ITV

Category: Hindi

  • Sunny Deol evinces interest to act in a Punjabi film

    Sunny Deol evinces interest to act in a Punjabi film

    Mumbai: Sunny Deol has evinced interest to act in a good Punjabi film, cashing in on the popularity he enjoys in the state of Punjab.

    "I‘ve just learnt that the PTC Network has now decided to produce Punjabi feature films. I have asked Ms Rajiee M Shinde, promoter and CEO of PTC Network to tell me about a good concept; I would be happy to act in a Punjabi film," Deol said.

    "As you know, our family hails from Punjab. We have immense love for Punjab. And also these awards for the Punjabi Film Industry. Last year, my father (Dharmendra) was here to inaugurate the awards, this year I have come," he added. Deol was recently in Punjab to attend the PTC Punjabi film awards along with Raveena Tandon.

    The kind of popularity Sunny enjoys in the Punjab, a strong role in a Punjabi film produced by PTC could well be a confirmed ticket to blockbuster success.

    A trade analyst who did not want to be named said: "They will obviously offer him a great film concept and if Sunny paaji gives the nod, it will be a big hit, because the PTC network is a huge platform to promote Punjabi films in Punjab and not just in India but worldwide."

    The actor paid a tribute to two other icons of Punjabi entertainment – veteran thespian Dara Singh and satirist and actor Jaspal Bhatti, who died last year. Both were presented posthumous Lifetime Achievement awards, presented by Sunny and Raveena to Vindu Dara Singh and Savita Jaspal Bhatti respectively.

  • Karan Johar plans Salman Khan film helmed by Rohit Shetty

    Karan Johar plans Salman Khan film helmed by Rohit Shetty

    MUMBAI: What a team it would be if plans of Karan Johar to make a film with Salman Khan and Rohit Shetty fructifies.

    It is being said that Karan will soon produce a film under his banner Dharma Productions. The film that would star Salman in the lead would be directed by Rohit.

    For Rohit, working with Dharma Productions means something big. “People are saying it’s going to be one of the biggest collaborations ever. But for me it’s a film that I want to work hard for. I want to make a good and highly successful commercial film for the production house not to prove anything or to anyone but to pay tribute to a man who is not with us – Yash Johar.”
    If the project materialises, Karan’s desire to work with Salman Khan in a full-fledged feature film will be fulfilled.

  • LAIFC presenting global best practices at Ficci Frames

    LAIFC presenting global best practices at Ficci Frames

    NEW DELHI: The Los Angeles India Film Council are in Mumbai to share global best practice on the topics of co-productions, tax incentives, building talent skills in media and entertainment and encouraging knowledge exchange as a session co-partner at the ongoing FICCI FRAMES 2013.

    Set up in 2010 by a Joint Declaration between the City of Los Angeles and the Indian Film Industry, the Council has made significant progress forging partnerships between key stakeholders in the United States and India media and entertainment industries.

    The Council is supporting key panel discussions at FICCI FRAMES: ‘Indian Studio Infrastructure – Are We Ready For The Next Century?’, `Skills in M & E – The Next Big Leap Towards Creating Greater Talent’, `Single Window Clearance: Making India Easier For Filmmakers’, and key policy roundtables.

    Council members speaking at the key sessions include Frank Rittman – Senior Vice President, Regional Policy Officer and Deputy Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, Motion Picture Association (MPA), Catherine McDonnell – Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Fox Studios Australia, Uday Singh – Managing Director, Motion Picture Dist. Association (MPDA), India, Teri Schwartz – Dean, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, D.J.Narain – Director, Film and Television Institute of India and MPA’s member studio executives: Vijay Singh – Fox Star Studios, India and Vikram Malhotra – Viacom 18 Motion Pictures.

    “The global media and entertainment industry today is faced with a number of significant challenges as it works to meet consumer expectations in the digital age,” said Frank Rittman – Senior Vice President, Regional Policy Officer and Deputy Managing Director, Asia-Pacific – MPA. “Our partnership with FRAMES 2013 provides an ideal platform to discuss world’s best practices across a range of policy and commercial areas, which I hope prove to be beneficial to the local industry here in India.”

    Uday Singh, Managing Director, MPDA India, said, “The Council sessions are extremely pertinent for the cross pollination of ideas, best practices and talent between the film communities in India and Los Angeles. We are privileged to be associated with FICCI FRAMES, a global convention that continues to remain a leader in promoting the growth of the media and entertainment industry in India.”

    Vijay Singh, CEO – Fox Star Studios India, said, “It is inevitable that film studios in India will need to evolve their infrastructure in order to be globally on par with the best in technology, creativity and talent. I encourage the LA India Film Council to continue playing a vital role in promoting knowledge exchange in this area which is the need of the hour.”

    Added Vikram Malhotra, COO, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, “The Council is making commendable efforts in sharing knowledge among the film communities of the two countries; India and USA. We look forward to a future where film making will transgress national boundaries and enrich the cultural quotient of the world.”

    The Council is also participating in ‘Shoot At Site’, a one-day focused and interactive conclave and B2B platform on Film Tourism on 15 March 2013. Shoot at Site aims to bring together the entertainment and tourism industries under the same platform to promote commerce between these two vibrant sectors. The Council will participate in key panel discussions during the above event to help stakeholders discover the benefits of co-productions, film incentives and how these have a positive impact on tourism and the economy of a country. The Council will also release a special report by Ernst & Young at this event.

    “If you want to create a successful local production industry, it is essential that you are in a position to compete with some of the very attractive tax incentives that are on offer around the world. FICCI FRAMES is the perfect forum for constructive discussion on tax incentives and co-productions, and I look forward to participating thanks to the LA India Film Council,” said Catherine McDonnell, Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Fox Studios Australia.

    Added Teri Schwartz, Dean – UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television, “I am honored to participate at the 2013 FICCI FRAMES Conference, and applaud this great initiative by the Council. I believe the development of talent and skill sets in the media and entertainment industry should embrace global diversity and be welcoming of talent from all all walks of life. I hope the Council’s continuing efforts will help with the free exchange of talent not only between our two countries, but across the globe.”

    In 2012, LAIFC undertook several initiatives to engage with key custodians and stakeholders of the two filmmaking communities in the United States and India, including the establishment of discussions on content protection in the digital era, stimulating film co-productions, launching a short film festival, and participating in film festivals and the release of two reports on film incentives and monetising digital content.

  • CBFC says no decision on giving ‘A’ certification to all dance numbers

    CBFC says no decision on giving ‘A’ certification to all dance numbers

    NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Film Certification has clarified that it has not taken any decision to certify all dance numbers in films with an ‘A’ Certificate, and they will be examined on a case-to-case basis.

    In a statement, CBFC Chairperson Leela Samson ‘unambiguously’ clarified that no such decision had been taken or was being contemplated.

    She said the guidelines governing certification of films, trailers, or any part thereof, simply state that they will be certified depending on the age-group of audiences that they are suitable for. Hence, dance numbers too will continue to be examined purely on a case-to-case basis to see whether they are suitable for a U, UA, or A certificate.

    The statement, she said, was in response to reports for the last few weeks in the media and within the film industry that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has adopted a rule to certify all dance numbers with an ‘A’ certificate.

  • Local organizations or states cannot ban film certified by CBFC, Tewari

    Local organizations or states cannot ban film certified by CBFC, Tewari

    NEW DELHI: The central government reiterated in Parliament today that a local organization cannot ban a film if it has a problem with the content of that film and has to approach the Central Board for Film Certification in redressal.

    Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari stressed that state governments have the power to regulate cinemas under Constitution‘s entry 33 in List II, subject to the exclusive power of the Central Government for certification (entry 60, List I).

    Referring to cases where films had been banned or held up by state governments, Tewari said the film ‘Viswaroopam‘ was not banned but delayed by executive orders under section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code in Tamil Nadu. In 2011, the film ‘Dam 999‘ was banned by Tamil Nadu while ‘Aarakshan‘ was banned in Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

    The Minister said Article 19(2) of the Constitution provides for reasonable restrictions imposed by Law on the freedom of speech and expression.

    The exclusive power of certifying films for public screening rests with the Central Board of Film Certification as mandated by the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

    Executive orders of State Governments, at times, also orders issued under various State laws relating to Cinema made under Entry 33, List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, regulate public screening.

  • Saheb Biwi…sequel rakes in Rs 111 mn over 3 days

    Saheb Biwi…sequel rakes in Rs 111 mn over 3 days

    MUMBAI: Tigmanshu Dhulia’s ‘Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns‘, which is not exactly a family fare, has met with mixed response. Its release during exams season has also affected the film’s opening weekend. Besides, the movie could not get the full advantage of Sunday as it happened to be Maha Shivratri, a major religious festival of rituals. The film has collected Rs 111 million for its opening three days.

    Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga, a satire on rising prices with no face value in its cast, has fared poorly at the box office.

    John Abraham starrer ‘I Me Aur Mein‘ collected a meagre Rs 78 million in its first week.

    The Attacks Of 26/11 has not been appreciated. The film netted Rs 107 million in its first week.

    Abhishek Kapoor’s Kai Po Che did well in its second week by collecting Rs 123 million, most of it (Rs 85 million) coming from the second weekend. The film’s two-week tally is Rs 405 million.

