Madras Cafe will turn tables for John Abraham, Nargis Fakhri: Shoojit Sircar

August 22, 2013

Madras_CafeMumbai, Aug 22: Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar feels that his upcoming film Madras Cafe, based on the Sri Lankan civil war, will change people's perception about its lead actors – John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri - as he has extracted their best performance.

After being in the industry for close to ten years and being part of hit films like Dhoom, Dostana, Housefull 2, Race 2 and Shootout at Wadala among others, John has often been written off.

Nargis who made her debut in Bollywood with Rockstar was criticised for her dead pan expressions and failed to capitalise on the film's success.

But Shoojit feels that after Madras Cafe hits cinema houses this Friday, things are going to change.

"Every person has acting ability it depends how you use it. My film Vicky Donor was purely about actor and characters. I don't leave any actor. I suck their blood and I make them act. I don't know how I do it but I manage. After this film whatever critical approach one has for John and Nargis it will change. That I can assure you in written format," Shoojit said.

John was always on Shoojit's mind for this political thriller but he did not think of Nargis at least initially.

"Since beginning only John was there in the film. Nargis was never on my mind but I knew Nargis much before 'Rockstar'. I introduced her to the film industry because I did one commercial with her. Then Imtiaz picked her up. Though he received lot of criticism," the director said.

Shoojit calls this film as a re-launch for Nargis. He is confident that people will like her in the film and that she will be absolutely a new find.

With Vicky Donor which was a commercial entertainer Shoojit attained box office success but he insists that he has not compromised on Madras Cafe.

"I have said to the marketing people don't do anything which will take away the seriousness of the subject. We are talking about people who are suffering or have suffered. So we should not take undue advantage of the film to make a gimmick of it. The film is a thriller not a documentary," he added.

Shoojit says he has no expectations from this film.

"Even if (people) they don't like it... it is okay. I am not bothered because if I get bothered I can't make films. I have to make many films... I have lot of story ideas. I have honestly made this film and I believe there is an audience to appreciate my honest effort," he added.

His previous film Vicky Donor was a light hearted one but Madras Cafe is not.

"This is a difficult script and a difficult subject for me. It took a long time to prepare the script because we were not satisfied with the script. The film is completely researched by me and my team," he said.

"Earlier we were concerned that John is there so people should not mistake it as a romantic film. But now the trailer is out and people know it's a serious film," he added.

Shoojit insists the film portrays RAW agents in a realistic manner and they won't be jumping off bikes or doing high-octane stunts.

With this film, people will come to know how real RAW agents work.

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Agencies
August 5,2020

New Delhi, Aug 5: Playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam on Wednesday confirmed testing positive for COVID-19 with 'mild' symptoms.

The 74-year-old musician shared the information through a video message posted on his official Facebook page.

In the video, the singer detailed about having a little "discomfort" for two days, stating he had chest congestion along with cold and on-off fever, which led him to get tested for the virus.

However, he also mentioned that he could have stayed at home in self-quarantine, as advised, but did not want to put his family in danger, and hence got admitted by his own choice, to recover quickly.

"I am in good hand, I am in good health. Nobody has to worry about this. The fever has subsided, and in two days I'll be discharged and I'll be home. Thanks for the concern," he said in the video message.

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News Network
June 9,2020

New Delhi, Jun 9: Multiplex operator PVR on Monday said it has cut salary across various levels, laid off employees and deferred increments during the lockdown to mitigate adverse impact of COVID-19 on the business.

The company said at present it is not generating any revenue from exhibition business and related activities as cinemas across the country are shut following the directions from the regulatory authorities.

According to the company, closure of screens during the lockdown will have a significant negative impact on profitability and liquidity.

PVR has taken measures to reduce its personnel cost, including salary cuts across various levels in the organisation during the lockdown along with "reduction in headcount by way of layoffs/retrenchment" to mitigate the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the business.

Moreover, the board of the company, in its meeting held on Monday has also approved plan to raise Rs 300 crore through rights issue.

"Since Cinema Exhibition is the only business segment, company is currently not generating any revenue from admissions, food and beverage sales or other revenue and cash flow from operations," said PVR in an update.

Beginning from March 11, PVR started closing its screens in accordance with the order passed by various regulatory authorities and within a few days most of our cinemas across the country were shut down, it added.

The company will continue to incur committed cash outflows, including employee salary pay-outs, other overheads as well as payments for older working capital.

"This has and will have a significant negative impact on profitability and liquidity during lockdown and even thereafter till business comes to normalcy," it added.

Further, once the cinemas are re-opened, we may not be able to run our cinemas at normal capacity utilisation levels on account of social distancing measures that cinemas may be required to follow as well as health concerns that the patrons may have, the multiplex operator said.

"On account of this, our revenue and cash flow generation may be impeded even once we are allowed to restart operations," it added.

The company has also deferred decision on on increments to reduce its cost, it added.

PVR has also written to developers for waiving rental and CAM (Common Area Maintenance) charges for the lockdown period.

It is in discussion with developers for reducing rentals post re-opening and has invoked force majeure clause in its agreements with them.

Besides, the company has raised additional borrowings from existing bankers to shore up liquidity.

"As of March 31, 2020 the company had cash and bank balance of Rs 316 crore. As on June 7, 2020 cash and bank balance is Rs 227 crore (including undrawn bank lines)," it added.

Over reopening of theatres, PVR said that the government has come out with a phase-wise schedule.

In these guidelines cinema halls have been kept in the third phase of re-opening, where dates will be decided based on assessment of the situation.

"We are in continuous engagement with all regulatory authorities and hope to receive the necessary permissions for restarting opening in the near future," it added.

Currently PVR operates 845 screens in 176 properties in 71 cities.

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News Network
May 28,2020

Agartala, May 28: Tripura Police has registered a complaint against Bangladeshi singer Mainul Ahsan Nobel, who earned fame in the music reality show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' in Kolkata, for allegedly humiliating Prime Minister Narendra Modi over social media.

The complaint was filed by a resident of Belonia town in South Tripura district who is a student of Pandit Deen Dayal Petroleum University at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

The complaint was filed on May 25, the person who is called Suman Paul said.

Nobel is not yet a popular singer in Bangladesh and has always been rejected by the audience of that country. He participated in the TV music reality show called Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in Kolkata, earned money, gained fame and returned to Bangladesh. If the person insults our prime minister it cannot be accepted. So I filed the FIR, Paul told reporters.

Belonia superintendent of police Jal Singh Meena confirmed that the complaint was registered and forwarded to Tripura Polices cyber crime cell.

The complaint was registered the same day it was filed at Belonia police station under Indian Penal code sections 500 (punishment for defamation), 504 (intentional insult), 505 (public mischief) and the IT Act.

We have registered the complaint and forwarded it to the cybercrime cell because it is not in the Indian cyberspace. We have started an investigation into the issue, the SP said.

Rajib Dutta, the officer-in-charge of Belonia police station said that as per the complaint the Bangladeshi singer had abused Modi in a Facebook post calling him a "mere chaiwala (tea seller)'.

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