Latest news with #Manik
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Bollywood's infamous villain's henchman, body double to Amitabh Bachchan, met an untimely end at just 37
Long before stunt performers were credited or celebrated, Bollywood's high-octane action scenes were shaped by unsung heroes behind the camera. Among them was Manik Irani, a dedicated stuntman and character actor who spent much of his career doubling for Amitabh Bachchan and supporting villains in classic Hindi cinema. Born on October 23, 1953 into a Parsi family in Mumbai, Manik Irani was fascinated by physical strength from an early age. Inspired by wrestling icon Dara Singh, he was drawn more to bodybuilding and physical training than to academics. But unlike most young men dreaming of stardom, Manik had a different ambition: he wanted to be a stuntman. That dream began to take shape when he started boxing on the streets and came into contact with MB Shetty, a prominent action director and stunt coordinator of the time, and father of filmmaker Rohit Shetty. Impressed by Manik's skills and physique, Shetty invited him to join his stunt team. It was a turning point Irani had long waited for, and he joined without hesitation. It was as if his story was already being written by fate. Manik Irani entered the film industry at a time when romantic heroes were fading from the spotlight. Rajesh Khanna, Hindi cinema's first superstar, was losing his hold on audiences, while a new, brooding force named Amitabh Bachchan was rising rapidly with his portrayal of gritty, simmering anger. For years, Manik Irani's roles remained small, often uncredited. But that changed with Mr. Natwarlal (1979), where he played a mute villager secretly working for the villain, essayed by Amjad Khan. It was a modest role, but one that gave Manik visibility. From the 1980s onward, he began receiving roles with dialogues and distinct screen presence. Manik adopted a more fearsome look in the early '80s, growing a full beard, bulking up, and sporting an intimidating smile that left an impression. He then appeared in major big budget films of that decade, including Shaan (1980), Naseeb (1981), and Silsila (1981). After collaborating with Don filmmaker Chandra Barot, Manik Irani was set to appear in his next project, Boss, alongside Vinod Khanna. However, the film was eventually shelved. It was finally Subhash Ghai's Hero (1983) that gave Manik the screen identity that stuck for life. He played a menacing goon named Billa, and though Jackie Shroff was the film's breakout star, the name of Manik's character became so popular that it became his off-screen identity too. From then on, he was known as 'Billa' — both in the industry and among audiences. Among his notable roles in the 1980s were his portrayal of Zebisko in Manmohan Desai's Mard (1985) and the monster in the Ramsay Brothers' Purani Haveli (1989). Although Purani Haveli didn't make a major mark at the box office, it marked a departure for Manik Irani. Playing the monster in the horror film allowed him to break away from the stereotypical villainous characters he was known for. He had already begun moving away from his established image, exploring different shades on screen over the years, occasionally taking on positive roles, most notably in Vishwanath (1978) and Aamne Samne (1982). He also made a rare appearance in Marathi cinema with Maal Masala (1992), where he was credited as 'Black Belt Champion Manik Irani' in a comedic karate instructor role alongside Ashok Saraf. Also Read | Film and TV actor, who worked with Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi, was not at peace with fame; left showbiz at the peak of his career and embraced spirituality Manik remained active in films well into the early '90s, starring in films such as Chor Pe Mor (1990), Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri (1990), Farishtay (1991), Saugandh (1991) and Deedar (1992), the latter two featuring a young Akshay Kumar. But fame brought with it a personal struggle. Manik reportedly became a heavy drinker, and despite being warned after a jaundice diagnosis, he continued to consume alcohol. His fitness declined, and he began to appear visibly heavier in his later roles. Tragically, he passed away on June 16, 1991, at the age of 37. News of his death remained relatively unknown at the time. Films featuring him continued to release posthumously, including Talaashi (1996) and Badla Aurat Ka (2001), leading some to mistakenly believe he was still alive. Though never a leading man, Manik Irani lived the life he aspired to. In an industry dominated by stars, he managed to carve out a unique space for himself.
The Star
20-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Inspiring change
My family is the motivation behind my advocacy work. My dad suffered a stroke as a result of smoking, and now he can't move his leg and struggles to speak. With better public policy, others will not have to suffer like our family. My parents are very supportive of me because they are victims of smoking. My dad has decided to quit not just because of the illness, but also because he has heard me speak to international audiences and it made him cry. But what really made me want to deep dive into tobacco control happened nine years ago. My friends and I were arrested for organising a student protest at a tobacco event that was promoting these harmful products to youth. When we got out of jail, there were many activists like us waiting outside and they said, 'We will back you up. If you are not allowed home, we too will not go home.' That crucial moment led me here. Manik Marganamahendra Executive director Indonesian Youth Council for Tactical Changes (IYCTC), Jakarta, Indonesia Manik has played a pivotal role in campaigns such as #SaveOurSurroundings (SOS), which raises awareness about the wide-ranging impact of tobacco, including its economic, human rights, and environmental consequences. In just one year, the SOS Movement has successfully engaged with five regional government offices, five national ministries, and more than 10 local and national legislative bodies in support of stronger tobacco control policies. For his decade-long contributions in tobacco control advocacy, Manik was recently named a Global Young Ambassador of the Year by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids – a recognition of his leadership on the international stage. I started on this path eight years ago. My father was a chain smoker for decades. Now, he is facing serious health complications and my mother, who never puffed on a single cigarette, had to battle breast cancer after years of exposure to second-hand smoke. As a basketball coach, I've watched with growing concern as e-cigarettes make their way into the hands of my young charges. Disguised in sleek packaging and marketed as cool, these vapes are falsely said to be harmless. What's worse, some of them believe it. To see kids as young as 13 having access to these devices is frustrating and alarming. I refuse to watch another generation be dragged