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Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas marry in traditional Hindu ceremony

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In this Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 handout photo released by Raindrop Media, Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas celebrate during a mehendi ceremony, a day before their wedding, at Umaid Bhawan in Jodhpur, India. (Raindrop Media via AP)

Actress and former Miss World Priyanka Chopra married American singer Nick Jonas in a traditional Hindu ceremony here, after three days of wedding celebrations which included a colourful mehendi ceremony, a friendly cricket match and a power-packed ‘desi’ musical evening.

Priyanka looked “breathtaking in her traditional red Indian wedding outfit”, a source told E! News about the Hindu ceremony on Sunday.

“Nick did a beautiful job following the customs of a Hindu ceremony. It was lovely seeing how they honoured both of their heritages,” the insider added.

From their ‘roka’ ceremony in August to their wedding, Nick has embraced Indian traditions whole-heartedly. Priyanka also ensured an occasion like Thanksgiving Day was celebrated like it’s meant to be with Nick’s family.

“One of the most special things that our relationship has given us is a merging of families who love and respect each others’ faiths and cultures.

“And so, planning our wedding with an amalgamation of both was so amazing,” Priyanka and Nick wrote on their respective Instagram page on December 1 when they shared glimpses of their ‘mehendi’ revelry.

Their wedding celebrations were in tune with the majestic venue — the royal Umaid Bhawan Palace, situated atop a hill in this ‘Blue City’ in Rajasthan.

Priyanka, 36, and Nick, 26, first exchanged vows in a Christian ceremony officiated by the groom’s father here on December 1. They wore custom-made Ralph Lauren ensembles — a good fit as the two stars had shared the spotlight for the first time as guests of the designer at the 2017 Met Gala.

Marking their union here was the Jodhpur sky lit up with fireworks. However, Priyanka was widely trolled for it as around Diwali, she had urged people not to burst firecrackers due to the health hazards it leads to. As a result, she was called out for her “double standards”.

Nevertheless, their fans were swooning over some of the tidbits they shared of the ‘#NickYanka’ pre-wedding ceremonies.

At the ‘mehendi’ ceremony, Priyanka sported a breathtaking multi-hued folksy Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla lehenga, channelling the ‘desi’ look in every which way, while Nick sported an aqua kurta by the same designers.

They also incorporated a friendly cricket match, competing as “team bride vs team groom”.

As for the sangeet, a video and photographs shared by Priyanka suggest it was no less than a Bollywood awards night complete with a stage, elaborate light set-up and props as well as energetic performances.

Priyanka’s cousin and actress Parineeti Chopra, who performed on stage, welcomed Nick warmly to her family and is all praise for her “jiju” (brother-in-law).

“The job of us bridesmaids was to make sure the bride was happy and comfortable at all times. But we did not have to worry about it because Nick promised to do it all his life.

“Welcome to the family Nick jiju! I am so so happy that the Jonas and Chopra family is now united,” she wrote.

The couple first began talking in 2016 via Twitter, and met in person for the first time at a party for the Academy Awards in 2017.

A successful Bollywood star, Priyanka made a transition to American showbiz as the lead in crime drama “Quantico”, eventually landing a role in the “Baywatch” film.

Nick and his brothers Kevin and Joe are known for having formed a pop-rock band, The Jonas Brothers, in 2005. The band split up in 2013.

IANS

Want to explore different things till I’m 70, says Kareena By Durga Chakravarty

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Mumbai From doing films as different as chalk and cheese to redefining professionalism for working mothers to trying her hands at a radio show, top actress Kareena Kapoor Khan does not want to stop there and says she would like to keep exploring “different things” till she is 70 years old.

Kareena made her acting debut in 2000 with “Refugee”. She was later seen in films like “Ajnabee”, “Asoka”, “Chameli”, “Yuva”, “Omkara”, “Jab We Met”, “Heroine”, “Satyagraha”, “Ki&Ka” and “Udta Punjab”. She launched her radio show titled “What Women Want with Kareena Kapoor Khan” on Ishq 104.8 FM last month.

Asked if she aspires to do something more, Kareena told IANS here: “The idea today is only about content — and being a part of good content, whether it is the web, cinema, stage or radio. I think today artists and actors are all about supporting content. I am just happy that I have got to try my hand… It’s the first time for me. So, lets see… I would like to try different things till probably I am 70.”

The 38-year-old actress, who hails from Indian cinema’s first film family, redefined professionalism by returning to work soon after delivering her first son named Taimur in 2016.

Kareena, who married actor Saif Ali Khan in 2012, also praised digital platforms and added: “I am glad all this is opening up for us.” She added: “The content in cinema and different platforms is changing. There are so many options to do what you want in today’s time and I think it’s the best time to be an actor.”

The “Veere Di Wedding” actress has lent her voice to the character of the hypnotic python Kaa in the Hindi version of actor-filmmaker Andy Serkis’ forthcoming film “Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle”, which is slated to have a global release on the streaming site Netflix on December 7.

Kareena, who is excited to be a part of the eternal classic originally written as “The Jungle Book” by author Rudyard Kipling, says: “Mowgli was one of the closest characters to my heart because his journey has been very interesting…. The journey of (his) self-discovery is something every young adult gets attracted to.”

Is she excited to share the film with her two-year-old son, when he grows up?

“When he turns 13, he will be there watching it with me… But that is why I couldn’t say no.”

She said being offered to lend her voice to Kaa is an absolute honour.

Talking about Kaa, she said: “She (Kaa) is quite a seductress. Dubbing for it was quite unique… She had to sound hypnotic… I have not played a character like that. In most of the movies, you have seen me playing a girl-next-door or a homemaker, but to play this seductress of the jungle was super fun.”

(IANS)

Ali Zafar’s first Pakistani film can now be viewed by Indian audience

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Pakistani singing sensation and actor Ali Zafar’s first Pakistani film “Teefa In Trouble” can now be viewed by his Indian fans as it will be available on the streaming platform Netflix from Saturday.

“Me and my team are more than delighted to announce that ‘Teefa in Trouble’, which went on to become the biggest non-holiday blockbuster of all time and is running in its fourth month in Pakistan, will now be available to audiences in India and all over the world on Netflix to watch and enjoy,” Ali told IANS.

“I can never let go of the love and admiration I have always received from fans and audiences in India and I am overjoyed that I could reconnect with them once again through ‘Teefa…’. I hope they enjoy it as much as people did in cinemas,” he added.

Ali has served as an actor, a producer, singer and writer of the romantic action comedy film, which hit the screens in about 25 countries in July.

He had joined hands with India’s popular banner Yash Raj Films for the international theatrical distribution of his home production.

Earlier in an interview with IANS, Ali had said: “I hope that it (‘Teefa…’) gets screened over there (in India) and makes a mark.”

After making a promising acting debut in India with the Bollywood film “Tere Bin Laden” in 2010, Ali featured in Hindi movies like “Mere Brother Ki Dulhan”, “London, Paris, New York” and “Dear Zindagi”.

IFFI Goa 2018 Round Up

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Donbass Bags The “Golden Peacock” Award at IFFI Goa 2018 

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI Goa 2018) held a glittering prize distribution ceremony on 28th Nov, 2018 in a magnificent stadium Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Goa University, Teleigao, Goa.

The 1st ever prize went to a Ukranian movie named Donbass’ which was directed by Sergei Loznitsa, who bagged the coveted “Golden Peacock” award at the 49thInternational Film Festival of India (IFFI Goa 2018), which concluded in Goa on 8th Nov, 2018. The “Golden Peacock” award also carried a cash prize of Rs 4 million (Rs 40 lakhs Indian rupees) to be shared equally between the Producer & the Director, along with a special Trophy & the citation.

Incidentally speaking Donbass tells the story of a hybrid war taking place in a region of Eastern Ukraine, involving an open armed conflict alongside killings & robberies perpetrated on a mass scale by separatist gangs. In Donbass, war is called peace & propaganda is uttered as truth. A journey through Donbass unfolds as a series of curious adventures. This is not just a tale of 1 region or a political system; it is about a world lost in post-truth & fake identities.

Donbass is the official submission of Ukraine for the “Best Foreign Language Film” category at the 91st Academy Awards to be held in the upcoming year 2019. It was selected as the opening film in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. At Cannes, Sergei Loznitsa won the “Un Certain Regard” award as “Best Director”.

The award winners were Lijo Jose Pellissery who was conferred with a “Best Director” award for his Malayalam movie Ee.Ma.Yau. The film was a stunning satire on death & how it affects the human lives. Set in Chellanam, a coastal village in Kerala, the film shows the plight of a son who tries to arrange a worthy funeral for his father; he is however met with unpredictable obstacles & reactions from different quarters. Lijo Jose Pellissery bagged the Silver Peacock Award & a cash prize of Rs 1.5 million (Rs 15 lakhs Indian rupees). He had also bagged the Best Director award at the 48th Kerala State Film Awards for Ee.Ma.Yau.

While the “Best Actor” (Male) award went to Chemban Vinod for his portrayal of a role in the same Malyalam movie Ee.Ma.Yau of “Eeshi”, a son who tries to arrange a worthy funeral for his father but is met with unpredictable obstacles & reactions from different quarters.

And the “Best Actor” (Female) award went to Anastasiia Pustovit  for her portrayal of a “Larysa”, a teenage girl in the Ukrainian movie named When The Trees Fall.

Both the “Best Actor” (Male) Chemban Vinod & the “Best Actor” (Female) Anastasiia Pustovit were honored with the “Silver Peacock” Trophy & a cash prize of Rs 1 million (Rs 10 lakhs Indian rupees) each.

Besides Milko Lazarov walked away with the “Special Jury” award for his movie named Aga; the film focuses on the story of Sedna & Nanook, an elderly couple from Yakutia & the particular challenges they face in the midst of a frigid landscape. The “Special Jury” award carried a cash prize of Rs 1.5 million (Rs 15 lakhs Indian rupees), a “Silver Peacock” award & a citation.

That apart Alberto Monteras II received the “Centenary Award for “Best Debut Feature Film” of a Director for his Filipino Movie Respeto.

And the movie Walking With The Wind, directed by Praveen Morchhale, won The ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal instituted by the International Council for Film, Television & Audiovisual Communication, Paris & UNESCO. The criteria for the Gandhi Medal reflect UNESCO’s fundamental mandate of building peace in the mind of men & women, particularly human rights, intercultural dialogue, promotion & safeguard of diversity of cultural expressions.

Walking With The Wind’ tells the story of a 10 year old boy in the Himalayan Terrain, who mistakenly breaks his friend’s school chair. His daily 7 km long journey to school in the mountainous terrain on a donkey, turns mammoth & challenging when he decides to bring the chair to his village.

Los Silencios, the Portuguese, Spanish movie directed by Beatriz Seigner got the “Special Mention” under ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi medal category.

And over & above all Salim Khan, the celebrated actor, story-screenplay-dialogue writer of Hindi films was honored with the IFFI 2018 “Special Award” for his Lifetime Contribution to Cinema. The prestigious award consisting of a cash prize of Rs 1 million (Rs 10 lakhs Indian rupees), a Certificate & a Shawl & also a Scroll was conferred upon the master film writer for his “Outstanding Contribution To Cinema”.

Salim Khan revolutionized Indian cinema in the 1970’s, transforming & reinventing the Bollywood formula, pioneering the Bollywood blockbuster format & pioneering genres such as the masala film & the Dacoit in Western style.

Bollywood Actors & Director Get Candid At Iffi Goa 2018

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Actors Jim Sarbh & Chitrangada Singh & Director Rakyesh Omprekash Mehra Get Candid About Their Acting & Directing Process Respectively

After raking in accolades for his performance in films like Neerja, Padmaavat & Sanju, Jim Sarbh is finding himself in the news for all the right reasons. The actor was seen in an In-Conversation session with the gorgeous & talented actress Chitrangada Singh to talk about ‘Unmasking the character actors’.

When asked if it has been an overwhelming experience to have made a mark for himself in a relatively short span of time in mainstream cinema, Jim Sarbh said, “I have acted in the theatre in the States & Mumbai for 4 years before I was cast in Neerja. The journey of acting has been an ongoing process. Getting cast in movies was just a matter of time. When I got cast in Neerja & the role was enough to sink my teeth in, I was very grateful. Sometimes, it is overwhelming – not because of acting, but because of the people that I suddenly had to deal with. It’s about managing this whole new world of egos, hierarchy which is not prevalent in theatre. I enjoy the acting part, I would like to be cast in everything always.”

Recalling the incident when popular filmmaker Ketan Mehta showered praises on Chitrangada for her performance in her debut film, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, by saying that she reminds him of the legendary actress Smita Patil, Chitrangada said, “Till date I remember exactly how he said it. He was very close to Smita ji and he was very moved after watching the film. I couldn’t say anything at that point. But it was very special. It was one of the best compliments I have ever received.”

When asked to talk about character actors, Jim said, “Aren’t we all character actors? I don’t understand any difference between character actors or any other actors. In general, we make this clear distinction between, hero, villain, damsel in distress, character actor – it makes no sense to me! Heroes can be women, villains can be women, damsel in distress could be men and usually all people all 3 of those things at different times in their lives. I don’t know why we make these clear archetypes & continue to force people into certain gender stereotypes that really do not exist in the world.”

When asked Chitrangada Singh about her process of understanding the character that she plays on screen, the model-turned-actress said, “I don’t know much about a process. I try & get the energy of the character that I’m going to play. In Bazaar, I play this very rich woman who doesn’t understand things like ambition, creed – she doesn’t understand these things because she was born in so much luxury. I start from trying to understand the energy of that person & the lines then just come, after which I get an idea of the mannerisms & the body language that the character will have.”

Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra regales the IFFI audience with stories from his colourful journey

One of the most interesting sessions of the day had filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra talk to a hall full of interested participants & share nuggets of wisdom from his long filmmaking journey.

“You make films the same way you live your life. You can’t fake it.” Mehra started with how he’s drawn from his life for every film of his. His first film Aks spoke about how good & evil are 2 sides of the same coin. This he said was based on the teachings of his grandmom who would narrate mythological stories to him & his cousins and stress on the 2 faced nature of good & evil.

“I used to study in this school in Delhi where most of the students came from Air Force families. My teacher’s husband was a Commander in the Air Force. We would run around MiG’s while playing. And then I went to Delhi University. The main characters in the film Rang De Basanti are all based on my closest friends. I borrowed from each of them for my characters.”

Even for Delhi-6 he borrowed from his childhood. He spoke about how he’s spent many days in old Delhi where all the communities lived next to each other. “There was a temple next to a mosque & a gurudwara. We would attend the Ram Lila events 1 day & then sit for qawwali sessions the next day. I wanted to bring this alive on the big screen and that’s what I did with Delhi-6.”

The packed hall threw questions at the filmmaker who answered each of them with patience. He exhorted the young crowd of filmmakers to draw from their lives and not be afraid to be brave. He said, “Every time I start a film I think it’s going to be a big disaster. That somehow frees me up. I feel less fearful. I feel braver.”

Another Glance At IFFI GOA 2018

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Directors Of Rare Language Films In Indian Panorama Section Address The Media In IFFI Goa 2018.

Selected for the ICFT GANDHI UNESCO Medal competition, Walking With The Wind by Praveen Morchhale is also a national award winning film. “We did beautiful exploration of Ladakh for choosing the cast.  We chose non-actors for our script. Role of carpenters, poets & other professionals were performed by local people in the region who were involved in respective professions, he added. He also pointed out that no background music was used in this film. Surround sound along with other natural sounds of winds & water breeze alone were used. Even then, it won national award for “Best Sound Design” & “Best Sound Mixing”, shared Praveen.

Made in language Tulu, spoken by only 2 lakh people film Paddayi directed by Abhaya Simha focuses on the perishing community system in Goa. “People survive on community living for their livelihood. With the growing ambition & greed in every community, the cracking of community system is reflected in the film. They lose their livelihood in changing political & cultural scenario. Paddayi (meaning western direction) symbolises the westernisation of culture eating the local culture. Involving emotions of ambition & greed, the story is a modern-day adaption of Shakespeare’s classic Macbeth & is applied to Tulu culture of fishing communities in South India.”

Laura Delli Coli, VP, Rome film festival, Francesca Via, General Manager Rome Film Festival & Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, eminent Indian director also interacted with the Media.

Addressing the press conference in IFFI 18, Laura Delli Coli, Vice President, Fondazione Cinema per Roma Foundation expressed to media the desire to collaborate with the International Film Festival of India. “Indian movies have a very special place in world cinema and that the Indian film industry has much to discover in Italy” said Laura.

Ms. Francesca Via, General Manager, Fondazione Cinema per Roma Foundation said that it is really important for Italy to make an engagement with the Indian Film Festival. “Rome Film Festival is supported by public & private institutions. We have a special section for the youth & films for student community. The public participation is going up by 2% – 3 % every year. Asia & Asian films are really important for us,” she said.

“I didn’t attend any film school; neither did I assist any director at the sets. There was a point when I didn’t even know who the world directors were. I discovered them while I was doing some edits. Since then they have been my masters”, said Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, remembering the Italian film maker Bernardo Bertolucci, who passed away on 26thNovember 2018.

The cast of closing film ‘Sealed Lips’ addresses the media Bernd Bohlich director of the film Sealed lips along with the cinematographer Thomas Plenert  was present with the actress Barbara Schnitzlerother, “The inspiration of the film comes from the boundary that came into being after second world war. The partition of the country into 2 part East & West Germany changed life of people drastically. It talks about how the partition affected the lives of the people then. Those true incidents that took place in people’s lives inspired him to make the film sealed lips”, said the director Bernd Bohilch who has made the movie on his mother’s life.

“I was happy to shoot this movie because I am also from Germany and this is a story close to my heart. That time wasn’t easy & the story also talks about the emotions of people then. I am glad to work with him”, said Thomas Plenert, cinematographer of the film.

The Indian filmmakers from Non-feature film category of Indian Panorama then interacted with the media.

Directors of 3 non-feature films in Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India addressed a press conference in Panaji, Goa. Jainendra Dost Director of Naach Bhikari Naach, Prasanna Ponde, Director of Silent Scream & Suhas Jahagirdar, Director of Yes I am Mauli attended the press conference.

Addressing the media, Jainendra Dost said that his film captures the lives of four Launda Naach performers, originally a part of Bhikhari Thakur’s legendary Naach troupe in Bihar. While researching for the film it was revealed that even dance forms in India have a class & caste divide. He also shared the difficulties faced while shooting for the film in village, “Though everywhere we met with problems, the attitude of the villagers was heart touching. They supported us with open mind”, he said.

Prasanna Ponde, Director of Silent Scream said that his film tries to portray the impact of divorce on children & the inner conflict it cause them. “After certain period of time & witnessing the emotional turmoil of their children, some parents even think that the divorce should have been avoided. The film is targeted at the parents but the theme presented may touch children too”, he said.

Narrating the experience of turning a personal experience on cell phone to a film, Suhas Jahagirdar said that he had no intention of making this documentary.  “When I proceeded on the spiritual journey from Alandi to Pandharpur, many exciting things come up in between & they are all recorded in mobile. After coming back, the videos are shown to some friends & get a good reception. It was upon their suggestion that those videos are edited together to make a film”, he said.

The directors from the World Panorama section of IFFI 2018 also addressed the media.

Directors of the 5 films in the International Cinema category of the 49th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2018 – Iro, The Manslayer/The Virgin/The Shadow, Rage, Los Silencious & The Load also addressed a press conference.

Beatriz Seigner recalled her Indian films connection.  She informed that she is one of the organisers of the Indian film festival in Brazil. Her 1st ever feature film   Bollywood Dream – O Sonho Bollywoodiano (2009) was the 1st ever Indian- Brazilian film co-production. She  had worked with Indian directors like Anurag Kashyap who  helped her in getting co-producers from France & Columbia during the Cannes film screening of his film Gangs of Wasseypur.

The Load which is basically a road movie has different flavours like mystery, war scenes, drama, informed Ognjen Glavonic, director of the film.  The story revolves around a man Vlada who works as a truck driver during the NATO bombing of Serbia in 1999. Tasked with transporting mysterious load from Kosovo to Belgrade, he drives through unfamiliar territory, trying to make his way in a country scarred by the war.

Directed by Sulev Keedus, The Manslayer/The Virgin/The Shadow is a bilingual film in Estonian & Spanish based on 3 novella’s having characterisation of young women.  The Director recalled that Estonian people used to watch Indian movies in Soviet times & continue to have connection to Indian films that are screened through film festivals.

Sérgio Tréfaut, Director of the Portuguese film Rage informed that his film is beautiful & intense visual story about people living under a dictatorship in southern Portugal’s countryside. It potrays hunger, misery & exploitation in 1950’s and the growing rage building up among the people against the exploitative regime.  He said he portrayed the country-side totally in black & white to pay the tribute to the cinema & love of the people who are fighting against tyranny of adverse laws. It is a film about injustice & abusiveness of power, he added.

