Category Archives: News

Khushi Dubey Stars as Shivangi Sawant in Sony TV’s ‘Jubilee Talkies

Sony Entertainment Television has announced its next fiction offering, ‘Jubilee Talkies – Shohrat.Shiddat.Mohabbat’, a romantic and passionate drama that follows the journey of Shivangi Sawant, a humble girl from a small town in Maharashtra, but with modern sensibilities. Her deep love for cinema drives her to pursue her father’s dream of restoring their cherished possession, ‘Sangam Cinema’, to its former glory.

Actress Khushi Dubey is set to portray the lead as Shivangi Sawant, embodying a modern woman filled with strength, integrity, and a strong sense of purpose. As the guardian of her father’s legacy at Sangam Cinema, Shivangi’s determination shines through as she faces challenges head-on and she sees Sangam Cinema not just as a business, but as a place where dreams come alive.

Actor Khushi Dubey shares her excitement about embodying the role of Shivangi Sawant in Jubilee Talkies – Shohrat.Shiddat.Mohabbat and says, “I’m really excited about this story! I was hooked when I first heard the plot, and I hope the audience will be too. Along with her passion for reviving Sangam Cinema, Shivangi’s journey is filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep everyone glued to their seats. This character is a fresh challenge for me, and I’m especially drawn to Shivangi’s resilience and her unwavering dedication to her family and dreams.”

Jubilee Talkies – Shohrat.Shiddat.Mohabbat is set to premiere soon on Sony Entertainment Television!

Discover Smriti Mandhana’s Life Off The Field in Femina’s May 2024 Issue

India, 20th May 2024: From a nine-year-old enthused about the sport to becoming one of India’s most celebrated cricketers, Smriti Mandhana’s story is an inspiration. In the May 2024 edition of Femina, Smriti candidly reflects on the challenges she has faced, her unwavering dedication to the sport, and the dreams that continue to drive her forward. In the Cover Story, the sportsperson fondly recalls the day she was able to fulfill her promise to buy a house for her family, expressing gratitude that her beloved sport, cricket, made it possible. Despite her incredible success, she comes across as grounded and focused. Whether hitting a century or walking out for zero, she is known to maintain a stoic demeanour, though the last few years have taught her to be empathetic towards the young team members she leads and mentors.

Reflecting on her passion for cricket, Smriti shares, “I think I’ve always loved cricket, (and) like any other kid, I loved batting more than (the rest of) the game. I understood later, of course, that there is a lot more to cricket than just batting but, as a kid, I would just hit a hanging ball or play gully cricket.”

Speaking about her family, she reveals, “We come from a very humble background. Today, when I see my parents happy and the life that they’re living, I feel happy about everything that has come with cricket.”

She adds that she has gleaned life lessons from the game: “The best part about cricket is that it is a great leveller; you always start from zero. Whether you score a hundred or you have a bad match today, tomorrow you just start from the bottom again. Take that lesson to every aspect of life and you will know what to do next.”

Freemasons of Telangana’s gesture to a family with 2 Muscular Dystrophy children

Hyderabad, May 20, 2024….Freemasons of Telangana on Sunday in a late-night function presented a cheque of Rs 50,000/-(fifty thousand rupees) to the family of Bokka Padma and Narasimha Reddy, whose two children Bokka Teja Vardhan, 20 years old and Bokka Mani Vardhan, 17 years of Yamnapet Village in Ghatkesar have been suffering from incurable Muscular Dystrophy for many years.

Further, the Assistant Regional Grandmasters of Freemasons in Telangana Proddaturu Veerabhadrudu, Dr. Srirang Abkari, Anil Desai, and Ramesh Manchala, who graced the Mother’s Day Celebrations assured the family of the continuous monthly financial as well as material (groceries as per the need) support as long as the children live.

Freemasons is a global organisation. It is a morale-building organisation. It makes good men better, said Proddaturu Veerabhadrudu.

Last week, we visited the family at Yamnapet Village, studied their situation, assessed their need and appealed to Freemasons, their families, friends, relatives, business associates, philanthropic individuals, and good samaritans and through their contributions, the money was raised. A cheque was presented to Mrs Bokka Padma, the woman who has been nurturing two sons along with her husband Mr Narsimha Reddy for the past many years. Mrs Padma was also honoured for her determination to raise the children just by doing some errand jobs with both her sons suffering from such an incurable disease. She is an incredible mother, informed D. Ramchandram, a Freemason, who also emceed the function.

