Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair wins TIFF Tribute award, says important to tell our own stories

New Delhi: Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair, two episodes of whose six-part television series "A Suitable Boy" will close the 45th Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, received the Jeff Skoll Award for Impact Media on Monday evening at a remotely conducted TIFF Tribute Awards ceremony.

The presentation of the award to Nair was initiated by Tabu, star of "A Suitable Boy" as well as the director's critically acclaimed 2006 drama "The Namesake". The actor said: When Mira Nair was a kid, she asked herself, can art change the world? She has proven it can. And in doing so, the filmmaker has, Tabu added, set the very highest standards of cinema .

Nair was one of six recipients of the TIFF Tribute Awards alongside octogenarian actor Sir Anthony Hopkins, Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, Chinese-American filmmaker Chloe Zhao (whose Venice Golden Lion-winning Nomadland is one of the highlights of TIFF 2020), indigenous Canadian director Tracey Deer and musician Terence Blanchard.


In her acceptance speech, Mira Nair said: When I work, it feels like fun, so I really want to thank the Toronto International Film Festival for giving me an award to have my fun and to be part of the extraordinary privilege of being able to make cinema.

After years of loving & matchmaking, I offer you #asuitableboy.

May you enjoy the ride.

Episode 1 - Sunday, July 26 @BBCOne 9pm. pic.twitter.com/NshMiiyb1O

— Mira Nair (@MiraPagliNair) July 25, 2020

Nair, who divides her time between homes in New York City, Kampala and New Delhi, added: I have often said if we don't tell our own stories no one else will. But it doesn't stop there. In telling these stories, I have also discovered the power of listening, of the possibility of making bridges, the possibility of translation, of being porous.

The award tells me, Nair said, that my art and my films have actually made change. That is such a beautiful feeling. The filmmaker signed off by saying, I accept the award in honour of all the stories that held the idiosyncratic, the unseen, the unspoken, the unsaid, and the baffling. Here's to them and they happen everywhere in the world.



The TIFF Tribute Awards is an annual fundraiser held as part of the festival that is regarded as one of the most important launching pads for cinema and a bellwether for the Oscars. The awards honour the film industry's outstanding contributors and their achievements.

I've read Vikram Seth's gorgeous novel seven times at least— and I never thought possible the beautiful & evocative version made by @MiraPagliNair for the screen. Breathtaking. pic.twitter.com/CYMOGWTTQt

— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) September 14, 2020

Sir Anthony Hopkins's TIFF Tribute Actor Award was presented by Olivia Colman, his on-screen daughter in the film "The Father", which is part of the festival programme. Accepting his award, the 82-year-old actor said: I am astonished that I am still in work at my age.

COVID-19: Goa welcomes filmmakers to shoot movies in beach state

Panaji, Goa: The state-run Entertainment Society of Goa on Sunday welcomed filmmakers to the coastal state after the Centre announced the standard operating procedures for resuming shooting of films and TV programmes.

After the outbreak of COVID-19 in March, film shootings were suspended in Goa, which is a popular hub for the Hindi, Marathi and South Indian film industries. Films and other shootings have already been permitted in the state since last week of June, Entertainment Society of Goa's (ESG) Chief Executive Officer Amit Satija said.

Detailed SOP for resuming work in the media production industry by Govt of India..Film and other shooting has already been permitted in #Goa with adequate safeguards by Govt of Goa since June last week. Welcome to #FilminGoa," the official tweeted.

The ESG was started by the state government in 2004 to bring the best of the events, film festivals and creative minds of entertainment industry from all over the globe at one place, and to make Goa the hub of this industry.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday announced guiding principles and SOPs on preventive measures for media production to contain the spread of COVID-19.

These include measures such as social distancing and mandatory use of face cover or masks for cast and crew, except for actors in front of camera. The I&B document also emphasised on the health and family welfare ministry's guiding principles which state that non-essential activities will not be allowed in COVID-19 containment zones.

Hindi thriller film 'Drishyam' director Nishikant Kamat's condition critical: hospital sources

Mumbai: Film Director Nishikant Kamat, best known for his films "Mumbai Meri Jaan", "Drishyam" and "Madaari", is critical, according to hospital sources.

Kamat, who is suffering from chronic liver disease and secondary infections, was admitted to AIG hospital in Gachibowli, Hyderabad on July 31. "He is not dead, he is on ventilator. But his condituon is very critical," his industry friend and director Milap Zaveri told PTI. Earlier, Kamat's close friend, Marathi actor Jaywant Wadkar had said that the director had passed away.

Thereafter, many of his associates, including actor R Madhavan, who worked with him in "Mumbai Meri Jaan" (2008), had started posting their condolences. 


In a statement on August 12, the medical facility had said that Kamat was hospitalised for jaundice and abdominal distention, and was later diagnosed with chronic liver disease. The hospital had described his condition "critical but stable".

Kamat, 50, made his directorial debut with the Marathi film "Dombivali Fast" in 2005. His Bollywood debut was "Mumbai Meri Jaan", also starring Irrfan.

Kamat also played the negative role in John Abraham-starrer "Rocky Handsome" in 2016, which he also directed. His biggest hit was Ajay Devgn-Tabu starrer "Drishyam", which was a remake of the Malayalam movie of the same name.

Aamir Khan meets Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan as he shoots for Laal Singh Chaddha, Twitterati Unhappy!

New Delhi: Bollywood actor and Popularly known as Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan met the Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan at the presidential residence in Istanbul on August 15. The photos from the meeting have been going viral.

