Kushal Zaveri, who directed the late Sushant Singh-starrer TV show Pavitra Rishta, is currently working on his upcoming web series Crashh. He says the best part about the series is you know the story from start to end.
"The best part about web series is that you know the story from start to end. You get more time for detailing, workshops with the actors, a good budget to work with, and many more benefits than a TV show," Zaveri said.
He also shared some interesting anecdotes while working on the series, which features Anushka Sen, Rohan Mehra, Aditi Sharma and Zain Imam among others.
"The actors were great, we did workshops with Preeti Gupta, and there's no doubt she is very good at what she does. I believe the main highlight of ‘Crashh' will be the performances of the actors. We, as a team, feel we've got good actors. All...
"The best part about web series is that you know the story from start to end. You get more time for detailing, workshops with the actors, a good budget to work with, and many more benefits than a TV show," Zaveri said.
He also shared some interesting anecdotes while working on the series, which features Anushka Sen, Rohan Mehra, Aditi Sharma and Zain Imam among others.
"The actors were great, we did workshops with Preeti Gupta, and there's no doubt she is very good at what she does. I believe the main highlight of ‘Crashh' will be the performances of the actors. We, as a team, feel we've got good actors. All...
- 1/26/2021
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
"The letter from the heart can be read on the face." Cinedigm has debuted the trailer for an indie holiday romantic drama titled A New Christmas, from director Daniel Tenenbaum (Landing Up). This premiered at the Heartland Film Festival in Indiana last month, and is getting a VOD release next month. Kabir is a lonely medical student in New York, estranged from his wife and grieving the loss of his mother. When he meets Kioni, a charming student from Kenya, she persuades him to show her around the city's Christmas decorations, helping him rediscover the magic of the holidays and get his life back on track. The film stars Prashantt Guptha as Kabir, Grace Wacuka as Kioni, along with Preeti Gupta, Aurora Heimbach, Swati Bhise, and Harbinder Singh. Looks charming and sweet, a humble film about the power of love. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Daniel Tenenbaum's A New Christmas,...
- 11/13/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Raj Amit Kumar’s film Unfreedom remains banned in India.
Having watched this brave film I must say that it touches on the taboo of lesbianism, honour and shame and the position of a daughter amidst South Asian Society.
If one explores the histories of South Asia then one will find same-sex love and the blurred lines of a fixed state of gender in abundance. For instance Agni the Hindu fire God is stated to have been born of two mothers. Urdu poetry celebrated same-sex female love through Rehkti Poetry.
So why so much ignorance and shame towards lesbianism, same-sex love?
There are many factors including carrying on the generation and producing offspring, the issue of whom one marries reflecting family honour and of course, a woman’s chastity representing the family reputation.
These hard hitting and raw realities are explored in Unfreedom through Preeti Gupta’s lesbian character, Leela.
Having watched this brave film I must say that it touches on the taboo of lesbianism, honour and shame and the position of a daughter amidst South Asian Society.
If one explores the histories of South Asia then one will find same-sex love and the blurred lines of a fixed state of gender in abundance. For instance Agni the Hindu fire God is stated to have been born of two mothers. Urdu poetry celebrated same-sex female love through Rehkti Poetry.
So why so much ignorance and shame towards lesbianism, same-sex love?
There are many factors including carrying on the generation and producing offspring, the issue of whom one marries reflecting family honour and of course, a woman’s chastity representing the family reputation.
These hard hitting and raw realities are explored in Unfreedom through Preeti Gupta’s lesbian character, Leela.
- 6/27/2015
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
The controversial film Unfreedom has now released in New York and Los Angeles, as well as on national digital platforms such as iTunes. Directed by Raj Amit Kumar, the film explores subjects that rock the boat…especially so in India.
Consequently, the country went as far as banning it.
Following two story lines of same-sex love in India and terrorism in the USA, discrimination and violence are prised gruesomely out in the open.
Unfreedom stars Victor Banerjee, Bhanu Uday, Bhavani Lee, Preeti Gupta, Seema Rahmani, Ankur Vikal, Samrat Chakrabarti and Adil Hussain.
Aashi Gahlot at BollySpice interviewed actress Bhavani Lee, who plays the part of spunky bisexual Sakhi Taylor.
Lee is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York. She is also a Kathak dancer with the iconic Pt. Birju Maharaj as one of her gurus. Bhavani toured the world with Cirque du soleil and has done various theatre productions,...
Consequently, the country went as far as banning it.
Following two story lines of same-sex love in India and terrorism in the USA, discrimination and violence are prised gruesomely out in the open.
Unfreedom stars Victor Banerjee, Bhanu Uday, Bhavani Lee, Preeti Gupta, Seema Rahmani, Ankur Vikal, Samrat Chakrabarti and Adil Hussain.
