Want to change lives of poor children: Rajinikanth's wife Latha

April 30, 2014

Rajinikanths_wife_Latha

New Delhi, Apr 30: Superstar Rajinikanth's wife Latha describes as "adventurous and exciting" her role as the southern matinee idol's life partner and says her "greatest satisfaction" will come from making a difference to the lives of poor children.

She first met the "The Boss" star when she was studying in Ethiraj College in Chennai and later, in the 1980s, the two tied the knot. Her life has since then been "wonderful" and more, she says.

"It's been wonderful, adventurous, exciting... At the same time, it's a huge responsibility to take on shoulders because life can never be normal. But at home, we are a normal family and we try to retain that," Latha said in an interview here.

She is mother of two daughters, Aishwarya and Soundarya, both of whom have taken filmmaking as a career choice.

Elegantly dressed in a bright traditional silk sari, Latha, talking about her "creative" daughters, said: "Both were artistic, but we were waiting to see in which direction they would go, and they have identified themselves as directors."

While Aishwarya made her directorial debut in 2012 with romantic thriller "3", which starred her husband Dhanush in the lead role, Soundarya's first film "Kochadaiiyaan", starring her father Rajinikanth, is coming out May 9. "Kochadaiiyaan" is set to deliver groundbreaking technology - the Rs.125 crore project is said to be the country's first motion-capture photo-realistic 3D animated movie.

Soundarya was honoured Tuesday with NDTV Indian of the year technical innovation in a film award for the same and the proud mother says "it is a wonderful feeling".

"It's a proud moment for us...," said Latha, a professional singer who has sung "Manapennin sathiyam" for Soundarya's first venture "Kochadaiiyaan".

Like her daughters, Latha also didn't take the acting route due to lack of interest and chose to be a singer.

"I've been a singer since childhood. I enjoy making music and singing. As far as acting goes, I don't think I'll do a cameo also. It's a big platform and already there is an actor in the family," said Latha, who mostly likes singing pop and folk numbers.

She might not like to act in movies or even star in films with her husband but she is not finicky about who is paired with Rajinikanth on the big screen - even if it means watching the 64-year-old act with Deepika Padukone, who is only 28 years old, in "Kochadaiiyaan".

"Soundarya has made her father look younger with the help of technology in the movie. So, Deepika will be seen acting with him as a 25-year-old. Also, age doesn't restrict an actor because it's for a movie. It's just a character," said the singer who answered all the questions smilingly despite being tired.

Her family is certainly important to her, but so is she to help the needy and she manages to take out time for them.

"I stay connected to my passion for children, music, education... We started The Ashram in 1991. Now, there are 2,500 students. There are two divisions - ICSE and state board.

The focus is on core development of a child. We work on their personality and aptitude development.

"If I can make a difference to children, that will be my greatest satisfaction," said the founder of the co-ed school offering education to students from class one to 12.

Latha also runs a foundation called 'I am for India' that works for social care, medical care, senior citizens, environment and more.

She has so much in her kitty, but there is not stopping her. To stay pink in health, she practises yoga and also meditates, hoping to continue maintaining a balance between her family and her passion.

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Want to change lives of poor children: Rajinikanth's wife Latha

New Delhi, Apr 30: Superstar Rajinikanth's wife Latha describes as "adventurous and exciting" her role as the southern matinee idol's life partner and says her "greatest satisfaction" will come from making a difference to the lives of poor children.

She first met the "The Boss" star when she was studying in Ethiraj College in Chennai and later, in the 1980s, the two tied the knot. Her life has since then been "wonderful" and more, she says.

"It's been wonderful, adventurous, exciting... At the same time, it's a huge responsibility to take on shoulders because life can never be normal. But at home, we are a normal family and we try to retain that," Latha said in an interview here.

She is mother of two daughters, Aishwarya and Soundarya, both of whom have taken filmmaking as a career choice.

