I've been asked if I worship cows: Miss America Nina Davuluri

January 3, 2015

Mumbai, Jan 3: Nina Davuluri, who was only 24 when she became the first Miss America of Indian origin last year, has come a long way since the night of her win. Although she’s been hard at work to promote cultural diversity even after her year-long reign ended, the racial slurs that stemmed from her victory are still something we remember.

Nina Davuluri

Mincing no words, Davuluri says that she was prepared for the backlash, and expected it too. “I grew up with many questions – whether I’d have an arranged marriage, do I worship cows etc, — so I knew the misconception about our culture was always there,” she says, adding, “But I suppose the silver lining is that for every negative comment, there were hundreds, if not thousands, of positive words of encouragement from around the world. Also, it became an opportunity for me to carry this discussion forward.”

Most importantly, Davuluri feels that her win was really timely for the Miss America organisation to celebrate diversity and reach out to a new demographic, given the stereotype of a blonde, blue-eyed winner over the years. “I grew up feeling I could never win because I looked different. So, when I won, it was great for that young girl who was watching the show and thinking. Wow, this year Miss America looks like me,” she says.

Nina Davuluri spent two years in Vijaywada before moving to the US, and annual vacations back here helped her stay connected with her roots — especially by way of dance. “I’m trained in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Ballet, Jazz and Tap dance. At the Miss America talent round, I even performed to ‘Dhoom taana’ (from Om Shanti Om; 2007),” says the pageant winner.

It’s no surprise, then, that Davuluri was drawn to — and signed up as a judge — for Dance India Dance Super Moms North America. She says, “It’s interesting and fun to be on the other side of the table. For these moms to live their dream is very inspiring, and their stories are heart-warming. They’ve been incredible.” The reality show features mothers of Indian-origin, competing as dancers.

However, this isn’t a stepping stone for a Bollywood career. The 25-year-old is applying for MBA programs after graduating debt-free, thanks to funds she earned as scholarships during her one-year reign.

“With the degree in hand, I’d like to focus on international relations and cross-cultural marketing. Miss America is a very service-oriented job. Everyone wants to win Miss America, but no one wants to do the job. It’s not as glamorous as people might think. I’m at the forefront a speaker and an advocate for my platform, which is celebrating diversity,” she explains, adding, “Now that my reign is over, I’m looking forward to transitioning and doing a lot more social work in India itself.”

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News Network
January 27,2020

Los Angeles, Jan 27: Pop-rock innovator Billie Eilish on Sunday bested a packed field to win the Grammy for Song of the Year -- which honors songwriters -- for her hit "Bad Guy."

The 18-year-old beat veteran acts Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey along with newcomers Lewis Capaldi and Lizzo to take home the coveted honor.

She shares the prize with her older brother Finneas O'Connell, her primary creative collaborator.

The pair were gracious onstage, with Eilish telling her fellow nominees: "I grew up watching all of you."

"We just make music in a bedroom together," said O'Connell. "We still do that and they let us do that. (...) This is to all of the kids making music in your bedrooms today -- you're going to get one of these."

Eilish was among this year's most nominated artists with six nods, and is the youngest person ever nominated in all four of the top categories.

Best song was her second award of the night. She won earlier for best pop vocal album for "when we all fall asleep, where do we go?"

Before she released the album in March 2019, Eilish had already assembled a fervent online following for her bold, often haunting pop sound.

In August, Eilish became the first musician born in the 2000s to top the Billboard Hot 100, when she dethroned Lil Nas X, who spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at the top with viral hit "Old Town Road."

The artist named Billboard's 2019 Woman of the Year has also written and will perform the theme song for the upcoming James Bond film "No Time To Die."

"I feel like I'm not supposed to be here," she told E! television on the red carpet before the gala. "Life is weird."

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News Network
January 2,2020

New Delhi, Jan 2: Hoping her cinematic voice can help bring about lasting change in how society perceives acid attack survivors, actor Deepika Padukone says her latest film Chhapaak should ideally be so impactful that there won't be need for another story on acid violence.

After all, cinema is in itself such a powerful medium, Deepika told news agency ahead of the release of the film, which is based on the life of acid attack survivor and activist Laxmi Agarwal.

The idea behind the social drama is to invoke empathy and understanding rather than paint women who have undergone the ordeal as victims, the actor, who has also produced the film, said in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

"Beyond the gruesomeness, the violence and all of that, there is a story of the human spirit and hope. That's why we're telling the story," she said.

Deepika, 33, said it was a story that spoke to her and she felt pride in attaching herself to the project.

Chhapaak, directed by Meghna Gulzar and featuring Vikrant Massey, is the second mainstream film to focus on the subject after 2019 Malayalam movie Uyare starring Parvathy Thiruvothu.

"I hope we won't have to constantly tell stories on acid attack survivors for us to see change. I hope with our film we begin to see that change for ourselves as a society and for acid attack survivors.

"If we don't, then we've done something wrong as a society. Cinema in itself is such a powerful medium that hopefully just through this one film we will hopefully be able to see that kind of change and impact," Deepika said.

The actor said there was not much planning behind the decision to back the film financially.

"Sometimes certain films need a little more hand holding, a little more love and support. I felt like I would be adding a little more value as a producer.

"This is a film I'm very proud of, not just from the script point of view but even in terms of the story and its message," she said.

The film, which releases on January 10, will be Deepika's first release in two years and comes after her marriage to frequent co-star Ranveer Singh.

The actor said she used the time to creatively replenish herself.

"It was about finding a film worthy of putting out there. It's not that work at my end had stopped. I was constantly looking for scripts that challenged and excited me.

"I would look at it as time for creative fertility. It's important to nurture yourself. The work that goes on behind the scenes... most often we're constantly on a film set, but whether it's meeting with writers and directors, looking for scripts... That is also part of the creative process and that's what I've been doing."

The title Chhapaak instantly evokes the image of acid being splattered, and Deepika said the director wanted a word for the film's name that could also lend itself to a song.

"I think she said 'chhapaak', which is the sound of a splash, is something that could adapt or lend itself beautifully to a song. Perhaps, it also has to do with fluidity. So on one hand, liquid is known to take different forms, a liquid such as this (acid) can change someone's life forever," she said.

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News Network
April 30,2020

Mumbai, Apr 29: Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor is not keeping well and has been admitted to a city hospital here, his elder brother Randhir Kapoor said.

The 67-year-old actor was taken to H N Reliance hospital by his family on Wednesday morning.

"He is in the hospital. He is suffering from cancer and he has some breathing problem, so he has been admitted to the hospital. He is stable now," Randhir told PTI.

The actor returned to India last September after undergoing treatment for cancer in the US for almost a year.

In February, Kapoor was hospitalised twice due to his health issues.

He was first admitted to a hospital in Delhi where he was attending a family function. At the time, Kapoor had said that he was suffering from an "infection".

After his return to Mumbai, he was again admitted to a hospital with viral fever. He was discharged soon after.

Kapoor, who has been quite active on social media, hasn't posted anything on his Twitter account since April 2.

The actor recently announced his next project, a remake of Hollywood film "The Intern", also featuring Deepika Padukone.

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