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Black, White and Gray creator says show is about us, not about its characters

Black, White and Gray creator says show is about us, not about its characters

India Today17-05-2025

Sony LIV's latest crime thriller 'Black White and Gray - Love Kills' broke the mould of conventional storytelling by adopting a mockumentary format rarely seen in Indian OTT space. Set against a backdrop of fractured truths and morally grey characters, the show stands out not just for its form but also for its emotionally resonant narrative. In a candid conversation with India Today Digital, the show's creator-producer, Hemal A Thakkar, opened up about the process, the inspiration, and the real intentions behind the storytelling used in the series.advertisementThe Mockumentary FormatWhen asked how the idea of the mockumentary format came about, the creator credited long-time collaborator Pushkar Sunil Mahabal, who is also the co-producer of 'Black, White and Gray - Love Kills'. He said, 'The mockumentary format was actually Pushkar's idea. He had been watching a lot of documentaries around that time and felt inspired to create a crime story using that style.''What excited me was how he cracked not just the format but also a compelling storyline to go with it. From there, we began developing the show bit by bit. It was a truly thrilling process, watching an intriguing idea grow into a full-fledged narrative,' he shared.What's more fascinating is that this entire process unfolded virtually. Thakkar explained that it was during the pandemic they developed the project. And that too, just over Zoom calls and phone conversations. 'That period, despite its challenges, gave us the focus and momentum to shape the story in a unique and powerful way,' he told us.Crafting characters that aren't just Black or WhiteadvertisementIn a world where audience perception often swings between extremes, 'Black, White and Gray' dared to dwell in the grey. The show revolves around a high-profile case of serial killings set in Nagpur 2020. Thakkar mentioned taking inspiration from the contradictions people carry in them. The grey and a side of minute cynicism.'The first step was acknowledging that all of us, in real life, are morally grey. We've seen it, especially during times of crisis, how we all carry contradictions within us. That was a big part of Pushkar's writing. His sharp, often cynical, observations about people brought a lot of clarity to how we shaped these characters,' he shared.Additionally, Thakkar mentioned that Mahabal 'had a very clear understanding of how flawed, shameless, and complex human beings can be and that honesty helped us create characters who are deeply real.'However, they were sure that the show would strike a chord on the basis of 'authenticity'. It was the 'how' that they weren't sure of. Fortunately, they played their cards right and the audience loved every colour - Black, White and Gray, quite literally.Giving an understanding of this, Thakkar said, 'Deep down, we all know we aren't purely black or white. We make choices based on convenience, emotion, and self-interest. The show simply holds up a mirror to that.'No real-life incidents, just real emotionsadvertisementFor those who have watched 'Black, White and Gray' on SonyLIV, despite the grounded realism, they know that the story wasn't inspired by a specific event. Instead, it came from a more universal place.According to the creator, there wasn't any one real-life incident that sparked it. The story really came from Pushkar's imagination. 'These are stories that disappear from public memory quickly. But sometimes, the most random, ordinary day can turn into something life-altering.'Blurring the lines between truth and fiction wasn't easy. And, choosing a mockumentary wasn't just a stylistic call - it was deeply intentional. Thakkar discussed what drew him to the format was the reality of media consumption.Watch the trailer of the show here: He said, 'The mockumentary gave us a way to show how biased and fragmented our perception of truth has become. It also lets us present a simple story through multiple perspectives, each shaped by ego, agenda, and emotion. The beauty of this format is that it blurs the line between fiction and reality, allowing the audience to experience the same confusion and doubt that the characters feel. It made our storytelling deeper and much more layered.'advertisementBeyond the suspense and emotional arcs, the show also questioned how we, as viewers, interpret the world. Thakkar said, 'The show isn't just about the characters, it's about us. We're the ones forming biases, often without even realising it. We follow a narrative, believe in something, and repeat it until it feels true, without ever questioning where it came from.'Challenging the status quo in OTT storytellingAt a time when viewers are bombarded with glossy romances or cookie-cutter thrillers, 'Black, White and Gray' offers a breath of fresh air.'This show aims to go beyond that. It tries to connect with the audience's heart and mind, not just with technical finesse but with storytelling that feels rooted in our lived reality. And since we're creating content for an Indian audience, we made sure the narrative felt culturally relevant.''Too often, we end up copying Western formats and losing the essence of what Indian viewers actually care about. But audiences are smart; they're not just looking for a shift, they're looking for meaningful stories. They want to invest their time in content that respects them, engages them, and leaves them thinking. That's what we've tried to do with 'Black, White and Gray'.''Black, White and Gray - Love Kills' doesn't just tell a story - it challenges the audience to reflect on their own perceptions, their own biases, and their relationship with the truth. It's not a show that gives easy answers, but rather one that dares to ask uncomfortable questions in a format that feels deeply relevant in today's media landscape.

