He had written “Namastey London”, turned producer with his Hari Om Productions and has of course acted in umpteen actioners and comedies. Now Bollywood star Akshay Kumar says he may wield the megaphone as well after a few years.
“I wrote ‘Namastey London’ I had given the concept of ‘Waqt -- The Race Against Time’ I don’t sit and write a story. I meet people and if their stories touch me, I try putting them on the big screen. In ‘Namastey London’, the character is real. He is a friend of mine from Jalandhar. It happened to him,” Akshay told IANS in an interview.
Talking about his directorial plans, he said: “As of now, no. But you never know. Three years back, if you would have asked me whether I will produce a film, I would have said no. But then I became a producer...anything can happen in this industry. After three-four years, I might direct a film as well.”
Akshay’s next film “Housefull” releases Friday and director Sajid Khan presents him as “the world’s unluckiest guy”. But the actor says he has been quite lucky in real life.
“I have been lucky with my life. I made a good career. I didn’t have any godfather in the industry. Whatever I have achieved in life is because of my luck and a little bit of hard work,” Akshay told IANS.
“I am playing a very unlucky man in the film. He believes his luck will change when he finds true love and gets married. So he starts searching for the right girl. It’s total entertainment,” the actor said.
Shot in Britain, Italy, Hong Kong and India, the film also stars Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Jiah Khan, Arjun Rampal and Riteish Deshmukh. Akshay says he’s never given a thought to why most comedies are multi-starrers.
“I never sat down to analyse why it’s like that, but a lot of people want two, three actors together when they make comedies. Nowadays when you are doing a comedy, you are not a hero, you become a character. That’s the best part about doing a comedy. You have to act not only as a hero but also as a comedian and as an entertainer. There may be more points in it, so they choose to make it a multi-starrer,” said Akshay.
From his first film “Saugandh” (1991) to “Housefull”, Akshay has come a long way and in his almost two decades-long journey he has tried every genre, but feels he still has cope to explore.
“There are a few genres, which people can actually do. But these genres, be it comedy or tragedy, are so vast that more you explore it, you realise there is something you have yet to do. Comedy has different angles, romance has different angles; so it’s never ending. I would like to do a horror comedy,” said Akshay.
He is known for doing all stunts himself. Asked if he ever felt scared, he said: “I fear doing every stunt. I think one should fear because then you take double care of your safety. There is a good fear and a bad fear. There is a good fear with me, which tells me to do the stunts but safely.”
Showing posts with label Bollywood actor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bollywood actor. Show all posts
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Preity seeks help from almighty
Bollywood actor Preity Zinta, whose team Kings XI Punjab has received a drubbing in the IPL, on Thursday took a holy dip in river Ganga here and participated in a ‘yagna’ praying for victory.
Preity, 35, who arrived along with her mother Neelprabha in a helicopter, drove to Parmarth Ashram of former Union Minister Swami Chinmayanand and took a dip at Neeldhara area. She also visited the Dharmgangeshwar temple and performed a yagna meant for attaining victory over enemies, ashram sources said. Preity’s IPL team Kings XI Punjab is at the bottom of the tournament and is virtually out of the semifinals. Zinta maintained a distance from the media during her visit.
Preity, 35, who arrived along with her mother Neelprabha in a helicopter, drove to Parmarth Ashram of former Union Minister Swami Chinmayanand and took a dip at Neeldhara area. She also visited the Dharmgangeshwar temple and performed a yagna meant for attaining victory over enemies, ashram sources said. Preity’s IPL team Kings XI Punjab is at the bottom of the tournament and is virtually out of the semifinals. Zinta maintained a distance from the media during her visit.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Nana gives me a complex, Rishi an atom bomb: Dimple Kapadia
Dimple Kapadia is once again teaming up with two of her old co-stars -- Nana Patekar and Rishi Kapoor. The bold and the beautiful actress says she gets an inferiority complex while working with Nana even after 16 years while she feels Rishi has now become an “atom bomb”.
Dimple is working with Nana in forthcoming film “Tum Milo Toh Sahi” and will be seen with Rishi in “Patiala House”.
“I was completely thrilled when I came to know I was being paired with Nana...Working with him is difficult, but it gives me great pleasure. To match his level of acting and performance is quite a challenge. His portrayal and understanding of roles continues to make me feel inferior even after so many years,” Dimple told IANS over phone from Mumbai.
The two were first paired together in “Krantiveer” in 1994. Now they play lovers in their 50s in Kabir Sadanand’s romantic film “Tum Milo Toh Sahi” that releases April 2.
Dimple, who essays a Parsi woman running an old Irani cafe in the film, says she was extremely envious of Nana’s role in the movie when she read the script three years ago.
“I had this script with me for three years and I really liked it. I liked my role, but I liked Nana’s role much more than my own. It is lovely and beautiful. I always told Kabir that I would be envious of whoever would get to play the role and, surprisingly, it was Nana,” she said.
The 52-year-old actor says that though most actors feel Nana is tough to work with, there are very few in the film industry as helpful as him.
“Nana is extremely helpful. The climax of ‘Tum Milo...’ was not easy to shoot, but it was Nana who almost co—directed the scene with Kabir to see me through it. I completely dedicate that scene to him.
“Nana has always been superb at his work, very focussed and dedicated. I guess it is his theatre background that makes him so, but I really admire him for his work,” she said.
Another actor that Dimple feels happy working with is the evergreen Rishi Kapoor, with whom she made her debut in 1973 film “Bobby”. At that time, she was just 16. Later, they were paired together in films like “Saagar”, “Pyaar Mein Twist” and more recently “Luck By Chance”.
“I’ve worked with Rishi on a couple of films. He has been consistently good, he always had brilliant energy. But now, my god, he is an atom bomb. I am so glad he is doing so much work these days,” said Dimple.
She will now be seen with Rishi in “Patiala House”, which also stars her son-in-law Akshay Kumar.
“’Patiala House’ completely belongs to Rishi. I don’t have enough words to describe what a performance he has given in that film. He is absolutely wonderful,” Dimple said.
The actress says she doesn’t do much in her free time and adds that she isn’t looking for any specific roles either.
“There is no role that I look forward to. I have done enough and I am not dissatisfied with the body of work that I have done. ‘Sadma’ (1983) was one film I was supposed to do, but unfortunately Sridevi did it. That remains one role I wanted to do but after seeing Sridevi, that desire died. She was too good,” she said.
So what is the reason behind her absence from the big screen for long periods?
“I don’t get too much work to begin with and whatever I get is mostly not good enough,” Dimple replied.
Dimple is working with Nana in forthcoming film “Tum Milo Toh Sahi” and will be seen with Rishi in “Patiala House”.
“I was completely thrilled when I came to know I was being paired with Nana...Working with him is difficult, but it gives me great pleasure. To match his level of acting and performance is quite a challenge. His portrayal and understanding of roles continues to make me feel inferior even after so many years,” Dimple told IANS over phone from Mumbai.
The two were first paired together in “Krantiveer” in 1994. Now they play lovers in their 50s in Kabir Sadanand’s romantic film “Tum Milo Toh Sahi” that releases April 2.
Dimple, who essays a Parsi woman running an old Irani cafe in the film, says she was extremely envious of Nana’s role in the movie when she read the script three years ago.
“I had this script with me for three years and I really liked it. I liked my role, but I liked Nana’s role much more than my own. It is lovely and beautiful. I always told Kabir that I would be envious of whoever would get to play the role and, surprisingly, it was Nana,” she said.
The 52-year-old actor says that though most actors feel Nana is tough to work with, there are very few in the film industry as helpful as him.
“Nana is extremely helpful. The climax of ‘Tum Milo...’ was not easy to shoot, but it was Nana who almost co—directed the scene with Kabir to see me through it. I completely dedicate that scene to him.
“Nana has always been superb at his work, very focussed and dedicated. I guess it is his theatre background that makes him so, but I really admire him for his work,” she said.
Another actor that Dimple feels happy working with is the evergreen Rishi Kapoor, with whom she made her debut in 1973 film “Bobby”. At that time, she was just 16. Later, they were paired together in films like “Saagar”, “Pyaar Mein Twist” and more recently “Luck By Chance”.
“I’ve worked with Rishi on a couple of films. He has been consistently good, he always had brilliant energy. But now, my god, he is an atom bomb. I am so glad he is doing so much work these days,” said Dimple.
