Will Mumbai get its own Statue of Unity?

Screen presence

Rajya Sabha MP and veteran prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam’s upcoming Bollywood biopic has become a talking point even in courtrooms. The film, starring actor Rajkummar Rao, is set to portray Nikam’s role in the 26/11 trial of Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab. But judges and lawyers have been asking Nikam whether any of the cases he is currently handling as a special public prosecutor will also find a place in the film. “Maybe in part two,” Nikam was heard quipping on the sidelines of a hearing this week.

Bear With It

Nashik has emerged as the state’s most potholed city, with almost every major road stretch dug up in preparation for the 2027 Kumbh Mela. With seven deaths and frequent traffic jams, the man facing fire is newly appointed guardian minister Girish Mahajan, who is also in charge of the Kumbh preparations. Mahajan has faced criticism over the road crisis even from fellow Cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Mahajan, however, has asked residents to bear with the disruption for now, promising that the problems of the next few days will eventually give the city international-standard roads that will serve it for the next half century. Many residents, however, are taking the promise with a pinch of salt.