Khushalii Kumar, last seen in “Starfish,” and Shantanu Maheshwari, acclaimed for his role in “Gangubai Kathadwadi,” are set to headline the cast of an upcoming psychological thriller titled “Crossfire.” Directed by Harish Raut, filming for this gripping tale is slated to commence in October 2024.
Director and Filming Details
Produced by Praful Parate and Yogesh Tidke under the banner Sandsational Films P Ltd, “Crossfire” promises to deliver an intense and immersive cinematic experience. Vivek Rangachari joins the project as the creative producer, adding his expertise to enhance the film’s creative vision.
The screenplay and dialogue for “Crossfire” are penned by Salil Jason Fernandez, known for his adept storytelling and engaging narratives. Zaid Khan, the project designer, is expected to bring a unique visual style to the film, setting it apart in the psychological thriller genre.
Khushalii Kumar – Shantanu Maheshwari To Feature In Psychological Thriller… #KhushaliiKumar [last seen in #Starfish] and #ShantanuMaheshwari [won acclaim for his performance in #GangubaiKathadwadi] will head the cast of psychological thriller,...
Director and Filming Details
Produced by Praful Parate and Yogesh Tidke under the banner Sandsational Films P Ltd, “Crossfire” promises to deliver an intense and immersive cinematic experience. Vivek Rangachari joins the project as the creative producer, adding his expertise to enhance the film’s creative vision.
The screenplay and dialogue for “Crossfire” are penned by Salil Jason Fernandez, known for his adept storytelling and engaging narratives. Zaid Khan, the project designer, is expected to bring a unique visual style to the film, setting it apart in the psychological thriller genre.
Khushalii Kumar – Shantanu Maheshwari To Feature In Psychological Thriller… #KhushaliiKumar [last seen in #Starfish] and #ShantanuMaheshwari [won acclaim for his performance in #GangubaiKathadwadi] will head the cast of psychological thriller,...
- 2/15/2024
- by Anshu Harvansh
- ReferSMS
Mumbai, Feb 15 (Ians) Actors Shantanu Maheshwari and Khushalii Kumar, are teaming up for a psychological thriller titled ‘Crossfire’.
The film is helmed by director Harish Raut, and it blends suspense and drama.
The film follows the life of Ipsita Dhar (played by Khushalii) as her life crosses paths with Bhanu Pratap Singh ((played by Shantanu), who has recently been released from prison. Their meeting soon develops a bond, with Ipsita becoming instrumental in Bhanu’s journey of redemption, navigating love, betrayal, and the search for inner peace. Their relationship explores the complexities of human emotions and the consequences of one’s decisions.
Talking about the project, Shantanu said: “From the moment I read the script, I was drawn to the film. My character has nuances that challenge traditional notions of morality. He navigates a spectrum of emotions and moral dilemmas, challenging traditional notions of right and wrong. As an actor,...
The film is helmed by director Harish Raut, and it blends suspense and drama.
The film follows the life of Ipsita Dhar (played by Khushalii) as her life crosses paths with Bhanu Pratap Singh ((played by Shantanu), who has recently been released from prison. Their meeting soon develops a bond, with Ipsita becoming instrumental in Bhanu’s journey of redemption, navigating love, betrayal, and the search for inner peace. Their relationship explores the complexities of human emotions and the consequences of one’s decisions.
Talking about the project, Shantanu said: “From the moment I read the script, I was drawn to the film. My character has nuances that challenge traditional notions of morality. He navigates a spectrum of emotions and moral dilemmas, challenging traditional notions of right and wrong. As an actor,...
- 2/15/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Khushalii Kumar who was last seen in ‘Starfish’ and actor Shantanu Maheshwari, celebrated for his standout performance in ‘Gangubai Kathadwadi,’ are set to come together for a psychological thriller titled ‘Crossfire,’ helmed by director Harish Raut. Both actors won the Best Debutant awards at Iifa last year. Promising a riveting fusion of suspense and heartfelt drama, ‘Crossfire’ guarantees an immersive cinematic journey that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats, brimming with a spectrum of emotions.
‘Crossfire’ follows Ipsita Dhar (Khushalii) as her life crosses paths with Bhanu Pratap Singh (Shantanu), newly released from prison. Their meeting sparks a deep bond, with Ipsita becoming instrumental in Bhanu’s journey of redemption, navigating love, betrayal, and the search for inner peace. Their relationship explores the complexities of human emotions and the consequences of one’s decisions.
Director Harish Raut, in crafting the story of ‘Crossfire’, brings a fresh perspective to the crime genre.
‘Crossfire’ follows Ipsita Dhar (Khushalii) as her life crosses paths with Bhanu Pratap Singh (Shantanu), newly released from prison. Their meeting sparks a deep bond, with Ipsita becoming instrumental in Bhanu’s journey of redemption, navigating love, betrayal, and the search for inner peace. Their relationship explores the complexities of human emotions and the consequences of one’s decisions.
Director Harish Raut, in crafting the story of ‘Crossfire’, brings a fresh perspective to the crime genre.
- 2/15/2024
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
Film Festival
Zelda Adams, John Adams and Toby Poser’s Fantasia and FrightFest-winning horror film “Where the Devil Roams” will open the fourth edition of India’s Wench Film Festival (Feb. 9-March 3). The festival was founded in 2020 by filmmaker Sapna Moti Bhavnani (“Sindhustan”) to “bridge the gender gap in India by driving opportunities and conversations through the gaze of a woman inclusive of Biwoc, LGBTQ+ women and non-binary in art, fashion, and film powered by tech,” per the organizers. It specializes in the horror, sci-fi and fantasy genres.
The team, which also includes artistic director Uma da Cunha, programmers Heidi Honeycutt who is the co-founder of the women-focused Etheria Film festival, Shelagh Rowan-Legg, director of the Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies, “The Lunchbox” producer Vivek Rangachari, have curated a lineup of 29 films, including 14 India premieres and 10 Asia premieres.
Highlights include Ariane Louis-Seize’s “Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person,” Jenn Wexler’s “The Sacrifice Game,...
Zelda Adams, John Adams and Toby Poser’s Fantasia and FrightFest-winning horror film “Where the Devil Roams” will open the fourth edition of India’s Wench Film Festival (Feb. 9-March 3). The festival was founded in 2020 by filmmaker Sapna Moti Bhavnani (“Sindhustan”) to “bridge the gender gap in India by driving opportunities and conversations through the gaze of a woman inclusive of Biwoc, LGBTQ+ women and non-binary in art, fashion, and film powered by tech,” per the organizers. It specializes in the horror, sci-fi and fantasy genres.
The team, which also includes artistic director Uma da Cunha, programmers Heidi Honeycutt who is the co-founder of the women-focused Etheria Film festival, Shelagh Rowan-Legg, director of the Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies, “The Lunchbox” producer Vivek Rangachari, have curated a lineup of 29 films, including 14 India premieres and 10 Asia premieres.
Highlights include Ariane Louis-Seize’s “Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person,” Jenn Wexler’s “The Sacrifice Game,...
- 2/7/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
”The Village” is a new live-cation horror thriller TV series, directed by Milind Rau, based on the graphic novel by Asvin Srivatsangam, Vivek Rangachari and Shamik Dasgupta, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video:
“…’Dr. Gautham Subramanian’ with his wife, ‘Neha’ and daughter ‘Maya’ see their car breakdown in the deserted Indian village, ‘Kattiyal’.
“However, while asking around for help, Gautham finds out the village is haunted by mutants. How does he rescue his family from the escalating danger and can he purge the village from this darkness…?”
Click the images to enlarge…...
“…’Dr. Gautham Subramanian’ with his wife, ‘Neha’ and daughter ‘Maya’ see their car breakdown in the deserted Indian village, ‘Kattiyal’.
“However, while asking around for help, Gautham finds out the village is haunted by mutants. How does he rescue his family from the escalating danger and can he purge the village from this darkness…?”
Click the images to enlarge…...
- 12/6/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The last week of November will see a host of regional titles varying from action thriller to political thriller, to slice-of-life drama, being released on the different Ott platforms. Here is a list of five titles on various Ott platforms that have caught the attention this week.
‘Leo’: The Tamil action thriller film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Seven Screen Studio, stars Vijay in the titular role, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Arjun, Trisha, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, Madonna Sebastian, George Maryan, Mansoor Ali Khan, Priya Anand and Mathew Thomas. It is the third instalment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (Lcu).
The film follows Parthi, a cafe owner and animal rescuer in Theog, who is pursued by gangsters Antony and Harold Das who suspect him to be Antony’s estranged son, Leo. It will stream on Netflix from November 24 in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi.
‘The Village’:...
‘Leo’: The Tamil action thriller film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Seven Screen Studio, stars Vijay in the titular role, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Arjun, Trisha, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, Madonna Sebastian, George Maryan, Mansoor Ali Khan, Priya Anand and Mathew Thomas. It is the third instalment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (Lcu).
The film follows Parthi, a cafe owner and animal rescuer in Theog, who is pursued by gangsters Antony and Harold Das who suspect him to be Antony’s estranged son, Leo. It will stream on Netflix from November 24 in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi.
‘The Village’:...
- 11/23/2023
- by Agency News Desk
The last week of November will see a host of regional titles varying from action thriller to political thriller, to slice-of-life drama, being released on the different Ott platforms. Here is a list of five titles on various Ott platforms that have caught the attention this week.
‘Leo’: The Tamil action thriller film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Seven Screen Studio, stars Vijay in the titular role, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Arjun, Trisha, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, Madonna Sebastian, George Maryan, Mansoor Ali Khan, Priya Anand and Mathew Thomas. It is the third instalment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (Lcu).
The film follows Parthi, a cafe owner and animal rescuer in Theog, who is pursued by gangsters Antony and Harold Das who suspect him to be Antony’s estranged son, Leo. It will stream on Netflix from November 24 in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi.
‘The Village’:...
‘Leo’: The Tamil action thriller film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Seven Screen Studio, stars Vijay in the titular role, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Arjun, Trisha, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, Madonna Sebastian, George Maryan, Mansoor Ali Khan, Priya Anand and Mathew Thomas. It is the third instalment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (Lcu).
The film follows Parthi, a cafe owner and animal rescuer in Theog, who is pursued by gangsters Antony and Harold Das who suspect him to be Antony’s estranged son, Leo. It will stream on Netflix from November 24 in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi.
‘The Village’:...
- 11/23/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Chennai, Nov 21 (Ians) Making his Ott debut in the upcoming violent, and bloody horror series ‘The Village’, Tamil star Arya has opened up on his experience regarding the series’ shoot, saying that Ott shooting is an altogether different experience.
Talking about the series in detail, the ‘Iraandan Ulagam’ actor said: “My Ott debut with ‘The Village’ has definitely been a different kind of experience. The show’s concept, which is the horror-thriller element with a lot of gore, and a very rooted story was also never experienced in the Indian Ott market.”
