Filmfare-Middle-East-March-2022

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MIDDLE EAST MARCH 2022

The Fun and

the Fearless TEAM GEHRAIYAAN GETS CANDID

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

MIDDLE EAST

EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Manju Ramanan manju.ramanan@starzmediainc.com

Deputy Editor Aakanksha Naval-Shetye aakanksha.naval@starzmediainc.com

Asst Manager - Digital Marketing Aadharika Gandotra Aadharika.Gandotra@starzmediainc.com

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SR. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Sharmine Khan sharmine.khan@starzmediainc.com

Magazine Co-ordinator Ghulam Murtaza ghulam.murtuza@danubehome.com

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FILMFARE (INDIA) Chief Executive Officer Deepak Lamba Chief Community Officer & Editor Jitesh Pillaai Executive Editor Anuradha Choudhary Brand Solutions Director Jyoti Verma PUBLISHED BY: Starz Media Inc P.O BOX: 18022 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Celebrating the Celestial Feminine!

S

he is in sharp focus this month. Her life and achievements are celebrated and lauded.

Her various roles be it at home or at work are deeply acknowledged and respected. Cutting across age, nationality, colour, race, shape, size and profession, here’s to sisterhood and the bond that women share with women, And here is a silent acknowledgement to the courageous women before us, who made the path easier for us to walk on – who subverted the system, stood up for their sisters, daughters and mothers, laughed out loud at patriarchal mindsets, and changed the rules of the game be it at a policy level or at home, demanding a better life for their girls!

As we celebrate March 8th as International Women’s Day we also celebrate the women who fought for equal pay, the right to vote, the right to read and write, to be published and read in their own names instead of the male names they hid behind, once upon a time!

On cover is the dynamic and gorgeous Deepika Padukone and the stellar cast of Gehraiyaan that includes Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Pandey and Dhairya Karwa. Directed by Shakun Batra, the film dived into the grey areas of relationships often left unacknowledged or “beautified” by Hindi cinema.

Deepika has been a trail blazer with her choice of cinema be it Chhapak, Piku, Padmaavat etc. She was in Dubai with her husband Ranveer Singh during the promotions of his film 83’ where she plays a small role as ace cricketer Kapil Dev’s wife Romi Dev. Deepika, at the press conference, mentioned that she idolized her mother in that role since her mother was the wife of a the legendary badminton player Prakash Padukone and had seen her life up,close and personal.

This edition celebrates women and we have thunder on our pages – women who have cocked a snook at regressive society and looked at danger in the eye – women who have made a difference to their lives and the lives of the people around them across various fields be it beauty, entertainment, social work, empowering small businesses and more!

Also watch the highlights of the Filmfare ME F and B Night at the Canvass Hotel that was a huge success. We also have an exclusive on businessman Rajan Lall’s 75th birthday celebration in the Palm.

We at Filmfare Middle East have partnered with Spotlight Entertainment and are coming up with a unique concert featuring Shaan and Papon at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on March 5th. Be there and meet Team Filmfare Middle East.

As the Dubai Expo 2020 continues to enthrall crowds across Dubai with its various concerts, here’s to more entertainment in the coming month as we celebrate the rest of the winter!

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Wish you all a Happy International Women’s Day!

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all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors within.

Printed and Published under license and permission from Worldwide Media Pvt. Ltd

Copyright 2022: Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or part without prior written permission is prohibited

Manju Ramanan

Editor-in-Chief Filmfare Middle East

LOG ON TO WWW.FILMFAREMIDDLEEAST.COM FOR OUR DAILY UPDATES! Filmfare Middle East takes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs or material | ALL PHOTOGRAPHS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ARE USED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY

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Volume 48 | March 1, 2022

interview

highlights

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IT’S WEDDING BELLS FOR FARHAN AKHTAR AND SHIBANI DANDEKAR

MANJU RAMANAN IN CONVERSATION WITH MANAN SHAH

PRIYANKA CHOPRA AND NICK JONAS BECOME PARENTS

events

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MOUNI ROY TIES THE KNOT

women empowerment

19

MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE REDEFINED RULES AND BROKEN THE GLASS CEILING

20

A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE LEGENDARY SINGER LATA MANGESHKAR

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COVER STORY TEAM GEHRAIYAAN GETS CANDID

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CHECK OUT THE WINNERS AND THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST F&B NIGHT RAJAN LALL CELEBRATES HIS 75TH BIRTHDAY VEVEK PAUL TALKS ABOUT HIS UPCOMING THE GREAT INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL

Bespoken

Bliss !

To the women in our lives!

As much as we would love to hold on to those slivers of pleasant weather, it’s time to bid adieu to the last of the wintry breeze this season as we step in March. But substituting for that nip in the air is a certain shiver of excitement.

First and foremost, because we successfully pulled through yet another power-packed event – not only our first this year, but also, it was the first time that we hosted the Filmfare Middle East F&B Night – a celebration of excellence in the culinary world. And what a night it was, buzzing with anticipation, cheer, music and the winners whooping it all the way to the stage. More about it in the pages inside and also on www. filmfareme.com What has us waiting now is the upcoming concert headlined by Shaan and Papon! Can’t wait to catch it on March 5th at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. We have our tickets booked, and you should too!

The month is also special for a reason very close to my heart! 8th March is the International Women’s Day. While I totally belong to the brigade that believes in it being a woman’s day all year through, I do like to celebrate it… celebrate the queens who fix each other’s crowns, women who are trend-setters, game-changers, trail-blazers and achievers, women who lift, inspire, women who motivate, teach… in any and all forms… moms, sisters, daughters, friends, colleagues and even bosses.

While women have been successfully achieving, reigning and claiming their spot under the sun in almost every field, there is, this one place where women have also undergone transformation by leaps and bounds. I’m talking about the female characters we are being treated to on the OTT and the movies. Flawed, unapologetic, these are women who are not afraid to carry their vulnerabilities, nor show their frailties or weakness as human beings. Neither are they afraid to speak up for themselves, break stereotypes or acknowledge their feelings – the good, the bad and the ugly! You may or may not have liked them, but what can’t be denied is that there’s a transition happening right there. Well, the ball was already set rolling, it’s only gaining speed going forth… And we’ll celebrate that!

Wish you all a very Happy Women’s Day!

keep loving & stay sassy

Aakanksha Naval-Shetye DEPUTY EDITOR

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The Skin Experts

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LETTERS

IN THE MAIL

READERS WRITE AND BITE BACK... WITH LOVE AND AFFECTION

FILMFARE ME BEST INSTA MOMENTS Check out the super liked posts on our instagram......

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Super excited for Gangubai -x_viiv_x

Filmfare Middle East for hosting us at the F&B Night. It was a fabulous night Mandarinoak _uae Deepika Padukone is here to Rule -Durvesh Jadhav

Amaal Mallik’s hardwork reflects in his music @ amaal_mallik you are truly an inspiration to us.

-Armaanian_Akku Sunil Grover is a legend!!! Wishing him a super speedy recovery -Mirza.Notout

Post your reviews to

Send us your views, opinions and suggestions to: Email: manjuramanan@starzmediainc.com

FilmfareME

FilmfareMiddleEast

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HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights

a bird’s-eye view of show town’s happenings

PRIYANKA CHOPRA AND NICK JONAS BECOME PARENTS Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas welcomed their first baby recently through surrogacy. The couple posted this happy news on their respective social media handles and tagged each other on the same. “We are overjoyed to confirm that we have welcomed a baby via surrogate. We respectfully ask for privacy during this special time as we focus on our family.

Thank you so much,” they wrote in identical statements posted on Instagram. We offer our good wishes to the welcome addition to their family.

Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar are married

Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar’s are married Javed Akhtar, confirmed that the wedding will take place on February 21. The ceremony was held at their Khandala farmhouse. Keeping in mind the safety norms, the wedding was a low-key affair “Taking the situation into consideration it is obvious that we cannot host anything on a large scale. So, we are only calling a few people. It is a very simple affair. Khair abhi tak toh invitations bhi nahi bheje gaye hain.” Speaking of his to-be daughter-in-law Shibani Dandekar, Javed Akhtar said, “She is a very nice girl. All of us like her very much. The most important thing is that Farhan and she get along very well, which is great.” We wish Farhan and Shibani the best for their future together.

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JAHNVI’S CUTE BANTER WITH DEEPIKA

MOUNI ROY WEDS DUBAIBASED BUSINESSMAN SURAJ NAMBIAR

Mouni Roy tied the knot with Dubai-based JAHNVI KAPOOR SHARED A businessman Suraj PICTURE OF HERSELF FROM Nambiar on January 27.

WHAT LOOKED LIKE HER The marriage took place in CLOSET ON INSTAGRAM. SHE Goa. In the pictures, Mouni CAPTIONED THE PHOTO, “ELLA can be seen dressed in a FITZGERALD ON LOOP KIND OF white saree with red and gold embroidery and a A DAY.” JANHVI REFERENCED contrasting red blouse. The AMERICAN JAZZ SINGER actress wore heavy gold ELLA FITZGERALD, WHO WAS jewellery and wore a gajra KNOWN AS THE QUEEN OF JAZZ. in her hair. The actress POINTING OUT THAT JANHVI IS also kept her makeup to LISTENING TO ELLA AND NOT a minimum. Their haldi GEHRAIYAAN’S VIRAL TITLE and mehendi were held TRACK TU MARZ HAI DAWA privately a day prior. It’s said that the couple had BHI, DEEPIKA PADUKONE two ceremonies, a Malayali COMMENTED, “NOT THE #GEHRAIYAAN TITLE TRACK!?” wedding in the morning, JANHVI REPLIED TO DEEPIKA’S followed by a Bengali wedding in the night. We COMMENT SAYING, “@ wish the couple a happy DEEPIKAPADUKONE CURRENTLY and successful married life.

CHEATING ON ELLA WITH GEHRAIYAAN.”

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expert advice SIDDHANT CHATURVEDI REVEALS THAT HIS COUSIN’S GIRLFRIEND ONCE FLIRTED WITH HIM

VIDYUT JAMMWAL DONATES MONEY TO KALARIPAYATTU ACADEMY

The fanbase of actor Siddhant Chaturvedi is increasing with each passing release. During a promotional interview for Gehraiyaan, Siddhant revealed that his cousin’s girlfriend once flirted with him. During a rapidfire round with a leading entertainment portal, Siddhant was asked if he ever flirted with his cousin’s girlfriend. The actor replied, “No, but she has.” This left the entire cast in splits while the director of the movie, Shakun Batra quipped, “He has gotten his cousin into trouble now.” Trouble in paradise, alright.

Vidyut Jammwal donated Rs. 5 lakhs to Ekaveera Kalaripayattu Academy with a promise of supporting and promoting the students for the rest of his life. The academy endeavours to mentor kids learning the ancient discipline of Kalaripayattu. A young student named Neelakandan of the academy, took to his Twitter to express his gratitude to the Khuda Haafiz actor. On his Twitter handle, the young martial artist said, “Extremely grateful and honoured! Met @ VidyutJammwal in Mumbai and he has supported Ekaveera Kalaripayattu academy with a huge contribution of 5 lakh rupees.

This will go a long way in helping us achieve our dream of promoting Kalaripayattu across India.” Kudos to Vidyut for his gesture.

ALLU ARJUN APPRECIATES DAVID WARNER’S DAUGHTERS’ DANCING TO SAAMI SAAMI

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETER DAVID WARNER SHARED A VIDEO ON INSTAGRAM IN WHICH HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, ISLA ROSE, IVY MAE AND INDY MAE CAN BE SEEN DANCING TO THE SONG SAAMI SAAMI FROM ALLU ARJUN’S MOVIE PUSHPA: THE RISE. RISE SHARING THE PICTURES, WARNER WROTE, “GIRLS WANTED TO TRY SAAMI SAAMI SONG BEFORE MUM AND DAD #PUSHPA @ CANDYWARNER1.” ALLU ARJUN COULDN’T STOP HIMSELF FROM APPRECIATING THEIR SKIT AND COMMENTED, “SOOO CUTEEE.” WE LOVE THEIR ANTICS AS WELL.

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DR. SANA SAJAN Director of American Aesthetic Medical Center

BENEFITS AND DOWNSIDES OF CHIN LIPOSUCTION When it comes to liposuction, it tends to be the stomach, buttocks, and thighs that we most often think of as candidates for a good, fast, minimally-invasive fat-fighting treatment. But, the chin is an equally needy area for the simple surgical procedure.

Benefits If you are experiencing jowls and sagging tissue, you’ll probably want to have those removed for a fast and noticeable improvement in your overall complexion and appearance.

Chin liposuction can be done under local anesthesia and takes under an hour Liposuction of the chin helps reduce the build-up of fat naturally with hormonal fluctuations and other physical changes. It is minimally invasive as no linear incisions are made. A special surgical cannula is inserted and used to suction out the fatty tissue safely.

Downsides You’ll need some time off for rest and recovery. While each patient reacts differently to the procedure, most should expect a downtime and recovery period of 3 to 5 days and be prepared to wear a chin strap potentially. Chin liposuction is excellent for fat reduction but not for skin laxity Liposuction of the chin removes fatty deposits from beneath the skin but doesn’t significantly alter skin laxity, which may require a different type of treatment. Patients over the age of 60 may need additional skin tightening. After having liposuction, patients over about 60 may require another procedure to treat sagging skin to reach the cosmetic results they’re after.

Ask for your consultation now!

2022 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 9 Call March us at 80085555

28/02/2022 4:26 PM

COVER STORY

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HIDDEN DEPTHS Jitesh Pillai chats with the cast of Gehraiyaan

- Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday and Dhairya Karwa and comes away impressed…

It’s said all life sprang from the sea. And you can never escape the waters.

You either learn to swim or you drown. And if you want to know who you really are, you have to hold your breath and plunge in the depths and seek out the truth before your lungs run out of air.

Then you do it again and again and again… Plunge in the depths of love, sorrow, joy, happiness, heartbreaks, pain. Go seek the bottom with your eyes open until the ocean reveals its secrets. The more you dive, the more you learn, the more you live…

Talking to four actors at one go isn’t easy. And especially when they’re on the cusp of a big release. They’d all be craving for attention, all be wanting to say the right things, all be buzzing with the same nervous energy and would be extra nice to one another. So it was a surprise of sorts for me to find the stars of Gehraiyaan – Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday and Dhairya Karwa being so candid in their answers and so chilled towards one another. It’s like the film has thrown them in the wide open sea and they have to learn to trust one another in order to survive. They’ve not only learnt how to float, they’ve also helped one another dive deep beneath the waves and enjoy the serenity which exists beneath the choppy surface. They have grown with the film. It was held up because of the pandemic and the consequent lockdown.

So being in close proximity with one another in a bio bubble, they got acquainted with one anothers’ best and worst traits.

They became a dysfunctional family on a forced vacation who nevertheless started to enjoy themselves and then never wanted to go back to their respective lives.

While Deepika is the veteran here, and Siddhant, Ananya and Dhairya relatively new, she never took on the mantle of the den mother. Theirs was a tribe of equals. From being actors belonging to different backgrounds, they segued into being their characters and just let things fall freely. It’s high praise indeed for director Shakun Batra that he was able to make four strangers achieve such a high level of compatibility. Presenting excerpts from an interview where I felt less like an interviewer and more like a bug on the wall, eavesdropping on a conversation between friends…

PHOTOGRAPHS: THE HOUSE OF PIXELS | STYLIST: ANAITA SHROFF ADAJANIA WITH LAKSHMI LEHR, SABINA HALDER AND CHANDANI ZATAKIA | LOCATION: TAJ LANDS END (MUMBAI) DEEPIKA: HAIR: YIANNI TSAPATORI | MAKEUP: ANIL CHINNAPPA Green Top: Malie | Bottom: Fancy Pants ANANYA: HAIR: AYESHA DEVITRE | MAKEUP: STACY GOMES Orange Shirt: Guapa | Bikini: Women Like U Jewellery: Radhika Agarwal Jewels

SIDDHANT: HAIR: GAUTAM ARORA | MAKEUP: POONAM SURVE Shirt: Falguni Shane Peacock | Pants: Lecoanet Hemant Watch: Ulysse Nardin | Hand beads: H&M DHAIRYA: HAIR: SAJAN THAPA | MAKEUP: MAHIMA WACHHER SALVI Shirt: Celio | Pants: Abdul Halder

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COVER STORY big fan of his Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu and Kapoor & Sons.

Even before they’d narrated the film to me, I’d said yes.

It didn’t matter to me if I was there for just one or two scenes or how many dialogue I had. I knew it would help my performance if I was opposite someone like Deepika because I had to just react to what she was doing. It’s a film about four characters and their different relationships and dynamics.

I

Black Bralet: Label Jen Bottom: KAI Resort Wear Feather Jacket - Yousef Aljasmi (Vanda Fashion Agency) Shoes: Louboutin Earring: Vak Jewels

A LWAYS WAN TED TO WORK WITH SHAKUN. EVEN AS AN AUDIENCE I AM DRAWN TO FILMS THAT ARE TRUE TO LIFE; WHERE THE CHARACTERS ARE RAW, REAL, RELATABLE. I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW SHAKUN AT A PERSONAL LEVEL BEFORE HE OFFERED ME THE FILM AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FASCINATED BY HIS MIND

Dhairya, you are the youngest member of the team in terms of seniority. What was your first reaction when Shakun Batra asked you to join the august cast of Gehraiyaan?

DHAIRYA:Understandably, I was over the moon. Especially because it was such a different character from what I’d played till now, that of a chilled out fun guy. Shakun’s brief was to go easy on the weights and not to go to the gym. This was a pleasant change for me because

-Deepika Padukone before that I was almost always in the gym. I was just looking forward to shooting with the fabulous faces you see here.

And working with Shakun is a dream for any actor.

Ananya, were you at any point anxious about Deepika Padukone being your co-actor?

ANANYA: It was like a cherry on the cake that Deepika was part of it. I wanted to work with Deepika and was dying to work with Shakun. I am a

narration. I took about two days to decide if I was ready for what I knew was going to be a huge emotional commitment, before finally saying yes.

What was that one thing about your character which made you think I must do this film?

DEEPIKA: That it was a character I had never played before. One we’ve never seen in Indian cinema before; flawed, human and relatable. Majority of the characters we’ve been exposed to through our movies are either black or white and are most often portrayed as doing What about you Siddhant?

You are coming in the wake what is conventionally right of Gully Boy and this is not a or wrong. Humanising Alisha regular Hindi film role. What Khanna, infusing empathy and to portray her sans the lens was going through your mind when Shakun narrated of judgement, was the most challenging and exciting part for the film to you?

SIDDHANT: I always wanted me as an artiste. to do a rom com. I have grown up on those films and In the trailer your character used the word ‘messed up’. am conditioned to saying Shakun shows us films about those lines in that manner.

And this was Shakun. I just normal families which are so dysfunctional. If I ask you all said yes because I wanted about your most ‘messed-up’ to work with him and then there was Deepika. But Zain, moment, what would it be?

ANANYA: Like my character my character, his ideas, his world, and his take on love Tia, I want to see the best in people, am very trusting and was very different from what I have seen in cinema have this tendency of being too insecure. And sometimes I let or experienced in life. So my insecurities get the better it was a bit difficult for me of me and I think too much. I to get under the skin of the don’t know if you count that as character and his world. ‘messed up’ but I start judging It took me some time to myself, when I overthink. unlearn everything, to start from scratch and to look You think overthinking messes at the film from Shakun’s things up? perspective. I was very ANANYA: It does. And whatever nervous.

I think shows on my face. I’m I didn’t know how I was very transparent and I overthink going to pull it off. to a point where I start figuring things which don’t exist.

Deepika, what was that one thing about Gehraiyaan which made you decide you Are you close to the character you play? want to do this film?

DEEPIKA: I always wanted ANANYA: Pretty close. I didn’t to work with Shakun. Even feel that way during the course of the narration. I thought it as an audience I am drawn would be interesting to play to films that are true to that character. But the more life; where the characters we got into it and the more are raw, real, relatable. I conversations I had with also had the opportunity Shakun, it really felt cathartic to get to know Shakun at in that sense…‘Oh yeh toh main a personal level before he offered me the film and have hoon.’ I realised it when going always been fascinated by into the scenes and that’s why I his mind. Then, about two had to go more inward when it years ago, I was filming for came to this character. I had to draw more from myself. Maybe I 83 in London. I received a call from Karan Johar saying haven’t gone through heartbreak and cheating to the extent that he’s producing a film that Tia might be experiencing, but Shakun is set to direct. to some extent I’ve felt those Shakun then flew down feelings. to London and gave me a

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What about you Dhairya? How messed up are you?

DHAIRYA: First of all, I think the cheating and heartbreak has been hyped way too much because Gehraiyaan has a lot more to offer. In real life, we are all messed up and trying to filter how much we can reveal.

ANANYA: True!

So is there an incident that changed you?

DHAIRYA: Generally every day your subconscious mind sees something and then your conscious mind kicks in and you think and you think, ‘No no I shouldn’t be doing that.’ We do that all the time. The moment you lay eyes on something you have an opinion, and then you have that conversation with yourself, ‘I’m a good guy, this just came to my mind’. It’s a constant battle we have every day.

SIDDHANT: I had clarity when I was 20 and had a major heartbreak. I was with this girl for four years and wanted to settle down with her. I was quite sorted.

ANANYA: You are still sorted.

SIDDHANT: Yes. I wanted to settle down with her and she wanted a simple life. I was doing my CA at that time but then I chose to switch my career. That didn’t go down well with her. We wanted two different things in life and that was really heartbreaking because I had to choose between love and ambition.

And I chose ambition. I remember telling her that I wanted to perform on stage and will make sure I reach there. And here I am.

DHAIRYA: Everyone has dodged you, Jitesh. Nobody has told you about the ‘messed up’ bit.

All this can mess you up yaar.

And Deepika?

DEEPIKA: Quite a few. Some public, some not so public.

But in hindsight, I am grateful for those experiences. You don’t always walk into them knowingly. But eventually you realise that all of life’s experiences teach you something. They give you clarity. They tell you a lot about who you are and give you perspective about the people around you.

Basing my question on

Gehraiyaan, have any of you cheated and have you been cheated upon?

ANANYA: I have not cheated for sure. (Laughs) Maybe I have been cheated upon but am not sure.

DEEPIKA: While I may not personally endorse certain choices, one of my many learnings through this film’s experience has been to try and not ‘judge’ people for their choices and/or actions.To be empathetic and understand why people do what they do.

And that isn’t restricted to infidelity alone.

SIDDHANT: Definitely not cheated upon, at least that’s what I like to believe. It has to be very black or white for me.

I cannot live in the grey area.

It messes things up. I need to see things clearly. Ya and not cheated either.

An interesting part of this film is empathy. How does one develop empathy in a relationship with one’s costar? Are there other instances where the word empathy comes to the fore, like it does in the film?

DEEPIKA: I believe it comes with personal growth and evolution.It comes when you have been in difficult, different or challenging situations.It teaches you empathy.

ANANYA: Empathy as co-stars?

I think a lot of conversations, not just about the film or our characters but learning a lot about one another’s lives can evoke empathy.

We used to have a lot of these conversations in the acting workshops. When we entered the acting workshop we thought it was going to be all about the scene but Atul Mongia sir, who was our acting teacher, made us just talk about life and ourselves. That actually made me understand the three of them and myself so much better. For me empathy means listening and communication.

DHAIRYA: For me it is just conversations and spending time together. You get more comfortable and then you reveal yourself. Because initially you put up that goody goody act.

SIDDHANT: Empathy for me is acceptance. Accepting people as they are and seeing them in their worst possible form. Like in this film there

E

MPATHY FOR ME IS ACCEPTANCE . ACCE PTI NG PEOPLE AS THEY ARE AND SE E I NG THE M I N THEIR WORST POSSIBLE FOR M . LI K E I N THI S FILM THERE WERE MANY CHALLE NG E S I N THE LAST TWO YEARS, INCLUDING THE PANDE M I C. I THINK THAT’S WHAT MADE US CO M E CLO SE R

- Siddhant Chaturvedi

were many challenges in the last two years, including the pandemic. I think that’s what made us come closer. And Shakun really pushed us in terms of everything. Whatever he wanted he literally extracted that out of us including intense and heavy scenes. We have seen one another at our lowest and were there for one another.

We have shared a lot in the last two years, so I think the friendship that the four of us have now will go beyond the film.

Was there one moment in the film where your screen characters merged with your real selves?

DEEPIKA: Characters don’t exist in isolation.With every character you portray, you take away something from that experience but you also invest a lot of yourself into every character. And therefore, a screen character merging

with the real self at some level is inevitable.

Not too many Indian films have explored infidelity or cheating.

Did any of you have any apprehension that this film may be slightly tough to digest?

DEEPIKA: You mean the audience might find it tough to digest? I don’t believe so.

That in my opinion would be underestimating our audience.

Having said that, Gehraiyaan isn’t about infidelity alone.

While it’s one of the aspects of the film, it’s not the sole aspect of the film.

It’s the first time you have an OTT release. Do you miss the buzz of a theatrical release?

DEEPIKA: Had it been any other film, I would have probably had a different response.As for Gehraiyaan, the excitement and anticipation has been beyond overwhelming.

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COVER STORY experience and he also brings out the best in you. If he chooses you that means that he has faith in you. If there are days when you lack confidence he will take you through it.

ANANYA: He nurtures people and likes to see them grow.

DEEPIKA: You know, there’s a difference between inquisitiveness and curiosity.

Shakun is curious; about life, about people, about possibilities.There’s a lot more I’d love to say about him, but I’d save that for another time…

The music in his films is organic. It takes the story further. Could you talk about the songs in the film and if any is close to your personality.

DEEPIKA: Like you rightly mentioned, most of the music in the film is a tool to take the story further. It doesn’t necessarily represent any

one character but it certainly encapsulates the overall emotion of what the characters are experiencing.

Can you all talk about a scene in the film which was difficult to crack?

ANANYA: There is this one scene in the film which showcases a side of Tia, which was not seen before and I kept thinking about that scene over and over again. I even marked that in my script as I was really stressed out about it. Since it was almost at the end of the schedule I thought it would work out eventually.

But something happened and Shakun decided to change the schedule and do the scene on my second day of shooting, when I was still trying to discover how Tia was. But I was happy that it happened in the beginning because it did not let me put too much pressure on myself or overthink. Whatever happened came from inside.

Maroon Bralet: Free People Skirt: Atelier Biser (Vanda Fashion Agency) Jewellery: Misho, Shop Lune Earrings: Vak Jewels

You want to talk a bit more about the OTT space ANANYA: This is just my fourth film. And this feels so right on OTT. I can’t think of it happening any other way. As actors and filmmakers, we make films so that it reaches the right audience. I think with Amazon it’s going to reach a wide and correct audience. We have survived on OTT for the last two years. There have been so many amazing films including regional and world cinema.

I love watching films in the comfort of my home but then I also love going to the theatre. I don’t think they need to replace each other. They can coexist.

Siddhant, you did Inside Edge on OTT earlier. Do you feel any difference between then and now?

SIDDHANT: That was the biggest web show at that time and that is why I am here. That show got me Gully Boy. I think it also depends on the content and the format. To watch a film like Pushpa, I would love to go to a theatre. Gehraiyaan on the other hand would do well, both on OTT and in theatres because of the strong content. We are offering something new and we ought to watch the film for that.

It will do well across platforms.

What separates Shakun Batra from the other directors?

SIDDHANT: I think what separates him is that every film of his is different. Like if I go and watch Gehraiyaan and then I go and watch Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu it’s a different palate altogether. Kapoor & Sons is a family drama and talks about relationships but it still feels different. I think he rediscovers himself. That is why he takes a lot of time between films.

ANANYA: I think Shakun has an abundance of curiosity, which is his forte. He wants to know new people, he wants to discover things. Another thing is his fearlessness. He is not afraid to show messy and chaotic situations. He is curious about everything in life and that is interesting because that can lead to new and fascinating ideas.

DHAIRYA: The moment you say that this director is separate from the others, you are implying that the others are less. Anyway, Shakun’s strong point is that he is a collaborator, and very flexible. As actors you learn so much from him just by being around him.

Working with him is a learning

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That change in schedule really helped.

SIDDHANT: For me it was the last scene, the climax. I didn’t know how it was going to happen. That was very tricky and we kept going back and forth a lot. There were a lot of things like what should be the motivation, how it should flow etc.

DHAIRYA: The script is such that when you go through it, you look forward to playing certain scenes. I would just let the clutter out and focus on my co-actors. They would make it happen for me.

How similar or dissimilar are you all as people?

DEEPIKA: We are all similar yet we are different.

ANANYA: Our sense of humour is very similar. We always crack up and manage to make one another laugh. We all like to hang out and chill and listen to music.

SIDDHANT: What I resonate with Dhairya is that he’s also starting out. He’s curious about things other than films. He has a set goal for himself and there’s a family waiting thinking he’s going to do something. That’s very homely and something I find very similar.

DHAIRYA: Same roots, same ambition.

SIDDHANT: At the same time without any malice, I have seen so many people telling him to get his PR right and do this branding. But this boy is very innocent and he only thinks about his art and craft. He’s trying to get it right and doesn’t care about the noise.

DEEPIKA: Of course!

Were you heartbroken?

DEEPIKA: Disappointed Not heartbroken. People who are in positions to truly bring about change, talk about diversity but I personally believe it has not been explored to its fullest potential, yet.

ANANYA: I auditioned for Student Of The Year 2. After that I was rejected in many films and I was heartbroken for sure, but after watching the films, I realised it happened for a reason. I probably wasn’t fit for the part. Even for Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, my next film, I had to audition. I was pretty nervous about that. Siddhant you got it but Adarsh Gourav and I both auditioned for it. It was more like a reading though. I don’t know if you would call it an audition. But I didn’t mind because it helped me to know whether I would be able to do the part and whether it was exciting enough for me.

DHAIRYA: I agree with Sid that at that moment I was heartbroken that I didn’t get the part but when I saw those films later, I was glad I didn’t get them.

What’s the best and the worst piece of advice that

Can you guys tell us about some auditions you have done and been rejected?

