The first Crorepati of KBC expresses gratitude to the show KBC and Amitabh
Bachchan

By
RUBY ZAIDI

Sony Entertainment Television’s game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati where a person win money in lakhs crores and fullfill his/her dreams, celebrates a remarkable milestone—25 glorious years of knowledge, of enabling dreams to become a reality, and building moments that are life-changing. The grand celebration happened on January 20, with the “Gyan Ka Rajat Mahotsav,” the special episode was full of nostalgia, excitement, and unforgettable memories. The occasion turned out even more special, the very first crorepati who made history, Harshvardhan Nawathe, joined the iconic episode, reminiscing his journey and sharing his wonderful experience.
Harshwardhan was a young guy 25 years ago, and now television viewers saw him as an aged man with grey hair, he is a successful entrepreneur, his mesmerising smile said it all about his happy life.

Kahani Jeet Ki, a brand-new segment on Kaun Banega Crorepati, would be full of inspiring stories of victory and transformation. And who better to begin this journey than the first-ever crorepati, Harshvardhan Nawathe! As he stepped onto the iconic stage once again, he was welcomed with a special video showcasing the historic moment when he became the first crorepati, remembering the magic that changed his life forever.

In a heartfelt conversation with Harshvardhan, the Superstar of the Millennium Amitabh Bachchan, the incredible host of KBC asked, “Maanyawar, how does it feel to sit on the hot seat once again?”To this, Harshvardhan replied with a smile, “Sir, this is an entirely new hot seat—it feels different. And for this grand celebration of knowledge, we have a silver jubilee and a silver hot seat. After so many years, being back here feels surreal. Even the set looks different now. Back then, the lighting was different too. Since this morning, I’ve been reliving the emotions of the day I first came here—the anticipation, the anxious wait for the show to start, and the excitement of meeting you, Amitabh Bachchan Sir. Everything feels the same even today. It’s like I’m back in time, waiting to hear you say, ‘Harshvardhan, the next question is on your computer screen.’ I’m truly reliving that magical day.”

Amitabh Bachchan then asked, “Do you remember what happened on the set when you were declared a crorepati? Of course, we saw in the video the grand shower of confetti, but what was the actual atmosphere like?” With pride, Harshvardhan responded, “I remember every single detail of that day, Sir, and I always will. A person’s identity is defined by their achievements, and for me, this platform was the turning point of my life. The audience felt like my extended family; they were as happy as I was. I still remember people coming up to me—I even gave my first autograph that day. At the time, I didn’t know how to give an autograph, so I signed it the way I did at the bank. Later, a friend advised me to create a unique signature. That’s when I truly realized something extraordinary had happened.”

Harshvardhan further shared another touching memory with Amitabh Bachchan: “One moment stands out vividly, Sir. After I won, during a break, your makeup artist Deepak Dada came for your touch-up, but you told him, ‘Wait, do Harshvardhan’s touch-up as well.’ I was stunned! The person who had been doing your makeup for 50 years was now being asked to do mine too. That was the moment I truly felt my life had transformed. There’s something else I’ll always cherish, Sir. After the show, you invited us for a personal meeting. We talked for a long time, and you gave me advice that I didn’t fully understand at the time but has stayed with me ever since. You said, ‘Harsh, you don’t know what you’ve done, and you must live your life responsibly from now on.’ Back then, I thought I’d just won a quiz show—nothing more. But the very next day, when the media frenzy began, I started to understand the weight of your words. Today, after all these years, I truly understand how valuable that advice was.”

The episode turned out to be heart touching, it gave tears in the eyes of millions of viewers, undoubtedly Kaun Banega crorepati is one of the biggest reality shows in the television history.

