#bollywood south debate

[f1ghtsoftly]

All The Women’s News You Missed This Week

10/7/24-10/14/24

A South Korean Novelist takes home the Nobel Prize in Literature, Trump, and Harris vie for women voters. Women around the world continue to organize and fight male violence most notably this week accross South Africa, in Kolkata, and rural France. 

Want this sent to your email? Subscribe here

US Election:

Trump to join Fox News town hall with only women in audience

Obama’s callout to Black men touches a nerve among Democrats. Is election-year misogyny at play?

Abortion has passed inflation as the top election issue for women under 30, survey finds

Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights:

‘I found out I had cervical cancer while I was pregnant’

‘The View’ abortion ad signals wider effort to use an FCC regulation to spread a message

Moreno’s abortion comment rattles debate in expensive Senate race in Republican-leaning Ohio

Texas man drops case against 3 women for helping his ex-wife get abortion pills

Transgender/Gender Critical:

A kitchen staffed by trans women is a refuge for Mexico City’s LGBTQ+ community

‘Saboteurs’ release thousands of crickets at gender-critical group LGB Alliance's London event

Colorado court ducks deciding if baker could refuse to make LGBTQ-themed cake

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs and vetoes LGBTQ+ legislation

Florida mom of trans student sues school district, claiming retaliation and violation of rights

Women In The News:

The stats and shoes behind Chepngetich's amazing marathon world record

New Zealand ship didn’t sink because its captain was a woman, the ‘appalled’ defense minister says

American equal pay icon Lilly Ledbetter dies aged 86

Lupita Nyong'o speaks of family ordeal and condemns 'chilling' Kenya crackdown

'My employers locked me in the house and left when the bombings started'

How South Korea's 'real-life mermaids' made Malala want to learn to swim

Marine Le Pen hits back in EU funds misuse trial

Ukrainian journalist, 27, who chronicled Russian occupation dies in prison

Mothers seek justice for minors detained in Venezuelan election aftermath

Male Violence Against Women:

NY prosecutors want to combine Harvey Weinstein’s criminal cases into a single trial

Jury finds ex-member of rock band Mr. Bungle guilty of killing his girlfriend

Dad told police he killed Sara Sharif, court hears

Chris Brown concert shines spotlight on violence against women in South Africa

YouTuber Yung Filly charged with raping woman in Australia

Interpol asks public to help crack murdered women cold cases

Accused men confronted with abuse videos in French mass rape trial

Madeleine McCann suspect cleared of rape charges in separate trial

Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial set for May

OnlyFans user pleads guilty in child pornography case

Arts and Culture:

South Korea's Han Kang wins Nobel Literature Prize

Art becomes outrage: Kolkata festival confronts crime against female doctor

K-pop star to testify on music industry bullying

Muni Long believes ‘Revenge’ is a dish best served with success

Riley Keough felt a duty to finish Lisa Marie Presley’s book on Elvis, grief, addiction and love

Music Review: Charli XCX’s ‘Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat’ remixes, ranked

Music Review: ‘Sex Education’ star Dua Saleh’s debut, ‘I Should Call Them’ is arty, experimental pop

Rekha at 70: Bollywood's timeless icon

Tributes paid to author's 'empathy and respect'

Experience artist Es Devlin's powerful new work

Disclaimer review: Cate Blanchett gives an 'increasingly frenzied' performance in this 'engrossing' revenge thriller

'I was told Mr Loverman was too niche for TV'

As always, this is global and domestic news from a US perspective covering feminist issues and women in the news more generally. As of right now, I do not cover Women’s Sports. Published each Monday afternoon.

[hajihajiwa]

Algorithmic Culture

Whose culture is represented when algorithms monopolize digital content? Because of factors of economic inequality, race, and cultural hegemony, it is often the kind of content most digestible to people in well off, suburban, white communities.

This effect can be seen even without algorithms in the film industry, in which most movies in Hollywood and even globally (especially between WW2 to the 1990's) portray a white westerner perspective, worldview, and lead because it is mainly white westerners who are the targets audience since people who are poorer and black and brown in the global south do not have the funds or infrastructure to be a viable market. The exception is Bollywood, and even then there is much criticism of classism within it as it needs to appeal to markets of people with money if it wants to see profit. The article provided in class "The Power of Algorithms" provides an amazing framework for this concept, using the phrase "technological redlining" which is a fantastic analogy i will certainly be using in the future. There was a promise given by FaceBook at its launch, the idea that the sharing of content and the conglomeration of data would be a democratizing force in the marketplace of ideas for debate, bringing truth and good argumentation forward with popular support. In contrast we see that is instead has had the effect of promoting even further, through the profit motive, status quo and monoculture. As stated in the article "While we often think of terms such as “big data” and “algorithms” as being benign, neutral, or objective, they are anything but." What was especially concerning, this article points out, is the section showing bias against black women on the internet, categorically the most socioeconomically dispossessed demographic in American society. Upon searching the term "black girls", the author found immediately the site "HotBlackPussy dot com" showcasing the economic exploitation and fetishization of black women largely. Upon my search of black girls after reading this article, i was overwhelmingly pleasantly surprised, trying both on my signed in google account and a signed out account (to see what the algorithm thinks a freshly installed instance of google will like to see, the most "default" face of the algorithm) finding only articles on empowerment for black women such as "Black Girls Smile" which is a mental wellness company and educational resource for black women.

