Exclusive: Amazon Studios will release Ritesh Batra’s romance feature Photograph stateside on May 17, the weekend before the Memorial Day stretch. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
The pic follows a struggling Mumbai street photographer who is pressured to wed by his grandmother. He convinces a shy stranger to pose as his fiancée during a family visit. Despite vast cultural differences, the pair develops a surprising connection that challenges their worldviews.
Photograph is screening as part of the official line-up at the Berlin International Film Festival. When the movie opens in May, it will be a limited release.
Pic stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Vijay Raaz, Jim Sarbh, Akash Sinha and Saharsh Kumar Shukla. Producers are Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino, Anish Savjani, Ritesh Batra, Michael Weber, Viola Fügen and Michel Merkt. EPs are Smriti Jain, Gaurav Mishra, Arun Rangachari and Vivek Rangachari.
The pic follows a struggling Mumbai street photographer who is pressured to wed by his grandmother. He convinces a shy stranger to pose as his fiancée during a family visit. Despite vast cultural differences, the pair develops a surprising connection that challenges their worldviews.
Photograph is screening as part of the official line-up at the Berlin International Film Festival. When the movie opens in May, it will be a limited release.
Pic stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Vijay Raaz, Jim Sarbh, Akash Sinha and Saharsh Kumar Shukla. Producers are Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino, Anish Savjani, Ritesh Batra, Michael Weber, Viola Fügen and Michel Merkt. EPs are Smriti Jain, Gaurav Mishra, Arun Rangachari and Vivek Rangachari.
- 2/12/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Bollywood’s dancing queen, diva, and indeed an idol among millions of Indians across the globe, Madhuri Dixit-Nene is now all set to feature in a Marathi film.
Currently untitled, it is a slice of life film that revolves around the self-realization journey of a woman (played by Madhuri) with a dash of humour attached to its narrative style. The film will be directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar who has also written the film along with Devashree Shivadekar. The film is co-produced by Subhedar and Aarti Subhedar of Blue Mustang Creations along with Vivek Rangachari and Arun Rangachari of Dar Motion Pictures (producers of The Lunch Box)
Madhuri genuinely believes cinema is beyond language and an effective story shown with expressive visuals can break language barriers and enthrall audiences across the globe.
Talking about the subject, Madhuri expressed, “It is a story of every household yet it has a silver lining.
Currently untitled, it is a slice of life film that revolves around the self-realization journey of a woman (played by Madhuri) with a dash of humour attached to its narrative style. The film will be directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar who has also written the film along with Devashree Shivadekar. The film is co-produced by Subhedar and Aarti Subhedar of Blue Mustang Creations along with Vivek Rangachari and Arun Rangachari of Dar Motion Pictures (producers of The Lunch Box)
Madhuri genuinely believes cinema is beyond language and an effective story shown with expressive visuals can break language barriers and enthrall audiences across the globe.
Talking about the subject, Madhuri expressed, “It is a story of every household yet it has a silver lining.
- 10/19/2017
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
From BAFTA to DGA, the Latest Winners this Awards Season
With the Oscars upon us, the awards season is almost over! But the last trek to the Academy Awards include many guild awards and of course, BAFTA! So here.s the latest congratulatory awards list of the winners from BAFTA to DGA, from Annie to Ace and everything in between!
Your full BAFTA winners (winners are highlighted):
Best Film
Birdman Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole
Boyhood Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland
The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson
The Imitation Game Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwarzman
The Theory Of Everything Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten
Director
Birdman Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Boyhood Richard Linklater
The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson
The Theory Of Everything James Marsh
Whiplash Damien Chazelle
Leading Actor
Benedict Cumberbatch The Imitation Game
Eddie Redmayne The Theory of Everything...
With the Oscars upon us, the awards season is almost over! But the last trek to the Academy Awards include many guild awards and of course, BAFTA! So here.s the latest congratulatory awards list of the winners from BAFTA to DGA, from Annie to Ace and everything in between!
Your full BAFTA winners (winners are highlighted):
Best Film
Birdman Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole
Boyhood Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland
The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson
The Imitation Game Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwarzman
The Theory Of Everything Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten
Director
Birdman Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Boyhood Richard Linklater
The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson
The Theory Of Everything James Marsh
Whiplash Damien Chazelle
Leading Actor
Benedict Cumberbatch The Imitation Game
Eddie Redmayne The Theory of Everything...
- 2/9/2015
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Boyhood has been named best film at this year’s BAFTA awards, with Richard Linklater also awarded as best director and Patricia Arquette winning best supporting actress. With a total of five awards, Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel is the evening’s most awarded film, recognised for its original screenplay, makeup/hair, both costume and production design, and for its music. The Theory of Everything won the award for outstanding British film as well as best adapted screenplay and best actor for Eddie Redmayne for his portrayal of the young Stephen Hawking. Winners of outstanding British debut are Stephen Beresford (writer) and David Livingstone (producer) for Pride, which was backed by the BFI Film Fund. The winners were announced at a ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House hosted by Stephen Fry. Explore the Best of BAFTA collection on BFI Player Best film Winner: Boyhood Birdman – Alejandro G. Iñárritu,...
- 2/8/2015
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
BAFTA/Marc Hoberman
Known as the British Oscars, the Ee British Academy Awards were handed out on Sunday.
Boyhood was the big winner at the BAFTAs with wins for Best Film, Best Director (Richard Linklater) and Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette).
The Theory Of Everything took Outstanding British Film, Adapted Screenplay and Leading Actor – Eddie Redmayne. Julianne Moore won Leading Actress for Still Alice.
Three wins went to Whiplash for Supporting Actor – J.K. Simmons, Editing and Sound.
The Grand Budapest Hotel won five awards for Costume Design, Production Design, Make Up & Hair and Original Music, with Wes Anderson winning his first BAFTA for Original Screenplay.
Emmanuel Lubezki received the BAFTA for Cinematography for Birdman, having won this category twice previously, most recently in 2014. On Saturday, Inarritu took home the top prize at the Directors’ Guild of America Awards for Birdman.
The Lego Movie received the BAFTA for Animated Film, and...
Known as the British Oscars, the Ee British Academy Awards were handed out on Sunday.
Boyhood was the big winner at the BAFTAs with wins for Best Film, Best Director (Richard Linklater) and Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette).
The Theory Of Everything took Outstanding British Film, Adapted Screenplay and Leading Actor – Eddie Redmayne. Julianne Moore won Leading Actress for Still Alice.
Three wins went to Whiplash for Supporting Actor – J.K. Simmons, Editing and Sound.
The Grand Budapest Hotel won five awards for Costume Design, Production Design, Make Up & Hair and Original Music, with Wes Anderson winning his first BAFTA for Original Screenplay.
Emmanuel Lubezki received the BAFTA for Cinematography for Birdman, having won this category twice previously, most recently in 2014. On Saturday, Inarritu took home the top prize at the Directors’ Guild of America Awards for Birdman.
The Lego Movie received the BAFTA for Animated Film, and...
- 2/8/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The 2015 Ee BAFTA Awards were handed out in London Sunday night and while the broadcast aired hours later in the United States, it didn't stop us from chronicling the twists and turns of a show often seen as a bellwether for the Academy Awards. It took home only three BAFTAs, but "Boyhood" was the biggest winner of the night as it won Best Film and Richard Linklater earned Director honors. "The Grand Budapest Hotel" took home five statues including Original Screenplay for Wes Anderson, Production Design, Costumes, Original Music and Make Up & Hair. "Whiplash" earned three BAFTAs including J.K. Simmons for Supporting Actor, Editing and a somewhat surprising win in Sound. Expected Oscar winners Julianne Moore took Leading Actress and Patricia Arquette took Supporting Actress. Eddie Redmayne earned a key win over rival Michael Keaton by claiming the Lead Actor BAFTA for "The Theory of Everything." The latter also won...
- 2/8/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
Screen is at the awards ceremony in London, updating the winners as they are announced.
After months of voting and campaigning, the Ee British Academy Film Awards are finally here.
As the statues are handed out at London’s Royal Opera House, hosted by Stephen Fry, we will update the list below with the winners. The ceremony is due to begin at 6.45pm (GMT).
With 11 nods, Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel has the most nominations for the British Academy Film Awards, just edging favourites The Theory of Everything and Birdman (with 10 apiece); and The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, with nine.
2014 Nominations
(presented in 2015)Best Film
Birdman Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole
Boyhood Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland
The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson
The Imitation Game Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwarzman
The Theory Of Everything Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, [link...
After months of voting and campaigning, the Ee British Academy Film Awards are finally here.
As the statues are handed out at London’s Royal Opera House, hosted by Stephen Fry, we will update the list below with the winners. The ceremony is due to begin at 6.45pm (GMT).
With 11 nods, Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel has the most nominations for the British Academy Film Awards, just edging favourites The Theory of Everything and Birdman (with 10 apiece); and The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, with nine.
2014 Nominations
(presented in 2015)Best Film
Birdman Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole
Boyhood Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland
The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson
The Imitation Game Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwarzman
The Theory Of Everything Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, [link...
- 2/8/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
The celebrated filmmaker and cartoonist Walt Disney once said, “Of all of our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language.” Whatever background or class you belong to, we all love to relish in a Bollywood film now and again. It transports us in to a world we wish we were a part of, as well as exposing us to characters who we can relate to. So has 2014 been a good year for Bollywood? Well let’s just say there were a minority of good films that form part of a pile of disappointments. It’s not been an amazing year for the Hindi film industry, yet we feel that the films which have lived up to our expectations deserve its due recognition. So without further ado, here are the films that have made the final cut!
Drama
5. Mardaani – Director: Pradeep Sarkar. Producer: Aditya Chopra
Mardaani was not an amazing watch.
Drama
5. Mardaani – Director: Pradeep Sarkar. Producer: Aditya Chopra
Mardaani was not an amazing watch.
- 1/14/2015
- by Bodrul Chaudhury
- Bollyspice
The Ee British Academy Film Awards nominations, the equivalent of the Oscars, were announced on Friday morning.
Better known as the BAFTAs by those who follow the awards season, the announcement was made by show host Stephen Fry and actor Sam Claflin.
The Grand Budapest Hotel received 11 nominations, followed by Birdman and The Theory of Everything with 10. The Imitation Game received nine nominations, while Boyhood and Whiplash saw five. Mr. Turner, Nightcrawler and Interstellar received four nominations and British indie Pride collected three nods.
The BAFTAs will take place on Sunday, February 8 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. The ceremony will be televised on a tape-delay in the U.S. on BBC America.
