After Mumbai-based youngster files online petition opposing Bollywood’s misogynistic songs, IIFA promises to support her campaign in the upcoming awards edition
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; January 26, 2019)

Bollywood has been plagued with songs that reek of sexism, for long. But now, things may be headed for a change. Chandana Hiran, a Mumbai-based chartered accountancy student, has filed a petition with change.org opposing the misogynistic songs that are regularly churned out by the industry. She has also requested International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) to publicly condemn the objectification of women in Hindi film songs at its 2019 awards show — a move that has met with a positive response from the IIFA team.

Hiran says the idea to condemn the act publicly stemmed from a personal experience — recently, in a case of eve-teasing, several boys sang Kaddu Katega Toh Sab Mein Batega (R... Rajkumar, 2013) as she stepped out of the college, the innuendo of the song not lost on anybody. “I would often see kids in my family dance to these vulgar songs. I don’t want any child to be taught that it is okay to equate women to objects like Afghan Jalebi, Tandoori Murgi or Zandu Balm.”

Ask her why she approached IIFA to champion the cause, and she reasons, “The entire film fraternity attends this show, and millions tune in, making it the best gender-sensitive platform to send out a powerful message.”

Andre Timmins, director, Wizcraft International, producer and creator of IIFA, recently tweeted to the youngster assuring that appropriate action will be taken in the regard.

When we reached out to IIFA, the organisers said, “IIFA stands against any injustice or mistreatment, regardless of gender and hence, we replied positively to this campaign. Injustice against women is a major problem in the world. IIFA, as a platform, is trying to help make a difference to such causes.”

Lyricist Sameer, who has penned songs including Aa Re Pritam Pyaare (Rowdy Rathore) and Sarkailo Khatiya (Raja Babu), said, “Many times, artists are under pressure from makers to produce a certain type of song. I have immense respect for women and have never intentionally written anything which objectifies them. The onus also lies on the directors, in terms of how they shoot a song.”


Kaddu Katega from R...Rajkumar prompted Hiran to start petition

DNA (February 28, 2018)

The Dubai authorities finished their investigation and handed over the mortal remains of Indian cinema icon Sridevi to her family around 2.30 pm (IST) yesterday. Her death on February 24 is being attributed to ‘accidental drowning in the bathtub’ and the actress’ funeral has been delayed by two days. Even while Arjun Kapoor flew to Dubai yesterday to be with his father, Boney, the Kapoor khandaan in Mumbai are grief-stricken. A source, who visited the family yesterday, said, “Even Anil Kapoor, Sunita Kapoor and the immediate family members were as eager to learn of the latest developments as all of us.”

Of course, the team that left to be by Boney’s side in Dubai on Sunday was sending regular updates. Producer Rajat Rawail’s messages were the most eagerly awaited because according to one of the recipients, ‘They read like a call sheet.’ Reportedly, their contents were on the lines of — 10 am: now in Court; 1 pm: Expecting Prosecutor to sign off; 1.30 pm: Body to be taken for embalming, so on and so forth.

Andre Timmins, (one of the founder directors of a leading international entertainment company) who was accompanying Sanjay Kapoor to Dubai on the 4 am flight on Sunday, was also keeping people posted about the details of the proceedings. A source says, “Andre’s messages were more to the point and he was being helpful in communicating with the family.”

In Mumbai, the messages were encrypted by Reshma Shetty, who is managing Jahnvi’s career and is stationed at Anil’s residence. The duties have been divided systematically. Yash Raj Films’ PR team is in charge of media briefings while Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions is taking care of the security arrangements.

While many ‘new’ forces have come forward to stand with the Kapoors in their hour of bereavement, Boney’s own staff is slightly lost. Reveals an informer, “Though they have been with his production house for a long time, they have fewer details than even the outsiders. No one is keeping them in the loop.”

Sonam, Anil and several other Bollywood actors (who have specifically requested that their names should not be revealed) are on standby. A Bollywood superstar, who was expected to go for his outdoor shoot, has been waiting patiently since the last two days for the legend’s body to arrive as he idolised Sri and wanted to pay his last respects to her.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; April 15, 2017)

The pre-inaugural ceremony of Donald Trump earlier this year saw a 45 minute Bollywood dance routine led by former Miss India Manasvi Mamgai. Come July, the US President could be treated to more — at the IIFA Awards in New York.

A source close to the event management team says, “The IIFA festival (July 14-15) will be an extravaganza of entertainment. There is a plan to send out an invitation to the White House and we hope the President can attend the event. A few other top American politicians are also on the guest list.”

Andre Timmins, director of Wizcraft International, which hosts the annual awards, refused to confirm the news, but said several big names from Bollywood and Hollywood are expected at the gala. “In recent years, we have had many Indian celebrities going to the West and working in films and television series. At the same time, a lot of Hollywood celebs are also coming to India to shoot or promote their film. So, we thought New York is the ideal place [for both industries to come together]. This edition will have a great mix of people from Bollywood and Hollywood. We will announce the entire line-up soon,” added Timmins.

Besides a bunch of top movie stars, a few cricketers will also be part of the star-studded event. “Movie stars and cricketers are worshipped in India. This time, our aim is to make IIFA bigger and better, and so, we have decided to do something different,” Timmins said.

Shubha Shetty-Saha (MID-DAY; April 16, 2014)

Travel agent Akarsh Kolaprath, who runs a Florida-based enterprise, has filed a lawsuit against Wizcraft, the organisers of the 15th International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA awards) for alleged breach of trust.

Kolaprath claims that about three years ago, he struck a deal with Andre Timmins and Viraf Sarkari of Wizcraft through his family company, 7M tours. As part of the deal, he was apparently asked to help them out with co-ordination of finances and taking the award ceremony to the United States this year. Kolaprath claims to have spent the last three years and around $ 2,65,000 on consulting and making travel arrangements for the organisation. In return, Wizcraft apparently promised him 3 percent of the entire profit.

Kolaprath says that he even managed hotel bookings for the event, which is going to be held from April 24 to 27. It seems that the event organisers have abruptly changed their mind and decided to do their own bookings and arrangements thereby cancelling his services. Kolaprath has now sued Wizcraft for $ 7 million dollars for leaving him in the lurch without giving him adequate reasons.

His claims are:
1. Wizcraft/ IIFA promised to pay him 3 percent of the anticipated $ 17.5 million in revenue that the organisation expected to earn from hosting the awards.
2. Wizcraft/ IIFA further promised to pay him all revenues earned in excess of $ 17.5 million.
3. His company, 7M tours, reported a loss of more than $ 400,000 in hotel cancellation fees due to change of dates.

Talking to hitlist from Florida, Kolaprath said, “This has affected us very badly; we have been working on the whole thing. I was the one who introduced them (Wizcraft) to the sponsors. But suddenly after we had done all the arrangements, we got to know that they were dealing directly with the sponsors and wanted me out of the picture. Their intention is not right.” He has now asked for a stay on the event till this issue is cleared. “They have been trying to reach some kind of settlement but I will go ahead with my case,” Kolaprath said.

When contacted, Sabbas Joseph, director of Wizcraft and IIFA, sent a statement on behalf of his company. The statement read, “The claims made by Akarsh/& 7M tours are false and frivolous. It is a concocted story lacking any substance. Since the matter is sub judice, we shall respond to these claims appropriately before the court.”

Controversy's child?
The brand ambassador for IIFA since its inception in 2000, Amitabh Bachchan was apparently miffed with the organisers in 2011 as not only did they decide to host the event in Sri Lanka without consulting him, but they also signed on Salman Khan to host the same. Big B had tweeted then, “Not coming to Toronto IIFA... IIFA says my services are not required.” Interestingly, Sallu received flak for agreeing to attend IIFA that year. When Vice President of Tamil Film Producers’ Council, A Prabhakaran, asked for a ban on the actor, Sallu allegedly replied that he didn’t mind being banned.