Latest news with #FreedomatMidnight
India.com
15-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- India.com
This Indian king had 350 mistresses, fathered 88 children, he was famously known as..., name is...
India's most flamboyant king had 10 wives, 350 mistresses, 88 kids, he built Chail cricket ground and was the man behind Patiala peg, he is... Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was not just a king, he was a larger-than-life personality known for his rich lifestyle, love for food, and grand way of living. His habits were so extravagant that even British officers who visited him were left amazed. Some stories about him are so surprising, hat they are hard to believe, but they're all true. He loved to eat, especially parathas and kebabs, and people say he could easily eat enough food for five people in one meal. Once, during a dinner with a British officer, his plate was seen loaded with about 15 kinds of parathas, heaps of kebabs, and his famous Patiala peg of whisky. The officer was so shocked, he later wrote about the experience. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was a tall man, he stood at 6 feet 4 inches in height and weighing around 136 kg. He was born on October 12, 1891, and was lovingly called 'Tikka Sahib' as a child. Sadly, he lost his father at the age of just 9, and soon after, he became the ruler of Patiala. His life was full of colour, charisma, and unforgettable tales. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, the man with many interests Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was a man of many interests, he was a sportsman, soldier, music and art lover, a caring father, and also known for living a life full of luxury and indulgence. His personality had so many sides that people who met him were often surprised. According to historians Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins in their book Freedom at Midnight, the Maharaja could eat up to 10 kilograms of food in a day. For him, having two whole chickens just with tea was normal. He also had a grand stable with 500 of the world's finest horses. His lavish lifestyle is also seen in the fact that he had a harem of 350 women with whom he fathered 88 children, of which 52 survived to adulthood. To boost his strength and stamina, he used to take special medicines made from rare herbs and spices. He married ten times, and his favourite wife was Rajmata Vimala Kaur, who often travelled abroad with him and made public appearances. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh paid a lot of attention to the women in his harem. He made sure they looked exactly how he liked. For this, he hired perfumers, hairdressers, jewellers, and even brought in plastic surgeons from France and Britain to change their looks if needed. In an article by James Sherwood published by Henry Poole & Co, it was written that the Maharaja would often have his favourite women from the harem sit around his cold-water swimming pool with no clothes on. While swimming, he would sometimes stop to touch them or take a sip of whisky. Even the ceiling in his bedroom was decorated with erotic carvings, showing just how extravagant and bold his lifestyle was. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh also had his own private airplane, and he owned 44 Rolls-Royce cars. He had a deep love for cricket and is often called the Father of Indian Cricket. In 1911, he even led the Indian cricket team to England, and between 1915 and 1937, he played many first-class matches. The famous 'Patiala Peg' a large serving of whisky was also his invention.
India Today
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
The Revolutionaries first look: Nikkhil Advani recreates Indian freedom struggle
The first look of Prime Video's upcoming show 'The Revolutionaries' depicts the fight of young freedom fighters against the British rule. The Nikkhil Advani directorial features an ensemble cast led by Bhuvan Bam, Rohit Saraf, Pratibha Ranta, Gurfateh Pirzada and Jason 56-second promo shows the revolutionaries in different disguised getups taking arms against the colonial oppressors. The first look also gives a glimpse of the time period when India was governed by Britishers. 'The Revolutionaries' is currently being filmed across multiple locations in India, including Mumbai, Amritsar, Varanasi, Dehradun, and Madhok, Director and Head of Originals, Prime Video, India, while speaking about the historical series, said, "'The Revolutionaries' is an ambitious and deeply meaningful project for us, and we are delighted to once again join forces with our long-time collaborator Nikkhil Advani and the talented team at Emmay Entertainment." He further said, "With Nikkhil's creative vision at the helm, and Bhuvan, Rohit, Pratibha and Gurfateh bringing powerful characters to life, we are confident in our ability to authentically portray the spirit of the era and honour this inspiring chapter in India's history."Watch trailer here: While expressing his views on his new show about young patriots, Director Nikkhil Advani said, "For me, 'The Revolutionaries' is a deeply enriching and enlightening experience. Sanjeev Sanyal's powerful book has given us a compelling foundation to tell the untold stories of these extraordinary young patriots.""We're thrilled to work once again with our long-standing collaborators at Prime Video, who are wholly supportive and encouraging of our vision," he went on."We have brought together an exceptional crew and cast, led by Bhuvan, Rohit, Pratibha (Ranta) and Gurfateh, who are ready to fully immerse themselves in the spirit of this story and breathe life into these iconic characters. We are committed to crafting a narrative that is both authentic and impactful for audiences across the globe," the director who shot to fame with Kiran Rao's 'Laapataa Ladies', will also be seen playing a revolutionary in the under-production had previously directed the epic-drama series 'Freedom at Midnight' (2024), based on the book of the same name, authored by Dominique Lapierre and Larry by Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani under the banner of EmmayEntertainment, 'The Revolutionaries' will premiere on Prime Video.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mayasabha OTT release date: When and where to watch Deva Katta's Telugu series online
Mayasabha OTT release date: Mayasabha, one of the most intriguing OTT releases of the year, is almost upon us. The political thriller will be available to stream on SonyLIV on August 7. The streaming platform confirmed the same on July 12. Mayasabha, much like Scam 1992, is said to be inspired by real-life events. Mayasabha: Plot and cast explored Director Deva Katta is set to woo the audience with his latest web series Mayasabha, which is set in Andhra Pradesh and apparently tries to capture the volatile political landscape of the region. The teaser of the show begins with a voiceover, which states that the Chief Minister is expelling 35 MLAs from his party. It then delves into the journeys of Naidu and Reddy, two friends who become bitter rivals after a series of unexpected events. It also features sharp dialogues and tense showdowns. In a memorable portion from the teaser, Reddy warns Naidu that he will be be labelled a 'backstabber' if he goes against his father-in-law and the current CM. Mayasabha stars Aadhi Pinisetty as Kakarla Krishnama Naidu, Chaitanya Rao as MS Rami Reddy, and Divya Dutta. Deva Katta about Mayasabha Deva Katta, the director of Mayasabha, called the show an 'epic saga of friendship, ambition, and respectful rivalry'. Excited to share the teaser of my upcoming passion project, #MAYASABHA Season 1: 'Rise Of the Titans', premiering exclusively on SonyLiv from August against the backdrop of a state's journey from 1975, the story draws inspiration from a few pivotal its heart,… 'Excited to share the teaser of my upcoming passion project, #MAYASABHA Season 1: 'Rise Of the Titans', premiering exclusively on SonyLiv from August 7th. Set against the backdrop of a state's journey from 1975, the story draws inspiration from a few pivotal events. At its heart, an epic saga of friendship, ambition, and respectful rivalry—hope you enjoy the ride,' he posted on X (formerly known as Twitter). Mayasabha comes at a time when SonyLIV has made inroads in the entertainment space with shows such as realistic dramas, such as Freedom at Midnight. Rocket Boys and Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case. Mayasabha will premiere on SonyLIV on August 7 in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi.
India.com
07-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
This Indian king had maximum gold at time of independence, gave 425 kg gold to govt for..., his name was..., he ruled...
New Delhi: India got independence on 15 August 1947. At the time of independence, there was a king in the country who had the most gold at that time. It is said that he had so many pearls that if he wanted, he could have covered all the pavements of Piccadilly Circus in London with those pearls. We are talking about the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, who was called the richest man not only in India but in the world. Today we are going to tell you some facts related to Mir Osman Ali Khan. Trucks full of gold According to a report by Financial Express, Mir Osman Ali Khan had more than 100 million pounds (45359 tons) of gold. Apart from this, there were diamonds, pearls, rubies and other jewels worth around 400 million pounds. Famous historians Dominic Lapierre and Larry Collins write in their book 'Freedom at Midnight' that the Nizam of Hyderabad had so much gold that dozens of trucks filled with gold bricks used to stand in the mud in his garden. Because of the weight of these trucks, their wheels had sunk. Apart from this, the Nizam had so many pearls at that time that if he wanted, he could cover all the pavements of London's famous Piccadilly Circus with them. 425 kg gold was handed over to the government Historians tell that in 1965, when the war between India and Pakistan broke out, the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri started a campaign to raise funds. During this time, the government started the National Defense Gold Scheme. According to the information, the Nizam had invested 4.25 lakh grams (425 kg) of gold in this scheme. This is also mentioned in a speech of Lal Bahadur Shastri. According to a report of The Hindu dated 11 December 1965, when Lal Bahadur Shastri came to Hyderabad, the Nizam welcomed him at the airport. Later on the same day, Lal Bahadur Shastri addressed a rally and congratulated Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan for investing 4.25 lakh grams of gold in the National Defense Gold Scheme. According to the information, the value of that gold at that time was around 50 lakhs. India's first billionaire Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan is also called India's first billionaire. Osman Ali, who took over the Nizam's throne in 1911 at the age of just 25, had a total wealth of two percent of America's GDP at that time.
News18
18-06-2025
- General
- News18
Net Worth Of Over Rs 20L Cr But Smoked Cigarette Stubs Left By Guests: This Hyderabad Man Is...
Last Updated: The seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, also wore the same cap for 35 years and never got his clothes ironed. Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, is remembered not only for his vast fortune but also for his surprisingly modest lifestyle. At one point, he was considered the richest man in India. He became the ruler of Hyderabad in 1911, following his father's death, and remained in power until 1948, when the princely state was integrated into independent India. During his 37-year reign, his wealth grew to astonishing levels. As per multiple reports, his total fortune was estimated at nearly ₹17.47 lakh crore (approximately $230 billion), putting him on par with some of the richest individuals in the world. Despite this, the Nizam was known for his frugality. He owned gold worth over $100 million and jewellery valued at $400 million. One of his most treasured possessions was the famous 185-carat Jacob Diamond, which today is estimated to be worth around Rs 1,350 crore. Still, in his personal life, he spent very little on himself. Authors Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, in their book Freedom at Midnight, wrote that the Nizam used to collect used cigarette stubs left by guests and smoke them. Not only this, he wore the same cap for 35 years and never got his clothes ironed. He also ate from old tin plates despite owning golden utensils enough to serve 200 people. He had dozens of luxury cars, including Rolls-Royces. But instead of using them, he usually travelled in an old, worn-out car. If he saw someone driving a beautiful car, he would ask them to gift it to him and most people agreed out of fear or respect. But he rarely used those cars himself. Journalist Luke Harding mentioned in The Guardian in 2001, 'A frail, tiny man, and a devout Muslim, he was notorious for his meanness — he wore the same tattered fez for 35 years, dressed in rumpled cotton pyjamas, and ate all his meals off a tin plate while sitting on a mat in his bedroom surrounded by overflowing wastepaper baskets. But he was also, back then, the richest man on the planet." But beyond his eccentric personal habits, he was also known for his contributions to Hyderabad. He helped build many public buildings like the High Court, Central Library, Assembly Hall and State Museum. He is also said to have played a key role in designing India's first airport in Hyderabad. During the 1965 war with China, he donated five tons of gold to the Indian government. No one else had made such a big donation. Mir Osman Ali Khan passed away in 1967 at the age of 80. He left behind a legacy of wealth and contributions to society.
