PHOTO:AMAL KS/ HT
‘Theatre needs state support to survive in any country’
TELEVISION
MUSIC
FEMINISM IS A WAY OF LIFE FOR SWARA Monika Rawal Kukreja
A
MANOJ BAJPAYEE, ACTOR
art form. Without that, theatre doesn’t thrive anywhere,” says Manoj, who is known for his films such as Satya (1998) and Gangs of Wasseypur
n
yashika.mathur@htlive.com
n
monika.rawal@htlive.com
‘If Sonakshi sings well on stage, I’ll be the first to clap’ PHOTO: IANS
Feminism should not be maligned for any reason. It is a peaceful movement that has never created violence SWARA BHASKAR, ACTOR
/htcity
The cultural scene in Bihar is rich. There is so much talent and most of them don’t have the resources to go to a film school
(2012). The actor recently argued that the government should open an acting school in his hometown Belwa, in order to utilise the acting talent present there. “I want the government to take the initiative and really think about opening a film institute and theatre school in Bihar. There is so much talent and most of them don’t have the resources to go to a film school.” The actor is willing to help out in any way he can. “If I am of any help, I am ready to provide it. But alone, I don’t have money and resources to start a [theatre] school,” adds Manoj.
ctor Swara Bhaskar (right) has always been vocal about issues, especially the ones pertaining to women. The 29-year-old who has impressed fans and critics with films such as Nil Battey Sannata (2016), Anaarkali of Aarah (2017) and Listen...Ameya (2013) says that feminism is a way of life. “I am an unapologetic feminist. But I think it’s a misunderstood term. My question to those who say that they are not feminists, frankly, would be, ‘why not?’” she says. Calling the movement positive and peaceful, Swara believes that it’s about getting equal rights, not just for women but also for men. “This notion that it is a movement to get more rights for women, than for men is a very unfortunate misunderstanding of what it actually is. I see it as a peaceful movement that has never created any wars or violence. So it should not be maligned for any reason,” says the actor. Swara feels angry that
many people try to advocate feminism, when they actually don’t understand what it means. “I think a true feminist won’t be one who says women are the real victims or use a false case against a man. To me, a woman who is taking advantage of one Article or a law is not a true feminist. A real one will never victimise a man by using a fake case,” adds Swara, who will next be acting in a film, alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor. Feminism, she feels, is the reason why most women today are able to chart professional paths for themselves. “It’s the reason we have the right to vote and we have equal pay for equal work or even if it means we are discussing it. It’s the reason why so many women are able to get paid maternity leave,” she says.
us even more
B
BOLLYWOOD
HINDUSTAN TIMES, NEW DELHI FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017
Actor Swara Bhaskar doesn’t get people who say they’re not feminists
Yashika Mathur efore actor Manoj Bajpayee (above) ventured into films, he spent years in Delhi studying theatre at the National School of Drama. Though he has established himself in Bollywood, theatre remains close to his heart. However, he feels it can only grow, if it gets the right support from the government. “If the state supports theatre activities and makes sure that the actors associated with it get required support, then theatre can become independent. If theatre is performing well in any part of the world, it is because the state supports the
HOLLYWOOD
S
inger Sona Mohapatra (far right) says she has nothing personal against Sonakshi Sinha (inset) and if the actor goes on stage and sings well, she will be the first person to applaud her. Sonakshi recently blocked Sona on Twitter after the singer criticised her for being “condescending” to musicians who had expressed displeasure over the news of the star’s performance at the Justin Bieber concert in India. When asked if things have cooled down between the duo, Sona says there was never a war between them. “That’s a general statement I made. That got picked up as some kind of a fight between me and Sonakshi and it’s ridiculous. I have nothing personal against her. If she sings well on stage, I would be the first one to clap for her,” says Sona, who’s known for songs such as Naina (2014) and Jiya Laage Na (Taalash, 2012). After the furore, Sonakshi clarified that she would not be singing at the concert. “It was speculated because I was approached by publications and portals even after I stated in various interviews that it’s
TO GET THE PERFECT BUYER SIMPLY ADVERTISE IN
04
htcity ENTERTAINMENT
not happening,” she said, adding, “Secondly, I am an actor who loves singing. And if anyone has a problem with that, in the words of Bieber, himself... they can go ‘love’ themselves.”
PTI
Rani is a cool person to work with: Siddharth Shreya Mukherjee
A
ctor Rani Mukerji (above) is coming back to films after the birth of her daughter Adira, with a film, helmed by filmmaker Siddharth P Malhotra (inset). “I hope people enjoy the film,” says Siddharth, who had directed the movie, We Are Family (2010), which starred Arjun Rampal, Kajol and Kareena Kapoor Khan in
the lead roles. The filmmaker says he is having a great time shooting with Rani. “The shoot is going on smoothly. We interact a lot, which helps when you are making a film. There are constant discussions. Rani is a cool person to work with, and is very cooperative,” he says. Recently, the makers shared a teaser of the film, where Rani is seen writing on a blackboard. The first look created speculation that she
might be playing a school teacher in the film. However, Siddharth remains tightlipped on the matter. “I can’t say anything right now. If the image is giving this idea, then it might be that,” he says. Is he feeling the pressure of high expectations? “I am just concentrating on making a good film. It’s an honest effort from my side. We will think about the expectations later.” n
shreya.mukherjee@htlive.com