CINTAA Statement Welcoming Maharashtra Government move to formulate comprehensive policy for Entertainment sector and expedite procedure of extending Industry status

The decision of  the Maharashtra Government to formulate a comprehensive policy for the Entertainment sector and expedite the procedure of extending "Industry" status to the sector, has come in at the most appropriate time for the fraternity.  We are upbeat & overwhelmed with jubilation.  This  positive announcement made by Shri Amit Deshmukh Cultural Minister Government of Maharashtra is a welcome move and undoubtedly will bring in progressive ramifications to the sector. 

 Cine & TV Artists association ( CINTAA) , the oldest and most reputed one has strived very hard  to get support  for the betterment of the Fraternity in general and the actors community in particular. Realizing the challenges faced and to be on par with other sectors, the idea  to have an Industry status for us has always been our foremost objectives and our pursuit has always been rationale driven. Our efforts have been truly paid.

We congratulate  the Cultural Ministry and other stakeholders of Maharashtra who have taken this pragmatic decision.

The ATG-Leslee Lewis- rapper Omar Gooding come together for Producer Tel Ganesan’s Hollywood film Trap City

Indian born serial entrepreneur-Hollywood film producer  Tel Ganesan, the driving force behind Kyyba Films, and the producer of Christmas Coupon, Celebrity Crush, Devil’s Night: Dawn of The Nain Rouge and now Trap City, has brought together  singer-composer-performers The ATG, Leslee Lewis and rapper Omar Gooding in an amazing fusion number for his film, Trap City, starring Brandon T Jackson, a musical eyeopener on the abuse of power and how the common man is the real sufferer.

Director-lyricist Ricky Burchell expresses why the choice of The ATG-Leslee Lewis -Omar Gooding fusion fell in place. “The lyrics and the song of the song Entourage relate to what the main character Deshawn (Brandon T Jackson) is going through in the course of the film Trap City. When you become a celebrity, an entourage accompanies you. The music and performances have a very fun and exciting feel, more so as the character in this song is looking forward to some exciting ‘alone’ moments with his girl in the midst of this chaos.”

Composer-music producer ATG reflects on the mood of the song. “Entourage is a contemporary hip hop/pop song. The song is quite an eclectic array of different musical influences both vocally and production-wise. Despite the deceptive simplicity, the production is actually quite intricate as it continuously evolves. My deliberate choice was to make a club record, yet ensure the song is still rich in musicality. Leslee, Omar and I wanted to ensure an unabashedly fun listening experience.”

Musical genius Leslee Lewis avers that he learns with every song and the Hollywood number was another learning curve. “Tel Ganesan is totally clued in and is a creative producer in every sense. Director Ricky Burchell’s vision reflects in his communication and lyrics, while composer-music producer  The ATG has got the groove and the rap portions effortlessly in place. The brief from the creative trio was as passionate as it was interesting and I felt very excited to be an integral part of Entourage.”

Omar Gooding feels the song is kind of biographical to him as a rap artiste. “I identify with the song totally because it represents the kind of life that I live. The collaboration with Leslee Lewis is something I enjoyed. Leslee Lewis and the Big O collab will be something the audiences will be looking out for as well!

Adds Ganesan, “It is a wonderful beginning of combining the East and the West. I am excited to be a part of the journey with such amazing artists and producing global fare for global audiences. It is a fulfilling and a fun-filled journey. I couldn’t have asked for more!”

Avers The ATG, “musically, the track is a fusion of many different genres from the vocals to the production. Leslee’s vocals were groovy and funky in a manner I would say is akin to classic disco records. In a similar vein, Omar definitely brought a very classic Californian flow and twang to the table. His vocals certainly have a gruffness to them but they still possess an air of fun to them. Leslee and Omar’s vocals are certainly distinct, but there is an undeniable synergy. Leslee’s smooth vocals combined with Omar’s powerful voice ensures a sure-fire hit.”

About Kyyba Films’ realistic musical  Trap City. Brandon Jackson plays a young rapper working for a drug kingpin, and records a song that becomes viral. His fame intensifies because of his crime, but after an attempt on his life, he faces the choice of going to prison and destroying his career or to face the dangerous situation of testifying against a dangerous crime boss who will not fail a second time. What Brandon Jackson does, decides his future in Trap City.