2014 Nominations
Best Film
Birdman Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole
Boyhood Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland
The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson
The Imitation Game Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky,...
Better known as the BAFTAs by those who follow the awards season, the announcement was made by show host Stephen Fry and actor Sam Claflin.
The Grand Budapest Hotel received 11 nominations, followed by Birdman and The Theory of Everything with 10. The Imitation Game received nine nominations, while Boyhood and Whiplash saw five. Mr. Turner, Nightcrawler and Interstellar received four nominations and British indie Pride collected three nods.
The BAFTAs will take place on Sunday, February 8 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. The ceremony will be televised on a tape-delay in the U.S. on BBC America.
2014 Nominations
Best Film
Birdman Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole
Boyhood Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland
The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson
The Imitation Game Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky,...
- 1/9/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has just finished announcing their nominations for best achievement in film for 2014, with Wes Anderson’s quirky comedy The Grand Budapest Hotel leading the pack with 11 nominations. Not far behind are Birdman and The Theory of Everything with ten nods apiece. All three films have earned nods in many of the same top categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and in their respective Best Screenplay categories.
Some may find it surprising that the most lauded film of the year, Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, only made a showing with five nominations, but they were all in top categories (Film, Director, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, and Original Screenplay). However, it is a little shocking that no nod for editing was included (and that’s with six nominees already in the category due to a tie), as this is usually considered a...
Some may find it surprising that the most lauded film of the year, Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, only made a showing with five nominations, but they were all in top categories (Film, Director, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, and Original Screenplay). However, it is a little shocking that no nod for editing was included (and that’s with six nominees already in the category due to a tie), as this is usually considered a...
- 1/9/2015
- by Jeff Beck
- We Got This Covered
Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, a film that debuted almost exactly a year ago in Berlin, scored 11 nominations from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts this morning. That puts the Fox Searchlight film in the lead while the studio division’s own Birdman is perched in 10 categories. Also scoring 10 BAFTA nods is The Theory Of Everything, followed by The Imitation Game with nine, Boyhood and Whiplash with five, and Mr Turner, Nightcrawler and Interstellar with four. Vying for Best Film are Birdman, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game and The Theory Of Everything. The BAFTAs will be held on February 8 at London’s Royal Opera House. For the full lists of nominees, see below, and standby for a closer look at the races:
Best Film
Birdman Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole
Boyhood Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland
The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson,...
Best Film
Birdman Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole
Boyhood Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland
The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson,...
- 1/9/2015
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline
Full list of nominations for the Ee British Academy Film Awards.2014 Nominations
(presented in 2015)Best Film
Birdman Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole
Boyhood Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland
The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson
The Imitation Game Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwarzman
The Theory Of Everything Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten
Outstanding British Film
’71 Yann Demange, Angus Lamont, Robin Gutch, Gregory Burke
The Imitation Game Morten Tyldum, Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwarzman, Graham Moore
Paddington Paul King, David Heyman
Pride Matthew Warchus, David Livingstone, Stephen Beresford
The Theory Of Everything James Marsh, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten
Under The Skin Jonathan Glazer, James Wilson, Nick Wechsler, Walter Campbell
Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer
Elaine Constantine (Writer/Director) Northern Soul
Gregory Burke (Writer), Yann Demange (Director) ’71
Hong Khaou (Writer/Director) Lilting
Paul Katis (Director/Producer), Andrew De LOTBINIÈRE...
(presented in 2015)Best Film
Birdman Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole
Boyhood Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland
The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson
The Imitation Game Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwarzman
The Theory Of Everything Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten
Outstanding British Film
’71 Yann Demange, Angus Lamont, Robin Gutch, Gregory Burke
The Imitation Game Morten Tyldum, Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwarzman, Graham Moore
Paddington Paul King, David Heyman
Pride Matthew Warchus, David Livingstone, Stephen Beresford
The Theory Of Everything James Marsh, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten
Under The Skin Jonathan Glazer, James Wilson, Nick Wechsler, Walter Campbell
Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer
Elaine Constantine (Writer/Director) Northern Soul
Gregory Burke (Writer), Yann Demange (Director) ’71
Hong Khaou (Writer/Director) Lilting
Paul Katis (Director/Producer), Andrew De LOTBINIÈRE...
- 1/9/2015
- ScreenDaily
“Birdman,” “Boyhood,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Imitation Game” and “The Theory of Everything” are the five contenders for the best film of 2014 at the Ee British Academy Film Awards, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) announced on Friday morning in London.
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” led all films with 11 nominations, with “Birdman” receiving 10. The two British biopics, “The Theory of Everything” and “The Imitation Game,” received 10 and nine nominations, respectively.
“Boyhood” and “Whiplash” received five nominations each.
The five top films, all considered strong Oscar Best Picture contenders, led a group of BAFTA nominees that are...
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” led all films with 11 nominations, with “Birdman” receiving 10. The two British biopics, “The Theory of Everything” and “The Imitation Game,” received 10 and nine nominations, respectively.
“Boyhood” and “Whiplash” received five nominations each.
The five top films, all considered strong Oscar Best Picture contenders, led a group of BAFTA nominees that are...
- 1/9/2015
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts announced the nominees for the 2015 BAFTA Awards early Friday morning. For complete analysis of this year's nominations and what they could mean for the upcoming Oscar nods click here. The complete list of this year's BAFTA Awards nominees is as follows: Best Film "Birdman," Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole "Boyhood," Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland "The Grand Budapest Hotel," Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson "The Imitation Game," Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwarzman "The Theory of Everything," Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten Outstanding British Film "’71," Yann Demange, Angus Lamont, Robin Gutch, Gregory Burke "The Imitation Game," Morten Tyldum, Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwarzman, Graham Moore "Paddington," Paul King, David Heyman "Pride," Matthew Warchus, David Livingstone, Stephen Beresford "The Theory of Everything," James Marsh, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten "Under the Skin,...
- 1/9/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
Dar Motion Pictures, Virtue Entertainment, Ime Motion Pictures and Blue Drop Films today launched the theatrical trailer and poster of the eagerly anticipated Marathi’s first vigilante epic, ‘Baji’. Starring Shreyas Talpade, who is returning to Marathi cinema after a span of eight years, as ‘Baji’ and Jitendra Joshi as his main nemesis, the film is slated to hit the silver screen on 6th February 2015. Written and directed by Nikhil Mahajan, of Pune 52 fame, the movie which is already amongst next year’s most anticipated films also features popular Marathi actress Amruta Khanvilkar as the leading lady.
The two and a half minute theatrical trailer gives the audience a glimpse of all the elements of the film. Right from the beginning this fast paced action packed trailer, hooks you, keeps anticipation throughout and, leaves audiences wanting more. The background score compliments the visuals, VFX and special effects which most defiantly are of international standards,...
The two and a half minute theatrical trailer gives the audience a glimpse of all the elements of the film. Right from the beginning this fast paced action packed trailer, hooks you, keeps anticipation throughout and, leaves audiences wanting more. The background score compliments the visuals, VFX and special effects which most defiantly are of international standards,...
- 12/10/2014
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Described as a defining film in the history of Indian cinema, The Lunchbox which has won numerous domestic and international accolades in its slight over a year’s run at the box office wins yet another award. Produced by Arun Rangachari, Anurag Kashyap, and Guneet Monga, Ritesh Batra’s directorial debut which stars Irrfan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Nimrat Kaur was recently conferred the ‘Film with the Best Return on Investment’ award at the Star Box Office India’s 2014 awards. Mr. Vivek Rangachari, Producer, Dar Motion Pictures and Guneet Monga from Sikhya Entertainment were present on the occasion to receive the award.
Critically acclaimed and globally loved The Lunchbox is a story about a mistaken delivery in Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects a young housewife to a stranger in the dusk of his life. They build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox. Gradually, this fantasy threatens to overwhelm their reality.
Critically acclaimed and globally loved The Lunchbox is a story about a mistaken delivery in Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects a young housewife to a stranger in the dusk of his life. They build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox. Gradually, this fantasy threatens to overwhelm their reality.
- 10/18/2014
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
The debut feature from writer and director Ritesh Batra and official selection of the Cannes, Toronto, Telluride and Sundance Film Festivals, The Lunchbox arrives on Blu-ray™, DVD & Vcd from Reliance Home Video & Games.
Director Ritesh Batra, actor Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur & Nawazuddin Siddiqui along with Sweta Agnihotri, COO, Reliance Home Video & Games were present to formally release the DVD of the film at Landmark Retail Store, Mumbai. The venue was packed with the media fraternity in full attendance.
Ritesh Batra, the director of The Lunchbox spoke about how this movie has been a real gift for all of us, it just keeps going with its success worldwide.
Irrfan Khan said, “It was a historical moment as an Indian film was able to go to the mainstream market abroad & capture their attention and entertain the audience worldwide; he also added that for a long time Hollywood has been inspiring Indian films...
Director Ritesh Batra, actor Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur & Nawazuddin Siddiqui along with Sweta Agnihotri, COO, Reliance Home Video & Games were present to formally release the DVD of the film at Landmark Retail Store, Mumbai. The venue was packed with the media fraternity in full attendance.
Ritesh Batra, the director of The Lunchbox spoke about how this movie has been a real gift for all of us, it just keeps going with its success worldwide.
Irrfan Khan said, “It was a historical moment as an Indian film was able to go to the mainstream market abroad & capture their attention and entertain the audience worldwide; he also added that for a long time Hollywood has been inspiring Indian films...
- 8/8/2014
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
The debut feature from writer and director Ritesh Batra and official selection of the Cannes, Toronto, Telluride and Sundance Film Festivals, The Lunchbox arrives on Blu-ray™, DVD & Vcd from Reliance Home Video & Games.
The Lunchbox is produced by Guneet Monga, Anurag Kashyap & Arun Rangachari & presented by Utv Motion Pictures & Karan Johar in association with Dar Motion Pictures. The film has been co produced by National Film Development Corporation of India (Nfdc).
This film tells the poignant story of two lonely people in India who find themselves corresponding when one of Mumbai’s dabbawallahs (lunchbox deliverymen) makes a one-in-a-million delivery mix-up. Featuring touching performances from Irrfan Khan (The Life of Pi), Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Bombay Talkies) and Nimrat Kaur (Peddlers), The Lunchbox shows us how love can help transform the unlikeliest of people.
Sweta Agnihotri, COO of Reliance Home Video & Games said, “The Lunchbox is a unique love story, the film has...