    Zila Ghaziabad collected Rs 12 million in its second week to take its total to Rs 149 million.

    Special 26 netted Rs 225 million in its fourth week to take its box office score to Rs 685.5 million.

    Remo D’souza’s ABCD: Any Body Can Dance collected Rs 10.5 million in its fourth week. It has mopped up Rs 402 million during its four-week run at the box office.

  • Eight film projects selected for Mumbai Mantra | Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab 2012

    Eight film projects selected for Mumbai Mantra | Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab 2012

    MUMBAI: Mumbai Mantra | Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab 2012, a joint initiative between Mumbai Mantra, the media and entertainment division of the Mahindra Group, and Sundance Institute, has selected eight feature film projects of Indian screenwriters – chosen through an evaluation process of submissions from around the world, including the United States and France.

    These Screenwriting Fellows will have the opportunity to work intensely on their feature film scripts with the support of Creative Advisors (established Screenwriters and Directors) in an environment that encourages innovation and creative risk-taking. Through one-on-one story sessions with the Creative Advisors, the Screenwriting Fellows will engage in an artistically demanding process that offers indispensable lessons in craft, a fresh perspective on their work and a platform to fully realize their material.

    This year‘s Screenwriting Fellows who will go through an immersive five day workshop (March 11-16) at a Club Mahindra Resort are: 

    • Charudutt Acharya (Sonali Cable Centre)
    • Shonali Bose & Nilesh Maniyar (Margarita, With a Straw)
    • Vikas Chandra (Toothache)
    • Rajnesh Domalpalli (Avani)
    • Prashant Nair (Umrica)
    • Anusha Rizvi & Mahmood Farooqui (Opium)
    • Ajitpal Singh (Manjhi)
    • Kartik Singh (Public School)

    The distinguished group of Creative Advisors, include Guillermo Arriaga (Amores Perros, 21 Grams), Marcos Bernstein (Central Station, Foreign Land), Michael Goldenberg (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Contact), Asif Kapadia (The Warrior, Senna), Shekhar Kapur (Bandit Queen, Elizabeth), Kasi Lemmons (Talk to Me, Eve‘s Bayou), Anjum Rajabali (Rajneeti, Aaraakshan), José Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries, On the Road), Howard A. Rodman (Savage Grace, Joe Gould‘s Secret), Malia Scotch-Marmo (Hook, Once Around), and Audrey Wells (Under the Tuscan Sun, Guinevere).

    Rohit Khattar, Chairman, Mumbai Mantra, said, "We are at an exciting storytelling stage in the history of Independent Cinema in India. With the help of our exceptional partners, Sundance Institute, we are keen to recognize, nurture and hone talent in India and across the world. We welcome to the lab the 11 remarkably talented ‘Creative Advisors.‘ We congratulate the 10 Screenwriting Fellows selected for the first Mumbai Mantra | Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab and look forward to their next films with great anticipation."

    Founding Director, Feature Film Program, Michelle Satter and Associate Director, Feature Film Program Int‘l, Alesia Weston said: "Sundance Institute is excited to work with Mumbai Mantra on the launch of this first Screenwriters Lab in India which reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting a world community of independent artists. We are extremely grateful to the accomplished screenwriters who are bringing their expertise and generosity to the Lab as Creative Advisors and the very talented group of Indian screenwriters who have been selected for the Lab."

    The Mumbai Mantra | Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab is the first step in a three-year creative and strategic partnership that includes a robust plan to help Indian filmmakers connect to ever-increasing global audiences. Mumbai Mantra received over 500 applications.

    For the selection of the eight projects for the Lab, the Selection Advisory Committee comprising of eminent screenwriters, directors, film critics and film academics considered over 90 screenplays. After an intensive selection process in consultation with the Sundance Institute, the final eight projects were decided.

    The committee included Zoya Akhtar, Ira Bhaskar, Pubali Chaudhuri, Anupama Chopra, Aniruddha Roy Choudhary, Tigmanshu Dhulia, K. Hariharan, Feroz Khan, Ram Madhvani, Ranjani Mazumdar, Anuradha Parikh, Anjum Rajabali, Konkona Sen Sharma, Meenakshi Shedde, Vinay Shukla, Rohan Sippy, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and Anna M. M. Vetticad.

    The partnership with Sundance Institute extends over a three-year period, and in addition to the annual Screenwriters Lab, the group has also instituted the Sundance Institute | Mahindra Global Film Making Award (GFA). The 2012 award winners were Etienne Kallos / Vrystaat (FREE STATE) (South Africa), Ariel Kleiman / Partisan (Australia), Dominga Sotomayor / Tarde Para Morir Joven (Late To Die Young) (Chile), and Shonali Bose / Margarita.

