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The Print
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Born out of Operation Sindoor, how Uttarakhand's Operation Kalanemi is weeding out impostor sadhus
Wearing a saffron scarf around his neck, the baba was offering 'solutions' to a steady stream of people waiting to seek help with their problems. A tent pitched by the roadside near the Uttarakhand assembly had a long queue outside it. Inside, was a religious 'baba', sitting surrounded by rice grains, rudraksha beads, vermillion powder for tilaks and other ritual paraphernalia. New Delhi: On a warm July afternoon, a senior police officer spotted an unusual sight on his way to work in Dehradun. When the police officer stopped to speak to him, the baba even offered him a 'remedy' that would enable him to live for at least 100 years. 'He made an audacious attempt to sell all his offerings to me even though I was a police officer. He then insisted on selling his offerings, such as a tilak or a ring and said if I wanted to become a successful politician or live for a lifespan of 100 years. After I refused all this and rather started questioning him about his background, he gave in,' said the officer. This 'baba' was one of hundreds such individuals the Uttarakhand Police identified as part of 'Operation Kalanemi'—a statewide crackdown launched on 11 July against fake sadhus and saints cheating people in the guise of offering them solutions to their problems. In the Ramayana, Kalanemi is a demon sent by Ravana disguised as a sadhu to delay Hanuman from procuring the sanjeevani booti to save Lakshman. Planning for the operation began following intelligence reports about the use of false identities and disguises near religious sites during Operation Sindoor—a military operation launched by the Indian armed forces to target the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan, weeks after 26 people were killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. 'In light of this (Operation Sindoor), a strategy of intensive document verification and intelligence surveillance was adopted across the state during sensitive religious events such as Kanwar Yatra and the Char Dham Yatra,' said a government official explaining the rationale behind the campaign. Operation Kalanemi, launched on the instructions of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has so far led to the identification of more than 500 impostors after verifying 2,448 suspected sadhus roaming across the hilly state, officials told ThePrint. So far, the state police have arrested 144 such suspects, while 337 have been let off after a declaration before an executive magistrate pledging not to repeat the acts. 'Just as the demon Kalanemi tried to mislead people by disguising himself as a saint, similarly, there are many 'Kalanemi' active in society today who are committing crimes in religious garb,' Dhami said on 10 July. 'Our government is fully committed to protecting public sentiments, the dignity of Sanatan culture and maintaining social harmony. Those who spread hypocrisy in the name of faith will not be spared under any circumstances.' The operation coincides with the huge influx of Kanwariyas and devotees from outside the state who undertake pilgrimages during this season. Many of them head to the holy towns of Haridwar, Rishikesh and Kedarnath, which draw lakhs of pilgrims at this time. Also Read: UP's Chhangur Baba: How 'healer' with 6 toes became conversion syndicate 'kingpin' with Rs 60 cr in banks From Operation Sindoor to Operation Kalanemi According to sources in the state government, police have in the past too identified such impersonators who use religious events and gatherings to dupe people. But this time, the crackdown was conducted in a more systematic manner. Officials said that the previous operations were more routine and localised in nature, where district police used to deal with offences on a case-by-case basis. In contrast, Operation Kalanemi is a more detailed drive launched by the police after top police officials at the police headquarters, led by the Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth, formulated plans at Dhami's instructions, added the source. Differentiating between Operation Kalanemi and past cases of routine policing, a senior police officer said that Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) teams in each district have now been empowered to identify such suspects and file a complaint at the local police station. Usually, their role is to collect intelligence on suspects and pass it on to the officers. Based on intelligence reports of religious impostors near religious sites during Operation Sindoor, the Uttarakhand government devised a strategy to identify and act against such fake sadhus. DGP Seth explained the objectives and protocols of the operation to all 13 police districts in the state during a video conference immediately after the CM announced the campaign. In the first 10 days of the campaign, the Haridwar district police verified the majority of 2,448 suspected sadhus, identifying 63 of them as suspicious and taking action against them. Dehradun identified 122 suspects through the verification of 398 people, followed by Tehri district police, which identified 87 suspects through the verification of 94 people. The Nainital district Police identified 44 suspects out of 252 people verified by police personnel in the district. In Udham Singh Nagar, known for housing a population from other states, 17 were let off after a declaration, while 16 were arrested after verification of around 155 suspects. A senior police officer attributed the higher numbers in Dehradun and Haridwar to intensive measures to identify suspects in these districts. 