ITV

Category: Hindi

  • Hashmi and Balan starrer Ghanchakkar to release on 21 June 2013

    Hashmi and Balan starrer Ghanchakkar to release on 21 June 2013

    MUMBAI: UTV Motion Pictures today announced that Emraan Hashmi and Vidya Balan starrer Ghanchakkar will be released on 21 June 2013.

    The film is a comic-thriller and is directed by Rajkumar Gupta with Hashmi and Balan playing the male and female lead respectively. This is Gupta‘s third consecutive film UTV after Aamir and No One Killed Jessica. The film has music by composer Amit Trivedi and lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya.

    Ghanchakkar narrates the story of the protagonist, an ex-conman named Sanju. He is laid back and has a taste for finer things in life. The problem is – he has an ambitious wife (played by Balan) with her own notions of the world and therefore gets sucked into a ‘chakkar‘ and has to suffer two thugs in the process – one with a bad ailment and one with a bad sense of humour, leading to madness, confusion and chaos and unleashing some mad cap characters in his life. Will Sanju survive the madness and prevent himself from turning into a Ghanchakkar? is the plot of the film.

  • YRF replies to makers of Son of Sardar

    YRF replies to makers of Son of Sardar

    MUMBAI: Yash Raj Films (YRF) has replied sternly to Eros International, Viacom18 and Ajay Devgn Films‘ legal notice over the release of Jab Tak Hai Jaan opposite Devgn starrer Son of Sardar.

    Below is the official statement from YRF:

    “We were indeed quite surprised to receive an intimation from Ajay Devgn Films‘ lawyers today saying that they had filed a complaint with the Competition Commission of India against YRF, alleging malpractice committed by us in connection with the release of Jab Tak Hai Jaan and thereby affecting the release of Son of Sardar. For a company like ours, which has maintained the highest standards of work ethics and fair play, this has really come as a shock.

    We would like to clarify, at the outset, that we still haven‘t received any notice from the Commission and will suitably represent our stance if and when called upon to do so. Worldwide, as well as in India, distributers often sign deals for their complete annual slate of films to simplify the process. We trust the Competition Commission will also see it as universally acceptable fair business practice.

    As we have mentioned in the past, all the exhibitors, when approached by us earlier this year for booking their theatres, were happy to play out Yashji‘s movie considering their long standing and emotional relationship and goodwill with YRF of over 40 years. A Yash Chopra/Shah Rukh Khan movie, coming after a gap of 8 long years, did not need any coercion for contractual screening. Additionally, some exhibitors, who played Ek Tha Tiger, have chosen not to screen Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

    Interestingly, of the 10500 plus single screens available on an all-India basis, we have booked less than 1500 single screens (an industry norm for an A-lister movie), a fact that has been common knowledge for some time now. If this was an issue, why wasn‘t it raised earlier? Why wait till now when both films are nearing release?

    We had announced Jab Tak Hai Jaan would be a Diwali 2012 release as far back as 27th June 2011 and thereafter every press release of ours reiterated this. Given that most big ticket films avoid simultaneous releases, it was odd that Son of Sardar announced their release for the same day almost a year later on 29th May 2012. They were also able to lock their final distribution partner as late as 4th Oct 2012. It would seem odd that they would expect us to wait for our release plans to be put in place till they had finalised theirs!

    It is also unfair to say that we are in any way in a dominant position. While we are releasing just three films this year, the two production houses in question, VIACOM 18 & EROS, who are distributing Son of Sardar, have a total release strength of almost 27 films in a year.

    Everyone agrees that the festive time of Diwali has space for two simultaneous releases. Give the audience a choice to choose the one they want to watch. Few of the exhibitors have already chosen, on the basis of a business decision, the one they want to exhibit.”

