Lifestyle FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015 Salman Khan walks free from 2002 hit and run case

he Bombay High Court has acquitted the common man thinks.” The High Court said Bollywood star Salman Khan of all that the prosecution could not prove that Tcharges in a long-running hit and run Khan was driving the vehicle and that he was case. In Sept 2002, a vehicle owned by Khan, under the influence of alcohol. The court also with him in it, ran over pavement dwellers in decided that the testimony of key witness, Mumbai, killing one and injuring four. After a Khan’s former bodyguard Ravindra Patil who protracted hearing process, a lower court was also in the car, was “not wholly reliable.” found Khan guilty and sentenced him to five Patil died in 2007. years imprisonment in May this year. Khan The prosecution can appeal the decision sought and was granted bail and appealed the and, if accepted, take the case to India’s high- decision. est court, the Supreme Court. Khan has had Reading out the verdict yesterday, the High two hit films in 2015. July release “Bajrangi Court judge said: “The decision of the trial Bhaijaan” collected $95 million worldwide and court is set aside. Salman Khan is acquitted of November release “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo” all charges. On the basis of evidences pro- $60 million. His next release is “Sultan” due in duced by the prosecution Salman Khan can- the 2016 Eid holiday frame. — Reuters not be convicted, no matter how differently Dubai Fest: Topper sees cinema as cultural bridge-builder with West bdulhamid Juma was part of the initial start of the art. But Emirati cinema is really team that founded the Dubai Intl. Film something new. Exactly. The Gulf is probably AFestival (DIFF) in 2004, and has been its the last frontier in filmmaking, in terms of chairman since 2006. An influential figure in being the absolute newcomer. Everywhere Arab cinema circles, Juma has shepherded else around the world they had already had the Dubai event to its current standing as a some sort of moviemaking experience. But in crucial Arab film industry driver amid shake- the Gulf we were really still only consuming ups in the Middle East festival landscape and cinema. We were bringing films in from out- also political turbulence and tragedy on the side, but not producing any. So we thought, global stage. Shortly after the Paris attacks he “Why don’t we start bringing filmmakers in, spoke to Variety about the role Dubai can with new ideas, with new filmmaking styles?” play going forward. It started as a need to tell our stories; to try to bring new commerce into the filmmaking, Variety: Simply put, can you tell me how and also from the business aspect because it’s the festival got started? a multi-billion dollar business. Abdulhamid Juma: One of the main rea- Indian Bollywood actor Salman Khan (center) walks from Bombay High Court in Mumbai sons for Dubai to think about a film festival in Variety: The Gulf, as I understand it, has yesterday, after being acquitted of culpable homicide. — AFP 2003 stemmed from 9/11. To create a bridge more of an oral culture than a visual cul- between East and West. After that devastat- ture. And ultimately that’s where the ing tragedy, people wanted to know more transformation is taking place, I think. Do about us, about the Arab world. And the you agree? interest really came from the West. We Juma: I think a lot has changed in the past 10 ‘Carol,’ Netflix lead thought Dubai is the best place to start this years. And Dubai was part of that change. To dialogue, but focusing not on politics, not on my knowledge until 1991 there were only 40 religion, but on culture and the medium of films, mostly shorts, produced in the UAE. But Golden Globes nominations film. We strongly believe film is one of the in the past five years, we have programmed strongest mediums to try to at least have a between 20 and 40 works by Emirati directors ominations for the 73rd annual Golden (“Crazy Ex Girlfriend”) landing nods. Also recog- conversation in different areas to understand in each edition. This year we have five feature Globes nominations were announced nized were Julia Louis-Dreyfus for “Veep,” this gap, what’s really going on and what films from Emirati directors in our program. Nyesterday morning with “Carol” leading Jamie Lee Curtis (“American Horror Story: went wrong. Funnily enough, after 12 years, That would have been a dream five years ago. the way with 5 nominations while Netflix had Hotel”) and Lily Tomlin for Netflix’s “Grace and (with the Paris