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• Nithya prefers to theStack LIVING LIFE OF A ‘SARKARI

fight abuse ‘silently’ MUSLIM’ ISN’T SO EASY
THE FITNESS CURRENCY
packed with revelations, also highlights his personal
By Utkarsh Rai; Rupa Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah’s autobiography, which is
Popular south Indian actress Nithya Menen experiences in life as government servant
opposes sexual harassment. But she has a “Want to lose weight” is a mission statement for an increasing MUSLIMS IN GOVERNMENT services are generally
number of people. However, the journey from statement to reality is
different way of countering it. The actress, • Naseeruddin signed really hard. By the time author Utkarsh Rai decided to called “sarkari musalman”. In his book The Sarkari
who’s done over 50 plus films, chose not few films for money fight the bulge and other health issues, he was in his Mussalman, Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah explains
be a part of a grouping as she prefers Naseeruddin Shah admits mid-forties and at a critical stage in his career. Even the intriguing title, which loosely translates to
to fight it “silently”. Nithya, who that in his film career of more though weight management and good health had government stooge, that is attached to the people
has starred in Malayalam films like than four decades, he has become an obsession for him, the rigours of profes- from the community on the state payroll when
Akasha Gopuram, Apoorvaragam and taken up films purely “to run sional and everyday life turned these into arduous they ‘go by the rules’.
Ustad Hotel, had earlier said that she the kitchen” and says one and torturous tasks. That is when he discovered “The Besides covering the span of his life of the
had never faced sexual harassment. should not be ashamed of it. Fitness Currency” and how it can make people “rich”. past 70 years, including being part of the op-
erations at Longewala (Jaisalmer Sector) in the
However, he asserts, this is the only currency that
But after reading about women from “I’ve worked for money and can’t be earned by anyone else for you. In the book, 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the author also
Malayalam cinema getting assaulted there’s no shame. I need to Rai says that everyone can earn this currency regard- details how he led the Army Division that quelled
and some of her fraternity members run my kitchen. That’s what less of their age or stage of life. Fitness is the new currency for not the riots in Gujarat in 2002, in the aftermath of
I tell younger actors. Don’t
forming a collective, didn’t she feel be afraid to do things for just a long and successful career, but also a happier life and Rai the Godhra train burning.
like joining them? “I completely money. What are we all work- uses his own example to demonstrate it. In the memoir, Shah writes that the Gujarat
understand the thing that people ing for? Aren’t we working -------------------------------------------------------------------------- government requested for
are facing. I do everything possible to feed ourselves. I’ve done deployment of the Army
to counter it. Just because I am not films for money but not too A CITY HAPPENS IN LOVE through the Union Home
doing it one way, doesn’t mean that many films,” he was quoted By Ravish Kumar; Speaking Tiger Ministry and the Ministry
of Defence on February
I am not countering those things or as saying by a news agency. A boy from Bihar living in Lajpat Nagar likes a momo-seller from 28, 2002. The then Chief of
I am not against it. I am, but I have The “A Wednesday!” actor the northeast; she likes him too, but when he gifts her a token from Army Staff, General S. Pad-
started his career featuring
a different approach,” Nithya was in several prominent films his village, his dreams come crashing down. Samar travels with his manabhan was quoted by
quoted as saying. “I believe that my way such as “Masoom”, “Sparsh”, beloved in a DTC bus, the only space in the city where him as saying: “’Zoom, get
is only through my work. The way that I “Nishant” among others. they can meet, but he’s afraid to call out her name for your formation to Gujarat
work and the kind of things that I do, the The 68-year-old says he was fear it will be recognised. A couple shelters from rain tonight and quell the riots.’
way that I approach people when I am fortunate to be a part of the underneath a flyover, hoping for a moment of seclu- I replied, ‘Sir, the road move
working... all of this gives a strong message movement where the inde- sion, but staring eyes pour water on their dreams. And will take us two days.’ He
to people that I am working with, and to pendent cinema was thriving, a girl lets herself into her lover’s rented room, finds a shot back, ‘The Air Force
will take care of your move
people who are watching my films. I have the and contrary to his decisions bunch of letters from his past flames, and leaves him from Jodhpur. Get maximum
an unusual farewell note. In these crisp, powerful,
later, he worked for free sev-
same view as everybody else, but I prefer eral times. micro-stories, journalist Ravish Kumar brings alive troops to the airfield. Speed and resolute action
doing it my way.” the love, longing and heartbreak which flourish in the are the need of the hour.’”
city’s spaces. And even as lovers find the niches they Upon arriving at the “dark and deserted”
need, the city itself shapes their relationships. Ahmedabad airfield, he enquired: “Where are the
---------------------------------------------------------- vehicles and other logistic support we had been
promised?” He learnt that the state government
• CELEBS FLEE HOME TO ESCAPE WILDFIRE NETFLIX IS DILLI DURBAR was still “making the necessary arrangements”.
By Satya Vyas; Westland
Shah says, “Most certainly the damage would
LADY GAGA, KIM KARDASHIAN WEST, RAINN WILSON AND MELISSA ETHERIDGE WERE AMONG VICTIMS DISRUPTING THE have been much, much less had we got the vehi-
Hollywood celebrities Lady Gaga, Kim The author of the highly-popular “Banaras Talkies”, Satya Vyas is cles at the right time. What the police couldn’t do
Kardashian West, Rainn Wilson and Melissa SYSTEM IN INDIA’ one of Hindi’s most exciting new writers. “Dilli Durbar”, originally in six days we did in 48 hours despite being six
Etheridge, among others, recently had to flee published in Hindi, has now been translated into English by Vaibhav times smaller in size than them.”
their homes as wildfires rage on in Califor- Srivastav. The novel is about making one’s way in a “big city” and “It takes three generations to forget. I do not
nia. They were among the thousands forced surviving the pitfalls. Rahul Mishra is your regular want to reopen the wounds. I have spoken the
to evacuate as the fire engulfed large patches boy-next-door. He does have a roving eye, is always truth about police and I stand by every word I
of Malibu, Calabasas, Paradise and Thou- looking for short-cuts and doesn’t take anything have written,” says Shah.
sand Oaks, reported variety.com. Transgen- seriously. But, otherwise, he is a fine, fine ladka. The 216-page autobiography highlights that
der activist Caitlyn Jenner’s Malibu home In the beginning, he is taken aback by the strange Shah wore four caps in his life, the first of Army,
has burned down to the ground, according ways of the rajdhani. It is nothing like his home town the second of foreign service, the third as a judge
to TMZ. Many other Hollywood figures in Jharkhand. But soon, he is back in his element, and the fourth of education. The book — packed
such as Ellen Pompeo, Cindy Crawford and balancing his MBA with his “extra-curricular” activi- with revelations as also his personal experiences
Marcy Carsey live in the area. All of Malibu, ties. Dating more than one girl, hatching more than in life, both as an army man and a Muslim in In-
home to numerous celebrities and Holly- Madhuri Dixit one crooked scheme, conning more than one person, dia — has been endorsed by at least two chiefs of
• Blaze chase Fire makes Gaga homeless wood executives, were asked to evacuate. (In an interview) Rahul lands on his feet each time. army staff, including General S. Padmanabhan.

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