Top News
If a man is not feminist, he has lost understanding of gender equality: Rhea
Mumbai, Sep 27 (IANS) Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty, who will be seen in the film “Jalebi”, says every man and woman has a role to play in changing the image and position of women in a patriarchal society like India. She says men should understand feminism is not male-bashing, but a celebration of gender equality.
As more stories continue to keep emerging from women who are victims of gender violence, sharing her thoughts on the issue and how cinema can create an impact, Rhea told IANS here: “All of us have a role to play in changing the mindset on gender equality. For thousands of years, injustice and discrimination happened to women even for their basic rights to live as equal human beings.
“While it is good to see that dialogue has started, I must say that if a man is not a feminist, he has lost the understanding of gender equality. Feminism is not male bashing. It is a concept to celebrate gender equality, providing equal opportunity to every human being beyond gender.”
Being a young actress, she has decided not to be a part of any film where women are projected in a bad light in the name of entertainment.
“There is a thin but strong line between presenting a woman in an entertaining manner and seeing her through the lens of a male chauvinist. I will certainly not take part in the latter. A film has a voice that gets heard by the maximum population as it is part of our popular culture.
“While it is important to reflect the reality, unless we are creating more aspirational female characters to admire, we won’t be able to change the mindset.”
Having started her career in Bollywood in 2013 with the film “Mere Dad Ki Maruti”, Rhea got noticed with the 2014 film “Sonali Cable”. However, she was not as visible as expected in mainstream big budget films.
According to her, “maintaining visibility is not a big deal”.
“I could have done some item songs to maintain that, but I choose not to. In between, I also got film offers that I did not take up. Later, they went on to become hit films. But I won’t regret it as that was my decision then. I am now looking forward to the film ‘Jalebi’ because I know that all of us under the mentorship of Bhatt Saab (filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt) have made a film that has a soul.”
Directed by Pushpdeep Bhardwaj, “Jalebi” is releasing on October 12.
–IANS
aru/rb/bg
Top News
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.