Dialogue

Films, Politics and Social Justice

Date: November 28, 2006
Location: Cal Poly Pomona, Bronco Student Center, Ursa Major Room

The dialogue will focus on the illustrious roles of Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar as artists and activists in addressing issues of human rights, communal harmony and social justice.

Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar

Shabana Azmi , an internationally acclaimed actress from India, is also highly respected for her social activism. She has received numerous awards and honors from around the world. Her latest accolades include the 2006 International Gandhi Peace Prize in the U. k. and the 2006 Crystal Award at the Davos World Economic Forum. She was awarded Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1988. She served for six years in Raj Sabha—the upper house of the Indian Parliament.

Javed Akhtar is one of India’s most renowned lyricist and scriptwriter for Hindi films, and a distinguished Urdu poet . The celebrated painter M.F. Husain has painted sixteen canvases based on his poems in Tarkash. He has been a strong advocate for social justice, communal harmony and women’s rights. He was awarded Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1999. Most recently, he was honored by the 2006 Indira Gandhi Prize for national integration.