 Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh walked away from the NEXA 20th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards with two new accolades under his belt and made the exciting announcement that he will join Madame Tussauds’ A-List line-up next year!
Best known for his roles in films including Padmaavat and most recently Gully Boy, the Forbes India Celebrity 100 regular walked away with the Best Actor gong and Madame Tussauds of the Future Award. Adding to the night’s significance, the NEXA IIFAs glittering Homecoming Edition event, marking the illustrious awards ceremony’s 20th year, took place in Ranveer’s hometown of Mumbai. A star-studded audience of Indian cinema’s top talent – including Salman Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Madhuri Dixit, Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone – was there to see Ranveer accept his award and announce his upcoming figure. On accepting the Madame Tussauds of the Future Award Ranveer said: “Wow, I’m damn excited. This is amazing. I remember as a kid I used to be an encyclopaedia geek and they used to talk about this mythical place called Madame Tussauds…I was going through my Mum’s early pictures and I would say, ‘Mum, where did you get a picture with The Queen?’ and she would say, ‘that’s in Madame Tussauds London.’ Since childhood it’s always been a very mythical place for me so to be immortalised as a figure there is truly a very, very proud thing for me. “When my wife’s launch was happening my mother-in-law was like, ‘come on now, you have to work hard if you want a figure of you also.’ Mamma, we’re going to London!” Speaking to his wife, Deepika Padukone, from the stage, Ranveer added, “I’m going to figure out my pose, figure out my dress. It’s going to be you and me baby, husband and wife at Madame Tussauds London – boom baby.” Steve Davies, General Manager at Madame Tussauds London, said: “Ranveer is the first 2020 figure that we have announced and what a way to start! We’re privileged that Ranveer will be working closely with us to ensure the figure embodies his inimitable style and huge star power. “Ranveer visited our attraction earlier this year for the unveiling of Deepika Padukone’s figure. As Bollywood’s most in-demand couple it will come as no surprise that we’ve been inundated with requests for Ranveer’s figure to join his wife ever since!” The world-famous attraction is remaining tight lipped about details surrounding Ranveer’s figure until its arrival next year. The London launch will co-inside with the creation of a second figure for Madame Tussauds Singapore. Andre Timmins, Co-Founder-Director- Wizcraft International, added, “IIFA has always been at the forefront in promoting Indian cinema in various facets and has always endeavored to act in the best interest of the Indian Film Industry to build better avenues for community engagement, cultural exchange, business and trade, tourism and cinema ties. Since 2007, IIFA has been advocating the environmental agenda having launched the concept of ‘greening the IIFA’s’ with bright green carpets instead of traditional red ones to planting trees, to partnering with United Nations and multiple charity organisations to make a difference to our home, our world. We are thankful for the industry who has helped and supported us during our 20 year old journey that has made IIFA a global phenomenon. And for our homecoming edition we celebrate another successful year for IIFA and Indian cinema we are sure that it will be Magical memorable experience for all.” For tickets and information please visit www.madametussauds.com/London. ...ends...
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 All proceeds from Bhasha Mukherjee’s clothes will empower women to be prepared when faced with cyclones, flooding and other disasters.
