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
April 30,2020

Mumbai, Apr 30: Rishi Kapoor, the romantic star of many a Bollywood film who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2018, died in a Mumbai hospital on Thursday, his brother Randhir Kapoor said. He was 67.

Rishi, a third generation actor of the famous Kapoor dynasty, is survived by his wife Neetu Kapoor, actor son Ranbir and daughter Ridhima.

"He is no more. He has passed away," Randhir said.

Rishi was taken to the H N Reliance hospital by his family on Wednesday.

His death comes a day after after his "D-Day" co-star Irrfan Khan passed away, also of cancer. Three months ago, the disease claimed his sister Ritu Nanda.

"Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukemia. The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last.

He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents. Family, friends, food and films remained his focus and everyone who met him during this time was amazed at how he did not let his illness get the better of him, the family said in a statement.

Rishi returned to India last September after undergoing treatment for his cancer in the US for almost a year.

In February, he was hospitalised twice.

He was first admitted to a hospital in Delhi where he was attending a family function. At the time, he had said he was suffering from an "infection".

After his return to Mumbai, he was again admitted to a hospital with viral fever. He was discharged soon after.

Rishi made his first screen appearance as a child artiste in his father Raj Kapoor's film Shri 420 , where he appeared in the song Pyaar hua ekraar hua . This was followed by "Mera Naam Joker". But it was in 1973, with the blockbuster Bobby , again directed by his father, that he made his debut as a romantic hero. He continued to be a favourite romantic hero for almost three decades.

His notable films as a romantic hero are "Laila Majnu", "Rafoo Chakkar", "Karz", "Chandni", "Heena" and "Saagar".

He was, however, more proud of his second innings as an actor, which he found more satisfying. His notable films as a character artiste are "Do Dooni Chaar" with wife Neetu, "Agnipath" and "Kapoor & Sons".

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Agencies
March 14,2020

Los Angeles, Mar 14: Hollywood superstar Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson on Friday gave a health update from coronavirus quarantine, saying they are taking it "one day at a time".

The couple, who is in isolation at a hospital in the state of Queensland in Australia, said they are being well cared for.

"Hello folks. @ritawilson and I want to thank everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us. We have COVID-19 and are in isolation so we do not spread it to anyone else.

"There are those for whom it could lead to a very serious illness. We are taking it one-day-at-a-time.There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no?" Hanks posted on Instagram.

The post was accompanied by a photograph that showed the couple smiling.

Hanks announced on Thursday that he and his wife have been tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The actor couple, who is currently in Australia to shoot for the pre-production of Baz Luhrmann's untitled Elvis Presley film, decided to get tested after they felt "a bit tired".

The deadly virus that first originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year has claimed over 4,200 lives and infected more than 117,330 people across 107 countries and territories, with the World Health Organisation on Wednesday describing the outbreak a pandemic.

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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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