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“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
 

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Reliance Digital Launches ‘Baaptaa’, a Father’s Day Campaign Celebrating the Many Expressions of Fatherhood

MUMBAI, India, June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Reliance Digital has launched ‘Baaptaa’, a Father’s Day campaign to celebrate the many expressions of fatherhood. Built around a simple cultural observation, while “Maa ki Mamta” has long been a part of India’s collective vocabulary, there has never been a word that captures the distinct ways fathers express love, the campaign introduces ‘Baaptaa’ as a tribute to the many shades of fatherhood.

Conceptualised as an original music-led campaign, Baaptaa celebrates fathers not as idealised figures, but as they are experienced in everyday life, protective, dependable, emotional, quirky, practical, occasionally embarrassing, and always present. Through a relatable narrative, the campaign acknowledges the countless ways fathers care for their families, often through actions rather than words.Watch Video: https://youtu.be/9XyUsJB33Ds?si=PM67vhxrzth1JEkz At the heart of the campaign is an original music video told from a father’s perspective, capturing the different roles he plays across life’s moments and milestones. The film brings to life the humour, warmth and unspoken affection that characterise father-child relationships, while giving a name to a form of love that many recognise but few have articulated.The campaign stems from a simple insight: while motherhood has often found expression through familiar phrases and popular references, the unique language of fatherhood has remained largely undefined. Baaptaa seeks to fill that gap by creating a term that reflects the everyday gestures, practical wisdom and quiet sacrifices that fathers make.Father’s Day communication often leans into familiar emotional territory, but Reliance Digital’s campaign celebrates fathers in a way that feels more culturally authentic and relatable. The idea for ‘Baaptaa’ came from a simple observation — mother’s love has been immortalised in a number of heartfelt, emotional songs, there needed to be an anthem dedicated to dad’s love. And thus was born Baaptaa – a love language that is often awkward, practical, protective, humorous and deeply felt, even if rarely verbalised. It’s a celebration of fatherhood in all its wonderfully imperfect forms immortalized by a song that you won’t be able to stop humming.Shop for the widest range of electronics at Reliance Digital and thank your father for his Baaptaa.

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Canara HSBC Life Insurance Celebrates Father’s Day with a Heartwarming Tribute to Dad Jokes

The digital film highlights how fathers express love through humour, turning everyday moments into lifelong memoriesNEW DELHI, June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited (“Canara HSBC Life Insurance”) today announced the launch of its Father’s Day digital film, a light-hearted and heartfelt tribute to fathers and their unique way of expressing love through humour. Celebrating the universally relatable phenomenon of ‘Dad Jokes’, the campaign shines a spotlight on the small yet meaningful moments that often become some of the most cherished family memories.

Presented in the style of a mock documentary, the film follows a sibling duo as they recount some of their father’s most memorable jokes—ranging from playful puns to classic one-liners. While the film begins with humour and nostalgia, it gradually reveals a deeper truth: behind every seemingly cringe-worthy dad joke lies a father’s sincere effort to connect, bring joy, and remind his family that he is always there for them.The campaign is rooted in the insight that fathers often express their emotions differently. Rather than through words alone, they communicate their care through everyday actions, practical guidance, shared experiences, and sometimes, through humour. Dad jokes may not always receive the loudest laughs, but they often become lasting reminders of a father’s presence, warmth, and unwavering support.Through relatable storytelling and candid family moments, the film celebrates fathers who may not always wear their emotions on their sleeves but consistently show up for their loved ones in their own unique ways. It captures how these seemingly ordinary interactions become treasured memories that families carry forward for years.Reflecting the campaign’s central message, Canara HSBC Life Insurance reiterates its belief in standing by every promise that matters. Just as fathers quietly support and protect their families through every stage of life, the company remains committed to helping customers secure their loved ones’ future and fulfil their financial commitments, truly embodying its promise of being a ‘Promises Ka Partner’.The campaign is now live across Canara HSBC Life Insurance’s X (twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram channels.IG- https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZwH5IKhCzG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== FB- https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1cSkxsFWNY/X- https://x.com/CanaraHSBCLI/status/2067808467205918962?s=20Li- https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7473574831364468737Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2997652/Canara_HSBC.jpgLogo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2739906/6008480/Canara_HSBC_Logo.jpg

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Harper Collins Publishers India is Delighted to Announce the Recent Publication of ‘People We Love’ by Preeti Shenoy

NEW DELHI, June 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HarperCollins Publishers India is delighted to share the recent publication of People We Love by bestselling author Preeti Shenoy. At once tender and sharp, this collection of stories offers intimate, truthful and relatable portraits of the people we cherish, the ones we lose, and the people we become.

ABOUT THE BOOKThe people we love never truly leave our story…In these tender yet piercing stories, Preeti Shenoy returns to some of her most beloved characters to reveal who they were before they appeared in her bestselling novels It’s All in the Planets and The One You Cannot Have.Aniket, a coder, carries the weight of a longing for Trisha that he cannot bring himself to act on. Nidhi abandons her corporate life to teach pottery, only to discover that clay is far more forgiving than the people she loves. A quiz competition sparks an unlikely romance between Aman and Shruti, one that must withstand parental disapproval and class divides. And Anjali, a journalist, is so busy chasing stories that she almost misses the one unfolding in her own life.Set against the pulse of contemporary India, People We Love explores the tug-of-war between duty and desire, family and freedom, who we are and who we dare to be. Intimate and deeply felt, these are stories about love that stays, leaves and almost slips away … love that quietly and irrevocably shapes the people we become.Preeti Shenoy, author, says, “People We Love is a collection of three long stories, prequels to my bestsellers It’s All in the Planets and The One You Cannot Have. If you have read those books, you already know how these characters’ stories unfold. But what you don’t know yet is where it all began, the loves they carried, the choices they made, and the people they were before life shaped them into who you met on those pages. Writing these prequels felt like returning to a home I hadn’t realised I missed, and discovering rooms I had never been in before.”Rashmi Menon, Associate Publisher – HarperCollins India, adds, “Preeti Shenoy has an extraordinary gift for finding the heartbeat of ordinary lives. People We Love is a warm, wise and deeply humane collection of short stories that reunites readers with favourite characters from her bestselling novels It’s All in the Planets and The One You Cannot Have, weaving them into fresh, deeply satisfying narratives. These characters feel like people you know, and their journeys will move, comfort and surprise you. This uplifting, thought–provoking collection reminds us why we turn to stories in the first place. We couldn’t be more excited to share it with our readers.”ABOUT THE AUTHOR Preeti Shenoy is among the highest-selling authors in India. She was featured on the Forbes longlist of the most influential celebrities in India. Her books include When Love Came Calling, Wake Up Life, Is Calling, Life Is What You Make It, The Rule Breakers, A Hundred Little Flames, It’s All in the Planets, Why We Love the Way We Do, The Secret Wish List, The One You Cannot Have and many others. Her work has been translated into many Indian languages. Preeti is also a motivational speaker, an avid fitness enthusiast, and an artist specializing in portraiture and illustrated journalling. Preeti lives in Bengaluru, Karnataka.ABOUT HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS INDIAAt HarperCollins Publishers India, we believe in telling the best stories and ensuring they reach the widest readership. We publish around 250 new books every year across 10 imprints, adding to a diverse catalogue of more than 3,000 titles in print and digital formats, with an array of genres and voices that ensure there is a book for every reader. Our authors have won some of the most prestigious literary awards, and we are proud to publish many acclaimed writers, alongside new and emerging voices shaping contemporary literature. We are also the publishers of The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, winner of the Booker Prize 2008, and Girl in White Cotton by Avni Doshi, shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2020, and HarperCollins India itself has been awarded “Publisher of the Year” several times. In addition, we represent some of the finest global publishers such as Harvard University Press, Lonely Planet, Oneworld, Nosy Crow, Usborne, and National Geographic Children, bringing Indian readers access to world-class books and ideas. We are also proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work for two consecutive years, a recognition of our culture, people, and values that make HarperCollins India a truly inspiring workplace. PRESS CONTACT:Nandini Tripathi, Manager – Marketing (Commercial)Email: nandini.tripathi@harpercollins.co.in | Mobile: +91 9718928839Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2997583/HarperCollins_People_We_Love.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2105077/4665143/HarperCollins_Logo.jpg 

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