Next September's Toronto International Film Festival 2012 is again interested in what happens in this side of the cinema world. Voicing its approval of contemporary Indian cinema by adopting Bombay as its Spotlight City for the festival's "City to City" programmes, this year's TIFF showcases ten new films from Bombay. Several of these releases are world premieres while some will be North American premieres. The lineup is:
Gangs of Wasseypur – Part One and Part Two by Anurag Kashyap Starring Manoj Bajpayee, Richa Chadda and Reema Sen.
While Part One of Anurag Kashyap’s much awaited gangster saga has premiered in Cannes and New York, Toronto will see Part Two as a North American premiere. Gangs of Wasseypur tells the story of a bloody war between two mafia clans at the time of India's struggle towards independence. Indian audiences are eagerly expecting its release next week while its trailer does the rounds of several TV channels.
Ship of Theseus by Anand Gandhi Starring Aida El-Kashef, Sohum Shah and Neeraj Kabi
Another debut feature film is delivered by the hands of Anand Gandhi, who has received great applause as a playwright. Gandhi opens a window into the lives of three Mumbaikars: a monk, a blind photographer and a stockbroker with a heightened sense of justice.
Miss Lovely by Ashim Ahluwalia
Starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Niharika Singh and Anil George
Deep, dark, dramatic. Miss Lovely depicts the sex-horror film industry of Bombay's 1980s. Cinematography, casting and the unusual choice of topic make it an interesting and intriguing option, apart from the fact that it was very well received in Cannes and that it stars an excellent actor such as Nawazzudin Siddiqui (who also stars in Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur).
Shanghai by Dibakar Banerjee
Starring Abhay Deol and Kalki Koechlin
Through an adaptation of Vassilis Vassilikos' Z, the director of Love Sex aur Dhokla delivers a paced and exciting political drama.
Shahid by Hansal Mehta
Starring Raj Kumar, Prabhleen Sandhu and Baljinder Kaur. Shahid revisits the life of lawyer Shahid Azmi, who was murdered in 2010 after being involved in the defense of human rights. A fascinating story of a young Muslim boy who became a symbol later in his life.
Mumbai Cha Raja by Manjeet Singh
Starring Rahul Bairagi, Arbaaz Khan and Tejas Parvatkar. Young Rahul and Arbaaz live in the streets of Bombay finding ways to make their existence more tolerable while Rahul searches a way to reclaim his dignity by "taking care" of his violent father.
Peddlers by Vasan Bala
Starring Gulshan Devaiah and Siddharth Mennon.
A directorial debut for Vasan Bala, Peddlers is a pulsating thriller that brings together the lives of three improbable characters in Bombay's underworld.
Ishaqzaade by Habib Faisal
Starring Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra
Action with a quirky edge, the love story between both protagonists has won accolades for delivering a different mainstream film.
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The Bright Day by Mohit Takalkar
Starring Mohan Agashe, Radhika Apte and Shernaz Patel
Following the spiritual journey of a young man across India, images tell a soul's coming of age.
The Hindi Cinema Blog is gleefully watching how Anurag Kashyap has become the new Indian "coqueluche" at the Cannes cinema festival. The director that our partner CinemaHindi interviewed back in August 2009 (read the Exclusive Interview with Anurag Kashyap) will be showcasing 3 of his banner's films at the coveted screens of the festival:
PEDDLERS, by Vasan Bala (assistant in Gulaal and Dev D), has been selected for the Semaine de la Critique (Cannes Film Critics Week). The film stars Gulshan Deviah (Hate Story) and Kriti Malhotra (acclaimed for her performance in Dhobi Ghat).
Moreover, none other than Kashyap's most recent film, GANGS OF WASSEYPUR (Parts I and II), starring Manoj Bajpayee and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is one of the select group of films to be scheduled for the festival's Directors Fortnight.
Anurag Kashyap excitedly announced his participation in Cannes through Twitter "Three of our films; Peddlers, Gangs Of Wasseypur (I&II) at Cannes Film Festival. HUGE MOMENT OF PRIDE FOR US!' 'Waiting at theBrussels airport in a silent zone, wanting to scream out loud, off to Copenhagen.. I am very happy..really Happy today."
