Producers: Bhavana Bipin Shah & Sarika Vinod Tambe
Director: Shantanu Anant Tambe
Star Cast: Hansraj Jagtap, Akash Waghmode, Mitali Mayekar, Sandeep Gaikwad, Nisha Parulekar, Ashok Pawde, Namrata Jadhav, Janardan Singh and debutant’s Ashish Gade, Sumit Bhokse & Shreyas Raje
Genre: Social

Rating**

The reformation of street kids and hooligans is an oft repeated theme and nothing special to be raved about. Yet Yaari Dosti comes with a fresh story depicting today’s adolescence and their vision towards true friendship and life.

The films revolves around four boys, two school boys namely Prasad and Rahul from affluent families and the other two strangely named Naala and Kachra are alcoholic and hooligans to the core. In a chain of incidents they become close friends. What follows is a roller coaster ride of hilarious and emotional moments with unexpected twists and turns that changes their lives forever.

Sadly enough the directorial treatment of Shantanu Anant Tambe leaves much to be desired. To top it the first half of Yaari Dosti simply drags on and on. While the second half generates some interest. All the actors old and new are good to some extent. Even the award winning actor Hansraj Jagtap, Akash Waghmode and Mitale Mayekar of Urfi fame are handicapped due to the hackneyed script.

Yaari Dosti is certainly not the mass audience’s cup of tea but it may impress the festival circuit audience.

Rakesh Bedi is a veteran Indian Film, stage & television actor. He is best known for his comic roles in Chashme Buddoor, Shrimaan Shrimati & Yes Boss. Shaheen Raaj Sahdev met up with Rakesh Bedi who is passionate about theatre as it gives a lot of tangents to his creativity which keeps on itching him to do something new.

Coming to Mumbai for an acting career without a Godfather! Was it an easy decision?

No it wasn’t and it never is for anybody. Because you are going into a black hole and you don’t know whether there is some light at the end of the tunnel. The only thing which you can have with yourself is your talent & confidence. By talent I mean a very hard core & purely self assessed talent. Just because you think that you are a good actor you can act or just because you think that some people have liked your performance somewhere, just because you think you are very handsome and you know acting and you are the king of acting, all those things really don’t work. You have to have a very balanced mind & a pure self analytical mind where you know where you stand.

What challenges you faced in Mumbai?

The challenges initially were many. The basic challenge at that time was that there was only one medium. It was cinema, theatre was not there as such. It was there but not paying so you could not survive on theatre. You can’t survive on television at all. So the only thing was cinema. And cinema was a monopoly of a few big producers and a lot of other people also but then you have to go & you have to meet & you have to struggle. First you have to struggle for role and then struggle to make contacts than you get the role than you struggle to do it and than you struggle to get money from the producers. These challenges were there and then to survive in this city without any external help has always been a very tough task.

You got recognization with the film Chashme Buddoor in 1981? What was the difference before and after it?

I won’t say extremely amazing. See today what happens is that the marketing tools are many. That time there were no marketing tools. Suppose I have done a good film how do I tell people. They have to only see it that’s all. I cannot tell them. Like you send a message across and it reaches millions of people. Put on facebook it reaches millions of people in seconds. That time the only way to show my work was that somebody should come & see my film. So the difference was there. I am not saying not there. But it was not that you know I say something like a rocket, something very sensational. The difference was there. But It was slow & gradual.

Is Media Industry stereotypical?

I think in India that’s how the industry has survived. Over the last 70’s, 80’s, & 90’s decade whatever we have been in this industry that’s how it has survived. Because cinema has slightly changed a bit in the last 1 decade where a lot of new talent has come in now, a lot of new thoughts & subjects are being made which are not stereotyped and which are not stencil cut. The formula films you know hero, heroine, hero’s sister will be raped and the villain, the heroine in the songs around the trees and the climax and the chase and a happy family photograph. There are thousands of films made on this formula. And plus a comedian & a comedian’s girlfriend also. So these were the ingredients which were almost there in so many films. But we got rid of that kind of cinema. I will say somewhere in the middle of 90’s and the early 2000, people were able to make cinema of their mind & of their taste. But still what happens is the media industry preliminary remains stereotyped. Because you know what happens is that everybody wants to make a hit film like a film which has been a hit. If you notice now Sultan is a big hit suddenly you will see some things coming on Kushti, some serials have been made on Kushti. Television has gone into Kushti suddenly. Pehle Kushti kyu nahi yaad aayi abhi kyu yaad aayi. Yeh stereotypical hi hai naa tabhi yaad aayi. Kuch apne dekha kuch chala toh aapko laga ki, Saas Bahu chala tha to so saas bahu was there on every channel. Abhi saap aur sapni chal raha hai uski TRP jyaada aa rahi hai so everybody is trying to make something on snake. So it has always been there in the industry.

How you been able to cope up with stereotyping?

I haven’t been able to cope up with it much. I could not rather. That’s why I do theatre. Because all my feelings, all my emotions, all my talent which is there inside me not only my acting talent even my writing talent my all kinds of energies I can channelize them in theatre I can experiment with myself in theatre. So I know in cinema they will give me a stereo cut role because for my kind of body, my kind of looks they are going to give a role of a hero’s friend or a comedian. They are not going to give me a main lead. So I am aware of these things. So that’s why I have a lust I mean when I came to Mumbai I was doing theatre even before joining FTII not that I started theatre only after coming to Mumbai. I was doing theatre before I joined FTII in Delhi. Then I joined FTII then again came here and joined theatre. So I have never left theatre for a simple reason that it gives a lot of tangents to my creativity.

Theatre gives you nothing as compared to films. So how did you manage your theatre with films?

The kind of theatre we do in IPTA does not give much at all. Much kya it does not give anything at all. It does not even give the conveyance along with all the rehearsals put in together. But it gives a lot of satisfaction. Then there are some kinds of commercial theatre also like my new play “Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha” with Anupam Kher & Neena Gupta which I have written & directed. It is doing wonders around the world. Even for IPTA’s play when we do commercial plays for some organisations we charge them reasonably.

