Showing posts with label Satyajit Bhatkal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Satyajit Bhatkal. Show all posts
Reflection of environmental crisis in popular cinema is practically non existent-Satyajit Bhatkal
7:51 AM
Bhatkal, head of Aamir’s Paani Foundation, roped in as jury member for All Living Things Environmental Film Fest; urges mainstream filmmakers to highlight climate crisis
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 22, 2023)
At a time when Delhi is gasping for breath, registering 300 or above on the air quality index (AQI), India is set to host one of the world’s few environmental film festivals, All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALTEFF). Joining the jury panel is Satyajit Bhatkal, who directed Aamir Khan’s talk show Satyamev Jayate. The festival’s importance cannot be emphasised enough amid the increasing environmental concerns.
Bhatkal says, “It’s tragic that the AQI levels in Mumbai and Delhi are so high. A film festival on the environment is, therefore, more relevant than ever. We have some great films—We are Guardians, No Water No Village, and From Dreams to Dust. A common element this year is the collapsing biodiversity and ecosystems.”
The ramifications of climate change have been for all to see, from the glacial burst in Sikkim to the sinking of Joshimath. Bhatkal rues that the environmental issues haven’t been adequately reflected in cinema. “If you look at the scale of the environmental crisis, its reflection in popular cinema is practically non-existent.”
Point out that Jawan highlighted the issue of droughts and farmer suicides, and he says, “Movies are a powerful tool to trigger efforts for social upliftment. All of us need entertainment. The audience for entertainment will always be greater than that for social responsibility. The challenge is to make socially responsible content in an engaging way.”
Bhatkal serves as the CEO of Paani Foundation, started by Khan and Kiran Rao that works with farmers towards drought prevention. With the Maharashtra government recently declaring drought in over 40 talukas, he says, “Our focus has been on collectivization of farmers to nurture farming methods that use less water, and put more money in their hands.”
Aamir Khan arrives in Wathoda; digs for four hours
7:59 AM
The actor took his water conservation initiative to Amravati, one of the state's worst drought-hit districts
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 6, 2016)
On Thursday, at 4 am, they took off to the Warud taluka of Vidarbha's Amravati district, one of the worst drought-hit regions in Maharashtra. The reason Aamir handpicked the village of Wathoda was because the locals had begun to save water and his Paani Foundation which will train villagers from 120 villages in water harvesting, wanted to applaud their efforts.
"When we arrived at 6 am, the collector, sarpanch, many MLAs and villagers had already started working. We joined in the 'shramdaan'," said Reema Lagoo, recalling studying water harvesting in school. "It was time to take the practises to the fields as "dripping therapy" and "sosh khadda" can help save water."
The actors dug for four hours, followed by an interaction between Aamir, Satyajit Bhatkal and the villagers. "The villagers wanted to know what other methods of water conservation could be made available to them and Aamir ji answered all of them," Reema said. Realising the infrastructure was collapsing too, Aamir announced the building of a new road.
Sai believes this is the best way to make Maharashtra drought-free: "Not only is this a superhuman cause but also a campaign that is helping us redeem ourselves."
When Aamir met Fadnavis in mid-February, three drought-hit talukas were selected for water conservation through public participation. They were Warud in Vidarbha's Amravati district, Ambejogai in Beed of Marathwada, and Koregaon in Satara district.
Aamir instituted a "Satyamev Jayate Water Cup" and invited over 20 celebs, including Riteish Deshmukh, Atul Kulkarni, Sunny Leone, Kangana Ranaut, Rajkumar Hirani to join the initiative. He also set up a contest for the best worker in water conservation and on April 15, he took off to Beed for his first water harvesting campaign.
"116 villages are next in line. Groups of us are going to visit each of them in the coming months and work hard to help. This is just the beginning, things are not going to change overnight. Aamir ji and us have a long way to go," Reema signs off.
Next season of Aamir Khan's TV show Satyamev Jayate put off indefinitely?
8:00 AM
Anirban Das (MID-DAY; February 19, 2016)
It has been over a year since the third season of Aamir Khan’s brainchild, Satyamev Jayate beamed into our homes. But, we hear, the new season of the talk show — which lifts the lid off social evils plaguing the country — won’t go on air anytime soon.
