Connect with us

Buzz

“Selective secularism is dangerous for the country,” says Director Vivek Agnihotri during CMFF-2022 at Chandigarh University

Second edition of Chandigarh Music & Film Festival culminates at Chandigarh University, Gharuan
CHANDIGARH, India, May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — “The Kashmir Files dared to show the truth of Kashmiri Hindu genocide which all the movies made on Kashmir had conveniently ignored,” said Director Vivek Agnihotri, as he hit out at the ‘prevalent selective secularism’ which, he said, was harming the country in a big way.

Speaking at the second edition of Chandigarh Music and Film Festival at Chandigarh University Gharuan, Agnihotri, director of ‘The Kashmir Files’, also said that Punjab has seen more bloodshed than any other region and the solution to the threat of terrorism was the strict policy of ‘zero tolerance to violence of any form’.
Agnihotri said that secularism was and is in the DNA of India, but ‘selective secularism’ that is prevalent in the country is not good for the nation.
“Secularism is a great thing, where all faiths should be given equal treatment and respect but in India, a dangerous trend of selective secularism is prevalent where politicians use the concept as per their convenience. I am against the selfish usage of secularism in politics, for vote bank. This is a threat to the spirit of the concept and will harm this great nation in a big way,” he said, adding that his movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ was being called Islamphobic by people, in the name of this ‘selective secularism’ only.
“People say that The Kashmir Files was missing one side of the story—the story of Kashmir Muslims. Almost half a dozen movies made in past on Kashmir also conveniently and completely ignored one side of the story—that of the Kashmiri Hindu Genocide. The Kashmir Files dared to show that side of the story,” he said.
Agnihotri asserted that almost every part of the country has seen bloodshed at different points in time and unfortunately the countrymen didn’t stand for the victims at any time.
“The bloodshed fuelled by terrorism has occurred in Kashmir, in Jharkhand, in Bengal. Even the land of Punjab has seen more bloodshed than any other region for the longest period of time. The solution to the threat of terrorism was the strict policy of zero tolerance to violence of any form,” he said.
Speaking about ‘The Kashmir Files’, Agnihotri said that he started working on the movie in 2018, and has interviewed 700 Kashmiri Pandits on camera to find out the truth.
“Even today, our eyes get moist, on recounting each of those horrific accounts of the tragedy they went through. The Kashmir Files is the story of those people, put together and shown by me, to tell the truth that terrorism not only destroys the life, but also the culture and identity of even a community,” said an emotional Agnihotri.
Agnihotri said that The Kashmir Files was the second installment of the trilogy that began with The Tashkent Files, and The Delhi Files will be the third movie in the series. Ruing the lack of interest and spending on research in Bollywood, Agnihotri said that each of his films was akin to a full-blown research thesis, taking 3-4 years to complete, just like a PhD.
Earlier, renowned filmmaker and actor Saurabh Shukla spoke at length about the finer nuances of the acting, the layered structuring of the characters and the art of story-telling.
“Most important thing for an actor is his imagination and thus an actor must also write. The characters should be layered carefully, with each element peeled off by the audience on its own, instead of being put in open. Also, I believe that a story teller must understand himself what he is telling. If he does, I don’t see a reason why anyone else wouldn’t,” said the veteran actor while interacting with the students.
Actor Akhilendra Mishra shared with the students valuable tips and tricks on voice modulation and memory as an actor, while emphasising that language and pronunciation are the biggest asset for actors. Celebrated Director Abhishek Dudhaiya urged the students to put in hard work as they step up the ladders in the industry, saying, “the more hard work you put in behind the scenes, the closer you will get to the success on the screen.”
It may be mentioned here that the second edition of annual two-day-long Chandigarh Music And Film Festival (CMFF) culminated today at varsity campus, with renowned filmmakers and artists from Hindi film industry enlightening the audience with their insights into the art of filmmaking.
As many as 150 short films made by students of Film Schools were being screened during the Festival, which also witnessed Imtiaz Ali’s Talk Show and interaction with University Institute of Film and Media Studies giving a glimpse into finer nuances of filmmaking, current trends in the cinema industry as well as his journey in the Bollywood.
Punjab Legislative Assembly Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan was the chief guest while S. Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor, Chandigarh University was the special guest during the inaugural ceremony which also featured famed celebrities like Akhilender Mishra, Rana Jung Bahadur, KC Bokadia, Preeti Sapru, Saurabh Shukla, Gavy Chahal, Duleep Singh, Dev Sharma, Dilip Sen, Darshan Aulakh and several other eminent personalities.
About Chandigarh University
Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and an autonomous educational institution approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.
Website: https://www.cuchd.in/
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1819500/Kashmir_Files_CU.jpg
 

