Anupam Kher in war of words with Gujarat riots director

April 23, 2014

Anupam_KherMumbai, Apr 23: The documentary ‘The Final Solution’ based on the communal riots that tore Gujarat apart in 2002, has caught its director Rakesh Sharma in a war of words against Anupam Kher. The popular actor has been accused of stalling the clearance of the documentary as the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

Kher headed CBFC from October, 2003 to October, 2004. According to reports, Sharma has alleged that the veteran actor put obstructions to the release of his documentary ‘The Final Solution’, and that it could only reach audience after the UPA government was voted to power in 2004.

Sharma was reportedly quoted by a news channel as saying, “‘The Final Solution’ was cleared when the UPA was in power, and not under NDA. Kher’s regime as Censor Board chief was the worst as he has feudal mindset.”

Sharma also alleged that Kher and his team went ahead and had the film banned and then when the regime changed, the film was cleared without any cuts under a panel headed by noted director Shyam Benegal.

Reportedly Kher said, “If as he (Sharma) claims it was cleared under UPA does it mean the Congress sponsored the film? Is Sharmila Tagore a Congress supporter just because UPA appointed her? It’s only on merit we are selected.”

Incidentally, Sharmila Tagore, a leading actor of the 1960s and 1970s, succeeded Kher as the chairperson of CBFC in 2004.

According to a news channel report, Kher credited the attack on him for stopping the release of ‘The Final Solution’ as a response to his decision to back Narendra Modi, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. “Don’t make me feel guilty for backing Modi. One doesn’t become pro-Hindu or pro-Hindutva simply because one thinks Modi is a good leader,” Kher was quoted by NDTV.

In a series of tweets in the early hours on Sunday morning, Kher reportedly wrote, “People like Rakesh Sharma have their own agendas. But this time he stands exposed. Let him produce d proof tat I did’t pass his documentary. Pseudo Seculars r cowards. They rely on lies. They are frightened people who hide behind agendas. God save our country from such people.”

Kher claimed his stand and said that he, along with other members of the censor board were behind clearing the film, and that Sharma had also thanked him for it.

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News Network
March 11,2020

Washington, Mar 11: Pop star Selena Gomez made some revelations about her personal life in a recent interview.

While explaining the lyrics of her song "Rare" on the 'Genius' YouTube channel, the 27-year-old said that there are times when she feels that she will ever be able to find a suitable partner for herself, reported Fox News.

"Some days when I wake up and I am annoyed and I am like, 'I am going to be alone forever.' But after that 15 minutes go away, I say to myself, 'I know that there is someone for everybody," the singer told in the seven-and-a-half minute long video.

However, she remains optimistic as she is still young and "this isn't the end all be all".

Elaborating upon the chorus of her song, Gomez opened up and said, "self-esteem and confidence is a constant struggle".

"It's getting better with time and age, but it will always be something that I'm working on," she added while explaining the lyrics further.

"So what I think is so important about this chorus is that it's acknowledging, 'Hey, I don't have it all. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I do know that I'm special,' and I think that is a humble approach of saying, 'Why don't you see that I am different?'" the singer added as reported by Fox News.

Touching upon her experiences from past relationships, she commented: "In certain relationships, I've heard and I've experienced and whatnot, I think men and women do it -- especially teenagers and young people in love -- is there's this satisfaction out of hurting someone because you know that they care. Purposefully putting someone down because they want to keep them at a level. I've had someone actually say that to me before".

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News Network
June 16,2020

Mumbai, Jun 16: In the wake of Sushant Singh Rajput's death, veteran actor Deepti Naval has opened up about her struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts in the early 90s.

Naval shared a poem that she wrote during her struggle with depression on her Facebook page after paying tributes to Rajput, who was found hanging in his Bandra apartment on Sunday at the age of 34.

According to a police official, Mumbai Police found out during the probe that the actor was under medication for depression

"Dark days these... So much has been happening - mind has come to a point of stillness... Or rather numbness. Today I feel like sharing a poem I wrote back in the years when I was fighting depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts - Yes, fighting... and like how," Naval wrote.

The 68-year-old actor made her debut with Shyam Benegal's 1978 "Junoon" and went on to feature in films like "Chashme Buddoor", "Ankahee", "Mirch Masala", Saath Saath among others in the 80s.

Naval's poem, titled "Black Wind", begins by describing how anxiety engulfs a person.

"Anxiety grips me with both hands, spiked claws dig deep into my soul I gasp for breath and stagger around sharp corners of my single bed.."

In the poem, Naval talks about fighting suicidal thoughts and depression, describing it as a "ghoulish lust" she won't succumb to.

"The telephone rings... no, it stops...God damn! Why don't anyone speak? A voice, Just a human voice In this shameless, pitiless Abyss of the night - gloom deepens into darkness, turns purple I feel dark inside."

The actor ends by writing that she will survive the night, its "deathly design" and fight.

"The world's a snake pit, so let it be! I dare the devil to get the better of me! Deepti Naval, Night of July 28, 1991."

In an interview with PTI last year, Naval had mentioned how acting assignments started to thin in the late 90s and as a "serious actor" it was "devastating" to be ignored.

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News Network
June 9,2020

Bengaluru, Jun 9: There’s no denying the fact that Sudeep is one of the most popular and sought-after names in Kannada cinema. The versatile actor has won the love of fans due to his ‘pan-India’ look and impressive selection of roles. A self-made star, he paid his dues before making it big in Sandalwood. The Bachchan actor had, some time ago, told Film Companion that his initial years in the industry were anything but easy.

 The mass hero revealed that his first two movies never saw the light of the day as they were abandoned midway. Following the setback, he finally made his Kannada debut with V Umakanth’s Thayavva and began a new chapter in life. Sadly, the film sank without a trace and was removed from theatres within three days of its release.

“My first two films did not see the light of the day while the third one did not see people,” he added.

Sudeep ultimately tasted success with the 2001 release Huchcha and the rest is history. Over the years, ‘Deepanna’ has starred in several commercially successful movies and proved that he is a certified ‘A-lister’. The star has also made an impact in non-Kannada movies like Rann and Eega, expanding his fanbase big time.

Coming to the present, Sudeep was last seen in the Bollywood biggie Dabangg 3 that did decent business at the box office. The actioner saw him share screen space with Salman Khan, giving fans a reason to rejoice. The cast included Arbaaz Khan and Sonakshi Sinha.

He will be turning his attention to the Kannada biggie Kotigobba 3, the third instalment of the Kotigobba series. The film, directed by Shiva Karthik, is one of the biggest movies of the year. It features Shraddha Das, Madonna Sabastian and Aftab Shivdasani in key roles.  He  will also be seen in the Anup Bhandari-directed Phantom.

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