Somy Ali on trafficking in the US

Actor Somy Ali, who runs an NGO called No More Tears in the US, says that human trafficking is a growing concern there. She says that a common way of doing it is via men who marry women from different parts of the world, bring them to the US, and then sell them.“Unfortunately, this has become a common theme not only between South Asians, but they are called mail order brides. The horrific aspect is that while the young girls’ parents assume they have hit the jackpot, it’s completely antithetical to their beliefs. Their daughters, particularly those who aren’t allowed to date, are sold for more money than those who have actively had former relationships. The men bring these women from various countries and sell them to the human traffickers be it labour or sex trafficking. Some girls are as young as 16,” she says.
She adds, “It’s beyond devastating as it’s literally destroying these women’s lives and since human trafficking is the largest growing criminal enterprise in the world, things will only get worse. It’s even overtaken the drug industry given people can use drugs once, humans can be sold over and over again.”
Talking about an incident, she says, “Our worst case was that of a five year old boy whose own father raped him first, which is also known as an initiation stage in the horrific world of trafficking, and then that child’s father started selling his own son for sex to his male friends which eventually led to the kid ending up in a very dangerous child sex trafficking ring. We rescued 12 children in that sting operation and it was heartbreaking and very traumatizing to see the children knowing what they had endured.”
We need to deal with this now, she says, adding that education will help a lot. “Education, knowledge and above all, vigilance by the law enforcement who should vet these websites before these girls are married off into far away lands where they don’t even know where they are geographically. Ultimately, parents need to be sure that these sites are legitimate. It’s not an easy task, but if I were a parent, I would rather marry my daughter via an extended family member’s referral at the risk of sounding old school. It's better than later knowing that your child is being trafficked and abused,” she says.
She adds, “I urge the parents to please be wary of these sites and where they are sending their daughters. Above all, remain in constant contact with their daughters as that’s a huge red flag when all contact is shut down. That immediately sends a message that something is not right. Thus, vigilance is the key, vetting the sites, and constantly being in touch with your daughters is pivotal.”

5 actors who charmed their way to audience’s hearts playing a villain their debut film

Bollywood is known for its romance and action, and what good a story is without a strong villain? And if that villain has looks to die for, it just makes it all the more exciting to hate them but also love them. Making debut as an antagonist is not everyone's cup of tea, but here are 5 such actors who made their film debuts as a villain but charmed their way into the audience's heart with their acting skills as well as their good looks.
Emraan Hashmi
Before he became the poster boy of tragic romances, Emraan actually started his acting stint with a grey shade character of Raghu in Footpath. The actor played a fearful gangster in the film and over the years, he made a niché for himself in crime thrillers, a feat unique to him.
Tahir Raj Bhasin
Tahir appeared as the villain soliciting sex trafficking opposite Rani Mukerji in Mardaani. While the audience hated his character, his innocent look made them fall in love with him. Since then, he has only solidified that place in their hearts with his impressive performances.
Vidyut Jammwal
The action hero Vidyut made a smashing entry in Bollywood as the menacing villain opposite John Abraham in Force, and his ripped physique and action skills sweeped the audience off their feet. The actor redefined the action genre and today stands as one of the most talented action stars in the industry.
Freddy Daruwala
While Freddy played a terrorist in Akshay Kumar's Holiday, it was tough to hate him because of the charm he exuded on screen. The thrilling face off he had with Akshay left the audience on the edge-of-the-seat and since then, he has never disappointed.
Rishabh Sawhney
Playing the antagonist opposite the heartthrob of the nation, Hrithik Roshan couldn't have been easy, but Rishabh proved his mettle as he stood tall opposite the Greek God in Fighter. His good looks and appeal on screen made him irresistible, and his off screen persona which is completely opposite to his character, just makes the audience love him even more.

