Many years ago director Dev Benegal made Split Wide Open with Rahul Bose, a film about water scarcity in Mumbai. When Shekhar Kapoor announced Paani for the first time 10 years ago, Dev Benegal cried foul regarding his film's subject being suspiciously similar to what Shekhar proposed. Now when Shekhar Kapur has begun prepping for Paani with Sushant Singh Rajput, another filmmaker has crept up from behind with a film that sounds like a precursor to Paani. National award winning director Nila Madhab Panda's Kaun Kitne Paani Mein, funded by One Drop, a Canadian no-profit organization devoted to providing drinking water the world over, seems to share uncanny resemblances to Shekhar's Paani. While Kaun Kitne Paani Mein is set in two parts of a village in Odissa named Upri and Bairi where water is a constant source of friction, Shekhar Kapur's Paani will unfold in a futuristic city divided...
- 9/23/2014
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
Mumbai, Jan 22: Actress Kareena Kapoor, who is excited about working with Farhan Akhtar in the film "Bombay Samurai," says it will be a very whacky one and she will be seen in a role unexpected from her.
"The director is from New York who has made slightly international cinema - Dev Benegal. So, it's a very interesting concept," the 33-year-old said here during the making of a green tea ad film.
"It's not a thriller, it's a very whacky film, something which my fans would not expect me to do," she added.
Benegal is known for films like "Road, Movie", "Split Wide Open" and "English August".
Kareena added.
"The director is from New York who has made slightly international cinema - Dev Benegal. So, it's a very interesting concept," the 33-year-old said here during the making of a green tea ad film.
"It's not a thriller, it's a very whacky film, something which my fans would not expect me to do," she added.
Benegal is known for films like "Road, Movie", "Split Wide Open" and "English August".
Kareena added.
- 1/22/2014
- by Shiva Prakash
- RealBollywood.com
Kolkata, Jan 11: Stating that Bollywood actors are popular only amongst the Indian diaspora in Britain, Indian-origin British author and scriptwriter Farrukh Dhondy says that the formula films churned out by the Hindi film industry "don't work in the West".
Dhondy has written screenplays for film and television, including "Split Wide Open" (1999) and "The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey" (2005).
"You can make Indian films like 'Slumdog Millionaire' today which can absolutely work and win Oscars, but Bollywood's mentality of having a particular formula just doesn't work in the West...people laugh at it," Dhondy told Ians on.
Dhondy has written screenplays for film and television, including "Split Wide Open" (1999) and "The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey" (2005).
"You can make Indian films like 'Slumdog Millionaire' today which can absolutely work and win Oscars, but Bollywood's mentality of having a particular formula just doesn't work in the West...people laugh at it," Dhondy told Ians on.
- 1/11/2014
- by Lohit Reddy
- RealBollywood.com
V arenya is one of the twenty-three films selected for the co- production market of Film Bazaar 2013. We spoke to the director Shripriya Mahesh:
Shripriya Mahesh
Tell us about your project. What language will it be in?
Varenya is about a South Indian Hindu priest who accepts a young apprentice, and is forced to question the doctrines of his religion.
The film is in Tamil and will be shot entirely on location in Madurai.
Varenya was selected for Ifp’s Emerging Storytellers section and was presented at Independent Film Week. It was also selected by Film Independent for the Screenwriting Lab. Both Ifp and Film Independent are supporters of the film.
Which stage of development is it in currently?
We are currently in development and are focused on fundraising. We are just beginning the casting process. For this film, we are looking for a mix of trained actors and non-actors from the world.
Shripriya Mahesh
Tell us about your project. What language will it be in?
Varenya is about a South Indian Hindu priest who accepts a young apprentice, and is forced to question the doctrines of his religion.
The film is in Tamil and will be shot entirely on location in Madurai.
Varenya was selected for Ifp’s Emerging Storytellers section and was presented at Independent Film Week. It was also selected by Film Independent for the Screenwriting Lab. Both Ifp and Film Independent are supporters of the film.
