Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged AIDS
Time to legalise prostitution-Reema Kagti
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
It’s the only way to reduce the real illegalities that come with the profession — like violent crimes against sex workers and child trafficking…
Reema Kagti (TIMES LIFE; December 23, 2012)
PROSTITUTES have always intrigued me. My first memory of an encounter with one is set in a small town in Assam where I grew up. I, aged 7or 8, was left in the car with an ayah while my mother was buying groceries in the market. Two women walked by. I might have thought nothing more about them had it not been for my ayah who asked me not to look at them and turned my face away. Precisely because I was told not to look, I stared even harder at the two garishly made up women.
Later, my parents were not very forthcoming with answers to my questions about them; sparking off an even greater curiosity. In my early life, books and movies were my only reference points; and they created an intensely romanticised picture of this fallen woman. She in her illegal, immoral way symbolised my personal cause as a teenager — rebellion against the establishment. Ironically, in an attempt to protect me, my ayah sparked off a lifelong fascination with this dark face lurking in the shadows of society.
It is this fascination that as a naïve college student made me volunteer for a WHO programme to distribute condoms in Mumbai’s Kamathipura to curb AIDS. Walking around the maze of human depravation and degradation that makes up Mumbai’s red light district, I had a crash course in reality. None of the women I More >
Book Review: My Brother Nikhil – The Screenplay
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in External Reviews
By Joginder Tuteja, April 28, 2011 – 12:24 IST
What grabs your attention the moment you lay your hands on the screenplay of My Brother Nikhil is the sleek book design. Quite handy and (thankfully) not at all weighty, it looks like one of those story books that you want to quickly start reading and wrap up in quick time. Also, there is a definite simplicity around the overall design and presentation that gives it a pleasant look and feel despite the serious subject.
Even though the book is arriving years after the film had hit the screens, its timing seems just apt as it hits the stands around the time when director Onir is ready with his I AM. Though he has made Bas Ek Pal and Sorry Bhai in the interim, it is I AM that seems closest to the kind of sensibilities that Onir comes with and hence makes one positive that yet again there would be something worthy to watch when the film releases in theatres.
Meanwhile coming back to My Brother Nikhil, it only ends up being a good revisit to the time when Onir had just started off and played his emotions to the fullest in order to pull off a film that would have seemed impossible on paper. There has never been a mainstream film on homosexuals and when My Brother Nikhil had released, it hadn’t quite set the box office on fire either. However over a period of time it had gained a following amongst the niche audience who are catching the film on DVD. Moreover the film too continues to travel across continents in More >
Priyan set to make film on AIDS with Aamir Khan
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Subhash K. Jha, February 15, 2011 – 12:06 IST
Aamir Khan will be doing a stark real-time film on AIDS with the prolific Priyadarshan, probably at the end of the year. Priyan who has worked with the other two Khan superstars, Shah Rukh and Salman, met Aamir who has given his verbal approval for the project.
Priyan’s other Hindi project Tezz is now on hold. The large-budget action thriller featuring Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Sunil Shetty, Kangna Ranaut, Tusshar Kapoor and Zayed Khan is waiting for the sun to shine on its fate…quite literally. The makers are waiting for the sun to come out in Scotland where the rest of the film is to be shot.
Explains Priyan, “About 40 percent of the film remains to be shot. I will complete it in one stretch in Scotland. But we cannot shoot it before summer when the sun comes out. I hope to complete and release Tezz by year-end.”
Provided Devgn has the dates.
“So for now I’m back in Kerala writing a Malayalam film. It a comedy with my favourite actor Mohanlal called The Arab Camel & Madhavan Nair to be shot in Abu Dhabi,” informs Priyan.
The comedy will also be made in Hindi.
Abu Dhabi has a large Malyali population. Says Priyan, “Even the traffic cops and taxi drivers in Abu Dhabi speak Malayalam. I haven’t directed a Malayalam film in seven years, so I’m very excited.”
For now Priyan has gone back to Kerala and his roots in Malayalam cinema. And is very happy about it.
