Onir, one of a handful of out and proud Indian filmmakers, is speaking out about the current scenario for LGBTQ filmmakers in the country.
“There are a lot of non-Indian queer films and series available on streaming and also a lot of queer short films and reel videos being made across the country. Having said that, I feel the mainstream industry and streaming platforms when it comes to queer content are mostly still taking baby steps, and also looking at our stories from a very heteronormative gaze,” Onir told Variety.
“The queer gaze is largely missing. What is disappointing is that it’s largely about a tick mark of having done the right thing — right from actors to platforms and studios that use the phrase ‘but we are already doing one queer story.’ I don’t understand what that means. We are not one homogeneous story, we have many stories.
“There are a lot of non-Indian queer films and series available on streaming and also a lot of queer short films and reel videos being made across the country. Having said that, I feel the mainstream industry and streaming platforms when it comes to queer content are mostly still taking baby steps, and also looking at our stories from a very heteronormative gaze,” Onir told Variety.
“The queer gaze is largely missing. What is disappointing is that it’s largely about a tick mark of having done the right thing — right from actors to platforms and studios that use the phrase ‘but we are already doing one queer story.’ I don’t understand what that means. We are not one homogeneous story, we have many stories.
- 3/15/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Producer Kewal Garg, who is currently awaiting the release of his upcoming film ‘Merry Christmas’, has been bringing tectonic shifts in the landscape of Bollywood.
The businessman and producer, associated with Matchbox Pictures Pvt Ltd, started his journey in Bollywood with the film ‘Main Krishna Hun’ starring Katrina Kaif and Hrithik Roshan. He then solidified his position with the landslide critical and commercial success of ‘Andhadhun’. The Netflix movie ‘Monica, O My Darling’ furthered his vision to bring path-breaking stories to the fore.
Hailing from Punjab, Kewal Garg is committed to offering cinematic brilliance. He emphasises the significance of meticulous planning.
He said: “Making a film involves a lot of planning. The most important task is to build a good team that can understand your vision and the director’s vision.”
Crediting his success to hard work, destiny and pure intentions, the producer has maintained a perfect balance in his personal and professional life.
The businessman and producer, associated with Matchbox Pictures Pvt Ltd, started his journey in Bollywood with the film ‘Main Krishna Hun’ starring Katrina Kaif and Hrithik Roshan. He then solidified his position with the landslide critical and commercial success of ‘Andhadhun’. The Netflix movie ‘Monica, O My Darling’ furthered his vision to bring path-breaking stories to the fore.
Hailing from Punjab, Kewal Garg is committed to offering cinematic brilliance. He emphasises the significance of meticulous planning.
He said: “Making a film involves a lot of planning. The most important task is to build a good team that can understand your vision and the director’s vision.”
Crediting his success to hard work, destiny and pure intentions, the producer has maintained a perfect balance in his personal and professional life.
- 1/11/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Mumbai, Dec 12 (Ians) The 15th edition of the Indian Film Festival Melbourne will open on August 15, 2024, and will feature the Indian Independence Day Celebrations (flag hoisting), Iffm Awards night, Iffm Dance Competition and Iffm Closing Night.
The upcoming edition of the film festival was announced by Victoria governor, Margaret Gardner AC, at an Iffm industry event held in Mumbai.
In attendance was Mitu Bhowmick Lange Am, Iffm Festival Director, along with various leading films makers, studio heads, stars and stakeholders of the Indian film industry.
The festival also announced a new festival initiative called Iffm Baari, which means ‘House’ in Bengali.
Iffm Baari will be an inclusive space for founders and leaders from diverse creative industries to engage with emerging creative voices especially from the south Asian communities.
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi was also honoured with the Iffm Excellence Award.
The award was confirmed for the 2023 festival, but the actress...
The upcoming edition of the film festival was announced by Victoria governor, Margaret Gardner AC, at an Iffm industry event held in Mumbai.
In attendance was Mitu Bhowmick Lange Am, Iffm Festival Director, along with various leading films makers, studio heads, stars and stakeholders of the Indian film industry.
The festival also announced a new festival initiative called Iffm Baari, which means ‘House’ in Bengali.
Iffm Baari will be an inclusive space for founders and leaders from diverse creative industries to engage with emerging creative voices especially from the south Asian communities.
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi was also honoured with the Iffm Excellence Award.
The award was confirmed for the 2023 festival, but the actress...
- 12/12/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Mumbai, Dec 12 (Ians) The 15th edition of the Indian Film Festival Melbourne will open on August 15, 2024, and will feature the Indian Independence Day Celebrations (flag hoisting), Iffm Awards night, Iffm Dance Competition and Iffm Closing Night.
The upcoming edition of the film festival was announced by Victoria governor, Margaret Gardner AC, at an Iffm industry event held in Mumbai.
In attendance was Mitu Bhowmick Lange Am, Iffm Festival Director, along with various leading films makers, studio heads, stars and stakeholders of the Indian film industry.
The festival also announced a new festival initiative called Iffm Baari, which means ‘House’ in Bengali.
Iffm Baari will be an inclusive space for founders and leaders from diverse creative industries to engage with emerging creative voices especially from the south Asian communities.
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi was also honoured with the Iffm Excellence Award.
The award was confirmed for the 2023 festival, but the actress...
The upcoming edition of the film festival was announced by Victoria governor, Margaret Gardner AC, at an Iffm industry event held in Mumbai.
In attendance was Mitu Bhowmick Lange Am, Iffm Festival Director, along with various leading films makers, studio heads, stars and stakeholders of the Indian film industry.
The festival also announced a new festival initiative called Iffm Baari, which means ‘House’ in Bengali.
Iffm Baari will be an inclusive space for founders and leaders from diverse creative industries to engage with emerging creative voices especially from the south Asian communities.
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi was also honoured with the Iffm Excellence Award.
The award was confirmed for the 2023 festival, but the actress...
- 12/12/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Upcoming titles handled by Embankment, Protagonist, Goodfellas and Studiocanal to receive a share of production funding.
Screen Australia is to allocate more than Aud$10m ($6.4m) of production funding to a raft of upcoming film and TV projects.
The national screen body will support six features including Sophie Hyde’s An Ideal Woman, starring Emilia Clarke; Dario Russo’s The Fox, starring Jai Courtney and from the producers of horror hit Talk to Me; and Charles Williams’ Inside, starring Guy Pearce. Further films to receive a share of the funding include David Vincent Smith drama He Ain’t Heavy, John Sheedy...
Screen Australia is to allocate more than Aud$10m ($6.4m) of production funding to a raft of upcoming film and TV projects.
The national screen body will support six features including Sophie Hyde’s An Ideal Woman, starring Emilia Clarke; Dario Russo’s The Fox, starring Jai Courtney and from the producers of horror hit Talk to Me; and Charles Williams’ Inside, starring Guy Pearce. Further films to receive a share of the funding include David Vincent Smith drama He Ain’t Heavy, John Sheedy...
- 9/25/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Mumbai, Aug 11 (Ians) Rani Mukerji was named the Best Actress In Film (Female), Vijay Varma as Best Actor (Male) In Series took home the top honours at the 14th edition of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (Iffm).
Rani won for ‘Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway’ and Mohit Agarwal took home the award for Best Performance in Film (Male) for ‘Agra’.
While ‘Sita Ramam’ was announced the Best Film, ‘Agra’ the Best Indie Film, Kannada Filmmaker Prithvi Konanur was feted with Best Director.
‘To Kill A Tiger’ took home the Best Documentary.
Vijay Varma for ‘Dahaad’ and Rajshri Deshpande for ‘Trial By Fire’ were named as Best Performance (Male) and Best Performance (Female) in a series respectively.
