ITV

Category: Hindi

  • Film industry wants Bharat Ratna for Dilip Kumar

    Film industry wants Bharat Ratna for Dilip Kumar

    MUMBAI: The entire film industry from Rajnikant to Kamal Hassan to our artistes like Aamir Khan, Kamal Haasan, Yash Chopra, Mamooty, Rakesh Roshan, Subhash Ghai, Chiranjeevi, Ramesh Sippy, and Mukesh Bhatt have endorsed a petition appealing that Bharat Ratna be conferred on actor Dilip Kumar. The initiative has been started by Mahesh Bhatt.

    Bhatt said in a statement, "Dilip Kumar, the icon is as old as the Indian film industry. He is the symbol of secular India and has an unmatched career record spanning from pre-independence years till the last decade."

    With a plan to involve millions of Dilip Kumar fans in the initiative, a Facebook community Dilip Kumar for Bharat Ratna has been launched. The community has till date as many as 1000 members till date with its ranks swelling by the day.

    The Facebook community supporting the petition includes names like Rajeev Khandelwal, Priyanka Chopra, Kajol, Randeep Hooda, Salma Agha, Runa Laila, Mukul Dev and Khalid Mohammad.

    Reads the web page of the community, "The people of India would like to send their fervent request to the Government of India to confer the prestigious Bharat Ratna, India‘s highest civilian honour, to the best actor in the country, Shri Dilip Kumar."

    Dilip Kumar, popularly known as ‘Tragedy King of Bollywood‘, started his acting career with Jwar Bhata in 1944 and then went on to act in classics like Andaz (1949) Deedar (1951), Aan (1952), Devdas (1955), Mughal-E-Azam (1960), Ganga Jamuna (1961) and RamAur Shyam among many others.

    In 1994, the Government of India awarded the senior actor with Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Not, only in India, Dilip Kumar is highly regarded in Pakistan too. In the year 1998, Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civilian award of Pakistan was conferred upon the thespian.

  • Italian honour for Sajid Nadiadwala

    Italian honour for Sajid Nadiadwala

    MUMBAI: Marking a new first, the Italian territory of Puglia‘s Official Tourist Board Pugliapromozione, along with Apulia Film Commission has decided to dedicate a travel itinerary to producer turned director Sajid Nadiadwala.

    He started his career by launching a banner by the name of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment Pvt Ltd in 1992 and recently turned to direction with his upcoming Salman Khan-starrer Kick.

    The ‘Sajid Nadiadwala Housefull Itinerary in Puglia‘ starts in the headland of Gargano (north of Puglia) and ends in Salento in the south through Trulli in the centre.

    "Thanks to the Sajid Nadiadwala who brought down his entire unit to my region, we have been seen by thousands of Indian people who will possibly come to travel in this part of the Mediterranean Sea," commented Alfredo De Liguori, marketing manager of the Puglia Official Tourist Board Pugliapromozione.

    Talking over the phone, an excited Nadiadwala said, "To have a tour after your name in a foreign land is a great honour. 17 December, the day I received the award marks 25 years of my presence in Bollywood."

  • Khiladi 786 recovers from opening day lull

    Khiladi 786 recovers from opening day lull

    MUMBAI: Two indistinct films, Myoho and Cigarette Ki Tarah, released last Friday with limited engagement. Due to lack of audience support, the shows had to be cancelled and screenings replaced with other features at most places.

    Khiladi 786, carrying forward the Akshay Kumar Khiladi brand, had a weak first day but made up over Saturday and Sunday and maintained well at single screens to end its first week at Rs 472 million. However, the long term position for the film is average at best.

    Talaash sustained in its second week thanks to Aamir Khan fans who need to watch his film once. The film collected Rs 169 million standing up to mass appealing Khiladi 786 and taking its two-week total to Rs 849.6 million.

    Jab Tak Hai Jaan collected Rs 4.2 million in its fourth week just about marking the end of its run. Its 31-day total collection stood at Rs 1.21 billion.

    Son Of Sardar ran out of steam in its fourth week collecting a symbolic Rs 1.5 million and coming to the end of its run with a total of Rs 1.04 billion.

