TWO WOMEN CENTRIC FILMS TO CLASH AT THE TICKET WINDOW TOMORROW!

Fast & Furious 8 released last week and set the box office on fire. A week later, Baahubali 2 will release and will perform even better. The Friday in between will obviously be the one which will see small films trying their luck. Interestingly, two women centric films are set to release tomorrow and sadly, both of them hardly stand a chance to succeed at the box office.

The bigger out of these two films is Noor, starring Sonakshi Sinha in the lead. It’s based on Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz’s book Karachi You’re Killing Me. It looks like an urban, slice of life film and the idea is that the central protagonist should be relatable. She’s shown as someone who’s unpopular, not-so-confident and struggling with weight issues. Sadly, the way it’s presented doesn’t make any impact. 8 years ago, Wake Up Sid, a similar film, became a craze among urban youth as from the promos itself, it looked very relatable. Noor fails to do so. Songs also haven’t made an impact either. Hence, a poor opening is on the cards. If the film is good, then it can work. Or else, it can drop heavily and turn out to be Sonakshi Sinha’s lowest grosser, even lower than Joker.

Maatr on the other hand is Raveena Tandon’s comeback film. It’s a story of a woman whose daughter gets raped and she gets no justice from the system. Again, just like Noor, it’s a very relatable and today’s concept but it hasn’t been presented well. Moreover, there are hardly any exciting promotions done by the team. Maatr hence will flop even if reports are positive.

WHICH FILM WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE AND WHY? DO LET ME KNOW!

Raveena hits back at Censor Board as they refuse to certify her comeback film; producer approaches Revising Committee for help
MID-DAY (April 17, 2017)

Days after Anjum Rizvi secured permissions from the Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) to promote his next, Maatr, the film has found itself embroiled in another tussle, this time with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The CBFC’s Examining Committee, under the leadership of chief Pahlaj Nihalani, has refused to certify the Raveena Tandon-starrer, owing to two gruesome scenes that the Board apparently deemed inappropriate for viewing. Sources say, both the sequences, one among which involves the rape of the protagonist’s daughter, feature within the first 10 minutes of the film. The committee apparently refused to watch the entire film after viewing these portions.

Criticising the Board for its decision, Raveena told mid-day, “The Censor Board is bound by archaic laws which need to change according to the current times. Maatr is a story that needs to be told. [We’ve had] enough of sugarcoating [of] harsh realities. [If this continues] we will remain indifferent to brutality, and rape will remain a taboo.”

Raveena’s comeback vehicle deals with a mother’s revenge after her daughter’s gruesome murder. Producer Anjum has now knocked on the doors of the Revising Committee, which is likely to give its verdict after watching the film this week. “I’m concerned, but hopeful that the Revising Committee will clear the film. This subject needs to be addressed through cinema. The Board will understand it.” he says.

Should the film be rejected by the Revising Committee, the makers can approach the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) for help. Last week, mid-day had reported that the FCAT was apparently set to ask the makers of Lipstick Under My Burkha to implement certain edits in the film. Producer Prakash Jha approached the tribunal after the CBFC rejected the film.

The actress on finding a work-life balance through years of being a working mother
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; April 16, 2017)

Raveena Tandon Thadani was a rising star when she adopted two girls. She then had her own children Raasha and Ranbirvardhan. Her children come first for her, something we discover over a span of 30 minutes. In fact, her comeback film, due for release soon, is also about a mother. One who seeks revenge for the rape and murder of her daughter.

Here, the actress talks about finding a work-life balance, her parenting skills, her children and how they affect her choices...

Is it difficult to balance things as a working mother?
Probably. Right now, it has become a little difficult because everything has come together. I shoot for this show I judge, there’s my film’s promotions and a music video shoot. I might be short on time, but otherwise, I do space out my day really well. I know how to balance it well otherwise. I’d say, being a mother has not actually changed my choices, but enhanced them. That would be the right way to put it because after having Raasha and Ranbirvardhan, I look for a different kind of emotional connect with anything I do.

Your mom and dad brought you up a certain way. Do you follow the same with your kids?
Absolutely. I want them to be really good, strong individuals and I will support them in whatever they do. But like my parents, I also want a certain sense of discipline in my kids. For example, I have always earned my pocket money. And I want to bring up my kids like that. I have had this discussion with my husband as well. I don’t think we should give kids too much too soon. It’s very important to make them understand the value of things.

Do you consciously make sure they have a normal childhood?
I do think it is very important to make sure of that. I want to bring them up. I haven’t given birth to them so they can be handled by a nanny or a governess. They are my kids and I always spend time with them. They are my biggest priority. I want to bring them up a certain way. I normally keep them away from premieres and other places where I know media will be there. But there are places where we go and suddenly there will be photographers. Sometimes, I request them to not click the kids and at times, they listen and many times, they don’t. That much is okay. But I don’t take them intentionally to places where the paparazzi is going to be there. They are extremely young so I first want them to grow up, understand and absorb what this is, gracefully. I don’t want them ending up feeling they’re special in school or something.

Farah Khan said in an interview that after a few years, she will make son Czar watch a lot of serious movies to educate him on societal taboos. Your take on that...
I haven’t really thought of that, but I take it as the day comes. As of now, I have started making them read the newspapers every day. Then, there are so many things that I need to explain to them. I have actually brought them up, watching TV on Saturday and Sundays with Discovery, National Geographic and that’s why they love things about space and travel and nature. I love travelling with them — whether it’s a jungle or the mountains — I love showing the world to them. So for me, it’s a discovery of a different nature. I am not actually much of a movie person, to be honest. I show them a lot of history and classics like Broadway musicals like Hello Dolly, Tom Tom, Sound of Music, My Fair Lady and other educational dramas. I make them watch a lot of Charlie Chaplin because nowadays, these kids don’t even know who Charlie Chaplin was. And my kids love Charlie Chaplin. I do record a few movies, which come on TV which I feel is appropriate for kids their age. I want them to learn from experience, to travel and discover different places, different foods. I prefer that kind of an education.

How friendly are you with your children? Do they share everything they do with you?
My children and I are the best of friends. We love spending time with each other. So far that time has not come when they would tell me, ‘Mom don’t crowd around us, we want to hang around with our friends’. Every night, we have a Ludo championship. So before and after dinner, there have to be two-three games of Ludo, which we have to play and then sleep.

Twinkle said that her son’s friends lovingly call her savage. What kind of a bond do you share with your kids’ friends?
I don’t know about being nicknamed anything. But I definitely think my daughter’s friends are really comfortable with me. Her birthday was on March 16, so she celebrated it on April 1. I had these 30 girls with me and I took them out to watch Beauty And The Beast. So I was there with all of them. When I go to school to drop my kids, they all come to me and I give them hugs every time. So yes, I enjoy being with my kids’ friends as well.

Kajol said in an interview to us that that Nysa’s made her more social media-friendly. Does Raasha comment on your clothes and all?
Raasha’s not on social media yet. She is just 12. There’s a right age for that as well, for that kind of exposure. When she is 14 or 15, we will see. Right now, when she watches me go out to shoot or watches my episodes on TV, I definitely get my fair share of comments — what I should be doing with my hair or not and stuff like that. She has her opinions on the dresses I wear and is extremely fascinated by the idea of make-up. So whenever I am getting ready and doing my make-up, she generally comes and watches me or studies along when I’m doing it.

Have you both started sharing clothes as well?
Yeah, we have already been doing a bit of it. Not sharing clothes and jewellery that way because as I said, she’s still very young. But on her birthday this year, I took her for a week to New York. That was her birthday gift. We went there just for shopping and it was only her and me. We had some mommy-daughter time. We got the same shoes, same bags and had a blast. We will remember this trip forever. Then, we were stuck in the middle of a blizzard so it was all the more adventurous.

What interests do Raasha and Ranbirvardhan have?
Raasha has always chosen some major roles in theatre. My son is more of a sports buff, so he concentrates on his swimming and cricket, football and other sports. Raasha loves singing and dancing, the teachers are always proud of her. I don’t now which way they are going, but I will always allow them to follow their dreams and to excel in what they think they will do best. It’s completely their choice in life.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 5, 2017)

A four-city tour of India by Pakistani music band Fuzon has been cancelled after the members were unable to procure visas. The three-member pop rock band, which has lent music to Raveena Tandon’s comeback vehicle, Maatr, was to arrive in the country in the second week of April for promotions.

A source from the production unit says, “[Securing] visa was the primary issue. Officials at the visa office also advised the team against the concert. [They feared] relations between the countries would be further affected if right-wing elements caused harm to Fuzon or their property during performance.”

Meanwhile, back in Karachi, the band, comprising Khurram Iqbal, Shallum Asher Xavier and Imran Momina, has been asked not to fly to India. Initially, Maatr makers had decided against including any songs in the gritty thriller, but during editing, producer Anjum Rizvi realised Fuzon’s music would give the movie heft.

While the band remained unavailable for comment, Anjum says, “The recording was done in their studio in Pakistan. Momina felt Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice would be perfect for the song Zindagi Ae Zindagi, which is an emotional track mapping Raveena’s journey as a mother in the film. It is a deep song that people will connect to. They recorded the song at Rahat’s home in Lahore. I believe art and culture should remain independent of politics. I feel ordinary citizens of both countries want peace, no one wants these tensions and threat of war,” Anjum signs off.

Sunil Baghel (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 1, 2017)

The Bombay High Court has granted a stay on the release of Raveena Tandon’s movie, Maatr as the producer, Anjum Rizvi, is yet to pay his dues to YT Capital Pvt Ltd. On Thursday, Justice Gautam Patel passed the order against Rizvi and T-Series, stating the film should not be released anywhere in the world and its prints and/or negatives should not be parted with or released to anyone.

The court has also stopped Rizvi from selling or creating any rights in negatives of seven previous films, John Day, India Metro, A Flat, Fast Forward, A Wednesday, Ahista Ahista and Charas: A Joint Effort.

YT Capital had earlier filed a case through Advocate Rajiv Narula in November 2015 seeking repayment of Rs 2 crore paid to Rizvi in September 2014, for the movie Katha which never released. However, the agreement with Rizvi specified that YT Capital will have rights over his previous as well as future movies till the money is paid.

The HC passed an order in YT Capital’s favour for recovery of Rs 2.44 crore, including interest. Rizvi failed to pay the money, forcing YT Capital to approach the court again. The order noted that despite having been made aware if the latest application, no one appeared for Rizvi. The case will now be heard on April 10.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; March 30, 2017)

In her forthcoming film Maatr, Raveena Tandon takes on the subject of rape with a brutal force. The film lays open some ugly truth about the way the judicial system fails a rape victim. Says Raveena emotionally, “This is a topic I feel very strongly about. I’ve three daughters (two of them are adoptive) and I worry about their safety constantly. And why just daughters? Are sons safe any more? Is anyone safe any longer? We’ve politicians claiming women are responsible for provoking rapists. Can you imagine the depths of callousness that our politicians have plunged to? When a 30-year old woman was gangraped at a tennis club in Bengaluru, the Karnataka Home Minister wanted to know why she was playing tennis at 9.30 pm.”

Raveena feels the cases of rape are growing each year. “If we don’t take drastic steps, if we don’t instill the fear of God and justice into potential rapists, I am afraid the rape statistics will multiply. But how can rapists be dissuaded when the most brutal of the Nirbhaya rapists Mohammad Afroz was declared a juvenile, treated with kid’s gloves in jail, given a sowing machine and rehabilitated as a tailor. He was eventually alleged to have links with a terror outfit. If this is what happens with brutal rapists I can just see elders of primitive cultures telling their youngsters to go and sow their wild oats while they still fall under the juvenile laws’ act.”

Raveena met Nirbhaya’s mother in Delhi, the city where Maatr is set. “She told me something I’ll never forget. She said all the attention that her daughter’s rape and murder got lasted for four days. From the fifth day she was on her own fighting for justice on her daughter’s behalf. Her tears haven’t dried up as yet. They never will.”

Raveena feels the law must change for rape statistics to fall. “I’ve researched extensively for my role. And I feel we need much stronger laws. We also need clerics and priests to stop blaming the length of a woman’s skirt for rape. A three-year old who gets brutally assaulted doesn’t wear a supposedly provocative skirt to be targeted. When will the custodians of religion and culture get the point. Rape is not about sex. It’s about subjugation and dominance.”

Raveena feels her role in Maatr has changed her life. “It is an experience that has left me shaken. We need drastic reforms in rape laws. Our film puts across uncomfortable facts. It will make the audience think.”

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 29, 2017)

Mirror had earlier reported (Dec 8) about Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan doing playback for Raveena Tandon’s upcoming film, Maatr. The song was recorded early last year, much before tensions between India and Pakistan intensified following the Uri attacks, so director Ashtar Sayed decided to re-work the lyrics as the film near pre-release promotions.

Rahat, unsure about procuring a visa to India, met him in Dubai last month to re-record the song. Now, we hear that the film’s team is unsure about the final version of the song’s video that features Rahat and are planning to go ahead with just the song that will now have clips of Raveena from the film.

Producer Anjum Rizvi, when contacted, confirms the news, saying, “The song rendered by Rahat, titled 'Zindagi Ae Zindagi', is an emotional track about Raveena’s character’s journey as a mother. We made certain changes in the lyrics and Rahat was very co-operative. He is like a sutradhar of the song that conveys the feel of the film.”

What about the video that the singer shot for? “It was meant to be a part of the promotions but we are yet to decide if we will use it or go ahead with the one featuring Raveena’s scenes,” Rizvi signs off.

Upala KBR (DNA; March 22, 2017)

Raveena Tandon Thadani has cancelled plans to promote her upcoming movie Maatr — The Mother on The Viral Fever (TVF), following the sexual harassment allegations against Arunabh Kumar, Founder and CEO, TVF, an online entertainment platform that satirises Indian politics, movies, lifestyle, and the social system.

Says a source, “Raveena was to promote the movie on TVF’s platform but canned the idea after the controversy. She doesn’t want to be associated with the brand until they are cleared of the charges. She is waiting for all the facts to come out before she decides to promote her film with them. She is a strong advocate of women’s empowerment and will not associate with any person or company that undermines women.”

Reasons for opting out
Maatr co-producer Anjum Rizvi confirms, “Raveena’s character is a working woman. Our film has been inspired by incidents which are happening in India today. Right now, we felt we should not get into it, so we have opted out of the TVF show. It’s a sensitive issue and we have to handle everything with care and not use whatever tools and means possible. We need to be careful of how we promote the film.”

Rizvi adds, “Raveena is a vocal personality and doesn’t mince her words so we have a spokesperson anyway who will do all the talking! She is also involved in every aspect of the film as the subject is very close to her heart. She is excited about the film as it is relevant to what is happening. As filmmakers, we can raise issues, though we can’t come up with solutions. We are just highlighting the issue. It’s not a true story, but talks about whether women should or should not take law into their hands and how long they should wait for justice to be meted out.”

Giving it a miss
Confirms the actress, “I was not aware of the controversy as I was in New York and in the middle of a snow storm. Our film deals with a very strong message about zero tolerance to any form of violence or abuse against women — the film’s producers and actors feel that until allegations against the producer and the channel are proved wrong, we will refrain from promoting the film or any of the actors appearing on the said show.”

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 20, 2017)