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Posts tagged farmers’ suicide
Peepli Live a hit with PM, Advani
Sep 1st
THE TIMES OF INDIA (August 30, 2010)
New Delhi: Senior BJP leader L K Advani praised Aamir Khan’s Peepli Live for its “realistic depiction of village life”but wished that the filmmaker had chosen a subject like implementation of NREGA rather than farmers’ suicide.
The film is a satire on the country’s agrarian crisis and the subsequent media and political response.
“When last week Aamir Khan arranged a special show of his Peepli Live for our NDA MPs, I complimented him on the fact that his film was a sharp contrast. It was a starkly realistic depiction of village life. For many urban viewers, it may have been a first time experience,” the veteran leader wrote on his blog on Sunday.
“I told Aamir, I have been to villages in Andhra Pradesh and Vidarbha where many such suicides have taken place. And I can well imagine how distressed these families would feel if they were to see the film and find that the tragedies they have passed through were being made an object of mockery. The film would have been very effective if it had chosen some subject like NREGA as the central theme,” he added.
On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh watched Peepli Live at his 7 Race Course Road residence. Singh, along with his wife Gursharan and close relatives, “watched the film with great interest” at a special screening. TNN & AGENCIES
Movie Review: PEEPLI [LIVE] by FENIL SETA
Aug 14th
Farmers’ suicide has been a grave problem since past many years and no individual, commission or government has able to put an end or at least reduce it. Peepli [Live] is a story based on this burning issue. However, the treatment is simple and a major part of the film is light-hearted and comical. However, at the same time, the goings-on at several places terribly move you. Achieving such a fine balance between the two is difficult but debutant director Anusha Rizvi succeeds in doings so very well. Peepli [Live] thus is a must watch…something that our countrymen should not miss!
The story of the movie: Natha (Omkar Das Manikpuri) and his brother Budhia (Raghuvir Yadav) are involved in farming and live in a small village called Peepli, somewhere in the state of ‘Mukhya Pradesh’. The brothers are about to lose their land as they are unable to pay a bank loan. At this juncture, they learn that the government pays one lakh to the family of all those indebted farmers who commit suicide. Budhia thus persuades Natha to do the ‘honour’ so that their land can be saved. However, somehow, the local journalist Rakesh (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) gets to know about their plan and publishes it in the local newspaper. From here, the news reaches the national television channels whose reporters immediately head to Peepli and turn the issue into ‘breaking news’! What makes the story ‘spicy’ is the fact that by-elections are soon happening in the constituency in which Peepli falls and this constituency belongs to the chief minister Ram Yadav (Jugal Kishore) of the state! Media, state government, central government…everyone sees this as an opportunity to outdo their rival and shine among the masses!
Peepli [Live] is based in a small village and all the actors playing villagers look exactly like one. Most of them are real-time villagers (the lead Omkar Das is a Chhattisgarh native). Hence the film looks more authentic and believable. Similarly the ones playing news reporters have gone into the skin of their characters and pitched a lifelike performance! Having spoken about the actors, let’s move to the winner of the movie…the script! The best part is, although the film throws light on those living below poverty line, you can feel a connect as we have been aware of their issues and problems. Same goes for news channels and their TRP-driven overdrive which we all have been witnessing since years. However, simultaneously, the director gives a behind-the-scenes take of these people and that’s when you realize that we are living in extremely cruel and insensitive times!
The film gets dry at times but not boring at all. Right from the first scene, the film shall keep you hooked. The film sets the mood with the scene where the brothers argue as to who should die. The intermission point was truly hilarious! The scene where Natha gets a ‘Lal Bahadur’ from the district board and later a television from a political party brings the house down but also exposes as to what level people stoop down to publicize themselves. Then the entire government track (involving rivalry between the central agricultural ministry and state government) was very well shown.
