Latest news with #VarunGrover
India Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Varun Grover says Air India fixing chalta hai attitude, not taking risks after crash
Comedian-screenwriter Varun Grover shared a note on social media, expressing that he was relieved that Air India has been taking better safety measures following the Ahmedabad plane crash earlier this month. The 45-year-old responded to the news of the cancellation of an Air India flight from Delhi-Paris owing to issues identified during pre-flight checks. He mentioned that the recent decisions about cancellations and delayed Air India flights show that the airline is putting in extra effort to ensure a no-risk flying known for writing 'Masaan', 'Superboys of Malegaon', and 'Homebound', shared in his note that the airline seems to be correcting its 'chalta hai (it'll work)' attitude, because someone somewhere has 'put their foot down'."Looks like earlier they were flying with minimal checks, 'chalta hai' attitude but are not taking risks anymore. So the same flight with same number of tech issues would have been airborne a few weeks ago but someone has put their foot down finally (sic)," Grover wrote on X. He added, "Hope they improve their baseline safety and maintenance and if that means cancelling most flights for the next few months, totally a financial risk worth taking (sic)." advertisement The Ahmedabad plane crash has caused airlines to be extra cautious before taking off. Several airborne flights returned, took their time in taking off, and even got cancelled due to snags identified after safety Tuesday, flight AI 143 from Delhi to Paris was cancelled after the pre-flight checks showed issues with the aircraft. Earlier, an Air India flight from San Francisco-Mumbai experienced a technical snag and the passengers were asked to de-plane at Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport. Even an Ahmedabad-London Gatwick flight AI 159 got cancelled due to the unavailability of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner June 12, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into a hostel a few seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 241 passengers and crew, leaving only one Reel
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Varun Grover feels Air India has fixed its ‘chalta hai' attitude after Ahmedabad crash: ‘Someone put their foot down'
Screenwriter-director Varun Grover is relieved that passenger safety is being prioritised after the Ahmedabad plane crash. Reacting to the news of the Air India flight from Delhi to Paris getting cancelled due to issues detected during pre-flight checks, he said it seems they were earlier flying with 'chalta hai' attitude but are not taking risks anymore. Also read: 'Farhan Akhtar got ₹45 lakh while I earned just ₹45,000': Varun Grover reveals why he quit writing for TV Varun took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his views, which he shared while reposting the news about an Air India flight from Delhi to Paris getting cancelled due to some issues which were identified during pre-flight checks. 'Looks like earlier they were flying with minimal checks, 'chalta hai' (it's okay) attitude but are not taking risks anymore. So the same flight with same number of tech issues would have been airborne a few weeks ago but someone has put their foot down finally,' Varun wrote. Varun, who is known for writing films like Masaan, Superboys of Malegaon and most recently Homebound, is now hoping that the airline will also improve their baseline safety and maintenance. 'Hope they improve their baseline safety and maintenance and if that means cancelling most flights for the next few months, totally a financial risk worth taking,' he added. After the news of the crash, Varun had tweeted, 'A horrible day for us Indians. 240 plus lives - every one a complete universe of dreams, aspirations, possibilities - just disappear due to a system that won't take responsibility nor allow anyone to ask questions'. 'In just last few months innocent citizens have died in stampedes, falling from trains, lynched on fake charges, crushed in road rage or drunk driving, and now in a crash possibly aided by systemic greed. But we must remain silent and accept everything as our fate, if not our own fault,' he added. On Tuesday, flight AI 143 from Delhi to Paris was cancelled after the pre-flight checks revealed certain issues in the aircraft. 'Flight AI143 from Delhi to Paris of 17 June has been cancelled. The mandatory pre-flight checks identified an issue which is being presently addressed. However, in view of the flight coming under the restrictions on night operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport, the said flight has been are providing hotel accommodation and also offering full refunds on cancellations or complimentary rescheduling if opted by the passengers. Consequently, flight AI142 from Paris to Delhi on June 17, 2025 also stands cancelled,' an Air India spokesperson was quoted as saying by ANI. The Delhi to Paris flight is the second Air India flight to be cancelled on Tuesday. Earlier, an Ahmedabad-London Gatwick flight (AI 159) was cancelled due to unavailability of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. An Air India flight from San Francisco-Mumbai also suffered a technical snag and the passengers were forced to deplane during the scheduled stop at Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport in Kolkata. After the Ahmedabad plane crash, a series of Air India flights have either been diverted or cancelled. On Monday, at least three 787 Dreamliners, operated by British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air India, were forced to return to their origin airports after takeoff. A London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into a hostel complex shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 241 passengers and crew.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who Is Varun Grover? From IIT Graduate to acclaimed writer, lyricist & more
The well-known Indian screenwriter, lyricist, comedian, and filmmaker, has been in the news recently for his comments on the stark pay gap between actors and writers in Indian television, specifically recalling his experience writing for Farhan Akhtar 's talk show Oye! It's Friday! in 2009. Here let's take a look at everything you should know about Varun Grover . Born on January 26, 1980, in Sundernagar (Himachal Pradesh), Varun Grover has steadily built a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in Indian entertainment. Whether he's penning lyrics that connect emotionally or crafting screenplays with quiet depth, Varun Grover has carved his own path, one that includes stand-up sets that hit as hard with truth as they do with humour. Born to a schoolteacher mother and an army engineer father, Grover moved across towns, Sundernagar, Dehradun, and eventually Lucknow, soaking in different cultures and stories along the way. Though he graduated as a civil engineer from IIT-BHU in 2003 and briefly worked in software consulting, it wasn't long before the pull of storytelling took over. By 2004, he had packed up and moved to Mumbai, chasing the words he truly wanted to write. Varun Grover's Breakthrough and Creative Journey As reported by IMDB, it was 2005 when Varun Grover first stepped behind the curtain of television comedy, joining The Great Indian Comedy Show as a staff writer. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo On paper, the role looked modest, just another line on a fledgling résumé, but the experience quietly rewired his creative compass. Those writers'-room sessions honed his timing, sharpened his voice, and set the stage for everything he would tackle next, from acclaimed screenplays to razor-edged stand-up sets. From that writers' room, Grover began carving out a path that would eventually see him become one of Indian entertainment's most distinct voices, someone who could make you laugh, think, and feel, often all at once. After that he's been part of films including 'Masaan', 'Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar', and 'All India Rank'. A Voice That's Unafraid to Speak Up Varun Grover doesn't fit neatly into any one box. Yes, he's a screenwriter and lyricist, but above all, he's a keen observer of the world around him. His songs often carry a quiet intensity, while his stand-up is laced with wit that cuts deep, always rooted in real-life contradictions and ironies. There's no effort to sugarcoat or play safe. His work feels lived-in, thoughtful, and often deeply personal. What makes Grover stand out is that rare balance, he can stir emotions and spark reflection, without ever losing the lightness or sharpness that makes his voice so compelling. And in an industry where writers are too often left in the background, he's one of the few who openly calls for fairness and recognition, making sure the people behind the words aren't forgotten. Speaking Up About the Pay Gap In a recent interview with The Lallantop, Grover recalled a moment from early in his career that revealed just how wide the pay gap is between actors and writers. While working on the talk show Oye! It's Friday! hosted by Farhan Akhtar, he discovered that the host was reportedly paid ₹45 lakh per episode, while Grover, one of the show's writers, earned ₹45,000. 'It was a shock,' he admitted, acknowledging that even though the figures might not be exact, the disparity was undeniable. That moment stayed with him, reinforcing the need for a conversation around fair compensation for writers, something he continues to champion today. While working on Oye! It's Friday!, a high-profile show hosted by Farhan Akhtar, Grover said he learned about the massive gap between what writers and actors are paid. 'I heard the host was earning ₹45 lakh per episode, while I was getting ₹45,000,' he recalled. Though he admits that the numbers might not be exact, the disparity was glaring and hard to ignore. It's an issue he continues to speak about, bringing attention to the often-overlooked role of writers in entertainment. While working on the television show Oye! It's Friday! hosted by Farhan Akhtar, Grover realized the vast difference between what actors and writers earn.'I found out the actor was earning ₹45 lakh per episode, while I, as a writer, was being paid just ₹45,000,' he revealed. Though he acknowledged that the figure could have been exaggerated to provoke him, the incident left a lasting impression. It also brought into focus the longstanding debate about fair compensation for creators behind the scenes in Indian entertainment. Anurag Kashyap faces backlash for his viral pics with Sandeep Reddy Vanga
News18
