All my films should be banned: Twinkle Khanna
Mumbai, Sep 8 : Writer-producer Twinkle Khanna, who once an actress in the Hindi film industry has said that all the films which featured her in the lead should be banned so that no one can watch it.
Twinkle interacted with the media at the launch of her book "Pyjamas Are Forgiving", along with husband Akshay Kumar and mother Dimple Kapadia, as also with Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Bobby Deol, Tanya Deol, R. Balki, Gauri Shinde, Abhishek Kapoor, Mana Shetty and Sikandar Kher on Friday in Mumbai.
Twinkle made her Hindi film debut with "Barsaat" in 1995 and thereafter featured in a series of unsuccessful films like "Itihaas", "Zulmi" and 'Mela'. She quit acting after getting married to Akshay Kumar in 2001.
Asked which film of hers should now be remade, she jokingly said: "I haven't given a single hit in fact. I think that all my films should be banned so that no one can watch it."
Earlier, Twinkle wrote a book titled "The Legend Of Lakshmi Prasad" which was a collection of short stories - one of which was adapted for Akshay's "Pad Man", produced by Twinkle.
Asked whether she thinks that a film can be made on her latest book as well, she said: "I don't think that a film should be made on each story of mine. I have done my job by writing the story and that is all I am interested in."
Talking about her latest book, the "Mrs Funnybones" author said: "This is my third book and I guess when I look at everything that I do, it's always about women finding their place in the world.
"To me, what I personally find interesting is that, here is a woman who is interested in finding redemption and not finding a man. It also has an interesting premise because it's in stringent Ayurvedic retreat and in a confined environment like the 'Bigg Boss' as when you are in a closed place, all the emotions run high and that was interesting for me."
There is a mention of well-known political figure in Twinkle's book.
Asked whether it can lead to a controversy, she said: "I don't think that I have written anything which anybody would take offense to. What has been written, it has been in jest. So, I hope people will enjoy the humour and I think they will."
Twinkle is a mother to a teenage son Aarav and five-year-old daughter Nitara.
Commenting on the constant media scrutiny around her children, she said: "The times are such that I think the freedom that we enjoyed whether it was going by train or taking a cycle and roaming around in a neighbourhood, those times are gone. What does scare me is that once these children become very recognised, it is dangerous for them."
As a feminist, what kind of advice she would give to her daughter Nitara?
Twinkle said: "There is no advice as such as I think the biggest advice or example that you can give to your daughters is by setting a good example yourself and I hope I am doing that."
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UK PM Keir Starmer takes ‘China matters’ message on first Beijing visit
London (PTI): “Like it or not, China matters to the UK,” is the message British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking on his visit to Beijing on Wednesday, accompanied by a 60-strong business and cultural delegation.
Downing Street said the visit, which will also cover Shanghai, reflects the UK’s “clear-eyed and realistic” approach to China in terms of opportunities and challenges they pose by continuing to pursue cooperation while “maintaining guardrails” when it comes to the country’s national security.
The Labour Party government is keen to highlight its re-engagement with China with this first visit in eight years, coming close on the heels of a ministerial go-ahead for its controversial new “mega embassy” in London.
“For years, our approach to China has been dogged by inconsistency – blowing hot and cold, from Golden Age to Ice Age. But like it or not, China matters for the UK,” Starmer said in a pre-visit statement.
“As one of the world’s biggest economic players, a strategic and consistent relationship with them is firmly in our national interest. That does not mean turning a blind eye to the challenges they pose – but engaging even where we disagree.
“This is what our allies do, and what I will do: delivering for the public, putting more money in their pockets and keeping them safe through pragmatic, consistent cooperation abroad,” he said.
The UK PM is set to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Thursday for talks on trade, investment and national security, before travelling to Shanghai for a range of engagements with British and Chinese businesses.
Accompanied by a delegation of leading UK-based businesses, including Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover, sporting institutions, museums and theatre groups, Starmer is expected to push for access in areas such as the financial services sector, creative industries and life sciences.
“However, he will be clear that we will not trade economic cooperation for our national security. He will raise the areas where we disagree with China – being clear that we will always defend our national security and where viewpoints differ, frank and open dialogue is of vital importance,” Downing Street said.
Describing China as the world’s second largest economy, a crucial player in global supply chains and a growing military power, the UK said it is important to engage with its third-largest trading partner which supports 3,70,000 British jobs.
“We want to see trade flourish between us. From financial services to advanced manufacturing and the global energy transition, the UK’s strengths increasingly align with the rapidly evolving Chinese economy,” said Peter Kyle, the Business and Trade Secretary travelling with Starmer.
“The first duty of government is security, and we protect ourselves best through active engagement and pragmatic cooperation, not by shutting the door,” he said.
The visit follows the 2025 Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) that the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) claimed secured 600 million pounds in immediate benefits and the first UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) since 2018.
“The UK’s world-leading financial services sector is a cornerstone of our economy. With deep and liquid markets, and the FTSE hitting all-time highs, there are real opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation with China which supports jobs for working people and growth for businesses across Britain,” said Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, also part of the ministerial delegation.
The Opposition Conservatives have criticised Starmer’s approach to China, amid human rights concerns and espionage fears. “Starmer has already surrendered to the Chinese Communist Party over their plan for a spy-hub super embassy in the heart of our capital,” said shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel.
“The evidence is overwhelming that China poses a serious threat to our national security and it is clear Starmer is going to China without any leverage. He lacks the backbone to stand up for Britain and is bending over backwards to appease Beijing,” she said.
Following his trip to China, Starmer is set to travel to Tokyo to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to reinforce the UK-Japan partnership, said to be worth over 100 billion pounds and supporting 2,00,000 UK jobs.
