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Tag: Madhur Bhandarkar

  • Supreme Court scraps ‘draconian’ Section 66A of IT Act

    Supreme Court scraps ‘draconian’ Section 66A of IT Act

    MUMBAI: In a landmark judgement the Indian Supreme Court today scrapped the ‘draconian’ Section 66A of the IT Act, which provides the power to arrest a person for posting allegedly offensive content online.

     

    The court ruled that the controversial Section 66A of the Information Technology Act was unconstitutional.

     

    The move comes in the wake of multiple arrests that have been made over the last year of citizens for posting their personal views on social media websites like Facebook and Twitter. The latest was the arrest of a teenager from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh last week. The Class 12 student was arrested and sent to jail for a Facebook post about senior Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan.

     

    The order was delivered by a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court on petitions filed by civil rights groups and a law student, who argued that Section 66A violated people’s fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. In the judgment, the Supreme Court said, “There is a difference between discussion, advocacy and incitement. Discussion and advocacy, no matter how annoying, is allowed.”

     

    The Supreme Court’s move has been lauded by members of the film and media fraternity online, who took to Twitter to express their views on the verdict.

     

    Journalist turned filmmaker Pritish Nandy tweeted, “Section 66A of the IT Act, the noxious, draconian law has been struck down by the Supreme Court. Restores our faith in democracy. What an achievement! @karunanundy #66A, the black act goes.”

     

    Director Madhur Bhandarkar said, “Landmark judgement by Hon Supreme Court as it strikes down Sec 66A of IT Act. Freedom of thought & expression rightly upheld in a democracy.”

     

    Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur added, “As Supreme Court has quashed #Sec66A, its time for every1 to realise growing power of #socialmedia… a powerful tool 2 be used responsibly.”

     

    Actress Suchitra Krishnamurty tweeted, “Yippee #Sec66A has been scrapped. So our freedom of speech is back. Can we have a law to scrap/challenge bans imposed by Govt too?”

     

    Journalist Sagarika Ghosh expressed her views by tweeting this, “Now that #Sec66A gone, in same spirit will GOI apologise to Priya Pillai, allow Wendy Doniger, un-ban books, stop calling media anti-national?”

     

    India Today consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai tweeted, “The only exception to free speech must remain hate speech and incitement to violence. Defamation/slander as per common law. #Sec66A”

     

  • ‘Mary Kom’ is the most awaited film of 2014!

    ‘Mary Kom’ is the most awaited film of 2014!

    MUMBAI: With the release date just three days away, Priyanka Chopra starrer Mary Kom is already being received with raging enthusiasm across the country. The movie has been listed by various media firms as a film to look out for.

     

    Mary Kom has received immense support from every corner of the Indian film industry. Actors like Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh hailed Priyanka as the ‘#RagingBulbul’ and veteran filmmakers like Madhur Bhandarkar, Kunal Kohli have also expressed their eagerness to watch the film. With elements of intense ferocity intertwined with heart-warming romance, ‘Mary Kom’ is definitely the most awaited movie of 2014.

     

    Talking about the movie, Priyanka Chopra said that Mary Kom has been the “hardest movie of her life.” She trained for hours in the gym despite 18 hours of shooting for other projects over two years to achieve the body and body language of a boxer. All her hard work is paying off as every aspect of the film has been lapped up by fans and media alike.

     

    The movie has also taken social media by storm. Social media is alive with appreciation for the film; the first trailer having received over 45 lakh views on YouTube so far. Every music video has been widely shared and talked about, and #MaryKomFirstLook was the top trend on Twitter as early as 14 July 2014.

     

    ‘Mary Kom’, the film is about the Indian Boxer and Olympic Bronze medallist MC Mary Kom. Depicting her life, struggles, family and her perseverance to be the best – Priyanka Chopra stars as Mary Kom along with Darshan Kumaar, Sunil Thapa, Shishir Sharma and American actor Zachary Coffin. Directed by Omung Kumar, ‘Mary Kom’ is produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures & Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film is scheduled for release on 5 September 2014.

  • Priyanka Chopra turns producer with Madamji, launches Purple Pebble Pictures

    Priyanka Chopra turns producer with Madamji, launches Purple Pebble Pictures

    NEW DELHI: The actor-turned singer, model and performer has now added another feather to her cap: Priyanka has now her arrival as a Producer with her maiden project, Madamji, which is in partnership with Madhur Bhandarkar.

     

    The multi-faceted, national award winning Chopra is already Bollywood’s poster girl for pushing boundaries, taking risks and treading new paths.

     

    Madamji is Chopra’s first venture as producer under her banner Purple Pebble Pictures. The film, a signature Madhur Bhandarkar style entertainer, is a gritty, hard-hitting look into the murky world of politics.

     

    Talking about her new step, Chopra said,” I’m in love with everything to do with movies..The process, the creativity, the magic and this is an extension of that.  I’m looking forward to the learning, the madness and the creative satisfaction of bringing a film alive.”

     

    Chopra’s last assignment with Bhandarkar, Fashion, was not only critically acclaimed but also a box-office winner. The film not only won all major awards but also set the foundation and benchmark for acceptance of female oriented films in India.

     

    “I’ve had a wonderful experience working with Madhur in the past. As a director, he has a clear vision of what he wants and his choice of stories has always been very intriguing and exciting.  When he narrated the story to me, apart from everything else, I knew it would a great first project for me in production.  I’ve shared a wonderful, working relationship with both Madhur and Ram and we are all very excited about presenting the story to the world,” she added.

     

    Purple Pebble Pictures and Bhandarkar Entertainment’s ‘Madamji’ goes on the floors in October. The film is produced in association with Ram Mirchandani’s, Rampage Motion Pictures.

     

    Excited about the collaboration, the director of Madamji, Bhandarkar said, “Though I can’t divulge many details on the film at this stage, it is a performance oriented film of an item girl who turns into a top-notch politician and will not just be an eye-opener but a complete entertainer”.

  • Madhur Bhandarkar attends the Indian Film Week in Russia

    Madhur Bhandarkar attends the Indian Film Week in Russia

    MUMBAI: Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, who has quite a few awards and critical acclaims in his kitty including a National Award for his film Fashion, recently got another appreciation.

     

    The filmmaker, who visited Russia to attended The Indian Film Week In Russia from 25 November to 3 December, 2013 organised by the Indian Embassy, Moscow in association with the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Center, Moscow, was felicitated by the Indian Ambassador of Russia, Ajai Malhotra in Moscow for his contribution to Indian Cinema.

     

    Besides, two of Bhandarkar’s films, Heroine and Page 3 were also screened during the week.

  • Molecule Communications presents Cinema Beyond Boundaries

    Molecule Communications presents Cinema Beyond Boundaries

    Keeping up the trend that started last year, Molecule Communications (P) Ltd. proudly announces its second annual conference Ticket to Bollywood II “Cinema Beyond Boundaries” for film industry professionals from the East and West at New York.

     

    This event is a platform for the filmmakers from around the globe to recount experiences in the field and discuss the tricks of the trade. Film professionals who define the new global cinema movement and have given rise to the new globally interconnected film industry would be a part of the symposium.

     

    This year producer and director Madhur Bhandarkar who is known for films like Chandni Bar, Satta, Page 3, Corporate, Fashion, Jail, Heroine and Advaita Kala, writer of Kahaani and Anjaana Anjaani would represent the East. Brooklyn based director Micheal Canzoniero known for Don Peyote (2013) starring Anne Hathaway and Josh Duhamel; actor, comedian and singer and co-writer and co- director of Don Peyote, Tony Award winner Dan Fogler who starred in Balls of Fury, director and producer Vladan Nikolic and actors Saritha Choudhry, Ajay Naidu and Reshma Shetty from the west would grace the event. Other speakers would be Dylan Marchetti of Variance films and Elliott Kanbar, president of the Quad Media in New York. Wayne Sharpe, the versatile music composer from New York who has composed music scores for Gangaajal, Apaharan, Raajneeti would also be a speaker at the event.

     

    Continuing the last year’s format for the event where the filmmakers gave insights, talked openly about their successes and failures, the mistakes they made and the lessons they learnt; the event aims at ensuring that the invitees would gain enough knowledge.

