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India Today
07-08-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Palace to polls? Why the BJP is wooing the royalty
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav is known to have a penchant for offsite cabinet meetings. Whenever he is in a mood to indulge his cabinet colleagues or send out a political signal, the venue shifts from the cabinet room on the fifth floor of Vallabh Bhavan—the state secretariat in Bhopal. On May 20, it was the Rajwada, the 200-year-old palace of the Holkars, the erstwhile rulers of Indore, that was the venue. CM Yadav sat in an ornate chair, while his cabinet colleagues were arranged in a manner that evoked the impression of a Holkar Durbar. The meeting was to discuss the plans for the upcoming 300th birth anniversary of Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, and the commemorative events to be held in her enactment of this piece of royal theatre was not lost on anyone. 'There's nothing objectionable about celebrating an icon like 'Devi' Ahilyabai,' a source said. 'But it's the royal makeover of an otherwise routine cabinet meeting that stood out.' This is not all. The BJP-ruled MP has also launched 'Virasat se Vikas' (heritage to development), a programme to revive the legacies of Rani Durgawati, Rani Avanti Bai, Ahilyabai, Raja Bhabhut Singh, as well as the legendary King is getting recognition elsewhere, too. Gujarat, for instance, is planning to dedicate a whole museum—the Museum of Royal Kingdoms of India (MORKI)—to record the contributions of the princely states (see Mission Museum). Expected to open in 2027, the Rs 260 crore project will come up next to the Statue of Unity in the Narmada BJP is clearly going through a phase of royal obsession. Aditya Pratap Deo, associate professor of History at St Stephen's College, Delhi, and member of the erstwhile royal family of Kanker in Chhattisgarh, explains it thus: 'The BJP and RSS represent a form of cultural nationalism where custom, tradition and history form the bedrock of their political imagery of a pristine nation. As polities described as monarchial have been the commonest and most remarkable type of high politics and political system in South Asia, and been integral to a certain understanding of the nature of Indian civilisation, they have found greater acceptance in the political discourse of post-liberal India.' PROJECT RAJThough the Congress has counted many royals in its ranks—Karan Singh, the titular maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, Amarinder Singh (now in the BJP) of the Patiala royal family, the late Madhavrao Scindia of the erstwhile Gwalior ruling family, Rajya Sabha member and former MP CM Digvijaya Singh of Raghogarh the most prominent among them—the party's relationship with the princely states was always prickly since the abolition of the privy purses in 1971 besides the withdrawal of other privileges, such as the right to hold an unspecified number of weapons and use royal titles. The following year, as former IAS officer Ranjitsinh, member of the erstwhile ruling family of Wankaner, points out, 'The Wildlife Protection Act hit the former royals' fortunes not just because they indulged in shikaar but also because many of them ran commercial shikaar companies that attracted foreign clients.'advertisementMore recently, in a media article in November 2024, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi drew the ire of several erstwhile rulers when he referred to maharajas and nawabs as collaborators of the East India BJP is now seeking to correct this 'historical wrong', which it sees as a one-sided narrative spread by the colonialists to suit their interests. 'Royal families,' says Dr Pankaj Sharma, director of the department of archaeology and museums in the Gujarat government, 'were often painted as antagonists who were bad administrators, disliked by the locals, and who succumbed to the British Raj, compromising public interests, to maintain their privileges. Their contributions and sacrifices in integrating with the Union of India, the public welfare initiatives, their rich cultural heritage, stories of their valour and service to society have been overlooked.'advertisementThe RSS is in agreement with the BJP's viewpoint. 'The RSS is absolutely in agreement with monarchy. It is in keeping with the concept of Hindutva. India's glorious past includes royalty, which needs to be celebrated,' says a source close to the Sangh. Plus, the fact that many former royals continue to control trusts that administer temples helps the BJP's Hindutva is, of course, a political logic to the BJP's royal overtures. As the party expands its reach across geographies and communities, it has been seeking icons it can use to rally voters, building statues or monuments in their name. Royals fulfil that purpose equally. Witness the prime minister's recent invocation of the legacy of Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola I during a trip to Tamil OF THRONESThe BJP's strategy is evident in the apparent relaxation of norms around ticket distribution and its policy of denying tickets to the kin of elected representatives. For instance, Vishvaraj Singh, the titular maharaja of Mewar and the BJP MLA from Nathdwara, Rajasthan, was fielded in the December 2023 assembly election and, six months later, his wife Mahima Kumari, too, was