CREATIVE WORLD

The Echo of India Port Blair Friday February 16 , 2018 PAGE-6

Want to be known as a goodactor, not just the wink

queen: Priya Prakash Varrier

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB 15 /--/ Her cute winkand coquettish smile may have made Priya PrakashVarrier the national crush but the debutante, who isenjoying her newfound fame, hopes to have a lastingacting career rather than being a fleeting Internetsensation. The 18-year-old college student, whoseappearance in the teaser song 'Mani Manikya MalarayaPoovi' from film "Oru Adaar Love" ( A Superb Love Story)catapulted her to national fame, also has Bollywooddreams and counts Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh andShah Rukh Khan among her favourites. "I would like to beknown as a good actor rather than being known as thewink queen. This is a new feeling. But I am happy. Thesong has received good response," Varrier, whoseInstagram following has now reached 3.3m and thenumbers are growing, said. "Our director told us that the30-second shot should be a memorable one and wefollowed his vision. I never expected that it would becomesuch a big hit. It is a school-centric film. We are discussinglove, crushes and friendship. Love in the time ofschooling is the theme of the film," she said. In the viralnumber, the actor and her co-star Roshan Abdul Rahoofare seen doing a see-saw with their eyebrows beforeVarrier surprises him with a wink and a flirtatious smile.

Varrier credits Roshan for creating the moment bytweaking his eyebrows first. The actor, whose father is aCentral Excise officer and mother a home-maker, saysacting was her dream and would like to balance it with herstudies. "Coming to films was a big dream of mine. But Inever thought that from a single scene and a single movie,I will get recognised so much. It was all unexpected. "I likeDeepika Padukone very much. I would like to work withher. I want to work in Bollywood films and earn fame," shetold television channels. Her instant fame has led to manynew offers and the actor says she is open to working in anyindustry, if she gets meaty roles. The second teaser of thefilm has also gone viral, in which Varrier can be seenshooting a kiss with a handgun gesture. The film,meanwhile, has run into trouble as the Hyderabad Policeyesterday registered a case on a complaint that the lyricsof the song had allegedly hurt the religious sentiments ofMuslims. "I don't know much about this. I don't have anyidea," she said when asked about the controversy. Thefilm's director Omar Lulu says there is nothingobjectionable in the song and it will not be pulled out.(PTI)

People stand in front of Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark––REUTERS

Pune woman becomes grandmotherwith dead sons preserved semen

Raza academywants'objectionable'Malayalam filmsong blockedMUMBAI, FEB 15 /--/The Raza Academy herehas asked the CentralBoard of Film Certificationto block the video of a songfrom the upcomingMalayalam film "OruAdaar Love" for "hurting"religious sentiments ofMuslims. In a letteraddressed to CBFCChairman Prasoon Joshiyesterday, the organisationsaid an FIR has been lodgedin a police station ofHyderabad against thefilms director, but due toalleged delay in policeaction, "discontent" amongthe community was rising."The song 'ManikyaMalaraya Poovi' (thesewords can loosely translateas 'A girl like a pearlflower') of the Malayalammovie 'Oru Adaar Love'(the loose translation forwhich can be 'a superlativelove') has gone viral and itslyrics containobjectionable textmentioning the name ofIslam's Holy Prophet andhis wife," said the letter.

The outfit called foraction against "culprits"and book them without anydelay. "We call uponyourself to immediatelyissue orders to thedepartments concerned toact promptly on thiscomplaint and also takemeasures to block thevideos and stop anyactivities in future whichmay vitiate the peacefulatmosphere of the country,"the organisation said. TheFalaknuma Police inHyderabad yesterdayregistered a case againstthe film's director OmarLulu over a complaint thatthe lyrics hurt the religioussentiments of Muslims.One of the complainants,Zaheer Khan, demandedthat either the song beremoved from the film orits words be changed. Afterthe news of the FIR spread,the movie's crew membershad said the song would bewithdrawn. However, Luluand music director ShanRehman held a pressconference late last nightin Kochi to state they haddecided to include the songin the movie as they weregetting overwhelmingsupport from the entireKerala society. Luluclaimed the song had noobjectionable referenceand that Muslims in a partof Kerala had been singingit for over four decades.However, he had said it wasfor the censor board to takea final call on the matter. Aclip from the song,featuring actor PriyaPrakash Varrier, has goneviral on social media. Thecomplainants, however,said they had notmentioned the actor's namein their representationbefore the police. The filmis slated to be released laterthis year. (PTI)

I am chasing creative satisfaction: Neeraj

Suswagatam organizedby TJAPSKBSK

KOLKATA, FEB 15 /--/ "Tapsil Jati Adibasi PraktanSainik Krishi Bikash Shilpa Kendra”, a West Bengalbased voluntary organization (VO) led by eminent socialactivist Soumen Koley had conducted SUSWAGATAM , amega event recently at Haripal in Hooghly. It marked oneof the biggest events by TJAPSKBSK, bringing togetherdignitaries from all walk of the society, including greatfilm artist Mr. Biswajit Chatterjee and thousands ofTJAPSKBSK members from all across West Bengal,Assam and New Delhi. The main objective of the eventwas to share the progress towards the goal of theorganization catering to serving the needs of thedowntrodden and disadvantaged groups for last 37 yearswith concerted efforts of 6500 volunteers. The eventcaptured glimpses of significant activities like rescueand relief during the recent flood in West Bengal, HealthCheck-up camps, Blood Donation Camps, Farmerstraining, Orientation of Fishermen, Training programsfor Artisans, Safe Drive Save Life, Beti Bachao BetiPadhao campaigns, etc., informed the Secretary ofTJAPSKBSK, Shri Soumen Koley. (EOIC)

PUNE, FEB 15 /--/ A Pune-basedwomans world came to anunexpected standstill when her sonsuccumbed to cancer two yearsago. But her joy knows no boundsnow. She became a grandmother totwins born via surrogacy methodsusing her sons cryo-preservedsemen. Doctors at Punes SahyadriHospital performed the in-vitrofertilisation (IVF) procedure andfused Prathamesh Patils semen,extracted and preserved inGermany long before his death,with the eggs of a donor to formembryos.

The embryos were thentransferred into the womb of asurrogate mother, who gave birth tothe twins - a boy and a girl - onMonday. Prathamesh Patils mother

Rajashree Patil said in 2010 her sonhad gone to Germany to pursue amasters degree when he wasdiagnosed with a brain tumour."The news was a shock to ourfamily. Health experts in Germanysuggested that Prathamesh startchemotherapy and radiationprocedures.

They also asked him topreserve his semen to avoid anynegative effects on his body post-treatment," she said. However, hesuffered convulsions and also losthis vision, said Rajashree Patil,who teaches at a school in Pune."After getting to know about hiscondition, which was a stage-fourcancer, as informed by medicalofficers there, my first effort was tobring Prathamesh back to India

from Germany," she said. Thefamily brought the ailingPrathamesh to India in 2013 andtook him to a hospital in Mumbai,where he was operated uponfollowing which his health showedsigns of improvement. "However,in between, he suffered anotherconvulsion and was detected with arecurring tumour. He succumbed toa malignant tumour in September2016," the mother said.

After his death, the mother,having a desire to get back her son,contacted the semen bank inGermany where Prathamesh Patilssemen was cryo-preserved. Aftercompleting the formalities, thesemen was brought to India. Themother then approached SahyadriHospital for an IVF procedure with

the help of his sons semen. SupriyaPuranik, head of IVF, gynaecologyand obstetrics department at thehospital, said she is happy thatadvancement in science andtechnology is bringing smile onpeoples face. "In hospitals, we oftensee a lot of emotional moments andhappiness whenever a womandelivers a baby and we become apart of their joy," she said. "But inthis case, it was about a grief-stricken mother whose son wasaway for studies when he facedhealth issues and later died," saidPuranik. "We appreciate the kindof spirit she has shown in thisentire process and we congratulateher for having her son back in theform of these healthy twin babies,"she added. (PTI)

Taapsee Pannu launches'HelmetOnLifeOn'

KOLKATA, FEB 15/--/Honda 2Wheelers India paviliontoday became the centre of attraction as Bollywood divaTaapsee Pannu captured all attention of youngsters andflew in to spread a social message on road safety as well.Spreading the social message of road safety even further,Taapsee Pannu joined Yadvinder Singh Guleria (SeniorVP – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & ScooterIndia Pvt. Ltd.) and announced Honda’s National RoadSafety campaign #HelmetOnLifeOn. Sharing details ofHonda’s latest ‘#HelmetOnLifeOn’ road safety campaignMr Guleria said, “Nearly 18 million new two-wheelerscoming on roads every year. As a responsible two-wheelermanufacturer, Honda is deeply committed to spread themessage of road safety for everyone. it is very importantto highlight the importance of helmet usage while riding a2Wheeler.We are glad to have Taapsee on board with usand announce Honda’s national road safety campaign#HelmetOnLifeOn. Going ahead, Honda is going to spreadthe ‘Helmet On, Life On mantra to road users of all groupsacross the country.”

The national level campaign #HelmetOnLifeOn isspearheaded by Honda’s road safety vertical and willstart from Honda’s 13 Traffic Training Parks across Indiaexpanding to other cities through mega safety events later.Talking about #HelmetOnLifeOn, the ‘Judwa 2’ and ‘Pink’sensation and Honda’s brand Ambassador Taapsee Pannusaid, “Every year on Valentine’s week, we express lovewith gifts to our loved ones. This Valentine’s week mymessage to my fans is - someone is waiting for you andwants you to reach home safely. This Valentine’s Week giftyour loved ones a helmet. Because Helmet on, toh life on.”Making a grand entry in front of an ecstatic crowd of fans,Ms Pannu shared her own fun story of how India lovesActiva. Refreshing her old memories of riding an Activa,Taapsee was delighted to see Honda’s brand new 160ccsporty motorcycle X-Blade and the 5th generation ofIndia’s largest selling two-wheeler – Activa 5G at theHonda 2 Wheelers India pavilion. Spreading the messageof road safety among her fans, Taapsee took safe ridinginstructions from Honda’s safety instructors on alwayswearing safety gear before riding. Taking her fans bysurprise, the diva then rode Honda’s 125cc scooter Graziaand the new 2018 edition of CB Hornet 160R motorcycle inHonda’s outdoor road safety zone. That’s not all, she alsotook the Road Safety Pledge and engaged with her fans.(EOIC)

