Latest news with #Maitri
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Pinch' Review: Taut Debut Highlights One Woman's Response to Sexual Harassment — and Complicity
A large family enters a crowded train car. They spread out — busying themselves finding seats, settling in, placing luggage — when the youngest adult woman feels the unwelcome hand of a passing stranger. She whips around, but the man has already disappeared into the crowd, and when she tells a trusted female relative, the result is instinctive disgust, but only briefly. 'That just happens.' More from IndieWire Studio Ghibli at 40: Can an Ethical Animation Studio Still Exist, or Even Survive? 'Eddington' Trailer: Ari Aster's Western of Pandemic Paranoia Hits Theaters After Dividing Cannes This is not exactly a scene from Uttera Singh's 'Pinch,' but similar enough and entirely true. Her debut feature and 2025 Tribeca Festival premiere takes on a small piece of a big topic, delivering not only a gripping and nuanced narrative but an astutely told directing effort. Writer and director Singh plays Maitri, whose life takes a sharp turn when her landlord gropes her on a bus and she retaliates in kind. Soon, the incident involves Maitri's mother, their neighbors, and the small community living in their building, where the man serves as landlord and wields all the power. 'Pinch' is definitionally a film about assault; a woman being groped on a bus or pinched in a crowd is still wrong even if it's not rape, a point that Maitri makes explicitly. It's shocking, distressing, inappropriate, and worth condemning, and her conviction rattles everyone around her. Mother Shobha (Geeta Agrawal) begs her to forget about it — about something that happens to every woman at some point, she says — but the film doesn't fall into the trap of villainizing her. Singh writes Shobha with tangible empathy for the generation before her, for mothers and aunts who normalized sexual misconduct because they felt there was no other choice. She ends up being a critical confidante for Maitri as the film goes on, criticizing and comforting her in equal measure as only a mother can. The ensemble is equally strong, giving grounded performances that strengthen the community dynamic; Sunita Rajwar as a neighbor who comfortably walks over Shobha, Badri Chavan as Maitri's pal Samir (and the more successful vlogger among them), and Sapna Sand as Rani, the imperious wife of Maitri's attacker. Together, they embody societal notions of respect, stubbornness, and principle — the old Indian refrain of 'Log kya kahenge?' — and walking reminders of how treacherous it is to ignore and doubt survivors. Singh and cinematographer Adam Linzey opt for tight, tense tracking shots, placing viewers firmly in Maitri's mind and space as she navigates the ripple effect of her assault and escalating discomfort with hiding the truth. Raashi Kulkarni's score periodically deploys influences from Indian classical music, with an actor on screen to perform the rhythmic syllables. The film derives locational specificity not from city or region, but from the apartment building and local community, adding deliberate claustrophobia to the overall narrative tension. In a statement for the show's press materials, Singh expressed hope that 'Pinch' will start essential conversations between generations and genders, because no group can be tasked with liberating itself in isolation. In her hands, 'Pinch' is the kind of film that leaves the viewer invigorated instead of weary — and ready to follow the rest of Singh's career. 'Pinch' premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. The film is currently seeking U.S. distribution. Want to stay up to date on IndieWire's film reviews and critical thoughts? Subscribe here to our newly launched newsletter, In Review by David Ehrlich, in which our Chief Film Critic and Head Reviews Editor rounds up the best reviews, streaming picks, and offers some new musings, all only available to subscribers. Best of IndieWire The 25 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies, Ranked Every IndieWire TV Review from 2020, Ranked by Grade from Best to Worst
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Time of India
Nepalese woman arrested with fake Indian passport at Indo-Nepal border
Lucknow: Maharajganj police and immigration officials on Sunday arrested a Nepalese woman at the after she was found travelling with a and Aadhaar card, both issued under a West Bengal address. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The woman, identified as Bhawana Gurung, was later handed over to Sonauli police for further legal action. According to immigration officials, the arrest took place during routine checks of passengers arriving from Kathmandu on the Kathmandu–New Delhi Maitri bus. When Gurung presented an Indian passport and Aadhaar card bearing the name Salina Pradhan and an address in Alipurduar, West Bengal, officials became suspicious due to discrepancies between her appearance, accent, and the documents. Upon searching her belongings, officials recovered a Nepali passport and citizenship certificate issued in the name of Bhawana Gurung, with an address in Butwal, Nepal. During interrogation, Gurung confessed that she is a Nepali national employed as a domestic worker in Hong Kong. She admitted to having procured the fake Indian documents with the help of certain individuals, because direct travel from Nepal to Hong Kong is restricted. "She admitted to using a forged identity for international travel, and a case was registered against her based on a complaint filed by immigration officials," said Ajit Pratap Singh, Station House Officer (SHO) of Sonauli.
NDTV
28-04-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Love Your Makeup? It May Be Affecting Your Hormones; Expert Explains How
Maintaining hormonal balance is vital for overall health as it allows the body to function properly. Balanced hormones support reproductive health, regulate metabolism, contribute to bone health, regulate mood, and improve overall quality of life. Several factors can contribute to hormonal imbalance. While hormones fluctuate naturally during puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause, some abnormal fluctuations can contribute to serious health conditions. Hormonal imbalance occurs when there is either an excess or deficiency of certain hormones in the body. When left uncontrolled, hormonal imbalance can contribute to issues such as PCOS, thyroid issues, infertility, mood swings, weight gain, sleep disturbances, and skin and hair changes. Poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle can trigger hormonal imbalances in women. In an Instagram video, Dr. Anjali Kumar, a gynaecologist explained one of the hidden causes of hormonal imbalance in women. She mentions that your waterproof, smudge-proof makeup products could be the culprit. Keep reading to know how. How makeup products can affect your hormones "Is your waterproof mascara messing up with your hormones? Waterproof mascaras, smudge-proof lipsticks, and 24-hour stay makeup sounds perfect except it might be wrecking your hormones," she said in the video. "I see daily women struggling with hormone imbalances and never suspecting that it might be in their makeup or vanity bags. Many long-lasting makeup products are loaded with endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)-compounds that can mimic or block your body's natural hormones, throwing your system out of balance." She then cites a study at Harvard Public Health. "The study analysed 231 cosmetic products and found that three-quarters of waterproof mascara contain high fluorine concentrations indicative of PFAs presence. The same study revealed that two-thirds of liquid lipsticks tested also exhibited high fluorine levels suggesting the inclusion of PFAs." According to the expert, these products mimic estrogen and interfere with testosterone and disturb thyroid hormone. This can contribute to PCOS flare-ups, irregular periods, fertility issues and even increase breast cancer risk. "Common culprits in long-lasting makeup products are PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), parabens, phthalates, triclosan and synthetic fragrances. Consistent exposure especially through daily wear can build up over time and contribute to hormonal imbalances, worsened PCOS symptoms, irregular periods, fertility challenges and thyroid issues," she wrote in the caption of the video. "As a gynaecologist I want you to know what you put on your skin matters as much as what goes inside your body. Choose clean, read labels," she added. She further mentioned a list of harmful components and urged everyone to avoid products containing these. Some of these include View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maitri | Dr Anjali Kumar (@maitriwoman) The expert urges you to use natural products that are free from chemicals that can disrupt your hormones. Some other ways that can help you balance hormones naturally: Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats. Stay physically active to balance hormones naturally. Chronic stress can contribute to hormonal imbalances. Try stress management techniques. Prioritising sleep is essential for hormonal balance. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep. Maintaining hormonal balance is vital for overall health as it allows the body to function properly. Women should take proactive steps toward achieving and maintaining hormonal balance. If you still face hormonal issues, seek medical help. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