    With a Straw. (India). Each of the four winning filmmakers received a cash award of $10,000, attended the Sundance Film Festival for targeted industry and creative meetings, and will receive year-round mentoring from Institute staff and creative advisors, participation in a Feature Film Program Lab, and ongoing creative and strategic support.

  • 1987 Bond girl to star opposite Emraan Hashmi in Danis Tanovic film

    1987 Bond girl to star opposite Emraan Hashmi in Danis Tanovic film

    MUMBAI: Bollywood‘s serial kisser Emran Hashmi has signed a film to be directed by Danis Tanovic. It is now official that Maryan d‘Abo who reprised the role of the bond girl in the 1987 hit The Living Daylights will share screen-space with Emraan in Tanovic‘s An Episode in The Life of an Iron Picker.

    In a statement, producer Guneet Monga confirned, "Yes, she is doing the film and we are happy to have Maryam on board. At this point, we can‘t divulge anything else". What‘s confirmed for now is that Maryan d‘Abo was the first choice for the role and her character is pivotal to the film‘s narrative.

    Produced by Anurag Kashyap and Guneet Monga ‘s Sikhya Entertainment, international banner Cinemorphic and Prashita Chaudhary , Danic Tanovic‘s untitled film will be shot extensively in India and abroad.

  • Spotlight on India and UK at 16th annual event in Halifax, Canada

    Spotlight on India and UK at 16th annual event in Halifax, Canada

    New Delhi: The spotlight at the 16th annual event in September in Halifax in Nova Scotia (Canada) will be on India

    And for the second year in a row, the United Kingdom will also be highlighted at the event from 12 to 15 September.

    Ms Laura Mackenzie, Director of Strategic Partners – one of the world’s top co-production/co-financing markets focusing on feature film, TV and multiplatform fiction – says "Strategic Partners held a soft focus on India to introduce a small number of India producers and officials to the event. This has already contributed to a Canadian film shot in India.”

    The spotlight on India and the UK is timely, she said, adding that: “Momentum continues to build in the number of Canadian and International producers looking to collaborate with India and the UK is a natural co-spotlight given their experience in successfully capitalizing on their co-pro treaty with India many times."

    Offering an intimate, organized forum for projects seeking financing, as well as those at an early stage – looking for the right partner, Strategic Partners’ linear program is designed to provide unparalleled access to international co-production possibilities – all under one roof.

    The deadline for the Strategic Partners‘ call for producer applications and industry registrations is June 28. Application/Registration forms are now available at www.atlanticfilm.com/sp

    Top Canadian and international industry players are selected to attend, including producers, investors, sales agents, funding agencies, broadcasters and distributors. Offering close to 1000 pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings, co-production focused roundtable sessions, cutting edge panels, visionary keynote speakers, screenings and receptions.

    Strategic Partners is a convergence of talent and innovation, producing tangible results.

    “It was at Strategic Partners that we were introduced to producer, Karen Shaw’s project Khoya in 2012. It‘s an interesting project and given our experience in International productions, we came onboard instantly," said Guneet Monga, producer, Sikhya Entertainment, India (Gangs of Wasseypur, Peddlers.)

    "Guneet Monga and I connected during our participation in Trans Atlantic Partners, and further cemented the relationship at Strategic Partners,” said Karen Shaw, producer, Quarterlife Crisis Productions, Canada (Khoya, The Good Fence). “Khoya was shot in India, where we worked with Guneet, and the film is now in post production."

    About Strategic Partners: An International Film, Television and Multiplatform Co-Production Market

    Strategic Partners is a part of the Atlantic Film Festival family of programmes. Today’s Atlantic Film Festival is now a year-round celebration, growing beyond our eight-day cornerstone event in September to include ViewFinders: Atlantic Film Festival for Youth, alFresco filmFesto, Strategic Partners and Music & Image.

  • India’s Manjeet Singh to pitch for funds for film at Cannes

    India’s Manjeet Singh to pitch for funds for film at Cannes

    New Delhi: Two projects from Asia including one from India are among the 15 new works selected to take part in this year‘s Atelier, part of the Cannes Film Festival‘s Cinefondation.

    Ciao Ciao by Song Chuan from China and Chenu by filmmaker Manjeet Singh from India will be participating, though full details will be announced next month.

    The aim of the exercise is to bring about creative films and encourage a new generation of talent all over the world. It offers its participants access to international co-production.

    So far, 83 projects have been completed out of 126 projects presented over the last eight years and 29 are currently in pre-production.