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Treated Utkarsh as actor, not son in ‘Genius’: Anil Sharma
Mumbai, March 8 (IANS) Filmmaker Anil Sharma, who has directed his son Utkarsh’s debut movie “Genius”, says he was not gentle with him on the sets at all.
Anil hosted a wrap-up party of “Genius” along with Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Ayesha Jhulka, Aruna Irani and Madhu Chopra, apart from newcomers Ishita and Utkarsh here on Wednesday.
Anil told the media: “Everyone must be thinking that Utkarsh is my son, so I must have treated him gently on the film sets, but that’s not the case. I am a taskmaster as a director.
“I worked with him in ‘Gadar: Ek Prem Katha’ as well. When I work as a director, then I only act as a director. That time I only see actors like characters for my film. While shooting for ‘Gadar…’, I made Utkarsh shoot in really tough conditions and late nights as well, so in this film also I have treated him only as an actor who plays the character in my film, and not as a son.”
In “Gadar…”, Utkarsh was a child artiste.
On his experience of working with Utkarsh in “Genius”, Anil said: “It was really great. Since his first film as a child actor, I realised that he has a special talent. Then he did a film production course in the US. I think in this film, he has done a fantastic job with his realistic performance, but now things are in the audience’s hands — whether they will accept him or not as an actor, as I think the image of an actor is largely created by the audience.
“As an actor, you just have to make sure that you have to put your best possible effort in every aspect — be it dancing, action, drama and living the character which you are playing. In this field, fathers cannot shape careers of their child if that has been the case then there would have been so many successful actors from film families”.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays an important character in “Genius”.
On working with him, Anil said: “Everyone knows that Nawaz is a natural and wonderful actor. I remember when I narrated this film’s script to him, he agreed to play the part because he liked the script, and at the same time, he told me that Utkarsh is a natural actor.
“It was easy working with Nawaz as I feel that he acts in a natural flow and such an actor is a boon for the filmmaker. On the other hand, actors who try hard to act are difficult to work with.”
“Genius” is slated to release on August 24.
–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.