<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48173436.cms" /> Indian cinema, it seems like, has adapted the trend of turning books into movies rather profitably, much like its western cousin, Hollywood! Another one in the series is last year’s political best seller,<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=+Sanjay+Baru"> Sanjay </a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=+Sanjay+Baru">Baru</a>’s “<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=The+Accidental+Prime+Minister">The Accidental Prime Minister</a>”. 
 
As reported by Economic Times, the movie will be an apolitical one portraying the very political decade, from 2004 to 2014. 
 <keyword id="615024" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sunil-Bohra">Sunil Bohra</keyword>, who just acquired the rights of the book says, "My movie will be denuded of any political agenda and bereft of any political leanings. It will be a true reflection of what has been authored by Mr Baru in his book." 
 The book, authored by <keyword id="1275069" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sanjay-Baru">Sanjay Baru</keyword>, former Prime Minister <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=manmohan+singh">Manmohan Singh</a>’s ex-media advisor came out in 2014, ahead of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Lok+Sabha+polls">Lok Sabha polls</a>, after which the age-old political party, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Congress">Congress</a>, was defeated by BJP. 
 The movie, reportedly, will narrate the alliances, deals, intrigues, betrayals and machinations that led to the economist-turned-politician <keyword id="306861" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Manmohan-Sing">Manmohan Sing</keyword> becoming the Prime Minister in 2004. It has already been made clear in the contract that the producer will "not add" anything to the script. 
 
As per the political pundits and experts in the Indian cine-industry, making an apolitical movie out of such material won't be just difficult, it's almost impossible. 
 "My sole intention is to make a movie covering the 10 most crucial years (from 2004 to 2014), which changed the political spectrum of our country and fortunes of India's oldest political party - the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword>," Bohra told ET. 
 Baru, a former journalist who has also previously worked with ET, had not only highlighted Singh's strained relations with Congress President <keyword id="689" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sonia-Gandhi">Sonia Gandhi</keyword> and her son and Vice-President <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> but also the real nature of his association with other party seniors and bureaucrats had come to light. It was also about the scams that took place under Singh's leadership, which eventually led to the downfall of the age-old party in the 2014 general elections, after a decade at the helm of affairs 
 
Baru, in his much controversial book had said the former prime minister's "general attitude towards corruption in public life" was "active morality for himself and passive morality with respect to others." 
 The film, as per the reports, is expected to be released by the end of 2018, the time when <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> and BJP would be seeking re-elections. The film might impact the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2019. 
 
Bohra said he was drawn to the book because it provided an intimate glimpse into the corridors of power. "I was highly intrigued when I read the book, which has gone on to become one of India's bestsellers," he said. "Never have I come across a book which gives you an inside view of the room of none other than the prime minister and that too by his advisor. I find it a very interesting and significant story to narrate." 
 
Baru, who was Singh's media advisor from 2004 to 2008, said he was convinced to sell the rights after speaking to Bohra. "Mr Sunil Bohra said that he felt my book lends itself well to dramatic picturisation," Sanjaya Baru told ET. "He wanted my permission to make a movie based on it. I have agreed." 
 
The production team hasn't yet settled on the format, with some members suggesting a documentary similar in style to Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, which critically examined the US’ role in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
 
Bohra declined to elaborate on the treatment, although he seems to favor a feature rather than a documentary. "All I can reveal at this moment is that the final outcome will be grand and tailored for Indian and foreign audiences," he said. As for who will play the various characters in a feature, auditions will be conducted online through Bombaycasting.com, Bohra said. Pre-production has already begun and research will soon kick off on the project as the banner puts the team together, he said. 
 Image: indiatimes

Controversial book on Manmohan Singh’s tenure as the ‘Accidental Prime Minister’ to be adapted into a film

