#filmmaker Pankaj Rishi Kumar

[suchananewsblog]

Mumbai | Govandi Arts Festival: the young step up

It began with a simple statement: “My identity is my right.” It was February 2021, right after the lockdown had lifted. The youth of Natwar Parekh Compound, a slum relocation and rehabilitation colony in Mumbai’s Govandi neighbourhood, had convened at the community library for a workshop about reclaiming public space. One of the most neglected suburbs of Mumbai, Govandi is home to a number of…

[dhrupad]

Two women discuss their relationship with cinema in Kumar Talkies (Pankaj Rishi Kumar, 2000) and Certified Universal (Avijit Mukul Kishore, 2009). Interestingly, Avijit Mukul Kishore worked as the cinematographer for Kumar Talkies in 2000. I think it’s always amazing to hear about the personal nature of film-watching in India, but especially as it relates to women. Studies on fan culture and the excessively male landscape of the Indian movie theatre throughout history sideline how women engage with an activity that goes beyond being a national passtime in India. And it’s something else to hear what older Indian women have to say about films. You can read much about how the television set, especially post-1991′s liberalization of the Indian economy, changed the way Indian women of certain caste/class backgrounds engaged with media and entertainment now in the confines of their homes. The accessibility of television in comparison to the movie theatre is something the woman interviewed in Kumar Talkies points out when she talks about her own position as a day laborer. And women’s labor of course extends to the work they are forced to do for their husbands and families as well. 

I know so many Indian women who find refuge in films or the more women-centric daily television serials as they go through their daily responsibilities. The Indian housewife and her television addiction is a popularly derided trope nowadays as television content largely consists of soap operas and what people view as women’s entertainment.  Interestingly, the woman interviewed in Certified Universal has a more strident opinion on what she watches, and one I can’t stop thinking about. A popular critique of Indian cinema rests on its use of melodrama rather than what has been established as realism by western filmmakers. I think of what she calls “films of grief” as the black and white tragic family dramas and love stories of the 1940s and 1950s. Watching sadness and grief, the only things so many Indian women may know, is no escapist fantasy. It’s nice to hear it in their own words.

[starfriday]

KASHISH MIQFF 2019 inaugurated, Rekha Bhardwaj performance kicks off South Asia's biggest LGBTQ film festival

The 10 th KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival was inaugurated on Wednesday June 12 evening. South Asia's biggest LGBTQ film festival will be held from June 12-16, 2019 at two of Mumbai's iconic theatres - Liberty Carnival Cinemas and Metro Inox. The opening night ceremony saw actors, filmmakers, industrialists, activists and the LGBTQ community walk the red carpet. The five-day festival kicked off with a rousing perfomce by acclaimed singer Rekha Bharadwaj.

“June is Pride Month around the world, and that’s why KASHISH this year is being held in June, to celebrate its 10th anniversary along with the world. Celebrations are also due as this is the first mainstream LGBTQ film festival in India after reading down of Section 377. The response to the 10 edition has been overwhelming not only by filmmakers and corporates but also a large number of delagates registering to attend the festival from the LGBTQ community as well as mainstream film afficianados. We are truly 'Over The Rainbow'," said festival director Sridhar Rangayan.

"I congratulate KASHISH on its 10th anniversary. I am so happy to be part of this year's celebrations. I am looking forward to attend the film screenings, meeting beautiful friends and like-minded individuals. I hope more and more people support this initiative," said Rekha Bhardwaj.

The title partner of South Asia's biggest LGBTQ film festival this year is Keshav Suri Foundation along with The Lalit and It Gets Better India. Skybags and Godrej Industries are Principal Partners, while Morgan Stanley, Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai, Québec Government Office in Mumbai are coming in as an Associate Partners. Two OTT platforms Revery and GoL studios are Associate Partner and Supporting Partner respectively. Whistling Woods International and Consulate General of Sweden in Mumbai are the other Supporting Partners.

"Heartiest congratulations to KASHISH for a fruitful decade long journey. The Lalit and Keshav Suri Foundation are proud to be associated with the KASHISH Film Festival that has stood the test of time in its support of the LGBTQ+ Community, even when homosexuality was considered a ‘crime’ in India, KASHISH continued to promote Queer art and bring their stories into fore. The ethos of the festival is completely in sync with the motto of the Keshav Suri Foundation – to embrace, empower and mainstream the community. This year is doubly special as one of the movies selected for screening – Queen – narrates the journey of the Drag Queens at Kitty Su. At the festival you will also see the short movie Intezaar, which was released on our platform. I wish every queer artist, person, ally and the festival all the very best. Let’s paint the world with rainbow hues, and make it a better India”, said Keshav Suri, Founder, Keshav Suri Foundation and Executive Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group.

