First-time actors to bring Kakori Train Action to life in Lucknow
Organiser Deepak Kabir, founder of Dastak Manch, says people from non-acting professions will be featured as actors after a month-long workshop. Famous theatre directors Salim Arif and Tariq Khan also gave valuable tips to the budding artistes during the workshop.
'We have an interesting mix of people from across age-groups and professions. We also have retired people, housewives, and a mother-daughter duo. All have one thing in common – love for theatre and the spirit to start acting at any age. This telling and real story of our revolutionaries has inspired them. This being 100 years of Kakori Train Action and the fact that we are in Lucknow where it all happened provides a perfect backdrop,' says Deepak. Rehearsal during the play Bade Aa Se Azaadi(Photo: HT)
Last month, IPTA organised Daastan-e-Ashfaq-ulla-Khan by daastango Shehzad Rizvi and Farzan Mehdi.
The director says, 'Around 35 people from different professions are part of this play in which 30 will be on-stage. The play will witness live singing by professional vocalists and musicians. Our actors will sing chorus as well including the famous Sarfroshi Ki Tamanna and new patriotic songs as well. All artistes are very excited and putting in a lot of effort in the play.'
With a masters degree in theatre and acting and directing for the last 10 years, Deepak says, 'Our focus is not on costly sets. Instead, we are working on acting, sound, lights and other production aspects to impress the audience. Soaked in patriotism, the subject itself is very gripping. Besides the Kakori episode, we will be touching on the life of Bhagat Singh as well.'
The Kakori Train Action took place on August 9, 1925
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Himachal governor inaugurates traditional International Minjar Fair
Himachal governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Sunday inaugurated the historic International Minjar Fair in Chamba district. Himachal governor Shiv Pratap Shukla speaking during the inauguration of International Minjar Fair on Sunday. (HT Photo) While the inauguration, the governor said, 'Chamba district, with its glorious history spanning over a thousand years, is known for its natural beauty and rich folk art and culture. The historic fair, renowned for its rich traditions, not only showcases the unique culture of Himachal Pradesh but also promotes social harmony.' Extending his best wishes to the people of the state for the Minjar Fair–2025, Shukla expressed hope that the event brings joy and enthusiasm among the people. He also called upon everyone to preserve traditional folk culture and maintain social harmony. On this occasion, an anti-drug pledge was also administered. He flagged off an awareness rally aimed at spreading a strong message against drug abuse. He advised the youth to stay away from drugs.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Chinar Book Fair from August 2 to 10 in Srinagar
Book and culture lovers in Jammu and Kashmir are in for a treat as the Chinar Book Fair will return to Srinagar from August 2 with organisers promising additional features like a national exhibition on the ancient Sharda script, Gojri translation workshop and Tamil-Kashmiri Samvad. The organisers say that the nine-day festival will see the participation of more than 200 publishers and book stalls from across India, offering books in English, Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, and other Indian languages. (HT representative) After its inaugural edition in 2024 drew a good response, the festival promises to return this year with an expanded range of books, events, and voices, with an objective to give impetus to the culture of reading in Jammu and Kashmir. Organised by the National Book Trust, India in collaboration with National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) and Srinagar district administration, the 2025 edition will take place at the scenic back lawns of Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre, from August 2 to 10, a statement by the chief convener Dr Amit Wanchoo said. 'This festival is much more than a literary gathering. It reflects the spirit of learning and cultural pride in Kashmir. In a world that often feels lonely, this book festival unites us all, inspiring writers, readers and thinkers from across the country to engage with our rich literary heritage, sowing seeds of hope and understanding for future generations,' he said. The organisers say that the nine-day festival will see the participation of more than 200 publishers and book stalls from across India, offering books in English, Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, and other Indian languages. From bilingual children's books and academic titles to digital content and regional classics, there is something for everyone. 'But this year's festival is more than just a book exhibition. It is a space for ideas, learning, and cultural exchange. Special sessions include the Rajtarangini Samvad, with workshops and panel discussions, exploring various aspects of the historical text,' said Wanchoo. The book festival will also feature a national exhibition on the ancient Sharda script, and a first-ever Gojri translation workshop, aimed to produce bilingual books in Hindi, Urdu, Dogri, Kashmiri, and English. These efforts aim to bring lesser-represented languages and stories into the mainstream. 'A major highlight of the festival is the Tamil-Kashmiri Samvad under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, focusing on shared cultural and spiritual traditions across the regions,' the statement said. There will be participation of prominent scholars, educators, writers, poets, and other distinguished personalities. Other key attractions include creative writing and illustration workshops, calligraphy sessions, author talks, storytelling, laughter therapy and a wide range of activities for children. Visitors will also be able to explore the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, a digital platform providing free access to thousands of e-books. Evenings will feature live cultural performances like folk songs, mushaira, Kashmiri chhakri, Bhand Pather, and theatre, offering a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for all age groups. The statement quoted professor Milind Sudhakar Marathe, chairman of NBT-India saying: 'The Chinar Book Festival is not just a showcase of books. It is about bringing people together through language, literature, and shared experiences. From ancient scripts to modern publishing, we are creating a space where heritage and innovation go hand in hand.' Yuvraj Malik, director of National Book Trust, India, said: 'After the success of the first edition, we wanted to expand the Chinar Book Festival. With new ideas and broader participation, this year's edition is designed to reach more people, especially young readers. We aim to help build a strong reading culture across Jammu & Kashmir.'
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Aamir Khan's film goes pay-per-view on YouTube, gives OTT giants a miss
Mumbai: Aamir Khan Productions has partnered with YouTube to release Sitaare Zameen Par on a pay-per-view basis in a potentially significant move, said people familiar with the development. This marks the first time in recent memory a Hindi film featuring a major star has not been licensed to a dominant subscription video-on-demand ( SVOD ) platform such as Netflix, Prime Video or JioHotstar, opting instead for a pay-per-view strategy via the world's largest video platform. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Technology Artificial Intelligence CXO Project Management Degree healthcare MCA Digital Marketing Public Policy Leadership Design Thinking Operations Management Data Analytics Data Science MBA Finance others Cybersecurity Management PGDM Product Management Healthcare Data Science Others Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks MIT xPRO CERT-MIT XPRO Building AI Prod India Starts on undefined Get Details Industry sources say Aamir Khan is tapping into the pay-per-view window, which has been a phenomenon globally but remains underutilised in India. However, they noted that it's still unclear how long he will delay the SVOD release following the pay-per-view window. Aamir Khan Productions and YouTube declined to comment. The film is likely to move to YouTube early next month. While the industry typically follows an eight-week window for streaming on SVOD platforms, Khan recently said that all his films will follow a six-month theatrical run to protect box office revenues. The film was released on June 20 in theatres. "It's a bold move by an A-list star, and all eyes will be on how much the film can earn from pay-per-view, as well as how long Aamir Khan plans to keep it there before releasing it on an SVOD platform," said Shariq Patel, former CEO of Zee Studios. Film is expected to be priced at ₹99. Netflix and Prime Video continue to dominate India's post-theatrical streaming market. According to Media Partners Asia, producers' streaming revenues have grown to 1.5 times their net theatrical share, making it a critical monetisation channel. However, the FICCI-EY 2025 report shows that streaming rights revenue in India fell to ₹3,100 crore, down from ₹3,500 crore in 2023 and ₹3,300 crore in 2022, as platforms cut back on content spending in pursuit of profitability. Still, not everyone sees this as a replicable model. Abundantia Entertainment CEO Vikram Malhotra noted that such an approach may work better for mid-budget films than big-budget ones, which often depend on upfront OTT deals for financial recovery. "Therefore, it's unlikely to serve as a viable financial model across the board, especially for films with higher break-even points. That said, it's an interesting and important experiment whose impact and sustainability will become clearer over time," he said. Suniel Wadhwa, a veteran distributor, cofounder and director of Karmic Films, said: " Film distribution through YouTube may not be remunerative for all actors or producers. It is a long-gestation affair. It will work only for well-established or A-list actors who have a huge or unique following. Besides this, it will be a practical alternative only for producers who have capacity to wait and earn revenues in the long-term." Sitaare Zameen Par is said to have been made on a budget of under ₹100 crore. As an in-house production, Khan has reportedly waived his fee, potentially making the model more viable. The film has collected ₹166.2 crore in India and ₹263.7 crore worldwide, according to box office tracker Sacnilk. Malhotra added that while the pay-per-view model has been tried before, it hasn't gained traction, largely because audiences favour subscription platforms offering a wider content library. Ajay Phutane, a veteran of film distribution and marketing, said digital distribution is becoming increasingly important as theatre footfalls decline post-pandemic. "The fall in theatrical viewership is directly tied to the rise in digital subscribers," he said. "A ₹99 pay-per-view release on YouTube is a significant step, especially given its vast reach. With many single screens shut and limited theatres in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, YouTube offers a more economical and convenient alternative as viewers can watch at their own time, place, and pace."
