Category: Hindi

MUMBAI: With the Oscar awards fast approaching, Reliance Big Home Video is celebrating the Oscar Fever in style.

In keeping with the Oscar spirit, Reliance Big Home Video has introduced a new series consisting of 20 titles that have won the ‘Best Picture‘ Oscar awards from the year 1942 till 2000.

Some of these films include Gladiator (Best Picture 2000, Rs 499), The Godfather (Best Picture 1972, Rs 499), Ben-Hur (Best Picture 1959, Rs 599), Gone with the Wind (Best Picture 1939, Rs 599),The Departed (Best Picture 2006, Rs 499),Shakespeare in Love (Best Picture 1998, Rs 499) , The Godfather Part 2 (Best Picture 1974, Rs 499), Around the World in 80 days (Best Picture 1956, Rs 599) ,Casablanca (Best Picture 1943, Rs 599) and Mrs. Miniver (Best Picture 1942, Rs 499).

The ‘Best Picture‘ collection is available across retail outlets in the country.
 

MUMBAI:Pune-based filmmaker Kranti Kanade, whose award-winning film ‘Mahek’ has been recommended for school children in Ohio and Toronto, is the recipient of the first Film Fund Development Grant of $10,000 announced by the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.

The grant has been awarded in addition to Final Draft and Sony Creative software for his script ‘Against Itself’. This work will be showcased at a stage-reading during the Eighth annual IFFLA taking place from 20 to 25 April at ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles.

The script centers on a secular expatriate American schoolmaster in India who struggles against a tide of anti-Christian sentiment that threatens his students, his school and his life. “I am absolutely overcome with happiness by this beautiful news,” said Kanade. “I am truly grateful to IFFLA for giving me this award and this amazing opportunity.”

The development grant jury included acclaimed screenwriters Gill Dennis (‘Walk the Line’, ‘The Tatooed Soldier’), Anurag Kashyap (Dev D, Black Friday) and Sooni Taraporevala (The Namesake, Little Zizou).

Dennis said “This script is haunting, gripping, and gritty. Stunningly done, beautifully good, it dissects the great mess of our humanity with equal measures of humor and horror, while capturing the hectic multiplicity of India.”

IFFLA had shortlisted ten finalists to vie for the first Grant. Apart from Kanade, the other finalists were ‘Aravan’ by Raghu Jeganathan; ’Engineers of Rock’ by Sushrut Jain and John Thompson; ‘Love in the time of Genocide’ by Thenmozhi Soundararajan; ‘Scandalous!’ written by Claire Ince; ’Sebastian wants to remember’ by Vasant Nath; ‘The story of Ram’ by Ritesh Batra; ’Sweet Dreams’ by Avani Batra; an untitled desert war film by Richie Mehta; and ‘Untouchable Glory’ by Mo Ramchandani.

Kanade’s last film ‘Mahek’, made for the Children’s Film Society, India, has been suggested as a necessary tool for school children in Canadian schools, though it appears to have gone unrecognized within the country. The film in Hindi and English was made in 2007 and won awards in the United States and elsewhere.

In a project written by Ernest Agbuya on the initiative of the Teacher Advisory Committee of the Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children, this film has been recommended to be shown to children from grades four to six. In the words of an educationist: “This is a wonderful film that celebrates the power of dreams and imagination as key forces for change, creativity, leadership, invention and guilt-free leisure.”

Reacting to the news, CFSI Chief Executive Officer Sushovan Banerjee told indiantelevision.com: “It is a matter of great pride and honour for CFSI that our film “Mahek” has founds its way into the school curriculum in Canada as well. Earlier it was introduced as part of the syllabus in Ohio University . Mahek is a film that is simple to understand, rich in content and beautifully portrays the power of dreams in our quest for excellence. Through the charming character of Mahek, the director has brought out the importance of imagination and how we all need to discover our inherent talents in order to achieve success. I only hope that after its success in US and Canada, Mahek will surely find its pride of place in Indian school curriculum as well.”

According to Agbuya, a key element in the plot is an essay competition in Mahek’s class. The full Writing strand of the Language Curriculum is relevant to the ideas presented in this Teacher Resource. There are science connections through references to Isaac Newton and James Watt, two scientists who made key contributions to the studies of energy and forces. Links can also be made to the Grade 3 study of Growth and Changes in Plants. One of the film’s key themes is perseverance, June’s trait for Character Education.

The film is about young Mahek who seems to be a failure in everything, until a woman claiming to be her fairy godmother tells the young girl to “Look within yourself and you’ll find your strengths.” A writing contest at school seems like the chance for Mahek to use her powerful imagination. The film celebrates the importance of imagination, self-confidence and perseverance, and reminds us that everybody is great at something.

MUMBAI: Despite sporadic incidents of violence and a limited release, My Name Is Khan has got off to an electrifying start and is on course to becoming a mega hit at the box-office.

