A delegation of Indian Film & Television Producers Council (IFTPC) met CM Devendra Fadnavis and Finance minister, Sudhir Mungantiwar to apprise them the difficulties faced by the film industry especially in the light of GST Act which will be implemented from July 1st, 2017.

The Finance ministry of government of India has proposed a tax of 28% on cinema tickets and bracketed the same among luxury items. The industry fears that it will be a death knell for the film trade.

CM DEVENDRA FADNAVIS

The delegation led by Pahlaj Nihalani impressed upon the CM that the revenue from ticket sales are continuously dwindling and more than 90% of films are making losses. It is only the passion and dedication of Producers that has kept them going in spite of total lack of support from the Government.

Ramesh Taurani, eminent filmmaker and Honorary member of IFTPC emphasized that the average rate of entertainment tax presently is 10%, if the weight age for tax exemption granted to local language films and district wise variable rate of ET is taken into consideration. The proposed tax of 28% is actually a travesty of justice. He pleaded for drastic reduction in GST and urged the CM to provide impetus film industry to break free from the shackles of piracy, high taxes and lack of cinema infrastructure.

N. R. Pachisia, vice- President of IFPTC argued that total revenue collection from film entertainment is hardly Rs. 230 crores which is less than 0.2% of total revenue collection by Maharashtra Government. He informed further that more than 5 lac employees are dependent on the film Industry.

Vijay Galani, Vice-President of IFPTC lamented that there is already a massive decline in the footfall to cinema halls and any GST above 10-12% s will be disastrous to the film industry. He said that the growth of film industry has declined from 9.3% in 2015 to 3% in 2016.

It is reported that CM Devendra Fadnavis patiently heard the delegation and assured them that he will find a solution to the problem. He categorically informed the delegation that he will personally convince the central government to lower the GST to 18%. In a good humor CM said that this is his commitment and he never relegates on his commitment. Finance Minister S. Mungantiwar echoed his sentiment and emphatically assured the delegation that he will ensure that the total tax on cinema tickets will be much less than the present tax.

Ashish Shelar, Mumbai BJP chief facilitated the meeting. The delegation comprised of prominent film producers including Vijay Singh, CEO Fox Star, and Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Dharma productions.   IFPTC later on expressed satisfaction at the outcome of meeting and hoped that CM Fadnavis may be their savior. They thanked BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar for all the support and help.

When it is Aamir Khan at the helm of affairs, you know the outcome will always be positive. In fact it will surpass expectation. He is like one such bright student in the university of film industry who will always be a topper, ranker or rather we put he is one such winning horse where no one will ever lose his/her money. So if the star (the winning horse) has his own command and demands, then we believe it is absolutely valid.

AAMIR KHAN AT SA RE GA MA PA LIL CHAMPS

Now that his latest film DANGAL has created new history by making 1000 crores and with each film Aamir is rising higher & higher,  so of course the star will want to go beyond it and can make/hike his demands.
 
Reports are doing the rounds that Aamir, who is gearing up for his next film THUGS OF HINDOSTAN, has asked for higher profit share for the film, which is way more than what his contemporaries Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar ask for. Aamir has for 70 percent profit share from Aditya Chopra for his film THUGS OF HINDOSTAN.

According to the reports of DNA, a trade analysts revealed, “Aamir will pocket almost 70 percent of the profits while Aditya Chopra will keep the remaining percentage (30 percent). Fact is, after DANGAL made Rs 1000 crore, now few people question Aamir on his deals. If TOH makes that amount of money, Adi will get almost Rs 300 crore which is much more than any of his own home productions.”

And we believe, perfectionist Aamir Khan’s demand is pretty valid and it does make sense for following 6 reasons:
 
1) He guarantees sure shot success for the project he is associated with. In fact he takes the complete onus and gives his best. So there is hardly any scope for failure.
 
2) He gets involved in the project from start-to-end. He gets involved in all aspects of filmmaking and makes sure everything functions with efficiency for best results.

3) All his films have created Box office history. Every film of his surpasses the records of his previous films, which means he keeps getting better and better with every project. 

4) He leaves no stones in promoting, publicizing the film. He knows to make right and adequate noise for the film without going over-the-top and at the same time making news for his promotional stints.

5) Where other stars are only interested in minting money without caring for audiences taste (or rather fool them around with their not-so worthy product) and where entire industry these days is just after grabbing eyeballs, he makes earnest efforts and gives meaningful cinema. Aamir understands his audience. He knows what he is delivering and how it will be taken. In fact he understands the true meaning of cinema.

6) He has the capacity to set new benchmarks and create new trends with his movies.

Sonakshi Sinha is looking fabulous by the day. The gorgeous actress now knows how to stun us with her charming persona. The actress now features on the cover of Elle magazine and she looks cool as cucumber, elegant and lean.

Indeed a not to be missed photo of Sonakshi. Check out her photo here:

SONAKSHI SINHA

After pushing the release date of their film innumerable times the makers of JAGGA JASOOS now seems gung ho about their film’s release on July 14.

Today much to the delight of Ranbir and Katrina’s fans, JAGGA JASOOS makers released the first song ‘Ullu Ka Pattha’ from the film.

In this song we see both Ranbir and Katrina searching someone while at the same time they are collecting money to fund their adventurous quest.

Here we list down 6 reasons why this song is very hatke from all the songs which we get to hear now-a-days.

The Ulule vocals:
The opening Ulule vocal of this song given by Vivienne Poocha is quite refreshing and addictive if you hear it few times back-to-back. Pritam gives us yet another refreshing song.

Watching Ranbir and Katrina dance together:
It’s always a delight to watch these two good looking actors together on screen. You will definitely love watching them groove together in this amusing number. The funky dance steps are another highlight of this song.

Hit machine Arijit Singh:
Singer Arijit is a man with Midas touch. No matter what genre of song he sings he always succeeds in offering something new to the listeners. Interestingly Arijit reunites with his RAABTA singer Nikita Gandhi for this song as well.

Funky lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya:
The lyrics of this song are quite unusual and quirky. Few lines from the song goes like ‘Jana Na Ho Jahan Wahin Jaata Hai Dil Ullu Ka Pattha Hai’ and ‘Jaise Aata Hai Chutki Mein Jaata Hai Dil Sau Sau Ka Chutta Hai’

Cinematography:
The way the song has been shot is very vibrant and pleasing. Truly the cinematography of this song is commendable.

We last saw her in Irrfan Khan starrer HINDI MEDIUM and now she is here again to enthrall the audience with her performance in close friend Koko’s (she fondly calls Konkona as Koko) directorial debut A DEATH IN THE GUNJ that released today. In an exclusive interview Tillotama opens up about how proud she is of her friend Koko’s achievements and also how this film saved her marriage.

Here are the excerpts from the interview:

TILLOTAMA SHOME

How did you bag this project?
Konkana’s a dear friend so when she had this story idea she had shared it with me. When she started developing this film’s draft she asked me to read it every time she made any changes in it. As a friend I witnessed her entire journey. It was during the narration of later draft that she offered me the part of Bonnie and I was thrilled. Honestly I was not listening to her drafts hoping that I would get a part, all I was hoping that she really gets to make this film but I was really thrilled when she offered me the part of Bonnie and I jumped at the opportunity.

Is the film based on real life incidents?
Yes it is. The film is based on incidents from Konkona’s childhood which was written as a story by her father but the short story more in the genre of science fiction and it focuses more on human being’s fascination with death but Konkona’s film focus on how we can sometimes be unknowingly or knowingly be bystanders and a silent witness to one being bullied. The protagonist of this film Shutu played by Vikrant Massey, what his character goes through in the film is something we all witness to it and it shows our own culpability in his sufferings. Konkona’s sensibility as a person has really explored this aspect of culpability that when something goes wrong to someone you love you have to step back and think that what part did I play in this. It’s about taking responsibilities and Koko has brought this very beautifully in this film.

Now that the film has released today how excited or nervous are you?
I am very excited and nervous as well. See if I am nervous about something it’s a good thing because it means I care and I really do care. So it’s nervousness, excitement and great pride in Konkona to have really worked an unimaginably hard in order to make this film. To have completed the film in the time that was given to her, she was duly supported by the producers and everyone from the cast and crew has been rallying around her because of her absolute genuine passion to tell the story.

Tell us about your character in the film.
My character in the film is called Bonnie and I was very happy that my character is called Bonnie because Bonnie is also a word for someone who is happy and I was thrilled because in my career I have done so many indie films where I play such serious, dark and tragic characters. And my husband who is my huge supporter has told me that “Tillotma all your films are nice, serious and very very intense but if you want this marriage to last please do something which is little light and something funny.”(laughs) so I think I sent out a message to universe that please give me work that is light hearted also and not just intense. So when Koko told me that I have to play Bonnie I was so happy as there is so much happiness in the name itself of this character. I laughed so much on this film’s set more than on any of my previous films. And it’s a coincidence that my last film HINDI MEDIUM also comes in comedy genre so I think now my marriage is saved. (smiles)

'Konkona as a person is very straight forward but also very gentle'

In the film my character Bonnie has a child and I am married to Gulshan Devaiah and since off screen we know each other well we were able to improvise without any hesitation. Also the entire ensemble cast felt like a family while we were shooting for this film.

