Meena Kumari retro and rare memorabilia on display at Osianama At Liberty

Actress-poetess Meena Kumari aka Mahjabeen Bano, starred in over 90 classic, cult films in the 30 years from her childhood to her death. Now, the Tragedy Queen of Indian cinema is back on the silver screen. Osianama as part of its ongoing Womanhood festival  brings to the Indian audiences, rare original publicity material and priceless memorabilia from Meena Kumari’s films and a retro of her best films, Pakeezah, Parineeta and Daayra,  straight out of Osian's Archive & Library Collection on February 25 at Osianama At Liberty.

Besides the film, Osianama at Liberty will display the Pakeezah and Daera paintings, Kohinoor and Benazir Portraits, besides the Poster of Meena Kumari ki Amar Kahani,  Behana, Phool Aur Pathar and the images of Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam among others, an opportunity that is unmisseble. 

"The memories of Meena Kumari reflect a deeply complex and contradictory soul which reaches out to the world to be understood and loved anew; a true creative spirit and individual, and yet rooted in tradition, wanting to just be a simple child once upon a time like all, but forced into becoming Baby Meena, her childhood stolen and thereafter it always seemed that she pursued love and freedom to be herself with an innocence and depth which can only be called tragic and brave. She is a true icon for Womanhood & Cinema, absorbing all, breaking all, in the search to be herself. Her life truly represents the ironic truth of - from dust to dust - but what a full life in those short 41 years. Along with Nargis and Madhubala she represents the feminine iconicity just as Mother India, Mughal-E-Azam and Pakeezah represents a different trinity of Indian cinema,” avers Neville Tuli, Chairman, Osian’s Group and  the driving force behind Osianama.

Meena Kumari’s portrayal of Chhoti Bahu, in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962) is one of her most memorable films, that bought her critical and commercial success, alike,  besides winning her the coveted Filmfare Award, that had eluded her with nominations earlier with Aarti and Main Chup Rahungi. Meena Kumari’s other memorable films include Baiju Bawra (1952), Parineeta (1953), Azaad (1955), Ek Hi Raasta (1956), Miss Mary (1957), Sharada (1957), Kohinoor (1960), Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi (1960). And of course, her last memorable film  Pakeezah.

Yours to check out the Meena Kumari Fest at Osianama at Liberty on Feb 25. And check out the memorabilia from Osian’s Archive and Library treasure trove on view.

A Brief on the films

PARINEETA: dir: Bimal Roy: Feb 25, 1pm, Osianama At Liberty

Based on a  Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novel Parineeta, this Bimal Roy film is the second adaptation of the book the earlier one being in Bengali.

The film is best-known for Meena Kumari’s portrayal of the character as well as the dialogues between her and the hero, Ashok Kumar.

Lalita is an orphaned niece of an impoverished clerk named Gurucharan. She

DAERA: dir: Kamal Amrohi: Feb 25, 4pm, Osianama At Liberty

Daera by Kamal Amrohi, sees Meena Kumari as the frail bride married to a much older, and sick man (Nana Palsikar) and her desire for her neighbour (Dilip Kumar’s brother Nasir Khan) Meena Kumar’s portrayal of the pathos of the character is something that haunts your memory, forever. 

PAKEEZAH: dir: Kamal Amrohi: Feb 25, 9pm, Osianama At Liberty

Pakeezah, again a Kamal Amrohi film, sees Meena Kumari in the role of a courtesan Sahibjaan, who is born to a courtesan who dies at childbirth after being spurned by her lover’s family, is brought up in a brothel and grows to be a courtesan.   Salim Ahmed Khan (Raaj Kumar) convinces her to elope with him, and renames her Pakeezah (One Whose Heart is Pure). Sahibjeen is recognized by one and all everywhere, and she refuses marriage and returns to the brothel, only to take on the task of dancing at Salim’s wedding. An interesting climax follows. This is Meena Kumari’s last film.

THREE-DAY INGMAR BERGMAN RETRO AT OSIANAMA WOMANHOOD FEST

Osianama pays tribute to Ingmar Bergman, one of the greatest directors ever, with a major Retrospective. Auteur of over 60 films and 170 plays, Bergman, is best known for films such as The Seventh Seal (1957), Wild Strawberries (1957), Persona (1966), Cries and Whispers (1972), Face to Face (1976), Autumn Sonata (1978) and Fanny and Alexander (1982). His cinema often dealt with death, illness, faith, betrayal, bleakness and insanity.

Bergman, one of the greatest film directors ever, has an unmatched body of cinematic & theatrical creativity, sensitive to most of the profound ideas concerning human existence, where the role of his women characters are bold, authentic and imbibed with a  strength which only a fully lived life can express.

“It is not only the sexual confidence, or emotional rawness of his feminine characters which created the unique cinematic experience, but his virtual full control over his art, with collaborations with master cinematographer Nykvist, eminent theatre actors such as Max von Sydow, Linn Ullmann, Bibi Andersson, among others which allowed a truly meaningful cinema to emerge. India has not seen such a comprehensive body of work by this master, for even after his death barely a few films were shown in a relatively small space. Osianama at Liberty are proud to showcase this cinematic genius who deeply grasped the human and feminine psyche in all its complicated starkness,” avers Neville Tuli, Chairman Osian’s Group and the creative force behind Osianama.

The current Womanhood festival at Osianama At Liberty, the HQ of world cinema, features The Silence, All These Women, The Virgin Spring, Summer Interlude and the Seventh Seal on Feb 14, Hour of The Wolf, Fanny And Alexander, Cries and Whispers, Through a Glass Darkly and Autumn Sonata on Feb 15, and   Persona, Scenes from A Marriage, Summer With Monica, Hour of The Wolf and Face to Face on Feb 16. (REFER TO ATTACHMENTS)

A BRIEF SYNOPSIS AND TRAILER FOR REF

The Silence [1963; 95 mins, Blu-ray; V/UA]

Two sisters—the sickly, intellectual Ester (Ingrid Thulin) and the sensual, pragmatic Anna (Gunnel Lindblom)—travel by train with Anna’s young son Johan (Jorgen Lindstrom) to a foreign country seemingly on the brink of war. Attempting to cope with their alien surroundings, the sisters resort to their personal vices while vying for Johan’s affection, and in so doing sabotage any hope for a future together. Regarded as one of the most sexually provocative films of its day, Ingmar Bergman’s The Silence offers a brilliant, disturbing vision of emotional isolation in a suffocating spiritual void. {Criterion]

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KhQgBljLw

 All These Women [1964; 80 mins, MOV; PG- 15]

Cornelius, a pretentious music critic planning to write a biography on famous cello master Felix went to his place and starts residing his summer place. Being faild to see Felix in person , Cornelius talks with all women who live with him and use these stories to get what he wants.

 The Virgin Spring [1960; 86 mins, Blu-ray; A]

A girl in the bloom of innocent sensuality, the apple of her father (Max von Sydow)'s eye, is raped and murdered. A young boy who has watched his brothers perform the act suffers along with them the father's terrible revenge.[Judy Bloch , 2004]

At the time I'd thought it a good film, one hell of a fine film! I considered it one of my best films. I thought it was magnificent - Bergman

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ea3pUiTRO4

 Summer Interlude [1951; 96 mins, MOV; V/UA]

After receiving a diary young ballerina Marie, set off a journey to a remote island nearby Stockholm where she recalls her first love Henrik thirteen years ago and the tragedy happened for them.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW-f_la2-GA

 The Seventh Seal [1957; 96 mins, Blu-ray; A]

A knight returning from the Crusades finds a rude church still open in the midst of the Black Death, and goes to confession there. Speaking to a hooded figure half-seen through an iron grill, he pours out his heart: "My indifference has shut me out. I live in a world of ghosts, a prisoner of dreams. I want God to put out his hand, show his face, speak to me. I cry out to him in the dark but there is no one there.” The hooded figure turns, and is revealed as Death, who has been following the knight on his homeward journey. [Roger Ebert]

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtkFei4wRjE

 Hour of Wolf & #18.4 [1968; 99 mins, Blu-ray; PG- 15]

In this psychological surreal horror drama, Johan a painter played by Max von Sydow is experiencing disturbing eccentric visuals while spending summer in a secluded island with his young pregnant wife Alma (Liv Ullmann). She found from her husband’s secret diary that Johan is not only haunted by the real or imaginary strangers, but also by images of his former lover, Veronica Vogler (Ingrid Thulin)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7PWFiLkKG4

 Fanny and Alexander [1982; 188 mins, MOV; U]

Through the eyes of ten-year-old Alexander, we witness the delights and conflicts of the Ekdahl family, a sprawling bourgeois clan in turn-of-the-twentieth-century Sweden. Ingmar Bergman intended Fanny and Alexander as his swan song, and it is the legendary director’s warmest and most autobiographical film, a four-time Academy Award–winning triumph that combines his trademark melancholy and emotional intensity with immense joy and sensuality. [Criterion]

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkszXVEUHco

 Cries and Whispers [1972; 91 mins, Blu-ray; U]