Certain scenes deeply move you. For instance, the sequence where Natha hugs his goat. And not to forget, the mini-track involving an extremely malnourished farmer is the most touching part of the story. The film reaches a high when an important development takes place in the narrative. The climax, involving chasing of one another was similar to Priyadarshan movies but seems very true and believable. The last scene was unexpected but was totally justified.
Hats off to all actors for pitching in brilliant performances! The film belongs to Omkar Das Manikpuri! He hasn’t mouthed many dialogues but it’s his eyes, mannerisms and (adorable) looks that speak a lot! One of the best debuts this year! Raghuvir Yadav shines whenever he does an out-of-the-box film and Peepli [Live] is no exception! He has a major role in the first hour but gets sidelined in the second half (there was no option actually). Nawazuddin Siddiqui (who rocked in Black Friday, Firaaq and New York) gives yet another powerful performance. He has a major part in the narrative and he plays his part very well! An actor to watch! Mallika Shenoy as Nandita Mallik leaves a mark. She looked every inch a news reporter. A performance you’ll surely remember for a long time! Same goes for Vishal O Sharma as Nandita’s rival. What a performance!
Shalini Vasta as Natha’s wife and Farrukh Jaffer as Natha’s mother provide some funny moments throughout the film. Naseeruddin Shah as the agricultural minister Salim Kidwai was absolutely natural. Jugal Kishore makes an impact especially in the scene wherein he’s deciding under which scheme Natha can be helped! Sitaram Panchal as Bhai Thakur was excellent especially in the entry scene. The person belonging to casteist party, the digging farmer and the rest do a great job.
Music was very rustic and soulful. All songs leave a mark. Des Mera (by Indian Ocean), Chola Mati Ke (by Nageen Tanvir) and most importantly, Mehengai Dayain (by Bidwai village artistes) were very delightful. Mathias Duplessy’s background score was effective. Hemanti Sarkar’s editing was crisp and flawless. Make-up and costumes helped even more in giving the actors a true-to-life look. Shanker Raman’s cinematography was one of the best this year.
Anusha Rizvi, the writer-director deserves brownie points for her outstanding job. Her story was novel but at the same time relatable. Screenplay was gripping and she did a great job by not falling to commercial diktats. As for her direction, well, it was a surprise! Rarely can a debutant director do such a fine job (the last one to probably do so was Nandita Das in Firaaq). A brilliant job to say the least and hope she goes a long way!
And finally, the review would be incomplete without the mention of producer Aamir Khan! It’s thanks to his efforts and name that the film is today seen in large numbers and creating waves everywhere! Hats off Mr Perfectionist!
Some of the best scenes:
1. Natha and Budhia meet Bhai Thakur
2. Natha and Budhia arguing as to who should die
3. Nandita interviewing Salim Kidwai in the studio
4. Natha gets ‘Lal Bahadur’!
5. The intermission point
6. News reports interviewing any tom, dick, harry in Peepli about Natha
7. Natha gifted television
8. The digging farmer track
9. Rakesh and Nandita’s verbal argument
10. The last 20 minutes
On the whole, Peepli [Live] is truly satire at its best! Aided with a brilliant script and performances, the film will not only make you laugh but the sensitive handling will also move you! One of the best films of the year, this one is not to be missed! Go for it!!
My rating-**** ½ out of 5!
Movie Review: PEEPLI [LIVE] by TARAN ADARSH
Aug 10th
By Taran Adarsh, August 10, 2010 – 10:45 IST
When Aamir Khan produces a film, or is associated with any film in the capacity of an actor, be prepared for the unpredictable. Films like TAARE ZAMEEN PAR and 3 IDIOTS took pot shots at the education system in India and PEEPLI [LIVE], directed by Anusha Rizvi, is a tongue-in-cheek satire on the farmers’ suicides and the role of vote-hungry politicians and the over-enthusiastic, TRP-seeking desperate electronic media jostling for eyeballs.
