Dangal sets Rs 20 crore record in China, earns rave reviews

May 6, 2017

Beijing, May 6: Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal has set a Rs 20 crore record in its opening day, the most for an Indian film in China, as it opened to rave reviews from Chinese audiences.

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The film, which opened on May 5, had crossed Rs 20.65 crore by early Saturday (22.16 million Yuan), around four times the earlier high for an Indian film of Rs 5.7 crore set by PK.

PK in China went on to cross Rs 100 crore, the first Indian film to do so, a landmark that Dangal seems on track to match.

The film has benefited from both Aamir Khan's popularity in China, as well as a wide promotion campaign and release. Aamir spent a week in China in April promoting the film, travelling to Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu.

Film opened to 7,000 screens

Distributors said the film opened to 7,000 screens, more than the 4,000 screens that PK opened to, even if the decision by China's top cinema operator, Wanda, to all but blank out the film may cost its earnings especially in second and third-tier towns, where Wanda has a monopoly.

Wanda as of last year had 1,657 screens in China - the number is set to cross 3,000 this year - with estimates that its decision to only arrange 37 screens for Dangal could reduce its earnings by one-third, especially in tier-two and tier-three towns.

On China's most popular cinema portals, the film has garnered rave reviews from fans. On social media app WeChat, it enjoys the highest rating among films currently being shown in China with a 9.8 score out of ten.

Full marks to Dangal?

"The best movie I have ever watched, worth to stay up all night for the evening show," said one fan on the website Douban. "I have never written a review for any movie before, it was so touching, I was laughing and crying at the same time. Hope you guys watch it, believe me, you will love it."

Despite Wanda's lack of interest in the film, a number of Chinese celebrities have also come out to promote the film. The actor Deng Chao posted a message on the Chinese Twitter equivalent Sina Weibo telling fans to watch it, while actress Liu Yifei promoted the film along with Aamir Khan during his visit.

"I give full marks to Dangal," wrote another fan on Douban. "I was touched that I cried so much and when I ran out of tissue, I borrowed two pieces of it from a stranger beside me, I am going to watch it again and again."

"First time that I clapped in a cinema," said one fan, "not only me but also everyone here clapped, the best and most touching movie ever."

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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 14,2020

Mumbai, Mar 14: Animal Planet has announced a new documentary "The Zoo: COVID-19 And Animals", which seeks to explore the effects of coronavirus on animals.

The special will see Dave Salmoni, Animal Planet’s big cat expert, talking to a number of experts, from the World Health Organization to wildlife biologists, in order to find out how COVID-19 is affecting animals and what pet owners can do to safeguard them.

The issue came to forefront when a four-year-old Malayan tiger tested positive for COVID-19 at Bronx Zoo in New York.

The documentary will feature chief veterinarian of Bronx Zoo, who will give an update on the big cats and their treatment, and also Dr Peter Embarek from WHO's COVID-19 Task Force, who works particularly on all aspects of the virus related to animals.

In a statement, Salmoni said, "When news about Nadia the tiger came out the questions immediately began; what about my pets? How do I keep my animals and family safe? We’re going to answer these questions and more through this documentary."

"We're speaking to a wide range of experts from the World Health Organization, to wildlife biologists, to veterinarians. We are at war with this disease and so we get down to the nitty-gritty, and discuss practical questions about daily lives with our pets," he added.

Sai Abishek, Director – Content, Factual & Lifestyle Entertainment – South Asia, Discovery, said, "We have been the forefront of busting myths around novel coronavirus with international documentaries. With this latest film, we take a hard look at how animals are being treated during such a crisis and the safety measures that can be taken to keep both, the people and their pets healthy."

"The Zoo: COVID-19 And Animals" will premiere on May 17 on Animal Planet, Animal Planet HD and Discovery Plus app.

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News Network
April 14,2020

New Delhi, Apr 14: Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar on Tuesday paid tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary.

The 90-year-old singer took to Twitter to extend her greetings on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti and also expressed gratitude for being able to get the chance to meet him.

"Namaskar. Bhartiya Savidhan ke janak mahamanav Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar Ji ki Jayanti par main unko koti koti vandan karti hu. (Namaskar. On the birth anniversary of Dr. BR Ambedkar, the father of the great Indian Constitution, I offer him a ceremonial offering)" she tweeted.

"Main unko pratyaksh roop se mil saki ye mera sobhagya hai. (It is my good fortune that I got the chance to meet him)," her tweet further read.
Ambedkar, commonly known as Babasaheb, dedicated his life to working for the upliftment of Dalits, women and the underprivileged.

Born into a poor Dalit family on April 14, 1891, Ambedkar became independent India's first law minister, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a founding father of the Republic of India.

He also campaigned against the social discrimination faced by Dalits and inspired the Dalit Buddhist Movement in 1956. Ambedkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1990.

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