top of page

By:

Rajendra Pandharpure

15 April 2025 at 7:55:54 pm

Pune’s drought could dry up business

Water rationing threatens to hit the city’s wedding industry, construction sector, retail trade and livelihoods. Pune : Pune is beginning to feel the economic sting of drought. A 10 percent cut in the city’s water supply has already been implemented, and the municipal administration has indicated that the reduction could rise to 20 percent or more over the next two to three months. What appears at first to be a water-management crisis could soon become a wider economic problem, affecting...

Pune’s drought could dry up business

Water rationing threatens to hit the city’s wedding industry, construction sector, retail trade and livelihoods. Pune : Pune is beginning to feel the economic sting of drought. A 10 percent cut in the city’s water supply has already been implemented, and the municipal administration has indicated that the reduction could rise to 20 percent or more over the next two to three months. What appears at first to be a water-management crisis could soon become a wider economic problem, affecting businesses, construction activity, employment and household budgets. The Pune Municipal Corporation has begun shutting off the water supply every Thursday. Swimming pools and vehicle-washing centres have been closed, while the use of water for construction has been prohibited. The state government has directed the civic administration to ensure that the reserves in the Khadakwasla dam chain, which supplies Pune, last until August 2027. The challenge could become more acute in the months ahead. Meteorological experts have forecast a milder winter and significantly higher temperatures this year. If these predictions hold true, increased evaporation could place further pressure on the city's water reserves, potentially necessitating stricter rationing. For residents accustomed to a relatively abundant water supply, cuts of 20 percent or more would demand a substantial adjustment in daily life. Intense Pressure The economic consequences are beginning to emerge. The closure of vehicle-washing centres has deprived young people employed in low-skilled jobs of their livelihoods. Swimming-pool closures have similarly affected security guards and lifeguards. These may appear to be small, isolated losses, but they expose a larger problem: when water-intensive businesses are forced to shut down, the burden falls disproportionately on workers with few financial reserves and limited employment alternatives. The impact could spread to Pune’s lucrative wedding industry. The wedding season traditionally gathers momentum after Tulsi Vivah in the month of Kartik, generating business worth more than Rs. 200-250 crore. Pune has long attracted affluent families from outside the city who prefer its venues and facilities for wedding celebrations, partly because of its historically reliable water supply. Persistent restrictions could undermine that advantage. Wedding venues, caterers, hotels and other service providers depend on a dependable water supply to operate. If rationing becomes more severe, organisers may reconsider their choice of venue, while businesses could face higher operating costs and disruptions. An industry that generates substantial seasonal revenue also supports a network of workers and small enterprises, making the potential economic fallout wider than the immediate loss of bookings. Rural-Urban Connection Pune’s commercial fortunes are also linked to the health of the rural economy. A good agricultural harvest typically improves rural incomes, supporting spending on goods and services in urban markets. When farm earnings weaken, that spending tends to contract, affecting traders, retailers and other businesses. If rural incomes remain subdued, the city’s commercial sector could face an additional headwind at a time when water scarcity is already threatening business activity. The interaction between agricultural distress and urban water shortages could therefore deepen the economic slowdown. Construction presents another major vulnerability. Like many large cities, Pune depends heavily on real estate and infrastructure development to sustain economic activity and employment. Construction projects generate demand across a broad network of industries, from building-material suppliers and transport operators to contractors and daily-wage workers. A prolonged restriction on construction-related water use could delay projects, raise costs and disrupt work schedules. If projects stall, the effects will extend beyond developers to workers, suppliers and businesses that depend on the real estate sector. Rising Inflation For ordinary citizens, the prospect of tighter water rationing comes amid an already difficult cost-of-living situation. Food and restaurant prices have risen sharply. A cup of tea now costs more than Rs. 30, while a serving of idli-sambar can exceed Rs. 90. Even street food, traditionally an affordable option for working people, has become increasingly expensive. These prices illustrate the pressure on household budgets, particularly those of workers whose incomes have not kept pace with rising costs. If water shortages push up operating expenses for restaurants, caterers and other businesses, consumers could face further increases. The extent of any additional price rise will depend on how severe and prolonged the restrictions become. The working class is particularly exposed. Workers in vehicle-washing centres, swimming pools, construction and allied services may lose income precisely when everyday necessities are becoming more expensive. Unlike larger businesses, many such workers have little capacity to absorb a prolonged interruption in earnings. Pune’s immediate challenge is to conserve enough water to carry the city through the coming months. Yet the implications of the drought extend well beyond household taps and civic supply schedules. Trade, real estate, hospitality and seasonal businesses all depend, directly or indirectly, on the availability of water. The two sectors facing particular uncertainty are trade and real estate. The former could suffer from weaker consumer spending and disruptions to commercial activity; the latter could be affected by restrictions on construction and the risk of project delays. The consequences would be felt across employment and the wider urban economy. Pune’s residents and businesses have not had to contend with water cuts of 20 percent or more on a sustained basis. Adapting to such restrictions will be difficult, especially if temperatures rise and the drought persists.

Kashmir Reframed: Through Bollywood’s Lens

Writer: Shoma A. Chatterji
Shoma A. Chatterji
Jun 28, 2025
3 min read

Kashmir’s cinematic journey, from Bollywood’s favourite dream destination to a backdrop of conflict and politics, reflects India’s changing relationship with the valley.

Remember the scenic charm of Shakti Samanta’s Kashmir Ki Kali, with Sharmila Tagore’s Bollywood debut opposite the playful Shammi Kapoor? Or Raj Kapoor’s Bobby, which launched Rishi Kapoor and the stunning Dimple Kapadia, becoming the biggest box office hit of the year? Or perhaps Fitoor, Abhishek Kapoor’s adaptation of Dickens’ Great Expectations, starring Tabu, Aditya Roy Kapoor, and Katrina Kaif?


These films offered more than just cinema; they sold romance, music, dance, and dreams to many of us who longed to visit Kashmir and instead enjoyed the journey through the silver screen.


Kashmir has long been a dream destination for global travellers and a favourite of Bollywood filmmakers, who often saw its landscapes as a box office guarantee. Locations like Gulmarg, Pulwama, Srinagar, and Pahalgam have featured in some of Indian cinema’s most visually stunning scenes. Both classic and modern films have captured the valley’s beauty, making it the ideal backdrop for timeless romantic moments.


Junglee (1961) is said to be the first film to capture Shammi Kapoor’s musical romance and iconic “Yahoo!” shout—later inspiring the name of the search engine. It also marked Saira Banu’s striking debut opposite Kapoor’s comic charm, a pairing fondly remembered by many in their fifties and sixties today.


The 1965 hit Jab Jab Phool Khile, starring Shashi Kapoor and Nanda, tells the story of a poor Kashmiri boatman who falls for a wealthy tourist. Its melodious songs, composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, made it a box-office success in India and even in countries like Algeria, Morocco, Libya, and Marrakesh. While filming in Srinagar, a lieutenant colonel from Maharashtra reportedly fell for Nanda and asked director Suraj Prakash to relay a marriage proposal to her mother, which was declined. The film ran for 50 weeks and celebrated its golden jubilee.


By the time Kunal Kohli directed Fanaa (2006), Kashmir’s cinematic role had shifted. No longer just a romantic backdrop for songs and family drama, it increasingly became a setting for stories of terror, violence, and conflict, reflecting a politically charged narrative aimed at thrilling audiences.


Aamir Khan shed his romantic hero image to play a cold-blooded terrorist who kills his lover’s father without hesitation. The role—torn between love and a rogue nuclear bomb—could have harmed his screen persona, but didn’t. His strong performance, paired with memorable songs and Kashmir’s backdrop, fuelled the film’s success. Though romance takes a back seat to the terrorism plot, the two remain deeply intertwined.


A few years before Fanaa, Mission Kashmir (2000) had its own memorable moment during filming. Journalist Anupama Chopra, wife of director Vidhu Vinod Chopra, recalled that when Hrithik Roshan arrived in Kashmir in late 1999, his debut Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai hadn’t been released, so no one recognised him. On his first day in Srinagar, dressed as a Kashmiri militant, security mistook him for a local due to his fair complexion and blocked his entry. Weeks later, the film’s release on 14 January 2000 made him an overnight star.


Rewind to 15 August 1992, when Mani Ratnam’s landmark Roja was released. Initially planned for Kashmir, security concerns and terrorism forced the team to shoot in lookalike locations—mainly Manali, with additional scenes in Coonoor and Ooty.


Written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri, The Kashmir Files tells a different story, depicting the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus after killings by Pakistan-backed terrorists. The reception was mixed—cinematography and performances were praised, but the film faced criticism for distorting history and promoting Islamophobia. Supporters, including Prime Minister Modi and BJP ministers, said it highlighted a neglected part of Kashmir’s past. However, screenings across India saw hate speeches and calls for violence against Muslims. Despite claims of political commitment to the Pandit cause, the film plays more like a monologue-heavy drama than a documentary, especially through a JNU student character whose research is never explained.


In his Al Jazeera article The Dangerous ‘Truth’ of The Kashmir Files (13 April 2022), Sanjay Kak—a Kashmiri Pandit and director of the documentary Jashn-e-Azaadi—recounts screening hurdles in several cities. He notes that days after the film’s release, Prime Minister Modi urged BJP MPs to watch it, saying it revealed “the truth that was suppressed for years.” Kak argues this endorsement marked the beginning of significant political capital being invested in the film and its contested narrative.


Place this alongside Sudip Sarkar’s Yahaan (2005), a romantic war drama about a Kashmiri girl and an Indian army officer amid Kashmir’s violence. It reminds us that Bollywood hasn’t wholly surrendered to films promoting violence and hate rooted in uncontrollable realities like birth, which we have no control over.


(The author is a film scholar. Views personal)

Comments

bottom of page