Come to think of it, the concept [farmers' suicides] would instinctively translate into a serious, thought-provoking film. But PEEPLI [LIVE] takes a grim and solemn issue, turns it into a satire, garnishes it with populist sentiment and makes a far greater impact than a mere documentary, had it tackled the burning issue. In fact, like all Aamir Khan films, PEEPLI [LIVE] marries realism with a winning box-office formula most brilliantly.
| BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM |
A sad fact of our society is that bad news attracts instant attention. In PEEPLI [LIVE], an impoverished man offers to commit suicide so that his family can benefit from a government grant – a dark subject matter which is dealt with in a delightfully humorous manner. In fact, it’s a terrific satire about a troubled India, the shining India, the industrialised India that’s rarely depicted on the Hindi screen.
PEEPLI [LIVE] focuses on the poorest of the poor in India and it not only highlights the plight of a farmer in a tiny corner of a giant country, but also throws light on the varied people who exploit the situation to their advantage, right from the politicians to the bureaucrats to the television reporters to the local people. In fact, PEEPLI [LIVE] makes a scathing attack on the functioning of media in India and how media persons, depicted as vultures, generally stoop to the lowest levels to increase the ratings of their television channel/show.
The best part is that at no point does the film gets preachy or starts offering solutions to the grave issue. It’s a mere tool that the makers have used to discuss bureaucracy, the rural and urban divide and lack of concern of the administration.
Final word? This tragi-comedy, a brilliant satire, is not to be missed.
Natha [Omkar Das Manikpuri], a poor farmer from Peepli village in the heart of rural India, is about to lose his plot of land due to an unpaid government loan. A quick fix to the problem is the government’s program that aids the families of indebted farmers who have committed suicide. As a means of survival, Natha chooses to die. His brother [Raghubur Yadav] is happy to push him towards this unique honour.
Local elections are around the corner and what might’ve been another unnoticed event turns into a cause célèbre, with everyone wanting a piece of the action. Political bigwigs, high-ranking bureaucrats, local henchmen and the ever-zealous media descend upon sleepy Peepli to stake their claim. Natha’s mother [Farrukh Jaffer] screams at his wife [Shalini Vatsa], while his young son urges papa to go through with the suicide so he can use the money to become a policeman.
One TV journalist, in a desperate search for a new angle, tries to examine Natha’s faeces to determine his emotional state. Nobody seems to care how Natha really feels.
PEEPLI [LIVE] tells the story of today: Rural society, the games politicians play, the bureaucracy and the manipulative electronic media. It’s a well penned and well executed film that deals with a serious issue in a witty and entertaining manner. Although very real, it creates a world full of vivid characters and incidents and keeps the viewer engrossed throughout.
First-time director Anusha Rizvi handles the subject material like a veteran. Her script is tight and witty and her handling of a difficult subject deserves kudos. What really sets the film apart is that it is unlike a typical Bollywood film. In fact, you can’t draw parallels with any film, past or present. And that’s what goes in favour of this film, since virgin subjects handled with utmost sensitivity and maturity is the order of the day. Even the finale is most appropriate and absolutely befitting the content of the film. In a nutshell, Anusha scores a sixer in her debut.
The music, composed by multiple artists, is Indian to the core and borrows heavily from folk music. The hugely popular – ‘Mehangayee Daayan’ – is the pick of the lot, without doubt. Cinematography is appropriate. Dialogue, laced with expletives, are truly fantastic and most importantly, real.
Manikpuri is brilliant as Natha. Raghubir Yadav shines as the opportunist brother. Malaika Shenoy [as the television reporter] is exceptional. Shalini Vatsa [as Natha's wife] is outstanding. Ditto for Farrukh Jaffer [Natha's bed-ridden mother]. In fact, the constant tu-tu-main-main between the saas-bahu is thoroughly enjoyable. Nawazuddin Siddiqui [as Rakesh, the local journalist] is natural. Vishal Sharma [as Kumar Deepak, the rival journalist] is top notch. Naseeruddin Shah is first-rate as the conniving, shrewd politician. The remaining cast – there’re lots of actors in the film – pitch in believable performances.