Apart from Kashyap’s films, another Indian film, MISS LOVELY, by Ashim Ahluwalia will compete in the Un Certain Regard category, which has been selecting high quality cinema over the years.We are looking forward to see Nawazuddin Siddiqui performing in this film too and are delighted to see two of his films are being showcased.
Last but not least, the film DELHI BELLY by Abhinay Deo is allegedly set to be screened at the festival, off competition, and we wish it utmost success.
We hope this new wave of Indian cinema at the prestigious festival will set a precedent and will get the French audience increasingly acquainted with Indian cinema. It is high time!
While Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara brought Spain into the Bollywood limelight this year, it is the turn of the Imagine India Barcelona Film Festival to showcase a bouquet of noteworthy films coming from India. The festival will take place from December 2-29, 2011. It showcases music, cinema, poetry and dance apart from the 7th art. Films featured in this year's program are:
* Veettilekkulla Vazha (The Way Home - 2010 - Malayalam): Dr.Biju Kumar. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.
* Kanasemba Kudureyaneri (Riding the Stallion of a Dream - 2010 - Kannada): Girish Kasaravalli. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada
The 9th annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles has kicked off and is offering a six-day film extravaganza to movie buffs including events, seminars, awards, parties and performances.
A debut film receives the festival's honours. Nila Madhab Panda's 'I Am Kalam' award-winning story opened the festival along with the presence of its director and the lead actor.
Other films being screened apart from shorts and documentaries are the following feature films:
PEEPLI LIVE (by: Anusha Rizvi) THE BENGALI DETECTIVE (by: Phil Cox) GANESH BOY WONDER (by: Srinivas Krishna) AN UNFINISHED LETTER (ITI MRINALINI) (by: Aparna Sen) MUMBAI DIARIES (DHOBI GHAT) (by: Kiran Rao) I AM (by: Onir) THAT GIRL IN YELLOW BOOTS (by: Anurag Kashyap) THE ROBOT (ENDHIRAN) (by: S. Shankar) VIRGIN GOAT (LAADLI LAILA) (by: Murali Nair) UDAAN (by: Vikramaditya Motwane) TROUBLEMAKER (by: Geeta Malik) BIG IN BOLLYWOOD (by: Kenny Meehan, Bill Bowles) WEDDING PLANNER (BAND BAAJA BAARAAT) (by: Maneesh Sharma) PINK SARIS (by: Kim Longinotto) PINK CHADDIS (by: Sweta Vohra) ZOKKOMON (by: Satyajit Bhatkal) - Closing ceremony - HD World Premiere
In addition to film screenings and related events, the IFFLA will be celebrating the intimate relationship between music and cinema through its Rhythm Village: a colorful display of music and dance presenting Bollywood singers, fusion bands, DJ sets, Dhol Nation’s Malinder and International Dhol Champion Pree Mayall, intellectual hip-hop from Hoodini and King, and a variety of traditional and non-traditional Indian dance forms, including a demonstration and performance from renowned Bollywood choreographer Yogen Bhagat.
As cyberspace gets piled up with "Best 10, 20, 75 or 100 Bollywood films of the decade" lists, the Hindi Cinema Blog has opted for a more personal approach by establishing our list of the TOP 10 FILM MAKERS of Hindi cinema in the last decade. From 2000 to 2010 some of the highest achieving film makers indeed delighted us and we wish to remember them as a new decade opens, hoping that they will continue to make us laugh, cry, jump in our seats and nurture our Hindi film addiction.
Vishal Bhardwaj
Even if this list has been established in no particular order of achievement, Vishal Bhardwaj is still featured at the top for making audiences meet a different type of Indian cinema through his involvement in internationally acclaimed films such as 'Omkara' and 'Ishqiya' (producer) or a widely applauded film by Indian audiences: 'Kaminey'. Vishal also has high reaching musical talent and is known to be an appreciated actor. He seems like an art and cinema powerhouse and we therefore thought he deserved first mention.
Rajkumar Hirani
The man behind the deep and cheerfully humourous 'Munna Bhai MBBS' and 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' seemingly has a permanent genial muse following him around wherever he goes - some even wonder if Raj Kapoor has not been whispering him film secrets in the ear! He struck gold with a memorable '3 Idiots' in 2009 and audiences are keen to know what values will be skillfully and lightly put across in his next Munna bhai adventure.
Aamir Khan
The Hindi film industry has never been the same since this ace started challenging it continuously. After acting in several stupendous films in previous decades ('Qayamat se Qayamant tak', 'Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin', 'Sarfarosh', 'JJWS'...), Aamir Khan wooed Indian audiences towards what they were never supposed to have liked in the first place: by producing 'Lagaan', aka a film about Indian villagers playing cricket or directing 'Taare Zameen Par', a film about childhood education with no romance or item numbers! Having won this bet hands down, he proceeded to bring back Mansoor Khan (hurrah!) in order to help cook up the fresh and sweet 'Jaane Tu ya Jaane Na' and then turned into a masala hero with a Tamil style 'Ghajini'. The man who navigates the Hindi film world's pulse with bravado has continued venturing into surprising projects such as producing 'Peepli Live' and 'Dhobi Ghat'.
Yash Chopra
Though sections of the audience have started feeling a bit blasé about certain Yash Raj banner films, we believe the sole 'Veer-Zaara' tale is capable of zooming them up to this top ten list. After having seen filmgoers in various countries watch 'Veer-Zaara' and come out of the cinema with tears in their eyes, exclaiming "what a film!", we believe this film is one of the surest ways to convert an indie or world movie lover to the vast world of classic Hindi cinema. Huge thumbs up!
Anurag Kashyap
Another film maker who keeps pushing the envelope both in the way he directs and in relation to the subjects or narrative style he chooses is Anurag Kashyap. He stirred audiences with 'Dev D' and 'That Girl in Yellow Boots' and wrote the story behind acclaimed 2010 film 'Udaan'. Kashyap sometimes seems like the "enfant terrible" of the Hindi film industry for "showing it as it is" through his storytelling style. International audiences have come to acknowledge his attempts at incorporating groundbreaking realism to Indian cinema.
Karan Johar
Starry eyed Karan Johar and his company, Dharma Productions, were behind some of the decade's greatest hits or most entertaining film proposals. From the Shah Rukh Khan classic, 'Kal Ho Naa Ho', penned by him and directed by Nikhil Advani, to a most recent 'Wake Up Sid' and 'Kurbaan', Karan Johar has a Midas touch for emotionally grand stories. Though we were in a bit of two minds about 'My Name is Khan' and 'We are Family' we are expecting that Johar will be serving more efficient heart tugging stories soon.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
One either loves or hates his style. Nevertheless, he is undisputably one of India's most iconic film makers. The man pulls off films that carry rich imagery and enchanting decors in any type of story. Harshly criticized by several of his peers, Bhansali is still the man who wowed Cannes audiences with Madhuri's and Aishwarya's beauty in 'Devdas', thereby introducing many foreign audiences to Indian cinema.
His latest 'Guzaarish' is also to be watched as much for an interesting plot than for admiring Goa's colonial architecture. Is it a Bhansali film? Sit down, relax and enjoy the visual ride.
Ronnie Screwvala
Even though he may not be considered a film maker per se, the main man of UTV productions handles a company whose instinct has been changing the panorama of Hindi cinema consistently during the last decade by serving audiences several valuable off-the-beaten-path or niche films: 'Aamir', 'A Wednesday', 'Peepli Live', 'Road, Movie', 'Life in a Metro' or the more popular 'Rang de Basanti'... speaking of which...
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Mehra is in our personal top ten list mainly for 'Rang de Basanti' and for the animated fresco he offered audiences with 'Delhi 6' which, even if it did not garner box office success, is still a film with an interesting statement and beautiful visuals worth viewing if you want to see Delhi through a gifted man's eyes. Mehra is involved in environmental movements and yours truly would love a film on that subject by him if one could throw wishes to the air and watch them come true.
:-)
Rakesh Roshan
Roshan has enchanted audiences during this past decade, including anyone from children to seniors, with the 'Koi Mil Gaya' and 'Krrish' saga. The magic of this fantasy tale suited to young and old provided a rollicking good time and is nestled in the hearts of many.
Runners up to this list were Farhan Akhtar for a very fresh 'Dil Chahta Hai' and his stylish remake of 'Don', as well as Ram Gopal Varma for his dark 'Sarkar'. And last but not least, a personal favorite, Kamal Hassan, should be mentioned for contributing a very valuable story to the Hindi film landscape by impressively filming, scripting and acting in 'Hey Ram'.
Do not hesitate to agree or disagree with this list and to give us your very own list of top 10 film makers of the decade in our comments section below.
The 7th edition of the South Asian International Film Festival will be held from Oct. 27 - Nov. 2, 2010 in New York city.
The festival will be featuring various Indian films, including:
* That girl in yellow boots (2010), by Anurag Kashyap, starring Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah. The film will be screened for the festival's opening and will include a post-film Q&A with Anurag Kashyap. You may view the trailer here.
* Paan Singh Tomar (2010), of Dhul Tigmanshu starring Irrfan Khan and Mahie Gill.
* With Love to Obama (2010), by Subhash Kapoor, starring Rajat Kapoor, Neha Dhupia and Amole Gupte.
* Pappu Can't Dance Saala (2010), by Saurabh Shukla, starring Vinay Pathak, Neha Dhupia, Rajat Kapoor and Naseeruddin Shah.
* West is West (2010), by Andy De Emmony, starring Om Puri, Aqib Khan, Linda Bassett, Jimy Misrty and Ila Arun. The sequel to the internationally acclaimed, multi-award winning 'East is East',will be screened on the date of the festival's closing night. . You may view the trailer here.
Cannes definitely Hindibuzzed this year with India's participation in the 63rd edition of France's renowned film festival.
* Acclaimed director Shekhar Kapur (Bandit Queen, Mr. India, Elizabeth) was a member of the 2010 jury.
* Udaan participated in one of the festival's official sections ("Un Certain Regard" - A Certain Focus). The film is produced by Anurag Kashyap and directed by young Vikramaditya Motwane and earned a standing ovation after the screening.
* Khandahar (directed by Mrinal Sen) and Titash Ekti Nadir Naam (directed by Ritwik Ghatak), films that were released several decades ago, were both restored and presented to the audience.
More news included the presence of actors on the red carpet and additional film screenings or sales:
* Raavan, Mani Ratnam's awaited film, starring Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan and Vikram as well as the highly appreciated soundtrack composed by A.R. Rahman.
* Peepli Live, directed by newcomer Anusha Rizvi, an Aamir Khan Productions film was seemingly screened in Cannes after having gathered applause in other festivals around the world.
* Hissss (aka Nagin: The Snakewoman), coproduced by India and the USA. The film is directed by Jennifer Lynch and stars Irrfan Khan, Mallika Sherawat and Divya Dutta. You may visit the film's official website.
* Mallika Sherawat walked down the red carpet as she also performs in Love, Barack directed by Doug McHenryset.
* Other films have been promoted for overseas distribution: LSD, I am Kalam, Harischandrachi Factory, as well as animation films Arjun-The Warrior Prince and Alibaba and 41 Thieves.
Taking Bollywood to exotic or faraway lands, this year it is Sri Lanka's turn to host the 11th IIFA awards ceremony during the month of June and the nominations are out for the best films, actors and directors of 2009.
And... the nominees for the main categories are:
Best film category 3 Idiots Dev D Kaminey Paa Wanted
Best lead actress Deepika Padukone - Love Aaj Kal Kareena Kapoor - 3 idiots Mahie Gill - Dev D Priyanka Chopra - Kaminey Vidya Balan - Paa
Best lead actor Aamir Khan - 3 idiots Amitabh Bachchan - Paa Ranbir Kapoor - Wake up Sid! Saif Ali Khan - Love Aaj Kal Salman Khan - Wanted Shahid Kapoor - Kaminey
Best film director Anurag Kashyap per Dev D Ayan Mukerji per Wake up Sid! Imtiaz Ali per Love Aaj Kal R. Balki per Paa Rajkumar Hirani - 3 idiots Vishal Bhardwaj per Kaminey
Best Actor - Comedy Ajay Devgan - All The Best Govinda - Life Partner Johny Lever - De Dana Dan Omi Vaidya - 3 Idiots Sanjay Dutt - All The Best
Best Music Composer Amit Trivedi - Dev D A.R.Rehman - Delhi 6 Pritam - Love Aaj Kal Shantanu Moitra - 3 Idiots Vishal Bharadwaj - Kaminey
Best Lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya - Dev D Gulzar - Kaminey Irshad Kamil - Love Aaj Kal Prasoon Joshi - Delhi 6 Swanand Kirkire - 3 Idiots
Discuss your favourites here in the comments section and also vote for them directly at the IIFA official website.
Anurag Kashyap, Indian film director ("Black Friday", "No Smoking", "Dev D", "Gulaal"), script writer ("Satya", "Water") and producer ("Aamir") of highly acclaimed films, opens the doors to his universe in this exclusive interview. He provides a rare insight into the elements that make the life of a film maker, whether these are satisfaction, bitterness or success. Read on as he gives Cinema Hindi his insightful opinion on Indian and Italian cinema within the framework of his upcoming participation as member of the jury at the Venice Film Festival. Cinema Hindi is honoured to offer its readers a close-up on one of India's most notorious modern film personalities.
Part 1: Anurag Kashyap on his work
C.H. - The script for the Hindi masterpiece “Satya” was co-written by you. What are your feelings for that film today? A.K. -I still feel that was the best work WE did. It wasn't my film alone. I always say “Satya” was my film school. There was a lot of searching in that movie, which I believe we gradually lost.
C.H. - You directed “Black Friday” and produced the film “Aamir”. Both films are on the subject of terrorism. Do you believe cinema may awaken the public opinion - particularly in India - to this issue? A.K. - I don't know whether it awakens the people or not. It does affect some. I hope we can affect the public conscience, sadly nothing does. People are selfish, in the sense that they are all trying to survive, they always treat such things as it does not happen to us. The job of cinema sometimes, when it is socially and politically conscious is to just hold the mirror and show us what's happening around us. We can't do more than that. Except “Black Friday” and “Aamir” all the films I have made have largely been personal.
C.H. – “No Smoking” is probably the most experimental Hindi movie ever made. Something in it seems reminiscent of Fellini's way of depicting grotesque situations or characters. What experience did “No Smoking” represent for you as an unconventional film-maker? A.K. - I enjoyed making "No Smoking". It premiered at the Rome film Festival in 2007. It was my most personal film, I cherish it more than most. More than all my films. It was my story in the sense it was about my battle with authorities with the morality and the censors. Indians could not read into it and that was disappointing. Over a period of time it has found its place in film schools and with film buffs but main stream industry still has not accepted it. I enjoyed making it but sadly what it did was that its failure at the box office led to a lot of film makers not being allowed to do their own thing. Any original voice was curbed owing to No Smoking's failure.
C.H. - What made you cast John Abraham as the lead actor? Is it true that you asked superstar Shah Rukh Khan to play the main role before deciding to cast John Abraham? A.K. - John was the only choice who wanted to do it and understood the film. Shah Rukh Khan showed interest but wasn't sure it was worth it.
C.H. - The soundtrack of “No Smoking” is definitely one of the very best the audience has heard in recent times. Tell us a bit about the experience of working with composer Vishal Bhardwaj. Did the fact that he is also a film director facilitate your collaboration? A.K. - Vishal was not just the composer of the film, he was also one of the producers. He made the film possible. Vishal was also the composer of “Satya” and my first film as the director, “Paanch”. My relationship with him has always been that of a master and the irritant disciple. Me being the latter. I try to push him and he pretends being irritated but loves being pushed. He has shown more faith in me than most. It is always very satisfying to work with him because he always brings out a new sound to his music for my films.
C.H. - "Dev D" is an enchanting film with an extraordinarily fresh script. We are aware that it was based on a concept put forward by Abhay Deol. What motivated you to work on that particular project? A.K. - My identification with the subject inspired me. I was going through my own separation and divorce at the time and I was depressed and was drinking, abusing substance at the time I wrote it, and I also found love in the actress who played Chanda (Kalki) during the filming. All my various contradictory emotions flowed into the film.
