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Veteran actor Anupam Kher is “shocked” after reading reports that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has asked producers of his next film “Mr.Bhatti On Chutti” to mute dialogues mentioning political leaders George Bush and Manmohan Singh.
“Censor board asks makers of my film ‘Mr.Bhatti On Chutti’ to mute the names of George Bush and Manmohan Singh. Shocking,” tweeted the 57-year-old.
Directed by Karan Razdan, the movie narrates the story of a group of Indian tourists visiting the Lake District in Cumbria, Britain. But they get mixed up in the saga of a missing British woman.
With Anupam in the lead role, the film is slated for release June 21.
“‘Mr.Bhatti On Chutti’ is a spoof. I play over the top detective who has a peace plan for President Bush. Muting his name will mutilate the film,” Kher posted. – IANS
http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/anupam-kher-shocked-on-censor-cut-in-mr-bhatti-on-chutti-119338.html
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has put a full stop to speculation that he is set to launch the first look of his ambitious project, Kareena Kapoor-starrer “Heroine” at the upcoming 65th Cannes International Film Festival.
“Media reporting that 1st look of #Heroine is going to be launched in Cannes are baseless,” tweeted Bhandarkar Tuesday.
“Me, Kareena and the whole team are busy shooting #Heroine through the whole month of April and May, so no question of visiting Cannes,” he further added.
The annual film extravaganza is to be held May 16-27.
Bhandarkar had launched “Heroine” at the last edition of Cannes International Film Festival with Aishwarya Rai as the lead. But later, the actress had to opt out of the project after she became pregnant.
Kareena stepped into her shoes for the role.
“Heroine” delves into the behind-the-scenes life of an actress in the Indian film industry. It also features Arjun Rampal. – IANS
http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/no-heroine-at-cannes-film-festival-madhur-bhandarkar-119342.html
Actor Kunal Kemmu and his girlfriend Soha Ali Khan have rubbished reports that they are set to tie the knot by November this year. The wedding plans are yet to be put in place, says the couple.
“None of them (reports) are true as of now… As and when we discuss it among ourselves, we will share it with everybody. But not as of now,” said Kunal.
Asked if they will pip Soha’s brother Saif Ali Khan and actress Kareena Kapoor to the wedding post, Kunal said: “It’s not like we are ahead of someone or behind. There is no hurry that if they are getting married, we should also do it.”
Soha added: “It’s not a race! Whenever it is the right time, we will talk.”
For now, Kunal, whose last release “Blood Money” fared average at the box office, is currently shooting for Saif’s home production “Go, Goa, Gone”.
Soha was last seen in “Soundtrack” and is busy with Deepa Mehta’s “Midnight’s Children”. – IANS
http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/no-marriage-plans-right-now-kunal-kemmu-119335.html
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar may be seen just as an entertainer, but he has got his finger on the pulse of movie business. He says the sure-shot success mantra is to either make your own film or go for profit sharing.
“I have a very simple solution – make your films, because when you make your film you will not include your remuneration and it takes off the burden from a film,” Akshay told IANS in an interview.
“So, when you make a film for Rs.20 crore and release it, the profits – be it Rs.5 crore or Rs.10 crore or Rs.40 crore – is yours. It’s all your luck. Also, your film won’t flop because your remuneration is zero,” added the actor, who makes film under his two banners, Hari Om Productions and Grazing Goat.
For writers who rue that they do not get their dues, he suggested: “I am making three-four films and I pay my writers well. Again they can also go for profit sharing. If the film works well, they can ask for their cut in the profit.”
According to a recent report, the remuneration of Bollywood’s A-listers starts from Rs.10 crore and goes up to Rs.40 crore.
Why are actors asking for such astronomical sums?
“It’s neither the producers’ fault nor actors’ because producers do not know how much to give and actors do not know how much to ask for.
“It’s not easy to decide remuneration because sometimes a film works and sometimes it does not. So I have come to a conclusion: make your own films,” said Akshay, who feels “the biggest burden on a film is its artist.”
“If you remove that burden, it is impossible for a movie to flop. It’s simple economics,” added the star, who has been active in filmdom for more than two decades and has about 100 films to his credit.
This does not mean that the 44-year-old will not work in outside films. He will, but on one condition.
“I would work in other producers’ films, but I will charge according to the film’s box office business. Profit sharing, in short. This is the only way,” he added.
Marketing has become an integral part of a film, says Akshay. It helps in the first three days of the collection, but after that, it is all about content. So one needs to focus on the script and screenplay as well, he said.
“Marketing is a big thing. Marketing works for the first three days and content works after those three days. So it is very important to have the right content as well,” he said.
Explaining the importance of script, he added: “I think script and screenplay are more important than actors in a film. If your script and screenplay are in place, it is big support for the actors.
“For instance, a film with a lot of action doesn’t work. But if you just slap according to the screenplay and if it is positioned rightly, it works wonders for a film. If you have seen ‘Deewaar’, it is supposed to be one of the best action movies. But actually it had a small action scene but that came at the right time and worked,” he said.
Akshay, who started his career with action movies like “Khiladi” and “Mohra”, now returns to the genre after seven years with “Rowdy Rathore”.
“I personally believe that people enjoy raw action more than technology. If you use too much of technology, it will bounce back. People are very smart and understand what is real and what is unreal.
“If you sit in single theatres and watch such films with the audience, you will hear people saying, ‘Arre ye toh computer pe kiya hai (This is done on computer)’. So you can’t take your audiences for granted.
“So when I did my first action film ‘Rowdy Rathore’ after six years, I chose to do raw action. I believe in manpower and not technological power,” he said. – IANS
http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/akshay-kumar-talks-business-says-make-your-own-films-119316.html
A lot of Bollywood actresses are jumping onto the action bandwagon. The latest to join the list is Sameera Reddy. The actress would be seen doing some daredevil stunts in “Tezz” and looking at her courage, co-star Ajay Devgn calls her the hero of the film.
“Sameera is not the heroine but the hero of the film. She has done some amazing action in the film and is nothing less than any hero in the film,” he said in a statement.
Sameera was said to be unhappy over not being offered the item song in the film. However, she said she has no complains and enjoyed doing the stunts.
“I was not offered the item song but I got to be a Lara Croft in the film. It’s an action-oriented character and a strong role. Women in Bollywood never get to perform such stunts. When I was offered the role I was told that I can’t complain that my nails are going to break. I enjoyed doing the stunts,” said the 29-year-old actress.
Directed by Priyadarshan, “Tezz” also features Mohanlal, Anil Kapoor, Boman Irani, Kangna Ranaut and Zayed Khan in prominent roles. It is slated for April 27 release. – IANS
http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/sameera-reddy-is-the-hero-of-tezz-ajay-devgn-119319.html
Veteran actor Anupam Kher got an opportunity to work with Hollywood superstar Robert De Nero and director David O’Russell in “The Silver Linings Playbook” and calls it the most exhilarating experience.
“Shooting for ‘The Silver Linings…’ was the most amazing experience, working with two of my favourite people, director David O’Russell and god of acting Robert De Niro. It was the most exhilarating and elevating experience,” Anupam told IANS.
“The kind of discipline and professionalism they have, we have to force it because we are not used to that professionalism and discipline. But gradually that professionalism is coming,” he added. – IANS
http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/working-with-de-niro-cooper-was-amazing-anupam-kher-119270.html
“Shooting for ‘The Silver Linings…’ was the most amazing experience, working with two of my favourite people, director David O’Russell and god of acting Robert De Niro. It was the most exhilarating and elevating experience,” Anupam told IANS.
“The kind of discipline and professionalism they have, we have to force it because we are not used to that professionalism and discipline. But gradually that professionalism is coming,” he added. – IANS
http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/working-with-de-niro-cooper-was-amazing-anupam-kher-119270.html
Bindu’s iconic ‘Mona Darling’ act in “Zanjeer” in 1973 is now being taken over by Mahie Gill, who admits the role is challenging but says she will pull it off.
Ajit had played the arch-villain Teja in the original; for the remake, Prakash Raj has been roped in. Southern actor Ram Charan Teja, son of superstar Chiranjeevi, will step into Amitabh Bahchan’s shoes to play the Angry Young Man.
“I was initially apprehensive about doing the part. I wondered if I’d be able to carry it off. It was director Apoorva Lakhia who convinced me. Now I’m very excited. To recreate the original vamp ‘Mona Darling’ of the 1970s for today’s audience is a challenge. And most of my scenes are with Prakash Raj who is a very good actor. I think I’ll be able to pull it off,” said Mahie, who recently wowed audiences with her bold avatar in “Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster”.
The culture of an overweight seductress went out with Bindu. While Bindu got away with slit dresses and body stockings in “Zanjeer”, Mahie, we are told, would be doing some heavy duty lovemaking scenes with Prakash Raj and would also need to get into better shape for a bikini.
“We definitely want Mahie’s Mona Darling to go beyond Binduji. If Binduji became synonymous with the character in the 1970s, we want people to shout ‘Mona Darling’ at Mahie when she steps out,” said Amit Mehra, son of Prakash Mehra who had produced and directed the Amitabh Bachchan starrer “Zanjeer”. He was speaking on behalf of the film’s producers – Reliance Entertainment, Adai Mehra Productions and Flying Turtle Films.
“Those times, when the first ‘Zanjeer’ was made, were different. Today, being sexy doesn’t mean performing a cabaret in a slit dress. Mahie will have to be seen performing more horizontal acts with Prakash Raj. And she’ll definitely be seen a bikini,” he added.
Both Mahie and Prakash Raj, who is rather bulky, have been asked to shed kilos urgently.
Mahie’s weight is not the only thing that goes from Bindu’s Mona Darling act. The sizzling Asha Bhosle number “Diljalon ka dil jala ke” has also been done away with. Mahie was apparently most keen to dance to Bindu’s number.
“We’re doing an entirely new hip and slick club song for Mahie to dance to. With due respects to Helenji and Binduji, cabarets are no longer a part of popular nightclub culture,” said Mehra. – IANS
http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/mahie-gill-is-mona-darling-in-zanjeer-remake-119254.html
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“I don’t think there will be any difference if you release your film during IPL. My film ‘Biwi No. 1′ was released during (1999) World Cup,” Salman told reporters here Monday while announcing his association with yatra.com. He has invested in yatra.com and is also the face of the travel portal.
The fifth edition of IPL will be held during April 4-May 27. With nine teams and 76 games across 12 locations, it promises to be a treat for cricket fans.
Asked which team he thought will win the IPL, Salman replied diplomatically, “The best team should win. I have lots of friends who own the teams. Who plays the best should win.”
Both Salman and Shah Rukh Khan, who are at loggerheads, organised two different events in the city.
In fact, Salman’s event which was supposed to start at 11.30 in the morning, was postponed to 1.30 and clashed with SRK’s.
When asked about it, Salman said: “I was shooting for ‘Dabangg 2′ till 3.30 a.m. We packed up too late and I was sleeping. I can’t just get up and come for an event. I went for my workout, had breakfast, took some rest and then I came here.” – IANS
Actress Kareena Kapoor, who Wednesday unveiled her grandfather Raj Kapoor’s specially designed brass statue, said he was biased towards her elder sister Karisma Kapoor.
“My grandfather Raj Kapoor was biased towards Karisma because both of them had blue eyes. I have green eyes as that of my father,” Kareena told reporters.
“During summer seasons he would give two mangoes to Karisma and I would end up getting just one. I had to work hard to please him,” she added.
The statue was unveiled at the inauguration of UTV Stars’ property Walk of the Stars at the Bandra Bandstand Promenade.
The event witnessed the felicitation of the ‘Kapoor Khandan’, one of the legendary families of Indian cinema.
Kareena was accompanied by father Randhir Kapoor to unveil her grandfather’s statue.
“I am short of words, what more would I ask for. My father and my grandfather had made me who I am. Which girl has got this opportunity guys,” she said.
“Kapoors have acting in their veins and blood. I am looking forward to walk down a memory lane. What better gift than this to the 100 years of Indian cinema.”
Director Madhur Bhandarkar joined Kareena in unveiling the signatures of her great grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Sunil Dutt and Nargis.
Madhur said: “The way Hollywood has its Walk of Fame even the Hindi film industry now has its Walk of Stars.”
A special picture was clicked with Kareena sitting in the lap of the statue of her grandfather where she said: “This is the only lap that Saif would allow me to sit on.”
The event was held at a five-star hotel but simultaneously the tiles dedicated to Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Karisma and Kareena were also installed at Bandstand.
A special honour brass statue on a bench of cinema greats Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor was also installed. – IANS
source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/my-grandfather-was-biased-towards-karisma-kareena-kapoor-119114.html
Actor-producer Akshay Kumar, who spends quality time with his 10-year-old son Aarav despite his busy schedule, says that he wants to keep him away from films.
“He is too young. I want my son to be away from films. I want him to enjoy childhood. I want him to go and play football. Go on the beach and enjoy life,” Akshay told IANS.
The Bollywood star also revealed that he leads a disciplined life and doesn’t bend his rules regardless of his hectic shooting schedule.
“I don’t enjoy partying. I don’t understand why they play music so loud. I like to sleep early. I go off to sleep by 9 to 9.30. I get up by 4.30 in the morning,” the 44-year-old said.
“Twinkle sleeps by 8.45 in the night and thank god this is the only similarity that I and Twinkle share. Life becomes very calm when your partner sleeps at the same time. We share this one thing in common,” he said.
Akshay’s first release this year is “Housefull 2″, which is releasing April 5. – IANS
source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/i-dont-want-my-son-in-films-akshay-kumar-119006.html
Actor Sonu Sood, who essays the role of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in “Shootout at Wadala”, says doing so was a huge burden for him.
“We talk about power. I remember watching his images in the stadium during cricket matches. In fact, now that you are playing the same character, you feel a heavy burden on your shoulders as you are playing such an important role and it’s such an important film. So, I have to be very right,” Sonu at the red carpet of “Shootout at Wadala”.
To prepare for his role, Sonu visited those bylanes of Mumbai that are known for underworld activities, but he is not afraid.
“I don’t think it was tough to enter such areas. I remember during my struggling days, I had friends who used to hangout in such places. Even I have been to such places. Now that I am working on this character, I would be more curious to know about it and I hope I get some good inputs.”
Sonu will also be seen in “Maximum” in which he plays the role of a young cop. It is releasing April 13. – IANS
source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/playing-dawood-was-tough-for-sonu-sood-119004.html
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan appeared to have recovered well from his abdominal surgeries when he came out to greet his fans and thanked them for their “love and enthusiasm”.
The 69-year-old, in a white kurta pyajama, Sunday addressed the well-wishers gathered outside his home Jalsa.
“God bless the well wishers. God bless them for their permanence in my life. God bless their consistency, their love and enthusiasm. I am indebted for life. It is a debt I shall never be able to repay; the one burden that shall remain with me unattended. One burden that shall make me happy,” Amitabh posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.
The megastar was operated upon last month and is currently recuperating at his home here.
He is advised complete rest by his doctors with restricted movement and diet. – IANS
source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/amitabh-bachchan-gets-better-comes-out-to-greet-fans-118913.html
Anushka Sharma’s rising popularity in Bollywood is there for all to see, but the actress is also making waves in the brand endorsement arena. The “Band Baaja Baaraat” girl was named the brand icon of the year at an award function here Monday night.
Anushka, who forayed into Bollywood with “Rabb Ne Bana Di Jodi”, was honoured as the celebrity endorser Reliance Communications Limited at the NDTV Good Times Gadget Guru Awards Monday.
Anushka was appointed the ambassador for the brand in 2011. As part of the association, she featured in four fun-loving television commercials. But she wasn’t present to collect her award at the event, held at the Kingdom Of Dreams in Gurgaon.
The event, hosted by NDTV’s tech gurus Rajiv Makhni and Vikram Chandra, along with actress Gul Panag, saw awards being given across 18 categories for the most innovative and clutter breaking gadgets and gizmos in 2011.
So what if Anushka wasn’t present. The bit of Bollywood quotient was added by Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandes, Asin Thottumkal and director Sajid Khan, who came to promote their forthcoming film “Housefull 2″, releasing April 5.
Also present at the event was Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Kapil Sibal. – IANS
source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/anushka-sharma-named-brand-icon-of-the-year-118923.html
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has revealed that he wanted his upcoming production “Blood Money” to be titled “Kalyug 2″ but couldn’t do so due to stiff opposition from his associates.
“I wanted to call this film ‘Kalyug 2′ but it was Kunal Khemu and Vishal Mahadkar who opposed me hammer-and-tongs saying we won’t have you do this to our product. You have ‘Raaz 3′, ‘Jism 3′ , ‘Murder 3′, ‘Ashiqui 2′, so we want an original title for this,” the 63-year-old said here in an interview.
“The film remotely resembles the structure of ‘Kalyug’, which had an individual lock horns with the porn industry and this has a young man locking horns with the diamond mafia,” he added.
“Blood Money” talks about a small-town boy who enters the diamond export business and is slowly sucked into the underworld. The film also stars Amrita Puri of “Aisha” fame.
Bhatt also revealed the reason behind shooting the movie Cape Town when originally they wanted to can it in Antwerp, Belgium.
“This picture was going to be shot in Antwerp in Belgium. But people there of Indian origin who, I think, hailed from Gujarat, took exception to this particular story because they thought they would be shown in bad light. They thought the villain is loosely based on Bharat Shah, which is not true. They, in fact, ganged up against us and stopped us from shooting there. That’s why we had to shoot in Cape Town,” said Bhatt. – IANS
source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/i-wanted-blood-money-to-be-titled-kalyug-2-mahesh-bhatt-118921.html
The mystery around the girl in the poster of Vikram Bhatt’s production “Hate Story” has been solved. She is Bengali actress Paoli Dam, who created a stir with a nude scene in a movie last year.
She stirred up a buzz with the poster of “Hate Story”, showing a tattooed bare back and a gun placed strategically to titillate the viewers.
Paoli, who received flak for her bold scene in Bengali film “Chatrak” in 2011, is making her foray into Bollywood with “Hate Story”.
Directed by Vivek Agnihotri, the movie, which also features Nikhil Dwivedi and Gulshan Devaiah, is based on a woman’s vengeance and how she uses her sexuality as a weapon.
It will release April 20.
Paoli made her acting debut with Bengali film “Agnipariksha” in 2006 and hogged the limelight in 2009 when she won accolades for director Gautam Ghose’s “Kaalbela”.
She also shared screen space with Bipasha Basu in “Shob Charitro Kalponik”. – IANS
source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/finally-movie-hate-story-mystery-girl-revealed-118843.html
Actor Anil Kapoor, who has worked in many female-centric films like “Beta”, “Lajja”, “Judaai” and “Biwi No. 1″, says most actors today do not like being a part of films that revolve around women.
“I see leading men are not very happy being part of a woman-oriented film. I think (they are) the best films ever made in our country, including ‘Mother India’, which was a female-centric film and is remembered till date,” the 52-year-old actor said here at the Lavasa Women’s Drive.
Anil also says that he is proud of his association with female-centric films.
“I have worked in a lot of women-oriented films and I have been very proud and honoured and I had such a great time working in films which were women-oriented. I think leading men should support and encourage women-oriented films,” said Anil, a few days ahead of the International Women’s Day Thursday.
Anil was recently seen in a cameo appearance in Tom Cruise’s “Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol”. He is currently working in “Tezz”, “Race 2″ and “Shootout at Wadala”. – IANS
source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/todays-actors-refrain-from-women-oriented-films-anil-kapoor-118832.html
Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre, who was the show stopper for designer Siddhartha Tytler at Lakme Fashion Week 2012, was pleasantly surprised to see her husband Goldie Behl at the show.
Sonali Bendre told IANS, “He (Goldie) said he is not coming. It’s a pleasant surprise.”
The proud husband Goldie who walked in to encourage his wife, said, “Yes I wasn’t expected. I didn’t expect to attend, but we are both happy at this moment, and I thought of surprising her and congratulate Siddhartha.”
Sonali Bendre, who doesn’t generally walk the ramp for any designer, agreed to wear Siddhartha’s designs after wearing his clothes for four to five years.
“I don’t walk the ramp normally but I have been wearing Siddharth’s clothes for the last 4 to 5 years for all my shows from ‘Indian Idol’ to ‘India’s Got Talent’. I find them wearable, I love his cuts and I love the way he uses colors. I like his work and the finish,” Sonali told IANS.
She further added, “This year when he asked, could you be my show stopper I could not say no to him.”
Sonali Bendre dazzled the ramp wearing a black knee-length dress with an attractive sleeveless jacket which had colorful embroidery on it.
“She is wearing a jacket which has 30 panels. Each panel has been completely embroidered in different shapes. It was a fun piece to make it but not an easy piece at all,” designer Siddhartha said. – IANS
source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/sonali-bendre-surprised-to-see-hubby-at-lakme-fashion-week-118834.html
Ram Gopal Varma admits he approached Indian Canadian porn star Sunny Leone for an item song in “Department”, but things didn’t work out and the song went to Nathalia Kaur. The filmmaker is in awe of the Brazilian model of Indian descent.
“I never ever hid the fact that I am a devotee of a woman’s beauty. But not only in my entire career, but never even ever since I have consciously come of a mental and a physical age to perceive and admire the beauty of a woman, have I seen a woman more beautiful than Nathalia,” he said.
“Her beauty is truly electrifying and it just sparks out from every nook and curve of both her face and her body. Her face looks so classically beautiful and her body literally looks like the perfect embodiment of an ultimate female figure.
“This combined with her ability on cue to give any expression that is asked of her is what I think will happen in only once in a decade and in this decade I think Nathalia is that girl,” he added.
Nathalia will shake a leg on item song “Dan dan” in the film, which also stars Rana Daggubati and Sanjay Dutt.
Earlier Sunny was expected to do the song.
“We were trying for Sunny Leone but by God’s grace it didn’t work out or else we would have lost out on someone as divine as Nathalia and I thank God for that,” Varma wrote on his Twitter page. – IANS
source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/never-seen-a-more-beautiful-woman-than-nathalia-rgv-118794.html
Govinda, who has completed 25 years in showbiz, is right now trying to settle his daughter’s career in the film industry and says he will start his home production to launch Narmada.
“I am starting my production, which I never wanted to do. Film production is very tough. Initially when I started, I was not successful but my wife and family members supported me… you should not give up,” Govinda, who produced the movie “Ssukh” in 2005 which didn’t do well, told IANS.
“So finally I am starting my own production… and I will start for Nammu (Narmada). I have a good subject for her and I have worked very hard on it (script),” he added.
For quite some time, Narmada was trying to get into Bolllywood but things didn’t work out for her. There were reports that she will make her debut opposite boxing champ Vijendra Singh in director Lovely Singh’s “Manchali”.
Now Govinda wants to ensure that his 22-year-old daughter is launched in such a manner that she carves a niche for herself.
“I want her to create the best with whatever she has got. She should become confident in life that she should create a correct situation for herself,” the 48-year-old said.
source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/govinda-to-start-production-house-to-launch-daughter-118787.html
Actress Vidya Balan has been roped in as the brand ambassador of Victoria’s Indian Film Festival to be held in Melbourne this year.
“I am delighted to be named as the brand ambassador for the Indian Film Festival in Melbourne. I love the format of the festival and the wide range of films screened,” Vidya said in a statement.
“It not only showcases the best of Indian cinema but also provides a platform for young, upcoming film makers through its short film competition,” she said.
“When I was in Melbourne, I was smitten by the city and its love for films and its multi-cultural spirit. I am sure the festival will contribute greatly to add to that spirit,” Vidya said.
Premier Ted Baillieu said strengthening ties with Indian cinema is a chance for Victoria to showcase what they have to offer in the arts.
“India’s burgeoning film industry offers opportunities for Victorian co-production projects that build on our state’s strengths in the creative arts,” Baillieu said.
“Our government seeks to promote Victoria as a place that has the skills and infrastructure to work in film production, and where film producers can find a variety of people who can speak a range of languages and possess a cultural understanding.”
“The festival will celebrate Indian cinema and create bonds of greater understanding and experience between the communities of Victoria and India,” he added.
The 10-day festival will take place in mid-2012 and showcase the depth and diversity of the Indian film industry.
Louise Asher, minister for innovation, services and small business, said India is one of the largest film industries in the world and it makes sense to develop ties between our film industries.
“The festival complements a range of initiatives to develop ties between the Victorian and Indian film industries, including a Victoria/India Co-production Initiative which will see ten Victorians travel to FICCI Frames in Mumbai in March,” Asher said.
“The initiative will also support up to three Victorian companies to develop a feature film, television or digital media project as a joint venture with a production entity based in India,” she added. – IANS
source:http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/vidya-balan-face-of-victorias-indian-film-festival-118742.html