Tag Archives: Anupama Chopra

News

JIO MAMI 17th Mumbai Film Festival line-up

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The 17th edition of India’s biggest film festival, the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival in association with the STAR India, announced its stellar program line-up which includes new programming sections, special screenings and events. Taking place from October 29th to November 5th in Mumbai, the film festival celebrates the diversity of Indian and international cinema, showcasing the latest cutting-edge independent projects, avant-garde art house films, alongside genre offerings from Bollywood and Hollywood, with a focus on international cult movies.

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The festival’s presenting sponsor is Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJIL) and Associate Sponsor Partner STAR India. Mrs Nita M. Ambani, Founder & Chairperson, Reliance Foundation has been announced as Co-Chair, Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) along with Chairperson Kiran Rao. The Festival Director is renowned writer and film critic, Anupama Chopra.

Other members of the new Board of Trustees of MAMI are Filmmakers Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar, Vishal Bharadwaj, Vikramaditya Motwane, Dibakar Banerjee, Actors Riteish Deshmukh and Deepika Padukone, Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairman & MD, The Mahindra Group, Mr. Ajay Bijli, Chairman and MD, PVR Ltd, Mr. Siddharth Roy Kapur, MD, Disney and Mr. Manish Mundra, Founder and CEO, Drishyam Films. These eminent personalities, outstanding achievers in their respective fields, are bringing together their expertise and experience to give Mumbai and India a bigger, better and even more exciting 17th edition of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.

Starting May 15th when the call for entries was announced, the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival received an unprecedented number of entries of movies this year. The selection committee, programmers and curators selected the best films and have taken a decision to screen nearly 190 films in feature/documentary/short films categories.

Speaking about the return of the festival, Kiran Rao, Chairperson, 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival in association with Star India said: “We are thrilled to announce that Jio MAMI 2015 will present, two Excellence in Cinema awards – one to an international personality and the other to an Indian. I’m also kicked to announce that our international Excellence in Cinema award will be given to the iconic Israeli filmmaker Amos Gitai who has created landmark films and won laurels around the globe including two Palme D’Or nominations. Our Indian Excellence in Cinema award will be given to two legendary screenwriters who changed the course of Indian cinema and created several classics – they are none other than Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. We are also introducing a special section called ‘Half Ticket’ for kids, which will have an exciting slate of children films from around the world.”

Siddharth Roy Kapur, Anupama, Kiran, Smriti

Mrs Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, Reliance Foundation & Co-Chair, MAMI Board of Trustees, said, “I am honoured with the appointment and the faith that the MAMI Board of Trustees has reposed in me. I thank them for inviting me to be a part of this movement that will showcase the best of Indian and world cinema. Jio MAMI deserves to be recognized as one of the best film festivals in the world. We are convinced that Jio will have a lot to do with films, and films will have a lot to do with Jio.”

Uday Shankar, CEO, STAR India said, “Star India believes in content that inspires a billion imaginations and moves the nation forward and MAMI is all about celebrating the joy of cinema. By supporting this festival we want to do our bit to fuel imagination that we all know has the power to change the world.”

Announcing the stellar program line-up for the festival, Anupama Chopra, Festival Director, 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival said, “We are here because of the generosity of many people.  Foremost among them is Jio and our associate sponsor – STAR India. And I also want to thank our third partner – the Government of Maharashtra. Our aim is to create a movie-soaked week in which you can see the best of Indian and international cinema. We want to foster a cultural exchange, enable conversations and shape a cinematic sensibility.”

For more information on MAMI and the upcoming 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival scheduled to be held from 29th October- 5th November 2015, visit: http://www.mumbaifilmfestival.com The film screenings will take place at PVR Juhu, PVR Citi Mall, Andheri, PVR LP, Phoenix Mills, PVR Ghatkopar and Regal-Colaba. To attend, viewers can register online at http://in.bookmyshow.com/mami/ or visit registration counters at the festival venues listed above.

News

Aligarh to open 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival

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AligarhEros International’s ‘Aligarh’, the latest film from National award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta, has been selected as the opening film at the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival on October 30th 2015. This pivotal film marks the first time that a Hindi film will open the festival since 1997, the inaugural year of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.

Set in a small town in Uttar Pradesh from which the film takes its name, ‘Aligarh’ is the story of a professor (Manoj Bajpayee) fired for his sexuality and a young journalist (Rajkummar Rao) who tells his story to the world. Based on true events, the film follows Dr. S R Siras, a professor at the Aligarh Muslim University who, when discovered to be homosexual, was fired from his position.  The film depicts the unlikely friendship between Dr. Siras and a reporter investigating his first big story, a relationship that will change them both forever.

