MIT India Conference 2019, organized by the MIT India team that included the lead Chairs, namely Aditi Shankar, Neil S. Gaikwad, Kritarth Yudhish and lead vice presidents, Amit Kumar, Anchal Goyal, Anupam Jena and many others, was held on Saturday, February 16, 2019.
Several eminent speakers from different fields of life and a large group of audiences that comprised especially of students, young professional and startup entrepreneurs attended the event. Melanie Mala Ghosh, Managing Director, MIT-India & MIT-South Asia, and Prof. S.P. Kothari, the Gordon Y Billard Professor of Accounting and Finance, MIT Sloan School of Management were the advisors of the conference. The theme of the 2019 conference was “India’s Competitive Edge” that aimed at reflecting on what unique factors have allowed India to thrive in science, sports, art, literature, and technology despite fewer resources at its disposal.
After the registration and breakfast activities, in the opening session, the co-chairs addressed the audiences by welcoming them warmly and requesting them to observe a 30 second silence for the Indian soldiers who died in the Pulwama terrorist attack on 14th Feb 2019. They also highlighted the objectives and plans of the conference. Prof Mala Ghosh made her remarks about the MIT India Program and announced awards and honored Professor S.P. Kothari and Shri Vikram Kirloskar for their outstanding contribution to their fields and community.
Opening remarks of conference were made by Prof. S. P. Kothari this episode was followed by his Fireside Chat with Shri. Vikram Kirloskar ’81’. Prof. S. P. Kothari received award for his contributions to student community, faculty, and business enterprises and for building strong partnership between India and MIT. He also shared his forthcoming plans for making contributions in his fields of interest.
Shri. Preetish Nijhawan’s presentation on the Impact of MIT and India on Entrepreneurship was followed by the fireside chat with Shri. Robin Bose. Shri. Nijhawan said that Indians dominate the immigrant’s eco-system in Silicon Valley and startup eco-system is thriving in India. India and Indians have bright future.
For the Session 1: Gearing India for the future through policy and institutions, Dr. Subramanian Swamy joined the session through a video conference and presented his brilliant insight about India’s Economic Positioning in the Global Perspective. He said that India is doing good in many economic, finance, and business areas and suggested some beneficial measures for the government to make a rapid progress in these areas. Prof Kothari moderated and Q&A and emcee Kritarth Yudhish presented the session on schedule and kept the audience engaged.
Smt. Shereen Bhan presented her powerful views on Indian Media: Tussle Between Accountability & Freedom. She said that media should always present its honest stories based on the ground level facts. emcee Aditi Shankar diligently conducted the session along with the Q&A session of Smt. Bhan as well.
In the Session 2: Business frontiers: opportunities and challenges, two eminent businessmen presented their very interesting talks. Shri. Satish Reddy talked about India’s Competitive Edge in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Shri. Reddy spoke about how healthcare industry in India is booming through low-cost discoveries and how they deal with FDA rules, prices of generic drugs and other issues. Shri. Sanjay Mehta spoke about Building Sustainable Businesses for a Healthier Planet. He said that he adheres to the values of his company, its relationship with consumers, customers and the Hindustan Unilever’s community-based programs at large.
The Fireside chat of this session was moderated by Shereen Bhan. Both speakers answered all the questions of the audiences and the moderator very intelligently and honestly. After this, in a brief video conference, Shri. Anil Kumble talked about his personal experiences on being Time on and off the cricket field. He said that he enjoys not only playing and coaching of cricket but also being an engineer, he wanted to accept the new startup opportunity with Microsoft and succeed in this new endeavor.
Both emcees Neil Gaikwad and Kritarth Yudhish showed their smartness at the deportment of this thought stimulating session. Shweta Aprameya and Raju Goteti’s presentations on Introducing New Scholarship to Support Entrepreneurship for Social Impact and TCS-Co-Innovation Network – India Story respectively were very encouraging for the graduate students who are looking for the opportunities for the advancement of their learning and real world experience.
In the Session 3: STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), Shri. Anupam Kher spoke on, Evolution of Indian Cinema. What’s Next. He talked about not only about evolution Indian Cinema but also about his own evolution as an actor in the Bollywood and Hollywood industries with his all-time humorous style. He answered all the questions of the audiences in a witty and funny manner under Fireside chat with Prof. Kothari. Smt. Arundhati Katju spoke about Strengthening Human Rights: Breaking the Colonial Closet. She talked about various challenges that she faced as an attorney while fighting for the rights of LGBT group in India.
Prof. Priyamvada Natarajan from Yale University presented her very interesting presentation on Deciphering the Invisible Universe. She talked about cosmology, gravitational lensing and black hole physics. Smt. Indrani Medhi Thies spoke on Designing Technologies for Global Social Inclusion. She talked about her primary work at Microsoft Research which has been in the area of User Interfaces for low-literate and novice technology users. She said that her recent work is focusing in the user experience of conversational agents, mainly chatbots. Fireside chats with Smt. Arundhati Katju and Smt. Indrani Medhi Thies were carried on by the moderator, Prof Danielle wood very diligently. Emcees of the session were Aditi Shankar, Neil Gaikwad did their commendable work.
After the tea break, Session 4: Culture and Innovation started with a speech by Manasi Kirloskar on Education in Free India. She talked about the necessity of introducing new approaches in the field education and about her community service which now has been registered as her own non-profit venture “Caring with Color” thus becoming an youngest social entrepreneur. Ami Shroff spoke about Empowering Women Artisans through Social Entrepreneurship. She is continuing her mother’s organization Shrujan, as a project coordinator in Kutch area and works at the grassroots level and leads the Design Center on Wheels project for the organization, the first of its kind and scale in India. This was followed by the Fireside Chat of Smt. Manasi Kirloskar and Smt. Ami Shroff with Prof. Mala Ghosh with very interesting questions and answers. Emcee Ms. Aditi Shankar coordinated very well all these talks.
Shri. Anil Kumar Gupta talked about Creating Knowledge Networks to Fuel Grassroots Innovations. He talked about how the emergence, recognition, and diffusion of grassroot innovations help trigger experimental self-design ethic and reduce dependence on the government for solving local problems. He also said that creating hotspots for machinery inventions are not the same in every field of life. Shri. D. R. Mehta’s presentation on Affordable Healthcare: Role of Entrepreneurship and Technology created very genuine curiosity about his projects and self-less volunteer work. He set up Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) in Jaipur in 1975 and it has emerged as the largest organization for the handicapped in the world, providing artificial limbs/calipers and other aids and appliances for free. More than 1 million people have been its beneficiaries so far. He also talked about its projects with MIT and Stanford University.
This episode was followed by Fireside Chats with Anil Kumar Gupta and D.R. Mehta which was moderated by Smt. Pooja Wagh. She asked very intriguing questions to know more their works and impending plans for the enhancement of their services. Emcee Kritarth Yudhish harmonized the session very well with all the speakers. Prof. Urmi Samadar, Director of Action Learning, MIT Sloan School of Management, moderated the Fireside chat with Farhan Akhtar by asking her own questions along with audiences’ questions about his initial career, roles, and movies and awaiting plans.
Lastly, a short-pre-recorded video message of Shri Prakash Javadekar, the current government’s Union Minister of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), was shown to all the audiences. In his message he talked many governments policies that are going to help to shape his ministry’s schemes and projects. In the closing session, the co-chairs of the conference thanked everyone in the audiences for attending this event and making it a grand success. Mr. Gaikwad proposed his heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors, co-chairs, vice presidents, conference finance, marketing, operation, outreach team members, and advisors for their support, help, and dedication. He also thanked MIT Media Lab for proving them the well-equipped venue. In addition, he thanked the food and security services for their kind services.
Gold sponsors of this conference included Adani, SARDA, Tata Consultancy Services, MIT Management Action Learning, MIT India, MIT Management Student Life, AU Welfare Foundation and Silver sponsors were Bharat Dak-India Post, Atomic Launch, India New England News, Lokvani, Diya, Indus Business Journal, Network Capital, CNBC TV18. MIT India is the founder and Partner.
Priyanka Chopra’s look from the 2016 Emmy Awards has been immortalised at Madame Tussauds wax museum in New York City. The statue will also be unveiled in Australia, UK and Asia. The actress, who married singer Nick Jonas in December, unveiled the first statue in New York on Thursday, last week.
The Indian American star made quite a mark when she appeared at the 2016 Emmy Awards in red and her famous look from the evening has now been immortalised at Madame Tussauds wax museum in New York City. The statue was recently unveiled in Priyanka’s presence, and she was left in awe.
Priyanka Chopra has been hitting global headlines constantly, and here’s another piece of exciting news about the actress. PeeCee is being immortalized at Madame Tussauds museums in four different cities of the world.
The Quantico star will have four different statues across New York City, London, Sydney and Asia. Other actresses normally get only one. Singer Whitney Houston was the highest earlier with three statues.
The actor, who is currently in New York, unveiled her Madame Tussaud’s wax statue there. Priyanka, who added another feather to her cap, looked lovely as ever as she inaugurated the figure.
Priyanka wore a corset-styled off-shoulder top with black flare pants for the occasion. She left her hair open and went with mauve lips and black pumps to round off her ensemble.
This is Priyanka Chopra’s first wax statue at Madame Tussauds. Many Indian celebrities including Kareena Kapoor, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan have their wax statues at the London branch of the museum. The Delhi branch of the museum also hosts various Bollywood celebrities
Priyanka is presently busy promoting her upcoming film Isn’t it Romantic. She was recently seen on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The Ellen DeGeneres Show where she spoke about her lavish wedding ceremony with Nick Jonas.
For the 3rd consecutive season, India-based Inter National Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD) and London School of Trends (LST) took Indian fashion abroad by celebrating the craftsmanship of emerging Indian student designers at Vibrant India during New York Fashion Week on February 9, at the famed NYFW location 172 Norfolk St. Manhattan.
The fashion show is “In tandem with the 5 “F” formula given by Honorable Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi from Farm to Fiber, Fiber to, Fabric to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign,” organizers said in a press release.
Deputy Consul General of India at New York Shatrughan Sinha, and other dignitaries, was present to support the young Indian designers.
INIFD have been showcasing their work at Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai for last 22 consecutive seasons. Alongside that, aspiring designers from INIFD are showcasing their talent in London & New York Fashion Week to take the 5F formula forward, organizers said.
The show amalgamated rich Indian textiles and techniques with internationally accepted cuts and designs, according to the press release. The show was based on the themes Art & Craft, Bad Girls, Evening Wear & Tailoring.
“Models sashaying on the ramp displaying rich Indian cultural heritage blended with western aesthetics. Capturing the spirit of India with students coming from diverse backgrounds, they focused on fall winter trends while embracing a certain and exciting season,” the press release said, and indicated that the ‘Fashion glitterati’ of New York were in attendance.
Juju Productions Video Album “Jaan Meri”, composed by Ustad Khan, to be released at the event with a live performance by Anuradha Palakurthi-Juju Ustad Nishat Khan, a scion of one of the oldest Gharanas of Hindustani music will be the starting performer for the MITHAS’s 2019 Spring Season.
Ustad Nishat Khan is one of India’s finest musicians and a virtuoso sitar player, transcending musical barriers with his provocative expression and spellbinding technical mastery. He is the son and disciple of Ustad Imrat Khan, the nephew of the late Ustad Vilayat Khan.
Nishat draws on his own musical heritage that is the North Indian classical idiom as well as engages in other genres as diverse as Western classical music, jazz, Flamenco and Gregorian chant. He has worked with other major performers and composers such as John McLaughlin, Philip Glass, Paco Peña and Evelyn Glennie among many others.
Ustad Khan said “I am doubly delighted to release my six compositions in “Jaan Meri,” a Music Video Album at the event with the singer and producer Anuradha Palakurthi. Her unmatched versatility found a great home for the range of styles in these compositions. Over 70 musicians were involved in recording the songs – and almost 450 people were involved in making the videos – making the album one of the most spectacular ever.”
“On March 23, audiences can watch song-films made by great Directors and teams in Mumbai, Hollywood and Tbilisi, Georgia” said Anuradha. “Be prepared to be surprised at some faces in the videos! Lyrics were penned by Mehboob Kotwal, Manoj Yadav, Bullesha and Boston’s own evocative poetess, Sunayana Kachroo.”
This MITHAS event replaces the earlier Bollywood concert announced by Juju Productions, featuring Anuradha Palakurthi-Juju, Mumbai-based Kamlesh Bhadkamar and his band. “Given the long delay in visa processing we are unfortunately unable to get the musicians to travel to the USA,” said Manisha Jain, CEO of Juju Productions. “The event will be offered at a later date, ensuring the absolute best in terms of musicians, lights, sound, and camera crew. We appreciate your continued support and patience in allowing Juju Productions to stay true to the excellence and integrity it is known for.”
Anuradha, who recently launched her new project “Music Room” with veteran Bollywood singer and composer Bappi Lahiri and his son Bappa Lahiri on Zee TV Americas, has performed many live music concerts with Bollywood singers across the United States.
Please stay tuned for ticketing and other details regarding this concert to be provided by MITHAS shortly. Details will also be available at http://jujugaana.com/.
Juju Productions is a Boston-based music and video production company, where artists and singers work with Anuradha Palakurthi-Juju work to produce creative, innovative musical endeavours. It creates music that attracts global audiences, transcends national and cultural boundaries while rooted in evolving Indian traditions.
(Chicago, IL. February 4, 2019) After mesmerizing musical lovers all across the world with his enchanting voice, Sukhwinder Singh, a top Bollywood singer, accompanied by the first lady of Maharashtra, Ms. Amruta Fadnavis, is now on AAPI’s Nine-City Jai Ho Musical Dhamaka this spring, performing in Nine Cities around the United States.
Organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI), the spectacular musical program combined with educational and networking opportunities for AAPI members, supporters and sponsors, is being organized with the objective of bringing CME and non-CME sponsored medical lectures, exhibits, Gala Dinner, community outreach talks and lively musical nite in each of the 9 cities across the country.
“Following the past successes of multi-city musical tours organized by AAPI, I am inspired by the concept and how such events have helped in strengthening the relationship between the AAPI Chapters and national office, in addition to help raise funds for the many noble programs for AAPI and the local Chapters” says Dr. Naresh Parikh, President of AAPI.
Dr. Hemant Dhingra, Entertainment Chair of AAPI provided a detailed description of the planned 9-City Tour by popular Bollywood star, Sukhvinder, which is a way to raise funds for AAPI and its many local Chapters. Dr. Dhingra, who has close relationship with the Entertainment Industry, worked with Sukhwinder Singh and team to put together the mega event.
The 9 city musical and educational tour is being launched on Friday, May 10 Columbus, Ohio and will be followed by Atlanta on May 11th and in Washington DC on May 12th. Sukhvinder and his team will perform in Charlotte, NC on May 17th, in New Jersey on May 18th and in Dallas, TX on May 19th. In the final weekend, the popular artist will begin his tour in Milwaukee, WI on May 24th, in San Jose, CA on May 25th and the grand finale will be in Hollywood City, Los Angeles on May 26th.
“A major objective of this program is to bring together various local Chapters, says Dr. Parikh. “National coordinators of the program, Drs. Narendra Kumar. Hemant Dhingra, Raj Bhayani. Amit Chkrabarty, Anjana Samadder, and Gautam Samaddar, as well as and the entire AAPI team and leadership enthusiastically received this idea and the net result of our collaboration and dialogue is the 9-city grand mega concert.”
Senior leadership and several past Presidents and leaders of AAPI have extended their whole-hearted support in organizing this mega event across the nation, Dr. Parikh says. “I am sincerely grateful to Dr. Narendra Kumar, Dr. Sanku Rao, Dr. Vinod Shah, Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, Dr. Ajay Lodha, Dr. Jayesh Shah, Dr. Vijay Koli, Mr. Anwar Feroz Siddiqi and all past Presidents of AAPI for their senior advisory role in making this mega event a grand success.”
Anwar Feroz Siddiqi, Chief Strategy Adviser says, “We are now poised to take our commitment to newer heights, the 9 City Musical Tour by world renowned Bollywood artist Sukwinder accompanied by an icon of women leadership, the first lady of Maharashtra, Ms. Amruta Fadnavis, a very well know personality, a great singer and amazing community leader that continues to pursue her career with her spouse being in the most powerful office in Maharashtra, a true demonstration of great leadership.” Coupled with three honorable causes addressing cardiovascular disease, lymphoma and leukemia, this is truly a worthy and honorable effort that enhances AAPI’s commitment to major health issues and its strong support to eradicate them.
“Entertainment was only just one component of the entire program,” Dr. Parikh adds. “The idea is to put together mini seminars, networking and strengthening the relationship between members and the national office. “Due to popular demand from several physicians on the need for enhancing scientific component at AAPI meetings and allowing greater number of members to participate, AAPI is now organizing the 13-city programs to make it easy for physicians to participate locally avoiding extensive travel and time away from practice,” he explains.
“Many of our industry partners liked this concept where they could get prime time with a few hundred doctors in each location for product promotion/theater, non CME lectures, exhibits, booths,” Dr. Narendra Kumar, national coordinator of the event, says. “These multi-city mini-seminars are a novel concept for education and recreation that will raise funds for the local chapters of AAPI, the national AAPI and the AAPI Charitable Foundation.”
Describing the process leading to the Tour, Dr. Suresh Reddy, President-Elect of AAPI, recalls, “Realizing that it takes a lot of coordination and tremendous effort, we were successful in involving dozens of AAPI office-bearers of various Chapters and Executive Committee members. Each of them is committed to work hard, coordinate with the local leadership, while committing to have the funds raised would be given to AAPI, the local Chapters, and the many philanthropic endeavors organized by AAPI and its Charitable Foundation.”
AAPI has established itself as the most successful and premiere ethnic medical organization in the United States. AAPI-Charitable Foundation, the crest jewel of AAPI, is committed to serve the poorest of the poor in remote areas of India and USA.
Since 1992, the Foundation has been providing an infrastructure support system for needy patients in India with two main goals: enabling AAPI members to commit their time and resources to support the clinics for the indigent; and to monitor effectively the clinics’ progress and be accountable for the overall success of the project.
The Seminars, CMEs, and workshops will be led by accomplished faculty of leading Physicians, Industry Leaders, Cardiologists, Cardiovascular Surgeons and Psychiatrists. Each of the nine medical educational programs is expected to have an audience of 250-400 Physicians, which will be followed by an annual gala event and entertainment with an expected 2,500+ audience at each location.
Sukhwinder Singh, an internationally recognized Bollywood playback artist, best known for singing “Chaiyya,” for which he won the Best Male Playback Award at the 1999 Filmfare Awards, in association with composer A.R. Rahman has resulted in numerous hit songs. The list includes Chaiyya from Dil Se, Ramta Jogi, Ni Main Samajh Gayee, Taal Se Taal Mila and Nahin Samne from Taal, Ruth Aa Gayee Re, Raat Ki Daldal Hain and Yeh Jo Zindagi Hain from Earth, Jaane Tu Mera Kya Hai from Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, Aayo Re Sakhi, Bhangari Morori and Piya Ho from Water, Chinnamma Chilakkamma from Meenaxi, Thok De Killi from Raavan and the most popular Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire.
The song “Jai Ho”, sung by Singh, composed by A.R. Rahman and written by Gulzar, was nominated as a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Song and won an Oscar Academy Award for Best Original Song. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media in 2010.
Proceeds from the 9-city tour will support some of the noble initiatives of AAPI, says, Dr. Parikh. “We are requesting all AAPI members, all doctors of Indian origin, all south Asians to rally and support this amazing opportunity of the 9-city musical tour to promote awareness and raise funds for supporting programs to address the rapidly growing problem of cardiovascular diseases in south Asians and minorities living in the United States and Lymphoma & Leukemia in India.’
Ms. Amruta Fadnavis was born, as Amruta Ranade on 9 April 1979 in Nagpur, Maharashtra, to Dr. Sharad Ranade, an Ophthalmologist and Dr. Charulata Ranade, a Gynaecologist. She grew up in a household where education and independence for women was essential. She initially studied at St. Joseph Convent School, Nagpur. She graduated from G.S. College of Commerce and Economics. Later she pursued MBA in finance and studied taxation laws from Symbiosis Law School, Pune. Along with studies she also participated in sports and an excellent sports person. She was a state level under 16 tennis player.
Dr. Parikh promises to “make this event both transparent and successful, and we hope it becomes an annual event. Many of our industry partners have also shown great interest in this concept, where they can receive prime time with a few hundred doctors for product promotion, theater, non-CME lectures, exhibits and booths. Because of this, we hope to have a significant number of national sponsors for this program.”
This extensive Musical/Educational Tour program put together by Dr. Parikh and his Team is a step towards reaching the message of AAPI across the globe and help AAPI realize its noble mission. “I am calling on all AAPI members, all doctors of Indian origin, all South Asians to rally and support an amazing opportunity of the 9-city musical tour to promote awareness and raise funds for supporting essential programs to address the rapidly growing problem of cardiovascular diseases in South Asians and minorities living in the United States and Lymphoma & Leukemia in India.” For more details on the Musical Tour and for sponsorship opportunities, please visit: http://www.aapiusa.org/ https://www.aapievents.com/
The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of the tri-state, one of the oldest and the largest nonprofit Umbrella Organization of the Indian Diaspora celebrated India’s 70th Republic Day in grandeur with its annual show “Dance Pe Chance” promoting the 2nd generation of the Indian Diaspora while promoting the culture and heritage at the Union County Arts Center, in Rahway, New Jersey.
The packed show was a cultural extravaganza as the students from various dance schools of four different states participated in festive spirit to prove their mettle at the “Dance Pe Chance” dance competition. Nine dance schools performed in front of a sold-out auditorium in four categories: Minor, Junior, Senior and Adult. Aum Dance Creations, Arya Dance Academy, Aatma Performing Arts, B2Z Dance School, Dancing Shiva, Natraj Dance Studio, Nirmiti School Of Dance, Simply Dance, Pranavam School Of Dance are among the schools that participated.
The event commenced with the National Anthem of US and India, during his welcome address FIA President Alok Kumar triumphantly welcomed the spectators and applauded the children parents and choreographers. He also dedicated the 35th year of this cultural performance competition to children who with this year total surpassing an accumulated total of over 18000 children that have participated in this cultural dance competition that spans 3 decades.
The community event also honored the dignitaries in attendance, judges, guests and the traditional ceremony of oath for the FIA’s incoming executive committee of 2019 – Alok Kumar President; Himanshu Bhatia, Executive Vice President; Saurin Parikh, Vice President; Amit Yadav, General Secretary; Amit Ringasia, Treasurer; Srujal Parikh, immediate Past President and Mardavi Patel, Joint Secretary. The oath was administered by Deputy Consulate General New York Shatrughan Sinha who was on hand, acknowledged and welcomed the incoming FIA Executive team. He expressed his appreciation for the role FIA has played in the community for 49 years and how working CGI-NY and FIA working in sync is pivotal and progressive beneficial for the Indian diaspora here in the Northeast.
DCG- Sinha also administered the oath to two new members added by FIA to the Board of Trustees, Jayesh Patel Past President & Ankur Vaidya, two-term Past President both long-time FIA veterans. Vaidya addressed the gathering on behalf of Chairman Ramesh Patel and recognized the support of the FIA Board that currently holds a line of distinguished community leaders including Ramesh Patel, Padma Shri H R Shah, Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Albert Jasani, Ram Gadhavi, Dipak Patel, Chandrakant Trivedi, Pravin Pandhi and Yash Paul Soi.
FIA also honored and had as a Guest of Honor Emmy Award-winning travel show host and PBS Travel celebrity Darley Newman who graced the event with her presence. Ms. Newman applauded the performances and efforts including costumes and props displayed by the participants.
Participants were judged by an array of talented personalities including Palvesha Latiwala, decorated dancer and the CEO of Bombino Express, Smt. Gomathi Manoj, decorated Bharatanatyam artiste, teacher and Artistic Director of Soundarya Natya Kalalaya and Nirali Vakharia, Director and founder of Natraj Nrityala School of Dance. The event was sponsored by Pyar.com, BCB Indus American Bank, Movers.com, RWJ Barnabas Health, The South Asian Times, Air India, Cox & Kings, SBI New York, New York Life, Bombino Express, Akbar Restaurant, Universal Relocations, TV Asia, Parikh Worldwide Media, Hotstar, The Indian Panorama, EBC Radio and Printzazu.
FIA added variety and diversity by including a ‘grownups or adults’ category that showed the 3 glitz-filled performances by majority the participating moms. There was also a spectacular martial arts form – Tae Kwan Do performance by Kim’s Tae Kwan Do which was compiled by Tae Kwan Do Master J D Kim. Concluding the event, FIA honored all the dancers, choreographers and judges with Prize-Winning amounts, mementos, and certificates. In addition to other offerings extended to participants by the FIA.
The List of Winners:
Minor Category
Best Costume:- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Singham, Mamta se bhare
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Best Choreography:- Arya Dance Academy
Song: Singham, Mamta se bhare
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Technique:- Dancing Shiva
Song : Song from Lagaan
Choreographer: Jeanie Beri & Neal Doshi
3rd prize:- Aum Dance Creations
Song : Sridevi Medley
Choreographer: Rina Shah, Anu Mysore
2nd prize:- Dancing Shiva
Song : Song from Lagaan
Choreographer: Jeanie Beri & Neal Doshi
1st prize:- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Singham, Mamta se bhare
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Junior Category
Best Costume :- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Shah ka Rutba, Gajanan, Vande mataram
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Best Choreography :- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Shah ka Rutba, Gajanan, Vande mataram
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Technique :- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Shah ka Rutba, Gajanan, Vande mataram
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
3rd prize:- Aatma Performing Arts
Song : Kanna Nidurinchara, Soja Zara, Gulaab Gang
Choreographer: Amit Shah, Serena Ortiz, Sapna Advani
2nd prize:- Aum Dance Creations
Song : Garba/Raas – Kamariya, Chogada, Dholi Taro, Raangtaali, Dholida, Nagada Sang Dhol
Choreographer: Rina Shah, Anu Mysore
1st prize:- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Shah ka Rutba, Gajanan, Vande mataram
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Senior Category
Best Costume :- Aatma Performing Arts / Arya Dance Academy
Song : Pyar kiya toh darna kya , Dil cheez kya hai / Albela Sajan, Jai Jai kara, Jai Hanuman
Choreographer: Amit Shah, Sapna Advani, Swarali/ Arya Instructors
Best Choreography :- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Albela Sajan, Jai Jai kara, Jai Hanuman
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Technique :- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Albela Sajan, Jai Jai kara, Jai Hanuman
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
3rd prize:- Aum Dance Creations
Song : Balleilaka, Suno Gaur Se,Satyamev, Maa Tuje Salaam
Choreographer: Rina Shah, Anu Mysore
2nd prize:- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Albela Sajan, Jai Jai kara, Jai Hanuman
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
1st prize:- Aatma Performing Arts
Song : Pyar kiya toh darna kya , Dil cheez kya hai
Choreographer: Amit Shah, Sapna Advani, Swarali
The top performance in all aspects in all categories ‘Best of the Best’ Judges Choice:- AUM Dance Creations (Junior Category)
The 7th annual ‘Miss India New England’ 2019 held on January 19, was a unique blend of talent and a celebration heritage providing a platform to bring out both traditional and modern elements of Indian society.
Participants included women and girls of Indian origin from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Each had to complete four rounds – Evening Gown, Ethnic Dress, Talent, and On-stage Question. There were three categories of contestants -Miss India, Miss Teen or Mrs India, a press release from organizers said.
Those crowned for the top spots included – Sivani Jonnalagadda, Miss India New England 2019; Mihika Abraham – Miss India Teen New England 2019; and Mrs India New England 2019 Deepa Jayavelu. The pageant was directed and produced by Ruchika Arora who is also state director of Miss India USA.
Organizers with Miss India New England 2019 winner and past winner at Jan. 19 pageant held in Foxborough, MA. (Photo: Miss India New England) of the Miss India New England pageant held
The Miss India New England pageant is designed to identify and support talented young Indian American people and promote culture, traditions of India in United States for modern generations, the press release said.
The Miss India New England 2019 pageant on Jan. 19, attracted participants from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, who had to compete in four rounds – Evening Gown, Ethnic Dress, Talend, and On-stage Question. (Photo: courtesy Miss India New England)
“The inspirational women introducing themselves on the stage represent strength of Indian American girls/women and community when they talk about their educational background, professional achievements and aspirations” organizers said, thanking all the sponsors, supporters and friends including Neelam and Dr Dharmatma Saran of Worldwide Pageants. Crown sponsors were Tewarie Enterprises.
Deepa Jayavelu, Mrs India New England at the Jan. 19, pageant held in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo: Miss India New England)
List of 2019 Winners:
Miss India New England -Sivani Jonnalagadda
Mrs India New England – Deepa Jayavelu
Miss India Teen New England-Mihika Abraham
Viewer’s Choice NE -Aradhana Surapaneni
Miss India Massachusetts- Ann Varghese
Mrs India Massachusetts- Madhurima Agrawal
Miss India Teen Massachusetts- Trinjan Kaur
Miss India Rhode Island- Sai Kurapati
Mrs India Rhode Island- Medha Rastogi
Miss India New Hampshire- Zaina Ahmed
Mrs India New Hampshire- Preeti Potdar
Mrs India Photogenic- Suruchi Sinha (NH)
Miss India Teen New England 2019 Mihika Abraham. (Photo: Miss India New England)
Dallas-based production company, Skypass Entertainment, hosted VIPs and stars for the red carpet world premiere of its debut film, THE LEAST OF THESE, last night at the SVA Theatre in New York City, prior to the film’s nationwide release on February 1, 2019. The event took place 20 years to the date of the untimely death of Australian missionary Graham Staines, on whom the movie is based.
THE LEAST OF THESE stars Stephen Baldwin (THE USUAL SUSPECTS), actress Shari Rigby (OCTOBER BABY), and Indian cinema star Sharman Joshi (3 IDIOTS), all of whom attended the red carpet premiere.
“I’m speechless,“ said Executive Producer Victor Abraham during a Q&A following the film’s premiere. “It is a humbling experience as an ordinary man that I got the privilege to produce the story of an extraordinary life.”
Shot on location near Hyderabad, India, THE LEAST OF THESE is told through the viewpoint of a fictional character, Manav Banerjee (Joshi), who moves with his pregnant wife
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 23: Victor Abraham and Sheryl Abraham attend the red carpet premiere of Skypass Entertainment’s “The Least of These” at SVA Theater on January 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Pont/Getty Images for Skypass Entertainment)
to Orissa, India, seeking a job as a journalist with the local newspaper.
When speculation mounts that Graham Staines (Baldwin) is illegally proselytizing and converting leprosy patients to Christianity, Manav, hoping to make a better life for his new family, agrees to investigate undercover, hoping to catch Staines in the act. What Manav finds is a series of revelations that are difficult to fathom and even harder to explain, forcing him to make a choice between his own ambition and the truth. In the end, a tragic event and a surprising reaction from the Staines family will change Manav forever.
“This has been a project five years in the making, so to be here tonight is incredible,“ said Director Aneesh Daniel. “This was only made possible by the numerous teams working across five continents to bring this story to life.”
THE LEAST OF THESE is being released by Skypass Entertainment. Abraham serves as Executive Producer with Daniel as director. The screenplay was written by Andrew E Matthews.
The film features an impressive soundtrack with an original film score composed by Bruce Retief and performed by the Hungarian Orchestra, original songs from Nicole C. Mullen and Michael W. Smith and tracks from award-winning artists such as Toby Mac, Keith & Kristyn Getty and Anthony Evans. The soundtrack will be available for download on February 1st on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon.
“Our ultimate desire is to take this film to every part of the world, including India,” said Abraham. “We want everyone to see this film because it has a message for all. Each one of us harbors bitterness in our lives toward others but here is a powerful story about forgiveness.”
Prior to the film’s Feb. 1 national release, Fathom Events will host a special showing at theaters across the U.S. on Jan. 31, which includes an exclusive recorded conversation with Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, actress Shari Rigby and the film’s spiritual consultant, Krish Dhanam. For more information about THE LEAST OF THESE, visithttp://www.theleastofthese.movie.
Directed by Shelly Chopra Dhar, Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and with popular Bollywood stars, Sonam Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, and Juhi Chawla, the much anticipated EK LADKI KO DEKHA TOH AISA LAGA will release in US theaters on February 1st, 2019.
Some love stories are not simple, Sweety’s is one such story. She has to contend with her over-enthusiastic family that wants to get her married, a young writer who is completely smitten by her, a secret that she harbours close to her heart and ultimately the truth that her true love might not find acceptance in her family and society. Resolving these issues proves hilarious, touching & life changing. Welcome to the most unexpected romance of the year!
Directed by Indra Kumar and acted by Ajay Devgn, Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Mishra, Javed Jaffrey, Arshad Warsi, Riteish Deshmukh, Esha Gupta, Boman Irani, and Johnny Lever, the hilarious TOTAL DHAMAAL will release on Feb. 22nd.
And the madness & the craziness of the biggest franchise of laughter continues. Total Dhamaal is a mad adventure comedy about money. Guddu (Ajay Devgn), a small time crook gets double-crossed by his own colleague, Pintu (Manoj Pahwa), after they have managed to get their hands on an illegal booty. Guddu & his sidekick Johnny (Sanjay Misra) manage to trace his colleague but only after Pintu has given the information of the booty to 3 other groups i.e. Avinash (Anil Kapoor) & Bindu (Madhuri Dixit Nene) – a bickering couple about to be divorced; Lallan (Riteish Deshmukh) & Jhingur (Pitobash Tripathy) – Fire Officers turned offenders & two weird siblings Aditya (Arshad Warsi) & Manav (Javed Jaffrey).
