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New Statesman
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Statesman
The Estate is a Westminster fever-dream
Photo by Helen Murray Fashioning art from the contemporary political scene is no mean feat. Politicians are up, then down, then up again, and ideas and policies are dreamed up as quicky as they are thrown out. The playwright Shaan Sahota's debut play, The Estate, makes a valiant attempt to turn politics into drama: there are moments that echo the frenzied chaos of July 2022, when the prospect of Boris Johnson's resignation seemed more like a Westminster feverdream than a political reality. Sahota's protagonist, Angad Singh, is the MP for Reading Central and shadow environment secretary (his party isn't identified). Angad, dexterously played by the Bafta-winning actor Adeel Akhtar, is a slight, asthmatic man, whose motivation for entering politics is unclear. The play opens in his office in Westminster, decked out with all the parliamentary trimmings (including green chairs, lanyards and visitor passes) in a set designed by Chloe Lamford. The leader of the opposition has just resigned over a sex scandal, throwing his party into a frenzy. Angad is immediately pressed to run for the leadership by his excessively keen staffers, who are more like caricatures from The Thick of It than developed, three-dimensional characters. But this is not the only drama consuming Angad. Early in the play, his father dies, and his spectre hangs over Angad throughout the show's two and a half hours. A Punjabi Sikh with a large property portfolio, Singh senior had high hopes for his only son: he sent him to Harrow and later supported him through Oxford. When Angad's two elder sisters, Malicka (Shelley Conn) and Gyan (Thusitha Jayasundera), discover they have been written out of their father's will, they spend the rest of the play locked in a war of attrition with their brother. The Estate is captivating and deeply unsettling. It dances confusingly between critiques of the roles played by race, class and gender in the British political system. Even so, it is a bracing exploration of the corrupting power of politics and a reminder that underneath it all, MPs are still human. The Estate National Theatre, London SE1 [See also: Miyako Yoshida's Giselle is a transfixing triumph] Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Related
Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Salman Khan's bodyguard Shera owns a Rs 1.4 crore Range Rover, has reported net worth of Rs 100 crore, is ready to take a bullet for his ‘maalik'
While Salman Khan's personal and professional life has seen its share of ups and downs, there has been one constant: his bodyguard Shera. In 2012, Salman was even inspired to make a movie based on Shera's presence in his life, titled Bodyguard. In interviews over the years, Shera has spoken about his dedication to Salman, and has vowed to serve him till his dying day. Shera has also spoken about the difficulties that Salman has experienced in the years that that he's worked under him. Shera was born in Mumbai's Andheri to a Punjabi Sikh family, and his real name is Gurmeet Singh Jolly. He dropped out of school in the 11th standard, because he was obsessed with bodybuilding. He won the junior Mr Mumbai 1987 and came second in the junior Mr Maharashtra in 1987-88. Shera started working in the security business with Andre Timmins' Wizcraft. 'He was my neighbour, we grew up together, his brothers are close to me. He told me 'Why don't you do security?' So, I started with Wizcraft,' Shera told Mint in a 2011 interview. Shera started working with Salman in 1997, after Sohail Khan hired him to run security for 'Bhai' in Indore. Before that, they'd met briefly when Shera was handling security for Hollywood star Keanu Reeves during an India visit. Shera told Mint, 'I had just set up my own company—Tiger Security—and that year (1995) Sohailbhai (Khan's brother) called me because he wanted someone to go with Salman for shows and all. Sohailbhai was impressed with me, seeing my the way I talk and all. He asked me: 'Eh yaar, bhai ke saath tu rahega kya? Rahega na? (Will you stay with bhai? You'll stay, won't you?)'.' The deal was sealed. 'That time I used to wear a turban. I am a Sikh. Because of my job I had to leave the turban. It was not possible to keep because of the crowds. So I had to cut my hair. I started wearing a cap. We went for a show and gelled well.' Also read – Meet Salman Khan's bodyguard Shera: The man who calls Salman maalik At the trailer launch event for Bodyguard, Shera said, 'I am ready to take a bullet for him. But Bhai is the real-life bodyguard; if push comes to shove, he can take 10 bullets for his family and friends.' At the same event, Salman expressed the trust he has in Shera. 