Cinema, Cricket And Politics Made For Each Other

Cinema and politics might have made the best equation as NT Rama Rao, MGR and then Jayalalithaa as well as MGR Janaki became chief ministers. Cricket did not, however, present as easy a passage to politics in India though Imran Khan became Prime Minister of Pakistan after founding the PTI party. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was one of the earliest in the country to attempt to enter politics. But, despite having the support of Rajiv Gandhi and others, failed to get elected to the Lok Sabha. Navjot Sidhu was one who made the art of speaking pay in his passion for politics though he had a chequered run as MP. Kirti Azad, a member of the 1983 World Cup winning team, was one of the earliest India cricketers to win elections as he became an MP from Bihar and he too has had a variable run while changing political parties. Chetan Chauhan, better known as the Rajput who was Sunil Gavaskar’s steady opening partner, made a success of politics, becoming a minister in UP before graduating to the Lok Sabha. He may have been the inspiration for Gautam Gambhir who went on to become a MP from Delhi with the BJP. He is now more famous as the unsmiling Team India coach that is on the road to redemption. Mohd Azharuddin, despite his exit from the Indian cricket team under the cloud of betting scandals, proved victorious in UP in 2009 and is still hoping to get back into full time politics. While Sachin Tendulkar is a largely silent Rajya Sabha member who shuns the political spotlight, there are others like Harbhajan Singh who was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the AAP. The lure of cinema may be magnetic in the south but in the north cricketers have found slots in politics with greater success. (By Tamil Raja)

Mumbai’s Public Transport Hubs Turning Into Commercial Hotspots

Public plots meant for public transportation utilities are increasingly being given up for commercial development by the government authorities.  State’s transport minister Pratap Sarnaik invited developers to take up 13,000 acres of depot lands across prime locations in Mumbai for commercial development by offering them on 98-year-long leases. Sarnaik believes that this kind of commercial development would infuse fresh funds into the loss-making state transport department. Mumbai iconic public transportation utility, the BEST has already given up three of its depots for commercial development. The BEST had commissioned global financial consulting firm Price Waterhouse Coopers to identify strategies for commercial development of land held by its depots, staff quarters etc. The BEST has already developed three depots, Mahim, Yari Road and Kurla - out of its 27 depots in Mumbai for commercial development and another three - Bandra, Dindoshi and Deonar - are in the pipeline. The BEST’s depots at Dharavi and Kala Killa depot, are also being offered to Adani to be clubbed along with Dharavi redevelopment. This is not including the 45 acres of railway land (scaled down from 100 acres of land earlier) being handed over to Adani for Dharavi redevelopment. The BMC has already handed over 53 hectares of land reclaimed for the Coastal Road project to a corporate body for development. Incidentally, even as all this is being usurped when the state government took almost 33 hectares or 80 acres of prime forest land to develop into a car shed for the city’s upcoming Metro network. Not surprisingly urban policy analysts like Hussain Indorewalla noted that “Public agencies see themselves not as stewards of public land acting in public interest, but as asset managers and private landlords rolled into one.”  (By Hepzi Anthony)

After Playing Hide-and-Seek With Media, Popular Film Duo Finally Gets Engaged

There is some mysterious compulsion in film stars who hanker for media projection, compulsively, yet want to play hide and seek with their fans. Often, the liaisons go through many hoops…we are just friends, we are co-stars who respect each other, our families have known each other …but the real relationship surfaces only after many such games. National crush Rashmika and the middle ‘classic’ icon Vijay Deverakonda are supposed to have pledged their future together at an “intimate, private ceremony in Hyderabad”…a news item that immediately raised the radar of not just speculation, but certainty. Soon enough the mainstream media had the news flash. Rashmika may have instinctively realised that she couldn't make Vijay wait indefinitely. Now the next speculation about how strong the bond is, as the age difference between the two is seven years, and the Telugu hero Deverakonda has been overtaken by Rashmika who has moved into a pan India super slot after her Pushpa, Animal, Chavva, Sikander and Kubera collectively grossing Rs 3,300 crore. Pushpa and sequel have of course hit the top slot many times over, with Rashmika competing equally with Allu Arjun for encore applause, 26 films in her kitty. Telugu audiences went crazy over their super chemistry in Geetha Govindam, the first film starring both, a chemistry that turned into a relationship over time. Forbes India lists Vijay as one of the highest paid Telugu film stars, even though his Kingdom and Khushi met with average success. The wedding is planned for February, 2026…in case you get invited. (By Padma Ramnath)

