An ode to India in the 90's| #92
A tribute to Bappi Lahiri ⇨
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, liberation, Sachin Tendulkar and also yatras.” Charles Dickens describing India in 1992 [citation needed]
We had just started the process of economic liberalisation, but also saw the emergence of the BJP, an opposition that broke Congress’ hegemony in India. We 90’s kids might not realise it, but songs from 1992 such as the iconic “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga” would today be classified as retro.
This week’s edition - an ode to what can be considered a path-breaking year for India.
Things we learnt this week 🤓
Given the glut of television channels today, it is hard to imagine India as a single-channel country. But back in the 1990’s, it was DD way or highway. It all changed with the introduction of Zee TV in October 1992, the brainchild of Subhash Chandra Goenka. He was watching CNN, when he decided to start a channel. He took a business plan to Hutchison Whampoa, who owned Asiasat 1, the only satellite that broadcast to India. They were dismissed before the presentation - claiming there is no money in India and decided to charge $5Million for the lease on a transponder. Chandra’s team had priced it to be $1.25Million. Chandra, lost his cool and challenged Hutchison to sign the deal right away and Chandra would pay $5Million. After initially refusing to sign the deal, executives from Hutchison visited India and signed the deal with Zee. We went from A to Z, but couldn’t think of a pun for this.
Madhuri Dixit cemented her place as the Queen of hearts with a star turn in the film ‘Beta’. Beta was the highest grossing film and gave Madhuri Dixit her 2nd filmfare award for best actress. The film itself has an interesting backstory. Beta was the official remake of a Tamil film ‘Enga Chinna Rasa’. This Tamil film spawned remakes in Telugu (Abbaigaru) and Kannada (Annayya). But this Tamil film itself, was a remake of a Kannada film ‘Mallammana Pavaada’, which was based on a Kannada novel ‘Ardhaangi’, which itself was based on the screenplay of a Telugu film of the same name released in 1955. The coronation of a queen did take its time.
1992 saw the downfall of Big Bull, Harshad Mehta. But as the stocks of Harshad Mehta tumbled, it also enabled the rise of Radhakishan Damani, now known as the founder of DMart stores. Back in 1992, Harshad Mehta was the big bull, but Damani the big bear. Mehta and Damani kept betting in opposite positions. When the stock markets crashed after the Harshad Mehta scam got out, Damani cashed in as he was on the shorting side of the market. Today Damani is the 98th richest man in the world.
From IWTK, with love 💌
India lost another legendary musician this week. Bappi-da was worth his weight in gold.
Khushwant Singh was a man of incredible talents - an excellent wordsmith, politician, journalist, an honest man wrapped in wit and sarcasm and a self-proclaimed joker.
Quiz Alert 🔎
We are back with a bang with our awesome POP KI KAMAI QUIZ. Come join us for a fun evening of pun, fun and lots of trivia for all the awesome people out there.
WHEN: 4-5 pm, 27th February, 2022 (Sunday)
WHERE: Zoom Meeting
WHO: For each and everyone who is looking to have a great time
Aaiye hum aur aap khelte hain yeh adbhut khel!
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