A Film with a Difference
The Hindu (November 13, 2010)
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Year: 2022
Sangeeta Bijlani, Karan Mehra and Vinod Kambli at Grand Finale of “4th India Dance Week”
THE FREE PRESS ( May 01, 2017 )
The “4th India Dance Week” is a vibrant celebration of Indian and World dances coming together on one single platform, this super energetic festival ended on a grand note on 30th April, 2017 at Dublin Square in Phoenix Market City, kurla.
The India Dance Week is one of the largest, most active and thrilling dance competitions in the country, hosted by Internationally renowned Choreographer and dance maestro Sandip Soparrkar. This festival invites participants from across the country to celebrate dance, representing the diversity of dance forms practiced in the country.
The “4th India Dance Week” was graced by gorgeous actress Sangeeta Bijlani who performed on her hit track “Oye Oye” from her blockbuster film Tridev and later gave away the winning trophy to the winner.
Whither, girl power, One India One People Magazine
One India One People Magazine (22 April 2017)
Slumdog kids inspired me: I Am Kalam boy Harsh Mayar
India Times (14 November 2010)
The poor boy is inspired by APJ Abdul Kalam so much so that he starts referring to himself by the name of the former president. Living in the Dakshinpuri slum area in New Delhi, Harsh dreams of being in Bollywood.
“I always dream of acting, singing and and dancing in Bollywood films. I watched Slumdog Millionaire many times. I wanted to do that kind of roles. And when I got this role I was very happy,” Harsh told PTI.His father Ashok runs a small business. Though he finds it difficult at times to make ends meet he always encourages his son to pursue his goal.To chase his dream, the young boy has been participating in theatre workshops and reality shows. He reached the fourth round of Dance India Dance this year.In the film, Harsh works in a dhaba (owned by Gulshan Grover) and his life takes an unexpected turn when he befriends the son of an erstwhile king of a princely state. And when he reads his friend’s old books, he hopes of achieving his dream. Child star Hussan Saad, who was seen in Delhi 6, plays the role of the rich friend.
“Through an engaging, entertaining and fast-paced narrative like a fable, the 87-minute film takes the viewer to the world of Chhotu, who at one point starts referring to himself as Kalam after watching on TV, the former president speak about how he got his education fighting several odds,” says director Panda. Grover, who recently bagged a role with Hollywood siren Salma Hayek, says his role in I Am Kalam gave him a different kind of satisfaction. “I have worked in over 400 films but working in movies of this genre gives you a rare kind of satisfaction. Necessity of proper education is something we should try to focus on more in our films, ” he says. The film has won a number of awards and recognitions on the international circuit.
It won the best feature film at the Lucas International film festival in Germany, the prestigious Don Quijote Prize of the International Federation of Cine-Clubs (FICC) awards, the special mention at the Cinekid Film Festival and the audience award at Babican London Children’s Film festival.
It will be showcased in a number of upcoming festivals in India and abroad including the International Film festival of India at Goa later this month. Produced by Smile Foundation, the film took six months to complete. The strong narrative, scripted by Sanjay Chauhan (of Pan Singh Tomar fame) talks about how every child deserves to live his childhood, no matter where he is born. The cast includes French actress Beatrice Ordeix who plays the role of a tourist.
The music is composed by Susmit Bose – often referred as the Bob Dylan of India – and Deepak Pandit.
Source: http://oneclick.indiatimes.com/article/0f1l1580sg1fd?q=Bollywood
Bridging Gap in Indian Healthcare System
bridging-gap (April 2017)
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Dreaming big
Dreaming big
Express India (14 November 2010)
After having bagged a role in a film that premièred at Cannes, 10-year-old Harsh Mayar from Dakshinpuri is getting ready for a career in acting Inside his one-room house in Dakshinpuri, a slum cluster in south Delhi, Harsh Mayar dreams big. Of a grand stage lit with flashy lights.
Of a troupe of dancers pirouetting in garish costumes. Of singing a racy number, his body gliding to the upbeat tempo, amidst screams, cheers and claps. Of Bollywood. “I want to be an all-round entertainer — an actor, a dancer, a choreographer and a singer,” says the 12-year old, who studies in class VIII at Yogi Arvind Sarvodya Bal Vidyalaya school .
