English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Entertainment

Trial By Fire: Everything you need to know about Delhi’s Uphaar tragedy

In Trial By Fire, Abhay Deol and Rajshri Deshpande are playing real-life parents Shekhar and Neelam Krishnamoorthy who lost both their kids in the fire.

Published

on

Uphaar Cinema Hall

Trial By Fire, Abhay Deol and Rajshri Deshpande’s Netflix series will stream on the platform on January 13.

The trailer of the film was released by Netflix India on January 4 and shows a real-life tragedy that happened in New Delhi in 1997. Led by Abhay Deol, the series also stars Anupam Kher, Rajesh Tailang, Ashish Vidyarthi, Ratna Pathak, Shilpa Shukla, and Shardul Bharadwaj in prominent roles.

Trial By Fire is based on the book by the same name, Trial By Fire: The Tragic Tale of the Uphaar Fire Tragedy written by Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy and traces their legal battle after they lost their children in the fire at Delhi’s Uphaar Cinema in 1997 that killed 59 people, leaving 103 with non-fatal injuries.

Watch the trailer of Trial By Fire here:

When Uphaar Cinema in Delhi’s Green Park caught fire

On June 13, 1997, the Uphaar Cinema in Delhi’s Green Park caught fire during the screening of the film Border at 3:00 pm. Reports said the incident took place on Friday and the theatre was a house full when an electric transformer caught fire.

The fire followed a stampede which severely injured many and others succumbed to asphyxiation.

Reports said there were no fire extinguishers, or emergency, and exit lights in the theatre. No emergency announcements could be made as the public announcement system was not functional.

Moreover, the theatre’s transformer’s installation and maintenance were in violation of Indian Electric rules. Even the Projector Operator was not directed to stop the film while the fire was raging nor was anyone informed about the situation outside, reports also said.

What happened after the tragedy?

The victims and the families of the deceased came together and formed The Association of Victims of Uphaar Fire Tragedy (AVUT) and filed the landmark civil compensation case against the owners of Uphaar Cinema Sushil and Gopal Ansal.

In Trial By Fire, Abhay Deol and Rajshri Deshpande are playing real-life parents Shekhar and Neelam Krishnamoorthy who lost both their kids in the fire.

The Court’s verdict

The Delhi High Court announced Rs 25 crore in compensation for the families of the victims which was later halved by the Supreme Court. The Apex Court also ordered slashed punitive damages to be paid by the Ansal brothers from Rs 2.5 crore to Rs 25 lakh.

On August 25, 2015, the Supreme Court modified its order and sentenced the Ansal brothers to a two-year of imprisonment if they fail to pay the families of the deceased and victims Rs 30 crore each within three months.

On February 9, 2017, the Apex Court reviewed its order and sentenced Gopal Ansal to one year of imprisonment and Sushil Ansal was freed from his sentence due to his old age.

Are you rooting for Trial By Fire?

Entertainment

Dhanush’s call for public service fuels speculation on entry into politics

Published

on

Tamil actor Dhanush has sparked political rumours after urging his fan clubs to focus on public service and “find a purpose” beyond celebrating his films during a blood donation camp in Chennai.

While his remarks triggered widespread discussion online, the actor hasn’t formally announced his political entry.

Addressing members of his fan associations, Dhanush encouraged them to channel their collective strength towards welfare initiatives that could positively impact society. He urged his supporters to identify the needs of people in their local communities and extend help wherever possible, saying he wanted his fans to be known for their service rather than just their support for his films.

The speech quickly gained attention on social media, with several users drawing comparisons between Dhanush and actor-politician Vijay, whose fan clubs had similarly expanded their welfare activities before he formally entered politics. Many online users interpreted Dhanush’s emphasis on organised social work as a possible indication of future political ambitions.

Dhanush did not make any reference to joining politics or launching a political outfit during his address. His speech remained focused on encouraging fans to undertake blood donation drives, charitable work and other community welfare initiatives.

The actor’s fan clubs have long been involved in social service activities, including relief work, blood donation camps and assistance during natural disasters. His latest remarks have, however, brought back online discussions over whether he could eventually follow the path taken by Vijay and several other Tamil cinema personalities who entered public life.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Vijay’s last film Jana Nayagan poised for massive opening, Rs 100 crore business expected on Day 1

Published

on

By

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan, is expected to make a record-breaking start at the box office, with trade analysts predicting an opening-day collection of around Rs 100 crore worldwide.

If the prediction proves accurate, the film could surpass the opening-day collections of blockbuster films such as Jailer, The Greatest of All Time (GOAT), and Pathaan, making it one of the biggest openings in Indian cinema.

Directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions, Jana Nayagan was Vijay’s final film before his full-time entry into politics. The movie also stars Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj, Priyamani, and Gautham Vasudev Menon in key roles. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 23, 2026.

Advance bookings for Jana Nayagan have shown an overwhelming response in India and overseas. Trade reports indicate that the film has sold more than 6.45 lakh tickets in advance, generating over Rs 16 crore in pre-sales across India. Industry analysts note that the advance booking figure is still lower than those of Vijay’s earlier blockbuster releases, Leo and The Greatest of All Time (GOAT).

The excitements surrounding Jana Nayagan is driven not only by Vijay’s popularity but also by the emotional significance of it being his last film. Fans have been booking first-day-first-show tickets in large numbers, especially in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Trade experts believe that if positive audience reviews and word-of-mouth follow the release, Jana Nayagan could become one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of the year.

As of now, the film is gearing up for its July 23 release, with distributors and exhibitors expecting packed theatres across the country. Whether Jana Nayagan crosses the Rs 100 crore mark on its opening day and breaks the records of Jailer and GOAT, and Pathaan will become clear once box-office figures are released after its premiere.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

FIFA World Cup final halftime show divides fans despite stars

Published

on

FIFA’s decision to introduce a halftime show during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final has sparked mixed reactions among football fans around the world. While the announcement of stars Shakira, Justin Bieber, Madonna, and BTS generated excitement, many supporters questioned whether a concert-style performance belongs in football’s biggest event.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, concluded with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in the small hours of Monday. For the first time in the tournament’s history, FIFA held an entertainment show during halftime, similar to the Super Bowl tradition in the United States.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the halftime show was intended to make the World Cup final a larger global entertainment event and attract a wider audience. The performance featured internationally recognized artists, including Shakira, known for her iconic World Cup songs Waka Waka and La La La, former boy wonder Justin Bieber along with pop legend Madonna and South Korean music group BTS. FIFA said the event will celebrate football, music, and culture on one stage.

However, the announcement has divided fans and football experts. Many welcomed the idea, saying it would make the final more entertaining and help attract younger audiences. They said the presence of world-famous artists will increase the tournament’s global appeal and create an unforgettable experience for spectators.

Others, including seminal punk rock band The Cure frontman Robert Smith, strongly criticized the decision, arguing that football traditions should not be changed. Critics fear that extending the halftime break for a concert could affect players’ physical rhythm, preparation, and match intensity. Some fans also said the focus should remain on the sport rather than celebrity performances.

FIFA assured that the performance was carefully planned to avoid disrupting the match while maintaining high production standards. Security, stage setup, and broadcast arrangements were also coordinated to ensure a smooth event.

As of now, the halftime show remains one of the most talked-about aspects of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final apart from the boorish behavior of the Argentine squad.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com