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/38995960.cms" /> In the run up to the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, there was a huge controversy when <keyword id="1275069" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sanjay-Baru">Sanjay Baru</keyword>, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s media advisor, released a book <keyword id="2193106" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="The-Accidental-Prime-Minister">The Accidental Prime Minister</keyword>: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh. In this book, he alleged that the PM did not exercise full control over the government and was remote-controlled by the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. 
 However, this was not a one-off case in Indian politics. There have many instances of ‘<keyword id="2443943" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Accidental-Chief-Ministers">accidental chief ministers</keyword>’ taking office in various states. The latest example is Bihar’s new <keyword id="5269" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chief-Minister">Chief Minister</keyword> <keyword id="6385519" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jitan-Ram-Manjhi">Jitan Ram Manjhi</keyword>. Following the dismal performance of his party, the Janata Dal (United), in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, <keyword id="6358190" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Nitish-Kumar">Nitish Kumar</keyword> played the tried and tested caste card and anointed Manjhi – who belongs to the Musahar caste (the most backward caste among the Dalits) – as the state’s chief minister. Manjhi is not known for his administrative skills and is widely regarded as Nitish’s ‘puppet.’ BJP’s <keyword id="6364740" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sushil-Kumar-Modi">Sushil Kumar Modi</keyword>, Bihar’s former deputy chief minister, even dubbed Manjhi as "<keyword id="2443948" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="dummy-chief-minister">dummy chief minister</keyword>." 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/38995984.cms" /> 
 
In Bihar itself, on July 25, 1997, the then Chief Minister Lalu Yadav was forced to quit after an arrest warrant was issued against him in connection with the <keyword id="6362256" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fodder-scam">fodder scam</keyword> case. In order to retain hold on power, he brazenly installed his wife <keyword id="6362315" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rabri-Devi">Rabri Devi</keyword>, who was not only a political novice but was also illiterate, as chief minister of Bihar. 
 

	Rabri Devi earned the dubious distinction of being the <keyword id="2443949" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="first-illiterate-chief-minister">first illiterate chief minister</keyword> of a state. Interestingly, in the press conference following her swearing-in ceremony, Lalu asked reporters not to pose tricky questions to her as she was new to politics and a “seedhi-saadi aurat.” 
	 
	<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/38996023.cms" /> 
	 In the neighbouring state of Jharkhand, Madhu Koda, an independent MLA, was propped up as chief minister by Lalu Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, <keyword id="6362712" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Jharkhand-Mukti-Morcha">Jharkhand Mukti Morcha</keyword> and the Congress. It was Lalu’s masterstroke to keep the BJP away from power. It was also for the first time that an independent MLA was made the chief minister of a state.<o:p></o:p>
He is known only for the large-scale corruption that marked his rule. Koda allegedly took huge bribes for illegally allotting iron ore and coal mining contracts as the chief minister of the state. According to estimates, Koda and his associates accumulated Rs 4,000 crore in the mining scam. He was also arrested and he is currently out on bail. 
 In Maharashtra, <keyword id="6356262" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Prithviraj-Chavan">Prithviraj Chavan</keyword> was appointed the chief minister after Ashok Chavan had to step down from the chief minister's post after the allegations of his involvement in the Adarsh Housing Society scam. Prithviraj Chavan, who is not a significant political figure, has still not been able to have a firm grip either on the party or the government. He had no experience of the state politics of Maharashtra and was directly paratrooped as the state’s chief minister. Although he has been in politics for almost three decades, he was never a member of the state legislature. 
 <keyword id="172066" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sadanand-Gowda">Sadanand Gowda</keyword>, who is the current railway minister, was the self-proclaimed ‘accidental chief minister' as he had himself once admitted that he was an accidental CM. He said he had never thought he would become chief minister one day. Gowda said his “politics of love” was the reason behind his accomplishment.

The Making And Unmaking Of Accidental Chief Ministers

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/42332059.cms" />NEW DELHI: Dr Manmohan Singh’s legacy came under yet another round of intense attack with former <keyword id="6356851" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="CAG">CAG</keyword> Vinod Rai alleging that the former <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">prime minister</keyword> was aware of major scandals as they unfolded, refuting claims Singh was not fully aware of the machinations that resulted in humungous loss to the public exchequer and mauled the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> party’s electoral fortunes. 
 The former CAG’s revelations challenge the defence of Singh that the <keyword id="6446767" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="2G-scam">2G scam</keyword> was perpetuated by A Raja using the political necessity of Congress to humour DMK, thus fastening the mega swindle to the reformist PM. 
 
Rai, whose book “Not Just An Accountant” is set for release in the next few days, claimed that Dr Singh was alerted by his senior cabinet minister Kamal Nath about the brewing 2G scam. 
 
Adding credibility to Rai’s claim, Kamal Nath admitted that he had cautioned Dr Singh against 2G allocations. “I wrote to the Prime Minister that I am hearing all sorts of things are going on in 2G allocation. The PM chose to do nothing,” Nath told Times Now. The former commerce minister said he feels that had Dr Singh intervened “things would have been different for the Congress”. However, there was no point flogging a dead horse, said Nath even as he emphasized that “A Raja was prosecuted for what he did”, and that Rai should not resort to sensationalism to boost the sales of his book. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/42331701.cms" style="font-size: 14.3999996185303px;" /> 
 
The former CAG also claimed that he was under pressure to drop the name of the former civil aviation minister from the federal auditor’s report on the controversial purchase of aircraft for public carriers. He said the then minister, Praful Patel, had “nudged” the public carriers to go in for the large-scale purchase. 
 
“All hell broke loose when the draft report reached the ministry and bureaucrats of all hues tried to prompt the CAG to drop the word “nudge”. 
 
Patel denied the charge saying that he never met Rai. 
 Rai’s is only the latest book from those who have had a ringside view of Dr Singh’s prime ministership, and who later chose to record the unpleasant realities of the PMO under him and the <keyword id="26374" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="UPA-government">UPA government</keyword>. Dr Singh’s former media advisor Sanjaya Baru, former external affairs minister K Natwar Singh and former coal secretary PC Parakh have all recorded the makings of many scandals that have marked the UPA decade, portraying the former PM as the leader who was not in control or unwilling to intervene. 
 Elaborating on what he had told TOI exclusively on August 24, Rai on Thursday told Time Now that he was approached by three Congress MPs – former <keyword id="6356398" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Law-Minister">Law minister</keyword> Ashwani Kumar who had to resign for allegedly pressuring the CBI to dilute PMO’s role in the Coalgate scam, <keyword id="56431" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sanjay-Nirupam">Sanjay Nirupam</keyword> and Sandeep Dikshit – to drop the name of the Prime Minister from the CAG report on 2G spectrum allocation. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/42331699.cms" style="font-size: 14.3999996185303px;" /> 
Manmohan Singh’s legacy as PM came under yet another round of intense attack with former CAG Vinod Rai alleging that the former prime minister was aware of major scandals as they unfolded. 
 
“I mentioned in the book that after the PAC meeting on the 2G, Congress MPs did tell me that keep the PM out of this,” Rai said. 
 
Reacting to Rai’s claim, Sanjay Nirupam said the former CAG was lying. “I have never spoken to him,” Nirupam said. 
 
Rai said the irregularities in allocation of 2G licences date back to the tenure of Raja’s predecessor and his DMK colleague Dayanidhi Maran in the telecom ministry. “And we had evidence of the licence being given out at particular prices not only from Raja's time but before also from the previous minister who was also from the DMK. We found that there was a track record that the previous minister had started in a particular way and Raja followed that way. But Raja kept informing the PM what he was planning to do,” he said. 
 
Rai said then PM Manmohan Singh’s own cabinet colleagues were advising him against the licence allocation in arbitrary manner. “Like his own cabinet colleagues were saying that lets discuss this in a GoM. The finance ministry was also saying that lets bring it to a group of ministers. The law ministry had also advised him to do that. But somehow it did not take place,” he said. 
 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/42331698.cms" style="font-size: 14.3999996185303px;" /> 
<keyword id="204796" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Former-Union">Former Union</keyword> minister Kamal Nath (L) has claimed that he had cautioned Manmohan Singh against 2G allocations and slammed the former PM's inaction over the issue. 
 
