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I take full responsibility for my actions: Prateik Babbar
By Durga Chakravarty
Mumbai, Aug 22 (IANS) After his promising debut in the 2008 film “Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na”, Prateik Babbar featured in the critically acclaimed film “Dhobi Ghaat”. The actor starred in more films but he blames his addiction to drugs for his slow career and he takes full responsibility for his actions.
The son of actor-politician Raj Babbar and late actress Smita Patil has battled substance abuse. He was away from the big screen for three years and made an impressive comeback with “Baaghi 2” in 2018.
Asked if he blames drug abuse for his slow career, Prateik told IANS here: “Yes, I take full responsibility for my actions and blame myself and unfortunate circumstances together.”
The actor, 31, has completed a decade in the industry and he calls it a roller-coaster ride.
“I feel this decade of my journey in this industry has been one hell of a roller-coaster ride,” he said, adding: “I do not regret anything but one thing, that my grandparents were unable to see all the good in my life at this point of my life. I believe regrets are a burden and having them would only drag them down.”
Talking about the stigma being attached to those who are or were into drug abuse, Prateik said: “For users, abusers and addicts being called a drug addict is much deeper than someone just bringing it up in a casual conversation. The topic is a very sensitive topic and needs to be addressed to any person in a very polite manner.”
The “Ek Deewana Tha” actor’s latest big screen outing was “Mulk”, which was well received by critics and the audience.
Prateik is now looking for more “impactful” characters to portray on the silver screen.
“I believe that content-driven impactful characters are a challenge to portray but are also iconic characters and that is something I feel that I am inclined towards and looking forward to,” he said.
He is now gearing up to play an anti-hero in director Nitesh Tiwari’s next starring Shraddha Kapoor and Sushant Singh Rajput.
Prateik and his fiance Sanya Sagar were here to walk the ramp for Chola The Label at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2018. The two embraced the drag culture on the catwalk.
“The entire show ‘Bye Felicia’ is the showstopper. The cause and theme of the show is the showstopper. We are just a bunch of people representing gender fluidity as it’s a very important topic which needs to be addressed,” he said.
Prateik said he is proud to represent the drag culture, but fails to understand why it is looked down upon in the country.
“I feel it is immature and foolish and people need to wake up and smell the coffee…adapt to things around you. I truly believe in the concept of love and let love,” he said.
(Durga Chakravarty is in Mumbai at the invitation of the Lakme Fashion Week organisers. She 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.