The Lunchbox is produced by Guneet Monga, Anurag Kashyap & Arun Rangachari & presented by Utv Motion Pictures & Karan Johar in association with Dar Motion Pictures. The film has been co produced by National Film Development Corporation of India (Nfdc).
This film tells the poignant story of two lonely people in India who find themselves corresponding when one of Mumbai’s dabbawallahs (lunchbox deliverymen) makes a one-in-a-million delivery mix-up. Featuring touching performances from Irrfan Khan (The Life of Pi), Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Bombay Talkies) and Nimrat Kaur (Peddlers), The Lunchbox shows us how love can help transform the unlikeliest of people.
Sweta Agnihotri, COO of Reliance Home Video & Games said, “The Lunchbox is a unique love story, the film has...
- 7/22/2014
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
The Lunchbox has become 2014’s top foreign film at Us Box-Office with Usd 2.7 Million (and counting), according to the box office reporting service, Box Office Mojo. Written and directed by Ritesh Batra, The Lunchbox is produced by Guneet Monga, Anurag Kashyap and Arun Rangachari and stars Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Beating movies like English Vinglish (Usd 1.8 Million), Agneepath (Usd 1.9 Million) and Krrish 3 (Usd 2.2 Million), The Lunchbox has made a significant mark on the Us Box Office. It has been predicted that it may soon surpass films like Barfi, Talaash and Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela, each with Usd 2.8 Million as their Us Box Office collection, and possibly even Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Jab Tak Hai Jaan, both at Usd 3.1 Million.
Guneet Monga, co-founder, Sikhya Entertainment and CEO, Anurag Kashyap Films Pvt. Ltd. has produced notable films like Gangs of Wasseypur-1&2 and Aiyyaa. Guneet’s first International...
Beating movies like English Vinglish (Usd 1.8 Million), Agneepath (Usd 1.9 Million) and Krrish 3 (Usd 2.2 Million), The Lunchbox has made a significant mark on the Us Box Office. It has been predicted that it may soon surpass films like Barfi, Talaash and Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela, each with Usd 2.8 Million as their Us Box Office collection, and possibly even Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Jab Tak Hai Jaan, both at Usd 3.1 Million.
Guneet Monga, co-founder, Sikhya Entertainment and CEO, Anurag Kashyap Films Pvt. Ltd. has produced notable films like Gangs of Wasseypur-1&2 and Aiyyaa. Guneet’s first International...
- 5/8/2014
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
This year the 12th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla) includes a lineup of narrative and documentary features and short films. The impressive program reflects the rich diversity of Indian cinema, as well as the future of Indian filmmaking, with cutting-edge filmmakers and emerging voices bringing their acclaimed films to Los Angeles.
The festival is widely recognized as the premiere showcase of groundbreaking Indian cinema globally. Iffla will run April 8-13 at ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles, the festival’s home since its inception. Jadoo, an exploration of family bonds amidst two feuding brothers’ restaurants in England, will screen as the festival’s Closing Night Gala. The film is written and directed by Iffla alum Amit Gupta, and first premiered at the 2013 Berlinale. It features a wonderful ensemble cast that includes Kulvinder Ghir, Amara Karan, Harish Patel, Tom Mison, and Madhur Jaffrey. As previously announced, Iffla will open with Jeffrey D. Brown’s Sold, produced by Jane Charles and executive produced by Emma Thompson.
Iffla 2014 wil l present more than 33 films, including three world premieres, six North American premieres, six U.S. premieres, and 16 Los Angeles premieres. The films feature 10 different languages, from Hindi to Marathi, to Russian to Bengali. Additionally, Iffla supports American, Australian, British, Canadian, and European diaspora filmmakers from nine different countries telling their stories.
“I'm thrilled and proud that Iffla's line-up this year includes an especially diverse range of cinematic experiences, covering many regions of India and the diaspora,” said Iffla’s Artistic Director Jasmine Jaisinghani. "We would like to thank our Programming Advisor in India, Uma Da Cunha, for helping our programming team source some of these exceptional films."
Program highlights include: the North American premiere of Anurag Kashyap’s latest, Ugly an intense, masterfully directed psychological thriller that premiered in the 2013 Director’s Fortnight section of Cannes; Liar's Dice, the remarkable directorial debut of South Indian actress Geetu Mohandas that premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival; Anup Singh’s latest feature Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost, starring Irrfan Khan (Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire), winner of Netpac Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, and Dioraphte Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam; the Audience Award winner at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival Hank and Asha , an exploratory, romantic look at two people bonding in the digital age by newcomer James E. Duff; Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry, a highly praised debut feature for its multilayered emotion and realism on the subject of caste discrimination; Brahmin Bulls starring Roshan Seth (Gandhi, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Mississippi Masala) and Sendhil Ramamurthy (Beauty and the Beast, Heroes) as an estranged father and son unexpectedly brought together to confront the family’s past; and Siddharth, a nuanced look at a family whose son goes missing, by lauded Canadian director and Iffla alum Richie Mehta (Amal).
The festival's feature documentary competition includes an eclectic mix of films from established and upcoming filmmakers that consider India's unique traditions and dynamic future. The films include: the world premiere of
The Auction House , an intimate and funny look at two brothers trying to keep their anachronistic family business going in the digital age; festival favorite Powerless, which depicts intense struggles over electricity in a mid-size Indian city; Faith Connections, Iffla alum Pan Nalin's beautiful and rare look at the Kumbh Mela; and the National Award-winning Shepherds of Paradise, about an arduous, mountainous trek through an animal drive in the Kashmiri winter.
The Bollywood by Night series returns this year with Bombay Talkies and Monsoon Shootout. Premiering at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, Bombay Talkies is a quartet of short films that celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema. The omnibus film features work by four of India’s most exciting contemporary directors: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, and Anurag Kashyap, as well as a stellar cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, and Katrina Kaif. Monsoon Shoutout is a thrilling debut by Iffla alum writer/director Amit Kumar about how a split-second decision made by a rookie police officer has rippling effects in his life and the lives of those around him.
The shorts competition showcases a diverse selection of 15 films that include narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated works. Highlights of this year’s program include Academy Award® shortlisted Kush; Sundance award winner Love.Love.Love.; and the world premiere of acclaimed director Umesh Kulkarni’s The Fly.
Festival Passes and Gala tickets are currently on sale at the festival's website.
For more information, please visit:
Website: www.indianfilmfestival.org.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ indianfilmfestival
Twitter: https://twitter.com /iffla
Tumblr: http://indianfilmfestival.tumblr.com/
About Iffla
Now in its 12th year, the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla) is a nonprofit organization devoted to a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing films, honoring entertainment industry business executives, and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora.
Opening Night Gala
Sold
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/2014/97min
Director: Jeffrey D. Brown
Producer: Jane Charles
Executive Producer: Emma Thompson
Screenwriters: Joseph Kwong, Jeffrey D. Brown
Composer: John McDowell, Sammy Chand, Salim & Sulaiman Merchant
Cast: Susmita Mukherjee, Seema Biswas, Tillotama Shome, Niyar Saikia, Priyanka Bose, Ankur Vikal, Parambrata Chatterjee, Gillian Anderson, David Arquette
Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Jeffrey D. Brown adapts Patricia McCormick’s novel Sold – a National Book Award finalist – into a vivid, harrowing and inspiring story of a young girl’s resilience in the face of unspeakable cruelty.
Closing Night
Jadoo
Los Angeles Premiere
UK/2013/84 mins
Director: Amit Gupta
Producers: Amanda Faber, Isabelle Georgeaux, Richard Holmes, Nikki Parrott
Screenwriter: Amit Gupta
Composer: Stephen Warbeck
Cast: Kulvinder Ghir, Amara Karan, Harish Patel, Tom Mison, Madhur Jaffrey
Set in Leicester, England, Amit Gupta’s culinary comedy charts the chaos that ensues when young Shalini gets engaged to her longtime boyfriend Mark. The fact that Mark is not Indian is the least of Shalini’s concerns. Her father Raja and uncle Jagi have been at war for years. After a legendary falling out that caused them to close their family restaurant, each man opened his own establishment – directly across the street from one another! Shalini’s dream wedding would see both men put aside their differences and prepare the feast together, but resentment runs deep and neither man can hear mention of the other’s name without a spike in blood pressure. Both the prospect of disappointing their beloved Shalini and the threat of a new, hip restaurant opening in the area force Raja and Jagi to work together – but for how long? In this uproariously funny and heartfelt exploration of family bonds, shared history and gastronomic perfection, Gupta’s cast is endlessly appealing. Plus, there’s enough mouth-watering Indian food on display to have your stomach growling before the credits roll.
Feature Films
Before My Eyes (Ankhon Dekhi)
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/107min
Director: Rajat Kapoor Producer: Manish Mundra
Screenwriter: Rajat Kapoor
Cast: Sanjay Sanjay Mishra, Seema Pahwa, Rajat Kapoor, Taranjeet, Maya Sarao
Celebrated writer, director, and actor Rajat Kapoor (Midnight’s Children, Monsoon Wedding, Mixed Doubles, Mithya) paints an offbeat yet thought-provoking portrait of domestic life in modern day Delhi when an incident prompts head of the family Bauji to reject anything he himself has not experienced, much to the exasperation of his extended family but to the delight of his newfound philosopher disciples. Balancing the comical and the existential, both Bauji and the film ask the basic question, ‘Can you know truth without true experience?’
Brahmin Bulls
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/96min/2013
Director: Mahesh Pailoor
Producer: Yoshinobu Tsuji
Screenwriters: Anu Pradhan, Mahesh Pailoor
Cast: Sendhil Ramamurthy, Roshan Seth, Mary Steenburgen, Justin Bartha, Cassidy Freeman, Monica Raymund, Michael Lerner
Mahesh Pailoor's tender, funny, and touching debut tells the story of estranged father and son Ashok and Sid, who reunite at Sid's Los Angeles home when Ashok arrives unexpectedly. Each man is keeping secrets from one another, and when the truth is revealed, parent and child must work even harder to close the rift between them.
Fandry
North American Premiere
India/2013/103min
Director: Nagraj Manjule
Producers: Vivek Kajaria, Nilesh Navalakha
Screenwriter: Nagraj Manjule
Cast: Kishor Kadam, Chhaya Kadam, Somnath Awghade, Suraj Pawar, Rajshree Kharat, Sakshi Vyavhare, Aishvarya Shinde, Nagraj Manjule
Marathi poet Nagraj Manjule's impressive debut feature tells the story of Jabya, a Dalit boy, and his family's struggle against daily prejudice in their Maharashtra village. Jabya's carefree childhood desires and antics are soon stifled by his family's "untouchable" status, and the film's gradual transformation into an insightful and damning look at caste discrimination builds from a murmur to a defiant roar. Refusing to reduce his Dalit characters to victims – most explicitly at the film's explosive conclusion - Manjule's socially reflective film has received critical acclaim in India.
Hank and Asha
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/2013/73min
Director: James E. Duff
Producers: James E. Duff, Julia Morrison
Screenwriters: James E. Duff, Julia Morrison
Cast: Mahira Kakkar, Andrew Pastides
James E. Duff's feature directorial debut, the Audience Award winner at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival, is an endearing tale of a long-distance connection in the digital age. Hank and Asha, two aspiring filmmakers separated by an ocean, connect with one another through video messages and quickly find themselves heading towards romance. That is, until Asha reveals some surprising news. Duff has created a captivating ode to the new possibilities open to us now that the world's gotten smaller.
Liar's Dice
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/104min
Director: Geetu Mohandas
Producers: Alan McAlex, Ajay G. Rai
Screenwriter: Geetu Mohandas
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Geetanjali Thapa, Manya Gupta
Established actress Geetu Mohandas steps behind the lens for her bracing directorial debut. A woman named Kamala and her daughter journey from their remote Himalayan village to Delhi in search of Kamala's missing husband. They find a guide in an unfriendly wanderer whose interest may lie more in his personal gain than in any help he can offer them. Beautifully shot by Rajeev Ravi (Gangs of Wasseypur), Mohandas' film evokes a hazardous world where answers may never be clear and a helping hand always comes at a price.
Phoring
North American Premiere
India/2013/128min
Director: Indranil Roychowdhury
Producers: Anasua Roychowdury, Sugata Bal
Screenwriters: Indranil Roychowdhury, Sugata Sinha
Cast: Akash Adhikary, Sohini Sarkar, Sourav Basak, Ritwick Charaborty, Shankar Debnath, Senjuti Roymukherjee
Indranil Roychowdhury's stunning feature debut is an evocative, unpredictable tale of confused adolescence in a struggling North Bengal town. Phoring, an imaginative adolescent boy, and his beautiful new teacher Doel form a close friendship that soon arouses doubt and suspicion when Doel's presence in the town is revealed to have less-than-noble origins. Roychowdhury accomplishes a tricky feat with his first film by luring us with the promise of an inspirational teacher-student story before ultimately delivering a much more complex and truthful account of the joys and pains of growing up.
Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost (2013)
Los Angeles Premiere Germany-India-Netherlands/2013/109min
Director: Anup Singh
Producers: Bero Beyer, Johannes Rexin, Bettina Brokemper, Thierry Lenouvel
Screenwriter: Anup Singh, Madhuja Mukherjee
Cast: Irrfan Khan, Tisca Chopra, Tillotama Shome, Rasika Dugal
Set in 1940s Punjab, Anup Singh’s latest feature Qissa details the aftermath of the Indo-Pakistan Partition through the experiences of one Sikh family, headed by Umber (Irrfan Khan). Following the family’s forceful displacement from their village, Umber’s desire for a male heir is stronger than ever. When his wife gives birth to their fourth daughter, Kanwar, Umber makes the fateful decision to raise her as a boy. This tragic choice ends up dividing the family in violent ways, and provokes a series of increasingly unsettling situations for Kanwar as she grows up. While in a sense a ghost story, the source of pain and suffering is all too real.
Siddharth
Los Angeles Premiere
Canada-India/2013/96min
Director: Richie Mehta
Producers: David Miller, Steven N. Bray
Screenwriter: Richie Mehta
Cast: Rajesh Tailang, Tannishtha Chatterjee
A celebrated Iffla alum, Canadian director Richie Mehta returns to the festival with a heartbreaking story of parents Mahendra and Suman, whose son goes missing after being sent to work 200 miles north of Delhi. Carried by powerful yet restrained performances from Rajesh Tailang and Tannishtha Chatterjee as the parents, Mehta and cast capture the dignity of those facing the unthinkable. Mehta's chance encounter with a man searching for his lost son alerted him to the underreported plight of the families of 44,000 children estimated missing in India every year.
Ugly
North American Premiere
India/2013/128mins/Dcp
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Writer: Anurag Kashyap
Producers: Vikas Bahl, Madhu Mantena, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vivek Rangachari, Arun Rangachari
Cast: Rahul Bhatt, Ronit Roy, Tejaswini Kolhapure, Anshika Shrivastava
When ten-year-old Kali disappears from her father Rahul's car on the busy streets of Mumbai, the events that follow quickly spiral out of control and plunge into a morass of corruption and violence. Rahul and Kali's mother, Shalini, are divorced. Shalini is now married to Shoumik, the local police chief. When Shoumik learns that his stepdaughter is missing, he and Rahul clash in a breathless race to find the girl. With intricate plotting and vivid characterizations, Iffla alum Anurag Kashyap fashions a story that's sure to keep the heart racing.
Writers (Sulemani Keeda)
North American Premiere
India/2013/90min
Director: Amit V Masurkar
Writer: Amit V Masurkar
Producer: Datta Dave
Cast: Naveen Kasturia, Mayank Tewari, Aditi Vasudev and Karan Mirchandani
Writing partners Dulal and Mainak dream of shaking up Bollywood in director Amit Masurkar's slacker comedy. The two young men take a job from the wealthy, oddball son of a famous B-movie producer, but soon fear they're on the path to selling out. Masurkar's film captures the creative spirit of Andheri West, a Mumbai suburb where writers, directors, and actors come from all over India with the dream of working in the film industry, and is a sweet taste of things to come from the new "hindie" cinema.
Documentary Features
The Auction House: A Tale of Two Brothers
World Premiere
UK/2014/85min
Director: Ed Owles
Producers: Ed Owles, Giovanna Stopponi
The auction houses of Kolkata used to be where the rich and famous found the right high-end objects to decorate their homes. Today, the family-owned Russell Exchange is the last, and oldest, one to remain in India. Director Ed Owles follows two brothers, with the older brother moving back to Kolkata from London with hopes of using his Western business acumen to bring the Exchange into the 21st century. However, in a country radically transformed by technology and a rising youth culture, it may already be too late.
Faith Connections
Los Angeles Premiere
France-India/2013/115min/Dcp
Director: Pan Nalin
Producers: Raphaël Berdugo, Gaurav Dhingra, Pan Nalin, Virginie Lacombe
Every three years, Hindus gather at one of four rotating sites for Kumbh Mela, a religious celebration of faith and devotion marked by bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganges. With 100 million people at the 2013 Kumbh Mela, the pilgrimage is said to be the largest gathering on the planet. Iffla alum Pan Nalin crafts a moving and unique view of the mass gathering and presents unique stories of how individuals came to be there to share in the belief of the divine.
Powerless (Katiyabaaz)
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/82min
Director: Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar
Producers: Fahad Mustafa, Deepti Kakkar, Judy Tam, Leopold Koegler
Screenwriter: Fahad Mustafa
In Kanpur, a city of three million that has seen better days, one of the only ways for many residents to get electricity is to steal it. Co-directors Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar focus their attention on the likes of pirate engineers like Loha Singh and first female CEO at the local power authority Ritu Maheshwari. Coupled with beautiful photography of the intricately tied together powerlines of the city and a pulsating original score, they present a unique documentary about current-day India and its future battles over limited resources.
Shepherds of Paradise
U.S. Premiere
India/2013/50min
Director/Producer/Screenwriter/Cinematographer/Editor: Raja Shabir Khan
Composer: Bilal Iran
Nomadic herder Gafoor has to lead his large flock of goats, sheep, cows and horses across Jammu all the way to Kashmir so they can graze. Director Raja Shabir Khan presents lives few have ever seen, let alone lived, with simple beauty and real terror in a film that has won major National Awards in India. A cinematic wonder that must be seen to truly understand, Shepherds of Paradise is a testament of the power of film to transport us to other lands and experiences.
Bollywood By Night
Bombay Talkies
North American Premiere
India/117min/2013
Directors: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap
Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Guneet Monga
Screenwriters: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan , Rani Mukerji, Katrina Kaif, Randeep Hooda, Saqib Saleem, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
A quartet of short films directed by four of India’s most exciting contemporary filmmakers celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema in this omnibus film. Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap crafts a tale of ordinary people whose love of movies profoundly alters the course of their lives. Each story beautifully captures how lovers of cinema can’t help but carry that fascination into their day-to-day life. Haven’t we all wished, at one time or another, that our lives were more like a film?
Monsoon Shootout
Los Angeles Premiere
India-uk-Netherlands/2013/88min
Director: Amit Kumar
Producers: Trevor Ingman, Guneet Monga, Martijn De Grunt
Screenwriter: Amit Kumar
Cast: Vijay Varma, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Geetanjali Thapa
A split-second decision made by a rookie police officer propels writer/director Amit Kumar’s debut feature, which fascinatingly splinters into three separate, equally pulse-pounding scenarios. In a secluded alley drenched in the pouring rain, principled cop Adi aims his gun at Shiva, a vicious gangster on the run. What Adi decides to do next will reverberate throughout his personal and professional life in ways he could never imagine. Kumar thus explores the ripple effect our choices have, and how we unknowingly alter the lives of those around us.
Shorts
Aarti
Shorts Program 2
World Premiere
USA/2013/4min
Director: David Walter Lech
Producer: Terrie Samundra
A hypnotic look into the nightly “ceremony of light” ritual in a Hindu temple in Sheikhupur, Punjab.
Alchemy
Shorts Program 2
U.S. Premiere
India/2013/5min
Directors: Pranay Patwardhan, Shivangi Ranawat, Janmeet Singh
Producer: Pritesh Varia
A bold and vibrant song to the intricate fabric of modern day India, a kaleidoscope of voices, colors and traditions.
Bhiwani Junction
Shorts Program 1
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/2013/18min
Director: Abhi Singh
Producer: Abhi Singh
A poignant documentary portrait of Himanshu, a 12-year old boxer, whose formidable commitment to the sport makes his lofty dreams to become an Olympic champion appear well within reach.
Black Rock (Kaatal)
Shorts Program 1
U.S. Premiere
India/2012/22min
Director: Vikrant Pawar
Producer: Film and Television Institute of India
Two young lovers spend one last afternoon together. A beautiful meditation on the ephemeral nature of young love that has won three of India’s National Film Awards.
