Latest news with #ChokherBali
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Tota Roy Chowdhury's films to stream on OTT before Special Ops Season 2 releases
Dive into the amazing filmography of Tota Roy Chowdhury, which includes several notable films, highlighting his acting prowess over the years. If you are a fan of Bengali cinema and waiting to watch the 49-year-old actor's brilliant performance in Special Ops 2 on JioHotstar and OTTplay Premium on July 18, we are here with a list of Tota's must-watch films. From Chokher Bali to Aborto, and more, revisit Tota Roy Chowdhury's films on OTTplay Premium. Special Ops Season 2 Catch Special Ops 2 and other similar spy thrillers on JioHotstar like Red Sparrow, Madras Cafe, and more via OTTplay Premium now! Tota Roychowdhury's films on OTTplay Premium Chokher Bali Tota Roy Chowdhury plays Behari, a close friend of the lead character Mahendran (Prosenjit Chatterjee). The film Chokher Bali is adapted from Rabindranath Tagore's namesake novel, published in 1903. The story centers around widow Binodini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), and her complicated relationship with Mahendran, his wife Ashalata, and his friend Behari. Sasurbari Zindabad Tota Roy Chowdhury plays Prashanta Mitra, a pivotal character in the Prosenjit Chatterjee-starrer. The Bengali drama follows a young couple, Somu and Rupa, getting secretly married despite their respective families' disapproval of their relationship. While Rupa belongs to a wealthy family, Somu is a middle-class man. Rupa's mother tries her best to break their marriage throughout the film. Ranokhetro Tota Roy Chowdhury plays Noni Roy, the MLA's son, and the leader of drug peddlers. He is the main villain in this 1998 action thriller. In the film, college student Santu gets murdered by Noni when he protests his drug peddling on the college campus. This leads to his elder brother Raja taking the matter into his hands to bring justice to Santu when the law failed to do the same. Aborto Tota Roy Chowdhury plays Shyamal Sen, who is seen as an ambitious man working at a multinational company. The film explores the middle-class man's journey as he chases career goals, but he becomes increasingly detached from his family, including his teenage son and wife. He focuses fully on his ambition for a successful career. Te3n Tota Roy Chowdhury plays Peter Roy in this Amitabh Bachchan-starrer. Peter is the father of the young girl Angela, who gets kidnapped and murdered. The film follows the desperate quest of her grandfather John Biswas as he seeks answers to such a heinous crime. Teaming up with a police officer, the 70-year-old grandfather goes to any lengths to catch the killers in this investigative Hindi thriller.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jaya Bachchan once revealed if Aishwarya Rai was perfect choice for Bachchan family and ideal Mrs Abhishek Bachchan: 'She is such a big star herself but...'
A resurfaced video shows Jaya Bachchan praising Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. She called Aishwarya the perfect fit for their family. Jaya admired Aishwarya's grace and humility. Abhishek Bachchan revealed his mother and wife often team up against him. Jaya had expressed her joy for Aishwarya before her wedding with Abhishek. She welcomed Aishwarya with love and excitement into the Bachchan family. Jaya Bachchan 's admiration for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is winning hearts all over again. A resurfaced clip from Koffee With Karan has brought back a touching moment where the veteran actress opened up about her daughter-in-law, calling her the perfect fit for the Bachchan family. From praising Aishwarya's grace and humility to recalling her early welcome into the family, the video has sparked a wave of nostalgia and affection online. Here's a look at the warm bond between Jaya, Aishwarya, and Abhishek through the years. In the resurfaced Koffee With Karan interview, Jaya Bachchan spoke warmly about her daughter-in-law, Aishwarya, expressing deep affection and admiration. She described Aishwarya as a wonderful addition to the Bachchan family, appreciating her humility despite being a global star. Jaya highlighted how effortlessly Aishwarya blended into the family, observing that she carries herself with grace and understands the dynamics of relationships within the household. She also acknowledged that Aishwarya is the ideal partner for her son, Abhishek Bachchan . In a 2015 interview with DNA, Abhishek opened up about the warm bond between his mother, Jaya Bachchan, and wife, Aishwarya. He shared how the two often team up and communicate in Bengali—a language Jaya is fluent in and Aishwarya picked up while working with late filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh on Chokher Bali. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Their light-hearted camaraderie, especially when they join forces against him, reflected the ease and closeness in their relationship. Months before Aishwarya and Abhishek's wedding, Jaya Bachchan expressed her joy and affection for her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. She described Aishwarya as someone with strong values, grace, and a radiant smile, warmly welcoming her into the family and expressing her love and excitement for the new chapter ahead.
