Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged cannes film festival
Nandita Das to direct another film
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 21, 2013)
Mothering her three-year-old son is Nandita Das’ primary passion. But she continues to wear many hats as a screen and theatre actress, and a social activist. In 2008 Nandita turned director with the stunning drama Firaaq, a semi-fictional account of communal riots in Gujarat. Four years later, she is finally ready to direct another film. Though she isn’t willing to reveal details at this juncture, the actress-filmmaker-activist-homemaker admits, “I’ve finally found a story idea. I will start working on my second directorial venture as soon as I return from Cannes. It’s a long journey ahead. But I am glad it has finally begun again.” Next month Nandita heads to the Cannes Film Festival to be part of the jury to evaluate short-films. Says Nandita excitedly, “I feel truly honoured that they have called me again to be part of their jury. I had earlier been invited to be on the Cannes jury in 2005. This time I will be going with my husband Subodh and son Vihaan. So the whole family will be part of the Festival. I’m very much looking forward to it.”
I am back at acting too-Nagesh Kukunoor
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Nagesh Kukunoor on his latest film and not working with big stars
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; March 30, 2013)
His last few films like Mod, Aashayein, 8×10 Tasveer and Bombay to Bangkok proved to be duds. But Nagesh Kukunoor still prefers making the kind of films he believes in — even though some of his projects have taken ages to release or have yet to see light of day. Taking on slice-of-life subjects in a sensitive manner is his forte. The engineer-turned-filmmaker is best remembered for his debut flick Hyderabad Blues and later Iqbal. His upcoming film Laxmi based on human trafficking features reality show singer Mauli Dave along with Ram Kapoor and Shefali Shah.He has been taking on the highs and lows of B-Town in his stride as we ask him…
You are sending your new film to the Cannes film festival? Fingers crossed! I have submitted the film but I have yet to get a reply in the affirmative. It will be doing the festival circuit before its release. Singer- actress Mauli Dave is playing the title role in the film.
You are also acting in your latest… Yes, I acted in 3 Deewarein, which starred Naseeruddin Shah, Jackie Shroff and Juhi Chawla a decade ago. It was a minor role but this time I have a proper role with a track. So you can say I am back to acting too! But I would rather stick to making films.
After bad experiences with stars like John Abraham (Aashayein) and Akshay Kumar (8×10 Tasveer) in your earlier projects, would you ever make a film with a star again? It all More >
Wanted KLPD to go to Cannes-Mallika Sherawat
09 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Mallika Sherawat couldn’t stop professing her love for all things Hollywood and flaunting her international connections at a promotional event
Prachi Kadam (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 31, 2012)
On Sunday, while the first look of her upcoming Bollywood film Kismet Love Paisa Dilli was being unveiled in a mall in Mumbai, Mallika Sherawat kept talking about her Hollywood lifestyle in a candid chat with this newspaper. However, her hero Vivek Oberoi was not too impressed. Flaunting her Cannes connections, the actress said, “I told the producers and Vivek that we should have unveiled the first look at Cannes. The film is young and cocky. It would have been fun to see how people react to it. But they just did not agree.” And though the actress looked a bit crestfallen, Vivek refused to agree even now.
“I’m a realist. As a desi hero, I understand that the audience for a film based in Delhi is more in India than anywhere else. Why should I take KLPD to Cannes? Shouldn’t I take a film that talks about Indian ethos and culture?” said Vivek.
Though Mallika momentarily seemed to agree with Vivek, she could hardly get over her Los Angeles lifestyle. “Trust me, the lifestyle there is so hassle free. Clean air, cleaner roads, safety, security… everything there is perfect for a happy life. LA is so unlike Mumbai. Here, we are so tired traveling because of the traffic. The unhygienic conditions are also bad for the system,” said Mallika, who interestingly wasn’t too unhappy with the Mumbai More >
‘Kalpana’ languishes in Jogeshwari godown
010 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
A restored print of Uday Shankar’s 1948 classic is apparently being held at a suburban location
Shakti Shetty (MID-DAY; July 23, 2012)
Uday Shankar’s Kalpana has run into more trouble. Earlier, after the film was digitally enhanced, thanks to the efforts of Indian restorer Shivendra Singh Dungarpur in collaboration with Hollywood filmmaker Martin Scorsese, the film could not be screened in India, due to some legal issues associated with the project.
