ITV

Tag: Anurag Kashyap

  • Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone celebrate the little joys of life with Coca-Cola

    Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone celebrate the little joys of life with Coca-Cola

    MUMBAI: This New Year, the brand universally synonymous with happiness, Coca-Cola,gives a refreshing new twist to ‘Open Happiness’ and urges consumers to revel in the joys of life- big and small. The new campaign ‘Choti ho ya badi, har khushi mein Coca-Cola’, featuring the country`s heartthrobs and youth icons Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone seeks to embrace and celebrate all the little moments of happiness that life throws up.

     

    This campaign is another step in the company’s journey of taking Coca-Cola where it really belongs – the masses, the people at large. Coca-Cola’s great refreshing taste, its values; all resonate across the length and breadth of the country. This initiative is directed at helping the country’s fastest growing soft drink brand, Coca-Cola, tostay firmly on its course to the company’s Vision 2020.

    The new campaign, which brings together Farhan and Deepika for the first time for a television commercial, spreads the Coca-Cola promise of happiness through a series of delightfully charmingads directed by the celebrated Anurag Kashyap. The campaign sees the two actors liven up the screen with their chemistry and engaging interactions in some everyday situations which have them cherish and rejoice the little joys of life with a bottle of refreshing Coca-Cola.

    Speaking on the new campaign, Debabrata Mukherjee, VP – Marketing & Commercial, Coca-Cola India, said, “Coca-Cola is a brand that stands for optimism and happiness. With our new campaign, Choti ho ya badi, har khushi mein Coca-Cola’, we have translated the brand’s happy energy into a series of commercials which capture the essence of finding moments of joy in our day to day lives. The language is very colloquial; the situations are every day, so that every consumer in India can relate to it and feel happy about the celebratory situations. The message is very simple – celebrate your moments of happiness, small or big, with a bottle of Coca-Cola”.

     

    He further added, “We are very happy to have both Farhan Akhtar and DeepikaPadukone join the Coca-Cola family. Our communication for Coca-Cola this year focuses on reaching the masses and both Deepika and Farhan slipped into the roles of “everyday people” with great ease. They are great role models and very inspirational for millions across the country”

     

    Speaking about the campaign, newly appointed Coca-Cola brand ambassador, Actor Deepika Padukone said, “When I think of brand Coca-Cola the feeling of optimism and joy immediately resonates. I have been a huge fan of Brand Coca-Cola, one of the most aspirational and iconic brands in the world and I am glad to have finally got the opportunity to be associated with it. I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience and working with Farhan, Prasoon, Anurag and the entire team at Coca-Cola has been absolutely incredible. The beauty of brand Coca-Cola is the fact that it stands for values, which are very simple yet very powerful. Values which each and every individual in any part of the world will identify with. I am glad to play my part in delivering Coca-Cola’s message of ‘Happiness’ to one and all in a very ‘Refreshing’ and engaging manner”

     

    Speaking about his experience and association with Coca-Cola, Farhan Akthar said “What stands out about brand Coca-Cola is its universal appeal. No matter where in the world you are, Coca-Cola is synonymous with celebration and joy. I am extremely excited to partner with Coca-Cola and to bring this joy to millions of consumers across the country. The entire team behind this campaign has made the experience tremendously enriching for me. I had a wonderful time shooting for the campaign which has given me an opportunity to portray a distinctly new character. A campaign which will connect with the way people including my fans, far and wide, celebrate their moments of happiness – big or small. All in all, just like Coca-Cola, it has been a very ‘refreshing’ experience.”

     

    Anurag Kashyap who has directed the campaign, said, “The campaign pays ode to the ethos of brand Coca-Cola of celebrating moments of joy no matter how big or small. I loved the concept of taking the cosmopolitan and undoubtedly glamorous icons such as Deepika and Farhan and putting them in extremely rustic scenarios that appeal to masses across the country.The campaign is very fun, happy, and bubbly, just like the effervescence unique to a Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola has given us some iconic campaigns in the past that I have thoroughly enjoyed I hope this campaign receives the same appreciation.”

     

    The campaign has been scripted by Prasoon Joshi and his creative team at McCann Erickson. The film has been produced by Producer Guneet Monga’s Golden Gaddi Films and directed by acclaimed director, Anurag Kashyap. The music of the campaign has been created by Mikey McCleary and Vishal Khurana.

     

    In addition to leveraging mass media advertising, the integrated communication plan includes roll-out of an array of touch points including  out-of-home (OOH) media, digital, behind the label promotion, point of sale merchandise and on-ground initiatives across all key markets.

     

    Commenting on the Campaign, Prasoon Joshi, CEO and Chief Creative Officer, McCann World Group India says, “The concept of happiness is universal, and the joy that one look or a smile from that special someone invokes is universal and not constrained by demographics. Similarly, Coca-Cola delivers the promise of happiness universally; whether you are in small town or a metropolitan city you can celebrate the little joys of life with a refreshing bottle of Coca-Cola. It’s this thought that served as the inspiration for this campaign. We have Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone, two young and highly successful actors that have captured the imagination of the whole country essaying characters that you and I could bump into on the streets of Chandigarh or Allahabad or any other city. “

     

    Coca-Cola 2014 Thematic TVC- Feat Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone

  • MTV and MTV EXIT, presents “Traffic” by Anurag Kashyap

    MTV and MTV EXIT, presents “Traffic” by Anurag Kashyap

    MUMBAI: A beautiful life is something that each human aspires to live. But what happens when you are lured by opportunities that seem beneficial but in reality are a nightmare? Human trafficking is a real life horror that has victimised thousands of people across the globe. In an initiative that brings light to these atrocities and works towards ending them, MTV, India’s leading youth brand, MTV EXIT, the world’s largest behaviour change campaign in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation, and one of India’s finest directorial talents, Anurag Kashyap, present “Traffic”, an eye-opening five-episode thriller series. The series is part of a global campaign to educate young people about the growing presence of trafficking in the world, and aims at inspiring them, so they can STOP. THINK. ACT. The first episode of “Traffic” airs on MTV on February 28, 2014.

    More than 200,000 persons are believed to be trafficked into, withinor through India annually. According to studies conducted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, there are 3 million commercial sex workers in India, of which an estimated 40% are children. The five episodes of “Traffic” will highlighting varioustypes ofhuman trafficking, such as domestic servitude, forced marriage, being sold into prostitution, enslavement in a foreign land, organ trafficking and bonded labour.

    Speaking about this endeavour, AdityaSwamy, EVP and Business Head, MTV India, said,“Traffic is our initiative to raise awareness around human trafficking. It is happening every single day, all around us. Each one of us can make a difference and that’s what we want to communicate with this 5 part series. We are leveraging what we do best, content curation along with our broadcast and digital capability to reach out to people in a voice that will make them listen. MTV EXIT has done exceptional work in this field globally and it’s with these learnings that we begin the India chapter.

    Anchored and produced by the multi-talented AnuragKashyap, a 30-minute episode of “Traffic” will air every Friday at 7:00 pm starting February 28, 2014. “Traffic” will follow the journey of five people who were misled into the darkest abyss but emerged victorious by building up the strength to ask for help. With an aim to create awareness of this ever-growing social evil, each story will be narrated in a gripping format taking the viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions.

    Anchor and Producer, “Traffic”, AnuragKashyap said, “Over the last few years, I have wanted to work on a project on human trafficking. So when I was approached by MTV for ‘Traffic’, I was thrilled. Through these films I want to reach out to my fans, especially the youngsters and make them aware of the perils oftrafficking.”

    Nirmala Nair, Country Manager – India, MTV EXIT said, “Research shows that an estimated 20.9 million people globally are in forced labour at any given time due to trafficking — and Asia contributes to 56% of this figure. While the statistics are shocking, very little is being done towards this cause. This is where MTV EXIT steps in. We’re committed to engaging, educating and empowering young people with the information and tools they need to help end human trafficking. Through ‘Traffic’ we will reach out to a huge audience of young people with information on human trafficking, and provide them with clear actions to reduce the demand for trafficking. It’s time to take a stand and act.”

    Debra Rosen, Movement Director of Walk Free said, “Education and awareness is the first step to bringing modern slavery to an end. That’s why a series like ‘Traffic’ is so important. It not only teaches you how to protect yourself, but inspires you to share your knowledge so that more people make ending modern slavery a priority.” In order to help reach an even larger audience, an anthem for “Traffic”was created by one of the most talented musicians in the country, Hitesh Sonik. Penned by renowned lyricist Piyush Mishra, the anthem is sung by Suraj Jagan.

    “Traffic” by MTV and MTV EXIT will be supported by a 360-degree marketing campaign across platforms. In addition to on-air, fans will also be engaged through various social media platforms.

    “Traffic” starts February 28, 2014 at 7pm only on MTV

     

  • Sundance Institute and Mahindra choose 4 filmmakers for global recognition

    Sundance Institute and Mahindra choose 4 filmmakers for global recognition

    MUMBAI: With every passing day, the independent filmmakers are becoming a force to reckon with. The young, emerging filmmakers just don’t satisfy their passion for filmmaking but also put across the message they believe in through their films. And if the works of these young filmmakers are recognised, the work just gets better.

    The Sundance Institute and Mahindra did that only by announcing the winners of the 2014 Sundance Institute, Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award, in recognition and support of emerging independent filmmakers from around the world. The four winning directors and projects are: Hong Khaou for the film Monsoon from Vietnam/UK; Tobias Lindholm for A War from Denmark; Ashlee Page for Archive from Australia; and Neeraj Ghaywan for Fly Away Solo from India.

    The awards were presented at a private ceremony at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, U.S.A. by Mumbai Mantra chairman Rohit Khattar, Feature Film Program, Sundance Institute founding director Michelle Satter, and International Sundance Institute Feature Film Program director Paul Federbush.

    Ecstatic about the honour Neeraj Ghaywan posted on Facebook, “I kept this a secret for a long time but now it’s out. I am at Sundance film festival in Utah. I just got awarded the Global Filmmaker award by Mahindra Sundance. This is for my first feature film Fly Away Solo (Ud Jaayega). This is for us Varun Grover!! Thank you Anurag Kashyap, Dipa De Motwane, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vikas Bahl, Madhu Mantena,Guneet Monga, Aparna Purohit, Avinash Arun, Utpal Pathak, Abhay Tripathi in helping me get to this point. Special thanks to a lot of the cast and crew, who I can’t mention here as of now.”

    Now in its fourth year, the Sundance Institute, Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award is part of a multifaceted collaboration that exemplifies a commitment to and support of world cinema by the Mahindra Group, one of the largest industrial conglomerates in India known throughout the world for its dedication to excellence and to social responsibility, and the nonprofit Sundance Institute, one of the world’s leading cultural organizations.

    The partnership, which also includes the establishment of the Mumbai Mantra, Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab in India, began in 2011. The Screenwriters Lab will announce the selection for its third edition in March. The lab brings together eight Indian screenwriters from across the world to develop their works under the guidance of accomplished international screenwriters in an environment that encourages storytelling at the highest level.
    Each of the four winning filmmakers will receive a cash award of $10,000, attendance at the Sundance Film Festival for targeted industry and creative meetings, year-round mentoring from Institute staff and creative advisors, eligibility to participate in a Sundance Institute Lab, and ongoing creative and strategic support from Sundance Institute’s renowned Feature Film Program.

    “Sundance Institute shares with Mahindra Group a joint global commitment to nurturing new artists,” said Sundance Institute President and Founder Robert Redford.  “India is one of the most extraordinary cultures in the world, with the support of Anand Mahindra and his group, Sundance Institute screenwriters’ lab can support the next generation of their storytellers.”

    “At a time when there is no dearth of issues around the world that are crying out to be heard, the Global Filmmaking award recognizes independent film-makers who give expression to those voices. The Mahindra Group is proud to assist the Sundance Institute in this endeavour, which, in line with the Group’s ‘Rise’ philosophy, aims to drive a positive change in communities across the world,” said Mahindra Group chairman & managing director Anand Mahindra.

     

  • Aamir Khan’s PK to release during Christmas

    Aamir Khan’s PK to release during Christmas

    MUMBAI: Aamir Khan fans have been waiting with bated breath for his next PK directed by Raj Kumar Hirani. When the two of them joined their hands earlier, the outcome was the blockbuster 3 Idiots. But the wait for the fans is going to be longer as an official statement reveals that the film that was supposed to be released in June, will now release during Christmas.

     

    We wonder the cause behind pushing the movie ahead by more than six months as earlier it was supposed to release in June. Is it because Aamir’s Christmas releases usually turn out to be blockbusters? It could be a possible reason.

     

    Interestingly, the Christmas week will also see the release of Anurag Kashyap’s ambitious project, Bombay Velvet starring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma. With two big releases with similarly big stars, we just hope the industry does a good business. 

  • Anurag Kashyap says ‘Queen’ was more difficult to shoot than ‘GOW’

    Anurag Kashyap says ‘Queen’ was more difficult to shoot than ‘GOW’

    MUMBAI: Anurag Kashyap known to push the envelope when it comes to film making. He received much critical acclaim for Gangs of Wasseypur, but the producer recently revealed that shooting for Queen produced by Viacom Motion Pictures & Phantom Films, was far tougher than GOW. The Kangana Ranaut starrer was shot across 140 locations in three countries, making it a hard task for the crew to crack.

     

    Queen takes audiences through the journey of a small-town girl, who decides to go alone on her honeymoon. Says a source, “While Anurag is known to shoot his films in a tell-it-as-it-is manner, he always jests that Queen has been the most difficult to shoot since a lot of coordination in logistics were required. The makers shot the film in over 140 locations both in India and abroad.”

     

    Says director Vikas Bahl, “Yes we have shot extensively across the globe and in that sense it was pretty tough to shoot. Anurag would often joke that Queen was much tougher to film than GOW.”

     

    The film is scheduled to release on 28 February, 2014.

  • Ram-Leela to open Marrakech International Film Fest

    Ram-Leela to open Marrakech International Film Fest

    MUMBAI: Eros International and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela starring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh will open the 13th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival on 29 November, 2013. Director/producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Deepika Padukone will be at the festival during the opening ceremony.

     

    And that isn’t all! Apart from being the first Bollywood film this year to be opening an international festival, the film will also be screened for the festival’s jury, some of the biggest names in world cinema including Oscar winning director Martin Scorsese, Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Patricia Clarkson of The Untouchables and Shutter Island fame, Oscar and Bafta award winner Marion Cottilard who starred in Inception and The Dark Knight Rises and Anurag Kashyap from home turf who has always gone on to say that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one of the finest filmmakers in the country.

  • Shyam Benegal to head jury for Asia Pacific Screen Awards

    Shyam Benegal to head jury for Asia Pacific Screen Awards

    NEW DELHI: Famed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s Ugly has been shortlisted in the features in competition of the 7th Annual Awards of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

    Other films from acclaimed filmmakers include Hong Kong’s Wong Kar Wai (The Grandmaster), Japan’s Hayao Miyazaki (The Wind Rises) and Hirokazu Kore Eda (Like Father, Like Son), as well as Kim Ki Duk (Moebius) from the Republic of Korea and Asghar Farhadi (The Past) from the Islamic Republic of Iran. First timers competing with them include Singapore’s Anthony Chen (Ilo, Ilo) and Australia’s Kim Mordaunt (The Rocket).

     

    The International Nominations Council is currently deliberating in Brisbane ahead of the 2013 nominations announcement this month. The 2013 Asia Pacific Screen Awards ceremony will be held in Brisbane’s historic City Hall on 12 December at a glittering event, with nominees and industry luminaries in attendance. Films are submitted to the awards across four categories; Feature Film, Documentary Feature Film, Animated Feature Film and Children’s Feature Film.

     

    The 2013 International Nominations Council are currently in Brisbane to determine the nominees in the six feature film categories of Best Feature Film, Achievement in Directing, Best Screenplay, Achievement in Cinematography, Best Performance by an Actress and Best Performance by an Actor.

     

    The awards are the Asia Pacific region’s highest accolade in film, recognising and promoting cinematic excellence and cultural diversity of the world’s fastest growing film region: comprising 70 countries and areas, 4.5 billion people, and responsible for half of the world’s film output.

     

    With an incredibly strong line-up of over 230 films from 41 countries and areas, including Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film submissions from an unprecedented 19 countries, the 2013 competition reinforces the award’s position as the region’s highest accolade in film, recognising and promoting the cinematic excellence and cultural diversity of the vast Asia Pacific.

     

    Features in competition for 2013 include films not only awarded within their own countries and areas, but also at the world’s leading film festivals beyond Asia Pacific, with the line-up including multiple award winners from Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, Sundance, Venice and Tribeca.

     

    Winners in the feature film categories will be determined by the 2013 APSA International Jury, headed by esteemed Indian screenwriter and director Shyam Benegal, who will lead a group of accomplished Jury members including Korean screenwriter and director Kim Tae-yong, “Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema” actress of stage and screen Hon Dr Malani Fonseka, Turkish actor Tamer Levent, Swiss director Christoph Schaub and Hong Kong producer Albert Lee. The International Jury can also, at its discretion, present a further prize: the Jury Grand Prize, for which nominated feature films are eligible.

     

    Winners of the Documentary Feature Film, Animated Feature Film and Children’s Feature Film categories will be peer-voted by the APSA Academy members.

     

    The Middle Eastern countries encompassed by the Asia Pacific region have a particularly strong number of entries this year, from countries and areas including Iraqi Kurdistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and the Palestinian Territories. The Islamic Republic of Iran alone sees no less than four grand masters of cinema in the competition, APSA Academy members Asghar Farhadi (The Past), Jafar Panahi (Closed Curtain), Mohammad Rasoulof (Manuscripts Don’t Burn) and also Mohsen Makhmalbaf (The Gardener).

     

    APSA Director of Awards Competition, Maxine Williamson is thrilled by the final competition: ‘It’s extremely satisfying to see the competition line up get even stronger year after year, and what is particularly rewarding in 2013 is the healthy number of entries received from the thriving APSA Academy, testament to the ever-growing strength of the awards.’

     

    In addition to the many entries from APSA Academy members, the completed 2011 MPA APSA Academy Film Fund project, Maryam Ebrahimi’s documentary feature film No Burqas Behind Bars, is also entered in competition, and is the third completed film fund project to enter the competition.

     

    Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said of the close of competition: “This is a very exciting part of the Awards process, and I looking forward to announcing the 2013 nominees. It will be our great pleasure to welcome the nominees to Brisbane in December for this extremely prestigious international event.”

     

     The chairman of the 2013 International Nominations Council is South Korea’s Professor Hong-Joon Kimwhi is a published author, award-winning director and screenwriter, Professor Kim is also a former Commissioner of the Korean Film Council and is a Film Professor at the Korean National University of Arts.

     

    Members include India’s Meenakshi Shedde, an independent film curator, film festival consultant, film critic, film director and journalist who is the India Consultant to the Berlin and Dubai Film Festivals; Jeanette Paulson Hereniko (Hawaii), the founder of the Hawaii International Film Festival, a founding board member of the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC), and a former film festival juror at Berlin, Rotterdam, Busan, Singapore and Mumbai; Kathryn Weir (Australia), head curator of the Australian Cinémath?que and also Head Curator of International Contemporary Art at Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA); producer Peggy Chiao (Taiwan), the former chairperson of the prestigious Golden Horse Film Festival, and the pioneer who cultivated the co-production of films among China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan; Philip Cheah (Singapore), film critic, Vice-President of NETPAC and program consultant for the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival, Cinema Digital Seoul Film Festival, South-east Asian Film Festival, Shanghai International Film Festival, Dubai International Film Festival and the Asia Pacific Films website; and APSA Film Competition Director Maxine Williamson (Australia).

     

    Two additional major awards for outstanding achievement will be presented at the ceremony. The UNESCO Award for outstanding contribution to the promotion and preservation of cultural diversity through film, and the FIAPF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film which celebrates a film practitioner from the region whose career and actions contribute strongly to the development of the film industry. The APSA NETPAC Development Prize of $ 5,000 will also be awarded.

     

    The Asia Pacific Screen Awards are managed by economic development board Brisbane Marketing in a unique collaboration with Paris-based UNESCO and FIAPF-International Federation of Film Producers Associations.

  • Anushka Sharma turns producer, joins hands with Phantom for NH-10

    Anushka Sharma turns producer, joins hands with Phantom for NH-10

    MUMBAI: Anushka Sharma is joining hands with Phantom to produce Navdeep Singh’s next film titled, NH 10. Anushka, who plays the lead in the film, liked the script so much that she has decided to co-produce it with Phantom.

     

    The deal makes the 25-year-old actor the youngest actor-producers on the block taking her to a different league altogether vis-?-vis her contemporaries. With two of the biggest films Rajkumar Hirani’s Peekay with Aamir Khan and Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet with Ranbir Kapoor, NH 10 will be her third release next year.

     

    Continuing with their content driven films like Lootera, which released this year, Phantom will back Navdeep Singh to direct his second film post his critically acclaimed debut Manorama 6 Feet Under. The film is full with edge of the seat action and thrills, when a road trip goes wrong. It brings together a very talented crew of technicians including international action directors.

     

    Speaking on her new role, Anushka says, “I’m thrilled to get a chance to do this so early in my career. I couldn’t have found a better project than NH-10 to kick-start this new phase in my film journey. This is my second film after Bombay Velvet with Phantom, and it’s a blast working with them. It’s going to be super-exciting working together again on what promises to be an explosive film.”

     

    Vikramaditya Motwane, who is a part of the Phantom team, is excited to partner with the young actor. He says, “We love to partner with the talent we work with. It’s extremely reassuring for us when the lead actor wants to join hands, to back an outstanding script like NH10. We strongly believe in the script and know that Navdeep is going to make a kickass film out of it”.

     

    The film will be shot this winter across the northern plains around Delhi, NH 10 and will release on 12 September, 2014.

  • Extravagant India awards in Paris was nothing short of extravagant

    Extravagant India awards in Paris was nothing short of extravagant

    NEW DELHI: Lunch Box by Ritesh Batra, which missed the Indian selection to the Oscars by a whisker, was voted the best film at the Extravagant India awards in Paris.

    Path-breaking filmmaker Anurag Kashyap received the best director award for his film Ugly, which is also being featured in a retrospective of his films in Europe as part of the Europalia.India Festival.

    The late Rituparno Ghosh, who passed away earlier this year, was named best actor for his own film Chitrangada.

    Actress Vidya Balan received the best actress award for The Dirty Picture by Milan Luthria and Kahaani by Sujoy Ghosh.

    The Festival was held from 16 to 22 October in Paris. The jury for the feature films comprised Coline Serreau (director and President of the jury), Armand Amar (composer), Joël Farges (producer).

     The best documentary award went to Children of the Pyre by Rajesh S Jala while the renowned Pan Nalin’s film Faith Connection got a special jury mention.  

    The Jury for documentaries comprised Euzhan Palcy (director and President of the jury), Charlotte Uzu (Les Fims d’ici), and Claude Gilaizeau (Productions de la Lanterne).

    The film Allah is Great by Andrea Iannetta, which was produced by the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, won the Best Short film award.

    The Jury for short films was Jean-Charles Mille (distribution Premium Films – President of the jury), Abel Jafry (actor), and Benoit Blanchard (producer).

    The Feature Jury president Coline Serreau said: “The selection was fascinating, rich and diverse. We plunged into the movies with delight, and with the feeling to approach and to discover this boiling continent, in which all the contradictions of the world in future are at work.”

    He added: “I hope that the Indian cinema will take from now on its just place in the French public. Long life to this festival, whose 2014 edition, I would love to already know.”

    Euzhan Palcy said: “This first edition of the Festival offered us an Indian cinema of a high quality and which participates of the cultural diversity which the world needs. By supporting this festival, France will continue to play its leader’s role for the cultural diversity.”

    Happiness Distribution is distributing Batra’s film in France on 13 December, while Kashyap’s film will be released in France in March 2014.

    Sophie Dulac Distribution will distribute Faith Connection by Pal Nalin under the title Kumbh Mela, Les chemins de la Foi.

    The Indian Delegation comprised Irrfan Khan (actor in Lunchbox), Prakash Jha (director of Raajneeti), Sujoy Gosh (director of Kahaani), Rajesh S. Jala (director of Children of the Pyre, Andrea Ianneta (director of Allah is Great), Film Federation of India President Bijay Khemka and Secretary General Supran Sen, Manoj Srivastava who is Head of Bollywood the film City project Marwan, Ranvir Nayar who is Director of Media India, Sutapa Sikdar (scriptwriter), and  Ramesh Tekwani, President of  “Docs & Shorts”.

  • Extravagant India awards in Paris was nothing short of extravagant

    Extravagant India awards in Paris was nothing short of extravagant

    NEW DELHI: Lunch Box by Ritesh Batra, which missed the Indian selection to the Oscars by a whisker, was voted the best film at the Extravagant India awards in Paris.

     

    Path-breaking filmmaker Anurag Kashyap received the best director award for his film Ugly, which is also being featured in a retrospective of his films in Europe as part of the Europalia.India Festival.

     

    The late Rituparno Ghosh, who passed away earlier this year, was named best actor for his own film Chitrangada.

     

    Actress Vidya Balan received the best actress award for The Dirty Picture by Milan Luthria and Kahaani by Sujoy Ghosh.

     

    The Festival was held from 16 to 22 October in Paris. The jury for the feature films comprised Coline Serreau (director and President of the jury), Armand Amar (composer), Joël Farges (producer).

     

     The best documentary award went to Children of the Pyre by Rajesh S Jala while the renowned Pan Nalin’s film Faith Connection got a special jury mention.  

     

    The Jury for documentaries comprised Euzhan Palcy (director and President of the jury), Charlotte Uzu (Les Fims d’ici), and Claude Gilaizeau (Productions de la Lanterne).

     

    The film Allah is Great by Andrea Iannetta, which was produced by the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, won the Best Short film award.

     

    The Jury for short films was Jean-Charles Mille (distribution Premium Films – President of the jury), Abel Jafry (actor), and Benoit Blanchard (producer).

     

    The Feature Jury president Coline Serreau said: “The selection was fascinating, rich and diverse. We plunged into the movies with delight, and with the feeling to approach and to discover this boiling continent, in which all the contradictions of the world in future are at work.”

     

    He added: “I hope that the Indian cinema will take from now on its just place in the French public. Long life to this festival, whose 2014 edition, I would love to already know.”

     

    Euzhan Palcy said: “This first edition of the Festival offered us an Indian cinema of a high quality and which participates of the cultural diversity which the world needs. By supporting this festival, France will continue to play its leader’s role for the cultural diversity.”

     

    Happiness Distribution is distributing Batra’s film in France on 13 December, while Kashyap’s film will be released in France in March 2014.

     

    Sophie Dulac Distribution will distribute Faith Connection by Pal Nalin under the title Kumbh Mela, Les chemins de la Foi.

    The Indian Delegation comprised Irrfan Khan (actor in Lunchbox), Prakash Jha (director of Raajneeti), Sujoy Gosh (director of Kahaani), Rajesh S. Jala (director of Children of the Pyre, Andrea Ianneta (director of Allah is Great), Film Federation of India President Bijay Khemka and Secretary General Supran Sen, Manoj Srivastava who is Head of Bollywood the film City project Marwan, Ranvir Nayar who is Director of Media India, Sutapa Sikdar (scriptwriter), and  Ramesh Tekwani, President of  “Docs & Shorts”.