film, its actors, and its crew.”

The film, which released worldwide on March 27 and grossed over Rs 100 crore at the box office, has drawn sharp criticism from BJP and RSS members in Kerala. RSS-affiliated publication Organiser claiming some scenes were “purposefully designed to reinforce the image of Hindus as the primary aggressors during the 2002 riots”.

BJP’s Kerala unit president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said he would no longer watch the movie. “I had said I would watch Empuraan when I heard it was a sequel to Lucifer. But now I have come to know that the makers of the movie themselves have made 17 amendments and that the movie is undergoing re-censorship. I understand there were topics in the movie that disturbed Mohanlal fans and other viewers,” he wrote on Facebook.

“A movie should be watched as a movie. It can’t be seen as history. Also, any movie that tries to build a story by distorting the truth is doomed to fail. So, will I watch this sequel to Lucifer? No. Am I disappointed by this type of moviemaking? Yes.”

The CM accused Sangh linked groups of attempting to suppress the film for depicting historical realities. “The film references one of the most brutal genocides the country has seen... functionaries of BJP and RSS are issuing open threats. It is not a tribute to democracy when communalists can destroy a work of art and viciously attack artistes for taking a stand against communalism and depicting its horrors.”

Congress’s Satheesan accused RSS of attempting to distort history. “They believe that freedom of expression means the freedom to create narratives that favour them,” he said. “It is a sign of utter failure and cowardice. No matter how much one tries to cover it up, historical truths will always stand clear.”

Kochi: Central Board of Film Certification has ordered 17 changes to Malayalam movie "L2 Empuraan" starring superstar Mohanlal following backlash over its alleged portrayal of 2002 Gujarat riots.

The movie was released on March 27 and the filmmakers claimed it quickly crossed Rs 100 crore at box office. However, criticism from BJP and RSS members in Kerala erupted soon after its release.

RSS-affiliated publication Organiser accused the film of pushing a divisive narrative, alleging it was "purposefully designed to reinforce image of Hindus as primary aggressors during the 2002 riots".

The article also criticised Mohanlal, claiming that his participation in the project "betrays his loyal fan base".

CBFC's office in Kerala reviewed the film following intervention from central govt, according to sources. The board suggested edits and if the revised version is submitted by Monday, it is expected to be approved for screening in the following days.

The film's producers have agreed to the modifications. Producer Gokulam Gopalan said Saturday he had instructed director Prithviraj Sukumaran to make changes "if any scenes or dialogues in the movie had hurt anyone".

The controversy has sparked political reactions across party lines. Congress praised "Empuraan" for what they described as its depiction of the "reality behind Gujarat riots". Kerala unit of Congress wrote on X: "Like Grok, Empuraan has demolished the Sangh Varsity!"

While BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar initially wished success for the film on social media, several BJP and RSS functionaries later condemned it.

Sangh-linked organisations like Hindu Aikyavedi and Bharatiya Yuvamorcha criticised the Mohanlal-starrer. But BJP state secretary P Sudheer denied reports that the party's core committee discussed the controversy. Senior BJP politician M T Ramesh said: "Movies can be treated as films and there is no need for the party to oppose a movie".

New Delhi: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut found herself in the centre of a storm as Congress attacked BJP over her remarks calling for bringing back the three farm laws, which she withdrew on Wednesday. Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanded that PM Narendra Modi clarify his stand on whether he was opposed to Ranaut’s remarks or was “up to some mischief”.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that Ranaut be expelled by BJP if it did not agree with her remarks. In a post on X, Kharge said, “This time, poll-bound states, including Haryana, will give a befitting reply to insulting remarks, calling farmers ‘andolanjeevi’ and ‘parasites’, hurled by the PM himself in Parliament.”

BJP had rebuked Ranaut for her statement, forcing her to withdraw her remarks saying it was her personal opinion and did not represent the party’s position. On Wednesday, spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia distanced the party from Ranaut’s comments while rejecting her support for the laws.

He said BJP has not authorized Ranaut to make any such statement nor did her stand reflect the party’s views. Rahul said in a video, “BJP people keep testing ideas to see the reaction. This is what has happened, one of their MPs has talked about reviving the three black farm laws. Modi ji, you must clarify whether you are against this or you are again up to some mischief.”

