Ameesha Patel on the sets of Bhaiyaji Superhit (pics)

Amitabha Singh takes a ‘futuristic’ approach with SHORTCUT SAFAARI!

Amitabha Singh’s debut directorial venture SHORTCUT SAFAARI, whose release is around the corner, attempts to reconnect us with the natural world through the eyes of seven children. But it’s not preachy or just highlights the fundamental concept of striking a balance between human species and ecology. Amitabha states that SS rather works as a tool of ‘awakening’.

“Besides bridging the gap between human species and ecology, which is one very fundamental concept, SHORTCUT SAFAARI is a tool of awakening, something that make people take notice of or think about the fast retreating natural world. And we are specially addressing the younger children, who are now being completely born and raised in a manufactured environment. Having said that, we are not trying to offer any solution here,” says the filmmaker. 

With SHORTCUT SAFAARI, Amitabha consolidates his position in the children’s film category. He has earlier helmed the camera for CHILLAR PARTY, KHOSLA KA GHOSLA and India’s Oscar entry in 2014- THE GOOD ROAD. 

Ask Amitabha’s inclination towards children as ‘TA’ and he says, “There are confluences of three very personal and important beliefs. First and foremost I always believe that cinema is medium of future and I would like to tell stories that make future. So as concept pillar no 1 it was very clear that SHORTCUT SAFAARI is a film of very near future. Through SHORTCUT and through the kind of films I would like to make I would definitely speak about future and how can we shape it. The other concept correlated to it is children, because they are the future. So there is no better match between trying to talk to people who will get ready to speak five years hence and the third fundamental is to do with the content that can shape thoughts and beliefs, perceptions and possibly translate into actions of us as humans in the way they would lead a way of life. It’s a film which is heavy on concepts. Thereby I need to engage minds, who are at the right curves of their growth, who are not only ready to absorb & accept it but they are also in a stage whereby they can embrace the concepts and make them as a part of their routine lives or could possibly grow into practicing those concepts. So that is where selecting kids is apt. But an adult mind becomes by and large structured after a point.” 

Singh adds, “I don’t think we can singularly isolate learning or singularly compartmentalize education. To me learning and education growth of mind, body and spirit is not very compartmentalized. Various types of education and learning have to be there. In India, we always had this strong tradition of learning through stories, especially Panchatantra kind of stories which possibly were never taught in a school. According to me, no real learning actually happens in schools. So, one reason to make a film like this is to take kids out of the school environment because true learning happens only when the children are playing, entertaining themselves. The true learning doesn’t happen in the structured environment. With due respect to all these institutions, what they are doing is they are imparting a lot of information, facts, figures and data, that’s just the surface, that’s just the learning. But actual learning  should run far deeper than many of these institutions. The true learning that a child can get is when it happens through these stories. So, the idea was to engage in story format and breaking down academic notions that our concepts are liable to attract.”

Jimmy Sheirgill starrer SHORTCUT SAFAARI is all set to release on 29th April. The jungle adventure film with children traces the lives of seven school going kids who get stuck in a dense forest during their outing. Directed by Amitabha Singh, SHORTCUT SAFAARI has been screened at select film festivals and applauded a lot for the children's performances. SHORTCUT SAFAARI features Jimmy Sheirgill, Aashi Rawal, Sharvil Patel, Mann Patel, Ugam Khetani, Stuti Dwivedi, Deah Tandon and Hardil Kanabar. Jointly produced by Xebec Films Pvt. Ltd,  Kashyap A Shah & Amigos Fin-o-tainment, Shortcut Safaari aims to deliver a very effective message to conserve Mother Nature.

Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) launches MAMI Film Club

The MAMI FILM CLUB will conduct year round events which include film screenings, Master classes, Film Appreciation Workshops, Knowledge Bootcamps, Digital Knowledge Series and Special Film Programmes for Children and Young Adults

 Mumbai, April, 2016: This is a watershed moment in the illustrious journey of Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI). In MAY, the academy is all set to launch its first ever Film Club that Not that, which will will conduct year round events with the goal to bring together film lovers from different walks of life.

 The MAMI Film Club is a platform for filmmakers and film lovers, which is dedicated to igniting and cultivating a passion for cinema. Through year-round activities such as screenings, masterclasses, in-depth conversations with talent, and workshops, the Club aims to inspire and fuel creativity.  There will also be activities designed to engage children and young adults, with the vision to nurture our future audiences.

 Cinema educates, transforms and broadens sensibilities. The charter of the MAMI Film Club is to seed and grow an eco-system for cinema, and to champion cinema – from India and around the world.

 Ms Kiran Rao, Chairperson, MAMI says “We are very excited to announce the MAMI Film Club, a brand new initiative that will give cinema lovers in Mumbai many more occasions to meet and share ideas through the year. We plan to have carefully curated workshops, masterclasses and interactions with leading filmmakers, technicians and actors, and film screenings as part of the activities of the Club. We hope that the Club will help continue a rich conversation around cinema all year round.”

The MAMI Film Club will screen a host of curated series of uncensored movies and the best of cinema from around the world. Masterclasses will be hosted with some of the most renowned and successful creators working in film, both from India and abroad, to encourage conversations on cinema with an aim to nurture, support, engage, educate and entertain. As a pre-cursor to Half-Ticket, MAMI’s year round roster of activities will also feature Special Film Programmes for Children and Young Adults to introduce cinema from all around the world to them and do post screening sessions.  

Ms. Anupama Chopra, Director, MAMI said, “The MAMI Film Club is a place for film lovers.  We want to nurture a passion for cinema.  We hope people across the city will partake in this feast of films, conversations and workshops.  Together, we will nurture a strong film culture in India’s movie capital."

The club will also have a special focus on Knowledge Bootcamps that will be held for industry members to encourage and enable exchange of knowledge and information within the industry, and foster a more cohesive work culture.

Smriti Kiran, Creative Director, MAMI- " A culture of sharing needs to be encouraged. Everyone can benefit from the experience of their colleagues. How can we expect any progress if we do not stand together and strengthen each other? With this club one of our big hopes is to bring the industry together."

MAMI also wants to take this opportunity to thank title partner Jio and associate partner Star Network for their continued support in building the academy and as a result bolstering the cultural movement in the city and the country.

The first MAMI film club event will be announced in the first week of May 2016.

Ranbir Kapoor superhero movie shelved!

A Mumbai based English daily published a report on shelving of Ayan Mukherji’s superhero movie. Under title  ‘Ayan Mukerji’s superhero project with Ranbir shelved'. According to this report Ranbir Kapoor's life and career is not going right way. Relationship is uncertain. His last four films were flop and his proposed next film Jagga Jasoos shrouded in uncertainty. One now 'hears' that Ranbir’s ambitious super-hero film directed by his best friend Ayan Mukerji has been shelved. Producer Karan Johar no longer finds an Indian superhero film financially feasible since there is so many of them being done in Hollywood with much more resources at their disposal. Besides Remo d’Souza is also directing a super-hero film with Tiger Shroff. Apparently this report was very nasty and naturally does not go well to Ranbir. Ranbir Kapoor retaliate like super hero. Ranbir Kapoor retweeted news paper twitter account and commented,“If the writer of this article wants a small role in the film, bol do. No need to feel dejected & say it's shelved”.

 

Yo Yo Honey Singh with a Bhojpuri twist on The Kapil Sharma Show

From enacting various characters to mimicing various personalities, this team is always at their creative best! This Saturday, Kapil Sharma and his team will welcome Yo Yo Honey Singh to their show who will make audiences groove to his tunes as he sings to some of his hit tracks. To add to the fun, Sunil Grover and Kiku Sharda will sing Honey Singh’s song, Desi Kalakar. What is interesting is that the song will be sung a la Sunil and Kiku style.

The duo will don Bhojpuri avatar where they ace the look with faultless accent and attire. They will surprise fans of Honey Singh by singing his uber popular song, Desi Kalakar with a Bhojpuri twist. While Sunil will be seen singing the song, Kiku will assist him on a dhol. What follows is lots of giggles and laughter!

To know more watch The Kapil Sharma Show only on Sony Entertainment Television every Saturday & Sunday at 9 PM