Latest news with #Chandan
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Sahibganj family prints wedding invites on plant pots to promote conservation
1 2 3 Ranchi: A scheduled marriage function at Master Colony-based Singh family on June 4 has become the talk of the town in Sahibganj district for the past few days. The reason is not due to the lavish, big- fat Indian wedding, but for the green cause this family is spreading for their daughter's wedding ahead of the World Environment Day on June 5. Bride Jigyasa Singh's four brothers, came up with an innovative idea of devising her wedding invitation. Rather than going for high-end, fancy invitation cards, they went on to distribute indoor plant saplings with wedding card printed on the pots. Talking to TOI, Chandan, one of the brothers of the bride said, "Environment conservation shouldn't just be the job of the govt or NGOs working for it. Unless, each one of us living on this earth takes up the collectively responsibility, things won't change. Climate change has now become a local phenomenon, which is impacting all. Hence, while brainstorming on wedding preparations, we decided to keep things simple, and green to send a message. " The idea for sapling pot based wedding card came from Sujit, Jigyasa's another brother, added Chandan. Sujit also runs a nursery in Sahibganj. Their father, Amir Prasad retired from the state animal husbandry department. "All that we had to do is to design wedding invitation and get it printed on a sheet. That has been rolled on the sapling pots which we began distributing for inviting guests," he said, adding that invitations have also been extended to many govt officials here. Over 400 such pots (costing up to Rs 150 each) with wedding information, has been distributed since last fortnight. . "We distributed various saplings such as lipstick aglaonema, Madhukamni, Beli among others.," he said.
Mint
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Neeraj Ghaywan on ‘Homebound': ‘If I don't tell my stories, who will?'
Neeraj Ghaywan returned to Cannes 10 years after his debut feature film Masaan premiered there. Homebound, his sophomore feature, which premiered to heartfelt applause and tears at the festival on 21 May, follows two young men in rural India—Muhammed Shoaib Ali, played by Ishaan Khatter, and Chandan Kumar, played by Vishal Jethwa—determined to escape a life marked with bigotry and poverty. As a Muslim, Shoaib faces constant discrimination and as a Dalit, Chandan's place in the social hierarchy is all but pre-determined. The two best friends grew up down the road from each other and we meet them at an age where their concerns about providing for their families and transcending their circumstances have taken centre stage. Shoaib's father wants him to take up a menial job in Dubai, where he won't be looked at askance on the basis of his religion, and Chandan's family is willing to go to great lengths to ensure he can pursue a career or education outside their village. But to the two friends, a police uniform represents a shortcut to the respect they've always been denied. So along with two million other young hopefuls, they take the qualifying state exam for a constable position. But when police recruitment is put on hold, they must scramble to figure out Plan B. Sudha, a young Dalit woman (played by Janhvi Kapoor) whom Chandan meets by happenstance and slowly begins to fall in love with, has decided that higher education is the only pathway that will allow her to truly rise up in the world. Fissures caused by her and Chandan's different strategies for upward mobility soon begin to appear in their relationship, and Shoaib, too, starts to pull away from Chandan when they disagree on the best path forward for each of them. What makes Homebound layered and complex is how these three characters, all from marginalised backgrounds, have their own moral compasses, world views, and pain thresholds. There's no monolithic view or solution when it comes to deep-rooted systemic problems and we see it in the way the three challenge each other's ideas. Shoaib and Chandan are wonderful foils for each other—the former's righteous anger offset by the latter's endearing tenderness. They push and challenge each other, but when it really counts they're also a shoulder for the other to cry on. Their friendship is the beating heart of the film, played with a lived-in camaraderie and mutual affection by Khatter and Jethwa. 'One of my inspirations is a quote by Rilke—'Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. No feeling is final'," says Ghaywan during an interview at Cannes. 'I wanted to show the beauty, not just the terror, because it's a patronising gaze to only see people as victims. In their world, there's also joy. There's also friendship. There's also family, and inter-family love. Because from an urban gaze, it's more about victimhood, which is a narrative that I'm honestly very tired of seeing. And I don't feel seen. And if I don't tell my stories, who will?" Eventually Shoaib and Chandan end up working at a textile factory hundreds of kilometres away from home, and the series of choices that led them there set them on a path to eventual tragedy. Ghaywan walks a fine balance, allowing the quiet devastation of the final act (inspired by real events) to unfold while never teetering into melodrama. 