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Jacqueliene Fernandez named 'Most Beautiful Vegetarian Celebrity' by PETA

In a delightful announcement, Jacqueliene Fernandez and Riteish Deshmukh have been honoured with the title of Most Beautiful Vegetarian Celebrity by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India. The popular actress, known for her roles in numerous Bollywood hits, has long been an advocate for animal rights and a staunch supporter of a vegetarian lifestyle. "Drum roll, please. @jacquelienefernandez and @riteishd are PETA India’s Most Beautiful Vegetarian Celebrities of 2024! Thank you for leading the way for animal rights by the adoption of animals in need on the streets or in shelters and encouraging meat-free meals respectively," PETA India said on Instagram. The actress expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, “I am thrilled to receive this honour. Being a vegetarian is not just about personal health; it’s about making a positive impact on our planet and its inhabitants.” Jacqueliene has been vocal about her choice to embrace a meat-free diet, often sharing her favourite vegetarian recipes and promoting plant-based eating through her social media platforms. "From acting to animal rights activism, Jacqueliene Fernandez and Riteish Deshmukh have proven to be real superstars," says PETA India Vice President of Celebrity and Public Relations Sachin Bangera. “PETA India is delighted to honour them for showing the world that kindness to animals is the most beautiful quality of all." Riteish Deshmukh promotes vegan eating and has even co-founded a vegan meat company with his wife Genelia. The company, Imagine Meats, has previously won PETA India’s Best Vegan Meat award for its tasty “chicken” nuggets. The company has gained widespread attention for its delicious plant-based alternatives, offering options to promote cruelty-free eating.            View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by OfficialPETAIndia (@petaindia) Jacqueliene Fernandez has used her star power to support PETA India, notably with the #FreeGajraj campaign that led to the rescue of an elephant chained for over 50 years. She advocates for adopting shelter dogs, promotes veganism, and has starred in campaigns against angora wool and horse-drawn carriages. Jacqueliene Fernandez recently made her Hollywood debut with Kill em all 2. She has also been busy shooting for the most awaited comedy franchise film Housefull 5 in London for a month-long schedule.

14 October,2024 06:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Riteish Deshmukh

Riteish Deshmukh is the ‘most beautiful vegetarian celebrity’ of 2024

In recognition of his compassionate lifestyle and efforts to promote sustainable lifestyle, Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh has been named the 'Most Beautiful Vegetarian Celebrity' of 2024 by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India. Known for his charismatic presence on screen, Riteish has equally made waves off-screen through his advocacy for animals and ethical choices. A passionate advocate for plant-based living, Deshmukh, who follows a plant-based lifestyle, co-founded 'Imagine Meats' with his wife and actress Genelia Deshmukh. The company has gained widespread attention for its delicious plant based  alternatives, offering options to promote cruelty-free eating. The brand's vegan "chicken" nuggets were previously awarded PETA India’s Best Vegan Meat award, cementing its reputation in the world of compassionate food. Riteish Deshmukh on his vegetarian lifestyle  Speaking about his commitment to animal welfare and the environment, Deshmukh said, “Living a cruelty-free lifestyle is not only about helping animals but also about protecting our planet. With every plant-based meal, we make a positive impact, and it's something we can all contribute to. I also take a moment to appreciate the effort PETA is putting to create awareness regarding a cruelty-free living not only for our environment but also inculcating compassion in our minds to become a better human being.”  In addition to his culinary ventures, Riteish uses his platform to promote the benefits of sustainable living and compassion towards animals. Through his social media and interviews, he continues to inspire millions of people to embrace vegan choices. Deshmukh's efforts are not just about diet; they are also about reshaping perspectives on animal welfare and reducing harm to the environment. “From his work in films to his animal rights advocacy, Riteish Deshmukh has consistently proven himself to be a compassionate superstar,” said Sachin Bangera, Vice President of Celebrity and Public Relations at PETA India. "By choosing kindness in every aspect of his life, Riteish is showing that the most beautiful thing about a person is how they treat others – including animals," he further added. On the work front, the actor is currently filming for Housefull 5 with Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Chunky Panday, Jacqueliene Fernandez and others. 

