Category: Movies

  • Subhash Ghai to get Lifetime Achievement Award at Delhi International Filmfest

    Subhash Ghai to get Lifetime Achievement Award at Delhi International Filmfest

    NEW DELHI: Even as the entries for the third edition of the Delhi International Film Festival (DIFF), to be held in December this year, were called for, one thing which is clear is that versatile showman Subhash Ghai will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Festival.

     

    The Minar-e-Dilli Award is proposed to be presented to Ghazal Maestro Gulam Ali, and Pakistan is expected to be the partner country for the festival to be held from 20-27 December.

     

    DIFF 2014 is an initiative by “The Social Circle, A Society for Cause and – A step toward inclusiveness” to showcase the best of Cinema, Art and Literature from across the globe.

     

    Started in 2012, the advisory board for this festival is headed by Dada Saheb Phalke awardee Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Working closely with him are some of the greats of Indian Cinema including the national award winning directors Tigmanshu Dhulia, Anurag Kashyap and Anooj Kapoor, Mohan Agashe, Manoj Bajpai, Mandira Bedi, Shriram Raghwan, Jimmy Shergill, N. Chandra, Sandeep Marwah, Shailesh Lodha, Yashpal Sharma and Arvind Gaur, apart from Satish Anand from Pakistan.

     

    Now in its third edition, the festival hopes to showcase 200 films from around 45 countries as against 170 in the previous years.

     

    The earlier editions also showcased 100 paintings and sculptures from India. The two editions also had a literature section with 100 NRI poets displaying their work at the venue. The second edition of the festival saw the addition of Fashion, Singing, Band events and Sufi night by Nizami Brothers, thus making DIFF the only festival in the world with so many sections and live events every evening during the seven days of the festival.

     

    The other events during the festival include ‘Band of the Year’ with participation of more than 25 bands from all over India; ‘Singer of the Year’, a tribute to Mohammed Rafi, ‘Face and Designer of the Year’, daily seminars and workshops and book launches on various aspects of cinema, art and literature.

     

     To promote cinema, art and culture, the festival has associated itself with French and Israeli Embassies in New Delhi along with HUNERKADAA, well known Visual Arts and Performance Institute and EVEREADY GROUP, one of the leading film distribution company from Pakistan.

  • The Avengers’ Loki set to dawn a country star’s hat in new biopic

    The Avengers’ Loki set to dawn a country star’s hat in new biopic

    MUMBAI: Keeping his villainous persona as The Avengers’ Loki on hold momentarily, Tom Hiddleston will play country western singer Hank Williams in Marc Abraham’s I Saw the Light, which will recount the legendary country musician’s rise to fame and the tragic downfall that ensued.

     

    Hiddleston, who will do his own singing in the film, has appeared as Loki in Thor, The Avengers and Thor: The Dark World. He recently wrapped Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak and will soon start work on Ben Wheatley’s High-Rise.

     

    The film is written and directed by Abraham and is based on the bestselling biography by Colin Escott’s biography. The film is scheduled to begin production in Louisiana in October. Via Sony ATV, the production has secured rights to the Williams music catalogue including hits as “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Hey Good Lookin’” and “Your Cheatin’ Heart.”

  • Sydney Filmfest to screen two Indian films on lonely housewives

    Sydney Filmfest to screen two Indian films on lonely housewives

    NEW DELHI: Two Indian films being screened at the ongoing 61st Sydney Film Festival are on a common theme – lonely housewives in different eras who are forced to find interests elsewhere. 

     

    Even as Ritesh Batra’s highly-lauded The Lunchbox is among the four Indian films being screened at Festival, the other film is Charulata, made by cine craftsman Satyajit Ray and being screened almost 50 years after it was last exhibited at the same festival.

     

    This movie is one of Ray’s women-centric films that was well ahead of its times when made in 1964 with Madhabi Mukherjee in the lead. The film is based on a story by Rabindranath Tagore and set in the late nineteenth century and tells the tale of the lonely housewife whose busy husband has no time for her.

