Museum of Solutions, the unique children’s museum in Mumbai, is excited to announce the second edition of the interactive 'Food and Beverage Investigator' Programme. This unique initiative aims to create awareness among children about junk food and food marketing lies. The programme takes children through an experiential learning journey to make them ‘food aware.’ Children get the opportunity to learn and practice four rules that will make them conscious of the food they eat and empower them to make better choices. The second edition will be organised on May 26, 2024, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Museum of Solutions in Lower Parel, Mumbai. The inaugural programme was attended by an enthusiastic bunch of children from schools like Dhirubai Ambani International, Ascend International, and Vibgyor. The second edition will aim to further spread the message of identifying food that is good for one's health. This initiative will be hosted by Shashank Mehta, Founder of The Whole Truth Foods, and is open to children in the age group of seven to 12 years. Also Read: NaMo to RaGa: Best dressed Indian politicians and tips to recreate their looks Abhik Bhattacherji, director of marketing, Museum of Solutions expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming programme, and said, "We are delighted to collaborate with The Whole Truth Foods for the second edition of the 'Food and Beverage Investigator’ programme.' By combining hands-on interactive experiences with valuable nutritional insights, we aim to foster a healthier generation through education and practical engagement." Shashank Mehta, founder and CEO, The Whole Truth Foods, shared his excitement about the partnership, stating, "We think children will change the world of food for the better. And we want them to have all the knowledge they need. So we intend to teach 1000 kids, the rules of choosing clean food and telling marketing lies, over the next year. This will equip kids to be the influencers in their own homes and schools-- everyone will eat clean, and this will be led by children." Central to the Food and Beverage Investigator Programme’s curriculum is the concept of clean eating – a philosophy championed by The Whole Truth Foods that emphasises the importance of consuming whole, minimally processed foods free from artificial additives and preservatives. Children will learn how to decipher ingredient labels, identify chemicals in packaged foods, and will be given the responsibility to investigate the packaged food. Children will come out of this programme having passed the four levels and graduating as ‘Food and Beverage Investigators.’ Also Read: Love to travel? Here is a friendly guide to packing like a pro Through a combination of interactive activities, engaging discussions, and hands-on demonstrations, the Food and Beverage Investigator Programme promises to be an enlightening and enjoyable experience for children and parents alike. Only 25 seats are available for the program, so interested individuals are encouraged to register early to secure their place through the Museum’s digital platform. Tickets are priced at Rs 1,199 for one child and one parent.
18 May,2024 03:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai-based indie artist Vipin Mishra is known for his love for music but always having been a lover of off-roading, he decided to embark on one or probably his most challenging expeditions through the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh. While the territory is familiar, the nature of this trip brought together the best of both worlds for Mishra – music and biking. He shares, “I first got introduced to Ladakh in 1991. After that, I've been there multiple times in all sorts of ways from road trips to climbs to treks. My first experience with the Zanskar Valley was when we actually rafted down the valley. It was an expedition we had done in 2012.” After that he did go to Shingo La Pass but not any further and came back but the itch to explore the valley has always been there. So in 2022, Mishra along with his friends including actor Satyadeep Misra (fondly called Sattu) decided to ride through and capture the beauty of the region but more importantly its immersive music. The result, you ask? A magnificent documentary ‘Folkroad’, which premiered at the Red Lorry Film Festival in April 2024 in Mumbai. The eight-part series is not your regular documentary style but one that explores the video log, or vlog style. This makes it extremely honest and raw, yet showcases the Zanskar Valley and the music of a region in a way that you have never seen before through the biker’s view. It not only includes the days from the planning of the trip but also those when they didn’t get anything, as it was done without contacting any musically inclined person and instead on-the-go to discover music. Imagine crashing a wedding and finding some of the most unique music and rhythms there or going to a monastery and not finding the monks to record the chants - it was completely unscripted but with the help of their local guide Dorja. Also Read: Diving into Mumbaikars’ affection for doodle art and its fusion with city pride Valley full of music With such myriad experiences, it only intrigues us to ask Mishra how his musical background helped him navigate the process beyond the equipment? “The obvious thing in which it helped was to produce the music because I knew that the music that I record at source, however beautiful, different and endearing it is, I also wanted to produce the music in a way that it becomes palatable to a whole lot of people not just in our country but across the world. In that aspect, it was all about the background and having to know how to compose and produce – was pretty much critical – and without which this documentary wouldn’t have been possible,” shares the National Award-winning composer, who has worked on films and series such as Powder (2011) and Aurangzeb (2013) to name a few. While one may wonder about the loss of originality to the music, Mishra’s approach is honest to his craft and that is visible when he plays a recording of the original recorded music to the one that he has produced, at the festival. It is simply refined - making listeners appreciate the music more. Interestingly, Mishra says being a composer helped in more than one way when he was making the documentary beyond making the sound palatable. “When you are writing the narrative and when you are editing you already know, you can hear what the score is going to be in your head. Sometimes when you write the score, you can already see what the end is going to be. So, I think that combination is absolutely great,” he adds. The documentary, Mishra believes is a beautiful way for people to discover places as these are ones that most people cannot physically go to. These are beautiful ways to get a peek into them. “Some may even want to travel from South America to Zanskar Valley to discover the place,” he shares. “For the country, it shows a very non-mainstream side. We all know what comes up on the Internet in images of India – Holi, Taj Mahal, Rajasthani folk singer and even Indian wedding. This is what gives people an opportunity to go beyond the stereotypical side. Why must you go towards it? Because it exists.” Also Read: From Thane’s Central Park to Virar’s dolphins: How standup comic Siddhartha Shetty celebrates middle-class Mumbaikars If there is one aspect of the documentary that makes it even better is that there is a very informal narration and engaging – one that is almost as if Mishra is talking to his friend, and that is what makes it easy on the ear. While the Mumbaikar has purposefully kept it like that because it comes easy with his natural voice, there is more thought behind it, he reveals. “I was very sure that I didn't want to make this documentary in the regular sense that as documentaries are perceived – they get too detailed – while I am not saying it is good or bad – that is not what I set out to do,” explains Mishra. Without making it too detailed or data oriented as that is already available on Google, the Mumbai indie artist says he wanted to make it experiential. “I wanted it to be like – What if my friend was near me and I was narrating it to him?’” It comes across when there are suddenly jokes that Mishra cracks in the middle of nowhere that make it a light-hearted watch for anybody who loves nature, music, culture and bikes too. Going off the beaten path Interestingly for the composer, whose musical entity goes by the name – Vipin Mishra Project, biking became the choice of transport because it simply maximises the fun for him. “The simple visual of the person riding through instead of going in their car and comfy cabin – makes a world of difference – and it was a motivating factor. Secondly, I love doing this and would have spent a day in the valley anyway. Maybe I would have spent an extra day at the wedding and taken pictures, but never made a documentary out of it – this gave a purpose.” A lover of bikes and particularly off-roading, which is obvious by now when one watches the documentary, Mishra says a large part of his friends’s circle is because of the biking community. He shares, “I am part of the music community and the motorcycle community. If you put out something and it is genuine, the motorcycle community comes together. When we showcased the teaser at India Bike Week 2023 in Goa, there were so many motorcyclists who knew me or didn’t, came up to me and said it was wonderful.” While it may seem like everything was sunshine in the valley, Mishra and his crew, who spent eight days on this project in the valley, had many different challenges. The batteries in the cameras dying out was the least of them, as most camerapersons have faced it more than once in their life. However, there was more. “I didn’t expect the drone to crash. You think there is a drone pilot and drone, the last thing you expect is its crashing. So for the drone to crash on the first day was quite demoralising because without aerial visuals the documentary is very myopic visually; the subject matter is still the same but the breathing time that the viewer gets is very necessary.” Luckily for them, they found good Samaritans in some other bikers on the road travelling the same route. They not only helped them by connecting their drones but even gave them the footage to complete their documentary. The monastery was where we wanted to recorded chants but when we reached there, there were only two small boys, who said the monks had gone on their leave just the previous day and coming back after 10 days. However, these can still be managed. “The biggest challenge is always the terrain and the altitude. There is nothing that challenges you more than spending days at 13,000 ft – 14,000 ft while having something to do,” he points out. Also Read: Meet this 15-year-old Mumbai sailor who is making India proud around the world The Zanskar Valley and its tribes are a whole different world compared to the city life but in the larger scheme of things, it begs to ask the question about whether the government is doing enough to give them the importance they deserve, especially with India boasting of so many tribes in different parts of the country. Mishra believes it is a question about policy. “From a music standpoint, I believe that government, corporates, CSR that should step in because I believe that the next generation of the tribes won’t be doing this. The reason why I did it is also to archive. There is no reason for the next generation to start learning the dhamang and the surna because there is no market or future for it and there will be no teachers.” While this is only the music culture, he reminds that there will be a textile, house, agrarian and water conservation culture. “They are sitting on a wealth of knowledge. It is critical to start archiving, protecting and making what they are doing sustainable. Celebrating tribal music With such a unique experience, there are definitely memorable experiences, and it was no different for Mishra, who says when they couldn’t record the chants at the monastery, it was sad. However, there was more coming. “We were close to a town called Padung and we could have made an exit onto a better road but we said no, there is an 800 year old monastery close by, the place where the Dalai Lama stayed when he was in India. We didn’t find any place to camp so we were staying at a house, and the man of the house, who happened to be a monk, came home in the evening, and we told him we wanted to record chants, as we are two days after from going to Leh.” The rest is history as they were not only able to record the chants but also experience its peacefulness. Mishra shares, “The music in the Zanskar Valley is free flowing and sporadic but at the same time, it is a beautiful set of notes, and they have some gorgeous melodies. I learnt that they phrase it differently, what notes to sustain and what gaps to give after the second hook comes back, how they count their bars and beats, and the time signatures are different.” Even as the show is about travel, biking and music, India has produced similar shows over the years that fall into this category. So, what makes Folkroad different? “I personally have seen a lot of music shows, few of them are great and most of them are set up and Folkroad is hugely different that way. Folkroad’s principle aspect was ‘you go there and have that adventure and accept the uncertainties or you may come back with stuff that is unusable’. There are motorcycles, region, format and authenticity, and the music is something I haven’t heard before. I have kept it very 80s synth wave, synth pop – fused with their music.” With Folkroad self-funded, Mishra says with some external funding, he hopes to go to Arunachal Pradesh next and spend time there with different bikes, terrain, food and music.
18 May,2024 02:43 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento PintoEarlier this week, King Charles III unveiled the first portrait of the monarch completed since he assumed the throne, a vivid image that depicts him in the bright red uniform of the Welsh Guards against a background of similar hues. My first reaction was “wtf”But honestly, I’m digging King Charles’ portrait. The facial expression Yeo captured is incredible. It’s weird. I love weird. pic.twitter.com/CxGWsK3yD4 — Meredith (@Mere_Constant) May 16, 2024 The larger-than-life painting by artist Jonathan Yeo captures the king with his hands clasped atop the hilt of his sword and a butterfly flitting above his right shoulder. Charles got his first look at the canvas Tuesday at Buckingham Palace. Yeo began the portrait more than a year before Charles became king, with a sitting at the then-Prince of Wales' Highgrove estate in June 2021. The last sitting took place in November 2023 at Clarence House, one of the king's residences in London. KING CHARLES: You idiot! I said make me look 'well-read'! pic.twitter.com/PTq4pOKegy — Mike Reiss (@MikeReissWriter) May 15, 2024 "When I started this project, His Majesty The King was still His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and much like the butterfly I've painted hovering over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the subject's role in our public life has transformed,' Yeo said. The portrait, which is approximately 8 1/2 by 6 1/2 feet, will be on display at the Philip Mould Gallery in London from May 16 to June 14. From the end of August, it will be displayed at Drapers' Hall across town. The portrait was commissioned to celebrate Charles' 50 years as a member of the Drapers' Company, which was set up more than 600 years ago as a trade association for wool merchants. Philanthropy came to be part of their mission and the company is now a grant-giving body. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
17 May,2024 02:55 PM IST | London | AP
Be it to draft emails or generate images, the advent of Artificial Intelligence or AI has undoubtedly simplified most of our daily tasks. Today, one can make a presentation using AI, edit pictures using AI-enabled applications, or even create music with the help of AI tools. Although the fear of job losses due to AI is still ripe, experts suggest joining hands with the technology to improve work efficiency and productivity. Most companies today encourage employees to develop AI skills and use them to their best potential. This has made it necessary for employees – freshers and experienced, to understand AI and equip themselves with relevant AI skills. “Companies across sectors are adopting AI rapidly. Further, AI is transforming industries at a fast pace. It is only natural for employers to expect employees to understand, collaborate with, and benefit from AI tools,” says Sonia Kutty, senior vice president of people and Culture at Quest Global, an engineering services firm. Adding to this, Ajay Yadav, co-founder of Simplified, an AI content creation startup, says, “Familiarity with AI is a big consideration for us in today’s day and age. AI is on the path of being an integral part of our lives. We are already starting to live in an AI-driven world. When hiring new employees, I do expect applicants to possess AI skills. It shows if they are ready to accept the new technology.” Also Read: Artificial intelligence can assist, not replace us in treating cardiovascular diseases: Cardiologists “As per the November 2023 report by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, only 