Archives for 2015

NANDITA DAS, MANAV KAUL & SAURABH SHUKLA LET GO OFF THEIR FEE FOR THE REMAKE OF THE CULT FILM ‘ALBERT PINTO KO GUSSA KYUN AATA HAI’

Nandita Das, Manav Kaul & Saurabh Shukla, who play the lead roles in the remake of the cult film ALBERT PINTO KO GUSSA KYUN AATA HAI, did not charge a penny as remuneration. Since it’s an independent film directed & produced by Soumitra Ranade (who directed JAJANTARAM MAMANTARAM and wrote GOOPY GAWAIYA BAGHA BAJAIYA) there were budget constraints. The actors fell in love with the script and offered to work for free. Touched by their gesture, Soumitra has made them partners on the project and will be sharing the box office profit with the 3 actors once the film is released. The film is raising 30 lakhs through a 2 month long crowdfunding campaign on Wishberry which will cease on 2nd Oct, 2015. The campaign started on 3rd Aug, 2015 to collect money for the post production, animation & VFX of the film. The original film directed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza was released in 1980 and starred Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil & Om Puri in the lead roles. Soumitra says, “It was a very challenging film but I could pull it off only because of my supportive actors who worked for free.”“This is the 1st script I read that grabbed me so much that I couldn’t put it down. It was such an amazing script. I know the director very well and I knew it was straight from his heart. I told him we have to make this film anyhow, even if we have to do it for free. Such roles don’t come your way often and I didn’t want to let go this brilliant opportunity.” Says Manav Kaul. Says Nandita Das, ““Firstly I don’t equate money with work. There is a lot of work that I do without charging anything. Films ofcourse, help me pay my bills and hence I don’t do them without any fees. But seldom do you get a project or a director where you know that they genuinely don’t have the money – and they just want to make a good film!So you want to participate in that. I think we all have to support each other especially those who are doing things with great honesty, with great integrity.”Says Saurabh Shukla, “Soumitra approached me and told me that there is no money but you be a partner. So all of us are partners in this project and I think it is great idea, because there are scripts in which the ‘mainstream market’ doesn’t believe in. But as artists we know that it has content and also has commercial possibilities. So what should we do? Should we be slaves to the market and not do these films? Or should we try it? So when we try it, we have to cut down costs. Soumitra has put in his own money and how much can a normal person invest in a film. So in such a scenario actors and the crewmembers come on board and say we will work free for you and share the profits later. So infact this is my chance to buy my Jaguar !”

TANIMA BAGS THE BEST ACTRESS AWARD

Tanima Bhattacharya wins the Best Actress Award for her role of ‘Abeera’ in SAANKAL – Shackle at the 20th Indie Gathering International Film Festival. It’s a proud moment for Pisceann Pictures as their debut Hindi film SAANKAL – Shackle is winning accolades and awards at various international film festivals. An excited Tanima shared her thoughts by saying, “I am really blessed and honored that our film “SAANKAL – Shackle” has won the Best Lead Actress Award at 20th International Indie Gathering Film Festival 2015.” The actress further added, “I am really blessed and honored that our film ” SAANKAL ( Shackle)” has won 2nd Best Foreign Feature Drama Award and I have won the Best Lead Actress Award at 20th International Indie Gathering Film Festival 2015. I am really proud of my director Dedipya Joshii Ji because he is the man who gave birth to Abeera & Kesar. Thanks to him for keeping faith in me that I can do justice to the role of Abeera. This is true that Tanima Bhattacharya has got this award but I want to dedicate the award to ABEERA in “SAANKAL”. SAANKAL – Shackle brings light on the still followed malpractice of elder women forcefully marrying off to younger boys in the state of Rajasthan. A tradition like this has several ill-effects however it still exists in the Thar desert. “SAANKAL – Shackle” features Chetan Sharma, Tanima Bhattacharya, Harish Kumar, Jagat Singh, Samarth Shandilya & Milind Gunaji. The film is produced by Aanand Rathore & Dedipya Joshii and directed & written by Dedipya Joshii.

FWICE’s GENERAL COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO GO ON A STRIKE

The General Council of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has decided unanimously to strike work across the Film & TV sectors as the negotiations between the TV producers & FWICE failed without coming to an agreement on even a single point. Speaking to us the President Shri Kamlesh Pandey stated “We are extremely disillusioned with the lack basic respect for human rights & liberties. Technicians are being compelled to sign draconian contracts that are illegal and anti worker” Amit Behl who is the Sr. Vice President (FWICE) and represents the interests of actors too stated “CINTAA is 100% supporting the strike and no actor will report for duty. Actors, Technicians & workers are being forced to work for over 12 hours a day regularly at remote locations with no breaks and they are on the brink of collapse” The FWICE General Secretary Dilip Pithva said that the trust the FWICE had placed in the producer bodies had been misplaced and all their commitments had proved shallow and been a time wasting exercise.
With the All India Film Employees Confederation having unanimously shown their support to the strike and with the Core Committee of AIFEC meeting on Oct 1st 2015 to express National Solidarity with the FWICE the situation is set for a showdown. With this current situation of chaos prevalent in the Film industry it remains to be seen as to whether the workers succeed in their fight for their rights.

DVD COLLECTION OF THE HISTORICAL MAGNUM OPUS ‘BUDDHA – THE KING OF KINGS’ RELEASED BY ULTRA MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT PVT LTD

BUDDHA – THE KING OF KINGS was a famous historical serial on the life of Buddha produced on a scale & grandeur never before seen on Indian Television. It was telecasted in DD National & Zee TV every Sun at 11 am from 8th Sept, 2013 onwards. It was an instant success from its very 1st episode itself & enjoyed a high TRP rating throughout its tenure of 55 weeks.

FILMING TAKES OFF ON ‘SULLY’ DIRECTED BY CLINT EASTWOOD & STARRING TOM HANKS

Production is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ drama SULLY starring Oscar winner Tom Hanks as Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, under the direction of Oscar winner Clint Eastwood. On 15th Jan, 2009, the world witnessed the “Miracle on the Hudson” when Captain “Sully” Sullenberger (Hanks) glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard.  However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public & the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career. SULLY also stars Aaron Eckhart as Sully’s co – pilot, Jeff Skiles & Oscar nominee Laura Linney as Sully’s wife, Lorraine Sullenberger. Eastwood is directing the film from a screenplay by Todd Komarnicki, based on the book “Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters” by Sullenberger & Jeffrey Zaslow. The project is being produced by Eastwood, Frank Marshall, Allyn Stewart & Tim Moore, with Kipp Nelson serving as executive producer. The film reunites Eastwood with several of his longtime collaborators, who most recently worked with the director on the worldwide hit AMERICAN SNIPER: director of photography Tom Stern & production designer James J. Murakami, who were both Oscar nominated for their work on THE CHANGELING; costume designer Deborah Hopper & editor Blu Murray. Principal photography began on 28th  Sept, 2015, in New York, where the water landing that instantly made Sully a household name was achieved. Filming will also take place in North Carolina, Atlanta & Los Angeles. A Malpaso, Flashlight Films, Kennedy / Marshall Company production, SULLY will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

JAMES WAN BEGINS SHOOTING NEW LINE CINEMA’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ‘THE CONJURING 2’

Principal photography has begun in Los Angeles on New Line Cinema’s THE CONJURING 2 with James Wan once again at the helm, following the record breaking success of THE CONJURING. The supernatural thriller brings to the screen another real case from the files of renowned demonologists Ed & Lorraine Warren.

Reprising their roles, Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga & Patrick Wilson, star as Lorraine & Ed Warren, who, in one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, travel to North London to help a single mother raising 4 children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits. The film follows the phenomenal worldwide reception of Wan’s THE CONJURING which marked the largest opening ever for an original horror movie.  The film went on to make more than $319 million worldwide and still remains the 2nd highest grossing original horror movie of all time, 2nd only to THE EXORCIST. Rounding out the cast are Frances O’Connor as the single mom, with Madison Wolfe & debutantes Lauren Esposito, Patrick McAuley & Benjamin Haigh as her children; Maria Doyle Kennedy; Simon Delaney; Franka Potente & Simon McBurney. In addition to directing the film, Wan wrote the screenplay with Carey Hayes & Chad Hayes & David Leslie Johnson. Peter Safran, Wan & Rob Cowan, who previously collaborated on THE CONJURING are producing. Collaborating with Wan behind – the – scenes is Oscar nominated director of photography Don Burgess.  Reuniting with the director from THE CONJURING are production designer Julie Berghoff, editor Kirk Morri, costume designer Kristin Burke & composer Joseph Bishara. Scheduled for worldwide release beginning 10th Jun, 2016, THE CONJURING 2 is a New Line Cinema Presentation and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

‘PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO’ TRAILER LAUNCHED

The trailer launch of film PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO, presented by Fox Star Studios, produced by Rajshri Productions (P) Ltd., directed by Sooraj Barjatya, held at PVR, Juhu, was a star studded affair. Seen in attendance were Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Sooraj Barjatya, Vidhi Kasliwal, Anupam Kher, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Rajkumar Barjatya, Bhushan Kumar, Ajay Kapoor, Deepak Dobriyal, Swara Bhaskar, Armaan Kohli, Ajaz Khan among many others.

‘DILWALE’ HEADS TO NEPAL

With every release of his, Shah Rukh Khan is known to open up newer markets for Bollywood and DILWALE seems to be no exception. While the film’s promotional campaign is yet to take off, Red Chillies Entertainment which is venturing into distribution with this one has already locked a lucrative deal for the film in Nepal. Darshan Arts, has bagged the screening rights for DILWALE at an unprecedented number and will be distributing the film here. Despite the earthquake that badly hit the movie business in Nepal, the exhibitors & the distributors showed phenomenal response to DILWALE which was bought at a record price higher than the other competing releases.

DAVANGERE BAGS RIGHTS FOR DILWALE

Davangere exhibitor, which forms a part of the Mysore distribution circuit has paid record MG for procuring the screening rights of DILWALE. Here the film is being distributed by Bahar Films. Such promising feedback from the film trade in South India where Hindi films are still trying to make a headway clearly indicates the tremendous buzz around DILWALE even before the 1st promo has been released.

‘SINGH IS BLIING‘ OFFICIAL MOBILE GAME RELEASED

Director Prabhu Dheva’s much anticipated action comedy SINGH IS BLIING was released on 2nd Oct, 2015. The film features Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Lara Dutta & Kay Kay Menon in lead roles. Accompanying the film’s theatrical release is the movie’s official mobile game. The official SINGH IS BLIING game is published & distributed by FunOnGo Entertainment Pvt Ltd, a digital entertainment specialist across movies, music, games & applications. The company provides customized platform & managed services to clients such as Samsung, Micromax, Karbonn, Intex, Spice & Gionee. The game publishers have designed the game in a manner that gamers get a real good feel of being in the shoes of their favorite action hero Akshay Kumar. The run up to the castle and the fight sequences on the floor are evocative of the fast pace, taut action that Akshay is famed for. On completion, the game was showcased to Akshay; He said “I really liked the game, the fights were so good that I ended up playing the game for most of the day” The interactive mobile action game requires Rafttaar Singh to go on a mission to save Sara, who has been captured & held captive in a castle. The gamer plays as Rafttaar Singh and can unlock up to three stages of game play as he succeeds from one level to another. In the 1st level of the game, Rafttaar Singh is expected to run up towards the castle jumping over hurdles, avoiding obstacles & dodging oncoming threats. The gamers will really like the slide kick play action to counter attack their on screen enemies. The level 2 takes Rafttaar Singh inside the castle, fighting here the gamer could find health levels drop with the onslaught of enemy punches, but they have the use of a life line too! The fight controls are intelligently placed on screen in the 2nd level. The third level is the more advance level and here Raftaar Singh gets to rescue the lovely Sara. The official game is available across most of the popular feature & smart phones in India. The SINGH IS BLIING official Mobile Games are available for users downloads on Android, IOS marketplace and other popular app stores online.

EROS INTERNATIONAL TIES UP WITH JHOOM JHOOM PRODUCTIONS & SOHAM ROCKSTAR ENTERTAINMENT FOR ‘SANAM TERI KASAM

Eros International, the leading global company in the Indian film industry shall release Jhoom Jhoom Productions’ & Soham Rockstar’s musical love story SANAM TERI KASAM on 8th Jan, 2016. Produced by Deepak Mukut & directed by well – known director duo Radhika Rao & Vinay Sapru, the film stars debutante Harshvardhan Rane & Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane as the romantic leads. The director duo, who have earlier directed Salman Khan’s LUCKY…….. NO TIME FOR LOVE and is synonymous with super hit music videos & chart topping numbers from DABANGG, DABANGG 2, JAI  HO and others is set to present the newest romantic pairing in Bollywood with Telugu actor Harshvardhan Rane, best known for Telugu hits TAKITA TAKITA, AVUNU, MAAYA and the immensely popular Pakistani actress, Mawra Hocane known for her hit Pakistani dramas “Ahista Ahista”, “Maryam” & “Main Bushra”. Bringing alive the story through his soulful musical renditions is music director, Himesh Reshammiya.

SHEFALI BHUSHAN’S ‘JUGNI’ TO RELEASE ON 29TH JAN 2016

JUGNI (Firefly), written & directed by Shefali Bhushan, is all set to hit the silver screen on 29th Jan, 2016. Produced by Karan Grover, Manas Malhotra & Shefali Bhushan, the film revolves around Vibhavari, a music director, who is working on her 1st big break in the Hindi film industry. With the star cast of Sugandha Garg, Siddhant Behl, Anurita Jha, Sadhana Singh, Samir Sharma, JUGNI is all about striking balances & dealing with the unpredictability of life, while finding the place one can call home; home of the heart, where the firefly is at her brightest! Other Credits of the film include Music: Clinton Cerejo

TRAILER LAUNCH EVENT OF ‘CHARLIE KAY CHAKKER MEIN’

The trailer of film CHARLIE KAY CHAKKER MEIN was launched at a suburban theatre recently. Naseeruddin Shah and the whole cast & crew interacted with the media talking about their experience shooting the film. Produced by Karan Arora under Picture Thoughts Production & directed by Manish Srivastav, the film is  an investigative thriller starring Naseeruddin Shah, Amit Sial, Anand Tiwari, Subrat Dutta & Manasi Rachh  slated to release on 6th Nov this year.

ALIA TO BE THE NEW FACE OF STANDARD

Standard, a well-known brand of $1.4 billion Havells India Limited, today roped in Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, one of the most stylish & dynamic star and youth icon as its brand ambassador. As part of this association, Alia Bhatt will endorse products through an aggressive advertising campaign, which was slated to be launched by end of Sept, 2015. The advertisement campaign will have a series of 3 TV commercials which is conceptualized & executed by India’s leading advertising agency Mullen Lintas. Over the years, Standard has been serving the Indian customers with superior quality products and has established itself as a key player in the electrical products segment by constantly creating best in class, innovative & trend setting products. Last year the brand entered into the consumer segment by launching range of fans. To keep pace with the modern times, changing consumer preferences and enhancing brand appeal to younger consumers, the brand unveiled its new identity earlier this year. Anil Rai Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director, Havells India Limited said “We are delighted to have Alia Bhatt as the brand ambassador for ‘Standard’ brand. She truly represents the ‘Young Energy of India’ which will be the new positioning for the brand. We firmly believe in fulfilling the aspirations of modern day consumers who are confident, independent and do not want to settle for less. She aptly represents our brand’s ideology of style with substance and is a perfect blend of everything that the brand stands for”.Alia Bhatt said, “I love the positioning of “built for young energy” since I can completely relate to this. I believe today’s youth symbolize confidence, trust & intelligence and deserve the best in class products. Brand Standard is making that possible by fulfilling the aspirations of today’s contemporary consumers with world class products and wonderful product range.  I am happy to be associated with the brand Standard.”

TRAILER OF ‘LOVE EXCHANGE’ LAUNCHED

Considered as the Lord of Success, the director and the cast of the film LOVE EXCHANGE launched the poster of their film in the presence of Ganpati Bappa at Andheri Cha Raja. As the God of beginnings, the director & the cast of the film performed the rituals in order to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha followed by the launch of the poster. The launch of the film witnessed the presence of the Director – Raj. V. Shetty and the cast comprising of Mohit Madan, Jyoti Sharma;  distributor Girish Wankhede, producer Nadia & Director of the film Raj. V. Shetty who says, “Love can be a tornado or a gentle breeze” LOVE EXCHANGE is a rom com produced by Nadia Ali Shirazi which deals with 2 youngsters Sid & Shanoo who meet at the work place and develop deep love for each other. Everything looks just right but no love is strong enough if it does not stand the test of obstacles. And the obstacle is the clash of cultures. Sid is the son of Mr. Sathe & Shanoo is the daughter of Mr. Kapoor . Before they can announce their love to their parents, the parents are ready with a plan to separate the lovers. Mr. Sathe & Mr. Kapoor get together as a team and set a condition for Sid & Shanoo. Sid will live in Punjabi Mr. Kapoor’s house & Shanoo will live in Maharashtrian Mr. Sathe’s house for 3 months. Let’s wait & watch what happens next. The film stars Mohit Madan, Jyoti Sharma, Manoj Pahwa, Neelu Kohli, Shama Deshpande & Raju Kher