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NDTV
02-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Film Body Urges PM Modi To Ban Digital Presence Of Pakistani Artists In India
New Delhi: The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has issued a formal appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a complete and permanent ban on the digital and media presence of all Pakistani nationals and entertainment-related entities in India. In a statement shared through its official X account, the association expressed concern over the reappearance of Pakistani actors and media channels on Indian digital platforms. PRESS RELEASE Date: 2nd July 2025 From: All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) Subject: Urgent Appeal to Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji Regarding the Reappearance of Pakistani Artists' Social Media & Channels in India – AICWA Demands Immediate and… — All Indian Cine Workers Association (@AICWAOfficial) July 2, 2025 AICWA cited the active social media presence of Pakistani celebrities such as Mawra Hocane and Yumna Zaidi, along with several Pakistan-based entertainment outlets, calling it "an emotional assault" on the families of victims of terrorism. "This is not merely a digital appearance, it is a direct insult to the sacrifice of our martyred soldiers," the association said. It referenced terror attacks including 26/11, Pulwama, Uri, and Pahalgam as part of its appeal, reiterating its long-standing position that Pakistan is responsible for continued cross-border terrorism. AICWA also raised objections to statements allegedly made by Pakistani public figures following India's recent Operation Sindoor, stating that "instead of showing remorse, several Pakistani artists have shamelessly spoken against India." Highlighting the cultural disconnect already in place from Pakistan's side, AICWA pointed out that Indian films and content remain banned in Pakistan since the Pulwama attack. The association questioned why Indian platforms should allow any exposure to Pakistani artists under these circumstances. The appeal further stated, "India has diplomatic and cultural relations with nearly 200 nations across the globe. Cutting off Pakistan completely will have zero negative impact on our economy or entertainment industry." The organisation called for a nationwide digital blackout of Pakistani social media accounts and media channels, a ban on all future collaborations involving Pakistani citizens across Indian media, OTT platforms, advertising and a permanent cultural disconnect with Pakistan, as a tribute to India's armed forces and martyrs. The Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians and injured several others, was widely condemned by Indian officials and has significantly heightened public sentiment against cross-border terrorism.


India Gazette
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
'Kaanta Laga' fame Shefali Jariwala passes away at 42
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 28 (ANI): Shefali Jariwala, the actor and dancer best known for her iconic role in the hit music video 'Kaanta Laga,' has passed away at the age of 42. Jariwala, who rose to fame in the early 2000s, was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Mumbai on Friday, but doctors reportedly declared her dead upon arrival. The cause of her death remains unclear, though some sources suggest that she may have suffered a cardiac arrest. Her family has yet to issue an official statement regarding the circumstances of her passing. Mumbai Police sources have confirmed the news of her death. 'Actress Shefali Jariwala has passed away at the age of 42. Her body was found at her residence in the Andheri area of Mumbai,' a police source said, adding that the body was found at Jariwala's residence in Andheri. Authorities received the report at around 1 am, and the body was subsequently transferred to Cooper Hospital for post-mortem. However, the exact cause of death is yet to be determined. Jariwala's death was also confirmed by the All Indian Cine Workers Association, which expressed its sorrow on the social media platform X. 'Shefali Jariwala is no longer with us. Gone too soon at just 42 due to a sudden heart attack. It's hard to believe she's gone. May her soul rest in peace, and may God give strength to her family during this heartbreaking time,' the association wrote. Jariwala was best known for her 2002 appearance in the music video 'Kaanta Laga,' which became an instant sensation and is still remembered as a defining moment in Indian pop culture. She later expanded her career into Bollywood with notable roles in the 2004 hit film 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi', where she starred alongside Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. The actress also gained recognition on television, appearing in popular reality shows such as 'Bigg Boss 13' (2019) and 'Nach Baliye' (seasons 5 and 7), where she participated alongside her husband, actor Parag Tyagi. Beyond her career in entertainment, Jariwala was a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and women's empowerment. She openly spoke about her battle with epilepsy and used her platform to inspire others facing similar struggles. Her untimely passing has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and left her fans in mourning. Jariwala is survived by her husband, Parag Tyagi, with whom she shared a strong bond both on and off-screen. (ANI)


News18
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Anupamaa Set Destroyed In Fire Hours Before Shoot; AICWA Demands FIR Against Producers, Film City Officials
Last Updated: Anupamaa set destroyed in major Film City fire. AICWA demands FIRs, suspension of officials, and full safety audit of studios across Maharashtra. A massive fire broke out early Friday morning on the set of the hit television serial Anupamaa in Film City, Mumbai. The blaze, which started around 5:00 AM, completely destroyed the set just two hours before the scheduled shoot was to begin. At the time, workers and crew were already present for the day's preparations. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported. But had the shoot started on schedule, the outcome could have been far worse — potentially leading to injuries or even loss of life. Massive Fire Breaks Out on the Set of 'Anupamaa' in Mumbai's Film City – AICWA Demands High-Level Investigation and AccountabilityMumbai, 23rd June 2025 – A major fire broke out early this morning at 5:00 AM on the set of the popular television serial Anupamaa in Film City,… — All Indian Cine Workers Association (@AICWAOfficial) June 23, 2025 The incident adds to a troubling pattern of frequent fires in Mumbai's film studios, once again exposing the negligence of production teams and authorities in enforcing basic fire safety standards. Industry insiders point out that studios often skip fire audits, putting hundreds of workers and artists at risk every day. In this case, nearby sets barely escaped the flames. If the fire had spread, the situation could have escalated into a much larger tragedy. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has taken a strong stand in the wake of the incident. The association has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order a high-level judicial inquiry into the fire. AICWA is also demanding the immediate suspension of the Managing Director of Film City and Mumbai's Labour Commissioner. The association blames both for failing to enforce fire safety protocols and for allegedly enabling producers to bypass mandatory precautions through inaction or collusion. AICWA has called for a criminal FIR to be lodged not only against the production house and the television channel behind Anupamaa, but also against Film City management and the Labour Department. The association further raised concerns that the fire could have been intentionally triggered to make false insurance claims — a possibility that, if proven, would suggest a horrifying disregard for human life. There are also fears that actual casualties, if any, might be covered up to avoid public scrutiny and legal consequences. AICWA has asked that authorities thoroughly investigate and confirm whether any lives were lost in the incident. The association has additionally demanded a full fire safety audit of all film sets and studios across Maharashtra. It insists that any producer, channel, or production house found violating fire safety rules must be blacklisted immediately. With thousands of daily wage workers, technicians, and backstage crew relying on safe working conditions, the need for accountability has never been more urgent. AICWA has stated that without strong and immediate action, the system will continue to endanger lives in the name of entertainment. First Published:


Economic Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
FIR against Rishab Shetty demanded as 'Kantara: Chapter 1' junior artist dies on set. Accident or negligence?
AICWA Raises Allegations of Negligence — AICWAOfficial (@AICWAOfficial) Kantara: Chapter 1 Production History and Challenges Production of Kantara: Chapter 1 came to an abrupt halt on May 6 after a junior artiste, MF Kapil, tragically drowned in the Souparnika River near Kollur, Karnataka. Kapil, 33, a native of Moosarithara in Kerala, reportedly entered the river during a break from shooting. According to initial reports, he was swept away by strong currents and his body was recovered later that night. The incident took place around 3:45 PM. Authorities confirmed that an FIR was registered at the Kollur Police Station, and a formal investigation is the incident, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) issued a detailed statement expressing serious concerns over the circumstances of Kapil's death. The organization called for an FIR against actor-director Rishab Shetty and the film's production house, Hombale Films. Citing similar past tragedies, including technician deaths on the sets of Indian 2 and Sardar 2, as well as a previous bus accident involving 20 junior artistes, AICWA criticized what it described as a pattern of misrepresentation and negligence on film association stated that such incidents are often downplayed by production houses, who they allege provide misleading narratives about the cause of death. They emphasized that the drowning claim in Kapil's case must be thoroughly investigated to determine if other factors were has called upon Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to order a high-level and impartial inquiry into the incident. The association also demanded that Rishab Shetty and the producers be held legally accountable. Furthermore, AICWA urged the producers of Kantara: Chapter 1 to provide Kapil's family with a compensation of Rs 1 crore, arguing that the loss of life on a film set demands both accountability and Chapter 1, a prequel to Rishab Shetty's 2022 hit Kantara, is set during the Kadamba dynasty's rule in Banavasi. The film, which stars Rishab Shetty along with Jayaram, Kishore, Jayasurya, and Jisshu Sengupta, is scheduled for release on October 2, 2025. Despite the production team's assurance that the release timeline remains unchanged, the project has faced multiple hurdles, including severe weather damaging a costly set and scrutiny from the forest department over environmental a bus transporting junior artistes overturned near Kollur, though no injuries were reported at the time. Most recently, before the drowning incident, the crew had begun rehearsals for a large-scale battle sequence involving 3,000 participants and over 500 trained fighters, highlighting the massive scale and ambition behind the of now, neither Rishab Shetty nor the production house has publicly responded to the AICWA's demands or the ongoing investigation. The association maintains that the industry must take greater responsibility for worker safety and bring an end to what it described as a culture of silence and concealment around on-set fatalities.


India.com
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Kantara: Chapter 1 Team Denies Link To Junior Artiste's Drowning, Says Incident Occurred Off-Set
New Delhi: A junior artiste linked to the upcoming Kannada film Kantara: Chapter 1, identified as MF Kapil, tragically drowned in the Souparnika River at Kollur on Wednesday afternoon, prompting the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) to call for a high-level and impartial investigation into the circumstances of his death. 'In this latest tragedy, the claim of drowning needs to be thoroughly investigated to determine if it is the true cause of death or if there are other factors involved,' the statement read. AICWA further demanded that an FIR be filed against the film's lead actor and director Rishab Shetty and the production house, while also calling for a financial compensation of INR 1 crore for the victim's family. Media Release Date: May 8, 2025 Subject: AICWA Demands Impartial Investigation into the Tragic Death of Junior Artist MF Kapil on the Set of 'Kantara 2 (Chapter-1)' Mumbai – The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) expresses deep sorrow over the tragic demise of junior… — All Indian Cine Workers Association (@AICWAOfficial) May 8, 2025 In response, the makers of Kantara: Chapter 1 issued an official statement denying that the incident occurred during a shoot. 'We deeply regret the unfortunate incident and would like to respectfully clarify that it did not take place on the sets of Kantara. In fact, there was no shooting scheduled on the day the incident occurred. The incident happened during his personal trip with friends,' said Adarsh JA, Executive Producer of the film, urging the public to avoid speculation. Kantara: Chapter 1, the much-awaited prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, is currently in its final leg of production and is slated for release on October 2, 2025. With its captivating narrative and strong cultural roots, the franchise has already built a dedicated global fan base.