The actor further mentioned, “I found that particularly enticing, which led me to pursue it further. The horror series is a class apart from all other horror genres seen on the Indian Ott platforms.”
Inspired by Asvin Srivatsangam, Vivek Rangachari, and Shamik Dasgupta’s graphic horror novel of the same name, this horror thriller narrates the story of...
Talking about the series in detail, the ‘Iraandan Ulagam’ actor said: “My Ott debut with ‘The Village’ has definitely been a different kind of experience. The show’s concept, which is the horror-thriller element with a lot of gore, and a very rooted story was also never experienced in the Indian Ott market.”
The actor further mentioned, “I found that particularly enticing, which led me to pursue it further. The horror series is a class apart from all other horror genres seen on the Indian Ott platforms.”
Inspired by Asvin Srivatsangam, Vivek Rangachari, and Shamik Dasgupta’s graphic horror novel of the same name, this horror thriller narrates the story of...
- 11/21/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Chennai, Nov 21 (Ians) Making his Ott debut in the upcoming violent, and bloody horror series ‘The Village’, Tamil star Arya has opened up on his experience regarding the series’ shoot, saying that Ott shooting is an altogether different experience.
Talking about the series in detail, the ‘Iraandan Ulagam’ actor said: “My Ott debut with ‘The Village’ has definitely been a different kind of experience. The show’s concept, which is the horror-thriller element with a lot of gore, and a very rooted story was also never experienced in the Indian Ott market.”
The actor further mentioned, “I found that particularly enticing, which led me to pursue it further. The horror series is a class apart from all other horror genres seen on the Indian Ott platforms.”
Inspired by Asvin Srivatsangam, Vivek Rangachari, and Shamik Dasgupta’s graphic horror novel of the same name, this horror thriller narrates the story of...
Talking about the series in detail, the ‘Iraandan Ulagam’ actor said: “My Ott debut with ‘The Village’ has definitely been a different kind of experience. The show’s concept, which is the horror-thriller element with a lot of gore, and a very rooted story was also never experienced in the Indian Ott market.”
The actor further mentioned, “I found that particularly enticing, which led me to pursue it further. The horror series is a class apart from all other horror genres seen on the Indian Ott platforms.”
Inspired by Asvin Srivatsangam, Vivek Rangachari, and Shamik Dasgupta’s graphic horror novel of the same name, this horror thriller narrates the story of...
- 11/21/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Unveiling its new trailer, the Tamil horror series ‘The Village’ has only amped up the creeps as horrifying mutants come out from the dark and hunt a family, turning a simple family outing into a living nightmare and a desperate fight for survival.
Inspired by writers Asvin Srivatsangam, Vivek Rangachari, and Shamik Dasgupta’s graphic horror novel of the same name, the series is nonetheless its own thing and is a fast-paced, action-packed story that takes the viewers deep into the desolate hinterlands of Tamil Nadu and into the village of Kattiyal.
Going out on a simple family road trip, protagonist Gautham (played by Arya) and his family encounter a living form of horror which turns out to be worse than their worst nightmare. The origins of these mutants is not fully known though they may be some creation spawned by black magic, as is implied.
As his family is taken from him,...
Inspired by writers Asvin Srivatsangam, Vivek Rangachari, and Shamik Dasgupta’s graphic horror novel of the same name, the series is nonetheless its own thing and is a fast-paced, action-packed story that takes the viewers deep into the desolate hinterlands of Tamil Nadu and into the village of Kattiyal.
Going out on a simple family road trip, protagonist Gautham (played by Arya) and his family encounter a living form of horror which turns out to be worse than their worst nightmare. The origins of these mutants is not fully known though they may be some creation spawned by black magic, as is implied.
As his family is taken from him,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Unveiling its new trailer, the Tamil horror series ‘The Village’ has only amped up the creeps as horrifying mutants come out from the dark and hunt a family, turning a simple family outing into a living nightmare and a desperate fight for survival.
Inspired by writers Asvin Srivatsangam, Vivek Rangachari, and Shamik Dasgupta’s graphic horror novel of the same name, the series is nonetheless its own thing and is a fast-paced, action-packed story that takes the viewers deep into the desolate hinterlands of Tamil Nadu and into the village of Kattiyal.
Going out on a simple family road trip, protagonist Gautham (played by Arya) and his family encounter a living form of horror which turns out to be worse than their worst nightmare. The origins of these mutants is not fully known though they may be some creation spawned by black magic, as is implied.
As his family is taken from him,...
Inspired by writers Asvin Srivatsangam, Vivek Rangachari, and Shamik Dasgupta’s graphic horror novel of the same name, the series is nonetheless its own thing and is a fast-paced, action-packed story that takes the viewers deep into the desolate hinterlands of Tamil Nadu and into the village of Kattiyal.
Going out on a simple family road trip, protagonist Gautham (played by Arya) and his family encounter a living form of horror which turns out to be worse than their worst nightmare. The origins of these mutants is not fully known though they may be some creation spawned by black magic, as is implied.
As his family is taken from him,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Agency News Desk
The teaser for the upcoming Tamil horror series ‘The Village’ is ominous and terrifying. A fight against ghouls, dark abominations, as well as elements of the occult, the series is a full on horror spectacle.
The short clip shows a lot of high class VFX, practical effects, and ghoulish make-up with a very haunting atmosphere. Rooted in a village, the monsters that strike are some of the most ferocious and bestial abominations there are, while there also seems to be some kind of black magic thing on, indicating occult practices.
