Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movies released in Navi Mumbai’ (Baadshaho and Shubh Mangal Savadhan) that was published in Newsband

New movies released in Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

Baadshaho

Baadshaho (English: Kings) is an Indian period heist action thriller film written by Rajat Arora, directed and co-produced by Milan Luthria. It features Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'Cruz, Emraan Hashmi, Vidyut Jammwal, Esha Gupta and Sanjay Mishra in the lead roles. The film is a thriller set in the emergency era of the 1975-77.

Baadshaho is inspired by real-life events during the Emergency and revolves around stolen gold, a thief (Ajay Devgn), an undercover cop (Vidyut Jammwal), a character inspired by Maharani Gayatri Devi (Ileana D'Cruz) and an army officer (Emraan Hashmi) who is entrusted with protecting the country's treasure. Baadshaho is based on true events happened around a royal family during the 1970s. The plot of the film will be based only over a span of 96 hours. This political drama-thriller is all about a clash between the ruling powers and a royal family in Rajasthan during the emergency. In fact, it is a Bollywood period heist action thriller film, directed by Milan Luthria. It is set in contemporary times, with oodles of laughter. Jaipur Princess Gitanjali (Gitanjali) is arrested by the government and thrown into jail for withholding gold without declaration. The seized gold has been transferred via road to Delhi in a truck with officer Singh (Vidyut Jammal), things becomes more complicated, once Bhawani Singh (Ajay Devgn) joins with other badasses to stop the treasure from being taken away.

The film has Ajay Devgn as Bhawani, Ileana D'Cruz as Gitanjali, Emraan Hashmi as Dalia, Esha Gupta as Sanjana, Vidyut Jammwal as Seher, Sanjay Mishra as Tikla, Sharad Kelkar and Sunny Leone (Special appearance in the song "Piya More").

The soundtrack consists of 8 songs, composed by Tanishk Bagchi, Ankit Tiwari, R.D. Burman, Abhijit Vaghani and Komail Shayan. The film has songs like "Mere Rashke Qamar", "Piya More", "Socha Hai", "Hoshiyar Rehna", "Mere Rashke Qamar" (Version 2), "Socha Hai" (2nd Version), "Mere Rashke Qamar" (Remix) and "Socha Hai" (Love Version).

Shubh Mangal Savadhan

Shubh Mangal Saavdhan is an Indian Hindi comedy-drama film. It is directed by R.S. Prasanna and produced by Aanand L Rai. It stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar.

The story is about a boy Mudit Sharma, (Ayushmann Khurrana) who gets engaged to a girl, Sugandha (Bhumi Pednekar). It is going to be an arranged marriage and the extended families of both are looking forward to it. However due to erectile dysfunction, Mudit can't get it up and on the advice of his friends tries out various quacks treating impotency. Mudit and Sugandha are all set to marry, however, two days prior to their wedding, Mudit realises he suffers from an erectile dysfunction, which almost sabotages their wedding after both the families get involved. Leading to a comical mess, Mudit attempts to treat his medical condition, using all the possible quacks. It is a remake of the Tamil movie Kalyana Samayal Saadham starring Prasanna and Lekha Washington.

The film has Ayushmann Khurrana as Mudit Sharma, Bhumi Pednekar as Sugandha, Brijendra Kala, Shubhankar Tripathi, Anshul Chauhan and Anmol Bajaj as Anu.

All tracks are written by Tanishk-Vayu. The film has songs like "Rocket Saiyyan", "Kanha", "Kanha (Unplugged)" and "Laddoo".

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Niti Aayog is a good idea' that was published in Newsband

Niti Aayog is a good idea

A long-term vision called Niti Aayog is being developed by government thinktank. Niti Aayog will initiate changes providing a welcome roadmap for economic reforms. Niti Aayog can boost economic growth, urbanisation and infrastructure development and help absorb surplus agricultural labour.

Niti Ayog first should propose to make our Goverment run Hospitals clean and also make government run schools efficient. In Mumbai, people are losing their lives due to potholes. State Govt remains insensitive

Senior citizens’ homes should be set up for city dwellers on a vast scale in villages. There is a huge number of senior citizens who live alone or with spouse in cities. They would like to live in a community without the hassles of cooking and daily housekeeping in a peaceful and pollution-free environment. Fresh vegetables straight from farm would be loved. There being huge scope for social involvement in villages they would keep busy in a noble cause.

 Any large scale initiative to create rental housing in the public sector needs to keep in mind MHADA's experience. Absent rent control, private rental housing is possible, is now a regular feature of urban areas but, given the cost of land, it will cover the upper middle class and above. Rental housing for poor migrants is a daunting challenge.

Most of the incremental GDP that India requires to become a middle income country will have to be generated in urban areas. Not much juice left in agriculture, for either growth or jobs. Almost without exception - barring Delhi, which is a city state - our major cities are starved for funds, since state governments are also responsible for large rural hinterlands. Niti Aayog might wish to address this problem, how metros can retain more of the resources they generate. The other major constraint is the high cost of land, which compels a majority of migrants to start their urban odyssey in a slum.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Privacy is a Fundamental Right' that was published in Newsband

Privacy is a Fundamental Right

Privacy is a fundamental right that requires constitutional protection. This is the verdict pronounced by nine judges of the Supreme Court. “The right to be left alone” is an inalienable part of being human. This verdict was given in the course of the hearings on the validity of its Aadhaar-based unique identity scheme.  

Sexual orientation is part of privacy and constitutionally protected. Somehow, privacy as a value finds itself at loggerheads with notions of national security, the needs of a knowledge society and even socio-economic policy.

In view of a belligerent neighbour who, to divert the world away from its inherent political instability and economic dependency, constantly engages in cross border terrorism and infiltration and in view of a sizable minority population, the majority of whom out of illiteracy and religion based attractions and compulsions may be supporting such foreign elements, aadhar is a must for national security. Any government which is in power owes that much to the majority of this nation.

With this landmark judgment about the right to privacy the Supreme Court has once again preserved the rights of the people and restored their belief that in our constitution there are provisions which will definitely put restrictions on state in its endeavour to become totalitarian. The right to be left alone must not be abridged as it is essential for the dignity of an individual. If government wants to act against corruption, they should do this without compromising the rights of an individual. For catching a criminal the whole population cannot be subjected to surveillance.

The SC has reiterated that the basic rights of citizens cannot be taken away by rulers at any cost. This verdict is historic because it will put a full stop towards fascist tendencies of the Government and protect the citizens from possible surveillance to kitchen to bed room in the name of security and allow right to live with dignity.

The most important thing is that the Courts have shown that for a democracy to function there should be a balance of power. The judges may not be chosen by the society at large; but they act as watch dogs over the administration. By giving a unanimous verdict on such an important issue the courts have demonstrated that they are not His Master's Voice. Augurs well for democracy in India.

The SC has put to rest all debate over privacy thro' its unanimous verdict which comes as a sigh of relief for crores of common citizens. The recent verdict is politically relevant in Indian context. It is against the totalitarian trends of the state. According to the preamble of the Indian Constitution, it is explicit that it says 'Constitution is given by the people'. The political essence of the state is that state is not the master of the people but only servant. The verdict is apropos of the debate triggered by the issuance of Aadhar, which denies the privacy of the people,

Thus "Right of privacy" has been approved. It is the historical decision of SC. Now, we have got the complete freedom after the 71^st year of independence. But, making provision is not sufficient. The meaning of this unanimous decision is that Government should make a grip to put the date safely.

The stand of the government reducing right to privacy as one falling into the category of elitist concepts and an amorphous and indefinable one, has shown its august wisdom in making clear that like other fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution, right to privacy is also subject to reasonable restrictions. The ruling will pave way for equitable relationship between the state and the citizens.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Reasons for premature deaths' that was published in Newsband

Reasons for premature deaths

In the latest research on premature deaths the reasons for the differing rates of death are not, perhaps, as surprising as the causes. Young people die from “diseases of despair” – those associated with drug overdoses, suicides and alcoholism. The poorest neighbourhoods and areas of high unemployment contributes to higher premature death rates. There is also a longstanding acceptance that there is a social gradient in health – the lower a person’s social position, the worse his or her health. What seems to be happening is that a person’s ability to improve their position in society on their terms has become so hampered that it is life-shortening.

Slashing budgets has also stalled the rate of increase in life expectancy. An unequal society with a withered state unable to level life’s playing field is dangerous. Social and economic inequalities are directly connected with life span.

Many observable variables correlate with life expectancy. Where you live. How much you make. What your gender is. Many more. Which contributions to inequality in life expectancy reflect injustice we should attempt to undo with policy, and which are "simply how things are" that should be left in place?

Evidence suggests that poverty kills. 'Inequality' is a politically more acceptable term: we need to take money from the better off and use it for the very much worse off, especially the bottom 10-20%.

The reason for the disparity in life expectancy is that many people are lazy and obese. Nobody forces people to take drugs, eat junk food, drink too much or smoke cigarettes. They're all optional. And they account for the majority of these early deaths. Poverty and addiction are interlinked. And that the 'choice' to abuse for those born into poverty is not the same 'choice' afforded to the rest of us. Or, indeed, not even a choice at all.

In the face of severe and worsening economic inequality depression and despair are on the rise. When you are despairing about your life it's hard to avoid addiction (of a variety of kinds) to try to keep from going under. The problem is not inequality but poverty and deprivation.

Actually smoking, taking drugs and a poor diet causes early deaths. But do those who smoke, take drugs, have a poor diet recognise the outcome of their actions? If they do, why no action?

Economic inequality is most definitely a problem. There's loads of research associating rising inequality with a plethora of social problems, shortened lives and health problems. Even those bastions of socialism the IMF and the World Bank think inequality is too high, and is damaging not only the fabric of our societies but economic growth too.

Since the 1980s too much faith has been placed in the free market to provide for the nation's needs. The old industrial areas were allowed to decline with minimal government support. The effects began to become noticeable from the mid nineties onwards. Now we have this report to show how this has affected the health of our fellow citizens.

What we need is a government committed to social justice and prepared to tackle this and other inequalities in our society.

Of course it is a fact that a lifetime in the pits or living under an industrial smog killed far more people than austerity. There are massive inequalities in society, for instance a Middle Class lawyers salary vs a movie stars. Yet this inequality is not a problem because both have a good standard of living. If everyone's income rises, but some people's income rises more than others, the gap between those people will increase, yet the actual life expectancy of everyone will increase.

Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movies released in Navi Mumbai’ (Mr Kabaadi, Qaidi Band, Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, The Dark Tower, “Sniff!!!” and A Gentleman) that was published in Newsband

New movies released in Navi Mumbai

Dinesh Kamath

Mr Kabaadi

Mr. Kabaadi is an Indian Bollywood satirical hilarious comedy film, written and directed by Seema Kapoor. It's last but not least film of Veteran Actor of Bollywood and Hollywood Om Puri who has worked first time under the direction of his wife Seema Kapoor.