     

    Coincidentally, The Lunchbox is also the story of a loney housewife and how she begins to correspond with someone through letters sent inside a lunchbox. 

     

    The Festival which commenced on 4 June, will also show Pan Nalin’s Faith Connections and Richie Mehta’s Siddharth in different sections.

     

    Richie Mehta’s film Siddharth is about the search by a father for his lost son despite his own poverty.

     

    Pan Nalin’s documentary Faith Connections is primarily on the Kumbh Mela, which takes place every three years at selected places along India’s river banks and is attended by about 100 million people. 

     

  • Fugly…Ugly!

    Fugly…Ugly!

    MUMBAI: If Fugly is based in Delhi, it can only be attributed to Delhi’s reputation of being lawless where anything works. The film’s title warns you of the challenge lying ahead; if you don’t understand the meaning of the title, you will not understand what is going on thereafter.

    Mohit Marwah, Vijender Singh, Arfi Lamba and Kiara Advani are childhood friends who have stuck together through thick and thin. For quite a while you see the gang just hang around and have fun and you have no clue what the film is all about. That is when the makers decide to do something about it. Kiara’s mother supplies some edible stuff to local grocery stores and Kiara helps by delivering it. A local storeowner, the thirkee kind, acts fresh with her and gets a slap in return. He tries to defame her instead. Her three friends decide to teach the man a lesson. First they bash him up in his shop and when he threatens them, they kidnap him. He is dumped in the car bonnet and taken for a rough ride.

    The fun ride soon ends when they are stopped by Jimmy Shergill, an unscrupulous and dishonest police man. Vijender makes the mistake of dropping the name of his father, a Delhi minister, which riles Shergill. Shergill finds the shopkeeper in the boot of the car and kills him with an iron road, framing Vijender for the murder. From here starts the extortion and blackmail of the four by Shergill. He makes them get into all illegal work like arranging rave parties to even killing. All this while, Shergill’s right hand man, another cop, keeps vigil on the four to check they are doing as instructed.

    Producers: Alka Bhatia, Ashvini Virdi.

    Director: Kabir Sadanand.

    Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Mohit Marwah, Vijender Singh, Arfi Lamba, Kiara Advani.

    This goes on and on as the four friends are shown to be totally helpless and there is nothing to stop Shergill; this is rather too much to digest and the film becomes senseless and boring.

    The script is bad with direction being poor; don’t know how a murder can be made to look like a suicide with a bullet in the back! Why do all the cops in all Delhi-based Hindi films have to be Haryanvi? Music is no help either. While Mohit, Virender and Arfi are not cut out to become actors, Kiara is better. Shergill goes overboard. The film is described as comedy but there is no humour except for the toilet kind.

    Fugly has nothing to offer and is a poor film on all counts.

    ‘Chal Bhaag’…Warning?

    Chal Bhaag is yet another film based in old Delhi, which builds some sort of story around the triumvirate of youth, politicians-cum-underworld, and police. The theme is overused and fatigued. The film brings together three differently tuned young men together. Initially, the trio has two pitted against one but, when trapped and fighting for their lives, they unite for the sake of their survival.

    Deepak Dobariyal is Munna Supari, a razor slashing guy whom the mohalla fears. Varun Mehra rides roughshod; his vocation is to chase the woman, Keeya Khanna, who has caught his fancy and bashing up anybody who tries to mess with her. Tarun Bajaj is a typical bike-riding chain snatcher who makes the mistake of snatching the chain of a police station in-charge’s wife (Yashpal Sharma). The trio is not aware or concerned with the fact that a loudmouthed ex-MLA who is expected to win the forthcoming elections is shot dead and, though there are no eyewitnesses or survivors, miraculously the police decide there were three shooters! (The film is filled with such inconsistencies.)