“We are proud to associate with the 10th Anniversary edition of the KASHISH Film Festival. At Godrej, we believe in building a diverse and inclusive workforce and ensuring equal rights for our LGBT employees. Cinema is a medium that reflects society’s values and has an important role to play in shaping its beliefs and attitudes. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with KASHISH to ensure we jointly celebrate individuality and equality at Godrej and beyond.” said Pirojsha Godrej, Executive Chairman, Godrej Properties Limited.

50 Indian and International LGBTQ films will compete for awards at the 10th edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival to be held between June 12-16, 2019. The festival will hand out cash prizes of Rs 3.95 lakhs in 10 film categories and for the best poster design. The awards are sponsored by Anupam Kher's Actor Prepares, Lotus Visual, Whistling Woods International, GagaOOLala, K F Patil Charitable Trust, Wadia Movietone and India's top fashion designer Wendell Rodricks.

There are three festival juries this year. The Narrative Film jury comprises actors Kitu Gidwani, Sheeba Chaddha and filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan. Filmmakers Ranjan Das, Pankaj Rishi Kumar and Paromita Vohra are part of the Documentary Jury and Professor Ivan John, screenwriter Jyoti Kapoor and filmmaker Somnath Sen are part of the Student Jury. The additional jury member is Nargis Wadia of Wadia Movietone.

Delegates can register for KASHISH 2019 at: Liberty Carnival Cinemas.

KASHISH is presently raising funds through crowdfunding on Wishberry to organise the festival. KASHISH 2019 is crowdfunding on:

https://www.wishberry.in/campaign/kashish-2019-over-the-rainbow

KASHISH 2019 Theme

KASHISH 2019 festival theme ‘Over The Rainbow’ not only commemorates the reading down of Sec 377 and decriminalization of same-sex relationships in India, but also defines the challenges in store for the LGBTQ community’s journey towards empowerment and social acceptance. Bringing together films from all over the world as well as panel discussions and performances, the festival will showcase the shared struggles and victories, and offer a window to existing and future possibilities. Let’s together journey over the rainbow to discover the land of equality & dignity.

About KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival

Voted as one of the Top 5 LGBT Film Festival in the World, KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is South Asia's biggest queer film festival and the only LGBT film festival in India to be held in a mainstream theatre. Founded in 2010, KASHISH is held over 5 days at three venues. It is the first Indian LGBT festival to be held with approval by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India. KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is presented by KASHISH Arts Foundation and organized by Solaris Pictures. Besides the annual film festival its other initiatives are KASHISH Forward - India’s first travelling campus LGBTQ film festival, KASHISH Global – that facilitates screening of Indian LGBTQ films across the world, Best of KASHISH film screenings and KASHISH Chalchitra Utsav – a festival of LGBTQ films in regional languages.

Register to attend KASHISH 2019 : http://bit.ly/K10Register

Watch KASHISH 2019 Pitch Video: https://youtu.be/QQNdaBUADts

Contribute to KASHISH 2019 Crowdfunding:  https://www.wishberry.in/campaign/kashish-2019-over-the-rainbow

[cheapest-usps-eddm]

Ludo, directed by Anurag Basu, is a multi-starrer comedy-drama featuring Abhishek Bachchan, Rajkummar Rao, Aditya Roy Kapur, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Pankaj Tripathi and Pearle Maaney. Actor Rajkummar Rao took to Instagram to share the first look of the film

Streaming platform Netflix on Thursday unveiled a lineup of 17 original stories, including Bollywood titles Ludo, Torbaaz, and Mira Nair’s ambitious series adaptation of A Suitable Boy. Ludo, directed by Anurag Basu, is a multi-starrer comedy drama featuring Abhishek Bachchan, Rajkummar Rao, Aditya Roy Kapur, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Pankaj Tripathi and Pearle Maaney. Actor Rajkummar Rao took to Instagram to share the first look of the film and wrote, "Watch four players take fate into their own hands in a high stakes game where nothing is a coincidence and everything is planned."

