On September 30, The Ministry of Home Affairs announced new unlock provisions whereby movie theatres outside the containment zones are allowed to reopen from October 16 with 50 per cent occupancy. While theatres in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and some other states continue to remain shut, exhibitors across the rest of the country are ready to resume business. Ananya Panday and Ishaan Khatter’s Khaali Peeli, and Vivek Oberoi’s PM Narendra Modi were the first films to be announced, now a few other films, including Thappad, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, Malang, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (SMZS) and War, have joined the list of reruns.

Thappad director Anubhav Sinha believes that his film, which opened on February 28 this year, had its run cut short by the Coronavirus-triggered pandemic. “We got only two weeks in theatres despite doing around 80 per cent business of the first week in the second which is a fair indicator that the film would’ve run for roughly six more weeks. It’s heartening that eight months after its initial release, it still has promise at the box office,” he says.

Meena Iyer, CEO, Ajay Devgn Ffilms, is happy to contribute to the resurgence of the business with Tanhaji. “The film had an amazing run, but if exhibitors feel that it can attract more footfalls, we’re happy to help. The further it travels, the happier we are,” she asserts.

For SMZS director Hitesh Kewalya, reruns are not for box office glory. “We got a good three-week run during the initial release and the film has a social message that is still relevant. Right now, the aim is to just gauge the audience and accustom them to community-viewing,” he reasons.

Bhushan Kumar, producer of four films up for re-release—Malang, Thappad, Tanhaji and SMZS—agrees that reruns are a way to learn the audience’s needs. “Reopening of theatres is good news for the industry. All four of our films have been successful during initial release. This time they’ll help us gauge audiences’ concerns and plan future releases accordingly,” he shares, adding that, not just theatre owners but also the audience need to strictly follow guidelines.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh believes that these are just baby steps towards bringing the audience back to theatres. “It’s time to press the reset button. No one is looking at box office figures right now, it’s just about cultivating the habit of going back to cinema. The returns will be very low initially,” he avers, adding that the priority is to provide livelihood to people who’ve been out of business for the last seven months. “Over the years, cinema has faced a lot of roadblocks, but it has always survived and this too shall pass,” he concludes.

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Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 30, 2020)

For the last few days, producer Sandip Ssingh is drawing a lot of attention in the Sushant Singh Rajput case, with allegations of foul play being levelled against him by social media users and TV channels reporting that he was planning to leave the country. While Sushant Singh Rajput’s family members have reportedly stated that they don’t know him, he was seen handling all the formalities at the hospital post Sushant’s demise and even made arrangements for the actor’s funeral.

Literally caught off guard, Sandip was seen dodging the cameras on Friday. Actor Shekhar Suman, who had started the Justice For Sushant Forum, speaks to BT about his equation with Sandip Ssingh. Excerpts:

Tell us about your equation with Sandip Ssingh...
He was the producer of Sanjay Dutt’s Bhoomi (2017). We spent a month shooting in Agra together. I have known him for longer than that, though it was off and on. He had contacted my son Adhyayan for a movie, which didn’t work out, but that is how it began. There was a professional relationship. Going by my equation with him, I felt he was a fun-loving guy who was totally engrossed with a lot of projects of his own, and he knew people and people knew him in the film industry. That was it. These recent developments have come as a huge surprise. Let the investigation go on and let’s see what happens. But before this, there was nothing abnormal or unusual about him that I noticed.

Did he ever mention to you that he was a close friend of Sushant?
No, he never mentioned anything, except once in a casual conversation, he had spoken about how Ranveer Singh got Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat. He did mention that these films had gone to several actors and one of them was Sushant, who had turned them down. I asked him why Sushant would do that to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films. He said, ‘I don’t know, maybe he didn’t like the role or something.’ Why I remember this is because one would give an arm and a leg to work with that filmmaker. This was a casual chat and I really don’t know how close he was with Sushant or anyone else. Lately, he was planning another film with Sanjay Dutt called Blockbuster. We have had a couple of close friends chatting about it. He was excited about this project, which was to be produced by Anand Pandit. He would talk about this movie. In fact, I don’t think I had much of an interaction with him when he was making the film, PM Narendra Modi, though I used to read about the film in the newspapers.

So, how did both of you touch base again after Sushant’s death? You even visited Sushant’s family in Patna at their residence along with Sandip...
I saw him on TV, managing everything around Sushant. I didn’t want to call him right then, because I felt it wasn’t the right time to do that. I started tweeting about Sushant on my own. I interpreted his demise differently from day one. I felt there is more to it than meets the eye. I felt a different sort of a connection — he was a Bihari boy, people could barely make it to his funeral because of the Coronavirus situation and I am someone who has lost a son years ago. I wanted to meet Sushant’s father and share his grief. I have lived with my tragedy for years now and I haven’t been able to get over it. My family asked me why I was getting so involved, and that I should not go to Patna in the thick of the pandemic. I said to them, ‘Let me speak to Sandip, maybe he knows the family.’ I called him. That is the first time I asked him what had happened really and he said, ‘I will tell you later.’ I asked if there was a way to meet Sushant’s father K K Singh. Sandip told me that he was planning to go to Patna after the terahvi, post June 28. I said, ‘Fair enough. Can you please let them know that I will be coming, too?’ And that’s how we went. It would have been awkward to go just like that. In Patna, I stayed with my cousins at my maternal granny’s house and he stayed elsewhere. I think it was on June 29 that we went to Sushant’s house. We didn’t exchange words with the family. We just sat there for 10 minutes. I wanted to meet (Bihar Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar for some political support for my Justice For Sushant Forum. I remember Sandip had asked me, ‘Why do you want to go ahead with this forum?’ I had said, ‘I want to, because I feel there is foul play and I should fight for it, instead of looking the other way.’ No one was talking about it at that time. It was my battle and I was okay with it being that way. I again asked him what had happened. He said, ‘I think it is suicide.’ I didn’t delve further into it. I met Tejashwi Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal leader), since Nitish Kumar could not make it, and told him about the forum. Prior to this meeting, Sandip, in fact, had asked me if I wanted to get Sushant’s father on to it and I said, ‘No. Later, if he wants to, he can be a part of it.’ After the press conference with Tejashwi in Patna, I didn’t speak to Sandip. And then he got into the thick of things as they are now. You see, I knew Sushant as a co-competitor from a reality show in 2010. But that was it. He had not even joined films. He was in the transition phase. I remembered him as a sweet boy. I don’t think I ever met him again after that, but I did watch some of his films.

Sushant’s family and friends have been saying that they don’t know Sandip Ssingh. How did he then make arrangements for the Patna visit?
There is a contradiction in this. From the footage that I saw on TV, he was seen with his arm around Sushant’s grieving sister. It seemed that he knew the family. He had even taken Ankita (Lokhande) to meet his family, so obviously he knew them. Also, I think for him, it’s not a big deal. And, when we went to Patna, everything was arranged and his family knew I was coming over.

On Friday, Sandip ran from the scene when he saw TV cameras following him. Reportedly, he has been dodging cameras by changing his locations, and not going to the house where he lives. Why do you think he is doing this?
I have no idea. Maybe because of the pressure and the intense media trial; anyone would be scared, especially if one feels he or she is getting cornered. But if you are honest, you should just come out and speak. That goes for everyone who knows Sushant or has anything to say. There is no need to hide and avoid speaking up. I feel Sandip should just come out and speak his side of the story like he did earlier. Running away will only lead to more speculation as to what it is that he is hiding. The investigating agencies will eventually make people speak and they will have to answer. They should come out and say it anyway. There is nothing to fear if you have been honest and have done no wrong.

Prafulla Marpakwar (THE TIMES OF INDIA; August 29, 2020)

Mumbai: Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant on Friday demanded a probe into film producer Sandeep Ssingh’s connections with the BJP. Singh has claimed he was a good friend of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput and was one of the first persons to reach his flat on hearing news of his death.

“Investigating agencies must probe the link between Sandeep Ssingh and the BJP. Singh is the producer of a biopic on PM Narendra Modi. The BJP never had faith in the Mumbai police and, suddenly, it supported the demand for a CBI probe. Why was the demand pressed in a hurry?” Sawant said. He alleged there appeared to be a plan to protect high-profile people involved in the alleged suicide.

Sawant said then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had launched the poster of Singh’s biopic. “The CM and home minister should probe the BJP’s nexus with actors, Sandeep Ssingh and the drug cartel,” Sawant said.

The Congress leader said it was surprising the BJP was demanding a high-level probe into the drug angle in the Rajput case. He wondered why the BJP had not asked then chief minister Fadnavis to probe the nexus between the film industry and the drug mafia. “It appears the CBI and ED stepped in to protect Sandeep Ssingh. It has been found that persons associated with Modi are locked in one controversy or another,” Sawant said.

Having seen many highs and lows in his career, Vivek Oberoi believes recent release Inside Edge has turned the tide for him
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 8, 2019)

Vivek Oberoi decided to foray into digital entertainment with Amazon Prime's Inside Edge, well before the country witnessed the OTT boom. As the second season dropped over the weekend, the actor wears a look of content, secure in the knowledge that the gamble has paid him rich rewards. "People felt I had lost the plot. They weren't aware [of the potential of] OTT content and wondered why I was doing a serial. Also, with the show, we were swimming against the tide as everyone in this country loves cricket and we were showing the murky side of the game. So it was a tough call," says Oberoi, who plays mastermind Vikrant Dhawan who runs a successful cricket league, in the show.