Mayar may be 10 years away from realizing his dream but the preparation has already begun. He recently played the protagonist in I Am Kalam, a film that premièred at Cannes in May, won the Best Feature Film Award at Lucas International Film Festival in Germany, screened at the London Film Festival last month and will be released in December. In I Am Kalam, Mayar plays a boy much like himself. A poor boy who works at a dhaba and is determined to go to school. He befriends a rich kid and tries to read books, his idol being APJ Abdul Kalam. Mayar also recently completed the shooting of three episodes of Koko Ki Story Bori, a series to be telecast on Pogo. In April, he made it till the fourth round of Dance India Dance. And he is now preparing for an audition for Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Mayar’s parents never imagined their child on stage or in front of the camera, even though his mother Rita says she was surprised by how “happily and enthusiastically two-year-old Mayar would move and shake to Ek pal ka jeena (the 2000 song that established Hrithik Roshan as Bollywood’s most rubbery dancer).” Mayar’s father Ashok runs a tent business which, he says, earns him “very little money”, sometimes not even enough to earn two meals a day, thus forcing him to take financial help from his extended family and the NGO, Smile Foundation, which also produced I Am Kalam. “When you are only struggling to survive and provide your child a decent education, how can you think of honing his extraordinary skills?” he says.
When Mayar was six, his class teacher told his parents that the child is “very bright and if guided well, can go far”. When his uncle came down from London (where he is a cook at an eatery), he was impressed by Mayar’s mimicry of Bollywood actors. He offered to fund his training in acting.
In 2005, Mayar enrolled in an acting workshop (funded by his uncle) at the Sri Ram Centre, and did the role of a monkey in a play. Two years later, he attended another workshop and did a supporting role in a play. In 2008, he played a small part of a clerk in a play at Kamani auditorium. The same year, his uncle (a news cameraman) tipped him off about an audition for Vishal Bharadwaj’s film, Chillar Party. The casting team of the film was in Delhi. Mayar went, acted out a drunkard, and got selected. He was not selected at the final round in Mumbai though, and went into depression. “I cried for many nights,” he says. When many families think acting is a risky career and try to discourage their children from pursuing it, it is surprising that everyone in Mayar’s family supported his aspirations. This time, his aunt found a person who knew I Am Kalam’s director, Nila Madhab Panda. Mayar shot for 24 days in Bikaner for the film and was paid Rs 21,000 for it, which he gave to his parents. He flew with the crew of I Am Kalam to Amsterdam for Cinekid, the largest international film festival for children, last month. He still preserves the badge he was given there; it has a photo of him in a black coat and a bow-tie and his title mentioned — “filmstar”. Currently, Mayar is waiting for Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s auditions. Meanwhile, he’s not having sugar or fried food. In Diwali, he had only one mithai.
He also jogs and hangs from a rod every day. And changes his hairdo every fortnight, each style matching that of a celebrity. “My last style was copied from Justin Beiber, my current one is what Shahid Kapur sported in Kaminey,” he says. He always folds the sleeves of his T-shirt and wears only tight-fit jeans. “I want to be a star. That’s why I am starting early,” he says.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/dreaming-big/710784/
India House Gala: An Evening of Hope & Heroism
Indo American News (March 31, 2017)
Added by Indo American News on March 31, 2017. Saved under Charity, Community, Current Stories Tags: 14th Annual India House Gala, Baytown, Chef Vikas Khanna, Clear Lake, Col. Vipin Kumar, Consul General of India, Cypress, Desi news, Dr. Anupam Ray, Dr. Durga Agrawal, Dr. Manish Rungta, Executive Director- India House, Former US Assistant Secretary of State, Greater Houston, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Houston, Houston Desi news, Ian Grillot, India, India House, Indian American community, Indian News, Indians in America, Indo-American News, Jiten Agarwal, Katy, Nisha Biswal, NRI, pearland, President-India House, south asia, South India, Sugar Land, Texas, USA
By Vanshika Vipin Varma
HOUSTON: J W Marriott was a place beaming with stars and VIPs on Saturday, March 25, as it was the chosen venue for the 14th Annual India House Gala. The grand and successful festal, graced by the presence of numerous dignitaries and prominent Houstonians overwhelmed over five hundred people.
Constant endeavors by India House has led to stronger ties between the Indian and mainstream American community. But what made this gala extra special was the felicitation of Ian Grillot, the hero who was shot in hand and chest trying to save the life of a fellow human in the ill-fated Kansas shooting of February this year.
Being consistent in approach, the opening ceremony of the show began with the traditional singing of national anthems of both countries. The American national anthem was followed by the rendition of the Indian Anthem by Pt. Suman Ghosh’s disciples and daughters Amiya and Apurva Ghosh. While Pooja Lodhia from ABC 13 played the perfect emcee with her delightful presentation skills, Dr. Manish Rungta, India House President, welcomed the guests warmly and then went on to highlight the various feats achieved by India House in 2016. Eminent guests, trustees and renowned elected officials were lauded and notable events of 2016 were shared followed by a video message from Senator John Cornyn.
The audience was delighted with what followed next. Col. Vipin Kumar, Executive Director of India House introduced the Board of Directors, Council members, staff and volunteers of India House. It was amazing to note that various legends and dignitaries such as the Former President of India Dr. Abdul Kalam, Governor Rick Perry, Governor Nikki Haley, Senator John Cornyn, Baba Ramdev, Pandit Jasraj, to name a few, had participated at numerous India House events in the past.
The Consul General of India, Dr. Anupam Ray, called up Navtej Sarna, the Indian Ambassador and the guest speaker of the evening on stage. Sarna exclaimed, “This is the first time I am visiting Houston and India House has made it a memorable visit”. By praising and wishing India House for its continued success he mentioned that he was happiest to be a part of the gala that planned to honor Ian Grillot. Navtej Sarna expressed his honor in meeting with the hero and his parents. He had unlimited words of praise for the courageous young man. Magnifying his heroic deed, the Ambassador added, “No amount of honor that the Indian American Community or India bestows on him will be recompensed enough for that moment of exceptional fortitude and character”. True that!
And finally, the moment to felicitate Ian Grillot had arrived. A check of $100,000 was presented to Ian as the video of God Bless USA played in the background. Ian is a true hero of America who risked his own life to save another. Emotions ran across the hall as Ian was greeted with a standing ovation and endless applause. Charlie Yalamanchili, a trustee of India House matched every dollar raised by Jiten Agarwal, India House Gala Chair to present the money that will help Ian to buy a house in his hometown in Kansas. “No money can compensate for the heroism and true spirit of America that Ian has shown but we can all appreciate his extraordinary courage. Ian has given us an occasion to reaffirm a tie that binds us all as Americans, irrespective of where we come from. This also reminds us of the famous Shakespearean quote- ‘For he that sheds his blood for me today is my brother,” said Jiten Agarwal.
Speaking of Ian’s heroism, at a young age of 24 he selflessly stood up to save a fellow human being in a shooting incident in Kansas. On February 22, 2017 a navy veteran was targeting Indians at a bar and went on a shooting spree. Unfortunately, Srinivas Kuchibhotla could not survive the attack but Ian’s heroic deed saved the life of his colleague Alok Madasani. Like a true hero, Ian mentioned, “I don’t know if I could’ve lived with myself if I wouldn’t have stopped or attempted to stop the shooter because that would’ve been completely devastating. I do now have a very powerful message and if I can help empower people and spread hope and love, then why not? I am honored to be at India House that serves so many families from so many communities in the Houston area.” Amidst a roar of thunderous applauds and cheer, his emotive speech did led to a tear or two rolling down a few eyes.
Source : http://www.indoamerican-news.com/india-house-gala-an-evening-of-hope-heroism/
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Dreaming Big!
Dreaming Big!
The Indian Express (November 14, 2010)
Spreading Smiles Over Lunch with Chef Vikas Khanna
Indo American News ( March 31, 2017)
Added by Indo American News on March 31, 2017.
Saved under Community, Current Stories Tags: Baytown, Clear Lake, Cypress, Desi news, Greater Houston, Houston, Houston Desi news, India, Indian American community, Indian News, Indians in America, Indo-American News, Jiten & Shalu Agarwal, Jiten Agarwal, Junoon, Katy, NRI, pearland, Smile Foundation, south asia, South India, Sugar Land, Texas, USA, Vikas Khanna
By Vanshika Vipin Varma
HOUSTON: This past weekend, Saturday, March 25 was a very special day at the charming residence of the Agarwals. Jiten & Shalu Agarwal played host to award-winning Michelin starred chef Vikas Khanna and Rajeev Sharma, the General Manager of Smile Foundation.
The renowned Smile Foundation is a NGO based out of New Delhi in India. Commendable work has been carried out for underprivileged children and their families by this institute since 2002 through various programs. The US chapter of this organization was being initiated at the India House Gala, later that evening by the Culinary God Chef Vikas Khanna himself, who was the Guest of Honor at the Gala. (See related article)
Both, Jiten Agarwal, who is the VP Finance at India House and the Gala Chair of the India House Gala 2017, as well as the famous Chef Vikas endorse the Smile Foundation. Chef Khanna is also the official Goodwill Ambassador of ‘Nutrition for Education’ initiative of the Foundation. Through this campaign, Smile Foundation aims to combat malnutrition and hunger among children. More than twenty one thousand less privileged children from over twenty-one states are benefited from this noble cause.
Chef Vikas Khanna is a person with many feathers in his cap. Not only he is one of the best Indian Chefs in the world, but also is a successful restaurateur, cookbook writer and a splendid humanitarian. As if his virtues were not enough, Chef is known to be the hottest Master Chef of India. People magazine listed him as one of the Sexiest Men Alive in its 2011 edition by referring to him as ‘The Hottest Chef of America’. Junoon, his signature restaurant boasts of being awarded a Michelin star for six consecutive years since 2011! Junoon is celebrated for an exceptional Indian dining experience.
At the lunch, the delicious vegetarian food was catered by Sunil Srivastava of Great W’Kana Houston. It turned out to be a very special event for foodies and Chef Vikas fans such as my hubby and me. I cannot stop raving about the charm and pleasant looks of Chef Vikas. His humility and well-grounded attitude floored us all. He turned out to be a package of abundant talent and great looks. His modesty was simply icing on the cake! We were in awe of how he personally spoke to everyone as he shared his abundant culinary knowledge. We all were enriched by his experiences and cooking tips. Food being the central topic, it wasn’t difficult to be amused by his humor as well.
Chef’s life story is as interesting as inspirational. Chef Vikas Khanna started his journey in our country with a pocketful of only $3 in 2000. Such dire straits forced him to survive in a shelter. But, hope wasn’t lost. Sincere endeavors, perseverance and determination encouraged him to go on a super successful path in the gastronomic world of food. A classic story of rags-to-riches, his struggle motivated him to give back to the society and thus explains his association with Smile Foundation. After speaking a little about the foundation, Chef convinced all of us to contribute in our little way. He said: “I need all of you to come forward and share with me to ensure that we all be the reason for these kids to smile, its one life that we all have, let’s make it meaningful. I am so privileged to have Jiten’s acceptance as a President of Smile Foundation, USA”.
It was indeed a memorable event that spread smiles on all our faces. There was a lot we learnt from the great Chef especially his attribute of giving back to the community that too with a smile! I was particularly amazed and inspired.
Source : http://www.indoamerican-news.com/spreading-smiles-over-lunch-with-chef-vikas-khanna/
I Am Kalam to be a trilogy: Director
Movies.NDTV.com (17 November 2010)
Nila Madhab Panda’s debut Hindi project I Am Kalam – inspired by the life of former president APJ Abdul Kalam – is yet to be released in India, but the award winning director is already working on two more films to make a trilogy on the lives of helper boys, popularly called “chhotus” .
“It will be a trilogy. I am working on both the stories (part II and part III) and it will be like (Satyajit Ray’s) Apu trilogy on the growth of the main character and different facets of his life,” said Panda, 37.
“The sequels won’t be inspired by Kalam unlike the first part. The trilogy will actually concentrate on the story of chhotus and facets of their life in different parts of the country,” said Panda.
“I will start shooting the second part early next year,” he said.
Panda, who hails from Orissa, has produced and directed over 60 documentaries, short films, television drama and films for national broadcasters in the last 12 years.
Produced by Smile Foundation, a national development organisation, “I Am Kalam” is a movie on the plight of the underprivileged and highlights how the privileged can play a role to uplift the former.
“The idea of the film is to give a message that every child should go to school which is relevant to the right to education and that effort is more powerful than fate. It also urges the privileged masses to join the effort to educate the children and help them to dream and turn their dreams into breathing reality,” said Panda.
“At the same time it celebrates the survival of the human spirit against overwhelming odds like poverty, child labour, illiteracy, class system, etc. It is like a fairytale about how a child reacts to things, with a positive tone despite the serious issues it touches.”
The movie marks the debut of Delhi-based 12-year-old underprivileged child Harsh Mayyar in the lead and French theatre actress Beatrice Ordeix. Gulshan Grover and child actor Hussan Saad play pivotal roles. It is tentatively slated for release early next year.
Told in the classic prince-and-the-pauper format, it is set in Bikaner, Rajasthan, and revolves around the trials and tribulations of the protagonist Chhotu’s struggle for education after he gets inspired by former president Kalam.
“I was looking for an inspiring character who people really know and who can really inspire audiences. Even during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, everyone cheered and clapped when they saw Kalam. He is a living legend and the film is inspired by him,” said Panda.
Source: http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=ENTEN20100160291&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&cp