Indian Sports and Entertainment Industry

[Amber G.]

India is the USA of Cricket. Most other boards wouldn't survive if not for India.

Bangladesh is the Venezuela of Cricket. They make no difference to the world of cricket, offer nothing of value, have no money, and nobody would care if Bangladesh played or not.

And Pakistan is the Pakistan of World cricket. An irrelevant bankrupt nation, living in its own delusion of being a superpower.

[ritesh]

Nicely sai Amber ji.
But unfortunately, we have not been able to apartheid porkis from ICC till now.
Aim should be both kanglus and porkis are permanently banished from cricketing world altogether.

[SBajwa]

ICC to BCB ., play T20 world cup in India or forfeit.

[saip]

Even Giant India's Women's team forfeited because they would not travel pakiland. So why a lilliput like BD gets an exception?

[Tanaji]

Even Giant India's Women's team forfeited because they would not travel pakiland. So why a lilliput like BD gets an exception?

In their minds they have the same status as their elder brethren Pakis or India as both don’t travel to reach others countries. Beedis think they can get same status…

[SBajwa]

Jagmohan Dalmia when he was ICC president helped immensely to Bangladesh get a test cricket status and India played the first test with them.

These people are ungrateful at all levels.

[chetak]

Jagmohan Dalmia when he was ICC president helped immensely to Bangladesh get a test cricket status and India played the first test with them.

These people are ungrateful at all levels.

SBajwa ji,

creating beediland was our mistake.

They have just given us the bill

[Amber G.]

<Injoy> INSV Kaundinya and the Dhurandhar background song from Flipperachi!

[Amber G.]

UAE president is coming to India for just for a few hours. (Most likely to watch Dhurandhar).

[Amber G.]

<video>Trophy Drop-Off Centre. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500

[Amber G.]

Per News Reports : Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially ruled out boycotting the 2026 T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been in a dispute with the ICC, requesting their group-stage matches be moved out of India due to "security and safety" concerns. This tension reportedly escalated after the BCCI instructed an IPL franchise to drop a Bangladeshi player (Mustafizur Rahman).

The ICC rejected Bangladesh’s security concerns, assessing the threat level at Indian venues as "nil to negligible.

Bangladesh attempted to swap groups with Ireland to play in Sri Lanka instead of India, but the ICC assured Ireland that no such change would occur.
The ICC has given Bangladesh until January 21, 2026, to clarify their participation. If they withdraw, they will likely be replaced by Scotland.

[uddu]

Why Ram Gopal Varma EXPOSED the Dark Side of A R Rahman?

[uddu]

Pune just made cycling history! Cycling From urban streets to Sahyadri hills, the Pune Grand Tour 2026

[chetak]

Why Ram Gopal Varma EXPOSED the Dark Side of A R Rahman?
[youtube]mSYM80uVTus[youtube]

Uddu ji,

the real question is why did mozart air his views on a BBC channel.....where the paki interviewer was communal as well..... , especially when he made the "communal" charge

one always thought that the guy was over rated, as well as, professionally unethical

[chetak]

The beedis are miffed









the englishman is always fishing in troubled waters...most of the worlds problems were invented by this sick bunch of people






and may the trend of the english being sad continue indefinitely



BTW, the BCB faced a direct rejection from Sri Lanka, the country they believed would be the safest option for their cricketers

[Tanaji]

I will absolutely be laughing when Pak takes the field and Kangalus don’t after being egged on by Pak….

[uddu]

Oman should be invited to replace Pak.
Breaking: Pak Cricket Board Chief Threatens To Boycott T20 World Cup, Backs Bangladesh | ICC

[chetak]

‘Dhurandhar’ breaks into IMDb Top 250

Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller “Dhurandhar” has added another major milestone to its success story by entering IMDb’s prestigious Top 250 Films of All Time list. The film, led by Ranveer Singh, becomes one of the few Indian titles to secure a place on the globally recognised chart, which is dominated by some of the most influential films in cinema history.

According to IMDb data, “Dhurandhar” currently holds a strong rating of 8.5/10, based on more than 100,000 user votes. This score places the film at No. 250 on the list—just below "Drishyam" and only four spots behind "Gangs of Wasseypur", highlighting its rapid rise among audience favourites.