Mumbai-Based Saga Global Consultants Bags Major Airport Projects In India

Come October 8, 2025, when PM Narendra Modi dedicates Maharashtra’s Navi Mumbai International Airport facility to the world, more airports will quickly follow. To be imminently commissioned facilities include Jewar in UP (Oct 30), Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh (Dec 30) alongside the Lucknow and Ahmedabad (Adani Airport) facilities all ready for international take-offs. The common factor binding these airports, also 11 other major airports currently underway, is the sole Project Management Consultant -- Saga Global Consultants. SGC successfully bid for and secured PMC rights through distinct tendering processes. In fact, this Mumba-based specialised engineering firm, founded by the former PSU chief, turned preferred choice over even Engineering India Ltd, a public sector undertaking conferred Navratna status. For the man behind the low profile Saga’s success -- SK Jain -- former ED of BPCL and Chairman of Indian Petroleum Corporation major aviation projects in India and internationally have seemingly been a walk in the park with even the Adani operated MIAL expressing its appreciation, “... for improving operational readiness during a major airport expansion” at the Mumbai Airport Fuel Farm (MAFFFL). The already commissioned Delhi International Airport Fuel Farm ((DAFFPL) at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, Kotoka International Airport in Ghana, Port-Au-Prince (PAP) in Haiti and Accra Air Force base in Ghana are merely “been-there-done-that” experientially executed airport facilities under Saga’s distinguished past accomplishments list already. Way ahead includes over 100 new major and minor airports to be commissioned in quick time for India with the just commenced Shell MRPL Aviation Fuels & Services Ltd airport facility project setting a completion timeline of merely eight months from now. (By Renni Abraham)

Why Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara’ Outshone ‘SSKTK’ By A Mile

This Dussehra weekend produced a striking box‑office lesson: Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1, a regional franchise title released in multiple languages, dramatically outperformed the new Hindi release Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari starring Varun Dhawan despite modest marketing for both. Kantara’s all‑language opening was reported at Rs 60 crore, with the Hindi version alone contributing Rs 19.5 crore on day one; SSKTK’s day one tally was roughly Rs 9 crore. On day two Kantara held very strong — around Rs 43.65 crore across languages, with the Hindi slice at about Rs 12 crore — taking a two‑day cumulative near Rs 105.5 crore, while SSKTK dropped to about Rs 5.25 crore on day two, totalling roughly Rs 14.25 crore across two days. Those numbers are revealing. First, the Hindi‑belt audience clearly embraced Kantara’s Hindi version at levels more than double SSKTK’s in the initial 48 hours. This suggests that a compelling story, rooted identity and franchise momentum from the South can translate into pan‑Indian box office power, even against a star‑led mainstream Hindi release. Second, the performance underscores how audiences today often prioritize spectacle, strong world‑building and franchise potential over conventional star vehicles, especially during holiday windows when families seek high‑energy, communal viewing experiences. For Hindi industry stakeholders the takeaway is urgent: star power alone may no longer guarantee opening weekend dominance. Building durable IP, investing in cross‑lingual accessibility, and crafting marketing that conveys the film’s scale and emotional stakes are critical. Simultaneously, distributors and producers should respect release timing and ensure robust promotional pushes in non‑native markets. Kantara’s success is not merely regional pride; it is a reminder that content that feels native yet universal, backed by smart release strategy, can outshine traditional formulas and reshape audience expectations across India. (By Girish Wankhede)

Post-Sterlite Shutdown, India Grapples With Copper Crunch and Rising Metal Thefts

