Category: Hindi

MUMBAI: With all eyes trained on next week‘s release of yet another sports oriented film the debate hots up. Have sports films done well in India or is Chak De an aberration? Film lovers, trade analysts, filmmakers, et al are analyzing this trend almost as if they have discovered a new sport.

People are going ballistic about the arrival of Vivek Agnihotri‘s Goal or is it Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal? Whatever…it is a film about football shot in UK. The producers of Goal UTV Motion Pictures claim to have recovered their cost of production even before the release of the film. But don‘t all producers recover their money prior to a film‘s release? What is important to observe is how the film fares with the audiences. A film is made for theatres and hence the litmus test is the theatrical release.

India has always been a nation of sports lovers. Cricket is an anthem for most Indians and now we have discovered hockey and may be football in the coming week. Chak De revived interest in hockey and the film‘s title song has become a sort of anthem cheering Indian teams to victory in various sporting events. A sport which had greats like Dhyan Chand to Dhanraj Pillai. And almost all of them have a story waiting to be told. But unfortunately it took a Shahrukh to leverage this forgotten sport.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says that not many filmmakers have attempted to make sports films. “Producers always felt that sports based films never did well at the box office. This is a myth. Everything boils down to content. I think that filmmakers should attempt to make such films.”

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Hip Hip Hurray (a film on football made almost twenty years ago), Iqbal, Lagaan, Tara rum pum were all sport-centred films. With the exception of Lagaan and to a small extent Iqbal none of them made it big at the box office. But the Chak De of yesteryears was the 1956 classic Naya Daur. The film was a hit when it was released five decades ago and even now when it was recently released in its new coloured avatar.

So what is it there to be so gung-ho about now? Goal may have more to it than football. But it is being promoted as a sports film to cash in on the current rage for such films. The kind of money that has been pumped in to generate viewer interest could be used to make a Bheja Fry.

Taran Adarsh is optimistic and believes the film will do well. “Sports and films do go together. Today audiences want to listen to good stories. It could be sports based themes. As long as you have a good story the film will do well.”

So for the meanwhile the juggernaut rolls on with more such films to hit the screens. The soon to release Raaste, Mazhab, Cycle Kick may score a goal.

MUMBAI: Pyramid Saimira Entertainment Ltd (PSEL), a Singapore-based subsidiary company of Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd (PSTL), plans to raise $75 million (Rs 3 billion) through private equity investors.

“We will dilute 25 per cent stake to raise this amount. We have received term sheets from private equity investors,” Pyramid Saimira managing director PS Saminathan tells Indiantelevision.com.

This will value the subsidiary company at $300 million (Rs 12 billion). “We will be using the funds to ramp up our film distribution business. As we expand our theatre chain, we will need more content. The film purchases for distribution will be funded by the Singapore subsidiary company,” says Saminathan.

Pyramid Saimira Productions Ltd (PSPL), another subsidiary company for film and TV production business, is planning to float an initial public offering (IPO) to raise Rs 1.5 billion.

“We are close to filing draft red herring prospectus with Sebi (Securities and Exchange Board of India),” says Saminathan.

PSPL will dilute 10-12 per cent equity through the IPO and the funds will be used to expand the film and TV production businesses.

PSTL recently bought out Texas-based FunAsia, becoming the first Indian theatre chain to enter into the US market. The acquisition was made through PSTL‘s US subsidiary Pyramid Saimira Entertainment America Inc.

“We will be initially raising debt to expand operations in the North American region. The funding for the expansion in this region will be done through our US subsidiary company,” says Saminathan.

MUMBAI: Cinemax India will be launching a three-screen multiplex at City Centre Mall, Vashi in Navi Mumbai on 22 November. The multiplex will have a seating capacity of 917 seats.

The multiplex will be open to the audiences with movies like Om Shanti Om and Goal.

With the launch at Vashi, Cinemax will be available in 16 theatre properties, 47 screens with a total of 13038 operational seats across India.

The company will also open food court and gaming zone called Giggles in the multiplexes, states an official release.

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired the North American distribution rights as well as distribution rights in a number of foreign territories, including all English speaking territories, to the Peter Jackson produced sci-fi motion picture District 9. The rights were bought from QED International.

The Oscar winning director of The Lord Of The Rings is producing District 9 through his WingNut Films production banner. QED International, the Los Angeles based production, financing and international sales company, is fully financing the film. Jackson‘s manager Ken Kamins of Key Creatives is serving as executive producer along with QED International CEO Bill Block.

Neill Blomkamp makes his feature film directing debut with District 9, which he co-wrote with partner Terri Tatchell. The film is scheduled to begin shooting in next year in South Africa. Details of the film‘s plot are being tightly guarded while pre-production is underway.

