Latest news with #Shyam
India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
This horror thriller, which was released 45 years ago, will send chills down your spine, director was advised not to make this film, has IMDb rating of 6.9, movie is…, lead actors were…
In the world of Indian cinema, some films seem to carry an eerie aura, not just on screen but even behind the scenes. One such horror movie, made over four decades ago, was surrounded by strange warnings and inexplicable events. However, the makers decided to move forward, ignoring the superstitions, only to experience several bizarre incidents during production. Which film is this? The film we are talking about is 'Gehraayi,' a horror thriller that was released in 1980 and is considered one of the earliest Bollywood movies to delve into the theme of black magic. Directed by renowned horror masters, Shyam and Tulsi Ramsay, the film was heavily inspired by Western horror cinema, especially The Exorcist, and adapted those terrifying elements to an Indian setting. It revolved around a young girl who becomes possessed after dabbling with supernatural forces, and her family's desperate attempts to save her. What was the storyline? The cast of Gehraayi included Anant Nag, Deepak Parashar, Padmini Kolhapure, Kapila, Indrani Mukherjee, Shyam Ramsay and Late Amrish Puri in a cameo role. What set the film apart was its explicit depiction of tantric rituals, demonic possession, and spiritual conflict—rare in mainstream Indian films of that era. Interestingly, after the film's release, stories surfaced about how cast and crew members encountered mysterious accidents and unexplained problems during the shoot, further fueling the fear around the project. When makers were warned by Tantriks During a chat with Bollywood Crypt, director Aruna Raje said, 'While writing the story, she met tantriks and sorcerers. She said, one important thing is that we should not do these things ourselves, that is because we do not know the result. Everyone warned us not to make this film. Incidents will happen to you. We were not superstitious, so we thought we were only making a film; we made the film, but things went wrong.' Aruna further told, 'A few years after making Gehraayi, she got divorced from her husband and her daughter died of cancer at the age of 9. Not only this, but soon after the release, the audience started complaining to her that strange and scary things were happening to them. For this, they used to ask for phone numbers from her and each one of them who was involved in this project. How did Gehraayi open the doors for other notable films? Despite all this, Gehraayi made its mark. Though not a commercial blockbuster, it went on to become a cult classic among horror fans and received rating of 6.9 on IMDb. It opened the doors for more Bollywood films to explore the darker realms of mysticism and superstition. Later movies like Raat, Tumbbad, 13B: Fear Has A New Address, and most recently Shaitaan also tackled themes involving the supernatural and black magic, but Gehraayi remains one of the first to venture into that realm, and with a chilling legacy attached.
India Today
5 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Why some purchases are priceless: Startup founder on spending and living well
In the world of money talk, we often hear the same advice on repeat, save more, spend less, think rationally. But Founder and CEO, Shyam Achuthan, reminds us that people are not spreadsheets. We are humans with emotions, dreams and a deep need to find meaning in what we wrote on LinkedIn, 'In the world of personal finance, we are constantly reminded to think rationally.' He points out the usual warnings,'Don't buy a car, it's a depreciating asset,' or 'A home loan will tie you down for decades.' But, as he rightly puts it, 'Sometimes, we forget that we are not spreadsheets. We are human beings, emotional, aspirational, and deeply tied to the meaning behind what we buy.' advertisementOWNING A HOME: MORE THAN JUST BRICKS AND WALLSFor many, buying a house is more than an investment. It's about feeling safe, settled and proud. 'For someone who has spent their life moving from one rented house to another, never truly feeling rooted, buying a home isn't just a transaction, it's a triumph,' Shyam explains. That first whiff of tea in your own kitchen or seeing your name on the gate is priceless. 'That's not a financial mistake. That's emotional wealth. And emotional wealth is real.'WHY BUYING A CAR IS ABOUT FREEDOM, NOT LUXURYThe same goes for a car. Not everyone buys a car to show buy it for the freedom to travel when they want, visit parents without long bus rides or drop kids to school when it rains. 'Yes, it costs money, but the return is joy, peace, convenience, and those can't always be quantified,' he SMART: SMALL HACKS FOR BIG PURCHASESStill, Shyam is clear that big purchases don't mean throwing caution to the shares a smart tip: consider a well-kept used car instead of a brand new one. 'Vehicles depreciate the most in their first couple of years. By letting someone else absorb that hit, you get a quality car at a much lower price,' he IS THE KEY: EARN FOR WHAT YOU SPENDYet, his message is simple, balance your happiness with responsibility. He shares an idea that hits home: 'You can buy that iPhone on a Rs 10K EMI, but make it a promise to yourself that you will find a way to earn an extra 10K from next month.'He suggests using your skills, starting a side hustle or taking up weekend gigs to make this extra money BEFORE YOU BUY: TEST YOUR EMISBefore taking a big loan, Shyam suggests a simple trick,'Practice it. For the next 3-4 months, set aside the same EMI amount as a mock expense. If you can handle it without strain, you're ready. If not, you've just saved yourself from regret.'His bigger point is that money is not just about saving. It's about designing a life you love. 'If a decision adds meaning to your life and pushes you to level up, it's not a mistake. It's a mission,' he says. He believes the real secret is not avoiding spending but aligning it with what you truly value — and then working harder to afford FULLY, SPEND WISELYadvertisementSo, next time you feel guilty about wanting a car, a new phone or your dream home, remember Shyam's words: 'The richest person isn't the one who spent the least. It's the one who lived fully, loved deeply, and figured out how to pay for it along the way.'- Ends
