Bengaluru: While the state capital is readying itself to host two major events, the Aero India 2025 and the Global Investors Meet 2025, rates for hotel rooms have risen in Bengaluru by 20 per cent, as owners are witnessing a major increase in the demand for accommodation.

The Aero India 2025 show is being organized from February 10 to 14 while the Global Investors Meet 2025 is scheduled from February 12 to 14, with the inaugural session to be held on February 11.

The events are expected to attract business leaders, investors and aviation enthusiasts to Bengaluru, as a result of which, hotel occupancy is nearly full across the city and also on the outskirts of Bengaluru, according to a report in the Times of India. Last-minute travelers are finding no rooms in hotels or are forced to spend exorbitantly to get accommodation in the city.

Secretary of the Bangalore Hotels Association, Veerendra Kamat, has said that it was normal for demand for hotel rooms in Bengaluru to rise during Aero India, but as the schedule of the show coincides with that of the Global Investors’ Meet, the demand for rooms has nearly doubled. He explained that prices have risen by 20 per cent on account the exceptional demand for rooms and added that star hotels are charging rooms starting with Rs 15,000.

Sanjay Sonar, assistant vice-president of sales and marketing at Vividus Hotels on Kumara Krupa Road, said many people, realizing the volatility of the hospitality chains in Bengaluru, had been booking their rooms in advance. He admitted that many hotel owners, who had expected a rise in demand for rooms, were surprised to find people booking rooms a month in advance, for the air show, and clarified that the hike in demand resulted in the rise in price too.

Sathish Kumar, front office manager at Citadel Sarovar Portico, Race Course, explained that defence and corporate crowds had been booking hotels in the CBD area well in advance for the Aero India show. He added that, in comparison to the last edition of the show, the demand had doubled this year, leading to the hike in the room rent. In reference to their hotel, Kumar said that only 1 per cent of the rooms were kept for last-minute travelers.

Abhijith R, Food and Beverages Manager at Hyatt Centric Hebbal, has opined that the current situation provided hospitality chains across Bengaluru an opportunity to not only showcase their services but also engage with a global and diverse audience and gain wide exposure.

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Mumbai (PTI): Actor Pravina Deshpande, known for playing supporting characters in films such as “Ready”, “Gabbar is Back” and “D Day”, has died.

The actor's family shared the news in a post on her Instagram page, saying that Despande breathed her last on Tuesday.

“It is with great sadness that we inform you that Mrs Pravina Deshpande has left for her heavenly abode on 17th February 2026,” the note read.

According to media reports, Deshpande died after a prolonged battle with blood cancer at the age of 60. She is survived by her husband and two children.

Desphande worked extensively in Marathi theatre, shows and films. She gained wider recognition for her work in Hindi cinema.

Some of her popular shows and films were “Pariniti”, “Avagat”, “Ghar Ek Mandir”, “Kumkum - Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan”, “Ek Villian”, “Parmanu” The story of Pokhran”, among others.

She was last seen in the Netflix series, “Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web”.

The Cine and TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA), a trade union body of actors, wrote on X, “CINTAA expresses its condolences on the demise of Pravina Deshpande ji (member since 2008).”

Deshpande’s colleagues from the film industry also took to social media to express grief.

“Beautiful person. She’d met me in 2017 to audition for our film. It was a very pleasant experience," filmmaker Aditya Kriplani said on X.

Actor Vaishnavi Dhanraj said, “May her soul rest in peace.”

Her last rites were held on Tuesday afternoon at the Hindu crematorium, Chakala Parsiwada, in suburban Andheri.