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I still fly kites though I lost my arm flying one-Subhash Kapoor
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; March 6, 2013)
Subhash Kapoor, 40, chose satire as his style of filmmaking as he wanted to stay away from his nature of being angry and boring. He took his time to agree to the third instalment of the Munna Bhai franchise as he got into filmmaking for telling his own stories. In an hour-long conversation with Bombay Times, he talks about why he is an atheist, how Munna Bhai happened and why he has never missed not having one arm. Excerpts:
How did you get into films? I was born and bought up in Delhi and have done my MA in English Literature from Delhi University. During my years in college, I was aligned to the Left, which helped me shape my ideas and exposed me to national and international issues. It was a politically volatile time and I read a lot from Marxism to Gandhi to Ambedkar. I toyed with the idea of teaching vs becoming a journalist. I was interested in art and culture and I started writing on it. I then worked in Lucknow with the National Literacy Mission and got to travel in the poorest districts of Eastern UP. I enjoyed meeting people in villages. I have seen real poverty with my eyes of how a thali available in Baliya for Rs 5 is considered expensive and when we say no electricity in villages, it means pitch darkness where you can’t even see your hand. I then returned to Delhi, where I worked as a TV journalist for several years before starting my own production house in 2002 with my wife Dimple. We made documentaries and AV’s More >
Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga: A satire on spiralling prices
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; March 2, 2013)
Anshul Sharma’s directorial debut Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga is a satire on the common man’s daily struggle against spiralling expenditure. The first-time filmmaker who has worked as an associate on Phas Gaye Re Obama (2010), says, “The prices of essential goods have shot up, making life difficult even for the upper middle class. Indians, however, have an uncanny ability to keep smiling even in the most adverse conditions. Also, they don’t mind laughing at themselves. My film is a satirical take on this national phenomenon.”
Sharma feels that writers Rupesh Thapliyal and Vijay Manral have come up with a fresh concept — a family crushed under the burden of mehngaai. He explains, “They come up with an ingenious idea to deal with the problem. But rather than overcome it, they get entangled in a worse situation.”
Produced by Ashok Pandey, the film features Sanjay Mishra, Pragati, Vishwa Mohan Badola, Ranjan Chhabra, Disha, Pramod Pathak, Zakir Hussain and Sitaram Panchal.
Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga, produced by Revel Films, releases March 8.
Anshul Sharma and Ashok Pandey
Anurag Kashyap, Rohit Shetty keen to watch Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga
03 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
BOMBAY TIMES (February 17, 2013)
Anurag Kashyap wishes he had directed Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga (SJSM). Rohit Shetty is impressed by the film’s promos and has expressed interest in watching the film.
Why? What is it about this satirical comedy on inflation, produced by Ashok Pandey under the banner of Revel Films, written by Rupesh Thapliyal and Vijay Manral and directed by Anshul Sharma that interests these two filmmakers? Pandey feels that “A simple story in satirical form, instantly evokes interest and is fun to watch.” He also adds, “Moreover, the songs of my film are funny.” Another reason could be Pandey’s track record with the genre. He had earlier produced Phas Gaye Re Obama, a comedy set against the global meltdown and recession in the US.
In SJSM, comedian Sanjay Mishra plays Puttan Pal, a common man who’s a victim of rising prices and represents the average Indian middle class family. “Sanjay’s performance infuses energy and is the witty and caustic element in the story,” informs Pandey. Besides Sanjay Mishra, the cast also includes Pragati, Ranjan Chhabra, Disha, Vishwa Mohan Badola, Pramod Pathak, Zakir Hussain and Sitaram Panchal.
Saare Jahaan Se Mehenga releases March 8.
Want Partho to work with me till he is 18-Amol Gupte
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
After 11-year-old Partho bagged a national award for ’Stanley Ka Dabba’, proud father Amol Gupte says that he has been getting lots of acting offers since then, but he wants his son only to work with him until he is 18
By PTI (MID-DAY; March 16, 2012)
Amol Gupte with son Partho Partho essayed the central character of Stanley in the Gupte’s directorial venture. It is a heartwarming tale of an orphan who struggles to get Dabba for school.
“There are lot of offers coming for him but I have been rejecting all of them. If he comes to know this then he would get very angry with me. So I would make films with him,” Amol told PTI.
Ask him if Partho would work only under him, pat comes the reply, “At least till he is 18. Because you will have to give him a four-hour shift on a holiday where he does not miss his school and friends, if you are willing to give that then definitely he will work in any film.”
As a writer-filmmaker, Amol has been highlighting issues relating to children be it in ‘Taare Zameen Par’ or ‘Stanley Ka Dabba’ and would like to continue this trend.
“I like to bring up those subjects that entertain as well as highlight an issue. There are lots of things that I want to say related to children. In movies, I want to bring up subjects that are sensitive to children,” Amol said.
So what issues would he like to highlight in his forthcoming film, to which Amol says, “Children itself are sensitive, my aim is to make films revolving around children, their difficulties and More >
Chalo Dilli: The odd balls
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Lara Dutta and Vinay Pathak bring back the unusual pairing in Bollywood with their ribtickling movie Chalo Dilli
Prithwish Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; April 29, 2011)
Small films with good content have been winners at the box office. Remember Bheja Fry, Dev.D, Band Baaja Baaraat, No One Killed Jessica, Phas Gaye Re Obama? Lara Dutta and Vinay Pathak starrer Chalo Dilli, with its solid script, is certainly looking to prove the same point when it opens in theatres today. The film with its heartwarming, situational comedy has already created a buzz in the industry because it also brings back the concept of unusual pairings.
