Criminal psychologist-filmmaker Sudeep Ranjan Sarkar brings together monks-sex workers for common film screening

IT WAS a meeting of two different worlds, Literally. When monks and sex workers came together under one roof at Nandan 3 Cinema, Kolkata to watch a film. The person behind this unusual journey is criminal psychologist-filmmaker Dr. Sudeep Ranjan Sarkar and social entrepreneur Rita Jhawar, who made their maiden film based on Buddhist principles and saw it winning numerous awards worldwide.  

Sudeep Ranjan Sarkar’s Hindi feature film Umformung – The Transformation is winner of Best Story – Indian Cine Film Festival, Best Background Score – Noida International Film Festival, Best Director and Best Background Music –10th Free Spirit Festival, Merit for Newcomer Director – World Film Award, and Merit for International Film – World Film Award, Jakarta, Best Background Score – 5th Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival,   Official Selection – 4th Washington DC South Asian Film Festival, Maverik Movie Awards, Khajuraho International Film Festival, Miami Independent Film Festival among others. 

The story of intense dimensions, two parallel stories juxtaposed in one world Umformung – The Transformation is about a Buddhist monk in search of the ultimate truth on one hand, and a ruthless entrepreneur who knows that power is the ultimate truth on the other. 

Languid and unbiased, the film unfolds as Karma unfolds. The journey of the monk from the idyllic monastery set in the mountains to prostitutes at a city brothel and his movement into the path of self-actualisation, alongside the transformation of the builder when life comes half way to meet her on her path of self-destruction,  forms the crux of Umformung – The Transformation.  

“Umformung – The Transformation isn’t just a film for me. It is a marriage of poetry, philosophy of life and a painting of moving images,” confesses Sudeep Ranjan Sarkar, adding that the diverseness of the audiences of  the screening was a simple way to illustrate the open arms of Gautam Buddha and his tenets. 

“Guided by Senior Rimpoche from McLeodgunj, Himachal Pradesh from His Holiness Dalai Lama’s temple, the film looks at Buddhism as a way of life and how detachment is the ultimate truth. A prostitute in that sense is no different from any of us in the so called respectable society, and by her straightforwardness and honest approach to life, is actually an inspiration to a monk to find Nirvana!” Nothing else could explain that better than this screening.

It's all work for Katrina Kaif this birthday

Everyone who has worked with Katrina Kaif has always praised her dedication and hardwork and hence it comes as no surprise that the star chooses to spend her birthday week doing what she loves best - working !

The actress will spend the next couple of days dubbing for Baar Baar Dekho and is also busy rehearsing for her upcoming Dream Tour, which flags off in the second half of August.

Since Katrina has had a choc-o-bloc schedule ,shooting for two films simultaneously and working for over 18 hours a day, the actress will take a short trip ,before leaving for the Dream Tour which takes place in six cities in the US .

Neetu Chandra looses 11 Kgs in 2 months for her upcoming action film

The versatile actor - entrepreneur Neetu Chandra has lost 11 Kgs in the last 2 months by all the natural methods. This glamorous actor has been successful in the industry for a very long time and also has done several movies overseas. 

She is well known for her realistic and versitality in the industry, has now shown us the hard work the actor goes through for doing a movie. 

Recently, Neetu has been working very strict on her diet as she has lost 11 kgs in 2 months naturally. As we all know how Neetu is a fitness freak and she is also well known for Taekondo , theatre and also plays many other sports.

MAX 2 Highlights and Listings- 16th- 31st July, 2016

SAT	2016-07-16	7:00:00 PM	KOYLA
SUN	2016-07-17	7:00:00 PM	HAATIM TAI
MON	2016-07-18	8:00:00 PM	RAJA KI AAYEGI BAARAAT
TUE	2016-07-19	8:00:00 PM	LAHOO KE DO RANG
WED	2016-07-20	8:00:00 PM	TIRANGAA
THU	2016-07-21	8:00:00 PM	Veerana
FRI	2016-07-22	8:00:00 PM	DAATA
SAT	2016-07-23	7:00:00 PM	JORU KA GHULAM
SUN	2016-07-24	7:00:00 PM	HADH KAR DI AAPNE
MON	2016-07-25	8:00:00 PM	CHUPKE CHUPKE
TUE	2016-07-26	8:00:00 PM	GOLMAAL
WED	2016-07-27	8:00:00 PM	JUDWAA
THU	2016-07-28	8:00:00 PM	KISHEN KANHAIYA
FRI	2016-07-29	8:00:00 PM	CHACHI 420
SAT	2016-07-30	7:00:00 PM	DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE
SUN	2016-07-31	7:00:00 PM	HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM

Slumdog Millionaire star Anil Kapoor pulled up for pulling off 'stunt' on local train

Actor Anil Kapoor has begun facing severe backlash on social media for lunging out of a Mumbai local train while promoting the Indian adaptation of the popular American television series '24' on Colors.

The Western Railway who gave permission to the production house to let the Slumdog Millionaire star travel with fans for the promotion of the second season of the '24' series, is learnt to have slapped a Notice to the production house demanding an explanation on the 'stunts' by the actor.

Bollywood's only PR guru Dale Bhagwagar says this kind of celeb picking is a silly trend. "First it was Salman Khan being dragged into an unnecessary bloated national controversy about the rape comment. And now it is Anil Kapoor."

"What Anil Kapoor is doing on the local is NOT a 'stunt'. Stunts are a different thing. All he is doing is striking a pose. We have all leaned out of trains for that whiff of fresh air at some point of time in our lives. Does that make us all guilty of so-called stunts," questions the public relations expert.

The publicity consultant who is considered to be Bollywood's best in handling controversies, feels that our society is nowadays getting touchy and sensitive about everything. "Anything and everything raises eyebrows and becomes issues of national debate."

"There was a time when Protima Bedi streaked naked on the beach for a film magazine photoshoot. There was a time Mandakini and Kimi Katkar showcased their bosoms and nipples in Ram Teri Ganga Maili and Tarzan. There was a time a film like Bandit Queen could have a full nude scene. All this was liberal, tolerable and acceptable to society then."

"We need to ask ourselves, if we are going to allow social media to make us progressive, or regressive," states Dale. Point taken.

The spin doctor also points out that "we are living in a world where perception is reality" and vows to "reveal a new Anil Kapoor train picture by tomorrow which will open the eyes of the public, about how they are being carried away by an exaggerated perception being created on social media".