nominated for the Lok Sabha. Both won their respective in Madhya Pradesh, tribal leader and minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, who hails from the erstwhile estate of Makrai, was nominated from Harsud. His brother contested in neighbouring Timarni, though he lost to his nephew from the the east, the BJP appointed party veteran and former royal Kanak Vardan Singh Deo of Balangir as a deputy CM of Odisha in 2024, while his wife Sangeeta Singh Deo was re-elected to the Lok Sabha. In West Bengal—a state once home to India's longest-running communist government—it nominated Amrita Roy, the 'Rajmata' of Krishnanagar, for the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat, though she lost the election. Earlier, in 2023, the party had sent self-styled Koch royal Anant Maharaj, who claims to be king of the Rajbanshi community in North Bengal, to the Rajya Sabha. His election was widely seen as an attempt to consolidate the Rajbanshi vote in the politically volatile region around Cooch Behar and Alipurduar. Likewise, the party nominated Kesridevsinh Jhala of Wankaner in 2023 and Devendra Pratap Singh of the former princely state of Raigarh to the Upper House in 2024, from Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, does cultivating royalty get the BJP at a practical level? 'In the initial years after Independence, many members of the erstwhile royal families moved to cities from their places of residence. But, with tourism picking up, properties being converted into hotels, and many of them joining politics, the connect with the local people continued. In many instances, this translated into electoral advantage, making political parties nominate members of royal families,' explains Ranjitsinh. Their royal status gives them winnability, which is a key factor in ticket distribution for the BJP, as MP minister Kailash Vijayvargiya points BJP's royal turn is not without its biases, though, often shaped by religious and historical narrative. In Bhopal, for example, party MP Alok Sharma has been running a campaign against the erstwhile ruling family, blaming the last nawab Hamidullah Khan for delaying the merger and harbouring plans to join Pakistan post-Independence, a charge that has often been levelled against non-Muslim princely states too. And who can forget the furore caused by senior BJP leader Parshottam Rupala shortly before the 2024 election, when his remark that the erstwhile maharajas capitulated to Britishers, broke bread with them and even married off their daughters to them, had the entire Kshatriya community up in arms. Rupala was nonetheless fortunate to win his constituency Rajkot that year. Also worth noting is the BJP government's 2019 amendment to the Arms Act, which reduced the number of licenced weapons an individual can possess from three to two. A similar move during the UPA era had been stalled following interventions by MPs, particularly those from royal PRAGMATISMWhat do the royals themselves think of the BJP's outreach? 'The blessings of the Almighty and our ancestors, as well as our conduct, have fortunately earned the continued confidence of the public. I am thankful to the party (BJP) and the people for giving me an opportunity to contribute to our country's development,' says Vishvaraj. Digvijaya, however, doubts 'the BJP's faith in the tenets of the Constitution, which espouses equality for all'. Claiming that the party has a soft corner for royalty, he says: 'As far as my family is concerned, we chose the path of democracy and did not join the Jana Sangh or the BJP, although they were very keen.'From a historical perspective, royalty, says a section of sociologists, has always aligned with the winning side. 'Royalty, like political actors of all types, does survive through tactical alliances, etc. Just as we have politicians who are consummate survivors, so too are there royal dynasties that have managed to hold relevance despite all kinds of historical changes and challenges,' says author Manu Pillai. 'It is a bit simplistic to reduce the princely legacy to one of 'collaborators with the Raj'; it is like applying black and white lenses to present-day politics, which actually has many more layers and complexities.'A ROYAL REVAMPThat said, royals are trying to reinvent themselves in the modern world. Zamindars and rajas—cast as evil and exploitative in the Bollywood films of the 1980s and '90s—are now increasingly celebrated in popular culture. Their public image has shifted, too, with erstwhile royals now regulars on the conclave circuit, on podcasts and chat shows. Radhika Raje Gaekwad of the former Baroda royal family was recently invited by a newspaper to write about an OTT show that did not paint a very charitable picture of her ilk. 'There is definitely an allure, and it began when magazines like Hello, which had covered European royalty, came to India. The magazines featured royals on their covers and their palaces were opened up for people to see them through their pages. Social media, too, has a major role to play as it provides royals a platform to tell their stories like they wanted to,' she Khanna, a communication professional, says earlier, if a glossy featured an industrialist, a sportsperson and a professional, today it also covers a former royal as part of the spread. 