The former CAG said former PM had enough time to stop the allocations. “It could have been stopped because between this letter of 26th December and 10th of January when the LOIs were actually issued, there was a fortnight’s time,” he said. 
 
“The buck stops at the PM's desk in any parliamentary democracy. He is the CEO of the country. He can stop, or he can initiate, both. I have written in the book that he probably chose not to stop,” Rai said.

Manmohan Singh Knew Of 2G Scam As It Unfolded, Ex-CAG Vinod Rai Says

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/52661832.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> On Wednesday, <keyword id="919" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Prime-Minister">Indian Prime Minister</keyword> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=narendra+modi&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Narendra Modi</a> gave his first speech at the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=US+congress&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">US Congress</a> to a thunderous response. His speech got 8 standing ovations. 
 He was addressing a joint meeting of Congress in the House of Chamber on <keyword id="80403" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Capitol-Hill">Capitol Hill</keyword> in Washington. 
 
Dressed in trademark white kurta pyjama and grey-coloured half-jacket, Modi was warmly received by the American lawmakers who interrupted his address more than 40 times to cheer him, a few times by standing. 
 
According to Sanjay Baru, who was the Media Advisor to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=manmohan+singh&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Manmohan Singh</a>, Modi’s predecessor’s 2005 US Congrees speech was applauded 33 times. 
 
Modi took a leaf out of the American playbook and lavishly praised the hosts, while criticising <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=pakistan&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Pakistan</a>’s role in terrorism and positioning India as a much reliable partner than China. 
 
In his 45-minute-long speech, he covered all major aspects of the growing relationship between India and the US, particularly mentioning strategic ties and civil nuclear cooperation and emphasized that the two countries should leave the 'constraints of the pasts' behind as the 'foundations of the future are firmly in place.' 
 
Here are six of his top quotes during his speech: 
 
Image credit: Reuters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the US Congress gets 8 standing ovations

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/54380857.cms" /> What is the best gift you gave someone on his/her birthday? Can’t remember! Well it’s definitely not as grand as what <keyword id="14666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword> has given their beloved leader. <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> on his birthday has been gifted a mobile app, which lets people wish him on his birthday. Anyone can download the app in their phone and wish <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword> on his birthday. Moreover, as a return gift the users will receive a personalized ‘Thank You’ video from the Prime Minister himself. Our tech savvy Prime Minister should be much elated to get this. 
 
The messages from top 50 prominent personalities of the country have gone live on the app today. 
 Some of the messages were accessed by the <keyword id="6474066" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-times">Economic Times</keyword> before they go live on the mobile app. <keyword id="6357912" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="amitabh-bachchan">Amitabh Bachchan</keyword>, Madhuri Dixit, <keyword id="31278" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lata-Mangeshkar">Lata Mangeshkar</keyword> and <keyword id="6355923" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aamir-Khan">Aamir Khan</keyword> have written in, so have <keyword id="3820" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</keyword> and <keyword id="9171" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anil-Ambani">Anil Ambani</keyword>, Uday Kotak, <keyword id="46425" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anand-Mahindra">Anand Mahindra</keyword>, <keyword id="190960" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Baba-Kalyani">Baba Kalyani</keyword>, Venu Srinivasan, Chanda Kochhar, <keyword id="45634" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jagdish-Bhagwati">Jagdish Bhagwati</keyword> and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. Shashi Tharoor, Vinod Rai, Sanjay Baru and Sri Sri Ravishankar have also sent in their greetings. Sports people like PV Sindhu, P Gopichand, Saina Nehwal and <keyword id="487" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sania-Mirza">Sania Mirza</keyword> have shared their reflections of experiences with PM. 
 