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
'Farhan Akhtar Got Rs 45 Lakh, I Earned Rs 45,000': Why Varun Grover Quit Writing For Stars
Varun Grover recalls writing for Farhan Akhtar's show, revealing a shocking pay gap and why he stopped creating stand-up content for TV and movie stars. Varun Grover may now be recognised for his acclaimed work as a filmmaker and writer, but his journey began much earlier in India's television and comedy circuit. Before gaining praise for films like Masaan, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, and his directorial debut All India Rank, Grover worked behind the scenes as a comedy writer on several TV shows. Among his early gigs was writing for popular shows like The Great Indian Comedy Show and Ranvir Vinay Aur Kaun. But one particular experience made him rethink writing for television altogether — his time on Oye! It's Friday!, a celebrity talk show hosted by Farhan Akhtar. 'After Ranvir Vinay Aur Kaun, I joined Farhan saab's Oye! It's Friday! It was during my time there that I realised that there was not much value addition happening from the side of the performer to the material I was writing for them," Grover shared in an interview with The Lallantop. He recalled the moment he learned just how wide the earnings gap was between performers and writers. 'That was also the first time I got to know how much actors make doing such shows. Even though I had an idea prior to that as well, I did not assume the gap to be so big. But once I learnt about it – maybe it's false information and somebody told me this only to provoke me; I can't say for sure – I realised the gap was huge. He was being paid Rs 45 lakh for each episode, while I was earning just Rs 45,000." Grover said the contrast between effort and reward felt unfair, especially when the material was entirely his. 'It was my material, and he was just delivering the lines. (Although he's getting paid 100 times more) There wasn't 100 times the value added." He also spoke about the scale of production, revealing how lavish the set was. 'The show was shot in Yash Raj Studio. It was a really good, expensive set. Had I stolen one of those twinkling balls hanging there each day, my daily Rs 45,000 would've been sorted. That was the first time I saw such a dazzling set." Eventually, the glam, the imbalance, and growing restrictions pushed him away from the format. 'By then, I had also lost interest in writing stand-up for television, particularly since censorship had also started." Grover's reflection offers a candid look into the often-unspoken struggles of writers in entertainment — underpaid, undervalued, and frequently overshadowed by star power. First Published: June 10, 2025, 14:06 IST
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Varun Grover's shocking confession about working with top Bollywood star: He got Rs 45 lakh for speaking what I wrote for Rs 45,000
Varun Grover , now an acclaimed writer and filmmaker known for projects like Masaan, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, and All India Rank , began his career in India's television and comedy circuit. Before making his mark in cinema, he worked as a writer for popular shows such as The Great Indian Comedy Show and Ranvir Vinay Aur Kaun. However, it was his stint on the celebrity talk show Oye! It's Friday! , hosted by Farhan Akhtar, that made him question the industry's treatment of writers. During an interview with The Lallantop , Grover revealed how he became aware of the glaring pay gap between performers and writers. He recalled that while Akhtar was reportedly paid Rs 45 lakh per episode, he earned only Rs 45,000 for writing the same material that he had written. The Shocking Pay Gap Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Grover admitted he had some prior understanding of the earnings disparity but never imagined it would be so vast. He stated that while the actor merely delivered the lines he wrote, the compensation difference was staggering. 'It was my material, and he was just delivering the lines. There wasn't 100 times the value added,' he remarked. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication Planet Spark Learn More The lavish production of the show further highlighted the imbalance. Shot at Yash Raj Studios, the set was extravagant, with props so costly that Grover joked, 'Had I stolen one of those twinkling balls hanging there each day, my daily Rs 45,000 would've been sorted.' The contrast between the show's budget and his earnings left a lasting impression on him. Growing Disillusionment with Television Beyond financial disparities, Grover also expressed frustration with the lack of creative freedom in television. He mentioned that increasing censorship and the diminishing value of a writer's contribution led him to lose interest in the medium. 'By then, I had also lost interest in writing stand-up for television, particularly since censorship had also started,' he said. This experience played a crucial role in his decision to shift focus from television to films and independent projects, where he felt his work was more respected. Grover's revelations shed light on the systemic undervaluation of writers in the entertainment industry. Despite being the backbone of content creation, writers often receive minimal credit and compensation compared to on-screen talent.
