Independence
Houston: Consulate General of India (CGI) hosted the Har Ghar Tiranga exhbition, celebrating the tiranga’s legacy and India’s national pride. Consul General DC Manjunath shared insights on the history and significance of the history and significance of the Tiranga.
Attendees from the Indian Diaspora explored portraits showcasing the evolution of the national flag and stories of courage tied to its journey, celebrating the spirit of patriotism.
Guests included “The Bengal Files” movie team with Director Vivek Agnihotri and actress Pallavi Joshi. (See movie review on page 10).
CGI will be hosting Independence Day with a flag hoisting on Friday, August 15 at 8:00 am at the Consulate at 4300 Scotland Street, Houston, Texas 77056. Guests who have RSVPed are requested to arrive at 7:30 am.
India House will be hosting its flag hoisting at 10 am at 8888 West Bellfort Avenue, Houston, Texas 77031.
India Culture Center and its partnering organizations will host “Vijayee Bharat” I-Fest on Sunday, August 17 at the Stafford Center, 10505 Cash Road in Stafford, Texas.
Missouri City: The Bihar Association of North America (BANA) hosted its 27th Annual Academic Fest at the First United Methodist Church in Missouri City, transforming the venue into a dynamic arena of intellectual exploration, cultural pride, and community bonding. With over 115 students from Grades 1 through 12 participating, the day-long event highlighted a vibrant blend of STEM and humanities contests, drawing praise from educators, civic leaders, and families alike.
A Showcase of Talent and Rigor
Students competed in a wide array of contests including Math, Science, SAT, Spelling Bee, Vocabulary, Speech, and Arts. The Math and Science challenges were specially crafted by the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association (TMSCA), offering students a valuable warm-up for upcoming TMSCA and UIL competitions. Huntington Learning Center facilitated the SAT contest in a digital format, while SpellPundit.com managed the Spelling Bee, bringing national-level rigor to the event.
Speech contest tackled timely topics such as NATO’s relevance, bioengineering ethics, and U.S. tariffs, encouraging critical thinking and public speaking. The Arts contest added a creative dimension, allowing students to express themselves through visual storytelling.
Participation Highlights
Primary (Grades 1–2): 20 students
Elementary (Grades 3–5): 35 students
Middle School (Grades 6–8): 35 students
High School (Grades 9–12): 25 students
BANA leaders noted that the strong turnout reflected the community’s commitment to academic excellence and holistic development.
Awards and Accolades
The Awards Ceremony, held in the main hall, honored 77 winners with trophies and certificates. Contest volunteers had the privilege of distributing awards, reinforcing the spirit of mentorship and shared achievement.
Special guests included:
Aryan Singh, Abhishek Prasad Scholarship Winner and a freshman at Johns Hopkins, appreciated students for their academic curiosity and dedication.
Rick Paul, EVP of Zuhne, who commended the students’ dedication.Judge Juli Mathew and Seema Jain, who judged the Mid-
dle School Speech Contest.
Sanjay Singhal, Sugar Land City Council Member, who praised the event’s impact.
Prashant Kumar Sona, Consul at Consulate General of India, who
addressed the audience during the ceremony. Judge Juli Mathew shared her admiration, saying, “The kids did amazing. Their parents and they should be so proud.”
Gaurav Jhaveri, ICC Direc-
Behind the Scenes: Teamwork in Action
The event was expertly coordinated by BANA President Bidhu Prakash, VicePresident Dr. Prince Kumar, Secretary Tushar Kumar, Treasurer Ritika Bharti, Executive members Pranav Tiwari, Rekha Tiwary, and Dr. Himanshu Verma whose leadership ensured smooth execution across all fronts. A robust volunteer network supported every aspect of the fest: from registration and coordination to contest proctoring and hospitality.
The Control Room, the nerve center of the event, was led by Dr. Santosh Verma, with critical support from Atul Kumar, Ravi Ranjan, Mithilesh Tiwary, and Dr. Mithilesh Kumar — all adult volunteers who ensured grading, score verification, and results were managed with precision and dedication. Student volunteers Simran Singh, Miraj Parikh, and Pranay Anand worked tirelessly from 9:00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., while others, including Suryansh Priyam, Ishaan Kumar, Angelea Bhagirath, Bhavika Ranjan, Medha Singh, Arya Ranjan, and more, were praised for their energy and reliability.
Biharika: Cultural Keepsake
The release of Biharika, BANA’s biennial publication, added a cultural flourish to the event. Available in both print and digital formats, the magazine featured community stories, heritage highlights, and association updates. Active members and sponsors received complimentary copies.
