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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Raj Thackeray tormented over ‘missing kids’ in state

Mumbai : Expressing grave concerns over the steep rise in cases of ‘missing children’ in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray has accused the state government of treating the matter casually and failing to respond to it urgently.   In an open missive on 'X' to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray quoted data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) pointing at almost an alarming 30 pc increase in the number of children ‘missing’ in the state...

Raj Thackeray tormented over ‘missing kids’ in state

Mumbai : Expressing grave concerns over the steep rise in cases of ‘missing children’ in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray has accused the state government of treating the matter casually and failing to respond to it urgently.   In an open missive on 'X' to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray quoted data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) pointing at almost an alarming 30 pc increase in the number of children ‘missing’ in the state between 2021-2024.   When asked for his reactions, Fadnavis told media-persons in Nagpur that he had not read the letter, but the issue raised is important and he would reply to it. Fadnavis stated that the NCRB has also provided the reasons why the kids go ‘missing’, how they return and the period, ranging from 3 days to 18 months.   Dwelling on the sufficiency of the NCRB figures, he contended that they reflect only complaints formally registered by the police and thousands of cases may never be reported.   On the ‘rescue, return and reunion’ of such missing children, he pointed to the sheer psychological trauma they may have suffered and sought to know how such child-lifter networks continued to thrive openly and blatantly.   The MNS chief targeted what he claimed was the “state’s lack of proactive measures to identify and dismantle child-begging rackets” as many juveniles can be seen begging at railway stations, bus stands, traffic signals, often accompanied by adults with doubtful authenticity.   “If some woman claims to be the child’s relative or guardian, should the government not order a thorough probe? Is it inappropriate to consider even a DNA test in suspicious cases,” Raj Thackeray demanded.   Slamming the government and the Opposition, he lamented how both sides failed to prioritise such urgent social issues in the legislature where discussions centre around partisan sparring.   The letter also mentions attempts by the Centre to coordinate with states on the ‘missing or trafficked children’, regretting how political upmanships and symbolic debates prevent meaningful action on the ground.   The NCRB said that Maharashtra has consistently ranked among states with the highest number of ‘missing children’, particularly in urban centres like Mumbai, Thane, and Pune.   Simultaneously, experts, child rights NGOs and activists have warned about trafficking networks that exploit poverty, migration and weak law enforcement and low convictions, despite official rescue missions or rehab efforts.   In his appeal, Raj Thackeray called upon Fadnavis to take concrete, visible measures rather than discussions and conventions. “Maharashtra expects decisive steps from you, not speeches. Jai Maharashtra,” he signed off.     In October 2023,Sharad Pawar red-flagged ‘missing girls-women’ This is the second major social cause by a political leader, two years after Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar had red-flagged nearly 20,000 ‘missing women and girls’ from the state between Jan-May 2023.   In the present instance, Raj Thackeray said that “behind the statistics lies a far more disturbing reality involving organised, inter-state gangs that kidnap children, physically abuse them and force them into begging rings”.   “Little kids are assaulted, made to beg and shifted across states. Groups of children disappear suddenly, and the government appears unable, or unwilling, to grasp the seriousness of what is happening,” said Thackeray in a strong tone.

Is Bollywood’s Re-release Trend Sustainable?

Updated: Feb 3

Re-release Trend

In 2024, Bollywood’s resurrection wasn’t just about fresh hits but also about old favourites that were making a grand comeback. While the year kicked off with the surprise success of Stree 2, the real story was the industry’s embrace of nostalgia - the re-release of films that once slipped through the cracks. As the trend gained momentum, industry insiders and critics alike found themselves at a crossroads. Is this a temporary fling, or has Bollywood unlocked a new revenue model?


Film trade analyst Rohit Jaiswal has defended the practice of re-releasing old gems, noting the substantial, albeit modest, financial returns. “The business from re-releases isn’t as high as Rs 100 crore, as some reports claim, but Rs 60-70 crore nett is still significant,” he said. The films that have benefited from this resurgence are a diverse mix - Tumbbad, Rockstar, Laila Majnu and Veer Zaara - each offering something unique. For example, the re-release of Tumbbad not only breathed new life into the film itself but reignited Sohum Shah’s career, giving him a second shot at fame.


Yet, not everyone shares Jaiswal’s optimism. Trade expert Joginder Tuteja calls the re-release trend an “overdone fallacy.” He argues that the financial rewards aren’t as monumental as they might seem. “Tumbbad made about Rs 30-32 crore; Laila Majnu around Rs 7-8 crore, Rockstar about Rs 7-8 crore, Rehna Hai TereDil Mein between Rs 5-7 crore, and Veer Zaara around Rs 3-4 crore,” Tuteja contends. His numbers suggest that the returns from re-releases are far from game-changing, and the public’s nostalgic impulse might not be enough to sustain the trend long-term.


Despite these differences of opinion, Tumbbad’s January re-release undeniably sparked significant interest. Initially released to mixed reviews in 2018, the film's unique premise—focused on a boy’s search for a cursed ancestral treasure—failed to make waves at the box office with just Rs 13.5 crore. However, when it was re-released in 2024, Tumbbad garnered nearly Rs 7 crore within just three days, a reminder of its untapped potential. This financial windfall gave Bollywood a much-needed boost after a sharp decline in box-office revenues – Rs. 6,868 crore from January to August 2024, a 7.5 percent drop from the previous year, according to Ormax Media.


But it isn’t just the underperforming cult classics like Tumbbad that are seeing success in their second acts. The rise of nostalgic re-releases is becoming a full-fledged movement, with hits like Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!(1994), and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) drawing packed theaters. More recent films such as Zindagi Na MilegiDobara (2011) and Dangal (2016) have also benefitted from nostalgia-driven ticket sales. Even modest films, like Rehna Hai TereDil Mein and Laila Majnu, have been given second chances due to the newfound stardom of actors like TriptiiDimri and the loyalty of their niche fanbases.


India is not the only country embracing the power of nostalgia. Classic American films like Home Alone and Jurassic Park have been re-released to strong earnings globally, proving that the appeal of revisiting cinematic favourites knows no borders. Anthropologist Arjun Appadurai, in his 2019 essay The Ready-Made Pleasures of Déjà Vu: Repeat Viewing of Bollywood Films, describes repeat viewings as a sign of “committed connoisseurship.” In Mumbai, the joy of re-experiencing films is often tied to an intellectual exercise, where film buffs savour every detail, relishing in their deep knowledge of the classics.


Bollywood, much like the rest of the world, has embraced this trend not just as a financial opportunity but as a way to celebrate and preserve its cultural heritage. For filmmakers, re-releases are an opportunity to connect with audiences old and new, rekindling interest in films that may have once been overlooked or underappreciated. As theaters across the country screen old favourites, the enthusiasm from audiences young and old alike seems to indicate that this trend is more than just a momentary distraction.


It remains to be seen whether Bollywood’s nostalgia wave will prove to be a lasting force in the industry or a passing fad. For now, it’s clear that re-releases are giving the film industry a much-needed breath of fresh air, and perhaps, a new way forward.

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