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Posts tagged onir
Four filmmakers planning to adapt Hamlet?
04 days ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Bharati Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 15, 2013)
Four Bollywood filmmakers are planning to make films based on William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Vishal Bhardwaj, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Onir and Sudhir Mishra are all in the process of adapting this work of English Literature. But all of them say not now. Vishal’s film has Shahid Kapoor and will go on floor this July, while Hrithik Roshan has agreed to do Tigmanshu’s film which will start next year.
When asked if he is making a film on Hamlet, Vishal replied, “I’m not sure what I am making next, but yes, I am considering a lot of Shakespeare plays.’’
Even Tigmanshu Dhulia denies making Hamlet with Hrithik but adds, “I will be making Hamlet, but that will be a little later.’’
There have been cases where two or more than two filmmakers have made films on the same subject. Ketan Mehta has a made a film on ‘Mountain Man’ Dashrath Manjhi and there is another filmmaker Dhananjay Kapoor who claims to have the rights of the subject and will be making the same film. Writer Sanjay Chauhan said, “I don’t think there is any harm and it does not really matter as each filmmaker will use his sensibility and interpret the subject differently. Both Othello and Hamlet have been made in Hollywood at least four times so it is not really a big deal.’’ In 2002 four films on Shaheed Bhagat Singh were made and released around the same time. The films got appreciation but didn’t really translate into collection.
Film writer Dilip Thakur said, “The film that More >
Onir, Tigmanshu making films inspired by the Hamlet?
06 days ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Subhash K Jha (DNA; May 13, 2013)
The proverbial Hamletian dilemma To be or not to be has now gone into a new zone of interpretation. Two directors Onir and Tigmanshu Dhulia have decided to direct films based on Shakespeare’s immortal tragic play Hamlet. Onir is very upset with Tigmanshu’s plans because he had announced his film first. Three years ago to be precise.
The director of I Am feels he has been betrayed by a colleague, “I’ve been working on Vedaa which is my take on Hamlet for three years.”
He is surprised that Tigmanshu didn’t bother to contact him before making a film on the same subject. “We know each other. And as a colleague and a fellow-filmmaker I’d at least expect him to speak to me about it. Reliance Entertainment has signed me to do Vedaa. Composer Mithoon has recorded three songs. My recce is done. I make my films with love and no power on earth can make me give up my dream. But I’d be very disappointed if Tigmanshu goes ahead with his own version of Hamlet. I plan to start shooting in August.”
Says Tigmanshu, “I am most certainly doing Hamlet. I am more qualified to make a film on that play than anyone else. I’ve not only studied that play minutely, I also studied Hamlet at drama school under a very famous Shakespearean drama teacher. Hamlet is part of my being. As for Onir, why should he be upset? There are so many different plays and films based on so many of Shakespeare’s works. All different from one another. That’s the beauty of Shakespeare. His More >
Onir will direct Life In A Metro sequel-Anurag Basu
02 weeks ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Swasti Chatterjee (BOMBAY TIMES; May 2, 2013)
Contrary to recent reports that Onir won’t be directing the sequel of Life In A Metro, Anurag Basu has confirmed that he indeed will helm the project. Basu, the director of the first film, says, “I was not that excited to direct the sequel myself as it will have a similar subject as the first one. Both Onir and I are working on this one. The film will be based on urban relationships. We haven’t finalised on the actors.” The filmmaker, who will be producing the sequel, adds, “He had loved the idea of the film. When we started discussing it, Onir was more than happy to give his inputs.”
Indie films finally get a special slot on TV
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 19, 2013)
Onir, who directed the 2005 film, My Brother Nikhil, is a happy man.
The petition he had filed on Change.org along with 52 peers representing 11 Indian languages, 28 of whom are National Award winners, urging the Information & Broadcasting Ministry to save Indie (Independent) Cinema, appears to have created the necessary impact.
Following a discussion with the CEO of Prasar Bharti, Jawahir Sarkar, and Director General of Doordarshan (DD), Tripurari Sharan, DD has opened a new window of opportunity for small, independent films, including those made by the Children’s Film Society of India (CFSI) and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
Starting June this year, DD will telecast National Award-winning films in all languages and films that have been screened at 20 international film fests since 2000 in the ‘Best of Indian Cinema’ slot. When contacted, Onir said: “The money is three times more, and for the first time, DD will screen U/A films. Onir is also planning a press conference in the capital along with 15-odd filmmakers to demand exclusive theatrical space for Indie films.
Onir has met I & B Minister, Manish Tiwari, and Joint Secretary, Raghavendra Singh, and Tiwari has assured him of a theatre at Siri Fort, Delhi, next month, that will serve as a model for cinemas in other states.
Shah Rukh Khan is no longer a gay according to IMDb
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 13, 2013)
Amidst howls of disapproval and amusement from Bollywood quarters, IMDB’s ‘Famous Gay People From Bollywood’ was pulled off leaving many unanswered questions. Bollywood wondered how did the names of distinctly heterosexual Bollywood males like Shah Rukh Khan, Mahesh Manjrekar and Sanjay Gupta get on the list in the first place. Interestingly filmmaker Onir, who is the only self-proclaimed homosexual in that notoriously short-lived list, found the queer listing weird.
Says Onir, “IMDB’s list was hilarious. Anyone, anytime can make a list on that website. It is idiotic to have a list of supposed homosexuals when there’s no matching list of straight men. The supposed gay list comprised stupid assumptions without a basis. They had no business listing anyone unless the people mentioned voluntarily came out of the closet. Next thing we know they might have a list of Bollywood’s Parsis or Bollywood’s curly-haired. It’s idiotic to make such lists.”
