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Volume: 12, Issue: 120 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020, MUMBAI 12 Pages, ₹2 /- RNI No. MAHENG/2009/29332 www.afternoonvoice.com
Central Railway fails to recover Major hoardings fines Events Happened
Newsmakers Bureau 1.13 crore is still outstanding. laqshya Media Limited has violation and outstanding fine in India afternoon_voice RTI activists had sought paid only Rs 78.24 lakh and can be voluminous. He also << information from Central yet to pay Rs 1.13 crore. The advised that it is necessary to PG 05 Railway about the hoardings railways argue that M/s blacklist such fraudulent entral Railway allows companies using more space laqshya Media Limited firms by registering an FIR for installation of than the allotted space, action company has a security against them, but on the Choardings in the taken and penalty levied in the deposit of Rs 5.75 crore on the contrary railways try to save Sad railway premises but in case of last 5 years. Senior divisional same contract and a security their skin. Otherwise, it additional space in violation commercial manager of deposit of Rs 65.73 lakh is should levy 100 per cent Demises
of permission, it imposes fine Central Railway (Mumbai deposited with Byculla ROB. penalty and recover it. PG 06 << and recover it from the D i v i s i o n ) G a u r a v J h a O n t h e q u e s t i o n o f Writing to Railway Minister contractors. But the central informed Anil Galgali that blacklisting m/s laqshya Piyush Goyal, Railway Board railway has failed to recover M/s laqshya Media Limited Media Limited Company, Chairman Vinod Yadav, 100 percent penalty from M/s was found to be using more Central Railway claims that General Manager of Central Year laqshya Media Limited, a space during the year 2019-20. there is no provision for Railway Sanjeev Mittal, Anil violator of the terms and The said firm was allotted blacklisting on use of more Galgali has demanded action Ender- conditions and this has been 27600 sq ft of space under the space as per tender, only fines against the railway officials disclosed by an RTI query agreement but it was found can be imposed in such cases. who have not taken strict New filed by activist Anil Galgali. using 2000 sq ft more space in Anil Galgali pointed out that action into the matter and
RTI says that out of Rs 1.91 addition to the distributed this is not only a matter in this blacklist such fraudulent firms Launches crore, only Rs 78.24 lakh has space. A fine of Rs 1.91 crore case, but it is very rampant and by registering an FIR against << been recovered so far and Rs was imposed in the case. M/s the number of such cases of them. PG 07 2020 was a rat year- we were hiding and caged call it Rat year because we were caged in lockdown, we were Farmers didn't get labor due to pandemic. hiding from social lives. And many people were running India’s and other countries’ (those facing this lockdown) GDP Itowards their states just like the rats of sinking ships. Many got declined, economic clashes. The Covid-19 pandemic that killed without getting hour of death or final rituals. This year we infected almost millions of people and killed nearly lakh lived like rats, we ate whatever was possible and we lived confined. worldwide till the filing of this story. Economies around the world Entire this year we mostly stayed at home, many youngsters lost collapsed, job losses are at a peak and several sectors witnessed a their jobs, small ventures got closed, the savings drained, salary doom. Natural disasters followed in different parts of the globe, cuts and layoffs this year gave us many challenges for survival. Lot leading to further bloodbath. India, for an example, witnessed of people come on the road; their lives also changed. Street floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and a bloody border confrontation vendors, businessmen, industries, farmers, etc. had the worst time. Dr.Vaidehi CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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Editoritis 02
AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI MUMBAI VOICE, AFTERNOON
THURSDAY , DECEMBER 31, 2020 31, DECEMBER ,
afternoonvoicenews afternoon_voice [email protected] afternoonvoice.com/editorial afternoonvoice.com/opinion [email protected] afternoon_voice afternoonvoicenews
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 Voices AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 03
ew Year is celebrated all over or agricultural event — like the Romans the world with great fun and who celebrated in March, following Nenthusiasm. It is a special day their lunar cycle — until 46 B.C., when for people as this day is the beginning the emperor Julius Caesar introduced of the new year and they welcome the Julian calendar. Honouring the the upcoming year in their way. month's namesake Janus — the People start the preparations for the Roman god of beginnings whose new year celebration many days in two faces allowed him to look advance. They buy new clothes, simultaneously into the past and the gifts and many other new things future — Caesar instituted January 1 Many of us from the market. as the first day of the year. On this Champagne toasts and countdown newly-dated holiday, the Romans “ parties on New Year's Eve is famously have celebrated not only by offering known for its rowdy, fun-filled sacrifices to Janus, but also by forgotten that festivities honouring the start of the exchanging gifts, attending parties, and new calendar, and is one of the most decorating their homes with laurel New Year is celebrated holidays around the world. branches. But did you know that the start of the