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TELEVISION SHOWS
Kundali Bhagya (DESTINED LOVE) Family Drama
Kundali Bhagya is an intriguing story about two young girls Preeta and Shrishti. They discover the existence of their mother – Sarla and their sister Pragya, after the death of their father. Amidst this journey of mixed emotions the girl’s cross paths with two rich brothers, Rishabh and Karan. The story will then introduce romance, drama and dispute in the lives of Preeta, Shrishti, Rishabh and Karan.
Deceptive Measures (PAVITRA RISHTA) Family Drama
The story revolves around a middle-class girl, who is not highly educated and yet handles her house impeccably. Everyone is dependent on her however it is only her brother and her mother who really value her. Her mother has a sole aim of finding a good alliance for her daughter. The series has been filmed across Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria and the first season runs 52 one-hour episodes.
Tujhse Hai Raabta (COSMIC CONNECTION) Family Drama
The story revolves around the bittersweet relationship between a daughter and her stepmother, who are forced to live together after a tragedy strikes in the family.
Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega (THE RELATIONSHIP CONUNDRUM) Family Drama
It is a light-hearted story of a 20-year old girl, Guddan, who having bumbled and fumbled through most of her life and being told by her own family that she can barely get one thing right, finds herself becoming India’s youngest mother in law to three older daughters-in-law by a quirk of circumstances.
FILMS (HINDI)
Gully Boy: (2019) Indian Hindi language Musical Drama, directed by Zoya Akhtar
Inspired by the lives of Indian street rappers, Divine and Nazey, the film is coming of age story about a street rapper from the Dharavi slums of Mumbai.
Raazi: (2018) Indian Hindi Language Spy Thriller, directed by Meghna Gulzar
This is a story of an undercover RAW agent who is married into a Pakistani family by her father to acquire valuable piece of information about the enemy.
Kesari: (2018) Indian Hindi Language Action war Film, directed by Anurag Singh
Kesari is a true story about one of the bravest battles fought in India ‘The Battle Of Saragarhi’, in which an army of 21 Sikhs fought against 10,000 Afghans in 1897. This is a story of Havildar Ishar Singh, a soldier in the British Indian Army, who leads the battle that unfolds the greatest last-stand in military history.
Article 15: (2019) Indian Hindi Language Crime Drama, directed by Anubhav Sinha
The film deals with Article 15 of the Constitution of India, which prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
Dream Girl: (2019) Indian Hindi Language Comedy Drama, directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa
This film is a complete family entertainer coupled with a love story that deals with one trying to win the heart of another and is one of the quirkiest comedies of the year.
Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare / Dolly Kitty And Those Twinkling Stars: (2019) Indian Hindi Language Comedy Satire Film, directed by Alankrita Shrivastava
The World Premiere will be held at the upcoming 24th Busan International Film Festival in the month of October, 2019. The film is helmed by the makers of renowned film, ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ and is all set to push the same space with more fun, humor, frolic and a context that will engage and entertain in equal measure.
Manikarnika – The Queen of Jhansi: (2019) Indian Hindi Language Period Drama, directed by Radha Krishna Jagartamudi and actress Kangana Ranaut
This film is based on the life of Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi who fought against the British East India Company, during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The makers of the film hosted a special screening for the President of India (Ram Nath Kovind) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the President felicitated the artistes of the film prior to its official release in theatres.
The success of movies underscoring Indian ethos and nationalism, or challenging social norms, reflects the people’s desire to feel personal connection to the past and influence by the current set of political and social narratives, turning a movie experience into an active collaboration between the movie maker and the audience for awakening human conscience. By Dr S. Raghunath
With entertainment content from anywhere in the world being only
a click away, recent Bollywood releases are continuing to draw the audience to
the movie halls. The success of movies such as Raazi, Uri, Kesari, Padmavat and
many others shows the role of movies in shaping the way people today feel the
need to visualize, understand and feel invested in events and happenings
relating to their country – India. It appears as if it is not just the Indian
movie audience in cinema halls that are demonstrating their veneration for the
flag and national anthem, but so are the moviemakers in a similar mode of
reverence and adoration.
While
considering the experiential mode of engagement in a movie hall as evident from
the box office figures, it appears to be influenced by the current set of
political and social narratives. There is a popular desire to have a felt,
personal connection to the past – distant or recent.
Indians
who derive an understanding of current happenings of national importance do so
by reading the newspaper or watching the debates on television and interpreting
the issues in the recent and distant past, specifically on the role of women in
spearheading the Indian ethos and nationalism; the discrimination of people on
the basis of caste or the heroic acts of bravery and defense.
Movies
based on the knowledge of such events are enabled in interesting and
provocative ways by a range of popular representations of the recent past, situations
where the audience is not merely being presented enactments of the recent past,
but are being forced to reflect on their own act of thinking as well.
Consider
the movie Article 15. The movie deals with Article 15 of the Constitution of
India, which prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex
or place of birth.
While the
movie content is claimed to be based on multiple true life events including
2014 Badaun gang rape allegations and 2016 Una flogging incident, the storyline
follows the socio-political situation of the country. The movie attempts to
deepen the understanding and reflects on social mores that have antecedents in
history that require attention.
How the
audience in the movie hall understands and uses its societal awareness is by
having some kind of immediate, direct access to it while viewing the movie and,
therefore, the understanding of societal anomalies turns into an active
collaboration between the movie maker and the audience for awakening human
conscience. The experience in the movie hall then is not of just reliving the
past but of pulling the past and present together in a short frame of two
hours. Movies such as Article 15 making it to the box office, signifies an
emerging profound and popular desire to touch and be touched by recent events
and distant history pertaining to social anomalies.
People are also most motivated to action by those issues in
which they feel a personal stake. The expressed reaction of the
audience while watching the movie Uri – The Surgical Strike was reportedly
exceptional. The movie is about the Indian Army’s special forces carrying out a
covert operation, avenging the killing of fellow army men at their base by a
terrorist group. Moreover, the year 2018 until mid 2019 was a period in the
country when heightened awareness of political and military related events
concerned the audience.
Movies
such as Kesari and Uri, which are about historic events such as those relating
to Indian soldiers in British regiments or the Uri attack, foster narratives
that touch, move and provoke, engaging not only intellectually but in affective
ways as well. These are fresh attempts by moviemakers to offer a cinematic
experience that produces historical knowledge and appreciation.
All these movies use a variety of techniques to shock rather than to pacify the audience. There is a revolutionary impact of montage—the piecing together of the movie so as to create a jarring or shocking experience for the audience. The cinematic experience possibly leads to cognitive shifts in thoughts and ideas translating to societal and historical insights. As a result, there is also a certain character type that is emerging as a preference of the discerning audience. The characteristics of the Indian hero or heroine—his or her composure, commitment to unfettered movement towards
the justifiable goals; reluctant but morally clarified use of violence—make him
or her the super hero or heroine.
Inevitably
the protagonist is presented as a brave, independent, considerate character and
the reappearance of these qualities, movies after movies suggest how the
patriotic Indian functions as a symbol of national pride.
In such
movies a debate arises of whether violence is justifiable. That debate is
resolved through the view that violence is justified when it is inflicted on
the guilty in the name of justice. Therefore, these movies in a sense justify
vigilantism.
For
example, Raazi, an adaptation of Harinder Sikka’s 2008 novel Calling Sehmat, is
a true account of an Indian Research and Analysis (RAW) agent who, upon her
father’s request, is married into a family of military officials in Pakistan to
relay information to India, prior to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and she
successfully carries out her mission at great personal risk.
Similarly,
the movie Kesari depicts the valour of Havaldar Ishar Singh as a part of the
Sikh Regiment of British Indian Army posted at Gulistan fort along the Indian
Afghan border.
The movie
follows the events leading to the Battle of Saragarhi, a battle between 21
soldiers of the 36th Sikhs of the British Indian Army and 6,000–10,000 Afridi
and Orakzai Pashtun tribesmen in 1897.
These movies represent entertainment
content, wherein a society sees its fantasies acted on the screen. When the
society’s fantasies evolve, so do unconventional plots and visual details in
movie making .The flexibility of Bollywood’s conventions ensures its
adaptability for popular Indian society’s shifting concerns and interests.
The Indian film industry, which produces the largest number of movies in the world, is on the cusp of a radical transformation and its steady rise in the global M&E space is clearly visible.
