Article 15 came out last week to rave reviews from critics. The hard-hitting social drama takes multiple real life incidents from the Hindi heartland of India to show the malaise of caste discrimination.
The film draws its title from Article 15 of India’s constitutional book that forbids discrimination against any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
The Constitution of India was helmed by BR Ambedkar, from the Dalit caste who eventually adopted Buddhism as his religion, with millions following suit. He stepped down after drafting the constitution in 1951 and died five years later, six months after converting to Buddhism.
Even though he finished the rule book that serves as a guiding light to the world's biggest democracy, Ambedkar vowed that he would burn the book himself should the impact he desired on "social democracy" be missing. Though he did not burn the book, he had many reasons to feel disillusioned: even a recommendation from MK 'Mahatma' Gandhi to specially draft in Ambedkar, a Dalit, as law minister.
While the film Article 15 makes a reference to Ambedkar's feelings, it hits home the point that seven decades of intent on paper must start being reflected in the mindset of a modern India.
Director Anubhav Sinha’s tag line for the film was: “We created differences. Now it is time to make a difference.” The abhorrent actions committed in the name of caste issues have turned fatal on many occasions, and Indian politics is still dictated by the dynamics of caste considerations.
Even Bollywood has been found lacking. Films like Bandit Queen and Sonchiriya touched on the topic of caste discrimination, but both films did not set the cash registers ringing. Article 15 has garnered 20 million rupees over the first three days, but that pales in comparison to the 190m rupees that Kabir Singh, about a forlorn lover in self-destructive mode, got the week before. Kabir Singh is a far worse film, too.
Veteran actor Anupam Kher was briefly chairman of the National Film & Television Institute of India last year, and says taking on serious roles is an actor's choice. “It is an individual choice for any actor [to do socially relevant films],” Kher says. “As an actor, there are films that you do for directors and producers. But every actor can always say yes to an issue he feels strongly about; it is a personal choice.”
But it may not be as simple as Kher puts it, gossip in the film industry circles says that established actors are always reluctant to rock the boat on sensitive issues that they think may cut into their fan base. Reports also suggest there have been projects which did not see the light of the day simply because actors refused to be part of it.
On the choice of Ayushmann Khurrana to play the lead role of a cop from the upper caste disrupting the established order of oppression, the film's director Sinha said: “I needed a fantastic actor who believed in the subject like me, and was willing to work the extra mile.”
Sinha was issued with legal attempts to block the film's release, and Hindu groups have stopped screenings in places such as Kanpur.
One group announced a reward of Rs 700,000 (Dh36,000) to anyone who cut Sinha's tongue.
In an interview with Film Companion, Khurrana himself hinted that he had his doubts about taking on the role, even though he liked the script. "It was something I would have loved to do, but had I not done Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho [both super hits that preceded Article 15] maybe.... [it wouldn't have happened]."
The film ended with a message: "Shall we begin?" That is easier said than done for so many reasons, and that's why more films such as Article 15 are needed for a better India.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Company%C2%A0profile
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
Teams in the EHL
White Bears, Al Ain Theebs, Dubai Mighty Camels, Abu Dhabi Storms, Abu Dhabi Scorpions and Vipers
Company%20Profile
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Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
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More on Quran memorisation:
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
- Saturday 15 January: UAE beat Canada by 49 runs
- Thursday 20 January: v England
- Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad:
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles
Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly,
Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya
Shetty, Kai Smith
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Ferdous, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-3 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,400m
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6pm: UAE Arabian Derby Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 2,200m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Championship Group 1 (PA) Dh1,000,000 2,200m
Winner: Somoud, Patrick Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Group 3 (TB) Dh380,000 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Conditions (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Bairaq, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
FIGHT%20CARD
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Thor: Ragnarok
Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Four stars
England-South Africa Test series
1st Test England win by 211 runs at Lord's, London
2nd Test South Africa win by 340 runs at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
3rd Test July 27-31 at The Oval, London
4th Test August 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester
