Shabana Azmi advocates for equal work-equal pay, Juhi Chawla feels there's no competition with male counterparts

January 10, 2016

Mumbai, Jan 10: Veteran actress Shabana Azmi and Juhi Chawla recently visited the capital for promotion of their upcoming film 'ChalkNDuster'. While Juhi Chawla decided to break the silence on her recent comment about the gender pay disparity in the film industry, Shabana Azmi poured her heart out and urged the young male actors to take the lead in bringing about an 'actual change'.

Azmi

Actress Juhi Chawla was subjected to a lot of criticism for her not-so-feminist comment on the gender-based pay gaps where she confessed that she never got upset over the existing wage gap and even accepted that her male counterparts would get paid more than her. When asked about her stand, she clarified that she is in no competition with anybody but only with herself. "I don’t think that to succeed in life you’ve to compete with anyone else. You’ve to compete with yourself".

The actress who is all geared up about playing the role of a teacher in her upcoming film believes that one should only be bothered about how much they've improved from the past days as 'life is a constant journey for improvement'. "Today, I should be better than how I was yesterday, and tomorrow I should be brighter than how I am today. If I can achieve that, then, I'll consider myself to be successful.”

Shabana Azmi, who believes that this wage gap is prevalent in the film industries all over the world took a firm stand and came up with a thought-provoking idea to end the existing gap. Understanding the current scenario, she said, "It's existing only because it's the male star who bring the bucks in the box office. No matter what you do, the female oriented films get much less money with limited reach due to which the budgets have to be controlled".

Appreciating the healthy trend of women in main stream cinema wanting to do more substantial roles and not just successful ones, she even lauded the new actresses willing to try out more and more.

Eulogizing Shah Rukh Khan for taking the first step towards bringing about a change, she said, "Shah Rukh Khan made a commendable gesture when he said that Deepika Padukone's name will come before his, which is lovely...but he needs to go beyond that."

The 'Fire' actress urged the big names of the industry to star in the female-oriented films with even some lesser important roles to bring about the equality. Challenging the existing pattern on casting in the films, "Just as it is perfectly acceptable that when you have any of the big heroes then the big heroines will come along and do a secondary role. So, why can't male young superstars also say 'alright I will do this film in which I have a less important role because I feel it's important'?"

"To begin with, we must get equal pay for equal work. It's a question of sensitizing the male actors towards the change, only then will the female actress' will get their due pay", she added.

The upcoming film 'ChalkNDuster' is all about highlighting the plight of teachers and to regain the nobility of the profession. Directed by Jayant Gilatar, the film features Juhi Chawla, Shabana Azmi and Divya Dutta in pivotal roles.

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News Network
April 11,2020

New Delhi, Apr 11: Actor Hema Malini on Saturday expressed concern over the health workers, who are being treated badly and are restricted to enter their own building.

The 71-year-old actor took to Instagram and shared a video where she expressed concern over the situation the health workers are going through. "Friends, I have seen this in various news channels and I am very sad that the health workers are being treated very badly. They are being restricted to enter their own building," she said.

The 'Baghban' actor further said: "Just think, in such times, they are our safeguards amid such situation (coronavirus outbreak). They are the ones who are going to ground level and are finding out the patients suffering from the disease."

She went on to add that "they do so, to save you. Remember, opposing them is to play with the safety of the country and every citizen. That is why we should honour them. Jai Hind."

In the post accompanying the video, she wrote, "Some of you might have watched the following interview on India TV where I have spoken about how I spend a typical day during this lockdown and social distancing period. This is for those of you who might have missed it!"

The post garnered more than 1.3k views within 35 minutes of being posted on the photo-sharing platform.

Just like other celebrities, Hema Malini is also practicing self-isolation amid the 21-day government-imposed lockdown in view of coronavirus outbreak.

India's total cases of coronavirus on Saturday climbed to 7,529 including 242 deaths and 652 people, who have either been cured or discharged, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday. 

