Showing posts with label West Bengal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label West Bengal. Show all posts
Pather Panchali: Going on 70, and still India’s finest film
8:25 AM
Pather Panchali was Satyajit Ray’s debut film and ode to realism. He made it on a shoestring budget in 1955, without a regular script or even studio lights. Now, once again, Time magazine has named it among the 100 best movies of the past 100 years
Srirupa Ray (THE TIMES OF INDIA; March 31, 2024)
If you could place only one Indian film in the same league as Taxi Driver, Psycho and Godfather II, which would it be? Time Magazine has chosen Pather Panchali again (last time was in 2005). Satyajit Ray’s debut film figures on Time’s ‘100 Best Movies of the Past 10 Decades’ list. That’s just one movie for each year from 1920 to 2019.
Released in 1955, the film evokes a small village with ramshackle huts, ponds blooming with water lilies, thick groves dripping dew and rain, and a train chugging past swaying white fields of kaash flowers. Although it’s based on Bengali author Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay’s 1929 novel of the same name, Ray made a few narrative departures in the screenplay. In fact, he made the film from a storyboard with notes scribbled on the side rather than a proper script.
How Ray, a junior visualiser at British advertising agency D J Keymer & Co in 1950, became a filmmaker and picked Pather Panchali for his debut is a story. While in London, he also designed book covers for Signet Press. One of its commissions was to illustrate a children’s version of Pather Panchali, and Ray had begun the first drafts on his voyage to London.
The story deeply influenced him. At the same time he had been watching path-breaking films from around the world, including French filmmaker Jean Renoir’s ‘The Rules Of The Game’, Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Rashomon’, Soviet filmmaker Alexander Dovzhenko’s ‘Earth’ and, most importantly, Italian neorealist filmmaker Vittorio De Sica’s ‘Bicycle Thieves’. He is said to have watched around 100 films in London and by the time he returned, he was a changed man determined to translate Pather Panchali into film.
Incidentally, Bicycle Thieves is also part of the Time list. Ray literally followed in De Sica’s footsteps, refusing to either use studio lights or hire trained actors for enduring realism.
It took three long years to complete the film, and that was because no producer wanted to finance it. Ray kept his day job as a graphic designer and did the shooting on weekends. A good part of his salary went into the film, but that was obviously not enough. He sold off his prized gramophone records, pawned his insurance policy and even his wife’s jewels for the film’s production.
When Ray exhausted his means, West Bengal govt stepped into the role of ‘production company’. Chief minister Bidhan Chandra Roy agreed to help and the home publicity department loaned him money in installments. Curiously, the loan records say it was for road improvement, as govt officials thought it was a documentary on rural development. They probably took the ‘Pather’ in its title literally. The film went on to win major awards, including National Film Award, Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1956, Best Human Document, Vatican Award, Diploma of Merit from Edinburgh, San Francisco’s Golden Gate for Best Director and Best Picture, and Critic’s Award for Best Film at Stratford, among others.
Pather Panchali was also a milestone for Ray’s contemporary Pandit Ravi Shankar, who scored the film’s music. The soundtrack is part of the list of 50 greatest film soundtracks compiled by The Guardian in 2007.
PATH(ER)-BREAKING FILM
- Pather Panchali means ‘ballad of the road’
- Adapted from Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay’s 1929 novel of the same name
- Inspired by Italian filmmaker Vittorio De Sica’s film Bicycle Thieves
- Made over 3 years
- Released in 1955
- Music by Pandit Ravi Shankar
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THE TIMES OF INDIA (April 1, 2024)
An article, ‘Going on 70, and still India’s finest film’ published in TOI on March 31, stated the following, “Curiously, the loan records say it was for road improvement, as govt officials thought it was a documentary on rural development. They probably took the ‘Pather’ in its title literally”.
Responding to the statement, reader Amit Shanker has written, “This is absolutely incorrect. I know it for a fact, because my real uncle Prakash Swarup Mathur, who was director publicity in the BC Roy govt, was the person responsible for arranging funds for Pather Panchali. And he was the one who went to Cannes, on West Bengal govt’s behalf, to receive the award.”
Shanker adds, “To put the record straight, Ray had exhausted all his resources and the film had been rejected by both critics and financiers, when Ray’s mother approached a friend of BC Roy (then West Bengal CM) to enquire if the government could help with funds. An appointment was promptly granted and the lady was able to convince Roy to say yes to funding the film. Govt didn’t have any provision for funding films and Roy called in Mathur, my uncle, to find a way.
Roy and my uncle were both too highly educated for anyone to say they thought it was a documentary on rural development. They knew exactly what they were doing. Like any other bureaucrat would have done, my uncle too was initially reluctant to oblige but just because the CM insisted, he arranged for the funds from his department and put the expenses under the road improvement head.
Despite all the obstacles, my uncle managed to get Ray about Rs 2 lakh, which was the entire cost of the film. Mym other remembers vividly, Ray coming to their house regularly and showing my uncle and his colleagues the rushes.”
Vidya Balan might return in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
7:53 PM
Sources say Vidya returning to Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 over 17 years after original; to play Bengali character in Kartik-starrer set in West Bengal
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; January 8, 2024)
Think Manjulika, and the first name that comes to mind is Vidya Balan. The actor had made a strong impact as she played a woman battling dissociative identity disorder in Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007). Another powerhouse performer Tabu took the baton, playing the popular character in the second instalment that released in 2022. Now, we hear Balan is returning to the franchise. The big question is: will she reprise the role of Manjulika as she joins Kartik Aaryan in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3?
Director Anees Bazmee is keeping his cards close to his chest as he gears up to roll the horror comedy in Mumbai in the first week of March. While it is yet unknown whether the actor will step into the shoes of Manjulika, sources tell us that she will portray a pivotal character who drives the narrative.
