Entertainment

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

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3 years ago

September 12, 2023

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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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Entertainment

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

Published

2 weeks ago

August 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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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

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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

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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.