All of them refuse Guddu’s offer to distribute the money and the race to reach the booty first begins. Finally after many ups & downs all reach the designated place. But it’s not as easy as it seems. Is there any truth about the hidden booty? Or all of them are being fooled? After a day full of life changing, near death experiences, will the adventure ever end or another one begin? Find out how the story concludes and if they are able to get the booty or not!
It just got a lot easier—and more exciting—to visit India in 2019. The government just updated its e-Visa policies, reports The Points Guy, doubling the coverage time from 30 to 60 days. Furthermore, tourists and business travelers will be allowed double entry on a single visa, while people with medical e-Visas can re-enter the country up to three times. In other words? Start planning the best two-month vacation of your life.
First implemented in late 2014, India’s e-Visa system replaced an otherwise bureaucratic nightmare, allowing travelers to apply online for a visa instead of going through the consulate. Needless to say, the system has seen tremendous growth over the past four years. Today, the e-Visa facility issues online visas (within 72 hours) to citizens from 166 countries around the world. It is even estimated that 40 percent of all visas are obtained online—and that number is expected to cross the 50 percent mark soon, according to a recent statement from India’s Press Information Bureau.
To join the e-Visa club, simply visit the Ministry of Home Affairs’s official website and follow the four-step process: Apply online; pay the fee online (ranging from $25 to $100, with a 2.5 percent banking fee); wait for the visa to be emailed to your inbox; then hop on a flight. The complete process takes about 72 hours from application to delivery, meaning you could be landing in Mumbai by this weekend. (Just make sure to check the site for passport and vaccination requirements first.)
India was already a great place to visit in 2019, with a bevy of hot new hotels and the return of Delta’s nonstop flights between New York and Mumbai. But the ability to explore India for a whopping two months throws the doors of possibility wide open—it’s a massive country, after all. By all means, explore the famous “Golden Triangle” of Northern India: The tourist-friendly route connects Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, allowing you to see sites like the Taj Mahal and stay somewhere like the 230-year-old warrior fort turned boutique hotel, Alila Fort Bishangarh.
After that, use your cushion of time to go farther afield. Southern India, in particular, quietly draws travelers with its dynamic towns and dreamy coasts. Visit the colonial-era city of Chennai for stunning 17th-century temples, or Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) for sleepy streets and delicious breakfasts. Hampi, “the erstwhile seat of the Vijayanagara Empire in the Southern Indian state of Karnataka” is full of stone temples and monolithic landscapes and is blissfully low on tourists—for now, Sarah Khan recently wrote in Traveler. If that doesn’t sound like your type of scene, then pick another direction: Head north to The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa in the Himalayan foothills, west to the famed beaches of Goa, or east to the unexpected foodie city of Calcutta. You have 60 days now, so everything is on the table.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has announced its list of nominees for the 91st Academy Awards. Television stars Kumail Nanjiani and Tracee Ellie Ross announced the Oscar nominations at a press conference at Samuel Goldwyn theatre in Hollywood, California on Tuesday.
Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma and Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite have led all films with 10 nominations each heading to the 91st Academy Awards. With Roma, Netflix has scored its first best picture nomination, something the streaming giant has dearly sought. Marvel, too, joined the club with Black Panther, the first superhero movie ever nominated for best picture. Spike Lee has been nominated for his first directing Oscar 40 years after a writing nod for 1989’s Do the Right Thing.
The lead-up to the nominations has been rocky for both the Academy and some of the movies in contention. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s A Star Is Born was snubbed in major categories at the Golden Globes and since then, its chances of scoring big at the Oscars also seem low.
The Oscars ceremony has also not finalised a host yet.Kevin Hart was forced to withdraw over years-old homophobic tweets that the comedian eventually apologized for. That has left the Oscars, one month before its February 24 ceremony, without an emcee, and likely to stay that way.
Here are the nominees in all categories.
Best Picture
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Green Book
Roma
A Star Is Born
Vice
Actress in a Leading Role
Yalitza Aparicio, Roman
Glenn Close, The Wife
Olivia Colman, The Favourite
Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born
Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Actor in a Leading Role
Christian Bale, Vice
Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born
Willem Dafoe, At Eternity’s Gate
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
Viggo Mortensen, Green Book
Directing
Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman
Pawel Pawlikowski, Cold War
Yorgos Lanthimos, The Favourite
Alfonso Cuaron, Roma
Adam McKay, Vice
Actor in a Supporting Role
Mahershala Ali, Green Book
Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman
Sam Elliott, A Star Is Born
Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Sam Rockwell, Vice
Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams, Vice
Marina de Tavira, Roma
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Emma Stone, The Favourite
Rachel Weisz, The Favourite
Adapted Screenplay
The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs
BlacKkKlansman
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
If Beale Street Could Talk
A Star Is Born
Original Screenplay
The Favourite
First Reformed
Green Book
Roma
Vice
Cinematography
Cold War
The Favourite
Never Look Away
Roma
A Star Is Born
Production Design
Black Panther
The Favourite
First Man
Mary Poppins Returns
Roma
Costume Design
The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs
Black Panther
The Favourite
Mary Poppins Returns
Mary Queen Of Scots
Film Editing
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Green Book
Vice
Foreign Language Film
Capernaum
Cold War
Never Look Away
Roma
Shoplifters
Documentary Feature
Free Solo
Hale County
Minding the Gap
Of Fathers and Sons
RBG
Documentary Short Subject
Black Sheep
End Game
Lifeboat
A Night at the Garden
Period. End Of Sentence
Animated Feature Film
Incredibles 2
Isle Of Dogs
Mirai
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Animated Short Film
Animal Behavior
Bao
Late Afternoon
One Small Step
Weekends
Live Action Short Film
Detainment
Fauve
Marguerite
Mother
Skin
Original Score
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
If Beale Street Could Talk
Isle Of Dogs
Mary Poppins Returns
Original Song
All The Stars, Black Panther
I’ll Fight, RBG
The Place Where Lost Things Go, MPR
Shallow
When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings, Buster Scruggs
Catriona Elisa Gray from Philippines was croened Miss Universe when she beat 93 contestants from around the world to emerge the winner — as chosen by an all-women jury.
India’s Nehal Chudasama failed to make it to the Top 20 of the Miss Universe 2018 pageant. India had pinned high hopes on Nehal, 22, to end a long drought for the country at the pageant as Lara Dutta had last brought back the crown in 2000.
But South Africa’s Tamaryn Green, a medical student, and Venezuela’s Sthefany Guterrez, studying to be a lawyer, secured the first runner-up and second runner-up spots at the gala ceremony, where Spain’s Angela Ponce made history as the first transgender woman to contend for the title of Miss Universe.
Hosted by Emmy Award-winning Steve Harvey, the show here on Sunday saw Gray taking an ecstatic first walk as Miss Universe in a dazzling red gown with a thigh-high slit. She was crowned by Miss Universe 2017 Demi Leigh Nel-Peters, who comes from South Africa.
Gray holds a Master Certificate in Music Theory. An adventure junkie, she is an HIV/AIDS advocate and volunteers as a Teacher’s Assistant to the students at an NGO according to the official Miss Universe website.
In the final question round, Gray was asked about the most important lesson she has learnt in life and how would she apply it in her time as Miss Universe.
She said: “I work a lot in the slums of Manila and life there is very poor and sad. I have always taught myself to look for the beauty in it, to look for the beauty in the faces of the children, and I would bring this aspect as a Miss Universe to see situations with a silver lining and to asses where I could give something and provide something.
“And if I could also teach people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity would not brew and foster, and children would have a smile on their face.”
Earlier in the competition, Gray was asked about her views on legalisation of marijuana. She said: “I am all for it being used in medical use but not so much for recreational use, because I think if people were to argue what about cigarettes and alcohol… Well, everything is good, but in moderation.”
The competition began with the Top 20, with five semi-finalists being chosen from each region — The Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific, as well as a Wild Card category.
In a newly formed segment, the contestants were made to make an ‘Opening Statement’, giving out a message for the world.
Then, the contestants were narrowed down to the Top 10, leading to the swimsuit and evening gown rounds. They were further streamlined to the Top 5 and were asked interesting questions ranging from issues like MeToo to immigration.
Singer Ne-Yo lent a musical touch and Ponce took a proud walk down the ramp, winning a standing ovation for representing diversity and inclusion in its true sense.
Indian American actress Mindy Kaling’s new film with Hollywood star Emma Thompson, “Late Night,” is set to have its world premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival to be held Jan. 24-Feb. 3 in Park City, Utah.
Helmed by Indian American filmmaker Nisha Ganatra, in “Late Night,” a legendary late-night talk show host’s (Thompson) world is turned upside down when she hires her only female staff writer (Kaling). Originally intended to smooth over diversity concerns, her decision, according to the Sundance Festival website, has unexpectedly hilarious consequences as the two women separated by culture and generation are united by their love of a biting punchline.
For the 2019 festival, 112 feature-length films have been selected, representing 33 countries and 45 first-time filmmakers.
Among the other films that will see their world premieres at the festival include British Indian filmmaker Gurinder Chadha’s “Blinded by the Light,” and Indian filmmaker Ritesh Batra’s “Photograph.”
Starring Viveik Kalra, Hayley Atwell, Rob Brydon, and Kulvinder Ghir, among others, “Blinded by the Light” showcases how in 1987 during the austere days of Margaret Thatcher’s Britain, a teenager learns to live life, understand his family and find his own voice through the music of Bruce Springsteen.
In “Photograph,” starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sanya Malhotra, a struggling street photographer, pressured to marry by his grandmother, convinces a shy stranger to pose as his fiancée. The pair develops a connection that transforms them in ways that they could not expect.
Pakistani American director Minhal Baig’s film starring Indo-Australian actress Geraldine Viswanathan, “Hala,” is also among the films having their world premieres at the festival. In the film, a Muslim teenager Hala copes with the unraveling of her family as she comes into her own.
Sundance Institute spotlights work at the dynamic crossroads of film, art and technology with the New Frontier selections. The 2019 Sundance Film Festival New Frontier slate includes “Taking The Horse To Eat Jalebis” by Indian director Anamika Haksar. In the film, “the waft of kebabs blends with the memories of an Indo-Islamic culture, fusing and playing with the dreams and subconscious landscapes of a modern migrant community laboring hard with dignity and humor,” according to the fest.
A delegation representing the Indian film and entertainment industry met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Monday, and pitched for lower and uniform rates of GST for the fraternity.
Actors Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn, filmmakers Karan Johar and Rakesh Roshan, Censor Board chief Prasoon Joshi and Producers Guild of India President Siddharth Roy Kapur were a part of the delegation that met Modi.
According to a PIB statement, the delegation gave Modi an overview of the vast growth potential of the media and entertainment industry in India, and said that this sector is poised to contribute in a significant way towards the Prime Minister’s vision for making India a five trillion dollar economy in the near future.
The film fraternity members even pitched for lower, and uniform rates of GST, for the entertainment industry in India, apart from calling for the development of Mumbai as the global entertainment capital, through various initiatives and proactive approaches.
Modi said the Indian entertainment industry enjoys immense popularity across the world. It is one of the key elements of India’s rising soft power status, globally, he added.
He assured the delegation that the Union Government is supportive of the media and entertainment industry, and would consider the suggestions positively. This is the second such meeting in the year after a delegation met Modi in Delhi in October.
Kapur, who was a part of the past meeting, had told IANS in a recent conversation: “The main agenda to discuss with the PM was what the entertainment industry in India can contribute as a soft power of the nation around the world and how it would be wonderful if the government could encourage this industry in very tangible ways to be able to grow and thrive.”
He said issues like low screen density in the country need to be taken care of. “We are a very underscreened country. The taxation levels in the country are extremely high (they are in the top bracket when it comes to GST), there is double taxation on the film industry because the local bodies have a right to impose their own tax on the industry. So, if all these impediments to the growth of the film and TV industry can be removed, we see a boom in the quality of content being created and in the reach of that content and in our ability for us to take the India story around the world.
“The PM was very open and forthcoming. He did say he believed that this was the case. So, we are very hopeful about this,” Kapur had told IANS on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of India last month. (IANS)
The CricRealty Company, based in Dallas, Texas, has announced that the town of Allen, TX, has been selected as one of eight proposed sites for professional cricket stadiums. The multi-use facility will serve the growing need of pro-cricket while bringing urbanization and development to the area.
The two phased project has a 35-acre stadium facility that plans to house an International Cricket Council (ICC) certified cricket ground, training facilities and club house and a 25-acre parcel which will have a multi-use facility of offices, residences, commercial, entertainment centers and hotels, according to a press release.
The CricRealty Company has been working with strategic partners, including Donnie Nelson and Thakkar Developers to develop the proposed cricket stadiums and the multi-use facility.
The CricRealty company has also been working with JLL since 2016, to identify and develop cutting edge cricket infrastructure in the United States. The group is developing similar stadiums in other markets, including Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando, Washington DC, New Jersey, New York and California.
The group is looking to position itself as the key player in developing cricket infrastructure in the United States.
“Our vision is to identify strategic locations to build such complexes and thus provide hi-end, easy access venues across the country to facilitate the game”, said Steven V Maksin, of Moonbeam Capital, a key member of The CricRealty Company, in a statement.
“My goal is to make America fall in love with cricket,” said Jay Pandya, Chairman of The CricRealty Company, in a statement. “Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world. There are an estimated 20 million cricket fans in the United States. Plus, the growing Indian-American population in North Texas makes this project a perfect location for professional cricket.”
The launch of a professional league in the United States will require stadiums where games are played and practiced during off season, said the press release. An existing infrastructure will help the eventual league save infrastructure costs and focus on developing the sport in the US.
“As we began planning this project, we identified an unmet need in North Texas for a stadium designed for global sports such as cricket,” Sam Thakkar, CEO of the Perfect Group of Business, which includes Thakkar Developers, said in a statement. “We connected with The CricRealty Company and learnt about their plans to bring the first professional cricket stadium to Texas.”
“We’re thrilled to enter into this private-public partnership with The CricRealty Company, Dallas and Thakkar Developers to bring this unique project to Allen,” said Allen Mayor Stephen Terrell. “With a new international visitor base, we look forward to a big boost in tourism spending—which benefits businesses and residents alike.”
In addition to professional cricket, the stadium will also be suitable for other sports, like rugby, lacrosse and soccer. Construction on the site is expected to begin in 2019, with the first phase, including the stadium, expected to be completed in 2021.
Indian-American Shree Saini was crowned Miss India Worldwide 2018 at a glittering pageant held at the Royal Alberts Palace, in Fords, New Jersey on Friday, December 14, 2018.
Shree, 22, who was told by the doctors that she can never dance after being installed with a pacemaker at the age of 12, said one should never give up. “I truly believe your legacy is defined by how you make others feel and the positive difference you make in your lifetime,” said Shree, who started her non-profit organisation, when she was 15. Shree said it was her dream to compete for a world title, which was started when she was in the elementary school.
Indian-origin girls from as many as 17 countries participated in the annual beauty pageant on the final day, while nearly 40 women from as many countries from around the world had competed fro the coveted title. Organised by the New York-based India Festival Committee (IFC), the pageant is said to be the oldest and largest event for the Indian Diaspora community.
Sakshi Sinha from Australia and Anusha Sareen from United Kingdom were respectively declared first and second runner ups in the 27th annual global pageant for people of Indian origin.
India’s Mandeep Kaur Sandhu, who hails from Haryana, was crowned Mrs India Worldwide 2018. A mother to a boy, she lost her husband in a road accident in the first year of her marriage. “I decided to stay single to show to all those who told me that I cannot raise a child alone being a widow. I am here to represent all the widow women. If I can do it, you can do it,” Mandeep said. Jeya Priya Pandian from Malaysia and Kavita Malhotra Pattani from USA were declared the first and second runner ups of the Mrs India Worldwide 2018 respectively.
The next edition of the Miss India Worldwide will be held in Mumbai in 2019, said Dharmatma Saran, chairman and founder of the India Festival Committee that organises the pageant.
“We are proud of the fact that we have been able to imbibe Indian values, tradition and culture among Indian origin youths across the world,” he said. “We have also been successful in promoting Indian performing arts in the world,” Saran said.
Beautiful, compassionate, talented, ambitious, gentle, humble, determined and dedicated to achieving the lofty goals she has set before herself at a very young age, Shree Saini is a woman with a golden heart. Shree from the state of Washington was born in India. She immigrated to the United States as a toddler.
Being uprooted from one’s culture and dear ones was undoubtedly a major challenge. She had to experience hardships while in high school, where she was bullied. Young Shree fought bravely a heart ailment which required her to use a pacemaker. Shree, who had a pacemaker implanted at the age of 12 and was told that she would never be able to dance, is an inspiration for all. “I practice dance almost every day for several hours,” Shree says, pointing to the pacemaker she carries with her all the time.
After doctors diagnosed her with a congenital heart defect at the age of 12, Saini recalls how she struggled to adapt to the life-changing situation of needing a pacemaker while still in middle school, especially when other students did not treat her kindly as a result.
“I have been the target of brutal emotional bullying. I was ridiculed in the most subtle ways, which is why I so often talk about ‘nonverbal’ bullying. For example, there were many instances where I was left out of events or edited out of pictures, and daily ‘whispered about’ by others. As a result of this treatment, there were many times when I would cry in my school’s restrooms or come home in tears after dance class… yet I persevered.
“My family helped me endure,” she explains. “My mom said, ‘the way people treat you has nothing to do with you, but has everything to do with them.’ She empowered me to step up and be even more compassionate towards those who hurt me, and to never give up on my true belief in always being kind.”
In order to reprogram her brain towards more positive thoughts and reach an understanding of how she could find inner peace in spite of all the negativity, she read extensively. “I read books and essays on achieving a more powerful mindset, responding to acts of hate with compassion, and the true value of emotional fitness and what can be done to address the lack of education around it. From what I have learned, I have formed my personal mantra: ‘Giving powerful responses to life’s struggles while being a positive contributor to every situation.’”
These experiences did not deter young Shree from pursuing her life’s mission. “My journey went from a silent sufferer to a bitter person and finally an enabled victor,” she says. “If anything, the physical challenges and social pressures fueled her – all the way to the Joffrey Ballet and beyond, including winning the title of Miss India USA.”
Shree created the website www.ShreeSaini.com to educate people about her experiences. “It was created based on my personal struggles during my high school,” Saini says. Her hope is that it would inspire others to emulate and face the world with confidence and love. Her former tormentors are now her fans. Via social media, she’s received their congratulations – and apologies.
A woman with a noble mission, what the 22-year-old University of Washington student, is aspiring to achieve in her life, is to create awareness on a number of pressing social issues through her organization, and through her web-portal. “I began my nonprofit at age 15. I work on raising awareness and raising funds for several nonprofits including anti-human trafficking and anti-bullying,” the young visionary says. “I am very passionate about my non-profit and want to lead a life of service,” she says. “I want to help end human trafficking and work to promote the importance of emotional well-being in our society.”
In addition, she uses the many social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, among others, to enhance her life’s mission. Through Shree Saini YouTube page, she wants to spread her message by creating short videos of discussions on social issues, college life, raising awareness of important organizations and human rights, as well as anything to help the community.
Shree won the Miss India USA after many years of focus and practice, participating and winning in several pageants. Shree has competed in a number of pageants within the Miss America organization. She was the first runner-up at Miss Moses Lake 2014, Miss Seattle 2016 and Miss Seattle 2017. She also won the Miss Seattle People’s Choice Award in 2016 and 2017, and Miss Congeniality, Highest Fundraiser, Director’s Award. All her pageant exposure has served as a platform for what she truly loves, in spreading awareness against bullying and other social issues. As Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, says, “Shree has used her platform to spread her story of perseverance, tolerance and heart health.”
Miss India USA was started by the New York-based community leaders Dharmatma Saran and Neelam Saran, under the banner of the India Festival Committee around 36 years ago, Miss India USA is the longest running Indian pageant outside India. “It has evolved over the years. Earlier, the participants of pageants presented their talent around Bollywood dance and songs and classical dances. But now pageant participants come out with their own innovations,” Dharmatma Saran said.
“I am so incredibly honored, overjoyed, humbled and excited to be chosen as your “MISS INDIA WORLDWIDE 2018”! God’s amazing grace has surpassed all the words I may have to express this fete. I am astonished by the blessings showered over me,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
Shree Saini has been in a public profile for years. She literally can make her choice on how she wants to mould her image and pave the way for her future. Shree Saini, an undergraduate student at the University of Washington pursuing a double degree in public administration and business, wants to “lead a life of service.” When asked between the many engagements around the nation, where she finds the time to study, Shree says, “I study on the plane, while waiting for flights, as almost every weekend, there is an event I need to attend.”
Her passion for education started when she was very young. Even in high school, her drive led Shree to graduate with the highest number of high school credits (46, although only 26 were required). “I know education is vital to solving any of the world’s problems, and have therefore always stayed curious and dedicated myself to obtaining life skills, like public speaking, as well as gaining more knowledge by studying political science at Harvard University, and establishing my own emotional wellbeing startup at Stanford University.”
Pointing to the hard work she had to put in, Shree says, the Acting Program she attended at Yale was a very intensive conservatory program for actors comprised of 12+ hours of classes daily, which were then followed by rehearsals. With my heart condition, I had to work extra hard (just as I need to do in dance or as a UW student) in order to match the performance level of other physically-able actors. And, she succeeded through determination and hard work.
Shree’s ambition to learn and conquer what she is set to achieve in life has taken Shree to some of the most prestigious schools across the United States. Saini, who studied journalism at UW and has attended as a visiting student at Harvard, Yale and Stanford, aspires to push legislation through local governments.
After dealing with her own personal experiences, Saini penciled her thoughts in a journal, which she said helped change her from a victim to an empowered young woman. The journals in her diary turned to newspaper clippings in local papers in Washington. “In a society mainly obsessed with physical fitness, emotional problems are dismissed,” noted the young activist. “Emotional well-being is necessary to have a healthy body and mind,” she says.
Shree is working on pushing through a Bill nationwide that will help implement emotional well-being classes for K through 12. “The classes will help start at a young age to build self-esteem.” Saini hopes to follow up her undergraduate degree with graduate courses at an Ivy League school, where she intends to study public administration or policy making and nonprofit management.
A brilliant student and learner, Shree believes that children learn what they live in their own households. “Parents need to radiate kindness, and be generous enough to overlook minor offenses, while still raising responsible kids who will heal our societies.”
Shree gives credit to her parents, Sanjay and Ekta Saini, who have not only supported her dreams, but have gone beyond to help her succeed at every step of the way. Pointing to her mother, Ekta, Shree says, “My mother is my role model, who has been with me, supported me and have encouraged me to work hard and realize my dreams.”
As the reigning Miss India Worldwide, “I believe I will be able to make even more of an impact. During my reign, I am responsible for reaching out to individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and schools to make at least 100 appearances during the next 12 months. At every event, I strive to raise public awareness about the value of emotional fitness. I find I am able to engage audiences by asking them my most powerful question: ‘What is more important to you than your own emotional wellbeing?’ I also share my personal story of receiving a pacemaker at age 12, being brutally bullied, and then having to build myself back up emotionally.” She is committed to live a life of service where she intends to teach people about love, harmony and tolerance.
Regarding her future goals and ambitions, Shree is candid about her choices. If good offers come her way, Shree is open to acting in movies, whether it be in Bollywood or Hollywood. Another effective way to showcase her talents and still more importantly, another way to champion and spread her message for a better, just and peaceful world. “Meanwhile, I want to continue working on my nonprofit and become an ambassador of emotional health by continuing to visit as many places as possible, spreading my positive message of hope,” Saini says.
When high-energy Bollywood songs like “Tune Mari Entriyaan” and “Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai” are playing in the background and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is the one inviting you for a dance, it doesn’t matter who you are, or where you are from, you just dance. And that’s what two former U.S. Secretaries of State, Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, did at the big, fat wedding of Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal, the children of two Indian billionaires.
Ambani’s father, Mukesh Ambani, is considered the richest man in India, with Forbes estimating his value more at than $40 billion.
Hillary Clinton and John Kerry were spotted dancing to Bollywood music at a party celebrating the wedding of Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal. Ms Clinton and Mr Kerry, both former US secretaries of state, are just two of the big names who have jetted in for the wedding of the daughter of India’s richest man. Various clips of the dance are now circulating online, and for obvious reasons, have gone viral.
Joining Clinton and Kerry on the stage were the hosts, Mukesh and Nita Ambani, and a bunch of other celebrities. When Clinton was not shaking a leg with Khan, she was dancing, hand-in-hand, with Nita Ambani. The clip also shows Khan shaking Clinton’s hand and whispering something into her ear – our best guess is: ‘Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai’ – which evokes laughter from her. But for the most part, her dancing partner was Kerry.
The wedding of all weddings, where Beyoncé – dressed in an India-inspired outfit crafted by Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla – performed to numbers like “Perfect” and “Crazy in Love,” was attended by political heavyweights, celebrities from the world of sports, Bollywood’s biggest stars, including Priyanka Chopra who came with husband Nick Jonas; international guests like publisher Ariana Huffington, and business tycoons like steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. Clinton’s aide Huma Abedin was there, too. Though the actual wedding was held Dec. 12 in Mumbai at the Ambani’s 27-story home Antilla, the grand wedding festivities began days ago in Udaipur amid high security.
Once every 12 years, the Hills of Munnar in the southern state of Kerala in India, turn blue. People flock in great numbers to view the blooming of the Neelakurinji. Biologists and nature lovers alike mark their calendars for this great event happening now in 2018. It is easily among the most magnificent sights in the world.
From August to October every 12 years, these areas are primed for viewing this natural wonder. 1600 meters above sea level, Munnar is one of the most beautiful locations in Kerala and the world. Its tea plantations, hill ranges, plantation bungalows and a vast variety of rare flora and fauna have enthralled people for centuries.
In a way, the rare flowering marks the blooming of hope for the tourism industry which is the doldrums, following the floods earlier this year. The Hills of Munnar have adorned hues of romantic blue as Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthianus), the once in a 12-year wonder. Though the heavy Monsoons, delayed the flowering season, the meandering valleys and mist clad hills of Munnar have started to amaze one and all with its stunning purple.
The last bloom of Neelakurinji was in 2006. And after a long 12 years the flower is blooming this year and this is why Munnar has been added in the list of ‘Top Places to Visit in Asia in 2018’ by the ‘Lonely Planet.’
Neelakurinji is a rare purple-blue colored flower which only blossoms once in 12 years in the lush hills of Munnar, Kerala. The season starts in July and lasts till October. This year the blooming has started from the first week of September and is expected to extend for a few months.
For people who don’t know, Munnar is a beautiful hill station situated in the Western Ghats mountain range in Kerala. Once in a lifetime, everyone should experience the charm of Munnar, the chill of its hills, the abundant green valleys, the silvery rivers, the cascading waterfalls, fascinating plantations, and every other bit of this place.
There are 250 different types of Kurinji and 46 varieties of Neelakurinji in India, which also includes red and maroon flowers but Neelakurinji is the most famous.
The Muthuvan tribes, who are the original inhabitants of Munnar, determine their age in relation to the number of Neelakurinji blooms they have observed. The Paliyans of Tamil Nadu also use the blooming cycle of Neelakurinji flowers to calculate their age. At the time of blooming season, honey bees gather nectar from the Neelakurinji flowers and this honey is considered to be tastier and healthier than the regular honey we use.
Since these unique flowers bloom only once in every 12 years, they bring a huge number of tourists to the south Indian state. The next flowering season will be in 2030 and that is really a long wait. So if you want to witness the majestic beauty of the Neelakurinji, make your way to Munnar this year.
Munnar is also home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr whose population is currently being conserved at the Eravikulam National Park. One can even visit the Anamudi Peak, the tallest in South India, which has some of best trekking trails in the country.
People love the view at Top Station, the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal Route. Other places of interest in the area include Marayoor, Echo Point, Anayirankal and Valara Waterfalls. If kurinji is what gets you to Munnar, stay back and let this paradise on Earth take over your senses. It has never disappointed anyone who made the journey.
Chicago, IL: Gee Vision in association with Zee TV declared Season II International Indian ICONs during the grand finale held on November 24th at Redberri Convention Center, Sandwich IL. The winners were from a variety of category from almost all corners of the world. 3iii Season-II reached its culmination with two grand events on November 23rd, 2018 and November 24th,2018. The grand Redberri Convention Center welcomed thousands of guests from all over the world. The celebrity judges from Bollywood, Choreographer Longinus Fernandes and Music Composer Arko Pravo Mukherjee along with Dance Judge Prachi Jaitly and Singing Judge Vaishali Dhande mentored over hundred participants.
The participants who contested for the title of International Indian Icon Season-I 2017 and Season II 2018 raised the bar with their immaculate technique and talent. While the first season was focused on America and Canada, Season-II had participants from UK, Europe, Canada and America for all categories.
International Indian Icon (3iii) has been taking over the world with its unique concept of first of its kind in any talent platform giving Indian overseas a much-needed platform to showcase their talent.
It is envisioned as the world’s 1st on-line/onsite grand Indian reality show narrative over five seasons culminating at the end of the 5th season. While the 1st season of 3iii was open to Talent across all residents of The United States of America and Canada in either of the three performance categories –Singing, Dance and Instruments, season II added five more categories and reached more countries. It is a platform of immense possibilities for artists around the world to showcase their skills to be evaluated by a team of Gee Panel of judges consisting of highly qualified and celebrated individuals from the field of performing arts as well as celebrity judges in the advanced stages of the competition.
Gee Vision organized the official launch of International Indian Icon Season II in Feb this year at Ashyana Banquets in the presence of various distinguished comprising guests elected officials as well as community leaders. Season II Grand-finale had the honor of having various dignitaries to enjoy the cultural program.
Speaking about the event, Richard Olson, Mayor, City of Sandwich, IL welcomed International Indian Icon to Redberri Convention Center. He congratulated all the participants who are working hard to compete in this competition.
Olson mentions, “Gee Vision has introduced a unique platform for global talent who can showcase their art in front of the whole world. I assure my full support to this unique effort by Gee Vision and wholeheartedly send my warm wishes for a successful Season II. I also, look forward to Season III next year and send my best compliments to the entire International Indian Icon Team.”
3iii is envisioned as the world’s 1st on-line/on-site grand Indian realities show narrative over five seasons culminating at the end of the 5th season.
“The unique positioning of 3iii has proved to be the main focus of its success: no other platform in India or in the expat community has been designed to showcase talents amongst all forms of talent on a single stage. Indian Americans, Canadians, Caribbean, European live in that part of the world where the industry of entertainment thrives unlike any around the globe”, said Sharan Walia, CEO of Gee Vision Inc.
The entire core team congratulated all the winners and invited everyone to join them in Season III.
The beauty of the concept lies in NO restrictions at all. Anyone can participate from the declared countries. No age restriction. No language or any format restriction, anyone can play any type of instrument to take part in the competition. If any one likes Indian singing, dance or any instrument and have valid ID of the country they are living in, can participate in 3iii competition.
Gee Vision & Zee witnessed huge crowd for Grand-finale which will be aired on Zee TV. Sharan Walia along with his Core team Phani Krishna, Naveen Karna, Naresh Shastri and Prachi Jaitly and 3iii advisory board thanked everyone who attended the grand events and encouraged Indian talent all over the world so that no talent is left behind to make use of this amazing opportunity of showcasing his/her talent to the world through 3iii to achieve dreams of their choice. The online and on-site talent show has won millions of hearts across the globe and we look forward to seeing its journey in the coming seasons.
Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui and filmmaker Nandita Das have been awarded at the 12th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) here. Siddiqui was given the award for the Best Performance By An Actor for his film “Manto.” The actor said he is honored.
“Honored to have received Best Performance By An Actor Award by ASPA 2018 for my favorite film ‘Manto.’ This one is Special, winning for the 2nd Time. Thank you Asia Pacific Screen Award and thank you, Nandita Das, for believing in me,” he said.
Das received the FIAPF award for achievement in films in the Asia Pacific region.
“Honored to get the FIAPF APSA Award for the life and work choices I have made. Feeling encouraged to continue to tell the stories that needed to be told,” Das tweeted.
The filmmaker is known for her acting in the controversial film “Fire” (1996) and “Earth” (1998) and later in “Between the Lines,” about gender inequality in middle-class India. Her first film as director “Firaaq” appeared in 2008.
Her second feature, “Manto” premiered in UnCertain Regard in Cannes this year and has been picked up by festivals including Sydney, Toronto, and Busan.
“Manto” traces the life of writer Saadat Hasan Manto. Nawazuddin Siddiqui has brought the character to life. It also stars actress Rasika Dugal.
When size zero became a buzzword for Bollywood, actress Vidya Balan broke the stereotype around a conventional Bollywood heroine’s look by proudly flaunting her curvaceous figure in Milan Luthria’s directorial film “The Dirty Picture”.
As the film, which was based on the life of adult film star Silk Smitha, has completed seven years on Sunday, Vidya, who rose to a spectacular amount of fame for the role of Silk, became emotional and penned a heartfelt post on the Instagram saying, the film changed her life forever.
“On December 2, 2011, 7 years ago, ‘The Dirty Picture’ released and changed my life forever. But everytime someone asks me how I did it, I don’t know what to say? Perhaps because Milan made it so easy for me… He hand held me throughout and all I wanted was to do justice to ‘Silk’ and live upto the faith that had been placed in me by Ekta Kapoor (producer) and Milan,” the 39-year-old actress wrote.
Also featuring actors Tusshar Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah and Emraan Hashmi, “The Dirty Picture” released in 2011. Vidya’s uninhibited portrayal as Silk Smitha won her a lot of praise and a National Award.
She thanked Luthria for making her “feel free as a bird” and thanked Ekta for giving her the 1990s hit sitcom “Hum Paanch” and a movie like “The Dirty Picture”.
