Posts tagged volunteer

‘I Am’ is not about homosexuality-Onir

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

MM.com had an exclusive chat with filmmaker Onir on his latest film ‘I Am’, an alleged cold war with Rahul Bose, and what makes a film ‘commercial’

Varun Vazir | MM Online Bureau (May 02, 2011)

Onir, whose film I Am released last Friday, confesses that he did not have money to pay his actors yet managed to assemble a strong cast comprising Nandita Das, Juhi Chawla, Rahul Bose, Sanjay Suri and Abhimanyu Singh.

The film was shot in a mere 24 days at a budget of Rs 3 crores. Excerpts from an interview:

I Am released on Friday along with four other films. Does that make you apprehensive?

Each film is of a different genre and defines its own audience. Anything good will find its audience. Footfall in the theatres has been increasing as there is a good buzz surrounding the film.

How did you manage to assemble such a cast?

We did not have money to offer the actors. Each of the cast members did this film only because the script excited them.

Which is your favorite story out of the four?

‘I Am Megha’ is very special to me as it is based on the loss of home and identity. I was born and brought up in Bhutan and had to leave the country due to political situations. Loss of home is a subject that touches me personally.

Rahul Bose was annoyed with you because you used his kissing scene with Arjun Mathur for publicity.

Rahul and I have a different take on that. I feel a scene of two people kissing is a beautiful emotion. There is no drama between me and Rahul. We respect More >

Rani Mukerji on turning 30

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

On her birthday today, Rani Mukerji lists 10 things every girl must do when she exits from her 20s

Prithwish Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; March 21, 2011)

Rani Mukerji is one of the few B-Town actresses who has never shied from accepting her age. Today on her 33rd birthday, the spunky actress talks about ten top things every girl must do before she enters her thirties.

10. Do something physically adventurous: One should always take risks when you are in your twenties or when you are a teenager. But take risks that does not ruin or harm you. I have for the longest time been thinking of doing deep sea diving and even sky diving and it’s my aim that I will do it soon. I’m a total water baby and I love anything to do with water. I’m just waiting for the right time to plan and do sea diving and have a super experience doing it. So, all of you who haven’t done things that are adventurous go for it now.

9. Be at the top of your game: You need to be at the top of your game when you are in your 30s for sure. So, plan well and take your chances. 30s should shape how your life will be so that you can enjoy your 40s or 50s but for that you need to push yourself the hardest in your 20s. But hey, make sure you balance your life well. All work and no play makes anyone dull. I didn’t even realise when I touched 30 because right through my 20s I was working so hard and travelling so much. But it’s definitely been worth it.

8. Go on a all-girl/boy vacation: More >

The real Sindhutai Sapkal speaks up

2
2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Social activist Sindhutai Sapkal, whose bio-pic is making waves, talks about her ‘power of one’ philanthropy

Sumedha Raikar-Mhatre (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 02, 2011)

A social activist from Vidarbha, Sindhutai Sapkal, 62, is a mother to over a thousand destitute children. She runs a chain of orphanages in Maharashtra.

Her rise from a horrifyingly impoverished childhood and an unbelievably regressive marriage is an inspiring story that is now part of the recently-released biographical film Mee Sindhutai Sapkal.

Married at 9 and abandoned by her husband at 20 along with her infant daughter, Sindhutai is an exemplary rebel who fought against a patriarchal social order and used resourceful ways to start life anew.

Her speeches, which have inspired philanthropy, are a rare demonstration of the ‘power of one’. After the film’s release, there is a renewed interest in Sindhutai’s packed calendar of public engagements. She talks about how the film energises her to take on the management of four resource-poor orphanages.

Did your bio-pic impact your work?

Oh yes, I am warmly received at airport lounges and other sophisticated places. My public speeches, which have always been vital to donations, are now booked months in advance. When the film was released, all political outfits in Mumbai and Pune booked shows for their grassroots women workers.

The experience of watching the film, as a chief guest, with other toiling lower-middle class women was great. More >

Cops foil Sena march to SRK’s residence

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3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

STOPPED IN TRACKS: The Shiv Sena had planned to take out a morcha to Shah Rukh’s bungalow in Bandra on Sunday. Twenty Shiv Sainiks were whisked away by the cops before they could reach SRK’s home. The rest of the protesters fled

S Balakrishnan & Bharati Dubey | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 1, 2010)

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena stepped up its campaign against superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Sunday by trying to take out a morcha to his bungalow, Mannat, in Bandra and warning theatre managements against screening My Name Is Khan, the Karan Johar film which is slated for release on February 12. Promotional material for the film starring Kajol opposite Shah Rukh were pulled down from cinema halls for the third day in a row even as the police treated the protests with kid-gloves.

The march to Mannat was led by Sena vibhag pramukh Anil Parab. Before the protesters, who planned to hand over a memorandum to Shah Rukh, could reach his bungalow, the police whisked away 20 of them while the rest fled. The arrested persons were brought to Bandra police station. Parab told TOI: “Our leader Balasaheb Thackeray had warned Shah Rukh not to support the playing of Pakistani cricketers on Indian soil. As long as Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism in India, we will not let any Pakistani play in India. Saheb has extended the ban to Australian cricketers as attacks on Indians continued to take place in that country.’’ Parab is in charge of the stretch between Bandra and Jogeshwari.

Sena More >

Katrina eyeing National Awards?

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3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in ,

Katrina nudges Prakash Jha to include some dramatic scenes in Raajneeti that will enhance her chances of winning a National Award

By Meena Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 23, 2010)

// // //

Raajneeti

Prakash Jha’s Raajneeti isn’t in the news only because of the chemistry between the lead actors Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif. Those on the sets of this political thriller in Bhopal say that the film is also special to Kat not only because she is the only female protagonist; she is also hoping the film will get her a National Award.

A source on the sets says, “Katrina is very keen on winning a National Award. She doesn’t seem to hanker after the rest of the awards, but yes, on the sets she often mentioned that winning the National Award would mean the world to her.”

An insider adds that, in her own clever way, Katrina has told filmmaker Prakash Jha to try and give her a couple of dramatic scenes with the twice National Award-winning actor Ajay Devgan (Zakhm, The Legend of Bhagat Singh). And she is hopeful that Raajneeti is her big ticket to India’s biggest acting honour.

Katrina, of course says, “The script of the film is exactly as it was. And I certainly don’t think I’m winning the National Award.”

However, it is said that the actress even volunteered a price-cut but is keen that she is able to match histrionics with the other award-winning actors… and has said this to Prakash Jha in so many words.

Aamir to enroll in cooking classes

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3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in
Aamir Khan not only feels the need to take up cooking, but wants to grow his own vegetables as well By Meena Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 02, 2010)

Aamir Khan has two immediate plans when for the future. The actor, who was in Kolkata for New Year’s Eve, is expected to go overseas for a holiday. And when he returns, he has plans to enroll for cooking classes.

Says Aamir, “I’m fascinated by cooking. My mother is easily my favourite cook. She can make everything from exotic dishes to regular stuff exceptionally well. And when I feel like home food, I just drive to Pune to eat it.”

To keep the biwi happy as well, he adds, “Kiran is also a fantastic cook and she loves getting into the kitchen.”

The actor, who confesses that his skills are limited to boiling an egg and making a cup of tea, says he has no cooking prowess. “I volunteer to help Kiran with the dishes if she asks me,” he says.

Talking about his determination to join cooking classes, he says, “I admire people who cook well. It is just one of those things that keeps going on in my head.

Earlier, I didn’t bother with it because I always reasoned this is not one of the equities that I as a star am expected to bring to the table. But now I just feel I must learn to cook. I don’t know how soon I can get around to doing it though,” he says.

Aamir, who is also fascinated by the thought of growing his own vegetables, has said, “I’m seriously toying with the idea of organic farming. Both Kiran and I are More >

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