SIDDHANT: I was rejected for all the films I auditioned for before Gully Boy. But interestingly, I knew some boys who were assisting casting directors, and they told me they were showing my auditions to actors as reference.

DEEPIKA: My journey has been a little different. I auditioned as a model but not when I became an actor. In India, at the time, there was no real culture of auditioning. And after debuting with Farah Khan in Om Shanti Om, even if anyone wanted me to audition, they were probably apprehensive to ask. I have though auditioned in the West several times.

Have you lost out on anything?

you have got?

SIDDHANT: You are here to perform and the other things are secondary. That’s the best piece of advice given by Aamir Khan. Worst piece of advice was when I was trying to get into films someone said you should keep doing something or the other, only then something will happen.

That you can’t just keep waiting for the opportunity or the time to come. I was ready to listen to it and do whatever came my way but my dad said that an actor is like a soda bottle. Once you remove the cap and the fizz goes down it’s over.

DEEPIKA: Shah Rukh gives good advice and I got a lot from him. One of the most valuable pieces of advice I got from him was to always work with people you know you are going to have a good time with, because while you are making a movie you are also living life, making memories and creating experiences. The worst advise I received was to get breast implants. I was all of 18 and I often wonder how I had the wisdom to not take it seriously.

ANANYA: People have an opinion on everything, especially your body. Try this or do this, everyone is doing it. It’s the worst piece

of advice. Also I was told not to do two-heroine films but I started with Student Of The Year 2 and then I did Pati Patni Aur Woh. That’s not even a thought in my head because I was so happy working with those people. I got the opportunity to work with strong talented and beautiful women and I would never give up on that. I am ambitious but would never step on anyone else’s toes.

It’s good you spoke about body shaming because it will make the other girls think.

ANANYA: A lot of young girls look up to Deepika and the best part is she’s been real and honest about everything she has done. So she sets the right expectations. And talking about the best piece of advice, it was to hold on to the people who are important: like your family.

Stay grounded and surround yourself with the right people.

My parents have raised me with a certain set of values and I should stick to them and go forward.

DHAIRYA: My best piece of advice in general has been to take care of myself. If I cannot take care of myself I am no good to myself and to anyone else. My father told me that.

Worst is, you have got to be a busy actor and be out there.

Can you all sum up your characters in the film in one word? And why should we see this film?

SIDDHANT: My character mystery. Watch the film to unravel it.

DEEPIKA: Alisha - Broken but Beautiful.

ANANYA: My character in one word is trust. Trust defines Tia. Watch the film because it’s an honest and a real film and we put in a lot of love and hard work and we’ve attempted to do something different.

DHAIRYA: True friend. Watch this film for many reasons.

One is to watch us.

If you had to meet your characters in real life, what would you tell them?

SIDDHANT: Ishq ek dariya hai doob ke jaana hai.

DHAIRYA: Pull your socks up and be appreciative.

ANANYA: Run! DEEPIKA: It will be okay… n March 2022 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 15

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FASHION & BEAUTY

Sanya Malhotra

Kangana Ranaut

Nora Fatehi

COUTURE IS TIMELESS

Bhumi Pednekar

Designer JJ Valaya tells Analita Seth what fashion,style and couture mean to him

Fashion and style – what do these two terms mean to you?

Both can have significantly different meanings. I tend to merge the two because I do believe that when you create something special, it must have a degree of timelessness and must be able to evoke joy for whoever chooses to wear it, even if it is worn 20-30 years later. So, we follow that principle in our design philosophy. Having an individual sense of style

actually is the most important thing for anybody. One who is truly stylish is somebody who’s understood his/her sense of dressing. I personally feel that people who have an intrinsic sense of style are more evolved and much more refined as opposed to someone who is desperately grabbing trends. There’s a big difference between the two.

Do you remember the first time you decided you wanted to be a

designer? Was it planned?

My life has largely been unplanned. When I was in my early 20s, I was studying to be a chartered accountant.

We are talking about the late 80s, when fashion was not a profession in India. I’d quit my chartered accountancy not knowing what to do. I was in Chandigarh at that time and someone told me that there was something new called NIFT, which had opened in Delhi. One trip to Delhi and that really was my turning point. It was love at first sight. In 2017 after

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we celebrated 25 years of JJ Valaya I decided to take a sabbatical. I decided to disappear because I just had to take that break to kind of re understand where I want to take my brand, how I want to take it there and what is the true ethos, the true spirit of our brand.

At times like this where everyone is constantly talking about sustainability, where do you think a luxury brand like yours stands?

One of the key things of sustainability is that you should buy something which you don’t throw away next month. So couture is actually sustainable by nature.

Because when people buy couture, they wear it, they treasure it, and it is worn again, again and again by several generations. I’ve seen clients from 25, 26, 27 years ago coming back with their clothes to get them altered to their daughter’s size.

understand that there’s a cost implication.

There are two ways to handle this. One is the politically correct one whereby you say whatever the size, we will make sure the price doesn’t change. In which case, someone will have to take the hit. But no business man will invest more and sell at less. The second approach is that up to a certain size, we maintain the same price. But if there’s a significant difference in the size the price will change. When you look at it pramatically, there’s nothing wrong with that. In the end, what matters to me is how that person feels after wearing what I’ve made.

You can ask any of the better designers, they only look to the joy on a person’s face, who’s worn their clothes.

Do you remember the first time a celebrity wore something you’d designed and how did it affect your brand?

One of the recent things that The first time a celebrity happened with bridal wear was wore our clothes, the when DietSabya spoke of the internet didn’t exist. So it “fat tax” that comes with certain was a completely brands. What is your take on that? different approach. If a Do you think it is justified? celebrity wears a luxury I’m a large guy myself and brand, then both are equally if I buy something and if privileged. Because the there’s a cost involved I celebrity feels extremely don’t take offence to it. I fortunate to be able to display something close Kiara Advani to his or her DNA. And the brand also is delighted to have someone reflect its DNA. It’s an equal partnership. I don’t believe in this blind pushing of clothes on people irrespective of whether or not their personality reflects the DNA of a brand.

Has there been an outfit that people have come to you a lot because a celebrity wore it?

Kiara Advani wore

our chevron skirt and she looked stunning in it. A lot of people wanted the same thing. So there’s no denying the fact that an association between a luxury brand and a celebrity is a win-win formula for all. But there have also been instances where a particular garment, not worn by any celebrity became a superhit on its own merit.

A lot of people are doing great work. Some newcomers are doing good work as well. I like Rahul Mishra. He does beautiful work. He respects his craft and makes sure he has his own identity. A lot of newcomers take the Western route. But then over the course of two or three years they realise they can’t make money designing Western wear, then they go the Indian route. So it’s pretty much that. n

You are one of the first designers who gave brides the option of picking darker shades…

Indian weddings are nothing short of large theatrical productions. For me, maximalism is a natural fit. Of course, one has to be alive to what’s happening with the girls of today and with the boys of course.

But there’s a shift. While red and the family of red is still popular, a lot of them are embracing softer pinks and lighter golds. And you Mrunal Thakur should be aware of that. We have our own palette. So there’s Valaya pink, Valaya sage green, Valaya gold and of course Valaya red.

During the pandemic, people realised that fashion is more a luxury than a necessity. Have you felt that shift?

(Laughs) What most people don’t know is that when a great adversity strikes mankind, be it pandemic or the world wars, luxury comes back with a vengeance. It’s With Sonakshi Sinha not going to be different this time too. Yes the last two years have beeen bad, there’s been a lockdown and most of us haven’t been able to do business the way we used to.

But the spirit of the Indian wedding hasn’t died. Even if it’s for 20 people, the bride still wants to look fantastic, the groom has to look great.

As long as the spirit is intact, everything falls into place.

And at this point of time, not only the spirit is intact, it is buoyant, everybody just wants to get back to living their life again.

Who are some of your favourite Indian-wear designers?

Yuvraj Singh and Hazel Keech

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Girls on Fire She’s a force of nature in its various avatars. A thunderstorm when you need to be shaken up, lighting to lead the way, the gentle rain on parched earth, the wind beneath your wings and the earth under your feet – she is woman. She blows life into you and nurtures you as a mother, as a sister supports and loves you unconditionally, as a wife and lover, engulfs you with her love and passion and pulls at your heart strings and melts you with a smile as a daughter. We celebrate all kinds of women in this edition – bold and brazen, timid and shy, vociferous and strategic, artistic and calculative – each with back stories of struggle, battle , empowerment and success. In the sisterhood of the world, we salute them for their bravery, courage, accomplishments and joie de vivre. To the women who carry a zillion burdens with ease and grace. To the women who make a difference to the world we live in. To women who have the guts to say no when they have to. To women who have paved the way before us and made the path easier. To the women who have risen to positions once dominated by men only. To women who hammered at traditional mindsets and create niches and perspectives of equality and leadership – this edition is dedicated to us, women! And to the men who support them! May this breed prosper and grow!

Happy International Women’s Day! March 2022 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 19

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Tu Jahan Jahaan chalega, Mera Saaya Saath Hoga

IN FOND MEMORY

OF THE MUSICAL DIVA AND LEGEND-PAR-EXCELLENCE

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The world was plunged in shock on February 6th 2022 when the nightingale of India, Bharat Ratna, Lata Mangeshkar passed away. A million songs that live on in her memory be it from the era of Madhubala and her own favourite Aaayega Aane wala from Mahal, to Yeh Kahaan Aaa Gaye Hum in Silsila, Dil to Pagal Hai from the film of the same name, to the haunting Madan Mohan melodies in Veer Zaara, her bhajans, her abhangs, her songs across 36 Indian language, here is one voice that will live forever.

W

hile Lataji is mourned by billions of people around the world, in Dubai, AR Rahman who is part of the Dubai Expo 2020, commemorated her at the all women Firdaus orchestra.

The orchestra started out paying homage to the Queen of Melody who passed away the same day the orchestra flagged off. AR Rahman’s emotional video on her passing away moved many hearts. She was loved across the border too with various artistes paying homage to her including Pakistani singer Atif Aslam, diplomats from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the rest of the world. A tribute to the late 92-year-old playback singer recently made it to the Times Square billboards in New York. Chef Vikas Khanna shared a 54-second-long video, showing Mangeshkar smiling back at the people of NY from the digital hoarding as her song, ‘Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum’, from 1981 film ‘Silsila’, played in the background Lata ji had begun her international journey in 1974, and became the firstever Indian artist to perform live at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall. The legendary singer chose the UK venue for her debut on the international stage where she performed her biggest Bollywood hits over the decades, including ‘Aaja Re Pardesi’ from ‘Madhumati’, ‘Inhin Logon Ne’ from ‘Pakeezah’ and ‘Aayega Aanewala’ from ‘Mahal’, to a packed audience.

The sell-out concert was introduced by actor Dilip Kumar.

When KS Chitra, the Southern singing legend lost her daughter in a freak accident a few years ago, Lataji was one of the few people who encouraged her to get back to singing - a fact lesser known and publicized. An ardent cricket lover Lataji was a cheerleader of the Indian cricket team and often tweeted about their performances and encouraged them. The artiste par excellence who brought tears to the eyes of former Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru for her song Aey Mere Watan Ke Logon, was friendly to the current prime minister of India Shri Narendra Modi too. She had promised to have a Gujarati meal at his home whenever she would visit him. Lata Mangeshkar’s mother was from Gujarat. On June 9th 1985, Lataji sang a full English song at a concert in

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Toronto benefit the ‘United way of Canada.’ The song was “You Needed Me,” that won a Grammy. Lata ji sang the song on the singer Anne Murray’s request.

Singing in 36 different languages, Lata Mangeshkar has been a path breaker in many ways. She is the reason singers get their credits and royalty today. In an old interview Lata ji stated that “I don’t know if you’ve seen the 78 record of ‘Aayega aanewala’ from the film Mahal. Well, the singer’s name on the label is ‘Kamini.’ It was Madhubala’s screen name in Mahal. I did get upset that our names never featured anywhere.

I had to fight for it to happen and kept asking producers: ‘Why don’t you credit us?’ The first time our names appeared on the screen and on disc was in Barsaat in 1949. It coincided with credit given to us in other films that year, including Andaaz and Badi Bahen. ‘Aayega aanewala’ became so popular that the radio station received thousands of request letters. People wrote in asking: ‘Who is singing this song?

We want to know her name.’ So HMV was called and asked to name the singer. Finally, it was even announced on the radio: ‘This song is sung by Lata Mangeshkar.’

01/03/2022 7:16 AM

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Sky’s not the limit!

Definitely not for Nicole Smith-Ludvik who shot to instant global fame standing tall on the tip of the Burj Khalifa by Emaar at 828 metres above ground featuring as an Emirates cabin crew member in an Emirates advertisement. With it, she joined a handful of individuals who have had the privilege to stand at the pinnacle of the world’s tallest building – including Tom Cruise and the Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. But that’s not all, the daring stuntwoman, professional skydiving instructor and an aspiring motivational speaker, she soon repeated the feat as she stood atop the Burj once again for a second advert by the airline. While the world is in awe of her rare feat, Nicole’s inspiring journey of courage and strength has been more than this achievement alone finds Aakanksha Naval-Shetye.

And in this exclusive interview, the brave ‘woman on top’ talks about coping with pain after losing her husband at 25, surviving a near-fatal accident and finding the strength to take to the skies

How has life changed post the globally super-successful Emirates campaign?

My life is evolving in some extraordinary ways at the moment. I have some big projects in the works that are top secret right now.

I am still very active in the skydiving and yoga community, too.

However, I am most excited about the speaking opportunities presenting themselves. It’s my dream to become a successful motivational speaker.

As you stood atop Burj Khalifa in that iconic video, what was your thought process?

How was it different from the first time around and what was the preparation like?

The first time at the top of the Burj was an interesting emotional experience. It honestly took me a couple of minutes to get comfortable at the top of the Burj. My background is professional skydiving. I have thousands of jumps and have spent countless hours at that altitude, so it’s a familiar landscape. But, the difference is when I skydive, I am in an aircraft wearing a parachute. Getting myself into the right headspace took deliberate action. When I started feeling fear, I didn’t fight it, and I didn’t make myself feel bad about my response. Instead, I gently acknowledged the emotion and the anxiety response. I brought grace and gratitude into that moment of discomfort. ‘Why am I feeling the way I am?’ The space is unfamiliar. ‘Does it serve me?’

No. ‘Am I in danger?’ No. The fear disappeared in a matter of moments.At face value, the stunt looks dangerous. When in fact, there was an immense amount of planning involved that included detailed risk assessments, flight planning, and simulations, and a brilliant level of choreography between pilots, drone operators, film crew, ground crew, safety crew, ATC, and GCAA. I trusted the process. I trusted my crew. The second time around, there was no fear, only sheer excitement.

Were you always such a daredevil, how was growing up like?

I grew up in Cleveland, Georgia, USA, a gorgeous tiny town in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. My parents were supportive of my antics, as I have always had a flair for the adventurous - hiking, climbing, whitewater rafting, roller coasters, bungee jumping. So, it wasn’t unusual to find me climbing as high as I could in the trees at my grandparent’s or miles out on a trail.

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T

he truth is, it doesn’t take standing on top of the world’s tallest building to be brave or courageous. Being courageous and brave is sometimes as simple as saying a weak ‘yes’ to something outside of our comfort zone

You lost your husband at 25. How did you cope with the phase?

Becoming a widow at 25 was a dark and challenging time in my life; it felt like my entire world turned upside down.

I felt lost, detached, and emotionally numb. I battled with vulnerability, especially when people would say things like ‘I feel so sorry for you.’ While I believe they said these things with the best intentions, I put a lot of pressure on myself to ‘stay strong.’Dealing with grief can’t be rushed or controlled, pushed aside, or ignored indefinitely. As hard as it was at times, I knew I had to focus on taking care of myself, both physically and emotionally. Thankfully, I am blessed to have a supportive family, a great network of friends, and a strong church community to lean on. I studied what I could on my own about grief and also sought the help of a faith-based grief counselor to help me navigate my circumstances. As a result, I learned a lot about compassion - for myself and others - and eventually found strength in being vulnerable.

How did the passion for skydiving come about?

I grew up close to an airport community, so I saw airplanes buzzing around all the time. I remember lying in the grass, watching them fly, and wondering about how incredible it would be to jump out of one.

My late husband gifted me with a tandem skydive for my birthday, and on August 14, 2007, we went to ASC (now, Skydive the Farm) in Cedartown, Georgia, to jump.

I had all sorts of thoughts going through my mind, and I experienced every emotion you can think of during the twenty-minute flight to 14,000 feet. Nothing can prepare you for when the airplane door opens.

As my instructor and I waddled our way to the door, I don’t know if I have ever experienced that much fear. But all of my fear disappeared the moment we stepped out into the blue unknown. The next sixty seconds that followed were the most chaotic, exciting, liberating moments of my life. I was flying! I was exactly where I wanted to be. It was bliss! I knew immediately that I wanted to pursue this further.

You also met with a serious accident that left you critically injured. How was the road to recovery, and how did you find the strength to be the inspirational woman you are today?

I was involved in a car crash that should have, by all statistics, claimed my life. My boyfriend was driving; he died at the scene. I sustained a broken neck, back, tailbone, punctured lung, two broken ribs, four pelvic fractures, and two brain injuries. The doctors didn’t expect me to make it. This

happened a year and a half after my late husband passed. The moment that changed my life was my first day at physical therapy outside of the hospital. The physiotherapist had me walk on the treadmill on the slowest setting, 0.5mph.

I was marginally walking, but the pain was excruciating, physically and emotionally. I started crying in the middle of the office, literally bawling my eyes out. I couldn’t believe my circumstances. The drive home was in total silence, and in silence, I had an epiphany - divine intervention, maybe.

I realized that if I don’t get my mind right and don’t change my perspective of the accident, it will destroy me. It was at that moment I found the guidance and the strength I needed to persevere. It’s also the exact moment I started my gratitude practice. I’m alive. I have an amazing, supportive family. My pain will guide me on how far I can push myself physically.

My heart will heal, and because I have loved and lost, I can love deeper and more meaningfully. I will appreciate each moment, and I will practice living presently every day because tomorrow isn’t promised. To this day, gratitude is a part of my daily practice.

How did you overcome your fears?

I love this question! When you see me standing at the top of the Burj or jumping out of an airplane, you see the cool, peaceful, poised, confident, comfortable Nicole. But believe me, there was a process to get there. Fear is a peculiar emotion, and I love exploring it. Why am I feeling fear? Am I actually in danger, or is it a situation that is unfamiliar or makes me uncomfortable? Will I be proud of myself for making this decision? I believe it takes a lot of strength to ask these questions and give an honest reply; it’s a journey, and I love it.

You have time and again redefined strength, courage, and bravery. What do these words mean to you?

Strength - we have everything we need; we just have to believe it. What makes someone strong is not negating their weaknesses but acknowledging weakness and still pushing forward.

Courage and bravery, I believe, go hand-in-hand. I have learned that being brave isn’t being devoid of fear. Being brave is feeling fear and recognizing the emotion in ourselves. Being courageous is finding the inner strength to face those fears.

The truth is, it doesn’t take standing on top of the world’s tallest building to be brave or courageous. Being courageous and brave is sometimes as simple as saying a weak “yes” to something outside of our comfort zone.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Grace with

Grit!

With 18 years of experience in conceptualizing and

implementing innovative marketing initiatives — including both digital and traditional media channels to drive market impact and expansion for business, Marketing Director, Menna Abdel Rahman has been successfully helming Galeries Lafayette, the largest department store in the UAE carrying more than 800 brands. For this Boss Lady, women empowerment is all about promoting women’s sense of self-worth, and an ability to determine their own choices. In an exclusive interview with Aakanksha Naval-Shetye, Menna Abdel Rahman talks about staying ahead of the curve and also shares the seven big lessons that men could learn from the women!

How do you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to industry trends?

Every season my team and I forecast and develop the trends suitable for our customers and audiences in the UAE. Researching on SM, reading fashion-related articles and educating myself by visiting trade fairs, fashion shows industry related exhibitions has helped me a lot to build inspirations for the seasonal campaigns and trends.

Dubai is the hub of fashion, what are the challenges of a market so demanding and up-to-date?

Dubai caters to a vast market of multiple nationalities that have different demands, taste, purchase behavior and trends. The market is very dynamic and in constant change as it depends on the culture and origin of the audience. This diversity is a two edge sword as it gives the retailers the opportunity to innovate and stand out of the competition. For example, at Galeries Lafayette, we promote the enrollment in the Loyalty program in order to give all the customers, regardless if tourist or resident, a sense of belonging to the brand, we target several countries in our communication and our offers cater to all kind of audience.

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We also provide services to customers to build an experiential environment in the store so customers enjoy their shopping journey with us. Rather than treating customers as transactions, we focus on the customer experience that creates a bond that influences repeat occurrences.

Being a woman, are there any gender traits that have been your strengths as a professional too?

Studies show that it is actually women who have what it takes to effectively lead. So, rather than advising female executives to act more like men to get ahead, society would be better served by more male leaders trying to emulate women. There are seven big lessons they can learn from the opposite sex. Don’t lean in without the talent to back it up. Know your own limitations. Motivate through transformation. Put your people ahead of yourself. Don’t command; empathize. Focus on elevating others. And be humble.

I own my feminine strengths at work, whatever that may look like. For me, femininity is about having a strength that I define as ‘grace with grit.’ Women in general are better than men at reading facial expressions, and so we can pick up on more subtle emotional messages. Women are caregivers. We use this trait in a workplace to nurture the team’s talent, and inspire the best kind of work ethic with values, purpose and passion. Empathy and emotion are key attributes in a leader, and as a leader, I have to have empathy and curiosity to understand who someone is at their core: their goals, fears, aspirations, passions, insecurities—all of it. Then I can help them double down on their strengths and overcome their barriers, so they can make an impact that is authentic to them and of value to the business.

How would you define women empowerment?

Women empowerment can be defined to promote a women’s sense of self-worth, ability to determine their own choices and their right to influence social change for themselves and others.

Is there a message you’d like to give to aspiring women professionals?

Women can matter in everything they do. Have the confidence to sit at the table and speak up – your opinion may make all the difference in how problems are solved and people are inspired!

On a personal note, how have you balanced home and professional life and is there any advice you can share for working women?

It has been a challenge to balance work and home especially when my two kids are home-schooled online due to covid cases in class. However, Galeries Lafayette has been a supportive company and has granted families with flexibility as part of their main company values. My team and I also build a successful workflow to get tasks completed if I am engaged in family matters.

What’re the biggest strengths of being a woman?

Women in general are hard workers, problem solvers, good communicators, good listeners and above all, we are good at multitasking. Women have proved that they are qualified for senior positions in political and business sectors. I’m proud to be a working woman in a leadership position at a reputable department store with a strong Parisian heritage.

As the Marketing Director of a leading brand, what has been your vision when you started to now?

I joined Galeries Lafayette in 2013, so it’s nearly been a decade that I have been working and growing with the brand. When I joined, we had different goals and objectives that focused on the stand-alone department store. Today our vision has progressed as we launched the official e-commerce website delivering across the UAE. What’s the vision ahead?

I would foresee evolving the brand in terms of customer experience, customer relationship and catering galerieslafayette.ae in different countries across the GCC. What have been the biggest trend-defining changes you’ve seen in the industry?

I believe the technology trends are reshaping the fashion industry. Designers and brands are adopting latest technologies in their fashion supply chains. We also live in the ‘insta-age’ of technology. SM is now changing how fashion is consumed and has trained customers to want instant access to the latest trends as soon as they hit the catwalks.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

The World

at her

Feet

I first met Elnaaz Norouzi exactly two years ago in the February of 2020, a month before the pandemic struck the world. She was in Dubai as part of Bharat Thakur’s yoga promotions. I meet her again in Dubai, where she has more projects up her sleeve that includes music videos, songs in films opposite big stars and some plum web series projects and her latest being the Gerard Butler film Kandahar. The Tehran born Iranian girl lived all her life in Germany when Bollywood beckoned. Not only did she learn Hindi, she is well versed in German, Farsi, Urdu, Punjabi, English and French, is now working in a Tamil film and planning a Telugu one. A girl to definitely watch out for!

- Manju Ramanan

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“I am glad things are back to normal,” says Elnaaz. Braving the pandemic like all artists where work was scarce and films were being shelved, postponed or cancelled, Elnaaz held on. She went back to Germany to be with her parents and was admittedly “scared” what would happen to her career. She did a virtual course in acting from the New York Film Academy to work on her skill. Soon, work started pouring in. “I have worked a lot in 2021 and I am waiting for all films to release,” she says.

– it is called La La Love and we will shoot it this month in Dubai. I love the work of Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce. Jennifer more since she is an actor and a performer.”

And what is more, she is part of a Tamil film with Jayam Ravi and Taapsee and getting a hang of the tongue twister. There’s a film in Telugu too that she has signed. “I am enjoying this spree of being busy,” she says.

When she turned 8 years old, her family moved from Tehran to Hamburg in Germany where they settled. In Germany she and her mother watched a lot of Hindi films, especially Shahrukh Khan film, dubbed in German. “That is how as a child, I wanted to be an actor and join Bollywood.” Though Iranian cinema is world class, she was keen on Bollywood and went after it not knowing the obstacles she would have to encounter on the way.

“Itna aasan nahi hai kaam milna (it is not easy to get work),” she says in Hindi.

People still ask her if she can speak the language and she can read, write and speak Hindi and Urdu as well since she knows Farsi. As for Arabic? “If you give me the script I can manage Arabic too,” she says.

She started out in Bandra, Mumbai with the wrong kind of friends and took a long time to shed them off and realise the good ones. “Now the friends I have are my family. I trust them with my money, life and everything. Also, you have to find the right management that manages you,” she adds.

Another skill, this multilingual actor has is singing and that is why she is in Dubai to plan her album. She recorded four songs in the pandemic and wants to shoot them in Dubai. “I sat with the lyricist and did the songs. I want to do things in Hindi but these are my producers from Germany but will do it in Hindi as well,” she adds.

Elnaaz will be seen in the second season of the Emmy winning Tehran on the Apple Plus series. “It is about the Mossad getting into Iran and got worldwide acclaim. I was wondering why am I not in this one when I am Iranian. I auditioned for season 2 and got into it. I have a guest role in Season 2 but I am happy. I have never bothered about the length of the role but the impact it creates.

Then she has a song with Varun Dhawan in Jug Jug Jiyo and another one with Aditya Roy Kapur in Om when it releases. Her thriller movie with Nawaz will release soon, she has a cameo in Gerard Butler’s next film Kandahar and one more wellknown Indian web-series whose season 2 is much awaited.

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“

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

My soul sings every time I do make up

“

says Vimi Joshi She is the most known face in Dubai’s beauty circuit. An artiste par excellence and an even better human being, When did you realise that beauty is your calling?

I realized beauty was my calling accidentally in my mid 20’s. Growing up in an a very traditional Indian family in the UK I was pressured to become a doctor, lawyer or an engineer. I had no voice and I always knew I was more creative rather than academically inclined.

When I moved to London in the early 90’s I meet some friends who were highly influential in the music industry. During the week I would work in the medical field and during the weekends be a “Back Up” dancer on many iconic music videos.

The British music scene was exploding back then with bands like the Spice Girls, Oasis and U2. In one video I was told to get my makeup done and next to me was British music superstar LuLu. At first, I did not recognize her and as her makeup came to life, so did her superstar character. I could see the magical and transformational power of makeup. She came alive and I knew then, that this was my calling in life, to beautify and inspire people through makeup. Divine inspiration and intervention had occurred.

My life had changed forever that afternoon.

You have worked with celebrities across the world. Any 3 people who have inspired you and why?

Anil Kapoor for his kindness and humility.

The way he treats each and every person with the same respect is awe inspiring.

Deepika Padukone for her punctuality and professionalism. Urvashi Rautela for her soft sweet loving nature. I was honored to be part of her birthday celebrations in the Maldives with her parents.

How tough is it to succeed and survive in the beauty business?

Manju Ramanan catches with the maverick make up diva Vimi Joshi

The beauty industry has expanded due to social media and so many people are looking for “insta fame.” Longevity comes from being a master at evolving and constantly working hard on your art form.

What has been your approach to keep positive always?

Building your relationships and most importantly is being emotionally intelligent in all situations. Let your work speak volumes and the rest will come to you.My approach to always keeping positive is that I absolutely love what I do. My soul sings every time I start doing makeup and I see the confidence it brings out.

What could be magical than to make another person look and feel so beautiful. I feel truly blessed each and every time I do make up.

What is the secret of your fitness and beauty?

I meditate each and every day and I don’t eat after 7pm at night. I’m vegetarian as well.

What is your beauty regime?

My beauty regime is definitely getting a good night’s sleep. Estée Lauder skincare products for my skin. Rare Beauty for foundation, powder, mascara and eyeliner. ICONIC London for my highlighters and MAC and Fenty Beauty for Eyes and lips. As, you can see I love makeup.

Will you be launching your own brand?

This has always been my dream as I have so much knowledge and experience in the beauty industry.Divine timing and God’s Will…

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Talent Unleashed South star and National as well as Filmfare Awards winner Priyamani first enticed Pan-India audience with her films like Raavan and Rakta Charitra 2 followed by her superhit dance track ‘One two three four...’ in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chennai Express. But it was with The Family Man that the powerhouse performer became a household name across. In an exclusive interview with Aakanksha NavalShetye, the versatile actress talks about her choice of roles across OTT, Bollywood and the South, her favourite co-stars and reveals plans of shooting for Season 3 of the gamechanger web-series The Family Man You aren’t new to the Bollywood audience, but what has now changed for you post the phenomenal response to The Family Man? Beside South, I’m blessed, honoured, and also happy that I’m getting some very interesting offers here as well and they are projects that I like and enjoy, characters that are so me. And I feel it’s largely happened with The Family Man. From Raavan and Rakta Charitra people did know who I was, with Chennai Express I took one step higher on the ladder, but with The Family Man I climbed three steps further, because I got Pan-Indian audience, I got a lot of people recognizing me, and even today when I put out a post, a lot of people are like ‘Suchi this and Suchi that,’ so I just have to thank Raj and DK for thinking of me and offering me that role. Season 1 and 2 have done so well, so like everyone, even I’m looking forward to Season 3.

You are also making your OTT debut in Telugu…

Yes, it’s a web-movie, Bhamakalapam, and it’s a bilingual – Tamil and Telugu. It’s quite an interesting project - a thriller with situational comedy.

You’re a National Award winner, and now the choices have multiplied manifold, so what’s the deal-breaker for you?

For me right from the start, it’s always been the script. It plays a very important role, because once I agree to a project and shoot for it, the post-production onwards it’s not in our hands, the movie being a hit or not doing well is everybody’s collective effort. So, a lot can go right, some things can go wrong too, that’s not 30 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST March 2022

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in our hands. What is in my hands is to do justice to the script and be true to the character. So picking that wisely, is what I try. If the script holds my attention, intrigues and interests me, then I’m on board.

Tell us about your love for Dubai…

It is always like a second home for me and my husband (filmmaker Mustafa Raj), and we have a beautiful house in Dubai, so we always love visiting. There’s always something new to come to… whether it’s in three months or six… we always find something new happening here.

What are your upcoming projects?

Well there’s a lot on the plate…

There’s Maidaan with Ajay Devgn, it’s a biopic on the life of Indian football coach Syed Abdul Rahim.

Then there’s Virataparvam with Rana Daggubati. Rana is keen for a theatrical release before it hits OTT so we are waiting for that.

Then there’s Quotation Gang with Mr Jackie Shroff and Sunny Leone.

The story is quite interesting.

Again, I’ve never played this kind of role before, so it’s something that I’m excited about. It’s a dark film, but interesting. There’s Family Man Season 3, we haven’t started shooting for it yet, but yes that’s happening. Then I have Bhamakalapam and a couple of projects that I’m listening to and will start the shoot soon. So yes, like I said, I have my plates full for now.

You shared an amazing screen chemistry with Manoj Bajpayee in The Family Man, but who’re your favourite co-stars?

You’re putting me in a fix as I can’t mention one or two and I’m not trying to be diplomatic here. I’ll definitely say that though I share a different equation with all of them, we all are buddies, so I share that kind of a vibe. All my co-stars, be it in the South or North, they

I

n an OTT space, she has the advantage of choosing a role that has never been offered to her earlier in a theatrical love to work with all! all are really lovely people and I’m fortunate to have done some great films with all of them like Mr Vikram in Raavanan where I played his sister, Karthi, Prithviraj, the late Mr Puneeth Rajkumar, his brother Shiv Rajkumar, Nag Sir, Venky Sir, so… not just coactors, I’ve worked with some of the best directors too, and I’m blessed that I had the opportunity to work with the best there is out there… Like Rajamouli, Ram Gopal Varma, Mani Ratnam, Rohit Shetty… so many big and renowned names… Going back to your question, it’s not like we meet every day or anything, but whenever we happen to catch up it’s like picking up from where we left off, so it’s been great working with everyone.

Your wish-list is short then?

Not at all (laughs) I’d like to work with all of them again. But yes, I’d love to work with Ayushmann Khurrana for sure because I feel his choice of films is really fab. Then there’s Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh... Mr Amitabh Bachchan of course, I mean no list is complete without him! Then in the South too there’s Chiranjeevi… Mr Ajith, Vijay, there’s so much talent out there… I’d

What are the biggest changes you have seen in terms of roles written for women across ages?

Today, there’s a huge variety in the roles being written for women across ages. At one point, you had only the younger heroines coming in and being paired with the hero, but right now, you see women of all ages having their own importance in the story. So, that’s great. Even if it’s not the main role, she has something significant to contribute. In an OTT space, she has the advantage of choosing a role that has never been offered to her earlier in a theatrical.

Has the content become more womencentric?

I don’t think the content has become more women-centric, but I do agree that there is more women-centric content that is coming out. So a little more importance is being given to the women and it’s good that the change is coming up like this. Today when we see the series or the movies, the story revolves around her and she has something to contribute to a particular story. So it’s a great move and I think it should continue.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Unleashing the Feminine They are the musical women of the Firdaus orchestra, the cynosure of all eyes at the Dubai Expo 2020 – an all women orchestra with women musicians from different parts of the world, mentored by India’s pride and Oscar winner, music composer and virtuoso, AR Rahman. Manju Ramanan catches up with Lidia Stankulova (Harp), Rusne Mikiskaite – (Clarinet), Noura Salibi (Violin), Furat Khalaf (Violin), Armine Hayrikyan (Viola), Pascale Farhat (Darbuka) and sitarist Anvita. For the video interview, log on to Filmfare Middle East on YouTube How was it when you all met and how did you bond?

Rusne - I come from Lithuania and met the orchestra on the fourth of July and bonded with a lot of new people. It was very new and didn’t know what to expect. It has been a harsh period for musicians in general with the raging pandemic, without any many public performances and it was overwhelming and exciting to play with women musicians at the Dubai Expo 2020.

Noura Salibi – I play the violin joined them in October and it was really nice and I was like the new girl to connect with everyone. They are such a family. I felt so welcome.

Pascale Farhat - I am an Arabic percussionist. I play the Darbuka. I joined them a week after the fourth of July from Lebanon. We were eager to connect to other cultures and we felt this incredible energy that everyone wanted to meet everyone. We had the two coffee breaks during rehearsals and it has been glorious Armine Hayrikyan (Viola) I am from Armenia and raised in Mexico and the US and live in Dubai. I didn’t know any of these girls and the energy of this group is just amazing.

Furat Khalaf - I am from Syria and I play the violin.

When I came to Dubai, I didn’t know anyone but when I came a few weeks later, it started to align together. This orchestra made it for me!

Anvita- I completed high school in India and was chosen for this. I am the second youngest to the Kanoon player Lara, who is part pf the orchestra.

I travelled later because of Covid and started working the next day I came but all were so kind and helpful.

How familiar are you with AR Rahman’s music?

Rusne – I didn’t know of AR Rahman at all. Then I found out that he composed enormous amount of music and I don’t know of anyone so productive in their musical career.

Then I got to know him through playing in the orchestra and we played a new piece in Expo 2020 on Space day and we were happy on how it turned out with interesting with fresh sounds, emotion and melodies.

Noura – I didn’t know him but I realised I had heard his work. Such a humble and nice man. He is hugely known, is important and well known but when you see him in person, he is just like a friend. He is a bit shy and doesn’t have an ego and all that is comforting for a musician.

Pascale – I wasn’t clued in to his music but I was a bit familiar since I watched Slumdog Millionaire. The first time we met him at the orchestra, the amount of ideas he has and how open he is about each of his instruments and is so keen to create a piece that matches the instruments. It is not easy to find an artist who is so humble. He was sitting with us and learning from us to see what best we can do.

Armine - I realised that I had been listening to his music over the years. I was excited during the audition and was struck with how humble and passionate he is about music. After the first concert we realised that the impact he has on people. I was speaking to friends on how people absolutely adore him.

Furat – I didn’t know him but I knew his music very well. I watched a lot of Bollywood movies and had an idea. But when I met him and started playing his music, I realised that he is a mine of ideas and he can blend choir, Arabic music and Oriental melodies so well and create something completely new. In the next concert, we are playing his music exclusively. I am really excited!

Anvita – I spent the whole of yesterday with musicians and ARR recording a new song. We were there for so long and he is always bursting

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T

he Firdaus Orchestra is more than an orchestra. It is a statement about the real image of women in the Middle East.

Through the power of music, the Firdaus Orchestra has given me a platform to assert myself in a position of leadership and to empower other women to shine and grow, as well as other young girls to dream about a future they didn’t know was an option

Yasmina Sabbah, the conductor of the Firdaus orchestra

with ideas on the spot. It was a really fun and exciting day. My parents and family are crazy about him and went nuts when I told them I am joining Firdaus. Recently during rehearsals, he showed up from behind and I froze. But he is so kind.

How has this experience that changed you artistically?

Rusne – First of all it is a special group of musicians I am playing with. We combine western classical instruments with world instruments, Indian sitar, Oudh etc. I play the Clarinet which is a western instrument and, in the orchestra, we fuse it with something new. Also, the all women orchestra is extremely fun. We grow together with each session.

Noura- I come from an Arab country and so Oriental tunes aren’t new to me. I feel great that we are not here at a job but to see the result of our experiments.

And everyone is passionate about what they are doing. You feel so empowered by the collective feminine energy. I want to be better than what I am doing when everyone around you is so good.

Pascale - My experience at the Firdaus orchestra is not to grow as a Darbuka player but a percussionist. It opens your

musical back ground to see other music cultures where your instrument fits into your music.

It was most exciting to play with Anushka Shankar.

Armine – I was very unaware of Arabic instruments and arrangements though I have played to Bumble Bee and it has been an uplifting experience.

The rhythms are so different and an all-female orchestra one of my best experiences. We root for each other and when you have solos you see all the

support too.

Furat - It is so exciting to play with these different instruments.

I was familiar with Oriental music and we have kanoon, with brass section. We had a chance to play with all these instruments and with important people. It is life changing for me.

Anvita – At my age, this is the most perfect experience. I learn so much, I learn daily and with ARR to mentor us, it is just perfect. We couldn’t get anything better in life.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Walking

towards Empowerment!

Her nose-ring sparkles as if denoting her quiet victory as Miss Bahrain who refused to wear the swimsuit at the Miss Universe pageant in Israel. Instead Manar “Jess’ Nadeem opted for a flowing activewear jumpsuit making a point for cultural sensitivity. The Dubai based fashion designing student and beauty queen speaks to Manju Ramanan on building her brand and raising awareness towards mental health.

Did you always want to be in the fashion and beauty space?

Yes, ever since I know myself, I wanted to be in the beauty world. I always believed in myself and had a purpose in my life. Also, I was already an influencer and was part of fashion and Tv shows. My parents have been super supportive of me. In fact, my dad watches my Miss Universe stint again and again and it is so heartening to see that!

Was it tough to be part of an international pageant?

When I got a chance to represent my country, I was elated. It felt like a miracle and it felt great to raise awareness of things that I hold close to my heart. I felt that I would be spontaneous and will do anything to make my country proud of me. I am not a tall person and had my initial doubts but now since I have returned, I have embraced my size with love and gratitude.

So, what brings you to Dubai?

I was born and raised in Bahrain but am studying fashion in the UAE. I started out studying interior design but discovered my love for fashion midway and fought to change my major. My dean was kind to make that change for me when she realised it was my passion and the fact that I was good at it. I love everything about fashion. When you dress up well, you wear your confidence and the way you look and move. When I am not wearing the right outfit, I

feel a little under confident. I am inspired my nature and sustainability. Fashion really changed my life.

I am amazed at technology that creates fabric out of used plastic bottles. My brand that I am building will be sustainable and eco-friendly.

Tell us about meeting Miss Universe Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu?

I love Miss India and now Miss Universe Harnaaz.

She is amazing and was looking forward to see her.

I was a little shy but she made her first move. She was very sweet and nice and we became besties. We met for lunches and coffees during the pageant and I even told her backstage that I had a feeling she would make it to the top three! I was elated when she won!

What did the pageant teach you?

That I don’t need to be bothered about my height.

Nothing is impossible. I want to be seen and heard and you can be all that if you are comfortable in your skin!

You have raised the issue of mental health?

I used to suffer with anxiety at one point in time and so I understand the issue of mental health. It is important to address it and some people think of it as taboo. But it is better expressed than hidden!

What about Bollywood?

I grew up in a household where Bollywood is celebrated. If you tell me this is one movie that reminds me of my childhood, it is Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. I have déjà vu when I hear the songs of this movie. I want to dance like a Bollywood star!

Shahrukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone are my favourite stars!

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

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She is a change-maker in the true sense of the term. She is a novelist, film-make, a cancer warrior and the wife of Ayushmann Khurrana, one of India’s leading actors. Tahira Kashyap Khurrana has been part of several events related to Filmfare Middle East. She was honoured at the recent Filmfare Middle East Achievers Night as well. Here’s saluting the woman of substance, grit and determination.

A

few years ago, Tahira Kashyap Khurrana was our guest at the Filmfare Middle East for Cancer Campaign. She was the surprise element at the event which supports cancer warriors, who come forth and inspire us with stories of battling breast cancer.

She blended with all the women with great ease and grace and cut a cake with them.

Incidentally it was karwa chauth that day and for a change, her husband Ayushmann broke his fast after moon rise – quite a change in the way traditional festivals like karwa chauths are celebrated.

Tahira has directed short films such as Toffee and Quaranteen Crush in Feels Like Ishq. She also opened up about how the duo share their script ideas with each other, “Whatever scripts he gets, he shares with me and I read and give my feedback on them. He also makes me watch the first edits of his films and the same goes for him, whatever I write or shoot, I make it a point to share it with him. It is because both of us have something constructive to give each other and it helps, so we do this.”

Tahira’s film Sharmaji Ki Beti was announced in August 2021. The film stars Divya Dutta, Sakshi Tanvir and Sayani Kher in the lead roles A part of Tahira’s post reads, “Feeling so numb! Can’t believe it’s finally happening I feel only gratitude. Eternally grateful to all those people who are bringing my dream, the story so close to my heart to life. It’s too good to be true but I guess ‘winter always turns to spring’. This film has seen me through various states and stages of life but all that I have learned from my practice, my mother and my partner is to never give up.”

In 2018, Tahira was diagnosed with stage 0 cancer or pre-cancerous stage, with cancer cells multiplying in a contained area, in her right breast. The experience helped her to look at life with a fresh perspective – respecting its unpredictability and enduring obstacles with courage.

Since the day she underwent partial mastectomy, Tahira has been actively telling women to react when symptoms of cancer or any ailment emerge. “Think of it as a protective force and get yourselves examined,” she would often urge women.

M

y book ‘The 7 Sins of Being a Mother’ is also about easing off the pressure. It doesn’t tell you to be the ideal or perfect mother. It is actually the polar opposite of it. It is a myth created by people who do not like to see women being happy. It’s a ploy to put more pressure on all the existing pressures that a woman has. I would rather have this lovely status of ‘multi-tasker’ not been given to women.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

All the

World’s her Stage!

Mrs UAE World Debanjali Kamstra created history representing the country as UAE’s first contestant at the prestigious Mrs World pageant and then did all proud as she went on to clinch the crown as the second runner-up. Multi-tasking could well be her second name, as this beauty queen - a mother of two beautiful children – Victoria, 7 and Tiffany, 6 - is also an established name as a leading entrepreneur. As the founder and owner of her interior design business, Veloche, as well as two other companies, she beautifully juggles home and work along with her husband, Christiaan Kamstra, whom she married in 2012. Her optimism, she says has been her biggest strength through her fairy-tale journey from Kolkata to Dubai! In an exclusive interview with Aakanksha NavalShetye, the successful businesswoman and pageant winner talks all about advocating financial empowerment for women, as well as causes that are close to her heart

You have been very vocal about advocating financial independence for women and their empowerment…

Yes, I truly believe that financial independence is what’s most important for women. Here, I’m talking about women who want to work but do not get the opportunity to do that, so these are the women who need to come out and take that step forward. Once you are financially independent, you can seek your freedom of speech, be heard and make your choice matter. Also I want to break that mentality people have, that the children will suffer and be neglected if the women set out to work. That’s just not true. On the contrary, children grow up with confidence, learning to be strong individuals.

You have been very actively involved in other causes too…

Yes, I have been involved with helping the people of determination, and children with autism. It was a moment of epiphany for me when I had first visited Manzil and Sharjah Association for children with autism and I saw how beautiful, innocent and pious they are.

So I felt we had to do something for them, but not out of sympathy, we wanted to do something that would enable them to feel wanted and included. We aren’t taking them to Disneyland, so we had to think of an idea that would help them focus on some activity. As an interior fit-out company we create a lot of artworks, so I thought why not have a special child create these artworks. The money that is being earned on their paintings will be given back to the children, so they don’t feel it is donated, they have earned it with respect.

So this is at a grassroots level. I am trying to create different channels. Also for people of determination, I have a campaign where I offer jobs to them. So this is what I am doing, and this is what I want people who have the opportunity to help others do as well. These small steps will go a long way in changing the world.

Who have you been most influenced by in your growing years?

I was born and brought up in a middle-class home in Kolkata, and both my parents were working. I have grown up watching my mom take a stand to empower her kids with a better lifestyle. Like she

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insisted on us going to a convent school so we could learn English. I saw her take charge and change the mentality of the entire family to better our future and give us the education that she could not have. My observations and learnings came from watching her. And I learnt that she could bring about a change because she was financially independent. That took strong roots, I started working at the age of 16 and was multi-tasking even then. So I was studying, learnt dance, went for summer jobs.

How did Dubai happen and did you always want to be a businesswoman?

Well, my first full-time job was with Jet Airways and I worked with them for three years. I soon realized that being in Kolkata, our city has a long way to run to catch up with international standards. At 20 I left the country and the only experience I had was that of a flight attendant, so I got recruited by Emirates Airlines and that was when I arrived in UAE. I have been here since and it will be 14 years now. After working for another two years, I felt that I wanted a stable career, family, kids and a place I could call home. Since I had a background in architecture, I started working with a company. From there, I went on to start on my own. I was just 25, so I felt that even if I lose a year of my life trying, it would be okay and I founded Veloche. We started as a designing company, with four employees. Today we have a strength of 127 and are market leaders, working with leading government organisations and private clients.

Home, kids, work, fitness, beauty pageant, community work… How do you manage to juggle everything so efficiently?

You can if you want to, but you need to have a good planning.

I would say that in my case, I was also lucky that the things happened the way they did. Like my parents moved here with me, so I have two caretakers for my kids, but also my parents are with them. I can’t say I’m a superwoman and made things happen. But yes, I took that call to continue working much before they came.

Was that a tough call to make?

No, I was clear in what I wanted. I believe that the children always follow their parents. Like my daughter wants to be like me every single day, just like I wanted to be like my mom. Similarly, your father is the first man you always admire, so you try to imbibe the best from both. So I want to tell all the women that don’t be worried to leave your children independent.

Being with them 24X7 is quantity time, not necessarily quality time. There’s no such thing that your child will love you any less, if you want to pursue your dreams.

Becoming the second runner-up at Mrs World, tell us more about that experience?

It was a lovely 10 days being in the company of 40 lovely women. Since we all are queens of our countries, we call ourselves queens too.

There was a lot of excitement, energy flow, jealousy too… but you know what was amazing was to see how all the girls had that intention of wanting to do something worthwhile for the society. So the judges

I’m sure had a hard time (laughs). As for me being the first time contestant from UAE, like a virgin pageant, to make it to the top 3 made many people’s jaws drop. What worked I think was that I was real and organic. Don’t pretend to be Priyanka (Chopra) or Aishwarya Rai! Don’t copy them. Be yourself, and if you don’t win the title, you can still be happy that you did your best and believe that there’s something better waiting for you.

Women don’t prioritize themselves as individuals especially after becoming mothers…

Yes, unfortunately that often happens. I have seen my mom’s generation. Even when working, she would sacrifice everything for us, so there’s nothing between family and work. Parents also have to be a little bit selfish and you must be happy first before you set out to keep your family happy.

What have been your beliefs through your journey?

I am a very positive thinker and tend to focus on positives than negatives. I always believe that there will be something good at the end. I don’t cheat people, don’t try to make money using short-cuts. Don’t disrespect other people to gain respect. But most importantly, I believe that you need to be courageous when it comes to taking life’s decisions. You cannot always be in the safe zone. If you choose that safe zone, you will have a safe day-to-day normal life. If you want to stand out, you need to do things that help you stand out. That will need you to believe in yourself, your dreams and have faith no matter what people tell you. Follow your gut and go for what you want to achieve in life. There is never a bad experience, there is always something you will learn and grow when you come out if it.

What is success for you?

Success is happiness, if you are happy you are successful. If you achieve whatever you have set out to do, that’s success.

Is there a message you’d like to give out to all the women?

I think it’s very important to listen to the right people in your life. Everyone will have their own opinion about you, but ultimately you have to decide who you will listen to.

You have to know what you want. Life is not like a physics or chemistry formula – that you apply one formula and you will find the solution. And always remember, before you set out to make others happy – your family, children, husband, parents – make sure that you are happy first. The rest will follow.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

A taste for Success!

With an experience of close to two decades in UAE’s Food & Beverage industry, Panchali Mahendra is a name to reckon with. The sector is demanding and strenuous but helming one of the top hospitality companies as the Managing Director, along with developing over 60 concepts and restaurants in the region and internationally, she continues to successfully add more restaurant to her profile that already boasts of a long list. In an exclusive interview with Aakanksha Naval-Shetye, the ace entrepreneur talks about charting her successful career graph, the biggest challenges of being in the food sector in the UAE and reveals what women empowerment means to her

What has been your biggest strength in being such an accomplished name in the F&B industry?

Every season my team and I forecast and My biggest strength lies in the support mechanism that surrounds me. I have a highly talented and hardworking team that has always been able to execute the vision and growth strategy for our company and our brands. I have a strong mentorship from our CEO and unconditional support of my family to be ambitious and go getter.

A solid academic record and close to two decades of experience in enhancing my credentials have been some of my strong suit to give me recognition.

What are the biggest challenges of being in the food sector in the UAE? Is it any different for men and women?

The UAE market is extremely challenging because of the sheer number of restaurants, more per capita than most major cities globally.

Therefore, I choose to focus on just two-three restaurants per year, ensuring every detail is perfect, the menu is outstanding, and the quality is consistent day in and day out. I have always been a believer of creating and not mass producing. That is the only way to succeed, and I believe it is the same for men as it is for women. Early in my career I did face certain issues, professionally to create a mark and be given the equal opportunity but today I face no such challenges.

What has been your takeaway from your experiences in the industry?

My most significant takeaway is that hard work and integrity always rewards in long term not just in F&B but any industry. Restaurant business is a 24X7 demanding and strenuous job profile. It requires you to be hospitable, humble, caring and always creatively involving.

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Michelin star restaurants, in addition to 50 best, James Beard awardees, and local fan favorites. My news feed sends me the highlights, but the next best source is the “Gos” from my network of chefs, restauranteurs, women in the industry and foodies.

Moving ahead, what’s your vision when it comes to expansion plans?

World domination. The company just under 5 years is now close to 10 restaurants old already with each one more successful than the other. We will slowly expand our brands regionally, but I do want to put our Indian restaurant, Mohalla and few others in every city with population, high spending power, lack of quality restaurants and an appetite for Indian food. In the near future, I am also looking at India market.

Do you think your approach to the business would’ve been any different if you were not a woman… Especially during the pandemic times which were very trying for the F&B sector and needed owners to make some tough calls too?

I believe that as a woman in a male driven industry, it has forced me to work harder and smarter in order to be taken seriously.

Challenges have molded me, developed my character and pushed me to push myself more than I might if I were a man.

Some of my emails still address me as Mr. Mahendra, so I do have that going for me though (laughs). Covid was challenging for us all, regardless of gender or circumstance.

We were all forced make tough decisions under force majeure that in a normal circumstance I wouldn’t even dare dream of.

As women, we already have our share of difficulties, therefore it is pertinent that women empower women without having to look down or compete with men This industry grooms and hardens you from many angles and that is why I love being a part of it.

How do you keep up with the global food trends and keep your restaurants updated with them?

Traveling is always the best way to keep up with global food trends, pictures and reviews never do justice to absolutely amazing dishes. I love new dining experiences and have been to 20-30

How do you define women empowerment, what does it encapsulate for you?

Enable each other to have a strong platform to be heard and seen. To support and encourage and learn from the success of other women rather than berating. As women, we already have our share of difficulties, therefore it is pertinent that women empower women without having to look down or compete with men.

Empowerment should be about giving equal opportunity and then the path of the success to be determine by the individuals’ work ethics and passion and financial viability.

Who are the women you look up to for inspiration? Any role models?

Indra Nooyi, Indian - American Ex CEO of Pepsico. Humble, hardworking, strong and a total Corporate Boss lady Any words of advice for upcoming women entrepreneurs?

Don’t have jealousy with women that achieve success. Support them, be happy for them. Together we can accomplish more. Keep working hard and diligently, and your success will come. Never play an underdog or let anyone else determine your potential!

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT She’s the new voice of Pakistani cinema. Actor Hareem Farooq has turned producer and will soon join the ranks of bigger names of Pakistan’s female producer’s bandwagon. Manju Ramanan speaks to the feisty artiste What brings you to Dubai?

A lot of things. Right from the Expo 2020, ad shoots, meeting people for future endeavors, Dubai has a lot of things happening for artistes now. I walked the ramp for Amato and received the Golden visa as well.

Artists

aren’t

territorially

bound,

says actor turned producer Hareem Farooq

You just turned producer?

My aim is to take Pakistan to as many places as possible and to represent my country in the best way possible way. I am a patriotic person and I want to rectify the unfortunate international image that has been created of my country in the past few years. I want to make sure that people see Pakistan the way I do – talent, beauty, love, hospitality and so much more. I want to encourage people from all over the world to come visit my beautiful country. It is not just restricted to Dubai – but to the US, China, India and more. Indians and Pakistanis are like two siblings separated at birth and we work closely with Indian technicians. We have worked with Ritesh Soni from Yashraj and it has been so professional. We need to collaborate more. We are fans of each other’s works. We cannot be territory bound when it comes to creating content.

Are you inspired by Bollywood?

Bollywood is one of the reasons I became an actor. It is a dream to meet Madhuri Dixit. I am a huge fan of Madhuri and Madam Noor Jehan. Every time they appear on screen I have to stop and admire them – sensuality, art, expressions – you learn so much. I believe that you can never get smug about your art. Life should be always about learning.

In your Ted Talk you spoke on arrogance?

High self-confidence can be mistaken for arrogance. They are two different things altogether. It is the difference between ego and self-respect. You can be kind, respectful and yet have to state your boundaries.

Did you have to dumb down to feel included in your industry?

(Laughs) It is not about dumbing down.

It is about a learning experience. When I started working, I started with theatre, and was lucky enough to get good TV projects. I did work on a few projects and realised that it wasn’t me. But that is how it is. In your career you do get to do things that are jobs and not passion projects or soul-searching expeditions. You don’t get to do everything you want and have to wait for things to happen. Also, one of the

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reasons I got into production. If I am unable to act in my type of content, I will create it. It is better than me sitting there and complaining.

I should think that am I capable enough of bringing that change – so I started making that change.

Did you face challenges while taking that decision?

A childhood friend of mine got into production and asked me to join me. I had thought of getting into production 15 years later but he convinced me and here I am. I was told by many people that my career is gone now and that I will lose the glam factor. But hey!

Aren’t Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra or Anushka Sharma film producers and successful actors too! Being a producer adds to your portfolio and you are more powerful and stronger. Maybe, people have a problem with that – it is not my problem. Self - belief is important for me. If I am capable of doing something, I will go ahead and do it. It is never about gender What is your kind of content?

The first and foremost thing is the image of Pakistan, the image and perception of women in Pakistan and that people think that women are suppressed. I am talking of seven years ago when this idea crossed my mind. I am not a damsel in distress and would like to represent women like myself and the ones I am impressed by. Women need to be highlighted with roles that showcase the power in them.

There have been times when actors have been glam dolls with nothing to do in the movies they have acted in. Today it is changing big time and it is time to talk of their stories.

How do you empower women through your work?

I met producer Sultana aapa and she was telling me her story - it is absolutely inspiring.

Power is not about how I did this for women.

You have to uplift them and empower them as they uplift you and empower you.

Collaborating with women is more important than competing with them. An evolved person will always lift each other up.

You don’t have a cushion of being from a family of film makers?

My background has architects, doctors and bureaucrats and no one is related to cinema.

Which is why I am an independent and fresh voice that might shatter a few norms we usually see. My grand-dad and my dad believed that I need to pursue what I am passionate about and only then would I work hard for it. I started studying law but my heart was in acting and my dad actually sat me down and asked me if I wanted to learn acting.

I didn’t want to waste his money and plunged into work immediately but I completed my degree at his behest. When I entered the industry, I realised that my education helped me maneuver things through everything.

What are the stories that attract you?

I am the person who roots for the under-dog.

My aunt is a teacher and I have seen her lose sleep over other people’s children. She would be marking her sheets all night and when I

would ask her, she would tell me that the future of children is in her hands. I like to move on to areas like ageism and roles written for older actors. In fact, a current Pakistani series Dobara talks of a story of a widowed older woman in love with a younger man. We need stories like these to break stereotypes. I like the fact that the focus is moving from stars to actors.

I am glad that today thanks to OTT and the explosion of content, people will look down upon racism, ageism, body shaming etc. Creative people who seek change don’t have to give up on their dreams.

You are acting and producing a movie on cricket?

Yes, it is called Baees Kadam and is a fictional story of a woman cricketer who pursues her dream. It is inspired by real people. I had to learn cricket for it. My knowledge of cricket was limited to an Indo-Pak cricket match. But I learnt that the game has so much more than just physical activity. It is so much about focus, dedication, agility and decision making. I met girls who play cricket for clubs and this 9-year old girl caught my attention. I asked her what she was doing there and she told me she was there to be a cricketer, what else! (laughs). My next film is like a masala movie but before that I am producing an anthology and one of the stories is on a rape victim. It is made sensitively since I am aware that the audience might have my subjects as well.

There’s more to come.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

A Wholistic Life Pushpa Jaleel Founder President, Dazzling Women Entrepreneurs Group (Global) Pushpa is the CEO and Managing Partner of PJ Zone Corporate Services that specializes in Wealth management, Independent Financial advisory, insurance and investment planning. With over 24 years in the industry, she juggles being Managing Director/Insurance Specialist/ Chief Medical Underwriter of the Gulf region etc. She has groomed and trained most of the bankers/ brokers in the region into successful professionals and will soon be launching a new remarkable medical inventory.

Pushpa is an ardent follower of the Oneness University now known as Ekatvam headquartered in India since the Year 2000. “This movement is a spiritual organization dedicated to helping individuals move from survival to living.”

As a certified Head trainer, she is on a mission of awakening and growth for higher consciousness at Ekam - a mystical powerhouse that has been created for 3 sacred purposes: 1. A space where individuals from all faiths and backgrounds can connect to universal intelligence and experience a greater sense of intuition when it comes to the important decisions of their life 2. Meditating there is known to impact the psychic energy centers and allow cosmic energies to flood human consciousness.

