ITV

Tag: Robin Bhatt

  • Robin Bhatt re-elected president of the Screenwriters’ Association

    Robin Bhatt re-elected president of the Screenwriters’ Association

    New Delhi: Film writer Robin Bhatt was unanimously elected as the president of the Screenwriters’ Association (SWA) for the second consecutive term, here on Monday. 

    Bhatt debuted as a writer in Bollywood with the movie Aashiqui in 1990 and has penned the screenplay for over 60 films in his 30-year-long career, which includes blockbusters like Koi Mil Gaya, Baazigar, Omkara and Krishh. He will remain the president of the association for the next two years.

    The 64th annual general body election meeting of the SWA was conducted virtually amid the Covid2019 restrictions on Sunday, in the presence of the office-bearers, scrutiny committee members, election officer, and other SWA members. Unique e-voting links were sent to all the registered members. The regular/life members and associate members voted online for the 21 posts of the executive committee, and three posts of the executive committee (associate) respectively.

    Office bearers elected unopposed for the term 2021-23 are:

    Robin Bhatt- president

    Preeti Mamgain- vice president

    Sanjay Chouhan- vice president

    Zaman Habib- general secretary

    Danish Javed – treasurer

    Satyam Tripathy- joint secretary

    Manisha Korde- joint secretary

    The new members of the executive committee include writers Abhijeet Deshpande, Abhiruchi Chand, Anjum Rajabali, Debashish Irengbam, Dhananjay Kumar, Hitesh Kewalya, Hussain Haidry, Mitesh Shah, Nikhil Vyas, Puneet Sharma, Rajesh Dubey, Sagar Pandya, Saiwyn Quadras, Saket Chaudhary, Sameer Javed Siddiqi, Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh, Satyanshu Singh, Shailender Singh Sodhi (Shellee), Sumit Arora, Sweksha Bhagat, and Vinod Ranganath.

    Deepanjan Roy, Gaurav Patki, and Persis Chirag Sodawaterwalla were elected as the associate members of the executive committee.

    A trade union of screenwriters and lyricists who work for films, TV and digital media in India, SWA completed 60 years of its incorporation in 2020. It also includes authors, novelists, playwrights, journalists who aspire to diversify or join full-time the mediums of films, TV, or digital entertainment.

  • Screenwriters Association announces nominees for lyrics category of SWA Awards 2020

    Screenwriters Association announces nominees for lyrics category of SWA Awards 2020

    MUMBAI: Screenwriters Association (SWA), the Indian guild of screenwriters and lyricists, announced today the 10 nominees for the Lyrics category of SWA Awards 2020. Winners of the best lyricist for feature film and best lyricist for tv serial/original series will be announced in an online awards ceremony on 27 September 2020.

    Nominees for Best Lyricist for Feature Film are:

    1.            Ankur Tewari and Divine for Apna Time Ayega in Gully Boy

    2.            Amitabh Bhattacharya for Kalank title track in Kalank

    3.            Divine and Naezy for Meri Gully Mein in Gully Boy

    4.            Varun Grover for Ruan Ruan in Sonchiriya

    5.            Manoj Muntashir for Teri Mitti in Kesari

    Nominees for Best Lyricist for TV Serial/Original series are:

    1.            Shekhar Astitva for Title track in Radhakrishn

    2.            Zama Habib for Ek tum chup, ek chup main in Isharo Isharo Mein

    3.            Shashank Kunwar for Pet bechara in Kulfi Kumar Bajewala

    4.            Majaal  for Rooh in Lakhon Mein Ek Season 2

    5.            Majaal  for Nishaniya in Laakhon Mein Ek Season 2

    Congratulating the nominees, SWA general secretary Sunil Salgia said, “Ask anyone abroad about Indian films, the response will be, ‘Oh, Bollywood! Great songs and dances!’ Songs give a unique identity to our movies and surely there are no songs without lyrics. Talent that can say a thousand words in a few, in spite of their struggle to write poetry beyond the hook phrase and which can be heard and remembered in the noisy world, deserves applause.”