Aligarh has been selected to screen at the 20th Busan International Film Festival in South Korea and the 59th BFI London Film Festival, this October. This will mark the first time in almost two decades that a Hindi film will open the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.

“I am overjoyed that Aligarh, my first film about a city other than Mumbai is the opening film of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. This is a befitting reward for a team that has worked selflessly to make a film they are passionate about. This festival holds a very special place in my heart as it began a journey of awards for Shahid which was until then an unheralded dark horse in a year of sparkling indies. We (Eros International, my team and me) are looking forward to the night and to sharing this special film with the amazing MAMI audience,” said  Hansal Mehta, who won the National Award for Best Direction in 2013 with his critically acclaimed Shahid.

Producer Sunil Lulla, Managing Director, Eros International added, “We are delighted at the selection of Aligarh for this recognition at a significant film platform like Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. This strengthens our belief at Eros International in backing the vision of directors like Hansal who tell meaningful, humane stories through their films.” 

Upon announcing the decision to open the festival with Aligarh, Anupama Chopra, Festival Director, said, “Aligarh is a powerful film that tells an important story on a sensitive subject. Hansal Mehta has a unique ability to tell uncommon human stories on the celluloid screen. Our mission is to showcase exciting and thought-provoking stories and I am sure our audience will enjoy our festival opener.”

Hansal Mehta’s illustrious career began in television, where he directed the cooking show Khana Khazana (1993–2000) starring Sanjeev Kapoor. Mehta made his feature film debut with  Jayate (1999), which screened at the International Film Festival of India in Hyderabad as part of the Indian Panorama (1999-2000).  He followed up his debut with the cult hit Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar in 2000, and spent the next decade making feature length and short films. He is best known for his moving biopic Shahid in 2013. The film, starring Rajkummar Rao, chronicles the life of Shahid Azmi, a human rights lawyer murdered in 2010. Mehta and Rao continued to collaborate in Mehta’s next film, City Lights, an adaptation of Metro Manila, a British independent film.   

The 17th Jio MAMI’s Mumbai Film Festival will be held in Mumbai from October 29th to November 5th 2015. The film screenings will take place at PVR Versova, PVR Citi Mall, Andheri, PVR LP, Phoenix Mills and Regal – Colaba. To attend the festival, viewers can register online at http://in.bookmyshow.com/mami/ or visit registration counters at the festival venues listed above.

Along with Chairperson Kiran Rao and Festival Director Anupama Chopra, the members of the new Board of Trustees of MAMI are Filmmakers Farhan Akhtar, Karan Johar and Vikramaditya Motwane, Actors Riteish Deshmukh and Deepika Padukone, Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairman & MD, The Mahindra Group, Mr. Ajay Bijli, Chairman and MD, PVR Ltd, Mr. Siddharth Roy Kapur, MD, Disney and Mr. Manish Mundra, Founder and CEO, Drishyam Films. These eminent personalities, outstanding achievers in their respective fields, are bringing together their expertise and experience to give Mumbai and India a bigger, better and even more exciting 17th edition of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.

Interviews

Interview: ‘I don’t like to associate myself with any camps’- Kangana Ranaut

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Hungama_QueenBollywood beauty Kangana Ranaut speaks to Sunny Malik about her next release, Queen.

The film is a feel-good and female-centric flick directed by Vikas Bahl and produced by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures. 

Queen releases in UK cinemas on 7th March 2014 through B4U.

How was your experience attending the Burberry show at the recently concluded London Fashion Week?
It was really beautiful. London was great as it didn’t rain that day. We were expecting it to rain and it didn’t. So we were quite lucky with the weather (Laughs). It was my first experience at an international fashion week and show. Burberry and I go long back as they have been dressing me for red carpet appearances and events. I was thrilled to see their collection. I loved how they received me. It was just a lovely experience.

Your film Queen was postponed from February to March and is now clashing with two other films at the UK Box Office…
The makers weren’t sure yet as we have a song called ‘Hungama Ho Gaya’ and they wanted it to become slightly more popular. They wanted to market the song more extensively which is why the release date was postponed by a week. The film is now releasing on 7th March. I think, it was a call taken by the makers, the marketing team and the distributors. They all wanted to promote the music further because it’s the kind of soundtrack that grows on you after you listen to it a few times. We don’t have clichéd Bollywood numbers inspired by the 70’s which you can’t hear ever again after liking them and listening to them a few times. Vikas Bahl, the director, told me that this music needs time to become popular.

