Many top filmmakers, actors afraid to experiment: Aamir Khan

November 22, 2014

Aamir KhanNew Delhi, Nov 22: Aamir Khan today deprecated the unwillingness of certain tops actors and filmmakers in experimenting with content and instead chasing box office profit.

The 49-year-old actor feels the focus in film making needs to shift from business to content.

"I feel a lot of the top people who are already very successful are very afraid to experiment. They need to let go of that fear if we really want to grow," Aamir said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2014 here.

"One of the most damaging thing that is happening today is that a lot of successful actors, filmmakers and actresses are only focusing on what they think would be a 100 crore or 200 crore film. They are selecting scripts based on that. When I say, they, I am including myself. We really have to stop looking at the numbers. This is a field of creativity. I should have a story to tell," he added.

The actor-director, however, praised Bollywood's young directors for coming up with unusual stories.

"I am impressed with the young directors though. They dare to tell good, different stories. Films like 'Queen' and 'Kahaani' have different, fresh stories and they are made by young directors. I think we need more of such content in our films. It should be more about substance," he said.

Aamir credited young filmmakers for expanding the parameter of mainstream cinema.

"Indian cinema is undergoing a transition. The definition of mainstream film is changing, which is a positive thing. Coming of young people with their own sensibilities and voices has really changed Indian cinema.

"There are films now being made and accepted by the audience which earlier would not have been made. Lines between parallel and mainstream cinema are blurring," the actor said.

According to the actor, newcomers should be encouraged so that there is a healthy competition in the film industry.

"I want more stars to be there in Bollywood than just Shah Rukh, Salman and me because that will bring much more healthy competition. As creative people we should encourage young talent so that there are many more stars to choose from, which will make our product more saleable and bring new people and also give them a larger choice," Aamir said.

The star said he never gets insecure from other actors and looks forward to watch their work.

"I don't get insecure from any other star because I think only about my own film and if I have made it nicely or not. In fact, watching other people's work gives me happiness. I like watching Ranbir Kapoor's films, I really liked him in 'Barfi!' and loved Sanjay Dutt in 'Munnabhai' series," he said.

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News Network
April 24,2020

Mumbai, Apr 24: A complaint has been filed with police against Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut for allegedly referring to members of a particular community as a terrorist in a video released in support of her sister Rangoli Chandel, an official said on Friday.

The complaint was filed by a lawyer, Ali Kashif Khan Deshmukh, at the suburban Amboli Police Station on Wednesday.

The Twitter account of Chandel, who is also the 33- year-old actor's manager, recently got suspended for alleged hate speech.

According to the complaint, while supporting her sister, Ranaut, in the video, allegedly referred to members of a particular community as "terrorist", the official said.

Ranaut had released the video some time back.

Following the release of the video, Deshmukh submitted an application to the Amboli police seeking registration of a case against the actor, the official said.

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Agencies
January 5,2020

Los Angeles: Kevin Feige may have confirmed that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will be getting its first transgender superhero but the Marvel Studios has said there is no definite timeline for that.

During a Q&A at the New York Film Academy, a fan had asked Feige about whether the studio plans to introduce LGBTQ characters into the MCU, "specifically the trans characters".

To this, the Marvel Studios president had replied, "Yes, absolutely, yes... And very soon. In a movie that we're shooting right now."

But sources in the company clarified to Variety that Feige only confirmed the first part of the comments that a trans character will appear in the MCU in future but he did not give a time period.

Though Feige did not reveal the name of the project that will introduce a LGBTQ character, fans speculate that he may have been referring to "The Eternals".

The film, which will feature an ensemble cast of Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kit Harington and others, is set to unveil a gay superhero in the MCU.

Marvel Studios has been making efforts to incorporate more diversity in its films after the success of "Black Panther", which featured a virtually all-black cast, and its first woman-fronted superhero movie "Captain Marvel".

"Avengers: Endgame", which became the highest grossing movie of all-time, had featured the MCU's first gay character, a cameo by director Joe Russo.

In 2020, the studio has two releases -- Scarlett Johansson-starrer "Black Widow" and "The Eternals" -- which have been helmed by women directors.

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News Network
June 9,2020

New Delhi, Jun 9: Multiplex operator PVR on Monday said it has cut salary across various levels, laid off employees and deferred increments during the lockdown to mitigate adverse impact of COVID-19 on the business.

The company said at present it is not generating any revenue from exhibition business and related activities as cinemas across the country are shut following the directions from the regulatory authorities.

According to the company, closure of screens during the lockdown will have a significant negative impact on profitability and liquidity.

PVR has taken measures to reduce its personnel cost, including salary cuts across various levels in the organisation during the lockdown along with "reduction in headcount by way of layoffs/retrenchment" to mitigate the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the business.

Moreover, the board of the company, in its meeting held on Monday has also approved plan to raise Rs 300 crore through rights issue.

"Since Cinema Exhibition is the only business segment, company is currently not generating any revenue from admissions, food and beverage sales or other revenue and cash flow from operations," said PVR in an update.

Beginning from March 11, PVR started closing its screens in accordance with the order passed by various regulatory authorities and within a few days most of our cinemas across the country were shut down, it added.

The company will continue to incur committed cash outflows, including employee salary pay-outs, other overheads as well as payments for older working capital.

"This has and will have a significant negative impact on profitability and liquidity during lockdown and even thereafter till business comes to normalcy," it added.

Further, once the cinemas are re-opened, we may not be able to run our cinemas at normal capacity utilisation levels on account of social distancing measures that cinemas may be required to follow as well as health concerns that the patrons may have, the multiplex operator said.

"On account of this, our revenue and cash flow generation may be impeded even once we are allowed to restart operations," it added.

The company has also deferred decision on on increments to reduce its cost, it added.

PVR has also written to developers for waiving rental and CAM (Common Area Maintenance) charges for the lockdown period.

It is in discussion with developers for reducing rentals post re-opening and has invoked force majeure clause in its agreements with them.

Besides, the company has raised additional borrowings from existing bankers to shore up liquidity.

"As of March 31, 2020 the company had cash and bank balance of Rs 316 crore. As on June 7, 2020 cash and bank balance is Rs 227 crore (including undrawn bank lines)," it added.

Over reopening of theatres, PVR said that the government has come out with a phase-wise schedule.

In these guidelines cinema halls have been kept in the third phase of re-opening, where dates will be decided based on assessment of the situation.

"We are in continuous engagement with all regulatory authorities and hope to receive the necessary permissions for restarting opening in the near future," it added.

Currently PVR operates 845 screens in 176 properties in 71 cities.

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