Sources close to the star say that he wants to focus on his water conservation project launched with the state government’s support. “Each season of the show has dealt with different issues backed by extensive research. It takes months for in-depth study of an issue to be able to present it before the audience with facts and figures. However, since Aamir has been busy with the water conservation aspect, he has not been able to devote time for the research of the next season,” says a source.
The PK actor, in the presence of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, announced on Wednesday the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup with an aim to make the state water sufficient. It was launched under his new nonprofit organisation, Paani Foundation. “A few people from his production house, AKP, are working for the foundation while many others involved with the TV show have taken up other projects,” adds the source.
Confirming the story, Satyajit Bhatkal, director of Satyamev Jayate, says, “Aamir and his team, including me, have dedicated most of our time to the cause of water conservation. The idea of the show was to garner people’s response and do good work on field. There are no plans for the new season of the show as yet.”
I'm doing this not as an actor but a human being-Aamir Khan
8:01 AM
Aamir Khan has joined hands with Maha CM and other biggies to solve the water problem
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 18, 2016)
You've announced the 'Satyamev Jayate Water Cup', an initiative of the Paani Foundation and
the Maharashtra Government to solve the state's water crisis.What drew
you to the issue?
It is an extension of Satyamev Jayate (SMJ) which over three seasons focussed on 24 topics and surprised us with the overwhelming reactions it got. When we started, we weren't sure if a socially-relevant TV show would spark off any interest. It made us realise the importance of communication in nation-building. When Satya (Satyajit Bhatkal, director of SMJ) and I were discussing how to take the show forward, we felt that instead of connecting only through a TV channel if we went on ground with one topic and saw it through till the end, it would help it grow exponentially. Since we are both Maharashtrians we decided to start with our state and the issue of water since we have a history of draughts.
How did the Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, get involved?
This state is as big as any country and we knew that to make an impact we'd have to work with the government machinery. I was planning to meet the CM and coincidentally did at an event. When I told him I wanted to do something on the water problem in Maharashtra he mentioned the Jalyukt Shivar, his flagship project which was launched in November 2014 and said if we joined hands, we could propel it forward. Within a week of the discussion, I got a call inviting me over.
We met on May 1, 2015, Maharashtra Day, following which I got an eight-hour presentation from his team. My team then started their research at the ground level. In the last year, I have realised the current CM has a strong political will about solving the water problem. At the same time, he believes that since water doesn't belong to any political party but to people in general, it should pan out into a civil society movement.
The advisory board of the not-for-profit company that you have launched with wife Kiran, Bhatkal as CEO and your ex-wife Reena Dutta as COO boasts of several big names, including Mukesh and Nita Ambani, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Ratan Tata and Baba Kalyani to name a few. How did you get them on board?
They are friends and when I shared what the SMJ team, which is now working for the Paani Foundation has learnt, they were excited to be a part of the project.
Will this kickstart another season of SMJ and lead to other initiatives?
No, solving the water problem in the state is our one-point goal which should take at least five years and that's being ambitious.
The accusation against you is that you take up a cause, get publicity but don't follow up on it, case to point being the Narmada Bachao issue.
That's an unfair allegation. This is the first time that I have taken up a project. So far, if I felt strongly about any issue, wheth er it was Narmada, alcoholism or the girl child, I have expressed my opinion like any citizen and advocated my support.
As a film actor do you see this as your social responsibility?
Not as a film actor but as a human being. The problem calls out to me, I want to solve it.
How many villages stand to benefit from the contest?
We have picked up the Koregaon Taluka in the Satara district in Western Maharashtra, Warud Taluka in the Amravati district of Vidarbha and the Ambajogai Taluka in the Beed district of Marathwada, known to be difficult areas. Each covers around 100 villages; so 300 villages stand to benefit. The first prize is Rs 50 lakh, second Rs 30 lakh, third Rs 20 lakh so in a sense every village will be a winner. We hope to get bigger every year.
Will it be televised?
Yes, we are planning to air it on a Marathi news channel. We will also be tapping radio and all kinds of digital platforms, including launching a website which will bring those who need help and those who want to help on a common platform. The latter can send their money directly to the village and the project they choose and monitor the progress through GPS mapping.
How different is this from what other NGOs are doing?
Other NGOs are also doing wonderful work but they are investing in structures, we are investing in people. Our objective is to enable, educate and empower those in need of water conservation and watershed management.
Is this an olive branch you are extending to the state government following the recent controversy?
The CM and I have been inter acting on this for the past one year and not just over the last few months. We only made the announcement now. Issues like this should not be drawn into any controversy. Irrespective of our personal ideologies, political leanings or financial abilities, people from all walks of life should come together to solve this problem. Only if we respect water will water respect us.
You have been under fire over your statement highlighting Kiran's concerns over safety in our country. The situation doesn't seem to have got any better, have you made peace with it?
I have an answer to your question but don't want to comment on this right now because it would take the focus away from the issue at hand.
It is an extension of Satyamev Jayate (SMJ) which over three seasons focussed on 24 topics and surprised us with the overwhelming reactions it got. When we started, we weren't sure if a socially-relevant TV show would spark off any interest. It made us realise the importance of communication in nation-building. When Satya (Satyajit Bhatkal, director of SMJ) and I were discussing how to take the show forward, we felt that instead of connecting only through a TV channel if we went on ground with one topic and saw it through till the end, it would help it grow exponentially. Since we are both Maharashtrians we decided to start with our state and the issue of water since we have a history of draughts.
How did the Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, get involved?
This state is as big as any country and we knew that to make an impact we'd have to work with the government machinery. I was planning to meet the CM and coincidentally did at an event. When I told him I wanted to do something on the water problem in Maharashtra he mentioned the Jalyukt Shivar, his flagship project which was launched in November 2014 and said if we joined hands, we could propel it forward. Within a week of the discussion, I got a call inviting me over.
We met on May 1, 2015, Maharashtra Day, following which I got an eight-hour presentation from his team. My team then started their research at the ground level. In the last year, I have realised the current CM has a strong political will about solving the water problem. At the same time, he believes that since water doesn't belong to any political party but to people in general, it should pan out into a civil society movement.
The advisory board of the not-for-profit company that you have launched with wife Kiran, Bhatkal as CEO and your ex-wife Reena Dutta as COO boasts of several big names, including Mukesh and Nita Ambani, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Ratan Tata and Baba Kalyani to name a few. How did you get them on board?
They are friends and when I shared what the SMJ team, which is now working for the Paani Foundation has learnt, they were excited to be a part of the project.
Will this kickstart another season of SMJ and lead to other initiatives?
No, solving the water problem in the state is our one-point goal which should take at least five years and that's being ambitious.
The accusation against you is that you take up a cause, get publicity but don't follow up on it, case to point being the Narmada Bachao issue.
That's an unfair allegation. This is the first time that I have taken up a project. So far, if I felt strongly about any issue, wheth er it was Narmada, alcoholism or the girl child, I have expressed my opinion like any citizen and advocated my support.
As a film actor do you see this as your social responsibility?
Not as a film actor but as a human being. The problem calls out to me, I want to solve it.
How many villages stand to benefit from the contest?
We have picked up the Koregaon Taluka in the Satara district in Western Maharashtra, Warud Taluka in the Amravati district of Vidarbha and the Ambajogai Taluka in the Beed district of Marathwada, known to be difficult areas. Each covers around 100 villages; so 300 villages stand to benefit. The first prize is Rs 50 lakh, second Rs 30 lakh, third Rs 20 lakh so in a sense every village will be a winner. We hope to get bigger every year.
Will it be televised?
Yes, we are planning to air it on a Marathi news channel. We will also be tapping radio and all kinds of digital platforms, including launching a website which will bring those who need help and those who want to help on a common platform. The latter can send their money directly to the village and the project they choose and monitor the progress through GPS mapping.
How different is this from what other NGOs are doing?
Other NGOs are also doing wonderful work but they are investing in structures, we are investing in people. Our objective is to enable, educate and empower those in need of water conservation and watershed management.
Is this an olive branch you are extending to the state government following the recent controversy?
The CM and I have been inter acting on this for the past one year and not just over the last few months. We only made the announcement now. Issues like this should not be drawn into any controversy. Irrespective of our personal ideologies, political leanings or financial abilities, people from all walks of life should come together to solve this problem. Only if we respect water will water respect us.
You have been under fire over your statement highlighting Kiran's concerns over safety in our country. The situation doesn't seem to have got any better, have you made peace with it?
I have an answer to your question but don't want to comment on this right now because it would take the focus away from the issue at hand.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)