'I wanted it to be cinema vérité," he explains, citing Ken Loach and the Dardenne brothers as influences. He also had the good fortune of having cinema legend Martin Scorsese in his corner. One of Homebound's producers, Melita Toscan du Plantier, is friends with Scorsese (who was already a fan of Ghaywan's work in Masaan) and shared the script with him. The next thing Ghaywan knew, the Oscar-winner was emailing him notes and watching cuts, and even meeting with him over Zoom to offer feedback. 'It's still not sunk in," he says, of Scorsese's generosity of time and expertise on this film. Together with his collaborators, what Ghaywan has created is a work of deep empathy, one that seeks to bring about understanding rather than to vilify or alienate. 'I didn't come from a place of hatred for the other side. Because I'll become one of them, right? I want to be empathetic towards them… because people are victims of societal pressure, of misinformation, so instead of pointing daggers, maybe we can hold their hands and tell them, 'let's watch it together and see what happens.'" Pahull Bains is a freelance film critic and culture writer. Also read: Assassin's Creed Shadows review: Vast and beautiful, with a story mode
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
'Where Can I Find One?': Internet Is Swooning Over This Husband's Honeymoon Surprise
Last Updated: A couple's romantic honeymoon video from Manali featuring a surprise iPhone gift goes viral, sparking admiration and playful comments across social media platforms Romantic honeymoon videos often become viral sensations on social media, delighting users who enjoy witnessing such tender moments. Presently, one such video is capturing widespread attention online. Many viewers have expressed admiration for the husband featured in the video, with some wishing for a similarly thoughtful partner. In contrast, others ponder when their own spouses might surprise them in such heartfelt ways. The story centres around Anjali and Chandan, a newly-wed couple who chose Manali as their honeymoon destination. Upon arrival, they checked into a luxurious hotel where the staff had prepared a beautifully decorated room to enhance their romantic experience. The bed was arranged with a pristine white sheet and adorned with red and yellow flowers forming a heart shape, setting the perfect tone for their stay. During their time in Manali, the couple filmed a romantic video which has since gone viral. In the clip, Anjali, dressed in a striking red dress, is seen sitting on the bed awaiting her husband's arrival. She is left speechless when Chandan enters and presents her with a surprise gift: an iPhone. Overwhelmed with joy, she thanks him warmly. After sharing the video on social media, it quickly amassed millions of views and thousands of likes. Reactions from users ranged from heartfelt to humorous. One user commented, 'You are so lucky," while another quipped, 'He will give Rs 150 …" among other light-hearted remarks. First Published:
France 24
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Cannes 2025: How Scorsese helped push Indian drama ‘Homebound' over the line
The frantic scramble for a coveted government job kicks off on a crowded train platform in Neeraj Ghaywan's 'Homebound', a deeply moving tale of two young men striving to escape a life of poverty and discrimination on India 's fringes. Executive produced by Martin Scorsese, who helped push the project over the line, the harrowing social drama is Ghaywan's first film in a decade after his 2015 Cannes breakout 'Masaan'. It drew a lengthy standing ovation at this year's festival, where it premiered in the Un Certain Regard segment dedicated to emerging cinema. The stage is set when childhood friends Chandan (Vishal Jethwa) and Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) elbow their way onto a packed train coach bound for the city, where they hope to sit an exam for aspiring civil servants. 'Are we going to an exam or to war?' they ask after climbing on board, in the film's breathless opening scene. The two friends hail from a poor village in northern India and dream of becoming policemen, hoping to land the job they believe will grant them protection and dignity. Ghaywan says theirs is an everyday story in a country where more than 40% of young graduates are unemployed and young people crave the security of government employment. 'Civil service jobs are for life, so they are particularly sought after, especially for people from marginalised backgrounds,' he explains. 'Most youths in our country aim for this kind of job, it's a real obsession.' The director adds: 'The train scene at the beginning is not an invention. It was inspired by videos where young people storm goods trains, fighting to get on the roof in the hope of making it to the exam. It happens in real life.' Outcasts Shoaib and Chandan, however, are pushed back at every turn, because one is Muslim and the other is from the lowest rung in the rigid Hindu caste system. Caste and religion are highly sensitive subjects in India, where the Hindu nationalist government is routinely accused of stoking hatred of Muslims. 