'I can trust him with everything. I can trust him with money, I can trust him with women, I can trust him with my family, I can trust him with my life. I can trust him before alcohol and after alcohol,' he said. At the launch event, Salman recalled a story of a drunk Shera challenging everybody to a boxing match. 'I remember one night, everybody had had a little too much to drink, and suddenly, they wanted to spar. I heard sounds of bodies hitting the floor, and saw my brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri's mouth split open because Shera was in total form. He then called me over, and taunted me by saying, 'No bodyguard around to protect you today'. I told him to chill, but he wouldn't. So I wore the gloves, and saw Shera running towards me. I got a lucky shot in, and I knew that I couldn't give him the chance to hit me back, so I kept punching him while he was down. Shera was so drunk, he started crying. He went into the kitchen, came out with a toothpick, and started slashing himself with it. 'Maalik, I can do anything for you', he said,' Salman recalled with a laugh. Read more – Does Shah Rukh Khan's bodyguard Ravi earn Rs 2.7 crore annually, Salman Khan's Shera deal in crores? Bollywood bodyguard Yusuf Ibrahim busts myths Even on his first-ever assignment with Salman, Shera needed an extra boost to get through the day. He told Mint, 'I was little tired. He gave me a pill. Bole, 'Have this'. One dose of something he gave me. I had it. You can't believe it: I ran 8 km in front of his car to clear the road (of fans). That was the job I did with Bhai.' Because of his long association with Salman, and his even longer stint as an entrepreneur, it has been reported that Shera's net worth is Rs 100 crore. He recently purchased a Range Rover worth Rs 1.4 crore. At the Bodyguard launch, Salman asked Shera who the 'woman' he was guarding when they first met, and Shera replied with a glint in his eye, 'Which one?' He knows everything about his 'Maalik', but Salman doesn't have an issue with him talking to the media. 'I never talked to the press actually. He told me, if you want you can talk. I said 'No, no'. Now, you see, things are changed. I will never write the book Salmanbhai joked about, that if I write, he will be doomed. Don't try to lead me there. It won't work,' he told Mint.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- The Hindu
Vehicle that fatally hit marathoner Fauja Singh identified, driver to be arrested soon: Punjab cops
The vehicle which fatally hit the world's oldest marathoner Fauja Singh in Punjab's Jalandhar district has been identified and the driver of the vehicle, an SUV, will be arrested soon, police said on Tuesday (July 15, 2025). Fauja Singh was 114, and the ironies could not be more tragic for the legend who got into stride just when others were slowing down. The marathon runner succumbed to injuries on Monday (July 14, 2025) evening after he was hit by the vehicle in his native Bias village while walking down the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway. "We have identified the vehicle from a CCTV footage. It is a Punjab registered Toyota Fortuner. From the accident spot, we recovered some fragments of the vehicle's headlight. After that we tracked down the vehicle. "In the CCTV footage, the part of vehicle, which was found at the accident spot, was missing. It was a left side's headlight fragment. The registration number was readable which we tracked. It's a vehicle whose owners have changed more than once (probably resale)," Senior Superintendent of Police, Jalandhar Rural, Harvinder Singh told PTI over the phone. "Now, our teams will nab the driver soon and recover the vehicle," the SSP said. He also said that the CCTV footage over a long stretch of the highway was scanned and a time lag was also noticed when the SUV should have reached from one spot to the other. After the incident, an FIR was registered against unknown driver under BNS sections 281 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), police said. Earlier in the day, some villagers said that it was probably an SUV which struck Fauja Singh in a hit-and-run incident. He was tossed 5-7 feet in the air, they claimed. Meanwhile, leaders cutting across party lines condoled the marathoner's death, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he was extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on the topic of fitness. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that the veteran marathon runner made the Sikh community around the world proud with his long distance running. "Very sad to hear about the death of famous Punjabi Sikh runner Fauja Singh ji. The world's oldest runner Fauja Singh ji, who made the Sikh community proud in the world with his long distance running, will always live in our hearts and memories. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones," Mr. Mann posted on X. Residents of Bias village also mourned the marathoner's death. Mahinder Singh, a villager, said the spot where the accident took place would be about 400 metres from Fauja Singh's home. "It's a highway... He was taken to a nearby hospital but succumbed to injuries. We were told that an unknown vehicle tossed him 5-7 feet in the air," he said. "He was a very nice person. Everyone respected him a lot," the villager added. Another local Gurpreet Singh said after the vehicle struck Fauja Singh, he was immediately rushed to hospital. "We took him to hospital... The vehicle which struck him could be an SUV. He suffered injuries to head and other parts of body. Entire village has plunged into sadness after his demise. Our village got global recognition due to him," Mr. Gurpreet said. On Tuesday, the Jalandhar police said that efforts are on to trace the erring driver, who had fled after the incident. The last rites of Singh are likely to be conducted after a couple of days, a family member told PTI on Tuesday. "We have many relatives living abroad including in the U.K. and Canada. So, it may take some time before they reach," he said. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the news of Fauza Singh's demise is deeply saddening. "Living a healthy lifestyle and reaching the age of 114, which seems impossible in today's era, he made possible," said Mr. Saini in a post in Hindi on X. "His indomitable energy and message of a healthy lifestyle are a source of inspiration for us all. His life journey will continue to inspire future generations to move forward with discipline, determination, and positive thinking," the Haryana CM said. The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday paid tributes to Fauja Singh. On the concluding day of the special session of the assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ravjot Singh moved a proposal for paying tributes to Singh in the House. Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa and state Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also condoled the death of the marathon runner. "Deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Fauja Singh ji, the world's oldest marathon runner. At 114, he remained an inspiration for resilience and hope. Punjab and the world salute his incredible life," Bajwa posted on X. In a post on X, Punjab Congress chief Warring wrote, "Saddened over the untimely death of our legend #FaujaSingh Ji. He was an example of grit, determination and perseverance running marathons well past 100 years." "More shocking is that he fell victim to a hit-and-run incident. We never know how long he may have lived more. A precious and an illustrious life has been taken away from us. Hope the culprit is identified and punished," Mr. Warring said in his post. Pargat Singh, Congress MLA from Jalandhar Cantt and former Indian hockey captain, said, "Even at the age of 114, he continued to inspire generations with his strength and commitment. His legacy, however, will forever live on in the hearts of those fighting for a healthier, and drug-free Punjab." The widely-admired 114-year-old, whose career as a marathon runner began when he was 89 and propelled him to the status of a global icon, gaining the nickname "Turbaned Tornado" for his endurance and athleticism. Born in 1911 into a family of farmers, Fauja Singh was the youngest of four siblings. He became the first centenarian to complete a marathon, earning multiple records while participating in international events. He went on to run marathons, including the famed ones in London, New York and Hong Kong, and inspire awe for clocking some brilliant timings for a 90-plus man born with weak legs. Among the most memorable of his runs was in 2011 when he turned 100. The invitational meet in Toronto was named in his honour and he broke several world records for his age group. The frail man, who weathered many personal storms with his resilience and "nonchalance", had spent a better part of his running career in Britain and returned to his roots just about three years ago after retiring. Last year, Singh, in a symbolic gesture, joined Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria in a walkathon to spread awareness against drug abuse.
