Entertainment

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

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2024

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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)

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Staff Reporter

Entertainment

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

Published

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.