Actor, writer, director & teacher. What do you enjoy the most?

All. I can’t say that I enjoy one portion more and other portion less. I enjoy everything in equal proportions. I love teaching also. A lot of people come to me to get trained.

You have worked in diverse spaces? How did you manage your personal life with so many mediums?

There is a famous saying that goes “where there is a will there is a way”. If you just say nahi nahi theatre ke liye time nahi milega, theatre se kya milne wala hai, theatre ke liye time nikalna mushkil hai. Time kabhi nikalega hi nahi. Maine toh apne career mein yeh dekha hai 35 – 40 saal ho gaye mujhe kaam karte hue. I have always been on stage. I don’t think there has been a single month in my life in the last 35 – 37 – 38 years whatever it is or may be 40 also when I have not been on stage for a single month for some play or the other.

What motivated you in delivering performances in diverse spaces?

Creativity. It keeps on itching me to do something new and it keeps on telling me come on go. For example my solo play “Massage”. It’s not a joke to do a monologue. That too something written by Vijay Tendulkar. He is not basically a comic writer. He is a very deep writer with very strong contents messages. And I chose the play because I saw the ingredients in it. So I saw if I give it my point of view it will be a hit. It can run it can appeal to the audiences. That’s what I did. It’s still running for the last 13 years. Just recently I had a show in Delhi. It was a houseful and a rocking show.

Audiences today have less patience level. How do you keep the audiences hooked on to the show?

Exactly! They have less patience level. So the content has to be stronger that’s the only answer. The moment you give them a little bit of lee way, a little bit of gap, a little bit of you know you can say uninteresting portion of the content and they will go away. They have their mobile to go away and they have their entire world in their mobile. They can connect to the data in seconds. So the secret is not to give them time. For example “Massage” is my solo play but I can say with so much of confidence that in 2 hrs time nobody can even see the watch once.

When working on a project as an actor with another director, how does the director inside you cope up?

That’s nothing. That’s very easy. You know who is the Captain of the Ship. So If something comes to my mind I definitely suggest the director. I suggest him this should be done this way. Can I say this line, can I improvise here or whatever it is. You can say it only twice or thrice. If he does not take it he doesn’t want to take it. It’s his call ultimately.

You have done a lot of comedy roles. But you have a much more serious side to you. Tell us about that?

Everybody has a serious side to oneself. I always believe that see what happens when comedy also does not make people laugh. Making people laugh is a purpose with a message with a little bit of pathos which goes deep inside the psyche of the audiences. If there is a play and there is a lot of laughter in it but only at the surface level. Like there are entry, there are exits, there are some mistaken identities. Things like that. A lot of plays running like that. But then they don’t have a life. You can’t go & see them twice. Because you are not taking home anything. The play should be such that where you are able to take home something, where it stays with you. I have people who have seen “Massage” 7 times 8 times over the period of 12 – 13 years. I know people who have seen “Shatranj Ke Mohre” 27 times. I have seen a man watched “Shatranj Ke Mohre” 27 times. Can you beat it? It is running for the past 40 years ofcourse. I know a person who has seen “Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha” which is running with the past 1 odd year only around 5 times. Why these plays? Why not other plays because they say something they keep you engrossed and you are not engrossed till the time of the play you are mentally occupied even when you go home, may be when you get up the next day. So it questions you and your mind.

Today stand up comedy is taking centre stage of the national television. What do you feel about this changed media scenario?

It’s okay, change is imperative. Change has to happen. I have nothing against it. It’s fine some people are making money what’s wrong with it but it should be neat. It should be clean. I don’t like making people laugh at the cost of others I don’t like demeaning somebody and than creating a laughter. I feel that it is a short cut to laughter. You can’t think of anything concrete & anything creative you just demean somebody and tries to make others laugh. And such people I have seen in my life, they cannot laugh at themselves if somebody else cracks a joke on them they get very hurt. They love laughing on other people but they cannot take a joke on themselves. Where as my policy is that you should be your own first victim. A good comedian’s first victim should be he himself. He should be able to laugh at himself and make people laugh at himself. That’s what I feel.

Tell us about your latest venture Y. A. R. O. Ka Tashan’? Tell us about your character?

It’s a show on Sab Tv coming at 7:30 in the evening. It’s a very sweet character so I liked the concept. There is one professor. He has a wife and wife doesn’t have a kid. He is a Robotics professor and a scientist. His wife is after him. Please I need a kid so he says okay I create a kid in my lab. He makes a Robo which is almost human. He can think he keeps on uploading his data from time to time making him in sync with the surrounding. He creates this. It’s a happy family. He goes on creating some mischief outside and the professor keeps on correcting him taking the blame on himself.

Banner: M A Entertainment & Trinity Films
Producers: Ali Unwala & Mudal Unwala
Director: Anwer Khan
Star Cast: Arbaaz Khan, Jimmy Shergill, Devanshu, Pooja Chopra, Bruna Abdullah, Maushami Udeshi, Zarina Wahab, Vijay Patkar et al
Music: Avishek Majmudar & Badri Lacewala

Director Anwer Khan’s earlier debutante outing in Four Two Ka One, not to be confused with SRK’s earlier film one Two ka Four, was nothing much too rave about or rather Anwer Khan’s totally forgettable directorial debut, that was almost half a decade ago. And now with his latest offering Yea Toh Two Much Ho Gaya he has religiously albeit blindly followed in the footsteps of his directorial Guru namely the late Man Mohan Desai so much so that he has even named his identical twin brothers character as Man (Jimmy Shergill) & Mohan (again Jimmy Shergil). Need I say anything more?
The scripted scenario kicks off with Man (Jimmy Shergill) having a great time with his girl friend Mina (Bruna Abdullah) in Thailand. So what if, as he claims, he had gone there to become something. Never mind! Mohan (again Jimmy Shergill) lives with his mother (Zarina Wahab) in a village in India and he does not have any work except fighting off people with his lath (Bamboo Stick) and even he too is romancing with his girl friend Tina (Pooja Chopra) much to the chagrin of her brother Chaudhary (Murli Sharma) who in turn is having a rollicking affair with another village woman (Mausami Udeshi). In Thailand Man has an altercation with the Don Mack’s (Arbaaz Khan) brother (Devanshu), beats him black & blue and clicks a selfie with him and sends it to the don. Then Man leaves Thailand and comes to India. While to escape a rape charge Mohan leaves India and lands up in Thailand and thence begins a rollicking journey of fun & frolic.