Mr. Kabaadi is a satirical comedy. When a kabadiwala or a scrap dealer becomes rich he flaunts his wealth. To be like other millionaires he changes his wardrobe, tries a different accent while speaking; expanding his business or hiding his ill-gotten wealth. In this film, Anu Kapoor is acting as a Kalu Kabaadi who accidentally becomes rich and is unable to handle success.

The film has Om Puri, Annu Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Sarika, Brijendra Kala, Rajveer Singh, Kashish Vora, Ulka Gupta, Meenal Kapoor, Apurva Nain and Misha Kapoor.

The film also has five melodious songs by Raj Prakash and Ali Gani.

Qaidi Band

Qaidi Band is directed by Habib Faisal. Writers are Sanjay Sharma (story) and Habib Faisal (dialogue)

The movie narrates a riveting tale of undertrials who are brought together to form a band in jail for a social event. As their popularity grows through social media, they use their music to protest against jail authorities & the Indian judicial system. Eventually, when all hope fades, music becomes their only hope but will it set them free?

The film stars Aadar Jain, Anya Singh and Mikhail Yawalkar.

Babumoshai Bandookbaaz

Babumoshai Bandookbaaz is an Indian action thriller film directed by Kushan Nandy and produced by Kiran Shyam Shroff and Ashmith Kunder. The film features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Bengali actress Bidita Bag in the lead roles.

The movie, filled with humor and romance, is a quirky ride into the life and times of a small time contract killer, Babu, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The film spins around his love, his friends, his rivalries and his revenge.

The film has Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami, Shraddha Das, Anil George, Bhagwan Tiwari, Aryan Ashik, Jeetu Shivhare, Murli Sharma, Divya Dutta and Sachin Chaubey.

All lyrics are written by Ghalib Asad Bhopali; all music composed by Gaurav Dagaonkar (except "Khaali Khaali", composed by Abhilash & Joel, with Debjyoti Mishra). The film has songs like "Barfani (Male)" sung by             Armaan Malik, "Barfani (Female)" by Orunima Bhattacharya, "Aye Saiyan" by Orunima Bhattacharya, Vivek Nair, "Ghungta" by Neha Kakkar, "Chulbuli" by Papon and "Khaali Khaali" by Mohit Chauhan.

The Hitman’s Bodyguard

The Hitman's Bodyguard is a 2017 American action comedy film directed by Patrick Hughes and written by Tom O'Connor, whose script was on the 2011 Black List. The film stars Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman and Salma Hayek, and follows a bodyguard who is hired to protect a hitman who has to testify at the International Court of Justice.

The world’s top protection agent (Ryan Reynolds) is called upon to guard the life of his mortal enemy, one of the world’s most notorious hitmen (Samuel L. Jackson). The relentless bodyguard and manipulative assassin have been on the opposite end of the bullet for years and are thrown together for a wildly outrageous 24 hours. During their raucous and hilarious adventure from England to the Hague, they encounter high-speed car chases, outlandish boat escapades and a merciless Eastern European dictator (Gary Oldman) who is out for blood.

The film has Ryan Reynolds as Michael Bryce, a triple A rated executive protection agent, disgraced following the assassination of a client. Samuel L. Jackson as Darius Kincaid, one of the world’s most notorious hitmen and Sonia’s husband. Gary Oldman as Vladislav Dukhovich, a merciless dictator of Belarus. Élodie Yung as Amelia Roussel, an Interpol agent, and Michael's ex-girlfriend. Salma Hayek as Sonia Kincaid, Darius’s equally notorious wife. Joaquim de Almeida as Jean Foucher, Kirsty Mitchell as Rebecca Harr, Richard E. Grant as Seifert and Sam Hazeldine as Garrett.

The Dark Tower

The Dark Tower is a 2017 American science fantasy western film directed and co-written by Nikolaj Arcel. A continuation of Stephen King's novel series of the same name, the film stars Idris Elba as Roland Deschain, a gunslinger on a quest to protect the Dark Tower – a mythical structure which supports all realities, while Matthew McConaughey plays his nemesis, Walter o'Dim, the Man in Black, and Tom Taylor stars as Jake Chambers, a New York boy who becomes Roland's apprentice. Intended to launch a film and television franchise, the first installment combines elements from several novels in the eight-volume series, and takes place in both modern-day New York City and in Mid-World, Roland's Old West-style parallel universe. The film also serves as a canonical sequel to the novel series, which concludes with the revelation that Roland's quest is a cyclical time loop; the presence of the Horn of Eld, which Roland carries in the film, indicates that this is the next cycle.

The last Gunslinger, Roland Deschain (Idris Elba), has been locked in an eternal battle with Walter O'Dim, also known as the Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey), determined to prevent him from toppling the Dark Tower, which holds the universe together. With the fate of the worlds at stake, good and evil will collide in the ultimate battle as only Roland can defend the Tower from the Man in Black.