    The 10 nominees were selected from 146 entries received by the SWA Awards committee from Hindi language films and TV serials/original series released in 2019. A jury comprising of eminent lyricists such as Amit Khanna, Ila Arun, Kausar Munir, Mayur Puri and Panchhi Jalonvi selected the nominees after a thorough individual and joint evaluation process.

    Lyricist and spokesperson for the SWA lyrics category Shellee said, “It is difficult to imagine films such as Awara, Mera Naam Joker, Guide, Pakeeza, Mughal-e-Azam, Teesri Kasam without their songs. Songs are the ornaments that adorn our cinema. Their fragrance lends beauty to our ordinary lives. I congratulate the nominees of SWA Awards 2020 and wish them the best of luck.”

    The Screenwriters Association (SWA),was formerly known as Film Writers' Association (FWA). It is a Trade Union of screenwriters and lyricists who work for Films, TV and digital media in India. Authors, novelists, playwrights, journalists who aspire for to diversify or join fulltime the mediums of films, TV or digital entertainment, are also members of the SWA. It has been working for the last 60 years to get the Indian film and TV industries to acknowledge the central role of writers through collective bargaining, legal assistance, mediation and settlement of disputes and education.

    SWA is holding the first ever SWA Awards on the occasion of its diamond jubilee year in 2020. The members aspire to continue this award function for many more years. Since they are judged by knowledgeable screenwriters and lyricists, these awards promise to become the most coveted validation for writers in India, much like the awards of other prestigious international writers’ guilds and literary organisations.

    The nominees spoke to SWA, reacting to the announcement:

    Nominees – Best Lyricist for Feature Film

    Song: Apna time ayega | Film: Gully Boy

    Ankur Tewari: It is an honour to be nominated in the Best Lyrics category and I am thrilled to be in such esteemed company with Divine and the other nominees. I would like to thank SWA for this opportunity.

    Song: Meri gully mein | Film: Gully Boy

    Divine: Of all the tracks I have written till date, Apna time aayega and Meri gully mein have arguably had the biggest impact not just for me or Gully Boy, but for the Hip-Hop movement as a whole in India. Meri gully mein is close to my heart as the original release truly put the sound of Mumbai on the map. We have never looked back since.

    Song: Meri gully mein | Film: Gully Boy

    Naezy: I am delighted to have been nominated for "Meri Gully mein" by SWA Awards 2020.  This song is very special to me and I feel honoured that it has been nominated in the Best Lyrics for Films category.  My best wishes to SWA for their first ever Awards and also to all the fellow nominees.

    Song: Kalank title track | Film: Kalank

    Amitabh Bhattacharya: I am honoured and humbled to receive nomination in the Best Lyricist category of the first SWA Awards, the only award of the writers, by the writers and for the writers. My gratitude and best wishes to Screenwriters Association. I am really excited and I look forward to the ceremony.

    Song: Ruan ruan | Film: Sonchiriya

    Varun Grover: It's an award for the community by the peers and that makes it extra special. I had decided not to attend any regular film awards because of the way they treat writers and technicians and it's a great step forward that SWA decided to start awards where writers are in the front and centre. Now the stage is ours. So are the microphone, chairs, victories and defeats and joys and sorrows.

    Nominees – Best Lyricist for TV Serial/Web Series

    Song: Ek tum chup, ek chup main | TV Serial: Isharo Isharo Mein

    Zama Habib: I am thrilled to know that my song has been nominated in the Best Lyrics category by SWA Awards. It feels great and special because the award is from the writing fraternity for the first time. Writers choosing the best of writing is always a great and satisfying idea.

    Song: Pet bechara | TV Serial: Kulfi Kumar Bajewala

    Shashank Kunwar: An artist’s biggest motivation is appreciation, and it is really special when it comes from the people who understand the finer nuances of the art form. I want to congratulate SWA for giving shape to this award. In the times of lockdown and pandemic, it is comforting to feel that one is not working in isolation. Thank you, SWA!

    Song: Title track | TV Serial: Radhakrishn

    Shekhar Astitwa: I am happy to hear that SWA will hold the first ever SWA Awards 2020. I congratulate SWA for organising these prestigious awards and extend my best wishes to my fellow nominees.

