Tag: Vivek Agnihotri

  • Enjoy National Cinema Day with these 10 must-see films!

    Enjoy National Cinema Day with these 10 must-see films!

    Mumbai: Attention, cinephiles! Prepare for a cinematic extravaganza this Friday the 13th, as we celebrate National Cinema Day, an ode to India’s deep-seated passion for the world of movies. Remember those golden moments when family movie outings over the weekends lit up our weeks? But then the era of inflation emerged and cast its shadow over the beloved tradition of movie-watching. Families, friends, and movie enthusiasts can indulge in a movie marathon at the theatres for just Rs 99. Yes, you heard it right! For a day, folks can set aside their cost concerns to unwind and indulge in the pleasure of watching their most awaited films in the comfy ambience of your nearest cinemas including PVR INOX theatres.

    If that isn’t enticing enough, we have more. Brace yourself for an exciting lineup of the 10 most anticipated films of 2023 playing at multiplexes across India on this National Cinema Day. Check out the list below:

    1.   Dumb Money (releasing 13 October)

    Dumb Money follows the staggering rise to riches of Redditor and investor Keith Gill, who invested his entire savings in GameStop, a video game retailer. The film shows how he then goes on to write about his investment on Reddit and attracting the mass attention, propelling GameStop’s stock value to its all-time high. The film depicts the stock market’s dichotomy, that it can either make or mar you.

    2.   Dhak Dhak (releasing 13 October)

    Nothing is more amazing than seeing women go for their goals and succeed in spite of social constraints. Dhak Dhak is the story of four ordinary women who transform into impressive bikers, their on-road adventures, and the heartwarming camaraderie they share. Not just this, this film marks the directorial debut of acclaimed actress Tapsee Pannu.

    3.   Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie (releasing 13 October)

    It’s always fun to watch villains being defeated by superheroes and Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie takes this to the next level. Witness a team of superhero pups defeat the enemy and save their city from doom and perish. This film promises endless entertainment with its gripping plot and vibrant visuals.

    4.   800 (in cinemas)

    800 is not just a cricket biopic; it is a story of overcoming adversity and staying true to your passion. The biographic sports film takes audiences through the life of Muthiah Muralitharan, a refugee who rose to become a cricketing legend. The film appeals to audiences across all age groups and will surely captivate fans of cricket & other sports, do not miss this inspirational tale.

    5.   Mission Raniganj (in cinemas)

    Mission Raniganj has captured our hearts with its heartfelt narrative of a nation’s quest to rescue the stranded labourers in the 1989 Raniganj coal mine disaster headlined by one man. The late Jaswant Singh Gill’s grit helped India’s first successful coal mine rescue mission and one cannot miss witnessing this historic portrayal calmness and bravery of one man on mission.

    6.   Fukrey 3 (in cinemas)

    The first two instalments in the Fukrey film series spread a wave of infectious laughter and Fukrey 3 upholds the expectations. The film has the audiences in splits with the funny antics and bond of a group of friends. Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma and Manjot Singh are once again out to win your hearts with Richa Chadha with their hilarious performances.

    7.   Dono (in cinemas)

    What’s one of the best places to find love? A wedding! The romance drama Dono starring Garima Agarwal and Rajveer Deol, is a beautiful portrayal of love flourishing between two broken hearts. The film’s refreshing take on modern love and growth along with its depiction of today’s youth and their perception of romance and intimacy is a worthy and fun watch.

    8.   The Exorcist: Believer (in cinemas)

    A terrifying sequel to the iconic The Exorcist, this supernatural horror has spread a dread among the audiences in cinemas. The eerie visuals paired with spine-tingling music along with the suspenseful plot has been a hit among the audiences. The film also sees the return of Chris McNeil, once facing the dark evil that once possessed her daughter. If you’re a horror buff, grab this opportunity to witness true horror that The Exorcist: Believer.

    9.   Thank You for Coming (in cinemas)

    Thank You for Coming is an enjoyable and touching narrative of women embracing their sexuality and womanhood, breaking out of the barrier set by our society. A married woman stuck in an unsatisfactory marriage reunites with her friends and together they embark on a journey of discovering their wants and desires. The film stars Bhumi Pednekar, Kusha Kapila, Shehnaaz Gill and Shibani Bedi as the leading ladies.

