It is sad how ill-informed our media is! The coverage of the passing away of legendary ghazal singer, Pankaj Udhas, demonstrates this lack of information and research. The credit for Pankaj’s fame is attributed mainly to one film song, ‘Chitthi aayee hai…’ from ‘Naam’. The film was released in 1986 by which time Pankaj had become a hugely popular ghazal singer, second only to the veteran Jagjit Singh. But then, Jagjit Singh had a head start.
By 1986, Pankaj had quite a few silver, gold and platinum discs to his credit. These discs were awarded by the music companies on an album achieving a certain milestone in sales. Ghazals were initially a choice of certain discerning music lovers.
But Pankaj had a varied repertoire and his numbers such as ‘Ghungroo toot gaye’, ‘Sharab cheez hi aisi hai’, ‘Chandi jaisa rang’ and ‘Niklo na benaqab’ carried a definite appeal for the masses.
By 1986, Pankaj had quite a few silver, gold and platinum discs to his credit. These discs were awarded by the music companies on an album achieving a certain milestone in sales. Ghazals were initially a choice of certain discerning music lovers.
But Pankaj had a varied repertoire and his numbers such as ‘Ghungroo toot gaye’, ‘Sharab cheez hi aisi hai’, ‘Chandi jaisa rang’ and ‘Niklo na benaqab’ carried a definite appeal for the masses.
- 3/3/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The film business has always been attracting talent as well as entrepreneurs from all over India. This is equally true in the regional film industry and in the Hindi film industry. There are reports that some new entrepreneurs are entering the film business in the production of films and, mainly, film distribution. This is not new. The film industry has always survived on money from outside.
No filmmaker who earns from his hit films ever ploughs his earnings back into future productions. It is either borrowed money, or money from new sources.
Those were the days of independent producers who made films that used to be then distributed by companies operating circuit-wise.
It was an arrangement that worked very well, just like any other business where a distribution firm passed from one generation to another. In the same manner, production companies carried on the business for years, hits or flops notwithstanding.
No filmmaker who earns from his hit films ever ploughs his earnings back into future productions. It is either borrowed money, or money from new sources.
Those were the days of independent producers who made films that used to be then distributed by companies operating circuit-wise.
It was an arrangement that worked very well, just like any other business where a distribution firm passed from one generation to another. In the same manner, production companies carried on the business for years, hits or flops notwithstanding.
- 2/25/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
There is this curious case in the South where a viewer, Raja Murugan, has approached the Madurai High Court with a plea to get the director of the film ‘Leo’, Lokesh Kanagaraja, checked for his mental faculties!
He has asked the court that the director be psychologically examined to establish whether or not he has lost his faculties!
Murugan finds the excessive use of violence, drugs, speeding and showing characters involved in illegal activities as the film’s main theme. Further, he has demanded that the film should be properly examined by the Censors and the director be tried for filming scenes that would incite violence.
The plea was to be heard by the court on January 3, but, strangely, Murugan did not turn up. If this is a publicity stunt to further promote the film, which is already a super hit, Murugan should be hauled up by the court.
Lucky...
He has asked the court that the director be psychologically examined to establish whether or not he has lost his faculties!
Murugan finds the excessive use of violence, drugs, speeding and showing characters involved in illegal activities as the film’s main theme. Further, he has demanded that the film should be properly examined by the Censors and the director be tried for filming scenes that would incite violence.
The plea was to be heard by the court on January 3, but, strangely, Murugan did not turn up. If this is a publicity stunt to further promote the film, which is already a super hit, Murugan should be hauled up by the court.
Lucky...
- 1/7/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The period of Shraddha and the Navaratras and the fortnight preceding Diwali is considered a very bad period for the release of new films in terms of business. Traditionally, old hit films used to be re-released during this period in the hope that a good number of viewers would show up to keep the cinemas above the red zone.
The other alternative was to release dubbed films from the South. These films, which are as well or better than the Hindi films today, did not draw people at that time. They were called fillers, or alternatives to a cinema hall not screening any film at all. The show had to go on.
Of late, filmmakers have been challenging this age-old tradition, ignoring past records and releasing their films during this month. Not one or two, but starting from October 6 up till November 3, as many as 26 films will hit the cinemas.
The other alternative was to release dubbed films from the South. These films, which are as well or better than the Hindi films today, did not draw people at that time. They were called fillers, or alternatives to a cinema hall not screening any film at all. The show had to go on.
Of late, filmmakers have been challenging this age-old tradition, ignoring past records and releasing their films during this month. Not one or two, but starting from October 6 up till November 3, as many as 26 films will hit the cinemas.
- 10/29/2023
- by Agency News Desk
The period of Shraddha and the Navaratras and the fortnight preceding Diwali is considered a very bad period for the release of new films in terms of business. Traditionally, old hit films used to be re-released during this period in the hope that a good number of viewers would show up to keep the cinemas above the red zone.
The other alternative was to release dubbed films from the South. These films, which are as well or better than the Hindi films today, did not draw people at that time. They were called fillers, or alternatives to a cinema hall not screening any film at all. The show had to go on.
Of late, filmmakers have been challenging this age-old tradition, ignoring past records and releasing their films during this month. Not one or two, but starting from October 6 up till November 3, as many as 26 films will hit the cinemas.
The other alternative was to release dubbed films from the South. These films, which are as well or better than the Hindi films today, did not draw people at that time. They were called fillers, or alternatives to a cinema hall not screening any film at all. The show had to go on.
Of late, filmmakers have been challenging this age-old tradition, ignoring past records and releasing their films during this month. Not one or two, but starting from October 6 up till November 3, as many as 26 films will hit the cinemas.