In a 17-year-long run in the industry, the actor has seen it all—from overnight success to abject failure. The success of the Karan Anshuman-created show, he says, has once again turned the tide. "People had written me off often, but when the audience loves me in Inside Edge, it gives me a sense of validation and vindication. It has allowed me to pick and choose from the offers [coming my way]. It hasn't been an easy journey as I have had to start all over again, several times, but I have never given up."

On the big screen, Oberoi was last seen in PM Narendra Modi, a biopic that received attention and flak in equal measure for its subject. A self-admitted Modi bhakt, the actor is proud of the film. Ask him if a sequel is on the cards, and he says, "It was an incredible journey to play this amazing persona. The audience's feedback has been positive. Any actor would give their right arm to play the character. We have not even scratched the surface. The legacy of Narendra Modi by the end of his term is going to be unparalleled, so never say never."

Itishree Misra (BOMBAY TIMES; August 29, 2019)

Writer, lyricist, poet and also the Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Prasoon Joshi wears all his hats well and with precision. At a recent event, the writer of several films, including Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and the more recent Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi, Prasoon talks about the popularity of content-driven films and making CBFC controversy-free.

Lately, we’ve seen content-driven films like Badhaai Ho, Andhadhun, Uri: The Surgical Strike and Raazi doing very well at the box office, as opposed to films that had big stars. Would you say that the story of the film is its hero now?
Yes, in a way. See we are dealing with a satiated generation of people. There’s so much of entertainment available vis-à-vis what we had before. Gone are the days when we used to wait for Fridays and wonder which film will release this week and woh chahe jo bhi ho, dekhni hi hai. That was the deprived generation, itna TV nahi tha, web toh tha hi nahi. Now when people go to watch a film, they make an informed decision. So your expectations are very different. Just watching your favourite stars doing something on screen is not what you’re there for.

Also gone are the days when you could not see your favourite star. Your favourite star is now in your phone! He or she is there on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even on TV. So you’re no longer being deprived of seeing your favourite star. Your hero or heroine is now right in front of your eyes 24X7. The star looks more approachable, more tactile, so they appear less god-like. They are freely discussing their problems with you on social media. So today, if your film doesn’t promise good content, it’s unlikely that people will go and watch it.

So is the age of stars over in Bollywood vis-à-vis actors?
The age of stars can never be over, but the definition of stars is no longer the same. That god-like, larger-than-life persona is no longer there. There will always be stars. People will talk about a particular person and say I love the way he or she talks or looks or acts, but that sense of worship that people used to feel, that has changed. It’s now a more multidimensional relationship that people share with a star. They also want to know how their star lives, eats, how witty they are, is he or she intelligent or not, what he or she does in their everyday lives and their personal relationships. So it’s no more a relationship of a star and a fan, it’s more like that of a friend.

You have taken a strong stand against the open letter written by 49 filmmakers, activists and artists against mob lynchings to the government. You along with 61 others have said that they ‘expressed selective concern and demonstrated a clear political bias and motive.’ Would you want to say more on the topic?
I feel human life is very important. There’s no debate on that. If somebody says that human life is getting compromised somewhere, of course one will raise their voice. You have to raise your voice and bring it to the notice of the authorities. You can’t just let it go on, and you can’t justify it under any disguise or garb. But if the topic would have been that only, I would have said nothing. But unfortunately that’s not the case. The people who are bringing this to your notice, haven’t done this for the first time, they have been doing it again and again. I question the intent of it. I feel there is a definite dislike. I feel this is condescending and unfair. You look at any policy of the current government, they are not biased towards anybody or any particular section of the society. They’re being absolutely neutral. If you feel something is not right, then there’s two ways of looking at it. One is that ‘Oh! There’s something not right and we need to constructively look at this and solve this problem.’ Second is you’re portraying a dark picture and you’re making people feel as if nothing is going right in this country and it’s doomed. And that is depressing. That is misleading people; that is not constructive. That is because your approach is to malign the government and say that these people do not know governance. And that’s only because you don’t agree with them, you don’t like them. And all I’m saying is that if that is the reason of your criticism then I don’t find it genuine.

CBFC has really become non-controversial these days, so much so that it’s no longer in news.
That’s because I’m totally fair. No one can say that I am above board. The doors of CBFC are open. Main vivaad ki jagah vichaar-vimarsh mein yaqeen rakhta hoon. Mujhe lagta hai through discussion, through dialogue, you can always put forth your point. What is the role of the CBFC? It is a set of representation of people. Who is there in the committee of CBFC? Housewives, school teachers, engineers, advocates, these are the kind of normal people who sit in the committee and they watch a film to see how it will impact the people. That is what our job is. Filmmakers sometimes get agitated and say that the board doesn’t understand the film. Of course, they don’t understand the film! They are there to bring to you the point of view of the common people. So I tell them, please sit together and the filmmaker will tell you his or her point of view and you tell the point of view of the common person. There definitely would be a common meeting ground for them both, if they honestly talk. So I have only tried to bring a lot of transparency and dialogues through which you see, a lot of things have been solved. Take for instance Article 15, it deals with a sensitive subject, but still it was released. Also Padmaavat, there was so much of confusion but in the end it was released, also the film on our Prime Minister, PM Narendra Modi. I don’t know why there used to be so much of controversy. Also because I request the filmmakers to not use CBFC to create unnecessary controversies for their marketing or promotions. Because I would not be able to give any quotes for your promotions.