After Bollywood conglomerate, Sachiin Joshi to sue media who support malafide rumourmongers

Livid at the false malafide news of an alleged arrest and malicious rumours  connecting him to Tollywood drug scandal  being spread in a bid to defame him,  actor-entrepreneur Sachiin Joshi is suing self-proclaimed critic KRK and Spotboye among others who are responsible for spreading this vicious false news.

Joshi who landed in Mumbai from abroad was called for questioning in a totally unrelated case to Hyderabad. The actor who was rushing to Goa to be with his wife Urvashi Sharma and kids to herald her birthday at their Resort had to delay the celebrations by a day, and recorded the statement and left to meet his family.

Sachiin Joshi's legal counsel stated, "Certain malicious elements are trying to defame our client by putting out false stories in the media. Anyone who supports such elements will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law. Our defamation notices to KRK and Spotboye will be a strict warning to anyone who tries to defame our client with malfide intent.

"The statement was in a completely unrelated manner. 

To connect his name to any drug scandal is not only defamatory, but also completely false an incorrect and has been spread with malicious intent."

Joshi, in the meantime, is on his way to Goa spend quality time with his family. Never mind the detractors!

Baiju Mangeshkar’s Familial Tribute With Malhaar Baithak’s ‘The Mangeshkar Legacy’, A Digital Baithak

September seems to be a rather cherished month for the illustrious Mangeshkar family of India. Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, who is fondly referred to as the Queen of Melody while Padma Vibhushan Asha Bhosle, arguably the most versatile playback singer in the history of the Indian film and music industry. Interestingly both the sisters were born in the month of September! Asha Bhosle, who just celebrated her birthday in a familial celebration at Lonavala, while the family gears towards celebrating Lata Mangeshkar’s birthday on the 28th in the coming week! What grabs our attention is what Baiju Mangeshkar, their nephew has in store for us! A musical treat celebrating the legacy of the Mangeshkar family.

Baiju Mangeshkar, the new generation torch-bearer of this illustrious musical family, has been invited to make his presence felt by the Malhaar Baithak to share some interesting anecdotes and back stories! The musical troupe, composed of students from the U.A.E., will pay an endearing tribute to this musical legacy and the family’s famous classical compositions in an interactive session with Baiju! “I am delighted to be invited as a guest to witness such an honourable tribute to my aunts, my father and the entire family,” he avers.

Yours to witness is the digital baithak live on the official handles of Malhaar UAE on Facebook as well as YouTube on the 25th of September, 7:30 PM IST.

Kamala Harris’s rise sends a message of hope to young girls of colour and every immigrant in the US: Tel K Ganesan

US State Senator, politician, lawyer and Vice-Presidential running mate Kamala Devi Harris has scripted history by being the first Indian-American or African-American woman to be appointed as the Vice-Presidential running mate. 

It is a known fact that Kamala Harris has a huge support base in the Indian-American community. Indian-born Hollywood producer, philanthropist and serial entrepreneur Tel K Ganesan is excited at the power push for the senator as it “sends a message of hope to young girls of colour, and any immigrant, for that matter.”

Ganesan, who met Harris at Detroit, Michigan during her political run for the primary race of the Democratic presidential ticket, avers that Harris is “high energy, positive, upbeat and a bubbly person.” Ganesan had an instant connect with her. “We shared wonderful, happy moments. She is very friendly. It is much like talking to a friendly neighbour.” Both Ganesan and Harris’s mother Shyamala Gopalan hail from Chennai. “We very briefly spoke in Tamil – vanakkam and nandri. We did talk about sambar,” he grins. 

Though Harris considers herself black, she has also spoken of her Indian roots. Harris has worked in international development around the world and return to live in villages throughout India in the mid-90s. Her matrilineal family of strong South Indian women has always been her inspiration. Her mother is a Tamilian from Chennai, and had moved to the US for higher studies. Her father is Donald Harris, of Jamaican descent. Ganesan is very proud of Harris’s achievement. “As an immigrant, it is a great inspiration. She already has a track record of breaking barriers. She started off as the first person of color in the office of the district attorney in San Francisco as a tough prosecutor and later as California Attorney General before winning the Senate seat four years ago. Harris is also the first person of Indian descent to ever get on the presidential ticket. Harris amassed more than $35 million over 11 months despite challenges that black women candidates face in raising money.  If the Biden-Harris ticket wins, Harris will be the highest-ranking female US official in the country’s 244-year history. And it is not just that, Biden who would be 78 if he wins, might only serve a single four-year term, instantly making Harris a leading 2024 Democratic Presidential contender. She serves on several high-profile committees in the Senate including the Intelligence Committee and the Judiciary Committee.”

