Tomato Mayhem Hits Hyderabad: Relive Your ZNMD Dreams At Toma Terra
Remember the iconic tomato-throwing scene from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD)? The one where friends come together, immersed in laughter and chaos, enjoying the festive spirit of Spain's La Tomatina Festival? Well, the magic of that moment is about to come alive in India, as Hyderabad gears up to host its tomato festival. Called Toma Terra, this exciting event will take place on May 11 and promises to bring the same vibrant energy to the heart of Telangana, making you relive those iconic ZNMD vibes.
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NDTV
10 hours ago
- 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.
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Bite into the plot: How movies are stirring up the menus
Once confined to screens, cinematic storytelling has now spilled over into our plates and glasses. Across India and beyond, restaurants and cafés are embracing the trend of OTT-inspired dining — crafting immersive menus that blur the lines between food and film. Whether it's a glitter-dusted mocktail echoing Disney's Encanto (2021 )or a tasting menu that channels the spirit of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), this isn't just about themed meals — it's about eating emotions, tasting plotlines and sipping cinematic nostalgia. The phenomenon gained traction earlier this year when Netflix launched Netflix Bites at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas (USA). On the menu? Squid Game-style snacks and Bridgerton-inspired brunches. It wasn't long before restaurants around the world followed suit. Viewers didn't just want to binge-watch anymore but also binge-eat their favourite shows. As Josh Simon, Vice President of Consumer Products at Netflix, puts it: 'Fans don't just want merch anymore. They want experiences.' This genre of dining goes beyond clever names. A dish isn't just tasty — it's dramatic, poetic, even bittersweet. Menus read like screenplays; a salad might serve as the emotional reset of Act Two. The goal? To evoke the narrative through taste. At EnCanto, a Gurugram café named after the 2021 Disney film, food becomes pure sensory magic. 'OTT shows are no longer something we just binge,' says director Tusheeta Khanna, adding, 'They're part of our emotional vocabulary.' Their star drink, the Casita Cooler — a shimmering mocktail of coconut water, pineapple, and passionfruit — is designed to feel like stepping inside the film's enchanted house of the same name. In Bengaluru, ParTTwo channels the essence of Endless Summer (1966), a surf documentary that celebrates eternal sunshine and travel. Chef Karan Upmanyu crafts dishes like the Wai-Wai Salad, a grown-up spin on the beloved Nepali snack. With cold shrimp, pomelo, crispy noodles, and cabbage, it captures both nostalgia and freshness. 'Summer is about joy, boldness, and friendships,' he says. 'That's what we've tried to plate.' Seasonal ingredients like mango and pumpkin get unexpected, playful treatments — culinary nods to carefree memories and sun-drenched wanderlust. Taking the idea even further, Sunset Cinema Club and The Piano Man group in Delhi teamed up to create a night where films and food come together in a full-blown sensory celebration. Arjun Sagar Gupta from The Piano Man says, 'This initiative lets us take storytelling to a new level with curated menus and drinks.' Their first pick, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, feels just right. With its vibrant Spanish setting and emotionally charged travel narrative, the film offered plenty to work with. Chef Manoj designed a Spanish-inspired tasting menu with cocktails named after the film's characters to match its mood and key scenes. 'All the dishes are linked to specific moments in the film,' explains Sahil. 'The menu features churros con patatas, bruschettas, hearty stews, and tapas-style bites, along with table snacks like truffle popcorn. Each one is designed to echo a scene or emotion from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.' At Taste Cinemas — with locations across India — the cinematic dining experience is literal. Their recent Twilight-inspired event featured a nine-course menu, from blood-red shots to edible baseballs, recreating the film's love story bite by bite.
NDTV
4 days ago
- NDTV
5 Bollywood Movies That Will Awaken The Travel Bug In You
When was the last time you took a trip? While our friends on Instagram may be posting international trip pictures every week, some of us have even gotten unaffected by those, and do not remember the last time we booked a train or flight ticket. If you are in the same boat (and not hopping on a real boat), you need a little inspiration to hit pause on that routine, pack a suitcase and just go on that trip. Vacations are often seen as a luxury but mean so much more than that. A single trip has the power to change your life completely. Don't believe us? Well, if you believe in the magic of storytelling, here are five beautiful, fun and heartwarming travel-inspired Bollywood movies that just might awaken that travel bug inside of you. Here Are 5 Travel-Based Movies You Should Watch To Get Inspired: 1. Swades (2004) This is your sign to watch 'Swades' if you have not already seen this wonderful movie. The Shah Rukh Khan-starrer film is considered to be one of his finest by fans and critics, and yet an underrated film often forgotten, since it is devoid of stereotypical Bollywood masala. The travel aspect in this film is also unique - the protagonist, Mohan, is a modern man, an NRI working at the technological forefront of NASA in the US. The film explores his journey back home, to the villages of India, and an internal journey that completely changes his perspective towards life and one's own country. 2. Jab We Met (2007) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shamira Fanclub 👩❤️💋👩 (@shahidmirafb) One of the most fun Imtiaz Ali movies, 'Jab We Met' revolves around Geet (Kareena Kapoor) and Aditya (Shahid Kapoor), where a missed train brings them together on a long and adventurous journey to Geet's home. The story captures how spontaneous travel and meeting new people can completely transform your life, and sometimes, also bring love. 3. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' is a through-and-through travel-based film, with every intention to encourage you to plan a trip with your closest friends, face your fears, laugh out loud, and even shed a tear or two. The film stars Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif and Kalki Koechlin in key roles. It's one of the films fans love rewatching and continues to inspire every single time to hit the play button. 4. Queen (2013) Another travel-based Bollywood film we love is 'Queen', helmed by Vikas Bahl. The film follows the journey of Rani (Kangana Ranaut), a simple girl from Delhi's Rajouri Garden, whose fiance (Rajkummar Rao) breaks up just a few days before their marriage. Heartbroken, Rani decides to go on her honeymoon all by herself, and the trip to Paris and Amsterdam teaches her how to find her independence, courage, self-love and confidence. The film has unconventional characters you will fall in love with, and it will leave you with an urge to go on a solo trip and find yourself. 5. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) View this post on Instagram A post shared by yeh jawani hai diwani (@yeh_jawaniii_hai_deewani_) One of the most popular Bollywood films among the youth, 'Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani' shows how "topper" Naina's (Deepika Padukone) attitude towards life changes when she takes a leap of courage and goes on a trip to Manali with a bunch of strangers she only knows by name. On this trip, Naina learns how to enjoy life and not take things too seriously - a lesson we all need from time to time. She creates lasting friendships and even finds the love of her life - Bunny (Ranbir Kapoor). On the flip side, the film also explores Bunny's love for freedom and travel, as he takes a job with a travel show and lives his life to the fullest - living in new countries, meeting new people, and exploring new cuisines. The film will make you fall in love with travel, and also help you draw a line to not use it as an excuse to escape life and things that mean the most to us. Watch these fun and beautiful Bollywood movies and after that, maybe call your friends to plan that trip you always wanted to.
