MAM
Anupama Chopra’s digital entertainment platform ‘Film Companion’ turns five today
MUMBAI: Five years back, the entertainment universe got a new platform which took over all spheres to provide us a wholesome deal of narratives and perspectives. Film Companion is a pan-Indian platform for entertainment journalism which offers a 360-degree coverage on everything that’s trending in pop culture. Helmed under the aiges of Anupama Chopra, the main focus of the platform is films ranging across the world of Bollywood, Hollywood, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi and Bengali.
With an aim at keeping the audience up to date with the what’s happening around, Film Companion carries reviews, interviews, features and masterclasses around cinema while also, covering television, short films, web series, stand-up comedy, cinema-related books and music- which has been a treat to the audience over these five years!
Expressing her journey through the five years, Anupama Chopra shares, “Film Companion has been a great adventure. The dream was to create a pan-Indian entertainment platform. It’s been a joy to toil in the trenches with my wonderful colleagues. I have learned so much from all of them. I genuinely think that barriers between the many exciting film industries in India are disappearing. And we at Film Companion are here to celebrate all industries and all cinemas.”
Holding a massive influence across social media with the pop culture relevance, Film Companion has over 8 lakh subscribers across two YouTube channels – Film Companion and Film Companion South (headed by National-Award winning journalist Baradwaj Rangan). Over the years, many of the interviews under the banner have triggered larger conversations about the industry bringing a narrative shift towards a more inclusive and entertaining time.
Some of FC’s most talked-about interviews are Roundtable with leading stand-up comics on gender equality and competition in the industry. Secondly, the story of Mumbai watchman Savi Sidhu’s tryst with movies along with a roundtable with film producers on the content crisis in Bollywood as a separate evening.
Also, very recently, the interview with Sandeep Reddy Vanga post-release of Kabir Singh was another hit amongst the audience.
Film Companion is led by founder and editor Anupama Chopra, who has over 25 years of experience in entertainment journalism which continues to be the driving force behind the successful five years and the times to come!
MAM
Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia deepens philanthropic push in India ahead of retirement
Entrepreneur backs gurdwara project and education for slum children as he expands charitable footprint in the country
LONDON: Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia is ramping up his philanthropic footprint in India. On a recent visit to the country, the UK-based entrepreneur stepped up support for religious and educational causes, signalling a deeper long-term commitment as he prepares to spend more time in India ahead of retirement.
Ahluwalia reaffirmed support for key social initiatives, including a donation to Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib in Gurugram and continued backing for a school in Faridabad for which he had earlier purchased the land.
The donation will fund the construction of the gurdwara, expected to be completed by mid-2028. Run largely by volunteers, the site will serve as a community hub and continue the Sikh tradition of langar — a community kitchen that provides free meals to all, regardless of faith.
Parallelly, the Faridabad school continues to deliver free, multi-year education to children living in extreme poverty in surrounding slums. The institution is part of the 12 educational facilities run by the Jagriti Sewa Trust, where Ahluwalia serves as chairman. The trust provides underprivileged students with free education as well as skill-development opportunities.
The latest support adds to Ahluwalia’s long record of charitable giving in India. In recent years, it included a £100,000 donation to the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation’s Justice for Every Child campaign, which provides legal and psychological support to vulnerable children and their families.
Through the Ahluwalia Foundation, the businessman regularly backs charities and non-profits in both India and the United Kingdom. The foundation focuses on projects linked to education, migration and the rights of children and women.
Ahluwalia’s philanthropic drive is rooted in personal history. Having fled to the UK as a refugee at the age of 13, he has long supported migrant-focused organisations, including the London-based Migration Museum, while also funding educational initiatives in India such as free schooling programmes in Hyderabad.
Now, as he gradually shifts more of his time to India, Ahluwalia’s charitable ambitions are expanding. Future plans include launching a classic car rally across the country to raise funds for causes he supports.
“Education and faith are very close to my heart,” Ahluwalia said. “For so many Indians, whether they live in India or abroad, a gurdwara or any place of worship is more than somewhere to practise faith. They are places of community and identity.”
Reflecting on the Faridabad visit, Ahluwalia added: “It was very special seeing the work of the Jagriti Sewa Trust firsthand. Knowing that disadvantaged children are receiving a free education — and that I had a small part to play in that — is deeply meaningful. Social status and economic background should not determine a person’s chances of success.”
