Bollywood’s latest historical drama Sardar Udham, based on the life of Indian revolutionary Udham Singh, has been two decades in the making, its director said on Thursday.
“Sardar Udham to me is not just a film, it is a dream come true. It took years of in-depth research to unearth and share with the world the valiant story of a martyr who sacrificed his life to avenge India’s most dreadful tragedy,” said acclaimed filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, known for hits such as Vicky Donor (2012) and Piku (2015).
Sircar, who launched the trailer along with the film’s lead Vicky Kaushal in Mumbai, said he first thought of making a film about Singh during a trip to Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar while still in college.
Jalianwala Bagh is the site of a 1919 massacre where hundreds of unarmed Indian protestors were brutally shot at and killed by the British Army. Many historians consider the incident as one of the turning points in India’s freedom struggle.
Kaushal plays Singh, who assassinated Michael O'Dwyer, the lieutenant-governor of Punjab at the time of the massacre, in London in 1940.
“The story of Sardar Udham Singh is one that enthralled and inspired me,” said award-winning actor Kaushal. "It represents the strength, pain, passion, extraordinary courage and sacrifice, and many such values that I have tried to do justice through my character in the film.
“The role called for a lot of physical, and even more mental preparation to get into Udham Singh’s shoes and bring to life the story of a man whose heroism and grit stand unmatched.”
The film is to be released on Amazon Prime Video, and director Sircar said he hopes to inspire a new generation of Indians and tell them of the sacrifices their forefathers have made for their freedom.
“My aim was to make a film that familiarises the viewers with Udham Singh’s valour and inspires them,” he said. “This film is my ode to his lionhearted spirit, his fearlessness and sacrifice in the fight for the country’s independence.”
Sushant Sreeram, the director of marketing at Amazon Prime Video India, is confident the story will strike a chord with international audiences too.
“We’re showing this across 240 countries and territories and I believe we have all the ingredients that make it a global story,” he said. “It’s the kind of story that lives through time and great stories of courage and valour have no borders.”
'Sardar Udham' will be out on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday, October 16
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
