Jaya Bachchan, renowned for her work in Indian cinema and politics, is celebrating her 76th birthday on Tuesday. Born as Jaya Bhaduri in a Bengali family, Jaya’s father, Tarun Kumar Bhaduri, was a well-known journalist and a poet.
After completing her education, Jaya attended the Film and Television Institute of India (Ftii), Pune, where she honed her acting skills.
She made her acting debut as a teenager in 1963 with the Bengali film ‘Mahanagar’ directed by Satyajit Ray. The film starred Madhabi Mukherjee in the leading role.
Jaya then transitioned to Hindi cinema and quickly gained prominence with her versatile performances in films like Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s directorial ‘Guddi’, and ‘Anamika’.
The 1971 movie ‘Guddi’ featured Jaya as a petite schoolgirl who is obsessed with actor Dharmendra. The film had created the girl-next-door image for her.
Movies like ‘Uphaar’, ‘Piya Ka Ghar’, ‘Parichay’ and ‘Bawarchi’ made her a superstar.
In 1973, she married Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan,...
After completing her education, Jaya attended the Film and Television Institute of India (Ftii), Pune, where she honed her acting skills.
She made her acting debut as a teenager in 1963 with the Bengali film ‘Mahanagar’ directed by Satyajit Ray. The film starred Madhabi Mukherjee in the leading role.
Jaya then transitioned to Hindi cinema and quickly gained prominence with her versatile performances in films like Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s directorial ‘Guddi’, and ‘Anamika’.
The 1971 movie ‘Guddi’ featured Jaya as a petite schoolgirl who is obsessed with actor Dharmendra. The film had created the girl-next-door image for her.
Movies like ‘Uphaar’, ‘Piya Ka Ghar’, ‘Parichay’ and ‘Bawarchi’ made her a superstar.
In 1973, she married Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan,...
- 4/9/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Mumbai, Aug 28 (Ians) The teaser of the upcoming Bengali film ‘Raktbeej’, which was unveiled on Monday, promises a compelling thriller. The 1 minute long teaser begins with building the hype around Padma Bhushan and National Film Award recipient, the veteran actor Victor Banerjee as he can be seen signing a document with a fountain pen.
The teaser then goes onto showing the montages from the film in fast cuts thereby maintaining the intrigue and thriller about the plot and the characters.
The film has been directed by the renowned director duo Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee, and is inspired by the Burdwan blast in 2014, which shook up Bengal and also the nation, the film is about the homecoming of a man, who holds an important portfolio, and how an accidental blast in a firecracker unit unveils a bigger threat to his life.
On October 2, 2014, which coincided with Mahashtami that year, an...
The teaser then goes onto showing the montages from the film in fast cuts thereby maintaining the intrigue and thriller about the plot and the characters.
The film has been directed by the renowned director duo Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee, and is inspired by the Burdwan blast in 2014, which shook up Bengal and also the nation, the film is about the homecoming of a man, who holds an important portfolio, and how an accidental blast in a firecracker unit unveils a bigger threat to his life.
On October 2, 2014, which coincided with Mahashtami that year, an...
- 8/28/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
In his 1984 film “Ghare Baire”, Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray touches upon two of the most controversial topics within his home country, the division of Muslims and Hindus as well as tendencies towards liberalism versus nationalism. The original script, based on the novel of the same title by Rabindranath Tagore, had already been written in the 1940, long before Ray would direct his first feature film “Pather Panchali”. Like with so many of his feature, the narrative framework of a story, a tale of a woman captured between two men, offers a viewer a very insightful and still quite current view on the overlapping of the private person and politics as well as the dilemma this causes.
The story takes place in 1907 after the partition of the state of Bengali by Lord Curzon, effectively dividing the Muslim and Hindu parts. In order to protest this development, many nationalist movements...
The story takes place in 1907 after the partition of the state of Bengali by Lord Curzon, effectively dividing the Muslim and Hindu parts. In order to protest this development, many nationalist movements...
- 4/11/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
TollywoodThe film, directed by Venu Ugugula, has Rana Daggubati and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles. Digital NativeA few weeks ago it was reported that Virata Parvam is progressing well with the shooting happening in a forest in Kerala. The film, directed by Venu Ugugula, has Rana Daggubati and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles. And now we have the news that Nandita Das has joined the sets. The veteran actor confirmed the news with the tweet, “Now on the sets of Virata Parvam with @venuudugulafilm the director and @dancinemaniac the Dop. Despite the stress of speaking Telegu, being on set is always a pleasure!” She also posted some pictures from the sets. Now on the sets of Virata Parvam with @venuudugulafilm the director and @dancinemaniac the Dop. Despite the stress of speaking Telegu, being on set is always a pleasure! pic.twitter.com/rZmqbeAfrj — Nandita Das (@nanditadas) February 18, 2020 Tabu,...
- 2/19/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
TollywoodThe film, directed by Venu Ugugula, has Rana Daggubati and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles. Digital NativeA few weeks ago it was reported that Virata Parvam is progressing well with the shooting happening in a forest in Kerala. The film, directed by Venu Ugugula, has Rana Daggubati and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles. And now we have the news that Nandita Das has joined the sets. The veteran actor confirmed the news with the tweet, “Now on the sets of Virata Parvam with @venuudugulafilm the director and @dancinemaniac the Dop. Despite the stress of speaking Telegu, being on set is always a pleasure!” She also posted some pictures from the sets. Now on the sets of Virata Parvam with @venuudugulafilm the director and @dancinemaniac the Dop. Despite the stress of speaking Telegu, being on set is always a pleasure! pic.twitter.com/rZmqbeAfrj — Nandita Das (@nanditadas) February 18, 2020 Tabu,...
- 2/19/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Stars: Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, André Benjamin, Mia Goth, Agata Buzek, Lars Eidinger, Claire Tran, Ewan Mitchell, Gloria Obianyo, Jessie Ross, Victor Banerjee | Written by Claire Denis, Jean-Pol Fargeau, Geoff Cox | Directed by Claire Denis
High Life is directed by Claire Denis and is her thirteenth film in an esteemed critically acclaimed filmography, but also stands as a few firsts; being her English language debut and her first collaboration with teen heartthrob turned indie megastar, Robert Pattinson. High Life is a low budget high concept sensual thriller. It’s boisterously provocative and sensually stoic. A conundrum of explicit desire and morbid curiosity that burns its way into your brain with an illustrious haze of pragmatic intensity.
The filmmaking on offer is simply superb with the cinematography from Yorick Le Sau being a stellar highlight. The framing and composition are distant and therefore evokes this highly daunting theme of isolation. It...
High Life is directed by Claire Denis and is her thirteenth film in an esteemed critically acclaimed filmography, but also stands as a few firsts; being her English language debut and her first collaboration with teen heartthrob turned indie megastar, Robert Pattinson. High Life is a low budget high concept sensual thriller. It’s boisterously provocative and sensually stoic. A conundrum of explicit desire and morbid curiosity that burns its way into your brain with an illustrious haze of pragmatic intensity.
The filmmaking on offer is simply superb with the cinematography from Yorick Le Sau being a stellar highlight. The framing and composition are distant and therefore evokes this highly daunting theme of isolation. It...
- 5/13/2019
- by Jak-Luke Sharp
- Nerdly
City Of Small Blessings and Tomorrow Is A Long Time will both shoot in Singapore this year.
Akanga Film Asia, the Singapore-based company behind last year’s Locarno Golden Leopard winner A Land Imagined, has two new international co-productions scheduled for filming this year, including City Of Small Blessings which stars A Passage To India actor Victor Banerjee.
Fran Borgia, the Spain-born, Singapore-based founder of Akanga, is co-producing the new film with Gary Goh of Singapore’s mm2, Marion Guth of Luxembourg’s a_BAHN and Claire Lajoumard of France’s Acrobates Films. Based on the novel by Simon Tay,...
Akanga Film Asia, the Singapore-based company behind last year’s Locarno Golden Leopard winner A Land Imagined, has two new international co-productions scheduled for filming this year, including City Of Small Blessings which stars A Passage To India actor Victor Banerjee.
Fran Borgia, the Spain-born, Singapore-based founder of Akanga, is co-producing the new film with Gary Goh of Singapore’s mm2, Marion Guth of Luxembourg’s a_BAHN and Claire Lajoumard of France’s Acrobates Films. Based on the novel by Simon Tay,...
- 3/17/2019
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Wild Bunch represents international sales.
A24 has snapped up North American rights to Claire Denis’ English-language debut High Life starring Pattinson following its world premiere in Tiff.
The distributor plans a 2019 theatrical release for the film about criminals on board an imperilled spaceship that stars Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Mia Goth and André Benjamin.
Rounding out the cast are Lars Eidinger, Agata Buzek, Claire Tran, Ewan Mitchell, Gloria Obianyo, Scarlett Lindsey, Jessie Ross, and Victor Banerjee. Denis wrote the screenplay with Jean-Pol Fargeau and Geoff Cox
High Life premiered in Gala Presentations and screens again to the public on Thursday and Friday.
A24 has snapped up North American rights to Claire Denis’ English-language debut High Life starring Pattinson following its world premiere in Tiff.
The distributor plans a 2019 theatrical release for the film about criminals on board an imperilled spaceship that stars Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Mia Goth and André Benjamin.
Rounding out the cast are Lars Eidinger, Agata Buzek, Claire Tran, Ewan Mitchell, Gloria Obianyo, Scarlett Lindsey, Jessie Ross, and Victor Banerjee. Denis wrote the screenplay with Jean-Pol Fargeau and Geoff Cox
High Life premiered in Gala Presentations and screens again to the public on Thursday and Friday.
- 9/12/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Makarand Despande: “I feel Tom is like Luigi Pirandello’s Henry IV, an actor who fell from the horse and remained Henry for rest of his life. Tom for me fell into being a good man, a great soul who just not only played this difficult part all his life with courage and simplicity but dissolved hisRead More
The post Theatre Stalwarts Makarand Deshpande, Lilette Dubey, Victor Bannerjee remember Tom Alter appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
The post Theatre Stalwarts Makarand Deshpande, Lilette Dubey, Victor Bannerjee remember Tom Alter appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
- 10/2/2017
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
Not Paresh Rawal, not Anupam Kher….The buzz in the political quarters of Delhi is that Akshay Kumar, the Mr Clean of the entertainment business, is all set to play the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier there were strong possibilities of Paresh Rawal, Anupam Kher and even Victor Bannerjee playing Narendra Modi. “But the kind ofRead More
The post Scoop: Will Akshay Kumar play Narendra Modi? appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
The post Scoop: Will Akshay Kumar play Narendra Modi? appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
- 6/21/2017
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
Exclusive: Amazon has exclusive streaming rights to films like The Land Of The Gods and A Death In The Gunj.
Amazon has announced a long-term alliance with Cinestaan Film Company through its sales arm C International Sales for the exclusive distribution of independent Indian films.
The first batch of the titles includes The Land Of The Gods (Dev Bhoomi), A Death In The Gunj and The Hungry. The films will be streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video India after their theatrical release.
Rohit Khattar, chairman of India and UK-based boutique studio Cinestaan Group said, “In our quest to champion independent Indian films, we have been trying to figure out various ways to effectively distribute films which face the usual conundrum of high P&A and other costs. Amazon Prime Video has presented a much needed option.”
Nitesh Kripalani, director and country head of Amazon Prime Video India said, “Our alliance with Cinestaan is to build our selection...
Amazon has announced a long-term alliance with Cinestaan Film Company through its sales arm C International Sales for the exclusive distribution of independent Indian films.
The first batch of the titles includes The Land Of The Gods (Dev Bhoomi), A Death In The Gunj and The Hungry. The films will be streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video India after their theatrical release.
Rohit Khattar, chairman of India and UK-based boutique studio Cinestaan Group said, “In our quest to champion independent Indian films, we have been trying to figure out various ways to effectively distribute films which face the usual conundrum of high P&A and other costs. Amazon Prime Video has presented a much needed option.”
Nitesh Kripalani, director and country head of Amazon Prime Video India said, “Our alliance with Cinestaan is to build our selection...
- 1/30/2017
- by screenasia@yahoo.com (Silvia Wong)
- ScreenDaily
Om Puri, the veteran of Indian cinema who died on Friday morning at age 66 of an unexpected heart attack, received two National Film Awards, the highest honor an actor can receive in India. The awards are not without their controversies, as one may suspect from awards that are doled out by the national government of India. They have sometimes been accused of favoring Hindi-language films at the expense of regional cinema. As far as Indian awards bodies go, though, the National Film Awards exhibit remarkably prudent taste more often than not. The first of Puri’s National Awards was for Arohan (The Ascending Scale, 1982), by director Shyam Benegal, while the second came for Govind Nihalani’s Ardh Satya (Half Truth, 1983). In the days since Puri’s death, there has been justified focus on his work in Ardh Satya. It gave Puri one of his most definitive roles, and the film...
- 1/10/2017
- MUBI
Exclusive: Indian boutique studio is at Afm for the first time this year.
C International Sales, the UK-based sales arm of Indian boutique studio Cinestaan Film Company, is making its Afm debut with a slate including A Death In The Gunj and The Land Of The Gods.
Konkona Sen Sharma’s A Death In The Gunj, which premiered at Toronto, is backed by indie production house Studioz Idrream. Directed by Serbia’s Goran Paskalijevic, The Land Of The Gods (Dev Bhoomi) stars India’s Victor Banerjee.
Headed by former 6 Sales chief Marina Fuentes, C International focuses on films with a connection to India and handles both acquisitions and Cinestaan productions. The company is also selling Cinestaan’s Mirzya, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, for non-Indian diaspora territories.
“Launching C International Sales as independent Indian storytelling grows and the appetite for these stories escalates around the world is a fantastic opportunity,” said Fuentes...
C International Sales, the UK-based sales arm of Indian boutique studio Cinestaan Film Company, is making its Afm debut with a slate including A Death In The Gunj and The Land Of The Gods.
Konkona Sen Sharma’s A Death In The Gunj, which premiered at Toronto, is backed by indie production house Studioz Idrream. Directed by Serbia’s Goran Paskalijevic, The Land Of The Gods (Dev Bhoomi) stars India’s Victor Banerjee.
Headed by former 6 Sales chief Marina Fuentes, C International focuses on films with a connection to India and handles both acquisitions and Cinestaan productions. The company is also selling Cinestaan’s Mirzya, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, for non-Indian diaspora territories.
“Launching C International Sales as independent Indian storytelling grows and the appetite for these stories escalates around the world is a fantastic opportunity,” said Fuentes...
- 11/2/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
MoonlightDear Danny,As I type this final entry in a state of literal suspension—aboard my flight home, between a rainy Canadian morning and a muggy Californian afternoon—I begin to wonder whether my festival choices were too safe. I read your takes on experimental works with pleasure, as well as a hint of envy toward your adventurousness. My sole excursion this year into Wavelengths territory was Sergei Loznitsa’s Austerlitz, which I admired more than you. Concentration-camp tourism understandably dismays the sober director of My Joy, yet there’s a mordant edge to his unbroken views of visitors, including teeming long-shots that resemble Jacques Tati frames. People amble through these zones of unspeakable suffering as if at a particularly prosaic mall, guides barely hang on to their groups’ attention (“Folks, could you not eat in here, please?”), knowledge is shaky and selfie-sticks are ubiquitous. Still, I thought Loznitsa’s...
- 9/19/2016
- MUBI
Multi-starrer suspense thriller Fever starring Rajeev Khandelwal, Gauahar Khan, British actress Gemma Atkinson, Bond girl Caterina Murino, Victor Banerjee and Ankita Makwana, will send a chill down your spine on Friday 5th August, 2016. The film is being released through Blue Sapphire Films in the UK.
The action-packed teaser of the movie has already created suspense among the audience and the breath-taking locales of Switzerland in the film is set to further woo them. The film is written and directed by Rajeev Jhaveri, produced by Ravi Agrawal, Mahesh Balekundri, Ajay Chabbria, Rajath Manjunath and co-produced by Karan Devgan. The spine chiller is a production of Niche Film Farm & Jaya Sapthagiris Productions in association with Plus Entertainment Pvt Ltd & ICM entertainment Pvt Ltd.
The film is based on protagonist Armin Salem played by Rajeev Khandelwal (Aamir and Shaitan fame) who struggles to regain his identity after an accident. Over the course, he...
The action-packed teaser of the movie has already created suspense among the audience and the breath-taking locales of Switzerland in the film is set to further woo them. The film is written and directed by Rajeev Jhaveri, produced by Ravi Agrawal, Mahesh Balekundri, Ajay Chabbria, Rajath Manjunath and co-produced by Karan Devgan. The spine chiller is a production of Niche Film Farm & Jaya Sapthagiris Productions in association with Plus Entertainment Pvt Ltd & ICM entertainment Pvt Ltd.
The film is based on protagonist Armin Salem played by Rajeev Khandelwal (Aamir and Shaitan fame) who struggles to regain his identity after an accident. Over the course, he...
- 7/29/2016
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
The controversial film Unfreedom has now released in New York and Los Angeles, as well as on national digital platforms such as iTunes. Directed by Raj Amit Kumar, the film explores subjects that rock the boat…especially so in India.
Consequently, the country went as far as banning it.
Following two story lines of same-sex love in India and terrorism in the USA, discrimination and violence are prised gruesomely out in the open.
Unfreedom stars Victor Banerjee, Bhanu Uday, Bhavani Lee, Preeti Gupta, Seema Rahmani, Ankur Vikal, Samrat Chakrabarti and Adil Hussain.
Aashi Gahlot at BollySpice interviewed actress Bhavani Lee, who plays the part of spunky bisexual Sakhi Taylor.
Lee is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York. She is also a Kathak dancer with the iconic Pt. Birju Maharaj as one of her gurus. Bhavani toured the world with Cirque du soleil and has done various theatre productions,...
Consequently, the country went as far as banning it.
Following two story lines of same-sex love in India and terrorism in the USA, discrimination and violence are prised gruesomely out in the open.
Unfreedom stars Victor Banerjee, Bhanu Uday, Bhavani Lee, Preeti Gupta, Seema Rahmani, Ankur Vikal, Samrat Chakrabarti and Adil Hussain.
Aashi Gahlot at BollySpice interviewed actress Bhavani Lee, who plays the part of spunky bisexual Sakhi Taylor.
Lee is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York. She is also a Kathak dancer with the iconic Pt. Birju Maharaj as one of her gurus. Bhavani toured the world with Cirque du soleil and has done various theatre productions,...
- 6/1/2015
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
Banned in India, the controversial new motion picture Unfreedom releases in the United States this Friday, May 29, in theaters in New York and Los Angeles as well as on nationwide digital platforms such as iTunes.
Award-winning actor Victor Banerjee stars in this bold new film and sat down for a candid talk about his role as “Fareed,” a liberal Muslim scholar who actively speaks out against terrorists that use the Muslim faith as a cover for their immoral actions.
How were you first approached for this project and what made you want to take on this role?
An Assamese Director, Bidyut Kataki, whose feature film “As the River Flows”, I had worked in, was a friend of Aftab’s, I think, and sent him my contact details. Raj then had the guts to send me his gut-wrenching script. It was the sort of script that only a fool would turn down and,...
Award-winning actor Victor Banerjee stars in this bold new film and sat down for a candid talk about his role as “Fareed,” a liberal Muslim scholar who actively speaks out against terrorists that use the Muslim faith as a cover for their immoral actions.
How were you first approached for this project and what made you want to take on this role?
An Assamese Director, Bidyut Kataki, whose feature film “As the River Flows”, I had worked in, was a friend of Aftab’s, I think, and sent him my contact details. Raj then had the guts to send me his gut-wrenching script. It was the sort of script that only a fool would turn down and,...
- 5/31/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Raj Amit Kumar's Unfreedom is a remarkably ambitious film featuring two parallel narratives concurrently set in New York and New Delhi that unflinchingly contend with gender and ethnic identity. A fundamentalist Muslim, Mohammed Husain (Bhanu Uday), arrives in New York City to assassinate a peaceful Muslim academic, Fareed (Victor Banerjee); meanwhile, in New Delhi, Leela (Preeti Gupta), a closeted lesbian Muslim decides to kidnap her bisexual lover, Sakhi (Bhavani Lee), in a halfhearted attempt to marry her.
- 5/29/2015
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Though it starts off as a cautiously optimistic conversion narrative, the pseudo-progressive, banned-in-India Lgbt drama Unfreedom quickly devolves into an absurdly pessimistic provocation. The film's bifurcated plot initially concerns two Muslims whose lifestyles are reluctantly defined by their families' fundamentalist beliefs: While Leela (Preeti Gupta) defies her intolerant father by publicly coming out with partner Sakhi (Bhavani Lee), Husain (Bhanu Uday) follows in his terrorist brother's footsteps by agreeing to kidnap and film the execution of Fareed (Victor Banerjee), an anti-extremist public speaker. Both characters' faith is tested by religious trial, but neither protagonist gets to decide his or her own fate. During maudlin childhood flashback...
- 5/27/2015
- Village Voice
Unfreedom: Blemished Light –“It’s the choice we make when we are the most cornered in life that defines who we are.”
Raj Amit Kumar’s “Unfreedom” is a hard-hitting portrayal of the complexity being human. Powerful and well made, the film consists of superb performances.
This film will make you squirm with anger, disgust and shock towards the inhuman society we live in. To “hate” however is never simple.
The film portrays acts of inhumanity yet it also delves into the psyche of why? Why do people choose to commit acts of horror. Hating becomes impossible as it becomes clear that the perpetrator is actually an unhealed victim. Nevertheless, we all have a choice and Unfreedom emphasises the consequence of choice.
The film explores the lives of two different characters, Leela (Preeti Gupta) in Delhi and Husain (Bhanu Uday) in New York City.
Leela is a lesbian who...
Raj Amit Kumar’s “Unfreedom” is a hard-hitting portrayal of the complexity being human. Powerful and well made, the film consists of superb performances.