IMDb’s Top 250 is widely regarded as one of the most credible film rankings in the world. Rather than relying purely on average ratings, the platform uses a weighted algorithm that factors in vote credibility, popularity and safeguards against review manipulation or recency bias. This makes inclusion on the list a significant marker of sustained audience appreciation.

Over the years, only a limited number of Indian films have made the cut. Alongside “Dhurandhar”, the list currently features titles such as “Dangal”, “3 Idiots”, “Taare Zameen Par”, “12th Fail”, “Jai Bhim" and "Maharaja”.

At the very top of the IMDb chart remains “The Shawshank Redemption”, followed by “The Godfather” and “The Dark Knight”. Other globally acclaimed entries include “Inception”, “Interstellar”, “Parasite”, “Whiplash” and “Avengers: Infinity War”.

https://www.msn.com/en-in/lifestyle/wha ... r-AA1UXMVy

[chetak]

from a beedi paper

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) could be staring at a massive financial setback following its firm stance on not travelling to India for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, despite assurances from the International Cricket Council (ICC) that there is no credible security threat, sources familiar with the matter have indicated.

It was formally announced on Saturday that Bangladesh will no longer compete in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to participate in the tournament per the published match schedule.

Scotland has been called up to take Bangladesh’s place in Group C, joining England, Italy, Nepal and the West Indies.

According to estimates, Bangladesh stands to lose between $300,000 and $500,000 (approximately 3.6 to 6.7 crore BDT) in participation fees for the group stages alone. This amount represents guaranteed earnings that member boards receive simply for taking part in the tournament, reported NDTV.

More significantly, the ICC’s Member Participation Agreement (MPA) gives the global body the authority to impose strict penalties on teams that refuse to travel without valid justification. Under the agreement, Bangladesh could be fined up to $2 million (around 24 crore BDT) for non-compliance, a move that would further strain the board’s finances.

Sources also warn of a far bigger blow if Bangladesh is excluded from the tournament’s central revenue pool. The BCB could lose as much as $27 million (approximately 325–330 crore BDT), which amounts to nearly 60% of its annual income. Such a loss would severely impact player payments, grassroots development programmes, domestic competitions, and future infrastructure projects.

The ripple effects may extend beyond the BCB’s balance sheet. Several Bangladeshi players have endorsement deals with international brands, including Indian sports equipment manufacturers SG and SS. These contracts are reportedly under review amid uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s participation, potentially costing leading players millions in off-field earnings if visibility at a global ICC event is lost.

Despite these looming financial consequences, the BCB has maintained its position, insisting that its concerns go beyond monetary considerations. The ICC, however, remains firm that tournament arrangements meet all security and logistical standards.

With deadlines approaching and tensions rising, the situation places Bangladesh cricket at a critical crossroads — balancing principle, player welfare, and financial sustainability. The final outcome could have long-lasting implications not just for Bangladesh, but for the broader dynamics of international cricket governance.

[Amber G.]

‘Just because we’re Bangladeshis’: Journalists ‘shocked and disturbed’ after ICC rejects T20 World Cup applications

“On January 26, I learned through an email that my accreditation application had been rejected. I had first seen posts from fellow journalists on social media saying that all accreditations had been cancelled. When I checked my email, I realised I was among those affected. The auto-generated message confirmed that my application had been cancelled,” he tells The Hindustan Times.

Tariq is among more than 100 journalists whose requests for access to the T20 World Cup have been denied by the ICC. The decision follows Bangladesh’s controversial exit from the tournament. While this marks the first time a major team has been shown the door at a global ICC event, it is the country’s journalists who have borne the brunt of the fallout, triggering a wave of hurt and disappointment within the media community. Ordinarily, a team’s absence might reduce the need for its journalists to cover the event, but that logic appears to have little bearing on how the ICC has traditionally operated.

[Jay]

[RCase]

^^^
India was not secure enough for BDs, no? That is what their govt. stance was. India is onlee interested in protecting the security and safety of BD journalists by cancelling their applications. They should probably go to SL to do their coverage of matches.

[S_Madhukar]

Time BD journalists cover cock fighting, bull racing (if they haven’t been eaten already), Koran competitions, stoning that are more halal sports than cricket

[Amber G.]