New Delhi: BJP on Monday rebuked its Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut for her remarks on farmers’ protest and expressed strong disagreement with what she said. Rebuffing BJP’s damage-control effort, Congress demanded that it expel its “handpicked MP” for calling farmers “rapists and murderers” and the farm agitation a “foreign conspiracy” to destabilize India.

The actor sparked a controversy by suggesting that the farmers’ stir could have led to a “Bangladesh-like anarchy if not for strong measures taken by Modi govt”.

“The statement is not the party’s opinion,” BJP said, adding she was “neither permitted nor authorised” to comment on policies, and it was committed to social harmony.

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New Delhi: BJP on Monday pulled up its actor-MP Kangana Ranaut over her comments on the farmers’ stir even as Congress lashed out at the party demanding action against her. Stating that Ranaut has been asked to refrain from giving such statements, the party said, “BJP is committed to following the principles of sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas and sabka prayas, and social harmony.”

Ranaut, in a statement during the promotion of her upcoming movie, claimed, “Bangladesh-like anarchy could have taken place in India in the name of farmers’ protest. Outside forces are planning to destroy us with the help of insiders. If not for the foresight of our leadership, they would have succeeded.”

Sources said the BJP brass was unhappy with the remarks and Ranaut was immediately instructed that she should refrain from speaking without a mandate as the party has a system of authorizing representatives based on their expertise. There was a feeling in the party that her statement was not only “out of turn” but also against the spirit of BJP’s views on such issues as it had not made such remarks against farmers even when the agitation against the three farm laws was at its peak.

BJP’s statement cut no ice with Congress, which demanded that external affairs and home ministries issue clarifications on Ranaut’s claims that the US and China are seeking to create a Bangladesh-like situation in the country.

AICC spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said BJP cannot wash its hands off, while Randeep Surjewala raised the suspicion that the remark may be a script for BJP’s political polarization in the coming state elections. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said the “shameful anti-farmer statements” are a gross insult to the farmers.

“PM Narendra Modi’s policy of ‘I have not forgiven her from my heart’, as he had said about Sadhvi Pragya, will not work in 2024. He should make her apologize to the farmers or he should apologize himself,” Shrinate said. Congress said Modi should answer whether the country is so weak under him that foreign powers are able to orchestrate protests for destabilization. Shrinate said the PM should also explain steps undertaken in view of the threat from foreign powers that Ranaut has claimed.

Surjewala asked why does the BJP “hate the annadata” so much, and why the PM, Haryana CM and BJP MPs and MLAs were silent on the actor’s hurtful remarks about the farmers.

Actor-politician Shekhar Suman is willing to let bygones be bygones with actor Kangana Ranaut for the sake of “the greater good”. Stepping into his new role for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he is willing to forget the public fallout the Suman family had with Ranaut after his son, actor Adhyayan Suman had a breakup with her in 2008.

“Ideologically, we can work in tandem — we don’t have to work together,” says Suman, adding, “But yes, there is no rancour. Let’s be more human, rather than just holding on to the past. Things happen in the heat of the moment and then people go about doing their jobs. Let’s forget it.”

In addition to mending fences with Ranaut, the 61-year-old also plans to act as an “intermediary” between the political system and the film industry. “There is always a way around a problem. If there is a deficiency somewhere, some lack of understanding, I can be the bridge. I can try and bring about a sense of rationality,” says Suman, who was seen in Heeramandi.

Authorities raising objections to scenes in films or titles is common, and Suman hopes to help all parties involved reach the “middle point” in such situations. “The aim should be to solve the problem, and if you are wrong, then accept it without any hesitation. You have to raise your voice, but do it in amicably,” he says, adding that from the political POV, looking down on films for unfounded reasons is uncalled for. “The thing started with ‘They are druggies’, ‘There is nepotism’. That is not right! It is a part of it but it is a part of any profession. There are so many good people in the industry who are making fantastic films,” he wraps up.

Shekhar Suman is one of the latest actors to join the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). On Tuesday, he became a part of the same party as actor Kangana Ranaut, his son, actor Adhyayan Suman’s ex-girlfriend. She will be contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. 

During his induction into BJP at the party headquarters in Delhi, Shekhar was asked if he’d be open to campaigning for Kangana in Mandi. He told IANS, “Agar bulayengi toh kyun nahin jayenge? Yeh toh mera farz hai, aur haq bhi.” 

Kangana and Adhyayan met and fell in love while working for Raaz: The Mystery Continues (2008). The couple had an ugly split after a short period, with Shekhar alleging Kangana performed black magic on Adhyayan.

However, earlier this year, Shekhar extended an olive branch to Kangana in a Zoom interview, stating, “We are not holding on to anything at all. Not the family, not Adhyayan. It was a phase.”

The candidature of Arun Govil, 72, who is contesting the Meerut Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket, could be seen as an attempt to capitalise on the popularity of Ramayan—the TV show that created an inextricable association between the veteran actor and Lord Rama—and the sentiment surrounding it.

While it is interesting to see how political parties leverage cultural and religious symbols for electoral gains, the outcome of the Meerut contest could ultimately depend on various factors, including the political landscape, local issues and voter preferences.

When mid-day met Govil on Tuesday, he was campaigning at Rukanpur Morna. Scores of residents showered flowers on his convoy amid cries of Jai Shri Ram. He said, “Even if I was staying in Mumbai, Meerut is my janmabhoomi [birthplace] and I am proud that I got a chance [to fight the election to represent Meerut in Parliament].”

He added, “I had never thought I would be contesting an election from Uttar Pradesh. But I had my mind set on doing social work for the people. Recently, when I received a call from a senior leader informing me that I had to contest the election, I was happy and excited about getting a chance to work for the people and that too from my birthplace.”

Govil was nominated as the BJP’s candidate on March 25, 2024. Since then he has started going on road shows and rallies in the constituency as well as meeting voters in its urban and rural parts.

Govil denied playing the religious card, saying, “I am contesting as Arun Govil. If people associate me with the character I played in Ramayan, what can I do? Meanwhile, people are happy to see me as a candidate and I have seen them responding well to my campaign over the past few days. Even if people have seen me on TV, it’s my job now to reach out to them.”

Asked what he would do for the people of Meerut should he emerge victorious, Govil said, “Any work is done following the official procedure. I will too follow the procedure and will try to do the best for the people.” The veteran actor appealed to citizens to come out and vote. “I am getting support from the people and the election results will prove this,” he concluded.

The Meerut Lok Sabha seat has 12,16,940 voters as per the 2019 data. Since 2009, it has been represented by BJP’s Rajendra Agrawal. In the 2019 poll, Agrawal secured 5,86,184 votes. The runner-up was BSP’s Haji Yaqoob Qureshi. The winning margin was 4,729 votes.

A local BJP worker said, “This time, the candidates are Sunita Verma of the Samajwadi Party, which is in alliance with the Congress, while Devvrat Tyagi is contesting on a BSP ticket. Seeing the two candidates, it seems that the BJP has a good chance of winning as the votes will be split between the three allies.”

In 2014, Agrawal secured 5,32,981 votes while the runner-up, Mohammad Shahid Akhlak of the BSP, won 3,00,655. Asked whether the sitting MP was unhappy with his party giving a ticket to Govil, the worker said Agrawal had won thrice and had done good work. “He is happy that Govil got the ticket and has been part of his campaign from day one,” he said.

Sonu Goswami, a resident, said, “Govil’s chances of victory are high. As an actor, he made Meerut famous across the world. We want such leaders who are not chasing fame, but working for the welfare of the people. I hope he brings about a lot of change in Meerut in the coming years.”

Arun Govil, who became a household name after essaying the role of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s TV serial Ramayan, has started a new chapter of his career by entering politics. The actor is super charged up about his political inning and admits that he has not yet decided if he will quit acting for politics. 

The actor will be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Meerut (UP) as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate. At the moment, he is busy with the rallies in the city itself.

“This is a fresh inning of my career away from the acting world. And I am really excited about it,” the 66-year-old tells us, adding, “So far, the transition into this world has been smooth for me. It is happening really well. I am busy rallying in and around the city, while the party workers are looking after other things. So, it is not at all hectic for me.”

When it comes to his motivation to enter the field, he reveals it is all about public welfare. He says, “My decision to enter politics has been a sudden one. I was offered a ticket earlier too, but at the moment, I didn’t accept it because I had no intention of coming into it. This time, I followed my gut and took it.”. 

Further sharing his view, the actor shares, “The sole motivation is to serve the public. I have been doing it spiritually and culturally through Ramayan. But it was not one-to-one, which I will get to do now.”  Will he balance his acting career with his political ambitions, or have you decided to quit acting? “I have not thought about it,” he ends.

Cinematic controversies have given political groups the chance to indulge in a game of finger-pointing. Even as the Kerala government has strongly opposed the release of The Kerala Story, members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have given an impetus to cinephiles to catch the film on the big screen.

Recently, the city’s Huma Cinema in Kanjurmarg was booked by BJP’s Manoj Kotak for a free screening of the Adah Sharma-fronted offering. The event, organized along with the Ward 120 Vikroli Mahila Morcha, was attended by 300 women, who caught the tale of three young girls from Kerala who were abducted, forcibly converted to Islam, and subsequently radicalized.

Speaking to mid-day, Kavita Reddy of the Vikhroli Mahila Morcha said, “Each of us was asked to bring other women we were acquainted with. Because the screening fared so well, we plan to keep another special screening next week, at a different location. This movie isn’t entertainment; it is educational, and people should know about it.”

Post screening, attendees reportedly engaged in a discussion about the film’s themes, and their real-world implications. “Women should be educated and empowered about what is happening to their sisters across the world, and be prepared to handle themselves in any eventuality,” Reddy signed off.

Kochi: CPM state secretary M V Govindan on Tuesday alleged that the film ‘The Kerala Story’ was an attempt of BJP and RSS to poison the minds of the people.

The producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah rejected the allegations that the film is funded by BJP, saying they have “nothing to do with any political party” and anything spoken about the film without watching the film is “conjecture”.

Shah told this PTI over phone. “We will choose not to respond to any political party. We are filmmakers and we have nothing to do with any political party stand,” the producer added. The claim in the film’s first teaser, released last November, of 32,000 women from Kerala joining ISIS had set off a storm.

The Hindu Seva Kendra founder Pratheesh Viswanath had offered Rs 10 crores just to prove that no one from Kerala has gone to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The state general secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League’s wing Muslim Youth League, PK Firoz, said on Tuesday, that the filmmakers changed the film’s trailer just because of the strong opposition from Kerala against the Sangh Parivar’s propaganda. Lawyer and actor C Shukkur wrote on Facebook that he would give Rs 11 lakh to anyone who names at least 32 Kerala women who were converted, and then joined ISIS.

Later blogger K Nazeer Hussain also said he would “give Rs 10 lakh to anyone who can produce evidence that women were converted and forced to join the Islamic State”.

Manmarziyaan (2018) showed us that Anurag Kashyap, despite his affinity for noir films, is equally at ease when making a romantic drama. The filmmaker is giving the genre another shot with Almost Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat, starring Alaya F and Karan Mehta. In some ways, it is a classic Kashyap offering — through the inter-faith love story, the director wants to underline the current climate of hate.

Reflecting on how prejudice in our society runs deep, Kashyap says, “Earlier, we accepted each other’s belief systems and differences. Now, within [the divide of] religion, there is caste system. Within our caste system, there is gender prejudice, and then, there is discrimination on the basis of skin colour. So, the prejudice is never-ending. Now, it has come on social media. People have become vocal.”

At such a time, the director says that love and acceptance are the only crutches left to hold on to — a thought that the film bats for. “In these prejudiced times, we need love. It doesn’t mean the [romance] between a boy and girl; instead, it’s the general idea of love, which is acceptance. You don’t have to scream to fight the wrong. I have made this film for just one line: Mohabbat se hi toh kranti aayegi.”

The February 3 release also reflects the shift in his personal philosophy. The filmmaker, whose unfiltered opinions have almost always landed him at the centre of controversies, says he prefers acceptance over aggression today. “You should find a way to say things. [Also], I have stopped judging people. I neither judge someone who doesn’t speak up, nor do I judge one who has switched sides in order to survive. If you want a better world, you need to live long enough to be a part of it.”

The director is currently rooting for this week’s big release, Pathaan. “We want Pathaan to work big time,” he smiles. Shah Rukh Khan’s film comes after weeks of relentless boycott calls by BJP ministers. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked his party workers to refrain from making unnecessary comments on movies. What does Kashyap make of this development, after the industry tackled the Boycott Bollywood trend for months on end?

“They have been quiet after that. So, it has been effective. But we have paid a heavy price.”