Event leaders Prince and Bidhu closed the day with heartfelt thanks: “However big or small the task, BANA’s more than forty volunteers, took it head-on. Their dedication is truly an inspiration. Nothing would have been possible without the support of the families — we are deeply grateful.”
Sponsors such as ExxonMobil, Shell, GSI Environmental Inc., Huntington Learning Center, Raghunath Prasad, and SpellPundit made the event possible, while media partners Radio Hungama and Citizen Voice helped amplify its reach.
tor, also praised the event, noting, “BANA does an excellent job — they are very professional. My kids used to participate many years back and we were overly impressed.”
With the bar set high, the community is already looking forward to BANA Academic Fest 2026, promising another day of learning, leadership, and cultural pride.
Houston: Kanta Seth, a pillar for her family and the community, whose journey began on January 20th, 1938, in Peshawar, India, had a fulfilling life to the age of 87. With great heartache, we share that she peacefully passed away surrounded by the love and spirit of her family on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025. Kanta, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and one of seven children, was born to Manohar and Promilla Bahri, from Pind Dadan Khan, India.
Kanta’s legacy lives on through the cherished memories we all share. She is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Prithvi, and her three beloved children, Sandeep, Anita, and Vineet, along with their loving spouses, Holly, Bruce, and Sarah. Kanta is mourned by her brothers, Vinod, Surender and Promodh as well as her five adoring grandchildren, Anthony, Shaun, Hasan, Vikram and Evangeline. With her passing, she joins her sister, Sanjogta and her brothers, Sunder and Joginder.
After her intermediate studies at Osmania University in Hyderabad, Kanta moved to Ambala, where she earned a Bachelors in Political Science and a Masters in English at G.M.N. College (Pun-
jab University). As a student, Kanta served as an Underofficer in the National Cadet Corps, which al-
lowed her to meet Prime Minister Nehru and carve a path for young women in generations follow her.
Kanta’s path later crossed with that of a bright and charming civil engineer named Prithvi, thanks to the introduction by her Masi (Aunt). Following the customs of the time, Kanta and Prithvi chose each other as life partners after meeting for just a few minutes. They then entered a holy matrimony on December 5th, 1962, embarking on a journey together in Chandigarh, Punjab, where their first child, Sandeep, and second child, Anita, were born.
Yearning for opportunities and a brighter future for their family, Prithvi and Kanta made the courageous decision to venture to the United States. Prithvi left for the States first in 1967 to secure a Master’s degree. Kanta, Sandeep and Anita followed in 1968, and they took up residence in Long Island, New York, commencing their Indian American immigrant dream. True to their love for Desi culture, they cultivated a new life hosting many gatherings of fellow Desis, filled with song, laughter and dance. Simultaneously, they embraced the American culture of the 70’s, making friends with their new neighbors and colleagues.
While assimilating to life in the United States, Kanta continued as a Montessori school teacher.
At this time, she and Prithvi welcomed Vineet, their third child. Now their family was complete. Following the opportunity of the oil boom, the family relocated to Houston, Texas, where they built new, long-lasting friendships and bonds for over four decades. While Prithvi and Kanta continued their careers, they also balanced raising their children with running multiple side projects, including a video game business and tax preparation business.
After retiring, Kanta delighted in traveling, volunteering in hospitals, and being Vice President of Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Houston. She also enjoyed hosting pujas and gatherings with her friends, often considered the heart of the community and the life of the party. Her culinary skills, especially her mouthwatering Punjabi dishes, will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Kanta Seth led a life filled with a wide-open heart for all, a dedication to her friends and community, and was a true pillar for her family. As we bid her farewell, her love, compassion, warmth, strength, sage advice, and pioneering spirit will be missed. Her absence leaves an irreplaceable void. She was the sun we revolved around.
wasHington dC: Eight new locations include Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edison, Orlando, Raleigh, and San Jose.
• These 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the US will facilitate the Indian diaspora and other applicants across the United States of America with India Visa, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), passport application, renunciation of Indian citizenship, Police clearance certificate, Global Entry Programme (GEP), and Miscellaneous/Attestation services.
• VFS Global is the exclusive service provider for visa, OCI, passport, renunciation of Indian citizenship, PCC, GEP, & Miscellaneous/attestation verification services for the Government of India in the United States of America
The Indian Mission in the United States of America and VFS Global, the global leader in trusted technology services today jointly announced the launch of eight new Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) in Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edison, Orlando, Raleigh, and San Jose taking the total number of ICACs in the USA to 16, further enhancing accessibility and convenience to the 5.3 million Indian diaspora and those using the services.