Kudos to director Anwer Khan for packing in every commercial potboiler ingredient to make Yea Toh Two Much Ho Gaya a real mass entertainment splash. Which bears the typical MKD films stamp in each & every scene or rather frame of the film. So go ahead watch the film leaving your brains behind at home a la the Govinda – David Dhawan flicks.

Performance wise Jimmy Shergill & Vijay Patkar, both in their career best 1st time ever dual roles of their career, steal your heart. Next in line Arbaaz Khan has made tall claims that this film will prove to be a turning point of his career. Really! Yea Toh Two Much Ka Bhi Much Much ho Gaya!!! While amongst the girls Pooja Chopra gives a lively performance added with a lot of spunk, Bruna Abdullah cannot act for nuts as Jimmy Shergill keeps reminding her constantly in the film in the garb of her Hindi diction and Maushami Udeshi too seems to be the die – hard fan of Bruna Abdullah in the histrionics department.

Tail Piece: All said & done Yea Toh Two Much Ho Gaya is a well – intentioned film for the masses.

Producer: Hayare Entertainment & Percept Pictures
Director: Shailendra Singh
Star Cast: Sunny Kaushal, Ashrut Abhnan Jain, Jaswinder Singh, Suhas Joshi, Himayat Sayed, Divya Jyoti Sharma, Subha Rajput, Nida Chakraborty, Deepak Kalra, Shailendra Singh and many more
Genre: Comedy Drama
Music: Adam Evil & Eddie Avil

Producer turned debutant director Shailendra Singh has earlier produced some good movies. But when he decided to make his directorial debut with Sunshine Music Tours & Travels he chose a subject of the most popular Sunburn Festival of Goa albeit based on the wafer thin line of a true incident.

As the storyline goes the main protagonist nicknamed Sunburn (debutant Sunny Kaushal) works in a Dhaba in Kashmir along with his dear friend Rajma Romeo (Ashrut Abinan Jain). Now Sunburn’s only dream is to visit the Sunburn Festival in Goa as he is very fond of EDM (Electronic Dance & Music). So Romeo sets up a facebook page, cons a bus company owner and the boys set off on a cross country trip from Kashmir to Goa, covering a distance of 2874 kms, to attend the Sunburn Festival in Goa. On the way they pick up a rag tag bunch of travelers. Which comprises of an elder man in the twilight of his years, a blingy woman with two teenage daughters, a lesbian couple, a blogger and above all two builder types of men, who are topless throughout the movie and finally with a lot of fun and frolic they all reach their destination.

Shailendra Singh has indeed come up with a novel concept of an EDM oriented road trip movie, which also refreshes the memory of India’s first road trip movie namely Bombay To Goa, but he is heavily let down by the writing part (Shailendra Singh – Sehaj K Maini) which is full of double entendre and borders more on promoting their own EDM festival. But the film also throws light on the so called Facebook culture.

Performance wise Sunny Kaushal is impressively natural to the core. Ashrut Abhnan Jain is pretty good in his comic act, while the rest of the cast mostly comprising of debutant actors are good, and help in carrying the film forward.

At the Box Office it prospects are bleak.

Banner: Colour Yellow
Producers: Anand L. Rai & Krishika Lulla
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Star Cast: Ali Fazal, Abhay Deol, Jimmy Shergill, Diana Penty, Momal Sheikh, Jawed Ahmed, Kanwaljit Singh, Jagat Rawal, Ayesha Raja, Tasha Bhambra & Mika Singh
Music: Sohail Sen

Director Muddassar Aziz had delivered a very inconseqential & the most forgetable film named Dulha Mil Gaya in his 1st directorial outing almost half a decade ago. Albeit in his 2nd directorial outing namely Happy Bhaag Jayegi he has given an ample proof of his par excellence directorial skills, besides he has also succeeded in retaining the humour quotient throughout the film.

The scripted scenario of Happy Bhag Jayegi starts off in Amritsar, where happens an Indo – Pak agro conference. Presiding over this crucial conference is Javed Ahmed (Jawed Sheikh), the ex -Governor of Pakistan, who wants his dearest son Bilal Ahmed (Abhay Deol) to enter politics just like him and change the history of Pakistan. Even though Bilal’s heart lies in becoming a cricketer, he sacrifices his professional desires for the sake of his father. As the conference gets over and Bilal reaches his home in Lahore (Pakistan), he is shocked to see a mysterious fruit “moving basket”, which then, turns out to the hideout of effervescent & free spirited Happy (Diana Penty). When interrogated, Happy reveals that she had run away from her wedding with the local corporator Daman Singh Bagga (Jimmy Sheirgill) in Amritsar, because she is actually in love with Guddu (Ali Fazal), but her parents have opposed to their relationship. At the same time, she also confesses that, even though she was to run away from her marriage, her landing up in Pakistan was purely accidental & totally unplanned. Amidst all this, Bilal Ahmed also lands up falling in love with Happy, despite the fact that he is already bethrod to Zoya (Momal Sheikh).