- 10/29/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
A judgement by a two-judge bench of Bombay High Court comes as a bolt from the blue and has taken many followers of the Indian legal system and the film industry by surprise. The matter relates to the casting of Pakistani actors in Hindi films and the High Court has given not only a judgement on the issue but has also held forth at length on the subject.
The case was filed by an actor, Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, as the brief refers to him, who took it upon himself to seek a ban on Pakistani artistes from being assigned roles in the Hindi film Industry.
Some film trade associations are said to have banned or, rather, passed resolutions asking filmmakers to refrain from employing Pakistani performers.
I suppose all trade bodies have the right and duty to protect its members and asking their members to avoid casting Pakistani actors could...
The case was filed by an actor, Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, as the brief refers to him, who took it upon himself to seek a ban on Pakistani artistes from being assigned roles in the Hindi film Industry.
Some film trade associations are said to have banned or, rather, passed resolutions asking filmmakers to refrain from employing Pakistani performers.
I suppose all trade bodies have the right and duty to protect its members and asking their members to avoid casting Pakistani actors could...
- 10/29/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
A judgement by a two-judge bench of Bombay High Court comes as a bolt from the blue and has taken many followers of the Indian legal system and the film industry by surprise. The matter relates to the casting of Pakistani actors in Hindi films and the High Court has given not only a judgement on the issue but has also held forth at length on the subject.
The case was filed by an actor, Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, as the brief refers to him, who took it upon himself to seek a ban on Pakistani artistes from being assigned roles in the Hindi film Industry.
Some film trade associations are said to have banned or, rather, passed resolutions asking filmmakers to refrain from employing Pakistani performers.
I suppose all trade bodies have the right and duty to protect its members and asking their members to avoid casting Pakistani actors could...
The case was filed by an actor, Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, as the brief refers to him, who took it upon himself to seek a ban on Pakistani artistes from being assigned roles in the Hindi film Industry.
Some film trade associations are said to have banned or, rather, passed resolutions asking filmmakers to refrain from employing Pakistani performers.
I suppose all trade bodies have the right and duty to protect its members and asking their members to avoid casting Pakistani actors could...
- 10/29/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Social media, especially X, is abuzz with pro and anti ‘Jawan’ posts. The pro ‘Jawan’ and Shah Rukh Khan lobby is very strong, in numbers as well as conviction. It is well organised. The anti ‘Jawan’ and Shah Rukh Khan members may be few in number, but they are keeping the entire Khan lobby working overtime. After all, defence is a tough job and needs patience.
The offenders are convinced that Shah Rukh Khan (Srk) manipulated the box office figures of ‘Pathaan’. Not everybody was convinced with the business figures circulated for ‘Pathaan’. I don’t know why it should matter to anybody.
People don’t follow a film’s collection figures and then decide to watch a film. So, a studio or a maker may release whatever figures he can afford or wish to; it is just an exercise in personal gratification. If certain stars do it, they may...
The offenders are convinced that Shah Rukh Khan (Srk) manipulated the box office figures of ‘Pathaan’. Not everybody was convinced with the business figures circulated for ‘Pathaan’. I don’t know why it should matter to anybody.
People don’t follow a film’s collection figures and then decide to watch a film. So, a studio or a maker may release whatever figures he can afford or wish to; it is just an exercise in personal gratification. If certain stars do it, they may...
- 9/10/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Just out of the success of his ‘Gadar 2’, Sunny Deol is grabbing headlines all round. The beeline at his office has started again after almost two decades to sign him up. After all, heroes like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and Aamir Khan are all knocking on the sixties and have been ruling the roost in the Hindi film industry. Unfortunately, lately their careers have remained fickle. Consistency is lacking in the box-office outcome of their films.
Just when the filmmakers contemplate giving up on them, they turn up one successful film which gives them another couple of years of career extension. Of course, this success enjoys the added advantage of inflated box-office figures. Let alone the public, but even other filmmakers get taken in by these!
To coincide with Sunny’s success with ‘Gadar 2’, there was bad news for him. His family property...
Just when the filmmakers contemplate giving up on them, they turn up one successful film which gives them another couple of years of career extension. Of course, this success enjoys the added advantage of inflated box-office figures. Let alone the public, but even other filmmakers get taken in by these!
To coincide with Sunny’s success with ‘Gadar 2’, there was bad news for him. His family property...
- 8/27/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
There was a time when film music was an orphan, the copyright or the creators, as in the lyrics writer, composer and crooner, did their job and the song belonged to nobody and for everybody to make money out of. To a great extent, that still happens. Be it music portals or be it music companies, they continue to exploit the works of others.
Film songs have been played all over. The creators got nothing in return. When the commercial services of the All India Radio started, film music was their mainstay. What did they pay in return? Re 1 as royalty for a song that millions across Indian listened to!
Music companies were known to mail paltry sums: cheques of sums like Rs 250 as royalty to film producers. Film music was fair game for anybody and everybody.
Then came the Indian Performing Rights Society (Iprs), the body that represents the music companies in the country.
Film songs have been played all over. The creators got nothing in return. When the commercial services of the All India Radio started, film music was their mainstay. What did they pay in return? Re 1 as royalty for a song that millions across Indian listened to!
Music companies were known to mail paltry sums: cheques of sums like Rs 250 as royalty to film producers. Film music was fair game for anybody and everybody.
Then came the Indian Performing Rights Society (Iprs), the body that represents the music companies in the country.
- 7/30/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
A new research report by the School of Media and Cultural Studies at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Tiss), Mumbai, reveals that on- and off-screen women and queer representation in box-office hits remains largely stereotypical.
This statement in itself says a lot. It says, women and queer representation remains stereotypical in box-office Hits. Going by the summary of the research it can be concluded, as it does not matter how female actors are cast, it is the male actor who carries a film and it becomes a hit!
The research is exhaustively titled ‘Lights, Camera, and Time for Action: Recasting a Gender Equality Compliant Bollywood’. Such a clichéd title!
The research was carried out by Tiss and funded by the US Consulate General in Mumbai. The report was released by the brand new celebrity, Guneet Monga Kapoor, thanks to her Oscar-winning feature, ‘Elephant Whisperers’, Vidya Balan and Nandita Das,...
This statement in itself says a lot. It says, women and queer representation remains stereotypical in box-office Hits. Going by the summary of the research it can be concluded, as it does not matter how female actors are cast, it is the male actor who carries a film and it becomes a hit!
The research is exhaustively titled ‘Lights, Camera, and Time for Action: Recasting a Gender Equality Compliant Bollywood’. Such a clichéd title!
The research was carried out by Tiss and funded by the US Consulate General in Mumbai. The report was released by the brand new celebrity, Guneet Monga Kapoor, thanks to her Oscar-winning feature, ‘Elephant Whisperers’, Vidya Balan and Nandita Das,...
- 7/23/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The Government, which seems to believe that only whatever is depicted on cinema screens influences viewers, has, at long last, come round to the view that even Ott features have the same potential to cause harm.
The ministries of Health and Information and Broadcasting have mandated that the Ott features will have to carry anti-tobacco warnings. The ministries have said that they will “take strict action upon failure to comply with the rules”.
What is strict action? Why is it not specified? Because, we are all about making rules but loosely implementing them. After all, who keeps a check?
–By Vinod Mirani...
The ministries of Health and Information and Broadcasting have mandated that the Ott features will have to carry anti-tobacco warnings. The ministries have said that they will “take strict action upon failure to comply with the rules”.
What is strict action? Why is it not specified? Because, we are all about making rules but loosely implementing them. After all, who keeps a check?
–By Vinod Mirani...
- 6/4/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
It has been more than 50 years since the video cassette recorder / player brought home viewing of films to India. It is also the time when video piracy also took roots. Owning a Vcr was a luxury and watching a feature film at home was a privilege. Unfortunately, the films which were available on video cassettes were mostly pirated.
There were various ways of pirating a feature film. These included hijacking a film print for a few hours while it was being dispatched to nearby cinemas, or copying prints being sent to overseas markets (usually dispatched a week before a film’s India release as it needed to complete censor and other formalities in the respective country), but the cheapest and crudest way to copy a film was to make a camera print while watching a film. The format was new and people did not mind even watching such copies.
Is...
There were various ways of pirating a feature film. These included hijacking a film print for a few hours while it was being dispatched to nearby cinemas, or copying prints being sent to overseas markets (usually dispatched a week before a film’s India release as it needed to complete censor and other formalities in the respective country), but the cheapest and crudest way to copy a film was to make a camera print while watching a film. The format was new and people did not mind even watching such copies.
Is...
- 4/23/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Salman Khan has come out in favour of clean content on Ott platforms and the rest of the media. Others on Twitter have pounced on him as if Salman Khan always indulged in such stuff and is now trying to be Mr Clean! Salman tweeted: “I just think that there should be a censor on Ott and this vulgar nudity, gali galoch should stop Asap. 15-16-year-olds are watching such content on their phone.”
The media has accused Salman Khan of the things he has done in his films, but those on Twitter have reacted with abuses and insults. Social media such as Twitter is the abode of cowards who gather the courage to call names to others behind the safety of their handles.
Don’t be surprised if you find them catching the first day, first show of the next Salman Khan film!
Twitter is the place to vent...
The media has accused Salman Khan of the things he has done in his films, but those on Twitter have reacted with abuses and insults. Social media such as Twitter is the abode of cowards who gather the courage to call names to others behind the safety of their handles.
Don’t be surprised if you find them catching the first day, first show of the next Salman Khan film!
Twitter is the place to vent...
- 4/16/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The Government of India now wants to be a part of the Ott revolution. That is, the I&b Ministry, on behalf of the Government of India, has joined hands with Amazon Prime to promote the cultural and creative talent and content at its command. India has used various bodies set up by the government over a period of time to promote Indian films and culture in different ways – films through the National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc) and culture through programmes made by or for the Films Division (Fd).
In most cases, whatever content such bodies produced or promoted remained within India. It was all half-hearted, not well thought-out. Most of it ended up being promotional content for the ruling regime. And these institutions were not set up to monetise their content.
Besides the Fd and Nfdc, the regimes also promoted, and continue to do so now, the International Film...
In most cases, whatever content such bodies produced or promoted remained within India. It was all half-hearted, not well thought-out. Most of it ended up being promotional content for the ruling regime. And these institutions were not set up to monetise their content.
Besides the Fd and Nfdc, the regimes also promoted, and continue to do so now, the International Film...
- 4/16/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
There is a video post of a media interview of Ratna Pathak Shah on social media which is generating huge reactions. She narrates her observations on the behaviour of stars on flights. According to her, a star would not even ask for his coffee. Instead, one of his aides would get it, open the lid for him. The star would take a sip and hand back the coffee to his aide. She finds this to be dangerous for a star to be behaving like a toddler and depending to this extent on others.
I don’t know for sure but I don’t think even the kings and princes behaved this way. And, to think that most of these film stars come from ordinary middle class or poor families. So what makes our film stars need so much pampering! Can’t a star ask for coffee from the cabin crew and hold his own coffee?...