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Is Adventure Tourism In India Worth Your Money? The Red Flags And Safety Risks
Is Adventure Tourism In India Worth Your Money? The Red Flags And Safety Risks

NDTV

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  • NDTV

Is Adventure Tourism In India Worth Your Money? The Red Flags And Safety Risks

Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara inspired growth in India's adventure tourism market since 2011. The market was valued at USD 2.7 billion in 2023, projected to reach USD 46.731 billion by 2030. Fatal incidents have risen due to unlicensed operators, untrained staff, and poor safety measures in India. In 2011, when director Zoya Akhtar released a movie about three male friends, intertwined in their own lives and taking a three-week-long trip, it not only became a commercial hit but also inspired many Indians to think differently about travel. You see, the movie titled (if you haven't guessed it yet), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, revolves around Kabir, Imran and Arjun, and their once-in-a-lifetime vacation in Spain before Kabir's wedding. The trip was essentially meant to help them combat their deepest fears through three adventure sports, each chosen by one of them. The trio explores Spain in a full-on desi way and eventually faces their fears through scuba diving, skydiving and running of the bulls. After facing each challenge, they experience a sense of gratification that makes many of us want to try at least one of the ourselves. Often, Bollywood and social media have glamorised adventure sports and the adrenaline rush that comes with them, turning it into something everyone wanted to chase post the film's release. Today, the Indian adventure tourism market is experiencing significant growth, fuelled by a young, thrill-seeking demographic and rising disposable incomes, all wanting to live life like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (quite literally). The market was valued at USD 2.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 46.731 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of 19.6% over the next five years. However, unlike Kabir, Imran and Arjun—who underwent proper training before each sport—India's growing demand is being met without the same level of infrastructure and safety precautions. The Rise In Fatal Incidents Ft Adventure Sports This boom, however, has been a double-edged sword. As more Indians seek thrill-filled holidays, the infrastructure, regulatory mechanisms and safety checks haven't always kept up. Not everyone goes the ZNMD route of professional preparation and certified guides (Remember Laila from ZMND?). Alok K Singh, Chairman and CEO of Travomint, a travel agency, points out, 'There's been a clear rise in incidents — due to unregistered operators, lack of training, and failure to meet safety standards.' He further lists some incidents: Puri Beach, Odisha - The most recent case, occurred in May 2025, a boat capsize incident happened at the Puri Beach involving Snehasish Ganguly, elder brother of Indian Cricket Team captain Sourav Ganguly, and his spouse, Arpita. Following this incident, the Puri district administration officially suspended all water sports activities in the region, pointing out the critical need for stronger safety measures. While many licensed vendors agree to worldwide norms, some continue to struggle with lack of regulations. Manali: Tadi Mahesh Reddy, a 32-year-old, at Manali was attempting to take off (during paragliding) at Raison when a sudden gust of wind caused his glider to descend instead of ascend, leading to his death. Goa - In January 2025, Shivani Dable, a 27-year-old girl from Pune lost her life during a paragliding activity in Keri Village, North Goa. Her glider crashed into a ravine soon after taking off from a cliff, and even the instructor did not survive. This incident raised concerns over safety practices, unlicensed operators and safety checks in adventure sports. Bir Biling, Himachal Pradesh - A tragic incident happened during paragliding in 2023, when a tourist's safety harness malfunctioned mid-air, raising concerns about unlicensed operators and outdated equipment. After thorough investigation, it was revealed that the flight was operated by an unregistered operator. This tragedy led to widespread public outcry and renewed regulations along with better standards for paragliding operators. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand - Several cases of rafting accidents were reported due to overloading and untrained guides during river rafting. One such case occured in 2017, when a Delhi tourist tragically died after a raft capsized near Garud Chatti bridge. After this incident, local authorities launched safety audits, however, implementation is still not consistent. Common themes? Unlicensed operators, untrained staff, and inadequate equipment. Today, Adventure sports in India vary in price depending on the location and season. Scuba diving costs between Rs 1,500 and Rs 8,000 per dive, with Andaman and Lakshadweep on the higher end. River rafting in places like Rishikesh can range from Rs 499 to Rs 2,999 per person, depending on the stretch covered. Paragliding prices start at Rs 1,800 and can go up to Rs 5,500 in top spots like Bir Billing. But are they safe? Shreya Chawla* (name changed as per request), a 23-year-old professional from Noida, who loves adventure sports shares, 'They make you sign a waiver. If something happens to you, it's your fault. But the training is almost non-existent. During paragliding in Bir, I was just asked to run at a certain speed. When I went scuba diving in Goa, they dropped me into the water without any special preparation.' Louis D'Souza, Managing Partner at Tamarind Global, a focused destination and event management company, tells NDTV that adventure tourism isn't inherently dangerous, but lack of regulation makes it so. 