'In our country, the scrutiny begins with your name, from which people determine which caste you belong to,' says Ghaywan. 'The characters in the film believe that getting a job in the police will offer them a form of dignity, a form of protection from the hate and shaming that comes their way.' 'Homebound' is the second feature by Ghaywan, whose first film 'Masaan' drew rave reviews and picked up two awards in Cannes in 2015. Instead of jump-starting the director's career, however, the unexpected success clipped his wings – and it has taken him a decade to finish his second film. 'I suffered from impostor syndrome because of my origins,' explains the filmmaker, pointing to his own low-caste background. 'The feeling peaked in Cannes, where I felt undeserving of the praise and attention.' 11:22 Ghaywan has described himself as the 'first acknowledged Dalit behind a camera' in the history of Indian cinema. 'I harbour a lot of shame, but at the same time, I'm driven by this quest to do something, to talk about those left behind,' he says. 'Our cinema should tell more stories about them. We only talk about urban stories when 60% of people live in villages.' 'Shaped' by Scorsese As he laboured to write the rich and complex screenplay for his second feature, Ghaywan made a decisive encounter that helped break the deadlock. His co-producer Mélita Toscan du Plantier, who had already backed his first film, decided to put him in touch with her longtime friend Scorsese, knowing that the legendary director of 'Goodfellas' and 'Taxi Driver' had spoken in glowing terms of 'Masaan' when it came out a decade ago. 'We decided to send the screenplay to Martin Scorsese. He read it and sent me some comments by email, making suggestions about the narrative arc, the structure,' Ghaywan recalls. 'The feedback was so good, I modified the script accordingly.' Scorsese again helped out during the editing process, watching three different cuts of the film and providing 'detailed and pertinent' feedback, adds Ghaywan, who says he drew on Scorsese's remarks while ensuring his film retained a distinctive cultural identity. 'In India, we have our own way of expressing emotions, including the way we speak,' he says. 'Our films can be perceived as excessively emotional or melodramatic, but it is very important for me to retain this component because it is our cinematic language.' Ghaywan revealed Scorsese's role as the film's executive producer in late April, two weeks before heading to Cannes. He highlights the 'selflessness' of the iconic director who played a 'crucial role' in the movie's making. 'I'm extremely lucky to have had a legend like him spend all this time to help shape my film,' he says. 'I've experienced what every independent filmmaker dreams of.'
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Exclusive - Pawan Kumar Singh enters Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai as Anita Bhabi's Ex-Boyfriend; says 'I've been a fan of BGPH myself...'
Actor Pawan Kumar Singh, known for his comic timing and past work in television comedies, has joined the cast of cult comedy show Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai. Pawan will be seen portraying Chandan, the ex-boyfriend of Anita Bhabi (Vidisha Srivastava), whose unexpected arrival adds a surprising twist that will leave the Modern Colony residents in shock. Sharing his excitement, Pawan Kumar Singh says, 'I was thrilled when I first heard about the character. Honestly, more than the character itself, I was excited to be part of a show that has ruled hearts for nearly a decade. I have been a fan of Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai myself, and getting to work alongside actors and characters I have admired for so long feels surreal. I am sure my entry will bring in a lot of laughs for the audience, though it might cause a bit of stress for the characters (laughs). ' Talking about his character and the upcoming track, Pawan reveals, 'Chandan is Anita's ex-boyfriend from college who is now settled in London. He reconnects with her and proposes a lucrative business partnership, urging her to move to London with him. He even travels to Kanpur to meet her. When Anita confesses her past with Chandan to Vibhuti, he is left completely stunned. The drama intensifies when Chandan asks Anita to divorce Vibhuti and start a new life with him in London, and to everyone's shock, Anita agrees. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The twist sends both Vibhuti and Tiwari into an emotional tailspin. To prevent Anita from leaving, they resort to desperate measures like roping in Teeka (Vaibhav Mathur), Tillu (Salim Zaidi), and Malkhan (Vipin Heero), who have now turned into local goons for hire, engaging in quirky jobs like extortion, kidnapping, and intimidation. With this unexpected turn of events, viewers can expect chaos, hilarious confusion, and full-on entertainment." Aasif Sheikh: Nobody misses the people who left Bhabhi Ji; the show is about content & not the artist
