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Hamdan Ballal: Oscar-Winning Palestinian Filmmaker Assaulted and Detained in the West Bank

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Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, who co-directed the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land,’ was assaulted by a group of Israeli settlers near his residence in the occupied West Bank and subsequently detained by Israeli forces, as reported by his Israeli co-director Yuval Abraham on Tuesday.

Abraham, an Israeli journalist and filmmaker, announced the incident on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that Ballal suffered head and stomach injuries and was bleeding when soldiers took him into custody. “A group of settlers just lynched Hamdan Ballal. Soldiers invaded the ambulance he called for assistance and took him away. He has not been seen since,” he stated.

**Violence in the West Bank**

The attack reportedly occurred in Masafer Yatta, an area frequently targeted by Israeli settlers and military forces. Basel Adra, another Palestinian filmmaker and co-director of ‘No Other Land,’ informed the Associated Press that approximately two dozen settlers stormed the village on Monday evening, vandalizing homes, shattering car windows, and destroying water tanks. Adra claimed that Israeli soldiers aimed their guns at Palestinian residents instead of intervening to stop the attackers.

Adra suspects that this incident might be retaliation for their documentary, which highlights the forced displacement experienced by Palestinian communities. “Since returning from the Oscars, we have faced daily attacks,” he said. “This might be their revenge for making the film. It feels like a punishment.” Later that night, Abraham shared footage of masked individuals throwing stones at a car, referring to them as “KKK-like armed settlers” and connecting them to Ballal’s assault.

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**A Film That Sparked Controversy**

‘No Other Land’ chronicles the destruction of Palestinian villages in the West Bank and the unexpected connection between Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham. The documentary received significant recognition, winning accolades at 68 international film festivals, including the BAFTAs, European Film Awards, IDA Awards, and Gotham Independent Film Awards.

The film’s Oscar success was accompanied by controversy. During his acceptance speech, Abraham criticized the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians, labeling it a “situation of apartheid” and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. His comments provoked backlash in Israel, with some accusing him of antisemitism—claims he has vehemently denied. Abraham, who lost family members in the Holocaust, has consistently opposed Israeli policies in Palestine.

Currently, there is no official update regarding Ballal’s condition or whereabouts. The incident has incited outrage among activists and filmmakers, who are demanding his immediate release. Meanwhile, ongoing reports of settler violence in the region raise significant concerns about the safety of Palestinian civilians.

Also Read: Kunal Kamra issues statement: “I will not apologise”

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Taare Zameen Par Child Actor Now a Dentist in the UK

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New Delhi: Sachet Seth, who played Yohaan Awasthi in the 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, is now a certified dentist in the United Kingdom. He played the role of Ishaan’s elder brother in the popular movie.

While actor Darsheel Safary continued his career in the film industry, Sachet chose a different path. He studied dentistry and earned his degree from D Y Patil University.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Sachet later received a gold medal in periodontology. He is now a registered dental practitioner in the UK.

Apart from dentistry, Sachet is also passionate about aviation. In 2024, he shared a photo from an aircraft cockpit and spoke about his excitement after completing his first flight. He said the experience inspired him and encouraged him to pursue more opportunities in aviation.

In Taare Zameen Par, Sachet played Yohaan, the disciplined and academically successful elder brother of Ishaan. Despite his achievements, Yohaan cared deeply for his younger brother and supported him through his struggles with dyslexia.

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Speaking about his experience working on the film, Sachet recalled that he and Darsheel had a lot of fun during the shoot. He said director and actor Aamir Khan helped the young actors understand their scenes and emotions before filming.

READ MORE:Venomous Snake Spotted At World Cup Camp

Released in 2007, Taare Zameen Par marked Aamir Khan’s directorial debut. The film tells the story of Ishaan, a young boy with dyslexia who faces difficulties at school and home. His life changes when his art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, recognizes his condition and helps him discover his talent for painting.

The film remains one of the most loved and influential movies in Indian cinema.

 

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Sanvi Sudeep Hits Back at Trolls over Ganesha Tattoo

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Bengaluru: Singer and actor Sudeep’s daughter, Sanvi Sudeep, has strongly responded to online trolls who criticized her for getting a Ganesha tattoo on her back.

The tattoo recently became a topic of discussion on social media. Reacting to the criticism, Sanvi questioned why she should seek anyone’s permission for decisions about her own body.

“Do I need your permission to get a tattoo? Do I need your approval for every decision in my life?” she said.

Sanvi stated that negative comments do not affect her. However, she said it was disappointing to see people spending so much time and energy trolling her online. She added that some people may be making such comments only to gain attention.

She also addressed criticism over calling her father, actor Sudeep, an “old man.” Sanvi said that she is his daughter and that she will always refer to him that way in a loving manner. She accused some people of looking for any reason to spread hate.

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Responding to comments about her achievements, Sanvi said that people are free to express their opinions, but she is not obligated to follow everything they say. She criticized anonymous users who hide behind screens and judge the lives of public figures.

Sanvi further said that constant public attention often affects the personal lives of celebrities and their families. According to her, it becomes difficult to celebrate family occasions or spend private moments with loved ones because of public scrutiny.

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She also claimed that some of the people who criticize her online later approach her and her family for photographs when they meet in person. Calling the situation “sad,” she urged people to be more respectful on social media.

Her remarks have sparked fresh discussions online about celebrity privacy and social media trolling.

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Woman in Saree Impresses Internet with Michael Jackson-Inspired Dance Moves

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A content creator from India has gone viral on social media for performing Michael Jackson’s famous dance moves while wearing a traditional saree. The video features Komal Kumari dancing to the King of Pop’s iconic song Billie Jean.

The performance stands out because Komal executes challenging moves, including body isolations, robotic popping, and the legendary moonwalk, with remarkable ease. Many viewers were amazed by her ability to perform such technical steps while dressed in a saree.

The video is presented as a humorous skit. It imagines a situation where Komal’s mother watches the 2026 musical film Michael and becomes obsessed with Michael Jackson’s dance style. The creative concept added an extra layer of entertainment for viewers.

READ MORE :Australian Girl Killed in Pakistan during Police Operation

Social media users flooded the comments section with praise. One user wrote, “She’s literally a good dancer though.” Another commented, “Woohooooo.. you go girl,” while a third added, “Mammm u got some movesssss.” Many people appreciated the unique blend of Indian tradition and global pop culture showcased in the performance.

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