Punjabi Film QISSA

Groundbreaking Punjabi Film QISSA Extended for Second Week at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto

"Saw brilliant masterpiece @qissa.  Director #anupsingh is genius- the film's a powerful dream..."  - Mira Nair (via @MiraPagliNair)

 “I saw a brilliant Punjabi film called Qissa, which I think is completely different from anything else that comes out as alternative cinema from Mumbai. There was some calmness to it, which is contemplative; even lovely. It’s a different kind of cinema.”    —Deepa Mehta 

Tuesday, October 7, 2014 (Toronto)  - Studio Film Group (SFG International) is proud to announce that festival favourite "Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost" has been extended for a second week at the prestigious TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto, ahead of  an expanded national release.

Acting heavyweight Irrfan Khan (The Lunchbox, Life of Pi) makes his Punjabi language debut as Umber Singh, a ghost of a man.  Suffering lasting effects from the violent trauma of The Partition and determined to fight his fate, Umber takes a drastic decision that will impact his chosen heir (Tillotama Shome, Alice in Monsoon Wedding), and have tragic consequences for the entire family.

"This film resides close to my heart and in the heart of many Punjabis,” says writer/director Anup Singh. “Irrfan Khan, one of India’s brightest actors, takes you on an emotional roller coaster relatable to anyone who has encountered identity issues or feelings of displacement. This film has a wide appeal, especially to a diverse nation like Canada.”

In addition to Khan, Qissa boasts a critically acclaimed and award winning performance from Shome  and stellar turns from supporting players Tisca Chopra and newcomer Rasika Duggal.

"Qissa has won acclaim and awards around the world and sets a new example for Punjabi cinema," says Nadia Sandhu, President of film distributor SFG. "It is our hope that Qissa becomes the first of many creative and boundary pushing features from Punjabi and Indian filmmakers in the years to come." 

Qissa is an Indo-European venture, a co-production between India, Germany, The Netherlands and France. 

QISSA: Awards and Accolades

After a Netcap Award Winning World Premiere at TIFF 2013, Qissa earned international acclaim as the Opening Night Gala at the prestigious International Film Festival of Rotterdam and at the Cura�ao International Film Festival, among a slew of other honours including:

Winner- NETPAC Award- Best World or International Film at TIFF 2013

Winner-The Dioraphte Award - Audience Choice at International Film Festival of Rotterdam

Winner-India Gold- Best Film at Mumbai International Film Festival

Winner-INALCO Jury Award- Vesoul Asian Film Festival

Winner-Best Actress- Tillotama Shome at Abu Dhabu International Film Festival

Winner-Best Actress- Tillotama Shome at International Film Festival of Queensland

Winner- Best Actor- Irrfan Khan at International Film Festival of Queensland

ABOUT SFG INTERNATIONAL

Studio Film Group specializes in the marketing, packaging and distribution of high quality independent Canadian and World cinema. SFG has been instrumental in successfully launching Indian independent titles to international acclaim and box office success including Indian indie box office champion Ship of Theseus. QISSA is the first title of the new international co-production and distribution venture SFG International. 

TICKETS AND SHOWTIMES:

http://www.tiff.net/programming/new-releases/qissa

Huma celebrates Eid without family

Huma Qureshi always makes it a point to be with her family on Eid. However this Bakri Eid she missed being home. 

While she is an independent girl living on her own in Mumbai, away from her family in Delhi, she is all for family occasions.

‎Bakri Eid has a huge significance in her family and is celebrated in a big way.

But Huma has been so busy that this time she did not manage to go home. She had a prior commitment for which had to be present.

She celebrated the festival in a small way at her newly made home in Mumbai with her brother.

They celebrated it together by offering prayers and eating the traditional kheer.

Although Huma missed her family, she was glad she could at least celebrate the auspicious day with her brother.

Annabelle review by ANIZ FILMVALA

Annabelle

 review by 

ANIZ FILMVALA 

*****

‘Annabelle’ a paranormal horror film directed by John R. Leonetti is set in the time of 1967, John [Ward Horton] and Mia Gordon [Annabelle Wallis] are expecting their first child visibly excited John gives Mia her most desired gift a doll that she has been hunting for a long time. The horror behind the doll is it’s been possessed and haunted by one Annabelle and her boyfriend that seeks to summon a demon into the material world by claiming a soul of an childlike.

Hence the terror fight begins to get the newly born from her parents with chills of bad situation where Mia has to safe guard her toddler from the gruesome attacks of the demons.

The film effectively gives psychological disturbance and has some underplayed tension of the dark side especially when Mia attempts to run off in a lift when she is chased by a demon.

It’s worth watching for the audience who are ardently following paranormal movies but this might not really serve significantly any novelty to the genre of such films.

Cast

Annabelle Wallis as Mia Gordon

Ward Horton as John Gordon

Tony Amendola as Father Perez

Alfre Woodard as Evelyn

Kerry O'Malley as Sharon Higgins

Brian Howe as Pete Higgins

Eric Ladin as Detective Clarkin

Ivar Brogger as Dr. Burgher

Tree O'Toole as Thin Woman; Annabelle Higgins

Keira Daniels as Young Annabelle Higgins

Morganna May as Debbie

Michelle Romano as Mary

Christopher Shaw as Fuller

Huma Qureshi at the launch of Forevermark Experience Zone

FOREVERMARK SPARKLES AT OM JEWELLERS IN MUMBAI

~ Huma Qureshi unveils The Forevermark Experience Zone for the festive season~

Mumbai, 8th October 2014: Forevermark, the diamond brand from The De Beers Group of Companies celebrated the launch of the Forevermark Experience Zone at OM Jewellers, Borivali. In addition, to marking the onset of this festive season, a spectacular range of jewellery designed by OM Jewellers crafted with spectacular Forevermark diamonds was unveiled by actress Huma Qureshi.

Huma Qureshi looked stunning adorning beautiful jewellery crafted with Forevermark diamonds. She wore dazzling jewellery from Forevermark’s globally renowned collection.

Speaking at the occasion, Huma Qureshi, said. “I personally love classic jewellery pieces with a twist and I believe Forevermark jewellery at OM Jewellers matches the sensibility of the modern Indian woman. The collection is awe-inspiring and perfect for the upcoming Divali season. A Forevermark diamond also signifies beauty, rarity and integrity that every woman stands for. I love diamonds and will definitely look at owning a few pieces this season”.

Each Forevermark diamond is inscribed with a promise; a promise that it is beautiful, rare and responsibly sourced. Forevermark only partners exclusively with brands such as OM Jewellers who have established their reputation as respectable retailers and who meet the brands particularly stringent requirements of business, social and environmental integrity.

OM Jewellers proudly boast of 75 years of rich heritage and have successfully established a long list of loyal and repeat customers who have been mesmerized by the exquisite and intricate artistry emerged from the OM Jewellers atelier. Their majestic and popular designs come in a variety of contemporary and traditional jewellery pieces. Their new collection includes an array of intricately designed and crafted neckpieces, chandelier earrings, cocktail rings and cuffs.

Sachin Jain, President, Forevermark said, “We are pleased to launch The Forevermark Zone at OM Jewellers, Borivali today. They are one of the leading retailers when it comes to jewellery and it was only natural for us to associate with them as they share mutual passion for diamonds and understand the intricacies of craftsmanship at the very core of the Forevermark Promise. We aim to cater to a rich and varied audience and enrich them with a unique and surprisingly different jewellery buying experience by providing them Indian designs set with Forevermark diamonds.”

About the association, Mr. Bhavin Jakhia, MD, OM Jewellers said, “We, at OM Jewellers have played a pivotal role in establishing the jewellery market @ Borivali; this was made possible due to value proposition to our customers of 100% BIS Hallmark 91.6 gold jewellery in 1999. The association with Forevermark is one of the key milestones planned by OM Jewellers to yet again change the jewellery buying landscape at Borivali. Everyone who walks-in will definitely be spoilt for choice, but also realize the same values with which OM Jewellers set its foundations.”

जैकलिन अगले साल लगाएगी फिल्मो का चौक।

जैकलीन फर्नांडिस का करियर सही ट्रैक पर चला रहा है । जहां पहले उनके पास पहले  फिल्म (रॉय) थी, अब जैकलिन ने तीन और फिल्में साइन कर ली है । इनके अलावा भी प्रस्ताव मिल रहे हैं। ऐसा लग रहा है की एक साल के भीतर ही उनकी ४ फिल्मे प्रदर्शित हो सकती है । उनके पास बड़े बैनर भी प्रस्ताव आरहे है । उन्होंने हाल ही में "रॉय' का पहला शेड्यूल पूरा कर लिया है। 

"बैंगिस्तान' में अपने हिस्से की शूटिंग जैकी कर चुकी हैं। इस महीने से वे करण मल्होत्रा की "ब्रदर्स' शुरू करेंगी। उन्होंने "हाउसफुल-3' भी साइन की इस में वे  अभिषेक बच्चन, अक्षय कुमार और रितेश देशमुख 

​के ​

साथ दिखेगी। 

Pritam will sign films from November

Pritam made it a point to not a sign a film post October last year, simply because he had promised his family some quality family time. Apparently the music genius had not taken a holiday for over a decade. He recently confided that he got back straight to work after his wedding and that too was over a decade ago. To make up for, the music maestro took a trip to London with his family but soon his film commitments caught on…

Pritam needs to start work on the score of the Saif Ali Khan-Katrina Kaif starrer, PHANTOM. "I am yet to compose a single song for the film. Kabir (director Kabir Khan) and I have discussed the kind of music the film needs. Once I see what he has shot, I will get a better idea of the overall sound-scape," he says. He also needs to work on the background score of Danis Tanovic's Emraan Hashmi starrer, TIGERS. "All these three films are prior commitments which I have to finish up by November before I sign any new films," Said Pritam, who had not signed a single film after October last year after his much loved SHAADI KE SIDE EFECTS and HOLIDAY.

Harlequin India's new title – Dancing with Demons by debut author Nidhie Sharma

तिहाड़ जेल पहुंचे निखिल द्विवेदी और रिचा चड्डा।

तिहाड़ जेल पहुंचे निखिल द्विवेदी और रिचा चड्डा। 

आप सोच रहे होगे की ऐसा  क्या हुआ की दोनों एक्टर तिहाड़ जेल पहुंचे ? कारन यह यही की निखिल और रिचा अपनी आगामी फ़िल्मी तमंचे के प्रमोशन के सिलसिले में दिल्ली आये हुए थे उसकी के चलते तिहाड़ जेल के कैदियों से भी मिलने पहुंचे।  जेल में पहुंच ने के बाद वहा बहुत हंसी मजाक और शोरगुल का माहौल इन कलाकारों ने बनाया। निखिल और रिचा की मौजूदगी में कैदी काफी खुश थे कैदियों ने फिल्म "तमंचे " का 'प्यार  में दिल पे मार दे गोली ' यह गाना गाया तथा जमकर डांस किया।  इसके पश्चात निखिल और रिचा के संग कैदियों ने फोटो खिंचवाए और खाना भी साथ खाया। 

Farhan Akhtar to gain 8 kilos for his next

Farhan Akhtar is about to give way to his lean physique for a heavier look for his next film with Vidhu Vinod Chopra, titled, “2”.

The actor is required to put on eight kilos for the film where he will play the role of an ATS cop.

Farhan has started prepping for the film. The actor is all set to beef-up before he starts shooting for the film.
He has regularly been working out at the gym with his trainer. He is looking into building muscles for which he has changed his diet regime as well. His diet now consists of a lot of protein rich food.

Post Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the actor is pushing the envelope once again and changing his body type like he changed for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

No one but Shahid!

Shahid Kapoor is extremely ecstatic about the release of Haider.

Everyone who has seen the film is applauding Vishal Bharadwaj’s choice of casting Shahid Kapoor in the title role of Haider.

They not only feel that it is Shahid’s best performance but also that no one else could have done as much justice to the role as Shahid has done.

Among the young actors only Shahid could pull off a role like this.

Pulling off a role like Haider's involved a lot of study of the character from Shahid's end. It meant deep understanding of the situations the character was in and Shahid left no stone unturned to essay this complex character with spontaneity.

The actor went deep into the skin of the character and delivered a top level performance in the film.

His character is as layered as Shakespeare characters are and everyone from the industry and audiences who have seen the film felt strong connection and engagement with Shahid’s character all throughout.

It is a thorough performance based film and Shahid has not failed to impress the viewers one bit.

There is immense appreciation flowing in from all quarters for the actor.

Black and White in Kill Dil

Kill Dil is a story about two friends played by Ranveer Singh and Ali Zafar. In the film, both Ranveer Singh and Ali Zafar have been shown favouring a particular colour.

From the promos and songs of the film that we have seen uptil now, we can see that Ranveer is largely wearing white, while Ali Zafar is wearing black.

In many scenes, Ranveer and Ali have worn the exact same attire but in the colour they favour. In the title track, Ranveer has worn a white lungi and vest while Ali has worn a black lungi and vest. 

So we thought that the colours were reflective of their characters or would have something to do with their attitudes and characteristics.

But when we inquired around, we realized it was more fun than intellectual. Apparently, both of them were fooling around with their stylists when they were deciding on the outfits and clothes. 

In fact, Ranveer and Ali decided between themselves which colour they would wear. Ranveer chose white, while Ali chose black for their respective characters.

From the promos, Ranveer’s character looks mischevious and bubbly whereas Ali’s character looks darker and more sobre and serious.

Yash Raj Films’ Kill Dil is an action packed masala entertainer filled with romance and thrill, directed by Shaad Ali.

SLAM FINALE IN LONDON, Team HNY with Madhuri Dixit

SLAM+ The Tour London where the biggest Bollywood extravaganza concluded recently at the houseful O2 Arena. 

Director Farah Khan, Actors Madhuri Dixit, Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood, Vivaan Shah, singer Kanika Kapoor and Signature Dance Group enthralled the audience .

 The new addition in the concert, Madhuri performed on medley of her songs.