
After calling lone Air India 171 crash survivor ‘a liar', Shekhar Kapur's ex-wife Suchitra Krishnamoorthi issues apology: ‘Seems like fake news'
Following the horrific crash of Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner on June 1, which took the lives of 270 people, actor Suchitra Krishnamoorthi took to X and posted remarks questioning the story of the lone survivor, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh. The actor had gone as far as to suggest that the survivor should be punished if his story turns out to be false. After facing immense backlash on social media, Suchitra deleted her post and blamed it on the spread of fake news.
The now-deleted post from Suchitra read, 'So this #vishwaskumarramesh lied about being a passenger on the plane & the only survivor? This is seriously weird. Didn't his family in the UK corroborate his story? What about his brother's funeral that he was seen giving kandha to? Deserve not only some serious punishment but some mental asylum time if this is true, uff.' Without skipping a beat, followers of the actor and others on social media flooded the internet, trolling Suchitra for her comments and insensitivity towards the survivor.
ALSO READ: 'An act of sabotage is an act of terrorism against India': Gaurav Taneja says he'll 'lose his mind' if this Air India 171 theory is true
She soon realised her mistake, though, and promptly deleted the post and also issued an apology. The new post read, 'Took out my last tweet on the Air India crash survivor. Seems to be false news circulated for God knows what reason. My apologies.' Suchita got married to Shekhar Kapur in 1999 and the couple got divorced in 2007.
Took out my last tweet on the air india crash survivor. Seems to be false news circulated for God knows what reason. My apologies
— Suchitra Krishnamoorthi (@suchitrak) June 19, 2025
Air India Crash
The flight was travelling from Ahmedabad to London and had 242 passengers on board, including the crew members. Right after taking off from Ahmedabad, the flight struggled to gain altitude and crashed into a medical complex nearby. Except for Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, everyone on board died in the crash. Investigations regarding the matter are still on, and several theories have been popping up from all directions. YouTube star Gaurav Taneja, aka Flying Beast, hinted that the number of Air India flights that get cancelled might hint at the fact that the pilots might know something about the aircraft which is being kept from the public.
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India.com
33 minutes ago
- India.com
Absolutely Pathetic Excuse: Suchitra Krishnamoorthi SLAMMED For Questioning Air India Crash Survivor, Issues Apology
New Delhi: Bollywood actor Suchitra Krishnamoorthi drew widespread criticism on Thursday after she publicly questioned the legitimacy of the survival story of Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 241 lives. In a now-deleted post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Krishnamoorthi cast doubt on Ramesh's identity and survival, writing: "So this #vishwaskumarramesh lied about being a passenger on the plane & the only survivor? This is seriously weird... Deserve not only some serious punishment but some mental asylum time if this is true uff." The comments were met with immediate backlash online, with users highlighting that Ramesh's identity and survival had been officially confirmed by the Ahmedabad hospital where he is receiving treatment. Critics accused the Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa actor of spreading misinformation and targeting a victim of a national tragedy without evidence. Among the wave of angry responses, one user wrote, "Apologize all you want, the damage has been done — your reputation for diligence is irreparable," while another called her an "absolutely pathetic excuse for a supposed star, role model, and person."Amid criticism, Krishnamoorthi issued a public apology later the same day. She acknowledged her mistake in a follow-up post: "The tweet on air india survivor - i saw on the insta feed of an ex times of india journalist. So wrongly assumed it may be correct Shared in haste . It was a mistake. My apologies once again." The tweet on air india survivor - i saw on the insta feed of an ex times of india journalist. So wrongly assumed it may be correct Shared in haste . It was a mistake. My apologies once again. So much AI and misinformation in the world, & so much panic and grief after all these… — Suchitra Krishnamoorthi (@suchitrak) June 20, 2025 The controversy comes in the wake of the deadly crash of Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM IST on June 12. Of the 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew, 241 were confirmed dead. Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, was the only survivor and is currently undergoing treatment in an Ahmedabad hospital. In an official statement, Air India expressed deep condolences and confirmed the fatality toll, stating: "We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital. Our efforts are now focused entirely on the needs of those affected and their families." Separately, the Tata Group, which owns Air India, pledged ₹1 crore as compensation to the families of each deceased passenger.