'Many among the younger lot of erstwhile royals have studied at foreign universities. Having returned, they are now pursuing careers relevant to the times and have played a major role in changing the narrative,' says Khanna, who set up Royal Fables in 2010, a platform that showcases royal India.'Our families are often subjected to statue politics, unwarranted comments and misrepresentation by politicians and the entertainment industry,' says Vishvaraj. 'True recognition will come when both historical and contemporary records are presented factually, and strict action is taken against those who malign our families and ancestors for personal or political gain.'Until then, the erstwhile rulers will throw their lot with the party that is the real ruler in exchange for preserving their political and cultural relevance.—with Dhaval S. Kulkarni, Rohit Parihar, Jumana Shah and Arkamoy Datta MajumdarSubscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Actor Rohit Roy says quitting sugar was harder than giving up smoking and drinking: 'It's been the most amazing change'
Rohit took to his Instagram handle and shared a note about his new diet and how he has quit sugar. He mentioned that it wasn't as easy as people think. However, he called it one of the most amazing changesges he has made. He shared, 'Giving up smoking and drinking wasn't as tough as giving up sugar! And believe it or not, that's been the most amazing change I've made to my diet!' In a recent interview with TOI, the actor opened up about his fitness journey and how people assume he has quit television. He shared, 'A lot of people think I don't want to do television shows. In fact, some close producer friends of mine were surprised when I told them I'm keen to do a good project on TV. It just has to be something I can dig my teeth into because the medium needs a different kind of commitment — 12 hours a day for a year, and if it works, then even longer. So, I want to love the show, the character, and the writing.' In an earlier interview, he shared, 'I was a complete bookworm. But the moment I signed my first film, I realised that unless I went to the gym and made myself presentable, it wouldn't work. After that, very early on, I realised that working out is essential. You become disciplined, you feel better, and your day starts on a high. My fitness journey started as vanity but soon became a lifestyle for me.' On the work front, he has won hearts with television shows like Swabhimaan, Kkusum, and Virasat, and movies like Shootout at Lokhandwala and Kaabil.
India.com
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress who made her debut with blockbuster, worked with Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, left Bollywood due to..., had failed marriage, she is...
In late 1990s, a striking beauty walked into Bollywood, capturing hearts with her elegance, tall frame, and calm screen presence. She starred opposite some of the biggest names in the industry and was poised for a long, successful film career. But unlike many of her contemporaries, this actress chose to leave the arc lights behind just as her popularity was soaring. At peak of her fame, she married and moved abroad, only to later return to India, far removed from the limelight that once followed her. Which actress is this? Here we are talking about Pooja Batra, who made memorable debut in the critically acclaimed film Virasat (1997), opposite Anil Kapoor and Tabu. Before her acting career began, Pooja was already in the public eye as Miss India International 1993. How was Pooja Batra's Bollywood career? Pooja Batra had a promising Bollywood career in the late 1990s, known for her roles in films like Bhai, Nayak, Haseena Maan Jaayegi, Talaash, and Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, where she worked with stars like Sanjay Dutt, Govinda, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor. Known for her poise and expressive eyes, Pooja had all the makings of a long-term leading lady in the Hindi film industry. However, her career didn't sustain momentum, partly due to fewer leading roles and that's when she decided to leave the world of glitz and glamour. How was Pooja Batra's personal life In 2002, Pooja surprised many by marrying Los Angeles-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sonu S. Ahluwalia. She relocated to the United States, putting her acting career on hold. During her time abroad, she kept a low profile, occasionally engaging with entertainment world through small roles and independent projects. After eight years of marriage, the couple parted ways in 2010. As per reports, Pooja Batra, who had moved to Los Angeles, received film offers, including from Hollywood, but her husband opposed her return to acting and wanted to start a family, which she wasn't ready for and decided to end their marriage. More about Pooja Batra Following her divorce, Pooja returned to India and gradually reentered the public sphere, not as mainstream actress, but as a wellness advocate and occasional performer. In 2019, she married actor Nawab Shah in presence of friends and family and the two often share glimpses of their life on social media. Though she hasn't returned to full-time acting, Pooja remains a graceful presence in the industry, known for her calm demeanor and balanced lifestyle and today, Pooja Batra focuses on wellness, yoga, and personal growth.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rohit Roy: Who says I've quit TV?
Rohit Roy, after a hiatus from television, expresses his eagerness to return with a compelling project. Known for roles in shows like 'Swabhimaan' and films like 'Shootout at Lokhandwala,' he's keen to explore comedy, a genre he believes is untapped in his career. Rohit Roy has been missing from television for a while now. So, has he quit the small screen? The actor replies, 'A lot of people think I don't want to do television shows. In fact, some close producer friends of mine were surprised when I told them I'm keen to do a good project on TV. It just has to be something I can dig my teeth into because the medium needs a different kind of commitment — 12 hours a day for a year, and if it works, then even longer. So, I want to love the show, the character and the writing.' Rohit, who has been part of TV shows like Swabhimaan, Kkusum and Virasat, and movies like Shootout at Lokhandwala and Kaabil, says that he wants to explore different genres, including comedy. He shares, 'Earlier, I would be offered only boy-next-door kind of roles. Then I did Shootout at Lokhandwala and people started seeing me as this rustic, slightly dirty guy, someone who could be dangerous. Then I did Kaabil, which was also different. But I feel there's a side that no one's tapped into and that's comedy. I did a show called Baat Ban Jaye early on; it was a comedy and did well. Unfortunately, newer filmmakers haven't seen that comic side. But I know I'm good at it.' Earlier, talking to us about how his fitness journey began, he shares, 'I was a complete bookworm. But the moment I signed my first film, I realised that unless I went to the gym and made myself presentable, it wouldn't work. After that, very early, I realised that working out is essential. You become disciplined, you feel better, and your day starts on a high. My fitness journey started as vanity, but soon became a lifestyle for me. '
India.com
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress who studied MBA, left her marketing job to work with Anil Kapoor in superhit movie, later quit Bollywood, got married twice, now looks like this
If you want to make a name in Bollywood, sharing the screen with a big star can be enough to get noticed. If you're an actor, working with a veteran actress can boost your profile, and if you're a heroine, acting alongside the industry's leading men can open doors. However, sustaining that recognition depends entirely on your talent. Today, we're going to talk about one such actress who got the opportunity to work with stars like Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Anil Kapoor and Govinda. Despite these big breaks, she couldn't achieve the stardom she hoped for. The actress from Ludhiana was an athlete and competed in the 200 and 400-meter dash when she was in school. She graduated in Economics from Fergusson College, Pune and completed her MBA in marketing from Symbiosis, Pune. She was approached by many companies, however she always wanted to do get into modelling. She participated at the Miss International beauty pageant and won the runner-up title at the Femina Miss India contest in 1993 and was crowned Femina Miss India International 1993 and represented India at Miss International 1993. We are talking about actress Pooja Batra whose first film was with Anil Kapoor. It was Virasat in 1997. She also appeared in 2001 film Nayak as a reporter. She starred alongside major names such as Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal, and Johnny Lever. After working in around 20 movies, Pooja left acting after her first marriage. She chose love over fame and glamour and bid farewell to acting. Sadly, that marriage with US-based Dr. Sonu Ahluwalia also ended in divorce. There were reports that Pooja had received offers for Hollywood films, but her husband was reportedly against it, which eventually led to their divorce. After the separation, Pooja returned to Bollywood, but she didn't find many opportunities. She then married actor Nawab Shah in 2019 in Delhi according to Arya Samaj traditions.
