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Saroj Khan sparks fresh row on casting couch, apologises (Lead)
Mumbai, April 24 (IANS) Veteran choreographer Saroj Khan’s brazen comment that the casting couch “provides livelihood at least” in showbiz received a divided response. For some, it’s the bitter truth and some found her comment derogatory. She later retracted and apologised
Congress leader Renuka Chowdhary supported Khan’s view and said the Parliament too is not immune to the casting couch.
At an event in Sangli, Khan said: “Can I tell you one thing? This has been happening since the beginning of time. It hasn’t started now. Someone or the other tries to take advantage of every other girl. The government’s people do it too. Then why are you after the film industry?
“It provides livelihood at least. Does not rape and leave you. It depends on the girl, what she wants to do. If you don’t want to fall in the wrong hands, you won’t. If you have art, why would you sell yourself? Don’t take the film industry’s name.”
A video of the comment was doing the rounds on social media on Tuesday.
Her comment left Twitterati in shock as many took it as a clean chit to the prevalence of the casting couch in the Indian film industry, which has largely remained mum in naming and shaming offenders despite speaking up in favour of the global #MeToo movement.
Khan, however, apologised for making the remark.
“Whatever the question, you don’t know… You just know my answer. So it is sounding wrong. But anyhow, I am sorry. I apologise,” Khan told IANS. When probed as to what was the question, Khan disconnected the call.
The comment comes in the wake of a debate which got intensified after southern actress Sri Reddy caused a stir by sitting semi-naked on a road in Hyderabad to protest against the casting couch menace in the film world.
Chowdhury supported Khan, saying: “Yes, it is the bitter truth. The whole film industry may get up in arms against me. It’s just not in the film industry also, this happens everywhere in work spaces with women. It happens everywhere. So, don’t imagine that the Parliament is immune or some other work space is immune. It’s not.
“This happens with women everywhere. If you look at the western world today, established top actresses have taken this long to come out and say ‘Me too’. It’s time India stood up and say ‘Me too’.”
From the film fraternity, Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor said he has never faced the casting couch, but it is “worse” if it exists. And Richa Chadha felt the media was blowing Khan’s statement out of proportion as what she meant was why was Bollywood being singled out when it happens everywhere.
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit slammed Khan.
“I didn’t expect such derogatory and uncalled for statements from a veteran like Saroj Khan and totally condemn it. Our entertaiment industry, like all other industries respects women. Exploitation of women is a crime and should be fought in all spheres of life,” Pandit tweeted.
Actress Shruti Seth wrote: “The right intent but very, very wrong words. Again, women are made incumbent to stop injustice against themselves and men have been absolved of their participation. Stop the practice of sexual exploitation. In whichever industry it exists, it’s wrong.
Sophie Choudry commented: “So much respect for Sarojji as a choreographer but this is how she uses her position to protect girls? If I didn’t come from a financially sound background, I would have returned to London within a month of being in Mumbai because of industry folk who think like that.”
–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.
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