India Today
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Devdas to Parineeta: Romantic Bollywood films adapted from novels
Many of our favourite romantic films have been adapted from books. These stories, filled with love, heartbreak, emotions, and drama, have touched audiences both on paper and on screen. Indian filmmakers have brought these novels to life beautifully, turning these classics into unforgettable are seven romantic Bollywood movies that were inspired by popular novels:1. 'Devdas' Based on 'Devdas' by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay'Devdas' is a story of a man torn between his love for Paro and the pressures of society. It has been made several times, but each version shows the same strong emotions. Whether it's Dilip Kumar's version or Shah Rukh Khan's grand portrayal, the story continues to move audiences even '2 States' Based on '2 States' by Chetan BhagatThis film tells the story of Krish, a Punjabi boy, and Ananya, a Tamil girl, who fall in love during college and try to convince their families to accept their relationship. Inspired by the author's real-life love story, '2 States' is a light-hearted, emotional film that shows how love can overcome cultural differences.3. 'The Namesake' Based on 'The Namesake' by Jhumpa Lahiri'The Namesake' is about family, identity, and growing up between two cultures. It follows the life of Gogol and his parents, who move to the US from India. The film explores romantic and family relationships in a simple, emotional way that many people can relate to.4. 'Dil Bechara' Based on 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green'Dil Bechara' tells the story of two young people who are both fighting terminal illnesses and fall in love while living life to the fullest. Starring Sushant Singh Rajput and Sanjana Sanghi, the film touched many hearts, especially since it was released after Sushant's untimely death. It is a story of love, pain, and making every moment count.5. 'Parineeta' Based on 'Parineeta' by Sarat Chandra ChattopadhyaySet in old Kolkata, 'Parineeta' is about Lalita and Shekhar, childhood friends whose love faces challenges due to pride and confusion. The film's music, beautiful setting, and strong performances, especially by Vidya Balan in her debut, make it a memorable adaptation of a classic novel.6. 'Guide' Based on 'The Guide' by RK Narayan'Guide' is the story of Raju, a tour guide whose life changes when he meets a dancer named Rosie. Their relationship brings both success and struggles. The film, starring Dev Anand, explores love, ambition, and the search for a meaningful life. It is based on RK Narayan's famous novel and is considered a classic in Indian cinema.7. 'Chokher Bali' Based on 'Chokher Bali' by Rabindranath TagoreSet in colonial Bengal, 'Chokher Bali' tells the story of Binodini, a young widow who becomes involved in a complicated relationship. The film shows the emotions of love, jealousy, and loneliness, while also questioning social rules. Aishwarya Rai's performance added depth to this powerful story from Tagore's novel.- Ends
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Aishwarya Rai Bachchan said, 'I'm not a narcissist'; the actress was asked if she's happy with the way she looks
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is termed as the 'most beautiful woman in the world', most times. Ever since she was crowned Miss World in 1994, Aishwarya has won hearts with her beauty and grace. Of course, post that it was her long list of movies which continue to remain memorable. However, the actress has always paid attention to inner beauty and spoken about it as opposed to the outer beauty. In a viral clip from an old interview, Aishwarya was asked that no woman is really happy with her looks, so is she completely happy with the way she looks? The actress smiled wide and responded, "It's such a trick questions because if you say yes, you're presumptuous, you're a narcissist and I'm not a narcissist." She added, "No, I'm really okay with the way I look. All this is transient. It changes with time and that's about it. That's the external." As the clip went viral, netizens showered love on Aishwarya's answer and how deep she is. Earlier, in an interview with BBC Asian Network, Abhishek had defended Aishwarya and slammed people who just thought of Aishwarya as a pretty face. He had said, "Now I'm not speaking as a husband but as a co-star and actor. She's done some of the most daring roles, something you'd never expect from someone known for her beauty." He pointed to films like 'Provoked,' 'Chokher Bali,' 'Raincoat,' and 'Guru,' where her roles were complex, character-driven, and not centered on her appearance." On work front, Aishwarya was last seen in Mani Ratnam's 'Ponniyin Selvan 2'. The actress recently also won the internet with her appearance at Cannes 2025.
