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Published Photographer Vicky Roy has known precarity up close. As a runaway from Bengal who ended up as a ragpicker at the New Delhi Railway Station, to being rehabilitated by a local NGO that restored some semblance of normalcy in his life, Roy has looked poverty in the eye, and is now paying homage to life on the streets through 'Bachpan' at Delhi's Vadehra Art Gallery.
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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Ronit Roy shares how he lost 8 kgs in 2 months at 59 to play Prithviraj Chauhan's father: Martial arts to intense cardio
Actor Ronit Roy recently revealed his impressive physical transformation, shedding a remarkable 8 kilos for his upcoming show Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan. At 59, the actor has undergone a disciplined fitness journey to step into the role of King Someshwar, the father of Prithviraj Chauhan. Here's a look at how he achieved this inspiring weight loss. (Also read: Weight loss coach who dropped 20 kgs shares 5 morning routine for faster fat loss ) Speaking about the transformation, Ronit said, 'To do justice to a character of such stature and legacy, I knew I had to go beyond just understanding his emotional journey, I had to physically transform myself to embody the strength, discipline, and royal bearing that a king demands.' A post shared by BTS With Sony TV (@btswithsonytv) Opening up about his intense routine, he added, 'Over the span of two months, I lost 8 kgs through a rigorous and highly disciplined fitness regimen. My days would begin with strength training sessions in the morning, followed by intense cardio workouts in the evening. Alongside that, I trained extensively in martial arts and stick fighting to capture the warrior aspect of King Someshwar. ' But these weren't just physical drills, according to Roy, they were instrumental in helping him tap into the mindset of a seasoned ruler and fierce protector of the land. Roy admitted that while the process was extremely demanding, it was equally rewarding. He shared, "It's been an exhausting but incredibly fulfilling process. The goal was not to just look at the part but to feel it in every scene. I hope the audience feels the same power and pride that I did while bringing this magnificent character to life." Ronit Roy, born on October 11, 1965, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, is a renowned Indian actor and assistant director. He is best known for his performances in films like Udaan (2010), 2 States (2014), and Kaabil (2017). He is married to Neelam Singh, and the couple has two children.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
Arundhati Roy's memoir ‘Mother Mary Comes to Me' to hit shelves on September 2- read these 5 books while you wait
Booker prize-winning writer Arundhati Roy's memoir Mother Mary Comes to Me will hit the stands on September 2, publisher Penguin Random House India (PRHI) announced on Monday. The book, currently available for pre-orders online, unravels Roy's deeply personal experiences of becoming the person and writer she is, 'shaped most profoundly by her complex bond with her extraordinary, singular mother, women's rights activist Mary Roy, whom she ran from at age 18'. While we wait for Roy's highly anticipated memoir to hit shelves, here are five of her books to dive into now. From her Booker Prize-winning debut to her political essays, Roy's work is sure to keep you engrossed in the meantime. Arundhati Roy's Booker Prize-winning debut novel, The God of Small Things, is considered a cornerstone of postcolonial literature. Set in 1960s Kerala, it follows fraternal twins Rahel and Estha, whose lives unravel amid caste oppression and familial hypocrisy. Roy's lyrical prose and non-linear narrative expose the brutality of societal norms, interwoven with themes of love, loss, and forbidden boundaries. The novel's critique of India's caste system and moral rigidity earned global acclaim, translated into 40+ languages. Its vivid imagery—from pickle factories to riverbanks—immerses readers in a world where 'small things' shape destinies. A tragic yet poetic exploration of childhood innocence and adult complicity, the book remains a defining work of contemporary fiction, cementing Roy's place as a literary icon. Two decades after her debut, Roy returned with The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, a sprawling saga of India's marginalised. Longlisted for the Booker, the novel interlaces stories of transgender activist Anjum, Kashmiri rebel Musa, and abandoned baby Tilo, blending magical realism with sharp political commentary. From Delhi's graveyards to restive Kashmir, Roy exposes systemic violence while celebrating resilience. The narrative's fragmented structure mirrors India's fractured identity. Critics praised its audacity, though some found its scope overwhelming. A love letter to the dispossessed, the book reaffirms Roy's mastery of storytelling as both art and activism. This fiery essay collection confronts India's 1998 nuclear tests, globalisation, and authoritarianism. Roy lambasts 'nuclear nationalism' and dam projects displacing millions. Her