NEHA DHUPIA: IF YOU’RE A VICTIM, SPEAK UP

Neha Dhupia feels #MeToo - an online campaign that raised awareness about the extent of sexual harassment - is not only valid for people associated with the entertainment industry, but for everyone. The actress says a victim should not hesitate to share one’s ordeal, and instead save innocents from facing same fate by talking about it.

Life is getting more and more gender neutral, Neha said, adding that there are still miles to go.

“Things are changing for women. They are getting a position of power, and professionally they are doing exceptionally well. They are getting roles with projects like Secret Superstar, Tumhari Sulu or Padmavati that are made around women, Neha said.

“It is getting better, but unfortunately there is always that question of #MeToo and there is a Harvey Weinstein that comes across.”

Neha was referring to the slew of sexual misconduct allegations levied against the Hollywood mogul. Numerous leading men from Hollywood like Ben Affleck, Brett Ratner, Charlie Sheen, Dustin Hoffman, James Toback and

Kevin Spacey, have been accused for sexually harassing people associated with showbiz.

The controversy has rocked the entertainment industry the world over.

Like many other actors, Neha too asserted that harassment is not restricted to showbiz.

“I promise you that is not just in this business. But it is about women across whatever profession they are in. This is happening to them at their home. Anybody could be a victim. My plea is that if you are a victim come out and talk about it because you are not only just protecting yourself but you are also putting a lot of other innocent women in danger.

“Talking about it doesn’t make you weak. It makes you brave, so be the braver one in this situation,” said the actress, who has never shied away from calling a spade a spade.

Neha Dhupia is not the first actor to speak on the issue. Swara Bhaskar recalled in November how she lost many roles because she refused sexual advances from producers or directors.

And Kalki Koechlin and Richa Chadha had said how an environment needed to

Kangana Puts Herself First

The quintessential heroine - on and off screen - is not for actress Kangana Ranaut.

“I have myself as the priority always. I do not subscribe to the theory that good girls don’t think about themselves and they are all for sacrifice. My life is my life and I want to make the most of it,” Kangana said, when asked about the learnings that she wants girls to draw from her life.

“I want to utilise my potential and see who I am. It’s not just about my brother, son, husband or my mother. Somewhere, I do not subscribe to the quintessential heroine, who is an ultimate Indian woman who puts everyone before her and she comes in the end for herself,” added the threetime National Award winner.

“It was most definitely very challenging for me to come from a small town which anyway is not very tolerant to aspirational women, especially ambitious women. You are seen as a vamp if you are ambitious, if you want to make your own money or if you don’t want to be dependent.

“Women who make their choices and who fight for their rights will always be the ones who will be seen as rebels,” she said.

But she feels that “as long as you don’t think you are doing something wrong, it is absolutely fine.”

Talking about breaking the long societal norm that “girls don’t fight,” Kangana said: “A modern woman is not going to keep her mouth shut if she is taken for a ride or sexually harassed or if she is not given her salary. She is not going to keep quiet and that’s why these conventional forces, these old-school minds, these patriarchal or chauvinist people, are going to be bothered and hassled.”

Spoken like a champ, Kangana!

TIGER ZINDA HAI, BUT NOT IN PAKISTAN

Like all Salman Khan-starrers, Tiger Zinda Hai is a much anticipated release. But his fans in Pakistan will be disappointed. The film has been refused the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for import by Pakistan’s Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, because it portrays the nation in a bad light.

The Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer is the sequel of thriller drama Ek Tha Tiger which too hadn’t released in the country.

Pakistan’s Central Board of Film Censor (CBFC) Chairman Mobasher Hasan was quoted as saying, “Tiger Zinda Hai has been refused the NOC, citing the same reason as the first instalment of the franchise. The image of Pakistan and its law enforcement agencies has been compromised.”

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF), the movie is about two spies - one Indian and the other Pakistani. It is slated to release in India on December 22. With this refusal, it seems there will be a, well, torrent of illegal downloads of the film in Pakistan.

Shahid Named Sexiest Asian Man In Uk Poll

Shahid Kapoor has been named the ‘Sexiest Asian Man’ in a poll, dethroning singer Zayn Malik who has been winning the title for the past two years.

Shahid has topped Eastern Eye’s 2017 list of 50 Sexiest Asian Men in the world. Last year, he ranked seventh. Expressing surprise, the Udta Punjab star dedicated the title to his fans who voted for him.

“I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. I am humbled by the desirable tag. I believe sexy is not only to do with the physical, but as much to do with the mental perspective on life. This one is for all those fans who have loved and supported me,” Shahid said in a statement.

Actor Hrithik Roshan ranked second for the third year in a row, with Zayn Malik falling to number three.

Sonam Amused Over Nepotism Debate

Sonam Kapoor always brings her A-Game on fashion and style. With opinions, it’s more often hit or miss. This time, she says she was ‘amused’ by the nepotism debate in Bollywood this past year. According to Sonam, if one goes by the meaning of ‘nepotism’ in the dictionary, it is something that happens everywhere. Here’s how Sonam, the daughter of veteran actor Anil Kapoor, broke down the meaning of nepotism, and shared her take on the controversy.

She said: “The whole industry has gotten involved in it and I’ve just laughed through the whole thing. Little knowledge like they say is very dangerous knowledge... So, through this whole thing, I was like should I just put out the meaning of it on Twitter and my mother was like ‘Stay away from the whole thing!’ I was like, ‘Mom how can people not know what it means?’”

So, Sonam enlightens us. “I would love to explain what that means. Nepotism means that any relationship, any job or any privilege that you get due to any relationship - it could be a relative, it could be a friend, it could be a friend’s friend. Anything that is not on merit is nepotism.

“So, whether you sleep with someone, whether you are someone’s girlfriend, whether you are someone’s friend, whether you are somebody’s family and you get a job, is nepotism.

“Now, obviously if you actually have the time to go and read a dictionary or go online and understand the meaning of it or if you have read in your life, you will understand the meaning of nepotism, so to use it so frivolously... It could be applied to each and every person in the film industry or any industry.”

Makes sense? You decide!

NARGIS DEBUTS WITH SNOOP DOGG

Nargis Fakhri, who has worked with American rapper Snoop Dogg in a new single Woofer, says she was “completely thrilled to sing with the iconic” artist.

Dr Zeus has come out with Woofer featuring Snoop Dogg rapping alongside UK-based Punjabi singer Zora Randhawa.

“I really enjoyed working with Dr Zeus and Zora and the entire BeingU team. This was a really awesome experience. For me, I grew up listening to Snoop Dogg so when this came my way, I was completely thrilled to give it a shot and sing with someone as iconic as him,” Nargis said in a statement. Just one question, Nargis. Do you sing as well as you act?

Shot in Los Angeles, the song has been produced by BeingU Music - a record label dedicated to push forward independent Indian music across the world through exciting collaborations with the focus on Punjabi artists.

SRK GETS A PAT FROM INDIA’S DEFENCE MINISTER

Shah Rukh Khan was happy to receive an appreciation note from India’s Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who lauded his effort in supporting the Armed Forces Flag Day awareness campaign.

Shah Rukh shared on his social media a snapshot of the note, which read, “We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for supporting the Armed Forces Flag Day awareness campaign and spreading the message to your widespread audience. Thank you best of luck for the future.”

The actor captioned it, “Thank you Ma’am for the opportunity. This is the least we can do for our Armed Forces. Will convey your message to the whole

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

RACHEL MCADAMS or YAMI GAUTAM in SELF PORTRAIT

Share your views with us on our Facebook page /IndianLinkAustralia team. Jai Hind.”

The actor had earlier this month expressed his support by sharing a picture of his team and himself standing together and paying their respect to the Armed Forces. “Our soldiers give their tomorrow for our today. They deserve our respect and gratitude,” he had posted.

RIP, NEERAJ VORA

Bollywood’s multi-faceted talent Neeraj Vora, an actor, writer and director known for his humorous streak on and off screen, died on 14 Dec, months after being comatose.

Neeraj Vora wrote Rangeela, directed Phir Hera Pheri and acted in Bol Bachchan among several other projects.

Born in a Gujarati family, Vora came to be known in the film industry for the way he tackled humour through his acting, writing and directorial projects.

Neeraj had an acting stint on television with shows like Circus and Naya Nukkad, while on the film front, he made the audience laugh with roles in Daud: Fun on the Run, Hello Brother, Bol Bachchan and Welcome Back.

Newton Out Of Oscar Race

India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars 2018, Newton, is out of the race.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday announced that nine features will advance to the next round of voting in the Foreign Language Film category for the 90th Academy Awards, according to the official website of the Oscars.

Newton, directed by Amit V. Masurkar and starring the stellar Rajkummar Rao in a story set against the backdrop of elections in the world’s largest democracy, was not a part of it.

The shortlisted films have been selected from 92 titles that had originally been considered in the category.

So far, Mother India, Salaam Bombay! and Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India are the only Indian films that made it to the top five in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards, but none have won the honour.

What’s the chitchat here between ANUSHKA SHARMA and VIRAT KOHLI?

What’s the chitchat here between MISS WORLD MANUSHI and PM MODI?

Aashray D: Modiji, don’t look so worried about Gujarat elections. Give us that winning smile of yours :p Congratulations, Aashray!

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