Top News
We need more unity among actors, says Sushant Singh
Mumbai, Feb 8 (IANS) Sushant Singh, actor and General Secretary of the Cine And TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA), on Friday said the actors’ community lacks unity and this needs to change for everyone to get equal rights.
Sushant spoke at a press conference for ActFest, an ‘actors only festival’ being organised by CINTAA and 48 Hour Film Project.
Asked about lack of unity among actors in the fraternity, Sushant said: “Yes, we do need unity here because of various reasons… I mean it is also required all over the world. This is a freelance field… anyone takes your job easily. You are not a permanent employee with anyone, so if you don’t agree with employers’ conditions, there is someone else ready to take your job.
“So there is a love-hate relationship among us. We do appreciate each others’ performances but we are fearful as well. So yes, there is lack of unity and we are trying to unify the actors so that everyone gets equal rights.”
ActFest will feature international delegates, industry stalwarts, and more than a thousand artists and aspiring actors.
Sushant said the event will also honour senior actors, who aren’t necessarily deemed stars or superstars.
“CINTAA would like to establish Guild Awards dedicated solely to our community… To actors from television, web, mini-series, films, theatre. We’re hoping that within a year or so, we will be able to move in that direction.”
They will also present a Hall of Fame Award.
“We do have numerous senior actors here whose contribution is unparalleled towards the industry — in cinema, television, and theatre, but they haven’t been deemed as so-called stars or superstars. These actors have done hundreds of films but never been honoured or given any lifetime achievement recognition anywhere.
“We will honour 15 senior veteran actors this year and we are so proud of it.”
The event will also have a panel discussion and speeches that will feature eminent Bollywood personalities such as Bobby Deol, Manoj Bajpayee, Rasika Dugal, Swara Bhaskar, Gajraj Rao, Raveena Tandon, Kubbra Sait, Shikha Talsania, Makarand Deshpande, Dilip Joshi, Kamya Punjabi, Manoj Joshi, Renuka Shahane, Sachin Khedekar, Satish Kaushik, Sumeet Vyas, Neena Gupta and Jimmy Shergill.
–IANS
iv/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.