Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 24, 2018)

After winning rave reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Busan International Film Festival and the Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI), Rajkummar Rao’s upcoming release Omertà received a warm applause at the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF). The Hansal Mehta-directed film, which sees Rao playing Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, was screened in the Global Vision category of the festival on March 19. Interestingly, Mehta reveals that the version screened at the ongoing festival was different from the one played at MAMI. “There were a few suggestions that we gathered post MAMI. We incorporated the changes in the film. It has definitely improved the narrative, making it sharper,” says the director.

Shot in real locations across London and India, the film traces different terror attacks from the Kandahar hijack and 9/11 attacks to the brutal beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl. With the audience at the festival “appreciating the hard push against terrorism”, Mehta says he was overwhelmed by the number of questions they had for him post the screening.

“I was asked a lot of questions that threw up several new interpretations of how the audience perceived the film. As a director, it’s fascinating to hear people speak of how they interpreted your vision. The HKIFF always attracts the best of global talent, and with Omertà representing India, everyone associated with the film felt proud.”

Ask him of the scene that resonated with all and he says, “The scene of Daniel Pearl’s killing is a chilling one. It’s fantastic, and in my opinion, Raj’s best work till date. One has to watch the movie to believe it.”

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 20, 2017)

"Everything is possible with hardship,” declares Rima Das, who has toiled away for the last four years on her second film, Village Rockstars.

Her self-confessed hardship has borne fruit — the film bagged the Golden Gateway Award at the recently concluded MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Not just that, it was also honoured with the Oxfam Best Film for Gender Equality and Young Critics’ Choice award.

Overwhelmed with the recognition, Das says, “When a film like ours achieves such an honour, it helps in reaching a wider audience. More people will write about it, which serves our purpose of putting across the message. We are hopeful that it will get a theatrical release now.”

Advocating women empowerment and self-actualization, the story revolves around a young girl who hopes to own a guitar someday and how her mother supports her musical dreams. Besides being an emotional mother-daughter story at heart, the film also delves into the socio-political scenario of Assam. “I am a solo producer on the project, so it was a task to amass funds. I shot with a single camera and used only natural light. Since major part of the cast included kids, we could only shoot as and when their school timings allowed us. As exhausting as it sounds, it was a thrill all along.”

MUMBAI MIRROR (October 14, 2017)

Mirror had earlier reported (September 27) that Italian stunner and actress Monica Bellucci will be in town to receive an award at a film festival. But we’ve now learnt that the actress will not be able to make it and an event featuring her in conversation with Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap on October 15 now stands cancelled. As her daughter is unwell, the 53-yearold actress has had to reschedule her visit. The festival spokesperson revealed that Monica is now expected to be in Mumbai in February, 2018.

MUMBAI MIRROR (October 13, 2017)

More than seven months after Kangana Ranaut kicked up a storm on Karan Johar’s talk show with her rather radical views on nepotism, the duo crossed paths inside an art-deco theatre on Thursday during an event.

KJo had arrived early and was seated at one end of the third row, while Kangana, arriving 15 minutes later, and was ushered to the opposite end of the second row.

Mirror photographer Satyajit Desai caught the duo as they walked up to the front row to greet Nita Ambani.

Afterwards, Kangana walked past KJo and hurried towards the exit, leaving little room for small talk.

MUMBAI MIRROR (October 6, 2017)

Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, Parineeti Chopra, Vidya Balan, Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty join India’s only movie carnival, the third edition of Jio MAMI Movie Mela on October 7 at the Tulip Star in Juhu.

Catch filmmakers and actors in candid conversations, hang out, grab a bite and soak in the ultimate fan experience by marking your calendars this Saturday for a day filled with everything you love about the movies: stars, stories, film merchandise, memorabilia and finger-licking food to go with it.

Like every year, the Movie Mela is filled with a host of back-to-back sessions with your favourite actors and filmmakers that put you in the front seat and make you part of the filmmaking process. But what’s new this year is that the Movie Mela is taking place five days before the Jio MAMI 19th Mumbai Film Festival with Star, which kicks off on October 12, so movie lovers no longer have to make the tough choice between watching films at the festival and attending the Mela sessions.

The day kicks off at 10.30 am with a chat with the team of Golmaal Again.

Rohit Shetty, Ajay Devgn, Parineeti Chopra, Arshad Warsi, Kunal Kemmu, Tusshar Kapoor and Shreyas Talpade will be in conversation with Anupama Chopra and Rajeev Masand about making the country’s biggest comedy franchise.

Then, there’s The Big Talk, where Karan Johar will be in conversation with Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor on all things cinema.

Fans will also experience a musical journey with the duo Vishal-Shekhar who will take the audience through the stories behind their top songs. Actor Vidya Balan will pick her favourite characters from cinema. In Director’s Special, we go behind the scenes with Alankrita Shrivastava, Anurag Kashyap (whose film Mukkabaaz is the Opening Film at the festival), Ayan Mukerji, Kabir Khan and Nitesh Tiwari, who will talk about how they function on their film sets.

There’s lots in store and it is going to be fun, filmy and FAN-tastic!

Want to be a part of the Movie Mela? Sign up for the full festival badge at the Mumbai Film Festival to get automatic free access! Gates open at 9.30 am.