“Milan, however tells me, his big concern was that he should not let me down. Of course, he did not and not just that, he lifted me so high that I felt free as a bird… For that and for believing in me, thank you my dearest Ekta for ‘Hum Paanch’, may be there would have been no ‘The Dirty Picture’ for me without ‘Hum Paanch’,” she added.
Along with the post, Vidya also posted a picture with Luthria — a capture from Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone’s wedding reception here on Saturday night. (IANS)
The 2018 Grand Dulhan Expo, held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, on Sunday, December 2, and is touted as the “World’s Largest South Asian Bridal Show,” the annual Expo featured seven designer fashion shows and 11 performers, including Mickey Singh and Raxstar from London, among others.
Such performers are also willing to perform at weddings, according to organizer Sumit Arya, who said that Singh’s enthusiastic performance was so appreciated by the audience that he performed for 30 instead of 15 minutes as scheduled.
Between 4,000 and 5,000 people from 10 different states attended the Expo, where 265 booths were present, including six decorators, eight caterers, 9 hotels and banquets, 9 make-up artists, 10 DJs, 11 photographers and 45 fashion and jewelry booths.
While food stalls were set up like what you would find in a traditional wedding, tastings were served by Rasoi, Dimple’s Bombay Talk, Palace of Asia, Amiya, Shezan, Mantra and Bhog.
There was also free paan tasting from The Paanwaala; coffee tasting, a snow cone station, cake sampling, mehndi stations and photo booths.
The day long event is a one-stop shop wherebrides-to-be can get all of their wedding needs under one roof. “The Grand Dulhan Expo is a bride-to-be’s one-stop shop for all her wedding needs. At the expo, she is able to pick a well-suited make-up artist according to her budget and have a personal, one-on-one contact with them, something that she would not get by a simple phone call,” Arya said, adding that they have five other small Dulhan Expos throughout the year.
Raffles took place during the event, including one which was worth $15,000 for the brides-to-be, in which the lucky winner would get free services for her wedding, including DJ, mandap, make-up artist and more.
Although it is called the Grand Dulhan Expo, the event is not just for brides-to-be and wedding planning. “It is an event where people come to plan their own parties like birthdays and anniversaries,” Arya added.
Just four months after hopping on the high-speed betrothal train with Gravidson (RIP) and the Biebers (plural), Priyanka Chopra, 36, and Nick Jonas, 26 are finally getting married, and their wedding festivities have already started. Their ceremonies are going on for multiple days, but they’re officially tying the knot this weekend at Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India, where a number of major celebs will be in attendance.
Starts with Traditional Puja The wedding ceremony of actress Priyanka Chopra and her American singer beau Nick Jonas has officially started with a puja ceremony. Chopra and Jonas stepped outside to meet and greet the fans and media. The couple was seen waving at the fans and happily smiling for the camera crew.
Priyanka Chopra, who was seen wearing a heavily embellished aqua green suit, was spotted entering her mother Madhu Chopra’s home for the puja, while mingling with Jonas’ brother Joe Jonas and his fiance Sophie Turner.
The ‘Desi Girl’ was also sporting sunglasses, shoulder-grazing earrings and the wedding diamond ring, which Nick Jonas gave her during the proposal.
Jonas was also seen sporting traditional Indian outfit, an embroidered pink kurta paired with cream pajamas and sunglasses.
His brother Joe Jonas and his fiance Sophie Turner were also seen at the venue wearing traditional Indian Outfits.
The wedding of Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas will take place at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. The couple has hired few helicopters to take them straight to the venue from the airport.
There will be two different style weddings, one Hindu and second Christian. The ceremony and festivities will be a private affair with only the family and some close friends present at the palace.
The Mehendi and sangeet ceremony will be held on Nov. 29 at the Umaid Bhawan, where Jonas will perform a medley of his songs and Priyanka Chopra will be performing a few of her hit dance numbers.
The pre-wedding ceremonies will continue with a haldi ceremony on Nov. 30. A cocktail party has also been organized for the two families, relatives, and friends before the big day. The Royal Palace – Umaid Bhawan – will be shut down for tourists from Nov. 29 till Dec. 3 for “security reasons.”
Natya Dance Theatre, a Chicago-based Indian-American performance art company, has been awarded the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Grant which encourages international collaboration.
Natya is among 10 Chicago arts and culture organizations selected by MacArthur Foundation for the International Connections Grant, meant “for diverse artistic exchanges,” the Foundation announced Nov. 15.
According to the MacArthur website, Natya will receive $50,000 for a collaboration with an Indian dance master on a new theatrical dance work combining classical and contemporary elements of Indian dance for performances in Chennai, India and Chicago.
Founded by Bharat Natyam dancer, teacher and choreographer, Hema Rajagopalan, who is also the artistic director, Natya Dance Theatre is a professional touring company and school that has specialized in Bharata Natyam for more than 35 years, according to its website.
Rajagopalan has received an Emmy Award for the PBS production of World Stage Chicago; seven National Endowment for the Arts Choreography Awards (the highest number ever received by any U.S. choreographer, according to her biography on the website); and, in India, the Vishwa Kala Bharati Award for artistic excellence.
In 2004, she received the Nritya Seva Mani (Devotee of Dance) Award from Bhairavi, a Cleveland, Ohio based organization. Also in 2004, she was the first choreographer working in an Indian tradition to be selected among leading Chicago choreographers by the Chicago Dancemakers Forum to create new work.
Her teaching accolades include the Master Teacher Award from the Asian American Heritage Council and the Master Teacher Award from the City of Chicago.
“Collaborating with international peers helps Chicago’s cultural organizations create new work that inspires, entertains, challenges, and transports audiences,” Chicago Commitment Director Tara Magner is quoted saying in a statement on the organization’s website. “These artistic partnerships foster learning and build meaningful engagement that unites communities, locally and internationally,” Magner says. This year’s projects cover a range of disciplines, including contemporary dance, film, puppetry, the visual arts, and more.
MacArthur gives out more than $9 million each year in support to more than 300 arts and culture groups in Chicago and the region. The Foundation’s International Connections Fund was initiated in 2008 to enable Chicago arts organizations to facilitate cultural exchanges with new partnerships and creative projects to benefit Chicago arts organizations, their international collaborators, and their audiences. International Connections grants are limited to Chicago-area nonprofit arts and culture organizations that are current grantees in the MacArthur arts and culture portfolio or through the MacArthur Funds established at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and the Prince Charitable Trusts.
The Foundation says it has been committed for 40 years, to Chicago, its people, and its diverse neighborhoods, investing $1.3 billion in over 1,500 organizations and individuals across the metropolitan region – more than in any other place around the world. MacArthur supports Chicago nonprofits, leaders, and communities by strengthening organizations, contributing to civic partnerships, investing in vital communities, advancing influential and diverse leaders, and cultivating creative expression and art.
Actress-producer Anushka Sharma has unveiled her interactive wax figure in Madame Tussauds here and says she is glad that her figurine is the first ever talking and interactive wax statue.
“I am glad that my wax figure is the first ever talking and interactive wax figure in Madame Tussauds Singapore. I had a special fan take over my Instagram page today to capture the Madame Tussauds experience and I am thankful for the love and support that they are constantly give me,” Anushka said in a statement.
She added: “My fans who visit Madame Tussauds Singapore can engage with my interactive figure and also take a selfie.”
Her life-like figure holds a phone personally inviting visitors to photograph a selfie with her, which can be digitally shared with friends and family.
“Anushka Sharma is a big star, and she is so nice to work with… Anushka’s new interactive figure will be a great addition for our visitors and we will continue to grow our attraction in 2019. With much more interactives and Indian film stars coming to Singapore,” said Alex Ward, General Manager, Madame Tussauds Singapore.
Anushka’s figure joins other Bollywood stars including Kajol, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ranbir Kapoor in the IIFA Awards experience where you can re-live the glamour of the Bollywood awards ceremony
Netflix continues to grow across the globe with its vast content and original films and series. Meanwhile, the streaming giant is progressing in India rapidly. With the success of Sacred Games, Netflix is aggressively targetting India for their new originals which will be produced by leading ladies of Bollywood- Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra, Madhuri Dixit.
At the company’s “See What’s Next: Asia” event, its first-ever content showcase in the region, which concluded in Singapore on Friday, Netflix announced that it is coming with 9 Indian originals including eight films and one series.
Bulbul will be a period drama set in a vibrant atmosphere amidst age-old beliefs and superstitions. It will be produced by Anushka Sharma and Karnesh Sharma’s Clean Slate Films. It will tell the story of Satya and his brother’s child bride who gets separated after Satya is sent to school in England. After he returns, he finds out that Bulbul has been abandoned by his brother and has been serving the people of the village. Upon his return, he finds that Bulbul has been abandoned by his brother and is serving the people of the village.
Firebrand will be produced by Priyanka Chopra. Directed by Aruna Raje, the film stars Usha Jadhav, Girish Kulkarni, Madhav Patkar, Sachin Khedekar and Rajeshwari Sachdev. The statement read, “Firebrand is a Marathi film that follows a successful lawyer, a sexual assault victim played by Usha Jadhav, as she tackles difficult family cases while also dealing with intimacy issues in her own marriage. Girish Kulkarni essays the role of her husband Madhav Patkar, an architect by profession. Sachin Khedekar and Rajeshwari Sachdev play a couple in the movie which is high on drama.”
15th August is the first production for Madhuri Dixit. The story is set in a Mumbai chawl and is about a cramped residential building for low-paid workers and follows the course of single day of the residents until Independence Day. The film will revolve around the struggles of middle-class people in India.
Hotel Mumbai is based on true story of November 26 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. The film will follow the story of the victims and survivors of the devastating terrorist attacks on Mumbai in 2008. Directed by Anthony Maras, the film stars Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Nazanin Boniadi, Anupam Kher and Jason Isaacs.
Music Teacher will mark second Netflix original for Manav Kaul. The film will be directed by Sarthak Dasgupta and will tell the story about an emotionally troubled music teacher who finally comes to the terms with his bitterness with an estranged student who has become a renowned singer in Bollywood.
The film named Chopsticks will star Mithila Palkar, Abhay Deol and Vijay Raaz and will be helmed by Sachin Yardi. The film is produced by Ashvini Yardi of Vineyard Productions. “It’s about an under-confident but talented girl sidestepped at every stage of her life, who seeks out an enigmatic con to help recover her stolen car from a goat-loving, crazy Mumbai gangster. In the process, she finds her confidence and place in the sun,” read a statement.
Upstarts is produced by Raja Menon, Janani Ravichandran and Jawahar Sharma of Bandra West Productions. Directed by Udai Singh Pawar, the film takes place in the thoroughly modern setting of India’s startup sector. The film focuses on the relationship between three college graduates who all hail from smaller towns, and how their friendship is tested by money and the chaotic nature of the startup economy.
Cobalt Blue will be written and directed by Sachin Kundalkar. The film is based on the best-selling novel of the same name. The story will revolve around a brother and sister who fall in love with the same man and the things take a drastic turn in a traditional Marathi family.
Series:
After Sacred Games, a supernatural drama Typewriter will be the next on Netflix India. The story will be about a haunted house and a haunted book and a group of young, wannabe ghost hunters and their dog who are determined to move on with new initiatives targeting the South Asian region.
BOSTON (Nov. 9, 2018)—Juju Productions, LLC, a Boston-based music and video production company, today announced that it will present Desert Storm, a musical program with Indian-American singer Anuradha Palakurthi-Juju at BITS Pilani on Nov. 16, 2018.
Anuradha will be accompanied by a 39-member Bollywood band, including members of the original R.D. Burman team. The program will be conducted by Kalmesh Bhadkamkar of Zee TV, with sound by Vijay Dayal of Yashraj Audio, and lights and camera by Yashraj Films.
The occasion marks the 40th anniversary of her husband Prashanth Palakurthi’s 1978 entry batch at BITS Pilani. Founded in 1964, BITS Pilani is one of India’s pre-eminent engineering institutions.
“I am looking forward to singing at BITS Pilani,” said Anuradha, a 1984 entry batch of BITS Pilani. “It is a particularly nostalgic moment for me to go back to the same auditorium where I spent countless hours, performing and practising instead of studying.”
Juju Productions CEO Manisha Jain said Anuradha is going to rock the Pilani concert.
“This kind of collaboration and innovation on a global level will facilitate the creation of timeless music, and foster opportunities for budding talent around the globe,” said Ms. Jain.
Anuradha has been recognized as the top-rated singer of Indian origin by industry legends. She has performed live with Bollywood singers like Kumar Sanu, Suresh Wadkar, Deepak Pandit and Bappi Lahiri across the United States. Anuradha has recorded a duet with Hariharan for Ekal Vidyalaya – composed by guitarist Prasanna with drummer Sivamani and a group of 14 multiple-Grammy winning musicians from across the globe. She sings in six Indian languages and has recorded playback for South Indian films.
Her production “Music Room” with Bappi & Bappa Lahiri will be broadcasted on Zee TV Americas in December 2018. Anuradha’s second production, composed by Ustad Nishat Khan, will be released by the end of 2018.
Anuradha is a student of Vidushi Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar, who remains her constant source of guidance and inspiration.
“Thugs of Hindostan” has created box office history on Day 1. The Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan film shattered all previous opening- day box-office records in history of Bollywood as it becomes the first film ever to cross the 50 crore nett mark. With this humongous opening day collection of Rs. 50.75 (Hindi version) and Rs. 1.50 crore coming from Tamil and Telugu dubs, the film has created seven historic records. Incidentally, Aamir Khan has a Diwali release after 22 years – the last being “Raja Hindustani” that topped 1996.
Here are the records:
The highest all-time opening collection
The first film to cross 50 crore
The biggest single-day collection ever
The biggest Diwali opener of all time
The biggest opening day figures for Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Katrina Kaif
The biggest ever opening for a non-sequel
It is also Yash Raj Films’ highest-ever opener
Director Vijay Krishna Acharya said, “We were lucky to get two of the biggest stars of our generation to come together for an out-and-out masala Diwali entertainer, and we are humbled and ecstatic that the film created box-office history on day one. We made ‘Thugs…’ with a vision to provide a pure festive entertainer for the entire family and this result is extremely gratifying for all of us at YRF.”
Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit Nene says she wants to take the expression and passion of dance to everyone. The actress is doing it with her online dance platform – Dance With Madhuri (DWM). She has partnered with telecom major Bharti Airtel to launch dance channel – “Let’s Dance” on Airtel Digital TV.
“Our vision for Dance with Madhuri is to take the expression and passion of dance to everyone,” Madhuri Dixit said in a statement. “With Airtel Digital TV’s reach, we do believe that millions of people can now learn how to dance right in their living rooms. So excited to launch this service,” she added.
The channel has a large bouquet of over ad-free content of over 150 hours with over 2200 lessons taught over 170 plus classes. The channel will also bring together several choreographers along with Dixit.
Richa Kalra of Bharti Airtel’s DTH said: “As a customer-obsessed brand, we are constantly innovating for newer ideas to enrich their lives. Launch of Let’s Dance in partnership with Madhuri is one such innovation which is aimed at enabling to learn dancing from the best of dancers and choreographers in the country.”
“Slumdog Millionaire” actor Dev Patel is set to make his directorial debut with revenge thriller titled “Monkey Man.” Patel will also act in the movie, which is being presented to buyers at this year’s American Film Market (AFM), reports variety.com.
“Monkey Man” centers on a boy (Patel), who emerges from prison to grapple with a world marred by, in the words of the logline, “corporate greed and eroding spiritual values.”
The release announcing the project was slim on plot details beyond saying that the film is set in modern-day India, but also deals with mythology. Patel, an Oscar nominee for “Lion,” co-wrote the script with Paul Angunawela and John Collee. The production set to start in spring 2019 in Mumbai. Patel’s upcoming films include “The Personal History of David Copperfield” and “Hotel Mumbai.”
Devdas, a novella by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, is probably one of the most famous love sagas in Indian Literature. Translated into almost every major language, this novella has seen its glory in Indian Cinema. This time AGP World brings the Classic On Stage with all its grandeur!
AGP World’s theatrical rendition has a universal appeal and is narrated by Chandramukhi, a glamorous courtesan and principle character in the play, an opportunity to delight hearts with eternal music and dance to continue the rich legacy. Directed by Saif Hyder Hasan starring renowned actors such as Gaurav Chopra, Manjari Fadnis, Sunil Palwal, Sukhada Khandkekar, Bhavna Pani, Smita Jayakar to name a few. This 150-minute multi-starrer is a saga of love in its purest form where AGP endeavours to solve the mysteries of what happens to Chandramukhi & Paro after Devdas.
Set in Calcutta in the 1900s, this visual and musical extravaganza, recreates the period in all its grandeur; the time in history of opulent Haveli’s in India and gas-lit busy streets of Calcutta. A triumph in overall design – come experience the stunning artistry, evocative lighting, detailed costumes, unforgettable music and the exhilarating choreography of this play – the most gorgeous, gasp-inducing production ever brought to life on stage in India.
Adapted & directed for stage by Saif Hyder Hasan, whose craft of developing original content that connects with the audience through music, dialogue, dance & theatrics woven with seamless production values is revered in Indian Theatre.
Sets designed by the National Award-winning art and cinematic director Omung Kumar of Mary Kom, Bhoomi, Sarbjith and Saawariya.
The highlight of this production are the classic and contemporary fusion dance performances choreographed by Shampa Gopikrishna (daughter of acclaimed Kathak maestro Padmashri Gopi Krishna) and Bertwin Ravi Dsouza which give life to the musical score of Devdas. Devdas is enriched by original melodies expressing undying, unrequited love sung by some of the most prominent singers like Shail Hada, Bhoomi Trivedi, Shaan, Alka Yagnik, Suresh Wadkar and Antara Mitra.
Bringing this spectacular musical extravaganza to life is Ashvin Gidwani & AGP World India’s leading theatre Production House. Speaking about the play, Ashvin Gidwani, Producer & MD, AGP World expresses, “I am thoroughly excited to bring this classic on stage. Devdas has witnessed several adaptations in the Indian cinema, yet there is something about the epic that connects with the audience. A saga of love presented by multiple onstage and offstage talents, Devdas promises to be a production never seen before on Indian Stage.
Talking about the adaption, Saif Hyder Hasan, Director says, “Devdas is the mother of all love stories. It is the apex of unfulfilled yet eternal love. The story has sustained itself for over 100 years and been adapted for cinema across languages for the sheer poetry and drama inherent in the story. Now on stage for the first time in all its splendour it will move the audience by its spectacle and creativity.”
~Come be a part of this immersive exuberant spectacle from 16th Nov – 25th Nov at Jamshed Baba Theatre, NCPA~
Singer Sonu Nigam says “Hall of fame” is his best single in English. The Indian singer joined hands with Grammy award winning producer-engineer Jason Goldstein for the song, which also features American rapper MC Yogi.”Hall of fame” has been penned by Jim Beanz and 6th Sense has scored the music creating a track that has a modern dance vibe catering to the global audience.
“I am really excited to be a part of ‘Billboard Presents Electric Asia’ album. As a musician, I feel blessed to get such creative work regularly and this track, ‘Hall of fame’ is my best single in English. Life is still opening new doors. I feel blessed to get the love that I have received globally for this single,” Sonu said in a statement.
The single released on October 20.Among various collaborations, Sonu had also teamed up with Indo-American DJ-record producer KSHMR for a song called “Underwater” The single released on Oct. 20.
Sonu Nigam is an Indian Playback singer, live performer, host and actor. He sings predominantly in Hindi and Kannada language films. He has also sung in English, Bengali, Manipuri, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Tulu, Assamese, Odia, Nepali, Maithili and various Indian languages.
Indian American Hasan Minhaj has been featured by Time Magazine as a Next Generation Leader in is October 11th edition. The former “Daily Show” correspondent Minhaj is now hosting his own show, “The Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj,” a political satire show that airs on Netflix, premiering Oct. 28.
“Minhaj has grand ambitions,” Time wrote in its profile of the comic, speaking of his new show. He hopes to tackle large social issues like immigration around the world, the rise of conservatism in different countries, sports as a vehicle for political debate and climate change,” it said.
The magazine named 25 leaders from across the globe, among them entertainers, athletes and other public figures of color. The magazine named 25 leaders from across the globe, among them entertainers, athletes and other public figures of color.
“There haven’t been many Indian-American comedians to reach Minhaj’s level of fame —and even fewer who openly talk about issues like Islamophobia in their work,” Time wrote. On his new Netflix show, the former “The Daily Show” correspondent “hopes to tackle large social issues like immigration around the world, the rise of conservatism in different countries, sports as a vehicle for political debate and climate change,” Time says.
But Minhaj’s interests are also more wide-ranging than most American comics. His hour-long comedy special “Homecoming King,” which debuted on Netflix in May 2017, won him a Peabody Award.
Minhaj has a particular talent for vacillating between the comic and the serious, a method he employed at the 2017 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Minhaj became aware of his natural talent for comedy while competing in speech and debate at his California high school: “If I could make the judges laugh, I would automatically get 10 to 15 points higher on my score card,” he told Time.
Later, as a political science major in college, he realized that standup was basically speech and debate with jokes. He began sneaking out of his parents’ house at night in order to perform sets in San Francisco. Minhaj eventually caught the attention of “The Daily Show.” And the rest as they say is history.
Minhaj plans to bring the narrative style of “Homecoming King” to “Patriot Act,” the report said. “I made it very clear that I don’t want to be sitting behind a desk in front of a city skyline,” he told the publication. “The moment people turned on their screens, they’d be like, ‘Oh, that’s Indian John Oliver.’”
Time notes that, historically, audiences have turned to Netflix for bingeing, not appointment viewing. So instead of tackling weekly headlines, Minhaj will investigate evergreen political topics, like affirmative action.
Rather than focusing on the headline-making lawsuit that alleged Harvard University discriminates against Asian students, Minhaj and his co-writers plan to analyze meritocracy more broadly: who gets what and why, the report said.
“I’m an insider and an outsider at the same time,” he says. “There hasn’t been a show like this because there haven’t been people who look like me in this space.”
Austin-based world music songstress Nagavalli is thrilled to announce her new album “Immersion” set to be released on Jan. 15, 2019 with a Sunday, Jan. 20 performance at the One World Theatre located at 7701 Bee Cave Road, Austin TX 78746.
Doors open at 4 p.m.with the show beginning at 4:30 p.m. Opening acts are to be announced. Tickets for the show range from $35 to $55 and the show is open to all ages. To purchase tickets, please gohere. For information about the artist, please see www.nagavalli.com.
Nagavalli’s music, described as “Eastern soul with delicate touches of pop, rock, trance and pure Eastern tradition,” blends Western melodies and instruments with traditional Eastern overtones, vocals, sitar and percussion.
“Immersion” is a back-to-roots journey for Nagavalli, channeling the spiritual and devotional quality of traditional Indian music, said a press release. As the title of the record suggests, it is meant to have an immersive, meditative quality that is only enhanced by a continuous format, as each song seamlessly transition together.
Nagavalli’s music, described as “Eastern soul with delicate touches of pop, rock, trance and pure Eastern tradition,” blends Western melodies and instruments with traditional Eastern overtones, vocals, sitar and percussion. The result is executed with such power and emotion that Valli’s music is unique, yet familiar and it often results in the listener achieving a state of meditative tranquility.
“Immersion” is a back-to-roots journey for Nagavalli, channeling the spiritual and devotional quality of traditional Indian music. As the title of the record suggests, it is meant to have an immersive, meditative quality that is only enhanced by a continuous format, as each song seamlessly transition together. However, listeners will still have the ability to skip between tracks.
“I composed the melodies on the album,” said Nagavalli. “The album was recorded as one continuous piece of music, even as it strings several different Shlokas/Sanskrit chants and Bhajans (devotional songs) together using, primarily, instrumental interludes. The album also brings together western instruments such as keys, synth and pedal steel with traditional Indian vocals, sitar and percussion instruments.”
The new album presents music from the rich spiritual and devotional music tradition of India. Songs on the record feature lyrics from ancient Sanskrit chants and writings by ancient saints such as Sant Kabir (1440-1518: Kabir was an Indian mystic poet and saint whose writings influenced Hinduism’s Bhakti movement and his verses are found in Sikhism’s scripture Guru Granth Sahib) and Meera Bai (1498 – 1546: Meera Bai was a Hindu mystic poet of the Bhakti movement, born into a Rajput royal family in India; legends about Meera mention her fearless disregard for social and family conventions, her devotion to Lord Krishna, her treating Krishna as her husband and her persecution by her in-laws for her religious devotion).
Indian American filmmaker Namrata Singh Gujral’s work on her latest film, “5 Weddings,” fetched her the ‘Best Director’ award at the seventh annual Washington, DC South Asian Film Festival 2018, which was held Sept. 7-9 at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland.
Gujral’s film 5 Weddings, which highlights the challenges faced by the transgender community in India, known as “hijras,” was the festival’s closing night film. Nearly three-dozen independent feature, short and documentary films were screened at the three-day festival which ended on September 9.
The festival was held in partnership with Montgomery College and Women in Film and Television (WIFT). About three dozen independent feature, short and documentary films were screened at the festival, which named “Life of Pi” actor Suraj Sharma the ‘International Rising Star Actor.’
Indian actor Inaamul Haq won the ‘Best Actor’ award for his film, “Nakkash,” while Kalyanee Mulay won the ‘Best Actress’ award for “Nude.” “T for Taj Mahal” was declared the ‘Best Film,’ and Danish Renzu, a native of Kashmir and an alumnus of UCLA, was named the ‘Rising Star Director.’
Film producer Boney Kapoor received the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award at the festival, which was presented by DC South Asian Arts Council Inc., in partnership with Montgomery College and Women in Film and Television.
“5 Weddings” stars actors Rajkummar Rao and Nargis Fakhri. In the film, an Indian American journalist, played by Fakhri, travels to India to cover the colorful vibrancy of Indian weddings. Once there, she begins to explore the lives of Hijras, a sect of transgender dancers who have been an integral part of Indian weddings for centuries.
A conflict arises when she decides to delve more into the life of a Hijra but her government designated liaison officer (Rao) is told to put a stop to her endeavor.
The film is set to release Oct. 26. Gujral, who has battled both breast and blood cancer, is also the creator of the “1 a Minute” initiative, a celebrity-packed documentary about cancer. Also an actress, Gujral has appeared in films like “Kaante” and “Americanizing Shelley.”
“5 Weddings” also stars Academy Award nominee Candy Clark, Golden Globe nominee Bo Derek and Dutch American actor Anneliese Van der Pol.
Chicago IL: The two days colorful Indian classical dance festival, Nritya Samarpana 2018 concluded on Sept 15-16, 2018 at Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple, 1145 Sullivan Rd, Aurora, IL. It was a breathing two days festival which featured top artists from different states of USA and India. There were total 9 featured performers along with performances by the veteran teachers of the Chicagoland area like Gauri Jog, Sobha Tamanna, Ipsita Satpathy and Asha Adiga with their respective students. It was a glorious two days of vivid showcase of extremely talented artists. The fest showcased artists from classical Indian dances including Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Odissi and so on.
Each year, this dance festival is organized by Balaji cultural committee at the Veluchamy Auditorium of Sri Venkateswara Balaji temple in Aurora Illinois and admired by art lovers. This illustrious dance festival attracts innumerable viewers and art connoisseurs across states. Balaji temple has been in the forefront of preserving Indian cultural arts and celebrates the various art forms. Robust Indian classical dance programs like Nritya Samarpana festival is a great platform for nurturing such traditional arts which are face of our Indian heritage.
Anindita Neogy is an International Kathak danseuse who featured as a solo performer in the prestigious Indian Classical Dance Festival, Nritya Samarpana 2018 in Chicago. She mesmerized the viewers with her powerful performance. Recipient of Shri Jayadev National Youth Award 2018 given for excellence in Kathak Dance by National Cultural Mission and Indian government of Odisha, Anindita is a dancer par excellence.
She started with a Durga Bhajan (evoking the Goddess Durga) set in 16 beat teentaal, and presented the piece with so much grace and intricate details of the Abhinaya or facial expressions. Her details to the movements were so delicate that one couldn’t take eyes off her.
Second part of her performance consisted of pure Nritta Paksha or the technical side of Kathak where she presented todas, tukdas which are geometrical patterns of moves, sublime body gestures folded with charm and grace. The richness and sharpness of the footwork enchanted the audience. The whole auditorium was echoing with the metal bells and thudding sound of her rhythmically singing footsteps. With every ‘Sam’, which gives a silence of a second built the momentum of pure thrill and excitement and people couldn’t stop applauding her brilliant recital. Her red fabric dress and gleaming ornaments were phosphorescent. It was nothing less than a pure magic on stage. Her swift pirouettes brought power and speed to the stage.
The third and final portion of her contemporary Kathak displayed Poet Jayadev’s Geet Govinda where she portrayed the myriad emotions of gopikas and radha waiting eagerly for beloved Krishna, the Lord of love and charm as the spring seasons comes to a full bloom. Anindita impeccably captivated the emotions of a forlorn woman sitting for her lover to return to her and also the Krishna who is chasing them and playing pranks on them. As a seasoned dancer, she enacted variable characters with touch of ease. Her virtuosically turns and her entire expression of limbs, torso and especially hands perfectly married to the theme. She was a wizard on the stage. The sculptural firmness of her body language and such delicate and vivid gestures were nothing short of eloquent beauty. It was an enriching evening of mellifluous dance concert.
Anindita has performed in major festivals in India and abroad including Theater am Faden (Germany), Birju Maharaj Parampara Utsav (India), Kundan Lal Gangani Festival (India), Sharad Utsav (India), Logging and Heritage Festival (Wi), Rhythms of the world (Appleton fox cities), Out to lunch Event (Marinette Wi), BAGC Chicago Banga Sammelan (where she shared stage with Grammy award winner Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt), Celebrate Diversity Event Menasha and so on.
Anindita is a student of Pt Rajendra Gangani (Jaipur school of Kathak) and Pt Jai Kishan Maharaj (Lucknow school of Kathak) and adept in both the styles. She is known for her graceful movements with a swift pace and shows immense proficiency in both traditional and fusion choreographies of Kathak.
CNN network’s acclaimed show “United Shades of America” has won yet another Emmy Award-this time for its episode “Sikhs in America” which was aired in May earlier this year.
Show’s editor Bryan Eber took home the Emmy for Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program at the Creative Arts Emmys held in Los Angeles, Calif., Sept. 8.
“United Shades of America” follows comedian and political provocateur Bell as he explores communities across the U.S. to understand the unique challenges they face. In the episode, Bell visited Yuba City, Calif., saying, “I’m hoping to find out more about the most misunderstood religion in America.”
Emmy Ward or an Emmy is an American award that recognizes excellence in the television industry, and is the equivalent of an Academy Award for film or a Tony for theater and the Grammy for music.
Throughout the episode, Bell interviews Harpreet Singh, co-founder of the Sikh Coalition; Sikh Coalition Social Justice Fellow Winty Singh; Yuba City’s Indian American Mayor Preet Didbal; Karandeep Bains, Yuba City farmer and community leader; lawyer and filmmaker Valarie Kaur; Lt. Colonel Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi; actor/designer Waris Ahluwalia; and Harpreet Singh’s son, Dilzafer Singh.
After the win, Kaur tweeted: “Our episode Sikhs in America on #UnitedShadesofAmerica w @wkamaubell won an EMMY! It was the 1st time the nation saw Sikhs tell our own stories, in our own voices, & now it has received the highest honor in the industry! Why this win is a little beacon: http://valariekaur.com/2018/09/watch-sikhs-in-america-more-resources/…”
The show opens with the host walking around the streets of America showing random people a picture of a Sikh man in a striking yellow turban on his mobile phone, asking them if they could identify his religion.
While most of them fail, one of them thinks the man in the picture is a Muslim, with the host establishing that indeed “very little is known about the Sikh religion.” So Mr Bell sets out to clear the “misunderstanding.”
The episode came about after Harpreet Singh reached out to Bell on Twitter. “The Sikhs as a community have had their fair share of hate so I thought this would be an excellent venue for people to learn more about the Sikhs and the issues we face in America,” Singh said at the beginning of his interview. “Sikhism is a religion of love, and this love requires sacrifice for others, especially for the oppressed, the marginalized, the downtrodden, for example, we had Sikhs showing up in war-torn Syria, providing humanitarian aid… in Haiti during the earthquake. There has never been an instance when Sikhs have not opened their gurudwaras during calamities like Katrina.”
When asked to describe Sikhism, Didbal, the first female Sikh mayor in America, said: “I may not look like a typical Sikh woman, but I’m 100 percent Sikh. Under God, we are all equal, that’s how Sikhism is. We are all created equal, men and women, it doesn’t matter. I say, ‘We need to walk the talk.’”
“Wild Wild Country” a Netflix documentary on Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his followers in Oregon, has won in the outstanding documentary or nonfiction series category.The six-part “Wild Wild Country,” whose executive producers include Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass, even inspired a “Saturday Night Live” parody.
The show, based on the spiritual guru who attracted thousands of followers to his ashrama headquartered in Wasco County, Oregon, from 1981 to 1985, won the award for ‘Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.’
“Wild Wild Country” shows how when, one fine day in 1981, disciples of Rajneesh, dressed in red and carrying their leader’s portrait, descend on the small town of Antelope, making the locals very uneasy.
The story, full of unbelievable twists, further showcases how a 64,000-acre utopia called Rajneeshpuram was built, which housed a hospital, schools, restaurants, a shopping mall, and an airport.
Longtime Oregonians have their own memories of everything that happened in the early 1980s when the Bhagwan, Ma Anand Sheela, and the rest descended on Wasco County, taking over the town of Antelope, and setting up the Rajneeshpuram compound.