'The main reason for the higher number of cases emerging in Haridwar and Dehradun is twofold. Due to major religious events like the Kanwar Yatra, surveillance in these areas was extremely intense,' the senior police officer told ThePrint. 'And second, there were specific prior inputs regarding these districts, due to which a broad and strategic verification campaign was first launched here,' the officer added. Bangladeshi 'baba', family reunite As police patrolled Dehradun's rural areas, an LIU unit spotted a 25-year-old semi-nude man on the side of a road dressed like a sadhu with rings and lockets with pictures of Lord Shiva, Mahakal and Parshuram. 'When the said person was asked for his name/address, he could not tell us anything about himself. Passersby suspected him to be mentally ill, as he did not speak to anyone and was earning a living by begging,' an Uttarakhand Police officer noted in the complaint that formed the basis of an FIR. However, what made the LIU cops more suspicious was his inability to speak even a word of Hindi while he could utter a few words in Bengali. Suspecting that he might be a Bangladeshi or from the Rohingya community, police contacted a few local residents from West Bengal to help. In conversation with them, the accused identified himself as Rukan Raqab, also known as Shah Alam, from Bangladesh's Tangail District. In his alleged confession, Alam revealed that he left his home in anger about a year ago and inadvertently crossed the border into West Bengal. After some time begging near a bus stop in Kolkata, he travelled to Dehradun by train and pretended to be mute to evade detection by police. 'He was living here in hiding and disguised as a baba,' the LIU officer noted in the complaint. According to the complaint, on searching Rukan Rakab, police found 17 old wrist watches of different brands on both arms, 42 old rings/rings typically sold in fairs and 13 old metal chains. They also found a big round locket tied around his waist with the name and image of Shri Parashuram Ji on one side and Maa Renuka Ji's picture on the other side. He also had a small locket in his hand with a picture of Shiva on one side and Mahakaal written on the other. Since he entered India without any passport or valid visa, the Uttarakhand Police booked him under the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and the Foreigners Act, 1946, and arrested him. 'He is in judicial custody now, and work for his deportation is currently ongoing,' Dehradun SSP Ajay Singh told ThePrint. Additionally, he said that out of 122 people identified as suspects in his police district, 80 belonged to other states and did not have any accommodation in Uttarakhand. 'During Operation Kaalnemi, in the Sahaspur police station area of the district, a Bangladeshi citizen was arrested who had changed his name, adopted a Hindu name, and was promoting himself as 'Siddh Baba',' Uttarakhand DGP Deepam Seth told ThePrint. 'Confidential information was collected about him, and it was found that he had earlier come from Bangladesh to Kolkata. When the police pursued him, he continued to hide by moving to various places and eventually came to Dehradun, where he changed his name and disguise and settled,' Seth added. In another case, the Haridwar district police said they identified 13 people accused of duping people by impersonating religious figures, including Mehboob, Mohammed Ahmed, Saleem Mohammed Hassan and Zaid—from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. Two accused, Mohammed Jain and Sabir, belonged to Bihar, while one each belonged to West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. The Udham Singh Nagar district police have also arrested seven people from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh's border district of Pilibhit—Chunnu Miyan, Nazim, Afzal, Parvez, Imtiyaz Ali, Tarikh Ahmed and Mohammed Asif—for allegedly impersonating religious figures to dupe people. Similarly, Dehradun district police arrested Mohammed Yaqub, Bhikhari Lal, Kuldeep Sharma and Hazari Lal from Uttar Pradesh, as well as Saryug Yadav from Bihar, Baldev from Jharkhand, and Babli and Varshram from the state's Haridwar and Rishikesh districts under this campaign. On the other hand, the Uttarakhand Police also stumbled upon a man named Jitendra from Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad district who had gone missing in 2005. His family had given up all hopes of his return. Haridwar district police facilitated a reunion with his family after he was first spotted disguised as a Kanwariya during a random check near a 13th-century dargah under Piran Kaliyar Sharif police station. He did not have any valid documents but could vaguely recall his father's name and the police station. A thorough follow-up by the police helped trace his family. Chief Minister Dhami said at the launch of the campaign that strict orders had been given to police to start Operation Kalanemi against impostors 'cheating people in the name of Sanatan Dharma and playing with their emotions'. 'Many such cases have come to light in the state where anti-social elements are duping people, especially women, by disguising themselves as sadhus and saints,' Dhami told reporters. 'This is not only hurting the religious sentiments of the people, but also harming the image of social harmony and the Sanatan tradition. In such a situation, if a person of any religion is found engaging in such acts, strict action will be taken against them,' he added. (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also Read: Narendra Yadav or John Kem? Probe ordered into 'surgeries by man posing as British doctor' in Damoh
India Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Why every actor now wants to play the villain in pan-India films
In a striking shift across Indian cinema, the boundary between hero and villain is increasingly blurred. With pan-India spectacles becoming the norm, a new casting trend has emerged: top stars, across industries, are willingly stepping into the shoes of powerful Yash's much-hyped portrayal of Ravana in 'Ramayana', to Bobby Deol's bloody rampage in 'Animal', and Kamal Haasan's haunting Supreme Yaskin in 'Kalki 2898 AD', the villain has never looked more glamorous and compare this to a Hollywood tradition, where major stars frequently take on supporting or antagonist roles without necessarily being the central protagonist. From ensemble classics to recent examples like 'Oppenheimer', it is a familiar format. And now, that playbook is being adopted widely in Indian cinema, especially across pan-India films. But what is fuelling this surge of star-powered antagonists? And does it mark a fresh chapter in Indian storytelling or simply a marketing tactic dressed in dramatic grey?The rise of the star-villainThis trend of heroes turning villains isn't entirely new, it is rooted in Indian cinema's legacy. Legendary actor-politician Sr NTR played Ravana in 'Bhookailas' and again in his own production 'Seetharama Kalyanam', despite director KV Reddy's warning that such negative roles might clash with his divine image. In Tamil cinema, MGR took on a dual role in 'Ninaithathai Mudippavan', and Sivaji Ganesan played a rare negative part in 'Goondukili'. In Malayalam, Mohanlal debuted as a sadistic villain in 'Manjil Virinja Pookkal', while Mammootty's transformation as a ruthless landlord in 'Paleri Manikyam' was chilling and acclaimed. Even Rajinikanth built his early career on negative roles in films like 'Moondru Mudichu' and '16 Vayathinile'. But the modern wave, especially after 'Baahubali', has given villains a whole new cinematic weight. It has brought back the trend to the mainstream, but now with a different visual language and a new set of creative and commercial villains take centre stageStarting with Rana Daggubati as Bhallaladeva, his character was arguably more layered than the titular role of Baahubali. His cold ambition, wounded pride and emotional contradictions made him a towering presence in both films. It is no coincidence that the writing of the character rose in scale because Rana was playing the role. 'Baahubali' didn't just make Prabhas a pan-India hero, it turned Rana into one then, star villains have become a strategic casting choice. In 'Master', Vijay Sethupathi's Bhavani opens the film, setting the emotional tone even before Vijay's JD enters. His performance oozes menace and tragic backstory, elevating what could have been a routine gangster role. Similarly, Fahadh Faasil's psychologically unhinged cop in 'Pushpa' offered an eerie counter to Allu Arjun's rustic charisma. In 'Maamannan', again, Fahadh's portrayal of an upper-caste antagonist became the emotional core of the film's political then there came 'Animal', where Bobby Deol's largely silent, blood-drenched villain became a national obsession. His screen time was brief, but the impact was thunderous. A comeback narrative emerged overnight, one that has since translated into major roles for him in 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu', 'Kanguva' and 'Daaku Maharaaj'. The same goes for Kamal Haasan's Supreme Yaskin in 'Kalki 2898 AD', brief but are stars choosing the dark side?For one, it is commercially viable. As pan-India films target multiple linguistic markets, producers need faces that resonate across regions. A Bollywood star playing a Telugu or Kannada villain instantly expands the film's reach in the Hindi-speaking belts. As per trade reports, many of these actors, like Saif Ali Khan in 'Devara' or Sanjay Dutt in 'KGF 2', command hefty pay for relatively short shooting too, the villain role offers room to break free from formulaic heroism. Actors are no longer confined to righteous leads. They can be morally messy, psychologically broken, and theatrically powerful, all without carrying the burden of the viewer, it is a win. These face-offs between established stars have cinematic gravity. What could be more intriguing than Jr NTR clashing with Hrithik Roshan in 'War 2'? Or Ranbir Kapoor as Rama going up against Yash in 'Ramayana'? Or Prabhas crossing paths with Kamal Haasan in 'Kalki 2898 AD'? These aren't just rivalries, they are multi-layered battles of ethos, acting styles, and The multi-starrer pullThese casting choices also feed into the growing appetite for ensemble-led blockbusters. Take 'Kalki 2898 AD', where Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan and Disha Patani all co-exist. Or the upcoming film 'Coolie', which brings together Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna and Upendra. In each case, the villain is not a throwaway baddie, but a carefully crafted piece of the stars in a film means