Latest news with #Mahadevan
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anant Mahadevan opens up about battling anxiety, sabotage and emotional burnout: ‘There was a concerted effort to destroy Dil Maange More, Shahid Kapoor and me'
In an industry that thrives on validation and pliability, filmmaker and screenwriter Anant Mahadevan has survived, with scars and lessons. Speaking to ETimes, the veteran revealed how emotional burnout and anxiety crept into his life not because of creative failure, but due to deliberate sabotage. 'I was deliberately sidelined by those who hated my drive' 'Anxiety, criticism, et al. tend to cripple one, even as the efforts are directed at raising the bar and being true to the craft,' he said. 'Being deliberately sidelined was, for a long period, demoralizing — but then I realised this was being done by those who probably hated my drive to create what they wanted. By those who hated that I wasn't dependent on sucking up to them — be it the media or makers whose egos were punctured. ' 'This industry psyches creative minds, belittles their products' Having worked across genres and languages, Mahadevan shared that surviving in showbiz requires not just talent, but tremendous emotional resilience. 'It is important not to feel ostracised by power-wielding showbiz names and to stick to one's convictions with a clear focus,' he said. 'This industry tends to psyche studious, creative minds and belittle their products. Initially, you are hit by depression, but then you must have the energy to see through them. Reinforcing faith in oneself and being confident in one's potential shields your mind from damage.' 'There was a concerted effort to destroy Dil Maange More , Shahid and me' The filmmaker, who helmed the 2004 romantic drama Dil Maange More starring Shahid Kapoor , Ayesha Takia, Soha Ali Khan and Tulip Joshi, revealed how he faced pushback that felt almost personal. 'When I made Dil Maange More, there was a concerted effort to destroy me, the film, and Shahid Kapoor,' he said. Years later, the pattern seemed to repeat itself. 'When The Storyteller became critically acclaimed and an audience favourite, there were certain segments of the media and filmmakers who gave it the royal ignore. One critic came all the way to the Kerala Film Festival to run down the film and even reposted her review when the film was released. But now they have all become blatantly obvious in their prejudice. Though delayed, I have overcome such targeted attacks and steadied myself to carry on regardless. ' Sanjay Suri, Aahana Kumra, Abir Chatterjee and Anant Mahadevan clicked in Juhu 'No amount of despair is worth it — they only gloat in their ego cocoons' Looking back at the mental and emotional cost of being an independent voice in a tightly-knit industry, Mahadevan believes survival is an art that must be honed. 'The years of such rigmarole have taught me to be a survivor — that no amount of stress and despair is worth it. It only makes those who snub you gloat in their ego cocoons.' And his advice to young creatives is both battle-tested and brutally honest. 'So, master your craft and pride yourself on your abilities, rather than fall prey to man-made anxieties and blackmail.'
New Indian Express
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
‘Good does not mean successful,' says Shankar Mahadevan ahead of Bengaluru performance
For over three decades, Shankar Mahadevan has been a name synonymous with versatility – transcending borders and generations in the music world. As a celebrated playback singer and music composer, he has left an indelible mark in the industry for years with songs like Maa Tujhe Salaam, Breathless, and Mitwa and grabbing awards like the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Enna Solla Pogirai and Padma Shri. Among the milestones in his journey is the founding of the Shankar Mahadevan Academy 15 years ago which he co-established with Sridhar Ranganathan with the intention to democratise music education. He performed with members of the academy at Sangam and Prayag, a music festival, on Friday. Recently, the academy unveiled two new courses, aimed to cater to diverse musical interests and ages. 'The whole idea of forming this academy was to leave a legacy behind. We wanted to create this, not only for the generations to come, but also for generations before us,' said Mahadevan. For him, music serves a higher purpose. 'Music is not just about entertaining, or about teaching and learning. It has a purpose beyond age, country, and religion.' One of the shifts in music teaching in recent years has been the adoption of the online mode, Mahadevan commented, 'People did not have faith in it. Many questioned us asking if it's possible. Now, there are hundreds of kids who have learnt online from various parts of India, and they are all singing in unison,' adding, 'We have teachers who learn Japanese or even Spanish [to teach foreign students]. They might be sitting in Ahmedabad and teaching students in Kumbakonam. The students performed for me and the dedication, the fire, the focus that those kids had – now there is no looking back. We introduced these classes in three villages, now we want to make it 3,000.'