Anubhav Sinha, Hansal Mehta, Mayank Tewari, Gaurav Solanki

In the latest edition of Mirror Newsroom, filmmakers and writers speak on adapting from real-life stories, negotiating trolls, the CBFC, and the repercussions of having a political opinion
Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 31, 2019)

Depicting stories inspired by real events on celluloid has become an accepted model in Hindi cinema. Tales of those who have been marginalised to horrific accounts of violence that have either been ignored by newsrooms or relegated to the inside pages of dailies has surely delivered as compelling ‘material’. In the latest Mirror Newsroom session, filmmakers and writers who have championed socially-relevant films, spoke about what drives their cinematic decisions. The esteemed speakers at the roundtable included filmmakers Hansal Mehta (Aligarh, Omerta) and Anubhav Sinha (Mulk, Article 15) and writers Gaurav Solanki (Article 15, Taandav) and Mayank Tewari (Newton, Delhi Crime 2). Here’s what they had to say:

What has sustained Bollywood’s obsession with real stories?
Hansal Mehta: We don’t have too many stories. So in real life, you’re finding all these stories. But Aligarh (right), for instance, wasn’t just a true story, it reflected ageing, loneliness and being marginalised on account of your sexuality. So it’s important that the real-life character resonates with you. It is finally your voice that is giving life to that real-life character. But it’s good that we are finding new stories in our world, of our times.
Mayank Tewari: As a society, we have become very affluent and self-obsessed and seek stories which are rooted in our realities.

Can filmmakers voice political views?
Hansal: I’ve not seen PM Narendra Modi or The Tashkent Files. But I knew it was going to be difficult for them because even before the film releases, they know that they will be ridiculed. And sometimes, the filmmaker’s reputation precedes him. In terms of a piece of cinema, The Accidental Prime Minister may be inadequate and it was the filmmaker’s first. But the things that you’re showing about the Congress Party during that period are coming to the fore now. They’ve reduced India’s oldest party to a joke. I should also be able to criticize the people I idolise.
Mayank: I watched Modi because I wanted to watch what a propaganda film is like and felt it was atrocious. When it came to The Accidental..., I was heart-broken because I feel a lot of people rubbished the film because of the subject.

Has the CBFC become more rigid?
Hansal: Sometimes, I’ve had ridiculous episodes with the CBFC. Once, they gave an A certificate to my film’s trailer just because of a certain word that conveyed that the film’s theme is adult. Then, there’s no way to promote the film because my trailer cannot be played with any other film. But then, they also gave a U/A certificate to Article 15 (left) which is wonderful. They are the industry’s favourite punching bag. My last film Omerta had travelled to festivals around the world before releasing in India. The CBFC objected to the scene where you see a guy peeing while the “Jana Gana Mana” was being played. I told them that it was the character who was disrespecting the National Anthem, not me. But they were worried about the backlash and that is something they have to account for. For Aligarh, the CBFC is still fighting a case, while I have made three films after that.
Anubhav Sinha: If you read the Cinematograph Act, 1952, five per cent of the films won’t release. It was written at a time when the Constitution was four years old and it’s based on interpretation. Those who judged Article 15, suggested just five modifications and I just shook hands and ran. Sometimes, you get lucky.
Mayank: Aside from the CBFC, the larger threat is that, as a society, we’re getting addicted to being outraged. And that is more worrying.

Has modern literature tweaked itself to be more conducive for adaptations?
Hansal: In recent years, a lot of books are written with the intention of becoming a film adaptation. Publishers pitch the ideas before the books hit the shelves. As a filmmaker, one has to be discerning and look for subjects that resonate with you. It may be a very mediocre book but you can make it into something wonderful. For instance, you can make a 3 Idiots from a Five Point Someone.
Mayank: I would like to adapt Shubhangi Swarup’s Latitudes Of Longing. Then, Jhumpa Lahiri’s first book Interpreter Of Maladies has some very interesting stories, particularly the one titled ‘Mrs. Sen’s’.

Is this the best time to tell stories?
Hansal: The thing about making movies is you make them when you feel strongly about something. If I would have made Shahid today, it wouldn’t be the same film. The fact that it is still relevant and resonates with so many, I feel it did its job. We knew that we were at a disadvantage then since no one knew who Rajkummar Rao was. I was returning to films after three years, having made a film I shouldn’t have made, perhaps. And despite all that, we made the film in Rs 75 lakh. Today, with the resources at my disposal, I may not make the same film. Shahid partly came out of that hunger and anger that was brewing inside me.
Anubhav: Long back, I had the privilege of spending some time with Shekhar Kapur and he had told me that filmmakers need to quit their obsession with the theatre. Some films are not meant for the theatre but they will have a much longer life. A distributor friend told me recently that the audience of Kabir Singh and Article 15 doesn’t overlap and yet, both did well. So there’s enough market for all kinds of movies. Now, the audience wants a big star, a big dhamaka that follows the big Bollywood recipe. For everything else, they have access to so many other platforms. The only other segment that remains, is our own stories…Malihabad ki kahani, Jharkhand ki kahani. There was no space to tell these stories and TV has always told the Karan Johar version of village stories. But the market that seeks realistic stories wasn’t catered to till recently.
Gaurav: There are also stories that the media refuses to follow. Some time ago, magazines and newspapers would do long pieces on them. But now, since no one covers them, people are deprived of that information. So feature films cater to that need gap by telling stories that news channels don’t want to tell.

How do filmmakers deal with trolls?
Hansal: When I won the National Award (2014, for Shahid), I was invited to a news channel. It was pre-election time, and they asked me why I had signed a document that stated I would vote for the secular candidate from my constituency and I had said, “Because I don’t want Narendra Modi as my Prime Minister”, and the trolls haven’t stopped ever since. Every time I say something, they say, ‘he’s a left-wing guy’. Interestingly, when I did The Accidental Prime Minister, I had left wing trolls after me who are equally rabid.
Anubhav: If I write ‘Hello’ on Twitter, there will be people who will have contrarian views. I find trolls to be like children stuck in a well. You don’t need to respond to them. After one film, I’ve had both, Brahmins and Dalits abusing me. 

PM Narendra Modi is well shot and made on a grand scale. But the content is very hard to digest. The makers position Narendra Modi as an invincible man who can never go wrong and who has never made mistakes. He’s shown to be responsible for single-handedly ending the Congress government in Gujarat in 70s and for Indira Gandhi to start and end Emergency! The Babri Masjid incident and his college scenes are conveniently ignored! Also, Jashodaben episode is tackled in such a way that Modi seems totally innocent. A few scenes here and there are interesting like Modi fooling the cops during Emergency and Modi’s conversation with Ratan Tata. And talking of performances, Vivek Oberoi gives his best shot as always. His accent is a problem as it’s not consistent but otherwise, he puts up a good show. Manoj Joshi is decent but when he introduces himself as Amit Shah, the name gets muted and it’s really bewildering. Barkha Bisht Sengupta is there for few seconds and that too in the background. Zarina Wahab is endearing. Darshan Kumaar as laughable as corrupt journalist. Prashant Narayanan tries his best to be evil and suave but his character doesn't have much to do. The actor playing Manmohan Singh is bad and his character is in a very bad taste. All in all, PM Narendra Modi would have made for a good fictional story but as a biopic, it goes a bit too far and even his biggest fans would feel so!

My rating - ** out of 5!

TWO ‘NATIONALIST’ FILMS UP FOR RELEASE!

The festival of Eid and the release of Salman Khan-starrer Bharat are just 14 days away and hence there won’t be any significant release next Friday. This week will see the release of two prominent films which can get a clean 2-week run if it succeeds. Both films have challenges though. My analysis:

INDIA’S MOST WANTED: It is directed by Raj Kumar Gupta and like his earlier well-received films (No One Killed Jessica, Raid), this is also based on a true story. It chronicles how 5 Indian intelligence officers nabbed Yasin Bhatkal of Indian Mujahideen in Nepal in 2013 without firing a single shot! Arjun Kapoor plays the leading role here. The trailer is interesting and intriguing, also because not many know about this sensational episode. However, the promotion hasn’t worked much. Songs are forgettable. Also, it’s difficult to say if viewers will be excited to see the film where the makers are making it clear that no bullet shot has been fired. In other words, there’s no action in the film! The opening will be low, of around Rs. 2-2.5 crore. But the film has the potential to grow significantly from Saturday if it’s well made. It’s Monday collections can be better than that of Friday.

