Farah Khan at London Asian Film Festival

 

 

Director’s Master Class

The last leg of the evening at London Asian Film Festival had started with cheers for Farah Khan, the director (Mai Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om, and Happy New Year), actor, choreographer and proud mother of triplets (Om, Shanti and OM-Bollywood way of naming her triplets).

She was back here after conducting Choreography master class session on Saturday (21st Mar). This session was conducted by Gareth Jones, producer of The Mughals. She was grilled with questions about her journey, inspiration, hurdles and functioning of Bollywood. Some of the interesting excerpts of the evening are here.

·         Her first movie with Shahrukh, Mai Hoon Na took three years before it became a reality.

·         She is pretty strict on sets but serves sumptuous food, which is her weakness.

·         She said Shahrukh deserves the moolah since he has the stamina to raise 250 Cr business on a good movie.

·         She can’t work on scripts which does not include Bollywood and Shahrukh.

·         To my questions she had responded that the script finalization is the toughest phase of film making process and Bollywood remakes of south Indian movies are now the thing of past.

·         She had suggested an amateurish screenplay writer to join a film school and learn by watching movies.

·         When this guy from Patna requested her to vet his script, she said it is taxing and she can’t take the responsibility, however she asked to share the synopsis to have a quick view.

·         Mr. Raj was assured to be cast in her next film, if it is shot in London.

She was very candid at the questions thrown upon here by the host and guests. She even obliged to have selfie session with most of us post the session along with tips to take selfies.

She is ditto like her movies, chirpy, bubbly and dramatic. All the best Farah ji!

 

…Venky

 

 

British Media & The Asian Women’s contribution

The afternoon at London Asian Film Festival continued with panel discussion by distinguished personalities on topic ‘British Media & The Asian Women’s contribution’, after the stage was handed over by Loveena Tandon, from TV Today network.

The guests on the panel were, Baroness Flather – the first Asian women to receive a peerage, Shyama Perera – presenter and newscaster, Mamta Kash -actress and producer and Madhav Sharma – well known theatre personality with half a decade experience on stage.  

The discussion was inspiring with varied thoughts and personal experience of the guests. Respected Baroness shared her experiences of studying at the school run by sister of Sarojini Naidu and the emotional involvement with independence movement. She was of the opinion, that these might be the reason behind her not liking the Indian soaps in the British media, to name a few, Desi Rascals, Indian Summers, which does not represent the true facts of Indian culture/independence era. She also supported the thought of chasing dreams and having no plan Bs.

At one point Madhav Sharma and Shyama Parera locked horns over role of Asian ethnicity in British Media. Though, Mamta was candid enough to settle the scores and move ahead into the evening by opening the house to Q&A.

The stunning aspect was the clarity and curiosity of younger Asian generations in Briton, UK. The questions asked by them does not approve of their age of early teenage. Might be, this generation is reaping the benefits of their grand and great grand refugee (Asian) generations from African continent into UK, in early 70’s, as a result of The ethnic cleansing of Indians/Asians in Uganda by Idi Amin.

 

…Venky

London Asin Film Festival

The SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), University of London was painted with Asia Film circuit. The focus point was ‘Women in Media’ complimented by short film, Panel discussion and Director’s classes by our own Om Shanti Om Farah Khan. The short film and its insights are:

The World before Her

The film by Nisha Pahuja charts the lives of two different spectrums of Modern India, Durga Vahini Camp and Miss India Pageant. The former is an orthodox Hindutva camp run by VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) to safe guard Hindu religion, culture and values through any means. Whereas, the second strata is represented by chosen bunch of beautiful, aspirational, and radical teens ready to grab the world of opportunities by cleaning themselves from the  moral values campaigned by the Durga Vahini group, to certain extent. 

The methodical approach by Nisha takes us through the lanes of Bhopal, Rajasthan and emotions of Prachi from Durga Vahini camp, Ankita shorey & Ruhi Singh from 2011 beauty pageant. The footage covered all the 19 contestants of the pageant including Rakul Preet Singh, an upcoming actress of 2015, in Tollywood. The movie compares frame to frame the lives of both the groups and the people associated with them and their philosophies.

The Durga Vahini camp starts with self-defence training for girls from villages and ends at high note of graduating them with a mind-set not only to safeguard themselves but the religion even at the cost of violence, protests and killing. On the other side the journey of beauties starts with weighing, scrutinizing each body part, showcasing the assets, Botox sessions (wherever n whenever needed) and ends with crowning one amongst 19 second generation of aspirational souls.

At the penultimate stage of both the worlds the self-realisation of both Prachi and Ankita Shorey is heart touching. Both these girls support their own cause but they hear their inner voice pronouncement of their journey against the social, geographical and SELF values and customs.  In their own words….

‘How far we should compromise and go for the title’ by Ankita Shorey

‘I support VHP philosophy and will not marry forever, however would suggest girls to get married and live up to the expectations of first generation’ by Prachi.

The film ends there asking us to start thinking the contrast philosophies of modern India. The Q&A session by Nisha Pahuja addressed few unresolved queries, though.

 

…Venky

S/O Satya Murthy...Musician's Magic Unveiled

…”Find the success in the process of working not in the result”…by Trivikram

Another catchy album from the kitty of DSP is out for S/O Satyamurthy. The evening was glittering with the star cast of the movie and industry associates. Dasari was chief guest for this event, for the first time for a mega event (I believe). His calculated speech was addressed towards Allu but not Mega which attracted the wrath of Mega fans (below video), though he mentioned about Power star at one point. Devi Sri penned lyrics for three songs in this album.  The tunes are addictive and hummable with rich lyrical values. Whole seven songs are prominent enough to create hype till the movie is released.  

No.	Tune	Lyricist	Singers
1.	Chal Chalo Chalo	Ramajogayya Sastri	Raghu, Sooraj Santhosh, Rita
2.	One, two, three	Devi Sri	Suraj Santhosh
3.	Seethakalam	Sri Mani	Yazin Nizaar
4.	Super Machi	Devi Sri	Devi Sri, Shravana Bhargavi, Magizhini Manimaran
5.	Come to the party
6.	Jaaruko	Sri Mani	Sagar, MM Manasi
7.	Vachaadu	Devi Sri	Javed Ali

Along with the songs, few quotes from Trivikram are also released. Who needs a movie from Trivikram. We need few simple thoughts of life in cinematic dialogues, for which he creates a plot to weave the philosophy in to it.  O machu tunuka…..

·         Bharya ante Nachi techukone baadhyatha, pillalu moyyalanipinche baruvu… Na drishtilo, Nanna ante mariachi poleni o gyapakam…

·         Baagunnappudu lekkalu maatladi, kashtaallo viluvalu maatlada koodadu.

If you remember Jalsa, the voice over by Mahesh Babu said, “Yuddam lo gelavatam ante shatruvuni champatame kadu…” this thought is still continued in this movie in the form of a song which goes like this…..

………Yuddham gelichinodu Veerudu Soorudu, yuddham vidisotede Devudu.

A thought...Ala aithe ee Jeevana Yuddham gelichenduka, vidichendukaa? Asallu Yuddhame enduku!!!

All the best S/O Udaya Bhaskar!

Audio Song Juke Box Link 

Dasari Fire on Mega Fans

...Venky...

Chiru 150th Film

150 is not a number these days, so far concerned with Tolly viewers. It is an occasion to celebrate, milestone to reach and a chance to prove. Hence the stakes are high, expectations are enormous and the wait is paining.

Mega Power is producing this celluloid extravaganza with the Root of Mega Dynasty. Lot of Speculations and combinations are in the circles about the star cast and technicians. Puri has already shown his interest in this venture with an addition glitz that he will rope in Amitabh in a cameo (Refer this Stunning Video below). It is said that he has also registered the title “Auto Jani” with the Film Chamber. The bigwigs of South film industry are in the wish list of directors ranging from Shankar, Trivikram, VV Vinayak, Puri, Raghavendra Rao and Guna Shekar.  On the script front it is rumored that Paruchuri brothers are sweating it out for the right script where as it was also in the news that BVS Ravi discussed a line with Mega Camp and developing the thread. Seems the Mega circle has narrowed down the flavor of the script to be an out and out commercial entertainer rather than a historical or message oriented.

