Huma bemused over people's rigid ideologies and food habits

Agencies
June 30, 2017

Mumbai, Jun 30: Actress Huma Qureshi said she is baffled by how people divide others on the basis of their rigid ideologies and food habits.huma

The 30-year-old actress said such people need medical help.

When pointed out that people in the country are still judged on the basis of their ideologies and which meat they eat, Huma told reporters here, "It's sad. We haven't really learnt. It's really sad, baffling. I think people who talk like that need medical help, this is my personal opinion.

"I don't think any God, religion, country, or the idea of nation should divide, it should unify. You should look at the unifying forces, like music, poetry, dance, culture and food," she said.

The "Gangs of Wasseypur" actress said she grew up in a more secular way and cannot fathom how can people hold such an "extreme point of view."

"I've grown up in a more secular way. I was raised a Muslim but I've played Krishna in Janmashtami, in our school and colony skits. We used to celebrate Diwali, Holi and Eid with equal fun," said Huma at the trailer launch of her upcoming film "Partition: 1947".

"When you can be together and have the best of all the worlds, why choose to take such an extreme point of view and miss out on these beautiful experiences and lovely friends? I think people who take such an extreme point of view, have either ulterior motive, or need medical help."

Directed by British-Indian filmmaker Gurinder Chaddha, the film, previously titled "Viceroy's House", is set in 1947 and revolves around Partition.

When asked if the film will have a release in Pakistan, Reliance Entertainment's Chief Operating Officer, Shibasish Sarkar, said they were waiting the censor clearance.

"It has been sent to the censor (board), if they clear it we will have a Pakistan release. But we are having a Bangladesh release," he said.

"The Partition history is as much relevant on the western side as on the eastern. Bangladesh has cleared it, and it will release probably on the same day," he said.

The film is scheduled to release on August 18.

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Agencies
July 8,2020

Mumbai: The 11th edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is going virtual this year due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The festival is coming up with a full-slate of 157 films from 42 countries.

Tipped as South Asia's biggest LGBTQIA+ film festival, it is the first Indian film festival to come up with a slate of new programs for this year.

The slate of films include 30 films from India, as well as films from countries like Belarus, Iran, Iceland, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Tunisia, etc.

"We are extremely delighted to launch the registration for the KASHISH 2020 Virtual with a full slate of films as well as panel discussions, filmmaker Q&As, etc, almost replicating the ground event. Only this year not only Mumbaikars but people across India and the world can participate in the festival and enjoy amazing LGBTQIA+ films, discussions and performances!", said Sridhar Rangayan, festival director.

"We are thrilled by almost 95 per cent of the filmmakers whose films were selected to screen at the ground festival, agreeing to screen with us at our online festival. We are overwhelmed by the response from the filmmakers, and we are really glad to reach their films out to the world. This speaks a lot about their trust and support towards the festival", said Saagar Gupta, Director, Programming.

The registrations to attend the festival is now open and details can be viewed at the festival website http://mumbaiqueerfest.com/attend/ along with information about the film line-up. There are early-bird full-festival passes at a modest price in India and outside India. The early-bird offer will be open for a week.

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News Network
February 10,2020

Chennai, Feb 10: The Income Tax Department on Monday summoned Tamil actor Vijay over charges of tax evasion and his alleged links with financier Anbu Chezhiyan.

The development comes after the IT Department on Friday carried out a raid at the actor's residence in Panaiyur area in Chennai.

IT sleuths held searches in connection with the success of a recent film which was a Box Office hit, collecting around Rs 300 crore.

As per sources, the IT Department on Thursday recovered Rs 65 crores from the residence of Vijay's alleged financer in Chennai during raids which were carried out in the connection with the tax evasion case linked to AGS Cinemas.

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News Network
June 8,2020

Mumbai, Jun 8: Veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar has won the 2020 Richard Dawkins Award for critical thinking, holding religious dogma up to scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values.

Akhtar has become the first Indian to be given the honour, which recognises a distinguished individual from the field of science, scholarship, education, or entertainment, who publicly proclaims the values of secularism and rationalism and upholding scientific truth.

Akhtar's wife, veteran actor Shabana Azmi said the award's relevance becomes more prominent especially in the current times when secularism is under attack.

"I am thrilled. I know what a hero Richard Dawkins has been for Javed. The award gains all the more significant because in today’s time when secularism is being attacked by religious fundamentalists of all hues, this award comes as a validation of Javed’s long service to rational thinking," Azmi told PTI.

The award is named after world-renowned English evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. Actor-comedian Ricky Gervais received the honour last year.

Bollywood celebrities Anil Kapoor and Dia Mirza took to Twitter to congratulate the 75-year-old writer for the recognition.

"Knowing that Richard Dawkins has been your hero since you read 'The Selfish Gene', the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award must be extra special for you @Javedakhtarjadu Saab! It's a truly incredible honour! Congratulations!" Kapoor tweeted.

Dia said Akhtar's win is a proud moment for rhe country.

"Javed Akhtar Saab has won the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award 2020 for critical thinking, holding religious dogma upto scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values. He is the only Indian to have won this award! @Javedakhtarjadu Congratulations! You make us proud," Dia wrote.

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