On the whole, PEEPLI [LIVE] is sure to ride initially on the strength and credibility of its iconic actor/producer Aamir Khan and once that is achieved, the powerful content is sure to speak for itself. PEEPLI [LIVE] is a film that would not only appeal to Indians, but is sure to reach out to audiences beyond India. Simply brilliant!
I always enjoyed entertaining-Omkar Das
Aug 8th
Theater actor Omkar Das has come a long way from Bhilai to Mumbai bringing raw folk talent to the fore
Divashri Sinha (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 08, 2010)
Omkar Das, aka Natha, brings his raw and rustic charm to the Mumbai screens, courtesy Peepli Live. Given his pedigree in theatre, he almost sets the tone of his first feature film.
How did you start out in theatre?
I started theatre full-time in the year 2000. Until then, I was a folk singer and used to travel with my troupe of 30-odd singers in Chattisgarh. I always enjoyed entertaining, so theatre came naturally.
How did Peepli Live happen?
I was auditioning for another project in Bhopal when the writer and director saw me and wanted me to audition for Natha. I got the lead role immediately. I never expected it.
How did it feel being on a film set, with untrained actors and a big crew?
Oh, that was something! From street performances and folk songs to big lights, cameras, etc; I was very intimidated. But the director was very helpful.
She asked me to ignore the cameras and be as natural as possible. After the first day, I concentrated on everything else except the camera and soon got over the hesitation.
How popular is theatre in villages now? How much has Bollywood managed to influence its style and subject?
People usually enjoy the song and dance routines much more than staged drama.
Even though the issues may be relevant, naatak is expected to have more entertainment than anything else. There are a few mainstream songs and actors that are popular, but regional artistes and cinema have a much wider appeal.
You have been associated with Habib Tanvir, whose work has been politically charged. Are the subjects of your plays also similarly influenced?
We draw from very basic subjects: droughts, famine, dowry, infanticide, low yield of crops, poor sale of seeds… just about anything that impacts a farmer’s life.
But like I said, if we don’t balance it with folk songs and dance, people won’t watch. So we balance it out with Dadariya, shringar and cheda-chadi songs.
There is an upsurge of naxals in Chattisgarh. Does the issue influence your content in any way?
Fortunately, their activity in our state is restricted to the very interiors, deep in jungles and remote villages. So while political issues are a large part of our content, we try and stay away from this subject. It’s easy for villagers to get scared and worried.
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| Omkar Das plays the lead role of a depressed farmer in the movie Peepli Live |
Naya Theater focuses on encouraging the use of local dialects and styles… tell us a little about them.
Yes, we have been using Urdu since Habib saab’s time and Chhatisgarhi as our medium. We prefer using the local language and train youngsters in getting the dialect and tenor right. It always has maximum impact when one communicates with the audience in their own language and tone.
We usually have people coming in from Lucknow, Delhi, other big and small towns and cities in addition to regional folk artists who we work with. Our theater performs throughout Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh.
What was your experience of working with Habib saab?
He was a brilliant writer and teacher. He understood that people who come into this profession, regardless of age, are bound by the same passion. We learnt by improvising. He gave each artist their own space and pace to learn and perform. We learnt a lot by just watching each other.
What do you have to say about the treatment of farmers’ suicide in Peepli Live? Do you think it’ll resonate with the masses?
I was very happy with the end product. It looks like people will be able to associate with the story. It’s simple, honest and innocent. The subject is serious and touching; and the city audiences will be educated, I feel.