Cries and Whispers depicts the final day of Agnes (Harriet Andersson), who lies in bed with cancer. Her most dear ones, her sisters, Maria (Liv Ullmann) and Karin (Ingrid Thulin), and a companion, Anna (Kari Sylwan) watch over her [Jan Holmberg]

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pw7FYex5pQ

 Through Glass Darkly [1961; 90 mins, Blu-ray; 18+]

In this drama, set on a remote island, a schizophrenic woman is discharged from a mental hospital and recovers during a family holiday with her husband, brother, and father. Her father, who happens to be a prominent psychologist, coldly observes her and takes notes of her behavior without her knowledge. (Rotten Tomatoes)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwu80rk5xds

 Autumn Sonata [1978; 99 mins, Blu-ray; U]

World famous pianist Charlotte visits her daughter Eva in her home after neglecting her for years. There she founds her other mentally disabled daughter Helena, whom she put in a mental institution. Tension between Charlotte and her daughter Ewa is building up slowly…

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHd4ymdGAGA

 Persona [1966; 84 mins, Blu-ray; PG- 15]

Elizabeth (Liv Ullmann) stops speaking in the middle of Electra, and will not speak again. A psychiatrist thinks it might help if Elizabeth and Nurse Alma (Bibi Andersson) spend the summer at her isolated house. Held in the same box of space and time, the two women somehow merge. Elizabeth says nothing, and Alma talks and talks, confessing her plans and her fears, and eventually, in a great and daring monologue, confessing an erotic episode during which she was, for a time, completely happy. [Roger Ebert]

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amxvetvKfho

 Summer With Monika [1953; 97 mins, Blu-ray; 18+]

Harry steals a boat to spend the summer alone on an island with his lover, Monika. But when the couple returns home, their clashing personalities drive them apart.

Trailer: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xsgsat_summer-with-monika-1953-official-trailer_shortfilms

 Face to Face  [1976; 178 mins, MOV; 18+]

Troubled by childhood memories a psychiatrist (Liv Ullmann) is driven to the verge of a mental breakdown.

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1249295

Sony Max Highlights and Listings 16th- 29th February

TUE	16-Feb-16	09:00:00PM	MUNNABHAI MBBS
WED	17-Feb-16	09:00:00PM	KHATARNAK KHILADI (DUB)
THU	18-Feb-16	09:00:00PM	YEVADU (DUB)
FRI	19-Feb-16	09:00:00PM	THE RETURN OF REBEL(DUB)
SAT	20-Feb-16	08:00:00PM	MERA TARGET
SUN	21-Feb-16	08:00:00PM	SOORYAVANSHAM (RENEWED)
MON	22-Feb-16	09:00:00PM	LEGEND THE TERROR (DUB)
TUE	23-Feb-16	09:00:00PM	KRRISH 3
WED	24-Feb-16	09:00:00PM	AMERICA VS INDIA
THU	25-Feb-16	09:00:00PM	KHAMOSHIYAN
FRI	26-Feb-16	09:00:00PM	ROWDY RATHORE
SAT	27-Feb-16	08:00:00PM	THE ATTACKS OF 26/11
SUN	28-Feb-16	08:00:00PM	3 IDIOTS
MON	29-Feb-16	09:00:00PM	MR X

Sony TV’s Akbar aka Vishal Jethwa to be seen in Ek Duje Ke Vaste

Sony Entertainment Television’s upcoming show Ek Duje Ke Vaste vaunts a stellar cast with Nikita Dutta playing the female lead and debutant Namik Paul paired opposite the actress, recent we hear that the talented actor Vishal Jethwa has been roped in to play a pivotal role.

 Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap fame Akbar aka Vishal Jethwa will be seen essaying the role of younger version of the protagonist Namik Paul alias Shravan in the show, informs us a source close to the production house, “After taking many auditions for the younger version of Shravan, we finally locked on to Vishal Jethwa. He is a very talented actor and was a perfect match to the role.” 

Winning hearts of the audience through his acting skills in the epic role of Akbar, get ready to watch the phenomenal performance of Vishal as young Shravan in the show Ek Duje Ke Vaste coming soon only on Sony Entertainment Television

STATE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES MAGNETIC MAHARASHTRA CAMPAIGN AS A PART OF THE “MAKE IN INDIA WEEK” TO BE HELD IN MUMBAI

WIZCRAFT INTERNATIONAL WORKS CLOSELY AS EVENT PARTNERS TO CREATE LANDMARK EVENTS FOR “MAGNETIC MAHARASHTRA”

The State Government of Maharashtra has geared up to project the unique strengths of the state with the Magnetic Maharashtra campaign as a part of the Make in India Week. A Government of India initiative, the Make in India Week will celebrate the best & brightest in Indian manufacturing alongside the various business and cultural strengths of the state. The event will be held from 13^th- 18^th February in Mumbai.