Which stage of development is it in currently?
We are currently in development and are focused on fundraising. We are just beginning the casting process. For this film, we are looking for a mix of trained actors and non-actors from the world.
- 11/18/2013
- by Editorial Team
- DearCinema.com
An Open Forum was held on ‘The state of screen writing today’ on Day 7 of the 13th Mumbai Film Festival. The panel comprised Vinay Shukla, Saurabh Shukla, Abbas Tyrewala, Sagar Ballary, Dev Benegal and Atul Tiwari. The discussion was moderated by Atul Tiwari, who wrote dialogues for films like Droh Kaal and Mission Kashmir.
Vinay Shukla, writer-director who made Godmother (National Award for Best Feature Film 1999) blamed producers for the sorry state of screenwriting in India today. “Though every producer will tell you that script is the backbone of the film, they want something that is tried and tested. They do not encourage fresh talent. So writers are afraid to write something new.” He also pointed out that Hindi films had become formulaic 1960s onwards.
Dev Benegal, who is known for films like English, August (National Award for Best Film in English 1995) and Split Wide Open (Venice International Film Festival...
Vinay Shukla, writer-director who made Godmother (National Award for Best Feature Film 1999) blamed producers for the sorry state of screenwriting in India today. “Though every producer will tell you that script is the backbone of the film, they want something that is tried and tested. They do not encourage fresh talent. So writers are afraid to write something new.” He also pointed out that Hindi films had become formulaic 1960s onwards.
Dev Benegal, who is known for films like English, August (National Award for Best Film in English 1995) and Split Wide Open (Venice International Film Festival...
- 10/22/2011
- by Nandita Dutta
- DearCinema.com
Rahul Bose has announced that he would like to appear in a hardcore action movie. However, the actor said that he does not want to make a traditional, commercial Bollywood film.
"I have been seen less in out-and-out commercial films because my preference has always been world cinema," Bose, 43, told Ians. "Whether it is Split Wide Open or English, August, my inclination has been offbeat cinema.
"I would never want to do a typical commercial film, but I want to do a hardcore action film (more)...
"I have been seen less in out-and-out commercial films because my preference has always been world cinema," Bose, 43, told Ians. "Whether it is Split Wide Open or English, August, my inclination has been offbeat cinema.
"I would never want to do a typical commercial film, but I want to do a hardcore action film (more)...
- 9/21/2010
- by By Will Astbury
- Digital Spy
New Delhi, Sep 21 – Rahul Bose is dying to do an action film as he is passionate about sports but says an emphatic no to typical Bollywood potboilers. He adds that offbeat movies and world cinema have always excited him.
‘I have been seen less in out-and-out commercial films because my preference has always been world cinema. Whether it is ‘Split Wide Open’ or ‘English, August’, my inclination has been offbeat cinema,’ Rahul told Ians in an interview.
‘I would never want to do a typical commercial film,.
‘I have been seen less in out-and-out commercial films because my preference has always been world cinema. Whether it is ‘Split Wide Open’ or ‘English, August’, my inclination has been offbeat cinema,’ Rahul told Ians in an interview.
‘I would never want to do a typical commercial film,.
- 9/21/2010
- by realbollywood
- RealBollywood.com
Actor Aamir Bashir (Peepli Live, A Wednesday, Split Wide Open) makes his directorial debut with Harud (Autumn). The film will have its world premiere at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 9-19) in the discovery section that showcases emerging and new talents. The film, set in contemporary Kashmir, captures the life of Rafiq who has lost his tourist photographer brother to insurgency. Renowned Iranian actor Reza Naji (Best actor at Berlin for the Song of the Sparrows by Majid Majidi) makes his first appearance in an Indian film with Harud.
Aamir Bashir speaks to Bikas Mishra on “Harud” and challenges before Independent filmmaking in India..
How and where did “Harud” begin?