26 per cent of organisations in India are fully prepared for AI, and 95 per cent of organisations have a well-defined AI strategy. The report is a positive sign for the young generation of the country. With the Indian government and national and international private organisations investing money into the development and upkeep of the AI infrastructure, India is on the path of becoming one of the world leaders in the area,” shares Vinay Kumar, associate professor at Thapar School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology. To understand the relevance of AI skills in one’s career and how employees and freshers can develop these skills, Mid-day.com conversed with industry experts and educators who share tips on how to stay relevant in the AI-driven world. What are the top skills employers look for in applicants? Saras Malik, chief people officer, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram states, ‘When considering job applicants, the top five skills, including AI and technological proficiency, that are prioritised are adaptability, critical thinking, communication, technical expertise, and creativity.” Adaptability is necessary in the ever-evolving landscape of technology. Critical thinking ensures problem-solving abilities, necessary for innovation. Effective communication fosters collaboration and clarity in conveying complex ideas. Technical expertise, especially in AI and relevant technologies, is essential in many industries today. Lastly, creativity drives innovation and the ability to think innovatively, tackling new challenges and staying ahead in competitive markets. These skills together allow people to thrive in dynamic work environments and contribute meaningfully to their teams and organisations. Commenting on the relevance of AI skills, Malik stresses, “Possessing AI skills is increasingly important for job applicants due to the growing integration of AI technologies across various industries. AI skills enable individuals to leverage data-driven insights, automate processes, enhance decision-making, and develop innovative solutions. As AI continues to shape the future of work, job roles are evolving to require proficiency in AI tools, algorithms, and techniques. Whether in software development, marketing, finance, healthcare, or other fields, understanding AI fundamentals allows applicants to remain competitive, adapt to industry trends, and contribute effectively to their organisation's success in the digital age.” Also Read: How women in artificial intelligence are breaking stereotypes Will AI lead to loss of jobs? Kumar states, “Since AI systems can perform routine and mundane jobs with high accuracy and efficiency, they can pose a threat to the jobs. However, if employees keep up with their skills and learn new technological avenues, it will be easier to be relevant and employable in the challenging future.” Kutty further elaborates, “While some jobs will be automated, new opportunities will emerge. The key is to prepare for this change by developing adaptability, and critical thinking skills, and working effectively with AI technologies. New job roles focusing on developing, maintaining, and managing AI systems have already emerged. This includes data scientists, AI ethicists, and specialists in human-AI collaboration. AI can accelerate innovation across various industries, leading to the creation of new products, services, and entire industries, fostering new job markets.” Sharing his thoughts, Yadav states, “The only thing AI will put at risk is anything that isn’t ready to compete with the advancements. We are moving away from ‘who does the job’ to ‘getting the job done’. If someone possesses a range of AI skills, that person may replace a person lacking AI skills. So no, I don’t believe that AI will replace jobs, but rather those unwilling to view this as an opportunity.” How to develop AI skills? The thought of developing or learning AI skills can be overwhelming. Kutty recommends doing the following: 1. Start with the basics. Explore specific areas of interest, and continuously practice and learn. 2. Make use of online courses, listen to podcasts and webinars and stay up-to-date by reading industry publications. 3. Participate in competitions like hackathons and ideathons. 4. Make use of platforms like GitHub to contribute to open-source AI projects. This allows you to learn from experienced developers and build your portfolio. 5. You can create personal AI projects to enhance your understanding and showcase your skills to potential employers. 6. Connect with people working in the AI field through online communities, meetups, or conferences. 7. The field of AI is constantly evolving. Stay updated with the latest advancements and keep learning new skills to remain competitive in the job market. How can employees apply AI skills in their daily tasks?According to Malik, employees can maximise the benefits of AI to improve their work efficiency by integrating AI-powered tools and techniques into their workflow. This involves automating repetitive tasks to free up time for more strategic work, leveraging AI algorithms for data analysis to extract valuable insights, and utilising personalised recommendation systems to access relevant resources efficiently. Furthermore, he adds, “AI-driven natural language processing tools can enhance communication and understanding, while predictive analytics allow proactive decision-making based on future trends. Virtual assistants and chatbots powered by AI streamline communication and customer service, further enhancing productivity.” “Additionally, continuous learning through AI-powered platforms allows employees to update their skills and stay updated on emerging technologies and industry trends, fostering professional growth and adaptability. By leveraging the power of AI in these ways, employees can optimise their performance, increase productivity, and contribute more effectively to the success of their organisations.” Also Read: AI in Healthcare: How Indian apps and platforms aim to transform healthcare using technology How does this help improve career trajectory? According to Malik, “Developing AI skills can significantly elevate a person's career path by enhancing their competitiveness, versatility, and value in the job market.” AI skills are in high demand across various industries, making people proficient in AI technologies highly sought after by employers. Possessing AI skills allows employees to contribute to cutting-edge projects, drive innovation, and solve complex problems, readying them for advancement opportunities and leadership roles within their organisations. Additionally, AI skills empower employees to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving job market. As automation and AI continue to reshape industries, people with AI proficiency are better equipped to adapt to changing job requirements and emerging trends. AI skills facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration and interdisciplinary problem-solving, allowing employees to work effectively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and contribute to multidisciplinary projects. This enhances their professional network and opens up new opportunities for career advancement and professional growth. By developing AI skills, employees can upskill, expand their career prospects, and position themselves as valuable assets in the dynamic workforce. What factors must you keep in mind when using AI at work? One common mistake that employees working with AI make, is having a generic approach towards the AI tool. Yadav says, “One must not be generic when interacting with AI models. You need to give the AI tools specific and detailed prompts to get the best results.” Further, Kutty shares, “When using AI tools, you must also ensure the tool you use adheres to data privacy regulations and handles sensitive data securely.” What are the limitations of AI? Like any technology, AI has its limitations. Yadav points out, “The biggest limitation of AI is that it cannot do everything by itself. We’re not there yet and maybe someday we will be, but people need to work with AI and view it as a symbiotic relationship where technology and humans partner up to make the output better.” Lastly, Kumar states, “AI models work on existing data. Although cutting-edge generative AI models are capable of generating text, images, audio and videos which are non-existent, these resources do not have the capability of thinking innovatively. A second major limitation is the non-availability of data in regional languages or art forms that hampers the capabilities of these AI models. However, with the fast-paced progress in the field, researchers will create solutions in these areas too.”