This film will make you squirm with anger, disgust and shock towards the inhuman society we live in. To “hate” however is never simple.
The film portrays acts of inhumanity yet it also delves into the psyche of why? Why do people choose to commit acts of horror. Hating becomes impossible as it becomes clear that the perpetrator is actually an unhealed victim. Nevertheless, we all have a choice and Unfreedom emphasises the consequence of choice.
The film explores the lives of two different characters, Leela (Preeti Gupta) in Delhi and Husain (Bhanu Uday) in New York City.
Leela is a lesbian who...
- 5/25/2015
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
The controversial new film Unfreedom has unveiled its first theatrical trailer. Banned in India and featuring an ensemble cast including Victor Banerjee, the provocative film will be released uncut in U.S. theaters on May 29.
Unfreedom juxtaposes two powerful and unflinching contemporary stories about religious fundamentalism and intolerance. Shifting between New York and New Delhi, one tale follows a Muslim terrorist who kidnaps a liberal Muslim scholar in order to silence him, while the other charts the travails of a young woman whose devout father tries to force her into an arranged marriage, which she resists because she is secretly in love with another woman. The four characters come face to face with gruesome acts of violence in battles of identity, sexuality, religion, love, and family.
Written and directed by Kumar, the film stars Victor Banerjee (A Passage to India, Meherjaan), Bhanu Uday (Monsoon), Bhavani Lee, Preeti Gupta, Seema Rahmani (Good Night Good Morning,...
Unfreedom juxtaposes two powerful and unflinching contemporary stories about religious fundamentalism and intolerance. Shifting between New York and New Delhi, one tale follows a Muslim terrorist who kidnaps a liberal Muslim scholar in order to silence him, while the other charts the travails of a young woman whose devout father tries to force her into an arranged marriage, which she resists because she is secretly in love with another woman. The four characters come face to face with gruesome acts of violence in battles of identity, sexuality, religion, love, and family.
Written and directed by Kumar, the film stars Victor Banerjee (A Passage to India, Meherjaan), Bhanu Uday (Monsoon), Bhavani Lee, Preeti Gupta, Seema Rahmani (Good Night Good Morning,...
- 3/28/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
When a film is “banned” by the Censor Board of Film Certification, you know you are onto something. Well, that is exactly the case with Raj Amit Kumar’s film Unfreedom.
Homosexuality.
Islam.
Thinking outside of convention.
Unfreedom breaks all the “rules”.
The film follows two different lives, the storyline pivoting on a female same-sex relationship and the dangers of religious extremism.
Shifting between New York and Delhi, one story explores the kidnapping of a liberal Muslim scholar by a Muslim terrorist. The other story dives into a woman’s journey -a woman secretly in love with another woman. She faces the challenges of this love when she refuses an arranged marriage set up by her religious father.
Classified as “too controversial” for release in India, the film will release in North American theatres on the 29th of May 2015 and simultaneously on digital channels via Film Buff.
The juxtaposition of...
Homosexuality.
Islam.
Thinking outside of convention.
Unfreedom breaks all the “rules”.
The film follows two different lives, the storyline pivoting on a female same-sex relationship and the dangers of religious extremism.
Shifting between New York and Delhi, one story explores the kidnapping of a liberal Muslim scholar by a Muslim terrorist. The other story dives into a woman’s journey -a woman secretly in love with another woman. She faces the challenges of this love when she refuses an arranged marriage set up by her religious father.
Classified as “too controversial” for release in India, the film will release in North American theatres on the 29th of May 2015 and simultaneously on digital channels via Film Buff.
The juxtaposition of...
- 3/15/2015
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
Dark Frames, a new distribution company dedicated to bringing high-quality, non-Bollywood Indian films to North American and international audiences through theatrical and digital channels, will release its first title, Unfreedom, on May 29, it was announced today by Dark Frames’ founder, Raj Amit Kumar. Veteran film marketer and distributor Mark Urman of Paladin is partnering with Dark Frames to lead the marketing and distribution of its release slate. Dark Frames will also partner with Film Buff to distribute Unfreedom at the same time on Cable VOD and other digital platforms.
Unfreedom juxtaposes two powerful and unflinching contemporary stories about religious fundamentalism and intolerance. Shifting between New York and New Delhi, one tale follows a Muslim terrorist who kidnaps a liberal Muslim scholar in order to silence him, while the other charts the travails of a young woman whose devout father tries to force her into an arranged marriage, which she resists...
Unfreedom juxtaposes two powerful and unflinching contemporary stories about religious fundamentalism and intolerance. Shifting between New York and New Delhi, one tale follows a Muslim terrorist who kidnaps a liberal Muslim scholar in order to silence him, while the other charts the travails of a young woman whose devout father tries to force her into an arranged marriage, which she resists...
- 2/13/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Goran Paskaljevic
After Bosnian director Danis Tanović’s (Tiger), it’s Serbian director Goran Paskaljevic who will film his next feature in India. Paskaljevic, who is heading the India Gold jury at 16th Mumbai Film Festival, announced his latest Dev Bhoomi starring Victor Banerjee on Sunday.
Dev Bhoomi will be the first ever Indo-Serbian co-production.
The film explores the homecoming of a 65 year old man, Rahul, who, when he discovers he is going blind, decides to return from England to his village in Garhwal, in India, to take one last look at the world he ran away from, 40 years ago. Produced by Milan Markovic, the film will be entirely shot in Uttarakhand in March-April 2015. The director with his team has been travelling to Dehradun and nearby places in Uttarakhand for scouting locations.
Goran said in a press conference: “Dev Bhoomi is a story of simple dramatic structure, tense inside, without a lot of external effects,...
After Bosnian director Danis Tanović’s (Tiger), it’s Serbian director Goran Paskaljevic who will film his next feature in India. Paskaljevic, who is heading the India Gold jury at 16th Mumbai Film Festival, announced his latest Dev Bhoomi starring Victor Banerjee on Sunday.
Dev Bhoomi will be the first ever Indo-Serbian co-production.
The film explores the homecoming of a 65 year old man, Rahul, who, when he discovers he is going blind, decides to return from England to his village in Garhwal, in India, to take one last look at the world he ran away from, 40 years ago. Produced by Milan Markovic, the film will be entirely shot in Uttarakhand in March-April 2015. The director with his team has been travelling to Dehradun and nearby places in Uttarakhand for scouting locations.
Goran said in a press conference: “Dev Bhoomi is a story of simple dramatic structure, tense inside, without a lot of external effects,...
- 10/20/2014
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Serbian director Goran Paskaljevic is planning to shoot Indo-Serbian co-production Dev Bhoomi, starring Victor Banerjee, in India next March.
Produced by Milan Markovic, the film will be entirely shot in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand in March-April 2015. Serbia’s Nova Film will co-produce with India’s Shinar Entertainment and the UK’s H.W. Buffalo & Co.
The story follows a 65-year-old man, Rahul, who decides to return from England to his village in Garhwal, Uttarakhand when he discovers he is going blind, to take one last look at the world he left 40 years ago.
Paskaljevic is currently serving on the India Gold jury of the on-going Mumbai Film Festival. His credits include Cabaret Balkan (1998), Honeymoons (2009) and When Day Breaks (2012).
Banerjee is known to international audiences for his roles in David Lean’s A Passage To India and has also worked with Roman Polanski, James Ivory, Shyam Benegal and Satyajit Ray.
“Dev Bhoomi...
Produced by Milan Markovic, the film will be entirely shot in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand in March-April 2015. Serbia’s Nova Film will co-produce with India’s Shinar Entertainment and the UK’s H.W. Buffalo & Co.
The story follows a 65-year-old man, Rahul, who decides to return from England to his village in Garhwal, Uttarakhand when he discovers he is going blind, to take one last look at the world he left 40 years ago.
Paskaljevic is currently serving on the India Gold jury of the on-going Mumbai Film Festival. His credits include Cabaret Balkan (1998), Honeymoons (2009) and When Day Breaks (2012).
Banerjee is known to international audiences for his roles in David Lean’s A Passage To India and has also worked with Roman Polanski, James Ivory, Shyam Benegal and Satyajit Ray.
“Dev Bhoomi...
- 10/20/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Us and Mumbai-based collaborative Dark Frames has acquired world rights to Indian director Kamal K.M.’s debut feature I.D.
Starring Geetanjali Thapa (Monsoon Shootout), the film follows a young woman who sets out on a quest to discover the identity of a labourer who collapsed in her apartment. Producers on the film include Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty.
The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, played in competition at Abu Dhabi and has won awards including best film at the Deauville Asian Film Festival and a jury award for best actor (Thapa) at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
I.D. will also screen at the upcoming Zurich Film Festival in the New World View section.
“I.D. has travelled in many countries in Europe and North America through 19 major festivals, bagging nine international awards so far. There are many queries on the distribution of the film from viewers in many countries,” said Kamal.
Dark...
Starring Geetanjali Thapa (Monsoon Shootout), the film follows a young woman who sets out on a quest to discover the identity of a labourer who collapsed in her apartment. Producers on the film include Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty.
The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, played in competition at Abu Dhabi and has won awards including best film at the Deauville Asian Film Festival and a jury award for best actor (Thapa) at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
I.D. will also screen at the upcoming Zurich Film Festival in the New World View section.
“I.D. has travelled in many countries in Europe and North America through 19 major festivals, bagging nine international awards so far. There are many queries on the distribution of the film from viewers in many countries,” said Kamal.
Dark...
- 8/15/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Us and Mumbai-based collaborative Dark Frames has acquired world rights to Indian director Kamal K.M.’s debut feature I.D.
Starring Geetanjali Thapa (Monsoon Shootout), the film follows a young woman who sets out on a quest to discover the identity of a labourer who collapsed in her apartment. Producers on the film include Kamal and Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty.
The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, played in competition at Abu Dhabi and has won awards including best film at the Deauville Asian Film Festival and a jury award for best actor (Thapa) at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
I.D. will also screen at the upcoming Zurich Film Festival in the New World View section.
“I.D. has travelled in many countries in Europe and North America through 19 major festivals, bagging nine international awards so far. There are many queries on the distribution of the film from viewers in many countries,” said Kamal.
Dark...
Starring Geetanjali Thapa (Monsoon Shootout), the film follows a young woman who sets out on a quest to discover the identity of a labourer who collapsed in her apartment. Producers on the film include Kamal and Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty.
The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, played in competition at Abu Dhabi and has won awards including best film at the Deauville Asian Film Festival and a jury award for best actor (Thapa) at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
I.D. will also screen at the upcoming Zurich Film Festival in the New World View section.
“I.D. has travelled in many countries in Europe and North America through 19 major festivals, bagging nine international awards so far. There are many queries on the distribution of the film from viewers in many countries,” said Kamal.
Dark...
- 8/15/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
New Delhi/Dhaka, May 12: The much talked-about Indian film "Children of War: Nine Months to Freedom", will have its trans-border release in Bangladesh and India on May 16.
Starring Indian actors Raima Sen, Indraneil Sengupta, Victor Banerjee, Pawan Malhotra, Tilottama Shome, and newcomers Rucha and Shatrunjay, besides the late Farooque Sheikh, the film, which has been directed by Mrityunjay Devvrat, reveals the pains and pangs of people, particularly women, revolving around the war between India and Pakistan that eventually led to the creation of the new nation of Bangladesh in 1971-72.
The film shows how Pakistani soldiers.
Starring Indian actors Raima Sen, Indraneil Sengupta, Victor Banerjee, Pawan Malhotra, Tilottama Shome, and newcomers Rucha and Shatrunjay, besides the late Farooque Sheikh, the film, which has been directed by Mrityunjay Devvrat, reveals the pains and pangs of people, particularly women, revolving around the war between India and Pakistan that eventually led to the creation of the new nation of Bangladesh in 1971-72.
The film shows how Pakistani soldiers.
- 5/12/2014
- by Lohit Reddy
- RealBollywood.com
The New York Indian Film Festival (Nyiff) announced the full lineup last night for their 14th year of celebrating independent, art house, alternate, and Diaspora films from/about/connected to the Indian subcontinent (May 5 – 10) at the SoHo Tiffin Junction. Dedicated to bringing these films to a New York audience, the festival will feature 34 screenings (23 narrative, 11 documentary) –all seen for the first time in New York City.
The festival highlights various cinemas of India’s different regions – Marathi, Bengali and two films from the Northeast. In addition the festival covers cinemas from the neighboring South Asian countries – four films by Pakistani filmmakers, two from Sri Lanka – a feature and a documentary, and one from Nepal.
The festival’s Marathi films include Postcard and multiple-award winning films Astu and Fandry. Directed by Nagraj Manjule, Fandry received rave reviews in India, winning the grand jury prize at the Mumbai Film Festival in October...
The festival highlights various cinemas of India’s different regions – Marathi, Bengali and two films from the Northeast. In addition the festival covers cinemas from the neighboring South Asian countries – four films by Pakistani filmmakers, two from Sri Lanka – a feature and a documentary, and one from Nepal.
The festival’s Marathi films include Postcard and multiple-award winning films Astu and Fandry. Directed by Nagraj Manjule, Fandry received rave reviews in India, winning the grand jury prize at the Mumbai Film Festival in October...
- 4/10/2014
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Mumbai, Feb 18: Victor Banerjee's brief role in Yash Raj Films' (Yrf) may have irked some of his colleagues and fans, but the acclaimed veteran actor defends it by saying that he has a "kitchen to run".
"Why did I do such a brief role? Simple! The truthful answer is I have a kitchen to run. Those who don't like me working in such films unfortunately won't contribute to an out-of-work actor's pension," said the 67-year-old.
"Besides, at the end of the day, all work is a challenge and therefore fun," added the Bengali actor, who has worked with the likes of David Lean, Satyajit Ray and Shyam Benegal.
In "Gunday",.
"Why did I do such a brief role? Simple! The truthful answer is I have a kitchen to run. Those who don't like me working in such films unfortunately won't contribute to an out-of-work actor's pension," said the 67-year-old.
"Besides, at the end of the day, all work is a challenge and therefore fun," added the Bengali actor, who has worked with the likes of David Lean, Satyajit Ray and Shyam Benegal.
In "Gunday",.
- 2/18/2014
- by Rahul Kapoor
- RealBollywood.com
Panaji, Nov 23: Victor Banerjee of "A Passage to India" fame is playing the role of iconic Indian guru Paramhansa Yogananda in a film that traces the spiritual life of his late American devotee Swami Kriyananda.
Produced by Kriya Movies and Yogananda Films, the two-hour English language movie "The Answer" was shot across three continents - India, Romania and the Us.
The Gorakhpur-born Yogananda moved to the Us in 1920 to spread Kriya Yoga and died there in 1952, six years after writing his still best selling spiritual classic, "Autobiography of a Yogi".
The Romania-born Kriyananada, originally Donald Walters, met Yogananda in the Us in 1948 at the age of 22 and spent his entire life teaching Kriya Yoga, Sanatan Dharma.
Produced by Kriya Movies and Yogananda Films, the two-hour English language movie "The Answer" was shot across three continents - India, Romania and the Us.
The Gorakhpur-born Yogananda moved to the Us in 1920 to spread Kriya Yoga and died there in 1952, six years after writing his still best selling spiritual classic, "Autobiography of a Yogi".
The Romania-born Kriyananada, originally Donald Walters, met Yogananda in the Us in 1948 at the age of 22 and spent his entire life teaching Kriya Yoga, Sanatan Dharma.
- 11/23/2013
- by Anita Agarwal
- RealBollywood.com
Iffi to screen festival favorites Blue is the Warmest Colour, Ilo Ilo, The Past among others
A still from The Coffin Maker
Two Indian Films; Apu’s Song by Kaushik Ganguly and The Coffin Maker by Veena Bakshi have been selected in the International Competition section at the International Film Festival of India (Iffi) to be held in Goa from November 20-30, 2013.
Apu’s Song is a real-life story inspired by Subir Banerjee, the child actor who played the iconic role of Apu in Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali. The film released theatrically in August 1955 and it has been 58 long years hence. But ironically Subir never became a part of any film again in his entire life. On his way to receive an award in a film festival in Germany, he reminisces about his life.
The Coffin Maker by Veena Bakshi (India) is set in a small village in Goa.
A still from The Coffin Maker
Two Indian Films; Apu’s Song by Kaushik Ganguly and The Coffin Maker by Veena Bakshi have been selected in the International Competition section at the International Film Festival of India (Iffi) to be held in Goa from November 20-30, 2013.
Apu’s Song is a real-life story inspired by Subir Banerjee, the child actor who played the iconic role of Apu in Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali. The film released theatrically in August 1955 and it has been 58 long years hence. But ironically Subir never became a part of any film again in his entire life. On his way to receive an award in a film festival in Germany, he reminisces about his life.
The Coffin Maker by Veena Bakshi (India) is set in a small village in Goa.
- 11/13/2013
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Anurag Basu best known for the recent success of his film Barfi, has apparently acquired the rights to remake the Bengali film Shabdo. The national award winning film which was directed by Kaushik Ganguly revolved around the life of a foley (sound recording specialist) artist and featured Ritwik Chakraborty, Raima Sen, Churni Ganguly, Victor Banerjee and Srijit Mekherji. As for the Hindi remake, Anurag will be producing as well as directing the film, while Kaushik will be assisting him in scripting the same. Currently, under scripting process, the film's shoot should commence by December.
- 8/3/2013
- BollywoodHungama
Writer-Director: Kaushik Ganguly, Cinematographer: Shirsha Ray Editor: Mainak Bhoumik, Cast : Churni Ganguly, Kaushik Ganguly, Raima Sen, Ritwik Chakraborty, Srijit Mukherje, Victor Banerjee
Shobdo is a tribute to all the unsung heroes of the film industry on 100 years of Indian cinema. Kaushik Ganguly has chosen to highlight the Foley artists who go unheard despite creating accurate and effective ambience sounds that pour life into every frame and scene.
Shobdo tells the story of Tarukh, a foley artist who holds his work in high esteem. He considers himself a master craftsman recreating sounds of the universe dressed in his underwear and confined to a sound studio. Tarukh’s work soon becomes his obsession where his mind starts registering only the ambience sounds, drowning out human voices and making him oblivious to the reality around him. Tarukh’s wife (Raima Sen) and his psychiatrist ( Churni Ganguly) have to fight for Tarukh against him.
Shobdo is a tribute to all the unsung heroes of the film industry on 100 years of Indian cinema. Kaushik Ganguly has chosen to highlight the Foley artists who go unheard despite creating accurate and effective ambience sounds that pour life into every frame and scene.
Shobdo tells the story of Tarukh, a foley artist who holds his work in high esteem. He considers himself a master craftsman recreating sounds of the universe dressed in his underwear and confined to a sound studio. Tarukh’s work soon becomes his obsession where his mind starts registering only the ambience sounds, drowning out human voices and making him oblivious to the reality around him. Tarukh’s wife (Raima Sen) and his psychiatrist ( Churni Ganguly) have to fight for Tarukh against him.
- 12/16/2012
- by Hiral Sachde Thakkar
- DearCinema.com
Akhon Nedekha Nodir Sipare (As River Flows) by Bidyut Kotoky’s will release in theatres today in Assam. Produced by the National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc), the film is shot in the background of Assam’s river island Majuli ravaged by insurgency and the kidnapping of activist Sanjoy Ghosh, who was first abducted in 1997 by the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) rebels from the river island and subsequently killed. A Hindi version of the film will be released soon with the same title.
A poem recitation made in 2010 by Assam’s renowned singer and balladeer Bhupen Hazarika is also a part of the film. Hazarika passed away on 5th November, 2011 in Mumbai. The cast of the film include Victor Banerjee, Sanjay Suri, Bidita Bag, Raj Zutshi, Nakul Baid and Naveed Aslam.
Recently, the National Film Awards jury rejected the film for an award saying it is not an Assamese film,...
A poem recitation made in 2010 by Assam’s renowned singer and balladeer Bhupen Hazarika is also a part of the film. Hazarika passed away on 5th November, 2011 in Mumbai. The cast of the film include Victor Banerjee, Sanjay Suri, Bidita Bag, Raj Zutshi, Nakul Baid and Naveed Aslam.
Recently, the National Film Awards jury rejected the film for an award saying it is not an Assamese film,...
- 9/14/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Meherjaan by debutant director Rubaiyat Hossain that screened as part of Frescoes at the 12th Osian’s Cinefan Film Festival is a brave and lyrical depiction of war-torn Bangladesh (of 1971) in a way rarely seen before. Though it is a story of a family ravaged by the Bangladesh Liberation war, the mood of the film is of celebrating love and womanhood. It’s a shame that the film was pulled out of theatres in Bangladesh for not depicting the reality ‘appropriately’.
The director of Meherjaan completely breaks free from stereotypes and steers clear of showing blood and gore on screen; not in an attempt to distort reality but to highlight the part of reality she is most interested in: the Bangladeshi women at the time of the war. So with the palpable tension of the war in the backdrop, what one sees unfolding on screen is the story of two female characters,...
The director of Meherjaan completely breaks free from stereotypes and steers clear of showing blood and gore on screen; not in an attempt to distort reality but to highlight the part of reality she is most interested in: the Bangladeshi women at the time of the war. So with the palpable tension of the war in the backdrop, what one sees unfolding on screen is the story of two female characters,...
- 7/31/2012
- by Nandita Dutta
- DearCinema.com
Victor Banerjee whose torrid 65-second long smooching sequence with Keira Chaplin in Chaurahen has been voluntarily snipped out by the film's director, is very angry with this year's National award jury. His wrath is directed at the jury for rejecting the Assamese director Bidyut Kotoki's film As The River Flows for not being Assamese.
Victor plays a central part in this highly-acclaimed film. Lashing out at the jury, Victor says, "We should set rhinos and wild water buffalos on those members of the jury whose constipated vision needs a socio-cultural suppository shoved into them."
Victor can't see the logic of an Assamese film being rejected for not being Assamese. "I'm flummoxed by the absurdity of a National jury watching a film in the Assamese language, directed by an Assamese, shot in Assam being proclaimed as being 'not Assamese'. Hello? How much more Assamese did they want the film to be?...
Victor plays a central part in this highly-acclaimed film. Lashing out at the jury, Victor says, "We should set rhinos and wild water buffalos on those members of the jury whose constipated vision needs a socio-cultural suppository shoved into them."
Victor can't see the logic of an Assamese film being rejected for not being Assamese. "I'm flummoxed by the absurdity of a National jury watching a film in the Assamese language, directed by an Assamese, shot in Assam being proclaimed as being 'not Assamese'. Hello? How much more Assamese did they want the film to be?...
- 3/19/2012
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
Victor Banerjee is upset with this year.s National Awards jury for rejecting Assamese director Bidyut Kotoki.s film As The River Flows for not being Assamese.Victor, who plays a central part in the film, said .I.m flummoxed by the absurdity of a National Awards jury watching a film in the Assamese language, directed by an Assamese and shot in Assam being proclaimed as being .not Assamese.. Hello? How much more Assamese did they want the film to be?..I.m ashamed at the high-handed arrogance of a jury that has no business calling itself national. As The River Flows is an important Assamese film with a message for all to ponder upon. I.ve nothing more to say,. he added.Victor feels it is such ignorant evaluations of the region that has led to the neglect of the area..The entire nation is ignorant of the reality...
- 3/19/2012
- Filmicafe
Mumbai, March 19: Victor Banerjee is upset with this year's National Awards jury for rejecting Assamese director Bidyut Kotoki's film "As The River Flows" for not being Assamese.
Victor, who plays a central part in the film, said: "I'm flummoxed by the absurdity of a National Awards jury watching a film in the Assamese language, directed by an Assamese and shot in Assam being proclaimed as being 'not Assamese'. Hello? How much more Assamese did they want the film to be?"
"I'm ashamed at the high-handed arrogance of a jury that has no business calling itself national. 'As The River Flows' is an important Assamese film.
Victor, who plays a central part in the film, said: "I'm flummoxed by the absurdity of a National Awards jury watching a film in the Assamese language, directed by an Assamese and shot in Assam being proclaimed as being 'not Assamese'. Hello? How much more Assamese did they want the film to be?"
"I'm ashamed at the high-handed arrogance of a jury that has no business calling itself national. 'As The River Flows' is an important Assamese film.
- 3/19/2012
- by Meeta Kabra
- RealBollywood.com
After directing a film that is as commercial and Bollywood as they get, Rajshree Ojha returns to the screen with her film Chaurahen, and this time commercial is anything but what the film looks like. Originally completed in 2007, Chaurahen went on to screen at 11 international film festivals before securing theatrical distribution in India by PVR Cinema and global online distribution by Mela.
Chaurahen (Crossroads), a film directed by Rajshree Ojha, who previously directed Aisha, in addition to two other popular specialty projects, boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Soha Ali Khan, Victor Banerjee, veteran Bollywood actress Zeenat Aman, and Kiera Chaplin, granddaughter of the silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin. The film is an adaptation of short stories by celebrated author Nirmal Verma. Ojha describes the three vignettes that comprise Chaurahen as “snippets of collected photographs, bringing together similar disconnected people trying to find their path.”
If you’re like...
Chaurahen (Crossroads), a film directed by Rajshree Ojha, who previously directed Aisha, in addition to two other popular specialty projects, boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Soha Ali Khan, Victor Banerjee, veteran Bollywood actress Zeenat Aman, and Kiera Chaplin, granddaughter of the silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin. The film is an adaptation of short stories by celebrated author Nirmal Verma. Ojha describes the three vignettes that comprise Chaurahen as “snippets of collected photographs, bringing together similar disconnected people trying to find their path.”
If you’re like...
- 3/16/2012
- by Prathna Tiwari
- Bollyspice
Director: Rajshree Ojha, Writers: Rajshree Ojha, Anuvab Pal (based on the stories of Nirmal Verma), Actors: Victor Banerjee, Roopa Ganguly, Soha Ali Khan, Ankur Khanna, Kiera Chaplin etc.
There aren’t many literary adaptations in Indian cinema these days. So an effort to render Nirmal Verma’s stories on celluloid is a welcome endeavor. However, it is also a tad too ambitious. The stories that are simple yet delve into the complexities of human relationships may appear visually-oriented, but to hold them together cinematically via an engaging narrative demands much more than an adept ensemble cast. This is where Chaurahen disappoints: it limits itself to a high-flown, philosophical montage of scenes where it is difficult to identify with or feel for any of the characters. Because they spent most of their time philosophizing about life instead of behaving like mere mortals with motives. Not to mention, the fact that they...
There aren’t many literary adaptations in Indian cinema these days. So an effort to render Nirmal Verma’s stories on celluloid is a welcome endeavor. However, it is also a tad too ambitious. The stories that are simple yet delve into the complexities of human relationships may appear visually-oriented, but to hold them together cinematically via an engaging narrative demands much more than an adept ensemble cast. This is where Chaurahen disappoints: it limits itself to a high-flown, philosophical montage of scenes where it is difficult to identify with or feel for any of the characters. Because they spent most of their time philosophizing about life instead of behaving like mere mortals with motives. Not to mention, the fact that they...
- 3/16/2012
- by Nandita Dutta
- DearCinema.com
After Sudhish Kamath’s Good Night Good Morning, the next film to release under PVR Director’s Rare banner will be Rajshree Ojha’s Chaurahen (Crossroads).
Ojha made this film before her Bollywood debut Aisha in 2010. It travelled to several film festivals in 2007 like South Asian International Film Festival – New York, Mumbai International Film Festival (Mami), Osian’s Cinefan Film Festival and Cairo International Film Festival among others.
The film stars Soha Ali Khan, Ankur Khanna, Victor Banerjee, Kiera Chaplin, Roopa Ganguly, Zeenat Aman, Shayan Munshi, Karthik Kumar, Suchitra Pillai, Arundathi Nag, Nedumudi Venu and Siddharth Makkad. Kiera Chaplin, who is the grand daughter of the legendary comedian Charlie Chaplin makes her debut in Indian cinema with Chaurahen.
Chaurahen features three separate stories set in three different cities in contemporary India. There is a troubled adulterous affair in Kolkata, a family dealing with the loss of a son in Kochi...
Ojha made this film before her Bollywood debut Aisha in 2010. It travelled to several film festivals in 2007 like South Asian International Film Festival – New York, Mumbai International Film Festival (Mami), Osian’s Cinefan Film Festival and Cairo International Film Festival among others.
The film stars Soha Ali Khan, Ankur Khanna, Victor Banerjee, Kiera Chaplin, Roopa Ganguly, Zeenat Aman, Shayan Munshi, Karthik Kumar, Suchitra Pillai, Arundathi Nag, Nedumudi Venu and Siddharth Makkad. Kiera Chaplin, who is the grand daughter of the legendary comedian Charlie Chaplin makes her debut in Indian cinema with Chaurahen.
Chaurahen features three separate stories set in three different cities in contemporary India. There is a troubled adulterous affair in Kolkata, a family dealing with the loss of a son in Kochi...
- 2/16/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Veteran actor Victor Banerjee will play an intense role in Indian-American Amit Kumar.s directorial debut .Blemished Light., which will deal with discrimination that happens in the name of identity. The 64-year-old Victor is known for movies like .Jogger.s Park., .My Brother.. Nikhil. and Kumar points out that he will be seen as a character he hasn.t played before. .Victor Banerjee obviously has a screen presence, and he is a perfect fit for the role, but what excites me, as well as what seems to have driven him to play this part is the opportunity to perform as a character he has not played before,. said Kumar in a statement. Interestingly, the movie.s title has been inspired by Faiz Ahmad Faiz.s poem .Ye dagh dagh ujala, ye shab ghazida sahar.. Apart from Victor, Alyy Khan and Ankur Vikal also play pivotal role in the film. .The...
- 7/6/2011
- Filmicafe
Amit Kumar, an American Indian director is making a film called Blemished Light. The film will see Victor Bannerjee playing the lead role. Says Amit, "The story of Blemished Light developed from a desire to express the lack of freedom within, and the struggle against, the most dominating social structures of our time – Capitalism and Patriarchy. In our world, mass extermination and discrimination happen in the name of "identity". I took up the task in Blemished Light to show Read More...
- 7/5/2011
- Bollywood Trade
Amit Kumar, an American Indian director is making a film called Blemised Light. The film will see Victor Bannerjee playing the lead role. Says Amit, "The story of Blemished Light developed from a desire to express the lack of freedom within, and the struggle against, the most dominating social structures of our time – Capitalism and Patriarchy. In our world, mass extermination and discrimination happen in the name of "identity". I took up the task in Blemished Light to show Read More...
- 7/5/2011
- Bollywood Trade
Amit Kumar, an American Indian director is making a film called Blemished Light. The film will see Victor Bannerjee playing the lead role. Says Amit, "The story of Blemished Light developed from a desire to express the lack of freedom within, and the struggle against, the most dominating social structures of our time - Capitalism and Patriarchy. In our world, mass extermination and discrimination happen in the name of "identity". I took up the task in Blemished Light to show...
- 7/5/2011
- GlamSham
Two Indian feature films: I Am directed by Onir and Virgin Goat, a co-production between India and France, directed by Murali Nair will be screened at Kandy International Film Festival (Kiff) from June 22-26 in Sri Lanka.
A Bangladeshi film Meherjaan directed by Rubaiyyat Hossain will be presented at the festival which stars Jaya Bachchan, Victor Banerjee and Omar Rahim. It is a story set in the backdrop of Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.
The Indian documentaries which will be presented at the festival are: Marathon Boy directed by Gemma Atwal (2010, India-uk-usa) and Gandhi’s Children, directed by Vishnu Vasu (2010, Sri Lanka-India).
Marathon Boy follows Budhia, the four-year-old prodigy plucked from the slums of India and trained for marathon which ultimately leads to a tale of greed, envy and broken dreams. Gandhi’s Children is a personal documentary capturing the lives of dalits and tribals in India.
A Bangladeshi film Meherjaan directed by Rubaiyyat Hossain will be presented at the festival which stars Jaya Bachchan, Victor Banerjee and Omar Rahim. It is a story set in the backdrop of Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.
The Indian documentaries which will be presented at the festival are: Marathon Boy directed by Gemma Atwal (2010, India-uk-usa) and Gandhi’s Children, directed by Vishnu Vasu (2010, Sri Lanka-India).
Marathon Boy follows Budhia, the four-year-old prodigy plucked from the slums of India and trained for marathon which ultimately leads to a tale of greed, envy and broken dreams. Gandhi’s Children is a personal documentary capturing the lives of dalits and tribals in India.
- 6/20/2011
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Vikram Bhatt
Vikram Bhatt will take over Bhoot sequel from Ram Gopal Varma. He says, “I don’t think Ramu will mind”
Producer Nitin Manmohan has taken a call that might raise issues between Vikram Bhatt and Ram Gopal Varma. The 2003 hit film Bhoot will have a sequel but it will be directed by Vikram Bhatt and not by Ram Gopal Varma (the director of Bhoot 2003). Apparently, Vikram Bhatt’s latest horror films (Haunted 3D 2011, 1920 2008) have highly impressed Manmohan and thus his decision.
Ram Gopal Varma
The sequel will reportedly retain the original cast, including Ajay Devgn, Urmila Matondkar, Rekha, Victor Bannerjee, Nana Patekar and Fardeen Khan. There are also rumors that the film might be in 3D. Bhatt said, ‘To this day, it (Bhoot) is regarded as one of the most chilling supernatural thrillers and hats off to Ramu for making it the way it turned out. I don’t think Ramu will mind.
Vikram Bhatt will take over Bhoot sequel from Ram Gopal Varma. He says, “I don’t think Ramu will mind”
Producer Nitin Manmohan has taken a call that might raise issues between Vikram Bhatt and Ram Gopal Varma. The 2003 hit film Bhoot will have a sequel but it will be directed by Vikram Bhatt and not by Ram Gopal Varma (the director of Bhoot 2003). Apparently, Vikram Bhatt’s latest horror films (Haunted 3D 2011, 1920 2008) have highly impressed Manmohan and thus his decision.
Ram Gopal Varma
The sequel will reportedly retain the original cast, including Ajay Devgn, Urmila Matondkar, Rekha, Victor Bannerjee, Nana Patekar and Fardeen Khan. There are also rumors that the film might be in 3D. Bhatt said, ‘To this day, it (Bhoot) is regarded as one of the most chilling supernatural thrillers and hats off to Ramu for making it the way it turned out. I don’t think Ramu will mind.
- 6/14/2011
- Chakpak
"Why can't the guy get AIDS from a popular Bollywood actress?" According to 41-year-old Indian filmmaker Onir (right), that's what one potential backer asked him when he tried to raise funds for his 2005 AIDS drama My Brother … Nikhil, which features Sanjay Suri, Juhi Chawla, and A Passage to India's Victor Banerjee. Things didn't get any easier when Onir sought financial backing for the omnibus feature I Am, a compilation of four short films about controversial topics inspired by real-life stories: gay rights (in "Omar"), child abuse, police harassment, and a single woman's search for a sperm donor. Released in Indian cinemas on April 28, I Am got made only thanks to donations made by way of Facebook. Those donors reportedly provided one-third of the film's $675k budget. "Some people said they liked the film's subject. Or they wanted to learn about film-making. Or they simply wanted their name in the...
- 4/27/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
A Passage To India (1984) Direction: David Lean Cast: Judy Davis, Victor Banerjee, Peggy Ashcroft, Alec Guinness, Nigel Havers, James Fox, Richard Wilson, Saeed Jaffrey, Roshan Seth Screenplay: David Lean; from E. M. Forster's 1924 novel and Santha Rama Rau's 1960 play Oscar Movies Recommended Judy Davis, A Passage to India Synopsis: In the early 20th century, Miss Quested (Judy Davis) and her soon-to-be mother-in-law, Mrs. Moore (Peggy Ashcroft, right), arrive in India, where they're met by Ronny Moore (Nigel Havers), a young and self-righteous representative of the British Empire. During their stay, a local Muslim physician, Dr. Aziz (Victor Banerjee), befriends the two women. All goes well until something strange happens in the dark and foreboding Marabar Caves. A distraught Miss Quested then accuses Dr. Aziz of having attempted to rape her. A trial ensues. [Note: Spoilers ahead.] The Pros: Director-screenwriter-editor David Lean offers an intelligent and mostly subtle adaptation of [...]...
- 2/16/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
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