The idea came to me nearly five years ago. It was an impulse. It took four years to translate that impulse into a screenplay. Then in August- September 2009, we decided, again on an impulse, to shoot it in...
Aamir Bashir speaks to Bikas Mishra on “Harud” and challenges before Independent filmmaking in India..
How and where did “Harud” begin?
The idea came to me nearly five years ago. It was an impulse. It took four years to translate that impulse into a screenplay. Then in August- September 2009, we decided, again on an impulse, to shoot it in...
- 8/25/2010
- by Bikas Mishra
- DearCinema.com
1998. I am shooting for Split Wide Open on the roads of Bombay, as it was known then. The shot is simple, I have to walk down the pavement. The street’s cordoned off with ropes and bouncers. I am preparing for the shot, well into my character. Suddenly a desultory voice six inches from my ear says –‘Sireeyull?’ I jump, startled. A typical gutka-chewing mumbai-tapori, no more than 16 years old, stands with his hands on his hips, looking totally bored. ‘Uhm…nahi.’ How the hell did he get inside the ropes?? I look around for my manager. ‘Flim?’ ‘Uhm…haan.’ The bouncers are in a ...
- 8/7/2010
- Hindustan Times - Celebrity
Why the continent is the most sexually contradictory place on earth. By Nirpal Dhaliwal
India is the most sexually contradictory place on earth, the most prudish and permissive. There, holy men proudly exhibit elongated penises they've painfully stretched over years by tying them to boulders, and parents take their children to temples full of sculpted figures locked in graphic and gymnastic copulation. Nonetheless, furious protests take place each year against the "western festival" of Valentine's Day, and making a gentle pass at a woman can easily start a riot.
All of these contradictions are manifested in Indian cinema, for which rape, infidelity and romance have been staple storylines since its inception, though showing the merest onscreen kiss has been a taboo. Last week saw the first London screening of Love, Sex Aur Dhoka (Love, Sex and Pain), Bollywood's belated attempt at addressing India's increasing sexual openness. The film caused a...
India is the most sexually contradictory place on earth, the most prudish and permissive. There, holy men proudly exhibit elongated penises they've painfully stretched over years by tying them to boulders, and parents take their children to temples full of sculpted figures locked in graphic and gymnastic copulation. Nonetheless, furious protests take place each year against the "western festival" of Valentine's Day, and making a gentle pass at a woman can easily start a riot.
All of these contradictions are manifested in Indian cinema, for which rape, infidelity and romance have been staple storylines since its inception, though showing the merest onscreen kiss has been a taboo. Last week saw the first London screening of Love, Sex Aur Dhoka (Love, Sex and Pain), Bollywood's belated attempt at addressing India's increasing sexual openness. The film caused a...
- 7/22/2010
- by Nirpal Dhaliwal
- The Guardian - Film News
Rahul Bose has commercial hits like Jhankaar Beats and Pyar Ke Side Effects to his credit, but the immensely talented actor prefers offbeat films because he feels he doesn't have the sex appeal to be a mainstream actor. "I am seen less in out and out commercial films because my preference has always been world cinema. Whether it is Split Wide Open or English, August, my inclination has been offbeat cinema," Rahul, 42, told Ians in an interview. "Another fact is that I don't get offered commercial films too often. Simply because I don't have the kind of looks, sex appeal, dancing ...
- 4/1/2010
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Rahul Bose has claimed that he wants to keep appearing in independent art-house films. The actor, who has had some success with mainstream movies Jhankaar Beats and Pyar Ke Side Effects, said that he could not make it big in commercial Indian cinema because he does not have sex appeal. "I am seen less in out and out commercial films because my preference has always been world cinema. Whether it is Split Wide Open or English, August, my inclination has been offbeat cinema," Bose, 42, told Ians. (more)...
