It's high time we respond to terrorism: John Abraham

September 29, 2016

Mumbai, Sep 29: Hailing the "surgical strikes" by Indian Army on terror launch pads across the LoC, actor John Abraham today said it is time the country responds to terrorism.john-abraham

"We are proud, we should have done this earlier. I am talking about LoC. It's high time we respond to terrorism. As a country we are very tolerant and I think we should put our foot down and show what India can do," John told reporters here at the trailer launch of "Force 2".

His co-star from the film, Sonakshi Sinha also echoed similar sentiments.
"Thank you that they took this big step. Like John said, it is need of the hour. I am happy it is happening. We are all citizens of our country," she said.

However, both the actors refused to comment on the MNS recently asking Pakistani artistes to leave India in wake of the Uri terror attack.
"We will talk about 'Force 2'," John said.

Sonakshi, who apparently plays a journalist in her another upcoming film "Noor" based on Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz's novel 'Karachi, You're Killing Me', said, "We will talk about my next film later. I don't want to comment on it right now, I am not playing a Pakistani reporter, the film is adapted from a book of a Pakistani author."

On Pakistani actors usually refraining from condemning attacks on India and its soldiers, John said, "It is important (to see) what we do, we are not in a position to opinionate what others do and don't do. We can speak for ourselves, Sonakshi can speak for what emotions she goes through and what emotion I go through. We can solely give our opinion.

"I feel fortunate to be part of industry to promote and express our solidarity with our country and for the soldiers who are true heroes of this country," he said.

"We can speak for ourselves and stand up for our own people," the "Dabangg" actress added.

Meanwhile, when actress Kangana Ranaut was asked about the MNS seeking ban on Pakistani actors, she said, "Right now we are very overwhelmed with the loss of our soldiers, our jawans and our sons. So the country is not in that (frame of mind). It's very hard to be objective right now.

"But we hope that the love and art prevails. Right now we can't expect people to be objective. It's such a big loss," the "Queen" actress said on sidelines of MAMI film festival.

Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who was present at the Jagran Film Festival, refused to comment on the issues.

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Agencies
June 7,2020

Washington D.C., Jun 7: South Korean pop band BTS and their record label Big Hit Entertainment have donated USD one million to support Black Lives Matter.

According to Variety, the donation was transferred earlier this week, with Black Lives Matter confirming receipt to the label on Friday.

"Black people all over the world are in pain at this moment from the trauma of centuries of oppression. We are moved by the generosity of BTS and allies all over the world who stand in solidarity in the fight for Black lives," the outlet quoted Kailee Scales, managing director for Black Lives Matter as saying.

The widely lauded band, earlier on Wednesday, took to Twitter to show their solidarity with the people fighting against the social injustice.

"We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence. You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together," the tweet read.

The pledge of the donation from the Korean boy band and its label comes during a time when people and celebrities from the industry have come forward to demonstrate their support for the black community.

Several big names from the music and acting industry also observed 'Blackout Tuesday' earlier the week as a message of solidarity in response o the death of George Floyd, an African-American man in the United States.

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News Network
July 1,2020

Los Angeles, Jul 1: Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt, Hrithik Roshan and costume designer Neeta Lulla are among the 819 artistes and executives who have received invitations to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

Bhatt's last movie, the Zoya Akhtar-directed Gully Boy was India's official entry for best international feature category at the 2019 Oscars. However, the film had failed to make it to the final five.

Other prominent Indian names to receive invitations are casting director Nandini Shrikent, documentary filmmakers Nishtha Jain, Shirley Abraham, Amit Madheshiya, visual effects supervisors Vishal Anand and Sandeep Kamal.

In a statement, the Academy said the new invitees include 36 per cent of people of colour and 45 per cent women. Artistes from 68 countries have been invited as members.

Those who accept the invitation will have voting rights at the 93rd Academy Awards, scheduled to be held on April 25, 2021.

"The Academy is delighted to welcome these distinguished fellow travellers in the motion picture arts and sciences. We have always embraced extraordinary talent that reflects the rich variety of our global film community, and never more so than now," Academy President David Rubin said.

The Academy has been actively working to introduce more diversity in its voting to avoid a controversy like 2016 when the Oscars were dubbed "white" for failing to recognise talents of colour.

The 2020 batch boasts of major Hollywood names like Cynthia Erivo, John David Washington, Constance Wu, Zazie Beetz, Florence Pugh, Zendaya, Awkwafina, Yalitza Aparicio, Mackenzie Davis, Ana de Armas, Adele Haenel, Thomasin McKenzie, Olivia Wilde and others.

The stars of multiple Oscar-winning South Korean movie Parasite -- Jang Hye-Jin, Jo Yeo-Jeong, Park So-Dam and Lee Jung-Eun -- are among the invitees.

Directors Lulu Wang, Ari Aster, Terence Davies, Matthew Vaughn, Robert Eggers, Matt Reeves, Alma Har’el are on the list as well.

The Academy has announced a new five-year plan that includes implementing inclusion standards for nominees.

"We take great pride in the strides we have made in exceeding our initial inclusion goals set back in 2016, but acknowledge the road ahead is a long one.  We are committed to staying the course.

"We look forward to continuing to foster an Academy that reflects the world around us in our membership, our programs, our new Museum, and in our awards," Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said.

In 2019, the organisation had invited 842 new members which included Indian names such as filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap and veteran actor Anupam Kher.

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News Network
May 1,2020

May 1: Rubbishing reports of hospitalisation, veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah on Thursday said he was "fine" and at home observing the nationwide lockdown.

Shah, 69, in a Facebook post, thanked people for their concern and reassured them about his health.

"I thank all those enquiring after my health and reassure them I am fine," he said.

"I'm at home and observing the lockdown. Please don't believe any rumours," he added.

"A Wednesday" actor's younger son Vivaan Shah also dismissed rumours about his father's health.

"He's alright. These are just rumours," Vivaan said.

Reports about Shah's health started surfacing on social media as the industry was coming to terms with the deaths of Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor.

Rishi Kapoor, aged 67, died on Thursday in a hospital here after a two year-long battle with lukaemia, while Irrfan, 54, passed away on Wednesday due to neuroendocrine tumour, a rare form of cancer.

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