Numerous artistic expressions on display at India Art FestMUMBAI, FEB 15 /--/Myriad artisticexpressions, rangingfrom paintings totextiles and frommurals to installations,are on display at theseventh MumbaiEdition of the India ArtFestival (IAF) whichopened today insuburban Worli. Duringthe two-day event beingheld at Nehru Centre,the connoisseurs of artcan have glimpses of theart trends prevailing inIndia and Asiancountries."Over 50 art

galleries and 575artistes, representing30 cities across 10countries from Asia,Africa, the Middle Eastand Europe are takingpart in the exhibition,"said Rajendra Patil,founder and MD of theIndia Art Festival.Founded in 2011 by thepublishers of IndianContemporary ArtJournal, the event isheld annually inMumbai and Delhi. Thisyear, over 20 new artgalleries areparticipating in the IAF.

"There are a total of150 booths. Artcollectors andconnoisseurs are spoiltfor choices to chosefrom many medium andstyles -oil paintings,acrylics, water colours,original prints,installations, drawingsin myriad styles dealingwith varied subjectsincluding landscape,abstracts, cityscapes,seascapes, urban andrural scenarios,portraits, traditionalpaintings, murals,warli art among

others," Patil said. Hesaid all the art worksdisplayed at the IAF arealso made availableonline through e-commerce portal"eindiartfestival.com"in the art galleries andartists pavillion.

Veteran journalistcum painter PrakashBal Joshi, who hasshowcased his latestworks under the bannerof Art Breeze ArtGallery, told PTI thatthis festival is one ofthe major art events inthe country where

artists get anopportunity toshowcase their works."I have been doingabstract work for thetwo decades. Nature ismy inspiration anddegradation ofenvironment is myconcern as an artist.Blue and green are twocolours I have beenusing for expressingmyself," he said. GouriSeth (64) from UchaanArt Gallery, Gurugram,has taken up the brushafter a gap of 42 years.Showcasing her

Buddha's at theexhibition, Seth said,"for me painting ismeditation. MyBuddhas make mehappy and calm. I wantto share that innerpeace and happinesswith all those looking atthem". The inauguralceremony of the eventwas a star-studdedaffair with singer SonuNigam, actress MahimaChaudhary, musicianLesle Lewis, noted chefSanjeev Kapoor inattendance and visitingvarious stalls. (PTI)

MUMBAI, FEB 15 /--/ Almost all of hisfilms have done well at the box office anddirector Neeraj Pandey says the key tohis success may lie in choosinginteresting subjects. The filmmaker, whohas completed 10 years in the filmindustry, is now ready with his nextdirectorial venture, "Aiyaary". "I neverplan anything. Whenever I plan, thingsnever work out. I wanted to make a lovestory as my first film, it did not happen. Itjust refuses to happen. So I have stoppedplanning.

"I chase ideas that I am terriblyexcited about. I won't say I am satisfied ordissatisfied. I am chasing creativesatisfaction," Neeraj told PTI in aninterview. Though his last film - "MSDhoni: The Untold Story" - was a huge hit,the "Special 26" helmer says, he oftenthinks the movie could have been better.

"I always think the last film shouldhave done better, irrespective of how itperformed at the box office. There arestill some shots that hurt. It's your choiceto dwell on it or move on. But I choose notto forget about it," he said. From "AWednesday" to "Special 26", "Baby" and"MS Dhoni: The Untold Story", Neeraj'sfilms have been lauded by both theaudiences and the critics, who describe

his cinema as an interesting blend ofcommercial and intellectual flavours. "Idon't think any of the films wereintellectual, but could be intelligent. Ibelieve there is lot of intelligentaudience who have gone and seen thefilm, and that is why the numbers havestacked up," he said when asked about it.For the 44-year-old director, content hasalways been of paramount importance. "Istarted my career with 'A Wednesday',which was not dominated by stars, but ithad a bunch of great actors in it. I alwaysbelieve content is important and thebelief got reinforced with the success of'A Wednesday'.

"And it led us to the path, where weprimarily focus on content and let theactors make it special by their presence."He often repeated seasoned actors likeAnupam Kher, Manoj Bajpayee andNasseruddin Shah and he says theirpresence takes the film to a differentlevel. "We do need actors like them. Forthe kind of films we make, we needseriously gifted actors who can do justice(to the roles) and take the material toanother level," he added. For theuninitiated, the aforementioned threeactors are part of Neeraj's "Aiyaary".(PTI)