[nambiar-adarsh-narayanan-p-v]

Nambiar Adarsh Narayanan P V, Wikipedia, Career,Early life, Personal details

Occupation =Youtuber

Full name=Nambiar Adarsh Narayanan P V

birth_date=1995/07/12

birth_place=Sreekandapuram, |residence=Taliparamba

alma_mater=National College Taliparamba

height=175

weight kg=75

occupation=Youtuber

employer=Self

organisation=Youtubetitle

family=Ayyalat Kuttiyadan

parents

Father = Narayanan Kutty P V

Mother = Shyamala Ak

website=https://adarshpv95.wixsite.com/nambiaradarshnarayan

== Early Life ==

Nambiar Adarsh Narayanan P V was born as Single child for his parents on 12th July 1995 in Sreekandapuram, Kannur, kerala . He grew up in Kalyan East, Thane district of Maharashtra and he have strong desire for debates but never got an opportunity but Youtube gave him wings to his desire . R Sreekandan Nair from a show called nammal thammil of a Malayalam Asianet channel has influenced him ..

== Career ==

Youtuber

Sales Executive at Har Car India

Receptionist at Polariz Hotel Dharmashala KannurFeild Staff at Kerala Government Health Service

== Personal Life ==

Nambiar Adarsh Narayanan Pv born on 12th July 1995 is a youtuber and digital creator from Taliparamba, kannur . They are known for their expertise in YouTube and instagram . With a passion for mobile photography , Nambiar Adarsh Narayanan P V has gained recognition for scout and guide also . They continue to inspire and engage their audience through content creation . Learn more about Nambiar Adarsh Narayanan P V and their journey on YouTube and instagram

. == References ==

A tweet Mentioned by many News Portalhttps://marathi.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/malayalam-actor-kundara-johny-passes-away-at-the-age-of-71-due-to-heart-attack-1219930https://www.gstv.in/kundara-johny-passes-away-heart-attack-malayalam-actor/https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/south-cinema/malayalam-actor-kundara-johny-passes-away-due-to-heart-attack-at-the-age-of-71-2517192https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/south-cinema/malayalam-actor-kundara-johny-dies-of-cardiac-arrest-at-71-1636675

[spprkle]

5movierulz Rest: A Hub for Online Movie Enthusiasts

Understanding 5movierulz Rest:

5movierulz Rest is an online platform that offers a wide array of movies and TV series for streaming. It has gained significant popularity due to its user-friendly interface and extensive collection of content. Users can easily navigate through various genres such as action, romance, comedy, thriller, and more to find their preferred movies or shows.

One of the notable aspects of 5movierulz Rest is its focus on providing movies from different languages and regions. Whether it's Hollywood blockbusters, Bollywood hits, or regional films from South India, users can find an extensive selection to cater to their diverse tastes.

Features of 5movierulz Rest:

Vast Library: 5movierulz Rest boasts a vast library of movies and TV shows, ensuring that users have access to a wide range of content across different genres and languages.

User-Friendly Interface: The platform offers a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to search for and stream their favorite movies or TV series without any hassle.

Multiple Language Options: One of the key features of 5movierulz Rest is its extensive collection of movies in various languages, catering to users from different regions and linguistic backgrounds.

Regular Updates: The platform is regularly updated with the latest releases, ensuring that users can access newly released movies and TV shows soon after their theatrical or digital premieres.

Quality Streaming: 5movierulz Rest provides high-quality streaming options, allowing users to enjoy their favorite content in crisp visuals and immersive sound.

Legality Concerns:

It's essential to address the legality concerns surrounding platforms like 5movierulz Rest. While the website offers a convenient way to access movies and TV shows, it operates in a legal gray area. Many of the movies and shows available on such platforms may be pirated or distributed without proper authorization from copyright holders.

Streaming or downloading copyrighted content without the necessary licenses or permissions is illegal in many countries and could result in legal consequences for both the website operators and users.

Popularity and User Base:

Despite the legality concerns, platforms like 5movierulz Rest continue to attract a significant user base, primarily due to the convenience and variety they offer. Movie enthusiasts who may not have access to traditional theaters or subscription-based streaming services often turn to such platforms to fulfill their entertainment needs.

The popularity of 5movierulz Rest also stems from its ability to cater to diverse audiences by offering content in multiple languages and genres. Additionally, the platform's regular updates ensure that users always have something new to explore.

Conclusion:

5movierulz Rest has carved a niche for itself in the online streaming landscape by offering a vast library of movies and TV shows across different languages and genres. While its user-friendly interface and extensive collection have contributed to its popularity, it's essential for users to be aware of the legality concerns associated with streaming pirated content.

As the debate around online piracy and copyright infringement continues, platforms like 5movierulz Rest serve as a reminder of the evolving nature of digital entertainment consumption and the challenges it presents to traditional distribution models.

[daddynews247]

“Shamsi Out Tha,” says actor Ayushmann Khurrana. Shoaib Akhtar Responds

The “Umpire’s Call” clamour is far from done, as debates regarding DRS continue to erupt on social media.

Since the dramatic event in the South Africa vs. Pakistan match, the Decision Review System (DRS) drama in the Cricket World Cup has refused to die away. “Umpire’s Call” divided the cricketing community, implying that the technology’s margin of error requires “umpire’s call” to be plugged. However, there are many who believe that if the technology indicates that the ball has hit the stumps, regardless of the margin, the verdict should be in favour of the bowler. The dispute has spread beyond the cricketing world, with popular Bollywood actor Ayushman Khurrana also weighing in.

After South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi escaped a leg-before appeal by Haris Rauf, the TV umpire decided to remain with the on-field umpire’s decision to give not out, intense arguments erupted on social media. The entire scenario ultimately led to Pakistan’s defeat in a critical World Cup encounter on Friday in Chennai. South Africa were nine wickets down at the time, and a favourable ruling would have given Pakistan a new lease on life in the tournament.

“At this time, the umpire’s call will not be reversed.” After all, the primary aim of DRS is not to lessen or replace the job of umpires, but to enhance it by rectifying errors. This, I believe, is the ideal method,” an official with long experience with the DRS system told PTI on the subject, as calls for the ‘umpire’s call’ to be deleted were made.

“The whole system has undergone several tweaks in the last few years to keep it relevant while giving good share of space for both technology and prediction,” the source said.

[mirecalemoments01]

Indonesian TikToker Faces Jail Time for Controversial Video Involving Pork

An Indonesian TikTok influencer, Lina Lutfiawati, has been sentenced to two years in prison and fined $16,245 for posting a video on the social media platform TikTok, where she was seen consuming pork and uttering an Islamic prayer. The verdict, which has sparked controversy and debate, raises questions about freedom of expression and religious sensitivity in Indonesia. The Controversial TikTok Video In March of this year, Lina Lutfiawati posted a TikTok video that gained millions of views. In the video, she recited a Muslim prayer that translates to "in the name of God" before consuming pork skin. The video was recorded during her trip to Bali, and she later explained that her decision to try pork was out of curiosity. However, her actions did not go unnoticed, and the video drew widespread criticism. Violation of Religious Norms Pork is strictly forbidden in Islam, which is the dominant religion in Indonesia. Lutfiawati faced backlash from many quarters, with some accusing her of knowingly defying religious dietary restrictions. Conservative groups within the country even labeled the video as "blasphemous," adding fuel to the controversy. Legal Consequences The legal repercussions for Lina Lutfiawati came swiftly. She was found guilty of "spreading information aimed at inciting hatred against religious individuals and specific groups" by a court in the South Sumatra city of Palembang. In addition to the two-year prison sentence, she was slapped with a substantial fine. Failure to pay the fine could result in an extension of her jail term by three months. Shocked by the Verdict The severity of the verdict has taken Lutfiawati by surprise. While she acknowledged her mistake, she expressed disbelief at the harshness of the punishment. In an interview with a local news station, she admitted her wrongdoing but did not anticipate such severe consequences. A Blend of Cultures Interestingly, Lina Lutfiawati, who enjoys Bollywood movies, has also adopted the Indian name Lina Mukherjee. Beyond her TikTok presence, she operates a business in India. Her case underscores the complexity of cultural influences and identities in a diverse nation like Indonesia. A Broader Issue This case is not isolated and adds to a series of high-profile blasphemy convictions in Indonesia in recent years. The application of the blasphemy article in Indonesian law has been criticized by human rights organizations like Amnesty International Indonesia, who argue that it has been misused to target minority groups and suppress dissenting voices. Conclusion The conviction of Lina Lutfiawati for her TikTok video involving pork raises important questions about the balance between freedom of expression and religious sensitivities. It highlights the need for open dialogue and tolerance in a culturally diverse society. As Indonesia grapples with these complex issues, it remains to be seen how the intersection of social media, culture, and religion will continue to shape its legal landscape. What was the TikTok video that led to Lina Lutfiawati's conviction in Indonesia?The video featured Lina Lutfiawati consuming pork skin while reciting an Islamic prayer. This act, considered offensive in the context of Islam, sparked controversy and legal consequences. Why did Lina Lutfiawati face legal repercussions for her TikTok video?Lina Lutfiawati was found guilty of "spreading information aimed at inciting hatred against religious individuals and specific groups." Her actions were perceived as a violation of religious norms and dietary restrictions in predominantly Muslim Indonesia. What was the outcome of the legal proceedings against Lina Lutfiawati?Lina Lutfiawati was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $16,245 for her controversial TikTok video. Failure to pay the fine could lead to an extension of her jail term by three months. How has this case highlighted broader issues of freedom of expression and religious sensitivity in Indonesia?Lina Lutfiawati's case is one of several high-profile blasphemy convictions in Indonesia. It has raised questions about the balance between freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs and underscored the need for open dialogue and tolerance in a culturally diverse society. Read the full article

[filmishine]

"Entertainment Industry Was Looked Down By The Elite Educated World..."

Rana Daggubati Reacts To Bollywood vs South Debate & Nepotism(Photo Credit –Instagram) The conversations over nepotism and outsider have been heavily debated in the acting industry be it in any region of Indian cinema. Many actors have commented upon the topic and many have tried to escape to avoid any further controversies in their remarks. Adding to the list, Baahubali actor Rana Daggubati…

[newssy]

Kichcha Sudeep Calls Ajay Devgn His Favourite Actor Post The National Language Controversy, Reacts To South vs North Debate As Well

Kichcha Sudeep Calls Ajay Devgn His Favourite Actor Amid The National Language Controversy ( Photo Credit – Facebook ; Wikipedia ) In April last year, two leading men from South and Bollywood – Kichcha Sudeep and Ajay Devgn – made headlines when they got into a war of words on Twitter owing to the national language of India. It all started when Makkhi actor “Hindi is no more a national language”…

[werindialive]

“I'm okay with Kangana Ranaut getting Padma Shri. She is an amazing actress. Yet, she received that award within 10 films.” Says actress-turned-politician Jayasudha

The south vs. Bollywood debate has not settled yet. While there are many that state that both the industries can run parallelly and can also help each other develop better content, there are a few who question that the two can ever co-exist. actress-turned-politician Jayasudha has also voiced her opinion recently, although, her opinion was entirely different. She had her complaints regarding the Government as the government awarded Padma Shri to Kangana Ranaut within her ten films.

Jayasudha was appearing in a talk show Unstoppable with NBK song along with her contemporary Jaya Prada, hosted by Nandamuri Balakrishna on Aha. Jayasudha said that she has observed that the work of Kangana got recognition after just 10 films whereas there are veterans who aren’t recognised till date.

“I'm okay with Kangana Ranaut getting Padma Shri. She is an amazing actress. Yet, she received that award within 10 films. Over here, we have worked on many films yet are not recognised by the government,” said Jayasudha on the show.

The veteran actress further added, “Even Vijaya Nirmala, the woman director who is on the Guinness Records, hasn't received such appreciation. Sometimes, I feel bad that the South is not being appreciated by the government.”

As she mentioned that they should not ask to be recognised but it should come from the government itself, actress Jayaprada added, “We should get it respectably and not by asking for it.”

For more entertainment news India in Hindi, subscribe to our newsletter.

[anandambyananya]

Racial Descrimination

Racial is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. The few countries that pop into our minds when someone mentions ‘racism’ are America, Britain, or Australia, since we’re familiar with a number of instances of racism against Indians in these places. Having faced a history of colonialism and interracial attacks by the British, one would not imagine India to be racist. But the sad truth is, we are. Racism prevails in India in obvious and discernable forms such as attacks against different sections of our nation, and Africans residing in the country, as well as unconscious and subliminal forms; such as fairness creams advertisements.

Just recently, Abhay Deol, a prolific Bollywood actor, pointed out the blatant racism that his fellow colleagues endorse in the form of fairness creams. In a series of posts on Facebook, the actor slammed advertisements for fairness creams, many of which feature celebrities such as Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, among others. The actor posted pictures of his colleagues’ ad campaigns for the fairness creams accompanied by strong sarcastic sentiments against them. Abhay Deol mentioned that this was in reference to a comment made by a politician on TV, for which the politician later apologized.

In a country as racially diverse as India, ignorance and lack of awareness regarding all cultures is strong possibility. This, in turn, leads to intra-racial incidents that take place against parts of sections of our society. Richard Loitam and Nido Tanaim are prolific cases that come to mind when talking about racial attacks on North-East Indians. Another well-known case is of Monika Khangembam, a woman from Manipur, who complained against an immigration officer in 2016, when he asked her snarky racist questions to prove her ‘Indian-ness’ while traveling from Delhi for a conference. People from South Indian states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka are referred to as ‘Madarasi’ or ‘Mallus’ when they visit any of the Northern or North-Western states of India, whereas, the North Indians in many parts of India are called ‘Sardarjis’. They are stereotyped into a group of people who all look the same, enjoy a particular kind of food, and dress up in a particular way.

Another important issue is that of racism against Africans or African Americans in our country. #BlackLivesMatter, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Barack Obama, Idris Elba, Kendrick Lamar, are common and accepted to a certain class in our society. Their ideologies are much talked about, but the wide reach of these African-American personalities does not ensure the safety of the Africans who come to learn or work in India. Just recently, after a teenager died of drug overdose, four men of African descent were brutally attacked in Greater Noida. The African envoys threatened to take the issue to the Human Rights Council, saying this was a part of a series of extremely grave racial and xenophobic attacks seen across the country at several different points. Although not one of its kind, this racial attack sparked a nation-wide debate into how people from different races are treated in our ‘diverse’ country.

Evolutionary psychology, a branch of psychology that strives to understand the human mind and behaviour through the process of evolution,  postulates that the human brain is comprised of many functional adaptive mechanisms that are designed by the process of natural selection. Racism is deeply rooted in human behaviour, and evolutionary psychology may have answers to questions like ‘Why are humans racist?’, ‘What made us like this?’

Humans beings are social animals that belong to a particular group – the ‘ingroup’ - that work together with the other members of the group for survival. This creates a sense of ‘us v/s them’ where ‘us’ is seen as a positive and valuable entity and the ‘them’ is seen as a threat to group cohesion and, ergo, survival. This is how the mentality of violence towards the other group – the ‘outgroup’ - is developed. Evolution states that the behaviour which protects us from outside threats, or that has helped in survival in some way, is usually passed on to our future generation. That way, the behaviour is the part of the evolution process that shapes the coming generations. The modern iteration of group survival has taken on the form of racism where only the in group members (i.e., the members of a particular race) are considered familiar and safe, while the outgroup members are alien and dangerous.

Researchers at Queens University in 2015 developed a new framework for examining modern racism. The framework explained the concept of altruism and spite with the help of similarities and dissimilarities within a group of individuals. The individuals who are similar in characteristics to most of the members in a group will be more spiteful to the members who are dissimilar rather than the individuals who are similar to only a few members of the group. This is how the mentality of discrimination is believed to have passed on. Group identity and group think causes us to act irrationally and uncooperatively, because we are more concerned about conforming with our group instead of thinking independently for ourselves, or recognising other people’s interests and values outside of our own social circle. Group identity is good as long as it doesn’t start affecting the way you look at other group in a negative way.