Series director and creative producer Milind Rau spoke of the series and said: “I believe a good horror series or movie is one that can leave you terrified to step out alone at night, where the sound of a twig snapping makes your heart skip a beat, where shadows appear to come alive around you. And I want to bring...
The short clip shows a lot of high class VFX, practical effects, and ghoulish make-up with a very haunting atmosphere. Rooted in a village, the monsters that strike are some of the most ferocious and bestial abominations there are, while there also seems to be some kind of black magic thing on, indicating occult practices.
Series director and creative producer Milind Rau spoke of the series and said: “I believe a good horror series or movie is one that can leave you terrified to step out alone at night, where the sound of a twig snapping makes your heart skip a beat, where shadows appear to come alive around you. And I want to bring...
- 11/9/2023
- by Agency News Desk
The teaser for the upcoming Tamil horror series ‘The Village’ is ominous and terrifying. A fight against ghouls, dark abominations, as well as elements of the occult, the series is a full on horror spectacle.
The short clip shows a lot of high class VFX, practical effects, and ghoulish make-up with a very haunting atmosphere. Rooted in a village, the monsters that strike are some of the most ferocious and bestial abominations there are, while there also seems to be some kind of black magic thing on, indicating occult practices.
Series director and creative producer Milind Rau spoke of the series and said: “I believe a good horror series or movie is one that can leave you terrified to step out alone at night, where the sound of a twig snapping makes your heart skip a beat, where shadows appear to come alive around you. And I want to bring...
The short clip shows a lot of high class VFX, practical effects, and ghoulish make-up with a very haunting atmosphere. Rooted in a village, the monsters that strike are some of the most ferocious and bestial abominations there are, while there also seems to be some kind of black magic thing on, indicating occult practices.
Series director and creative producer Milind Rau spoke of the series and said: “I believe a good horror series or movie is one that can leave you terrified to step out alone at night, where the sound of a twig snapping makes your heart skip a beat, where shadows appear to come alive around you. And I want to bring...
- 11/9/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Brace yourselves for an emotionally charged cinematic experience as a film revolving around Dog soldiers. ‘Tutti Frutti’, brings to life an extraordinary saga of camaraderie and courage that transcends the boundaries between soldiers and their loyal canine companions. This compelling narrative, inspired by true events, will take audiences on a gripping journey, celebrating the incredible partnership between warriors on two legs and four.
As the world prepares to celebrate International Dog’s Month, Tutti Frutti takes centre stage, paying homage to the relentless protectors who share an unbreakable bond with our soldiers. The pre-production of Tutti Frutti is set to commence soon.
Behind the scenes, the film boasts a stellar team with producers Vivek Rangachari and Faraz Ahsan at the helm. Vivek Rangachari, known for producing acclaimed films like ‘The Lunchbox’ and the highly anticipated ‘800’, brings his expertise to the table, ensuring a production that resonates with authenticity and heart.
As the world prepares to celebrate International Dog’s Month, Tutti Frutti takes centre stage, paying homage to the relentless protectors who share an unbreakable bond with our soldiers. The pre-production of Tutti Frutti is set to commence soon.
Behind the scenes, the film boasts a stellar team with producers Vivek Rangachari and Faraz Ahsan at the helm. Vivek Rangachari, known for producing acclaimed films like ‘The Lunchbox’ and the highly anticipated ‘800’, brings his expertise to the table, ensuring a production that resonates with authenticity and heart.
- 8/14/2023
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
Dogs are not only man’s best friend, but also loyal allies in times of war. They have been trained to perform various tasks, such as scouting, tracking, guarding, detecting explosives, or delivering messages. They have also saved countless lives and earned many honors for their bravery and devotion.
Some of these war dogs have become legends, such as Stubby, who served in World War I and was awarded several medals; Chips, who attacked an enemy machine gun nest in World War II and received a Silver Star; or Max, who starred in a 2015 film about a dog who helped US Marines in Afghanistan.
Now, a new film inspired by true events will tell the story of another war dog who made history. The film is titled Tutti Frutti, and it follows the adventures of a stray dog who is adopted by an Indian Army unit during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.
Some of these war dogs have become legends, such as Stubby, who served in World War I and was awarded several medals; Chips, who attacked an enemy machine gun nest in World War II and received a Silver Star; or Max, who starred in a 2015 film about a dog who helped US Marines in Afghanistan.
Now, a new film inspired by true events will tell the story of another war dog who made history. The film is titled Tutti Frutti, and it follows the adventures of a stray dog who is adopted by an Indian Army unit during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.
- 8/11/2023
- by amalprasadappu
- https://thecinemanews.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4649
Aditi Rao Hydari and Indian origin British actress Paige Sandhu will soon be seen sharing the screen in the upcoming film ‘Lioness’.
The film, an official Indo-uk co-production being made under the bilateral treaty signed by both countries in 2008, was announced on Tuesday at the India Pavilion (managed by Ficci under the aegis of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival.
Written and directed by Kajri Babbar, the film will tell the story of princess Sophia Duleep Singh, the granddaughter of the great Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and the Goddaughter of Queen Victoria. She was one of the key leaders of the suffragette movement in the UK and also advocated for the rights of women and children.
Sophia’s character will be essayed by Paige Sandhu. The actress said in a statement, “It’s an honour and a dream come true to be playing Princess Sophia Duleep Singh.
