Entertainment

Sandeep Singh to helm Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj biopic, film to release on this date

Published

2 years ago

February 16, 2024

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 16 (ANI): Filmmaker Sandeep Singh is all set to direct ‘The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,’ a biopic of 17th-century Indian ruler Shivaji Bhonsle, reported Variety.

Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari unveiled the poster and launched the film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Singh has produced several acclaimed films including Toronto title, boxing biopic ‘Mary Kom’, Asia Pacific Screen Awards-winning gay rights drama ‘Aligarh’ and Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Jhund’. He made his directorial debut with the transgender-themed ‘Safed’. The Shivaji biopic will be his first theatrical feature film as director.

Shivaji (1630-1680), who hailed from the Hindu religion, founded the Maratha empire when most of India was under the rule of Muslim monarchs, winning his territories using a mixture of military moves and strategic nous. At a time when the Moghul emperor Aurangzeb was persecuting Hindus, the community rallied by Shivaji, who was crowned as Chhatrapati (monarch). During India’s independence movement, Shivaji was held in high esteem as a Hindu nationalist hero, a position he enjoys to this day, as per Variety.

A top team has been assembled for the film, including writing team Siddharth-Garima (‘Toilet: A Love Story’), DoP Aseem Bajaj (‘Sacred Games’), choreographer Ganesh Hegde (‘Phone Bhoot’), costume designer Sheetal Sharma (‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’), production designer Sandeep Sharad Ravade (‘Ghoomer’), with casting by Kavish Sinha (‘Rocket Boys’). The cast has not been revealed yet, as per Variety.

“As my guru is Sanjay Leela Bhansali whose films have always been grandiose, I used to be in a confused state of mind as to how do I make my Bollywood debut as a director. I kept looking for an intriguing subject after ‘Bajirao Mastani,’ but I wasn’t getting the right one for my directorial debut and thus continued producing films. Till finally, I found the fascinating story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. I started researching on Shivaji Maharaj’s life and came across some huge surprises and decided that this was it,” Singh told Variety. “This subject is that I wanted to make my debut as a director with in Bollywood. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s had a personality that was larger than life. His real life story goes beyond fictional imagination. People, especially the youth, know Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as the brave Maratha warrior. But don’t know the intricacies of his intelligent and sharp mind and the qualities that made him so great. He was the actual warrior of Bharat [India]. I strongly felt that his story must be told and am boldly going ahead with it.””It’s taken me 23 years of hard struggle to build and create a position to debut as a director for my first mega budget film ‘The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.’ There could be nothing better than this. I have been working on the script since 2019, five years of labor and love. I hope our audience will appreciate our film and the efforts invested in it,” Singh added.

‘The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’ will release on January 23, 2026. (ANI)

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Staff Reporter

Announcements

DP World ILT20 Crowns ‘Habibi & Habibti’ as mascot winners

Published

1 month ago

November 2, 2025

Staff Reporter

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The DP World International League T20 concluded its first-of-its-kind Mascot Design Competition this week. The competition was held from 4 July to 21 September.

The competition captured the imagination of students across the UAE. With an overwhelming number of entries, the activation demonstrated the extraordinary creativity, enthusiasm, and energy that cricket inspires among young minds, making it a truly nationwide celebration of sport, culture, and community.

The grand mascot unveiling was held at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School, Oud Metha. The winning student, Levin Veeroy Fernandes, was officially announced, and his imaginative design (Habibi and Habibti) was transformed into the official mascot of the DP World ILT20, now set to become the face of the league for seasons to come.

The event featured an exciting reveal ceremony, with the student’s design brought to life and presented in front of a vibrant audience, celebrating not only Levin’s creativity but also the remarkable participation of schools and students across the UAE.

The DP World ILT20 extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants whose contributions made this initiative a resounding success. Each entry brought unique ideas and perspectives, reinforcing the league’s commitment to inspiring young minds and celebrating the spirit of cricket.

DP World ILT20 CEO David White: “On behalf of team DP World International League T20, I want to thank all the participants for their efforts. For us, all of you are winners, we are delighted with the interest that the competition created across the UAE.

“The DP World ILT20 is all about UAE and the development of the sport amongst present and future generations of cricketers. Sport and cricket in particular has helped bring together a number of communities and nationalities across the UAE. Cricket has a four-decade long legacy in the country and with the continued growth of the league, the future of cricket not only in the UAE but across the Gulf region is bright and exciting.”

Indian High Schools Group CEO Shri Punit MK Vasu: “Our partnership with DP World ILT20 presents a remarkable platform for our learners to witness world-class cricket in Dubai while embracing the deeper lessons the sport imparts.

“At The Indian High Group of Schools, we uphold the belief that cricket’s enduring spirit fosters respect, discipline, leadership, resilience, teamwork, and composure under pressure, values that cultivate not only accomplished athletes, but also well-rounded, future-ready individuals prepared to lead with integrity, ethics and purpose in a global arena.”

The DP World International League T20 Season 4 will begin on Tuesday, 2 December – UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad) with a blockbuster opening, the six-team, 34-match tournament will conclude with the final on Sunday, 4 January 2026.

Entertainment

Canada Super 60 set to dazzle with star-studded concert line-up at Vancouver’s BC Place

Published

2 months ago

October 9, 2025

Michael Gomes

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The Canada Super 60 isn’t just changing the game; it’s creating North America’s newest entertainment spectacle. From October 8 to 13, Vancouver’s iconic BC Place will transform into a full-fledged cultural carnival, blending high-octane cricket with back-to-back music concerts.

Get ready for six nights of non-stop entertainment, headlined by some of the biggest names in Punjabi, Desi, and global fusion music. From the infectious beats of Harrdy Sandhu and Jassie Gill to the international flair of Mickey Singh, each night promises a festival atmosphere both on and off the pitch.

Concert Line-Up Highlights

Oct 8 – Harrdy Sandhu (9pm)
Oct 9 – Jassie Gill (9pm)
Oct 10 – Mickey Singh (9pm)
Oct 11 – Parmish Verma (9pm)
Oct 12 – Raf-Saperra (9pm)
Oct 13 – GirlsLikeYou x Indo Warehouse (6:15pm)

The entertainment bonanza runs alongside thrilling cricket matches featuring international stars and fan favourites. With Yuvraj Singh backing the league and legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on the field, Canada Super 60 is shaping up to be the ultimate blend of glamour, game, and groove.

“This is not just cricket; this is a lifestyle experience,” said a spokesperson for Canada Super 60. “Our entertainment line-up reflects the league’s ambition to unite cultures through music, sport, and community.”

Fans can expect full-scale stadium productions, food and cultural showcases, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, turning BC Place into Canada’s most happening venue this October.

About Canada Super 60

Canada Super 60 is the newest format in global cricket, a 60-ball showdown that delivers fast-paced action and festival-style entertainment. Backed by international icons and powered by music, sport, and cultural unity, it’s redefining how fans experience cricket in North America.

Entertainment

UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

Published

3 months ago

September 2, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.