I don’t know for sure but I don’t think even the kings and princes behaved this way. And, to think that most of these film stars come from ordinary middle class or poor families. So what makes our film stars need so much pampering! Can’t a star ask for coffee from the cabin crew and hold his own coffee?...
- 3/26/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Finally, a central minister has woken up to the vulgar and abusive content on the various Ott platforms. All in the name of freedom of expression – much more than what the century-old Indian film industry gets to enjoy.
It is rather strange that not only the country’s ruling elite, but even the courts think that the Ott platforms were entitled to freedom, while the feature films were not! After reports and comments on the overdose of vulgar content in the news and social media, Information & Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has warned the Ott platforms that obscenity and abusive language cannot be tolerated.
But then, ministers are known to make grand statements, but the implementation of the warnings/laws remains ineffective.
Why make a statement and why not take concrete steps to settle the issue once and for all? After all, this trend of dishing out vulgar, violent, gory depictions...
It is rather strange that not only the country’s ruling elite, but even the courts think that the Ott platforms were entitled to freedom, while the feature films were not! After reports and comments on the overdose of vulgar content in the news and social media, Information & Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has warned the Ott platforms that obscenity and abusive language cannot be tolerated.
But then, ministers are known to make grand statements, but the implementation of the warnings/laws remains ineffective.
Why make a statement and why not take concrete steps to settle the issue once and for all? After all, this trend of dishing out vulgar, violent, gory depictions...
- 3/26/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
South remakes don’t work anymore and Hindi makers don’t have the writers who can create an original idea. The last two film releases, ‘Shehzada’ and ‘Selfiee’, were remakes of ‘Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo’ (Telugu) and ‘Driving Licence’ (Malayalam), respectively. Both proved to be unmitigated disasters. Imagine an Akshay Kumar-starrer opening to Rs 2.5 crore on Day One! The same star who turned everything he touched into gold not very long ago!
The problem is that borrowing stories from the South is no guarantee for success. Sadly, most remakes are action films and not all Hindi stars can justify action. There are phases for all genres, and the action genre needs a pause. Action films in the good old days were considered B grade and were the domains of actors such as Dara Singh, Kamran Khan, Sheikh Mukhtar and others in this league, and they had their takers away from what...
The problem is that borrowing stories from the South is no guarantee for success. Sadly, most remakes are action films and not all Hindi stars can justify action. There are phases for all genres, and the action genre needs a pause. Action films in the good old days were considered B grade and were the domains of actors such as Dara Singh, Kamran Khan, Sheikh Mukhtar and others in this league, and they had their takers away from what...
- 3/12/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
If there is a law in place, one is bound to follow it and behave accordingly. In the United Kingdom, all movie and Ott content is subject to censors and, all major platforms that operate there, have been getting their content duly rated from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). The only Ott platform that had avoided committing itself to this system was Amazon Prime. It has now signed up for the British Content Rating Guidelines and offers age-wise ratings for content.
As many as 29 Video On Demand and Ott streaming platforms operate in the UK and all of them provide age ratings for their content. The censorship of films in India is a British legacy, of course. The intentions were different when it was launched. The British Raj wanted to curb anything that smacked of being against it. The Indian State has continued to subject films to censorship...
As many as 29 Video On Demand and Ott streaming platforms operate in the UK and all of them provide age ratings for their content. The censorship of films in India is a British legacy, of course. The intentions were different when it was launched. The British Raj wanted to curb anything that smacked of being against it. The Indian State has continued to subject films to censorship...
- 3/12/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
There used to be this breed called star secretaries. Now, they have been replaced by casting agents or talent managers. You must have seen what a secretary’s job was; just maintaining a star’s date diary and face the producer’s music when the dates needed to be cancelled and when it came to asking for payments!
Asrani plays a secretary who manages the affairs of first, Amitabh Bachchan, and later, Jaya Bhaduri, in the film ‘Abhimaan’ (1973). But the star secretary as projected in ‘Abhiman’ was straightforward, very businesslike, one busy with a fading singer husband and the rising singing star, and balancing their competing egos.
That is not what the real-life star secretaries were really like. They would not survive in the business if they were anything like Asrani in the film. The secretaries of the big stars were exclusive – they attended to just one star. Then there...
Asrani plays a secretary who manages the affairs of first, Amitabh Bachchan, and later, Jaya Bhaduri, in the film ‘Abhimaan’ (1973). But the star secretary as projected in ‘Abhiman’ was straightforward, very businesslike, one busy with a fading singer husband and the rising singing star, and balancing their competing egos.
That is not what the real-life star secretaries were really like. They would not survive in the business if they were anything like Asrani in the film. The secretaries of the big stars were exclusive – they attended to just one star. Then there...
- 1/29/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
The Hindi film industry, especially its stars, has this funny attitude towards South Indian films and filmmakers. They grudge South Indian films, especially the successful ones and more so the ones that are dubbed and succeed with the Hindi belt audience!
In recent times, quite a few dubbed South Indian films have done record-breaking business in the Hindi belt and there are no exceptions. Earlier, mainly the Telugu films worked when remade in Hindi, with a rare Tamil film doing so. Kannada and Malayalam remakes rarely worked, and the producers avoided remaking them.
In fact, quite a few Hindi stars have either built or sustained their careers because of South Indian remakes or Hindi films made by South Indian filmmakers. The Kannada market was small and had a limited reach. Tamil films were very conventional, verbose. Malayalam films were too bold and unconventional, too ahead of their time to appeal...