The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Air India Art Collection at NGMA Bengaluru carries a whiff of nostalgia
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They were recently transferred to the NGMA and are on display for the first time in Bengaluru. According to Darshan Kumar YU, deputy curator at NGMA-B, Sanhita is an exceptional offering as it showcases important artworks, particularly from the Progressive Art Group (these were Indian artists who broke away from traditional art forms and established modern Indian styles), and offers insight into the culture and heritage of the times. Start of a repertoire Air India started collecting works of art and cultural assets in the early '60s — a time when modern Indian art needed the patronage, says Darshan, who not only curated the show but also conceptualised its design and display. The idea of creating such a collection began when artist B Prabha walked into the Air India office in Mumbai, following her graduation from the Sir JJ School of Art in the 1950s, to sell her artwork. Six of Prabha's paintings were purchased for 'a sum of 87 rupees and 8 annas each' and were later displayed at the Air India Booking Office in London, garnering a lot of attention. This prompted the start of a project to not only showcase Indian culture, but also give fillip to the airline's reputation and came to be known as the Maharaja Collection. 'These works of art would be displayed at official airline launches and other prestigious events where bhoota kunita and other cultural performances from different States would also be presented,' says Darshan. The collection built up over the years, and in some instances, a barter system was chalked out where artists would give the airline artworks in lieu of airfare. When artist Jitish Kallat had a show in London and the gallery could not afford his fare, Air India sponsored his travel. As a token of his gratitude, he created a painting which is on display at Sanhita, adds Darshan. The untitled piece of acrylic on canvas, was executed in 1998, and reflects Jitish's attention to detail, colour and texture, in his quest to capture contemporary life. Over time, the Air India Art Collection amassed over 10,000 pieces of art and artefacts that comprised paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs and more, besides rare books and clocks, costumes and jewellery. The collection of six decades is testament to both, traditional and modern Indian art history. Change of hands Needless to say, the transfer of this collection from Air India's treasure troves to NGMA's archives was a time-consuming process taking the the better part of five years, and was completed late last year. Darshan says, 'The Air India building in Mumbai housed a huge collection built over a period of time with works from so many artists; there were many formalities that had to be taken care of, especially in terms of documentation, before they were moved to NGMA Delhi.' Sanhita comprises as many as 180 works by iconic Indian artists such as MF Husain, KH Ara, FN Souza, B Vital, Kanchan Chandra, Arpana Caur, Pillo Puchkanwala and Achuthan Kudallur, alongside sculptures by Janaki Ram, Bhadri Narayan and S Nandagopal, among others. A statement by NGMA-B reads, 'The transfer of Air India's collection to NGMA symbolises the enduring connection between Indian art and institutional treasures, ensuring that the legacy of Air India's art collection remains a vital part of our artistic heritage. This collaboration has been instrumental in preserving and promoting India's cultural history.' Royal welcome A passageway in deep red and cream welcomes visitors to Sanhita — starting with a mirror ensconced in a jharokha frame reminiscent of the airline's windows. Illustrations by celebrated cartoonist Mario Miranda line the corridor throwing humorous light on the workings of the industry. 'The purpose of placing a mirror there was to look inwards and associate yourself with the journey of Air India. Not only is it about the art, but also the airline as a cultural asset. At its peak, Air India was a luxurious airline with journals and magazines of its own, crafting souvenirs to hand out to privileged passengers and of course, the use of the Maharaja as their ambassador,' says Darshan. A statuette of the Maharaja welcomes visitors, while brightly-coloured illustrations and souvenirs draw in visitors who may not be art lovers in the classical sense. Posters, postcards and other memorabilia depicting the Maharaja, as a debonair ambassador of all things Indian and his experiences in far off lands, make the showcase imminently relatable, especially a set of coasters designed by cartoonist RK Lakshman in his trademark style. A hand fan with a map of India cobbled together with different tourist attractions, and pages from the Maharaja's Book of Fairy Tales lining a wall, beckons visitors to participate in this immersive exhibition. Pages of an early inflight magazine, blown up and displayed on the wall, shed light on India's culture and heritage. 'These small-format stories make the show interesting and inclusive for visitors of all ages,' says Darshan. 'Besides, there is a clever play of words in The Book of Air, which offer a metaphorical understanding of Air India,' he adds, indicating the sepia-tinted pages which show the Maharajah at the salon in 'Hair-India' or in a rickshaw as 'Fresh-Air-India' or his head as a hot air balloon in 'Lighter-than-Air-India'. According to Darshan, it was not thoughtfulness or gimmickry alone that prompted Air India to bring out souvenirs and miniatures or postcards celebrating '100 Years of Bombay' or a particular wildlife species. 'They were keen on crafting items that were engaging and utilitarian as well. In an age where our entire lives revolve around our phones and laptops, the charm of those days remain unmatched.' Wonder walk While the entire collection includes rare works, a must-see is a piece by Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali. 'The artist was commissioned by the airline to create a souvenir and he crafted an unusual ashtray. From one side it resembles a swan, but when viewed from another angle, one can see two swans and an elephant. If turned upside down, a swan and two elephant heads are visible,' says Darshan. As many as 600 editions of this piece crafted out of glazed bisque porcelain in two iterations — a blue or green serpent forming the rim of the ashtray. For his efforts, Dali requested a baby elephant as payment and the ashtray is part of an immersive and interactive display at Sanhita. 'It is interesting to see a proficient and internationally known artist in contrast with India's art scene at the time. It also captivates viewers' interest on how versatile artists can be.' he says. Among the other works, look out for art by husband-wife duo B Vital and B Prabha, Pilloo Pochkhanawala, tantric artist GR Santosh, a set of small format works by VS Gaitonde, an eight work cluster by Badri Narayan, and a huge canvas from MF Husain's Horses series. 'Anjolie Ela Menon's window works are also on display. Painted on windows, they have a 3D feel and have been beautifully incorporated into the space. With NGMA-B being a 100-year old building, her art offers a different connect,' he says. With over 180 works on display to marvel at, plan to spend the better of your day soaking in the spirit of these masters. It is a chance that may not come by in a while. Sanhita: A New Beginning for the Air India Collection will be on display at NGMA Bengaluru till August 31, 2025, with the possibility of an extension. Call 08022342338 for details.


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