Both the boys have been suffering from muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disease that weakens muscle function. Because of this, they lost the ability to walk, sit right, and stand up. They are just bedridden. Neither there is a treatment nor a cure. They need 24-hour assistance.

Padma’s husband, Mr Narasimha Reddy, a driver, lost his job. He stays at home to take care of the kids.

Padma goes to work and earns Rs 8000/- which is insufficient for the family to take care of the children and run home. Though they get an Asara pension, that is said to be not sufficient.

Padma wants to keep her both children happy as long as they live. So, Freemasons of Telangana came forward and handed over a cheque at a function held at Goshamahal Baradari Masonic Building at Goshamahal during Mother’s Day celebrations.

Along with Padma, three other incredible women who were behind their children’s success were too honoured. Among them was Dr Satya Bhama, mother of well-known cricketer VVS Lakshman. The two other incredible mothers who were also honoured were Mrs. Vimya Dhurvesh Aheer and Mrs. Boyapati Subhashini. Freemasons of Telangana also honoured the mothers of their members. Some members shared their bonding with their mothers, memories, inspiring lessons learnt and the mothers’ sacrifices, informed Gannarapu Ashok, another Freemason member.

Mothers Day was celebrated across South India in over 126 cities in response to the call given by its Regional Grand Master TN Manoharan. This was the first time Freemasons organised Mother’s Day. Freemasons have been celebrating only Universal Brotherhood Day so far.

Mother is a unique person in all our lives. So is Freemasonry, a very unique organisation. Mother nurtures her children to be better human beings. So is Freemasonry. It makes good men better the role of a mother is to Love unconditionally; care both physically and emotionally, correct discipline and train, encourage and teach, and connect to learn and grow them. Same is the case with Freemasonry. Freemasonry teaches. Freemasonry Teaches Kindness in the home, Love for one another, Courtesy in society, Resistance towards evil, Help for the weak, Pity and concern for the unfortunate, Forgiveness for the penitent, Fairness in work, Honesty in business, and above all, Reverence and Love for God. Freemasonry is a Way of Life. It teaches values and makes good men better. Lodge (the club) is like school, college, teaches something useful to mankind, said D. Ramchandram in his opening remarks.

Freemasons also gave away prizes to the winners of the Essay Writing and Painting Competitions they organised on the theme ‘Motherhood’ to celebrate and mark Mother’s Day.

Over 100 members, their families, and guests participated in the celebrations.

On Superstar Singer 3, Sudesh Bhosale showers praise for Nishant Gupta’s melodious voice

This Sunday, Sony Entertainment Television’s kids singing reality show, ‘Superstar Singer 3’ will pay homage to one of the greatest singers of all time, Kishore Kumar, in a special episode titled “A-Z of Kishore Kumar.” Known for his soulful tunes that defined a glorious era of Hindi cinema, Kishore Kumar’s timeless classics will be brought to life by the talented young contestants. This episode promises to bring back the nostalgia with some wonderful tales about Kishore Da in the presence of the renowned playback singer, Sudesh Bhosale.

But all eyes were on the exceptionally talented 9-year-old, Nishant Gupta from Gurugram, Haryana, as he won hearts with his rendition of the soul-stirring song “Chehra Hai Ya Chand Khila Hai” from the film “Saagar.” Nishant’s sheer brilliance evoked a standing ovation from all the captains, Super Judge Neha Kakkar, and special guest, Sudesh Bhosale; marking a truly unforgettable moment.

Impressed by the captivating performance, Special Guest Sudesh Bhosle ji shared, “Very well sung! You set the right mood completely, singing with sheer enjoyment; God bless you. Also, just like how all of us were praising you with ‘Waah Waah’, similarly we used to cheer during Kishor Da’s live shows, saying ‘Wah’ to him, and he would playfully respond by saying ‘Bakwas’ instead of ‘Thank you’.”

Super Judge Neha Kakkar also complimented the contestant, saying, “Nishant, today you showed a different side of yourself just like a lion, both at home and on stage. Your mischievous nature, usually hidden, shone brightly in your performance. It’s remarkable how you handled a song with so many lyrics, sung by legends and crafted by geniuses at such a young age. The pressure must have been immense, yet you remembered everything and executed it flawlessly. I’m truly delighted for you. Great job!”