Elegantly dressed in a bright traditional silk sari, Latha, talking about her "creative" daughters, said: "Both were artistic, but we were waiting to see in which direction they would go, and they have identified themselves as directors."

While Aishwarya made her directorial debut in 2012 with romantic thriller "3", which starred her husband Dhanush in the lead role, Soundarya's first film "Kochadaiiyaan", starring her father Rajinikanth, is coming out May 9. "Kochadaiiyaan" is set to deliver groundbreaking technology - the Rs.125 crore project is said to be the country's first motion-capture photo-realistic 3D animated movie.

Soundarya was honoured Tuesday with NDTV Indian of the year technical innovation in a film award for the same and the proud mother says "it is a wonderful feeling".

"It's a proud moment for us...," said Latha, a professional singer who has sung "Manapennin sathiyam" for Soundarya's first venture "Kochadaiiyaan".

Like her daughters, Latha also didn't take the acting route due to lack of interest and chose to be a singer.

"I've been a singer since childhood. I enjoy making music and singing. As far as acting goes, I don't think I'll do a cameo also. It's a big platform and already there is an actor in the family," said Latha, who mostly likes singing pop and folk numbers.

She might not like to act in movies or even star in films with her husband but she is not finicky about who is paired with Rajinikanth on the big screen - even if it means watching the 64-year-old act with Deepika Padukone, who is only 28 years old, in "Kochadaiiyaan".

"Soundarya has made her father look younger with the help of technology in the movie. So, Deepika will be seen acting with him as a 25-year-old. Also, age doesn't restrict an actor because it's for a movie. It's just a character," said the singer who answered all the questions smilingly despite being tired.

Her family is certainly important to her, but so is she to help the needy and she manages to take out time for them.

"I stay connected to my passion for children, music, education... We started The Ashram in 1991. Now, there are 2,500 students. There are two divisions - ICSE and state board.

The focus is on core development of a child. We work on their personality and aptitude development.

"If I can make a difference to children, that will be my greatest satisfaction," said the founder of the co-ed school offering education to students from class one to 12.

Latha also runs a foundation called 'I am for India' that works for social care, medical care, senior citizens, environment and more.

She has so much in her kitty, but there is not stopping her. To stay pink in health, she practises yoga and also meditates, hoping to continue maintaining a balance between her family and her passion.

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Agencies
August 4,2020

New York, Aug 4: National Award-winning documentary "Son Rise" and Geetu Mohandas-directed "Moothon" were among the films that took home the big honours at the 20th New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), which switched to a virtual edition this year amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Over 45 feature-length narratives, shorts and documentaries from the Indian subcontinent were showcased at the festival’s virtual edition that ran for 10 days beginning July 24.

The films programmed were in various languages including Assamese, Bengali, Haryanvi, Hindi, English, Ladakhi, Maithili, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali and Tamil.

The award ceremony for the festival was held virtually Sunday, with the filmmakers, cast, award winners and festival officials joining from across India and the US.

The award for the Best Documentary (Short) went to Saurav Vishnu-directed "Tailing Pond", which highlights the "horrifying effects of uranium extraction on the health of the indigenous population" of Jadugoda, Jharkhand.

"Son Rise" by Vibha Bakshi won the award for Best Documentary (Feature).

The documentary had won the National Award for the Best non-feature film in 2019 and was among the two centrepieces hosted by the festival this year. NYIFF called "Son Rise" “a powerful documentary about patriarchy in Haryana and efforts by a few good men to bring meaningful change in the society.”

The award for Best Short (Narrative) went to Sanat Ganu's "Arabian Nights". The narrative focuses on a child, his imaginary friend and a family that attends a conference where the attendees believe the earth is flat.

Director and scriptwriter Sudhanshu Saria accepted the award for Best Screenplay for "Knock Knock Knock". Saria’s screenplay “explores the lonely life of a man, an unlikely friendship that may or may not be real.”

Sanjana Dipu won the award for Best Child Actor for "Moothon" for her performance of a teenager in search of a brother.

Garggi Ananthan won the Best Actress award for her role as Kalyani in the film "Run Kalyani" and the Best Actor award went to Malayalam star Nivin Pauly for "Moothon". The award for the Best Director went to 23-year old Achal Mishra for "Gamak Ghar".

"Moothon" won the award for Best Film and its director Mohandas accepted the award for the film, which is "about love and loss that travels from the quiet, lush beaches of Lakshadweep to the mad hustle-bustle of the streets of Mumbai."

Produced by award-winning Indian film director and writer Anurag Kashyap, "Moothon" had premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival.

NYIFF festival director Aseem Chhabra said that the process of searching for films for the festival began last fall and they were ready to showcase them to audiences in New York in April but had to change plans for the festival due to the pandemic.

"I know the best way to enjoy films is in a theatre with the audience and have live interactions, conversations. But the virtual festival is the next best option and in the process, we have been able to reach out to a much larger audience in the US, North America as well in several other countries.”

NYIFF said that a virtual edition expanded the reach of the festival and audiences from 95 countries were able to access and view the films.

Dr Nirmal Mattoo, Chairman of the Indo-American Arts Council, co-founder and owner of Atlantic Dialysis Management services, the largest private dialysis provider in New York State, said NYIFF works with an independent jury - filmmakers, film professors, writers and critics.

Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC), the leading cultural organisation, presents the festival.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has forced the closure of theatres but we believe that in such trying times arts, including films are even more important for the community’s well-being. So, this year we have decided to bring the films directly into your living rooms.” IAAC Vice-Chairman Rakesh Kaul had said.

The New York Indian Film Festival is the oldest Indian film event in North America. Over the years, the festival has held New York premieres of a wide range of films, many of them critically acclaimed, including "Monsoon Wedding", "The Namesake", "Slumdog Millionaire", "Shahid", "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" and "Gangs of Wasseypur". 

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News Network
July 18,2020

Mumbai, Jul 18: Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter Aaradhya Bachchan on Friday were shifted to a city hospital, almost a week after they were tested positive for COVID-19. Aishwarya, 46 and eight-year-old Aaradhya were diagnosed with coronavirus on Sunday, a day after the actor’s father-in-law, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, and husband Abhishek Bachchan tested positive for the COVID-19.

The mother-daughter duo was self-quarantining at home till now.

“Both Aishwarya and Aaradhya were admitted to Nanavati hospital today. They are fine,” hospital source said.

Aishwarya needed medical attention, another insider said.

Amitabh, 77, and Abhishek, 44, both are already in the isolation ward of Nanavati hospital.

Since his diagnosis, Amitabh has been regularly updating his admires about his health on social media.

“In happy times, in times of illness, you our near and dear, our well wishers, our fans have ever given us unstinting love , affection care and prayer .. we express our bountiful gracious gratitude to you all .. in these circumstances hospital protocol, restrictive,” the screen icon tweeted on Friday evening.

According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), coronavirus cases in Mumbai rose to 98,979 with 1,228 new patients being reported on Friday.

Death toll due to the pandemic rose to 5,582 with 62 new fatalities being recorded.

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News Network
June 29,2020

New Delhi, Jun 29: Actor Bhumi Pednekar on Monday pledged to feed over 550 impoverished families as a mark of tribute to late Bollywood actor and her 'Sonchiriya' co-star Sushant Singh Rajput.

Pednekar made the announcement through an Instagram post where she shared a picture of the departed actor and penned down a note along with it.

"I pledge to feed 550 impoverished families through the Ek Saath Foundation in the memory of my dear friend. Let us show compassion and love towards everyone that is in need, now more than ever," Pednekar wrote.

The two actors shared screen space in the Abhishek Chaubey directorial which continues to be a critically acclaimed film.

Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai's Bandra residence earlier this month. The detailed post-mortem report has also confirmed that he died by "asphyxia due to hanging."

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