Uttarakhand CM calls on PM

 

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami called on the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on December 2, 2023.  

The Prime Minister’s Office posted on X:

“Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
 

Reportedly they discussed the progress made in the state of Uttarakhand. They also discussed various programs undertaken to better the quality of life of the people in Uttarakhand. A major point of discussion was the infrastructure and progress of the state. 

Press Release l President of India Graces Covocation Ceremony

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu graced the 111th convocation of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University at Nagpur, Maharashtra on December 2, 2023.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that research and innovation play an important role in the development of any country. She was happy to note that Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University is encouraging research, innovation and technology development. She noted that faculty members of this university have been granted more than 60 patents by the Indian Patent Office. The university has an Incubation Center to encourage start-ups culture among the students. She urged students and faculty to do research and innovation keeping in mind the local problems and needs and also implement those innovations.

The President said that today the whole world is a global village. No institution can remain cut off from the world. She urged Nagpur University to promote inter-disciplinary studies and international collaboration. She emphasized that only by sharing research and innovation with each other, we can face the challenges before the world.

Speaking about the use of technology, the President said that any resource can be used or misused. The same fact applies with technology too. If we use it properly, it will be beneficial for the country and society and if we misuse it, it will be harmful for humanity. Today the use of artificial intelligence is making our lives easier. But its use for Deepfake is a threat to society. She stated that moral education can show us the way.

Addressing the students, the President said that getting a formal degree is not the end of education. They should remain curious and keep learning. Today, when rapid changes are taking place in the field of technology, it becomes even more important to keep learning continuously.

The President told students that they are the asset of the nation and society. The future of India rests on their shoulders. Adverse circumstances may come in their life but they should not be afraid of them. She advised them to face those situations with their knowledge and self-confidence, to stay connected with their loved ones and to have faith in their abilities.

IFFI 2023 l Rishtey mein to hum tumhaare baap lagte hain.. naam hai Michael Douglas

By: Amit kumaR Agarwal

 

Renowned Hollywood actor and producer Michael Douglas was honoured with Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Cinema at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.

 

 

Michael Douglas, known for iconic roles in films over the years, expressed his gratitude upon receiving the award, “It’s a tremendous honor to receive this award, a career life achievement. When I heard about the award, my family and I were elated.”

 

Earlier, the Oscar winning actor showcased the way Hindi Film Industry has made inroads and impacted Hollywood; when Douglas mouthed the iconic dialogue of the legendary Amitabh Bachchan from 'Shahenshah' - Rishte mein toh hum tumhaare baap lagte hain.. with a twist he said Michael Douglas instead of Shahenshah - the crowd, naturally, went berserk!

 

Douglas said that Cinema has the power to unite and transform the people with cross cultural artistic expressions. Highlighting that Global language of Cinema is much more global than ever, the two time Oscar winning actor said that the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is a reminder of magic of movie making and cross cultural artistic expressions, transcending time, language and geographies.

 

A legacy spanning more than 50 years in film and television, Michael Douglas has amassed an impressive array of accolades, including 2 Oscars, 5 Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and numerous other honors. His profound impact on cinema resonates through iconic roles, from his Academy Award-winning portrayal as Gordon Gekko in Wall Street to gripping performances in films like Fatal Attraction, The American President, Basic Instinct, Traffic, and Romancing the Stone, among many others.

Michael Douglas, a luminary in the film industry, has captivated audiences globally with his unparalleled talent and commitment to his craft. Beyond his acting prowess, Douglas's influence extends to production, marked by remarkable works such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The China Syndrome, and The Game. A UN Messenger of Peace, his commitment to global issues includes advocacy for disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, and halting illicit arms trade.

 

Douglas, accompanied by his wife and actress, Catherine Zeta Jones and their son and actor, Dylan Douglas received the award at a glittering closing ceremony of the IFFI 54, amid a rousing standing ovation by the audience.

 

Catherine Zeta Jones was honored as well, she said it was heartwarming to see the generosity and hospitality they received in India. The BAFTA Award winning actress and philanthropist has legion of fans in India for more than two decades now, with her film "The Mask of Zorro" being one of the earliest films from Hollywood to become commercial-hit in India.

IFFI 2023 l NFDC Film Bazaar is fast expanding horizons: Union I & B Minister

By: Amit kumaR Agarwal

 

Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Sports & Youth Affairs, Anurag Singh Thakur noted at a press conference via video conferencing that NFDC Film Bazaar is fast expanding its horizons, welcoming a diverse international audience and fostering cross-cultural collaborations.