The decade ahead will belong to women directors-Peepli Live director
Aug 2nd
Debutant director Anusha Rizvi in a candid chat with BT
Harshada Rege (BOMBAY TIMES; August 2, 2010)
Few women with the exception of Farah Khan have made inroads in Bollywood. But things seem to be changing. Unlike before, when producers seemed reluctant to hand over the reins of their films to a woman director, today you have producers like Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan ready to back the women who they think have substance. Delhi-based Anusha Rizvi, who makes her directorial debut with Peepli Live, believes that it’s now time for women directors to make their place on the Bollywood mantle. “Such changes don’t happen overnight. It’s taken time to come this far. It’ll have to evolve. Yes, till date Bollywood has had very few female directors and that definitely is a cause for concern. Women filmmakers have proved themselves time and again. I believe that the decade ahead will belong to women directors,” she says. Works of directors like Nandita Das and Sooni Taraporevala have impressed her a lot. “Firaaq was such a brave film and Little Zizou was told in such an interesting way…” she gushes.
Speaking about her directorial debut, Anusha says, “I didn’t set out to make a satire or a romantic movie. I am just telling a story that appealed to me. It’s not just about farmers committing suicide… that’s just one element.”
Anusha, who has worked as a television producer for four years, is also an independent documentary filmmaker. She has worked on a number of commissioned and independent films. And despite having Bollywood superstar Aamir as her producer, she wasn’t tempted to get him to be a part of the cast. “The cast suits their roles perfectly. And Aamir anyway is making a special appearance as the producer,” she points adding, “If there had been some role for where I would have needed him, I would have definitely requested him.” But what about the rumours that there were certain issues that she has with Aamir? She dismisses the rumour saying, “The thing is… I am based in Delhi so it’s difficult for me to know what impression people have over here. He’s been a great producer.”
With most debutant filmmakers making films about the youth in metros, are we ignoring the rural areas? “If we are forgetting the rural area that means we are not making movies about India. There are four major metros in our country and majority of the population does not reside there,” she points.
Peepli Live director speaks
Aug 1st
After working on a sensitive documentary, Anusha Rizvi realised how a balanced approach is crucial for a film
Sayoni Sinha (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 01, 2010)
As Anusha Rizvi awaits audience reaction to her directorial debut Peepli Live, a lot has been written on the theme which revolves around farmers’ suicide. But Anusha is quick to say that the film is much more than just a satire on farmers’ suicide.
“The film is an objective view on the huge divide between urban and rural India which is a much larger issue,” she says.
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Facts to fiction
Objectivity doesn’t come easy when you are dealing with a sensitive subject and trying to not take sides. For Anusha, this isn’t something new as she has faced the same situation while working on a docu-fiction on the IC 814 hijack drama. On December 24, 1999, IC 814 had taken off from Kathmandu and was on its way to India when it was hijacked by five Pakistani terrorists and was taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan. “While researching, we saw the personal side of all the passengers on board and they seized to be just statistics. Interviewing the passengers and the flight attendants gave us an insight into the psyche of the terror-stricken people,” she says.
It was necessary to get both sides of the story, but unfortunately Anusha and the team couldn’t get a balanced view. “When you are dealing with a sensitive issue which involves both, India and Pakistan, it is important to balance it. We tried our best to go to Lahore and Kandahar but did not get permission to shoot there. We tried to get in touch with the journalists and Pakistani agencies, but ran into a wall every time. In the end, we had to go with a one-sided story,” she reveals.
Never say never
In 2004-2005, there was an interest in the media about farmers’ suicide. This is when Anusha decided to ‘tell’ a story, without being judgmental.
For a first time director with no prior experience in filmmaking, it was a tough task but she gave it a shot. Says Anusha, “I never give up without trying, something which I learnt from (the late theatre veteran) Habib Tanvir.
I have known him all my life and looking at him, I have realised how worthless our life has been.” Tanvir’s wife passed away and a week after that, he fell down and broke his ribs. He was 82-years-old then.
“At that age, it is difficult to not resign to your fate. But Tanvirsaab was different. He recovered and went back to what he loved best – theatre. I realised that if he has so much energy and determination at that age, why can’t I?” she concludes.
Peepli Live director clueless about film’s promotion & marketing
Jun 8th
Peepli Live director Anusha Rizvi has no clue about the film’s promotion which producer Aamir Khan is handling
Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 08, 2010)
Producer Aamir Khan’s insistence to completely take charge of the promotion campaign of Peepli Live hasn’t gone down well with director Anusha Rizvi. The debutante director of the much talked-about Aamir Khan Productions has been asked to stay out of the marketing of her film while the actor works his magic to create the right buzz.
While earlier Delhi-based Anusha, who submitted her screenplay for Peepli Live to Aamir Khan on email, was seen accompanying Aamir to the Sundance Film Festival, she was nowhere to be seen at the Edinburgh Film Festival.
“As you can see I’m in Delhi and not in Edinburgh,” Anusha said while the Edinburgh festival was on. She volunteers no reason for her absence from the festival. In fact she seems petrified about even being interviewed. “I’m really not supposed to say anything about the film,” she added.
On being assured that it’s not about the film but her, the reluctant director reveals, “I’ve absolutely no connection with Bollywood. I stay in Delhi. When I decided to show around the script to prospective producers for my first film Mr Aamir Khan’s name naturally came up.”
To Anusha’s surprise Aamir responded positively to her email. “That’s how the journey began for Peepli Live. But I am surprised at how many misapprehensions there are about the film. Peepli Live is not about farmers’ suicides. It’s about…,” she suddenly bites her tongue.
Concealing her disillusionment with the filmmaking machinery in Mumbai the first-time director says, “I’m comfortable in Delhi and I see no reason why I can’t direct films from here. In any case I don’t intend to make big masala films. I don’t know what I’ll be making next. That’s IF I’ll be making anything else.”
Anusha is clueless about the film’s distributor UTV’s release plans for Peepli Live. “I do know it’s releasing in August. But beyond that I’ve no idea. You’ll have to ask them.”
When we ask Anusha for a still she agrees reluctantly. But then neither does she send her picture nor does she answer the phone again. Interestingly, when a source close to the project is told about our conversation with Anusha, he quickly asks, “Did she speak against Aamir?”
All attempts to get those close to the project to comment on the director’s distance from the project fails to evoke a response. However, one member of the crew agrees to speak on condition of anonymity. “I don’t know what the problem is. Aamir has had 2-3 private screenings of the film.
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| Peepli Live |
Last week he had one in his office where he invited members of the cast including Raghuvir Yadav. I don’t know if Anusha was there. The fact is Aamir’s personal interest in the project as producer has given Peepli Live a visibility and an edge. Otherwise it would’ve just come and gone.”
Contrary to Anusha’s statement, Peepli Live is partly about farmers’ suicide. One of the actors says, “It’s actually about the electronic media’s penchant for sensationalism. An ambitious provincial journalist informs an urban channel that a farmer is supposed to commit suicide in his village. This information triggers off a chain of bizarre and tragic reactions in the village.”
Responding to why Anusha Rizvi was missing from the Edinburgh Film Festival, UTV’s Siddharth Roy Kapoor says, “Festivals are essentially market places where buying and selling of films takes place. Anusha attended both the Sundance and Berlin festivals along with UTV representatives.
Amrita Pandey, who heads the overseas marketing of UTV films, has taken a decision not to spend any more of the marketing budget on festivals but to use that money for actual promotion when the film releases. Since Peepli Live is a very small film and has no stars it will need all the marketing budget it can afford to spend on actual promotions. Usually film festivals offer to pay for the travel and stay of the director. This was not the case with the Edinburgh Film Festival.”
Director of Peepli Live had to undergo audition
Mar 19th
Anusha Rizvi was auditioned before being finalised to direct Peepli Live for Aamir Khan
By Sonal Chawla (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 19, 2010)
Known for his perfectionism, Aamir Khan is quite particular about the directors he works with and also those he appoints to make films for his production house Aamir Khan Productions.
