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India-Pakistan conflict hits shared love of film and music
India-Pakistan conflict hits shared love of film and music

Khaleej Times

time3 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Khaleej Times

India-Pakistan conflict hits shared love of film and music

While conflict raged between the powerful militaries of India and Pakistan, a battle was also fought on the cultural front lines despite years of shared love for films and music. The deadly fighting in early May -- the worst in decades -- affected artists previously untouched by animosity between their leaders. Ali Gul Pir, a Pakistani rapper and comedian with a huge Indian following, released a song years ago mocking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While he was spared consequences then, in May his YouTube channel and Instagram profile were blocked in India. "Indians now recognise that the digital space serves as a bridge between Pakistanis and Indians, and they seem intent on severing that connection," Pir told AFP. The collapse in bilateral relations was caused by a deadly April attack on tourists in India-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan denied the allegation and, after tit-for-tat diplomatic retaliation, their militaries fought for four days before a ceasefire was reached. The conflict hit the music industry for the first time, with Pakistani singer Annural Khalid also remembering how her Indian following dropped off. "Delhi was my top listening city before the ban," said Khalid, who has 3.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify. "I suffered a great loss in the audience" from India, she told AFP. "Listeners were deprived of content because music was turned into something it is not," Khalid added. The conflict also scrubbed out some prior exchanges, such as the soundtrack of the 2017 film "Raees" on Spotify in India. It now shows only Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan, without his Pakistani co-star Mahira Khan. 'The same traumas' With Pakistan producing just a handful of movies each year under strict censorship rules, Bollywood has always proven popular among viewers. "I grew up watching Bollywood. We have the same traumas, we have the same history, we have the same stories," said Pakistani film critic Sajeer Shaikh. Pakistani actors and directors have for decades seen making it to Bollywood as the ultimate recognition. But this month, Indian star Diljit Dosanjh announced his latest movie, "Sardaar Ji 3", which features four Pakistani actors, would be released "overseas only", after New Delhi banned Pakistani content and artists from productions. "Abir Gulaal", a love story starring Pakistan's Fawad Khan and Indian actor Vaani Kapoor, was scheduled to hit Indian cinemas on May 9 but the release was postponed. Even some in the industry who had previously backed the cross-border artistic trade changed their tune last month. "Everything should be banned... cricket, films, everything," said Indian actor Suniel Shetty, who has a big fan following in Pakistan. He starred in the 2004 movie "Main Hoon Na", which subtly promotes peace between India and Pakistan. "It's something really unfortunate about politics, creating that rift and putting boundaries around art," said Dua Zahra, assistant manager at Warner Bros South Asia's music label in Pakistan. 'Let's just make art' As part of its measures in the wake of the Kashmir attack, New Delhi's ban on some Pakistani YouTube channels included private broadcaster HUM TV. The channel, which says around 40 per cent of its viewers are from India, simply told its fans to use a VPN to continue watching. Since Modi took office more than a decade ago, many Indian critics and filmmakers have warned that Bollywood is now increasingly promoting his government's Hindu nationalist ideology. While the conflict has created divisions on the cultural scene, there are signs that the trade will endure. Over a month after the ceasefire, three Indian films were in the top 10 on Netflix Pakistan, while the top 20 trending songs in India included two Pakistani tracks. Pir, the rapper and comedian, vowed to "bridge gaps". "Let's not make war, let's just make art," he said. "Let's just not bomb each other."

India-Pakistan conflict hits shared love of film, music
India-Pakistan conflict hits shared love of film, music

