Hyderabad police have arrested Telugu film critic Kathi Mahesh for making derogatory comments against Lord Rama and Sita.

Banjara Hills police took him into custody late on Monday. He would be produced before a magistrate later on Tuesday.

Mahesh, who also acted in a few films, was booked by the police two days ago on a complaint lodged by leaders of Hindu Janasakthi alleging that he made the offensive comments during a debate on a television channel.

A case was registered against him for hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity and hatred.

Angry over Mahesh’s remarks, activists of some right-wing Hindu organisations on Saturday tried to attack him when he was at the office of a news channel in Banjara Hills.

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As the new age audience is polarised on the reception of observational and political comedy in India, which often results in backlash, trolls and complaints, some of India’s popular comedians say the negative response doesn’t scare them to adulterate their voice.

Comedian Kanan Gill told IANS here: “We are definitely a soft target. So yes, backlash makes us conscious. We are ready to take criticism on our jokes, but not FIRs and life threats. But that does not stop us to say what we want to say.”

Agreeing with him, standup comedian Kaneez Surka said: “We comedians are the truth tellers, showing life the way it is, is a part of our job. Whether it is sarcasm, finding a lighter note on a serious issue, everything is coming from reality.

“Unfortunately, the (political) climate is so tense and polarised that any truth teller is in trouble — whether it is a comedian, celebrity, journalist… Whichever side you take, the opposite party will put your life in danger.”

She says she tried it on social media.

“People called me all kinds of things. It is not only with me, but most of my fellow comedians. We get trolled, humiliated and at times complaints are lodged against us. But you know what? No one can stop us to say what we want to say,” she added.

So what are the riskier topics that comedians find the audience might respond to differently?

Sumukhi Suresh said: “I think predicting the response of an audience is riskier than writing a joke! So instead of finding the risk factor in a joke, just put it out there. It will find its like-minded audience.”

Surka explained: “There is a difference between punching up and punching down. One is punching up when making fun of privileged people and punching down is when making a joke about a minor community who cannot defend themselves. We have learnt not to make fun of them, and so we stay away from punching down.”

Gill rather suggests finding a creative solution to a joke that is potentially risky.

“If you know that it is a political satire that involves potential risk, make it subtle and layer it in a way that the core of the message doesn’t get lost in the layer, but get away with the risk factor. That is how you find a creative solution to it,” he said.

Comedian Naveen Richard stressed on the need to have confidence to do a political satire.

“Take that genre if only you find your voice there. Otherwise, it would be pretentious. There are various topic to make fun of.”

These comedians are coming together along with Tanmay Bhat, Kenny Sebastian, Sapan Verma and Biswa Kalyan Rath to mentor and judge Amazon Prime Original comedy reality show “Comicstaan”, which begins on July 13.

Many budding comedians are participating across the country on the digital show.

Asked about the potential of the new talents of the show, Richard said: “They are finding their voice much faster than us and we did not have much competition among us. Newcomers are pretty cut-throat.”

Surka added: “When we started, there was a process of trial and error because whether it is us, and the audience, we were trying to figure out what works and does not work for us. In the beginning, we were trying to imitate the West a lot, and it took us time to Indianise content and find our voice as comics.

“Newcomers are faster to find their voice, and they have a reference point.”

Gill pointed out how when they started, it was not about making money and establishing themselves as “the best comedians”.

“We were not as ambitious as these kids are. For us, going on stage and performing was important. Now that things are more structured commercially, newcomers are more focused to make it professionally.”

What is their suggestion for upcoming talent from keeping away from facing backlash in the world of comedy?

“I think when you are not so popular yet, not in the public eye, just say what you want to say. Do not hold it back fearing the backlash. If you establish your voice that way, you are doing it right. At the end of the day, I repeat, comedians are the truth tellers, nothing should fear you,” affirmed Kaneez.

Actress Sukhmani Sadana, who will be seen in Netflix’s “Sacred Games” along with actors Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte, says the digital world has opened doors for those who are not getting an entry into showbiz through the “narrow door” of Bollywood.

“I have been associated with web series for a really long time. I think I am just so proud of what we are doing in the digital world in India. I am a very patriotic person and I’m proud that as a country, we are making use of the digital platform and doing really good stuff,” Sukhmani, who had earlier worked in “#LoveBytes” told IANS in a telephonic conversation.

“I really feel there is so much talent in India in terms of writers and actors… People are not getting a chance because the mainstream Bollywood films don’t give a chance to everyone and anyone. The doors are so not widely opened. It’s a bit of a narrow door. Hence, it is difficult for everyone to enter.

“On the other hand, we don’t really associate with what India is doing with the small screen and I am not trying to disapprove it in any way. Most of the current generation people (actors) don’t want to do ‘saas bahu’ shows. For those who itch to act and are looking for right platforms, web series come in the picture. It is opening doors for anyone and everyone,” she added.

In “Sacred Games”, Sukhmani is playing a character that is edgy and grey.

“I am not the normal girl in the show. I am very edgy, unpredictable, very abusive — both physically and verbally. In the show, I really don’t care about the world. This season was more about building up characters and introducing it. So, whatever work I did in the first season was very challenging and different,” she said.

For Sukhmani, working with Saif and Nawazuddin has been great.

“Nawazuddin sir has been a delight to work with. He is so real and raw in his performances. It is just another level of acting. I feel like a complete amateur in front of him. I just can’t wait to shoot the second season of ‘Sacred Games’ and learn more from him,” she said.

Sukhmani, who is also a writer and is currently writing a web show for filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and a feature film (a biopic), says the reach of the digital world is wide.

“The target audience is progressive and creative people. It reaches to the right people,” added the multi-faceted talent, who also worked in Bollywood films like “Creature”, “Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum” and “1920 London”.

What kind of roles does she want to be part of?

“As an actor or writer, I just wish to keep getting really great work. I always keep telling everyone that it hardly matters if you are doing small projects or big projects… You should not get out of practice,” she said.

What she likes is intelligent and creative stuff.

“Good stories matter much more than if it is glamorous.”

Actor-filmmaker Satish Kaushik says his friend and veteran actor Anupam Kher’s achievements are a proud moment for him.

Satish, who has been a friend of Anupam for over four decades, congratulated the “The Big Sick” for bagging the Outstanding Achievement in Cinema Award at the 19th edition of IIFA in Bangkok.

“Congrats my dear friend. Your achievements are always a proud moments for me.. I have so many proud moments in my safe that now I have to get bigger safe because you are never going to stop achieving. Tere ko iski buri lat lag gayee hai (you have a bad habit of winning now). I know you so well. Love always Anupam,” Satish tweeted.

To which Anupam replied: “Thank you my dearest Satish Kaushik. Our moments of friendship are priceless. I carry them safely in heart and these moments of love, warmth and belonging are eternal. Sorry! Thoda emotional ho gaya dost (have got a little emotional).

Satish has worked with Anupam in films like “Daddy”, “Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai”, “Ram Lakhan” and “Jamai Raja” among many others.

On the work front, Satish will next be seen in Anil Kapoor after 15 years in “Fanney Khan”. It is being directed by Atul Manjrekar and produced by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. The movie takes on body shaming in a major way, and also features Aishwarya Rai Bachchan apart from Rajkummar Rao.

Shah Rukh Khan, Soumitra Chatterjee, Naseeruddin Shah, Tabu, Madhuri Dixit, Ali Fazal and Anil Kapoor, apart from producers Aditya Chopra and Guneet Monga, as well as music artistes Usha Khanna and Sneha Khanwalkar are among the Indians invited to be a part of the Oscar Academy’s Class of 2018.

The announcement was made on Monday on the official website of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The new invitees are an effort on the Oscar-giving body to include more women, people of colour and international filmmakers.

“Dangal” editor Ballu Saluja, costume designers Manish Malhotra and Dolly Ahluwalia, cinematographer Anil Mehta, actress Madhabi Mukherjee, production designers Subrata Chakraborthy and Amit Ray are also a part of the list.

Ali, who featured with Judi Dench in “Victoria and Abdul”, tweeted: “So so humbled to be included with the greats. Thank you The Academy for this membership. I look forward to this friendship for a long long time..Sending my love from India.”

Monga, known for producing “The Lunchbox” and “Masaan”, wrote on Instagram: “Honoured to have been invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Class of 2018 !!!!! Thank you The Academy.”

The Academy extended invitations to a record 928 artistes and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures across the world.

Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy’s membership in 2018, read a statement.

Among the invitees, 17 are Oscar winners, while 92 are Oscar nominees, including Timothee Chalamet and Daniel Kaluuya.

Forty-nine per cent of the class of 2018 are female, and, should all accept membership, that will bring overall percentage of women in the Academy to 31 per cent.

Thirty-eight percent of the new invitees are people of colour, which, should they all accept, would bring their overall percentage of the Academy to 16 per cent, according to hollywoodreporter.com.

Tiffany Haddish, Kal Penn, Kumail Nanjiani, Blake Lively, Dave Chappelle, Mindy Kaling, George Lopez, Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman, Evan Rachel Wood, Naveen Andrews, Melissa Etheridge, Jada Pinkett Smith, Kendrick Lamar and J.K. Rowling are among the popular names on the list which ranges from actress Quvenzhane Wallis, who, at age 14, is the youngest, to composer Sofia Gubaidulina, who, at 86, is the oldest.

It gives us great pleasure to welcome onboard and introduce our new Head Chef, Mani
Mohan Pathak.

He is a veteran of the industry and specializes in progressive Indian food.
For this Eid, Chef Pathak is happy to share the following recipe.
Kindly publish the same along with Chef Pathak’s photograph. Also attached are photos of
the dish.

LUKMI ALA GALAWAT
This recipe is giving a different look to a most Famous dish(snacks) of Hyderabad.
The traditional dish is re-shaped to in savory crispy cornetto shell and filled with Authentic
lamb Galawat.
To make Lukmi cornetto
Samosa Patti or phyllo sheet—4 sheet
Butter- 30 gram
Cornetto mold -4 no

Method
 Take the Samosa Patti or phyllo sheet.
 Slightly apply butter on it
 Roll it on all cornetto cone mold individually
 Bake it in oven at 160 degree centigrade for 12 minutes till golden brawn
 Take out from oven, allow it to get cold. Demold and keep a side.
 Your empty cornetto shell is ready.

For Lamb Galawat

Fine minced mutton – 200 Grms
Ghee 50 grams
Fried Onion- 30 grams
Green chillies 10 grams
Fresh coriander chopped 20 grams
Red chili powder 05 grams
Garam masala powder 05 grams
Raw Papaya mince 05 grams
Rose petal powder 02 grams
Mint leaves few sprig
Rose petals 1 rose
Salt to taste

Method

Take a bowl and place minced mutton in it. Combine all the ingredients with it except half
Ghee, mix well.
Make bay in center and smoke it with hot charcoal in bowl with ghee, clove n garlic to infuse
aroma
Now galawat mixture is ready to shallow fry in small ball or cook it with bit ghee n cream to
make creamy pouring consistency.
Spoon out creamy mixture in cornetto.
Garnish with rose petal. Serve hot.

Reacting to the ban on Superstar Rajinikanth’s Kaala movie, CM HD Kumaraswamy said that the Kannadigas have rejected the actor’s film. He added he will hold a meeting and take a decision on the same.

The film star has often faced the wrath of pro-Kannada organizations for his comments on Cauvery issue. The actor has a great fan following in Karnataka, especially Bengaluru and Kolar where there is a sizable Tamil population. On Tuesday, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) decided not to allow screening of his movie ‘Kaala’, due for release on June 7. The chamber also said that Rajinikanth’s statement on Cauvery has reportedly hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas. Directed by Pa Ranjith, ‘Kaala’ is one of the biggest releases in Tamil and is scheduled to release worldwide on June 7. Produced by Wunderbar Films, the film also stars Huma Qureshi, Nana Patekar, Eswari Rao, Samuthirakani and Anjali Patil in important roles.