Chinese President Xi Jinping told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
that he watched Aamir Khan- starred sports drama Dangal and liked it. This underscores
the growing influence of Indian cinema and its increasing global footprint.
There is a
steady growth in the visibility, volume and cultural visibility of India – from
Bollywood to Bhangra music, from mobile telephony to India’s influence in
Silicon Valley – India has revolutionised in the production, distribution and
consumption of images and ideas.
Last year turned out to be the
most successful year for Indian films which were exported to more than 35
global territories internationally. USA, UK, China Gulf, Australia and Canada topped
the list of Indian films in overseas territories. Around 125 movies (Hindi and
regional films) were released in overseas theatrical markets in 2018.
Hailed as the best
Indian movie of 2018, Sriram Raghavan’s Andhadhun, an official adaption of
the French short film The Piano Tuner, had a successful run in China. Made at a
budget of less than $5 million it raked in around $50 million in box office
collections in China.
China alone
accounted for $272 million in box office collection for 10 Indian films in
2018. “Indian films have been gradually making inroads both through the
co-venture route (which films do not form part of China’s quota of foreign
films) and co-production treaties,” says a recent EY report.
Indian films also
made inroads into Saudi Arabia which lifted its decade old ban on cinemas,
allowing theatres to open in Saudi Arabia.
Indian filmmakers have embraced new ways of telling stories, and this is
increasingly visible on global platforms. “Indian content is in big demand and
new avenues are opening up, for example China. The local market is huge in
India, which is the only country in the world with nearly 12 dialects per
language. As the dubbing industry is growing, all platforms are realising the
value of localisation. The popularity and footprint of the platforms is
increasing immensely due to this and this has resulted into emergence of
Netfilx and Amazon, who are setting up offices in India and producing India
specific content for global market as well,” says Manish Dutt, MD, VR Films
& Studios.
Raazi
There’s no doubt today that Indian cinema is India’s soft power and is seen in over 100 countries. Thanks to platforms like Netflix, it is instantly visible and experienced now.
Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui happened to be vacationing in Italy on the day that Sacred Games, the critically acclaimed Netflix political thriller in which he stars, was released online around the world. Just couple hours after Sacred Games was released, Nawazuddin got recognized on the streets in Italy. There are examples of new narratives, fresh stories, unknown stars, women power and successful films in regional languages across Indian movie production centres. That
sums up the changing landscape of Indian cinema in 2018.
The Indian movie industry is a gargantuan entity. From
its seven production centers, India produces nearly 1,800 films in 20-odd
languages a year – more than the output of China and the US counted together.
The success of small budget films
like Badhaai Ho (Amit Sharma), Andhadhun (Sriram Raghavan), Stree (Amar
Kaushik) and Raazi (Meghna Gulzar) proved that Indian film audiences’
consumption habits are changing.
They are looking for new narratives, new
genres than formula films. If the content is mediocre, however big stars may be
is getting rejected at the box office. Most of these small budget films were
made on a budget of less than Rs 40 crore but yielded at least thrice the
amount at the box office. Raazi made almost Rs 200 crores!
The year 2018 also proved that films
laced with good content and powerful performances can overpower the stars who
ruled the box office collections of Bollywood films over the years.
Fox Star India Studio’s film Sanju
emerged as one of India’s all-time blockbusters
at the box office followed by Padmaavat, Simba, 2.0, Race 3, Baaghi
2, Badhaai Ho, Stree,
Raazi, and Sonu ke Titu ki
Sweety.
Apart from these, films in regional
languages such as 2.0, KGF Chapter 1, Rangasthalam, Bharat Ane Nenu, Kaala, Arvindha
Sametha Veera Raghava and Geeta Govindam performed well in terms of box office
collections.
Industry experts maintained that 2018
also saw emergence of OTT platforms as an alternative for theatrical release as
well as for films which had a good run in cinema screens. However, for small
budget movies, video OTT platforms (like Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Zee 5, Netlfix,
Eros Now) have opened a new market place.
“OTT is the new field for TV drama and independent film making. It has changed everything, scripts, budgets, quality of art, even the list of senior crew and actors prepared to work on the smaller formats,” says producer and filmmaker Bobby Bedi, currently producing over a dozen web series.
