Showing posts with label Vikrant Rona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vikrant Rona. Show all posts
Trade experts discuss the ‘pan-India film’ obsession
8:25 AM
Ultimately, the success of a pan-India film lies in its content and ability to resonate with audiences, say experts
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 11, 2023)
In 2015, a cinematic storm named Baahubali swept India, forever changing the landscape of Indian cinema. The film’s success showcased the immense potential held by movies from the Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam industries, collectively known as the South belt. This awakening gave birth to the ‘pan-India film’ obsession, as the industry recognized the vast opportunities that lay within these multi-lingual projects.
However, amid the excitement, questions arise about what truly constitutes a ‘pan-India’ film and whether the term has been exhausted.
DUBBED FILM DEBATE
Atul Mohan, trade expert, clarifies that “a pan-India film is one released in multiple languages simultaneously, including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi”. He also emphasizes that labelling a film as pan-India should be reserved for projects that “genuinely resonate with audiences upon their release, rather than pre-emptively declaring them as such”.
He adds, “Makers just think now ‘bada budget, ek North, ek South ka actor aur action film, isko pan-India bol ke bechte hain’. But aise nahin hota, content bhi toh ho!”
LOW SUCCESS RATES
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh notes that the “allure of the larger audience and potential higher returns drives many producers to take the risk” and feels that “the term has indeed been overused”. He cites the undeniable successes of films like Baahubali, Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01 (2021) and RRR (2022), which “genuinely qualify as pan-India due to their wide-reaching appeal”. But, he acknowledges numerous instances of films failing to make an impact also exist, such as Liger, Vikrant Rona (both 2022), Kabzaa and Adipurush.
CONVERGENCE OF ALL INDUSTRIES INTO ONE
In recent times, several Hindi film actors have appeared in Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films. The inclusion of Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt in RRR is seen by some as a strategy to cater to the northern audience. Similarly, Nagarjuna starred in Brahmastra and Prabhas portrayed Lord Ram in Adipurush.
Raveena Tandon, who acted in KGF - Chapter 2, says, “All our industries are converging into one big force. When I was done with KGF 2 and shooting for another film in Rajasthan, people came up to me and said ‘KGF KGF’, I was surprised people in that state enjoyed a Kannada film.”
Actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra, who stars in KD - The Devil, notes, “People enjoy the sensibilities of south films and coming together of a Hindi cast with that of films from Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.”
Vikrant Rona getting into Oscar contenders list was not something we were expecting-Kichcha Sudeep
8:30 AM
The actor believes that so many Indian films, including his Vikrant Rona, making it to the Oscar contenders list is a sign of great times for Indian cinema
Sridevi S (BOMBAY TIMES; January 20, 2023)
Post RRR’s recent Golden Globes win and now with his film Vikrant Rona making it to the Oscar contenders list, Kichcha Sudeep dwells on the prominence of Indian cinema on an international platform today and what it means to the film industry as well as to him personally. Excerpts:
What was your reaction when you heard that Vikrant Rona is a part of the Oscar contenders list?
It’s an honour. Anyone in my place would be overwhelmed by it. The film took off when there was still fear of Coronavirus and when all doors were closed, especially those of the financial institutions. But we still went on floors, completed the film without a hitch, released it and moved on with our lives. But then, one fine day, someone knocked on the door and said, ‘Hey! Someone else has also watched your film, and they are taking it to the international arena.’ Well, that was the knock that I heard that morning when Vikrant Rona made it to the Oscars’ nomination contenders list. This was not something we were expecting or even looking forward to, as no extra effort was put into being recognized by them. The hard work we put in, especially during COVID, seems to have paid off.
What about Vikrant Rona helped make the cut?
One can’t really point at one aspect and say that was it. The film is a content-driven film, and so there were no changes made to the story just to cash in on star power. Planning something like Vikrant Rona, and creating this whole new world that took both — us and the audience back in time was a mammoth task. We enjoyed every bit of the making process, more so because it was something new for all of us. I think the fact that we were able to place ourselves in an era that we do not belong to was one of the many aspects that helped make the cut. The film making it to this list is a huge pat on our back, a way of acknowledging that there was exemplary work done, and that people across the world have noticed and appreciated your work.
RRR’s win at the Golden Globes created history. You have worked with the film’s director on Eega. Was the win something you expected?
I know the team from close quarters, as I have worked with them. The excitement they carry and the effort they put into every film is amazing. They have all worked towards one vision, and all those efforts are now paying off. Their excitement is as catchy as their song Naatu Naatu. The composer, Keeravani Sir is so humble, and that makes him even more special. The award is well-deserved. I was, honestly, very happy to wake up to the news that day.
Pan-India to pan-world, what does this shift mean to the Kannada film industry?