- 4/1/2010
- by By Will Astbury
- Digital Spy
New Delhi, April 1 – Rahul Bose has commercial hits like ‘Jhankaar Beats’ and ‘Pyar Ke Side Effects’ to his credit, but the immensely talented actor prefers offbeat films because he feels he doesn’t have the sex appeal to be a mainstream actor.
‘I am seen less in out and out commercial films because my preference has always been world cinema. Whether it is ‘Split Wide Open’ or ‘English, August’, my inclination has been offbeat cinema,’ Rahul, 42, told Ians in an interview.
‘Another fact is that I don’t get offered commercial films too often. Simply because I don’t.
‘I am seen less in out and out commercial films because my preference has always been world cinema. Whether it is ‘Split Wide Open’ or ‘English, August’, my inclination has been offbeat cinema,’ Rahul, 42, told Ians in an interview.
‘Another fact is that I don’t get offered commercial films too often. Simply because I don’t.
- 4/1/2010
- by realbollywood
- RealBollywood.com
Having directed "English, August" and "Split Wide Open", Dev Benegal is back with his third outing after more than a decade. "Road, Movie", he says, is about discovering laughter and joy, with 'travelling cinema' and the Indian landscape as its backdrop.
'Road, Movie' is about the journey of a young man driving a truck from a small town to a city by the sea. He has to cross a desert in between and eventually in the end of the journey he discovers laughter and joy," Benegal, 49, told Ians."It's really about discovering laughter and happiness and about enjoying yourself and letting yourself go and going for the ride," he added. The 95-minute outing is also about more. "I wanted to make a road movie about the Indian landscape which has a very raw, powerful and naked beauty to it," he said. "I was really worried that before the entire country...
'Road, Movie' is about the journey of a young man driving a truck from a small town to a city by the sea. He has to cross a desert in between and eventually in the end of the journey he discovers laughter and joy," Benegal, 49, told Ians."It's really about discovering laughter and happiness and about enjoying yourself and letting yourself go and going for the ride," he added. The 95-minute outing is also about more. "I wanted to make a road movie about the Indian landscape which has a very raw, powerful and naked beauty to it," he said. "I was really worried that before the entire country...
- 3/2/2010
- by IANS
- DearCinema.com
Having directed English, August and Split Wide Open, Dev Benegal is back with his third outing after more than a decade. Road, Movie, he says, is about discovering laughter and joy, with 'travelling cinema' and the Indian landscape as its backdrop. "Road, Movie is about the journey of a young man driving a truck from a small town to a city by the sea. He has to cross a desert in between and eventually in the end of the journey he discovers laughter and joy," Benegal, 49, told Ians in a telephonic interview from Mumbai. "It's really about ...
- 3/2/2010
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
New Delhi, March 2 – Having directed ‘English, August’ and ‘Split Wide Open’, Dev Benegal is back with his third outing after more than a decade. ‘Road, Movie’, he says, is about discovering laughter and joy, with ‘travelling cinema’ and the Indian landscape as its backdrop.
‘ ‘Road, Movie’ is about the journey of a young man driving a truck from a small town to a city by the sea. He has to cross a desert in between and eventually in.
‘ ‘Road, Movie’ is about the journey of a young man driving a truck from a small town to a city by the sea. He has to cross a desert in between and eventually in.
- 3/2/2010
- by realbollywood
- RealBollywood.com
<div>After playing a spoilt brat in 'Dev D' and a thief in 'Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!', Abhay Deol is back to entertain viewers with his next 'Road, Movie', which releases Friday. But this time he plays a 'sheltered young man who wants to see the world' and finds salvation by screening cinema across a desert.</div><div></div><div>Produced by Ross Katz and Susan B. Landau for Rs.80 million ($1.8 mn), the 95-minute film has been directed by Dev Benegal. It also stars Tannishtha Chatterjee, Satish Kaushik and debutant Mohammed Faizal Usmani apart from Abhay.</div><div></div><div>''Road, Movie' is a celebration of cinema. It's actually a film that you are watching within a film. It plays upon how important it (cinema) is to us and how it is treated and accepted. It is a journey of cinema,' Abhay told Ians.</div><div></div><div>'It's very enjoyable, much more light and not serious and preachy.