Anuraadha Tewari opens up on how she solves writer’s blocks with travel

Exploring a new place is something that helps writer-director Anuraadha Tewari break through writer’s block and move forward. Anuraadha, who has written the web series Dil Dosti Dilemma, Raisinghani vs Raisinghani, as well as films such as Fashion, Heroine and Jail, adds that she loves to explore new places to gain inspiration. “There are two kinds of writers' blocks, both of which block flow. One is the kind where you are exhausted and simply need a break and recharge. The other is when you have run out of ideas and need to reinvent. You need to feed your mind with new stimuli. So, I first figure out what kind of block it is and then simply choose a travel plan that suits the need. If it's just a break then I go to a nature-driven, chill place and do largely nothing for just 2-3 days. That does the magic. But if it's a re-invention, then I plan a long holiday of at least 2 weeks. I go on what I call 'Civilization Exploring'. I go to a country with a deep culture. I study its people, its history, its architecture, its art, music, cinema, food, and its works. I do what I call 'art guzzling' ( e.g. my last tour of Italy that covered 9 cities). That cannot not rejuvenate you! More often than not, I find myself writing an entire script right there in days. The block disappears magically,” she says.
Talking about writers’ credits in projects today, she says that the process of displaying credits has changed the game today. “I think most people are getting the actual credit on screen now. There are contracts and agencies involved. and the SWA is very active. So, to mess with writer credits is not something people are going to do anymore. Having said that, I think the lines are still blurred. For example, the top OTT Platforms don't even have opening credits anymore. All writing and writers are often clubbed together as well. So the intern and the senior writer are all under one umbrella (though that hasn't happened to me). There is no credit yet for creating a show bible which is still the most important job in the creation as well as selling of the Show. And most of all, while the credits may be in place, writers often don't know what they are going to see on screen. How much of their work will be messed with, changed, shaped differently by other writers brought in etc. So, it may have the credit correctly but it may not be how you wrote it or what you wrote,” she says.
Meanwhile, talking about the kind of influence she has had on her work after working with directors like Mahesh Bhatt, Prakash Jha and Madhur Bhandarkar, she says, “Well, the 3 Directors are so vastly different from each other and such legends in their own right that one can't not be influenced by them. Each one has his own genre for heaven's sake! Naturally, I garnered different things from each one of them as I was working with each at different points and different life stages. While their film craft is distinct, I wouldn't say I imbibed any one because I have my style but I learnt at their feet in terms of storytelling for an Indian audience, remaining a fierce and unique voice in a crowded marketplace and surviving a tough Medium. I learnt mental strength from each and how to be a marathon runner in a long race. As for direction, well I have a Master's Degree in filmmaking, majored in direction from a film school ( Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi) and my Diploma Film won the Gold. I have no business not Directing a Film :) I will however do it only when the filmmaking environment supports my vision.”

Dance, Music, Passion: Namita Lal's vibrant rhythm

As the world celebrates International Dance Day on April 29th, we catch up with the talented producer-actor Namita Lal, who has been part of films like Lihaaf, Before Life After Death, My Goal football, and upcoming film Pyaar Ke Do Naam. Her passion for dance adds a vibrant rhythm to her life on and off-screen."Dancing is a personal passion of mine," shares Namita Lal with enthusiasm. "It's not just a hobby; it's a stress-buster, mood lifter, and 'me time' all rolled into one. Whenever I feel the need, I break into a dance—whether it's during my walks or while making reels. For me, dancing is everything; it sorts out life's ups and downs."
Namita Lal's eclectic taste in music reflects in her dance choices. "I dance to everything—be it Spanish, Latin, or the evergreen Bollywood hits like 'Ramaiya Vastavaiya' and the latest groovy numbers," she reveals. "Some of my favorite songs to groove to include 'Daddy Cool' and 'Abba’.Despite not having formal training beyond Bharatnatyam in her teens, Namita Lal rates herself as a free-flowing dancer. "I dance with passion and from the heart," she explains. "Everywhere I go, people compliment my carefree and heartfelt style."
For Namita Lal, dancing is not just an art form but also an essential aspect of her acting career. "As an actor, knowing how to dance is crucial," she emphasizes. "It enhances physicality, movements, and postures—all vital elements for an actor's repertoire." Reflecting on the impact of dance sequences in films, Namita Lal expresses her joy. "Indian movies are renowned for their dance sequences, and now, even internationally, our dance numbers are gaining recognition," she remarks proudly. "Dance has become integral to our identity, and it's wonderful to see how audiences appreciate our unique style. . We dance in every occasion and people just from the folk numbers to the modern numbers, it's just in the blood of Indians and may that continue "
In the era of social media, dance reels on popular songs have become a trend. Namita Lal shares her perspective: "Creating dance reels is a fantastic way to connect with fans and showcase our love for dance. It's a fun and engaging way to celebrate music and movement." As we celebrate the universal language of dance on International Dance Day, Namita Lal's infectious energy reminds us of the joy and freedom that dancing brings to our lives.