In recent times, quite a few dubbed South Indian films have done record-breaking business in the Hindi belt and there are no exceptions. Earlier, mainly the Telugu films worked when remade in Hindi, with a rare Tamil film doing so. Kannada and Malayalam remakes rarely worked, and the producers avoided remaking them.
In fact, quite a few Hindi stars have either built or sustained their careers because of South Indian remakes or Hindi films made by South Indian filmmakers. The Kannada market was small and had a limited reach. Tamil films were very conventional, verbose. Malayalam films were too bold and unconventional, too ahead of their time to appeal...
- 1/29/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
After ages, one saw a dignified and sensible promotion campaign for a film. It is ‘Uunchai’, a tricky theme about the friendship of three senior citizens out on an adventure. This, coming from a production house that is known to make family socials and love stories. Actually, the campaign is not selling only the film. It is marketing the Rajshri brand!
What is heartening is that even after 76 years, the Rajshri brand still survives and is as active as ever – a close, family-built and -owned film company that has seen and survived the onslaught of the fly-by-night corporate film production houses that spend millions on proposals and not films.
The Rajshris never believed in this new-age promotion of films. I don’t even remember the company releasing teasers or ads on television channels. And, with ‘Uunchai’, they are sparing no media. On television, the campaign is everywhere, be it ‘The...
What is heartening is that even after 76 years, the Rajshri brand still survives and is as active as ever – a close, family-built and -owned film company that has seen and survived the onslaught of the fly-by-night corporate film production houses that spend millions on proposals and not films.
The Rajshris never believed in this new-age promotion of films. I don’t even remember the company releasing teasers or ads on television channels. And, with ‘Uunchai’, they are sparing no media. On television, the campaign is everywhere, be it ‘The...
- 11/13/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
All that is happening in the film industry is not going unnoticed and, especially, the activities and functioning of the cinema exhibition trade. Looks like not all governments or departments concerned are convinced that the equation between filmmakers and the exhibition trade is balanced; that is to say, a level playing field is needed.
In the South, they seem to be more concerned about survival of the film industry. Remember, actors there have fan clubs which count their members in lakhs. There, fans build temples and monuments in the name of their idol and bathe the banners of his or her new film with milk.
In the South, till not long ago, the film industry and politics were synonymous. To some extent, it still holds true. A star did not retire; rather, he or she took to a political career. But they never forgot to stand by their fraternity, the film folk.
In the South, they seem to be more concerned about survival of the film industry. Remember, actors there have fan clubs which count their members in lakhs. There, fans build temples and monuments in the name of their idol and bathe the banners of his or her new film with milk.
In the South, till not long ago, the film industry and politics were synonymous. To some extent, it still holds true. A star did not retire; rather, he or she took to a political career. But they never forgot to stand by their fraternity, the film folk.
- 10/23/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
By Vinod Mirani
The National Cinema Day, which was held on September 24, has set the mind thinking. It could well turn out to be the day of reckoning for the film industry and, especially, the exhibition trade, which has realised that given the right circumstance, people are still willing to come back to the cinemas to watch a movie.
The National Cinema Day was to be celebrated by the cinema managements with a fixed admission rate for that single day. All shows, all tickets at Rs 75 per ticket. The premium class, the recliners kind, were not included, of course. But, then, that was luxury. Tickets were made affordable and luxury never comes cheap.
The idea of the National Cinema Day had travelled to India from the initiative taken by the cinema managements and filmmakers in the US and UK. September 3 was observed as the Cinema Day there.
The Day was a huge success.
The National Cinema Day, which was held on September 24, has set the mind thinking. It could well turn out to be the day of reckoning for the film industry and, especially, the exhibition trade, which has realised that given the right circumstance, people are still willing to come back to the cinemas to watch a movie.
The National Cinema Day was to be celebrated by the cinema managements with a fixed admission rate for that single day. All shows, all tickets at Rs 75 per ticket. The premium class, the recliners kind, were not included, of course. But, then, that was luxury. Tickets were made affordable and luxury never comes cheap.
The idea of the National Cinema Day had travelled to India from the initiative taken by the cinema managements and filmmakers in the US and UK. September 3 was observed as the Cinema Day there.
The Day was a huge success.
- 10/16/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
By Vinod Mirani
The only thing I find missing is the Indian Post & Telegraph issuing a special commemorative stamp to honour him with a special denomination coin to follow in due time. This week, weekend and some days to come, it will be Amitabh Bachchan all over. In media, in cinemas, on television.
Most moviegoers would have learnt of the arrival of Amitabh Bachchan when producer-director Praksha Mehra’s film Zanjeer hit the screens.
The story and dialogue were by the Salim-Javed duo, who were charting a path to success with “Andaz”, “Adhikar”, “Seeta Aur Geeta”, and “Haathi Mere Saathi” to their credit. Probably, not big names enough to lure the veterans who were offered the film, to accept it. The film fell into the lap of a struggling newcomer, Amitabh Bachchan. “Zanjeer”, when released, went on to become a box office blockbuster.
That established Amitabh Bachchan as star and,...
The only thing I find missing is the Indian Post & Telegraph issuing a special commemorative stamp to honour him with a special denomination coin to follow in due time. This week, weekend and some days to come, it will be Amitabh Bachchan all over. In media, in cinemas, on television.
Most moviegoers would have learnt of the arrival of Amitabh Bachchan when producer-director Praksha Mehra’s film Zanjeer hit the screens.
The story and dialogue were by the Salim-Javed duo, who were charting a path to success with “Andaz”, “Adhikar”, “Seeta Aur Geeta”, and “Haathi Mere Saathi” to their credit. Probably, not big names enough to lure the veterans who were offered the film, to accept it. The film fell into the lap of a struggling newcomer, Amitabh Bachchan. “Zanjeer”, when released, went on to become a box office blockbuster.