People have been praising your performance after watching just the trailer…
I am getting amazing reactions. Mr. Amitabh Bachchan has apparently tweeted about the trailer. I also met him at a party recently. Mr. Bachchan, Mr. Aamir Khan and Mr. Salman Khan all told me that they are eagerly waiting to watch the film. What else can one ask for? It’s very important to me because I have felt accepted for the first time. I have never received such support for any of my films before.

You have never been a part of camps… Do you feel that the film fraternity has accepted you now?
I don’t like to associate myself with any camps or such. I want to do my own thing. I like to have a little personal life whenever I can. I’d like to be my own person. I don’t want to just cling onto others. I feel that everyone has their own goals. My goal is mine and I don’t need to associate that with another person’s goals. I like to keep it that way. I’d love to work with artists such as Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, Mr. Aamir Khan and Mr. Salman Khan, at the same time it is not the goal of my life or career. It’s not something I am working towards. I am not sure about acceptance from the film fraternity as I don’t work for anyone. I work for myself and my own happiness. It’s alright if people don’t accept me. I won’t be unhappy about it.

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Vikas Bahl just produced Hasee Toh Phasee and is known to make exceptional films. How was your experience being directed by him in Queen?
What I love about these contemporary filmmakers is their spontaneity. They allow artists to contribute to the film in many ways. Vikas allowed me to write dialogues of the film, not that I was planning to or worked towards it. It just happened very organically. He liked what I was coming up with and he let me write my own dialogues. At the same time, he understands the needs of an artist. I remember, I was working multiple shifts and was filming for Krrish 3 and Queen simultaneously. One day when I came from the sets of Krrish 3, Vikas asked me what was wrong with me as I wasn’t behaving and walking like my character Rani. I can’t just switch on and switch off. It takes me months to get into a character and I can’t just work like a robot. He understood that and respected me as an artist. He didn’t shoot with me that day. It’s nice to work with such a director because you then put your all into his film because he respects you.

Could you relate to your character Rani?
I don’t really relate to the character. She has major issues. She believes that by changing herself, she can please people around her. Her goal is to keep everyone happy. She is really naïve. I don’t identify with these traits of her personality. But at the same time, I also come from a middle class background and I understand how and why she feels that way. I have also come from a small city to a big one. But I never had issues like low self-esteem. Everyone has these phases but it’s not something I have experiences throughout my life like Rani has.

How was your experience shooting in places like Amsterdam and Paris?
We frequently shoot abroad but mainly for songs for which we dress up quite a lot. You look like an actress and people come and take pictures with you (laughs). However, for this film I had a very girl-next-door look and honestly, looked very ordinary. People would look at me and wonder why I am so special and why would someone make a movie with me (Laughs). That was a bit different. People would ask the crew “Is she the leading actress?” You know, people have this idea of a Bollywood actress wearing a chiffon saree and her hair flying (laughs) but that wasn’t the case with me.

QUEEN What kind of roles do you want to do?
I am very happy what I am being offered. I am happy with films like Queen and Revolver Rani. I am also doing the sequel to Tanu Weds Manu. I really can’t tell what exactly I want to do in the future but I would love to do a sci-fi film after doing Krrish 3. I would love to do films like Tomb Raider or Kill Bill. I want to do films which are stylish, sci-fi and about women. It will be a good change and it would challenge me as a performer. I have been missing a stylish character after Fashion. I would love to save the world in a film (laughs).

Three big films are releasing on Friday including Queen…
It’s sad as I would have loved to have a solo release for Queen (laughs).

Bollywood films with Khans or rom-coms do really well abroad and in the UK. What are your expectations from Queen?
I can’t really tell. It’s a shame that some people abroad watch my films only on DVD. Tanu Weds Manu, Fashion and Gangster are really popular abroad but everyone has seen it on DVD or TV. It is different for an audience abroad compared to our audience in India. Indian audiences are very Bollywood oriented. They watch our films every weekend. That is the only entertainment they get here. I don’t know how it works in the UK. I hope that people like it in the UK because Queen has an international appeal.

Queen- Gujariya (3)You are not on Twitter. Why is that?
I have a website which I try to update as much as possible but I am not on Facebook or Twitter. I am not a very social person (laughs).

Your interview with Anupama Chopra went viral on social media…
I never thought that the interview would go viral. That is just how I am. I had no clue that it had gone viral for the longest time. Initially, when messages started to pour in, I would get ten messages a day. I was giving a lot of interviews during the promotions of Krrish 3 and the messages just didn’t stop at all. Then I said, ‘Which interview was it?’ and people told me that it was my interview with Anupama Chopra. Then I saw it and realised that it was really nice and they had also edited it quite nicely.

Watch the trailer here: