Saturday, October 26, 2013
Be it for publicity or otherwise, some Bollywood actors have been very active in spreading social awareness
If change begins with oneself, then Bollywood actors really know where to start. After all, a majority of them are seen getting associated with programmes that deal with issues in the society every now and then. It's difficult to gauge every individual's commitment to their respective crusades but it's a healthy change from the times when actors stuck to what they were good at: acting.
With Juhi Chawla voicing her concerns against harmful effects of radiation from the mobile phones and towers, it's quite evident that one doesn't have to be a rebel to have a cause. Here's taking a look at a few of the B-Town folks and their 'work' outside their work...
Shah Rukh Khan
Causes: Domestic violence, immunisation
Effects: Known for keeping his many charity initiatives under wraps, SRK has been actively involved in several projects that aimed at better outreach of polio vaccines to kids, especially in the rural areas of the country. He's also part of a campaign that sheds light on the increasing cases of assault on women.
Amitabh Bachchan
Causes: Girl education, immunisation
Effects: One of the biggest names to be associated with the ongoing successful polio eradication drive by the government, Big B has been busy not only with his ever-increasing portfolio of film projects but also several campaigns initiated by UNICEF thanks to his position as their goodwill ambassador.
Salman Khan
Causes: Education, healthcare
Effects: When Sallu is not occupied with his blockbusters and launching new faces in the industry, he's secretively contributing time and effort to his pet projects which involve a merchandise-for-charity setup. With him working behind the scene, they contribute to the underprivileged section of the society.
Aamir Khan
Causes: Health, education
Effects: Lauded for taking up humanitarian issues, his TV show Satyamev Jayate dedicatedly created a healthy buzz by questioning several disturbing aspects of our society. Alongside, the controversial (at times) actor is known for cutting out time to support causes that urgently need a renowned face.
Farhan Akhtar
Causes: Gender-based violence
Effects: A voice to reckon with on the social media, the actor-director recently launched the now popular campaign called Men Against Rape and Discrimination (Mard). With him on board, many of his peers from the industry signed up for the initiative, thus contributing to its overall spread on Internet.
Vidya Balan
Causes: Literacy, sanitation
Effects: Actresses in Bollywood are popular for endorsing commercial products. Vidya is no stranger to this trend but she recently decided to take up a stinking issue quite literally of sanitation and has been active on that front along with programs meant for female empowerment through education.
Vivek Oberoi
Causes: Cleanliness
Effects: About a decade ago, Vivek ran into political entanglements with his charity work in the tsunami-affected coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. This time around, his admirable effort at cleaning up the littered beaches of Mumbai got appreciated. Fortunately enough, it didn't attract any bad press either.
Shabana Azmi
Cause: Rehabilitation
Effects: A rare mix of acting chops and activist mettle, Azmi was the earliest filmi name to crop up in support of AIDS awareness. The outspoken actress has lend her voice to several campaigns with the latest being her demand for policy changes in order to improve the conditions of slumdwellers in the city.
Dia Mirza
Causes: Environment, education
Effects: In recent times, this gorgeous actress has turned to social activism with gusto. After turning producer for a change, Dia is often seen at events meant to spread HIV awareness among the youth, prevention of female foeticide, and seeking solutions to arrest growing pollution.
Fight against the Big C
After the loss of their dear ones to the deadly disease, Sanjay Dutt and Priyanka Chopra have been vocal about bringing awareness about cancer amongst the public.
Hollywood touch
George Clooney
>> For years now, George Clooney has been the most famous face of the present current against the human crisis in Sudan.
Angelina Jolie
>> Angelina Jolie hasn't restricted herself to adopting children from faraway lands. She's equally active in charity and social work.
Leonardo DiCaprio
>> Apart from being politically opinionated, Leonardo DiCaprio has been active in raising awareness about global warming.
Sean Penn
>> Often criticised for his socialist leanings, Sean Penn did commendable work post Haiti earthquake and Hurricane Katrina.
Brad Pitt
>> In the recent past, Brad Pitt has turned vocal about social awareness and contributed time as well as money to several major initiatives.
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com
Thursday, October 24, 2013
For many, talk about catfights on film sets makes great fodder for gossip, but for actress Priyanka Chopra, who has been facing a volley of questions about her camaraderie with her "Krrish 3" co-star Kangana Ranaut, it's no laughing matter.
"It really upsets me how people reduce women's stature in a movie that the focus only remains on how she fought with her female co-star, " Priyanka said here Wednesday in response to a question about a catfight.
"Nobody asks the men that. Nobody says how Hrithik (Roshan) or Vivek (Oberoi) would have fought. A lot of people find it funny and laugh about it, but I take it very seriously, " added the actress, who is working with Kangana for the second time after "Fashion".
She claims they gel well.
"Kangana and I have worked in the past on a film ('Fashion'), which I believe has been a turning point in our respective careers. We get along very well."
Kangana, who was present at the press conference for the promotion of "Krrish 3" here, said: "I agree with Priyanka. We are here, promoting the film together and there is no problem between us. We are not kids that we will fight on sets."
The press conference was also addressed by filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, Hrithik Roshan and Vivek Oberoi. Their superhero movie releases Nov 1.
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com
Kangana, who was present at the press conference for the promotion of "Krrish 3" here, said: "I agree with Priyanka. We are here, promoting the film together and there is no problem between us. We are not kids that we will fight on sets."
The press conference was also addressed by filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, Hrithik Roshan and Vivek Oberoi. Their superhero movie releases Nov 1.
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com
With his latest film Chennai Express crossing the Rs. 200-crore mark, Shah Rukh Khan is the hottest marketing guru in Bollywood. Sreya Basu chats up with the superstar in Mumbai on marketing of films and why he doesn't expose much on screen
Why is that your movies have too many brandings
There are two reasons for this. One, I have been working for the last 22 years and somewhere there is a deep bonding and friendship between me and the brands I endorse.
For example, I am with Hyundai Motors for the last 15 years, I am endorsing Lux for the past 5-6 years... there are other brands also with whom I am associated with for the past 10, 12, 14 and even 20 years. So there is friendship and when working together, we want that we benefit each other some way or the other, advertisement wise, publicity wise.
So this is why my films have too many brandings. Second, my office makes sure that we give maximum value for money if someone gets attached to us. But we don't put brands in our films just so that we can earn some money.
Most of the time we don't even take money. It's actually advertising together. Also, it is the demand of today's time.
Is it said that you are the marketing guru of all your films.
Well, though I take all the credit, it's my office that works on it. I have no understanding of marketing strategies. I just try to make good films and share it happily with everyone.
What is your opinion on the kind of business our films are doing today?
There are so many platforms for releasing a film these days. Even if we don't want, information about a film reaches everybody in minutes.
So it is only a natural scheme of things that there won't be 100 days, silver jubilees or golden jubilees and business will shrink in lesser period of time.
Also number of theatres has increased 10-15 times since Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). I think the business remains same, only the results are out faster. Also the enjoyment while watching a hit film remains same.
What is your take on the Rs. 100-crore clubs?
I am a little in disagreement to the numbers thrown. There are too many analysis and too many information about a particular film available online. The idea is to choose the right one so that the right film gets the credit it deserves.
For me, I can feel a hit film in the air. I don't need analysis or numbers to know if my film is a hit. You can feel it in the roaring of people inside a theatre, they keep calling you by the name of your character ... there are vibes that I can feel and have been feeling for the last 22 years in business.
Why is that we don't see you taking off your shirt and flaunting your muscles that often?
I am personally a very shy person. I feel a little shy if I am asked to take off my shirt and give a shot. I do it for the sake of my profession like in Dard-e-Disco (song from 2007 film Om Shanti Om) and in a few others. But I feel uncomfortable taking my shirt off, especially in front of women.
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com
Bollywood is replete with the stories of celebrities rubbing the authorities or the establishment on the wrong side. Very recently singer Rihana was shown the door by a mosque in Abu Dhabi on the charge of unbecoming behavior which rebelled against the moral code of conduct. There are other celebrities who got into trouble at the religious places.
For instance Katrina Kaif, during the shooting of Namaste London in 2007, wore a frock at Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti's dargah in Ajmer. Her creme colour dress that ended well above her knees brought her an instant backlash, and saw her beating a hasty retreat out of the dargah premises.
When Himesh Reshammiya visited the Ajmer Sharif dargah it was as uncommon as it gets. In June 2008, Reshammiya visited the dargah in a burqa. While he had done it to avoid attention, once people got wind of him in a burqa, he attracted all the attention, and obviously for all the wrong reasons.by santa banta news network..
As the legendary singer Manna Dey passes away, Bollywood celebrities pay their condolences on Twitter. Here's what they say...
Amitabh Bachchan: Manna Dey, stalwart of the music world, passes away. Flooded with memories and his songs. In particular his rendition of Madhushala. RIP... Prayers and condolences to loved ones and family! Strange how we connect events of our life with his songs! At work but shall keep a minutes silence, in Manna Dey's memory on set before we start...
Mahesh Bhatt: Manna Dey passes away. His voice shall linger forever.R.I.P.
Manoj Bajpayee: Manna Dey is no more! A great singer! Lets pray for him! My condolences to his family! His music will live for 1000 yrs. RIP.
Kailash Kher: Manna Dey, the legend is no more, and his contribution to music and films is unmatchable, RIP. Transformed from physical to divine, prayers.
Sunidhi Chauhan: Heartbroken at Manna Da's shocking demise.
Vishal Dadlani: The world is a darker place, as one of the greatest musical lights to ever shine, has left us. May the immortal Manna De-saab rest in peace.
Shekhar Ravjiani: The legend is no more... But he'll forever live in our hearts through his songs and his voice. RIP Sir Manna Dey
Madhur Bhandarkar: Manna da, a legendary singer with a golden voice, that ruled our hearts for decades, will be missed by all. Zindagi kaisi hai paheli haye.
Shabana Azmi: Manna Dey had a unique voice. He will live on through his songs Ai Meri Zohra Jabeen/ dil ka haal suney dilwala/ poocho na kaise maine RIP.
Kunal Kohli: Manna Dey, last of the greats, along with Kishore, Rafi and Mukesh, passes away.RIP.'ek chattur naar' to 'ae mere pyaare watan' what a range.
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com
'Krrish' fans are waiting eagerly for 'Krrish 3' and they just might be in for a surprise
Veteran actor-turned-filmmaker Rakesh Roshan says if 'Krrish 3' does well he will be game for a fourth instalment of the movie.
'If this does well, we may make 'Krrish 4'. We have left a hook for it (in 'Krrish 3'),' Roshan said at a press conference organised here Wednesday. A sequel to 'Koi...Mil Gaya' and 'Krrish', 'Krrish 3' stars Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Vivek Oberoi. The film will hit screens Nov 1.
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)