I don’t know what it means to the entire film fraternity. But I just know that it means a lot to me as a person. Every time we make a film, we hope to reach out to, and also impress a lot more people than we did the last time. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we fail. However, when we make a film, we put in the same kind of effort irrespective of whether it is being released in one language or more. Pan-India became an add-on phrase to films that reach out to a larger audience across the country. And now, with our films making a mark on the international scene, we now have pan-world. It makes us believe in the possibility of narrating a story that the entire world can relate to. It gives us the confidence to tell better stories as you know that the world will be watching.
Kantara to Gangubai Kathiawadi: Here are the Indian films eligible for Oscar nominations
8:27 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (January 11, 2022)
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Monday that 301 feature films are eligible for nominations for the 95th Oscars in its annual reminder list. Among the Indian feature films in it are RRR, Kantara and Gangubai Kathiawadi, besides the documentaries All That Breathes and The Elephant Whisperers. The list only mentions the films ‘eligible’ for Oscars. A film’s inclusion in it does not guarantee that it will advance to the nominations list.
From the Indian films listed in it, in the shortlist for 10 categories unveiled in December, Chhello Show made it to the best international film segment, while Naatu Naatu from RRR found a place in the original song category. All That Breathes was included in the documentary feature shortlist and The Elephant Whisperers in the documentary short category.
The 9,579 eligible voting members will begin filling out their ballots on Thursday, January 12 and ballots will close on January 17. The official Oscar nominations will be announced January 24, with the ceremony airing live on March 12 from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
WHAT IS THE ACADEMY’S REMINDER LIST OF PRODUCTIONS ELIGIBLE FOR OSCARS?
The reminder list includes all the films that are eligible to compete in various categories whether those films are official submissions from the country or not. Inclusion in the reminder list does not guarantee that the film will advance in the nominations list which will be announced on January 24.
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (January 11, 2022)
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has come out with a list of 301 feature films eligible for Oscars, and last year’s Indian films RRR, Gangubai Kathiawadi, The Kashmir Files (TKF) and Kantara, have made the cut. The list includes films that can officially compete in various categories. But featuring in the list doesn’t guarantee that the film will make it to the final nominations that will be announced on January 24.
Filmmaker Pan Nalin’s Chhello Show (2021), India’s official Oscars entry, also features in the list. Other 2022 releases include Me Vasantrao, Tujhya Sathi Kahi Hi, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, Iravin Nizhal and Vikrant Rona, and documentaries All That Breathes and The Elephant Whisperers. Among the listed films, Chhello Show, RRR, All That Breathes and The Elephant Whisperers have already made it to the Oscars shortlist for four categories.
TKF director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri tweeted, “#TheKashmirFiles has been shortlisted for #Oscars2023 in the first list of @TheAcademy. It’s one of the 5 films from India. I wish all of them very best. A great year for Indian cinema. (sic).”
(Crisp) Movie Review: VIKRANT RONA (Hindi) by FENIL SETA
2:35 PM
Vikrant Rona (Hindi) is mounted on a huge scale and the VFX is first-rate. However, there's little substance and it is quite confusing. Its execution is very poor and on top of that, the film is very lengthy. A few massy action scenes are added just for the heck of it, as per the trend today. There are some unpredictable twists in the end but it doesn't impress. Kichcha Sudeepa, however, is in a good form and tries his best to uplift the film through his mass appeal. Jacqueline Fernandez (Rakkamma) looks sizzling but is hardly there in the film. Also, to see a bar owner doubling up as a bar dancer is difficult to digest. Neetha Ashok (Aparna aka Panna) has a fine screen presence and does well. Nirup Bhandari (Sanju) is decent. Samhitha (Vikrant’s daughter Guddi) is cute. Karthik Rao (Fakru) and Vajradheer Jain (Lawrence Pinto) fail to raise laughs. Priya V (Sanju’s mother), Vishwa (Constable Tawde) and Ranjan Shetty (Constable Prajapati) are fine. All in all, Vikrant Rona should be avoided at all costs.
My rating - * ½ out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 736
2:22 PM
WILL EK VILLAIN RETURNS MANAGE TO PULL AUDIENCES?
Ek Villain which had released in 2014 emerged as a sleeper super hit. The mid-sized film, starring Sidharth Malhotra, Shraddha Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh, seemed exciting. But thanks to the super-hit soundtrack and thrilling trailer, it opened at a huge Rs. 16.43 crores, shocking everyone. It ended up collecting Rs. 97.51 crores in its lifetime and was declared a super-hit.
As a result, expectations are huge from Ek Villain Returns, which releases tomorrow. It stars John Abraham, Arjun Kapoor, Disha Patani and Tara Sutaria. Just like the first part, the sequel is directed by Mohit Suri. The film's trailer has caught the attention and it seems like there is a healthy dose of intimacy, thrills and action in the film. Also, it seems like a proper suspense flick.
Ek Villain Returns however has its share of challenges. The music hasn't worked well. The casting is a bit weak. Both the male actors are not that huge crowd pullers. Nevertheless, Ek Villain Returns has an advantage as it has tremendous youth appeal. Pre-pandemic, it was common for college students and youngsters to throng cinemas in groups for youthful films. After the pandemic, there hasn't been any such film. Ek Villain Returns, however, can prove to be an exception.