3. When thousands come together to meditate at Ekam, it lead to a profound shift in human consciousness toward Peace.

Birth of DWE Pushpa feels that for the past few years, many women are becoming business leaders and innovators. While women entrepreneurs were historically most known for running fashion or cosmetic companies, today, many have made their marks in various other industries, such as real estate, corporate financial services, biopharmaceuticals, construction, fashion, jewellery and much more. DWE gives women a platform to take their ambition forward. Through her events that promote networking of these business women, she HELPS....

• Increase your number of connections • Potential to gain referrals • Partnership opportunities • Building Your reputation • Building self-motivation and self-confidence • Potential leads and sales generation • Culminate entrepreneurial knowledge and share • Diversify your network (different age groups, nationality, business lines of businesses) Since Pushpa wants to see DWE members shine, polish their networking skills, attract success through these business events and stand out amongst the crowd, the word dazzling defines them aptly.

“Define success by your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live in.”

Dr. Jean Shahadpuri

W

omen empowerment is all about giving women the power and control of their lives to become anything they want and to do what they want in situations where they were not allowed once upon a time.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

I judge

a song on how it makes me feel.

It is never about the

“likes” She’s of the manner born. She is the daughter of Oscar winner Shekhar Kapur and actor/singer Suchitra Krishnamoorthy. The pretty and young Kaveri Kapur is making her film debut in Kunal Kohli’s ‘Bobby aur Rishi ki Love Story,’ opposite Vardhan Puri, the grandson of the late Amrish Puri. A student of music, who got interested in acting, Kaveri was in Dubai at the Expo 2020 and speaks to Manju Ramanan on her debut.

You are pursuing music at the Berklee college of music,Boston.

What are your plans to take it further?

I’m currently in my 2nd year at college. I had to take some time off because of the pandemic and also because I was shooting. Berklee is a great school , especially if you immerse yourself in the environment and find the people and the curriculum that’s right for you. I’m currently a songwriting major, and a philosophy and psychology minor and these are subjects that I’ve always had a passion and curiosity for.

How did acting come along? Did you always want to be an actor?

Actually, no. As a child I was extremely shy and the idea of being in front of a camera was terrifying to me. I was also a bit of a rebel, and so refused to try acting just because everyone around me insisted I give it a go. I came into my own to a great extent between the ages of 19-21 and suddenly realized I wasn’t shy anymore, and that shyness was not an intrinsic part of my personality but something I developed to protect myself. It was at this time that I started to feel interested in the acting world. When I was on set filming my first film was when I fell in love with the craft. I felt at home on set and excited when I heard the word ‘action’. Now that I know it’s something I really enjoy, I’d like to keep exploring myself through acting and art and challenging myself to get better and better.

Tell us about being part of a Kunal Kohli film?

I had so much fun!! It felt like we had all become a big family by the end and I was so sad when we wrapped. My favorite thing about Kunal as a director is that he is makes an effort to understand his actors as people, and so he knows the best way to push his actors. I noticed that he would

push both Vardhan and I to give out best performances, but through entirely different methods. He also treats everyone with respect and cares about everyone, and so creates an environment where everyone strives to do their best and has a great time. I loved every moment of shooting Bobby aur rishi Ki love story.

You shot with Vardhan Puri, whose grand-father worked with your dad in Mr India. Tell us about the experience?

Vardhan and I became close friends almost instantly . He is truly such a generous person and a selfless artist, I loved being on set with him and couldn’t have asked for a better first co star, best friend and confidant . We really had a blast together!!! He didn’t just impress me as an actor but also as a human being.

Your mother is a singer and an actor. How much did that enhance your own interest in music?

My mom discovered that I was inclined to music when I was very young and put me in singing lessons. When I wrote my first song, my parents were the ones that encouraged me to go to a student and record it. My mum would help me prep for every singing competition and performance .she made sure I understood that I was gifted, but also that I would need to work hard to get where I wanted. I wouldn’t even

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Your father is an award winning film-maker and actor, which of his films do you like the most and why?

Bandit queen- it expresses reality as it is. It deals with very real issues in a completely honest way without trying to be cinematic or voyeuristic.

What are the Indian films based on music that you have enjoyed the most?

I recently enjoyed watching Gully Boy. What I loved about the film and it’s music was that it wasn’t typically Bollywood and was a much needed clutter breaker.

Any Indian singer who is your favourite and why?

Arijit Singh is somebody I enjoy listening to.

What I like about him is that he’s versatile, isn’t overexposed and does everything on his own terms.

have gotten into music if it weren’t for her, so it’s safe to say that her presence was a catalyst in my musical journey.

Do you judge a song by the million likes it has on social media. Why or why not?

Of course not!! Some of the most beautiful songs barely have any likes. I judge a song based on how it makes me feel.

Tell us about watching the spectacular ‘Why the Musical’.

How do you see Dubai’s reaction to music?

It was wonderful and far surpassed any expectations of it, keep in mind that my expectations were very high. It beautifully captures the chaos of a curious mind and asks questions we’ve all asked ourselves at some point. It takes on the journey of a young girl in agony and in wonderment , questioning her identity and the world around her. I’m sure that people of all ages will relate to the musical and it will inspire people to dig deeper and look within. I realized during the show that Dubai is fast evolving and developing a very individualistic culture of its own. The people of Dubai are open to all kinds of music, whether it be Indian, Western, East Asian etc. and as an artist thats very encouraging.

What do you think of independent music today and its reach?

Independent music today is more relevant now than ever. It’s just what we needed and it’s only going to grow. There’s so much dormant talent in the world and unfortunately all these years talent was controlled by gatekeepers. With the coming of the internet and people being able to express themselves freely , the gatekeepers are replaced by platforms. It gives artists a chance to express themselves and their individuality in an untainted way. I think it means that more artists are able to take that first step and start sharing their work and their voices with the world.

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Paving WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

the path for

Change Award-winning TV personality, retail and business expert, and in-demand speaker, Kate Hardcastle has over 27 international awards to her credit. Respected globally, her projects have included the successful turnaround of ailing retail brands and shopping centres, the creation of powerful consumer brands and being a celebrated consultant to oversee business redevelopment, restructure and takeovers. Inspiring and motivating, Kate has also launched a new global sustainability platform ‘Buy Smarter Buy Greener’ where she encourages consumers to make better choices. In an exclusive interview with Aakanksha Naval-Shetye, the leading entrepreneur talks about making a difference through her work and shares an inspiring message for women

As an entrepreneur, what’s the one advice you’d give to the women out there who are looking to make a mark for themselves?

I know that it seems we live in a culture that celebrates self-promotion and celebrities, but that is not how I have achieved success and I can only talk from experience. I’ve spent many years learning my craft and I see knowledge as a constant opportunity – so to me becoming an expert, indeed the go-to expert in your field and driving excellence through all you do is the most credible way to make a mark. Much of that will come down to putting in the time and passion to know your field – I’ve had to learn how to keep informed and up to date with international business markets, seven days a week whilst also ensuring I am ‘present’ as a parent, friend and partner. I do think though that entrepreneurs need to work on the packaging of results and the impact those results have had.

What would you define as success, especially as women are judged on more parameters than the men are?

Success for people can mean a multitude of measures, and it’s true for me too. My most important measure on everything is – can I put my head down on a night and feel okay with the way in which I have acted and how I have supported others. It is so important that we can live with ourselves, and find happiness in our soul. It has taken me a long time to speak ‘nicely’ to myself and try and feel at peace with what I have achieved and the person I am now in mid-life.

I have often taken a ‘long road’ to things forcing myself to study more and at times stepped away from an opportunity because I didn’t believe in myself. So success starts with believing in you – honestly. I am always fascinated and excited at the idea of working with experts as there is always more to learn. As an organization that gives back 20 per cent of our collective time back to start-ups and community projects. We focus time into the investment of others, as we know this is the right thing to do. We may miss out on some of the things that business traditionally sees as ‘success’

but I truly believe when we see the organizations we support as part of our giveback succeed and thrive – that is the greatest feeling of achievement.

What’s been your mantra for success?

Passion, persuasion, persistence, patience.

Is there a golden thumb rule you follow as a professional and personally too?

Social media can often enable all of us to feel that life is to be lead through the lens of a filter – and we must see success through the places we holiday and the clothes we wear – but that, I am certain, is not what you will reflect back on and will bring you joy. I want to ensure that I am authentic every day. It is important to me for my children to see a real me all of the time. It is vital that my colleagues and clients see me that way too. So I want to make sure that I am respectful and authentic in all I do. And my rules of thumb – don’t knock anyone on the way up the ladder – help him or her up with you!

Who have been the women you’ve been inspired by?

I am genuinely honored and inspired to have met and spent time with real heroes – women who have excelled in their field and are true to themselves – Dame Anita Roddick, Dolly Parton,

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No matter how many brick walls I have faced as an adult, it is the childhood spirit of ‘I can find a way’ that drives me.

Hannah Cockfroft OBE as examples. I am honestly also inspired by women whose names may not be known to all but their actions make a great impact to the next generation. For eight years I dedicated a lot of my time organizing events for the progress for women and girls in sports and became an advocate in ensuring more women working in this field gained support, sponsorship and awareness. Every girl should be given the opportunity to get involved with movement and activity – whichever they choose and find an interest in without economic barriers getting in the way. Creating a platform for some of the women who have dedicated their lives to grass-roots sports for girls to tell their stories and find partnerships and sponsorship is something I am proud I have enabled.

What’ve been the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome?

I’ve faced inappropriate behavior and prejudice in my career from significant senior individuals. When I began my career in television, I was also quite overwhelmed with the amount of harassment and bullying I experienced – the way I looked, spoke and thought. Like most of us, I have also faced my own personal challenges and life-changing events. But the thing that drives me is the determination and resilience of my younger self. My childhood was a loving one but was not an easy one and certainly financially impacted. I had a hunger to learn and a tenacity to find answers and solutions. No matter how many brick walls I have faced as an adult, it is the childhood spirit of ‘I can find a way’ that drives me.

Has there been a shift in the way women in business are perceived today as against a decade ago?

Yes, I believe I am living through one of the biggest

periods of change in businesses for the right reasons.

Organizations have to understand that stakeholders, customers and communities expect and want them to be accountable and to drive lasting change. Women are still not paid equally in a lot of environments, we still don’t have enough seats at the table in the boardroom, and there is much work left to do. I understand that my working lifetime will be as the baton carrier of a relay race that we are not yet near the finish line. I may not fully enjoy the taste of victory in my working life, but I know I can look my children and their children in the eyes and know that I did everything I could to make the change we needed to see.

What’s the secret to your confidence?

When I see women who are deemed to have success in their careers admit they don’t actually have the confidence they seem to have, I wonder how many people believe them. If I say that I battle with my confidence most days it seems to be at a juxtaposition to the fact I speak on stages in huge auditoriums, or appear on television globally in front of millions of viewers. But I can tell you what I do to work on that each day. I research, I fact-check and I work hard on every appearance, I prepare and I diligently put the hours in because ‘winging it’ does not fill me with confidence.

A message you have for women?

Make a pledge to make a difference to another woman.

Celebrate her. Champion her. Cheerleader her. The more we do this, the more the effect will continue. It is so much easier to champion another than even to begin to know how to celebrate oneself.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

I

nfluencing

dreams!

From engineering to becoming one of the most influential food and lifestyle bloggers in Dubai, for Naomi D’Souza it has all been about pursuing what she feels passionately about. In an exclusive interview with Aakanksha Naval-Shetye, the influencer talks about what keeps her ahead of the curve, shares tips for aspiring bloggers and also reveals her big business plans to the way women think, and the confidence they have in themselves.

From being an engineer to becoming one of the most influential food and lifestyle bloggers in Dubai, how did the switch come about?

It was never really a switch! I was passionate about engineering, Tech, as well as blogging. It all started with my undying love for desserts.

After I got my driving license in university, I started scouting for unique desserts in town, while pursuing my bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. Back then, blogging wasn’t a thing in Dubai. I posted everything I ate to my Instagram account, similar to how people post their vacation pictures on Facebook. Quickly, the personal interest and fun in blogging expanded when my number of followers began to increase.

I believe each of us needs to have

something outside of work to help us de-stress. Mine is blogging, and I continue being a lifestyle content creator. It helps me relax and rejuvenate.

What has been your biggest strength as an influencer?

Initially it was all about food, but I realized very quickly that I am way more than that. There are many topics I believe in and sticking just to food was a road-block. When the content started to diversify, I found that my audience actually try what I eat, buy, and use and I realized I had a great responsibility in this social place. Additionally, I’m constantly supporting issues that women go through, from inequality, to injustice. Speaking of this constantly on my page, I personally feel, it has brought a lot of change

What are the challenges of being in such a fastpaced social media sector?

Social media will forever evolve.

There is never going to be an end to it.

The way you approach this evolution matters at the end of the day.

We all know this phrase ‘Early Bird Gets the Tweet’. But you don’t need to exhaust yourself by being part of every single social media trend. Don’t just do things because you want to get the reach, shares, likes and comments.

Acting wisely matters.

Also no matter what you do, being in a public forum, there will always be people who will judge your actions and point of view. A better way to say it is there will be HATE no matter what you do. Dealing with these challenges is an on-going learning experience.

How do you manage to keep yourself inspired and avoid burnout?

If you don’t have passion for the things you do, you will never be able to do them. It’s that simple.

I considered blogging as a passion when I was working. It helped me keep my creative juices flowing and brought me joy. It’s very similar to how you treat your staycations and lifestyle activities. It rejuvenates the mind.

The key is to RELAX, if you have a creative block, the only way you can come out of it is by being out of it for a few days. Have a content calendar, write down all your ideas, always stay up-to-date with trends, and change your strategies every few months.

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What do you think is the best and worst thing about being an influencer?

Being an influencer comes with perks like complimentary services you review, free food, and media exposure.

The huge cons are being judged for whatever you upload, burning out multiple times a month, subconsciously always being occupied with thinking of what content to create next. Also if you do professional shoot the equipment costs are very high, staying up to trends, and for me personally, not keeping up with my mental health.

How do you keep up with the global trends and keep yourself updated?

The only two ways this can be done is through social media, or creating some yourself! TikTok, and Instagram are the most helpful tools to inspire me with new content. Search hashtags, look for popular videos that have millions of views, and go through your explore page.

How do you define women empowerment?

For me, it’s simply EQUALITY. Equal pay, the same rights, and the same opportunities, as given to men, plus, not being treated inferior in an industry where men are prevalent. When I got my black belt in Karate, and my Mechanical Engineering degree, I was

I’m glad that globally women’s voices are now being heard and the STEM field is very welcoming to female talent. always treated inferior for being in those fields and also laughed upon. I’m glad that globally women’s voices are now being heard and the STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) field is very welcoming to female talent.

What makes you different from all the other creators in the country?

Every content creator is unique in their own way. Personally, I’ve tried to pave a unique path myself. I believe My content = My personality. The organic nature and authenticity is portrayed in every post and story I share. It’s not restrictive to one theme.

There is food, inspiration on multitasking, supporting causes that are personal to me, there are life hacks that will really help you, best and affordable buys, plus a lot of family content that is pretty wholesome!

Who have been your role models?

My mom any day. I don’t really idolize an influencer, a celebrity, or politicians. My mother has been the reason I am where I am today. She has achieved a lot in her life herself, I’ve seen her work really hard and multitask with kids, plus her job as well. I think subconsciously that has been engraved in me.

Any tips for aspiring influencers?

• Select your niche – even before you start a blog, understanding the market is quite crucial.

• Blog about things you LOVE from the bottom of your heart.

The passion you have for the things you love will motivate you and allow you to be consistent with creating content.

•Make sure you create content that stands out.

•Lastly, BE YOU! Your blog should be able to represent you.

Viewers today appreciate authenticity. The more authentic you are, the more it will work in your favour What’s next for you?

Having worked as a creative digital consultant in the tech industry and an influencer in the media industry, I have always dreamed of running a business. My next BIG project is my business, xNDigitize. It is the perfect collision of two jobs I love the most, merging the processes companies have and the content the media industry produces.

What motivated you to start xND? For six years, I have wanted to start something of my own.

But I decided what I wanted to do a year-and-a-half back and solidified it all in the last five months. xNDigitize, started in May 2022, in a nutshell, will be a digital, creative and social media consultancy. My aim with xND is to be a toolkit for brands to speak to the world. As for what motivated me, I want to be a part of the market. I want to create more job opportunities. I want to help brands. I want to make a difference in our world.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

The Magic of

Good Hair!

International celebrity hair artiste Maggie Semaan has a base in Dubai now. The Lebanese Canadian feels grateful that her passion and profession is one. Manju Ramanan chats up with her “I am lucky and blessed to have found a passion that is a profession too. As a child, growing up in Montreal- Canada, I would do my friend’s hair and would experiment a lot with hairstyles. If there was a new blow dryer in town, I would have to try it on my hair, no matter how late it got in the day. I just had to wash my hair and use it on me. So, without really realizing it, I was pulled into the direction,” says Maggie Semaan who was the official hair dresser for the Dubai Fashion Week.

None of her family members are into the hair business but Maggie followed her passion that took her to great heights. “People usually get into hair and makeup. I didn’t want to distract myself with make up too and focused on hair only. Hair can make or break your day,” she adds. Also, hair keeps her so busy – she is always in between competitions, building teams, travelling for shows, that she cannot fit anything there.

How do you identify good hair? “Good hair is bouncy, shiny, soft and flexible,” she states. A lot depends on the products you use – that includes shampoo, styling gels, the way you tie your hair, washing it and even the way you sleep. Unhealthy hair is streaked, has split ends is dry and brittle.

Maggie is thrilled that people do look after their hair and ensure that they use good colour for their hair because it can make or break the hair. “The quality of colour you use on your hair is important. Good colour doesn’t damage your as much as salt water, chlorine, flat irons or some shampoos do. You can see platinum blonde girls with good hair because they look after it.”

What are the trends of 2022 when it comes to hair?

The style for 2022 is no hairstyle in particular but is natural and effortless. You have to style it without being too done up. In terms of colouring, it is creating contouring with lighter pieces around the face and tips and darker on the top. From Balayage where highlights are hand-painted or “swept” on the surface of random sections of hair with dyes or lightener usually painted on, starting midshaft and becoming denser as it moves down the section of hair to the ends, the trend moves to foliage – a lightening technique where the painted pieces are placed in

a foil for the ultimate hair lift. This technique creates the ultimate vibrant strands of color.

And what about oiling hair. “Many cultures including India oil their hair. While it adds in hydrating the hair, damaged hair needs more than oils to fix it.”

The latest celebrity Maggie worked with, was Nicole Scherzinger and Maggie helped create two looks for the singer – one was a wavy number and the other one, a high pony tail. She also touched up for Eva Longoria and worked with supermodel Celina Shayk. Since her Dubai sojourn, she has worked with Arab celebrities and influencers such as Mohammed Ramadan and Mohammed Hamaki and some Bollywood stars. “I was part of the Arab Fashion week and worked on a few Bollywood celebrities who were part of the event. Looking forward to working more with them since they visit Dubai often,” she adds.

With a celebrity studio in Dubai and a salon in Montreal, Maggie plans to expand her brand with another salon in Dubai.

“There is never a dull moment in Dubai,” she adds. We agree!

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Brain Mapping for future career choices Dr Alka Kalra Academic Director, Eduscan group, is a psychologist, life coach, motivational speaker, special educator and an expert in Dermatoglyphics – a unique test that maps your brain to discover your inner aptitude. An educationist, she is constantly in the pursuit of bettering the world to make it a better place to live in. Manju Ramanan chats up with Alka Kalra.

“I have been into the field of education forever. I am born of two educationists. My father - the Vice Chancellor of a university and my mother - a professor of English literature. I grew up in university campuses,” she says.

Being an active part of NCC (National Cadet Corps), got her into an exchange programme to Canada in the second year of university. It is there , while working with a psychologist she took to this subject with great enthusiasm.” Later, she taught in the same school she graduated in and one of her well-known students was Priyanka Gandhi, the grand-daughter of the then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi.

About her tryst with psychology, she states that it all began when she joined NCC (National Cadet Corps) while in the second year of college at Delhi University.

There she won the All India Best Cadet ‘Gold Medal’ by Prime Minister of India Late Indira Gandhi and was sent to Vancouver as an exchange student. “In my family, my older brother had taken up medicine and my younger brother went into engineering. My parents were keen that I take up the field of academics and enrolled into a Mathematics major course.” “During the exchange programme, on total government expense, we were sent to Canada.

As part of the course, we had to work there and I got the opportunity to work with Martha Stentin, a young psychologist. She taught me the A,B and C of psychology.”

Stentin kindled Kalra’s interest in psychology so much

that during the time she was there, she would forefiet her weekend hikes with her friends and join her in trips to old age home and special needs centres. Then, there was no looking back. Kalra returned home to start her passion and her career in psychology. She was soon married and her husband, a Chartered Accountant was posted in Saudi Arabia and the couple decided to set base in Abu Dhabi. “I picked up a vacancy in Indian High School in Abu Dhabi. At that time there were no big governing educational bodies such as KHDA or ADEC. There was little knowledge on counselling and addressing special needs.”

One day a child came to her room with her hand burnt and that moved Kalra to tears. Her mother had just attended the parents- teacher’s meet and was so furious at her low score that she burnt her hand. The child was devastated. She thought she was mad, couldn’t match up to her sibling and felt inadequate always. I even called my father to discuss this with him. Not everyone is academically inclined, some are great at music or dancer or sketching or painting – do you discard them for being academically a bit slower than some.

Kalra, who is a behaviour modification expert works with children on how to decrease unwanted behaviour and increase wanted behavior using dermatoglyphic, a unique brain mapping system. Her home turned office is also home to her students with special needs, who at the time of this interview were excited to be part of their annual sport’s day.

She chats and jokes with each of them and they engulf her with their warmth and love.

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A Voice for Homepreneurs Reema Mahajan Founder Indian Women in Dubai (IWD) Reema is the voice of the homepreneurs, women who don’t have too many opportunities to market themselves. “My girls say that they are more confident today and that is so gratifying,” adds Reema.

At one of her sessions, Reema met Ms Shabnam Kassam who is the founder of the Danube Welfare Centre where she was the Chief Guest and offered one of her offices to Reema to conduct her next event. The International Women’s Day event will be held in one of Danube Property offices now.

Reema is happy at the career she has stumbled upon because it reaches out to women who empower each other. Recently she conducted an IWD awards show felicitating 30 categories of women achievers. “These are women who have never been awarded before,” she adds, as she plans chapter 2 of the IWD awards.

With an IIT and IIM degree under her belt and a corporate career in London for over 14 years, Reema Mahajan decided to venture into something totally different. She started a group called the Indian Women in Dubai. A group of close to 40,000 Indian women from Dubai who are largely homepreneurs are members of IWD. Reema gives them a platform to network and promotes them through her events, mentors and leads the pack to success.

“The community group started as women for making friends. I moved to Dubai from London.

There I had a good circle and when I landed here in Dubai, most people I know, were busy with their own lives. So, I built a community of women. I had had a corporate career for 14 years of my life. I am a management consultant and during the pandemic, I had a lot of time. We did zoom sessions with ladies who were working from home. We started with health and fitness and moved on to more.

The group calls themselves, “the google of Dubai,” and have grown massively. “We organize small business meet ups and promote the women who take part in them.” In fact, IWD had a small meet of 50 entrepreneurs at the Indian pavilion at the Expo Dubai 2020. “It was very gratifying to see four of our members onstage speaking in front of the Consulate General of India and narrate their stories.”

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

I

am

my

own boss!

Her positive energy will touch your soul from the moment she greets you at her health center. Asma Lootah, the founder and owner of The Hundred Wellness Center. started her career in Etisalat, but decided to be her own boss and starts her own business in the world of fitness and awareness. Hanan Yehia in a tete-atete with Asma Lootah.

Why did you choose Pilates? Wasn’t it difficult as it’s not a known sport in the UAE? Well, I’ve studied in the USA and graduated in 2002. When I came back to UAE, I had re-entry shock and didn’t know what should I exactly do. As a young graduate, I was eager to do something, since my father whole heartedly supports a working woman. When I was getting into depression, my sister suggested the Pilates, and I’ve enjoyed it a lot. Any type of sport can boost your mood, and when you surround yourself with people who have a healthy lifestyle, that encourages you to look forward to work out, eventually, you will find yourself feeling better.

What is your motto in life?

When there is a will, there is a way. My aim has nothing to do with being the first Emirati woman to open a Pilates center, my aim is to motivate and to inspire. I want to see a change in people’s lifestyle and push them to be healthier and fitter. I believe that trust is built in small moment. It’s like adding a marble to your jar every moment.

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The same case with healthy habits. Try to learn and adapt a healthy habit at every chance you get.

Your achievements are great whether work wise or sport wise. How you kept yourself motivated?

I get motivated by reminding myself why I’ve started. I work out three times a week and always try anything new that has to do with sports and health.

Are we now in a stage that we can say men and women are 100% equal?

It is a topic that has no end. Each one sees equality from his or her own perspective. I don’t believe that there is one right answer.

I believe that we shouldn’t look for equality, but actually follow what our religion says.

For me my religion is not only a religion, but it’s a lifestyle. If every man and woman follows what they really should do, we will find the balance and the equality that we’ve been looking for since decades. At the end, my opinion is based on my owe perception and experience.

Why did you name your center “The Hundred”?

I was speaking to my friend, and suddenly it struck me that I will name it “The Hundred”. It’s a type of Pilates the concentrates on inhaling and exhaling 100 breath.

What is your definition of happiness?

To be satisfied. Sometimes life will throw a curve ball at you and all what we have to do is hit it back. And to keep yourself happy, you should set your boundaries and remind yourself how blessed you are.

I get motivated by reminding myself why I’ve started.

How did the mental health awareness affect the Arabic society?

I believe that this started because of the pandemic, and being associated with a life coach became a trend. But let’s look at it in a positive way and spread awareness. When we get our hand broken, we can see and feel, but if we are suffering from something internal, we can’t see it, and we would discover it only through awareness.

Who is your inspiration in the fitness field?

I don’t have any inspiration in the fitness field particularly. But, I love Oprah Winefry, I love her wisdom and we share the same sun sign. (laughs)

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Queen’s Gambit

The

She is the football player who broke the Guinness World Record for the most hotstepper ball control in one minute. Areej Al Hammadi, is an Emirati football player, who paves the way for the girls who dream to reach the national football team. Hanan Yehia Mulazem in a fun conversation with the lady who changed minds and broke barriers.

When did you realize that you want to be a football player?

Well, it started as a hobby. Everyone at my home used to watch football world cup matches. I remember that after every match, we used to play together and have our own football game. And to be honest, I think it started from there - games and matches with my brothers.

Why football but not any other sport?

Back then, there was no women’s football team, and to think that a little girl fell in love with a sport that didn’t even exist for women.

It’s exciting! It existed in Europe and USA, but not in the Middle Eastern region. The women

in the Arab World were not really involved in this sport. You have to have a strong passion, to be able to be a part of such sport in the Middle East. There is something magical about football that tickles my senses every time I play it or watch it. I remember, in our old neighborhood, in order to play this game, all we needed was a ball and a pair of shoes to mark the goal area!

How did you pursue your passion for this sport?

I am the only girl in the family, so I used to play football with my brothers and my cousins.

When I started college, I was finally able to find a team that I could join and play with.

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During school days, I tried a lot to find a team and I surfed the internet every day searching for a football academy or a football team that I can join, but couldn’t find any team. In 2015, I had my own team and took a part in a competition that was held on 8th March celebrating Int. Women’s Day. This competition was my key to reach the national team.

Before joining the national team, they asked me if I was Emirati, and this is the question that I get asked the most!

The National Team was getting prepared for a competition that was organized in Cyprus for all the National Teams and they asked me to join them. In a heartbeat, I said yes! We started training twice a day and traveled a lot!

Was your family supportive?

During that time, I was married, so it was way easier! My husband has supported me a lot because he shares the same passion that I have. He was proud and kept reminding me that I have to change my lifestyle, to work out, and keep an eye on what type of food I am consuming. For me, it was like a dream coming true. This was my beginning with the National Team, and then I joined Al Wahda Team and currently, I am with La Liga HPC football team.

Football is a male-dominated sport; did that affect your opportunities?

For men, it’s easier I guess, but it’s difficult for them to reach the National team. I remember the time I got my first football shoes, as I used to play either

P

eople describe football as a manly and tough game, but they forget that in the end it’s a sport that brings about a healthy lifestyle. ”

barefoot or wearing a regular shoe. Earlier, gifting a kid a football shoes wasn’t that great idea.

What about the Guinness World Record that you broke?

It was during the pandemic. Everything paused, and there were no matches to play or to watch. I grew up reading Guinness World Record, and thought why not? I was fascinated with the idea of having a world record being listed under my name.

I started my research, to find something that has to do with football. Through this, the world will recognize the UAE women’s football team. When you read Areej Al Hammadi’s name in the book, you will come to know that there are so many other talents in the region. Most of the records that I’ve found were under freestyling football, and I am not a freestyler! I found the hotstepper trick, which is like pouncing a basketball but with your foot. It’s an easy trick, but doing it for a minute is definitely not a piece of cake. I practiced for three weeks and filmed myself to make sure that I am doing it right. I created my own team to provide all evidence asked by the Guinness team. I believe that our main goal as female athletes is to normalize the idea of women breaking world records and winning in sports that were played by men only. I waited 15 years to play with a team, and it requires a lot of patience to break the barriers and change mindsets.

Any family member plays football professionally?

No, no one from my family plays football professionally. Growing up no one supported me, to be honest. I had posters of my favorite teams in my room, and my brothers were questioning that saying “why do you have these posters” or “it’s for boys” or “why don’t you choose something for girls”. And I wondered why I can’t love football? I mean, I can wear heels and kick a football at the same time.

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The Voice of the

The Voiceless!

