Showing posts with label Libaas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Libaas. Show all posts
Gulzar's unreleased 1988 film Libaas to finally release this year
7:48 AM
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 19, 2017)
Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Raj Babbar starrer Libaas, which was helmed by Gulzar, is finally getting a theatrical release, almost 30 years after it was made. Based on the short story Seema penned by the poet-lyricist, the film revolves around extramarital relationship and adultery.
Turns out, the film was not released upon its completion in 1988 as the producer, late Vikas Mohan wanted a different ending to the story. When Gulzar refused to alter the end, Mohan decided to can the film altogether. Now, the late producer’s sons Amul and Anshul Mohan, along with Zee studios, are planning to release the film by the end of the year.
Says Amul, “We’re in the process of locking a release date. We don’t want to clash with a big film, as the essence of Libaas will be lost.”
He further adds that the team intends to promote the film like any other new release. “We are planning a full-fledged marketing campaign, and hope to promote the film with the cast. There has been a huge section of the audience that has waited for this film to release. So, we also want to restore the original print and enhance the print quality when we release the film.”
Libaas was first shown at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Bengaluru in 1992, followed by another screening at the same festival in 2014.
Producer slaps notice on IFFI authorities for screening Libaas without his consent
7:40 AM
Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; November 28, 2014)
Producer Vikas Mohan has sent a legal notice to the director of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the I& B ministry for screening his film, Libaas, without his permission. The film, written and directed by Gulzar, was showcased at the ongoing fest in Goa on November 22 and is said to have been received well by the audience.
Mohan says, “Our lawyers have sent a legal notice to the IFFI management. We feel cheated. In spite of such strict copyright rules today, we have been completely baffled by this episode, especially since the IFFI did something like this.’’ The notice reads that even though the letter of authority was given to IFFI, it did not grant permission to screen the film after over 22 years of its first exhibition in 1991 without prior intimation to Mohan. It also states that subscription charges are demanded these days from attendees at film festivals, thus making the screening commercial which was not the purpose for which the letter of authority was granted.
Mohan adds that he had given a print of the film to festival authorities in 1991. He has now asked them to return the copy of his film apart from issuing a public apology.
Shabana Azmi, who stars in Libaas, rues, “Unfortunately, I wasn’t even informed about it.”
The producer says that he intends to release the film soon. “Its release got stuck 26 years ago though we were not at fault. At that time, two or three of Gulzar saab’s films failed at the box office and distributors didn’t want to release this one either. They had also demanded their money back but I had nothing to give then. I could pay them only after Arzoo released in 1999. But now the time for Libaas has come,” he adds.
Panchamda yaad aa gaye, says Gulzar as Libaas finally premiered at IFFI after 26 years
7:52 AM
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 24, 2014)
Gulzar's Libaas a film
made in 1988 but never released finally premiered on Saturday at the
International Film Festival of India in Panjim, Goa. The
veteran poet-lyricist-filmmaker presented the film with Vishal Bhardwaj
and daughter Meghna by his side.
“I feel like a school kid appearing for an exam,“ the 80-year-old
Dadasaheb Phalke award winner confessed before the screening.
“The dubbing quality could be bad. Maybe we might not get to hear some
of the dialogue,“ he warned. Gulzar's words were
proven wrong as the film was screened without any technical hiccups. “What a relief!“ quipped the
filmmaker as the end credits rolled.
Set in Mumbai, Libaas stars Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi as a married couple working in theatre together. The marriage begins to crumble as the conflict on stage begins to seep into the reality of the duo's life. Things get worse when Naseer's wealthy, charming best friend, played by Raj Babbar, enters the scene and is attracted to the character played by Shabana, with whom he starts a relationship.
Although the film was in the cans for so long, its music found a way to the hearts of people and the film is today remembered for songs like Phir kisi shakh ne, Khamosh sa afsana and Silli Hawa Chhoo Gai, composed by RD Burman. “Pancham da yaad aa gaye,“ an emotional Gulzar said after receiving a fiveminute standing ovation.
He admitted that his biggest fear was that the film might look dated. “But whoever has written it did a bloody good job!“ smiled the writer-director of the film, pointing out that even after almost three decades, the themes it explores the disintegration of marriage, infidelity, the thin line that separates reality from fiction--remain relevant. “Human relations are so incredibly complex, there are several layers which you can keep uncovering. It will never go out of fashion. What excites me is the study of human nature it is something I draw from real life. It never fails me.“
Right from the producer not being able to secure a release, to the Censor Board deeming it too 'bold' for public consumption, there are several theories about why the film was in cold storage for so long. The film's producer Vikas Mohan says, “Gulzar's last few films had flopped. So we couldn't take the risk of releasing it then.“ But ask Gulzar about it and he ducks the question with his trademark wit. “Libaas was in the dry-cleaning. It took a while. I'm glad it's out now,“ he laughs.
Set in Mumbai, Libaas stars Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi as a married couple working in theatre together. The marriage begins to crumble as the conflict on stage begins to seep into the reality of the duo's life. Things get worse when Naseer's wealthy, charming best friend, played by Raj Babbar, enters the scene and is attracted to the character played by Shabana, with whom he starts a relationship.
Although the film was in the cans for so long, its music found a way to the hearts of people and the film is today remembered for songs like Phir kisi shakh ne, Khamosh sa afsana and Silli Hawa Chhoo Gai, composed by RD Burman. “Pancham da yaad aa gaye,“ an emotional Gulzar said after receiving a fiveminute standing ovation.
He admitted that his biggest fear was that the film might look dated. “But whoever has written it did a bloody good job!“ smiled the writer-director of the film, pointing out that even after almost three decades, the themes it explores the disintegration of marriage, infidelity, the thin line that separates reality from fiction--remain relevant. “Human relations are so incredibly complex, there are several layers which you can keep uncovering. It will never go out of fashion. What excites me is the study of human nature it is something I draw from real life. It never fails me.“
Right from the producer not being able to secure a release, to the Censor Board deeming it too 'bold' for public consumption, there are several theories about why the film was in cold storage for so long. The film's producer Vikas Mohan says, “Gulzar's last few films had flopped. So we couldn't take the risk of releasing it then.“ But ask Gulzar about it and he ducks the question with his trademark wit. “Libaas was in the dry-cleaning. It took a while. I'm glad it's out now,“ he laughs.
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