Director Mudassar Aziz also deserves a left handed compliment not only for his excellent writing & entertaining directorial treatment but also for extracting a perfect act from nearly everyone in the film, and a special well deserved mention goes to the gone in the oblivion actress Diana Penty and above all the 3 main heroes namely Ali Fazal, Abhay Deol & Jimmy Shergill. But of course Mudassar Aziz seems to be heavily inspired by producer Anand L. Rai’s film Tanu Weds Manu and above all its sequel too.

Performance wise it’s an out & out Diana Penty film all the way. Oh! What a revelation she is!!! Especially after having made her comeback that too after half a decade in another forgetable film named Cocktail. While Abhay Deol is very realistic, Jimmy Sheirgill is pictur perfect, Momal Sheikh (hailing from Pakisitan) is sincere, Ali Fazal is excellent & Piyush Mishra is a welcome addition to the list of all the existng comedians of Bollywood.

Tail Piece: Happy Bhaag Jayegi is a rollercoaster ride of fun & frolic. In fact it is more of a feel good film that will make you feel happy.

Dulquer Salmaan Is Now A Thrissur Gadi

Young heartthrob Dulquer Salmaan has now started his latest venture shooting in Thrissur. This is the 1st time he is joining hands with veteran filmmaker Sathyan Anthikad. As always this movie will also be a complete family entertainer. This movie is penned by IqubalKuttipuram. The movie is planning shoot completely in Thrissur. The movie depicts the relationship between a father & son. Mukesh essays the role of a wealthy father & Dulquer Salmaan as his son. It also has Anupama Prameshwaran as a lady leady lead along with another debutante. After Premam, Anupama is busy with Telugu projects and this would be her 2nd movie in Malayalam.

Another Big Release For Diwali 2016

Another big release has been planned for Diwali 2016. Dhanush’s Kodi, Vishal’s Kaththi Sandai & Karthi’s Kaashmora will be hitting the screens as a Diwali treat this year. Now it looks like that Mahesh Babu will also a have a release for Diwali 2016. The Prince is currently busy shooting for director A. R. Murugadoss’s Tamil – Telugu bilingual project. The 1st look of this most anticipated flick will be released on Deepavali day which falls on 30th Oct, 2016. It is also being speculated that Ilayathalapathy’s Vijay 60’s 1st look will also be released for Diwali.

Sneha Signs A Tamil Biggie

Sneha Signs A Tamil Biggie. Actress Sneha who has been on a year long sabbatical after giving birth to her son will soon be making a comeback with a Malayalam flick with Megastar Mammootty. And now it has been confirmed that the Punnagai Ilavarasi has bagged a role in an interesting biggie.
It has been officially confirmed that the earthy beauty Sneha has signed up to play an important role in Thani Oruvan director Mohan Raja’s next film with Sivakarthikeyan & Nayanthara in lead roles. The film also stars Fahad Faasil, Sathish & RJ Balaji in other important roles.

Mahesh Babu Follows Rajini, Kamal & Vijay

Mahesh Babu Follows Rajini, Kamal & Vijay. Director A. R. Murugadoss’s Bollywood flick Akira is all set to hit the screens this Friday 2nd Sept, 2016 while he has already started working on his mega budget Tamil – Telugu bilingual with Mahesh Babu in the lead. The shooting of this film has started last month. A grand set has been erected in EVP Theme Park in the outskirts of Chennai. A lengthy 40 days shoot schedule will take place in this set. It is worth noting that Superstar Rajinikanth’s 2.0 has been extensively shot in EVP. Kamal Haasan’s Uttama Villain & Vijay’s Theri were also shot in this location which has become a favorite of Kollywood.

Nayanthara Joins ADMK!

Nayanthara Joins ADMK! What triggered the buzz. Some sections of the media are going gaga reporting that Nayanthara has entered politics and that too has affiliated herself to none other than the Amma herself. The reason for this widespread speculation is that the lady superstar agreed to preside over and give away Amma Awards to sports persons. The Amma Sports Foundation on the occasion of National Sports Day & the 1st anniversary conducted the event recently at the Madras University compound to honor deserving sports persons, real achievers & unsung heroes. The special guests included Viswanathan Anand, P. T. Usha, Vasudev Bhaskaran & Kris Srikanth. The awardees were mighty pleased to accept the Amma Awards from the hands of Nayan who was at her smiling best.

Sree Ramaraksha 1st Look Out

Sree Ramaraksha’s 1st look is out now. Sree Ramaraksha is a family entertainer starring Rajith & Shamili in the lead roles. Written & directed by Raamu, it has Nisha, Vijay Kumar, Shafi, Jyothi, Shankarabharanam Rajya Lakshmi, Kasi Vishwanath and others in important roles.
Talking about the entertainer, the makers say, “Sree Ramaraksha is a wholesome family entertainer produced on Vasishta Cine Academy banner by Prabhath Varma. Raamu is making his directorial debut with this film. Along with family based entertainment, Sree Ramaraksha has a message of social responsibility”.
The shoot is all done but for one song. “The talkie part is all done. The 1st look teaser & the audio will be released in Sept, 2016”, director Raamu says.

Kumari 21F Remake Launched

Kumari 21F remake was launched recently. Sukumar’s Kumari 21F will be remade into Kannada under Hayagreeva Chalana Chitra by G. Sridhar and A Sampath Kumar. The same will be presented by Sukumar Writings. To be directed by Sriman Vemula, who has worked as an associate director at Annapurna Studios for 9 years, this one marks the debut of Pranam Devaraj, 2nd son of actor Devaraj.

Nidhi Kushalappa Is Reprising Hebbah Patel’s Role

Nidhi Kushalappa is all set to reprise the role of Hebbah Patel. The film was launched in a “puja” ceremony held at Kanteerava Studios in Bengaluru. The ceremony was attended by Sandalwood star Shiv Rajkumar, Vijayendra Prasad (Rajamouli’s father), Sukumar & Surya Pratap (the director of the original).