  • Lyricist Gulzar gets Indira Gandhi National Integration Award

    Lyricist Gulzar gets Indira Gandhi National Integration Award

    NEW DELHI: Veteran lyricist, poet and author Gulzar was bestowed with the 27th Indira Gandhi award for National Integration in recognition of his contribution in promoting and preserving spirit of national integration.

    The award was given away on 31 October, which marks the death anniversary of Mrs Indira Gandhi, in New Delhi by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

    The award had been instituted by Congress in its centenary year to give recognition to outstanding contribution to the cause of national integration by individuals and institutions. The award includes a citation and cash prize of Rs 500,000.

    Former recipients of the award from the film industry include noted film director Shyam Benegal, lyricist Javed Akhtar, and music maestro A R Rahman.

    Born as Sampooran Singh Kalra, the lyricist, who is also a known director, adopted Gulzar as his pen-name.

    He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2004 for his contribution to the arts and the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2002. He has won a number of National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards. In 2009, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Jai Ho” in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). On 31 January 2010, the same song won him a Grammy Award in the category of Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

    Along with lyrics, he has also contributed in many films as script, story and dialogue writer. Films directed by him have also won numerous awards and have been critically acclaimed. He has also worked on the small screen by creating series Mirza Ghalib and Tehreer Munshi Premchand ki among others. He wrote the lyrics for several Doordarshan serials including Hello Zindagi, Potli Baba Ki and Jungle Book.

    After writing dialogues and screenplay for films like Aashirwad, Anand and Khamoshi, Gulzar directed his first film Mere Apne (1971). He then directed Parichay and Koshish. In 1973 he made Achanak and later Aandhi, Angoor, Khushboo, Mausam, Libaas, Maachis, and Tu Tu.

    Many of his popular songs were sung by Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. These include “Musafir Hoon Yaron” (Parichay), “Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi” (Aandhi), “Mera Kuch Samaan” (Ijaazat), and “Tujhse Naaraz Nahi Zindagi” (Masoom).

  • Emraan Hashmi signs intl. film with Danis Tanovic

    Emraan Hashmi signs intl. film with Danis Tanovic

    MUMBAI: After captivating Indian audience at large, Emraan Hashmi has finally stepped into the international circuit with him signing a yet untitled film for Academy award winning director Danis Tanovic‘s next film.

    Tanovic is famous for his film No Man‘s Land that is best remembered in India for it having that toppled Aamir Khan‘s Lagaan in the best foreign film Oscar category in 2001.

    Tanovic‘s next will be under the collaborative banner of several production houses like ASAP Films (France), DAR Motion Pictures, Sikhya Entertainment and AKFPL (Anurag Kashyap Films Pvt Ltd).

    Producer Guneet Monga of Anurag Kashyap Films said, “It will be very interesting to see the combination of an Indian star, who has mass appeal with an Oscar-winning director in an international film. We are looking forward to a great collaboration.”

  • Prasad Lab converting “Sivaji – The Boss” into 3D

    Prasad Lab converting “Sivaji – The Boss” into 3D

    MUMBAI: 3D movie making, DI and VFX provider Prasad Lab will be converting Rajnikant starrer “Sivaji- The Boss‘ into 3D.

    Prasad Group is the only company in India to provide world class solutions for 3D shooting and 2D to 3D conversion. No wonder, when the decision to convert “Sivaji‘ from 2D to 3D was taken, the obvious choice for this job was Prasad Lab.

    “Sivaji-The Boss‘‘ is the first film in India which is being converted to 3D from 2D.

    Prasad Lab chairman Ramesh Prasad said, It is really great news that the world is moving towards 3D. People love to watch action films in 3D as it gives them thrill and chill.‘Sivaji‘ has all the ingridients to make it an out and out entertaing film in 3D. We have seen some portion of this film‘s 3D version and we all are very happy with the final result. I am sure with the release of this film many more action films will be converted into 3D.”

    Director Remo Fernandes is now making film “A B C D‘‘ into 3D and all the technical support for 3D is being provided by Prasad Lab.