Period Drama ‘Jubilee’ starring Prosenjit Chatterjee, Aparshakti Khurana, Sidhant Gupta, Aditi Rao Hydari, Wamiqa Gabbi and Ram Kapoor was tagged as the Best Series.
Best Short Film – People’s Choice honour was won by ‘Connection...
Rani won for ‘Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway’ and Mohit Agarwal took home the award for Best Performance in Film (Male) for ‘Agra’.
While ‘Sita Ramam’ was announced the Best Film, ‘Agra’ the Best Indie Film, Kannada Filmmaker Prithvi Konanur was feted with Best Director.
‘To Kill A Tiger’ took home the Best Documentary.
Vijay Varma for ‘Dahaad’ and Rajshri Deshpande for ‘Trial By Fire’ were named as Best Performance (Male) and Best Performance (Female) in a series respectively.
Period Drama ‘Jubilee’ starring Prosenjit Chatterjee, Aparshakti Khurana, Sidhant Gupta, Aditi Rao Hydari, Wamiqa Gabbi and Ram Kapoor was tagged as the Best Series.
Best Short Film – People’s Choice honour was won by ‘Connection...
- 8/11/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Director Onir, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming film ‘Pine Cone’, will be launching five new faces. For this, he conducted auditions on Zoom across India and shortlisted his five lead actors from five different places – Sirsa, Anantnag, Gwalior, Delhi and Kolkata.
The director feels that it is imperative to have an influx of new talent in the industry for its collective growth.
Talking about the same, he said: “There are some really talented people across the country. As filmmakers, we need to put a little effort into going beyond the routine to find them. Since these actors will be completely raw, they give a very fresh perspective to your characters.”
He further mentioned: “When I auditioned for ‘Pine Cone’ I met some excellent performers. Of course they had to go through workshops to prepare for the role. This way, you are not giving a chance to new...
The director feels that it is imperative to have an influx of new talent in the industry for its collective growth.
Talking about the same, he said: “There are some really talented people across the country. As filmmakers, we need to put a little effort into going beyond the routine to find them. Since these actors will be completely raw, they give a very fresh perspective to your characters.”
He further mentioned: “When I auditioned for ‘Pine Cone’ I met some excellent performers. Of course they had to go through workshops to prepare for the role. This way, you are not giving a chance to new...
- 6/20/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Filmmaker Onir was felicitated by actress Raveena Tandon with the prestigious Kashish Rainbow Warrior Award at the opening ceremony of the 14th Kashish International Queer Film Festival for his film ‘Pine Cone’, recently. The event celebrated diversity, inclusion, and the power of cinema.
The film explores the complexities of queer relationships, pushing the boundaries of societal norms and shedding light on the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Kashish Rainbow Award holds a special significance for Onir in the light of Pride Month and the recent debate around same-sex marriage.
Onir said: “This award is incredibly special, not only because it is Pride Month, but also because it’s Kashish , and it’s special that this award of love happens in My city … Mumbai. I thank Kashish Film Festival and Sridhar for this award. I am humbled.”
Onir also expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards Raveena Tandon, who has been his...
The film explores the complexities of queer relationships, pushing the boundaries of societal norms and shedding light on the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Kashish Rainbow Award holds a special significance for Onir in the light of Pride Month and the recent debate around same-sex marriage.
Onir said: “This award is incredibly special, not only because it is Pride Month, but also because it’s Kashish , and it’s special that this award of love happens in My city … Mumbai. I thank Kashish Film Festival and Sridhar for this award. I am humbled.”
Onir also expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards Raveena Tandon, who has been his...
- 6/8/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Mumbai, May 30 (Ians) Director Onir, who has a strong voice for the LGBTQ community, has unveiled the first poster for his highly anticipated film, ‘Pine Cone.’
The film serves as a powerful advocate for true representation of the LGBTQ community in cinema coming from lived experiences.
‘Pine Cone’ is set to open South Asia’s largest queer film festival, Kashish, on June 7, promising to captivate audiences with its layered love story of a gay man as he navigates through love, loss and desire.
As an out and proud gay man, Onir has dedicated his career to crafting narratives that celebrate the LGBTQ community and their journey towards love, equality and acceptance. ‘Pine Cone’ is yet another remarkable addition to his portfolio, exploring queer desire sans filters while challenging stereotypes.
The first poster for ‘Pine Cone’ offers a glimpse into the intense emotions that engulfs the film. Painted as an art piece,...
The film serves as a powerful advocate for true representation of the LGBTQ community in cinema coming from lived experiences.
‘Pine Cone’ is set to open South Asia’s largest queer film festival, Kashish, on June 7, promising to captivate audiences with its layered love story of a gay man as he navigates through love, loss and desire.
As an out and proud gay man, Onir has dedicated his career to crafting narratives that celebrate the LGBTQ community and their journey towards love, equality and acceptance. ‘Pine Cone’ is yet another remarkable addition to his portfolio, exploring queer desire sans filters while challenging stereotypes.
The first poster for ‘Pine Cone’ offers a glimpse into the intense emotions that engulfs the film. Painted as an art piece,...
- 5/30/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Partnership
Entertainment One (eOne) has solidified its collaboration with U.K. independent production company Hardcash Productions through an exclusive first-look agreement. Under the deal, brokered by Kate Cundall, eOne’s VP of acquisitions, and Robin Barty-King, Hardcash’s business affairs consultant, the partnership aims to develop and produce investigative factual content for the global market. eOne will handle international rights for all projects resulting from this collaboration.
Previously, eOne and Hardcash worked together on the distribution of award-winning documentaries such as “Inside China,” “Fearless: The Women Fighting Putin” and “Outbreak: The Virus that Shook the World,” which have been sold to over 160 territories worldwide.
Cundall said: “Through this collaboration, we’ve secured a unique access to one of the most prestigious documentary makers in the world of factual and documentary programming, and we look forward to continuing to provide award-winning unscripted storytelling to audiences worldwide.”
Esella Hawkey, creative director at Hardcash Productions,...
Entertainment One (eOne) has solidified its collaboration with U.K. independent production company Hardcash Productions through an exclusive first-look agreement. Under the deal, brokered by Kate Cundall, eOne’s VP of acquisitions, and Robin Barty-King, Hardcash’s business affairs consultant, the partnership aims to develop and produce investigative factual content for the global market. eOne will handle international rights for all projects resulting from this collaboration.
Previously, eOne and Hardcash worked together on the distribution of award-winning documentaries such as “Inside China,” “Fearless: The Women Fighting Putin” and “Outbreak: The Virus that Shook the World,” which have been sold to over 160 territories worldwide.
Cundall said: “Through this collaboration, we’ve secured a unique access to one of the most prestigious documentary makers in the world of factual and documentary programming, and we look forward to continuing to provide award-winning unscripted storytelling to audiences worldwide.”
Esella Hawkey, creative director at Hardcash Productions,...
- 5/18/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Melbourne, May 8 (Ians) The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne wrapped up the much anticipated shooting of the first film out of four films under the ‘My Melbourne Project’.
The film, which is yet to be named, is co-directed by Onir and William Duan.
It stars Arka Das, Mouli Ganguly, and Jackson Gallagher.
The film was shot in five days and the story is based on grief and forgiveness.
The film follows the reunion of a queer Indian man, Indraneel, played by Arka, and his father, Mihir, played by Mouli, after many years of estrangement.
Onir said: “I am happy to be a part of My Melbourne as it is a unique and special film. It’s the first time such a unique cross-country initiative has been taken to bridge cultural ties and bring the two communities together using the medium of cinema. The films of My Melbourne are based on...
The film, which is yet to be named, is co-directed by Onir and William Duan.
It stars Arka Das, Mouli Ganguly, and Jackson Gallagher.
The film was shot in five days and the story is based on grief and forgiveness.
The film follows the reunion of a queer Indian man, Indraneel, played by Arka, and his father, Mihir, played by Mouli, after many years of estrangement.
Onir said: “I am happy to be a part of My Melbourne as it is a unique and special film. It’s the first time such a unique cross-country initiative has been taken to bridge cultural ties and bring the two communities together using the medium of cinema. The films of My Melbourne are based on...
- 5/9/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Production on anthology feature My Melbourne, produced by Mind Blowing Entertainment, is set to get underway this month in collaboration with high-profile Indian directors Kabir Khan, Onir, Rimas Das and Imtiaz Ali. The film interweaves four stories from emerging writing and directing teams, exploring sexuality, gender, disability and race. Mitu Bhowmick Lange and Leanne Tonkes […]
The post Multicultural anthology feature ‘My Melbourne’ kicks off under guidance of Indian directors appeared first on If Magazine.
The post Multicultural anthology feature ‘My Melbourne’ kicks off under guidance of Indian directors appeared first on If Magazine.
- 2/1/2023
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
India’s Film Bazaar, South Asia’s largest film market, has selected a range of projects from around the world for its annual co-production market, which will be held in-person this year after two years of being online due to Covid-19.
Though the 20 selected projects are from 11 countries, and most are already structured as co-productions, they are all South Asian-themed. Michael Radford, best known for BAFTA and Oscar-winning film “Il Postino,” has Spanish-language Spain-India project “The Princess of Kapurthala,” which he will co-direct with Manuel Estudillo (“Caso Urquijo”). Juan Antonio Casado and Davide Cottarelli of Pok Production are producing.
Gautam Arora’s Hindi and English-language film “The Last Lane” (India) is being produced by Kite Rabbit Films, the production company of Shaunak Sen, whose “All That Breathes” won best documentary at both Sundance and Cannes this year.
Gogularaajan Rajendran’s Tamil and Malay-language project “Depth of Darkness” is being produced...
Though the 20 selected projects are from 11 countries, and most are already structured as co-productions, they are all South Asian-themed. Michael Radford, best known for BAFTA and Oscar-winning film “Il Postino,” has Spanish-language Spain-India project “The Princess of Kapurthala,” which he will co-direct with Manuel Estudillo (“Caso Urquijo”). Juan Antonio Casado and Davide Cottarelli of Pok Production are producing.
Gautam Arora’s Hindi and English-language film “The Last Lane” (India) is being produced by Kite Rabbit Films, the production company of Shaunak Sen, whose “All That Breathes” won best documentary at both Sundance and Cannes this year.
Gogularaajan Rajendran’s Tamil and Malay-language project “Depth of Darkness” is being produced...
- 10/21/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
EntertainmentBoth the director and the actor have expressed their excitement to start working together in the film.Tnm StaffCourtesy - Instagram / nimisha_sajayanMalayalam actor and female lead in The Great Indian Kitchen Nimisha Sajayan will next act in We Are, sequel to the acclaimed anthology film I Am, directed by Hindi filmmaker Onir. This will mark Nimisha's acting debut in Hindi. "Up next We Are - A powerful story which is a sequel to the highly acclaimed anthology series, I Am directed by @iamonir," Nimisha posted on her Instagram page. She adds, "@iamonir can’t wait for the shoot to start," and thanks among others, filmmaker Geetu Mohandas and casting director Shaneem. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nimisha Bindu Sajayan (@nimisha_sajayan) Onir, confirming the news on his Twitter page, wrote, "Super excited to be working with @NimishaSajayan #WeAre." In a second tweet, he added that...
- 7/9/2021
- by Cris
- The News Minute
CoronavirusPia took to Twitter on Tuesday to seek help finding ventilator beds in Up’s Farrukhabad. PTIInstagram/Pia BajpieeActor Pia Bajpiee on Tuesday said that her brother had passed away after a frantic search for ventilator beds in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh. Pia, who predominantly works in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu cinema, took to Twitter and posted an Sos call, writing that she urgently required a ventilator bed as her brother was "dying". She didn't specify if he had Covid-19. "I need urgent help in district Farukhabad , kayamganj block, Up. A bed with ventilator. My brother is dying. Any lead please help. Please contact if you know anybody... We are already in mess (sic)," the 27-year-old actor wrote. I need urgent help in district Farukhabad , kayamganj block .Up.. a bed wd ventilator ..my brother is dying ..any lead plz help Plz Contact if u know anybody -9415191852 Abhishek.. we are already...
- 5/4/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
Mumbai, March 24 (Ians) Composer Vishal Dadlani on Wednesday took to social media to once again express solidarity with the ongoing farmers' protest.
Dadlani shared a photograph of organic tomatoes grown by him on Instagram, and captioned: "Respect what you eat, and the Farmers who grow it. If you ever till the Earth yourself, you'll know how much work it is, and how much love and patience it takes. (This is just a small patch of tomatoes and it's taught me a lot!) #FarmerProtests #FarmersProtest #JaiKisaan #IStandWithFarmers."
The composer has expressed solidarity with the protesting farmers earlier, too.
On January 26, after a section of the protesting farmers were reported to have turned violent, Dadlani had tweeted: "Does it make sense to you? Farmers who protested peacefully for so many months, even in the face of police violence, suddenly turned violent today? Why? Just doesn't compute. Plus, we've seen those in power do this before.
Dadlani shared a photograph of organic tomatoes grown by him on Instagram, and captioned: "Respect what you eat, and the Farmers who grow it. If you ever till the Earth yourself, you'll know how much work it is, and how much love and patience it takes. (This is just a small patch of tomatoes and it's taught me a lot!) #FarmerProtests #FarmersProtest #JaiKisaan #IStandWithFarmers."
The composer has expressed solidarity with the protesting farmers earlier, too.
On January 26, after a section of the protesting farmers were reported to have turned violent, Dadlani had tweeted: "Does it make sense to you? Farmers who protested peacefully for so many months, even in the face of police violence, suddenly turned violent today? Why? Just doesn't compute. Plus, we've seen those in power do this before.
- 3/24/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Penguin Random House India are delighted to announce the acquisition of the intimate and dramatic memoirs of award-winning film-maker Onir. The book will be released in 2022 under the Viking imprint.
Craftsman extraordinaire, Onir shares his fascinating journey in this book, co-written with his sister, Irene Dhar Malik, an award-winning film editor, screenwriter and short-story writer. He narrates deeply personal experiences, laying bare the struggles and triumphs that moulded him on his path to success. He offers readers a rare glimpse of his life, from his childhood days in Bhutan to when he was a young man with no connections in the Hindi film industry and later when he faced especially turbulent times. From the beginning of his career, Onir bravely asserted his sexual identity in a conservative, competitive environment. Despite seemingly insurmountable odds, he dream't big and fought hard to carve out a niche for himself.
Onir writes about his...
Craftsman extraordinaire, Onir shares his fascinating journey in this book, co-written with his sister, Irene Dhar Malik, an award-winning film editor, screenwriter and short-story writer. He narrates deeply personal experiences, laying bare the struggles and triumphs that moulded him on his path to success. He offers readers a rare glimpse of his life, from his childhood days in Bhutan to when he was a young man with no connections in the Hindi film industry and later when he faced especially turbulent times. From the beginning of his career, Onir bravely asserted his sexual identity in a conservative, competitive environment. Despite seemingly insurmountable odds, he dream't big and fought hard to carve out a niche for himself.
