Oscar winner back in India for her next film

November 18, 2014

Oscar winnerNew Delhi, Nov 18: Six years after her documentary Smile Pinki a story of a child with cleft lip got her the Oscar, director Megan Mylan is back in India with another short film After My Garden Grows.

Supported by women and child development (WCD) ministry, it is another India-based story about a teenage girl Monica in rural Bengal seeking independence from childhood marriage by growing a rooftop vegetable garden.

“Smile Pinki was a great experience and I always wanted to come back to India for my next film. I hope Indians see it and feel proud. It is a brilliant story,” said the Manhattan girl who has been hoping to and fro from India and Manhattan for her film and her two-year-old son.

Mylan’s 10 minute film is not just about child marriage but showcases other problems in India like poverty, maternal health, strategies to overcome hunger and economic development.

In the movie After My Garden Grows, Monika shuns the idea of becoming a child bride by growing her own garden, thereby becoming an asset to the family.

The family had married the older sister of Monica, who faced maternal problems etc. However, Monica decided for herself that it was not the path for her.

In the story later, Monica goes to the market and made Rs 60, a significant contribution to the family. “The film shows that she is not only bringing food to the table. She is back into the school,” Mylan said.

While, Oscar was a “confidence builder” for Mylan, she is not eyeing or expecting the Oscar award. “I am not expecting an 0scar. I think if you try and make a film for an award, you make a bad film,’’ said Mylan.

Attracted to ideas of social change and stories about people, Mylan’s favourite from the B- town is Aamir Khan.

“I have watched Lagaan and sometimes watch Satyamev Jayate. His idea to bring forward ordinary people on the fore is immense,” she added. Mylan’s film is helped by Sundance Film Institute in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, finds support from WCD, Aamir Khan, Shadi.com, PVR and designer Sabyasachi.

“I feel privledged to share the story. Hope the message goes wide and clear to many others,” she added.

Mylan now plans to produce short stories on gender issues with the directors from India, Bangladesh and Nepal. She is also planning a documentary on how Japan cares for its elders.

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News Network
May 8,2020

London, May 8: Actor Florence Pugh says the most terrifying aspect of starring in the upcoming superhero film "Black Widow" was doing the Russian accent.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe's stand-alone film, the Oscar-nominated actor plays Yelena Belova, a sister-figure to Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff/ the titular Black Widow who was trained in the Red Room.

"I was scared because my Russian accent was going to be out there and I didn't know what it sounded like.

"I'm also playing a character who no-one's seen before but they've read about her. I didn't know whether people were going to hate me!" Pugh told ELLE UK for its June issue.

The 24-year-old actor also said the idea of joining the MCU itself was quite "daunting".

"When you think of Marvel, it's big and daunting. Especially being a relatively small actor to look at it and go, 'Oh! I'm going to be a part of this', that's a big decision," she said.

"Black Widow", which was scheduled to hit the theatres on May 1, will now release on November 6 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Directed by Cate Shortland, the film also stars David Harbour and Rachel Weisz.

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News Network
January 8,2020

New Delhi, Jan 8: Actor Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday applauded director Meghna Gulzar and actor Deepika Padukone for making 'Chhapaak', a film based on acid-attack victims.

Kangana's sister Rangoli Chandel who herself is an acid-attack survivor took to Twitter to share a video of the actor where she is seen extending thanks to Gulzar and Padukone for making a film on the important issue.

"I saw the trailer of the film 'Chhapaak' recently, and after watching it I was reminded of the incident of acid attack on my sister Rangoli. Today, I and my family thank Meghna Gulzar and Deepika (Padukone) that they made a film on this issue. This will give courage to those people who gave up on their life after struggling with it," said Ranaut in the video.

"This film has placed a tight slap on the face of those monsters who succeeded in their act but not in their will. With this film, all those faces will glow that have been spoiled and their courage was broken by these monsters and the beauty of their spirit," the 'Panga' actor said.

Congratulating the team of the film, Kangana added, "I wish that with this New Year the sale of acid gets prohibited so that this country becomes free of acid-attacks. In the end many many congratulations to the team 'Chhapaak'."

The movie is based on the real-life acid attack survivor of Laxmi, who at the age of 15, was attacked allegedly by a spurned lover in 2005. Laxmi had to undergo several surgeries. Later, she took up the job of helping acid attack survivors and promoted campaigns to stop such attacks.

'Chhapaak' is being helmed by Meghna Gulzar and is being co-produced by Deepika and Fox Star Studios. The movie is set to hit theatres on January 10, 2020.

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Agencies
May 18,2020

Muzaffarnagar, May 18: Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his family has been quarantined for 14 days in his house in Budhana in Muzaffarnagar district.

The actor and his family underwent medical screening and have tested negative for Coronavirus.

The actor reached his home on May 15 after taking a travel pass. He and his family have been asked to remain in home quarantine till May 25.

His mother, brother and sister-in-law also made the journey with him in his private vehicle.

The actor told reporters that he underwent medical screenings at 25 points during his journey.

Kushalpal Singh, Station House Officer (SHO), Budhana police circle, said that the health officials had visited the home of the actor and ordered a 14-day quarantine for them.

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