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Will change the way films are censored: Pahlaj Nihalani
Mumbai: As the new chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, producer Pahlaj Nihalani is adamant on cleaning up films and making censorship a quick clean and unquestionable exercise.
“I am definitely going to change the way films are censored, so that once a film is given certificate there is no controversy or doubts about its credibility. There will accountability and no room for ambiguity in the censoring process,” said Nihalani.
The newly appointed chairperson also feels that the guidelines for censoring were not followed properly.
“The dos and don’ts were always very clearly laid out for the CBFC members. But they were never properly implemented. Board members were frequently clueless about the guidelines. One can’t blame them.
“They are supposed to undergo workshops periodically to be updated with the rules of their job. They never had workshops. Out of a 100 jury member, only 15 did their jobs properly. They were doing their censoring jobs by groping in the dark. Hence the contradictions and charges of double standards,” he said.
Nihalani intends to implement a uniform code of conduct regarding verbal and visual violence in films.
Lashing out at the trend in a certain kind of cinema of sanctioning a violent society that lives by gaalis (abuse) and gun, the new chairperson of the CBFC says: “There are lakhs and lakhs of jobless youngsters specially in the smaller towns. What are you telling them when you show your hero mouthing expletives and killing people?”
Nihalani also feels strongly about the redundancy of violence in our films.
“I know we live in a violent times. But that doesn’t mean our cinema has to revel in gore and bloodshed. The violence can always be suggested without bringing it on screen,” he said.
He also gave examples of two of Amitabh Bachchan starrer classics to prove how effective insinuated violence can be.
” ‘Deewaar’ and ‘Trishul’ were extremely violent films. But how much of the theme’s violence was actually shown on screen? To show brutality we don’t have to actually indulge in it,” he said.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.