Latest news with #Dhanak
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Watch: Bollywood Calling again? Nagesh Kukunoor on The Hunt
In this exclusive episode of Inside Man, filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor opens up about his bold new series The Hunt, based on the aftermath of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination and the art of staging the greatest anticlimax in Indian political history. He shares what drew him to this explosive material, how he works with actors, and reflects on his evolution from indie gems like Hyderabad Blues to the powerful Teen Deewarein, where he began to balance arthouse with mainstream storytelling. We talk about his relentless pursuit to make a film in every genre — from the hard-hitting Lakshmi on sex trafficking, to the heartwarming Dhanak, his darkest unreleased film Maya, and then adapting to the OTT space with City of Dreams. Despite the shift to digital, Kukunoor remains an independent filmmaker at heart — always mixing it up, always telling stories on his own terms.
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Amit Sial and Nagesh Kukunoor Interview: 'Wouldn't mind playing Hitler on screen'
Speaking about his recently released series, The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case, Nagesh Kukunoor says with a smile, 'I have done my best to break my image over the years." The filmmaker is known for making tender, quietly reflective films about the underdogs and marginalised, be it Iqbal (2005), which revolves around a deaf and mute person who dreams of becoming a cricketer or Dhanak (2015), which explores an innocent bond between a brother and sister. In recent years, however, Nagesh has started exploring darker political realities through his stories, like in the series City of Dreams. He enjoys the freedom that comes with OTT. 'We have been able to push the boundaries, tackle some topics, which I would never be able to do in a theatrical format,' he says. Yet, while making a show based on real-events like The Hunt, Nagesh was 'wary of the political space'. He says, 'We've entered an era of self-censorship a long time ago. So even as writers, there's a constant question that you ask yourself of whether I should say this or not. When I am doing a fictional political show, it's all okay. But when you step out into the real world, you don't know whose toes you'll step on, so you want to steer clear of that.' The filmmaker's focus is clear in the show. It plays out more like a police procedural than a political drama, adapted from the book Ninety Days by investigative journalist Anirudhya Mitra. The series explores the investigation that followed the assassination of the former prime minister. 'We all know that Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated and we all know that eventually it ended with arrests of those involved. But it is the 'how' that I never knew,' says Nagesh. The filmmaker was in the process of getting a job in Atlanta, USA, in 1991 when the assassination took place. He remembers the shock he felt after hearing the news. 'I quite liked Rajiv Gandhi because he was one of those who had a smiling face. He was a man who presented himself well,' recalls Nagesh. Even Amit Sial, the actor who plays DR Kaarthikeyan, the IPS officer who led the investigation team, was in 'disbelief' when he came to know of the assassination. 'I was just fifteen then, so I wasn't much aware of the reason behind it,' says Amit. 'It was only later that I started reading more. So, my knowledge about the incident when I was offered the role for the series was quite rich.' The show has a methodical approach to its storytelling, where the filmmaking stays minimal, serving just as a means to bring out the facts about the real story. There is no attempt to elevate the emotions either through the background score or the performances. Nagesh feels that the approach comes from how he sees the world. 'I want my actors to keep things real. Besides, the reality of what happened was just so dramatic that just putting my actors in that kind of space was enough to tell the story. I didn't want to do anything in the name of sensationalism,' he says. Amit adds that Nagesh always ensured the rhythm of the performances remained intact. 'Sensationalising the incident would have been a grave injustice to the real people involved. Making it unnecessarily jingoistic with loud music would have taken the reality away,' he says.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Campaign to publicise safe houses for interfaith couples
Mumbai: An interfaith couple married two years ago with parental approval who still haven't registered their marriage for fear of vigilante groups; a professor who has been 'advised' by a Hindutva group not to go ahead with her forthcoming marriage to a Muslim; a couple who has given notice of their interfaith marriage and is hoping it goes smoothly; and a newly married interfaith couple barely recovered from the trauma of living under police protection. These young couples shared their experiences at a consultation held at the YMCA International House in Mumbai Central on Sunday. The session was organised by Dhanak of Humanity, a Delhi-based nonprofit that has been providing support to interfaith and intercaste couples for the past 20 years. A government resolution (GR) issued by the Maharashtra government on May 3 aims to make it easier for such couples to marry, by providing 'safe houses' for them in every district. A three-member committee headed by the respective district commissioner oversees the scheme. The GR applies only to couples who wish to marry under the Special Marriage Act (SMA), 1954, under which adults of any faith can have a civil marriage performed by the registrar of marriages. As per the GR, such couples may be provided 24/7 police protection and shelter can be availed for a maximum of one year, with cases being reviewed every two months. For interfaith couples who do not want to change their religion upon marriage, the SMA is the only recourse. The opposition such couples face from their families as well as from community groups such as khaps prompted the Supreme Court to issue a set of guidelines in 2018, directing state governments to set up safe houses for them. The SMA makes it mandatory to give a month's notice before a couple can get married. In the last 10 years, such notices, which contain the addresses and phone numbers of the two partners, are regularly monitored by Hindutva groups who then try to stop the marriage, even when the parents of both partners have agreed to it. This has made the need for safe houses even stronger. Thanks to sustained pressure from Dhanak, 10 such safe houses were established in Delhi, where 28 couples facing threats from their families found shelter till they felt safe to move out, said Dhanak founder Asif Iqbal. Safe houses also exist in Chandigarh and Haryana. Citing these precedents, the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) had, over the past two years, succeeded in getting the Bombay high court to direct the state government to follow suit, said PUCL lawyers Mihir Desai and Lara Jesani. So far, only one couple has availed of this facility; the experience they shared revealed that a lot needed to be done to make the GR effective. However, it had served its primary purpose: keeping the couple safe till they got married. Sunday's consultation saw the participation of women's groups as well as legal aid lawyers. It was decided to start a campaign to publicise the GR, both among the public and among those supposed to implement it, including the police, the district administration as well as registrars.