For those who weren’t living here, the story seems so bizarre it’s hard to believe, which is part of the reason why “Wild Wild Country” caused such a stir when it began streaming on Netflix, in March.
Filmmakers Chapman Way and Maclain Way, who had already made an Oregon-set documentary with their entertaining history of the Portland Mavericks, “The Battered Bastards of Baseball,” used archival news footage and reports (notably from the Oregonian, which covered the Rajneeshee story extensively) to tell the strange-but-true tale of crime, would-be assassination plots, land-use battles, and more.
The brothers also filmed new interviews with Ma Anand Sheela — who changed her name to Sheela Birnstiel and moved to Switzerland after she got out of prison — true believer Swami Prem Niren (aka Philip J. Toelkes), some some Antelope-area residents and former Oregonian reporter Les Zaitz. An edited replay of the two-night Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies aired at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 on FXX.
Tamil superstar Dhanush’s first Hollywood film, “The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir,” is set to open the inaugural edition of the Bay Area South Asian Film Festival Sept. 21. The film also stars Barkhad Abdi, Erin Moriarty, Seema Biswas, Laurent Lafitte, Abel Jafri and Uma Tharman.
The film is based on French writer Romain Puertolas’ 2014 bestselling novel of the same name which was translated in over 35 languages. The novel describes the death of a hustler’s mother leading him from Mumbai on an extraordinary voyage in search of his estranged father. He finds love in a Swedish furniture store in Paris, and danger with Somalian migrants in England in what ultimately becomes an unexpected journey of self-discovery. Dhanush plays the protagonist.
Dhanush began shooting for the film earlier this year in May in Mumbai. The first schedule kicked off in Mumbai and the film was then majorly shot in four countries, in India, Brussels, Paris and Rome. It explores the journey of a fakir who tricks people into believing that he has special powers. Dhanush will play the role of that fakir named Ajatashatru Oghash Rathod.
The festival, which runs through Sept. 23, on its lineup, has feature films, short films, documentaries, small screen productions, theater, music, and any other medium storytellers choose to present their creative work.
Director Anup Singh’s “Song of the Scorpions,” starring Irrfan Khan, Waheeda Rehman and Golshifteh Farahani, will be screened Sept. 22 at 6:45 p.m. The same day, director Vandana Kataria’s “Noblemen,” starring Kunal Kapoor and Ali Haji, will be screened at 11 a.m.
BASAFF’s mission, it stated in a press release, is to bring together all visual and performing art forms and audience from South Asia and those interested in South Asia. The festival provides a platform for innovative films, bringing the best and established filmmakers and also independent, unique, emerging voices.
BASAFF comes together with one of the leading theater production houses of the San Francisco Bay Area, Enacte Arts, to showcase the premiere presentation of their latest production, “Queen.” Directed by Vinita Sud Belani, the performance will be staged at the Visual and Performing Arts Center at De Anza College in Cupertino, Calif., Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 29 at 2:00 p.m. and 6 p.m. This is at a different venue from the film screenings, which will be held at the Schultz Cultural Arts Hall in Palo Alto, and the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts in Mountain View, Calif.
The opening night performance, “Kaleidoscope – A Journey through India,” blends traditional folk music with popular Bollywood songs and dance by Xpressions’ artistic director Srividya Eashwar. The performance will feature a special dance tribute to Sridevi. The closing night performance features a classical dance performance by Samhara.
While this will be Dhanush’s Hollywood debut, he has been doing ample work back home as well. He has wrapped up the shooting of Vetrimaaran’s gangster trilogy Vada Chennai, which will hit the theatres this year as well.
He will also be seen in Gautham’s romantic thriller Enai Noki Paayum Thotta andBalaji Mohan’s gangster comedy Maari 2. On the production front, he will bankroll Pa Ranjith’s gangster drama Kaala, starring his father-in-law Rajinkanth.
A new Netflix Global documentary series is offering a select group of single South Asian men and women the chance to find their perfect match by working with India’s most elite matchmaker.
The series will follow upwardly mobile millennials in North America and India as they search for their perfect partner. If selected, they will have the opportunity to work with the top desi matchmaker in the world, who will present them with curated matches from her extensive database of global clientele. All services will be free of charge to selected candidates.
Beautiful, compassionate, talented, ambitious, gentle, humble, determined and dedicated to achieving the lofty goals she has set before herself at a very young age, Shree Saini is a woman with a golden heart. Shree from the state of Washington was crowned ‘Miss India USA 2017-2018’ at the pageant held in December last year in New Jersey. And her life has not been the same ever since.
Born in India, young Shree says, she moved to the United States as a toddler. Being uprooted from one’s culture and dear ones was undoubtedly a major challenge. She had to experience hardships while in high school, where she was bullied. Young Shree fought bravely a heart ailment which required her to use a pacemaker. Shree, who had a pacemaker implanted at the age of 12 and was told that she would never be able to dance, is an inspiration for all. “I practice dance almost every day for several hours,” Shree says, pointing to the pacemaker she carries with her all the time.
After doctors diagnosed her with a congenital heart defect at the age of 12, Saini recalls how she struggled to adapt to the life-changing situation of needing a pacemaker while still in middle school, especially when other students did not treat her kindly as a result.
“I have been the target of brutal emotional bullying. I was ridiculed in the most subtle ways, which is why I so often talk about ‘nonverbal’ bullying. For example, there were many instances where I was left out of events or edited out of pictures, and daily ‘whispered about’ by others. As a result of this treatment, there were many times when I would cry in my school’s restrooms or come home in tears after dance class… yet I persevered.
“My family helped me endure,” she explains. “My mom said, ‘the way people treat you has nothing to do with you, but has everything to do with them.’ She empowered me to step up and be even more compassionate towards those who hurt me, and to never give up on my true belief in always being kind.”
In order to reprogram her brain towards more positive thoughts and reach an understanding of how she could find inner peace in spite of all the negativity, she read extensively. “I read books and essays on achieving a more powerful mindset, responding to acts of hate with compassion, and the true value of emotional fitness and what can be done to address the lack of education around it. From what I have learned, I have formed my personal mantra: ‘Giving powerful responses to life’s struggles while being a positive contributor to every situation.’”
These experiences did not deter young Shree from pursuing her life’s mission. “My journey went from a silent sufferer to a bitter person and finally an enabled victor,” she says. “If anything, the physical challenges and social pressures fueled her – all the way to the Joffrey Ballet and beyond, including winning the title of Miss India USA.”
Shree created the website www.ShreeSaini.com to educate people about her experiences. “It was created based on my personal struggles during my high school,” Saini says. Her hope is that it would inspire others to emulate and face the world with confidence and love. Her former tormentors are now her fans. Via social media, she’s received their congratulations – and apologies.
A woman with a noble mission, what the 22-year-old University of Washington student, is aspiring to achieve in her life, is to create awareness on a number of pressing social issues through her organization, and through her web-portal. “I began my nonprofit at age 15. I work on raising awareness and raising funds for several nonprofits including anti-human trafficking and anti-bullying,” the young visionary says. “I am very passionate about my nonprofit and want to lead a life of service,” she says. “I want to help end human trafficking and work to promote the importance of emotional well-being in our society.”
In addition, she uses the many social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, among others, to enhance her life’s mission. Through Shree Saini YouTube page, she wants to spread her message by creating short videos of discussions on social issues, college life, raising awareness of important organizations and human rights, as well as anything to help the community.
Shree won the Miss India USA after many years of focus and practice, participating and winning in several pageants. Shree has competed in a number of pageants within the Miss America organization. She was the first runner-up at Miss Moses Lake 2014, Miss Seattle 2016 and Miss Seattle 2017. She also won the Miss Seattle People’s Choice Award in 2016 and 2017, and Miss Congeniality, Highest Fundraiser, Director’s Award. All her pageant exposure has served as a platform for what she truly loves, in spreading awareness against bullying and other social issues. As Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, says, “Shree has used her platform to spread her story of perseverance, tolerance and heart health.”
Miss India USA was started by the New York-based community leaders Dharmatma Saran and Neelam Saran, under the banner of the India Festival Committee around 36 years ago, Miss India USA is the longest running Indian pageant outside India. “It has evolved over the years. Earlier, the participants of pageants presented their talent around Bollywood dance and songs and classical dances. But now pageant participants come out with their own innovations,” Dharmatma Saran said.
More than 50 contestants from over two dozen states participated in the three different pageants – Miss India USA, Miss Teen India USA and Mrs. India USA. “I am so incredibly honored, overjoyed, humbled and excited to be chosen as your “MISS INDIA USA 2017”! God’s amazing grace has surpassed all the words I may have to express this fete. I am astonished by the blessings showered over me,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
Shree, who was also voted as ‘Miss Congeniality,’ and will represent the USA at Miss India Worldwide Pageant, where all national title holders like Miss India France, Miss India Australia, Miss India United Kingdom etc. will contest for the title of Miss India Worldwide in December this year. Winners of the pageants here have gone on to act in various Bollywood movies.
Indian American beauty pageant winner Shree Saini has been in a public profile for years. She literally can make her choice on how she wants to mold her image and pave the way for her future.
Shree Saini, an undergraduate student at the University of Washington pursuing a double degree in public administration and business, wants to “lead a life of service.” When asked between the many engagements around the nation, where she finds the time to study, Shree says, “I study on the plane, while waiting for flights, as almost every weekend, there is an event I need to attend.”
Her passion for education started when she was very young. Even in high school, her drive led Shree to graduate with the highest number of high school credits (46, although only 26 were required). “I know education is vital to solving any of the world’s problems, and have therefore always stayed curious and dedicated myself to obtaining life skills, like public speaking, as well as gaining more knowledge by studying political science at Harvard University, and establishing my own emotional wellbeing startup at Stanford University.”
Pointing to some of the hard work she had to put in, Shree says, the Acting Program she attended at Yale was a very intensive conservatory program for actors comprised of 12+ hours of classes daily, which were then followed by rehearsals. With my heart condition, I had to work extra hard (just as I need to do in dance or as a UW student) in order to match the performance level of other physically-able actors. And, she succeeded through determination and hard work.
Her ambition to learn and conquer what she is set to achieve in life has taken Shree to some of the most prestigious schools across the United States. Saini, who studied journalism at UW and has attended as a visiting student at Harvard, Yale and Stanford, aspires to push legislation through local governments.
After dealing with her own personal experiences, Saini penciled her thoughts in a journal, which she said helped change her from a victim to an empowered young woman. The journals in her diary turned to newspaper clippings in local papers in Washington. “In a society mainly obsessed with physical fitness, emotional problems are dismissed,” noted the young activist. “Emotional well-being is necessary to have a healthy body and mind,” she says.
Shree Saini is working on pushing through bill nationwide that will help implement emotional well-being classes for K through 12. “The classes will help start at a young age to build self-esteem.” Saini hopes to follow up her undergraduate degree with graduate courses at an Ivy League school, where she intends to study public administration or policy making and nonprofit management.
A brilliant student and learner, Shree believes that children learn what they live in their own households. “Parents need to radiate kindness, and be generous enough to overlook minor offenses, while still raising responsible kids who will heal our societies.”
Shree gives credit to her parents, Sanjay and Ekta Saini, who have not only supported her dreams, but have gone beyond to help her succeed at every step of the way. Pointing to her mother, Ekta, Shree says, “My mother is my role model, who has been with me, supported me and have encouraged me to work hard and realize my dreams.”
As the reigning Miss India USA, “I believe I will be able to make even more of an impact. During my reign, I am responsible for reaching out to individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and schools to make at least 100 appearances during the next 12 months. At every event, I strive to raise public awareness about the value of emotional fitness. I find I am able to engage audiences by asking them my most powerful question: ‘What is more important to you than your own emotional wellbeing?’ I also share my personal story of receiving a pacemaker at age 12, being brutally bullied, and then having to build myself back up emotionally.” She is committed to live a life of service where she intends to teach people about love, harmony and tolerance.
Shree is now focused on winning the title of Miss India Worldwide. And if good offers come her way, Shree is open to acting in movies, whether it be in Bollywood or Hollywood. Another effective way to showcase her talents and still more importantly, another way to champion and spread her message for a better, just and peaceful world. “Meanwhile, I want to continue working on my nonprofit and become an ambassador of emotional health by continuing to visit s many places as possible,” Saini said.
Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was honored with the inaugural Meryl Streep Award for Excellence at the first Women in Film and Television (WIFT) India Awards. The Miss World 1994, received the award on Saturday at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, DC along with her daughter, Aaradhya and her mother Vrinda Rai.
The 44-year-old actress documented different facets from the ceremony on her Instagram account, from pictures of her collecting the award with Aaradhya, to sharing some loved-up BTS moments. For the special day Aishwarya opted for a dreamy embellished black outfit and she looked absolutely stunning, Aaradhya on the other hand looked cute as a button in a pink gown.
WIFT India said that Aishwarya was chosen to receive the award for showcasing a ‘distinction in her craft and for expanding the role of women within the entertainment industry.’
Apart from Aishwarya, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar also received the Wyler Award for Excellence in Direction, and “Dhadak” star Janhvi Kapoor will receive the WIFT Emerald Award. “The Wyler Award is so surreal for me as I grew up in Bombay (Mumbai), got a video player in the eighties and one of the first films I ever saw on it was Ben-Hur,” Akhtar said.
Aishwarya thanked her fans in a post and wrote: “A heartfelt thank you to all my well-wishers from India and all around the world, for being my Inspiration and strength. God bless and all my love too.” WIFT has been established to honor the best female talent in Bollywood and Hollywood.
Aneesh Chaganty is no stranger to unconventional storytelling. The 26-yr-old Asian filmmaker has taken the global box office by storm. Before he got his dream job making commercials for Google and before his first feature film took home the top audience award at Sundance, there was “Nug.”
“I cannot believe…” Chaganty said by phone during a day of press for “Searching,” his directorial debut. “I want to tell every one of my high school friends when I made that: ‘Who would’ve thought I would be talking about ‘Nug’ now?’”
The 5-minute short film – his first short film ever shown publicly – tells the story of a gun entirely in reverse. It took home his high school film festival’s award for Best Short Film (he still has the award on his desk) and the 11-year-old video currently sits at less than 2,000 views on YouTube. But while Chaganty admits the details of the plot are confusing, for “Nug” to exist as part of his origin as a filmmaker makes sense.
Indo-American filmmaker Aneesh Chaganty, whose roots are in Hyderabad. Chaganty worked for a couple of years at Google before gravitating to full-time filmmaking.
His stunning directorial debut, “Searching”, is set in the cyber universe where a distraught father attempts to locate his missing daughter.
Interestingly, Chaganty, who grew up on a staple diet of Bollywood and Hollywood films, pitched “Searching” to the studios as an eight-minute short film. The producers suggested Chaganty turn it into a full-length feature film. The director initially declined the offer, arguing that he didn’t want to stretch a good idea beyond a point.
However, Chaganty did finally make “Searching” as a feature film. Released on August 24, the film, made on a shoestring budget with Korean star John Cho in the lead, has already established Chaganty as a filmmaker to reckon with. The ultimate compliment for this small-budgeted blockbuster came from the “Crazy Rich Asians” crew when they booked an entire theatre to watch the film.
The young filmmaker names Manoj Night Shyamalan as his main influence. No doubt Chaganty’s thriller-noire approach to cinema makes him the new “Night” among Indo-American filmmakers. I fervently hope Chaganty’s career doesn’t follow Shyamalan’s trajectory.
The California native, who credits his love for film to his parents, first gained attention in 2014 with the ambitious short film “Seeds.” The video, which was shot entirely on Google Glass and contains no dialogue, chronicles one man’s journey to deliver an envelope containing life-changing news across the globe.
The ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour, driven by Nissan, had a stopover in New York City, at the 40/40 Club, on September 5th, where the glittering trophy was unveiled for a select audience. The hosts of the evening, Willow TV, presented two of the biggest cricketing super stars of the yesteryears, Brian Lara and Clive Lloyd, as special guests.
“There is plenty that goes into the making of the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy. For most of the stakeholders of the game, the one feature that stands out is, naturally, its design,” the organizers said. “The trophy requires a lot – can’t stress this enough – of planning,” added Steven Ottewill, the Trophy Director, and Zoe Clarke, its Design Manager.
“To be involved with the Cricket World Cup, to help bring the piece to fruition, is a real privilege for a manufacturer, a British manufacturer as well,” says Ottewill. “The piece weighs about 11 kilos. Its height is 650mm tall. The base is a hardwood base – with any concept trophy, we have to render, draw to scale. We either draw freehand or pen work. That’s the starting point.”
It’s not just a matter of drawing it out. There are a lot of calculations behind it. “It’s a lot of responsibility,” says Clarke. “You need to be artistic, and try to produce a nice, organic looking design. But then you need to also have the math behind to work out how it’s being made, and to the drawings.”
The founder and CEO of Willow TV, Vijay Srinivasan, during the course of an interactive panel discussion, outlined the channel’s ambitious plans for coverage of the next year’s World Cup in England, which is expected to penetrate as high as three million households in the US, bygoi g linear on all available TV platforms, apart from digital and hand-held devices. “We expect to reach at least two million homes, and as much as three million,” said Srinivasan, adding that all games of the next year’s World Cup, including the warmup games, would be telecast live on Willow TV.
The road trip to showcase the trophy started its journey from the International Cricket Council headquarters in Dubai on August 27. Travelling across five continents, 21 countries and over 60 cities, the “most connected Trophy Tour ever” will allow fans around the world to get up close to the coveted prize that will be lifted at Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 14, 2019, stated the ICC.
During the 9-month journey, the Trophy Tour will travel not only to countries taking part in the tournament, but for the first time ever will go beyond traditional cricket heartlands and connect with fans in a further 11 countries where cricket is growing, including Nepal and Germany.
Willow TV founder and CEO Vijay Srinivasan speaking at the meet, in New York City.
Asked if he has any coaching aspirations in the IPL, after he was not able to play in the tournament, in the past, he said: “It all depends. It’s a franchise. It’s not something that I’m going to beat myself over. I have survived so many years. The IPL is something I appreciate. There are a lot of able coaches in all the franchises. I personally feel I have to shop my skills before I even consider it. Because if I do consider it, I do want to make sure that if I come in, I’ll make a difference.” Lara predicted India and England to be top contenders for next year’s World Cup. “I like what India brings to the table,” he said.
Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa, and the multi-talented Bollywood actor/singer Farhan Akhtar, enthralled audiences during Sankara Eye Foundation’s fundraising concerts on August 24th in San Jose, CA, and on August 25th in Pasadena, CA.
The popular Bollywood stars performed to a live orchestra in front of the capacity crowds comprising largely of Indian American fans, patrons and volunteers, giving a taste of soul-stirring romantic songs and foot-tapping dance numbers.
Farhan, the son of famed poet/lyricist Javed Akhtar, also set the mood with some poetry recital. His occasional narration of anecdotes from his life had the audience in splits. The night was filled with melodic samples, many of which received encore requests from the audience.
Murali Krishnamurthy, founder and executive chairman of SEF, acknowledged on stage that an event of this magnitude would not have been possible without the unflinching support of the sponsors, and expressed his sincere gratitude to them. He presented the progress of the organization to the attendees and announced that three hospitals in India have now become self-sufficient and two more are close to becoming self-sufficient.
SEF, which is working towards eradicating curable blindness in India for the past 20 years, currently has nine super-specialty hospitals and is working on three new hospitals: in Hyderabad, Indore and Mumbai. (Read earlier India-West story here: https://bit.ly/2wp9bQT)
The organization provides free eye care for those unable to afford it, with the rural poor accounting for 80 percent (approximately 150,000 people per year) of the surgeries performed at Sankara Eyecare Institutes in India. Over 1.75 million people have received the gift of vision so far. SEF hopes to increase that number to 1.77 million this year.
SEF has earned a coveted four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its fiscal management practices and commitment to transparency. Mahadevan, Noorani and Mendonsa have been longtime supporters of the organization and are passionate about using the arts to both entertain the audience and to highlight the cause. Mahadevan even visited one of the hospitals in India some time ago.
“You support the cause, you believe in the cause, you are ready to do concerts with an organization like Sankara Eye Foundation, but till you go and visit their hospital and see the changes that come about in the patients’ lives, that’s when it totally changes you,” the renowned singer/composer told at a press meet at the Hilton Hotel in San Jose. “When you visit the hospitals and see young, old, children, poor people…from every economic strata, the difference that Sankara Eye Foundation is making in people’s lives, but you’ll only understand when you visit.”
Founded in 1998, the mission of the Sankara Eye Foundation, USA (SEF, USA) is to realize the goal of eradicating curable blindness in India. We initiate and drive community eye care activities in India by working with eye care organizations such as Sankara Eye Foundation, India which runs Sankara Eye Hospitals across India.. SEF USA has increased the number of specialty eye care hospitals from 1 in 1998 to 9 by 2017. The number of free eye surgeries is performed at an annual rate of 160,000 as of 2017. The goal is to perform 500,000 free eye surgeries per year. SEF has performed over 1.66 million free eye surgeries as of Nov 30, 2017.
Chicago IL: It was a hazy evening of August 11th, where the sun shone upon the bustling Yellow Box Theatre and the clouds blanketed the tops of the bright blue sky. As the anxious guests bustled with the crowd, Madhav Parthasarathy shone upon like a luminous star, holding his treasure in his hands. The crowd seemed to have settled in the Yellow Box Theatre, when yet another surprise had arrived. With short notice, rain showered over Naperville, like the God’s had well-wished him from the heavens above. The debut concert slowly rolled into motion, Mrs. Uma Iyer, the Master of Ceremonies for the day, introduced the Chief Guests and Honored Guests that had, with such humbleness, accepted to come view the great day for Madhav.
Mrs. Uma Iyer introduced first Congressman Mr. Raja Krishnamoorthy, the 8th District Representative for Illinois. At that moment, Congressman Mr. Raja Krishnamoorthy was received upon stage and stated a few words upon Madhav and his family. Along with a great spark to the evening, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy granted the Certificate of Commitment to Guru Sri. Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan – Madhav’s guru, a Plaque of Commitment to Designated Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Smt. Aruna Sairam – Madhav’s main artist, and a Certificate of Commitment to Madhav himself. Progressing forward, the MC introduced the Chief Guest, Professor and Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. Trichy Sankaran sir, and guest of honors Mrs. Malini Vaidyanathan of Air India, and Mr. Raghu Raghuraman of RR International. The introductions continued into the beginning of the concert, where Madhav boldy walked upon stage with the rest of the ensemble, along with Smt. Aruna Sairam on vocal, Sri. Vittal Ramamurthy on violin, Sri. Guru Prasad on Ghatam, Sri. N. Sundar on morsing and Kumari Akshaya on Tambura. The introductions of the artists were followed by the beginning piece, known as the Varnam.
Smt Aruna Sairam, the doyen of modern Carnatic singers, whose vibrant voice, with its unique timbre, is a rare combination of resonance and range – yet deeply passionate and movingly soulful.
Despite it being the Arangetram (debut performance) of young Mridangist Madhav, in his early teens, Smt. Aruna established the seriousness of the concert when she commenced with the cadenced Gambhira Nattai varnam Amma Ananda Dayini , composed by another Modern Great – Dr. M Balamuralikrishna. Madhav matched the crescendo of Sive, Sive with a frenzied yet controlled rhythm only demonstrated by seasoned percussionists. Sri Thiruvaroor Vaidyanathan’s tutelage of Madhav showed prominently.
Hardly had the reverberation subsided, she broke into the evocative exhortation of Thyagaraja’s Ganamoorthe set in Raga Ganamoorthi. In the charanam after Navaneetha Chora Nanda Dadi Chora, she had a pregnant, enquiring pause, throwing down the gauntlet to young Madhav – whose repartee was a delectable left-handed flourish that had Smt. Aruna smiling and the audience gasping; Madhav the mridangam player had arrived and held his own against a celebrity singer.
Abhogi was next in the inimitable style of Smt. Aruna – who begins with the Thiruvachakam eulogy of Lord Shiva (Namasivaya vaazhga , Nadan thal vazzhga), before she transitions in her incomparable gusto into Sabapathikku Veru Deivyam, a composition of Gopalakrishna Bharati….Madhav’s pulsating mridangam had the powerful yet crisp Nadham which was in joyous harmony with the intense devotional sentiment paying encomiums to Lord Shiva.
The niraval by Smt. Aruna on Sabapathikku was eclectic – but well balanced by the creative tempo of brilliant permutations on the mridangam.
Then we heard Kadanakuthuhala Raga Priye in Ragam Kadanakuthuhalam composed by one of Smt. Aruna’s gurus – Pallavi Venkata Rama Iyer, with its unmistakable resemblance to the captivating Raghuvamsa Sudha. Succinct beats of Madhav’s mridangam embellished this delightful rendering.
It was the segue to the center piece of the Concert – a Thyagaraja Krithi in Bhairavi – Upacharamulanu with dazzling manodharma in Raga Alapana ; elaborate yet exquisitely crafted swara prastharas. Sri Vittal Ramamurthy’s violin adorned Smt. Aruna’s intricate niraval on “Kapata Nataka” with a stunning array of resplendent swaras, leading to the main attraction – the Thani avarthanam of Madhav with well ensconced senior artists – Sri Guruprasad on Ghatam and Sri N Sundar on morsing. The thani was executed with impish rapture – playful yet challenging exchange of rhythmic notes between the mesmerizing percussionists.
Very few singers can bring to life the bhavam (emotion) and bhakti (devotion) of an Abhang like Smt. Aruna. To the uninitiated, Abhangs are the passionate religious hymns of nomadic Marathi saints in praise of Lord Vittal (an incarnation of Vishnu). The anguished tone of one such abhang where Saint Namdev, upon being asked who he is and where is he from and being turned down from singing bhajans (devotional hymns) in front of Nagnath temple in Aundh in present day Maharashtra state of India, goes to the backyard of the temple with his group and sings. His decry – everything is for Vittala – the pilgrimage, his parents, his teachers, everyone is for Vittala.The legend goes that God in order to provide darshan and face his pining devotees is said to have turned the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbha Griha). Teertha Vittala in Hindustani Raag Ahir Bhairav (close to Carnatic Chakravakam) captures the pain of Saint Namdev and Smt. Aruna moves the audience to delirium with her deeply emotional singing with the help of Madhav’s fervor on the mridangam.
This was followed by the popular Anayampatti Aadisesha Iyer’s Enna Kavi Padinalum in Ragam Neelamani, a desperate call to Lord Muruga to pay heed to his invocations and bless him. Of course, it was time for Smt. Aruna’s signature piece , folk style Maadu Meikkum Kanne in Ragam Senchuruti, composed by Oothukadu Venkata Subba Iyer, in which mother Yashoda and her darling little Krishna’s childish harangue over going to the forest to play.
Then, on audience demand, came another Abhang, Baje Mridunga Taal, depicting the frenzied dance during the visarjan (immersion) of the Deity Ganesha into the water at the end of Ganesh Chaturthi festivities. Madhav’s mridangam accompanying the chorus Ganapathy Bappa Morya (proclaiming Ganapathy’s glory) was lilting and brought the audience to their feet. Well played, Madhav.
Finally, the Kalinga Narthana Thillana, also in Gambheera Nattai, composed by Oothukadu Venkata Subba Iyer, depicting Krishna’s cosmic dance on the head of the Kalinga serpent and preventing it from poisoning the Yamuna river – the cadence of the dance is beautifully captured in this rhythmic composition. Krishna’s furious dance steps can be visualized in the energetic performance of Smt. Aruna – matched fiercely by Madhav on his mridangam.
An excellent, heartwarming and particularly pleasing concert had come to an end; yet it was only the beginning of a wondrous musical journey for magnificent Madhav and his majestic Mridangam.
Netflix Inc., the world’s leading internet entertainment service, today announced a new Netflix original series based on the global blockbuster franchise, Baahubali. The two season order, Baahubali: Before the Beginning, will be a prequel to Baahubali: the Beginning and Baahubali: the Conclusion (both of which are currently available on Netflix to audiences around the world). Baahubali: the Conclusiongrossed US$ 270 million at the global gross box office (including US$ 20 million at the US box office), and is the the highest grossing film franchise from India.
Season one of the series will comprise nine episodes and is based on Anand Neelakantan’s book, The Rise of Sivagami. This (prequel) series captures Queen Sivagami’s journey from a rebellious and vengeful girl to a wise and unequalled queen. Power, politics and intrigue find themselves juxtaposed against the rise of Mahishmati – from being a city-state to an empire. This is the rich backdrop and drama where the Baahubali franchise is set. The series promises to build on the incredible narrative style of the franchise – including its high production values, spectacular visuals and connective-epic story-telling.
Netflix has partnered with the ace team behind the Baahubali universe, including Arka Media Works and SS Rajamouli. Deva Katta and Praveen Sataru will together direct the series.
SS Rajamouli, Director said, “The World of Baahubali is extensive and immersive with strong characters and larger than life kingdoms. The films Baahubali -The Beginning and The Conclusion, are from one story set in this world and more dramatic stories were broadly conceived while building the Universe. The Baahubali Series, a prequel to the films, is one such story. I am very excited that this is being adapted as a Netflix Original Series. With Netflix as our partner, we have the opportunity to create a rich and riveting series and take this quintessential Indian epic to the world, which is very gratifying to me as a story-teller.”
Prasad Devineni, Producer, Arka Media Works, said “We have been working for over a year now in developing this story, a prequel to the films as an Netflix original series. We are happy to be partnering with Netflix to produce this amazing story. This partnership gives us the reach and the creative freedom to bring to life the full potential of the series in all its grandeur and exceed the high expectations set by both our films.”
Erik Barmack, VP, International Originals, Netflix, said, “Baahubali is a world-class franchise that epitomizes the power of compelling stories that resonate globally. We are excited to work with some of the world’s most talented writers and producers on one of India’s most beloved stories. The series is a tremendous opportunity for us to give audiences more of the universe that they have come to love, and welcome millions more into the global Baahubali fandom.”
“Netflix is the world’s leading internet entertainment service with 130 million memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.”
Kamal Haasan is clearly committed to his new, parallel career in politics. As we sat down to Vishwaroopam 2, though, we were excited to see Haasan the actor, returning in the role of an undercover agent who fights terror and prejudice with equal force. Sadly, we got a lot of Haasan, the politician, and too little of Wisam Ahmad Kashmiri, his character.
The good news is, Vishwaroopam 2 is an interesting subversion of the spy thriller — no heavy-duty stunts, fancy gadgets, or decorative female sidekick. The bad news? Unlike Vishwaroopam, an edge-of-the-seat thriller, the sequel feels like political propaganda.
There are dialogues that underline that as a politician, Kamal will not stand for corruption or terrorism. He addresses a corrupt official at one point, “If only statesmen had done their job well and maintained a cordial relationship with other countries, we would not have to deal with terrorism today.”
That is not the only ‘political’ statement. As he reprises his role as Wisam Ahmed Kashmiri in the sequel, he also has to deal with prejudice at workplace because of his religion. So, Kamal delivers his political ideology in a dialogue that goes ‘musalmaan hona paap nahi hai’.
The women in the film are accepted for who they are, no questions asked. Andrea as Ashmita is a trained agent and the audience is just expected to accept her. To her credit, the one stunt sequence in which she does feature is superlative. It is a well balanced track that is treated as an agent in the film and not a ‘female’ agent that needs to be either sidelined in the favour of male lead or given gratuitous scenes.
Pooja Kumar plays Wisam’s wife Nirupama, a nuclear oncologist, who cheated on him in the first part but is now gradually falling in love with her husband. While the progression of their relationship is entertaining, Pooja does get melodramatic in the end, which is a jarring note.
Waheeda Rahman as Kamal’s mother in the film is a joy to watch, especially when he is reminiscing about the past. Wisam remembers what his mother was like before she got Alzheimer’s and they are perhaps some of the best scenes from the film. For instance, when he closes his eyes to see himself as a child learning dance from his mother seems to be a nod to Hey Ram song Nee Partha Paarvai.
Rahul Bose’s terrorist Omar also returns to Vishwaroopam 2. The two have an interaction which stands out for its intensity. The play of emotions on the face of Rahul as he realizes that his family was rescued shows how extremism and violence have taken over his whole being.
Despite these moments, Vishwaroopam 2 cannot stand up in front of its fantastic first iteration. Even in terms of narrative and character development, there isn’t much left to do in this universe. There are no secrets to be revealed and no intrigue left to be unraveled. All that Kamal and his team can do is understand the equations of its lead characters closely and that hardly makes for a thrilling film.
The action set pieces also suffer in comparison to Vishwaroopam. If that film had the thrilling sow motion fight sequence, this time Kamal takes upon himself to have close quarter combats over and over again. Brutal and violent, the fights get tiring after a while.
That, however, is not the biggest problem of Vishwaroopam. That indubitably is Kamal directing the film as a director and not filmmaker. We can see the savvy politician Kamal is doing great onscreen. Wisam, unfortunately, is lost in the back ground.
Barack and Michelle Obama hire Priya Swaminathan, a seasoned entertainment executive with a background in documentaries and social activism, to work at the Los Angeles-based Netflix production company. She will team with the Obamas on developing new Hollywood projects, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Swaminathan is the former director of development at Annapurna Pictures. She produced and co-directed Very Young Girls, a 2007 documentary on New York’s teenage prostitutes that aired on Showtime. She formerly worked for Dickhouse Productions. Swaminathan has served as an industry advisor for the Sundance Institute’s FilmTwo Initiative to encourage minority filmmakers. She’s also been recently involved in the Time’s Up Initiative.
In May, Netflix announced that it signed the Obamas to a multiple-year deal to produce films and TV series.
The Obamas will produce a diverse mix of content, including the potential for scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries and features. The Obamas have established Higher Ground Productions as the entity under which they will produce content for Netflix.
