Men’s ire

Aamir Khan wouldn’t have seen this coming. The actor’s latest film,Talaash, is being boycotted by, believe it or not, men’s rights activists. About 14 men’s organisations across the country have launched an SMS and online campaign asking other men not to watch the movie. No, they don’t have anything against Talaash. They’re simply protesting against Khan because his TV show, Satyamev Jayate, apparently had an “anti-male” agenda. Huh, you might exclaim. Allow us to elucidate. According to this bunch of aggrieved men, Aamir Khan should be given a wide berth because his show dealt extensively with issues such as dowry harassment, domestic violence and female foeticide while keeping silent on husband abuse. Tsk tsk, now what was Khan thinking, ignoring a “killer” issue like that?

Water world

His pet project, Paani, has been stalled for years. But now Shekhar Kapur, director of such international hits as Elizabeth and Bandit Queen, has gone on record saying that he has tied up with none other than Yash Raj Films to make the ambitious film. With a $30-40 million budget, Paani is said to be a “massive production” that needs large, futuristic sets. The film envisages a time — 50 to 60 years from now — when water is the scarcest commodity on earth and mega corporations control its supply. So will Paani finally become a reality? Well, that’s what Kapur says now: “With Yash Raj films, I have found a perfect home for Paani.” Still waters may yet run deep.

India in flux

You’ve heard about India Shining — that seductive catch phrase which seems to have sputtered and died. Now it’s time to hear about the more clear-eyed India Becoming. That’s the name of Akash Kapur’s book, which looks at the changes witnessed by the country in recent years. Kapur, once a journalist, worked in the US before returning to India in 2003. The book talks about the transition in the country in the years of his absence and later — a narrative of constant flux between rural and urban life. In his words, “it’s a book of ordinary people, living ordinary lives in extraordinary times.” Sounds promising.

French fare

Nandita Das is clearly an actress sans frontière. The actress will soon be seen in a play where she essays the role of Anne-Marie Stretter, the stunning but very bored wife of the French ambassador in Calcutta in the 1930s. The Indo-French production is part of Bonjour India 2013, the second edition of the Festival of France in India. Written by Marguerite Duras, the play is directed by Eric Vigner. Incidentally, Bengal will have a special place in the festival, with events slated for Calcutta and Chandernagore. And no doubt the crowning show will be the play. “Nandita Das is perfect for the role,” asserts E. Blouett of the French embassy in Delhi. Mais oui, we agree with that.

Welsh tryst

This isn’t Welsh rarebit. Rather, it’s a rare bit of Welsh — and right here in India. An unique collaboration between Welsh and Indian musicians that took place in Mumbai and Delhi last week, was led by popular Welsh poet and musician Gwyneth Glyn (in pic) and supported by Indian ghazal singer Tauseef Akhtar. Taking cue from the Hindi word “yatra” and the Welsh saying “does unman yn debyg i adref ” (home is where the heart is), the performances took audiences on a whirlwind tour of India and Wales through music and traditional forms of poetry. What’s more, the Glyn-Akhtar duo created “original poetry” inspired by ancient verses from India and Wales. The final stop of the jugalbandi will be in Chennai this evening.