Latest news with #Raj
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Indian Express
‘I was mortally afraid…': When Sobhita Dhulipala moved to Mumbai at 16 spontaneously without knowing Hindi; how a new city can transform identity
Moving to a new city as a teenager can be overwhelming, especially when you don't know the local language or culture. Sobhita Dhulipala, who grew up in Vishakhapatnam, made the bold decision to move to Mumbai at just 16. In an earlier interview with Vogue, she once revealed that the move was spontaneous. 'I tossed a coin and chose Mumbai over Bengaluru and Hyderabad,' she said. Despite being admitted to one of the top colleges in Mumbai on merit, she recalled being extremely introverted. 'I spoke when I was spoken to, otherwise I felt like I was being a nuisance. I would often think to myself, 'How dare I speak and break someone's silence?' I was always amazed when people around me spoke for 20 minutes at a stretch. I was mortally afraid of bloviating,' she added. Language was another major hurdle. Sobhita shared that she didn't know Hindi when she landed in Mumbai and lived in Kandivali, which made navigating the city even harder. Yet, she found her own ways to adapt — learning the language bit by bit from fruit vendors and discovering the city on foot. 'I felt like the luckiest girl. After lectures ended, I would take a bus or train back home and disembark at random stops to drink nimbu paani and just explore the place. I've spent several hours walking around Bhendi Bazaar, Reay Road, Old Dockyard and Vasai. In Vizag, every place is within 15 minutes of each other, but Bombay just astounded me geographically.' Counselling psychologist Athul Raj tells 'Arriving in a new city without knowing the local language can feel like being suddenly unplugged from the world around you. For a young adult, it can shake the ground beneath your feet. You may have grown up feeling capable, expressive, even confident — but when you land in a space where you can't speak or understand what's being said, all of that can disappear.' Simple things like asking for directions or striking up a conversation become intimidating, he adds. 'You start overthinking your words. You worry about being judged. Over time, silence becomes your default mode, not because you have nothing to say, but because saying it feels too hard.' But it's not all negative. Raj explains, 'There's also a quiet kind of strength that can come from this. You become more observant. You learn to listen. You start to value non-verbal cues, tone, gestures– things most people overlook. Eventually, you begin to communicate beyond words.' Over time, the wins start to stack up. These seem small to others, but for you, they're major victories. And little by little, you rebuild that confidence–not in the same way as before, but in a deeper, more resilient form. Raj affirms, 'There's something about being on foot that makes you feel more grounded. You get to decide where to turn, when to pause, what to pay attention to. In a world that often feels out of control when you're new somewhere, that kind of simple control can bring real peace.' It also breaks the feeling of being stuck inside your head. 'If you're feeling anxious, lonely, or homesick, being outdoors — seeing faces, watching the city live and breathe — reminds you that you're part of something bigger. It puts your own thoughts into perspective. And sometimes, just that shift is enough to make things feel more manageable,' says the expert.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Industry thrives when new voices are encouraged: JP
Debutant director JP Thuminad, who is making his first foray into cinema with the supernatural comedy Su From So, believes that when seniors in the industry extend their support, it gives first-time filmmakers the freedom to focus purely on the creative process. Written, directed by, and starring JP himself, Su From So features several familiar faces from films like Kantara and Sapta Sagaradaache Ello. Elated by the warm reception to the trailer, JP feels the film's quirky title has only added to its intrigue. 'The story is set in Marlur and has a connection to Someshwara,' he explains. 'It celebrates the beauty of rural life — the visuals, the food, the people — and how their peaceful world turns upside down when Sulochana from Someshwara, or 'Su from So', begins to haunt the village. What follows is a hilarious, supernatural chain of events that throws the entire community into chaos.' 'WE'VE ARRIVED AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME' JP, who has spent nearly 15 years in theatre as a playwright and director, admits comedy is anything but easy. 