Captivated by the performance, Captain Pawandeep Rajan shared, “Nishant, your performance was excellent. This song was sung by Kishore Da, whom I regard as my teacher, and the sargam you sang in between was originally sung by Pandit Satyanarayan Mishra Ji. So, in essence, you beautifully combined the styles of both these legends in your performance. You did a fantastic job, Nishant. Very well done!”

Tune into Superstar Singer 3 every Saturday and Sunday at 8 PM only on Sony Entertainment Television!

India’s 5 Custom Art Brands Break the Mold

In the vibrant landscape of Indian artistry, these five custom art companies that stand out for their innovative designs and personalized touch. From contemporary creations to traditional craftsmanship, each company offers unique features that cater to diverse artistic tastes.

East Craft Designs:

A premium and one of its kind art studio in India comprising a group of artists catering to some of the leading Corporates, Architects, Interior designers, government buildings, airports, metro stations and Theme Parks in India & abroad for Customized Signage, Wall Murals, Digital arts, Paintings and other art objects in small as well as bulk quantities. Led by Mr. K. Rajesh, Director & Principal Artist at East Craft Design Pvt. Ltd, East Craft Designs has its traces of mind-boggling art in 35 different locations, 14 different mediums & 150 wall hanging paintings across the country and beyond.

Immersive Trails:

Immersive Trails is a purpose-driven company that seeks to make heritage and culture accessible to the public. Chelsea and Tathagata started by leading walking tours that combined intensive, community-focused research and entertaining storytelling to create public outreach about heritage in Kolkata, India. They bring high-quality, ethical, community-focused self-guided audiovisual experiences to a global audience so that those who cannot travel can still explore fascinating stories from around the world.

Art&Found:

Art&Found is a curated marketplace for South Asian artists making art accessible to global buyers and brands like WeWork, Levi’s and Starbucks. Aditya Mehta started Art&Found as a side project while working at Ogilvy as a Senior Art Director. They curate the best talent from our global network of artists and designers and leverage the value of art, design and creativity to achieve any required business goals.

Atulyakala:

Atulyakala celebrates the beauty of Indian sign language through its unique artwork and products. Not only do they promote inclusivity by employing deaf artisans, but they also offer customizations that incorporate personalized sign language messages, adding a meaningful touch to their creations. Smriti took the helm and launched Atulyakala at the tender age of 23. Her driving vision was simple yet powerful: inclusivity and opportunity. Over the years, the brand has evolved into India’s pioneering deaf-run lifestyle brand.

StonedSanta:

Stoned Santa is an IIM-Bangalore incubated art startup where artists and creators come together to create personalized handmade art for the clients and make sure they are paid and recognized for their work. StonedSanta stands out for its innovative approach to personalized gifting. Specializing in custom caricatures and illustrations, they transform ordinary moments into extraordinary memories, making every gift a cherished keepsake.

India’s custom art scene is a vibrant tapestry of creativity and innovation, as exemplified by these five remarkable companies. From East Craft Designs’ fusion of tradition and modernity to Immersive Trails’ groundbreaking interactive experiences, each company brings a unique perspective to the table. Art&Found’s focus on emerging artists, Atulyakala’s commitment to inclusivity, and StonedSanta’s personalized gifting solutions further enrich the landscape. Together, they not only showcase India’s rich artistic heritage but also push boundaries, making art more accessible and meaningful for everyone.

Indian Telecom Stems Employee Churn as Attrition Rates Recede: TeamLease Data

BENGALURU, May 18, 2024: The Indian telecom industry witnessed a slowdown in overall workforce growth, even as demand for entry-level customer-facing (Sales, Support and Service) and technology roles remained positive, according to the latest data from TeamLease Services (NSE: TEAMLEASE).

While the industry’s associate workforce expanded by an impressive 51.05% in FY21-22, this growth moderated to 31.41% in FY23-24. However, telecom companies continued to actively hire field sales executives, customer relationship executives, retail executives, installation engineers, fibre repair executives, and cell site repair staff during this period.

“Our data reveals a dichotomy in the telecom sector’s workforce trends,” said Kartik Narayan, CEO-Staffing of TeamLease Services. “While the overall employee growth rate tapered, we witnessed a demand for young talent in customer-facing and technology roles that support the industry’s field operations and network infrastructure.”