11 October,2024 08:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
'Kantara' actor Rishab Shetty celebrated World Wildlife Week

'Kantara' fame Rishab Shetty participates in Widlife Week's Walkathon

National Award-winning actor Rishab Shetty has set a remarkable example of success with 'Kantara'. Shetty created a film featuring an immensely captivating story from the heartlands of India, which not only showcases the culture and traditions of the country but also imparts a valuable lesson about the importance of forests and the need for conservation. Moreover, Shetty did not just spread awareness about forest conservation on screen, he also practiced it in real life. He took part in the inaugural ceremony of the 70th World Wildlife Week Walkathon from Cubbon Park to Lalbagh in Bengaluru. Taking time from his busy schedule, Shetty participated in the walkathon and urged people to preserve and protect forests and wildlife. During the event’s inauguration, Shetty stated, "It is the responsibility of all of us to protect forest wealth, and our film 'Kantara' also emphasised the importance of forest conservation and coexistence with wildlife." Along with Shetty, forest officials, conservationists, experts, and nature lovers participated in the walkathon organised by the Karnataka Forest Department as part of the 70th Wildlife Week from Cubbon Park to Lalbagh. Forest Minister Khandre urges people to conserve biodiversity Referring to the Western Ghats ecosystem that passes through Karnataka, Minister Khandre stated, "Encompassing a large forest area spread across 11 districts of Karnataka, the Western Ghats are hailed as a biodiversity hotspot in the world and home to several endemic species of flora and fauna. It is imperative to spread this message for the greater well-being of all of us." 70th World Wildlife Week being celebrated across the country A variety of events are lined up across the country for the 70th Wildlife Week. Wildlife Week will be celebrated from October 2 to 8 at Visakhapatnam’s Indira Gandhi Zoological Park. The events target audiences across age groups. Children will participate in drawing competitions on the theme of Mother Nature. Similarly, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur is set to host a series of activities specifically aimed at students, including ‘Best out of Waste,’ ‘Shine a Light on Zoo Animals,’ drawing and poster-making competitions, and extempore speech contests for Wildlife Week 2024. Rishab Shetty's upcoming projects On the work front, Shetty is currently focused on delivering a divine experience with the highly anticipated 'Kantara: Chapter 1'. Additionally, he is in discussions with Bollywood director Ashutosh Gowariker regarding a potential collaboration.

03 October,2024 01:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Meryl Streep. Pic/AFP

"Squirrel has more rights than a girl..": Meryl Streep highlights women's condit

Actor Meryl Streep highlighted the condition of women in Afghanistan during a discussion held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. She said that a "squirrel has more rights than a girl in Afghanistan today", reported The Washington Post. "Today in Kabul a female cat has more freedoms than a woman. A cat may go sit on her front stoop and feel the sun on her face. She may chase a squirrel into the park," Streep said at the event focused on women's rights in Afghanistan. "A squirrel has more rights than a girl in Afghanistan today because the public parks have been closed to women and girls," she added. "The Taliban, which took over the country after the United States withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, had previously introduced rules restricting women's rights, such as a ban on women and girls attending school above the sixth grade. However, the regime had not fully enforced them in urban areas and had portrayed the new regulations as temporary", as per The Washington Post. Streep highlighted the severe restrictions, saying, "A bird may sing in Kabul, but a girl may not, and a woman may not in public." "The international community, as a whole, if it came together, could effect change in Afghanistan and stop the slow suffocation of ... half the population," Streep added. Taliban have attempted to partially defend their new laws by claiming they are intended to safeguard women. The regime has recently begun tightening down on men, with morality police visiting mosques and inspecting for those who haven't grown beards. Long before the Taliban came to power, Afghanistan granted women the right to vote in 1919, a year before the United States. It opened its first schools for girls in 1921, according to The Washington Post. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

