Sabbir Khan, known for mass-appealing action entertainers like Heropanti (2014), Baaghi (2016) and Munna Michael (2017), switched genres with the supernatural psychological thriller Adbhut, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Diana Penty and Shreya Dhanwanthary. At a time when films often skip a theatrical release and premiere directly on streaming platforms, Adbhut took an unusual route. It first premiered on television before finally arriving on JioHotstar on Friday, October 9. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Sabbir Khan opened up about the unconventional release strategy, the film's delay, its casting and a lot more. How was your weekend? Did you receive encouraging feedback for Adbhut? The weekend was great. Since it was an unusual film from my end, I was bombarded with messages. People couldn't believe that I had made it! If I hadn't told anybody that I was the one who made it, they wouldn't have believed it (laughs). But overall, the feedback has been good. It's doing very well on JioHotstar. It's the number one film on the platform right now. What was the reason behind the film premiering on television first and then arriving on OTT? The film was supposed to come out in 2023-24. It first premiered on SET Max, and I think the only reason it got delayed was because Sony and Zee were supposed to merge. That took a year and a half to get sorted, after which the merger eventually didn't happen. But all's well that ends well. The film got picked up by JioHotstar and found its home. I am grateful to JioHotstar for picking it up. It's a great platform to be on. Did you ever consider releasing Adbhut in cinemas? The way it has been shot, it actually has big-screen appeal... I made this film with Sony Pictures. When they saw the finished product, they wanted to release it in theatres. But post-pandemic, films weren't doing that well theatrically. So, there was a lot of deliberation over whether or not we should release it in cinemas. As you rightly said, anybody who saw it instantly felt that it was made for the big screen. Also, I was thinking ahead of the curve. When I conceptualized the film, it was way ahead of the whole horror wave that we are witnessing right now. At present, everybody wants to make a horror film! Unfortunately, Adbhut didn't come out at the time it was supposed to. However, I guess everything finds its place at the right time. Films like Adbhut often receive an 'A' certificate. Hence, was it a pleasant surprise when the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) passed it with a U/A certificate? It's a story that lends itself to the kind of genres we love watching at home, be it supernatural, crime, mystery or horror. However, most people tend to make A-rated horror films. I asked myself, 'What if I make it more story-centric?' Moreover, this is not a film with typical jump scares or Ramsay-type ghosts! So, we kept it more psychological. That worked, as we didn't get a single cut. We received a clean U/A certificate. It's a film that you can watch with your family without having to cringe, as it's not excessively dark or scary. The casting is quite strong. Were Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Diana Penty and Shreya Dhanwanthary your first choices? Yes, they were all pretty much my first choices. I had already worked with Nawaz in Munna Michael. We share a comfort level, and he's a phenomenal actor. I hadn't worked with the other actors before. But when I met Shreya and Diana, there was an instant connection. You sometimes meet actors and instinctively feel that you're on the same page. I had great meetings with both of them and also with Rohan Mehra. They responded to the material exactly the way it was written. That made things easier. The same camaraderie continued during the shoot, and we had a great time on the sets. Adbhut marked your second collaboration with the late Vikram Gokhale after Nikamma (2022). How was your bond with him? Also, did he get to see the film before his demise? Vikram ji saw the film when he dubbed for certain portions. He wasn't keeping well and was in Pune. So, I sent my team there to get his dubbing done. I feel fortunate that I got the chance to work with him before he passed away. He was an institution in himself. Apart from being an actor, he was also a very prolific writer and director. He had such a rich background in theatre that, for us filmmakers, even getting a few pearls of wisdom from people like him means a lot. Hence, for me, working with him was a great experience. Also Read: New poster of Nawazuddin Siddiquis horror-thriller Adbhut unveiled, set to release on Sony Max on September 15
Pune water cut: PMC orders weekly supply cut from Oct 15 as El Nio looms
Pune ordered a citywide water supply shutdown every Thursday and banned the use of drinking water for construction and vehicle washing as the state prepares for prolonged water stress
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 13: Anshul Singhal, a real estate veteran with over two decades spent building institutional platforms, has launched Vantrock Real Assets Private Limited (VRAPL), an operator-led real assets platform focused initially on warehousing, industrial and logistics parks. The Mumbai-headquartered platform plans to foray into the development of approx 11.5 million sq. ft., representing a gross development value (GDV) of approx INR 4,200 crore (approx USD 434 million) on completion. Of the INR 4200 crore development plan, the first approx 3 million sq. ft., valued at approx INR 1,100 crore (approx USD 113 million), will be located across the National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru and Pune. The construction starts in 2027, with the first rental income targeted 2028 onwards. Land for these projects is at the advanced stages of negotiation, documentation, and/or regulatory approvals. The rest of the plan consisting of ~8.5 million sq. ft. sits acros...
Seek resignation of Union Minister Pralhad Joshifor inviting them to New Delhi for a meeting, and failing to listen to their grievances
A Bengaluru woman sparked debate after calling it an ick when a man asked to split their first-date bill. Pune techie Kunal Gandhi offered a different perspective, recalling how his now-wife paid when he forgot his wallet on their first date at CCD. He said she refused repayment, and their relationship blossomed. Ten years later, they still enjoy coffee dates, while netizens debated dating etiquette and who should pay.
Sugarcane Farmers Block Highways in Karnataka, Demand Higher Prices
Protests were reported from Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura and Dharwad districts, disrupting traffic on key highways, including the Pune-Bengaluru route and National Highway 50 near Nidagundi
Vantrock to invest 3,000 cr in 4 yrs to build logistics, warehousing parks
Vantrock Real Assets will invest over Rs 3,000 crore over the next four years to develop industrial, logistics and warehousing parks across major cities, amid strong demand from light manufacturing, e-commerce and third-party logistics firms. The Mumbai-based company, in a statement on Tuesday, said it would focus initially on warehousing, industrial and logistics parks. It aims to develop 11.5 million sq ft area over the next four years, representing a gross asset value of Rs 4,200 crore on completion. The initial projects, covering 3 million sq ft, will be located in Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Pune. Later, the company will enter Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Anshul Singhal, a veteran in the real estate sector with over two decades of experience, has set up his own venture, Vantrock Real Assets Pvt Ltd. Every good industrial and warehousing park in this country is full, and the new ones are being built an hour or more away from where the customer's business is. We are going the
Pune Water Cut: Who Will Be Affected, PMC's Direction To Citizens And How To Report Supply Problems
The main reason for the water cut is to conserve water amid concerns about lower than usual reserves, rainfall uncertainty and possible drought conditions.
Kolte-Patil sales rise 52% in Q2 FY27 despite softening housing demand
The Pune-based developer reported Q2 FY27 sales of Rs 1,019 crore, up 52 per cent year on year, and added six Mumbai redevelopment projects with an estimated gross development value of Rs 6,000 crore
Vantrock Real Assets plans Rs 3,100 cr investment in warehousing, logistics parks
Vantrock Real Assets plans to invest Rs 3,100 crore to develop 11.5 million sq ft of warehousing and industrial assets across key Indian markets, targeting Rs 4,200 crore in gross development value. Initial projects spanning Pune, Bengaluru and NCR will begin construction in 2027, with rental income expected from 2028, amid India's growing Grade-A warehousing supply shortage.
Spinny delivers 1,370 used cars on Navratri day 1, sets new record: Founder and CEO Niraj Singh
Spinny said it recorded its highest-ever single-day car deliveries on the first day of Navratri. The company delivered 1,370 vehicles, reflecting a significant increase compared to the previous year. Pune was the leading city for deliveries, followed by Delhi-NCR and Maharashtra. Half of the car buyers opted for financing, and many vehicles had only one previous owner. Women represented 18% of buyers, with a notable 29% in Bengaluru.
Why 7-Eleven's India ambitions faltered despite Reliance Retail partnership
7-Eleven has shut its remaining 31 stores in Mumbai and Pune after its five-year franchise partnership with Reliance Retail ended
What is the electoral roll cyber scam in which a 79-year-old Pune man lost 11.92 lakh?
The case raises questions about how banking credentials were compromised and whether personal information associated with electoral applications was obtained through phishing or other means
Pune Techie Dies By Suicide, Alleges In-Laws Wanted Her Salary, Flats In Note
The woman's family alleged that she had been under pressure to hand over her entire salary, transfer her parental home's flat to her mother-in-law's name, and purchase a flat worth Rs 1 crore for her father-in-law.
PRNewswire Pune (Maharashtra) [India], October 13: Panchshil has announced the final results of its first-ever participation in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) 2026. Of the three Panchshil Office Park entities assessed, EON Free Zone I and II ranked 1st with a 5 Star rating, World Trade Center, Pune and Vantage ranked 3rd with a 5 Star rating, while Tech Park One and Panchshil Business Park East ranked 8th with a 4 Star rating among the Indian peer group that includes established Indian real estate organisations with prior GRESB participation. GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) is a leading global ESG benchmark for the real estate sector, covering areas that include ESG governance and management, energy, carbon, water, waste, stakeholder engagement and environmental performance. GRESB 2026 Results Commenting on the results, Ms. Resham Chordia, Director at Panchshil, stated, Our first participation in GRESB marks an important milestone in the ev...
Kolte-Patil Developers Q2 sales bookings rise 52% to record 1,019 crore
Kolte-Patil Developers Ltd on Tuesday reported a 52 per cent growth in sales bookings to Rs 1,019 crore in the July-September quarter on better demand for its housing projects. Its sales bookings stood at Rs 670 crore in the year-ago period. In a regulatory filing, the company reported its highest-ever quarterly sales of Rs 1,019 crore in the July-September period of 2026-27 fiscal, up 52 per cent year-on-year. For the first half of this fiscal, sales bookings reached a record Rs 1,636 crore, up 27 per cent from Rs 1,286 crore in the year-ago period. Hrishikesh Parandekar, Chief Executive Officer, Kolte-Patil Developers, said, Our robust performance in Q2 and H1 FY27, with record quarterly and half-yearly sales and strong collections, reflects the resilience of our business. The company saw strong sales in new projects and also sustained sales across its ongoing projects, he added. While demand has softened in the near term across the broader market, particularly in Pune, we
More Maharashtra talukas now show shrinking groundwater, soil moisture falls too
FIR against Pune police constable, aide for threatening & demanding Rs 5 lakh from grocer
Man in Punes Sus mediating financial dispute between 2 friends killed in billhook attack
Worker dies after falling off bridge while fleeing two men in Junnar
Teacher, manager of a private English-medium kindergarten booked for locking student in washroom
PFRDA eyes private sector employees to drive NPS subscriber growth to 40 crore
Many BLOs skip home visits, senior citizens sweat it out
Once-a-week supply cut begins this Thursday as PMC scrambles to conserve water till next monsoon
6-year-old girl dies after motorcycle hits tractor trolley in Pimpri
Maharashtra contractors threaten statewide stir on Oct 19 over pending dues, suicides
Punes ancient Bolhai Mata and Taljai Mata temples mark Navaratra with unique rituals, social welfare
CET centres may be linked to college PIN codes to curb malpractices
PMCs new tanker points stuck in pipeline, pushing rollout till next summer
MSRTC plans publicity push as Swargate-NMIA bus service gets poor response
Gyanesh Kumars resignation not enough, scrutiny of entire poll process required: Supriya
GE Aerospace aims to double India sourcing to $400 million in four years
GE Aerospace intends to increase its supply chain investments in India to $400 million annually by 2030. The company aims to expand its procurement from existing suppliers and add new components to its sourcing network. GE Aerospace operates in India for over four decades with key facilities in Pune and Bengaluru. Indian airlines have placed significant orders for aircraft, increasing demand for engines in the coming years.
PMPML bus breakdowns surge to 22k till Sept, surpass 2025 tally
Stellantis and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles broaden partnership to develop vehicles in Pune
This partnership builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February 2026 and marks an important expansion of the companies long-standing strategic partnership
GE Aerospace to boost India supply chain spending to $400 million by 2030
The company apart from having a manufacturing facility in Pune and a technology centre in Bengaluru
India's Aviation Sector Attracts Major GE Aerospace Investment
GE Aerospace is set to significantly increase its supply chain spending in India, targeting USD 400 million by 2030, up from USD 200 million in 2025. This expansion reflects the company's commitment to India's burgeoning aviation market, driven by substantial aircraft orders and the strategic importance of its manufacturing and technology centres in Pune and Bengaluru.
Veteran Marathi Actor Madhu Kambikar Dies At 73 In Pune
Over a career spanning more than four decades, she made significant contributions to Marathi folk arts, theatre, films and television
SPPU LLB Result 2026 Out - Check Third Year Result Online @ unipune.ac.in
SPPU has released the Third Year LLB (2017-2023 Mixed Pattern) (N+2+1) Summer Session 2026 result on 12 October 2026. Find the official result link, how to check it, and what to do next.
MPSC row: Rahul Gandhi says Vivek Bhimanwars exit will lead to corruption probe
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi described the development as a victory for students, young people and the Satyagraha movement, following an 11-day protest by MPSC aspirants in Pune over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations
Who is Madhu Kambikar? Veteran Marathi actress dies at 73 after pro-longed illness
Veteran Marathi actress Madhu Kambikar died in Pune at the age of 73 after a prolonged illness. She was known for her extensive work in Marathi cinema and traditional folk performances. She suffered a stroke in 2016, which severely impacted her health and led to her being bedridden for several years.
Orthopedics for Arthritis Day: Advancing Joint Care and Improving Mobility
Dr. Narendra Vaidya, Chairman and Chief Joint Replacement Surgeon at Lokmanya Hospital, Pune, shares insights on arthritis management, joint replacement, and improving mobility and quality of life.
Dalit youth alleges loss of job in U.K. due to caste discrimination by Pune college
Maharashtra Government sends chairman Vivek Bhimanwar on compulsory leave
Maharashtra government has sent MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar on compulsory leave until an inquiry into the alleged paper leak case is completed. The decision follows an 11-day protest by aspirants in Pune, who have provisionally suspended their agitation
Maharashtra: Tukaram Mundhe named secretary to panel to overhaul MPSC amid protests
MPSC aspirants protesting in Pune have called off their 11-day agitation after the Maharashtra government agreed to appoint senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe as secretary of the inquiry commission set up to investigate alleged irregularities in Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) recruitment examinations.
Nana Patekar funeral: Actor Pravin Tarde slams Bollywood's absence
Marathi actor and filmmaker Pravin Tarde has slammed Bollywood celebs for not attending Nana Patekar's last rites in Pune's Donje. He added that several farmers from across the state showed up, which shows Nana's greatness
Paper leak issue: MPSC Chairman Bhimanwar goes on leave, Pune protesters call off stir
Digital Desk | Mumbai/Pune, Oct 12 (IANS) In a major development surrounding the alleged Maharashtra Public Service Commission paper leak controversy, MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar has announced his decision to proceed on leave until the state-ordered judicial inquiry into the matter is completed. The decision came around 1.24 a.m. on Monday, after the Maharashtra government, late Sunday night, constituted an inquiry panel. It appointed senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe as its Secretary to thoroughly overhaul the Commissions examination processes and investigate allegations of paper leaks and administrative irregularities. Following these dual announcements, competitive exam aspirants in Pune called off their 11-day-long street protest. In his post on X, MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar emphasised his commitment to transparency and administrative integrity. The state government has announced a judicial inquiry into the MPSC paper leak case. Throughout my entire life, I have always prioritised ethics. Therefore, I have decided to go on leave during this period instead of continuing to serve in the post until this inquiry is completed. The autonomy, credibility, and interests of students of the MPSC have always been my priority, and they will continue to be so in the future. Jai Hind! Jai Maharashtra, he said. The decision came following a marathon midnight meeting between state Public Works Minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale, political leaders, and a delegation of protesting students. In a gesture of goodwill after the breakthrough, the protesting aspirants applauded and expressed gratitude to the police officers deployed at the site. Minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale, along with leaders like MLAs Rohit Pawar and Vishwajeet Kadam, held extensive positive discussions with the students, assuring them that the state stands with them. To address systemic flaws and recommend comprehensive administrative reforms in the MPSC, the state government has proposed a high-level inquiry and review committee headed by former Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Justice Dilip Bhosale. The Committee's members include Former Justice P.D. Naik, Senior Administrative Officer Tukaram Mundhe (who will also serve as the Committee Secretary), Retired Secretary Ganesh Patil and Inspector General of Police Lakhmi Gautam. The committee has been tasked with studying structural flaws in MPSC operations and submitting a detailed reform report within two months. Thousands of competitive exam candidates, under the banner of various student rights organisations, had been staging demonstrations near Navi Peth and SM Joshi Bridge in Pune for over a week. With the government conceding to key demands, including setting up an independent probe and the step-down of top leadership, the agitators announced late Sunday that the protest stands temporarily suspended. NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who participated in the protest alongside the students, welcomed the government's concessions. While maintaining that the primary demand was the Chairman's resignation, he stated that the government ultimately met the core demands and successfully established a high-level committee to overhaul the commission. Speaking to the media, Rohit Pawar remarked, Although it was delayed, the government has accepted the students' demands. While our primary demand was a resignation, keeping the students' examinations in mind, we decided to suspend the agitation. This victory belongs to the unity of the students. He also announced that he will now proceed on a tour of drought-affected regions in Vidarbha. Rohit Pawar acknowledged that while the government did not force an immediate resignation -- sending Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar on leave instead -- they stepped back significantly to meet the students' grievances. The children took one step back, but the government took ten steps back, he noted. He praised the unprecedented solidarity shown by aspirants in Pune, alongside leaders and supporters like Pramod Patil, who backed the movement. He emphasised that the administration has been given a strict timeframe to implement improvements, warning that accountability will remain a priority.
MPSC paper leak: Chairman Bhimanwar sent on compulsory leave, students suspend protest
The Maharashtra government has sent Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar on compulsory leave until the completion of the inquiry into the alleged paper leak case, following an 11-day-long protest by aspirants in Pune, demanding his resignation. The decision marks a significant development in the agitation led by NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar at the S M Joshi Bridge in Pune. The protesting students have provisionally decided to suspend their agitation following the government's decision. State Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale met the protesting aspirants and announced that cases registered against students in connection with the agitation would be withdrawn. He also assured them that strict action would be taken against those found guilty in the MPSC paper leak case. Speaking to ANI after his meeting with MPSC (Maharashtra Public Service Commission) aspirants, Maharashtra Minister Shivendraraje Bhonsle said, A positive stance regarding the MPS...
MPSC paper leak protest ends in Pune
Maha govt names Tukaram Mundhe as secretary of committee to overhaul MPSC
The Maharashtra government on Sunday formed a committee to overhaul the state recruitment body MPSC, naming FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe as secretary, amid an ongoing agitation by aspirants in Pune. The decision was conveyed by state minister Shivendraraje Bhosale, who met the aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge, where the protest has been underway for the past ten days, over various demands, including reforms in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). Other than Muhdhe, the committee will have ex-judge Dilip Bhosale as its chairman, IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, ex-IAS officer Ganesh Patil and retired judge P D Naik. Bhosale also told the protesters that their other demands would be addressed. These included the withdrawal of cases against some representatives of the agitation, recruitment to 70,000 posts over three years, an increase in the number of seats in the Group C examination scheduled for January, and background checks on the chairman and secretary of the MPSC before the
Protests against SIR-CEC intensify, several detained in Mumbai, Pune
MPSC chairperson Bhimanwar sent on leave; Tukaram Mundhe appointed secretary of inquiry panel
Maharashtras Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram teams pioneer early medical care for kids
Tickets worth Rs26,740 stolen from Swargate PMPML bus depot
Renting a dandiya partner could prove costly for youngsters
Three days after disruption, restoration of traffic signals in Pune still underway
BNY and Cummins College launch Shakti Alliance to advance women in technology
Phule-Ambedkarite movement intellectuals to be honoured in Pune on Monday
Upskilling, creativity key to staying relevant in AI era, says Achyut Godbole
Three-day Technology and Innovation Conference AWTIS 2026 concludes in Pune
In Pune, Navaratra becomes a celebration of cultures, traditions and togetherness
CJP chief Dipke alleges Delhi Police wanted to torment parents at 3:30 am
Abhijeet Dipke criticized Delhi Police for contacting his parents about his arrest after his grandmother's death. He claimed the police's actions showed a lack of humanity and compassion during a difficult time. Protests erupted in Mumbai and Pune, with political leaders demanding the release of detained demonstrators. Aaditya Thackeray and Amit Thackeray confronted police vehicles to request the release of arrested protesters.
Cybercrooks use fake SIR form to dupe senior citizen of 8L
Pune police crack down on youngsters protesting Special Intensive Revision on 2nd day
City schools use AI to tailor lessons & rethink assessments
Worried about drowsy cabby, passenger takes the wheel on Mumbai-Pune Expressway
Tukaram Mundhe named secretary of committee to overhaul MPSC amid protests
The Maharashtra government has established a committee to reform the Maharashtra Public Service Commission. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has been appointed as the secretary of the committee. The committee includes notable members such as ex-judge Dilip Bhosale and IPS officer Laxmi Gautam. Protests by MPSC aspirants in Pune have demanded various reforms, including the recruitment of 70,000 posts. The government is also addressing additional concerns raised by the protesting aspirants.
Jaandaar wins Villoo C Poonawalla Pune Derby (Gr 1)
Jaandaar (Vivek G up), kept his date with destiny at the Pune racetrack on Sunday
Jaandaar lives up to the billing in the Pune Derby
How Mother's Recipe Went From A Pune Wada To Homes In 42 Countries
The company started with a tobacco business and later expanded to several other sectors, including food processing.
Nana Patekar death: Final post-mortem report out, rules out foul play
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 11 (IANS) The final post-mortem report in the death case of veteran actor Nana Patekar has clarified the cause of death to be natural. A team of doctors at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bambolim, in its report, has clarified that his death was a natural death, caused by a massive heart attack. It was confirmed by the Goa Police to IANS. As per the police, the family has also been informed about the report and the family has also agreed to the medical report and has not raised any objection so far. As per the final post-mortem report by GMC, the blood supply to the heart was stopped due to a blood clot in the main coronary artery, which led to a cardiac arrest. At around 2:30 am on October 8, the actor informed his family friend about his ill health on WhatsApp, after which he was brought to Manipal Hospital, Dona Paula, where doctors declared him dead even after about 45 minutes of CPR . For the unversed, the Panaji police had registered a case of unnatural death under section 194 of the BNSS under UD No. 62/2026. Now that the post-mortem has confirmed natural death and ruled out any foul play by son Malhar Patekar and nephew Prasad Patekar, the case will be closed soon. The late actor Nana Patekar was cremated with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje in Pune district on Thursday. The actor was given a 3-gun salute. The late actors friends and members of the film fraternity including Jackie Shroff, directors Anil Sharma, Aneez Bazmee, and producer Firoz nadiadwala arrived at Donje village to attend the last rites of Nana Patekar. A huge crowd also turned up to bid adieu to the departed soul. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also paid his last respects to Nana Patekar at Pune airport before leaving for Mumbai. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde went to the actors Pune farmhouse to pay his respects.
Pune: Man posing as Election Commission official cheats 80-year-old of Rs 5 lakh
An 80-year-old retired employee in Pune allegedly lost Rs 5 lakh after a fraudster posing as an Election Commission of India official asked him to update his voter card. Police said the accused used an APK file to access his mobile screen and compromise his banking credentials
Bellona Hospitality eyes 100 restaurants, Rs 650 crore revenue by FY30
The company operates a portfolio of six brands - Ishaara, Dobaara, Cha Hongkong Eating House, Eight, Allora Milano and Legume - across Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Lucknow.
Pune octogenarian loses Rs 5 lakh in voter card updating scam; accused posed as ECI official
Digital Desk | Pune, Oct (IANS) A person posing as an official of the Election Commission of India (ECI) cheated an 80-year-old man of Rs five lakh online under the guise of updating his voter card in Maharashtra's Pune, police said on Sunday. A case regarding this incident has been registered at the Lakshminagar Police Station in Pune. According to the police, the complainant, Kanjasheri Vaidyanathan Venkatesan (80), is a retired employee of an automotive manufacturing company, residing in the Yerwada area of Pune. The accused called him, claiming to be from the ECI's office, and stated that he needed to update his voter card. Subsequently, the accused instructed him to download an APK file. After the file was downloaded, the accused gained access to the victim's mobile screen, compromised his banking passwords, and fraudulently siphoned off Rs. 5 lakh. A case has been registered at the Lakshminagar Police Station under Sections 308, 318(4), and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Sections 66(D) and 66(C) of the IT Act. The full name and address of the accused have not yet been ascertained. Investigation into the case is currently underway, and further details are awaited, officials said. In a similar case reported from Pune in June, a retired IT professional was allegedly duped of more than Rs 4.43 crore by fraudsters posing as investment experts on WhatsApp and Telegram. The accused reportedly lured the victim with promises of extraordinary returns through stock market investments and displayed fictitious profits worth over Rs 26 crore on a fake online trading platform before demanding additional payments in the name of service charges. According to the complaint, the accused repeatedly instructed him to transfer funds into various bank accounts for investment purposes. Believing the investment opportunity to be genuine, Chaudhary allegedly transferred a total of Rs 4,43,25,000 from his IDFC Bank account into 34 separate bank accounts over a period of time. Encouraged by the displayed returns, the complainant sought to withdraw the amount. However, according to the complaint, the accused informed him that withdrawals could only be processed after the payment of a service charge equivalent to five per cent of the displayed profits. The victim was allegedly informed that a payment exceeding Rs 1 crore was mandatory before any withdrawal request could be processed and that no amount would be released without the service charge being deposited first. It was at this stage, according to the complaint, that the victim began to suspect that he had become the target of a sophisticated fraud scheme.