“One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life, and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience,” said President Obama. “That’s why Michelle and I are so excited to partner with Netflix – we hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world.”
“Barack and I have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire us, to make us think differently about the world around us, and to help us open our minds and hearts to others,” said the former first lady.
Swaminathan, a filmmaker and the former director of development at Annapurna Pictures, produced and co-directed “Very Young Girls,” a 2007 documentary on New York’s teenage prostitutes that aired on Showtime, and she formerly worked for Dickhouse Productions, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She also worked as an industry advisor for the Sundance Institute’s FilmTwo Initiative, which focuses on encouraging minority filmmakers. A social activist, she’s been closely associated with the Time’s Up Initiative, among others.
As a producer, Swaminathan has worked on a few documentaries like “The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia.” Her resume also includes working as a 3D artist on Bollywood films like “My Name is Khan” and “De Dana Dan.”
Manoj Bajpayee, Rani Mukerji and Sanju were winners at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2018. Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju walked away with the Best Film honour the Westpac IFFM Awards night whereas Manoj Bajpayee won the Best Actor for his yet-to-release Gali Guleiyan. On the other hand, Rani Mukerji was named Best Actress for her performance in Hichki.
Rani, who impressed everyone with her performance in Hichki, walked away with two honours at the IFFM as she was also bestowed an Excellence In Cinema award. Veteran actress Simi Garewal, looking elegant as ever in her trademark pristine white, gave away the honour to Rani, who has been a part of the film industry for over two decades.
Overwhelmed by the honour, Rani thanked her fans world over for loving her and her work through the years. Hirani won the Best Director for Sanju, a biopic on the life of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, while the IFFM Vanguard Award went to actor Ranbir Kapoor for his “breakthrough performance” in bringing alive Sanjay’s tumultuous life journey on-screen. The director said that he is happy with the recognition for the movie and is excited about showcasing the movie at La Trobe University here, with Sanju co-writer Abhijat Joshi and actor Vicky Kaushal.
Vicky won the supporting actor honour for his well-deserved performance as Kamli in Sanju, and Richa Chadha won it too as she won the jury’s heart with her power-packed role as a brothel owner in Love Sonia. The jury members for the fest, launched by Mitu Bhowmick Lange, comprised Simi Garewal, Sue Maslin, Jill Bilcock, Nikkhil Advani and Geoffrey Wright. Wright, known for the Russell Crowe-starrer Romper Stomper, said that he was mighty impressed by the variety that Indian cinema currently has on offer. He said he feels that “perhaps it has gone from recreation to being serious cinema”.
India’s colourful and diverse culture was very much a part of the awards celebration as there were the beats of the dhol, performers dressed in traditional Indian classical attires, Odissi dance, Bhangra and more. Composers Sachin-Jigar added the chutzpah with some of their Bollywood tracks. The inclusion-themed ninth edition of the gala gave a Diversity Award to Freida Pinto, who shot to fame and prominence first with her role in Oscar-winning drama Slumdog Millionaire. In her upcoming film Love Sonia, Freida is seen in a never-seen-before avatar.
Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana Khan is the star kid whose Bollywood entry is the most talked about and anticipated. Shah Rukh Khan’s lovely daughter was recently in news for making it to the cover of the fashion magazine, Vogue, and now reports claim that Bollywood filmmakers are in competition to launch her. From Sanjay Leela Bhansali to Karan Johar, there is a list of makers keen to launch the 18-year-old.
With the confidence, poise and charming persona, Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana Khan is slowly but definitely inching her way to the glamour world. It was just recently that we saw the young girl become the talk of the town for her sizzling photo shoot with a magazine and now grapevine is already abuzz with talks of her impending Bollywood debut.
Bollywood Hungama said in a report quoting a source close to Shah Rukh, “Karan Johar is too obvious a name to do the needful. I think Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri are looking at some other names. As far as I know, almost every major filmmaker in Mumbai from Sanjay Leela Bhansali to Sujoy Ghosh has shown an interest in launching Suhana. She is a natural-born actress. Shabana Azmi saw her in a play and immediately recognised an accomplished actress in the debutante,” the source added.
If reports are anything to go by, Suhana already has top Bollywood directors gunning to launch her in their films. According to reports, although SRK’s close friend and filmmaker Karan Johar is too obvious a choice for the superstar, he and wife Gauri Khan are also considering some other names from Bollywood. Apparently, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Sujoy Ghosh have shown keen in interest in launching Suhana in Bollywood through their films. Well, only time will tell which director will turn mentor for the teenager in her debut film.
Away from all the hubbub, Suhana is enjoying her vacation in Venice like there is no tomorrow. From sitting in gondola with her friend as she enjoyed the view to visiting piercing shops and having coffee at a hep bar, Suhana is just like any other teenager. She loves posing and the video is all about her. She is startled by the pigeons that took off suddenly and was also seen riding a cart in a supermarket like a kid. However, in all of it, we cannot miss that she is a star in the making.
Renowned actor Kamal Haasan, who has recently jumped into politics, will be the Grand Marshal for the 38th India Day Parade, sponsored by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA-NY/NJ/CT).
The parade will be held on Sunday, August 19, at 12 noon, in New York City, starting at the corner of 38th Street and Madison Avenue, to commemorate the 72nd Independence Day of India.
Haasan’s daughter, actress Shruti Haasan, will be the Guest of Honor along with West Indian cricketer Sir Vivian Richards, singers Shibani Kashyap and Mikey Singh.
Bollywood singer Kailash Kher will be the Chief Guest and Chintu Patel, chairman of Amneal Pharmaceuticals, will be the Community Grand Marshal.
The theme of this year’s parade is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, which literally translates to “the world is one family.”
At a curtain raiser event which was held at the Consulate General of India in New York on June 28, president of FIA-NY/NJ/CT, Srujal Parikh had said, “with keeping our theme in mind, we thank UNISEF USA, who will be joining us in this year’s parade to support the Indian American diaspora, community and the world’s children. The FIA team is working very hard to make this the best year ever.”
Kher, Kashyap and Singh will also perform at the cultural program which will be held between 24thand 26th Streets on Madison Avenue. Over 150,000 people are expected to attend this year’s parade, Parikh said. The parade will feature 35 floats and 30 marching contingents as well as dance performances such as Bihu and Lavani showcasing India’s regional diversity, he said.
The all-day celebration also includes food stalls, cultural events and floats by various Indian organizations based in the U.S. In the previous years, actors Arjun Rampal, Abhishek Bachchan, “Baahubali’ actors Rana Daggubati and Tamannaah Bhatia, Sunny Deol and Raveena Tandon have attended the parade.
Actress Deepika Padukone will be joining the world’s biggest superstars at Madame Tussauds, with wax figures in London and Delhi.
The first figure will be launched in London in early 2019, while the Delhi figure will follow a few months later to draw more attention to tourists and fans of the actress, a statement said.
Padukone, the daughter of sports personality Prakash Padukone, made her Bollywood foray with “Om Shanti Om,” beginning a journey that has seen her experience a whole lot of success. Known for her savvy style and versatility seen via films as diverse as “Piku” and “Padmaavat,” Padukone has also done a Hollywood film, “xXx: Return of Xander Cage.”
The team of Madame Tussauds expert artists met Padukone in London for the all-important sitting for her figures, where they took over 200 specific measurements, as well as photographs to create an authentic likeness.
“The sitting with the team of experts was a special experience and I look forward to the incredible figure at the attraction,” the actress said in a statement. “Deepika is an extremely talented actress that Bollywood has seen over the years. Her fan following is huge and is growing across the world. Her beauty has won the hearts of millions across the nation and worldwide,” said Anshul Jain, general manager and director at Merlin Entertainments India Pvt Ltd. “We are thrilled to announce her figure at the Delhi attraction. We are certain that our guests will love to see her wax figure.”
Akshay Kumar (for the third successive year) has made it to Forbes’ ‘World’s 100 Highest-Paid Entertainers’, and ranks 7th in The World’s Highest-Paid Actors 2018 list, while in the overall Entertainers’ list he is in a tie with Scarlett Johansson, securing the 76th spot with earnings of Rs 270 crore ($40.5 million) this year.
Akshay Kumar may not be a household name in the U.S., but the Indian actor banked $32.5 million in the last year–more than Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Johnny Depp. At 48, he is one of Bollywood’s biggest stars and one of the highest-paid actors in the world, ranking 9th on our annual list.
In the first truly global ranking to examine international actor paychecks, Kumar was one of five Indian leading men to join the list. Fellow Bollywood bigwigs Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan ranked at No. 7 with $33.5 million, while Shah Rukh Khan hauled $26 million (No. 18) ahead of Ranbir Kapoor’s $15 million (No. 30).
More than many others, Kumar has a busy filming schedule to thank for his millions as he works on an average of four movies a year. Bollywood’s demand for architectured abs and beefy biceps in its action heroes–no Dad Bods allowed–means Kumar’s exercise regimen remains strict.
Kareena Kapoor Khan has reportedly patched up after some differences with Shah Rukh Khan, and will star opposite him in “Salute,” besides in Karan Johar’s next with Akshay Kumar.
Valentina Corti is cast with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Tannishtha Chaterjee’s directorial debut, with the actor posting a joint photograph from Rome (where he shot for the film) with the words, “Yeh ladki mere rom rom mein hai (This girl is in every part of me)” as a play on the city’s name.
Disha Patani has sprained both her knees while rehearsing for “Bharat” – she plays a trapeze artiste in the film, and has been advised to avoid too much physical activity and is undergoing physiotherapy currently to recover.
Actress Priyanka Chopra, 36, and pop singer Nick Jonas, 25, are engaged after two months of dating, the US media has reported amidst news that the former Miss World has opted out of Bollywood film “Bharat” for a “very special” reason.
“Bharat” director Ali Abbas Zafar announced on Twitter that Priyanka is no longer going to be a part of the Salman Khan-starrer movie, and that the decision came in “the Nick of time”, making a clear pun on her relationship with Jonas.
“Yes, Priyanka Chopra is no more part of ‘Bharat’ and and the reason is very very special, she told us in the Nick of time about her decision and we are very happy for her… Team ‘Bharat’ wishes Priyanka Chopra loads of love and happiness for life,” Zafar tweeted.
While neither Priyanka nor Jonas have made an official announcement, US media widely reported about their engagement. People.com quoted a source as saying the couple got engaged on Priyanka’s 36th birthday on July 18 when the two were in London.
Jonas closed down a Tiffany store in New York City to buy an engagement ring, according to the insider. “They are so happy,” the source told people.com.
A source close to Jonas said the singer is “very, very happy.”
“His friends and family have never seen him like this, and they’re all really excited for him. He’s definitely very serious about her,” the source added. Priyanka and Jonas have been making several appearances together, often walking hand in hand.
Earlier this year, they walked on the Met Gala red carpet, making everyone wonder whether they are dating. At the Met Gala, Priyanka had just laughed off a romance with Jonas, insisting they simply shared an agent and were friends. She had also said they went to the Met Gala together as they were both wearing ensembles by Ralph Lauren.
Later, they walked arm in arm at Jonas’ cousin’s wedding in New Jersey, apart from being seen roaming around on a boat with friends over America’s Memorial Day weekend in May.
Priyanka was photographed cuddling up to him in a group photograph while they attended a Dodgers baseball game in New York together the same month.
Priyanka was also seen celebrating July 4 — the American Independence Day — with Nick’s family, and Nick visited India last month with the “Quantico” actress to meet her friends and family. The couple had also been sporting similar gold rings.
At the 2018 Corporate Insights Summit hosted by Asia Society’s Global Talent Initiatives last week, diversity and inclusion leaders across industries shared their experiences, ideas, and best practices, addressing corporate diversity issues that Asian — and other minorities — are facing today.
At Asia Society Global Talent Initiatives 2018 Corporate Insights Summit, diversity and inclusion leaders across industries shared their experiences, ideas, and best practices, addressing corporate diversity issues that Asian — and other minorities — are facing today.
The two-day conference began with the inaugural Market Place Forum, which featured keynote remarks and case-studies on the power of Asian spend among consumers and investors. Keynote presentations were made by Tom Doctoroff, author and chief cultural insights officer at Prophet, kicked the day off with an engaging presentation on the Chinese consumer needs and how they differ from other parts of Asia and the West, and Vivek Sankaran, president and COO of Frito-Lay North America, who discussed how an American brand found its place globally by leaning on diversity. Attendees also heard from panelists that have successfully led strategy that has tapped into the lucrative Asian and Asian-American spending power. Speakers included Daphne Kwok, vice president of multicultural leadership, Asian American & Pacific Islander audience strategy at AARP, Jeff Lin, co-founder of Admerasia, Niharika Shah, vice president of global marketing communications at Prudential, Ada Lien, senior vice president of marketing at La Mer, Emad Bibawi, risk consulting partner and advisory office leader at KPMG, and Katy Chen, director of global sales strategy at Tiffany & Company.
The day was capped off by the 9th Annual Best Employer Awards Dinner, which recognized companies empowering Asian talent.
On the second day of the Corporate Insights Summit Josette Sheeran, Lulu & Anthony Wang president and CEO of Asia Society, Priya Dogra, senior vice president of mergers and acquisitions at WarnerMedia, and Ramy Inocencio, Bloomberg Television anchor and forum emcee, kicked off the Diversity Leadership Forum with opening remarks.
Uber Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Bo Young Lee gave the day’s keynote lecture, discussing her own experiences in the past navigating the corporate world as an Asian American woman, as well as the work she is currently doing at the ride-sharing company. Following the keynote, attendees participated in several breakout sessions for more candid and focused discussions on diversity subjects like recognizing unconscious bias, creating workplace culture to enable the advancement of Asian women, using cultural competency to grow U.S. market share, increasing impact through business resource groups, and showcasing strategic initiatives that have proven to attract and retain Asian talent.
The day concluded with a final panel on how leadership on the subject of diversity plays an important role in driving innovation. Panelists included Janet Pien Roller, senior director of CX innovation at Marriott International, Umran Beba, global diversity engagement and talent officer at PepsiCo, and Ann Anaya, chief diversity officer of human resources at 3M.
Three cricket matches are to be hosted by the Jamaica Tallawahs in August at Central Broward Regional Park in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the same stadium where India played the West Indies two years ago.
As a part of the ‘Biggest Party in Sport,’ the Hero Caribbean Premiere League, the Tallawahs will be against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Saturday, August 18, the Trinbago Knight Riders on Sunday, August 19 and the Barbados Tridents on Wednesday, August 22.
The Tallawahs are led by T20 superman Andre Russell who was a standout player for the Kolkota Knight Riders, making 316 runs and 13 wickets
Pakistani cricket player Shahid Afridi will play cricket for the first time in the U.S. and he will be accompanied by New Zealand’s Ross Taylor, Florida-born Steven Taylor, USA bowler Elmore Hutchinson, David Miller, Samuel Badree and Imad Wasim.
The Warriors team includes former Indian under 19 World Cup and American College Cricket pace bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, a new addition who is known for his tight control and swing and will be a bowler to watch in the CPL this year, along with Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Malik, Devendra Bishoo, Jason Mohammed, Rayad Emrit, Luke Ronchi and Imran Tahir.
The Trinbago Knight Riders include Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Brendan McCullum, Darren Bravo and Dinesh Ramdin, and the Barbados Tridents include Martin Guptil, Shakib al Hassan, Hashim Amla, Dwayne Smith, Nicholas Pooran, Wahab Riaz and Shai Hope.
Tickets are available at Tallawahs.com, Bookmyshow.com or CPLT20.com
“Let’s go over my plan, shall we?”, said Mindy Kaling into my ear. I was halfway into her second audiobook, “Why Not Me?”, and Ms. Kaling was describing her expectations for the show she was developing.
“My natural assumption was that NBC would put my new show on the air as part of a revitalized ‘Must See TV’ and make 200 classic episodes — no lazy clip shows — finishing with a 90-minute finale that everyone agreed was a sweet and satisfying send-off,” she said. “I would emerge from the show’s legacy as a modern version of Larry David and Mary Tyler Moore, retiring to a tasteful mega-compound on Martha’s Vineyard, where I would write plays and drink wine with Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen at least several times a week.”
The only thing her elaborate daydream didn’t prepare her for? “The slightest setback.”
Ms. Kaling’s books, “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns),” released in 2011, and “Why Not Me?” from 2015, aren’t self-help, but her anecdotes and advice helped ease much of my anxiety as a young professional woman of color.
“Confidence is just entitlement,” said Mindy Kaling in her memoir, “Why Not Me?”CreditKendrick Brinson for The New York Times
“Is Everyone Hanging Out” came out while Ms. Kaling was still playing Kelly Kapoor on “The Office” and includes reflections on her childhood and her early 20s, when she was still living in New York, trying to break into television. “Why Not Me?” is more emotionally candid; Ms. Kaling laments that, in her 30s, she often goes to weddings, which she hates (“when you are a bridesmaid, you are required to be a literal maid for the duration of the wedding”), just to see her friends. In another chapter, she explains her “weird as hell” relationship with B.J. Novak; “B.J. and I are soup snakes,” she said, an “Office” reference to a gaffe by Michael Scott, who misreads “soul mates” in his handwritten note to his love interest, Holly.
I’m also a consummate daydreamer. Just last week, I had one good idea, a snippet of dialogue that I might build a short story around, and my mind spiraled: I flash-forwarded a very realistic two years; my yet-unwritten debut novel had been published to critical and commercial success. The book was optioned for television, and I’d moved to Santa Monica, to an oceanfront apartment with a balcony, where I did all my writing. How I could afford this luxury did not come up.
Real-life trajectories are rarely as neat as the ones you map in your head. NBC, which aired “The Office” and had long been Ms. Kaling’s dream network, passed on her project. “It’s weird when you feel your dream slipping away from you,” said Ms. Kaling, adding the quip, “Especially when you have no other dreams.” Listen to a Sample of Mindy Kaling’s “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)”
When I started applying for jobs, I landed an interview at my dream magazine. For the first time, I was confident in my edit test, because I knew the publication, which caters to a diverse demographic, would see value in my ideas. After meeting with the editors, I was convinced I’d get the job; even more, I thought it was the only job in media I might have a chance of getting. But they didn’t hire me. I had a fixed view of my career, so the deviation felt like a setback.
I ended up at Glamour; Ms. Kaling’s show, on Fox, and later in “Why Not Me?”, after experiencing the whiplash of seeing “The Mindy Project” canceled and immediately picked up by Hulu, Ms. Kaling emphasized the importance of adaptability. She said that’s all show business was: “transitioning panics,” from losing a job to having more work than you can handle; from being afraid your dreams won’t come true to realizing they’ve changed.
In “Why Not Me?”, Ms. Kaling also addressed ambition and her conflicting feelings about wanting to leave “The Office.” “I had a dream job; was I ungrateful to wonder what more there might be for me? Or complacent if I didn’t?”, she asked. “And who was I to try to seek anything better?”
Ms. Kaling joked that she was finally experiencing “white people problems,” because of the privileged position she was in, but her feelings echo the struggle of many women of color in all-white spaces: to convince themselves they’re worthy of their dreams when their environment and society says otherwise. I struggle with this, too, and a recent study found that for people of color, the effects of impostor syndrome — feeling like a fraud in your field despite high achievement — are compounded with discrimination or a lack of representation in the workplace. These factors combined cause higher levels of anxiety and “discrimination-related depression.”
Ms. Kaling advises on dealing with impostor syndrome in the last chapter of “Why Not Me?” She recalls a Q. and A. in Manhattan a year earlier, when a young Indian girl asked her where she gets her confidence from and Ms. Kaling gave a lackluster reply. She reconsiders here, for the sake of “that girl who went out of her way to be vulnerable in front of so many people.”
“Confidence is just entitlement,” she said, adding that, though the word has gotten a bad rap, “Entitlement is simply the belief that you deserve something.” Ms. Kaling’s advice is to earn your confidence by studying your craft and working hard; “I’m usually hyper-prepared for whatever I set my mind to do,” she said, “which makes me feel deserving of attention and professional success.”
But what about the mental barriers to the work itself? I often find myself stuck in a failure loop, my mind sprinting laps around a story, a problem or an idea, to the point of exhaustion. I convince myself a story isn’t good enough before I even start it and am often preoccupied with questions of acceptance, representation and inadequacy. Is the only way to expel that feeling really just to work through it, as Ms. Kaling suggests?
Though in the introduction of “Is Everyone Hanging Out,” Ms. Kaling said she is only “marginally qualified to give advice,” I disagree. It was fun listening to her precipitate the events of her life in her essays. In “Is Everyone Hanging Out” she mentions the Ocean’s franchise when listing movies she’d like to reboot; she co-stars in the women-led version of “Ocean’s 8,” in theaters now. In “Why Not Me?”, she said that she hopes her next book will be about starting a family, as well as her “awesome movie career.” She now has a daughter, Katherine.
Her books teach, in a nutshell, that “it’s cool to want more,” and have helped me stop questioning whether the life I envision for myself is too improbable or far away. Her life is proof that I just might get there. Concepción de León is the digital staff writer for the Books desk at The Times. aSelf-Helped is a monthly column devoted to the books that have changed the way we live.
As a 7-year-old living in a small town near the border of Washington state and Canada, there was no dance studio to join. So she taught herself from DVDs.
At 12, her family moved to a town big enough to offer three dance studios. She persuaded her mom to enroll her at all three. And that’s when the trouble started.
Shree Saini
First came the discovery of a heart problem, followed by surgery to fix it. Then came the teasing. The bullying. The shunning.
It was enough to break anyone’s spirit. Except Shree loved dancing too much. If anything, the physical challenges and social pressures fueled her – all the way to the Joffrey Ballet and beyond, including winning the title of Miss India USA.
For this, the biggest performance of her life, Shree choreographed it around her life. It began with a heartbeat and shifted to a song featuring the hook: “You shoot me down, but I won’t fall. I am titanium.” It culminated with her receiving the crown and sash.
Since earning the title in December, Shree has used her platform to spread her story of perseverance, tolerance and heart health. The stakes go up this December when she competes for Miss India World.
I’ll be rooting for her. Once you learn the rest of her tale, I’m sure you will be, too.
***
In the early 2000s, Sanjay and Ekta Saini were living in Punjab, India, with two kids and several thriving businesses. Then Sanjay’s father died, and he decided to do something different. Very different.
He moved the family to the United States. After starting on the East Coast, he wound up owning a gas station in Colville, Washington, a town of about 4,500 in the northeastern part of the state.
Dancing was a solo pursuit for Shree. Through school, she joined team sports: softball, basketball and cross country.
Running seemed like a great outlet for her boundless energy. Yet she finished last in every race. Her parents bought a treadmill and she ran five miles nearly every day. She still finished last.
***
Shree Saini and her parents, Sanjay and Ekta.
The summer before Shree entered seventh grade, the Sainis bought a truck stop in Moses Lake, Washington, and moved there. With more than 20,000 people, it was a metropolis compared to Colville.
Shree’s new hometown boasted a ballet academy and two other dance studios. Now she could take classes in jazz, ballet, hip-hop, clogging and more.
All the studios required a physical exam. That’s how she learned her heart was beating only 20 times per minute. A normal heart rate for someone ages 6 to 15 is 70 to 100 beats per minute.
“You need to have surgery – now!” said the doctor, astounded that the girl was so active with such a slow heart rate.
Shree went home with a heart monitor. It showed that she sometimes went five seconds between heartbeats, long enough to cause many people to pass out.
Now Shree understood why she couldn’t keep up in cross country. Her grandmother in India, however, couldn’t believe that this girl “so full of light and joy” could have a heart problem. Nobody on either side of the family had heart problems.
At her grandma’s insistence, Shree went to India for tests from the country’s top cardiologists. They agreed with the folks in Moses Lake: Shree needed a pacemaker.
***
Shree smiles as she recovers following her pacemaker implantation.
On the day in June 2009 that her new peers performed a recital, Shree underwent a procedure to implant the device.
She came away with a scar on her chest and her left arm in a cast. She wasn’t allowed to raise the arm for several weeks for fear of jarring the device and the leads threaded into her heart.
Because of this fragility, doctors encouraged Shree to give up dancing.
Not a chance. Her parents didn’t bother trying to persuade her otherwise.
“They knew I would find a way to dance again, with my pacemaker,” she said.
***
Seventh grade is an emotional roller coaster for everyone. Shree went into it as the new girl with the scar and the cast and the different name and a heritage foreign to classmates in the town named after a Native American leader from the 1800s.
“You’re Indian?” kids said. “What tribe?”
“No, not that kind of Indian,” she said. “The country in Asia.”
Finally dancing with a heart that pumped at a normal rate, her talent blossomed. She advanced three levels in a single year.
So now the outsider was threatening the established pecking order.
Girls rolled their eyes at her. Sometimes they’d talk about Shree loud enough for her to hear them.
“Sometimes they’d do it right in front of me!” she said.
The social poison infected some instructors, she said. Fearing backlash from other parents, they refused to give her private lessons.
So Shree taught herself.
She watched videos of ballet moves like fouette (French for “whipped turn”) and middle leap, slowing the replays to break down each nuance. Working alone, she challenged herself with inner dialogue such as: “Can’t do more than three turns in a row? Now see if you can do six.”
***
Shree Saini speaking with Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar of India.
The better Shree became, the more vicious the bullying.
For years, she left the studio crying. While the tears soaked the feelings of energy and freedom that dancing gave her, they couldn’t douse the flame.
“When life gives you those tests, you can either grow up or fall down into a pattern of bitterness and anger,” she said. “I knew what I stood for. I had my moral values.”
Those values were forged by her parents and bolstered by stories she read of people such as Nelson Mandela.
“While he was jailed, he wanted to go to his son’s funeral, but the jailer didn’t allow him to go. When he was free, he invited that exact same jailer to his presidential inauguration,” Shree said. “So he taught me the value of forgiveness, of kindness, of choosing love over hate.”
It worked.
Her former tormentors are now her fans. Via social media, she’s received their congratulations – and apologies.
***
After high school, Shree took a gap year. That’s when she worked with the Joffrey Ballet.
She also volunteered with a project fighting human trafficking in Nepal, studied acting at Yale, and took classes at Harvard and Stanford. She’s now a full-time student at the University of Washington.
Along the way, she began entering pageants, climbing the ladder from Miss India Washington to the national title, beating 51 other contestants.
In the first six months of her reign, she participated in more than 50 events across 10 states and four countries. Her Facebook feed is filled with pictures of her alongside Miss World, Miss USA, televangelist Joel Osteen, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Bill Gates’ mom and more. Now she’s sharing her story on behalf of my organization, the American Heart Association.
It’s a hectic pace for anyone, much less someone who’s overcome a congenital heart defect. Shree sees a cardiologist regularly and knows she may need new batteries in her pacemaker in the next year or two.
“I don’t want to think of my pacemaker as a disability – ever,” she said. “It gives me the ability to do everything I love doing. It makes me even more grateful that I’m able to dance.”
The French national soccer team was crowned world champions after defeating an underdog Croatian team 4-2 in the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday, July 15th, capturing its second World Cup title and its first since it hosted the 1998 tournament 20 years ago. For the second time, France is champion of the world, and for the first time, this team has its own place in history.
In a match that featured anything you could have ever imagined, a self goal, a goalkeeper gaffe, pitch invaders and a teenager wunderkind finding the back of the net, France rolled to a convincing 4-1 lead and managed to hold on to earn its second star.
Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps was the captain in 1998 when his team shocked Brazil in Paris, and he became the third to ever win the World Cup as a player and coach. Deschamps is just the third person to win the World Cup as a player and as a coach. Kylian Mbappé is only the second teenager to score in the final, after Pelé. They have etched their names among the greats.
The most watched sports game ended in the victory that France deserved. Not, necessarily, for what it did here in Moscow. As both Dejan Lovren and Luka Modric observed, Croatia could rightly regard itself as the better team. No, France’s victory was warranted for what it had done over the last month. Or, more precisely, for what it had not done.
As the New York Times reported, Deschamps’s team has been exceptional in Russia in more ways than one. Everyone else here seemed determined to make this World Cup as nerve-shredding and logic-defying as possible. Germany fell first to Mexico and then to South Korea. Argentina and Portugal, and Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, limped on a little longer, and then melted away, too. Spain and Brazil slipped to Russia and to Belgium. This was a World Cup that first defied expectation and then prediction, a glorious mayhem, a month that captivated the planet with its volatility and its caprice.
Croatia, regarded by most as underdogs, had the ball, had the initiative. Twice in the first half, France took the lead, but it was not entirely clear how: It had not created a single chance. Instead, it benefited from a self goal — Griezmann’s free kick skimming Mario Mandzukic’s head — and, after Ivan Perisic’s equalizer, a penalty, awarded by Néstor Pitana, the Argentine referee, for a hand ball by Perisic after several consultations both with the video referee and a video screen.
Croatia did all it could to be the exception. It scrapped and it clawed to stay in contention; it played with the intensity of a team that knew this chance would not come again.
No team has contributed more to this World Cup than Modric — deservedly awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player — and his teammates; after three games that extended to extra time, they arrived in the final having played 90 minutes, an entire match’s worth, more than the French, so arduous has been their path. Croatia’s Luka Modric was named the tournament’s best player.
There was more to come, as it turned out. In those six minutes, Pogba and Mbappé scored; in those six minutes, France hit a rhythm Croatia could not bear; in those six minutes, France took the game, and the crown, beyond its opponents. Those six minutes spoke volumes for the measure of French superiority over the past six weeks: a team so potent that it does not need to play well for sustained periods, so rich in talent that it only has to shine briefly to shine impossibly brightly, so good that it can do in flashes, in seconds, what others might need an hour and half to do. It is a team of blinding light.
France is the world champion because it can shine brighter than anyone else, even if it only needs to do so for a moment. Because it came to win games and would worry later about hearts. Because it never lost control: of itself, of its opponents, of its destiny. They celebrated at the final whistle, of course, their 4-2 victory over Croatia confirmed: Hugo Lloris led his teammates in an Icelandic thunderclap.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, was cutting loose — leaping to his feet, punching the air. Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, presented France’s players with the trophy that they had craved for so long, that their country and their heroes last held 20 years ago, that all of the emotion, constrained from the moment they arrived in Russia, came rushing out in waves.
Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (http://www.fetna.org) an umbrella organization of more than 50 Tamil associations across North America held between June 29th – July 1st at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, TX, focused onHeritage, Youth & Women.
“The focus of the convention was multifold, and it also included an exclusive one-day entrepreneur conference and two days of Tamil heritage programs,” said Sriram Krishnan, one of the organizers. An estimated 5,000 people from all over the U.S. and some from abroad gathered in Frisco, Texas to reconnect to their roots, their culture and their tradition during the 31st National Tamil Convention.
The convention, among other things, celebrated the culmination of global efforts to raise US$ 6 MM to setup a Tamil Chair at Harvard University. Tamil language is one of the oldest classical languages of the world and the only Indian language to be recognized as an official and/or minority language in countries like Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Canada, Mauritius and South Africa. The founders and directors of Harvard Tamil Chair as well as several key volunteers were recognized. The 2018 convention also witnessed the resurrection of youth competitions and introduction of several new competitions.
The convention also celebrated the 120th birthday of Thilliayadi Valliammai, the first woman from the Indian diaspora who worked with Mahatma Gandhi and gave her life for liberty and freedom in South Africa. It also celebrated Than Thai Selva, a Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer and politician who is considered a father figure among Sri Lankan Tamils.
The entrepreneur and business conference comprised of a Tamil Entrepreneurship Forum (TEF) that was attended by about 1,200 people. As many as 30 world-class business leaders, CIOs, social entrepreneurs and community leaders spoke at the daylong event. It was keynoted by C.K. Kumaravel, the founder of Naturals, one of India’s top hair and beauty salons. Kumaravel shared with the audience how his venture into uncharted territory led to success. Other speakers included Senthamarai Prabhakar, president of the Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America; Lakshmanan Chidambaram, president of Tech Mahindra’s Americas Strategic Verticals; Muru Murugappan CIO of BNSF, a Berkshire Hathaway Company; Ganesh Radhakrishnan CEO of Wharfedale Technologies; Prashanth Ram, founder and CTO of Gold Coast IT Solutions, and Latha Pandiarajan, cofounder of MaFoi Consultants.
Arul Murugan of 11-11 Ventures awarded $5,000 in prize money to the winners of TEF Junior, a VC pitch contest for students 16 and younger. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthy (D-Ill.) delivered the closing address of the business conference, urging greater involvement in civic matters.
Lena Kannappan, COO and head of Cloud IAM business for 8KMiles, announced the launching of the Dallas Chapter of American Tamil Entrepreneurs Association (ATEA). A serial entrepreneur with 24 years of software industry experience, Kannappan was instrumental in starting the TEF talk in such gatherings a few years ago to promote entrepreneurship spirit among Tamil entrepreneurs and to inspire the young generation.
One of the highlights of the convention was the recreation of the Thanjavur Brihadeeshwara Temple, constructed some 1,000 years ago by one of the greatest emperors of India, Raja Cholan. The location is a UNESCO heritage site. Several hundred volunteers worked for nearly nine months to recreate the temple that was the center of attraction at the convention.
The festivities included motivational speeches and discourses including one from the chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology, G. Viswanathan. A global Tamil hour program included participation by Tamil scholars. It also had performances by Narthagi Natarajan, award-winning play troupe Manal Magudi and Tamil Isai by Sanjay Subrahmanyan.
The convention was conducted under the auspices of Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (FeTNA) and organized by Metroplex Tamil Sangam, Dallas which celebrated its 50th year. The cultural programs at the convention included Mangala Isai, the traditional
Nadaswara performance, followed by Tamil Thai Vazhthu, American National Anthem and a mega Broadway style dance recital by nearly 150 children, trained under renowned Bharatanatyam exponent Narthagi Natarajan. There were also performances involving traditional Tamil art forms – Pambai, Parai, Silambam, Karagam, Gummi – and a discussion on Tamil heritage. There was also a light music performance by singer Karthik, drummer Sivamani and Shaktisree Gopalan.
