Saina Nehwal biopic not shelved, says Amole Gupte
Mumbai: Filmmaker Amole Gupte says the biopic on badminton ace Saina Nehwal has not been shelved as they plan to start shooting in September this year.
There were reports that the film, starring Shraddha Kapoor as Nehwal, was put on the back-burner after hitting a roadblock.
When asked if the film has been shelved, Gupte told PTI, "I didn't respond to reports because I know what I am doing. It is better that the production house speaks, which is T-Series, rather than me. We are definitely going on floors in September."
The director said he has been working on the film since 2015 and will not rush it.
"I have already given two-and-a-half years of my life.
I am used to this pace (of working). There is a lot of preparation required for this film. We are at it," he said.
Currently, Gupte is awaiting the TV premiere of his last release, "Sniff". The film will be airing on &Pictures on January 14 and he is glad the film is getting a wider platform.
"Few minds in this nation respect children's content. I have seen some nice films perishing at the box office race because they need support and P&A (promotion and advertising) just to put it out there. It is an uphill task to create content for children and showcase their world to the adults."
Gupte is known for telling children's stories on the celluloid with films such as "Stanley Ka Dabba" and "Hawaa Hawaai".
He was also the writer and creative director for the National Award-winning film "Taare Zameen Par".
The director said while his movies enjoy great viewership on TV, it is tough to get families to theatres.
"If there is a U/A film, the adult in the family takes the children along. But if there is a children's film running in the theatre, the thought does not cross the mind of an Indian parent (of going for it)... (this) has taken me a lot of mulling over how to break this jinx."
The director said he has learnt the trick of first approaching the school and their heads to at least get children to cinema houses.
While some might say that working with children and animals is a big struggle, Gupte said it is the easiest bit but the toughest part is "convincing the adult world of our nation to take the children out to see the film."
"That's my struggle," he said.
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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
