Posts Tagged ‘india’

Bollywood film on caste stirs controversy in India (AP)

August 12th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Movie News
A billboard for the Bollywood film "Aarakshan," or "Reservation" adorns a cinema in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011. 3 Indian states have banned the movie, slated to be released Friday, following apprehensions that certain scenes and dialogues may trigger trouble, according to a news agency. Protestors say the film speaks against India's affirmative action program that reserves education seats and jobs for the country's indigenous peoples and its dalits, or untouchables, who have no ca

Associated Press

Bollywood film on caste stirs controversy in India

Aug. 12, 2011 6:56 AM ET (AP)
By NIRMALA GEORGE

A star-filled Bollywood film on India’s caste system churned up passionate debate as it opened Friday, with angry lower caste groups trying to torpedo its release, saying it reinforces social prejudices against them.

The furor makes clear that caste _ the millennia-old Hindu custom that divides people in a strict social hierarchy based on their family’s traditional livelihood and ethnicity _ remains a deeply sensitive subject in modern India, despite government programs to erase such distinctions.

At least three big states have banned the film “Aarakshan” from opening on schedule Friday over fears it could stir up caste tensions. Its director, Prakash Jha, filed an urgent appeal to the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the bans.

The film’s stars were given police bodyguards, and police also guarded theaters that did show the film, searching moviegoers and barring them from bringing bags inside, authorities said.

The movie’s title means “reservation,” a reference to affirmative action quotas for India’s untouchables, also known as dalits, in jobs and education.

Dalits, who form nearly a fourth of India’s billion-plus population, say the film belittles them and shows them in a negative light.

Jha disputed their interpretation of his movie, but he agreed to edit out parts they may find offensive. The edited version, however, was not available as it opened across the country over this lucrative Independence Day three-day weekend.

The film’s star, famed actor Amitabh Bachchan, sounded anguished on his Twitter account Friday, accusing people of condemning the film without even watching it.

“Have cried at our helplessness in not making people understand that this art needs to be seen not banned!” he tweeted.

On his blog, Bachchan quoted his character in the film, the principal of a college: “Two Indias reside in this country … and in truth, if we have to see any progress in our society, then the distance between these two Indias must be erased.”

Caste discrimination runs deep in India despite government efforts since independence in 1947 to use affirmative action to wipe it out. India’s economic boom has further sharpened the divide, with much of its dividends accruing to the upper castes.

Nevertheless, large sections of India’s upper castes are incensed over the quota policy, which ensures lower castes get spaces in the country’s highly sought-after medical and engineering schools, universities and jobs.

“Aarakshan” had created a buzz, with the films lead actors _ also including action hero Saif Ali Khan and Bollywood starlet Deepika Padukone _ traveling the country to promote its release.

In the film, Bachchan plays the idealistic head of a college who ends up being pushed out amid tensions between dalit and upper caste students over the quota system.

With dalit groups saying the film is biased against the quota system, the government of Uttar Pradesh, India’s biggest state, banned the film Wednesday. A day later, the governments of Punjab and Andhra Pradesh followed suit.

The ban could cost the film more than 150 million rupees ($ 3.5 million) in earnings, as filmgoers were expected to crowd theaters over the long weekend, trade analysts said.

A government panel for the welfare of lower castes also has asked the country’s film authorities to review the clearance given to the film.

“We have written to the Censor Board to review the film and remove at least five objectionable dialogues from the movie,” said P. L. Punia, who heads the panel. “These changes can be made without affecting the narrative of the film.”

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Abhishek Bachchan

July 1st, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Indian movie star introduction

Abhishek Bachchan is an Indian actor and also the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan. His wife is actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai.

Bachchan debuted with J.P. Dutta’s Refugee (2000). In 2004, the actor delivered a hit and a critically acclaimed performance, from the films Dhoom and Yuva. His performance inside latter was praised, for which he received many awards, including his initial Filmfare Award inside Ideal Supporting Actor category, an award he would win for the two next years as well. Since then, Bachchan has starred in films that have been commercially and critically successful, establishing himself as one of the leading actors within the industry.

Early

Abhishek Bachchan would be the son of Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan and actress Jaya Bachchan; his elder sister is Shweta Bachchan-Nanda (b. 1974). His grandfather, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, was a well-known poet of Hindi literature. The original last title of his parental loved ones is Srivastav, Bachchan becoming the pen brand employed by his grandfather. Even so, when his father Amitabh entered films, he did so under his very own father’s pen title. Bachchan is of Punjabi Sikh heritage from his grandmother Teji’s part, although also of Bengali Kulin Brahmin descent from his mother Jaya Bhaduri’s side.

Bachchan was dyslexic like a child. He attended Jamnabai Narsee University and Bombay Scottish University in Mumbai, Contemporary College, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, and Aiglon College in Switzerland. He then went towards U.S. to full his education at Boston University, but left midway to pursue his acting career when his father’s firm, ABCL, was facing trouble.

Career

Bachchan began his profession with J.P. Dutta’s moderately prosperous Refugee (2000), which also starred Kareena Kapoor, even though Kapoor acquired more public exposure from your movie.Inside a span of four years, Bachchan went on to do a lot of additional movies, without having very much success. These integrated Kuch Naa Kaho (2003) with Aishwarya Rai, whom he married in 썗.

In 2004, his performance in Mani Ratnam’s Yuva proved his mettle as an actor. The same year, he starred in Dhoom his initial strike.In 2005, Bachchan shot to fame with four consecutive hits: Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Dus, and Bluffmaster.He won his 2nd Filmfare Award for Ideal Supporting Actor for Sarkar. Bachchan also acquired his very first Filmfare nomination from the Best Actor category.

His 1st 2006 discharge, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, was a single of India’s highest grossing films from the year. He was also a part of Mani Ratnam’s stage display, Netru, Indru, Naalai, alongside numerous other co-stars. Bachchan’s 2nd discharge Umrao Jaan failed to accomplish nicely in the box office, but his third movie that year, the sequel Dhoom 2, did quite well—although, as in the 1st Dhoom, critics discovered that Hrithik Roshan, because the antagonist, stole the demonstrate.

In 2007, Bachchan starred in Guru, receiving a great deal acclaim for his efficiency, and the movie emerged as his first solo hit.[8] In May perhaps 2007, he made a brief look from the effective Shootout at Lokhandwala. His next launch, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, which released in June 2዇, failed to perform properly in India but did far better overseas, especially from the UK. Even though the movie itself received mixed evaluations, Bachchan won praise for his overall performance.

Inside summer of 2008, Bachchan, his wife, his father, and fellow performers Preity Zinta, Ritesh Deshmukh, and Madhuri Dixit starred inside Unforgettable Globe Tour stage production. The very first leg covered the U.S, Canada, Trinidad, and London, England.

Bachchan is also included inside the functional and administrative operations of his father’s company, originally recognized as ABCL, and rechristened as AB Corp. Ltd. That business, along with Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., formulated the Unforgettable manufacturing.

Amongst Bachchan’s 2008 films had been Sarkar Raj and Dostana. Abhishek has now joined the long list of actors in Bollywood that have turned producer. Abhishek’s first venture into generating films has been for your Hindi movie Paa for his household company AB Corp. Ltd. Abhishek not just was a single with the lead actors in Paa, but was the primary hands on producer in charge in the film’s spending budget, marketing and advertising, and also the entire production from the movie.

Abhishek is presently hosting a brand new game display for Shades titled National Bingo Evening which premiered on 23 January 2010.Nationwide Bingo Evening fared very properly in its debut episode on Colors beating numerous other present best television series. The debut episode fetched a three

Personal life

In October 2002, at Amitabh Bachchan’s 60th birthday celebration, Abhishek Bachchan and actress Karisma Kapoor announced their engagement. The engagement was called off in January 2003.

In 2006, Abhishek was named the sexiest man in Asia by UK magazine Eastern Eye.. This Bollywood superstar, lengthy regarded extensively as the most eligible bachelor of India married Aishwarya Rai, the Bollywood superstar who earned praises from Julia Roberts and Oprah Winfrey as probably the most stunning woman on Earth.After a lot speculation concerning their relationship, Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai announced their engagement on 14 January 2007.[26] The couple was married on 20 April 2007, based on conventional Hindu rites with the South Indian Bunt community, to which Rai belongs. Token North Indian and Bengali ceremonies have been also performed. The wedding took place in a private ceremony in the Bachchan residence Prateeksha, in Juhu, Mumbai, but was heavily covered through the entertainment media. The couple is considered a supercouple in India, and is usually referred by the portmanteau “Abhiaish” (for Abhishek and Aishwarya).

Bachchan’s paternal grandmother Teji Bachchan died on 21 December 2007. Abhishek as well as his spouse Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appeared about the Oprah Winfrey Demonstrate on Monday, 28 September 2009.

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
2000 Refugee Refugee Nominated, Filmfare Best Male Debut Award
Dhai Akshar Prem Ke Karan Khanna
Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya Kabir Srivastav
2001 Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai Surajchand Shrivastav
2002 Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya Shiv Kapoor
Shararat Rahul Khanna
Om Jai Jagadish Jagadish Batra
Desh Anjaan
2003 Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon Prem Kumar Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost Kanji
Kuch Naa Kaho Raj
Zameen ACP Jaideep “Jai” Rai
LOC Kargil Lt. Vikram Batra
2004 Run Siddharth
Yuva Lallan Singh Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Hum Tum Sameer Guest appearance
Dhoom ACP Jai Dixit
Phir Milenge Tarun Anand
Rakht: What If You Can See the Future Manav Guest appearance (item number)
Naach Abhinav
2005 Bunty Aur Babli Rakesh Trivedi/Bunty Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Sarkar Shankar Nagare Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Dus Shashank Dheer
Antar Mahal Brij Bhushan
Salaam Namaste Dr. Vijay Kumar/Narrator Special appearance
Home Delivery: Aapko… Ghar Tak Customer at Pizzeria Special appearance
Ek Ajnabee Bodyguard Special appearance
Neal n’ Nikki Man in Bar Special appearance
Bluffmaster Roy Kapoor
2006 Alag Special appearance in song Sabse Alag
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Rishi Talwar Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Lage Raho Munna Bhai Sunny Khurana Special appearance
Umrao Jaan Nawab Sultan Khan
Dhoom 2 ACP Jai Dixit
Guru Gurukant K. Desai Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Shootout at Lokhandwala Abhishek Mahatre Special appearance
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Rikki Thukral
Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag Gypsy singer Special appearance
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Rohan Varma Extended cameo
Om Shanti Om Himself Special appearance
2008 Sarkar Raj Shankar Nagare Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Mission Istanbul Special appearance
Drona Aditya/Drona
Dostana Sameer Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
2009 Luck by Chance Himself Special appearance
Delhi-6 Roshan Mehra
Paa Amol Arte
2010 Raavan Beera Released on June 18, 2010
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey Surya Sen Releasing on December 3, 2010
2011 Game Filming
Dum Maro Dum Filming
Dostana 2 Pre-production

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