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Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Different, but no less: A tale of autism, family and ambition
It is only an artiste who creates his work through a life experience. Anupam Kher's recently released film Tanvi The Great, that he has co written, produced, directed and acted in, (He has also written his next book Different But No Less based on the making of the film), is inspired by his niece Tanvi, who is in the autistic spectrum. The film's actor Shubhangi Dutt, who plays Tanvi, is a student from his acting school, An Actor Prepares. At a family wedding in Gurugram a few years ago, when the entire Kher clan was dancing, celebrating and having fun, he observed his niece had sauntered off. When he followed her, he caught her immersed, looking at the sky. When asked what she was doing, she said that she was looking at her own world. 'Her words threw me off balance. I realised how much I didn't know her world, ' says Kher. Though he has taught at the Dilkhush Special School and has worked with differently abled children, this thought stayed with him and he decided to make a film around this topic. Kher's first directorial Om Jai Jagadish released in 2002 was a heartwarming story of three brothers in a joint family. Kher had decided then that his second film would have a relevant message combining a cause, family bonds and the love for the nation. 'This film that has actor Pallavi Joshi playing Tanvi's mom, focuses on family bonds, though the main character is autistic,' says Kher. 'For them, we are the odd ones out and not the other way around. Look at most of us - we have become manipulative and mean as a society. In the film industry like everywhere else, you are constantly told how someone else is better than you and you have to keep doing something to be in the news.' Adds Kher, 'I find differently abled people kinder, more compassionate and filled with innocence, a quality that we have lost completely. I think people with the autism spectrum are far more intelligent and better human beings than us and I wanted to bring out that super power' he adds. So, along with his writers Abhishek Dixit and Ankur Suman, he set out to write the story - the story of a girl in the autistic spectrum who wants to join the Indian Army. The Indian Army incidentally, doesn't have recruits from the spectrum. Kher plays her grandfather in the film, someone who is bitter due to the loss of his wife and young son who is martyred. A far cry from Kher's own grandpa who was full of life. He recollects a time in childhood when he asked his granddad how the entire joint family was so happy even if they were poor. ' He had said that, for people who are poor, the cheapest luxury is to be happy and we need to celebrate happiness." Eminent Hollywood actor Robert De Niro attended the film's premiere and Ms Draupadi Murmu, the President of India, sat through the film at a special screening at her official residence, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, lauding the performance. 'We got a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival as well as in London. Perhaps, people identified with the goodness the film radiates,' says Kher. During the making of the film, the crew was instructed to be calm - as in speak to each other politely and kindly, to create an aura of goodness. ' No harsh words were used or hurried activity that made people impatient and scream. It worked.' So how did the real Tanvi react to the onscreen Tanvi. ' My niece came to the screening. She sang a song too. Usually when you want to hug her, you have to ask for her permission. And she sang Lag Ja Gale … and made us all emotional.' The film was also shown to the Chief of Army and other soldiers and they all admitted that it made them cry. ' For me, that is heartening,' he says. While making the film, Kher decided to write the book. I decided to call it Different But No Less, which is a tagline of the film Tanvi The Great. 'The book is not about storms but about sailing through them, not letting anyone else get affected by your predicament but putting your own faith out there and following the greatest GPS God has gifted us - our heart.' All actors went through workshops conducted by Kher to sensitize them to autism. 'The film is not a blockbuster but it has succeeded in touching hearts. After 40 years of Saaransh (Kher's debut film), I'm getting the same kind of love in this film,' says Kher. 'Thankfully actors survive the long haul, unlike stars.' We agree!