16 May,2024 06:00 PM IST | Mumbai | Aakanksha AhireMumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has been currently transformed into a vibrant hub of excitement and luxury as it welcomes travellers to indulge in an extraordinary experience with the Summer Carnival from April 22. Embracing the theme of ‘Oceanic Escape’, this grand 70-day-long extravaganza extends until July 10, promising an unforgettable journey filled with delightful activities. Exclusive offers and irresistible discounts await across 125 retail and 127 F&B outlets at the airport. The Summer Carnival at CSMIA features delightful activities across both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, promising something for everyone. From brand offers and cashbacks to exclusive gifts and limited-time deals, passengers can enjoy personalised offers, gaming areas, and premium products, catering to every age group. One of the key highlights of the carnival is the special Mango Festival, where travellers can buy high-quality, rich-flavoured Alphonso mangoes, freshly handpicked from Ratnagiri and Devgad. Additionally, passengers stand a chance to win assured gift coupons with transactions above a specific amount. These coupons offer exclusive discounts and offers on flight bookings, train tickets, hotel bookings, and shopping. Adding to the fun is CSMIA’s very own Mr. Mango, a delightful mango mascot designed specifically to interact with children, offering them a memorable and cherished experience. Passengers can indulge in a Shopper's Paradise at CSMIA's Summer Carnival. From fashionable apparel and accessories to sweet confectioneries and gifts & souvenirs from Carlton London, Da Milano, Steve Madden, Hidesign, Parcos and many more. With so many options available at unbelievable prices, travellers can return home with a bag full of goodies and memories to last a lifetime. With the Summer carnival, passengers can look forward to celebrating the golden summer bliss with range of delectable food combos and browsing through top-notch retail outlets to get their hands on some of the most desirable summer essentials. From cooling beverages to mouth-watering delicacies from Baskin Robbins, Shree Datta Snacks, New York Burritos, Moti Mahal, Foody’s and many more, offering unbelievable deals and more. With so many irresistible offers available, travellers can be rest assured that their journey through CSMIA will be filled with delightful experiences at every turn. Embark on the ultimate summer adventure as you journey through CSMIA during the Summer Shopping Carnival. With a dedication to providing passengers with an unforgettable experience, CSMIA invites you to savour delicious cuisine, explore an array of shopping options, and create lasting memories.
15 May,2024 06:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBeneath intermittent rainy skies, the Cannes Film Festival opened on Tuesday with the presentation of an honorary Palme d'Or for Meryl Streep and the unveiling of Greta Gerwig's jury, as the French Riviera spectacular kicked off a potentially volatile 77th edition. A 10-day stream of stars began flowing down the Cannes' red carpet with the opening night film: "The Second Act," a French comedy starring Lea Seydoux, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel and Raphael Quenard. They play squabbling actors filming a movie directed by an artificial intelligence. The festival's first lengthy standing ovation, though, went to Streep, who was awarded an honorary Palme d'Or during Tuesday's opening ceremony. After Juliette Binoche introduced her, Streep alternatively shook her head, fanned herself and danced while the crowd thunderously cheered. "I'm just so grateful that you haven't gotten sick of my face and you haven't gotten off of the train," said Streep, who thereafter declared Cannes officially open with Binoche. "My mother, who is usually right about everything, said to me: 'Meryl, my darling, you'll see. It all goes so fast. So fast," added Streep. "And it has, and it does. Except for my speech, which is too long." The reception was nearly as rapturous for Gerwig, the first American female filmmaker to serve as president of the Cannes jury that will decide the festival's top award, the Palme d'Or. Thierry Fremaux, Cannes' artistic director, on Monday, praised her as 'the ideal director' for Cannes, given her work across arthouse and studio film and her interest in cinema history. And, Fremaux said, "We very much liked Barbie." In the days to come, Cannes Film Festival 2024 will premiere George Miller's "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," Francis Ford Coppola's self-financed "Megalopolis" and anticipated new movies from Paolo Sorrentino, Yorgos Lanthimos, Andrea Arnold and Kevin Costner. Also Read: Cannes Rewind: 11 most sizzling red carpet looks But much of the drama surrounding this year's Cannes has been off-screen. After French actor Judith Godreche earlier this year accused two film directors of rape and sexual abuse when she was a teenager, the French film industry has been dealing with arguably its defining #MeToo moment. On Wednesday, Godreche will premiere her short "Moi Aussi." Asked about #MeToo expanding in France, Gerwig told reporters in Cannes on Tuesday that it's progress. "I think people in the community of movies telling us stories and trying to change things for the better is only good," Gerwig said. "I have seen substantive change in the American film community, and I think it's important that we continue to expand that conversation. So I think it's only moving everything in the correct direction. Keep those lines of communication open." Gerwig is joined on the jury by Lily Gladstone, star of "Killers of the Flower Moon," French actor Eva Green, Spanish filmmaker J.A. Bayona, French actor Omar Sy, Lebanese actor and director Nadine Labaki, Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, Turkish screenwriter Ebru Ceylan and Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino. "I thought I just got over my imposter syndrome last year," said the Oscar-nominated Gladstone. "But I'll start all over again." The jurors were asked how the many real-world concerns outside the festival might affect their deliberations. One film in competition, Ali Abbasi's "The Apprentice" stars Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump. Labaki was questioned on the war in Gaza. "I truly believe that one of the tools to really change something in the situation we all live in right now, which is a situation I think is not that great, is really through art and through cinema," said Labaki. "It may propose a more tolerant way of seeing things and seeing each other as human beings." Filmmakers, Favino said, play the important role of reminding the world of where it can find beauty. "This is why I decided that I could be here without feeling guilty as a human being," said Favino. "Because if we look for beauty, then we might look for peace." Other concerns are also swirling around Cannes Film Festival 2024. Festival workers, fed up with short-term contracts that leave them unqualified for unemployment benefits in between festivals, have threatened to strike. During Tuesday's opening ceremony, two small bands of festival workers protested, including one group that unfurled a banner from the roof of the Palais. On Monday, the Iranian filmmaker Mohammed Rasoulof, whose film "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" is premiering next week in competition in Cannes, said he had fled Iran after being sentenced to eight years in prison and flogging. The film is said to be a critical depiction of the Iranian government. As Cannes continues, though, many will be focused on the stars parading the festival's famous red carpet. They'll include Emma Stone, Anya Taylor-Joy, Demi Moore, Selena Gomez, Nicolas Cage and Barry Keoghan. At the closing ceremony on May 25, George Lucas is to receive an honorary Palme d'Or.Regardless, the 77th Cannes will have a lot to live up to. Last year's festival, widely celebrated for its robust line-up, produced three Oscar best picture nominees: "Anatomy of a Fall," "The Zone of Interest" and "Killers of the Flower Moon." To help rekindle the spirit of last year's festival, Messi, the canine star of "Anatomy of a Fall," was the first star to hit the red carpet on Tuesday. The border collie, enlisted to film daily snippets for French TV, frolicked up and down the carpet while tuxedo-clad photographers hollered "Messi! Messi!" Jake Coyle (AP) Cannes 2024: 'Barbie' director Greta Gerwig addresses #MeToo movement as jury president
15 May,2024 06:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt’s that time of the year when filmmakers and actors across the world will travel to Cannes for a discourse on craft and cinema. The Cannes 2024 Film Festival will commence on May 14 and will end on May 25. Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s 'All We Imagine as Light' has scripted history by becoming the first Indian title in 30 years since 'Swaham' (1994) to feature in the prestigious competition section of the Cannes Film Festival, where it will vie for the top prize Palme d’Or. The movie is an Indo-France co-production about two Kerala nurses working in a Mumbai nursing home. The film stars Kani Kusruti and Divya Prabha. Kapadia’s project will be presented alongside 19 anticipated titles, including films from master directors, Francis Ford Coppola and Yorgos Lanthimos. Movies competing for Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival 2024: 'Megalopolis' (Francis Ford Coppola)This self-funded epic -- a Roman drama transplanted to modern-day New York starring Adam Driver -- has been in the works for more than 40 years. Coppola has twice won the Palme d'Or -- for "The Conversation" (1974) and "Apocalypse Now" (1979). 'The Apprentice' (Ali Abbasi)A biopic about Donald Trump's formative years from an award-winning Iranian director is bound to grab attention. It stars Sebastian Stan, best known as the Winter Soldier in Marvel films and rocker Tommy Lee in the series "Pam and Tommy", alongside Jeremy Strong of "Succession" fame as Trump's lawyer. 'Kinds of Kindness' (Yorgos Lanthimos)Three short stories in one, this is the latest team-up between the Greek director and Emma Stone, just weeks after she won an Oscar for "Poor Things", also starring Willem Defoe and Margaret Qualley. 'The Shrouds' (David Cronenberg)The horror maestro's latest supernatural drama is about a man who builds a device to connect with his dead wife -- a deeply personal project for the Canadian director who lost his wife in 2017. It stars Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger. 'Oh, Canada' (Paul Schrader)The iconic writer-director has been on a roll lately with a string of dramas about obsessive and dangerous men. He reunites with his "American Gigolo" star Richard Gere for the story of a dying man reflecting on his past mistakes. 'Emilia Perez' (Jacques Audiard)Quite the synopsis -- a musical about a Mexican cartel boss undergoing a sex change to escape the authorities, with pop superstar Selena Gomez in a supporting role. The unpredictable French director has tried many genres, from "The Prophet" and "Rust and Bone" to his Palme d'Or-winning "Dheepan". 'The Substance' (Coralie Fargeat)An unlikely comeback vehicle for Demi Moore -- an ultra-violent horror film from the French director of 2017's "Revenge" that will "leave a lot of blood on the screen", according to festival director Thierry Fremaux. 'The Most Precious of Cargoes' (Michel Hazanavicius)The first animation in competition since 2008's "Waltz With Bashir" is the tale of a twin thrown to safety from a death train transporting his Jewish parents to Auschwitz, from the director of the Oscar-winning "The Artist". 'Limonov' (Kirill Serebrennikov)The exiled Russian director tackles the bizarre true life of dissident poet Eduard Limonov, who fled the Soviet Union but returned to found a new Bolshevik Party after the Cold War. 'Parthenope' (Paolo Sorrentino)Another love letter to his native Naples from the Oscar-winning director of "The Great Beauty" and Netflix series "The Young Pope". 'Bird' (Andrea Arnold)The celebrated British auteur returns with a coming-of-age tale set in an English suburb, starring Barry Keoghan ("Saltburn"). Arnold won an Oscar for a short film "Wasp" and made acclaimed features "Red Road" and "Fish Tank". 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' (Mohammad Rasoulof)Imprisoned for criticising Iran's government and barred from leaving the country, Rasoulof has already faced pressure to pull his latest film from the Cannes line-up. Its plot remains under wraps. 'Anora' (Sean Baker)A darling of the US indie scene for his portraits of marginalised characters in "The Florida Project" and "Red Rocket", Baker returns with a "romantic adventure" starring "Scream" actress Mikey Madison. 'The Girl with the Needle' (Magnus von Horn)Loosely based on the story of a Danish serial killer who helped poor women kill their unwanted children in the early 20th century. 'Motel Destino' (Karim Ainouz)An erotic comedy-thriller from the Brazilian director of Henry VIII drama "Firebrand", which competed in Cannes last year. 'Grand Tour' (Miguel Gomes)The story of a British colonial officer in Burma who flees his wedding but is pursued by his bride. 'Marcello Mio' (Christophe Honore)The fictional tale of a woman who starts impersonating her father, the late Italian screen icon Marcello Mastroianni. It features French icon Catherine Deneuve. 'Caught by the Tides' (Jia Zhang-Ke)One of China's most celebrated auteurs offers a view of the country "we are not necessarily used to seeing", according to Fremaux. 'All We Imagine As Light' (Payal Kapadia)The first Indian entry in 30 years tells the intimate stories of a Mumbai nurse and her roommate. 'Beating Hearts (Gilles Lellouche)The French actor-director adapts an Irish novel, "Jackie Loves Johnser OK?", with Francois Civil and Adele Exarchopoulos. 'Wild Diamond' (Agathe Riedinger)A debut film about a young French girl seeking fame on reality TV. 'Three Kilometres to the End of the World' (Emanuel Parvu)A surprise last-minute entry about a gay teenager ostracised by his village community in Romania. (With inputs from AFP) Cannes 2024: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aditi Rao Hydari to return to the film festival
15 May,2024 02:45 PM IST | Mumbai | Ainie Rizvi
Diya Joseph was in college studying architecture when she started doodling in 2019, and hasn’t looked back since then. She explains, “We had this documentation trophy for which we used to practice every day to improve our hand control to make intricate sketches. I did not want to lose the head start, so after the competition, I started with a sketch diary where I captured daily events.” Soon enough, Diya started @dheemilocal, after being inspired by her daily travel in the Mumbai local trains. Celebrating Mumbai through its local trains With no control on when the traveller will get off at their railway station, Joseph says she has learned a lot while embarking on this project. “I believe doodling is a path of self-exploration and unapologetic experimentation, where there is no fear of going wrong. You kind of embrace your mistakes as well. The final product evolves as you are creating it,” explains the Mumbaikar, who sketches and then uses water colours to paint them. “I spend a lot of time in local trains every day. It was during the lockdown that I started recalling some very unique instances that only happen in the Mumbai locals. I started with sketching them, then later on when the lockdown was relaxed, I started doodling in the train, and I never realised when the train reached the destination,” adds the 23-year-old, seemingly mesmerised and immersed in her art amid the chaos in the train. Over time, the Mumbaikar has loved every part of the process as she explores every kind of subject that she comes across while travelling. “I doodle when I travel. It is mostly a combination of what I see and what I think. A central theme evolves somewhere midway while doodling. Almost all of my doodling is encompassed in palm-sized pieces of paper. My doodles consist mostly of the moods of people around me and daily objects, the most ordinary yet beautiful things and is usually predominantly live sketching,” she adds. Over time, Diya has evolved as a doodle artist in more than one way. While she used to be very hesitant to paint with water-based colours as one cannot really repair errors because there is no undo button, Diya has pushed herself to explore how she wants to express herself in the art and that has been liberating. “The fear of making mistakes is gone and I doodle anyway,” she admits. This is evident in her drawings on @dheemilocal on Instagram, which reflect her journey through the different colours, emotions and Mumbaikars travelling on the train. The Navi Mumbai-based architect adds, “Since the commuters I sketch can get down at any station, over time, I have learnt to capture the identity of the person quickly and remember some of the details as well. I think I observe the little things better now.” Armed with her customised stationery of a hand-bound sketchbook of recycled paper and brush pens, she goes about capturing commuters in the train, which is Mumbai’s lifeline. While she did take workshops in college, she hopes to foray into teaching people the art of doodling. Doodle art in architecture Elsewhere in Mumbai, the Covid-19 pandemic also led Yash Shetty, Amal Nair and Kirthi Pillai to start taking their art seriously by doodling and eventually start Doodle Mapuls Art and Design Studio in Kharghar; ‘mapuls’ is their derivative of the world 'mapillai' that means brothers in Tamil lingo. Being architects and visual artists, their passion for art drove them towards doodling. “The curiosity of exploring a style of artwork that has no rules and no boundaries is the main inspiration of exploring the route of being doodle artists,” shares Yash. Over the last four years, they have explored ink art and pop art doodles leading them to tie up with many different brands and showcase their work all over India. With their love for architecture and doodle art, they take it a step further and bring out the best of both worlds in their projects. “Being architects who love doodle art, we recently did a project that involved designing the furniture in the office. We did it with 3D doodle art to give it a different look because art doesn't have to always be 2D,” shares Yash. The furniture in question is quirky as it is a chair with cactus-shapes for the backrest, adding unique elements of their inspiration to their work as architects in Mumbai. So, what is it about doodle art that attracts them so much? Doodling is a style of art, says Yash, that is free flowing. “It is a form of art where each artist develops a unique style which is solely associated with the artist. This is not possible with other art forms,” he opines. Going beyond their jobs, the trio now also conducts workshops through Social Offline’s art experiences where people can engage and enjoy. Starting this summer, they will be conducting doodle art workshops for children, and the announcements will be made on their Instagram handle @doodlemapuls. Making a career out of art Unlike Shetty and the trio, Pradeep Joshna Das fell in love with doodling even before he knew the meaning of the word. However, it wasn't something that he could freely do, as he used to only sketch for fun, while juggling with a call centre job. Keeping at it, the Mumbaikar only honed his skills to get better at it even when he moved to a corporate job. "When I realised that I was not happy with what I was doing for the last 9 - 10 years, I decided that I wanted to sketch and put out my art in late 2016." While most people these days learn art in college to pursue it as a career, Pradeep says he is a self-taught artist, and that gives him the freedom to explore art the way he perceives it. However, his success as an artist started when a brand approached him and asked him to do some work for them. At the time, he didn't know there were people who would be willing to pay him to make doodle art for them. "I remember they paid me Rs 12,000 for that," reminisces the happy Mumbai doodle artist. Today, he has evolved slowly and steadily but is happy for every part of the process. "I don't have an art degree. Everything I have been doing is by seeing something. I spend about 4-5 hours daily practising sketching," shares Pradeep, who quit his day job in 2020 to become a full-time artist. Interestingly, even though he has received requests to give lectures about art, he wants to stay true to the soul of the medium and believes a lot more can be done by interacting with the students and teaching them how to sketch and thus inspire them to make a career out of doodle art. Today, the Mumbaikar takes every opportunity to celebrate Mumbai as he sketches famous landmarks like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station, Marine Drive and even its signature taxis, fondly called kaali peelis.