Director Shashant Shah says, “It’s the freshest new pairing that one has seen in the recent past. When you see them, you smile.” Producer Krishika Lulla says, “We are happy with the feedback that the film is receiving. It is very Indian and rustic at heart and I’m sure audiences will love it.” Vinay adds, “Audiences are definitely helping the industry to make such films. If there was no audience, they wouldn’t have been made.”
Producers Mahesh Bhupathi and Lara, who have tied up with Eros International for their maiden production, are excited that they are dishing out a “realistic, typically Indian travel experience like never before” to the audiences. But Lara maintains that their film should not be slotted in the road film genre. “It’s a film that follows the journey of two characters whose paths cross due to some twist More >
Movie Review: TEEN THAY BHAI by TARAN ADARSH
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in External Reviews
By Taran Adarsh, April 15, 2011 – 11:29 IST
Have a few questions to ask… The first question is for Mr. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. Pray, what prompted you to green-light the screenplay of TEEN THAY BHAI? Okay, I am sure, you got fascinated by a fascinating concept [what an idea, sirji], but didn’t you realize that the screenplay was going nowhere, on paper itself?
The second question is for the three actors – Deepak Dobriyal, Shreyas Talpade and Mr. Om Puri specifically, whom I hold in very high esteem. What was narrated to you [before you signed on the dotted line] and what comes across on screen – is it the same movie? If the answer is in the affirmative, I would like to pose another question to each one of you: What prompted you to say ‘Yes’ to this project? Credible names backing it? Or, well, spare dates? It can’t be the script, right? Or is it?
BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COMThe third question is reserved for the director of this [sinking] ship – Mr. Mrigdeep Singh Lamba. How could you let go of this golden opportunity? I mean, with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and PVR backing the project, three supremely talented actors at your beck and call and one of the best cinematographers in the business [Ashok Mehta] giving vision to your concept, how could you come up with this embarrassment of a movie called TEEN THAY BHAI?
Irrespective of how his films fare, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has gradually emerged a name that’s synonymous with qualitative cinema. His name More >
Teen Thay Bhai: Another clever comic caper
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Teen Thay Bhai is one such film about three brothers at a funeral
Bina Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; April 4, 2011) 2010 saw several intelligent comedies like Tere Bin Laden and Phas Gaye Re Obama become sleeper hits. 2011 continues to keep this brand of cinema alive and kicking. PVR Pictures’ Teen Thay Bhai that is scheduled to release on April 15, has superb actors like Om Puri, Shreyas Talpade and Deepak Dobriyal in it.
This endearing comedy which director Mrighdeep Lamba has put together, revolves around three down-on-luck and out-of-money brothers who meet at their grandfather’s funeral with nothing in common, except their undying hatred for each other.
“Of course, there is a twist in the tale,” laughs Shreyas. The deceased grandfather has left the brothers a hundred acres of land in Himachal. And they can access it only if they tolerate each other, says a clause in the will.
Shreyas who is a household name as far as comedy goes with films like the Golmaal series having hit a big high, says, “Comedies don’t usually fail. What matters is that the comedy should be clean and make you laugh. That’s exactly what Teen Thay Bhai does. It is a great mix of situational and slapstick comedy.”
I did not get the films I wanted-Esha Deol
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Esha Deol is dabbling with the role of an actor and producer now
Prithwish Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; February 20, 2011)
Even though Esha Deol is doing a film after ages she insists that she is not making a comeback. “I did not go anywhere to dub this a comeback. I was around. I just did not like the films that were coming by and I thought it is best to wait and do something meaningful. I did not get the films that I wished for. Now that I’m a producer I will only do films that I love,” she tells BT.
Esha is in her best of shape for her home production Tell Me Oh Khuda and she informs us that the producer Esha will is as much strict about content as the actor Esha is.
“I really don’t think that I have chosen my films well. But I have wisened up and I, as an actor or producer, will only take up films that has some good content. Today that is the driving force — not how many stars you have or how big the banner is. Films like Bheja Fry, Phas Gaye Re Obama and Tere Bin Laden have created breakthroughs,’” says this star-kid.
She is very excited that for the first time she has acted with her father Dharmendra. “I will tell you a secret. I have for long wanted to do a film with dad but nothing ever worked out. I think everything happens for the best as now I have my dad in my own movie. It makes it doubly awesome. He knows so much about movie-making that he has been a constant guide to me through the making of the film,” she says. Esha More >
Movie Review: UTT PATAANG by TARAN ADARSH
12 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in External Reviews
By Taran Adarsh, February 4, 2011 – 08:40 IST
I’ve often said that ‘small’ or low cost films, very often, have much more to offer than several biggies that thrive on star value primarily; content is a secondary issue for these films. Ticket paying audiences insist on watching good films and that’s where a strong word of mouth plays a vital part these days. Positive feedback can lure viewers even after the crucial opening weekend is over. Films like TERE BIN LADEN, UDAAN, DO DOONI CHAAR, PHAS GAYE RE OBAMA and BAND BAAJA BAARAAT endorse this statement.
BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COMI genuinely believe that the audience for hi-content films is multiplying with each passing week. The viewer is willing to give his/her precious time and invest his/her hard-earned money on a film with substance, which only goes to prove yet again that content is the backbone of business, the low cost or absence of top stars notwithstanding. The day of the underdog has finally arrived.
In the 1970s, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee popularized comedy films. The trend was carried forward by Sai Paranjpye. Early 1990s saw the emergence of David Dhawan, Priyadarshan and Anees Bazmee proving their mettle with slapstick. First-time director Srikanth V. Velagaleti merges comedy with thrill elements in his debut outing UTT PATAANG and the experiment succeeds to a major extent.
UTT PATAANG is a difficult film to conceptualize, pen and also execute. Besides, it requires More >