Latest news with #Raghav
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan Season 1 Review: A story that smells of soil and simplicity
Story: Raghav, a successful advertising executive, returns to his village after his grandfather's passing. Upon learning that his grandfather had taken a hefty loan for modern farming, Raghav stays back to repay the debt—a decision that leads to an unexpected journey of self-discovery. Review: 'Mitti – Ek Nayi Pehchaan' unfolds at its own leisurely pace, telling a tale of resilience that surprises you with its very existence. The surprise isn't because of its quality, but because a series centered on agriculture, village life, and a near-predictable plot ever got made in today's content space. And yet, that's where its charm lies. Defined characters, assured direction, and an engaging screenplay elevate the otherwise linear narrative. While watching 'Mitti,' you may find yourself yearning for the peace of your ancestral village, far removed from the chaos of urban life. It stirs a quiet nostalgia for a past we've steadily drifted from—a life that's getting harder to reclaim with every passing year. Even though the plot is as basic as they come, there's a gentle pull that keeps you watching. At the heart of the series is Raghav Sharma (Ishwak Singh), a successful ad executive known for giving his campaigns a distinctly 'desi' touch that appeals more to Bharat than India. When his grandfather (Yogendra Tiku) passes away, Raghav returns to Dol Chhapra, his village—the same one where he was raised by his grandparents while his parents built a life in the city. With permission to work remotely, Raghav reconnects with village life. Soon, he discovers his Dadu had taken a significant loan for new-age farming techniques, which ultimately failed, leaving behind a debt. Raghav decides to repay the loan by continuing his grandfather's mission—with the help of locals Maahoo (Piyush Kumar) and Baiju (Pranjal Pateriya). Running alongside is the subplot of Raghav's upcoming marriage to Stuti (Diksha Juneja), adding a layer of personal conflict to his rural reinvention. The show nails the mood and rhythm of village life—from the local tea stalls and sweeping fields to unemployed youths dreaming of city jobs and red-tapist local officials. The writing captures the dialect and humour of North Indian villages well. Raghav's bond with his loving Dadi is especially moving, grounding the narrative with emotional warmth. The series also makes a persuasive case for farming as a viable profession for today's youth. In a different time, this series might well have served as a promotional tool for the Ministry of Agriculture's push for modern farming. But because this theme is so rare in our entertainment landscape, it feels refreshing—even necessary. Ishwak Singh is completely convincing as Raghav, balancing ambition with vulnerability as he attempts to fulfil his grandfather's unfinished dream. He brings a quiet sincerity to the part that anchors the series. Diksha Juneja, as Shruti, his girlfriend in Mumbai, appears in limited scenes but makes them count. The comic relief comes from Maahoo and Baiju, two well-meaning but unemployed locals, whose simplicity is both endearing and amusing. However, the standout is Shruti Sharma as Kritika Sinha—the no-nonsense top boss from the Agriculture Department. Her restrained but impactful performance adds gravitas to the show. 'Mitti' is a breath of fresh air, though it may not appeal to everyone—especially those seeking slick pacing or urban glamour. It offers no glitter or spectacle for Gen Z or millennials. What it does offer is a pause—a moment to reflect on the lives we've left behind in pursuit of progress. And in doing so, it manages something rare: it makes farming look dignified, aspirational, and even heroic. That alone makes this series worth your time.
Scroll.in
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
‘Mitti' review: Big dreams and ground realities in show about farming
'Modern famine' is a phrase rarely heard in shows on streaming platforms. Amazon MX Player's Mitti might be an inspirational series about a marketing executive who decides to become a farmer. But the Hindi show also smuggles in truths about the problems faced by Indian agriculturists, from debt to unpredictable weather patterns. Raghav (Ishwak Singh) is adept at selling 'Bharat' to urban Indians. But when it's time for an actual return to roots, Raghav finds his presentation skills falling short. Raghav's beloved grandfather Sudarshan (Yogendra Tiku) has accumulated a huge loan on his plot of cultivated land. Memories of happier times spent in the field, the desire to reclaim Sudarshan's honour, and a stubborn need to succeed at farming persuade Raghav to take over Sudarshan's operation. The obstacles include the loan recovery agent Girdhari (Sharat Sonu), who is as nasty as they come. Naysayers scorn Raghav's inexperience. Raghav's girlfriend Stuti (Diksha Juneja) back in the city starts to run out of patience. The weather does its own thing. There are locusts and nilgais to tackle. With the the help of the no-nonsense government official Kritika (Shruti Sharma) and the experience of other farmers, Raghav gains a better understanding of what he needs to do. Kritika's support points to the positive role that committed administrators can play in making farming profitable. The eight-episode show, written by Nikhil Sachan, Akash Chawla and Arunava Joy Sengupta, does a fine job of layering a feel-good premise with ground realities. Especially in the early episodes, Raghav's dilemmas and challenges are within the realm of possibility. In a poignant scene, Raghav's father reminds him of the sacrifices that have been made to ensure a better life beyond the village. Sudarshan too tells Raghav that while ripened fruit gets sent to the city, the tree on which it is grown stays back. Romanticising farming doesn't help Raghav one bit – directors Gangajeet Singh and Alok Kumar Dwivedi ably bring out this truth. Mitti unfolds in unglamorous settings and has welcome detailing about farming culture, from discussions about soil analysis to events where cultivators proudly show off their produce. The show loses some of its rigour in the later episodes, which feel like a PowerPoint presentation by the agriculture ministry. The leap from failure to success via tech hacks seems far too easy. Although the makers succumb to the kind of pep talk given by Raghav in his previous avatar, Mitti distinguishes itself from similarly themed shows simply by picking an unusual theme and following it with curiosity for the most part. Apart from a compelling performance by Ishwak Singh, the show has a fine turn by Alka Amin as Raghav's grandmother. Pranjal Pateriya and Piyush Kumar play Raghav's sidekicks, who are to Mitti what Faisal Malik and Chandan Roy are to Jitendra Kumar in the popular Prime Video series Panchayat. In several ways, Raghav is a foil to Panchayat 's Abhishek, who struggles to fit into a village. Raghav's return journey is more dreamy-eyed, but Mitti manages to make this dream appear within reach. Play
India.com
3 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Meet Kanpur man, a class 12 dropout, who started with a call center Job later built a multi-crore business empire, his net worth is...
New Delhi: The story of Raghav Kapoor from Kanpur is a perfect example of courage, passion, and the determination to never give up, even in the face of adversity. Raghav, who comes from a very humble family, dropped out of studies post-12th grade and began his journey with a job at a call center earning Rs 12,000 per month. Soon, he started his own leather designer brand, 'Finalines', without any formal training. Today, its turnover is in crores. Let's take a look at Raghav Kapoor's journey to success. Started Career with a Rs 12,000 Job Raghav, who was born and brought up in Kanpur, had a difficult childhood. When he was in third standard, his father's shoe business witnessed a massive loss, eventually leading to the shop's closure. To cope up with the financial crunch, the family even had to sell their house. During this difficult time, his mother and father started a ladies' fashion boutique called Hers Fashion in a 200-square-foot shop in Gomti Nagar, Kanpur — a store that still runs to this day. Although Raghav was average in academics, he always had a deep interest in art and design. After finishing his 12th grade, he realized that pursuing higher education didn't appeal to him. So, Raghav began his career with a call center job that paid Rs 12,000 — a sum that felt like a huge amount to him at the time. How Raghav Gained The Experience: For Raghav, working at a call centre was a difficult task and people around him were noticing