into a cycle of addiction, illness and environmental harm caused by tobacco. Gene Navarra Gesite Jr. Project coordinator Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC), Philippines Gesite is an international affairs professional with over eight years of experience in policy analysis, project development and management, research, and international relations. At GGTC, he oversees project implementation and supports campaign and advocacy efforts to promote the universal adoption and enforcement of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Gesite also serves as the coordinator of the Global Youth Voices (GYV), a movement that unites global, regional and local youth organisations in over 130 countries, to make the industry pay for the harms caused by tobacco to the planet and its people. His work focuses on coalition-building, strategic partnerships, and global campaigns that empower youth advocacy, capacity-building, and awareness-raising initiatives. Like many young people, I got involved in fighting tobacco because it was harming those I cared about. It started when the same friends I had swum lap after lap with in the pool began vaping flavoured e-cigarettes between practices. I remember watching them disappear into bathrooms that had become vape lounges. Out of concern, I confided in my seventh-grade health teacher, who soon taught me about the dangers of these devices. Our conversation turned my protective instinct into purpose. I set out on a mission to create change through collective learning and activism, and helped build the first tobacco prevention programmes at my middle and high schools. Agamroop Kaur Youth ambassador Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Appointed by former California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon to the Tobacco Education and Research Oversight Committee, the student of cognitive science and global health at University of California, Los Angeles, began her tobacco control advocacy at age 12, creating prevention programmes at her school. The 2022 Barrie Fiske National Youth Advocate of the Year started her tobacco control advocacy so that her younger siblings, cousins and the students who come after her can learn and grow in a safe environment. She produced the award-winning documentary 'Big Tobacco, Bigger Epidemic', which examines corporate influence and regulatory failures behind the US youth e-cigarette crisis, and has served on the board of directors of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
News18
28-06-2025
- News18
In Bangladesh, Man Beats Shopkeeper, Damages Property After Being Asked To Pay
Last Updated: In the clip, the attacker, identified as Nasim Bhuiyan, can be seen grabbing Manik's beard and slapping him multiple times while customers watch. Disturbing CCTV footage from Ghior in Bangladesh has gone viral, showing a brutal assault on a local computer shop owner by a customer. The video, recorded inside Manik Computer, captures the shocking moment when the shopkeeper, Ali Azam Manik, is violently attacked. In the clip, the attacker—identified as Nasim Bhuiyan—is seen wearing a blue-striped shirt. He suddenly grabs Manik's beard and slaps him repeatedly, all while other customers look on in silence. Manik, dressed in a white kurta and skullcap, appears completely caught off guard by the aggression. The shop is visibly stocked with office supplies and computer accessories. Sharing the video on X, a user wrote, 'This shameless person should be arrested immediately, no matter what the dispute is, but such an insult to the Prophet's tradition of keeping a beard?" In the video, the attacker is seen grabbing Manik's beard and slapping him, while the shopkeeper desperately struggles to free himself. He adjusted his glasses and sought to restrain Nasim with the help of a few other men. Watch the video here: اس بے غیرت شخص کی فوری گرفتاری ہونی چاہیے تنازعہ چاہے کوئی بھی ہو لیکن سنت رسول داڑھی کی اس قدر توہین ؟ — Dr. Xia Khan (@DrXiakhan) June 26, 2025 Reportedly, the attacker was a frequent customer at the shop, often asking for services but leaving without paying. The recent altercation began when Manik asked Nasim to settle his pending dues. The incident took place on Monday night at around 9 PM when Nasim visited the shop for urgent work but was asked to wait. After losing his temper, he attacked Manik and also damaged a monitor worth around 15,000 taka (approximately Rs 10,465). Manik was injured and taken to Ghior Upazila Health Complex for treatment. A written complaint has been received, and legal action will follow after the investigation, Ghior Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Kohinoor Mia told Probash Time. In a similar incident, a group of around eight to ten men chased and beat the restaurant employees in the Civil Lines area of Kanpur. Following a complaint from hotel staff, authorities filed a case against eight individuals in the matter. The owner, Nitin Gupta, stated that Aditya Tripathi from Azad Nagar and Piyush Jaiswal from Lal Bangla had arrived to party with eight to ten friends. When they started leaving the restaurant, the waiter asked them to pay the bill. At this point, the men began abusing him. Later, the intoxicated men beat the employees with rods, sticks, and belts.
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Sword-wielding group attacks man, his friends in Mohali's Sector 70
A birthday celebration ended in bloodshed after a group attacked a man and his friends with swords in full public view near Jubilee Walk, Sector 70, late at night, police said on Monday. The accused have been identified Manpreet Singh, a resident of Ferozepur and currently living in Kharar; Manik of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh; Vishal, and a woman named Lovely. Manpreet and Manik have been arrested, and raids are underway for the other absconding accused, according to police. The complainant, Gurpreet, a resident of Sector 66, told police that he and his friends were celebrating his brother's birthday past midnight on Friday. After buying balloons from a vendor at the Phase 3B2 market, they were heading home, when a Ford Endeavour pulled up and one of the passengers allegedly hurled objectionable remarks at them. When confronted, the group inside the car, including two women, initially backed off and apologised, possibly due to the presence of bystanders. However, later, around 1.40 am, while Gurpreet and his friends were having dinner at Jubilee Walk, the same group returned with one more car, this time with more people. Armed with sharp-edged weapons, including swords, the group launched a violent attack on Gurpreet and his friends, causing head injuries. The victims were admitted to the civil hospital in Phase 6. Gurpreet filed a police complaint after getting discharged from the hospital. Investigating officer Keuual Kumar said, 'We have arrested two accused and their absconding accomplices will also be nabbed soon.' Police have booked the assailants under Sections 126(2), 115(2), 109, 191(3) and 190 of the BNS.