As a host state of the prestigious project, Maharashtra’s potential will be showcased on a gigantic scale to a global audience. India’s leading events and brand activation company, Wizcraft International will work closely with the state government to build a momentous and groundbreaking event via innovative on-ground events and solutions for Maharashtra. Wizcraft plans to take the project of ‘Magnetic Maharashtra’ to a whole new level and help the State government create a landmark campaign.

Speaking on the project, Viraf Sarkari, Director - Wizcraft International Entertainment said “It’s a great privilege and honor to work closely with Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Government of India, Government of Maharashtra, MIDC & CII to bring to life a prestigious campaign - Make in India and Magnetic Maharashtra, which is a part of the ambitious Make In India Week. At Wizcraft, we believe in creating and delivering world-class experiences, setting new benchmarks in staging, choreography and event design. For the Make in India Week, our core team has conceptualized and put together a series of epic events to propel the core idea of the project. In the past too, Wizcraft has delivered some of the most memorable experiences for Government of India including the prestigious Make in India showcase at Hannover Messe in 2015. We are geared up once again to deliver an epic experience to mark this momentous occasion. ”

Maharashtra and its uniqueness will be showcased every day of the week, with each event being held at iconic locations in the city of Mumbai.

On the inaugural day, the Maharashtra Stall at the Make In India Centre at MMRDA grounds, will feature an exhibition of the most innovative products and manufacturing processes that have been developed in the state. Wizcraft has designed a state of the art exposition with progressive designs, seamlessly merging traditional elements of the region with a futuristic touch.

The first among a series of events is the Chief Minister’s Gala Dinner. The decor at the entrance and walkway will be based on the rich culture and heritage of Maharashtra. The guests will be greeted with the traditional dhol lezim and hostesses dressed in the traditional Maharashtrian attire. Hosted by Kabir Bedi, the gala dinner will see a string of exciting performances including live music acts, Lavani renditions and a theatrical performance  all orchestrated to bring you a unique experience of the state.

Touted as the biggest night of the week, Mumbai’s favorite Girgaum Chowpatty will witness a spectacular extravaganza titled ‘Maharashtra Night’, a cultural, entertainment and musical showcase of the state and its spirit. Bollywood megastars Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini will be seen opening the much awaited night with aplomb.  Bringing to life a visual spectacle, Hema Malini will be seen doing the Ganesh Vandana, while Amitabh Bachchan will recite a poem on Maharashtra that has been specially written by lyricist-adman, Prasoon Joshi. Other outstanding acts include the enactment of Maharashtra’s iconic leader Shivaji’s Coronation, a folk lore performance on the state’s various dance forms Povada, Tamasha, Gondhal, Koli and Lavani to name a few. Other performers include Sonakshi Sinha, Katrina Kaif, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Aditi Rao Hydari, Vivek Oberoi among others. Superstars Aamir Khan and Anil Kapoor will also be present. Musicians Ajay Atul, Pritam, Mohit Chauhan will also be a part of the performance line-up.

Next in line is a Fusion Concert- a confluence of traditional and international music with roots of Maharashtrians sounds, creating a unique artistic expression. Bringing to life the essence of the state, a mystical ambience will be created with famous flute player Suhas Joshi’s musical welcome, warli art lit panels, an organic and earthy stage created with fabric and play of light, ‘gadda’ style seating and mood lighting to name a few elements of the event’s design. Musicians like Karsh Kale, Dhruv Ghanekar among others will perform and take musical magic to the next level.

Showcasing Maharashtra’s rich textile heritage, the Textile Show will take place in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangralaya. Famous fashion designers like Vikram Phadnis, Anita Dongre, Neeta Lulla, Shaina N.C and Anju Modi will showcase their collections in tandem with the theme. The fashion extravaganza will also be amplified with a musical touch, as singing sensations Manasi Scott, Raghav Sachar & Raaga Trippin add magic to the evening.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Chief Ministers, top State Ministers and Union ministers are slated to attend the event being organized by the Union government, along with the Maharashtra government and the Confederation of Indian Industries. Close to 8,000 domestic industries with leaders like the Tata Group, Reliance Industires, JSW and MNCs like GE, Boeing, JCB, Renault, Twitter to name a few will participate in the Make In India Week. Representatives of 68 countries with over a thousand delegates as well as heads of state will attend the Make in India Week to be held in Mumbai this month.