Inkokkadu Release Date Confirmed

Inkokkadu Release Date Confirmed. After a much wait, the release date of Inkokkadu has been confirmed. It’s hitting the screens on 8th Sept, 2016. Starring Vikram in dual roles, the thriller also stars Nayanathara & Nithya Menon. It’s directed by Anand Shankar. Producer Neelam Krishna Reddy has sold the distribution rights of the Vikram starrer to Abhishek Nama of Abhishek Pictures.
“Our objective has always been to bring quality cinema to the audience. The producer Shibu Tameens & director Anand Shankar have made Inkokkadu on high technical values. Music director Harris Jayaraj, cinematographer RD Rajashekar & editor Bhuvan Srinivasan are the names. That says it all,” The producer says.

Jyo Achyutananda Censor Done

Jyo Achyutananda has been censored by the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Jyo Achyutananda censor done and the release date has been finally finalised. Jyo Achyutananda’ was censored and it has been certified with a clean ‘U’. The movie is slated for release on 9th Sept, 2016. Directed by Avasarala Srinivas & produced by Sai Korrapati, it stars Nara Rohith, Naga Shourya & Regina Cassandra in lead roles. “It’s not a love triangle and none of them is imaginary. It’s a simple story – that of brothers”, the director has said. “I’m really fortunate to have found a place in the industry and the love I have received for my 1st ever film fills me with immense satisfaction. I hope I continue to get opportunities to bring more smiles to you”, he recently added. The film has music by Kalyan Koduri.

Sajid Yahiya’s 2nd Film Is Already In Controversies

Sajid Yahiya’s 2nd film is already in controversies. After the debut directorial venture IDI Sajid Yahiya has started working on his next project. The story line itself is really interesting. It’s about a girl who is deeply influenced with a Superstar’s onscreen personality. Manju warrier & Indrajith would show case the leasing roles. But still the makers haven’t got the Superstar for this movie. They are expected to get Mohanlal as the title role as he is the ideal man concept for most of the ladies. Unfortunately writer Kaloor Ravikumar claims that the story is raised up from his works which were published in a prominent Malayalam publication. And he filed a complaint to the FEFKA writers union.

MM 2 Gets A Clean ‘U’ from Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC)

The much awaited film Mungaru Male 2 from producer Gangadhar (Mungaru Male of December end 2006 was produced by E Krishnappa) has got the clean ‘U’ certificate from the regional censor board Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The smiling Shashank & producer Gangadhar announced the clean ‘U’ to media that had gathered to another film assignment at Sri Renukamba digital theatre. Already super hit in songs from Arjun Janya ‘MM 2’ is heading for release on 9th Sept, 2016. Shashank with a few super hit films like Moggina Manasu, Sixer, Krishnan Love Story, Bachchan & Krishna Leela has high hopes of a big hit for this film Mungaru Male 2. Mungaru Male released in Dec, 2006 was directed by Yogaraj Bhat – the biggest top grosser of the Kannada cinema history. That has also given “Golden star” status to Ganesh.

Ballary Darbar Real Story

Ballary Darbar is based on the real story. The district of Ballary in Karnataka is very important and said to be a gold mine for its full potential in “Mine”. The recent developments in the history have revealed the scores of affluent people activity and some of them have been booked for illegal mining. All such developments of the “Mine Lords” ruling is the concept for Style Srini who made Toofan Kannada cinema. He has worked as assistant to a few Telugu films. He has based some of the real life happenings for this – love darbar, money darbar & revenge darbar as main contents. Sreenu has written story, screenplay, dialogues besides direction. The shoot was also held in & around Ballary district. 4 songs are scored by Charan Arjun.

The 2nd Bhojpuri film of Purple Pebble Pictures in association with Red Quartz Entertainment was recently launched at Empire studio with a song recording under the supervision of music composer Madhukar Anand. The untitled film is being produced by Priyanka Chopra, Dr Madhu Chopra and Neha Shandilya. The film has been written and directed by Santosh Mishra, associate producer is Ravi Shankar Jaiswal and executive producer is Mahesh Upadhyay. Ravi Kishan and Nirahua are in the main cast. While the other cast & crew will be finalized soon. On this occasion many Bhojpuri and Bollywood film personalities were present.

Rani Dilwar Jani Last Song Picturised

The last and the 10th song of Shrinathji Production’s Rani Dilwar Jani was picturised recently at Future Studio. For the 1st time an Arabian Style dance was filmed in the history of the Bhojpuri Cinema. The song was shot on Anjana Singh and Shubhi Sharma in présence of Awadhesh Mishra. The film is slated to release after the rainy season. The film has been produced by Rajesh Singh alias Raju Bhai, choreographed and directed by Bali, written by Rajesh Singh and Shakeel, music by Rajesh Singh, lyrics by Shyam Dehati, action by Dilip Yadav, music arrangement by Shishir Panday and cinematography by Jehangir. The film stars Rani Chatterji, Pakhi Hegde, Monalisha, Anjana Singh, Archna Singh, Shubhi Sharma, Mahi Khan, Seema Singh, Viraj Bhatt, Awadhesh Mishra, Ejaj Khan, Deepak Bhatia, Anil Yadav, Jamal Khan, K. K. Goswami, Shyam Dehati and Kunal Singh.

Nayee Soch Hai Nayee Umang – Rediscovering India Video Album Released

The new patriotic music video album Nayee Soch Hai Nayee Umang – Rediscovering India of B. Prayog Infotainment was released on the eve of the Independence Day at Red Ribon Entertainment’s office at the hands of Smt. Lalita Bhave & Lalitya Munshaw of Red Ribon in digital format. This album has been produced by Dr. Vijay Bhave alias B. Prayog.

Kasam Maiya Ki Background Music Complete

The background music of Prem Ramchela Production’s Kasam Maiya Ki has recently been completed at Shakuntalam Studio under the supervision of Manoj Gupta. The film has been produced by Prem Sinha and Gyan Das Gupta, written and directed by Rama Mehra, music by Rajesh Ghayal, choreography by Kedar Subba, action by Darshan Singh, editing by Kamal Sahgal and cinematography by Ashok Saroj. The film stars Prem Sinha, Gyan Das Gupta, Brijesh Tripathi, Gurubachan, Ali Khan, Mahesh Raj, Dev Malhotra, Raj Gautam, Puja Manish Vyas, Saba Khan, Aruna Shivya, Rama Mehra and Seema Singh.

Suhaag Raat Chorwa Ke Saath Background Music Complete

The background music of Lajawab Production’s Suhaag Raat Chorwa Ke Saath has recently been completed at Nakul’s PNP Studio under the super vision of Abhishek Pandit. The film has been produced by Santosh Pandey, directed by Sabir Hussain, story – screenplay – dialogues by Sabir Hussain and Wajid Shaikh, music by Raj Inder Raj and S. Hussain, lyrics by Ranjit Yadav and S. Hussain and cinematography by Dilshad. The film stars debutant Kishan Kumar along with Priya Singh, Gopal Rai, Sanjay Verma, Raj Karan, Subhash Yadav, Jyotika, Krishna Singh, Awdhesh Ujjain etc.

Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin Releasing On 2nd Sept 2016 All Over India

Balaji Films Entertainment Present’s Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin is releasing on 2nd Sept, 2016 all over India. The film has been produced by Vijay Pandit and Mithun Sah, directed by Ajay Kumar jhaa, written by Arvind Tiwari, lyrics by Pyarelal Yadav and Arvind Tiwari, music by Om Jhaa, cinematography by Nitu Iqbal, choreography by Kanu Mukherjee and action by Hira yadav. The film stars Rakesh Mishra, Viraj Bhatt, Tanushree, Anjana Singh, Sanjay Panday, Prem Dubey, Ayaz Khan, Sanjay Verma etc.

Tridev 1st Look Out

The 1st look of Priyanshi Movies Presents Tridev is out now in Mumbai. The film has been produced and directed by Arvind Chawbe, written by Manoj Kushwaha, lyrics by Azad Singh and Shyam Dehati, music by Om Jhaa, cinematography by Ravi Chandan, action by Dilip Yadav and choreography by Rikki Gupta and Ram Devgan. The film stars Pawan Singh, Rishabh Kashyap Golu, Arvind Akela Kallu, Akashra Singh, Neha Shree, Inushree, Maya Yadav, Ayaz Khan, Jay Singh etc.

Sony TV Channel is now all set to strengthen its weekend lineup beginning with its new show Super Dancer – Dance Ka Kal. The trio that has given Indian television some top of the line dance reality shows is back again with a program in the same genre namely Super Dancer – Dance Ka Kal. Ashish Golwalker, Ranjeet Thakur & Hemant Ruparel are all set to launch their new kids dance reality show on Sony Entertainment Television. It promises to showcase dance talent from across the country on 1 national platform and will air from 10th Sept, 2016 in the prime time slot at 8 pm on Sat & Sun.

Produced by Frames Production, Super Dancer – Dance Ka Kal will have 12 dance contestants who will get a golden opportunity to compete for the coveted title of India’s top emerging talent. Each finalist will be paired with 1 notable choreographer in charge of mentoring, understanding & nurturing their strengths, while introducing them to different dance techniques and bringing out the best in them week on week. To run for 27 episodes over 13 weeks, the production team has already canned 4 episodes. The per episode production cost of Super Dancer – Dance Ka Kal is said to be between Rs 65 lakh & 70 lakh per episode and a 10 second TV commercial is being sold at Rs. 1.5 lakh.

The channel has roped in Patanjali Powervita as the presenting sponsor & Quick Heal as co – powered by sponsor.

Super Dancer – Dance Ka Kal will be judged by actress Shilpa Shetty, choreographer Geeta Kapur and Bollywood director Anurag Basu. Rithvik Dhanjani & comedian Paritosh Tripathi will host the show.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Urges TV Channels To Aid Swachh Bharat Programme

The Prime Minister of India Shri. Narendra Modi has of late urged the TV Channels to aid Swachh Bharat programme and Big B features in the new promo. The Prime Minister recently urged the television channels to participate pro – actively in the Swachh Bharat programme as creativity may lead to new ideas & new slogans which can inspire people. Referring to the Short Films Competition on the theme “Swachh Bharat” announced recently by the Government of India, he said during his monthly “Monthly Ki Baat” on All India Radio that filmmakers no longer needed large studios or sets to shoot a film, and this could be done even on a mobile phone.

He said the winning entries will be announced in a special felicitation programme to be held in New Delhi on 2nd Oct, 2016 which also marks the Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti. Entries have been invited by the National Film Development Corporation on behalf of Information & Broadcasting Ministry by 10th Sept, 2016. The films can be made in Hindi, English or any of the listed official languages of India. The “Best Film” will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh & a certificate. 3 of the 2nd “Best Films” will be awarded Rs 5 lakh each & 6 of the 3rd “Best Films” will be awarded Rs 2 lakh each.

Times Network Targets Jet Set With Its New Show Luxury Time

Times Network recently targeted jet set with its new show Luxury Time across 6 channels. Times Network launched a new show titled Luxury Time. The show is placed on the weekend primetime slots of not 1 or 2 but across 6 of its channels – ET Now, Times Now, Magicbricks Now, Romedy Now HD, Romedy Now SD & MN+. Reason: not dissecting the audience but giving it the power to choose a platform, whether they want to watch the show on the news channels or English Entertainment Channels. It went on air from 27th Aug, 2016. The debut season will comprise of 12 episodes of 30 minutes each and will span across categories like travel, lifestyle, personal care, accessories, fashion, gourmet, gadgets & premium stationery. The show promises to showcase luxury in the true sense – luxurious living, aspirational brands, gourmet cuisines, exotic destinations and the likes. Luxury Time is targeted at the 10.2 million strong English speaking audiences and aims to be an international barometer of luxury & sophistication. It has been shot internationally and in varied places within India with a bank of 3 to 4 shows ready.

Punit Misra Hired To Head Domestic Broadcast Business

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) recently hired Unilever’s Punit Misra to head the domestic broadcast business. The Essel group owned Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has recently filled the missing peg on its leadership roster: the CEO of its domestic broadcast business. Come 1st Oct, 2016, former Hindustan Unilever Ltd’s (HUL) senior executive & careerist Punit Misra will be stepping into those shoes at India’s leading media & entertainment major and will be directly reporting to ZEEL MD & CEO Punit Goenka. In recent times, ZEEL has been strengthening its senior management team to help it achieve its ambitious targets. Last year, it brought in family member & Punit’s younger brother & technopreneur Amit Goenka to head its international broadcast business. Earlier this year, it spun off its broadcast network sales into another company called Zee Unimedia which is headed by COO Ashish Sehgal.
Punit Misra, the new senior joinee, has had a long association with HUL and was last serving as an executive director & vice president – customer development. His responsibilities included heading sales. He joined HUL as a management trainee in 1996. Since then, he has worked in leadership roles across customer development, brand building, brand development & general management within HUL, as well as in the global customer development team of Unilever.

New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) Launched 2 New Channels

NDTV launches 2 new channels on Virgin cable in UK. New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) has recently launched 2 new channels on UK based telecommunication mass media company Virgin cable. The company informed BSE that the company has launched its Hindi news channel NDTV India in UK. Along with the news channel a subsidiary of the company, NDTV Lifestyle Limited, has launched an Indian food channel NDTV Spice on Virgin’s cable network. NDTV has a portfolio of 3 channels, including NDTV 24×7, NDTV India and India’s 1st ever 2 -in – 1 channel NDTV Profit – NDTV Prime (business news & infotainment). The channels target the global Indian with news. NDTV has a rollercoaster ride as a media company – turned – broadcaster in the last over 25 years. Last week, the income tax appellate tribunal (ITAT) ruled in its favour on tax matters related to assessment years 2007 – 2008 & 2008 – 2009 that had created a controversy. The company has been caught up in a legal tangle with the income tax department for some time. The ITAT said that NDTV need not pay tax on additional amount of Rs 22.09 crore, which the department wanted to add to its taxable income.

Discovery Channel Now Brings A New Reality Drama Series

Discovery Channel has recently launched a new reality drama series titled Hardcore Pawn. Pawning is an old practice & pawn shops are a common phenomenon in USA, where one can get quick & easy cash by pledging (loan) their personal belongings or selling their valuable items. Discovery’s new reality series Hardcore Pawn takes viewers into the crazy & dynamic world of American Jewelry & Loan – Detroit, USA’s largest pawn store, where a wide assortment of customers bring in everything from gold to old cars, from alligators to prosthetic limbs to exchange for cash. Viewers get a glimpse of the daily events at the pawn store where each day brings new customers, new rewards, and a new drama. It premiered on 29th Aug, 2016. Hardcore Pawn will air on weekdays (Mon – Fri) at 8 PM on Discovery Channel. Follow the Gold family as they wheel & deal with colourful customers, manage temperamental employees, and squabble with one another in the name of making money in one of the most troubled cities in America. This isn’t a typical trading job; this is “Hardcore Pawn”. The Gold family & their employees never know what to expect when people’s personal items are on the line. As each episode of this fascinating series reveals, haggling over a price can quickly escalate into an all -out conflict.

Colosceum’s New Drive

Television producer’s production house’ Colosceum’s new drive. Lalit Sharma has one ambition that keeps him up all night, it’s the drive to take his production house Colosceum Media into new vistas. The smiling soft – spoken bearded CEO whose charge has built up its reputation as a top notch producer of non – fiction & reality shows would like to balance out its portfolio by diversifying increasingly into TV dramas & series for Hindi General Entertainment Channel’s (GEC), shows for international TV channels, and digital content. For the 1st one, he has a challenge – albeit not un – surmountable – on his hands. For a large part programmers in Hindi GEC’s are a cautious bunch – they put producers in defined boxes and are loathe to give opportunities to untried & untested producers, even though they have experience in other genres. “Oh! He is into non – fiction; he does not have the requisite fiction production experience,” is oft heard in programming circles in channels. The production house has found a way out of this Catch22 situation. Over the years, it has partnered with fiction producers or creators by pumping in funds and looking after the production aspects of each show. For example for its latest endeavor, Dehleez, which came to a close in Jun, 2016. Lalit Sharma found a willing listener in Star Content Studios boss Gaurav Banerji who allowed him to partner & co – produce it with Farhan Salaruddin’s Fortune Productions for Star Plus. A romantic courtroom drama it ran for 104 episodes at 10:30 pm, and pulled in consistent ratings for the channel.

Big Magic All Set To Air Season’s Finale Of Har Mushkil Ka Hal – Akbar Birbal

Big Magic is now all set to air the season’s finale of Akbar Birbal. Big
Magic‘s flagship show Har Mushkil Ka Hal – Akbar Birbal, which thrives on its innovative content, has always been the front – runner in terms of viewership numbers. For years, the show has been at the top of its game, ruling the comedy space on Indian television. The show, which is inspired by the childhood folk tales of Akbar & Birbal, is all set to take viewers on yet another laughter ride in its season’s finale, before they announce the return of the next season soon enough.

Jasdeep Pannu Roped In

ESPN Channel has recently roped in Jasdeep Pannu as India TV initiatives head. Leading global sports network ESPN is slowly but steadily rebuilding itself in the Indian television space, after exiting its 50:50 sports broadcasting joint venture with Star India in 2012. Last year, it bounced back into the Indian television ecosystem in a partnership with Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) in an initiative that would see it giving birth to many channels, new program, online initiatives, amongst other things. At least that’s what MSM India CEO NP Singh & ESPN international Executive vice -president & managing director Russell Wolff had stated at the time of the launch of the new venture. Jan, 2016 saw Sony Kix being rebranded as Sony ESPN & Sony ESPN HD, the 1st of the many channels the 2 want to launch in India.
As a 1st step on the talent front, ESPN has brought in sports television veteran Jasdeep Pannu as head of its TV initiatives in India. Jasdeep Pannu joined the company in Jul, 2016 but has been working in a low key manner since then.

Arun Thapar joins A+ENetworks / TV18

Arun Thapar recently joined A+ENetworks / TV18. The factual entertainment genre in India is observing some flux with new channel launches as well as professional movements. Discovery Networks programming head Arun Thapar had recently resigned from the network he was associated with for 5 years. Arun Thapar has now hopped on board A+ENetworks|TV18. He will serve the network as executive vice president programming with immediate effect. Arun Thapar will be heading the creative content of the network’s 2 factual entertainment channels – History TV18 & FYI TV18. His initial main focus will be on building a strong & localised content library for the recently launched channel, FYI TV18.

Shailendra Singh, imbibed with a dynamic persona, is a young at heart, energetic and enterprising man. He is full beans at any given moment of the day. Shailendra Singh also happens to be the Jt Director of Percept Limited, an event management company which also deals with commercial ads. Besides as a filmmaker he has producer 74 films till this date. He is now making his directorial debut with his upcoming film Sunshine Music Tours And Travels, which is all set to hit the marquée on 2nd Sept, 2016.

As a producer you have made scores of films over the years. Then how come you took so long to make your directorial debut?

As a producer I had spent my hard earned money from my event management company Percept Limited and gave a break to many directors, actors and even many technicians. And till this date I have ended up producing, distributing and releasing 74 films. So when I thought of making my directorial debut I started searching for the right producers to back my most ambitious project centering around the most popular annual Sunburn Festival of Goa. I really enjoyed producing films with my own money and now I wanted to see if I can really enjoy making a film by putting other producer’s money at stake.

Time to briefly narrate the concept of Sunshine Music Tours And Travels.

My upcoming film Sunshine Music Tours And Travels is a musically oriented travel film. The film revisits Bollywood’s superhit travel film Bombay To Goa. It is a travel musical made especially for people who still believe that they are young at heart. My debut directorial film Sunshine Music Tours And Travels has ample doses of comedy and drama. It has all the ingredients of a commercial potboiler. It is full of non – stop entertainment, fun and enjoyment. In short the film travels from Kashmir to Goa covering a distance of 2874 KM carrying 14 strangers who all have dreams in their eyes and some of their dreams are fulfilled when they reach Goa and take part in Goa’s most popular annual Sunburn Festival. The main protagonist of the film enacted by debutant Sunny Kaushal is named Sunburn. He is a small town boy of Kashmir who works in a dhabba and always listens to Sunburn music and dreams of attending the Sunburn Festival of Goa one day. Not only these all the 14 strangers who meet in the bus have their own dreams and stories to tell during their journey from Kashmir to Goa.

Is it a ploy to give more popularity to the Sunburn Festival of Goa, an annual event conceptualised and organised by your own event management company since its inception?

Sunburn Festival is already popular by now in India as well as all over the globe, with lakhs and lakhs of people attending every year in the month of January so it does not need any more popularity. Actually the film is based on a true story of a small town boy from Kashmir who always dreamt of visting the Sunburn Festival and the rest of the film is a fictionalised account centering around the Sunburn Festival.

Give us an insight into the cast & crew of Sunshine Music Tours And Travels.

As I said earlier the main protagonist of the film is Sunny Kaushal who was selected through an intense audition process. I only came to much later that Sunny happened to be the son of Bollywood’s famed action director Sham Kaushal and also the brother of actor Vicky Kaushal who had made his debut last year with the most talked about film Masaan. Anyways the rest of the debutant actors will get a proper on screen inroduction. As far as the crew is concerned the film has been produced by Kavanjit Hayre, executive producer is Percept Pictures, associate producer is Yusuf Shaikh, screenplay and dialogues by Shailendra Singh and Sehaj K. Maini, edited by Keval Shukla, music by Edward Avil, background score by Kingshuk Chakraborty, cinematography by Arshad Khan, written and directed by Shailendra Singh and produced under the banner of Hayare Entertainment in association with Percept Pictures Presents.

You have taken all debutant actors for Sunshine Music Tours And Travels whereas you could have made the film with established stars.

Yes I could have made the film with established stars but still I opted for debutant actors as I did not wish to comprise on the freshness factor of the film. That apart big stars means big money and then what’s the guarantee that the film will definately hit the bull’s eye. Salman Khan’s Sultan’s budget
was around 150 crores and it earned around 300 crores so considering its huge budget I believe that its profit margin was no great shakes. I don’t believe in such economics of filmmaking especially when I am making a film with other producer’s money. So I decided to make a small buget film with an all new cast and if the film hits the bull’s eye then our profit margin will also be great and everybody will have its benefits in their own way.

You have distributed and released most of your films so what do you feel is the distribution scenario in the present times?

Nowadays only a handful of corporate houses distribute and release only the films that they feel will be commercially viable. But even they tend to make a wrong move most of the time. So why do you think I used to distribute my own films most of the time?. Then the multiplex scenario is also nothing much to rave about. They are also desperate to exhibit only commercially viable films. Today a family ends up coughing a huge amount to watch a single film including the ever increasing ticket rates. And then also they are deprived of a common thing like water. I was the first person to install a water cooler in a multiplex. I also feel that Just as bars and pubs have “Happy Hours” for its customers then why can’t the multiplexes also have “Happy Hours” for the cine goers. This is the sorriest state of affairs of multiplexes. So where will a common layman go to watch a film? But I think the days of single théâtres will be back soon.