Every child deserves peace, freedom, liberation, Palestine no exception: Anuparna Roy at VFM
Roy became first Indian to win Best Director at Venice’s International Film Festival
New Delhi / Venice: Indian debut filmmaker Anuparna Roy has made history at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, becoming the first Indian to win the Best Director award in the Orizzonti (Horizons) section. She received the honour for her feature film Songs of Forgotten Trees, which stood as the only Indian entry in this prestigious category this year.
Roy received the award at the festival’s closing ceremony, where the jury was headed by French director Julia Ducournau. Dressed in a white saree, she described the moment as “surreal” and extended heartfelt thanks to the jury, cast, crew, producers, and Anurag Kashyap, the film’s presenter.
While accepting the award, Roy addressed the ongoing Gaza conflict, stating: “Every child deserves peace, freedom, and liberation, and Palestine is no exception. It is a responsibility to think for a moment and stand beside Palestine. I might upset my country but it doesn’t matter to me anymore”. Her remarks immediately sparked debate and discussion on social media.
Songs of Forgotten Trees weaves the story of two migrant women living in Mumbai—Thooya, an aspirant actress, and Swetha, a corporate professional—who form a connection despite their different paths. The film, backed by Anurag Kashyap, was directed by Roy and features performances by Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel and explores themes of urban loneliness, resilience, and shared humanity.
Multiple Indian and international outlets have hailed the victory as a significant milestone for Indian cinema, placing a spotlight on indie filmmaking in the global arena. Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra also took to social media to laud Roy’s achievement, noting its importance for women filmmakers and Indian storytelling worldwide.
"It is a responsibility to think for a moment and stand beside Palestine. I might upset my country but it doesn't matter anymore," says Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy after winning Best Director award in the Orizzonti section at Venice Film Festival. pic.twitter.com/u3CJLxKQhK
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) September 8, 2025
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Ex-PM Devegowda warns opposition of electoral losses if they continue to allege 'vote chori'
New Delhi (PTI): Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda on Monday said the Opposition parties would "suffer" if they continue to raise allegations of "vote chori" and create suspicion in the minds of voters by blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.
Participating in a discussion on election reforms in the Rajya Sabha, he criticised the Opposition for making a mockery about the Prime Minister "in the streets and on the public platform".
"This (India) is a very big country. A large country. Congress may be in three states. Remember my friends please, by using the words 'vote chori' you are going to suffer in the coming days. You are not going to win the battle," Devegowda said, referring to the Opposition members.
He asked what the Opposition is going to earn by "blaming Narendra Modi's leadership and creating a suspicion in the mind of the voters" through the claims of "vote chori".
"What has happened to their minds? Let them rectify," Devegowda said.
ALSO READ: Search operation ends in Anjaw truck accident, 20 bodies recovered
The former prime minister said that during his over seven decades of public life, he has never raised such issues of vote theft despite facing defeat in elections.
He also cited a letter written by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru regarding inclusion of "18,000 votes" (voters) in Kerala.
"Why I am telling this (because) during the Nehru period also, there were certain lapses in the electoral system," said Devegowda, who was the prime minister between June 1, 1996 and April 21, 1997.
He said that the Congress party faced defeat in the recent Bihar elections despite raising the issues of mistakes in the electoral rolls.
"What happened after that even after so much review (of voters list). Think (for) yourself! You got six MLAs," the senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader said.
Devegowda questioned the Opposition as to why they want to make allegations against the prime minister on the issue of the voters list?
"Election Commission is there. Supreme Court is there. The Election Commission has given direction to all the state units to rectify all these things," he said.
Devegowda said people of the country have full confidence in Narendra Modi's government and it will come back to power after the next Lok Sabha elections as well.
K R Suresh Reddy, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party's Rajya Sabha member from Telangana, said that electoral reforms are the backbone for a healthy democracy.
He said a large and diverse nation like Indi needs clean electoral rolls.
Asserting that strict re-verification should not become a mechanism for exclusion, Reddy said no eligible voter should lose their right to vote simply because accessing paperwork is difficult.
He said while the concern definitely is on the voters' exclusion, "we should also be equally concerned about the percentage of voting."
"What is happening in voting today? Once the election ends, the drama begins. The biggest challenge that the Indian democracy has been facing in spite of two major Constitutional amendments has been the anti-defection. Anti-defection is the name of the game today, especially in smaller states, especially where the legislatures are small in number," Reddy said.
The senior BRS leader suggested creation of a parliamentary committee "which would constantly look into the defection" and "ways and means to cutting that".
AIADMK's M Thambidurai raised the issues related to election campaigning.
ALSO READ: National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
"Election campaigns are one of the important election processes. In that, political parties must be given the proper chance to campaign," he said and cited problems faced by his party in Tamil Nadu in this regard.
Thambidurai said political parties were facing hardships in Tamil Nadu to conduct public meetings and to express their views to the public.
YSRCP's Yerram Venkata Subba Reddy stressed on bringing electoral reforms at both the state and national levels.
He also suggested replacing Electronic Voting Machines with paper ballots in all future elections.
"EVM may be efficient but can't be trusted. Paper ballot may not be efficient but can be trusted. You need trust in democracy," Reddy added.
