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NDTV
37 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
A MiG-21 Crash Made Rang De Basanti A Cult In 2006. 19 Years Later, The Fighter Jet Is Retiring
Almost two decades ago, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Rang De Basanti broke new ground. The 2006 film was both a box office and critical hit with the youth at the centre of the story revolving around current affairs. It had a star-studded ensemble cast of Aamir Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Siddharth, Atul Kulkarni, Soha Ali Khan, R Madhavan, Anupam Kher, and Waheeda Rehman. AR Rahman's music and Prasoon Joshi (now CBFC chairperson)'s lyrics made it a memorable soundtrack. More than that, Rang De Basanti was the first film to put the MiG-21 fighter jet under the scanner as by the time the ageing plane had a long history of fatal crashes, lending it the nickname "flying coffin". On Tuesday, the Indian Air Force announced that the MiG-21 will be phased out of active service by September, to be replaced by the newer and nimbler Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. Here's what revisiting the controversy around MiG-21 that erupted when Rang De Basanti was up for release on the Republic Day of 2006. Rang De Basanti And MIG-21 Rang De Basanti follows a group of young college students who are devastated when Indian Air Force Officer Flight Lieutenant Ajay Singh Rathod (Madhavan), one of their friend's Sonia's fiance, is killed when his MiG-21 jet malfunctions and crashes. The government pins the blame of the incident on Ajay, calling it pilot error and shuts the case close. Sonia (Soha) and her friends refuse to accept it as reality. They soon find out that Defence Minister VK Shastri (Mohan Agashe) signed a deal for importing cheap parts for the MiG-21 aircraft for a personal favor. It also comes as a massive shock for Karan (Siddharth) when he discovers that his father Rajnath Singhania (Kher) played a key role in the deal. Hurt and angry by the revelation, the friends assassinate the Defence Minister and Karan kills his own father. Later, the group takes control of an All India Radio station, letting its employees go. Karan goes on air and reveals the defence ministry's corruption to the public. The group of friends are killed by the police later. The Rang De Basanti Controversy Around The MIG-21 The film showed the Defence Minister as corrupt. Not only that the Defence Minister is also "brought to justice" by the youth of today who avenge the unfortunate death of their friend, an IAF officer, by assassinating him. It would be surprising had Rang De Basanti got a clearance for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) as well as the government of the day -- Pranab Mukherjee was the Defence Minister at the time under then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. According to producer Ronnie Screwvala, who backed the film via UTV Motion Pictures, the then CBFC chairperson Sharmila Tagore told him that the Censor Board was "not ready to issue the censor certificate" to Rang De Basanti. "Not that we found anything offensive about your film, just that we want you to get approval from the air force and the defence ministry before we sign off... Look, we're trying to get a special screening organised tomorrow on an emergency basis with the head of the air force. We just want them to see the movie," Ronnie Screwvala wrote in a 2015 opinion piece. The producer further wrote that Aamir Khan was of the opinion that they should protest if things didn't work out for them after the screening. "I think we've made the movie with a very clean heart. We're as patriotic as the next guy. I'm telling you, Ronnie, if they want us to cut a single frame of that film, I'm not going to allow it. In that case, let's not release it," the Bollywood star said as quoted by Ronnie Screwvala. The producer said the team of Rang De Basanti went to Delhi for the screening, which was a "preview, not a review" as Air Marshal Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia put it. "Not only was the head of the air force in attendance, but the heads of the Army and the Navy, as well as the then defence minister, Pranab Mukherjee. Two-and-a-half hours later when the lights came up, Rakeysh, Aamir and I went in front of the group to answer questions. The heads of the Army and the Navy both liked the film and had little to say." Pranab Mukherjee asked, "I really enjoyed the movie, too. What's the problem?" The defence minister's words must have come as a relief to the makers. But it was not over yet. Ronnie Screwvala said Air Marshal Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia, the head of the Indian Air Force, was still left to offer his opinion. "I think it's a fine movie... And we would never censor a movie except under extreme circumstances... All I can tell you is that I get about 10 calls a month from the mothers of my boys who fly the MiGs. Of course, they're concerned about their sons' safety. We all are. Who wouldn't be? But after this movie, I'm going to get 100 calls a month. Best of luck," the chief of the IAF said. Real-Life Flight Lieutenant Ajay Singh Rathod Madhavan's character of Flight Lieutenant Ajay Singh Rathod in Rang De Basanti was based on Flight Lieutenant Abhijit Gadgil who died in a MiG-21 crash in 2001. After his death, his parents Kavita Gadgil and Captain Anil Gadgil fought with the government seeking improvements in aircraft safety. Rang De Basanti got a clean chit from the government and other authorities, was cleared by the CBFC, went on to do great business at the box office (around Rs 100 crore at the time which was massive), earned critical acclaim and won multiple National Awards, brought an important hotbutton topic to the fore, and continues to live in public memory as a radical piece of art. The film did something that is almost impossible today.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vetri Maaran's 'Bad Girl' faces another hurdle; Court orders removal of the film's teaser from social media -- read more
The court has ordered the removal of the teaser of the film 'Bad Girl,' produced by Vetri Maaran and directed by Varsha Bharath, from social media. It is worth noting that Varsha Bharath was a former assistant to director Vetri Maaran. The film stars Anjali Sivaraman and others. The film, jointly produced by Anurag Kashyap and Vetri Maaran, has been screened at international film festivals and has won several awards. The teaser, released on January 26, Republic Day, was meant to reflect on school love, heterosexual attraction, and teenage angst. Accusations arise over inappropriate portrayal of minors When the teaser was released, it received strong support and opposition on social media. In particular, there were allegations that it misrepresented the thoughts of schoolgirls and depicted aspects of women from certain communities. While many people complained about this, some also supported the film, saying, "You can't blame the entire film based on a teaser." Despite initial lawsuits seeking a ban, the film received a UA certificate and was scheduled for release on September 5. Petition filed in Madurai High Court In this situation, a new controversy has arisen. According to News 18, three people, including Ramkumar and Rameshkumar, who live in Sankarankovil, have filed a case in the Madurai branch of the High Court. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Won't Believe the Price of These Dubai Apartments Binghatti Developers FZE Get Offer Undo Their petition reportedly states that the teaser contains obscene scenes involving children and that this should be considered a sexual offense. Therefore, they have requested that the teaser be removed from social media and action be taken against those involved. Court directs government to act within a month The court, which considered the case, ordered the central government to remove the Bad Girl teaser from social media, including YouTube. The court has ordered that action be taken within one month of receiving a copy of the order and that proper controls be put in place to prevent such incidents from recurring. Furthermore, it is currently questionable whether the film will be released on the planned date.
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Border 2 Producer Nidhi Dutta Welcomes Baby Girl With Husband Binoy Gandhi: ‘She's Here'
JP Dutta's daughter Nidhi Dutta and her husband Binoy Gandhi have named their newborn daughter Sitara Dutta Gandhi. Suniel Shetty, Ayushmann Khurrana congratulated the new parents! Congratulations are in order as Border 2 producer Nidhi Dutta has welcomed her first child- a daughter- with her hubby Binoy Gandhi! The new parents announced that they welcomed their baby girl on 7th July, and expressed their joy over embracing parenthood. In a joint post shared on Thursday, they also revealed that they have named her 'Sitara Dutta Gandhi'. Soon after they shared the post, many Bollywood celebrities such as Suniel Shetty, Ayushmann Khurrana and others congratulated Nidhi and Binoy. JP Dutta's daughter Nidhi Dutta shared a post on Instagram recently, announcing the birth of her daughter. She shared a lovely pink poster along with the text, 'She's here! Ecstatic and overjoyed parents Nidhi and Binoy,' written over it. She revealed their daughter's name in the caption, and wrote, 'Sitara Dutta Gandhi. 7.7.2025." Soon after, celebs such as Sagarika Ghatge, Manish Malhotra, Ayushmann, Suniel Shetty, Athiya Shetty and others showered love on the newborn baby. Sagarika Ghatge dropped a red heart emoji on the post, while Manish Malhotra, Tahira Kashyap, Sshura Khan, and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni wrote, 'Congratulations." Ayushmann Khurrana commented, 'Wow. Lots of love and blessings," while Athiya Shetty and Suniel Shetty dropped a red heart emoji. In April, many celebs such as Abhishek Bachchan, Sara Ali Khan, Manish Malhotra, Bhushan Kumar, Mana Shetty and Soni Razdan attended Nidhi Dutta's baby shower. Pictures from the lovely occasion went viral on social media. Nidhi Dutta announced her pregnancy in March by dropping some lovely pictures with Binoy from the set of Border 2. She wrote that their 'greatest' blessing is on the way, and that their baby is due in July 2025. Nidhi was seen flaunting her baby bump in the gorgeous pictures, while her husband kissed her belly. The caption of the post read, 'Our Greatest Blessing is on the way… July 2025." Border 2 stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty. The film is a sequel to the 1997 patriotic film Border. It aims to showcase raw emotions and heroism with its gripping storyline, intense action sequences and touching drama. Border 2 is scheduled to be released in theatres to celebrate Republic Day 2026. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Print
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
IPS officer returns President's Medal, questions 360° review; cites campaign to link him with RSS
Among those he accused is a now-retired IPS officer who Saxena said made several unfounded allegations against him in his appraisal reports, including that he has 'a deep base in RSS'. Saxena, an Inspector General-rank officer of the 1994-batch currently posted in the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), while maintaining that he is not aware of the reasons why he has been denied empanelment since 2022, in a letter to the President in February this year accused senior IPS officers of running 'a malicious campaign' against him. New Delhi: Dr Paresh Saxena, a senior IPS officer of the Bihar cadre, has returned the President's Police Medal citing repeated denial of empanelment to the post of additional director under the 360-degree review of civil servants introduced in 2020, which according to him, is 'shrouded in secrecy,' ThePrint has learnt. The retired IPS officer served as director general (DG) of the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) when Saxena was posted there in 2022. 'The empanelment process is shrouded in secrecy, but it's understood that feedback is gathered from serving and retired officers who have worked with the candidate,' Saxena wrote in the letter to the President. Adding, 'In the rigidly hierarchical CAPFs (Central Armed Police Forces), the DG serves as the sole spokesperson for juniors before top bureaucracy and DIB, who ultimately decide on empanelment.' According to the letter, the 'narrative initiated' by the retired IPS officer that Saxena has a 'deep RSS base' gathered steam, and after his retirement successive DGs too 'misrepresented' Saxena as a 'rigid and uncooperative officer (who) misled his superiors and intimidated colleagues and subordinates'. This, he said, was due to the 'camaraderie among Chiefs of CAPFs from the same batch'. 'When the ADG and DG visited me after my mother's passing, they became aware of my family background,' he wrote in the context of the allegation that he had an RSS background. Adding, 'Despite my personal beliefs never impacting my professional conduct as an IPS officer, the DG's disapproval led to a malicious proposal for my repatriation.' 'Fortunately, his recommendation was rejected (vide MHA Order dated 14 December 2018), allowing my lateral shift from BPR&D to SSB,' Saxena wrote in the letter. After his name was announced for the President's Medal for Distinguished Services this Republic Day, Saxena was optimistic about his empanelment, he said. Despite that his name was not in the empanelment list even though he has been serving in the Centre since 2018, he wrote. Adding, 'I am unclear about the reasons for denying my empanelment, based on the multi-source feedback (MSF) or 360-degree process, which does not share the grounds for rejection with affected officers.' 'The lack of communication regarding the grounds for denial has left me feeling utterly demoralized over the past two years,' he wrote. When contacted by ThePrint, Dr Paresh Saxena refused to comment on the matter. Requesting for repatriation of his cadre, Saxena wrote to the President: 'I am compelled to return the coveted Medal for Distinguished Services (PSM) awarded by the Hon'ble President of India, as it would be inconsistent for me to accept it after being denied empanelment unfairly.' Also Read: Home Secy Govind Mohan joins IAS/IPS/IRS officers who have benefited from Modi govt's extension culture Allegations levelled by Saxena According to Saxena, when he was posted in the SSB, he investigated three important cases of corruption, which antagonised a section of cadre officers of the force, who he said, were already upset with an old Supreme Court ruling which had upheld the deputation of IPS officers in the CAPFs. The first, he said, involved the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) scam, which implicated persons of all ranks, including at least two former DGs. The second, he said, was regarding procurement of I-CAS, an AI-based intelligence collation and analysis software procured from a private firm for approximately Rs 3.68 crore on 4 October, 2019, but never operationalised. 'My detailed inquiry report (512 pages) was submitted on 15 December, 2021, highlighting how six officers made a vendor-driven procurement in complete disregard of procedure and by misinforming the MHA,' the letter alleged. Saxena also presided over a General Force Court, trying charges of corruption against a DIG-level officer, he wrote in the letter, adding that he sentenced the officer to imprisonment and dismissal on 30 June, 2021, and the officer served his sentence at Tihar Jail. 'Some senior officers, after being found culpable in the vigilance enquiry, submitted multiple false complaints to the DGs and MHA, both verbally and in writing, including pseudonymous complaints, and reportedly a PIDPI (Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers) complaint,' Saxena wrote to the President in February. 'The top leadership of SSB failed to make timely and consistent decisions on vigilance findings and recommendations in these matters, allowing disgruntled officers to spread false information about me,' he added. 'DGs' indecisiveness contributed to an adverse narrative against me, potentially impacting my empanelment and career progression in the GoI.' Reiterating that no reason was given to him for the denial of empanelment, Saxena wrote: 'Continuing to serve the Government of India under these circumstances would compromise my dignity. 'Therefore, I am left with no choice but to opt for repatriation to my parent cadre.' (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: IPS officer won shooting gold at World Police Games. Army dreams broke, Olympic aim alive
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Raichur fort illumination to be completed by end of July
The work of illuminating the historical fort at Raichur is all set to be completed by July 20. The district administration and the Raichur City Corporation have jointly taken up the initiative. On July 15, Deputy Commissioner Nitish K. and Corporation Commissioner Jubin Mohapatra inspected the preparations. Members of the team from the technical division of the corporation informed the officials that 20 beam lamps had been installed at a distance of 30 metres each. 'There is also a plan to light up the route from Basaveshwar Circle to the central bus stand, which is close to the fort,' the team members explained. The authorities intend to make the fort more beautiful with colourful illumination, and also spread awareness on social issues among the people through a sound and light show on national and State festivals, like Independence Day, Republic Day and Kannada Rajyotsava. Leksa Lighting Technologies Private Limited has bagged the contract to install around 400 beam-moving lights in the proposed areas. The work is likely to be completed in the next 10 days.