Now, word is that the digital print that has arrived in India is stuck with the Customs, in a postal godown in the Western suburbs of Mumbai since the last three weeks. The restored film was recently screened at Cannes Film Festival and is scheduled to be handed over to National Film Archives of India (NFAI) in Pune. According to Dungarpur, the reason behind this anomaly is the Custom department’s lethargic attitude towards the much-awaited parcel.
He alleges that despite having already cleared the dues stipulated by the authorities, he hasn’t received the print. He adds, “It’s officially the property of the Government of India but being the person who has been part of this effort right from the very beginning, it’s frustrating to see the kind of treatment meted out to our national heritage. It also bears the official chapa on it. Apparently, the word ‘restored’ on the parcel is what’s bothering them.”
Dungarpur is currently in London for the pre-Olympics screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s debut feature Lodger (1927); a film he More >
This photo has caused trouble in Antonio’s marriage!
010 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Melanie Griffith upset with her husband’s proximity to Mallika
Tushar Joshi (BOMBAY TIMES; July 21, 2012)
We were the first to show you this exclusive picture of Mallika Sherawat dirty dancing with Antonio Banderas (BT, May 25), in which the two were seen grinding and getting up close and personal on billionaire Paul Allen’s yacht during the Cannes film festival this year. Now, the snapshot has reportedly caused trouble in his marriage with Melanie Griffith.
Sources reveal that while Melanie stayed at home in LA, Antonio was spotted with Mallika at coffee shops and clubs during the festival.
The buzz got stronger after Griffith was seen shopping at a mall without her wedding ring. A source reveals, “Mallika got dragged into the marriage drama after Melanie saw the photos and videos of her husband with the Indian actress.”
Sherawat’s stylist friend Ivan Bitton defends her saying she’s not responsible for the cracks in the relationship. He says, “Antonio was very attracted to Mallika and you could see that from a video. He grabbed her from behind, and he was really into the dance. I could hear him telling her how beautiful she was. As they were dancing together, a haggard looking woman in her 40s, violently pushed Mallika out of the way. I just grabbed her hand and we went downstairs, we didn’t want to deal with any drama.” While the two haven’t separated, close friends reveal that Melanie will only take Antonio back after he shows any sign of wanting to make the marriage More >
No new suits for Nawazuddin Siddiqui
010 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
The actor will be wearing the same outfit he wore at Cannes for the Stuttgart film fest too
Shaheen Parker (MID-DAY; July 17, 2012)
Nawazuddin Siddiqui may be in festive mood yet again but his outfit woes continue. The actor left last night for the Indian film festival in Stuttgart where Mangesh Hadawale’s film starring him is the opening fare. As all such events are bow-tie events, he has no choice but to wear the same suit he wore at the Cannes Film Festival in May where two of his other films were screened.
The actor admits, “I will have to make do with the Cannes suit. I have been busy shooting outside Mumbai and then took off for a few days to spend time at home in Uttar Pradesh and was later in New Delhi. I arrived in Mumbai yesterday evening and had to catch a flight to Stuttgart the same night.”
Just before he left for Cannes, the actor had approached some designers to style him for the red carpet. Even though he had been recognised after Kahaani, no designer was keen to do it. Usually designers fall all over to dress up stars for Cannes. Eventually Nawazuddin bought fabric himself and gave it to a local tailor to stitch. He was happy with the outfit even though it was a last minute job.
Adds Nawazuddin, “I guess once I am back in Mumbai, I will have to get my wardrobe woes sorted out!” The actor has his co-star Tannistha Chatterjee, director Mangesh Hadawale and producer Mahavir Jain aaccompanying him to Stuttgart where their film is the opening attraction More >
Anurag has never auditioned me-Nawazuddin Siddiqui
011 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
‘Gangs Of Wasseypur’ actor feels people like him now have a chance in the industry
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; June 25, 2012)
It has taken him over 13 years to be finally recognised. From doing blink-and-miss roles to being the hero of the film has not only been a long, but a rather bumpy journey for Nawazuddin Siddiqui. He counts 2012 to be his year with a slew of projects lined up for release. His latest film, Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Gangs Of Wasseypur’, released over the weekend.
Currently, the actor is shooting in Ahmedabad, for Shlok Sharma’s film and is in a no-network zone. But networking is something he doesn’t need to exactly do now. With several more films in his kitty, his performances in his recent projects have done the talking, fetching him even more offers as we ask him…
How are you tackling the suddenness of being a known name? The other day I was at Ahmedabad airport and people kept looking at me. It takes a second look and then it strikes them. People tell me, “Weren’t you the CBI inspector Khan in Kahaani?” I can understand that they are initially puzzled. But yes, after Kahaani, I do get stared at and stopped. For me it has finally happened! I had a small role in the Aamir Khan- starrer Sarfarosh. That was back in 1999. After Kahaani, I can say that a new chapter in my life has begun, as an actor. Attending the Cannes Film Festival was another high.