    10.   The Vaccine War (in cinemas)

    The Covid-19 pandemic tested our resilience during two years of lockdown, impacting our mental and physical well-being. The sudden isolation and rising death toll worsened the situation and kept us on edge. Amidst the doom, India’s medical workers emerged as heroes, working relentlessly to develop a vaccine. Vivek Agnihotri’s The Vaccine War tells the inspiring tale of India’s battle against COVID-19, highlighting the courage of those who sought a solution in the midst of chaos.

    These films promise a mix of laughter, romance, terror, and warmth, each worthy to be watched on the silver screens. This National Cinema Day, watch your favourite film at the nearest PVR INOX theatres at just Rs 99!

  • News18 India hosts star cast of ‘Vaccine War’

    News18 India hosts star cast of ‘Vaccine War’

    Mumbai: News18 India has aired an exclusive interview with the star cast of the highly anticipated movie ‘Vaccine War’.  The panel hosted by the one of channel’s top anchors Amish Devgan included the film’s director Vivek Agnihotri, producer and actress Pallavi Joshi, and actor Nana Patekar, and was featured on Aar Paar, one of News18 India’s most popular shows.

    In a discussion about his films, Vivek Agnihotri underscored the significance of Indian cinema as a medium to convey India’s stories to its people. He stressed that movies like ‘Kashmir Files and ‘Vaccine War’ play a pivotal role in building the Indian narrative. Agnihotri acknowledged the challenging times faced by India’s healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic but praised the steadfast dedication of Indian doctors and scientists who, through relentless hard work, developed vaccines, ensuring the safety of the nation.

    He delved into the concept of ‘Sanatan’, emphasizing India’s uniqueness as a democracy where anyone can rise to top leadership positions, a phenomenon rarely seen elsewhere. Agnihotri also raised intriguing questions about whether a country like America would allow individuals with names like Hitler or Osama bin Laden to hold ministerial positions. He criticized Bollywood for sidelining common people in films, attributing the lack of success that some films face to this, and commended South Indian cinema for keeping the essence of the common man alive.

    The legendary actor Nana Patekar expressed his willingness to explore various film genres but stressed that quality takes precedence over quantity, especially at the age of 73. He candidly admitted that he might not have the capacity to take on numerous projects anymore, which is why he is dedicated to projects like ‘Vaccine War’. Patekar warmly recalled his collaboration with Irrfan Khan during the filming of ‘Salaam Bombay’, praising his extraordinary talent and humanity. He humorously recounted an incident when Irrfan suggested to him that he plant a Night-Blooming Jasmine, a task he couldn’t fulfil at that time but now intends to accomplish. Patekar concluded by emphasizing that an artist transcends any caste or creed; an artist is simply an artist.

    Pallavi Joshi, a seasoned actress, vehemently denied claims that her films are driven by a particular agenda. She emphasized that her films have no political agenda.

    The interview on News18 India’s ‘Aar Paar’ provided an insightful platform for these eminent personalities to share their perspectives on the film industry and their experiences with ‘Vaccine War’. The film has already garnered substantial attention, making this interview highly relevant for the viewers.

  • ALL ABOUT MUSIC 2023 all set to commence at Grand Hyatt Mumbai!

    ALL ABOUT MUSIC 2023 all set to commence at Grand Hyatt Mumbai!

    Mumbai: All About Music, India’s biggest music conference, is back again taking place from the 7th till the 9th of September at Grand Hyatt Santacruz Mumbai. All About Music, launched in 2017, is a global gateway into the Indian music market. India’s biggest B2B conference dedicated to music has completed six sold out editions by bringing together industry experts and stakeholders from every vertical of the music business and engaging the attendees through discussions around innovations and advances in the business of music.

