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Chadwick Boseman: BLACK PANTHER won’t have been nuanced with white director

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Hollywood actor Chadwick Boseman is not sure his movie BLACK PANTHER — which predominantly has a black cast — would have been as nuanced had it been directed by a white person rather than Ryan Coogler.

In an interview with variety.com, Boseman was asked if he thinks it would have been possible for a white director to make BLACK PANTHER.

He said: "Well, is it possible for them to make it? It could be, yes. Would they have his perspective, like the perspective (Coogler) brought to the movie? Probably not. It wouldn't be nuanced in the same way because they don't have the same conflict. They don't have the African-American conflict that always exists: whether you're conscious of it or not, you have an ancestry that's very hard to trace.

"And then, going to the continent and meeting a person that's African. In order to do this, you have to find ways to make those connections, especially because the character is coming from that place. They know exactly who they are, who their ancestors are. Would a white director understand that? Those nuances of American, African-American, African? I'm not sure. But I think it's an important part of this movie."

Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, BLACK PANTHER also features Michael B Jordon, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Forest Whittaker and Martin Freeman among others. The film is scheduled to release in India on February 16.

Chadwick Boseman: BLACK PANTHER won’t have been nuanced with white director

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Hollywood actor Chadwick Boseman is not sure his movie BLACK PANTHER — which predominantly has a black cast — would have been as nuanced had it been directed by a white person rather than Ryan Coogler.

In an interview with variety.com, Boseman was asked if he thinks it would have been possible for a white director to make BLACK PANTHER.

He said: "Well, is it possible for them to make it? It could be, yes. Would they have his perspective, like the perspective (Coogler) brought to the movie? Probably not. It wouldn't be nuanced in the same way because they don't have the same conflict. They don't have the African-American conflict that always exists: whether you're conscious of it or not, you have an ancestry that's very hard to trace.

"And then, going to the continent and meeting a person that's African. In order to do this, you have to find ways to make those connections, especially because the character is coming from that place. They know exactly who they are, who their ancestors are. Would a white director understand that? Those nuances of American, African-American, African? I'm not sure. But I think it's an important part of this movie."

Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, BLACK PANTHER also features Michael B Jordon, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Forest Whittaker and Martin Freeman among others. The film is scheduled to release in India on February 16.

R Balki: Biggest commercial element in PAD MAN is Akshay Kumar

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Filmmaker R. Balki says the biggest commercial element in his latest film PAD MAN is lead actor Akshay Kumar.

Balki attended a panel discussion 'Say No To Stigma And Taboos Period' on Thursday here.

Balki was asked if he wasn't tempted to make the movie in a commercial zone.

"The biggest commercial element in 'Pad Man' is Akshay Kumar and he knew what he is getting into because I make a certain kind of films with a certain language of making it," Balki said.

"I was very clear that this is not a film intended for people who know about it. This film is made to reach people who are not aware and who need to be sensitized. This includes both men and women. Therefore, the film has to be made in a certain language.

"If you see the emotion, setting and characters of the film, they are not in loud masala or slapstick zone but they are still commercial in the sense that they are expressing their emotions loudly as the language and message has to reach the people it is intended for," he added.

Based on the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, PAD MAN is the story of how one man came up with a revolutionary method of producing cost effective sanitary napkins and empowered thousands of women across the country in the process.

Praising the actor, Balki explained the similarities he saw between Akshay and Muruganantham.

"We all know Akshay Kumar is a huge star and a good actor, but I think he is magnificent actor. Most people make lot of fuss about theories of acting, schools of acting and intellectualized cinema, he doesn't do anything that's why he is lot like Muruganatham.

"He just keeps on doing it and he doesn't talk about it. When an actor doing a biopic of a person, it is very tempting for an actor to study his body language and to see how he talks or walks but Akshay didn't look any of that. He just listened to what kind of character and human Murugantham is.

"He captured soul of the character and actually portrayed Muruganatham in Akshay Kumar style, capturing the essence of the character and that very few actors can do. Most actors are fantastic at capturing body languages of people but he didn't do that."

Bollywood celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Aamir Khan, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma among a host of others have accepted the PAD MAN challenge, in which they have clicked their photographs while holding up on sanitary pad in their hands.