Through her music, she rapped a song that no one dared to express! She is fearless, fierce and modest! Neelam Hakeem was born in Seattle, Washington. She is a medical analyst turned rapper, mother, and advocate of women’s rights. Hanan Yehia Mulazem speaks to the hijabi rapper who changed the game and aced it.

How did you enter the world of rapping?

I wasn’t really into music as far as becoming a musician but I always had the mindset that if I put my mind to it I can do it. I was always assisting my husband who was running his own production companies and producing projects and he is the one who noticed my potential as an artist. He pointed out my work ethic, talent, and literally told me that our culture needed my voice and perspective.

I thought he was crazy (laughs). but the amount of people that continued to reach out to me via social media and in the streets thanking me for helping them with pain and other things going on in their life really begin to wake me up.

I found my purpose! I found my voice! Being a voice for the voiceless. At the same time my decision to wear a hijab and represent modest fashion became my armor forcing others to focus on my intellect and message instead of focusing on the over bearing sexual power of a women’s anatomy. Taking care of my mother who has Multiple Sclerosis and has lost 70 percent of her body function has been one of the hugest trials in my life.

It also is one of my greatest reminders that everyone is going through something so be patient and tolerant.

My new project has a song on it called “A sound that I Need” which is literally me encouraging listeners to breathe. I’m human! My goal is to push a message that is beneficial to humans and everything we depend on like our planet. That also means holding humans accountable for injustices done to other humans. As an independent artist I am also an entrepreneur. My husband and I move like a system with our businesses.

What are the challenges that you’ve faced?

It’s definitely challenging to make a lane for yourself that doesn’t really exist. To be one of the only ones of your kind in an industry that is oversaturated with people who are not like you

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naturally brings about a struggle.

However, when you focus on your goal and you are persistent and consistent you don’t give up.

How do you fit Hijabi rapper in a genre this bold?

It’s actually been quite an amazing experience being a Hijab Rapper in the industry that is not very excepting of a woman like me. I have been pleasantly surprised by the response from people from all walks of life who not only accept me but thank me for being who I am. I think it’s a beautiful thing that I can be my authentic self and receive accolades from people from different backgrounds.

Who is your inspiration?

My inspiration is honestly any woman or girl who doesn’t feel included in the “main stream” but continues to be her authentic self regardless and can care less about what’s trending. Also, the endless number of messages I get from people who tell me I’ve touched their lives. There’s nothing more inspirational than these messages.

What is the message that you are sending to the world through your songs?

It’s extremely important in my opinion for music to reflect the times we are in so I always strive to have something relevant to what’s going on in the world.

Also, the message that I’m pushing is that women are dynamic and they don’t have to be portrayed in one way just for the gain of big conglomerates who make money off of our ignorance. My messages that we are free to do what we want, our power lies within us and we don’t need to look at anyone to do it for us what we can do for ourselves.

Tell us about your upcoming plans?

My new EP Anomalous drops on March 18 and I’m excited.

I’m looking forward to dropping visuals and performing across the country in the world. I plan to continue to be myself and push my authenticity to the world.

What is the memory that you will never forget?

One memory that is very prominent to me in my career was the very first time I put out my first rap piece. I was very fearful on how people would respond and I was scared about what they would think

because I’ve never done anything like that before. I asked myself if I stood by the message and the answer was “yes”. I went ahead and posted it and it went viral and that was the beginning of my career.

It showed me that fear is just false evidence appearing real and if you get past that you can do anything.

Your modest style is breathtaking, what is the main thing that should exist in each and every outfit of yours?

The main thing that should exist in each and every outfit of mine for me is a dope head wrap or head covering that not only expresses my style but my faith.

In the future if there’s a Hijabi who would like to rap I would hope that I was instrumental in paving the way for her to do whatever she wants. I want to see a Hijabi in every field because we can do anything we want and you can’t be what you can’t see so we definitely need to see more Hijabis being great at whatever they do all over the world.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

I am a

Sports Journalist because the field is male-domnated

says

Ridhima Pathak Sports Journalist Complete the sentences...

I became a sports presenter because I saw an opportunity not explored by many women.

I wanted to be a storyteller, bring out stories that inspired and moved people. The struggles athletes go through resonates with masses and they needed to be told.

I needed to be inspired and motivated. “The people you spend time with can influence your attitude, thoughts and success more than you think”.- Germany Kent I’ve had the opportunity to interact with and spend time with some of the most recognised athletes in the world Virat kohli, dutee Chand, Neeraj Chopra, Hima das, smriti mandhana, Viv Richards etc. I am surrounded by people who set very high standards and that inspires me.

It was important for me to explore many sports so that I had a lot of knowledge about this industry. The plethora of sports that I’ve hosted has introduced me to a variety of perspectives to life, sports is about using a certain skill to it’s utmost potential, it has introduced me to what you become if you explore and then explode each of these skill sets.

Being a sports presenter requires a lot of homework to be done. I am an engineer(topper of pune university 2012) blessed with oratory skills. sports presenting was the perfect amalgamation of academia and broadcasting for me.

I became a sports journalist to be able to change this field from a male dominated sphere as a benchmark of equality and then change the world. sports is where change begins ..

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

You must be your first Cheerleader!

She doesn’t believe in beauty standards, and what makes a difference is how hard you work. The Egyptian lifestyle influencer, Logina Salah who proved with her unique skin that the sky is the limit speaks to Hanan Yehia about how she keeps herself motivated, credible, and that the “Fake it till you make it” concept doesn’t always work!

What is the secret behind your positive energy?

I’ve always said that positivity, self-confidence, and self-esteem are things that won’t come overnight, you earn them little by little. During my childhood, I’ve struggled a lot, because of the difference that I have. I learned how to truly love myself over the years. I spent 15 years to reach the self-confidence that I’ve today. I can literally say that now I am comfortable in my own skin. I share experiences with people because I believe that when you share your experience you spread 64 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST March 2022

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awareness. And this is what really keeps me positive, and this is what makes me fall in love with life.

What is the best way to gain selfconfidence?

There is no magical recipe for happiness or self-confidence or any other achievement. I believe in the idea of trial and error. You must try and fail, till you achieve your goal.

Some days, we wake up with no energy to do anything. What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

True, this really happens. But I motivate myself by reminding myself of my achievements and my dreams. The things that I’ve prayed for, and today it’s reality.

Every day you have to try, every day you have to build your selfconfidence. I always tell people to appreciate the baby steps that they take in their daily life.

Everyone concentrates on the results and forgets the process.

You have to award yourself for every baby step you take towards your dream. And remember that you must be your first cheerleader!

In a world where advertising is stronger than credibility. What’s your advice for any girl before purchasing a product?

Credibility is something that you build with time. For example, if there is an influencer who recommended a product, but it ended up being absolutely the opposite. I will never believe her again! Some influencers care about their credibility and their image more than anything else.

Personally, there are people that I believe, and there are people that I don’t trust at all!

stressing them out for making beauty a challenge to achieve.

When we encouraged ourselves to say “this is me, and I love it”, we all have changed the beauty standards together. Flaws are beautiful!

Do you believe in the “Fake it till you make it” concept?

It depends on what you are faking. Few things how much you try, you will never be able to fake it. I am against the concept of faking things in you to impress others, however, I support the idea of faking your mood! For instance, if I am in a bad mood, I will fake my good mood, and do whatever possible to lift myself up. Remember this tip, Never wait for anyone to make you feel better, you should be yourself number one motivator. Yes, you might find someone who will help for an hour, a day, a week maybe, but no one will help you forever.

I fake till I make it when I am depressed.

whatever I want and wear what I ever want. I need no one’s approval”. So, you will see the beauty of their spirit reflecting on them.

If you go back with the clock, what is the thing that you would love to change?

If I have the power to go back the clock I would change nothing! I love the person I’ve become over the years. I love the flaws that taught me the right. My mistakes showed me how to get things done correctly.

You always start from experience.

Flaws are beautiful

How do you define beauty?

For me, beauty is selfconfidence. You might see a girl who literally has everything mentioned in the “beauty standards” law, but still, she doesn’t have enough self-confidence. Like if she is looking at everyone, waiting for their approval on her!

Meanwhile, someone else enters a room and owns it with her self-confidence! A person that carries “I don’t care, I do

Has the perspective on beauty changed over the years?

I truly believe that the people who started the concept of “beauty standards” are those who own the fashion world.

These people have inserted the idea of a woman should be of a particular height and weight so they fit their own designs! I don’t put beauty standards into consideration, because those who decided on them, were normal people just like me and you. Everyone sees beauty in her own way. If you compare past and now, you will notice that the beauty standards have changed a lot! Global brands started choosing people with “no beauty standards” because everyone is March 2022 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 65

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

In Tune with the World Shobana Chandramohan Host & Singer Host and singer Shobana Chandramohan tells us how important is it to follow your passion but need to stay relevant while constantly updating and upgrading yourself. that I got married and moved to Dubai. I was working as an engineer and doing my weekend music gigs performing at various events and functions. My husband Chandramohan who is CA and Banker by profession, also loves to sing and play music so I had his full support to pursue my singing career.

Then Zee TV Sare Gama happened – which was a huge moment in my life. I was in the top 5 and represented Dubai on the international stage. It was around the same time Dubai was really exploding with TV and Radio channels opening up and even the local entertainment scene was picking up. That was the time I decided to take up singing as my full-time profession. I recorded a cover album called TRIVIVAL – released by Radio Asia and Audio Asia. I was getting invited to perform with legends like SPB and Yesudas, and I also got an offer to host a Live TV Talk show. Soon after that I was also hosting my own breakfast show on 105.4 Radio Spice.

So, it was a really exciting time. My Talk show Khich Khich on ARY channel ran successfully for 7 years .

I worked on all the major Indian TV channels - Star Plus (Just Dance & Jhalak Dikhla ja), Zee TV (Zaika cookery show) and Sony (Boogie Woogie) and hosted talk shows, cookery shows, dance reality shows etc. So, with Radio TV stage and Studio I was basically covering all aspects of entertainment and getting some amazing experiences. I realised I am at my happiest when I am singing and entertaining so I converted my passion into my profession!

How did you discover your passion for music and make it your profession?

Music has been my love since childhood. I come from a Tamil Brahmin family – Tam Bram as they say so I grew up with music as part of my upbringing. I trained in Carnatic classical music initially and later in Hindustani classical music and also learnt the violin for 7 years. But growing up in Delhi and Bombay, I was always attracted to Bollywood songs especially Lata ji and Ashaji’s songs.

In school and college, I was always chosen to go on stage and sing – representing my school/ college at various contests. I never really had stage fright, in fact, I loved the stage and the mike. I wanted to be a playback singer for the longest time and sing for the movies but then family pressures led me to complete my studies as an Electronics engineer. Soon after

You have been an integral part of Dubai for years. How did u manage to adapt and be successful over the years?

Talking about success, when it comes to being in any field for over a long time, it is not easy to stay relevant.

You have to constantly up your game and keep it exciting for yourself and for your audience. Luckily for me the destination event scene started picking up at the right point in my career and suddenly the whole world opened up. I was spotted by the TATA group from India and with them I started travelling to so many exciting destinations, Beijing, Bangkok, Malaysia, Turkey, Singapore, Lagos, Kenya, Gambia, Cape town, Zurich, Turkey, Mauritius, Kuala Lampur etc. and even all over India. I did over 20 corporate Destination

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ourselves. So there is a lot of learning that is constantly happening - Music lessons as well Life lessons. Music is a form of meditation and I have learnt that you have to be totally focused and devoted to your craft to achieve any level of perfection.

Another big life lesson I have learnt from my music and performances is that the show must go on. Even if something goes wrong (personally or professionally) – we need to get up, dust ourselves and smile and carry on. I have had to perform at a wedding when my dad was in the ICU and again at an event 48 hours after I lost my dad because it was a very important event for the people involved. You have to carry on and that is life. So many times disasters happen at events and things fall apart , but there is no time to waste on why it happened, who is to blame. What matters is to look ahead, set things right and get going. This life lesson and attitude has been very helpful to me especially during the pandemic when nothing was going as planned. Really helped me to stay positive and carry on with my music –Just like that band playing on the Titanic !!

What plans for the future ?

meets for them in just about 2 years. Simultaneously the Destination Wedding market also opened up and I was travelling and entertaining audiences from around the world.

Understanding their sensibilities, their taste in music, their thought process, what makes them tick, etc. I have been entertaining and interacting with top Indian Businessmen both in India (Poddar’s, Modis and Mr. Hinduja), and UAE (Mr. Vasu Shroff, Mr. Rizwan Sajan, Mr. Surinder Kandhari, etc.) Political leaders, ex-presidents (APJ Abdul Kalam ji), Top cricketers (likes of Gavaskar and Imran Khan), Bollywood legends and stars (OP Nayyar ji, Anandji bhai, Parelli, Amit Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Karishma, Saif Ali Khan etc.) I was also meeting and working on stage with so many top-notch entertainers from other countries and from Bollywood as well. I have hosted Salim Sulaiman, meet brothers, Vishal Shekar, Mika Singh, Atif Aslam, Raahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali, Bappi Lahiri and the list goes on. Watching all that talent and learning so much from them, it has truly been a very exciting phase and a fantastic on the job learning experience for me.What people need is someone who can make them comfortable and take the event to the next level and make it fun and memorable.

I believe that a performance is not just about you as a performer but it is also about your audience and how you make them feel.

These are very exciting times as now social media is really opening up and you can reach a global audience from your living room. On the singing front I have done a few mashups in the past and find it very exciting to connect different songs from different eras and surprise my audience. I have a lot of ideas and I plan to regularly release new mashups on my youtube channel and my instagram. I also have plans to collaborate with artistes from different genres and bring a fresh different feel to Bollywood songs.

Another area I have been exploring is, teaching singing by simplifying it and using popular Bollywood songs to reach out to both casual and regular singers to improve their craft. Singing is a scientific process and with the right guidance, “anybody can sing”, is what I believe. I am looking at pursuing more work in that area as well.

Finally as a performer I will continue to explore new aspects and look for exciting ways to entertain my audience, bringing new and fresh elements to my shows.

As I said earlier, Life is all about change and we have to keep updating and adapting ourselves with the latest trends !!

Songs you enjoy singing and why?

As a singer, I love singing melodious and meaningful songsfrom the classics to the latest songs of today. If I have to pick my favorites then Lag ja gale, Ek pyaar ka nagma hai , Ye hai reshmi zulfen, Gali me aaj chand nikla, Deewani mastani, Moh moh ke dhaage would be some but it is a long list.

My song list is always updated with the latest hit songs and I love singing them as well. Like recently I released a Mashup of the new viral hit Sreevalli on my youtube channel - Shobana Chandramohan !!

A few months ago, on a flight back from an event, I was having fun singing some crazy kind of song and it went viral with over 1 million views on Tiktok and was even featured on Zee news, Times Now and National TV in India. So I don’t hold back and enjoy singing every kind of song because I believe koi gaana acha ya bura nahi hota - there is a time and place for every song and every song is special in its own way.

Any learnings on the way?

Oh you bet. Lots of learnings. Music is an ocean and the learning never stops. Each day we come across new songs and new singers with new styles and we have to keep updating March 2022 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 67

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Imperfectly

perfect!

Emirati artist, Mariam Abbas graduated from AUS with a degree in Visual Communication and has been working as an illustrator for over 15 years. The artist has been involved in the development of multiple local

How did you know that art is what you want to pursue?

Drawing has been a passion ever since I were very little. My mother was very encouraging, she’d motivate me to take part in different competitions and I remember winning a few! In turn, I was driven to do more.

During college, I studied Visual Communications and took several illustration courses. As a matter of fact, I always hoped for a degree in Illustration, but at the time it wasn’t available as a major in the country.

What keeps you busy beside being an artist?

I am a mom, and I consider this job to be a full time one. Being a mom is not considered a career, but it most definitely takes up your day and your night! (Laughs.)

Can you share one of your special moments with us?

A few years back, Instagram had approached me for an interview and feature for their official social media handle. I was dumbstruck when the artwork was actually featured and to their millions of followers.

What is the message that you give out with your illustrations?

When I started, there weren’t many Emirati illustrators. Not only from UAE, but from GCC in general. At the time, I remember wanting to refer to an Emirati name

brands, such as the hip local concept store Human & Beings and others. Her art pieces and works have been featured in several national and international publications. She is the first Emirati artist featured for her art on Instagram’s official account.

Additionally, her work has been exhibited in art galleries in Berlin, Milano, Brussels, and Bulgaria and local galleries such as Sikka Art, Showcase Gallery, and The Workshop. Hanan Yehia Mulazem speaks to Mariam Abbas, the artist who keeps the pencil aside and uses the ink for her art. in this field and I couldn’t recall any particular name. I felt that there was a lack of artists who are portraying the region. Our homes, our architecture, our lifestyle and our culture. Due to that, I wanted to focus more on our region aiming to portray it in the best way possible. I thought that if I start portraying the visual elements in our architecture, I will be able to share with the world the beauty that we have in the Middle East.

Does your mood affect your art?

Not at all! I just love the process of drawing. Illustrating helps me unwind. I wouldn’t say my mood affects my art but the places I go and the things I see definitely do.

Who is your favorite artist?

IIt’s the French artist Thierry Duval. He is a watercolor hyperrealist with immaculate attention to detail. The artist

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portrays cities and places day and night, perfecting every last element.

and aim high, you can learn whatever it is you put your mind to.

How do you challenge yourself?

I challenge myself by putting the pencil aside and drawing freehand with ink. I truly believe that there is no such thing as a ‘mistake’ in illustration. You could take what you might consider a mistake and add to it, transforming the ‘mistake’ into an entirely different yet surprisingly pleasing thing. The viewer won’t look for flaws but rather looks at an artwork as a whole.

What is your source of inspiration?

Well, my inspiration is architecture. I love drawing things that have depth and perspective.

The mosques in the UAE are quite diverse in design and very inspiring. My favorite mosque would be the Gargash mosque just off Umm Suqeim road in Dubai. It is one of the first mosques in the Emirates to be designed by a female architect.

What is your motivation recipe?

Be passionate about what you do, and give it your all. Always.

So, do you believe that the talents are gifted or learned?

Is there really such a thing as being ‘gifted’? You may love to draw, but not know how to begin, or which tools to buy. It’s like learning a language, can’t we learn a new language? Of course, we can. Can’t we learn a sport? Of course, we can.

You need patience to progress. If you work hard

Have you ever been through a phase where you couldn’t think of a new idea?

Yes, mental blocks aren’t fun! When I go through one, I usually take a step back and draw whatever is in front of me. I do that to avoid feeling trapped.

What is the advice that you would share through Filmfare Middle East?

Quite often I hear: ‘I can’t draw’. I wonder, have you tried? We learn as we grow, even as adults.

Drive with the right goals set definitely delivers results.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Creating her own hues!

One of UK’s leading abstract resin artists, Nat Bowen’s works are greatly coveted amongst some of the world’s most affluent art collectors and celebrities. Originally working in the fashion world, first as a designer and then a model, recent years saw Bowen transform into one of most influential artists globally. Last year saw her launch her exhibition ‘28 Fragments’ at the London Fashion Week 2021 with the world’s first ‘Artwalk’, wherein the designer showcased her artworks reimagined as wearable art and carried down the catwalk by neonclad models. This year sees Nat Bowen make her new home in Dubai, with her first show. In an exclusive interview with Aakanksha NavalShetye, the renowned artist talks about her inspirations, what make her artworks unique and also her ‘Queen of Colour’ exhibition at ME Dubai that includes her largest artwork to date, a freestanding resin piece called the ‘Chromalith’ 70 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST March 2022

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From a designer and model to now being one of the most influential artists, tell us about your journey and love for art?

I have always been a creative person, so even as a child I was always getting messy making things, painting, drawing or sewing. I did well academically at school but I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path and decided to do my degree in fashion design at the London College of Fashion. I believe a lot of my understanding of colour and texture comes from my university days where I would experiment with cloth.

After graduating, I worked as a fashion designer and then as a model where I learned a lot from working with different creative teams in the fashion world. From here I moved into the property industry working for a leading real estate developer of luxury residences where I got to see firsthand the development of some of London’s prime properties. It was when I was approaching my thirties that I realised in order to feel fulfilled in life I needed to go back to my creative roots and I made the bold decision to quit the job I was in and start painting. Not long after, the connections I had made in the property business led to me landing my first art commission for a new London development which gave me enough capital to set up a professional artist studio and everything snowballed from there.

What inspires you as an artist?

My work is all about colour and it is all around so I can draw inspiration from anywhere.

Travel has played a big part in this and I find it fascinating how colours are used in different cultures. I use Chromology, the psychology of colour, in my work and incorporate this knowledge as a way to communicate nonverbally. I like to observe how colours interact and how the combination of different hues can evoke certain emotions.

Can you tell us more about your ‘Artwalk’ and the entire concept of wearable art, how did that come about?

I’m always looking at innovative ways to reveal my new work and the playful concept of the ‘Artwalk’, an art exhibition showcased in the format of a catwalk show, was a way for me to reference my fashion roots.

What would you say sets your work apart?

From a technical perspective, the way in which I use resin is quite unique. Resin is often used as a top coat on artwork as a finish, but I paint with resin rather than pour it so I have much more control over the medium. The artworks have a painterly feel to them which isn’t often achieved with resin. I incorporate rare and precious pigments into many of the works such as the purest Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan, 4.6-billion-year-old meteorite dust from Morocco and natural earth from the volcanic region in Iceland so there are interesting stories behind the origin of the colours I use.

How do you define art and how does your art define femininity?

For me, I define art as any form of creative expression.

I don’t consciously think about femininity within my work but as my art is the expression of my emotions, the fact I am a female in society will have some impact on my personal experiences and therefore have some influence on the work.

As a woman artist, is there a different sensibility that you bring to the table and what has been your greatest strength as one?

I think the way I’ve executed myself as a businesswoman and not just as an artist has been one of my greatest strengths. How I have gone about marketing myself and the work has helped me to develop a strong brand identity where the work has become recognisable.

Are the struggles as a female artist any different from the male counterparts?

The facts show that the art world is still, like many fields, a male-dominated industry but I try not to get too caught up in focusing on the imbalance. I would rather use my energy to keep making strides forward with my work and if I can inspire other female artists to do the same along the way then this can only be a positive thing.

What’s your message for all women who choose to follow their dreams?

Have self-belief. Having this mindset is easier said than done, I’m constantly working on it, but the power of the mind is so much greater than many of us realise. I am a big believer in manifestation so trust in your abilities, set the good intentions and take positive actions towards turning your dreams into reality.

Tell us more about your move to Dubai?

An opportunity came up for me and my husband to relocate to Dubai and we felt like it was the right moment to experience living somewhere new. Dubai is a melting pot of talent and innovation so it’s an exciting place to be at the moment, especially as a creative. I love the way of life in Dubai, we live by the sea here which is quite a change to living in central London and I have the space to have my artist studio at home which gives me more freedom in how I structure my days painting. The sun shines every day so the quality of the light here is ideal for bringing the colours in my work to life.

What are your upcoming works?

I have my ‘Queen of Colour’ exhibition on show at ME Dubai until 31st March which includes my largest artwork to date, a freestanding resin piece called the ‘Chromalith’. Also part of the show is my ‘Art Car’ in collaboration with McLaren where I have created a Nat Bowen version of a McLaren Artura, a hybrid supercar taking its name from the words ‘Art’ and ‘Future’.

Who have been the strongest influences in your life?

I come from a family of creatives and my biggest influence has been my mother. I was always given the freedom as a child to express myself creatively and the nurturing of this in my younger years instilled in me the confidence to pursue a creative path as an adult.

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INTERVIEW

Coming to India was like a rebirth for me!

Giorgia Andriani moved to India a few years ago and has since become a popular name in B-Town. From music videos to movies, she has her hands full. In a candid tete-a-tete with Aakanksha Naval-Shetye, the stunning Italian model-dancer-actress talks about having an instant connect with India, her upcoming projects and reveals why boyfriend - Bollywood actor-filmmaker Arbaaz Khan - is not just her partner, but her best friend and mentor too

What do you most love about Dubai?

I really enjoy Dubai. It’s one of the best places to be at. I really enjoy the beachlife during the day, otherwise it’s a lot of shopping, working, catching up with friends You are very active on the social media…

I do it for my followers, they’re like my family. And these are people who have

been there and have been supporting me since when I had only 500 followers. So it’s my commitment to work hard in order to make them happy.

You have a busy year ahead with movies and music videos…

Yes, there are music videos.

Then there’s my film Welcome to Bajrangpur. It’s a comedy and stars Shreyas Talpade. It has a lovely message that resonates strongly with what I believe in and that is to never judge people on basis of where they come from or what caste or community they belong to. And I’m really happy to be a part of a film that has such a beautiful story to tell in the most entertaining way.

Your Hindi diction and pronunciation is very clear. Was it something you worked on regularly?

No I didn’t (laughs). To be honest, it is quite effortless because of the connection I feel with the country and with the people here. Coming to India was like a rebirth for me.

When I was in London, I worked very closely with a lot of Indians there and I just resonated really well with them. I took that as a sign that I

should visit India atleast once and see this beautiful place from close. When I came to India, I felt like a child, like I was reborn and was getting indoctrinated into the country. I learnt things organically like how a child would learn and pick up by observing around. My vocabulary has increased relatively by just listening and observing people and never hesitating to ask any word I don’t understand.

Did you always want to be an actor?

Not really. Maybe as a child, you do get attracted to it, but it fizzles out as you grow up wanting to be a dozen other things. When I was around 19, I travelled to Germany, to Spain, and then I was living in London. I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life so I was just learning other languages, getting to know about other cultures.

By the time I was 20, I decided that I wanted to be a film director. Maybe it was always at the back of my mind, but then I never had any film background, so I never thought about it till then. So when I went to London, I studied filmmaking, then started working in line production and as an AD (Assistant Director). I worked as a casting agent as well, so yes, that’s how it all started. When I came to India, I started working as an AD.

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But finding work as an AD was hard as I didn’t know anyone, so I started modelling. Slowly I started developing a passion for being in front of the camera as well. So it all started from there…

So is filmmaking still on the wish-list?

Absolutely and I definitely want to get involved in something that adds value and gives out a good message.

As a rank outsider, in a new country, a new profession… What has been the biggest challenge for you in terms of settling down into the Bollywood lifestyle?

Challenges are always there, no matter where you go. If it’s not Bollywood, it’s something else. There’s always a challenge every time you do something new in life. For me, a lot of challenges stemmed because people assumed I can’t speak Hindi because my ethnicity is not Indian. So, yes struggles are a normal thing. You have to have a lot of doors shut on your face, before you enter the right one.

Of course there’s Salman Khan who every actress wants to work with. Who else are on your wish-list of actors and filmmakers?

Of course it would be a dream for me to work with Salman. As a director, I really like Anurag Kashyap’s work, and I wish to work with him one day. He’s made Dev D which is one of my all-time favourites.

How do you reflect on your journey from Italy to Mumbai?

Coming from a small town in South Italy and finding my way to Mumbai, the one thing I have learnt is that never say never! But most importantly, the one belief I most firmly believe in is that we are very powerful as human beings. So if you think of something, you can do it and it’s just a matter of manifesting the right things in life. And also always be good to people, because when we are good and do good and have good intentions, then God rewards us.

Have you ever caught people on the wrong foot?

Yes, and I love their shocked reaction when I reply back in Hindi (laughs)! So yes that happened a lot in the beginning, not so much now.

What about dance?

I’m learning Kathak. I used to be a ballet-dancer in Italy, but Kathak is a very different dance form and it needs a lot of determination and hard work.

Do you and Arbaaz (Khan) discuss work and projects?

See Arbaaz is a really creative person and whatever he does he puts in a lot of effort and passion, a lot of experience and a whole lot of his own knowledge in it. So we do discuss, because as a couple you definitely share what we are doing and what we are up to, but we don’t interfere, because our creativity comes from different places. So we talk, exchange a lot of ideas, but our own creativity remains our own, as he has his criteria and I have mine.

Arbaaz’s personal life has always been in the limelight and surrounded by speculation. Has that put pressure on you?

Not really because when you decide to be in a certain profession, there are certain things that you want that come along and there are things that you don’t want that also come along. But its fine because when you make a decision in life, you have to be okay with all that comes along with it, the entire package. And I’m definitely okay with the package that has come along my professional choices. Definitely Arbaaz’s presence has influenced a lot especially in the way the media has perceived me for sure. There were times when I got upset too, but now I don’t. It’s all part of my profession and part of my public persona.

So is Arbaaz a best-friend kind of a partner or is he someone you look up to as a mentor?

Well he is my partner, my best friend and my mentor! For me he covers all these roles, and more than that, he’s an amazing person and very wise. So, many a times I take his advice. The decision is finally mine, but he helps me make a wise choice.

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INTERVIEW

He Knows

Your Password!

He is the Founder and CEO of Avalance Global Solutions and a wizard in technology be it cybersecurity, ethical hacking, cryptocurrency and block chain. Manju Ramanan catches up with the dynamic Manan Shah.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR INTEREST IN CYBERSECURITY AND YOUR COMPANY AVALANCE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS? At the age of 15, when most of my friends were busy playing cricket or socializing, I was busy fixing computers for my neighbors and relatives as a hobby. I was a hardware expert who hated going to school and doing regular classwork. I was a proud backbencher who was often reprimanded by the school teachers for consistently failing in all my subjects. However, the only subject that I aced in class was computer science. I spent most of my childhood staying hooked to the PC watching online videos and learning about programming languages and hacking.

In the year 2014, I stumbled upon an unusual cross-site scripting vulnerability on Go Daddy’s platform which later I helped resolve. The company even offered me a job but I wasn’t ready to accept a job. I wanted to still play the field to explore and learn more about various web vulnerabilities myself and as a hobby, I started participating in various bug bounty programs of Google, Facebook among others to test my skills. While this self-learning phase continued for a while, I was finally starting to take up freelance projects and slowly started working towards my vision to build my own brand and take it global soon after I registered Avalance Global Solutions with the help of a couple friends, who believed in my vision and were willing to support me.

YOU DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL TO PURSUE YOUR PASSION. TELL US ABOUT IT? I wasn’t the best student early in my academic career, often skipping class and failing to complete homework assignments. My parents bought a computer with the intention that it would get me to focus at school. What it ended up doing was introduce me to programming and I became obsessed with cyber security and hacking, spending entire days consuming as much video content as I could find. I focused all of my time and energy on learning as much as I could about computers — becoming a self-taught coder and hacker.

I trusted my gut instinct and followed my heart. I took a class on ethical hacking back in 2009. This was the proof I needed to justify my decision — I knew there was an opportunity for me to find success in this field, so I decided to dedicate all of my time and energy into becoming a ‘hacker’ that people would respect.

ABOUT AVALANCE: We are a pure-play Cyber Security company, providing Cyber Security platforms to enterprise and governments across the globe. Our aim is to abolish the possibility of unauthorized access to databases by classifying the weaknesses in the digital space. From preventative maintenance to customized solutions, we put our experience to work to provide you with greater operating time. We have a robust portfolio of solutions specially designed for your unique critical environment.

Avalance assures zero-day exploits, provides custom remediation.

YOU‘VE SOLVED CYBERCRIME CASES. CAN YOU ELABORATE? In the beginning, I was assisting the cyber security departments of police agencies and private organizations — but I never charged any fees for my work. I knew that if I could provide a great service and truly help my clients, that the testimonials it would generate would end up paying off

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ten-fold down the road,” says Shah.

This approach helps you build one thing — credibility.

In highly competitive industries, such as cyber security, results matter. Offering your expertise for free in the early stages allows you to remove many initial barriers you would face if you were charging a fee for your time.

TELL US ABOUT THE WEB 3.0 PLATFORM AND YOUR EXPERTISE IN STRENGTHENING ONLINE PRIVACY? Avalance Global Solutions also holds three other subsidiaries under its umbrella - namely AISOC, Zeustride and Cybirb.

AISOC aims to eliminate vulnerabilities that arise due to incorrect configurations or human error. It has been successful in optimizing security investments and lowering the risk of confidential data being leaked on public platforms.

Zeustride is focused on curbing online privacy by leveraging advanced technical solutions like Artificial Intelligence. By executing automated multi-step mitigation techniques, its specialized team of international copyright experts have eradicated the large volumes of infringing content from the webspace.

The other subsidiary, Cybirb is the leading securityfocused ranking platform to security audit, analyze and continuous monitor block chain protocols and DeFi projects.

We all have seen how technology has grown in the last few years. Web3 promises to change the facet of every sector, and I am glad that Avalance Global Solutions is enhancing it by providing security to block chain technology. Under the arm of Avalance, Cybirb will soon launch its utility token. The purpose of this company is to build security infrastructure for the block chain and cybersecurity industry.

there is also a risk: lose your password key, and you’ll never recover the contents of the wallet.

WHAT ARE YOUR VENTURES INTO CRYPTOCURRENCY AND BLOCK CHAIN ?

The world is growing more digitized than ever before, and the need to protect data has become more important than ever as well.

Cybirb Powered by Avalance, our new block chain venture is dedicated to bring more security in the overall cryptocurrency space. The purpose of the company is to build security infrastructure for the block chain and cybersecurity industry.

HOW DO YOU SEE DUBAI AS A MARKET TO EXTEND YOUR BUSINESS? Dubai plans to further cement its position as an economic, technology, innovation, and business hub. It seeks to be number one across fields, working in parallel with plans such as the UAE Centennial 2071 and various short-term goals that define targets for each industry and sector. Dubai is poised to grow, and there can be no better choice for your business.

Dubai has grown to towering heights, and the credit goes to its capable leadership. The foundation has been laid right from the very beginning to make Dubai a welcoming destination and a hub of all things global. The leadership of the Emirate continues to inspire all living and working here to do better with each passing day. Right leadership works as a reward for business, leading to human values such as sympathy, compassion, and giving.

YOU WORK CLOSELY WITH BOLLYWOOD. TELL US ABOUT YOUR ASSOCIATION? As a cyber security professional, I have helped the Bollywood film industry to prevent piracy of films.

Avalance has set up a security command center to prevent piracy of films. The company works in the Bollywood, Hollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood and Dhollywood film industry. I have received the digital legal rights of the films to stop the piracy of the film. Avalance works in tandem with Google to keep a vigil on the links that are uploaded on the platform. Our team monitors 24 hours the day the movie is released. Around 10 to 15 thousand piracy links of a movie are uploaded on various platforms.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR INITIATIVES IN THE WORLD OF VIRTUAL CURRENCY. DO YOU ADVISE PEOPLE AGAINST FAKE WALLETS? With virtual currencies, If your wallet or computer password is hacked, the risk of losing your virtual currency remains everywhere. On a number of occasions, I have tried to bring this awareness by talking about it in my interviews.

Many investors buy up a popular digital currency like Bitcoin or Ether on an exchange, only to keep the currency on that platform. Digital exchanges take their own safety precautions to prevent thefts, but they are not immune to hacks.

One of the best ways to protect your investment is to secure a wallet. There are two primary types of wallets, although new designs are coming into play all the time.

Of these two types, hardware devices are perhaps the best option.

These physical (or “cold”) wallets look like USB drives and act as a physical store for tokens or coins. Each hardware wallet is linked with a private key: a passwordlike bit of code that allows you to decrypt the wallet and access the coins or tokens that it stores. While hardware wallets are tremendously effective against digital thieves, March 2022 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 75

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Mr. Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group and Chef

Sanjeev Kapoor

The winners of the Filmfare Middle East F&B Night were announced at the dazzling event held at Estrellas Rooftop Lounge, The Canvas, M Gallery. With glitz, glam, music and an ambience to match, the night was a celebration of the best in the culinary world. Besides the finalists, in attendance at the power-packed evening were our celebrity guests, some of the most well-known names in the social media, influencers and most popular faces of the city including Founder and Chairman of Danube Group - Mr Rizwan Sajan with wife Mrs Sameera Sajan, Vice Chairman of Danube Group - Mr Anis Sajan, Guest of Honour - Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, CEO of Nutridor - Mr Sankha Biswas, Managing Director of Khamas Hospitality – Mr Pawan Kachroo, Celebrity Judges – Gaurav Tandon and Naomi D’Souza. Hosted by RJ Varun and RJ Sanchari, the event saw the finest being felicitated amidst much cheer and joie de vivre. Here’s taking a look at the winners and the highlights

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Mr. Sanjeev Kapoor and Mr. Rizwan Sajan with Mrs. Sameera Sajan

Guests at the event

Guests at the event

Ms. Simran Arora and Mr. Raunaq

Mr. Rakesh and Mr. Vivek Jha

Ms. Mun Mun Ghosh and Ms. Shraddha Barot

Guest at the event

Ms. Sherry Gupta and Mr. Dhruv Maniar March 2022 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 77

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RJ Sanchari and RJ Varun

Ms. Naomi D’Souza

Mr. Jeffy Binny, Mr. Radha Al Jaberi and Mr. Abdullah Al Jaberi

Ms.Soni Mehta with a guest

Mr. Pawan Kachroo, Mr. Rizwan Sajan, Ms. Christina Assmann, Mr. Sanjeev Kapoor, Mr. Anis Sajan, and Mr. Gaurav Tandon

Mr. Ivo Cuci and Mr. Mohammad Salam

Mr. George Peter

Guests at the event

Mr. Muhammad Junaid

Guests at the event

Mr. Roman Khan and Ms. Zoya

Guest at the event

Mr. Kapil Sonar and Ms. Arpita Soni

Mr. Kaustubh Mahajan and Ms. Gurbani Chanana

Guest at the event

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Mr. Rizwan Sajan, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and Mr. Anis Sajan

Guest at the event

RJ Sanchari and RJ Varun hosting the evening

Ms. Aakanksha Naval-Shetye and Ms. Nadia Siddiqui

Ms. Wella Manabo and Ms. Francisca Garcia

Mr. Ismai Abdulraheem, Ms.Rue Michelle and Mr. Jamil Al Hashmi

Guest at the event

Mr. Avijit Singha, Mr. Ankush Kaul and Mr. Mohak Kaul

Vivek and Tuana performing at the event

Guests at the event

Mr. Arif Bhaldar, Mr. Yaqoob Al Ali and Ms. Zoie Shaik

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EVENTS

Winners

FOOD ICON OF THE DECADE - CHEF SANJEEV KAPOOR PRESENTED BY MR. RIZWAN SAJAN, FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN OF DANUBE GROUP & MRS. SAMEERA SAJAN

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR - ABSOLUTE BARBECUES PRESENTED BY MR. RIZWAN SAJAN, FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN OF DANUBE GROUP & MRS. SAMEERA SAJAN

CHEF OF THE YEAR - CHEF SANDEEP AIL, PUNJAB GRILL DUBAI

BEST THEMED RESTAURANT - VIKING RESTAURANT

PRESENTED BY GUEST OF HONOR - CHEF SANJEEV KAPOOR

PRESENTED BY MS. SHARMINE KHAN - SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST

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BEST SUNDOWNER - MOHALLA

BEST INTERNATIONAL CUISINE - SAPORITO

PRESENTED BY MR.PANKAJ ARORA – DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF AD SALES, COLORS TV

PRESENTED BY MR. PAWAN KACHROO - MANAGING DIRECTOR, KHAMAS HOSPITALITY

BEST CASUAL DINING - PURANMAL

BEST FINE DINING RESTAURANT - FILLI SELECT

PRESENTED BY MS. MANJU RAMANAN - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST

PRESENTED BY GUEST OF HONOR - CHEF SANJEEV KAPOOR

BEST LADIES’ NIGHT OUT - HIGH NOTE POOL & SKY LOUNGE

BEST AMBIENCE - THE SHEESHA FACTORY CAFÉ

PRESENTED BY MS. SAKSHI GAUTAM AND MR. HIMANSHU CHABRIA - RADIO MIRCHI

PRESENTED BY MS. AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE - DEPUTY EDITOR, FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST

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EVENTS

BEST LOUNGE OF THE YEAR - EPITOME DUBAI

BEST MIXOLOGIST - DIALOGUE DUBAI

PRESENTED BY OUR ESTEEMED JUDGE MS. NAOMI D’SOUZA - DUBAI’S LEADING FOOD & LIFESTYLE BLOGGER

PRESENTED BY MR. ANIS SAJAN - VICE CHAIRMAN, DANUBE GROUP

BEST STAYCATION - DUKES THE PALM PRESENTED BY MR. SANKHA BISWAS - CEO, NUTRIDOR GROUP

MOST INNOVATIVE MENU - FARZI CAFE PRESENTED BY OUR ESTEEMED JUDGE MR. GAURAV TANDON - TV PERSONALITY AND FOOD CRITIC

BEST LOUNGE OF THE YEAR - HIGH NOTE POOL & SKY LOUNGE PRESENTED BY OUR ESTEEMED JUDGE MS. NAOMI D’SOUZA - DUBAI’S LEADING FOOD & LIFESTYLE BLOGGER

BEST MALL DINING - KHAU GALLI PRESENTED BY MS. HARJYOT OBEROI - MARKETING GROUP HEAD, KHALEEJ TIMES

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BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE - ESTRELLAS ROOFTOP LOUNGE PRESENTED BY MR .ISMAIL ABDULRAHEEM, DUBAI MUNICIPALITY

BEST FOOD DELIVERY - MANDARIN OAK PRESENTED BY MR. ARIF BHALDAR - HEAD OF PR, DANUBE GROUP

BEST BRUNCH - FUSION RESTAURANT - S HOTEL PRESENTED BY MR. JAMIL AL HASHMI, DUBAI MUNICIPALITY

Congratulations To All The Winners

Mr. Rizwan Sajan with Team Filmfare Middle East

Photography & Videography: Yasir Arafat,Menandro Reyes and Jafar Vettiyil

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EVENTS

What a Night

it was !

Chairman and MD of GTA and former Bollywood film producer Rajan Lall celebrated his 75th birthday in great style and panache. Moments from the evening in white!

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INTERVIEW

TGIFF

set to wow cinema-lovers at Expo 2020 Dubai!

Founder of The Great Indian Film Festival (TGIFF), producer Vevek Paul talks to Aakanksha Naval-Shetye about presenting the best talents in short films and documentary filmmaking through his unique touring Shorts & Documentary Film Festival from India that will be showcased at Expo 2020 Dubai from 7th to 9th March.

Tell us more about The Great Indian Film Festival 2022 being held at the Dubai Expo in February 2022 The Great Indian Film Festival (TGIFF) is a unique touring Shorts & Documentary Film Festival from India which travels around the world to showcase best talents in the short films and documentary filmmaking. As a mission TGIFF promises to screen short films and documentaries from around the world at the best venues across the globe. The festival is coming to Dubai this year on 7th, 8th, 9th March, where it will be showcasing some of the most amazing shorts and documentaries at the Expo 2020 in the India Pavilion as well as Terra Auditorium.

What’s the line-up?

TGIFF has a unique approach to consider every filmmaker new or old student or professional and give them the same treatment so the lineup includes Bittu which is India’s Oscar entry in the short films category from last year. We will also be showcasing a short film by the first Emirati woman producer and director Nyla Al Khaja. And amidst these grand films will be the films that have been submitted to the festival from all over the world. The line-up also has a very interesting category of Rising Stars where the festival will showcase films made by and for children. The day dedicated to children will witness children from various schools of Dubai coming and enjoying films submitted in this category from all over the world.

What sets your festival apart from the others? What’s the USP? This is a unique Shorts and Documentary Film Festival as it is a touring festival and it promises to screen short films and documentaries at the base venues of the world.

How did this unique concept come about?

This unique idea developed when my own short films were selected for awards at various short film festivals.

Post that, I started Open Frame to showcase award-winning films from all over the world at a co-working space in Gurgaon. The experience was unique as the audience got to see the films they had never seen before and also for the filmmakers, as it was a great feedback that they received from the audience. It was Open Frame that led to the launch of TGIFF where in the year 2020 the festival started receiving entries from all over the world and were showcased at India’s premium venue PVR Cinemas in September 2021.

What were the initial challenges in setting up a festival of this magnitude?

The festival is flowing pretty naturally and every year it is adding its own facets. Of course

holding an event becomes a challenging task especially in these strange times of Covid and lockdowns.

But we are happy that the preparations thankfully are happening in Dubai.

It’s pretty well-prepared to handle the current situation.

The Expo 2020 experience will be unique as we will bring our festival to the only venue in the world this unique where the world has sort of got together to celebrate and exchange cultures and ideas.

This is a great platform for talent, are you looking at having more filmmakers participate?

We have a unique way and process of film selection and we lay a great emphasis of selecting many films that can be given an opportunity of being showcased at the best venues of the world, so yes more the merrier.

What’s the vision ahead?

The vision is simple. To take the festival to a new destination every year and create this great culture exchange where filmmakers and films from all over the world are given an opportunity for a grand showcase and also mingle with the local filmmakers and cultures.

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TGIFF AD.pdf

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‫قصة الغالف‬ ‫أود فقط أن أترك الفوضى وأركز على‬ ‫الممثلين المشاركين‪.‬‬ ‫ما مدى تشابهكم أو اختالفكم عن‬ ‫بعضكم البعض؟‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬كلنا متشابهون لكننا مختلفون‪.‬‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬حس الدعابة لدينا متشابه‬ ‫جدًا‪ .‬ننجح دائ ًما في إضحاك‬ ‫بعضنا البعض‪ .‬نحب جمي ًعا التسكع‬ ‫واالستمتاع واالستماع إلى الموسيقى‪.‬‬ ‫سيدهانت‪ :‬ما أتشاركه مع دهايريا‬ ‫إنه فضولي بشأن أشياء أخرى غير‬ ‫األفالم‪ .‬لديه هدف محدد لنفسه‬ ‫وهناك عائلة تنتظر التفكير بأنه‬ ‫سيفعل شي ًئا ما‪ .‬هذا منزلي للغاية‬ ‫وشيء أجده مشاب ًها جدًا‪.‬‬ ‫دهايريا‪ :‬نفس الجذور ونفس الطموح‪.‬‬ ‫سيدهانت‪ :‬رأيت الكثير من الناس‬ ‫يخبرونه أن يعمل على عالقاته العامة‬ ‫بشكل صحيح وأن يبني عالمته‬ ‫التجارية الشخصية‪ .‬لكن هذا الولد‬ ‫بريء جدًا وال يفكر إال في فنه‬ ‫وحرفته‪ .‬إنه يحاول تصحيح األمر وال‬ ‫يهتم بالضوضاء‪.‬‬ ‫هل يمكنكم إخبارنا عن بعض تجارب‬ ‫األداء التي أجريتها و ُرفضت؟‬ ‫سيدهانت‪ :‬لقد تم رفضي في‬ ‫جميع تجارب األفالم لتي قمت‬ ‫بها قبل ‪ .Gully Boy‬لكن من‬ ‫المثير لالهتمام‪ ،‬أنني كنت أعرف‬ ‫بعض األوالد الذين كانوا يساعدون‬ ‫المخرجين‪ ،‬وأخبروني أنهم كانوا‬ ‫يعرضون اختباراتي على الممثلين‬ ‫كمرجع‪.‬‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬كانت رحلتي مختلفة بعض‬ ‫الشيء‪ .‬لقد قمت بتجربة األداء‬ ‫كعارضة أزياء ولكن ليس عندما‬ ‫أصبحت ممثلة‪ .‬في الهند‪ ،‬في ذلك‬ ‫الوقت‪ ،‬لم تكن هناك ثقافة حقيقية‬ ‫لتجارب األداء‪ .‬وبعد الظهور ألول مرة‬ ‫مع فرح خان في فيلم ‪Om Shanti‬‬ ‫‪ ،Om‬حتى لو أراد أي شخص مني‬ ‫القيام بتجربة أداء‪ ،‬فمن المحتمل أنهم‬ ‫كانوا متخوفين من السؤال‪ .‬لقد قدمت‬ ‫تجارب أداء في الغرب عدة مرات‪.‬‬ ‫هل خسرت أي شيء؟‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬بالطبع بكل تأكيد!‬

‫‪02/03/2022 11:34 PM‬‬

‫هل كُ سر قلبك؟‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬خُ يب ظني ولم يكسر قلبي‪.‬‬ ‫األشخاص الذين هم في مواقع تمكنهم‬ ‫ح ًقا من إحداث التغيير‪ ،‬يتحدثون عن‬ ‫التنوع ولكنني شخص ًيا أعتقد أنه لم‬ ‫يتم استكشافه بأقصى إمكاناته حتى‬ ‫اآلن‪.‬‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬لقد قمت بتجربة أداء لفيلم‬ ‫‪.Student of The Year‬‬ ‫بعد ذلك تم رفضي في العديد من‬ ‫األفالم وكنت حزينة بالتأكيد‪ ،‬لكن بعد‬ ‫مشاهدة األفالم‪ ،‬أدركت أن ذلك حدث‬ ‫لسبب ما‪ .‬ربما لم أكن مناسبة للدور‪.‬‬ ‫حتى بالنسبة إلى ‪Kho Gaye‬‬ ‫‪ ،Hum Kahan‬فيلمي التالي‪ ،‬كان‬ ‫علي أن أجري تجربة أداء‪ .‬كنت متوترة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫جدا بشأن ذلك‪ .‬سيدهانت حصل على‬ ‫الدور‪ ،‬ولكن أنا وأدارش جراف خضنا‬ ‫تجربة األداء ً‬ ‫أيضا‪ ،‬كان األمر أشبه‬ ‫بالقراءة بالرغم من ذلك‪ .‬ال أعرف‬ ‫ما إذا كنت ستسميها تجربة أداء‪ .‬لكن‬ ‫لم يكن لدي أي مانع ألنه ساعدني‬ ‫في معرفة ما إذا كنت سأتمكن من‬ ‫أداء الدور وما إذا كان مثي ًرا لالهتمام‬ ‫بدرجة كافية بالنسبة لي‪.‬‬ ‫دهايريا‪ :‬أتفق مع سيد في أنه في‬ ‫تلك اللحظة شعرت بالحزن ألنني‬ ‫لم أحصل على الدور‪ ،‬لكن عندما‬ ‫شاهدت تلك األفالم الح ًقا‪ ،‬كنت‬ ‫سعيدًا لعدم حصولي عليها‪.‬‬ ‫ما هي أفضل وأسوأ نصيحة حصلت‬ ‫عليها؟‬

‫سيدهانت‪ :‬أنت هنا للتمثيل واألشياء‬ ‫األخرى ثانوية‪ .‬هذه أفضل نصيحة‬ ‫قدمها عامر خان‪ .‬أسوأ نصيحة كانت‬ ‫عندما كنت أحاول الدخول إلى عالم‬ ‫األفالم‪ ،‬قال أحدهم أنه يجب عليك‬ ‫االستمرار في تجربة كل شيء‪ ،‬عندها‬ ‫فقط سيحدث شيء ما‪ .‬ال يمكنك‬ ‫فقط انتظار الفرصة أو الوقت الذي‬ ‫سيأتي‪ .‬كنت مستعدًا لالستماع إليها‬ ‫والقيام بكل ما يأتي في طريقك‪ ،‬لكن‬ ‫والدي قال إن الممثل يشبه زجاجة‬ ‫الصودا‪ .‬بمجرد إزالة الغطاء‪ ،‬تتطاير‬ ‫النكهة وال يبقى لهذه الزجاجة أي‬ ‫قيمة‪.‬‬ ‫ديبيكا‪:‬شاروخان يعطي نصائح جيدة‬ ‫وحصلت منه على الكثير‪ .‬كانت إحدى‬ ‫النصائح األكثر قيمة التي تلقيتها‬ ‫منه هي العمل دائ ًما مع األشخاص‬ ‫الذين تعرف أنك ستقضي وقتًا ممت ًعا‬ ‫معهم‪ ،‬ألنه أثناء قيامك بصنع فيلم‪،‬‬ ‫فأنت ً‬ ‫أيضا تعيش حياتك‪ ،‬وتصنع‬ ‫الذكريات وتكتسب الخبرات‪ .‬أسوأ‬ ‫نصيحة تلقيتها كانت أن أحصل على‬ ‫عملية تكبير صدر‪ .‬كان عمري ‪18‬‬ ‫عا ًما وكثي ًرا ما أتساءل كيف كانت‬ ‫لدي الحكمة لعدم أخذ األمر على‬ ‫محمل الجد‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬للناس رأي في كل شيء‪،‬‬ ‫وخاصة جسمك‪ .‬جرب هذا أو افعل‬ ‫هذا‪ ،‬الكل يفعله‪ .‬إنها أسوأ نصيحة‪.‬‬ ‫كما قيل لي أال أفعل فيلمين بدور بطولة‬ ‫لكني بدأت بفيلم ‪Student Of‬‬

‫‪ The Year 2‬ثم قمت بفيلم ‪Pati‬‬ ‫‪ .Patni Aur Woh‬هذه ليست‬ ‫فكرة في رأسي ألنني كنت سعيدًا‬ ‫جدًا بالعمل مع هؤالء األشخاص‪ .‬لقد‬ ‫أتيحت لي فرصة العمل مع موهوبات‬ ‫ونساء جميالت ولن أتخلى عن ذلك‬ ‫أبدًا‪ .‬أنا طموحة ولكني لن أحاول أن‬ ‫آخذ مكان شخص آخر‪.‬‬ ‫من الجيد أنك تحدثت عن قضية‬ ‫التنمر على الجسم ألنه سيجعل‬ ‫الفتيات األخريات يفكرن‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬الكثير من الفتيات الصغيرات‬ ‫يأخذن ديبيكا كقدوة وأفضل جزء هو‬ ‫أنها كانت حقيقية وصادقة بشأن كل‬ ‫ما فعلته‪ .‬لذلك فهي تضع التوقعات‬ ‫الصحيحة‪ .‬وبالحديث عن أفضل‬ ‫نصيحة‪ ،‬كانت تتمثل في التمسك‬ ‫باألشخاص المهمين‪ :‬مثل عائلتك‪.‬‬ ‫ابق متواضع وأحط نفسك باألشخاص‬ ‫المناسبين‪ .‬لقد رباني والداي على‬ ‫مجموعة معينة من القيم ويجب أن‬ ‫ألتزم بها وأن أمضي قد ًما‪.‬‬ ‫دهايريا‪ :‬أفضل نصيحة لي بشكل عام‬ ‫هي االعتناء بنفسي‪ .‬إذا لم أستطع‬ ‫االعتناء بنفسي‪ ،‬فأنا لست جيدًا مع‬ ‫نفسي وأي شخص آخر‪ .‬قال لي والدي‬ ‫ذلك‪ .‬األسوأ‪ ،‬عليك أن تكون ممث ً‬ ‫ال‬ ‫مشغوالً وتكون هناك‪.‬‬ ‫هل يمكنكم تلخيص شخصياتكم في‬ ‫الفيلم في كلمة واحدة؟‬ ‫سيدهانت‪ :‬شخصية غامضة‪ ،‬شاهدوا‬ ‫الفيلم الكتشافها‪.‬‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬شخصيتي في كلمة واحدة هي‬ ‫الثقة‪ .‬الثقة هي ما يميز (تيا)‪ .‬شاهد‬ ‫الفيلم ألنه فيلم صادق وحقيقي وقد‬ ‫وضعنا الكثير من الحب والعمل الجاد‬ ‫وحاولنا القيام بشيء مختلف‪.‬‬ ‫دهايريا‪ :‬صديق حقيقي‪ .‬شاهد هذا‬ ‫الفيلم ألسباب عديدة‪ .‬السبب األول‬ ‫لمشاهدتنا‪.‬‬ ‫إن قابلت شخصيتك وجها لوجه‪ ،‬ما‬ ‫هي الكلمة التي ستوجهها لها؟‬ ‫سيدهانت‪ :‬الحب يشبه المحيط‪ ،‬يجب‬ ‫عليك أن تغوص فيه‬ ‫دهايريا‪ :‬استعد وكن ممتن‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬اركضي‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬كل شيء سيكون على ما يرام‬

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‫إلى جمهور كبير وصحيح‪ .‬لقد نجحنا‬ ‫في البقاء على المنصات الرقمية‬ ‫خالل العامين الماضيين‪ .‬كان هناك‬ ‫العديد من األفالم الرائعة بما في‬ ‫ذلك السينما اإلقليمية والعالمية‪.‬‬ ‫أحب مشاهدة األفالم براحة في‬ ‫منزلي‪ ،‬لكنني ً‬ ‫أيضا أحب الذهاب إلى‬ ‫السينما‪ .‬ال أعتقد أنهم بحاجة إلى‬ ‫استبدال بعضهم البعض‪.‬‬ ‫سيدهانت‪ ،‬قدمت ‪Inside Edge‬‬ ‫على المنصات الرقمية سابقً ا‪،‬‬ ‫هل تشعر بأي اختالف على هذه‬ ‫المنصات مقارنة بين الماضي واآلن؟‬ ‫سيدهانت‪ :‬كان ذلك أكبر عرض ويب‬ ‫في ذلك الوقت وهذا هو سبب وجودي‬ ‫هنا‪ .‬ذلك العمل قدم لي فيلم ‪Gully‬‬ ‫‪ .Boy‬أعتقد أنه يعتمد ً‬ ‫أيضا على‬ ‫المحتوى والشكل‪ .‬لمشاهدة فيلم‬ ‫مثل ‪ ،Pushpa‬سأود الذهاب إلى‬ ‫السينما‪ .‬من ناحية أخرى‪ ،‬سيكون‬ ‫أداء ‪ Gehraiyaan‬جيدًا‪ ،‬سواء‬ ‫على المنصات الرقمية أو في صاالت‬ ‫السينما بسبب المحتوى القوي‪ .‬نحن‬ ‫نقدم شي ًئا جديدًا ويجب أن نشاهد‬ ‫الفيلم من أجل ذلك‪ .‬سينجح الفيلم‬ ‫بشكل جيد عبر المنصات الرقمية‪.‬‬

‫ما الذي ُيميز شاكون باترا عن باقي‬ ‫المخرجين؟‬ ‫سيدهانت‪ :‬أعتقد أن ما يميزه هو‬ ‫أن كل فيلم من أفالمه يحمل طابع‬ ‫مميز وفريد من نوعه‪ .‬أي إن ذهبت‬ ‫وشاهدت ‪ Gehraiyaan‬ثم ذهبت‬ ‫لتشاهد ‪Ek Main Aur Ekk‬‬ ‫‪ ،Tu‬ستالحظ أن الفيلمين مختلفين‬ ‫كل االختالف عن بعضهما البعض‪.‬‬ ‫‪ Kapoor & Sons‬هي دراما‬ ‫عائلية وتتحدث عن العالقات لكنها‬ ‫ال تزال مختلفة‪ .‬أعتقد أنه يعيد‬ ‫اكتشاف نفسه‪ ،‬وأعتقد أن هذا هو‬ ‫السبب في أنه يأخذ الكثير من الوقت‬ ‫بين األفالم‪.‬‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬أعتقد أن شاكون لديه الكثير‬ ‫من الفضول‪ ،‬وهذه نقطة قوته‪ .‬يريد‬ ‫أناسا جد ًدا‪ ،‬ويريد اكتشاف‬ ‫أن يعرف ً‬ ‫كل ما هو جديد وفريد من نوعه‪.‬‬ ‫أمر آخر يُميزه شجاعته‪ .‬ال يخشى‬ ‫إظهار المواقف الفوضوية والصعبة‬ ‫وتقديمها للمجتمع‪ .‬إنه فضولي‬ ‫بشأن كل شيء في الحياة وهذا مثير‬ ‫لالهتمام ألن ذلك يمكن أن يؤدي إلى‬ ‫أفكار جديدة ورائعة‪.‬‬ ‫‪Maroon Bralet: Free People‬‬ ‫)‪Skirt: Atelier Biser (Vanda Fashion Agency‬‬ ‫‪Jewellery: Misho, Shop Lune‬‬ ‫‪Earrings: Vak Jewels‬‬

‫دهايريا‪ :‬في اللحظة التي تقول فيها‬ ‫أن هذا المخرج مميز عن اآلخرين‪،‬‬ ‫فإنك تشير إلى أن اآلخرين أقل‪ .‬على‬ ‫أي حال‪ ،‬النقطة القوية لشاكون هي‬ ‫أنه متعاون ومرن للغاية‪ .‬كممثلين تتعلم‬ ‫الكثير منه بمجرد التواجد حوله‪ .‬العمل‬ ‫معه هو تجربة تعليمية‪ ،‬كما أنه يبرز‬ ‫أفضل ما فيك‪ .‬إذا اختارك فهذا يعني‬ ‫أنه يؤمن بك‪ .‬إذا كانت هناك أيام تفتقر‬ ‫فيها إلى الثقة‪ ،‬فسوف يمنحك إياها‪.‬‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬يُعلم الناس ويُحب أن يشاهدهم‬ ‫يكبرون ويتطورون‪.‬‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬كما تعلم‪ ،‬هناك فرق بين‬ ‫حب االستطالع والفضول‪ .‬شاكون‬ ‫فضولي‪ .‬عن الحياة وعن الناس وعن‬ ‫االحتماالت‪ .‬هناك الكثير الذي أود‬ ‫قوله عنه‪ ،‬لكنني سأحتفظ بذلك لوقت‬ ‫آخر‪...‬‬ ‫الموسيقى في أفالمه أصلية‪ ،‬تأخذ‬ ‫القصة إلى ُبعد آخر‪ .‬هل يمكنك‬ ‫التحدث عن األغاني الموجودة في‬ ‫الفيلم وإذا كانت هناك أي أغنية قريبة‬ ‫من شخصيتك؟‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬كما ذكرت‪ ،‬فإن معظم‬ ‫الموسيقى في الفيلم هي أداة لمواصلة‬ ‫القصة‪ .‬ال يمثل بالضرورة أي شخصية‬ ‫واحدة ولكن بالتأكيد تُلخص المشاعر‬ ‫العامة التي تعيشها الشخصية‪.‬‬

‫هل تستطيعين التحدث عن مشهد كان‬ ‫من الصعب تمثيله؟‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬هناك مشهد واحد في الفيلم‬ ‫يعرض جان ًبا من تيا لم يُشاهد من‬ ‫قبل وظللت أفكر في هذا المشهد‬ ‫مرا ًرا وتكرا ًرا‪ .‬حتى أنني قمت بوضع‬ ‫عالمة على ذلك في السيناريو الخاص‬ ‫بي ألنني كنت متوترة للغاية حيال‬ ‫ذلك‪ .‬نظ ًرا ألنه كان تقري ًبا في نهاية‬ ‫الجدول الزمني‪ ،‬اعتقدت أنه سينجح‬ ‫في النهاية‪ .‬ولكن حدث شيء ما وقرر‬ ‫شاكون تغيير الجدول الزمني والقيام‬ ‫بالمشهد في اليوم الثاني من التصوير‬ ‫عندما كنت ال أزال أحاول اكتشاف‬ ‫كيف هي شخصية تيا‪ .‬لكنني كنت‬ ‫سعيدًا بحدوث ذلك في البداية ألنه لم‬ ‫يسمح لي بممارسة الكثير من الضغط‬ ‫على نفسي أو اإلفراط في التفكير‪ .‬كل‬ ‫ما حدث جاء من الداخل‪ .‬هذا التغيير‬ ‫في الجدول الزمني ساعد ح ًقا‪.‬‬ ‫سيدهانت‪ :‬بالنسبة لي كان المشهد‬ ‫األخير‪ ،‬الذروة‪ .‬لم أكن أعرف كيف‬ ‫سيحدث ذلك‪ .‬كان ذلك صع ًبا للغاية‬ ‫وواصلنا الذهاب ذها ًبا وإيا ًبا كثي ًرا‪ .‬كان‬ ‫هناك الكثير من األشياء مثل ما يجب‬ ‫أن يكون الدافع‪ ،‬وكيف يجب أن يكون‬ ‫تسلسل األحداث وما إلى ذلك‪.‬‬ ‫دهايريا‪ :‬عندما تتصفح السيناريو‪،‬‬ ‫فإنك تتطلع إلى تمثيل مشاهد معينة‪.‬‬

‫‪ 89‬فيلم فير الشرق األوسط مارس ‪2022‬‬

‫‪02/03/2022 11:34 PM‬‬

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‫صديقي‪ ،‬كل ما قالوه كفيل بأن‬ ‫عنك ديبيكا؟‬ ‫يبعثرك‪ ،‬ماذا ِ‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬قليال جدا‪ .‬بعضه معروف‬ ‫وبعضه ليس كذلك‪ .‬ولكن أنا ممتنة‬ ‫لهذه التجارب‪ .‬أنت ال تخوض هذه‬ ‫التجارب عن قصد‪ ،‬لكن في النهاية‬ ‫تدرك أن كل تجارب الحياة تعلمك‬ ‫شي ًئا ما‪ .‬يعطونك الوضوح‪ ،‬يخبرونك‬ ‫كثي ًرا عن هويتك ويعطونك منظو ًرا‬ ‫مختل ًفا عن األشخاص من حولك‪.‬‬ ‫بناء على سؤالي على فيلم‬ ‫أحدا‬ ‫‪ ،Gehraiyaan‬هل خنتم‬ ‫ً‬ ‫من قبل‪ ،‬وهل تمت خيانتكم؟‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬بكل تأكيد لم أخن أحد‬ ‫(تضحك)‪ .‬من المحتمل أنه تمت‬ ‫خيانتي ولكنني لست متأكدة‪.‬‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬على الرغم من أنني ال أؤيد‬ ‫شخص ًيا خيارات معينة‪ ،‬إال أن إحدى‬ ‫األمور التي تعلمتها من خالل تجربة‬ ‫تصوير هذا الفيلم هو محاولة عدم‬ ‫«الحكم» على األشخاص بنا ًء على‬ ‫اختياراتهم و ‪ /‬أو أفعالهم‪ .‬أن نكون‬ ‫متعاطفين وأن نفهم لماذا يفعل الناس‬ ‫ما يفعلونه‪ .‬وهذا ال يقتصر على‬ ‫الخيانة الزوجية فقط‪.‬‬

‫التعاطف بالنسبة لي هو القبول‪ ،‬تقبل الناس كما هم‬ ‫وحتى في أسوأ حاالتهم‪ .‬على سبيل المثال‪ ،‬في هذا الفيلم‪،‬‬ ‫كان يوجد الكثير من التحديات في آخر عامين‪ ،‬مع وجود‬ ‫جائحة انتشار فايروس كورونا‪ ،‬واعتقد أن هذا ما جعلنا‬ ‫‪.‬نتقرب من بعضنا أكثر‬

‫‪- Siddhant Chaturvedi‬‬ ‫ماذا عنك دهايريا؟ ألي درجة تعتبر‬ ‫مبعثرا؟‬ ‫نفسك‬ ‫ً‬ ‫دهايريا‪ :‬أعتقد بأن تم ترويج الخيانة‬ ‫والحزن في هذا الفيلم بشكل زائد عن‬ ‫حده‪ ،‬فيلم ‪ Gahraiyaan‬يُقدم أكثر‬ ‫من هذا‪ .‬على أرض الواقع‪ ،‬جميعنا‬ ‫مبعثرين بطريقة أو بأخرى‪ ،‬محاولين‬ ‫قدر اإلمكان اختيار ما نرغب بمشاركته‬ ‫مع اآلخرين وما نرغب باالحتفاظ به‬ ‫ألنفسنا‪.‬‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬صحيح!‬ ‫إذًا‪ ،‬هل يوجد ما غيرك؟‬ ‫دهايريا‪ :‬بشكل عام‪ ،‬عقلك الباطني‬ ‫يرى أم ًرا ليأتي إدراكك ويقوم بالتفكير‬ ‫والتفكير‪ ،‬مرد ًدا «ال‪ ،‬يجب علي أال أقوم‬ ‫بذلك» ونكرر هذا األمر مرا ًرا وتكرا ًرا‪.‬‬ ‫في اللحظة التي ترى بها شي ًئا‪ ،‬يكون لك‬ ‫رأي‪ ،‬ومن ثم تخوض في ذلك الحوار مع‬ ‫نفسك «أنا شخص جيد‪ ،‬هذه مجرد‬ ‫فكرة تطرقت إلى بالي» هذه حرب‬ ‫دائمة نخوضها يوم ًيا‪.‬‬

‫‪02/03/2022 11:34 PM‬‬

‫سيدهانت‪ :‬توضحت لي الرؤية‬ ‫عندما أصبح عمري ‪ 20‬عا ًما ومررت‬ ‫بتجربة انفصال صعبة‪ .‬كنت مع فتاة‬ ‫لمدة أربع سنوات وأردت االستمرار‬ ‫واالستقرار معها‪ .‬كانت أموري كلها‬ ‫تحت السيطرة‪.‬‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬الزالت أمورك تحت السيطرة!‬ ‫سيدهانت‪ :‬نعم‪ ،‬أردت االستقرار معها‬ ‫وأرادت هي حياة بسيطة‪ .‬خالل ذلك‬ ‫الوقت كنت أدرس مجال المحاسبة‬ ‫القانونية ولكن قررت بأن أحول مجال‬ ‫مسيرتي المهنية‪ .‬لم ترغب هي بذلك‬ ‫ولم تعجبها الفكرة‪ ،‬كالنا أراد أمور‬ ‫مختلفة‪ ،‬كانت هذه التجربة صعبة‬ ‫جدًا ألنه كان علي أن أختار بين الحب‬ ‫وبين الطموح‪ .‬وفي حالتي‪ ،‬اخترت‬ ‫الطموح‪ .‬أتذكر بأنني كنت أقول لها‬ ‫بأني أرغب بالتمثيل على المسرح‪،‬‬ ‫وبأني متأكد من أني سأحقق ما أحلم‬ ‫به‪ .‬وها أنا هنا اليوم‪.‬‬ ‫دهايريا‪ :‬لقد قاموا بتغيير الموضوع‬ ‫جيتش‪ ،‬لم يجب أحد قسم «البعثرة»‪.‬‬

‫سيدهانت‪ :‬بكل تأكيد لم تتم خيانتي‪،‬‬ ‫أو هذا ما أرغب بتصديقه‪ .‬بالنسبة‬ ‫لي‪ ،‬إما أبيض أو أسود‪ ،‬ال أستطيع‬ ‫العيش في المنطقة الرمادية‪ .‬إن‬ ‫المنطقة الرمادية تُفسد األمور‪ ،‬أحتاج‬ ‫أن أرى األمور بشكل واضح‪ ،‬ونعم‪ ،‬لم‬ ‫أخن ساب ًقا‪.‬‬ ‫جزء مثير لالهتمام من هذا الفيلم هو‬ ‫التعاطف‪ .‬كيف يطور المرء التعاطف‬ ‫في عالقة مع شريكه في التمثيل؟ هل‬ ‫هناك حاالت أخرى تظهر فيها حالة‬ ‫التعاطف‪ ،‬كما هو الحال في الفيلم؟‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬أعتقد أنه يأتي مع نمو وتطور‬ ‫شخصي‪ ،‬يأتي عندما تمر في مواقف‬ ‫صعبة أو مختلفة أو مليئة بالتحديات‪،‬‬ ‫هذه المواقف تعلمك التعاطف‪.‬‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬تعاطف كممثلة مساعدة؟ أعتقد‬ ‫أن الكثير من الحوارات‪ ،‬ليس فقط‬ ‫عن الفيلم أو الشخصيات‪ ،‬ولكن‬ ‫ً‬ ‫أيضا معرفة الكثير من التفاصيل‬ ‫عن بعضنا البعض من شأنها أن‬ ‫تطور هذه العاطفة‪ .‬كنا نخوض في‬ ‫هذه الحوارات خالل ورشات التمثيل‪.‬‬ ‫عندما بدأت ورشة التمثيل‪ ،‬ظننا بأنها‬ ‫ستكون بشكل كامل عن المشاهد‪،‬‬ ‫ولكن السيد أتول مونجيا والذي كان‬ ‫أستاذنا في التمثيل جعلنا نتحدث‬ ‫عن أنفسنا وعن الحياة‪ .‬دفعني هذا‬ ‫لفهمهم ثالثتهم وفهم نفسي بشكل‬ ‫أفضل‪ .‬بالنسبة لي‪ ،‬التعاطف يعني‬ ‫التواصل واالستماع‪.‬‬

‫دهايريا‪ :‬بالنسبة لي‪ ،‬التعاطف يعني‬ ‫التحاور وإمضاء الوقت‪ ،‬تشعر بالراحة‬ ‫وبعدما تمضي قد ًما‪ .‬في البداية‪،‬‬ ‫جميعنا نقوم بالتمثيل بشكل لطيف‬ ‫ومبالغ به‪.‬‬ ‫سيدهانت‪ :‬التعاطف بالنسبة لي هو‬ ‫القبول‪ ،‬تقبل الناس كما هم وحتى‬ ‫في أسوأ حاالتهم‪ .‬على سبيل المثال‪،‬‬ ‫في هذا الفيلم‪ ،‬كان يوجد الكثير‬ ‫من التحديات في آخر عامين‪ ،‬مع‬ ‫وجود جائحة انتشار فايروس كورونا‪،‬‬ ‫واعتقد أن هذا ما جعلنا نتقرب‬ ‫من بعضنا أكثر‪ .‬كما أن شاكون كان‬ ‫دائ ًما يدفعنا ويشجعنا في كل شيء‪.‬‬ ‫كل ما رغب به‪ ،‬استخرجه منّا‪ ،‬سواء‬ ‫عاطفة أو تأدية مشاهد صعبة‪ .‬كنا‬ ‫مع بعضنا البعض حتى في أصعب‬ ‫األوقات وتشاركنا الكثير من األمور‪.‬‬ ‫لذا أعتقد أن الصداقة التي تجمعنا‬ ‫اآلن ستستمر حتى بعد الفيلم‪.‬‬ ‫هل كانت هناك لحظة في الفيلم‪،‬‬ ‫اندمجت فيها شخصياتكم على أرض‬ ‫الواقع مع شخصياتكم في الفيلم؟‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬ال توجد شخصيات في عزلة‪،‬‬ ‫فمع كل شخصية تقوم بتصويرها‪،‬‬ ‫فإنك تأخذ شي ًئا من تلك التجربة‬ ‫ولكنك ً‬ ‫أيضا تستثمر الكثير من نفسك‬ ‫في كل شخصية‪ .‬وبالتالي‪ ،‬فإن دمج‬ ‫شخصية الشاشة مع الذات الحقيقية‬ ‫على مستوى ما أمر ال مفر منه‪.‬‬ ‫لم تعرض الكثير من األفالم الهندية‬ ‫الخيانة الزوجية أو الخداع‪ .‬هل كان‬ ‫لدى أي منكم أي مخاوف من أن هذا‬ ‫الفيلم قد يكون صعب الهضم بعض‬ ‫الشيء؟‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬هل تقصد أن الجمهور قد‬ ‫يجد صعوبة في فهم أو تقبل الفيلم؟‬ ‫ال أصدق ذلك‪ .‬هذا في رأيي من‬ ‫شأنه أن يقلل من شأن جمهورنا‪ .‬بعد‬ ‫قولي هذا‪ ،‬فإن ‪ Gehraiyaan‬ال‬ ‫تتعلق بالخيانة الزوجية وحدها‪ ،‬بل أنه‬ ‫أحد جوانب الفيلم لكن ليس الجانب‬ ‫الوحيد‪.‬‬ ‫إنها المرة األولى التي يكون لديك فيها‬ ‫إصدار على المنصات الرقمية‪ ،‬هل‬ ‫تشتاقين لضجة اإلصدار السينمائي؟‬ ‫ديبيكا‪:‬لو كان أي فيلم آخر‪ ،‬ربما‬ ‫كان لدي رد مختلف‪ .‬أما بالنسبة‬ ‫إلى ‪ ،Gehraiyaan‬فقد تجاوزت‬ ‫اإلثارة والترقب‪.‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫هل ترغبين بالتحدث‬ ‫قليل عن‬ ‫المنصاتالرقمية؟‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬هذا فقط فيلمي الرابع وأشعر‬ ‫بأن األمور تسري على خير ما يرام‪ .‬ال‬ ‫أستطيع التفكير في حدوث ذلك بأي‬ ‫طريقة أخرى‪ .‬كممثلين وصانعي أفالم‪،‬‬ ‫نصنع أفال ًما حتى تصل إلى الجمهور‬ ‫المناسب‪ .‬أعتقد أنه مع أمازون ستصل‬

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‫دهايريا‪ ،‬أنت األقل تجربة في عالم‬ ‫التمثيل في هذه المجموعة‪ ،‬كيف‬ ‫كانت ردة فعلك عندما طلب منك‬ ‫شاكون بأن تشارك طاقم تمثيل فيلم‬ ‫‪Gehraiyaan‬؟‬ ‫دهايريا‪ :‬ستفهمني عندما أقول بأن‬ ‫شعوري بالسعادة وصل حد النجوم‬ ‫خصوصا أن هذه الشخصية‬ ‫والقمر‪،‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫تختلف عن بالقي الشخصيات التي‬ ‫قدمتها ساب ًقا‪ ،‬الشخصيات التي‬ ‫كانت تتمحور حول شاب ال يُبالي‬ ‫بشيء سوى نفسه‪ .‬أخبرني شاكون‬ ‫بأن أخفف من رفع األثقال والتوقف‬ ‫عن الذهاب للصالة الرياضية‪ .‬في‬ ‫الحقيقة‪ ،‬كان هذا تغيي ًرا لطي ًفا‪،‬‬ ‫ألن ساب ًقا كنت دائ ًما في الصالة‬ ‫الرياضية‪ .‬كنت أتطلع للتصوير مع‬ ‫هذه الوجوه الرائعة التي نراها هنا‪.‬‬ ‫وأرغب بأن أقول أن العمل مع شاكون‬ ‫هو حلم كل ممثل‪.‬‬ ‫كنت قلقة من كون ديبيكا‬ ‫أنانيا‪ ،‬هل ِ‬ ‫ستشاركك في التمثيل؟‬ ‫بادكون‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬وجودها جميل‪ ،‬كإضافة آخر‬ ‫حبة فراولة على كعكة لذيذة تنتظر‬ ‫بشوق التهامها‪ .‬لطالما رغبت بالعمل‬ ‫مع ديبيكا وكنت أتشوق للتعاون مع‬ ‫شاكون‪ .‬أنا من أكبر المعجبين بفيلمه‬ ‫‪ Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu‬وفيلم‬ ‫‪ .Kapoor & Sons‬والصراحة‪،‬‬ ‫كنت سأوافق على الفيلم حتى قبل‬ ‫أن يسردوه لي‪ .‬لم يشكل لي فرق‬ ‫عدد المشاهد التي سأظهر بها أو‬ ‫عدد الجمل التي سأقولها‪ ،‬عرفت بأن‬ ‫وجودي أمام ممثلة مثل ديبيكا بادكون‬ ‫سيحسن من تمثيلي‪ ،‬ألن سيتوجب‬ ‫علي أن أقدم ردة فعل لما تقوم به من‬ ‫فعل‪ .‬الفيلم يركز على أربع شخصيات‬ ‫باختالفاتهم وعالقاتهم‪.‬‬ ‫ماذا عن سيدهانت؟ آت ًيا من دور رائع‬ ‫من فيلم ‪ ،Gully Boy‬مع اعتبار‬ ‫فيلما هند ًيا عاد ًيا‪ .‬ما‬ ‫أن هذا ليس‬ ‫ً‬ ‫الذي كان يدور في عقلك عندما سرد‬ ‫لك شاكون الفيلم؟‬ ‫سيدهانت‪ :‬لطالما رغبت بالقيام بفيلم‬ ‫كوميدي رومانسي‪ ،‬كبرت وأنا أشاهد‬ ‫هذه األفالم وأنا على أتم االستعداد‬ ‫على اقتباس الدور في أي وقت‪.‬‬ ‫وافقت على هذا العمل ألنني رغبت‬ ‫مشاركة شاكون‪ ،‬ولدينا ديبيكا ً‬ ‫أيضا‪.‬‬ ‫ولكن (زين)‪ ،‬الشخصية التي أقدمها‪،‬‬ ‫فهو يتمتع بعالمه الخاص‪ ،‬أفكاره‪،‬‬ ‫ونظرته للحب تختلف كل االختالف‬ ‫عما شاهدته في أي فيلم أو سمعت‬ ‫عنه على أرض الواقع‪ .‬استغرقت وقتًا‬ ‫ألنسى ما أعرفه وألفهم الفيلم من‬ ‫وجهة نظر شاكون‪ ،‬كنت متوت ًرا جدًا‪،‬‬ ‫ولم أكد متأكد من أني سأستطيع‬ ‫تقديم الدور‪.‬‬

‫ديبيكا‪ ،‬ما هو الشيء الذي جعلك‬ ‫تختارين فيلم ‪Gehraiyaan‬؟‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬لطالما رغبت العمل مع‬ ‫شاكون‪ .‬حتى كمشاهدة‪ ،‬فإنني‬ ‫منجذبة إلى األفالم الواقعية في‬ ‫الحياة؛ حيث تكون الشخصيات خام‬ ‫وحقيقية ومتصلة‪ .‬كما أتيحت لي‬ ‫الفرصة للتعرف على شاكون على‬ ‫مستوى شخصي قبل أن يعرض علي‬ ‫الفيلم وكنت دائ ًما مفتونة بطريقة‬ ‫تفكيره‪ .‬منذ حوالي عامين‪ ،‬كنت‬ ‫أصور فيلم ‪ 83‬في لندن‪ .‬تلقيت‬ ‫مكالمة من كاران جوهر يقول فيها‬ ‫بأنه ينتج فيل ًما من المقرر أن يخرجه‬ ‫شكون‪ .‬ثم طار شكون إلى لندن وقدم‬ ‫لي سر ًدا‪ .‬لقد استغرقت حوالي يومين‬ ‫ألقرر ما إن كنت مستعدة لما كنت‬ ‫أعرف بأنه سيكون التزا ًما عاطف ًيا‬ ‫كبي ًرا‪ ،‬قبل أن أقول أخي ًرا نعم‪.‬‬ ‫ما هي أكثر صفة في الشخصية‬ ‫شجعتك على‬ ‫بك في الفيلم‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫الخاصة ِ‬ ‫المشاركة في هذا العمل؟‬ ‫ديبيكا‪ :‬بأنها كانت شخصية لم أقم‬ ‫بها ساب ًقا‪ ،‬شخصية لم نشاهد مثلها‬ ‫في السينما الهندية‪ .‬شخصية ذات‬ ‫أخطاء‪ ،‬شخصية تشبه أناس نعرفهم‪،‬‬ ‫شخصية نستطيع أن نفهمها‪ .‬معظم‬ ‫الشخصيات التي شاهدناها أو‬ ‫قدمناها‪ ،‬كانت إما بيضاء أو سوداء‪،‬‬ ‫وكانت إما تقوم بما هو صحيح بشكل‬ ‫مبالغ فيه أو بما هو خاطئ بشكل‬ ‫مبالغ فيه‪ ،‬لم يكن هناك الوسط الذي‬ ‫نعيشه كل يوم‪ .‬أن أجعل الشخصية‬ ‫التي قدمتها إنسانة يستطيع المشاهد‬ ‫فهمها‪ ،‬وتقديمها مجردة من األحكام‬ ‫المسبقة‪ ،‬كلها كانت تحديات واجهتها‬ ‫كممثلة خالل تصوير الفيلم‪.‬‬ ‫في إعالن الفيلم‪ ،‬شخصيتك‬ ‫استخدمت مصطلح «مبعثر»‪ .‬في‬ ‫العادة‪ُ ،‬يقدم شاكون لنا عائالت‬ ‫جميعا ما هي أكثر‬ ‫عادية‪ .‬إن سألتكم‬ ‫ً‬ ‫لحظة شعرتم فيها أنكم مبعثرين‪،‬‬ ‫ماذا ستكون إجابتكم؟‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬مثل شخصيتي (تيا) التي‬ ‫قدمتها‪ ،‬أرغب بأن أرى األفضل في‬ ‫الناس‪ ،‬أثق كثي ًرا بالناس‪ ،‬كما لدي‬ ‫الكثير من األمور التي تقلق راحتي‪،‬‬ ‫علي مع كثرة التفكير‪.‬‬ ‫وأتركها تتغلب ّ‬ ‫ال أعرف إن كنت تعتبر هذا جزء من‬ ‫«التبعثر» ولكن بدأت بالحكم على‬ ‫نفسي عندما أفرط بالتفكير‪.‬‬ ‫هل تعتقدين أن التفكير المفرط‬ ‫ُيفسد األمور؟‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬نعم‪ ،‬التفكير المفرط يقوم‬ ‫بذلك‪ .‬وكل ما أفكر به ينعكس على‬ ‫وجهي‪ .‬أنا شفافة جدًا وأفرط‬ ‫بالتفكير التي تجعلني أختلق أمو ًرا‬ ‫ليست موجودة‪.‬‬

‫‪Black Bralet: Label Jen‬‬ ‫‪Bottom: KAI Resort Wear‬‬ ‫‪Feather Jacket - Yousef Aljasmi‬‬ ‫)‪(Vanda Fashion Agency‬‬ ‫‪Shoes: Louboutin‬‬ ‫‪Earring: Vak Jewels‬‬

‫لطالما رغبت العمل مع شاكون‪ .‬حتى كمشاهدة‪ ،‬فإنني‬ ‫منجذبة إلى األفالم الواقعية في الحياة؛ حيث تكون‬ ‫الشخصيات خام وحقيقية ومتصلة‪ .‬كما أتيحت لي‬ ‫الفرصة للتعرف على شاكون على مستوى شخصي‬ ‫دائما مفتونة بطريقة‬ ‫قبل أن يعرض علي الفيلم وكنت ً‬ ‫‪.‬تفكيره‬ ‫‪-Deepika Padukone‬‬

‫بينك وبين‬ ‫هل تشعرين بالتواصل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫الشخصية التي قدمتيها؟‬ ‫أنانيا‪ :‬نعم‪ ،‬أشعر بتقارب كبير بيني‬ ‫وبينها‪ .‬لم أشعر بهذا التقارب عندما تم‬ ‫سرد القصة‪ ،‬فقط شعرت بأنه سيكون‬ ‫من الرائع تقديم هذه الشخصية‪.‬‬ ‫ولكن‪ ،‬كلما تعقنا في القصة‪ ،‬وكلما‬ ‫تناقشنا أكثر حول الشخصية‪ ،‬بيني‬ ‫وبين نفسي أردد «نعم‪ ،‬هذه أنا»‪.‬‬

‫شعرت بهذا عندما بدأت التمثيل‬ ‫ولهذا تعمقت أكثر‪ ،‬ومنحت من نفسي‬ ‫لهذه الشخصية‪ .‬نعم لم أعش تجربة‬ ‫االنفصال وكسرة القلب والخيانة بنفس‬ ‫المستوى الذي مرت به (تيا) ولكن ٍ‬ ‫لحد‬ ‫ما‪ ،‬شعرت بهذه المشاعر‪.‬‬

‫‪ 91‬فيلم فير الشرق األوسط مارس ‪2022‬‬

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‫قصة الغالف‬

‫أعــمــاق‬ ‫مــخــفــيــة‬ ‫ً‬ ‫مذهول‬ ‫جيتش بيالي يتحدث مع ديبيكا بادكون ويعود إلينا‬ ‫يقال إن الحياة كلها خُ لقت من البحر‪ ،‬وبأنه وال يمكنك الهروب من المياه‪ .‬إما أن تتعلم السباحة أو تغرق‪ .‬وإذا كنت تريد‬ ‫أن تعرف من أنت ح ًقا‪ ،‬فعليك أن تحبس أنفاسك وتغرق في األعماق وتبحث عن الحقيقة قبل نفاد الهواء من رئتيك‪.‬‬ ‫ثم تفعل ذلك مرا ًرا وتكرا ًرا ‪ ...‬انغمس في أعماق الحب‪ ،‬والحزن‪ ،‬والفرح‪ ،‬والسعادة‪ ،‬وكسرة القلب واأللم‪ .‬اذهب وابحث‬ ‫عن القاع بعينيك مفتوحتان حتى تكتشف المحيط وأسراره‪ .‬كلما غصت أكثر‪ ،‬كلما تعلمت‪ ،‬وكلما تحسنت حياتك ‪...‬ليس‬ ‫من السهل التحدث إلى أربعة ممثلين دفعة واحدة‪ .‬وخاصة عندما يكونون على أعتاب إصدار كبير‪ .‬سيتوقون إلى االهتمام‪،‬‬ ‫ويريدون قول األشياء الصحيحة‪ ،‬وكلهم ينبضون بنفس الطاقة وسيكونون أكثر لط ًفا مع بعضهم البعض‪ .‬لذلك كانت مفاجأة‬ ‫بالنسبة لي أن أجد نجوم ‪ - Gehraiyaan‬ديبيكا بادوكون‪ ،‬سيدهانت شاتورفيدي‪ ،‬أنانيا بانداي‪ ،‬ودايريا كاروا كانوا‬ ‫صريحين ج ًدا في إجاباتهم ومرتاحين تجاه بعضهم البعض‪ .‬يبدو األمر كما لو أن الفيلم ألقى بهم في البحر المفتوح وعليهم‬ ‫أن يتعلموا الثقة ببعضهم البعض من أجل البقاء على قيد الحياة‪ .‬لم يتعلموا فقط كيفية النجاة‪ ،‬بل ساعدوا بعضهم البعض‬ ‫ً‬ ‫أيضا في الغوص بعمق تحت األمواج واالستمتاع بالصفاء الموجود تحت السطح‪ .‬لقد كبروا مع الفيلم‪ .‬تم تأجيله بسبب‬ ‫الوباء واإلغالق‪ .‬لذلك كونهم على مقربة من بعضهم البعض في فقاعة تمنع اآلخرين من االختالط بالممثلين للحفاظ‬ ‫على استمرارية التصوير‪ ،‬فقد تعرفوا على أفضل وأسوأ سمات بعضهم البعض‪ .‬لقد أصبحوا عائلة في إجازة قسرية ومع‬ ‫ذلك بدأوا في االستمتاع بأنفسهم ثم لم يرغبوا في العودة إلى حياتهم الخاصة‪ .‬إنه في الواقع مدح كبير للمخرج شكون‬ ‫باترا أنه تمكن من جعل أربعة غرباء يحققون مثل هذا المستوى العالي من التوافق‪ .‬نقدم مقتطفات من مقابلة شعرت فيها‬ ‫بأنني لست بمحاور‪ ،‬بل فقط صديق متطفل يستمع لمحادثتهم‪...‬‬