The findings highlight the telecom workforce’s young demographics, with 56.8% in the age group of 18-29 years. This youthful employee base aligns with the industry’s frontline service delivery and tech deployment requirements.

Notably, the sector’s attrition rate declined from a peak of 58.4% in FY22-23 to 43.4% in FY23-24, this can be partially attributed to the slowed growth in the workforce size. Sustained average salaries between ₹24,600 – ₹25,475 likely supported employee retention efforts.

“While the slowdown in overall growth is notable, we are encouraged by improving attrition rates and sustained entry-level hiring traction,” said Subburathinam P, Chief Strategy Officer at TeamLease Services. “Our insights underscore telecom‘s strong appeal among young job seekers and the industry’s efforts to attract this digital-savvy talent through competitive compensation.”

TeamLease‘s data provides a comprehensive view into the evolving workforce dynamics of India’s telecom sector as it navigates a transitional phase marked by moderate growth but rising demand for specialized customer-facing roles and technology professionals.

Data Insights

Huma Qureshi Praises Snehil Mehra Dixit’s Performance in ‘Madness Machayenge’ Sketch

This Sunday, Sony Entertainment Television’s comedy show, ‘Madness Machayenge – India Ko Hasayenge’ promises to deliver top-notch entertainment in the presence of ‘ Chunky Pandey! The seasoned comedians are gearing up to bring the house down with their hilarious antics, with Gaurav More and Snehil Mehra Dixit aka BC Aunty essaying the roles of a newlywed husband and wife who visit a nearby gymnasium to get a membership from Inder Sahani, who plays the witty gym trainer. Inder, as the gym trainer, tries many hilarious tactics to impress the wife which leads to a series of hilarious antics.

Their performance was so outstanding that Chunky Pandey and ‘Madness ki Malkin’ Huma Qureshi gave them a well-deserved standing ovation. Snehil Mehra Dixit, who always dazzles with her performance and attention to getting into the right look once again captivated the audience with her stunning appearance for this act. Impressed by her performance and look, Huma Qureshi says, “Snehil, your act was very good and your overall look also makes you look very cute!”

Talking about her upcoming gag, Snehil Mehra Dixit aka BC Aunty says, “Talking about her upcoming gag, Snehil Dixit Mehra, popularly known as BC Aunty, shares, “After 15 years of marriage, I’m thrilled to play a newly wedded wife in my upcoming gag. As I aimed to keep my look authentic, I ran down the memory lane again remembering the good old days when I was about to get married. I have always been fascinated by the red and white bangles worn by new brides – a special gift from the bride’s family; so as to instantly connect with the audiences.”

Be sure to tune in to ‘Madness Machayenge – India Ko Hasayenge’ this Sunday at 9:30 PM only on Sony Entertainment Television!

Embrace Mindfulness: Sister Shivani’s Call in ThinkRight Podcast

India, 17th May 2024: JetSynthesys’ ThinkRight.me, India’s leading wellness app, continues to spark discussions on mindful living with its latest episode of Think Right Podcast hosted by spiritual mentor BK Shivani and JetSynthesys’ CEO Rajan Navani.

Episode 4, titled “How Affirmations & Lifestyle Heal The Body” featuring wellness expert Luke Coutinho, has resonated with audiences, attracting nearly 39,244 views since its release. The episode features a thought-provoking discussion on the transformative power of affirmations and mindful lifestyle choices.

The top 5 learnings from the podcast:

Starting Your Day with Gratitude

The discussion explores how Sister Shivani and Coutinho begin their days with practices that cultivate gratitude and set a positive tone. “Gratitude is the antidote to negativity,” says Sister Shivani. She emphasizes starting with gratitude, followed by meditation, while Coutinho highlights the power of prayer and expressing gratitude before rising from bed.

Incorporating Consistency and Avoiding Guilt

Sister Shivani emphasizes the importance of consistency in mindful practices while urging listeners to avoid dwelling on missed opportunities. “Consistency is key, but don’t let guilt hold you back,” she says. She advises listeners to acknowledge a missed practice and move forward with consistency.