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Buzz

Design POV Returns to Mumbai with its second edition ‘Sense and Sensibility’ – A Celebration of Immersive, Multi-Sensory Design

15 – 17 May 2026 | Jio World Convention Centre, MumbaiMUMBAI, India, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Design POV returns to Mumbai from 15 to 17 May 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre with its highly anticipated second edition, anchored in the theme ‘Sense and Sensibility’. Building on a successful debut in 2025 that welcomed over 7,000 visitors and featured more than 75 brands and 18 studios, the platform expands this year with deeper curation and a bold exploration of immersive, multi-sensory design.

Founded by Asif Sataar and Gagan Bhatia, Design POV was conceived as a curated environment that moves beyond the conventional exhibition format. While the show speaks through the medium of architecture, it champions all disciplines of design that contribute to a lived space, from interiors and material innovation to lighting, surfaces, furniture and spatial storytelling.”As an industry, we are often conditioned to prioritise what a space looks like because that is how most briefs are framed,” says Asif, Co-Founder, Design POV. “With Sense and Sensibility, we are consciously shifting the lens toward how a space is experienced. Texture, sound, atmosphere and emotion are not secondary layers, they are fundamental to how people connect with a space.”The 2026 edition examines what designing beyond sight truly means, inviting participants to engage all five senses and shape emotional connection within space. From tactility and acoustics to material experimentation and spatial storytelling, the focus shifts from how a space looks to how it feels. It invites brands, studios, artists and designers to present fully realised environments where these elements converge, encouraging deeper engagement beyond surface aesthetics.”From the outset, our intention was to create a setting where design is not simply displayed, but truly inhabited,” adds Gagan, Co-Founder, Design POV. “Each edition strengthens that ambition through sharper curation, stronger collaborations and immersive environments that allow people to connect meaningfully with design.”Positioned at the intersection of commerce and creativity, Design POV offers industry professionals and discerning audiences a space to engage directly with the evolving future of design.Highlights of Design POV 2026 include immersive brand pavilions, experiential installations, new product launches, and curated design studio showcases. Participating design studios include ADND Studio, Abin Design Studio, Alara Studio, Baldiwala Edge, DSP Design Associates, Design Hex, Jannat Vasi Interior Design, Sanjay Puri Architects, Shroffleon, Studio Archohm, and Talati & Partners LLP., among others, while exhibiting brands include Blanc White, Kuche 7, Neytt Homes, Sunroof, and Woven Legacy. Across furniture, lighting, surfaces and textiles, exhibitors will unveil new collections, experimental materials and limited-edition collaborations created exclusively for Design POV 2026.The second edition of Design POV 2026 will take place from 15 to 17 May 2026 at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.For more information, visit www.designpovindia.com and follow @designpov.india on Instagram.About Design POV Design POV is an immersive design platform that celebrates unconventional perspectives and collaborative creation. Conceived as a space where architecture, art, and business intersect, Design POV reimagines how design is experienced moving beyond static showcases to fully realised, functional environments. Following a successful debut edition in 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, Design POV returns in May 2026 with an expanded vision and deeper interdisciplinary collaboration.At the heart of the platform is The ‘Core’, a curated collective of leading architecture and design studios invited to explore a central theme through unconstrained spatial expression. These studios collaborate with participating brands and build partners to create immersive installations that demonstrate design in context, not isolation.Design POV brings together architects, designers, brands, artists, and discerning audiences including homeowners, industry leaders, and the design curious. Through installations, panels, workshops, and live interactions, the platform fosters dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2934542/Design_POV_2026.jpg 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/design-pov-returns-to-mumbai-with-its-second-edition-sense-and-sensibility–a-celebration-of-immersive-multi-sensory-design-302714536.html

