Latest news with #Sitaram
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Rani Sitaram: A Rising Star in South African Cinema
Rani Sitaram, the producer of Greytown Girl. Image: Supplied HAVING received two nominations at the 2025 Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards in the category of Best Supporting Actress – Film, Rani Sitaram, the producer of Greytown Girl, believes this further affirms her status as a creative force committed to impactful storytelling. Her latest project is not only making waves globally, but it has further cemented her reputation as a filmmaker dedicated to telling stories that matter. Funded by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), her journey exemplifies how targeted investment in local talent can produce content that resonates across continents. Greytown Girl has already garnered international acclaim, winning a string of awards. The film scooped Best Feature Film at the Los Angeles Movie and Music Awards, Best African Film at the 2025 Cannes Film Awards, with prestigious selections earned at the Nelson Mandela Children's Film Festival, the 30th International Human Rights Conference, as well as at festivals in Barcelona and New York. Yet despite this global recognition, Sitaram says that being nominated for a Simon Mabhunu Sabela Award holds a deeply personal significance. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Greytown Girl has already garnered international acclaim, winning a string of awards. Image: Supplied 'It's really heartwarming to be acknowledged by our home province and country,' she shares. Central to the success of Greytown Girl has been the support of KZNTAFA. For Sitaram, this backing was 'vital and invaluable,' enabling her to maintain high production values and build a story with strong local relevance and global appeal. The impact was not just financial. 'KZNTAFA has created a support structure around me,' she says. 'As an independent producer, this amazing 'holding space' allowed me to eliminate challenges and draw on the expertise of seasoned professionals.' Committed to developing the creative economy of her province, Sitaram ensured that more than 75% of the suppliers and service providers for the film were based in KwaZulu-Natal. Through her company, East Coast Media, which includes a fully accredited training institution, she has created opportunities for the youth and underrepresented communities, including the disability sector. As she continues to write, produce, and mentor from her KZN base, Sitaram is already working on new projects. Her advice for potential filmmakers is to: 'Start with a story that matters and stay rooted in your region.' Thanks to the catalytic support of KZNTAFA, Sitaram is not only raising the flag for KwaZulu-Natal's film sector but she is also proving that local stories, when authentically told, can find a place on the world stage. SUNDAY TRIBUNE
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Communal tension grips Rajasthan town after man beaten to death
Communal tension gripped Jahazpur town in Rajasthan's Bhilwara district on Saturday (July 5, 2025) after a 25-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death following a minor road accident. The victim's car hit a roadside vegetable cart in the market, after which a crowd gathered at the spot and thrashed him. The police have arrested the main accused, Shareef Mohammed, and detained another suspect after registering a murder case against 16 named and 20 unidentified persons. The local administration has withdrawn permission to take out the Muharram procession in the town on Sunday (July 6, 2025), citing law and order concerns. Sitaram Keer, a resident of Tonk district, was travelling in the car with three friends to attend a family function in Jahazpur. While leaving the main market on Friday (July 4, 2025) evening, their car collided with Shareef's handcart. A verbal altercation escalated into violence when a mob surrounded the group. Sitaram was allegedly pulled out of the car and assaulted by the mob, even as he offered to compensate the cart owner for the damage and loss of vegetables. The injured man was rushed to the government hospital on a motorcycle, as the car's wiring was damaged in the incident. Police said the doctors declared Sitaram dead on arrival. While the locals shut down the market in protest against the incident, the victim's family staged a dharna outside the hospital overnight, demanding immediate arrest of the culprits. Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Jahazpur, Gopichand Meena, joined the protest on Saturday (July 5, 2025) morning and negotiated with the administration. Bhilwara Superintendent of Police Dharmendra Singh said additional police force had been deployed in the town and the situation was 'peaceful and under control'. The markets in Jahazpur remained closed on Saturday (July 5, 2025) as a mark of protest amid the continuing tension.
Hans India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Rajasthan youth murder: Tazia procession cancelled amid rising tensions in Bhilwara
Jaipur: Protests continue in Jahazpur town of Bhilwara district in Rajasthan on Saturday following the murder of a youth by a mob. The victim's family has demanded Rs 1 crore in compensation and bulldozer action on the houses of the accused, while the local administration, in view of rising tensions, has imposed restrictions and cancelled the Tazia procession scheduled for July 5 and 6 during Muharram. The family has been staging a protest outside the government hospital in Jahazpur since Saturday. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Jahazpur has officially withdrawn permission for the Tazia processions, citing law and order concerns. A complete ban has now been enforced on carrying out processions on both days. According to the police, the incident occurred on Friday around 7:30 PM in the Takiya Masjid area of Jahazpur. Four youths - Sitaram, Sikandar, Dilkhush, and Deepak - residents of the Chhavni area in Tonk, had come to Jahazpur in a car to attend a function at the home of Sikandar's sister. While leaving the main market, their car accidentally hit a handcart. An argument broke out with the cart owner, and soon, around 20 people gathered and began assaulting the group. Sitaram (25) was pulled out of the vehicle, beaten severely, and thrown onto the road. He succumbed to his injuries on the spot. In protest, Jahazpur town observed a complete shutdown on Saturday. A murder case has been registered against 16 named individuals and 20 unidentified others. Police forces from 10 nearby stations have been deployed to prevent any further unrest. Hari Nand Kahar, state chief of the Kewat Kahar Samaj, said that Sitaram was brutally murdered. 'We strongly condemn this heinous act. The accused must receive strict punishment. The victim's family is poor - his father has passed away, and his elderly mother was entirely dependent on him,' he said. Nand Kahar pointed out that the family must receive Rs 1 crore compensation and a government job for one member, adding that the case should be investigated by an SIT and tried in a fast-track court. Bhilwara MP Damodar Agarwal said that the incident is serious, and there is anger in society. 'Police are arresting the criminals. A situation of agitation has arisen. People must maintain peace,' he said.
IOL News
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Greytown Girl: A South African film nominated for Cannes Film Festival
Greytown Girl supporting actress Uveka Rangappa and lead actress Sanam Sitaram Image: Supplied LOCALLY produced film Greytown Girl has achieved a remarkable feat by receiving a nomination at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France. Celebrated for its compelling narrative and emotional depth, the biopic highlights the true story of Meena, a small-town South African girl who rises above her physical limitations and finds love in the most unexpected ways. Set against the backdrop of 1960s South Africa, Greytown Girl is directed by the acclaimed Oscar-nominated filmmaker Darrell Roodt. The film, which found its footing in cinemas for an impressive 12 weeks following its release last year, tells the tale of resilience and the indomitable spirit of a woman who defies all odds through the art of letter writing. Greytown Girl has been nominated in the best independent feature film category. The 78th annual Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 13 to 24 May at the Variétés Movie Theatre in France. The movie was written by Rani Sitaram and co-produced by Sitaram and Asgar Mahomed. Sitaram said the nomination was an incredible honour. "Greytown Girl is a story of love, hope, and perseverance that transcends borders. It is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of women globally and the beauty of finding love against all odds. "It was unusual for a SA film to be so popular and to be in cinemas for so long. But this was a true story that was told with love," said Sitaram. AB Moosa, CEO of Nolava International Content Distribution and executive producer of the film said: "We are thrilled that Greytown Girl has received this prestigious nomination at the Cannes Film Awards. This film is a testament to the power of storytelling, capturing the resilience and courage of a remarkable woman who inspires us all.' Meena, played by Sanam Sitaram, is born disabled through a forceps delivery. Believing she was abandoned, little Meena bravely creates a life for herself at an orphanage. Only when Meena is able to walk independently can she return to her parental home. With a new family and a language and culture that are foreign to her, the courageous Meena finds her new normal. Meena's father Veer, played by Jack Devnarain, teaches her to read from glossy magazines, where she discovers pen pals. Meena writes to friends all over the world. Just one writes back. Meena's American pen pal Eddie Gibson is deeply impacted by her letters. Through the romance of letter writing, Meena and Eddie fall in love, even when it seems they will never be destined to be together. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕
