Bollywood producer and entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala doesn't mince words to censure the practice of selling satellite rights and rights to a digital medium before a film opens in theatres.

He says producers are killing the industry by adopting this business model, as it is a big threat to the existence of theatres in India.

"The problem is that a lot of producers have screwed up the windows (of business) and that is the threat. The threat is when some producers decide that 'I am not sure about the movie so I will pre-sell it. I will sell it to Netflix and it will come on the platform in four weeks and then I will sell it to Star, Zee or Sony and it will come on TV in the next five weeks," Screwvala told IANS in an interview here.

"I am saying that if you are not sure about the movie, then why make it?" he questioned.

There's a lot of money involved in making a film, and the trend continues with the makers securing exclusive deals running in crores by selling satellite television rights and partnering with a digital medium.

"This is killing the industry," Screwvala asserted.

"There are two reasons that you as an audience will go to the theatre. One is when you love the trailer and secondly, word of mouth. The reason you wouldnaAt go to the movie theatre despite liking the trailer is when you know the film will come on some medium in the next three weeks.

"If you feel that the film should be watched on the big screen, then I will go. Otherwise, I will watch it in three weeks. I will be choosy. That window is the single biggest problem happening in the space.

"Hollywood films are doing better in India because they don't put their movies on any platform for six months. It should be the same with Bollywood."

Screwvala, the former Disney UTV managing director, is the brain behind RSVP his motion picture company, co-founder of UpGrad, an ed-tech startup, Swades Foundation and he has also attached his creative vision to UCypher, a multi-platform eSports league.

He has joined hands with global streaming video service Netflix to release his LOVE PER SQUARE FOOT, which features Vicky Kaushal and Angira Dhar.

Talking about the move, he said: "What I have done is that when I want to sell it Netflix, I will keep the window there only. And when I want to go to theatres, then I will opt for that way."

He said: "People should be straightforward about the fact that 'I don't expect you to watch it in theatre, so I am going to the digital medium'.

"The other way is killing everything. Multiplexes won't be able to grow and we need them. We need to co-exist."

As a producer, he is backing diverse subjects. URI tells a story of India's surgical strike on terrorist hubs in Pakistan; then there's a film set in the world of blind cricket; and a biopic on veteran advocate-politician Ram Jethmalani. He is also co-producing SALUTE, a biopic on India's first astronaut Rakesh Sharma.

Screwvala says he wants to tell stories that need to be told.

"And stories that with reality and contextuality," he said, adding that he hopes to create franchises with his projects.
 

[By Sugandha Rawal]

Bollywood producer and entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala doesn't mince words to censure the practice of selling satellite rights and rights to a digital medium before a film opens in theatres.

He says producers are killing the industry by adopting this business model, as it is a big threat to the existence of theatres in India.

"The problem is that a lot of producers have screwed up the windows (of business) and that is the threat. The threat is when some producers decide that 'I am not sure about the movie so I will pre-sell it. I will sell it to Netflix and it will come on the platform in four weeks and then I will sell it to Star, Zee or Sony and it will come on TV in the next five weeks," Screwvala told IANS in an interview here.

"I am saying that if you are not sure about the movie, then why make it?" he questioned.

There's a lot of money involved in making a film, and the trend continues with the makers securing exclusive deals running in crores by selling satellite television rights and partnering with a digital medium.

"This is killing the industry," Screwvala asserted.

"There are two reasons that you as an audience will go to the theatre. One is when you love the trailer and secondly, word of mouth. The reason you wouldnaAt go to the movie theatre despite liking the trailer is when you know the film will come on some medium in the next three weeks.

"If you feel that the film should be watched on the big screen, then I will go. Otherwise, I will watch it in three weeks. I will be choosy. That window is the single biggest problem happening in the space.

"Hollywood films are doing better in India because they don't put their movies on any platform for six months. It should be the same with Bollywood."

Screwvala, the former Disney UTV managing director, is the brain behind RSVP his motion picture company, co-founder of UpGrad, an ed-tech startup, Swades Foundation and he has also attached his creative vision to UCypher, a multi-platform eSports league.

He has joined hands with global streaming video service Netflix to release his LOVE PER SQUARE FOOT, which features Vicky Kaushal and Angira Dhar.

Talking about the move, he said: "What I have done is that when I want to sell it Netflix, I will keep the window there only. And when I want to go to theatres, then I will opt for that way."

He said: "People should be straightforward about the fact that 'I don't expect you to watch it in theatre, so I am going to the digital medium'.

"The other way is killing everything. Multiplexes won't be able to grow and we need them. We need to co-exist."

As a producer, he is backing diverse subjects. URI tells a story of India's surgical strike on terrorist hubs in Pakistan; then there's a film set in the world of blind cricket; and a biopic on veteran advocate-politician Ram Jethmalani. He is also co-producing SALUTE, a biopic on India's first astronaut Rakesh Sharma.

Screwvala says he wants to tell stories that need to be told.

"And stories that with reality and contextuality," he said, adding that he hopes to create franchises with his projects.
 

[By Sugandha Rawal]

MOM famed director and ad filmmaker Ravi Udyawar says he wants something new and challenging as his next project.

MOM is a thriller about a woman who avenges a crime committed against her step-daughter.

Asked if he would be making films in the same genre as MOM, Udyawar told IANS in an e-mail interview from Mumbai: "I want to explore different genres, something new and challenging as my next film. I am working on something really exciting and looking forward to making it."

Udyawar began his career as an illustrator. His work stints include handling art direction and visualisation at ad agencies, designing graphics for Channel V and MTV and eventually, directing ad films. He even directed the song 'Dooba Dooba' from Silk Route's album 'Boondein'.

He says there is a contrast in the process of directing commercials and films.

"For advertising, it is all external. Every second counts, every frame is set flawlessly to tell a story and sell a product. But directing movies is internal. What matters is that it is all about the characters and their emotions, and what's important is the narrative, the story and at the end of the day, its emotional takeout," he said.

Udyawar finds making movies a liberating experience.

In his debut directorial MOM, which was aired on Zee Cinema on January 14, Udyawar worked with veteran actress Sridevi, whom he calls a director's actor.

"Even on the sets of her 300th film, Sridevi was receptive to every idea that I as a director would bring on the set. Enthusiastic and ready to try out different ways to do the scenes, she really believed and was committed to Devki, her character. She is a director's actor," he said.

MOM dealt with the subject of abduction and rape sensitively.

On cracking the code, he said: "It's important to know how you are going to present it to the audience… In cinema, a greater impact is achieved by refusing to show violence than showing it, but creating the horror of the emotion that it is attempting to evoke."

Talking about filming the hard-hitting scenes, he said: "While the abduction and rape scene is a pivotal scene of the film (MOM), the treatment of not actually showing the visual but letting the sound and the atmosphere around portray the horror, sensitises the film."

MOM famed director and ad filmmaker Ravi Udyawar says he wants something new and challenging as his next project.

MOM is a thriller about a woman who avenges a crime committed against her step-daughter.

Asked if he would be making films in the same genre as MOM, Udyawar told IANS in an e-mail interview from Mumbai: "I want to explore different genres, something new and challenging as my next film. I am working on something really exciting and looking forward to making it."

Udyawar began his career as an illustrator. His work stints include handling art direction and visualisation at ad agencies, designing graphics for Channel V and MTV and eventually, directing ad films. He even directed the song 'Dooba Dooba' from Silk Route's album 'Boondein'.

He says there is a contrast in the process of directing commercials and films.

"For advertising, it is all external. Every second counts, every frame is set flawlessly to tell a story and sell a product. But directing movies is internal. What matters is that it is all about the characters and their emotions, and what's important is the narrative, the story and at the end of the day, its emotional takeout," he said.

Udyawar finds making movies a liberating experience.

In his debut directorial MOM, which was aired on Zee Cinema on January 14, Udyawar worked with veteran actress Sridevi, whom he calls a director's actor.

"Even on the sets of her 300th film, Sridevi was receptive to every idea that I as a director would bring on the set. Enthusiastic and ready to try out different ways to do the scenes, she really believed and was committed to Devki, her character. She is a director's actor," he said.

MOM dealt with the subject of abduction and rape sensitively.

