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Category: Movies

  • Shyam Benegal will make a 90 minute feature for Punjab government

    Shyam Benegal will make a 90 minute feature for Punjab government

    MUMBAI: One of the most renowned filmmakers in Hindi cinema, Shyam Benegal will be making a 90-minute film on the turbulent history of Punjab, a task which has been entrusted on him by the Government of Punjab.

     

    Benegal is known for some of his brilliant work in Hindi cinema, just to name a few: Ankur (1974), Bhumika: The Role (1977), Kalyug (1981), Mandi (1983), Zubeidaa (2001) and more recently Well Done Abba! (2009).

    He will be starting off with the work by monsoon as soon as he is ready with the script and is expecting the film to be ready by December. He feels the project is a great initiative by the government as a lot of youngsters aren’t aware about the formation of the present-day Punjab.

     

    The film will first be screened at the cultural centre, and later will be available on other platforms for viewing.

  • Madonna to direct her third project

    Madonna to direct her third project

    MUMBAI: According to the Hollywood Reporter, Madonna is set to helm the big screen adaptation of Ade: A Love Story, the debut novel of Rebecca Walker, daughter of Pulitzer Prize winning author Alice Walker (The Color Purple).

     

    Rebecca Walker will co-produce the film, along with Bruce Cohen, who produced Silver Linings Playbook and American Beauty. Adé: A Love Story holds a 3.67/5 ratings based on 179 ratings on Goodreads. In this stunning debut novella, Rebecca Walker turns her attention to the power of love and the limitations of the human heart.

     

    When Farida, a sophisticated college student, falls in love with Adé, a young Swahili man living on an idyllic island off the coast of Kenya, the two plan to marry and envision a simple life together – free of worldly possessions and concerns. But when Farida contracts malaria and finds herself caught in the middle of a civil war, reality crashes in around them. The lovers’ solitude is interrupted by a world in the throes of massive upheaval that threatens to tear them apart, along with all they cherish.

     

    Madonna evidently loved the book when it was published last year. She posted a picture of the cover on her Google+ account and quoted, “Read this Book! An incredible journey! A Beautiful LOVE story!”

     

    This film will be Madonna’s third outing in the director’s chair. Her last film was W.E., in 2011, a period retelling of the dire straits of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, while her directorial debut, 2008’s Filth and Wisdom was a comedy centered on roommates living desperate lives in London.

     

    Madonna was on a huge world tour last year, and was named the world’s top-earning celebrity by Forbes in 2013 with gross earnings of about $125 million.

     

  • FoxStar India opens cuckoo to solid start

    FoxStar India opens cuckoo to solid start

    MUMBAI: FoxStar Studios’ Cuckoo has opened strong in its opening weekend making it the highest grossing opening for a Tamil film without a big star cast in the last five years. Co-produced with The Next Big Film, Cuckoo is the fourth hit for Fox Star in the Tamil market. 

     

    Previous hits include Raja Rani, Vathikuchi and Engaeyum Eppothum (US grosses waiting for Dmitry). Cuckoo is a heartwarming love story between a blind couple.  

     

    Director Raju Murugan said: “I am grateful to the fraternity and the audiences for such a warm reception to the film. I could have never imagined this love and affection and such a huge success at the box office, for a film that was being directed by a debutant and did not boast of any big star power. I am thankful to Fox Star Studios and Next Big Films for showing faith in me and in my two powerhouse performers – Dinesh and Malavika, for coming up one of with the most memorable performances of 2014!” 

     

    Cuckoo is also Fox Star Studios first film post its successful three film deal with A R Murugadoss. And Murugadoss will be directing a Hindi film – Holiday – for the studio next. 

     

    Fox Star Studios CEO Vijay Singh added: “With Cuckoo, we, along with our co producers, The Next Big Film, have been able to demonstrate that content really is the king at the box office. With Raja Rani and now Cuckoo, we have given the industry two new talented directors, Atlee and Raju. With four back to back hits under our belt, three of which were in joint production with one of the giants of Tamil cinema, A R Murugadoss, we are now looking forward to some exciting times ahead, as our next Mundasuppati, in partnership with Thirukumaran Entertainment, gets ready for a release soon.” 

     

    Next up for Fox Star is its Hindi release Hawaa Hawaai directed by Amole Gupte (post Stanley Ka Dabba’s criticial and commercial success) slated for a release on 9 May.   

     

    Having considerably scaled up in the Hindi film market, Fox Star recently announced a four film deal with Vishesh films (on the back of Raaz 3, Jannat 2 and Murder 3‘s success) and has forged alliances with Pooja Entertainment and Films, Phantom Films, Illuminati Films and Endemol India.   

