Posts tagged Islam

Veena gets threat from the Taliban

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Fearing for life after receiving a letter from Maulana Masood, Veena Malik seeks asylum abroad

Pradeep Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; March 11, 2011)

 

Veena Malik, who became a household name after appearing on the Indian reality show, has received death threats from Taliban. She is in possession of a letter (a copy of which is available with BT) by Maulana Masood, Mujaheddin leader connected with Osama bin Laden, accusing her of humiliating Islam and Pakistan’s name during her stay in the Bigg Boss’ house. The helpless model-turned-TV star has decided to seek asylum in other countries.

The actress who cosied up with male contestants on the show and flaunted her curves unabashedly was criticised by the media in her country. Says the defiant girl, “I’m an artist and I would have felt guilty if I had done something wrong, but I haven’t. I have worn the same clothes in Pakistan and behaved in the same fashion back home, so suddenly what’s my fault? I cannot be issued death threats for participating in a TV show in India.” “We are neighbours for God’s sake and artists should have no boundaries to worry about.”

Veena, who is currently shooting a cricket show for an Indian TV news channel says, “I went back to Pakistan knowing the repercussions of my vibe on the show, but I never thought in my wildest of dreams that I would have to contemplate about leaving my country, my birthplace. Right now, I’m being forced to think about seeking asylum. Now that More >

Khan speaks English too!

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3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

KJo re-edits his most ambitious venture, SRK dubs in English, for release in 25 countries

MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; April 7, 2010)

Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan is on a roll. The film that has reportedly touched the life of scores of people across the globe, plans to continue with its winning streak overseas. The original Hindi version is the No.1 grosser in the UK and it has also broken several records in the regular diaspora markets across the US. Now, Karan and Fox Star Studios will release a reedited, two-hour long version (that’s minus 45 minutes!) in 25 countries like Germany, Poland and France between April and June, with SRK dubbing his lines in English.

Karan says, “Right from the beginning we had plans to release a fresh cut meant mainly for the nondiaspora markets in North America, Russia and certain parts of Europe. We will have a platform release in the art-house circuit. MNIK is the first global movie with the ethos meant for a world audience and Phase II was designed to take it to markets where no Bollywood film has ever been.’’

In Indonesia, the film is said to have broken records of all previous Hindi movies with a box office of 1.5 million USD. And the local distributor Harris Lasmana says, “My Name is Khan has appealed to the Indonesian audience, where Islam is followed by majority of the population. Moreover, the film reviews have been excellent.’’

Delirious with the praise More >

Mani desires to cast Ranbir in his next?

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3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in ,
Mani Ratnam is keen to cast Ranbir Kapoor in his next film Azan By Sonal Chawla (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 27, 2009)

Ranbir Kapoor has every reason to be happy. Post the success of his solo-starrer Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, he is being considering by top notch filmmakers. Mani Ratnam, is one of those considering Ranbir for their forthcoming film.

Mani, who is currently busy with Raavana, is already making plans for his next film, Azan, which is a pro-Muslim film. Although the director is still in the scripting process, he wants to cast Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role.

A source says, “After the release of Raavana in May next year, Mani will start working for Azan. Unlike the films releasing in Bollywood of late, which focuses on either Jehad or Islam, this is a pro-Muslim film which will portray Muslims in a positive light. The title of the film is the name of the lead character as he will be born during Azan (The Muslim summons to prayer, called by the muezzin from a minaret of a mosque five times a day).”

 

Mani is very impressed with Ranbir’s acting skills and is keen to have him on board. The source adds, “After seeing Ranbir’s progress as an actor, Mani sir is keen to have him in the lead role in the film. Ranbir has not played such a role till date and it is sure to be his breakthrough performance. Till now, Ranbir has played a young boy, a mature man (Bachna Ae Haseeno), a Sardar (Rocket Singh – Salesman of the Year) and now seeing him portray More >

Sallu's Ganpati song in Wanted!

