Sujit Mahamulkar & Bella Jaisinghani | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; September 10, 2020)

Mumbai: Kangana Ranaut landed in Mumbai on Wednesday, bearing an arsenal of tweets against chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and BMC which kept circulating in social media through the day. She also posted videos of the demolition of unauthorised extensions in her bungalow, quoted the Bombay high court stay order in her favour, and questioned the silence of “fancy feminists, Bullywood activists, candle march groups and award vapsi gang” which have “no comments on what High Court said about open murder of law and order in Maharashtra”. “Well done, thank you for proving me right always, you all deserve the treatment you get from me," she tweeted.

“Such is the wheel of life. Remember time does not remain the same forever. In fact, I feel you have obliged me. I am now feeling what Kashmiri Pandits must have felt. I will make a film on Ayodhya as well as on Kashmir,” she went on.

At the airport, when she landed, Shiv Sena activists, most of them ground staff of the airport authority, had organised a protest, sources said. With saffron and even black flags, displaying placards with a message condemning the actress over her remarks, they shouted slogans against her. There were also a few from the Republican Party of India (A) and Karni Sena who had gathered in support of her.

Union minister Ramdas Athawale had declared that his RPI workers would provide protection to Kangana during her stay in Mumbai. The sloganeering went on for 40-45 minutes. However, all activists dispersed after they realised she had left the airport through another exit amid police protection.

Earlier, images of her at Chandigarh airport surrounded by a phalanx of security guards drew howls of dismay and cheers in equal measure on social media. Many lamented “wastage of taxpayer money” while others drew comparisons with similar favours done by previous dispensations. The actor was granted Y-Plus security by the Union home ministry in the light of the present controversy.

As for her tweets, they continued intermittently through the day. She said no due process was followed by the BMC in its actions and that the demolitions at her bungalow had damaged her furniture. “Paid sources of Maha government are spreading fake info, BMC never sent any notice to me until yesterday, in fact I got all the documents cleared myself from BMC for renovations. @mybmc at least have the courage to stand by your audacity. Why lie now,” she said.

She claimed a notice against another property owned by her “was not just to me but to entire building... this is not my flat issue but a building issue which builder needs to deal with... this building belongs to Sharad Pawar we bought the flat from his partner so he is answerable for this not me...”

BJP supporters rallied in her favour, some calling her a “lioness” that subdued the state,others offering to back her in her fight.
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BJP slams Maha govt, CM for demolition, calls it vindictive act, case of intolerance

New Delhi: Senior BJP functionaries, including Union ministers, on Wednesday slammed the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government over razing of some “illegal alterations” at the bungalow of actress Kangana Ranaut in Mumbai, calling it an example of “intolerance” and “vindictive action” against a woman who was not afraid of speaking the truth.

“An immoral, intolerant government which intimidates its people will perish on its own. A vindictive government can’t threaten its people for too long,” said water resources minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Senior BJP member and former general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal tweeted: ‘The foundations of truth can’t be shaken by hammers of lies’. BJP’s IT cell head Amit Malviya shared data about performance of the Uddhav Thackeray government, alleging how the “Mahaagadi” government’s priorities are misplaced.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Kangana lost a few bricks but the Thackeray government lost its reputation across the country. “One should ponder as if bricks are more valuable than reputation,” he added.

Party’s secretary Satya Kumar claimed BMC had not taken action against illegal constructions but action against Kangana was taken out of vendetta. “As per a Maharashtra govternment affidavit to Bombay HC, there were around 2.5 lakh illegal constructions in Mumbai, including small buildings to multi-storeyed apartment complexes. How many of them have been demolished, Uddhavji?” Kumar asked.

Riya Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; May 26, 2020)

On May 23, a couple of days after it was announced that domestic flights would resume from May 25, Himansh Kohli booked himself two tickets on one of the first Mumbai-Delhi flights. “I wanted to go home ever since the Coronavirus lockdown was announced, but I could not. I planned to travel via road, however, I wasn’t sure about the situation on the highway. Then I read that domestic flights were set to resume, and as soon as I got a notification that bookings were open, I booked my tickets.”

