Entertainment

Prakash Jha on how changing socio-political dynamics influence his films

Published

3 years ago

February 15, 2024

Staff Reporter

Spread the love

[ad_1]

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 14 (ANI) Filmmaker Prakash Jha’s journey from film set spectator to director is a tale that goes beyond the glamour. His films, like ‘Damul’, ‘Mrityudand’, ‘Gangaajal’ and others sought to portray India’s socio-political scenario. Jha explores themes like caste, power dynamics, and societal shifts in a changing economic milieu. His work also reveals the complexities of rural life, portraying the evolving roles of women and the ripple effects of political changes.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, the ace filmmaker talked about his experiences and how the changing socio-political environment shaped his movies.

“People think that I make very revolutionary films. Though, I don’t think so. I’m just trying to tell the stories which are all existing or which develop over a period of time. For example, right now, for the past five or six years, I’ve been completely consumed by the idea as to why democracy all over the world has failed. There is a sense of insecurity in the system. People have stopped trusting. I think something new will come, will happen,” he said.

Jha, who is known for making issue-based cinema and brings out a certain amount of disruption, added, “there can’t be stories without conflicts. If there is no conflict, there is no story. “He talked about his 1985 film ‘Damul’. The film, which is set in rural Bihar in 1984, focuses on the subjugation of the lower castes in the area through bonded labor and caste politics. His cinema portrays the state’s complicated social and political dynamics.

“‘Damul’ was my first film. You can imagine how disturbed I must have been as a child to have seen most of those things that I saw I showed in that film. The whole untouchability, caste system, bonded labour everything. My father, my Pardada (great grand father), he had settled the basti who could not work anywhere else but the fields that was owned by my Dada. So, it was called Chamtoli of my Dada. And all those Dalits who used to work but they had no right to take water from the well which was designated for the Brahmins. But if by mistake someone climbed the well then they would purify the well with fire. After that, they would fill it with water.”Jha shared his experience of working with Gulzar in the 1984 film ‘Hip Hip Hurray’, saying, “The first script that I had written was ‘Damul’, but the first film that I made was ‘Hip Hip Hurray’. That happened just kind of like, over a cup of tea. I had worked with Gulzar in the film and wrote the screenplay with Gulzar sahib. We became friends. He was also writing the songs of the film, So it worked well. Post ‘Damul’ most of the films I have written myself.”He also spoke about the 1989 film ‘Parinati’, which is based on a short story written by Vijaydan Detha.

“After ‘Damul’ I made ‘Parinati’, which is my favourite film. It was a folk tale set in Rajasthan. The original story was written by Vijaydan Detha and I came across that story and there was a collaborator on that screenplay with me. I’m forgetting the name. And after ‘Parinati’, we made ‘Mrityudand’.”The acclaimed film director, who has chosen film as a medium to communicate, referred to two major changes that influenced his thinking process and ideas behind making movies – reforms and the Mandal movement.

In 1990, then Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh accepted the Mandal Commission recommendations, which included reservations for Other Backward Classes in employment and education. These changes in the political dynamics have had an impact on Jha.

“The backwards, OBCs, they got the political power…The economy opened…(1991 economic reforms) so there was money available. And power shifted from the privileged class to the backward class. So the right to spend, that balance shifted. And what it brought about in terms of our change of system. For good, terrible, or whatever. So, ‘Mrityudand’ is exactly that.”‘Mrityudand’ is a 1997 film starring Madhuri Dixit, Shabana Azmi, Ayub Khan, Mohan Agashe and Om Puri.

“At that point of time, a child used to introduce, mera baap kya hai zaminadar hai (my father is a landlord). And he used to feel proud about it. But then the next generation of people in Bihar stated ‘Mere baap kya hai thekedar hai’…so the balance shifted from Zamindar to Thekedar. However, one common denominator from every class that continues to suffer despite all the changes that is happening are women. I tell the story of three. So through the story of these three women, Shabana Azmi, Madhuri Dixit and Shilpa (Shirodkar), I have told the story of the opening of the market and politics and power and things like that. “Talking about meeting Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad, who were involved in Mandal politics, he said, “I met everybody. I was very actively observing.””I remember sometimes being part of the JP movement. We were all very young at that point of time. But we were already in our colleges. So we knew that whatever was happening. And I was able to recollect and connect the things when I made ‘Mrityudand’, ” he said.

“I was not active. actively kind of protesting or joining the protest, but I was part of it in the sense that everybody was romancing with the Left and socialism at that point of time,” he added.

