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Canada Standard
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Canada Standard
"This tragedy cannot be forgotten": Ashoke Pandit extends condolences over Ahmedabad plane crash
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 12 (ANI): Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit conveyed his condolences on Thursday following the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. He said that it has shocked everyone and that 'this tragedy cannot be forgotten.' Speaking to ANI, he said, 'This tragedy, which has occurred in Ahmedabad where an Air India aircraft has crashed with more than 200 people who lost their lives, is undefinable. It's very sad, one is under shock, and one can't even imagine all those passengers who must have sat in the aircraft and were about to fly to London would have ever imagined that this is going to be their fate. The pilot, the staff, the passengers, it's a tragedy which has moved everyone, it has shocked everyone.' He continued, 'One cannot express in words, no dictionary can define this tragedy. My heartfelt condolences to the family, all the families who have lost their near and dear ones. And imagine the aircraft falling on a residential place amongst people who are living and it falls down on a hospital where it's reported that the doctors, MBBS doctors have also died in this crash. Goosebumps, you know, it's sending shivers down your spine.' The filmmaker shared that he is sure that the government will give their complete support to the victims and their families. 'I'm sure the government will go all out and see to it that the families are taken care. And it cannot be forgotten, this tragedy cannot be forgotten.' He said that it has left the entire nation in shock and extended condolences to the families of the victims. 'Visuals after visuals are coming on your mobiles, and it's shattering you, it is really moving you. And one really thinks to himself that nobody deserves this kind of a death, nobody deserves this kind of a tragedy. It's a tragedy that the entire nation is mourning; in fact, the entire world will mourn this tragedy, which has occurred in Ahmedabad. Heartfelt condolences to the entire family and all those people who have lost their lives,' he shared. Confirming the incident, Air India said that among the 242 passengers, 169 were Indians, 53 Britishers, seven Portuguese and one Canadian national. 'Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off. The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hours, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident,' the airline said. One survivor has been found in the deadly crash of an Air India plane carrying 242 people, after it rammed into a nearby doctors' hostel shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport, a senior police officer said. According to officials, the aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an LTC with 8,200 hours of flying experience. He was assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of flying experience. As per Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Runway 23 at 1339 IST (0809 UTC). It gave a mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC.'Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site,' the official added. (ANI)
India Gazette
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
"We have taken this very seriously..": Ashoke Pandit on FWICE appeal to boycott Turkey for shooting locations
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 14 (ANI): Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit talked about the appeal made by Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), in which they have asked the Indian film producers to reconsider choosing Turkey as a shooting destination, citing Turkey's growing support for Pakistan on matters affecting India's national interests. Speaking to ANI, he said, 'Federation of Western India Cine Employees is the mother body of nearly 35 crafts, all the technical crafts come under this association, has made an appeal tothe entire industry to boycott Turkey. Our industry has played a very important role in promoting tourism of Turkey. A lot of films and shows have been shot there.' FWICE, the apex body representing 36 crafts of workers, technicians, and artists in the Indian media and entertainment industry, strongly urges all Indian film producers to reconsider choosing Turkey as a shooting destination in light of its growing support towards Pakistan on matters that deeply concern India's national interests, as per the press release shared by FWICE. The ace filmmaker added, 'We have been quite a big promoter of this country. But the way they have behaved by supporting the biggest terrorist country, Pakistan, which is a rogue nation in the fight against India. We have taken this very seriously, and we are not going to lie low. We, as an industry, are showing support to our government that the entertainment industry stands by our country. We'll see to it that no producer or technician goes and shoots in Turkey and Azerbaijan who have gone against our country...' Following Turkey's support to Pakistan in attacks against India, FWICE has adhere to its belief of 'Nation Comes first'. FWICE has always stood firm in its belief that 'Nation Comes First.' In view of recent developments and Turkey's consistent positioning in support of Pakistan, which has raised concerns regarding national integrity and security, we believe it is not in the best interests of the Indian film industry to invest or collaborate in any form that could indirectly support or benefit such a nation. Turkey's stance has been observed not just diplomatically but also in various international forums, where it has taken positions contrary to India's sovereign interests. As an industry deeply rooted in Indian soil and culture, we cannot remain indifferent to actions that undermine our nation's dignity or security. 'We therefore appeal to all production houses, line producers, actors, directors, and crew members across the Indian film fraternity to stand in solidarity with the nation and boycott Turkey as a location for film shoots until such time that the country revisits its diplomatic stance and aligns with principles of mutual respect and non-interference,' according to the press release. Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), Ashoke Dubey, has called for a complete ban on Pakistani artists from working in comes after a deadly terrorist attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. Tensions between India and Pakistan have risen sharply since the attack. On April 22, terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while leaving several others injured in one of the deadliest attacks in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans were killed. (ANI)
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Maharashtra cine-employees' body appeals for boycott of Turkey for film shoots
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), representing over 3.5 lakh members from 36 cinematic fields, on Wednesday (May 14, 2025) called upon Indian filmmakers to refrain from choosing Turkey and Azerbaijan as shooting destinations. The appeal, the organisation stated, was made in light of Turkey's diplomatic position, which it alleged runs counter to India's national interest. 'We, FWICE, are the mother body of 36 associations representing various crafts of the Indian film industry, including cinematography, art direction, costume design, and music. In view of recent international developments, we have called for a boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan. These nations have shown open support for Pakistan, a country that continues to sponsor terrorism and bloodshed,' Ashoke Pandit, chief advisor to FWICE, told The Hindu. Mr. Pandit added that the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association and the Western India Film Producers' Association, two prominent producers' bodies, have extended their support to the call for boycott. 'They have assured us that they stand by FWICE and will support our decision,' he said. In a press release issued by the federation, FWICE reiterated its long-standing principle that 'Nation Comes First'. The statement criticised Turkey's 'consistent positioning in support of Pakistan,' citing it as a matter of grave concern for India's national integrity and security. 'In light of this, we believe it is not in the best interests of the Indian film industry to invest in or collaborate with countries that adopt such stances,' the statement said. The appeal extends to all stakeholders in the film industry, including production houses, directors, actors, and technical crew, urging them to 'align with national interests and avoid filming in Turkey until the country re-evaluates its diplomatic posture'. The statement bore the signatures of FWICE president B.N. Tiwari, hon. general secretary Ashok Dubey, treasurer Gangeshwarlal Shrivastav, and chief advisor Ashoke Pandit.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Filmmakers race to register 'Operation Sindoor', 'Mission Pahalgam' as film titles, over 20 applications filed
Within hours of India's precision strikes at nine terror hideouts deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir under Operation Sindoor, a frenzy erupted in the film industry as producers scrambled to register the title 'Operation Sindoor'. Sources tell us that while Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) IMPPA has received 12 applications, Western India Film Producers Association (WIFPA) has received 2 and the Producers' Guild of India has received 10 applications for title registration so far. As the process goes, producers must register film titles through either one of the four bodies — IMPPA, WIFPA, Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC), the Producers Guild of India. Further explaining the process of securing the title, producer Ashoke Pandit, a member of IMPPA and among the early applicants, tells us, 'The time you register your title gets stamped and the respective producers' bodies confirm the time at which the application was made. Later, letters are exchanged between these film bodies confirming the name of the filmmaker who first managed to file the application. We get to know the result in the next meeting of the four producers' bodies.' Mumbai-based filmmaker Vishal Sarroye, who has also applied for the title, shares that when he saw the name of the operation on TV he knew it was an impactful title for a film. He also shares with us that he wants to tell the story from a woman's perspective. 'When I saw the name 'Operation Sindoor' I felt ki ye title itna strong hai. Ye feeling thi humare andar ki humari behno ka sindoor le liya. It's definitely an Uri kind of story which is impactful and people should know what exactly Operation Sindoor is. I am thinking of my story on Operation Sindoor with women leading it. The way two women officers (Col Sofia Quraishi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh) briefed the country about the operation, I want to make my film as a woman-oriented film. I don't know if I will get the title or not but I have applied in the film and web series section under languages across the country." JD Majethia, Chairman of the Television & Web Wing of the Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), confirms that several applications for the 'Operation Sindoor' and 'Mission Pahalgam' have been filed with the organisation. While he said he cannot give the exact number of applications received, he added he strongly feels that making films on Indian military operations is not a good idea. Also Read: Colonel Sofiya Quraishi's 'proud' twin sister Shyna says 'we didn't know she will brief the nation' on Operation Sindoor He says, 'Main aisa manta hun ki military action ke topic pe jo film banti hai woh do-ek saal mein banti hai, woh nahi banni chahiye. The most important part of it is the process ki humne kaise planning kiya and attack kiya. Ab manoranjan ke liye uska climax theek hai but in that process we are showing our intelligence agencies investigation and we end up sharing a big secret of our country with the enemies. The detail of the intelligence shouldn't be shared but any filmmaker will do the due diligence of getting details right. May be families of the Pahalgam attack might want to forget this in future but this film will remind them forever. So, I feel we should not do such a thing and it is my personal opinion.' Meanwhile, a source tells us that besides registration for the title, several filmmakers have also applied for the trademark of Operation Sindoor. While a title can only go to one filmmaker, a trademark means that several filmmakers can make a film on the same subject. It also came to light that Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industry Limited is one of the proprietor of the trademark of Operation Sindoor. However, in a statement on Thursday, the company said that it had withdrawn the trademark application 'which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation'.
NDTV
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Film On Operation Sindoor? 15 Bollywood Studios Rush To Register Title
New Delhi: A large number of Bollywood celebrities have supported India's Operation Sindoor, which was carried out in response to the terror attack on Pahalgam. According to an India Today report, 15 filmmakers and Bollywood studios are rushing to register Operation Sindoor title. Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) president BN Tiwari has confirmed it to the publication. According to the report, around 15 filmmakers and studios filled in their applications at the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (one of the associations that works towards registration of film titles). The trend is not new in Bollywood. The industry boasts of showing nationalistic fervour on screen. "Whenever a big national event occurs, filmmakers tend to call dibs on the title. Even if a film will not be made, it's safer to have the title registered. However, after the success of Uri, War, or Fighter, filmmakers have understood that war films continue to be a favourite genre, and hence they would want to someday work on a film on Operation Sindoor also," India Today quoted a source. Ashoke Pandit told India Today, "Yes, I've applied to register the title 'Operation Sindoor'. Whether a film will be made on the topic is still far-fetched, but as filmmakers and producers, we often register titles the moment something interesting happens - it's the first and important step, because without a title, you can't even begin planning a film. "Everyone who has applied for the title has done so after the incident occurred. That doesn't necessarily mean all of them will make a film, but registering gives them the option to explore it further. I can identify with this subject very well. I know what this country has gone through - we've been fighting this battle as victims for 30-35 years. So I know the integrity of this terrorist country. It is a very important subject for me as someone who has suffered because of Pakistan directly. We suffered the worst genocide at their hands." According to trade sources, Mahaveer Jain's company was the first to register this title under its name. Alongside, Ashoke Pandit, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar and studios like T-Series and Zee Studios, reportedly, applied for the same title for their potential films.
