Latest news with #Kaafir
NDTV
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Javed Akhtar On Being Labelled "Kaafir, Jihadi": "People From Both Sides Abuse Me"
New Delhi: Veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has never shied away from speaking his mind – and he did just that at a recent public event in Mumbai. Javed Akhtar was attending the launch of Narkatla Swarg, a book by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, when he candidly addressed the criticism he frequently receives from opposing ideological camps. Speaking about the backlash he endures, Javed Akhtar revealed, 'People from both sides abuse me. One calls me a Kaafir (infidel), saying that I will go to hell. The other calls me a Jihadi, asking me to go to Pakistan,' as quoted by News18. Delivering his signature sharp wit, the lyricist added, 'So, If I only have a choice of going either to hell or to Pakistan, I would rather like to go to hell.' Clarifying that the criticism directed at him isn't limited to one ideological group, Javed Akhtar said, 'People from both sides abuse me. It's not one-sided. I would be very ungrateful if I don't admit that there are people who also appreciate me. Many support me, praise me, and encourage me.' However, he admitted that abuse from extremists has become a constant in his life. 'But this is also true that the extremists from this side abuse me so do the extremists from the other side. This is the reality. If even one of them stops abusing me, I will call it an anomaly and think that I must have made a mistake,' he remarked. Javed Akhtar's statement comes in the aftermath of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. On April 22, a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, took 26 lives. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, conducting targeted missile strikes on terror camps in Pakistan. Following a series of cross-border drone and missile strikes from both sides, a ceasefire was announced on May 10. However, Pakistan has reportedly violated the ceasefire multiple times, prompting retaliatory action by the Indian Armed Forces. As per reports, the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of New Delhi and Islamabad are expected to hold talks soon.
News18
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Javed Akhtar REACTS To Being Called Kaafir, Jihadi: 'I'd Rather Go To Hell Than Pakistan'
At the launch of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's latest book Narkatla Swarg in Mumbai, veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar delivered a powerful and personal reflection on the backlash he faces from different ends of the ideological spectrum. This comes at a time India-Pakistan tensions are at a peak following India's Operation Sindoor, targeted missile strikes on Pakistan's terror camps, after a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir's Pahalgam. While addressing the crowd, Javed Akhtar recalled the hostility he often receives due to his outspoken views — not just from one community, but from both Hindus and Muslims. 'People from both sides abuse me. One calls me a Kaafir (infidel), saying that I will go to hell. The other calls me a Jihadi, asking me to go to Pakistan. So, If I only have a choice of going either to hell or to Pakistan, I would rather like to go to hell," he said, drawing a mix of laughter and applause from the audience.
India Today
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Dia Mirza says Kaafir altered her: Taught me the value of being fearless
Actor Dia Mirza was amused when Zee5 decided to rehash her web series 'Kaafir' as a film. Interestingly, the script, written by Bhavini Iyer, was originally conceived as a film before evolving into a series. In an exclusive chat with India Today Digital, Dia opened up about her experience working on 'Kaafir,' saying it changed her life. She also spoke about the importance of asking the right questions and the increased media scrutiny faced by about 'Kaafir' coming back to audiences after almost six years as a film, Dia said she feels the project has now come full circle. "I think Bhavini must be smiling to herself. This is a great opportunity for audiences who missed watching the show then; this film will take them back. People keep tagging me on heartwarming write-ups and reels as they discovered the film. I am hoping they will now want to watch the series too," she actor added that this development proves that good content is medium agnostic. Dia recalled asking the writer about reworking a film script into a series, to which Bhavini said that she was 'dancing with joy' in her heart. She added, "Bhavini got an opportunity to expand on the layers, something that would have been restricted by a shorter format. But honestly, if stories are truly well written, they are platform and medium agnostic."Dia Mirza went on to recall her experience working on the show, stating that it was a long journey, as close to shooting three feature films. And while the mountainous locales made it a challenging and gruelling experience for her. "But every day was like the biggest high, as we were so emotionally connected to it. I loved every moment of being there, and it was the best time. The openness of the ice-capped mountains, the apricot trees and little children or the quiet birdsong, everything made it a memorable experience," she said. The actor added that on a personal note, the character altered her forever, as she said, "It taught me something very powerful, the value of being fearless. The only way to achieve autonomy is to become free of all fears. That none of my choices need to be guided by fear. And that freedom, it changes everything, about how I want to live, how I want to bring up my child, and the voice that I want to have in this world."advertisementWhen asked about how challenging it is to have a voice in present circumstances, the actor said, "What I say comes from a place of truth and a defined sense of purpose. "If what you are saying, and why you are saying it comes from an honest place, what is there to fear? Even in the face of hate, threat, or noise, what you say comes from a place of love, that is all. I think Kaafir is exactly like this too."The actor also added that there is far more scrutiny now because of social media and more public being involved in what's happening in the film industry. "Also, look at the number of platforms, from Reddit to whatnot. I sometimes wonder kitna samay hai logon ko paas (how much time do people have). They go ahead and find things from the past and discuss them at length. Why don't they ask why we don't have clean air or why our roads are so bad? Why are the forests being vanquished or why don't we have healthier environments? We should be asking questions that truly matter."Must Watch
Gulf Today
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Dia Mirza reflects on how her role in 'Kaafir' shaped her journey to motherhood
Indian actress Dia Mirza has opened up about how her powerful portrayal of Kainaaz in "Kaafir' prepared her for the journey of motherhood long before she became a biological mother. The 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' actress shared how the role deeply impacted her understanding of compassion, care, and emotional strength - qualities that would later define her own path to motherhood. The 2019 ZEE5 web series "Kaafir' has now made its return, this time as a film. Initially conceived as a film, the project was later adapted for streaming, offering audiences a deeply emotional story. Speaking about the show turning into a film, Dia shared that watching it back brought back so many emotions. She told IANS, "It was an intense experience for me, reliving Kainaaz's journey and seeing how far the project had come. It reignited memories of the long days of shooting in such challenging but beautiful locations. It also made me reflect on the incredible team we had-everyone brought their passion and commitment to this story. Seeing the final product really reminded me of how powerful storytelling can be and what a bunch of sincere, honest, and good people can achieve when united by their love for a story.' "Kainaaz made me a mother long before I became a biological mother. Such is the power of the emotional thread that binds the mother-daughter relationship in this story. I will be forever indebted to Siddharth, Sapna, Bhavani, Sonam, Pratik, Mohit, and Dishita for making Kaafir the most meaningful work of my career,' Mirza added. When asked about how deeply the emotional journey of her character, Kainaaz, resonated with her, the Sanju actress shared, "Kainaaz's journey really resonated with me, especially because of the emotional strength she shows. I found myself connecting with her fight for survival, her motherly love, and the sacrifices she made. There were moments on set when I could really feel her pain, and I could see how powerful her story was. While shooting, there were definitely moments where I was reminded of how deeply personal Kainaaz's circumstances are, and I felt a deep connection to her resilience.' "There are specific scenes that felt deeply personal. The outburst on the terrace when she discovers her father has passed away or the anguish of betrayal by the man she loved… there are layers in the character's journey and her deep connection with the earth that I felt intensely.' "Kaafir' tells the poignant tale of a Kashmiri woman imprisoned in India, living under Pakistani occupation, capturing the struggles and resilience of a woman caught in a complex political and emotional conflict. Originally planned as a film, Dia Mirza's 2019 project is now returning to its original format, six years after it first debuted as a web series on Zee5. Indo-Asian News Service
