What are 10 lesser known facts about Chitrangada Singh?

 

• Chitrangada was born and brought up in Rajasthan. She belongs to a Hindu Jat family. Her father is an army officer and her brother is a professional golfer. Chitrangada was born on August 30, 1976. Surprisingly, she is 41 years at present. She studied at Sophia Girl’s school at Meerut. She graduated in Home Science from Lady Irwin College at New Delhi.

• Chitrangada worked as a model before entering in films. She has acted in several advertisements and endorsed brands such as Alukkas Jewellery and ICICI Bank.

• Chitrangada is also a good dancer. She has received training in classical dance form Kathak. She became popular when she appeared in the musical video of Gulzar known as Sunset Point.

• Chitrangada wanted to become an Air hostess before entering the film industry. However, she was rejected thrice. She first appeared in Hindi films as a special appearance in a song of film ‘Joker’ directed by Shirish Kunder. She has also sang a song in this movie.

• Chitrangada got married to Jyoti Randhawa who is a popular Golfer. However, they got separated in the year 2013. They have filed mutual divorce in 2014. They have a son named as Zorawar. Chitrangada is given the legal the legal custody of their son.

• Chitrangada moved away from films from 2005 to 2008. She returned back with the film ‘Sorry Bhai’ which released during the Mumbai Terror Attack of 2008. It was a flop at the box office.

• Chitrangada is the brand officer of many leading brands such as Garnier, Taj Mahal Tea, Airtel, Aliva crackers, Borges Olive Oil, Parachute, Puma etc. She also endorsed brands such as Tanishq and Titan eye plus.

• Chitrangada won the ‘Best Female Debut’ award in Bollywood in the year 2006. She also won the FICCI Young Women Achiever Award from FICCI. Chitrangada is compared with the Bollywood actress Smita Patel. Both have some striking similarities. She has lot of fan following. It is said that the popular singer Honey Singh had a massive crush on her.

• Chitrangada left the film industry in 2005 after the film ‘Hazaaron Khwaishen Aisi.’ She was not interested to continue in films further. However, she made a comeback in the year 2008.

• Chitrangada maintains a good balance between professional work and personal life. She never lets her work interfere her personal life. She loves spending her weekends in shopping. She is interested in fishing and skydiving. Her favorite actress is Hema Malini, Rekha, and Shabana Azmi. She charged Rs 2 crore per movie.

• Chitrangada is also a brand ambassador for the animal rights and protection organization PETA.

What are some of the lesser known events in Indian History?

 Story of Pandavas's Aagyatvas, when Bheem creates bhim kund.

Bhim Kund, which is located in Bajna village, about 70 km from Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh.

It is said about this Kund that in the Mahabharata period, when the Pandavas were on the Aagyatvas and wandering here and there for water, but they got no water anywhere. Then Bhima made this Kund by hitting the ground with his mace (gada) and quenched their thirst. It is said that this Kund of 40-80 meters is like a Mace(Gada) in view.

It seems quite ordinary to see this Kund, but its specialty will surprise you. It is said about this Kund that whenever there is a natural calamity (flood, hurricane, tsunami) occurring in the Asian continent, the water of the Kund automatically increases.

It is also said that , from the local administration to foreign scientists have tried to find the depth of this mysterious pool, but everyone is disappointed.

It is said that once foreign scientists had sent a camera up to 200 meters underwater to find the depth of the pool, but still the depth could not be found. It is also said about this Kund that its water is as pure as that of the Ganges and it never spoils, while the normally stagnant water slowly starts to deteriorate.

Even today, scientists do not have any answer as to what is the depth of the Kund and whenever a catastrophe is coming, why does the water level of this tank rise?

https://m.patrika.com/sagar-news/bhimkund-amazing-natural-water-tank-and-a-holy-place-of-india-11367/

What are some lesser known stories about Karna?

 on 16th day war, Karna had an edge over Arjuna, after Dushasan's killing. We know that Karna overpowered Arjuna on 17th day of Kurukshetra war. He promised Duryodhan that he will finish Arjuna. He informed his mother too that he will kill only Arjuna. Karna has multiple weapons and mighty Vijaya bow in his hand. Even he got couple of chances to kill Arjuna. But Karna didn't do so. What prevented him?

There is a story that happened during 16th day post the war. Karna had a dream in which he envisioned his guru and asked him to take back the curse he had placed years back. However, Guru rejected his request due to following reasons. In order to protect Arjuna and Dharma, Krishna sought the help of his previous avatar. The avatar Parasurama explained to Karna that if he killed Arjuna, Duryodhana and chaos would ensue. Parashurama asked Karna to accept death and asked him to die at the hands of Arjuna, so that the world might live in peace.

Karna protested to this idea but Parasurama asked this as his Guru Dakshina. Previously, Karna never had a chance to pay his Guru Dakshina; Parasurama never asked for it either. Severely, Parasurama reminds Karna that whatever he became or attained in his life is due to the knowledge he gained from his guru. Karna accepted his guru's words and promised he would never kill Arjuna. Pleased by this offering, the grateful Parashurama blessed Karna with immortal glory and everlasting fame after his death. Thus, Karna never took the kill shot on Arjuna, even though he often had the opportunity to do so.

When Karna's car got stuck in mud, Karna got down from his chariot to free the wheel and he asked Arjuna to wait. Because the Kshatriya dharma says so. But Krishna asks Arjuna to shoot. He reminds of Karna's sin acts when he supported Duryodhan. Arjuna became more furious to kill Karna even when he is unarmed. In this critical situation, Karna didn't give up, he took his bow and fought with arjuna from the ground. Karna defended himself and invoked Rudraastra, hitting Arjuna on his chest. Swooning, Arjuna lost his grip on his Gandiva, which fell down from his hand for the first time. In this situation Karna didn't try to kill Arjuna as per the promise he made to his Guru, but wanted to prove his skills and ability since his meeting with Arjuna from the tournament. Following the rules of engagement of war, Karna did not try to kill the unconscious Arjuna but instead tried to utilize the time in extracting the wheels of his chariot. Arjuna recovered and using the Anjalika weapon, decapitated the weaponless Karna, who was still trying to lift the sunken chariot wheel.

What are some of the lesser known facts about the Indian film director K. Viswanath?

 

• K. Viswanath was an Indian director, screenwriter, dialogue writer, lyricist and actor who predominantly worked in Telugu cinema.
• He was born on 19th February 1930 at his native village, Repalee, which is in the present day Andhra Pradesh.
• His parents were Mr Kashinadhuni Subramanyam and Mrs Kashinadhuni Saraswatamma.
• K Vishwanath finished his intermediate at Guntur Hindu College and pursued a Bachelor of Science from Andhra Christian College which was affiliated to Andhra University.

K Viswanath (extremely left) on film sets

• He never planned to work in the film industry. He aspired to appear in civil service examinations and do an administrative job. He was pursuaded by his maternal uncle to join the film industry.
• Viswanath Garu worked as a Sound Recordist for Vauhini Studios & as an Assistant Director for Annapurna Studios.
• He worked as associate of Indian film director Adurthi Subba Rao before making his own directional debut.

K Viswanath Garu while shooting for one of his films

• In 1965, he made his directional debut with the Telugu film Aatmagouravam starring A. Nageshwar Rao in the lead role. The film won two State Nandi Awards and was a box office hit.
• Apart from direction, Viswanath Garu also contributed as a screenwriter for few other films. He contributed screenplay for films like Sudigundalu & Maro Prapancham.
• He directed many successful mainstream films and established himself as one of the leading directors of his time.

DVD cover of 1976 film Siri Siri Muvva

• His 1976 film, Siri Siri Muvva proved to be the turning point of his directional career. He changed his trajectory and started making films based on Indian fine arts and Telugu Culture.

Sankarabharanam is considered to be a landmark film of Telugu Cinema

• He delivered the biggest film of his career in 1980, Sankarabharanam. It opened to almost empty theatres but gradually became a box office phenomenon through positive word of mouth.
• The title of most of his films after Sankarabharanam started with the letter “S”. He paid tribute to Mother Saraswati through this.

Swathi Mutyam was the first Telugu movie to be sent for Oscar Nomination

• His 1986 film Swathi Mutyam was the first and till date the only Telugu film to be sent as India's submission to Oscars.

(Left to Right) Sirivennela Garu and Veturi Garu were introduced by K Viswanath Garu to Telugu Cinema

• Viswanath Garu is credited for introducing lyricists Veturi Sundararama Murthy and Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry to Telugu Film Industry.

K Viswanath Garu was persuaded by S P Balasubramanyam and Kamal Hassan to make his acting debut

• Viswanath Garu was a great actor! He would often act and explain scenes to actors working in his film. He was pursuaded by S P Balasubramaniam and Kamal Hassan to make his acting debut.

(Left to Right) Kamal Hassan, K Viswanath Garu and Aamani in a still from Subha Sankalpam

• He made his acting debut with the 1995 Telugu film, Subha Sankalpam, which was his own directional venture. It was produced by S P Balasubramaniam and distributed by Kamal Hassan.
• K Viswanath acted in more 30 films in supporting roles. Some of the famous films in which he acted include, Kalisundam Raa, Narasimha Naidu and Uttama Villian.

K Viswanath Garu was also a noted lyricist. He contributed lyrics for two of his own films.

• Apart from directing, screenwriting and acting, he was also a noted lyricist. He wrote the lyrics of two songs, Pattu Chera for Swathi Mutyam (1986) and Kudikannu for Swarabhishekam (2004). Both these films were his own directional.

2010 film Subhapradham was the last directional of K Viswanath

• His last directional was Subhapradham which was released in 2010. Unfortunately, the film performed poorly at the box office.

K Viswanath Garu received Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2017

• K Viswanath was awarded Padmasri in 1992 and the highest cinema award Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2016 for his contribution to Indian Cinema.
• He died at the early hours of 2nd February 2023 at his residence, aged 92. Tragically, he passed away on the day when his magnum opus Sankarabharanam completed 43 years of its theatrical release.

(Photo source: Google)

What are some the least known facts about cricket?

 Some facts which I found interesting are :

1.) THIRD UMPIRE

The first cricketer who was given out by the third umpire (TV replays) was our very own SACHIN TENDULKAR!! It happened during India v/s South Africa game in 1992. Jonty Rhodes was the fielder.

Next day, Jonty Rhodes was run out in a similar fashion by Tendulkar.

Tit for Tat!!

2.) HELMET

The first cricketer who used helmet in international cricket was Graham Yallop (Australia), who used it against West Indies in 1978.

The first Indian cricketer who used helmet was Mohinder Amarnath, who used it against Pakistan in 1982.

3.) CRICKET IN OLYMPICS

Cricket has been a part of Olympics only two times, in the Summer Olympics 1896 and in the Summer Olympics 1900.

In 1896, the event was cancelled due to insufficient number of entries. In 1900, the only match that was played was between Great Britain and France, which was won by Great Britain by 158 runs. Great Britain was given the Gold Medal.

4.) ONE DAY INTERNATIONALS

Geoffrey Boycott was the one who faced the first ball in the history of one day internationals and he was also the first person to be dismissed in the one day internationals.

5.) MANKAD DISMISSAL

This is a special type of dismissal named after Indian bowler VINOO MANKAD in which the non striker batsman can get run out if he leaves the crease before the bowl is delivered.

Few cricketers think that this type of dismissal is against the spirit of the game while others believe that since this is a law of cricket, it is sporting to exercise it.

What are some lesser known facts about Neena Gupta?

 Neena Gupta dated the famous former cricketer Sir Vivian Richards at one point of time.

Their relationship first came into limelight when the duo was spotted outside a club in the city of Kolkata.

[1]

 Neena and Vivian were denied entry into the club for not wearing appropriate shoes suitable for the occasion inside the club.

Neena and West Indies cricketer Sir Vivian Richards' affair became the talking point when they were denied entry in a Calcutta Club for not wearing appropriate footwear.

[2]

 Neena's conjugal affair with Vivian led to the birth of their daughter Masaba Gupta a famous designer of the modern times.

Neena Gupta's live-in relationship with the cricketer became an open secret and the two had a child together in 1989, whom we all know as fashion designer Masaba Gupta today.

[3]

 Neena moved to Mumbai along with her daughter Masaba when Vivian later separated from her and wedded another woman named Miriam.

She was in a highly publicised relationship with former West Indian cricketer Vivian Richards in the 1980s, with whom she has a daughter, Masaba Gupta, a designer. Neena never married Richards and chose to raise Masaba as a single-mother in India. It was at that time she chose to move the family from New Delhi to Mumbai.

Masaba never knew the identity of her father and Neena recalled her experience of the romantic life with Vivian at that point of time.

[4]

 Neena says that it's not easy to get in touch with Vivian who is ever busy with his own life and does not care much for his daughter Masaba.

I told her how her father is not a family man and how he was like this and this. In the beginning, she would feel bad that Vivian was not in touch with her till the age of about 20, but then he got in touch. His problem also is that he is not net savvy and so, it is very difficult to get in touch with him. Sometimes, he would call her on her birthday and sometimes, he would not call for even three years. Sometimes, he would come here and meet and sometimes not. By then, I knew him and how he was.

[5]

 Neena explains that Vivian is not a family man and has a habit of outbursting emotions.

If I told him I needed something, he would go mad finding it to bring it for me, but on his own, he would not bring anything. He is a person who cannot express his emotions. I was in Jaipur watching a match in which he was playing. They lost the match by a run and as a captain, I saw him almost crying and I liked that about him. He is a very nice guy, down-to-earth, disciplined, but you can expect only that much from him. I feel that God gave me my father instead of him.

[6]

 Neena eventually found the love of her life when she married a chartered accountant named Vivek Mehra in a secret ceremony in the United States.

On 15 July 2008, Neena married New Delhi-based Vivek Mehra, a chartered accountant and Partner with PwC India in a secret ceremony in the United States.

Image(s) courtesy: Google

Footnotes

[1] 

Bollywood’s alleged hidden affairs | The Times of India

[2] 

Bollywood’s alleged hidden affairs | The Times of India

[3] 

Neena Gupta - Wikipedia

[4] 

Neena Gupta: I want to tell all women that if you want to live in India and in society, you have to marry - Times of India

[5] 

Neena Gupta: I want to tell all women that if you want to live in India and in society, you have to marry - Times of India

[6] 

Neena Gupta - Wikipedia