Economic Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Fauja Singh made Sikh community around the world proud: Bhagwant Mann
Agencies Fauja Singh (File Photo) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said veteran marathon runner Fauja Singh, who died in a road accident, made the Sikh community around the world proud with his long distance died on Monday after being hit by an unidentified vehicle while out for a walk in his native village in Punjab's Jalandhar district. He was 114."Very sad to hear about the death of famous Punjabi Sikh runner Fauja Singh ji. The world's oldest runner Fauja Singh ji, who made the Sikh community proud in the world with his long distance running, will always live in our hearts and memories. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones," Mann posted on Tuesday, a police official from Jalandhar said that efforts are on to trace the erring driver who fled after hitting last rites of Singh are likely to be conducted after a couple of days, a family member told PTI on Tuesday. "We have many relatives living abroad including in the UK and Canada. So, it may take some time before they reach," he in 1911 into a family of farmers, Singh was the youngest of four siblings. He became the first centenarian to complete a marathon, earning multiple records while participating in international began running marathons at an old age, gaining the nickname "Turbaned Tornado" for his endurance and athleticism. He moved to England in the 1990s and later returned to live in his native village in Punjab in recent years where he has been living presently. He was a torchbearer for the London 2012 Olympics. Last year, Singh, in a symbolic gesture, joined Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria in a walkathon to spread awareness against drug of Opposition in Punjab Assembly and Congress leader, Partap Singh Bajwa also expressed his condolences over Fauja Singh's demise."Deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Fauja Singh ji, the world's oldest marathon runner. At 114, he remained an inspiration for resilience and hope. Punjab and the world salute his incredible life," Bajwa posted on a post on X, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring wrote, "Saddened over the untimely death of our legend #FaujaSingh Ji. He was an example of grit, determination and perseverance running marathons well past 100 years. "More shocking is that he fell victim to a hit-and-run incident. We never know how long he may have lived more. A precious and illustrious life has been taken away from us. Hope the culprit is identified and punished," Warring said in his post. Pargat Singh, Congress MLA from Jalandhar Cantt and former Indian hockey captain, said, "Even at the age of 114, he continued to inspire generations with his strength and commitment. His legacy, however, will forever live on in the hearts of those fighting for a healthier, and drug-free Punjab."
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Fauja Singh made Sikh community around the world proud: Bhagwant Mann
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said veteran marathon runner Fauja Singh, who died in a road accident, made the Sikh community around the world proud with his long distance running . Singh died on Monday after being hit by an unidentified vehicle while out for a walk in his native village in Punjab's Jalandhar district. He was 114. "Very sad to hear about the death of famous Punjabi Sikh runner Fauja Singh ji. The world's oldest runner Fauja Singh ji, who made the Sikh community proud in the world with his long distance running, will always live in our hearts and memories. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones," Mann posted on X. On Tuesday, a police official from Jalandhar said that efforts are on to trace the erring driver who fled after hitting Singh. The last rites of Singh are likely to be conducted after a couple of days, a family member told PTI on Tuesday. Live Events "We have many relatives living abroad including in the UK and Canada. So, it may take some time before they reach," he said. Born in 1911 into a family of farmers, Singh was the youngest of four siblings. He became the first centenarian to complete a marathon, earning multiple records while participating in international events. Singh began running marathons at an old age, gaining the nickname "Turbaned Tornado" for his endurance and athleticism. He moved to England in the 1990s and later returned to live in his native village in Punjab in recent years where he has been living presently. He was a torchbearer for the London 2012 Olympics . Last year, Singh, in a symbolic gesture, joined Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria in a walkathon to spread awareness against drug abuse. Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly and Congress leader, Partap Singh Bajwa also expressed his condolences over Fauja Singh's demise. "Deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Fauja Singh ji, the world's oldest marathon runner. At 114, he remained an inspiration for resilience and hope. Punjab and the world salute his incredible life," Bajwa posted on X. In a post on X, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring wrote, "Saddened over the untimely death of our legend #FaujaSingh Ji. He was an example of grit, determination and perseverance running marathons well past 100 years. "More shocking is that he fell victim to a hit-and-run incident . We never know how long he may have lived more. A precious and illustrious life has been taken away from us. Hope the culprit is identified and punished," Warring said in his post. Pargat Singh, Congress MLA from Jalandhar Cantt and former Indian hockey captain, said, "Even at the age of 114, he continued to inspire generations with his strength and commitment. His legacy, however, will forever live on in the hearts of those fighting for a healthier, and drug-free Punjab."
