External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said that the relationship between India and Russia is not just about diplomacy or economics, it is something much deeper.

Mr Jaishankar, who is on a five-day official visit to Russia, made the remarks while interacting with Indologists at St. Petersburg State University.

“The relationship between India and Russia is not just about politics or diplomacy or economics. It is something much deeper,” he said, adding that the intelligentsia’s role and the contribution of scholars to this understanding and bonding is very important.

He said India and Russia are always trying to find new linkages, common points and the intellectual world can make a difference. “We need to have a direct understanding of each other rather than by other countries or societies deciding it,” he said.

“Today, when you look at India, we are an economy which is approaching 4 trillion dollars…You can see our effort is to ensure that in the next 25 years, we are successful and become a developed country. A developed country doesn’t just mean a developed economy, it is also a country which is aware, conscious and proud of its traditions, heritage and culture,” the minister added.

On Wednesday, Mr Jaishankar met President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow.

Ties between India and Russia remained strong notwithstanding Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.

India’s import of Russian crude oil has gone up significantly despite increasing disquiet over it in many Western countries.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

In 2023, Bollywood witnessed a wave of impressive directorial debuts that left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape. These emerging filmmakers brought forth a fusion of creativity and vision, redefining storytelling norms with their distinctive narratives. From exploring societal nuances to embracing innovative techniques, these debutants showcased a remarkable prowess for weaving tales that resonated with audiences. As the year draws to a close, it’s an opportune moment to acknowledge and applaud these rising talents who heralded their arrival into the directorial realm, leaving us eagerly anticipating the brilliance they’ll continue to bring to the silver screen. Take a look:

Sameer Vidwans: Satya Prem Ki Katha
Sameer, known primarily as an esteemed Marathi film director, ventured into Hindi cinema with Satya Prem Ki Katha, starring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani. This debut marked a significant success both commercially and critically, swiftly earning favour among audiences. The story revolves around Satyaprem, an ordinary man from a middle-class background, who falls for Katha, a young woman grappling with the aftermath of a breakup. When faced with the prospect of marriage, Satyaprem endeavours to reignite Katha’s belief in love while striving to prove his own worthiness. The film’s portrayal of its themes resonated deeply with viewers, establishing a strong emotional connection due to its heartfelt narrative and presentation.

Atlee: Jawan
Atlee, renowned for delivering massive blockbusters in the South, marked his grand entry into Hindi cinema as a director with Jawan. Shah Rukh Khan leads the film with a character motivated by a deep-seated determination to right societal wrongs, fueled by a longstanding promise. His path crosses with a formidable antagonist unafraid of causing immense suffering to countless individuals. The movie soared to staggering success at the box office, shattering numerous records and etching itself as one of Indian cinema’s colossal releases.

Abhishek Sinha: Tumse Na Ho Payega
Abhishek Sinha, known for his remarkable 18-year journey as a marketing professional, made an impactful debut in the world of filmmaking with Tumse Na Ho Payega on OTT. His visionary approach breathed life into the narrative, crafting a universally engaging story. The tale follows 28-year-old Gaurav, trapped in both his engineering job’s monotony and societal expectations. Amidst mundane routines and challenges, including losing his job, navigating family dynamics, and societal pressures, Gaurav stumbles upon a business idea. Choosing to follow his passion despite external pressures, Gaurav embarks on a rollercoaster journey. Abhishek’s foray into filmmaking showcased meticulous attention to detail and a profound grasp of the subject matter, weaving together humour, inspiration, and poignant life lessons on pursuing personal happiness over societal norms.

Akshat Ajay Sharma: Haddi
In his directorial debut, Akshat Ajay Sharma defied conventional casting by selecting Nawazuddin Siddiqui for the role of a eunuch. Sharma’s journey in the film industry saw a remarkable ascent from Assistant Director on the set of Mukkabaaz to roles as a Creative Assistant and Associate Editor on projects like Manmarziyan (2018) and Lust Stories. The narrative of Haddi unfolds against the backdrop of the modern ruins in NCR’s Gurgaon and Noida. The story commences with Harika (played by Nawaz), a trans woman, explaining to an elderly man the potency of blessings from her community, the fear invoked by their curses, and the dread of their revenge. The tale swiftly transitions to Haddi (also portrayed by Nawaz), who relocates from his hometown of Allahabad to join a group led by Pramod Ahlawat (played by Anurag Kashyap), a former gangster turned politician, overseeing multiple illicit enterprises. Haddi ascends the criminal hierarchy but harbours an unquenchable desire for retribution against the mobsters who wronged his family, a flame that refuses to be extinguished.

