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.
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Keita 5', Firmino 26'
Porto 0
The biog
Name: Greg Heinricks
From: Alberta, western Canada
Record fish: 56kg sailfish
Member of: International Game Fish Association
Company: Arabian Divers and Sportfishing Charters
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham v Ajax, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
UAE SQUAD
Omar Abdulrahman (Al Hilal), Ali Khaseif, Ali Mabkhout, Salem Rashed, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Zayed Al Ameri, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Khalid Essa, Ahmed Barman, Ryan Yaslam, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmin (Al Wasl), Adel Al Hosani, Ali Hassan Saleh, Majed Suroor (Sharjah), Ahmed Khalil, Walid Abbas, Majed Hassan, Ismail Al Hammadi (Shabab Al Ahli), Hassan Al Muharrami, Fahad Al Dhahani (Bani Yas), Mohammed Al Shaker (Ajman)
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 715bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,289,376
On sale: now
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
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