The film has Idris Elba as Roland Deschain, The last of the Gunslingers.  Matthew McConaughey as Walter Padick, the Man in Black, a ruthless ageless deceiver and sorcerer who seeks to reach the tower and rule over its seemingly infinite kingdoms. Tom Taylor as Jake Chambers, a young boy whom Roland must call upon to complete his journey, and a son-like figure to Deschain. Claudia Kim as Arra Champignon, Fran Kranz as Pimli, Abbey Lee as Tirana, Jackie Earle Haley as Sayre, Katheryn Winnick as Laurie Chambers, Dennis Haysbert as Steven Deschain, Roland's father, Michael Barbieri as Timmy, José Zúñiga as Dr. Hotchkiss, Alex McGregor as Susan Delgado, Nicholas Hamilton as Lucas Hanson and De-Wet Nagel as Taheen Tech.

“Sniff!!!”

Sniff is a 2017 Indian Bollywood first kid's action adventure film, written and directed by Amole Gupte, under the banner of Trinity Pictures. Khushmeet Gill will be seen playing lead role in the film.

The film revolves around a spy-in the-making. An eight-year-old Sunny Gill has always had a blocked nose, and therefore, no sense of smell. A freak accident gives Sunny the most refined sense of smell ever. The entire dog squad of the country's police force cannot sniff what he can. But is that enough for Sunny and his young pals Google and Twitter to combat a menacing & ruthless gang of car thieves? What starts out with tracing a single missing car in the housing society, ends up busting the heftiest car racket in the country. No villain could ever be as unlikely. But then, neither could the gang of detectives!

A Gentleman

A Gentleman: Sundar, Susheel, Risky is an upcoming Indian action comedy film, written and directed by Raj & D. K. The film stars Sidharth Malhotra and Jacqueline Fernandez in lead roles.

Gaurav dreams of settling down with Kavya, the woman of his dreams, but she prefers a man who's more adventurous and willing to take risks. He soon stands to lose everything when a case of mistaken identity rocks his once-happy life.

The film has Sidharth Malhotra as Gaurav/Rishi, Jacqueline Fernandez as Kavya, Darshan Kumar, Suniel Shetty as Commander Vijay Saxena, Kushal Punjabi, Hussain Dalal, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Rajit Kapur, Shaheed Woods, Amit Mistry and Parimal Vaghela.

The music of the film is composed by Sachin–Jigar while the lyrics have been penned by Vayu and Priya Saraiya. The film has songs like "Disco Disco", "Baat Ban Jaye", "Chandralekha", "Laagi Na Choote" and "Bandook Meri Laila".            

Editor of Daily Newspaper 'Newsband' Dinesh Kamath with Sub Editor Meena R Prashant

Above: Editor of Daily Newspaper 'Newsband' Dinesh Kamath with Sub Editor Meena R Prashant at the entrance of Newsband Office. The photograph is clicked by Reporter of Newsband Chandrashekhar Hendve

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Super verdict by SC' that was published in Newsband

Super verdict by SC

The Supreme Court has declared that the discriminatory practice of instant triple talaq is unconstitutional. The main ground on which the practice has been struck down is a simple formulation: that “this form of talaq is manifestly arbitrary in the sense that the marital tie can be broken capriciously and whimsically by a Muslim man without any attempt at reconciliation so as to save it.” Triple talaq violates gender equality.

The court deserves commendation for giving this judgment. The judges in the minority concede that their reasoning is based mainly on the fact that this form of talaq is a matter of personal law, and therefore entitled to constitutional protection. “It is not open to a court to accept an egalitarian approach over a practice which constitutes an integral part of religion,” writes Chief Justice J.S. Khehar in his minority opinion.

While this is a positive verdict liberating women from the cruel practice of triple talaq, the question that arises is whether other systems in other religions like ' devdasi' system should also be abolished? Many are of the opinion that women of all religions should enjoy freedom from male hegemony.

The fact of dissolving a marriage by the triple oral reiteration of the word is something hard by any sensible humans. The Supreme Court verdict is objective and will be welcomed, one hopes, by the citizens irrespective of religious affiliation. Requisite legislation should follow to sustain the court's order.

Thank God, Congress is not in power, otherwise they would have amended constitution to make triple talaq constitutional. Remember Shaha Bano case and what Rajeev Gandhi did?

Judicial annulling of the practice of talaq is a boost to equality movement; and in other contexts, this equality is languishing and generally Muslims are sought to be deprived of this in various inventive organised ways. The country has to be sensitised against this growing political evil, of depriving dignity and equality.

Now is there the necessity of archaic rites/practices including in matters of marriage? Can’t the institution of marriage be made a bilateral contract? Yes, consideration should be given to the fact that married life has human, moral, material, equality, Justice dimensions involving families, women and children, their lives, livelihood, education and upbringing; providing supportive wholesome, emulation worthy ambience.

The recent Supreme Court judgment validates that there should be one nation one law theory, hence it has become imperative now for the rulers and law makers to bring uniform civil code. Moreover this historic judgment has reiterated once again that our personal laws cannot breach our fundamental rights.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'How is India at 70?' that was published in Newsband

How is India at 70?

What has independent India achieved over 70 years? Our record as a democracy is something to be proud of, particularly when seen against the experience of our neighbours. Except for Emergency, there have been no serious aberrations. India’s 29 States and the Centre could agree to a standardised goods and services tax.

For India to secure a place at the high table of nations, it should focus on economic progress and development of liberal, democratic values. India should respect political freedoms of the individual and economic freedom as well. Boost should be given to entrepreneurship and innovation.

Our government’s ‘minimum government, maximum governance’ policy should be appreciated. It is good to see India being able to keep under control inflation, external debt, fiscal deficit and current account deficit. This has boosted Investor confidence in India.

What is shameful is India’s per capita income in PPP terms is comparable to Vietnam’s. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh fare better in their health and education indices.

India's food grain production was 51 million tons in 1947, our population was 350 million. Our food grain output is now 275 million tons while our population is 1200 million. Food grain production has grown 5.5x while population has grown 3.5x since independence. Thus it is nice to see that per capita availability of food grains has not changed.

After seventy years of independence India is marching ahead in both social and economic growth. Incessant reforms undertaken by the government bring strong economic growth indicated by sound GDP, current account deficit and fiscal deficit well under control, budgetry deficits are manageable and increasing exports and surging value of rupee tell story of prosperity.

Yet the neglected agriculture with increasing farmers' distress, destabilised banking system, poor health policies policy paralysis to political parties, lacking ease of doing business, political turmoils, growing terrorism, disturbing neighbour countries - all are conundrums to be removed and still India has to achieve a lot. But the spirit of achieving unity in diversity is laudable and will go further with democratic moves.

Video: The Story of a Singer

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Donald Trump and Narendra Modi' that was published in Newsband

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi

White House chief strategist Steve Bannon was fired by the Trump administration. Bannon had debated on economic nationalism and populist protectionism against the traditional Republican emphasis on free trade and global markets. The differences with Bannon had been brewing on trade issues as well, which Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner had anchored.

This divide doesn’t just exist in the Western world, it has its reflection in India as well. For example, BJP leaders suggest that the blame for cow vigilante violence is not that of lynch mobs alone. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has denounced such violence.

What is the similarity between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi? Both are authoritarian. Both are bigots. Modi is anti-Muslim bigot while Trump is a racial bigot. Both are supported by respective nation's far right - here for ethnic religious superiority, there for racial white superiority. Both are intolerant of media and criticism. Both have fanboys who are also intolerant and rude towards media and criticism. Both don't believe in their respective constitutions and founding principles. Both are mediocre administrators but good at "playing to the gallery" with rhetoric.

It is true that multiculturalism is under threat in USA and we have begun to have similar although stray incidents in India too. We have the inclusive development in our culture. Yes, problem for Congress backed journalists is that BJP is governing. In fact Inclusive development was under threat with UPA government especially during 2004-2014 where the Congress party had hatched a conspiracy to exclude the majority.

Modi is not just a BJP leader - he is a puppet like Trump with strings pulled by some very powerful overlords. If the puppeteers can manipulate the people of USA, imagine our fate.

Here the politics is on age old tested formula that masses follow parties hysterically irrespective of their policies or outcomes of governance. As long as Indian politicians (and large section of population too) remain self-centered and myopic, India will not go either left or right. And then we have eternal faith in God. He will help us at the end.

Dinesh Kamath's favourite TV Channel Anchor is Sonia Shenoy. Coincidentally, both Dinesh Kamath and Sonia Shenoy are Goud Saraswat Brahmins (GSB)

Dinesh Kamath's favourite TV Channel Anchor is Sonia Shenoy. Coincidentally, both Dinesh Kamath and Sonia Shenoy are Goud Saraswat Brahmins (GSB)

                                   

Video: The Story of an Actor

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'CCTV in courts?' that was published in Newsband

CCTV in courts?

The Supreme Court has favoured the installation of CCTV cameras in all courts. This is certain to boost transparency within our courts. CCTV cameras will prove the point that we need more courts and judges.

Adequate attention needs to be given to procedural propriety and reforms. This can be ensured by installing CCTV cameras in courts. This will keep a check on everyone within courtroom including judges, advocates and police, and encourage responsible behaviour on all sides. Additionally, it will reduce unequal treatment meted out to different parties, threats by any person to witnesses and absence of lawyers at important stages of the proceedings.

In-video proceedings of court will add to the court's efficiency. But, it is the fear from anti-social elements that makes the judges not want video recording of the court proceedings. Who will protect them outside the court? The people in judiciary too are human beings. We must admit that we are ruled mostly by rowdies everywhere now.

But in the long run it will be good to have more transparency in the judiciary. There is need of CCTV cameras in police stations too and also in Parliaments and Legislative Assemblies and Municipal Corporations. This will ensure transparency at the highest level.

This facility should also be extended to all government functions - anyone should be able to check CCTV and data and record conversations of politicians and babus.

We often complain of judicial delays, but the courts work under tremendous constraints. Overburdened. This will be proved by the footages of CCTV cameras if installed in the court. 

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Respect all Religions' that was published in Newsband

Respect all Religions

Does just building shiny roads, airports and power stations mean building a ‘New India’? It is the citizens who should be empowered. The citizens should be allowed to make their own choices as long as these do not impinge on the freedom of others, instead of authorities making all their decisions for them.

‘Love Jihad’ is said to be popularised by the Sangh Parivar. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken up an alleged instance of ‘love jihad’ which in turn has persuaded an initially reluctant Supreme Court to order a probe. But there is possibility of terror and communal violence by ghettoizing and putting up walls between communities.

The worst thing is that there are many who blame PM Narendra Modi for anything that happens in this world these days. They just can’t stand him because he is not dancing to tunes of paid media. But honest people feel safer with Modi than they felt with Congress.

The thing is India should not be made like Saudi Arabia.  What the Love Jehadis are doing is exactly the same i.e. converting secular Indian to jehadis to face evils like triple talak etc. Girls, for whom Bharat is Mother India and cow is sacred animal, if converted to jehadis culture under the disguise of love will have to eat beef, remain within four walls, bear dozen of children and live with fear of triple talak. Love marriage doesn't mean that a girl should be deprived of her identity, her culture, her religion. We are heading for twenty second century not for fifteenth or sixteenth century where Hindus were Islamised under Government pressure. Try to create atmosphere of trust and understanding where everyone have respect for others’ religion.

Apart from the moral or the constitutional case for the state allowing citizens the maximum possible individual freedom and liberty, we must also recognise its limited enforcement capacity. The government should set its priorities in descending order and then focus on what its resources allow it to achieve. Nowhere more true than in the case of the police force.

Dinesh Kamath is inspired by Ram Gopal Varma

Dinesh Kamath is inspired by Ram Gopal Varma

Ram Gopal Varma made the film ‘Ice Cream’ with just two digital cameras, one costing Rs 25000 and another Rs 15000. He made this film with a budget of just around Rs 2 lakhs. Indian filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma launched the Telugu horror film Ice Cream. While the film in itself was not interesting enough to make much news, it’s interesting how it made profit for the producers in spite of having had such a short lived box office life. “RGV” gives the credit to his new small budget “flow-cam” technology.

The intriguing penny saver model cuts the ‘unit’ size from a couple of hundreds to a handful. Called the ‘Flowcam’ process, a term christened by RGV himself, this method of filmmaking uses natural light and cameras that cost less than a lakh of rupees.

The technology has an obvious appeal to all new young filmmakers who do not have the luxury of a big budget to their advantage. It has been such a success that four young filmmakers have already announced projects using this technique.

Among the Bollywood film makers, I am most inspired by Ram Gopal Varma. He is the man who has daring and guts.

Dongala Mutha (English: Gang of Thieves) is a Telugu-language film directed by Ram Gopal Varma. This film is the first of its kind in Indian cinema as it was shot with just 7 crew members and in a record of 5 days. Prior to filming, Varma announced that this film has no budget and that the cast and crew will not be taking remunerations until the film hits theaters.

Dongala Mutha was released on 18 March 2011, which was exactly 33 days after the shooting ended. The filmmaking process was revolutionized through Canon 5D cameras, a first of its kind. The film remained an instant hit at the box office.

Normally a film takes between 2-6 months to shoot and more than 150 to 200 crew members will be working on it. However, the unique thing about this film is that this 2 hour long feature film was completed in just 5 days from start to finish, with a crew of just 5 people including Ram Gopal Varma. No one in this film was paid. It was made only with those actors and technicians who were excited to be a part of the project. All the people who were working for the film were only to be paid after the release, if and only if the film would make profits and those payments would be in accordance with their individual value additions.

There was no generator, no lights, no equipment of any sort including jibs, trolleys etc., as the entire film was shot hand-held and in natural light. The pilot track for the sound was recorded by the cameras themselves.

The innovative challenge of using Canon cameras as opposed to the traditional movie cameras was first technically proved before shooting commenced by making a test print out of a few scenes shot that came out perfectly. Principal photography then started and the entire shooting of Dongala Mutha was completed ahead of schedule. The entire film was shot hand held and in natural light with 5 Canon cameras which were used to capture every shot in 5 different angles simultaneously. No lights or equipment of any sort including jibs, trolleys etc. were used. There was no D.O.P for the film and all the individual operators chose the angles or compositions without the director or anyone guiding or coordinating them.

Canon 5D cameras were used because they give excellent output with naked-eye quality without using any additional lights. It costs around Rs1.5 lakhs to buy each of these cameras. The film was wrapped up in a record four and a half days, earlier than the announced five days and was released on 18 March. Finally, Ram Gopal Varma revealed in a press conference at the Promo Launch that the production cost of the movie is just Rs. 6,50,000, mostly for renting out a premises and other miscellaneous expenses.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Pay attention to Rural India’s medical needs' that was published in Newsband

Pay attention to Rural India’s medical needs

Doctors, diagnostics and medicines are badly needed in rural India. Rural India’s health systems and the extraordinary patient load on a few referral hospitals have become evident. The news about death of several children over a short period is shocking. Medical infrastructure in rural India is so weak that sick patients are sent to apex hospitals. Inability to absorb the funds allocated, shortage of staff at primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs) and district hospitals, lack of essential medicines, broken-down equipment and unfilled doctor vacancies are the many problems faced in villages. Health sub-centres, PHCs and CHCs meet only half the need  putting pressure on a handful of referral institutions.

An upgraded rural health system is required. There is need for scaling up of reproductive and child health care to achieve a sharp reduction in India’s deplorable infant and maternal mortality levels, besides preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

It is a tragedy that the largest state in the country has such poor health care facility. The only way to avoid such tragedy is to strengthen primary health care in the villages and better hygiene among villagers. The medical aid to children in rural areas has been a far cry over the years. Despite many reports of child mortality, the governments have been apathetic to the problems faced by rural people in general and children in particular. The government has neither resources nor manpower to provide health services on such a large scale to poor. Therefore PPP model is being adopted.

How can a limited government hospital staff treat a free flowing vast majority of patients. Both humans and resources have limited capacity. If government spends large amounts on welfare, the country might become bankrupt. Those who ruled the country for 55 years are responsible for creating a large number of poor in India and government cannot support them fully as it has to look after its fiscal condition to avoid bankruptcy when everybody would suffer enormously.

What is Modi's Government offering for India's Child Nutrition, Health-care and Education - which alone would build the foundations for a Bright India of the future? If India would spend at least 10% of GDP for Child Nutrition, Child Health-care and Child education then some benefits are bound to reach the needy. Stop all meaningless projects, just to hoodwink the masses to corner some votes, and let us resolve to build better India through caring for India's 300 million children in the age group - just born to 15.

Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movies released in Navi Mumbai’ (VIP-2 Lalkar, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Annabelle and Viceroy’s House) that was published in Newsband

New movies released in Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

VIP 2 (Lalkar)

The Hindi version of Kajol and Dhanush’s forthcoming Tamil film VIP 2 will now be called VIP 2 (Lalkar). The star cast consists of actress Kajol and actor Dhanush in lead role. The film is directed by Soundarya Rajnikanth, who is Rajinikanth’s daughter and Dhanush’s sister-in-law. VIP 2 also stars Amala Paul, Vivek, Saranya Ponvannanand and Samuthirakani. The film is produced by Dhanush. VIP 2 is the sequel to Dhanush’s 2014 blockbuster filmVelailla Pattathari, directed by Velraj.

The film opens with Raghuvaran (Dhanush) winning the Engineer of the Year Award working for Anitha Constructions and is an executive now with a parking spot. His wife Shalini (Amala Paul) becomes an authoritative, nagging wife who controls him. Raghuvaran is also dismissive about his wife getting a job. Vasudhara (Kajol), chairman of a big construction company in South India, makes Raghuvaran a job offer, but he refuses. This offends her and she begins to go after him, placing one obstacle after another. Here the actor for the story turns to be star for stardom. Later Raghu bags a 600 crore project with an Illaiyaraaja song and faces another villainous person, Prakash (Saravana Subbaiah), a greedy businessman who wants to build a theme park in a marshy land. Other elements that complete the film include soapy sentiments, the Jallikattu protests and the Chennai floods.

The film has Dhanush as Raghuvaran B.E, Kajol as Vasundhara, Amala Paul as Shalini, Vivek as Azhagu Sundaram, Hrishikesh as Karthik, Samuthirakani as Raghuvaran’s father, Saranya Ponvannan as Bhuvana (In Photo), Ritu Varma as Jilebi, Mobile Murugan as Manikkam and Shanmuga Singaram as Sasi.

Bareilly Ki Barfi

Bareilly Ki Barfi (English: Bareilly's Barfi) is a 2017 Indian romantic comedy film, directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. The film will have Rajkumar Rao, Ayushmann Khurrana and Kriti Sanon in the lead roles.

The film is a story of three young characters. Story of the movie revolves around all three of them. Ayushmann Khurrana is a printing press owner whereas Rajkummar Rao is working in the printing press under Ayushmann Khurrana. Kriti Sanon is playing the female lead in the movie, playing the role of a young contemporary girl in Uttar Pradesh.

The film has Rajkummar Rao as Pritam Vidrohi, Ayushmann Khurrana as Chirag Dubey, Kriti Sanon as Bitti Mishra, Pankaj Tripathi as Bitti's Father, Seema Bhargava as Bitti's Mother and Tiger Shroff as Bitti's Husband.

The music of the film is composed by Arko Pravo Mukherjee, Tanishk Bagchi, Samira Koppikar, Sameer Uddin and Vayu while the lyrics of the film have been penned by Arko Pravo Mukherjee, Tanishk Bagchi, Shabbir Ahmed, Puneet Sharma, Abhishek Verma and Vayu. The movie has songs like "Sweety Tera Drama", "Nazm Nazm", "Twist Kamariya", "Bairaagi", "Badass Babuaa", "Nazm Nazm (Ayushmann Khurrana Version)", "Bairaagi (Samira Koppikar Version)" and "Nazm Nazm (Sumedha Karmahe Version)".

Annabelle: Creation

Annabelle: Creation is a 2017 American supernatural horror film directed by David F. Sandberg and written by Gary Dauberman. It is a prequel to 2014's Annabelle and the fourth installment in The Conjuring series. The film stars Stephanie Sigman, Talitha Bateman, Anthony LaPaglia, and Miranda Otto, and depicts the possessed Annabelle doll's origin.

The movie has an interesting plot. Several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a dollmaker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home, soon becoming the target of the dollmaker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.

The film has Stephanie Sigman as Sister Charlotte, Talitha Bateman as Janice, Lulu Wilson as Linda, Philippa Coulthard as Nancy, Grace Fulton as Carol, Lou Lou Safran as Tierney, Tayler Buck as Kate, Samara Lee as Annabelle "Bee" Mullins, Anthony LaPaglia as Samuel Mullins, Miranda Otto as Esther Mullins, Mark Bramhall as Father Massey, Adam Bartley as Officer Fuller, Alicia Vela-Bailey as Evil Esther Mullins, Lotta Losten as the adoption agent, Joseph Bishara as Annabelle Demon, Brian Howe as Pete Higgins, Kerry O'Malley as Sharon Higgins, Tree O'Toole as adult Janice / Annabelle Higgins, Annabelle Wallis as Mia Form (cameo), Ward Horton as John Form (cameo) and Bonnie Aarons as Demon Nun (cameo)

Viceroy’s House

Viceroy's House is British-Indian historical drama film directed by Gurinder Chadha and written by Paul Mayeda Berges, Moira Buffini, and Chadha. The film stars Hugh Bonneville, Gillian Anderson, Manish Dayal, Huma Qureshi, and Michael Gambon.