    Dabangg 2, the most awaited film of the year, hits 21 December to cash in on the super success of Dabangg and the Christmas week holidays. With big names and film not living up to expectation in last couple of months, the public‘s enthusiasm for the film is in measured tones. However, the exhibitors at single screens as well as multiplexes are very hopeful of the film what with Salman Khan riding at the pinnacle at present! The film is getting lucrative terms in the form of minimum guarantees (MGs) and advances from the theatres.

  • Dharma Productions celebrates 11 years of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

    Dharma Productions celebrates 11 years of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

    MUMBAI: Even after 11 years of its release, Dharma Production‘s Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham continues to gather accolades from all around the world.

    The film is telecast almost every weekend on television and is also the highest TRP grosser. Released on 14 December 2001, the film enthralled the audiences worldwide with flawless performances and a very strong message – ‘It all about loving your parents.‘

    The film stars Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor in leading roles. Karan Johar managed to get the dream star cast together on the silver screen. Hence, it was no surprise to see the family drama receiving fifteen nominations at the Filmfare Awards. Written and directed by Johar himself, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham was also screened at the International Film Festival of Marrakech recently as a tribute to completing 100 glorious years of Indian cinema.

    Feeling nostalgic about celebrating 11 years of the release; Johar tweeted, ‘11 years to #K3G……can‘t believe it‘s been that long….memories and moments on set are indelible…..‘

    Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham has thus proved to be one of the biggest family entertainers of Indian cinema.

  • Vidya Balan weds Siddharth Roy Kapoor

    Vidya Balan weds Siddharth Roy Kapoor

    MUMBAI: UTV Motion Pictures CEO Siddharth Roy Kapur tied the knot with Bollywood actor Vidya Balan on 14 December in a ceremony which was a mix of both Punjabi and Tamil traditions.

    The wedding took place in Mumbai and was a private affair in the presence of family and close friends of the bride and the groom.

    Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra tweeted, "Congratulations to my friends Siddharth Roy Kapoor and Vidya Balan! They make such a beautiful couple..heres wishing them happiness forever!"

    Meanwhile, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar tweeted, "My heart filled wishes to buddy Siddharth Roy Kapoor and Vidya Balan for the new phase of their lives together. Congratulations to the beautiful couple."

  • Two films shot in India nominated for Golden Globe Awards

    Two films shot in India nominated for Golden Globe Awards

    MUMBAI: Two films that were shot in India have been nominated for Best Picture at the Golden Globe Awards.

    The show is organised by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) and takes place next month at the Beverly Hilton.

    ‘Life of Pi‘ directed by Ang Lee and shot in Pondicherry was nominated for best picture drama among other nods. Its competition includes ‘Lincoln‘ which got the most number of nominations – seven.

    Lee said, “I am deeply honored and grateful to the HFPA for these very generous nominations. Making ‘Life of Pi‘ was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. I am proud of the film we all made and it is wonderful to get this recognition.”

    In the same category getting a much needed boost was Quentin Tarantino‘s ‘Django Unchained‘ which got five nominations along with Ben Afflecks Argo. ‘Zero dark Thirty‘ also features in the best picture list. Missing from the list, however, is ‘Beasts Of the Southern Wild‘ which was completely ignored.

    ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel‘, which was filmed in Rajasthan, got a nomination for best picture comedy or musical. Competing in hat category is ‘Silver Lining‘s Playbook‘ and the musical ‘Les Miserables‘. What is a surprise though is that neither of those two films‘ directors David O Russell and Tom Hooper were nominated.

    A surprise nomination for best picture comedy is ‘Salmon Fishing In The Yemen‘. Its two stars, Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor, have also been nominated. ‘Moonrise Kingdom has also been nominated for best picture comedy or musical. Paul Thomas AAnderson‘s The Master got a boost with its three stars getting nominated.

    But it is Lincoln that is faring the best in terms of nominations in different awards so far. Earlier it got 13 nominations from the broadcast film critics Association, an all time record. Oscar ballots have to be submitted in a few days time and it will be interesting to see how the nominations at these different awards influence voters.

  • Censor board clears Deepa Mehta’s Midnight’s Children

    Censor board clears Deepa Mehta’s Midnight’s Children

    MUMBAI: Deepa Mehta‘s film based on Salman Rushdie‘s book Midnight‘s Children finally received the green signal by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) without a single cut.

    The movie is an adaptation of controversial author Salman Rushdie‘s 1980 Booker Prize-winning book of the same name.

    Mehta tweeted, "India here we come – intact! Great news – ‘Midnight‘s Children‘ went through Indian censor board …… without one pic cut. Salman Rushdie and I THRILLED."

    The film‘s cast includes Satya Bhabha, Shriya Saran, Siddharth, Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi, Seema Biswas, Shahana Goswami, Rahul Bose, Soha Ali Khan, Ronit Roy, and Darsheel Safary.

    Midnight‘s Children is shot mostly in Sri Lanka and follows the story of a boy, Saleem Sinai, who is born at the exact time and date when India attained independence at midnight on 15 August 1947.

  • Sharmila Tagore to get lifetime award, Zohra Sehgal to get Minar-e-Delhi at first DIFF

    Sharmila Tagore to get lifetime award, Zohra Sehgal to get Minar-e-Delhi at first DIFF

    NEW DELHI: Veteran thespian Sharmila Tagore is to receive the lifetime achievement award while centurion Zohra Sehgal will be awarded the Minar-e-Dilli award at the first Delhi International Film Festival later this month.

    A total of 174 films from 32 countries including at least 20 per cent from the SAARC countries will be screened at the Festival to be held from 21 to 27 December. It will be inaugurated by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at Sirifort Auditorium but the screenings will be held in the three auditoria of the NDMC Convention Centre.

    Tagore unveiled the Golden Minar and the Silver Minar awards of the Festival at a press meet organised by the Social Circle which is organising the festival for which around 700 entries were received. Delhi Tourism is also collaborating in the Festival.

    She also released the DVD of a song, ‘Yeh Dilli Hai’, written by Rani Malik and sung by Ravinder Singh who was present.

    Tagore said passion was an important ingredient for starting any new venture and she had found this in ample measure among the organisers. She particularly appreciated the focus on south Asia.

    DIFF Founder President and senior journalist Ram Kishore Parcha said the festival had been timed to coincide with 100 years of Indian cinema and a century of Delhi as the capital of India.

    Parcha said there had been a vacuum of an international film festival since the International Film Festival of India was shifted to Goa, and there was also a need to have a filmmaking hub in north India. This festival would fulfill all these needs. He said in reply to a question that DIFF had been registered as a brand for ten years.

    Festival Secretary Suresh K Goswami (a senior filmmaker himself) introduced various sections of the Festival and said there will be as many as 16 films from Pakistan with ‘Lamha’ from that country being the closing film. The Polish film ‘80 Million’ by Waldemar Krzystek is the opening film.

    The World Cinema section will showcase films like “Daughters of Hill” by Patrizia landi, “The Artist” by Michel Hazanavicius, “Jeremiah” by Eran Paz, “Love Bird” by Susan Collins, “The Sunshine” in The Corner by Sun Hao Young, “Mar” by Caner Erzincan and many more. India’s Zia-Us-Salaam is on the International Jury.

    Parcha said while international Film festivals were being held in many cities like Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, and Thiruvananthapuram, there was none in Delhi.

    Parcha announced that a film library of DVDs of classics was being established at the Indian Media and Communication Centre in Gautam Nagar in south Delhi.

    A script writing workshop by Tigmanshu Dhulia and a Mohammed Rafi evening on the singer’s birth anniversary later this month will form part of the Festival.

    The legendary Malayalam Filmmaker and Dada Saheb Phalke awardee Adoor Gopalakrishnan is Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Festival. The Board consists of Anurag Kashyap, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Sandeep Marwah, Shriram Raghavan, Uma Da Cunha, Shiney Ahuja, Yashpal Sharma, Shonali Bose, Sushma Parcha and Bela Negi from India, Alain Jallladeau, Phillip Jalladeau from France, Jamal Shah, Satish Anand from Pakistan, Sajedur Rehman Firoze from Bangladesh, Reza Degati from Iran, Andrej Karawakoski Avner Faingulernt, Erez Pery, Lina Murad from Syria, and Kai Syng Tan from London. About 80 Actors from India and overseas are also connected with this festival.

    The best amongst selected films will be honoured with the Golden Minar and Silver Minar awards respectively. The festival in its first edition will not only honour the films, filmmakers, artists and writers, but will also honour outstanding persons who have excelled in their contribution towards the welfare of society and the people with Minare Dilli award.