She will now be seen with Rishi in “Patiala House”, which also stars her son-in-law Akshay Kumar.
“’Patiala House’ completely belongs to Rishi. I don’t have enough words to describe what a performance he has given in that film. He is absolutely wonderful,” Dimple said.
The actress says she doesn’t do much in her free time and adds that she isn’t looking for any specific roles either.
“There is no role that I look forward to. I have done enough and I am not dissatisfied with the body of work that I have done. ‘Sadma’ (1983) was one film I was supposed to do, but unfortunately Sridevi did it. That remains one role I wanted to do but after seeing Sridevi, that desire died. She was too good,” she said.
So what is the reason behind her absence from the big screen for long periods?
“I don’t get too much work to begin with and whatever I get is mostly not good enough,” Dimple replied.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Four films await release for Aishwarya Rai this year
Last year she was seen in just one film -- Hollywood’s “Pink Panther”. But this year Aishwarya Rai has four films lined up for release -- two southern projects “Ravana” and “Endhiran” as well as “Action Replay” and “Guzaarish”, collectively costing over Rs. 300 crore (Rs.3 billion).
While her bilingual sci-fi film “Endhiran”, starring southern star Rajnikanth, is said to be made at a budget of Rs.125 crore (Rs.1.25 billion), approximately Rs. 45 crore (Rs.450 million) has been spent on Mani Ratnam’s much-awaited “Ravana”, which is set for a June release.
Vipul Shah’s “Action Replay” costs around Rs.60 crore (Rs.600 million) and if reports are to be believed, UTV is shelling out close to Rs.80 crore (Rs. 800 million) for Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed “Guzaarish” for which Aishwarya is currently shooting along with Hrithik Roshan in Mumbai.
Aishwarya has been busy shooting all these films for the past one year and even suffered health problems due to her hectic schedules.
According to a well-placed source from the team of “Ravana”, the Hindi version of which also features Abhishek Bachchan, the actress has given some of the most difficult shots in the movie without complaining about geographical or weather conditions used to can the scenes.
“Aishwarya’s role in ‘Ravana’ is the toughest. In the Hindi version, Vikram (southern star) plays Ram and Ravana in the Tamil vesrion. And Aishwarya plays Sita in both the Hindi and Tamil versions. Both the versions were simultaneously shot. Mani Ratnam canned the film in the most difficult and dangerous places. Still Aishwarya gave the same shots twice for the two versions - be it in the rain, on mountains, jungle, etc,” a source told IANS.
“People say Vikram’s role in the film is the toughest, but the actor himself feels Aishwarya’s role is the most difficult,” the source added.
While shooting for “Ravana” in the jungles of Kerala, the entire cast and crew had a scary experience when an elephant ran amok and killed a 51-year-old mahout, Andavan. The actors including Abhishek, Aishwarya, Vikram, Prabhu and Munna had to take shelter in a guest house and survived on bread and eggs.
“Ravana” is said to be a modern-day version and a loose adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Apart from “Ravana”, Aishwarya’s role in another southern project “Endhiran” has been a well-guarded secret till now, but some leaked photographs of the film’s shooting show her in a different avatar.
“Action Replay”, starring Akshay Kumar, is a time-travel tale in the 1950s and its storyline is based on an eponymous 1994 Gujarati Indian play. The director has emphasised a lot on the lead actors’ “retro looks” in the movie.
“We, Akshay’s designer Shabina Khan, Aishwarya’s designer Manish Malhotra and all of us have worked really, really hard to give ‘Action Replay’ a unique look. If that look is leaked out, we’d lose our biggest USP,” Shah had told IANS.
In “Guzaarish”, the actress will play a married nurse who falls in love with a paraplegic patient essayed by Hrithik.
Though each role is different from the others, it remains to be seen which one of these strikes gold at the box office.
While her bilingual sci-fi film “Endhiran”, starring southern star Rajnikanth, is said to be made at a budget of Rs.125 crore (Rs.1.25 billion), approximately Rs. 45 crore (Rs.450 million) has been spent on Mani Ratnam’s much-awaited “Ravana”, which is set for a June release.
