The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla) – the premiere venue for the best annual showcase of independent cinema from India and its Diaspora – announced today a special virtual showcase, the first of its kind, Iffla Over the Years: 17 days celebrating 17 years of Indian cinema. Accessible via the Iffla website (www.indianfilmfestival.org) beginning on June 19 through July 5, 2020, this virtual showcase of over 120 narrative features, documentaries, and short films by festival alumni will be available online either freely or via popular streaming services. Many of these fascinating films have never seen a general release in the U.S.
Iffla Over the Years is the festival’s response to the ongoing uncertainty in the film festival world. To that end, the previously announced 2020 lineup will be moved to 2021 so that filmmakers and audiences can join together and share the festival experience in person.
“We are beyond thrilled to be presenting this online showcase of alumni films,...
Iffla Over the Years is the festival’s response to the ongoing uncertainty in the film festival world. To that end, the previously announced 2020 lineup will be moved to 2021 so that filmmakers and audiences can join together and share the festival experience in person.
“We are beyond thrilled to be presenting this online showcase of alumni films,...
- 6/20/2020
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
Indian Film Festival Los Angeles, which recently rolled the films in its canceled 2020 edition over to 2021 due to the pandemic, has announced a project called Iffla Over the Years. The virtual showcase highlights works by the festival’s alumni filmmakers, from Anurag Kashyap and Shonali Bose to Manish Acharya and Rima Das.
Announcing the project, Iffla founder Christina Marouda said: “Traveling through 17 years of programming has allowed us to reconnect with so many of our alumni with whom we share fond memories. We are excited with this opportunity to collaborate with them to offer new audiences worldwide the chance to discover some of the most visionary voices of Indian independent cinema in recent years. We also hope recent Iffla attendees have a chance to catch up with films from our first decade, and early attendees who could not join us in recent years are able to discover some of the newer gems we’ve presented.
Announcing the project, Iffla founder Christina Marouda said: “Traveling through 17 years of programming has allowed us to reconnect with so many of our alumni with whom we share fond memories. We are excited with this opportunity to collaborate with them to offer new audiences worldwide the chance to discover some of the most visionary voices of Indian independent cinema in recent years. We also hope recent Iffla attendees have a chance to catch up with films from our first decade, and early attendees who could not join us in recent years are able to discover some of the newer gems we’ve presented.
- 6/18/2020
- by Shalini Dore
- Variety Film + TV
Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone, who attended the Jio Mami 21st Mumbai Film Festival with Star 2019, is quite impressed by the reaction of the audience and movie enthusiasts at the festival.
Deepika, who is Chairperson of the festival, shared her experience: "I think I managed to learn a lot in the last couple of months that I have been here at the festival in the process, I also watched some of the films that was screening from 190 movies?I had the best take away from the festival is, its audience."
Also Read:?Deepika Padukone to play Draupadi
"I see people who are so passionate about the cinema here. Some of them are budding filmmakers and actors, but there is a large number of people I have seen in the audience who are as enthusiastic about good cinema. They are the pure audience who want to see good movies. This apart, I...
Deepika, who is Chairperson of the festival, shared her experience: "I think I managed to learn a lot in the last couple of months that I have been here at the festival in the process, I also watched some of the films that was screening from 190 movies?I had the best take away from the festival is, its audience."
Also Read:?Deepika Padukone to play Draupadi
"I see people who are so passionate about the cinema here. Some of them are budding filmmakers and actors, but there is a large number of people I have seen in the audience who are as enthusiastic about good cinema. They are the pure audience who want to see good movies. This apart, I...
- 10/25/2019
- GlamSham
Debut director Prateek Vats’ “Eeb Allay Ooo!”, a satirical social commentary revolving around a monkey wrangler in New Delhi, won three awards at the 21st edition of the Mumbai Film Festival, which concluded Thursday.
The film won the Golden Gateway first prize in the festival’s India Gold competition, the best actor award for Shardul Bhardwaj, and the Young Critics’ Choice award. It had its world premiere at the Pingyao festival earlier this month in China.
Gitanjali Rao’s “Bombay Rose,” a Mumbai-set animated romance, which has played in Toronto, Venice, Busan and London, won the Silver Gateway award. It shared the inaugural Manish Acharya award for new voices in Indian cinema with first-time director Achal Mishra’s family drama, “Gamak Ghar.”