     

    Fox International Productions president Sanford Panitch said: “Fox Star India continues to use its strength in choosing projects, distribution and marketing of both Hollywood and Indian films, and in sustaining lasting partnerships to great results.”

  • Shilpa Shetty says her first film as producer has taught her various lessons

    Shilpa Shetty says her first film as producer has taught her various lessons

    NEW DELHI: Bollywood actress turned producer Shilpa Shetty Kundra says: “I never thought that my first film will be an action-mystery. I always thought that if ever I make a film it would be a comedy or a love story. But I loved the script of Dishkiyaaoon so much that I wanted people to know the story “.

     

    Addressing a press meet here, she said “Harman Baweja and and Ayesha Khanna are both great actors and extremely good looking, so there is bound to be chemistry that shoots through the roof”.

     

    Releasing with the tagline “Aadmi bardha ho ya chhota, koi farak nahi pardhta bas uski kahani bardhi honi chahiye”, the film is about the story of two small men who are on their way to make it big in the world of crime. The story revolves around a gangster Viki Kartoos (Harman Baweja) and action man Lakwa (Sunny Deol).

     

    Actor Sunny Deol who is known for angry ‘avatars’ in Bollywood would be seen as a powerful man with a Haryanvi touch in the film. Harman Baweja would be seen as a gangster in the movie. Though from the first promos the movie looks like any other movie in the action crime genre, Deol’s ‘Haryanvi’ ‘avatar’ makes it different.

     

    Other cast includes Prashant Narayanan and Aditya Pancholi.  The film is directed by Sanamjit Singh Talwaar, the music is by Palash Muchhal. 

     

    Produced by Shilpa Shetty and Sunil Lulla, the film is slated for release on 28 March. The trailer of this Eros International and ESM film has already created a stir on the social media.

     

    Ayesha, stylist turned actress, was discovered by producer Shilpa Shetty Kundra and was initially very hesitant, but got a lot of encouragement from Harman. Ayesha said: “I would take a lot of advice from Harman. He was extremely sweet and patient with me and never once made me feel like I was a newcomer. It was great working with him and I did learn a lot from him and that shows on-screen”. Harman revealed that he had never felt Ayesha was a newcomer.

  • Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Hercules’ movie trailer released

    Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Hercules’ movie trailer released

    MUMBAI: MGM and Paramount have come together to re-envision the classic Greek tale of the legend of Hercules starring Dwayne Johnson (The Scorpion King, Fast & Furious) as the legendary hero, adapted from Steve Moore’s graphic novel.

    The film boasts a stellar cast that includes Golden Globe Award winner Ian McShane (Deadwood, The Pillars of the Earth), BAFTA Award nominee Rufus Sewell (Eleventh Hour), BAFTA Award winner Joseph Fiennes (American Horror Story: Asylum), Emmy Award nominee Peter Mullan (Top of the Lake) and Golden Globe Award winner John Hurt (Midnight Express) and is directed by Brett Rattner (Rush Hour series).

    Ratner’s film follows the story of the warrior who, in the wake of his legendary twelve labours, becomes a mercenary. When the King of Thrace and his daughter seek him out for help to defeat a tyrannical warlord, his life is tested in a way it never has been before. Based on the graphic novel series Hercules: The Thracian Wars by Steven Moore and Admira Wijaya.

    The Rock took to Instagram to talk about the grueling preparations he undertook to get into the titular role for Hercules, which hits the big screen this summer.

    Click here to watch the trailer

    “I trained and worked harder than ever for eight months for this role. Lived alone and locked myself away (like a moody 260-lb. monk) in Budapest for six months while filming.” He said on his Instagram page, “Goal was to completely transform into this character. Disappear in the role. Press journalist asked me today, with the mental & physical toll the role had on me, would I do it again? Not only would I do it again… I’d do it twice!”

  • Q teams up with Nikon for fantasy thriller ‘Ludo’

    Q teams up with Nikon for fantasy thriller ‘Ludo’

    NEW DELHI: Famed director Q, who made the critically acclaimed and controversial film ‘Gandu’ which was banned from a theatrical release in India but later became a cult phenomenon across the globe, is now joining Nikon to make a fantasy thriller ‘Ludo’.

     Q’s films have always been festival bound and have won critical appreciation internationally. Not only this, BBC also calls him the ‘most subversive Indian filmmaker’. His latest film,’Tasher Desh’, premiered in Rome and was received very well. Nikon is Q’s collaborator and editor, an alumnus of SRFTI and Emily Carr, Vancouver. He has edited ‘Tasher Desh’, ‘Bishh’ and ‘Love in India.’ 

    ‘Ludo’ is being made under the banner of OverdoseJoint, Q’s production house, a progressive art platform making original films, music and design and is co-produced by Idyabooster and Starfire Movies.

    The movie stars the vivacious and beautiful actress Rii. Idyabooster, founded by Nandini Mansinghka, is a new venture that focuses on curating films and other creative entertainment projects for investors who are new to this class of investments. The company has a whole new approach to investing, enabling investors to commit smaller amounts, co-invest with other people and reduce the risk by creating a portfolio of films and creative projects they invest in.

    Starfire Movies, based in Delhi, has produced and funded ‘Kajarya’ (co-produced with OverdoseJoint and globally premiered in Dubai in December 2013) and Bengali films like ‘Khashi Katha’ (with Naseeruddin Shah) releasing in May 2014 and ‘King’ (in post-production) in Kolkata. They have also been involved in several other co-productions, animation and international documentary projects.

    This collaboration (of ‘Ludo’) is an eclectic mix of individuals who bring something unique to the table and promise an explosive and spine-chilling movie experience to the audience.

  • House of Cards actress cast in Mount Everest disaster film

    House of Cards actress cast in Mount Everest disaster film

    MUMBAI: Golden Globe Award winning actor Robin Wright (House of Cards) and Sam Worthington (Clash of the Titans) join Everest, Deadline reports. Everest is an upcoming film based on the 1996 Mount Everest Disaster, when eight people were caught in a blizzard and died on Mount Everest during summit attempts. In the entire season, fifteen people died trying to reach the summit, making it the deadliest single year in Mount Everest’s history.

     

    Academy Award winning actor Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain) and Academy Award nominee Josh Brolin (Milk) have also been cast in the disaster epic. Joining them are actors Jason Clarke (The Great Gatsby) and Academy Award nominee John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone). Wright will play the wife is Brolin’s character, a doctor who braves the elements over an arduous night. Worthington is set to play the role of a scaling expert from New Zealand.

     

    Everest is being directed by Academy Award nominee Baltasar Kormákur (The Deep). The film is currently being shot on location in Nepal and will soon also shoot in the Italian Dolomites and at Cinecitta Studious in Rome and Pinewood Studios in the UK, according the Hollywood Reporter.

  • Sunny Leone’s ‘Ragini MMS 2’ sizzles at the box-office

    Sunny Leone’s ‘Ragini MMS 2’ sizzles at the box-office

    MUMBAI: Ragini MMS 2 has an eventful opening weekend serving the purpose of casting Sunny Leone in the lead, as she was expected to be the star draw. The film has collected Rs 21.4 crore for the opening weekend; but is not expected to sustain during the week.

     

    Ankhon Dekhi, Lakshmi and Gang Of Ghosts fail to find the audience this weekend.

     

    Bewakoofiyan starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sonam Kapoor has failed to make a mark at the box office. After an indifferent four day opening weekend, the first week run accounts for Rs 12.55 crore.

     

    Queen continues to defy all norms to exceed its first week collections in week two backed by much appreciation. The film collects Rs 19.2 crore taking its two week tally to Rs 37.7 crore. The film continues to do well in its third week as well; lack of a worthy opposition helping its cause as well.

     

    Gulaab Gang drops below Rs 1 crore in its second week, adds just Rs 90 lakh taking its two week total to Rs 11.1crore.

     

    Total Siyapaa takes its two week tally to Rs 6.35 crore after adding Rs 50 lakh for its second week.

     

    Shaadi Ke Side Effects manages a fair sum of Rs 1.5 crore in its third week, in the absence of competition; taking its three week total to Rs 36.55 crore.

  • Amazing Spiderman sequel to hit Indian shores a day before US screens

    Amazing Spiderman sequel to hit Indian shores a day before US screens

    NEW DELHI: The first trailer of The Amazing Spider Man 2, which will see its Indian release a day prior to the release in US, has been released.

     

    Presently in English, the trailer will soon be out in Hindi as well.

     

    The film is being released by Sony Entertainment Pictures in 2D, 3D and IMAX on 1 May in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The US release will be on 2 May.

     

    Actor Vivek Oberoi will be lending his voice in the Hindi version for the role of Max Dillon aka Electro. In the original English version, Electro is played by Oscar winning actor Jamie Foxx.

     

    Sony Pictures India MD Kercy Daruwala said: “We are very happy to have Vivek on board for the Hindi version of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The Hindi version is a large part of our box office and it’s a very important role that Vivek will be playing in its success. Vivek has played a villain so brilliantly in the past and is already a familiar face in the genre. Kids in particular love him.”

     

    Oberoi, ecstatic on giving his voice to Electro said: “I have always been a huge fan of the Spider-Man comics and films and am thrilled to see that the franchise has just grown bigger and better with each film. I have been tremendously excited for The Amazing Spider-Man 2’s release ever since the first trailer came out, and when I was offered to voice Electro for the Hindi version, I was immediately interested in this unique opportunity. Max Dillon/Electro is an immensely fascinating and complex character and it will be interesting to face off with Spider-Man. After my turn as super villain Kaal in Krrish 3, (which grossed Rs 250 crore at the box office) was incredibly gratifying, this is just the icing on the cake. I have already begun dubbing.”

     

    Directed by Marc Webb, the film has big stars like Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Campbell Scott, Embeth Davidtz, Colm Feore with Paul Giamatti and Sally Field associated with it.

     

    Spider-Man’s most important conflict has been within himself:  the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man.  But in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker finds that his greatest battle is about to begin.

  • Endemol India and Lionsgate collaborate on a project

    Endemol India and Lionsgate collaborate on a project

    MUMBAI: There have been many instances in the past where big production houses collaborated to create cinematic brilliance on the big screen. Now, news comes that Lionsgate has made its way to Indian shores for the first time.

     

    One of the leading global entertainment conglomerate, and Endemol India, operating under the banner ‘Eyedentity Motion Pictures,’ will co-produce the sports drama Warrior in Hindi for the Indian subcontinent.

     

    Warrior (2011), inspired by Lionsgate’s critically-acclaimed North American release of the same name, will be the first film jointly produced by the two companies in India.

     

    “We have got a prestigious title that a lot of people have been vying to get into the country, but we have beaten the competition to it. We have isolated a few other titles as well, but currently we are focused on this acquisition,” said Endemol India CEO Deepak Dhar. “Action-filled and emotionally powerful with themes of forgiveness and the enduring bonds of family, Warrior will be a quality film made with top-of-the-line production values that we believe will strike a responsive chord with Indian audiences.”

     

    The partnership was negotiated by Rohit Tiwari at Morris St. Advisors, Lionsgate’s agents in India.

     

    Commenting on the association with Endemol India, Lionsgate president of worldwide television & digital distribution Jim Packer said, “Lionsgate is committed to identifying opportunities to produce and deliver motion pictures, television programming and other premium content to one of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the world.”

     

    Inspired by the American film of the same name, Warrior tells the story of two estranged brothers and deals with their struggling relationship with each other and their father. The film will be adapted for Indian audiences and re-written for Indian tastes. Its focus on contact sport will be integral to the storyline and will position Warrior as one of the few sports dramas made in India.

     

    Lionsgate COO of international distribution Andrew Kramer added, “Warrior is the kind of locally-produced property based on timeless themes that we expect to resonate with mainstream commercial audiences in India, and our partnership with Endemol’s Eyedentity Motion Pictures will bring valuable local expertise to our venture.”

     

    Lionsgate is a global entertainment company whose roster of mainstream commercial releases includes The Hunger Games and Twilight franchises which have grossed nearly $5 billion combined at the worldwide box office.

     

    Eyedentity Motion Pictures and Lionsgate are currently finalising the cast for the film which is scheduled to go into production in December 2014.

     

    “We are looking for established actors to reprise the role of the two brothers and the role of the father, which has been made iconic in the film,” adds Dhar.

     

    Endemol India has also partnered with Fox Star Studios for its ‘emotional thriller’, Traffic in the recent past. It marks the foray of Endemol into Hindi film industry as its first venture. Traffic is the Hindi adaptation of the critically acclaimed Malayalam blockbuster of the same name and will release in April 2014. The movie showcases a high voltage drama and a battle against time when stakes run high and life is in danger. The film stars Manoj Bajpai and Jimmy Shergill in the lead roles along with Bengali actor Prosenjit, Parambrata (of Kaahani fame), Divya Dutta, Kitu Gidwani and Sachin Khedekar. It will be helmed by the national award winning film maker Rajesh Pillai and adapted screenplay by Suresh Nair; with music by Mithoon.

     

    Eyedentity Motion Pictures (the film arm of Endemol India) marks its film debut in the southern market with the bilingual film (Tamil and Telugu) Anaamika (adaptation of Kahaani) in association with Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Moving Pictures. South actress Nayantara depicts a woman’s search for her missing husband that brings her from US to Hyderabad and is aptly supported by actors Vaibhav Reddy and Pasupathy.

     

    The film is directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Sekhar Kammula which is slated for release in April, 2014. Screenplay adapted by Sekhar Kammula and Yandamoori Veerendranath, music and background score composed by National Award winning music director M.M Keervani.

     

    With such a busy slate and more movies in the pipeline, Endemol India’s Eyedentity Motion Pictures looks set to become a production house to reckon with in the coming years.