COURT REFERS SIPPY FAMILY PROPERTY ROW FOR MEDIATION

By
KOMAL NAHTA

Filmmaker Ramesh Sippy supported Sahara India chief Subrata Roy during a press conference in Mumbai, on March 02, 2014. (Photo: IANS)

The Bombay high court has referred a dispute between Bollywood director Ramesh Sippy and his nephews and other family members over a South Bombay property, among other issues, for mediation. The Sippys agreed to mediation by former HC judge Justice S.J. Kathawalla.
A division bench of Justices B.P. Colabawalla and F.P. Pooniwalla, in its order on January 6, requested the mediator to file his report in court within four weeks. If the mediation fails, the court will consider other reliefs sought by the Sippys, the bench said and posted the matter to February 14 for directions.
Ramesh Sippy and his nephew, Sunhil Ajit Sippy, along with 12 others, were at loggerheads following the demise of his father, producer G.P. Sippy. On January 6, the high court recorded that both sides had come to a pro-tem agreement, including that Shaan and Sameer Uttamsingh, grandchildren of G.P. Sippy, would not part with possession, sell or create any third-party right in a residential property on Altamount Road in Bombay. Ramesh, who filed an appeal against an order in a suit which he filed for the administration of his late mother’s estate, also agreed not to part with a flat in the same building on the same floor. The said flat has two parts, with share certificates of each part in different names. While one part is in Ramesh Sippy’s name, the other is in the names of Shaan and Sameer. The flat, however, is one single unit, the high court noted.

ANTI-‘EMERGENCY’ PROTESTS SPREAD FROM PUNJAB TO U.K.: CINEMAS IN 3 U.K. CITIES PULL OUT FILM | 21 January, 2025

By
KOMAL NAHTA

After cinemas in Punjab in India, protests by British Sikhs have prompted cinemas in three UK cities — Birmingham, Wolverhampton and West London — to cancel the screenings of Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency. The protesters, who held demonstrations at more cinemas across the UK, described the political film as “anti-Sikh Indian state propaganda”.
The film, produced by Zee Studios and Kangana Ranaut, was discontinued from Birmingham Star City Vue, Hounslow and Feltham Cineworld on January 17, and from Wolverhampton Cineworld on January 18. It continued to be screened in the other cinemas, but it is not clear for how long it would be allowed.
In a statement, the Sikh Press Association said, “The film is viewed as anti-Sikh Indian state propaganda for its depiction of ex-PM Indira Gandhi’s role in the Sikh genocide. She was the PM who initiated the Sikh genocide before her assassination by her Sikh bodyguards. The film is released at a time where Sikh censorship and anti-Sikh propaganda are strongly pushed by India. Yet a film biopic on revered Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed the genocide as it continued into the ’90s, has faced severe restrictions in its release.

I HAD FINANCIAL ISSUES WHILE MAKING EMERGENCY : KANGANA RANAUT

By
RUBY ZAIDI

Queen Kangana Ranaut’s political drama Emergency hit theatres on January 17, following multiple delays since its announcement in 2022. Despite facing challenges with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and demands for bans from various political and religious groups, the film has finally been released and doing satisfactory business.

In an interaction with media people to promote the film, Kangana opened up about the financial struggles she faced while making Emergency. She revealed, “Of course I had financial issues while making the film,” adding, “A lot of people backed out. Nobody was buying it. No OTT platform was ready to purchase it. I had to mortgage my house to make the film. I did go through these issues but I didn’t have someone to go to and cry to.”

Kangana also spoke about the personal and professional challenges she has faced, including numerous cases filed against her. She said, “I never had a PR team to promote myself. But people against me hired PRs to harm my image. They randomly put cases against me calling me psycho, chudail, stalker. They spoke so much bad about me. Nobody speaks about a woman like that.”

BASIL JOSEPH TO TEAM UP WITH MAMMOOTTY AND MOHANLAL

By
RUBY ZAIDI

Recently in an interaction with media people, Basil Joseph revealed his plans to team up with Mammootty and Mohanlal in upcoming projects. Basil Joseph revealed that he has one or two projects that are planned and the script writing is under process. He also said that due to some reasons the project is getting delayed.