Showing posts with label Danis Tanovic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Danis Tanovic. Show all posts
There have been conversations for international films, but I would not want to do a blink and miss part-Emraan Hashmi
8:06 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 7, 2021)
It’s been nearly a month since film shoots in Mumbai were stalled. Shoots either moved out of the state or were deferred entirely. Shortly before the new set of restrictions were imposed in Maharashtra, Emraan Hashmi’s Mumbai Saga, also starring John Abraham, was released in theatres. But then, the second wave took over and all other releases and shoots came to a standstill in Mumbai. Talking about the impact of the second wave, Emraan says, “I don’t want to sound like this is happening to our industry or me alone. I just find myself in a fortunate place that my family and friends are secure. Health is the priority right now for everyone. We are living in scary times. As an individual and an artiste, you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”
Talk to him about how much he misses being on a film set in these unpredictable times, and the actor says, “It turns me on to be on a set and to be deeply involved in playing a character. When you stay away from a film set for a long time, you feel insecurities and frustrations of some sort simmering inside. Yes, it is disappointing and frustrating that you can’t do what you love doing the most. But what do you do? Waiting is the only option. We have to see how this resolves itself. We’re all grappling with the current situation, and as I said, other things, including health and safety are the main priorities now.”
As he inches closer to the two-decade mark in Bollywood, Emraan is already thinking of what would interest him as an actor at this point and in the future. He says, “For me, it will always be about the basics — narrating strong stories — because that is what people want, and not necessarily on any particular medium. It does not matter to me where the content plays out, as that’s always the producer’s prerogative. It’s about honing your craft. That’s where I come from, and now more so, with the doors of the digital platforms flung open even wider than before. When I did my first show with an OTT platform, people wondered why I did it. For me, it’s always been about the story. My priority is to do great work, chase quality over quantity, be a part of great stories and team up with some fantastic filmmakers. With the advent of the OTT space and an added degree of exposure to international content, I want to take that step forward and explore a project outside of our country whenever possible. The ingredients for an OTT movie or a show are pretty much clear to everyone now. In unprecedented times like these, which have pushed the theatrical business into a different space, one will have to observe and think harder to bring the audience back to the cinemas.”
Elaborating on how he sees his career evolving in the future, Emraan shares, “Hindi cinema is my first love and will always be, but I want to explore something internationally. I want a new journey and I want to try something outside the Indian market. That would be fun. In the next five years, I want to see that dream realised in some way.”
When asked if there have been conversations around this, the actor, who has worked with Oscar-winning, Bosnian filmmaker Danis Tanovic for Tigers, says, “I have collaborated for Tigers, but it went down a controversial route. The prospects would have been a lot better if that hadn’t happened. I was open about doing a film like that at that time — it was with an Oscar-nominated director and would have had a great international release had the controversies not erupted. It has always been at the back of my mind that I want to do something worth my while internationally. Eventually, it all boils down to great stories. If you do something for too long in the professional space, you tend to reach a saturation point, you get that been-there-done-that feeling. I don’t mean to say that Hindi cinema is giving me that feeling, but I am at a stage now where I want to try out something abroad. Yes, there have been conversations lately, but I would not want to do a blink-and-miss part. The project has to tick all the boxes.”
Emraan Hashmi’s international film Tigers unlikely to release in India
7:29 AM
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 23, 2017)
Emraan Hashmi shot for an international film, Tigers, in 2014. Directed by the Oscar-winning filmmaker Danis Tanovic, the film has traveled to several international film festivals and received a positive response from critics. However, the actor says it’s not likely to hit Indian screens. Based on a true story, Hashmi plays a salesman with multinational pharma firm based in Pakistan, who turns whistle-blower after he realizes that the infant formula sold by his firm is responsible for the death of several young ones. “It’s a bold movie. Since it’s not a politically correct film, you need people to have a lot of courage to fund, distribute and exhibit it,” he says.
Hashmi thinks the Pakistan connect and attack on the prescribed drugs industry may trigger opposition from India and the neighbouring country. But he hasn’t given up on the film yet. “I am passionate about it. We need a producer who understands our reason for making this film. Danis researched for almost seven years before making the movie. A lot of time and effort has gone into making it,” says Hashmi.
Dispute among co-producers of Emraan Hashmi’s Tigers may delay the film’s release in India?
