top of page

By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Commercial LPG 'evaporates' in Maharashtra

Mumbai : The short supply of commercial LPG cylinders turned ‘grim’ on Wednesday as hundreds of small and medium eateries – on whom the ordinary working Mumbaikars depend on for daily meals – shut down or drastically trimmed menus, on Wednesday.   With an estimated 50,000-plus hotels, restaurants and small food joints, the crunch is beginning to be felt severely, said Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) vice-president and Hotel and Restaurant Association Western...

Commercial LPG 'evaporates' in Maharashtra

Mumbai : The short supply of commercial LPG cylinders turned ‘grim’ on Wednesday as hundreds of small and medium eateries – on whom the ordinary working Mumbaikars depend on for daily meals – shut down or drastically trimmed menus, on Wednesday.   With an estimated 50,000-plus hotels, restaurants and small food joints, the crunch is beginning to be felt severely, said Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) vice-president and Hotel and Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI) spokesperson Pradeep Shetty.   “We are in continuous touch with the concerned authorities, but the situation is very gloomy. There is no response from the Centre or the Ministry of Petroleum on when the situation will ease. We fear that more than 50 pc of all eateries in Mumbai will soon down the shutters. The same will apply to the rest of the state and many other parts of India,” Shetty told  ‘ The Perfect Voice’ .   The shortage of commercial LPG has badly affected multiple sectors, including the hospitality and food industries, mass private or commercial kitchens and even the laundry businesses, industry players said.   At their wits' ends, many restaurateurs resorted to the reliable old iron ‘chulhas’ (stoves) fired by either coal or wood - the prices of which have also shot up and result in pollution - besides delaying the cooking.   Anticipating a larger crisis, even domestic LPG consumers besieged retail dealers in Mumbai, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, Akola, Nagpur to book their second cylinder, with snaky queues in many cities. The stark reality of the 12-days old Gulf war with the disturbed supplies has hit the people and industries in the food supply chains that feed crores daily.   “The ordinary folks leave home in the morning after breakfast, then they rely on the others in the food chain for their lunch or dinner. Many street retailers have also shut down temporarily,” said Shetty.   Dry Snacks A quick survey of some suburban ‘khau gullies’ today revealed that the available items were mostly cold sandwiches, fruit or vegetable salads, cold desserts or ice-creams, cold beverages and packed snacks. Few offered the regular ‘piping hot’ foods that need elaborate cooking, or charging higher than normal menu rates, and even the app-based food delivery system was impacted.   Many people were seen gloomily munching on colorful packets of dry snacks like chips, chivda, sev, gathiya, samosas, etc. for lunch, the usually cheerful ‘chai ki dukaans’ suddenly disappeared from their corners, though soft drinks and tetrapaks were available.   Delay, Scarcity  Maharashtra LPG Dealers Association President Deepak Singh yesterday conceded to “some delays due to supply shortages” of commercial cylinders, but assured that there is no scarcity of domestic cylinders.   “We are adhering to the Centre’s guidelines for a 25 days booking period between 2 cylinders (domestic). The issue is with commercial cylinders but even those are available though less in numbers,” said Singh, adding that guidelines to prioritise educational institutions, hospitals, and defence, are being followed, but others are also getting their supplies.   Despite the assurances, Shetty said that the current status is extremely serious since the past week and the intermittent disruptions have escalated into a near-total halt in supplies in many regions since Monday.   Adding to the dismal picture is the likelihood of local hoteliers associations in different cities like Pune, Palghar, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and more resorting to tough measures from Thursday, including temporary shutdown of their outlets, which have run out of gas stocks.

Political Biopics: Public Sentiment and Shifting Audiences

Updated: Nov 12, 2024

Political Biopics

In India, few topics evoke as much passion as cricket, politics, and films. Conversations on any of these can transform an acquaintance into a friend or a rival. Since 2014, however, even casual debates on these subjects often take on a political shade, with opinions quickly labelled as pro or anti-establishment. This is especially true for the film industry, which now explores previously 'untouchable' themes and crafts biopics on major political figures. Yet, as Maharashtra and Jharkhand prepare for elections, it's evident that these films aren't just cinematic ventures—they're reflections of societal and political sentiments.


A surge of recent films focused on political personalities has hit the screens, with varied receptions from the audience. Biopics like Sangharsh Yoddha Manoj Jarange Patil, which centres on the life of activist Manoj Jarange Patil, and Yek Number, inspired by the public persona of MNS chief Raj Thackeray, are among them. Despite their timely release ahead of state elections, the reception has been lukewarm.


The Marathi play Mala Kahi Tari Sangaycha Aahe—Eknath Sambhaji Shinde is another politically inspired piece, presenting CM Eknath Shinde in a positive light. Veteran theatre personality Ashok Samel, who brings this play to life, describes it as a “very positive” portrayal of Shinde’s character. Yet, like other recent films and performances, hope this play will turn the table and turns to be hit.


Earlier, in May 2022, Dharmaveer, a biopic on Anand Dighe, the charismatic Shiv Sena leader, received substantial attention just before Eknath Shinde's defection from the Shiv Sena. Released at a politically charged time, Dharmaveer resonated with audiences and presented Shinde and his associates positively, offering a glimpse into the intricate connections between cinema, politics, and public sentiment. Its sequel, Dharmaveer 2, delves deeper into Dighe's life and influence, attempting to connect past political legacies with present dynamics.


When examining the mixed success of political biopics on figures like Narendra Modi, Indira Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Lal Bahadur Shastri, a pattern emerges. Despite their appeal and the public’s respect for these figures, the box-office results have often been underwhelming.

The audiences for such films seem scattered, rather than concentrated, affecting ticket sales. Critics suggest a different release strategy could yield better results, with limited screenings that create exclusivity and attract dedicated viewers.


The challenge in crafting a successful political biopic may lie in accuracy and evidence. Audiences demand not just storytelling but an adherence to documented truth. The 1982 Hollywood film Gandhi serves as a case in point.


Today’s filmmakers may well need to look to Gandhi for inspiration. By grounding stories in verifiable events and making them relatable, they could bridge ideological divides and capture the public’s attention. As Indian cinema continues to venture into political territory, the challenge will be to offer authenticity and relevance, reflecting not only the lives of prominent leaders but also the public’s complex relationship with them.


(The author is a communication professional. Views personal.)

Comments

bottom of page