Another debut feature, Kislay’s “Aise Hi,” a portrait of an elderly woman’s emancipation, won best actress for Mohini Sharma and the Film Critics Guild award. The...
The film won the Golden Gateway first prize in the festival’s India Gold competition, the best actor award for Shardul Bhardwaj, and the Young Critics’ Choice award. It had its world premiere at the Pingyao festival earlier this month in China.
Gitanjali Rao’s “Bombay Rose,” a Mumbai-set animated romance, which has played in Toronto, Venice, Busan and London, won the Silver Gateway award. It shared the inaugural Manish Acharya award for new voices in Indian cinema with first-time director Achal Mishra’s family drama, “Gamak Ghar.”
Another debut feature, Kislay’s “Aise Hi,” a portrait of an elderly woman’s emancipation, won best actress for Mohini Sharma and the Film Critics Guild award. The...
- 10/24/2019
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
A BollySpice exclusive with filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, as part of the London Indian Film Festival (Liff) 2014 and ahead of his public ‘Screen Talk’.
Farhan shares his views on American television series, 3D cinema, budget filmmaking and more…
Have you had a chance to catch any of the films showing at the Liff and are there any stand out films for you?
The one film I have seen, in Mumbai actually, which is part of the film festival, is Sulemani Keeda. That’s one film that I liked very much. I believe the filmmakers are in London as well, so hopefully we will get to meet them.
How about in the last 9-12 months, particularly in the world cinema range, anything which particularly stood out for you?
Gosh, I wish I was more prepared! Really have to jog my memory on that one!
No worries at all. Lets talk about television:...
Farhan shares his views on American television series, 3D cinema, budget filmmaking and more…
Have you had a chance to catch any of the films showing at the Liff and are there any stand out films for you?
The one film I have seen, in Mumbai actually, which is part of the film festival, is Sulemani Keeda. That’s one film that I liked very much. I believe the filmmakers are in London as well, so hopefully we will get to meet them.
How about in the last 9-12 months, particularly in the world cinema range, anything which particularly stood out for you?
Gosh, I wish I was more prepared! Really have to jog my memory on that one!
No worries at all. Lets talk about television:...
- 7/17/2014
- by Anjum Shabbir
- Bollyspice
For those familiar with indie movies, Seema Rahmani is not a new name. Having started her acting career with television, Seema made an impression with her movie Sins (starring Shiny Ahuja) followed by Loins of Punjab Presents and Missed Call. The lovely actress in an exclusive with BollySpice:
How did acting happen to you? Is this something you always wanted to do or it happened by chance?
It happened by chance. I had performed in a musical and a play in school but didn’t know I would be an actor. I was in public relations for two years when I realized it wasn’t the career I wanted for the rest of my life. A couple of people suggested I go into modeling. I didn’t really want to do that, and so I took some time off, prayed intensely for direction, and the universe conspired, so to speak,...
How did acting happen to you? Is this something you always wanted to do or it happened by chance?
It happened by chance. I had performed in a musical and a play in school but didn’t know I would be an actor. I was in public relations for two years when I realized it wasn’t the career I wanted for the rest of my life. A couple of people suggested I go into modeling. I didn’t really want to do that, and so I took some time off, prayed intensely for direction, and the universe conspired, so to speak,...
- 1/22/2012
- by Prateeksha Khot
- Bollyspice
.Bodyguards. and .rockstars. helped Hindi cinema break the gloom of the past two years, with several films crossing the Rs.100 crore ($18.6 million)-mark in 2011. And, sure enough, a pot of gold lay at the end of the rainbow year thanks to the .real hero. Vidya Balan.Bollywood rediscovered hits with .Bodyguard., .Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara., .Ready., .Singham. and .Ra.One. this year.According to Box Office India, while Salman Khan.s .Bodyguard. and .Ready. collected Rs.229 crore and Rs.179 crore respectively, multi-starrer .Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. raked in Rs.152 crore. Ajay Devgn.s .Singham. joined the jakpot with Rs.139-crore earnings.Made at a budget of over Rs.60 crore, Ranbir Kapoor-starrer .Rockstar. is expected to earn Rs.105 crore while Shah Rukh Khan.s .Ra.One., the first of its kind in terms of technological use, pocketed Rs.240 crore..It has been a very positive year.this year has proved...
- 12/15/2011
- Filmicafe
For Shabana Azmi, the going of Gautam Rajadhyaksha is a personal blow. Says the devastated actress, "I can't get over the fact that Gautam was going to be 61 on the September 16, and now he's gone forever. I never got a chance to tell him how much I love him. I can't stop crying." "Gautam said Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor and I were a photographer's nightmare. He said, 'You three only know how to act. You don't know how to pose.' I'd freeze in front of the still camera. Gautam would relax me with his opera music and conversation, and the food. He served the most delicious food Maharashtrian food in his house. My best photos were taken by Gautam. And also of Javed and the children, Farhan and Zoya. Now when we're doing up our new home in Lonavla, Gautam had visited the place with photographs." Placing Gautam in a photographic perspective,...
- 9/15/2011
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
For Shabana Azmi, the going of Gautam Rajadhyaksha is a personal blow. Says the devastated actress, "I can't get over the fact that Gautam was going to be 61 on the September 16, and now he's gone forever. I never got a chance to tell him how much I love him. I can't stop crying." "Gautam said Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor and I were a photographer's nightmare. He said, 'You three only know how to act. You don't know how to pose.' I'd freeze in front of the still camera. Gautam would relax me with his opera music and conversation, and the food. He served the most delicious food Maharashtrian food in his house. My best photos were taken by Gautam. And also of Javed and the children, Farhan and Zoya. Now when we're doing up our new home in Lonavla, Gautam had visited the place with photographs." Placing Gautam in a photographic perspective,...
- 9/15/2011
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
A typical Bollywood set takes safety and security for granted, but what happened recently to Sohil Shah cannot be termed as anything less than shocking. Sohil Shah, Anurag Kashyap's Chief Assistant Director on Gangs Of Wasseypur, died in a freak accident during the shoot of the film in Varanasi yesterday. This shocking news comes soon after the industry lost Sourabh Usha Narang, Pankaj Advani and Manish Acharya earlier this year. The young filmmaker from Mumbai who had earlier worked on Prince, Lafangey Parindey and a TV series 'Amazing Race' met with the unfortunate incident early yesterday morning. The crew was filming a simple routine sunrise shot, in which a jeep was shown in the frame, which Sohil was driving. Though production people gave him a driver, he chose to drive it himself with the driver sitting at the co-driver's seat. While passing through a bridge, he saw...
- 12/24/2010
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
A typical Bollywood set takes safety and security for granted, but what happened recently to Sohil Shah cannot be termed as anything less than shocking. Sohil Shah, Anurag Kashyap's Chief Assistant Director on Gangs Of Wasseypur, died in a freak accident during the shoot of the film in Varanasi yesterday. This shocking news comes soon after the industry lost Sourabh Usha Narang, Pankaj Advani and Manish Acharya earlier this year. The young filmmaker from Mumbai who had earlier worked on Prince, Lafangey Parindey and a TV series 'Amazing Race' met with the unfortunate incident early yesterday morning. The crew was filming a simple routine sunrise shot, in which a jeep was shown in the frame, which Sohil was driving. Though production people gave him a driver, he chose to drive it himself with the driver sitting at the co-driver's seat. While passing through a bridge, he saw...
- 12/24/2010
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Manish Acharya has died as a result of a horseriding accident. The actor-director had been on holiday with his wife and children in the resort of Mathura when the accident occurred on Saturday. Upon hearing the news, Priyanka Chopra posted on her Twitter account: "My friend, future director, super funny wannabe beach bum and unbelievable human being Manish Acharya. I’m too shocked to say more." Shabana Azmi, who (more)...
- 12/6/2010
- by By Steven Baker
- Digital Spy
Actor cum director Manish Acharya died after falling down from a horse in Matheran. He was 40. He was with his family in Matheran since December 2. He injured his head after falling from a horse. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead. His first film, ‘Lions of Punjab’ released in 2007 starring Shabana Azmi and Manish himself was critically acclaimed. He has also acted in Hrithik Roshan starrer, ‘Luck By Chance’ His last ritual has been conducted at Chandanwadi crematorium in south Mumbai last night. The sudden death of Manish has taken the industry by shock, Hrithik R...
- 12/6/2010
- Bollywoodmantra.com
Manish Acharya, who shot to fame with his directorial debut, Loins Of Punjab Presents, passed away in the wee hours of Saturday. His untimely demise is the third loss to Hindi film industry after directors Saurabh Narang and Pankaj Advani in the recent times.Acharya, who had gone to Matheran with his family on Thursday, is believed to have met with an accident, which eventually led to his death. Filmmaker Onir, expressing immense shock at the loss of a colleague and friend, revealed that the accident took place when Acharya fell off a horse. “His head hit a stone, which proved ...
- 12/5/2010
- Hindustan Times - Celebrity
Mumbai, Dec 5 – A day after 40-year-old actor-director-producer Manish Acharya of ‘Lion of Punjab Presents’ fame passed away in Matheran in Maharashtra, Bollywood mourned his death, remembering him as a ’super funny’ man.
Acharya was on a holiday with his wife and two children when he fell and hit himself on the head. He was rushed to the Ambani Hospital in Nerul but was declared dead by doctors Saturday.
<p.
Acharya was on a holiday with his wife and two children when he fell and hit himself on the head. He was rushed to the Ambani Hospital in Nerul but was declared dead by doctors Saturday.
<p.
- 12/5/2010
- by realbollywood
- RealBollywood.com
Maverick actor-director-producer Manish Acharya, of " Loins of Punjab Presents" fame, fell off a horse to his death in Matheran on Saturday morning. The multi-tasker who played almost every role, from camera assistant to director to actor, was 40.Nikhil Chaturvedi, his brother-in-law, said, He was on a holiday with his two children and wife. He fell from the horse and hit himself on the head. He was rushed to the Ambani Hospital in Nerul but was declared dead by doctors."Loins of Punjab Presents", Acharya's last film, received much critical appreciation. A source from the industry said, He was planning a period drama based in the '80s and had begun work on it. Manish planned to make two more films, Chaturvedi added.Going by what the industry had to say about him, Acharya was a multi-faceted talent. He not only acted in films like Farhan Akhtar...
- 12/4/2010
- Filmicafe
It is with sadness that we must report that director and actor Manish Acharya passed away today. It is being said that it was a riding accident in Matheran but the details are unclear.
His first film Loins of Punjab was critically acclaimed and was called one of the funniest films ever. We spoke to the director about the film and he was warm, funny and gave brilliant and insightful answers to our questions. He was also seen in a small role in the Zoya Akhtar directed Luck By Chance as well as playing the narrator for the wonderful Sita Sings the Blues.
The director will be greatly missed and many in the industry have sent out their shock, their sadness and their thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.
We here at BollySpice mourn the loss of this special man and join in sending out our thoughts and prayers.
His first film Loins of Punjab was critically acclaimed and was called one of the funniest films ever. We spoke to the director about the film and he was warm, funny and gave brilliant and insightful answers to our questions. He was also seen in a small role in the Zoya Akhtar directed Luck By Chance as well as playing the narrator for the wonderful Sita Sings the Blues.
The director will be greatly missed and many in the industry have sent out their shock, their sadness and their thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.
We here at BollySpice mourn the loss of this special man and join in sending out our thoughts and prayers.
- 12/4/2010
- Bollyspice
People come and go but there are a few that make a mark on society that lasts a life time, and Manish Acharya was one such being. The young director, writer, actor par who has given us films like Loins Of Punjab, Sita Sings The Blues, Luck By Chance is no more. The director who tweeted just yesterday about his impending trip to Matheran is said to have fallen off a horse in Matheran (a popular hill station near Mumbai) and died as a result of brain haemorrhage. This will be the third filmmaker to have passed away at such a young age following Sourabh Usha Narang, then Pankaj Advani. Bollywood Hungama mourns the loss of such talent and sends out its solemn condolences and prayers to Manish's family and friends.
- 12/4/2010
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
People come and go but there are a few that make a mark on society that lasts a life time, and Manish Acharya was one such being. The young director, writer, actor par who has given us films like Loins Of Punjab, Sita Sings The Blues, Luck By Chance is no more. The director who tweeted just yesterday about his impending trip to Matheran is said to have fallen off a horse in Matheran (a popular hill station near Mumbai) and died as a result of brain haemorrhage. This will be the third filmmaker to have passed away at such a young age following Sourabh Usha Narang, then Pankaj Advani. Bollywood Hungama mourns the loss of such talent and sends out its solemn condolences and prayers to Manish's family and friends.
