Indian Short Film to make history at Sudance International Film Festival!

After the news of Irrfan Khan's 'Puzzle' and Priyanka Chopra's 'A Kid like Jake' getting selected for Sundance Film Festival 2018, Vijay Varma and Kani Kasturi's Counterfeit Kunkoo' directed by Reemasen Gupta has been selected for the 'Short Films' competition category. The festival which is due to take place in the month of January 2018, will feature short films from across the world which will compete for the top prize. The selection of Counterfeit Kunkoo is a one of its kind as its making history at the festival with its selection. It’s become the the second only Indian film ever to be selected for completion at Sundance and after 16 years a short film from India will be competing at the fest. The last film to do so was Birju in 2002. The film tells the story about a married woman who lives in a country where marital rape is not a legal crime. Vijay who was last seen in PINK and Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Raag Desh, who plays the lead in the film, said, “It is the largest independent film festival in the world. And counterfeit kunkoo was made with absolute indie spirit where we hustled our way into making this film in difficult emotional n physical spaces. I’m looking forward to the audience response now. And if time permits, attend the festival.”

The story of Yolk is unique and interesting: Neeraj Malviya

Actor Neeraj Malviya, who is part of First Kut Productions’ short film Yolk, says that he was attracted to the concept of the film. The actor has been part of television shows and says that he found the story of the Ansh Mehta directorial interesting. “I have been doing television for a long time, so I wanted to do something different. I wanted to do something artistic as I have a theatre background. So when I met Ansh and he told me the story, I found it very unique and interesting. Our sensibilities match we even had discussions as to how to go about it,” he says.

He is looking forward to the film going live this Friday. “I am very happy that I got to work in this film, with Ansh, and I am excited to see it. It is a very nice project,” he says.

Neeraj, who is playing the lead in the film, says that he loves the title. “I like the title, it is very symbolic, there is a very deep thought behind it,” he says.

This is not Neeraj’s first association with producer Rajan Shahi. “I have worked with Rajan sir before. He called me himself and it was great as usual. There is so much to learn from him,” he says.

The actor feels that the Internet is a great medium to showcase the talent of those who are struggling to make it in films. “I am really happy about this trend of short films on the internet. The web has become big and everyone can be part of it. The film industry has its own limitations and everyone cannot reach till there. Whereas, the internet has its reach everywhere. People can easily access anything anywhere on the internet. With these short films, everyone gets a chance to showcase their creativity,” he says. The short film will go live this friday.

Ssharad Malhotraa and Prateek Chakravorty reunite for a short film

Ssharad Malhotraa’s fans are in for a treat. The actor will be directing a short film called Prem, Gajra Aur Chilli Chicken soon. The actor has collaborated with Prateek Chakravorty, grandson of late film-maker Pramod Chakravorty, for the venture. 

“I wanted to do something different. The idea to make a short film came to me from a few true incidents that took place in Mumbai. I thought it would make for an interesting subject. It’s a quirky comedy but it is also dark at the same time,” says Ssharad, who has been acting since the last 10 years. 

The two have worked together before in the film Sydney With Love (2012), which Prateek had directed and share a great rapport. “I share an emotional connection with him as that film was our first project together. Collaborating on this short film with him as the producer and me as a director will be another first for us. My entire team is ready, and we will start shooting in a couple of days in Mumbai,” says the Banoo Main Teri Dulhann actor. Ssharad, who acted in another short film earlier this year, plans to send his directorial venture to various film festivals before releasing it online. 

Although he had never planned to don the director’s hat anytime soon, it was the story of the film that got him on board. “I have three very successful TV shows to my credit which is why perhaps people feel that (his) turning a director has to be something really cool. That kind of pressure can be scary but I am not feeling any pressure. I never thought of becoming a director. Being an actor, you want to act all the time but the story of the short film compelled me to direct,” says says the Bharat Ka Veer Putra — Maharana Pratap actor. He and his team have been working on the project for the past six months. 

In fact, the actor shares that the idea of the film came from his girlfriend Pooja Bisht. "Sometime back, Pooja had heard about this incident which had occurred and mentioned it to me. I got the idea from there and then started working on the script with my writer," he says. 

The actor is eying the digital medium as well and wants to venture out in that direction soon. “I have done television shows for 10 years and I have done two feature films in my career, so in the future, I would love to do theatre or act in a web series. There is a lot of scope out there for digital content, and I want to explore that,” he says. He further adds "I call Prateek (Po (Kung-fu-Panda) and he is like brother from another mother and we have seen ups and down together". 

Prateek, who shares a wonderful rapport with Ssharad, says that they are almost like family. "Ssharad was the main lead in my film “From Sydney With Love” (2012). Since then we have developed a bond like brothers. We have seen the miseries of our fall together and helped each other grow in our own space over the period of time. He reinvented himself on television in very versatile shows and I stand so proud of him as a brother. I hope our friendship remains one that lasts a lifetime," he says, adding, "Ssharad had narrated me a story last year which I found highly amusing, stunningly different, extremely quirky, raw and twisted and I loved it from the word go. The story was told and then he got on with his shoots and shows. I met him 4-6 months later and we were catching up, when I mentioned about my plans to produce short films and make then ready for festivals. He mentioned that he wanted to make a short film and the subject that he narrated was the film that he wanted to make. It was like destiny inked it for us to make together. I needed interesting short stories and he was making one. So it fell together in place and here we are making Prem, Gajra Aur Chilli Chicken. I am producing his first directorial debut."

Chandan K Anand got best actor for a short film

Versatile actor Chandan K Anand has a new award in his kitty. On 5th August one of his short films I Witness released. . It has already created a lot of buzz on International Film Festivals. Speaking on that Chandan shares,"The short film titled I Witness has been  directed by Deependra Singh Vatsa, produced by Bhavna Sheel. It’s a 19 minute film. I am playing a character called Nikhil Acharya who is a writer. The film is about how ego can actually make or ruin someone’s life. It has an amazing thrilling story." Talking on getting  an award in an international film festival for this Chandan adds,"I know director Deependra when he was editing Hatim. So when something came from his side I did not want to miss the opportunity. An award always gives you a much needed boost for any artist. I have done many short films in my career and working on this format always gives me satisfaction. From an audience perception short films have good content and are closure to the reality.  Chandan is also seen as Krur Singh in Nikhil Sinha's Chandrakanta and getting lot of appreciation for it.

STARMAKER SHAILENDRA SINGH’S SHOCKING REVELATION OF PAGE 3-ORGAN TRADE NEXUS

The name Shailendra Singh is synonymous with the words Sports Marketing Guru, Ad Whiz, Passionate Producer and Entertainment Maverick among others. Donning newer hats and delivering with panache, Writer-Director now brings to you, his latest short film Drinks, Drama, Dhoka, a shocking insight into the nexus between organ trade and Page 3, in simply shocking 20 minutes.  Besides Writer-Director Shailendra Singh, Bhaktyar M Irani, Tanaaz Irani, Delnaaz Irani, Vaishnavi Dhanraj, Vikaas Kalantri, Munisha Khatwani, Siddharth Kannan with wife Neha and Shraddha Musale among others were also present at the launch of the short film, Drinks, Drama, Dhoka at The View, Andheri West. 

This film launch comes at the same time when Singh celebrates his YouTube channel Long Story Short Films crossing 1,00,000 subscribers and  45 million views with just six short films. 

Success is nothing new for Shailendra Singh. He was the man spearheading India’s first and largest Media and Communications Conglomerate, Percept as Jt MD. He is the inceptor of Sunburn and now Founder of Guestlist4Good, India’s first Entertainment-for-good Social Enterprise. He has been instrumental in winning over 40 global awards besides National Films Awards, 55th Filmfare Awards, V Shantaram Awards, Chicago International Film Festival, MTV Staying Alive Award, Stardust Award, IIFA Award, FICCI-BAF Awards, Golden Cursor Animation Awards, 13th Kerala International Film festival Awards, 13th Pusan International Film Festival – South Korea, 4th Asian First Film Awards – Singapore, Foreign Correspondents’ Association, Fifth Dubai International Film Festival – UAE, 33rd Toronto International Film festival,49th Thessaloniki International Film Festival – Greece, 7th Dubai International Film Festival, Indian Panorama Film Festival, Cine Quest Film Festival – San Hose CA, 28th Istanbul Film Festival – Turkey and 16th Annual STAR Screen Awards among others.  

His contribution to cinema includes cross genre films of the likes of Pyar Me Kabhi Kabhi starring over 100 debutants, Malamaal Weekly, Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal, Makdee, Phir Milenge, Page 3, Khudha Kay Liye, Ramchand Pakistani, Hanuman, Return of Hanuman, Jumbo, Kanchivaram, ? The World’s First Untitled Film among many others. 

He has been the force behind  the debut vehicles of Aishwarya Rai, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Sushmita Sen, Hrithik Roshan,  Karan Johar, Boris Becker, Lalit Modi, Saurav Ganguly, Kapil Dev, Yuvraj Singh et al.  What we have listed above are merely few feathers in Shailendra Singh’s already overcrowded cap. 

Excited about Long Film Short Story with the same energy as his first project, Shailendra Singh reveals that the audience response has been overwhelming, with the reach speaking volumes about the content.

Next on the cards is... “more content. I’m developing more short films, world content. There are a few feature films in different stages. The idea is to give a break to as many talents as possible. We have so many amazingly talented people in India who deserve that first break,” avers the Starmaker, adding that there are some other events ideas in the works. Everything has to have a have a new, fresh, groundbreaking creative element to it. Otherwise, I’m not interested. I’m taking all my experience, skill sets, contacts, networks, goodwill I’ve generated over 30 years, combining it, and doing creative work that inspires me.” Touche!

Y-Films Makes A Li'l Film With A Big Heart

Y-Films, the team that loves pushing big boundaries, be it for the cause of gender equality (Man’s World), transgender equality (the Cannes’ Lion Grand Prix winner 6-Pack Band), feminism (Ladies Room), sex education (Sex Chat with Pappu and Papa), or, umm, weddings (Bang Baaja Baaraat), makes a li’l film that will pull your heartstrings. 

What happens when kids read all the atrocious sexist rubbish that adults (mostly men) land up saying... from Trump to Indian politicians? Y-Films decided to actually put that to test with a bunch of really bright kids, who teach us all a thing or two about why it’s important that we don’t judge, label or discriminate by gender. They beautifully drive home the point Y-Films has always been hammering - Don’t Grow Up! 

The short film also marks the directorial debut of Y-Films’ Nikhil Taneja and has been produced by Y-Films for India Today. The film was launched at the recent India Today Women’s Summit under the #BigShorts umbrella. It is part of a series of commissioned ‘big short’ videos with some of the best filmmakers of the country including Imtiaz Ali, Meghna Gulzar, Hansal Mehta, Rohan Sippy and Pradeep Sarkar last year besides Tigmanshu Dhulia, Ram Madhvani, Nandita Das and Sudhir Mishra this year. 

We’re totally chuffed to be keeping such great company. Hopefully people will enjoy this as much as we did making it!

Ayushmann and Tahira to make Toffee

Date 10th March - Joins hands with casting director Mukesh Chhabra to co produce short film . 

Ayushmann Khurana is a multi talented artist who has deftly proven his abilities to act, sing, write and compose many times over. Now, he turns producer for a short film to be directed by wife Tahira Kashyap. 

Co produced with casting director Mukesh chhabra, Toffee, as this short film is titled, has an engaging idea at its core. Set in the Nineties, the film is about two pre teen girls, aged around 11. Their insights into the world as it is, and conspiracy theories that prevailed then make for an interesting inverted lens to narrate this story. JAR Productions, headed by Ajay Rai, is the executive producer of this short. And Vivek shah is the Dop.

 

Elaborating on his move to turn producer, Ayushmann said, “Tahira has been an author. And now she has also written a really good script, one that deserved to be seen by people. She's written scripts for our theatre group and has directed plays as well. With Mukesh chhabra as a co-producer who's a credible name in the industry with his spot on sensibilities, Toffee has the look and feel of a feature film and the advantage of telling a story within a short duration.”

कांस फेस्टिवल में चंद्रकांत सिंह की शार्ट फिल्म स्केपगोट

जानवरों पर अत्याचार को लेकर बनाई गई चंद्रकांत सिंह की फिल्म स्केपगोट १५ मिनट की शार्ट फिल्म है । निर्माता चंद्रकांत सिंह ने बताया कि पिछले साल जब मैं अपनी फिल्म फिक्स एक्स लेकर कांस गया था, तभी मैंने सोचा था कि मैं इस फेस्टिवल की कम्पटीशन कैटेगरी के लिए कोई फिल्म बनाऊंगा । जब मेरे एसोसिएट डायरेक्टर अजित सिन्हा ने मुझे इस फिल्म की कहानी सुनाई तो यह मुझे बहुत अच्छी लगी और इस कहानी पर फिल्म का निर्माण करना मंज़ूर कर लिया । इस फिल्म में हेमंत पाण्डे का रोल बहुत चैलेंजिंग रोल हैं। मेरे एसोसिएट डायरेक्टर अली शाह भी इस फिल्म में काम रहे हैं।  इनके अलावा सुरेश वर्मा और कुछ लोकल आर्टिस्ट इस फिल्म में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका कर रहे हैं। फिल्म की शूटिंग रियल लोकेशन पर की गयी है।

'Kunal kapoor loves his white shirt'

Recently Kunal Kapoor and actress Kritika Kamra were caught having an interesting exchange on twitter. Kunal demanded his white shirt back from Kritika. Kritika promised to return it on the 20th. ‘I keep asking her to give it back to me but she just refuses to give up on that shirt. I ll make sure I get it back on the 20th’, quips Kunal 

For those of you wondering what's going on Kunal Kapoor is set to appear in an 18-minute short film, White Shirt. Kunal says ‘Its about two people, Aveek and Vani, and how this one white shirt holds them together when they start to drift apart.’ The directorial debut of writer Sumit Aroraa, has been made under the banner of Highway Films and presented by Royal Stag Barrel Select. 

The film was shot on real locations over a period of 4 days. The director Sumit Arora says 'We shot on the streets, in a restaurant that was still serving food to customers on the side. I actually asked one of my friends to vacate the flat for 3 days. And then we painted the house and did the whole art according to the color palate that we wanted,’  

It’s the kind of relationship story that you don’t see these days. It’s very intimate and personal, about small things, about flawed characters, and that’s what I liked about it,’ says Kunal when asked about what excited him to be a part of it.

The film "Shoorveer" produced by Dr. Aneel Murarka & Manish Murarka of Ample Missiion Events Entertainment and More Llp's Co producer - Gurpreet Kaur chhadha and Lakhbir Singh

Raakh creates History by receiving the fastest MILLION views for a short film Ever

The recently released 20 minute short film ‘Raakh’, directed by Milap Zaveri has taken the internet by storm. The film has been receiving a lot of love and support from audiences and industry critics alike. So much so that Raakh has earned the fastest million views in 24 hours for a short film! 

Team Raakh is delighted by the overwhelming response their film has received. Humbled by the amazing reviews and the historic views on the film, writer-director Milap Zaveri said, “I am grateful for the love and good wishes that have been coming our way. It makes me extremely happy and proud to know our hard work has been applauded and appreciated so much. My heartfelt thanks to fans, critics and the industry.” 

Raakh starring Vir Das, Shaad Randhawa and Richa Chadha in pivotal roles, looks intense, dark and gritty, but is not just about revenge. The spine chilling scenes also have an emotional quotient attached to it. Breaking away from his image as a maker of comedies, Milap has shown us a completely different side to his film making. 

Shattering all preconceived notions, the entire cast has delivered some stellar performances. Be it ace comedian Vir Das portraying a serious, dark and emotional character or Shaad Randhawa, who has pleasantly surprised all with his negative yet parallel lead role. Richa’s presence has added value and raised the dramatic impact of the film.

Not only with numbers, but Raakh has also earned a lot of praise from Industry stalwarts on social media. From Karan Johar, Jacqueline, Genelia, congratulating the new Milap on his creative departure to Shaad Randhawa and Vir Das being recognized for their power packed performances by many.

Here’s congratulating team Raakh on 1 million views and counting!

In association with T-series and Milap Zaveri (Write Direction FILMS), the short film is produced by Sandeep Kewlani (S.K. Productions), Vardhaman Choksi (Empire Films) and Prachi Thadhani (Waterlilly Films).

Raakh is presented by Officer's Choice Blue and released on the Tseries Youtube channel.