Says the director, “I haven’t gone to Mumbai for three More >
I got a lot of respect for playing gay-Ashwin Mushran
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Freedom often comes with a clause. While being homosexual has been legalised in the country, the way they are perceived will take time to change. Actors who have played such roles share their experiences and opinions with MM.com
Pooja Bhula | MM Online Bureau (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 03, 2011)
It is easier for a woman to understand what it feels like to be a man and the other way around – a lot has been talked, written and filmed about it. But how many straight people in India can actually put themselves in the shoes of homosexuals? If it were only about having a different sexual preference, understanding a gay Indian would not be as complicated, but in a country where inequality is rampant in all areas of life, be it economic or social, the dynamics are very different.
Besides family, those involved in films with homosexual characters know a thing or two about what being gay in India means.
Ashwin Mushran, who played the flamboyant designer in Fashion, takes pride in his role. He says “Gay people are generally made fun of in movies or on television; even if you’re playing it funny, the character can be respectable. I got a lot of respect after the movie, for giving respect to the community.” When asked about reservations of other actors in the fraternity, he said, “Playing the hero is a preference for most and the image conscious are worried about being slotted in this category.”
(L to R): Ashwin Mushran, Onirban, Rahul Bose and Sanjay Suri
On More >
Richard Gere looking to return to India
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Hollywood superstar continues helping Dalai Lama and Tibetans from outside the country
Prithwish Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; December 30, 2010)
Hollywood superstar Richard Gere, who is set to start shooting for Goutam Ghose’s Lala, might be disliked by radical political outfits in India post his kissing row with Shilpa Shetty — but that does not mean that he is persona non grata in the country. BT has learned that Gere, through his philanthropic organisation — The Gere Foundation, is providing free medical aid and other healthcare assistance to the people of Dharamshala. Gere is keeping the operations hush-hush given the flak he got during a 2007 AIDS promotion outside New Delhi when he kissed Shilpa on her cheek.
The Hollywood actor is one of the most high-profile disciples of Tibet’s spirital leader in exile — the Dalai Lama. And even though Gere hasn’t been travelling to India as religiously as he was doing some years back (fearing arrest), he is making quite a statement by being a close friend of our country. He has also been very vocal about Tibet’s freedom struggle with China. His foundation site confirms this as a statement reads that the body “aims to alleviate suffering and help to restore autonomy to the people of Tibet”.
A top source from Dharamshala informs, “Gere does not need to be here to help the people of the land and especially the Tibetan refugees. He has been actively working every single day for the rights of More >
What Govt couldn’t, Sallu did!
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Salman Khan proves once again that he has a heart of gold
Reshma Kelkar Dabholkar | TNN (MUMBAI MIRROR.COM; November 15, 2010) Salman Khan
Actor Salman Khan is proud to have become the first bone marrow donor and associate himself and his foundation ‘Being Human’ with the Marrow Donor Registry, India (MDRI).
Dr. Sunil Parekh who is on the board of MDRI said, “The people suffering from disease and I thank Salman Khan for coming forward and taking up our cause. Four years ago, Salman had read about Pooja, a little girl who was in need of bone marrow transplant. He got his entire football team to come and donate marrow. Unfortunately, they all backed out last minute, and only Salman and Arbaaz landed up donating and became the first donors.
“We made a foolish mistake to depend on the government in 2004,” continued Dr. Parekh, “we didn’t get the right help…”
Salman Khan, who is passionate about the cause of saving lives, is all set to convince not only the aam junta, but also his Bollywood friends to donate marrow and urge them to create awareness. He isn’t keen to make a film around this either ‘because such films don’t work, nobody goes to watch them’. “I tried approaching the cause of AIDS via a film ‘Phir Milenge’. It didn’t work well. It’s proof enough that such cinema is not popular with the masses,” he explained.