7:40 AM
Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; February 12, 2015)
If the grapevine is to be believed, Emraan Hashmi will have to wait longer for the India release of his maiden international project, Tigers. Helmed by Oscar-winning director Danis Tanovic, the Indo-French-British film is slated to hit the theatres here next month.
However, an alleged tussle among the co-producers threatens to push the release date ahead. A source says, “The three producers have been fighting over the rights of the film. Besides, the issue of sharing the revenue generated is a major bone of contention among them. The film is supposed to release in India on March 6, but with the ongoing fight, it looks a little difficult.”
The film has been jointly produced by two Indian companies, Cinemorphic and Sikhya Entertainment, and a French company called ASAP Films. The source adds that the dispute has upset Tanovic, who recently took to social media to express anger. “However, he deleted the posts later,” says the source.
The film, which is inspired by a real-life incident in Pakistan, was showcased at Toronto Film Festival last year and was well received. Emraan, too, was appreciated for his character as Ayan, a salesman who works for a multinational that manufactures baby formula in Pakistan and acts as a whistle- blower when he finds out that the formula can cause fatal diarrhoea when mixed with polluted water.
Guneet Monga, founder of Sikhya Entertainment, remained unavailable for comment while Tanovic did not reply to our queries.
I expected Emraan Hashmi to throw tantrums-Geetanjali Thapa
11:33 AM
National Award-winning actress Geetanjali Thapa will be seen opposite Hashmi in Oscar-wining director Danis Tanovic's upcoming film
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 6, 2014)
Geetanjali Thapa, who won a National Award for her performance in last year's festival hit, Liar's Dice, was battling an anxiety attack when she was told by producer Guneet Monga that Oscar-winning director Danis Tanovic was in town, looking for a leading lady for his upcoming film Tigers.
"I quickly watched all his movies to get a sense of how he functions," says the actress, who leaves this evening for the Toronto Film Festival where Tigers is having its world premiere on Sunday.
The actress reveals her costar, Emraan Hashmi, who took time out to be present for the auditions, helped her with her lines. "I was very nervous but he made it easy for me," she recalls.
The film is about an activist (played by Emraan) who blows the lid on a multinational company selling infant baby food. Geetanjali essays the role of his supportive wife.
"The first few days, I was really tense to be acting with Emraan and Supriya Pathak, but even if I blew my lines, they wouldn't make me feel like a newcomer. I thought being a star Emraan would throw tantrums but both, Danis and he were chilled out on the sets," she asserts.
She plays a Pakistani woman in the film. Coming from Sikkim, did her physical appearance create a hitch? "As long as I said my lines convincingly, they were okay," smiles Geetanjali, admitting that she has faced bias when auditioning for Bollywood films. "They say I don't look Indian enough. It's baffling but I don't fuss over it. If it's a good role, it will come to me," she is confident.
Many believed that an actress of North Eastern origin should have been cast in the role of Mary Kom which has now been essayed by Priyanka Chopra. Geetanjali retorts, "I wouldn't want to be cast just because I'm a North Eastern. Eventually, it's a big film and it makes sense to cast a top actress. There's nothing wrong in ensuring that your film is commercially viable."
I couldn't approach Aishwarya to play Emraan Hashmi's wife-Danis Tonovic
8:07 AM
Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 1, 2014)
Oscar-winning filmmaker
Danis Tanovic is in town for the postproduction of his upcoming film,
the Emraan Hashmi-starrer Tigers, which will have it world premiere on
September 8 at the Toronto Film Festival.Along with him is the
co-producer and the film's co-writer, Andy Paterson. Together they talk
about the film that intends to blow the lid on a baby food scam.
Excerpts:
Have you seen Emraan Hashmi's latest release, Raja Natwarlal?
DANIS TONOVIC: Yes, it's an entertaining film. But Emraan is very different in Tigers. That proves what a good actor he is.
DANIS TONOVIC: Yes, it's an entertaining film. But Emraan is very different in Tigers. That proves what a good actor he is.
What made you think he'd be able to carry off Ayan, a salesman
recruited by a multinational company to sell infant formula food, who
switches sides after learning a few ugly truths?
DANIS: Anurag (Kashyap) recommended Emraan to me. I saw a couple of his films and was especially impressed by his performance in which he has a paunch (Shanghai). I flew all the way to met him. He's a nice, good looking guy who could be himself in my film. In Bollywood he carries the baggage of an image. I don't see people dancing on the road here or even kissing... so I wonder why they are expected to do it in the movies.
Emraan's son is also called Ayan...
ANDY PATERSON: It wasn't a conscious decision to name Emraan's character after his son, Ayan.
DANIS: You could call it a happy coincidence, even destiny. Ayan is my David who takes on a big buck Goliath--a rich corporate that doesn't really need this blood money to fill its coffers. According to WHO statistics, 1.5 million infants die each year from unsafe food. If there's anything more frightening than confronting your own death it's confronting the death of your child.
ANDY: We learnt these harsh truths from a report of an action group. We'd thought these horror stories from our student days had ended in the '70s but discovered otherwise when in Pakistan seven years ago.
How did Danis enter the picture?
ANDY: I knew him socially and I'd see him become a phenomenon after winning the Oscar, the Golden Globe and the other awards for No Man's Land. He's a serious director and a father of five. The story made him angry.
DANIS: I'm still angry. I hope through our film we can whip up public opinion and bring about change.
ANDY: We started shooting Tigers during the Berlin Film Festival. Danis filmed the whole day, at 8 pm changed into a black tie, collected two awards for An Episode In The Life Of An Iron Picker and then went back to work as if nothing out-of-the-ordinary had happened.
You think Tigers has a chance at the Oscars if the corporates give it a clear run given its controversial subject?
DANIS: The idea is to take the story to as many people as possible.
Indians were distraught when Lagaan lost the best foreign film Oscar to your No Man's Land in 2001..
DANIS: You are implying that Lagaan was supposed to win. I and Andy Paterson (left) liked the film, but I'm glad I won.
You are one of the co-producers of The Lunchbox which was a strong contender for the Oscar last year till our jury nominated The Good Road as India's official entry.
DANIS: Even if it hadn't won, it would've been nominated. It's still playing and has touched a chord with people across the world, even those who doesn't know the language.
ANDY: Yes, I saw it with Hindi subtitles.
DANIS: In France, Japan, the US, everywhere people were talking about it. That's doesn't happen with Indian movies often. I have been shortlisted for nine films. I would have happily given up my place to The Lunchbox.
Will you co-produce another Indian film?
DANIS: It would depend on the story. Tigers is a very commercial title...
ANDY: When Ayan joins the company he's told to work like a tiger. He ends up fighting like one. It was the working title. For a while we toyed with White Lies but decided to stay with Tigers.
Since the story came out of Pakistan, didn't you think of filming it there?
DANIS: India is more shooting-friendly. India and Pakistan were once one country but today they are two different worlds. I've only visited Lahore and that too seven years ago. A lot changes in seven years. India has changed astonishingly in the last decade. Economy is booming. And new generation of young directors are making an impact.
ANDY: He's named one of his daughters India! Has Bosnia changed too?
DANIS: It's no longer no man's land. But the population of the country is still less than the number of people you see on Juhu beach.
Besides Emraan, any other Bollywood actors you'd like to work with?
DANIS: I saw Shah Rukh Khan dancing at an event, he was entertaining. I've known Aishwarya (Bachchan) for years. She's gorgeous and witty but I couldn't approach her to play Emraan's wife in a little village, could I? For that matter I'd kill to work with Al Pacino, but I need a script to go to him with.
DANIS: Anurag (Kashyap) recommended Emraan to me. I saw a couple of his films and was especially impressed by his performance in which he has a paunch (Shanghai). I flew all the way to met him. He's a nice, good looking guy who could be himself in my film. In Bollywood he carries the baggage of an image. I don't see people dancing on the road here or even kissing... so I wonder why they are expected to do it in the movies.
Emraan's son is also called Ayan...
ANDY PATERSON: It wasn't a conscious decision to name Emraan's character after his son, Ayan.
DANIS: You could call it a happy coincidence, even destiny. Ayan is my David who takes on a big buck Goliath--a rich corporate that doesn't really need this blood money to fill its coffers. According to WHO statistics, 1.5 million infants die each year from unsafe food. If there's anything more frightening than confronting your own death it's confronting the death of your child.
ANDY: We learnt these harsh truths from a report of an action group. We'd thought these horror stories from our student days had ended in the '70s but discovered otherwise when in Pakistan seven years ago.
How did Danis enter the picture?
ANDY: I knew him socially and I'd see him become a phenomenon after winning the Oscar, the Golden Globe and the other awards for No Man's Land. He's a serious director and a father of five. The story made him angry.
DANIS: I'm still angry. I hope through our film we can whip up public opinion and bring about change.