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

India-Pakistan conflict hits shared love of film, music

While conflict raged between the powerful militaries of India and Pakistan, a battle was also fought on the cultural front lines despite years of shared love for films and music. The deadly fighting in early May -- the worst in decades -- affected artists previously untouched by animosity between their leaders. Ali Gul Pir, a Pakistani rapper and comedian with a huge Indian following, released a song years ago mocking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While he was spared consequences then, in May his YouTube channel and Instagram profile were blocked in India. "Indians now recognise that the digital space serves as a bridge between Pakistanis and Indians, and they seem intent on severing that connection," Pir told AFP. The collapse in bilateral relations was caused by a deadly April attack on tourists in India-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan denied the allegation and, after tit-for-tat diplomatic retaliation, their militaries fought for four days before a ceasefire was reached. The conflict hit the music industry for the first time, with Pakistani singer Annural Khalid also remembering how her Indian following dropped off. "Delhi was my top listening city before the ban," said Khalid, who has 3.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify. "I suffered a great loss in the audience" from India, she told AFP. "Listeners were deprived of content because music was turned into something it is not," Khalid added. The conflict also scrubbed out some prior exchanges, such as the soundtrack of the 2017 film "Raees" on Spotify in India. It now shows only Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan, without his Pakistani co-star Mahira Khan. - 'The same traumas' - With Pakistan producing just a handful of movies each year under strict censorship rules, Bollywood has always proven popular among viewers. "I grew up watching Bollywood. We have the same traumas, we have the same history, we have the same stories," said Pakistani film critic Sajeer Shaikh. Pakistani actors and directors have for decades seen making it to Bollywood as the ultimate recognition. But this month, Indian star Diljit Dosanjh announced his latest movie, "Sardaar Ji 3", which features four Pakistani actors, would be released "overseas only", after New Delhi banned Pakistani content and artists from productions. "Abir Gulaal", a love story starring Pakistan's Fawad Khan and Indian actor Vaani Kapoor, was scheduled to hit Indian cinemas on May 9 but the release was postponed. Even some in the industry who had previously backed the cross-border artistic trade changed their tune last month. "Everything should be banned... cricket, films, everything," said Indian actor Suniel Shetty, who has a big fan following in Pakistan. He starred in the 2004 movie "Main Hoon Na", which subtly promotes peace between India and Pakistan. "It's something really unfortunate about politics, creating that rift and putting boundaries around art," said Dua Zahra, assistant manager at Warner Bros South Asia's music label in Pakistan. - 'Let's just make art' - As part of its measures in the wake of the Kashmir attack, New Delhi's ban on some Pakistani YouTube channels included private broadcaster HUM TV. The channel, which says around 40 percent of its viewers are from India, simply told its fans to use a VPN to continue watching. Since Modi took office more than a decade ago, many Indian critics and filmmakers have warned that Bollywood is now increasingly promoting his government's Hindu nationalist ideology. While the conflict has created divisions on the cultural scene, there are signs that the trade will endure. Over a month after the ceasefire, three Indian films were in the top 10 on Netflix Pakistan, while the top 20 trending songs in India included two Pakistani tracks. Pir, the rapper and comedian, vowed to "bridge gaps". "Let's not make war, let's just make art," he said. "Let's just not bomb each other." stm/rsc/lb/sco

Sarah Jessica Parker says 'Sex and the City 'changed the way New York women walked and sat at restaurants
Sarah Jessica Parker says 'Sex and the City 'changed the way New York women walked and sat at restaurants

Yahoo

time19-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Sarah Jessica Parker says 'Sex and the City 'changed the way New York women walked and sat at restaurants

Everyone knows that Sex and the City made lasting changes on our culture. Here it is, 27 years after the first episode aired, and we're still talking about it — and also talking about the current sequel series And Just Like That. Even people who have never watched a minute of the thing have a general sense of what it means to be asked, "Are you a Charlotte or a Samantha?" But there are few who have a firmer grip on how much the legendary HBO series impacted people than Sarah Jessica Parker, who plays the franchise's central character Carrie Bradshaw. An entire field of scholarship exists explaining how the show shattered taboos around what people are allowed to talk about (let alone allowed to want) in their intimate lives, not to mention how the production influenced the worlds of fashion and design. Parker's recent appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, however, offered some unusual insight into some very specific changes that she clocked in her home town (and the show's location) of New York City. "About a year into the show airing, I could see evidence of the way it was impacting New York City," she said. "You'd see groups of women all of a sudden at tables leaning into each other, not leaning in... which, I can't stand that phrase. But, I mean, physically, like, clustered." The anthropologically observant actress continued, "And you'd see them in fours walking down a sidewalk, like, lined up, almost like a piece of equipment, which I'd never really [seen before]." She then admitted that this may have been a bit of confirmation bias on her part. "Maybe I was, like, hypervigilant because of what we were doing all day long," she said, likely referring to the many, many times that she, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis would have to march down the avenue side by side, which is certainly a photogenic way to get across town, but a real hassle to actual New York pedestrians who may want to keep a livelier stride. With those revelations out of the way, Parker then slipped in the response one might expect when asked about the impact of a show that is regularly credited with empowering women for decades. "The anecdotal stuff of all the women that just came up to me and said all these years, you know, 'I was allowed to be me,'" she shared. To watch the full 73-minute chat with Sarah Jessica Parker on Call Her Daddy, all you need to do is press the play button below. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly

Ireland's Norman heritage to be celebrated more than 850 years after arrival
Ireland's Norman heritage to be celebrated more than 850 years after arrival

Irish Times

time20-05-2025

  • General
  • Irish Times

Ireland's Norman heritage to be celebrated more than 850 years after arrival

Ireland's Norman heritage will be celebrated in 2027 as part of a European-wide initiative to celebrate the group's impact on western civilisation. Originally from Normandy in France, the Normans conquered England in 1066 and then landed in Ireland a century later . Their impact on Irish society is incalculable. Language, laws and the landscape were all transformed. They even introduced hedgerows and rabbits to the Irish countryside. Kilkenny, Kildare, Athlone and Kildare are just some of the towns founded by the Normans. St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Dublin Castle, Kilkenny Castle and Carrickfergus Castle testify to their reputation as master builders. READ MORE Their legacy endures also through the surnames – Burke, Butler, Joyce, Power, Walsh, Griffith, Lynch and so many others that have for so long been a part of Irish life that many assume they are Irish names. Even now, nine centuries after they first arrived, the Normans' influence is seen in Irish politics. A study carried out in 2011 by Dr Eoin O'Malley of Dublin City University and Dr Kevin Byrne of Trinity College Dublin (TCD) found Fianna Fáil TDs were significantly more likely to have Gaelic names than Fine Gael. [ Marking the Norman invasion of Ireland: 850 years and counting Opens in new window ] Fine Gael politicians with Norman names include three former taoisigh: John A Costello, Garret FitzGerald and Simon Harris. On the other hand, the Normans were the originators of the 850 years of oppression when Strongbow landed in Ireland in 1169 with a ragtag of mercenaries to help Dermot McMurrough recover his Leinster kingdom. Two years later the English King Henry II, a great-grandson of William the Conqueror, arrived in Ireland with a papal blessing from Pope Adrian IV (the only English pope) and the rest is Irish history. McMurrough died the same year (1171) and earned from the Annals of the Four Masters, which chronicles medieval Irish history, one of the most infamous obituaries in Irish history. 'Diarmaid Mac Murchadha, King of Leinster, after having brought over the Saxons, after having done extensive injuries to the Irish, after plundering and burning many churches, died before the end of a year of an insufferable and unknown disease. He died at Fearnamor [Ferns], without making a will, without penance, without the body of Christ, without unction, as his evil deeds deserved.' The Normandy Regional Council has invited European countries and regions sharing Norman history and heritage (Britain, Channel Islands, southern Italy, Norway, Denmark) to take part. The Normans ruled much of southern Italy and Sicily for centuries, as well as parts of the coast of north Africa and the Canary Islands. Ireland's participation is being co-ordinated by the National Monuments Service. Minister for Heritage James Browne, who has a Norman name though he's a Fianna Fáil politician, said his own county is marked to this day by the Norman influence. 'From their arrival in Wexford in the late 12th century, the Normans left their mark in monumental ways across our urban and rural landscapes, building towns and castles, abbeys and cathedrals that stand to this day,' the Wexford TD said. 'We are confident that this initiative will have a lasting legacy, delivering concrete achievements with economic and social benefits, and all carried out in a respectful, sensitive manner as all historical commemorations must be.'

