Entertainment

Women actors still struggle for equal pay in films: NCW Chief

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2023

Staff Reporter

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Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], September 12 (ANI): The situation is improving but still women are not treated equally in terms of payment, said National Commission for Women (NCW) chief Rekha Sharma in Hyderabad on Monday.

“Compared to earlier times, the situation is improving I must say, but it is still not equal in terms of payments, in terms of roles which women are getting. Few women actors are getting those kinds of roles where they are equal to men,” the NCW chief told ANI during an event in Hyderabad.

Further, she said, “Mostly women are not treated equally in the cinemas whether it is payment or roles. That’s how we started this conversation where NCW and Netflix both can talk about the responsibility of cinema makers of how they portray women in the cinema and outside cinema, and how women should be treated. I think these conversations will help improve the situation in the movie industry.”She further spoke on the advantages brought in by the OTT platforms for women in the film industry.

“The opportunities are more now. Earlier there were southern movies or Bollywood movies but now the platform is vast. OTT platforms have given so many opportunities to women actors of all age groups, not only the younger group but also the elderly women and men as makers, as story writers or as directors,” she said.

“Women are even coming up as camera persons. Cinema is a livelihood for women, as a writer, as a cinematographer and others. Also, OTT is showing real-life women now apart from women with full of makeup and beauty. It is now showing the real heroes, women and men.”Responding to whether women prefer on-screen or off-screen opportunities, she said, “I think both are important. On-screen is as important as off-screen, so women should take these opportunities as challenges and take their role seriously whether it is off-screen or on-screen.”The NCW chief further emphasized that the rise of OTT platforms has weakened the exploitations through casting couch compared to earlier times adding that things are changing for the better.

“Certainly earlier it was like women had to go through a certain process which used to be called by different names like casting couch or something like that. Maybe this is still existing but it is less now and women know how to react to it. They have come out and spoken about it in the past also. But now more women are coming out if something happens. However, everything is not very clean but things are changing for the better,” she said.

Speaking about women in the film industry, NCW member, politician and actor Khushboo Sunder urged to stop celebrating women’s achievements every single time making it look like they have done something unachievable adding that there’s nothing that women cannot achieve.

“First of all, I don’t understand why we are always looking at the comparisons. I think we need to understand that women are doing a great job. It’s amazing to see women making huge progress today. We need to stop celebrating that every time there’s an achievement about a woman,” she said.

Further, Sunder said, “We think that women have done something which is unachievable but there’s nothing which women can’t achieve. The minute we start glorifying a woman’s success, we show gender inequality. There’s a very thin line between celebrating a woman’s success and glorifying a woman’s success. We need to start celebrating a woman’s success not glorify it.”She added that it gives her a good feeling about women in cinema adding that they are doing great.

“In today’s times, women are behind the screen in huge numbers. Both my daughters are assistant directors. So I think women are making it big. Girls take up every challenge, the way they want to present cinema, they all have these new ideas and they have their new mindsets,” Sunder said.

Adding, she said, “The older generation is different and the younger generation is different. The 100 per cent acceptance doesn’t come from that in-between crowd because they are literally lost in the new generation and the few thoughts of the older generation. So there are times when the acceptance doesn’t come from their side. But I think women are doing great when it comes to cinema.”She also talked about the opportunities after the emergence of OTT platforms and said, “People are evolving. Earlier television serials used to be only for women. We used to target only women audience. Now we have OTT platforms which are doing extremely well. Theatres are full. Films are doing extremely well, irrespective of the language. Every film is dubbed into at least five languages. Despite all this, we have television series which are still showing the top TRPs.”Sunder added that nothing has changed but the people are experiencing cinema on a wider platform.

“We have so much talent around in every aspect of filmmaking. The challenge is more for a film-maker or an actor now as the world has grown as one and they will be immediately compared to someone else. With the larger platform, the challenges are also extremely heavy,” she added.

National Commission for Women (NCW) alongside Netflix and Annapurna Studios, hosted a significant event in Hyderabad, centred around the theme ‘Cinema as a Catalyst for Change’.

The event drew a full-house audience and welcomed esteemed dignitaries and eminent figures from the industry. This event marked a significant step in addressing gender disparities and advocating for diversity and inclusion within the film industry. (ANI)

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Staff Reporter

Entertainment

UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

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3 weeks ago

September 2, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.

Announcements

Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

Published

3 months ago

June 14, 2025

Staff Reporter

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A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

● Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

● Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

● Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.

Announcements

Dubai Musical Debuts with Amanda Maalouf’s Anthem

Published

5 months ago

April 23, 2025

Staff Reporter

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In a performance that blended emotion, elegance, and East-West harmony, Lebanese-French singer Amanda Maalouf on Wednesday gave a select UAE audience a stirring preview of the upcoming musical Once Upon A Time in Dubai, set to premiere in December 2025.

The exclusive showcase featured Maalouf performing “Habibi,” one of the show’s signature numbers, at an invite-only preview attended by media, partners, and cultural stakeholders. The song—a poignant blend of Arabic influences and Western theatrical arrangement—earned enthusiastic applause, offering a glimpse of what producers are calling “a new kind of musical for a new Dubai.”

“Dubai is more than a setting—it’s a character in this story,” said Stéphane Boukris, co-producer of the musical. “This project is about cultural unity, artistic innovation, and shining a spotlight on a new generation redefining identity in the Middle East. We’re proud to bring this bridge between France and the UAE to life.”

For Maalouf, whose performance marked the first public taste of the show, the moment was deeply personal. “Habibi is a song that speaks from the heart—it’s a journey through love, self-expression, and identity,” she told reporters after the performance. “Performing it here in Dubai, where East and West meet so beautifully, is a dream. This is just the beginning [of great things together].”

The team behind Once Upon A Time in Dubai says the musical is more than entertainment—it’s a cultural project designed to showcase Dubai as a city of stories, voices, and future-forward artistry.

The production is backed by Universal Music and features a cast and crew with international credentials, with more previews and announcements expected soon.

A collaboration between a visionary French team and Universal Music, the musical tells the story of a young generation rising in the heart of Dubai, navigating identity, ambition, and tradition in a rapidly changing world. With original compositions by renowned composer Nazim Khaled and set against the backdrop of the UAE’s global crossroads, the show promises to be a landmark moment for original musical theatre in the region. The story, told through original music and dance, will premiere later this year, with full production details expected to be announced over the coming months.