The good news perhaps is that this learned behaviour for survival is not a key necessity anymore, since the goal today is not just survival, but rather perpetuation of higher and standards of living and growth. Comedian, Zakir Khan, illustrated the necessity and a way to destigmatize classes of people while talking about his experiences of looking for a flat as a Muslim man during an ‘On Air With AIB: Off Script’ episode. He urges people to talk and ask questions and get to know people who are different from us, to end the hate and get too know them as fellow humans. Humans can sensitize themselves to the racial diversity in their country, studies have shown. First, one must accept that humans can be racist. As they say, acceptance is the key to change. Then the ‘why’ part of it should be dealt with. Conversations with other racial groups, open and honest discussions on diversity are a few good ways to overcome racial biases or preconceived notions that one may hold about a particular group. The overall idea is to learn more about the diverse groups that exists in our world, make our students more sensitive towards it by introducing such subjects in school so that the basic concepts of diversity are clear from the beginning. The work towards a better future must begin early.

by Ananya Gupta

[rajexpressnews]

Raj Express. Where earlier we used to hear discussions of Bollywood stars everywhere, now the times have started changing and the names of South film stars have started ringing. This is the reason that today the fees of the stars of South have also become very high. There are many South stars who get more fees than the famous stars of Bollywood. Let us tell you about those stars.

Prabhas: Ever since actor Prabhas's film 'Bahubali' became successful, his fees have also increased. He is charging around Rs 150 crore for his upcoming film Aadipurush.

Akshay Kumar: Bollywood's Khiladi Kumar has decided to charge around Rs 135 crore for each film as per his new contract.

Allu Arjun: The most favorite star of South films is charging more than Rs 100 crore for a film.

Ajay Devgan: One of the most expensive actors of Bollywood is charging 60 crores to 125 crores for a film.

Ram Charan: The actor charged Rs 45 crore for his film "RRR". While he is charging Rs 100 crore for his next film.

Aamir Khan: Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan charges 75 to 80 crores for one of his films.

Mahesh Babu: Mahesh Babu, who took 60 to 80 crores for his films, even said that Bollywood will not be able to afford me.

Salman Khan: Bhaijaan of Bollywood contributes around Rs 70 to 75 crores for a film as well as revenue.

[rudrjobdesk]

आर माधवन ने 'North Vs South' डिबेट में बॉलीवुड का किया बचाव, जानें क्या बोले एक्टर

आर माधवन ने ‘North Vs South’ डिबेट में बॉलीवुड का किया बचाव, जानें क्या बोले एक्टर

आर माधवन (R Madhavan) का कहना है कि बॉलीवुड और साउथ सिनेमा की बहस में पड़ना बेकार है, क्योंकि फिल्म इंडस्ट्री में चीजें लगातार बदल रही हैं और कोई भी यह अनुमान नहीं लगा सकता कि लोगों को फिल्म कैसी मिलेगी. साल 2022 में केवल तीन हिंदी फिल्में- ‘गंगूबाई काठियावाड़ी’, ‘द कश्मीर फाइल्स’ और ‘भूल भुलैया 2’ हिट रही हैं. साउथ में एसएस राजामौली की तेलुगु फिल्म ‘आरआरआर’, कन्नड़ फिल्म ‘केजीएफ चैप्टर 2’ और…

[themarysuep]

The way KamalaKamran had their first date at an Indian restaurant and they love their South Asian culture and actually know about local south asian spots and can have full on debates about bollywood is *chefs kiss*

[jellyluchi]

La Squadra x Desi (South Asian) Reader (gender neutral)

A/N: I thought this would be cute and funny since I don’t see a lot of south asian centered content about jojo in general! I hope desi and non-desi jojo fans alike enjoy these hcs and if there’s something about desi culture you’d like to know more about I’d love to answer!

Risotto

- My first thought with him was that he starts wearing a lungi around the house as soon as he finds out what they are

- starts using gamucha for his workouts! they’re really convenient

- Loves to hear you sing in your language! Desi ballad music sounds beautiful to him especially coming from you!

- Is willing to try desi food and will not complain about the curry smell at all, won’t mind that you eat with your hands

- He loves spicy food so he most likely enjoys any curry but especially loves how spicy vindaloo

- willing to watch bollywood movies with you just to spend time together

- If you ask him to learn your language he’ll be happy to, won’t even ask you to learn his unless you really want to

- your family would probably be scared as hell of him and the aunties might talk behind your back but he pays no mind. They eventually like how polite and helpful he is.

- overall, indulges in your culture as much as you want him to! He’d also be happy to share his culture should you be interested

Prosciutto

- He probably asked you to learn Italian so he thinks it’s only fair he learns some of your language as well

- gets suuuper into the cuisine, he loves the beef curry and even though it’s a bit basic he loves biriyani lol (especially kacchi! the beef is so tender)

- gets into desi hair oils lol

- might judge you just a bit at first when you eat with your hands but not for long

- he loves classic noir films and that means in any language so he’d enjoy bengali noir but not much bollywood

- complains that curry stained his finger nails yellow lol also might complain about the house smelling like curry too so he makes sure there’s a lot of ventilation

- like to learn desi recipes with you! finds the flavors intriguing and may even help you cook your fav desi food

- fits in with you family the most out of them all, he is THE typical desi auntie already criticizing everything and everyone all the time lol so he’d get along with them fine. They’d like how good he is with house chores and how he always tells you to be responsible. Smokes with the uncles and gets into their heated political debates

- will buy you traditional clothing that you like, probs likes to see you in panjabi, saree whatever you prefer 

- asks you to ask your family about skincare, especially anti aging remedies lmaooo

Pesci

- is actually quite excited to learn your language! in fact, he might bring it up first because he thinks it’s a great bonding activity and he’s intrigued

- lovesss the fish curry dishes the most and wants to learn about fishing culture from your country

- doesn’t mind you eating with your hands and gets you to teach him as well

- loves mishti!! rasgolla, rasmalai, barfi, sandesh, lassi you name it as a milk lover he’d like almost any desi sweets since they’re all made from milk

- doesn’t much understand bollywood and finds it a bit ridiculous but will watch it if you like it

- another person who likes desi ballads, if you sing to him he’ll melt and thinks your voice is the sweetest! is also into just vibing with the music on

- I hate to say it, but aunties will most likely judge him for how he looks : ( but they’ll soon realize he’s actually super sweet and might dote on him. Probably gets intimidated by uncles but it’s alright he gets along with your cousins the best!