attacks) we see ourselves We’ve come a long way, and this is only the a network high 8 mentions. “Carol,” the drama Frankie.” Best animated film honorees include today in the same situation, which means that beginning. And there are also more local film from Todd Haynes, saw nods for both of its “Anomolisa,” “The Good Dinosaur,” “Inside the festival is probably more important now funds directors can draw financing from, stars, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, while Out,” “The Peanuts Movie,” and “Shaun the than any other time in the past. Today we feel though perhaps still not enough. Haynes was also nominated for helming and Sheep Movie.” Awards watchers will look to stronger and more determined to keep going Yes, now you have Sanaad in Abu Dhabi, best pic. “The Revenant,” “Steve Jobs” and Thursday’s nominations to help crystalize an and keep sending this message: Let’s really you have Enjaaz in Dubai, the Doha Film “The Big Short” were close behind with four Oscar race that is viewed as wide open. Films defeat that negativity! Institute. There are a lot of funding entities in nods. Multiple TV shows landed three men- such as “Spotlight” and “Carol” have done well the Gulf, different doors a director can knock tions, including “American Crime,” “Fargo,” with critics groups, but the Screen Actors Guild Variety: What are some key aspects of this on. But you are right, it’s not enough yet. In “Mr Robot,” “Outlander” and “Transparent.” stunned prognosticators by ignoring major complex gap you are referring to, especial- Dubai we are missing a (major) film fund. And Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael contenders such as Will Smith (“Concussion”), ly as it relates to movies? we are working on one. I am pushing hard for Fassbender were nominated for Best Actor in Jennifer Lawrence (“Joy”), and Michael Keaton Juma: It’s really not just the misunder- that to happen in the next two or three years. a drama opposite Bryan Cranston (“Trumbo”), (“Spotlight”) in favor of performers such as standing by the West of the Muslim world; it’s Also, when I look at the Arab film industry I Will Smith for “Concussion” and Eddie Sarah Silverman (“I Smile Back”) and Helen also the reverse. Most of what we see in the really think the ego has to go out. If a film is Redmayne in “The Danish Girl.” Lady Gaga, Mirren (“Woman in Gold”) who were not Arab world, basically, is a lot of mainstream supported by the twofour54 or the Doha Film receiving her first nod, was nominated for FX’s expected to factor into the major awards. The Hollywood movies, which are entertaining. Institute, then we should really open up for “American Horror Story: Hotel,” which was Globes have deviated from the Oscars in their Car chases and cowboys. Fine, Ok. But we also this film and give it a platform. It doesn’t have also nominated for best TV miniseries. choices for Best Picture, handing out the top wanted to bring to our audiences the other to be only supported by me, otherwise I’m Amazon, after scoring its first Golden Globe at prizes to such films as “The Social Network” and side of Western-especially American-society. being really selfish, and don’t really want to last year’s ceremony, had two different series “Avatar,” which went on to lose the Academy Independent films; films that touch your soul help the Arab filmmakers. Abu Dhabi is the competing in the Best TV Comedy Series or Award. Last year, the Globes split the difference and start conversations. So when I say “create same country as Dubai, so let’s showcase their Musical category including “Mozart in the between front-runners. “Birdman,” which won a bridge,” I mean a bridge that goes both movies in Dubai. I’m working very closely Jungle” and “Transparent.” Hulu’s “Casual,” the Best Picture Oscar, won the Globes’ Best ways. On our side that means trying to with twofour54. And we have plenty of films Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black” and HBO’s Picture - Comedy prize, while “Boyhood” cap- enhance Arab filmmaking and prompt mak- supported by Doha. Yes, we compete in cer- “Veep” were also nommed. tured the Best Picture - Drama statue.—Reuters ing films about who we really are: for our- tain areas, but let’s also help filmmakers find The CW also scored early wins in the Best selves, but also for the West. That’s really their voices and show their films. — Reuters Actress in a Comedy series category, with Gina where the idea of the festival came from. Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”) and Rachel Bloom Arab cinema has been around from the