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Former Buena Vista president Irving Ludwig dead
MUMBAI: Buena Vista Distribution former president and one of the most respected and innovative executives in the area of motion picture distribution Irving Ludwig, passed away at his home in Santa Monica, California from natural causes on 26 November. He was 95 years old.
During his 40-year association with Disney and its distribution arm, Buena Vista, he was an integral force in shaping the structure, policies, and operations for all aspects of releasing Disney movies into the marketplace. He once summed up his success: “Don’t underestimate the public. They are so smart.”
Commenting on Ludwig’s passing, The Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook said, “Irving was a giant in our industry and an inspirational figure for all of us who had the honor of working with him. He had tremendous integrity, passion and commitment to the films he was distributing, and he encouraged his team to be creative and innovative in every way. Irving was a keen businessman, a great showman, and a major force in shaping our industry. He was also a great friend and mentor, and he helped to train many of today’s top executives. I am deeply indebted to him and will miss his wisdom and guidance very much.”
Born in Lutck, Russia on 3 November, 1910, Ludwig immigrated to the US with his family in 1920. He was raised in Brooklyn, and went on to study advertising and marketing at New York University. He entered the entertainment industry in 1929 as a part-time usher at New York’s Rivoli Theatre, where he quickly advanced to house manager. He held that position until 1938, under both the Paramount-Publix and United Artists theatre circuits.
In 1940, Ludwig opened and operated the Greenwich Village Art Theatre, an independent exhibitor that was the first new movie house built in the US for the express purpose of screening foreign films.
Later that year, he joined Walt Disney Productions, to manage the roadshow engagements of the landmark animated film, Fantasia.Ludwig recalled, “It was hard to get theatres to play Fantasia because most were controlled by chains. We wanted the film to be an event, and we even purchased old legitimate theatres to present it in. Several didn’t even have projection booths. It was quite a challenge.”
When Buena Vista was formed in 1953, Ludwig was an integral force on the formulating committee that gave the company its structure and launched it into active operation. As the first vice president and domestic sales manager, he significantly contributed to shaping the company’s policies and success. He became president of Buena Vista in 1959 and held that post until his retirement in October, 1980.
With the 1964 launch of Walt Disney’s masterpiece, Mary Poppins, Ludwig had one of his most satisfying box office triumphs. He recalled, “We realised that we had a wonderful, magical film, and knew the audiences would love it. And they did, to the tune of $45 million worldwide.”
He successfully guided the release of Disney blockbusters such as The Shaggy Dog, Mary Poppins, 101 Dalmatians, The Parent Trap, The Absent Minded Professor, The Jungle Book, The Love Bug, among others.
In 1993, he received the “Disney Legends Award” in a ceremony at the Studio in Burbank. He was similarly honored in 1998 by the National Fantasy Fan Club.
Roy E Disney, director emeritus and consultant for The Walt Disney Company, added, “Irving has been an important part of the Disney Studio family ever since I can remember. He first caught the attention of Walt and my dad with his incredible efforts in launching the original Fantasia in 1940 during its groundbreaking ‘Fantasound’ roadshow engagement. He went on to help create the Studio’s own distribution company, Buena Vista, and to shape all of its exhibition policies. Irving was key to the successful release of many Disney films, and his work on such films as Fantasia and Mary Poppins is still worth studying and learning from. He was a caring and dynamic man who was passionately devoted to the Studio and quality family entertainment. His work here at Disney is legendary and he continues to inspire us today.”
Ludwig is survived by two daughters; Arlene Ludwig, a veteran motion picture publicist for Buena Vista Pictures Marketing, and Jackie Ludwig Bragg and her husband, Larry Bragg.
News Broadcasting
Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