The day 1 figure should be more than Rs. 4 crores. Looking at the buzz, it can also go to Rs. 8 crores. However, in today's times, when the scenario is very unpredictable, it is always better to have fewer expectations.
The other major release is Vikrant Rona. It is a Kannada movie which is getting a wide release in Hindi. It stars Kichcha Sudeepa in the lead. Jacqueline Fernandez also features in the film and her song has got noticed. It has been released today, that is, July 28. The Kannada version has opened with a bang since Kichcha Sudeepa is a star in that region. However, the Hindi version is poor. The word of mouth is negative and hence, its box office prospects look bleak.
Finally, Good Luck Jerry would be out on Friday, July 29, but on Disney+ Hotstar directly. It stars Janhvi Kapoor in the lead along with Deepak Dobriyal and Mita Vashisht. It is produced by Aanand L Rai and directed by newcomer, Siddharth Sen. The trailer is very entertaining and since Hotstar has a huge base, it'll definitely get a huge viewership.
To share screen space with Kichcha Sudeep is an opportunity that doesn’t come by everyday-Jacqueline Fernandez
7:57 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; July 19, 2021)
Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez finished shooting for a special appearance in Vikrant Rona, a multilingual film starring Kichcha Sudeep, recently. This included a special song that they shot in Bengaluru, this week.
Talking about the film that also marks her debut in Kannada films, Jacqueline says, “At this stage, all I can say is that it’s a well-etched out role and my character gives a new dimension to the way the story progresses. Sudeep sir is a fantastic actor and to share the screen space with him is an opportunity that doesn’t come by everyday.”
The actress was excited about being in front of the camera again after a forced break owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. She shares, “It feels great to do what I love the most. The pandemic came and brought everything to a standstill. Now that we’re all slowly making our way back to the sets and I am glad to start with this film.”
So, how did the makers think of roping in the Bollywood diva in the action-thriller? Apparently, they wanted somebody who had that hint of naughtiness and sass. Director Anup Bhandari says, “The producer suggested her name and we approached her. She heard the graph of the character and was happy to be a part of the project. Her character enters the film at a very crucial juncture.”
I don’t believe in stardom, I just believe in saleability-Kichcha Sudeep
9:08 AM
Kichcha Sudeep says that for him, it’s all about the revenue the film gets
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 19, 2021)
He is one of Kannada cinema’s biggest stars, but Kichcha Sudeep exudes humility that few actors with his fan following would. Having just completed twenty five years in the industry, the 47-year-old is looking forward to the release of Vikrant Rona, the world’s first film that unraveled its logo at Dubai’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. In a late night chat with us, the actor, filmmaker and television host talks about competition, aversion to tags, and why he thought he wasn’t big enough to have a makeup man for years.
How does it feel hitting the 25 year milestone?
The feeling remains the same, sir, it doesn’t make a difference. 25 glorious years for me is the fact that I survived for 25 years, because this field has got too much competition these days. First of all, your fans show loyalty, they stick to your films, and come to the theatres to watch you even after all these years. That is a blessing. That I managed to be around for these years and maintain a certain positioning... a lot of people’s contribution went into that. I am happy I am still being able to do what I do, just like how I started my first day. I feel the same about films.
It must have been a special moment to see Burj Khalifa lit up in Dubai recently, to celebrate your journey, along with the launch of your next film Vikrant Rona, isn’t it?
Whatever happened was an entire team’s effort. It takes certain money. Even when Dubai wanted to host me for this milestone... I didn’t expect all this to happen in my life, I am just going out and doing my job. The producers of Vikrant Rona wanted to do certain things. When somebody starts believing in your product, it makes you get up earlier and work better. The way people gathered there, irrespective of the Coronavirus situation… there are humongous restrictions in Dubai, not more than seven people can stand anywhere, there’s a penalty. Keeping all that aside, they wanted to stand. It was a precious moment and it belongs to my team.
What was that one point in your career when you realised you had made it big?
I am not being modest, but I don’t believe in stardom, I just believe in saleability. That is the valuation every actor has. We are not valued by the number of fans we have, but the collections we get at the box office. We all have a fan following, what makes you what you are is the revenue your film gets. That’s the positioning I am talking about. So far, I am still being able to do certain things, have people investing in them, have writers wake up in the morning and write for me. That is a blessing which I am still enjoying.
Not many people know that you still have the same makeup man today, with whom you worked on your first day on set…
He was temporary back then when he started. I didn’t have a makeup person for years, I hadn’t probably grown to a position where I could say I want a personal makeup man! The day I saw he doesn’t have too much work, in the later years, I called him and asked if he would like to stay with me. I had this emotion too that this person had put the first ever makeup on me. He’s a very good guy, a gentleman to have around.
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