The Black Horse Grows Wings!

This February, the cobbled streets of Kala Ghoda will once again transform into a carnival ground, with the promise to leave no one unentertained. With art, culture, heritage, drama, song and dance awaiting you, it is time to vicariously tap your feet and witness the festival’s new Udaan…

When the world shut down due to pandemic, the Kala Ghoda Art Festival (KGAF), one of the largest multicultural festivals in the world, went global with its digital avatar, hosting over 70 online programs across nine days. This was last year.

2022 February brings with it the proverbial phoenix with the KGAF theme ‘Udaan’, lending it new wings.
The wind beneath the wings will be the main venues over 9 days including the beautiful 100 year old heritage building – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Museum) which contains the Children’s Museum, Coomaraswamy Hall, the Amphitheatre, the lawns and some beautiful outdoor spaces; Max Mueller Bhavan – which has a respected exhibition space dedicated to art and architecture, The NGMA Auditorium, Horniman Circle Garden, Kitab Khana, the streets and Kala Ghoda precinct. Since the streets will not be blocked this year, the ground installations are minimal, and they will have mostly aerial Visual Arts installations, keeping with the theme Udaan, replete with décor lighting as well. In the past, murals have been painted on some building facades. The KGAF is working on art installations that extend beyond the precinct as well.  
Keeping in mind COVID protocols, social distancing and registrations are a must to prevent random walk-ins. Double vaccination certificates will be checked, and for children traveling with parents, the Aarogya Setu app will be checked.
Workshops, heritage walks and street plays will be conducted as well as the visual art installations, literature, theatre, cinema, music and dance events among others.
KGAF has always drawn unprecedented crowds. The waiting list will be long! However, all programs are free and no tickets will be sold. Each person entering the venues will be registered.
Considering that Kala Ghoda Art Festival’s mandate is to use its surplus funds to restore buildings and heritage monuments in and around the area with restored projects like the Muljee Jetha Fountain, the K.E Synagogue and Bomanjee Hormarjee Clock Tower, which have been awarded UNESCO awards.
Brinda Miller, Festival Director, KGAF, is elated. "Kala Ghoda Art Festival's date with Mumbai is again keeping with our promise for the 23rd year, celebrating art and culture in its finest form. Our partners and collaborators are holding hands with us once again to ensure that the spectacular return of the on-ground festival  is as radiant as ever.   To avoid overcrowding and to adhere to Covid protocols, we have focused more on aerial installations, and fewer ground events. Also, our stalls are virtual with the Kala Ghoda Art Kart (KGAK) opening the marketplace to the world, in terms of both participation and purchase. And of course, the art kart is open through the year, starting Dec 10. We are looking forward to everyone joining our proverbial Dark Horse that has taken wings with the concept, Udaan that strengthens our global footprint in 2022."
Here’s to support the 22-year-old iconic festival that draws over half a million people from all walks of life and see it grow its patronage from strength to strength yet again...

साल 2022 में हैं एक्ट्रेस दिव्या दत्ता का हैं ये खास एजेंडा! परफेक्ट अचीवर अवार्ड पर बताई ये बात

बॉलीवुड की  बोल्ड ,और बिंदास अदाकारा, दिव्या दत्ता । जिनके अदाकारी की तूती तो मायानगरी में बोलती है ही साथ ही किसी भी विषय पर बेबांकी से दिए गए उनके विचार सुर्खिया भी बटोरते हैं। दिव्या दत्ता का कद भले ही छोटा हो लेकिन उनके अभिनय की लंबाई आसमाँ से ऊंची हैं। ऐसा कोई अवार्ड नही जो मिस दत्ता से अन्छुआ हो।

हाल ही में दिव्या को आइकोनिक परफेक्ट वर्सटाइल एचीवर का अवार्ड दिया गया। ये अवार्ड दिव्या को इंडस्ट्री में उनके अमूल्य सहयोग और महिला शक्ति को उजागर करने के लिए दिया गया । परफेक्ट मैगज़ीन की एडिटर डॉ. खुशी गुरुभाई कहती हैं कि " हम हमेशा से उन महिलाओं को सलाम करते हैं जो बड़ी ही निर्भीकता से महिला सशक्तिकरण की बात करती हैं और समाज में बेबांकी से अपनी बात रखती हैं। जब हमने दिव्या के सपोर्टिंग एक्ट्रेस कहे जानेवाले उनके स्टेटमेंट को पढ़ा तब मैं इनकी दिलेरी मान गयी " 

हाल ही में दिव्या ने उन्हें सपोर्टिंग एक्ट्रेस बुलाये जाने की तीखी आलोचना की थी उन्होंने कहा था कि उन्हें वर्सटाइल एक्ट्रेस कहे न कि सपोर्टिंग । 

इस अवार्ड फंक्शन में दिव्या ने साल 2022 में उनके खास एजेंडे के बारे में बात की । दिव्या ने कहा कि " मेरी आनेवाली फिल्में दिबाकर बनर्जी की 'तीस ' हैं। डायरेक्टर उमेश शुक्ला की 'आंख मिचौली ' , कंगना रानौत की 'धाकड़ ' और 'शर्मा जी बेटी'. 

इसके अलावा दिव्या ने बताया कि बहुत ही जल्द वो एक बड़े ओटीटी प्लेटफार्म के लिए शो कर रही हैं । उनके पास 3 शार्ट फिल्में हैं और वह एक इंटरनेशनल फिल्म भी कर रही हैं। इसके अलावा दिव्या की शार्ट फिल्म 'शीर खुरमा' काफी फेस्टिवल्स में धूम मचा रही हैं। यू कहे कि आनेवाला साल दिव्या दत्ता के लिए और उनके चाहनेवालों के लिए ढेर सारी सौगात लेकर आ रहा हैं।

Esha Deol bags Iconic Perfect Achiever Actor-Producer Award

Actor Esha Deol Takhtani, who has proved her mettle of being the chip off the old block  became producer this year with  short film Ek Dua where she was the lead actor as well.

This besides her latest web show on Hotstar titled Rudra: The Edge of Darkness, alongside Ajay Devgn. While the web show is slated to release in early 2022, Esha has bagged the Iconic Perfect Achievers' Award as Actor-Producer for her award-winning performance in Ek Dua.

Says Dr Khooshi Gurubhai, Editor, Perfect Woman Magazine, the driving force behind the awards, "Esha chose a film that brought to light the evils of gender discrimination and skewed gender dynamics that affect Indian families. We are proud of her as an actor, and more proud that she chose such a subject. She truly deserves this award."

More power to Esha!

Rupali Suri lauded for her performance in Dad, Hold My Hand

Miss India Tourism 2016 - 2nd Runner-up Rupali Suri is making waves globally. Her feature film with Ratna Pathak Shah and Denzil Smith, Dad - Hold My Hand, is being lauded in various parts of the world. A beautiful story about two women who form a unique bond while dealing with the same circumstance in life, this film sees Rupali essay a character who endures everything with a smile. “It is a very beautiful story,” says an emotional Rupali, adding, “I loved the character. As actors, we have to keep a smiling face even if we are going through pain in our lives. I sort of relate to the character in every sense. Working with a veteran actor like Ratna Pathak Shah was such an enriching experience. You learn so much in a matter of a month when you shoot with her. I feel blessed.”

The film is entirely shot in London and features a young NRI who seeks his alienated father and in the process, deserts the woman he loves (Rupali Suri) -- just like his father abandoned his mother (Ratna Pathak Shah).

Currently, Rupali is also working on an interesting film with another veteran actor. The role is diametrically different from the previous one.

Rupali Suri with Rishi Darda at the Lokmat Style Awards

 

Noted activist- Geet S Thakkar is National Vice President, Republican Film and TV Association

 

Noted activist- journalist Dr Geet S Thakkar has been appointed as the National Vice President of Republican Film and TV Association,
Mumbai, at the hands of Union Minister, Ramdas Athawale.  
Geet S Thakkar who is also the Chief Editor of Perfect Woman magazine, and one of the driving forces behind the “Perfect Achiever Awards”, expressed happiness over her selection.  She spoke of her desire to further her work in the interest of exploited women, labourers and artistes in the film industry.   Hon Minister Ramdas Athawale wished her a bright future. There is an atmosphere of happiness among the workers on Dr. Geet S. Thakkar's entry into the party. Those present at the induction event included Kishore Masoom, Rajendra Jadhav, Dr. Santosh Pandey, Suresh Gudse, Ghanshyam Chirankar  among others.

Kabir Bedi braves eight hour car ride to star in The Jangipur Trial

Sandokan aka Kabir Bedi Returns yet again. This time as Royalty  in The Jangipur Trial. An amazing fim with ensemble cast, it took the magical call of creative producer Amit Behl and the intricate tapestry of a crime thriller woven by director Debaditya Bandopadhyay that made Kabir Bedi say an instant 'Yes' to The Jangipur Trial over a phone narration.

It is not just that. Kabir Bedi actually took the earliest flight the following day to the city of joy that is Kolkata, braved  an eight hour road travel that is as rustic and bumpy as can be, freshened and reached the shoot the same day, looking as dashing  (read ravishing) as ever!

The unit had already got his costumes in place and in the rural locale, there was still a vanity to welcome the enthusiastic actor.

"I simply love the story, the plot and the ensemble cast. It is a give and take of seasoned actors  that takes film to another level," reasons Bedi.

We are amazed by the relentless dedication of this amazing 75-year-young actor whose career has spanned three continents covering India, the United States and  Italy among other European countries in through film, television and theatre. With nearly 150 films and international TV series including Sandokan, Knight Rider, Dynasty, Bold And The Beautiful, Highlander and the immortal Octopussy under his belt, it is fascinating that Kabir Bedi still craves for the creative high with every new project.

Looks like we just spelt out the secret of this timeless hunk's success proving there is much much more to the rise and rise  of Kabir Bedi that his eternal killer looks!

Talking of Kabir Bedi's latest love, The Jangipur Trial relives the golden age of Cinema when single screen theatres were plenty and "Black" meant theatre tickets being sold for a premium. The   Crime thriller also marks the comeback and Hindi debut of three times Sitting MP and Superstar Satabdi Roy.

Starring Kabir Bedi, Zakir Hussain, Javed Jaffery, Vrajesh Hirjee, Kannan Arunachalam, Amit Behl, Ishteyak Khan, Sushil Pandey, Ravi Jhankal, Jay Upadhayay, Deepak Qazir, Samikssha Batnagar, Chirag Vora, Rajesh Khattar & Satabdi Roy, The Jangipur Trial is directed by Debaditya Bandopadhyay, written by Debaditya Bandopadhyay, Sunil Munshi and Deepanjan Suranjan Chanda, has Vikram Anand as the DOP, Creative Producer: Amit Behl, and is produced by Outline Expressions.

The film is being shot in the virgin, unseen locations of Berhampore, Murshidabad, Azimganj and Moregaon besides Jangipur.