Latest news with #Sooraj
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Muharram mourning resonates in some Hindu followers too
Lucknow: Number of public processions has reduced as Muharram progresses, compared to the first 10 days of this first month of the Islamic calendar. Azadari inside homes, however, continues. Interestingly, alongside Shia Muslims, numerous non-Muslims observe Azadari in their homes from the first day of Muharram to the 8th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, which is third month of the Islamic calendar. Azadari refers to the mourning rituals and commemoration observed by the Shia, particularly during Muharram, to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein and his 70 companions in the Battle of Karbala. Among those who deeply connect with this tradition is resident of Baba ka Purwa Khadra, Sitapur road, Sooraj Gupta (36), who represents second generation of a family that follows the Azadari ritual. Facing medical challenges, his mother, late Nisha Gupta, had prayed to Hazrat Imam Hussain for a child. Her prayers were answered when Sooraj was born on May 15, 1989. Since then, the family has maintained the tradition of keeping a taziya at home and Sooraj continues the tradition devotedly. Apart from performing matam, Sooraj also sets up a sabeel (free refreshment stall) near Kazmain Imambara during Muharram. Speaking to TOI, he said, "Even today, if I need anything, I seek it from Hazrat Maula Abbas." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Better hearing starts here Amplifon Book Now Undo His wife joins him in Azadari and he hopes to pass on the tradition to his son. Following tradition that began with his grandfather, Ankit Kumar Bharti (32), resident of Pareganj Gallamandi, performs 'maatam' and attends Majlis-e-Imam Hussain. In 2008, his parents Mahesh Bharti and Radha Bharti renovated the imambara built by his grandfather, Jannat e Panchatan Babul Hawaej, near their home. Ankit's grandfather founded Anjuman named Hind-Abbasiya, keeping alive the message of Karbala in their family. Ankit said, "I teach Hazrat Imam Hussain's invaluable message to the next generation to understand true meaning of relations." Ankit's father Mahesh Bharti attempted to travel abroad for work but his visa applications were always rejected. Iraq, however, granted him visa, despite its ongoing war with Iran, so he went to Iraq and worked at Babylon Hotel. His visits to Karbala and Roza of Hazrat Imam Hussain deepened the family's bond with the legacy. Another azadar Rajesh Bhangra, resident of Alambagh, said he had been participating in Azadari for 50 years and believed his wishes were fulfilled through this devotion.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Gold trail leads to revival of ‘cash-for-votes' case against Tamil Nadu BJP chief
Tamil Nadu's CB-CID has revived a high-profile cash-for-votes case involving state BJP president and Tirunelveli MLA Nainar Nagendran. Citing the money trail and call data records, the agency has formally placed on record an alleged link between top BJP leaders and the seizure in April 2024 of Rs 3.98 crore cash, allegedly meant to bribe voters. The case, once dismissed as 'dead' by the BJP leadership, has gained new traction with the arrest of a key accused, who police said admitted to converting gold into cash — tightening the probe around Nagendran's inner circle. The deepening scandal has led to fears in the Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP that Nagendran could face arrest ahead of next year's Assembly election in the state. According to court documents, investigators arrested a man named Sooraj on June 30 for allegedly exchanging Rs 97.92 lakh in cash after selling a 1.5-kg gold bar. The CB-CID told the Principal Sessions Court in Chennai that Sooraj was approached by Vignesh, the driver of BJP's industrial wing president Govardhan, allegedly to facilitate the transaction. The agency alleged that call record analysis confirmed the involvement of Govardhan, BJP treasurer S R Sekhar, and state general secretary (organisation) Kesava Vinayakan in the distribution effort. Police suspect the money was intended to be funnelled to voters in Tirunelveli in support of Nagendran, who contested and lost the parliamentary seat in 2024. The court granted Sooraj bail on July 10, noting that the offences listed under Sections 171(C), 171(E), 171(F), and 188 of the Indian Penal Code are bailable. The case originated on April 6, 2024, when a flying squad of the Election Commission and Tambaram police seized Rs 3.98 crore in Rs 500 notes from three men aboard the Nellai Express. The trio — S Sathish, S Perumal, and S Naveen — claimed the cash was to be distributed to voters on Nagendran's instructions. Sathish, identified as the manager of a Chennai hotel allegedly owned by Nagendran, was in possession of the BJP leader's identity card and other documents, according to officials. Although the case was initially handled by Tambaram police, it was transferred to the CB-CID's Metro wing in April. Since then, the agency has summoned multiple BJP leaders, including Nagendran, for questioning. While Nagendran has denied any connection to the seized cash, CB-CID investigators have maintained that the money trail and testimonies point to a coordinated effort involving top state BJP leaders.
Mint
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Sooraj Pancholi reveals why Salman Khan cannot ‘resurrect' his career: 'I know...'