scope to attract more markets. But more importantly, it allows the audience to witness their favourite stars in unexpected combinations. Fans don't just turn up for one actor, they show up for the clash of flip sideBut it all comes at a cost. As more actors are cast in stylised villain roles, the risk of typecasting increases. Sanjay Dutt, post'KGF 2', Bobby Deol after 'Animal', and Vijay Sethupathi following 'Master' have all found themselves featuring in similar roles - bloodied, generic but larger-than-life. While the success is undeniable, the range starts to narrow. Even Fahadh Faasil, who is celebrated for his versatility, is now being used repeatedly as the off-kilter antagonist in big-budget There is also the question of sustainability. Bigger budgets to accommodate multiple stars mean smaller films are being squeezed out. When three actors co-lead one Rs 300 to 400 crore project, that is potentially three solo films not being made, leaving the theatres empty. The increasing budgets for giving that big-screen experience is also impacting other films, which are made considerably on lower budgets. The industry's middle layer, indie, mid-budget and small-budget cinema, is increasingly under concern is the rising trend of glorified violence. From Rolex in 'Vikram' to the final bloodbath in 'Animal', violence is now rendered with such style and bravado that it becomes seductive. The moral complexity is lost to slow-motion swagger. Are we now cheering brutality just because a beloved actor delivers it?Where does it go from here?This trend shows no signs of slowing down. Upcoming films like 'Ramayana', 'Coolie', 'The Raja Saab' and 'SSMB 29' are doubling down on hero-villain dualities featuring superstar pairings. The villain is no longer a secondary role. It is often the second lead, or in some cases, who forms the real emotional core of the audiences will not settle for style alone. For these star-villain roles to be impactful, the writing must evolve too. Not every villain can be Bhallaladeva and not every face-off can rest on legacy alone. The emotional architecture of these characters must rise to match the trend of heroes stepping into villainous roles has unlocked new space, for performance, for audience thrill, and for expanding the idea of pan-Indian stardom. It's where star power collides with story tension, and where anti-heroes stand shoulder to shoulder with traditional leads. But how long this lasts will depend on how smartly the industry evolves. The challenge isn't just casting bigger names, it's about writing stronger characters. And above all, it's about keeping the balance, and knowing when to push boundaries and when to pull back.- EndsMust Watch
India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
After Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt will star in Ramayana, she will portray the role of..,Lord Ram will be played by superstar…
After Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt will star in Ramayana, she will portray the role of..,Lord Ram will be played by superstar… Ever since Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana has been announced, fans and filmy buffs cannot wait to witness the magic it's going to create on screen. From the big banner productions, high technology usage, and the release of its first promo, it has been creating a buzz on social media. But after Ranbir Kapoor, who is all set to portray the role of Lord Ram, and Sai Pallavi, who will play Sita in Nitesh Tiwari's film. Another Ramayana-based film is also taking shape in the South, this time from veteran actor Vishnu Manchu. Vishnu Manchu's Ramayana Vishnu Manchu shared earlier that he has been working on this mythological film for a very long time. But he is going to adapt it with a twist. He also revealed that this version will emphasise Ravana's perspective. He came up with this concept back in 2009 and reached out to superstar Supriya to play the role of Ram. However, due to budget constraints, the film couldn't be made at that time. The direction of the film was supposed to be done by Vishnu's father, actor Mohan Babu, who would also be doing the dual role by portraying the role of Ravana. The scripts and dialogues of the film were also ready however, it was shelved that time and now years later, the project has once again gained momentum. Who Will Play The Role of Lord Ram, And Goddess Sita? Recently, in an interview, Vishnu shared that he has prepared the entire script, which would depict the story of Ravana from his birth to his eventual end. Speaking of casting, Vishnu immediately named Supriya as his first choice for the role of Lord Ram, while Bollywood's beloved actress Alia Bhatt was finalised for the role of Sita. He also shared that he wanted to play the role of Lord Hanuman; however, his father did not approve of this. He instead wants him to play the role of Indrajit, Ravana's powerful son. Meanwhile, Vishnu had visualised junior NTR's brother Kalyan Ram in the roles of Lakshman and Bharat, while veteran actor Satyaraj was chosen to play the wise and valiant Jatayu. This highly ambitious project will showcase a fresh and never-seen perspective on the classic tale by focusing on the character of Ravana, not just as a villain, but as a complex and multi-layered figure. As Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is all set to hit the theatres. All eyes will also be on Vishnu Manchu's take, which promises to showcase the old age tale with a twist.