    Producers: Mohammad Zaheer Mehdi, Fatima Zaheer Mehdi, Ali Zaheer Mehdi, Tamkanat Ali Mehdi.

    Director: Prakash Balwant Saini. Tarun Bajaj, Sanjay Mishra, Yashpal Sharma, Mukesh Tiwari, Keeya Khanna.

    Cast: Deepak Dobariyal, Varun Mehra.

    Bajaj is taken into custody for chain snatching as are the other two who follow: Mehra for bashing up two roadside Romeos who dare to make a pass at Keeya and Dobariyal because of his bravado in the process of coming into good books of the local don and his brother, Manish Khanna and Kuwar Aziz. When the don’s three shooters are being picked up by the police, Dobariyal decides to get arrested too to show his loyalty to the don.

    The don’s three men have shot the ex-MLA and have been arrested. However, Yashpal is on the don’s take and is asked to free the don’s men. Since money speaks louder, a deal is struck and Yashpal decides to free the don’s men and frame and kill the other three petty criminals his people have rounded up. The three boys are taken to a lonely place and told that they are now free and to run. Mehra knows what is in the offing and guides the other two. As for Yashpal, his gun which was jammed, suddenly goes off and it has killed somebody who is neither any of the three boys nor any of his men. Though expected, that is an interesting turning point which could have been cashed in on in the second half. Alas!

    The man killed is the don’s brother and Yashpal pushes the blame for shooting him on the three boys. Now, just about everybody is after the boys to kill them without asking any questions. While the boys are on the run, Keeya helps them and the romance grows between her and Mehra. The chase has gone on for long enough and no sure how to close it, so guys from the Intelligence Bureau are brought in!

    The film has a decent idea that needed better scripting. This is a rather piggy-bank-budget film and looks crude. While Dobariyal is okay, Mehra is stiff while Bajaj overacts. The supporting cast of veterans Sanjay Mishra, Yashpal Sharma and Mukesh Tiwari make the film somewhat watchable. Direction is average. Musically, Teri maujudgi…. is hummable. Other aspects are okay.

    Chal Bhaag has no hope of lasting through the weekend.

  • Transformers’ Optimus Prime in India

    Transformers’ Optimus Prime in India

    MUMBAI: Transformers is back this year with Transformers – Age of Extinction, an amalgamation of drama, emotions and high octane action. Star lined with Mark Wahlberg, who plays the role of a single dad raising his daughter – Nicola Peltz, the movie is directed by Michael Bay.

     

    Aiming to bring viewers a step closer to their favourite hero – Optimus Prime, the makers have made a whopping 12-foot high statue that weighs about 300kg. Warrior, fearless and righteous – Optimus Prime is the ultimate leader of the Autobots who are constantly raging wars against a rival faction of robots called the Decepticons.

     

    Under a special license from Hasbro (American multinational that is one of the largest toy makers in the world), this figurine is made to exact design specifications. The viewing experience of this complex figurine has been enhanced by intricate lighting. Encased in a special package, a dedicated container has been hired to transport the robot locally around India. Optimus Prime will tour six cities, starting with Pune and eventually making his way to Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

     

    In a bid to capitalise on this diehard devotion that fans have for Optimus Prime, Viacom18 Motion Pictures has initiated a digital contest across social media. According to this, fans will be asked three simple questions, with the winners getting an opportunity to click a selfie with the mammoth figurine in their city. Not only this, the winners will also attend an exclusive fan screening to watch the film before the rest of the world.

     

    Elaborating on the same, Viacom18 Motion Pictures VP- marketing Rudrarup Dutta said, “Optimus Prime symbolises the spirit of the Transformers as their leader and is worshipped as a hero by the ever growing Transformers fan base. This massive figurine is our way to bring Optimus Prime alive for his fans who will be able to greet him and as part of the campaign, get a once in a lifetime opportunity to click a ‘Selfie with Optimus’. Establishing the sheer magnitude and scale of this edition of Transformers, the initiative therefore aims at building an on ground connect in a unique and engaging manner with the fans.”

     

    Distributed by Viacom18 Motion Pictures in India, Transformers: Age of Extinction will be released on 27 June 2014.

  • Film Festivals to form part of Festival of India in South Africa

    Film Festivals to form part of Festival of India in South Africa

    NEW DELHI: A festival of films put together by the Directorate of Film Festivals of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry will form part of the Festival of India to be held in different parts of South Africa between 18 July and 31 August this year.

     

    Culture secretary Ravindra Singh launched the logo, posters and webpage for the Festival of India in South Africa. 

    To mark the occasion of 20 years of end of apartheid regime and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa subsequent to the formation of the democratic government in South Africa, the Culture Ministry has organised the festival in collaboration with the External Affairs Ministry and the Embassy of India in Pretoria. 

    The Festival of India is a gesture of friendship between India and South Africa, an exchange of culture and ideas; it revisits history and historical alliances between these two great countries. It is a celebration between the people of South Africa and India. An Indian delegation led by MOS(IC) for Ministry of Culture is proposed to visit South Africa for Festival of India in South Africa beginning from July 18 2014. 

    The Festival of India in South Africa covers a wide-range of events showcasing Indian performing arts, photo cricket exhibition, interactive Gandhi-Mandela exhibition, literary festival, food festival and film festival. Ministry of Culture Institutions namely Sangeet Natak Akedemi, Kathak Kendra, National Archive of India, Sahitya Akademi and National Council of Science Museums would be participating in the Festival’s events.  

    The colourful logo designed for the Festival consists of a handshake – a symbol of trust and friendship that seals a bond between two people, two communities and two nations. The hands are coated in the colours of their respective country. The logo has faces of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi side by side in a circle. The logo is washed in the colours of India and converts it into one single integrated unit that symbolizes inclusiveness and collective force of all. 

    The Festival of India in South Africa will be celebrated in eight cities covering Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.

  • James Franco and Seth Rogen’s ‘The Interview’ trailer released

    James Franco and Seth Rogen’s ‘The Interview’ trailer released

    MUMBAI: Columbia Pictures, via Sony Pictures Entertainment just released the first preview trailer of its upcoming action comedy The Interview starring James Franco and Seth Rogen.

     

    In the action comedy, Dave Skylark is king of the celebrity interview and host of the hit night time talk show ‘Skylark Tonight.’ The brain behind Dave’s empire is his producer and best friend, Aaron Rapoport. Unfulfilled, Aaron yearns to do meaningful work. He scores the chance of a lifetime when he secures an interview for Dave with Kim Jong-Un, the mysterious and ruthless dictator of a nuclear-armed North Korea. As Dave and Aaron prepare to leave for North Korea, they are approached by the CIA and asked to assassinate Kim. They accept the mission, becoming two of the least qualified men ever to assassinate – or interview – the most dangerous man on earth.

     

    The film stars Academy Award nominee James Franco (127 Hours) as Dave Skylark and Golden Globe Award nominee Seth Rogen (50/50) – who also co-wrote and co-directed the film with his longtime collaborator Golden Globe Award nominee Evan Goldberg – as Aaron Rapaport, with Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex). Randall Park and Timothy Simons from the HBO comedy Veep also star.

     

    Click here to watch the trailer

  • Set the dance floor on fire with ‘Chull’!

    Set the dance floor on fire with ‘Chull’!

    MUMBAI: After getting the entire nation groove to ‘Saturday Saturday’ from Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Sony Music is all set to release Punjab’s rap-sensation – Badshah and Fazilpuria’s party anthem ‘Chull’.

     

    With a hook that sticks with listeners, the song is extremely upbeat with urban sounds and Badshah’s Rap that is sure to catch on to youngsters very quickly. In addition, the video of the song has been given a cool and international look that matches the foot-tapping beats of the song. Featuring Badshah and Fazilpuria, the video has 50 girls grooving to the song and was shot in locations in Gurgaon, Fazilpuria’s homeground

     

    Said Badshah in a statement, “All this is for my fans, they have loved my work and I am sure they will love this too!”

