Faith's video is out ....

The official music video for Stevie Wonder’s “Faith” [feat. Ariana Grande] premieres today.  Watch HERE!  The music video was executive produced by MPC content studio arm MPC Creative, a division with a global reach which merges art and commerce, technology and craft.  “Faith” is the first single from Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures’ SING Official Motion Picture Soundtrack

“Faith” recently garnered a 2017 Golden Globe nomination for a “Best Original Song – Motion Picture”, while the film was also nominated for “Best Animated Motion Picture. SING is in theaters now. 

“With this video for ‘Faith,’ the legendary Stevie Wonder's incomparable music and timeless lyrics celebrate Sing’s message of spreading joy and inspiring transformation,” said Gail Harrison, Illumination's President of Marketing and Branding.  “There are few performers who embody inspiration the way Stevie does, and he and Ariana join Sing’s characters in a collective celebration of the power of song.”

Watch the video here- https://www.youtube.com/embed/hNMMN46uFCc

Box Office of Dangal

With several screens yet to report - Dangal sees a Dhakad start at the overseas boxoffice, reported collections till Friday evening are at USD 4.2 Million or INR 28.9 CR with and counting and several screens yet to come in!!!

Biggest Friday collections ever for a Hindi film reported from the Middle East at AED 3.5 million/ USD 953 K.  With some screens still to come in, Gulf box office has already crossed the 1.5 million mark and is at AED 6.15 million / USD 1.67 million!  (Dangal Thursday at AED 2.64 million/ USD 718 K with some screens yet report)

Highest opening for an Indian film in the US with a reported box office of USD 1.7 million with 12 screens yet to report! North America has already clocked USD 878 K at the box office for Friday (Dangal Wednesday night previews at USD 325 K and Thursday at USD 504 K with some screens yet report)

Dangal opens to an impressive box office in UK with Friday collections at GBP 196 K / USD 313 K! The cumulative collections reported so far are GBP 314 K / USD 502 K (Dangal Thursday previews at GBP 118 K / USD 189 K)

Dangal has opened to packed houses in Australia with a reported box office of AUD 253 K / USD 182 K making it the  highest opening for any Hindi film ever in Australia!!!

Milan Luthria’s multistarrer Baadshaho to release on 1st September 2017

After films like Once upon a time in Mumbai and The Dirty Picture, ace director Milan Luthria is now busying shooting for one of the most anticipated films of 2017 'Baadshaho'!

Baadshaho which stars Ajay Devgn along with Emraan Hashmi, Vidyut Jamwal, Ileana Dcruz, Esha Gupta and Sanjay Mishra and produced by Bhushan Kumar (Tseries) and Milan Luthria is all set to hit the silver screen on 1st September 2017 to entertain the audience!

Milan, who has put an end to all the speculations regarding the release date, says, “We have finalized 1st September as the release date keeping in mind the time needed for detailed post production and the extensive promotional activity planned by Bhushan and me"

Currently, the cast has been shooting for the second schedule in Jodhpur, and have created hysteria on the streets! As the movie is a multi starrer, sources reveal that special security had to be arranged on the sets to control the crowd, who have been like civilian paparazzi with their mobile cameras.

As the film is shot only on real locations, Milan has covered more than 2000 kms of extensive road recces with an international action team to lock untapped locations.

Baadshaho is a rugged, rustic, rough and tough entertainer which will raise the bar and mesmerize audience from 1st September 2017!  

Paul Verhoeven Appointed Jury President of the Berlinale 2017

The Dutch director and screenwriter Paul Verhoeven will serve as jury president of the 67th Berlin International Film Festival.

 

“With Paul Verhoeven as jury president, we have a filmmaker who has worked in a variety of genres in Europe and Hollywood. His creative, multifaceted boldness and his willingness to experiment are reflected in the spectrum of his works,” says Dieter Kosslick, director of the Berlinale.

 

The Berlinale welcomed the acclaimed filmmaker in 2013 at the Berlinale Talent Campus (today’s Berlinale Talents). At the panel “Follow Your Instincts: Filmmaking According to Paul Verhoeven” he gave insight into his work methods and his perspective on production landscapes in the US and Europe.