     

    “Bollywood is in my blood and my passion however the event is not restricted to song dance or action, it is beyond that. I love dhinchak sequences from Bollywood, larger than life visuals of Hollywood and Pakistani music. We are audiences who like content and for us entertainment isn’t restricted to countries and their boundaries. Redefining world cinema is what we aim at. Thanks to my brother Ajay Shrivastav (New York) who took this initiative,” said Kiren Shrivastav, CEO Molecule Communications.

     

    This three- day event would focus on the global influence of Indian cinema, forecast changes in the fast growing and rapidly evolving filmmaking industry. Actors, directors, writers and music directors would gather to share how it is to make cinema by blending different cultures and to bring them beyond the Indian Diaspora.

    Excited about this conference, Madhur said, “Indian cinema is no more limited to audiences in India. We have viewers all around the world and hence understanding the global perspective is a must. Molecule Communications’ Cinema Beyond Boundaries would get the viewers and the filmmakers together and would help us in serving them with good quality cinema.”

     

    As Indian cinema celebrates its 100 years of existence, Cinema Beyond Boundaries (CBB) would capture the flavours of Bollywood, take a look at the past and discuss what would be in store for Indian cinema in the next 100 years. CBB would focus on screenwriting trends, co- production opportunities and international film financing to connect the world’s most important film industries.

     

    “Whether on-screen or over the airwaves, SAG-AFTRA members bring to life unique experiences and perspectives and share universal truths with a global audience,” said national director of equal employment opportunities and diversity Adam Moore from SAG-AFTRA which is the sponsor and partner for the event along with The School of Visual Arts (SVA).

     

    “These projects should accurately reflect the entire world around us and depict all of our communities in authentic and meaningful ways. So the opportunity to work with Molecule Communications for Ticket2Bollywod: Cinema Beyond Boundaries to achieve our mutual goal of telling these stories by utilizing union talent and union agreements is a perfect fit,” he added.

     

    “As one of the top film schools in the world we see this partnership as a way of broadening the knowledge of our students and offering them an understanding of international film and media collaboration. Molecule Communications TICKET2BOLLYWOOD: Cinema Beyond Boundaries continues to create opportunities for both the professional and the next generation of storytellers,” said chairman of the film, video, and animation department at SVA, NYC Reeves Lehmann. He is also a director, producer, and writer and he is the new member of The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures.

  • Vidya Balan weds Siddharth Roy Kapoor

    Vidya Balan weds Siddharth Roy Kapoor

    MUMBAI: UTV Motion Pictures CEO Siddharth Roy Kapur tied the knot with Bollywood actor Vidya Balan on 14 December in a ceremony which was a mix of both Punjabi and Tamil traditions.

    The wedding took place in Mumbai and was a private affair in the presence of family and close friends of the bride and the groom.

    Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra tweeted, "Congratulations to my friends Siddharth Roy Kapoor and Vidya Balan! They make such a beautiful couple..heres wishing them happiness forever!"

    Meanwhile, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar tweeted, "My heart filled wishes to buddy Siddharth Roy Kapoor and Vidya Balan for the new phase of their lives together. Congratulations to the beautiful couple."

  • Heroine to run anti-smoking ads

    Heroine to run anti-smoking ads

    MUMBAI: Following the Centre‘s new rules on smoking scenes in films, director Madhur Bhandarkar has declared that his upcoming film Heroine will have an anti-smoking advertisement.

    “In the beginning, Kareena will address the warning and also for the interval part as well,” Bhandarkar said.

    It may be noted that recently, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court that it was bringing a new notification to regulate smoking scenes in films and television programmes. The notification would allow the smoking scenes, with statutory warnings alongside. Also, the film will have a 20-second anti-smoking promo at the beginning and again after the interval, it had observed.

    Though she is quite excited, Kareena Kapoor, who plays the protagonist in the film, has not set any box office target. “We have not fixed any target, we want people to see the film and enjoy it. We are very excited about it. We are eager to know about the fate of the film,” she averred.

    The film is set to release on 21 September.

  • Indian film industry to blackout on 23 February

    Indian film industry to blackout on 23 February

    MUMBAI: The Film Federation of India, the apex body of film industry in the country, has called for a strike on 23 February to protest against the government’s proposal to keep the industry under service tax purview.

