VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Haryana Police Constable PMT Admit Card 2026 released, schedule issued for May 5-9 test: Direct link Tara Sutaria to make Cannes 2026 debut amid ‘Toxic The Fairytale For Grown Ups’ global buzz – Report After 20,000-plus layoffs, how Oracle’s ‘promise’ to Sam Altman is hurting banks across America, including JPMorgan NEET UG 2026: NTA warns of strict cut-off time, issues advisory for Dubai, Sharjah centres Beau Starr passes away at 81; Known for ‘Halloween’ and Martin Scorsese’s ‘Goodfellas’ IPL 2026 | ‘I had planned beforehand’: CSK youngster Kartik Sharma recreates MS Dhoni’s ‘gunshot’ celebration vs Mumbai Indians May 03, 2026, 08:27 IST MI IPL 2026 playoff qualification scenarios: Time is running out for Mumbai Indians after Chepauk collapse NEET UG 2026 exam today: NTA shares last-minute advice and strict entry guidelines ‘Dhurandhar 2’ box office collection day 45: Ranveer Singh’s film eyes Rs 1790 cr globally amid ‘Raja Shivaji’ haul 4 dead as fire breaks out in four-storey building in Delhi’s Shahdara ICAI releases CA exam schedule for September-November 2026; check dates here Rajpal Yadav calls Michael Jackson a ‘true wonder’ after watching biopic ‘Michael’; channels his inner MJ in latest post What outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook and new CEO John Ternus said about ‘working under’ Steve Jobs NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party and Election Commission after fresh polling was announced in the Falta assembly constituency following reports of “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process” during the second phase of polling on April 29.Reacting to BJP leader Amit Malviya’s social media post on X, the TMC MP from Diamond Harbour challenged “Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang” to contest from Falta.”Ten lifetimes won’t be enough for your Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang and their stooge Gyanesh Kumar to put even a dent in my DIAMOND HARBOUR MODEL. Bring everything you have got. I challenge the entire Union of India–Come to Falta,” Banerjee wrote in a social media post on X.”Send your strongest, send one of the godfathers from Delhi. If you have got the nerve, contest in Falta,” he added.The poll body on Saturday announced A repoll in Falta on May 21, with counting on May 24.BJP’s co-incharge of West Bengal, Amit Malviya, had alleged that voters were prevented from choosing the party candidate at several polling booths in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency during phase two of the assembly elections.Buttons were defaced with black masking tape and ink, affecting 60 of 285 polling stations — 21% of the constituency. These booths accounted for 53,967 voters (22.8% of the 2.36 lakh electorate).“This compromised the integrity of recorded votes and made it impossible to ascertain the mandate,” EC said, adding gaps in video footage meant similar tampering elsewhere in Falta could not be ruled out.This is first time in Bengal where a full assembly constituency will go to the polls after the declaration of results. In India, only Bihar had the precedence. EC said an inquiry into complaints found widespread tampering of EVMs at multiple booths.Meanwhile, tension flared in Hasimnagar, a locality within Falta along the Hooghly river corridor, where villagers alleged threats from associates of TMC candidate Jahangir Khan.Police observer Ajaypal Sharma, a DIG overseeing Diamond Harbour subdivision on the city’s southern fringe, rushed to the area as residents complained of inaction.Security was stepped up with deployment of state police and central forces. EC later ordered the arrest of two of Khan’s aides, Izrafil Chokdar and Sujauddin Sheikh. The countermanding removes Falta from Monday’s count, tightening focus on the remaining seats that will determine the next govt.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123Photostories10 beautiful and unique baby girl names with the letter “S”’The Devil Wears Prada 2′: Emily Blunt’s most iconic momentsMorning affirmation at 5 am: Affirmations that help you hear yourselfFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil Show5 things to think about before breaking upBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missing123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap ‘Jana Nayagan’ leak impact: Vijay’s film faces Rs 70 cr loss; OTT value drops sharply – Reports ‘KD – The Devil’ box office collections day 3: Dhruva Sarja and Sanjay Dutt film drops over 40%; Collections fall on Saturday 21-year-old UP woman burnt alive by lover, his kin; dies at Delhi hospital with 90% burns Chinese court rules firms can’t lay off workers on AI grounds ‘Pehle Rohit bhai, phir Dhoni bhai … ‘: Suryakumar Yadav reveals story behind iconic pic – WATCH Adam Back again denies he is Satoshi, Bitcoin’s inventor ‘Raja Shivaji’ box office collection day 2 [Hindi]: Riteish Deshmukh’s film earns Rs 3.40 crore, pushes total past Rs 21 crore 30-year-old judge found dead at Delhi home ‘Timmy’ the stranded whale rescued, returned to North Sea ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ box office collections day 2: Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway film grows 5.3%; Crosses Rs 11 cr in India Babar Azam hits out at 90s Pakistan cricketers: ‘You are just fighting among yourselves’ May 03, 2026, 06:40 IST ‘Kara’ box office collections day 3: Dhanush film records 25.2% drop; Collects Rs 28.87 cr worldwide ‘In uniform you are in service’: Motorist who took on Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan in traffic jam tells her story People show their mobile phones during the nationwide test of the new ‘Cell Broadcast Alert System’, in Patna on Saturday Phones shrieked. Screens flashed. A commuter lunged for an emergency chain. Theatre audiences froze. Patients gripped chairs. With tensions in West Asia already on edge, many feared the worst as confusion swept cities — before relief set in minutes later.Lakhs of users across India received a piercing “Extremely Severe Alert” around 11.45am Saturday, followed by a repeat minutes later — part of a nationwide test of a new cell broadcast-based disaster warning system.The message was blunt: no action required. The reaction was anything but. At a children’s play in Mumbai’s Prithvi Theatre, about 40 phones rang in unison, startling families queued for a performance. On a suburban train, one passenger tried to pull an emergency chain before others intervened.Phone sirens were annoying to some and scary to othersIn hospitals and clinics, alarms cut through consultations, leaving patients shaken.“I switched off my phone immediately thinking it was some bug,” said a Bandra resident. A visitor in Borivali recalled people freezing. “It was annoying to some and scary to others.”Across states, similar scenes played out. In Bhubaneswar, many feared hacking or a cyberattack before reading further.“I thought my phone was under attack, then felt relieved,” said a resident. In Bengaluru, users mistook it for a heatwave or earthquake warning before clarity emerged. In Lucknow, a pharmacist said several devices blared simultaneously, causing brief panic.In New Delhi, Kanika Sharma, 29, a private school teacher, said the sudden buzz during brunch initially triggered fears of global tensions before she realised it was a drill. “Tensions in West Asia were the first thing that came to my mind… this system can be useful in case of emergencies,” she said. Others flagged confusion over repeat alerts. Abhishek Dogra, 33, an IT professional from Jasola in southeast Delhi, said his entire family’s phones rang at once. “We were worried at first, then realised it was a test. It’s a good move, but test messages should be clearly marked,” he said.Authorities later confirmed it was a planned trial by National Disaster Management Authority and department of telecommunications, marking rollout of a real-time public warning system.Unlike SMS, cell broadcast technology pushes alerts simultaneously to all devices within a defined area, overriding silent and do-not-disturb settings.It requires no internet, apps or subscriptions.Alerts appear as full-screen pop-ups with a loud siren, temporarily halting other phone functions.The system, built on an indigenous platform known as SACHET and aligned with global alerting protocols, is already operational across all states and Union territories. Officials said it has enabled more than 134 billion SMS alerts so far in multiple languages for weather and disaster warnings.Saturday’s drill aimed to test reach, speed and public response. Messages were delivered in regional languages alongside English and Hindi to widen comprehension. Not all devices received alerts, highlighting gaps. Some users reported one phone ringing while another beside it stayed silent — a reminder of ongoing calibration. Officials said the system will be used for earthquakes, cyclones, floods, lightning and industrial hazards such as gas leaks. Geo-targeting will allow alerts tailored to specific districts or neighbourhoods.In Bihar, authorities are planning follow-up preparedness exercises, including blackout and civil defence drills later this month to build public familiarity. “It created awareness among people,” a senior official said.(Inputs from New Delhi, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad)End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123Photostories’The Devil Wears Prada 2′: Emily Blunt’s most iconic momentsMorning affirmation at 5 am: Affirmations that help you hear yourselfFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil Show5 things to think about before breaking upBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap ‘Bhooth Bangla’ box office collection Day 16: Akshay Kumar’s film crosses Rs 215 crore mark globally amid ‘Raja Shivaji’ fever ‘My world is gone’: 3 of Delhi family return from Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur in coffins Emily Blunt’s most iconic moments Operation Sindoor: On Sindoor eve, Army releases list, satellite images of 7 Pakistan terror camps destroyed; Rajnath commends valour of soldiers ‘Raja Shivaji’ box office collection day 2 (Marathi): Riteish Deshmukh’s epic saga crosses Rs 15 crore mark Sagittarius Horoscope Today, May 3, 2026: Mercury makes communication messy for you today ‘Not yet paid a big enough price’: Donald Trump sceptical as Iran submits 14-point plan to end war ‘Patriot’ box office collections day 2: Mammootty’s action film drops 38.5% on Saturday; Earns Rs 50.23 cr worldwide File photo NEW DELHI: In a reaction to Congress LOP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s opposition to the Greater Nicobar project , former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria (retd) has said that the project is “important for India’s military footprint” in the area.Several