The film, an official Indo-uk co-production being made under the bilateral treaty signed by both countries in 2008, was announced on Tuesday at the India Pavilion (managed by Ficci under the aegis of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival.
Written and directed by Kajri Babbar, the film will tell the story of princess Sophia Duleep Singh, the granddaughter of the great Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and the Goddaughter of Queen Victoria. She was one of the key leaders of the suffragette movement in the UK and also advocated for the rights of women and children.
Sophia’s character will be essayed by Paige Sandhu. The actress said in a statement, “It’s an honour and a dream come true to be playing Princess Sophia Duleep Singh.
- 5/23/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Co-production
“Lioness,” an official Indo-u.K. co-production being made under the 2008 bilateral treaty, will star Aditi Rao Hydari (“Jubilee”) and Paige Sandhu (“Emmerdale”), it was revealed at the Cannes India pavilion on Tuesday.
Written and to be directed by Kajri Babbar (“Khoj”), the film is inspired by the research of Peter Bance, the historian who wrote about Princess Sophia Duleep, one of the key leaders of the suffragette movement in the U.K., the Princess of Punjab, granddaughter of Maharajah Ranjit Singh and the goddaughter of Queen Victoria. The film will tell the story of two British Punjabi women living in the U.K., a century apart. While Sophia’s story is rooted in history, the second story is a fictional tale of Mehak Kaur an educated, married immigrant woman living in 1990’s Southall.
Bance is also one of the executive producers on the film, which is produced by Vivek Rangachari,...
“Lioness,” an official Indo-u.K. co-production being made under the 2008 bilateral treaty, will star Aditi Rao Hydari (“Jubilee”) and Paige Sandhu (“Emmerdale”), it was revealed at the Cannes India pavilion on Tuesday.
Written and to be directed by Kajri Babbar (“Khoj”), the film is inspired by the research of Peter Bance, the historian who wrote about Princess Sophia Duleep, one of the key leaders of the suffragette movement in the U.K., the Princess of Punjab, granddaughter of Maharajah Ranjit Singh and the goddaughter of Queen Victoria. The film will tell the story of two British Punjabi women living in the U.K., a century apart. While Sophia’s story is rooted in history, the second story is a fictional tale of Mehak Kaur an educated, married immigrant woman living in 1990’s Southall.
Bance is also one of the executive producers on the film, which is produced by Vivek Rangachari,...
- 5/23/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Lioness, the official Indo-uk co-production being made under the bilateral treaty signed by both countries in 2008, was announced today at the India Pavilion (managed by Ficci under the aegis of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival. Written and to be directed by award-winning filmmaker Kajri Babbar, starring Aditi Rao Hydari and Paige Sandhu in leading roles, the film produced by Vivek Rangachari, Vaishalli Paatil, Faraz Ahsan, Clare Cahill and Ajit Pal Singh (Executive Producer) has been certified by the National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc) and the British Film Institute (BFI).
The film inspired by the research of Peter Bance, the historian who discovered the story of Princess Sophia Duleep, is the story of two British Punjabi women living in the UK, a century apart. Peter is also one of the executive producers on the film.
Princess Sophia Duleep Singh born in 1876 was the Princess of Punjab,...
The film inspired by the research of Peter Bance, the historian who discovered the story of Princess Sophia Duleep, is the story of two British Punjabi women living in the UK, a century apart. Peter is also one of the executive producers on the film.
Princess Sophia Duleep Singh born in 1876 was the Princess of Punjab,...
- 5/23/2023
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
Historical feature film Lioness, starring Aditi Rao Hydari (Jubilee) and Paige Sandhu (Emmerdale), has been set as the first official India-uk co-production under a treaty signed in 2008.
Directed by Kajri Babbar, the film tells the story of two British Punjabi women living in the UK a century apart.
One story is based on a historical figure, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, the Princess of Punjab and Goddaughter of Queen Victoria, who was one of the key leaders of the suffragette movement in the UK.
The second fictional storyline revolves around an educated, married immigrant woman, Mehak, living in Southall, a suburb of London, in the 1990s.
Princess Sophia will be played by Indian origin UK actress Paige Sandhu, who is best known for her role in UK soap opera Emmerdale. Mehak will be played by Aditi Rao Hydari, who works in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu films, and also stars in Vikramaditya Motwane...
Directed by Kajri Babbar, the film tells the story of two British Punjabi women living in the UK a century apart.
One story is based on a historical figure, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, the Princess of Punjab and Goddaughter of Queen Victoria, who was one of the key leaders of the suffragette movement in the UK.
The second fictional storyline revolves around an educated, married immigrant woman, Mehak, living in Southall, a suburb of London, in the 1990s.
Princess Sophia will be played by Indian origin UK actress Paige Sandhu, who is best known for her role in UK soap opera Emmerdale. Mehak will be played by Aditi Rao Hydari, who works in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu films, and also stars in Vikramaditya Motwane...
- 5/23/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Mumbai, April 17 (Ians) Cricket legend Muthiah Muralidaran is getting a biopic with actor Madhurr Mittal of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ fame, stepping into the lead role.
The first look of the film was unveiled on Monday on the occasion of the cricketer’s birthday.
Muthiah Muralidaran, the spin wizard, was rated the greatest Test Match bowler by Wisden’s Cricketers Almanack in 2002. In 2017, he was the first Sri Lankan cricketer to be inducted into the Icc Cricket Hall of Fame.
Actor Madhurr Mittal is delighted to have landed this opportunity. He said: “It’s an honour to bring the story of a legend like Muralidaran on screen. We all know him as a cricketer, but there’s a lot in the film about him as a person who has beaten the odds to come up triumphant in life which will inspire generations of youngsters down the decades.”
The Tamil film, titled ‘800’, is a sports drama,...
The first look of the film was unveiled on Monday on the occasion of the cricketer’s birthday.
Muthiah Muralidaran, the spin wizard, was rated the greatest Test Match bowler by Wisden’s Cricketers Almanack in 2002. In 2017, he was the first Sri Lankan cricketer to be inducted into the Icc Cricket Hall of Fame.
Actor Madhurr Mittal is delighted to have landed this opportunity. He said: “It’s an honour to bring the story of a legend like Muralidaran on screen. We all know him as a cricketer, but there’s a lot in the film about him as a person who has beaten the odds to come up triumphant in life which will inspire generations of youngsters down the decades.”
The Tamil film, titled ‘800’, is a sports drama,...
- 4/17/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Popular Tamil cinema actor Vijay Sethupathi (“96”) is set to star as iconic Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan in upcoming biopic “800.”
With 800 wickets in test match cricket and 534 in one day internationals, Muralitharan is the bowler with world records for the highest number of wickets in both versions of the sport. He retired in 2011 and is currently the mentor for the Sun Risers Hyderabad franchise in the Indian Premier League tournament, helping them to win the championship in 2016.
M.S. Sripathy (“Kanimozhi”) has co-written the film alongside acclaimed novelist Shehan Karunatilaka, author of “Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew,” that won the 2012 Commonwealth Book Prize, and will direct.
The film will follow Muralitharan’s childhood playing cricket amidst sectarian violence in Sri Lanka, and how he evolved from being an excitable pace bowler into a difficult to play spinner. It will go on to reveal how, after being falsely labeled a cheat,...
With 800 wickets in test match cricket and 534 in one day internationals, Muralitharan is the bowler with world records for the highest number of wickets in both versions of the sport. He retired in 2011 and is currently the mentor for the Sun Risers Hyderabad franchise in the Indian Premier League tournament, helping them to win the championship in 2016.
M.S. Sripathy (“Kanimozhi”) has co-written the film alongside acclaimed novelist Shehan Karunatilaka, author of “Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew,” that won the 2012 Commonwealth Book Prize, and will direct.
The film will follow Muralitharan’s childhood playing cricket amidst sectarian violence in Sri Lanka, and how he evolved from being an excitable pace bowler into a difficult to play spinner. It will go on to reveal how, after being falsely labeled a cheat,...
- 10/14/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
KollywoodThe biopic is being directed by Ms Sripathy and produced by Movie Train Motion Pictures and Vivek Rangachari.Tnm StaffThe sensational reveal of actor Vijay Sethupathi as cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan in his upcoming biopic titled 800 based on the latter’s life was released on Tuesday. The first look motion poster is a little over a minute long and is entirely animated graphics telling the story of a cricketer from a war-torn country. Towards the very end, Muttiah’s caricature morphs into Vijay Sethupathi’s and we are briefly shown the actor’s uncanny transformation to resemble one of the best bowlers in international cricket. The biopic is being directed by Ms Sripathy and produced by Movie Train Motion Pictures and Vivek Rangachari. According to a release from the film’s team 800 will be shot in Sri Lanka, UK, Australia, and India beginning early 2021. The film is expected to be ready for release late next year.
- 10/13/2020
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodThe actor said that he’s honoured to be part of the landmark project. Tnm StaffIt was previously reported that actor Vijay Sethupathi, who was last seen in Ka Pae Ranasingam, has been roped in to play Sri Lankan Tamil bowler Muthiah Muralitharan. On Thursday, Vijay Sethupathi confirmed the news by tweeting a poster of the film and stating that he was honoured to be a part of this landmark project. The film is rumoured to be titled 800 and will be directed by Ms Sripathy. Malayalam star Rajisha Vijayan is playing the female lead. According to reports, veteran cinematographer Rd Rajasekhar, who is known for several blockbusters, has been roped in as the cinematographer and he had travelled to Sri Lanka for location scouting. Sam Cs is the composer. The film is being produced by Vivek Rangachari. Reports say that 800 will trace the struggles faced by the cricketer during his...
- 10/8/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
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
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
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
In a first of its kind, Girl Rising ambassadors Priyanka Chopra, Freida Pinto support and promote ‘Girl Rising’ India, which throws light on a campaign to increase secondary school completion rates for girls and reduce gender-based discrimination in India. Girl Rising, a global campaign for girls’ education that uses storytelling to promote the truth about the transformative power of educating girls and to catalyze support for girls’ education and empowerment, today announced an ambitious public-private partnership. Usaid has provided start-up funding for Girl Rising: Engage India (Empowering New Generations to Advance Girls’ Education), to bring Girl Rising to India and engage a diverse cross-section of allies to take action for girls.
The Girl Rising: Engage India partnership is launching a two-year initiative with a focused goal of getting more girls to pass Class 10 and increasing secondary school completion rates for girls and reduce gender-based discrimination in India. The...
The Girl Rising: Engage India partnership is launching a two-year initiative with a focused goal of getting more girls to pass Class 10 and increasing secondary school completion rates for girls and reduce gender-based discrimination in India. The...
- 11/30/2014
- 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
Anurag Kashyap’s Ugly will finally hit theatres in India on September 19, Vivek Rangachari of Dar Motion Pictures told Dearcinema.
Ugly, which received a world premiere at Director’s Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival in 2013, has since been screened at several film festivals including Puchon, Warsaw and Melbourne. The Indian premiere of the film will take place at the Ladakh International Film Festival in July.
A psychological thriller, Ugly deals with a situation where no one can trust anyone amidst the scenes of brutality and psychological games after ten year old Kali goes missing from the car she was left in by her father. The film features Tejaswini Kolhapure and Ronit Roy in lead roles.
The Indian release of the film had been put on hold by Anurag Kashyap who was protesting against the anti-smoking tickers on screen.
Ugly, which received a world premiere at Director’s Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival in 2013, has since been screened at several film festivals including Puchon, Warsaw and Melbourne. The Indian premiere of the film will take place at the Ladakh International Film Festival in July.
A psychological thriller, Ugly deals with a situation where no one can trust anyone amidst the scenes of brutality and psychological games after ten year old Kali goes missing from the car she was left in by her father. The film features Tejaswini Kolhapure and Ronit Roy in lead roles.
The Indian release of the film had been put on hold by Anurag Kashyap who was protesting against the anti-smoking tickers on screen.
- 6/20/2014
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Prior to the promotions of Ek Villain, the film was initially titled Villain and the sudden change in the title took everyone by surprise. However, the reason behind this modification was the fact that the rights for the title 'Villain' is currently with Arjun Rampal. The actor has been toying with the idea of making a film with the title for quite some time now. And because there wasn't any progress on that front, Balaji Motion Pictures wanted to make a film on the title. However, in order to avoid any kind of copyright issues in the future, the production house opted for a safer route and decided to keep the title Ek Villain. We also hear that Arjun Rampal is keen to make the film Villain and Vivek Rangachari of Dar Motion Pictures claimed that they were approached by Arjun for the same and they have been considering the...
- 5/29/2014
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
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
The Lunchbox has done it yet again, bagging even more international acclaim. The Asian Film Awards or often referred to as the Asian ‘Academy Awards’, were held in Macau on March 27th and The Lunchbox took home two very prestigious awards winning the Best Actor Award for Irrfan Khan and the Best Screenwriter Award for Ritesh Batra.
Commenting on his win the actor said, “This award is considered Asia’s Oscars, which is an honour in itself. Besides, one of my favourite actors, Toni Leung Chiu Wai was also nominated in the same category for the Wong Kar Wai film The Grandmaster, this in fact made the win even more special.”
Directed by Ritesh Batra, and also starring Nimrit Kaur and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, The Lunchbox, since it first debuted at Cannes has had a plethora of awards to its credit Indian and international alike. Vivek Rangachari, producer Dar Motion Pictures Pvt Ltd said,...
Commenting on his win the actor said, “This award is considered Asia’s Oscars, which is an honour in itself. Besides, one of my favourite actors, Toni Leung Chiu Wai was also nominated in the same category for the Wong Kar Wai film The Grandmaster, this in fact made the win even more special.”
Directed by Ritesh Batra, and also starring Nimrit Kaur and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, The Lunchbox, since it first debuted at Cannes has had a plethora of awards to its credit Indian and international alike. Vivek Rangachari, producer Dar Motion Pictures Pvt Ltd said,...
- 3/30/2014
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
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
Anurag Kashyap seems quite stubborn about his film Ugly as the filmmaker is not ready to make any compromises regarding the smoking scenes in the film. Recently, Kashyap refused to feature the disclaimer 'Cigarette smoking is injurious to health' during smoking shots in his film. Also, the film's co-producer and the head of Dar Motion Pictures, Vivek Rangachari has extended his support in this matter. Readers may be aware that last year, the Censor Board became quite stringent about 'Cigarette Smoking' warnings and asked filmmakers to issue this disclaimer in every shot where cigarette is visible. However, Anurag and his team are currently in talks with the Censor Board to sort out this issue. Interestingly, Anurag had made a film called No Smoking with John Abraham way back in 2007 on the subject of smoking. Ugly is slated to release on January 3.
- 11/7/2013
- BollywoodHungama
Mumbai, Oct 14: Bollywood film "Mickey Virus", which marks the acting debut of Manish Paul, might be remade in Tamil and Telugu. Talks are on, said the movie's producer.
"We have been contacted by a number of parties from down south for 'Mickey Virus'. We are negotiating the remake, merchandising and gaming rights with a few of them. We will take a call once the film releases," said producer Vivek Rangachari of Dar Motion Pictures.
Directed by debutant Saurabh Varma, "Mickey Virus" is a comedy thriller which features Manish as a computer hacker named Mickey Arora. The film is slated to hit theatres Oct 25.
Ians...
"We have been contacted by a number of parties from down south for 'Mickey Virus'. We are negotiating the remake, merchandising and gaming rights with a few of them. We will take a call once the film releases," said producer Vivek Rangachari of Dar Motion Pictures.
Directed by debutant Saurabh Varma, "Mickey Virus" is a comedy thriller which features Manish as a computer hacker named Mickey Arora. The film is slated to hit theatres Oct 25.
Ians...
- 10/14/2013
- by Shiva Prakash
- RealBollywood.com
Mumbai, Sep 15: Vivek Rangachari, the producer of highly acclaimed "Lunchbox", says his next will be a remake of Tamil hit "Chennai 600028", which was about street cricket.
He has tentatively titled the Hindi version "Kirkit", which will be made under his banner Dar Motion Pictures.
"Yes, we are remaking a Tamil film 'Chennai 28' in Hindi. The film has gully cricket as the backdrop. It's a very youth-centric film and the film is tentatively titled 'Kirkit'," he said and added that the Hindi version will be made in a way that it would appeal to the audience.
Rangachari said director Bejoy Nambiar has teamed up with him to co-produce the movie.
"Bejoy is co-producing the film with us and it will be directed.
He has tentatively titled the Hindi version "Kirkit", which will be made under his banner Dar Motion Pictures.
"Yes, we are remaking a Tamil film 'Chennai 28' in Hindi. The film has gully cricket as the backdrop. It's a very youth-centric film and the film is tentatively titled 'Kirkit'," he said and added that the Hindi version will be made in a way that it would appeal to the audience.
Rangachari said director Bejoy Nambiar has teamed up with him to co-produce the movie.
"Bejoy is co-producing the film with us and it will be directed.
- 9/15/2013
- by Rahul Kapoor
- RealBollywood.com
The Lunchbox has been widely accepted and appreciated in various film festivals. Co-producer Vivek Rangachari of Dar Motion Pictures says that the film is not a typical commercial release, but will surely surprise everyone. “It is an unusual film that is not of the 200-250 cr club. This film has its appeal and people will surely like it,” he added.
Talking about the film’s budget, he said, ”I am not allowed to reveal the budget, but all I can say is that it is a medium budget film. We did our editing in New York and the post production work happened in Germany and France.”
Vivek spoke about Irrfan Khan who is the lead actor for Lunchbox and was also in D-Day, another film that Vivek had produced. “Irrfan is a great actor and I have known him for a long time. We will surely do more projects together in future,...
Talking about the film’s budget, he said, ”I am not allowed to reveal the budget, but all I can say is that it is a medium budget film. We did our editing in New York and the post production work happened in Germany and France.”
Vivek spoke about Irrfan Khan who is the lead actor for Lunchbox and was also in D-Day, another film that Vivek had produced. “Irrfan is a great actor and I have known him for a long time. We will surely do more projects together in future,...
- 9/14/2013
- by Samreen Tungekar
- Bollyspice
Mumbai, Sep 9: "The Lunchbox" starring Irrfan Khan is not a typical commercial film but will surprise everyone, says Vivek Rangachari of Dar Motion Pictures, one of the co-producers of the movie which has been widely appreciated in festival circuits.
"I know today it's all about 200 and 250 crores but 'The Lunchbox' is not a typical commercial film. The film has a universal appeal and will have wider audience. It's a very unusual film," Rangachari told Ians.
He says the film was made on a medium budget.
"Its not a very high budget film and I am not allowed to reveal the budget right now. But all I can say is the.
"I know today it's all about 200 and 250 crores but 'The Lunchbox' is not a typical commercial film. The film has a universal appeal and will have wider audience. It's a very unusual film," Rangachari told Ians.
He says the film was made on a medium budget.
"Its not a very high budget film and I am not allowed to reveal the budget right now. But all I can say is the.
- 9/9/2013
- by Shiva Prakash
- RealBollywood.com
Sudhir Mishra is reportedly facing financial issues in releasing his next film, after his previous film Inkaar starring Arjun Rampal and Chitrangda Singh didn’t do well at the box office.
Sudhir’s new film features Rishi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan and Chitrangda Singh. The film was delayed for a bit because of Rishi’s packed schedule and Mr. Bachchan’s health. The film reportedly has no buyers as a huge amount of 26 crores is needed for the same and raising the money is proving to be difficult.
It seems that director Nikhil Advani, who has co-written the script with Sudhir Mishra and some other writers, backed out of being a part of the film due to some commitments. According to the Times of India, sources have declared that Nikhil’s business partner Vivek Rangachari cleared the air by saying that Nikhil had to back out because of professional reasons, but...
Sudhir’s new film features Rishi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan and Chitrangda Singh. The film was delayed for a bit because of Rishi’s packed schedule and Mr. Bachchan’s health. The film reportedly has no buyers as a huge amount of 26 crores is needed for the same and raising the money is proving to be difficult.
It seems that director Nikhil Advani, who has co-written the script with Sudhir Mishra and some other writers, backed out of being a part of the film due to some commitments. According to the Times of India, sources have declared that Nikhil’s business partner Vivek Rangachari cleared the air by saying that Nikhil had to back out because of professional reasons, but...
- 8/12/2013
- by Samreen Tungekar
- Bollyspice
Nikhil Advani’s upcoming action thriller, D-Day, scheduled for release on 19th July will be distributed by Waves Cinemas in India. After having distributed several hit movies like Ready, Kahaani and Oh My God, Wave Inc. has now joined hands with Dar Motion Pictures and Emmay Entertainment to distribute D-Day in India. Waves Cinemas is a reputed cinema chain, spreading across 28 screens, in North India. Waves Inc. got into the film distribution business about three years ago, and in a short span of time has distributed some of the most successful films of recent years.
Vivek Rangachari, Director, Dar Motion Pictures added, “We are extremely proud of associating with Wave Inc., which has successfully distributed some of the most remarkable movies of our time. D-Day is a movie very close to our heart, and we wanted the best to handle it. I am confident we have that.”
Shabnam Kapoor, Director,...
Vivek Rangachari, Director, Dar Motion Pictures added, “We are extremely proud of associating with Wave Inc., which has successfully distributed some of the most remarkable movies of our time. D-Day is a movie very close to our heart, and we wanted the best to handle it. I am confident we have that.”
Shabnam Kapoor, Director,...
- 7/11/2013
- by Press Releases
- 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
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