A source from the creative team elaborates, “When Anees narrated the story, Vidya loved it and agreed to join the film in principle. Now, some formalities like dates and remuneration are being locked. She is keen to work with Anees on a full-fledged film; they had briefly worked together in Thank You [2011], in which she had a cameo.”
Interestingly, like the original, the third part of the horror comedy too will see Balan’s character being fluent in Bengali. The source adds, “The makers are deliberately building the suspense around whether she plays Manjulika or not. Her character will be seen speaking Bengali. In Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Kartik’s character Rooh Baba too mouthed several Bengali dialogues in the climax. Here, though Kartik will reprise his role, he will be presented in a new avatar.”
The story of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 will be entirely set in West Bengal. For the first schedule in Mumbai, the team will build a set depicting the interiors of a household in Kolkata. “While the director will shoot the light-hearted scenes in this leg, the real action will begin in the second stint when the unit will head to a small town in West Bengal to shoot a chunk of the movie. Anees wants to shoot in a start-to-finish schedule, thus readying it for a Diwali release.”
In the battle of bans and tax-free benefits, cinema is the loser
9:48 AM
Avijit Ghosh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 21, 2023)
Nothing reflects India’s polarized polity better than the conflicting reactions to ‘The Kerala Story’, a film that recounts the ordeal of three girls — two Hindu and one Christian — who suffer in different ways at the hands of a bunch of radicalized Muslims. One of them ends up accompanying an ISIS terrorist.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court stayed a ban on the film imposed by Trinamool-run West Bengal. The film is not banned in DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu but theatres in the southern state are not showing it; just like cinema halls in Gujarat had once bypassed ‘Parzania’ (2005) and ‘Fanaa’ (2006). ‘Parzania’ was based on the 2002 Gujarat riots. ‘Fanaa’ landed in trouble after its lead actor Aamir Khan spoke up for those displaced by the Narmada dam project.
On the other hand, several BJP-ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand have declared ‘The Kerala Story’ tax-free. Similarly, ‘The Kashmir Files’, which focused on the impact of terrorism on the lives of Pandits in the Valley, earned a tax-holiday in at least eight BJP-governed states last year. Assam even granted a half-day leave to its government employees to watch the film.
Granting tax exemption or banning a film is a state government’s prerogative. However, the privilege was meant to be given to award-winning films and to movies that helped forge a more progressive social order. But as recent events show, banning a film or declaring it tax-free is part of a new playbook where support or opposition depends on the ruling party’s ideological moorings and vote base. In this running battle, ‘ban’ is the other of ‘tax-free’.
It wasn’t always like this. To understand how the sands have shifted in the politics of tax exemptions and bans, one must look at the past. Since Independence, dozens of films have been banned temporarily (like ‘Aandhi’ during the Emergency) or permanently in India. Hundreds have been declared tax-free, many for dubious reasons.
In June 1970, TOI reported that many big daddies of Bombay cinema were rushing to Bhopal for tax exemptions. In a short period of 10 months, as many as eight films were declared tax-free in then Congress-ruled Madhya Pradesh.
“Some ministers and ex-ministers are alleged to have specialized in exerting pressure on reluctant officials, who see no point in sanctioning such requests at the cost of the state exchequer. One such official who refused to attend a special show of a third-rate film and be a party to the exemption business incurred the wrath of a prominent ex-minister,” the report said.
In 1980, Feroz Khan’s guns-and-glamour yarn, ‘Qurbani’, which began with a panegyric to the late Sanjay Gandhi, was declared tax-free by the Congress government in Maharashtra. “The controversial award…was widely discussed in the media,” noted Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen in ‘Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema’.
According to the Bombay Entertainment Duty Rules, 1958, exemption could be granted to films winning the President’s Gold medal (later National Award winners) or to films which fulfilled criteria of educational, cultural or social purpose of a high order, following the recommendation of an advisory committee appointed by the state government.
But the Maharashtra government routinely flouted rules announcing tax-holidays for 55 films over a period of seven years in the 1990s, a CAG report said. The report, which did not mention these films by name, estimated that the government had lost at least Rs 19 crore. Congress (1990-95) and BJP-Shiv Sena (1995-99) were at the helm then.
Several of the tax-exempted films were routine formula films. ‘Agni Sakshi’ (1996), a remake of the Julia Roberts thriller, ‘Sleeping With The Enemy’ (1991) produced by Binda (Bindumadhav) Thackeray, the eldest son of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, received tax exemption. That apart, regular commercial films got a no-tax run.
Producer Pooja Bhatt’s film, ‘Dushman’ (1998) starring Kajol and Sanjay Dutt, was given a 40% tax exemption by the BJP-Shiv Sena government after a special committee endorsed its “social and educational value”. The same year, letters to TOI raised questions over the tax-free status of films like ‘Major Saab’ and ‘Satya’.
The trend continued in the new millennium. In 2005, ‘Fareb’, an extra-marital thriller with Manoj Bajpayee and Shilpa Shetty in lead roles, was granted tax exemption in UP, then governed by Samajwadi Party (2003-07).
Evidently either proximity to power or corruption were key to earning tax exemption to undeserving films. The reasoning is different in the case of ‘The Kashmir Files’ and ‘The Kerala Story’, both major box-office winners. In these cases, it seems, tax concessions are being weaponized to boost ideologically aligned films in an effort to capture cine-goers’ minds and hearts.
On the other hand, banning the same film reveals the hollowness and the cynical side of those claiming to offer an alternative, discourse-driven politics.