    This year’s theme is “Transitions”, which focuses on exploring uncharted territories in our industry. With the emergence of new technologies like artificial intelligence and evolving market trends in the post-pandemic era, we find ourselves at a crossroads. How can we navigate this constantly changing landscape? Who can guide us through this transition? And most importantly, which path should we choose? The theme “Transitions” encompasses both the personal and universal aspects of this critical moment, encouraging people to forge meaningful connections during the conference and reimagine the future of the Indian music industry.

    This year’s event provides a three-day immersive experience with hand-picked keynote speakers, engaging panels, interactive workshops, captivating artist showcases, engaging masterclasses, and inspiring conversations. Attendees can connect with industry leaders at Connect Corner, network, and pitch their music to filmmakers and record labels. The event will cover a variety of topics, including consumption patterns, navigating the success of an artist, music publishing, understanding your rights, modern-day A&R, effective monetization strategies, and music distribution methods.

    Some promising personalities to look forward to in this edition are Shreya Ghoshal, Ricky Kej, Joshua Burke, Alfonso Perez-Soto, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwar, Bismil, Daler Mehndi, Anil Sharma, Jay Mehta, Krsna, MC Stan, Nucleya, Nirmika Singh, Mayur Jumani, Baba Sehgal, Raja Kumari, Satvinder Singh Koli, Srushti Tawade and many more.

    Did you know that All About Music has a platform called Pitch Your Music? This is a great opportunity for up-and-coming artists to showcase their talent! There are three categories available: ‘Pitch to Filmmakers’, ‘Pitch to Record Labels’, and ‘Pitch to Showcase’. You can pitch your music to a jury of filmmakers like Ashwiny Iyer, Mohit Suri, Anil Sharma & Vivek Agnihotri & Sabbas Joseph. You can also pitch to Record Labels like Saregama India, Warner Music India, Universal Music Group, T-series & Tips Music this will allow for prompt feedback and reviews from them. Additionally, the Pitch to Showcase category provides artists with a chance to perform on the main stage after the conference. The aim of the conference is to empower artists and give them the chance to showcase their work directly to filmmakers, showrunners, and record labels.

    “At All About Music this year, we attempt to navigate the transitions that are shaping the industry’s future. With ‘Transitions’ as our theme, we embrace the enigmatic forces molding music – from the uncertainty around AI to changing consumption patterns and models within the music industry. Our stage unites local and international voices, bridging genres and cultures,”  said Create and Collab business head Ashish Jose. 

    Gain insights about India’s music world industry by securing your spot in the making of music history by
    registering before 30 August!

  • Zee Telugu is all set to premiere ‘The Kashmir Files’ on 28 August

    Zee Telugu is all set to premiere ‘The Kashmir Files’ on 28 August

    Mumbai: Zee Telugu is all set to air the world television premiere of the movie, “The Kashmir Files.” After a successful run in theatres, “The Kashmir Files” will make its television debut on Zee Telugu on 28 August at 12 p.m.

    “The Kashmir Files,” directed by Vivek Agnihotri, centres on the plight of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s after their mass exodus from their homes. It features Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborthy, Pallavi Joshi, Puneet Issar, Darshan Kumar, and Mrinal Kulkarni.

    The protagonist of the tale, Krishna Pandit (Darshan Kumar), is the grandson of Pushkar Nath (Anupam Kher), and takes place in Kashmir’s snow-capped mountain ranges. He finds himself caught between two divergent accounts of the 1990 exodus, and when he returns to Kashmir to carry out his grandfather’s final wishes, he learns some horrifying details about the exodus and how his parents died.

  • Zee Cinema brings world television premiere of ‘The Kashmir Files’ &  ‘Attack’

    Zee Cinema brings world television premiere of ‘The Kashmir Files’ & ‘Attack’

    Mumbai: Zee Cinema is all set to present the world television premiere of “The Kashmir Files”, and “Attack” on 25 and 26 June at 8 pm, respectively.