    Recent 3D films including Raaz 3, Dangerous Ishq, and Haunted have all been post produced at Prasad Group‘s studio in Mumbai. Prasad Group‘s digital studios are equipped with some of the best colour grading suites incorporating the latest technologies including 4k 3D projection systems, hardware and software.

    Prasad Group provides the complete range of end-to-end 3D solutions including 3D rigs and cameras, professional 3D technicians, Data Management, DI, VFX, Stereophonidc Conversion, 3D Digital Cinema prints and film prints.

  • Ananth Mahadevan to adapt short story of Satyajit Ray

    Ananth Mahadevan to adapt short story of Satyajit Ray

    MUMBAI: In his zest to pay a tribute to Satyajit Ray, actor-director Ananth Mahadevan has decided to adapt a short story Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro of the master filmmaker.

    Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro follows the sojourn of a man, who after retirement, looking to keep himself engaged, is invited to be a storyteller of a rich businessman. It is a piquant situation he finds himself in. Thereafter, Ray springs two magnificent surprises in the narrative, quips Mahadevan. The director has thought of Amitabh Bachchan to reprise the role of the retired person.

    Talking about the story, Mahadevan observes, “A writer friend of mine Tapobrati Das Sammaddar approached with me with the story. It set my adrenaline pumping. A tribute to Ray was a rare opportunity and after hearing the charming story he had penned, I wrote to Sandip Ray for permissions hoping that he wouldn‘t have any reservations.”

    After all, it‘s better to keep the master‘s story confined within the pages of a book rather than let it turn into a wrongly made film, he felt. “But I guess my track record of 4 National awards and my penchant for challenging subjects turned the tide in my favour. Sandip was prompt and gracious in giving me the requisite permission,” Mahadevan avered.

    Mahadevan has already written to Amitabh Bachchan. “I am waiting for Mr Bachchan to revert,” the filmmaker maintained. Right now, he is working on the rest of the cast and crew.

    The film will be christened The Storyteller.

  • Life Of Pi to release in over 300 3D screens in India

    Life Of Pi to release in over 300 3D screens in India

    MUMBAI: Ang Lee‘s Life Of Pi will have a wide a release as any other Hollywood film in India encompassing more than 300 3D screens across the country.

    According to Fox Star Studios CEO Vijay Singh, the film will also be dubbed in various Indian languages including Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

    Though he did not specify the total number of screens and locations, it is indicated that the film might be released in more than 800 screens making it the widest ever release of a Hollywood film with a debutant Indian actor in the lead.

    Life Of Pi is based on an adapted screenplay of a best-selling novel by Yann Martel of the same name, is being promoted as an adventure film and a 3D visual extravaganza that tells the story of a 16-year-old Piscine Molitor Patel (Pi) of Pondicherry who survives a shipwreck along with animals like an orangutan, a zebra, a hyena and a Royal Bengal Tiger.

    The film metaphorically explores the issues of spirituality, religion and life and has been hailed as one of the most important films of the year by well-known international critics. It is expected to be in the race for the Oscars in 2013.

    The film, the worldwide theatrical release of which is slated for 23 November, stars Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Suraj Sharma, Adil Hussain and Gerard Depardieu.

    It had its world premiere at the New York Film Festival some time back and is also the opening film at the International Film Festival of India, Goa (IFFI, Goa) this year where Ang Lee presented a curtain raiser of his film to the media and a select gathering of Bollywood celebrities.

  • IFN chefs experiment with Chicken Khurana

    IFN chefs experiment with Chicken Khurana

    MUMBAI: UTV Spotboy and Anurag Kashyap Films Pvt Ltd (AKFPL) the producers of upcoming comedy Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana have joined hands with India Food Network (IFN) available on YouTube to create an exclusive rendering of the popular Chicken Khurana recipe by its select chefs.

    As part of the promotion for the movie, IFN‘s chefs Joel D Souza, Kalyan Karmakar, Veena Gidwani and Archana Arte, took up the challenge by coming up with their best interpretations of the Chicken Khurana recipe.

    While some chefs prepared an authentic Punjabi Dhaba dish, some added a twist to popular dishes like Chicken Tikka and Tandoori Chicken. The chefs used Punjabi ingredients and improvised to get the perfect flavours.

    Ping Digital Network acquisitions director Anagha Rajyadhyaksha said, “The entire cooking session saw tremendous ingenuity on part of our chefs. We could never imagine that you could replicate a dhaba style cooking in your kitchen. One of our chefs, Archana, actually used charcoal to cook the chicken and create that asli Chicken Khurana feel.”

    Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana is the story of a quirky Punjabi family in pursuit of a secret recipe that will enable them to reclaim their pride and wealth. The film is directed by Sameer Sharma and stars Kunal Kapoor, Huma Qureshi and will hit theaters on 2 November.

  • PVR consolidated Q2 net up 13% to Rs 161.4 mn

    PVR consolidated Q2 net up 13% to Rs 161.4 mn

    MUMBAI: PVR‘s consolidated net profit rose 12.86 per cent to Rs 161.4 million for the quarter ended 30 September from Rs 143 million a year ago.

    The film exhibition and distribution firm‘s net income from operations increased 36.5 per cent to Rs 1.89 billion in the second quarter from Rs 1.39 billion a year ago. PVR‘s movie exhibition business contributed Rs 1.76 billion to net income, while movie production and distribution contributed Rs 72.1 million.

    Consolidated Ebitda for the second quarter was Rs 375.2 million, up 15 per cent from Rs 326.6 million a year ago.

    PVR chairman and MD Ajay Bijli said, “We are extremely pleased that 2012 is shaping up as a great year at the box office. The revenues and profitability in the quarter and half year has shown a robust growth over the same period last year.”

    During the first half of the year the company added six new multiplexes with 31 screens at Jalandhar, Ujjain, Ludhiana, Nagpur, Bilaspur and Pune. The company now operates 44 properties with 197 screens in 27 cities across the country.

    The company has significant expansion plans and intends to add another 51 screens in the remainder of the fiscal.

    “We have a significant screen rollout this year and are opening our flagship cinemas in Kurla, Mumbai (8 screens), Orion Mall, Bangalore (11 screens), Mysore (4 screens) which are all expected to open in the next few days. We are also launching our 1st IMAX screen in Bangalore with “Skyfall” on 1st Nov, 2012,” he added.

  • Venkatesh Films releases Bengali film in 270 theatres across nation

    Venkatesh Films releases Bengali film in 270 theatres across nation

    MUMBAI: Venkatesh Films has set a record by releasing its Bengali mass film entertainer Challenge-2 in 270 screens across the country.

    The film‘s producer Mahendra Soni says,” This is the first time a non-double-version Bengali film has been released in 270 theatres across the country and continues its successful run in the non-niche segment of core viewers outside Bengal.”

    Starring Dev, Challenge-2 is being screened in both single screen and multiplexes in Mumbai, in single screens of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Odisha, MP and Assam. The occupancy rate is over 60 per cent since the October 19 release. “The response was tremendous in the first three days of the film‘s release,” confides Soni.

    Talking of the response of his helmed film, director Raja Chanda observes, “The camera work normally associated with Bollywood entertainers, the glossy look, the sleek stunt shots and the fast paced editing helped in winning the audience, even outside Bengal.”

    When will you release the film overseas, “We are planning to screen Challenge-2 abroad for the Indian diaspora by the end of this year,” Soni confirms.

    Besides Dev, the cast includes Ashish Vidyarthi, Rajatabha Datta and debutante heroine Puja Bose.

    It may be interesting to note that Challenge, the prequel of Challenge-2 was released in Bengal territory only and was a smash hit.