25 September,2024 07:19 AM IST | Washington | ANI
Sanjana Sanghi

'Our voice matters': Sanjana Sanghi makes powerful cry for change at UN Summit

Sanjana Sanghi has been named the Youth Champion for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in India. Taking her role seriously, she attended the UN Summit of the Future Action Days in New York on Saturday. Sanjana Sanghi's powerful message for the youth at UN Summit           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by UN Development Programme (@undp) The theme for Day 1 was “#YouthLead for the Future: We believe in the promise of a better world for all.” Speaking at the summit, Sanjana Sanghi emphasized how important it is for young people to drive positive change in society. She said, “All we ask is for a seat at the tables of change. All we ask is to be given genuine opportunities of engagement, whether it is in the private sector, in the government, at the United Nations or in academia. All we ask is for our voices to be heard because we matter and our voice matters. All we ask is to be given the opportunity to be the change that we wish to see in this world.” Sanjana Sanghi teaches underprivileged kids  From her college days back in 2014, Sanjana Sanghi has been dedicated to empowering the next generation through grass-roots work in education alleviation. Upholding her role as Teach For India’s Hope Empowerer, she recently led an inspiring class for underprivileged students in Mumbai on the occasion of Teacher's Day, continuing her mission of highlighting the true power of education and preparing them to be future leaders. Sharing a video on Instagram she wrote, “Unboxing Fears, Chasing Hopes & Dreams. That our future is in the bright and able hands of these little dynamites of our country, makes me go to sleep with a smile. Over the past 10 years of working with children at the grassroots level to focus on education both within and beyond the classroom, I come out with only one thought, every time. 'Today, I learned so much more than I could ever teach them'." Sanjana Sanghi on the life lessons she’s picked on over the years  As the students remained gripped by the class Sanjana had designed for them, Sanghi shared, “Education goes far beyond what we study in our classrooms and textbooks, it involves a holistic understanding of our own potential, and being empowered with the tools to exploit it. Having gone through the journey of being a self-made individual navigating a complex career, it is often the most unexpected lessons from my classrooms that have been my crutch in the toughest of times. Being able to break down certain life lessons and aid these leaders of tomorrow in unboxing their fears and chasing their hopes and dreams, is a true honor and privilege.”

21 September,2024 09:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rani Mukerji Pic/Instagram

Rani Mukerji to illuminate Bandra-Worli Sea Link in red for cancer awareness

Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji is partnering with the renowned charity organization Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) on the occasion of World Rose Day. Rani will illuminate the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in Mumbai in red to spread awareness of cancer on this day. She will be joined by young cancer patients for this landmark event.  Rani Mukerji on spreading cancer awareness Rani says, “I’m truly humbled to support this important cause and I thank the Cancer Patients Aid Association for choosing me to be a part of such a noble mission. Those suffering from this need all our support and compassion and we must all take part to be educated about cancer. I hope this activity plays an important role in spreading awareness.” She adds, “As actors, we get so much unconditional love from our viewers. It also makes us responsible to stand up and do our bit whenever needed. I truly believe that actors must use their voices to spread as much awareness as possible for issues that are critical like cancer. We must foster an environment of compassion for those suffering from cancer and for the families of those going through the journey with such patients. Initiatives like these are important to drive home such messages.” In addition to illuminating the sea link, Rani Mukerji will also present roses and gifts to the children participating in the event. World Rose Day commemorates the memory of 12-year-old Melinda Rose from Canada, who was diagnosed with Askin’s Tumor, a rare blood cancer. Rani Mukerji’s work front As Rani Mukerji starrer 'Mardaani' completed 10 years last month, the makers the next chapter of the franchise. 'Mardaani', a 2014 action thriller film was directed by Pradeep Sarkar and produced by Aditya Chopra. The film stars Rani Mukerji, with Jisshu Sengupta, Tahir Raj Bhasin and Saanand Verma. It was followed by a sequel titled 'Mardaani 2' in 2019. 'Mardaani 2' was written and directed by Gopi Puthran. In the ‘Mardaani’ film series, Rani Mukerji portrays Shivani Shivaji Roy, a tough, daring police officer who always defends the moral high ground and administers justice with great bravery.