Copper is a high-utility commodity. Its use cuts across activities. To be sure, copper finds application in an array of functionalities in a household -- be it a traditional one or a modern house. India held a pride of place in the international sphere in terms of copper production. So much so, India was a net exporter of copper. That was a few years ago. Things have got tipsy-turvy now. Ever since the closure of the Sterlite’s copper plant at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, the domestic supply shortage has increased. That the closure of the Sterlite plant was more due to politics than economics was, however, a different matter. The fact is that the country is experiencing a huge copper shortage. The unfolding geo-politics has added a new dimension to the copper story. The supply restrictions by China have only compounded the problem. So much so, copper theft has risen these days. There are reports of copper wire being stolen from AC compressors in residential terraces. This does not augur well. Who is to be blamed? The blame game won’t address the issue. A practical outlook to issues is what we need. Not the game of one-upmanship, to be sure. (By KT Jagannathan)

Daughter of 26/11 Martyr PSI Finally Secures Government Job

Slain police sub inspector Prakash Pandurang More’s daughter Anushka has finally been appointed in a government job. Her father was killed by Pakistani terrorists in the 26/11 Mumbai attack in 2008. Anushka has obtained a bachelor degree in pharmacy. She has been posted in the medical education department of the state government on compassionate grounds. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had urged the Maharashtra Public Service Commission to relax the relevant rules so that Anushka could be accommodated in a suitable government job. Fadnavis handed over the appointment letter to Anushka at a function in Mumbai on Friday. He said, “It is our duty to do justice towards the families of the valorous jawans. The appointment of Anushka is a salute to the gallantry of PSI Prakash More. I feel that I have fulfilled a sacred responsibility.” More was among the many police personnel killed during the attack. Subsequently, the government had initiated the process of absorbing their dependents in the government service on the ground of compassion, an old practice in Maharashtra. Tears in her eyes, Anushka recalled the bravery of her late father and said he died for the country. She said the family was satisfied that the sacrifice had been honoured. Anushka is among the thousands of appointees, who have been employed by the state on compassionate grounds. (By Dilip Chaware)

A Game Changer: PM Modi To Open Navi Mumbai Intl Airport On Oct 8

Mumbai’s importance as the nation’s economic capital will increase by a quantum leap when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the first phase of the greenfield Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on 8 October. The airport, when fully operational, is estimated to generate business worth Rs 1 lakh crore rupees through various activities in and around it. The nearby JNPA port and the upcoming Delhi-Mumbai freight corridor will be the two important drivers to boost the economy of Maharashtra and India. After several hiccups, the NMIA will witness the first commercial flights in December. The airport has been built at an investment of about Rs 20,000 crore. Once all the four terminals are completed, the total approximate investment will be of Rs 1 lakh crore. The second airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region after the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, has secured its aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on 30 September. The joint venture project will be developed in phases by NMIA. Adani Group has 74% stake and the balance 26% is with the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO), completely owned by the State government. According to the schedule available, the PM will land at the Navi Mumbai International Airport in the afternoon and will spend almost two hours there. Modi will first visit the terminal building and then address the inaugural function, opening a new chapter in India’s efforts to become self-reliant. (By Dilip Chaware)

Parveen Babi: A Biopic On Her Stormy Life

Tripti Dimri has a larger than life brief to enact when she plays stormy Parveen Babi in a soon to be made biopic by Netflix. Who doesn’t know Parveen Babi’s Royal Afghani lineage, her modelling career careening into Bollywood as a sex symbol, the eight films she co-starred with Amitabh Bachchan, her boldness to take on roles that closet cowards ached to ape, her riveting, sizzling on screen presence that turned on audiences? But destiny dealt a serious blow to her career when she was diagnosed as schizophrenic, soon labelled manic. Imagine her state of mind even as she rode the crest of filmi success when she accused Big B of being a Don, planning to kidnap and kill her. Many more such incidents weighed on her career. She tried a spiritual retreat and overseas trip. In 2005, this tempestuous and beautiful actor died alone in her Mumbai flat. After Tamil actress Silk Smitha’s biopic, Dirty Picture, is this another effort to lay bare an artist’s sad life or is it a homage to Parveen Babi who raked in millions for her producers? In a misogynistic social environment, women who are bold enough to smash so called societal norms are termed easy prey. One only hopes that this biopic will depict her talent and magnetic screen presence marred by mental health issues. Babi lived her personal and professional life on her terms. (By Padma Ramnath)