- 2/28/2010
- Filmicafe
The director resurfaces a decade after his last, Split Wide Open. His Road, Movie, featuring Abhay Deol, Tanisshtha Chatterjee and Satish Kaushik, is ready to hit the theatres in two weeks. It has already wowed the international audience at various film festivals. However, Dev Benegal insists that the response to the film back home matters the most. Excerpts from the interview. What kept you busy for a decade? I do plenty of other things apart from making movies, dude. I have other passions like photography that kept me busy. I also have a 16-year-old son. I wanted to spend time with ...
- 2/20/2010
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Click above for more movie stills The Opening Night Generation 14plus Gala of the 60th Berlin International Film Festival has been confirmed as Road, Movie from writer/director Dev Benegal, presented by The Indian Film Company (Tifc) in association with Studio 18. The film has already received glowing public receptions in Toronto, Tokyo and Doha before heading to Berlin. Road, Movie will screen in the Generation 14plus competitive programme. The movie is represented by International Sales giant Fortissimo Films, its first Hindi language title. The film will be theatrically released in Germany later this year by Senator Film. Road, Movie is written and directed by Dev Benegal was English, August. His second feature presentation Split Wide Open premiered at the Venice International Film Festival. Road, Movie follows Vishnu played by Abhay Deol, as a restless young man who rejects his father's faltering hair-oil business and hits the road with a Chevy...
- 1/18/2010
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
The Opening Night Generation 14plus Gala of the 60th Berlin International Film Festival has been confirmed as Road, Movie from writer/director Dev Benegal, presented by The Indian Film Company (Tifc) in association with Studio 18. The film has already received glowing public receptions in Toronto, Tokyo and Doha before heading to Berlin. Road, Movie will screen in the Generation 14plus competitive programme. The movie is represented by International Sales giant Fortissimo Films, its first Hindi language title. The film will be theatrically released in Germany later this year by Senator Film. Road, Movie is written and directed by Dev Benegal was English, August. His second feature presentation Split Wide Open premiered at the Venice International Film Festival. Road, Movie follows Vishnu played by Abhay Deol, as a restless young man who rejects his father's faltering hair-oil business and hits the road with a Chevy travelling cinema in search of freedom.
- 1/18/2010
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
The Opening Night Generation 14plus Gala of the 60th Berlin International Film Festival has been confirmed as Road, Movie from writer/director Dev Benegal (English, August; Split Wide Open), presented by leading Indian motion picture studio The Indian Film Company (Tifc) in association with Studio 18. The film has already received glowing public receptions in Toronto, Tokyo and Doha
before heading to Berlin. Road, Movie will screen in the Generation 14plus competitive programme. The movie is represented by International Sales giant
Fortissimo Films, its first Hindi language title. Road, Movie will be theatrically released in Germany later this year by Senator Film.
Road, Movie an original screenplay by Dev Benegal, is produced by eminent producers Susan B. Landau and Ross Katz. Katz who earned the Best Picture Academy Award® Nomination for Sofia Coppola’s Lost In Translation as well as Todd Field's In The Bedroom. Susan B. Landau’s dozen...
before heading to Berlin. Road, Movie will screen in the Generation 14plus competitive programme. The movie is represented by International Sales giant
Fortissimo Films, its first Hindi language title. Road, Movie will be theatrically released in Germany later this year by Senator Film.
Road, Movie an original screenplay by Dev Benegal, is produced by eminent producers Susan B. Landau and Ross Katz. Katz who earned the Best Picture Academy Award® Nomination for Sofia Coppola’s Lost In Translation as well as Todd Field's In The Bedroom. Susan B. Landau’s dozen...
- 1/15/2010
- Bollyspice
Click above for more movie stills After a super-successful world premiere at the recently held Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff), Indian Film Company's Road, Movie has now been invited to the Tokyo International Film Festival 2009. Road, Movie is the only Indian film to make it to final 15 in the Competition section, out of 743 nominations from 81 countries. The film will vie for the coveted 'Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix'. Road, Movie, presented by Indian Films in association with Studio 18, will be screened as part of the Competition section at Toho Cinemas at Roppongi Hills on 21sr October and 23rd October 2009. While making this announcement, an excited Sandeep Bhargava of The Indian Films Company said, ''We couldn't be more delighted and honoured. First Toronto, and now Tokyo International Film Festival, the selection of Road, Movie by prestigious International Film Festivals is an endorsement of our vision to selectively back high quality international cinema.
- 9/30/2009
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Click above for more movie stills After a super-successful world premiere at the recently held Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff), Indian Film Company's Road, Movie has now been invited to the Tokyo International Film Festival 2009. Road, Movie is the only Indian film to make it to final 15 in the Competition section, out of 743 nominations from 81 countries. The film will vie for the coveted 'Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix'. Road, Movie, presented by Indian Films in association with Studio 18, will be screened as part of the Competition section at Toho Cinemas at Roppongi Hills on 21sr October and 23rd October 2009. While making this announcement, an excited Sandeep Bhargava of The Indian Films Company said, ''We couldn't be more delighted and honoured. First Toronto, and now Tokyo International Film Festival, the selection of Road, Movie by prestigious International Film Festivals is an endorsement of our vision to selectively back high quality international cinema.
- 9/30/2009
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Bestowing a perfect example of how one can strike a balance between one’s directorial and acting career, Satish Kaushik is one man who can boast with a great deal of conviction. Yes, not only is he ready with Tere Sang, a romantic venture dealing a sensitive issue of unmarried 15 year old getting pregnant, but he is also ready with another international project featuring him. The film titled Road Movie has been directed by Dev Benegal of English August and Split Wide Open fame.
The film has been produced by eminent producers Susan B. Landau and Ross Katz. Katz has won Best Picture Academy.
The film has been produced by eminent producers Susan B. Landau and Ross Katz. Katz has won Best Picture Academy.
- 7/3/2009
- by realbollywood
- RealBollywood.com
Click above for more stills For the first time in the cinematic history of Indian cinema, the international sales agent Fortissimo Films has completed a deal to represent a Hindi film titled Road, Movie, that's being directed by Dev Benegal (of English August and Split Wide Open fame). Road, Movie is presented by The Indian Film Company (Tifc), the leading Indian motion picture studios, in association with Studio 18. The said deal will cover markets outside the Indian territories. While the original screenplay of Road, Movie is done by Dev Benegal, it is being produced by the eminent producers Susan B. Landau and Ross Katz. For starters, Katz earned the Best Picture Academy Award Nomination for Sofia Coppola's Lost In Translation as well as Todd Field's In The Bedroom. Susan B. Landau's dozen strong repertoire includes the Cannes closing night film in 1999, An Ideal Husband that starred Cate Blanchett,...
- 5/15/2009
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Click above for more stills For the first time in the cinematic history of Indian cinema, the international sales agent Fortissimo Films has completed a deal to represent a Hindi film titled Road, Movie, that's being directed by Dev Benegal (of English August and Split Wide Open fame). Road, Movie is presented by The Indian Film Company (Tifc), the leading Indian motion picture studios, in association with Studio 18. The said deal will cover markets outside the Indian territories. While the original screenplay of Road, Movie is done by Dev Benegal, it is being produced by the eminent producers Susan B. Landau and Ross Katz. For starters, Katz earned the Best Picture Academy Award Nomination for Sofia Coppola's Lost In Translation as well as Todd Field's In The Bedroom. Susan B. Landau's dozen strong repertoire includes the Cannes closing night film in 1999, An Ideal Husband that starred Cate Blanchett,...
- 5/15/2009
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
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