Film editor Ajay Sharma dies due to COVID-19 complications
Mumbai: Film editor Ajay Sharma, known for his work on films like "Ludo" and "Jagga Jasoos", passed away on Wednesday due to COVID-19 complications at a government hospital in New Delhi, sources said.
He was in his late 30s.
"He was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was in the ICU for the last two weeks. He breathed his last between 1-2 am today at Rajeev Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi," a source close to Sharma told PTI.
He is survived by his wife and a four-year-old son.
After working as an associate editor on features like "Barfi!", "Kai Po Che!" and "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani", Sharma worked as an editor in the Irrfan Khan-starrer "Karwaan", "Ludo" and 2020's Amazon Prime Video series "Bandish Bandits".
He made his directorial debut with the short film "Jolly 1995", which is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. Sharma was working on the upcoming sports drama "Rashmi Rocket", starring Taapsee Pannu.
Many film personalities took to social media to shared condolence messages on his demise.
Actor Shriya Pilgaonkar said she was "devastated" to hear about Sharma's passing.
"Devasted is an understatement. We lost Ajay Sharma today. Not just an incredibly fine editor but an absolute gem of a human being. Nothing makes sense," Pilgaonkar wrote.
Actor-director Anand Tiwari, who helmed "Bandish Bandits", penned a heartfelt note and said he was in shock after learning about his editor's death.
"Today, I have lost one of the most artistic partners I have ever had. There was so much more we had to do together, so much more I had to learn from him," he wrote on Instagram, alongside a candid picture of Sharma.
Tiwari further said "Bandish Bandits" was Sharma's baby too and it wouldn't have been possible to make the series without him.
"We spent months together in a small dark room making a 10 part series, shot after shot, splice after splice. I thought that was the beginning of our journey, not the end. I will miss you immensely Ajay sir. My thoughts and prayers with the family," the director added.
Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani said, "#RIP Ajay Sharma. Gone too soon."
Director Akarsh Khurana, who collaborated with Sharma on "Rashmi Rocket" and "Karwaan", also mourned his loss.
"Best guy. This is a huge blow," Khurana wrote.
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Metro ridership in Haryana sees over 13 pc rise in 2025-26
Chandigarh (PTI): Haryana's urban transit system witnessed a strong growth in 2025-26, with metro ridership registering a robust 13.55 per cent increase, the state government said in a statement on Thursday.
The progress was reviewed in the 64th board meeting of Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.
Between April 2025 and February 2026, the metro network recorded over 1.74 crore passengers, compared to 1.53 crore in the corresponding period the previous year.
July recorded the highest monthly growth at 22.93 per cent, while all months showed consistent positive trends.
Financial performance has also remained strong, with fare revenue rising 12.64 per cent till January 2026, the statement said.
Non-fare revenue surged by 108 per cent, driven by effective monetisation of station spaces, advertisements and commercial activities, resulting in an operating surplus for Rapid Metro.
Further initiatives, including the auction of station naming rights and additional advertisement sites, are expected to strengthen HMRTC's financial position, the statement said.
Appreciating the performance, Rastogi stated that the consistent rise in ridership and revenue reflects the success of Haryana's integrated transport strategy, rising commuter confidence and a clear shift towards public transport.
HMRTC Managing Director Chander Shekhar Khare said that, alongside operational gains, the state is making steady progress on an ambitious pipeline of metro and regional transit projects.
Metro connectivity from Gurugram Sector 56 to Panchgaon is under active consideration, with Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited studying the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and layout plan, and finalising a depot location in Sector 36A near Sihi village, he said.
The Gurugram-Faridabad Namo Bharat corridor has achieved a key milestone, with alignment and station locations finalised and approved by the Haryana government. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation is preparing the DPR, he added.
Similarly, the Delhi-Kundli metro extension is proposed to be placed before the Haryana Cabinet for approval.
The 136.3-kilometre Delhi-Panipat-Karnal RRTS Corridor has also progressed, with the revised DPR submitted for financial concurrence ahead of Haryana Cabinet consideration.
Within Gurugram, DPR preparation has been approved for key intra-city corridors, including the 17.09-kilometre Bhondsi-Subhash Chowk-Rajeev Chowk-Sohna Chowk Railway Station corridor, enhancing connectivity along Sohna Road, Khare said.
