Category: Hindi

MUMBAI: Five Indian films have received nominations in the second Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA). The ceremony will take place on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia on 11 November.

Among various categories Om Shanti Om has been nominated for best film, Jodhaa Akbar has been nominated for achievement in cinematography (Kiiran Deohans), Taare Zameen Par has been nominated for best children’s feature, Mahek for best children’s feature and Rajat Kapoor for best performance by an actor for The Prisoner.

Om Shanti Om will compete with Men Jeuk (Hong Kong), Tulpan (Kazakhstan, Russia, Switzerland/Poland/Germany), The Red Awn (China) and Three Monkeys (Turkey/France/Italy) for the best film award.

The APSA has announced nominees in nine Award categories representing 33 films from 17 countries and areas of the Asia-Pacific region.

The APSA is a collaboration with CNN International, Unesco and FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Associations. It is an international cultural initiative to acclaim films that best reflect their cultural origins and demonstrate cinematic excellence.

APSA chairman Des Power says, “The nominees were determined from more than 180 films from 43 countries. We are greatly encouraged by the response from filmmakers from Asia-Pacific in our mission to acclaim their work and promote it to an international audience. Once again, the nominees showcase the tremendous talent and creativity that exists in the burgeoning film industries of the region”.

In the run-up to the APSA, CNN International is to feature the power and reach of Asia-Pacific cinema in four half-hour Scene By Scene documentaries airing the weekends of 4 ,11, 18 October and 1 November.

The programmes hosted by Anjali Rao, feature the region’s directors, producers and stars talking about the political, religious and cultural challenges they face.

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures will release the 22nd James Bond movie Quantum of Solace in India on 7 November, a week before its US release (14 November). This for the first time that a Hollywood film is releasing first in India followed by US.

Sony Pictures MD Kercy Daruwala said, “James Bond has a huge equity in this country and Bond films have always been a hit here. 7 November will see the biggest roll out for any Hollywood film in India as we would like to give our audiences the thrill of seeing Quantum of Solace even before the US does.”

Quantum of Solace is a sequel to 2006’s Bond flick Casino Royale, which was based on Ian Fleming‘s novel. The film is directed by German-Swiss film maker, Marc Forster. It stars Olga Kurylenko, Gemma Arterton, Dame Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright and Giancarlo Giannini apart from Daniel Craig as the secret agent.

MUMBAI: Fame India has commenced operations in Dhanbad (Jharkhand) and (Bharuch) Gujarat

MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainmen have announced an agreement under which Paramount will distribute Marvel‘s next five self-produced feature films on a worldwide basis.

The deal, an extension of the original agreement made by Brad Grey when he arrived as CEO and Chairman of Paramount Pictures, includes theatrical distribution in foreign territories previously serviced by Marvel through local distribution entities (Japan, Germany, France, Spain and Australia/New Zealand). The distribution pact capitalizes on Marvel and Paramount‘s successful efforts with “Iron Man,” which has grossed $574 million worldwide for Marvel.

The releases include Iron Man 2 in 2010, Thor also in 2010, The First Avenger: Captain America in 2011 and The Avengers in 2011. The distribution agreement also includes Iron Man 3.

Paramount Pictures vice chairman Rob Moore, says, “Coming off of Iron Man‘s incredible success this summer, we could not be more excited about extending our relationship with Marvel.

“Marvel‘s iconic brand, its popular characters and its proven ability to create compelling and visually spellbinding films complement Paramount‘s great history of filmmaking. We look forward to a long and successful run together.”

Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel says, “Paramount is an excellent partner and an outstanding global distributor. Through our experience on Iron Man, Paramount has demonstrated a passion and ability to release Marvel properties theatrically, allowing us to focus on making great movies for the largest audience possible.”

MUMBAI: Mauj Mobile has acquired the exclusive worldwide mobile rights for Drona. Mauj Mobile has created mobile content for Goldie Behl’s upcoming film.

Mauj will provide customised games, ring tones, wallpapers, animations and themes of the Abhishek Bachchan starrer super-hero flick.

People Infocom (Mauj Mobile) content and international business head Dippak Khurana said, “Concepts developed around super-hero icons usually do well with consumers, given their sheer novelty. Drona as a concept has been a pleasure to design mobile content and we have attempted to bring the refreshing feel of this film onto the mobile platform.”

Mauj Mobile‘s offerings also includes a voice portal, which will enable users to get audio experience of the film through songs, star interviews and movie-based trivia.

MUMBAI: Pyramid Saimira Group is investing Rs 2 billion in the next 18 months. The fund infusion will be to renovate and modernise 250 theatres in four states of South India.

Pyramid Saimira Group chairman P S Saminathan said, “Till now, we have been focusing on expanding our network and increasing our points of presence. Today, we enjoy significant penetration geographically and our focus will henceforth be on enhancing the quality of experience that we offer our customers and branding. Our objective is to have close to 250 model theatres in the next 18 months. We are looking to invest Rs 2 billion in this infrastructure programme.”

The four states where it will renovate theatres are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Pyramid Saimira will put in around Rs 750 million to renovate 100 theatres in Tamil Nadu. The company will start the renovation from Jyothi Theatre in Tamil Nadu.

“We will extend this renovation initiative to the other states alos, with Kerala in November, Andhra Pradesh in December and Karnataka in January,” he added.

As part of the renovation plan, all the theatres will have computerised ticketing facilities and seat selections kiosks. Along with digital projection and DTS sound technology, the theatres will be equipped with an in-built mobile zone enabled with bluetooth, video booth for live TV, radio and overhead projection facilities.

The theatres will also have modern security facilities with fire retardants, safety lighting and metal detectors. Facility for newsgathering mechanism with broadband and video conferencing will also be available. The theatres will also have merchandising centres, gaming arcades, music zones and food courts.

MUMBAI: The multiplex chain operator Cinemax India has announced that it is launching a three screen multiplex at Iscon Mega mall in Rajkot.

The new property has a total seating capacity of 760 seats including 35 recliners.

The multiples will open with movies, Welcom To Sajjanpur, A Wednesday, and 1920.

“The multiplex will offer out of the world experience – “Cinemaxperience” to the movie buffs,” Cinemax said in a statement.

With this addition, Cinemax has a total of 22 properties with 65 screens and 17,538 seats across India.

MUMBAI: Producer Laurence Mark has been tapped to produce and writer-director Bill Condon to executive produce the 81st Annual Academy Awards telecast.This was anniounced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Sid Ganis. It will be their first involvement in the production of an Oscar show.

Oscar nominations will be announced on 22 January, 2009. The 81st Academy Awards presentation will take place on 22 February 22, 2009. In India, the show will air on Star Movies.

Ganis says, “Larry and Bill are fresh thinkers who will bring a unique perspective to the Oscar show. That fact, joined with their enormous collective talent and enthusiasm, will serve the 81st Awards proceedings perfectly.”

In 2006, Mark produced and Condon wrote and directed Dreamgirls. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won two Oscars , including one for Jennifer Hudson for Actress in a Supporting Role.

Mark said, “What a thrill to produce the Oscar show. I’m excited about this opportunity and look forward to the challenge of a live television show that celebrates the very best in film.”

Condon said, “The Oscars are the ultimate recognition of excellent work in movies, and I’m so pleased to be part of putting the show together”.

Mark is currently in post-production on Julie and Julia starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams and written and directed by Nora Ephron for release next year. His other credits include I, Robot, The Lookout, Finding Forrester nd Jerry Maguire for which he received a Best Picture Oscar nomination. He also served as executive producer on As Good As It Gets and Working Girl.

Condon won an Oscar for writing Gods And Monsters.

MUMBAI: Percept Picture Company’s (PPC) Ramchand Pakistani, second Pakistani film after Khuda Kay Liye, is set to release in India on 2 October. Directed by young Pakistani women film-maker Mehreen Jabbar, the film was earlier slated for 22 August release.

The film stars Bollywood actress Nandita Das, along with Pakistani actors Rashid Farooqui, Noman Ijaz, Maria Wasti, Navaid Jabbar and child actor Syed Fazal Hussain.

PPC joint MD Shailendra Singh said, “This film can’t be counted as a conventional Pakistani film just because it has been made in Pakistan. This is a distinctive film with broad appeal. This film reflects the tragedy of hundreds of innocent persons of either country who languish in jails of the other and the devastation for all their families.”

“We at Percept Picture Company are looking forward to the release of Ramchand Pakistani with loads of anticipation, as with the consecutive releases from across the boarder will lead to a much positive atmosphere amidst both the countries,” added Singh.

The plot of the movie is derived from a true story concerning the accidental crossing of the Pakistan-Indian border during a period of extreme, war-like tension between the two countries by two members of a Pakistani Hindu family belonging to the ‘untouchable‘ caste. It revolves around the boy and his father who accidentally cross the border into India from their village in Pakistan.

They end up spending five years in an Indian prison while the mother is left wondering about her husband‘s and son‘s whereabouts. The story aims to capture the plight of an eight-year old child who learns to cope with the trauma of forced separation from his mother while being held prisoner.

The film was selected for the narrative section of the Tribeca Film Festival 2008, New York and was also screened at the Seattle International Film Festival, June 2008 and 10th Osian Film Festival, New Delhi this July. It was selected for the Rhode August 2008 Island International Film Festival, USA as well.

The music of the film has been composed by Debajyoti Mishra and lyrics are by Anwar Maqsood. Shubha Mudgal and Shafqat Amanat Ali have given their voices to the music tracks and the film is written by Javed Jabbar.

MUMBAI: Deutsche Bank AG has taken a 10.55 per cent stake in The Indian Film Company (IFC), a specialist film investment firm listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange.

Deutsche Bank has purchased 5.80 million equity shares. Earlier on 17 September IFC had said in a press release that it had received an interest from Deutsche Bank for a 10.55 per cent stake.

Raghav Bahl, a director and substantial shareholder of both Network18 Fincap Ltd and BK Media Mauritius, continues to hold 21.64 per cent in IFC.

Deutsche Bank would have paid around $4.64 million for the stake at the current market price. The shares of IFC are currently trading at 43.50 pence as against the listing price of 100 pence.

Last year, HSBC Investments (Singapore) Ltd. increased its stake to 9.10 per cent in The Indian Film Company.

The Indian Film Company raised ?55 million (Rs 4.4 billion) through an initial public offering (IPO) in Hune 2007. The company seeks to invest in films where it retains full ownership of all Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), although ownership may be shared with co-producers, directors and actors if necessary.

IFC has released successful Bollywood films like Jab We Met, Welcome and Singh is Kinng.