Says trade analyst Taran Adarsh, “Marvelous is the right word to describe the initial response of My Name Is Khan. Practically every multiplex has generated a 100 per cent collection, while single screens in mass-dominated centres opened to a 70 to 80 per cent response.”

As reported earlier, the film had opened in Mumbai yesterday across ten multiplexes and a few single-screens. But today, all the concerned single-screen theatres and multiplexes are showing the Karan Johar film to full capacity. 

Avers Cinemax Vice President Devang Sampat, “The response to this Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) starrer has been terrific. The film has been running to full houses in all our properties for all the shows yesterday and even today. In fact, we are booked till Sunday.”

My Name Is Khan was the star attraction at the Berlin Film Festival that opened yesterday.

Surprisingly, tickets of the film were not sold at ticket windows. While tickets available online were sold out in five seconds, e-bay auctioned tickets, each ticket costing 1000 Euros (Rs 60,000).

If the response sustains as the days go by, the film will garner enough eyeballs that will help its box-office soar to unheard-of proportions.

MUMBAI: Tum Milo Toh Sahi, a social drama directed by Kabir Sadanand, is set to hit the theatres on 2 April.

Produced by Nikhil Panchamiya‘s Fourth Wall Entertainments, the film will be distributed by PVR Pictures nationwide. The film stars Nana Patekar, Dimple Kapadia, Suniel Shetty and Vidya Malvade in pivotal roles.

Speaking about the distribution of the film, PVR Pictures head – worldwide distribution Deepak Sharma said, “Our team watched the film and were moved with the simplicity of the film. A film from the heart, Tum Milo Toh Sahi will surely touch hearts across the country. 

“Also the pairing of Nana Patekar and Dimple Kapadia who have gotten together after a gap of 15 yrs is something which is refreshing and I am sure audiences will enjoy this immensely.”

Tum Milo Toh Sahi is a film about ordinary people who become extraordinary with the strength of love. Tum Milo Toh Sahi is about how these ordinary people find their true calling in life by saving an old Irani café against all forces that stand against us and our traditions.

MUMBAI: Going back on their decision of not showing My Name Is Khan (MNIK), some multiplex owners garnered courage and went ahead in exhibiting the film post noon.

It is learnt that ten multiplex owners in Mumbai decided to go ahead with the screening while the rest didn‘t. Among the single-screen theatres, most of them decided against showing the film fearing violence.

Fun Republic was the first multiplex chain to start screening the movie at noon. Among the multiplexes that followed were Inox, Fame Adlabs, Big Cinemas and Cinemax.

No sooner did the windows open, there was a mad rush for tickets and all the multiplexes showing the film sported ‘House Full‘ boards much before the show could commence.

But just before the first show could be shown at Fun Republic, over 40 Sena workers started pelting stones but were soon arrested and taken into custody.

Sporadic incidents were reported across the metropolis and some arrests have been made. Says theatre owners association president Ram Vidhani, “Some single-screen theatres volunteered to show the film with heavy police protection. However from the news I have been getting, violence has been reported from some pockets of the city. I am not able to say if any theatre has been affected.”

Talking about the possibility of the Shiv Sena (SS) threat fizzling out tomorrow, Vidhani avers, “Don‘t you know that the SS has called for a bandh on 13 February. Things might get worser and so might the prospects of the film at the box-office.”

Defying Sena‘s threat SRK‘s wife Gauri watched the movie in a theatre and said that her husband “is very happy” with the initial response after remaining “sad” yesterday as there was uncertainty over the release of the movie in Mumbai theatres. “Karan (Johar) is with him by his side, supporting him. We are very happy,” Gauri, a co-producer of the film, said.

SRK expressed gratitude towards his fans who thronged the theatres today. “I realise today…I am just a film hero…you all in the theatres are the real deal. god feel so loved & humbled. Hats off to all heroes,” he tweeted.

“As the film releases & reports pour in praising karan‘s work I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has gone to see the film. Only regret our own city Mumbai is still to see it in full flow. I just want to tell everyone that I feel more patriotic than ever before. I love India & Indians. I love Mumbai & Mumbaikers,” he added.

Meanwhile, The Film & Television Producers Guild of India (Guild) has voiced its anguish against the stoppage of the theatrical release of My Name is Khan by certain organisations.

In a press release, the Guild has opined that a film, once accorded the green signal by Censor Board, should be allowed an absolute and uninterrupted release, without the interference of any external authority.
 

MUMBAI: On the occasion of Valentine‘s Day, Shemaroo Entertainment has released a special movie pack and song compilation pack.

Celebrating Romance – a 4 DVD Movie Pack features some of the best award-winning, heart-melting films like Raja Hindustani, Taal, Pardes and Dil at Rs. 499.