Vipul Shah’s “Action Replay” costs around Rs.60 crore (Rs.600 million) and if reports are to be believed, UTV is shelling out close to Rs.80 crore (Rs. 800 million) for Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed “Guzaarish” for which Aishwarya is currently shooting along with Hrithik Roshan in Mumbai.
Aishwarya has been busy shooting all these films for the past one year and even suffered health problems due to her hectic schedules.
According to a well-placed source from the team of “Ravana”, the Hindi version of which also features Abhishek Bachchan, the actress has given some of the most difficult shots in the movie without complaining about geographical or weather conditions used to can the scenes.
“Aishwarya’s role in ‘Ravana’ is the toughest. In the Hindi version, Vikram (southern star) plays Ram and Ravana in the Tamil vesrion. And Aishwarya plays Sita in both the Hindi and Tamil versions. Both the versions were simultaneously shot. Mani Ratnam canned the film in the most difficult and dangerous places. Still Aishwarya gave the same shots twice for the two versions - be it in the rain, on mountains, jungle, etc,” a source told IANS.
“People say Vikram’s role in the film is the toughest, but the actor himself feels Aishwarya’s role is the most difficult,” the source added.
While shooting for “Ravana” in the jungles of Kerala, the entire cast and crew had a scary experience when an elephant ran amok and killed a 51-year-old mahout, Andavan. The actors including Abhishek, Aishwarya, Vikram, Prabhu and Munna had to take shelter in a guest house and survived on bread and eggs.
“Ravana” is said to be a modern-day version and a loose adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Apart from “Ravana”, Aishwarya’s role in another southern project “Endhiran” has been a well-guarded secret till now, but some leaked photographs of the film’s shooting show her in a different avatar.
“Action Replay”, starring Akshay Kumar, is a time-travel tale in the 1950s and its storyline is based on an eponymous 1994 Gujarati Indian play. The director has emphasised a lot on the lead actors’ “retro looks” in the movie.
“We, Akshay’s designer Shabina Khan, Aishwarya’s designer Manish Malhotra and all of us have worked really, really hard to give ‘Action Replay’ a unique look. If that look is leaked out, we’d lose our biggest USP,” Shah had told IANS.
In “Guzaarish”, the actress will play a married nurse who falls in love with a paraplegic patient essayed by Hrithik.
Though each role is different from the others, it remains to be seen which one of these strikes gold at the box office.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Priyanka makes TV debut
The former Miss World will host the special Indian Premiere League (IPL) edition of the adventure reality show "Fear Factor-Khatron Ke Khiladi" on the Colors channel
Actor Priyanka Chopra will make her debut on small screen as the host of the adventure reality show “Fear Factor— Khatron Ke Khiladi”.
She will host the special Indian Premiere League (IPL) edition of the show on the Colors channel. The glamorous actress, who has replaced action star Akshay Kumar as the host, will be taking 13 cricketers to task.
“It feels fantastic to be associated with one of the biggest shows on Indian television today. It fits perfectly with my personality. I have been a huge fan of the show and thoroughly enjoy watching it.
“I am looking forward to begin an all new innings in TV with this show which pumps up the adrenaline levels. It’s exciting to be a part of the concept which is unique and is associated with some of the biggest names in cricket,” Priyanka said in a press release.
The special edition of the show will feature Indian as well as international cricketers competing with each other to vie for the “Fear Factor — Khaton Ka Khiladi” title for 2010.
Colors’ programming head Ashvini Yardi says Priyanka has replaced Akshay due to a change in format.
“Akshay took this show to great heights with his inimitable style. However, this year we{gt}re changing the format. So far you had seen 13 beauties with one khiladi. This season get ready to witness 13 cricketing khiladis (macho men) and ek haseena (one beauty),” said Yardi.
“We’re delighted to have Priyanka on board. When you combine her glamour, mass appeal and athleticism with cricketers’ energy and adrenalin, what you get is the best possible combination for a show like ‘Fear Factor — Khatron Ke Khiladi’,” she added.
Actor Priyanka Chopra will make her debut on small screen as the host of the adventure reality show “Fear Factor— Khatron Ke Khiladi”.
She will host the special Indian Premiere League (IPL) edition of the show on the Colors channel. The glamorous actress, who has replaced action star Akshay Kumar as the host, will be taking 13 cricketers to task.
“It feels fantastic to be associated with one of the biggest shows on Indian television today. It fits perfectly with my personality. I have been a huge fan of the show and thoroughly enjoy watching it.
“I am looking forward to begin an all new innings in TV with this show which pumps up the adrenaline levels. It’s exciting to be a part of the concept which is unique and is associated with some of the biggest names in cricket,” Priyanka said in a press release.
The special edition of the show will feature Indian as well as international cricketers competing with each other to vie for the “Fear Factor — Khaton Ka Khiladi” title for 2010.
Colors’ programming head Ashvini Yardi says Priyanka has replaced Akshay due to a change in format.
“Akshay took this show to great heights with his inimitable style. However, this year we{gt}re changing the format. So far you had seen 13 beauties with one khiladi. This season get ready to witness 13 cricketing khiladis (macho men) and ek haseena (one beauty),” said Yardi.
“We’re delighted to have Priyanka on board. When you combine her glamour, mass appeal and athleticism with cricketers’ energy and adrenalin, what you get is the best possible combination for a show like ‘Fear Factor — Khatron Ke Khiladi’,” she added.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Preity is UNAIDS ambassador
Bollywood actor Preity Zinta is all set to don a new hat. She has been officially appointed goodwill ambassador of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in India.
As UNAIDS ambassador, the film star will promote public awareness on HIV prevention, treatment, care and support with emphasis on women, children and the oppressed. To begin with, she will travel to the rural areas of Punjab to create awarenes on how to keep the disease at bay.
“I will be the voice for the voiceless. We need transformation in the minds of people. All human beings, wherever we are, have the basic right to be happy and healthy. I see my appointment as a great opportunity to bring the realities faced by people living with HIV to the forefront and to call attention to the injustices faced by them. By putting people first, our priorities are clear, and with many hands what is difficult becomes easy and what is impossible becomes possible,” said the actor after signing a letter confirming her acceptance of the new appointment at the United Nations office here on Thursday.
Preity said she would combat the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV through her universal appeal and her IPL team Kings XI Punjab. “In our next match, a person living with HIV will toss the coin. This is to send across an important message that we shouldn't discriminate against people living with HIV.”
UNAIDS country coordinator Charles Gilks said: “Goodwill ambassadors are celebrities with a demonstrated commitment to improve the lives of people living with HIV. Highly talented in their own right, they all share an ability to bring issues to global attention, to galvanise support from the public and leading decision-makers and to raise urgently needed support and attention for vital U.N. programmes.”
Stating that Preity had the determination to make a difference, Dr. Gilks said: “I know that she will be a strong and eloquent advocate for an enhanced national AIDS response. I am also confident that the unique presence and passion that she brings to this issue will remind concerned citizens across the subcontinent of the urgent need for serious and sustained action in the global fight against AIDS and the vital role of the U.N. in this effort.”
Sharing her experience of battling the deadly disease and working for people living with HIV infected people, Indian Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS president Jahnabi Goswami said: “I come from a small village in Assam and have been living with HIV for the past 16 years. I have faced a lot of discrimination at health care centres and even at home. My mother has been a pillar of strength. So many people are dying of this disease and we must do something urgently to stop its spread.”
As UNAIDS ambassador, the film star will promote public awareness on HIV prevention, treatment, care and support with emphasis on women, children and the oppressed. To begin with, she will travel to the rural areas of Punjab to create awarenes on how to keep the disease at bay.
“I will be the voice for the voiceless. We need transformation in the minds of people. All human beings, wherever we are, have the basic right to be happy and healthy. I see my appointment as a great opportunity to bring the realities faced by people living with HIV to the forefront and to call attention to the injustices faced by them. By putting people first, our priorities are clear, and with many hands what is difficult becomes easy and what is impossible becomes possible,” said the actor after signing a letter confirming her acceptance of the new appointment at the United Nations office here on Thursday.
Preity said she would combat the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV through her universal appeal and her IPL team Kings XI Punjab. “In our next match, a person living with HIV will toss the coin. This is to send across an important message that we shouldn't discriminate against people living with HIV.”
UNAIDS country coordinator Charles Gilks said: “Goodwill ambassadors are celebrities with a demonstrated commitment to improve the lives of people living with HIV. Highly talented in their own right, they all share an ability to bring issues to global attention, to galvanise support from the public and leading decision-makers and to raise urgently needed support and attention for vital U.N. programmes.”
Stating that Preity had the determination to make a difference, Dr. Gilks said: “I know that she will be a strong and eloquent advocate for an enhanced national AIDS response. I am also confident that the unique presence and passion that she brings to this issue will remind concerned citizens across the subcontinent of the urgent need for serious and sustained action in the global fight against AIDS and the vital role of the U.N. in this effort.”
Sharing her experience of battling the deadly disease and working for people living with HIV infected people, Indian Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS president Jahnabi Goswami said: “I come from a small village in Assam and have been living with HIV for the past 16 years. I have faced a lot of discrimination at health care centres and even at home. My mother has been a pillar of strength. So many people are dying of this disease and we must do something urgently to stop its spread.”
Friday, February 19, 2010
Entertainment and politics should not be mixed: SRK
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who drew Shiv Sena’s ire for supporting Pakistani cricketers’ inclusion in the IPL, says he does not understand the “logic” behind the controversy and would have apologised if they had a problem with his film ‘My Name Is Khan’.
The 44-year-old superstar said what hurt him the most was the fact that his “Indianness” was questioned again and again.
Khan said that he would have apologised to Shiv Sena if the content of his film, released on February 12, was found to be offensive but did not do so because he didn’t understand the “logic” behind their anger.
“If they had a problem with my film, I would have apologised. I have done so earlier because I do not want to offend anyone with my films, my aim is to entertain. But this was about who I am as a person and my Indianness and I was hurt that I had to clarify it again and again,” said Khan in an interaction with Star News.
The actor said that he has “great respect” for the Sena leaders but feels that politics and patriotism should not have been mixed with entertainment.
“They are much older than me and I have great respect for them. But I did not understand why was the film dragged in between. I am one of those who believe that entertainment and politics should not be mixed,” he said.
“I did not understand why was my Indianness questioned. My father is a freedom fighter and I am proud of that,” he added.
The 44-year-old superstar said what hurt him the most was the fact that his “Indianness” was questioned again and again.
Khan said that he would have apologised to Shiv Sena if the content of his film, released on February 12, was found to be offensive but did not do so because he didn’t understand the “logic” behind their anger.
“If they had a problem with my film, I would have apologised. I have done so earlier because I do not want to offend anyone with my films, my aim is to entertain. But this was about who I am as a person and my Indianness and I was hurt that I had to clarify it again and again,” said Khan in an interaction with Star News.
The actor said that he has “great respect” for the Sena leaders but feels that politics and patriotism should not have been mixed with entertainment.
“They are much older than me and I have great respect for them. But I did not understand why was the film dragged in between. I am one of those who believe that entertainment and politics should not be mixed,” he said.
“I did not understand why was my Indianness questioned. My father is a freedom fighter and I am proud of that,” he added.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Amitabh to pay freedom fighter’s pension
Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, moved by the strength and conviction of a 90-year-old freedom fighter fighting for her pension, has decided to take care of her for the next five years.
The actor, who made the declaration at the IBN18 Network’s Citizen Journalist Awards, said all Gayatri Devi wanted was her due.
“I am moved by their plight. Particularly that of the 90-year-old lady, and have announced that I shall take care of her pension for the next five years. She blesses me,” the 67-year-old posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.
“She has only that element of humanity left in her. She can barely walk. And she is old. And all she wants is her due — her pension — Rs.3,500 per month from the government!!”
Ms. Devi had been on dharna on the streets of the capital for the past four years, fighting to get her pension restored. She was getting money from the Bihar government under the Samman pension scheme for freedom fighters since 1997, and has relevant documents to support her claim. But in 2002 her pension was stopped.
She was told that her name appeared in a list of fake freedom fighters. She approached many prominent leaders and got them to write applications on her behalf, but nothing happened.
CNN-IBN then filed an RTI on her behalf. Soon after, the Delhi government intervened. It moved Ms. Devi into an old age home and granted her a destitute pension. However, her battle will continue till the Bihar government restores her freedom fighter’s pension.