You share a great rapport with Anurag Kashyap? Anurag has never auditioned me for any role. I was also part of More >
Roshans-Rampals to bond in Bali
011 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Starting Tuesday, Hrithik, Arjun and their families will be on a 15-day holiday
Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 25, 2012)
The Rampals may be out of favour with a certain Khan. But by the looks of it, they still have enough friends in the industry. At least those they can vacation with. A source from a travel agency revealed that Arjun along with wife Mehr and daughters Mahikaa and Myra will leave for a 15-day trip to Bali on Tuesday. Joining them at the beautiful beach destination will be close friends – the Roshans.
Sources close to the actors revealed that Sussanne had in fact planned the trip. “Hrithik had been very busy with his Krrish 3 schedule. He wanted to take a break with his sons Hrehaan and Hridaan. Sussanne decided to include the Rampals as well since their children go to the same school and are close friends,” said the source.
Arjun too had been busy shooting for Prakash Jha’s Chakravyuh in Bhopal. He had taken a few days off to attend an event during the Cannes film festival. “Both the Roshans and the Rampals are looking forward to this vacation. They want to just relax and spend some time with their families. The last few months have only been about work for both the actors,” added the source.
Surely, this is turning out to be Bollywood’s favourite holiday season. While the Bachchans are busy bonding with their Beti B in London, the Roshans and the Rampals are the latest addition to the list.
Gangs Of Wasseypur: Let the show begin
011 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Anurag Kashyap’s latest film made waves from Wasseypur to Cannes, but going by what these B-Town folk have to say, it’s set to draw in the masala lovers too
BOMBAY TIMES (June 22, 2012)
Even before it has hit the screens, this violent tale of interior Bihar has captivated critics as well as audiences. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs Of Wasseypur might be set in the lower rungs of the Bihar mafia, but it has not just made waves in international circuits — competing at the Cannes film festival — but has also earned new fans in those who have watched it before release. And don’t judge it primarily by its international reviews, in case you are thinking this is a film just for the ‘festival types’. It has got global critics comparing Anurag to Tarantino and Coppola, but has also got the desi audience thoroughly entertained. As Anurag Kashyap says, mainstream is no more mindless.
Ranbir Kapoor Anurag is a hunter and you have to see his gun! I love the music, and my favourite dialogue is ‘Yeh Wasseypur hai. Yahaan kabootar bhi ek pankh se udta hai aur doosre se apni izzat bachata hai’!”
Zoya Akhtar Gangs Of Wasseypur is a hardcore family saga set in a lawless, testosterone-driven land. I loved it. I love Anurag Kashyap and I can’t wait to see part 2.
Imtiaz Ali It’s very enticing, I believe it’s Anurag’s best. It’s violent, but he’s made it in a very entertaining way.
Dibakar Banerjee
Gangs… is non-stop indulgence, like an insane party! It truly is one of the biggest More >
Gangs Of Wasseypur gets moody
011 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Sakshi Budhraja (BOMBAY TIMES; June 20, 2012)
We are all familiar with the over-the-top promotions that precede the release of a Bollywood film — stars making multiple public appearances, life-sized movie posters hung everywhere, umpteen media interactions and of course, rumours of the lead actors being linked.
While most production houses shell out lots of moolah on such elaborate film promotions, Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur has managed to recreate the mood of the film in a cost-effective manner.
Vikram Malhotra, COO, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, refers to their marketing strategy as “the truest form of marketing a film” as opposed to other “cute innovations” used for other movies. He says, “In the case of most films, there will be one small flutter here and another small flutter there, but with GOW, we have stayed completely true to the fact that the film is unconventional, its storytelling is of a very different nature. We knew we could not reach out to millions in a conventional manner because this movie doesn’t have big stars or candy floss visuals or any of the trappings of a conventional Hindi film.”
Here are some of GOW’s hatke marketing tactics
GAMCHHAS, FROM INDIA TO CANNES After the screening of the film at the Cannes Film Festival, the GOW team danced on the streets wearing red gamchhas, and has been making public appearances in them ever since. Malhotra says, “The gamchha took centre-stage at Cannes — it’s a simple touch, but it is also very More >