Onir writes about his...
- 3/2/2021
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
Film Bazaar, South Asia’s largest co-production market, has revealed 21 eclectic projects from several countries and in a welter of languages, for its 2021 online edition.
The selected filmmakers will pitch their projects virtually to a curated audience of Indian and international producers, distributors, festival programmers, financiers and sales agents at an open pitch session. This year, Film Bazaar has also collaborated with the French Embassy in India which will be sponsoring the French Institute Award for one market project.
As is the usual case, the projects are a mix of festival favorites and debutants.
From India, Berlinale title “Eeb Allay Ooo!” editor Tanushree Das and Rotterdam title “Nasir” cinematographer Saumyananda Sahi make their directorial debuts with Bengali-language “Baksho Bondi” (aka “How Long Is Tomorrow?”), produced by Naren Chandavarkar (Rotterdam Fipresci winner “The Bangle Seller”); Tamil-language “Bommainayagi” (aka “Queen Doll”) by debutant Shanawaz Nizamudeen, produced by Pa. Ranjith, director of Rajinikanth...
The selected filmmakers will pitch their projects virtually to a curated audience of Indian and international producers, distributors, festival programmers, financiers and sales agents at an open pitch session. This year, Film Bazaar has also collaborated with the French Embassy in India which will be sponsoring the French Institute Award for one market project.
As is the usual case, the projects are a mix of festival favorites and debutants.
From India, Berlinale title “Eeb Allay Ooo!” editor Tanushree Das and Rotterdam title “Nasir” cinematographer Saumyananda Sahi make their directorial debuts with Bengali-language “Baksho Bondi” (aka “How Long Is Tomorrow?”), produced by Naren Chandavarkar (Rotterdam Fipresci winner “The Bangle Seller”); Tamil-language “Bommainayagi” (aka “Queen Doll”) by debutant Shanawaz Nizamudeen, produced by Pa. Ranjith, director of Rajinikanth...
- 12/22/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Line-up includes new projects from Onir, Anjali Menon, Shyam Bora and Haobam Paban Kumar.
Film Bazaar, organised by India’s National Film Development Corp (Nfdc), has announced the 21 projects selected for the Co-production Market (Cpm) of its 2020 edition, which will take place online next month after being postponed from its usual November slot.
The line-up includes projects in 17 South Asian languages originating in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, as well as co-productions with Canada, China, Netherlands and France.
International collaborations include Onir’s We Are, co-produced by India’s Anticlock Films and Canada’s Fae Pictures; India-Netherlands collaboration Dengue,...
Film Bazaar, organised by India’s National Film Development Corp (Nfdc), has announced the 21 projects selected for the Co-production Market (Cpm) of its 2020 edition, which will take place online next month after being postponed from its usual November slot.
The line-up includes projects in 17 South Asian languages originating in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, as well as co-productions with Canada, China, Netherlands and France.
International collaborations include Onir’s We Are, co-produced by India’s Anticlock Films and Canada’s Fae Pictures; India-Netherlands collaboration Dengue,...
- 12/21/2020
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Onir is directing and co-writing “symbolic sequel” to his award-winning anthology I Am, with Fawzia Mirza as co-writer.
Shant Joshi’s Canada-based Fae Pictures is joining forces with Indian director Onir’s Anticlock Films on LGBTQ-themed feature We Are, which is being set up as an India-Canada co-production.
Onir is directing and co-writing the feature with Fawzia Mirza (Signature Move). Anticlock’s Sanjay Suri is producing with Onir and Joshi, in association with Baby Daal Productions. Production is expected to start in late 2021 or early 2022.
The two companies describe the project as a “symbolic sequel” to Onir’s award-winning 2011 anthology film,...
Shant Joshi’s Canada-based Fae Pictures is joining forces with Indian director Onir’s Anticlock Films on LGBTQ-themed feature We Are, which is being set up as an India-Canada co-production.
Onir is directing and co-writing the feature with Fawzia Mirza (Signature Move). Anticlock’s Sanjay Suri is producing with Onir and Joshi, in association with Baby Daal Productions. Production is expected to start in late 2021 or early 2022.
The two companies describe the project as a “symbolic sequel” to Onir’s award-winning 2011 anthology film,...
- 12/9/2020
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Mumbai, Nov 15 (Ians) Several celebrities from the Indian film fraternity paid their emotional tributes to Bangla cinema doyen Soumitra Chattopadhyay, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 85.
The Dadasaheb Phalke recipient thespian's demise was confirmed by a bulletin from Kolkata's Belle Vue Hospital, where he had received Covid treatment.
"We declare with heavy heart that Shri Soumitra Chattopadhyay breathed his last at 12.15 pm at Belle Vue Clinic today (15 November 2020). We pay our homage to his soul," said the hospital statement.
Shortly after his death, celebrities from the world of cinema took to social media and expressed grief.
National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajyapee called Chattopadhyay's death a "tragic loss".
"Tragic loss!! Rest in peace Sir!! Your contribution to the Indian Cinema will always be remembered and inspire the generations to come!!" Bajpayee wrote on Twitter.
Actress Soha Ali Khan posted two pictures of the late veteran with her mother...
The Dadasaheb Phalke recipient thespian's demise was confirmed by a bulletin from Kolkata's Belle Vue Hospital, where he had received Covid treatment.
"We declare with heavy heart that Shri Soumitra Chattopadhyay breathed his last at 12.15 pm at Belle Vue Clinic today (15 November 2020). We pay our homage to his soul," said the hospital statement.
Shortly after his death, celebrities from the world of cinema took to social media and expressed grief.
National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajyapee called Chattopadhyay's death a "tragic loss".
"Tragic loss!! Rest in peace Sir!! Your contribution to the Indian Cinema will always be remembered and inspire the generations to come!!" Bajpayee wrote on Twitter.
Actress Soha Ali Khan posted two pictures of the late veteran with her mother...
- 11/15/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
Filmmakers Anubhav Sinha and Hansal Mehta on Tuesday expressed concern for actress Rhea Chakraborty, who continues to be in judicial custody.
A Special Court in the city earlier in the day extended the judicial custody of Rhea and her brother Showik Chakraborty till October 20, in a drug-related case that came up as part of investigation into the death of Rhea's boyfriend, late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
Anubhav Sinha tweeted: "That girl has been in Jail for a month. Seriously guys!!!"
Hansal Mehta wrote on the microblogging site, "Please remind me. What is @Tweet2Rhea in custody for exactly? And why is she still in custody?"
Reacting to Sinha's tweet, screenwriter Kanika Dhillon wrote: "Yesss!!! Let that sink in... she has already been in jail for A Month!! Release @Tweet2Rhea #rheachakroborty n all those who were baying for her blood.. reflect. Ponder. And at least Now come forward n support...
A Special Court in the city earlier in the day extended the judicial custody of Rhea and her brother Showik Chakraborty till October 20, in a drug-related case that came up as part of investigation into the death of Rhea's boyfriend, late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
Anubhav Sinha tweeted: "That girl has been in Jail for a month. Seriously guys!!!"
Hansal Mehta wrote on the microblogging site, "Please remind me. What is @Tweet2Rhea in custody for exactly? And why is she still in custody?"
Reacting to Sinha's tweet, screenwriter Kanika Dhillon wrote: "Yesss!!! Let that sink in... she has already been in jail for A Month!! Release @Tweet2Rhea #rheachakroborty n all those who were baying for her blood.. reflect. Ponder. And at least Now come forward n support...
- 10/6/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
By Arundhuti Banerjee
Mumbai, July 12 (Ians) Be it Onir films such as "My Brother Nikhil", "Bas Ek Pal", and "I Am", or Sujoy Ghosh's upcoming web series "Typewriter", it is interesting to note how actor Purab Kohli has delivered some of his finest performances in collaboration with Bengali filmmakers. The actor says, without being biased, he believes that Bengalis have always been among the finest storytellers.
"There is no denial of the fact that although there are so many great filmmakers and writers in the country, Bengalis are known for their art, culture and storytelling. Although I have not watched a lot of Bengali films, I have many Bengali friends. All of them are very artistic. Their storytelling really fascinates me," Purab told Ians.
"I have always enjoyed Onir's writing, and Sujoy's work has always fascinated me. So whenever I collaborate with them, magic happens," added the actor.
Purab...
Mumbai, July 12 (Ians) Be it Onir films such as "My Brother Nikhil", "Bas Ek Pal", and "I Am", or Sujoy Ghosh's upcoming web series "Typewriter", it is interesting to note how actor Purab Kohli has delivered some of his finest performances in collaboration with Bengali filmmakers. The actor says, without being biased, he believes that Bengalis have always been among the finest storytellers.
"There is no denial of the fact that although there are so many great filmmakers and writers in the country, Bengalis are known for their art, culture and storytelling. Although I have not watched a lot of Bengali films, I have many Bengali friends. All of them are very artistic. Their storytelling really fascinates me," Purab told Ians.
"I have always enjoyed Onir's writing, and Sujoy's work has always fascinated me. So whenever I collaborate with them, magic happens," added the actor.
Purab...
- 7/12/2019
- GlamSham
As many as 1,854 feature films were submitted to be part of the 2019 Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival from across the world this year. As many as 39 nations are represented as production or co-production countries. India is missing.
Filmmaker Onir rightly questioned: "What are we supposed to celebrate about Cannes 2019... The cinema that's being celebrated or just the clothes our actors wear and the parties they attend. Somehow that is all that seems to be talked about."
Barring the overwhelming red carpet or party looks of Bollywood actresses making a splash on social media, an India Pavilion, organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Ficci, is doing its bit to forge international partnerships in distribution, production, pitch India as a shooting destination and promoting film sales and syndication.
India may be one of the largest film producers in the world, but no film from the country made it in the competition categories.
Filmmaker Onir rightly questioned: "What are we supposed to celebrate about Cannes 2019... The cinema that's being celebrated or just the clothes our actors wear and the parties they attend. Somehow that is all that seems to be talked about."
Barring the overwhelming red carpet or party looks of Bollywood actresses making a splash on social media, an India Pavilion, organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Ficci, is doing its bit to forge international partnerships in distribution, production, pitch India as a shooting destination and promoting film sales and syndication.
India may be one of the largest film producers in the world, but no film from the country made it in the competition categories.
- 5/20/2019
- GlamSham
After a landmark judgment by India?s Supreme Court for the Lgbt community last year, ecstatic Lgbt activists across the nation stood together to rejoice the moment. Not only did the arbiters of a transitioning society voice their full-hearted support, but also notable filmmakers came ahead vocally supporting the lifting of the colonial era ban. The portrayal of homosexuality has often been caricature-ish in mainstream Indian movies. But filmmakers across the globe including that Bollywood has changed with times and is widening its horizons and becoming an agent of social change.
Here we bring to you a list of unconventional stories that sensitively portrayed homosexuality in India and helped make a small change the way Indian society looked upon this important subject.
1. My Brother Nikhil - Filmed in an era when homosexuality was considered to be immoral, directed Onir brought My Brother Nikhil- a brave journey into the forefront. Starring Sanjay Suri,...
Here we bring to you a list of unconventional stories that sensitively portrayed homosexuality in India and helped make a small change the way Indian society looked upon this important subject.
1. My Brother Nikhil - Filmed in an era when homosexuality was considered to be immoral, directed Onir brought My Brother Nikhil- a brave journey into the forefront. Starring Sanjay Suri,...
- 4/1/2019
- GlamSham
The very talented actress Tannishtha Chatterjee is on to her new vocation. Tannishtha turns writer with a film entitled Driving Lessons. Says Tannishtha, “It’s an idea I had been toying with for some time about a relationship that grows between a driving instructor and the woman whom he teaches to drive over a period ofRead More
The post Tannishtha turns writer for Onir with an unusual love story about driving lessons appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
The post Tannishtha turns writer for Onir with an unusual love story about driving lessons appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
- 3/9/2018
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
In an unprecedented move the Cbfc’s Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (a.k.a the Tribunal) summoned filmmaker Onir to Delhi and asked that he show them his earlier films before certifying his latest work Shab for a television viewing. Though Onir can breathe a sigh of relief for his film Shab getting away with just two minor cutsRead More
The post Onir’s film held over too much sex, tribunal views all the director’s works before awarding certificate appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
The post Onir’s film held over too much sex, tribunal views all the director’s works before awarding certificate appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
- 3/6/2018
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
BollywoodSo what happens to the small but significant films, the kind that has always struggled for space? IANSSubhash K Jha My old friend and sensitive filmmaker Onir is heartbroken. This week his latest film "Kuch Bheege Alfaaz" bravely and defiantly produced by the music giant Saregama's film branch Yoodlee Films, opened in shows at the most unearthly hours in selected multiplexes, while all the primetime shows went to "Padmaavat", "Pad Man" and "Aiyaary". This is known as the big fish eating up, or at least sidelining, the small fish. Only the mighty survive. I've seen so many "small" films with a large heart being a victim of theatre-timings. How many people actually saw the highly-lauded "Masaan" or "Newton" in movie theatres? So what happens to the small but significant films, the kind that has always struggled for space since Bimal Roy made "Kabuliwala" and Raj Kapoor made "Jagte Raho"? Today, when the number of theatres has grown so dramatically and the theatres are sophisticated venues of enjoyable engagement, the small significant cinema is still suffering in silence. Last year there was Milind Dhaimade's "Tu Hai Mera Sunday" that big-little charmer. It was one of the odd gems which we are lucky enough to get at least once a year in our cinema-going experience. That film got cent-per cent positive reviews with critics raving over the work. But did it help? No. Why would a critically acclaimed film not get an audience? Because critics seldom make a difference to a film's boxoffice destiny. If they did, the Oscar-nominated films would be flooded with audiences. Instead, theatres across the country screening Guillermo del Toro's "The Shape Of Water" and earlier Paul Thomas Anderson's "Phantom Thread" wore a gloomy, deserted look while "Black Panther", the comicbook contraption of hideously inflated dimensions conveyed a seriously festive look as audiences clapped and cheered at the 3D monstrosity where everyone and everything was larger than life. Well, if that's what the ticket-paying audience wants, can theatres ignore the demand? It is all very simple, really. If you want to conquer the masses through a movie, fill the theatre with sound and fury signifying "nothing" beyond the "something" that cinema was always meant to convey. As for Onir and his "Kuch Bheege Alfaaz" it must find an audience beyond the massive infrastructure of the film bazaar. Maybe the internet is a solution. But then I saw this delicate fragile tender film first on the small screen and then in the cinema. All the delicacy, fragility and tenderness is lost on the small screen. So what do we do? Where does Onir take his creative impulses? This is a question which has not found an answer since the beginning, all those who are unable or unwilling to do mainstream cinema. ...
- 2/17/2018
- by Editor
- The News Minute
Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz
Starring Zain Khan Durrani, Gitanjali Thapar
Directed by Onir
In his latest directorial venture the prolific and insightful director Onir probes wounds that never heal. The love that grows between two wounded people trapped in the numbing bustle of the metropolis—Kolkata this time, it was Delhi in Onir’s previous film Shab—is not uncharted territory in the cinema of emotional diaspora that Onir has constantly explored and Anurag Basu also examined with scrupulous integrity in Life In A Metro.
In Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz (Kba) the traditional tearfulness associated with the emotions of hurt, pain, betrayal,isolation and guilt—yes, all of these emotions are compressed into Onir’s latest—are alchemized into a warm-hearted frothy but never frivolous look at how craggily man-woman relationships pan out in the city.
There is a lot of ‘ping’ in the pain of mutually shared hurt between the pair...
Starring Zain Khan Durrani, Gitanjali Thapar
Directed by Onir
In his latest directorial venture the prolific and insightful director Onir probes wounds that never heal. The love that grows between two wounded people trapped in the numbing bustle of the metropolis—Kolkata this time, it was Delhi in Onir’s previous film Shab—is not uncharted territory in the cinema of emotional diaspora that Onir has constantly explored and Anurag Basu also examined with scrupulous integrity in Life In A Metro.
In Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz (Kba) the traditional tearfulness associated with the emotions of hurt, pain, betrayal,isolation and guilt—yes, all of these emotions are compressed into Onir’s latest—are alchemized into a warm-hearted frothy but never frivolous look at how craggily man-woman relationships pan out in the city.
There is a lot of ‘ping’ in the pain of mutually shared hurt between the pair...
- 2/12/2018
- by Subhash K Jha
- Bollyspice
Saregama’s Yoodlee films’ Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz directed by Onir has just released its trailer digitally. The film is a modern-day love story in the age of social media, of two characters – Rj Alfaaz, played by debutant actor Zain Khan Durrani and meme artist – Archana, played by Geetanjali Thapa. An interesting fact that canRead More
The post Aamir Khan’s classic melody Pehla Nasha to feature in Onir’s Kuch Bheege Alfaaz appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
The post Aamir Khan’s classic melody Pehla Nasha to feature in Onir’s Kuch Bheege Alfaaz appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
- 1/23/2018
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Onir: “It’s heartening that finally after four years the Chief Justice Deepak Mishra recognised the inherent flaw where the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution to every citizen irrespective of gender or sexuality is denied to the Lgbtq community. The honourable court last year had recognised the personal law and recognises that the right toRead More
The post Onir, Apurva Asrani on the Supreme Court’s decision to reconsider Article 377 appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
The post Onir, Apurva Asrani on the Supreme Court’s decision to reconsider Article 377 appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
- 1/10/2018
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
Onir’s film about a bunch of people in hetero-and gay relationships in Shab has been denied the right to a television screening. The shell-shocked producer Sheetal Talwar can’t get over the fact that this denial of the freedom of expression is happening in the new censorial regime. “We had an ‘A’ for theatrical release. ThisRead More
The post Cbfc clamps down on homosexuality; bans Onir’s Shab for television viewing appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
The post Cbfc clamps down on homosexuality; bans Onir’s Shab for television viewing appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
- 10/5/2017
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
Onir's Delhi in Shab appeared as a poor cousin of Mumbai (cafes, pubs at every place) which had a dark hangover of Madhur Bhandarkar's Page 3... Read More...
- 7/15/2017
- Bollywood Trade
The release of Onir’s mature love story Shab featuring Raveena Tandon and newcomer has been postponed suddenly. Apparently PVR, the multiplex chain which was supposed to distribute Onir film across the country backed out from its commitment at the last minute after the shocking underperformance of the Salman Khan starrer Tubelight last week. A freshRead More
The post Breaking: Tubelight effect – Onir’s Shab postponed at the last minute appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
The post Breaking: Tubelight effect – Onir’s Shab postponed at the last minute appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
- 6/30/2017
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
You don’t have to shout from rooftops or amplified news channel rooms to get heard. You can speak softly, clearly and make a strong point without sugar coating anything. Onir is gearing up for the release of his next film Shab. In a Bollywood Hungama exclusive interview with Faridoon Shahryar, Onir shared his mind spaceRead More
The post “Why is the film industry constantly being Targetted?” – Onir appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
The post “Why is the film industry constantly being Targetted?” – Onir appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
- 6/13/2017
- by Faridoon Shahryar
- BollywoodHungama
Directed by Onir, the dark tale Shab, set to release June 30th, stars Raveena Tandon, Ashish Bisht, Arpita Chatterjee, Simon Frenay, Areesz Ganddi, Raj Suri, and Shray Rai Tiwar.
Set in the cosmoplitan city of Delhi, Shab is a story of people coming from different walks of life…. some in the search for love and some towards realization of their dreams. It is the story of how destiny and the city shapes their lives.
Meet the characters:
Azfar: Ashish Bisht
Azfar, an aspiring model from Uttarakhand, moves to Delhi to pursue his dreams. He meets Sonal Modi, a fashion diva and socialite, and gets blinded by the glitz and glamour of the industry.
Lonely in the big city, he befriends Neil and Raina. A new friendship develops…
Will the city let him realise his dreams?
Raina: Arpita Chatterjee
Raina moves to Delhi with a bagful of dreams and her younger sister.
Set in the cosmoplitan city of Delhi, Shab is a story of people coming from different walks of life…. some in the search for love and some towards realization of their dreams. It is the story of how destiny and the city shapes their lives.
Meet the characters:
Azfar: Ashish Bisht
Azfar, an aspiring model from Uttarakhand, moves to Delhi to pursue his dreams. He meets Sonal Modi, a fashion diva and socialite, and gets blinded by the glitz and glamour of the industry.
Lonely in the big city, he befriends Neil and Raina. A new friendship develops…
Will the city let him realise his dreams?
Raina: Arpita Chatterjee
Raina moves to Delhi with a bagful of dreams and her younger sister.
- 5/26/2017
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Konkona Sen Sharma has definitely had a great start to the first half of 2017, amidst all the controversies and the ‘ban’ fiasco! The actress and director recently took home the prestigious award for the Best Actress at the New York Indian Film Festival for her film, Lipstick Under My Burkha. This is the second win for the 37 year old actress, who also won the Best Director Award for her debut film, A Death in the Gunj. While Konkona and the makers of the film Lipstick Under My Burkha couldn’t manage a screening in India till now, courtesy the censor board deeming the film as ‘vulgur’ and ‘too sexual’, the film has been getting rave reviews wherever it has been screened till now, most recent being the acclaimed New York Indian Film Festival (Nyiff). Early this year, the Censor Board projected a huge ban on the film, which is directed...
- 5/9/2017
- FilmiPop
Film-maker Onir has been riding on a high currently, with his recent TEDx Talk, his upcoming – Shab & now winning the prestigious Hollywood International independent Documentary Awards, November 2016 Edition for his Indo- Australian Documentary called ‘Raising The Bar’. The film was premiered at Indian Film Festival Melbourne in August 2016.
“Raising The Bar is a beautiful and authentic insight into human potential, and society’s influence on all of us,” said Cate Sayers, Founder and Director of e.motion21.
With an overwhelming support from the local community in Australia, e.motion21 brought a group of 60 youths with Down Syndrome and their care givers, to India. The documentary captures the lives of 6 of these Indian and Australian children/youth with Down’s Syndrome who met at the World Down Syndrome Congress, In Chennai. The documentary was shot in Melbourne, Kolhapur, Delhi, Agra & Chennai.
The film has been produced by Cate Sayers from emotions 21, Mitu Bhowmik,...
“Raising The Bar is a beautiful and authentic insight into human potential, and society’s influence on all of us,” said Cate Sayers, Founder and Director of e.motion21.
With an overwhelming support from the local community in Australia, e.motion21 brought a group of 60 youths with Down Syndrome and their care givers, to India. The documentary captures the lives of 6 of these Indian and Australian children/youth with Down’s Syndrome who met at the World Down Syndrome Congress, In Chennai. The documentary was shot in Melbourne, Kolhapur, Delhi, Agra & Chennai.
The film has been produced by Cate Sayers from emotions 21, Mitu Bhowmik,...
- 12/10/2016
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Ace director Onir recently visited Iim, Calcutta to address the students at the prestigious TEDx platform. TEDx has featured some of the greatest personalities from across various disciplines. Onir was present to address the audience on the challenges that are faced by Indie cinema today, especially in India. Onir has been an indie film director/producer for more than a decade and one of the few possible authorities on the subject.
In the last decade Onir has carved his niche in Hindi cinema. His debut film My Brother Nikhil was applauded for the awareness and sensitivity it created in its audience and won many national and international awards. Since then the director has been involved in multiple path breaking projects in varying capacities. His film I Am won two National awards and he is looked upon as a pioneer in crowd funding and sourcing through social network in India.
The...
In the last decade Onir has carved his niche in Hindi cinema. His debut film My Brother Nikhil was applauded for the awareness and sensitivity it created in its audience and won many national and international awards. Since then the director has been involved in multiple path breaking projects in varying capacities. His film I Am won two National awards and he is looked upon as a pioneer in crowd funding and sourcing through social network in India.
The...
- 11/28/2016
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
The award winning filmmaker Onir, who is best known for directing films like My Brother Nikhil and Bas Ek Pal, is all set to make a documentary after a break of 20 years.
Onir has been roped in by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne for a documentary on 'Down Syndrome'. The documentary will be 80 minutes long and will be shot at various locations in India including Delhi, Pune and Chennai. The objective of the documentary will be to create awareness about the genetic disorder. It will feature kids from various parts of the country who are suffering from this disorder and also their success stories.
Onir's documentary will be premiering at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in August this year. It will be released online after the premiere.
Onir has been roped in by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne for a documentary on 'Down Syndrome'. The documentary will be 80 minutes long and will be shot at various locations in India including Delhi, Pune and Chennai. The objective of the documentary will be to create awareness about the genetic disorder. It will feature kids from various parts of the country who are suffering from this disorder and also their success stories.
Onir's documentary will be premiering at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in August this year. It will be released online after the premiere.
- 6/16/2016
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Filmmakers Onir, Sanjay Suri and director Bikas Ranjan Mishra reveal that they faced one of their worst nightmares when the child artiste zeroed in to play the main protagonist Santu in their film Chauranga dropped out a few days before the film was to go on the floors.
“Yes, we were without the lead actor right before we were to start shooting as the child was not granted holidays from the school,” share the trio. As luck would have it they finally got child actor Soham Maitra on board. “Soham came with an innocence and a spontaneity that lifted the script,” says Bikas. The young actor also bonded instantly with his screen brother played by Riddhi Sen and so the chemistry translated on screen too.
The director adds that Soham was required to learn to use the ‘hoop and roll’ and since there was very less time, the actor would...
“Yes, we were without the lead actor right before we were to start shooting as the child was not granted holidays from the school,” share the trio. As luck would have it they finally got child actor Soham Maitra on board. “Soham came with an innocence and a spontaneity that lifted the script,” says Bikas. The young actor also bonded instantly with his screen brother played by Riddhi Sen and so the chemistry translated on screen too.
The director adds that Soham was required to learn to use the ‘hoop and roll’ and since there was very less time, the actor would...
- 1/5/2016
- by BollySpice Editors
- Bollyspice
Chauranga, which won the film best award at Mami last year and also the Grand Jury prize at Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles Iffla, has released their trailer.
The film is set in the dark hinterland of India where tradition and modernity collide precariously, Chauranga is inspired by a real incident. Fourteen-year-old Santu wants to go to school like his older brother Bajarangi. Their mother works as a maid at the mansion of the upper-caste village headman with whom she is having a dangerous, secret liaison.
When Bajarangi comes home from boarding school on holiday, he exposes Santu to the dreams of city life. But Santu’s destiny was pre-written in a village that’s steeped deep in caste-hierarchy and debauchery. Unaware of the consequences, he is nurturing defiance and courting a few dangerous infatuations that can topple the equations of caste in the village. How far will his defiance take him?...
The film is set in the dark hinterland of India where tradition and modernity collide precariously, Chauranga is inspired by a real incident. Fourteen-year-old Santu wants to go to school like his older brother Bajarangi. Their mother works as a maid at the mansion of the upper-caste village headman with whom she is having a dangerous, secret liaison.
When Bajarangi comes home from boarding school on holiday, he exposes Santu to the dreams of city life. But Santu’s destiny was pre-written in a village that’s steeped deep in caste-hierarchy and debauchery. Unaware of the consequences, he is nurturing defiance and courting a few dangerous infatuations that can topple the equations of caste in the village. How far will his defiance take him?...
- 12/11/2015
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Chauranga, produced by Onir and Sanjay Suri, and directed by Bikas Ranjan Mishra, has run into trouble, with the Censor Board asking the filmmakers to delete two vital scenes from the film. The filmmakers have been asked to remove a love-making sequence between Sanjay Suri and Tannishtha Chatterjee, as they feel the scene is derogatory to women. Another crucial scene involving a Dalit boy being pushed into a well has also been asked to be deleted.
The film is based on the story of a high-caste zamindar from Jharkhand and the love-making scene between Sanjay and Tannishtha, who works in his home, is a very vital part of the film. Upset with the development, Onir says, “Every scene is crucial for a film as it contributes to the narrative, otherwise it should not be there. Having said that, I feel the sequence of the boy being pushed into the well...
The film is based on the story of a high-caste zamindar from Jharkhand and the love-making scene between Sanjay and Tannishtha, who works in his home, is a very vital part of the film. Upset with the development, Onir says, “Every scene is crucial for a film as it contributes to the narrative, otherwise it should not be there. Having said that, I feel the sequence of the boy being pushed into the well...
- 12/2/2015
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
An infatuated young boy who faced death for writing a love letter in a remote village is the subject of Chauranga. The film that won the Best Indian Film award at Mami last year and also the Grand Jury prize at Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles Iffla, is slated for January 8th release next year.
Director Bikas Ranjan Mishra says, “Chauranga was prompted by a news story. The film is my understanding of the village life where a gruesome act of killing is possible in the name of preserving the sanctity of caste system. It’s a fictional re-telling of the actual incident set in a real village where I grew up and which I was very much a part of.”
Fourteen-year-old Santu wants to go to school. But his destiny was pre-written in a village that’s steeped deep in caste-hierarchy, oppression and debauchery. Unaware of the consequences,...
Director Bikas Ranjan Mishra says, “Chauranga was prompted by a news story. The film is my understanding of the village life where a gruesome act of killing is possible in the name of preserving the sanctity of caste system. It’s a fictional re-telling of the actual incident set in a real village where I grew up and which I was very much a part of.”
Fourteen-year-old Santu wants to go to school. But his destiny was pre-written in a village that’s steeped deep in caste-hierarchy, oppression and debauchery. Unaware of the consequences,...
- 10/17/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
UK actress Wendy Glenn is starring in Indian filmmaker Onir’s Veda, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which is currently shooting in the UK.
Produced by Bhavna Talwar of India’s Wsg Pictures, the film is shooting in Manchester and Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford Upon Avon, before moving on to India.
Glenn, who is playing Hamlet’s mother Gertrude, has previously starred in Us films such as Patrick Hoelk’s Mercy and Adam Wingard’s You’re Next as well as TV shows CSI, CSI Miami and Reunion.
Hamlet was also recently adapted by Indian filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj as Haider, which transported the play to Kashmir and starred Shahid Kapoor as the title character.
Onir’s directing credits include Nikhil, My Brother and I Am, which both tackled social and gender/sexuality issues. Along with Sanjay Suri, he also produced Bikas Mishra’s Chauranga, which won best film in the India Gold section at last year...
Produced by Bhavna Talwar of India’s Wsg Pictures, the film is shooting in Manchester and Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford Upon Avon, before moving on to India.
Glenn, who is playing Hamlet’s mother Gertrude, has previously starred in Us films such as Patrick Hoelk’s Mercy and Adam Wingard’s You’re Next as well as TV shows CSI, CSI Miami and Reunion.
Hamlet was also recently adapted by Indian filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj as Haider, which transported the play to Kashmir and starred Shahid Kapoor as the title character.
Onir’s directing credits include Nikhil, My Brother and I Am, which both tackled social and gender/sexuality issues. Along with Sanjay Suri, he also produced Bikas Mishra’s Chauranga, which won best film in the India Gold section at last year...
- 6/10/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
UK actress Wendy Glenn is starring in Indian filmmaker Onir’s Veda, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which is currently shooting in the UK.
Produced by Bhavna Talwar of India’s Wsg Pictures, the film is shooting in Manchester and Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford Upon Avon, before moving on to India.
Glenn, who is playing Hamlet’s mother Gertrude, has previously starred in Us films such as Patrick Hoelk’s Mercy and Adam Wingard’s You’re Next as well as TV shows CSI, CSI Miami and Reunion.
Hamlet was also recently adapted by Indian filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj as Haider, which transported the play to Kashmir and starred Shahid Kapoor as the title character.
Onir’s directing credits include Nikhil, My Brother and I Am, which both tackled social and gender/sexuality issues. Along with Sanjay Suri, he also produced Bikas Mishra’s Chauranga, which won best film in the India Gold section at last year...
Produced by Bhavna Talwar of India’s Wsg Pictures, the film is shooting in Manchester and Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford Upon Avon, before moving on to India.
Glenn, who is playing Hamlet’s mother Gertrude, has previously starred in Us films such as Patrick Hoelk’s Mercy and Adam Wingard’s You’re Next as well as TV shows CSI, CSI Miami and Reunion.
Hamlet was also recently adapted by Indian filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj as Haider, which transported the play to Kashmir and starred Shahid Kapoor as the title character.
Onir’s directing credits include Nikhil, My Brother and I Am, which both tackled social and gender/sexuality issues. Along with Sanjay Suri, he also produced Bikas Mishra’s Chauranga, which won best film in the India Gold section at last year...
- 6/10/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
After Tabu's power packed performance in Vishal Bhardwaj's Haider (adaptation of Hamlet), it is now the turn of the British actress Wendy Glenn to play the role of Hamlet's mother Gertrude in Onir's Veda, which happens to be his adaptation of the Shakespearean classic. Readers may know Wendy Glenn for her roles in American TV shows like CSI: Miami and You're Next. Talking about roping in Wendy for the film, National award filmmaker Onir added, "Wendy is a phenomenal actor and we are so happy to have her as part of the film. She immerses herself in the character, which is such a wonderful quality. She is as stunning a person as she is as an actor." Simultaneously expressing her pleasure of working on an Indian film Glenn says, "It is such a pleasure to be working with Onir, my co-actors, Bhavna and the team and on such an amazing script.
- 6/9/2015
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Indian films Court, Chauranga and Killa were the big winners at the close of the Mumbai Film Festival (Mff), which wrapped on Tuesday night.
Chaitanya Tamhane’s Court won best film and best director in Mff’s International Competition for first and second-time filmmakers, along with a Special Jury Mention for the ensemble cast. The film, produced by Vivek Gomber, also recently won best film in the Orizzonti section at the Venice film festival.
The jury for this section, headed by UK director Peter Webber, gave the Jury Grand Prize to Mexican film Gueros, directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios (see full list of winners below).
Chauranga, directed by Bikas Ranjan Mishra, won best film in the India Gold competition. Produced by Onir and Sanjay Suri, the film tells the story of a young ‘dalit’ boy who dares to write a love letter to a girl from a higher caste.
Avinash Arun’s Killa, about a young...
Chaitanya Tamhane’s Court won best film and best director in Mff’s International Competition for first and second-time filmmakers, along with a Special Jury Mention for the ensemble cast. The film, produced by Vivek Gomber, also recently won best film in the Orizzonti section at the Venice film festival.
The jury for this section, headed by UK director Peter Webber, gave the Jury Grand Prize to Mexican film Gueros, directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios (see full list of winners below).
Chauranga, directed by Bikas Ranjan Mishra, won best film in the India Gold competition. Produced by Onir and Sanjay Suri, the film tells the story of a young ‘dalit’ boy who dares to write a love letter to a girl from a higher caste.
Avinash Arun’s Killa, about a young...
- 10/22/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Even as Vishal Bhardwaj gets set to unleash his own version Shakespeare's Hamlet in the quirky form of Shahid Kapoor, director Onir has gone ahead and signed newcomer Ashish Bisht to play Hamlet in Veda.
Ashish is a complete newcomer, with no acting experience. He has been modeling on the ramp and in product endorsements for some years.
What made Onir choose a complete novice to play what is arguably the most complicated male character ever written? Explains Onir, "I chose Ashish to play Hamlet for his vulnerable and sensitive looks. Apart from that he's also talented and hard-working. Hamlet according to me is gentle, fragile and volatile. Ashish has all these qualities."
Ashish Bisht was chosen after extensive auditioning. "We've been looking for our Hamlet for over a year now. I auditioned innumerable others before zeroing in on Ashish. Both my producer Bhavna Talwar and I thought he was the ideal choice,...
Ashish is a complete newcomer, with no acting experience. He has been modeling on the ramp and in product endorsements for some years.
What made Onir choose a complete novice to play what is arguably the most complicated male character ever written? Explains Onir, "I chose Ashish to play Hamlet for his vulnerable and sensitive looks. Apart from that he's also talented and hard-working. Hamlet according to me is gentle, fragile and volatile. Ashish has all these qualities."
Ashish Bisht was chosen after extensive auditioning. "We've been looking for our Hamlet for over a year now. I auditioned innumerable others before zeroing in on Ashish. Both my producer Bhavna Talwar and I thought he was the ideal choice,...
- 8/29/2014
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
On Tuesday afternoon the Deputy Prime Minister of the UK, Nick Clegg gave the Mahurat shot of Onir's Hamlet adaptation Veda. Curiously the event , attended by Onir dear friends Juhi Chawla and Sanjay Suri, was held at the Taj hotel in Colaba where the dastardly 26/11 attacks had happened. In fact the Mahurat shot was taken in one of the rooms that was under terror attack. Nick Clegg had never before attended any Bollywood event and was quite fascinated by the proceedings. Says Veda's producer Bhavna Talwar, "It was an exceptional honour to have the honourable Deputy Prime Minister of the UK at our Mahurat. I suppose the fact that we are doing an adaptation of Shakespeare must have influenced his decision to be at the event." Clegg who hobnobbed with Veda director Onir, producer Bhavna Talwar and Juhi Chawla said, "Amid the colour, the drama and the spectacle of Bollywood,...
- 8/27/2014
- BollywoodHungama
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