19 September,2024 04:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Amruta Fadnavis with Ayushmann Khurrana

Ayushmann Khurrana cleans up Mumbai's Versova beach after Ganesh Visarjan

Divyaj Foundation, in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Police, has successfully concluded its annual “Sea Shore Shine” beach clean-up initiative a day after Ananta Chaturdashi. The event, held on the city's popular shores of Versova Beach, aimed to promote the importance of eco-friendly Ganesh Murtis and encourage community participation in environmental conservation. The drive saw a tremendous turnout of Mumbai's youth, who actively participated in cleaning the beaches and raising awareness about maintaining clean and sustainable public spaces. The initiative underscores the collective effort required to preserve Mumbai's natural beauty and foster a culture of environmental responsibility. Amruta Fadnavis says sea shores are precious  Amruta Fadnavis, emphasized the significance of public involvement, stating, “Today’s success is a testament to what we can achieve when the community comes together with a shared vision for a cleaner environment. Our sea shores are a precious resource, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they are preserved for future generations.” Ayushmann Khurrana attends beach clean-up  The event was honored by the presence of several dignitaries including BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, Minister of Tourism Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Rahul Narwekar, Bharati Lavekar, Niranjan Hiranandani, Sukhraj Nahar, Mazhar Nadiadwala, Mahaveer Jain, Mickey Mehta, Rahul Vaidya, and Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana. The “Sea Shore Shine” initiative marks a significant step towards making Mumbai a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable city. Divyaj Foundation is committed to continuing such efforts and inspiring communities to take active roles in environmental preservation. Ayushmann Khurrana’s work front  Ayushmann Khurrana is reportedly teaming up with director Anees Bazmee for a horror comedy titled ‘Bhootiyapa’. He has also bagged his first film with Karan Johar. Co-produced by Guneet Monga, the yet-untitled project is said to be a spy comedy helmed by Aakash Kaushik. The makers are in talks with Sara Ali Khan to play the leading lady. Besides that, Ayushmann and Rashmika Mandanna will be seen in ‘Vampires of Vijay Nagar’. Director Aditya Sarpotdar of ‘Munjya’ fame will kick off the horror comedy’s shoot in Mumbai in the first week of October. 

18 September,2024 05:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Amitabh Bachchan. Pic/AFP

Big B shares powerful messages on 'Clean India' and ‘Beti Bachao’ campaigns

Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan took to his social media platform and shared two important social messages for the society.  Taking to his photo-sharing platform Instagram, the 'Kaala Patthar' actor shared two video reels in a span of 11 minutes. The first video was captioned in Marathi, "Mee Kachra Karnaar Naahi (I won't litter)." T 5136(i) - मी कचरा करणार नहीं .. pic.twitter.com/305jcwUEqF — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) September 17, 2024 The first video started as, "Namaskar main hoon Amitabh Bachchan, Mee kachra karnaar naahi, main kachra nahi karunga Dhanyawaad (Hello I am Amitabh Bachchan, I won't litter. Thank you)." The next video shared by the 'Aks' actor was based on one of the most important social messages of Indian society which is related to the 'Beti Bachao' campaign. Big B captioned, "Beti bann ke aana (Come as a daughter)." T 5136(ii) - Beti bann ke aana .. pic.twitter.com/EvwDZXZ0en — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) September 17, 2024 The video starts with a baby shower of a woman in which one lady enters and says, "Lalla aane waala hai, lalla." The video later takes a shift to the narration of a woman's conversation with her about to be born daughter. It starts as, "Koi mujhse baat karta hai toh pet mein chhupke toh nahi sunnti ho. Koi mujhse kehta Hai beta hoga toh dil par toh nahi leti ho (If someone talks to me, don't listen to it while hiding in the stomach. Someone tells me that if I have a son then don't take it to heart)." She continues, "Dekho inn suni sunaaii baaton par mat jaana, tumhe maa ne maanga hai ye mat bhool jana, tum aana toh beti banke aana (Look, don't go by these hearsays, don't forget that your mother has asked you to come as a daughter)." With a background music narration continues as, "Tumhe paane ke liye kitni mannatein maangi hai, mandir ki seedhiyaan chadhti hoon, bhagwaan ko beta sunne ki aadat hai isliye baar-baar kehti hoon tumhe koi nahi chahta ab ye bahana mat banana, tum aana toh beti banke aana and ends with mother's beautiful smile (How much worship I have done to get you, went to the stairs of a temple, God has the habit of listening to a son, that is why I say this to you again and again, you don't make this excuse anymore, come as a daughter)." For the unversed, Amitabh Bachchan has been the brand ambassador of several initiatives that are related to cleanliness and the birth and education of daughters. The 'Sooryavansham' actor was announced as the face of the 'City Compost' campaign under the Swacch Bharat Mission in the year 2016. Big B is also the brand ambassador of the government's 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' initiative. On the work front, the 'Satte Pe Satta' actor was last seen in the Nag Ashwin directorial 'Kalki 2898 AD' opposite Deepika Padukone and Prabhas. The sci-fi thriller also featured Kamal Haasan, Disha Patani, Shobhana and Saswata Chatterjee in crucial roles. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