Aashi Gahlot at BollySpice interviewed actress Bhavani Lee, who plays the part of spunky bisexual Sakhi Taylor.
Lee is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York. She is also a Kathak dancer with the iconic Pt. Birju Maharaj as one of her gurus. Bhavani toured the world with Cirque du soleil and has done various theatre productions,...
- 6/1/2015
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
Raj Amit Kumar's Unfreedom is a remarkably ambitious film featuring two parallel narratives concurrently set in New York and New Delhi that unflinchingly contend with gender and ethnic identity. A fundamentalist Muslim, Mohammed Husain (Bhanu Uday), arrives in New York City to assassinate a peaceful Muslim academic, Fareed (Victor Banerjee); meanwhile, in New Delhi, Leela (Preeti Gupta), a closeted lesbian Muslim decides to kidnap her bisexual lover, Sakhi (Bhavani Lee), in a halfhearted attempt to marry her.
- 5/29/2015
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Though it starts off as a cautiously optimistic conversion narrative, the pseudo-progressive, banned-in-India Lgbt drama Unfreedom quickly devolves into an absurdly pessimistic provocation. The film's bifurcated plot initially concerns two Muslims whose lifestyles are reluctantly defined by their families' fundamentalist beliefs: While Leela (Preeti Gupta) defies her intolerant father by publicly coming out with partner Sakhi (Bhavani Lee), Husain (Bhanu Uday) follows in his terrorist brother's footsteps by agreeing to kidnap and film the execution of Fareed (Victor Banerjee), an anti-extremist public speaker. Both characters' faith is tested by religious trial, but neither protagonist gets to decide his or her own fate. During maudlin childhood flashback...
- 5/27/2015
- Village Voice
Unfreedom: Blemished Light –“It’s the choice we make when we are the most cornered in life that defines who we are.”
Raj Amit Kumar’s “Unfreedom” is a hard-hitting portrayal of the complexity being human. Powerful and well made, the film consists of superb performances.
This film will make you squirm with anger, disgust and shock towards the inhuman society we live in. To “hate” however is never simple.
The film portrays acts of inhumanity yet it also delves into the psyche of why? Why do people choose to commit acts of horror. Hating becomes impossible as it becomes clear that the perpetrator is actually an unhealed victim. Nevertheless, we all have a choice and Unfreedom emphasises the consequence of choice.
The film explores the lives of two different characters, Leela (Preeti Gupta) in Delhi and Husain (Bhanu Uday) in New York City.
Leela is a lesbian who...
Raj Amit Kumar’s “Unfreedom” is a hard-hitting portrayal of the complexity being human. Powerful and well made, the film consists of superb performances.
This film will make you squirm with anger, disgust and shock towards the inhuman society we live in. To “hate” however is never simple.
The film portrays acts of inhumanity yet it also delves into the psyche of why? Why do people choose to commit acts of horror. Hating becomes impossible as it becomes clear that the perpetrator is actually an unhealed victim. Nevertheless, we all have a choice and Unfreedom emphasises the consequence of choice.
The film explores the lives of two different characters, Leela (Preeti Gupta) in Delhi and Husain (Bhanu Uday) in New York City.
Leela is a lesbian who...
- 5/25/2015
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
The controversial new film Unfreedom has unveiled its first theatrical trailer. Banned in India and featuring an ensemble cast including Victor Banerjee, the provocative film will be released uncut in U.S. theaters on May 29.
Unfreedom juxtaposes two powerful and unflinching contemporary stories about religious fundamentalism and intolerance. Shifting between New York and New Delhi, one tale follows a Muslim terrorist who kidnaps a liberal Muslim scholar in order to silence him, while the other charts the travails of a young woman whose devout father tries to force her into an arranged marriage, which she resists because she is secretly in love with another woman. The four characters come face to face with gruesome acts of violence in battles of identity, sexuality, religion, love, and family.
Written and directed by Kumar, the film stars Victor Banerjee (A Passage to India, Meherjaan), Bhanu Uday (Monsoon), Bhavani Lee, Preeti Gupta, Seema Rahmani (Good Night Good Morning,...
Unfreedom juxtaposes two powerful and unflinching contemporary stories about religious fundamentalism and intolerance. Shifting between New York and New Delhi, one tale follows a Muslim terrorist who kidnaps a liberal Muslim scholar in order to silence him, while the other charts the travails of a young woman whose devout father tries to force her into an arranged marriage, which she resists because she is secretly in love with another woman. The four characters come face to face with gruesome acts of violence in battles of identity, sexuality, religion, love, and family.