    Classic Films from Overseas and India are included as special sections along with Delhi Scope section in the festival. Retrospective, Tributes and Homage sections will include films of Dev Anand, Balraj Sahni and other legendary filmmakers and actors. This section will also include films of Adoor Gopalakrishnan and the distinguished actor Soumitra Chatterjee from Bengal.

    A special section called NRI Cinema has been included in the festival. Under this section at least 15 films by Non Resident Indians living in different parts of the world will be show cased. In this section films like “A Gran Plan” by Sangeeta Nambiyar of Singapore, “Oas” by Shiv Tiwari of New York, “The Happy Pulse” by Jay Bajaj of Canada, “Children of God” by Foukia Akhtar of United Arab Emirates will be showcased and the best film will be awarded the Golden Minar. There will be a special emphasis on women filmmakers in this section.

    In addition to the Non Resident Indian Films, a section dedicated to the NRI writers has also been specially included in the festival in which a poetry collection book shall be launched as well. The book is edited by none other than the well-known senior journalist, Poetess and writer, Anita Kapoor from California. The best poem in this collection will be honoured with the Silver Minar.

    Three seminars and some workshops shall be organized during the festival. The Festival has a dedicated section for the artwork from all over the world, the theme of which is the Cinema and Delhi. The art work will have a special exhibition during the festival and the best artwork will be honoured with the Silver Minar Award.

    The organisations that have partnered with the festival are Broadway International Film Festival, Los Angeles, South Cinema South Film Festival, and JMT from Israel, Slade school of fine arts, London, Film factory china, Turkish Film Industry, Cinetech Nationale Mexico, Brazil films, Media Box Bangladesh, Hunarkada from Pakistan, Film Boutique from Germany, Second largest Nantes film festival of France and French cultural centre.

  • Centre earnings from IFFI in Goa far short of expectations

    Centre earnings from IFFI in Goa far short of expectations

    NEW DELHI: The Central Government earned a sum of Rs 8.32 million through registration of delegates from 2004 (when the International Film Festival of India moved to Goa) to 2011, despite claims of increasing number of delegates year after year..

    The Central Government has spent a sum of Rs 153.948 million between 2009-10 and 2012-13 through the 11th Plan Scheme of Export Promotion through Festivals in India and overseas and the 12th Plan Scheme of Development, Communication and Dissemination of Film Content.

    In addition, the Tourism Ministry of the Central Government also contributed a sum of Rs 23.93 million towards IFFI 2011, according to Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources.

    The sources said that the funds allocated by it for the IFFI had risen from Rs 27 million in 2009-10 to Rs 60 million in 2012-13.

    However, the sources said that IFFI was not aimed at earning profit but at promoting Indian cinema and film culture.

    According to information furnished by the Entertainment Society of Goa, the Goa Government earned a total of Rs 84.258 million between 2004 and 29 November this year.

    The Goa Government spent a sum of Rs 29.0835 million between 2009 and 29 November 2012.

  • Disney UTV Studio to pitch Barfi, Paan Singh Tomar at various intl film fests

    Disney UTV Studio to pitch Barfi, Paan Singh Tomar at various intl film fests

    MUMBAI: Disney UTV Studios‘s Barfi and Paan Singh Tomar (PST) will compete in various festivals across the globe as the Oscars, BAFTA ( British Academy of Film and Television Arts) and Golden Globe awards in various categories.

    After receiving critical acclaim and commercial success in India and abroad, the films, considered to be among the best of 2012, are expected to garner major international awards.

    Said Disney UTV Managing Director Studios managing director Siddharth Roy Kapur, "We have ensured both the movies get the best platform possible to shine at all the key international awards this year. We have leveraged the strong relationships, resources and experience of The Walt Disney Company in the US and the UK to mount an aggressive campaign at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTA."

    Barfi and PST are great ambassadors of the current generation of Indian cinema. We are proud to have produced them and to have helped them reach as wide an audience as possible globally."

    Barfi, India‘s official entry to the Oscars this year, will compete with 70 movies from across the world to clinch a nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category. It is also in the race for a Golden Globe nomination in the same category.

    At BAFTA, PST and Barfi will compete in mainstream categories like best actor, best actress, best director, best cinematography, best sound, best screenplay and best film in Foreign Language (other than English).

    They have also been submitted for the Critics‘ Choice Awards 2013, to vie for a nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film Category.

    As part of its campaign, Disney UTV Studios have already begun screenings of both the movies in London, Los Angeles and New York.