18 September,2024 09:15 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
In Pic: Ayushmann Khurrana

Times Ayushmann Khurrana moved us with his words

Be it with his movies or with his words, Ayushmann Khurrana has made sure to send important social messages in impactful ways. Ayushmann, who is an amazing singer, speaks volumes whenever he uses his pen as a weapon. Whether talking about the horror of the recent Kolkata rape and murder incident or discussing men in general, Ayushmann has raised his voice whenever it’s needed. Here are some of Ayushmann Khurrana's most loved poems: Kaash Mein Bhi Ladka Hoti This heart-wrenching poem by Ayushmann Khurrana has left many of us teary-eyed. The actor released this poem after the recent Kolkata rape case. In his words, he addresses the struggles of being born as a girl in this nation. He expresses the wish of a girl to be born male to live without the fear of something wrong happening to her.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) Zinda Hoon Mein This poem emerged when Ayushmann Khurrana spoke about providing a safe, happy, and healthy childhood to every child. In his poetic composition, the actor stated that a person is alive only as long as their childhood is alive. Through this beautiful poem, he emphasizes the need to build a safe space for children.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) Ardhanirmit During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ayushmann Khurrana wrote a lot of poetry, and one fine day, he decided to release 'Ardhanirmit', a poem that makes you question your entire existence. The actor reflects on how everything is only half-made and how we hope to build something new every day while never fully satisfying ourselves with anything.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) Asli Mard On the occasion of Men’s Day, Ayushmann Khurrana released one of his finest poems, and we are still in awe of it. The actor shares his idea of what an ideal man should be, and many of us agree with him. In his words, Ayushmann explains what it means to be a real man—not one who does not feel pain or someone who shouts, but rather someone who calls out when he sees something wrong happening. Ek Ladki Aisi Hai Jo Bachpan Mein Badi Ho Gayee Ayushmann uploaded a video on social media in which he recited his own poem titled 'Ek Ladki Aisi Hai Jo Bachpan Mein Badi Ho Gayee'. The poem addresses girls who are unable to attend school and are burdened with responsibilities at a young age, often being married off before reaching adulthood. This poem will definitely make you emotional and wrench your heart as you reflect on the harsh reality of our society, even in this century.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) The above-mentioned poems are just a few of many written by Ayushmann. These poems, with their simple yet strong thoughts, challenge the orthodox society that tries to suppress men and women and molds them to fit its standards. About Ayushmann Khurrana's work front Meanwhile, on the work front, Ayushmann will be seen in ace director Meghna Gulzar's new film 'Daayra'. The film will be produced by Junglee Pictures. However, an official announcement regarding the project is still awaited. Ayushmann Khurrana is also reportedly teaming up with director Anees Bazmee for a horror comedy titled ‘Bhootiyapa’