Delhi Police arrest 13 for gambling; seize over Rs 2 lakh cash
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) The Delhi Police have apprehended 13 people after busting an illegal gambling racket and seized Rs 2,01,000 in cash, 416 playing cards, and 2100 poker tokens and chips in Shahdara district, officials said on Sunday. According to the police, Special Staff, Shahdara District, received specific information on October 10 about alleged illegal gambling at the premises. A raiding team comprising Sub-inspectors Subash and Vishal Rana, and head constables Ravi, Paramvir and Rajender acted on the information. Further, the team reached the alleged location at 3.20 a.m. and conducted a raid. During the raid, the 13 people were found allegedly indulging in gambling using playing cards, cash, and poker chips. The apprehended persons were identified as Rajesh Oberoi, 37, a resident of Ram Vihar; Amrik Singh alias Lucky, 33, of Radhe Shyam Park Extension; Shubham, 29, of Uttaranchal Vihar in Ghaziabad; Sohail, 38, of Old Govindpura in Jagatpuri; and Gurpreet Singh, 28, of Hargobind Enclave in Anand Vihar. The others were identified as Rajeev Kumar Verma, 49, of Madhu Vihar; Vimal Kumar, 42, of Krishna Nagar; Laksay Sharma, 25, of Sunny Enclave in Anand Vihar; Pradeep Kumar, 40, of Ganesh Nagar; Omprakash, 56, of Laxmi Nagar; Mahender, 46, of Guru Ramdas Nagar in Laxmi Nagar; Puneet Kumar, 47, of Laxmi Nagar; and Samardeep Singh, 46, of Pandav Nagar. The police seized Rs 2,01,000 in cash, 416 playing cards and 2,100 poker tokens or chips during the raid. Each token or chip was stated to have a value of Rs 1,000. The accused were booked under sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Delhi Public Gambling Act in FIR number 355/2026 on October 10. Further investigation is underway to establish the complete facts and circumstances of the case and ascertain other relevant aspects of the alleged gambling activities, the police said in a statement issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rajendra Prasad Meena. The police said they remain committed to taking firm and sustained action against illegal gambling and other unlawful activities in the district. Special drives and intelligence-based operations will continue to maintain public order and ensure strict enforcement of the law, the statement mentioned.
Unique tumour removal on pet a first in India: Veterinarian
Jaandaar for Villoo C Poonawalla Pune Derby (Gr 1)
The Earthlight - Dance Awhile three-year-old Jaandaar will be the most fancied runner for the Villoo C Poonawalla Pune Derby (Gr 1) on Sunday
Sarhad to establish school in Kashmir to honour Nana Patekar
Srinagar, Oct 10: Sarhad, a Pune-based organisation working in Kashmir for more than four decades, has announced plans to establish a school in the Valley in memory of late actor Nana Patekar, in recognition of his affection for Kashmir and his vision of contributing to the education of children in the region. According to a press release issued by Sarhad, Patekar had envisioned working for schoolchildren in Kashmir and had taken initial steps towards realising the initiative. We, Mayur Masurkar, Zahid Bhat, Salim Raina and Raju Farande, had personally met and discussed this initiative with Nana Patekar and Malhar Patekar. We are confident that Malhar Patekar and his associates will make every effort to fulfil Nanas dream following his untimely demise. As a tribute to the legendary actor and his deep affection for Kashmir, Sarhad has also resolved to establish a school in his name, Zahid Bhat said. As part of the initiative, Zahid Bhat and Salim Raina, coordinators of Sarhad in Kashmir, have expressed their willingness to offer their own land for establishing the proposed school. The organisation has been working in Kashmir for over four decades and currently runs two schools in the regionone in Dardpora village of Kupwara district and the other in Aragam village of Bandipora district. The proposed school is intended to honour Patekars association with Kashmir while carrying forward his vision of contributing to the education and future of children in the region. The announcement was made by Zahid Bhat and Salim Raina on behalf of Sarhad through a press release issued on Saturday.
Nine transsexuals booked for robbing transgender person of 6.7L
At 35.9C, city logs hottest Oct day in 22 years
Solapur farmer, 2 aides cheat trustee of 87L on 50cr loan promise
Fire breaks out in a 22nd-floor flat at Balewadi
Run for Unity Marathon on Nov 1, Mohol expects over 40k participants
Citizens forum to protest noise norm violations during Ganeshotsav
Peak power demand soars on heat & drought, 32,507 MW on Oct 7 highest so far this month