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News Network
April 6,2020

New Delhi, Apr 6:  In an attempt to pump up Indians with positivity amid the testing times of coronavirus, Bollywood's most prominent actors like Akshay Kumar, Kartik Aaryan, Tiger Shroff, Taapsee Pannu, Kiara Advani, joined hands and launched a hope anthem - 'Muskurayega India.'

The song is set on the optimistic theme that sends out the message that the country will smile again if the country supports each other in the current crisis situation.

An initiative of Akshay Kumar's Cape of Good Films, the video of the song features all the lead actors of the industry including Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, Sidharth Malhotra, Vicky Kaushal, Raj Kumar Rao, Ananya Panday, Kriti Sanon, Jacky Bhagnani, and Rakul Preet.
Curated by Jackky Bhagnani's music label JJust Music and composed and sung by the talented Vishal Mishra, 'Muskurayega India' is a symbol of India's spirit of solidarity, battling against the coronavirus pandemic.

The soulful song penned by Kaushal Kishore also features cricketer Shikhar Dhawan and famous Mumbai based Radio Jockey Malishka.
The video of the song starts with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's televised address in which he is seen assuring the country that every Indian will come out victorious from the coronavirus crisis.

The video then features all the prominent faces of the cinema industry giving out the message of hope from their balconies, terrace and other spots of their houses.

The song urges people to stay home and support the people who are working to combat the virus, like police officials, and medical practitioners on duty amid the lockdown.

A locked-down view of some of the most prominent spots in the country like the India Gate, Hawa Mahal, and Mumbai's beaches are also featured in the video.

The song also spreads the message of social distancing and washing of hands to keep the infection away.

The video ends with a rhythm of the national anthem with the celebrities standing still to honour it and finally fades away with the Indian national flag.

As the country battles the novel coronavirus, the song is an attempt to uplift the spirit of togetherness of every Indian during the unprecedented crisis.

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Agencies
August 7,2020

Mumbai,  Aug 7: Unless Maharashtra Government consents to CBI investigation in the Sushant Singh Rajput's death case, it would be illegal, affecting the federal structure of the country, said actor Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered and continued the illegality which was perpetrated at the hands of Bihar Police in connection with the case, he added.

"The Bihar Government transferred a case with which it had no jurisdiction to investigate, to CBI instead of the Mumbai Police which is the legal position. The Supreme Court is seized of the issue pursuant to the transfer petition filed by Rhea Chakraborty," said Satish Maneshinde Chakraborty's lawyer.

The Supreme Court has directed all parties to file their replies and Mumbai Police is directed to place the report of investigations, he added.

"Pending the said proceedings the CBI has registered and continued the illegality which was perpetrated at the hands of Bihar Police.

CBI being a premier investigative agency in the country should desist from taking any further steps pending the SC proceedings. Apart from the same unless the Maharashtra Government consents to CBI investigating the case ... it would be totally illegal and beyond any known legal principles, affecting the Federal Structure of the Nation," said Maneshinde.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CBI that is probing high profile cases of Vijay Mallya and AgustaWestland cases will now investigate the Sushant Singh Rajput's death case.

The investigating agency has registered a case against six accused including Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty and others in connection with the Rajput's death.

The sources in CBI said that six accused in the case will be summoned soon for questioning and other persons will also be called for examining which was earlier examined by Mumbai police.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had earlier sent a recommendation to the Central Government for CBI investigation in the case filed in Patna based on the complaint of Sushant's father KK Singh against Rhea Chakraborty under sections including abetment of suicide on July 25.

Sushant was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14.

Days after Rajput's death, Rhea Chakraborty said she was the "girlfriend" of the 'Dil Bechara' actor while requesting a CBI inquiry in the case.

Chakraborty has also approached the Supreme Court for transfer of investigation to Mumbai in the FIR registered against her in Patna.

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