On the glamour front again the names of Aishwarya, Anushka, Tamannah, Shriya, Praneetha, Tabu and Trisha are in the race along with other contemporary starlets of Charan, Bunny & Pawan. So, it would be an interesting feat to watch these beauties with 60 years amaranthine Mega grace for his 150^th.

One thing is sure, that the stage is set, arrangements are in high throttle, media is making moolah out of gossips and each cinema lover is enjoying this journey. This curiosity so raised that all eyes are focused on dates and upcoming projects of star directors of Indian Film Industry.

I trust and Wish for the combination of Intellectual Convulsions of Trivikram and the Mega power, to be the gun powder for this 150^th Missile.  

What you Wish for….. !!!!

Amitabh Bachan, Varma, Puri agreement with Chiru for 150^th

^....Venky

S/O Satyamurthy....Viluvale Aasthi

Viluvale Aasthi….rare instance of where a caption is more powerful than the title itself. The caption raised levels of expectations and curiosity about another family entertainer from Matala Mastro Trivikram.  If his speech is enough motivation to read a book, his movies are no lesser than milestones of Tollywood.  From a maths teacher to assisting PosaniMurali Krishna and writing for K Vijaya Bhaskar (Swayam Varam, Nuvve Kavali, Nuvvu Naaku Nachaav fame), this man has secured  a top place in the list of sensible directors. The apt word will be Visionary, because not only he directs, he writes sharp n quirk dialouges, waits ages to get the hero to immerse himself into the character (envisaged at script level) and pics best chords from DSP.

His constant struggle within himself to contain the domination of writer up on director and vice versa is always a delightful dish for Tolly viewers. Believe his innocent smile is capable enough to stop this struggle to make an appearance outside.

Just to quote an example to the statement above, Actor Sunil describes an incident about Trivikram. During struggling days, one fine morning Sunil has got Rs. 30 (£ 0.32) which is last balance they got for themselves. So, Sunil was of the opinion that they are assured for Lunch but no clue about further meals and discussed the same with Trivikram.  Immediately he got up and took Sunil to nearby café and spent the whole money on idlis. Already stunned by this action, Sunil got an additional preach of his life time, “Never Procrastinate”. In other words….Instead of waiting till lunch time and try for dinner, why don’t we spend the money 'NOW' and start the struggle 'NOW'.

Now...Coming back to S/O Satyamurthy, the beats are peppy, glamour is aesthetic, star cast is promising, and technicians are proven. What else do we need for a good cinema.        Say Hello!!!

PreeLook

Say Hello Teaser...

……Venky

Mukunda

Once in a while a movie comes and stands apart from the rest for its narration and characterisation. Mukunda is clear winner in the category of intelligent movies. The tempo is as slow as real life but the conversations are sharper and deeper. If you can bear the motion and immerse yourself with the characters around you, then it’s spot on.

Commercially this product might not be in the fascinated crore clubs and a great masala launch pad for Mega lad but a vibrant sign for Telugu intellectual/interesting cinema culture. The trend is here again, where we started focussing on title cards for writers and technicians. It is too early to start comparing Srikant Addala with the likes of Vishwanath and Balachander for real/revolutionary & simple cinemas but he and a bunch of new directors have started the journey towards meaningful movies. However the fascination (of production houses) for quick moolah might be a big hurdle for this journey. Temporary has been a good friend of trends so far, hence the thrust behind the collections and exorbitant first week screens should be passing by very soon.

Coming back to the movie, the narration and dialogues are strong enough to stop you from craving for routine commercial ingredients…. Do we really need them or forced up on us movie after movie? The songs are decent but the need of the hour for Mickey is to come out of his Happy Days/Godavari set of chords.

On the performance front Mega boy was decent within the scope and Prakash Raj, Rao Ramesh are perfect fit.  Unfortunately the heroine is a weak thread in the whole plot except for some songs and second half sequences.

This new breed of director will keep entertaining us till the time good/not so good cinemas are the only categories of assessment and not the exaggerated collections.

The upcoming venture with Prince tentatively titled Brahmotsavam is real acid test for Addala, would he be still interested (after subtle success of Mukunda) in real cinema or get tempted towards box office attraction!!!

Mukunda Dailogues

....Venkaat