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Making a big splash

Making a big splash

India Today10-05-2025
When Kushagra Tiwari, 21, a filmmaking graduate based in Ghaziabad, boarded a plane for the first time to attend the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) from May 1-4 in Mumbai, he had little idea that he was going to come back with memories of one of the most defining experiences in his life. Receiving the Create in India Challenge (CIC) award in the Travel India category of reel-making, Tiwari, a content creator and aspiring actor, was euphoric and told Aamir Khan, from whom he received the award, that five years down the line, they would work together in a film. 'I manifested it for myself,' says an elated Tiwari. Aamir was impressed enough with the young man's confidence to ask him his name and say that he'd remember his prophecy. 'What I most like about the CIC awards was there was no criteria for how many followers you have on social media; it's all about the content,' says Tiwari. 'I have just 4,500 followers, but my confidence has soared.' What the award has also done is convince his parents, who were clueless about his work and concerned about his future, that their son is alright. 'Now they don't ask questions,' says Tiwari.
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Shivaji's war room to Chandragupta's court, MP's new museum to bring ancient India alive
Shivaji's war room to Chandragupta's court, MP's new museum to bring ancient India alive

Time of India

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  • Time of India

Shivaji's war room to Chandragupta's court, MP's new museum to bring ancient India alive

Bhopal: Ever wondered what Chhatrapati Shivaji's war room would have been like? Or how regal was Chandragupta Maurya's court? You could soon get a peep into India's history — all through a high-tech, immersive 3D experience – with a museum coming up in Ujjain ahead of the Simhastha in 2028, one of the largest spiritual congregations in the world, held every 12 Veer Bharat Museum, a world-class cultural destination being developed in Ujjain, would have over 12 crore visitors during the month-long Simhastha Mela, as the Madhya Pradesh govt is positioning the museum as a marquee attraction — a place where India's ancient legacy meets cutting-edge storytelling. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At the heart of this project is the Veer Bharat Nyaas, a newly-formed trust tasked with curating the finest chapters of Indian history and bringing them to life through interactive, multimedia exhibits. The museum will be housed in the historic Kothi Palace, allotted for the project by CM Mohan Yadav. The bhoomi pujan was held in Mar this year, and renovation is now underway. Museum will be totally funded by MP govt, Nyaas has been set up by the state govt to execute and plan the entire project. Preserving past for posterity "We're building more than a museum," Shriram Tiwari, cultural advisor to the CM and trustee-secretary of the Nyaas, told TOI. "This will be a living narrative of Indian civilisation — taking visitors on a journey that spans thousands of years. From rivers and cave paintings to warriors, emperors, sages, and epics — we aim to present it all in a format that today's generation can connect with. We're using the latest 3D and augmented reality technology. ," Tiwari said. The first phase of the project — covering around 40 acres — will cost between ₹25 crore and ₹30 crore and is slated for completion by Dec 2027. Using ancient techniques Neeraj Pande, superintending engineer, Smart City Ujjain, is overseeing the restoration of the palace. "Our goal is to preserve the essence of Kothi Palace, which is more than a century old. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We are using traditional materials like lime plaster instead of cement, and natural elements such as jaggery, bael fruit, and powdered terracotta bricks — materials used in ancient Indian construction. Heritage conservation is at the core of this project," Pande said. Rock art to rivers' saga India's rich rock art heritage will feature prominently here, including petroglyphs at Daraki-Chattan in MP's Mandsaur-estimated to be between 200,000 and 500,000 years old—and the famed Bhimbetka rock shelters, with some of the oldest estimated to be around 30,000 years old. According to Tiwari, majority of the exhibits in this new-age museum will utilise modern, high-tech formats, alongside select ancient artefacts, murals, weapons, paintings and books sourced from both state and central museums across the country. The displays will be based on extensive research by experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), NASA, and academic institutions such as Monash University, Australia, as well as references from Vedic, Prakrit, and Pali literature. The museum will also showcase studies on rivers and the cultures that evolved around them, such as the Kayatha culture, which flourished approximately 4,425 to 4,025 years ago along the Kshipra River, in Ujjain. The ancient cultures of seven native tribes around Narmada River will be scientifically represented based on available rock art paintings in MP. Some lesser-known sites like Dholavira—a major urban centre of the Indus Valley Civilisation located in present-day Gujarat—will be depicted through artefacts, stone inscriptions, and etchings preserved by the ASI. In all, around 5000 characters (rivers, sites, cultures, figures) have been compiled, out of which 1000 are being short-listed for display and storytelling. Work in progress The artistic sketch of Kothi Palace is ready, but the building right now is totally dilapidated; hence the venue is being cleaned, painted and restored. Once the Nyaas gets the building by March 2026; it will move in the artists and rest of the team to plan and execute the interiors, exhibits, 3D rooms etc.

Kartik Aaryan attending an event in USA organized by a Pakistani-owned restaurant? Actor's team says 'We have contacted the organizers and...'
Kartik Aaryan attending an event in USA organized by a Pakistani-owned restaurant? Actor's team says 'We have contacted the organizers and...'

First Post

time03-08-2025

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Kartik Aaryan attending an event in USA organized by a Pakistani-owned restaurant? Actor's team says 'We have contacted the organizers and...'

The actor's team has now issued a statement that reads- 'Kartik Aaryan is not associated with this event in any capacity.' read more There are rumours about Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan attending an Independence Day 2025 event in Houston, USA that is being organized by a Pakistani restaurant, Aga's Restaurant and Catering, which is owned by Shaukat Maredia. His pictures and posters even went viral on social media. The actor's team has now issued a statement that reads- 'Kartik Aaryan is not associated with this event in any capacity. He has never made an official announcement about participating in this event. We have contacted the organizers and requested to remove all promotional materials featuring his name and image.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The inaugural day of WAVES 2025 witnessed a moment that instantly struck a chord with fans and attendees alike. Bollywood's beloved star and consistent box office puller, Kartik Aaryan, showcased his trademark humility during his appearance at the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), currently underway at the Jio World Convention Centre, BKC. Taking the stage during the high-profile summit, Kartik shared an unfiltered and heartwarming moment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a candid admission that quickly resonated across social platforms, the actor said, 'Pradhan Mantri Ji, sorry meri heartbeat bohot tez chal rahi hai aapke saamne.' His nervous honesty in front of one of the world's most influential leaders left the audience smiling and nodding in agreement—proving once again why he's everyone's favorite. Also, a fan of Shah Rukh Khan shared a video of the actor taking over the stage at the Waves 2025 Summit and welcoming the guests. The actor said, 'Waves summit is India's global platform for the future of audio visual entertainment, a very special welcome to our distinguished guests.'

Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Shoojit Sircar part of short film competition jury at IFFM 2025
Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Shoojit Sircar part of short film competition jury at IFFM 2025

Mint

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Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Shoojit Sircar part of short film competition jury at IFFM 2025

New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) Filmmakers Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Shoojit Sircar will be serving as jury members for the short film competition at the 2025 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). Tiwari is known for movies such as "Bareilly Ki Barfi" and "Nil Battey Sannata", while Sircar's film credits include acclaimed titles "Piku", "October" and "Sardar Udham". The film gala receives an overwhelming number of entries each year across various categories, with the short film segment being among the most competitive and creatively rich, according to a press release. 'It's an absolute honour to be on the jury of IFFM's Short Film Competition. Short films are a powerful form of expression, often brimming with fresh ideas and daring perspectives. I'm looking forward to witnessing stories that reflect truth, innovation, and the passion of young filmmakers," Tiwari said. Sircar said IFFM is a wonderful platform that brings together talent from across the globe. "I'm delighted to be part of this year's short film jury. Short films, with their brevity and intensity, often leave a lasting impact. I'm eager to watch the entries and discover some pathbreaking voices,' he added. Festival director Mitu Bhowmik welcomed the two filmmakers, saying they are among the "most respected creative minds in Indian cinema today". "Their eye for detail, story, and authenticity will elevate the judging process. IFFM has always aimed to be a launchpad for new talent, and having filmmakers of this calibre assess the submissions is both an honour and an inspiration for participating filmmakers.' The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 will be held from August 14 to 24.

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