How did you prepare for your role?
The world of this film was very familiar to me so in order to find the hook into my character I decided to base my character’s way of talking on Konkona’s mum Aparna and Koko herself. The reason I chose to model it on them was that they have certain style of speaking, certain languidness, there’s lot of love and affection and there is not a sense of hurry so I picked that up. Any which ways my character was loosely based on Aparna Sen. Also watching Koko with her son Haroon (as I am not a mother) helped me to make that aspect of my character more genuine.

From being a co-star to being directed by Konkona, how was your experience of working with her?
It was wonderful because for me this film is too precious right from the beginning I was so excited about the fact that Koko could write the script, and then find her producers, to actually shoot the film, to finally releasing it is such a journey that I am so proud of her accomplishing this really difficult journey. It was like a dream to see my friend on set directing her film. A one month long dream! Can you imagine? (Smiles)

Is Konkona a task master or an easy going director?
Konkona as a person is very straight forward but also very gentle. She is very diplomatic and she really knows what she wants from her actors and on the set there would be lot of warmth and sometimes despite being in a stressful situation, I never saw her losing her cool and it was really wonderful to see how remarkably she handles her work. Of course sometimes she gets stressed as all of the actors are friends so we would make fun of her or joke like ‘”Look how Koko’s eyes have become big that means we should stop talking now” (laughs). She knew we were making fun of her but she would take it in her stride and yet at no point did this familiarity come in the way of getting the work the done.

Give us one reason why people should go and watch this film?
People would really relate to this story because everyone at some point or the other in their life has felt that those around them don’t understand them. I think it will resonate with everyone.

How does it feel that the film has already accomplished so much on international film circuits?
It feels wonderful and kudos to Konkona for achieving this and I really hope that the film is received well by the audience here as well and since it’s a different kind of story so I hope people give it a chance and the love that it deserves.

What are you working on next?
I have done CURRY HAWA with Ranveer and Sanjay Mishra directed by Nila Madhab Panda. I have also started shooting for this film titled SIR.

Any message for your fans?
Please go and watch this film I am sure that you will not regret it.

Everyone knows about Kabir Khan’s inclination for shooting in real locations. This time with his film TUBELIGHT, the director chose Ladakh as per the script. The team spent almost a month in Ladakh tackling some extreme weather conditions.

TUBELIGHT MOVIE STILLS

On one of the days the location the team was shooting and the weather took a turn for the worst. Heavy winds were blowing and the shoot had to be stopped. It got so bad that the crew’s tents were uprooted!

Yet Salman and other team members braved the weather and went ahead with the shoot.

TUBELIGHT is produced by Salma Khan & Salman Khan and directed by Kabir Khan. It stars Salman Khan, Sohail Khan and Zhu Zhu. TUBELIGHT will release in cinemas worldwide on Eid.

Action-drama film MUNNA MICHAEL starring Tiger Shroff and newbie Niddhi Agrewal will be seen together for the first time.  MUNNA MICHAEL is dance-based film which is a tribute to late pop legend Michael Jackson. 

Debutant Nidhhi Agerwal revealed her first look for the film MUNNA MICHAEL. The actress to be, is seen in a glittery retro ensemble, flaunting her well-toned legs, making a glamorous first impression.

It will be refreshing to see fresh pair of Niddhi and Tiger.

NIDHHI AGERWAL'S FIRST LOOK FOR MUNNA MICHAEL

B-town beauties like, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone are making news for their Hollywood stint, and now we see Richa Chadha following their footsteps.

MASSAN fame Richa Chadha’s several movies have gone to international film festivals and she has been a part of two esteemed international juries in Marrakech and Japan.  She will be seen in an Indo- American movie LOVE SONIA, before the year ends.

RICHA CHADHA
As per sources, she has been approached to be featured in a documentary on sustainable living in today's modern cities.  It’s an untitled film. This documentary is made by AUM Films that previously made a documentary on the environment titled COWSPIRACY produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. Leo has been a vocal environmentalist. Not only did he mention climate change in his Oscar acceptance speech, he has produced another documentary on global warming called BEFORE THE FLOOD. Richa will help the organization research, talk about the cause and lend her voice in the documentary.

Speaking on her association with Richa says, “I have always been a person that believes in going green. Farmers suicides have claimed more lives than terror attacks in the past decade. The cost of food grains has gone up manifold. We have to address the problem of sustainability and climate change. I am always happy to collaborate on issues that affect the environment and our well-being as a race.”

Kudos to you Richa!