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‘Transgender people have been a very established part of South Asian culture for centuries’: Riz Ahmed on Pakistani film Joyland

Ahmed recently joined the team of the much-talked-about Pakistani film Joyland (2022) as the executive producer.

‘Transgender people have been a very established part of South Asian culture for centuries’: Riz Ahmed on Pakistani film Joyland

British-Pakistani actor and Oscar winner Riz Ahmed recently joined the team of the much-talked-about Pakistani film Joyland (2022) as the executive producer. The film is Pakistan’s official entry in the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming 95th Academy Awards. Ahmed joins the ranks of Malala Yousafzai, who also serves as an executive producer for the film.

Talking to a publication, Ahmed called Joyland “the most unexpected love story”. Joyland is the most unexpected love story you have ever seen. It is a love story between a transgender dance-hall star and an unhappily married man in Lahore in Pakistan. But it also takes a look at how our sense of duty and tradition and our fears stand in the way of our joy and love. It’s a ground-breaking film and achieved all these firsts [the first Pakistani feature film to be shortlisted for an Academy Award and the first film by a Pakistani director to win at the Cannes Film Festival]. But it’s really an emotional, crowd-pleasing movie.”


The actor further added, “The interesting thing is, transgender people have been a very established part of South Asian culture for centuries and centuries. And they can often hold a quite paradoxical position in the culture. They are visible and commonplace. It’s been like that for hundreds of years. And they almost occupy a privileged position, culturally and spiritually speaking, in that they’re thought to be able to kind of bless you or curse you, if you rub them up the wrong or right way.”

On the work front, Ahmed has signed on to star in filmmaker David MacKenzie’s next directorial venture, titled Relay. The forthcoming project, which is touted to be a thriller, also features actress Lily James. The makers are looking at beginning production in April in New York and New Jersey.

Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.

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Naga Chaitanya reacts to a fan saying he can’t act – Here’s what he had to say!

Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi share a fun moment during their Thandel promotions, leaving fans entertained with their candid interactions

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When Sai Pallavi read out a fan’s question, “Acting epudu nerchukuntav? (When will you learn acting?)” Chaitanya appeared stunned for a brief moment, staring blankly at the camera as if processing the unexpected question. He then responded with a mix of surprise and humour, Epudu nerchukuntav enti? (What do you mean, when will I learn?)”


Instead of getting defensive, the Thandelstar took it in stride and responded with a smile: "Honestly, acting is a continuous process. You never fully learn it; you keep growing with every project. If you think you’ve mastered it, that’s when you stop progressing. So, I’m still learning every single day."

While some appreciated his humility, others found the moment hilarious. Social media was soon buzzing with reactions, with many praising Chaitanya for handling the question with grace rather than taking offence. Some fans even tagged the person who originally asked the question, letting them know their comment had made its way to the actor.

This isn’t the first time Chaitanya has addressed criticism. In a recent interview, he opened up about dealing with trolls, admitting that while it bothered him early in his career, he has learnt to ignore the noise. “Clarifying things only leads to more drama. It’s a vicious cycle,” he said, adding that he now focuses on his work rather than responding to negativity.

Chaitanya’s upcoming film, Thandel, marks his third collaboration with director Chandoo Mondeti and his second pairing with Sai Pallavi after their hit film Love story. The survival drama, set to release on February 7, has already generated buzz, with fans eagerly waiting to see the duo’s chemistry on screen once again.

Having faced a mixed bag of box office results in recent years, Thandel is a crucial release for Chaitanya. Fans are eager to see if this film will mark a new chapter in his career and whether his continuous learning process pays off on the big screen.

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