Our Icons And Ruins Of Glamour | Editor's Pen

Hugo is a reminder of emotions being traded for petty material gains. How fruitful our life would be if we can appreciate good work and remember them for time beyond calendars. Alas, we seldom do that. We don’t remember our icons. Everyone know Dada Saheb Phalke as a pioneer of Indian cinema. How many of us can actually remember names of some of the films he made? We know him largely because we hear his name every year when an award, instituted in his memory, is declared.

We have so many legends ignored in corners of theatres and film institutes as archives. Works by Wadias. Works from Bombay Talkies. People who gave life to cinema and died anonymous death. We are fortunate that some works by V. Shantaram, Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt are still available. Their work, though outdated and clichéd, are still more relevant than most of the work done nowadays. Do we have a more progressive work done in last 10 years if compared to Bandini? Have we shown a more inspirational tale than Do Aankhien Barah Haath?

Over time we have just developed technically. It has been a reverse cycle for the story tellers.

Wishes

Sujoy Ghosh

Chariots of Fire | The Olympic Story | The Critique

Chariots of Fire sounds like a pre-Christ days movie talking about Biblical pride and struggle. In a way, it’s true. In a way, its grossly inaccurate. As the name suggests, religion and self-respect are two strongest elements of this movie. Set in Britain of 1919-24, Chariots of Fire is story about two athletes representing their country and their values in 1924 Paris Olympics.

A Scottish Christian Eric Liddle and Jew Harold Abrahams compete against each other in their early days. Liddle wins. Harold, unhappy with the defeat, takes professional help and trains harder. While Liddle runs for the reason that he feels acoustic inspiration on track, Harold fights out anti-Semitism with his performance. Both qualify for Olympics. Liddle's event is on Sunday, a day reserved for Sabbath. If he runs, his Christian values will be compromised. Harold has a point to make and given the grandeur of stage, it will have a strong message. Will they fight out their demons and win it? And how?

Chariots of Fire is a fine example of filmmaking. Each and every character is so well detailed. The behavior and mannerism. Performances are good. As Harold, Ben Cross leaves an everlasting impact. Ian Charleson as Eric Liddle gives a fine performance. Dialogues are subtle but leaves an impression. Background score is legendary. It echoes he dual emotions of pride and prayer. In the history of British Cinema, Chariots of Fire has a special place... rightly so.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Love, Wrinkle-free And I And Me | Sandeep Mohan | Golden Podium

Love, Wrinkle Free is another Indie grabbing eyeballs. It’s a fun filled comedy with a dash to sensitivity. We happened to talk to the director of the movie Sandeep and here is our interview with the man…

Q: Hi Sandeep, many congrats for your movie Love, Wrinkle-free. When we saw the trailer, we were literally ROTFL. Tell our readers a little more about the movie...

SM: Thanks Sujoy. The trailer is doing its job I heard. The buzz is slowly but surely building up for the movie and I am excited since it is my debut movie. So trying to stay positive and enjoy the process and hopefully learn some lessons from it. I do hope that people will switch off their televisions for a few hours and come to watch Love, Wrinkle-free on the 25th of May at PVR.

Love, Wrinkle-free is my way of looking at the world around me - I see people in cities obsessing so much about youth, looks and smooth skin. I think more people visit skin clinics and hair-transplantation centres than temples or churches these days and it is clearly a sign of the times that we all are living in. I and me and the way I look has become far more important that that small organ somewhere inside your chest called the heart! As a story-teller, all this is fascinating stuff and I couldn't resist exploring this theme in my debut film as a writer-director.

Love, Wrinkle-free is set in Goa in the Roman Catholic world. It is a fun story of a dysfunctional Goan family - the husband who is middle-aged is 8 years younger to his wife, and their adopted teenage daughter who has started to worry that she doesn't look like either of them. She has started to believe that she is Tibetan probably! The tone is real and light-hearted. Using subtle humor, I have tried to explore this obsession among all of us to retain our youth and smooth skin for a longer period of time. The film was shot in 22 days in Goa. I hope I have managed to do justice to this theme and you guys come out smiling and relaxed from the cinema halls on the 25th of May

Q: Edible lingerie? Where the idea popped up from? Candypants?

