Ashwin Kumar on Mythology in Cinema: ‘We Should Build Universes Rooted in Our Rich Past’

 Director Ashwin Kumar, known for his animated film Mahavatar Narsimha, recently shared his thoughts on Indian mythology in cinema and why he chose animation over live-action like Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, which stars Ranbir Kapoor.

In an exclusive with SCREEN, Ashwin emphasized the depth and richness of Indian puranic stories. He stated that unlike Western cinema, which builds fictional cinematic universes, Indian filmmakers have access to a vast and meaningful historical and mythological base. He rejected the term “mythology” in the Western sense, calling India’s past not a “myth” but a real, strong cultural legacy.

Speaking on the success of Mahavatar Narsimha, the first film in Hombale Films’ seven-part Mahavatar Universe, Ashwin said it was the right time for Indian cinema to tap into its heritage and bring forward stories that inspire pride and knowledge. The film, which focuses on one avatar of Lord Vishnu, earned ₹7.5 crore on its opening weekend.

Ashwin subtly critiqued the habit of equating actors with deities, stating that animation allows for greater creative reverence without human projection. He believes this medium better honors divine representations and encourages the audience to focus on the essence of the story rather than the face of the actor.

At 40, Delhi Man Survives Sudden Cardiac Arrest at Gym Thanks to Timely CPR

 

Date: July 9, 2025

Mohit Sachdeva, a 40-year-old resident of Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar and a regular gym-goer for 20 years, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during his workout on July 9. Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle — clean diet, no smoking, and regular exercise — Mohit collapsed while performing a 180 kg leg press.

Fortunately, immediate CPR administered by a fellow gym member within the crucial eight-minute window saved his life. He was quickly rushed to Medanta-Moolchand Heart Centre. Doctors confirmed that the cardiac arrest was not due to common risk factors, but due to an underlying genetic heart rhythm condition. His wife, Ruby Sachdeva, expressed gratitude to the bystanders who acted swiftly. Mohit’s survival highlights the importance of prompt medical response and CPR awareness, even among fit individuals.

A Boon for Cancer Patients - CAR-T Cell Therapy was successfully treated at HCG Cancer Center, Jaipur

  

CAR-T Cell Therapy being done at HCG Cancer Center is proving to be a game changer for cancer patients.

This advanced technology is providing accessible and advanced treatment for serious cancers like blood cancer, lymphoma.

CAR T-cell therapy recreates the immunity to fight the disease by changing the patient's immune system.

Jaipur, February 19: Cancer is a serious disease. Cases of blood, lung, prostate, breast and cervical cancer are increasing rapidly every year in India. In recent years, many new technologies have been developed in cancer treatment. In this direction, India's first gene-based CAR T-cell therapy has emerged as a new ray of hope for blood, lymphoma cancer patients. This technology is not only effective, but it has also been made affordable and accessible, so that common patients can also benefit.

In a press conference held on Wednesday, experts from the Oncology Department of HCG Cancer Center discussed this advanced therapy in detail. According to experts, CAR T-cell therapy is a revolutionary step in the treatment of cancer, which regenerates the ability to fight cancer by changing the patient's immune system.

What is CAR T-cell therapy

This therapy enables the patient's own T-cells to fight cancer through gene editing technology. After this, they are put back into the patient's body, where they identify and destroy cancer cells. Experts believe that this technology is adding a new chapter in the field of cancer treatment.

This therapy is very effective in cancer

Dr. Naresh Somani, Director Oncology at HCG Cancer Center Jaipur and Dr. Abhishek Charan, Medical Oncologist, said that CAR T-cell therapy is proving to be very effective in the treatment of cancer patients. Recently, a patient has got life donation with this advanced technology. He told that the patient Neeraj (name changed), whose age is 63 years, was suffering from B cell lymphoma for the past few years. He took treatment from outside but after 6 months he was again affected by the disease. After that he consulted Dr. Abhishek Charan Medical Oncologist at HCG Cancer Center Jaipur and in his tests the patient was found to have stage IV lymphoma. After this the patient was treated with CAR T-cell therapy. After complete treatment, when the patient's PET CT was checked once again, according to the PET CT the patient is completely healthy and is living his normal life.