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shankar Mahadevan reveals he underwent hair restoration for a youthful, confident transformation
Popular singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan has opened up about his decision to undergo a hair restoration procedure. In a candid revelation, he shared that the step was driven by his desire to embrace a more youthful and confident appearance, both personally and professionally. Speaking about his new look, Mahadevan shared, "You know, when you see friends and people around you going through similar changes, you realise how much it can enhance your personality. That's when it hits you-there are so many people in our country who go through this quietly, and yet it makes such a big difference." He added, "It was my dear friend Boney Kapoor who introduced me to Dr. Pradeep Sethi. Initially, I thought it was just about hair, but meeting Dr. Sethi turned out to be something much deeper. He made the entire experience so seamless, professional, and precise-I barely realised when the transformation was complete." The veteran singer is making headlines with his refreshed new look. Shankar Mahadevan, who has many hit numbers to his credit, also recalled a personal incident, sharing how it reminded him that music doesn't require grandeur - only sincerity and heart. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mahindra IvyLush with 2&3 BHKs from ₹95 Lakh*(All-incl.) Mahindra IvyLush Get Quote Undo He fondly recounted a touching memory from his time working on "Taare Zameen Par." "During the composition phase, we were in Chennai, and Aamir Khan's mother was unwell at the time. We were staying at a hotel near the hospital, and right there-in a small hall with a basic musical setup-we composed one of the film's key tracks. It reminded me that music doesn't need grandeur, just sincerity and heart." Meanwhile, the singer recently made headlines for delivering a heartfelt tribute to the Indian armed forces ahead of the IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad on June 3. Organized by the BCCI, the tribute honored the courage and sacrifice of the forces during Operation Sindhoor. Mahadevan delivered a powerful medley of patriotic songs that captured the essence of India's spirit. Joining him on stage were his sons, Siddharth and Shivam Mahadevan, adding to the emotional resonance of the performance. --IANS ps/
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shankar Mahadevan: You need to look good on stage, but first you need to be a good singer
Shankar Mahadevan In today's world, appearance often takes centre stage. The new generation of singers aims to be performers, not just vocalists. With live shows and concerts booming, even playback singers are stepping into the spotlight. As everyone competes to combine talent with striking looks, Shankar Mahadevan reminds us that true art must always come first. 'You need to be a good singer first' He tells us, 'Looks are important. You need to look good when you are performing on stage. But above all that is your art. You need to be a good singer first. You may look good but if you are lip syncing all the time then what's the point? That's not the way I look at things. I want to be remembered for my singing than my looks.' 'For my sons the essence of art comes before all the extras' Mahadevan, who's composed music for films like Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, shares that his sons Siddharth and Shivam (both singers), despite being part of today's generation, also prioritise art over the glitz. 'My sons are well aware of current trends—sometimes they even educate me! But for them, the essence of art comes before all the extras. You need to have heart and soul first; only then can you dress up the artist. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Perforated Stainless Steel Sheets – Durable & Trusted Source Engineered for Strength: Explore High-Quality Stainless Steel Sheet Designs | Search Ads Search Now Undo If the person is dead, you can't dress them up. It won't be of any use.' 'Hair really can change how you look' Interestingly, the maestro recently underwent a hair transplant—not due to any external pressure, but simply because he wanted to feel better about his appearance. 'I'm the last person to give in to peer pressure. My hairline was thinning, so I decided to fix it. Boney Kapoor actually recommended the doctors (Dr Pradeep Sethi and Dr Arika Bansal). I'm excited for the transformation because hair really can change how you look. I chose to do it before it was too late,' he said.
Mint
23-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
How to track your days in India—and why it matters more than ever for your tax status
Renowned entrepreneur M. Mahadevan, popularly known as 'Hot Breads Mahadevan' for his international bakery and restaurant chain, has run into tax trouble back home. A recent Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) ruling declared Mahadevan a tax resident of India for financial years 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2018-19, thereby making his global income taxable in India—despite his claim of being a non-resident. Mahadevan, who operates restaurants and bakeries both in India and abroad, declared himself a non-resident in his income tax filings for the aforementioned years. He based this status on his interpretation of passport stamps, asserting that he had stayed less than 182 days in India in each relevant year. As a non-resident, he only paid tax on Indian-sourced income, leaving his overseas earnings out of the tax net. Also read: NRI taxation: How to claim special tax concessions However, a detailed review by the tax department—using passport records, visa copies, and data from the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO)—suggested otherwise. The officer concluded that Mahadevan exceeded the 182-day threshold in FY13 and FY14, and also met the 60-day-plus-365-days condition for FY19, thereby qualifying him as a tax resident under India's Income-tax Act, 1961 (ITA). Importantly, Mahadevan's travel was under 'social' or 'visitor' visa categories, not business or employment—further undermining his claim of leaving India for professional reasons. Mahadevan challenged the tax officer's ruling at the first appellate level, where he found relief. The appellate authority ruled in his favour, interpreting his overseas trips as business-related despite the visa types. It accepted his stay in India to be under the threshold and upheld his non-resident status, exempting his foreign income from taxation. On further appeal, the ITAT clubbed the cases and overturned the appellate ruling. It agreed with the tax department, affirming that Mahadevan was a resident for those years and his foreign income was liable to Indian tax. Still, the Tribunal offered some relief: if Mahadevan could furnish proof of foreign taxes paid, foreign tax credit would be allowed. Why the tribunal ruled against Mahadevan FRRO data as credible proof: The Tribunal trusted FRRO records as reliable government data for determining days of stay. Visa purpose matters: Frequent travel abroad did not equate to business if the visa stated otherwise. Since Mahadevan's visas were for social visits, he could not claim the 182-day exception allowed for business departures. UAE Tax Residency Certificate (TRC): Mahadevan produced a UAE TRC issued in 2021 for earlier years. The Tribunal held that under the India-UAE tax treaty, treaty benefits cannot apply if a person qualifies as a tax resident of India under domestic law. Also read: Decoding dual taxation: What NRIs need to know for better tax efficiency Key lessons for global Indians Residential status is pivotal in determining tax liability and must be backed by appropriate records. Count days with care An individual's residential status determines their tax liability in India and is primarily based on days spent in the country. While passport stamps are usually relied on, it's advisable to cross-check stay records with FRRO data to avoid mismatches that may affect tax residency. Involuntary stays (e.g., passport seizures) are excluded. For land entries from Nepal or Bhutan, where passports/visas aren't required, documents like hotel receipts can help establish duration of stay. Who is a resident? A person is considered a resident in India if they: The 60-day threshold is relaxed to 120 or 182 days for: Visa type matters Residency status can also depend on the visa category used for travel. A person leaving India for work should not use tourist or social visas, as these may not support claims of business-related travel abroad under tax laws. Dual residency & tie-breaker If you're classified as a resident in both India and another country, tax treaties apply a tie-breaker test. This considers: This helps decide which country can tax your global income. Also read: Golden tax window for NRIs: What RNOR means and how to use itAshish Karundia, founder, Ashish Karundia & Co., Chartered Accountants