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3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

SEEKING BLESSINGS: Salman Khan dances for the Lord in his forthcoming film. For more pictures of the Bollywood hunk, visit http://photogallery.indiatimes.com Salman Khan shows love for Ganpati in song and dance for new film

TIMES NEWS NETWORK (BOMBAY TIMES; August 22, 2009)

This is a bit of a coincidence, really. Salman Khan shooting a song called Jalwa for his new film — Sahara Motion Pictures and S K Films Entertainment’s Wanted, that is picturised on Lord Ganesh, the presiding deity of Mumbai. The film is slated for release on September 18, the promos are on the air, and look… it’s Ganeshotsav tomorrow! Salman is a believer in Lord Ganesh, though his faith is Islam, and he also celebrates Christmas at home. That is because the ‘Khan’daan at Galaxy Apartments in Bandra west, is happily among the most cosmopolitan families in Mumbai. Father Salim Khan’s first wife Salma is a Maharashtrian Brahmin and the second, is former Bollywood swinger Helen, a Catholic. They celebrate Eid, Ganpati, Diwali and Christmas. This year, again, Ganeshotsav and the holy month of Ramazan come together. The Khans are not always rozedars, they do not keep the rozas, but the parties, the drinking and the fun, is cut down during the holy period. Iftaars are held in the evening, the Khans prepare thals of food and delicacies that are sent to orphanages, old age homes, friends and relatives. And yes, they devoutly perform the Ganpati aarti because mother Salma brings home an idol of Lord More >

KJo's 'Jihaad' is now titled 'Qurbaan'

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4 years ago
by Fenil Seta in
Rensil D’Silva and Karan Johar have finalised the title Qurbaan for their film on global terrorism By Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 18, 2009) Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan tried hard to push for Jehaad as the title for the Rensil D’Silva directed film on Islamic terrorism, insisting on calling the film Jehaad in all their press interviews when it was not the official title. But producer Karan Johar and D’Silva are being cautious and have decided against naming the film Jehaad.

Apparently, with the film already being looked at with some curiosity and suspicion in the global market, the makers did not want to send out the wrong signal at the international market at Cannes. They did not wish to put off the western audiences by calling the film Jehaad which is the Islamic term for Holy War. They did not want the title to incorrectly sound in favour of Islamic terrorism.

Our source said, “As soon as the title Qurbaan is made official, Karan and Rensil plan to call a press conference to correct the media perception that the film is called Jehaad. Since Kareena and Saif used Jehaad in all their interviews, it will take some time for Jehaad to get out of the public’s mind. They have made a gripping thriller on terrorism. The narration is taut and uninterrupted by Bollywood formulae like songs, dances and melodrama. Kareena and Saif have even done one of the boldest love sequences ever. “

Rensil D’Silva

Karan Johar

When contacted Rensil said, “We did More >

Saif gets a lesson on Islam!

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4 years ago
by Fenil Seta in
Saif Ali Khan learns about Islam while preparing for his role as an Islamic fundamentalist in Rensil D’Silva’s forthcoming film By Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 05, 2009) If your jaws dropped on seeing the prim ‘n’ propah Saif Ali Khan speak colourful language as Langda Tyagi in Omkara, you will be even more shocked to see him play an Ismalic fundamentalist in Rensil D’Silva’s forthcoming film.

Born and brought up in a non-conservative westernised atmosphere, this role has been a life-changing experience for Saif. The actor elaborates, “The role has not only made me more politically aware, it has also made me more religious. Earlier, I was more spiritual than religious. I knew a lot of things about Islam and always believed in the higher power. But when I did a lot of reading on Islam, the one most decisive thing that I learnt had to do with Allah. We tend to presume Allah to be the Muslim God. But Allah is the Arab word for the ‘same God’, or the ‘one true God’ that, I thought, was a wonderful thing to learn while doing this character. All religions believe in the oneness of God. So what’s all the fighting about? Whether it’s Christianity, Islam or Judaism, many of the religions have fought a holy war at one time or another. It’s been a part of religious history.”

It’s not often that you come across roles that change your perception about life. Saif admits that his role in Rensil’s film has not just changed his views towards life but also religion. “It’s the More >

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