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Indian cinema particularly, Bollywood and its others regional fellows are engaging in a bid that push themselves at the forefront of global cinema circles. They participate in many International film festivals even before they are screened for the domestic audience. However, it has become a practice for all cinema makers either to get recognized or market for their latest flick long time before, now it has been seen as a part of regular campaign for them. They have gained a prominence among the international viewers since India is the second largest movie producer after USA, globally. A fraction of Indian cinema finds specific taste of foreign film lovers and thus retains a significant place under their preferences. Recently they got another recognition from none other than the President of India, Smt Pratibha Patil, while was delivering her speech in the 54th National Film Awards ceremony, heightened the spirit of Indian cinema by saying that, "At a time when every sector of our economy is being influenced and in most cases taking the benefits of the currents of globalization, our film industry can utilize this opportunity too. As interest in India and its culture increases across the globe, the film industry can take advantage of its already large presence and play the role of a cultural ambassador, by showcasing incredible India and its values of humanism, tolerance and harmony." As this may be at one side, the other at domestic level, we have to look beyond commercial versions and have to explore wider possibilities to project Indian cinema came over the ages of entertainment, that is, purely an entertainment content. We can spot changes in the film making concepts from young entrants across the regions/languages. Emphasizing the importance of such experiments the President said, "The master storyteller is after all, the one who weaves a powerful message into a seemingly straightforward narrative and makes the viewer introspect. Questions such as why did certain things happen, who was wrong and could things have been done differently - continue to gnaw the mind of the viewer, after watching a thought provoking movie. Therefore, maintaining a balance between entertainment and social relevance shall continue to be a challenge for the industry. While on the one hand a message without entertainment will not capture the attention of the audience and on the other hand, mere entertainment without a message would be like an oyster without a pearl. There is no simple formula for maintaining this balance, but this is your challenge." The real challenge lay at the hands of new wave experimentalists who do combine the both aspects as a successful formula like films viz. A Wednesday, Firaaq, Mumabi Meri Jaan, Munnabhai series and others who are very recent additions continued with the spirit of ART FILM directors like Shyam Benagal, Govind Nihalani, Adoor Gopalakrishnan etc. The mid-way of film making apart from enjoying awards and accolades get wider box office recognition from the society, too. However, unless there are innovative ideas to support the film makers in the form of finance, market access, tax concessions, infrastructure for shooting and exhibitions from the government side or through private participation, there is an eminent danger prevails as in the long run film makers may disassociate from these ventures, if they fail for a while or two, commercially.
Indian stars will be truly global soon
With younger Indian filmmakers exposed to western cinema and western culture making different types of films, Indian stars will be truly global, “much sooner than anyone would expect”, says Bollywood’s superstar Shah Rukh Khan. “The younger filmmakers, I think are completely new-thinking people. They have learned the technique and technology, and writing from the western world,” Shah Rukh told CNN in an interview telecast here Sunday. Youth “in our country now is also understanding different kind of cinema, because they’re also exposed to because of television, Internet,” he said. “So, they’re like, OK, we can compare. “And somehow Indians at this juncture feel, you know what? To be really proud, we need to make films which make a mark in the world,” Shah Rukh said. Asked if he imagined there maybe a time when Indian stars will be truly global, he said: “Much sooner than anyone would expect, most certainly” even though “all the main standard in the world becomes how much dollar value that finally the business brings, and that’s how you’re big.” “But I can see it happening in the next five or six years, very easily,” Shah Rukh Khan said seeing the use of Hindi language in Indian films as another problem giving Hollywood “a big advantage” as they speak in English. “But the time is coming now, because …if you see a new Indian film, you’ll realise that the language is more ‘Hinglish’” he said referring to the use of liberal use of English terms in Hindi films. “You know, we’re using, and we don’t have to translate it anymore, everyone understands it. And everyone uses it every day.” Shah Rukh also agreed India may soon be able to present its own world cinema. “Absolutely,” he said noting that with globalisation “the language as a barrier will start breaking down. Culture as a barrier will start breaking down.” “So, all that will break down and other cinemas will come over, will come, and they’ll use the technology and a lot of technicians from here,” he said. “But stories, every country has a story to tell. And once it reaches a certain standard in terms of technique, I think the world would like to watch it.”
Indian cinema needs freedom of expression: Manoj Bajpayee
The need of the hour in Indian cinema as much as in India itself is complete "freedom of expression", says acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee. The actor, who has been appreciated for his roles in films like "Satya", "Pinjar", "Shool" and "Gangs of Wasseypur", has starred in an Independence Day special digital video titled "Jai Hind". He says people shouldn't be ready to attack creative artistes every now and then. "In Indian cinema, there is a censor board to interfere here and there, and then there are a number of people with their own interest. They are ready to ban it (a film) or rip the theatres or burn posters. "I feel there should be constitutional right of freedom of expression. Either you give cinema artistes complete freedom of expressing themselves or you don't have them in the society because in cinema, people can't be open for attack all the time," Manoj told in an interview. He stressed that defending themselves against attacks is not something "we are trained to do". "We are trained to receive praises or criticism but we are not trained to defend ourselves against the political attack or the attack on the theatres. So, Indian cinema needs freedom of expression in its totality" said the 46-year-old. In the wake of the bans -- be if beef or porn -- in the country, Manoj also said that decisions such as these curb the basic rights of freedom among citizens. "We got independence from Britishers definitely, but we need to find independence mentally. That is the question I have in mind. Are we free to talk, walk, eat or read? These are the questions that citizens should ask themselves. "Independence, for me, is the freedom to walk the way I want to walk, freedom to eat, freedom to dress up the way I want to dress up and freedom of expression. When these things will start happening, then I will think that we truly got Independence," he said. Manoj, who started his career with a television serial "Swabhimaan" and later went on to do small roles in films like "Dastak" and "Bandit Queen", got his big break in the 1998 crime film "Satya". He even won a National Film Award for his role as Bhiku Mhatre. He again received a National Film Award for his role in the film "Pinjar". He was last seen in "Tevar". Asked about the reason behind doing a short film like "Jai Hind", in which he stars with Raveena Tandon", Manoj said: "I committed to do a short film with Amit Sharma ('Tevar' director), but for some reason he could not manage to do it on the given schedule. Then this one came to me and I found the script very apt for the moment."
Indian Actress as James Bond 007
Priyanka Chopra expressed her desire to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond 007 in the next installment of the popular franchise. Unlike other Actresses who dream to play Bond Girl, The 'Quantico' Star wants to reprise the role of James Bond. In her recent media interaction, Piggy Chops said, 'F*** That...I want to be Bond'. Interestingly, Priyanka doesn't want the change to the title James Bond just because its female-centric. When asked should it be named Jane Bond, She objected saying, 'No, James Bond is damn hot'. As Daniel Craig is unwilling to do one more Bond Film, The Production House MGM should consider Priyanka Chopra if its looking for a female version of James Bond. Not a bad idea at all!!
Any Indian heroine game for emerging from a beach, a la Bo Derek?
Will a Bollywood actress play Bo Derek? When it comes to sex symbols, Bo Derek has ruled the world for decades with just one performance that shook the world and made men go weak in their knees for a couple of decades. When Bo performed the classic scene where she came out of the water of a Mexican beach, clad in a golden bikini in her 1979 film '10', she sent countless hearts aflutter not only in the US but all over the world. Overnight, the actress became the world's biggest teen icon; a fantasy for every man; a sort of phenomenon, going down in the history of cinema as the biggest sex symbol the world had ever seen. Written and directed by Blake Edwards, the temptingly tasteful adult comedy co-starred the 'The Sound of Music' actress Julie Andrews and actor Dudley Moore with Bo Derek. Now, almost thirty years later, Hollywood's biggest Indian producer Ashok Amritraj has managed to procure the remake rights of '10' and is all set to cast 'the next Bo Derek'. "Mr Amritraj plans to launch a worldwide search for the girl who will play Bo's role in the remake," informs the filmmaker's publicist Dale Bhagwagar. When asked if there is a chance, the maker might cast a Bollywood actress for it, the PR specialist doesn't rule out the possibility, though he says, "it's a little early to throw up names, but you will soon get to know". One thing is rest assured, whosoever plays the role in the remake, is going to be closely watched and adulated by millions all over the world. Only time will tell, if that name is going to be from Bollywood. A little known fact is that Bo has starred in a Bollywood film earlier as well. This was Kaizad Gustad's Hindi film 'Boom' released in 2003, which had Bo re-enacting her popular beach scene of '10'. Gustad had managed to rope her in for a cameo, where, twenty-four years after emerging the world's biggest sex icon, Bo, playing herself in the movie, fulfils the ultimate fantasy of an underworld don (played by Amitabh Bachchan). While the gorgeous Hollywood actress had come out of the water in a golden bikini in '10', she did the same in 'Boom', decked in a golden sari, especially for the don.
Indian cricket team at Chennai 600028 premiere
The entire Indian cricket team has been invitated to join the 600 odd VVIP guests in Singapore in late February 2007. Director Venkat Prabhu, Producers SP Charan and JK Saravana had extended their invitation to the Indian cricket team when they had met them in the Chennai one day International match. The much expected International film premiere has a International guest list from India, Singapore and Malaysia. Superstar Rajinikanth is said to be on the VVIP guest list.