“We have only 5000 donors currently. It’s not merely the lack of awareness; it’s our attitude that’s also the problem. And More >
No more comedies for Priyadarshan
12 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Subhash K. Jha, September 13, 2010 – 11:32 IST
The prolific Priyadarshan who in many ways spawned the entire culture of modern-day comedies in Bollywood has decided to take a sabbatical from the funny stuff. No more comedies, says Priyan. And he makes a barbed comment on the new breed of comic filmmakers. “Let the others dabble in comedy. I’ve had my fill for a while.”
So adamant is he on staying away from comedies that he has told Subhash Ghai whose banner needs immediate revival that he won’t be able to do a funny film for the producer. Ghai had gone to Priyadarshan in the hope of his production house securing a De Dana Dan, if not a Hera Pheri.
Priyan made it clear that he won’t indulge in any funny business. Says the director, “Subhashji came to me to sign me for a film. I made it very clear that I won’t be making a comedy. I’m working on a few scripts. He has left it to me to decide what to make.”
In fact Priyan has put aside the desi version of the Walt Disney film Freaky Friday for this very reason. The idea of making a funny mother-daughter film doesn’t enthuse the director at this point of time. Freaky Friday is being adapted into Hindi by Devika Bhagat who wrote Aisha for Sonam Kapoor and Anil Kapoor Productions, in that order.
Says Priyadarshan, “I’ve committed myself to doing a film with Anil Kapoor Productions. But it needn’t be Freaky Friday. It could be something else. I have told them to finish the scripting then come to me.”
Priyan means More >
Aamir meets Roger Moore at Berlin
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
// // //
Aamir Khan and Hollywood actor Roger Moore, who once played James Bond, got chummy over a recent charity event in Berlin
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 11, 2010)
Aamir Khan was in Berlin, Germany over the weekend to attend a fund raising event Burda Live 2010.
Aamir not only got a chance to showcase an exclusive cut of his forthcoming production Peepli Live but also closely interact with one of his favorite actors Roger Moore, best known for playing British secret agent James Bond in seven films from 1973 to 1985. Aamir was the only Indian actor at the event on Saturday. He was accompanied by his wife Kiran Rao.
A source said, “It was a fund raiser for South African kids suffering from AIDS. There was a gala dinner where celebrities like Roger Moore, Karl Largerfeld, Nick Nolte, Keira Chaplin and Sean Hepburn Ferrer were also present.
Aamir was pleasantly surprised when he got to sit at the same table as Roger Moore. When Aamir went on stage, he showcased a five minute cut of his film Peepli Live before talking about his excitement on meeting Roger Moore. He went on to say how he has seen all Roger Moore films.”
After Aamir’s speech, the two actors bonded over their favourite subject: films. “Aamir and Moore spoke at length about Peepli Live and Moore said that he loved what little he saw of Aamir’s film at the event.
Moore also expressed his desire to watch the entire film. Aamir said that he would love to show him the film More >
Salman spreads bone marrow donation awareness
13 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Salman Khan has decided to espouse the cause of bone marrow donation and plans to be among the donors
By Sonal Chawla (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 05, 2010)
// // // Salman Khan has been known to do his bit for a number of causes, often going out of his way to donate and generate funds for Cancer and AIDS patients.
But he’s recently adopted another cause that’s caught his attention – bone marrow donation, which can prove a life saver for patients suffering from several critical diseases, including leukaemia and tuberculosis.
Apparently Salman came to know about the issue when he was informed by a friend about the difficulty faced by patients in procuring bone marrows because there are hardly any donors.
So now Salman is trying to create awareness about the issue and has even expressed his keenness to become a donor himself.
A source close to the actor reveals, “Salman first got to know about the lack of bone marrow donors through a friend. He has become quite net savvy of late and did a lot of research on the topic himself. He found the dismal numbers of people donating the critical bone marrow which can save a life, primarily because not many people know that it’s not the same as blood donation. Compared to other countries, the situation in India is quite primitive.”
The source continues, “Salman, through his Being Human Foundation has decided to collect funds and also donate his own bone marrow. He has been urging his friends to join in the cause and More >