Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; February 22, 2014)

Nitin Kakkar’s Filmistaan will be the first film to be presented by Salman Khan’s production house, which has apparently been christened Being Filmi Productions.

The film, which was shot in Bikaner, Rajasthan, in April 2012, premiered at the 17th Busan International Film Festival in October 2012. In fact, the film had also received a Special Jury Mention at the fest, and it won the film the Best Debut Director award at the International Film Festival of Kerala and at the Jaipur International Film Festival.

Last year, the film won the National Award in the Hindi feature film category. Interestingly, Sharib Hashmi, the dialogue writer of the film, is also its lead actor.

A source close to the film says, “UTV Motion Pictures has been in talks with the filmmakers since last year and they announced their collaboration in January this year. The talks are already on with Salman Khan’s production house but the deal is yet to be closed.” The film tells the tale of an aspiring Indian actor who gets abducted and then meets a Pakistani national, who smuggles pirated Hindi movies. It attempts to strike a chord with the audience through humour.

It is said that Shringhar Films Pvt Ltd, UTV and Being Filmi Productions will now present this film that has been produced by Satellite Pictures. Director Nitin Kakkar says, “We are in talks right now and most probably, Salman Khan’s Being Filmi and UTV will be presenting my film.” It may be recalled that back in 2011, Salman Khan had similarly supported Vikas Bahl’s film, Chillar Party.
— with inputs from Bharati Dubey

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; January 11, 2014)

Rising ticket prices hurt Salman as he wants his fans to go and see a film at a cheaper price, which is more affordable. Even in the case of Jai Ho, his brother Sohail and he were keen that ticket prices be reduced, but unfortunately, it is not in their hands as it is in the hands of the distributor and exhibitor to fix the price. Salman has now decided to produce a film himself, where the monies, after deducting taxes and costs, would be used completely for charity. The film that has been kept under wraps till now, will go on the floor in June and will be released by the end of the year. While we still don’t know whether Salman has a full-fledged role in it or just a cameo, he is happy to forego all profits. This will certainly be a first in the industry. Interestingly, while his charity is called ‘Being Human’, the film company will be called ‘Being Filmy’.