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India has a world within itself: Christian Bale
By Durga Chakravarty
Mumbai, Nov 25 (IANS) Academy Award-winning Hollywood actor Christian Bale, who is here for the world premiere of “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”, says India has got a world within itself and that it is important to bring the movie here.
This is not Bale’s maiden visit to the country. He last visited India in 2011 for “The Dark Knight Rises”, parts of which were shot in Rajasthan. This time he is here with his family.
“I had been here in 2011 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan with ‘The Dark Knight Rises’… but now I have brought my family here. We have been here for four days.”
Bale, known for playing Batman, did the golden triangle round.
“We travelled through Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and just arrived here in Mumbai. We have seen tiny-tiny parts of this incredible country which has got a world within itself. But it was so important for ‘Mowgli…’ to come here in India.”
In “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”, Bale has voiced the character of protective but friendly panther Bagheera. The film, directed by actor Andy Serkis, explores the darker side of author Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale “The Jungle Book”, story of a boy in an Indian jungle, who grew up with animals.
Was there any pressure to adapt Andy Serkis’ interpretation of the iconic tale?
“No pressure at all. I met Andy first when I was 19 years old… He’s a phenomenal actor and he has mastered this motion captured thing…. He (could) guide me on that (motion capturing) and eventually it comes down to acting.”
He added: “With performance capture you get to act directly.”
Bale also called it a world of “possibilities”.
“Mowgli…” will be released on streaming giant Netflix on December 7.
Bale is popular for featuring in films with physically and mentally demanding roles.
Does the actor, who started off as a child actor in Hollywood, consider a break from work?
Drawing a comparison with child actor Rohan Chand, who plays Mowgli in the film, Bale said: “Yes… But Rohan has got tons of different interests. He is more intelligent than I will ever be in my lifetime and just being curious… You got to walk away from films… Acting doesn’t lead to better acting. I am someone who…I love working and not working and then start working. I love working. I never want to stop that. I like whatever I am doing.”
Asked about the voice modulation he works on for his characters on screen, the 44-year-old star said: “With Batman, I just felt stupid when I put on the suit. Then I thought you should sound as monstrous as you could.”
But with Bagheera’s role, Bale wanted a sense of “great nobility, sounding soothing for ‘Mowgli’ but also sounding very threatening”.
(Durga Chakravarty is in Mumbai on an invitation by Netflix. She can be contacted at [email protected])
–IANS
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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.