Latest news with #non-Bengali
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan's inter-caste marriage saw objection from this person, it's not their parents but...
Many years back, a quiet wedding sent ripples through Bollywood's tightly-knit circles. The secret union of two iconic stars, who would go on to become one of India's most celebrated couples, did not unfold without resistance. Behind the glitter and headlines lay a lesser-known moment of protest, led by someone unhappy about their affair. Let's identify who that person was. The Marriage of Amitabh-Jaya Opposed By… Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan got married on June 3, 1973 . While many people might think that their fathers would have disapproved of their inter-caste marriage, that was not the situation. There were no objections from their families regarding Amitabh and Jaya's marriage, but one person at their wedding created a stir over the entire matter. Jaya Bachchan's father, Taroon Kumar Bhaduri , was well-known journalist and author. In 1989 article for the Illustrated Weekly of India, he addressed rumors regarding his discontent with his daughter's marriage to Amitabh, stating, 'I would like to understand just one valid reason why my wife or I would have opposed the Bhaduri-Bachchan union. Amitabh was and continues to be a charming young man. He worked diligently to make his mark in the film industry. Early setbacks did not discourage him and with a steadfast determination, he chased his aspirations. He proposed to Jaya only after the success of film Zanjeer , and he hasn't looked back ever since.' When Jaya's Father Cleared Every Rumour Against Amitabh In the same conversation, he further told, 'Which reservations could we possibly have? That he wasn't Bengali and belonged to a non-Brahmin community? How absurd! One of my other daughters is also married to a non-brahmin, and if it brings any comfort to my critics, my second daughter is wed to a Roman Catholic. Besides my wife and me, my aging parents also not only took part in the wedding festivities but blessed all three couples, in front of numerous guests. My father, who took great pride in being a brahmin, often echoed in my mind: 'It's their life. Who are we to interfere? If they are happy, we should be too.' Who Opposed The Marriage Affair Taroon Kumar Bhaduri also revealed insights about secret wedding, mentioning, 'At this point, there's no need to delve into the specifics of how the entire event remained under wraps or how the marriage was organized in the apartment of our family friends, the Pandits, in Malabar Hill. However, there's more to the story. A Bengali wedding typically involves a lengthy yet captivating process. The Bengali priest (who was extremely hard to find) initially objected to officiating a wedding between Bengali brahmin and non-Bengali non-brahmin.' 'After considerable effort, this issue was resolved. Amit engaged in all the rituals without offending anyone, and the ceremony continued into the early hours of the next day. He carried out each task with genuine intent as instructed. The following day, they departed for London. Upon their return, I hosted a reception in Bhopal, where Amit also complied with every request made of him.'
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When a priest objected to Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan's inter-caste marriage: ‘He was not a Bengali and…'
On 3 June 1973, two of Bollywood's most iconic stars, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri , tied the knot in a quiet ceremony. Today, on the occasion of their wedding anniversary, let us look back on behind the scenes of what looked like a simple wedding, there was a moment of unexpected drama—when a Bengali priest protested against their inter-caste union. Though the event stayed away from the public eye at the time, it was later brought to light by Jaya's father, journalist Taroon Coomar Bhadhuri, who wrote about it in a 1989 article for The Illustrated Weekly of India. His piece not only revealed how quickly the wedding came together, but also tackled the caste-related objections and the gossip that surrounded it. A wedding that surprised everyone The wedding between Amitabh and Jaya was far from a grand Bollywood event. It was an intimate function with just family and close friends present. According to Jaya's father, the decision to marry came as a surprise to him. 'I felt he was not the run-of-the-mill Bombay film star. There were vicious people who said that Amitabh married Jaya because she was a big star, but it's totally untrue. He waited for Zanjeer to be a success. But Jaya would have married him anyway. I know that for certain. She is not a fickle-minded person. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo She is a very determined individual, bent on having her way since childhood. It is difficult for me to say what drew them together,' he wrote. 'Secret marriage' planned overnight Once the decision to get married was made, things moved very quickly. So quickly, in fact, that the family had no time to organise a full wedding in the usual way. As Taroon described it: 'And presto, we were in Bombay the next day to make arrangements for a 'secret marriage' on June 3, 1973. There is no point now in going into the details of how the whole affair was kept secret and the marriage arranged in the flat of friends of our family, the Pandits, at Malabar Hill. But there is something more to it.' Priest protests against inter-caste union The most dramatic part of the story came when the Bengali priest they managed to find in Mumbai raised an objection. Taroon explained, 'A Bengali marriage is usually a long-drawn-out but highly interesting affair. The Bengali priest (who was located with great difficulty) at first protested against having to preside over a marriage between a Bengali Brahmin (Jaya) and a non-Bengali non-Brahmin (Amit). After a lot of hassle, this was sorted out. Amit went through all the rituals, offending no one, and the ceremony went on until early the next morning. He did with sincerity all he was told to do. The following day, they flew to London. On their return, I held a reception at Bhopal, and again Amit did whatever he was told to do.' Setting the record straight After their marriage, gossip spread that Jaya's parents were not happy with her decision to marry Amitabh. But Taroon set the record straight once and for all. He wrote, 'I would like to know just one good reason why my wife or I would have been opposed to the Bhaduri-Bachchan alliance. Amitabh was, and is, a lovable boy. He struggled hard to come up in the world of films. Initial failures did not deter him, and with a Teutonic doggedness, he pursued his career. He proposed marriage to Jaya only when the film Zanjeer clicked, and he has not looked back since. So, what reservations could we have? That he was not a Bengali and was a non-Brahmin? How ridiculous!' Over five decades of love and togetherness Now, more than 50 years later, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan remain one of the most respected couples in Indian cinema. They have two children—Abhishek Bachchan and Shweta Bachchan—and three grandchildren, Navya Naveli, Agastya Nanda, and Aaradhya Bachchan . Amitabh Bachchan's Sunday Tradition Continues with a Thoughtful Twist Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Mint
20-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Why aggregation could be a game changer for niche OTTs
With niche streaming platforms, including international players like Apple TV+ and regional services such as hoichoi and Chaupal, now bundled into popular aggregation services, industry experts see an opportunity for these platforms to move closer to the mainstream in a cluttered OTT economy. Bundling through services like Prime Video Channels has helped many platforms reach beyond their core linguistic audiences. For instance, Apple TV+ is now accessible to users outside its traditional, urban, upmarket base, while names like hoichoi and Chaupal are being discovered by non-Bengali or Punjabi viewers. 'Aggregation has proven instrumental in expanding our footprint beyond core markets," Soumya Mukherjee, chief operating officer of Bengali streaming service hoichoi, said. 'For hoichoi, being part of Amazon Channels has allowed us to tap into new user cohorts, especially in regions where Bengali isn't the primary language. These partnerships enhance discoverability, leading to higher engagement and time spent from previously untapped audiences." Aggregation has the potential to be a strategic catalyst for language platforms like hoichoi, both in terms of visibility and business outcomes, Mukherjee added. Also Read: Trump tariffs promise a horror show for Indian movies, streaming in US Local to global By being part of larger aggregator ecosystems, regional services gain access to a much broader and often more diverse audience segment, many of whom might not have previously engaged with regional-language content directly. According to the Ormax Audience Report 2024, 42.2 million of the 150.6 million SVoD (subscription video-on-demand) audiences have access via B2B subscriptions. Keerat Grewal, head - business development (streaming, TV and brands), Ormax Media emphasized that while aggregation lowers average revenue per user or ARPU, it helps in sampling and reach for niche platforms like Apple TV+ as well as regional platforms seeking to expand their base. Charu Malhotra, co-founder and managing director, Primus Partners, a management consultancy firm, said aggregation platforms use AI-powered personalisation that recommends niche content and also adapts to user patterns. Platforms integrated into aggregator apps have seen up to 35% higher engagement in tier-two and tier-three cities compared to when they operated as standalone apps. Aggregation is not just a content strategy, but also a market-entry and brand-building strategy, she said. Once niche platforms gain visibility and user interest through aggregators, they also witness more direct app downloads and even social media traction. This eventually leads to a dual-revenue model, combining aggregator licensing and direct subscription, according to Malhotra. 'Aggregation by bigger platforms like Prime Video Channels, Tata Play Binge, or Airtel Xstream gives niche players a solid push by offering distribution through a single app," said Mahesh Sharma, president- strategic revenue partnerships at Chaupal, a platform specializing in Punjabi, Haryanvi and Bhojpuri content. In a market like India, where users are selective about the apps they keep, due to limited phone storage, being available through an already installed, trusted app helps. It increases visibility, adds a trust factor, and boosts reach, he said. Also Read: Overseas markets emerge as big opportunity for local streaming platforms as diaspora seeks more regional content Bundled and discovered Aggregation helps break geographical and language boundaries. When a regional or niche platform becomes part of a larger app ecosystem, it reaches non-traditional markets, he added. 'Chaupal may start seeing engagement from cities where Punjabi isn't the main language, simply because users are curious or exploring content across categories. Similarly, Apple TV+ might get discovered in smaller towns where people might not have gone out of their way to subscribe separately," Sharma said. So, while the platform might already have a strong name in its core market, aggregation opens it up to a wider audience, and often leads to increased time spent and engagement as users sample content they wouldn't have otherwise tried, he added. Industry experts emphasize that aggregation can definitely help build brand familiarity, which in turn can lead to direct subscriptions in the long run. However, India remains a price-sensitive market. So, while aggregators give visibility, their impact on conversion depends on whether the niche service can stand out and justify its value. 'Aggregation definitely has the potential to bring niche platforms into the mainstream spotlight," said Kaushik Das, founder and CEO of AAO NXT, an Odia content platform. By being part of a bigger ecosystem, smaller or regional platforms gain more credibility and reach, which can lead to increased direct subscriptions over time. 'It also signals to investors and industry stakeholders that there is a growing appetite for diverse content, potentially driving bigger investments into India's digital entertainment sector," he added. Indian OTT market regional language content OTT
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Potlucks, supper clubs and food memories: Kolkata's favourite way to bond? Always over khawa-dawa
What's your most cherished food memory? Which ingredient feels nostalgic to you? — These are the questions that one may find themselves answering at Kolkata's growing supper clubs and potluck gatherings. In a fast-paced world, these intimate food experiences offer more than just a meal — they create a shared table where strangers become friends. Here, stories and local ingredients act as catalysts for connection. We spoke to supper club hosts and chefs to explore how Kolkata's food lovers are turning food into a tool for expression and togetherness. Breaking bread, building bonds Shared meals are unlocking new friendships across Kolkata's food gatherings, thanks to supper clubs and potlucks. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far 'Food doesn't judge. It's an equaliser. One can always find common ground over a shared meal,' says Chef Thomas Zacharias, who hosts potlucks across India to build a community & create social impact through food. 'The goal is for everyone to walk away having made a new friend or discovered a new dish, ingredient or story,' he adds. Toonika Guha, Pune-based food content creator and supper club host added: 'I've seen a Bengali mother-daughter duo connect with a non-Bengali over food - explaining all the dishes to her, and giving her second servings. It was wholesome to see people connecting and bonding over a shared love of food.' Access & consistency is key when working with local produce. They can be hyper-seasonal, grown in small batches, or sourced from home-based producers. But that's also what makes it exciting. You learn to be creative, to adapt & respect rhythms of the land – Chef Thomas Zacharias The hobby kitchen revolution Passion is paving the way for conversation that cling on long after the last morsel of food. 'In Kolkata, food is not just about chefs or restaurants. It's about hobbyists — home chefs, passionate cooks, nerds who are obsessed with their cuisine and ingredients,' says Chef Auroni Mookerjee. 'Kolkata gives you space to explore food as an interest, not just a profession.' Toonika echoes this thought: 'I've a full-time job but I love hosting these suppers on the weekend. It's a way for me to do something I enjoy, meet new people and create a vibe that always feels warm and welcoming.' It's endearing to see a collective in Kolkata who are all cheerleaders for their local produce and cuisine. The city's food lovers are championing Bengali food together and sharing it with each another with pride – Chef Auroni Mookerjee Shaag, shorshe and seasonal Bengali produce As diners seek out deeper meaning in what's on their plates, chefs are turning to local produce and personal memory. 'We grew up on mustard oil, shorshe and seasonal shaag . That's my comfort food. That's what I crave on a winter afternoon,' says Sohini Banerjee, a London-based home chef who hosts supper clubs in the UK and Kolkata. 'Even when I'm doing events in London, I try to keep the food as close to how maa would cook it. However, Bengali cuisine is also the best at adapting and allowing the chef to be creative with the methods in mind. It takes creativity and patience,' she adds. When you sit down to eat with someone, you're immediately more open. Food doesn't judge. It invites curiosity, conversation and understanding. Even if you don't speak the same language, a shared dish can say more than words – Sohini Banerjee, supper club host