Nearly 40 parallel sessions were held on a wide range of topics,including Thurumular Pranayama, art workshops, a science fair, continuing medical education and medical symposium, and Tamil Isai, a movement that promotes pure form of ancient Tamil music.
Just over seven decades after the declaration of India’s independence in 1947 and the emergence of a modern art movement in India, Asia Society presents a landmark exhibition of more than 80 works by members of the Progressive Artists’ Group, which formed in Bombay, now known as Mumbai, in the aftermath of independence. The Progressive Revolution: Modern Art for a New India examines the founding ideology of the Progressives and explores the ways in which artists from different social, cultural, and religious backgrounds found common cause at a time of massive political and social upheaval.
Though the group disbanded in 1956, the ideas and discussions of its members continued to animate and give visual expression to India’s modern identity, with many of the Group’s artists creating their most iconic works after this period. Works in the exhibition—primarily oil paintings from the 1940s to 1990s—underscore how these artists gave visual form to the idea of India as secular, diverse, international, and united. Like their counterparts in the West, India’s modern masters mined multiple sources of inspiration including the subcontinent and Asia, as well as the wider world. They forged their own distinctive styles that were international in outlook while resonating with Indian sensibilities.
The exhibition is organized by guest curator Dr. Zehra Jumabhoy, Associate Lecturer, The Courtauld Institute of Art, London and Boon Hui Tan, Vice President for Global Arts and Cultural Programs and Director of Asia Society Museum in New York. A fully illustrated catalogue featuring essays by leading scholars of Indian art and modern history accompanies the exhibition.
“The works in this exhibition reflect the diversity of Asian modernities, which are not a mirror of the Euro-American experience,” says Boon Hui Tan. “Art was also a way for the Progressive Artists’ Group to validate and celebrate a new secular republic that emerged from a rich, multi-religious tradition in ways that remain relevant today. Asia Society is pleased to present the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of the Progressives undertaken in the United States in recent decades.”
“The Progressives’ Artist Group have come to be seen as the ‘quintessential Indian Moderns,’” notes Zehra Jumabhoy. “They came from all walks of life: rich, poor, Dalits, Muslims, Brahmins, Roman Catholics. They genuinely embodied Indian Prime Minister Nehru’s dream of unity in diversity and his version of an ‘Indian secularism’ that was multi-religious and inclusive. Given the political climate in both India and the U.S. today, I think this principle of tolerance – part and parcel of the Group’s DNA – is vital to rekindle.”
The exhibition comprises important and visually arresting works from the Group’s core founders—K. H. Ara, S. K. Bakre, H. A. Gade, M. F. Husain, S. H. Raza, and F. N. Souza—as well as later members and those closely affiliated with the movement: V. S. Gaitonde, Krishen Khanna, Ram Kumar, Tyeb Mehta, Akbar Padamsee, and Mohan Samant. A selection of masterpieces of South Asian and East Asian art, including works from the Asia Society Museum Collection—Rajput miniatures, a sandstone figure, two Chola bronzes, and a Japanese landscape hanging scroll—is also included to show how the Progressives were inspired by South Asian and East Asian iconography and traditional forms in the creation of a new visual language for a new Indian nation.
The exhibition is organized into three major sections plotting the artistic development of the Group’s celebrated artists. The first section, “Progressives in Their Time,” considers the Group’s origins and early formation, and the context in which the artists were working. A section titled “National/International” examines the Progressives’ use of multiple sources of inspiration, including India’s high art and folk traditions, and ways that they borrowed from a range of styles to create a distinct mode of expression. The third section of the exhibition, “Masters of the Game,” comprises some of the artists’ most iconic works created after the Group dissolved in the 1950s and its most prominent members had traveled to foreign lands.
The exhibition includes rarely seen historic works from the first and earliest shows of the Progressives. Other highlights include two paintings from M. F. Husain and F. N. Souza that were exhibited in the first exhibition of the Progressives in 1949, and a painting by S. H. Raza that was included in the seminal exhibition Trends in Contemporary Painting from India. The exhibition traveled to institutions and galleries throughout the United States between March 1959 and March 1960 as one of the largest presentations of modern Indian painting in this country. Also included is a large-scale crucifixion painting by F. N. Souza that has not been shown in more than six decades.
In conjunction with the exhibition, Asia Society presents a special season of public programs exploring India’s dynamic past, present, and future through performance, film, literature, design, and cuisine. For more information, visit AsiaSociety.org/NY.
Major support is provided by Amita and Purnendu Chatterjee, Blanca and Sunil Hirani, Sangita Jindal, Sheryl and Chip Kaye, and Sana H. Sabbagh. Generous support is provided by The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Rajiv and Payal Chaudhri, Kent and Marguerite Charugundla, The Darashaw Foundation, Sonny and Michelle Kalsi, Indra and Raj Nooyi, and The Rajadhyaksha Family.
Additional support is from Jon Friedland and Shaiza Rizavi; Peter Louis, Chandru Ramchandani, and Lal Dalamal; The Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation; and Kelly and Sundaram Tagore.
Founded in 1956, Asia Society is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational institution based in New York with state-of-the-art cultural centers and gallery spaces in Hong Kong and Houston, and offices in Los Angeles, Manila, Mumbai, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo, Washington, D.C., and Zurich.
Asia Society Museum is located at 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street), New York City. The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and Friday 11 A.M. to 9 P.M. (mid-September through June). Closed on Mondays and major holidays. General admission is $12, seniors $10, students $7; and free for members and persons under 16. Find out more at AsiaSociety.org/NY and @AsiaSocietyNY.
Weeks after being pardoned by President Donald Trump, Dinesh D’Souza is unveiling the trailer for his latest movie. Quality Flix opens the conservative’s latest documentary film, Death of a Nation, in 1,000 theaters on Aug. 3.
The film likens Abraham Lincoln to Donald Trump — saying that the situations they found themselves in as U.S. presidents are very similar, according to the filmmaker.
“Lincoln was elected to unite a country and stop slavery. Democrats smeared him; went to war against him; assassinated him. Now, their target is Trump,” D’Souza intones at the top of the trailer before announcing the movie is produced by Gerald Molen, the Oscar-winning producer of Schindler’s List and Jurassic Park.
D’Souza’s first three films, 2016: Obama’s America; America: Imagine a World Without Her; and Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party, were huge hits as far as documentaries go.
They were also very controversial, and D’Souza’s newest effort promises to be doubly so, considering its favorable treatment of Trump comes on the heels of a presidential pardon for the filmmaker, who was on probation for using straw donors to give more to a friend’s campaign for U.S. senator than the law allows.
Snippets seen in the two-minute trailer above include actor Pavel Kriz as Adolf Hitler in scenes filmed at Zeppelin Field where Nazi rallies took place eight decades ago, plus reenactments of the Civil War and of slaves being unmercifully beaten.
“Lincoln saved America the first time. It’s now up to us to save it a second time,” he says at the trailer’s end.
“The primary theme of the movie is racism and fascism,” D’Souza tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Look at the timeliness of this with the immigration debate, where Trump is being called a ‘Nazi,’ ‘fascist’ and ‘racist.’ This tells me that people don’t have a clue, not only about the history of fascism and racism, but where it exists today.”
D’Souza was convicted in 2014 on campaign finance fraud charges and sentenced to five years’ probation. Former Indian American U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara led the investigation into D’Souza, who was charged with using straw donors to illegally funnel $20,000 to the 2012 U.S. Senate campaign for New York Republican Wendy Long. President Trump pardoned the high-profile Indian American May 31. (Read earlier India-West story here.)
According to the film’s official description, “Death of a Nation” cuts through “progressive big lies to expose hidden history and explosive truths through stunning historical recreations and a searching examination of fascism and white supremacy.”
The trailer shows an actor portraying Adolf Hitler, reenactments of Nazi rallies, and Civil War, showing black slaves being mistreated by white men. “A nation dies when its people are not free,” D’Souza adds.
Actress Priyanka Chopra is the ‘hottest woman on the planet,’ according to Maxim India. For the fifth year in a row, the magazine has named the “Quantico” star on its ‘Hot 100’ list.
In the caption introducing their cover featuring Chopra, Maxim India writes that she has “the talent, she’s got the brains and she’s definitely got the looks – is it any surprise that after millions of fans showed their support, @priyankachopra is back to top the 2018 Maxim India Hot 100 list and grace the cover for a record-breaking fifth time? Welcome back, PC.”
Dressed in an all-white bodysuit that’s covered in a sheer pantsuit and a messy bun to go with it, Chopra looks smoking hot. In a prelude to their cover story, Maxim India adds: “She’s more than the Indian abroad, more than our girl in Hollywood, more than one of India’s biggest stars. Who is she? Find out in our Special Hot 100 issue.”
The 34-year-old has been in the headlines lately because of her blossoming romance with singer Nick Jonas. The two were recently spotted celebrating the Fourth of July in New York, with Jonas’ family. While her ABC thriller, “Quantico,” is in its last season, she is getting ready to reunite with Salman Khan in “Bharat,” a collaboration fans are anxiously waiting for.
Chopra has been roped in director-writer Shonali Bose’s next titled “The Sky Is Pink” and has already started prepping for the Hindi film. Priyanka on July 8 night shared a photograph of the film’s draft on her Instagram stories. The draft also mentioned that the film is written by Bose.
She captioned it: “And it begins… Prep. Hindi movie.” The “Mary Kom” actress later posted a photograph of herself in a car enjoying looking at the Mumbai rains. “The Sky Is Pink'” reportedly revolves around Aisha Chaudhary, who became a motivational speaker after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis at the age of 13. Bose has previously directed films like “Amu” and “Margarita with a Straw.” She even produced the 2012 film “Chittagong.”
(Columbus, OH; July 4th, 2018): The 36th annual edition of the AAPI Annual Convention& Scientific Assembly began here at Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH on July 4th, 2018 with the much anticipated AAPI’s Got Talent contest. Music, dance, magic, drama, poetry and more. The hidden and often unappreciated side of the physicians were showcased during a competition that was a treat to all the nearly 1,500 participants who enjoyed every moment of the event.
“AAPI’s Got Talent, organized by the AAPI physicians, is a chance for all registered guests of the convention to participate and compete in a talent show,” said Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI. “Physicians are not just about books and work. Our stress, our emotions that we learn to conceal, our tendency to imbibe life’s lessons and take it all as it comes is often channeled into artistic outlets where we let it all flow. In this hour-long competition brought out our artistic and creative side of our members,” Dr. Samadder added.
“AAPI’s Got Talent, organized by the AAPI physicians, is a chance for all registered guests of the convention to participate and compete in a talent show,” declared Dr. Naresh Parikh, President-Elect of AAPI, along with Dr. Samadder and the whole host of AAPIL leadership and organizing committee members, danced on stage to favorite Bollywood tunes before an enthusiastic audience. “It provided a chance for all registered guests of the convention to participate and compete in a talent show. Our talent event tagline is true to its word – passion truly meets professionalism in this event!” Dr. Parikh added.
Shree Saini, Miss India USA, made a special appearance at the event. Describing her experiences as the prestigious title winner as an opportunity for a year and beyond for “committed services to humanity.” The contest was elegantly emceed by Dr. Amit Chakrabarthy and Dr. Seema Arora. The evening culminated with a breathtaking musical extravaganza by world renowned artists, Palak and Palash.
On the 2nd day of the convention, an AAPI Pageant, organized and supported by AAPI is “more than just a title. It’s a movement for empowering women from all walks of life to achieve their dreams. This pageant promotes self-confidence, leadership, poise and public speaking skills as well as the strong presence of beautiful women in our community!” said Dr. John Johnson, Chair of the Convention Organizing Committee.
The 2018 AAPI Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly offers an exciting venue to interact with leading physicians, health professionals, academicians, and scientists of Indian origin. Physicians and healthcare professionals from across the country will convene and participate in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, to develop health policy agendas, and to encourage legislative priorities in the coming year. The AAPI convention will also offer 12 hours of CME credits. Scientific presentations, exhibits, and product theater presentations will highlight the newest advances in patient care, medical technology, and practice management issues across multiple medical specialties.
The convention will be addressed by senior world leaders, including US Senators, Nobel Lauretes, Governors, Congressmen, and celebrities from the Hollywood and Bollywood world.
World Leader and Humanitarian Sri Sri Ravishankar will be one of the keynote speakers at AAPI Convention. He will participate in Q & A session for Physician wellness program as well.
“Many of the physicians who will attend this convention have excelled in different specialties and subspecialties and occupy high positions as faculty members of medical schools, heads of departments, and executives of hospital staff. The AAPI Convention offers an opportunity to meet directly with these physicians who are leaders in their fields and play an integral part in the decision-making process regarding new products and services,” Dr. Ashok Jain, Chair of AAPI’s BOT, said.
In addition to the exhibition hall featuring large exhibit booth spaces in which the healthcare industry will have the opportunity to engage, inform and educate the physicians directly through one on one, hands on product demonstrations and discussions, there will be focused group and specialty Product Theater, Interactive Medical Device Trade Show, and special exhibition area for new innovations by young physicians.
“AAPI members represent a variety of important medical specialties. Sponsors will be able to take advantage of the many sponsorship packages at the 36th annual convention, creating high-powered exposure to the highly coveted demographic of AAPI‘s membership,” Dr. Suresh Reddy, Vice President of AAPI, said.
Representing the interests of the over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin, leaders of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic organization of physicians, for 36 years, AAPI Convention has provided a venue for medical education programs and symposia with world renowned physicians on the cutting edge of medicine.
“Physicians and healthcare professionals from across the country and internationally have convened and are participating in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, to develop health policy agendas, and to encourage legislative priorities in the coming year. We are happy to have you all in Columbus, Ohio!” said Dr. Gautam Samadder.
One in seven patient encounters in the United States is with a physician of Indian origin. The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) is the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, representing over 100,000 physicians of Indian Origin in the United States. Over 2,000 physicians, health professionals, academicians and scientists of Indian origin. Over 15,00 physicians and their families of Indian origin from across the United States have come together at the popular Convention Center, Columbus, OH from July 4-8, 2018. For more details, please visit: www.aapiconvention.org and www.aapiusa.org
Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan and late veteran actress Sridevi were named the Best Actors at the 19th edition of the IIFA Awards, for their remarkable work in films “Hindi Medium” and “Mom”, respectively. The award function also honored late actors Vinod Khanna, Shashi Kapoor and Sridevi. Veteran actor Anupam Kher was honored with the Outstanding Achievement award.
At a grand event on Sunday here at the Siam Niramit theatre, a story of an ambitious and enterprising housewife, “Tumhari Sulu” bagged the Best Picture honour, while Saket Chaudhary took back the Best Director Award.
Late Sridevi’s husband-producer Boney Kapoor took the award for her performance in “Mom”. He was emotional as he received the award from actress Kriti Sanon. “I dedicate this award to the entire team of ‘Moma’,” said an emotional Boney.
Vinod’s award was accepted by veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy. Rishi Kapoor took Shashi Kapoor’s award. While actor Anil Kapoor and Boney broke down in tears while talking about Sridevi at the gala.
“I have mixed emotions today. I miss her every minute and second of my life. I still feel she is around here….I want you all to support Janhvi like you supported her mother…” said a teary eyed Boney.
“It is a great feeling when your own peers celebrate your achievements and as I have been saying, this is just the interval point of what I am doing and my seconds half of journey starts now. It started with my 500th film….I told myself this is the interval point with The Big Sick and after that I have done 15 films in the last one year both international and national,” Anupam told the media.
The 2000-seater Siam Niramit theatre saw thousands of Bollywood fanatics coming to the event to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars. A string of A-listers like Ranbir Kapoor, Varun, Arjun, Kriti Sanon, Bobby Deol and Shraddha set the stage on fire with their power packed and electrifying performances.
Varun danced on numbers like “Sau Tarah Ke”, “Tama Tama,” and “High Rated Gabru”. Bobby danced with Romanian TV presenter and singer Iulia Vantur on numbers like “Gupt Gupt, “Soldier soldier”, “Tera Rang Balle Balle” and tracks from his latest release “Race 3”. Kriti, Arjun and Shraddha also danced to tracks from their films respectively.
Shah Rukh Khan, Soumitra Chatterjee, Naseeruddin Shah, Tabu, Madhuri Dixit, Ali Fazal and Anil Kapoor, apart from producers Aditya Chopra and Guneet Monga, as well as music artistes Usha Khanna and Sneha Khanwalkar are among the Indians invited to be a part of the Oscar Academy’s Class of 2018.
The announcement was made on Monday on the official website of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The new invitees are an effort on the Oscar-giving body to include more women, people of color and international filmmakers.
“Dangal” editor Ballu Saluja, costume designers Manish Malhotra and Dolly Ahluwalia, cinematographer Anil Mehta, actress Madhabi Mukherjee, production designers Subrata Chakraborthy and Amit Ray are also a part of the list.
Ali Fazal, who featured with Judi Dench in “Victoria and Abdul,” tweeted: “So so humbled to be included with the greats. Thank you The Academy for this membership. I look forward to this friendship for a long long time.Sending my love from India.”
Monga, known for producing “The Lunchbox” and “Masaan,” wrote on Instagram: “Honoured to have been invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Class of 2018 !!!!! Thank you The Academy.”
The Academy extended invitations to a record 928 artistes and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures across the world. Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy’s membership in 2018, read a statement.
Among the invitees, 17 are Oscar winners, while 92 are Oscar nominees, including Timothee Chalamet and Daniel Kaluuya. Forty-nine percent of the class of 2018 are female, and, should all accept membership, that will bring overall percentage of women in the Academy to 31 percent.
Thirty-eight percent of the new invitees are people of color, which, should they all accept, would bring their overall percentage of the Academy to 16 percent, according to hollywoodreporter.com.
Tiffany Haddish, Kal Penn, Kumail Nanjiani, Blake Lively, Dave Chappelle, Mindy Kaling, George Lopez, Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman, Evan Rachel Wood, Naveen Andrews, Melissa Etheridge, Jada Pinkett Smith, Kendrick Lamar and J.K. Rowling are among the popular names on the list which ranges from actress Quvenzhane Wallis, who, at age 14, is the youngest, to composer Sofia Gubaidulina, who, at 86, is the oldest.
Anukreethy Vas, a 19-year old beautiful and talented young woman from Tamil Nadu, triumphed over 29 contestants from all over India to clinch the ‘Femina Miss India World 2018’ title on Tuesday, last week. She was crowned by Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar, who brought home the coveted ‘Miss World’ crown the first time since 2000.
Vas, raised by a single mother, was crowned at a star-studded grand finale of the beauty contest on June 19 night at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium in Mumbai. Meenakshi Chaudhary, 21, from Harayana was declared the first runner-up, while Andhra Pradesh’s Shreya Rao Kamavarapu , 23, became the second runner-up in the annual beauty pageant.
A student of Chennai’s Loyola College, Vas is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in French to become an interpreter, but she works closely with an NGO for the education of transgenders – a cause close to her heart. She wishes to become a supermodel as she loves facing the camera, but Bollywood is not her focus right now. Her eyes are set on winning the Miss World crown for India again, Vas told IANS over phone from Mumbai.
The Femina Miss India show saw participants proving their aptitude by facing some tricky questions from the judges’ panel, which included Bobby Deol, Kunal Kapoor, Malaika Arora, fashion designer Gaurav Gupta and cricketer Irfan Pathan, along with Chhillar.
Talking about Miss India 2018, Manushi had earlier said, “I think there is no set formula and there is no one path that can be taken to the crown as every one has their own way. Even when you look at past winners of Miss World, everyone was unique. So you can’t give a set example but all I can tell them is to learn as much as they can and be themselves…We do have a lot of expectations from India. It’s going to be a tough one for whosoever wins.”
The event was hosted by Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Ayushmann Khurrana. Bollywood was prominently present at the grand finale, as Jacqueline Fernandez set the stage on fire by shaking a leg on “Desi Girl.”
Dancing diva and actress Madhuri Dixit Nene performed a beautiful dance number during the India round, with her co-dancers presenting various forms of Indian classical dance. She also hummed a few lines from her latest Marathi release, “Bucket List,” during an interaction with the hosts. Kareena Kapoor Khan looked ravishing in her stage performance on “Tareefan” from her latest film, “Veere Di Wedding.”
All the selected participants were groomed by Neha Dhupia, Rakul Preet Singh, Pooja Chopra and Pooja Hegde. The organizing team of the beauty pageant toured all 30 states of the country, including Delhi, and crowned one representative from each state, all aspiring for the coveted Miss India crown.
Anukreethy Vas will now represent India at Miss World 2018 while the two runners-up will represent the country at Miss Grand International 2018 and Miss United Continents 2018 respectively.
Indian actress Freida Pinto has signed on to star in director John Ridley’s time-travel drama, “Needle in a Timestack.” Pinto will star alongside Leslie Odom Jr., Cynthia Erivo, and Orlando Bloom.
Bron Studios has come on board to produce the movie, which was set up last year at Miramax. Zanne Devine, David Thwaites, Bron’s Aaron L. Gilbert, and Matt Kennedy are producers, but Miramax is no longer involved. Ridley, Jason Cloth of Creative Wealth Media, Christopher J. Conover, and Hope Farley will exec produce.
Ridley will direct and is adapting from a short story by Robert Silverberg. The movie follows a couple struggling to hold their marriage together in a world where time travel is possible, and the past and present are ever fluctuating.
Odom Jr. is best known for his performance in the Broadway smash “Hamilton” and was recently seen in Fox’s “Murder on the Orient Express.” Pinto will next be seen in Andy Serkis’ “Jungle Book” adaptation, “Mowgli,” as well as in Tabrez Noorani’s “Love Sonia” and Takashi Doscher’s indie drama “Only.”
Pinto has also been paired with Tony-winning “Hamilton” star Odom, Jr. in Takashi Doscher’s thriller, “Only,” which is currently in post-production. (Read earlier India-West story here.)
The “Slumdog Millionaire” actress, who previously collaborated with Ridley on his Showtime miniseries, “Guerilla,” is also awaiting the release of Andy Serkis’ upcoming Jungle Book adaptation, “Mowgli,” starring Indian American actor Rohan Chand. She also has another movie due out in 2018, “Love Sonia,” a film about sex trafficking alongside Demi Moore.
Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra arrived in Mumbai early on June 22 with American singer-songwriter Nick Jonas, amid speculation that they are more than just friends. Chopra, 35, tried evading the paparazzi at the airport with a black curtain in the backseat maintaining privacy for the passengers. While the cameras could only capture slight glimpses of the two, they were seen later while emerging out of a car.
When the two were spotted by paparazzi, they covered their faces in a thick, dark veil to avoid getting clicked. Photograper Viral Bhayani shared pictures from the spotting. “Remember I mentioned #NickJonas is coming to Mumbai. Yes he just did along with #priyankachopra as they arrived secretly but they did not do any pictures,” he captioned his photos.
Later, he posted another photograph in which Jonas is seen in a beige t-shirt and jeans, while Priyanka is seen in a high waist peach floral skirt and a black coat, as they came out of a car. “Welcome to Mumbai Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra,” Bhayani wrote.
The actress, who became popular in American showbiz with a lead role in “Quantico,” has been creating a buzz with her appearances with Jonas, 25. In December last year, Jonas, while promoting “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” had expressed a desire to visit India.
“I’ve never been (to India). But I’m dying to go, and I have now heard from Priyanka, my new friend a lot about it. Just given me a lot of names of place to go if I go there,” Jonas had said in a statement to IANS. The statement came after the two had walked on the Met Gala red carpet, making everyone wonder whether they were dating.
Back then, on his relationship with Priyanka Chopra, Jonas had said: “We met through a mutual friend who she did ‘Quantico’ with, this guy Graham and we met up like in New York the first time and the same day I think we found out that we are both going to the Met gala with Ralph Lauren.
“And as strange as it sounds but we couldn’t have planned it. We just had a great time. She’s a lovely person, and I’m dying now to go to India.”
At the Met Gala, Chopra had just laughed off a romance with Jonas, insisting they simply shared an agent and were friends. She had also said they went to the Met Gala together as they were both wearing ensembles by Ralph Lauren. A few days ago, they walked arm in arm at Jonas’ cousin’s wedding in New Jersey.
They were also seen together at the 2017 Met Gala in New York, apart from being seen roaming around on a boat with friends over America’s Memorial Day weekend last month. Priyanka Chopra was photographed cuddling up to him in a group photograph while they attended a Dodgers baseball game in New York together in May.
After being screened at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival’s Marche du Films section, Indian filmmaker Aneek Chaudhuri’s silent film, “White,” that talks about sexual assault on women, is now an official selection for the 2018 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. The festival is set for August 2018.
“Being a part of such an honorable event will fetch more credibility to the film,” Chaudhuri said in a statement. “Since ‘White’ is an independent venture aiming at film festivals, of course we would like to earn more laurel leaves and the Melbourne inclusion in a huge booster for the team.”
In “White,” the Kolkata-based indie filmmaker attempts to tell stories of three women who have survived sexual assaults and are now fighting back to lead a stronger life. “White” conjoins three tales based on a similar theme, however, each woman has her own life and a way of leading it. The film stars Kaushik Roy and Arjaa Banerjee.
“Rape is an issue that is universal; no verbal language is enough to decode the pain and suffering,” Chaudhuri said. “Moreover, I wanted global approach and I believe that a silent film would take away any kind of language barrier from the film; this in turn, would make it approachable by a wider spectrum of audiences throughout the globe.”
The first tale is of a factory girl getting abused at work and her story of survival; the second story follows a single mother and her inability to face her own child after the heinous crime. This is a story of the child’s upbringing in an orphanage and her return to her childhood home after two decades; and the third and the last tale is how a husband accepts a child born out of rape of his wife by another man in the village and gives the child his name.
At least five Telugu actresses were allegedly lured into prostitution in the U.S., by an undocumented Indian American couple, according to an indictment unsealed in the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois last week.
Recently unsealed federal charges accuse a Chicago couple of Indian descent of running a high-end prostitution ring to lure actresses from Tollywood — a nickname for the lively Telugu-language film scene in southern India — to the U.S. and advertise them for sex at Indian conferences and cultural events across the country.
While here on temporary visas, at least five actresses were sometimes forced to stay in a dingy, two-story apartment building in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood waiting for their next “date,” the charges alleged. They also met clients in hotels at conferences in Dallas, New Jersey and Washington.
The prostitution scheme was allegedly masterminded by Kishan Modugumudi, 34, an Indian businessman who rose to become a player in the Tollywood movie industry and co-produced several hit films.
Here are the incriminating details that came to the fore which helped blow the lid on the scam.
The accused, Kishan Modugumudi and Chandrakala Modugumudi, both natives of Hyderabad but illegally living in the US, took Tollywood actresses and models to USA in the name of various conferences and ‘star nights’ but conducted a prostitution racket instead
Tollywood actresses, models and anchors were taken on B1 and B2 visitor visas to USA. The accused collected $1,000 to $3,000 for ‘one-time’ sex with the actresses. At least 76 airline tickets were purchased from November 8, 2016 to November 29, 2017. Most bookings were made at Comfort Suites in Schiller Park, Illinois in the name of Kishan and Vebha
Kishan Modugumudi – also known as Sreeraj Chennuppati – and his wife, Chandrakala Purnima Modugumudi, were arrested on April 30, and charged with several counts of “importation of aliens for prostitution.” The couple is currently in detention with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Illinois. Their next court appearance is scheduled for July 9.
Federal agents retrieved text messages from Kishan Modugumudi’s cell phones that contained conversations between him and customers. One of the victims reached US to attend Telugu Association of Southern California (TASC) star night event in California on Nov 8, 2017. But she reached two days after the event and travelled to Chicago, raising suspicions of the Homeland Security Investigations. On probe, the victim said she came to attend another conference of North America Telugu Society (NATS) held in Schaumburg, Illinois, on November 25, 2017.
According to the 42-page indictment, Kishan Modugumudi, who promoted himself as a Tollywood agent, and his wife bought airline tickets for the five victims – at various times – on the premise that they would be performing at Telugu and other Indian American conferences. The Modugumudis allegedly housed the young women at their Chicago home and area hotels, and held their passports, rendering the victims virtual captives.
The women were then ordered to perform sex on men who arranged the transactions by text message with the Modugumudis, according to the indictment. Several chats were displayed as evidence in the indictment, which portrayed customers haggling over prices and choice of woman.
Customers paid anywhere from $800 to $3,000 to have sex with the would-be actresses, the indictment alleged, adding that Modugumudi would text customers photos of the women, and customers would specify whom they wanted. In one such exchange documented in the indictment, a customer asked the pimp for the woman he had sex with “last time” for $800 but Modugumudi said he could only send the woman for $2,500.
“I’m not rich. I can’t effort (sic) thousands of dollars,” replied the john, but Modugumudi haggled him down to $2,000, according to the indictment document.
After the encounter, the actress would allegedly text Chandrakala, also known as Vibha or Vebha, to let her know the type of encounter. In one such text documented in the indictment, a woman reported that she had given her customer “a blow job on le.” “But he was very happy,” she texted, and Vibha sent her a “thumbs up” emoticon, according to the document.
The actresses were not named, but simply referred to as Victims A, B, C, D, and E. In the first case, Victim A arrived in Chicago on a tourist visa Nov. 20, and said she was being honored by the Telugu Association of Southern California on Nov. 18, according to the indictment. Her visa indicated she was an actress.
But immigration agents became suspicious when she landed in Chicago, rather than Southern California, two days after the purported event. Victim A then allegedly she was coming for a different conference hosted by the North American Telugu Society on Nov. 25, 2017. Both NATS and TASC told federal agents no such conferences were planned on those dates.
Another young Indian actress arrived at O’Hare International Airport last Christmas Eve on a flight from Abu Dhabi. Carrying a temporary visa, she told customs agents she had come to the U.S. to attend an Indian association event at the behest of her manager and would be staying only a couple weeks.
Around that time, a news story on the Web site indiaglitz alleged that the Modugumudis – who are well-known in Southern India – were running a prostitution racket in the U.S. Victim A was questioned by federal authorities again on Dec. 25, 2017, when she said she was headed to Irving, Texas, to perform at a New Year’s Eve celebration. According to the indictment, she admitted that during her previous time in the U.S., Kishan Modugumudi, who is also known as Raju, had arranged for her to be engaged in prostitution. Victim A told agents that she did not actually engage in prostitution but “met with customers for 30 minutes and had a conversation.”
But text messages indicated she told Vibha which customers were “good tippers.” Vibha reminded her that she should bathe between encounters, according to the indictment document. In one text message, Victim A told Vibha that she “did it.” She later told federal agents that Kishan had threatened her, saying he would harm her and her family if she did not continue, or if she told anyone. She allegedly was not allowed to leave the couple’s home.
Victims B, C, D, and E all related similar stories of being lured by false promises of performing at a show. Vibha kept track of each encounter and allegedly paid out $1,000 for each purported show. According to the indictment, one customer later explained to federal agents that Vibha was known in the Telugu community as “one of the women to go to or contact regarding having sex with actresses.”
What is Cinema? The answer to this question is no easy matter. Cinema resembles so many other arts. If cinema has very literary characteristics, it also has theatrical qualities, a philosophical side, attributes of painting and sculpture and musical elements. But cinema is, in the final analysis, cinema.” – Akira Kurosawa
New Jersey Indian & International Film Festival’s (NJIIFF) held last week aims to reach out to all American, Indian & South Asian Community through Films & Related Art forms. The festival gives local & International Film Makers & Talents a platform to showcase their talent & films international.
According to festival director Hemant Pandya, “the festival aims to connect filmmakers with the distributors and potential investors, and also to create market for regional Indian and international films.”
A film which highlights the plight of the women in Kashmir whose husbands went missing during the militancy in the valley and another film that addresses gender inequality among prostitutes won top honors at the first edition of the New Jersey Indian International Film Festival.
Danish Renzu’s “Half Widow” won the best film and the best director award, while Sweta and Aditya Kriplani’s “Tikli and Laxmi Bomb,” won the best actress award for Chitrangdha Chakraborty and the best film in the best Festival Director’s Award category. Five documentaries, eight feature films and 22 short films from the U.S. India, France, Canada and Italy were screened at the festival held June 8 to 10 at the Regal Hadley Cinemas in South Plainfield, New Jersey.
“Half Widow” writer Sunayana Kuchroo received the award on behalf of the film’s producer. “We are honored that our film was chosen as the opening film of the festival,” she said. There are plans in progress to release the film in India, she told the audience.
The festival closed with “Bucket List,” which marked Madhuri Dixit Nene’s debut into Marathi films. Director Tejas Deoskar, who was present at the screening, was overwhelmed by the response the film got at the festival. “Marathi films are scaling new heights and making waves across the globe,” he said, adding that local festivals like the NJIFF are also supporting good content that is being made.”
At the June 10 closing ceremony, filmmaker Prakash Jha won the best actor award for his performance in Justaju and Sayani Gupta’ short film “You,” while Desalos Isabella’s “The Snag,” an entry from France was awarded the best short film. Along with best actress Chakraborty, Vishwa received the best actor award for his performance in “Saalai.” The best documentary award went to “Mariam,” the only entry from Iraq produced by Military Media Team and Mohammad Jaffar and Chintan Sharda won the best director award for his short film “Shunyata.” In the Festival Director’s Award category, Ameesha Joshi and Anna Sarkissian’s documentary “With This Ring” on the women boxers of India won the best documentary, while Italy’s short film “Weird” by Fausto Montanari was awarded the best short film.
Top, a representative of the film “Laxmi & Tikli Bomb” receives the Festival Director’s Choice for Best Film from “Bucket List” director Tejas Deoskar, right, and festival director Hemant Pandya, on the concluding day of the New Jersey Indian International Film Festival, June 10, at the Regal Hadley Cinema in South Plainfield, N.J.
Journalist Meher Tatna has been re-elected president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for the 2018-2019 year. Tatna, who oversaw the successful 75th edition of the Golden Globes, ran unopposed. The Indian American executive had succeeded outgoing president Lorenzo Soria in June 2017.
Tatna will preside over the group’s annual Golden Globe Awards, co-produced with Dick Clark Productions, with the 76th version set for January, according to Deadline.
Tatna was first elected to her post last June. She has previously served as a HFPA vice president, treasurer and executive secretary. She is still an active contributor to India’s The New Paper.
“While the president [of the HFPA] stands with and supports Time’s Up, she wore the dress that she chose with her mother. As part of her Indian culture, it’s customary to wear a festive color during a celebration,” an individual familiar with her thinking told TheWrap at the time.
This year’s election also named former HFPA president Lorenzo Soria as chairman of the board, which consists of Luca Celada, Helen Hoehne, Ruben Nepales, Kirpi Uimonen Ballesteros and Yoram Kahana.
Tatna was born in Mumbai, India, and moved to the U.S. where she received a degree in economics from Brandeis University in Massachusetts. She has been a member of the HFPA since 2002 and has served in its administration for the past 12 years, including as vice president (2015-2017), treasurer (2007-2009, 2013-2015), and executive secretary (2005-2007, 2009-2011).
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is a group of international journalists based in Southern California who distribute news about television and film to publications around the world. The members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association represent some 55 countries with a combined readership of more than 250 million. Their publications include leading newspapers and magazines in Europe, Asia, Australia/New Zealand and Latin America.
RealMe, the new e-commerce sub-brand of smartphone giant OPPO, announced the launch of its limited-edition Moonlight Silver variant that will be up for sale from June 18, 2018 on Amazon India. Last month saw the launch of RealMe 1 with two variants – the Diamond Black and Solar Red. This new variant will offer 4GB RAM and 64 GB storage at a pocket-friendly price point of INR. 10,990/-.
RealMe 1 is the first smartphone designed by OPPO that is focused on offering great designs with powerful specifications at a pocket friendly price. While the variants launched earlier offered storage capabilities of 3GB RAM and 32 GB ROM and 6 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM, the new edition will also offer an alternate 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM variant in 3 colors: Moonlight Silver, Solar Red and Diamond Black.
Speaking on the soon to be launched variant, Madhav Sheth, Chief Executive Officer of RealMe India said, “The response to RealMe 1 has been phenomenal. We sold lakhs of units only within our first two sales. Our phones were ranked as the Best Seller on Amazon India securing the top four positions. We are glad to announce a new Moonlight Silver edition to our range of phones. In line with the trend of reflecting effects in the industry, this limited-edition range offers shiny, reflecting glossy designs that cater to the needs of our customers. At the price point we are offering, we are hoping that this new variant will be equally well received by the audience.”
The 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM variant, that comes in Diamond Black, Solar Red and a limited-edition Moonlight Silver, allows users great multi-tasking capabilities at one go without hanging and provides uncompromised storage. RealMe1 has a phone’s screen body ratio of almost 85%, it comes with a 6-inch display bearing full-HD+ 1080×2160 pixels resolution. The RealMe 1 also has an impressive An Tu Tu score that can go up to 140,000. The Mediatek’s HelioP60 NeuroPilot AI technology, gives the device an enhanced edge, particularly in photography, real-time beautification, real-time video preview. The phone also has a dual-core AI-specific chip for providing AI-assisted features.
The phone’s 3410mAh battery + AI battery management promise + the sharp AI processor ensures that longer and higher usage doesn’t affect its performance or heat up the phone. The enhanced Facial Unlock function can accurately identify 296 facial points to provide better security and takes less than 0.1 seconds to unlock your phone, even in low-light conditions. The ColorOS 5.0 UI based on Android 8.1 has been completely revamped with a brand new and fresh interface design that is easy on the eyes. The 13MP rear camera with an LED flash and an 8MP selfie camera. Both the front and rear cameras also support AR stickers.
Manufactured by OPPO factories, RealMe also assures its users of superior quality through its stringent quality control measures that is executed around 10,000 drop tests, 100,000 button tests, 10,000 USB tests to ensure the durability of the Realme 1 smartphone. RealMe customers will also have access to over 500 OPPO service centers across India with guaranteed 90% of repair cases resolved within an hour. Along with online service supports, RealMe is offering a 360-degree customer service system.
People flying between India and the rest of the world through United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) mega hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi will soon be able to get a free transit visa to spend up to two days there. The UAE government has decided that to grant free transit visas for first 48 hours to transit passengers and this visa can be extended for up to 96 hours by paying 50 Dirham (about Rs 930). The date from which this will be allowed is yet to be announced, say Indian travel industry majors.
UAE is already the single biggest international destination for Indian travellers. Almost a quarter of all international travel to and from India happens on mega UAE carriers like Emirates, flyDubai and Etihad. Jet Airways, in which Etihad has a 24% stake, + also serves as a feeder to Etihad’s long haul flights to Abu Dhabi.
Anywhere up to 75% of people flying on Gulf, including UAE, carriers are only transiting through those hubs between India and rest of the world. So the decision to grant free 48-hour transit visas is expected to further increase the number of visitors to UAE.
Karan Anand of travel major Cox & Kings said: “The move by UAE to exempt transit passengers from all entry fees for the first 48 hours is significant. Travellers who have onward connections can now stay in the UAE and enjoy a range of attractions that the various Emirates have to offer. In fact, this will give a boost to Dubai and Abu Dhabi which are promoting its attractions aggressively in the Indian market. Many new attractions are opening up in these destinations and as Dubai gears up for the 2020 Expo, these measures will boost tourism inflows.”
Indian travel majors are awaiting the date from which this change will be implemented. In terms of flying people in and out of India, Emirates is the biggest international airline. The Jet-Etihad combine is the biggest airline in terms of international travel to and from India.
“According to Dubai Tourism statistics, Dubai attracted over 2.1 million Indian tourists in 2017 +— 15% more than the previous year. India is the number one source market for the emirate,” said a senior official of a travel major. “Similarly, in 2017 Abu Dhabi attracted over 3.60 lakh Indian tourists, 11% more than previous year 2016. Emirates such as Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah have also stepped up promotion in the Indian market. This is aided by more flight connections from India to the UAE,” said the official.
Gulf nations are going all out to woo Indian travelers and are relaxing visa norms. UAE grants visa on arrival to Indian Nationals with a valid US Visa. Oman will also do the same to Indians who reside in or hold an entry visa to US, Canada, Australia, UK, Japan and Schengen States. Last August, Qatar had allowed Indians and nationals of 46 other countries to stay for up to 60 days there without a prior visa.
Daughters of Destiny, the Netflix documentary chronicling the lives of five young Shanti Bhavan women, has been selected for the prestigious “Television with a Conscience” award by The Television Academy Honors! Honorees were recognized at a special presentation and reception held May 31 at NeueHouse Hollywood in Los Angeles, Calif. “Daughters of Destiny” is directed by Oscar winner Vanessa Roth, with music by acclaimed artist A.R. Rahman.
“Daughters of Destiny: The Journey of Shanti Bhavan,” chronicles the lives of five Indian girls from impoverished families brought up at the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project in Tamil Nadu, has been chosen by the Television Academy for “leveraging the dynamic power of television to inspire social change.” The Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project is a residential education program built to uplift children from India’s lowest socioeconomic class. The school’s children come from families earning less than $2 a day, who have been trapped in poverty for generations.
The 2018 honorees were selected from a record number of submissions and represent some of the most meaningful and relevant series, programs and documentaries of the past year, including: Andi Mack, Daughters of Destiny, Forbidden: Undocumented & Queer in Rural America, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, LA 92, One Day at a Time, and 13 Reasons Why.
Television Academy Honors celebrates programming across numerous platforms and genres that addresses the complex challenges and important social issues facing society in a compelling and impactful way. Showrunners and producers are honored for channeling the power of television to explore these issues via captivating and thoughtful storytelling that advances positive change. Established in 2008, this prestigious award is separate and distinct from Emmy’s recognition of television excellence.
The four-part series is among the recipients of the Television Academy’s 11th Annual Television Academy Honors, which celebrates and recognizes programming that creates awareness, enlightens, educates and/or positively motivates audiences.
Indian American businessman Abraham George founded the school in 1997, and his son, Ajit George, now serves as the director of operations of the innovative school, which takes in low-income children at age four and supports their education until they have graduated from college.
This documentary chronicles the lives of five girls from the “untouchable” caste balancing their lives between poverty at home and modern upbringing at Shanti Bhavan. Over the course of seven years of filming, the girls’ stories, according to the Television Academy, explore fate, free will, human potential and the universal common longing for opportunity, purpose and meaning.
The series, it adds, also delves into issues of education, equity, social justice, gender roles, adolescence, identity, social discrimination, poverty alleviation, human rights, leadership, citizenry and community empowerment.
The next edition of the Miss America pageant will scrap swimsuits and will be more inclusive to women of all sizes, the contest announced on June 5th. Gretchen Carlson, the chairwoman of the Miss America board of directors, announced on “Good Morning America” that the event will no longer feature a swimsuit portion.
Miss America will be a competition, not a pageant, Carlson said on the show Tuesday. “We will no longer judge our candidates on their outward physical appearance. That’s huge,” she said. Carlson also said the new Miss America competition will be more inclusive to women of “all shapes and sizes.” The official Miss America Twitter account tweeted a short video of a white bikini going up in a puff of smoke with the hashtag #byebyebikini.
Reacting to the announcement, Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri, the first Indian American and South Asian to win the title of Miss America, took to social media to weigh in on the organization’s decision. “Miss America 2.0 is finally here. Since my time serving as #MissAmerica and beyond, I’ve been fortunate to experience many proud moments in my career & recognition for my advocacy work,” she wrote. “My swimsuit score had nothing to do with any of them.”
Davuluri wrote that she couldn’t be “prouder” to be a part of this evolution. “Today, the @MissAmerica organization moves into an era where we focus on inclusivity & empowerment by emphasizing what truly matters: substance within,” she wrote, adding hashtags like ByeByeBikini and CirclesOfUnity.
When the Miss America pageant started in 1921, having young women parade around in bathing suits seemed like a great way to get tourists to come to the Atlantic City Boardwalk after Labor Day. But how America views women has changed drastically since then, and the Miss America Organization is run by women who don’t think it’s such a hot idea.
Accordingly, when the pageant is held this September, nearly a year into the #MeToo era, it will no longer have a swimsuit competition. “We’re not going to judge you on your appearance because we are interested in what makes you you,” Carlson said in making the announcement June 5 on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” For decades, women’s groups and others had complained that the swimsuit portion was outdated, sexist and more than a little silly.
Instead of showing off in a bathing suit, each contestant will interact with the judges to “highlight her achievements and goals in life and how she will use her talents, passion and ambition to perform the job of Miss America,” the organization said.
Carlson said the evening-wear portion of the competition will also be changed to allow women to wear something other than a gown if they want. The talent portion of the contest will remain. “It’s what comes out of their mouths that we care about,” Carlson said.
The Miss America pageant is not the cultural event it once was. The 1988 broadcast was seen by 33.1 million viewers, according to the Nielsen company. Last year, 5.4 million people watched. Because many of the state and local competitions that decide the Miss America finalists have already begun, the dropping of the swimsuit portion will not take effect at those levels until next year’s competition, the organization said.
This is not a hidden fact that a number of Indian Immigrants fall prey to hate crime in America. Similar is the case of two Indian immigrants (engineers), Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, who were at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas for a post-work drink, when Adam Purinton walked in and began shooting at them. Srinivas Kuchibhotla succumbed to his injuries and died that day and left his wife widowed.
On Feb. 22, 2017 at Austin’s Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot and killed by Adam Purinton, who though he was an illegal alien from Iran. Purinton was charged with premeditated first-degree murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison with no parole.
In a new short documentary, released by The Atlantic, Dumala Kuchibhotla, the wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla who fell victim to a hate crime last year, narrates the story of the tragic event and how she has still been living the American Dream without him. “A Devastating Hate Crime in Kansas” is a story in the film, “Do We Belong?” directed by Sofian Khan and it is part of The Atlantic Selects, an online showcase of short documentaries from independent creators.
The documentary titled “A Devastating Hate Crime in Kansas” begins with Dumala remembering their early days as a married couple from India in the U.S. and describes how buying a new home in Kansas was an ultimate dream come true for the couple.
Dumala met Srinivas online and recalled how he helped her tackle the U.S. visa process as well as their courtship days and wedding ceremony. Dumala starts recollecting the final day of Srinivas’ life, as viewers are shown a short scene took outside the Austin Bar & Grill, where Srinivas and his friend Alok attended happy hour. Dumala said she was in shock when she heard the news of Srinivas’ death by the hands of a U.S. Navy veteran who had told him to “get out of my country.”
After the tragedy though Dumala was told that she would be deported but somehow she was allowed to stay back and has started a nonprofit organization called “forever Welcome” with Srinivas’ colleagues, to combat hate crimes in the United States. The film ends with Dumala explaining how the community came forward to show their love for her and her husband, finding an answer to the question “do we belong here.”
Directed by Sofian Khan and Produced by Pulkit Datta, the film is a short documentary and puts together the devastating story of the family. Talking about the same, director Sofian Khan states, “I read about Srinivas’ death when it happened last year, and the story really hit home. My father came to the US in the 80’s as a software engineer from India’s western neighbour, Pakistan, with a work ethic and ambition that reminded me of what I was reading about Srinivas. Even more than that, the descriptions of Srinivas’ positive nature and playful humour also felt very familiar. There was a sense that I somehow knew him.”
Although a Hindu, Srinivas was identified with the same threat and backlash as all the immigrants in the country. Khan adds: “Sunayana’s question, “do we belong here?”, cuts to the heart of what has been on the minds of many as of late – both immigrants, as well as other marginalized groups. Sunayana has arrived at her own conclusion. And while everyone has to find that for themselves, I was inspired by her incredible strength and perseverance in the face of so much adversity.
Garba in the Park, part of the Garba360 initiative, is all set to storm through New York City on July 3 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Damrosch Park in New York and be a part of Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing dance series. For the first time at Damrosch Park, the Indian dance Garba will have the spotlight. This easy to learn, celebratory dance has a storied history, performed all over the world year-round and during the fall festival Navratri.
This new initiative is brought by Heena Patel, founder of the South Asian arts and entertainment company MELA Arts Connect to bring the energetic and immersive Indian dance experience, well-known to Gujaratis and other Indians, to new spaces and audiences.
Lincoln Center announced the 2018 season of Midsummer Night Swing, bringing people from all walks of life together to experience an array of sounds and dance styles from Tuesday, June 26 to Saturday, July 14, 2018. This iconic New York social dance party will feature 15 nights under the stars, with outdoor dance lessons and live performances paying tribute to the histories of Lindy hop, swing, mambo, salsa, blues, and more, while welcoming newcomers and dance pros alike to experience the joy of social dance.
This will be the first time that the music and dance of Gujarat will be featured at this iconic NYC summer dance party that brings people from all walks of life together to experience an array of sounds and dance styles including salsa, lindy hop and even bhangra.
The evening will begin with garba and raas lessons by Rohan Sheth and Heena Patel, followed by a stage performance of traditional garba by the Sa Dance Company, and continues with live music from Conneticut-based garba group Kashyap Jani & Friends and DJ Sunny. The evening’s dance styles will feature taali garba, tran taali garba, raas, heech, sanedo and more.
“I can’t think of a better place for the first Garba360 event in New York City than Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center. The series is about social dance – people dancing together, regardless of their background or experience, and that is what the garba and raas experience is as well,” Patel said. Advance tickets are available for $17 at MidsummerNightSwing.org.
Bollywood celebrities like Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Dia Mirza and Jackie Shroff have urged people to save planet Earth on World Environment Day on Tuesday, June 5.
A bevy of celebrities urged to save the planet by planting more trees and banning plastic.
Here’s what they have tweeted:
Sonakshi Sinha: “It’s World Environment Day! Let’s do our bit to protect this beautiful planet and make it a better place to live in for all that walk upon it.”
Jackie Shroff: “Everyday is a World Environment Day.”
Madhuri Dixit-Nene: “We often feel what difference will our individual choices make, without realizing that real change always starts with small baby steps. On this World Environment Day, let’s take responsibility for our actions which cause any form of pollution. Together lets beat plastic pollution.”
Dia Mirza: “We truly are better than this! Come on world! Let’s do our but to fix this! Because only we can. Each one of us. Beat plastic pollution. World Environment Day.”
Adah Sharma: “Enough of plastic smiles, plastic noses, plastic b**bs, plastic kisses, plastic joys, plastic dreams, plastic people, plastic bags. Let’s get real and say no to plastic! World Environment Day.”
Pooja Batra: “World Environment Day. Plant trees. Ban plastic.”
Sonu Sood: “It’s so important for every individual to work together for the betterment of our future generations. Make this planet greener, plant trees and ban plastic. Join hands with those who are working towards it. World Environment Day.”
As a prelude to International day of Yoga, 2018, Consulate General of India, New York organized ‘Yoga Cruise’ on Sunday, June 03, 2018 in association with Vegetarian Vision and Mallakhamb federation USA. The cruise centered on the theme of Yoga and was attended by more than 400 people.
The state of the art yacht called ‘Skyline Princess’ chartered exclusively for the cruise had three separate and wrap around decks including indoor and outdoor spaces with occupancy of 450 people. Yoga related conversations, discussions, lectures were simultaneously being held on various decks with guests heartily enjoining each session.
The cruise also included yoga demonstrations, performances by Mallakhamb Federation USA and innovative session on Laughter Yoga by Poonam Gupta. The Consulate’s in-house teacher on Indian Culture, Dr. Dayashankar Vidyalankar gave demonstrations on various yoga poses which were intended to make yoga accessible in everyday life of people. It was heartening to note that kids of various ages enthusiastically participated in various yoga demonstrations.
Sandeep Chakravorty, Consul General of India in New York flagged off the yacht with releasing of multi colored balloons symbolizing eternal value of peace, freedom and unity in diversity. The event was heavily covered by the local media.
Urvashi Rautela, who earlier won the title of Miss Diva 2015, ventured into Bollywood with Singh Saab The Great. The actress recently gained recognition for her dance number ‘Aashiq Banaya Aapne’ in Hate Story 4. And now, Urvashi Rautela has added another feather up her sleeve.
Urvashi Rautela, who holds the record of winning the highest number of beauty pageants has now been awarded the title of ‘Youngest Most Beautiful Woman’ in the Universe 2018 by the government & tourism of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Urvashi Rautela, the sizzling sensation of Tinseltown is slowly raising the bar with her recent line up of work. The actress gained immense recognition for her dance number “Aashiq Banaya Aapne” in “Hate Story 4.”
Already winning accolades for her performances, the actress has added another feather up her sleeve! To further commemorate the actress for her beauty, the Government of Andaman & Nicobar Islands will also have a flower named after her. Here’s wishing the actress all the success!
While her Bollywood work commitments are yet to be announced, Urvashi Rautela is busy exploring the social media platforms. From going live to speak to her fans to posting pictures and videos of her weekend plans etc., the actress loves to keep all of them updated.
British Indian actress Simmie Sangian was declared the winner of the ‘Best Actress: Bronze Award’ at the LA Shorts Awards for the socially educative movie, “honors” based on forced marriages in India. This is just one of the many recognitions that the 21-year-old has received for her short film, “Honor,” which she wrote, produced and stars in.
Honor is a short film that I wrote, and starred in. It was a very unique experience. When writing this short, I knew I wanted to educate through my film. I wanted to raise awareness. Forced marriage is something I am very passionate about. I feel that it is something that we should shed light upon as it is not talked about enough in first world countries. Many victims are those living in places such as the USA & UK, and they suffer in silence because they feel they have no way out.
When writing the script, I knew I wanted to talk about something relevant in today’s society. I think it’s very important for artists to raise awareness on things that audiences might not be aware of, or should be educated on.
Honor is about Serena, a seventeen year-old gay, British-Indian girl who is in a relationship with a woman. She is forced into an arranged marriage by her parents. Once she finds a way to seek help, she finds herself stuck between honoring her parents wishes and staying true to herself.“This kind of story is something that we should shed light upon as it is not talked about enough. Many victims suffer in silence because they feel they have no way out,’ Sangian said.
The film, which was supported by girlsnotbrides.org, is garnering good reviews on the festival circuit. The film, directed by Morgan Aiken and Indian American Kankana Chakraborty, has been recognized at the Top Shorts Film Festival, Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards, and the New York Film Awards, among others.
Born and raised in Birmingham, U.K., Sangian found a passion for the arts at a very young age. In high school, she was part of the drama and dance department, acting in plays, and the choreographer of her own dance troupe.
At 18, she moved to Los Angeles, and received her BFA in acting for film and TV at the New York Film Academy, a place, she writes on her official page, “helped her not only develop her acting skills but find a love for directing.”
Anil D. Ambani owned Reliance Entertainment and one of India’s most celebrated filmmakers, Imtiaz Ali, today announced the formation of Window Seat Films, LLP, a 50:50 Joint Venture for production of movies. This is Reliance Entertainment’s 5th creative partnership with leading Indian filmmakers to form a production company.
An incredibly talented and successful writer, director, Imtiaz has received wide appreciation and acclaim from audiences and critics alike, in addition to blockbuster success at the box office. He has won several awards over the years since the release of his first film in 2005.
Starting with “Socha Na Tha” Imtiaz has made several films with newcomers and superstars alike. His filmography includes “Jab We Met”, “Love Aaj Kal”, “Rockstar”, “Tamasha”, “Highway” and “Jab Harry met Sejal”. Some of his films have achieved a sort of cult status with the youth in India and abroad.
This creative & business mix will benefit from the artistic abilities of Imtiaz, and the global marketing and distribution capabilities of Reliance Entertainment.
Amitabh Jhunjhunwala, Vice Chairman, Reliance Entertainment, said, “We are proud to have Imtiaz as our partner. He is a person of deep simplicity and humility despite his enormous successes, and we are looking forward to making great movies together.”
Commenting on the partnership, Imtiaz Ali said: “There is a common vision that Window Seat Films & Reliance Entertainment share in terms of the content that we’d like to make, the kind of stories we’d like to tell and the way we’d like to collaborate in running this partnership. Working under this partnership is like working for myself. ”
Reliance Entertainment has produced, distributed and released more than 300 films in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, etc.
Reliance Entertainment already has creative partnerships with Phantom Films (Anurag Kashyap, Madhu Mantena, Vikas Bahl and Vikramaditya Motwane), Rohit Shetty Picturez, Plan C Studios (Neeraj Pandey) and Y NOT Studios (S. Sashikanth).
Reliance Entertainment is the media and entertainment arm of Reliance Group and is engaged in the creation and distribution of content across film, television, digital and gaming platforms. Internationally, Reliance Entertainment has partnered since 2009 with iconic film producer and director, Steven Spielberg, in the formation of DreamWorks Studios, and thereafter, Amblin Partners.
This relationship has produced several highly successful films such as The Help, War Horse, Lincoln, The Hundred Foot Journey, The Girl on the Train, A Dog’s Purpose, Bridge of Spies, and The Post.
The Government of India will launch Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz (Know India Quiz) from July 19-21, 2018 to generate interest among youth, both Non-Resident Indians (NRI) as well as Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), to know and understand India. Registration on the portalhttps://www.bharatkojaniye.in/ is mandatory for the eligible contestant to participate in the Quiz.
This Quiz will be held online for the two distinct categories of PIO & NRI aged 15 to 35 years and will be conducted in 04 rounds. In the first round, there will be 30 questions to be selected randomly by the computer to be answered in 25 minutes. There is no negative marking. The First round of the Quiz will be conducted online by the Consulate. The Second round of the Quiz will be conducted online by Ministry of External Affairs. The Third and Fourth rounds (Semi Final & Final round) will be conducted in New Delhi.
Three finalists from each of the NRI and PIO/OCI category in the first round conducted will move to the subsequent rounds. All participants who make it to the Third and Fourth round will be invited to India. Besides the Quiz, they will participate in 15-day tour of India. Top three winners of the Fourth (final) round of BKJ Quiz 2019 from each category of NRI & PIO will receive Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and a Certificate at the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) Convention, 2019.
Bollywood actress Kajol walked on the red carpet with her daughter Nysa for the first time to unveil her wax statue at Madame Tussauds attraction here. Kajol unveiled the statue on May 24, read a statement to IANS. “My little girl with me on a red carpet for the first time,” the actress tweeted hours before the ceremony.
Kajol, who made her Bollywood debut in 1992 with “Bekhudi,” gave a western touch to her sari and looked glamorous and sophisticated at the event. Her daughter looked chic in a black dress. The mother-daughter duo were twinning in black.
As an actress, Kajol is known for her performance in movies like “Karan Arjun,” “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” “Gupt: The Hidden Truth,” “Ishq,” “Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya,” “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…,” “Kal Ho Naa Ho” and “My Name is Khan.”
She will be seen next in Pradeep Sarkar’s “Eela” (tentative title) which will hit the theatres on Sept. 14. She is married to actor-producer Ajay Devgn, with whom she has a son named Yug.
Supriya Sharma, 23, has become the youngest Indian to win a gold medal for Bikini Bodybuilding Championship. Sharma won the title of “Overall True Novice Champion” at the IFBB NPC Eastern Seaboard Classic held on May 12 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sharma is originally from Jammu and Kashmir and she moved to New Delhi in 2012 to further her education, according to reports. She has been the captain of the senior and junior handball teams of J&K as well as the University of Delhi and decided to pursue her passion for bodybuilding in the bikini category, last year.
She now plans to compete in Arnold Classic in Ohio in March 2019 where a win would get her the highly reputed IFBB pro-card. Back home in New Delhi, she has several personal training clients and she also trains several people from different states through her online training program.
Indian model Smriti Subs has become the first Indian to win the title of ‘World Swimsuit Model of the Week’, according to a press release. This svelte model from Bangalore was chosen as the winner of an online talent hunt platform, sponsored by gaming major Supabets.
After ruling the ramps both nationally and internationally, the biotech engineer now has another achievement to her credit. She is the only Indian to be crowned World Swimsuit Model of the Week, an online talent hunt platform sponsored by gaming major Supabets, the Daily News & Analysis reports.
Her sharp chiseled features, long lean body and brown eyes, distinguishes Subs from the rest, DNA says. She has been featured in the October 2017 issue of the Lifestyle Journalist magazine, as well as in Vogue and Elle India.
After being selected as one of the finalists at the prestigious Femina Style Diva 2015, Subs has modeled for leading fashion events in India and for several leading designers.
A brand ambassador of Bling Vine Jewelry, she was one of the faces of Araaish 2018 – a multimedia campaign that straddled platforms. There’s no doubt that this aspiring actress, who loves meeting new people, will make a name for herself in both modeling and acting.
“Emerging as ‘World Swimsuit Model of the Week’ in the face of intense international competition is a huge accomplishment,” Subs said in a statement. “I am looking forward to winning the grand finale of World Swimsuit 2018 by Supabets as it will open doors for me with respect to several international assignments and opportunities.”
Subs went on to share that she has been blessed with a lean body but to ensure she stays fit and in shape, she exercises regularly and plays various sports.
Her bigger aim, she said, is to “show the world that Indian swimsuit models have the discipline, commitment and professionalism to make it big on the global stage.” She has modeled for all the leading fashion weeks in India, including Lakme Fashion Week, Amazon India Fashion Week, India Beach Fashion Week, etc.
“Yadvi – The Dignified Princess,” the story of a real-life Indian princess, will be screened in New York City’s Cinema Village for the week June 1-7, producers of the movie announced here. India’s Consul General in New York Sandeep Chakravorty will be the chief guest at the first day of screening, according to a press release. Prior to arriving in New York, the film will screen for a week in Laemmle Music Hall, Beverly Hills, CA, from May 25-31.
How does a real life princess raised in one of the wealthiest families of the world end up losing all such privileges in her middle age? How does she become forced to pick her own food and collect her own wood for the winters? In 1940’s India, before even a hint of feministic equality, how does a woman not only uphold her own dignity but also raise three refined daughters in the face of unexpected adversity? The pure personification of integrity, Yadvi, will take you on her journey through the India of Kings and Queens, of Princes and polygamy.
Directed by New York Based Actress Jyoti Singh with a script based on a real life story/Screenplay of Yaduvansh Kumari, the princess of Patiala, dramatized by Gauri Singh, addresses the dilemmas and constraints that existed in the period right before and after Indian independence. The director and the screenwriter are both granddaughters of the late princess.
A biography, this film is the tale of Princess Yadhuvanshi Kumari (1922-2006) of the Phulkian dynasty, daughter of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.
According to the British records, she was called Princess Alice and was also known as Yadvi. But her father would fondly call her Flutterfly because as a young girl, she could not pronounce butterfly.
Yadvi is the tale of the beloved daughter of the famous Maharaja of Patiala, the first to own an airplane in India, played by Bollywood actor, Chandrachur Singh. Chandrachur’s son debut’s as a child artist and the actor sings one of the songs of the film, “Rangreeza.”
At a young age, Yadvi is betrothed to marry a Rajput prince from Maihar, Madya Pradesh, to strengthen the political relationship between her kingdom and that of the prince with the caveat and she would only move after a certain age. Unexpected circumstances force Yadvi (Jyoti Singh) to move to Maihar earlier than anticipated, and she faces unforeseen challenges when she meets Prince of Maihar (Rahul Godara).
“It’s a very positive story about my grandmother – of a woman’s journey, a survivor,” Singh told Desi Talk in an earlier interview when the film was featured at the Manhattan Film Festival April 23, last year.. “Ultimately it shows how she even did kheti (farm labor) to earn her living, with dignity, never going back to her father’s house, living her life with humility and grace as she went from extreme riches to poverty,” Singh said.
The film also stars Vibhu Raghav, Nikkitasha Marwaha, Reshaa Sabharwal, Kuvam Handa, Yadvi Handa, Aishwarya Singh, Bernadine Linus, Namya Saxena, Minnie Mandit, Charu Vyas, Gauri Singh, Mariane Borgo (French Actress), and Dina Rosenmeir (Actress from Denmark).
The film is produced under the banner of RVP Productions, executive producer, Sumeet Verma. It is rare to see an independent film made so well.
The film has been screened in several festivals and won awards, including the Dada Saheb Phalke film festival (Best Emerging Female Director); The Peoples Film Festival (Best Cinematography-Jigme Tensing), and a host of others, where different characters as well as film-makers including Jyoti Singh, have received recognition for their work and creativity.
(San Jose, California – May 3, 2018) Invar Studios, a film startup venture with offices in Silicon Valley, Los Angeles and Chennai, India, is bringing its award-winning Virtual Reality (VR) experience ROSE COLORED to screen at the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival next week. The multi-platform studio creates content that focuses on globally-relevant, inclusive stories that celebrate cultural diversity and authenticity through redemptive themes like LION and SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, projects that have Indian roots and international appeal.
ROSE COLORED, the 2018 Lumiere Award Winner for Best Live Action VR film, is director Adam Cosco’s 16-minute narrative short about a woman who discovers her “perfect” boyfriend is being altered in her augmented perception. The film will screen at Cannes on May 9th, 10th and 11th, 12th, and 13th at the NEXT VR Series at Palais De Festivals. NEXT is the innovation hub of Cannes, offering more than 1,200 square meters to showcase innovation, new technology, virtual/augmented reality and more. ROSE COLOREDexhibited as the pilot for an ambitious, longer form VR series in the futuristic, sci-fi style of hit Netflix series BLACK MIRROR, but more optimistic and character-based.
“Virtual Reality represents the ultimate challenge for creative professionals,” said Invar Studios CEO Elizabeth Koshy. “With this project, we took a risk by executing every element at the highest possible level because we believe that innovation to move this emerging industry forward brings the highest possible reward our company can pursue.”
In addition to sharing their VR film with the world, Invar Studios will also unveil its feature film development slate, which establishes a new vision for what ‘international crossover’ can mean. Koshy will speak on a panel organized by the Indian delegation called Co-Creating magic through Co-Production on May 9th at the India Pavilion.
The INVAR business model seeks to capitalize on all potential crossover between hemispheres, such as producing films with Indian subject matter and international flair, bringing the massive Indian market within reach of U.S. film/television streaming trends and developing collaborations between Indian and Hollywood talent.
Their first feature film, currently in post-production, is an art house drama from the most awarded cinematographer in India, Santosh Sivan, and tells the tragic story of a holy man in the ancient world who slips towards evil. A highly visual experience, SIN, will bring audiences a unique cinematic style, one that will easily translate across all borders.
Other projects in development include: COWBOYS AND INDIANS, in pre-production and to be directed by Amy Redford. The story follows an Indian woman shocked to find her daughter marrying a Texas rancher, but soon she finds unexpected solace in the new mother-in-law, both suffering silently through similar struggles. It is a heartfelt drama with strong comedy that prioritizes authenticity in its representations of both cultures, as both character and audience experiences transcend stereotypes.
Invar Studios’ slate also includes: Animated feature BOMBAY DOGS, an adventure of a pampered dog lost in a vivid and enchanting Bombay who teams up with a daring leader of street dogs; mystery thriller PRAANA (currently seeking distribution); DEAN AND JOJO, the beloved true story of a human and animal friendship; the psychological thriller CHASING NIGHTMARES; and MARJANA, a version of “Alibaba and the Forty Thieves” told from the perspective of its real hero, the slave girl who saves the day, and written by acclaimed British writer Farrukh Dhondy.
Bollywood icons Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor took a trip down memory lane on Thursday evening as they took part in a very special event at Mumbai’s Royal Opera House. The stellar duo, who are the stars of Umesh Shukla’s upcoming film, 102 Not Out spent the evening interacting with the media, reliving infamous moments from their earlier movies together such as the dazzling 1977 film Amar Akbar Anthony, which won Bachchan the award for Best Actor, and the hilarious 1981 action comedy Naseeb.
Those lucky enough to be in attendance at the glorious Opera House were not left disappointed, as the actors continued to show why they have been so loved and admired for many years, sharing many heart-warming anecdotes that brought smiles on everyone’s faces.
102 Not Out will be the first film both legends have appeared in together for 27 years, and both actors were full of praise for one another with Bachchan describing working with Kapoor “a great honor”.
On a night full of beautiful nostalgia, the actors talked about the magic they have created on-screen, with the two being quizzed about each other’s acting skills with Kapoor saying that “has learnt a lot from [Amitabh] and his craft of acting” and he still continues to learn from him.
Both actors continued to make the audience laugh as time flew by. In light of the event, Rishi Kapoor tweeted about the event and shared a joke that Bachchan wanted to go and watch the cricket so ended the conversation early!
With 102 Not Out bursting with comedy and the toe-tapping song Badumbaa, the actors demonstrate their versatility and skills, which fits the plot of the film perfectly. Audiences will certainly not be disappointed!
A Sony Pictures Releasing International Presentation and worldwide distribution- 102 Not Out is Produced by SPE Films India, Treetop Entertainment and Umesh Shukla’s Benchmark Pictures. The film releases worldwide on 4th May 2018.
Official synopsis: 102 Not Out – is an ageless comedy that brings together Indian Cinema’s two biggest stalwarts – Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor after 27 years, with the two legends playing father-son duo for the first time.
102 years young Dattatraya Vakharia (Amitabh Bachchan) lives life to the fullest and wants to break the record of oldest living man- that’s held by a 118 years old Chinese. Dattatraya wants to live a stress free life in order to become the oldest living man. However, there is only one hinderance- his 75 year old son Babulal (Rishi Kapoor) who has resigned himself to a life of old age stuck in drudgery. Dattatraya now must find means and ways to change Babulal’s sad and grumpy demeanour so that he doesn’t become a deterrent in breaking the record. Little do they realise that this roller coaster ride filled with comedy, emotion and commotion, will change them and their relationship forever. High res video Clean – https://bit.ly/2HxYa81
Audio file – https://bit.ly/2r7WWW6
Peabody Awards announced the win on Twitter stating, “To @HasanMinhaj and @NetflixIsAJoke goes a #Peabody for ‘Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King,’ a 2017 standup special that uses comedy to invite empathy, caring, and understanding.” Minhaj responded by writing: “Unbelievable. We did it baby!!!” with an emoji of three hands folded.
Minhaj’s first standup special on Netflix has earned him a big honor. The Indian American actor/comedian has been declared the winner of a Peabody Award in the entertainment category for “Homecoming King.”
The annual awards from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia “honor the most powerful, enlightening and invigorating stories in television, radio and digital media.”
The senior correspondent on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” shares personal stories about racism, immigrant parents, prom night horrors and more in this standup special.
Minhaj delivers much more than a hilarious stand-up comedy special, according to the Peabody Awards board of jurors. “‘Homecoming King’ is a deeply personal memoir — part Richard Pryor, part Spaulding Gray — that covers the struggles of the immigrant experience, encounters with stereotypes and raced expectations, and intergenerational acceptance, while using comedy to invite empathy, caring, and understanding,” they said.
The comic who killed it at the 2017 White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., is readying to host his own 32-episode weekly comedy show on Netflix. This gig has made him the first Indian American to front a show on the streaming site (see India-West story here).
omic Hasan Minhaj of “The Daily Show” shares personal stories about racism, immigrant parents, prom night horrors and more in this stand-up special. Minhaj is also set to host the 77th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony, which will be held May 19 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York.
“In the Western imagination, India conjures up everything from saris and spices to turbans and, temples—and the pulsating energy of Bollywood movies,” the prestigious Smithsonian Institute stated recently. “But in America, India’s contributions stretch far beyond these stereotypes. From the builders of some of America’s earliest railroads and farms to Civil Rights pioneers to digital technology entrepreneurs, Indian Americans have long been an inextricable part of American life. Today, one out of every 100 Americans, from Silicon Valley to Small town, USA, traces his or her roots to India. Breakthroughs in business, the arts, medicine, science, and technology, and the flavorful food, flamboyant fashion and yoga of India have become a central part of our national culture.”
In 1997, when I had landed in Milwaukee, WI to pursue my journalism degree, it was rare to find Indian Americans in the city. Today, everywhere I go, at work, shopping malls, sports arena, theaters, churches, schools where my 3 daughters attend, and in my neighborhood where I live, there is a growing number of Indian Americans. There has been an influx of Indian Americans across the nation, especially in the past couple of decades.
According to The Economist, “Three-quarters of the Indian-born population in America today arrived in the last 25 years.” The present Indian population can be explained from the nearly 147,000 immigrants that India provides to the country on a yearly basis, reported Huffington Post.
In the early 20th century just a few hundred people emigrated from India to America each year and there were only about 5,000 people of Indian heritage living in the United States. Today Indian-born Americans number over 3.8 million and they are probably the most successful minority group in the country. Compared with all other big foreign-born groups, they are younger, richer and more likely to be married and supremely well educated.
The modern immigration wave from Asia is nearly a half century old and has pushed the total population of Asian Americans—foreign born and U.S born, adults and children—to a record 18.2 million in 2011, or 5.8% of the total U.S. population, up from less than 1% in 1965.
Pew Research study has found, “Asian Americans are the highest-income, best-educated and fastest-growing racial group in the United States. They are more satisfied than the general public with their lives, finances and the direction of the country, and they place more value than other Americans do on marriage, parenthood, hard work and career success.”
Indians have always been rising in America. As James Crabtree of Financial Times suggests, “More than any other group of outsiders, it was the Indians who figured out that, to make it in startup land, it helps to have a social network of your own.”
The less than four million Indian Americans appear to be gaining prominence and have come to be recognized as a force to reckon with in this land of opportunities that they have come to call as their adopted homeland. They are the most educated population in the United States, with more than 80 percent holding college or advanced degrees, as per a report by Pew Research Center. They have the highest income levels, earning $65,000 per year with a median household income of $88,000, far higher than the U.S. household average of 49,000, according to the survey.
Although disparities persist with nearly nine percent of Indian Americans live in poverty, they have made a mark in almost every field in the United States through their hard work, dedication and brilliance. Notching successes in fields as diverse as poetry and politics, the fast growing strong Indian American community packed more power and influence far beyond their numbers in the year gone by.
“While the Indian-American community has been the wealthiest, most-educated minority in the U.S. for some time now, they’re only more recently experiencing wide-scale recognition in public life,” Forbes magazine stated.
Indian Americans are just one percent of the American population, but 3 percent of its engineers, 7 percent of its IT force, and 8 percent of its physicians and surgeons. Some 10-20 percent of all tech start-ups have Indian founders. Indeed, a joint Duke University-UC Berkeley study revealed that between 1995-2005, Indian immigrants founded more engineering and technology companies than immigrants from countries like UK, China, Taiwan and Japan combined. They have risen to the top ranks in major companies like Satya Nadella in Microsoft, Sundar Pichai in Google and Indra Nooyi in Pepsico.
Indians for decades have been playing an important role in global technology landscape. Indians, especially in Silicon Valley, are growing in prominence, influence, and sheer population. The fact that Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai, and Nikesh Arora lead some of the most prominent tech world giants is an example of their importance to the larger world and the significant contributions they continue to make.
Rajeev Suri is leading Nokia. Hyderabad-born Shantanu Narayen is the leader of Adobe, while Sanjay Jha ids the CEO of Global Foundries. George Kurian became the CEO and president of storage and data management company NetApp in June 2015. Francisco D’Souza is the CEO, Cognizant, and Dinesh Paliwal is the president and CEO of Harman International, and Ashok Vemuri is the CEO, Conduent Inc, the Xerox’s sibling business services. These are only a few of the success stories of Indians in the US, leading the tech industry in the US.
The surge in Indians moving to America was intimately linked to the rise of the technology industry. In the 1980s India loosened its rules on private colleges, leading to a large expansion in the pool of engineering and science graduates. Fear of the “Y2K” bug in the late 1990s served as a catalyst for them to engage with the global economy, with armies of Indian engineers working remotely from the subcontinent, or travelling to America on workers’ visas.
Today a quarter or more of the Indian-born workforce is employed in the tech industry. In the Silicon Valley neighborhoods such as Fremont and Cupertino, people of Indian origin make up a fifth of the population. Some 10-20% of all tech start-ups have Indian founders; Indians have ascended to the heights of the biggest firms, too.
If Indians are a powerful force in the tech sector, they have also begun to show their power in the political arena. There have been several Indian Americans who have been elected and appointed to important positions at national, state and local level offices.
A record five Indian-Americans serve in the US Congress, scripting history for the minority ethnic community that comprises just one per cent of America’s population. Congressmen Ami Bera, Raja
Photo by: Dennis Van Tine/STAR MAX/IPx 4/14/16 Dr. Vivek Murthy (U.S. Surgeon General) at The National Action Network Conference. (NYC)
Krishnamoorthy, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal have been elected to the US Congress while Kamla Harris represents California in the US Senate.
Kamala Harris, a rising star, the first Indian American and first black senator from California, the Huffington Post has suggested Harris could be “the next best hope for shattering that glass ceiling=,” by becoming the first female President of the greatest democracy in the world. Pundits have compared her rise to that of former President Obama.
Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, a fast-rising Democratic star, has featured in the Politico magazine’s “Power List for the year 2018” for having assumed the mantle of a House “leader of the resistance.”
Over the past several months, there have been a number of articles in the national press, speculating whether former South Carolina Governor and the current US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley might consider a presidential run in 2020. Some say her efforts and clear leadership as governor and ambassador to the United Nations have put her in a strong position to possibly become this nation’s first female president.
In the most recent elections, Indian Americans made huge victories across the nation. Last November, Indian American politician Ravinder Bhalla made news by being the first Sikh mayor of the New Jersey city of Hoboken, as well as one of the first public officials in the US to wear a turban. The occupational profile presented by the Asian Indian community today is one of increasing diversity. Although a large number of Asian Indians are professionals, others own small businesses or are employed as semi- or nonskilled workers.
Forbes wrote recently about the new additions to the Trump administration: “two Indian Americans, Raj Shah and Manisha Singh, the latest instance of a relatively new, larger trend: the growing participation — and success — of Indian Americans in public service.”
Trump appointed Raj Shah principal deputy press secretary — who also continues to hold his post as deputy assistant to the president. US assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs, Manisha Singh, 45, is a noted lawyer from Florida.
As the chairman of the United States Federal Communications Commission, accomplished attorney Ajit Pai works on a wide variety of regulatory and transactional matters involving the cable, internet, TV, radio and satellite industries.
A respected legal scholar, Neomi Rao is the administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the White House. Seema Verma is the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Vishal Amin is Trump’s intellectual property enforcement coordinator. Neil Chatterjee is chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
While several Indian Americans are now key players in pushing the Trump White House’s conservative agenda, the Indian-American community in general has long leaned left. Politically, they are more Democratic leaning than any other group as a whole in the nation. A whopping 84 per cent Indian-Americans voted for President Barack Obama in the general election in 2012. Compared with other US Asian groups, Indian Americans are the most likely to identify with the Democratic Party; 65 percent are Democrats or lean to the Democrats, 18 percent are Republicans.
In the Obama era, they were recognized by the Democratic Party with important jobs in Washington, DC as never been before. “It is very exciting to serve in an Administration that has so many great Indian-Americans serving,” said Raj Shah, former Administrator of USIAD, the highest ranking Indian-American in the Obama Administration.
In 2012, a record 30 Indian Americans fought to win electoral battle with Republican Nikki Haley and Democrat Kamala Harris handily winning back their jobs as South Carolina governor and California’s attorney general respectively. Amiresh ‘Ami’ Bera, the lone Indian American in the US House of Representatives, repeated history by winning a tight California House race.
Dr. Vivek Verma won an uphill battle against the powerful Gun Lobby and won the majority support at the US Senate. President Barack Obama appointed Richard Rahul Verma as the first envoy from the NRI community to India. Nisha Desai Biswal was heading the State Department’s South Asia bureau. Puneet Talwar took over as assistant secretary for political-military affairs to serve as a bridge between the State and Defense departments, while Arun Madhavan Kumar became assistant secretary of commerce and director general of the US and Foreign Commercial Service.
Subra Suresh was inducted into the Institute of Medicine (IOM), making him the only university president to be elected to all three national academies, while Sujit Choudhry, a noted expert in comparative constitutional law, became the first Indian American dean of the University of California-Berkeley, School of Law, a top US law school. Sriram Hathwar and Ansun Sujoe won the Scripps National Spelling Bee contest after 52 years and for just the fourth time in the contest’s history. Indira Nooyi, another person of Indian origin has been leading as the CEO of Pepsi, one of the largest corporations.
Former US attorney Preet Bharara made history by going after small and big law breakers in the nation. Among many judges of Indian origin, Sri Srinivasan stole the headlines with his unanimous support from the US Senate to the US Federal Court in DC.
In the glamor world of the nation, Indian Americans are not far behind. Aziz Ansari, the Master of None star won the Golden Globe this year for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Several others have found leading roles in the highly competitive Hollywood movies and on TV.
Priyanka Chopra has been voted the “Sexiest Asian Woman” in the world in an annual UK poll released in London last week. From splashes of red and black to purple velvet, with models that defied tradition both in size and age, Indian-American fashion designers showed their metal at the New York Fashion Week that was held in New York City in February this year. They included Bibhu Mohapatra, Prabal Gurung, Misha Kaura, Naeem Khan, Sachin & Babi, and the MacDuggal brand.
Like all immigrant groups, Indians have found niches in America’s vast economy. Half of all motels are owned by Indians, mainly Gujaratis. Punjabis dominate the franchises for 7-Eleven stores and Subway sandwiches.
Ten richest of all Indian Americans have made it to the Forbes List 2018, The World’s Billionaires on March 6th. The richest Indian American on the list is Rakesh Gangwal, the co-founder of the airline Indigo and is worth $3.3 billion, after he made an extra $1.2 billion in the past year. Romesh T. Wadhwani, an IT entrepreneur and philanthropist, closely follows him, with a net worth of $3.1 billion, who ended up topping the list last year. Forbes list this year has a record of 2,208 members including two new Indian Americans, Niraj Shah who is worth $1.6 billion and Jayshree Ullal who is worth $1.3 billion. Shah is the CEO and co-founder of Wayfair while Ullal is the CEO of Arista Networks.
Again, quoting Pew Research, Indian Americans are the highest-income and best-educated people in the United States and the third largest among Asian Americans who have surpassed Latinos as the fastest-growing racial group, according to a new survey. Seven-in-ten (70 percent) Indian Americans ages 25 and older, have obtained at least a bachelor’s degree; this is higher than the Asian-American share (49 percent) and much higher than the national share (28 percent), the survey found.
Indian Americans generally are well-off. Median annual household income for Indian Americans in 2010 was $88,000, much higher than for all Asian Americans ($66,000) and all U.S. households ($49,800). In 2010, 28% of Indian American worked in science and engineering fields; according to the 2013 American Community Survey, more than two-thirds (69.3%) of Indian Americans 16 and older were in management, business, science and arts occupations.
They are the largest segment of any group that entered the country under the H1-B visa program, which allow highly skilled foreign workers in designated “specialty occupations” to work in the U.S. In 2011, for example, 72,438 Indians received H1-B visas, 56% of all such visas granted that year.
Indian Americans have quietly permeated many segments of the American economy and society while still retaining their Indian culture. Most Asian Indian families strive to preserve traditional Indian values and transmit these to their children. Offsprings are encouraged to marry within the community and maintain their Indian heritage.
Indian Americans stand out from most other US Asian groups in the personal importance they place on parenting; 78 percent of Indian Americans say being a good parent is one of the most important things to them personally. Indian Americans are among the most likely to say that the strength of family ties is better in their country of origin (69 percent) than in the US (8 percent).
Nearly nine-in-ten (87 percent) adult Indian Americans in the United States are foreign born, compared with about 74 percent of adult Asian Americans and 16 percent of the adult US population overall. More than half of Indian-American adults are US citizens (56 percent), lower than the share among overall adult Asian population (70 percent) as well as the national share (91 percent).
More than three-quarters of Indian Americans (76 percent) speak English proficiently, compared with 63 percent of all Asian Americans and 90 percent of the US population overall. The median age of adult Indian Americans is 37, lower than for adult Asian Americans (41) and the national median (45).
Although over four fifths of Indians belong to Hindu religion in India, only about half (51%) of Indian Americans are Hindu, while nearly all Asian-American Hindus (93%) trace their heritage to India. 18% of Indian Americans identified themselves as Christians; 10% said they were Muslim.
More than seven-in-ten (71 percent) adult Indian Americans are married, a share significantly higher than for all Asian Americans (59 percent) and for the nation (51 percent). The share of unmarried mothers was much lower among Indian Americans (2.3 percent) than among all Asian Americans (15 percent) and the population overall (37 percent).
The first Asian Indians or Indian Americans, as they are also known, arrived in America as early as the middle of the nineteenth century. By the end of the nineteenth century, about 2,000 Indians, most of them Sikhs (a religious minority from India’s Punjab region), settled on the west coast of the United States, having come in search of economic opportunity. Other Asian Indians came as merchants and traders; many worked in lumber mills and logging camps in the western states of Oregon, Washington, and California, where they rented bunkhouses, acquired knowledge of English, and assumed Western dress.
Between 1910 and 1920, as agricultural work in California began to become more abundant and better paying, many Indian immigrants turned to the fields and orchards for employment. For many of the immigrants who had come from villages in rural India, farming was both familiar and preferable. Some Indians eventually settled permanently in the California valleys where they worked. Because there was virtually no immigration by Indian women during this time, it was not unheard of for Indian males to marry Mexican women and raise families.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, about 100 Indian students also studied in universities across America. A small group of Indian immigrants also came to America as political refugees from British rule. The immigration of Indians to America was tightly controlled by the American government during this time, and Indians applying for visas to travel to the United States were often rejected by U.S. diplomats in major Indian cities like Bombay and Calcutta. The Asiatic Exclusion League (AEL) was organized in 1907 to encourage the expulsion of Asian workers, including Indians.
In July 1946, Congress passed a bill allowing naturalization for Indians and, in 1957, the first Asian Indian Congressman, Dalip Saund, was elected to Congress. Like many early Indian immigrants, Saund came to the United States from Punjab and had worked in the fields and farms of California. He had also earned a doctorate at the University of California, Berkeley. While more educated and professional Indians began to enter America, immigration restrictions and tight quotas ensured that only small numbers of Indians entered the country prior to 1965. Overall, approximately 6,000 Asian Indians immigrated to the United States between 1947 and 1965.
From 1965 onward, a wave of Indian immigration began, spurred by a change in U.S. immigration law that lifted prior quotas and restrictions and allowed significant numbers of Asians to immigrate. Between 1965 and 1974, Indian immigration to the United States increased at a rate greater than that from almost any other country.
This wave of immigrants was very different from the earliest Indian immigrants—Indians that emigrated after 1965 were overwhelmingly urban, professional, and highly educated and quickly engaged in gainful employment in many U.S. cities. Many had prior exposure to Western society and education and their transition to the United States was therefore relatively smooth. More than 100,000 such professionals and their families entered the U.S. in the decade after 1965.
Almost 40 percent of all Indian immigrants who entered the United States in the decades after 1965 arrived on student or exchange visitor visas, in some cases with their spouses and dependents. Most of the students pursued graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines. They were often able to find promising jobs and prosper economically, and many became permanent residents and then citizens.
The 1990 U.S. census reported 570,000 Asian Indians in America. In general, the Asian Indian community has preferred to settle in the larger American cities rather than smaller towns, especially in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago. This appears to be a reflection of both the availability of jobs in larger cities, and the personal preference of being a part of an urban, ethnically diverse environment, one which is evocative of the Indian cities that many of the post-1965 immigrants came from.
Indian Americans are more evenly spread out than other Asian Americans. About 24 percent of adult Indian Americans live in the West, compared with 47 percent of Asian Americans and 23 percent of the US population overall. More than three-in-ten (31 percent) Indian Americans live in the Northeast, 29 percent live in the South, and the rest (17 percent) live in the Midwest.
Despite their successes, they have been also subjected to discrimination and racist attacks. According to a recent report called “Communities on Fire” by the Washington, DC-based group South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), hate crimes against Indian Americans and other South Asian Americans surged 45% from November 8, 2016, to November 7, 2017. The group recorded 302 incidents during that period, 213 of them being direct physical or verbal assaults
The Indian American community continues to play an important role in shaping the relationship between India, the largest democracy and the US, the greatest democracy in the world. “The model minority stereotype stems from the “non-threatening nature” of the Indian immigrant — a label bestowed by the white counterpart. The Indian American community is seen as “successful” – a prototype to be followed by fellow minorities,” Huffington Post wrote.
“Indian-Americans are tremendously important and we hope they would be increasingly visible not only in the government, but also in all parts of American life,” said Maya Kassandra Soetoro-Ng, maternal half-sister of Obama, adding that the President was very proud of the community. “It is certainly a reflection of how important India is and how important Indian-Americans are to the fabric of the nation. I would just like to celebrate all of the contribution artistic, political and so much more of the community. It is time we come to recognize fully the contribution of the Indian-American community here,” said Maya.
Deepika Padukone is the only Indian actress to feature in TIME’s ‘100 Most Influential People in the World’ list, sharing space with names like Nicole Kidman, Gal Gadot, Greta Gerwig and Lena Waithe. India’s cricket captain Virat Kohli was another Indian who had made it to the list this year.
Ola co-founder Bhavish Aggarwal and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Are the other two people of Indian origin who made it to the list. The list, now in its fifteenth year, recognizes the activism, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals.
World leaders like US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Bangladesh’s premier Sheikh Hasina were also featured in the list of 100 most influential people.
In the magazine, international star Vin Diesel, Padukone’s co-star in her Hollywood debut, “xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” has penned a few words of appreciation for her.
Diesel wrote of her: “When Deepika Padukone came in to read for one of the Fast and the Furiousfilms, I knew instantly I was in the presence of someone very special. As soon as she entered the room, there was a synchronicity, a synergy, a chemistry—it promised great things to come. Her schedule didn’t work for that movie, but I never gave up. She was the first role we cast in xXx: Return of Xander Cage. She said, “I want to do this movie, but if I do, you have to come to India.” Thank God I made that deal.
“Making that movie, Deepika took committed to a whole other level. That’s who she is as a performer. She wants the whole movie to shine, which is a rare thing. Anyone could talk about how beautiful she is, and anyone could tell you about her unmatched comedic timing. But she isn’t just a star. She’s an actor’s actor, dedicated to the craft.
“So often in the entertainment industry we deal in stereotypes, and people get stuck in certain markets. Deepika is the best Earth has to offer. She’s not just here to represent India; she’s here to represent the world,” Diesel stated.
Padukone scored a success at the box office this year with the epic drama, “Padmaavat,” in which she played the title role. One of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema today, she has 18 brands in her portfolio and has a strong social media presence.
Apart from her work as an artiste, Padukone’s philanthropic side has seen her spreading awareness on the condition of mental illness. She has spoken about her battle with depression and has been working towards creating awareness with her NGO, The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLF). The list also features actress Meghan Markle, who will become a British royal family member upon her wedding to Prince Harry in May.
Sachin Tendulkar wrote about Virat Kohli: “Every sportsman knows what it’s like to have good spells and bad ones too,” the batting maestro explained. “Virat took the criticism he faced during a disappointing West Indies series and returned home with a goal: to improve not only his technique, but also his fitness level. He’s never looked back.”
“Honestly, I’ve never really believed in self-acknowledgement. Instead, I have always looked ahead. But I must admit that today, I do feel a small sense of achievement. It is humbling to be acknowledged for the work that you do, and so, it’s my absolute honour to be part of this prestigious list alongside such incredible achievers,” Deepika also expressed her gratitude in her Instagram post feeling honoured.
Nadella, the chief executive of Microsoft, had his excerpt in the magazine’s influential list written by former managing editor of Time and current history professor at Tulane University Walter Isaacson, who said, “In the four years since he inherited a sticky wicket, Microsoft’s market value has increased 130 percent.”
“More important,” Isaacson continued, “the company is now making products that feel more user-friendly, empathetic and collaborative.”
A soon-to-be released documentary on the rise and dominance of Indian American kids in spelling bee competitions across the United States will be making the major film festival rounds starting this month.
The “Breaking the Bee” documentary will be shown on April 6 and 8 at the Cleveland International Film Festival, followed by a screening at the New York Indian Film Festival in New York City May 12.
“Breaking the Bee” follows four second-generation Indian-American children, ages 7 to 14, over the course of a year, or “bee season,” as they train to reach (and win) the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee (see earlier India-West story here). It’s an inside look at studying, family life, competing in qualifying bees, and being a kid with big dreams. Some are in their final year of eligibility while others are just beginning their spelling careers.
With expert commentary from CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Fareed Zakaria, comedian Hari Kondabolu, ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi, and past Scripps winners, the film offers an analysis into what drives this trend, while exploring the ups and downs of chasing a dream and pondering just how long this incredible trend can last, according to a press release.
The film is directed by Sam Rega and produced by Chris Weller, both of whom worked at Business Insider when they got the idea to produce the film.
Since 1999, all but four contest winners have been Indian American, and of the 285-plus children who make it to Scripps each year, roughly 25% come from families of Indian descent. This is something of an anomaly, as Indian Americans make up just 1% of the United States population.
The perfect storm has been brewing for decades — from the 1965 immigration law that eliminated quota systems for Indian immigrants, thus driving a wave of highly-educated individuals to come to the United States, to the formation of Indian-only spelling bees, to the explosion of mainstream interest in competitive spelling, ever since ESPN began broadcasting the Scripps Bee in 1994.
The film details the South Asian Spelling Bee’s contribution to this phenomenon with interviews with its founder, Rahul Walia. The SASB was started in 2008; since then, many of its winners have gone on to win at Scripps as well.
“It’s the gold standard of the Spelling Bee,” said Usha and Ganesh Dasari, parents of the spelling bee duo Shobha and Shourav. Shourav is one of the four spellers followed in “Breaking the Bee.”
Priyanka Chopra has signed her comeback film in India after the 2016 “Jai GangaaJal,” after which she went to Hollywood to do three seasons of the show “Quantico” on television and also her film “Baywatch.”
Her comeback choice is scintillatingly selected – she will be reuniting with her “Gunday” writer-director Ali Abbas Zafar and Salman Khan (after “Mujhe Shaadi Karogi,” “Salaam-E-Ishq” and “God Tussi Great Ho”) in this story that traverses many decades. She stated that she has learned a lot while working with both Zafar and Khan.
Zafar has stated the obvious that we also feel – that Chopra will bring to the table her international status along with her purely desi flavor. It is a crucial role in the film, and she will be shoulder-to-shoulder with Khan, who has five get-ups and looks in this film, which is adapted from the Korean movie “Ode To My Father.”
Chopra is also looking forward to working with Alvira and Atul Agnihotri, who are producing the movie, along with T-Series and Bhushan Kumar. Zafar told the media, “My film ‘Bharat’ is rooted in India and its culture despite it spanning over 70 years and set across various countries of the world. Priyanka is the biggest Indian artiste internationally, and she is a perfect fit for the film. Priyanka brings in outstanding acting as well as incredible international appeal to make the scale of the film bigger and even more global.”
While Chopra instantly agreed to do the film after a narration in New York, Zafar feels that she is the perfect choice for this mature and subtle role of a catalyst to the story.
“Bharat” has started its prep in London, after which it will move to Spain, Poland, Portugal, and Malta. Chopra is still active abroad, wrapping up “Quantico”’s third season in Ireland. The trailer of her second Hollywood film, “A Kid Like Jake” is also out. And people have not really forgotten her last few sterling turns in “Mary Kom,” “Dil Dhadakne Do,” “Bajirao Mastani” and “Jai GangaaJal.”
Chicago IL: Chicago land’s much awaited dream came true when musical maestro, Ilaiyaraaja, performed live with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra from Hungary and Indian Classical Musicians on Saturday March 24 at the Naperville Yard Center. The 55 musicians, 10 singers and 1 legend gave a spectacular performance that rocks music lovers in Midwest. A name synonymous with the Indian Music Industry Raaja is an incomparable genius who totally transformed the perception of people towards film music. Cloud9 events proudly presented the much awaited concert that enthralled an audience of 4000 plus who were left mesmerized by his memorable musical compositions. The live concert was performed by singers Chithra, Mano, Haricharan and Rahul Nambiar. They were accompanied by a talented orchestra of 50 musicians. They performed a total of 39 songs in both Tamil and Telugu languages.
Ilaiyaraaja’s acumen and knowledge of the aesthetics of music and cinema is what sets him apart from the rest. He is a multifaceted artist and has composed over 6000 songs and worked for 1000 movies. Raaja, as he is popularly known and affectionately called, comes from a family of musicians has won five Indian National Film Awards; three for Best Music Direction and two for Best Background Score. In 2010 he received the Padma Bhushan, awarded by the Government of India and in 2018 he was presented the Padma Vibhushan award which is the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India. The living legend paid an emotional tribute to his audience by singing that he would continue to make music for his fans living seven seas away from their motherland. This gesture deeply touched the audience and made them appreciate his love for music. Over 35 songs sung at the concert included “Janani janani – Thai Mookambigai”, “Om sivoham – Naan kadavul”, “Jagadhanandha kaaraka- Telugu”, “Ram ram salame ram ram-Hey Ram”, “Malaiyil yaaro- Kshathriyan”, “Ninukkori varnam-Gharshana-Telugu”, “Yen Iniya pon nila-Moodu Pani”, “Madai thirandhu-Nizhalgal”, “Abbani theeyani-Telugu”, “Sendhoora Poove- Sirimalle poove-Telugu” and so on.
S. Chithra or simply Chithra, is an Indian playback singer from Kerala. Chithra also sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music. She has sung in a number of languages that include Urdu, Latin, Arabic, Sinhalese and English. She has recorded over 25,000 Songs for various films and music-albums. She is a recipient of six National Film Awards, seven Film fare Awards South and 35 different state film awards. Another popular singer, Nagoor Babu popularly known as Mano entertained the audience with his melodious voice. Mano is a playback singer, voice-over artist, actor, producer, and anchor and music composer. Haricharan comes from a family of music connoisseurs and started learning music at an early age of seven from. Sethu Mahadevan followed by legends like K. V. Narayanaswamy , T. M. Prabhavathi and P. S. Narayanaswamy . Rahul Nambiar is an Indian playback singer and live performer and has lent his voice for several advertisement jingles.
Cloud9 Events is a group of passionate individuals working together to organize events to promote Indian culture and heritage overseas with the goal to bring entertainment to the Chicago Indian Community. The kind of events Cloud9 aims to organize are Indian classical dance performances, Indian Musical & Dance Shows / Ramana Abbaraju – Member – Event Marketing & Sales Concerts, Book Launches, Literary Events and Indian Trade Bazars. Sudhir Velpula , the Cloud 9 Events Managing Principal along with team members, Gopi Pittala (Planning, Operations and Finance) , Ramana Abbaraju ( Event Marketing & Sales, Raj Addagatla and others coordinated the entire event. The platinum sponsors HR Pundits, Bookstogo, Radhikas Kitchen, Pietsch, Professional Home mortgage Solutions, Regal Jewels and Hot Breads. Sponsors of the event were Pegasus Knowledge Solutions, Hot Breads, International Legal & Business Services Group, Patel Brothers, Allstate, Pietsch Financial group, Sunrise Indian Supermarket, ebooks2go, some dental group.
De Wayne Williams President of Williams Security & Protection Agency has been greatly involved in the Asian community for nearly the last ten years in association with various groups. De Wayne Williams and his team did excellent job to protect all Stars of Ilaiyaraaja Live concert (Ilaiyaraaja,Chithra, Mano, Haricharan and Rahul Nambiar). Ilaiyaraaja Live concert was family event and they did excellent job by protecting family
Indian actor Anupam Kher has received nomination for the Virgin TV British Academy Television Awards in 2018 for his work in a BBC project. Kher has been nominated for his performance in the adaptation of Satnam Sanghera’s memoir “The Boy with the Topknot,” a TV movie. He has been nominated for his extraordinary performance as a schizophrenic father Jagjit in the movie.
The actor, who has featured in about 500 films, is up against Adrian Dunbar (“Line of Duty”), Brian F. O’Byrne (“Little Boy Blue”) and Jimmi Simpson – USS Callister (“Black Mirror”) for the Best Supporting Actor trophy.
Anupam Kher tweeted on Wednesday, Apr. 4: “Thank you Bafta for the nomination. I feel honoured and humbled.” The British Academy of Film and Television Arts announced the nominations for the annual Virgin TV British Academy Television Awards on Wednesday, read a statement on bafta.org. It will reward the best television programmes broadcast in the UK in 2017. The ceremony will be held at the Royal Festival Hall on May 13.
Often attributed as an actor par excellence, Anupam Kher has time and again been honoured for his contribution to cinema and art. The ‘A Wednesday’ actor, also the chairman of Film and Television Institute of India(FTII), Anupam will play a pivotal role in Vijay Ratnakar’s Bollywood drama titled ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’, which is scheduled to release in mid-August this year.