ANDY: We started shooting Tigers during the Berlin Film Festival. Danis filmed the whole day, at 8 pm changed into a black tie, collected two awards for An Episode In The Life Of An Iron Picker and then went back to work as if nothing out-of-the-ordinary had happened.
You think Tigers has a chance at the Oscars if the corporates give it a clear run given its controversial subject?
DANIS: The idea is to take the story to as many people as possible.
Indians were distraught when Lagaan lost the best foreign film Oscar to your No Man's Land in 2001..
DANIS: You are implying that Lagaan was supposed to win. I and Andy Paterson (left) liked the film, but I'm glad I won.
You are one of the co-producers of The Lunchbox which was a strong contender for the Oscar last year till our jury nominated The Good Road as India's official entry.
DANIS: Even if it hadn't won, it would've been nominated. It's still playing and has touched a chord with people across the world, even those who doesn't know the language.
ANDY: Yes, I saw it with Hindi subtitles.
DANIS: In France, Japan, the US, everywhere people were talking about it. That's doesn't happen with Indian movies often. I have been shortlisted for nine films. I would have happily given up my place to The Lunchbox.
Will you co-produce another Indian film?
DANIS: It would depend on the story. Tigers is a very commercial title...
ANDY: When Ayan joins the company he's told to work like a tiger. He ends up fighting like one. It was the working title. For a while we toyed with White Lies but decided to stay with Tigers.
Since the story came out of Pakistan, didn't you think of filming it there?
DANIS: India is more shooting-friendly. India and Pakistan were once one country but today they are two different worlds. I've only visited Lahore and that too seven years ago. A lot changes in seven years. India has changed astonishingly in the last decade. Economy is booming. And new generation of young directors are making an impact.
ANDY: He's named one of his daughters India! Has Bosnia changed too?
DANIS: It's no longer no man's land. But the population of the country is still less than the number of people you see on Juhu beach.
Besides Emraan, any other Bollywood actors you'd like to work with?
DANIS: I saw Shah Rukh Khan dancing at an event, he was entertaining. I've known Aishwarya (Bachchan) for years. She's gorgeous and witty but I couldn't approach her to play Emraan's wife in a little village, could I? For that matter I'd kill to work with Al Pacino, but I need a script to go to him with.
Emraan Hashmi's first international film Tigers to premiere in Toronto
8:00 AM
Eepsita Guha (BOMBAY TIMES; August 23, 2014)
The World Premiere of Emraan
Hashmi's first inter national film, Tigers, will be held at the 39th Toronto
International Film Festival on September 8. Based on a true story, the
movie, helmed by Oscar-winning director Danis Tanovic, revolves
around Ayan (Emraan), a salesman. He lands a job with an MNC marketing
infant formula milk, but soon discovers a huge racket.
The venture is a departure for the actor from his usual fare. He says, “I'm happy to do this high-concept film with a strong connect to the world audience. Working with someone like Danis in my first international project has been exciting.“
So keen was the director to make a movie on the subject that he started research as early as 2006. “Tigers is a project that I have been nurturing for many years. Despite the challenges, I never gave up and believed that this story needed to be told. I'm glad that I found partners who share the same thought,“ Danis says.
Prashita Chaudhary of Cinemorphic, who is producing the film, adds, “The subject attracted me for its universal appeal. It's incredible how a foreigner like Danis has directed a film in Hindi, bringing out the nuances of a completely different socio-economic milieu so well.“
Talking about the film, which will release soon in India and worldwide, co-producer Guneet Monga of Sikhya Entertainment says, “It has been an arduous journey, but our collective effort is bearing fruit.“
The venture is a departure for the actor from his usual fare. He says, “I'm happy to do this high-concept film with a strong connect to the world audience. Working with someone like Danis in my first international project has been exciting.“
So keen was the director to make a movie on the subject that he started research as early as 2006. “Tigers is a project that I have been nurturing for many years. Despite the challenges, I never gave up and believed that this story needed to be told. I'm glad that I found partners who share the same thought,“ Danis says.
Prashita Chaudhary of Cinemorphic, who is producing the film, adds, “The subject attracted me for its universal appeal. It's incredible how a foreigner like Danis has directed a film in Hindi, bringing out the nuances of a completely different socio-economic milieu so well.“
Talking about the film, which will release soon in India and worldwide, co-producer Guneet Monga of Sikhya Entertainment says, “It has been an arduous journey, but our collective effort is bearing fruit.“
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