Dr Bhasha Mukherjee, the first south Asian woman to be crowned Miss England, has donated the “Ellie Wilde” dress she wore for her entry photo to the Miss World pageant in December, as well as a number of other items, in support of women in one the most disaster-prone places on earth. The sleeveless designer gown has a plunging V-neck, sheer bodice with lace appliques and stone accents and is expected to raise a considerable amount at auction. All money raised from the sale of women’s clothes and accessories donated to British Red Cross charity shops before 31 March will go towards the It starts with her campaign, a UK-government backed drive to help women in slum communities in Barishal, Bangladesh. The women there battle poverty, violence and extreme weather but are fighting back with the help of British Red Cross programmes that help them to build their own and others’ livelihoods. Bhasha, 23, who is also a junior doctor, said: “For me, donating this dress is very special. The dress is from Ellie Wilde and it was one of the dresses that I wore on the cover of India’s Health Magazine, and that was a very empowering moment for me. “I am donating this dress to help empower other strong women living in disaster-prone communities in Bangladesh.” It starts with her will help women’s businesses to thrive, through training and small cash grants, so that they can earn enough money to support their families and build savings for the future – making them more resilient to cope with the everyday and during a crisis. “I’m not just supporting this because I speak Bengali or because I’m the first South Asian woman to be crowned as Miss England, I’m supporting this as a fellow woman. “I think it’s really important for other women in the UK to be supporting strong women on the other side of the world.” Joanne Castle, who volunteers at the British Red Cross shop in Highbury road, Nottingham, where Dr Bhasha donated her dress, said: “We are so grateful to Dr Bhasha for her generous donation, which will help us to support thousands of women in Bangladesh to build sustainable livelihoods. “As Bhasha’s dress is so valuable, we will be selling it by auction on our Ebay site, allowing us to raise the most money possible for the It starts with her campaign. “Between January and March, all money raised from the sale of women’s clothes in British Red Cross shops will go towards this campaign and will be doubled by the UK government. So by donating or buying clothes from our shops you can also help change lives." Zoe Abrams, Executive Director of Communications and Advocacy, British Red Cross said: “Our It starts with her appeal makes use of our 150 years of experience to help women in vulnerable communities be better prepared for when the worst happens. “When women come together, they are powerful and in the wake of a crisis that strength is needed more than ever. When it comes to picking up the pieces, rebuilding lives and creating a sustainable future that reaches every single corner of a community in the aftermath, it starts with her. Which is why we think building women’s resilience is worth investing in.” The campaign aims to raise £2m, which the UK Department of International Development (DIFD) will double to £4m through UK Aid Match. ENDS Notes to editor
 The Metropolitan Police has joined in collaboration with Streatham born Internet sensation, author and comedian Humza Arshad to visit London schools, engaging students to raise awareness of the effects that can be exploited and used to draw vulnerable people towards acts of violence.
Police Officers from the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command’s Local Operations team, together with Humza, will visit 16 schools across eight London boroughs to present and engage with pupils, aged 14 - 18 years’ old. The presentations outline a hard-hitting and thought provoking 12-minute film titled “HATE”. The film was developed in collaboration with Humza, the Metropolitan Police, and partners in YouTube with the final cut having been directed by, and starring Humza, who is known for his ‘Diary of a Badman’ series. “HATE” aims to address the themes of intolerance, gang violence, knife crime, acid attacks, gun crime and radicalisation and extremism in all its forms. Encompassing a broad spectrum of violent crimes and the consequences that come with it, currently affecting our communities. Following the film, Police Officers engage the audience to facilitate a discussion around the effects that “HATE” can have whilst also developing and raising awareness of the signs that a close friend or loved one may be being coerced into joining a gang or being radicalised by an extremist. Once these signs are identified then the appropriate signposting to support and guidance that is available can be discussed and shared in order to support understanding of those issues. Humza will also speak about his own life experiences, touching upon his own experience having a lost a friend to a knife attack in 2019, why he chose to work in partnership with the Police in developing this powerful and emotive film. After follows an opportunity for the students to engage both Humza and the Police in a Q&A session. Humza’s video will be uploaded on 10th February and made available on YouTube who have endorsed the product and have also invested in its production. A private link to HATE can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/385013632/b167e1572f Detective Superintendent Jane Corrigan, Metropolitan Police, said: “Whilst the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command is absolutely committed to tackling terrorism in all its forms we must also address the potential causes to a whole host of violent crimes.” “These presentations at schools are vital in supporting young people of an impressionable age to set their minds against the negative impact of hate and violence. This also reduces the impact of insidious individuals who would draw them into gangs, knife crime, intolerance, extremism and possibly terrorism. “Comedian Humza is incredibly popular online and influential with today’s youth and through working together we can ensure young people are less susceptible to being drawn into a life of violence.” “If you are worried about someone at risk of being groomed towards gangs, knife crime or radicalisation. Call your local police on 101.” Humza Arshad said: “I don’t think I’ve lived in such a divisive and dangerous time as what we’ve seen over the past year. From the mosque attacks in New Zealand to losing a friend to a knife attack a few weeks later, I’ve been affected by senseless violence. I’m pleased to partner again with the Police to address these topics head on with the same people that are most affected – young people. We’ve got work to do.” ...ENDS... |
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