What Happens If Pakistan Actually Boycotts T20 World Cup 2026

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has iterated multiple times that the final decision of the team's participation in the T20 World Cup rests in the hands of the government. Even as the selectors announced Pakistan's 15-man squad for the tournament, the management said that the government is yet to give the team the go-ahead needed.

While the final decision on the matter will be publicly revealed within the next seven days, the following are the factors that make Pakistan's decision to pull out of the World Cup nearly impossible:

1. Breach of Participation Agreement

Every Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) signs a Tournament Participation Agreement (TPA) long before a mega-event begins. By withdrawing at the eleventh hour, Pakistan would be in direct breach of this legally binding contract.

The ICC has already signalled that such a breach would lead to the withholding of Pakistan's annual revenue share, estimated at USD 34.5 million (approx. Rs. 316 crore). For a board already navigating a fragile economy, losing nearly 6% of the ICC's total revenue pool could push the PCB toward financial ruin that it would not be able to recover from.

2. ICC Sanctions

The ICC sanctions for "political interference" are extensive. If the boycott is seen as being staged solely on government advice, the ICC may view it as an attempt to "weaponise" sport. The resulting sanctions could include:

Suspension from Global Cricket: Much like what happened with Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in the past.

Asia Cup Exclusion: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) often mirrors ICC stances. A boycott could see Pakistan stripped of its spot in future Asia Cups, even as PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi heads the continental body.

Loss of Hosting Rights: Pakistan is currently slated to host major events like the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup. A boycott would almost certainly see these rights revoked.

3. The PSL Crisis: The "NoC" Hammer

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is the flagship T20 league of Pakistan's domestic cricket. However, its success depends entirely on the participation of overseas stars.

If Pakistan boycotts a world event, the ICC and other member boards (like Cricket Australia or the ECB) could retaliate by refusing No Objection Certificates (NoCs) for their players to participate in the PSL, on the instruction of the global body.

4. Total Isolation and Bilateral Fallout

Cricket economy is built on a bilateral calendar. By disrupting a World Cup -- the ICC's primary source of revenue -- Pakistan risks alienating the very boards it needs to keep itself afloat.

Without home tours from major nations, the PCB's primary source of independent income would evaporate.

The Bottom Line

Expressing solidarity with Bangladesh is one thing, but to boycott an ICC event completely would be nothing other than self-destruction.

[S_Madhukar]

With Naqvi the trophy-chor why even play ? May be they will even make a replica and keep at home claiming they won the World Cup !

[Amber G.]

Saw Dhundhar last night on Netflix (USA).. had audio /dubbed in Hindi/Tamil/Telugu/.. even in Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish but No English. (Slightly disappointed - The movie is not uncut)

[SRajesh]

May I ask vis-a-vis Beedi fiasco:
DID Beedi's withdraw??
Or ICC kick them out of the tournament
becasue if Beedis have withdrawn then would not the same Breach of Agreement apply to Beedis
If so why no news of such actions being taken??
Beedi league is going on or not??

[S_Madhukar]

Saw Dhundhar last night on Netflix (USA).. had audio /dubbed in Hindi/Tamil/Telugu/.. even in Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish but No English. (Slightly disappointed - The movie is not uncut)

I had a rewatch. I felt again that last 30 minutes could have been shaved off by the director … yet it still captivated me for all of the initial 2.30 hours. I guess Sanju baba had to be given his due. Would expect to be popular in ME and Latam. US already have a real life Dhurandhar- Trump!

[suryag]

Tejaswin Shankar hits 2.26m in mens high jump

https://www.olympics.com/en/news/deloss ... jump-title

2.38m was paris Gold medalist

[chetak]

Pakistan to boycott T20 World Cup match against India

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/paki ... ia-1521915

[saip]

Their calculations seem to be even without playing India they will still qualify for the knockout round as the other teams (US, Namibia and Nederlands) are not biggies. And so Pakis will have 6 points and India 8. But one of those teams may have 4 points. Hypothetically then if India too should forfeit one of their matches in favor of that 4 point team??? Most probably it will be USA.

[Lisa]

Pakistan to boycott T20 World Cup match against India

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/paki ... ia-1521915

Mixing Politics and Sports is very, very wrong. That's why Israel should join the ICC immediately.

