ESSENCE
Mahabharat's Nitish Bharadwaj slams Ramayana as a ‘masala film’ but says an actor was its ‘small saving grace’
Mahabharat actor Nitish Bharadwaj criticised Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part One, calling it a 'masala film' that misleads young audiences. He questioned its portrayal of Ravan, the authorship of the Ramayan and the Ashvamedh horse sequence. However, he praised Arun Govil's portrayal of King Dasharatha, calling it the film's 'small saving grace'.
New Ramayana lacks 'divinity & devotion', says original 'Laxman' Sunil Lahri; calls Sita Ji's way of addressing Lord Ram inappropriate
Sunil Lahri, who played Lakshman in Ramanand Sagar's 'Ramayan', has shared his mixed review of Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana'. While praising its grand visuals, cinematography and performances, he said the film lacked the divinity and devotional sentiment associated with the epic. He also criticised the missing Ahalya episode, the Parashurama sequence and certain dialogues.
Iran's economic 'pain' will intensify, says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday (local time) said economic pressure on Iran would continue to intensify over the coming months, warning that the country's oil revenues would dry up as sanctions compound.
Actor who played Lord Krishna in BR Chopra's Mahabharat withdraws praise for Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana movie. ‘I cannot find a single good word’
Nitish Bharadwaj, who played Lord Krishna in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, has withdrawn his earlier appreciation for Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana, criticising its portrayal of Ravan. Meanwhile, Mukesh Khanna has questioned the film’s creative liberties, particularly Sita’s reported fight sequence. Khanna clarified that his comments were based on promotional material, not the film itself.
ETMarkets Management Talk | Northern Arc sees D2C lending contributing over 75% of its loan book in the next few years
In this edition of ETMarkets Management Talk, Ashish Mehrotra, Managing Director and CEO of Northern Arc Capital, discusses the company's next phase of growth, its plans to expand the D2C business, and how a higher share of direct lending could support margins and return ratios. He also explains Northern Arc's broader strategy of combining a growing balance-sheet-led lending business with a capital-light, fee-based Credit Solutions platform to drive sustainable long-term returns.
ETMarkets Fund Guide | Managing over Rs 8,000 crore: How Bajaj AMC's Sorbh Gupta picks winners in the Flexi Cap universe
In this edition of ETMarkets Fund Guide, Sorbh Gupta, Head – Equity at Bajaj Asset Management, who manages over Rs 8,000 crore through the Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund, shares his approach to picking the right stocks across large, mid and small caps.
Diwali Patakha from China: The world's fireworks capital is reinventing its centuries-old industry
Liuyang in China's Hunan province is a significant hub for global fireworks production. The county supplies around 60% of the domestic fireworks market and 70% of exports. This industry has evolved to incorporate advanced technology, like digital ignition and AI. Although safety measures have improved since past catastrophic incidents, risks still exist.
Quote of the day by Boy George: ‘Life is kind of like clinging to a rock. You realise there are not really answers'. British music icon’s timeless lesson on accepting life’s uncertainties
Life seldom goes as we anticipate, regardless of how meticulously we prepare or how assuredly we foresee what’s ahead. As we age, we start to realise that nothing is certain and that not every challenging situation has a rational reason. Career letdowns, ongoing obstacles, fractured connections, and the death of cherished individuals can cause us to ponder why specific events occur and what we might have changed. Yet, life does not consistently offer the responses we desire.
Macallan’s India journey: Tapping a growing appetite for luxury, legacy, and craftsmanship
The Macallan is committed to strengthening its connection with consumers in India through meaningful experiences and storytelling. This strategy aims to highlight the brand's heritage and craftsmanship in a local context. As Indian consumers become more discerning, they increasingly value authenticity and quality in luxury spirits. The Macallan plans to deepen partnerships with stakeholders in the luxury market while establishing a locally anchored presence.
Big-budget Ramayana set for a slow start at theatres
Advance ticket sales for The Ramayana: Part 1 have not met the expectations of trade analysts and distributors. Data shows that ticket sales are underwhelming despite the film's grand scale and marquee cast. Concerns have been raised about the film's music not resonating with audiences and the quality of its VFX. Experts have highlighted inflated advance booking figures, suggesting lower actual sales than reported.
'Legacy is a balance': Jaipur's Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh on royal heritage, natural diamonds and evolving traditions
Jaipur's titular Maharaja and professional polo player Sawai Padmanabh Singh, popularly known as Pacho, opens up about his royal heritage, family heirlooms and evolving ideas of luxury. He reveals the special keepsake designed by his grandmother that he hopes to pass down to future generations, while sharing his thoughts on natural diamonds, traditional craftsmanship and what it takes to keep a centuries-old legacy relevant in modern times.
Ferrari accelerates India push as 'market of the future', targets younger buyers while guarding exclusivity
Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari, who has been driving around Indian roads, talks about the need to be closer to the clients, how their Indian customer is younger than in the rest of the world and why Ferrari always makes one less car than what the market demands
From inheritance to wealth stewardship: How Indian families can protect generational wealth and prevent family business conflicts
As Indian business families navigate the intricate landscape of wealth transfers, they confront significant hurdles in succession planning. Establishing flexible frameworks for responsible wealth management across generations is imperative. Engaging younger members in conversations about values and governance fosters unity. Ultimately, preparing future heirs to effectively manage and amplify their inherited wealth is the primary objective.
The experience of the Shanti Rasa or Bhaav key reason behind Hanuman Ansh’s success: Producer Namrata G Singh
The film Hanuman Ansh has grossed nearly Rs340 crore at the box office, which is unprecedented for its modest budget. Producer Namrata G Singh emphasizes the significance of preserving intellectual property in storytelling. The film, rooted in spirituality, explores the life of Neem Karoli Maharaj and his connections with devotees. It also aims to expand into various formats and languages to reach global audiences.
How Databricks’ $2.2 billion Tabular deal helped Tim Chen’s Essence VC nearly return its entire fund
Tim Chen wasn’t planning to raise a new venture capital fund when investors began approaching him. His investment in Tabular, acquired by Databricks in 2024, helped put Essence VC on the map. The interest eventually helped Chen close a $41 million fourth fund, even before he had prepared a pitch deck.
A Colorado family spent over 100 years raising cattle and growing crops on 10,000 acres; then 30 wind turbines added another income stream to their ranch
The Kochis family revitalized their historic ranch, creating the Rush Creek Wind Farm while preserving their farming legacy. Featuring 30 wind turbines, this harmonious operation generates consistent revenue, all while they cultivate crops and raise livestock. With steady earnings that aren't influenced by weather or market swings, the project also boosts local economies through construction jobs and tax benefits, illustrating a shift towards renewable energy in rural American agriculture.
Remember, for every Gulliver there are many Lilliputians
Jonathan Swift's novel, Gulliver's Travels, presents themes of survivorship bias and the importance of acknowledging failures. Survivorship bias can impact our understanding of success and lead to misconceptions about achievement. The adventures of Lemuel Gulliver reflect this bias through his survival amidst numerous dangers while ignoring the silent stories of those who did not survive. This concept has historical implications, influencing how we interpret data and events today.
500%, 100%, then a waiver: How India escaped Trump's Russia tariff threat
In the beginning it was 500%, then it came down to 100% and then, a waiver. This is how the tariff threat has evolved from an ambitious proposal into a more flexible instrument of policy for Trump and US. For India, the immediate danger has receded. But with US retaining the power to reinstate the measures, the waiver offers relief rather than a lasting resolution.
From Ram temple to Vande Mataram, Kolkata Durga Pujas draw on heritage, nationalism for inspiration
Kolkata's Durga Puja celebrations this year feature themes inspired by India's civilisational heritage, nationalism and cultural identity, from a replica of the Ram temple at Mohammed Ali Park to a Vande Mataram installation marking 150 years of the national song. Other pandals celebrate rural Bengal's traditions and showcase a towering Bharat Mata statue.
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