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Deepa Mehta's new documentary on domestic violence
By Gloria Suhasini, Indo-Asian News Service

Toronto, Oct 28 (IANS) Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta's new documentary "Let's Talk About It", which focuses on domestic violence among immigrants, was premiered on Rogers Omni Television in Canada.

The hour-long documentary - shown on Oct 22 - is on children who are the innocent and forgotten victims of domestic violence and breaks the silence and secrecy of family abuse for the first time.

"Children are our greatest teachers and I hope this film helps to fuel meaningful action and commitment to stop the cycle of family abuse and give voice to every child and parent living in the unspoken despair of an abusive home," Mehta said.

Fusing the structured first-person story-telling techniques of the documentary with the revealing and spontaneous tell-it-like-it-is conversations between parent and child, Mehta has created a landscape with the tales of three immigrant women -- from El Salvador, India, and Nigeria -- who share their stories of domestic violence and the resulting negative impact and influence on their children.

Nigerian-born Nneka's children witnessed their father's daily beatings. The final attack was so brutal he tried to kill the 42-year-old lawyer by suffocating her with a pillow after pinning her face down on the sofa.

Indian immigrant Amandeep, who had an arranged marriage - an accepted practice in her native India -, found courage to seek help after her husband's rage became physical and a source of escalating anger in her son. 

Xiomara, from El Salvador, married and pregnant at 16, turned into a frightened teenager who would hide from her violent husband in a game of cat and mouse that ended after a series of punches and kicks caused the miscarriage of her first child. 

Mehta's journey into the dark corners of familial abuse among immigrants is crafted to be the catalyst for open dialogue and discussion among all ethnic and cultural communities.

Produced by Canada's Filmblanc in association with Omni TV, the documentary was launched to the Spanish language audience in mid-September. 

"Let's Talk About It", produced in English, Punjabi, and Spanish, will be available shortly to educational institutions and public wellness agencies once it is premiered in all the three languages, Omni TV has announced. 

The documentary is a call to action, putting a voice and a face to the global epidemic that is breeding a new generation of abusers. 



Madhavan's 'Deal Ya...' won't be another KBC
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service 

Mumbai, Oct 28 (IANS) "Deal Ya No Deal", the game show that southern superstar Madhavan will host on Sony TV, is expected to go on air in November. 

But those associated with it are quick to dismiss any comparisons with "Kaun Banega Crorepati" (KBC), the super successful game show hosted on Star Plus by Amitabh Bachchan. 

Says Madhavan: "Yes, Sony approached me. We're just worked out the details. I've to shoot six days a month. I've been finalised to anchor the show. It's the biggest game show in the world. 

"But I've also been asked not to speak too much about it. All I can say is, it has no relevance or connection to KBC. It's a different format altogether. 

"And we won't be pitching it against KBC. Our show will be telecast on weekdays - who on earth would dare to take on Bachchan?"

Madhavan's clothes are being designed by Shahid Amir. They've given the Tamil star a boyish, affable look. The prize money is likely to be Rs.10 million.

Sony's head honcho Tarun Katyal says: "Yes, we're doing a game show. 'Deal Ya No Deal' is our version of 'Deal Or No Deal', the number one game show in the world. I visited Spain recently to check out the show there, and now in France...it's a phenomenal event. 

"Why Madhavan? Because we needed someone young, boyish, intelligent and able to connect instantly with the audience. The world over, the hosts have been young, genial and energetic. Madhavan fitted the bill. 

"One or two other names, including Saif Ali Khan, were initially thrown around. But once the project concretised it was Maddy all the way. And when he shot the promo with us this week we knew we had made the right choice." 

Katyal cuts down all comparisons with KBC. "'Deal Ya No Deal' isn't a bit like any other game show we've seen from any part of the world. And believe you me, it wasn't expensive to buy from its international original copy holders. 

"We at Sony are on the lookout for shows that would give us a profile distinct from our competitors. When we started 'Fame Gurukul', we were sneered at for attempting something so outlandish. And that's one of our highest rated shows." 

Katyal says Sony hopes to consolidate its position further with "Deal Ya No Deal". "It will add considerably to Madhavan's fan following, that's for sure."
 

Kathmandu shutdown leaves Mallika Sherawat unfazed
By Sudeshna Sarkar, Indo-Asian News Service

Kathmandu, Oct 28 (IANS) Indian sex symbol Mallika Sherawat sailed through a lightning shutdown by Nepal's major opposition parties Friday to launch a new range of computers and meet scores of excited fans.

Mallika flew into the capital Friday to launch Mero PC, a new range of computers assorted by India's Xenitis Group, who have teamed up with Base International Private Nepal, a Nepali computer dealer company based in Baneshwor, Kathmandu, to introduce the new product in Nepal.

To drum up publicity for the new ware, Base International conceived the scheme of offering a dinner date with Mallika.

The first 50 people to buy the new PC and or give correct answers to a quiz on computers, have been invited to a sumptuous dinner with Mallika Friday night at the Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Nepal's first luxury hotel.

"I am thrilled," said Deepal Kafle, a 28-year-old computer specialist working with a bank in Nepal, who is among the lucky 50. "I consider it as a life-time achievement," he enthused.

Kafle said if public transport failed to ply on the roads in the evening, he would walk up to the Soaltee, first ensuring to change into a snazzy pair of jeans and T-shirt to dine with Mallika.

Kafle has the Midas touch. He had filled up an entry form in his wife's name too, and she also figured among the lucky 50.

Another winner Anisha Pokhrel, 27, was eight months pregnant, so was keeping her fingers crossed that public transport would resume by evening.

Likewise, winner Archana Shrestha, 30, a Japanese language teacher, enthused that she was thrilled to have a dinner date with one of the "most popular actresses in Bollywood".

Mallika's reputation for shedding clothes at the drop of a hat doesn't deter Shrestha.

"She has a lovely body," Shrestha shrugged. "When you have such a smashing figure, it's no crime to show it off."

On Friday, a shutdown in Kathmandu Valley called by seven opposition parties to protest against media curbs imposed by King Gyanendra, brought life to a grinding halt in the capital.

The lightning shutdown call forced the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to postpone a programme Friday where journalists were scheduled to meet the new spokesman.

Even the Royal Nepalese Army put off a media briefing scheduled for the afternoon.

But Mallika's date with Kathmandu remained on course, with diehard fans offering to walk for hours for a chance to meet the sultry actress.