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Showing posts with the label Films

Building Bridges – An Introspection of Humanity

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In an atmosphere of nationalistic brainwashing and blind subservience to an ideology that is taking this country down the path of socio-cultural regression, the documentary Building Bridges comes as a respite from political propaganda that imbues one’s countrymen with hatred towards another nation. First-time filmmaker Rahul Chandawarkar brings us an image of Pakistan that is vibrant, hospitable and culturally exuberant. It presents a Pakistan that could have emerged as a progressive nation had it not been strapped down and shackled by the effects of Talibanisation. The decision to document this journey was made just before leaving with a hurried purchase of a Sony handycam that was made functional through trial and error. The 45 minute film is grainy and shaky almost throughout its length, but it lends authenticity to the images captured. Though filmed in 2004 it was only in 2012, after years of discussion, that Mihir Apte, a film editor and a friend of Rahul, edited the footage to c

A King among Actors

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(This article is based on a programme featuring Dilip Prabhavalkar at the Black Box, Kala Academy, Panjim) Versatility is the man’s middle name but, to the public, he goes by the name Dilip Prabhavalkar. I grew up watching his Marathi movies, television serials and dramas, and was entertained by his comedic timing and his fluid ability to fit the mould of any character he had to play. Dilip Prabhavalkar has acted in Hindi and Telugu cinema as well, thus adding to his repertoire of films beyond a single regional language. One of India’s finest actors, Prabhavalkar is renowned for his roles as Nandu in the critically acclaimed Chaukat Raja and the spirit of M K Gandhi in the Bollywood blockbuster Lage Raho Munna Bhai . By Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43366352 It was an uncharacteristic career move for someone who had established himself in the field of science. He had never planned on becoming an actor. Along with a Master of Science in B

A Journey of Drama

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British Indian director, Waris Hussein was in attendance at Literati Book Shop in January, 2015, to speak about his experiences in the field of direction. Born in Lucknow, Hussein left for England when he was very young and later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, from Queen’s College, Cambridge. He is the progeny of Attia Hosain, author of Sunlight on a Broken Column . He will eternally be introduced as the director of the first Dr Who series, but there is more that marks his career to credit him as a director of note. He has directed television serial Edward and Mrs Simpson for which he won a Bafta Award and Barry Manilow’s musical, Copacabana , for which he won an Emmy Award. Apart from these he has had a number successful series such as the BBC television version of A Passage to India in 1965 and feature films: Melody (1971) and Henry VIII and his Six Wives (1972). He has had the opportunity of directing stalwarts of cinema such as Bette Davis, Shirley Mc

The Multifaceted Kevin D’Mello

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His presence is undeniably alluring; eye candy for his female fan following. Nonetheless, Kevin D’Mello is more than just good looks. This 28-year-old has talent effusing from every pore of his body – talent he strives to enhance constantly. Kevin’s acting talent is inherent. Although one cannot attribute his prowess completely to genes, the effect of being the offspring of a performer of high calibre cannot be denied. His father, Cezar D’Mello, is a well-known tiatrist, who has garnered accolades for his work on stage. The prodding and stoking of his acting abilities began with his father teaching Kevin to sing enthusiastically with animation. Kevin D’Mello got his foot in the door of the movie industry at the age of nineteen. His name was suggested by activist and lecturer Prajal Sakhardande to Dharmanand Vernekar for an AIDS advertisement which ran on television nine years ago during IFFI. Having noticed him in the advertisement, Dnyanesh Moghe gave him a role in his Konkani film  J

Mumbai Dreams

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Who says dreamers cannot make it big?! Santosh Mainkar was a typical Mumbai boy with high aspirations. Through hard work and persevering constancy, he has gradually climbed the rungs of cinematic fame. This Economics graduate from Mumbai University had a strong inclination towards becoming a thespian from his college days, but fate had a slightly alternative calling in store for him. On completing his higher secondary schooling, he became a regular participant in theatre and this is what primarily set him about patterning his career course in the direction of acting. The current of destiny forced him on a different route when he directed a Marathi street play for the NSS whilst still in college. The street play, which was performed at Kirti College in Dadar, obtained second place. The success of the play proved his directorial prowess. From then on it was about script writing and direction for Santosh. Santosh Mainkar His first documentary was Dhoop , which won first prize at Elphinsto

Konkani Cinema Calling

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Initial diffidence is overpowered by the desire for expression. As found in most shy persons, thought processes function at an accelerated pace and the urgency to communicate the same soon brings in confidence. Had he not become a filmmaker, Joywin Fernandes would have surely taken up journalism as a profession. Such is his need to put forth his ideas. His love of films grew with him since he saw his first film as a young boy. The movies were rented by his father as a reward for doing well in school. He remembers fondly, ‘I remember my dad used to take me to a video cassette library every Sunday to hire a movie only if I would get ‘very good’ remark on my maths book.’ The passion for watching films soon transformed into a passion for making films which was an ideal outlet for his creativity. His intention is not just the making of films, but the making of good films. This is something that requires time and he says it takes at least a year to create good cinema. Joywin Fernandes Joywin