Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thilakan Speaks in Defence of Prithviraj
Ranjith’s Indian Rupee has wowed audiences and critics alike, and two actors have been offered a fresh lease of life, thanks to the film – Thilakan and Prithviraj. Thilakan has remained away from the industry for the last few months after being banned by AMMA, while Prithvi has been the object of many an attack in recent times.
Thilakan has come out in defence of Prithviraj the actor, and says that there is no reason for the young actor to be treated this way. In an interview with a prominent daily Thilakan says that he had watched the film at Trivandrum Sree Padmanabha theatre.
“During Prithvi’s introduction scene, there was a whole lot of howling the theatre. Not everyone was howling, but it was obvious, that there was an attempt to deliberately attack Prithvi, the reason of which I don’t understand,” says the veteran actor.
“I don’t think Prithvi’s performance in the film demanded all that ruckus. ‘Indian Rupee’ is one of Prithvi’s best films. And in this film, Prithviraj has evolved much as an actor. A film has to be carefully watched. It’s not right to howl in the midst of a film,” adds Thilakan.
SOURCE: http://www.balconybeats.com/index.php/actors/thilakan-speaks-in-defence-of-prithviraj/
Asif Ali on Prithviraj
The star had been much talked about after his alleged outburst against Prithviraj who had said that the new generation stars lacked seriousness. “Whatever happened then was purely a media-created controversy.
We are good friends and not many know that. I don’t find any reason for comparing the two of us as we come from totally different backgrounds.
After all, he belongs to a cinema family and has now completed almost a decade in the industry while I am too new and my upbringing is that of a strictly orthodox Muslim family, where cinema itself is a strange commodity,” explains the star.
Asif adds that the world will see the rapport between Prithvi and him for the first time when they will play the Celebrity Cricket League match for Kerala Strikers.
SOURCE: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/kochi/my-dream-girl-monjathi-says-asif-ali-667
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Urumi Relevant Even Today: Santosh Sivan
Director Santhosh Sivan is excited! His latest flick Urumi will open the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India ( IFFI) 2011.
The ace cinematographer-director says it's "happy news" for him. The director is also upbeat about the fact that Urumi has received rave reviews at many international film festivals.
Sivan, who loves to deal with themes about conflict, believes that every piece of land has been an area of conflict, at least technically. "In the past, people came as traders and invaded lands. Look around us today. History repeats. People come as settlers and invade the area. Every piece of land therefore becomes an area of conflict. The conflict continues and that's why Urumi is a film that is relevant in today's time as well," he explains.
In Urumi, he talks about the first white man to arrive here. "To the west, he was a discoverer. But for us, he was a conqueror," he points out.
Sivan is known for the use of landscape in his films. "When I make a film, landscape becomes another character. Just like people have character, I see character in landscapes as well," he says.
For him, filmmaking in India is unique. Songs and dance are part of our storytelling culture. "If you tell stories that are true, stories that once took place here, people will like it," he reveals.
From cinematography, he has graduated to direction. He has also tried his hands with writing, production and, quite recently, with acting as well! For someone who used to be the master behind camera, the experience of working in front of camera was "terrific". Though, behind the scenes is where Santosh is most comfortable.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Prithviraj in Louis Sixth
Directors Jeckson Antony and Rejish Antony make their debuts through Louis Sixth which features Prithviraj in the lead. The freshers have come up with a novel theme which has never been seen in Malayalam cinema before. The movie revolves around Louis, who was born after years of prayers by his parents. His parents then decide that since he is born after so many years of prayers, he should spend his life serving God. So they force him to join priesthood, but young Louis has other plans.
The film is intended to follow the comedy route with loads of fun and laughter. The movie scripted by Babu Janardhanan, tells this rollicking tale of fun and laughter about a youth who is forced to join the priest hood without his consent.
Someones out to malign Prithviraj: Tini Tom
People with talent don't force modesty upon them that's actor Tini Tom's theory about his Indian Rupee co-star Prithviraj, who is the butt of jokes in a series of SMSes and Youtube videos. The chain of SMSes centred on Prithvi has him mouthing silly jokes and funny ideas while the videos posted on Youtube take a dig at excerpts from his interviews.
"I suspect Prithviraj's detractors have recruited people just to churn out such SMSes and videos," Tiny lashes out in support of Prithviraj. "No Malayali youngster has achieved the fame and name he has in such a short span of time. Prithvi started his Mollywood innings when he was just 19 and he has been consistently giving a good performance. Acting is in his blood; and films are his passion," says Tini.
No matter what people say or think about him, he is scaling new heights. Tini opines, "After playing a pivotal part in Mani Ratnam's Raavanan, he is now all set to make his Bollywood entry opposite Rani Mukherjee. And there's no stopping him."
But success hasn't got on to Prithvi's head, Tini claims. "He is so polite to his co-stars! Never once have I seen him throwing his weight around."
Tini also notes what it is about Prithvi that doesn't go down well with many. "Well, he is not afraid to speak his mind. Plus, he has answered every question thrown to him by every journalist. That has landed him in serious trouble many a time. He is now changing for the better."
Tini will team up with Prithviraj again in director Diphan's upcoming flick, Heroes.
Taking off the Chastity Belt
Anurag Kashyap’s next production, Aiyya, goes a step ahead with the heroine (played by Rani Mukerji) finding a man desirable because he smells good. The reaction the story generates is not one of shock. Instead, it stokes curiosity for the way in which the female protagonist woos the desirable stranger (Prithviraj).
Writer-director Sachin Kundalkar says the woman’s character is not purely fictional. “I have seen such characters exist. The difference is that we have begun to acknowledge them without passing judgments,” he points out. Kundalkar attributes the change to a new generation of filmmakers, born post the feminist movement, who treat women as equals.
Writer-director Sachin Kundalkar says the woman’s character is not purely fictional. “I have seen such characters exist. The difference is that we have begun to acknowledge them without passing judgments,” he points out. Kundalkar attributes the change to a new generation of filmmakers, born post the feminist movement, who treat women as equals.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/taking-off-the-chastity-belt/863318/
'Urumi' to open Indian Panorama section at IFFI
'Urumi', a Malayalam feature film directed by Santosh Sivan, will open the Indian panorama section of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2011 to be held in Goa next month.
IFFI officials stated that the jury for feature films, headed by renowned filmmaker Sai Paranjpye, has selected 23 films, out of a total of 118 eligible entries, for the IFFI 2011 Indian panorama section.
The festival would be held in Panaji and Margao cities of Goa from November 23 to December 3, 2011.
Malayalam film 'Adaminte Makan Abu', directed by Salim Ahamed which won the Best Feature Film award at the recent 58th National Film Awards, is the 24th film of Indian panorama by virtue of direct entry.
According to officials, 'Urumi', a movie based on the 16th century warrier clans of northern Kerala, is the story of Chirakkal Kelu Nayanar, a man with a mission to kill Vasco-da-Gama, a 16th century Portuguese explorer.
The feature film category will have O Maria, a Konkani movie directed by Rajendra Talak, which speaks of the tourist state in the changing scenario.
'He...', a Bhojpuri movie by Mangesh Joshi, has also been selected in this section.
The non-feature films jury, chaired by well-known writer-director Ashok Rane, picked 21 films out of the 135 eligible entries.
It's difficult to make a film as 'Urumi': Sivan
Celebrated cinematographer-director Santosh Sivan, who revisits the pages of history once again with his multi-starrer 'Urumi', says he is attracted to themes which deal with conflict and cultural clashes.
The director, who has previous made period films like 'Asoka' and 'Before the Rains', says he researched for a long time and then decided to make the film on Vasco Da Gama's visits to India.
"I won't say that I like historical dramas but I am attracted to the themes that talk about cultural clashes and land conflict. This is why I based my children's film 'Tahaan' in Kashmir but it is difficult to make a film like 'Urumi', which has a huge canvas. I decided to make the film in Malayalam because it happened there. I always thought that the story was very Indian," Sivan told PTI on the sidelines of Mumbai Film Festival.
The Telugu and Malayalam versions of the movie have been released while Tamil version will be in theatres soon. The director is also keen to take the film to the Hindi audience.
The film has also released in Japan and was selected at Busan International film festival.
The film stars big names like Prithviraj, Genelia D'souza, Prabhu Deva, Vidya Balan, Amole Gupte and Alex O'Neil.
"When Vasco Da Gama landed here, western people thought that he was a discoverer but if you go deeper into his log books and notebooks you will realize that he was very harsh like all the colonial rulers. He burnt ships from Mecca and people here did not react to him very kindly," Sivan says.
The film's beautiful title 'Urumi' is actually the name of the weapon, which Sivan says has a character of its own and was considered a legend of sorts in the warrior clans of Kerala.
"Urumi is a very interesting weapon, which is like a flexible sword. It has a character of coiling and recoiling and coming back in time."
Sivan, whose movie credits also include 'The Story of Tiblu', 'Malli', 'The Terrorist' and 'Navarasa', is also planning to make the second part of his famous second film 'Halo', a sweet story about and girl and her lost dog. The film will be in Hindi.
"I am going to make the second part of 'Halo' but it is not a children's film. Some of the characters from that film will come in this movie too. I am also thinking of bringing the girl. The film will be in Hindi and though it is not a sequel to 'Halo' but has the same spirit," Sivan said.
Sivan also turned actor with a film on painter Raja Ravi Varma but the director says he is not very passionate about acting.
"It was a strange experience. When the director first approached me, I thought he wanted me to shoot the film but as it turned out I had to play the lead. It is a tribute to the man, whose pictures were my first visual education. I remember my grandmother was a teacher of music in the palace and she would bring his paintings home to tell me mythological stories. I later shot some songs based on his paintings. Since I also paint a bit, I decided to go ahead with the role.
"But I am not passionate about acting. I had to turn down many offers after that because I am busy with my work as a cinematographer and director," he added.
SOURCE: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/its-difficult-to-make-a-film-as-urumi-sivan/193875-8-70.html
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