Actor Kristen Bell has concerns with regards to certain Disney films and believes they are problematic.
In an interview with a magazine, Bell, 38, voiced her concerns about “Snow White” and the message it sends to children, including her two daughters.
“Don’t you think that it’s weird that the Prince kisses Snow White without her permission? Because you cannot kiss someone if they’re sleeping!” Bell said.
Bell said the part when Snow White eats an apple from the witch — a stranger — is also troubling.
“Everytime we close Snow White I look at my girls and ask ‘Don’t you think it’s weird that Snow White didn’t ask the old witch why she needed to eat the apple? Or where she got the apple?’
“I say, ‘I would never take food from a stranger, would you?’ And my kids are like, ‘No!’ And I’m like, ‘OK, I’m doing something right,'” Bell said.
Her comments come after actor Keira Knightley revealed that she has “banned” her daughter from watching classic Disney films like “Cinderella” and “The Little Mermaid”.
Actor Claire Foy says as an actor she is always questioning her thoughts and decision.
In an interview with a leading portal, the 34-year-old actor said she wants to stop doing this as it makes her feel “hopeless and pathetic”.
“If I have an instinct, I question the instinct, then I question myself questioning the instinct. And that means I’m probably just going to never move from this spot ever again, and I’m hopeless and pathetic,” Foy said.
The actor, who stars opposite Ryan Gosling in Damian Chazelle’s “First Man”, said like others she also feels vulnerable in moments of self doubt.
“I always think, ‘I must be the wrong one.’ For example, people like Ryan Gosling meet someone, don’t hear their name and say, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.’ I don’t say anything because I’m worried they might judge (me).
“I just keep quiet and hope maybe someday we’ll be able to catch up, and then I have anxiety over it at nighttime,” Foy said.
Singer Ariana Grande covered up the tattoo she dedicated to ex-fiance Pete Davidson during her first appearance post their rumoured breakup.
Grande, who was seen recording a segment for NBC’s “A Very Wicked Halloween” musical special had covered up the ‘Pete’ tattoo on her ring finger with a band-aid, according to E! online.
The 25-year-old singer was also no longer wearing the $100,000 engagement ring Davidson had gifted her.
According to outlet, the “Dangerous Woman” singer has returned the ring to Davidson.
Supermodel Karlie Kloss has tied the knot with long-time boyfriend, Joshua Kushner.
The 26-year-old took to Instagram to make the revelation by sharing a picture from their nuptials that took place on October 10. In the photo, Kloss is elated as Kushner lovingly looks at his new bride.
She simply captioned the snap as “10.18.2018”, accompanied by a ‘heart’ emoticon.
According to a leading magazine, the supermodel wore a custom-made Dior gown when she married Kushner in an intimate Jewish ceremony with around 80 people in attendance, in upstate New York.
Joshua Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump’s husband and an adviser to President Donald Trump.
The couple announced their engagement back in July after dating for six years.
“I love you more than I have words to express,” Kloss wrote on Instagram in July after Kushner popped the question. “Josh, you’re my best friend and my soulmate. I can’t wait for forever together. Yes a million times over.
There are many dance events one goes for, from classical to folk from modern to contemporary, but recently I had the privilege of being a part of an event with a heart. Samapravaaha was a very special event organised by the National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA) Mumbai. Where the entire dance community of Mumbai came together and performed in aid of Kerela disaster.
I really do not have any words to thank the Chairman of NCPA, Khushroo Suntook for organising Samapravaaha. This magical evening was a collective effort of the dance community and I am so lucky to be a part of this. Just to give you some background. It was Suntook’s idea to have events at the NCPA to raise funds for the cause. They raised money through Western music and Indian music concerts as well. Along with this NCPA offered their grandest theatre the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre for Samapravaaha to raise as many funds as they could and yes, NCPA employees even donated a part of their salary for the cause.
The dance programme head of NCPA, the highly creative and gorgeous Swapnokalpa Dasgupta reached out to the dance community with the idea of a multi-dance presentation in the aid of Kerala, the response she got from everyone was overwhelming. Many were individually thinking of doing something to help Kerala, so when she proposed a multi-dance event most received it with open arms. The 11 artists and their troupes not only donated their performances but also proactively helped NCPA to raise the funds by helping gather audiences. It was very touching to have senior dancers donate poems which stirred the soul of each audience member in the auditorium.
On the show day, there were nearly 100 people backstage but not a single time there was any form of negativity or feeling of competition. Everyone was giving, everyone accommodating and trying their best to help. Someone arranged for photographers, someone arranged for a hospitality partner someone helped with promotion and everyone helped with ideas. It was not just dancers but even the highly talented Light designer Sushant Jadhav, who donated his services.
The evening started with an elegant and graceful Kaikopttikali (dance from Kerela) performance in the foyer by the ladies wing of the Bombay Yogakshema Sabha choreographed by Kalashri Lata Surendra. Followed by stage opening with Daksha Mashruwala and Kaishiki, she presented Mangalam, a chant invoking the elements for peace and prosperity, which was an apt beginning to the evening.
Then was a Marathi poem written by Shubhada Varadkar, who along with Sanskrita foundation presented Virani, a dance presentation based on Sant Dyaneshwar’s literature depicting the omnipresence of Lord Krishna in nature. Seema Mehta and Chhandam presented a unique Kathak Yoga piece where the dancers sang the shloka, Nagma and performed complex polyrhythm. The piece opened with an ode to Lord Shiva. Kathak yoga requires tremendous stamina as the dancer requires to sing while dancing and is an innovation within tradition by the Late Legendary Guru Chitresh Das.
Kalashree Lata Surendra and Anjali, the senior most disciple of the Legendary Guru Shri.T.S. Kadirvelu Pillai, presented ‘Call of my Paradise’ highlighting the awakening sieved through the flux of life flooding the penury within with a sense of realisation through Bharatanatyam. She also presented a beautiful poem written for her state Kerala and later, shared about her memories back home.
Kathak guru Renu Sharma enacted a Hindi poem donated by her mother, she also presented Chaturang, a rare composition by the last ruler of Rampur – Nawab Raza Ali Khan, incorporating musicality and percussion in balance in the form of Khayal, Tarana, Sargam and Triwat. The Chaturang posture in Yoga maintains a balanced state of the body. Similarly, she hoped for stability and balance for the people of Kerala.
Followed by Mohiniattam by Sujatha Nair and Upaasana Gopikaa Mohanam, a Mohiniattam group presentation by Jayashree Nair’s Upaasana, this choreography was very well received by the audience and many were happy to see Mohiniattma a dance form of Kerala being practised and taught in Mumbai.
Then came in a lovely Hindi poem and experience sharing session by senior Kathak exponent and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, Vidushi Uma Dogra. The next presentation was a Manipuri dance by the young children of NCPA Nrityaparichay (Introduction to dance) a dance learning platform started by the NCPA. This platform currently teaches 400 children across Mumbai and greater Mumbai and has been conceptualised by fireball Swapnokalpa Dasgupta.
The next presentation was by the students of Odissi exponent Debi Basu, they presented a very innovative Leela – the Divine Ecstasy. Next was Bharatanatyam by students of Harikrishna Kalyana Sundaram son of the legendary Kalyana Sundaram Pillai, who was present in the audience. His piece was at lightning speed which was beautifully executed by his students.
The evening ended with a multiple classical styles performance by Dr. Uma Rele and her students from Nalanda Nritya Kala Maha Vidyalaya who presented Antardaaha – the goddess earth is anguished by the human atrocities in this Kaliyuga.
Samapravaaha was indeed a very special event organised by The National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA) which proved that at the time of need the entire dance community and dance lovers can join hands and stand up together to raise funds when the need arises. I wish to congratulate Suntook and his entire team of NCPA for this true event with a heart that proved that we are a nation of unity in diversity.
By Sandip Soparrkar
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
It is regrettable that the protest against the verdict of Supreme Court upholding the permission of the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple turned into violence. As many as 13 policemen and 200 protesters from Hindu fringe outfits were injured in the incidents. Many female devotees of Ayyappa Lord have been reported to be bothered and abused by the protesters. It is not understood what the protesters are trying to convey. If the tradition, faith and religious belief are the basis for retaining religious customs and practices, several obsolete and inhuman practices would still be prevalent. Till a review petition is filed and conducted, such protests would be out of place.
– Mohd Usmani
2) RSS and Nationalism
Forging a Hindu unity nationalism is a western concept. This is a myth. The concept is found in Vedic texts and the RSS was founded to express spiritual nationalism by forging a Hindu unity. The RSS saluting the Bhagwa flag, which is revered in India from the time immemorial as a spiritual symbol, is certainly not a “western nationalistic phenomenon”.
– Divyesh Chovatiya
3) Lawyers should unite against taking cases of accused
There are many cases of rich and influential where circumstantial evidence in themselves speak of reality about crimes done like the most recent one, involving the son of a former Parliamentarian waving a pistol at a five-starred hotel in New Delhi. If lawyers unite not to defend him, the court of law just for sake of many, it will set a precedent and will certainly effectively check crimes done by rich and influential. Lawyers should see the humanity aspect also rather than thinking of money only. Lawyers taking such cases already have lucrative practice and wealth, and can make a big sacrifice for not taking either directly or through proxy-junior such cases only for money in the larger welfare of society which will not be less than a charitable cause in the service of humanity.
– Madhu Agrawal
4) Time-bound hanging can control murders
It refers to a shocking incident of brutal stabbings by a dog-owner and his associates in South-West Delhi killing a youth and severely injuring the other when the victims refused to apologies the pet dog. Such incidents will not cease until a strong fear-psychology is developed for a time-bound final hanging crossing all hurdles of the courts at various stages is ensured.
Properties of absconding culprits in this case, should be immediately confiscated, in case they fail to surrender within 24 hours with fast track court trial should be initiated immediately completely in a time-bound manner. Appeals at the higher courts should also be likewise completed to ensure the final hanging of the culprits within maximum one year of committing the crime with no mercy shown by the President of India.
Only such supersonic hangings, especially of rich ones like in this case affording dogs, can drastically reduce cases of murders especially by rich persons affording an extraordinary delay in justice through costly lawyers. Lawyers should also be united for not taking cases of such murderers. It is also time that norms for pet dogs may be tightened to ensure hygiene like it is done in advanced countries with license made compulsory for pet dogs.
– Subhash Chandra Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Whenever petrol prices are hiked, there are protests by the public and the Opposition for a few days, before everybody goes back to their routine but it is to be remembered that the country’s economy is being fuelled by the blood of the common man. Many nations face higher inflation rates due to the rising oil prices in the world. As a consequence, the higher inflation rates have a devastating impact on both production and consumers that leads to a big difference between oil importing and oil exporting nations. Though the oil prices are market-based, the government can reduce tax as a populist measure.
High inflation, coupled with skyrocketing food prices, has botched to come down. The oil price rise results in a transfer of income from oil importing to oil exporting countries according to a shift in terms of trade. The increase in the price of oil has risen the cost of fertilizers which need petroleum or natural gas to manufacture. Natural gas has its own supply issues as oil. The rise in petrol price, in turn, has a rippling effect. As all the commodities are transported across India on vehicles that run on petrol or diesel, so the increase in petrol price results in price rise of these commodities as well.
The additional burden of the rise in fuel prices is becoming unbearable for the public and is another slap on people’s face. Petrol has become an indispensable part of our day-to-day life, and we can’t imagine our life without it. But the petrol prices are skyrocketing, and it is eventually going to affect each and everything that we use in our daily life. Price hike affects only the low wages or fixed salaried middle-class families as compared to higher wages salaried class.
Inability to control rise on price control of petrol and diesel will add fuel to public dissatisfaction on the government performance and the Opposition will take a plea on this issue although they know that the government has nothing to do on international price control of crude oil. There has always been a lot of discussion and debate on the hike in the prices of fuel. Most problems arise because of the unchecked growth of vehicles with low mileage or gas guzzlers. Fuel prices need to be rationalised. Much of the taxes from fuel pricing are used for development work. This, when clubbed with populist subsidies, becomes terrible. A sharp spike in the price of oil will also reverse the declining trend on inflation and put pressure on the central and state governments to cut taxes on petrol and diesel, which is likely to adversely impact their non-goods and services tax revenue. In spite of the heavy price hike, the rich continue to live the life they are used to while the burden is borne by the poor and the middle-classes. As we are fully dependent on the international market for fuel, we need to cut short our dependence on it. What we need is the development of bio-diesel, and the government should allocate more funds for developing alternate sources of energy as well as develop high capacity goods and public transport system. The government should advise the state governments to cut ad valorem duty on petrol and diesel. It should cut its own excise duties on petroleum products.
The government needs to rethink on the deregulation of petrol prices. The increase in fuel prices has affected the most. Time has now come when we need to think of alternatives such as biofuels and solar power. It is to be remembered that Petrol is inflammable, but the cost of petrol is highly inflammable.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
The Women and Child Development Ministry is organising a festival next week to promote women organic farmers and entrepreneurs, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi said.
She said over 500 women entrepreneurs would be coming together from across the country with their organic products such as cereals, rice, pulses, skin-care products, fabric and jewellery.
“The move aims to empower women to boost organic culture and promote women organic farmers and entrepreneurs,” she told reporters.
“It is a matter of great satisfaction for me that the ministry’s efforts ultimately boost these illustrious rural women’s local communities and economy by creating jobs and keeping farmers thriving in addition to spreading awareness about the benefits of organic products,” said Gandhi.
Calling it a perfect example of how the festival is creating a revolution and making women self-reliant, a senior WCD official said for the first time, ‘the Vegan Project’ and food court with cooked-on-site delicacies will also be available.
The fifth edition of the Women of India Organic Festival will be held from October 26 to November 4 at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday targeted the previous Congress-led governments, saying they were “not serious” about poverty alleviation and their sole objective was to promote the “name of a particular family”.
Addressing a gathering here after launching several public welfare works, Modi sought to highlight the difference between his government and the previous governments and said the current dispensation was “working faster” on development and welfare projects.
Noting that Maharashtra has produced several reformers who ensured social harmony, Modi also called for defeating forces which divide communities for their political interests.
“In the last four years, the government has made serious efforts to provide proper houses to the poor living in shanties.
“Efforts were made in the past too. But unfortunately, their sole objective was to promote the name of a particular family, instead of empowering the poor by giving them shelter. Their aim was to create a vote-bank,” he said, in an apparent reference to the Nehru-Gandhi family.
“Our target is to ensure that there is not a single homeless person in India by 2022, when the country celebrates its 75th years of Independence. We are making serious efforts for the uplift of the poor,” he said.
The objective of the present government, Modi said, is only welfare of the poor. “Because of this, the poverty alleviation works have expedited,” he added.
Modi observed that the previous regime built only 25 lakh houses for the poor in its last four years of rule, while his government has constructed 1.25 crore houses in the same time span.
“It would have taken 20 years to construct 1.25 crore houses, had the previous government been still in power,” he said.
Modi also talked about the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme and assured assistance to Maharashtra government in view of the water shortage caused by deficient rainfall.
Before his address, Modi performed puja at the Saibaba temple. He also participated in an event marking the conclusion of the year-long Saibaba Samadhi centenary programme organised by the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust. He also issued a silver coin in the name of Saibaba.
Casting director Mukesh Chhabra, who was all set to make his directorial debut with the Hindi remake of “The Fault in our Stars”, has been suspended from the film over sexual harassment allegations by multiple women.
In a statement released on Friday, the production house, Fox Star Studios, said till the time Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company concludes its inquiry into the allegations, the director remains suspended.
“As a responsible organisation, Star India takes any allegation of sexual harassment of women at workplace very seriously, hence, Fox Star Studios has suspended the services of Mukesh Chabbra, the director of our film, ‘Kizzie Aur Manny’, which is under production, till the internal complaints committee (ICC) of M-s Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company concludes its inquiry into the allegation,” the statement read.
“Kizzie Aur Manny” stars Sushant Singh Rajput and Sanjana Singh.
In a report published on Mid-Day, four aspiring actors accused Chhabra and another casting director Vicky Sidana of harassing them during audition process.
Chhabra had earlier denied the “unsubstantiated wild anonymous allegations” in a letter posted on his Twitter handle.
“It is very unfortunate that years of hard work and building is been muzzled with a series of unsubstantiated wild anonymous allegations. To put it into perspective, we have a ICC committee put into the place for years and we could have appreciated if the complaint received could have been forwarded to the said committee for probe and investigation,” the letter read.
“This is a clearly motivated piece and we deny any incident as alleged took place,” it further read.
Chabbra is known for working on films such as “Gangs of Wasseypur”, Dangal”, “Rockstar”, “Shahid” and “Kai Po Che!” among others.
