Looking back at 2023, the year stands out as a period when the world witnessed an extraordinary revival in the entertainment sector, which successfully emerged from the lingering shadows of the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the year was marked by profound changes in the world of celebrity and icons, with several respected figures taking their final bow and leaving behind legacies that will continue to inspire generations. As we recap these pivotal moments and trends, the photos below capture the essence of 2023 – a year that beat the Covid blues with an abundance of entertainment, impressive views and heartfelt farewells to some of the biggest stalwarts.
The Badshah returns: Early this year, cinema was in dire straits following the devastation of Covid-19 and the rise of OTT. With a super spy act in Pathaan, Shah Rukh Khan smashed the box office, revived Bollywood and reclaimed his status as the most bankable star. He followed it up with Jawaan and Dunki
PHOTO: Red Chillies Entertainment
Rapid rise: Taylor Swift released the fan favorite Cruel Summer in 2019. In the summer of 2023, the American pop diva was at the height of her 'earth-shattering' powers. In July, fans caused a magnitude 2.3 earthquake at her concert in Seattle. A record audience, the highest-grossing concert of more than $1 billion: 2023 had everything for the singer
All the work: NR Narayana Murthy was in news for his views. The co-founder and former CEO of Infosys put the cat between the pigeons by encouraging youth to work 70 hours a week, sparking a debate. While some business owners supported him, angry unions called it illegal. The Labor Minister also told the Lok Sabha that the government is not considering any such proposal to boost India's productivity
Say goodbye: In November, a high-profile divorce between textile magnate Gautam Singhania and his wife Nawaz Modi made headlines. The duo sit on the board of the Raymond group, whose shares fell when she accused her husband of domestic violence and demanded three-quarters of his reported net worth of $1.4 billion as alimony.
State of the UnionThe Supreme Court in 2019 upheld the abrogation of Article 370 – which granted special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir – by the central government. The Constitutional Bench led by the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, was decisive. favor of the Center, with implications for Union-State relations and federalism
London dreams: Adar Poonawalla made a deal to buy the second most expensive house ever in London. The head of vaccine maker Serum Institute of India will shell out an eye-watering £138 million (Rs 1,444 crore) for Aberconway House, a 1920s mansion near Hyde Park.
Pride and prejudice: When Maya Gurung, a 35-year-old trans woman, and Surendra Pandey, 27, tied the knot, Nepal became the first South Asian country to formally register same-sex marriage. In addition, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled against the legalization of same-sex marriage in India, and issued a split verdict against civil unions for non-heterosexual couples
False representations: In November, a viral video of actor Rashmika Mandanna's face was turned into an Instagram clip that startled celebrities and made everyone realize that the threat of deepfake had gone too far. Prime Minister Narendra Modi quickly flagged the misuse of artificial intelligence, amid growing calls for the regulation of deepfakes
The last ride: After an era of serving Mumbaikars, the Kaali-Peeli Premier Padmini taxi and the double-decker bus – two enduring symbols of the financial capital – rode off into the sunset in October. The old buses, which served for eighty years, were replaced by air-conditioned e-buses
Legacy of luxury: Prithvi Raj Singh 'Biki' Oberoi, 94, Chairman Emeritus of the Oberoi Group who, with an impeccable eye for detail, set the gold standard for luxury hotels and put Indian hospitality on the world map, left behind a legacy that will continue to inspire
Green champion: MS Swaminathan, India's foremost agricultural scientist and architect of the Green Revolution, has died at the age of 98. From building institutions to transforming India into a self-reliant food producer by integrating science into agriculture, his contribution remains unparalleled
Top spinner: Bishan Singh Bedi, 77, the former India captain who turned spin bowling into an art, lost his battle due to prolonged illness in October. The cricket world said goodbye to a gentleman who inspired generations, and a rebel who took on the establishment with a candor not seen among athletes
PHOTO: Reuters
Realpolitik: Henry Kissinger, a powerful diplomat who served under two American presidents and shaped American foreign policy in the postwar era, died at the age of 100. Until his end, the controversial Nobel Peace Prize winner was as much admired as
he was vilified
PHOTO: Reuters
Goodbye, friend: Actor Matthew Perry, who as Chandler Bing often delivered the funniest lyrics from the iconic Friends sextet, died at the age of 54, leaving fans to mourn a star who also exposed his struggles with alcohol and drugs
PHOTO: Reuters
RISE & FALL: A life full of unprecedented highs and lows ended when Subrata Roy, head of the Sahara Group, succumbed to illness at the age of 75. In his heyday, Roy led an empire that stretched from finance and real estate to airlines and TV channels before his company ran afoul of regulators
PHOTO: Reuters
Battle for business: Several top industry executives breathed their last in 2023. Charles Munger, who made a fortune before becoming investment guru Warren Buffett's right-hand man, has died at the age of 99. SP Hinduja, the family patriarch and chairman of the Hinduja Group, has died in London at the age of 87. In India, veteran industrialist Keshub Mahindra died in Mumbai at the age of 99. Born as the co-founder of the Mahindra Group, he led the conglomerate for almost half a century and was one of the pillars of the country's automotive industry.
Other Indians who died this year included retail magnate Mukesh Jagtiani, 71, chairman and owner of the Landmark Group; Pepperfry CEO Ambareesh Murty, 51; and Lala Kedarnath Aggarwal, 86, founder of popular sweets and snacks brand Bikanervala
First print: December 30, 2023 | 12:07 pm IST