Latest news with #ZindagiNaMilegiDobara
Time of India
6 days ago
- 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.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Is La Tomatina really about tomatoes? How did it all begin?
In the popular Hindi movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, or even in the Mickey Mouse cartoon episode Al Rojo Vivo, you must have stumbled upon a peculiar festival celebrated all the way over in Spain using tomatoes. Believed to have originated in the 1940s, this festival is called La Tomatina, literally translated to 'the tomato'! How did it all start? La Tomatina Festival began on the last Wednesday of August, 1945, when some young people gathered in the town square to watch the Giants and Big-Heads figures parade. During the festivities, one participant's big head fell off, which made the participant fly into a fit of rage, and he began hitting everything in his path. There was a market stall of vegetables that fell victim to the rage of the crowd, as people started pelting each other with tomatoes until the local forces ended the fruit battle. The following year, some young people staged a pre-planned fight and brought their tomatoes. Although the local forces broke it up, this marked the start of an annual tradition. Thousands of people followed in the boys' footsteps over the years. Did you know? The citric acid in the tomatoes helps with the cleaning process, so some of the town's surfaces are cleaner after being rinsed than they were before the event. What happens? The day before the fight, there will be a paella (a popular Spanish rice dish) cooking contest near the town square, fireworks, and various music bands and parades through the medieval city centre. The first event before the tomato battle is the Palo Jabón. The game is centred on a long greased pole with a piece of ham at the top. The goal is for participants to climb the pole and drop the ham, which requires them to climb on top of one another. When the ham falls, the tomato battle begins. The tomato fight typically lasts an hour and leaves the town square covered in tomato debris. Fire trucks then hose down the streets, and participants often use hoses provided by locals to remove tomatoes from their bodies. Some participants also use the Los Peñones pool to wash.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Priyanshu Painyuli: Surfing in Sri Lanka was like living my ZNMD moment
Actor Priyanshu Painyuli recently took a break from the demands of film sets and intense character transformations to reconnect with nature—and in doing so, discovered a new passion: surfing. A trip to Sri Lanka became more than just a vacation. 'I love water. Any water sport has always excited me. As a kid, it started with swimming. Later, it became rafting and deep-sea diving. Water, I believe, has a humbling quality to it,' says Priyanshu. While the actor learned surfing in Sri Lanka, this isn't the first time he's tried his hand at the water sport. 'I first tried surfing in Goa, just for a day. But even in that one day, I felt a spark—something I really wanted to pursue,' recalls Priyanshu. That one-day experience soon turned into a decision: he and his wife would travel to Sri Lanka, one of the world's premier surfing destinations, to truly learn the sport. 'I've only done a very basic course, but the experience was profound. Surfing isn't easy; it really challenges you. But more than that, it changes you. There's something powerful about just being in the water, with the waves. You shut down everything around you. Your senses heighten. You find yourself in a different kind of stillness, even amid chaos,' expresses the 36-year-old actor. Having also experienced deep-sea diving in the past, Priyanshu compared the two. 'When you dive, you're in another world for 45 minutes, breathing through oxygen that isn't your own. You feel small. You realize your problems are even smaller. Surfing gave me a similar sense—like, wow, there's so much more out there, and within me.' He further adds, 'The whole experience reminded me of that Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) scene where Hrithik Roshan dives and finds a kind of stillness. I felt that. It was powerful.' Though adventurous by nature, he admitted he hasn't yet conquered every fear. 'I love heights, and I really want to try skydiving,' he says, wrapping up.
NDTV
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Manali Zipline Mishap: Is Adventure Tourism In India Worth Your Money?
In 2011, when director Zoya Akhtar released a movie about three male friends, intertwined in their own lives and taking a three-week-long trip, it not only became a commercial hit but also inspired many Indians to think differently about travel. You see, the movie titled (if you haven't guessed it yet), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, revolves around Kabir, Imran and Arjun, and their once-in-a-lifetime vacation in Spain before Kabir's wedding. The trip was essentially meant to help them combat their deepest fears through three adventure sports, each chosen by one of them. The trio explores Spain in a full-on desi way and eventually faces their fears through scuba diving, skydiving and running of the bulls. After facing each challenge, they experience a sense of gratification that makes many of us want to try at least one of the ourselves. Often, Bollywood and social media have glamorised adventure sports and the adrenaline rush that comes with them, turning it into something everyone wanted to chase post the film's release. Today, the Indian adventure tourism market is experiencing significant growth, fuelled by a young, thrill-seeking demographic and rising disposable incomes, all wanting to live life like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (quite literally). The market was valued at USD 2.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 46.731 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of 19.6% over the next five years. However, unlike Kabir, Imran and Arjun—who underwent proper training before each sport—India's growing demand is being met without the same level of infrastructure and safety precautions. The Rise In Fatal And Serious Incidents Ft Adventure Sports This boom, however, has been a double-edged sword. As more Indians seek thrill-filled holidays, the infrastructure, regulatory mechanisms and safety checks haven't always kept up. Not everyone goes the ZNMD route of professional preparation and certified guides (Remember Laila from ZMND?). The latest incident occurred in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, when a 12-year-old girl from Nagpur, Maharashtra, fell from a zipline, sustaining serious injuries. A close associate of her family revealed on Sunday that she has been receiving medical care at a hospital since the accident last week. Family sources disclosed that Trisha Bijwe was enjoying a vacation in Manali with her loved ones when the accident happened. The rope attached to her harness reportedly broke, causing her to fall while riding the zipline. A video of the incident has gone viral on X. This is why adventure sports aren't safe in India. In Manali, a young girl fell from a zipline—nearly 30 feet—and is now seriously injured. Anyone without proper experience starts these activities, and there's no one to check. Action is only taken after a fatal accident happens. — Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) June 15, 2025 Alok K Singh, Chairman and CEO of Travomint, a travel agency, points out, 'There's been a clear rise in incidents — due to unregistered operators, lack of training, and failure to meet safety standards.' He further lists some incidents: Puri Beach, Odisha - A boat capsize incident happened at the Puri Beach involving Snehasish Ganguly, elder brother of Indian Cricket Team captain Sourav Ganguly, and his spouse, Arpita. Following this incident, the Puri district administration officially suspended all water sports activities in the region, pointing out the critical need for stronger safety measures. While many licensed vendors agree to worldwide norms, some continue to struggle with lack of regulations. Manali: Tadi Mahesh Reddy, a 32-year-old, at Manali was attempting to take off (during paragliding) at Raison when a sudden gust of wind caused his glider to descend instead of ascend, leading to his death. Goa - In January 2025, Shivani Dable, a 27-year-old girl from Pune lost her life during a paragliding activity in Keri Village, North Goa. Her glider crashed into a ravine soon after taking off from a cliff, and even the instructor did not survive. This incident raised concerns over safety practices, unlicensed operators and safety checks in adventure sports. Bir Biling, Himachal Pradesh - A tragic incident happened during paragliding in 2023, when a tourist's safety harness malfunctioned mid-air, raising concerns about unlicensed operators and outdated equipment. After thorough investigation, it was revealed that the flight was operated by an unregistered operator. This tragedy led to widespread public outcry and renewed regulations along with better standards for paragliding operators. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand - Several cases of rafting accidents were reported due to overloading and untrained guides during river rafting. One such case occured in 2017, when a Delhi tourist tragically died after a raft capsized near Garud Chatti bridge. After this incident, local authorities launched safety audits, however, implementation is still not consistent. Common themes? Unlicensed operators, untrained staff, and inadequate equipment. Today, Adventure sports in India vary in price depending on the location and season. Scuba diving costs between Rs 1,500 and Rs 8,000 per dive, with Andaman and Lakshadweep on the higher end. River rafting in places like Rishikesh can range from Rs 499 to Rs 2,999 per person, depending on the stretch covered. Paragliding prices start at Rs 1,800 and can go up to Rs 5,500 in top spots like Bir Billing. But are they safe? Shreya Chawla* (name changed as per request), a 23-year-old professional from Noida, who loves adventure sports shares, 'They make you sign a waiver. If something happens to you, it's your fault. But the training is almost non-existent. During paragliding in Bir, I was just asked to run at a certain speed. When I went scuba diving in Goa, they dropped me into the water without any special preparation.' Louis D'Souza, Managing Partner at Tamarind Global, a focused destination and event management company, tells NDTV that adventure tourism isn't inherently dangerous, but lack of regulation makes it so. 'We always advise travellers to check if the operator is certified, whether there's insurance, and how trained the guides are,' he adds. Where The Law Stands In 2023, India's Ministry of Tourism laid out formal 'safety guidelines' for adventure tourism. These included age limits, mandatory insurance for operators, and penalties ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 for safety breaches. However, enforcement remains inconsistent across states. Mind you, these are just guidelines and not laws. Now, even though states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have issued more stringent region-specific guidelines, insiders say, many operators continue to flout the rules — either due to lack of awareness or because enforcement agencies lack manpower. Like Shreya's case, any first-timers trust operators blindly, not knowing what questions to ask or red flags to spot. How Industry Experts Are Tackling The Crisis Trishal Rao, Chief Sales Officer at SKIL, a travel management company, believes stronger checks are non-negotiable. 'We work only with ISO-certified or Adventure Tour Operators Association of India-affiliated operators. Our checks include reviewing guest feedback, auditing sites like TripAdvisor, and even demanding references for group trips,' he says. Rao adds that clients sign waivers, but it doesn't absolve the vendors of accountability. 'We ensure insurance is in place, and we expect partners to conduct drills, have evacuation plans and keep ambulances accessible. You can't compromise on safety,' he adds. D'Souza agrees and adds, 'Yes, there are more incidents — but mostly from unregulated players. We advise travellers to ask: Does the operator have certification? Is there insurance? Are the guides trained? Our role is to ensure transparency and accountability.' Even equipment matters, says D'Souza. 'We personally review activities before adding them to itineraries. Adventure stalls are everywhere now — not all are reliable,' according to him. But on ground level things are different. Not everyone is authorised, or trained enough. Trekking is one such activity that remains highly unregulated. Often people are misguided. Treks are made to sound 'easy' to appeal to the participants, but the reality might be different. This lack of information is consistent in the other adventure sports as well. Vaibhav Kala, founder of Aquaterra Adventures and senior VP of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), says, 'Adventure tourism is gaining popularity due to the physical and mental thrill. But gear, guides and guidelines are critical. We need stricter enforcement and national registration for operators.' Kala is also part of a core team pushing for a model law to be adopted across states. 'We want a national register for operators and stricter controls. Currently, anyone with a few rafts or parachutes can open shop. That's dangerous,' says Kala. Who's At Fault, Really? While most operators make clients sign disclaimers, legally and ethically, both sides hold responsibility. Experts say that while tourists must be cautious, it's primarily the operators' duty to uphold safety norms. But many small vendors still operate in the grey zone. Scuba Diving is also gaining popularity in India. Photo: Unsplash Rakesh, the owner of a similar adventure sports establishment in Manali, has been in this business for almost 10 years. In Himachal Pradesh, he says, many individuals, especially the inexperienced ones, are able to enter the adventure sports market as obtaining a licence is "pretty easy". According to Rakesh, officials conduct quality checks on equipment used in these activities only twice a year. Kala further notes that unregistered operators shouldn't be allowed to run at all. 'The National Tourism Board for Adventure Tourism is pushing for a model law to be adopted across states. That will be the game-changer,' he says. The debate on disclaimers and liability is far from settled. While many operators use waivers to shift responsibility, legal experts say they are not foolproof. How Can You Stay Safe? India's potential to lead in adventure tourism is undeniable. The geography, biodiversity and growing youth population make it a natural fit. But the foundation has to be solid. Till then, if you want to stay safe follow Kala's advice, 'We need three pillars — enforcement, education and ecosystem. Only then will we stop reading about unnecessary tragedies.' Before committing to an adventure, individuals should ask these key questions, says Kala - Have they researched the outfitter's (elaborate) credentials? Is the company registered with relevant tourism authorities or industry associations? Are the guides certified, trained in first aid and CPR, and experienced? What is the emergency exit plan? Rao adds that educating tourists needs to be a priority. 'At the point of sale, operators should hand out safety checklists. Digital platforms could include reviews specific to safety. Insurance should be offered as standard, not optional.' Remember, adventure tourism, by its nature, involves risk, but that risk can and must be managed. For India to become a world-class destination, safety should not be an afterthought. Until then, maybe watch Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara again — but think twice before trying to recreate the thrills without asking the right questions first.
NDTV
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
6 Real-Life Locations Around the World Where You Can Recreate Iconic Bollywood Movie Scenes
While planning a holiday, every person has their own checklist - some seek sunny beaches, others follow their friends' recommendations, and many keep an eye on budget-friendly destinations. But then there are the film-obsessed ones - the type who would book a ticket just because Ranbir Kapoor (or honestly, anyone from Bollywood) shot a scene there. If you love both movies and travel, this story is made for you. These destinations have featured in unforgettable Bollywood moments. Travel to these places with your friends and recreate those iconic scenes. You know you want to. Eiffel Tower, Paris - Queen No Bollywood-inspired travel list is complete without the Eiffel Tower - that iron-and-lights icon of Paris. In Queen, Kangana Ranaut's character, Rani, dreams of seeing the Eiffel Tower with her fiance;. But after he dumps her, she travels solo to Paris. At first, she avoids the Eiffel Tower altogether, the sight too painful to bear. But with the help of her new friend Vijaylakshmi (played by Lisa Haydon), she rediscovers the city and ends up visiting the Tower at night - this time, not heartbroken but empowered. If you are looking for a solo travel moment with cinematic drama, this one writes itself. Washington Square Park, New York - English Vinglish Sridevi's English Vinglish is full of moments that make you want to pause and reflect. The scene shot at Washington Square Park in Manhattan captures just that. Her character, Shashi, is travelling alone for the first time. She initially enjoys the park's buzz - street performers, music, life. But when she steps into a cafe; and fails to understand the fast-paced American English, she rushes out in tears. The moment is tender and raw, and Washington Square Park becomes the silent witness to her turning point. If you are in New York, walk through the park and feel the weight of that scene, especially if you have ever felt out of place in a new country. Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace, Udaipur - Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Udaipur has played muse to many film directors, but it was Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani that made sunset-watching at Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace a millennial ritual. Ranbir Kapoor's Bunny and Deepika Padukone's Naina share one of their most heartwarming exchanges here. "Life mein kitna bhi try karlo Bunny, kuch na kuch toh miss hoga hi..." Naina says, as the golden sun sets behind them. Bunny listens, for once without interrupting, and something shifts between them. If you are headed to Udaipur, this is your cue to grab a sunset drink and quote lines from your favourite travel film. Bunol, Spain - Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Spain. Friends. Tomatoes flying at your face. Need we say more? Bunol is home to the iconic Tomatina Festival, where Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara filmed its most colourful sequence. Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol are drenched in tomato pulp, laughing through a travel dream that feels both ridiculous and freeing. If you are planning a trip to Spain, time it around the last Wednesday of August and join the tomato madness. Just maybe carry an extra set of clothes. Hoboken Terminal, New Jersey - Kal Ho Naa Ho There are Bollywood scenes. And then there is that scene. Shah Rukh Khan's Aman runs to stop Preity Zinta's Naina from leaving, confesses his love- indirectly, of course - and everyone cries. This moment unfolds at Hoboken Terminal in New Jersey, with the Hudson River in the backdrop. Aman pretends to read Rohit's diary but ends up baring his own heart. The station, with its vintage architecture and waterfront views, is perfect for reliving one of Bollywood's most emotional confessions. Even if you are just there to catch a train, expect nostalgia to hit hard. King's Cross Station, London - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge This one is for every Bollywood romantic who has ever quoted DDLJ without shame. At London's King's Cross Station, Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) sees Simran (Kajol) for the first time as she rushes to catch her train. It is not the mustard fields, but this scene sets their story in motion - with a missed connection, a helping hand, and a train that changes everything. This station is a pilgrimage spot for Bollywood fans. And yes, it is also where the Harry Potter gang caught the Hogwarts Express. Call it the ultimate crossover of desi meets global. Love These Locations? From Parisian nights to Udaipur sunsets, these are not just film locations - they are travel experiences wrapped in nostalgia. If you are looking for more cinematic destinations within India, check out our list of top Bollywood shooting spots closer to home.