Ganesan believes that such a historic move is only possible in a country like the United States. "Hope fuels life and hope fuels opportunities. This will address the bottom-line issue of under-representation of women and minorities on US public company boards and will match the changing demographics we are experiencing in the country today."

Statistics reveal that 42% of women in the US have faced gender discrimination at work. Even in the military, women represent 16% of the enlisted forces and 19% of the office corps. "Kamala Harris’s rise opens up the dream of women and minorities sharing the same power, privileges, rights and opportunities as the privileged and is a giant stride for women in politics. India and Pakistan have had women in political power, but for the US, this is a first. A person born of immigrant parents running for the second highest position in the land, shows us the impossible is possible. It reinforces that the American Dream is still alive and well.”

CINTAA STATEMENT

 

The Indian Film Industry  which has been in existence for more than a century is a land of opportunity to  thousands of people who have chosen to embark on this career path to take care of their livelihood and accomplish their missions in life.

The Media & the Entertainment Industry has always been a significant  contributor to the economy, and also the served the Nation's interests as its cultural ambassadors.

In times of national crisis and natural calamities, the Media Fraternity has solidly supported the endeavours of the Government, to help by their resources and public influence. 

Actors in particular are the face of the Industry who have enthralled the audiences everwhere with their talent; many are academically accomplished and have chosen this career to satisfy their creative passion. Many have trained themselves and dedicated their lives in pursuit of creative excellence.

Recently, Film Industry in general and actors in particular have been in the Eye of a Storm of invasive media scrutiny, not all of it justified, and in some sections of the Press, motivated for reasons other than fair news reporting. 

However, one feature that has emerged out of this has been the unfortunate reality of the spread of use of banned drugs, in society at large and Film Industry in particular. 

We, Cine & TV Artists association (CINTAA) take this issue very seriously. We simply say NO TO DRUGS.

As an association, we very strongly rebuke anyone involved in consumption of drugs , no matter the name and fame such an individual  enjoys in our fraternity and society. We acknowledge the power and influence many of our Industry have over the gullible minds of the young and we believe that their actions, whether in privacy of their own homes or otherwise, have a great bearing on society at large; they are Role Models for the youth and thus have more than reasonable responsibility  for exemplary conduct..

While we do advocate a strict punishment to those who are proved guilty, our endeavor is always to make the whole system free of drugs and its adverse repercussions and to have a clean working arena for existing and aspiring actors. We would support any individual or institution who furthers this cause. 

In conclusion:  SAY NO TO DRUGS AND YES TO LIFE.

 

Executive Committee

CINTAA 

 

Find peace on September 21 at 8 pm

Come September 21 (8 pm) and around 40 million people will be connecting for peace from 8 pm onwards. There will be two virtual events: ‘Celebrate Peace‘ at 8 pm IST, followed by ‘Create Peace’, the synchronized guided meditation at 9 pm.In an event anchored by International film legend Shekhar Kapur, with performances by musicians from Shashank Subramanyam and Mike Hertig to Grammy award winner Ricky Kej, ambassadors and messengers of peace like Daaji, Deepak Chopra, BK Sister Shivani, Bruce Lipton, Bob Boisture, Sharon Salzberg, Thomas d’Ansembourg and Amandine Roche, and sports legends Javier Zanetti, Marta Bassino and Michela Moioli  will transmit the Experience of Peace to 40 million people across the globe.

Daaji, the moving spirit behind Heartfulness says, "At Heartfulness, we will be transmitting on that day throughout the 24 hours. And if you would like to join us in meditation, simply close your eyes and tune into with your innermost corner, where you find love in your heart. We will all be meditating together, for peace, harmony and serenity to engulf this planet.” 

Deepak Chopra, well-known author and speaker, said, “Bring the presence of peace wherever you go, and if you do that the people around you will feel peaceful not by what you say, not by what you do, even, but just by your presence.”

The ‘Celebrate Peace’ event will be broadcasted in over 100 countries and translated into over 24 languages via online streaming platform partners. Similar virtual events organized by the Heartfulness Institute, such as the International Day of Yoga, have been viewed by over 22 million people, and the upcoming event is poised to reach over 40 million people.

BK Sister Shivani, a teacher from the Brahma Kumaris spiritual movement said, “It’s time to heal the planet and love is the energy which is a healing energy. So when we all come together for our love for the planet, for our love for each other, and for our love for humanity, and together we create peace, we are going to take that first step towards healing our world.”