defence veterans who have also voiced their support in favour of the island project.ACM Bhadauria (retd) has dismissed Congress’s criticism as misplaced and highlighted that the project is critically important for India’s national security, economic growth and military foothold. He emphasised its strategic location for monitoring the Malacca Strait, another chokepoint after Hormuz, in order to keep a check on China. Roughly, 80% of China’s oil imports and a significant portion of its overall cargo pass through this narrow waterway (Malacca Strait).With China’s increasing naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region, India needs to have a strong economic and military base in the Great Nicobar island.The Rs 92,000-crore Great Nicobar mega-infrastructure project comprises key infrastructure development such as a transshipment terminal, greenfield international airport, township, and power facilities, with limited forest diversion, compensatory afforestation, and no proposed displacement of indigenous communities.Bhadauria’s remarks came a day after Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Great Nicobar project at Campbell Bay was “one of the biggest scams and gravest crimes against the natural and tribal heritage of the country”.A bench of the National Green Tribunal on Feb 16 this year had cleared the way for the Great Nicobar project, noting that “considering the strategic importance” of it and “other relevant considerations”, “we do not find any good ground to interfere”. It had disposed of applications related to the environment clearance (EC) for the project, with a direction to authorities “to ensure full and strict compliance of EC conditions”.Reacting to the opposition to the project, ACM Bhadauria (retd) said, “It is crucial to understand this from a strategic perspective, specially in light of recent events, such as the ongoing conflict (in West Asia) and developments in the Strait of Hormuz.Strategically, it is crucial to understand that this project will provide us with the capability to position ourselves just 150 km away from the Strait of Malacca. Our overall domain awareness, both in the air and maritime spheres, will receive a significant boost.”Giving an example of the Gulf crisis, Major General (Retd.) G S Rawat recently said, “We need to look at this (project) from an operational and strategic perspective, including its geographic alignment and maritime positioning. Recent global developments have shown how tactical choke points can be exploited, as seen around the Strait of Hormuz.Similarly, the Strait of Malacca holds even greater significance in terms of global trade and maritime movement… From an operational standpoint, controlling or having a strong presence near such routes enhances strategic leverage, surveillance capability and maritime security. This is where the importance of the Great Nicobar Project lies, as it strengthens India’s position in monitoring and responding to developments across these critical sea lanes.”Air Vice Marshal P K Srivastava (Retd) said, “Whenever the govt of India undertakes a project, it consults a wide range of expert advisors from different fields. Every project is prepared after taking opinions from specialists and conducting proper on-ground surveys of the area.Such projects are not designed sitting in Delhi alone—teams visit the site and assess all aspects.Any potential concerns or issues related to the Great Nicobar Island project would have already been carefully considered during the planning process.”Calling the project a major strategic and economic win for the country, Maj Gen Sinha (Retd) said, “In the maritime domain, the Great Nicobar project has created a stir in the country. Some people do not want the country to emerge in the world.”Cautioning about China’s moves, Lt Gen (Retd.) Rajeev Chaudhry, former DG of the Border Roads Organisation said, “If opposition leads to delays in the project—especially through international pressure citing environmental concerns—it can benefit China. Beijing is wary of such a project at Great Nicobar Island because it would enhance India’s surveillance over maritime trade and military movements in the region…China’s ‘String of Pearls’ strategy—through ports like Gwadar Port, Hambantota Port and Kyaukpyu Port—would be countered by a strong strategic and economic hub at Campbell Bay and Galathea Bay… Such opposition or negative narratives can inadvertently align with Chinese interests. This is an essential project that ideally should have been implemented much earlier.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap Scorpio Horoscope Today, May 3, 2026: This is one of your better days for saving and investment Army starts process to procure 159 modern bullet-proof troop carriers for Rashtriya Rifles in J&K, Ladakh In Gujarat, bouncers hired to watch screen addicts Libra Horoscope Today, May 3, 2026: This is one of your better days for saving and investment CBI arrests 2 for Rs 2,700 crore fraud after extradition from UAE Rohit Jain appointed as RBI deputy governor Virgo Horoscope Today, May 3, 2026: Keep your work stable and improve what already exists File photo NEW DELHI: Indian Railways on Saturday rolled out from Modern Coach Factory (MCF) at Raebareli the 100th Vande Bharat train, marking a major milestone in the journey that started in 2018 with only two such trains.Prior to induction of this 16-coach chair-car trainset into regular passenger service, the train will undergo oscillation trials to validate ride quality, safety parameters and dynamic performance.The production of these trains started at Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and has now been extended to Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala and MCF in Raebareli.In an official release, the national transporter said the MCF-manufactured trainset incorporates notable engineering and performance enhancements aimed at improving reliability and safety. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap Kotak eyes Deutsche Bank’s retail assets, drops out of race for IDBI File photo Sudesh Kumar, who played the protagonist of the tragic love story, ‘Saranga’ (1961), still remembered for its melancholic title track, who became a familiar face as supporting lead in money-spinning Southern productions like ‘Chhoti Bahen’ (1959), ‘Bharosa’ (1963) and ‘Khandan’ (1965), and who went on to produce absorbing thrillers like Uljhan (1975), passed away at his residence in Mumbai on Friday. He was 95.The actor was admitted to Breach Candy hospital following breathing issues on Monday. “At his request, we brought him back home on Thursday where we had set up a makeshift medical unit. But he breathed his last the next morning,” his wife Jaya Dhawan told TOI over phone.Born in 1931 in pre-independence India in frontier town Peshawar — also the birthplace of Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor and where Shah Rukh Khan gets his ancestry from — Sudesh’s family shifted to Bombay when he was young. “He graduated in science from Elphinstone College. His father wanted him to be a doctor,” Jaya said.But Kumar joined Prithviraj Kapoor’s theatre group. “They were also distant relatives,” she recalled. Among his early films was Prithviraj-directed, ‘Paisa’ (1957).His real name was Sudesh Dhawan. But the actor’s screen name kept changing. He was Sudesh in some, Soodesh Kumar in others and Sudesh Kumar in most. The actor initially got parts in low-budget costume dramas and devotionals before catching mainstream attention in the cameo of a doctor in Prasad Production’s superhit family drama, ‘Chhoti Bahen’ (1959). He was paired opposite Nanda playing the protagonist.In the Sixties, Sudesh found his feet becoming a regular in southern socials working with premium directors such as K Shankar (‘Bharosa’, 1963), Vasu Menon (‘Grahasti’, 1963), A Bhimsingh (‘Khandan’, 1965 and ‘Gopi’, 1970) and CV Sridhar (‘Dharti’, 1970). Old-timers would remember him twisting and turning with a step-perfect Mumtaz for the rock and roll track, “Aa dance karein, thoda romance karein.” “Khandan was one of his favourite films,” said Jaya.A more interesting role came in producer-director Vasant Joglekar’s critical and commercial success, ‘Aaj aur Kal’ (1963), set in princely state, pre-independence India. Sudesh enacted the role of a youthful Congress leader, also a humble coachman’s son, who seeks to draw people into the national movement and to whom the king’s younger daughter (Tanuja) is attracted to.He is remembered more for producer-director Dhirubhai Desai’s ‘Saranga’ (1961), where a prince falls in love with a commoner to a tragic outcome. Two of the film’s tracks, ‘Saranga teri yaad mein’ (singer: Mukesh, lyrics: Bharat Vyas, music: Sardar Malik) and ‘Haan deewana hoon main’ (same trio) became chartbusters finishing at No 9 and No 20 in the popular countdown show, Binaca Geetmala’s annual list. The title song has a combined view of over 2.5 million on YouTube underlining its timeless appeal. A heart-broken Sudesh walking through a leafless grove while lip syncing the number is part of old Bollywood’s unforgettable images.With dwindling meaningful screen presence, Sudesh adroitly shifted to producing movies in the 1970s. But before that he assisted Raj Khosla in ‘Do Badan (1966). As producer, his first venture was Man Mandir (1970), which had the unlikely pair of Sanjeev Kumar and Waheeda Rehman.Sudesh formed a fruitful director-producer combo with Raghunath Jhalani delivering two smart and modestly successful off-beat thrillers, Uljhan (again with Sanjeev Kumar) and Badalte Rishtey (with Jeetendra, Reena Roy and Rishi Kapoor) and box-office turkey, Jaan Hatheli Pe (1987).In 1982, he was married to Mumbai-bred Jaya Naik nee Dhawan, who had modelled for Vicco, Complan and Farex, among other products. They were neighbours who had first met outside the residence of popular lyricist Rajendra Krishan, a close friend of Sudesh.“He was full of life and energy even a year ago,” recalled Rajesh Duggal, the lyricist’s son. Jaya said that they had visited Southern temples in February. “Despite his age, he was remarkably fit. He never used a walking stick,” she said.The funeral was held at Shivaji Park crematorium on Friday.About the AuthorAvijit GhoshAvijit Ghosh is an associate editor with The Times of India. He is addicted to films, music, cricket and football—and not necessarily in that order. He is the author of Bandicoots in the Moonlight, Cinema Bhojpuri, 40 Retakes, and now, Up Campus, Down Campus, a novel set in 1980s JNU. He tweets from the handle @cinemawaleghoshRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil Show5 things to think about before breaking upBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptoms123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap Leo Horoscope Today, May 3, 2026: Venus supports warmth, but Saturn wants maturity