The Screen Lovers DVD song compilation pack has famous pairs like Raj Kapoor – Nargis; Rajesh Khanna – Mumtaz; Amitabh Bachchan – Rekha; Rishi Kapoor – Dimple Kapadia right upto Anil Kapoor – Madhuri Dikshit and Shahid Kapoor – Kareena Kapoor.

Popular romantic pairs have always sizzled on the Silver Screen with their mere presence. Scripts and songs have been penned, keeping their On-Screen chemistry in minds. Who can forget the magic of

Screen Lovers features popular songs of such all-time hit romantic pairs and is available at Rs. 99.
 

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures‘ Maut Ke Farishtay, the Hindi dubbed version of the post-apocalyptic film Legion will release on 5 March along with the original English version.

The film will also be dubbed in Tamil and Telugu for which release dates will be announced later.

Judging by the response to the dubbed versions of last year‘s mega apocalyptic blockbuster 2012, this action-packed special effects heavy film is expected to strike a chord with Indian audiences as well.

Legion opened in the US on 22 January at the no. 2 spot behind Avatar.

Other Sony Pictures‘ films expected to be dubbed in multiple languages this year are Jackie Chan starrer The Karate Kid that is expected to release in June, Angelina Jolie‘s Salt due for releases in July as well as the fourth instalment of the Resident Evil series, Afterlife that will release in 3D.

Directed by Scott Stewart, the film stars Paul Bettany, Lucas Black, Tyrese Gibson, Adriana Palicki, Charles S Dutton, Jon Tenney, Kevin Durand, Willa Holland with Kate Walsh and Dennis Quaid.

MUMBAI: Rakesh Roshan‘s romantic film Kites will release worldwide in Hindi and English versions on 21 May in over 60 countries.

While the trailer of the Hindi version is being showed from 12 February, the English one will be out shortly.

Directed by Anurag Basu, Kites is released worldwide by Reliance Big Pictures, 

Says Reliance Big Pictures CEO Sanjeev Lamba, “We have always believed that Indian films and talent can enjoy the same success and recognition internationally as they do in India. Kites is a first-of-its-kind Indian film to have generated huge interest. We are proud to present the first look to a worldwide audience. “

Kites is a story of passion that defies every rule, of a relationship that takes two lovers on a thrilling journey filled with precious moments – and unexpected betrayal. It is a compelling romantic saga that goes beyond barriers, boundaries and cultures.

Shot in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Santa Fe, Kites is one of the biggest films ever produced in India.
 

MUMBAI: After dilly dallying for over a week over the release of Karan Johar‘s My Name Is Khan, it has been finally decided that the film will release elsewhere in the country but not in Maharashtra, a major territory for box-office collections.

The step has been taken in view of the Shiv Sena‘s (SS) stance that it will not allow the release of the film till Shah Rukh Khan apologises to the party supremo over his comments on Pakistani players not being included by any of the IPL teams.

Though there was no talk on the film‘s release in the SS quarters today, there was uncertainty about what would happen tomorrow, the day of release of the film.

Hence, the film‘s release has been withdrawn from theatres in Maharashtra in fear of damage of property to cinema halls that were supposed to exhibit the SRK starrer. Said Fun Cinemas COO Vishal Kapur, “We are wary of damage of property if we show the film.Though we were assured full protection, we are against showing the film.”

Khan, however, refuses to yield to the demands of the Sena. “My stardom is transient, my integrity is non negotiable …my being indian unquestionable…hope peace prevails. hope misunderstandings get cleared. hope nobody is hurt. hope all leaders & activists have largesse of heart. hope…,” Khan, who is currently in Berlin for the premiere of his film, tweeted.

“My name is shah rukh khan… and i think it is more than just a name. my mother & father had told me so & my son & daughter believe it so,” he added..

MUMBAI: UTV Motion Pictures has announced that its recently released movie Kaminey has been invited for a special screening at the eighth Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA).

Kaminey will be screened in the ‘Bollywood by Night’ section. The festival will be held at ArcLight Hollywood from 22 – 25 April 2010.

UTV said in a statement that IFFLA appreciates Indian cinema and the culture by showcasing eminent films, supporting emerging filmmakers, recognising the industry performers and promoting the diverse perspective of the Indian diaspora.

The ‘Bollywood by Night’ section will have more than 21 Bollywood films. 

UTV Motion Pictures CEO Siddharth Roy Kapur said, “It is an honour to be invited for the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. Kaminey received tremendous response in the domestic and international markets and this platform is another proof of its success.”

Many of UTV titles including Delhi-6, Jodhaa Akbar, A Wednesday, Welcome to Sajjanpur, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Mumbai Meri Jaan, Fashion, Dev D and others, have been screened at many Film Festivals such as the Venice Film Festival, Shanghai International Film Festival, South Asian Film Festival, Moscow International Film festival, the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PIFFF), Indo-American Arts Council’s 9th Annual MIAAC Film Festival and at the Museum of Modern Arts.