According to reports in local Turkish media, the meeting happened at the request of Aamir. The actor and the first lady discussed the various projects initiated by Aamir and his wife Kiran Rao, including their Paani Foundation. The actor also spoke about how Kiran had lived in Turkey for a short while.

Aamir Khan is trending furiously on Twitter which is none too happy about the meeting because of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks about Kashmir during his address in Pakistan's parliament. Aamir, who is unlikely to respond to the trolling, took the shooting of his upcoming film Laal Singh Chaddha to Turkey, where he met Emine Erdogan - the pictures of which meeting she shared on her official Twitter handle. Emine Erdogan described Aamir Khan as "the world-renowned Indian actor" and wrote that she's "looking forward" to watching his film.


Emine Erdogan tweeted: "I had the great pleasure of meeting Aamir Khan, the world-renowned Indian actor, filmmaker, and director, in Istanbul. I was happy to learn that Aamir decided to wrap up the shooting of his latest movie Laal Singh Chaddha in different parts of Turkey. I look forward to it!"

I had the great pleasure of meeting @aamir_khan, the world-renowned Indian actor, filmmaker, and director, in Istanbul. I was happy to learn that Aamir decided to wrap up the shooting of his latest movie ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ in different parts of Turkey. I look forward to it! pic.twitter.com/3rSCMmAOMW

— Emine Erdoğan (@EmineErdogan) August 15, 2020

Aamir Khan is in Turkey to resume the shoot of his film Laal Singh Chaddha., an official remake of Tom Hanks’ classic Forrest Gump. With Kareena Kapoor in the lead, the film was being shot in parts of India including Chandigarh, Kolkata and Amritsar when India went into a lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Sat Sri Akaal ji, myself Laal...Laal Singh Chaddha.🙏 pic.twitter.com/aXI1PM8HIw

— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) November 18, 2019

Aamir announced Laal Singh Chaddha in a media interaction on his birthday last year. “I have always loved Forrest Gump as a script. It is a wonderful story about this character. It is a life-affirming story. It is a feel-good film. It is a film for the whole family. It’s a wonderful film so I really like it,” he had said. 

Laal Singh Chaddha is directed by Secret Superstar fame Advait Chandan, the film will span over decades and cover the important milestones from India’s lived history. The film, which was expected to release at the end of 2020, has now been postponed to Christmas of 2021. 

Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way inks first-look film deal with Sony

Los Angeles: Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio's banner Appian Way has signed a multi-picture, multi-year first look deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

As per the deal, the production house will produce scripted feature films for the studio, reported Deadline. DiCaprio's last film, Quentin Tarantino-directed "Once Upon A Time in Hollywood" was distributed by Sony. The companies are already in development on two projects, though no details were given. "I first met the supernova talented Leonardo DiCaprio over 24 years ago on 'Romeo and Juliet'. We then shipped out together on the 'Titanic' and my admiration for him as a fully-rounded filmmaking genius has only increased over the many years since.


"His producing and acting instincts superbly supported by Jennifer (Davisson) are both driven by service to the best material in the world. At Sony, we feel like we just landed a rare GOAT deal as Michael Jordan and Tom Brady are to basketball and football, so is Leo to film," said Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group Chairman Tom Rothman.

DiCaprio said he is excited to partner with Sony for his upcoming projects. "For over three decades in the business, Tom has never adhered to the traditional Hollywood norms. "Never once taking the safe route, he truly values filmmakers and their vision and is extremely supportive of the theatre-going experience. I could not be more excited to enter into a new phase of partnerships with Sony," he added.


Earlier this month, Appian Way signed a first-look deal with Apple that encompasses television projects and documentary features. On the acting front, DiCaprio will next star in frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese's upcoming feature "Killers of the Flower Moon", alongside Robert De Niro.

Priyanka Chopra finishes her memoir, said every word reflection into her life

Mumbai: Actor Priyanka Chopra on Tuesday revealed that she has completed the final manuscript of her memoir, "Unfinished", and the book is set to come out soon.

"Unfinished" is a collection of personal essays, stories and observations of the 38-year-old actor, to be published by Penguin Random House India. Priyanka took to Twitter and said the book comes from an extremely personal, introspective space.'Unfinished' is finished! Just about sent in the final manuscript! Wheee! Cannot wait to share it with you all. Every word in my memoir comes from a place of introspection and reflection into my life. #ComingSoon," she wrote.

Priyanka forayed into the entertainment industry at the age of 17 when she became Miss India and went on to win Miss World the following year. Besides acting in several Bollywood movies such as Aitraaz , Barfi! , 7 Khoon Maaf and Bajirao Mastani , Priyanka earned acclaim for her work as Alex Parrish on ABC's show "Quantico", becoming the first South Asian to headline an American network drama series.

She made her Hollywood debut as antagonist Victoria Leeds in Seth Gordon's action comedy Baywatch and followed it up with A Kid Like Jake co-starring Jim Parsons and Claire Danes. Priyanka also had a supporting part in Todd Strauss-Schulson's comedy "Isn't It Romantic", which starred Rebel Wilson. Last year she returned to Hindi cinema with Shonali Bose's The Sky is Pink .

The actor's future projects include Netflix's adaptation of Aravind Adiga's satirical novel The White Tiger , Robert Rodriguez's superhero film We Can Be Heroes , thriller series Citadel and much-anticipated Matrix 4. Priyanka also has a production banner Purple Pebble Pictures, under which she produces global TV and film content.