 

Following studies in mathematics and physics, Paul Verhoeven turned his attention towards film in the mid-1960s, and began his directing career in 1969 with the successful Dutch television series Floris. After his feature film debut Business is Business in 1971, about two prostitutes who dream of a conventional middle-class life, came the erotic thriller Turkish Delight in 1973, a big hit in the Netherlands that also garnered a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1974 Academy Awards. Following his international breakthrough Soldier of Orange (1977) - which was nominated for a Golden Globe - and The Fourth Man (1983), Paul Verhoeven moved to Hollywood to focus on an evolution of style in his work.

 

Large productions featuring lots of action and special effects, like RoboCop (1987), and especially Total Recall (1990), were big box-office hits that revolutionized the science fiction film genre while maintaining credibility as author’s films.  

The provocative, erotic thriller Basic Instinct (1992) saw Paul Verhoeven return to themes prevalent in his Dutch works. Basic Instinct shot Sharon Stone to stardom, and was nominated for two Academy Awards. In 1997 and 2000, he once again focused on science fiction with Starship Troopers and Hollow Man.

 

After nearly 20 years in Hollywood, Paul Verhoeven returned to the Netherlands in 2006 to film Black Book (2006), based on the story of a Dutch resistance fighter during World War II.

 

Starting in 2007, he moved his attention to writing. He returned to the cinema in 2016, celebrating his comeback with the French-German production Elle. In Elle, Paul Verhoeven continues his focus on familiar themes in a surprising new way. Isabelle Huppert plays a woman whose forays through the depths of sado-masochism help her transcend childhood trauma.

 

Elle, set to open in German cinemas on February 2, 2017, is nominated for the European Film Awards in three categories, as well as in two categories for the US Critics’ Choice Awards.

 

Bollywood insiders react to Rakhi Vijan's TV role resembling Radhe Maa

Our films and television serials often make a mockery out of religious preachers. The latest are the press reports about television actress Rakhi Vijan playing godwoman Radhe Maa, nicknamed 'Ghoongat Wali Mata' in a daily soap Gangaa on &TV. So is playing godly personalities on television the new 'in thing'?

Sanjeev Gupta of Global Advertisers, patrons of Radhe Maa, is learning to take such nuances in his stride. "People mix piousness with frivolity nowadays," he says. "And no amount of spirituality or knowledge seems to control their amateurish thoughts," Gupta adds with sarcasm.

Acclaimed Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt terms the phenomenon as "unique". Television superstar and popular film actor Ram Kapoor feels, "this is absolutely fine. You need to remember that all these characters in TV serials are fictional. They are meant to entertain and not to be taken too seriously."

Actress and firebrand social activist Pooja Bedi remarks, it's all about entertainment. "From cops, judges, lawyers, religious figures, to religion itself... everything is susceptible to being caricatured."

She explains, that "the problem is not the world of entertainment. It's us taking what's meant to be entertainment, too seriously." The spunky Priya Malik of Bigg Boss fame feels, "Radhe Maa is more famous for her antics than she is about religion. Plus, we live in a democracy and hence there's nothing wrong with it."

So there goes. Different people, different views. Sanjeev Gupta has the last word. "Even our Prime Minister Narendra Modi propagates diversity for a vibrant democracy. So what's important is to show mutual respect and keep decorum even while one shows or portrays a difference of opinion." True that.

In the meantime, no amount of controversy, seems to be stopping the godwoman. Radhe Maa's fame and reach only grows from strength to strength. This week, she contributed a sum to one Shree Sai Dwarkadheera Padyatri Mandal to help downtrodden people living in the hutments of remote areas in Borivali East in Mumbai. Woah!

JIFF Released Second and Final List of Films in Competition Category

The Jaipur International Film Festival – JIFF which is now considered a part of the most prominent film festivals of the world has released its second and final list of nominations yesterday i.e on Monday.

In this list, 33 films from all over the country and abroad were able to find a place. Besides India, the remaining 17 films are from Mexico, USA, Spain, France, Singapore, Iran, England, Poland, Bulgariya and Italy.  

This list of selected films includes 4 Feature Fiction Films, 1 Documentary Feature Film, 2 Short Documentary Films, 3 Animation Short Films, 23 Short fiction films have been selected for JIFF 2017. 

101 films nominated in 1^st list and total nominated films are 134.

These films were selected from among 2004 applications received from around 100 countries across the world. 

This year many films rejected during the submission. (Around 400).

Last year JIFF received 2176 films from around 100 countries. 

These films have been selected by a selection board of 34 members of which 24 are Indian and 10 are from abroad. 

Selection Committee Members for JIFF 2017

FROM RAJASTHAN (13 Member)

Mr. Gajendra Shrotriya

Mr. Ravi Chaturvedi

Dr Yash Goyal

Dr D P Agarwal

Mr. Rahul Sood

Dr. Dushyant

Ms. Pragya Chauhan

Mr. Vibhuti Pandya

Mr. Rakesh Gogna

Ms. Archana Pant

Mr. Dvesh Sharma

Mr. Vivek Sharma

Mr. Mohsin Khan

FROM INDIA (11 Member)

Mr. Niranjan Thade

Mr. Biju Mohan

Mr. Chandrashekhar

Mr. Mohan S Menon

Mr. Kamal Ghani

Ms. Harshada Vedpathak

Mr. Rakesh Andania

Mr. Dedipya Joshi

Mr. Sutanu Gupta

Mr. Rajiv Kumar Punjabi

Mr. Chetan Gandhi

FROM ABROAD (10 member)

Mr. Mumtaz Hussain from USA

Mr. Martin Rohé from Germany

Ms. Kathie Fong Yoneda from USA

Ms. Pamela Jaye Smit from USA

Mr. Belal Taheri from Iran

Mr. J Sathyan from USA

Mr. Murad Parvez from Bangladesh

Mr. Abu Shahed Emon from Bangladesh

Mr. Alan McLane from USA

Mr. Hasan Nazer from Afganistan

Selected feature films are:  

Kapat directed by Milinnd Sagar from India/Raj/130 Min/Hindi

Arvand directed by Pourya Azarbayjani from Iran/87Min/Persian

1982 A Love Marriage directed by Prashant M Gorey from India/114 Min/Hindi

Kerla Paradiso directed by Bijoy Lona from India/77 Min/Malyalam

Main Attraction

134 films have been selected from 2004 films received from around 100 countries.

A documentary feature film Kaagaz Ki Kashti ( Based on Jagjit Singh) directed by Brahmanand S Singh included in the final list. 

One feature film KAPAT directed by Milnnid Sagar from Rajasthan is also nominated.  

Short film Like a Butterfly, (Uk-Italy-Us), coproduced with Italian Rai Cinema, starring the American legend, 5-time Golden Globe winner Ed Asner (Up, Pope Joannes XXIII, Lou Grant) also included in this list.

In this way the most talked about films all over the world have been included in the first list of the selected films for JIFF 2017.

In merely 7 years this festival has found its place, in a very interesting way, in the league of the world’s topmost film makers.

Festival will be held in Jaipur from 7 to 11 January, 2017. 

Yash Raj Films to Launch New Face Anya Singh opposite Aadar Jain

The banner that has launched Anushka Sharma, Parineeti Chopra and Bhumi Pednekar will now present a female debutante, Anya Singh, in their next. A petite beauty, the young Anya is from Delhi and is set to act for the first time opposite promising new face Aadar Jain. The film will be directed by Habib Faisal, who gave both Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra their breakthrough first film, Ishaqzaade. Anya follows in the footsteps of female stars who are known for their polished acting skills, a trademark of the Yash Raj talent pool.

CELEBRITIES FLAG OFF THE LARGEST MUMBAI JUNIORTHON 2016

Mumbai's best known celebrities were present to flag off the largest Juniorthon organised by Party Sharty Entertainment.

Over 3,000 children ran to inculcate, support and exercise their right to sports with parents in tow! Celebrities such as Tara Sharma, Karan Mehra, Jay Soni, Child Comedian Saloni Daini, Bhavya Gandhi (Tappu from Tarak Mehta ka Ulta Chasma) and many more​ flagged off multiple runs at the event.

“I am happy to join hands with Smile Foundation and Juniorthon to encourage kids to be more outdoorsy and enjoy the true childhood. The most encouraging part of Juniorthon is the fact that while many kids experience the joy of running....there are many more who are gifted education through this event. As a mother of 2, I feel such platforms are the need of the hour and I wish many more chapters of this events sooner.” felt actress Tara Sharma who supported the cause in association with the Smile Foundation.

Following the run, Juniorthon also showcased a special family carnival cum fitness expo with multiple workshops, curated shows by KidZania, fitness activities and food pop-ups for a great family mêlée. Children also met & greeted their favourite Cartoon Network characters - Ben 10 & Kris and KidZania Mascots at 'Become a Professional' set of workshops where they experienced role play activities such as Cooking, Painting (Arts & Craft), Wall Painting, Dance Studio, Logistics, Musician and Drum circles etc.

This edition also marked Juniorthon’s ‘The Happy Run’ which encourages disabled children to participate in a unique 0.5 km inspirational marathon in Mumbai.

Yeh Hai India producer Sandeep Choudhary interacts with PM , Mr Narendra Modi in Japan

It was nothing less than a dream come true for film producer Sandeep Choudhary to not just greet India's honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his recent visit to Japan, but he also had a brief interaction with the man himself! The film producer, who is set to showcase his forthcoming patriotic entertainer, Yeh Hai India, was one of the very few selected dignitaries who got the opportunity to interact with PM Modi. In his brief interaction with Narendra Modi, Sandeep Choudhary was delighted to share his views and opinions on his upcoming film, as the movie subject is very relative to Modi's thought, action and vision. Sandeep also shared his business vision Dlb group of companies deals in Realestate, Construction, IT Sector, Film making and various different segments. Sandeep says, "It was a memorable moment meeting Mr Narendra Modi. It was a great experience to share details regarding my upcoming film with him. I'm extremely happy to be part of Yeh Hai India, which I'm sure will be an eye-opener as it is dedicated to every Indian." Written and directed by an Australia-based Indian director Lomharsh, Yeh Hai India features Gavie Chahal, Deana uppal, Mohan Agashe, Mohan Joshi, Major Bikramjeet and Surendera Pal. The post production of the movie has been completed and the film is all set to release soon. Sandeep Choudhary is the founder of DLB group of companies dealing in Real Estate, Construction, IT Sector, filmmaking and various different sectors.

30 Minutes is the latest Guinness Record of Asha Bhosle

Already a record in music history, "for recording up to 11,000 solo, duet and chorus-backed songs and in over 20 Indian languages since 1947", is there in Guinness Book in Asha Bhosle’s name, to add a feather Asha Bhosle ji has recorded a duet song “Tere Ishq mein” with Kunal Ganjawala for the forthcoming film “30 Minutes” which is due for release on 9^th Dec, 2016 As stated earlier, after the release of movie “30 Minutes”  Asha Bhosle can claim another world record with Guinness, that of a singer who has been continuously singing film songs for the last 73 years, which is more than anybody else in the world. 

“30 MINUTES” is a Film by Yesudas BC (Producer & Director), Associate producer Braj Sharwani, Ex Producer Amarjeet Singh Kohli, Story Vivek Mishra, Screenplay, dialogue Rajan Agarwal, Music director Jaspal Moni, Naresh Vikal, Ashok Sharma & Haroon, Lyrics Haroon, Babbi Khakh, Santosh Kumar, Parwinder Pal Singh, Sanjay Dhupa Mishra & Zaheen Shah Taji.

Singers Asha Bhosle, Shaan, Kunal Ganjawala, Anuja Sinha, Javed Ali & Jaswinder Bunty. Film Stars, Hiten Paintal, Hrishita Bhatt, Kawarjit Paintal, Hemant Pandey, Rana Jung Bahadur, Mukesh Bhatt, Shiva and an item song on Riya Sen.