Ironically last year, director Nagraj Manjule’s ‘Jhund’, a sledgehammer film on caste, class and the transformative power of sports, was denied the concession. Art and film lovers were the losers.
Sudipto Sen hits back at Kamal Haasan: "A person is indulging in propaganda by calling The Kerala Story a propaganda film, without watching it"
9:19 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (May 29, 2023)
Sudipto Sen directorial The Kerala Story has been embroiled in controversy ever since its release. From bans on its theatrical release in some states to backlash from a section of the audience, including celebs, the film — which has amassed Rs. 200 crore — has seen it all. Now, actor Kamal Haasan has reacted to the controversy surrounding the film, which deals with religious and ideological conversions at its core.
“Propaganda films I am against,” Haasan said at a presser in Abu Dhabi, adding, “It’s not enough if you just write ‘true story’ at the bottom as a logo. It has to really be true, and that (the film) is not true.”
When asked what kind of stories he’d like to see on the big screen, he said, “I think you have to hit the true chord with the audience. That kind of cinema is not [any] one kind of cinema... All kinds of cinema should come over. And, I am a great fan of smaller movies. [They are] like babies that grow up to be something really big. I also became a star through these kind of smaller films, which made it big with the audience.”
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Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 29, 2023)
As his film continues to get branded as ‘propaganda’, director Sudipto Sen prefers to not react. “Earlier, I used to try and explain. But today, I don’t do that. Those who didn’t see it (the film) are criticizing it; just the way it was not released in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. These guys didn’t see the film, so they think it is propaganda. There are very stupid stereotypes in our country. Life has to be black or white; people don’t know life exists in the grey,” he tells us, on the remark by actor Kamal Haasan.
Currently hospitalized due to dehydration and infection, Sen says he isn’t averse to criticism. But, one needs to watch the film and then speak, he feels.
“In 37 countries, people are liking the film. Even if they have criticism, they are calling and discussing it with me. A person is indulging in propaganda by calling it a propaganda film, without watching it. What else would the words be than hypocrisy or petty! I have stopped explaining,” he adds.
West Bengal’s The Kerala Story ban puts ‘premium on intolerance’, says Supreme Court
8:18 AM
Will Hear Pleas Against Censors Approval In July
Dhananjay Mahapatra (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 19, 2023)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed West Bengal’s May 8 ban on screening of The Kerala Story and told the TMC government that banning a movie just because some found it objectionable amounted to “putting a premium on intolerance”.
“Every film will evoke some level of intolerance in certain sections of the population. That cannot be ground for a government to ban screening of a film,” said the SC.
Bengal’s fears of “possibility of violent clashes between extremist elements” failed to impact the CJI-led bench’s pro-freedom of speech approach in dealing with the petition filed by the filmmaker, who had challenged the state’s ban. “It is the duty of the state to maintain law and order,” it said.
It also directed Tamil Nadu, where theatre owners withdrew the film after police warned of untoward incidents, to provide adequate security to the theatre-going public. However, when the state, as well as Muslim parties, made an issue about certain exaggerated and patently false narratives about conversion of Hindu and Christian women to Islam, the filmmaker volunteered to put an additional disclaimer by the evening of May 20—“There is no authentic data to back up the suggestion that the figure of conversion is 32,000 or any other established figure; the film represents a fictional and dramatized account.”
On the clearance from Central Board of Film Certification to the movie, the top court said it would hear the matter in July.
If any issue arises, don’t blame us, TMC tells oppn
TMC said that if any issue arises due to the showing of the film, the opposition should not blame the ruling party. It also asserted that the state government’s decision not to allow screening of the film was based on intelligence inputs and the party has nothing to do with it. The opposition welcomed the SC’s order.
The Kerala Story ban helped avert Akola-type violence, West Bengal government tells Supreme Court
8:30 AM
Urges SC Not To Interfere With Policy
Dhananjay Mahapatra (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 18, 2023)
New Delhi : The West Bengal government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that it banned the screening of the “highly controversial” ‘The Kerala Story’ to prevent violent clashes between communities, as had happened in Maharashtra’s Akola, and requested the court not to interfere with the policy decision taken by the state to ensure safety of citizens.
The Mamata Banerjee-led government said the policy decision, based on numerous intelligence reports, was taken to ensure safety and security of the people and maintenance of law and order. A bench headed by CJI D Y Chandrachud postponed the hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, to Thursday.
“The SC cannot interfere with policy either on the grounds that it is erroneous or on the grounds that a better, fairer and wiser alternative is available. Legality of the policy, and not the wisdom or soundness of the policy, is the subject of judicial review,” the state said, reminding the court about its series of judgments iterating that the scope of judicial review is only to scrutinize whether the policy violated fundamental rights of the citizens, laws or it is manifestly arbitrary.
The government told the court that it had deployed police personnel in plain clothes inside and outside theatres in the state, where the film was released on May 5, for the purpose of surveillance. As per intelligence report after the very first show of the film, the release of the movie is likely to cause “a violent clash between the extremist groups”.
“During surveillance, it was observed that the audience makes very objectionable comments whenever they see a particular scene where Hindu or Christian girls are seen tortured. While coming out of movie halls, people discuss among themselves to limit their interaction with Muslims and that these Muslims ought to be taught a lesson. On social media, videos, photos, and comments are being circulated against a particular community, which is further spewing (sic) hatred,” it said.
Referring to the violence at Akola in Maharashtra over a comment on the Prophet, the state said it bolstered the decision to timely impose a pre-emptive ban on the screening of the film.
It also said, “The film was scheduled to be released all over the UK on May 12 but prior to the release, it was announced that the British Board of Film Certification had not given the film an age-rating and therefore, the film was not publicly exhibited.”
As The Kerala Story faces trouble in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, industry rues the lack of creative liberty
10:27 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 12, 2023)
Sitting at the centre of a nationwide debate storm is The Kerala Story. While Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have made the film tax-free, it has been banned in West Bengal and it’s screening has been stopped in theatres of Tamil Nadu.
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap tweeted, “You agree with the film or not, be it propaganda, counter propaganda, offensive or not, to ban it is just wrong (sic).” Producers Guild of India, too, issued a statement that read: “We are distressed by, and would like to record its strong objection to, the state-enforced bans on The Kerala Story.”
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar says, “I supported Udta Punjab and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (both 2016). But when Indu Sarkar (2017) was targeted by political parties, no one supported me. I feel once a film is passed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), it should be released, whether you agree with it or not.”
The film has been doing well at the box office. Trade analyst Joginder Tuteja says, “I am not saying what’s happening in West Bengal is right or wrong. But if the CBFC has allowed something, why should any state go against it? There should be creative liberty.”
Is it fair to ban a film?
Atul Mohan, trade expert: “CBFC is a government organisation, so by banning a film, you are challenging the government. People have watched it and approved it.”
Pritish Nandy, producer: “Once passed by the CBFC, a film is officially cleared for exhibition. But, if certain states feel it could create a law and order situation, it’s their right to decide whether it should be screened or not. They understand the local circumstances.”
The Kerala Story row could set tone for looming 2024 poll battles
8:31 AM
After MP, UP Set To Make Film Tax-Free
Akhilesh Singh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 10, 2023)
You won’t be able to watch ‘The Kerala Story’ in West Bengal as it has been banned across the state in a bid to maintain “peace and harmony”. In Tamil Nadu, the film has been taken out of almost all theatres as “a precautionary measure”. However, in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, you can watch it at a discount with the BJP governments in these states making it tax free.
Such widespread polarization on films, rarely seen before, is set to dominate the political discourse in the year which will witness assembly polls in five states in a few months, followed by the general elections next year.
The success of the film amidst the ongoing controversy over its storyline which has given boost to BJP and other saffron organisations’ claims of forced conversions, love jihad and radicalization of the Muslim youth under Islamic State (IS) influence.
Since the controversy erupted, BJP has been vocal about the issues depicted in the film and even PM Narendra Modi made it a major poll issue in Karnataka saying the movie has exposed the consequences of terrorism in a society, especially in a state like Kerala, a beautiful land of hardworking, talented and intellectual people.
His reference to the movie at a rally in Ballari set the tone for other party functionaries as they highlighted the “menace” in Kerala which has a long boundary with Karnataka. Law minister Kiren Rijiju called the ban in some states an “absolutely intolerant act.”
SC to hear plea against HC’s refusal to stall film
The SC on Tuesday agreed to hear on May 15 a plea challenging an order of the Kerala HC refusing to stall the screening of ‘The Kerala Story’. Accepting the request of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, a bench of CJI D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha slotted the special leave petition for hearing on Monday. The Kerala HC had last Friday said it didn’t find anything offensive in the film’s trailer.
Producer should be hanged in public: Awhad
NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Jitendra Awhad has said ‘The Kerala Story’ producer should be hanged in public. “They have not only tarnished the image of Kerala but have also insulted the women of the state,” he said. “They had said 32,000 women from Kerala had gone missing and joined the terrorist group ISIS, but the real figure is three,” he told a news channel.
Didi gets notice for ‘The Kashmir Files’ remarks
Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri on Tuesday said he has sent a legal notice to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for defaming his movie “The Kashmir Files”. Banerjee on Monday banned the screening of “The Kerala Story” and criticized “The Kashmir Files” as a movie made to humiliate one section of society.
Director asks Mamata to reconsider ban
The director of “The Kerala Story”, Sudipto Sen, said he hoped West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee would “reconsider” her decision to ban it. “It is more unfortunate that it is coming from the state which is the champion of human rights, free spirit, free souls,” Sen said.
TIMES VIEW:
Banning a film or a book is never a good idea in any modern, progressive and democratic society. Neither is granting tax exemption to a film on the basis of a government’s ideological affinity. Both moves are avoidable.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee bans The Kerala Story for ‘peace, harmony’; dubs film defamatory to state
8:38 AM
Priyanka Dasgupta (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 9, 2023)
Kolkata: A day after theatres in Tamil Nadu stopped screening ‘The Kerala Story’ as a “precautionary measure”, the Bengal government on Monday banned the controversial film in a bid to maintain “peace and harmony”. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee dubbed it a “distorted story” and accused the BJP of “defaming the people of Kerala with their narrative”.
Union I&B minister Anurag Thakur said Mamata was doing “injustice to the sisters and daughters of Bengal by banning the film”. The film’s producer, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, said he will “explore legal avenues if the state government doesn’t listen to us”.
The clampdown came even as the film was running across 94 halls in the state—some to packed houses—and the theatre-owners said there had been no trouble so far.
“The scenes depicted in this movie can be dangerous to the law and order and apprehending this, screening of this movie is banned in Kolkata and all districts. The state took this decision to maintain law and order,” a Bengal government release said.
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Kolkata : Even as West Bengal banned the screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ in the state, CM Mamata Banerjee slammed the film and said, “A few days ago, (some) stars, funded by BJP, came to Bengal. They came with some distorted stories, concocted stories, (and) they are preparing a film, Bengal Files.”
The CM further added: “Earlier they had prepared The Kashmir Files to condemn Kashmiris. What is the fault of the people? Now they defame the people in Kerala and the state.”
The Trinamool chief insinuated that Kerala’s governing CPM was not doing enough against the film. “I am talking about people in Kerala. I am not talking about CPM because they are working with BJP. And that BJP is showing The Kerala Story. Instead of me, it was their (CPM’s) duty to criticize it.”
“She should say whether she is standing with those who promote terrorist ideology or is against it,” Union I&B minister Anurag Thakur said about the Sudipto Sen-directed film centred on so-called “love jihad”. (With Agency inputs)
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BJP slams Didi
BJP on Monday slammed West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s decision to ban “The Kerala Story” as “unfortunate” and said it raised serious questions on civil liberties and freedom of expression. The party said the movie is a “real account of victims, who have endured the horrors of demographic invasion and have been used as cannon fodder” for the Islamic State.
Being reclusive helps me stay focused-Arijit Singh
8:27 AM
Debarati S Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; November 13, 2022)
Arijit Singh has a home in Mumbai, yet he chooses to stay in his hometown Jiaganj in West Bengal. His children go to school there and the singer-composer travels to Mumbai for work as and when it is required. A recipient of several awards, including a National Award for Binte Dil (Padmaavat, 2019), Arijit has never been the one to chase fame; in fact, he has often been labelled as a reclusive singer.
In an exclusive chat with Bombay Times, Arijit says, “I feel it’s important to be reclusive — it makes one strong, focused and the distractions are fewer. If I meet someone, it should elevate my life. So, I let life decide who I am going to meet instead of making a plan with someone. But yes, I do think of some of my friends, who may be far away, but are still close to my heart. ” Excerpts...
‘A SONG NEEDS TO HAVE GOOD LYRICS’
The singer has a plethora of tracks to his credit, but what does he look at before saying a yes to a song, we ask. “A song needs to have good lyrics, which are thought-provoking and the melody has to be appealing. The production needs to be decent and I also check if I will be able to complete the song on time. I believe that the composition, lyrics and music are the pillars of any song. All three are equally important,” he replies.
‘NO SONG HAS BEEN A ONE TAKE FOR ME’
Among Arijit’s most popular numbers are Aayat (Bajirao Mastani), Binte Dil (Padmaavat), Shayad (Love Aaj Kal), Laal Ishq (Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela). So, was there a song that he managed to render in one take?
Arijit says, “No song has been a one take for me. It has taken me a minimum of one hour to a maximum of eight hours. Kalank’s title track and Muskurahat from Gangubai Kathiawadi had the most takes. Compilation and editing take a few days. In fact, our discussions are never long, they are always to the point and I abide by whatever the composer requires.”
‘I LET MY ART DO ITS JOB, I AM JUST A MACHINE’
Talking about his process when it comes to Bollywood songs, Arijit explains, “Rabindranath Tagore has said, ‘It is difficult to be simple’. If I get something right with all my heart, no matter how difficult it is, I would be able to put it in a simple manner. So I try to get the song as a whole, identify minute details in the art and try to perfect it until it’s done. This can go wrong if I don’t let go and surrender to the art. I let my art do its job, I am just a machine.”
‘SUPERHITS ARE NOT MY CONCERN’
It’s the art that matters to Arijit far more than the commercial aspects. He says, “Superhits are not my concern. People should believe in a song and that’s what matters the most. Muskurahat is a song that overall took three months to be ready. Every time Sanjay ji (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) gives me a composition to sing, I have no clue how to go about it, but eventually, it turns out well. It’s a blessing to learn from him.”
‘WORK IS MY RELIGION’
Arijit, who has been doing live concerts for the past several years, enjoys the thrill of being on stage each time. “A live performance is work for me and work is my religion. I love the awareness one needs to have on stage during a live performance. I am excited about my upcoming multi-city tour as it will be an opportunity for me to focus on my music and train further in it,” he signs off.
Arijit Singh chooses to have a quiet life in his hometown over Mumbai
8:27 AM
Ruman Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; April 22, 2022)
Arijit Singh seems to be slowly shifting base to his birthplace — Jiaganj, a small town in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. Recently, pictures of Arijit dropping off his sons, Jul and Ali, at a local school surfaced on social media. His close friend and composer Indraadip Das Gupta said Arijit has set up an advanced home studio there.
The famously reclusive singer, who continues to maintain a flat in suburban Mumbai, has been spending more time in Murshidabad ever since the pandemic began. As per reports, he travels to Mumbai only for specific professional assignments. “Arijit once told me, ‘Indraadip da, Mumbai is part of my journey. I work there and it has made me who I am today. But my heart and soul lies in Jiaganj, my birthplace’,” Indraadip said, adding that Arijit is deeply connected to his roots and believes in nurturing them. When asked about the reason behind Arijit’s decision to enrol his sons in a local school, Indraadip said, “He keeps telling me that he doesn’t want his sons to lead a cushioned life.”
“I’ve seen Arijit Singh, one of the most successful singers in India as the guy next door, who mingles with everyone,” Indraadip added.
Other than sharing his news and his songs on social media, Arijit doesn’t believe in telling the world what he does outside the world of music, shared Indraadip.
Never say never, says Raveena Tandon on entering politics
8:33 AM
Actor Raveena Tandon got candid at the Tension Not Twitter Spaces session
Compiled by Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 25, 2022)
How does Raveena Tandon stay cool as a cucumber while juggling being a wife, a mother, a daughter, and, of course, a well-known actor? She spilled the beans, and more, during a conversation with Sonal Kalra, Managing Editor (Entertainment & Lifestyle) Hindustan Times, at the Tension Not Twitter Spaces session.
According to the actor, her family and friends help her be stress-free. And when things get too much, Nature is her escape. “Mumbai mein ghutan hoti hai, toh main kisi jungle mein bhaag jaati hun, and come back refreshed,” she joked. It was an open house for fans who couldn’t contain their excitement at having the actor just a tap away. Excerpts:
@DNeurosx: Given that this society is male-centric, including Bollywood, what are some experiences that you have had to face?
To a certain extent, women have to work a little harder in whichever career they choose. While everyone faces challenges, men have it a little easier. In my show Aranyak, my character was passionate about her work, but the onus of looking after the family only came on her. I thank myself for my perseverance, but my in-laws and husband supported me. The rest of the family also has to chip in to let these women achieve their dreams.
@ARanganathan72: Why haven’t you thought about entering politics?
Never say never. There was a point when I was seriously contemplating it. I have been offered seats across India: West Bengal, Punjab, Mumbai, but unfortunately I had to say no at that time as I was not ready. I have not really been impressed by any political party, that they have an ideology I can blindly follow. I disagree with so many things. Sometimes I am afraid that I might not be able to toe the line. But if I feel I am ready...I might say yes!
@mmiiniii: What was your reaction when you saw ‘From Raveena Tandon’ written on a bomb used by the Indian Army during the Kargil War?
I saw it much later. However, I would advise the whole world that if anything can be negotiated with love and talk, please do it. Khoon ka rang laal idhar bhi hai aur udhar bhi. No one should feel proud about any mother losing their sons or daughters... If I have to stand there [defending the border] to safeguard my country, de do mere haath mein bandook, main vahaan khadi ho jaaungi.
Listen to the full session: https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1BRKjnjdavNKw
Ajay Devgn’s Maidaan to also release in Bengali
8:17 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; January 21, 2022)
Content has diversified, and multilingual films have become the norm. Hindi movies have often been dubbed in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. However, the makers of Maidaan — Boney Kapoor and Zee Studios — are now tapping into the Bengali market to increase their audience pool.
The Ajay Devgn and Priyamani-starrer, which was wrapped before Christmas last year, is currently in post-production. It will be the Golmaal actor’s first multilingual film. “Football is gaining prominence in India today as a sport. Besides Goa, Kerala, and Hyderabad, even West Bengal is passionate about football, especially among the youth. To reach a [wider] audience, the makers want to reach out to the youth,” informs a source, adding that Kolkata is known as the “hub of Indian football” with two of the biggest teams in the country coming from there — Mohun Bagan and SC East Bengal.
Maidaan is a biopic on the late coach-manager of the Indian national football team Syed Abdul Rahim. He is regarded as the architect of modern Indian football.
While the India schedule of the Amit Sharma film is wrapped up, the Badhaai Ho director is busy with the patchwork. “Ajay has completed his shoot including football matches, and the climax that traces the India-South Korea final match of the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta. As and when the Coronavirus situation improves, Amit [and his crew] will fly to Rome, Helsinki, and Melbourne to shoot footage [depicting] international matches for the patchwork,” added the source of the film that is set to release on June 3.
It was because of OTT, actors like me got busy-Pankaj Tripathi
12:12 PM
Shamayita Chakraborty (BOMBAY TIMES; December 16, 2021)
Pankaj Tripathi has carved a niche for himself with some great performances in films like Newton, Stree and Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl along with his work in various web shows. During his recent stay in Kolkata for the shoot of Srijit Mukherji’s film, he was accompanide by his wife, Mridula, who hails from the City of Joy. In a chat, Pankaj spoke to us about his projects, his connect with Kolkata and more. Excerpts:
You have made your place with your unconventional appearance in an industry that has a historical bias towards the looks of actors and actresses. Tell us about the journey…
My journey has been as unconventional as my appearance. I used to work in one or two scenes in films and my work kept on growing. Now I am doing main roles and roles are being written for me. My journey has been a tough one. But this also says kisi ke saath kuch bhi ho sakta hai. An actor like me also got something in return after sheer hard work. Waste nehi gaya mera mehnat. You are new and an outsider. You will take time to succeed. You must not give up.
If you have it in you, you will get work. It has been an organic and fun ride. If I’d got everything served on a plate perhaps I wouldn’t have loved my achievements so much.
Has Bollywood also embraced changes in perspective?
I think, yes. I think there has been a change in the content and how people are being associated with the new content. There have been changes in narration and script. With the entry of OTT, the audience has evolved too. They want something different. It was because of OTT, actors like me got busy. Every good actor has work now.
As an actor, has this exposure has made your work more challenging or a lot easier?
Reaching a larger audience has become easier and work has become more challenging. Anyone can watch our films from anywhere in the world now. On the other hand, now you know that there are many actors to match your standards. You know what kind of actors are working worldwide, what kind of work is being done, what is the standard, what are the expectations of the audience and what are they exposed to. It is good to have healthy competition.
You have a very strong Kolkata connection.
I love Kolkata. Mujhe bahut lagao hai iss sheher se. I’ve been coming to Kolkata since 1993. I guess I was destined to have this Bengali connection. Whatever way I get treated in Bengal or Kolkata is usually special. I get love from every corner, even from the people who have no clue about my Kolkata connection. Common audience itna pyar deta hai ki puchiye mat. We were shooting in north Bengal and children from around that area used to gather to see and meet me. Someone painted a portrait of me and posted it on social media. I liked it so much that I met the artist this time and took the painting.
Travel has helped me create some of my best songs-Amit Trivedi
8:06 AM
The composer travelled across India to add folk and earthy essence to his new outing
Soumya Vajpayee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 27, 2021)
Every musician has a different source of inspiration for making music. For Amit Trivedi, it’s travel. The composer-singer usually travels across the world to make music and to add essence of different places to his work. In the latest instance, Trivedi travelled to various places in India to connect with earthy Indian voices, traditions and stories to create songs for his new independent project, Songs Of Soil.
“Travel has always been my main source of inspiration and that has helped me create some of my best songs. I visited five states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. I ended up visiting Rajasthan twice, because there was so much to cover from that region. It was fun. I got to meet some of the best folk artistes of the country,” says Trivedi, who took around a year to work on the project, given the ongoing pandemic.
The National Award-winning composer wanted the songs to have an earthy touch. “The idea was to get some of the best folk artistes of the country together to create something different and original, which the audience has never heard before,” says Trivedi.
This travel experience was a huge learning for the Dear Zindagi (2016) composer. “I had to understand the culture and folklore of every region and jam with the local artistes. One of the songs features me with an instrument called parai, which I am still learning to play. It was gifted to me by Anthony Daasan (folk singer from Tamil Nadu),” Trivedi ends.
Cinemas start once again with Mortal Kombat, Mumbai Saga
8:24 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
Cinemas across India will begin to reopen from today (Friday) with MORTAL KOMBAT being the main attraction in the Hindi circuits. This film did a decent $40 million at the box office in the USA when it was released in April. The Hindi releases are awaiting for a decision as to when Maharashtra will be allowed to open and then announce release dates. There are some districts which are going to be allow cinemas to open and the hope is better news over the next week or two which may allow Hindi films to release sometime in August. The main Hindi film playing when cinemas reopen will be MUMBAI SAGA.
Maharashtra is crucial to Hindi cinemas as around 30% of the all India theatrical revenue for Hindi films in 2019 came from Maharashtra. The state has also suffered the most in India from the pandemic which has made the authorities very cautious. So an uptick in cases will push the opening up further down the line.
There have been many states which has been allowing cinemas to open for some time now but the cinemas were just not opening up due to no content. The Salman Khan starrer RADHE was screened officially in some cinemas and unofficially at other places with OTT print being screened. The small video theatres which have limited collections in Gujarat did play the film. The collections of the film would be in the 18-20 lakh nett range with most of this coming from Gujarat and also Rajasthan thanks to Raj Mandir cinema. Over 80% of the earnings is likely to be from these two circuits.
West Bengal despite extending their lockdown will allow cinemas to open which means films will probably be screened from next week as cinemas start opening. This leaves Maharashtra and Bihar as the main markets for Hindi films which are not allowed to open yet. Bihar was expected to open in early July but it did not materialize.
The process is going to be slow and the most important thing is not the turnout but no more lockdowns where cinemas have to close especially in the main contributing states. If this happens then eventually the audiences will return and the industry will be just one blockbuster away from normality or near normality.
People must report those fleecing them to the cops or on social media-Bhumi Pednekar
7:57 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 21, 2021)
The last few months have seen a lot of citizens across the country step up as COVID Samaritans, who have reached out to those battling the Coronavirus. Several actors have turned COVID warriors, too, helping out people in various ways. Bhumi Pednekar, along with her team of volunteers, has been actively working towards providing help and support to people in these times.
“The last few weeks have been nothing short of heartbreaking for the volunteers and me. When I got into it, I didn’t realise that things could be so devastating. Speaking to families in despair and trying to calm them down when they’re crying for help is extremely difficult. I’ve felt that most people seek hospitalization either as soon as they test positive or when the condition has gone completely downhill. It’s that gap in the middle when they need to make the decision and move. We’ve also received so many SOS calls for ICU beds. There’s a dearth of oxygen supply in the North belt. As volunteers, we have all had to find ways to join the missing dots and get aid for the patient in need. There are so many small things that have to be taken care of, between getting a patient from his or her home to the hospital.”
Bhumi, who has also dealt with COVID cases within her extended family and close friend circles in Delhi and Mumbai in recent weeks, says, “The last one month has been one of the most life-changing periods of my life.”
While social media and WhatsApp groups of volunteers have been helpful in getting resources to those in need, sadly, it has also thrown up several cases where patients and even volunteers have been fleeced by those claiming to have access to medical supplies.
Bring this up, and Bhumi says, “I am a part of several volunteer groups. At a personal level, all of us have all dealt with COVID-led tragedies while helping a friend, a close family member or even someone from our extended families. At such a time, people are vulnerable; their mind tends to be clouded. It’s difficult to judge whether you’re making the right choice or not. It’s human to go through that.”
She further adds, “Oxygen cylinders and concentrators are being held up by people, and that is creating a wide gap between demand and supply; this is something I know because I have my ears to the ground. People who need it are not getting it easily. You need to report the people who are fleecing you to the cops and on social media with their phone numbers, so that others don’t fall prey to them. Another reason why I’m raising an alarm here is that all these help and support groups functioning across the country are citizen-led, and I don’t want volunteers to be exploited and fleeced when all they’re trying to do is help. It’s a scary scenario.”
The actress plans to intensify her movement, taking it to rural areas and smaller cities where social media platforms are not used as much. Bhumi elaborates, “We’re taking one day at a time. None of us had the time to sit back and think ahead. The situation exploded before we knew. I’ve had a lot of support from students in Delhi and Maharashtra in these weeks. We are now mobilising more citizen and student groups in West Bengal, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and somehow, also penetrate the rural pockets, which need attention. Social media, so far, has been our greatest ally, our war room, so to say. The best part is that this movement of citizens across the country does not depend on any one person leading it. It’s run with kind intentions and collective strengths of people, which won’t fizzle out any time soon.”
I found the so-called ‘selfie generation’ to be more sensitive, passionate and committed than us-Parambrata Chatterjee
8:06 AM
Shamayita Chakraborty (BOMBAY TIMES; May 18, 2021)
Parambrata Chatterjee recently set up a COVID relief centre with colleagues Riddhi Sen, Anupam Roy and others. The Bengali actor, who has also done Hindi films like Kahaani and Pari, among others, talks about the impact of the Coronavirus second wave on the film industry, working with youngsters for his pandemic relief work and more. Excerpts:
How did you get started with the COVID Relief Centre?
Our parents witnessed the infamous flood in 1978, grandparents witnessed the Partition. Our generation was in a safe zone until now. And suddenly, we were staring at an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The impossible desperation of people gasping for oxygen haunted me. Soon, as the second wave first started in the other states, we knew what could unfold in West Bengal, especially given the political gatherings. As the cries for help intensified on social media, I reached out to like-minded friends. We realised that unlike the first wave, where we could afford to do things from a distance, this time we had to be on the ground. Our primary intention was to offer some respite to the private and government medical facilities by running a small but systematic relief centre so that we could maximise our resources. It was not a small task, but thanks to my comrades, we made this happen.
What’s next?
We are planning to start two more centres, one of them near the existing centre so that we can operate it as one unit.
A major talking point in our COVID fight has been the participation of youngsters. How do you see this?
There has been a general perception that youngsters under the age of 25, the so-called ‘selfie generation’ are a detached and disconnected lot. While it may be true to some extent, they have also been misunderstood. I found them to be more sensitive, passionate and committed than us. Their integrity and readiness to reject regressive ideas is inspiring. The more I engage with them, the more proud I feel. It is wrong to judge them – they are aware, active and are working tirelessly on the ground.
How do you see the future of cinema? Halls are shutting down, shooting stalled and no production house wants to release films…
Even films like Sooryavanshi are stalled. Salman Khan released his film on the OTT platform. Bollywood’s only advantage is that they get reasonably fair prices from the major OTT platforms. We (Bengali cinema industry) don’t have that luxury. Without a bit of theatrical release, we cannot recover the cost. So we will have to wait. After this second wave, I doubt if the audience will immediately be confident about going back to theatres even if they reopen in a month or so. Things will take time – maybe in another five to six months, things will be better. We have seen difficult times. There was a 100-day-long strike in ’70s. We will survive this also.
You have been vocal about your ideologies in recent times. So have many of your colleagues and friends. Have equations changed for you?
Some say politics and friendship needn’t mix. But my definition of friendship is different. While there will be no lacunae in my professionalism, I cannot be friends with someone who stands diametrically opposite to my political beliefs.
Twitter terminates Kangana Ranaut’s account
7:44 AM
Anam Ajmal (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 5, 2021)
New Delhi: Twitter suspended actor Kangana Ranaut’s account permanently on Tuesday for “repeatedly” violating its hate speech policies. The suspension came hours after the actor posted a provocative tweet on the post-election violence in West Bengal. She was followed by over 3 million people on the microblogging platform.
The actor’s suspension caused a furore on social media, with both her supporters and critics tweeting about it. #KanganaRanaut was the top trend in India through the day, garnering over 165k tweets by 8.30pm.
Shortly before her suspension, Ranaut had also posted a short video, stating that she was “distressed” by the violence. She later defended her controversial statements in two Instagram posts.
“We’ve been clear that we will take strong enforcement action on behaviour that has the potential to lead to offline harm. The referenced account has been permanently suspended for repeated violations of Twitter Rules specifically our Hateful Conduct policy and Abusive Behaviour policy. We enforce the Twitter Rules judiciously and impartially for everyone on our service,” a Twitter spokesperson said.
Kangana Ranaut later defended her controversial statements in two Instagram posts.
She shared the same video on Facebook’s photo sharing platform, where she has 7.7 million followers. The actor has posted several controversial statements in the past. Her sister and manager Rangoli Chandel was also suspended from the platform in April 2020 for an inflammatory tweet.
Twitter’s hateful conduct and abusive behaviour policies prohibits users from engaging in “targeted harassment” and also warns against “inciting” others to harm anyone on the basis of their gender, ethnicity, race or religious affiliation, among other things.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 671
10:47 PM
AND CINEMAS SHUT ONCE AGAIN
India is in the second wave of Coronavirus right now and it’s much more extreme than the first wave. A lot of states went under lockdown or introduced curbs and as part of it, theatres were asked to shut down. This is because cinema halls are believed to be venues where the Covid-19 virus can spread rapidly. That there has rarely been a case where a person got infected after a theatre outing is a different matter! But with non-essential shops, malls, restaurants etc being asked to shut shop, cinema halls obviously won’t be left out.
On April 27, Kerala government ordered theatres in the state to down shutters. Even the Gujarat government passed a similar order earlier this week. As a result, theatres are now only open in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Telangana and West Bengal. With the cases refusing to subside in most parts of India, the fear is that in the next 10 days, even these states would ask cinemas to halt operations.
Many cinema halls in these states have already downed shutters, due to lack of content. Since April 2, no new Hindi film has been released. Godzilla vs. Kong was the last major film that worked pan-India but even that was released a month ago. And in North, West and East India, it failed to reach the desired numbers due to fear psychosis about the virus. Hence, the belief is that even if state governments don’t take the harsh decision, the exhibition themselves will stop playing films to save on the costs.
2-3 days ago, the makers of Satyameva Jayate 2 announced that their actioner stands postponed. Starring John Abraham and Divya Khosla Kumar, it was supposed to release on May 13, on Eid. The other upcoming films like Bellbottom (scheduled to release on May 28) and ’83 (scheduled to release on June 4) will soon be pushed ahead too.
The experts have predicted that the cases will reach a peak in mid-May after which there’ll be a reduction in numbers. In such a scenario, it is said that cinemas in most states will be allowed to open only after mid-June or in July.
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