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Content must change with time, says Ramesh Sippy
By Durga Chakravarty
Bangkok, June 21 (IANS) He has been a part of Bollywood for over four decades and has classics like “Sholay” and “Seeta Aur Geeta” to his credit. Veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy says he is happy with the content in Hindi cinema and it must change with time.
Asked about the evolution of content in Bollywood over the years, Sippy told IANS: “It must change. Life can’t stop. Change is essential. When I came, I brought change… so today’s youngsters will bring change, they must appeal to today’s audience… There will always be classics, ‘Sholay’ will always be one of them but there will be more wonderful films which will keep coming and they do keep coming.”
The 71-year-old filmmaker said that with time, wonderful actors, cameramen and directors have made their way into Bollywood.
“Every one is doing their best and from time to time wonderful films will come up,” he said.
Sippy was here at the inauguration of Cinema Heritage Auction Event at the 19th Edition of the International India Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards, which has collaborated with Osian’s to preserve cinema heritage.
The filmmaker talked about his films “Sholay” and “Seeta Aur Geeta” and reminisced about working with veteran actor Dharmendra.
“My journey in movies has been absolutely fabulous. Working with some of the most talented artistes, writers… and today seeing so much work from the bygone era, it’s really wonderful,” he added.
Asked if Bollywood today could make a friendship film as iconic as “Sholay”, he said: “I am sure. Never underestimate Bollywood because if ‘Sholay’ could be made and that could be remembered for 42-43 years… That’s been made in Bollywood…”
Sippy says he is proud to be a part of the Hindi film industry.
“I am a part of Bollywood and I’m proud to be, so I am sure somebody will come up with something fresh, different and it will be liked. A changing audience likes things in their own kind of colour and sensibility,” he added.
Over his four-decade journey in Bollywood, Sippy has worked with icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Dharmendra, Shammi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna among many others.
With a fresh crop of talents coming in, whom would he like to work with?
“That’s a tough one… All are talented… Ranveer (Singh) and Ranbir (Kapoor) stand out at the moment. Then there are so many other young ones… Varun Dhawan… it’s endless. Ishan Khattar, a new boy and he’s doing so good. So you have new talent coming all the time… people who need to take the best out of them, and they would be giving good work in the times to come,” he said.
“The actors before them continue to do marvellous work. The Khans (Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir) Sanjay Dutt and Akshay Kumar… nobody is past. They are all doing so much good work even today….”
(The writer’s trip is at the invitation of IIFA organisers. Durga Chakravarty 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.