Forthright: There is no reason to objectify, says Mehra;  Focused: Aditi says right now only work occupies her mind;  Determined: Vidya, centre, is pushing for kids to pursue education.

By Radhika Bhirani 


He presents his heroines mostly as the girl-next-door with minimal makeup and a simplicity that screams emotions louder than the cacophony of item numbers. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra says he is not against nudity in films, but he has strong views against exploitation of women.
“I don’t see art there,” Mehra said while talking about the current trend of raunchy item songs.
“I am not against nudity. If that’s a part of the story, please go ahead. It’s beautiful...our bodies are beautiful. But exploitation for money and exploitation on the part of the audience and society for titillation...,” added the filmmaker as he mulled over the matter while chatting on the breezy and picturesque banks of Indus river. He was in Leh for the second edition of Ladakh International Film Festival.
The need of the hour is for filmmakers to own up the “responsibility” of avoiding “gender bias”, for actresses to make the right “choice” and for the audience to “stop watching” anything that stands to exploit anyone.
This, he agreed, all the more at a time when constant “concerns” are raised against showbiz for giving a fillip to the escalating number of rape cases in the country.
“Filmmakers and performers are a part of the society. There is no reason to objectify. The only reason as I can think of is the lust for glamour, and greed for money, and you also get eyeballs. That has to be discouraged,” said the 50-year-old.
He practices what he believes in.
Be it Soha Ali Khan in Rang De Basanti, or Sonam Kapoor in Delhi-6 as well as in her not-so-meaty-but-mighty role in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag — Mehra’s female protagonists have never had to resort to skin show or sexy numbers to leave an impact. The fact that it has worked proves his point.
“Cinema reflects whatever is going on, and not in a good way, I would say. And when there’s gender bias in cinema, it’s a shameful act. I hang my head in shame when I see that... whether I have done it or not, I belong to that community. One has to own responsibility,” he added.
Also, the onus lies on the performer hugely.
“Why is anyone doing it? Is there a necessity? Is there someone dying at home out of hunger? Are there younger siblings for whom you have to pay the school fees? ... so there’s no majboori (compulsion)factor here at all.
“If there is lust for glamour and it is a girl who is dancing out there, it’s her choice! If she refuses, and she can, then there is nothing anyone (either a filmmaker or the audience) can do,” he said.
The audience, especially needs to take a stand, according to Mehra.
“Don’t watch it! Nobody is forcing you. Don’t buy that product, stop buying it, and if there are no takers, one won’t make it,” he said.
Away from the reel life, in real life, we need to look at ourselves in the mirrors as an individual, as a family unit and educational institutions, said Mehra.
“And that’s how reform can begin. It’s not easy, it won’t happen overnight. It’s a slow process, but I am confident that it can be turned around, has to be turned around, it should be turned around,” he added.


I am single, says Aditi

Actress Aditi Rao Hydari, who is said to be dating actor Randeep Hooda, says she is fond of her Murder 3 co-star but she is not dating anyone at the moment.
“Randeep is a great co-star. I am fond of Randeep, but I don’t meet him often. He is busy and I am also busy with my work,” Aditi said.
“All I can say is that he is somebody I am fond of. I don’t like to talk about my personal life, but I would say I am not seeing anybody and I am single,” she added.
There has been a lot of speculation about her marital status and her relationship with Randeep, but Aditi seems to be unperturbed.
“If I think about gossip, I can’t concentrate on work. Gossip doesn’t affect me, but actually it does. People cook up stories and they don’t cross check, the stories are not true. I have stopped reading news. I have a good relationship with journalists, but I would like to say we are also human beings and even we feel bad,” said the actress.
Her next film is Boss with Akshay Kumar and she says the film is a mix of everything.
“I am playing a college girl, who is fun loving. This is a film which is a mix of everything — action, comedy and drama. I did the film to have fun and experience a larger-than-life film,” said the actress, who has been part of movies like Yeh Saali Zindagi, London Paris New York with Pakistani star Ali Zafar, and Rockstar.
Directed by Anthony D’Souza, Boss also features Ronit Roy and it is slated for an October 16 release. — IANS

On a learning curve with Vidya

Actress Vidya Balan launched a mobile phone-based learning system that seeks to make the learning process interesting for children.
According to the system, following a missed call on toll free No.18001208989, a recorded message would play on the return call that would take children through a learning module in an interesting manner.
The learning system, as part of Nihar Naturals Shanti Amla’s Chotte Kadam Pragati ki Aur initiative, will help children learn English words.
The brand, in association with Child Relief and You (CRY) India, is in its second phase of the campaign and brand ambassador Vidya showed how to use the IVR (interactive voice response) system.
“I did a similar thing (play a teacher) last year in Lusa village of Mirzapur district. But this time, I had more information to share,” Vidya said.
She even used Bollywood songs to teach children of the village, also situated in the same district.
The Paa star believes movies have the largest reach in this context. “When you use a song to tell them something ... you are hoping it stays with them. It has strong impact on them,” said Vidya.
Nihar Naturals Shanti Amla in association with CRY also created a learning environment by placing wind chimes of alphabets and numbers and wall paintings with simple Hindi to English translations in the village. Vidya also interacted with self-help group women who are spearheading the campaign in their respective regions. They took a pledge to ensure the progress of children’s education.
Launched in September 2012, the initiative, aimed at empowering women to support children’s education in the country, has made an impact on many lives.
As part of the initiative, two percent of all proceeds from the sale of the hair oil are contributed to the cause of children’s education.
Nihar Naturals Shanti Amla has so far supported 19 projects across 10 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Across India, 36,058 children have got the opportunity to get educated.
Vidya highlighted that in Lusa village alone, the initiative helped motivate 128 children to stay in school, 31 dropouts to re-enrol and upgrade middle school infrastructure.