Urgent need to respect women's autonomy
It's been a slippery slope for Indian men trying to talk their way out of their misogyny.
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News18
21 minutes ago
- News18
Diljit Dosanjh's Border 2 In Big Trouble? FWICE Asks Amit Shah To Withdraw Shoot Permission
Last Updated: The film body mentioned that it has decided to officially boycott Diljit Dosanjh, who is collaborating with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his upcoming movie, Sardaar Ji 3. Stepping up its attack on Diljit Dosanjh, the Federation of Western lndia Cine Employees (FWICE) has written a fresh letter to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asking them to withdraw shooting permissions for Border 2. The shooting of the film, which also stars Diljit in a key role, is currently underway at the National Defence Academy in Pune. 'We write to you with deep concern regarding the shooting permission reportedly granted to the production team of the film 'Border 2' at the National Defence Academy (NDA) premises in Pune," the FWICE letter to the ministers said. The film body mentioned that it has decided to officially boycott Diljit Dosanjh, who is collaborating with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his upcoming movie, Sardaar Ji 3. 'It is important to bring to your notice that the said film (Border 2) features actor Diljit Dosanjh, who has been officially boycotted by FWICE owing to his involvement with individuals and content that have deeply disrespected Indian sentiments, especially by associating with Pakistani artists known for their anti-lndia views, and participating in projects filmed in sensitive border locations like Pahalgam immediately following terror incidents targeting our armed forces," the letter added. 'The NDA, being a national symbol of military training and sacrifice, must not be used as a backdrop for a film involving an actor who is currently under public and professional boycott due to acts that undermine the spirit of national unity and hurt the sentiments of our defence community," it continued. In this regard, FWICE asked the Union Ministers to withdraw shooting permission of Border 2 to 'ensure that the integrity of sensitive defence installations is not compromised or associated with individuals facing legitimate public outrage." Previously, FWICE also wrote a letter to the makers of Border 2, expressing disappointment with the casting of Diljit Dosanjh in the movie. In its letter, addressed to Bhushan Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director, T-Series, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta Producers, JP Films, and director Anurag Singh, FWICE mentioned that it is 'deeply disappointed" with the casting of Diljit Dosanjh in Border 2. Diljit Dosanjh has been accused of hurting national sentiments for casting Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3, especially after the shocking terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this year. Recently, the Punjabi singer-actor also broke his silence on the controversy and told BBC Asian Network that the project was completed before any of the current political tensions surfaced. Sardaar Ji 3, directed by Amar Hundal, is set for an overseas release on June 27. However, it will not be released in Indian theatres. First Published:
Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Akshaye Khanna fired Vidya Balan after she refused to do a film opposite him: ‘I was so scared, asked John Abraham to save me'
Vidya Balan, who made a powerful Bollywood debut with Parineeta in 2005, has carved a niche for herself as one of the most respected and versatile actresses in Indian cinema. With a string of memorable performances in films like Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Paa, Ishqiya, No One Killed Jessica, Kahaani, and The Dirty Picture, she's built a legacy defined by bold choices and deeply layered characters. But behind her confident screen presence is a journey filled with self-doubt, tough decisions, and plenty of learning–especially when it came to turning down films early in her career. In a recent conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Vidya Balan opened up about one such moment from her early days, when she had to refuse a film opposite Akshaye Khanna—and didn't quite know how to handle it. 'I find it much easier to say no today than I did 20 years ago. I was so scared. I remember there was this film offered to me opposite Akshaye Khanna, and for some reason, I didn't connect with the script. But I couldn't pick up the phone and tell him that myself. I asked my manager to convey it to the director instead,' she said. ALSO READ | Kajol says Karan Johar didn't want her to regain memory after fall on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai set: 'SRK gave me medicine, Karan told me I was a background dancer' The story didn't end there. Vidya Balan later ran into Akshaye Khanna on the sets of Salaam-E-Ishq, and he playfully confronted her. 'He fired me!' she recalled with a laugh. 'He said, 'Why didn't you tell me you didn't want to do the film?' I was so embarrassed. I went up to John Abraham and said, 'Can you please save me?' I just didn't want any confrontation or to hurt anyone's feelings. But later, I realised he was just pulling my leg.' Vidya Balan was most recently seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, marking her much-anticipated return to the franchise after missing out on the 2022 sequel.
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Business Standard
25 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Genomic testing sees sharp uptake in India, now growing beyond metros
With 18 per cent CAGR, India's genomic diagnostics market is expanding into Tier 2 and 3 cities as affordability, cancer screening, and personalised care fuel adoption Anjali Singh Mumbai Demand for genomic testing in India has surged significantly over the past two to three years, fuelled by growing clinical awareness, rapid technological advancements and the rising adoption of personalised medicine. From being a niche service concentrated in major metros, genomic diagnostics are now expanding into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, reshaping the landscape of preventive and precision healthcare. The Indian genomic diagnostics market is valued at $550 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18 per cent, reaching $2,066.31 million by 2030, according to industry estimates. Key drivers include wider physician adoption, declining test prices, improved accessibility and a shift in consumer behaviour towards proactive and personalised healthcare. Diagnostic majors such as Agilus Diagnostics, Metropolis Healthcare, Dr Lal PathLabs, Mahajan Imaging and Labs, and Redcliffe Labs report double-digit growth in the segment. While metros like Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi still contribute the lion's share, growing awareness and infrastructure in cities like Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Pune, Kochi and Surat are driving demand beyond urban hubs. Test affordability has improved substantially. Prices for routine genomic tests—like BRCA1/2 (used to analyse a person's DNA to identify mutations in genes that increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer) and NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing, a blood test performed on pregnant women to assess the risk of certain genetic conditions in the foetus)—have come down by 30–40 per cent, now ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 20,000, depending on complexity. While advanced oncology panels and exome sequencing can still cost up to Rs 2 lakh, widespread adoption of high-throughput platforms and in-house test development has made even complex testing more accessible. Experts believe that although demand for genomic testing is rising across multiple segments, increasing cancer incidence and a countrywide focus on cancer detection and reproductive health have been key growth drivers. 'The rapid increase in demand for cancer tests, along with paediatric and reproductive health applications like prenatal testing and carrier testing, are major contributing factors driving growth in genetic testing. The country is also witnessing a rise in testing for rare genetic diseases, driven by India's huge genetic diversity,' said Nilaya Varma, group chief executive officer and co-founder, Primus Partners. 'Genomic testing now contributes 5–7 per cent of our total diagnostics revenue, up from under 2 per cent three years ago,' said Anand K, managing director and chief executive officer, Agilus Diagnostics. Redcliffe Labs pegs this number even higher, at 30–40 per cent, with consistent 20 per cent year-on-year growth in test volumes. 'We've seen a dramatic rise in genomic testing demand over the past five years, especially in oncology, rare diseases and reproductive health. What's encouraging is that Tier 2 and 3 cities like Lucknow, Bhubaneswar and Coimbatore are now actively adopting these tests,' said Himani Pandey, lab head – genomics, Redcliffe Labs. Metropolis Healthcare, which entered the genomics space three years ago, has seen over 50 per cent revenue growth in the segment and plans further expansion through investments in bioinformatics and next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms. 'We've seen over 50 per cent revenue growth in genomics since our entry into the space three years ago. Genomic testing is increasingly being integrated into routine health check-ups, cancer diagnostics, rare disease screening and personalised treatment planning. We are investing heavily in bioinformatics and NGS platforms to scale further,' said Kirti Chadha, chief scientific and innovation officer, Metropolis Healthcare. Similarly, Dr Lal PathLabs, through its genomics division Genevolve, has launched over 500 tests covering oncogenomics, neurogenomics, rare disease panels and reproductive health. 'With Illumina's NovaSeq X platform at our national reference lab and a focused genomics sales team, we're bringing cutting-edge testing to both metros and smaller towns,' said Shankha Banerjee, chief executive officer, Dr Lal PathLabs. While margins on genomic tests can vary—and in many cases remain lower than routine diagnostics due to high input costs and low volumes—players see genomics as a long-term strategic bet. 'It's not just about margins—it's about clinical value and helping doctors make better treatment decisions,' said Shelly Mahajan, lab director at Mahajan Imaging. A common thread across players is the push for in-house development and Indian population–specific panels, often coupled with global partnerships for specialised tests. Most labs are also investing in AI-driven bioinformatics, advanced molecular labs and automation to enhance scalability. Yet, challenges remain. Despite cost reductions, insurance coverage for genomic tests in India is still extremely limited, creating affordability barriers for patients in lower-income segments. Industry leaders stress that broader insurance inclusion could accelerate adoption, particularly for cancer, rare diseases and reproductive health-related tests. Nonetheless, the momentum is clear: Genomic testing is no longer a fringe offering. With its ability to provide deep molecular insights for early diagnosis, targeted therapy and risk prediction, it is fast becoming a core pillar in India's diagnostics growth strategy.
