Page 735 - Entertainment Culture

#MeToo movement gaining momentum is good sign: Aishwarya

Celebrated actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looks at the #MeToo movement gaining momentum as a positive sign and she believes that talking on women empowerment should be a continuous process.

Speaking after 20 years doesn't mean claims are questionable: Mahesh Bhatt on Vinta Nanda's claims

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said Tuesday that writer-director Vinta Nanda's allegations of rape and sexual harassment against Alok Nath should not be viewed as "questionable" even though she decided to raise her voice after almost two decades. The 70-year-old filmmaker, who called Nanda a "crusader of causes" and a friend, said he wants to know what stopped the "Tara" writer from calling out Nath when the incident happened. "I was told by some of my friends from Mumbai that one of my colleagues, Vinta Nanda has gone... But she has never mentioned about this for years. But why did she not mention? because was she also... Though she has been a crusader for causes and an activist. She has fought with me on various platforms and she has worked with me. "One of my colleagues asked, 'Why was she quiet? Why didn't she speak for so many years?' Which doesn't mean why is she is speaking now? Just because you're speaking after 20 years doesn't mean your claims are questionable. But it's very ...

Talent agents or media moguls?

Just like their American counterparts, Indian talent agencies are morphing into quasi-media firms. Can it work?

#MeToo: Film associations act against artistes accused of sexual harassment (Roundup)

The raging #MeToo movement on Tuesday led film associations CINTAA and IFTDA to react in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against actor Alok Nath and director Vikas Bahl. The Producers Guild of India said it will form a committee to help the film fraternity to call out and report sexual harassment and abuse.

Maha commission seeks Patekar's response on Dutta's allegation

The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has asked actor Nana Patekar to appear before it or file his response in 10 days in connection with a complaint of alleged sexual harassment against him filed by Tanushree Dutta. The commission's Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said it has taken cognizance of Dutta's complaint and sent notices to those named by her. Dutta had accused Patekar of harassing her on the sets of a film in 2008 and also named others, including choreographer Ganesh Acharya, in her complaint. Patekar has rejected Dutta's allegations. Rahatkar told reporters here notice has been sent to all those named by the actress. She said Dutta too has been asked to appear before the commission to provide it more information on her complaint. The commission has also written to Mumbai police, seeking information on the action it had taken on Dutta's complaint. Rahatkar said a number of complaints of harassment against women in production houses and film industry have been appearing, ...

Provide security for Rs 50 lakh or face action: HC to Tamil actor

The Madras High Court Tuesday made it clear that the properties of Tamil actor Silambarasan would be attached if he fails to provide security for Rs 50 lakh, which he received from a production house, by October 31. The matter relates to a civil suit filed by Passion Movie Makers in which it was claimed that the production house had entered into an agreement with Silambarasan for acting in the leading role in the movie 'Arasan.' The actor's remuneration was fixed as Rs 1 crore and Rs 50 lakh was paid as advance on June 17, 2013. As the actor did not keep up his commitment, the production company filed the civil suit. On the actor's behalf, it was claimed that the production company had not started production and hence they have to forfeit the amount. Counsel for the actor moved a plea stating that the rate of interest was not mentioned in the agreement. Justice M Govindaraj said the court had earlier directed the actor to furnish security for Rs 85.50 lakh. Following the counsel's ...

M J Akbar, Alok Nath named as India's #MeToo fire rages on

The #MeToo fire raged on Tuesday, charring carefully built up reputations as more women narrated their experiences in the wide spectrum of sexual misconduct with Union minister M J Akbar and character actor Alok Nath amongst those named for their alleged actions. While External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj refused to answer a question on the allegations against her junior minister, the ripples of the movement to call out those who had allegedly sexually harassed women, verbally or physically, were felt across the media and entertainment industry. As the debate around what constitutes sexual harassment and concerns over due process intensified across newsrooms, drawing rooms and social media platforms, several senior journalists joined the list of those "named and shamed" by women. Expressing its gratitude and solidarity towards women journalists for their courage, the Editors Guild said in a statement that it is committed to ensuring that the legal rights the victims and the ...

'Women are still invisible,' warns feminist icon

Women everywhere are sharing stories of sexual harassment and gender inequality but men still aren't really listening, Nigerian author and feminist icon Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie told the Frankfurt book fair Tuesday, urging men to read books by women. "All over the world today women are speaking up. Their stories are still not really heard," Adichie said at the opening of the world's biggest publishing event. "Women are still invisible. Women's experiences are still invisible." A year after the #MeToo movement went viral and ignited a global discussion about sexual harassment, Adichie said there was much work left to be done. "It is time for us to pay more than lip service to the fact that women's stories are for everyone," the celebrated author of "Americanah" and "Half of a Yellow Sun" said. "We know from studies that women read books by men and women. But men read books by men. It is time for men to read women." As well as being an award-winning novelist, Adichie shot to fame as a ..

#MeToo: NCW reaches out to survivors of sexual harassment

The National Commission for Women (NCW) is in the process of reaching out to the survivors of sexual harassment as the #MeToo storm Tuesday intensified in the country with more women recounting their ordeal. The movement, on the lines of the Hollywood's #MeToo, started after actor Tanushree Dutta alleged that Nana Patekar sexually harassed her on the sets of a movie in 2008. Patekar has rejected Dutta's allegations. The movement has gained momentum as more women share on social media their experiences of sexual harassment in the entertainment and media industry. An official of the NCW Tuesday said the women rights body is in the process of gathering detailed information of the various sexual harassment allegations that have come to light in the media. "We are also personally reaching out to the survivors telephonically," the official said.