Sarkar
FILM ON THE SMALL SCREEN
“I have viewed more and better drama
in the last two years than I have viewed in the last 20. Never a fan of
ad breaks, I never saw films on TV and my lifestyle rarely permitted me to plan
a film outing unless it was really ‘one of those big ones’. Today I look forward
to my post dinner two (maybe three) hours of viewing across a range of
content. Addictive web-series and films I couldn’t see.” Bedi adds.
The Government of India has
recognized India’s Audio Visual Sector as one of the Champion Service sectors
for export growth. India is also one of the most liberated media markets in the world. The country offers highly liberal policy environment for
investments in film sector.
From talents (both on-and off-screen), to locales to an industry-friendly Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, India is already a one-stop destination for global filmmakers. The establishment of Film Facilitation Office (FFO) by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting as a single window clearance for film shooting across India, and the ease of doing business, have made India a very attractive destination for film business. Many State governments in
India are aggressively wooing global filmmakers in their regions.
Many Indian companies have created top-end studio facilities in India that serve as single windows to fulfil the needs of the M&E industry. Their international business model offers local and remote clients the opportunity to produce and co-produce and distribute content anywhere around the world.
Top movies of 2018
2.0
Language:Tamil
Director: S. Shankar
Staring: Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Adil Hussain
Here is a sneak peek into films in the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India 2018. These movies belong to multiple genres and present stories from various parts of India, besides showcasing the best of the talent across the country. .
• Shaji N Karun Director of OLU (Opening Film – Feature Film), this is his seventh film in Indian Panorama. • Kaushik Ganguly Director of Nagarkirtan, consecutively his film has been selected in Indian Panorama for the 9th time. • First film in Jasari language (Lakshwadeep) is screening in Indian Panorama i.e. Sinjar, directed by Pampally. • Nagamese film Nani Teri Morni directed by Akashaditiya Lama is the only film selected from North East • Ladakhi film Walking with Wind directed by Praveen Morchale will be screened in Indian Panorama. • Women directors from Feature Film: Pratima Joshi, Priya Krishnaswamy, Meghna Gulzar
AAMHI DOGHI
2018 Marathi 140 min Colour
When teenager Savi is introduced to her stepmother, she doesn’t display any emotion. Having been trained to be practical, Savi leads an independent life which even results in the loss of her love life. Her illiterate stepmother makes her realize that being emotional is not foolish, and if she is independent, so should her emotions be. When the dry, practical Savi finds this point of view of life and the world, she is suddenly like everyone of us.
The film captures a series of unexplained and unusual events which turn Indra into a man he never thought he would become. These events unfold through the film’s three most integral characters: Indra’s mother Saathi, his father Kaushik and his father’s friend and his favourite uncle Ruudra. The film travels through various time lapses and captures the stirring and unexplainable situations and the intricacies and complexities of these relationships.
Director: Arjunn Dutta Producer: Trina Films DOP: Supratim Bhol (WICA) Story & Screenplay: Arjunn Dutta Editor: Sujay Datta Ray Music: Soumya Rit Nag Cast: Alpita Chattetjee, Adil Hussain, Anubhav Kanjilal, Samontak Dyuti Maitra, Anirban Ghosh, Kheya Chattopadhyay, Pinky Banerjee, Lily Chakraborty, Debjani Chatterjee
BAARAM
2018 Tamil 92 min Colour
Karuppasamy, a widowed night watchman, lives with his sister and three nephews – Veera, Mani and Murugan – at a small town in Tamil Nadu. While returning from his shift one morning, he breaks his hip in an accident. While his nephews want him to be treated in town, his son Senthil takes him to his ancestral village, to be healed by a traditional healer. After eight days, Karuppasamy dies. At his funeral, Veera hears something that makes wonder. How did Karuppasamy die?
Director, Writer & Editor: Priya Krishnaswamy Producer: Priya Krishnaswamy DOP: Jayanth Mathavan Music: Ved Nair Cast: R. Raju, Sugumar Shamnugam, SuPa Muthukumarm, Jayalakshmi, and Stella Gobi
BHAYANAKAM
2017 Malayalam 123 min Colour
A First World War veteran is coming to a small backwater village in Kerala as a postman. He is distributing money orders and letters to the family of soldiers as a symbol of happiness. He turns out to be an omen of death once the Second World War starts. The pain and impact of the war is shown through the telegrams and postman’s dilemma.
Budhni, a poor girl from Bihar’s Musahar community, is split between her desire to study and her family’s demand for marriage. She agrees to marry Sugan after he promises to let her continue her studies. After marriage, she faces another challenge – ending the practice of open defecation. Sugan agajn supports and facilitates her with innovative makeshift toilet in the house. Bhor captures the nuances and emotions that define the relationship between Budhni and Sugan as she fights for education and sanitation.
Diretor: Kamakhya Narayan Singh Producer: Gyanesh Film Production House DOP: Jogendra Nath Panda Editor: Navanita Sen Cast: Saveree Gaur, Devesh Ranjan, Nalneesh Neel, Rajeev Pandey, Pavleen Gujral
DHAPPA
2017 Marathi 115 min Colour
A political group in Pune disrupts rehearsals of Anuradha’s new children’s play on environmental issues with the messages of Jesus Christ and Sant Tukaram. They object to Jesus Christ being a part of a play to be staged during the Ganesh festival. While the elders relent, the children don’t find anything offensive in the play. They try asking their elders but find no acceptable answers. Eventually, they decide to take matters in their own hands and find answers through their play.
Vavachan, a master mason belonging to the Latin Catholic community in Kerala, shares memories of his fathers burial with his son Eesy. He expresses a desire of a grand funeral for himself, which Eesy promises. After Vavachan’s sudden death, Eesy tries to arrange a decent funeral for him but is met with unpredictable obstacles and reactions from different quarters. The subsequent events bring to the fore the conflicts within the family and the deep ethical crisis simmering in the community.
Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery Producer: OPM Cinemas DOP: Shyju Khalid Story & Script: P.F.Mathews Editor: Deepu Joseph Cast: Chemban Vinod, Vinayakan.T.K. Dileesh Pothan, Kainagiri Thnkaraj, Pouly Valsan, Krishna Padmakumar, Arya K. S.
MAHANATI
MAHANATI
2017 Telugu 176 min Colour
Mahanati chronicles the life of South Indian film industry’s first lady superstar – Savitri. Despite unmatched beauty and talent, Savitri initially faces rejection. She eventually gets a break as a lead actress in Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952), and her life changes forever. Her journey to fame, marriage to Tamil star Gemini Ganesan and dramatic downfall make her story one of the most heart wrenching romantic tragedies ever.
The film unveils the repercussions and tantrums of an orthodox couple, when their daughter elopes and marries a man belonging to a different religion. The love for their daughter and deep-rooted religious dogma creates a dilemma among the parents. The film ends with a note of their realisation that all religions must be propagating humanistic values and brotherhood, and that their daughter is far more important than the religion they believe in.
Born as a boy in rural Bengal, Parimal realised he is a woman trapped in a man’s body. He seeks refuge at a transgender shelter in Kolkata, and become Puti. There ‘she’ meets the love of her life Madhu, a flute player. Realising that even the transgenders won’t accept their relationship, they flee. But their plight had only begun. The film explores their devotion to eternal love in a rigid society where many such love stories are lost to social shame.
Dan, 21, leads a carefree life, revolving around a bunch of friends and fellow hotel interns. Shiuli, a colleague, is often at the receiving end of Dan’s audaciousness. Life goes on until a sudden turn of events smashes Dan and Shiuli’s lives together in an unusual bond. The emotional connection between them goes through a metamorphosis that brings out a form of love that’s unlike other, and leads to an internal awakening. October is a story of love…yet not a love story.
Director: Shoojit Sircar Producers: Rising Sun Filma & Kino Works DOP: Avik Mukhopadhyay Editor: Chandraasekhar Prajapati Music: Shantanu Moitra, Anupam Roy, Abhishek Arora Cast: Varun Dhawan, Banita Sandhu, GitanjaliRao
Still From olu (She)
OLU
2018 Malayalam 109 min Colour
Olu (She) is the tale of a gypsy girl who mysteriously survives under the Kerala backwaters where she has been sunk by her rapists. Only during full moon nights, can she see the world above water. It is on such a night that she happens to meet Vasu, a young untalented painter, rowing his boat. Out of love, she empowers him to create paintings that will change his life. But their contrasting inner visions oflove may remain unbridgeable.
