Entertainment

Banu Mushtaq becomes first Kannada author to win International Booker Prize for Heart Lamp

Banu Mushtaq has made history as the first Kannada writer to win the International Booker Prize for Heart Lamp, a powerful anthology exploring the lives of Muslim women in southern India.

Published

1 year ago

May 21, 2025

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In a groundbreaking achievement, Indian writer, lawyer, and activist Banu Mushtaq has become the first author writing in Kannada to receive the prestigious International Booker Prize. Her award-winning short story collection, Heart Lamp, which spans narratives crafted between 1990 and 2023, has made literary history by also becoming the first anthology of short stories to ever win the international honour.

A voice for the unheard

Heart Lamp captures the complex, often overlooked lives of Muslim women in southern India. Lauded for its “witty, vivid, colloquial, moving and excoriating” storytelling, the book was selected from a pool of six international finalists. It reflects not only Mushtaq’s literary skill but also her deep understanding of the social structures that shape women’s lives.

From small-town Karnataka to global recognition

Raised in a modest town in Karnataka, Mushtaq’s early life was steeped in tradition. Initially schooled in the Quran, her journey took a transformative turn when she was enrolled in a convent school, where Kannada—later the medium of her literary expression—was the language of instruction.

Her path to publication was far from easy. Though she began writing while still in school, her first story was published only at age 27, a year after she married for love. Despite personal and societal challenges—including emotional struggles early in marriage and the weight of domestic expectations—Mushtaq found the strength to keep writing.

Personal pain, public voice

Mushtaq has spoken candidly about her battles with postpartum depression and mental health, recalling a harrowing moment when she considered self-immolation. It was her husband’s intervention that pulled her back from the brink.

A turning point came after the birth of her third daughter in 1981, when she read about a woman being harassed by a Muslim committee for watching a movie. Fueled by rage and a sense of injustice, she wrote a fiery article defending women’s rights, which was published in a prominent Kannada daily. That moment marked the beginning of her public writing career.

Bold activism through literature

Associated with the Bandaya movement, which blends literature with activism to spotlight social inequities, Mushtaq’s boldness has often made her a target. Her support for women’s right to pray in mosques triggered backlash, including threatening calls, a fatwa, and even an attempted physical attack, thwarted by her husband.

Yet, her courage and commitment to truth-telling have earned her widespread respect. She has been honoured with several accolades, including the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award and the Daana Chintamani Attimabbe Award.

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Entertainment

CID creator BP Singh dies of heart attack, film industry pays tribute

B.P. Singh, the creator and producer-director of CID, has died after suffering a heart attack. His contribution to Indian television has prompted tributes from colleagues and members of the entertainment industry.

Published

7 days ago

October 27, 2026

APNLive Desk

Veteran television producer-director B.P. Singh, best known for creating the popular crime investigation series CID, has died after suffering a heart attack. His death on Tuesday, October 27, prompted tributes from colleagues and members of the entertainment industry, who remembered his contribution to Indian television.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit shared the news of Singh’s death in a social media post, remembering him as an accomplished filmmaker whose work had captivated audiences through shows such as CID and Aahat.

Pandit also recalled his association with Singh during the latter’s tenure as president of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association. Expressing grief over the loss, he described Singh as a close friend and a person whose work would continue to inspire future generations.

The last rites are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 28, according to Pandit’s post.

BP Singh’s contribution to Indian television

Born Brijendra Pal Singh, B.P. Singh established himself as a prominent figure in Indian television through his work as a producer and director. He created CID, one of the country’s longest-running crime investigation shows, which premiered in 1998 and followed a team of Mumbai crime branch officers investigating cases.

The series became widely recognised among television audiences and ran for around two decades. Singh also occasionally appeared on the show as DCP Shamsher Singh Chitrole.

One of the show’s notable milestones came in October 2004, when a special episode was filmed in a single continuous take lasting 111 minutes. The achievement received recognition in the Limca Book of Records and the Guinness World Records.

Singh’s work was not limited to crime dramas. He was also associated with Aahat, a popular horror television series that aired from 1995 to 2015. His other projects included Khaaki, Abhay and SuperCops Vs Super Villains.

Ashoke Pandit remembers the veteran filmmaker

In his tribute, Pandit recalled Singh’s professional achievements and their personal association. He praised the filmmaker’s work on CID and Aahat and expressed condolences to his family and loved ones.

Singh’s death marks the loss of a veteran television professional whose productions helped shape crime and horror programming in India.

His work on CID and Aahat remains a significant part of his legacy in Indian television.

Entertainment

Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, known for Welcome and Hera Pheri, dies at 56

Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, known for his memorable supporting role in Welcome, has died at 56.

Published

1 month ago

September 24, 2026

APNLive Desk

Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, who appeared in several Hindi films and was particularly remembered for his role in the 2007 comedy Welcome, has died at the age of 56.

Khan was known for playing supporting characters across Hindi cinema and had worked in films spanning several decades. His role as Balu in Welcome remains among his best-known performances.

Mushtaq Khan’s film career

Mushtaq Khan appeared in a wide range of films during his career. His filmography included Aashiqui, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Gopi Kishan, Krantiveer, Raja, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Jodi No. 1 and Hera Pheri.

He also featured in more recent films including Stree 2, Gadar 2, Baby John, Dhoom Dhaam and Jaat. His filmography lists acting work continuing into 2026.

In Welcome, Khan played Balu, a supporting character in the comedy starring Akshay Kumar, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor and other prominent actors.

Khan’s career also included television work, with his credits spanning a wide range of acting roles over the years.

Mushtaq Khan dies at 56

The actor’s death was reported on September 24, 2026. Reports said Khan had been undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with liver cancer and had been hospitalised for around 15 days. Further details surrounding his death were awaited in the initial reports.

Mushtaq Khan was 56. IMDb lists his date of birth as December 31, 1969.

Entertainment

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome baby girl, their second child

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have welcomed their second child, a baby girl. The couple announced the birth on Instagram.

Published

1 month ago

September 20, 2026

APNLive Desk

Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have welcomed their second child, a baby girl. The couple announced the arrival of their daughter on Instagram on Saturday through a post featuring a baby’s footprint.

The newborn is the couple’s second daughter. Deepika and Ranveer became parents for the first time in September 2024, when they welcomed their daughter Dua.

The couple has not announced the name of their newborn daughter in the post.

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s last spotting

Just a day before the announcement, Deepika Padukone visited Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple with Ranveer Singh and his parents.

Deepika was seen wearing an orange and purple kurta set, while Ranveer wore a purple kurta with white trousers. The visit came as the couple awaited the arrival of their second child.

Interestingly, the couple had also visited Siddhivinayak Temple in September 2024, shortly before the birth of their first daughter Dua.

Deepika and Ranveer’s family

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh married on November 14, 2018, in Lake Como, Italy. Their wedding featured ceremonies reflecting their Konkani and Sindhi backgrounds.

The couple’s relationship began while working together on Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela in 2013. They later got engaged in 2015 and welcomed their first child, Dua, on September 8, 2024.