Debutante director Anusha Rizvi had to undergo a test before she was selected to direct Aamir’s production Peepli Live. Aamir tested her by asking her to shoot five scenes to convince himself that she was the right choice – somewhat like auditions for actors.
It is learnt that Anusha was initially a reporter and had approached Aamir via email with an unusual subject on farmers’ suicide. Aamir was quite impressed with the script. Aamir said, “I liked the script but I wasn’t too sure if she would direct it well.
So I asked Anusha to shoot five scenes of the film. The scenes she shot were up to the mark and I decided to have her onboard”
Anusha confirmed and said, “I was obviously nervous but I was used to handling a video camera as I was a reporter earlier. That I was dealing with actors was something new but it wasn’t much of a hurdle.
What is actually difficult is a film’s technical aspect, but we had our technical team in place when we started shooting and it was a lovely learning process.”
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Aamir Khan’s ‘Peepli Live’ gets ‘A’ certificate
Feb 21st
Mumbai: After the success of latest blockbuster 3 Idiots, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is all set for his next project ‘Peepli Live’.
Aamir Khan, who is known for making a family film, has received a severe jolt from censor board. Yes, the Censor Board has awarded his forthcoming film Peepli Live with ‘A’ certificate.
Raghuvir Yadav starrer ‘Peepli Live’ is based on farmers’ suicide. Earlier the Censor Board had decided to give the film ‘U’ certificate and asked the director to drop some objectionable scenes from the movie.
But the director Anjum Rizvi was not happy with the decision to remove any scenes from the film. Even Aamir was not ready to remove a single line from the movie. After the rigid behaviour of Aamir, the board has left no option and the movie was given ‘A’ certificate. It seems that Aamir is unfazed by the A certification.
The film has already hogged limelight and selected for Sundance film festival 2010. The film has some abusive dialogues due to which it was awarded such a certification.
Raghuvir has been playing the troubled farmer in the movie who announces suicide to save family. Aamir khan is not acting in the movie but has only produced it.
Well, if you under 18, you will miss the movie in theaters. The movie is directed by Anusha Rizvi and produced by Aamir Khan.
SAMAY LIVE.COM
Local train child beggars sing for Aamir's next
Nov 28th
Three kids who sing in Mumbai’s local trains are the singers for Aamir Khan’s next production, The Falling
By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 27, 2009)
Aamir Khan has done a Danny Boyle. He has signed on three kids who sing in Mumbai local trains to earn money, to lend their voice for his production, tentatively titled The Falling. The kids, Durga (12), Nagarjuna (17), Bramendra (18) have recorded for the film which is about farmers’ suicide.
They have sung under the guidance of Mathias Duplessy, who has given the background score to the film, directed by Anusha Rizvi. A source from the film revealed, “Mathias discovered the talented kids. He learnt that they earn their daily bread and butter by singing in local trains. He found it interesting, got in touch with the kids and things quickly fell in place. Aamir was really happy with the trio’s talent and immediately agreed to record with them. In fact, Mathias is now making a film with a foreign production house where these kids will sing about six-seven songs.” Last weekend, Aamir and Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who is the producer of 3 Idiots, had a small get-together at Vidhu’s house to check out the kids’ talent. Aamir’s wife Kiran Rao, and Vidhu’s wife Anupama were also present.
Mathias accompanied the kids to Vidhu’s house. “The kids gave a zabardast performance. Aamir was very impressed. Aamir and Vidhu may do something for the kids in future,” the source added. Confirming the news, Mathias said, “I met the three kids two years ago through the director of The Fakir of Venice, Anand Surapur. They had played for me then. In fact, I have even traveled in trains to check out their talent. They have the energy and talent of gypsies. They’re great singers. Durga is the little princess of the group and Nagarjuna is the lead singer. Bramendra too has a very good voice.” “The trio has already recorded for the film and their voice blended wonderfully with the harmonium. I have used their voice for two songs in The Falling,” Mathias added.
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| Vidhu Vinod Chopra |
