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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

International flights from July 1

Mumbai: Mumbai’s rapidly expanding second aviation hub may be preparing for its biggest operational leap yet. International flight operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) are tentatively expected to commence from July 1, according to sources familiar with the development, although details regarding participating airlines, destinations, and flight frequencies are still being finalized. If the timeline materializes, the move would mark a significant milestone for the greenfield...

International flights from July 1

Mumbai: Mumbai’s rapidly expanding second aviation hub may be preparing for its biggest operational leap yet. International flight operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) are tentatively expected to commence from July 1, according to sources familiar with the development, although details regarding participating airlines, destinations, and flight frequencies are still being finalized. If the timeline materializes, the move would mark a significant milestone for the greenfield airport, which has already witnessed sharp growth in domestic passenger traffic within months of beginning operations on December 25, 2025. Aviation industry observers believe the introduction of international services could substantially accelerate traffic redistribution across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region while easing pressure on the heavily congested Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). Sources indicated that discussions are underway with multiple carriers regarding slot allocation and operational readiness. However, officials maintained that the July 1 date remains tentative and subject to regulatory clearances, airline preparedness, and completion of final operational protocols linked to immigration, customs, and international passenger handling systems. The expected rollout comes at a time when NMIA is already demonstrating strong operational momentum. Airport officials said the facility is currently handling more than 148 air traffic movements (ATMs) daily, translating into approximately 20,500 passengers every day. Around 10,500 of these passengers are outbound travelers, reflecting growing demand from flyers increasingly shifting to the new airport. Officials noted that the airport’s traffic growth has been accompanied by relatively stable operational performance. According to airport authorities, on-time arrivals currently stand at 96.4%, while on-time departures are recorded at 86.7%. Industry experts say such figures are considered robust for an airport still in its initial expansion phase. The proposed international launch is also expected to strengthen NMIA’s role in Mumbai’s broader aviation ecosystem. Industry stakeholders believe airlines may initially deploy short-haul Gulf and Southeast Asian routes from the airport before gradually expanding to longer international sectors depending on passenger response and bilateral slot availability. Officials have previously projected that NMIA could eventually handle nearly 50,000 passengers daily, more than double its current throughput. Analysts say the commencement of international operations could significantly accelerate that target. Experts believe international connectivity could now become the airport’s defining next phase. “Domestic operations established the airport operationally, but international flights will determine how quickly NMIA evolves into a true global gateway,” an aviation consultant said. Passengers, meanwhile, are expected to benefit from reduced congestion, shorter turnaround times, and modern terminal infrastructure. With CSMIA operating under significant slot constraints, NMIA’s emergence is increasingly being viewed as essential to sustaining Mumbai’s long-term aviation growth.

‘Maharashtra Epstein Files’ to hit screens on Oct 2

Mumbai: Come October 2, Maharashtra’s dark secrets known to the Nashik Bhondubaba, Capt. Ashok Eknathrrao Kharat – currently in custody - may now explode on the silver screen.

 

A prominent film director Swaroopp  B. Sawant has announced a new Marathi crime thriller, “Maharashtra Epstein Files” which threatens to rip open the sleazy and exploitative world of Kharat before it started crumbling in March when his murky deeds tumbled into the public domain.

 

An online poster release proclaims the film – presented by Jain Film Production and Matoshri Entertainment World - which has triggered a political quake even before the cameras start rolling in June.

 

Well-known actress and Shiv Sena leader Deepali Sayed claimed today that “political pressures have already started building” on her. “Some women leaders called me up and warned me against playing the role of Rupali Chakankar. This could destroy my political career, and they asked me to wait and reconsider,” said Sayed in a social media post on Thursday.

 

Unfazed, Sayed said she will meet Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde, but is determined to act in the film after studying the role and characterization.

 

The film is being produced by Devendra Bhat, Suryakanth Bhunde and Prashant Kadampure, while Sagarkumar S. Jain is the story writer with screenplay and dialogues by Sanjay Navgire.

 

The director Swaroop B. Sawant was more forthcoming and appeared passionate about the upcoming venture.

 

“This is a fictional film inspired by certain contemporary events. The purpose of the film is to break myths surrounding the fake godmen who exploit people. We aim to shatter ‘andhashraddha’ perpetrated by such elements and promote ‘shraddha’ (faith),” Sawant told The Perfect Voice.

 

He said Sayed will portray the role of the controversial Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Rupali Chakankar, but the plum role of Kharat to be essayed by a big name from Bollywood, which will be revealed next month.

 

“The film will have most other characters played by Hindi film actors… It will convey a social message of ‘Karma’ which  catches up with all. It shall have other popular ingredients of a masala movie – an item number featuring a Bhondubaba gyrating with a nautch girl, a love song on the 'original whistle-blower' and his wife, plus other songs,” smiled Sawant.

 

Hit Poster 

While the film and its fate after the release coinciding with Gandhiji’s birth anniversary is awaited, the eye-catching promotional poster has already become ‘superhit’ in the industry and social media.

 

It shows a mysterious man standing with his back turned, hands clasped behind him and gripping bundles of Rs. 500 notes. He is dressed immaculately in kurta-pyjama and a half-jacket, giving an impression of being a respectable person. However, the yellow crime-scene tape criss-crossing his image gives away the real story.

 

On a wall ahead in a dimly-lit room - akin to a police lockup - are cryptic photos with ‘?’ marks, others referring to ‘Nashik’ and ‘Bhondubaba’, a copper water vessel, a glass of ‘cutting chai’, a bottle of ‘Elish Honey’ (allegedly hawked by Kharat for lakhs of rupees to his unsuspecting victims), and ironically a bookshelf complete the promos.

 

Aking to its tagline – “Now, Everything Will Be Exposed” – but without taking any names, the film poster is like a one-image trailer that vows to yank the curtains off a shocking nexus of blind faith, political power, money muscles, women’s exploitation and social influence, unmasking many a bigwigs.

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