Written and directed by Kumar, the film stars Victor Banerjee (A Passage to India, Meherjaan), Bhanu Uday (Monsoon), Bhavani Lee, Preeti Gupta, Seema Rahmani (Good Night Good Morning,...
- 3/28/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
When a film is “banned” by the Censor Board of Film Certification, you know you are onto something. Well, that is exactly the case with Raj Amit Kumar’s film Unfreedom.
Homosexuality.
Islam.
Thinking outside of convention.
Unfreedom breaks all the “rules”.
The film follows two different lives, the storyline pivoting on a female same-sex relationship and the dangers of religious extremism.
Shifting between New York and Delhi, one story explores the kidnapping of a liberal Muslim scholar by a Muslim terrorist. The other story dives into a woman’s journey -a woman secretly in love with another woman. She faces the challenges of this love when she refuses an arranged marriage set up by her religious father.
Classified as “too controversial” for release in India, the film will release in North American theatres on the 29th of May 2015 and simultaneously on digital channels via Film Buff.
The juxtaposition of...
Homosexuality.
Islam.
Thinking outside of convention.
Unfreedom breaks all the “rules”.
The film follows two different lives, the storyline pivoting on a female same-sex relationship and the dangers of religious extremism.
Shifting between New York and Delhi, one story explores the kidnapping of a liberal Muslim scholar by a Muslim terrorist. The other story dives into a woman’s journey -a woman secretly in love with another woman. She faces the challenges of this love when she refuses an arranged marriage set up by her religious father.
Classified as “too controversial” for release in India, the film will release in North American theatres on the 29th of May 2015 and simultaneously on digital channels via Film Buff.
The juxtaposition of...
- 3/15/2015
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
Mumbai, June 26: Television actress Preeti Gupta, who has been part of films like "Blemished Light" and "Mere Haule Dost", says things are not easy for independent films as cinema is more celebrity-driven in the country.
While "Blemished Light" was screened at the Cannes film festival this year, "Mere Haule Dost" was premiered at the London Asian Film Festival -- the latter released here June 7 but failed to impress the audiences or the critics.
"We are a celebrity-run industry. Here celebrity-value is more important than performance," Preeti told Ians.
But she admits that the Indian audience is evolving.
"In.
While "Blemished Light" was screened at the Cannes film festival this year, "Mere Haule Dost" was premiered at the London Asian Film Festival -- the latter released here June 7 but failed to impress the audiences or the critics.
"We are a celebrity-run industry. Here celebrity-value is more important than performance," Preeti told Ians.
But she admits that the Indian audience is evolving.
"In.
- 6/26/2013
- by Rahul Kapoor
- RealBollywood.com
Mumbai, June 12: Actress Preeti Gupta who has been seen in shows like "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii", says she will shoot with a French director soon.
"There is this film, which is with this French director...right now I don't want to talk about it too much...We will be shooting in India," she said.
The actress made her big screen transition with films - "Blemished Light" and "Mere Haule Dost" and says "everything is challenging in life".
"I went to New York to study method acting. That opened up my world. Then I did two independent films," said Preeti who has even trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute - New.
"There is this film, which is with this French director...right now I don't want to talk about it too much...We will be shooting in India," she said.
The actress made her big screen transition with films - "Blemished Light" and "Mere Haule Dost" and says "everything is challenging in life".
"I went to New York to study method acting. That opened up my world. Then I did two independent films," said Preeti who has even trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute - New.
- 6/12/2013
- by Lohit Reddy
- RealBollywood.com
Fingerchop Film’s Mere Haule Dost will be released under PVR Director’s rare release on June 7th, 2013 in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Pune. Additionally, it was premiered at the London Asian Film Festival on March 12th.
Mere Haule Dost is a fun and quirky ride set against the backdrop of lives of five laid-back friends in the city of Hyderabad. A film for young adults, it is a journey of friendship, girls, parties, bikes, madness and their thrill for the Himalayan bike rally. A group of five friends from Hyderabad prepare for a road trip and the journey of a lifetime. The college buddies decide to take part in the Himalayan bike rally; the catch is that they are down on money and luck. Their families have largely disowned them, their benefactors are tired of their constant demands for cash, and their love lives are a mess.
Mere Haule Dost is a fun and quirky ride set against the backdrop of lives of five laid-back friends in the city of Hyderabad. A film for young adults, it is a journey of friendship, girls, parties, bikes, madness and their thrill for the Himalayan bike rally. A group of five friends from Hyderabad prepare for a road trip and the journey of a lifetime. The college buddies decide to take part in the Himalayan bike rally; the catch is that they are down on money and luck. Their families have largely disowned them, their benefactors are tired of their constant demands for cash, and their love lives are a mess.
- 6/7/2013
- by Pooja Rao
- Bollyspice
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