In Echo, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest series, Alaqua Cox’s Maya Lopez aka Echo is on the run after the events of Hawkeye. She reconnects with her Choctaw Nation roots in her hometown in Oklahoma where she must confront her past. The show also marks the return of Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin and Charlie Cox’s Daredevil. In an exclusive interview with Filmfare, executive producer Richie Palmer opened up about exploring Maya’s Native American background, Daredevil’s appearance (in his red suit) and more.

How did you create a grounded, personal narrative within the multiverse-shattering stories of the MCU?

Richie: When we were telling the story of Maya Lopez, we wanted to make sure that it was an intimate story. It’s about a complex character, somebody who is a human being on the inside like all of us. She has hard choices to make. We meet her as a villain with aspirations of being the biggest crime lead within the universe. We see her go through a change in this show and maybe become a little more selfless. It was really important to leave the world of the Avengers behind and just focus on Maya as a character and meet her world and environment. We wanted it to be wrapped up in her backstory and spend more time with her.

Richie: We just made sure that from day one, we had a writers’ room with Native and indigenous writers from different backgrounds as well as deaf writers. During production, we had Native and deaf producers. We were surrounded by people who knew and loved their cultures, communities and Marvel. We wanted to make sure we’re telling an awesome story about a human character that entertains people. And she happens to be Chactow and deaf, that’s just a part of her identity.

How did the team decide to introduce Charlie Cox’s Daredevil in the show?

Richie: We wanted to see quintessential Daredevil on the show kicking ass with Maya Lopez, honestly. It was in service of her character though because when he fights her, they go the distance. She holds her own with him. Kingpin sees this and he goes, “Oh, this kid that I’ve been raising, there’s more to her than I thought.” It was a really big moment for her and we wanted to honour that. Even in the comics, they are formidable opponents and she was someone who could go up against him. We’re such Daredevil fans and we love Charlie Cox so we just wanted to see him wear the iconic red suit in our show. It was such a treat to be able to do that. I’m so excited to see how those characters go off in the new Daredevil series.

Medha Shankr is getting all the love from the audience for her role, IRS Shraddha Joshi in the much-loved film i.e. Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail. In the exclusive interview with Filmfare, Medha opened up about working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Vikrant Massey and her character in the film.

How did you land a role in 12th Fail?

When I auditioned for the film at the casting agency, I didn’t know much about the film but when I screen-tested with Vidhu VInod Chopra and Vikrant Massey, I was very confident for some reason. Shraddha is not just a romantic interest of Manoj, she is such a big part of his journey and his struggle and she is such a woman of strength. So, for me, playing her was like a dream come true and apart from the fact that the character is wonderful, the story is wonderful because when I read the book I cried at so many points and I related with Shraddha and Manoj.

What was your rapport with Vikrant like?

Vikrant and I actually became friends mostly during promotions.During the filming, we were all on our toes because we’re working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra sir. And we all know he’s a genius and he demands a certain standard of work from every actor and not just actors, just every department. So all of us were hyper focused on our jobs. But of course promotions were super fun. And that’s when mostly Vikrant and I bonded. He’s a really, really nice guy. But on sets I would say he’s been really kind to me. Like he would always once in a while ask, “Medha, are you feeling okay? Is everything okay?”

What is working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra like?

He’s a perfectionist. He demands a certain standard of work and you have to give, deliver that standard of work, right? And if you’re not able to reach that level, he also knows how to squeeze that out of you. He knows how to direct you in a way that you bring out your best. So, in that regard, he really pushes you. Right? And you bring out, he brings out the best in you as an actor. And at the same time, I will tell you, he’s one of the kindest, most fun people that I’ve worked with. Because I’ll tell you one of the sweetest things that Vidhu sir does is every time an actor or anybody in any department, somebody does a great job, like an extraordinary job, he gives 20 bucks to them. He’s like, “if I’ve given a really good shot, 20 bucks to Medha”. And there is one person from his team who’s keeping track of it. It’s very heartwarming and makes you feel special.

See Also: Exclusive: “My character in 12th Fail felt so real that I was in tears,” says Vikrant Massey

Bilkis Bano, the survivor of one of the most horrific crimes  during the 2002 Gujarat riots, said today is “truly the New Year” for her as the 11 men responsible for killing her family and gangraping her will soon be back behind the bars. Earlier today, the Supreme Court ruled that convicts, who got released last year for “good behaviour”, must return to jail.

The convicts have to surrender within two weeks, the top court said, declaring that the exercise of power by the Gujarat government was “without application of mind”. The state was not competent to release the men, since only the state where the trial was held — in this case Maharashtra — is empowered to do this, the judges pointed out.

“I have wept tears of relief. I have smiled for the first time in over a year and half. I have hugged my children. It feels like a stone the size of a mountain has been lifted from my chest, and I can breathe again,” Nilkis Bano said in a statement issued through her lawyer Shobha Gupta.

“This is what justice feels like. I thank the honourable Supreme Court of India for giving me, my children and women everywhere, this vindication and hope in the promise of equal justice for all,” she said.

“A year and half ago, on August 15, 2022, when those who had destroyed my family and terrorised my very existence, were given an early release, I simply collapsed,” she said. To those who stood with her during that period, “my gratitude for your precious solidarity and strength,” she said. “You gave me the will to struggle, to rescue the idea of justice not just for me, but for every woman in India. I thank you,” Bilkis Bano said.

“It was as if a decision was made first and process applied later, and if i dare say, unmindfully,” remarked Shobha Gupta, who has been Bilkis Bano’s legal counsel for decades. She also questioned the “good behaviour” of the men that was cited for their release. “What was the reflection of the good behaviour? Nothing was reflecting,” she said.

The men were released on Independence Day last year by the Gujarat government through an obsolete law, setting off a wave of outrage across the country. Bilkis Bano said she was was not informed about the release and expressed concern about the huge risk to her security it entailed.
    
Once out, the men received a hero’s welcome, with sweets and garlands. Some of them were later spotted sharing stage with a BJP MP and MLA.

The convict who made the initial petition for release, Radheshaym Shah, had even started practicing law, the top court was told during the hearing.