Why was Kaala not selected at IFFI: Pa Ranjith

Agencies
November 22, 2018

Panaji, Nov 22: "Kaala" may have redefined the symbolism of colours black and white in cinema but its director, Pa Ranjith says if that were true the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) would have selected the film for the ongoing gala's Indian Panorama section.

The Rajinikanth-starrer was touted to be India's "Black Panther" in the reviews for its political message highlighting the struggle of Dalits and Ranjith says it was difficult for him to understand that "Tiger Zinda Hai" be chosen but not "Kaala".

"Unfortunately, they have not selected the film at IFFI. I don't understand why 'Tiger Zinda Hai' was selected and 'Kaala' was not.

"I don't know what's happening. 'Tiger Zinda Hai' was not even critically acclaimed. But 'Kaala' was. That's why I have to fight more and more," the director told PTI on the sidelines of the 49th edition of IFFI.

Ranjith was present at the screening of his production "Pariyerum Perumal BA BL" on Wednesday.

Directed by Mari Selvaraj, the story of the Tamil language film revolves around the eponymous character who is devastated when his hunting dog is suddenly killed. The murderer is now on a killing spree and starts lurking around Perumal. The more he tries to evade the war, the more he is sucked into it.

Like his directorials, Ranjith says he wants to use his productions to discuss the caste divide that runs deep across the country.

The filmmaker, best known for "Kabali", "Madras" and "Atthakathi", says he wants both mainstream and parallel cinema to address casteism.

"They (the producers) are not ready. They are still not letting the audiences get used to different types of cinema. Producers tend to not take risks thinking they will challenge the set pattern. I want to make it clear for other producers that such a story needs to be put out. Let 'Perumal' be an example for others," he says.

"I believes that the audience has an open mind and as creative people we should not hold things back from them. I want to break all the rules," he adds.

Ranjith says he does not need to join politics as he already considers himself a politician.

"I am in politics. Cinema is a very political medium. I'm a politician," he says.

The director, who received a rockstar's welcome with the chants of 'Jai Bhim' by the audiences at the screening of the film at a jam-packed hall here, says it is his politics that resonates so strongly with the people.

"I think I'm most honest to my political ideas. This is the core that connects me with the audience."

The director will soon be making his Hindi directorial debut with the biopic on tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

Without giving away much, Ranjith says Munda is one such leader that the country needs today.

"He was the premier leader and it was the tribals that led the freedom movement from the front as they were the first ones to be affected with all the land grabbing that started with the British and it still continues.

"Adivasis are facing so much struggle with their lands being snatched away even today. I think India needs Birsa Munda now."

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News Network
June 24,2020

Mumbai, Jun 24: Veteran choreographer Saroj Khan has been admitted to a hospital here after she complained of breathing problems.

According to a source close to her family, the 71-year old choreographer was rushed to Guru Nanak Hospital in Bandra on Saturday.

Following her hospitalisation, a mandatory Covid-19 test was done, which turned out to be negative.

"She is fine now and recovering. She had breathing issues and was taken to hospital for that. Her Covid test was done which turned out negative. She doesn't have any symptoms. She is likely to be discharged in a day or two," the source told PTI.

In a career spanning over four decades, Khan is credited with choreographing more than 2,000 songs.

The three-time National Award winner has choreographed for some of the most memorable tracks, including "Dola Re Dola" from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Devdas", "Ek Do Teen" from Madhuri Dixit-starrer "Tezaab" and "Ye Ishq Haaye" from "Jab We Met" in 2007.

She last choreographed for "Tabaah Hogaye", featuring Madhuri from filmmaker Karan Johar's production "Kalank" in 2019.

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News Network
January 7,2020

Mumbai, Jan 7: Actor Anil Kapoor, who next will be seen onscreen in Malang, revealed that he always tells superstar Aamir Khan not to stop working with filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani.

Kapoor was interacting with the media at the trailer launch of Malang along with his co-actors Adtiya Roy Kapur, Disha Patani, Elli AvRam, film's director Mohit Suri and producers Luv Ranjan, Bhushan Kumar, Ankur Garg and Jay Shewakraman on Monday in Mumbai.

Anil Kapoor has worked with many directors and producers in his 40-year acting career.

Talking about camp culture in the Hindi film industry and praising makers of Malang, Kapoor said, "I feel we need producers like Ankur (Garg) and Luv (Ranjan). I have told Mohit (Suri) to continue doing films with them. I always tell Aamir Khan by calling him on the phone to say that you should not leave Raju Hirani (Rajkumar Hirani). Whenever I see films of both of them, I tell Aamir not to leave him."

He continued, "I feel whenever you make a good team then you should hold on to it. Team is very important and there are certain stars that come together to make something interesting and exciting."

Kapoor gave an example of Hollywood actors and filmmakers while backing his viewpoint.

"If you see Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio they do so many films together. They can work with others, too, but they keep working with each other. There is some magic, obviously. You have to go with the casting but somewhere I feel teams should stand by each other," the actor added.

Malang stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Disha Patani, Anil Kapoor and Kunal Khemu in lead roles. It is scheduled to release on February 7.

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News Network
April 6,2020

New Delhi, Apr 6:  In an attempt to pump up Indians with positivity amid the testing times of coronavirus, Bollywood's most prominent actors like Akshay Kumar, Kartik Aaryan, Tiger Shroff, Taapsee Pannu, Kiara Advani, joined hands and launched a hope anthem - 'Muskurayega India.'

The song is set on the optimistic theme that sends out the message that the country will smile again if the country supports each other in the current crisis situation.

An initiative of Akshay Kumar's Cape of Good Films, the video of the song features all the lead actors of the industry including Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, Sidharth Malhotra, Vicky Kaushal, Raj Kumar Rao, Ananya Panday, Kriti Sanon, Jacky Bhagnani, and Rakul Preet.
Curated by Jackky Bhagnani's music label JJust Music and composed and sung by the talented Vishal Mishra, 'Muskurayega India' is a symbol of India's spirit of solidarity, battling against the coronavirus pandemic.

The soulful song penned by Kaushal Kishore also features cricketer Shikhar Dhawan and famous Mumbai based Radio Jockey Malishka.
The video of the song starts with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's televised address in which he is seen assuring the country that every Indian will come out victorious from the coronavirus crisis.

The video then features all the prominent faces of the cinema industry giving out the message of hope from their balconies, terrace and other spots of their houses.

The song urges people to stay home and support the people who are working to combat the virus, like police officials, and medical practitioners on duty amid the lockdown.

A locked-down view of some of the most prominent spots in the country like the India Gate, Hawa Mahal, and Mumbai's beaches are also featured in the video.

The song also spreads the message of social distancing and washing of hands to keep the infection away.

The video ends with a rhythm of the national anthem with the celebrities standing still to honour it and finally fades away with the Indian national flag.

As the country battles the novel coronavirus, the song is an attempt to uplift the spirit of togetherness of every Indian during the unprecedented crisis.

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