SM: Well, frankly I don't remember exactly where the edible lingerie idea popped out from, but it looks like this is quite popular among a few people who like to enjoy life's kinky side.No harm in people having a little fun this way and keep the spice in life going. Imagine if more people are happy in this country, we will have more organised traffic on the road, less honking, and what not. So edible lingerie has its advantages and hope that Love, Wrinkle-free helps in popularizing such "healthy eating habits":) and more Indians go on to win gold medals in Olympic sports:)

Well, on the serious side, when I was a copywriter in an ad agency, I remember working on an underwear ad campaign, and when I used to go this underwear office, I used to see guys and gals - the hardworking MBA sorts, going about their business just like in any other office. For them, what they were selling was no different from selling cars or candies or cough syrups. It was a job. The idea of the lead character evolved from this memory. Savio Monteiro, my lead character is obsessed about the underwear industry. And the rest of the story evolved with my frequent trips to Goa and observing the life as it goes by there.

Q: The story has a click value. It’s definitely going to be liked by certain sections. But a poster like that and obvious hints that movie can be a sex comedy, do you think that this movie will get a nod from masses?

SM” Well, the one poster that you are referring to is not the final poster, but definitely is a catchy one. Love, Wrinkle-free is a sweet, refreshing film set in Goa and it is a movie the entire family can sit and watch, according to me. I don't think in these times, the mention of the word Edible Lingerie is going to scandalize a youngster or their parents. They are used to Chikni Chamelis and Munnis shaking their assets as if their life depended on how far they are able to shake it! Parents should be more worried about how their son/daughter has access to "how to make bombs" in 3 easy steps on youtube channels etc.  Love, Wrinkle-free is a much more sensitive, sensible comedy and hopes to cater to all those people who love good characters, a good plot, good performances and good fun in their cinema experience. So do come over to PVR on the 25th with the whole family since this is not a sex comedy at all.

Q: As a filmmaker and a movie buff, which movie are you waiting for? And why?

SM: As a filmmaker, I am waiting for "To Rome with Love" - Woody Allen's next film. I hope he lives forever and god gives him a long life so that he can surprise us with such simple and stunning movies. In India, I am looking forward to Shanghai which is from one of my favorite Indian director Dibakar Banerjee, and also "Love, Wrinkle-free" which is directed by a close friend of mine by the name Sandeep Mohan:)

Q: Anything you would like to say to our readers...

SM: I would like to invite them to see Love, Wrinkle-free on the 25th and let their friends know about it too. I can promise you that the way we have portrayed Goa, is unique and authentic, and is definitely something which you have not seen in Indian films for the last 10 years. More power to the truly indie films and look forward to seeing you guys at a PVR near your house soon. Take care and Never Give Up.

TRM wishes team of LWF a grand opening and all accolades.

Annie In Love, Wrinkle Free | Shernaz Patel | Golden Podium

Shernaz Patel… If someone follows theatre, she needs no introduction. She is one of the most popular faces of Indian English Theatre. For everyone else, she played the role of Rani’s mother in Black. We got an opportunity to talk to her exclusively about her upcoming Indie movie Love, Wrinkle-free.

Q: Hi Shernaz, many congrats for your movie Love, Wrinkle-free. After seeing you in Black, Family, I Am and Rockstar... Love, Wrinkle-free will be a treat where we will see more of you. Tell us about your role in the movie?

SP: I play Annie Monteiro, a God-fearing Goan, married to Savio, an underwear salesman, with an adopted daughter, Ruth. I run a small shack, called Annie’s. While coming to terms with getting older, I suddenly get pregnant. Things go awry when Savio wants to start an edible underwear business, and my one dream, to sing in the church choir, gets more and more distant as the church wants younger singers. 

