PETA requests IIFA Amitabh Bachchan to promote vegetarian food

PETA requests IIFA, Bachchan to promote vegetarian food

New Delhi, May 26 (IANS) Animal welfare organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has urged members of the India International Film Academy (IIFA) and its brand ambassador, Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, to avoid non-vegetarian meals at the forthcoming event to be held in Macau, China next month.

On behalf of PETA, its chief functionary Anuradha Sawhney sent a letter in this regard to Sabbas Joseph, one of the directors of Wizcraft that organises IIFA, and its vegetarian celebrity face Amitabh after learning that the event will have a 'Go-Green' theme, said a press release.

"We were thrilled to hear that this year's IIFA Awards are going to have a 'Go Green' theme, and we commend you for helping to once again draw attention to the global climate crisis. On behalf of PETA India and all our members and supporters, we respectfully ask you to serve only green (vegetarian) food at the event.

"By doing so, you will send a strong message that people can save the planet simply by changing their dietary habits," Sawhney stated in the letter sent Tuesday morning.

IIFA, in its 10th edition this year, will be held from June 11-13 at The Venetian Macau-Resort. It will also present a special 'Green IIFA' award to a film personality who has been working in the area of creating environment awareness.

IIFA has been addressing the issue of global warming since 2007 and this year too they will take their concern forward. It has been hosting an eco-friendly award function by rolling out a green carpet instead of the conventional red.

"Kicking the meat habit is the best thing that anyone can do for animals, their health and the earth," Sawhney said.

Amitabh eyes said it all Kannada actor Sudeep

Amitabh's eyes said it all: Kannada actor Sudeep

By R.G.Vijayasarathy

Bangalore, May 24 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says more with his eyes and body language than the dialogues in Ram Gopal Varma's "Rann", says co-star and Kannada actor Sudeep.

"There are many sequences in the film which feature me and Bachchan sir. The sequence starts with him asking me "Yeh kya hai, Jai (What's happening, Jai)' and I had to defend my actions. I had lot of dialogues in the film, but Bachchan sir would be expressive just through his eyes and body language.

"I had to see his eyes directly in many sequences of the film and see the intensity of his expressions. Somehow I'm happy that I was able to pull it off well," Sudeep told IANS.

With "Rann", Varma is attempting to expose the media industry and has cast Amitabh as a media baron. Apart from Amitabh and Sudeep, the film also stars Riteish Deshmukh, Paresh Rawal, Gul Panag and Neetu Chandra.

Talking about the film's theme, Sudeep said: "The film has some media related situations, but majority of the sequences have emotions and sentiments and relate to our everyday life. And the performances will be so natural that the audience would be able to identify each of the characters in the film," said Sudeep.

The film has also been in the news for the controversial song "Jana gana mana 'Rann' hai", where Varma has twisted words of the national anthem.

Sudeep refused to comment on the song controversy saying "I think RGV sir is talking about it and it is best to leave it to him."

Sudeep is currently shooting in Bangalore for the film "Kichcha Huchcha", which is being produced by K. Manju and directed by Gurudatt. Ramya is playing his love interest in the film.

Sudeep has also finished shooting a song sequence for his own directorial venture "Just Maath Maathanalli" in Hyderabad.

First look Teen Patti

First look Teen Patti

Sarkars of cinema: In Teen Patti,

Amitabh plays the professor who tutors five of his brightest protegees, played by Madhavan, Siddharth Kher, and newcomers Dhruv Ganesh, Vaibhav Talwar and Shraddha Kapoor(daughter of Shakti Kapoor) for high-stake gambling, but with a cause.