New Delhi: Raising the ongoing controversy around Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s song 'Besharam Rang' from their latest movie Pathaan in the Lok Sabha, BSP MP Kunwar Danish Ali slammed those demanding a ban on the movie, saying the job of clearing films should be left to the Central Board of Film Certification.

As the Lok Sabha took up issues of urgent importance, the BSP MP from Amroha said many linked to the ruling party—the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—were demanding ban on the film claiming it has hurt Hindu feelings. He said similar demands have also been made by an ‘Ulema board’.

“It is a new trend, those in the government are demanding that the film be banned. . . Someone from Ulema board also said the Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone film should be banned,” Ali said.

“The job of banning movies should be left to the censor board. There are many artistes among our members. Sanatan Dharma is not so weak that it would be in danger due to someone wearing a colour... Nor is Islam so weak that a movie may hurt it,” said Ali.

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) lashed out at BJP after the CBI reportedly concluded that the death of Disha Salian, the talent manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, was an accident.

CBI sources, however, said they had not registered any case or carried out any specific probe into Salian’s death. Sources, however, said as part of the probe into Rajput’s death they had conducted some inquiry as she was his talent manager, but did not arrive at any conclusion.

Salian was found dead in June 2020 after falling from a high rise in Malad. Union minister Narayan Rane had claimed it being discussed that Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray, then a state minister, was involved in the case. Both Rane and his son MLA Nitesh Rane had claimed that Salian had been raped and killed.

When contacted, Aaditya Thackeray merely said, “I do not want to get involved in this dirty politics. I do not want to fall into this mud. The report is a response to those who made allegations.”

However, his party was combative. “BJP leaders and its women leaders should immediately ask for Aaditya Thackeray’s forgiveness. Why did they try to ruin the reputation of a young leader?” asked Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.

Sena leader Arvind Sawant said, “. . . They tried to destroy his [Aaditya’s] reputation. Now this is a slap in their face. Having said that, Salian’s death was sad and unfortunate.”

NCP leader Supriya Sule also spoke out. “Such low-level politics was never seen in Maharashtra. They tried to destroy a family. This kind of thing goes against Maharashtra’s culture.”

Leader of Opposition inthe state assembly Ajit Pawar, however, refused to comment on this issue. “I have not seen the CBI report. . . Let it make the report public, then I will comment on it,” he said.

BJP’s Nitesh Rane hit back and claimed evidence had been destroyed by the police in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime in the “master of all cover ups”. He tweeted, “I don’t blame CBI for its observations in the Salian case. CBI entered only after 72 days. From June 8, the cleanup was done so well with the help of the MVA government that by the time CBI entered, nothing much could be recovered.”

In March, Nitesh had told the state assembly that he had a pen drive containing statements from an eyewitness to Salian’s “murder”. He had said in the assembly, “The pen drive has an eyewitness who tells us that a state minister was involved. . . Salian was raped and killed.”

Mumbai: Latur-based BJP politicians Gurunath Mage and Pradeep More demanded a probe into the MIDC land allotment to Desh Agro Pvt Ltd, a firm controlled by Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh. Deshmukhs refuted the allegation and said the “allocation was in accordance with existing rules”.

According to Mage and More, the Deshmukhs applied for land on April 5, 2021. Their application was considered at an MIDC meeting on April 9; land was allotted on April 15. Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai was industries minister at the time. A total of 2,52,726 sq mts was allotted to Desh Agro, which paid Rs 15. 28 crore for it.

Mage and More said while the company’s share capital was Rs 7. 5 crore, it deposited Rs 15 crore with MIDC. Desh Agro was allotted a plot under the priority category while 16 other applications were still pending with MIDC in the same category, they said.

The firm had secured loans from the Pandharpur Urban Cooperative Bank and Latur District Central Cooperative Bank. The Pandharpur bank sanctioned Rs 4 crore, while the district cooperative bank sanctioned Rs 61 crore, and a second loan of Rs 55 crore.

The Deshmukhs have denied allegations of misconduct, saying there was nothing illegal in the allotment of land intended to be used for agri processing. Riteish Deshmukh, son of former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, said the firm had complied with the rules and intended to use the land to support agri industries to benefit farmers cultivating soyabean.