Here's a look at how a entrepreneurs wished the Prime Minister on his birthday 
 
Anand G. Mahindra Over a decade ago when Narendra Modi visited Mumbai and invited businessmen to invest in <keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword>, I remember thinking to myself: 'This man is different'. And over the ensuing years, PM Modi has indeed proved that he is a different kind of man. He is a man in a hurry to transform India. 
 
Sunil <keyword id="272096" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharti-Mittal">Bharti Mittal</keyword> 
The last couple of years have been quite revealing. Under a visionary leader, India's potential, which was never quite in doubt, has suddenly found new meaning, and more importantly, acceptance and respect among global audiences at the highest level. The eloquence with which the PM communicated India's vision for the world...the way his charismatic statesmanship gets applauded, it makes each and every Indian proud. 
 
Cyrus P Mistry One of my first meetings I had, along with <keyword id="3660053" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="mr-ratan-tata">Mr Ratan Tata</keyword>, after assuming a new role in <keyword id="8555" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata">Tata</keyword> group in 2012, was with Mr Narendra Modi. I remember going into the meeting thinking that this would entail the standard exchange of pleasantries. That day, I came out of the meeting having learnt an important lesson in leadership. 
 
Anil Ambani I recall the first time I met <keyword id="1267365" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendrabhai">Narendrabhai</keyword> in the 1990s when my father <keyword id="6418409" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhirubhai-Ambani">Dhirubhai Ambani</keyword> invited him home for dinner. At the end of the conversation, Papa remarked: "<keyword id="110806" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lambi">Lambi</keyword> race no ghodo chhe, leader chhe, PM banse - he's a thoroughbred for the long run, a true leader, he will be prime minister. In the words of my father, Narendrabhai "dreams with his eyes open" and with <keyword id="6359315" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="arjuna">Arjuna</keyword> like clarity of vision and purpose. 
 
Kumar Mangalam Birla 
Today, there is an air of confidence, a 'can do' feeling. Narendra Modi's has put in place the foundation for strong and sustained economic growth that benefits everyone. Not surprisingly, there has been a distinct improvement in the ease of doing business in India. Above all, Mr Modi is a man of integrity, a man of character, and that is what resonates the most. 
 
 Here’s how <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> wished the Prime Minister on his birthday on the app 
 
Lata Mangeshkar 
You were opposed a lot but you have kept on walking on the path of truth. The whole world in the grip of violence but I am sure your policies will win over this violence. 
 
Aamir Khan 
I always pray that your health always remains fine and you get all your desired happiness. This year has been more memorable for you compared to your earlier years. 
 
 
Amitabh <keyword id="6354348" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="bachchan">Bachchan</keyword> 
I first met you at your CM residence, Gujarat to seek tax exemption for Pa. An ordinary house, an ordinary room...you said let's watch the fi lm, took me along to a theatre and saw the film. Spoke a bit about Gujarat tourism... and Surprise, within a week Gujarat tourism offi cials were at my home in Mumbai to speak to me...and within a few days work started.

You Searched For "Sanjay Baru" and got 5 results

Controversial book on Manmohan Singh’s tenure as the ‘Accidental Prime Minister’ to be adapted into a film

BI India Bureau

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Times Of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the US Congress gets 8 standing ovations

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Here's how Mukesh Ambani, Uday Kotak, Anand Mahindra and other Indian leaders wished Narendra Modi in his birthday

BI India Bureau

You Searched For "Sanjay Baru" and got 5 results

Controversial book on Manmohan Singh’s tenure as the ‘Accidental Prime Minister’ to be adapted into a film

BI India Bureau

The Making And Unmaking Of Accidental Chief Ministers

Manish Kumar

Manmohan Singh Knew Of 2G Scam As It Unfolded, Ex-CAG Vinod Rai Says

Times Of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the US Congress gets 8 standing ovations

Poulomi Das

​ Here's how Mukesh Ambani, Uday Kotak, Anand Mahindra and other Indian leaders wished Narendra Modi in his birthday

BI India Bureau

Here's how Mukesh Ambani, Uday Kotak, Anand Mahindra and other Indian leaders wished Narendra Modi in his birthday