View this post on Instagram

Are you excited or ARE YOU EXCITED?!

A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in) on Jul 15, 2020 at 9:26pm PDT

Ludo motion poster shows Rajukkmar Rao flaunting big hair and walking in style with Fatima Sana Shaikh on his die. the actress looks like a diva in a shimmery red dress. She is seen holding a baby. Creating buzz among the fans, Ludo star cast had shared interesting videos on Instagram, on Wednesday, challenging Netflix and asking for the rules. Aditya Roy Kapur shared a video that earned much attention from the fans. While Torbaaz, starring Sanjay Dutt, is an emotional story of transformation, A Suitable Boy is based on the critically acclaimed novel by Vikram Seth, starring Ishaan Khatter, Tabu, Tanya Maniktala, Rasika Dugal, Shahana Goswami and Ram Kapoor. It will be available on Netflix globally, except in the United States and Canada. Crime thriller Raat Akeli Hai, featuring Radhika Apte and Nawazuddin Siddiqui; comedy satire Dolly Kitty Aur Who Chamakte Sitare, starring Konkona Sensharma and Bhumi Pednekar; romantic comedy “Ginny Weds Sunny, starring Yami Gautam and Vikrant Massey, and Gitanjali Rao’s festival favourite animation film “Bombay Rose” are also part of the slate. “Mismatched”, a young adult romance series, starring Prajakta Koli and Rohit Saraf, is also part of the new slate. The show is based on Sandhya Menon’s book "When Dimple Met Rishi". Monika Shergill, VP-Content, Netflix India, told PTI their aim is to “tell the most defining stories from India that will first appeal to the Indian consumers”. “It is really important that a story coming out of India becomes big in India. When local stories become big locally, that’s when they make maximum impact globally. For us, it is important to tell the biggest and the most defining stories in India and to work with storytellers who bring their most authentic vision and passion for stories,” she said in an interview ahead of slate announcement. Shergill said they had been working hard to bring these titles out on the streamer. “We have been in advance stages of post (production) on some, many are ready. The important goal was to put together a slate that has a diverse mix of content which can appeal to different moods, different tastes because for Netflix, it is important to be a service and not just one title destination,” she said. These new titles will join the upcoming slate of the already-announced films on Netflix, which include the inspiring true story of “Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl”, starring Janhvi Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Angad Bedi, Viineet Kumar, Manav Vij and Ayesha Raza Mishra, and dysfunctional family drama “Tribhanga - Tedhi Medhi Crazy”, featuring Kajol, Tanvi Azmi and Mithila Palkar.

View this post on Instagram

Proud to bring to you the story of India’s first woman Air Force Officer to go to war. A journey that I hope will inspire you the way that it has inspired me. 🤞🏻GunjanSaxena - The Kargil Girl is landing on 12th August to your #Netflix screens! @dharmamovies @zeestudiosofficial @karanjohar @apoorva1972 @pankajtripathi @angadbedi @ayeshiraza @vineet_ksofficial @manavvij @sharansharma @netflix_in @zeemusiccompany

A post shared by Janhvi Kapoor (@janhvikapoor) on Jul 15, 2020 at 9:33pm PDT

The digital platform will also showcase “Kaali Khuli”, a horror story set in a village in Punjab and stars Shabana Azmi, Satyadeep Mishra, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Riva Arora, and “Serious Men”, a witty drama based on Manu Joseph’s novel. It stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Nassar, and Shweta Basu Prasad. Cop drama “Class Of ’83” with Bobby Deol, Bhupendra Jadawat, Hitesh Bhojraj and Annup Sonii, and Anil Kapoor-Anurag Kashyap starrer dark comedy “AK vs AK” will also be available on the streamer in the coming months. “Masaba Masaba”, starring fashion designer Masaba Gupta, actors Neena Gupta and Neil Bhoopalam; contemporary drama “Bombay Begums”, whose star cast includes Pooja Bhatt, Amruta Subhash, Shahana Goswami, Plabita Borthakur, Aadhya Anand, and dramedy “Bhaag Beanie Bhaag”, featuring Swara Bhasker, Ravi Patel, Dolly Singh and Varun Thakur, were already announced. As theatres remain closed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many filmmakers have opted for streamers to release their films. Asked about the impact of COVID-19 on streaming services, Shergill said though there was an increase in viewing numbers, they are “mindful that it is a temporary phase”. “It has been an unprecedented time. People have looked for emotional comfort and we are happy that as a service, we were able to provide that. But we are also mindful that this is a temporary phase that has increased the viewing numbers.