     

    Added Fazilpuria, “It has been great working with Badshah on this fun song. We have already received a great response by our fans and I am sure people will love the song video.”

     

    An addition to Sony Music’s artist repertoire, Badshah’s ‘Chull’ is ought to be the upcoming party slogan of the year!

     

    Sony Music recently signed on Badshah, who got his first Bollywood break with ‘Saturday Saturday’ in Dharma Productions forthcoming film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania that has now become a party anthem!

  • PVR Director’s Rare and HumaraMovie come together to launch ‘Shuruaat’

    PVR Director’s Rare and HumaraMovie come together to launch ‘Shuruaat’

    MUMBAI: HumaraMovie is associating with PVR Directors Rare- limited release arm of PVR Group to launch Indian short film festival aptly called ‘Shuruaat’.

     

    With over 400 short film entries and 13 finalists, ‘Shuruaat’ promises to be the offspring board for budding film makers, who will be guided throughout the production and have been given access to a script consultant as well as casting, production and editing.

     

    The chosen filmmakers have created a short film around the topic ‘Interval’. The short film festival was open to filmmakers/creative artists all across India. The idea was to bring out the ingenuity in filmmaking and to cradle the creative mind of filmmakers.

     

    The selected participants will have their films screened in PVR as well as on HumaraMovie platforms. The winner will be decided by an audience vote for Rs 1 lakh prize money. The screened films will also get a home video release and the top two films will get a world premiere at the Ladakh International Film Festival.

     

    Filmmakers submitted an already existing film, along with a short 150 word biography about themselves. Participants were shortlisted basis their films and were given a topic on which they submitted screenplays. Based on the screenplays, 13 finalists were shortlisted who are now producing a short film with guidance from the mentors. There is no restriction on the genre of the film. The duration of the short film will be 15 minutes inclusive of opening and end credits.

     

    The relevance of the festival came from the statistics that showcase 15,000 films certified in a year out of which 11000 are short films. This indicates that each year, the number of documentary and short film makers in India taken as a category together rises by at least 20,000.

     

    The participants were mentored by popular names from the industry such as Imtiaz Ali, Anand Gandhi, Vikramaditya Motwane and Imtiaz Ali, Ritesh Shah, Kshiti Nijhawan Agrawal, Bijesh Jayarajan and Mukesh Chabbra.

  • Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprise their classic roles in ‘Dumb and Dumber To’ trailer

    Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprise their classic roles in ‘Dumb and Dumber To’ trailer

    MUMBAI: On Tuesday 10 June, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon premiered the exclusive trailer for Dumb and Dumber To starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. 

     

    Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprise their signature roles as Lloyd and Harry in the sequel to the smash hit that took the physical comedy and rocked the box office: Dumb and Dumber To. The original film’s directors, Peter and Bobby Farrelly, take Lloyd and Harry on a road trip to find a child Harry never knew he had and the responsibility neither should ever, ever be given.

     

    The Farrelly Brothers have been slowly building up steam for the film, and Jimmy Fallon’s show has been used as a great platform to make announcements about the project. After all, it was Jeff Daniels’ announcement on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last July that started us all down this rabbit hole. It would only seem fitting that the next step in the journey would take place where it all began. As Peter Farrelly explained on his Twitter page, “Jimmy’s our buddy so we’re giving him first crack at it.”

     

    Along with Carrey and Daniels, Dumb and Dumber To also stars Kathleen Turner (Romancing the Stone, Prizzi’s Honor) and Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Lining’s Playbook, American Hustle). The Farrelly brothers produce Dumb and Dumber To alongside Riza Aziz and Joey McFarland of Red Granite Pictures. They are joined by fellow producers Charles Wessler and Bradley Thomas.

     

    Click here to watch the trailer: