Upala KBR (DNA; September 17, 2016)


Says a trade source, “It’s big news for film producers as MA Pass is the first film to get its title clearance directly from the CBFC. This will pave the way for other films whose titles have got stuck.”

Producer Narendra Singh says, “I had applied for my title in January but my film was stuck as another producer had registered and made a film under the same title. After eight months of running around, I finally got my title (and censor certificate) cleared by the CBFC. This is good news for new producers who don’t know the system and register first through their film bodies. The system has been streamlined and we can stop being tortured by these film associations. Yes, there’s a loophole that another producer can complete and release his film too before another having the same name so a system has to be made. For now, it’s a great relief for me and other people who have been harassed by the producers associations. You can get your film title and poster cleared directly by the CBFC.”

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 4, 2015)

Ajay Bahl, who made his directorial debut in 2013 with the much talked about erotic drama, B.A. Pass, is ready with his next film: a passionate thriller.

The yet-untitled film is a dark crime drama set in the northern hinterland. "It's a burning love story between two star-crossed people who love each other to death, quite literally," says Ajay, the film's producer, director, writer and cinematographer.

It will be shot in Himachal Pradesh, near the Indo-China border. "Since snow is a key element in the plot, we roll this December," Ajay added.

Casting is underway. Prep will be complete by the end of the month. Prod him on whether his leading actress from B.A. Pass will make an appearance in this film too and he says, "No, Shilpa Shukla will not be a part of this one."

Mirror had earlier reported (August 1) that MA Pass, a film about a small town girl who moves to Mumbai to become an actress, is currently on the floors, being directed by Shadaab Khan and produced by Narendra Singh. Ajay is quick to point out that it is not a sequel of his critically acclaimed debut film. "Neither me nor my film B.A. Pass has anything to do with that film. MA Pass is not a sequel to B.A. Pass. I will start working on the sequel right after I finish shooting this film," Ajay reveals. 

Says B.A. Pass maker, revealing that the sequel has no explicit scenes
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 2, 2015)

A sequel to the 2012 neo-noir erotica, B.A. Pass, went on the floors last week in Mumbai. But written and directed by Shadaab Khan, MA Pass, the second instalment, does not feature Shilpa Shukla as Sarika aunty. In fact, the plot has nothing in common with the original, does not draw from real life and has no sexual contents. "We are filming the first and only romantic scene next week. We may have graduated from BA to MA but this is a light-hearted drama with no stripping or sensuality. The censors have really toned me down and I'm going to follow all their guidelines to the T," admits filmmaker Narendra Singh.

Set in Bollywood, it follows 19-year-old aspiring actress Neha from Indore to Mumbai. She ends up doing commercials and reality shows. "There are two other important characters the broker Vijay and a B-grade, casting director, Manorama," says Singh who found his protagonist in a 19-year-old from Chandigarh, Kritika Sachdeva, whose story parallels Neha's.

The film will wrap up the Mumbai schedule on August 15 and then move to Goa, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.