The 4.00 AM Club and Utilizing the Sleep-Wake State

The conversation explores the concept of Brahma Mahurat, the pre-dawn hours considered as a time of high vibration, ideal for setting intentions and cultivating new habits. “Think of it as prime time for your subconscious mind,” advises Sister Shivani. Both Sister Shivani and Coutinho discuss the power of the sleep-wake state for accessing the subconscious mind. Rajan Navani concurred with Sister Shivani and shared his personal experience of finding solutions to some of his problems due to his habit of waking up at 4 AM. “This twilight zone holds immense potential for reprogramming our minds,” Coutinho concludes.

Mind Over Body

“Mindfulness is the bridge between stimulus and response,” explains Coutinho. He highlights how mindfulness empowers us to make conscious choices for a healthy body, even in challenging situations. Coutinho also highlights the power of the mind through the example of placebo studies in pharmaceuticals. “The mind has such immense potential, but most of us are operating on autopilot,” he observes.

BK Shivani emphasizes that mindfulness allows us to detach from reactive emotions and cultivate emotional well-being. “In mindfulness, we become the author of our response, not a prisoner of our circumstances,” she says.

Both Sister Shivani and Coutinho address the importance of mindful eating. “As you think, so shall you eat,” says Sister Shivani, echoing the ancient proverb “Jaisa ann waisa mann” (as is the food, so is the mind). Coutinho discourages demonizing food and emphasizes the importance of gratitude for nourishment.

Fear and Human Behavior

“Fear is a messenger, but silence is its weapon,” warns Coutinho. He advises taking action to overcome fear, rather than letting it control us. The discussion explores how healthy lifestyle choices – nutrition, movement, sleep, and emotional well-being – can be powerful tools for managing fear.

Fans Invite Pratik Nikam, Bhairavnath Actor, for Meals and Home Shrine Honors

Pratik Nikam, who plays Bhairavnath in Shemaroo MarathiBana’s popular show ‘Jogeshwaricha Pati Bhairavnath,’ recently shared a sweet moment with a fan that happened on set. He spoke about how people really like him in his role as Bhairavnath and his portrayal of the character. Pratik feels grateful for all the love and support he’s getting from the audience. It’s a special feeling for him to know that people connect with his character so deeply.

Pratik Nikam recently shared a touching experience with a fan. He said, “Sometimes our fans come to visit us on the set, which is always exciting. Once, a fan who watches our show religiously came by and while talking he shared something really touching. He said he had my picture as Bhairavnath, the character I play, in his home shrine. Hearing that just blew me away. Moments like these make all the hard work worth it, knowing that what we do on screen means so much to our viewers.”

He further added, “It makes me so happy when people from the nearby village praise me and even invite me for meals at their homes. Their love and support overwhelm me with gratitude. It’s incredible to see how my work touches people’s lives and brings them joy.”

Pratik’s portrayal of Bhairavnath has resonated deeply with audiences, cementing his position as a beloved figure in the hearts of fans. His dedication to his craft and the genuine connection he shares with viewers continue to fuel the success of ‘Jogeshwaricha Pati Bhairavnath’ and reaffirm the power of storytelling to touch lives.

Watch ‘Jogeshwaricha Pati Bhairavnath’ every Monday to Saturday at 8:30 PM on Shemaroo MarathiBana

Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee’s ‘JOURNEYS’ Takes Centre Stage at India International Centre

New Delhi,16thMay 2024-India International Centre hosted an evening of spoken words and live music by acclaimed interdisciplinary artist and actor Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee and musician Shibasish Banerjee. The production titled JOURNEYS, after an extremely successful opening in Kolkata, captures a slice of life that spans Sujoy’s interpersonal dialogue with verses, prose, letters, and of course music. The readings of artistic texts included works of Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Amrita Pritam, Jenai Dalal, Suheir Hammad, Amir Aziz, William Shakespeare, and many other regional poets. Sujoy’s ease and finesse with words and even music were appreciated by the full house audience. His reading of Othello was power-packed, to say the least in the way he wove the voices of the Moore and the heroine. Shibasish sang heart songs like Hallelujah, Imagine, and many others. The famous MAIN TENU FIR MILANGI by Amrita Pritam found a confluence in Sahir Ludhianvi’s immortal lyrics of Kabhie mere dil mein sung by Sujoy on stage. The final act of the evening was a self-composed letter called RAJKUMARER CHITHI (by Sujoy), a treatise on unrequited love between two men. This left many audience members teary-eyed. “JOURNEYS is an assemblage of memories and muse that I lived through for two decades in arts. I hope everyone finds a voice in mine”, signed off Sujoy.