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Adil named ambassador of indie film digital platform
New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) Critically acclaimed actor Adil Hussain was on Thursday announced as the mentor and brand ambassador of PickurFlick, a digital platform that supports independent cinema.
“It is across formats – short films, feature, documentary, anything that is non-studio. We have even worked with grassroot filmmakers and first time filmmakers. It’s the content and intent that we look for. We look at the craft of filmmaking and story,” Abhishek Sinha, founder and CEO, PickurFlick, said here.
Adil believes that cinema is a powerful medium.
And for him, meaningful cinema is a film which “makes sense to me, makes me question my belief, my values, understanding of my life and relationships and gives me nuanced objectivity towards people I am around or towards the society that I am in.
“When it gives me critical understanding and emotional depth to view my life and others life…I call that piece of cinema – art. Cinema doesn’t have to be a medium of product…which it has become.”
But the “Lootera” actor stressed that he is not against using cinema as “medium of products”.
“Everybody is free to do what they want to do.”
He is against “allowing only those cinema which has got enormous amount of money to make sure that people are bombarded with advertisements and lure people to watch those kind of films”.
“It sidelines those films which PickurFlick would like to pick and choose and curate so that the audience would have the choice to choose between different kinds of films and not only the films that are bombarded by the film industry with monstrous amounts of budget. So, I am grateful to be a part of this endeavour.”
Unlike most digital platforms, PickurFlick doesn’t have a subscription model.
“As a viewer you can watch the films anytime you want to and submit films whenever. Most of the content is free. There is some premium content which is on pay per view basis,” said Sinha.
Sanjay Sarma, Brand consultant, founder, Design Worldwide, and advisor to PickurFlick, said: “We wanted to provide a platform to independent filmmakers who never get a platform to present their ideas in a way they would want to because of lack of finances or not finding theatres to release.
“We have heard of so many films that have done well in the international circuit. We want to watch them but we don’t know where. That is one problem that it solves. It gives a platform which is completely transparent.”
Another advisor and National Award-winning filmmaker Utpal Borpujari added: “The effort is to create a platform and connectivity between the audience and films which do not have a platform to be shown. We have films like ‘Village Rockstars’.A
“If a film like that is released in Delhi then maybe only 30 people will turn up for each show. But there are many people across India who can watch it with people within comfort of their home. So that way such platforms help films to reach their target audience. I don’t think volume of that audience is small.”
–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.