AfroBallers: Africa's Digital Sports Unicorn Connecting The Diaspora And Powering The Continent's Rise
AfroBallers: Africa's Digital Sports Unicorn Connecting The Diaspora And Powering The Continent's Rise

Forbes

time12-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Forbes

AfroBallers: Africa's Digital Sports Unicorn Connecting The Diaspora And Powering The Continent's Rise

AfroBallers has transformed from a sports media platform into a significant cultural force that reshapes the way African athletes and sports stories are told, represented, and celebrated. Founded by Elliot Osagie and Kevin Bahun-Wilson, AfroBallers operates at the intersection of sports, culture, and technology. Osagie, an Emmy-nominated software engineer and music executive, and Bahun-Wilson, a French-Togolese-Ghanaian entrepreneur with a PhD in mechanical engineering, created the platform with a bold mission: to amplify the voices and achievements of African and African-descended athletes worldwide. The platform emerged from a desire to globalize African excellence and to change the perspective on how African talent is perceived. What sets AfroBallers apart is its ability to connect with audiences on a variety of digital platforms; whether it's Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads, or YouTube-making it a touchpoint for fans regardless of their preferred a result, AfroBallers has become a unique and influential entity within the fragmented landscape of African sports media. This influence is also driving tangible change in the African sports business. A prime example is the groundbreaking partnership between the reigning Basketball Africa League (BAL) Champions, Angola's Atlético Petróleos de Luanda, more commonly known as Petro de Luanda, and Puma. This landmark deal, which designates Puma as the football partner of one of Angola's most storied clubs, indicates a shift in how African teams are valued on the global stage. In an interview with the two co-founders discussed this partnership, the factors that position clubs for sponsorships, the power of storytelling, and their collaboration with Afrikicks. The impact of AfroBallers is undeniable. When J. Cole signed with the Basketball Africa League (BAL), it was AfroBallers—not ESPN or Reuters—that broke the news. Cited by Bleacher Report and Complex, AfroBallers not only reported the story but also helped shape its global narrative. With a digital-first and culturally aware approach, they have become the go-to source for fans seeking authentic news about the African sports ecosystem. Strategic partnerships with global institutions, such as the NFL, further highlight AfroBallers' influence. Since the launch of NFL Africa, they have co-created content tailored to African audiences, showcasing local talent and making complex stories engaging and relatable. They serve as a bridge between different worlds: local and global, tradition and innovation, as well as the diaspora and Africa. But AfroBallers' storytelling doesn't end at the screen, it extends into real-world deal-making. The landmark partnership between Angola's Atlético Petróleos de Luanda (Petro de Luanda) and Puma is a sample of the work that they continue to do. Far from a chance collaboration, the deal was the result of AfroBallers' strategic matchmaking, aligning Petro's competitive legacy and growing visibility with Puma's global brand footprint which already has a growing influence on football across the continent. Bahun-Wilson explained, 'We acknowledged the strength of Petro de Luanda, not only because of their winning culture but also due to their structure, ambition, and fan base, which made them an excellent fit for a brand like Puma.' The steps taken to close the deal were strategic. AfroBallers acted as the link, aligning brand values, performance, and long-term goals. This partnership marked a significant milestone, signalling to other African clubs that such high-level collaborations are achievable when a solid foundation is laid. Bahun-Wilson added, 'I believe this sets a new precedent for African basketball. However, teams need to invest in their own storytelling and in promoting their players. When everything is in place, when the right infrastructure exists, teams will be ready for more sponsorship opportunities." He pointed to Petro as a prime example, noting, 'They have been investing in their athletes' stories on social media, in their graphics, and so on. Any team that follows a similar approach, like some of the Egyptian teams, would be ready for more significant brand partnerships.' This partnership, along with others in development, highlights a deeper mission: to amplify African sports culture while connecting the diaspora. AfroBallers is uniquely positioned to serve as both a platform and a bridge. 'We don't just want to close deals; we want to share stories that resonate globally,' Osagie explains. Through player features, behind-the-scenes content, and high-visibility sponsorships, the consistent goal is to keep African sports visible, viable, and celebrated both at home and abroad. In this sense, AfroBallers becomes more than just a middleman. They are custodians of culture, committed to presenting African sports in an aspirational, marketable, and deeply authentic way. 'As we continue to push the needle and raise global brand awareness for the African market, we're also focusing on athlete incubation and talent discovery,' says Osagie. 