I just said what I felt: Swara Bhaskar

Agencies
February 1, 2018

Actress Swara Bhaskar has recently been in the news for the noise her letter to Sanjay Leela Bhansali made. The actress is herself very surprised with the development.

“I am so happy that people have read it… I didn’t think it will become such a big issue,” she says. The actress had written two letters in English and Hindi where she mentioned that she was “reduced to a vagina” after viewing Padmaavat. Understandably, the letter received a lot of support, and even criticism. In fact, writers Siddharth-Gatima, who have written scripts for Bhansali’s movies, came out with a counter letter.

“I think everyone has the right to keep their opinion — just like I do. I don’t agree to that letter — that’s all. I was polite and respectful. I did not have any vicious intention. I had valid questions in my mind. If people do not agree, it’s fine; it is a democracy. It is good that there is a debate because art demands debates.  But this debate has turned into a bawaal (ruckus) now. So many people are reacting because I used the ‘v’ word. Why is everyone who is not connected to the film getting angry?” questions the actress.

Swara says that she has not received any response from Bhansali either, with whom she had a two-scene role in the Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai starrer Guzaarish. “It was an open letter through a publication. I have had no response from him, but it has become the subject of national conversation. In fact, one has to remember that I have been one of those voices that supported Padmaavat. Now that it has reached a platform for public consumption, I felt that my questions should be a part of the national discussion and so I put it on a public platform,” she says.

Swara says that she does not know what kind of a backlash she would get from the film industry in terms of work tomorrow. “See, I have not thought about all that because I have said earlier that I just said what I felt and had no hatred in what I wished to convey. They are very valid questions. It is important to have this conversation in our society,” says the actress.

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Agencies
January 11,2020

Washington, Jan 11: Fresh off his win at the Golden Globes, actor Joaquin Phoenix participated in a climate change protest and was arrested by the police.

The "Joker" star took part in the weekly protests against climate change, started by Hollywood veteran Jane Fonda.

According to Variety, the 45-year-old actor also addressed the crowd of close to 300 people.

In his short speech, he took aim at the meat and dairy industry for being the third leading cause of the climate crisis.

"Sometimes we wonder what can we do in this fight against climate change, and there is something that you can do today and tomorrow, by making a choice about what you consume," Phoenix said.

"There are things I can't avoid. I flew a plane here today, or last night rather, but one thing I can do is change my eating habits," he added.

Besides Phoenix, veteran Hollywood star Martin Sheen also turned up for the protest and got arrested by the police. Actors Maggie Gyllenhaal and Susan Sarandon were also present.

Capitol Police said it arrested 147 people who were charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding. All the protestors were later released.

Fonda, who was on stage with Phoenix, called him "one of the greatest living actors today".

She has been protesting weekly as part of her "Fire Drill Fridays" initiative since announcing she was moving to Washington "to be closer to the epicenter of the fight for our climate." Her participation has ended in multiple arrests.

Earlier this month, Phoenix had talked about climate change at the Golden Globes ceremony, asking Hollywood to walk the talk on the issue.

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News Network
May 18,2020

Washington, May 18: Joining hands with the European Commission, actor Leonardo DiCaprio launched the Virunga Fund with seed money of USD 2 million to support Africa's Virunga National Park.

Since Virunga has lost a significant amount of revenue due to COVID shutdown post-March, the fund will be used to support the national park and the communities around, reported Variety.

The fund is aimed at disease prevention efforts, protection of mountain gorilla, and other species.

"I had the great honor of meeting and supporting Virunga's courageous team in their fight against illegal oil drilling in 2013," Variety quoted DiCaprio as saying.

"Virunga urgently needs funds to protect the endangered mountain gorilla population, to provide support to the rangers and the families of rangers who have fallen in the line of duty, and to help deliver essential disease prevention efforts. It's critical that we rally together during this time of incredible crisis," he added.

The 'Titanic' actor had earlier produced a Netflix documentary film 'Virunga' which is based on the national park.

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News Network
May 28,2020

New Delhi, May 28: On the World Menstrual Hygiene Day, former Miss World Manushi Chhillar on Thursday underlined the need to spread awareness on feminine hygiene.

The 23-year-old star has been roped in by UNICEF to spread awareness on the need to educate girls on personal hygiene.

Chhillar put out a post on Instagram expressing the need to educate girls with all information on maintaining hygiene, constructing adequate sanitation facilities and providing quick access to feminine hygiene products.

Manushi, who is participating in the UNICEF global initiative called the Red Dot Challenge, stated, "Every young girl has the right to accurate information about her body. Without the right information, girls often don't know how to safely manage their period. It's time to break the silence. I am calling all girls, boys, women and men to take the #RedDotChallenge with me. Because of Menstruation Matters. @unicefindia."

Along with the post, Chhillar shared her pictures with red dots on her hand representing the 'Red Dot Challenge.'

The former Miss World runs her own initiative on menstrual hygiene called 'Project Shakti' that works across several states of India.

The beauty queen turned actor will debut in Bollywood with the highly anticipated historical-drama 'Prithviraj' opposite Akshay Kumar. She will be playing the royal princess Sanyogita, whose tales of beauty mesmerised an entire nation.

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