#Bollywood Royalty

[theomenmedia]

15 Unknown Facts About Amitabh Bachchan

Dive into 15 fascinating facts about Amitabh Bachchan on his 82nd birthday! From sky-high dreams to Bollywood royalty, thanks to insights from India Today.

Link to the full story: https://www.theomenmedia.com/post/15-fascinating-facts-about-amitabh-bachchan-you-might-not-know

[husn-e-bahar]

Taaz Dusro ke haatho se pehna jata hai

Bahar: "Haath dusre ke hothe hai lekin himmat apni hoti hai"

Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

[thatstolenpayal]

there will never be another devdas again.

[insightfultake]

Copyright Compliance in India's Music Industry Becomes Serious

The popular Bollywood music, which is the food of love in Indian subcontinent has been going through tough times. For the past few years, copyright compliance has been debated hotly in Indian music industry. As the digital revolution begins to alter the landscape of music consumption, the enforcement of copyright laws has become a daunting task. Digital platforms have increased the music accessibility as well as the information that concerns the right of artists and creators....read more

[celtalks]

Bollywood Royalty Goes Incognito: Inside Jaya Bachchan's Secret Instagram Life

Jaya Bachchan's Clandestine Foray into Instagram Universe

In an era where social media is akin to a virtual home, Bollywood's eminent personality and senior actress Jaya Bachchan seems to have joined the digital bandwagon—albeit, secretively. Her grandchildren, Navya Naveli Nanda and Agastya Nanda, alongside daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda, spilled the beans on what can only be described as a covert Instagram operation exclusively earmarked for family. A Social Media Ninja Amongst Us? Diving deep into the realms of the Insta-world without the prying eyes of the public, Jaya Bachchan manages a private account. The revelation came about during a chat on the famous 'What The Hell Navya' podcast. It was confirmed that the celebrated actress, known for her appreciation of privacy, trawls through the grams of her family while keeping her interactions under the cloak of anonymity. The Family-Only Vortex By the sounds of it, matriarch Jaya Bachchan's foray on Instagram isn't about fan engagement but seems more like a digital gathering space for the Bachchan clan. The icon, widely respected for her exquisite acting prowess and parliamentarian duties, has always donated caution to social media platforms. However, curiosity seems to have paved a path for her—albeit strictly as an observer of her kin. This stealth-mode usage aligns with her preference for personal interactions and crafted boundaries that shy away from the public eye. The Tech-Savvy Generation Leads the Way The contemporary winds of her grandchildren, waving through technological expertise, perhaps coerced the seasoned star into the social media waters. Navya Naveli Nanda, the entrepreneurial granddaughter, mentioned that Jaya Bachchan only follows her family members and enjoys a bird's eye view of familial updates. The family evidently maintains a tight-knit social media inner circle, which now includes the veteran actress in its Insta-loop. Unlocking the Essence of Privacy in the Public Sphere Jaya Bachchan's secret Instagram account pays homage to an era that regards privacy as currency. The screen legend's nuanced approach to the modern-day phenomenon of social networking provides a testament to the values of yesteryear—finessing the balance between modernity and tradition. Amid the razzle-dazzle and the invasive nature of fame, Jaya Bachchan steps into the spotlight not through the front door of Instagram, but through its unseen back alleys, choosing to embrace its utilities while keeping her essence untouched. A Mysterious Presence in Plain Sight Amid millions of followers and influencers parading their presence on social media, Jaya Bachchan's discretion serves as a compelling narrative. It echoes the sentiment that even in an open digital society, one can choose the layers of visibility they're comfortable with. While she may not have a public engagement list ticking in the thousands, Jaya Bachchan remains dedicated to what matters most: a grandmother's loving gaze on her family's virtual life. In the bustling world of hashtags and handles, Jaya Bachchan's Instagram account might be as elusive as her renowned on-screen characters; only this time, her audience is exclusively by invitation. Clearly, for some, the allure of social media is not the platform itself, but the connections it allows—one careful double-tap at a time. Read the full article

[kuroananosanji]

Sanji would be such an annoying to watch white lotus female lead in a palace harem drama series. He’s the Mary Sue who’s too naive and kind and lets every other concubine step over him, trusts every woman in the palace he comes across, only wants to cook and feed the mice, gets slapped by a higher ranking concubine because him doing “servant’s work” is unseemly for royalty, gets fed poison weekly because others think he’s pregnant with the emperor’s heir, gets falsely accused and sent to cold palace for 5-6 episodes then gets promoted again, later revealed that he has some royal lineage from a faraway country, somehow becomes top bitch of the harem in the end because he’s too pure and true and kind or something

(This is assuming it’s an all-female harem if there are any male concubines in the mix he’d kick them Bollywood dramatic editing style)

[andiatas]

Opinion piece: It may appear as if she is selling something that is not really hers

The interest and the money are there because she is her father's daughter.

Photo: NTB

Modern royalty is not easy to define. This is partly because it is full of paradoxes.

On the one hand, being royal is deeply personal. It binds a Royal Family together in a way no other families [can] experience. It also means that the royals have to live with a significant interest in who they are and what they think and feel. Who they fall in love with and marry. How they raise their children.

On the other hand, being royal is something very impersonal. You have not become King, Queen, Prince, or Princess because you have achieved something. It's a role you've been assigned through a genetic lottery, and it's a win that brings disadvantages as well as advantages.

Patrick Jephson, who was Princess Diana's private secretary for many years, has written several books about royalty. In his book on Meghan Markle, he points out the importance of distinguishing between the fame you've worked for and the fame you've been born into or married into.

A princess, writes Jephson, will always be listened to. She can say obvious things from a podium, and the applause will faithfully follow. It can be challenging to accept that this goodwill is not really personal. It would be there for anyone who filled the royal role dutifully and kindly.

Jephson's point is relevant to the debate about young royals in general and [around] Princess Märtha Louise in general. There was a reaction when it became known that the Princess and Durek Verrett had sold the rights to their wedding to Netflix and the celebrity magazine Hello.

The two are far from the first famous couple to make such a trade. When movie star George Clooney and lawyer Amal Alamuddin married, they sold the rights to the wedding photos to the British Hello and the American People. The couple made it known that the money would be donated to charity. So did former spouses Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie when they sold their wedding photos to People.

By emphasizing that the money would not go to themselves, the couples also gave the impression that they were selling the rights primarily to retain control over publicity and avoid paparazzi in the bushes rather than to get even richer. Not all brides and grooms with similar deals have been equally generous.

Artist Nick Jonas and Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra also sold their wedding to People. In addition, they received so much sponsorship from commercial actors that their wedding was mockingly called "sponsored content" on social media.

But it causes a stir differently when a Princess does the same thing as movie stars. It has to do with the impersonal part of her position. Unlike the other celebrities, it can appear that the Princess is selling something that is not hers.

The interest and the money Hello is willing to pay are ultimately there because she is her father's daughter.

In the Norwegian royal context, the Märtha case is unique. But in Great Britain, there is a comparable example. When Peter Philips, Queen Elizabeth's eldest grandson, married Autumn Kelly in 2008, he also sold the image rights to Hello.

The Queen was not informed in advance. When she realized what had happened, she must have intensely disliked it. The Daily Telegraph later quoted a source at the Royal Court as saying, "It will never happen again. In retrospect, it should never have happened in the first place."

Princess Märtha Louise is far from the only European royal who creates challenges for her family. Heirs to the throne across Europe have rebellious brothers and sisters who feel they spent their entire upbringing conforming, enduring a distressing attention to many of them.

Several of them, such as British Prince Harry and Danish Prince Joachim, have reacted strongly when they feel that the institution is still trying to control them after they become adults. This is understandable. But like the Norwegian Princess, the royals learn that the gold dust from the castles cannot be completely washed off.

It is not difficult to sympathize with the young royals who experienced growing up under tremendous pressure. The celebrity press can be harsh and harsher in many countries than in Norway, and the style was more invasive in the nineties than today. However, in addition to the disadvantages, royalty brings significant advantages.

Princes and Princesses grow up in a family financed by the public. They experience doors opening for them and invitations pouring in. They regularly have personal meetings with men and women who are changing the world. And they always carry with them something extremely marketable, something many people want a piece of.

This is part of the art of being a modern royal if you don't have a throne waiting. It is a matter of discretion. It's about seeing which doors you can enter and which you should leave closed if you don't want to provoke reactions and make people wonder if this monarchy thing was really such a good idea.

Translation and editing for clarity by me of an opinion piece by Inger Merete Hobbelstad for NRK, published Aug. 30, 2024, at 13:40.

[randomdragonfires]

I LOVED THE LATEST TIME CAN'T STOP ME QUITE LIKE YOU DID!!

I have to ask though. Your take on Alysmond is quite different. How did you come up with it? Like were you inspired by anything at all?

Hello anon! GOSH THANK YOU FOR ASKING ABOUT THIS!

Alys in my head is a woman who is in control of her relationships. She's not as young as Aemond or Wylde, and certainly not as emotionally charged as them. She's had all these moments, and she's on a higher trajectory and level of maturity than both of them.

Regardless, she's still a woman. This means that sometimes, there are flashes of the kind of happiness she has written off, and she hopes against hope that perhaps this will be her time. That's Aemond - and we'll see lots of their backstory in the final chapter. I'm working out the exact scene progression for it now.

As far as inspirations go:

1. If you've read The Secret History, you know that Professor Julian Morrow is an eccentric teacher who lives by the Greco-Roman values he teaches. A lot of who he is is defined by the culture, and he lives a life of culture. He also has ties to aristocracy, royalty, and the rich. Despite not having seen much of Alys in the story yet, I think you'll have to admit that she does cover all the bases.

2. I'm from the South, and we have our own cinema industry here, which is miles ahead as far as quality goes, so I don't usually find a lot of depth in Bollywood. But there is this one movie that I love called Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, where one of the subplots is of a young man meeting a much older, well-read, smart, and sexually confident woman. In their time together, he gets to know more about himself and his feelings in the process. Alys is very much inspired by Aishwarya Rai's (THE QUEEN🛐) character in the film. I've linked the trailer in the title, and you'll see her from the second half of the video. Beautiful movie, if anyone's interested!

3. Now, this isn't a direct inspiration for Alys, but it is for Alys and Aemond's relationship as a whole. Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors is a beautifully written book about a couple with more than 20 years between them. The book follows the ups and downs of a relationship like that and is an interesting study of both characters.

[magicwithineleteo]

bollywood arranged marriage zutara au ~

katara, the princess(?) idk she's royalty or something of the water tribe, is forced to be in an arranged marriage with the prince of the fire nation, zuko. firelord ozai arranged this (for power? it's the only way the fire nation won't eliminate the water tribes, and hakoda is furious at the deal, but katara agrees reluctantly to be the fire prince's wife in exchange for the water tribe's survival.) idk i haven't thought this through.

anyway that's katara learning ab this whole situation, here's katara when she gets married to zuko

i couldn't figure out how to save the picture so i screenshotted it, so here's the website i used <3

anyways her and zuko end up falling in love or something and they defeat ozai somehow

the end !

[theomenmedia]

Ranbir Kapoor Turns 42

Happy 42nd Birthday, Ranbir Kapoor! From star kid to superstar, your journey is our favourite Bollywood tale. Here's to more magic on screen and heartwarming family moments!

Link to the full story: https://www.theomenmedia.com/post/ranbir-kapoor-at-42-a-journey-through-love-legacy-and-laughter

[ceylonolivetree]

There's something so strangely beautiful about platonic soulmates who express romance through their art. This duality, this ability to exist in two different worlds, one of romance in their performances and one of platonic friendship in their personal lives is such a beautiful paradox.

Before I found out about Tessa and Scott, the only pair I knew as a child growing in an Asian household was Kajol-Shah Rukh Khan. Plot twist! They weren't a romantic couple but were platonic partners. Here's a little bit about them before we dive into the fun thread (I don't know what they call 'threads' in Tumblr, I'm a twitter user trying to figure out Tumblr. lol)

Kajol and Shahrukh Khan, a pair synonymous with Bollywood royalty, first graced the silver screen together in 1993 with ‘Baazigar’. Over three decades (30 years), they have starred in seven films, each a testament to their electric chemistry and enduring appeal.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Canada’s cherished ice dancers, began their journey together when she was just seven and he was nine. For 22 years, they glided across the ice carving stories of passion, precision, and grace. Their performances, including two Olympic gold medals, have not only won them accolades but have also captured the essence of a partnership that is both powerful and poetic.

You find your platonic soulmate squishable!

Dancing like, "I think I'm madly in love with you, I'll die for you" when they can't actually wait for it to end to laugh and say, ‘Isn’t it hilarious how everyone think we’re a couple?’

When you know that you and your bestie became that power couple who took figure skating to new heights/single handedly introduced Bollywood to the world. Ufff... when you know you bring people to their feet by maximizing that joint slay!

When you know that your nation literally calls you-all sweethearts and you had an entire nation believe that you are married when in reality she/he was your platonic bestie. Sorry hopeless romantics! I'm new to Scott and Tessa here because I'm not Canadian but trust me, every kid in the 2000s in South Asia grew up thinking that Kajol and Shah Rukh were married. It's so funny that even the costars (who are younger than them) of their last movie too thought that they were married when they were just children watching them on screen.

You find joy in trying to make people uncomfortable and confuse them by telling them, "We're not a couple!" for the millionth time because people refuse to believe that you're not in love with him/her. It was probably exhausting for them to answer that question, but I think a part of them enjoyed the mystery that their relationship created in the minds of people.

When you get a sweet little kiss from your bestie who is pretending to be your girlfriend.

Let's be goofy!

When you know that you still love him/her even after all those years and even though you don't perform together. Reunions are always sweet!

You are so annoying, but I love you!

For those who have no idea about Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol (especially if you aren't Asian), I would love to recommend 'My name is Khan' , Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and of course the iconic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.

Bonus: For all the desi girls and boys who were fooled by them!

[taara-singh]

Blockchain takes Bollywood by storm

Did you know, there is an ensuing legal battle between a major Hollywood production company and a near bankrupt Indian movie maker on copyright infringement? The story plot revolves around a telephone booth. Guess the name of both the movies and leave it in the comments below.

Up until now, rights and royalties have always been a truly manual process - requiring stakeholders on both ends to manage letters of perpetual ownership, sustainable source approvals that validate the use of intellectual property within the recording (with piles upon piles paperwork confirming your stake) with high risk for errors or disputes at every level. Media asset management is a major issue in movie industry. Movie, music, a script, distribution rights including the proceeds for streaming or airplay are all subject to lease and sale agreements in contracts that quickly get out of hand. This complexity often leads to slow payments for artists, producers and other stakeholders.

Blockchain to the Rescue

Technology consulting companies like Brane Enterprises, Accenture, IBM provide custom solutions built on blockchain technology to enable digital transformation. This technology is an innovative approach based on the decentralized and nonadjustable nature of the ledger, can provide an effective solution to the problems of managing the rights to media assets. With the help of blockchain, all the processes related to operations with media assets can be registered safely and transparently. This is helpful in allowing all the stakeholders to refer to a common source of information, thereby reducing conflicts and inaccuracies.

Recently, a traditionally operated production company based in Hyderabad adopted services offered by Brane Enterprises to create a media assets rights management solution. It details that the production house has lowered its administrative expenses, gained much quicker and reasonably precise royalty payments, and diminished conflicts regarding media asset ownership.

The Future of Blockchain in Bollywood

Given the brilliant outcome of s blockchain implementation in media asset rights management concerning Bollywood, other areas in the entertainment industry may pursue similar strategies. As more organizations get a chance to taste the future through the management of rights on the block chain, it becomes the new norm not only for Bollywood but also other film industries in the rest of the world.

[deepikapadukone23]

Deepika Padukone: A Journey from Badminton Court to Bollywood Royalty

Early Life and Family Background

Deepika Padukone, born on January 5, 1986, in Copenhagen, Denmark, to Ujjala and Prakash Padukone, is a name that resonates with grace, talent, and charisma. Her father, Prakash Padukone, is a former badminton champion, and it was this sporting background that initially shaped Deepika's life. She excelled in badminton during her school years, even playing at the national level. However, destiny had other plans for her.

A Foray into Modeling and Acting

Deepika's striking looks and natural elegance soon caught the attention of the fashion industry. She began her career as a model, appearing in various print and television commercials. Her most notable early success was being chosen as one of the Kingfisher Calendar models, which catapulted her into the limelight.

The transition from modeling to acting was a natural progression for Deepika. In 2006, she made her acting debut in the Kannada film Aishwarya. The following year, she made her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the blockbuster Om Shanti Om. Her performance as "Shantipriya" earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut, marking the beginning of a glorious career.

Career Milestones and Major Achievements

Deepika's journey in Bollywood has been nothing short of spectacular. She has delivered a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Some of her most notable performances include:

Cocktail (2012): Deepika's portrayal of the free-spirited "Veronica" marked a turning point in her career, establishing her as a leading lady in Bollywood.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013): Her chemistry with Ranbir Kapoor in this romantic comedy was adored by audiences, and the film became a massive hit.

Chennai Express (2013): Deepika's comedic timing shone in this action-comedy alongside Shah Rukh Khan, further solidifying her star status.

Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013): Her performance as "Leela" in this tragic romance earned her critical acclaim and several awards.

Piku (2015): Deepika's nuanced portrayal of a modern, independent woman dealing with her father's eccentricities won hearts and awards alike.

Bajirao Mastani (2015): Her role as the warrior queen "Mastani" in this historical epic showcased her acting prowess and earned her another Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

Padmaavat (2018): Deepika's regal portrayal of the legendary queen "Padmavati" was both powerful and inspiring.

In addition to her Bollywood success, Deepika made her Hollywood debut in 2017 with the action film xXx: Return of Xander Cage alongside Vin Diesel.

Deepika's achievements extend beyond acting. She is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and has founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation to address mental health issues in India.

Personal Life

Deepika's personal life has often been in the spotlight. She has been open about her struggles with depression and has used her platform to raise awareness about mental health. In 2018, she married actor Ranveer Singh, and their wedding was a grand affair that captured the nation's attention.

Notable Facts

Deepika Padukone is the daughter of badminton legend Prakash Padukone.

She started her career as a model and appeared in several commercials before venturing into acting.

Deepika is the recipient of numerous awards, including three Filmfare Awards.

She is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and has founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation.

Deepika made her Hollywood debut in 2017 with the film xXx: Return of Xander Cage.

She married actor Ranveer Singh in 2018.

For more detailed information about Deepika Padukone's life and career, you can refer to her Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepika_Padukone

Deepika Padukone's journey from the badminton court to Bollywood royalty is an inspiring tale of talent, determination, and the pursuit of dreams. She is not just an actress; she is a role model who has used her platform to make a positive impact on society. With her grace, beauty, and acting prowess, Deepika continues to reign as one of Bollywood's most beloved and respected figures.

[thekatebridgerton]

Have you ever thought about a Kanthony (and others) re-incarnation au. I'm thinking a Housefull 4 style bridgerton fic starring Kanthony, Benophie and maybe Polin. Housefull 4 is a bollywood comedy gold. Surprisingly it's without any angst that u expect of reincarnation tropes. But maybe we can have some angst if someone decides to make a fic out of it 🤞. Anyway if someone does decide to make one I will recommend watching the movie first or look at the plot on wiki for the main gist of the story. U know I got this idea because of the spider scene (equivalent to the bee sting according to me) in the movie so like we can have Kanthony as Madhu n Bala (eldests), Benophie as Meena n Dharmputra, n Polin as Mala n Bangdu.

Thank you for listening to my mumbling 😊.

i've said it before and I'll say it again: people in Tumblr have good taste. So guys, if you haven't seen Housefull 4. Go watch it, it's an awesome movie and it deserves a shoutout. And the funny thing is that I did see the movie a long time ago. But I thought that it would be a great twist if the girls were the ones having the big problem making the guys remember their past lives. So anon, I know this take on the movie isn't what you asked for but bear with me.

So in 1813 you have Queen Violet ever despairing on marrying off her three rakish sons. And then there's Kate, Sophie and Penelope. Who for one reason or another love these three idiots. first there is Kate, Minor indian royalty, princess Kate was vanished from her father's court because of a tiny disobedience (staging a coup to put Edwina on the throne is not a tiny disobedience Kathani Sharma) so she is kind of scheming to marry Anthony and become the future Queen. So she can return home with something to show for it.

Anthony's second brother, Benedict, is desperately inlove with his sister's ladies maid/bodyguard, Sophie. Who has saved his life more times than he can count. And finally, Colin, ever the young prankster. Is inlove with the court lead gossip maker. Miss Penelope aka notorious scandal mongrel Lady Whistledown.

Kate and Anthony fell inlove, and together they also worked very hard to unite Benedict and Sophie against those who opposed their class difference, and defended Colin and Penelope's choice to be together despite Lady Whistledown's reputation. BUT on the day the three of them were going to get married. Someone bombed the cathedral. And the three couples died.

Back in the present Kate Sharma is a down on her luck photographer working too many jobs who accidentally gets in trouble with the Indian Mob and has to pay back a sum that seems astronomical, or work for the mob for life. Well, never let it be said that Kate doesn't know how to scheme her way into the lives of the rich and famous. Her boss Lady Danbury sets her and her two best friends up with the sons of a super rich business' woman, who need convenient wives that don't mess on their style ( in exchange for a few favors after the girls are officially Bridgertons. ) Penelope and Sophie have agreed to help Kate pay back the money to the mob and well, at least the guys are handsome.

Everything is going swimmingly, the three couples are getting along well, at least until Kate visits the Bridgerton family cemetery with her new fiancée and starts getting flashbacks of her past life...

Here's the thing... In this life, she is sort of going to marry the wrong brother!! oh no, Kate needs to help her friends remember their past lives too. She doesn't want to get married to Colin, or let Sophie marry Anthony, also she's pretty sure that if Penelope knew she's getting hitched to the same Benedict who was head over heels for Sophie in their past life, she would die of embarrassment.

Now all Kate has to do is help her friends and their husbands remember their past life. Reconnect with her husband who doesn't know she's his wife because he thinks she's the gold digger who is putting the moves on Colin. Somehow figure out why they all reincarnated AND find out who bombed the cathedral in 1813.

Easy peasy right?

[celtalks]

"From Dazzling Launch to Bumpy Ride: 'Fighter' Battles Box Office Odds with Bollywood Royalty at the Helm"

  'Fighter' Faces Box Office Turbulence After Week One

In the glitzy galaxy of Bollywood, when stars as luminous as Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone unite, fireworks are expected. But, like a jet caught in an unexpected storm, their latest release 'Fighter' has encountered a rough patch at the box office.

Unpromising Numbers

After a stellar takeoff, 'Fighter' seems to be grappling with a cruel gravitational pull. The day 7 earnings report plots a downtrend, with the film gathering a modest ₹6.35 crore, as against the anticipated windfall. It's a sign that turbulence has hit the high-flying action spectacle, leaving fans and makers equally pensive. In the throes of commerce, 'Fighter' has been struggling to flex its box office muscles, despite the leading pair's commendable star power and undeniable chemistry. The genre, one that has friends and foes exchanging dramatic blows amidst high-altitude drama, was expected to pack a punch. However, the film's descent on the earnings chart seems faster than its action-packed sequences could scaffold.

Comparative Perspective

It's not all gloom though. When matched with its competitors in the ring of box office collections, 'Fighter' hasn't lost its footing altogether. Hope flickers as the lights aren't dimming out irrevocably, with each day presenting a potential for resurgence—a second wind that could see the film soar to its expected majesty.

Audience's Verdict

Tickling the sensibilities of the audience is no child's play, and 'Fighter' learns this the hard way. Moviegoers are discerning patrons, their applause hard-earned. The plummeting numbers are perhaps spelling out a critique in silence, with box office earnings holding up a mirror to a film's soul. Is 'Fighter' resonating with its intended audience, or is it missing the mark? The coming weeks will tell a more detailed tale.

Forward March?

The journey ahead for 'Fighter' is twined with questions. Will it climb up the ranks or continue to be hemmed in its current downtrend? As it stands, optimism is tempered with caution, the path ahead wary and watchers of Bollywood drama keenly observant. Like any good fight, the outcomes are unpredictable and the contenders dogged. For Roshan and Padukone, this might just be another scene in an oeuvre of hits and misses. The real challenge? To whisk away the clouds of doubt and naysaying, to yet again emerge as darlings of the silver screen. Theirs is a tale of tenacity, so count them out at your own peril. That said, 'Fighter', with its star-studded cast and adrenaline-inducing premise, is on a journey it didn't chart for itself. As the film's fate continues to hang in the balance, the only certain thing is that in the combat of box office earnings, only time will reveal the true victor. Read the full article

[classicschronicles]

Hi lovelies,

A few days ago this new Bollywood movie called Pathaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan and John Abrahams, came out and so obviously I HAD to go and watch it. But fun fact about me is that I am literally a melting pot of different cultures. My dads family are Indian-Kenyan. My mums family were initially (back in the 5th-7th century) a family of Jewish royalty in what is now Afghanistan (which is actually pretty cool). They converted to Islam some time later and became part of a very particular Afghani tribe called the Pathaan (also another reason I had to watch this movie). Over the course of the next few centuries they migrated from Afghanistan to India, before being forced into Pakistan because of colonialism. Throughout all of this, my mums branch of the Pathaan tribe stuck together and so even still, my mum’s family in pure Pathaan, but I’m only half Pathaan because my mum married out. However, me being me did some deep diving into this because it’s actually pretty cool that my family tree can be traced back that far. Okay so at this point you’re probably wondering how on earth this related to Classics, but I found out that the Pathaan langue (Pashto) is actually about 2500 years old, which makes it about the same age as Latin and therefore a classical language! And so today I thought I would tell you a little bit about Pashto.

The Pashto language belongs to the Indi-Iranian language family and is mainly spoken by the ethnic communities of Afghanistan and western provinces of Pakistan, which is partially inhabited by Pashtuns (aka Pathaan’s). It is also still the native language of the indigenous Pathaan people. The language is said to have originated in the Kandahar district of Afghanistan and is said to be one of the two national languages (the other being Dari, a Persian language).

The vocabulary of Pashto has actually not been borrowed or derived from other languages, which is extremely rare for any language still spoken in a modern setting. Many of its lexis do, however, relate to other Eastern Iranian languages such as Pamir and Ossetia.

The exact origin of the Pashto language and the Pathaan tribes are unknown, but the word ‘Pashto’ derives from the regular phonological process. Nevertheless, the Pathaan are sometimes compared with the Pakhta tribes mentioned in Rigvenda, around 1700-1100 B.C., apparently they are the same people that the Greek historian Herodotus referred to Paktika (a northern province in Afghanistan). However, this comparison appears to be due in large part to the apparent similarity between their names, despite the fact that etymologically it can’t really be justified. But there are some archeological compilations and historical data and so the majority of researchers now believe that the Pashto language is around 25000 years old.

Herodotus also mentions the Paktika ‘Apridai’ tribe but it is unknown what language they spoke. However, Strabo (who lived between 64 B.C. and 24 C.E.) suggests that the tribes inhabiting the lands west of the Indus River were part of Ariana and to their east was India. Since about the 3rd century B.C. and onwards from that, these tribes were mostly referred to by the name ‘Afghan’ (or ‘Abgan’) and their language as ‘Afghani’.

Many historians and scholars believe that the earliest piece of written Pashto work dates back to the 8th century. However, a lot of history outside of the western empires lacks the same clarity and information and so even this is highly disputed. However, during the 17th century, Pashto poetry became very popular amongst the Pathaan.

To be honest, there isn’t a whole lot of information on the Pashtun language or the origin of the Pathaan, other than that they have been around since the B.C. But it’s pretty cool to me that my families culture has such a long history. This entry was pretty special to me so hopefully you all enjoyed it and I hope you all have a lovely rest of your weekend!

~Z