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
From Margins to Movement: The Legal Awakening of India's Widows and Single Women
Avid readers of Shakespeare may recall the melancholic musings of Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night — yearning for love in a world that objectified women. Literature across centuries, from Brontë's Jane Eyre to Tagore's Chokher Bali, has revealed a recurring truth: that women have long struggled to find their voice in patriarchal societies. While modern India has made significant strides in empowering women — with leaders at the forefront of politics, science, and social change — there remains a large, often invisible group still battling for dignity: India's widows and single women. Through its collaboration with the field research collective Kacheri Diaries, 5 Points Chambers has already supported vital legal literacy efforts — including recent groundwork in Urali Kanchan, Maharashtra, where rural widows and single women were informed of their land and succession rights for the first time. It's no surprise, then, that the work of Ekal Nari Shakti Sansthan (ENSS) — or The Organisation of Strong Women Alone — struck a powerful chord. What began as a grassroots movement in Rajasthan has now caught the attention of 5 Points Chambers, leading to a transnational collaboration rooted in shared values: justice, dignity, and access for all women, regardless of geography. Across India's rural landscape, particularly in conservative states like Rajasthan, single women — whether widowed, divorced, separated, or older and unmarried — face systemic exclusion. They are frequently denied access to family property, ostracised by society, and left without any real path to economic independence. While courts across India are over burdened with unresolved cases, there are countless women who cannot even access the system. Their stories never reach the courtroom. These are women who, despite having legal rights to property, livelihood schemes, or entitlements, are simply unaware — or unable — to claim them. In many cases, widows are left without family support, social standing, or even basic information on their rights. That's where ENSS steps in. Founded in Rajasthan, the organisation has been working tirelessly since 2002 to support single women, including widows, separated and abandoned women, and older unmarried women. What started as a state-level gathering of 450 widows in 1999 has grown into a full-fledged movement with single women themselves in leadership roles. At the helm is Chandrakala Sharma, a fierce advocate for gender equity and land rights, who has helped shape ENSS into a model of grassroots feminism rooted in dignity, access, and solidarity. ENSS's mission is bold and transformative: to ensure that every single woman, regardless of caste, religion, or class, can live as an empowered citizen with full access to legal, social, and cultural entitlements. As their legal awareness grows, these women are transforming their communities — helping others obtain access to electricity, clean water, government schemes, open education programmes, and skills training. They champion fair wages, push for individual MGNREGA cards as household heads, and demand respect not as victims, but as change-makers. Despite a strong constitutional and legal framework, enforcement remains the biggest barrier. Under Indian law, widows have rights to their husbands' property, and daughters have equal inheritance rights after the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005. Yet many women — especially in rural India — are unaware of these laws or lack the documents, support, or social power to enforce them. According to ENSS, widows often face opposition from their in-laws, who seek to evict them from family land. False accusations — branding them as 'unlucky are used to push them out of their homes and strip them of dignity. Separated and abandoned women fare even worse: they may have lived and worked on land for decades without a shred of legal entitlement, especially if no formal divorce has been obtained. The law still leaves many women behind. For instance: separated or abandoned women — whose husbands have left or disappeared — have no legal claim to marital property without a formal divorce. Divorced women may also lack legal recourse unless property is specifically awarded in settlement. Unmarried daughters, despite legal rights to parental property, often face societal resistance in asserting those rights. 5 Points Chambers, a UK-based law firm, is committed to advancing mediation and grassroots justice. As advocates for non-adversarial dispute resolution and equal access to justice, we collaborate closely with ENSS and partner initiatives like Kacheri Diaries, whose vital fieldwork has laid the groundwork for legal awareness in rural communities. Together, we aim to raise awareness and give a stronger global voice to their cause. Transformative legal awareness must be built from the ground up — starting with the most silenced voices. Legal schemes exist, but awareness doesn't. And this flaw remains all too common across rural and suburban India. As Chandrakala Sharma, head of ENSS, puts it: 'We are not just helping women survive — we are helping them reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Once a woman realises her rights, she is no longer alone.' As India moves forward with landmark reforms like the Mediation Act, let us not forget the women left furthest behind. The ENSS model teaches us that justice is not merely the domain of courts — it begins in fields, in villages, and in the quiet assertion of dignity by women who have refused to be broken. Susheel BellaraBarrister and Founder, 5 Points Chambers, London, UK Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