'We always advise travellers to check if the operator is certified, whether there's insurance, and how trained the guides are,' he adds. Where The Law Stands In 2023, India's Ministry of Tourism laid out formal 'safety guidelines' for adventure tourism. These included age limits, mandatory insurance for operators, and penalties ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 for safety breaches. However, enforcement remains inconsistent across states. Mind you, these are just guidelines and not laws. Now, even though states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have issued more stringent region-specific guidelines, insiders say, many operators continue to flout the rules — either due to lack of awareness or because enforcement agencies lack manpower. Like Shreya's case, any first-timers trust operators blindly, not knowing what questions to ask or red flags to spot. How Industry Experts Are Tackling The Crisis Trishal Rao, Chief Sales Officer at SKIL, a travel management company, believes stronger checks are non-negotiable. 'We work only with ISO-certified or Adventure Tour Operators Association of India-affiliated operators. Our checks include reviewing guest feedback, auditing sites like TripAdvisor, and even demanding references for group trips,' he says. Rao adds that clients sign waivers, but it doesn't absolve the vendors of accountability. 'We ensure insurance is in place, and we expect partners to conduct drills, have evacuation plans and keep ambulances accessible. You can't compromise on safety,' he adds. D'Souza agrees and adds, 'Yes, there are more incidents — but mostly from unregulated players. We advise travellers to ask: Does the operator have certification? Is there insurance? Are the guides trained? Our role is to ensure transparency and accountability.' Even equipment matters, says D'Souza. 'We personally review activities before adding them to itineraries. Adventure stalls are everywhere now — not all are reliable,' according to him. But on ground level things are different. Not everyone is authorised, or trained enough. Trekking is one such activity that remains highly unregulated. Often people are misguided. Treks are made to sound 'easy' to appeal to the participants, but the reality might be different. This lack of information is consistent in the other adventure sports as well. Vaibhav Kala, founder of Aquaterra Adventures and senior VP of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), says, 'Adventure tourism is gaining popularity due to the physical and mental thrill. But gear, guides and guidelines are critical. We need stricter enforcement and national registration for operators.' Kala is also part of a core team pushing for a model law to be adopted across states. 'We want a national register for operators and stricter controls. Currently, anyone with a few rafts or parachutes can open shop. That's dangerous,' says Kala. Who's At Fault, Really? While most operators make clients sign disclaimers, legally and ethically, both sides hold responsibility. Experts say that while tourists must be cautious, it's primarily the operators' duty to uphold safety norms. But many small vendors still operate in the grey zone. Rakesh, the owner of a similar adventure sports establishment in Manali, has been in this business for almost 10 years. In Himachal Pradesh, he says, many individuals, especially the inexperienced ones, are able to enter the adventure sports market as obtaining a licence is "pretty easy". According to Rakesh, officials conduct quality checks on equipment used in these activities only twice a year. Kala further notes that unregistered operators shouldn't be allowed to run at all. 'The National Tourism Board for Adventure Tourism is pushing for a model law to be adopted across states. That will be the game-changer,' he says. The debate on disclaimers and liability is far from settled. While many operators use waivers to shift responsibility, legal experts say they are not foolproof. How Can You Stay Safe? India's potential to lead in adventure tourism is undeniable. The geography, biodiversity and growing youth population make it a natural fit. But the foundation has to be solid. Till then, if you want to stay safe follow Kala's advice, 'We need three pillars — enforcement, education and ecosystem. Only then will we stop reading about unnecessary tragedies.' Before committing to an adventure, individuals should ask these key questions, says Kala - Have they researched the outfitter's (elaborate) credentials? Is the company registered with relevant tourism authorities or industry associations? Are the guides certified, trained in first aid and CPR, and experienced? What is the emergency exit plan? Rao adds that educating tourists needs to be a priority. 'At the point of sale, operators should hand out safety checklists. Digital platforms could include reviews specific to safety. Insurance should be offered as standard, not optional.' Remember, adventure tourism, by its nature, involves risk, but that risk can and must be managed. For India to become a world-class destination, safety should not be an afterthought. Until then, maybe watch Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara again — but think twice before trying to recreate the thrills without asking the right questions first.

From 'Sacred Games' to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi', netizens talk about Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos' revelations in viral interview
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From 'Sacred Games' to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi', netizens talk about Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos' revelations in viral interview

He covered a range of topics, from Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane's 'Sacred Games' to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi'. And netizens cannot stop reacting read more Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos' revelations in his interview with Nikhil Kamath have gone viral and now. He covered a range of topics, from Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane's 'Sacred Games' to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi'. And netizens cannot stop reacting. Some took to Instagram to comment on the post hailing the episode as one user wrote– 'Netflix didn't recommend this but this is the real must-watch.' One commented, 'I felt like this episode was with the most honest replies loved this also your questions are amazing' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Some netizens expressed appreciation in the episode's comment section on Youtube, 'watched the entire thing in a sitting. its been a good saturday, (youtube algorithm show me more content similar to this' A comment read, 'Should've titled 'Netflix and Chill with the Netflix CEO'. Another user wrote , 'Ted answered all the questions really well. Nikhil tried his best to trip him but he answered beautifully every time because he has good knowledge of both, himself and the business.' A user also said, 'Very good Podcast, Impressed with clarity of Co- CEO Ted on range of topics As always Nikhil was amazing ..' A comment read, 'Wow ! What an amazing set of questions and equally candid responses! He is naturally good and exhibits great clarity! Thanks Nikhil for this.' Ted on Sacred Games Our very first Indian original show was Sacred Games. And I thought, 'This is going to be great. People in India love movies. This is a TV show that feels as big as a movie, it has movie stars.' What's interesting about it is that it was very, very novel, but what I didn't understand was that we were introducing a brand new kind of entertainment in a country the size of India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Heeramandi Heeramandi was probably one of the most creatively interesting projects I've worked on in India. I was involved in the greenlighting meetings for it. He (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) came to LA to do the pitch. He came in with this very big vision. Honestly, it almost felt like a dare—like he was saying, 'I dare you to make this; it's so big. He's a legend of cinema, so the idea of him making a TV Show was unheard of. I thought he came for us to say no. And then, when we said yes, there were lots of delays. It was a complicated production.

Sky Force, Kesari Chapter 2, Housefull 5: How Akshay Kumar has delivered three hits in a row this year
Sky Force, Kesari Chapter 2, Housefull 5: How Akshay Kumar has delivered three hits in a row this year

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timean hour ago

  • First Post

Sky Force, Kesari Chapter 2, Housefull 5: How Akshay Kumar has delivered three hits in a row this year

Housefull 5 is the only Indian film franchise to reach its fifth instalment. In a first-of-its-kind move for a big commercial film, Housefull 5 released with two different versions—Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B read more Akshay Kumar began his 2025 with Sky Force that did a business of over Rs 112 crore at the box-office. He then followed it up with Kesari Chapter 2 that has completed 50 days in cinemas and reached till Rs 90 crore. And then comes Housefull 5 which minted more than Rs 100 crore in four days. It has been a successful year for the actor so far before he delivers Jolly LLB 3 in September. During an interaction earlier this year, the actor spoke about Kesari 2, again a courtroom drama. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He said, 'It was very important for us to include the 'f**k you' in the film because, for us, the whole point was to look the British in the eye and say 'f**k you' for what they had done. That was the courage we imbibed from Sankaran Nair's story, and it's the same courage we wanted to depict.' The actor added, 'Yes, I used that word. But what's surprising is that you noticed this, yet the phrase 'you are still a slave' wasn't seen as a major insult? I think there's no greater insult than that. I would have been happier if you had pointed out the use of the word 'slave'.' Housefull 5 box office Sajid Nadiadwala's Housefull 5 continues its winning streak at the box office. The film has passed the crucial Monday test, taking its India nett total to an impressive ₹104.98 crore Nett India. Housefull 5 is the only Indian film franchise to reach its fifth instalment. In a first-of-its-kind move for a big commercial film, Housefull 5 released with two different versions—Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B, each with a different climax. Both versions were released simultaneously across India and international markets. This bold and innovative distribution strategy by Sajid Nadiadwala is being hailed as a game-changer, aimed at surprising audiences and encouraging repeat viewings.

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