Continue Reading

Buzz

Mumbai to Host ‘Gen O – Pixels & Play’, a Global Festival of Creators, Gaming and Youth Innovation

MUMBAI, India, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mumbai will host Gen O – Pixels & Play, a four-day international platform celebrating creativity, technology and youth innovation, from 19–22 March 2026 at MMRDA Grounds, BKC. The initiative will bring together creators, innovators, startups, cultural practitioners and international delegates from over 23 countries, placing Mumbai at the centre of global conversations around the future of the Orange Economy and the AVGC sector. The initiative is organised by EFlag Corp, supported by the Government of Maharashtra, with Maharashtra Tourism as the Title Sponsor, as a part of its “India Maha India” initiative.
The festival will be inaugurated by Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, in the presence of Shri Shamburaj Desai, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Maharashtra and Shri Uday Samant, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Government of Maharashtra along with international delegates, industry leaders and global participants.Maharashtra has emerged as one of India’s leading centres for media, entertainment and digital content industries, with Mumbai at the heart of the country’s film, broadcasting, gaming and creative technology ecosystem. With world-class connectivity, a vibrant talent base and strong industry presence, the state is increasingly positioning itself as a hub for next-generation creative industries including animation, immersive media, gaming and digital storytelling.The Government of Maharashtra is actively working to strengthen the ecosystem for animation, gaming, visual effects and immersive media through policy support, infrastructure development and skill initiatives. With Mumbai already serving as India’s creative capital, the state aims to further position itself as a global hub for the AVGC and digital creative industries, creating new opportunities for studios, startups, creators and international partners.Gen O has been conceived as a platform bringing together multiple dimensions of India’s rapidly expanding AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics) ecosystem, including immersive media, gaming, digital storytelling, creator-led culture and emerging technology platforms.As a part of the programme, Mumbai will also host an international esports championship featuring national teams from 23 countries across six global regions, highlighting the growing global significance of competitive gaming within the next-generation entertainment economy.The initiative comes at a time when India is placing focus on creative industries through initiatives such as the WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) announced by the Government of India, aimed at positioning India as a global hub for media, entertainment and digital content industries in line with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision for the sector as a key pillar of India’s future economy.According to the Government of India’s AVGC Task Force, the sector is expected to require nearly two million skilled professionals by 2030, while estimates suggest India’s AVGC ecosystem could grow to over $26 billion by the end of the decade.Across four days, Gen O – Pixels & Play will present a curated festival experience featuring:Live cultural performances and artistic showcasesAVGC-XR innovation and technology demonstrationsStartup and creator ecosystem engagementsArtisan showcases and cultural installations celebrating Maharashtra’s heritageYouth engagement initiatives exploring emerging careers in creative and digital industriesThe festival is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors per day, including creators, developers, students, entrepreneurs and international delegates.Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, said: “Maharashtra has always been a centre of creativity, enterprise and cultural influence. As technology reshapes the global creative industries, platforms like Gen O bring together innovation, talent and international collaboration. Mumbai already stands at the heart of India’s media and entertainment ecosystem, and initiatives like this will further strengthen our position as a global hub for the AVGC and digital creative economy while opening new opportunities for young creators and startups.”Shripad Ashtekar, Founder, EFlag Corp, said:”India’s creative and digital sectors are entering a defining decade. The Orange Awards recognise the emerging creators, innovators and entrepreneurs shaping the future of the Orange Economy, and aim to inspire the next generation of talent across India’s creative and technology ecosystem.”With participants arriving from across the world, Gen O – Pixels & Play aims to position Mumbai as a global meeting point for creativity, technology and digital culture, reinforcing Maharashtra’s role in shaping the future of the global creative economy. About Gen O – Pixels & PlayGen O – Pixels & Play is a platform focused on the intersection of creativity, technology and youth innovation across the AVGC ecosystem. The initiative brings together creators, startups, technologists and cultural practitioners to explore emerging opportunities within India’s Orange Economy, while showcasing the future of digital storytelling, immersive media, creator culture and next-generation entertainment industries.About EFlag CorpEFlag Corp builds platforms at the intersection of technology, digital engagement and emerging creative industries. Its initiatives span phygital discovery infrastructure, AI-driven engagement solutions and esports ecosystem development, designed to connect physical experiences with digital ecosystems. The company works with governments, institutions and industry partners to enable scalable innovation across sectors such as tourism, culture, entertainment and the AVGC industry.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/mumbai-to-host-gen-o–pixels–play-a-global-festival-of-creators-gaming-and-youth-innovation-302714910.html

