Naxalism is not acceptable says Sunil

Sunil Shetty's RED ALERT- THE WAR WITHIN, which has won a lot of critical acclaim internationally, is all set to release on July 9. The actor is playing a farmer in the film, which takes up the sensitive issue of Naxalism.

Sunil says, "Naxalixm is an issue that will out beat every other problem that the country has. Poverty is acceptable but not Naxalism."

The actor went on to add, "Terrorists are people who come from outside to harm the nation. They can be stopped by the army, navy, air force etc. But when one member of your own family goes against you and you don't know about it, it can be the most dangerous thing. Naxalism is actually dividing the country into bits and pieces."

Sunil had a hard time shooting in the jungles of Arunachal Pradesh. "Shooting in the jungle was a task. It took two-three hours to bring in food. I had thorns in my body which came out after three months."

According to Sunil, RED ALERT has been one of his finest performances. "I have reached a new high with RED ALERT. If I get a better subject in the future which touches me, maybe I will beat this performance."

Woman Power shown in Red Alert

RED ALERT-THE WAR WITHIN, slated for release on 9th July 2010 reveals an unusual angle in the Naxalite fold the power of women. Top lining Sameera Reddy, Bhagyashree, Seema Biswas and Ayesha Dharker, the film highlights women fighting alongside men. Going totally deglam, these actresses battled it out in rough terrain and heavy rain enacting sequences from the film that closely resemble headlines today in a movement that has empowered women with equal rights.

For Seema Biswas, RED ALERT marks a return to the gritty realism of BANDIT QUEEN, Ayesha Dharker picks up the threads after THE TERRORIST, Sameera Reddy continues her tryst with serious cinema after KAALPURUSH and Bhagyashree sheds her MAINE PYAR KIYA image for some real life conflict.

The admirable male ensemble in the film sure has some terrific competition in the acting and action departments.

My son is an aspiring actor says Sunil

Here's another star kid in the making. Suniel Shetty's son, Ahan is all set to follow his father's footsteps. Ahan is 15 years old.

Suniel says, "My son in an aspiring actor. He is working out hard and is into fitness. He is a good kid. He wants to do films. I'm more than happy for him to do films because it is the only place in which if you do things right, people will love you."

Interestingly, Suniel's son is also part of a music band. Reveals Suniel, "Ahan is also the lead singer and guitarist of a music band. They haven't named the band yet. Right now, he is singing and enjoying himself."

Suniel went on to add, "He plays a lot for charity. His band plays a lot at functions, schools and other charity events. He will soon be teaching music to children in NGOs. He will teach speech and hearing impaired children. I don't jam with him but I spend a lot of time listening to him. That encourages him a lot."

Like father, like son, indeed.

Red Alert is inspiring movie says Sunil

As an actor, Suniel Shetty is ecstatic about the new and exciting phase in his career. The fact that his realistic RED ALERT - THE WAR WITHIN comes after a riotous comedy like DE DANA DAN and a family drama like TUM MILO TO SAHI tells a lot about different roles that are coming his way. Add to that the fact that a few months back, RED ALERT fetched him an award for the Best Actor at New York's South Asian International Film Festival is something that excites him even more.

"It's a major shot in the arm when international award and recognition comes in. Suddenly, it starts seeming that you are working in just the right projects. It is ironical though that a foreign country had to come and recognize my talent", he says.

"Icing on the cake is when you working on different kind of films at the same time. After RED ALERT, it would be Anees Bazmee's NO PROBLEM that would arrive. It is definitely one exciting phase in my career", he lights up.

Talking fondly about RED ALERT, Suniel says, "Such films should be made. We talk about problems from external sources plaguing the country. The fact is that there are so many burning stories about our own country. We should start looking deep within."

Continuing in the same vein, he adds, "When Ananth Mahadevan, the director, narrated the subject to me, I knew that this film had to be done and done quite well. Aruna Raje coming as a writer gets a female factor and a certain sensitivity on. RED ALERT is a very noble and unassuming film with a topical subject that should make a huge difference."

RED ALERT - THE WAR WITHIN also stars Naseruddin Shah, Vinod Khanna, Sameera Reddy, Bhagyashree, Ayesha Dharker, Seema Biswas, Gulshan Grover and Aashish Vidyarthi. The film releases this Friday.

Chai Garam

Banner: Shreya Creations
Status: Under production
Language: Hindi
Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Aditya Datt
Starring: Govinda, Celina Jaitly, Esha Deol, Sunil Shetty, Urvashi Sharma, javed Jaffrey