Hadi Mohaghegh director of Persian film Iro (Here) also narrated his experience about the film shooting in Iran. He also praised Indian talent in the film-making industry.

India is a land of inequality: Writer Anand Neelakantan

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 Noted writer Anand Neelakantan has described India as a land of inequality and has said that even though the concept of equality has always been there in the country, it has never been put to practise.

Neelkantan, who is the writer of the famous “Baahubali” series, explores some unknown stories hidden in epics and scriptures. His new book “Vanara: The Legend of Baali, Sugreeva and Tara” tells the honour, love, jealousy and betrayal we seldom read of.

“India is a land of inequality. The concept of equality was always there in Indian thought but never in practise. In my novel, ‘Vanara’, Kishkinda is established as a place of equal opportunities. One of the subplots of the story is how this city so established with such lofty ideals slowly descended to become a highly unequal society, mirroring present day India.

“The entire caste system evolved as a tool of grading people and treating people unequally. Whatever arguments one may say about caste or Jaati differing from Varna etc, in practice, for at least 2,000 years, the discrimination on the basis of caste and creed has existed in India and the same continues to hold India back from evolving into a modern society,” the 45-year-old author told IANS.

He maintained that in India discrimination based on religion, caste, language, economic condition and the colour of the skin is a practise.

“One cannot shut our eyes to this reality and talk only about glorious things of our nation. Real patriotism is accepting our faults and working to rectify the same rather than blind glorification of anything related to religion, country or culture,” he said.

Neelakantan said that the interest in Puranas for an average Indian had never waned and emphasised that the Puranas have always played an important role in Indian psyche.

“Why it looks so amplified is because of the power of social media, 24 X 7 news channels. Even Gandhiji used the concept of Ramarajya in the freedom struggle. Puranas were once used to teach people how to live. Storytelling is a powerful tool of conveying ideas and the rich stories of Puranas were used to make the knowledge of Vedas and Upanishads in an accessible format for the common man. Once, it was a tool to unite people like how Gandhiji did. It is unfortunate that some people are using such age-old tales to divide people for selfish gains,” said the author.

Red Chillies Entertainment moves Delhi HC against notice over ‘Zero’

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 Red Chillies Entertainment on Thursday moved the Delhi High Court against a legal notice sent by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) alleging that an objectionable scene in the upcoming Shah Rukh Khan starrer “Zero” has allegedly hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs.

In the caveat, the Bollywood production house has requested the court not to take any action without informing and hearing the submission of the company.

The DSGMC has alleged that in the promo and poster, Shah Rukh has been shown in undergarments and wearing the ‘Gatka Kirpan’ (small dagger), a Sikh religious symbol.

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who is also the DSGMC General Secretary, asked “Zero” director Aanand L. Rai and Shah Rukh to remove the “objectionable” scene from the movie and urged Delhi Police to lodge a complaint against the two for “hurting” the sentiments of the Sikhs.

IANS

Margaret Alva, Gopala Rao & Guruva Koraga among Rajyotsava awardees

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The Karnataka Rajyotsava awards of this year are announced and 63 eminent personalities including H L Dattu, retired chief justice of Supreme Court, Hiriadka Gopal Rao, senior Yakshagana artist, Guruva Koraga, Janapada artist, Margaret Alva, former central minister, D Surendra Kumar of Dharmasthala and famous director Bhargava.

The awards will be presented to the chosen personalities by CM Kumaraswamy on Thursday, November 29 at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha.

Generally, these awards are presented on November 1, the day of Rajyotsava every year but this year it was delayed because of election code of conduct. In the present list, even people who have not applied for the award but were eligible due to their contribution for the state are selected for the award.

It is commendable that Kenneth Lawrence, a resident of Kolar, who was popularly known as ‘Gentleman Sprinter’ and who took part in the 1964 Olympics is selected by the state government for the award.

The specialty of this year’s awards is a good mixture of senior centenarian citizens with senior freedom fighters. Guruva Koraga, senior citizen and Dolu artist from Udupi has completed 100 years of his life. Guruva from Hiriadka learnt beating the drum or Dolu right from his childhood from the elders in the family and continued in the same profession. He has carved a niche for himself in the Janapada field of Udupi district. Similarly, Hiriadka Gopal Rao, who is known as the ‘Maddale Mantrika’, is also 99-years-old. Gopal Rao, who is very famous in the field of Yakshagana took part in the freedom fight also.

10 from coastal districts among the awardees, Janapada artiste Guruva Koraga, Maddale artiste Gopal Rao, former central minister Margaret Alva, vice-president of SDM education society D Surendra Kumar, senior journalist Amembal Anand, director of Medical Science Institutes of London Dr A A Shetty, famous Nagaswara artist Annu Devadiga, entrepreneur Anand C Kunder, popular Yakshagana comedian Kateel Sitaram Kumar and managing trustee of Sevanjali Pratistana, Farangipet are the ones from the districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, who are the recipients of this year’s Rajyotsava awards.

Bengaluru has a lion’s share in this year’s awards. The other districts who have found places mainly among the awardees are Kalaburgi, Mysuru and the twin coastal districts. More than 1600 applications were received for this year’s awards.

IANS

A PEAKABOO AT IFFI GOA 2018

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From Indian Filmmakers To International Filmmakers Marked Their Presence At The International Film Festival Of India (IFFI Goa 2018)

The 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI Goa 2018 marked the presence of Indian & international filmmakers who interacted with the media sharing their views on film making, storytelling & also their visit to India.

Rhea Kapoor the producer daughter of Anil Kapoor said “I am aware of the privileges of being Anil Kapoor’s daughter, but I have had only 1 father.”

Rhea Kapoor addressed nepotism & conducted a candid chat with father Anil Kapoor on his journey in the film industry, his positive approach & the secret of his evergreen image

I don’t understand any difference between character actors or any other actors, says Jim Sarbh while elaborating on the term “character actors”

I’ve taken inspiration from my own life for all my films: Noted filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra at IFFI 2018

Industry leaders from India & Hollywood discuss the future of film business & possible co-productions at IFFI 2018

Undoubtedly the highlight of the day, the evening saw a candid conversation between superstar Anil Kapoor & his Producer daughter Rhea Kapoor. The actor was welcomed to a loud cheer by a packed house with some even dancing & performing his signature step as a sign of affection towards their icon.

After settling down, daughter Rhea took turns to ask her father about questions pertaining to his journey in the film industry, his positive approach, his fitness & more.

While speaking about his foray into the film industry, the Mr India fame actor said the decision to pursue a career in acting was easy. Anil said, “I was a horse with my blinkers on. From the moment I came to my senses I wanted to be an actor. I was very fortunate to get a break in the form of a young Shashi Kapoor’s role. Since then I have not wasted, constantly dreamt, worked on my craft & worked on being a people’s person. But I am still a work in progress.”

Daughter Rhea then asked her father about the qualities & traits necessary to be an actor, and asked if academic training in theatre & acting is important or whether instincts & practical knowledge matters more. While answering this question, Anil Kapoor said, “To have a foundation of academics is great. But it needs to be combined with the instincts. Everything cannot be studied & planned. I credit my success to my preparedness to fail. But now the stakes are much higher.”

The actor further elaborated, “There are no shortcuts to hard work. I believe that if you’re a trained actor in today’s times, it becomes easy for the director & the writer to mould you. Focusing too much on looks can stagnate you as an actor. It may work for a short period of time but soon there will be nothing left inside to give to the audience, to the writer & to the role. Try & increase your shelf life by being physically, mentally & spiritually fit.”

When asked about the secret of his young appearance, the actor who is a few days short of being 62 years old, said, “I need the energy & stamina to portray the characters. In the process I started looking after myself & working out. I believe you have to look after yourself. For me as an actor I have only one lifetime. I want longevity. I have always believed in marathon. I was never a 100 metre race person. I have been consistent, committed & worked hard, which is why I have been in the business for 38 years.”

When asked by an audience member about what her chosen career path would have been had she not been Anil Kapoor’s daughter, Rhea Kapoor in a frank fashion said, “I am aware of the whole nepotism debate, I know of the privileges of being Anil Kapoor’s daughter. But I have had only 1 father. I cannot help it.” The fashionista then added, “I have been interested in subjects like interior designing, fashion, visual arts & a multitude of other things. But for now I have my focus on producing films.”

 

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