C.H. - The development of the different characters in "Dev D" reflects intense dedication. Weren't you afraid of being too daring?
A.K. - It all just happened naturally. I didn't know I was meant to fear anything. May be my naiveté, may be the innocence. I just did what I felt and was feeling. It just came through.
C.H. - Many of us have not yet seen “Gulaal”. Would you please introduce the film to us? A.K. - I wrote “Gulaal” when I was at my angriest in 2001. When all my films were banned and "Water" was shelved and I had this huge issue with the way our government dealt with freedom of expression and the political state of the country. I went away from Bombay, to Rajasthan and on my walkman was only one CD, of “Pyaasa”. It kept playing in the loop. “Gulaal” emerged out of that. It is a take on what India has come to vis-à-vis how a free India was imagined by the poets, of the pre independence.
Part 2: Anurag Kashyap on Italy C.H. - You have expressed your interest for Italian Cinema in the past. Please tell us which aspects have touched you the most. A.K. - De Sica. Vittorio De Sica made me a film maker. It was a retrospective of his films in 1993 that inspired me to be a filmmaker. I was 20 then, by 23 I wrote my first film "Satya". What touched me the most was the realism of it all then. How Italians were so similar to us in the way they deal with life and family et al. Later I discovered Fellini, and that was ecstasy. That showed me that there are no boundaries to imagination and no curb on what you want to say. It doesn't matter if what I say is embarrassing, juvenile, unintelligent or incoherent as long as it is my voice and it comes across. Then slowly I discovered Antonioni, Rossellini, Rosi and lot more. The discovery continues with “Il Divo”, “Gommorrah” , "The Best of Youth" et al.
C.H. - What is your opinion on contemporary Italian Cinema? A.K. - I love Sorrentino. I love his films. He is the best and most powerful new Italian voice. I also loved Michel Placido's “Romanzo Criminale” I saw it at Tribeca. His daughter acted in the film that was written by the director of “Aamir”(*). “Best of Youth”, “The Past is a Foreign Land”, “My Brother is the Only Child”, “Days and Clouds” are some of the recent films I liked very much. I even enjoy the “Giallo” (**) from the 60's 70's.
(*) "Barah Aana", featuring Violante Placido. (note by Cinema Hindi)
(**) Detective stories. (note by Cinema Hindi)
C.H. - What would you say Italian and Hindi Cinema have in common? A.K. - Family bonds. And the way the women are in the films.
C.H. - Your film "No Smoking" was screened at the Rome Film Festival two years ago, generating rave reviews. What are your memories of that experience? A.K. - I loved every bit of it. My memories of Rome of "No Smoking" are the only good memories of that film. My daughter was with me during that time and I loved showing her around. It was a memorable week and the great audience reception that I will never forget.
C.H. - You have been called upon to be a member of the jury at the next Venice Film Festival. Two of your films – “Dev D” and “Gulaal” - will also be screened off-competition. How are you feeling about the opportunity to participate so actively in the festival? A.K.- I am as excited as a child, and sometimes I find myself trying to curb my enthusiasm. Biggest fear is that everyone will find out that deep down I am a child, who is more a film buff than a filmmaker. "Dev D" is an indirect tribute to Fatih Akin, whose film is in the festival, which I will get to see before anyone in the world. Jacques Rivette, Tornatore so many filmmakers who have at various points in my life inspired me are going to be there with their new films. I will be like a kid in the candy shop. I am happy and proud.
C.H. - Please, give us your opinion on why the Italian audience should watch Hindi movies. Are there any particular films you would suggest to the Italian audience as a maiden Hindi film experience? A.K. - Italian audience should watch Indian films because they will relate to them. They should discover Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt. C.H. - Do you believe there is a possibility of developing a serious partnership between India and Italy in terms of film making? Have you ever given thought to shooting in Italy or with a partially Italian cast or film crew? A.K. - Absolutely and I believe it is happening. Sonali Kulkarni has acted in Italian films. An Italian filmmaker is currently making a film in India based on an Indian short story and our Grand Master Mani Kaul is planning a film on Rossellini. There should and will be more collaborations.
Part 3: Anurag Kashyap on Indian Cinema
C.H. - Hindi Cinema seems to be undergoing an in-depth evolution. It treasures some of its traditional elements while it also takes inspiration from Western Cinema, but above all it is experimenting new paths. In your opinion: a) When did this change start taking place? A.K. - Somewhere it started with “Bandit Queen”(*). But it was slow. In last three years it has become a wave with a lot of new filmmakers, who are essentially outsiders to this family business, and have started making films. (*) Film directed by Shekhar Kapur in 1994. (note by Aline Khan)
b) What direction will it take? A.K. - That depends on how much courage we have to take the risks we should be taking. It seems to be heading towards an era of reinvention and introspection and a lot of new voices are emerging out of that, but we still lack the production and distribution backup to this new cinema from India.
c) Which film traditions will Hindi Cinema leave behind and what new elements will become a solid part of it? A.K. - Hopefully we will surpass stardom. You will get to see more of India and Indian struggles and way of life and politics in the new Indian cinema. Hopefully even the escapist cinema that we make will also have a relevance. We definitely won't leave behind our traditional song and dance and celebrations, but all else will be more meaningful and relevant. It is starting to get less fantastical and more real. And hopefully I will get to do what I want to do.
d) Which are the films and the film-makers (apart from you) involved in this change? A.K. - There is Vishal Bharadwaj, Aamir Khan, Raju (Rajkumar) Hirani, Rakeysh Mehra, Dibakar Bannerji, Nishikant Kamat, Navdeep Singh, Shimit Amin, Shriram Raghavan and many more.
C.H. - Do you think it is possible that Hindi Cinema will be taking the world by storm in the future, marking a New Era in which Indian Cinema dominates, therefore replacing Hollywood? A.K. - Yes I have always had that belief based on the fact that while the world has exhausted their subjects and stories to tell. We are yet to explore ourselves.
C.H. - Please, tell us something about your work with the great director Ram Gopal Varma. A.K. - I wrote three films for him, “Satya”, “Kaun” and “Shool”. He was the man who inspired the whole generation of us who are making films today. I learnt what I had to while working on “Satya”.
C.H. - Two very talented actors, Kay Kay Menon and Abhay Deol, have starred in your films. Please, tell us about your experience working with them. A.K. - These are the two Star actors I have worked with. While Kay Kay chooses the most challenging roles, Abhay chooses the most challenging films. There are many more great non star actors I have regularly worked with like Aditya Srivastava, Vijay Maurya, Deepak Dobriyal, Mahie Gill (who you will see in both “Dev D” and “Gulaal”) and Kalki Koechlin.
C.H. – “Delhi-6”, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, will be the third Hindi film screened at the Festival. What is your opinion on Mehra's work? Some of your followers have found similarities between elements of “Aks” and “No Smoking”. Would you say that “Aks” influenced you as a film maker? A.K. - I wouldn't say “Aks” influenced me as a film maker, because at the beginning of it, even I was involved with it. But I have a very high opinion of Rakeysh Mehra both as a film maker and as a social, intellectual person. I have very high regards for his films and especially "Delhi-6", which is my favourite Rakeysh Mehra film.
C.H. - Aamir Khan is considered an unconventional actor in spite of being a huge Hindi film superstar. Would he be someone you would look forward to working with and why? A.K. - I want to work with Aamir Khan and hopefully I will in “Bombay Velvet”. He is a courageous man who has truly changed the way our audience looks at our cinema, just by being part of such films and backing them all the way. C.H. - Do you often watch “Indian non-Hindi” films? If so, which of these films and/or directors would you recommend? A.K. - Yes I do when I know of them. I saw "Subrarmanyapuram", a great Tamil film recently and a lot of new Marathi cinema, that in recent times has seen a great resurgence.
C.H. - Do you believe that 'Indian non-Hindi' cinema is capable of generating the same impact on Western audiences than Hindi films have? A.K. - Yes. Provided it gets the same platform. Sometimes I believe the regional cinema in India has more potency and courage than Hindi cinema.
Cinema Hindi wishes to convey our gratitude to Mr. Kashyap for his generosity in granting us this exclusive interview.
(A special thanks to Aline Khan for pushing the team forward to request the interview and for her assistance in English).