Furthermore, a new ICAC is scheduled to open in Los Angeles in August, increasing the network to 17 centers nationwide.
These ICACs will serve as crucial hubs for a comprehensive range of essential services, including India Visa, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), passport application, renunciation of Indian citizenship, Police clearance certificate, Global Entry Programme (GEP), and Miscellaneous/Attestation services. VFS Global
remains the exclusive service provider for these critical functions on behalf of the Government of India in the United States. The expanded network introduces several key improvements designed to streamline the application process:
• ICACs will now be open on Saturdays, offering greater flexibility for applicants.
• Return courier services are now incorporated into the standard service fees.
• Services such as photographs, photocopies, and form filling will be available at no additional cost within the ICACs.
• A broader range of consular services will also be readily available.
Mr. Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Ambassador of India to the United States of America, said, “We are
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very happy to announce the opening of 8 new Indian Consular Application Centres. With the opening of these new Indian Consular Application Centres, our presence to provide extensive consular services and related delivery capabilities would increase and expand significantly. Besides, it will also make the delivery of these consular services faster and more accessible to a vibrant Indian diaspora. We firmly believe that people to people ties are the heart of India US partnership.”
The centres will be equipped with world-class facilities aimed at providing an easily accessible and customer-centric application experience and will make the application process more convenient for travellers. These centres are expected to benefit the Indian
community in the consular jurisdiction of the Indian Consulate in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C.
Amit Kumar Sharma, HeadNorth America & Caribbean, VFS Global, said, “We are honoured by the continued trust the Government of India has placed in VFS Global to support its diplomatic mission in the United States. These ICACs will play a crucial role in effectively catering to the growing demand for visa and consular services to India led by business partnerships, tourism and trade.”
VFS Global is the first outsourced visa services partner of the Ministry of External Affairs (India) and has been serving the Government of India since 2008.
In the United States of America,
VFS Global has provided passport, visa and consular services on behalf of the Embassy and Consulates of India located across the country since 2020. At present, VFS Global manages Passport, Visa and Consular Services Application Centres for the Government of India in 7 countries: Australia, Iraq, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom.
About VFS Global
As the global leader in trusted technology services, empowering secure mobility for governments and citizens, VFS Global embraces technological innovation including Generative AI to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment.
With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 69 client governments. Operating over 3,900 Application Centres in 165 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 499 million applications since 2001. Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai and majority owned through investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc, along with minority stakeholders including Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation.
by sriraM iyer
new deLHi: India’s stock market showed little sign of panic a day after the U.S. announced a 50% tariff on goods from the country and threatened secondary sanctions over its continued oil trade with Russia.
The Sensex, the benchmark index for India’s blue-chip stocks, ended the day around 0.1% higher on Aug. 7.
From bureaucrats to businesses, there’s a broad consensus in India that the latest escalation from the U.S. is only a pressure tactic to fast-track trade talks. However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi now has something he didn’t have, even a day earlier: the support of the Indian opposition to push back.
Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India’s largest opposition party, the Indian National Congress, described the penalty for Russian oil purchases as “economic blackmail” by Trump.
Consequently, the Indian negotiators’ resolve may only get stronger, especially in talks over areas that directly affect the country’s farmers.
“India will never compromise on the interests of the country’s farmers, fishermen, and livestock breeders. I know it will cost me personally, but I am ready,” Modi said on Thursday morning, hours after the U.S. increased tariffs. Economic impact
By most estimates, the cost of losing trade with the U.S. is significant for India but not debilitating.
The most pessimistic estimate is from Morgan Stanley. It says that if all goods are subject to a 50% duty, the impact on India’s gross domestic product is likely to be 60 basis points, about $23 billion at current exchange rates.
On the other hand, the cost of allowing U.S. dairy exports into India — one of the most contentious issues— is expected to cost India 1.8 lakh crore rupees ($20 billion) alone, according to SBI Research, a unit of the country’s largest bank. A little over half of that burden will hit farmers directly in the form of falling retail prices, SBI said, unless the government compensates for the loss.
The additional tariffs could also be catastrophic for India’s gem and jewelry companies, a spokesperson for the industry lobby told CNBC-TV18 on Thursday, while Indian seafood exporters, who sell the bulk of their produce to the U.S., may lose nearly $3 billion a year at the 25% tariff effective today, according to analysts at Morgan Stanley.
India’s labour-intensive textile industry, meanwhile, expects $5 billion worth of business to move away from India in the next few months due to the tariffs.
India’s position is bolstered by the fact that over 60% of its GDP comes from domestic consumption, however.
The Indian rupee will be the immediate casualty, according to Mahesh Patil, who oversees more than 3 lakh crore rupees ($35 billion) worth of financial assets at the Mumbai-based Aditya Birla Mutual Fund as its chief investment officer. However, Patil also noted that the rupee settling at lower levels against the U.S. dollar may offset some of the hit on Indian exporters, and the impact may be visible with a lag of a few months.
About 40% of India’s entire trade with the U.S. is in services, which is not even a point of discussion so far as the U.S. exports more services to India than it imports. Trump also hasn’t paid heed to the call for curbs on the H1-B visa, which is a route mostly used by Indian nationals looking to fill talent gaps — particularly in the
High U.S. duties will also affect India’s ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), according to Arvind Sanger from Geosphere Capital Management, a New Yorkbased broker.
tech sector — in the U.S. India’s middle ground
Amid Trump’s threat of secondary sanctions on India, Modi is planning his first visit to China since 2018. And, close on the heels of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is visiting Russia in an effort to pursue India’s interests through diplomacy.
Meanwhile, India’s foreign ministry has hit out at what it calls U.S. hypocrisy in ignoring its own trade with Russia that has continued through the war in Ukraine, an allegation that Trump brushed aside but didn’t deny. It’s also important to note that Indian companies own stakes in many Russian oil fields.
Trump’s trade advisor, Peter Navarro, has also alleged that India uses the dollars from trade with America to pay for Russian oil, however most of India’s oil trade with Russia is settled in dirhams, the currency of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), refiners have told CNBC-TV18.
India has been a lot more willing than Brazil and China to find a middle ground with the U.S.
The government has already reduced duties on imports of U.S. motorcycles, bourbon, ethernet switches, synthetic flavoring essences and fish hydrolysate, to name a few. It has also allowed Tesla to set up shop in Mumbai and withdrew the equalization levy on internet giants, widely known as the Google tax.
India has also increased its oil purchases from the U.S. by 120% in the last six months, source in the Indian government told CNBCTV18, which was one of Trump’s primary demands when Modi visited the White House in February 2025.
However, since then, Trump has moved the goalposts from just reducing the U.S.’ trade deficit with India to the South Asian country’s relationship with Russia.
New Delhi’s tone and rhetoric have been milder than the statements coming from Beijing or Rio De Janeiro, but it’s also sticking to
its red lines. India is keen to use the 21 days before to find a winwin situation, a government official told CNBC-TV18.
While the Indian government hasn’t hinted at any escalation on its end, some experts believe that India has some legal options at its disposal.
“It is important that we talk to our trading partners and likeminded countries who have been hit by similar actions by the U.S.,” Anjali Prasad, the former Indian ambassador to the World Trade Organization, said. “Only when we get together, decide on a strategy, will there be some action effectively possible, because there is strength in numbers.”
If there’s a breakthrough in talks between Trump, Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, India’s oil purchases from Russia might no longer be a problem.
The incentive for India to watch and wait, instead of rushing with concessions, is right there. -CNBC
Houston: The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH), established in 1999, continues its Silver Jubilee celebrations with the 2025 IACCGH Gala, to be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Hilton Americas–Houston.
The evening will feature a Keynote Conversation with Dr. David L. Callender, President & CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System, in conversation with Dr. Renu Khator, Chancellor of the University of Houston System.
Special guests for the evening include The Honorable John Whitmire, Mayor of the City of Houston, and The Honorable D.C. Manjunath, Consul General of India in Houston.
2025 IACCGH Award Honorees
IACCGH President Malisha Patel and Founding Secretary & Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia today announced the distinguished recipients of the 2025 IACCGH Awards, which will be presented at the Gala:
IACCGH Business Advocate Award
Presented to Jasjit Singh
In recognition of Jasjit Singh’s distinguished leadership in global investment strategy and his over 20 years of advancing U.S.–India economic ties. As Executive Director of SelectUSA, Jasjit led the
agency during its most successful period, securing $145 billion in investments, including facilitating the largest delegations of potential investors from India for two consecutive years at the SelectUSA Investment Summits.
Prior to SelectUSA, he served in a senior role at the U.S.–India Business Council (USIBC), driving initiatives in manufacturing, supply chains, and Indo-Pacific engagement. Throughout his career, Jasjit has been a trusted advisor and advocate for strengthening cross-border collaboration and economic development between the United States and India.