'It all begins with the media platform. It starts with telling the story. And that's what AfroBallers is here to do.' AfroBallers believes that the key to unlocking more global brand partnerships lies in how African athletes and teams tell their stories. They emphasize the importance of investing in storytelling—showcasing the journeys, struggles, and triumphs of athletes to humanize their brands and create deeper emotional connections with fans. "A player doesn't need to be the MVP to have a global following," says Osagie. "The unique personalities, character, and cultural influence of African athletes can create enormous marketing value. This is a strength that clubs can leverage." Bahun-Wilson cites the example of Carlos Morais, an Angola-born basketball star who played in the NBA and captained Petro de Luanda to a championship. Despite his success, Morais hasn't yet landed a major brand endorsement, primarily due to a lack of focused storytelling surrounding his brand. 'It's not just about playing well; it's about telling your story,' adds Bahun-Wilson. While storytelling remains a powerful tool, the co-founders emphasize that narrative alone isn't enough. For African clubs to compete on the global stage and attract meaningful sponsorships, they must also invest in the infrastructure that sustains long-term growth. This means building in-house media teams, strengthening digital marketing efforts, and establishing the administrative capacity to handle high-level brand partnerships. 'You can't just rely on the BAL or other leagues,' Bahun-Wilson explains. 'Clubs need to build their own ecosystems and invest in their own growth. This includes training players, enhancing facilities, and ensuring there's a clear pathway for both players and brands to succeed.' At the same time, AfroBallers champions a parallel investment; one in culture. They see African identity not just as a differentiator but as an economic asset. 'The culture itself has marketing value,' Osagie points out. 'It's about embracing the culture and allowing athletes to be their authentic selves. The world is drawn to that authenticity.' This idea of 'culture as currency' is especially powerful for smaller clubs that may lack financial muscle but have rich, untapped stories to tell. By crafting compelling narratives around their teams and players, these clubs can position themselves for recognition, even before they break into global leagues. For AfroBallers, real growth happens when culture and infrastructure move in tandem. AfroBallers' mission extends beyond sponsorships and partnerships; it also intersects with social impact. Their collaboration with Afrikicks, a nonprofit that has donated over 330,000 pairs of shoes and facilitated over 1.6 million contributions of essential resources across 10 African countries, reflects their commitment to giving back. Jonitta Wallace, the Executive Director of Afrikicks and Strategy & Operations Manager at AfroBallers, has been instrumental in uniting the two organizations for impactful projects. 'Afrikicks and AfroBallers share a mentality of giving back,' says Wallace. 'Through our partnership, we aim to deliver shoes to athletes, orphanages, and schools across Africa, starting with West Africa. Afrikicks has already sent over 250,000 pairs of shoes to the region, and now we're working to scale that impact even further.' Afrikicks' initiatives extend beyond the sports world, providing food, clothing, medical supplies, and educational resources to underserved communities. The partnership with AfroBallers amplifies these efforts, using AfroBallers' digital platform and reach to bring greater visibility to Afrikicks' on-the-ground work. Looking to the future, AfroBallers aims to continue its efforts in both sports media and athlete development. Their ultimate goal is to help African clubs, federations, and athletes gain recognition and financial support from global brands. 'The goal is to make African sports visible on the global stage while ensuring that athletes receive the recognition they deserve,' Osagie reflects. 'It starts with creating a platform that amplifies their voices and tells their stories in an impactful way.' Through their work with teams like Petro de Luanda and collaborations with organizations such as Afrikicks, AfroBallers is establishing new standards for how African clubs engage with international brands. They believe that the key to success lies in a combination of culture, storytelling, and infrastructure; each element building upon the other to create a sustainable ecosystem where African athletes can thrive. AfroBallers is, in every sense, a unicorn, not just because of what they do, but because of how they do it: with purpose, pride, and a vision grounded in African excellence. Whether it's brokering groundbreaking partnerships, spotlighting untold stories, or driving social change through collaborations like Afrikicks, AfroBallers continues to raise the bar for what African sports media can be. As they build an ecosystem where athletes, brands, and communities can thrive together, they're not just changing perceptions, they're setting new global standards. In doing so, AfroBallers stands as a beacon of what is possible when culture, storytelling, and strategy unite to empower a continent.

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