Zawya
6 hours ago
- Zawya
Global Village invites Culinary Entrepreneurs and F&B business owners to register in the Kiosks & Trolleys Category for Season 30
Dubai, UAE – Global Village, the region's premier multicultural family destination for entertainment, dining, shopping and attractions, is inviting business owners and entrepreneurs to register their interest in the 'Kiosks & Trolleys' category for Season 30. This presents an exciting opportunity for culinary entrepreneurs and F&B business owners to showcase their creativity and cuisines to millions of guests at Global Village. With essential infrastructure and support including customisable kiosk setups and assistance with staff visas, Global Village offers an ideal platform for businesses to flourish in a vibrant, multicultural environment while delivering exceptional guest experiences. Season 29 welcomed 10.5 million guests and brought together over over 250 dining options outlets who all saw immense success, providing new and unique offerings from around the world to guests of all ages and cultures. All F&B business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to register through the Global Village portal, with exclusive and wonderful benefits, as well as immense support awaiting them. Inspired entrepreneurs and business owners can register now through: About Global Village: Global Village is the region's premier multicultural family destination for entertainment, dining, shopping and attractions. The destination boasts a growing popularity and a profound connection with the guests, solidifying its position as the region's number one (#1) entertainment and cultural hub. Since opening its gates in 1997, Global Village has welcomed over 100 million guests, with Season 29 achieving a new proven record of a crowd footfall of 10.5 million. Season 29 hosted 30 pavilions representing over 90 cultures, with more than 3,500 shopping outlets and over 250 dining options. The park was home to 400+ world-class performers featured in 40,000 shows. Guests enjoyed over 200 rides and games at Carnaval, making Global Village home to the largest and most diverse range of events, shows, shopping and dining experiences. Information on Season 30 will be announced soon.
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
World's largest inflatable park now open in Oman
Muscat: The "Ateen Square" events in Salalah, organised by Dhofar Municipality as part of the Dhofar Khareef Season 2025, have opened. The square, which is an integrated tourist, entertainment, and cultural destination that attracts citizens, residents, and visitors to the governorate, will continue to remain open until August 31. This year, "Ateen Square" has a new look, combining entertainment, arts, culture, and shopping, amidst an interactive atmosphere that meets the aspirations of various segments of society, especially families and youth. The daily events include a variety of entertainment shows, including environmentally friendly fireworks displays and drone shows that illuminate the skies of the Ateen Plain with innovative visual effects. The "Galaxy" show, featuring space costumes and interactive lights, is also featured, as is the "Crew Show," a show inspired by the international program "Got Talent," which combines acrobatic movements and exciting athletic performances. Ateen Square also features innovative artistic performances, including the "Emoji Show," which presents 20 emojis in a fun, interactive way. It also features shadow and fantasy shows featuring international artistic groups, including the Mexican Latin Band and the Arjola Band. Folklore performances organised by UNESCO feature diverse international cultural participation. Daily carnival events include the "Music Carnival," featuring European bands, the "European Carnival," presented by Russian bands with oriental musical performances, the "Hundred Carnival," featuring 100 participants with diverse performances, the "Peter Carnival," featuring a female dancing troupe, the "Hot Air Balloon Carnival," featuring innovative costumes in the shape of balloons and the "Glowing Balloon Carnival," a light-based version of the hot air balloon show. The square also hosts the largest inflatable amusement park for children in the Sultanate of Oman, providing a safe and enjoyable entertainment environment under the supervision of specialized teams to ensure child safety. A highlight of the events is the "Culture and Literature Street," which offers visitors the opportunity to interact with a number of writers, poets, and visual artists through workshops and live artistic simulations that enhance the cultural scene. This year, the main stage of Ateen Square features a design inspired by the mountainous nature of Dhofar Governorate. It features a towering mountain, supported by modern display technologies including laser effects, interactive screens, and waterfalls, providing an integrated platform for visual and artistic performances. Ateen Square also features dedicated areas for displaying local women's products, including perfumes, incense, and clothing with a modern heritage style. This supports entrepreneurs from small and medium enterprises and enhances the role of women in economic activity. It is worth noting that these diverse events contribute to consolidating Ateen Square's position as one of the most prominent landmarks of the Dhofar Autumn Season 2025, offering an integrated tourism, cultural, and entertainment experience that enriches the governorate's social, tourism, and economic activity. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
