The rise of Bhupesh Baghel, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, has been accompanied by his use of various tactics to distract voters from core issues. One example is the arrest of Baghel's father for offending religious sentiments, which Baghel used to burnish his pro-Hindu credentials. This incident highlights how Baghel strategically diverts attention away from important issues such as indigenous rights [6daee927].
Under Baghel's government, there has been an increase in incidents of Christian persecution in Chhattisgarh. Additionally, the PESA Act, which is meant to protect the rights of indigenous communities, has been misused to benefit mining corporations. These actions demonstrate a disregard for the well-being of marginalized communities and a prioritization of corporate interests [6daee927].
One concerning trend is the Hinduisation of Adivasis, the indigenous people of Chhattisgarh. This process erodes their cultural identity and customs, as well as their ability to protect their land and resources. Civil society organizations that aim to safeguard Adivasi rights face resistance and challenges in their efforts [6daee927].
However, there is also a growing movement to revive Buddhist and indigenous culture in Chhattisgarh. Activists and scholars are working together to preserve and promote these traditions, posing a challenge to Baghel's Hindutva politics. This movement represents a resistance to the dominant narrative and a reclaiming of indigenous heritage [6daee927].
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gears up for the general election, it has a bouquet of new movies in its arsenal that are working to sway the hearts and minds of Indian voters. These movies, such as 'Bastar: The Naxal Story' and 'Main Atal Hoon', are part of the bold new Bollywood propaganda machine. They frame their plots as proof of credibility, based on real-life events and figures, and are hyperpolitical, nationalist, and suspicious of India's liberals and Leftists. The films are being accepted as peak entertainment and are gaining traction in other language films as well. The use of Bollywood as a vehicle to further political agenda isn't unique to the BJP, but the party has been successful in pushing its soft power through socio-cultural intervention [55874e8d].
The article 'Reel Stars in the role of netas: Are they chasing a chimera?' discusses the trend of Bollywood actors and actresses entering politics in India. It highlights the mass appeal and adulation that both politicians and movie stars receive from the public. The author mentions examples of Bollywood stars who have successfully transitioned into politics, such as Amitabh Bachchan and MGR. However, the article questions the political sagacity and contribution of Bollywood stars in comparison to Hollywood stars who have made successful political ventures. The author suggests that Bollywood stars should either take their role as politicians more seriously or make way for more serious individuals. The article emphasizes the importance of democracy and the potential of ordinary people to make a difference in politics [8fbcd5e6].
Hazim Bangwar, a civil servant known for his unique fashion sense, has responded to critics targeting his fashion choice. He emphasized his right to live his private life in peace and highlighted his decision to leave a life of luxury to serve the people. Bangwar expressed frustration at being trolled, bullied, and threatened for simply dressing well. He questioned whether other professionals wear their work-related clothes outside their line of work. Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry criticized Bangwar, calling on him to respect the office he occupies. However, there were also defenders of Bangwar's fashion choice, stating that it is a personal expression of fashion or art. Hazim Bangwar is a civil servant with a degree in Fashion Design and Marketing. He is also a singer and has released several songs. He is involved in various philanthropic activities and has served as the ambassador for three major companies [5cc0dd46].
Hollywood actor Faran Tahir has criticized the film industry's obsession with Bollywood. Tahir, known for roles in Iron Man and Star Trek, is set to debut in Pakistani films. He discussed his role replacement with Sanjay Dutt in a Hollywood film, The Jungle Book 1994. Tahir emphasized the need to avoid comparing the industry to China and Japan and mentioned that the industry should bring its own ideas and not compare itself to neighbors [ae43d1d9].
Cult filmmaker and actor Anurag Kashyap has criticized the current state of OTT platforms in India, stating that they are becoming more like traditional television. He believes that the golden age of OTT is over and expresses concerns about the decision-making process being influenced by algorithms rather than innovative storytelling. Kashyap compares this shift to the television industry's focus on TRPs dictating content production. He also mentions the challenges faced by creative professionals in the current OTT landscape, including dealing with executives who lack filmmaking experience. Kashyap shares his frustration when his show Maximum City was shelved by Netflix following the Tandav controversy, stating that OTT platforms only want to do what their algorithms dictate [8c2ecc6b].
Acclaimed director Chandrasekhar Yeleti is venturing into the world of OTT as a producer for ETV Win. He will serve as a showrunner and producer for an upcoming series on the platform. Yeleti plans to produce a series of OTT projects under his own production company. Known for his innovative storytelling, Yeleti's foray into the digital space is highly anticipated. ETV Win is actively collaborating with top directors like Yeleti to bring original series to its platform [b6a8d722].
Renowned ad filmmaker Chinmoy Kashyap is set to embark on a new chapter in his career with his debut feature film titled 'The Liminal'. The film is slated to be produced under the banner of Axom Motion Pictures. Written by PV Snehal, the script holds promise for a narrative that transcends conventional boundaries. Chinmoy Kashyap's transition from crafting concise ad narratives to helming a feature-length project underscores his versatility and ambition as a filmmaker. In a statement, Kashyap expressed his enthusiasm for this new venture, highlighting his dedication to delivering a film that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impression on its viewers. As the project gathers momentum, industry insiders and cinema enthusiasts eagerly await further details about casting, production timelines, and the unveiling of Kashyap's directorial vision. [1007d699]