Interesting to play Pakistani in US show, says, Nimrat Kaur

August 17, 2014

Nimrat KaurNew Delhi, Aug 17: After finding global visibility with "The Lunchbox", Indian actress Nimrat Kaur has landed a chance to play a Pakistani character in the fourth season of hit American series "Homeland", set in Islamabad. The Punjabi girl, who has roots in Rawalpindi and Lahore, finds the opportunity "very interesting".

Currently in Cape Town for a shooting schedule of the Emmy Award-winning political thriller series, Nimrat says "it is very early on" to comment on her experience.

However, she is loving every bit of it - especially since her role of Tasneem Kureshi, a high-level operative within Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency, has been increased from five to nine episodes.

Nimrat said she accepted the role without giving a "second thought".

"It is very interesting (to play a Pakistani character in a US show). India and Pakistan are culturally so similar...I belong to Punjab and there's so much similarity between us. There are food-loving and fun-loving people ...I'd just say it's a country which is a victim of circumstances," she told IANS in a telephonic interaction from Cape Town.

It bears repeating that the subcontinent was one nation till partition in 1947.

The fact that her character belonged to another nation didn't pose a hurdle for Nimrat.

"It was more important to feel the part than to feel where the character came from. It's an interesting character in the overall story of the show's new season," she said.

While for now the "Homeland" team is busy shooting the show, Nimrat hopes she will be able to visit Pakistan at least once in her lifetime.

"I'm dying to go to Pakistan once," she squeaked with excitement, before adding: "My maternal and paternal ancestors come from Rawalpindi and Lahore. It's a strange affinity we have towards people there, and I would love to get a chance of going there.

"It's a dream," added the actress, who is joined by Indian actor Suraj Sharma of "Life Of Pi" fame, "Mad Men" star Mark Moses and Art Malik, known for "True Lies" in the show.

Nimrat, for many, is the girl who entices chocolate lovers via Cadbury advertisements on the Indian small screen.

"Homeland" will air in India on Star World Premiere HD starting Oct 6, along with its telecast in the US. Her character will be introduced in the narrative in the fourth episode.

It may sound strange, but Nimrat had never seen "Homeland" before she saw the pilot episode of the new season.

"I wish I had seen it before! After I saw the pilot episode, I asked for CDs of all the three seasons and saw all of it! I watched it whenever I found time between work," said the actress, who has been going in and out of Cape Town since early July.

Nevertheless, she is yet to soak in its beauty in its entirety.

"It's my first time here (in South Africa). But I have not been travelling here much because it's cold and rainy. Otherwise, it's really nice and beautiful," she said.

Back home in India, questions await as to when she's starring in her next Indian project.

To that, she said: "I am finalising something very soon."

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News Network
June 27,2020

New Delhi, Jun 27: Priyanka Chopra Jonas on Friday condemned the alleged custodial deaths of a man and his son who were arrested for allegedly violating lockdown restrictions in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu on June 19.

The 37-year-old actor who is currently staying with her husband Nick Jonas in America took to Twitter to post her statement and asked for the guilty to be punished.

"Reeling from what I'm hearing. Absolutely stunned, sad, and angry. No human being deserves such brutality, whatever be their crime," said Jonas.

"The guilty must not be allowed to go unpunished. We need facts. I cannot even begin to imagine what the family must be going through," she added.

Priyanka went on to urge people to use their collective voice to seek justice for the deceased.

"Sending strength and prayers. We need to use our collective voices to seek #JusticeForJayarajandBennicks," her statement further read.

The father-son duo from Tuticorin was allegedly brutally punished by the police before succumbing to injuries.

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News Network
January 8,2020

Jan 8: Bollywood star Deepika Padukone on Tuesday visited the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to express solidarity with the students who were attacked by a mob, but she did not address the crowd.

The actor reached the university campus at around 7.40 pm and attended a public meeting, called by JNU Teacher's Association and JNUSU in response to Sunday's attack on students and teachers by a masked mob armed with sticks and rods.

Deepika stood as former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was raising azaadi slogans and left by the time current president Aishe Ghosh started speaking.

The actor's decision to not address the crowd prompted Ghosh to comment, "when you are in a position, you should speak up".

"There are many people in Bollywood who do not put forth their views when they are not be aired. They are considered role models. I appeal to them: Make inspiring films after something has happened but when you are in that position, also talk about the story that is currently happening," she said.

Later, Ghosh said that Deepika expressed solidarity with the JNU students.

Deepika is in the capital to promote her upcoming release, Meghna Gulzar-directed "Chhapaak".

On Monday, the 34-year-old actor told a news channel that she feels proud that people have come out and raised their voice without fear, in reference to the protests against the amended Citizenship Act, the National Register of Citizens and violence in JNU.

"I feel proud to see that we aren't scared to express ourselves... I think the fact that we are thinking about the country and its future.... Whatever may be our point of view, it's nice to see," Deepika told NDTV India.

"I feel proud about it that people are coming out -- be it on the streets or wherever they are -- they are raising their voice and expressing themselves as it is important. If we want to see a change in life and society, it is important that a point of view be put forward," she added.

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Agencies
February 5,2020

Chennai, Feb 5: Income Tax sleuths on Wednesday raided top Tamil film actor Vijay's residence here besides conducting simultaneous searches at several premises linked to a film production house, movie financier and distributors in connection with suspected tax evasion.

The searches, which began in as many as 38 locations in Tamil Nadu, were still on and unaccounted cash of about Rs 25 crore was seized from the premises of a Tamil film financier who had faced allegations of intimidation and arm-twisting to recover money, official sources told PTI.

Also, several documents indicating substantial tax evasion has been seized, sources added.

Vijay, who was away in Cuddalore district for a film shoot, was apprised by authorities about the searches and he was en route to his residence here, they said.

So far nothing has been recovered from the actor's house and the inmates were cooperating with authorities in conducting the searches, sources said.

Raids were also on in the premises of the production house that had made Vijay's hugely successful recent Tamil movie 'Bigil.'

Further details are expected after completion of searches which is likely to continue tomorrow.

The State police has been providing security for carrying out the searches.

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