Q: My Mom was pleasantly surprised to see you in Black. If I am not wrong, you returned to Silver Screen after some 18-19 years. I am counting Mahesh Bhatt's Janam as your first. What was your reaction when you got the offer to work in Black?

SP: I auditioned for Black, never dreaming I’d get the role, so it was really hugely exciting to get cast and then work with such a talented team. It was a huge personal achievement and an experience that’s one of the highlights of my life.

Q: And what was your reaction when Love, Wrinkle-free was offered?

SP: I was thrilled! Annie is such a joyous character to play. And I don’t get cast often in this genre, which made it even more thrilling.  Not just the role, but its so fulfilling to work in independent cinema and to work with young and passionate directors like Sandeep.

Q: As an actress, which is the most challenging role you played? And why?

SP: My most challenging roles have all been in the theatre and among those, Love Letters is my favourite. It’s a play where I go from the age of 8 to the age of 60 with no make up changes, no costume changes. I have been performing this part for 20 years and I learn something new every show.

Q: As an actress, what do you look for in a script? What is that element which brings sparkle in your eyes?

SP: The role. I always yearn for roles where I can sink my teeth into the character, where I can push my boundaries and get challenged…its not the size of the part, but what I can bring to it that matters. Beyond that it’s the full package…the script, the director, the co-actors…its all important finally.

Q: Anything you would like to say to our readers and your fans...

SP: Please go and watch Love Wrinkle Free. It’s a small film with a big heart. It’s a fun evening out. And you will see me in a totally different avatar…we need you to support independent cinema so please go and watch it!

Its always a pleasure to talk to someone like her. TRM wishes Shernaz best of everything for her forthcoming ventures.

Karnataka Film Industry And Rise Of Tulu Cinema | Under Lens

The Karnataka Film Industry comprises of films produced in 6 languages Lambani, Kodava, Beary, Konkani, Tulu and the most dominant Kannada Film Industry. Of late Kannada film industry is referred to as Sandalwood having a rich history of about 76 years and Tulu Film industry as Costalwood with history of 40 years.

In Coastalwood, the practice followed was that only one movie would be released one year and most of them would be “art” movies. However in past one year or so, even commercial movie are been shot in Tulu with the unexpected success of first commercial oriented movie “Oriyad Ori Asal” directed by Vijay Kumar Kodialbail, which ran continuously for 25 weeks in theatres (and in a multiplex as well). The movie did fairly well by box office standards. It was the first movie in Tulu language to be screened for 1000+ shows. Even before this there were two commercial success movies like “Bangar Patler” directed by Richard Castelineo and “Kadala Mage”. “Kadal Mage” was produced by Bantwal’s MLA and former minister Nagaraj Shetty.

In year 2011 two movies Oriyad Ori Asal starring Likith Shetty  (Udaya Music Fame), Naveen D Padil , Aravind Bolar, Ramya Barna (Pancharangi Fame) etc. and Kanchilda Bale starring Muthappa Rai was released. In the year 2010 Gaggara directed by Shivadwaj Shetty was released. In the year 2009 Koti Chennaya-2 was released which had won 2 state awards. “Sudda” was a film shot on very low budget with a handy cam had won National award for Best Regional film. With success of “Oriyad Ori Asal” more Tulu movies have announced to be under production. With the most awaited being  “Amet Asal Emet Kusal” directed by Mumbai Based director Ranjan Raghu Shetty starring icons of Tulu theatre like Navin D Padil, Bhojaraj Vamanjoor and Aravind Bolar.

Written By: Sandeep Shetty

We, The Fanatics | Part – 1 | The I In Cinema | Under Lens

Time is a tricky little devil. It changes you, your views, your ideas, your perceptions, everything. There are many a films which had had an impact on me then; the same, alas, appear outdated to me now. Let me begin by citing a small example – six years ago, when I saw Black, I felt it was beautiful. I say ‘was’ because now, I have the intelligence to differentiate between originality and plagiarism, between real emotions and manipulative melodrama. Anyway, this article is not about that particular film. I am just presenting a scenario where I can lay down an example of the ‘relativity’ factor which changes your views of a certain film over a period of time. Whatever I have written above, however, does NOT apply to Swades – a film which came at a time when people wanted something ‘different’. Being the overwrought term that it is, this ‘different’ film did not pique the hoi polloi’s interests and faded away quietly into the oblivion. Since then, people have used words like ‘cult classic’ to describe this film – and justifiably so. Swades has stood the test of time as successfully as other delayed-success stories such as Pyaasa, Andaz Apna Apna, Sahib, Biwi aur Ghulam and Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron!