    Songs: Rooh and Nishaniya | original series: Lakhon Mein Ek Season 2

    Majaal: Writers are travellers and SWA is the wisdom tree which stands tall and steady. It bears fruit for the hungry and provides shelter when the weather is testing. And now a ‘never-seen-before’ flower has blossomed on this benevolent tree – SWA Awards – to bless the ones destined to travel further. I feel fortunate for being nominated for the first ever SWA Awards. It has inspired me to keep travelling on.

  • Screenwriters Association unveils jury for lyrics category of SWA Awards 2020

    Screenwriters Association unveils jury for lyrics category of SWA Awards 2020

    MUMBAI: Screenwriters Association (SWA), the Indian guild of screenwriters and lyricists, today unveiled the final jury which has selected nominees and winners of the lyrics category of SWA Awards, 2020. The first ever SWA Awards to honour writers of Hindi feature films, TV shows, web series and lyrics will be held online on 27 September 2020.

    The jury comprises of eminent lyricists such as Amit Khanna (Chalte Chalte, Des Pardes), Ila Arun (Mandi, Well Done Abba!), Kausar Munir (Ishaqzaade, Bajrangi Bhaijaan), Mayur Puri (Pyar Ke Side Effects, Any Body Can Dance) and Panchhi Jalonvi (Ra.One, Baaghi 3). 

    SWA president Robin Bhatt said, “Antaras and mukhdas of iconic songs have stayed in our hearts long after the curtains fell. It is time to honour and celebrate those incredible lyricists whose poetry gives language to the hidden feelings of the average person.” 

    SWA Awards 2020 will select two winners for the lyrics category: best lyricist for feature film and best lyricist for TV serial/original series. From 146 entries across Hindi feature films and TV serials/web series released in 2019, the three-member pre-jury shortlisted 15 contenders for each category. From among those 30, the final jury then selected five nominees for each category. These will be announced online on 10 September 2020.

    SWA awards committee chairperson Sridhar Rangayan said, “Even as lyricists are currently fighting for their due credit on online platforms, we at SWA would like to acknowledge and celebrate their work. SWA is confident that the selections are perfect as the lyrics pre-jury and the lyrics final jury consists of very eminent lyricists.”

    Applauding SWA Awards, lyricist, singer, producer and jury member Amit Khanna said, “These awards, judged by the writers' own peers, will in the years to come become the hallmark of excellence in filmed entertainment.”

    Singer, lyricist and actor as well as jury member Ila Arun said, “The jury didn't see the song in isolation but valued it vis-a-vis the story of the film. The process was transparent and lengthy, and the final decision was unanimous.”

    Lyricist and jury member Panchhi Jalonvi said, “It is a matter of pride for all of us that SWA, the most respected organisation in the Hindi film industry, which has been committed to the rights of screenwriters for the last sixty years, is now launching SWA Awards for and by the writers.” 

    Screenwriter, lyricist, filmmaker and jury member Mayur Puri said, "Respect of one's peers is the highest form of recognition an artist can have.”

    Each jury member read the lyrics and heard the shortlisted songs individually, marking scores according to a pre-determined set of criteria, focusing on the merit of the craft, ignoring the song’s popularity or commercial success. Then, in the online jury meeting, they jointly deliberated on their choices to finally come up with the list of nominees and winners. 

    Summing up the experience, lyricist and jury member Kausar Munir said, “The first-ever SWA Awards are truly democratic because they are of, by and for the writers. I hope, in years to come, they become a binding and bonding platform for the screenwriters’ community.”

    SWA is holding the first-ever SWA Awards on the occasion of its Diamond Jubilee year in 2020. Since they are judged by knowledgeable screenwriters and lyricists, these awards promise to become the most coveted validation for writers in India, much like the awards of other prestigious international writers’ guilds and literary organisations. Originally scheduled to be held in Mumbai on 16 May  this year, the ceremony will now be held online to protect the health and safety of all participants and attendees during the ongoing Covid2019 pandemic, on September 27 at SWA’s social media handles: 

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swaindiaorg and YouTube: http://youtube.com/screenwritersassociation

  • The spell of pandemic spills over to writing

    The spell of pandemic spills over to writing

    MUMBAI: Will the Covid2019 pandemic have a direct bearing on the way TV and film script writers churn out their scripts? Now that the Maharashtra government has allowed conditional resumption of film, television, OTT shoots, how are the writers faring? Indiantelevision.com spoke to a few scriptwriters from the film and television industry to get answers to these questions.

    Even if shooting begins, the plotline will have to go for a change; it is not going to be the same as before. Writers face the twin challenges of creating something refreshing that connects with the audiences all the while keeping in mind the numerous restrictions that have been implemented.

    While some script writers want to reflect the current pandemic situation in their writings, a tiny minority feels that it is not necessary to always showcase the reality. And one thing everyone agrees is the role technology will play in the narratives.

    According to Screenwriter Association president Robin Bhatt, many stories can be created keeping in mind the guidelines laid down by the government. With the help of technology, action scenes can also be choreographed. A lot of film scripts have already been written which don’t require any changes, but in the coming days writers will avoid writing crowd scenes or stories where SOP is compromised, he said.

    In future, he says, technology is going to play a major part in cinema. He has already finished one show which is highly technological in nature, with a lot of graphics and animation. Bhatt is currently excited to begin the shoot of Sanjay Gupta’s much-awaited movie Bombay Saga starring John Abraham. Bhatt, who is the writer of the film, says that most of the editing, background score, sound design as well as VFX had started much before the lockdown. As of now, he has not received any directions from Sanjay Gupta to make amendments in the script.

    He adds, “The current pandemic scenario will definitely reflect in my writing because the entire world has changed. The same old narratives of how couples fall in love, tragedy or drama will change. Currently, it is a wait-and-watch situation.”

    Writer-producer Zaman Habib says that until and unless the country emerges out of the risk of the pandemic, there will be changes in scriptwriting accordingly. Scenes with huge crowds or many characters will be avoided. Habib is currently a story consultant for the Star Plus’ show Yeh Rishtey Pyaar Ke.

    Habib points out that the advantage of being a writer is that it is not necessary to be present on sets. A lot of freelance writers, who have left for their hometowns, continue their work through video conferencing and similar apps. “In television, we don’t participate in day-to-day works. So it is not bad for writers but there is going to be a major change on the floor while shooting.”

    According to him, television shows are divorced from reality. But, now writers, producers and broadcasters will want to put the reality out there.

    “There are many people who want to shut off their emotions and have lighter moments. But when we write we create different characters with different emotions. So, one just cannot shy away from the reality or what is happening around us,” he added.

    Writer of Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, The Dirty Picture, Kick, Gabbar Is Back and Taxi No. 9211, Rajat Arora said that as of now he has not made any changes in his scripts.

    “As we move forward, only then we will understand what can be executed and what cannot. So, as the shooting begins, we will see if any changes in the script are required. There are certain things which cannot be done while filming as per the current guidelines. But it is just a small part. At the end, safety of our people is of utmost importance.”

    Currently, he is busy working for Ahan Shetty’s debut film. The project is backed by Sajid Nadiadwala. He is also doing the pending work of Jayalalitha biopic  starring Kangana Ranaut.

    Contrary to what other writers said, Arora feels that the current pandemic is so terrible that he doesn't want to show this situation in his writing. “I think no one wants to be reminded of a pandemic. I personally don’t want to dwell on it. Dystopian shows are now today's reality. So, we don’t want to face reality or may watch it on screen.”

  • Kumar Mangat mulls of Omkara sequel

    Kumar Mangat mulls of Omkara sequel

    MUMBAI: Producer Kumar Mangat is mulling with the idea to make a sequel of Omkara.


    “I am thinking of the sequel. I think the film has a huge prospect. This is just an idea but I will speak about it soon,” Mangat was quoted in media reports.


    Co-written by Vishal Bhardwaj, Robin Bhatt and Abhishek Chaubey, Omkara, among the highest grosser of 2006, was the desi version of Shakespeare‘s Othello.


    But before making the Omkara sequel, Mangat will pursue with the sequel of his Pyar Ka Punchnama, the romantic comedy about three bachelors who fall in love with the girls they like.


    Mangat said, “The film‘s cast will be retained while the story will move ahead. There were loads of things that we couldn‘t show in our first outing. We will put it all into the second one. We will start shooting by mid-2012.”