The actor, who made the declaration at the IBN18 Network’s Citizen Journalist Awards, said all Gayatri Devi wanted was her due.
“I am moved by their plight. Particularly that of the 90-year-old lady, and have announced that I shall take care of her pension for the next five years. She blesses me,” the 67-year-old posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.
“She has only that element of humanity left in her. She can barely walk. And she is old. And all she wants is her due — her pension — Rs.3,500 per month from the government!!”
Ms. Devi had been on dharna on the streets of the capital for the past four years, fighting to get her pension restored. She was getting money from the Bihar government under the Samman pension scheme for freedom fighters since 1997, and has relevant documents to support her claim. But in 2002 her pension was stopped.
She was told that her name appeared in a list of fake freedom fighters. She approached many prominent leaders and got them to write applications on her behalf, but nothing happened.
CNN-IBN then filed an RTI on her behalf. Soon after, the Delhi government intervened. It moved Ms. Devi into an old age home and granted her a destitute pension. However, her battle will continue till the Bihar government restores her freedom fighter’s pension.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Shiv Sena vandalises multiplexes
The Maharashtra government’s assurances of security fell flat on Tuesday as the Shiv Sena, smarting from its botched attempt at disrupting Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s visit, vandalised theatres in Mumbai where advance booking for actor Shah Rukh Khan’s film My Name Is Khan had opened.
Following his Indian Premier League stand, the party has made Mr. Khan the target of a virulent campaign, to the extent of calling him a traitor and asking him to leave for Pakistan.
The Sena’s protests against the release of the movie kicked off on Tuesday, four days ahead of its release slated for February 12. Sainiks targeted multiplexes in Mulund, Bhandup, Ghatkopar and Kanjur Marg.
They went on the rampage smashing box office windows, throwing stones and disrupting the screenings of other movies.
54 arrested
By the end of the day, the Mumbai police had arrested 54 Sena workers for rioting. Preventive arrests numbering over a hundred were also being made.
The Sena’s attack took place even as the film’s director Karan Johar met Mumbai Police Commissioner D. Sivanandan on Tuesday morning to seek an assurance of security.
Following his Indian Premier League stand, the party has made Mr. Khan the target of a virulent campaign, to the extent of calling him a traitor and asking him to leave for Pakistan.
The Sena’s protests against the release of the movie kicked off on Tuesday, four days ahead of its release slated for February 12. Sainiks targeted multiplexes in Mulund, Bhandup, Ghatkopar and Kanjur Marg.
They went on the rampage smashing box office windows, throwing stones and disrupting the screenings of other movies.
54 arrested
By the end of the day, the Mumbai police had arrested 54 Sena workers for rioting. Preventive arrests numbering over a hundred were also being made.
The Sena’s attack took place even as the film’s director Karan Johar met Mumbai Police Commissioner D. Sivanandan on Tuesday morning to seek an assurance of security.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sanjay Dutt buys a T-10 cricket team
After Shahrukh Khan, Shilpa Shetty and Preity Zinta, actor Sanjay Dutt has become the latest Bollywood star to venture into cricket, though he has gone for a shorter format known as T-10 Gully Cricket.
The 51-year-old actor has become the proud team owner of ‘Sirsa Gullies’ for the T—10 gully cricket season 2 ‘Ab Har Koi Khelega’
A mega night cricket tournament, T-10 Gully Cricket, will feature non-first class cricketers in the age group of 15-24 years.
“I am genuinely delighted to be an owner of this promising and talented team. I will be personally involved in all the aspects of my team and appeal to corporates, institutions and society as a whole to extend their co-operation and support for this social cause,” Dutt said in a statement.
Actor Ritesh Deshmukh is the brand ambassador of the tournament while Jimmy Shergill, Rajpal Yadav, Divya Dutta and Prachi Desai have also signed as the owners of teams from Jalandhar, Kanpur, Ludhiana and Surat respectively.
The tournament with a total of 39 games will be telecast live on DD Sports, starting on January 19 and ending on February 3.
“There are some extremely brilliant players who play in the gullies of our country, and in the process have sharpened their skills continuously bettering their performances. Its time that their skills are projected in front of the country and they get their credit,” Dutt said.