Director: Shaji N.Kanu Producer: AVA Productions DOP: M.J.Radhakrisnan Screeplay: T.D.Ramakrisnan Editor: Sreekar Prasad Music: Isaac Thomas Kottukapally/Sreevalson Cast: Shane Nigam, Esther Ani!
PADDAYI
PADDAYI
2017 Tulu 100 min Colour
Paddayi is a modem day adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Madhava and Sugandhi is a newly-married couple from the fishing community of south India. Their lust for better life is ignited by the prophecies from the spirit that wander the land. Dinesha, owner of a fleet, gives them new dreams. But when their life was on a new high, he betrays them. Now the couple is determined to take a bitter revenge. The story soon turns into a tale of murder and regrets.
Director & Writer: Abhaya Simha Producer: Gopal Pai Films DOP: Vishnu Prasad P. Editor: Prashant Pandit Music: Kadri Manikanth Cast: Gopinath Bhat, Mohan Sheni, Bindu Raxidi, Chandrahas Ullal
PADMAAVAT
PADMAAVAT
2018 Hindi 165 min Colour
The legend of Queen Padmavati’s exceptional beauty reaches Allaudin Khilji. Obsessed with Padmavati, the sultan lays siege on the impregnable Chittorgarh fortress. After a gruelling six months, he returns to Delhi empty handed but returns with a bigger army. A fearsome battle ensues with Chittor King Maharawal Ratan Singh, who dies defending his kingdom and his queen. Khilji manages to breach the fortress but fails to capture Padmavati as she commits johar (self immolation) to protect her dignity.
Unable to cope up with a child with spastic paralysis, Amudhavan goes to Dubai to work. He has to return to take care of his daughter Paapa when his wife elopes. When she attans puberty, he addresses her biological needs. But he loses himself and his assets to an affair wi1h a maid. When Paapa explores her sexuality just like he did, Amudhavan couldn’t bear it, but hope comes in the form of a transgender who helps them resurrect a new life.
Director & Writer: Ram Producer: Shree Raaja Lakshmi Films DOP: Theni Eswar Editor: Suriya Pradhaman Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja Cast: Mammootty, Sadhna, Anjali, Anjali Ameer, Paavel Navageethan, Samuthirakani
PARIYERUM PERUMAL BA.BL
PARIYERUM PERUMAL BA.BL
2018 Tamil 154 min Colour
Pariyerum Perumal a.k.a Pariyan is pursuing his law degree in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. Back in his village, he has a hunting dog Karuppi. When the pet is suddenly killed, he is devastated. At the college, a girl Jo offers help in studies and they develop friendship. Meanwhile, the mysterious killer, who is killing unsuspecting innocents, is now lurking around Pariyan. The more he tries to evade the war, the more he is sucked into it. This is a tale of romance, rage and resilience.
Poomaram conveys that ‘Art is life’ and the ‘life is an art’. At the annual youth festival, several colleges participate with music bands and dance troupes but only a few can win. As teams arrive with aspirations, Professor Anandan teaches his students to go beyond the spirit of competition and while performing, experience the purest form of art – enjoyment. His students are committed to the cause but then there are others who have different plans. A clash is inevitable.
Raazi is a true life espionage thriller set in 1971. A 20-year-old Delhi university student, Sehmat is called back home to Kashmir by her parents. Her father, an influential businessman, has fixed Sehmat’s marriage with Pakistani Brigadier’s son. The real reason for Sehmat’s marriage is a covert mission: she is to be sent as a spy into a Pakistani military family and source out all the information that she can get on Pakistan’s strategy in the impending Indo-Pak war.
Sa chronicles life of a simple family in West Bengal, in the aftermath of mass migration following the birth of Bangladesh. The birth of Lalu brings great joy but the tragic circumstances force his father to send Lalu to his childhood friend. a venerated maestro of Indian classical music. There he picks up lessons on culture, religion and urban-rural divide and learns to live with a smile and a belief that ‘everything is going to be all right.’
Director: Arijit Singh Producer: Oriyon Edutainment Works Story: Koyel Singh DOP: Anirban Chatterjee Cast: Lalu Pragun Singh, Tukai Srija Ghosh, Lokhai Anindya Pulak Banerjee, Shyamali Deblina Sen
SINJAR
2017 Jasari 114 min Colour
Sinjar revolves around Ansar, an ordinary fisherman living in Kavaratti (in Lakshadweep Island), his sister Suhara and his fiancee Fida. The movie captures how the two ladies, who are held captive and exploited by the ISIS terrorists in Sinjar, a place near Iraq, survive and fight the communal situation in Kavaratti. when they return. One of the women decides to bring up her illegitimate child into this world and raise him as a good Muslim. Sinjar is the first Jasari language film.
Director & Writer: Pampally Producer: Movie Junction DOP: Sanjay Harris Editor: Lijo Paul Cast: Musthafa, Srinda Arhaan, Mythili, Binoy Nambala
SUDANI FROM NIGERIA
2018 Malayalam 120 min Colour
Majid, a typical football lover from Malappuram in Kerala, works as a recruitment agent of foreign players for local tournaments. When Samuel, a Nigerian footballer hired by him, suffers a severe back injury and is advised two months’ bed rest, Majid is obliged to take him home. Ecstatic to host a foreign footballer, Majid’s relatives and neighbourhood shower their love on Samuel. But soon the beautiful friendship is disrupted by the state officials in the name of law.
Tiger Zinda Hai continues the story of two super spies Tiger and Zoya from Ek Tha Tiger (2012), who are officially declared ‘dead’. When the Indian and Pakistani nurses are held hostage at an Iraqi hospital by terrorists, RAW chief Shenoy has just seven days to rescue them and he needs Tiger. Shenoy manages to locate Tiger and Zoya, and briefs them about the case. Tiger is reluctant at first, but he on Zoya’s insistence agrees to go on the mission to save the nurses.
Director: AliAbbas Zafar Producer: Yash Raj Films DOP: Marcin Laskawiec, USC Story: Neelesh Misra, AliAbbas Zafar Editor: Rameshwar S.Bhagat Music: Vishal and Shekhar Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif
TO LET
2017 Tamil 99 min Colour
To Let is the story of a couple with a child living in a rented house in Chennai. It takes place in 2007 when the metro city was experiencing a real estate boom as a result of an exponential development of the IT sector. A little too greedy for a higher rent, the land owner asks the couple to vacate their house. They have only thirty days to find new accommodation with their modest middle¬class income. On their moped, the couple starts a race against time and all kinds of prejudice to get a house.
Uma is a story about a young girl, who is fighting a terminal disease, a father, who is struggling to make his daughter’s dreams come true, and about a director whose past haunts him. It starts off with Uma, a young girl brought up in Austria, being recognised with a terminal disease and goes on about how Himadri, her father takes her to Kolkata to fulfil her dream by setting up a fake Durga Puja the most celebrated festival of the Bengalis.
Director: Srijit Mukherji Producer: SVF Entertainment DOP: Soumik Haldar Screenplay: Srijit Mukherji Editor: Pronoy Das Gupta Music & Lyric : Anupam Ray Cast: Jisshu U.Sengupta, Sara Sengupta, Srabonti, Anjan Dutt, Rurdranil Ghosh, Anirban Bhattacharya, Babul Supriyo, Neel Mukherjee
URONCHONDI
2018 Bengali 100 min Colour
Uronchondi is a story of three women in search of life. Bindi, in her late 30s, escapes her abusive husband in his lorry, driven by Chotu, the young helper. On their way they pick up Minu, a young runaway bride on her way to meet her dream man. Then, they meet Sabitri, a widow in her early 60s, who’s mishandled by her sons. The journey offers them a sense of freedom until the police start chasing them. This story starts and ends on the road.
Director: Abhishek Saha Procucers: Nideas Creations and Productions DOP: Soumik Haldar Editor: Sujay Datta Ray Music: Debojyoti Mishra Cast: Sudipta Chakraborty, Rajnandini Paul, Chitra Sen, Amartya Ray, Arjaa Banerjee, Kaushik Kar, Jayanta Hore
WALKING WITH THE WIND
2017 Ladakhi 79 min Colour
Tsering, a 10-year-old boy in Himalayan terrain, mistakenly breaks his friend’s school chair. His everyday, seven kilometers-long journey to school in mountainous terrain on donkey, turns even more challenging when he decides to bring the chair to his village. The chair silently becomes a metaphor in his awakening journey of life, quest for inner truth and reality in the adult world, which is deeply engrossed in their own. He is unaware that this journey will finally make him a man.