Gulf Insider
15-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Dubai Gold Price Lowest in 30 Days
The Dubai gold rate is now at its lowest level in 30 days at Dh352 for a gram of 22K as the metal sheds more of the unprecedented price increases seen in recent weeks. This was helped by another sharp fall in global billion rates today, with the local rate now lower by Dh8.25 over the last 24 hours. But shoppers in the UAE are still not convinced this would be the right levels to get back in. Instead, many shoppers are casting their eyes to prices seen in March, when there had been days when it was just under Dh340. 'Shoppers have been sitting on the sidelines this week – I don't think even cutting making charges or as some do offering 'no making charges' will bring back demand for now,' said a jewellery retailer. 'The sentiment among shoppers is that the Dubai gold rate can drop even further.' Several times in the last 12 months, gold prices have dropped – and even given the impression that a proper rate correction is on the cards. All that it did was leave shoppers disappointed because within 24-48 hours, prices would rush back to previous high levels – and go further. 'A realistic price for gold would be in the region of $3,000-$3,100 an ounce,' said a gold wholesaler. 'Right now, the level is around $3,150. This is why there are shoppers thinking they are better off waiting.' Jewellery retailers such as Kanz Jewel's Anil Dhanak has always maintained that shoppers will find their own reason to buy gold. And that a rush to buy need not happen at the first sight of a fairly sizable price drop. 'Weddings and anniversaries and any other occasion dictates whether a shopper wants to buy now or later,' said Dhanak. 'If there is no pressing reason, they wait.' If the softer gold price levels continue, shoppers in the UAE can expect a rush of new promotions timed for the pre-summer holiday breaks. 'If these savings can help lower the per gram price by another Dh3-Dh5, then that can help shoppers,' said a retailer. But right now, shoppers' attention is on whether prices can go down to Dh350 a gram levels… Also read: Dubai Named World's 4th Smartest City
Khaleej Times
07-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Kanz Jewels wins 'Retail Jeweller Middle East Contemporary Diamond Jewellery Award 2025'
Kanz Jewels, a renowned name in the UAE's jewelry industry, has once again solidified its reputation as a leader in fine jewellery by winning the Retail Jeweller Middle East Contemporary Diamond Jewellery Award 2025. This prestigious accolade recognises Kanz Jewels' dedication to exceptional design, meticulous diamond selection, and masterful craftsmanship, reinforcing its position at the forefront of the industry. This achievement is a testament to Kanz Jewels' relentless pursuit of innovation and perfection, ensuring that every diamond piece reflects the highest standards of artistry and quality. With an unwavering commitment to creating stunning, timeless designs, the brand continues to captivate jewelry lovers across the region. The awards ceremony, held in Dubai, brought together the most distinguished names in the jewellery industry. Arjun Dhanak, director of Kanz Jewels, proudly accepted the award on stage, emphasizing the brand's dedication to pushing the boundaries of fine jewellery. Expressing his gratitude, Dhanak stated: "Winning this prestigious award is a true honor for Kanz Jewels. It reflects our passion for fine craftsmanship and our commitment to delivering designs that truly resonate with our customers. This recognition inspires us to continue setting new benchmarks in the world of diamond jewellery." With a legacy built on excellence, Kanz Jewels remains a trusted name in gold and diamond jewellery, offering masterfully crafted pieces that seamlessly blend tradition with modern elegance. As the brand continues to innovate and refine its artistry, Kanz Jewels reaffirms its position as a powerhouse in the world of fine jewellery.
