Latest news with #PuneetIssar
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Puneet Issar criticizes Diljit Dosanjh for working with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in ‘Sardar Ji 3': 'Don't you know that four sons of Guru Govind Singh were martyred?'
Diljit Dosanjh's 'Sardar Ji 3', starring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, faced boycott calls in India and will release only overseas. Veteran Puneet Issar criticized Diljit for ignoring patriotism amid rising India-Pakistan tensions after the Pahalgam attack. The film is approved for release in Pakistan, boosting its local cinema. Diljit Dosanjh 's Punjabi film 'Sardar Ji 3' recently became the center of controversy after Pakistani actress Hania Aamir was cast as the lead heroine. This sparked calls for a boycott of the film in India, leading to the decision that 'Sardar Ji 3' will not be released domestically and will only be screened overseas. Amid the ongoing debate, veteran actor Puneet Issar has shared his perspective on the issue, adding to the public lesson around cross-border collaborations in the entertainment industry. Puneet Issar's Patriotic View Talking to Instant Bollywood, Puneet Issar said, "I am a patriot, for me the country comes first. I believe that when Diljit Dosanjh started his film, everything was fine between the two countries. Some artists from there were working with us at that time, but no one objected. But I believe that we should also have self-respect for our country, for our Gurus. We should know where our Gurus have sacrificed their lives. What have they all done for us? You (Diljit) have forgotten those things. Don't you know that four sons of Guru Govind Singh were martyred? Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed his life to protect his religion. We all should be loyal to our country." Critique of Diljit Dosanjh's Comments The actor further added, "Diljit is a big artist. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He said that the film had already been made. But he further said that it does not matter to him, music is made and played between two countries. This statement itself was wrong. Every Indian should respect his country." Film's Release Status Amidst Tensions Following the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which resulted in 26 deaths, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) reinstated a blanket ban on Pakistani artists working in India and urged the Information & Broadcasting Ministry to enforce it. As tensions rose, public and industry pressure mounted against cross-border collaborations. The producers of 'Sardaar Ji 3' decided to cancel its India theatrical release and opted for an overseas-only strategy. Pakistani censorship boards in Sindh, Punjab, and the Federal Capital approved the film, allowing its release in Pakistan where it's expected to benefit the local cinema industry.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NPCI makes the 'Bharat Connect' in latest TVC
NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd . (NBBL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has launched a new campaign. The initiative aims to build trust and increase public awareness of its bill payments platform, Bharat Connect . Conceptualised by DDB Mudra Group , the campaign, titled "Aap Humein Jaante Nahi, Par Maante Hain" (You May Not Know Us, But You Trust Us), highlights Bharat Connect's seamless integration into daily life. It seeks to empower consumers with effortless, secure, and accessible options for bill payments and financial transactions. Bharat Connect acts as a unified platform, facilitating both recurring and one-off bill payments. The platform is described as a robust, interoperable system, adept at managing various payments from utility bills and credit card statements to insurance premiums and loan EMIs. Its extensive infrastructure is woven into partner platforms, including fintech applications, bank apps, websites, and assisted channels, creating a widespread ecosystem for secure and accessible payments across numerous categories. The nationwide campaign unfolds through relatable 'slice of life' scenarios and will be released in eleven languages to resonate personally with consumers. It features actors such as Puneet Issar, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Sharib Hashmi, Chandan Roy, and Gopal Datt. The campaign authentically illustrates the trust millions place in Bharat Connect daily, even though the platform often operates behind the scenes. This comprehensive 360-degree campaign will be rolled out across television, digital platforms, print, radio, and out-of-home media. Noopur Chaturvedi, managing director and chief executive officer at NBBL, stated, "Bharat Connect stands as a trusted and inclusive digital infrastructure for bill payments that touches the lives of millions every single day. With this campaign, we aim to make our purpose visible and assure every Indian of ease, safety, and reliability when managing their essential payments. Through relatable instances in this campaign, we aim to reaffirm Bharat Connect's role in enabling India's digital future." Gagandeep Bindra and Rahul Arcot, group creative directors at DDB Mudra Group, added, "The insight driving this campaign stemmed from a simple truth: while Bharat Connect powers millions of daily bill payments, its name remains unfamiliar to most. This gap between utility and awareness became the foundation of our narrative — highlighting how a trusted service can be deeply embedded in people's lives, yet remain invisible." Through this integrated campaign, Bharat Connect reinforces its commitment to reliability, ease of use, and inclusion across India's digital payments landscape. By establishing essential awareness for the bill payment platform, Bharat Connect aims to empower households and individuals who rely on it for their daily bill payments and financial transactions. Watch the video here:
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Puneet Issar expresses disappointment over silence of big celebs on ‘Operation Sindoor'
Veteran actor Puneet Issar has voiced strong criticism against the silence of many Bollywood celebrities on the ongoing Indo-Pak conflict. In a candid conversation, Issar expressed his disappointment over the lack of public support for the Indian army from influential figures in the entertainment industry. Puneet told IANS, 'I am very saddened that many people are silent. Why are we silent? We should not be. Because today, you march with a candle in your hand, you carry bags, and you do many things, but when it comes to praising the Indian army, you remain silent.' He urged his fellow Indians to put the nation first, stressing, 'First, we are Indians. Our country should be first. Our nation should be first. And we should stand united.' Issar also highlighted the recent drone attacks on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, praising the Indian army's efforts in thwarting the threat without any damage. 'At least one tweet, one message, should have been made. Some Pakistani and Punjabi singers and actors have spoken up, and that's good, but everyone should do it,' he added. The 'Mahabharat' actor also criticized those who remain neutral or show support for Pakistan, describing it as support for a 'terrorist country.' Issar called on all Indians to reconsider their stance and prioritize national pride and unity. 'Why shouldn't we proudly say that we are Indians and support our Indian army? When there is an earthquake anywhere in the world, India is the first to send aid, yet some continue to support a terrorist country. Every Indian should think about this. What is the big deal in this? I would like to tell my friends, You should be proud of your culture, of your culture, of being an Indian,' he remarked. He also praised Operation Sindoor, commending the Indian army's swift and effective response in safeguarding the nation. 'I am proud to say that I am an Indian. And I respect the strength of our army, our defense force. I bow to them. The praise that they have given, that we are living peacefully in our country today, is the result of their hard work. And we have proved to the world that we have repelled every attack of any traitorous country in Pakistan. This is commendable. And I salute our armed forces, our army, our air force, and our navy,' stated Issar. Bollywood celebrities have recently come under fire for their silence on Operation Sindoor, drawing criticism from both fans and industry insiders. Aamir Khan, for instance, faced backlash after posting about Operation Sindoor just hours before the launch of his film trailer, with many accusing him of poor timing. Even megastar Amitabh Bachchan was also criticized for not speaking up about Operation Sindoor and other important national events. Similarly, Salman Khan attracted negative attention after tweeting about the India-Pakistan ceasefire and then deleting the post.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Puneet Issar slams Bollywood's focus on lesbian-gay themes, Ajith Kumar hospitalised, Mumtaz on Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia's wedding: Top 5 Entertainment News
The world of entertainment delivered a compelling mix of headlines today—ranging from shocking opinions to heartfelt reflections. Puneet Issar praised Ranbir Kapoor 's Animal while criticising Bollywood's growing focus on LGBTQ+ themes. Meanwhile, Tamil star Ajith Kumar was hospitalised in Chennai for medical treatment. Veteran actress Mumtaz opened up about Rajesh Khanna 's marriage to Dimple Kapadia , calling it 'unexpected' and suggesting the superstar might still be alive if he had stayed with Anju Mahendru. These and more stories made waves—here are the top 5 entertainment updates you need to know. Puneet Issar loved Ranbir Kapoor's 'Animal', says south films like 'Pushpa' are working because they are 'alpha-male', slams Bollywood for making too many lesbian, gay movies Puneet Issar slammed Bollywood for just making too many movies about lesbians and gay. He added. When he was told about the kind of cricitism people had for 'Animal', Puneet reacted, "What difference does it make what they say? Should we really be watching the kind of films they make? There was an Ayushmann Khurrana film, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, which released at 12 and was pulled out by 12:30. Is that the kind of film we should be making? No, we shouldn't. Even in Satyam Shivam Sundaram, there was a certain dignity maintained. Aap sirf lesbianism par film banana chahte hain? Yaa gays pe film banana chahte hain? (Do you only want to make films about lesbianism or gays?) Fine, that is one section of society—I do not deny their existence. I respect everyone." Ajith Kumar hospitalised in Chennai for medical treatment; Fans request for official statement by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sulawesi Utara: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Following his return, Ajith was reportedly admitted to Apollo Hospital due to abdominal discomfort as per News 18. While initial reports suggested it was for routine medical checks, no official confirmation has come from his team, especially manager Suresh Chandra. Fans, now anxious, have taken to social media requesting clarity, with many emotionally urging for a reassuring update. Rajesh Khanna would still be alive if he had stayed with Anju Mahendru, wedding with Dimple Kapadia was unexpected says Mumtaz Rajesh Khanna, the first superstar of Hindi cinema, shocked many when he suddenly married 16-year-old Dimple Kapadia, leaving behind his long-time girlfriend, Anju Mahendru. Decades later, veteran actress Mumtaz believes that had he stayed with Anju, he might still be alive today. The 'Prem Kahani' actress firmly dismissed rumours that she ever had a romantic relationship with Rajesh Khanna, though she admitted she had feelings for him. 'I wish I was involved with him, but I wasn't. I missed the boat, I'd say. I've denied this a 1000 times, but if people keep insisting that there was something between us, all I can do is say, 'I wish…'' Pakistani actress Hania Aamir gets water bottles from Indian fans after the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty as an aftermath. Pakistan largely relies on this river basic to irrigate 80% of its farmland and support 90% of its food production. So, this decision clearly has not gone down well with Pakistan. Amidst that, a video has now gone viral on the internet where Indian fans were sending a courier of water bottles to actress Hania Aamir from Pakistan. In this video, the boys are seen packing a box filled with bottles. It was written on the carton, "To Hania Aamir. Rawal Pind. Punjab, Pakistan. From India." After reading what was written on the box, these boys were seen laughing. The internet couldn't stop laughing on this video. Apoorva Mukhija opens up on how her 'India's Got Latent' controversy affected her parents: 'Samaj mein izzat rehni chahiye' Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known as The Rebel Kid, found herself in the spotlight earlier this year due to the India's Got Latent controversy. Now, months later, she has spoken out about the tough time she faced. She said, 'I always wanted to have a media video or paps screaming, 'Apoorva ji kuch boliye'. I will show it to my kids and be like, 'Tumhari mummy bhi gundi thi apne time pe'," Later in the promo, Apoorva also stated, 'My dad always said 'Samaj mein izzat rehni chahiye'. I just felt like, he lost all of that in a second and I put them through all of that. There is light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to fight for it."
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Puneet Issar calls Ranbir's Animal ‘amazing', defends violent, alpha-male films: ‘Kya lesbian, gay par hi films banaye?'
Recently, Indian cinema has seen a surge in action films such as Pathaan, Animal, Marco, and others. However, these films have also received criticism for their violence and misogynistic tone. In an interview with Digital Commentary, Puneet Issar defended alpha-male films and discussed how South Indian films have been performing well, as they are not dominated by corporate interests in the way Bollywood is. (Also Read: Puneet Issar: All the actors from Mahabharat are stuck in their image from 30 years ago, but I kept breaking my image) Veteran actor Puneet Issar expressed his concerns about the current state of the Hindi film industry, stating that Bollywood has drifted away from reality and now primarily caters to niche urban audiences, particularly those in South Mumbai. He criticised the industry for producing overly sentimental films that fail to resonate with the wider Indian population, noting that many of these films struggle to perform beyond areas like Borivali and are then touted as successes based on overseas performance. Issar pointed out that true mass entertainers such as Baahubali, RRR, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Gadar, and Chhava are made for the Indian audience and reflect their tastes. He went on to say that although parallel cinema is good, it does not have the same reach as commercial cinema. 'People like Allu Arjun… Pushpa was such a big hit because it connected with the masses. Why was RRR a hit? Because the South doesn't have corporates. They make male-dominated films. This doesn't mean they are male chauvinists. No. The South makes proper alpha-male films—this is the reality, and people want to watch it. That is why Salman and Shah Rukh are such big superstars. When Ranbir Kapoor does an Animal, it becomes a superhit. It was an amazing film,' he added. He also responded to a section of society criticising the violence and alpha-male themes in films, saying, 'What difference does it make what they say? Should we really be watching the kind of films they make? There was an Ayushmann Khurrana film, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, which released at 12 and was pulled out by 12:30. Is that the kind of film we should be making? No, we shouldn't. Even in Satyam Shivam Sundaram, there was a certain dignity maintained. Aap sirf lesbianism par film banana chahte hain? Yaa gays pe film banana chahte hain? (Do you only want to make films about lesbianism? Or about gay people?) Fine, that is one section of society—I do not deny their existence. I respect everyone." He added that every kind of film should be made in the industry and further stated that films connecting with emotions and values are the ones that become true blockbusters. Puneet began his acting career as a villain in Manmohan Desai's 1983 film Coolie, but gained recognition through his portrayal of Duryodhana in B. R. Chopra's television series Mahabharat. Over the years, the actor has appeared in several notable films, including Chandra Mukhi, Prem Shakti, Ram Jaane, Border, Refugee, Krrish, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Ready, Son of Sardaar, and The Kashmir Files, among others. He was last seen in the television show Vanshaj, which also featured Mahir Pandhi and Anjali Tatrari in lead roles.