Mumbai: The BJP has demanded a probe into alleged out-of-turn allotment of a plot by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) to a Latur-based firm run by actor Riteish Deshmukh and his wife Genelia Deshmukh. The two are equal partners in the firm, Desh Agro Pvt Ltd.

“Entire land allotment process should be probed, since it appears that the MIDC has favoured members of the Deshmukh family,’’ Latur BJP president Gurunath Mage and vice-president Pradip More told media persons on Wednesday.

BJP said it secured information on land allotment, loans secured and other details of the company under the Right to Information Act. The actor is the son of the late Vilasrao Deshmukh, who held two terms as chief minister of Maharashtra. As per information released by Mage and More, the firm was set up on March 23, 2021 with Riteish and Genelia as 50:50 partners. It had applied to Latur MIDC for a plot on April 5, 2021, following which a meeting of the corporation was held in Mumbai on April 9.

On April 15, 2021, the plot measuring 2,52,726 sq meters was allotted at a rate of Rs 605 per sq ft. The firm deposited Rs 15.28 crores with the MIDC for it. BJP’s contention is that with a share capital of Rs 7.5 crores, the firm should not have been able to buy a plot for Rs 15. 28 crore. “MIDC allotted the plot under the priority category while 16 other applications are pending under the same category,’’ the BJP leaders said.

MIDC handed over the plot to the Deshmukhs’ firm on July 22, 2021, following which it applied on October 4, 2021 for a loan to Pandharpur Urban Cooperative Bank; it was sanctioned Rs 4 crore. On October 5, 2021, Latur District Central Cooperative Bank sanctioned Rs 61 crore, and later a second loan of Rs 55 crore. In all, the firm secured loans for Rs 120 crore.

“Deshmukh’s firm was allotted the plot out of turn. Against a share capital of Rs 7. 5 crore, it obtained a loan of Rs 120 crore. All these issues need to beprobed by an independent agency,’’ Mage and More said.

Responding to the allegations, Riteish said, “the plot has been accorded to my firm in accordance with the existing rules…allegations made by BJP leaders Mage and More are not based on facts. Desh Agro has been set up to help local farmers and strengthen agriculture-based industries. Soyabean processing and soyabean units will be set up on the plot, which has been allotted as per MIDC’s existing policy. ” He said the promoters have fully complied with rules and believe in social commitment. “Even financial assistance has been given to the firm as per provisions of law,” he added.

It seems like the journey of Om Raut’s Adipurush, featuring Prabhas, Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khan, has not started on a positive note. The period drama is being called out for its heavy use of CGI and VFX, which is apparently giving the movie an unrealistic look. Based on the epic Ramayana, the film stars Prabhas as Lord Ram, Khan as Ravana and Sanon as Sita. Recently, a teaser was released, and since then, it has been trending on social media for the overuse of visual effects.

As soon as it was questioned, NY VFXWaala, a studio founded by actor Ajay Devgn, released a statement, saying: “Leading VFX studio, NY VFXWaala, has clarified that they have not worked/are not working on the CG/special effects of Adipurush.”

A video of the film’s lead, Prabhas, visibly angry, has also surfaced online. He is seen asking Raut to come to his room, which has led to speculations that all is not well between them.

The movie is also running into troubled waters with people objecting over “misrepresentation” of the Ramayana. BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra threatened to take legal action against the makers, alleging that it is an insult to the Hindu religion. “The costumes and looks of Hindu deities as seen in the teaser are not acceptable,” Mishra told mediapersons.

Actor-politician Malavika Avinash also slammed makers for “misrepresentation” of the Ramayana. “The Ravana in the photograph that I see floating around is a guy who looks nothing Indian, who has blue eye makeup and is wearing a leather jacket,” she told ANI.

Actor Mukesh Khanna, who played Bhishma in BR Chopra’s TV show Mahabharat, said, “You call the film Adipurush, you may tell me that it is the story of a man from the Stone Age. Why do you have the title of Ramayan then?”

Amid the growing negativity, Raut defended this film. “I was disheartened, for sure, not surprised because the film is made for a larger medium — the big screen,” he was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

New Delhi/Kanpur: Standup comic Raju Srivastava, who made millions guffaw with his malice-free humour and whose perky observations of people and their foibles reflected an authentic slice of life in small-town north India, passed away on Wednesday morning. He was 58.

Kanpur-born Srivastava suffered a heart attack in the middle of his morning exercise in a gym on August 10. The actor collapsed on a treadmill and was rushed to AIIMS, where he underwent angioplasty and battled complications for 42 days. With his condition remaining critical, he was in the ICU. Srivastava acted in at least 25 films. But he revelled primarily on television and stage. He was among the first stand-up comics who became a star.

A versatile artist, Srivastava cracked jokes, mimicked celebrities and common people, danced un self-consciously and converted everyday situations into zesty social commentary.

His yarns and witticism often evoked memories and images of the milieu he grew up in. Srivastava occasionally also indulged in burlesque but his digs were never vitriolic. And he was a master at establishing rapport with the audience. Fans would refer to him as Gajodhar bhaiya, a character he played.

One of Srivastava’s more remembered works happened on the TV show, ‘The Great Laughter Challenge (2005)’, where he acted out how different members of a girl’s family behave during a wedding. The skit was a blend of everything his funny-face persona encapsulated: smart lines, perfect comic timing and uproarious acting. Dozens of such videos are available on YouTube; some have over 20 million views.

The actor was born in a middle-class family to a poet father and was named Satyaprakash Srivastava. He was a good mimic even as a child. “Raju would imitate teachers in school and copy Indira Gandhi, Dilip Kumar and Om Prakash. He was fond of taking part in cultural programmes on Independence Day and would be invited for commentary in local cricket tournaments,” recalled businessman and friend Gyanesh Mishra. Later, he would also do a fine imitation of Amitabh Bachchan, which would always draw peals of laughter.

In Mumbai, Srivastava landed small parts in superhits like ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’ (1989) and ‘Baazigar’ (1993). His song-based dialogue with Govinda in ‘Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya’ (2001) gave a glimpse of his talent.

With passing years, he got meatier roles in films like ‘Journey Bombay to Goa: Laughter Unlimited’ (2007). But the actor’s full comic range only came to the fore on TV, ‘The Great Laughter Challenge’ (2005), ‘Raju Haazir Ho’ (2008) and in the hundreds of live shows he performed on stage in India and abroad. He was also one of the contestants on ‘Bigg Boss’ Season 3.

Mishra also revealed that the actor would often aid the needy. “He financially helped two girls who had lost their parents to Covid-19. He would assist the sick whenever he came to Kanpur,” he recalled.

Srivastava was offered a ticket by Samajwadi Party to contest the Lok Sabha polls in 2014. He returned the ticket and joined the BJP. He was the current chairman of Film Development Council, Uttar Pradesh.

His death was widely mourned on social media. Among those who expressed their condolences and tributes on social media were a host of top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and actor Hrithik Roshan.

“Raju Srivastava brightened our lives with laughter, humour and positivity. He leaves us too soon but he will continue to live in the hearts of countless people thanks to his rich work over the years. His demise is saddening. Condolences to his family and admirers,” Modi tweeted.

Srivastava is survived by his wife Shikha and two children, Antara and Ayushman.

Isha Koppikar may have been in the industry for 20 years, but she says it is the kind of content coming out of production houses today that is exciting for working actors. Previously seen in the series, Fixerr, Koppikar is always in search of interesting projects that will release on credible platforms.

In her upcoming release, Abhay Nihalani’s political satire, Love You Loktantra, she plays a politician who aspires to become the chief minister. “I met Abhay ji, and after the narration, I was game for it. [Representation of politics in movies] is similar to the way it is in reality. Filmmakers try to match what happens in politics, off screen. A lot of real-life characters are being depicted on screen, whether in films or web series.”

She, however, adds that while “things are more serious” in politics, her film is a situational comedy.

Nihalani’s directorial venture isn’t the only one on Koppikar’s slate. She also has the web series, Surranga, in her kitty, which revolves around a true incident based on a bank heist. “The show has been so named because when the incident had occurred, some locals had broken into the bank through a tunnel,” says Koppikar, who plays a bank employee in the thriller. She also has the Tamil film, Ayalaan, up for release.

Even though the actor has been juggling several projects, she has her attention trained on her political duties as president of the Bharatiya Janta Party’s women’s transport wing. “I attend the political office once a week, especially when I’m in Mumbai, to understand what I can [do] for women in this area. Being a wife, mother, and woman who is involved in the hospitality business as well, I pick projects that are [worth my while].”