That established Amitabh Bachchan as star and,...
- 10/9/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
By Vinod Mirani
The only thing I find missing is the Indian Post & Telegraph issuing a special commemorative stamp to honour him with a special denomination coin to follow in due time. This week, weekend and some days to come, it will be Amitabh Bachchan all over. In media, in cinemas, on television.
Most moviegoers would have learnt of the arrival of Amitabh Bachchan when producer-director Praksha Mehra’s film Zanjeer hit the screens.
The story and dialogue were by the Salim-Javed duo, who were charting a path to success with “Andaz”, “Adhikar”, “Seeta Aur Geeta”, and “Haathi Mere Saathi” to their credit. Probably, not big names enough to lure the veterans who were offered the film, to accept it. The film fell into the lap of a struggling newcomer, Amitabh Bachchan. “Zanjeer”, when released, went on to become a box office blockbuster.
That established Amitabh Bachchan as star and,...
The only thing I find missing is the Indian Post & Telegraph issuing a special commemorative stamp to honour him with a special denomination coin to follow in due time. This week, weekend and some days to come, it will be Amitabh Bachchan all over. In media, in cinemas, on television.
Most moviegoers would have learnt of the arrival of Amitabh Bachchan when producer-director Praksha Mehra’s film Zanjeer hit the screens.
The story and dialogue were by the Salim-Javed duo, who were charting a path to success with “Andaz”, “Adhikar”, “Seeta Aur Geeta”, and “Haathi Mere Saathi” to their credit. Probably, not big names enough to lure the veterans who were offered the film, to accept it. The film fell into the lap of a struggling newcomer, Amitabh Bachchan. “Zanjeer”, when released, went on to become a box office blockbuster.
That established Amitabh Bachchan as star and,...
- 10/9/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
This news is from the South. It is a no-brainer. Since the Telugu film industry has set certain norms for members as well as the stars and the cinemas through the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (Tfcc), the Tamil Film Producer Council (Tfpc) has decided to prove that it is the dormant body.
How else does the Tfpc plan to ask the film critics to refrain from writing / publishing reviews of new films till Sunday?! The major media, as in daily broadsheets, always reviewed films in the Sunday editions. The Sunday editions of the papers were meant for leisurely reading with opinions, features on various subjects as well as film reviews. Did that save a film from failing?
The business of movie reviews was all about passing of envelopes. Gradually, someone thought that giving stars to a film made better business sense. Four and five stars carried a decent price tag.
How else does the Tfpc plan to ask the film critics to refrain from writing / publishing reviews of new films till Sunday?! The major media, as in daily broadsheets, always reviewed films in the Sunday editions. The Sunday editions of the papers were meant for leisurely reading with opinions, features on various subjects as well as film reviews. Did that save a film from failing?
The business of movie reviews was all about passing of envelopes. Gradually, someone thought that giving stars to a film made better business sense. Four and five stars carried a decent price tag.
- 9/25/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
It was time for the nomination for an Indian entry in the Best International Film category at the Oscars. Usually, the Indian choice to send a film for the Oscar race is treated as a joke. Some or the other lobby is at work not only when it comes to Oscars or other such international honours, but also for the local, so-called popular film awards.
What is a popular award? A film the people took to and was a success at the box office. Some two films have been successful this year, one of them being ‘The Kashmir Files’. The film does not even find a mention in any category of nominations.
The films in discussion all over for India’s choice were two, ‘Rrr’ and ‘The Kashmir Files’. Realistically, there were no other contenders as far as the people at large and those on social media were concerned. There...
What is a popular award? A film the people took to and was a success at the box office. Some two films have been successful this year, one of them being ‘The Kashmir Files’. The film does not even find a mention in any category of nominations.
The films in discussion all over for India’s choice were two, ‘Rrr’ and ‘The Kashmir Files’. Realistically, there were no other contenders as far as the people at large and those on social media were concerned. There...
- 9/25/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
This has been an eventful week. From the North of India to the South, news related to the film industries have dominated the discussions on television news channels as well as the social media. That is because there is some positive news and there is also news that fails to make sense.
The best news of the week is the return of cinema screens in Srinagar. The IMAX chain has revived the cinema business in Kashmir after a gap of 30 years following the start of militancy and terrorism in the late 1980s. The Kashmir valley had as many as nine cinema halls. That was the single-screen era.
Jammu and Kashmir was a part of the East Punjab territory as it was known in the film trade (West Punjab having gone to Pakistan). The valley was fittingly described as heaven on earth where a lot many films were shot. In fact,...
The best news of the week is the return of cinema screens in Srinagar. The IMAX chain has revived the cinema business in Kashmir after a gap of 30 years following the start of militancy and terrorism in the late 1980s. The Kashmir valley had as many as nine cinema halls. That was the single-screen era.
Jammu and Kashmir was a part of the East Punjab territory as it was known in the film trade (West Punjab having gone to Pakistan). The valley was fittingly described as heaven on earth where a lot many films were shot. In fact,...
- 9/25/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
By Vinod Mirani India is in the process of shedding every irrelevant law, especially the ones enforced by the British Raj. Since the Government is in the process of abolishing these outdated and unnecessary laws, why not do away with film censorship? The British introduced censorship of films to keep a check in case a […]...
- 12/26/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
By Vinod Mirani It is the celebratory mood in the film industry, in the exhibition trade as well as production sector besides all those allied with these two. Yes, it is the traditionally Indian festival period in the country starting August. Soon, the Navratri celebrations begin to be followed by the biggest festivals of them […]...
- 10/3/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
By Vinod Mirani
Movie shoots have either been stalled for long enough or, in some cases, completed in a patchwork manner. Take for example, the recently-released Salman Khan movie, "Radhe". The villain has been established as having come from Malaysia and the climax was to be shot in Bangkok were it not for the pandemic enforced restrictions. As a result, the film, slated for release on Eid 2020, could finally be released only this year on the occasion of Eid. Especially during 2020 lockdown, there seemed to be no way out for the filmmakers as Covid-19, as well as the strictly-enforced lockdown that followed, brought the entertainment industry -- as in filmmaking, television serial as well as the cinema exhibition -- to a total halt.
Things were getting back to normal stage by stage. Shooting was allowed to start with certain conditions and cinema halls allowed to start operating, when the second...
Movie shoots have either been stalled for long enough or, in some cases, completed in a patchwork manner. Take for example, the recently-released Salman Khan movie, "Radhe". The villain has been established as having come from Malaysia and the climax was to be shot in Bangkok were it not for the pandemic enforced restrictions. As a result, the film, slated for release on Eid 2020, could finally be released only this year on the occasion of Eid. Especially during 2020 lockdown, there seemed to be no way out for the filmmakers as Covid-19, as well as the strictly-enforced lockdown that followed, brought the entertainment industry -- as in filmmaking, television serial as well as the cinema exhibition -- to a total halt.
Things were getting back to normal stage by stage. Shooting was allowed to start with certain conditions and cinema halls allowed to start operating, when the second...
- 6/6/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
By Vinod Mirani
There seems to be some positive development for the exhibition trade, as some filmmakers are venturing to release their films at the cinema halls. Last year, due to Corona, some of the best release slots were lost. Since then, neither filmmakers nor viewers have come forward to take in a movie at a cinema hall.
Not that any film released since lockdown in cinema halls was withdrawn -- albeit with restrictions -- had what is called face value or promotion. The few films that managed to release were not worth one's while even during normal situation, least of all in Corona time.
Since the cinemas reopened in September last year, films like "Khali Peeli", "Bolo Hau", "Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari", "Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi", "12 'O' Clock", "Madam Chief Minister", "Kaagaz", "Indoo Ki Jawani", "Amma Ki Boli" and a few other such films released in cinema halls. They had...
There seems to be some positive development for the exhibition trade, as some filmmakers are venturing to release their films at the cinema halls. Last year, due to Corona, some of the best release slots were lost. Since then, neither filmmakers nor viewers have come forward to take in a movie at a cinema hall.
Not that any film released since lockdown in cinema halls was withdrawn -- albeit with restrictions -- had what is called face value or promotion. The few films that managed to release were not worth one's while even during normal situation, least of all in Corona time.
Since the cinemas reopened in September last year, films like "Khali Peeli", "Bolo Hau", "Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari", "Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi", "12 'O' Clock", "Madam Chief Minister", "Kaagaz", "Indoo Ki Jawani", "Amma Ki Boli" and a few other such films released in cinema halls. They had...
- 3/14/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
By Vinod Mirani
It has been some time since the cinema screens opened to business following the corona lockdown throughout the country. The owners were keen that the governments permit screenings to resume, so that it could be business as usual. As the governments eased lockdown on other businesses and day-to-day life, cinemas were also eventually allowed to reopen conditionally.
Most of the single screen properties across India had been forced to shut down once the multiplexes opened in the country. The few that had managed to survive and sustain were old properties either inherited or built before the advent of the multiplex culture. Even when the multiplex managements were lobbying for permission to resume screenings, the single screens were not very keen. That is because, the single screen managements know the pulse of their patrons. They did not find sense in opening up and expect the viewers to come...
It has been some time since the cinema screens opened to business following the corona lockdown throughout the country. The owners were keen that the governments permit screenings to resume, so that it could be business as usual. As the governments eased lockdown on other businesses and day-to-day life, cinemas were also eventually allowed to reopen conditionally.
Most of the single screen properties across India had been forced to shut down once the multiplexes opened in the country. The few that had managed to survive and sustain were old properties either inherited or built before the advent of the multiplex culture. Even when the multiplex managements were lobbying for permission to resume screenings, the single screens were not very keen. That is because, the single screen managements know the pulse of their patrons. They did not find sense in opening up and expect the viewers to come...
- 3/7/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
By Vinod Mirani
For years, Authorities That Be have had a 'use and ignore' policy towards celebrities, especially filmstars, as well as top-rung filmmakers. Various regimes over the decades have held film celebrities in a tight leash, always having an attitude of 'Or Else'.
India was not known to be a resourceful country to meet challenges. Be it a war, floods, earthquake or any other calamity, the country had to appeal to the public to donate its mite. From cash, clothes, grains to gold, everything was collected. Nobody trusted the governments and made donations. So, who was made to take out a rally and beg through the cities of India to beg on behalf of the government? Since the Indo-China war, this has been the norm. It is another matter that none of these collections from the public, in the form of cash or gold, has ever been accounted for,...
For years, Authorities That Be have had a 'use and ignore' policy towards celebrities, especially filmstars, as well as top-rung filmmakers. Various regimes over the decades have held film celebrities in a tight leash, always having an attitude of 'Or Else'.
India was not known to be a resourceful country to meet challenges. Be it a war, floods, earthquake or any other calamity, the country had to appeal to the public to donate its mite. From cash, clothes, grains to gold, everything was collected. Nobody trusted the governments and made donations. So, who was made to take out a rally and beg through the cities of India to beg on behalf of the government? Since the Indo-China war, this has been the norm. It is another matter that none of these collections from the public, in the form of cash or gold, has ever been accounted for,...
- 2/14/2021
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
Bollywood biggies have given Diwali the passover despite cinemas opening, so the festival weekend will be all about small to medium budget films taking up big screen space.
Production houses are yet to officially announce their list of films ready to release after the Centre's recent nod to open cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes across India at 50 per cent capacity, but there has been a buzz about the films that can be expected to release around Diwali.
Raj Kumar Mehrotra, general manager at the Capital's Delite Cinema, shared a list with Ians, of movies that look likely to hit the theatres around Diwali next month.
"'Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari' starring Manoj Bajpayee, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Diljit Dosanjh, the Kiara Advani-starrer 'Indoo Ki Jawani' and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's production 'Tuesdays And Fridays', starring Anmol Dhillon, Zoa Morani and Niki Walia, look all set to...
Production houses are yet to officially announce their list of films ready to release after the Centre's recent nod to open cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes across India at 50 per cent capacity, but there has been a buzz about the films that can be expected to release around Diwali.
Raj Kumar Mehrotra, general manager at the Capital's Delite Cinema, shared a list with Ians, of movies that look likely to hit the theatres around Diwali next month.
"'Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari' starring Manoj Bajpayee, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Diljit Dosanjh, the Kiara Advani-starrer 'Indoo Ki Jawani' and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's production 'Tuesdays And Fridays', starring Anmol Dhillon, Zoa Morani and Niki Walia, look all set to...
- 10/13/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
By Vinod Mirani
Somebody recently said Bollywood is a soft target! Is it? In what stalwarts prefer to call the Hindi Film Industry, there exists a fast swinging revolving door. Some stay for a while after entering, while others are thrown out immediately. Whoever said that the industry is a soft target knows nothing about the film industry here. What is more, thanks to social media, just about everybody voices an opinion. Especially those who are out of action for years and are not aware of how the things have changed.
Mumbai played host to the film industry when it was called that as an identification, as to where one belonged as well as in the hope that it will be recognised someday. Then the industry finally got due recognition. Film insurance, institutional finance and other such benefits became available.
Sadly, few knew how to avail and fewer qualified! The...
Somebody recently said Bollywood is a soft target! Is it? In what stalwarts prefer to call the Hindi Film Industry, there exists a fast swinging revolving door. Some stay for a while after entering, while others are thrown out immediately. Whoever said that the industry is a soft target knows nothing about the film industry here. What is more, thanks to social media, just about everybody voices an opinion. Especially those who are out of action for years and are not aware of how the things have changed.
Mumbai played host to the film industry when it was called that as an identification, as to where one belonged as well as in the hope that it will be recognised someday. Then the industry finally got due recognition. Film insurance, institutional finance and other such benefits became available.
Sadly, few knew how to avail and fewer qualified! The...
- 10/4/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
By Vinod Mirani
Since the time Sacred Games released on the Ott streaming platform Netflix, there has been a debate on whether the content on these platforms should be kept in check or let to run loose.
The series had never-seen-before morbidity, unnatural sex, filthiest of foul language and yet delivered nothing that one could take home. Taking home was a phrase much related to films as there were times when one walked out of a cinema hall humming one of the film's songs or repeating its dialogue. What do you take home from, say, Sacred Games, Pataal Lok, Mirzapur, Mastram and such?
This column just recently discussed the limitations of the Cinematograph Act by which the authority of the Central Board of Film Certification (Cbfc) extends only till rating and certifying a film product that is meant for public exhibition.
In such an event, there is no check on what passes as Ott content.
Since the time Sacred Games released on the Ott streaming platform Netflix, there has been a debate on whether the content on these platforms should be kept in check or let to run loose.
The series had never-seen-before morbidity, unnatural sex, filthiest of foul language and yet delivered nothing that one could take home. Taking home was a phrase much related to films as there were times when one walked out of a cinema hall humming one of the film's songs or repeating its dialogue. What do you take home from, say, Sacred Games, Pataal Lok, Mirzapur, Mastram and such?
This column just recently discussed the limitations of the Cinematograph Act by which the authority of the Central Board of Film Certification (Cbfc) extends only till rating and certifying a film product that is meant for public exhibition.
In such an event, there is no check on what passes as Ott content.
- 9/6/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
In Zero with Shah Rukh Khan and Bharat with Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif has outshined the superstars and plots, say industry experts who feel the actress has come a long way and worked her way to be in top form.
During the initial years of her career in Hindi showbiz, Katrina was often criticised for her acting chops and her heavy British accent. But over the years, she has come into her own, proving that she can act, dance and do it well.
Katrina is currently being lauded for her role as Kumud Raina in Bharat.
Trade analyst Komal Nahta told the agency: "Katrina is extraordinary. Her hard work on improving her accent is clearly visible in Bharat. While protraying the old age scenes in the film, she has maintained her pace as well as accent. She is looking like she has never been seen before. In Bharat, she is beyond imagination.
During the initial years of her career in Hindi showbiz, Katrina was often criticised for her acting chops and her heavy British accent. But over the years, she has come into her own, proving that she can act, dance and do it well.
Katrina is currently being lauded for her role as Kumud Raina in Bharat.
Trade analyst Komal Nahta told the agency: "Katrina is extraordinary. Her hard work on improving her accent is clearly visible in Bharat. While protraying the old age scenes in the film, she has maintained her pace as well as accent. She is looking like she has never been seen before. In Bharat, she is beyond imagination.
- 6/8/2019
- GlamSham
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