- 12/4/2010
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
The eight day gala affair at the 12th Mumbai film Festival concluded last night with Fardeen Khan and Raima Sen hosting the event at Chandan Cinema. The Indian Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Manoj Kumar and International Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Oliver Stone. After receiving the award Manoj Kumar said, "Oliver Stone was Oliver Stone until he came to India, after landing here, he became a precious gem and priceless stone." In turn Oliver thanked Mumbai, the Festival and Manoj Kumar for his kind words and said, "India has great culture, you make great movies and I am honoured to accept this award." The Golden Gateway Award for the best film in the international competition category was presented to Turkish film Majority directed by Seren Yuce. The award was presented by director Girish Kasarvalli and Festival jury member Samira Makhmalbaf. The Silver Gateway Award Jury Grand Prize...
- 10/29/2010
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
The eight-day gala affair at the 12th Mumbai Film Festival concluded Thursday night in a grand way with active participation from Bollywood and presence of legends like Manoj Kumar and Hollywood filmmaker Oliver Stone.The closing ceremony of the fest witnessed an award ceremony that was attended by Yash Chopra, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Sudhir Mishra, Madhur Bhandarkar, Arunoday Singh, Satish Kaushik, Prem Chopra, Hrishita Bhatt, Rituparno Sengupta, Rajshree Ojha and Aamir Bashir among others. The event was hosted by Fardeen Khan and Raima Sen.The lifetime achievement awards were bestowed on two veterans Manoj Kumar and Oliver Stone, who received standing ovations by the audience.After receiving the award Manoj said: .I.m happy to receive this award. I must salute all for wonderfully handling this festival. I want to tell the organisers that anytime they need me, I will always be there for them..The other lifetime achievement award winner,...
- 10/28/2010
- Filmicafe
Dev Benegal of English August fame has been roped in to judge the entries in the short film section of the 12th Mumbai Film Festival (Mff), starting Oct 21. Aimed at the youth (of Mumbai) under 25, the new section called Dimensions Mumbai includes films on the maximum city by aspiring directors. Besides Benegal, it will also be judged by Bishaka Dutta, Brahmanand S. Singh, Ashim Ahluwalia and Manish Acharya. Organised by the Mumbai-based writer-editor-director; Datta is a journalist; Singh is known for making a National Award-winning documentary on legendary composer R.D. Burman called Pancham Unmixed: Muje Chalte Jana Hai; Ahluwalia is a screenwriter-filmmaker with credits like John & Jane and upcoming Hindi film Miss Lovely; and Acharya is known for his comedy Loins of Punjab Presents. The five experts will select top 20 films from the received entries that will be screened at the gala. Apart from short fiction, the competition is also...
- 10/15/2010
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
New Delhi, Oct 8 – Dev Benegal of “English August” fame has been roped in to judge the entries in the short film section of the 12th Mumbai Film Festival (Mff), starting Oct 21.
Aimed at the youth (of Mumbai) under 25, the new section called Dimensions Mumbai includes films on the maximum city by aspiring directors. Besides Benegal, it will also be judged by Bishaka Dutta, Brahmanand S. Singh, Ashim Ahuluwalia and Manish Acharya.
Organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (Mami), the festival is a Reliance Big Entertainment Ltd (Rbel) initiative which is the flagship media and entertainment arm of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.
Benegal is a Mumbai-based writer-editor-director; Datta.
Aimed at the youth (of Mumbai) under 25, the new section called Dimensions Mumbai includes films on the maximum city by aspiring directors. Besides Benegal, it will also be judged by Bishaka Dutta, Brahmanand S. Singh, Ashim Ahuluwalia and Manish Acharya.
Organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (Mami), the festival is a Reliance Big Entertainment Ltd (Rbel) initiative which is the flagship media and entertainment arm of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.
Benegal is a Mumbai-based writer-editor-director; Datta.
- 10/8/2010
- by realbollywood
- RealBollywood.com
The much-acclaimed movie Loins of Punjab Presents had its DVD release on May 31. One may wonder why the long delay, considering the film was released at the theatres in 2007. When asked, director Manish Acharya said, “The film was purchased by a Canadian sales agent who requested us not to release the DVD in India, as he was selling the theatrical rights of the movie to other countries. So we had to wait.” The launch was held at Crossword, Kemps Corner. The theme of the launch — Loins Idol — was much in context of the movie’s Desi Idol, which ...
- 6/2/2010
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Loins of Punjab Presents is a mockumentary patterned after the formula of Christopher Guest - a variety of could-have-beens and wannabe butt heads in a contest of talent, but more importantly, of self-worth and vindication, in which seemingly average non-creative types pit themselves (and each other) against steep odds and go to surprising lengths to get something that most people wouldn’t even think of applying for. In this case, the object of the game is the Loins of Punjab Bollywood-style singing contest, sponsored by Mr. Bokade (Jameel Khan), who is bringing all of this to fruition courtesy of his outrageous pork fortune. As a portrait of Indian-American culture and people who aren’t as talented as they wish they were, Loins is surprisingly sharp in its politics and perspective on the difficulties of maintaining cultural identity in a rapidly shifting world. It's too bad it doesn’t work better as a film.
- 4/17/2010
- by Anders Nelson
- JustPressPlay.net
DVD Playhouse—April 2010
By
Allen Gardner
Ride With The Devil (Criterion) Ang Lee’s revisionist take on the Civil War is awash in moral ambiguity, along with some stunning cinematography, production design, and fine performances. Set during the Kansas-Missouri border war, Tobey Maguire and Skeet Ulrich star as two friends who join up with the Confederate-sympathizing Bushwhackers, finding an odd ally in a former slave (Jeffrey Wright). While it’s fascinating to see America’s bloodiest conflict through the eyes of a foreigner, thereby allowing much of the previously mentioned ambiguity a certain latitude, the film never loses the bad taste it leaves for one simple reason: it asks us, the audience, to side with not just the Confederates, but some of the lowest trash that made up the dregs, and the fringes, of the movement. Big points for audacity, but snake eyes on the story itself. Singer Jewel is impressive in her film debut.
By
Allen Gardner
Ride With The Devil (Criterion) Ang Lee’s revisionist take on the Civil War is awash in moral ambiguity, along with some stunning cinematography, production design, and fine performances. Set during the Kansas-Missouri border war, Tobey Maguire and Skeet Ulrich star as two friends who join up with the Confederate-sympathizing Bushwhackers, finding an odd ally in a former slave (Jeffrey Wright). While it’s fascinating to see America’s bloodiest conflict through the eyes of a foreigner, thereby allowing much of the previously mentioned ambiguity a certain latitude, the film never loses the bad taste it leaves for one simple reason: it asks us, the audience, to side with not just the Confederates, but some of the lowest trash that made up the dregs, and the fringes, of the movement. Big points for audacity, but snake eyes on the story itself. Singer Jewel is impressive in her film debut.
- 4/16/2010
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Sita Sings the Blues I first read about Sita Sings the Blues, a grassroots animated interpretation of the Indian epic Ramayana, when Roger Ebert wrote about it on his blog, but assumed I would never see it. I can't say I was incredibly disturbed by this since I am in a similar boat as Roger who refers to the large amount of movies writers in this industry receive on a daily basis, "I carefully file it with other movies I will watch when they introduce the 8-day week." Seriously, sometimes it is hard to believe this many movies are made. However, Roger was compelled to watch it by a friend of his and ultimately says, "I put on the DVD and start watching. I am enchanted. I am swept away. I am smiling from one end of the film to the other. It is astonishingly original. It brings together four...
- 2/28/2009
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Manish Acharya’s directorial debut, “Loins of Pubjab Presents” follows a group of “would-be superstars” in a New Jersey-based, Bollywood-inspired “Desi Idol” singing competition, sponsored by local butcher company Loins of Punjab. The finalists competing for the $25,000 prize represent the South Asian diaspora through a “delightfully eclectic cross-section” of personalities. The #1 English language comedy ever to open in India, “Loins” has screened and garnered prizes...
(more...)...
(more...)...
- 9/16/2008
- by John
- ReelSuave.com
Richie Mehta's "Amal" took the grand jury prize for best narrative feature, while Yunus Vally's "The Glow of White Women" was named best documentary at the sixth annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, which concluded Sunday.
Audience awards went to Manish Acharya's narrative film "Loins of Punjab Presents" and Christopher Mitchell's doc "Super 30".
Audience awards went to Manish Acharya's narrative film "Loins of Punjab Presents" and Christopher Mitchell's doc "Super 30".
- 4/28/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CHENNAI, India -- Loins of Punjab Presents is an honest and amusing though somewhat shoddily produce look at expatiate Indians in America. It gushes witty, one-liners and there is no background musical score that is often so intrusive in Indian cinema, nudging, nay pushing, a viewer into a mood the director sets. And for his first movie, helmer Manish Acharya -- who also plays the part of Vikram Tejwani, whose job is about to be outsourced to India -- shows restraint in steering clear of the obsession among international Indian moviemakers for stereotyping desi -- or first generation immigrant -- characters.
Despite its humor, which at times is bawdy, the film may not score with commercial audiences seeking as a matter of habit Bollywood formulas, but it can get into festivals thanks to the well cast actors and careful characterizations.
During a music competition sponsored by a big pork manufacturer in the U.S. called Loins of Punjab, a motley group of contestants parks itself in a New Jersey hotel. Among them is Rita Kapoor (Shabana Azmi), a social butterfly who controls judges and contenders through sexual or other favors. While she takes one of the judges for a romp, she tempts a couple of participants with lucrative assignments in return for them quitting the contest.
Young Preeti Patel (Ishitta Sharma) -- in tow with her entire family bent on seeing her win the huge prize money of $25,000 -- plays tough, not easily swallowing Kapoor's bait of a fabulous modeling offer. Meanwhile, Kapoor does get Bollywood aspirant Sania Rehman (Seema Rahmani) disqualified on a flimsy ground.
Even the smallest parts have been diligently written by Acharya and Anuvab Patel, capturing the finer nuances of each. These include the gay Sikh participant, Turbanotorious B.D.G. (Ajay Naidu), a bundle of aggression; Opama Menon (Ayesha Dharker), whose American boyfriend, Josh Cohen (Michael Raimondi), is the only foreign competitor in the group and places ambition ahead of relationship; and Sharma's Patel, caught between her own dream and parental shove.
However, the movie leaves one with a sneaking suspicion that Acharya was more than a little inspired by Little Miss Sunshine.
LOINS OF PUNJAB PRESENTS
Horn OK Please Entertainment
Credits:
Director/producer: Manish Acharya
Writers: Manish Acharya, Anuvab Pal
Director of photography: Arvind Kannabiran
Production designer: Ayesha Punvani
Music: Michael Cohen
Costume designer: Rabiah Troncelliti
Editor: Christopher Dillon
Cast:
Rita Kapoor: Shabana Azmi
Vikram Tejwani: Manish Acharya
Opama Menon: Ayesha Dharker
Sania Rehman: Seema Rahmani
Preeti Patel: Ishitta Sharma
Josh Cohen: Michael Raimondi
Turbanotorious B.D.G.: Ajay Naidu
Running time -- 88 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Despite its humor, which at times is bawdy, the film may not score with commercial audiences seeking as a matter of habit Bollywood formulas, but it can get into festivals thanks to the well cast actors and careful characterizations.
During a music competition sponsored by a big pork manufacturer in the U.S. called Loins of Punjab, a motley group of contestants parks itself in a New Jersey hotel. Among them is Rita Kapoor (Shabana Azmi), a social butterfly who controls judges and contenders through sexual or other favors. While she takes one of the judges for a romp, she tempts a couple of participants with lucrative assignments in return for them quitting the contest.
Young Preeti Patel (Ishitta Sharma) -- in tow with her entire family bent on seeing her win the huge prize money of $25,000 -- plays tough, not easily swallowing Kapoor's bait of a fabulous modeling offer. Meanwhile, Kapoor does get Bollywood aspirant Sania Rehman (Seema Rahmani) disqualified on a flimsy ground.
Even the smallest parts have been diligently written by Acharya and Anuvab Patel, capturing the finer nuances of each. These include the gay Sikh participant, Turbanotorious B.D.G. (Ajay Naidu), a bundle of aggression; Opama Menon (Ayesha Dharker), whose American boyfriend, Josh Cohen (Michael Raimondi), is the only foreign competitor in the group and places ambition ahead of relationship; and Sharma's Patel, caught between her own dream and parental shove.
However, the movie leaves one with a sneaking suspicion that Acharya was more than a little inspired by Little Miss Sunshine.
LOINS OF PUNJAB PRESENTS
Horn OK Please Entertainment
Credits:
Director/producer: Manish Acharya
Writers: Manish Acharya, Anuvab Pal
Director of photography: Arvind Kannabiran
Production designer: Ayesha Punvani
Music: Michael Cohen
Costume designer: Rabiah Troncelliti
Editor: Christopher Dillon
Cast:
Rita Kapoor: Shabana Azmi
Vikram Tejwani: Manish Acharya
Opama Menon: Ayesha Dharker
Sania Rehman: Seema Rahmani
Preeti Patel: Ishitta Sharma
Josh Cohen: Michael Raimondi
Turbanotorious B.D.G.: Ajay Naidu
Running time -- 88 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 11/27/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.