But his travel plans were uncertain till he actually boarded the flight since the Maharashtra government was still mulling over whether to allow air travel. “Till yesterday morning I wasn’t sure if I would be able to board the flight or not. There were no updates from the airline’s side as to whether my flight was cancelled or rescheduled. My flight was at 7 am, and I reached two hours early. There were flights being cancelled on the spot. My cousin was supposed to take a flight an hour before me, but her flight got cancelled at the last minute,” he says. Luckily, Himansh’s flight wasn’t cancelled and he managed to return home to Delhi yesterday.

With the rules at the airport quite strict, the actor says this travel experience was quite different. “We were asked to follow social distancing while queuing up at the airport’s gate. They checked our temperature and verified our ID. We had to show our printed boarding pass and get luggage tags from home. They also asked us to show the ‘safe’ certificate on the Aarogya Setu app. Some passengers also got medical certificates from their doctor,” says Himansh, adding, “The airport itself was quite empty. People were wearing masks and gloves and carrying sanitisers with them. Since it was the first day of flights resuming, people looked a little scared.”

The boarding process was also very different, says Himansh. “While earlier, passengers used to rush when boarding started and break the queue, now everyone was boarding and deboarding according to their row numbers,” he says, adding “Once inside the plane, everything looked just like before. However, there was no food provided; only a bottle of water. While lavatories were accessible, we were advised against using them. I had booked two seats for myself — the middle and window seats — to minimise contact with anyone. I understand it might seem wasteful, but our life is more important. I felt lucky and fortunate that I reached Delhi safely. My dad came to pick me up, but there were no hugs at the airport or at home. He also sanitised the car once we reached home, and everyone was like ‘Go, take a shower first.’ Since I came from another state, I will be in home quarantine willingly for at least 14 days.”

The actor’s wife, Sutapa Sikdar, is surprised that Babil was allowed to leave after a thermal check at the airport, no home quarantine was suggested
BOMBAY TIMES (March 20, 2020)

Yesterday, we had told you about Irrfan’s son Babil, who is studying in London, being unable to return home because of flight restrictions in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. His worried mother, Sutapa Sikdar, had taken to social media, seeking government’s intervention in the matter.

The family has finally heaved a sigh of relief with Babil reaching Mumbai in the early hours of Thursday. Sutapa was at the airport to receive him. Once again, she took to her social media account and wrote, “Thanks everyone for the prayers and wishes. Babil is back to India safely. Gratitude to all of you who offered help.”

She went on to add that her experience at the airport was deeply disturbing. Sutapa further wrote, “The flight was late over an hour. While I waited in the airport, I looked around and was aghast. Many had their masks like neck bands and all the hugs and kisses upon arrival made me swoon. I made such a fuss; I took two cars. I didn’t let my child sit in mine and didn’t hug him, was armed with my gloves and scarf so were both the drivers. In the airport, they did a thermal check and let him go. I was really surprised that at third stage in which India is, they did not suggest home quarantine. They made him fill a form with his phone number. I hope it’s not a formality. I will eagerly await for their call after couple of days to check on him. I felt stupid because I think my staff will be careless from now on and think I am mental. That when the govt is not thinking its dangerous, I am isolating my child in an empty flat (well equipped, though) for fourteen days. Because I had mugged up in childhood ‘saavdhani hati durghatana ghati’. Stay safe and take care at the cost of being called mental. And thanks for all the help! (sic)”
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Irrfan Khan's wife Sutapa tells mid-day how son Babil returned from UK amid COVID-19 outbreak, kept under self-quarantine for two weeks at their Madh Island residence
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 20, 2020)

It has been a frantic few days for Irrfan and wife Sutapa Sikdar, but last morning, the mother of two wore a broad smile as she welcomed son Babil at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Babil, who has been pursuing a bachelor's degree in film studies at the Westminster University in London, found himself stuck in the British capital as the United Kingdom braced for a partial lockdown while the Indian government issued travel restrictions amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

To bring attention to the plight of Babil and several other students in foreign countries, Sikdar, on March 17, had shared a post on Facebook that read, "As a mother, I am worried as hell, but I don't understand when the Indian government has been so good with other students, why [is] it not helping Indian students stuck in London? Let the students come back home, my earnest appeal to GoI. (sic)"

Her efforts bore fruit as Babil, 19, returned to India yesterday, and has since been quarantined at their Madh Island home. A source reveals, "Babil's flight was late by over an hour. After he was let out of the airport post the screening, Sutapa whisked him off to their Madh residence where he will be under self-quarantine for 14 days. They are taking the necessary precautions."

Talking to mid-day, Sikdar shares that the past few days have taken a toll on her emotionally. "We were panicking as we could not get in touch with the airlines' offices. It was a nightmare to book tickets to Mumbai. Thankfully, the British Airways helped Babil and we were told [on Wednesday] that he is flying back."

The relief in her voice is evident as she speaks about her elder son. "Thank God Babil has returned safely! [When in London], he was anxious but put on a brave front because he knew that I would be stressed otherwise. For now, we have kept him in home quarantine for 14 days. His classes will be held online."

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; October 18, 2019)

Elli AvrRam was spotted in a wheelchair at the Mumbai airport recently, leaving people worried about her health. The actress was on her way back from Delhi.

When we reached out to Elli, she told us, “I was fine the entire day. I had just finished my first dance act at a corporate event in Delhi, when I started feeling dizzy. Initially, I thought that maybe, I was dehydrated or my blood pressure had dropped. So, I took salt and sugar with water, but it didn’t help. I then became breathless and collapsed. I woke up at the hospital. All I could think of was, how do I quickly get well so that I can go back to performing the second act of my performance. I love my work, but I guess sometimes, we ignore what our body is trying to tell us.”

The doctor told Elli that exhaustion was the cause of her situation. Now back in Mumbai, the actress is resting it out for a few days. She concluded, "I have been told that there's nothing to worry. I am much better now.”

Engineering student Vikrant Patankar, the only fan who was able to meet the Hollywood filmmaker and the Twilight star at Mumbai’s international airport, shared his experience with Bombay Times
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; September 15, 2019)

Batman fans will be delighted to know that the next Dark Knight — Robert Pattinson — is currently in Mumbai to shoot his upcoming action thriller, Tenet, directed by Christopher Nolan. Known to be quite secretive about his work and travel, the director and his team arrived in Mumbai on Friday morning from Denmark for a 15-day schedule.

While a set is under construction close to a SOBO five star, we are told that the shoot is likely to begin tomorrow. Interestingly, former Batman, Christian Bale, was also in the city for a film promotion-cum-vacation in November last year.

Engineering student Vikrant Patankar, the only fan who met and clicked pictures with Nolan and his team at Mumbai’s international terminal on their arrival, shared his experience with Bombay Times. He said, “I tracked a Nolan fan forum online, which led me to a Danish website that had their flight details. I was the only one who landed at the airport, hoping to see them. I waited for an hour, but it was worth it as I not only got an autograph from Nolan, but also clicked pictures with his director of photography Hoyte van Hoytema (Oscar nominee for Dunkirk), and actors Robert Pattinson and John David Washington. Surprisingly, they took the general exit and not the VIP one at 7.40 am. It was strange that no one recognized them, and they walked out without any fuss. The team was polite and obliged for pictures. My day was made.” Vikrant’s pictures have gone viral on social media.

Bombay Times was the first to tell you about Christopher Nolan’s first ever visit to the city along with visual artiste Tacita Dean in March last year. Nolan, along with founder of the Film Heritage Foundation, Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, presented an initiative that supports the cause of film preservation and restoration during their stay here. Those familiar with Nolan’s work know that he has long been an outspoken champion of celluloid over digital, firmly committed to shooting on film. Tenet is reportedly one of Nolan’s most expensive undertakings to date and is set in the world of international espionage. Besides, John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki, the film also features Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kenneth Branagh, Clémence Poésy, our very own Dimple Kapadia and Michael Caine.

MUMBAI MIRROR (July 27, 2017)

After ringing in Valentine’s Day together in February and rubbing shoulders with British author Neil Gaiman at the Cannes Film Festival in May, Shruti Haasan’s Brit beau Michael Corsale descended in Mumbai on Wednesday to spend some quality time with his actress-girlfriend.

The 31-year-old actress, who recently wrapped up work on Sabaash Naidu, her first film with veteran actor-filmmaker father Kamal Haasan, was spotted arriving at the airport to pick up Corsale. The couple greeted each other with a hug before their car sped away into the night.