Singer Nitin Bali dies of injuries sustained in car accident

Singer Nitin Bali Tuesday died from injuries sustained in a car accident, police said. Bali, who shot to fame in the 1990s singing remixed yesteryear hits, was injured when his car hit a divider on SV Road in suburban Borivali around 12:30am Tuesday, police said. "He was taken to a hospital nearby but he left for his residence in Malad without getting himself treated. He complained of stomach ache this morning after which he was rushed to hospital again," the official said. Bali (47), however, succumbed to injuries at the private hospital, the official added. He sang the remixed version of hit songs like "Neele Neele Ambar", Chukar Mere Mann Ko", "Ek Ajnabi Haseene Se" and "Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas".

Shukla launches his own music video on Durga Puja

After turning out for the country in international cricket and discharging his ministerial responsibilities for over two years since joining politics, Laxmi Ratan Shukla on Tuesday launched his own music video centreing around the Durga Puja festival.

We should support the voices: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on India's #MeToo movement

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is happy with India having its own #MeToo movement and the actor Tuesday said more support and strength should be given to the women who are sharing their experiences of sexual harassment. The #MeToo movement gained momentum in the country in the light of Tanushree Dutta's allegations of harassment against Nana Patekar. Many from the entertainment industry, including Alok Nath, Rajat Kapoor, Vikas Bahl and comedy group AIB, have been called out for various incidents of sexual misconduct and harassment. "The #MeToo movement has gained momentum in present times. The world has got smaller with social media, one voice is becoming larger. What is nice to see in present time is that the members of the media are becoming allied and propelling voices that needs to be heard and giving them the platform. The law of the land will take over for justice to be served. "It wouldn't be right to specifically comment on individual cases as matters would be sub judice and that ...

Tanushree-Nana row: MSCW issues notices to Patekar

The Maharashtra State Women's Commission (MSWC) on Tuesday took cognizance of Tanushree Dutta's allegations against veteran actor Nana Patekar after the former knocked the doors of the women's body seeking an investigation.The MSWC has issued notices to Nana Patekar, director Rakesh Sarang and choreographer Ganesh Acharya, among others, directing them to file a reply within 10 days.The commission has also asked the state police for an update of the investigation over Dutta's complaint. The former beauty queen has been asked to appear before the MSWC and record her statement in detail as the earlier statement came through her lawyer."We have taken cognizance of Tanushree Dutta's complaint and have asked her to appear before the commission within 10 days. We have sent notices to people against whom Tanushree has filed complaint, asking them to appear before us within 10 days," Vijaya Rahatkar of Maharashtra State Commission for Women told ANI.A directive has been issued to all cine and

Parents tend to underestimate their kids: Kajol

Actress Kajol, who plays the role of an overprotective mother in her upcoming film "Helicopter Eela", says parents tend to underestimate their children.

Alok Nath's casual attitude to sexual assault charges 'shows such men's mentality': Swati Maliwal

Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal Tuesday said actor Alok Nath's "casual" attitude in responding to allegations of sexual assault "shows the mentality of such men who believe they would be let off easily". She quoted media reports according to which Nath said: "Neither I am denying this nor do I agree with it. It (rape) must have happened, but someone else would have done it. Well, I do not want to talk much about it. As for the matter, if it has come out, it will be stretched. "However, we only have to hear to women's stand because they are considered weak," he reportedly said. He was responding to allegations levelled by writer-producer Vinta Nanda, who accused the "most Sanskaari person", as the actor is known, of raping her more than once 19 years ago. Nanda, best known for the TV show "Tara", gave a detailed account of the alleged assaults in a lengthy Facebook post Monday night, the latest expose in the #MeToo movement sweeping India. Maliwal said the "casual .

Each girl brings something unique to 'Trip 2': Amyra

Actress Amyra Dastur describes working with Sapna Pabbi, Mallika Dua and Shweta Tripathi for "Trip 2" as the "best experience". She says each girl in the upcoming series makes the show unique with their different characteristics.

Vikas Bahl removed from Kabir Khan's '83' amid sexual assault allegations

Filmmaker Vikas Bahl will no longer be associated with Kabir Khan's "83", days after a woman employee at Phantom Films reiterated her allegations of molestation against the director. He was on board as one of the producers. Last year, the woman employee at Phantom Films, which had Bahl as one of the partners along side Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena, had alleged that Bahl behaved inappropriately with her during a trip to Goa. There were reports that the "Queen" director was dropped from any further associations with "83", the forthcoming film, starring Ranveer Singh, which chronicles India's iconic maiden World Cup win. When asked, Khan confirmed the news to PTI, "Yes, Vikas Bahl will not have any credit on '83'." Bahl has been accused of sexual harassment by a former employee of the company, which was dissolved ahead of a HuffPost article that detailed the victim's account and how the production house failed to take action. Both Kashyap and Motwane have since .

First Nagamese language movie screened at Nagaland film fest

Driven by the motto of "Promoting Every Child's Right to Entertainment", the Nagaland Children's Film Bonanza began on Tuesday at RCEMPA Auditorium in this mountainous state capital of Nagaland.

Delhi set for 'One Night Stand' with singer Sean Kingston

The capital city will host 'One Night Stand' with international singer Sean Kingston, who will perform at nightclub Roar on October 27.

Maroon 5's song maintains top position on Billboard Hot 100

Band Maroon 5 "Girls like you" has maintained its number one position on Billboard Hot 100 for the third consecutive week.