The film is about the inside life of the Viceroy's House in 1947 during the Partition of India. The final Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, has to oversee the transition of British India to independence but meets with conflict as the sides clash in the face of monumental changes; i.e., ultimately the division of India into separate Hindu and Muslim countries. Downstairs in the servants quarters, Mountbatten's new manservant, Jeet falls for the daughter's assistant, Alia and all manner of obstacles are put in their way. In other words, in India, in 1947, Lord Mountbatten (Hugh Bonneville) is dispatched, along with his wife Edwina (Gillian Anderson), to New Delhi to oversee the country’s transition from British rule to independence. Taking his place in the resplendent mansion known as the Viceroy’s House, Mountbatten arrives hopeful for a peaceful transference of power. But ending centuries of colonial rule in a country divided by deep religious and cultural differences proves no easy undertaking, setting off a seismic struggle that threatens to tear India apart.

The film has Hugh Bonneville as Lord Louis Mountbatten, Gillian Anderson as Lady Edwina Mountbatten, Manish Dayal as Jeet, Huma Qureshi as Aalia, Michael Gambon as Hastings Ismay, Lord Ismay, Simon Callow as Cyril Radcliffe, Lily Travers as Lady Pamela Mountbatten, Om Puri as Ali Rahim Noor, Simon Williams as Archibald Wavell, Sarah-Jane Dias as Sameera, Samrat Chakrabarti as Moshin, Roberta Taylor as Miss Reading, Tanveer Ghani as Jawaharlal Nehru, Raja Samar Singh Sarila as ADC Sayed Ahsan, Denzil Smith as Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Robin Soans as Evan Meredith Jenkins, Terence Harvey as Sir Fred Burrows, Eran Bein as Eric Miéville, Yusuf Khurram as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Anil Bhagwat as Liaquat Ali Khan, Majid Khan as Acharya Kripalani, Lucy Fleming as Lady Wavell, Neeraj Kabi as Mahatma Gandhi, Nicholas Blane as Sir Olaf Kirkpatrick Caroe, Marcus Jean Pirae as Alan Campbell Johnson, Darshan Jariwala as Guptaji, Trishaan as Farrukh, Hriiday Malhotra as Sanjit, Kamal Karamchandani as Maulana Azad and Noah Zeiler as Henry F. Grady.

The film has Hindi songs like "Do Dilon Ke" sung by Shreya Ghoshal, Hariharan, Duma Dum Mast Kalander" by Hans Raj Hans and "Jindwa" by             Hans Raj Hans.

Dinesh Kamath is inspired by Dev Anand

Dinesh Kamath is inspired by Dev Anand

Dev Anand was born on 26 September 1923. The following are the 16 films most of which he made and acted in as HERO after the age of 59:

(1) Swami Dada in 1982 as Hari Mohan (Swami Dada), (2) Anand Aur Anand in 1984 as Arun Anand, (3) Hum Naujawan in 1985 as    Hans (4) Sachché Ká Bol-Bálá in 1989 as Karan Kaul (5) Lashkar in 1989 as Professor Anand (6) Awwal Number in 1990 as Vikram Singh (7) Kishen Kanhaiya in 1990 as Himself (8) Sau Crore in 1991 (9) Pyaar Ka Tarana in 1993 (10) Gangster in 1994 as Father Pereira (11) Return of Jewel Thief in 1996 as      Vinay, Amar (12) Main Solah Baras Ki in 1998 as Himself (13) Censor in 2001 as Vikramjeet (14) Love at Times Square in 2003 as Shaan (15) Prime Minister in 2005 as Prem Batra (Johnny Master) and (16)  Chargesheet in 2011 as Gambhir Singh.        

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Modi’s vision of ‘Ideal India’' that was published in Newsband

Modi’s vision of ‘Ideal India’

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants a developed, corruption-free India. He wants a New India free of casteism, terrorism, corruption and nepotism by 2022. He said this in his Independence Day address. His vision for the future is one in which farmers’ income would double and where youth and women would have many more opportunities. His achievements are steps toward a happier, more secure future for the country. Demonetisation, the Goods and Services Tax are the movement toward a digital economy. He went so far as to ask terrorists to join the mainstream.

The speech seemed directed entirely at the domestic audience, with the focus largely on development and a reliance on technology-enabled solutions to transform the country over the next five years. It is very clear that Modi sees himself as serving a second term.

The PM is in an ambitious mode. He wants to make the second term secure for him to be back on the saddle of power. Demonetization, GST and pursuit of digitization are good moves and shows promise of fetching bonanzas. Sizable section of the people are impressed by the promises the ruling party spreads. Elimination of corruption and ensuring transparency are good intentions. It is high time for PM to convert the pleasant future that he talks about into pleasant present. His idea about making peace with the neighbours is appreciated.

Someone is definitely working hard to help Modi prepare well for all his "great" speeches, and whoever he/she may be - must be studying hard from History - looking at the likes of Abraham Lincoln, JF Kennedy, Cromwell, Churchill ... to name a few. It is misplaced to expect the CEO of the country to provide road map for his vision of the future India in an Independent day address. He did give enough points how corruption and black money are being and would be addressed. So also the role of women and youth in new India was stated by him. His targeting 2022 is based on current political scenario where Opposition is in doldrums more busy in protecting their dynasty and illegal assets camouflaged by obsolete slogans like secularism and inclusivity than in championing an alternative narrative to the vision of Modi's BJP government thereby giving a feeling that people of India will give him a second chance in 2019 to implement his vision.