Shantanu Bagchi: Mission Majnu
Shantanu Bagchi debuted as a director with Mission Majnu, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Rashmika Mandanna in leading roles. The movie follows Malhotra’s portrayal of a RAW agent and draws inspiration from a real incident during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. Amandeep “Aman” Singh IPS operates covertly as a RAW field agent under the alias Tariq Hussain in Pakistan. During his assignment, he develops a deep connection with Nasreen Hussain, a blind woman, leading to their marriage. Prior to Mission Majnu, Bagchi directed a short film named Nycil Cool Shower.

Karan Boolani: Thank You For Coming
Karan Boolani’s latest film, Thank You For Coming, delves into a less explored territory in our movie landscape. It follows a food blogger (played by Bhumi Pednekar) who chooses a stable fiancé over genuine romantic connection. Surprisingly, she experiences sexual fulfilment for the first time at her engagement party but is left searching for the identity of her mysterious lover. Beyond its lighthearted and comedic exterior, the film delves into profound themes such as patriarchy, challenging societal expectations, and navigating complex relationships. It cleverly intertwines the narrative with a focus on female pleasure, offering a multi-layered exploration of these significant topics.

Yashovardhan: Kathal
Yashwardhan ventured into directing for the first time with Kathal, a film set against the backdrop of central India’s socio-cultural intricacies. Headlined by Sanya Malhotra, the story revolves around the mysterious disappearance of prized jackfruit trees from a local politician’s garden. A determined young policewoman embarks on a quest to crack this peculiar case, aiming to validate her competence in her role. The movie garnered praise for its insightful social commentary, skillful performances, and its engaging portrayal of satirical drama.

Aasmaan Bhardwaj: Kuttey
Aasmaan Bhardwaj, the son of renowned filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, marked his directorial debut with the movie Kuttey. The film boasted an impressive ensemble cast including Tabu, Arjun Kapoor, Radhika Madan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kumud Mishra, and Shardul Bhardwaj. Set against the backdrop of a rainy night in the outskirts of Mumbai, the storyline intertwines three stray gangs, all unaware of each other, converging on the pursuit of a van loaded with millions in cash. In a web of intricate subplots, driven by the common motive of greed, the narrative unfolds into a tense yet often comical chain of events where every individual is out for themselves.

Victor Mukherjee: Lakadbaggha
Victor Mukherjee stepped into the director’s chair with his debut film Lakadbaggha. Featuring Anshuman Jha and Riddhi Dogra in prominent roles, the story follows Arjun Bakshi, a vigilante with a passion for animals. His investigation leads him to uncover an illicit animal trade network operating from the Kolkata port. In the process, he stumbles upon a rare Indian Striped Hyena, the focal point of the narrative.

Arjun Varain Singh: Kho Gaye Hum Kahan
Kho Gaye Hum Kahan follows the intertwining lives of three close friends navigating the complexities of life in Mumbai in their twenties. In this debut directorial venture by Arjun Varain Singh, the film stars Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Adarsh Gourav. Against a backdrop of stunning visuals and an evocative soundtrack, the movie delves into the collision of romance, ambition, and heartbreak within the captivating yet isolating world of social media. It serves as a poignant reflection on the deep-seated loneliness and the yearning for authentic connections prevalent in today’s digital age.

The unanimous judgment on Kashmir was the opinion of five judges and people can differ, Justice (Retd) SK Kaul, who was part of the constitution bench that delivered the verdict, told NDTV today.   

“I believe that if five judges have taken a unanimous decision then at least it is the opinion of these judges that what was done was correct and in accordance with the law,” he said.  

The verdict of the five-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud earlier this month, had disappointed many in Kashmir Valley.  

While accepting the court’s judgment that the Article 370 of the Constitution was temporary in nature and its removal was correct in terms of procedure, many political leaders had said the “struggle” will continue.

Speaking about the issue, which he insisted deserved to be put to rest, Justice Kaul, who retired on December 25, said the issues which came before the bench could be broadly divided into two questions — whether the Article 370 was a temporary provision and whether the Centre had stuck to the correct legal procedure.

Whether the “shell” of the “slightly different procedure” used to assimilate Jammu and Kashmir to India should stay or go was a political decision, Justice Kaul said.  

Now the decision for full assimilation has been taken, it was the “correct legal position,” he said. On the question of process, the court took its call looking at the ground reality — that there was no state assembly at the time and the power rested with the Centre. “The people are entitled to a different opinion of it, so what,” he said.    

On whether it was a temporary position, all five judges had agreed it was, going by the incorporation and the chapter where it was made.  

Asked how he felt about the situation since he felt the pain of Kashmiri Pandits — the judge is from the erstwhile state — he said it was essential to acknowledge that “there is something wrong”.  Citing the South African model, based not on retribution or revenge but an acknowledgement of wrongdoing and a system of apology, he said it was what people need to move on.  

On December 11, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment, upheld the Centre’s decision to scrap the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which had granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.  

While the court said the Centre’s decision to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir was valid, it also directed that the restoration of statehood be done at the earliest.