On the industry support to menstruation hygiene from industry people, Balki said: "Actually, they are not trying to promote our film. I think they all got a chance to promote a cause. Our film happens to be about that cause. Nobody is saying 'Pad Man' is coming. People are talking about sanitary pads more openly now. How often Bollywood gets chance to promote a cause unless it's for a film?"

PAD MAN, which released on Friday, is being produced by Twinkle Khanna and KriArj Entertainment.

R Balki: Biggest commercial element in PAD MAN is Akshay Kumar

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Filmmaker R. Balki says the biggest commercial element in his latest film PAD MAN is lead actor Akshay Kumar.

Balki attended a panel discussion 'Say No To Stigma And Taboos Period' on Thursday here.

Balki was asked if he wasn't tempted to make the movie in a commercial zone.

"The biggest commercial element in 'Pad Man' is Akshay Kumar and he knew what he is getting into because I make a certain kind of films with a certain language of making it," Balki said.

"I was very clear that this is not a film intended for people who know about it. This film is made to reach people who are not aware and who need to be sensitized. This includes both men and women. Therefore, the film has to be made in a certain language.

"If you see the emotion, setting and characters of the film, they are not in loud masala or slapstick zone but they are still commercial in the sense that they are expressing their emotions loudly as the language and message has to reach the people it is intended for," he added.

Based on the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, PAD MAN is the story of how one man came up with a revolutionary method of producing cost effective sanitary napkins and empowered thousands of women across the country in the process.

Praising the actor, Balki explained the similarities he saw between Akshay and Muruganantham.

"We all know Akshay Kumar is a huge star and a good actor, but I think he is magnificent actor. Most people make lot of fuss about theories of acting, schools of acting and intellectualized cinema, he doesn't do anything that's why he is lot like Muruganatham.

"He just keeps on doing it and he doesn't talk about it. When an actor doing a biopic of a person, it is very tempting for an actor to study his body language and to see how he talks or walks but Akshay didn't look any of that. He just listened to what kind of character and human Murugantham is.

"He captured soul of the character and actually portrayed Muruganatham in Akshay Kumar style, capturing the essence of the character and that very few actors can do. Most actors are fantastic at capturing body languages of people but he didn't do that."

Bollywood celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Aamir Khan, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma among a host of others have accepted the PAD MAN challenge, in which they have clicked their photographs while holding up on sanitary pad in their hands.

On the industry support to menstruation hygiene from industry people, Balki said: "Actually, they are not trying to promote our film. I think they all got a chance to promote a cause. Our film happens to be about that cause. Nobody is saying 'Pad Man' is coming. People are talking about sanitary pads more openly now. How often Bollywood gets chance to promote a cause unless it's for a film?"

PAD MAN, which released on Friday, is being produced by Twinkle Khanna and KriArj Entertainment.

PAD MAN Movie Review: This super hero will be every women’s (PAD)MAN

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BAT MAN, SPIDER MAN, SUPER MAN we know super heroes in comics and on screen are made of steel with an undying zeal to do something that saves the man kind. Bollywood has seen biopics on sports persons, historians etc. The story of Coimbatore born Arunachalam Muruganantham is certainly a story of remarkable revolution that needs to be told. The man who became a super hero thinking about the safety of women who still use waste banana fibre or bamboo during their cycles is an extra ordinary tale of women empowerment imagined through the vision of an eight standard drop out who after seeing his wife using dirty cloth during her cycles, invents low-cost sanitary pad-making machine and finds himself giving speeches in U.N. and appearing on cover pages of Time Magazine.

Inspired by the real-life story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, PAD MAN starring Akshay Kumar deals with the socially relevant issue of female hygiene during menstruation. Director R Balki is known for churning innovative concepts like CHEENI KUM, PAA, etc. and here the director in a concept credited to Twinkle Khanna begins the proceedings in a no nonsense manner. It begins with simpleton Lakshmikant Chauhan (Akshay Kumar) getting married to Gayatri (Radhika Apte). Shown as a caring husband who modifies a toy in order to rescue his wife from cutting onions, one day sees her using a dirty cloth for her periods.  Lakshmi urges Gayatri to use a proper clean cloth but ruled by traditions; Gayatri refuses to use any fresh cloth and sticks to that filthy piece of cloth as a ritual followed by women since ages. Lakshmi then offers Gayatri branded sanitary napkins, which get immediately rejected for being expensive.