IACCGH Business of the Year Award
Presented to Musaafer
In recognition of Musaafer’s exceptional achievement as a Michelin-star restaurant, setting a new standard for Indian cuisine in
Houston and beyond. Celebrated by the prestigious Michelin Guide and featured in leading publications such as Condé Nast Traveller India, Musaafer’s culinary journey—rooted in a 100-day exploration across India—has captivated both critics and diners.
Musaafer’s dedication to authentic flavors, creativity, and hospitality has elevated Houston’s global culinary landscape, enriching the city’s diversity and strengthening its reputation as a vibrant gastronomic destination.
IACCGH Woman of the Year Award
Presented to Snehee Chaplot, Founder & CEO, Gallivant Mawa Ice Creams
In recognition of Snehee Chaplot’s visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit in revolutionizing the ice cream industry. As a food scientist and founder of Gal-
livant Mawa Ice Creams, Snehee has introduced a unique fusion of traditional South Asian techniques and modern innovation. Her ice creams, crafted with slow-cooked mawa, offer a creamy texture and authentic flavors, setting new standards for innovation in the frozen dessert market.
Under her guidance, Gallivant has expanded its presence across Texas, securing retail partnerships with H-E-B, Central Market, and Walmart. The brand’s growth is a testament to her commitment to quality and cultural representation in the culinary world.
IACCGH Global Gateway Award
Presented to the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston & Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, India
Honoring a distinguished partnership that has positioned India
and Houston as vital gateways to global commerce and economic collaboration.
Presented in recognition of the enduring and strategic partnership between the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston and the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, India. Over the past two decades, this alliance has advanced bilateral trade, fostered cross-border investment, and contributed significantly to the expansion of global economic opportunity.
Through shared vision and steadfast collaboration, this relationship has strengthened the commercial bridge between the Republic of India and the Greater Houston region—exemplifying the highest ideals of international cooperation and economic diplomacy.
About IACCGH
Founded in 1999, the IndoAmerican Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) serves as a bridge between the economies of the United States and India, fostering trade, investment, and collaboration across sectors. Celebrating 25 years of service, the Chamber continues to promote economic growth, cultural exchange, and professional networking in one of the most diverse regions in the nation.
by suKanya biswas
Houston: My father passed away almost 27 years ago, but there were stories he told us that have stayed with me. Then I was younger, life was all about friends, sneaking out and doing things that were forbidden. I listened to his stories, but now I wish I had paid more attention.
One recount that I remember vividly was about Noakhali (a town now in Bangldesh). It was after the riots, he was out there volunteering. The aftermath of the riot was still strong. One night after he had gone to bed, he heard terrifying screams. He stayed hidden in his room until morning broke. Later when he ventured out, he saw multiple corpses lying in a nearby well. Humans who were butchered and cast aside like garbage.
These are traumas that stay with you. I am sure these traumas stayed with that generation who saw a country torn asunder. A country that gained freedom but paid a heavy price.
Vivek Agnigotri ‘s “The Bengal Files” tells us a story that has been passed down to us from our previous generation. Until now, no one thought of making a movie on the events of those times. I don’t recollect seeing any film on the terrible Direct Action Day of August 16, 1946 (also known as The Great Calcutta Killing) when the All-India Muslim League decided to take a “direct action” us-
ing general strikes and economic shut down to demand a separate Muslim homeland after the British exit from India.
A communal riot broke all across the city of Calcutta leading to large scale violence and spread beyond to the surrounding areas.
Noakhali was one such place
where massacres happened. On the day of Lakshmii pujo, the male members of Rajendralal Roychowdhury’s family were executed, he was beheaded and his daughters made sex slaves. Rajendralal, a local zamindar, was the President of the Noakhali Bar Association and a member of the Noakhal!
Hindu Mahasabha. Women were raped and killed and mass murder was rampant. In 3 hours and 30 minutes, the movie swings between the present day anarchy of West Bengal to the chaos of 1946. In the present day, a power hungry politician kills with impunity, protected by the same political party which is supposed to protect it’s citizens. In the past, the same circumstances prevailed.
Maa Bharati, a 100-year-old woman who has bouts of dementia (played by actress Pallavi Joshi) lives in the present times, but she is the product of the pre-partition era. The young Bharati Banerjee witnessed the killing of her parents, her beloved Amar, and many massacres of Hindus.
In 1946, there were men like Ghulam (played by Namashi Chakraborty) and in the today there are men like Sardar Husseini (played by Saswata Chatterjee), both different men but with the same mindset and protected by the same corrupt system .
The movie tells the story of Sita Mandal, a journalist, who goes missing and a CBI officer, Shiv Pandit (actor Darshan Kumar) sent to Kolkata to look for her. For each step forward, he has to go back two steps. Sardar’s minority status is used to his advantage. Questioning Sardar about his involvement in Sita’s disappearance is met with resistance. Shiv Pandit’s hands are tied, and the excuse of stirring up a communal riot prevents him from doing the right thing.
The Bengal Files has lots of graphic violence and gory scenes. Since it is not a documentary, these are dramatization of events. Though long, the story is engaging enough to keep you riveted to your seat.
As India prepped for freedom, and Mahatma Gandhi preached his non violence, Hindus met violent deaths. Courageous men and women did everything, within their limited resources, to prevent these deaths. Gopal Patha was one such man, though his name does not feature in history books and no one talks about how he saved many lives. Bina Das was one such woman, who took a gun and attempted to kill the governor of Bengal. How many outside of Bengal know these names?
by dHavaL roy
Story: The comedy follows Jassi (Ajay Devgn), who pretends to be a war hero to help a young woman impress her boyfriend’s family and win their approval for marriage
Review: Director Vijay Kumar Arora’s film follows Jassi, who finally joins his wife (Neeru Bajwa) in Scotland after waiting 13 years for his visa. However, his joy is short-lived when she asks him for a divorce.
After a chance encounter with Rabia (Mrunal Thakur), who runs a wedding dance troupe and has been cheated out of her money by her husband, Danish (Chunky Panday), Jassi stays with her as a tenant. Added to the mix are her friends, transgender woman Gul (Deepak Dobriyal) and Mehwish (Kubbra Sait), and stepdaughter Saba (Roshni Walia).
In a bizarre turn of events, Jassi ends up pretending to be Rabia’s husband and a decorated colonel to help get her stepdaughter married. The farce grows trickier as he must keep up the act to protect himself from the would-be groom’s dangerous father, Raja (Ravi Kishan), who looks down upon both dancers and Pakistanis — which Rabia and her friends happen to be.
Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.
Send us the correct answer before August 19, 2025. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.
The rest of the film follows Raja’s brothers, Titu (Vindu Dara Singh) and Tony (Mukul Dev), who are suspicious of Jassi, as they try to expose his bluff and how he continually outsmarts them.
The slapstick comedy written by Jagdeep Singh Sidhu and Mohit Jain is a standalone sequel to 2012’s Son of Sardaar. The storyline maybe thin, but Jassi juggling the dual act of being a war hero and Rabia’s husband doubles the chaos. India-Pakistan rivalry
jokes and one-liners will keep you in splits, along with Tony and Titu trying to expose Jassi. The first half has some entertaining moments; one of them being Raja, Tony, and Titu visiting the family to finalise the wedding, where Jassi recreates the scene from Border and plays all three parts originally portrayed by Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, and Jackie Shroff.
However, as the story progresses, the plot becomes tangled and overstuffed with characters and comic tracks, though it does manages to deliver hilarity regularly.
Some of the comedy misses the mark — like Jassi watching Raja’s aged Russian stepmom pole dance. Routine song-and-dance sequences further drag on.
The climax is convoluted, predictable, and over-dramatised.
Ajay Devgn is convincing as the
endearing and guileless Sardar, shining in both comedy and emotional scenes. Mrunal Thakur, as the fiery and outgoing Rabia, holds her own.
Ravi Kishan delivers a knockout performance as the businessmanturned-gangster who is exasperated with his father Ranjeet Singh’s (Sharat Saxena) colourful ways. Mukul Dev and Vindu Dara Singh deserve special mention for their strong onscreen chemistry and impeccable comic timing together.
Deepak Dobriyal plays the role of a transgener woman perfectly, though Sanjay Mishra remains underutilised, with characterisation that fall short of his talent.
While Son of Sardaar 2 is an exaggerated mass entertainer with over-the-top narrative, it delivers plenty of chuckles and light-hearted moments.-- ToI
Kumud Athavale, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Sanchali Basu, Prabha Barvalia, Ramana Vadrevu, Jawahar
ria, Mohit Mittal, Naveen Garg, Tina Arora, Ramesh Ratneshvar, Pooja Bhavsar, Jimmy Bhavsar, Prabha Narumanchi, Nikhaar Arora, Nirmala Devi Rajesh