I revisited it a couple of days back and was surprised to find how much weight this film holds even today. Arguably, this is Gowariker’s best movie till date. Unless you are living on a planet named Mars, you pretty much know the story of this little gem. NASA scientist Mohan Bhargava, (Shah Rukh Khan) returns from the foreign lands to India after what seems like an eternity. He has a purpose for his visit – to persuade his nanny Kaveri Amma (Kishori Balal) to come with him to the US because he feels he hasn’t done enough for her and that she has to be all alone in her old age. But Kaveri Amma opens Mohan’s eyes to more urgent, pressing matters than those of her own comforts, thereby allowing Mohan to look deep inside him and find out what he really stands for.

In a spectacular juggling act, Gowariker manages to capture seriously relevant issues masterfully – patriotism, illiteracy, poverty and caste discrimination – to name just a few. And what a pastiche it is, indeed. Never once going for loud melodrama, Gowariker very subtly aims at your tear ducts. Look at the terrific scene in which Mohan goes to retrieve a loan from a farmer and instead leaves the place with only more questions and remorse in his heart. Any other lesser director might have made the farmer scream his lungs out to express his inability to provide proper food, shelter and education to his kids. Instead, Gowariker treats this scene gently – the farmer asks Mohan that he will give him the money but first of all Mohan must wash his face, freshen himself up and have some dinner with the farmer and his family. Or take that scene in which a poor under age kid sells a cup of water to Mohan, who is inside a train, traveling. It is a scene which creates a lump in your throat yet manages to drive a point home – are we the only ones facing problems? What about this poor boy? What about his rights for a better life, for better education which have been denied to him mercilessly? Or the scene in which Mohan breaks into a dance sequence when the power supply is cut off? Or the scene in which the local cook Melaram (Daya Shankar Pandey) politely asks Mohan if he is willing to start a partnership and open a dhaba with him on the American Highways? Trust me, I can go on and on and on and never once get tired of pin pointing the flawless writing of this movie.

There are so many issues that Swades deals with directly and carefully that it wouldn’t be hard to imagine that this film meanders at certain points or goes off the tracks. Astonishingly, it doesn’t. Thanks to its mammoth running time of 210 odd minutes. And I am not complaining. It takes its sweet time but Swades arrives wherever it wants to at the right moment. And we don’t just see the film, we live it. A sizable chunk of this participative nature between the viewer and the film owes to the relatability of the story and the characters. It is hard not to root for characters like Melaram, Haridas, Kaveri Amma or even Mohan. His dilemma is palpable and the transition that he undergoes is a process, a journey, not an instant startling discovery.

…To Be Continued

Written By: Gyandeep Pattnayak

An Amazing Washington | Editor's Pen

Afro American actors have a special intensity in their eyes. Be it Sidney Poitier, Morgan Freeman or Denzel Washington. Philadelphia was the first DW movie I saw. That was largely because of Tom Hanks. However, DW impressed me like anything. His subtle performance had an everlasting impact on me.


His performances have a very strong feel of pan-Americanism. Its less about being part of a race. Its more about showing the spirit of America where people are bonding across races and differences. When he played The Hurricane or Macolm X, somewhat the spirit surfaced adding a very instinctive value to the character. His character in Philadephia, Glory, Remember The Titans reflect that spirit more explicitly. He is more american than most of them on the block.

Lets celebrate the brilliance of the man who gave us many brilliant performances in the recent years...

Thanks

Sujoy Ghosh