Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has urged Indians not just to switch off lights during WWF's Earth Hour 2011 campaign, but to go beyond the hour and protect the earth from the issue of climate change.
The Earth Hour will be celebrated Saturday at 8.30 p.m.
"As the effects of climate change become more prevalent and more powerful, it is up to each one of us to take ownership of our collective future. WWF's Earth Hour has inspired millions across the globe and has created mass awareness on the colossal issue of climate change. It is inspiring and encouraging to see how a step as simple as switching off lights for an hour can unite the entire world towards a single cause. I too switched off lights last year, and will do so this year as well," Vidya said in a press statement.
The critically acclaimed actress, also added a plus sign to the '60' logo of Earth Hour. The plus signifies a commitment to add a positive act in everyday life to benefit the environment beyond just the 60 minutes.
"For Earth Hour 2011, I pledge to not just switch off but to go beyond the hour. To be mindful of conserving resources, everyday, not just for an hour. From this year on, I pledge to use energy smartly. And urge you to do so as well.
"Each one of us has the power to make a difference. We just need to be conscious of it and make wise choices. When each of us take simple steps, together these actions add up. I am supporting the fight against climate change by adopting some of these steps. It's time you do too," she added.
Earth Hour 2011 is expected to be a culmination of over one billion people around the globe, in more than six thousand cities across 130 countries worldwide.
Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has urged Indians not just to switch off lights during WWF's Earth Hour 2011 campaign, but to go beyond the hour and protect the earth from the issue of climate change.
The Earth Hour will be celebrated Saturday at 8.30 p.m.
"As the effects of climate change become more prevalent and more powerful, it is up to each one of us to take ownership of our collective future. WWF's Earth Hour has inspired millions across the globe and has created mass awareness on the colossal issue of climate change. It is inspiring and encouraging to see how a step as simple as switching off lights for an hour can unite the entire world towards a single cause. I too switched off lights last year, and will do so this year as well," Vidya said in a press statement.
The critically acclaimed actress, also added a plus sign to the '60' logo of Earth Hour. The plus signifies a commitment to add a positive act in everyday life to benefit the environment beyond just the 60 minutes.
"For Earth Hour 2011, I pledge to not just switch off but to go beyond the hour. To be mindful of conserving resources, everyday, not just for an hour. From this year on, I pledge to use energy smartly. And urge you to do so as well.
"Each one of us has the power to make a difference. We just need to be conscious of it and make wise choices. When each of us take simple steps, together these actions add up. I am supporting the fight against climate change by adopting some of these steps. It's time you do too," she added.
Earth Hour 2011 is expected to be a culmination of over one billion people around the globe, in more than six thousand cities across 130 countries worldwide.
The spotlight is on acclaimed Indian actress Vidya Balan at the ongoing 2011 Indian Film Festival (IFF): Bollywood and Beyond, which is screening a special retrospective of acclaimed Indian actress Vidya Balan's finest films from "Parineeta" to "Ishqiya".
Over over 30 films will be screened at the fest, including 15 Australian premiers. The 10-day festival, which is screened in Sydney (March 9-19), Melbourne (March 11-20), Adelaide (March 22-29) and Auckland (March 24 to April 3), kicked off this week at Hoyts Cinema Paris in the Entertainment Quarter, next to the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the Vidya starrer "No one killed Jessica" and British producer Leslee Udwin's "West is West".
Since making a dream debut in "Parineeta", Vidya has mesmerised audiences with her powerful performances.
"The most exciting thing as an actor is to do diverse roles. A film has to be engaging and entertaining as for me cinema is ultimately about hope," said the 33-year-old, who is looking forward to the June release of Sujoy Ghosh's thriller "Kahani" in which she plays a six-month pregnant woman, and Milan Luthria's "The Dirty Picture", based on the life of Silk Smitha, south Indian cinema's ultimate sex symbol.
For Vidya, who has travelled the world, Australia's Gold Coast, known for its sunny surfing beaches, is the favourite locale to shoot. "I had the most chilled out time in Surfer's Paradise. I also enjoy shooting in Toronto, which has a lovely energy with cultural activities all around," she told IANS, recalling the time she had while shooting for "Heyy Babyy" in Sydney.
She feels the more independent voices Indian cinema embraces, the more universal appeal it will have.
Director Raj Kumar Gupta, on his first visit to Australia, told IANS: "It is a privilege to have 'No one killed Jessica' as the opening film of this festival. The landscape of cinema is changing and how the audience receive the film, connect with the emotions and identify with this journey is important for me."
Australians and Indians have been coming with friends, partners and spouses to the festival, which is showcasing a sizzling mixture of comedy, romance, action and drama - from hardcore blockbuster "Dabangg" and the critically acclaimed "No One Killed Jessica", to "West Is West".
Rituparno Ghosh's Bengali film "Abohomaan" and Ananth Mahadevan's Marathi film "Mee Sindhutai Sapkal" too is a part of the bouquet.
As festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange told IANS: "This year we've made a conscious effort to bring you films that eloquently express a new sophistication in contemporary Indian cinema; a hugely exciting seismic, cultural shift that must be shared. The aim is to showcase just how absolutely versatile and unique is our film industry. We have ventured beyond Bollywood to include some of the finest regional films."
The credit for bringing Indian films into mainstream cinemas in Australia goes to Mind Blowing Films, which has also been promoting Australian locations to Indian film producers and directors.
The festival director called on the Diaspora to ditch pirated two dollar DVDs sold at South Asian spice stores and support filmmakers by watching their works on the big screen.
Audiences also warmed to "West Is West", a sequel to Udwin's much loved "East Is East", which opens in India next month (April).
Udwin, who now lives in Copenhagen, told IANS: "I always knew there was going to be a sequel. People recognise that this film is about their story. It is a crowd pleasing film with a heart and spirit, which makes the audience cry and laugh. It is where comedy and tragedy fit in the same frame, an absolute reflection of life. In fact, I feel there is a trilogy in `East Is East'."
Also screening is the winner of the Western Union Short Film Competition, "Mumbaikar Ganesh" by Indian director Collin John D'Cunha.
"Acknowledgment of 'Mumbaikar Ganesh' means a lot to me as I am able to share my work with family and friends in Australia through this festival," said Kush Badhwar, the cinematographer who was born and brought up in Sydney and is now working in Mumbai.
The festival closes with producer-actress Juhi Chawla and director Onir's "I Am", an innovative film that explores the issues of homosexuality, prostitution and child abuse.
The spotlight is on acclaimed Indian actress Vidya Balan at the ongoing 2011 Indian Film Festival (IFF): Bollywood and Beyond, which is screening a special retrospective of acclaimed Indian actress Vidya Balan's finest films from "Parineeta" to "Ishqiya".
Over over 30 films will be screened at the fest, including 15 Australian premiers. The 10-day festival, which is screened in Sydney (March 9-19), Melbourne (March 11-20), Adelaide (March 22-29) and Auckland (March 24 to April 3), kicked off this week at Hoyts Cinema Paris in the Entertainment Quarter, next to the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the Vidya starrer "No one killed Jessica" and British producer Leslee Udwin's "West is West".
Since making a dream debut in "Parineeta", Vidya has mesmerised audiences with her powerful performances.
"The most exciting thing as an actor is to do diverse roles. A film has to be engaging and entertaining as for me cinema is ultimately about hope," said the 33-year-old, who is looking forward to the June release of Sujoy Ghosh's thriller "Kahani" in which she plays a six-month pregnant woman, and Milan Luthria's "The Dirty Picture", based on the life of Silk Smitha, south Indian cinema's ultimate sex symbol.
For Vidya, who has travelled the world, Australia's Gold Coast, known for its sunny surfing beaches, is the favourite locale to shoot. "I had the most chilled out time in Surfer's Paradise. I also enjoy shooting in Toronto, which has a lovely energy with cultural activities all around," she told IANS, recalling the time she had while shooting for "Heyy Babyy" in Sydney.
She feels the more independent voices Indian cinema embraces, the more universal appeal it will have.
Director Raj Kumar Gupta, on his first visit to Australia, told IANS: "It is a privilege to have 'No one killed Jessica' as the opening film of this festival. The landscape of cinema is changing and how the audience receive the film, connect with the emotions and identify with this journey is important for me."
Australians and Indians have been coming with friends, partners and spouses to the festival, which is showcasing a sizzling mixture of comedy, romance, action and drama - from hardcore blockbuster "Dabangg" and the critically acclaimed "No One Killed Jessica", to "West Is West".
Rituparno Ghosh's Bengali film "Abohomaan" and Ananth Mahadevan's Marathi film "Mee Sindhutai Sapkal" too is a part of the bouquet.
As festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange told IANS: "This year we've made a conscious effort to bring you films that eloquently express a new sophistication in contemporary Indian cinema; a hugely exciting seismic, cultural shift that must be shared. The aim is to showcase just how absolutely versatile and unique is our film industry. We have ventured beyond Bollywood to include some of the finest regional films."
The credit for bringing Indian films into mainstream cinemas in Australia goes to Mind Blowing Films, which has also been promoting Australian locations to Indian film producers and directors.
The festival director called on the Diaspora to ditch pirated two dollar DVDs sold at South Asian spice stores and support filmmakers by watching their works on the big screen.
Audiences also warmed to "West Is West", a sequel to Udwin's much loved "East Is East", which opens in India next month (April).
Udwin, who now lives in Copenhagen, told IANS: "I always knew there was going to be a sequel. People recognise that this film is about their story. It is a crowd pleasing film with a heart and spirit, which makes the audience cry and laugh. It is where comedy and tragedy fit in the same frame, an absolute reflection of life. In fact, I feel there is a trilogy in `East Is East'."
Also screening is the winner of the Western Union Short Film Competition, "Mumbaikar Ganesh" by Indian director Collin John D'Cunha.
"Acknowledgment of 'Mumbaikar Ganesh' means a lot to me as I am able to share my work with family and friends in Australia through this festival," said Kush Badhwar, the cinematographer who was born and brought up in Sydney and is now working in Mumbai.
The festival closes with producer-actress Juhi Chawla and director Onir's "I Am", an innovative film that explores the issues of homosexuality, prostitution and child abuse.
M. F. Husain has reportedly expressed anger at reports that he intended to paint a nude portrait of Vidya Balan.
The artist, currently a citizen of Qatar, famously upset members of India's Hindu community after depicting deities in an allegedly sexual manner.
Husain told The Times of India: "I would never ever even think like that. I have done several paintings of Madhuri Dixit but I have always captured her personality. I respect Vidya as an artiste and would never ask her or any artiste to pose nude for me."
He also revealed that he does not want to paint a life-like portrait of Anushka Sharma.
"Anushka has inspired me to do a painting of the quintessential Punjabi kudi [girl]," the artist said. "She was outstanding in Band Baaja Baaraat. She made the transition from a playful girl to an upright woman brilliantly."
M. F. Husain has reportedly expressed anger at reports that he intended to paint a nude portrait of Vidya Balan.
The artist, currently a citizen of Qatar, famously upset members of India's Hindu community after depicting deities in an allegedly sexual manner.
Husain told The Times of India: "I would never ever even think like that. I have done several paintings of Madhuri Dixit but I have always captured her personality. I respect Vidya as an artiste and would never ask her or any artiste to pose nude for me."
He also revealed that he does not want to paint a life-like portrait of Anushka Sharma.
"Anushka has inspired me to do a painting of the quintessential Punjabi kudi [girl]," the artist said. "She was outstanding in Band Baaja Baaraat. She made the transition from a playful girl to an upright woman brilliantly."
Vidya Balan may reportedly get engaged to Siddharth Roy Kapur.
According to The Times of India, the actress is rumoured to be in a relationship with the head of UTV Motion Pictures, with the pair said to be close to deciding to wed.
A top industry source told the newspaper: “Vid and Sid are close. And in the past weeks they have been spotted spending quality time with each other on two occasions.”
The critically-acclaimed actress recently worked in Siddharth’s No One Killed Jessica. The film corporation executive is not comfortable talking about his friendship with the actress as he is allegedly waiting for his divorce to come through.
However, Balan’s secretary commented: "Vidya has to first know Siddharth well enough to marry him. One doesn't necessarily marry people one is friendly to or has dinners with."
Vidya Balan may reportedly get engaged to Siddharth Roy Kapur.
According to The Times of India, the actress is rumoured to be in a relationship with the head of UTV Motion Pictures, with the pair said to be close to deciding to wed.
A top industry source told the newspaper: “Vid and Sid are close. And in the past weeks they have been spotted spending quality time with each other on two occasions.”
The critically-acclaimed actress recently worked in Siddharth’s No One Killed Jessica. The film corporation executive is not comfortable talking about his friendship with the actress as he is allegedly waiting for his divorce to come through.
However, Balan’s secretary commented: "Vidya has to first know Siddharth well enough to marry him. One doesn't necessarily marry people one is friendly to or has dinners with."
Vidya Balan has not agreed to expose for a painting for acclaimed artist M.F. Hussain, says a close friend of the actress.
"The story is fabricated to damage her reputation and it hasn't gone down well with the actress who has always maintained a dignified stance both in her personal and professional life," said the friend.
Hussain finds Vidya's persona especially her face very sensual and cultured and a newspaper reported that she will bare all for his painting.
But Vidya, who will feature in Ekta Kapoor's "Dirty Pictures", has always maintained she would take up projects only with an aesthetic sense.
"The news is absolutely hysterical. We are in the month of February and not April. Vidya has always maintained a dignified image and is one of the most respected stars in the industry. The reports are fabricated by parties with vested interests and if ever Vidya does decide to get a painting done, it will strictly be her face. Hope this puts an end to the speculation," said the friend.
Vidya Balan has not agreed to expose for a painting for acclaimed artist M.F. Hussain, says a close friend of the actress.
"The story is fabricated to damage her reputation and it hasn't gone down well with the actress who has always maintained a dignified stance both in her personal and professional life," said the friend.
Hussain finds Vidya's persona especially her face very sensual and cultured and a newspaper reported that she will bare all for his painting.
But Vidya, who will feature in Ekta Kapoor's "Dirty Pictures", has always maintained she would take up projects only with an aesthetic sense.
"The news is absolutely hysterical. We are in the month of February and not April. Vidya has always maintained a dignified image and is one of the most respected stars in the industry. The reports are fabricated by parties with vested interests and if ever Vidya does decide to get a painting done, it will strictly be her face. Hope this puts an end to the speculation," said the friend.