 

 

"The introduction of the VFX & Tech Pavilion and a documentary section showcased innovation and non-fiction storytelling,” he said.

 

The Minister also emphasized the dual mission of preserving the old and promoting the new. “The 'Film Challenge' under '75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow' showcased young talents. The films presented by the young creative minds were thought provoking and dealt with a very important topic of protecting and preserving the environment. Notably, 45 of the 75 Creative Minds have already been offered opportunities to present their ideas to leading companies in the sector.

Thakur congratulated Michael Douglas for receiving the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023 and thanked Hollywood star, Catherine Zeta Jones, for accompanying Douglas to make the moment special for all at IFFI.

 

Thakur observed that the 54th edition of International film festival of India (IFFI 54) was a celebration of unity in diversity, embodying the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family One Future’, bringing together creative minds, filmmakers, cinema lovers, and cultural enthusiasts from across the globe. 

 

“The clarion call to embrace the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ given by our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being followed in IFFI also. This edition of IFFI was truly extraordinary, filled with notable firsts and ground breaking achievements that showcased the best of filmmaking”, Thakur said while delivering a video message at the closing ceremony of IFFI.

Thakur noted that the 54th IFFI showcased around 250 films, totaling close to 30,000 minutes of viewing, representing 68 international and 17 Indian languages from 78 countries. “The festival featured 23 Masterclasses, In-Conversation sessions, some accessible both physically and virtually. Close to 50 Gala Red carpets organised during the festival provided a boost to the whole celebration”. 

 

The Minister also acknowledged the support of the jury members whose valuable time and dedicated efforts played a pivotal role in shaping the 54th edition of the festival. Highlighting the efforts towards inclusivity and accessibility made by IFFI, the Minister said that films were specially curated for differently-abled film-lovers so that they could enjoy the beauty of cinema at big screens with the help of sign language and audio descriptions. “We made sure to include more than 40 movies directed by women, celebrating their talent”, he added.

 

Congratulating the efforts of National Film Heritage Mission to restore old classics, the Minister said that over 5,000 films and documentaries of multiple languages in the 4K digital format will be restored ensuring that the future generations of Bharat can appreciate, enjoy and be inspired by these great works. “A specially curated section of seven films restored under the National Film Heritage Mission were screened at the 54th  IFFI to great appreciation of film-lovers”, Thakur remarked.

In closing, the Minister expressed gratitude to the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) team, and the State Government of Goa, led by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, for their dedicated efforts in making the festival a success. The Minister concluded by congratulating all filmmakers, actors, and creators, urging them to carry forward the storytelling spirit, unity, and creativity beyond IFFI.

Cinema l Animal - the most anticipated Indian film

By: Amit kumaR Agarwal / Amit Agarwal

There are very few trailers that create a noise, organically! Animal is one such trailer.

The trailer might seem about fine at the first glimpse; but the third time around, you will be hit by the sheer genius of the background music and the story that the trailer unleashes in a 3+-minute montage.

 

Top-lined by Ranbir Kapoor, the film is helmed by the maverick Sandeep Reddy Vanga of Kabir Singh fame.

 

The advances across the country are outstanding and brings cheer to an industry reeling under a spate of under-performers and flops since August 2023.

 

December 1 is the date set for the litmus test of the 'Animal' team.

IFFI 2023 l 'PANCHAYAT 2' Wins Inaugural OTT Award for Web Series

By: Amit kumaR Agarwal

 

Panchayat 2, the heartwarming Hindi comedy-drama series streamed on Amazon Prime Video, clinched the first-ever OTT Award for Web Series at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa.

 

 

Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and written by Chandan Kumar, Panchayat 2 intricately weaves the tale of Abhishek Tripathi, an urban graduate reluctantly embracing the role of Secretary at a decrepit Panchayat Office in the remote fictional village of Phulera, situated in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district.

Following the resounding success of its debut season, the second season plunges deeper into Abhishek's life in Phulera, navigating fresh challenges amidst the village's politics while preparing for his CAT exams, striving for a corporate future. This season, laced with relatable moments and abundant humor, candidly depicts the daily trials of village life, spotlighting Abhishek's evolving relationships with Pradhan, Vikas, Prahlad, and Manju Devi while juggling diverse village issues.

Earlier, at the inaugural function of the 54th IFFI, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur had said that OTT industry has seen a boom in India and original content created in India is employing thousands of people. Highlighting the dynamic growth rate of 28% annually in this sector, the Minister had said that the OTT awards were introduced to honor exceptional digital content creators across platforms.

Panchayat 2 stood out among the final nominations, including Rocket Boys Season 1 by Abhay Pannu, Nirmal Pathak Ki Ghar Wapsi by Rahul Pandey & Satish Nair, and Human directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah & Mozez Singh. The Jury Panel also unanimously recommended special mention to the web series Rocket Boys Season 1, streamed on Sony Liv.

The competition received 32 entries spanning 10 languages from 15 OTT platforms.

IFFI 2023 l Being nominated for Golden Peacock Award is a proud moment - Rishab Shetty

By: Amit Agarwal / Amit kumaR Agarwal

 

Celebrated film-maker and actor, Rishab Shetty joined the media for an exclusive press-conference in the press-room at the 54th International Film festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Representing the vibrant and dynamic Kannada film industry, his widely celebrated feature-film Kantara, of which he is the director, actor and writer, is one of the three Indian films to make it to the 54th IFFI's list of 15 exceptional films competing for the Golden Peacock award.

Rishab Shetty at the PC

 

Kantara is a 150 mins long Kannada language film that found pan-India success. A spell-binding tribute to culture and folklore, Kantara weaves magic as it portrays the complex and dynamic conflict between man and nature, through the magical medium of dance and emotion.

“The audience connected with Kantara because it is a story rooted in the culture of Bharat,” said Shetty. “The audience took the film to where it is today, truly making it their own,” he further added. Authentic to its core, Kantara gave new expression to the traditional Kola dance and the community that performs it. Rishab said that he has consistently been in touch with the community long after the release of his film. “I belong to this tradition, I believe in this ritual and I worship this God. We took care that we do not hurt anybody’s emotion and made sure that there was no damage to the culture or community,” he elaborated.

Crediting the success of Kantara to faith, Shetty said that one must believe in themselves and the work they do, only then can one truly do good work. The actor also added that one must do work for work’s sake and not chase success.

Speaking about Kannada cinema, Rishab Shetty spoke about the OTT challenge where platforms are still apprehensive about Kannada audiences and are not open to Kannada films yet, causing critical losses in the industry. He appealed for greater exposure and reach. “Cinema has given us so much, we must give back to Kannada cinema,” asserted Shetty. He firmly believes that content in Indian cinema today has truly gone global. “At present, there is a revolution underway-good content is widely accepted overcoming the language barriers,” Shetty expressed.

Talking of his connect with IFFI, Rishab Shetty mentioned that it is his second time in the film festival. He shared that film festivals are a space to watch films and learn. Festivals like IFFI almost feel like an extended family to him. He appreciated film festivals and appealed that these platforms must be utilised to give recognition to small films. 

 

Shetty recently announced the much-anticipated prequel to Kantara, explaining that the idea was always of a two-part story. On the question of what is his true love amongst direction, writing and acting, Shetty claimed, “Direction is my first love. I rely on life experiences, I am connected to people and try to bring that in my films,” he concluded.

PM Modi extends best wishes to the Indian Cricket Team

By: Amit KumaR Agarwal.

 

PM Modi has extended best wishes to the Indian cricket team for the ICC cricket world-cup final against Australia to be held on November 19, 2023.

Other than the Indian PM, celebrities, politicians and sport-legends have all extended their best wishes to the Indian cricket team.

Table-toppers and the only team not to lose a single-match in cricket world-cup 2023; Indian team go to the final as the favorites to win the title.

IFFI 2023 l Basic Instict star Michael Douglas wins Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award

By: Amit KumaR Agarwal

 

Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones walk the Red Carpet at Cannes Film Festival with Carys Zeta Douglas

Basic Instinct star and legendary Hollywood actor, Michael Douglas will be in India to accept Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at the 54th IFFI.

 

His wife, renowned Hollywood star, Catherine Zeta Jones, best known to Indians for playing the lead in The Mask of Zorro will be accompanying Michael.

 

It may be recalled that IFFI is fast becoming one of the most sought-after festivals in the world, ever-since it underwent a revamp under the new Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

 

2023 has been special for Michael Douglas as he was also the most talked celebrity at the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, held earlier this year in May; where the couple's daughter Carys Zeta Douglas was the most papped celeb!