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Bal Thackeray passes away

November 17th, 2012 · India, News → No Comments

9.00 pm:

The Mumbai police has issued an advisory –

“Citizens should only step out of houses only is there is an emergency. Avoid Western Express Highway. Certain restrictions on traffic movements in the city especially from Bandra to Dadar. Only essential travel/commute is advised. An appeal is made to people to maintain calm and peace.”

Most public transport have vanished from the streets.

8.30 pm:

Thackeray to be cremated Sunday evening

The mortal remains of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray will be consigned to the flames Sunday evening at the crematorium beside Shivaji Park, revered as ‘Shiv Tirth’ by Shiv Sainiks in Maharashtra, a party official said.

“Thackeray’s body is at present kept at Matoshri. Tomorrow morning, around 7.30 a.m., it will be taken to Shiv Sena Bhavan for party workers to pay their respects. From there, it will be taken to Shivaji Park where the public can pay their last respects from 10 a.m.,” party MP Sanjay Raut told mediapersons Saturday evening.

Matoshri, the Thackeray residence, is in Bandra East in central Mumbai while Shivaji Park, a sprawling historic ground and cradle of Indian cricket, is in Dadar West, barely six km from Bandra.

Elaborate arrangements were being made by an army of workers at Shivaji Park for the sea of humanity expected Sunday, also a holiday.

Mumbai Police are also making fool−proof security arrangements in Bandra, along the entire route to Shiv Sena Bhavan, the party headquarters in Dadar West, and to the Shivaji Park.

Raut said public ‘darshan’ would be allowed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Shivaji Park. Later, the funeral will be held at crematorium nearby.

He again appealed to all grieving party activists to “maintain peace and remain calm” in the wake of the tragedy that has befallen the party and the Thackeray family.

8.00 pm:

Chaos in Mumbai airport

The Mumbai International airport is in a state of chaos since all pre-paid taxis and cabs have been cancelled and taken off the roads. The passengers have been left stranded. They are being told that buses will take them to railway stations and from there it is up to them to make their way wherever they want to go.

This is a complete failure in terms of management by the Mumbai government. The Mumbai airport is an International airport and the safety of the passengers, many of whom are visitors to our country, is paramount.

An odd moment or the beginning of the unraveling?

7.40pm:

Huge crowds are beginning to arrive at Matoshree and the police is struggling to maintain control. Their strength has been increased and reports indicate that outside security has also been called in.

The Shiv Sena has repeatedly called for calm, but a sense of fear continues to hang over the entire affair.

7.00 pm:

Bal Thackeray’s funeral plans for Sunday -

The body will leave Matoshree at 7am tomorrow morning. It will be taken to Sena Bhavan by 10 am. It will be kept there for darshan up to 5 pm. Then his funeral will be held in 7.00 pm in Shivaji park – the symbolic  center of the Shiv Sena, where the party was first established in 1966.

6.50 pm:

Sushma Swaraj said -

There are few persons in the world who have the courage to speak what they believe is right. Balashaeb was once such person. His personality and his legacy is as tall and broad as the Himalayas

6.47 pm:

Calm spreads across Mumbai, the after effects of the days of dress rehearsals the city has been having for days. The Sainiks have apparently taken the message that any violence would be a dishonor to Bal Thakeray’s legacy.

The violent legacy of the Shiv Sena is on hold for now.

6.08 pm:

The Kalanagar residents and other close relatives, friends and party leaders will have a more personal last meet with Bal Thackeray inside Matoshree itself. The body has been brought down to the ground floor for this homage. 

6.00 pm:

Narendra Modi made a statement -

“Thackeray was like a fighter who fought bravely for his life. But in the end, we were all disappointed. Today we had to lose Balasaheb. His passing is like the end of an era. A good cartoonist, the editor of an independent newspaper, Balasaheb became a force in Indian politics.

He was a lively person. He fought battles with great ferocity and had equally powerful friendships. He kept himself out of politics but built a great political movement.

He never compromised in his patriotism. Thanks to his efforts, we all gained in a sense of patriotism.

I have always been his personal friend. The nation has lost, but I have personally lost a teacher. I pray for his family members at this time.”

5.50 pm:

The BJP has cancelled its dinner with the PM tonight and BJP leaders have rushed to Matoshree. BJP president Nitin Gadkari gave a statement extolling Bal Thackeray’s virtues. He hailed Thackeray’s fight for the Marathi people and took a look back at the alliance between BJP and the Shiv Sena.

He also mentioned that Maharastra should be come like Shivaji’s empire – a dream that Thackeray held apparently.

5.40 pm:

The media has been kept away from Matoshree to prevent them from broadcasting any images or a live feed. The reporters of the various news channels are currently camped out in a building opposite Thackeray’s residence.

5.30 pm:

The funeral of Bal Thackeray will be held at Shivaji Park tomorrow morning, Shiv Sena spokespersons have announced. The body will be in state from 7 am for up to 3.30 pm so that his followers may visit him one last time.

5.25 pm:

A broken looking Uddhav Thackeray emerged from Matoshree and has appealed to the Shiv Sainiks to remain calm. Other spokespersons have asked people not to crowd around the residence.

5.20 pm:

The situation in Mumbai is on everyone’s mind right now. How will the Shiv Sena react to his death?

In the Dadar area of Mumbai all the shops are already shut. The streets have a deserted look. But no actual signs of violence have been noticed, but every one is bracing for the worst.

​5.00 pm:

After reports of his health improving in the past few days, Bal Thackeray passed away on November 17, 2012 of cardiac arrest. He died at 3.33 pm in the afternoon. His doctor, Dr Jalil Parkar, at his residence in Matoshree, said they were unable to revive him once his heart failed. He was 86.

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Bollywood feels shattered over Yash Chopra’s demise

October 21st, 2012 · Bollywood → 2 Comments

“Shocked”, “numb” and “heartbroken” is what the Bollywood fraternity felt after learning about the demise of veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra on October 21 evening following multiple organ failure. He was 80.
From Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan to Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit, a grief-stricken Bollywood took to Twitter to express their sentiments and said he will be missed a lot.
Dilip Kumar: Shattering, hard to accept. Yash was more than a friend, a brother. I am numb and have no words to express my grief.
Amitabh Bachchan: Yash Chopra passes away… Just now a hour ago.
Sridevi: Deeply saddened by the shocking news of Yashji passing away, he was full of warmth & affection whenever we met, he will be missed forever.
Madhuri Dixit: Just got the news that Yashji passed away. He was one of the giants of cinema. My deepest condolences to his family. We will all miss him.
Lara Dutta: All I ever really knew of Hindi films began with Yash uncles brand of cinema. RIP Yash Chopra ji. Will miss you terribly.
Akshay Kumar: I’m in shock and numb, can’t believe the news, the man who immortalised love, Mr. Yash Chopra is no more. May his soul rest.
Shilpa Shetty: Just heard the tragic news of Yash uncle passing away. The epitome of Romance a great man…will miss him dearly. R.I.P Yash Uncle.
Preity Zinta: Yash Uncle we will miss you. May god give peace to your soul. R. I. P.
Rahul Bose: Terrible, terrible news. R.I.P. Yashji.
Manoj Bajpayee: Yashji is no more with us in this world. numbed to hear this just when I arrive in Mumbai. What a loss! May you rest in peace Yashji.
Madhur Bhandarkar: I’m shocked and saddened by the loss of Hindi Cinema’s legend – Yash ji. romance in cinema will always be incomplete without u. RIP.
Shekhar Ravijani: Heartbroken. I just met him a few days back during the trial of SOTY. God bless his soul. RIP Yashji.

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Yash Chopra didn’t compromise on ethics: Javed Akhtar

October 21st, 2012 · Bollywood, Movies, Showbiz → No Comments

Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar, who worked with Yash Chopra as a writer in blockbuster films like “Deewar”, “Trishul” and “Kaala Pathar”, says the filmmaker never compromised on his ethics.

“The dialogues in his movies itself had literary values. One thing was highly appreciable about him was that in the 1980s, which was called the dark era of cinema…he took the challenge without compromising on his ethics,” Akhtar said on Times Now channel.

Javed Akhtar’s wife and veteran actress Shabana Azmi also expressed grief over Chopra’s sudden demise.

“Yash Chopra will be remembered because he made cinema he believed in. There was never a single indecent word in his movie. He has had such a long innings,” she said.

Chopra passed away Sunday evening at the Lilavati Hospital following multiple organ failure. He was suffering dengue the past few days. He was 80.

Source: IANS

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PM condoles Yash Chopra’s death

October 21st, 2012 · Bollywood, Movies, Showbiz → 1 Comment

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday condoled the death of veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra, and called him an icon of Indian cinema who entertained many generations with his rare creativity.

“He had an aesthetic talent to make his films look larger than life. His flourish in essaying romance and social drama was unmatched,” he said in his tribute to Chopra.

According to Manmohan Singh, Chopra established the popularity of Indian cinema internationally and was honoured by many governments.

“He will be remembered by millions of his fans around the world and his work as a director and producer will be treasured by the nation for many more generations,” said the prime minister in his condolence message to Chopra’s family and the film fraternity.

Source: IANS

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Mamata saddened by Yash Chopra’s death

October 21st, 2012 · Bollywood, Movies, Showbiz, Uncategorized → No Comments

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Sunday expressed grief over the demise of veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra.

“I am feeling very sad to know about the sudden demise of Shri Yash Chopra, internationally famous film personality. I used to know him personally,” Banerjee said.

“At this moment those thoughts of our meeting and interaction are coming back to my memory,” said Banerjee on her Facebook page.

“It is no doubt a great loss to the film world. My heartfelt condolences are with his bereaved family members. May the Almighty give them enough strength to bear this irreparable loss,” she wrote.

The legendary director known for his films like “Silsila”, “Kabhi Kabhie”, “Chandni” among many others, breathed his last at Lilavati Hospital Sunday, a hospital spokesperson said. Chopra was 80.

Source: IANS

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‘Former IAC member’ confronts Kejriwal, drama at press meet

October 21st, 2012 · News → 2 Comments

High drama was witnessed at Arvind Kejriwal’s press meet on Sunday when he was angrily confronted by a woman claiming to be a former IAC volunteer and sharply questioned him on his conduct.

The press conference was convened by Kejriwal to condemn the action against his supporters who clashed with police when they were prevented from barging into the residence of Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in New Delhi’s Pandit Pant Marg to protest on Robert Vadra-DLF issue.

As he fielded questions and paraded some of the injured persons before the media in Ghaziabad after bringing them from a Delhi hospital, some protesters accompanying the elderly woman Annie Kohli shouted slogans and levelled allegations against Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, saying they were using the anti-corruption movement for their own gains.

When the sloganeering continued, Kejriwal said he will talk to the detractors and understand what their grievances were.

Soon after Kejriwal wound up the press meet, Kohli, who is based in Mumbai and who led the protesters, and others tried to enter the premises but were prevented by police.

Kejriwal then came out and listened to Kohli who asked him whether he was a revolutionary or a Gandhian or a politician.

“You speak with lots of affection but you are doing politics. You are using this as a ladder for your politics. Revolutionaries never ran away from sufferings. But for you, when the time came, you ran away,” Kohli, whom Kejriwal said he does not know, alleged.

“You were on protest with disabled people on Salman Khurshid case. First you said, you will sit there till you get result. But after four days, you left the place saying now you will go to Farrukhabad. You have support in Delhi. You want to become a leader,” she said.

When Kejriwal intervened saying she can sit in Delhi when he goes to Farrukhabad, she said she is from Mumbai.

Kohli also distributed a pamphlet in which she raised a question what his ideology was. “The independence struggle has two streams of protests. One the revolutionary path of Bhagat Singh and another that of Mahatma Gandhi.

“Which one do you follow? Once you answer this, I will raise another nine questions,” she said in the pamphlet.

A youth, who claims to be against the movement taking a political plunge, alleged Kejriwal’s intentions were not right and that he is a friend of Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit.

Kohli alleged that she had tried to meet Kejriwal at airport recently but his associates prevented her from meeting him and pushed her.

She also levelled allegations against another IAC activist Mayank Gandhi.

When asked about Kohli, Kejriwal said, “I don’t know her. No questions have been raised by her. What kind of questions she is raising? Every agitation has its own strategy.”

Earlier in the day, scores of IAC activists clashed with police who used water canons and force to disperse them while trying to barge into Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Hooda’s residence in Delhi.

Condemning the police action, Kejriwal said his supporters from Haryana were on a peaceful demonstration to protest alleged efforts to save Vadra, whom they alleged was aided by Hooda in favouring the realty major.

Police used water canons and force to disperse the protesters, who breached a barricade put on Pandit Pant Marg near Hooda’s residence, and detained them this afternoon.

Kejriwal or any other senior leaders of the group were not present at the protest.

Protesters, most of them from Haryana wing of the IAC, claimed over scores of activists were injured in the police action.

The activists had assembled near Gol Dakhana and marched towards Hooda’s residence, where police had put up barricades.

The protesters breached the barricade and marched towards Hooda’s residence when they were stopped by police. However, the activists insisted on marching ahead and they reached near the residence.

A senior police official said they were forced to resort to water canon and use force to disperse the crowd.

Later in the day, Kejriwal got three-four protesters who were injured in the police action from Ram Manohar Lohia hospital to address a press conference in his office in Kaushambi along with him.

He made the injured activists show the wounds they sustained the action.

“Congress and the government are now trying to save Vadra. The chief minister has transfered the officer who has ordered a probe into the incident. They are telling us corruption will go on and we will have to suffer,” he told reporters.

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Yash Chopra: King of romance leaves a void in Bollywood

October 21st, 2012 · Bollywood → 1 Comment

Legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra changed the face of romance in Hindi cinema, which became the brand of Bollywood, with numerous hits under his belt in his five-decade long illustrious career.

Chopra (80), who was one of the pillars in Bollywood, directed some of Indian cinema’s most successful and iconic films, including the action thriller Deewar which established megastar Amitabh Bachchan as the “angry young man.”

The hit duo of Chopra and Bachchan worked together again in romantic drama Kabhi Kabhie and drama Trishul.

If Shah Rukh Khan is called the King, Chopra was definitely the kingmaker and gave support and fillip to many an artiste’s career and making them into superstars.

Although he began his career making different kinds of films, Chopra is today known mostly for the romantic films such as Silsila, Chandni and Dilwale Duhania Le Jayenge.

The term “Yash Chopra romance” is used to typify the kind of romantic films the filmmaker gave birth to in Bollywood.

Considered among one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of Hindi cinema, Chopra’s career has spanned over five decades and over 50 films.

Beginning his career as an assistant director, Chopra made his directorial debut with Dhool Ka Phool in 1959, a melodrama about illegitimacy.

Chopra has won several film awards, including six National Film Awards and eleven Filmfare awards including four Filmfare Award for Best Director.

Born in Lahore to a Punjabi family on September 27, 1932, Chopra moved to India after the Partition. Chopra’s original plan was to pursue a career in engineering.

However, his passion for filmmaking led him to travel to Mumbai where he initially worked as an assistant director to I S Johar, and then for his director-producer brother B R Chopra.

Encouraged by the success of his films, the Chopra brothers made several more movies together during the late 50s and 60s.

Chopra rose to fame in 1965 after the commercially and critically successful drama, “Waqt”, which pioneered the concept of multi-starrers in Bollywood.

In 1973, Chopra founded his own production company, Yash Raj Films, and launched it with Daag: A Poem of Love with the hit onscreen pair of Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna.

However, in the ‘80s several films he directed and produced failed to leave a mark at the box office, notably Mashaal and Vijay.

But Chopra rose like phoenix with the commercially and critically successful film Chandni thus beginning his journey of making romantic Hindi films. He then directed and produced the classic Lamhe in 1991.

His association with Shah Rukh Khan began with the 1993 romantic psychological thriller film Darr, which turned out to be a superhit with SRK playing the role of an obsessed lover.

Since then, Chopra has directed three more romantic films, all starring Khan — Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Veer—Zaara (2004) and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) before he announced his retirement from directing this year.

“I have always had great experience working with him. He is one actor who has never asked me what the story is about, how much money he will charge… whatever amount I send him through cheque he takes that and rather asks me why did I give such a huge amount,” Chopra said last month during an interview with Shah Rukh on his 80th birthday.

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Veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra dies at 80

October 21st, 2012 · Bollywood → 8 Comments

Veteran Hindi filmmaker and ‘King of Romance’ Yash Chopra passed away at a hospital in Mumbai on Sunday.

Chopra, who celebrated his 80th birthday on September 27, had been admitted to the Lilavati hospital in Mumbai last week on account of dengue infection, hospital sources said.

Chopra, known for landmark Bollywood films such as Trishul, Deewar, Silsila, Chandni and Dil To Pagal Hai, during his career spanning over five decades, had said on his birthday last month that his upcoming film Jab Tak Hai Jaan would be his last movie as a director.

Lilavati hospital spokesperson said Chopra was in the ICU for the past few days.

Chopra, 80, is survived by wife and two sons, filmmaker Aditya Chopra and actor-producer Uday Chopra.

Yash Raj Chopra was born in Lahore, now in Pakistan, on September 27, 1932. He began his career as an assistant director to his elder brother B.R. Chopra and directed his own first film Dhool Ka Phool in 1959.

The Chopra brothers made several more movies together during the late 50s and 60s.

Chopra’s first commercial as well as critical success was Waqt (1965), a multi-starrer family drama.

In 1973, Chopra founded his own production company Yash Raj Films.

Though he started out in late 50s, Chopra always had his finger on the pulse of the audience and continued to deliver blockbusters in every following decade.

His repertoire includes iconic Angry Young Man films like Trishul and Deewar, both featuring Amitabh Bachchan in central roles, but in the later years Chopra was more and more associated with the ‘romance’ genre.

Reacting to the news, filmmaker Subhash Ghai said, “Yashji was the guru of industry. He was always full of energy. He will be remembered forever.”

Director-producer Mahesh Bhatt said the “news is heart breaking.”

Reactions from Twitter

Narendra Modi ‏@narendramodi

Yash Chopra ji made a mark as an excellent film maker. Indian film industry & movie lovers will truly miss him. May his soul rest in peace.

Dr Manmohan Singh ‏@PMOIndia

Prime Minister pays tribute to film-maker Yash Chopra-”An icon of Indian Cinema, he entertained many generations with his rare creativity.”

Lara Dutta Bhupathi ‏@DuttaLara

All I ever really knew of Hindi films began with Yash uncles brand of cinema. RIP Yash Chopra ji. Will miss you terribly.

Bipasha Basu ‏@bipsluvurself

We lost the iconic,inspiring n always smiling Yash Chopra today.Saddened and shocked by this news.He will be missed forever.RIP Yash Uncle.

Akshay Kumar ‏@akshaykumar

I’m in shock and numb, can’t believe the news, the man who immortalised love, Mr. Yash Chopra is no more. May his soul rest in peace

barkha dutt ‏@BDUTT

If you look at a mustard field and want to break into a song, remember how our collective sense of romance was shaped Yash Chopra R.I.P

sushmita sen ‏@thesushmitasen

Mr. Yash Chopra..a legend of love and love stories passes away :( my condolences to all his loved ones. Deeply saddened. Rest in Peace Sir..

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The latest buzz from India-Pakistan match

September 30th, 2012 · Cricket → 5 Comments

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Priyanka to team-up with Sunny?

September 23rd, 2012 · Bollywood, Movies, Showbiz → 2 Comments

Priyanka Chopra is on a roll! She just flagged off her music career and now, she’s all set to become an item girl.

But it looks like Priyanka has no qualms sharing screen space with siren Sunny Leone. The two have apparently been roped in for an item number in Shootout at Wadala.

Rumour also has it that it was Bipasha who was initially set to shake a leg with the porn star-turned-actress, but ex-boyfriend John Abraham who plays the antagonist in the film, had her booted out. Tsk! Tsk!

Nevertheless, if Priyanka & Sunny are to turn item girls, then this is certainly the best piece of news we’ve heard in a while!

Source: Sify.com

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