This is how the therapy works

Dr. Naresh Somani tells that in this therapy T cells are taken from the patient's blood and then with the help of a receptor the gene is combined with the T cells in the laboratory which targets a certain protein on the patient's cancer cells. This special receptor is called chimeric antigen receptor. In this, a large number of CAR T cells are modified in the laboratory and then infused into the patient. This therapy strengthens the patient's immune system to fight cancer. This therapy is the latest technology in the world, with which blood and lymphoma cancer can be easily defeated. This facility is available only at a few selected places in the world.

Dr. Bharat Rajpurohit, COO of the institute, told that HCG Cancer Center, one of the top cancer treatment hospitals in the country, is a large cancer treatment center in Rajasthan, where along with advanced and latest technologies, a skilled and professional team of medical experts is also present under one roof, which ensures the right care and accurate treatment of cancer patients. HCG Cancer Hospital is part of a chain, which has more than 24 hospitals across the country, where patients are provided with correct and accurate treatment through state-of-the-art technology, a vast network of skilled oncologists and new age treatment protocols. Bone marrow transplant facility is also available at this center.

Global Heritage Tax : Fighting Against Hunger

  

Global Heritage Tax for Earth's Resource Exploitation Core Philosophy & Justification Earth as a Common Inheritance

The Earth's natural resources are a shared inheritance bestowed upon all human beings by "Mother Nature." This perspective redefines natural resources not merely as commodities to be exploited but as a collective birthright.

A symbolic representation of Earth cradled in human hands, signifying shared inheritance.

Inherent Worth and Entitlement

Every individual possesses an inherent worth, metaphorically described as a "prince or princess of Nature." This philosophy asserts that all people are entitled to a fair share of Earth's natural wealth, challenging existing economic disparities where access to resources is primarily determined by financial power.

Image showing a diverse group of people standing around a glowing Earth, symbolizing equal entitlement to natural wealth.

Redistribution as Justice

Corporate and governmental exploitation of natural resources is framed as a violation of this inherent right. The proposed Global Heritage Tax aims to rectify this injustice by ensuring a fair redistribution of resource-derived benefits to those deprived of their rightful share.

A balance scale with stacks of money on one side and environmental elements (trees, rivers, wildlife) on the other, illustrating economic justice.

Proposed Mechanism: The Global Heritage Tax

Tax Base

The tax would be levied on multinational corporations and industries that significantly utilize Earth's natural resources. The taxable activities include:

Extraction of minerals, oil, and gas: Industries involved in the extraction of nonrenewable resources would be taxed for depleting shared global assets.

Deforestation for agriculture or logging: Companies responsible for large-scale deforestation would contribute to a fund aimed at reforestation and environmental restoration.

Water usage for industrial processes: Significant water consumption in manufacturing, agriculture, and energy production would be subject to taxation.

Emissions of greenhouse gases: Companies emitting carbon dioxide and other pollutants would pay a levy proportionate to their environmental impact.

Pollution of land, water, or air: Entities that degrade natural ecosystems through industrial waste, chemical spills, or excessive land use would be held financially accountable.

Impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems: Activities leading to habitat destruction, species endangerment, or ecosystem destabilization would be included under the tax structure.

Conclusion

The Global Heritage Tax is an ethical and economic solution to address the inequalities of resource exploitation. By treating Earth's resources as a collective inheritance, this tax ensures that all individuals benefit from their shared natural wealth, rather than allowing profits to be concentrated among a few.

This tax serves not just as a fiscal measure but as a step toward global justice, sustainability, and responsible stewardship of the planet's resources.

Congratulations, our petition strength for a Global Heritage Tax for Earth's Resource Exploitation on Change.org has been ranked as 9 out of 10. We need at least one million supports from the Globe.

Please support us and sign this petition by clicking on the below link to help at least 100 crores global people from their Hunger for the reasons as discussed.

https://chng.it/BDQckc28mL 

Rajasthan Achievers Award Show Season 2 to be Held on February 23

  

Jaipur: The second season of the Rajasthan Achievers Award Show is set to take place on February 23 with a grand celebration. Renowned Bollywood actor Rahul Roy will be the celebrity guest at the prestigious event.

The award show aims to honor individuals from Rajasthan who have excelled in their respective fields and brought recognition to the state. Event organizers Narendra Kumar Gangwal and Rekha Mehra stated that the show is designed to inspire people and recognize their remarkable achievements across various sectors.

Several distinguished personalities will grace the occasion, including actor Anuj Chitlangia, singer Meer Zulfikar, dancer Chahat Sheikh, and writer MSK Pankaj. The show will be hosted by anchor Soumya Anand.

The event will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to interact with their favorite celebrities, share experiences, and learn valuable insights about acting, music, and other artistic fields.

This award show is not only a platform to celebrate excellence but also an initiative to encourage emerging talents in Rajasthan. By recognizing outstanding contributions in various domains, the program aims to foster motivation and appreciation within the community.

With its blend of entertainment, inspiration, and recognition, the Rajasthan Achievers Award Show promises to be a memorable event for all attendees, shining a spotlight on talent and success stories from the region.

Strengthening Indo-German Ties and Supporting the Indian Community in Germany

 

Jaipur/ Delhi: As Germany approaches its Federal Elections on 23rd February, the Indian community of 282,000 people continues to play a crucial role in shaping the socio-economic landscape of the country. Among the prominent figures representing the Indian diaspora is Hargovind Singh Rana, President of the Rajasthan Association Germany, who has been actively participating in election campaigns, extending his support to the CDU candidate in Cologne.

In a significant move to bolster the Indo-German relationship, Ranaji recently had the honor of meeting Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Hendrik Wüst, and engaged in extensive discussions with Member of Bundestag (MP) Serap Güler and CDU Köln Chairwoman Teresa De Bellis-Olinger. Their discussions centered on enhancing the integration process for Indian students and professionals in Germany, promoting skilled worker migration, and furthering Indo-German business partnerships to benefit both nations.

Hargovind Singh Rana  said beyond fostering cultural and economic exchanges, has consistently supported the Indian community in times of need. Whether assisting with passport issues, cases of death abroad, repatriation, or providing emergency support, I am there as a pillar of strength for the Indian diaspora in Germany.

A key advocate for promoting Rajasthan as a prime destination for investment and tourism, working closely with the Rajasthan Foundation. During the recent Rising Rajasthan event, he extended a warm welcome to the Hon’ble Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharmaji and Deputy CM Diya Kumariji during their visit to Germany, further solidifying Rajasthan’s ties with the German business community.

Bobby Deol Joins IIFA’s Silver Jubilee: Celebrating 25 Glorious Years of Indian Cinema!

  

Jaipur. The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend & Awards proudly unveils its historic Silver Jubilee edition, a landmark celebration honouring 25 years of Indian cinema’s global legacy. Set to take place from March 8th to 9th, 2025, in the enchanting Pink City of Jaipur, Rajasthan, this milestone event promises an extraordinary fusion of cinematic artistry and cultural heritage.

Bobby Deol on Attending IIFA’s Silver Jubilee Spectacle commented, “IIFA has always been more than just an awards night—it’s a celebration of the magic of Indian cinema and the deep bond we share with fans across the globe.

Over the years, it has been an incredible journey—not just as an actor but also as a performer, sharing unforgettable moments on IIFA’s global stage. Being part of IIFA’s historic 25-year celebration is truly special, as it marks a milestone in honouring Indian cinema’s worldwide legacy. I look forward to celebrating this grand occasion in Jaipur, Rajasthan, with fans and industry peers, making it yet another unforgettable chapter in IIFA’s spectacular journey.

Every year, IIFA brings together the emotions, memories, and passion that make our industry so special. For me, it has been an incredible journey—not just as an actor, but as a performer who has cherished every moment on this grand stage.

Being part of IIFA’s historic 25-year celebration is truly an honour. This milestone is a testament to the global love for Indian cinema, and I feel privileged to witness and contribute to its legacy. I can't wait to celebrate this Silver Jubilee Spectacle in Jaipur, Rajasthan, surrounded by my fans and industry family. It promises to be a night filled with nostalgia, joy, and unforgettable moments—one that I will cherish forever."

Mark your calendars for this iconic celebration of Indian cinema and global artistry in the heart of Jaipur, Rajasthan.