‘Deeply disturbed’: Director Anuparna Roy’s parents, as trolling follows praise after win at Venice
Kolkata: Film-maker Anuparna Roy’s parents have said they are deeply disturbed by the way Roy, who won the Best Director Award at the 82nd Venice Film Festival recently, is facing intense criticism on social media for voicing her support for Palestinian children during her acceptance speech.
The director had said during her speech, “Every child deserves peace, freedom, liberation and Palestine is no exception. I don’t want any claps for this, it’s a responsibility. Think for a moment and stand beside Palestine. I might upset my country but it doesn’t matter to me anymore.”
Brahmananda and Manisha Roy had earlier expressed pride at their daughter winning the award in the Orizzonti section for her film ‘Song of Forgotten Trees’.
According to Indian Express, her parents have called the trolling as an unwarranted campaign against their daughter. Expressing concern, the Roys said that Anuparna is being targeted for her remarks on the Palestinian children, with the trolls accusing the director of being biased towards a particular community. They added that Anuparna, whom they contacted, too was unhappy over the issue.
Brahmananda Roy clarified that Anuparna’s statement had been misunderstood. The director had spoken about all children in the world and not about those belonging to any particular community. “She did not say anything wrong,” he insisted.
He also reminisced that Anuparna had struggled hard to keep her passions alive and invested all her earnings into the art. She now needed the support to reach greater heights of achievement. “Instead of that she is being criticised. It is sad. As parents we are worried and disturbed,” Roy said.
Anuparna’s mother Manisha appealed to the people to stop targeting Anuparna. “Is it wrong to speak about the welfare of children? She just expressed her opinion. Everyone has the right to have his or her opinion,” she said, pointing out that her daughter’s win at the film festival was a matter of pride not only for them but also for the entire country.
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Rahul Gandhi to go on two-day Raebareli visit from May 19
Raebareli (UP) (PTI): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Raebareli Rahul Gandhi will arrive here on May 19 on a two-day visit, a Congress office-bearer said on Monday.
Congress district president of Raebareli Pankaj Tiwari said that on the first day, Gandhi will inaugurate a marriage hall at Thakurain Kheda in Bachhrawan. Subsequently, he will address a public meeting in Khiron. In Lalganj, he will participate in a 'mahila samvaad' programme.
He further said that on May 20, he will meet the public during a 'Janata Darshan' programme at the Bhuyemau Guest House. Following this, he will participate in the unveiling of a statue of Veera Pasi and attend a public meeting in Lodhwari.
He will then depart for Amethi.
In Amethi, Gandhi will hold meetings with party functionaries, workers and senior leaders at the party's district headquarters, Congress district unit chief Pradeep Singhal said on Sunday.
According to political observers, this meeting would form a part of the strategic preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, alongside an organisational review.
Discussions during the meeting are likely to focus on strengthening the party organisation down to the booth level, increasing participation of youth and women workers, and accelerating public outreach campaigns across villages.
According to sources, a large number of party workers -- from Gram Sabha to the district level -- have been invited to attend the meeting.
Gandhi is expected to interact directly with workers.
During the one-day visit, the Congress leader will also travel to Poore Ramdeen Pandit -- the native village of late Congress district president Yogendra Mishra -- to meet his family members.
Mishra, considered a close associate of the Gandhi family, passed away on March 1 following a prolonged illness.
Political activities in the district have intensified ahead of Gandhi's visit, and party workers have already started making arrangements for his reception.
Kishori Lal Sharma, the Congress MP from Amethi, is also holding regular meetings with local leaders and functionaries to review the preparations.