Continue Reading

Buzz

From Rural Roots to Global Impact: Ruma Devi on Women, Craft and Purpose on Herbalife India’s Podcast Live Your Best Life, Unscripted

BENGALURU, India, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Herbalife India, a premier health and wellness company, community and platform, has unveiled a new episode of its podcast Live Your Best Life, Unscripted, featuring renowned social entrepreneur and women’s empowerment champion Ruma Devi.

Titled ‘Threads of Change: From Local Hands to Global Hearts’, the episode captures Ruma Devi’s inspiring journey from rural Rajasthan to global platforms, highlighting resilience, grassroots leadership and the transformative power of skill-based livelihoods.In conversation with Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, Ruma Devi shares how her journey began with a simple need for income and gradually evolved into a movement empowering thousands of women through handicrafts, training and community-driven opportunities. She reflects on building trust within conservative households, enabling women to work from home, and fostering financial independence that reshaped perceptions within families and communities.Speaking about her journey, Ruma Devi said:”Every woman carries a doubt within, that she may not be educated enough, or that her language might become a barrier. But confidence and skill can open doors anywhere. Art flourishes the more it is shared.”The episode also sheds light on the work of the Ruma Devi Foundation, which focuses on skill development, education support, healthcare initiatives and cultural preservation in rural communities. From livelihood training to scholarships and health interventions, the foundation continues to drive meaningful social change at the grassroots level.Commenting on the episode, Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, said:”Ruma Devi’s journey is a powerful reminder that sustainable change begins at the grassroots and grows through courage, purpose and community collaboration. Her story perfectly reflects the spirit of Live Your Best Life, Unscripted, authentic conversations that inspire individuals to believe in their potential and build a better future.”Through her experiences, Ruma Devi reinforces a simple yet powerful message, that transformation starts the moment individuals choose to believe in themselves and take the first step forward.Watch the Full EpisodeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSedbvqh2UIAlso streaming on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sAv4ewhQObo3kjOkpNi3V?si=kWMsSm1wSAKyNpb7HKUbQQApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/threads-of-change-from-local-hands-to-global-hearts/id1808386057?i=1000753523579Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a53233b6-84b5-43ce-a34a-5230c769168b/episodes/c38d5074-13f1-4ee0-82c1-591a5ad184e6/live-your-best-life-unscripted-threads-of-change-from-local-hands-to-global-hearts-ft-ruma-devi-live-your-best-life-unscriptedAbout Herbalife Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed food products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2935791/Ruma_Devi_Herbalife_podcast.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2238437/5868011/Herbalife_Logo.jpg  

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/from-rural-roots-to-global-impact-ruma-devi-on-women-craft-and-purpose-on-herbalife-indias-podcast-live-your-best-life-unscripted-302715877.html

Continue Reading

Trending