- also uses gamucha when working out and uses it during hot days when fishing as well!

Formaggio

- only wants to learn swear words in your language LOL and only teaches you italian swear words

- desi cuisine is pretty good to him but he absolutely LOVES the street food the most

- fuchka, pani puri, chatpati, whatever it is he’ll eat it, the spicier the better. Will challenge you to fuchka eating contest lol

- also likes paneer! hey he’s gonna like cheese in every culture lol

- at last, a person who actually gets into bollywood for real. He loves the drama, comedy, ridiculous action, even the songs!

- gets into bollywood dancing too like literally will go off in the living room dancing to the Dhoom soundtrack with you

- loudly comments when watching bollywood and sometimes enjoys the cheesy romance lmfao

- Your family will know he’s the thug immediately I’m sorry, but my be able to charm them with how much spirit he has when enjoying a good desi function

- another one who smokes with the uncles and also another one who enjoyes wearing lungi at home

- may want to hear your language slip out in bed haha

Melone

- absolutely intrigued by your culture and asks you the most questions about it out of all of them!

- gets into desi astrology lol he probably didn’t know a lot of modern astrology is borrowed from a history of astrology in south asia

- another one who wants to learn how to eat with his hands! He thinks it’s fun and different and likes it better than using utensils

- another person who also likes the sweets! but he gets into desserts like pitha, patishapta, kheer the most

- Also like biriyani quite a lot when it comes to savory food

- doesn’t get into bollywood films but loves the music a whole lot! catch him dancing to saki saki in your living room lol

- another one who also loves traditional wear and thinks you look sexy in it

- gets into desi natural skincare products and remedies, he’s got a bunch of vicks vapo rub and inidian healing clay bottles lmfaoo

- at first your family might get creeped out by him but then finds out his background in biology and immediately asks why didn’t you also become a doctor KJBSDSD chats with the aunties the most!

- asks your grandma and aunties for their skincare secrets

Illuso

- Probably thinks you speaking your language is beautiful and would get into how poetic it is, probably believes it’s a language of love just as much as any European language

- Also likes the spicy food! but mostly loves paratha because of how versatile it is and because it’s like a pastry that you can eat with anything

- might need to get used to eating with hands but eventually likes it more than he realized he would

- actually appreciates bollywood for what it is, genuinely gets into the drama an might even get secretly emotional at the sad stories

- actually has favorite bollywood movies too

- immediately goes to gossip with the aunties they’re surprised at how tall he is but also how much he already knows??

- he’s also polite with your family and they really like his height and compliments him on it that boosts his ego lmfao

- another one that gets into desi hair oils, probably swears by coconut and amla oil now

- also gets into desi fashion himself along with you he genuinely thinks its stylish

Ghiaccio

- demands to know your language and also demands you learn perfect italian, if you’re looking for a linguistic debate buddy in your partner he’s right there

- actually not that partial to desi food and may think italian food is better but he indulges in lentil type dishes (probably like daal makhni a lot)

- yeah he’s another one who would look at you strange for eating with hands but doesn’t mind it eventually when you tell him your culture

- WILL scream at how ridiculous some bollywood films are and how he doesn’t get the humor it’ll get even funnier if you watch desi soap operas and he starts talking about the gfx and sound effects

- but actually loves watching whatever with you because he likes spending time like that

- will listen to you rant in your language without understanding anything but still nod along and agree, you’ll probs do it when he’s ranting in italian lolol

- likes to play desi music out loud when you’re going for a long drive he likes how it creates a serene ambiance it helps him calm down

- yet another gamucha user, he’s skeptical about using it at first but loves how it feels on his skin after a goo workout

- don’t let him hear the aunties gossip he might quip back something rude and absolutely do NOT let him debate with the uncles it’ll turn ugly fast, just try to keep him calm in a desi function lol he might get along with cousins as well!

[sorry I couldn’t add sorbet and gelato i’m not yet sure about their characteristics :( ]

[filmishine]

Naseeruddin Shah Says "South Films Might Be Crass In Their Taste But..." Comparing It Doing Better Than Bollywood Films

Naseeruddin Shah Opens Up About The Success Of South Films ( Photo Credit – IMDb ) Amid the ongoing debate around Hindi and the cinemas from the South, veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah recently shared his views. The actor mentioned what all factors aid in the success of commercial films from Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada cinema. The actor also lauded filmmakers from the South for the…

[dweemeister]

Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959, India)

Almost a quarter of the way through the twenty-first century, globalization has pierced the remotest corners of the planet. The examples academics and politicians cite demonstrating this globalization are almost always economic, but the most profound examples are cultural. Once known only in South Asia, Indian cinema has burst onto a global stage. Its stars and its most popular directors seem larger than life. Reading on some of modern Bollywood’s (Hindi-language cinema) personalities, I find few of their biographies compelling beyond their unquestionable status as South Asian and international celebrities – I won’t name names here because that is for another time. That is partly a result of not watching enough Bollywood films. It is also because I am making unconscious comparisons between those modern actors to actor-director Guru Dutt. Dutt was a tragic romantic – off- and on-screen – to the point where those personas can become indistinguishable.

As an actor, Dutt can be as charming a romantic male lead as anyone, as well as lend a film the dramatic gravitas it needs. As a director, he refined his sweeping visuals and theatrical flairs over time. That artistic development culminated with Pyaasa (1957) and his final directorial effort, Kaagaz Ke Phool (“Paper Flowers” in English). The latter film is the subject of this piece. Both films elevate themselves to a cinematic altitude few movies anywhere, anytime ever accomplish. They are, for lack of a better word, operatic* – in aesthetic, emotion, storytelling, tone. In Kaagaz Ke Phool, Dutt once again lays bare his artistic soul in what will be his final directed work.

An old man enters a film studio’s empty soundstage, climbs onto the rafters, and gazes wistfully at the darkened workspace below. We learn that this is Suresh Sinha (Dutt), a film director whose illustrious past exists only in old film stock. The film is told in flashback, transporting to a time when his marriage to Bina (Veena) is endangered – the parents-in-law disdain his film work as disreputable to their social class – and he is embarking upon an ambitious production of Devdas (a Bengali romance novel that is among the most adapted pieces of Indian literature to film, the stage, and television). He is having difficulty finding someone to play Paro, the female lead. Due to this conflict, Bima has also forbidden their teenage daughter, Pammi (Kumari Naaz), from seeing Suresh. Pammi is sent to a boarding school far from Delhi (where Bima and her parents reside) and further from Mumbai (where Suresh works), without any sufficient explanations of the spousal strife.

One rainy evening, Suresh generously provides his coat to a woman, Shanti (an excellent Waheeda Rehman). The next day, Shanti arrives at the film studio looking to return the coat. Not knowing anything about film production, she accidentally steps in front of the camera while it is rolling – angering the crew who are tiring of yet another production mishap. Later, while viewing the day’s rushes, Suresh casts Shanti as Paro after witnessing her accidental, but remarkable, screen presence. She achieves cinematic stardom; Suresh and Shanti become intimate. When the tabloid gossip eventually reaches Mumbai and Pammi’s boarding school, it leads to the ruin of all.

What did you expect from an operatic film – a happy ending?

Also starring in the film are Johnny Walker (as Suresh’s brother-in-law, “Rocky”) and Minoo Mumtaz (as a veterinarian). Walker and Mumtaz’s roles are vestigial to Kaagaz Ke Phool. Their romantic subplot is rife with the potential for suggestive humor (she is a horse doctor), but the screenplay never justifies their inclusion in the film.

Shot on CinemaScope lens licensed by 20th Century Fox to Dutt’s production company, Kaagaz Ke Phool is Dutt’s only film shot in letterboxed widescreen. From the onset of his directorial career and his close collaboration with cinematographer V.K. Murthy, Dutt exemplifies an awesome command of tonal transition and control. Murthy’s dollying cameras intensify emotion upon approach: anguish, contempt, sober realization. These techniques render these emotions painfully personal, eliminating the necessity of a few lines of dialogue or supplemental motion from the actor. The effect can be uncomfortable to those who have not fully suspended their disbelief in the plot or the songs that are sung at the time. But to the viewers that have accepted that Dutt’s films exist in a reality where songs about infatuation, love, loss, and regret are sung spontaneously (and where revelations are heard in stillness), this is part of the appeal. Dutt and Murthy’s lighting also assists in directing the narrative and setting mood: a lashing rainstorm signaling a chance meeting that seals the protagonists’ fates, the uncharacteristically film noir atmosphere of the soundstage paints moviemaking as unglamorous, and a beam of light during a love melody evokes unspoken attraction. That final example represents the pinnacle of Dutt and Murthy’s teamwork (more on this later).

As brilliant as his films (including this) may be, Dutt suffered during mightily during Kaagaz Ke Phool’s production. In writings about Dutt, one invariably encounters individuals who believe Dutt’s life confirms that suffering leads to great art. Though I think it best to retire that aphorism so as not to romanticize pain, I believe that the reverse is true with Guru Dutt – his later directing career contributed to his personal tribulations. In some ways, that suffering informed his approach to what I consider an informal semiautobiographical trilogy of his films: Mr. & Mrs. ’55 (1955), Pyaasa, and Kaagaz Ke Phool. Dutt directed and starred in each of these films. In each film he plays an artist (a cartoonist, poet, and film director, respectively); with each successive film his character begins with a greater reputation, only to fall further than the last. The three Dutt protagonists encounter hardship that do not discriminate by caste, professional success, or wealth.

For Dutt’s Suresh, he is unable to consummate his love for Shanti because the specters of his failed marriage haunt him still. He never speaks to his de facto ex, but marital disappointment lingers. Why does he bother visiting his stuffy in-laws when he knows they will never change their opinions about him? Abrar Alvi’s (the other films in the aforementioned informal Dutt-directed trilogy, 1962’s Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam) screenplay is silent on the matter. Also factoring into Suresh’s hesitation is his daughter, Pammi. Pammi is young, looks up to both her parents, and cannot fathom a parent being torn from her life. Her reaction to learning about Shanti implies that neither of her parents have ever truly talked to her about their separation. Pammi does not appear to blame herself, but it seems that her parents – intent on protecting their child, perhaps speaking to her not as a soon-to-be young adult – are loath to maturely talk about the other. In a sense, Pammi has never mourned her parents’ marriage as we see her deny the tabloid reports about Suresh’s affair and express anger towards her father when she learns the truth.

When Suresh’s film after Devdas flops, his film career is in tatters. But Shanti’s popularity is ascendant, creating a dynamic reminiscent of A Star is Born. In a faint reference to Devdas, Kaagaz Ke Phool’s final act contains anxieties about falling into lower classes. If Kaagaz Ke Phool is contemporaneous to its release date, one could also interpret this as concerns about falling within India’s caste system (reformist India in the late 1950s was dipping its toes into criminalizing caste discrimination, which remains prevalent). Suresh’s fall is stratospheric and, in his caste-conscious, masculine pride, he rejects Shanti’s overtures to help him rebuild his life and film career. This tragedy deepens because Shanti’s offer is in response to the contractual exploitation she is enduring. We do not see what becomes of Shanti after her last encounter with Suresh, but his final scenes remind me, again, of opera: the male lead summoning the strength to sing (non-diegetically in Suresh’s case) his parting, epitaphic thoughts moments before the curtain lowers.

Suresh’s and Shanti’s respective suffering was preventable. Whether love may have assuaged his self-pity and alcoholism and her professional disputes is debatable, but one suspects it only could have helped.

Composer S.D. Burman (Pyaasa, 1965’s Guide) and lyricist Kaifi Azmi (1970’s Herr Raanjha, 1974’s Garm Hava) compose seven songs for Kaagaz Ke Phool – all of which elevate the dramatics, but none are as poetic as numbers in previous Dutt films. Comments on two of the most effective songs follow; I did not find myself nearly as moved by the others.

“Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari” (roughly, “I Have Seen How Deeply Friendship Lies”) appears just after the opening credits, as an older Suresh ascends the soundstage’s stairs to look down on his former domain. The song starts with and is later backed by organ (this is an educated guess, as many classic Indian films could benefit with extensive audio restorations as trying to figure out their orchestrations can be difficult) and is sung non-diegetically by Mohammed Rafi (dubbing for Dutt). A beautiful dissolve during this number smooths the transition into the flashback that will frame the entire film. That technique, combined with “Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari”, prepares the audience for what could be a somber recollection. However, this is only the first half of a bifurcated song. The melodic and thematic ideas of “Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari” are completed in the film’s final minutes, “Bichhde Sabhi Baari Baari” (“They All Fall Apart, One by One”; considered by some as a separate song). Together, the musical and narrative arc of this song/these songs form the film’s soul. For such an important musical number, it may have been ideal to incorporate it more into the film’s score, but now I am being picky.

Just over the one-hour mark, “Waqt Ne Kiya Haseen Sitam” (“Time Has Inflicted Such Sweet Cruelty On Us”; non-diegetically sung by Shanti, dubbed by Geeta Dutt, Guru’s wife) heralds the film’s second act – Suresh and Shanti’s simultaneous realization of their unspoken love, and how they are changed irrevocably for having met each other. Murthy’s floating cameras and that piercing beam of light are revelatory. A double exposure during this sequence shows the two characters walking toward each other as their inhibitions stay in place, a breathtaking mise en scène (the arrangement of a set and placement of actors to empower a narrative/visual idea) foreshadowing the rest of the film.

Dutt’s perfectionist approach to Kaagaz Ke Phool fueled a public perception that the film was an indulgent vanity exercise with a tragic ending no one could stomach viewing. Paralleling Suresh and Shanti’s romantic interest in each other in this film, the Indian tabloids were printing stories claiming that Dutt was intimate with co-star Waheeda Rehman and cheating on Geeta Dutt. These factors – perhaps some more than others (I’m not versed on what Bollywood celebrity culture was like in the 1950s, and Pyaasa’s tragic ending didn’t stop audiences from flocking to that film) – led to Kaagaz Ke Phool’s bombing at the box office. Blowing an unfixable financial hole into his production company, Guru Dutt, a man who, “couldn’t digest failure,” never directed another film. Like the character he portrays here, Dutt became an alcoholic and succumbed to depression in the wake of this film’s release. Having dedicated himself entirely to his films, he interpreted any professional failure as a personal failure.

Kaagaz Ke Phool haunts from its opening seconds. Beyond his home country, Dutt would not live to see his final directorial effort become a landmark Bollywood film and his international reputation growing still as cinematic globalization marches forth. Dutt’s most visually refined films, including Kaagaz Ke Phool, are films of subtraction. The cinematography and music make less movement and dialogue preferable. Kaagaz Ke Phool is a film defined about actions that are not taken and scenes that are never shown. The result is not narrative emptiness, but a receptacle of Dutt’s empathy and regrets. Exploring these once-discarded, partially biographic ideas is not for faint hearts.

My rating: 9/10

^ Based on my personal imdb rating. Half-points are always rounded down. My interpretation of that ratings system can be found in the “Ratings system” page on my blog (as of July 1, 2020, tumblr is not permitting certain posts with links to appear on tag pages, so I cannot provide the URL).

For more of my reviews tagged “My Movie Odyssey”, check out the tag of the same name on my blog.

* I use this adjective not to reference operatic music, but as an intangible feeling that courses over me when watching a film. Examples of what I would consider to be operatic cinema include: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, Taiwan); Greed (1924); The Red Shoes (1948); and The Wind (1928). Some level of melodrama and emotional unpackaging is necessary, but the film need not be large in scope or have musical elements for me to consider it “operatic”.