On cracking the code, he said: "It's important to know how you are going to present it to the audience… In cinema, a greater impact is achieved by refusing to show violence than showing it, but creating the horror of the emotion that it is attempting to evoke."

Talking about filming the hard-hitting scenes, he said: "While the abduction and rape scene is a pivotal scene of the film (MOM), the treatment of not actually showing the visual but letting the sound and the atmosphere around portray the horror, sensitises the film."

Popular television actress Shilpa Shinde, winner of 'Bigg Boss Season 11', says that after the ad experience she had with 'Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain, she does not want to act in television serials any more.

Often, winning the reality television show has translated to plum offers in the television space for celebrities. But Shilpa says after whatever happened during the 'Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai' – in which she essayed Angoori bhabhi – she does not want to work on small screen.

"I would rather explore the medium of films than television. After working for so many years, the way few people of the industry (referring to the producers of 'Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai') treated me, I am disheartened. I do not wish to work in the TV industry anymore," Shilpa told IANS over phone.

In 2016, the actress left the show "Bhabhi Ji…" due to issues with the producers. She also reportedly filed a complaint of sexual harassment against producer Sanjay Kohli.

Since the actress came out openly in the media and spoke about her experience, she faced trouble in getting new shows.

Asked if naming and shaming any big name in the industry takes a toll on an actor's career, she said: "Yes, it does.

"It is tough for an actress to raise her voice on sexual harassment because the chances are they will question your character, they will ruin your career and they will defeat you in the power game. So one has to be very strong to fight against these white collar mafias," said the actress, who had even won an Indian Telly Award for her comical performance as Angoori bhabhi.

Coming to 'Bigg Boss', Shilpa was contending with another popular actress Hina Khan in the finale. Was she sure about her victory?

"Though I knew from the beginning that I deserve to win the show, it is a different world inside the 'Bigg Boss' house. It was a journey with a lots of emotional ups and down. At this moment, I am a little overwhelmed to talk much about it, but of course I am glad I won," she said.

Having started her career in 1999, Shilpa grabbed eyeballs with a daily soap "Bhabhi". She acted in shows like 'Sanjeevani', 'Maayka', 'Chidiya Ghar', 'Lapataganj' and more.

"See, in the last 15 years, people did not love me, but the characters that I played. They did not know how I am in real life as Shilpa Shinde. So now, everyone, who voted for me, they know my real self," said Shilpa.

"My confidence to win 'Bigg Boss' did not come from the number of fans I had before entering the house. I am always confident that I am a good person. I have a lot of patience and tolerance, so I was confident to fight the game on that basis," she added.

Popular television actress Shilpa Shinde, winner of 'Bigg Boss Season 11', says that after the ad experience she had with 'Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain, she does not want to act in television serials any more.

Often, winning the reality television show has translated to plum offers in the television space for celebrities. But Shilpa says after whatever happened during the 'Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai' – in which she essayed Angoori bhabhi – she does not want to work on small screen.

"I would rather explore the medium of films than television. After working for so many years, the way few people of the industry (referring to the producers of 'Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai') treated me, I am disheartened. I do not wish to work in the TV industry anymore," Shilpa told IANS over phone.

In 2016, the actress left the show "Bhabhi Ji…" due to issues with the producers. She also reportedly filed a complaint of sexual harassment against producer Sanjay Kohli.

Since the actress came out openly in the media and spoke about her experience, she faced trouble in getting new shows.

Asked if naming and shaming any big name in the industry takes a toll on an actor's career, she said: "Yes, it does.

"It is tough for an actress to raise her voice on sexual harassment because the chances are they will question your character, they will ruin your career and they will defeat you in the power game. So one has to be very strong to fight against these white collar mafias," said the actress, who had even won an Indian Telly Award for her comical performance as Angoori bhabhi.

Coming to 'Bigg Boss', Shilpa was contending with another popular actress Hina Khan in the finale. Was she sure about her victory?

"Though I knew from the beginning that I deserve to win the show, it is a different world inside the 'Bigg Boss' house. It was a journey with a lots of emotional ups and down. At this moment, I am a little overwhelmed to talk much about it, but of course I am glad I won," she said.

Having started her career in 1999, Shilpa grabbed eyeballs with a daily soap "Bhabhi". She acted in shows like 'Sanjeevani', 'Maayka', 'Chidiya Ghar', 'Lapataganj' and more.

"See, in the last 15 years, people did not love me, but the characters that I played. They did not know how I am in real life as Shilpa Shinde. So now, everyone, who voted for me, they know my real self," said Shilpa.

"My confidence to win 'Bigg Boss' did not come from the number of fans I had before entering the house. I am always confident that I am a good person. I have a lot of patience and tolerance, so I was confident to fight the game on that basis," she added.

Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan who is currently in Mumbai shooting for his next project was seen celebrating and participating in the kite flying ceremony on the day of Makar Sankrant.

Irrfan Khan who is busy shooting back to back for his Indian as well as international films took some time out from his busy schedule and even encouraged the cast and crew of his project to take part in the kite flying celebration.

Post the wrap up of the shoot, Irrfan was seen enjoying his time playing this sport that everyone has enjoyed in their childhood. Irrfan certainly was reliving his childhood days.

On professional front the actor will be next seen in Akash Khurana’s KARWAN, which also stars Mithila Palkar and Dulquer Salmaan. Last the power-house performer gave not just one but two hits HINDI MEDIUM and QARIB QARIB SINGLE. He was loved by masses as well as critics for his performance in both the films.

Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan who is currently in Mumbai shooting for his next project was seen celebrating and participating in the kite flying ceremony on the day of Makar Sankrant.

Irrfan Khan who is busy shooting back to back for his Indian as well as international films took some time out from his busy schedule and even encouraged the cast and crew of his project to take part in the kite flying celebration.

Post the wrap up of the shoot, Irrfan was seen enjoying his time playing this sport that everyone has enjoyed in their childhood. Irrfan certainly was reliving his childhood days.

On professional front the actor will be next seen in Akash Khurana’s KARWAN, which also stars Mithila Palkar and Dulquer Salmaan. Last the power-house performer gave not just one but two hits HINDI MEDIUM and QARIB QARIB SINGLE. He was loved by masses as well as critics for his performance in both the films.

The ever-so candid and stunning actress Kangana Ranaut recently shot for India’s Next Superstars’ as a special judge along with Karan Johar and Rohit Shetty. The epitome of ‘Na Khaandan Na Sifaarish’ and proud about being a self-made actress in the industry, Kangana was at her splendid best as she encouraged the gen next superstars on the show.

According to a source, Kangana who does not like to mince words was extremely witty when it came to answering questions on the show. After watching a romantic act, when Kangana was asked about her love story, the outspoken actress was quick to say “Mere ishq ke kisse toh saare newspapers mein likhe gaye hai.”

Not just that, she added, “Ishq ki aankhon mein khuda dekha hai humne, na who roshni thi na andhera, na jaane kaunsa manzar dekha hai humne.” romantic Kangana recited the poem claiming that she had penned this down when she was in love.

With such a heartbreaking poem, we wonder who Kangana was talking about?! Any guesses guys?

To find out more, Watch India’s Next Superstars’ from 13th January at 8PM on STAR Plus!

The ever-so candid and stunning actress Kangana Ranaut recently shot for India’s Next Superstars’ as a special judge along with Karan Johar and Rohit Shetty. The epitome of ‘Na Khaandan Na Sifaarish’ and proud about being a self-made actress in the industry, Kangana was at her splendid best as she encouraged the gen next superstars on the show.

According to a source, Kangana who does not like to mince words was extremely witty when it came to answering questions on the show. After watching a romantic act, when Kangana was asked about her love story, the outspoken actress was quick to say “Mere ishq ke kisse toh saare newspapers mein likhe gaye hai.”

Not just that, she added, “Ishq ki aankhon mein khuda dekha hai humne, na who roshni thi na andhera, na jaane kaunsa manzar dekha hai humne.” romantic Kangana recited the poem claiming that she had penned this down when she was in love.

With such a heartbreaking poem, we wonder who Kangana was talking about?! Any guesses guys?

To find out more, Watch India’s Next Superstars’ from 13th January at 8PM on STAR Plus!