Showing posts with label Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz. Show all posts
I want to explore the Kashmir beyond conflicts-Onir
8:08 AM
The filmmaker was recently in Kashmir where his film was screened for the valley’s youngsters
Shamayita C (BOMBAY TIMES; March 17, 2021)
“For 30 years, movie halls have been missing from Kashmir. These kids and all the other people here watch films on their mobiles and TVs. Hence, we planned this screening. I was overwhelmed to see how the students, especially young girls, queued up to watch the film,” said the filmmaker.
Talking about his screening experience, Onir said that Kashmir is “full of talent and little opportunity”. Elaborating on his thoughts, he said, “An entire generation has grown up without cinema halls and I’m sure they have their stories to tell. One of the reasons why I decided to screen Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz there is because it features a Kashmiri actor. I want to make films with more of such actors and get Kashmiri musicians to sing in my films. I plan to screen more films there — maybe have a seven-day festival featuring films from Bengal, Kerala and all over the country. Kashmiri short films should also be featured at such festivals.”
Onir, who seems to have a strong connection with Kashmir, was there last December, too. While catching up with his friends in Srinagar, he told us that there are several stories beyond the perceived image of Kashmir. “The only stories that we get to hear about this place are those of conflict. There is so much more to this place. Let’s talk about their art, music and craft. There are stories that go beyond just conflict, Pahalgam and Gulmarg. I want to explore that,” he shared.
In his pursuit of exploring the place, Onir created memories and incorporated those in his travel vlog. “I love Kashmiri cuisine and hence, I talked about gushtaba. I also went to a dargah and heard a beautiful song. Some of their crafts are dying. Let’s talk about those things. This time, I went to Sun Temple in Martand. I learnt about the amazing Surya temple built during the 8th century CE,” he said.
Talking about the budding talents, Onir said the youngsters in Kashmir need more opportunities. “Kashmir needs to nurture its talent. There is a music academy in Srinagar and it is heartwarming to see how children there are practising Sa Re Ga Ma. I wish there was a film institute for these kids so that they did not have to go to Delhi or Mumbai to study. Maybe one day we will have one there,” said Onir.
'Pehla Nasha' returns in its original form in Onir's Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz
7:53 AM
Song to feature in its original form in filmmaker Onir’s first romantic film
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 23, 2018)
Onir is the latest filmmaker in Bollywood to revisit a popular ’90s song with his upcoming project. Only, he will use it in its original form. The romantic “Pehla Nasha” from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Mansoor Khan’s iconic coming-of-age film with Aamir Khan as the hero, features in Onir’s Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz. The film, the director’s first out-and-out romantic film by his own admission, is headlined by National Award-winning actress Geetanjali Thapa and debutant Zain Khan.
“When I think of romance, the first memory is watching Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar with a big group of college friends and how the entire theatre would sing along when the song came on. It’s timeless,” Onir smiles, saying he shot his version in Kolkata and Shimla. In the film, Zain portrays a radio jockey who plays old Hindi songs while talking about love stories on his show. “For me, the song was apt for the situation and the film’s theme, which is experiencing true love for the first time,” he explains.
What’s more, he has also used a clip from the original song. “I was touched with Mansoor ji’s generosity. When I emailed him seeking permission to use the clip in my film, he immediately gave us the rights. Those few seconds from the original are extremely special to me,” the director shares, adding that the melody is omnipresent in his film as it also serves as its theme music. “It’s like a homage to the original, my all-time favourite song.”
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