The multiple National Award-winning director has acclaimed films like ‘Damul’, ‘Mrityudand’, ‘Gangaajal’, ‘Apaharan’, ‘Raajneeti’ among others. (ANI)

[ad_2]

Staff Reporter

Entertainment

Emirates Dubai 7s 2026: Tickets on sale as festival returns with bigger family zone

Published

2 weeks ago

August 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.

The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.

The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Ticket prices

Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.

Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.

Other ticket options

Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
Friday: Dh75
Under 15s: Free
People of Determination + carer: Dh375

Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.

Bigger family attractions

Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.

The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.

Six sports and top rugby action

Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.

Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.

The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.

The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.

Music all weekend

Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.

Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.

For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.

With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.

Entertainment

Dubai launches ‘Dubai+’ family streaming platform to boost digital media and creative economy

Published

8 months ago

January 29, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, has approved the launch of Dubai+, a new family-oriented digital media platform, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for digital media and the creative economy.

The approval came as Sheikh Ahmed chaired the Dubai Media Council’s first meeting of 2026 at Dubai Media, where members reviewed sector strategies and plans to strengthen content creation, innovation and local production capabilities.

What is Dubai+?

Dubai+ will offer a wide range of family-friendly content, bringing together:

Local and Emirati productions
Arab series and films
International entertainment

The platform reflects Dubai Media’s integrated digital ecosystem strategy, responding to shifting viewer habits and the growing demand for high-quality, on-demand digital content.

“We believe media is a strategic force that shapes awareness, supports development and builds trust,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

Boosting Local Film and Content Production

The Council also reviewed plans to:

Enhance local production capabilities
Support cinema as a cultural and creative industry
Invest in programmes that drive creative and economic growth

Samr Al Marzooqi, Director of Films and Production at the Dubai Media Council, outlined upcoming initiatives aimed at showcasing Emirati and international talent while strengthening Dubai’s film sector.

Next Phase of Growth

Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, said the next phase will focus on monitoring implementation and ensuring measurable outcomes across the sector.

Secretary General Nehal Badri added that priorities include encouraging private sector participation, accelerating content development, and investing in talent, advanced production technologies and future-ready capabilities.

Announcements

DP World ILT20 Crowns ‘Habibi & Habibti’ as mascot winners

Published

11 months ago

November 2, 2025

Staff Reporter

Spread the love

The DP World International League T20 concluded its first-of-its-kind Mascot Design Competition this week. The competition was held from 4 July to 21 September.

The competition captured the imagination of students across the UAE. With an overwhelming number of entries, the activation demonstrated the extraordinary creativity, enthusiasm, and energy that cricket inspires among young minds, making it a truly nationwide celebration of sport, culture, and community.

The grand mascot unveiling was held at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School, Oud Metha. The winning student, Levin Veeroy Fernandes, was officially announced, and his imaginative design (Habibi and Habibti) was transformed into the official mascot of the DP World ILT20, now set to become the face of the league for seasons to come.

The event featured an exciting reveal ceremony, with the student’s design brought to life and presented in front of a vibrant audience, celebrating not only Levin’s creativity but also the remarkable participation of schools and students across the UAE.

The DP World ILT20 extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants whose contributions made this initiative a resounding success. Each entry brought unique ideas and perspectives, reinforcing the league’s commitment to inspiring young minds and celebrating the spirit of cricket.

DP World ILT20 CEO David White: “On behalf of team DP World International League T20, I want to thank all the participants for their efforts. For us, all of you are winners, we are delighted with the interest that the competition created across the UAE.

“The DP World ILT20 is all about UAE and the development of the sport amongst present and future generations of cricketers. Sport and cricket in particular has helped bring together a number of communities and nationalities across the UAE. Cricket has a four-decade long legacy in the country and with the continued growth of the league, the future of cricket not only in the UAE but across the Gulf region is bright and exciting.”

Indian High Schools Group CEO Shri Punit MK Vasu: “Our partnership with DP World ILT20 presents a remarkable platform for our learners to witness world-class cricket in Dubai while embracing the deeper lessons the sport imparts.

“At The Indian High Group of Schools, we uphold the belief that cricket’s enduring spirit fosters respect, discipline, leadership, resilience, teamwork, and composure under pressure, values that cultivate not only accomplished athletes, but also well-rounded, future-ready individuals prepared to lead with integrity, ethics and purpose in a global arena.”

The DP World International League T20 Season 4 will begin on Tuesday, 2 December – UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad) with a blockbuster opening, the six-team, 34-match tournament will conclude with the final on Sunday, 4 January 2026.