Block says, “Amy Pascal, Michael Lynton and Jeff Blake and the entire team at Sony really understand this film and we couldn‘t be more excited to be in business with them. They are completely committed to the unique vision Neill and Peter have for District 9.”

Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman Amy Pascal says, “We have seen some of Neil‘s enormously creative work launching Halo 3 and he is a true talent who understands how to use visual effects in full service of the story. With Peter Jackson and his team at Weta workshop working with Neil, we believe District 9 can be a true event tentpole on our release slate”.

MUMBAI: London and Mumbai celebrated the special relationship their film production industries share, with the signing of an historic city-to-city agreement by Film London, London‘s film and media agency, and the Film and Television Producers Guild of India.

Amitabh Bachchan joined the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, to witness the signing attended by Film London chief executive Adrian Wootton, Film London chair Sandy Lieberson, and Film and Television Guild of India president Ronnie Screwvala.

As part of the agreement, Film London and the Film and Television Producers Guild of India agree to work together to share ideas and best practice on domestic and international film production and promotion.

Additionally, production crews from India will be able to take advantage of a new ‘Indian Productions’ Guide to London’, which offers practical advice and guidance on working in London and the UK. Film London is the first point of contact for all crews working in London. These new guidelines are the culmination of ongoing work by Film London to promote a greater understanding and more effective working between the film industries in London and India.

Over 40 Indian productions filmed in London last year. Film London provided considerable support to the crew of Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, one of the first Bollywood films to be set primarily in London.

London‘s relationship with India and the Indian film industry has flourished in other ways over the past 12 months. During the summer the Mayor of London staged India Now, a spectacular three-month season celebrating Indian culture. As part of the India Now celebrations, Film 4 and Somerset House hosted the world premiere of Yash Raj Films production Chak De India, where Londoners and visitors to the capital were treated to a special appearance by Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan.

Film London is in Mumbai as part of a larger Mayor of London-led trade and cultural mission. The signing is part of a week-long series of events organised by Film London to share knowledge and understanding between the film sectors of India and the UK. Other activities include :

The London-Mumbai Production Tournament: Funded by Film London and UK Trade & Investment, eight London-based and eight Indian-based film producers are being given first-hand experience of the Mumbai industry.

Seminar on filming in London: Opportunity to hear from leading producers about their experiences of filming in London.

Speaking about the unique agreement, Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London said: “London and Mumbai are two of the great international film-making cities. This agreement celebrates and reinforces the excellent relationship London has developed with the Indian film industry. Our work with the Indian film industry is a vital part of our wider mission to develop London’s economic, cultural and tourism links with India.”

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London said:

“Our relationship with the Indian film industry is making a real contribution to London as a centre for international film production and is offering new and fresh interpretations of the city for all of London’s audiences.

This agreement will make a vital contribution to sharing knowledge and promoting a greater understanding between the film sectors of India and the UK. It also provides us with an opportunity to discuss real co-operation on a range of commercial initiatives and forge long-term educational and cultural links that will have great benefit to London and the UK’s film industry.”

Ronnie Screwvala, President of the Film and Television Producers Guild of India said:

“The relationship between the UK and Indian film industry has been a long and fruitful one and we are happy that both sides are making efforts to ensure that both commercially and creatively this is nurtured and built on.”

Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, said:

“Having recently returned from India I saw first hand how much our two countries have in common. Film making is one of those traditions which we share and we’re already seeing an increasing cross-over of talent between our two industries, both on screen and off. We have a great deal to offer each other, which is why I am delighted that we’re supporting this important mission.”

Amitabh Bachchan said:

“I laud the excellent concept that you are envisioning towards India and London.”

Subhash Ghai, Founder & Chairman, of Whistling Winds International said:

“Globalization is the future. And it is up to us, the established members of the Global Media industry, to encourage and promote a healthy mixing of talent from our respective countries. Only then will the next generation of filmmakers be truly collaborative at a global level – whichever country they may reside in. This is precisely the reason why Whistling Woods International has joined hands with Film London to proudly host the Mumbai-London Film Agreement signing and the Filming in London Seminar.”

MUMBAI: Chak De! India was adjudged the best feature film at the prestigious V Shantaram Awards and Shah Rukh Khan was awarded the best actor award.Director Shimit Amin won the silver award for direction. Chak De! India also won Best Sound and Best Editing categories.

Mani Ratnam was awarded the Best Director award for Guru which also won the trophies for Best Music and Best Cinematography.

Lage Raho Munnabhai won three awards for Best Supporting Actor, Best Story and Best screenplay.

The awards were instituted in 1993 by V Shantaram Foundation.

MUMBAI: More than 15 long features and co-productions, representing the diversity of French cinema, will be showcased at the IFFI this year.

“Among the countries where cinema has played a role in cultural life, France and India occupy indeed a very special place. From the very inception of this new form of art, more than a century ago, both countries felt a strong inclination for what was to be commonly known as the Seventh art,” says Jérôme Bonnafont, Ambassador of France in India.

Among them, the French Oscar entry ‘‘Orchestra Seats” (“Fauteuils d‘orchestre”), the box-office hit “TAXI 4” and three of the most awaited films of this year : “99 francs” (a film adaptation of a best-seller book), “The second wind” (a remake of one of finest film in French cinema history) and the mindblowing “Intimate ennemy” (a first of its kind look at the Algerian struggle for independence), whose directors will do us the honour to participate to IFFI and interact with the Indian audience and media during this celebration of cinema.

The 6 films “Living together” collection prepared by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs are modern-day fables about French society and its divides which convey the vital need to learn how to get to know and understand each other, while the Film heritage section, co-organised by the Thomson Foundation, will be the occasion to see among the masterpieces of the history of World Cinema.

Veteran and respected filmaker and indophile Alain Corneau will be leading the French delegation comprising Florent-Emilio Siri, Jan Kounen, and talented young actress Fanny Valette as well as the Thomson Foundation team, the European Club of Producers, Samira Zaibat of the International critic‘s week in Cannes, and Fabien Westerhoff participating in the NFDC organised Film Bazaar section.

Retrospective “Living Together” : 6 films

1) Samia by Philippe Faucon

2) When you come down from Heaven (Quand tu descendras du cie) by Eric Guirard

3) What’s going on (Wesh, Wesh, qu‘est ce qui se passe ?) by Rabah Ameur-Za?meche

4) My neighbours (Voisins, voisines) by Malik Chibane

5) Zim & Co by Pierre Jolivet

6) Forgetting Cheyenne (Oublier Cheyenne) by Valérie Minetto

World Cinema :

1) The Second Wind (Le 2?me souffle) by Alain Corneau (2007)

2) The Intimate Enemy (L’ennemi intime) by Florent Emilio Siri (2007)

3) 99 Francs by Jan Kounen (2007)

4) Change of address (Changement d’adresse) by Emmanuel Mouret (2006)

5) TAXI 4 by Gérard Krawczyk (2007)

6) Orchestra Seats (Les Fauteuils d’orchestre) by Dani?le Thomson (2006)

7) The Songs of Love (Les Chansons d‘amour) by Christophe Honoré (2007)

8) The Page turner (La Tourneuse de pages) by Denis Dercourt (2005)

9) The Other (L’Autre) by Ariel Rotter (co-production / 2007)

10) Goodbye Bafana by Bille August (co-production / 2007)

MUMBAI: The successful run for Chak De continues. The film has been invited to participate at the Cancun International Film Festival.

The festival, to be held during this month, is one of the latest in the line-up of film festivals. This Shimit Khan directed film has also bagged the best film award at the 5th Australian Film Festival. Chak De, a film about a women’s hockey team, has been shot in Australia.

Kabul Express is on its way to Cairo for the film festival beginning 27 Novmber. The Cairo International Film Festival which is in its 31st year ends 7 December 2007.

Both the films have been made under the Yash Raj Films banner.

MUMBAI: Eros International claims Om Shanti Om to have grossed over $19 million (approx Rs 747.84 million) worldwide in the first week of release.

Eros collected $13.5 million in India, $1.5 million in UK and over $ 2 million in North America in its first week of opening. Om Shanti Om was released across 1400 plus screens globally with screenings as early as 7:45 am. In its second week Eros is currently running 14-16 shows at some multiplexes.

Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, Om Shanti Om is directed by Farah Khan.

Eros has previously distributed Main Hoon Na as well as Paheli, which are both Red Chillies‘ productions.

Eros International chairman and CEO Kishore Lulla said, “The superb run of the film in the first week has super ceded all expectations and we are confident of the film‘s performance in the weeks to come.”

Added Farah Khan, “We were expecting a commercial success but this kind of response has been overwhelming.”

MUMBAI: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 80th Academy Awards. 70 pictures had originally qualified in the category.

The 15 films include Michael Moore‘s Sicko which looks at America‘s healthcare system. Lake of Fire examines the controversial issue of abortion. No End in Sight criticises the war in Iraq.

The Documentary Branch screening committee viewed all the eligible documentaries for the preliminary round of votings. Documentary Branch members will now select the five nominees from among the 15 titles on the shortlist.

The 80th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on 22 January, 2008. The Oscar Awards takes place on 24, February, 2008, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center. In India it will air on Star Movies.