Bollywood actor Sooraj Pancholi made his comeback with Kesari Veer: Legends of Somnath after a gap of four years. The news of his comeback arrived after Sooraj Pancholi was acquitted by a special CBI court in Mumbai in Jiah Khan's abetment to suicide case. However, Kesari Veer received mixed reviews from critics and a lukewarm response from the viewers. Amid his return, Sooraj opened up about not reaching out to Salman Khan, who once launched him in Bollywood, for help to 'resurrect' his career. Talking to ETimes, Sooraj mentioned his bond with Salman Khan. He said he doesn't want to bother Salman for work. 'I'm in touch with Salman sir, but I don't want to disturb him. He's a superstar, and I know my limits. Though he launched me in Hero, I don't expect him to resurrect my career. What he's done for me is more than enough, asking for more would be greedy. I'm very grateful for everything he's done for me," he said. Sooraj made his Bollywood debut with the Salman Khan production Hero, which also featured Suniel Shetty's daughter Athiya Shetty. Earlier this year, Salman gave a shoutout to Sooraj's film Kesari Veer: Legends of Somnath on Instagram. Ahead of its release, Salman dropped a photo with Sooraj and wrote, 'Abhi raat hai, subah Sooraj chamkega @soorajpancholi.' The film was released in theatres on May 23. Sooraj Pancholi is the son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab. He was accused of abetting the suicide of his then-girlfriend Jiah Khan in 2013. In April 2023, the court found him not guilty due to a lack of evidence. In the same interview, the actor said "the worst is over" and he was looking forward to a good future. Referring to it, Sooraj also said in the interview, 'I never went to producers for work. The one question they always had was when would the case end? If I were a producer, I might have the same reservations. But that's behind me now. In this industry, patience is key. The ones who are patient make it, the rest don't. I'm patient. After my acquittal, I didn't expect things to change overnight... I am a different person now, inside and out.'
News18
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Sooraj Pancholi Says He's Done Relying On Salman Khan For Work: 'I Know My Limits'
Sooraj Pancholi says he's thankful to Salman Khan for launching him but won't ask him to 'resurrect' his career. 'He's a superstar, and I know my limits,' he says. Actor Sooraj Pancholi is back on the silver screen with Kesari Veer: Legends of Somnath, marking his return to cinema after a four-year hiatus since his last outing in Time to Dance (2021). While many still associate his debut with Salman Khan, who launched him in the 2015 film Hero, Sooraj now wants to chart his own path—without leaning on his mentor's star power. In a candid interview with ETimes, Sooraj acknowledged his bond with Salman but made it clear he doesn't want to keep depending on him for work. 'I'm in touch with Salman sir, but I don't want to disturb him. He's a superstar, and I know my limits. Though he launched me in Hero, I don't expect him to resurrect my career. What he's done for me is more than enough, asking for more would be greedy. I'm very grateful for everything he's done for me," Sooraj said. His remarks come just months after Salman publicly supported him on Instagram, promoting the release of Kesari Veer: Legends of Somnath, which hit theatres on May 23. While appreciative of the gesture, Sooraj is firm in his belief that success must now come from his own merit. Son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, Sooraj faced turbulent years following his connection to the tragic death of actress Jiah Khan in 2013. Accused of abetment to suicide, Sooraj was acquitted by a special CBI court in 2023 due to lack of evidence. Now, the actor is determined to move forward. 'The worst is over," he said, reflecting on a decade of professional uncertainty. 'I never went to producers for work. The one question they always had was when would the case end? If I were a producer, I might have the same reservations. But that's behind me now. In this industry, patience is key. The ones who are patient make it, the rest don't. I'm patient. After my acquittal, I didn't expect things to change overnight… I am a different person now, inside and out." For Sooraj Pancholi, the past may have been fraught with setbacks, but the future is something he's finally ready to claim on his own terms. 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.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sooraj Pancholi on his comeback! Says I don't expect Salman Khan to resurrect my career
Sooraj Pancholi In April 2023, Sooraj Pancholi was acquitted of abetment charges in the Jiah Khan suicide case. Two years after that, Sooraj, who says he is a 'different person today,' saw the release of his fourth film, Kesari Veer. Having endured a decade of uncertainty, the actor who was launched by Salman Khan with Hero (2015), talks about how he is ready for new challenges in his career. 'My fourth film felt like my first real film' Sooraj says, 'Within two to three months of my acquittal, I got Kesari Veer. It was quite surprising because after the verdict, I went to the Somnath Temple to seek blessings. Once I got back, I bagged the film, which is based on the temple. I was under a lot of pressure during my first, second and third film due to the legal case. So, my fourth film felt like my first real film.' 'Now, I am a different person inside out' In his decade-long Bollywood journey, Sooraj acted in only four films. Reflecting on it, he said, 'I never went to producers for work. The one question they always had was when would the case end? If I were a producer, I might have the same reservations. But that's behind me now. In this industry, patience is key. The ones who are patient make it, the rest don't. I'm patient. After my acquittal, I didn't expect things to change overnight. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giá vàng đang tăng mạnh trong năm 2025 — Các nhà giao dịch thông minh đã tham gia IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo I know I have to prove myself, and I'm ready for that. Peace is what I longed for because my 20s were a big chaos. If I went through that battle (the case), this battle won't be as difficult. I am a different person now, inside and out. The worst is over, and I only see a good future now.' 'I am seeing my parents get older, and I need to spend time with them' Sooraj also wants to focus on spending time with his family now. 'Apart from my career, I am also focusing on other aspects of my life - my family. I am seeing my parents get older, and I need to spend more time with them. Professionally, I am now able to focus more. I have a blurry vision of the past. It did take me a long time to move on as the case had become a part of my day-to-day life for 10 years,' he said. 'Sooraj on his bond with his mentor Salman Khan' Sooraj continues to share a warm and strong bond with Salman. 'I'm in touch with Salman sir, but I don't want to disturb him. He's a superstar, and I know my limits. Though he launched me in Hero, I don't expect him to resurrect my career. What he's done for me is more than enough, asking for more would be greedy. I'm very grateful for everything he's done for me.' On his friendship with his first co-star Athiya Shetty "I've stayed in touch with Athiya, and we often talk about how we should've waited a couple more years before making our debut with Hero. We were both young, and our faces hadn't matured yet. I think 25 is the right age to make your debut."