13 September,2024 09:21 PM IST | Mumbai
Sanjana Sanghi Pic/Instagram

On Teacher’s Day, Sanjana Sanghi conducts a class for underprivileged kids

From her college days back in 2014, Sanjana Sanghi has been dedicated to empowering the next generation through grass-roots work in education alleviation. Upholding her role as Teach For India’s Hope Empowerer, she recently led an inspiring class for underprivileged students in Mumbai on the occasion of Teacher's Day, continuing her mission of highlighting the true power of education and preparing them to be future leaders.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Sanjana Sanghi (@sanjanasanghi96) Sanjana Sanghi teaches underprivileged kids  Sharing a video on Instagram she wrote, “Unboxing Fears, Chasing Hopes & Dreams. That our future is in the bright and able hands of these little dynamites of our country, makes me go to sleep with a smile. Over the past 10 years of working with children at the grassroots level to focus on education both within and beyond the classroom, I come out with only one thought, every time. 'Today, I learned so much more than I could ever teach them'." Sanjana Sanghi on the life lessons she’s picked on over the years  As the students remained gripped by the class Sanjana had designed for them, Sanghi shared, “Education goes far beyond what we study in our classrooms and textbooks, it involves a holistic understanding of our own potential, and being empowered with the tools to exploit it. Having gone through the journey of being a self-made individual navigating a complex career, it is often the most unexpected lessons from my classrooms that have been my crutch in the toughest of times. Being able to break down certain life lessons and aid these leaders of tomorrow in unboxing their fears and chasing their hopes and dreams, is a true honor and privilege.” As UNDP India’s Youth Champion, Sanjana has consistently been at the forefront of innovative campaigns aimed at educating and empowering youth. Whether through her upskilling workshops or by leading classes for Teach For India students, Sanghi has always dedicated her time and efforts to educating and inspiring the younger generation. Sanjana Sanghi’s acting front  Sanjana made her acting debut with ‘Dil Bechara’. Directed by Mukesh Chhabra in his directorial debut, 'Dil Bechara' is a poignant coming-of-age tragedy romance that captivated audiences worldwide. Released directly on OTT platforms in 2020, the film holds special significance as the last cinematic portrayal of the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. She has also worked in films like 'Dhak Dhak' and 'Kadak Singh'. 

05 September,2024 06:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Randeep Hooda

Randeep Hooda Birthday 2024: A champion of social causes

Randeep Hooda is a man of wears many hats. While he is most popularly known for his acting skills, he is known to have many more interests. Over the years, Randeep has used his celebrity status to be the voice of many social causes. As he turns a year older on August 20, we take a look at the causes Randeep Hooda has been the face of. Randeep Hooda has used the power of words to express his thoughts on various social issues. He had once contributed to 'In The Script', a column published by Asian Correspondent as a guest writer. His article titled "Racism against Indians in Australia ..." discussed the violence against Indians in Australia controversy. The actor penned down his personal experience in Australia, where he was subjected to racial discrimination. In the article, he wrote, "My experiences were not in my mind incidents of racial discrimination but more a challenge of an individual assertion of mental and physical superiority". In conclusion, he wrote, "The point is to get tough inside out, play a sport apart from cricket, have heart and stand up in unity and say 'we'll not take shit'. All it needs is a few pioneers and I'm proud to say that I tried [and will continue to do so] and I hope a few others do that too." In 2011, Hooda began writing a blog for Hindustan Times. In September 2010, Hooda and Jackky Bhagnani appeared in a charity fashion show for Khushi, Kapil Dev's NGO to improve poor communities in India. The following year, Hooda raised public awareness of chronic hunger in India. He presented a video to the cast and crew of Jism 2, who shared it on their social media accounts. In December 2012, Hooda participated in an anti-suicide initiative with Imtiaz Ali, Rahul Bose, Mahesh Bhupati, and Nishikant Kamath. Hooda, who had failed Class 12, said, "Don't accept defeat. Fight back adversities. Failure is a myth. Every experience is a just fodder for the future. Suicide doesn't solve the problem, It ends you." Not many in Bollywood can boast of equestrian leanings, but Randeep Hooda can. He is known for his fondness of horses and has quite a few number of horses in a stable in the city. Needless to say, Hooda makes sure they are taken care of. Randeep has been a regular horse rider since his school days.On being asked about his equestrian association, the Jat boy has a philosophical reason. Randeep believes the unwritten laws applied to acting and horse-riding are similar in nature. "In both fields, the principles are the same. As an actor, you have to draw a parallel with the subject at hand and become the character you're playing. Similarly, while riding a horse, you and the horse become one and the connection created helps in making the ride a much smoother one," he said.  While he admitted that he cannot claim to be a champion for animal causes, he does love them and hates to watch them suffer. And somehow, Hooda has had many encounters with animals in distress. He picked up one injured stray dog one day and now it's his pet. Likewise, Randeep has treated many wounded birds including an eagle, which was just about to be sold.  

20 August,2024 08:00 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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