View this post on Instagram

#comeonnetflix @bachchan @rajkummar_rao @pankajtripathi @sanyamalhotra_ @fatimasanashaikh @pearlemaany @rohitsaraf10 @ashanegi @anuragbasuofficial @bhushankumar @divyakhoslakumar @ipritamofficial @tanibasu #KrishanKumar #AnuragBasuProductions @tseries.official @tseriesfilms @netflix_in

A post shared by @ adityaroykapur on Jul 15, 2020 at 5:44am PDT

“The one good thing that has happened is that many more people will cultivate a taste for premium storytelling, for discovering new kind of storytelling from India and around the world,” she added. Shergill said as a service, the streamer wants to explore all the formats in India - be it scripted storytelling, film stories, unscripted storytelling, documentary series or stand-up - without compromise. “It is really about telling the best stories and it is never just about scale compromising on the flavour of storytelling or the kind of subjects we choose. For us, high concept, high craft and a great mix of stories and storytellers is the most important thing.

View this post on Instagram

Watch four players take fate into their own hands in a high stakes game where nothing is a coincidence and everything is planned @anuragbasuofficial @bachchan @fatimasanashaikh @adityaroykapur @sanyamalhotra_ @pearlemaany @pankajtripathi @rohitsaraf10 @ashanegi @bhushankumar @tanibasu @tseries.official @anuragbasuproductions 🎲🎲🎲🎲#Ludo Coming soon on @netflix_in

A post shared by RajKummar Rao (@rajkummar_rao) on Jul 15, 2020 at 9:04pm PDT

“As you can see, we have animation film ‘Bombay Rose’ in the lineup, which proves that we are interested in great storytelling whatever the format,” she added.

[starfriday]

Konkona Sen Sharma, Kitu Gidwani and Neeraj Ghaywan announce 10th edition of KASHISH MIQFF to be held in Mumbai from June 12-16

160 films from 43 countries to be screened at South Asia’s biggest LGBTQ film festival, including ‘A Monsoon Date’ starring Konkona Sen Sharma; Neeraj Ghaywan and Kitu Gidwani will be part of the festival jury

June 6, 2019

Mumbai:

KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival – South Asia’s Biggest and India’s only mainstream lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film fest –  is back for its 10th edition. The festival will be held from June 12-16, 2019 at two iconic venues in South Mumbai – Liberty Carnival Cinema and Metro Inox. Founded in 2010, KASHISH was voted as one of the Top 5 LGBT Film Festival in the World and was the first Indian LGBT festival to be held with approval by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India. The festival theme this year is ‘Over the Rainbow’.

A press conference was organized on June 6, 2019 at the Press Club, Mumbai.  A special magazine ‘Rainbow Reflections: An Anthology of LGBTQ Narratives In Indian Cinema’ , with support from the Quebec Government Office in Mumbai, was released on the occasion.

“KASHISH this year features the best of LGBTQ films from around the world – 160 films from 43 countries. They have been chosen from over 700 film submissions. We try to bring a diverse spectrum of LGBTQ films to be shown on the big screen in Mumbai and the festival ensures a fair representation of not only gender & sexuality, but also popular and edgy films,” says Festival Director, Sridhar Rangayan.

I'm so excited that I am coming to KASHISH with the film ‘A Monsoon Date’ directed by Tanuja Chandra. This is the first time I am playing a trans-character, but this definitely is not the last. I am thrilled and proud and honoured to be here. I think when we exclude LGBT from the society, from our films, we tell an incomplete story of the world. That's why spaces like this are important … to share lives and experiences of a collective humanity. Earlier women were missing from this conversation and now I feel LGBT are so far from the mainstream narrative. I'm so glad that the LGBT Family will be part of the larger narrative. I hope the film and KASHISH will spread love and spread pride,” said actor Konkona Sen Sharma.

“KASHISH is the most important LGBTQI festival in India. It fosters a culture of cinema and conversations around the community. I am thrilled to be a part of the jury for the narrative section of the festival. In its 10th year, and post 377 being struck down, it is a great time for KASHISH and I wish them the very best,” said filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, who is part of the Narrative films jury.

“I am so happy to be on the jury of KASHISH this year. Cinema is my absolute passion. And at KASHISH I am watching films on love, loss, belonging, desire, betrayal, tragedy and comedy. Human stories, in short! LGBTQI people are human- just like everyone else. KASHISH shows us this with great honesty and élan; and also heartbreakingly shows us the very poignant and particular problems faced by the LGBTQI community in today's world,” said actor Kitu Gidwani, who is also part of the Narrative films jury.

“This year KASHISH is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and we congratulate it on that achievement! After all, to achieve a long-lasting event, it not only takes hard work, investment, time and energy, but also passion and conviction. As a festival partner, the Québec Government Office in Mumbai is also an ally in defending the rights of the LGBTQ community in India. That is why we are thrilled about the recent decriminalization of homosexuality, which not only helps advance the cause of sexual and gender minorities here in India, but also around the world”, said Dominic Marcotte, Consul & Director of the Québec Government Office in Mumbai.

Key Highlights for this year will be:

·         160 films, from 43 countries.

·         The festival is spread across two venues in South Mumbai this year – Liberty Carnival Cinemas and Metro Inox.

·         The festival theme is “Over The Rainbow”

·         31 Indian LGBTQ films will be screened at the festival comprising -- narrative feature films, -- narrative short films and -- documentary short films.

·         Around 50 films will compete for top awards at the festival in eight categories.

·         The festival will hand out cash prizes of Rs 3.95 lakhs.

·         The Narrative Jury comprises actors Kitu Gidwani and Sheeba Chadha and film maker Neeraj Ghaywan.

·         The Documentary Jury comprises of filmmakers Ranjan Das, Pankaj Rishi Kumar and Paromita Vohra.

·         The Student Short Film Jury comprises professor Dr Ivan John, screenwriter Jyoti Kapoor and filmmaker Somnath Sen.

·         Acclaimed actor Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares will sponsor cash prizes for the three top competition categories at KASHISH – Rs 30,000 for the Best Narrative Feature Film, Rs 20,000 for the Best Indian Narrative Short film and Rs 20,000 for the Best Performance in a Lead Role.

·         Wadia Movietone awards Rs 20,000 for the Riyad Wadia Award for the Best Emerging Indian Filmmaker.

·         Whistling Woods International will sponsor the Best Student Film Award Rs 20,000

·         K F Patil Charitable Trust will sponsor the Best Documentary Feature and Best Documentary Short awards of Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.

·         A Rs 2 lakh QDirshti Film Grant sponsored by Lotus Visual will be awarded to support an independent filmmaker based in India to make his/her next LGBTQ-themed film. 6 films are nominated.

·         GagaOOLala is sponsoring the Best International Narrative Short Award with a cash prize of Rs.20,000.

·         The Best Screenplay Award will make its debut with a cash prize of Rs 15,000  instituted in the memory of renowned poet and author late Dr. Arvind Waman Kulkarni.

·         India’s top fashion designer Wendell Rodicks picked the poster contest winner and offered him Rs.25,000 cash award for best design. Ashutosh Vyas was the winner this year.

·         Opening film is the Dutch film Just Friends.

·         The Closing film is the acclaimed Malayalam film Njan Marykutty (I Am Marykutty).

·         The Best Indian queer short film at KASHISH gets to compete for the Iris Prize in UK which carries a cash prize of 25,000.

·         Several companies have come together again to support KASHISH including Keshav Suri Foundation, Skybags, Godrej, Morgan Stanley and The Lalit group of hotels.

·         Special events at KASHISH 2019 include panel discussions, screen writing master class by Varun Grover facilitated by the Screen Writers Association, acting workshop by Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares.

·         KASHISH offered free scholarships to 150 students to attend KASHISH, courtesy Godrej Industries Ltd.

·         KASHISH also offers scholarships to 8 Indian filmmakers to attend the festival and present their films.

·         KASHISH 2019 will present an interactive sessions with Sweekar – The Rainbow Parents, support group for parents of LGBTQ children.

Register for KASHISH 2019 at: https://in.bookmyshow.com/events/kashish-2019-over-the-rainbow/ET00101778

KASHISH is presently raising funds through crowdfunding on Wishberry to organise the festival. KASHISH 2019 is crowdfunding on:https://www.wishberry.in/campaign/kashish-2019-over-the-rainbow