Monica Bellucci on detaching herself from her public image, her growing fascination with Hindi cinema and her upcoming visit to Mumbai
Anupama Chopra (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 27, 2017)

For years there have been rumours about you doing a Bollywood film and now you are finally coming to India for the Mumbai Film Festival. What do you like about Hindi cinema and what are you most looking forward to?
I would love to make a Hindi film. One of the reasons I am an actress is because through my work I have the pleasure of creating new human experiences and getting in contact with new cultures. I first saw Bandit Queen, made by Shekhar Kapur, and got very interested. I loved films like Anurag Kashyap’s Ugly and Neeraj Ghaywan’s Masaan. It is amazing to see how much Indian stars and Indian movies are loved all over the world.

The first Bollywood films I saw was Devdas, which was screened in Cannes in 2002. I loved it and discovered Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan are not only great actors but great dancers too. It is impressive as I can’t dance myself.

I am glad to have met a delegation of Indian actors, directors and producers in Morocco once. I could feel the love of the public, it was really special and quite unique. I was seated next to Shah Rukh Khan at the royal dinner so we had a real conversation about cinema and India. I have a lot of respect for him and his career. He is a kind-hearted man. I hope to meet him and his family during my stay in Mumbai.

I’ve wanted to come to India for a long time but didn’t find the time. I’m happy to be visiting in October, I’ll receive the first Trailblazer Award given to a woman for her role in cinema at the fest.

You have worked with some of the world’s leading directors, including Giuseppe Tornatore, Emir Kusturica, Francis Ford Coppola, Sam Mendes, Mel Gibson, Gasper Noe. What is the hallmark of a great director? What is the one trait common to them?
They are all very talented in different ways. A great director for me has to have his own universe. That’s what makes him or her special! I am curious and always ready for new adventures.

When Bahman Ghobadi was asked why he picked you for Rhino Season, he said, “Number one, she is a good human being. Number two, she is a good human being. Number three, she is a very good actress.” Do you have to be a good human being to be a good actor?
No. What you do is not what you really are!

Actors like you, Isabelle Huppert, Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, Charlotte Rampling have broken the clichés of ageism in cinema — specially when it comes to leading ladies. How hard has it been to do this and what is the secret sauce?
Things are changing and women have different visions about themselves. They respect themselves much more and it creates more respect from outside. There are also more roles today for mature women. That’s why actresses like Julianne Moore and Isabelle Huppert work a lot. They put themselves in danger and take risks in their roles.

You said in an interview that “being pretty when you are an actress is like a painful banality. Do you know many ugly actresses? If I was an astronaut it would be more original.” Do you think your beauty has been an obstacle?
Beauty is like a horse. You have to know how to ride it. If you count only on beauty, you don’t go far!

Ageing is difficult for everyone but I imagine that it’s especially hard for someone whose beauty is so celebrated. You said that you look at yourself with compassion. How do you do this?
I think it is important to learn how to get detached from your image. There is a moment when it is important to work on your inside beauty. It is the real ageless beauty! To become a mother taught me so many things in this way.

You had children at 40 and 45. What are the advantages of becoming a mother later in life and how has the experience shaped you as an actor?
I started my career very young, first as a model, then as an actress. When I became a mother my career gave me the freedom to choose when I want to work and have time for my children. Children bring you some serenity and I guess some distance with things. You only focus on what really matters so all these things must reflect in you as an actor.

I can’t resist asking — how do you manage to look so incredible. You’ve said that you occasionally have a face massage, acupuncture and you do pilates. Surely there’s got to be more!
What makes me feel beautiful is to be loved by the people I love.

What’s your life mantra?
Be free.

Director responds as government blocks Sexy Durga screening at MAMI citing displeasure with film title
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 27, 2017)

It may have won applause at various film festivals across the world, but looks like director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan will not be able to display his labour of love in his own country. Sasidharan’s Malayalam film, Sexy Durga, has been refused clearance from the Information & Broadcasting Ministry for screening at the upcoming Mumbai Film Festival.

MAMI applied for the exemption twice, but was rejected on both occasions. The ministry has denied exemption as it feels the title “may hurt religious sentiments”. Ironically, the title does not refer to goddess Durga, but to the female protagonist in the film.

Speaking to mid-day, an anguished Sasidharan says, “They say the name is hurtful to the religious sentiments, but Durga is a common name in this country. I am feeling violated in this case. It’s unconstitutional to deny me freedom of speech. This is infringement of the creative rights of filmmakers.”

The movie was chosen in the Indian Competition section at MAMI, which is scheduled to run in the city from October 12-18. While a clearance from Censor Board of Film Certification is not mandatory for a film to be screened at a festival, exemption from the I&B Ministry is a must — a count that Sexy Durga has failed to meet.

The director is hurt that festivals, which were the only opportunity to showcase one’s work without the fear of censorship, too are cowering under pressure. “I wish film festivals take a stand over issues like this. MAMI is setting a wrong precedent by keeping quiet about this. I understand they have sponsors who limit them, but I wish they speak up for filmmakers. It’s sad that decisions like these are [taken] year on year, making a mockery of the celebration of cinema that the festival stands for.”

Sexy Durga revolves around a runaway couple and sheds light on the misogynistic conditions that women are subjected to. It bagged the prestigious Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

We reached out to authorities at MAMI, but they remained unavailable for comment.