By Vineeta Deepak
NEW DELHI (AP) --India's glitziest film festival opened this week to fanfare and fury, as Indians protested the inclusion of Pakistani artists.
With a ceremony in Mumbai's iconic and newly refurbished Royal Opera House, the celebration of Bollywood and international film kicked off Thursday amid the sober announcement that at least one screening was canceled.
The Pakistani classic "Jago Hua Savera," or "Awake, It's Dawn," was dropped from the Mumbai Film Festival schedule after a local organization claimed it would cause public outrage.
Even a public plea from Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar could not stem the calm. Johar released a video message asking Hindu nationalist protesters to not disrupt the Oct. 28 release of his big-budget romantic drama "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil," or "Difficulties of the Heart," which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a small role.
"I beseech you to know one thing, that over 300 Indian people in my crew have put their blood, sweat and tears into my film," he said. "I don't think it's fair to them to face any kind of turbulence." Johar pledged to avoid using Pakistani actors or crewmen in future movies.
Tensions between Pakistan and India escalated last month after a deadly rebel attack on an Indian military base. India blamed Islamabad for backing the separatist rebels and providing them with training and arms. Pakistan denied the allegation, saying it offers only moral support to the rebels fighting for Kashmir's independence or merger with Pakistan.
As the two governments trade increasingly acrimonious barbs, people in both film-crazy countries have moved to boycott each other's films.
Pakistani cinema's stopped showing Bollywood fare in their theaters weeks ago. And a blanket ban against showing Indian content on Pakistani television networks and radio stations took effect Friday. India's government has not issued a blanket ban but said it would make such decisions on a case-by-case basis.
The Mumbai festival organizers this week said they dropped the Pakistani black-and-white classic "Awake" due to "the current situation." Meanwhile, the regional political party Maharashtra Navnirman Samiti threatened to disturb any attempts to screen any film involving Pakistani talent.
Many of the Bollywood glitterati attending the festival criticized the outrage and said protests were not the solution.
"Of course you have to stand by the nation, but when it comes to a movie … there are so many Indian actors who have already put their blood and sweat into it, I think they ( protesters ) should think about it," Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh said.
Film director Zoya Akhtar called out the hypocrisy of protesters shutting down films while ignoring the ongoing cricket matches involving teams from both countries.
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan also said the ruckus was "unnecessary," and that film audiences should be free to decide what they want to see.
"People will see the film and decide for themselves, thank you very much," Khan told reporters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political party along with state authorities in Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital, have issued statements assuring that violent protests would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, the weeklong film fest was screening some 175 films, documentaries and short films from more than 50 countries at venues across west-coast city.
The lineup included Cannes' prize winner, the British drama "I, Daniel Blake," as well as other international films including Oliver Assayas' "Personal Shopper," Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu's family drama "Graduation," and Pablo Larraín's "Neruda" about the life of the Chilean poet.
AP journalist Manish Mehta contributed to this report.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More