PM NARENDRA MODI: As the name suggests, it is based on the life of the current Prime Minister of India but it’ll focus only till the time that he is sworn in to this honourable post in 2014. Vivek Oberoi plays the lead role. Also starring in this flick are Boman Irani, Manoj Joshi, Kishori Shahane, Zarina Wahab, Prashant Narayanan, Barkha Bisht Sengupta, Yatin Karyekar and Darshan Kumaar. It is directed by Omung Kumar who made the much-liked Mary Kom followed by two flops – Sarbjit and Bhoomi. It’s shocking to know that the film went on floors this year itself in January end. Within 70 days, a film of this scale was shot, edited, and was ready for release. But they must have completed the film's post production at the eleventh hour and only then they applied for censor certificate. However, the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) didn't give the certificate overnight and followed the due process. As a result, the film was to release on April 5 and was postponed to April 11. Just few hours before the press show on April 10, it was announced that the film has violated the Model Code of Conduct and hence, postponed till the end of voting. The makers then decided to release the film tomorrow. The results of the Lok Sabha Elections are today and if Narendra Modi wins again, it might prove beneficial for the film and can secure an opening of around Rs. 1.5-2 crore. But if he loses, it can prove detrimental. The film really has to be great to make an impression.

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

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 23, 2019)

Director Omung Kumar admits that he was apprehensive about helming the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but he is heaving a sigh of relief now, as the film has overcome several hurdles and is finally opening in cinemas, tomorrow. Excerpts from a chat with BT...

The release of your film, PM Narendra Modi, was stalled by the Election Commission of India (ECI) less than 24 hours before release (on April 10). Despite seeking legal recourse, you had to wait for the elections to wrap up before you could release the film. Finally, it’s scheduled to hit theatres tomorrow. How do you feel?
I am relieved (smiles). It’s not as if we knew how to handle a situation like that. We thought that we had made an honest film and the window for release was apt. However, others didn’t see it that way and we faced a lot of heat for it. The producers have run into huge losses. The film had created the right buzz at that time, which has somewhat dipped in the last few weeks. The entire episode has left a bad taste in our mouth. I hope that all these delays and troubles that we have been through benefits the film.

Since its inception, the biopic has been in the eye of a lot of controversies. Did that affect you while making it?
I work with blinkers on. I don’t think about anything other than my work. Also, Sandeep Ssingh (producer) ensured that nothing reaches me. It’s a humongous responsibility to direct a film that narrates the story of the current PM of our country. I’ve not attempted a political film; it’s about the person, with all the facts of his professional life in place and all the dots joined with more focus on the personal journey of the man. I am politically insulated and so, I don’t get influenced by anything even remotely political. I see everything with a neutral eye. For me, this is the story of a chaiwala, who became the prime minister of India.

You faced a lot of flak for casting Vivek Anand Oberoi as the central character...
I faced flak when I cast Priyanka Chopra as Mary Kom in her biopic, but the film went on to win a National Award. I faced the same heat for Vivek. From where I see it, he’s perfectly cast in the role and he’s done his best. When I started researching for the film, I found a picture of him as Narendra Modi online. I was stunned that he had already been considered for a film on the PM before.

Isn’t it a strange coincidence that your film was announced weeks before the campaigns for Lok Sabha polls flagged off, and it was originally scheduled to open on the day the first phase of elections began?
We were always clear that we will release the film around April. What we didn’t know at that time was that the polls would coincide with our release date. It’s sheer coincidence. After the dates for the Lok Sabha polls were announced, we couldn’t even move our film because the next few weeks were already taken by other films. We didn’t want to take a chance. My only job was to deliver the film on time with the scale intact. We shot in 38 days, but we researched and did all our math during the six months prior to that. We announced the film in December 2018. We wanted to announce it before that, but we were in two minds. Finally, we announced the film only when we went on floors.

Your film has consistently been accused of being a propaganda vehicle…
If that was true, everyone would make feature films for their election campaigns instead of doing some work in their respective constituencies. I have no inclination towards politics. I’ve attempted to make a clean, inspirational film, which touches upon everything, including the Gujarat riots. I don’t think I have made a film that can influence voters; I don’t think any film can do that.

Did you meet PM Narendra Modi?
No, because I didn’t want to be influenced. I wanted to keep the approach neutral. Vivek came with his own research and understanding of the character. Without making it caricaturish, he’s tried to capture the spirit of the man. He improvised the dialogue to such a degree that he’s been credited as the codialogue and screenplay writer of the film. His inputs were fantastic.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; May 23, 2019)

Vivek Anand Oberoi is finding himself embroiled in controversies one after the other. While the delay in his film’s release wasn’t enough, he retweeted a meme (on the personal life of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), sparking outrage on Twitter. He eventually deleted the tweet on Tuesday morning and apologised. Meanwhile, we got in touch with Vivek, who has been travelling across cities to promote his film on PM Narendra Modi, which will finally release tomorrow. The actor briefly spoke to us over the phone before taking off to Ahmedabad. We were told not to ask any question on the tweet controversy beforehand as he had deleted it.

About his film finally releasing a day after the election result, Vivek said, “I am really excited. The election results will be out 23rd. PM Narendra Modi will win with a thumping majority, so the film’s release on 24th will be a celebration of a kind. It’s an inspirational film.”

The movie’s release was pushed at the last minute on several occasions as it was looked upon as a propaganda film. Vivek said, “We went through that ordeal for over 40 days. It was disappointing that our right to release the film was clipped. Ours is not a propaganda film. There was definitely propaganda against our film. Instead of focussing on issues of national importance, our humble little film was attacked. The film is an emotional narrative and is aspirational,” said Vivek.

While speculation is rife that the actor is likely to get into politics at some point, he denied the same. Vivek explained, “I was first offered a ticket in 2004. From 2004 to 2019, I have been offered tickets by regional and national parties. I have said no every time. I jokingly say, 'Why be an MP when you can be a PM on screen?' About whether he will join the BJP in the near future, he added, “No I am not a member of any political party and I am going to keep it that way. I don’t want to be a politician just for the tag.” 

Pulled off air during polls at the EC's directive, Eros Now's 10-part web series on prime minister - Modi - The Journey Of A Common Man - reinstated today
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 22, 2019)

On April 30, mid-day had reported that Eros Now, adhering to the directive of the Election Commission (EC), had pulled down Modi - The Journey Of A Common Man, a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the polling tenure. With a day to go before the election results, director Umesh Shukla says that the web series will be reinstated on the OTT platform today.

"We have gone live with five episodes today. While we will release two fresh ones tomorrow, the last three episodes of the 10-part series will stream subsequently." Quiz him if the three-week delay will have an impact on the audience's response, and the director maintains an optimistic stance. "The audience is still interested in knowing about Modi's journey."

The Vivek Oberoi-starrer PM Narendra Modi - the release of which was also stalled by the EC during the seven-phase polling - hits theatres on May 24. But the filmmaker is far from threatened. "The creative aspect sets us apart from the film. Also, the movie-going audience is different from those who consume OTT content."

Allowed to promote Modi biopic after the polls, leading man Vivek Oberoi indicates Election Commission ‘clamped down on free speech’ by stalling the film’s release last month
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 21, 2019)

Excited to begin promotions for PM Narendra Modi anew, Vivek Oberoi opens the conversation with, “On May 23 Modi ji comes back [as the Prime Minister] and the next day, Modi ji is back in theatres.”

One would assume he is pleased with the timing of the release of the biopic. However, Oberoi — whose film’s release during the seven-phase polling in India was stalled by the Election Commission (EC) as it violated the Model Code of Conduct — says the past few weeks have been testing. “It was a major setback. The film was releasing in 40 countries. Distributors in America and UK were confused.”

He minces no words as he says that he saw little sense in the EC’s decision. “It was stemming from fear. There are commercials on Congress as well. By that logic, editorial columns should stop. The Election Commission should have put a blanket ban on news material because that can influence voters, too. Clamping down on free speech [marks a] downward slope for a healthy democracy,” philosophises Oberoi, the irony seemingly lost on him.

Ever since the trailer dropped online, many have criticized the film for being a propaganda movie. “I have been accused of making Modi into a hero. The very fact that we are making a movie on him is because he is already a hero.”

Quiz him if the Omung Kumar-directed film conveniently leaves out the grey areas of the leader’s career, and pat comes his reply, “Unlike documentaries that are factual, biopics are emotional. We stuck to the emotional weave of the narrative.”

To make a stronger case for himself, Oberoi cites Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi (1982). “Even that was panned because reviewers thought it was deifying Gandhi.”

A recent article on Modi in an international magazine drew the ire of his supporters. Ask Oberoi for his take, and he calmly replies, “Time magazine’s cover is someone’s perspective on the country and its political system. This film will be received the same way — some will love it, others will hate it. The essence of democracy is to have an opinion. People will review it for ideological reasons rather than for the film it is.”

Having abided by Election Commision's decision, director on releasing Modi biopic a day after election results are announced
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; May 4, 2019)

We are happy that the film has a release date," begins director Omung Kumar, his face awash with relief. PM Narendra Modi, the Vivek Oberoi-fronted biopic on India's current prime minister, is finally set to hit screens on May 24, a day after the results of the general elections will be announced. "As a filmmaker, you want your work to be out there and it is finally happening. Right now, we are just waiting for May 24. We are hoping to have a smooth release now."

It has been a long wait for Oberoi and Kumar to see their dream project on the big screen - the biopic was initially slated to hit the marquee on April 11. However, a day before its scheduled release, the Election Commission barred the movie's screening citing the model code of conduct, which states that any film "having the potential to disturb the level playing field during the election should not be displayed in electronic media". While the makers knocked the doors of the Supreme Court challenging the stay, the court directed the EC to watch the film and submit its view. After the EC reiterated its decision on April 22, the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the order.

Despite its hindered start, Kumar is optimistic about the film's fate at the box office. "It would have been nicer if the movie had released earlier. But we respect the decision that was passed. The delay isn't going to affect the film. People are inquisitive and want to watch it. Now, our entire focus is on releasing the film."

The election results will be a clear indicator of the sentiments of Indian citizens. Quiz him if he is worried about the results affecting his offering, and he says, "It is an independent film that has nothing to do with the election results. So, we are not even thinking of it. We want the audience to watch our film as we know they are curious [about the subject]."

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 3, 2019)

The makers of Vivek Anand Oberoi-starrer, PM Narendra Modi, the biopic on the ruling Prime Minister, will now release the film on May 24. Incidentally, the results of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23. Heaving a sigh of relief, producer Sandip Ssingh says, “After going through a lot of trouble and fielding so many controversies, we’ve finally found a release window. It’s the very next day after the poll results will be announced and we hope it gets a good run at the box office.”

The movie, despite being cleared by the Supreme Court (SC) and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on April 9, was stalled hours before its premiere on April 10. The Election Commission of India (EC) stalled its release scheduled for April 11 citing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The makers challenged the decision in the SC, which eventually upheld the EC’s decision to place a stay on the film’s release till the MCC is in action in the country.

On April 27, the makers wrote to the EC asking for clarity if they could start promotions in regions where the polling process is over. However, they have not received a response from the electoral body yet. Sandip says, “I don’t think any film in the country has released with just four days of promotions. As aam junta, we will wait for the elections to get over (last phase is on May 19) and then start the promotions. Today, I just wish that when the film opens on May 24, no party or individual raises a flag against it and it does not go through any other round of trials and tribulations. Also, we hope to watch our film with every single person who objected to its release.” 

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; April 29, 2019)

On Friday (April 26), the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed a petition, which challenged the Election Commission’s (EC) order stalling the screening of the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi till the end of the Lok Sabha elections. The following day (April 27), the makers of PM Narendra Modi, starring Vivek Anand Oberoi, through their counsel Shashank Garg, wrote to the EC seeking certain clarifications.

In their letter, which was received by the EC on the same day, the makers’ advocate has stated, “We understand that the present movie cannot be exhibited in the areas where polls are being conducted and MCC (Model Code of Conduct) is in operation. In other words, the aforementioned order (reference to a previous order temporarily restraining the release of the film) would extend only to those constituencies where MCC is still in operation. By April 29, 2019, the Phase IV of the Lok Sabha elections will be over and as many as 373 constituencies out of 543 will not have operation of the MCC. In the light of this, we wish to seek express clarification in this regard from your good office as we intend to promote the said feature film in the areas which are no more affected by the MCC after end of polling time on April 29, 2019. You are requested to clarify the same without any delay so that the continuing losses being suffered by the producers of the movie can be mitigated to some extent.”

Advocate Garg, while talking to BT, said, “We have submitted our letter and now are hoping for a speedy response. In simple words, we need to resume promotions of the film, which have come to a grinding halt for the last two weeks or so. Even the promotional material has been withdrawn. My clients wish to start their promotions, which can help them when we zero in on a release date, post elections. With this letter, we are not violating any orders of the Supreme Court or the EC. We just seek clarity, which is needed right now, as the producers are suffering losses everyday.”

To jog your memory, on April 15, producer Sandip Ssingh and his partners had moved Supreme Court after the EC had stalled the release of PM Narendra Modi, less than 24 hours before its scheduled release date (April 11). The SC heard the matter on April 15 and directed the EC to watch the film and submit its report on April 22 in a sealed cover. The EC officials watched the film on April 17 and in their report stated that releasing the film in the midst of the General Elections could go against the MCC. The EC’s 20-page submission to the SC reportedly stated that the biopic is a hagiography, which treats this subject with undue reverence, and its public screening during poll campaign can tilt the electoral balance. On April 26, the SC refused to revoke the EC’s decision to stall the film’s release till the Lok Sabha polls are over. 

BOMBAY TIMES (April 27, 2019)

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with the Election Commission’s order, stalling the release of the biopic on PM Narendra Modi until after the elections.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said it was “not inclined to” entertain the application filed by producers of PM Narendra Modi challenging the EC’s order. “What survives in this now?” the bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, said. The counsel, appearing for the film’s producers, told the bench that the EC’s order is contrary to the clearance given to the movie by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

“The issue is whether the movie can be exhibited at this time. The Election Commission has taken a decision. We are not inclined to entertain this,” the bench said. The EC had on April 22 submitted its detailed report to the top court on the biopic, saying the film was a “hagiography”, which treated the subject with undue reverence, and its public screening during poll campaign would “tilt the electoral balance.”

The poll panel had said in its 20-page report that the biopic “produces a political environment where an individual acquired cult status.”
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