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
2 flats mortgaged, jewellery pawned: Actress Puja Banerjee and husband share their financial troubles amid legal cases with producer
Television couple Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma have found themselves entangled in a deeply distressing financial and legal nightmare—one that has left them emotionally shattered and financially drained. At a press conference held in Mumbai, the couple opened up about their ongoing dispute with Bengali producer Shyam Sundar Dey, whom they've accused of duping them out of ₹1.68 crore. The amount, they say, was raised through mortgaging property, taking personal loans, and even pawning jewellery—funds that were intended to help Shyam secure distribution rights for 16 film projects. Puja claimed that she had known Shyam for four years and had previously worked on a Bengali film with him, for which she never received full payment. She initially chose to overlook the pending dues out of empathy when he cited personal difficulties. Their relationship grew closer when Shyam shifted to Mumbai and began expressing a desire to break into the Hindi film industry. He pitched a lucrative-sounding deal involving the acquisition of multiple film projects, claiming it required ₹2.25 crore and urging Puja and Kunal to help him arrange ₹1.25 crore, promising them a return of ₹50 lakh. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Operations Management others PGDM Design Thinking Cybersecurity Finance Management CXO Data Science Data Analytics Technology Artificial Intelligence Digital Marketing Project Management MBA MCA Leadership Data Science Degree Public Policy Others Healthcare healthcare Product Management Skills you'll gain: Quality Management & Lean Six Sigma Analytical Tools Supply Chain Management & Strategies Service Operations Management Duration: 10 Months IIM Lucknow IIML Executive Programme in Strategic Operations Management & Supply Chain Analytics Starts on Jan 27, 2024 Get Details When their efforts to find outside investors failed, the couple said Shyam emotionally pressured them to contribute the amount themselves. Desperate to help and trusting his intentions, they borrowed close to ₹1 crore from family and friends. Actor Arjun Bijlani also chipped in. Altogether, they transferred ₹1.68 crore to Shyam—an amount raised by mortgaging Kunal's parents' flat and using their savings. What followed was silence and avoidance. Despite repeated follow-ups, Shyam allegedly refused to discuss the project or return the money. With lenders expecting repayment, Puja and Kunal were forced to mortgage another flat and even pawn Puja's mother's jewellery to meet their obligations. Bengali producer's wife filed FIR against Puja and her husband In May, they attempted to resolve the issue privately in Goa. But instead of progress, they were hit with shocking allegations. Shyam's wife, Malabika Dey, filed a complaint accusing them of kidnapping, extortion, and assault—claims they vehemently deny. According to Puja, the couple stayed in a villa arranged by Shyam because they couldn't afford a hotel and had even received ₹10 lakh from him, which made them hopeful. So the FIR, followed by another zero FIR in Kolkata, later transferred to the Goa police, came as a devastating blow. You Might Also Like: TV actress Puja Banerjee breaks down after cheated off all her life savings by someone she trusted, had to even mortgage her home The fear of wrongful arrest and the thought of being separated from her child left her sleepless and anxious. She revealed that she has been undergoing treatment for panic attacks and blackouts as a result of the trauma. Puja and Kunal shared it first on their VLOG Puja and Kunal first opened up about the financial scam in their YouTube vlog where they revealed that their savings were wiped out by someone very close to them, whom they trusted and considered like family. In a candid vlog, the couple, known for shows like Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna and Devon Ke shared the emotional toll the incident has taken on them. Puja described it as the most difficult period of their lives, while Kunal admitted the betrayal left them shattered.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma: We're financially ruined and mentally broken
Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma TV couple Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma have accused Bengali producer Shyam Sundar Dey of financial fraud after lending him `1.68 crore to fund a film acquisition deal. They say the money, raised through mortgaging property and personal loans, was never returned. Instead, FIRs were filed against them. At a press conference held in Mumbai on Friday, Pooja shared that she had known Shyam for four years and had worked on a Bengali film with him, for which he still owes her partial payment. She said, 'I chose to let it go, believing his claims of personal difficulties. When he moved to Mumbai, he became close to us and expressed interest in breaking into the Hindi film market.' He proposed acquiring distribution rights to 16 projects for `2.25 crore and asked for their help in arranging `1.25 crore, promising a profit of `50 lakh. Pooja said, 'We reached out to people to invest on his behalf, but no one agreed. Eventually, Shyam began emotionally pressuring me, saying the seller was hounding him. That led us to borrow nearly `1 crore from family and friends. Actor Arjun Bijlani also pitched in. ' In total, they transferred `1.68 crore to Shyam, using funds raised by mortgaging Kunal's parents' flat and pledging their savings. But after receiving the money, Shyam avoided discussing the deal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Despite repeated follow-ups, he neither returned the money nor produced any documentation. The actress said, 'He kept giving excuses. But we had to repay those we borrowed from. We also mortgaged another flat and pawned my mother's jewellery to manage repayments. Though we filed a complaint with the Mumbai police, we asked them to hold off, hoping Shyam would come through. ' Puja and Kunal claimed they tried to settle the matter privately in May, but were shocked when Shyam's wife, Malabika Dey, filed a complaint accusing them of kidnapping, extortion and assault in Goa and an FIR was registered. 'We only wanted our money back. We stayed at a villa that Shyam arranged because we couldn't afford a hotel. He even returned `10 lakh, which gave us hope. So, we were shocked when his wife filed an FIR against us. Later, she filed another zero FIR in Kolkata, which was transferred to the Goa police,' said Puja. Talking about why they took so long to present their side of the story, Puja shared, 'We waited a month and a half to come forward because we were not in the right mental state. When the first FIR was filed against us, I broke down. Even though I knew the case was fake, I feared being arrested and separated from my child. For nights, I couldn't sleep and would cry while holding him. I've been on medication for panic attacks and blackout episodes. ' On July 16, Puja filed a complaint against Shyam for cheating and breach of trust, and an FIR was registered. The couple is now battling `40–50 lakh in debt, lost work opportunities and emotional trauma. 'We're financially ruined and mentally broken. Yet, we still believe justice will prevail,' said Kunal.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
An art exhibition of paintings in watercolours on display in city
A master of watercolours, Shyam Karri is is exhibiting his work for the first time in a solo exhibition in Chandigarh. Prana - the breath of life, curated by Mehak Bhan, the exhibition will be on till August 12, and is a collection of 70 nature inspired paintings. An architect and furniture designer, Shyam's love for art goes back to his childhood, in the picturesque landscapes of Vishakhapatnam, its seashores, paddy fields and thriving biodiversity. Born with an artistic bent of mind, as a kid he would gravitate towards creative outlets, be it poetry, words, painting, creating things. 'I have always strived to search for harmony amidst the chaos, and I must've been 15-16 when I realised art strikes the most harmonious balance of them all,' says Shyam, adding, 'It was finding a path to exploration. The closer you get to a medium, the more harmonious you become with the self.' For Shyam art is the medium through which he explores the deeper dimensions of life. 'When I started painting, it was a search for life and existence itself…I never thought of selling my work until a couple from Holland at the Bodhizendo in Kodaikanal, a retreat where I spend time and paint, insisted on picking my work. It was 2017, and I sold my first artwork. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Doctors Beg: Take These 4 Ingredients Before Bed to Burn Fat The Healthy Way Learn More Undo I still remember the joy and light on their face, and trust me, no architectural project has given me that kind of satisfaction of being valued, appreciated and respected. ' Turning his work into a commercial activity was out of picture. Instead of placing a price on his work, he would let people decide and in lieu of the painting would ask them to buy him the water color tubes, cotton paper, the brushes because those are expensive. Over a decade, Shyam has become one of the few contemporary Indian artists to use watercolour as a serious, soulful practice and also as a metaphor for life. 'Watercolor helps me practice Zen, to become attentive to 'the presence' and express the moment as it is,' he says, adding, "The process is exhilarating and compels me to remain attentive at any given moment." Shyam, who started painting watercolours nine years back, patiently walks the tightrope of 'control and no control, mind and heart, rationality and intuition'. He believes the more time he devoted to an artwork, the more he thinks and as a result the fear trickles in. 'My philosophy is not to overthink. Just go with the flow…one has to be spontaneous with water colours, allow the viewer to be part of the story and imagination, and for that I leave a lot of white space in my works. To be fluid is my style of painting, for it also frees one from fear of attachment.' He also celebrates slow living and intuitive expression in the age of overstimulation and is in the continuous process of building creative communities outside mainstream systems.