India.com
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Vishnu Manchu to make 'Ramayana' with Alia Bhatt playing role of Sita, role of Lord Rama and Ravana will be played by...
Director Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming film 'Ramayana' has garnered lots of buzz in the news. Its first look was out recently, in which a glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor and Yash was seen. Now, Telugu actor Vishnu Manchu has made a revelation in an interview. He has said that he is planning a mythological project based on 'Ramayana'. But it will not be from the angle of Ram and Sita, but from the point of view of 'Lanka Naresh' Ravana and also mentions who he will cast in it. What ideas did Vishnu Manchu have for Ramayana? Vishnu Manchu told in an interview on Nayandeep Rakshit's YouTube channel that he has a completely ready script, which shows the journey of Ravana from his birth to his death. When the actor was asked who he would give which role to, he replied, 'The name of actor Surya comes first in my mind for the role of Lord Ram.' At the same time, he sees Alia Bhatt in the role of Mata Sita. Which actor was supposed to play Raavan in Vishnu Manchu's film? Vishnu Manchu said that this idea came to his mind in 2009 itself, and he also talked to Surya about this, but due to the budget not being according to my needs, it could not be made. The director of the film was going to be Raghavendra Rao, who is a famous film producer. My father (Mohan Babu) was going to play the role of Ravana. I have its script and dialogues ready. But I don't know whether I will ever be able to make it or not.' More about Vishnu Manchu's Ramayana 'Kannappa' actor Vishnu Manchu said that he wanted to play the role of Hanumanji in the film. But director Raghavendra did not want him to play this role because he had seen Vishnu in the role of Lord Indrajit. But the actor wants Surya's brother Karthi to play the role of Indrajit. He further told in the interview that Junior NTR's brother Kalyan Ram should be cast in the role of Laxman and veteran actor Sathyaraj should be cast in the role of Jatayu.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Alia Bhatt as Sita and Suriya stars as Lord Rama; Vishnu Manchu reveals dream cast for his Ramayana: ‘The script and dialogues are ready'
In the past few years, Indian mythology has become the new favourite subject of several filmmakers. The Ramayana was recently adapted by director Om Raut into his 2023 project Adipurush. However, his version of the Ramayana didn't resonate with the audience, and emerged as a major flop. Amid the criticism for that movie, filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari announced his version of the Ramayana, which is scheduled to release in two parts and is currently under production. Now, actor Vishnu Manchu has revealed that he, too, has a script ready. But, his version of Ramayana focuses on the life of Ravana. In a recent conversation with Nayandeep Rakshit on his YouTube channel, the Kannappa actor was asked whom he'd cast in his version of the story, and he quickly said, 'The only person who immediately appears in my mind for the role of Lord Rama is actor Suriya.' For the role of Sita, he picked Alia Bhatt. He then revealed, 'Funny that you ask, but I already have a script about Ravana. It covers his story from his birth to death. For the same, I approached Suriya in 2009 to play Ram. But, because the budgets were not working out for me, it didn't work out. The director of the film was supposed to be the legendary filmmaker Raghavendra Rao. My father was supposed to play the role of Ravana. I have the script and dialogues ready for it, but I don't know if I will ever be able to make it.' ALSO READ | Shah Rukh Khan injured while filming for King, flown to US for treatment, resting in UK: report He then expressed the desire to play the role of Lord Hanuman. 'But, Raghavendra sir didn't want me to play Hanuman. He wanted me to play Indrajeet. But, I would probably want Suriya's brother Karthi to play Indrajeet.' He added, 'The character of Lakshman is very soft, I would probably cast Jr NTR's older brother Kalyan Ram. For Jatayu, I would cast Sathyaraj sir. The Katappa from Baahubali.' Vishnu Manchu recently pulled off a big budget mythological drama Kannappa, where he played the titular role while actors Akshay Kumar, Prabhas and Mohanlal played Lord Shiva, Rudra and Kirata, respectively. The film, however, had a short run at the box office. It earned just Rs 41.75 crore. Meanwhile, Nitesh Tiwari recently surprised his fans by sharing a glimpse of his version of Ramayana, where actor Ranbir Kapoor is playing the role of Lord Rama. Actress Sai Pallavi is playing Goddess Sita and Yash is playing Ravana. The first part of the film is scheduled to release on Diwali next year. Other films to have taken inspiration from mythology were Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra (2022) and Nag Ashwin's Kalki: 2898 AD (2024). Both films earned well at the box office.
