Rilek1Corner

Tag: race

  • Rishi Budhrani: Dismissing Shrey Bhagarva’s Point Only Proves Him Right

    Rishi Budhrani: Dismissing Shrey Bhagarva’s Point Only Proves Him Right

    ——–

    Producer: So Rishi, we wanna cast you in a comedy sketch about a modern-day entrepreneur.

    Me: Ok, interesting. Tell me more.

    P: So, the business idea is that he sells
    nuts.

    Me: Nuts?

    P: Yea, like peanuts, groundnuts, some
    Sugar-coated chickpeas etc.

    Me: Ok.

    P: And, he goes into the heartlands to sell these.

    Me: Ok.

    P: And he keeps moving from block to block selling these nuts.

    Me: Keeps moving?

    P: Yea, cos he sells the products out of a pushcart mah.

    Me: Ok.

    P: And as people go around, he calls out to them to asks them to buy his nuts.

    Me: So, he sells peanuts out of a push cart, and calls out to customers to buy his peanuts?

    P: Ya ya ya!

    Me: Are you asking me to play a kacang putih man?

    P: YAA!! It’s damn funny hor!!

    ——–

    The issue of minority typecasting is prevalent in showbiz all over the world.

    Prevalent does not mean correct.
    Is it with malicious racial intent?
    Perhaps not.
    Is it borne out of ignorance?
    Perhaps.
    Is that an excuse? Definitely not.
    Is it a reality? Most definitely.

    I’ve discussed this issue openly on stage and online, and I’m sure most actors who do comedy, like Haresh Tilani from SG and Vivek Mahbubani from HK, have addressed it in some way or the other. But since it’s done through comedy, maybe people find it easier to digest these perspectives, OR maybe since it’s part of a comedy routine, they take it less seriously.

    From his posts about this event, it seems like it was an epiphany for the actor, and probably an important one, that as actors, we all have a threshold and there are some roles you won’t do cos it doesn’t agree with your beliefs/principles and you feel that performing the character does more harm than good to yourself and your community. And It sounds like he has found that clarity of truth and choice, which are not just cornerstones of playing convincing characters, they are also the building blocks of being a human being.

    An actor from a minority group in Singapore shared his discomfort and discontent about an audition and more importantly, if we can all pay attention, the state of affairs of minority representation in the media in Singapore.

    Agree with him, or disagree with him, but please, let’s not vilify him or digress from
    the issue he has raised by personally attacking him.

    By doing any of those two things, we are doing nothing but proving the point- that the voice of the minority, whichever accent it may be in, will be drowned out if it’s not in agreement with the majority.

    ———

    Me: Are you asking me to play a kacang putih man?

    P: YAA!! It’s damn funny hor!!

    Me: An Indian Kacang Putih seller as a stock character would’ve been hilarious in 1985.
    But it’s not anymore. Cos it’s 2017.

     

    Source: Rishi Budhrani

  • Police Question Actor Shrey Bhargava After Reports Lodged Over Viral FB Post

    Police Question Actor Shrey Bhargava After Reports Lodged Over Viral FB Post

    Freelance actor Shrey Bhargava – whose Facebook post on his experience auditioning for local film Ah Boys To Men 4 (ABTM4) had gone viral and sparked widespread debate – had been questioned by the police over reports lodged concerning him.

    In response to TODAY’s queries, the 21-year-old confirmed that he met with officers at the Tanglin Police Division on Wednesday (May 31) and was questioned on “the intentions behind (his) post”, among other things.

    He said: “Yes, I was called by the (police) for questioning. I was informed there that there were police reports made. I was not informed for what or by whom, that was kept confidential.”

    Mr Bhargava said the police told him “not to worry about anything as I had done nothing wrong”, but also advised him to “be cautious about what I post online as people may misinterpret me and my intentions to my detriment”. He was also advised to contact the police if hate speech and abusive comments against him worsen.

    “The Investigation Officer and I agreed that I am absolutely against racial violence of any sort and, instead, was only seeking a healthy and productive discussion for the betterment of Singapore’s media landscape and society. Specifically, I wanted Singaporeans to engage in dialogue regarding the inclusion of minorities in the media, as well as to tackle the issue of casual racism in order to create a more inclusive and harmonious Singapore,” he said.

    ABTM4 will be jointly produced by J Team Productions and MM2 Entertainment, and directed by Jack Neo.

    Approached by the media, J Team Productions had issued a statement saying that the casting director was testing Mr Bhargava on his “versatility” as an actor, and had asked him to perform the scene in various ways, including one as a “full blown Indian man”.

    However, Mr Bhargava disputed this: “This is not true. I was asked to do the scene only twice. The first time I did without direction. The second time, I did after being given the direction ‘be more Indian’ and to do it again as a ‘full-blown Indian man’… The J Team’s statement has misrepresented the facts… It has painted me in a damaging and deceptive light. It seems as though I over-reacted, or worse, that I lied.”

    Contrary to its claims, the J Team had failed to test for versatility, Mr Bhargava argued. “Instead, they defined for me what being Indian ought to mean and that is the crux of the matter… What did they mean by “Be more Indian”? Do they have a premeditated idea of what it means?… And why is being ‘more Indian’ supposed to be ‘funny’,” he questioned.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • An Open Invitation For Non-Muslims To Fast For A Day

    An Open Invitation For Non-Muslims To Fast For A Day

    Ramadhan is coming in about two weeks. I hope my Muslim brothers and sisters can introduce Ramadhan, and its significance in Islam (and why Muslims are markedly nicer in this month, if only in this month!) to our friends from other (or no) faiths.

    In fact, I suggest we encourage the people we know to try out fasting for a day. If nothing else, just to get the multiracial experience.

    For my friends, those who wish to try fasting for a day (or more), please inform me and you have an open invitation to my place for the breaking of fast on that day(s).

     

    Source: Walid J.Abdullah

  • Epigram Books Illustrated Handbooks On Singapore’s Main Races Received Mixed Responses Online

    Epigram Books Illustrated Handbooks On Singapore’s Main Races Received Mixed Responses Online

    Epigram Books came under the spotlight earlier this month for a series of illustrated handbooks released by the independent local publisher.

    Authored by Edmund Wee, the founder of Epigram Books, ‘The Understanding Singaporeans’ series consists of four illustrated handbooks. Each handbook contains 20 questions, with answers as well as useful tips, to some of the most asked questions young Singaporeans have revolving around the country’s four main races.

    According to Epigram, the four-book bundle, each representing one ethnic community within the country, was produced with one thought in mind – “How do we respond to the most awkward questions children ask?”

    Readers on the publisher’s Facebook page however, pointed out the misrepresentation between the races and its customs.

    One netizen, Sharifah Husin, said, “The titles should be “Why do Hindus dot their foreheads?” and “Why do Muslims avoid Pork?”. However, since the series is meant to focus on practices unique to each of the four races, a clear understanding of the difference between race and religion must be ensured before publishing the books. Incorrect information transmitted will mislead readers, especially children, who would like to learn more. For example, Non-Hindu Indians do not dot their foreheads, while Non-Muslim Malays do not don the Hijab.”

    While others appreciated the efforts put forth by Epigram Books on “opening a dialogue between races”, some also echoed Sharifah’s sentiments, pointing out that not all Indians are Hindus, and only Hindu women wear ‘bindis’ on their forehead.

    Epigram Books was quick to issue a response, clearing the air and explaining their choice of words for the titles and questions asked from the four-series book.

    Since the beginning of their promotions for the book series, Epigram has been receiving queries about their choice of titles, the publisher explained.

    “To be honest, we had very much the same concerns while debating the merits of these titles. To alleviate those concerns, we made sure to run through the books’ content through various focus groups sourced from representative ethnic communities and associations to ensure that any sensitivities are adequately addressed,” Epigram said, in a post.

    They had picked the titles that best represented “what our children can best relate to and most likely ask, not to mention that they would also grab the attention of adults enough to spark a much-needed conversation on race and religion”.

    Epigram agreed that the book, meant for children between 5- to 8-year-old, can only “scratch the surface of an otherwise complex topic” but they hope that it would be an opportunity for adults to address these “awkward” questions with more confidence.

    “We’d like to ask that you see the Understanding Singaporeans series with the eyes, mind and innocence of a child, so that you can understand how children might come up with these questions in the first place,” Epigram added.

    The series of illustrated books can be purchased from Epigram Books website.

     

    Source: www.theonlinecitizen.com

  • Seeing His Way Blocked,Frustrated Man Persistently Honked Outside Surau During Friday Prayers, Attacked By Mob

    Seeing His Way Blocked,Frustrated Man Persistently Honked Outside Surau During Friday Prayers, Attacked By Mob

    A 28-year-old man was injured and the car he that was driving, damaged, when he was attacked by several men outside a surau just after Friday prayers concluded at Taman Austin Perdana here today.

    Johor Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the 1.30pm incident occurred when the man found another car blocking his path and he started honking.

    “After that, a man appeared to move the car and the disgruntled driver honked the other man again as he was driving off.

    “Suddenly a group of men approached the first driver and started hitting him with their hands and helmet. The complainant’s vehicle was also damaged,” said Kamarul in a statement.

     

    Kamarul said a face-to-face meeting was conducted between the driver and members of the surau’s committee at the Setia Indah police station after incident

    “All parties involved have agreed to leave the matter for the police to investigate,” he said, adding the case was being investigated under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting.

    He said police are now tracing the people who attacked the man.

     

    Source: www.nst.com.my