critique of corporate greed and state violence sparked controversy, branding her a dissident. The book compiles five works, including The Cost of Living and War Talk, with a new introduction. Roy revisits the Gandhi-Ambedkar debate, exposing how caste oppression was sidelined in India's freedom struggle. Contrasting Gandhi's paternalism with Ambedkar's radical egalitarianism, she argues that his Annihilation of Caste remains urgent. The book, originally a preface to Ambedkar's text, dissects Gandhi's views on race and caste, urging a reckoning with his legacy. Scholarly yet accessible, it challenges mainstream narratives, advocating for Ambedkar's vision of social justice. Written during India's anti-CAA protests and Covid-19 lockdowns, Azadi (Urdu for 'freedom') interrogates the alleged rise of fascism. Through nine essays she makes a case for 'dissidence.' The title essay warns against conflating majoritarianism with democracy, while 'The Pandemic is a Portal' imagines post-crisis futures. (With PTI inputs)
Mint
4 days ago
- Mint
Hungama Digital Media announces new slate of shows, bets on gaming to lure consumers
Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt Ltd, which owns the Hungama OTT app, may have been lying low for a while but is now coming out with a slate of 24 shows for 2025, more than double its previous best of 10 originals annually. These will be targeted at middle-India consumers, a senior executive said, referring to viewers in metros who hail from tier-two and tier-three towns. The company's library includes over 5,000 films in English, Hindi and other Indian languages, besides a catalogue of more than 1,500 short films. It is also betting on games inspired by popular movies and songs to create an ecosystem where gaming and entertainment come together. The 2025 slate introduces fresh originals such as Mona Ki Monohar Kahaniyaan, Judwa Jaal, Rose Garden, Chakravyuh, Badass Begum, Blind Game, Balance Show, Hungama Hone Do, Shaadi Ki Uss Raat, Takshika, Girl Scams, Room Service, Bollywood Murder, Hasratein Season 3, and Ratri Ke Yatri Season 3, spanning genres such as thrillers, dramas, romances, and experimental formats. With the growth of connected TVs, Hungama is launching an app that can be downloaded on smart TVs. Also Read | JOJO, Chull among new OTT platforms serving culturally rooted content to niche, regional audiences 'This is going to be our biggest year in terms of originals released annually," Neeraj Roy, founder and managing director, Hungama Digital Media, said in an interview. 'Also, we were licensing a lot of shows earlier. But we are now gearing up for originals. These are IPs which we own and stories which our team has worked upon with different production companies." Adding that the same number of shows will be released next year, Roy said paid subscriptions are the path to a sustainable business. The Hungama app is priced at ₹499 per year. Right costing 'The desire is to now start getting consumers to opt for longer-term plans as well. We believe that this pricing is something that resonates, at least with our core audience," Roy said, referring to its target viewers. Disagreeing that the OTT space in India is cluttered, Roy said most media companies started creating content for the OTT business, where the revenue model was in the early stages of development, with each web show costing 10 to 15 times the cost of a television show a few years ago. 'The economic model did not catch up. But we believe in doing things and costing in the right way," he emphasised. Also Read | ZEE5 sees traction from tier-two, three markets as regional content soars A recent show that required the team to travel was completed with virtual production, he said. The other thing the company is excited about is what's happening within the gaming ecosystem, Roy said. 'We shall put out a bunch of games which are at the intersection of entertainment and gaming. We're in the process of building communities, as far as those are concerned at this point in time," Roy said, referring to plans to launch movie and music-based games. To be sure, the challenges for Hindi-focused platforms like Hungama are many. As global streaming giants tighten their grip on India's OTT market, experts said smaller platforms are struggling to stay afloat. With rising production costs, shrinking marketing budgets, and the dominance of Netflix, Prime Video, and JioHotstar, many fringe players with lower budgets and scale may fade from the spotlight. While regional platforms carve out their own niches, those stuck in the middle find themselves with dwindling content and fewer options to compete. Also Read | Why aggregation could be a game changer for niche OTTs 'The entire monetisation game on digital has been a challenge. These are fringe platforms that are now struggling because the business is all about scale and user experience and global media giants are becoming larger in terms of variety of content," Karan Taurani, senior vice-president at Elara Capital Ltd, said in a recent interview. "Advertising dollars are moving to e-commerce and there isn't much left for video anyway. Plus, despite attractive pricing, none of them has managed paid subscriptions."