The Fly (Makhi)
Shorts Program 2
World Premiere
India/2013/31min
Director: Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni
Producer: Film and Television Institute of India
Employed as a Fly Killer in an upscale restaurant, Pipal must ensure a fly-free environment by smacking dead the flies that buzz over the patrons’ heads. When a nearby drainage is closed and the source of the fly infestation eradicated, Pipal must find a way to produce enough live flies to save his job, in this delightfully absurdist commentary on urban India’s emerging work culture.
Beloved (Humsafar)
Shorts Program 2
U.S. Premiere
India/2012/6min
Directors/Writers: Swapnil Awate, Laura Erbacher
Producer: Dsk Supinfocom
A sweeping single shot takes us on the breathtaking animated journey of two lovers and their eternal pursuit of harmony.
Jaya
Shorts Program 2
USA/2013/19min
Director: Puja Maewal
Producer: Puja Maewal
Young Jaya is able to survive the gruesome gang life in the unforgiving streets of Mumbai by posing as a boy. When she meets a wealthy businessman who looks like he could be the father who abandoned her, she sets out to reclaim her identity, in this engrossing drama that was shortlisted for a Student Academy Award®.
Kush
Shorts Program 1
India/2013/25min
Director: Shubhashish Bhutiani
Producer: Shubhashish Bhutiani
A bus full of schoolchildren boisterously makes its way back from a field trip when the news of Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards breaks. As violence quickly erupts across the country, Kush, the only Sikh student in the class, must find a way to escape the unquenchable fury of retribution, in this gripping drama that was shortlisted for an Academy Award®.
Little Gypsy (Kachho Gadulo)
Shorts Program 1
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2012/6min
Directors: Saptesh Chaubal, Pranay Patwardhan, Shivangi Ranawat
Producer: D.S.K. Supinfocom
Inspired by the folk traditions of various parts of India, this stunning animated film sweeps us into a mythical journey that celebrates the power of play and imagination.
Love.Love.Love.
Shorts Program 2
Los Angeles Premiere
Russian Federation/2013/12min
Director: Sandhya Daisy Sundaram
Producers: Tanya Petrik, Guillaume Protsenko
An intimate ode to the wondrous force of love, as it takes new shapes and forms through the endless Russian winters. Love. Love.Love. won the Short Film Special Jury Award for Non-Fiction at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.
Outpost
Shorts Program 1
U.S. Premiere
India-usa/2013/17min
Director: Shiva Shankar Bajpai
Producer: Aditi Anand
In the barren desert of the India-Pakistan border, two lone army guards on the opposite sides of the line yearn for booze, mosquito repellent and some human contact, in this humorous glimpse into the absurdity of rigid immaterial divides.
Presence
Shorts Program 2
U.S. Premiere
India/2012/17min
Directors: Ekta Mittal, Yashaswini Raghunandan
Producers: Ekta Mittal, Yashaswini Raghunandan
Long days and nights spent within the bellies of the rising structural beasts that rapidly transform the city of Bangalore bring on visions of ghosts that speak of the construction workers’ memories, longings and fears, in this haunting meditation on the migrant experience.
Skin Deep
Screens with Writers
U.S. Premiere
India/2013/20min
Director: Hardik Mehta
Producers: Devang Bhavsar, Niraj Kothari
Sanjay and Sushma plan to elope to escape a looming arranged marriage. They are in love and their future together shines bright and perfect and filled with possibility--that is, as long as an extra piece of skin that complicates their sex life gets fixed in what should be a routine medical procedure. But Mumbai’s electricity gods have other plans in store for them.
Small Yellow Field (Tau Seru)
Shorts Program 1
Los Angeles Premiere
Australia-India/2013/8min
Director: Rodd Rathjen
Producer: Rodd Rathjen
In the remote vastness of the Himalayas, a young nomad's curiosity lies beyond the horizon. This stunningly photographed film made its world premiere at Cannes Critics’ Week.
The Puppet (Tamaash)
Screens with Shepherds Of Paradise
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/32min
Directors: Devanshu Singh, Satyanshu Singh
Producers: Datta Dave, Chaitanya Hegde, Omar Nissar Paul, Devanshu Singh, Satyanshu Singh
A mysterious puppet offers young Anzar the chance to escape his father’s relentless punishments over his poor school grades by granting him the power to inflict misfortune on his nemesis, his brilliant classmate, Sadat. However, his newfound peace is short-lived as Sadat falls severely ill and Anzar comes to realize that the puppet’s powers are spiraling out of his control...
The festival is widely recognized as the premiere showcase of groundbreaking Indian cinema globally. Iffla will run April 8-13 at ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles, the festival’s home since its inception. Jadoo, an exploration of family bonds amidst two feuding brothers’ restaurants in England, will screen as the festival’s Closing Night Gala. The film is written and directed by Iffla alum Amit Gupta, and first premiered at the 2013 Berlinale. It features a wonderful ensemble cast that includes Kulvinder Ghir, Amara Karan, Harish Patel, Tom Mison, and Madhur Jaffrey. As previously announced, Iffla will open with Jeffrey D. Brown’s Sold, produced by Jane Charles and executive produced by Emma Thompson.
Iffla 2014 wil l present more than 33 films, including three world premieres, six North American premieres, six U.S. premieres, and 16 Los Angeles premieres. The films feature 10 different languages, from Hindi to Marathi, to Russian to Bengali. Additionally, Iffla supports American, Australian, British, Canadian, and European diaspora filmmakers from nine different countries telling their stories.
“I'm thrilled and proud that Iffla's line-up this year includes an especially diverse range of cinematic experiences, covering many regions of India and the diaspora,” said Iffla’s Artistic Director Jasmine Jaisinghani. "We would like to thank our Programming Advisor in India, Uma Da Cunha, for helping our programming team source some of these exceptional films."
Program highlights include: the North American premiere of Anurag Kashyap’s latest, Ugly an intense, masterfully directed psychological thriller that premiered in the 2013 Director’s Fortnight section of Cannes; Liar's Dice, the remarkable directorial debut of South Indian actress Geetu Mohandas that premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival; Anup Singh’s latest feature Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost, starring Irrfan Khan (Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire), winner of Netpac Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, and Dioraphte Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam; the Audience Award winner at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival Hank and Asha , an exploratory, romantic look at two people bonding in the digital age by newcomer James E. Duff; Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry, a highly praised debut feature for its multilayered emotion and realism on the subject of caste discrimination; Brahmin Bulls starring Roshan Seth (Gandhi, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Mississippi Masala) and Sendhil Ramamurthy (Beauty and the Beast, Heroes) as an estranged father and son unexpectedly brought together to confront the family’s past; and Siddharth, a nuanced look at a family whose son goes missing, by lauded Canadian director and Iffla alum Richie Mehta (Amal).
The festival's feature documentary competition includes an eclectic mix of films from established and upcoming filmmakers that consider India's unique traditions and dynamic future. The films include: the world premiere of
The Auction House , an intimate and funny look at two brothers trying to keep their anachronistic family business going in the digital age; festival favorite Powerless, which depicts intense struggles over electricity in a mid-size Indian city; Faith Connections, Iffla alum Pan Nalin's beautiful and rare look at the Kumbh Mela; and the National Award-winning Shepherds of Paradise, about an arduous, mountainous trek through an animal drive in the Kashmiri winter.
The Bollywood by Night series returns this year with Bombay Talkies and Monsoon Shootout. Premiering at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, Bombay Talkies is a quartet of short films that celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema. The omnibus film features work by four of India’s most exciting contemporary directors: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, and Anurag Kashyap, as well as a stellar cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, and Katrina Kaif. Monsoon Shoutout is a thrilling debut by Iffla alum writer/director Amit Kumar about how a split-second decision made by a rookie police officer has rippling effects in his life and the lives of those around him.
The shorts competition showcases a diverse selection of 15 films that include narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated works. Highlights of this year’s program include Academy Award® shortlisted Kush; Sundance award winner Love.Love.Love.; and the world premiere of acclaimed director Umesh Kulkarni’s The Fly.
Festival Passes and Gala tickets are currently on sale at the festival's website.
For more information, please visit:
Website: www.indianfilmfestival.org.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ indianfilmfestival
Twitter: https://twitter.com /iffla
Tumblr: http://indianfilmfestival.tumblr.com/
About Iffla
Now in its 12th year, the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla) is a nonprofit organization devoted to a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing films, honoring entertainment industry business executives, and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora.
Opening Night Gala
Sold
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/2014/97min
Director: Jeffrey D. Brown
Producer: Jane Charles
Executive Producer: Emma Thompson
Screenwriters: Joseph Kwong, Jeffrey D. Brown
Composer: John McDowell, Sammy Chand, Salim & Sulaiman Merchant
Cast: Susmita Mukherjee, Seema Biswas, Tillotama Shome, Niyar Saikia, Priyanka Bose, Ankur Vikal, Parambrata Chatterjee, Gillian Anderson, David Arquette
Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Jeffrey D. Brown adapts Patricia McCormick’s novel Sold – a National Book Award finalist – into a vivid, harrowing and inspiring story of a young girl’s resilience in the face of unspeakable cruelty.
Closing Night
Jadoo
Los Angeles Premiere
UK/2013/84 mins
Director: Amit Gupta
Producers: Amanda Faber, Isabelle Georgeaux, Richard Holmes, Nikki Parrott
Screenwriter: Amit Gupta
Composer: Stephen Warbeck
Cast: Kulvinder Ghir, Amara Karan, Harish Patel, Tom Mison, Madhur Jaffrey
Set in Leicester, England, Amit Gupta’s culinary comedy charts the chaos that ensues when young Shalini gets engaged to her longtime boyfriend Mark. The fact that Mark is not Indian is the least of Shalini’s concerns. Her father Raja and uncle Jagi have been at war for years. After a legendary falling out that caused them to close their family restaurant, each man opened his own establishment – directly across the street from one another! Shalini’s dream wedding would see both men put aside their differences and prepare the feast together, but resentment runs deep and neither man can hear mention of the other’s name without a spike in blood pressure. Both the prospect of disappointing their beloved Shalini and the threat of a new, hip restaurant opening in the area force Raja and Jagi to work together – but for how long? In this uproariously funny and heartfelt exploration of family bonds, shared history and gastronomic perfection, Gupta’s cast is endlessly appealing. Plus, there’s enough mouth-watering Indian food on display to have your stomach growling before the credits roll.
Feature Films
Before My Eyes (Ankhon Dekhi)
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/107min
Director: Rajat Kapoor Producer: Manish Mundra
Screenwriter: Rajat Kapoor
Cast: Sanjay Sanjay Mishra, Seema Pahwa, Rajat Kapoor, Taranjeet, Maya Sarao
Celebrated writer, director, and actor Rajat Kapoor (Midnight’s Children, Monsoon Wedding, Mixed Doubles, Mithya) paints an offbeat yet thought-provoking portrait of domestic life in modern day Delhi when an incident prompts head of the family Bauji to reject anything he himself has not experienced, much to the exasperation of his extended family but to the delight of his newfound philosopher disciples. Balancing the comical and the existential, both Bauji and the film ask the basic question, ‘Can you know truth without true experience?’
Brahmin Bulls
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/96min/2013
Director: Mahesh Pailoor
Producer: Yoshinobu Tsuji
Screenwriters: Anu Pradhan, Mahesh Pailoor
Cast: Sendhil Ramamurthy, Roshan Seth, Mary Steenburgen, Justin Bartha, Cassidy Freeman, Monica Raymund, Michael Lerner
Mahesh Pailoor's tender, funny, and touching debut tells the story of estranged father and son Ashok and Sid, who reunite at Sid's Los Angeles home when Ashok arrives unexpectedly. Each man is keeping secrets from one another, and when the truth is revealed, parent and child must work even harder to close the rift between them.
Fandry
North American Premiere
India/2013/103min
Director: Nagraj Manjule
Producers: Vivek Kajaria, Nilesh Navalakha
Screenwriter: Nagraj Manjule
Cast: Kishor Kadam, Chhaya Kadam, Somnath Awghade, Suraj Pawar, Rajshree Kharat, Sakshi Vyavhare, Aishvarya Shinde, Nagraj Manjule
Marathi poet Nagraj Manjule's impressive debut feature tells the story of Jabya, a Dalit boy, and his family's struggle against daily prejudice in their Maharashtra village. Jabya's carefree childhood desires and antics are soon stifled by his family's "untouchable" status, and the film's gradual transformation into an insightful and damning look at caste discrimination builds from a murmur to a defiant roar. Refusing to reduce his Dalit characters to victims – most explicitly at the film's explosive conclusion - Manjule's socially reflective film has received critical acclaim in India.
Hank and Asha
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/2013/73min
Director: James E. Duff
Producers: James E. Duff, Julia Morrison
Screenwriters: James E. Duff, Julia Morrison
Cast: Mahira Kakkar, Andrew Pastides
James E. Duff's feature directorial debut, the Audience Award winner at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival, is an endearing tale of a long-distance connection in the digital age. Hank and Asha, two aspiring filmmakers separated by an ocean, connect with one another through video messages and quickly find themselves heading towards romance. That is, until Asha reveals some surprising news. Duff has created a captivating ode to the new possibilities open to us now that the world's gotten smaller.
Liar's Dice
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/104min
Director: Geetu Mohandas
Producers: Alan McAlex, Ajay G. Rai
Screenwriter: Geetu Mohandas
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Geetanjali Thapa, Manya Gupta
Established actress Geetu Mohandas steps behind the lens for her bracing directorial debut. A woman named Kamala and her daughter journey from their remote Himalayan village to Delhi in search of Kamala's missing husband. They find a guide in an unfriendly wanderer whose interest may lie more in his personal gain than in any help he can offer them. Beautifully shot by Rajeev Ravi (Gangs of Wasseypur), Mohandas' film evokes a hazardous world where answers may never be clear and a helping hand always comes at a price.
Phoring
North American Premiere
India/2013/128min
Director: Indranil Roychowdhury
Producers: Anasua Roychowdury, Sugata Bal
Screenwriters: Indranil Roychowdhury, Sugata Sinha
Cast: Akash Adhikary, Sohini Sarkar, Sourav Basak, Ritwick Charaborty, Shankar Debnath, Senjuti Roymukherjee
Indranil Roychowdhury's stunning feature debut is an evocative, unpredictable tale of confused adolescence in a struggling North Bengal town. Phoring, an imaginative adolescent boy, and his beautiful new teacher Doel form a close friendship that soon arouses doubt and suspicion when Doel's presence in the town is revealed to have less-than-noble origins. Roychowdhury accomplishes a tricky feat with his first film by luring us with the promise of an inspirational teacher-student story before ultimately delivering a much more complex and truthful account of the joys and pains of growing up.
Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost (2013)
Los Angeles Premiere Germany-India-Netherlands/2013/109min
Director: Anup Singh
Producers: Bero Beyer, Johannes Rexin, Bettina Brokemper, Thierry Lenouvel
Screenwriter: Anup Singh, Madhuja Mukherjee
Cast: Irrfan Khan, Tisca Chopra, Tillotama Shome, Rasika Dugal
Set in 1940s Punjab, Anup Singh’s latest feature Qissa details the aftermath of the Indo-Pakistan Partition through the experiences of one Sikh family, headed by Umber (Irrfan Khan). Following the family’s forceful displacement from their village, Umber’s desire for a male heir is stronger than ever. When his wife gives birth to their fourth daughter, Kanwar, Umber makes the fateful decision to raise her as a boy. This tragic choice ends up dividing the family in violent ways, and provokes a series of increasingly unsettling situations for Kanwar as she grows up. While in a sense a ghost story, the source of pain and suffering is all too real.
Siddharth
Los Angeles Premiere
Canada-India/2013/96min
Director: Richie Mehta
Producers: David Miller, Steven N. Bray
Screenwriter: Richie Mehta
Cast: Rajesh Tailang, Tannishtha Chatterjee
A celebrated Iffla alum, Canadian director Richie Mehta returns to the festival with a heartbreaking story of parents Mahendra and Suman, whose son goes missing after being sent to work 200 miles north of Delhi. Carried by powerful yet restrained performances from Rajesh Tailang and Tannishtha Chatterjee as the parents, Mehta and cast capture the dignity of those facing the unthinkable. Mehta's chance encounter with a man searching for his lost son alerted him to the underreported plight of the families of 44,000 children estimated missing in India every year.
Ugly
North American Premiere
India/2013/128mins/Dcp
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Writer: Anurag Kashyap
Producers: Vikas Bahl, Madhu Mantena, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vivek Rangachari, Arun Rangachari
Cast: Rahul Bhatt, Ronit Roy, Tejaswini Kolhapure, Anshika Shrivastava
When ten-year-old Kali disappears from her father Rahul's car on the busy streets of Mumbai, the events that follow quickly spiral out of control and plunge into a morass of corruption and violence. Rahul and Kali's mother, Shalini, are divorced. Shalini is now married to Shoumik, the local police chief. When Shoumik learns that his stepdaughter is missing, he and Rahul clash in a breathless race to find the girl. With intricate plotting and vivid characterizations, Iffla alum Anurag Kashyap fashions a story that's sure to keep the heart racing.
Writers (Sulemani Keeda)
North American Premiere
India/2013/90min
Director: Amit V Masurkar
Writer: Amit V Masurkar
Producer: Datta Dave
Cast: Naveen Kasturia, Mayank Tewari, Aditi Vasudev and Karan Mirchandani
Writing partners Dulal and Mainak dream of shaking up Bollywood in director Amit Masurkar's slacker comedy. The two young men take a job from the wealthy, oddball son of a famous B-movie producer, but soon fear they're on the path to selling out. Masurkar's film captures the creative spirit of Andheri West, a Mumbai suburb where writers, directors, and actors come from all over India with the dream of working in the film industry, and is a sweet taste of things to come from the new "hindie" cinema.
Documentary Features
The Auction House: A Tale of Two Brothers
World Premiere
UK/2014/85min
Director: Ed Owles
Producers: Ed Owles, Giovanna Stopponi
The auction houses of Kolkata used to be where the rich and famous found the right high-end objects to decorate their homes. Today, the family-owned Russell Exchange is the last, and oldest, one to remain in India. Director Ed Owles follows two brothers, with the older brother moving back to Kolkata from London with hopes of using his Western business acumen to bring the Exchange into the 21st century. However, in a country radically transformed by technology and a rising youth culture, it may already be too late.
Faith Connections
Los Angeles Premiere
France-India/2013/115min/Dcp
Director: Pan Nalin
Producers: Raphaël Berdugo, Gaurav Dhingra, Pan Nalin, Virginie Lacombe
Every three years, Hindus gather at one of four rotating sites for Kumbh Mela, a religious celebration of faith and devotion marked by bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganges. With 100 million people at the 2013 Kumbh Mela, the pilgrimage is said to be the largest gathering on the planet. Iffla alum Pan Nalin crafts a moving and unique view of the mass gathering and presents unique stories of how individuals came to be there to share in the belief of the divine.
Powerless (Katiyabaaz)
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/82min
Director: Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar
Producers: Fahad Mustafa, Deepti Kakkar, Judy Tam, Leopold Koegler
Screenwriter: Fahad Mustafa
In Kanpur, a city of three million that has seen better days, one of the only ways for many residents to get electricity is to steal it. Co-directors Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar focus their attention on the likes of pirate engineers like Loha Singh and first female CEO at the local power authority Ritu Maheshwari. Coupled with beautiful photography of the intricately tied together powerlines of the city and a pulsating original score, they present a unique documentary about current-day India and its future battles over limited resources.
Shepherds of Paradise
U.S. Premiere
India/2013/50min
Director/Producer/Screenwriter/Cinematographer/Editor: Raja Shabir Khan
Composer: Bilal Iran
Nomadic herder Gafoor has to lead his large flock of goats, sheep, cows and horses across Jammu all the way to Kashmir so they can graze. Director Raja Shabir Khan presents lives few have ever seen, let alone lived, with simple beauty and real terror in a film that has won major National Awards in India. A cinematic wonder that must be seen to truly understand, Shepherds of Paradise is a testament of the power of film to transport us to other lands and experiences.
Bollywood By Night
Bombay Talkies
North American Premiere
India/117min/2013
Directors: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap
Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Guneet Monga
Screenwriters: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan , Rani Mukerji, Katrina Kaif, Randeep Hooda, Saqib Saleem, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
A quartet of short films directed by four of India’s most exciting contemporary filmmakers celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema in this omnibus film. Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap crafts a tale of ordinary people whose love of movies profoundly alters the course of their lives. Each story beautifully captures how lovers of cinema can’t help but carry that fascination into their day-to-day life. Haven’t we all wished, at one time or another, that our lives were more like a film?
Monsoon Shootout
Los Angeles Premiere
India-uk-Netherlands/2013/88min
Director: Amit Kumar
Producers: Trevor Ingman, Guneet Monga, Martijn De Grunt
Screenwriter: Amit Kumar
Cast: Vijay Varma, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Geetanjali Thapa
A split-second decision made by a rookie police officer propels writer/director Amit Kumar’s debut feature, which fascinatingly splinters into three separate, equally pulse-pounding scenarios. In a secluded alley drenched in the pouring rain, principled cop Adi aims his gun at Shiva, a vicious gangster on the run. What Adi decides to do next will reverberate throughout his personal and professional life in ways he could never imagine. Kumar thus explores the ripple effect our choices have, and how we unknowingly alter the lives of those around us.
Shorts
Aarti
Shorts Program 2
World Premiere
USA/2013/4min
Director: David Walter Lech
Producer: Terrie Samundra
A hypnotic look into the nightly “ceremony of light” ritual in a Hindu temple in Sheikhupur, Punjab.
Alchemy
Shorts Program 2
U.S. Premiere
India/2013/5min
Directors: Pranay Patwardhan, Shivangi Ranawat, Janmeet Singh
Producer: Pritesh Varia
A bold and vibrant song to the intricate fabric of modern day India, a kaleidoscope of voices, colors and traditions.
Bhiwani Junction
Shorts Program 1
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/2013/18min
Director: Abhi Singh
Producer: Abhi Singh
A poignant documentary portrait of Himanshu, a 12-year old boxer, whose formidable commitment to the sport makes his lofty dreams to become an Olympic champion appear well within reach.
Black Rock (Kaatal)
Shorts Program 1
U.S. Premiere
India/2012/22min
Director: Vikrant Pawar
Producer: Film and Television Institute of India
Two young lovers spend one last afternoon together. A beautiful meditation on the ephemeral nature of young love that has won three of India’s National Film Awards.
The Fly (Makhi)
Shorts Program 2
World Premiere
India/2013/31min
Director: Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni
Producer: Film and Television Institute of India
Employed as a Fly Killer in an upscale restaurant, Pipal must ensure a fly-free environment by smacking dead the flies that buzz over the patrons’ heads. When a nearby drainage is closed and the source of the fly infestation eradicated, Pipal must find a way to produce enough live flies to save his job, in this delightfully absurdist commentary on urban India’s emerging work culture.
Beloved (Humsafar)
Shorts Program 2
U.S. Premiere
India/2012/6min
Directors/Writers: Swapnil Awate, Laura Erbacher
Producer: Dsk Supinfocom
A sweeping single shot takes us on the breathtaking animated journey of two lovers and their eternal pursuit of harmony.
Jaya
Shorts Program 2
USA/2013/19min
Director: Puja Maewal
Producer: Puja Maewal
Young Jaya is able to survive the gruesome gang life in the unforgiving streets of Mumbai by posing as a boy. When she meets a wealthy businessman who looks like he could be the father who abandoned her, she sets out to reclaim her identity, in this engrossing drama that was shortlisted for a Student Academy Award®.
Kush
Shorts Program 1
India/2013/25min
Director: Shubhashish Bhutiani
Producer: Shubhashish Bhutiani
A bus full of schoolchildren boisterously makes its way back from a field trip when the news of Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards breaks. As violence quickly erupts across the country, Kush, the only Sikh student in the class, must find a way to escape the unquenchable fury of retribution, in this gripping drama that was shortlisted for an Academy Award®.
Little Gypsy (Kachho Gadulo)
Shorts Program 1
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2012/6min
Directors: Saptesh Chaubal, Pranay Patwardhan, Shivangi Ranawat
Producer: D.S.K. Supinfocom
Inspired by the folk traditions of various parts of India, this stunning animated film sweeps us into a mythical journey that celebrates the power of play and imagination.
Love.Love.Love.
Shorts Program 2
Los Angeles Premiere
Russian Federation/2013/12min
Director: Sandhya Daisy Sundaram
Producers: Tanya Petrik, Guillaume Protsenko
An intimate ode to the wondrous force of love, as it takes new shapes and forms through the endless Russian winters. Love. Love.Love. won the Short Film Special Jury Award for Non-Fiction at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.
Outpost
Shorts Program 1
U.S. Premiere
India-usa/2013/17min
Director: Shiva Shankar Bajpai
Producer: Aditi Anand
In the barren desert of the India-Pakistan border, two lone army guards on the opposite sides of the line yearn for booze, mosquito repellent and some human contact, in this humorous glimpse into the absurdity of rigid immaterial divides.
Presence
Shorts Program 2
U.S. Premiere
India/2012/17min
Directors: Ekta Mittal, Yashaswini Raghunandan
Producers: Ekta Mittal, Yashaswini Raghunandan
Long days and nights spent within the bellies of the rising structural beasts that rapidly transform the city of Bangalore bring on visions of ghosts that speak of the construction workers’ memories, longings and fears, in this haunting meditation on the migrant experience.
Skin Deep
Screens with Writers
U.S. Premiere
India/2013/20min
Director: Hardik Mehta
Producers: Devang Bhavsar, Niraj Kothari
Sanjay and Sushma plan to elope to escape a looming arranged marriage. They are in love and their future together shines bright and perfect and filled with possibility--that is, as long as an extra piece of skin that complicates their sex life gets fixed in what should be a routine medical procedure. But Mumbai’s electricity gods have other plans in store for them.
Small Yellow Field (Tau Seru)
Shorts Program 1
Los Angeles Premiere
Australia-India/2013/8min
Director: Rodd Rathjen
Producer: Rodd Rathjen
In the remote vastness of the Himalayas, a young nomad's curiosity lies beyond the horizon. This stunningly photographed film made its world premiere at Cannes Critics’ Week.
The Puppet (Tamaash)
Screens with Shepherds Of Paradise
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/32min
Directors: Devanshu Singh, Satyanshu Singh
Producers: Datta Dave, Chaitanya Hegde, Omar Nissar Paul, Devanshu Singh, Satyanshu Singh
A mysterious puppet offers young Anzar the chance to escape his father’s relentless punishments over his poor school grades by granting him the power to inflict misfortune on his nemesis, his brilliant classmate, Sadat. However, his newfound peace is short-lived as Sadat falls severely ill and Anzar comes to realize that the puppet’s powers are spiraling out of his control...
- 4/8/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
From April 8th to the 11th, Indian films will once again be showcased in the Us at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla). In its 12th year, Iffla boasts an incredible lineup of fabulous films that reflects the rich diversity of Indian cinema. Iffla’s Artistic Director Jasmine Jaisinghani says, “I’m thrilled and proud that Iffla’s line-up this year includes an especially diverse range of cinematic experiences, covering many regions of India and the diaspora.”
Iffla 2014 presents 33 films that include feature films, documentaries and shorts. The festival will have three world premieres, six North American premieres, six U.S. premieres, and 16 Los Angeles premieres. The films feature 10 different languages, from Hindi to Marathi, to Russian to Bengali. Additionally, Iffla supports American, Australian, British, Canadian, and European diaspora filmmakers from nine different countries telling their stories.
Bollywood will be well represented with three outstanding films all showing during the festival’s run.
Iffla 2014 presents 33 films that include feature films, documentaries and shorts. The festival will have three world premieres, six North American premieres, six U.S. premieres, and 16 Los Angeles premieres. The films feature 10 different languages, from Hindi to Marathi, to Russian to Bengali. Additionally, Iffla supports American, Australian, British, Canadian, and European diaspora filmmakers from nine different countries telling their stories.
Bollywood will be well represented with three outstanding films all showing during the festival’s run.
- 3/21/2014
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
2013 has been somewhat of a good year for Bollywood. There were the hits, the flops, the critically acclaimed and the critically panned releases that touched the hearts of millions of film fanatics. To celebrate the best which Bollywood has offered in 2013, BollySpice presents to you our official countdown list. We have made it all the more interesting by dividing the Best Films category by genre. This is largely because of the fact that we feel that films which belong to different genres cannot be included in one single list. For example, a comedy cannot be compared with a drama due to their content being significantly different. We hope you agree with our choices for 2013 and also hope that it will tempt you to watch some of these amazing releases if you have yet to see them!
Best Films: Drama
3. Raanjhanaa – Director: Anand L. Rai. Producer: Krishika Lulla
Raanjhanaa marked the...
Best Films: Drama
3. Raanjhanaa – Director: Anand L. Rai. Producer: Krishika Lulla
Raanjhanaa marked the...
- 1/13/2014
- by Bodrul Chaudhury
- Bollyspice
Ugly is an emotional drama with an edgy thriller element. The film revolves around three main characters; Bose, Shalini and Rahul and how the turmoil of their past has collided with their present and the subsequent collateral damage which is the situation to be dealt with.
The trailer showcases how ‘Kali’ a young girl goes missing and the subsequent hunt for her. What follows is an endless series of blame-game and one-upmanship.
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Produced by: Phantom Films (Vikas Bahl, Vikramaditya Motwane, Madhu Mantena) and Dar Motion Pictures Ltd. (Arun Rangachari & Shahnaab Alam)
Music: Gv Prakash
Cast: Ronit Roy, Tejasvini Kolhapure, Rahul Bhatt, Vineet Singh, Girish Kulkarni, Siddhant Kapoor & Surveen Chawla.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ougQY2-zpk
Ugly – Thrilling, intriguing and emotional is a post from: BollySpice
The post Ugly – Thrilling, intriguing and emotional appeared first on BollySpice.
The trailer showcases how ‘Kali’ a young girl goes missing and the subsequent hunt for her. What follows is an endless series of blame-game and one-upmanship.
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Produced by: Phantom Films (Vikas Bahl, Vikramaditya Motwane, Madhu Mantena) and Dar Motion Pictures Ltd. (Arun Rangachari & Shahnaab Alam)
Music: Gv Prakash
Cast: Ronit Roy, Tejasvini Kolhapure, Rahul Bhatt, Vineet Singh, Girish Kulkarni, Siddhant Kapoor & Surveen Chawla.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ougQY2-zpk
Ugly – Thrilling, intriguing and emotional is a post from: BollySpice
The post Ugly – Thrilling, intriguing and emotional appeared first on BollySpice.
- 9/15/2013
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
The Lunch Box is up for a major release in India and has been picked by Utv Motion Pictures in India. The Lunch Box was a breakout film at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.
The film will be presented to desi audiences by Karan Johar and Utv, in association with Dar Motion Pictures and the National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc).
Produced by Anurag Kashyap, Guneet Monga and Arun Rangachari, the film stars Irrfan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Nimrit Kaur in pivotal roles. Its international distributor is Sony, which had earlier distributed Lagaan.
Says Karan, “I absolutely loved the film. Irrfan and Nawazuddin are brilliant, while Nimrit is waiting to exhale. I haven’t enjoyed a love story like this in a long time. It’s beautifully written and stunningly directed by Ritesh Batra.” He adds, “I am excited about presenting the film in India. Not just the performances, even the storytelling is exceptional.
The film will be presented to desi audiences by Karan Johar and Utv, in association with Dar Motion Pictures and the National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc).
Produced by Anurag Kashyap, Guneet Monga and Arun Rangachari, the film stars Irrfan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Nimrit Kaur in pivotal roles. Its international distributor is Sony, which had earlier distributed Lagaan.
Says Karan, “I absolutely loved the film. Irrfan and Nawazuddin are brilliant, while Nimrit is waiting to exhale. I haven’t enjoyed a love story like this in a long time. It’s beautifully written and stunningly directed by Ritesh Batra.” He adds, “I am excited about presenting the film in India. Not just the performances, even the storytelling is exceptional.
- 7/27/2013
- by Sunny Malik
- Bollyspice
Dar Motion Pictures and Emmay Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. today launched the first official poster and the theatrical trailer of their upcoming project D-Day at Cinemax Andheri in Mumbai. Directed by Nikhil Advani, D-Day is a high octane thriller revolving around a covert mission to bring India’s Most Wanted fugitive to justice. The movie stars Rishi Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Irrfan Khan, Aakash Dahiya, Huma Qureshi, Shruti Haasan, Chandan Roy Sanyal & Sree Swara Dubey.
D-Day’s first look poster was unveiled by director in the presence of the cast & crew along with the producers Arun Rangachari – Chairman of Dar Capital Group, Monisha Advani – Director Emmay Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., Vivek Rangachari – Director Dar Media Pvt. Ltd., Madhu Bhojwani – Director Emmay Entertainment Pvt. Ltd and the media.
Nikhil Advani, Director, D-Day commented, “The idea of capturing India’s most wanted man in his own playing ground is a question every Indian has asked...
D-Day’s first look poster was unveiled by director in the presence of the cast & crew along with the producers Arun Rangachari – Chairman of Dar Capital Group, Monisha Advani – Director Emmay Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., Vivek Rangachari – Director Dar Media Pvt. Ltd., Madhu Bhojwani – Director Emmay Entertainment Pvt. Ltd and the media.
Nikhil Advani, Director, D-Day commented, “The idea of capturing India’s most wanted man in his own playing ground is a question every Indian has asked...
- 5/29/2013
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Sony Pictures Classics today acquired North American rights to "The Lunchbox," winner of the Viewer's Choice Award, Grand Rail d'Or, at the 2013 Cannes Critics' Week. Full release below: Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Critics’ Week Grand Rail D’Or Winner The Lunchbox New York (May 24, 2013) - Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired all North American rights to the Viewer’s Choice Award, Grand Rail d’Or, winner at the 2013 Critics’ Week, The Lunchbox. The film, written and directed by Ritesh Batra, stars Irrfan Khan (Life Of Pi), Nimrat Kaur and Nakul Vaid. The Lunchbox is produced by Gunneet Monga and Anurag Kashyap of Sikhya Entertainment (India) and Arun Rangachari of Dar Motion Pictures (India), co-produced by Nina Lath Gupta of Nfdc (India), Shanaab Alam, Vivek Rangachari, Sunil John, Nittin Keni, Karsten Stöter and Benny Drechsel of Rohfilm (Germany), Cedomir Kolar and Marc Baschet...
- 5/24/2013
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired all North American rights to the Viewer.s Choice Award, Grand Rail d'Or, winner at the 2013 Critics' Week, The Lunchbox . The film, written and directed by Ritesh Batra, stars Irrfan Khan ( Life of Pi ), Nimrat Kaur and Nakul Vaid. The Lunchbox is produced by Gunneet Monga and Anurag Kashyap of Sikhya Entertainment (India) and Arun Rangachari of Dar Motion Pictures (India), co-produced by Nina Lath Gupta of Nfdc (India), Shanaab Alam, Vivek Rangachari, Sunil John, Nittin Keni, Karsten Stöter and Benny Drechsel of Rohfilm (Germany), Cedomir Kolar and Marc Baschet of Asap Films (France), Danis Tanovic and executive produced by Lydia Dean Pilcher of CineMosaic, Irrfan Khan and Ritesh Batra. In The Lunchbox , a mistaken...
- 5/24/2013
- Comingsoon.net
The official poster of Anurag Kashyap’s next film ‘Ugly’ is out. The film has been selected for Directors’ Fortnight – an independent section held in parallel to the Cannes Film Festival.
‘Ugly’ features Ronit Roy, Tejaswini Kolhapure, Vinit Kumar Singh Vipin Sharma in pivotal roles. Written and directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film is dark psychological thriller on the surface and emotional drama within.
Produced by Phantom Films and Dar Motion Pictures, the films will premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2013.
Synopsis:
Bose, an extremely straight-forward person, is an Additional Commissioner of Police. It is only in his private life that these lines get blurred, especially with the way he treats his wife Shalini. Shalini is a clinically depressed person and an alcoholic. Bose is Shalini’s second husband. Shalini was first married to Rahul and also has a daughter with him, (Kali). Rahul is a struggling actor who is still looking for his big break.
‘Ugly’ features Ronit Roy, Tejaswini Kolhapure, Vinit Kumar Singh Vipin Sharma in pivotal roles. Written and directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film is dark psychological thriller on the surface and emotional drama within.
Produced by Phantom Films and Dar Motion Pictures, the films will premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2013.
Synopsis:
Bose, an extremely straight-forward person, is an Additional Commissioner of Police. It is only in his private life that these lines get blurred, especially with the way he treats his wife Shalini. Shalini is a clinically depressed person and an alcoholic. Bose is Shalini’s second husband. Shalini was first married to Rahul and also has a daughter with him, (Kali). Rahul is a struggling actor who is still looking for his big break.
- 5/5/2013
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Many filmmakers currently are fascinated with real life characters or books. The infamous killer Charles Sobhraj has captivated attention of filmmakers to make a full length movie based on his life. Noted directors have spoken with a glint in their eye about the life of this criminal, who made headlines through the 70s for his one dozen murders and also went under the name of the bikini killer. Recently, it has been heard that Arun Rangachari has acquired the rights of author Farrukh Dhondy's book titled The Bikini Murders that is reportedly based on the story of Sobhraj. The book represents the live of Charles to the core. Says our source, "Earlier attempts at making a Sobhraj biopic have failed because of the quick reaction from his lawyers. But now the hurdle seems to have been circumvented with the acquisition of rights." The hunt to find the perfect on-screen Charles is on.
- 4/23/2013
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
These days many films are fascinated with real life characters or books. The infamous killer Charles Sobhraj has captivated attention of filmamkers now to make a full length movie based on his life. Noted directors have spoken with a glint in their eye about the life of this criminal, who made headlines through the 70s for his dozen murders and also went under the name of the bikini killer. Recently, it has been heard that Arun Rangachari has acquired the rights of author...
- 4/22/2013
- GlamSham
Anurag Kashyap, Lydia Pilcher producer of Reluctant Fundamentalist, Namesake, Cedomir Kolar producer of Oscar winning No Man's Land and Dar Motion Pictures have come together for Lunch Box. The film which has already begun shooting is being directed by Ritesh Batra starring Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddique and Nimrat Kaur.
One of India's truly international films, Lunch Box is a love story set in Mumbai between a young housewife and a middle aged man. It is a story of a beautiful relationship triggered by a wrong delivery of one in 8 million lunch boxes that is delivered daily by Mumbai's now famous Dabbawallas.
Anurag confirms Lunch Box is a fantastic script. It brings together the best of talent of Irrfan and Nawazuddin. Arun Rangachari, chairman Dar Motion Pictures says, "Lunch Box as a film has huge potential as it is a high content film. We have partnered with best talent across the globe for it.
One of India's truly international films, Lunch Box is a love story set in Mumbai between a young housewife and a middle aged man. It is a story of a beautiful relationship triggered by a wrong delivery of one in 8 million lunch boxes that is delivered daily by Mumbai's now famous Dabbawallas.
Anurag confirms Lunch Box is a fantastic script. It brings together the best of talent of Irrfan and Nawazuddin. Arun Rangachari, chairman Dar Motion Pictures says, "Lunch Box as a film has huge potential as it is a high content film. We have partnered with best talent across the globe for it.
- 1/28/2013
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
With the platform already set by producer Vikram Bhatt’s Haunted 3D in 2011, it looked easy for Karishma Kapoor, who planned her comeback to Hindi cinema after a long hiatus of nine years, to make her return an impressive one. However, Lolo’s fans are going to be everything but entertained in her reincarnation attempt in the world of Bollywood with Bvg Films and Dar Motion Pictures’ Dangerous Ishhq. Seemingly, the fact that this movie stars Karishma who was a hit in the late 90s and the early 2000’s has been taken for granted by the film maker who has turned a blind eye towards the story line.
Produced by Arun Rangachari and directed by Vikram Bhatt, Dangerous Ishhq is a woman centric story (second in a row after Vikram Bhatt’s Hate Story) where the protagonist dies several times during the course of the movie in a bid to get united with her lover.
Produced by Arun Rangachari and directed by Vikram Bhatt, Dangerous Ishhq is a woman centric story (second in a row after Vikram Bhatt’s Hate Story) where the protagonist dies several times during the course of the movie in a bid to get united with her lover.
- 5/15/2012
- by Kartik Iyer
- Bollyspice
Arun Rangachari, the head honcho of Dar Motion Pictures, is one enterprising man. The entrepreneur-producer is making a splash in the movie industry by attempting varied genre films. It all began with the Mahesh Manjrekar-directed realistic film Lalbaug Parel/City Of Gold, followed by Vikram Bhatt's Haunted. Rangachari is now ready to unveil his ambitious plans, strengthening his grip in the industry. To start with, Rangachari has entered into a 3-film deal with Vikram Bhatt, to be made in 3D. Haunted has already been released, while the erotic thriller, Dangerous Ishq, will follow next. Besides these three films films, Rangachari is starting two Hindi films - a comedy called Rahul Kaun Hai, which will be directed by Nikhil Bhatt and a political drama, which is still in raw stages currently. The casting of both is underway. Besides, Rangachari has just completed a Marathi film and is all set...
- 5/10/2011
- by Taran Adarsh
- BollywoodHungama
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