his daily struggle. Seeing his hardships, Raghav's brother-in-law, Varun Jolly, gave him an opportunity to work in his small export business, Text Horse. There, Raghav got the chance to design leather products such as reins, straps, and saddles for horses. Ragha worked almost 14 to 16 hours a day for nearly eight years, learning the intricacies of transforming leather into beautiful designs and patterns. This experience gave him a deep understanding of leather design, which later became the foundation of his own venture. Today, a Multi-Crore Turnover 'Finalynes' began in Kanpur from a small 600-square-foot space inside Varun's manufacturing unit, with a team of just 20 people—including staff and pattern makers. Today, 'Finalynes' manufactures nearly 5,000 pieces every month across 70 SKUs (Stock Keeping Units). Its turnover has crossed ₹7 crore. It is a B2C brand that operates entirely through its own website. Around 80 percent of its sales are in India, while 20% come from European countries.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Aditya Narayan on the special episode of Tu Dhadkan Main Dil; says 'I promise it will be full of music, emotions, and unforgettable moments'
Celebrated singer and performer Aditya Narayan has expressed his heartfelt excitement about featuring in the one-hour special episode of latest show Tu Dhadkan Main Dil. The channel has dropped a captivating teaser showcasing Aditya alongside Rockstar Raghav (played by Sourabh Raaj Jain), Dil. The special episode also featured beloved characters like Katha from Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad and Aditi from Jhanak. Sharing his thoughts on this special episode, Aditya Narayan says, 'I am truly delighted to collaborate once again with the channel, it genuinely feels like coming home for me. Being a part of the special episode of Tu Dhadkan Main Dil is an absolute joy, especially with Rockstar Raghav, played by Sourabh Raaj Jain, joining in.' Reflecting on the show's unique vibe, he adds, 'I recently watched the promo for the show and I must say, it's both overwhelming and fascinating to see such fresh energy and heartfelt storytelling on screen. I'm excited for the audience to experience this musical journey with us.' Thanking his fans, Aditya shares, "To all my fans and viewers, thank you for your endless love and support, your enthusiasm inspires us to keep creating magic. Don't miss this special episode; I promise it will be an evening full of music, emotions, and unforgettable moments!' It will indeed be a treat for viewers to watch Aditya Narayan sharing the stage with Rockstar Raghav, Dil, and beloved characters from across the Star Plus family. This musical extravaganza is set to touch hearts and strike a soulful chord, making it an episode fans won't want to miss. Aditya Narayan quits hosting 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' after 15 years: 'I bid adieu to my hosting duties to a show that gave me my own identity'
India.com
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
'Raghav Chaddha should be in...', Parineeti Chopra reveals shocking details about her husband, wants him to do....
Currently in London for the Heads of State premiere—Priyanka Chopra's action-packed Amazon Prime release— Parineeti Chopra took a moment to share candid reflections on her husband Raghav Chadha, their movie-watching preferences, and why politics—not performance—is his true calling. 'He looks like a hero, but…' Speaking at the screening, Parineeti quipped about how people often tell her Raghav Chadha belongs on the big screen, 'He looks really good, everyone jokes with me and says, 'Listen, he should be in films'… we always smile at that.' However, she made it clear where his heart lies, 'He's very patriotic and wants to serve the nation. He always says, 'You do your work, I'll do mine'… It's very clear.' The couple that curates together Despite being married to an actor, Raghav isn't glued to screens—unless it's a news channel. 'Raghav always wins because we watch the news every day—and now I can't even sleep without it!' Parineeti laughed. She revealed that their watchlists are short, selective, and driven by solid recommendations. 'He always says, 'I don't have much time, so you need to suggest something good.' And honestly, I'm the same. I don't watch too much… I ask people, 'Tell me one good film and I'll watch only that.'' This mutual minimalism makes them the kind of viewers streaming platforms dream of—focused, picky, and loyal once hooked. As Heads of State dropped globally on July 2 via Prime Video, Parineeti stood in proud support of cousin Priyanka, while keeping it real about her own quieter cinematic lane and equally impactful off-screen life. While Bollywood sometimes blurs the lines between personal and public, Parineeti and Raghav seem to have theirs drawn—with admiration, independence, and a lot of news at bedtime.