‫‪PHOTOGRAPHS: THE HOUSE OF PIXELS | STYLIST: ANAITA SHROFF ADAJANIA WITH LAKSHMI LEHR, SABINA HALDER‬‬ ‫)‪AND CHANDANI ZATAKIA | LOCATION: TAJ LANDS END (MUMBAI‬‬ ‫‪SIDDHANT: HAIR: GAUTAM ARORA | MAKEUP: POONAM SURVE‬‬ ‫‪Shirt: Falguni Shane Peacock | Pants: Lecoanet Hemant‬‬ ‫‪Watch: Ulysse Nardin | Hand beads: H&M‬‬ ‫‪DHAIRYA: HAIR: SAJAN THAPA | MAKEUP: MAHIMA WACHHER SALVI‬‬ ‫‪Shirt: Celio | Pants: Abdul Halder‬‬

‫‪DEEPIKA: HAIR: YIANNI TSAPATORI | MAKEUP: ANIL CHINNAPPA‬‬ ‫‪Green Top: Malie | Bottom: Fancy Pants‬‬ ‫‪ANANYA: HAIR: AYESHA DEVITRE | MAKEUP: STACY GOMES‬‬ ‫‪Orange Shirt: Guapa | Bikini: Women Like U‬‬ ‫‪Jewellery: Radhika Agarwal Jewels‬‬

‫مارس ‪ 2022‬فيلم فير الشرق األوسط ‪92‬‬

‫‪02/03/2022 11:34 PM‬‬

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March 2022 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 15

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02/03/2022 11:34 PM

‫‪HIGHLIGHTS‬‬ ‫ﻧﺼﻴﺤﺔ‬ ‫اﻟﺨﺒﻴﺮة‬

‫دﻳﻨﺎ اﻟﺸﺮﺑﻴﻨﻲ‬ ‫ﺗﺸﻮق ﺟﻤﻬﻮرﻫﺎ‬ ‫ﻟﻤﺴﻠﺴﻞ اﻟﻤﺸﻮار‬ ‫ﺷﺎرﻛﺖ اﻟﻤﻤﺜﻠﺔ اﻟﻤﺼﺮﻳﺔ‬ ‫دﻳﻨﺎ اﻟﺸﺮﺑﻴﻨﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻮاﻗﻊ‬ ‫اﻻﺟﺘﻤﺎﻋﻲ‬ ‫اﻟﺘﻮاﺻﻞ‬ ‫ﺻﻮرة ﺟﺪﻳﺪة ﺑﺮﻓﻘﺔ‬ ‫اﻟﻔﻨﺎن ﻣﺤﻤﺪ رﻣﻀﺎن ﻣﻦ‬ ‫ﻛﻮاﻟﻴﺲ ﺗﺼﻮﻳﺮ ﻣﺴﻠﺴﻞ »‬ ‫اﻟﻤﺸﻮار« ‪ ،‬وﻧﺸﺮﺗﻬﺎ ﻋﺒﺮ‬ ‫ﺻﻔﺤﺘﻬﺎ اﻟﺮﺳﻤﻴﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ‬ ‫ﻣﻮﻗﻊ »ﻓﻴﺴﺒﻮك« وﻛﺘﺒﺖ‬ ‫دﻳﻨﺎ اﻟﺸﺮﺑﻴﻨﻲ ﺗﻌﻠﻴﻘﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ‬ ‫اﻟﺼﻮرة‪» ..‬اﻟﺮﻓﺎق ﺣﺎﺋﺮون‪،‬‬ ‫ﻳﻔﻜﺮون‪ ،‬ﻳﺘﺴﺎءﻟﻮن ﻓﻲ‬ ‫ﺟﻨﻮن اﻟﻤﺸﻮار ﻣﺎذا‬ ‫ﻳﻜﻮن«‪ .‬ﻳُﺬﻛﺮ أن ﻣﺴﻠﺴﻞ‬ ‫»اﻟﻤﺸﻮار« ﺑﻄﻮﻟﺔ ﻛﻞ ﻣﻦ‬ ‫ﻣﺤﻤﺪ رﻣﻀﺎن‪ ،‬ودﻳﻨﺎ‬ ‫اﻟﺸﺮﺑﻴﻨﻲ‪ ،‬وﺻﺒﺮي ﻓﻮاز‪،‬‬ ‫وأﺣﻤﺪ ﻛﻤﺎل‪ ،‬وﺻﺒﺮي‬ ‫ﻋﺒﺪ اﻟﻤﻨﻌﻢ‪ ،‬وﺑﻴﻮﻣﻲ‬ ‫ﻓﺆاد‪ ،‬وﻋﻤﺮو ﻋﺒﺪ اﻟﺠﻠﻴﻞ‪،‬‬ ‫وﻏﻴﺮﻫﻢ‪ ،‬وﻣﻦ ﺗﺄﻟﻴﻒ‬ ‫ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ﻓﺮﻳﺪ‪ ،‬وإﺧﺮاج‬ ‫ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ﻳﺎﺳﻴﻦ‬

‫د‪ .‬ﺳﻨﺎ‬ ‫ﺳﺎﺟﺎن‬

‫ﻣﺪﻳﺮة ﻣﺮﻛﺰ أﻣﺮﻳﻜﺎن اﺳﺘﻴﺘﻴﻚ اﻟﻄﺒﻲ‬

‫ﻓﻮاﺋﺪ وأﺿﺮار ﺷﻔﻂ اﻟﺪﻫﻮن اﻟﺬﻗﻦ‬ ‫ﻣﻮﻋﺪﻧﺎ ﻣﻊ ﻣﺴﻠﺴﻞ )ﻓﻲ‬ ‫ﺑﻴﺘﻨﺎ روﺑﻮت ‪ (2‬ﻣﻊ ﻟﻴﻠﻰ‬ ‫زاﻫﺮ وﻫﺸﺎم ﺟﻤﺎل‬ ‫أن اﻟﻤﺎراﺛﻮن اﻟﺮﻣﻀﺎﻧﻲ ﺑﺪأ‬ ‫ﻳﺒﺪو ّ‬ ‫ﻳَﺸﻬﺪ دراﻣﺎ ﺣﻘﻴﻘﻴﺔ‪ ،‬ﺣﻴﺚ ﻛﺎن‬ ‫آﺧﺮﻫﺎ دﺧﻮل اﻟﻤﻮﺳﻢ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ ﻣﻦ‬ ‫ﻣﺴﻠﺴﻞ »ﻓﻲ ﺑﻴﺘﻨﺎ روﺑﻮت« ﻟﻠﻨﺠﻤﺔ‬ ‫اﻟﺸﺎﺑﺔ ﻟﻴﻠﻰ اﻟﺰاﻫﺮ واﻟﻤﻨﺘﺞ ﻫﺸﺎم‬ ‫ﺟﻤﺎل‪ .‬اﻟﻤﻔﺎﺟﺄة ﻟﻢ ﺗﻜﻦ دﺧﻮل‬ ‫ﻓﻲ »ﻓﻲ ﺑﻴﺘﻨﺎ روﺑﻮت« ﻟﻠﻌﺮض ﻓﻲ‬ ‫اﻟﻤﻮﺳﻢ اﻟﺮﻣﻀﺎﻧﻲ ﻓﻘﻂ‪ ،‬ﺑﻞ ﺗﻮﻟﻲ‬ ‫اﻟﻤﻨﺘﺞ ﻫﺸﺎم ﺟﻤﺎل اﻹﺧﺮاج أﻳﻀﺎً‬ ‫ﻟﻠﻤﺮة اﻷوﻟﻰ‪ ،‬ﺣﻴﺚ ﻳﺸﺎرك ﻟﻴﻠﻰ‬ ‫زاﻫﺮ وﺷﻴﻤﺎء ﺳﻴﻒ وﻋﻤﺮو وﻫﺒﺔ‬ ‫اﻟﺘﻤﺜﻴﻞ ﻛﺬﻟﻚ‪.‬‬

‫ﻋﻨﺪﻣﺎ ﻳﺘﻌﻠﻖ اﻷﻣﺮ ﺑﺸﻔﻂ اﻟﺪﻫﻮن‪ ،‬ﻓﺈن اﻟﻤﻌﺪة واﻷرداف‬ ‫واﻟﻔﺨﺬﻳﻦ ﻫﻲ اﻟﺘﻲ ﻏﺎﻟ ًﺒﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻧﻔﻜﺮ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﻟﻠﺤﺼﻮل ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻼج‬ ‫ﺟﻴﺪ وﺳﺮﻳﻊ وﻣﻘﺎوم ﻟﻠﺪﻫﻮن‪ .‬ﻟﻜﻦ اﻟﺬﻗﻦ ﻫﻲ ﻣﻨﻄﻘﺔ ﻣﺤﺘﺎﺟﺔ‬ ‫ﺑﻨﻔﺲ اﻟﻘﺪر ﻹﺟﺮاء ﺟﺮاﺣﻲ ﺑﺴﻴﻂ‪.‬‬ ‫س‬ ‫اﻟﻔﻮاﺋﺪ‬ ‫إذا ﻛﻨﺖ ﺗﻌﺎﻧﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺮﻫﻞ اﻷﻧﺴﺠﺔ‪ ،‬ﻓﺮﺑﻤﺎ ﺗﺮﻏﺐ ﻓﻲ إزاﻟﺘﻬﺎ‬ ‫ﻟﺘﺤﺴﻴﻦ ﺳﺮﻳﻊ وﻣﻠﺤﻮظ ﻓﻲ ﺑﺸﺮﺗﻚ وﻣﻈﻬﺮك ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﻋﺎم‪.‬‬ ‫ﻳﻤﻜﻦ إﺟﺮاء ﻋﻤﻠﻴﺔ ﺷﻔﻂ دﻫﻮن اﻟﺬﻗﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ اﻟﺘﺨﺪﻳﺮ‬ ‫اﻟﻤﻮﺿﻌﻲ وﺗﺴﺘﻐﺮق أﻗﻞ ﻣﻦ ﺳﺎﻋﺔ‪ .‬ﺷﻔﻂ دﻫﻮن اﻟﺬﻗﻦ‬ ‫ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪ ﻓﻲ ﺗﻘﻠﻴﻞ ﺗﺮاﻛﻢ اﻟﺪﻫﻮن ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﻃﺒﻴﻌﻲ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺘﻘﻠﺒﺎت‬ ‫اﻟﻬﺮﻣﻮﻧﻴﺔ واﻟﺘﻐﻴﺮات اﻟﺠﺴﺪﻳﺔ اﻷﺧﺮى‪ .‬إﻧﻪ ﻃﻔﻴﻒ اﻟﺘﻮﻏﻞ‬ ‫ﺣﻴﺚ ﻻ ﻳﺘﻢ ﻋﻤﻞ ﺷﻘﻮق ﺧﻄﻴﺔ‪ .‬ﻳﺘﻢ إدﺧﺎل ﻗﻨﻴﺔ ﺟﺮاﺣﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﺧﺎﺻﺔ ﻟﺸﻔﻂ اﻷﻧﺴﺠﺔ اﻟﺪﻫﻨﻴﺔ ﺑﺄﻣﺎن‪.‬‬

‫اﻷﺿﺮار‬ ‫ﺳﺘﺤﺘﺎج إﻟﻰ ﺑﻌﺾ اﻟﻮﻗﺖ ﻟﻠﺮاﺣﺔ واﻟﺘﻌﺎﻓﻲ‪ .‬ﺑﻴﻨﻤﺎ ﻳﺘﻔﺎﻋﻞ‬ ‫ﻛﻞ ﻣﺮﻳﺾ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﻣﺨﺘﻠﻒ ﻣﻊ اﻹﺟﺮاء‪ ،‬ﻳﺠﺐ أن ﻳﺘﻮﻗﻊ ﻣﻌﻈﻢ‬ ‫اﻟﻤﺮﺿﻰ ﻓﺘﺮة ﺗﻌﻄﻞ وﻓﺘﺮة ﻧﻘﺎﻫﺔ ﺗﺘﺮاوح ﻣﻦ ‪ 3‬إﻟﻰ ‪ 5‬أﻳﺎم‬ ‫وأن ﻳﻜﻮﻧﻮا ﻣﺴﺘﻌﺪﻳﻦ ﻻرﺗﺪاء ﺣﺰام اﻟﺬﻗﻦ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﻣﺤﺘﻤﻞ‪.‬‬ ‫ﺷﻔﻂ دﻫﻮن اﻟﺬﻗﻦ ﻣﻤﺘﺎز ﻟﺘﻘﻠﻴﻞ اﻟﺪﻫﻮن وﻟﻜﻦ ﻟﻴﺲ ﻟﺘﺮﻫﻞ‬ ‫اﻟﺠﻠﺪ‪ .‬ﺷﻔﻂ دﻫﻮن اﻟﺬﻗﻦ ﻳﺰﻳﻞ اﻟﺘﺮﺳﺒﺎت اﻟﺪﻫﻨﻴﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺤﺖ‬ ‫اﻟﺠﻠﺪ وﻟﻜﻨﻪ ﻻ ﻳﻐﻴﺮ ﺗﺮﻫﻞ اﻟﺠﻠﺪ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﻛﺒﻴﺮ‪ ،‬اﻷﻣﺮ اﻟﺬي ﻗﺪ‬ ‫ﻧﻮﻋﺎ ﻣﺨﺘﻠ ًﻔﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﻼج‪ .‬ﻗﺪ ﻳﺤﺘﺎج اﻟﻤﺮﺿﻰ اﻟﺬﻳﻦ‬ ‫ﻳﺘﻄﻠﺐ ً‬ ‫ﺗﺰﻳﺪ أﻋﻤﺎرﻫﻢ ﻋﻦ ‪ 60‬ﻋﺎ ًﻣﺎ إﻟﻰ ﺷﺪ إﺿﺎﻓﻲ ﻟﻠﺠﻠﺪ‪ .‬ﺑﻌﺪ‬ ‫ﺷﻔﻂ اﻟﺪﻫﻮن‪ ،‬ﻗﺪ ﻳﺤﺘﺎج اﻟﻤﺮﺿﻰ اﻟﺬﻳﻦ ﺗﺰﻳﺪ أﻋﻤﺎرﻫﻢ ﻋﻦ‬ ‫‪ 60‬ﻋﺎ ًﻣﺎ إﻟﻰ إﺟﺮاء آﺧﺮ ﻟﻌﻼج اﻟﺠﻠﺪ اﻟﻤﺘﺮﻫﻞ ﻟﻠﻮﺻﻮل إﻟﻰ‬ ‫اﻟﻨﺘﺎﺋﺞ اﻟﺘﺠﻤﻴﻠﻴﺔ اﻟﺘﻲ ﻳﺒﺤﺜﻮن ﻋﻨﻬﺎ‪.‬‬

‫اﺣﺼﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ اﺳﺘﺸﺎرﺗﻨﺎ اﻵن!‬ ‫اﺗﺼﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ‪80085555‬‬

‫‪8 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST March 2022‬‬

‫‪02/03/2022 12:10 PM‬‬

‫‪08-09 -FFME-MAR 2022 HIGHT LIGHTS _AAMC- CORRECTED .indd 8‬‬

‫أﻫـــــﻢاﻷﺣــــﺪاث‬

‫ﻣﻦ اﻷﻋﻠﻰ ﻳﺒﺪو أن ﻫﻨﺎك ﻣﺎ ﻳﺤﺪث ﻓﻲ اﻟﻤﺪﻳﻨﺔ‬

‫رﺣﺒﺖ ﺑﺮﻳﺎﻧﻜﺎ ﺷﻮﺑﺮا‬ ‫وﻧﻴﻚ ﺟﻮﻧﺎس ﺑﻄﻔﻠﻬﻤﺎ‬ ‫اﻷول ﻣﺆﺧ ًﺮا ﻣﻦ‬ ‫ﺧﻼل ﺗﺄﺟﻴﺮ اﻷرﺣﺎم‪.‬‬ ‫ﻧﺸﺮ اﻟﺰوﺟﺎن ﻫﺬه‬ ‫اﻷﺧﺒﺎر اﻟﺴﻌﻴﺪة ﻋﻠﻰ‬ ‫ﺣﺴﺎﺑﺎﺗﻬﻢ اﻟﺸﺨﺼﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﻋﻠﻰ وﺳﺎﺋﻞ اﻟﺘﻮاﺻﻞ‬ ‫اﻻﺟﺘﻤﺎﻋﻲ اﻟﺨﺎﺻﺔ‬ ‫ﺑﻬﻤﺎ وﻗﺎﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﻤﻞ‬ ‫»ﻣﻨﺸﻦ« ﻟﺒﻌﻀﻬﻤﺎ‪.‬‬ ‫»ﻧﺤﻦ ﺳﻌﺪاء ﻟﻠﻐﺎﻳﺔ‬ ‫ﻷﻧﻨﺎ رﺣﺒﻨﺎ ﺑﻄﻔﻞ‬ ‫ﻋﻦ ﻃﺮﻳﻖ ﺗﺄﺟﻴﺮ‬ ‫اﻷرﺣﺎم‪ .‬ﻧﻄﻠﺐ ﺑﻜﻞ‬ ‫اﺣﺘﺮام اﻟﺨﺼﻮﺻﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﺧﻼل ﻫﺬا اﻟﻮﻗﺖ‬ ‫اﻟﺨﺎص ﺣﻴﺚ ﻧﺮﻛﺰ‬ ‫ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﺎﺋﻠﺘﻨﺎ‪ .‬ﺷﻜﺮاً‬ ‫ﺟﺰﻳ ً‬ ‫ﻼ ﻟﻜﻢ »‪ ،‬ﻛﺘﺒﻮا ﻓﻲ‬ ‫ﺗﺼﺮﻳﺤﺎت ﻣﺘﻄﺎﺑﻘﺔ‬ ‫ﻧُﺸﺮت ﻋﻠﻰ إﻧﺴﺘﻐﺮام‪.‬‬ ‫ﻧﻘﺪم ﺗﻤﻨﻴﺎت ﻃﻴﺒﺔ‬ ‫ﻟﻄﻔﻠﻬﻢ وأﺳﺮﺗﻬﻢ‪.‬‬

‫زواج ﻣﻮﻧﻲ روي‬ ‫ﻣﻦ رﺟﻞ اﻷﻋﻤﺎل‬ ‫اﻟﺬي ﺗﺄﺳﺲ‬ ‫ﻓﻲ دﺑﻲ ﺳﻮراج‬ ‫ﻧﺎﻣﺒﻴﺮ‬ ‫ﻋﻘﺪت ﻣﻮﻧﻲ روي ﻗﺮاﻧﻬﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ‬ ‫رﺟﻞ اﻷﻋﻤﺎل ﺳﺮاج ﻧﺎﻣﺒﻴﺮ‬ ‫اﻟﻤﻘﻴﻢ ﻓﻲ دﺑﻲ ﻓﻲ ‪ 27‬ﻳﻨﺎﻳﺮ‪.‬‬ ‫ﺗﻢ اﻟﺰواج ﻓﻲ ﺟﻮا‪ .‬ﻓﻲ اﻟﺼﻮر‪،‬‬ ‫ﻳﻤﻜﻦ رؤﻳﺔ ﻣﻮﻧﻲ ﻣﺮﺗﺪﻳﺔ ﺳﺎري‬ ‫أﺑﻴﺾ ﻣﻊ ﺗﻄﺮﻳﺰ أﺣﻤﺮ وذﻫﺒﻲ‬ ‫وﺑﻠﻮزة ﺣﻤﺮاء ﻣﺘﺒﺎﻳﻨﺔ‪ .‬ارﺗﺪت‬ ‫اﻟﻤﻤﺜﻠﺔ ﻣﺠﻮﻫﺮات ﻣﻦ اﻟﺬﻫﺐ‬ ‫اﻟﺜﻘﻴﻞ ووﺿﻌﺖ ﻓﻲ ﺷﻌﺮﻫﺎ‬ ‫اﻛﺴﺴﻮارات اﻟﺸﻌﺮ اﻟﺘﻘﻠﻴﺪﻳﺔ‪.‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫أﻳﻀﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ‬ ‫ﺣﺎﻓﻈﺖ اﻟﻤﻤﺜﻠﺔ‬ ‫ﻣﻜﻴﺎﺟﻬﺎ ﺧﻔﻴ ًﻔﺎ‪ .‬ﺣﻔﻠﺘﻲ ﻫﺎﻟﺪي‬ ‫وﻣﻬﻨﺪي أﻗﻴﻤﺖ ﺳ ًﺮا ﻓﻲ اﻟﻴﻮم‬ ‫اﻟﺴﺎﺑﻖ‪ .‬ﻳﻘﺎل أن اﻟﺰوﺟﻴﻦ أﻗﺎﻣﺎ‬ ‫اﺣﺘﻔﺎﻟﻴﻦ‪ ،‬ﺣﻔﻞ زﻓﺎف ﻣﺎﻟﻴﺎﻟﻲ‬ ‫ﻓﻲ اﻟﺼﺒﺎح‪ ،‬ﺗﻼﻫﻤﺎ ﺣﻔﻞ زﻓﺎف‬ ‫ﺑﻨﻐﺎﻟﻲ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻠﻴﻞ‪ .‬ﻧﺘﻤﻨﻰ ﻟﻠﺰوﺟﻴﻦ‬ ‫ﺣﻴﺎة زوﺟﻴﺔ ﺳﻌﻴﺪة وﻧﺎﺟﺤﺔ‬ ‫‪ 95‬ﻓﻴﻠﻢ ﻓﻴﺮ ﺍﻟﺸﺮﻕ ﺍﻷﻭﺳﻂ ﻣﺎﺭﺱ ‪2022‬‬

‫‪02/03/2022 12:10 PM‬‬

‫ﺑﺮﻳﺎﻧﻜﺎ ﺗﺸﻮﺑﺮا وﻧﻴﻚ ﺟﻮﻧﺎس‬ ‫أﺻﺒﺤﺎ واﻟﺪﻳﻦ‬

‫ﺗﻌﻠﻴﻖ ﻟﻄﻴﻒ‬ ‫دﻳﺒﻴﻜﺎ وﺟﺎﻧﻬﻔﻲ‬

‫ﺑﻴﻦ‬

‫ﺷﺎرﻛﺖ ﺟﺎﻧﻬﻔﻲ ﻛﺎﺑﻮر ﺻﻮرة‬ ‫ﻟﻬﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺎ ﻳﺸﺒﻪ ﺧﺰاﻧﺔ ﻣﻼﺑﺴﻬﺎ‬ ‫ﻋﻠﻰ اﻧﺴﺘﻘﺮام‪ ،‬وﻗﺎﻣﺖ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻌﻠﻴﻖ‬ ‫ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺼﻮرة ‪ELLA” ،‬‬ ‫‪FITZGERALD ON‬‬ ‫‪LOOP KIND OF A‬‬ ‫‪ “.DAY‬ﻗﺎﺻﺪة ﺟﺎﻧﻬﻔﻲ ﻣﻐﻨﻴﺔ‬ ‫اﻟﺠﺎز اﻷﻣﺮﻳﻜﻴﺔ إﻳﻼ ﻓﻴﺘﺰﺟﻴﺮاﻟﺪ‪،‬‬ ‫اﻟﺘﻲ ُﻋﺮﻓﺖ ﺑﺎﺳﻢ ﻣﻠﻜﺔ اﻟﺠﺎز‪.‬‬ ‫ﺑﺎﻹﺷﺎرة إﻟﻰ أن ﺟﺎﻧﻬﻔﻲ‬ ‫ﺗﺴﺘﻤﻊ إﻟﻰ إﻳﻼ وﻟﻴﺲ أﻏﻨﻴﺔ‬ ‫‪GEHRAIYAAN TU‬‬ ‫‪MARZ HAI DAWA BHI‬‬ ‫‪ ،‬ﻋﻠﻘﺖ دﻳﺒﻴﻜﺎ ﺑﺎدﻛﻮن‪” ،‬ﻟﻴﺲ ل‬ ‫‪GEHRAIYAAN#‬؟« ردت‬ ‫ﺟﺎﻧﻬﻔﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ دﻳﺒﻴﻜﺎ ﻗﺎﺋﻠﺔ »ﺣﺎﻟ ًﻴﺎ‬ ‫أﺧﻮن ‪ GEHRAIYAAN‬ﻣﻊ‬ ‫إﻳﻼ«‪.‬‬

‫زواج ﻓﺮﺣﺎن أﻛﺘﺎر‬ ‫وﺷﻴﺒﺎﻧﻲ داﻧﺪﻳﻜﺎر‬ ‫ﺗﺰوج ﻓﺮﺣﺎن أﻛﺘﺎر وﺷﻴﺒﺎﻧﻲ داﻧﺪﻳﻜﺎر‬ ‫‪ .‬ﺟﺎﻓﻴﺪ أﻛﺘﺎر‪ ،‬أﻛﺪ أن ﺣﻔﻞ اﻟﺰﻓﺎف‬ ‫ﺳﻴﻘﺎم ﻓﻲ ‪ 21‬ﻓﺒﺮاﻳﺮ‪ .‬ﻣﻊ اﻷﺧﺬ ﻓﻲ‬ ‫اﻻﻋﺘﺒﺎر ﻣﻌﺎﻳﻴﺮ اﻟﺴﻼﻣﺔ‪ ،‬ﻛﺎن ﺣﻔﻞ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ﺑﺴﻴﻄﺎ »ﻣﻊ اﻟﻮﺿﻊ ﻓﻲ اﻻﻋﺘﺒﺎر‪،‬‬ ‫اﻟﺰﻓﺎف‬ ‫ﻣﻦ اﻟﻮاﺿﺢ أﻧﻨﺎ ﻻ ﻧﺴﺘﻄﻴﻊ اﺳﺘﻀﺎﻓﺔ أي ﺷﻲء‬ ‫ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﻄﺎق واﺳﻊ‪ .‬ﻟﺬﻟﻚ‪ ،‬ﻧﺤﻦ ﻧﺘﺼﻞ ﻓﻘﻂ ﺑﻌﺪد ﻗﻠﻴﻞ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺎس‪.‬‬ ‫إﻧﻬﺎ ﻣﺴﺄﻟﺔ ﺑﺴﻴﻄﺔ ﻟﻠﻐﺎﻳﺔ‪ .‬ﻟﻢ ﻧﻘﻢ ﺑﺈرﺳﺎل اﻟﺪﻋﻮات »إﻧﻬﺎ ﻓﺘﺎة‬ ‫ﻟﻄﻴﻔﺔ ﺟ ًﺪا‪ .‬ﻛﻞ واﺣﺪ ﻣﻨﺎ ﻳﺤﺒﻬﺎ ﻛﺜﻴﺮا‪ .‬اﻟﺸﻲء اﻷﻛﺜﺮ أﻫﻤﻴﺔ ﻫﻮ أن‬ ‫ﻓﺮﺣﺎن ﺗﺘﻌﺎﻳﺶ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﺟﻴﺪ ﻟﻠﻐﺎﻳﺔ‪ ،‬وﻫﻮ أﻣﺮ راﺋﻊ«‪ .‬ﻧﺘﻤﻨﻰ ﻟﻔﺮﺣﺎن‬ ‫وﺷﻴﺒﺎﻧﻲ ﻛﻞ اﻟﺘﻮﻓﻴﻖ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺴﺘﻘﺒﻠﻬﻤﺎ ﻣ ًﻌﺎ‪.‬‬

‫‪08-09 -FFME-MAR 2022 HIGHT LIGHTS _AAMC- CORRECTED .indd 9‬‬

‫ﺣﻔﻼﺕ ﻣﺤﻠﻴﺔ‬

‫اﻷول ﻣن ﻣﺎرس‪ 2022 ،‬ﻋدد ‪48‬‬ ‫أفالم | موضة | اليف ستايل‬

‫‪www.filmfaremiddleeast.com‬‬

‫الشرق األوسط‬ ‫مارس ‪2022‬‬

‫المرح‬ ‫والشجاعة‬

‫‪81‬‬ ‫ ­ ‬

‫א א ‬

‫فريق فيلم ‪ GEHRAIYAAN‬برصاحة‬

‫‪AED 10‬‬

‫‪THE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT ISSUE‬‬

‫ﺃﻫﻢ ﺍﻷﺣﺪﺍﺙ‬

‫‪94‬‬ ‫‪95‬‬

‫ א כא א כ‬ ‫ א א א א ‬ ‫ א א ‬ ‫ א ‬ ‫א א ‬ ‫ כא א כ ‬ ‫ ­ א ‬ ‫א א א א‬

‫א א א ‬ ‫א א א א א א ‬ ‫ א אא ‬ ‫א ‬

‫ﻗﺼﺔ ﺍﻟﻐﻼﻑ‬

‫‪88‬‬

‫‪02/03/2022 11:35 PM‬‬

‫ כא א כ ‬ ‫ ­ א ‬ ‫א א א א‬

‫‪85.indd 2‬‬

www.filmfaremiddleeast.com

‫ﺃﻓﻼﻡ | ﻣﻮﺿﺔ | ﻻﻳﻒ ﺳﺘﺎﻳﻞ‬

‫اﻟﺸﺮق اﻷوﺳﻂ‬ 2022 ‫ﻣﺎﺭﺱ‬

‫اﻟﻤﺮح‬ ‫واﻟﺸﺠﺎﻋﺔ‬ ‫ ﺑﴫاﺣﺔ‬GEHRAIYAAN ‫ﻓﺮﻳﻖ ﻓﻴﻠﻢ‬

THE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT ISSUE 01-FFME-MARCH- 2022- FINAL Deepika.indd 2

AED 10

02/03/2022 11:31 PM

HIGH NOTE.pdf

1

28/02/2022

9:37 AM

TANISHQ FINAL .pdf

1

22/02/2022

2:25 PM