India's pick for Oscars, The Good Road has a bumpy start

September 22, 2013

Indias_pick_for_OscarsMumbai/Ahmedabad, Sep 22: Gujarati film The Good Road was picked on Saturday as India's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards next year.

Set in the harsh terrain of Kutch, the film, a road movie by debutant feature film director Gyan Correa, revolves around a truck driver and a couple whose child is on the run. Although the film was adjudged the Best Feature Film (Gujarati) at the 60th National Awards, it has had a limited viewing.

While the chairman of the selection committee, filmmaker Gautam Ghose, said the Film Federation of India unanimously picked The Good Road, the Oscar choice immediately sparked off a controversy.

The first voices of protest were raised by the director and producer of The Lunchbox. The Ritesh Batra-directed film has been received well in the festival circuit and had been talked of as India's best shot at the Oscars.

Anurag Kashyap, who co-produced The Lunchbox, tweeted: "First time and I really mean it, I was excited because first time we knew we had a chance... I don't know who the federation is but it goes to show, why we completely lack the understanding to make films that can travel across borders." Batra also accused the FFI of "lacking vision".

Director-producer Karan Johar, who turned presenter for The Lunchbox, tweeted: "The Lunchbox had every factor working in its favour, we may have lost our golden chance."

According to sources, the film's international distributor, Sony Pictures, was so confident that they had plans of similar lobbying campaigns as Amour, the French film that won the Oscar last year.

Defending the choice, Ghose said: "The film, produced by National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and Amitabha Singh, edged past others because it had a new experience to offer. It is about unknown people and tells a story from the remote Kutch."

This is not the first time the FFI has been accused of failing to send the right films to the Oscars. "I have suggested that the FFI write to the Academy that India, being a gigantic industry with a wide variety of films, be allowed to send at least five films," said Ghose.

The Good Road director Correa said the film, shot near Bhuj, was prompted by his own travel experiences. The Mumbai-based director had so far made only ad films. While the central role was played by a real-life truck driver, Oscar-winner Resul Pookutty was the sound designer.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the selection.

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July 24,2020

New Delhi, Jul 24: With more than 50 movies under her credits and being one of the few actors from Bollywood to make a strong imprint in Hollywood, actor Priyanka Chopra started it all by winning Miss India 2000 pageant.

Chopra who is currently celebrating the completion of 20 years in the entertainment industry, on Friday looked back and reacted to the video where she was crowned as Miss India.
The' Fashion' actor shared a video on Instagram, where she is seen watching the throwback video. The 'Dostana' actor recalled winning the title and joked about her sense of style and poses back then.

Sharing the reaction video, she wrote: "Alright guys, we're doing this! I'm watching footage from my Miss India pageant in 2000! This is where it all began... If you've never seen these before, you are in for quite a treat. #20in2020 @feminamissindia."

Throughout the video, the 'Gunday' actor is seen casually commenting on her hairstyle, enacting her own movement on stage, and also recalled her luscious hair, which she now wonders where it all got lost.

However, she took a moment to appreciate the "clever and profound" answer she gave for the question that won her the crown.

While watching the winning moment, the 'Don' star noted how she never expected to win it. She explained that she had a train booked as she was to go back and take her board exams.

Going through the old photographs that run parallel to the video, she says: "These pictures are hard to look at." Pausing at a particular photograph, she laughs and says, "I don't even know how to do that pose."

"Well, this is where everything started. These are the pictures that sent me to Tinseltown," said the actor towards the end of the video.

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March 19,2020

New Delhi, Mar 19: As a precautionary measure to combat the spread of coronavirus, Bollywood actors including Preity Zinda, Sidharth Malhotra, and Shraddha Kapoor are maintaining their social distance, while calling on fans to follow health guidelines and maintain good hygiene.

Joining others in sharing what to do while practicing self-isolation at home, Preity Zinda on Thursday took to Instagram and shared a video where she is giving an oil massage to her mother.

In the shared video, the 45-year-old actor was seen at the comforts of her home, giving a good nice 'Champi' to her mom.

She also encouraged everyone to try 'Champi' at home as she suggested it is good for one's hair.

"To keep our heads cool during this home quarantine it felt right to give mom the classic Champi Making the most of staying home & bonding kyuki sir jo tera chakraye, ya dil dooba jaaye- aaja pyaare paas hamare, kahe ghbraye. This too shall pass #day8 #homequarantine #staysafe #oilmassage #covid19 #Staypositive #Ting," the caption read.

On the other hand, actor Sidharth Malhotra is using the self-isolation period to focus this on things one always wanted to do but could not due to time restrictions.

"It's time to take some time off and focus on things we've always wanted to do but never had enough time for. Let's read, reinvent and live our hobbies, spend time with our family and just try to do all we can to stay safe and keep others around us safe too!"

The 35-year-old actor also urged everybody to take measures to avoid the spread of the disease.

"I love you guys, so please take good care of yourself, stay at home, wash your hands and avoid unnecessary travel," he added.

Meanwhile, Shraddha Kapoor has been posting a series of pictures right from the time of her being at home as a precautionary measure from the spread of the virus.

From reading to having a home-made meal to sharing balcony pictures, the 33-year-old actor has made her presence felt online.

On Thursday, the 'Baaghi' actor shared a picture of Bamboo toothbrush, promoting the use of eco-friendly products.

"Being home #BambooToothbrush #Ecofriendly #MorningRitual," the caption read.

According to official data provided by the Ministry of Health, the country has 169 reported cases of COVID-19.

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March 4,2020

New Delhi, Mar 4: Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar, who is all set to make her acting debut opposite Akshay Kumar in Prithviraj, says she's has always been interested in history.

"While growing up, I was really interested in history, the tales of grand kingdoms and larger than life historical heroes. I had always been fascinated with the story of Prithviraj and Sanyogita and life came to a full circle for me when I was offered this film," Manushi said.

Directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, Prithviraj is based on the life and heroism of the king Prithviraj Chauhan. It stars Akshay in the title role while Manushi plays Sanyogita, the love of his life.

For Manushi, being offered Prithviraj by Aditya Chopra was a sweet coincidence. She reveals, 'While growing up, I was really interested in history, the tales of grand kingdoms and larger than life historical heroes.'

The glamourous girl, who has been voted the most desirable woman in the recent past, reveals that she is 'blessed' to be playing the role of the gorgeous Rajput princess.

'When I was given the narration of the film, I had a smile on my face thinking that I’m listening to a story that I had been most interested about reading in school. Prithviraj and Sanyogita is a fascinating story and a beautiful chapter in the history of India and I’m blessed and fortunate to have got the opportunity to bring Princess Sanyogita’s story to life,' she says.

Manushi’s Bollywood debut is being directed by Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi who directed the biggest television epic 'Chanakya', based on the life and times of the most influential political strategist of India, and the multiple award-winning Pinjar.

'Prithviraj' will release worldwide in Diwali 2020.

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