Mesopotamians, the beginning of the Today, New Year is celebrated in not only a New Year wasn't always celebrated on New Year was heralded by the first new different ways all around the world — January 1, or that it was first moon after the vernal equinox — but in many countries, the holiday time for commemorated with a festival lasting a which took place around late March — starts on the evening of December 31 total of 11 days? and was celebrated with a huge 11-day and continues well into the early hours revelry but Despite the countless New Year's Eve festival called Akitu, which involved a of January 1. Typical New Year's parties, you've attended and the million different ritual on each of its days. The traditions range from enjoying foods also for resolutions you've made (but not kept) holiday celebrated the mythical victory thought to bestow good luck to every year, there are probably a lot of of the sky god Marduk over the sea making resolutions for the coming year reflection.” New Year's history facts you don't goddess Tiamat, and also involved the — a practice that's actually thought to know — particularly when it comes to act of either crowning a new king or have originated from the ancient how the holiday's most famous allowing the old king to continue his Babylonians. And what about that age- Jubel D'Cruz traditions first started. So, before you rule. Either way, this 11-day festival old tradition of kissing your loved one ring in 2021 with a glass of would probably have put our current at the stroke of midnight? champagne, take a look back at the New Year's Eve parties to shame. Many of us have forgotten that New fascinating history behind the holiday. Though the date of New Year's Day is Year is not only a time for revelry but According to history, the earliest obvious to us now, the holiday wasn't also for reflection. recorded celebration to honour the always celebrated on January 1. The burning of the effigy at the new year is believed to date back some Throughout time, different cultures and stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve 4,000 years — in 2,000 B.C. — to civilisations typically welcomed the New signifies the end of the old year and ancient Babylon. For these Year during a significant astronomical the beginning of a new one.
Letters to the same cash-receipt still has sticker on Govt body is always short of funds & nationwide programme to submit to back for the portion kept by corporates deserves applause for the governor a memorandum editor Department of Posts itself. Rather funding the project. demanding the repeal of the three ultimately it may be economical and Infrastructure is important but farm laws passed by the Centre, Postal cash-receipts should carry convenient to print computer- maintaining them too is necessary. guaranteed purchase of agriculture stickers for users of postal- stationery for issuing postal cash- Corporates should be compensated produce of farmers at the MSP and services as well receipts if sticker is there on by allowing them advertisement the withdrawal of the proposed Presently Postal-Department issues complete dual-portion of cash- hoardings on footpaths so that such Electricity Bill, among others. computer-printed receipts where the receipts rather than on single portion projects become popular as well as Thousands of farmers reached Patna portion used by Postal-Department only. successful. Nothing comes free in life to submit their memorandum to the has sticker while the portion given to - Madhu Agrawal & public-private partnership is the governor and seek their demands, consumer is without sticker. Postal- best solution to look after public but instead of taking a sensitive Department for convenience of users BMC has finally woken properties that benefits the people! stance, the administration decided to of postal-services should have sticker up to the woes of pedestrians - SN Kabra crack down. State Government also in the portion given to the BMC has finally woken up to the should not suppress the voice of the consumers so that they may not woes of pedestrians & It is nice to State Government should not farmers. Let their demands be raised require gum at their end to affix it learn that footpaths are being suppress the voice of the farmers and accepted. on their despatch-registers or redeveloped for the safety of the It was disturbing that the police on - B Ahsanullah documents. It will be benefit to people. Footpaths were either in bad Tuesday resorted to heavy lathi public-exchequer by avoiding man- shape or non-existent and most of charge on the members of All India hours and gum to paste postal cash- them were being used by two- Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Readers are requested to mail receipts on their despatch-registers. wheel-motorists to beat the city Committee (AIKSCC) at the Dak Letters to the Editor only at Postal-Department will not be traffic. Safety for pedestrians was a Bungalow crossing to prevent their [email protected] burdened extra because even concern & increasing number of march to the Raj Bhavan. The march No postal letters will be entertained presently one of the dual-portion of accidents was testimony of this fact. had been organized as part of the (The views expressed are authors' own.) afternoonvoice.com [email protected] afternoon_voice afternoonvoicenews
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 Occurance AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 04
lthough the "Love Jihad" Law year 2020 was The anti-religious conversion law, which came into force in the form of an ordinance Aa year of Major events on November 28, is seen as giving legal restrictions due to the teeth to the BJP's battle against so-called pandemic, there was 'love jihad', the unproven conspiracy theory no holding back happened in India that Hindu women are being falsely enticed when it came to and converted by Muslim men. When Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government Palghar Mob Lynching construction of a Ram Mandir. Calling it a politics. Even during Okayed the ordinance, proposing a Barely 125 kilometres from Mumbai, a day that marked the freedom of the pandemic year, maximum punishment of 10 years for "love small village in Maharashtra's Palghar Ramjanmabhoomi from the chain of jihad" related offences, it triggered a the leaders jumped district reported a horrific case of mob "destruction and resurrection", PM Modi political row. ships, governments lynching in April. Three people, including said that it is an emotional moment for India. However, the event faced severe While BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said formed and collapsed two Sadhus, were attacked and killed after incidents of "Love Jihad" were taking and political tussle rumours that they were kidnapping criticism from the opposition parties. NCP chief and former Union minister Sharad place in the country and therefore, laws to continued. Let us look children to harvest organs, including curb the practice were justified, the kidneys. The incident placed former Pawar hit out at the groundbreaking at the most ceremony for being scheduled in the Opposition accused the governing BJP of Maharashtra allies BJP and Shiv Sena pursuing "communal agenda". BSP significant events against each other at a time when the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief President Mayawati too asked UP that had a major nation was fighting the COVID-19 government to reconsider its new anti- Asaduddin Owaisi questioned PM Modi's impact on the pandemic. First the BJP attacked the Sena religious conversion ordinance. "The new invitation as the chief guest for the over the Palghar killing, and then the Sena ordinance introduced in haste by the UP country's politics. For ceremony. He said it is a violation of PM's hit back after two sadhus were murdered government against love jihad is riddled millions of individuals constitutional oath and goes against the at a temple in UP, a state ruled by the BJP. with doubts since religious conversion worldwide, the year secular fabric of the country. Condemning the lynching of the two through compulsion or fraud has found no 2020 was a series of sadhus (sages) in the neighbouring Palghar acceptability or respectability anywhere in unforeseeable events. district, the Shiv Sena said the incident Late Night Cremation Of the country," The Bahujan Samaj Party From coronavirus to was an attempt to malign Maharashtra's Hathras Rape Victim (BSP) chief said in a Hindi tweet. cyclones to tension at image and it was "inhuman" to give it a In September, the politics over the communal colour. Opposition came down alleged gang-rape by four upper-caste Online Streaming Services Indian borders and heavily on Uddhav Thackeray government economic disruptions, men escalated when UP Police Brought Under Centre's and criticised its handling of the case. "unceremoniously" cremated the victim of the entire year the Hathras rape case around 3 am Regulation contained world- Actor Kangana Ranaut Vs without the consent of the family. In November, the government issued an changing and Maharashtra State Furthermore, UP police, which comes order bringing online mediums, including under the state government, didn't let films and news content, under the ministry paradigm-shifting Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut's of information and broadcasting. Meaning developments. In statement on Mumbai police created a media or opposition party leaders meet the victim's family. However, after a online streaming services such as Netflix, political divide. Ms Ranaut locked horns with Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, among India, the pandemic, dramatic episode, Congress leaders Maharashtra's ruling Shiv Sena and its party others would be now regulated by the protests and political Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi met leaders after she expressed her distrust in the Centre. It soon became a social media face-offs, dominated the family of the victim in their second Mumbai Police in view of actor Sushant Singh frenzy with critics claiming that the move attempt. While the BJP said the Congress the news space. As Rajput's death. The actor also compared will have adverse consequences as it could doesn't care about the welfare of the 2020 comes to an Mumbai with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir kickstart an era of more frequent and end, here are the top (PoK). While the Congress, Shiv Sena and people and has a "political agenda" in stricter censorship on online content. everything it does, the Congress accused 10 contentious other parties slammed the actor for her Several Bollywood filmmakers too criticised remarks and asked her not to return to the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of political the government's order and called it Mumbai. Later BJP and one of its ally backed being insensitive in dealing with the "unacceptable". Karan Anshuman, developments. the film star. The verbal tussle became incident and the protests that followed. director of 'Inside Edge', and 'Mirzapur' dramatic with Centre approving Y+ security tweeted that viewers and creators should cover for the 33-year-old actor and Shiv Sena- come together and challenge led Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation censorship. (BMC) demolition parts of her Mumbai office.
Ram Temple Foundation Ceremony amid Pandemic On August 5, coincidentally the first anniversary of the revocation of special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the afternoonvoice.com [email protected] afternoon_voice afternoonvoicenews
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 Tech News AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 05
Here are top 3 wireless headphones launches
ireless headphones Sony WH-1000XM4 Jabra Elite 45h Sony WH-CH710N continue to upbeat Successor to the WH-1000XM3, the The Jabra Elite 45h is one of the few This affordable pair of headphones Win the audio Sony's WH-1000XM4 has it all to woo the wireless headphones launched this year brings some of the premium features of hearables segment despite the audiophile. From mature sound signature to featuring on-ear design. It boasts a the WH-1000XM4 at a price accessible to true wireless earbuds' industry leading active noise cancellation foldable design, 40mm audio drivers, fast many. The WH-CH710N features ANC, (ANC) capability, the headphones is second charging support, and dual microphones something that most of its peers lack in blitzkrieg throughout the to none. Besides ANC and multiple sound for calls. The Jabra Elite 45H looks sub-Rs 10,000 segments. It has a non- year. Japanese electronics modes, the headphones boast tons of other premium from all angles with minimal bulky design with comfortable ear cups. maker Sony is among the value-added features too. For example, design, matte texture on the headband With 30mm drivers, the established brands that there is transparency mode to hear ambient and ear cups. It has Jabra sound headphones have good noise without disabling ANC. Similarly, signature, which is balanced and not sound output with deep reigned supreme in the there is a 'Speak to Chat' feature which bass heavy with the option to bass and clear vocals. wireless headphones segment pauses the music if it detects you are custom-tune the output through With up to 35 hours of with its WH-1000XM4 speaking to someone. The headphones pre-set audio equalizers. Moreover, battery time, Bluetooth headphones. Of the many ability to connect to two devices the headphones offer an 5.0, and NFC support, the simultaneously rounds up the package and exceptional on-battery time of 50- headphones are a good launches this year; we list top make it a suitable fit for audiophiles. hour. value-for-money deal. three wireless headphones Price: Rs 29,990 Price: Rs 8,999 Price: Rs 7,990 that stood out in 2020: Here are the best 4 Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 3 is to Android smartphones what the Apple Watch Series 6 is to iPhones. It is a capable smartwatch that doubles up as a feature-rich health and fitness device. It smartwatches launches boasts a classic circular design, 1.4-inch super AMOLED touchscreen, and e-SIM support for telephony. Besides, there are he onset of Covid-19 Apple Watch Series 6 health and fitness features including heart rate and sleep patterns pandemic led to rise in to measure blood oxygen saturation and detecting accidental falls, the Galaxy Watch 3 covers everything that one expects from Tdemand for the health Despite being an iterative upgrade over the yesteryear’s Watch Series 5, the Apple Watch Series 6 continued to reign supreme in a premium health and wellness device. It also doubles up as a and fitness wearables, the smartwatch category for iPhones. Powered by WatchOS 7, device to take electrocardiogram but this feature is not available including smartwatches. the Watch Series 6 got the blood oxygen saturation monitor, in India currently. Second only to Apple Watch Series 6, the Like in 2019, American two-times brighter display, and improved battery life compared to Galaxy Watch 3 is as good a smartwatch as it is a health and technology giant Apple and the predecessor. Moreover, the Apple Watch Series 6 got more fitness tracker. theme options, apps support and more, making it the South Korean electronics Price: Rs 38,990 smartwatch for health-conscious people or casual fitness maker Samsung dominated enthusiasts, besides those who are happy with it being a lifestyle the smartwatch segment for device. Casio G-Shock GBD-H1000 iOS and Android Price: Rs 43,900 onwards smartphones, respectively. The Casio’s G-Shock GBD-H1000 is one-of-its-kind smartwatch. While Apple continued its It carries forward Casio’s legacy of making rugged watches but OPPO Watch with smart features. It has built-in GPS for location services, monopoly in smartwatches multiple sensors, and solar charging on top of regular USB for the iPhone segment, The OPPO Watch emerged as an affordable alternative to charging. Besides, it features an optical heart rate Chinese smartphone maker Samsung Galaxy-branded smartwatches for Android sensor. Being a G-Shock, it goes without saying OPPO with its Google smartphones. It boasts both style and substance, thanks to that the watch is both shock and water smartwatch capabilities topped with health and fitness resistance. The Casio G-Shock GBD-H1000 WearOS powered Watch features. Moreover, its design has a touch of novelty (side- brings the modern day features in a series emerged as a solid curved display) that looks unlike any other smartwatch. conventional G-Shock form factor. The alternative to Samsung’s The Watch’s subpar on-battery time and lack of wireless GBD-H1000 brings the best of both Tizen OS powered charging support set it back a few notches if you worlds, the comfort of conventional digital compare it with Samsung smartwatches. Therefore, the smartwatches. G-shock and a modern smartwatch that OPPO Watch emerged as the best WearOS smartwatch, counts your steps, heart rate, VO2 max, Of the many launches this year; but the second-best smartwatch for Android smartphones. and a lot more. we list the best five smartwatches Price: Rs 19,990 Price: Rs 39,995 that stood out in 2020: afternoonvoice.com [email protected] afternoon_voice afternoonvoicenews
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 Cinema AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 06 Saroj Khan Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan passed away in Mumbai on July 3, following a cardiac arrest. She was 71. In a career spanning forty years, she Sad demises choreographed nearly 2000 songs. Her most successful collaborations were with actors Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit. She choreographed songs like “Ek Do Teen”, “Hum Ko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar”, “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga”, “Choli Ke Peeche Kya in 2020 Hai”, and “Tamma Tamma” among others. Irrfan Khan Sushant Singh Rajput The “Hindi medium” actor Irrfan Khan Actor Sushant Singh Rajput passed breathed his last on April 29 in Mumbai’s away in Mumbai on June 14. After Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, starring in TV shows “Kis Desh Mein Hai after a long battle with cancer. He was Meraa Dil” and “Pavitra Rishta”, Rajput 53. Irrfan Khan’s health had been on the made his Bollywood debut in Abhishek decline ever since he was diagnosed with Kapoor’s “Kai Po Che”! He then starred in neuroendocrine cancer in 2018. He had “Shuddh Desi Romance”, “Detective been travelling to London frequently for Byomkesh Bakshy”, and gave his career- treatment. His was last seen in “Angrezi best performance as MS Dhoni in 2016’s Medium”, which released on March 13 MS Dhoni: The Untold Story. In 2019, he this year. had two big releases, the critically- acclaimed Sonchiriya, and the popular Rishi Kapoor movie “Chhichhore”. Sushant's last film The evergreen Bollywood actor Rishi “Dil Bechara” had a digital release after Kapoor passed away in Mumbai on April his death. 30, following a long battle with cancer. He was 67. The actor was diagnosed Wajid Khan with cancer in 2018 and had then Wajid Khan of Bollywood music travelled to New York for the treatment. composer duo Sajid-Wajid passed away Kapoor is survived by his actor wife due to cardiac arrest on June 1. He was Neetu Kapoor, and children Ranbir 42. He was popular for his songs like Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor. “Hud Hud Dabangg”, “Jalwa”, “Chinta Ta Ta Chita Chita” and “Fevicol Se” among others.
SP Balasubrahmanyam Singer-actor SP Balasubrahmanyam passed away at the age of 74, on September 25 following coronavirus complications. After testing positive for Covid-19 in the first week of August, he was shifted to ICU after his condition The Indian film deteriorated. He remained on ventilator till his last breath. Fans will remember and television industry him for his unparalleled contribution to lost some of its gems in Indian music. SPB held a Guinness World 2020. From Sushant Singh record for singing over 40,000 songs. Rajput, Irrfan Khan, SP Nishikant Kamat Balasubrahmanyam, Rishi Kapoor Director-actor Nishikant Kamat passed to Nishikant Kamat, Saroj Khan and away on August 17 in Hyderabad’s AIG Hospitals, after a battle with liver Jagdeep, many celebrities left a cirrhosis. He was 50. The director was void in the Indian entertainment known for helming movies such as Dombivali Fast, Mumbai Meri Jaan, industry. Here is a look back at Force, Drishyam, Rocky Handsome and all the stars who passed Madaari. As an actor, he was known for away this year. his performances in Daddy, Rocky Handsome, Julie 2 and Bhavesh Joshi. His directorial debut Dombivali Fast (2005) won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi. afternoonvoice.com [email protected] afternoon_voice afternoonvoicenews
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 Cinema AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 07
Ashalata Wabgaonkar Veteran actor Ashalata Wabgaonkar died on September 22 in Satara at the age of Sad demises 79. Wabgaonkar had worked in films like Woh Saat Din, Ahista Ahista, Shaukeen, Ankush and Namak Halaal. (Express in 2020 Archive Photo) Asif Basra Bollywood actor Asif Basra was found dead in a private complex in the Ajit Das northern hilly city of Dharamshala. The Veteran Odia actor Ajit Das, known for officials further said the actor was found his performance in films such as Hakim hanging in the complex when the police Babu and Tunda Baida, died on reached the spot. Basra has done September 13. He was admitted to a character roles in several Bollywood films hospital after testing positive for Covid- including 'Jab We Met,' 'Ek Villain,' 19. An NSD passout, Das acted in more 'Fanney Khan,' 'Roy,' 'Hichki,' among than 60 Odia films and produced several others. others. His other popular films included Maa, Nandini I Love You and Kebe Tame Naha Kebe Mu Nahi. Ishq Puni Thare was his last film. Rajat Mukherjee Bollywood director Rajat Mukherjee passed away on July 19 in Jaipur due to kidney-related issues. The filmmaker was Kumkum known for helming films like Pyaar Tune Veteran Bollywood actor Kumkum, Kya Kiya, Love in Nepal, Road among who featured in over 100 films and others. He was in his late 50s. popular songs such as “Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar” and “Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi”, passed away on July 28. She was 86. The actor was best known for her roles in movies like Mr. X in Bombay, Mother India, Son Of India, Kohinoor, Ujala, Naya Daur, Shreeman Funtoosh, Ek Chitra Sapera Ek Lutera, Ganga Ki Laharen, Raja Popular Tamil television actress, Chitra Aur Runk, Aankhen, Lalkaar, Geet and Ek was found dead at a hotel room in Kuwara Ek Kuwari. Chennai. The 29-year old actress, was found hanging from a fan at the hotel room -using her saree like a rope. Chitra became more popular among lovers of soap opera after she donned the role of Ashutosh Bhakre 'Mullai,' in the ongoing television serial Marathi actor Ashutosh Bhakre 'Pandian Stores. allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his home in Nanded town in the Marathwada region. Bhakre was the husband of Marathi actress Mayuri Sethuraman Deshmukh, who attained fame after her Tamil actor and dermatologist Dr role in Marathi serial Khulta Kali Sethuraman passed away on March 26 in Khulena. He had acted in Marathi films Chennai after suffering a cardiac arrest. like Bhakar and Ichar Tharla Pakka. He was 34. Also known as Sethu in the
Tamil film industry, Dr Sethuraman made his debut in Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya alongside Santhanam and Vishaka Singh. He went on to act in films like Vaaliba Raja, 50/50 and Sakka Podu Podu Raja. afternoonvoice.com [email protected] afternoon_voice afternoonvoicenews
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 Critique AFTERNOON VOICE, MUMBAI 08
Sushant Singh Rajput death By Vinod Mirani probe was being handled. he year 2020 being a On her part, Jaya Bachchan leap year, as usual one chose to vent her feelings on Tfeels special about it. Ranaut’s views in Parliament, Besides the regular year- which did not quite go down round events, the leap year well with netizens. More and also brings along the more film folk expressed Olympic Games. And now their unsolicited opinions on that the Indian sports the Rajput and Ranaut but persons are doing well in public sympathy was with many sporting events, the these two. Olympics are something we The TV channels made a Indians do look forward to. marathon reality show of the Among regular fixtures Rajput and Kangana issues, comes the IPL, new film with their usual for and releases and a horde of against panellists who had festivals that the country little to do with the present- celebrates as one.As for day affairs of the film films, as a trade journalist industry! and an observer, like in all However, what has rocked the film industry is the faculties of journalism, one had no say. The stranglehold attempt by the exhibitors to out all the films that could accusations of usage of does this summing up of the had become so strong that insist on reopening. For, have provided content to the drugs and the drug parties. A year gone by. The summaries when the lockdown there was neither the supply, cinemas when they lot of stars and some will be dominated by the use happened in mid-March and since no producer of a major reopened. That put paid to filmmakers are still being of the words: Covid-19, a couple of producers, with production was willing to risk the unlocked cinema screens. investigated. For the film Corona, the Pandemic and ready-to-release films, opted releasing a film with As things stand today, OTT related terms. Not much else to give the rights to the OTT restrictions imposed by the seems to be the norm, not industry, otherwise always to write about this year. streaming platforms, some authorities, nor was there an going to a cinema hall. taken for granted, which was Like the rest, for the film multiplex chain management audience willing to risk Now, to the usual sum up in the process of cultivating a industry too, the year started even threatened these stepping into cinemas. of the year 2020. goodwill with governments on a normal note. Films producers with retaliation! The situation was peculiar. The year had just a few at the Centre as well as some released as scheduled. In the You see, that extended Neither the supply and nor films with staying power at states, these drug reports earlier practice, the family model of film business the demand. Both ways, it the box office, out of about were a setback. For all practical purposes, filmmaking was basically a was long gone. was a stalemate! The one 45 films that released in tripartite business. A Covid-19 may have struck production house, Zee, 2020. A few films that did for the exhibition trade the filmmaker earned the trust in 2019 but the impact which agreed for a release in well were “Tanhaji: The year 2020 ended mid-March. and confidence of the started to be felt around cinemas for its film, “Suraj Pe Unsung Warrior”, “Baaghi It has running expenses and distributors whom the March ’20. Prime Minister Mangal Bhari”, on its own 3” and “Street Dancer 3D”. overheads. To actors, TV exhibitors trusted. These Narendra Modi ran a trailer terms with cinemas, despite The rest were poor to very channels and producers, it three sectors worked as an of what was to follow with a having its own OTT platform, poor. did not affect as much as it extended family. None was one-day lockdown, followed found little support from the Otherwise, the year will go did to the cinemas. They did complete without the other. by a 21 day lockdown. But, it moviegoers. into record for some major not have rising debts to If a distributor lost on a was not slated to be a three- Now, things have changed tragedies. The most service. Once the permissions film, the producer week closure. It has been drastically for the exhibition controversial being the for shooting was granted, accommodates him in his going on interminably to business. While the cinemas unnatural deaths of youth their meter started running. next film, and, the same date despite a series of were under an indefinite heartthrob, Sushant Singh There were ads and films for applied if a film did not fare unlocking. lockdown, the OTT streaming Rajput and his associate, the actors, a captive well at a cinema — in which While film production platforms, which made their Disha Salian. Controversy audience for the television case the distributor extended came to a standstill along entry in the Indian arena dominated the news media, channels, and the filmmakers support to him. If that with other activities all since 2016, stole a march. created some political storms had discovered the OTT practice was still prevalent, around, cinema halls bore Amazon and Netflix, both and remains a subject of platforms during the corona or any pandemic the maximum brunt. Over a launched in 2016, along with debate even now. Other than lockdown, and seemed would not have proved to be period, the authorities let SonyLIV, MX Player, Zee5 and that, fans also mourned the happier for that! as catastrophic for the film production activities begin others, either started buying deaths of Rishi Kapoor and Last comes the move by the industry as a whole and the with a number of restrictions, content, including films Irrfan. biggest Hollywood studio, exhibition trade in particular. which brought relief mainly initially made for theatrical The other controversy was Warner Bros., announcing They would have guarded to the television channels. release, or putting out their of the demolition of the that its slate of 17 films for each other. Film shootings were still rare. own libraries (Shemaroo, high-end Mumbai property the year 2021 will be released The film trade was reduced After a lot of Eros etc) on the OTT. of Kangana Ranaut in, what simultaneously in the cinema to ‘Of, For and By’ the representations, the Not only did these OTT was said to be the result of halls as well as its own OTT exhibition trade/the authorities in some states platforms fill the vacuum crossing swords with the platform, HBO Max. That is multiplexes. The producer also allowed cinema halls to created by the cinema powers that be. Ranaut was not a very good news for the and the distributor suddenly open up. It was a futile lockdown but also bought very vocal on the way the cinemas here in India.