Odisha Govt To Set Up Greenfield Port In Bahuda To Boost Trade In Eastern India

The Odisha government is focussing on the maritime sector to boost trade and industrial growth in eastern India. To start with, it has envisaged big investment in setting up a new greenfield deep-sea port at Bahuda in Ganjam district. Once completed, Bahuda will emerge as India’s 14th major port, developed as a satellite port of Paradip, aligning with the government’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The Bahuda Port will serve as an anchor for port-led industrialisation, logistics parks, and manufacturing clusters across Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh. The project is projected to generate direct and indirect employment for around 25,000 people while catalysing industrial and infrastructure growth in eastern India. The proposed port with a capacity of 150 MMTPA will be equipped to handle dry bulk ships ranging from 40,000 to 150,000 DWT and container vessels of up to 6,000 TEUs as per sources. Infrastructure plans include four docks, it will also have areas designated for port-led industrialization having robust connectivity through both road and rail networks. The project will be executed through a Special Purpose Vehicle with Paradip Port Authority (PPA) serving as the lead partner. Sources say a tripartite agreement has already been signed between the Odisha Maritime Board, PPA and Sagarmala Finance Corporation to facilitate the development of the port. It is also understood that Visakhapatnam Port Authority is expected to join the project at a later stage as per sources. Odisha is envisioning expanding its port capacity from the current 8O MMTPA to 500 MMTPA by 2047. (By Sangram Mohanty)

IIT Madras New Initiative ‘NIFTA’ To Bridge The Gap Between Academia And Industry

Technology has shrunk the world into the palm of our hands. In the era of globalisation and digitalisation, some people might feel grateful. Some others might curse all the technological advancements. Starting from paying the milk vendor in the morning to booking an Ola ride after work, everything is at our fingertips. It is easy nowadays. But when we look at the flip side of the coin, the story appears different. People are getting replaced by Artificial intelligence, mass layoffs are a reality. When asked about the current situation, recruiters simply point to the lack of skill in these people! To fix this, Indian Institute of Technology Madras has come up with a NIPTA initiative - National Internship, Placement Training and Assessment. It is designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry. All final and third-year engineering students can participate in this 12-week programme, which will cover all future competencies and award a certificate to students based on their performance level in the examination. Even though this move aligns with the Institute's motto of ‘IITM for all’, not every student will get a placement or opportunity after this course, nor can a certificate validate one’s talent. In the end, initiatives like NIPTA may guide the path. Yet, consistent self-growth and adaptability alone will truly decide who thrives in tomorrow’s world. (By Aadhi Jayaprabha)

Another Setback For Shilpa Shetty, Can She Come Out Of It?

Fifty-year old Bollywood actress, model and entrepreneur Shilpa Shetty Kundra is once again mired in controversies. The latest one pertains to Rs 60 crore fraud/cheating case filed by businessman Deepak Kothari, alleging misuse of funds meant for business growth in their now-defunct company Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd. He claims that between 2015-2023, money given for business expansion was used for other purposes, under the pretext of a loan or investment. A lookout circular (LOC) has been issued against both, and the High Court has denied them permission for a foreign trip amid the investigation. Earlier, she was drawn into a controversy involving her husband Raj Kundra over pornography/racy-content apps case, where Kundra was arrested in 2021 for allegedly producing and distributing adult content through mobile apps. During the porn app controversy, many were sympathetic to her, saying she was being dragged into her husband’s business affairs and unfairly targeted by the media. But, in the latest fraud case public sentiment seems divided. Then she said she was not aware of it and got a lot of public sympathy. Such controversy is certainly a setback for a celebrity like her. It has resulted in the closures of her Bandra restaurant being shut down. Shilpa who debuted in Baazigar (1993) has acted in over 50 films in Hindi, Tamil and Kannada.  Looks like she has derisked her strategy. She does not have too many films on her hand.  She was recently seen in Hungama 2 and is working in OTT space. Shilpa has moved beyond films – judge in reality shows, invested in gym/fitness business, fashion and brand endorsements. The general question everybody is asking is: was she a partner in crime? ”? Legally nothing has been proved. She and her lawyer are denying culpability. Investigation is ongoing. No court has declared her guilty as of now.   (By Our Entertainment Editor)