'It's where I'm strongest as a storyteller,' he says. 'So, I wanted to build my debut film around that.' He is particularly grateful for the support of actor-filmmaker Raj B Shetty, who has mentored him over the years. 'I was initially supposed to do a Tulu film with Raj, but it didn't take off. I've worked with him for over a decade — I was part of the directorial team of Ondu Motteya Kathe, and played small roles in films like Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana and Swathi Muttina Male Haniye,' he recalls. 'Raj has always encouraged us to write, develop ideas, and turn one-liners into stories. When I narrated Su From So to him, he liked it right away. The film was supposed to take off before COVID, but it got delayed. In hindsight, I feel we've arrived at just the right time.' 'EVERY NEW TALENT BRINGS A NEW STORY AND A NEW PERSPECTIVE' JP believes that the growth of the Kannada film industry depends on encouraging fresh talent. 'Every new voice brings with it a new story and perspective. When seniors collaborate with emerging creators, it helps us tackle challenges in new ways. Even a small show of support from them makes a big difference in helping us find our footing,' he adds. 'THIS IS A KANNADA FILM — NOT JUST A 'COASTAL SLANG' FILM' JP is clear about how he wants audiences to view the film. 'I don't want people to fixate on the coastal slang,' he says. 'Every language — Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam — has its regional slang. But when we watch those films, we see them as Tamil films or Malayalam films, not as films tied to a particular dialect. In the same way, I want audiences to see this as a Kannada film, not just a 'coastal slang' film.' A MALAYALAM RELEASE, TOO Su From So is now set to release in Malayalam too. 'Some of our technicians felt the film has strong relatability and would connect well with Malayalam-speaking audiences,' says JP. 'So, we showed the film to a few people at Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films. Their response was extremely positive and we're now planning a Malayalam release next week, with Wayfarer coming on board to present.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Rowdy-sheeters arrested in two separate cases in Hebri
Udupi: Police arrested rowdy-sheeters Shrikanth Kulal, Sadananda Poojary, Santosh Naik, and Raj alias Rajesh Naik in connection with two separate but interlinked criminal cases reported on July 20 at Siri Mudi Hotel in Santhekatte, Kalthur village, Hebri. According to police, the first incident involved an assault on Raj alias Rajesh Naik by Shrikanth Kulal, Sadananda Poojary, and Santosh Naik, all habitual offenders. The trio allegedly abused Raj using foul language and attacked him with a wooden stick in an attempt to cause grievous harm. Raj sustained injuries and was admitted to Udupi District Govt Hospital in Ajjarkad. Based on his complaint, a case was registered at Hebri police station. Police arrested Kulal,29, Naik,43, and Poojary, 46. In a counter-complaint, Santosh Naik accused Raj of using casteist remarks during the altercation. A second case was registered under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with Sections 352 and 351(2) of BNS 2023. Raj alias Rajesh Naik,30, has also been arrested in connection with this case. Police sources confirmed that all the individuals involved have a history of criminal activity, and investigations is on.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Raj Shekhar on collaborating with 'Saiyaara' fame Mohit Suri, REVEALS he wishes to contribute to Shah Rukh Khan's 'King'
Whether it was the stirring 'Mat Ja Re' from 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' or the deeply felt 'Pehla Bhi Main' from 'Animal', Raj Shekhar's lyrics have a way of settling into your skin, subtle, sincere, and often unexpectedly profound. Now, with 'Saiyaara' marking his latest outing and his 100th song Raj reflects on a decade-long journey filled with quiet milestones and creative joy. A Journey of Heart and Craft 'It's been a fascinating ride,' he says, looking back at the last ten years. 'There were emotional highs and lows, of course, but I'm grateful — to the filmmakers, composers, and the characters I got to write for. Each one of them gave my words a home.' Though he started out in the industry almost by accident, Raj has carved a reputation for lyrics that never feel ornamental — instead, they grow from the emotional core of the scene or character. On 'Saiyaara' and the Creative Freedom It Brought Talking to Hindustan Times about his recent collaboration on 'Saiyaara', Raj has nothing but praise for the team — especially director Mohit Suri and composer Vishal Mishra . 'It was a really fun experience,' he smiles. 'Mohit Suri is someone who understands the soul of music in cinema. He shows you the emotional world of his characters and then steps back. He doesn't interfere, he trusts you to find your own truth within that space.' The track 'Tum Ho Toh', from the film, has already begun resonating with listeners, and Raj credits that to the free-flowing creative energy between the trio. 'With Vishal, it's become a very organic partnership. We never sit down thinking, 'Let's make a hit.' It's more meditative — we talk, reflect, and shape the song together. And I think the audience feels that depth.' The Power of Simplicity Known for his poetic restraint, Raj believes the hardest thing about songwriting is writing simply — but never simplistically. 'There's a huge difference between 'simple' and 'simplistic,' just like between 'childlike' and 'childish',' he explains. 'Simplicity is beautiful, but you have to work hard to get there. You let go of a lot, strip things down, and hold on to what really matters.' For Raj, every lyric has to serve two worlds — the world of the character, and the world of the listener. 'If you can speak honestly to both, that's where the magic lives.' A Dream to Write for SRK Despite having worked with a wide range of directors and artists, there's one name still on Raj's wishlist — Shah Rukh Khan . 'If I ever get a chance to write for Shah Rukh Khan, that would be a dream,' he says, lighting up. 'To see my words on his face — that would be incredible. He was the face of cinema for us growing up. When we bunked classes to catch a film, it was usually his.' With SRK's upcoming film 'King' in the works, Raj admits he's keeping fingers crossed. 'I don't know where the film is being shot or who's been signed yet, but I'd love to be part of it in any way.' Looking Ahead Beyond SRK, Raj hopes to work with artists like AR Rahman and Sanjay Leela Bhansali — and still cherishes his past collaborations with the late Irrfan Khan . 'I always wanted to write for Irrfan, and I'm glad I got to do that in 'Qarib Qarib Single'. That will always be special.' Is 'Saiyaara' The Next 'Aashiqui'? Public Review Is Divided
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
GO 49 to create new tiger conservation reserve kept in abeyance over Adivasi concerns
The State government on Monday (July 21) declared that the proposal to create Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve — tiger corridor area connecting Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra — is being kept in abeyance. The State government's decision comes in the wake of concerns raised by tribals and public representatives across tribal areas and detailed discussions held with various stakeholders. The GO.49 dated May 30, 2025, issued by Environment, Forests, Science & Technology department, potentially displaces tribal residents in more than 330 villages from their traditional habitat and restricts their forest rights and livelihoods. It aims at converting 1.49 lakh hectares across multiple forest ranges in Kumurambheem-Asifabad district, including Asifabad, Kerameri, Rebbena, Tiryani, Kagaznagar, Sirpur, Karjelli, Bejjur, and Penchikalpet into the 'Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve' as an extension to Kawal Tiger Reserve. Adivasi organisations who led sustained protests had maintained that the order was violative of their rights as per Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996, that aims at empowering tribal communities in the country's Scheduled Areas. The government, sensing widespread protests, called for a report from the District Collector to address the situation comprehensively. Later, the situation was also studied and reviewed by Minister for Forests Konda Surekha, Adilabad District In-charge Minister Jupally Krishna Rao and Minister for Panchayat Raj Dansari Anasuya. According to officials, the findings and recommendations were submitted to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy by the District Collector on July 11, and the decision to withhold the order until further notice followed on Monday. Ms. Surekha stated: 'Congress government is people's government. We will never take any decision that harms the rights or livelihoods of Adivasis and tribal communities. The concerns of the local people have been heard, and action has been taken accordingly. The welfare of every citizen, especially our tribal brothers and sisters, remains our top priority.'
