Latest news with #Rima
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Rima Kallingal Interview: It's frustrating to be reduced to labels like 'bold and beautiful'
More than a decade into her film career, actor Rima Kallingal refuses to be boxed by industry expectations. Although she was last seen in Neelavelicham (2023) on the big screen where she was also the producer, Rima's name continues to make headlines for the interesting projects that she chooses to work in. The short film Lalanna's Song (currently streaming on Mubi) is one of them, where she plays Miriam, a quiet, yet fierce witness to religious hatred and prejudices in the heart of Mumbai, along with Shoby (Parvathy Thiruvothu). 'This piece was liberating,' shares Rima. 'As both a human being and an artist, these issues have always troubled me, and it gave me a medium to confront those concerns directly—to look them in the eye,' she adds. In this interview, Rima elaborates on these themes, why the ripples of the Hema Committee report haven't died down, exploring different platforms to share stories, the importance of creating inclusive spaces for art, and more…
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bollywood's iconic villain Sadashiv Amarapurkar's daughter, Rima Amarapurkar, is honouring her late father's legacy — not as an actor, but through THIS
Sadashiv Amarapurkar, who passed away in 2014, was famous for playing scary villain roles in Bollywood films like 'Sadak' and 'Ardh Satya'. He was a legend known for his strong screen presence. But his daughter, Rima Amarapurkar , took a very different path. Instead of acting, she chose to work behind the camera and in the digital world. Rima grew up surrounded by films, as her parents Sadashiv and Sunanda Karmarkar were deeply involved in cinema. Even though she didn't want to act, she found her own way to make her father proud. From Assistant Director to Digital Storyteller Rima started her career as an assistant director on Bollywood movies such as 'Baabul' (2006) and the comedy 'Dhamaal' (2007). She also directed a Marathi film called 'Ara Ara Aaba Aata Teri Thamba' in 2008. Although she didn't direct films for long, her love for storytelling stayed strong. After her father died, Rima focused more on her family and explored new creative fields. She moved into digital media with energy and passion, showing that the Amarapurkar family name could grow with the times. Podcasting Success Today, Rima runs a popular YouTube podcast channel called MU. PO. Manoranjan, which has over 13,500 subscribers. On this channel, she talks with actors, filmmakers, and other creative people from the Hindi and Marathi film industries. Her Instagram bio says: 'Rima Amarapurkar. Film director, producer, podcaster, storyteller.' She is loved for mixing her deep film knowledge with a friendly and fresh style, very different from the dark roles her father played. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Rima Kallingal on winning the best actor award at the Kerala Film Critics Awards, acting in an Anjali Menon film and being a dancer
Gratitude. Rima Kallingal sums it up with one word when I ask her what she is feeling. Winning the Kerala Film Critics Awards for the Best Actor, praise for her Sree Kanya in the segment Backstage, directed by Anjali Menon, part of the coming of age anthology Yuva Sapno Ka Safar and the astounding response to her latest dance production Nayika, a tribute to Malayalam cinema's women actors of the past 100 years, Rima says: 'I feel a surge of gratitude and happiness as an artist! ' We are sitting in her apartment in Panampilly Nagar, Kochi, which wears a dash of whimsy and has dance-related stuff strewn all over. She has just opened the new space for her dance school, Mamangam, which she founded in 2014. It is the material from there, related events and her impending trip to the US (for a month-long series of stage shows), she explains, accompanied by her trademark full-throated laugh. Sharing the best actor award 'I had forgotten about it when the announcements [Kerala Film Critics Awards] came, I was scrolling to see which film it was for. We were filming in Varkala last March. ' Although Rima is seen far and between onscreen, the work that she has been doing is interesting, in her own words. 'Getting a best actor award for a film like Theatre — A Myth of Reality alongside mainstream films for which Tovino [Thomas] and Nazriya [Nazim] got awards is saying something about films and where Malayalam cinema is.' Backstage, which recently dropped on the Waves app, is the story of estrangement and reconciliation of two dancer friends, Gowri (Padmapriya) and Rima's Sree Kanya. The nuanced telling of a story that only Anjali can, and abhinaya-laced performances by the two actors is a refreshing and evocative take on layered female friendships. Rima calls getting to work with Anjali a dream come true. Rima, 41, says the film's set was a 'safe space' where more than 60 percent of the people on the set were women. 'When we were shooting the climax, when the two friends talked to resolve the estrangement, every woman there had tears in her eyes. That is the thing about female friendship; they are more nuanced — we ask, we tell everything, we want to know…. We all have that one friend with whom we are or may have been estranged! It was so relatable.' Her last commercial release was Neelavelicham (2023). She was curious about how the audience would react to Backstage, which is a small slice of life presented in 40-odd minutes. The happiness shows, Rima is glowing because of it. With good reason — she has carved a space for herself despite hostility and ridicule for her political stance as a feminist or as a member of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). When I ask her of the lost opportunities (in films) because of her politics and how she feels about it, she says, 'Yes, it affected me career-wise. There was a time when I was not happy about having to pay the price for my beliefs; today I am happy to. I did not want to change my stand to get work, I don't want to. I am sure about it. If, as an artist, my work derives from the space and time I live in, how can I deny what is happening?' The message being sent, with the way the actors who spoke up against the status quo were penalised, is that to succeed they have to keep quiet. She confesses to feeling feminist fatigue with constantly trying to change the way people think. 'Now I am like if someone absolutely wants to be a misogynist, so be it. I can't be constantly arguing and trying to change them.' For the love of dance Her focus currently is dance, she is open to work that is exciting enough. 'Filmmakers who approach me, come with offers that need me like Theatre — The Myth of Reality.' Talking about women in Malayalam cinema, the conversation segues to Nayika. Her face lights up when she speaks about her tribute in dance to the 'nayikas' of the past and present. The one-hour show, choreographed to some of Malayalam cinemas classic, well-loved songs featuring the women actors, has been staged in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. She is taking it to the US now. 'I have split Nayika into four eras which span from the black and white to the present. It starts with a homage to PK Rosie, the first of us. It is a sobering reminder of how she was treated, discriminated against for her caste. The songs we have picked induce such a rush of nostalgia…and that resonated with the audiences too,' says Rima. The last song is Bougainvillea's 'Stuthi…' 'and I had to add 'Chillane…' [22 Female Kottayam] because it is from my film and also because the song still has such a feel!' she says laughing. Neythe at ITFOK The contemporary dance production, Neythe — Dance of the Weaves (2023), was Mamangam's first dance production. It holds a special space in her heart. One of the high points was it being staged at the International Theatre Festival of Kerala in Thrissur earlier this year. 'We have watched films at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) sitting on the stairs and floor. Imagine watching a dance production like that? We had people watching Neythe like that. It was such a great feeling. There were those who wondered about an actor bringing a 'dance' to ITFOK but Neythe is physical theatre. And the response to the two shows was validation. It formed a core memory for me.' Although she had carried the idea of Nayika for a while, it was a conversation about how a more relatable dance production would work with audiences, post-Neythe, which is inspired by handloom weaving. That is how she decided to work on Nayika. The research, she admits, was intense. 'I did not want it to be just another dance show with film songs. I wanted it to be more than that, I have tried my best to ensure that nobody is left out.' The scope of what she has done is huge, encapsulating a journey of a century into 60 minutes was not easy. 'I am not done with Nayika, I want to bring in more layers,' she says. Pulling out her phone she shows videos and photographs of Nayika. It is evident that she and her team have pulled out all stops, creatively. Nayika is a spectacle in the truest sense of the term. She credits her team at Mamangam for what she has been able to achieve. 'They inspire me to go after what I want. I could not have done it without them. I have never liked to dance solo, I have always wanted to dance as a team. People like Aloshy and Greeshma (dancers with Mamangam) who look at dance seriously, as a career. That is what they do. When I started dancing, I was unsure, but now there is a space for dance and those who want to make it a career.' Five choreographers, each a specialist in their genre such as folk, classical, hip hop, pop etc worked on the Nayika production which will have 16 dancers. Being a dancer, acting in films that she wants to be a part of and winning awards while at it…Rima Kallingal is in a happy space and she is grateful for it.
Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Express Film Club by SCREEN hosts screening of Rima Das's Village Rockstars 2; audience calls it ‘life-like' and deeply relevant
National Award-winning filmmaker Rima Das, known for carving a distinct space in Indian indie cinema with films like Village Rockstars, Bulbul Can Sing and Tora's Husband, continues to shine on the global festival circuit with her latest — Village Rockstars 2. The sequel to her acclaimed 2017 film was screened this week at Express Film Club by SCREEN, where the event was held at India Habitat Centre, Delhi. The evening began with film critic Shubhra Gupta introducing the film to the audience. Gupta lauded Rima Das as a true auteur — someone who writes, directs, shoots, edits, and even handles production design herself. 'She's practically a one-woman crew,' Gupta said, adding that the sequel is not just a coming-of-age tale, but also an ethnographic exploration of the land and community Rima belongs to. Following the screening, Gupta moderated a discussion with the audience, many of whom were visibly moved. One viewer, impressed by the film's striking visual language, asked about the near-invisible camera presence in the narrative. 'That's the magic of Rima's cinema,' Gupta responded. 'Her framing is so organic that you forget you're watching a constructed film.' The crowd included several Assamese viewers who praised the film for its deeply rooted and authentic portrayal of Assam. 'It felt like a painting, a reflection of our home,' said one audience member. Another viewer appreciated how the film tackled pressing issues like illegal land acquisition and deforestation, effortlessly weaving them into the story. The audience included several Assamese viewers who lauded the film for its authentic and heartfelt portrayal of their homeland. Village Rockstars 2 picks up where the original left off. Dhunu, the spirited protagonist from the first film, is now an adolescent facing a harsher world — her land under threat from a corrupt broker, her mother ailing, and her own dreams of music still flickering amid mounting challenges. The film, shot in Rima's signature intimate style, continues to explore themes of resilience, community, and identity. While the Indian release date for the film is yet to be announced, the Delhi audience was grateful for the early screening. Several attendees praised Express Film Club for consistently championing meaningful cinema that resonates with contemporary issues.
Khaleej Times
07-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Khaleej Times
Why fine jewellery makes for an authentically Arabian brand extension
From marriage to children to milestone birthdays, over the last decade, we have witnessed the lives of the GCC and Levant's It girls-to-influencers evolve in the palm of our hands. And where once the nascent stars of blogs, Instagram and TikTok would convince us of the must-buy power of a new lipstick; today, with established life stories filling social media grids, they are finding success in more personal – and potentially, profitable – commercial ventures. I was working as a luxury magazine editor at the start of influencer culture in the 2010s – a time when our print advertising revenue became increasingly diverted to 20-something women posting about makeup and handbags for jaw-dropping sums of money. This worked, for a while, until discerning consumers started to question whether luxury goods were devalued by being promoted by someone on the basis of their social media following. We'd hear whispered reports of high net worth clients becoming repelled by brands gifting, and paying, influencers to promote high value products. Likewise, over time the women and men sharing their life stories with us looked for ways to leverage their followings beyond sponsored content. Now in their 30s, 40s and beyond, these first gen influencers – like their audience – desire authenticity in their digital and physical lives. A natural next step is to launch an eponymous product line; some finding global success, such as Huda Beauty, whose foray into strip lashes has become a world-leading cosmetics player, recently returned to full founder ownership. Similarly, Karen Wazen's Gen Z catnip cat-eye sunglasses (as worn by Beyoncé), with fashion jewellery and belts joining the Karen Wazen Collection. Beyond beauty and accessories, however, it can be challenging to formulate a physical fashion brand robust enough to survive the changing tides of trends. Over the years, we've had Noughties bootcut jeans (incidentally now back in style) designed by Dubai's Rima and Dina Zahran (more from Rima later), sharp-shouldered blazers by Saudi's Alanoud Badr, aka Fozaza, and everything in between. But to truly succeed and gain longevity, an influencer-driven fashion line needs a strong manufacturing partner. Denmark's Rotate Birger Christensen has managed this brilliantly by harnessing the Fashion Week peacocking of its glamorous stylist founders and turning it into accessible partywear, backed by a 150- year-old Copenhagen fashion giant. While 150-year-old fashion firms have yet to exist, let alone wield manufacturing clout, in the GCC, the region does have incredibly strong heritage in fine jewellery, from the gold souqs to the family firms established during the 20th century. With a wealth of local craftsmanship on our doorstep, local tastemakers have a unique opportunity to parlay their audience connection into lasting jewellery pieces that cement that bond. It may seem contradictory that the transience of digital storytelling should translate effectively into the permanence of fine jewellery, and yet the deep intimacy of sharing your life online weaves into precious mementos with ease. In November 2022, Dubai-based Palestinian fashion designer-cum-influencer Rima Zahran launched her eponymous fine jewellery brand RZ by Rima Zahran with just one design; a heart-shaped locket bracelet that harks back to a piece she had made as a teenager who longed to fit in. Subsequent designs include a key pendant representing those worn by displaced Palestinian refugees as a symbol of the hope to return home. Of late, international fine jewellery brands have come around to the power of Middle Eastern celebrity. Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram has been the face of Tiffany & Co since 2023, while Cartier dresses Egyptian actor Tara Emad (it has previously worked with Yasmine Sabri, although Sabri has more recently been associated with Chopard). Yet, there is something intensely personal and heartfelt about local creations, such as Zahran's – which are modelled by her and her female family members – that goes beyond a billboard or red carpet association. Zahran has succeeded in translating her personal brand into a physical, precious product that deeply resonates with her online following. She is also able to mine a sweet spot of pricing; the clear blue water between the anonymity of gold souq offerings and international powerhouse marques. Leveraging local expertise in jewellery creation, and layering on individual heart, regional pride and intimate insights, Middle Eastern fashion influencers transforming digital currency into carats look set to shine brightly.
