Showing posts with label Chandana Hiran. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chandana Hiran. Show all posts
Content creators launch petition to evict Sajid Khan from Bigg Boss 16
9:09 AM
As #MeToo accused Sajid Khan joins Bigg Boss 16, content creators launch petition to evict him from the reality show; Sona, Meera and Saloni slam his participation as channel remains tight-lipped
Mohar Basu, Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; October 8, 2022)
In 2018, when the #MeToo wave hit India, it appeared that time was truly up — on sexual harassment and misconduct, and power imbalance. But four years on, we are, unfortunately, a long way from effecting change. The entertainment industry’s moral bankruptcy came sharply into focus last week, as #MeToo accused Sajid Khan was brought on as a contestant on Bigg Boss 16.
Bollywood has habitually rehabilitated many of the accused, be it Anu Malik turning judge for Indian Idol 11 and 12, or director Vikas Bahl whose Goodbye opened in theatres yesterday. Even as the powerbrokers remain silent on the latest move, there is an online petition to evict Khan from the reality show.
On Wednesday, digital content creators Chandana Hiran and Sukriti Chauhan launched a petition on Change.org, demanding Khan’s ouster. Earlier in the week, singer Sona Mohapatra, in a series of tweets, slammed his inclusion on the show, calling Indian TV channels a “depraved and sad lot.”
Hiran tells mid-day, “We have collected over 13,000 signatures. Celebrities like Sona Mohapatra, Meera Chopra, Saloni Chopra and Chinmayi Sripaada have come out publicly and condemned this. But Colors TV is yet to acknowledge our petition. We want them to respond. One understands that they have already shot a few episodes [with Khan], but we want to know their stand on the matter. Are they planning to continue despite protests?”
In 2018, Khan was accused of sexual harassment by several actors and a journalist, among others. He was dropped from Housefull 4, a film that he was then directing, and had stayed away from the limelight until Bigg Boss 16. Hiran is hopeful that the rising voices will make the officials at Colors TV do right by the brave women, instead of chasing TRPs.
“They have been eerily silent. All we want to hear right now is that they condemn sexual harassment, and he should be evicted immediately. They need to take responsibility. We have reached out to the Viacom 18 TV Head [Nina Jaipuria] and Viacom 18 CEO [Jyoti Deshpande].”
After mid-day’s repeated attempts to reach out to Colors TV officials, the channel’s spokesperson declined to comment. A source revealed that Khan had been approached for one of the previous seasons as well. “Sajid was chased down by the show’s casting agents a few times before. It took a lot of to and fro between the legal teams to lock him for this season. He is getting votes, which works for the show’s format.”
IIFA awards won't have songs reeking of sexism, courtesy petition by a CA student
8:37 AM
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
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