15 May,2024 02:09 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento Pinto
Mumbai’s vastness is what makes it unique because every neighbourhood is a world in itself, often becoming the subject of films and even sketches by Mumbai’s comics over the years. As much as they share their take on what makes them different, they also take the opportunity to dive into the communities and culture in various parts including South Mumbai, Bandra, Andheri, Borivali and Malad. However, there are not many who go beyond and that is where Mumbai comic Siddhartha Shetty’s sketches are refreshing as it brings in the unique flavour. He boasts about Thane and its newly opened Central Park and more recently even the real estate in Mira Road and or the dolphins in Virar’s Arnala thus connecting with people in those areas almost instantly and even taking it a step further by doing his first standup gig in Virar earlier this week. Making comedy more accessible in MumbaiMore than that, Shetty, who goes by @siddyshetty on Instagram, celebrates middle class Mumbaikars and their habits. With his most recent video about split ACs crossing over 2.5 million views, as he dived into how Mumbai’s middle-class are still stuck to their window ACs which work on just one temperature, relating to most people almost instantly. Another one has him talking about the famous Delhi vada pav lady, how Delhi is obsessed with it, and why Mumbaikars love the simple dish; it has got close to 1.4 million views. It also started out with a reel about mangoes going viral last year, ever since then, his reels about mangoes are also unique as he delves into a video adding a dramatic element of having “internal fights within the family with Langda during season”. Inspired by this very fandom for mangoes, the name for his gig in Virar on May 12, which he calls ‘Wakanda of Mumbai’, was titled ‘Phak You Avocado Return of the Mango’. This is only the start as he plans to do more in north Mumbai apart from the rest of the city. “I did a show in Mira Road recently and I want to do a show in Vasai soon because there is a great chunk of population that is being left out in these places. For a person to come from Nallasopara and Virar to even Andheri for a show is a lot because even Malad, Kandivali and Borivali don’t have as many shows.” It is more than just doing shows for him because Shetty feels that apart from talking about Virar in his sketches, he wants to do shows at places he talks about because the people there can relate to it the most. “I want to make it more accessible. If you have a room and mic, the event can happen,” he shares, as his comments section wants him to do a show in Thane soon, after the Virar announcement. Also Read: Anuvab Pal: ‘There is intolerance towards everything. Laughing is what makes it tolerable’ The need for accessibility for the audience may come from a special 34-year-old who started doing comedy in 2017, after being a member in the crowd attending these shows. “I started with open mics and used to watch a lot of live standups. I was an audience member who turned into a standup comic. I used to always be this funny guy and my childhood friend registered me for the first open mic.”Soon enough, Shetty started putting out videos in 2018 but things took form during the pandemic when Instagram reels came out. “I started experimenting with my humour because I think it is something absurd and has a lot of characters. For me, humour doesn’t fall into a particular section because for me anything and everything is funny because I used to always tell jokes ever since I was a kid. I used to make it funny in front of my friends and teachers and see if I could get a reaction out of them. From there, it translated to Instagram and YouTube where I got a platform,” adds the Mumbaikar. While he explores different subjects, Shetty also grows in different ways as an artist and that also comes across in the different types of topics he explores on stage. He explains, "After some time, you like to talk about yourself, your perspective about life and that is much funnier and that comes from a place of experience and truth. There are a lot of things you go through in life and a lot of catharsis comes out on stage. I talk about a lot of my own life experiences. As a comic, I am still not happy. I feel I can do so much better.” Even though the elections are here, Shetty will not jump on the bandwagon because he believes there is more to it. “I believe I am not that well-read. I believe political satire requires you to be well-read. You have to be very articulate. I don’t want to do jokes just for the sake of it.” Shetty says he did a video on Indian news anchor Arnab Goswami and that comes from a place of satire, but believes that he needs to get better at it but will not mind experimenting with it in the future.Interestingly, standup comedy is part-time, as he also has a regular day job which has led him to roam the length and breadth of the city. This has, in turn, led him to know the nooks and crannies of the city, which is often known only to locals. Also Read: Meet this 15-year-old Mumbai sailor who is making India proud around the world Celebrating MumbaiArmed with his knack of bringing out the funny side of things and being a Mumbaikar, Shetty brings out a very local flavour in his accent, sounds and broken English as well as Hinglish - all are signature mannerisms of every middle-class Mumbaikar. What is this inspiration? He shares, “This is the third generation of my family in Mumbai, so I have a lot of friends and myself am a Maharashtrian. I grew up in Dombivali and have now moved to the Western line. With Dombivali being a Maharashtrian-dominated locality, I try to imbibe the local culture into my standup.” At the same time, the idea has always been to make comedy palatable and simple, and one that everyone will relate to. “The undertone has always been what happens to a middle-class guy because I belong to a middle-class family. A lot of these experiences are common experiences,” he adds. Even as he goes out doing these videos in different ways, Shetty celebrates Mumbai in more ways than one not only through its neighbourhood but also its people. “There is a divide in Mumbai beyond the (Bandra Worli) sea link and on the other side of the sea link – even if you talk about real estate. I will try to talk about that. Then I will try to talk about how Mumbai is very basic. We are simple people, and we just need to get our job done. It is kind of a comic relief to a lot of Mumbaikars who are busy with their daily lives,” he concludes. Also Read: Gazpacho to Smoke Salmon Rolls: Unique cucumber-based recipes to try in summer
14 May,2024 04:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento PintoAmong many other things that Mumbai is known for, it is also popular for its arts and cultural festivals. KASHISH Pride Film Festival, one of the most celebrated film festivals in the country is back to the bay. This year’s theme is ‘Unfurl Your Pride’, an invitation for everyone to come to KASHISH with their true and complete self, holding their head high with pride. Sridhar Rangayan, festival director, says, “As with any international festival, there is a lot of buzz around some of the films. While we love each and every one of the 133 films we are screening, we have put together 15 films that are the buzziest in the 15th edition of KASHISH Pride Film Festival. They stand out either through their narrative approaches, or the unique standpoint the filmmaker takes; or some films that raise uncomfortable questions which are necessary, while others bring out the joys and triumphs of the community. Each of these films are a must see, and we hope you manage to catch them all.” If you have been planning to attend this film festival, we share some key highlights you must check out. 1. The festival was first organised in 2010, this year being its 15th edition. The festival was also conducted during the pandemic years. 2. This year festival changed its name to KASHISH Pride Film Festival, from KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, to be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ communities as well as allies who attend the festival, and to make it one of the film festivals to reckon with nationally. 3. KASHISH 2024 is being held from May 15-19 at three venues, Liberty Cinema and Alliance Francaise in South Mumbai and Cinepolis in Andheri West. 4. 133 films from 46 countries are being showcased this year with 33 feature-length narrative and documentary films. 5. 45 films in 11 competition categories, along with five screenplays are competing for a total cash award of rupees seven lakh – highest ever at KASHISH. 6. For the first time KASHISH will be hosting the Asia Pacific Queer Film Festival Alliance award to give away the Best APQFFA short film award with a cash prize of US $ 1000, supported by GagaOOLala, a Taiwanese OTT platform. 7. The festival has introduced a new category this year – Best Indian Film on Mental Health, supported by Keshav Suri Foundation. 8. The festival is set to screen 12 world premieres, 56 Asian premieres and 89 Indian premieres. 9. The festival will also see 10 films made by transgender-identifying filmmakers, including transwomen, transmasculine and non-binary filmmakers. 10. Some films will also focus on elderly queer persons with seven films about elderly gay, lesbian and trans folks. 11. Eminent jury panels will comprise award-winning filmmakers, popular actors and media personalities who will pick the winners on the closing night. 12. The famous Lola Kutty aka Anu Menon and Seductress Soniqa will host the opening ceremony on May 15. 13. Popular media personalities, Rohini Ramnathan and Rohan Joshi will host the closing ceremony. 14. Opening night will feature a stand-up act by Varun Grover and a Kathak-Lavani dance by Aditi Bhagwat and troupe; the Closing Ceremony will feature a classical dance by Sunil Sunkara and troupe, and a vibrant dance performance by the queer group Colour Positive. 15. Lastly, a chat with Nandita Das on May 18 and several other panel discussions will be held including a Sweekar The Rainbow Parents group meet.
14 May,2024 04:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shraddha Almeida has been a Harry Potter fan for more than 18 years now and over the years, she has only grown to love the series of books more than ever before and doesn't intend to stop any time soon as she has built her own Harry Potter universe in her home. An healthy obsession that started out with the books that were bought from her parents's money has today translated into her feeding her love for the franchise in many different ways. Earlier this year, British actor Miriam Margolyes, who plays Professor Pomona Sprout in the films on the series, spoke about the fandom on New Zealand's 1 News Network saying she worries for Harry Potter fans. She goes on to say, "They should be over that by now. It was over 25 years ago and it is for children." While Margolyes clarified that she believes it is for children, mid-day.com went in search of some of the biggest fans in Mumbai and India and Almeida is only one of them. Every year, Potterheads around the world celebrate International Harry Potter Day on May 2 as it is the day the great Battle of Hogwarts was fought and Lord Voldemort was finally defeated. When Joanne Kathleen Rowling, popularly known as JK Rowling, wrote Harry Potter, little did she know it would capture the world's attention more 25 years later. Interestingly, even though the first book came out in 1998, it has developed quite a fanbase and the Harry Potter universe around the world since then, as the films followed from 2001. In fact, United Kingdom's former Prime Minister David Cameron officially declared the day himself to help "children and adults remember Harry Potter's strong and courageous character on this day". Also Read: Naezy releases new EP 'Anti Fitna'; says, 'I want to be that guy who will change hip-hop in India forever' Teleported to a whole new world Just like this writer, who received the first two books in 2000 as a gift and never looked back, the Harry Potter series has been an otherworldly experience for Vasaikar Almeida, who now lives in the US. Even though she is far away from where she fell in love with the series and its characters, it is more than a series. "It is still unique for me because I have childhood memories associated with it and also the fact that it still holds the power to teleport you to a whole different world after all this time!," expresses the risk manager specialist. She still continues to discuss the series and share trivia with fellow Potterheads, expressing, "I absolutely continue to do it at every chance I get". Ask her if she thinks she is the biggest fan and she quickly says, "I am a huge fan for sure but I have met bigger fans over the years." As of today, the 31-year-old boasts of a collection that includes all the seven books from the Harry Potter series - 'Philosopher's Stone' (1997), 'Chamber of Secrets' (1998), 'Prisoner of Azkaban' (1999), 'Goblet of Fire' (2000), 'Order of the Phoenix' (2003), 'Half-Blood Prince' (2005), and 'Deathly Hallows' (2007). She has also gone a step further to get the three that are a part of the Hogwarts Library Set including three books - 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them', 'Quidditch Through the Ages', and 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' - taking her total tally of the series to 12 books. It is important to note that the latter collection is one that is mostly known only to true Potterheads as they dive deep into the universe after they are first mentioned in the books. Apart from the series, Almeida also owns two figurines, one wand, mandrake, 9 and 3/4 sign and music box too. This, she has managed to procure because of her savings over the years. "I have read the entire book series at least three times, and movies I have lost count, as they will be anywhere above 20 times. I even have a zillion Harry Potter-themed Christmas ornaments that I remove every December to decorate the house," adds the proud Mumbaikar, who supports the Hufflepuff house, which is one of four houses in the series that fans identify themselves with; the other ones are Gryffindor, Slytherin and Ravenclaw. Such is her fandom that she has even dressed her dog Nico as Harry Potter for a Halloween party in the past. Also Read: Berlinale award-winner ‘The Last Swim’ director Sasha Nathwani: ‘I’m grateful for both my Indian and Iranian heritage’ Getting introduced to the world of magic Elsewhere, Tash John, who is originally from Borivali, but has now settled in Canada, has also been a Potterhead for more than 18 years now and he has continued to be a fan because of how much it reminds him of his great childhood when he was immersed in the books. He shares, "It is very nostalgic for me. It was the first time I read about magic in what seemed to be a regular setting like a school." It got even more dramatic for him, especially because he studied in a boarding school in Mount Abu in Rajasthan. "Taking the train to Abu was very similar to going to Hogwarts," reminisces John, just like this writer who believed that the topmost floor of his school was banned like the 'Third Floor Corridor', popularly known as the 'Forbidden Corridor' of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the supplies room was like the 'Room of Requirement', which was introduced to readers in the 'Order of the Phoenix' (2007). John, just like Almeida, is humble about his fandom and believes he is nowhere close to others who he knows that have their house filled with memorabilia. However, his collection is proof of how much he loves Harry Potter. "I have got my hands on some of the new illustrated editions of the books, which I believe are so freaking cool!," says the excited 32-year-old advertising professional. "I also have games, a house scarf and house pin (obviously) and figurines," adds the Mumbaikar, who identifies with Slytherin. When he is not working, John is busy sharing memes daily with his friends and even taking part in discussions actively but dearly misses all the Potterheads in Mumbai as he builds his home away from home but now without Harry Potter in it. Also Read: Anuvab Pal: ‘There is intolerance towards everything. Laughing is what makes it tolerable’
14 May,2024 02:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento PintoADVERTISEMENT