Unable to bear the sight of Gayatri opting to unhealthy means during her 5 days, Lakshmi takes an oath to solve this ‘ladies issue’ by inventing a machine that can make cheap sanitary napkins as low as rupees 2 compared to the branded one priced at Rs. 55. Lakshmi faces challenges from his wife, family, his village, the age old beliefs and customs. Gets ostracized by his family and community Lakshmi begins a journey of discovery that changes the world for women around the globe. Pari (Sonam Kapoor) becomes his ‘women’ Friday who becomes his first client and lucky charm walking with him hand in hand from the rural interiors to the international U.N. summit.

Balki’s narration is simple and the settings from Tamil Nadu are changed to Madhya Pradesh though not much attention is given to the lingo. It’s alarming to note that around 18% of women in India use sanitary napkins and the message comes out convincingly. Thankfully the movie doesn’t promote any particular brand and maintains its urge to influence women to use sanitary napkins.

As a filmmaker Balki takes liberties and at places we are overwhelmed by the simplicity and lack of struggle for Lakshmi in discovering his dream machine. The subject of PAD MAN is not for the gallery filled by entertainment hungry souls and some more realism in the approach could have worked wonders.

Some moments are a gem like Gayatri’s reaction to her brother’s harsh words for his wife during periods and Akshay Kumar’s reaction after finding that his hand made sanitary napkins have worked and Akshay Kumar’s speech at U.N. lifts the movie from falling in the mediocre category.

Overall, Balki has made a feel-good movie from this relevant and sensitive subject, which possesses strong women angles. The progression of Lakshmi after the invention is like a well shot commercial in rural area by an urban filmmaker.

It’s Akshay Kumar with his flawless and endearing act that overpowers the flaws to quite an extent. Bollywood’s current son-of-soil after TOILET: EK PREM KATHA takes another uplifting and thought provoking subject to the helm and excels. The U.N. speech, the reaction after winning the award are just small examples. PAD MAN will be remembered as one of Akshay Kumar’s most memorable performance for long.

Radhika Apte is terrific. Sonam Kapoor is a charmer and brings a fresh air of hope to the film.

Special mention to the writers Balki and Swanand Kirkire is a must with lines line ‘kamana nahi, sab ke kaam aana’ and more.

Amitabh Bachchan makes his thunderous presence felt.

Technicalities are fantastic with excellent production values. P.C. Sreeram’s cinematography and Chandan Arora’s editing is brilliant. However music by Amit Trivedi is functional.

All said and done, Akshay Kumar’s PAD MAN is the man that not only every women but everyone in the family should watch and get inspired. Super heroes are not ‘saving the world’ time n again, sometimes there are crazy ones who ‘change the world’ without wearing any masks or uniform.

After Madhuri Dixit, Jacqueline Fernandez to do ‘Ek Do Teen’!

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Jacqueline Fernandez got the nation dancing to her tunes as she recreated the iconic chartbusters 'Chalti Hai Kya 9 Se 12' and 'Oonchi Hai Building' for JUDWAA 2. After winning the audiences’ hearts with JUDWAA 2, who better than Jacqueline Fernandez to add her spark to the iconic Madhuri Dixit number 'Ek Do Teen'.

Grooving on Madhuri Dixit’s numbers is every actress’ dream and Jacqueline is one lucky lass to step in the shoes of Madhuri Dixit. While we are excited to watch her, but we even wonder if she will do complete justice to it, after all 'Ek Do Teen' was that one song which made Mads an overnight star. And who knows Jackky, who may be a known name, may also sway the hearts of millions and become a dancing star with it.

Jacqueline Fernandez has proved to rock the iconic tracks with her brilliant charisma. Recreating one of the most iconic numbers in Bollywood by none other than the dancing diva Madhuri Dixit, Jacqueline Fernandez is all set to spread her charm once again.

One of the most iconic songs, 'Ek Do Teen' was choreographed by veteran choreographer Saroj Khan. Interestingly the recreated version will bring back the original team as Ahmed Khan who directs Baaghi 2 was the assistant of Saroj Khan back then and Ganesh Acharya who will choreograph Jacqueline Fernandez for the remake was a background dancer in the original.

Seeking blessings from Saroj Khan, director Ahmed Khan is all set to give the chartbuster a modern twist with Jacqueline Fernandez. Ahmed Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez had earlier collaborated for chartbusters like 'Chittiyan Kalaiyan', 'Lat Lag Gayee' and 'Jumme Ki Raat'.

Disclosing details of the shoot, Ahmed Khan said, "There will be three choreographers on the set today, that’s a picture perfect moment in itself!". He further added, "It’s an all-time favourite and I have asked Ganesh to retain Sarojji’s famous hook steps and Manish Malhotra to keep Madhuri Dixit’s pink outfit in mind while designing Jacqueline’s costume. I want the same feel of the earlier song that still looms large on everyone’s mind and also the same vibe, with the crowds chanting ‘Mohini, Mohini’ as Madhuri takes the stage".

While expressing his thoughts on Jacqueline slipping into Madhuri Dixit's shoes, Ahmed Khan said, "She’s the perfect choice".

BAAGHI 2 is the sequel to the 2016 superhit film BAAGHI. After the success of HEROPANTI and BAAGHI, Tiger Shroff and Sajid Nadiadwala are all set to mark their third collaboration.

Starring the rumoured couple Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani in the lead, BAAGHI 2 is one of the most awaited films of the year.

Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under the banner name Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and presented by Fox Star Studios, BAAGHI 2 is directed by Ahmed Khan. The film is scheduled to release on 30th March 2018.

After Madhuri Dixit, Jacqueline Fernandez to do ‘Ek Do Teen’!

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Jacqueline Fernandez got the nation dancing to her tunes as she recreated the iconic chartbusters 'Chalti Hai Kya 9 Se 12' and 'Oonchi Hai Building' for JUDWAA 2. After winning the audiences’ hearts with JUDWAA 2, who better than Jacqueline Fernandez to add her spark to the iconic Madhuri Dixit number 'Ek Do Teen'.

Grooving on Madhuri Dixit’s numbers is every actress’ dream and Jacqueline is one lucky lass to step in the shoes of Madhuri Dixit. While we are excited to watch her, but we even wonder if she will do complete justice to it, after all 'Ek Do Teen' was that one song which made Mads an overnight star. And who knows Jackky, who may be a known name, may also sway the hearts of millions and become a dancing star with it.

Jacqueline Fernandez has proved to rock the iconic tracks with her brilliant charisma. Recreating one of the most iconic numbers in Bollywood by none other than the dancing diva Madhuri Dixit, Jacqueline Fernandez is all set to spread her charm once again.

One of the most iconic songs, 'Ek Do Teen' was choreographed by veteran choreographer Saroj Khan. Interestingly the recreated version will bring back the original team as Ahmed Khan who directs Baaghi 2 was the assistant of Saroj Khan back then and Ganesh Acharya who will choreograph Jacqueline Fernandez for the remake was a background dancer in the original.

Seeking blessings from Saroj Khan, director Ahmed Khan is all set to give the chartbuster a modern twist with Jacqueline Fernandez. Ahmed Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez had earlier collaborated for chartbusters like 'Chittiyan Kalaiyan', 'Lat Lag Gayee' and 'Jumme Ki Raat'.

Disclosing details of the shoot, Ahmed Khan said, "There will be three choreographers on the set today, that’s a picture perfect moment in itself!". He further added, "It’s an all-time favourite and I have asked Ganesh to retain Sarojji’s famous hook steps and Manish Malhotra to keep Madhuri Dixit’s pink outfit in mind while designing Jacqueline’s costume. I want the same feel of the earlier song that still looms large on everyone’s mind and also the same vibe, with the crowds chanting ‘Mohini, Mohini’ as Madhuri takes the stage".

While expressing his thoughts on Jacqueline slipping into Madhuri Dixit's shoes, Ahmed Khan said, "She’s the perfect choice".

BAAGHI 2 is the sequel to the 2016 superhit film BAAGHI. After the success of HEROPANTI and BAAGHI, Tiger Shroff and Sajid Nadiadwala are all set to mark their third collaboration.

Starring the rumoured couple Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani in the lead, BAAGHI 2 is one of the most awaited films of the year.

Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under the banner name Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and presented by Fox Star Studios, BAAGHI 2 is directed by Ahmed Khan. The film is scheduled to release on 30th March 2018.

BAJIRAO MASTANI lyricist Prashant Ingole back with a striking short film BUDH

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In the wake of campaigns like ‘Me Too’ and ‘Times Up’, one wonders for how long women are going to suffer in this male dominated world. Women, be it from a well-to-do educated family or from a humble background are suffering in their own ways. The mere act of survival has become a matter of concern for them.

But then the question arises that are they suffering only because of the atrocities of men? No certainly not. Many a times they suffer at the hands of their female counterparts as well! Highlighting this pertinent point, lyricist Prashant Ingole who has penned beautiful songs like ‘Malhari’ for BAJIRAO MASTANI and gave hit songs for films like MARY KOM, RACE 2 among others is coming up with short film titled BUDH. His short film talks about how women can’t be rescued from the clutches of male tyranny until and unless they decide to rescue themselves.

BUDH which means awakening revolves around the story of three women Laxmi, Zainab and Yvonne who hail from different starta of the society but are bound by a common thread i.e. being ill-treated by their family especially the men in their life.

Even though it’s a short film, its ensemble cast boasts of some commendable industry names. Written and directed by Prashant Ingole, the film’s sound is designed by Ganesh Gangadharan (He has previously worked in TIGER ZINDA HAI, DHOOM 3, SULTAN and FAN to name a few) and it stars Geetanjali Mishra, Richa Meena, Sabina Jat, Sudeep Sarangi, Vineet Sharma in pivotal roles.

Shot by cameraman Chandan Kowli, of the award winning Marathi movie LAPACHHAPI fame, BUDH is about how these 3 women rise up from the barren thoughts of tradition and inequality and doesn’t wait for a knight in shining armour to rescue them but instead become their own Hero and fight for themselves.

BUDH is primarily being made for International Film Festival circuits and is currently in post-productions. Director Prashant is keen on having his film premiered at the prestigious Cannes film Festival.

Uncertainty over PADMAAVAT release in Indore, Bhopal

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The suspense over the release of PADMAAVAT continued in Indore and Bhopal as the stance of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena is not clear to the cinema hall owners. However, many cinema halls were ready for the release.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film, which was released worldwide on January 25, was slated to hit the screens in the two cities on Thursday. It was not released in the state earlier due to Karni Sena's protest against the film.

The cinema hall owners were ready to release the film on Thursday after an assurance from the police about security, but they were waiting for the approval from the Karni Sena.

On Wednesday night, the film was screened in Indore for the representatives of the Karni Sena. Raghu Parmar of the Karni Sena said they will decide about the film's release only after meeting all the 24 organisations of the Rajput community.

Five cinema halls were ready for the film's release in Bhopal and they are expecting an evening show on Thursday. The owners were waiting for a nod from the Karni Sena for the film's release in Indore.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Bhopal, Dharmendra Chaudhary told the media here that cinema hall owners should not be scared as the police will provide proper security.

Harinarayanachari Mishra, DIG (Indore), also said that they are providing ample security to the cinema hall owners.

Uncertainty over PADMAAVAT release in Indore, Bhopal

0

The suspense over the release of PADMAAVAT continued in Indore and Bhopal as the stance of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena is not clear to the cinema hall owners. However, many cinema halls were ready for the release.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film, which was released worldwide on January 25, was slated to hit the screens in the two cities on Thursday. It was not released in the state earlier due to Karni Sena's protest against the film.

The cinema hall owners were ready to release the film on Thursday after an assurance from the police about security, but they were waiting for the approval from the Karni Sena.

On Wednesday night, the film was screened in Indore for the representatives of the Karni Sena. Raghu Parmar of the Karni Sena said they will decide about the film's release only after meeting all the 24 organisations of the Rajput community.

Five cinema halls were ready for the film's release in Bhopal and they are expecting an evening show on Thursday. The owners were waiting for a nod from the Karni Sena for the film's release in Indore.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Bhopal, Dharmendra Chaudhary told the media here that cinema hall owners should not be scared as the police will provide proper security.

Harinarayanachari Mishra, DIG (Indore), also said that they are providing ample security to the cinema hall owners.