    According to FFI president Vinod Lamba, the strike will help in conveying the plight of the film industry, which is already reeling under multiple tax regime.

    “There is no denying that the entire Indian film industry is in deep trouble because of various taxes it is subjected to, and the imposition of service tax will further increase its burden. This blackout aims to show the government how much producers are suffering,” FFI president Vinod Lamba has been quoted as saying.

    Prominent film personalities like Madhur Bhandarkar, Pritish Nandy, and Mahesh Bhatt among others have supported the blackout while sharing Lamba‘s sentiments.

    The FFI through its representatives and certain member of parliament‘s had already lodged a strong complaint with the finance minister last month.

    The federation had contended that the levy of service tax will sound the death knell for the Indian film industry. “We will be forced to shut down the entire Indian film industry,” the FFI had reportedly told the Finance Minister during the course of a presentation.

    Statistics have proved that only 7-8 per cent of all the Indian films are commercially successful, while the rest are barely able to recover their cost or at best make meagre profits.

  • Bhandarkar mulls movie on film awards

    Bhandarkar mulls movie on film awards

    MUMBAI: Known for making hard-hitting realistic films, Madhur Bhandarkar has indicated his desire to make a movie on film awards.

    Film awards is a story by itself. “Lots of people have been asking me to make a film on awards. I am thinking of this subject as no one has made a film on the topic so far,” Bhandarkar observed.

    Bhandarkar shot to fame with the Tabu and Atul Kulkarni-starrer, Chandni Bar, in 2001. He then went to make realistic films like Page 3, Traffic Signal, Jail, Fashion and Corporate.

    In 2011, Bhandrakar made Dil Toh Bacha Hai while this year he has launched his ambitious film Heroine.

  • Ladakh Intl film fest categorised in 4 sections

    Ladakh Intl film fest categorised in 4 sections

    MUMBAI: The Ladakh International Film Festival (LIFF), which is scheduled to be held from 15-17 June, has been categorised into four sections namely World Cinema, Indian Cinema, Competition and Ladakh.


    While the World Cinema category is open only to International Films, the Indian Cinema section is open only to films made in India. While the competition section will include feature films, short films, animation films and documentary films, the Ladakh section will include only those films that are made by the residents of Ladakh or the films made on Ladakh.


    Chaired by Shyam Benegal, LIFF Patrons include a mix of senior film professionals and young, enthusiastic cine lovers. Other eminent personalities who are on board as patrons of the LFF include Christian Jeune- Deputy Director General, Festival De Cannes, Derek Malcolm, President of British Federation of Film Societies and The International Film Critics Circle, film critic and historian Jacob Neiindam, director Copenhagen Film Festival.


    Eminent filmmakers Govind Nihalani, Shekhar Kapur, Shaji N Karun, Madhur Bhandarkar, Deepti Naval, filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, producer-director Ketan Mehta and art director Nitin Desai would represent Bollywood among the patrons. Melwyn Williams Chirayath is the festival director of the festival.


    Speaking on the inception of the festival Benegal said, “I am extremely delighted to announce the first edition of the Ladakh International Film Festival. The effort is to create a festival that is totally distinct from other film festivals. Ladakh is a unique and apt venue for LIFF. The aspiration is to make it one of the best and exclusive film festivals on the roof of the world.”


    Chirayath added, “Ladakh International Film Festival is like a dream come true as it was always a desire for me to associate my love for cinema and love for the beautiful environs of Ladakh. Through the Ladakh International Film Festival, it will be our mission to give this region its due and at the same time, make it a green initiative by conserving the ecosphere here and introducing carbon offsets.


    “The presence of Cannes and Copenhagen Film Festival Directors and eminent Jury and Patrons members is proof to the fact that this Festival holds immense promise and potential to be one of the best and probably the most exotic Film Festivals in the world. It is high time we start thinking towards contributing back”


    Multiple screen projections along with sound for better visibility during day time screenings will be installed at the venue. There will be an auditorium screening with 35mm dual projection and 5.1 sound facilities.


    Besides this, there will be two open air screenings. Films will be screened in three venues simultaneously and venues will have transportation facilities like buses and bicycles.