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‘Your’s Truly’ explores loneliness, a sensitive topic: Alia
Kolkata, Nov 11 (IANS) Sharing her experience of watching her mother Soni Razdan’s film “Your’s Truly”, actress Alia Bhatt on Sunday said she was stunned to see the film dealing with ‘loneliness’.
“I want to thank Sanjay (Nag — the director) for taking my mom in this film because it is important to tell different kinds of stories. The subject of loneliness is a sensitive topic taken in a light way, which is so prevalent in all our lives. I was totally stunned to see how my mother played the role,” Alia said addressing a media conference on the film at the 24th Kolkata International Film Festival here.
Nag, whose debut feature film “Memories in March” won the National Film Award in 2011, directed the movie “Your’s Truly” about the loneliness of a 57-year-old working woman Mithi Kumar (played by Soni Razdan). Aahana Kumara, Pankaj Tripathi, Tapati Munshi and Mahesh Bhatt are also a part of the film.
The interesting part of the 84-minute long non-conventional film is the protagonist falls in love with the voice of the station-announcer. She writes letters to a person whom she has never met.
Asked why she agreed to do the film, Razdan said: “The first thing was greed as I was the protagonist (smiles). Actually, it was the theme of this woman living alone. She is lonely but not indulging in it, which is very much like me.”
“I have been incredibly lonely but I love my loneliness. Even today, I love my solitude. So I connected with the character who is lonely but she nurtures a romantic core within herself,” Razdan said.
Nag said it was a learning experience to shoot at the crowded Howrah station: “We shot the film in about 12 days and it was possible with the help of these lovely people and others involved.”
Razdan said it was a privilege for her to work in the film because it was shot in Kolkata. During the shoot, she kept gorging on the local sweet delicacy ‘Sandesh’ after lunch.
She recalled that her first film “36 Chowringhee Lane” was shot in Kolkata.
“My only regret is that my role was not long and I could not stay at the beautiful Fairlawn hotel for a longer time. About Kolkata, I love the fact that past and present co-exist beautifully. They don’t let go of their Heritage and how they take pride in their city and its past.”
Mentioning that she has the ability to detach herself while watching her parents, Alia said: “As a part of the audience, I love watching her on-screen as she is so natural. I have learnt a lot from her seeing this film.”
–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.