[Amber G.]

^^Not Mixing Politics and Sports may not be what they want..
India beat Pakistan by 58 runs: U19 World Cup 2026 – as it happened

..Pakistan head home, but – with news elsewhere of the Pakistani boycott of the game against the Indians at the T20 World Cup – we are all left to wonder when we will see the nations take to the field to face each other again.

For India, it’s a last-four meeting with Afghanistan, with the winner facing Australia or England in next Sunday’s final.

Do stay tuned to Al Jazeera Sport

[chetak]

Pakistan might have bitten off more than it can possibly chew.

The Government of Pakistan's decision not to allow the senior men's team to take the field against India in the T20 World Cup Group A encounter might lead to some severe sanctions being imposed





Pakistan could face sanctions from Jay Shah-led ICC if it BOYCOTTS the T20 World Cup in support of Bangladesh

— NO bilateral series with any team.
— NO ENTRY in the Asia Cup
— Foreign players will NOT be ALLOWED to play in Pakistan Super League.

apart from reactions like this



besides taking a collateral damage financial hit in the region of 200 - 250 $million

[Amber G.]

Despite being banned theatrically in Pakistan, Ranveer Singh’s blockbuster Dhurandhar is now trending #1 on Netflix there. Pakistani viewers are praising the film online, calling it one of Bollywood’s best ever and applauding its portrayal of politics and realism. The streaming success is reigniting debate over film bans while building huge hype for the upcoming sequel.
Link:nDhurandhar Sparks Frenzy On Netflix As Pakistani Viewers Call It “Best Bollywood Film Ever” | WATCH

[Hriday]

Watched Dhurandhar. From the point of view of cinema alone I wouldn't recommend it. I will give 2/10 specially because of unnecessarily lengthy 3.5 hours.

But in the context of widespread whitewashing of Islamic terror in India, I would recommend it.

The film was a colossal waste of opportunities to present Pakistan as it is. They could have presented how the ordinary well behaving Pakistanis from all walks of life had a singular opinion on how to deal with non-believers (Non Muslims).

I wish the filmmaker had contacted BRF members Deans, Shiv and other Pakistan experts.

At least they could have conveyed the tension and risks of operating as a spy in an enemy country. I had read a short description about Major Mohit Sharma operating as a spy amongst terrorists. Even that simple description was frightening to read.

Also they could have depicted how it is necessary for the Pakistan army to encourage extremism and hostility with India so that they could rule Pakistan and loot money through corruption.

A couple of Gay scenes in the film and the wide acceptance of this behaviour in Pakistani society was a staggering eye opener for me (So be warned about watching with family). Had read about it in BRF. Such behaviours are considered as mental quirks and was a very serious put off for most people. After this film people are much less likely to say that Indians and Pakistanis are culturally similar.

I hope in future someone will make a film that will tick all the boxes from the point of view of BR forum.

[Jay]

I had read a short description about Major Mohit Sharma operating as a spy amongst terrorists. Even that simple description was frightening to read.

Was it in a book or an online article?

[Hriday]

I had read a short description about Major Mohit Sharma operating as a spy amongst terrorists. Even that simple description was frightening to read.

Was it in a book or an online article?

Online. Few years ago. Don't remember where. Most likely in X (Twitter). Must be well known amongst many BRFites here. In that short description Mohit was presenting a good tactics against Indian army, but the terrorists immediately got suspicious on how an ordinary guy is so good in these matters and immediately accused him as a spy. He then replied that; 'Ok, I am leaving, shoot me at back if you are suspicious and walked out bare handed with his back against couple of terrorists. After a few steps he very quickly pulled out a pistol and shot dead all the terrorists.

[Hriday]

Duplicate post.

[Hriday]

^^

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohit_Sharma_(soldier)

He was engaged in several counterinsurgency operations which involved infiltrating militant outfits under secret identities. In one such operation he infiltrated the Hizbul Mujahideen military outfit under the identity of "Iftikhar Bhatt", even keeping a heavy beard and dressing as a local for his cover. During the operation he collected key intelligence to strike militant targets and also assassinated two high-level militants. He received a Sena Medal for Gallantry for this operation.[