'Zilla Ghaziabad' director launched his own production

Anand Kumar, who became famous for directing Sanjay Dutt-Vivek Oberoi's action drama "Zilla Ghaziabad", has launched his own production and will make three films under his banner. His production house is called Anand Kumar Productions.

"It is a great feeling to be your own master. We have three exciting projects lined up for future - 'Desi Kattey', 'Juliet' and 'Nabbu'. While both 'Desi Kattey' and 'Nabbu' will be directed by me, 'Juliet' will see my associate at the helm of affairs," Kumar said in a statement.

" 'Desi Kattey' is action-drama based in a small town near Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh). The story is about two kids who turn out to be India's best sharp shooters, thanks to the childhood they spend in the katta (handmade pistol) factory," he added.

Anand Kumar had earlier directed films like "Delhi Heights" and "Jugaad".

Randeep Hooda - Naseeruddin Shah a major catalyst in my career

Randeep Hooda, who shares screen space with Naseeruddin Shah in forthcoming film “John Day”, credits the veteran actor with instilling confidence in him to become a Bollywood actor.

“I have been with him for the past 13 years as part of his theatre troupe – sometimes as an actor and sometimes as a writer and even his student. Naseer-saab gave the patience required for my art and my career,” the 36-year-old said here at a press meet for the film’s promotion Wednesday.

“I haven’t learnt that much from him in this film, as much as I have as a friend and a student in the last 13 years. He was the first man who took me as a professional for his theatre troupe and gave me the confidence that if I work hard, I will be able to achieve something as an actor,” added Hooda.

Randeep says he finds Naseeruddin’s work ethics commendable and that he can never overpowering the senior as an actor.

“His principles towards acting, like hard work and dedication, there I would want to overpower him. But in a role, no actor can overpower another actor unless both are doing the same role,” Hooda said.

Directed by Ashishor Solomon, “John Day” is a thriller and hits theatres Sep 13.

Rang Rasiya' to release by year end - Ketan Mehta

Ketan Mehta's much delayed 'Rang Rasiya', which has been ready since 2008, is expected to come out by the end of the year. "It was stuck for three years in some kind of a dispute...but now it will come out by the end of the year," Mehta, who has just completed Majhi - The Mountain Man, said.

He denied reprots that the film, a tribute to 19th century painter Raja Ravi Varma, was delayed due to the bold scenes picturised on the lead pair - Randeep Hooda and Nandana Sen.
"It was not because of the bold scenes. The film was passed by the censor board some three years ago. There were legal disputes, which were holding it back. Those have been lifted," he said. Things are not easy when a film's release is halted for so long, he said.

"It is very tough. A lot of people have put their time, energy and passion into the film. But now Rang Rasiya will see the light of the day," he said.

Meanwhile, the director is looking forward to the release of Manjhi - The Mountain Man, which stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte.

The Lunchbox' wins best film at Amsterdam Film Festival

Indian director Ritesh Batra’s ‘The Lunchbox’ was chosen as the best film of the 2013 edition by the audience at the World Cinema Amsterdam Film Festival. Starring Irrfan, Nimrat Kaur and Nawazuddin Siddiqui is co-produced by Anurag Kashyap and Guneet Monga, among others, and was awarded the World Cinema Amsterdam Audience Award at the fest.

The movie won with as many as 4,396 votes, followed by international films such as ‘Gloria’, ‘Songs of Redemption’, ‘Le Passe’ and ‘Het Geheim van Mariënburg’ according to the official website of the festival.


The story of the movie revolves around a wife who tries to bring spice in her marriage life and to grab her hubby’s attention she prepares different types of meals for him. And, the twist arrives when the food mistakenly gets delivered to a stranger and how she falls in love with that unknown person.

‘The Lunchbox’ also won Critics’ Week Viewers Choice Award at the 66th Cannes International Film Festival held earlier this year. Batra received an award which consists of 5000 Euros. The movie will release in India on September 20.

Satyagraha' collects Rs.11.21 crore on its first day

Prakash Jha's socio-political thriller "Satyagraha" managed to gross Rs.11.21 crore on its opening day. It is said to be the highest ever opening for the filmmaker.

The movie, which features a stellar cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpayee and Amrita Rao, released Friday. Made at a reported budget of Rs.50 crore, the movie is said to be getting a mixed response from critics and viewers.
However, officials at UTV Motion Pictures, are hoping for a good weekend collection.

"The film has taken a good start at the box office. It is being well-received by viewers all across age groups. As word spreads which is positive - we expect significant growth over the weekend," Gaurav Verma, director, India Theatrical Distribution, Studios, Disney UTV, said in a statement.

"Satyagraha" reflects the uprising of the middle-class against a corrupt and unjust system.

Rajesh Khanna's last film 'Riyasat' cleared censor with U/A

Veteran actor Rajesh Khanna's last film "Riyasat" has got a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The delayed film is now likely to release around the late superstar's 71st birth anniversary on December 29.

The film was supposed to come out on Rajesh Khanna's birth anniversary in 2012 but it was then pushed to his death anniversary on July 18.

"Rajesh Khanna represents life. Therefore, it was inappropriate to release his film on his death anniversary. The film is now absolutely ready for release with a U/A censor certificate," Tyagi said.




"We have issued pages in the trade magazines requesting the entire industry to support us in bringing this film to the audience," he added."Riyasat" also features Gauri Kulkarni, Aryan Vaid, Aryeman Ramsay and Raza Murad. Tyagi feels that it will be ideal to release the film on December 27, two days before the actor's 71st birth anniversary.

Rajesh Khanna, the first superstar of Hindi films, died after a prolonged illness in 2012. He is known for hits like "Aradhana", "Kati Patang", "Anand", "Amar Prem", "Do Raaste" and "Aan Milo Sajna" among others.

Prakash Jha's 'Satyagraha' crosses Rs. 50 crore mark

Prakash Jha’s political thriller “Satyagraha” has collected Rs. 50 crore at the box office in the first six days of its release. The filmmaker who made outstanding movies like 'Damul', 'Mrityudand', 'Gangajal', 'Apaharan', 'Raajneeti' 'Chakravyuh' says he is “delighted” and “humbled” with the response to his film.



“‘Satyagraha’ is a film for the people and of the people of the country. The audiences have given us their acceptance and love. I’m happy that for a film like ‘Satyagraha’, we are reaching these milestones and the film is growing from strength to strength,” Jha told IANS.

“Satyagraha” released Aug 30. It garnered around Rs. 51.92 crore till Wednesday night.

The political thriller features actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Amrita Rao and Manoj Bajpayee.