Onir loved the way the men on the list reacted. And he has no qualms about being called gay. He says, “I’ve always been open about my sexual preference. As for why others in Bollywood have not come out of the closet, I suppose everyone has reasons. Our society celebrates silences.” Onir feels many more people would come out about their sexual preference once the laws regarding homosexuality change. “It was easier for me to come out straight about my homosexuality because I was born and brought up More >
Dear IMDB, Shah Rukh Khan is not gay
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
…there are others too on this list of Famous Gay People In Bollywood who don’t have same sex orientation
DNA (April 3, 2013)
The international website called IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base) is sort of bible for the films fans and the film fraternity. This website has an article — Famous Gay People From Bollywood. The names of this list (in order of appearance) are: Onir, Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan, Bobby Darling, Rahul Bose, Sanjay Suri, Kunal Kohli, Rohit Roy, Sanjay Gupta, Mahesh Manjerekar, Sahil Shroff, Purab Kohli, Aditya Panscholi and Deepak Parasher.
The list was created by ChrisTreborn seven months ago, and it has fans of SRK questioning if it is indeed a fact that their idol has a different orientation.
HOW RELIABLE IS IMDB INFORMATION The Disclaimer: Information in the Internet Movie Database comes from various sources. While we actively gather information from and verify items with studios and filmmakers, the bulk of our information is submitted by people in the industry and visitors like you. In addition to using as many sources as we can, our data goes through consistency checks to ensure it’s as accurate and reliable as possible.
How to correct the mistake…. The website admits, “Given the sheer volume and the nature of the information we list, occasional mistakes are inevitable and, when spotted/reported, they are promptly verified and fixed. That’s why we welcome corrections and submissions.” So now all the actors on that list know what they have to More >
The ‘Gay’teway To Bollywood
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Depiction of gay characters in Bollywood continues to be steeped in stereotype, even as realism’s struggling to rear its head
Aakanksha Naval-Shetye (DNA; March 28, 2013)
At a recent Gay and Lesbian Center gala held in LA, studio mogul (Sony Pictures) Amy Pascal, in her speech highlighted the stereotypical depiction of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community) characters in Hollywood films. She insisted that studio bosses scrutinise and make an attempt to eliminate gay slurs. She said, “How about next time, when any of us are reading a script and it says words like fag, faggot, homo, dyke — take a pencil and just cross it out.” The studio honcho also pointed out that not every gay character on screen needed to be defined by his or her sexuality. She quipped, “Can’t we depict men and women who just so happen to be gay — perhaps a lawyer or soldier or business executive or scientist or engineer…”
While the issue was raised about the depiction of LGBT characters in Hollywood, things are as bad, if not worse in Bollywood.
No laughing matter this! Filmmakers in popular cinema here continue to use characters of alternate sexuality seeped in stereotypical images as crutches to provide comic relief. Few will forget Kantaben’s shocked expression on seeing Saif Ali Khan and Shah Rukh Khan in bed together in Kal Ho Naa Ho or Abhishek Bachchan’s effeminate act in Bol Bachchan. John Abraham’s flirty act with Boman Irani’s character in Dostana had the audience in splits, More >
61 Indian directors to interact with Steven Spielberg
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Jigar Shah (MID-DAY; March 11, 2013)
It’s almost impossible to not know who Steven Spielberg is. And for some lucky Indian directors, the dream of meeting and knowing him better is about to come true. Turns out the celebrated Hollywood filmmaker will be interacting with about 60 personalities from Indian cinema and share tips on filmmaking.
Spielberg, who is known for films like Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, ET, Jaws and Jurassic Park, is making his maiden trip to India. This development is a direct result of his association with Anil Ambani. The industrialist’s entertainment production house has a tie-up with the American’s film studio. In fact they both produced the much-acclaimed Lincoln, amongst other films. Fittingly enough, a special party in his honour has been organised on the March 12 where Spielberg shall be meeting the who’s who of Indian film industry.
What’s more interesting about this event is that Spielberg would be having an interactive session with a room full of directors from the country who have already confirmed their presence. A well-placed source says, “It can easily be called as master class session wherein Steven Spielberg will be imparting knowledge to Indian directors and would be learning from them as well and the list includes the biggest of names like Rajkumar Hirani, Anurag Kashyap, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Abhishek Kapoor, Habib Faisal, Ram Gopal Varma, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Farah Khan to name a few.”
And the invitation goes More >
I’m gay, but not a ‘gay director’-Onir
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
National Award-winning director Onir talks about how India’s homophobic film industry is still uncomfortable with the idea of a movie showing two men making eye contact
As told to Jyothi Prabhakar (BOMBAY TIMES; December 9, 2012)
“This is not a happy piece. This is an angry one. Today, many of us are getting on with our lives, with the way things are, but kind of living invisible lives, where you don’t talk about it, because in India, like all over the world, society is not intrinsically homophobic. Homosexuality is accepted… till you talk about it. For me, from the time I started My Brother… Nikhil, even before that, I was very clear I wanted to address my sexuality. People opposed.
I was told idiotic things like ‘iss character ko bisexual bana do’. But I said no. I wanted to do it my way, it was my identity.
Today, it irritates me whenever someone goes, ‘a gay director da da da’. Does that report end with ‘a heterosexual reporter reports’? Why am I being tagged?
Though I don’t want to be called a gay director, I’m not ashamed of being gay. I come from a very small town in Bhutan. I didn’t know the word gay till I was in college, when I discovered that I was attracted to men. I didn’t go through mental agony, I didn’t think ‘Oh my God, what’s happened to me?’ I accepted it and moved on.
In Berlin, at the Christopher Gay Parade, I saw three hundred thousand people marching — one third of the whole of Berlin was there on the streets, and there were people with children More >