Latest news with #Rathee
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Garena Free Fire returns to India with Rs 1 crore tournament cup after 3-year ban
Garena 's popular battle royale battle game Free Fire is officially returning to India after a gap of three years with a tournament cup. The free-to-play game was banned in the country in 2022 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on security grounds. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Announcing the Free Fire Max Tournament Cup , the company shared an Instagram post, writing 'India, time to squad up! 🔥The heat is rising, the battlefield is set! TEZ FFMIC is coming soon.' TEZ FFMIC here stands for TEZ Free Fire Max India Cup, which will run from July 13 to September 28 and carry a prize pool of Rs 1 crore. This marks Garena's biggest move in India since the ban and signals a major push into the country's fast-growing gaming market. How social media reacted to the return of Free Fire The tournament announcement has been received by social media users with enthusiasm. 'Ache Din ki suruaat Ho gyiii,' wrote one user. A second user said 'it's been so long'. 'Abhi maza aiyega na bidu,' said a third. Industry leaders welcome the move Industry experts say the return of Free Fire could be a turning point for mobile esports in India. Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming said 'The return of Free Fire competitive through the Free Fire MAX India Cup 2025 is a pivotal moment for mobile esports in India. India thrives on accessibility and Free Fire's ability to run smoothly across a broad spectrum of devices makes it especially relevant for gamers nationwide.' Rathee also noted that having more choices benefits the gaming community. 'More options for Indian gamers and esports athletes are always a good thing... Free Fire has a loyal audience, just as BGMI does... both titles can and will coexist,' he said. Animesh Agarwal from S8UL also praised the game's return. 'It has always connected deeply with the mobile-first audience in India, and its comeback will undoubtedly spark new energy in the competitive scene,' he said.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rohtak varsity director steals the spotlight in Aamir Khan's 'Sitare Zameen Par'
ROHTAK: Haryana has found fresh reason to celebrate the nationwide release of Aamir Khan's latest film Sitare Zameen Par. The buzz centres on celebrated Haryanvi actor-writer-poet Jagbir Rathee, who delivers a scene-stealing performance as a hard-nosed hotel owner whose cruel treatment of a mentally challenged employee, Karim, ultimately backfires. 'I'm nothing like that man,' Rathee, who recently retired from Rohtak's MDU as director Youth Welfare, laughed while talking to TOI. 'But the role was too layered to refuse. His eventual repentance drives the film's central message about dignity and inclusion.' Rathee's rustic diction and authentic dialect have drawn comparisons to his breakout turn in Dangal where he played as a sports officer who refuses to release grant for wrestlers. Critics say he once again elevates a supporting character into a moral pivot, wielding his signature Haryanvi cadence 'like a blunt yet melodic instrument.' The actor praised Aamir Khan for creating an atmosphere 'where every co-actor feels at home.' He described the superstar as 'disarmingly humble—he'll adjust lights himself if it helps you emote better.' Addressing chatter that 'Sitare Zameen Par' is merely a rehash of earlier social dramas, Rathee offered a pointed defence: 'Stories that shape society's conscience deserve retelling. Just as Ramlila is staged each year to renew moral values, films that educate should return in fresh forms for new generations.' Rathee is far from resting on his laurels. He has already wrapped filming on several high-budget web-series and a slate of Haryanvi features. Next up is the Haryanvi comedy Baingan, in which he plays the lead. 'Expect a full-bodied laugh riot,' he hinted, 'with a few surprises on the side.' Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Mint
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Brutal honesty can also be good at work
Back in 2012, Akshat Rathee found himself at a gaming festival in Noida that turned out to be a farce. Intermittent electricity, poor infrastructure and missing organisers were just some of the problems he witnessed. It's when he got together with a few mates to run their own mini tournament on the sidelines. 'That accidental event became our proof of concept. We realised that if people like us didn't step up, the gaming ecosystem would never grow the right way," says Gurugram-based Rathee, 46, co-founder and managing director of NODWIN Gaming. Two years later, Rathee and his co-founder, Gautam Virk, launched NODWIN Gaming to create an ecosystem for esports in India. Gaming was an integral part of Rathee's growing years. He recalls missing an exam at Manipal University while attempting to clear the last level of Dune and building his own local area network when he realised that the computer science coursework was outdated. But the early days at NODWIN had its fair share of struggles. Funding was a challenge until someone offered them a crore to grow the company. The game changer arrived in 2018 when they received five acquisition offers over a period of six months. 'It's when we realised that this wasn't a passion project, but a legitimate business. We helped build something that didn't exist before us, now exists sustainably and will exist long after we are gone. That's a legacy," he says. Rathee talks to Lounge about mentorship and why he enjoys picking up new hobbies. Who do you consider your mentor? I deeply respect folks like Ralf Reichert who helped build esports from the grassroots and are shaping gaming culture globally. One major insight you worked on with your mentor's guidance? Between 2018 to 2020, I'd often get frustrated trying to convince stakeholders that gaming was legitimate. And this mentor simply said, 'You're blessed with an industry that gets younger every year. Don't try convincing those who won't change. Just keep building and the world will change on its own." That advice stuck. Another great piece of wisdom came from my father when NODWIN was still growing. People would say, 'Oh, you just organise events, put up screens, plug in mics and let people play games." That's when my father said, 'Cast longer shadows." His point was simple - if you know what you're building and where it's headed, just focus on doing it better than anyone else. What does being a mentor mean to you? How do you mentor your colleagues at work? Being available even without an appointment. Brutal honesty is also key - telling someone it's okay to fail as long as failure is a calculated risk. More importantly, understanding what your mentee wants, not what you think they need. What's your morning schedule like? I usually start around noon and work until 4am. With NODWIN present in 22 countries, there's always someone somewhere starting their day. So, I guess mornings are relative. What are some of the productivity principles you follow that have made your professional and personal life much easier? I believe in not spending more than 30 seconds on a task on your phone. If something's on your mind, solve it immediately - one minute now saves five later. Don't aim for 99% perfection in delegating, for 60% clarity is often enough to get things moving. I also value time - short calls, quick voice notes and fast problem-solving. Lastly, find competent people, empower them and get out of the way. Be there as their safety net, but don't hover. What's the one positive work routine you have developed during the pandemic? Have your meetings virtually, but have your conversations in person. Now, I spend 4-5 hours a day on real-world chats, and keep virtual ones to 30 minutes. Any book or podcast you would recommend about mentorship and growth? I've enjoyed The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman and Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson. How do you unwind? Do you pursue any serious hobbies? I learn new things, just for fun. With my elder daughter, I'm learning how to paint with acrylics. With a friend, I'm figuring out 3D printing. I'm also building a home lab with Docker containers. Tinkering with the world around me, that's my kind of unwinding. Monday Motivation is a series in which business leaders discuss their mentors and their work ethics.
News18
05-06-2025
- News18
‘Stay Home': Dhruv Rathee On Indian Content Creator's Misconduct With Woman
Last Updated: Dhruv Rathee's video on the Malik Swashbuckler row also spotlighted other incidents of Indian tourists misbehaving abroad. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has strongly criticised Indian influencers who display inappropriate behaviour towards women or disregard basic civic norms while travelling abroad. His remarks come in the wake of the controversy surrounding Malik SD Khan, also known as Malik Swashbuckler, who faced widespread backlash videos in which he made offensive comments and behaved disrespectfully towards women in Turkey surfaced online. The situation escalated to the point where he was reportedly detained by Turkish authorities, sparking renewed debate about responsible conduct among Indian content creators and tourists overseas. 'Indian tourists are destroying India's reputation," wrote Rathee in a strongly worded post accompanying a video on Instagram. The video opens with a disturbing clip from one of Malik SD Khan's posts, where he shockingly asks viewers if he should intoxicate and assault a Turkish woman. As the reel continues, Rathee includes other clips showing Indian tourists behaving inappropriately and disrespecting locals abroad, highlighting a troubling pattern that he says is tarnishing the country's global image. In his video, the YouTuber also highlighted recent incidents involving Indian tourists behaving irresponsibly abroad, such as men being caught urinating in the sea in Thailand, and a tourist dangerously reaching out of his car to touch a lion during a safari. Calling out such reckless behaviour, Rathee urged content creators to stay home if they couldn't act with basic decency while travelling. 'Tameez nahi hai to ghar pe raho," he firmly stated, underscoring the damage such actions do to India's global image. Shared on June 4, the video has already racked up over 22.3 million views, sparking widespread conversation online. Viewers flooded the comments section, with many applauding Rathee for calling out inappropriate behaviour and urging content creators to act more responsibly while representing India abroad. A user raised a valid point, asking, 'As viewers, shouldn't we also take responsibility? Why do people even give views to such disgraceful content?" Another praised Rathee's honesty, writing, 'Bro is speaking facts." A comment read, '100% sahi hai bhai, ye jahil logon ki wajah se har country mein desh ka naam kharab ho raha hai," highlighting how such behaviour damages India's image worldwide. Another chimed in, 'You're absolutely right. Glad someone had the courage to speak up." The overall sentiment echoed frustration and support, with many calling for greater accountability, both from content creators and audiences alike.
Mint
05-06-2025
- Mint
Dhruv Rathee schools Indian tourists over ‘tameez' amid Malik Swashbuckler row: ‘Ghar pe raho'
Days after the Malik Swashbuckler row, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee schooled Indian tourists over basic civic sense and said their misconduct costs other travellers from the country their reputation in foreign countries. Malik Swashbuckler, whose real name is Malik SD Khan, faced severe backlash and was reportedly detained by Turkish authorities after videos showing him making derogatory and sexually explicit remarks about Turkish women surfaced online. In an Instagram Reel captioned, 'Indian Tourists are Destroying India's Reputation,' Rathee shared incidents showing Indian tourists being way out of line on their trips abroad. The video began with a snippet from Malik's controversial video where he asks his audience if he should get a Turkish woman drunk and rape her. Dhruv Rathee's video also featured an Indian man eve-teasing in Venice, a group of Indian men peeing in the sea in Thailand and a man leaning out to touch a lion during a safari, risking the lives of others with him. Calling out such tourists, including content creators, Rathee said they should not visit foreign countries if they cannot behave appropriately. 'Tameez nahi hai to ghar pe raho, bahar nikalne ki koi zaroorat nhi hai.' He also highlighted that this misdemeanour is costing indians their reputation abroad. 'Indian tourists badnaam ho rhe hai foreign desho me.' Rathee then asked netizens to name and shame such people online. Netizens were very angry about the Malik Swashbuckler row. They resonated with Rathee's video and said a 'rotten apple spoils the whole bunch'. 'Asli anti nationals to yehi log he jo bahar jake desh ko badnaam karre he,' a netizen said. Another added: 'We blame the West for how they see us. Maybe it's time we looked at ourselves and asked what we've become.' A netizen highlighted that 'Education sanskar nhi hai,' to which another added, 'This is so true. All of them have education but no civic sense, and after all, the effect of their misbehaviour finally comes on top of the expats living in these countries.' Social media users also highlighted that it is also a viewer's responsibility to reject distasteful content like that of Malik Swashbuckler. 'As viewers, people must also be responsible. Why does the public give views to such content?' A user highlighted that only those who do not have a passport take such incidents lightly. '99% of people who don't even have a passport treat all this casually. But the truth is — no country is truly happy to see Indians. This is the result of us taking everything lightly that's happening in our own country.'
