Anurag resists anti-smoking disclaimer in 'Ugly'

December 18, 2013

Anurag_KashyapMumbai, Dec 18: Director Anurag Kashyap, who has approached the Bombay High Court against the Censor Board after it objected to the exclusion of the anti-smoking disclaimer in his upcoming film 'Ugly', says he is a socially responsible filmmaker and will fight till the end to secure justice in the matter.

The Censor Board had asked Anurag to carry the warning 'Smoking is injurious to health' in all the scenes of his film where the characters have been shown smoking. But Kashyap refused to add the disclaimer and subsequently filed a petition in the court.

"We have not used this thing (warning message on smoking) for our film so we have been denied the certificate. This warning destroys the aesthetic value of a film and distracts audience from the movie thus ruining the experience of watching a film. It is my film and my creativity and I don't want to destroy it following a rule that does not make sense to me," he told reporters here at a press conference.

"I feel I am being bullied by the Health Ministry and I refuse to take that bullying. If you think cigarette intake is harmful... bad then stop tobacco industry, don't take revenue from it. All things which you think are illegal stop those things," the filmmaker said.

The 'Gangs of Wasseypur' director said he will even knock the Supreme Court door if things did not turn in his favor.

"Being a filmmaker I agree there is a social responsibility on us... Why that thing is not there on others as well ? I think I am a socially responsible filmmaker... I don't make films that don't have point in the end. I am far more socially responsible than politicians and they can challenge me," he added.

Anurag is firm that he doesn't want to release 'Ugly' with the warning messages.

"I don't want to release 'Ugly' with those notifications. I will fight till the end. I have the right to expression and being in this democratic country I am going to pitch my fight till the end to see that what comes out of it. I think so because somewhere, somebody has to stand up and fight... What I feel is very unfair and is absolutely mindless and pointless," he added.

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News Network
February 27,2020

Mumbai, Feb 27: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Wednesday said it's with constant education that a country, a family can move forward as there is never an end to learning.

In December last year, when the actor visited the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, the La Trobe University announced the 'Shah Rukh Khan La Trobe University PhD Scholarship'. At the event to announce therecipient of the scholarship here on Wednesday, Shah Rukh said it was his honour to lend his name or be attached to the scholarship.

"I am a big believer in education. I truly believe that the way forward for any country, any family, city, state is by educating itself more and more.

"There is never an end to education. I've come to realise the more I know, I figure out, the less I understand. It's very important to keep educating ourselves for the rest of our lives.

"I've always believed education in India and elsewhere in the world, is the most important step forward for any nation," he said.

The scholarship aims to provides an opportunity for an aspiring female researcher from India to undertake research.

The 54-year-old superstar said what also will help taking the world move ahead is educating women.

"Related to the fact, is of course, education of women, empowering women, to look after themselves to look after their families...

"If you are able to empower them with education, the world goes even further forward," the actor added.

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Agencies
June 6,2020

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie feels discrimination and impunity cannot be justified in any way, and says she hopes people in the US can come together to "address the deep structural wrongs in our society".

The Oscar-winning star, who turned 45 on Thursday, also donated $200,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, reports people.com.

"Rights don't belong to any one group to give to another. Discrimination and impunity cannot be tolerated, explained away or justified. I hope we can come together as Americans to address the deep structural wrongs in our society," Jolie said.

"I stand with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in their fight for racial equality, social justice, and their call for urgent legislative reform," she added.

Meanwhile, the actress celebrated her birthday amid lockdown with her six children -- Maddox, 18, Pax, 16, Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 14, and 11-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

The actress and activist has been active since the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world and has donated to different organisations.

Jolie previously donated $1 million to No Kid Hungry, the organisation working to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I knew that there were problems in America, that there was poverty, but I could not believe when I realised how many school children in America were dependent on a meal to not go hungry. I was so disgusted that we have gotten to this point as a country and that we would let the most vulnerable be in such a state. I can't imagine what it feels like for those parents," she said while opening up about her reason to get associated with the organisation.

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News Network
July 12,2020

Mumbai, Jul 12: Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her daughter Aaradhya have tested positive for coronavirus, confirmed Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Sunday. However,  veteran actor Jaya Bachchan has tested negative for the virus.

"Smt Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Daughter Aaradhya Abhishek Bachchan have also been detected positive for Covid-19. Smt. Jaya Bachchan ji is tested negative for Covid-19. We wish the Bachchan Family to get well soon with a speedy recovery," Tope tweeted.

As per Assistant Municipal Commissioner Vishwas Mote, the rest of the family members - Jaya Bachchan, daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda and her children Agastya and Navya Naveli - have tested negative for COVID-19.

On Saturday, legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek Bachchan took to social media to confirm that they have detected positive for coronavirus.

The 'Sholay' actor is reported to be in a "stable" condition with "mild symptoms."
The 77-year-old has been admitted to the isolation unit at Mumbai's Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital.

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