We hear the London-based theatre actor will be in the Bay till next Monday. While reports suggest that the duo had recently met with Haasan Sr, fuelling talk of an impending wedding, Shruti’s spokesperson denied it, saying, “There are no wedding bells here. They are just spending some time together as he is based in London and she shuttles between Chennai and Mumbai.”

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 9, 2017)

In a sea of airport looks that surface like clockwork every day now, a Michael Kors-clad Rani Mukerji stood out on Wednesday night and not just because her public turns have been too few and far in-between in the recent past. The actress, who was on her way to a brief family vacation with one-year-old daughter Adira, looked strikingly svelte in her satin jumpsuit with tan accents and effortlessly at ease in front of the flashbulb.

The 39-year-old actress was last seen on the big screen as a fiery cop in Pradeep Sarkar’s Mardaani, for which she had lost 13 kg, before entering marital bliss with filmmaker Aditya Chopra in April, 2014. The couple welcomed daughter Adira in December, 2015. After a family vacation in Europe late last year, Rani marked the New Year by throwing herself into prep for her comeback film with endurance training.

“She was extremely focussed and disciplined and never missed a single workout session, which made the road to weight-loss easier. On April 4, she was in picture-perfect shape for her first take,” a source close to the development told Mirror, adding that the actress has lost 20-25 kg in the run-up to her screen comeback. “Within a year, Rani is looking better than ever. She wrapped up her next film last Monday and has been enjoying her time back on set too. The film was shot entirely in Mumbai in a start-to-finish, 38-day schedule,” the source added.

Rani, who’s one of the few leading ladies among her contemporaries to immediately get back to work after pregnancy, was delighted that the crew made sure she had enough time with her daughter on the set and decided to throw them a surprise. “Rani got personalised products for each unit member and gifted them goodies from different luxury designers and popular labels as a gesture of gratitude,” the source added.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; May 12, 2017)

MUMBAI MIRROR (December 23, 2016)

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 22, 2016)

After four years in the industry and two memorable hits, Vicky Donor and Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Ayushmann Khurrana has managed to maintain a squeky-clean image, his younger brother Aparshakti who is waiting in the wings of stardom, seems to have already aced starry tantrums.

In the last week of October, Aparshakti who was to take a flight out of Mumbai, got into a scuffle with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) when they tried to stop him from entering a restricted area in the airport. He was frazzled because he had lost his baggage and began to argue, engaging in a fist fight with a CISF guard.

“He dashed into the restricted area but a few passengers caught him and he was arrested immediately by the Sahar Airport Police,” reveals an eye-witness on the scene.

Confirming the same, Baburao Mukhedkar, senior police inspector, Sahar police station, informed Mirror. “Aparshakti was sent into 24-hour remand for assaulting and threatening people in uniform.”

When his lawyer showed up, he told the police that he was an actor and Ayushmann Khurrana’s younger brother.

Ayushmann rushed to Aparshakti’s rescue, but, refusing to grant him any concessions, the cops made the actor-musician wait at the station for 30 hours before Ayushmann could post bail, apologizing profusely for his brother’s misbehaviour.

The Mumbai police has now filed a 50-page charge sheet which is going to be presented in court this week. “Aparshakti has been served notice and has to be present in court too. If found guilty, he may get a three-five year prison sentence,” informs a source close to the development.

Aparshakti who will be seen in a prominent role in Aamir Khan’s upcoming wrestling-drama Dangal, hosts a cricket show for a TV channel. The Chandigarh-born actor, who was a popular radio and television jockey in Delhi, had also captained the under-19 Haryana cricket team.

Last year, he began prepping for his Bollywood debut and has reportedly signed a couple of film projects. He was introduced to the industry by his actor brother.

MUMBAI MIRROR (December 21, 2016)

Following several rounds of speculations surrounding their current relationship status ­ the latest being that they had parted ways for good but remain good friends ­ allegedly formerly couple and co-stars, Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra were clicked by photographers on Monday morning as they exited the Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport. While sources insist that the duo was on different trips and happened to bump into each other at the airport, we'll just contend, for now, that a picture is worth a thousand words.