Dance, for me, is pure happiness: Ankit Bathla

Ankit Bathla, who is seen as Shiva Agnihotri in Savdhaan India - Apni Khaki, says dancing brings him joy. Speaking on the occasion of International Dance Day, which is observed on April 29, he said, “Dance, for me, is pure happiness. Now, when I anchor weddings, I realize that I'm dancing joyously at someone else's wedding because dance brings me such joy.” Though he can’t pick one favourite song to groove on, he mentioned that he likes to dance to songs by AP Dhillon, Diljit Dosanjh, and even Humma Humma. He calls himself a good dancer and added, "It’s all about the happiness that comes from dancing.” 
He also revealed that he has taken formal training in dance, particularly in Salsa, and added, “I learned from Kaytee at Karma-Salsa, which emphasizes intricate footwork (shines). Of course, Bollywood dance runs in the blood of Punjabis.” Ankit also confessed that gone are the days when only Bollywood actors were expected to be good at dancing because television did not focus much on dancing. He added, “But that's not true anymore, as we have many dance sequences, award functions, and events. Dance sequences are enjoyable due to the dynamic movements, vibrant colors, and chemistry they involve. They break the monotony of regular shows. Dance sequences are fantastic, especially at weddings, where they boost viewership ratings. People love watching dance and music; it's not only a stress buster for yourself but also for your audience.” 
And what about dance reels? “It's a trend that I struggle with because I can't create reels with curated dance steps. I prefer to dance freely, following my own rhythm, which is why I don't make reels. However, I think it's a fantastic way to engage and have fun while reaching a broad audience, almost like a showreel,” he ended.

Dance and I have had a love hate relationship: Yashashri Masurkar

Though she keeps her Instagram family hooked on her account with her enchanting dance moves, Dabangii: Mulgii Aayi Re Aayi actor Yashashri Masurkar confessed that she had a love-hate relationship with dance. Speaking on the occasion of International Dance Day, which is observed on April 29, she said, “Well, dance and I have had a love-hate relationship. I wasn’t allowed to dance in my childhood, so when I grew up, I started learning Kathak.”
“I was pretty good at it but when I had to shoot my first title song for Rang Badalti Odhani, I was not confident and that made the shoot go longer since then I started dreading the dance sequence but I gradually learnt to be confident and always kept a learning attitude. Over the past few years, dance has felt like a validation or self-motivation that I like and enjoy rather than thinking about what others will think,” she added. She is a trained Kathak dancer and has learned the dance form for two years, and says her favourite song to dance to is Kahe Chhed Mohe from Devdas, but she confessed, “I love enacting Madhuri Dixit Nene’s songs. I can’t dare to dance on it yet.” 
Yashashri also believes that dancing acts as an added advantage to an actor’s resume, and dance sequences have enhanced the entertainment quotient of TV shows. However, she added, “It is not a written rule, but given the nature of our work, one should be willing to learn, and the biggest example or inspiration for this is Katrina Kaif.” And what about dance reels? “I love watching dance reels. There’s so much great talent out there, it is inspiring. I have started making some dance reels. I look at it as a practice to feel confident and inspired to learn more,” she ended.

Soniya Bansal’s inspiring video sparks kindness and awareness

In a world where negativity often dominates the headlines, a simple act of kindness captured on video has touched the hearts of many. Soniya Bansal, a social media influencer, recently shared a heartwarming video on her story that showcased the power of compassion and generosity. The video captured a moment where a man was seen helping an elderly gentleman, a gesture that warmed the hearts of those who witnessed it. Moved by the display of kindness, Soniya felt compelled to share the video, using her platform to spread a message of positivity and awareness.“We need more people like this,” Soniya expressed in her caption, highlighting the importance of such acts in fostering a more compassionate society. By sharing the video, she hoped to inspire others to follow suit and make a difference in their communities.
Soniya’s actions didn’t go unnoticed, as her post quickly gained traction and garnered widespread attention.People from all walks of life praised the man’s selfless act and applauded Soniya for shedding light on the significance of kindness.In a world filled with division and strife, moments like these serve as a reminder that there is still goodness to be found. Through her simple yet powerful gesture, Soniya Bansal has sparked a wave of kindness and awareness, leaving a lasting impact on all who encountered her message.As the video continues to circulate on social media, it serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to look for opportunities to spread kindness and make a difference in the lives of those around them. Soniya’s actions remind us all that a single act of kindness has the power to ripple outwards, creating positive change in the world.