    The stirring masterpiece, “The Kashmir Files”, struck a strong connection with audiences and critics alike. The colossal conversation rounds and overwhelming response from the global viewers at the box office is what holds testament to what sincere storytelling with riveting execution is capable of. Donning the role of Pushkar Nath Pandit, Anupam Kher has given one of the most defining performances of his career. Speaking of defining performances, we see gripping performances from Pallavi Joshi, Mithun Chakraborty and Darshan Kumar in significant roles that left the audience in absolute awe. A directorial marvel by the award-winning filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, “The Kashmir Files”, uncoil the saga of Kashmir’s history in the voice of the Kashmiris. Recounting the tragic event of exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990 in its honest form, left the world spellbound. With the sizable reach of Zee Cinema, the most awaited film by the viewers, “The Kashmir Files”, will be available to the entire nation.

    Sharing his experience, Anupam Kher said, “Being someone who has Kashmiri roots, this film was also instrumental in bringing back a lot – memories of cherries coming into my house through a window back in Baramulla, the pleasantness of Kheer Bhawani, Nishad Garden, and Dal Lake that I keep thinking of even after having travelled the world. The “Kashmir Files” is an impeccable example of how a mid-budget film with an impactive story can reach such great heights. For the audience, watching it was an emotional experience. It was instrumental in bringing out a story that deserved to be told, striking a special and lasting connection with the viewers, and to any actor that means more success than anything.”

    Director Vivek Agnihotri said, “This film is about humanity, it’s about oneness, and with the response received, I believe the audience of the country, as well as outside, have resonated with it. The emotions that this movie has evoked in people, have left a lasting impression on their mind. I am a person with integrity. I want to work with talented people. My aim is to do creative work and showcase Indian films as a soft power to the world. “The Kashmir Files” has helped reinforce my belief in the strength of honest storytelling.”

    “Vivek and I spent four years on the film, and three years on the research. We went down to victims’ houses, interviewed them, sat with them, and ate with them. Apart from my experience of being a producer for the film, my role was also really different from what I’ve done in the past, so this came as a welcome change for me. This is a story that needed to be told in all dimensions, with great fidelity, and a super-strong portrayal of every character,” shared Pallavi Joshi.

    The advent of technology has taken Warcraft to a new height. While our weapons and strategies were upgraded with technology, “Attack” took this invention to another level and introduced India’s first ever AI driven Super-soldier. The film showcases how tech induced warfare helps to reduce any kind of human collateral damage. With scintillating performances by John Abraham along with Rakul Preet Singh and Jacqueline Fernandez, get set to be immersed in a wondrous experience of high-octane action, thrill, lined with an impactful story of patriotism. “Attack”, one of India’s first sci-fi action thrillers portraying an unattempted concept of a super-soldier on a quest to destroy some of the most villainous terrorists, won over the audience with its adrenaline-fueled cinematic experience. So, get ready for an ultimate experience jab Ek super-soldier karega aatank pe attack!

    Talking about the film, John Abraham said, “’Attack’ is not a futuristic film, but it’s a very relevant film. I believe that we might anticipate such technology a few years down the line. The idea with “Attack” was to challenge, so we are challenging the audience’s mind and trying to do something different. If Hollywood can make it, why can’t India? It is my humble attempt to make India proud. We’ve all heard that films are made for masses or classes, but I don’t think so. I only think there are two kinds of films: good films and bad films. And this is a good film that I believe families and people of all ages will enjoy. This isn’t a regular action film, but it is meant to put an important message across – nothing can come in the way for a true patriot, as he will fight for his country selflessly, and in all passion with a staunch belief that his nation comes ahead of everything.”

    Rakul Preet Singh added, “’Attack’ is a film I am proud of and will always be. Ironically, as a kid, I wanted to be a scientist and with this film, I got to chase that dream. We’ve seen Captain America and Iron Man on international levels creating a space in global audiences’ minds. “Attack” is a great experiment from India. It’s an under-explored genre. More than an actor, after looking at the film as a viewer, what personally spoke to me deeply was how John’s character fought against terrorism selflessly, and relentlessly portraying the essence of a true patriot despite all limitations. Today, we’re a part of a great space. I feel all kinds of cinema and experiments are being celebrated and it is this sentiment that will shape the industry from now on.”

    “Attack” moves along the quest of a super-soldier who has lost everything and puts his life on the line to serve his nation, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

  • NFDC to manage International Film Festival of India now

    NFDC to manage International Film Festival of India now

    MUMBAI: International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will no longer be managed by the Directorate of Film Festivals. The information and broadcasting ministry has reportedly transferred operational responsibilities for IFFI to the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

    IFFI, which is considered as one of the top 10 film festivals of the world, will be held from 20 to 28 November at Panaji in Goa. Renowned filmmakers Jahnu Barua and Nagesh Kukunoor had been chosen to head the steering and technical committees respectively for IFFI.

    Earlier, a 40-member preview committee with Vivek Agnihotri as the convenor has been set up to continue the process of shortlisting of films for IFFI.

    Indiantelevision.com had reported that the preview committee for shortlisting films for IFFI which had already seen around 150 films had also been dissolved. These changes have coincided with Smriti Zubin Irani taking on additional charge of the information and broadcasting ministry. The preview committee not merely shortlists films from all entries received, but recommends films for competition section which will then be seen by the International jury, and for the Country Focus section of the Festival.

    The NFDC had earlier invited entries for the 11th edition of NFDC Film Bazaar Co-Production Market. The co-production market is for feature film projects with South Asian themes. The regular deadline for the entries is 7 August 2017 but it has been extended to 21 August 2017. The Bazaar will be held from 20 November 2017, the day the festival opens, and close on 24 November 2017.

  • IFFI Preview Committee includes film certification panel members

    IFFI Preview Committee includes film certification panel members

    NEW DELHI: A 40-member preview committee with Vivek Agnihotri as the convenor has been set up to continue the process of shortlisting of films for the International Film Festival of India 2017 being held in November this year.

    Indiantelevision.com had reported yesterday that the preview committee for shortlisting films for IFFI which had already seen around 150 films had also been dissolved. These changes have coincided with Smriti Zubin Irani taking on additional charge of the information and broadcasting ministry after M Venkaiah Naidu resigned.

    The preview committee not merely shortlists films from all entries received, but recommends films for competition section which will then be seen by the International jury, and for the Country Focus section of the Festival.

    IFFI, which is considered as one of the top ten film festivals of the world will be held from 20 to 28 November at Panaji in Goa.

    The festival is organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in collaboration with the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) on behalf of the state government.

    A four-day Film Bazaar will also be organized from 20 November by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

    Generally most members of the preview committee are from Delhi as the process of shortlisting takes more than a month and the preview is done at one of the auditoriums in the Sirifort complex in the capital.

    Furthermore, the names of members are not revealed to prevent any external influences.

    However a majority of the members this time are from different parts of the country and this will entail infrastructural arrangements including travel and stay of the members. Only a handful of members are from Delhi.

    The list reveals that the names have been shortlisted on the recommendations of the Central Board of Film Certification and regional certification panels and many are members of CBFC and regional panels. Furthermore, just a few members have exposure to international cinema.

    The Preview Committeee now comprises:

    1.

    Vivek Agnihotri

    2.

    Khalid Mohamed

    3.

    Aarti Bajaj

    4.

    Ramesh Patange

    5.

    Naresh Chander Lal

    6.

    Narendra Kohli

    7.

    Saibal Chatterjee

    8.

    Abhimanyu Singh

    9.

    Bhawana Somaaya

    10.

    Jeevitha Rajasekhar

    11.

    Gautami Tadimalla

    12.

    Nitesh Tiwari

    13.

    G.S. Bhaskar

    14.

    Pallavi Joshi

    15.

    Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury

    16.

    Raja Krishna Menon

    17.

    Siddharth Kak

    18.

    Bela Segal

    19.

    Tarun Katial

    20.

    Abhishek Basu

    21.

    Hrishitaa Bhatt

    22.

    Abhishek Jain

    23.

    Santwana Bordoloi

    24.

    Bhaskar Hazarika

    25.

    Pradip Kurbah

    26.

    Dominic Megam Sangma

    27.

    Maipaksana  Haorongbam

    28.

    Zuala Chhangte

    29.

    Dr. Sachidanand Joshi

    30.

    Dr. Bharat Gupt

    31.

    Nirmala Sharma

    32.

    Rathi Vinay Jha

    33.

    Parvathi Menon

    34.

    Rajesh Kumar Singh

    35.

    Anil Rastogi

    36.

    Punit Asthana

    37.

    Ajay Malkani

    38.

    Bhumenjoy Konsam

    39.

    Sangee Dorjee Thongdok

    40.

    Lavlin Thadani

    ALSO READ :

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    Cannes delegates apprised of opportunities in Indian film industry

  • Buddha in a Traffic Jam premieres on Spuul

    Buddha in a Traffic Jam premieres on Spuul

    MUMBAI: Spuul brings Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘Buddha In A Traffic Jam’ to its catalogue of films. This movie will be available across devices like web, mobile (iOS, Android), Amazon Fire TV, Android TV & Apple TV along with Airplay on iOS, and Chromecast on Android. The film is available to all of Spuul’s premium subscribers across the world.

    Buddha in a Traffic Jam is one of the most controversial films of the year, released just a month back in May, with protests against the movie in many parts of India for alleged propaganda. The film depicts various themes ranging from corruption in the country to campus politics, moral policing, crony socialism and the fight against injustice. It stars Arunoday Singh, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi and Mahie Gill.

    Speaking on this development Spuul Global CEO Subin Subaiah said, “We’re happy to bring a film like ‘Buddha In A Traffic Jam’ to our viewers. Our platform has always strived to provide shelf space to bold filmmakers to reach their audiences. This is just a step further in bringing fresh content to our 12 million viewers.

    Commenting on this association, Vivek Agnihotri, Director, Buddha in A Traffic Jam, said, “Spuul is one of the oldest video streaming services today, and we’re happy to be associated with them for the internet premiere of Buddha In A Traffic Jam. It is a story that needed to be told, and we hope this association with Spuul helps us spread the word far and wide.”

  • Buddha in a Traffic Jam premieres on Spuul

    Buddha in a Traffic Jam premieres on Spuul

    MUMBAI: Spuul brings Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘Buddha In A Traffic Jam’ to its catalogue of films. This movie will be available across devices like web, mobile (iOS, Android), Amazon Fire TV, Android TV & Apple TV along with Airplay on iOS, and Chromecast on Android. The film is available to all of Spuul’s premium subscribers across the world.

    Buddha in a Traffic Jam is one of the most controversial films of the year, released just a month back in May, with protests against the movie in many parts of India for alleged propaganda. The film depicts various themes ranging from corruption in the country to campus politics, moral policing, crony socialism and the fight against injustice. It stars Arunoday Singh, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi and Mahie Gill.

    Speaking on this development Spuul Global CEO Subin Subaiah said, “We’re happy to bring a film like ‘Buddha In A Traffic Jam’ to our viewers. Our platform has always strived to provide shelf space to bold filmmakers to reach their audiences. This is just a step further in bringing fresh content to our 12 million viewers.

    Commenting on this association, Vivek Agnihotri, Director, Buddha in A Traffic Jam, said, “Spuul is one of the oldest video streaming services today, and we’re happy to be associated with them for the internet premiere of Buddha In A Traffic Jam. It is a story that needed to be told, and we hope this association with Spuul helps us spread the word far and wide.”

  • T-Series signs Yami Gautam and Pulkit Samrat for a love story

    T-Series signs Yami Gautam and Pulkit Samrat for a love story

    MUMBAI: For its musical love story tentatively titled ‘Junooniyat’, T-Series has bought on board Yami Gautam and Pulkit Samrat.

    The film will be directed by Vivek Agnihotri.

    Yami will play Samrat’s love interest in the film. Yami who shot to fame after ‘Vicky Donor’ plays a bubbly, adventurous girl while Pulkit will come as a surprise in a never-seen-before avatar.

    Agnihotri who previously directed ‘Chocolate’, ‘Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal’ and ‘Hate Story’ will direct a romantic film for the first time.

    Producer Bhushan Kumar said, “We are bringing together a fresh pairing of Yami Gautam and Pulkit Samrat. It is a musical love story which will be shot in India.”