By Gaurav AroraGaya (Bihar) [India], April 11 (ANI): Even though the movie made on the life of Dashrath Manjhi, renowned as the ‘Mountain Man’, garnered accolades, there is no change in the lives of his family members who still continue to grapple with poverty.
The family claims that the filmmakers of ‘Manjhi – The Mountain Man’ made huge promises but forgot them once the shooting concluded.
The Ketan Mehta directorial was released in 2015 and starred Nawazuddin Siddique in the titular role along with Radhika Apte and Tigmanshu Dhulia.
Bhagirath Manjhi, son of Dasrath Manjhi opened up on the family’s living conditions stating that they continue to struggle, overlooked by those associated with the film.
Speaking to ANI, Bhagirath Manjhi said, “Our father was very poor, he worked in the fields. He built the road by breaking the mountain. For this, he had to sell three of his goats after which he purchased a hammer. Everyone in the village used to say that he had gone mad. The road was built in 22 years.”Dashrath Manjhi, known as ‘Mountain Man’, was a resident of Gehlaur village in Gaya district, who worked as a daily wage labourer. In an unfortunate incident, he was not able to take his wife to the hospital for treatment due to which she died.
Hit by the tragedy, he vowed to build a proper road in the area. Despite having no support from the village and defying all odds, Manjhi carved a road by cutting a 360 feet-long, 30 feet wide and 25 feet high mountain using a chisel and hammer.
Bhagirath Manjhi said that the movie team only gave the family Rs 50,000 which was way too little to fulfil their needs, as a result of which they are still forced to work as wage labourers.
“The team stayed for a month and gave only Rs 50,000. If we had got money, we would have built a house, they made crores by making a film on our father but we got nothing. We used to work as labourers earlier and we do it even today. There has been no change,” he said.
He further claimed that his family was promised an election ticket from Gaya by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, but was not given.
“After building the road, my father decided to meet Nitish Kumar. He had to sit for an hour to meet him finally,” Manjhi said.
“My father never asked for anything from anyone. But, we asked for a parliamentary ticket. CM Nitish Kumar also promised us a ticket from Gaya. But after Jitan Ram Manjhi joined NDA, we did not get the ticket,” he added.
Bhagirath Manjhi said that the family did receive some help from Bihar leader Pappu Yadav, who recently merged his Jan Adhikar Party (Loktantrik) with the Congress, but even that help stopped after around a month.
Even today, Manjhi Mahotsav is organized every year in his name. A road named ‘Dashrath Manjhi Marg’ has been named after him and his village has been named Dashrath Nagar.
Dashrath Manjhi may be known as a great man for the people of Bihar and outside Bihar, but even today his family lives in a hut in Gehlaur village.
But, irrespective of how successful the acclaimed movie was, the family of ‘real-life’ Mountain Man continues to work as wage labourers to sustain a life in poverty. (ANI)
Dubai’s Miracle Garden has reopened for its 15th season as temperatures begin to fall across the UAE. The popular attraction in Al Barsha South welcomed visitors on Thursday, 8 October, with the new season being launched under the theme “Fifteen Years, Blooming Together”.
Sheikh Theyab bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, chairman of Miracle Group, inaugurated the new season. The garden will remain open until 31 May 2027, with a programme of weekly themes and events planned around the UAE’s cultural and national calendar.
Visitors will see activities linked to occasions including Pink October, United Nations Day, UAE Flag Day and Diwali. The programme will also include live music, family entertainment and fitness activities held as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
Events are also planned for Commemoration Day and Eid Al Etihad.
“For fifteen seasons, Dubai Miracle Garden has grown alongside Dubai and its people,” Sheikh Theyab said. “This season is dedicated to the community that made it possible, particularly the families and residents who return year after year.”
Mohammed Zaher Hammadih, group chief executive of Miracle Group, said the weekly programme was intended to encourage visitors to return throughout the season.
“As we mark our 15th season, Dubai Miracle Garden continues to bring people together through shared experiences,” he said. “Our weekly programme gives families a new reason to return, with cultural celebrations, live entertainment and activities to enjoy throughout the season.”
The garden features more than 150 varieties of flowers and is known for its large-scale floral displays, some of which have previously set Guinness World Records.
Since opening in 2013, it has attracted millions of visitors and become one of Dubai’s established family attractions.The garden is open daily from 9am to 9pm on weekdays and from 9am to 11pm at weekends.
Tickets start at Dh105 for adults and Dh84 for children. Children under three can enter free of charge.
Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.
The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.
The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
Ticket prices
Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.
Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.
Other ticket options
Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
Friday: Dh75
Under 15s: Free
People of Determination + carer: Dh375
Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.
Bigger family attractions
Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.
The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.
Six sports and top rugby action
Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.
Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.
The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.
The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.
Music all weekend
Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.
Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.
For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.
With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, has approved the launch of Dubai+, a new family-oriented digital media platform, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for digital media and the creative economy.
The approval came as Sheikh Ahmed chaired the Dubai Media Council’s first meeting of 2026 at Dubai Media, where members reviewed sector strategies and plans to strengthen content creation, innovation and local production capabilities.
What is Dubai+?
Dubai+ will offer a wide range of family-friendly content, bringing together:
Local and Emirati productions
Arab series and films
International entertainment
The platform reflects Dubai Media’s integrated digital ecosystem strategy, responding to shifting viewer habits and the growing demand for high-quality, on-demand digital content.
“We believe media is a strategic force that shapes awareness, supports development and builds trust,” Sheikh Ahmed said.
Boosting Local Film and Content Production
The Council also reviewed plans to:
Enhance local production capabilities
Support cinema as a cultural and creative industry
Invest in programmes that drive creative and economic growth
Samr Al Marzooqi, Director of Films and Production at the Dubai Media Council, outlined upcoming initiatives aimed at showcasing Emirati and international talent while strengthening Dubai’s film sector.
Next Phase of Growth
Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, said the next phase will focus on monitoring implementation and ensuring measurable outcomes across the sector.
Secretary General Nehal Badri added that priorities include encouraging private sector participation, accelerating content development, and investing in talent, advanced production technologies and future-ready capabilities.