Art and heart

Bharatnatyam dancer Geeta Chandran continues to make news. The Delhi-based dancer, who often lends her art to issues such as gender equality, has just been awarded the prestigious Karamveer Puraskar. iCONGO, a conglomerate of over 2,000 Indian non-governmental organisations, decided to give the Artists for Change award to Chandran to undescore the difference she seeks to make to society through dance. The award, to be given on November 26, is not just another feat for Chandran. “With the award comes greater responsibility. My expectations from the artist within me grow higher,” she says. As a dancer would know, each step leads to a movement.

Highland story

Ahsan Baksh had a story in him. But the scriptwriter of the television series Amber Dhara had a problem as well. His story — Aakhiri Munadi — was too long for a TV episode, and too short for a feature film. “So we decided to make a short film,” says Baksh. Aakhiri Munadi — which means last announcement — is set in the Kumaon hills. The cast comprises popular theatre artistes of the region. “The film is about local beliefs, culture and customs and only local actors could have provided that essence,” says Baksh, who is from Kumaon as well. The film is yet to be released in India but is doing the festival circuit. It will be screened at the Italian film festival, River to River, in Florence in early December. Meanwhile, Baksh is waiting for his story to be heard in India. And not as a last announcement.

Kissen tale

The world doesn’t know about it yet, but guess where Ravi Kissen is these days? If you really want to know, the ex-Bigg Boss inmate is currently out amid the languid backwaters of Kerala — and no, he’s not on vacation. After a string of home-grown hits, the Bhojpuri movie star has finally made the great crossing from the north to the south, to land himself a lead role in director Mani Ratnam’s new Hindi and Tamil film Raavan or Ashoka Vanam, the shooting for which is now in progress in Kerala. “It’s a golden opportunity for me,” says Kissen. “Working with Mani Sir is a pleasure, and I’m really hoping this project turns out to be one of the best films I’ve ever worked in.” Well, given Ratnam’s ability to give actors their career breaks, the film might really work wonders for Kissen. And the Bhojpuri biggie may well turn into a Tamil titan.

Dial N for Neha

You don’t really bracket the two Ns together — but Neha Dhupia and Naseeruddin Shah are an item. No, not in real life, but in a film. In Dhupia’s latest movie Maharathi, which is based on a Gujarati play, she will play the role of Naseer’s wife. The film also stars Boman Irani, and Neha is elated. “I have known Boman since my Miss India days. He was the first photographer to shoot me and today after so many years we’re acting in a movie together,” she gushes. Good for Neha. At least there is somebody out there who’ll remember her Miss India days.

Mallika ’n’ more

When it comes to causes, you can always depend on dancer Mallika Sarabhai to lend a helping hand —or do we mean feet? Sarabhai, who’s set many a stage on fire in the past with her energetic performances, is among the chosen guests at the International Week of Justice Festival, organised by Amnesty International India in Delhi from December 5-10. The festival, which features artistes from different fields, will showcase films, theatre and music performances, along with photographs and discussion. But that’s just the beginning. Sarabhai is going to perform with son Revanta at Mantle of Myth, an international cultural conference organised in Jaipur by the literary consultancy organisation Siyahi from December 13. Clearly, Sarabhai has a foot-tapping schedule ahead of her.