Amit R Agarwal

2009-02-24T03:57:00.000-08:00

if you want to create your own footprints

never follow others footprints

William Shakespeare

Amit R Agarwal is a dream-merchant (film-maker sounds so non-creative naah!) working globally. Here is the film-reel.

In 2007, his creative pursuit made him to act and model as well!

Based primarily out of New Delhi, INDIA; he shuttles across globe for work.

He has attended and shown his films at all the major film-festivals in the world including Cannes, Locarno, Berlin, New York.

Amit R Agarwal with a rich experience of almost a decade, specializes in creating path-breaking unconventional content other than the conventional content. His quest for experimentation resulted distribution of content over varied conventional & unconventional distribution platforms.

He is India's only guerrilla filmmaker and in 2010 corrupted the DOGME 95 manifesto set forth by Lars Von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg to devise DOGME 10

Virgin... Mira is world's first film to be shot as per DOGME '10 manifesto and India's 1st film to be shot on full HD Handycam and screened on a regular cinema-screen; thereby breaking hollow the halo around high-end equipment to make films!

Virgin... Mira premiers on 11.05.11 at the 64th edition of Cannes Film Festival.

In 2010, his production company, indie n DOGMA flicks redefined Bollywood by making it independent in real essence with 69 OPPOSITES ATTRACT, India's first film to release exclusively ONLINE. The film is one of the fastest growing film-content ONLINE; seen across 7 continents, 150 countries and 100 major film-festivals!

It has been rated as the -
- Top Favorite (entertainment) India for 6 weeks in a row!
- Most Viewed (entertainment) India for 4 weeks in a row!

This website might become an endless read; if want to read more, google will come in very handy; google 'amit r agarwal'.

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2009-02-17T21:35:00.000-08:00

Hey, after a long time gettong time to blog, the reason was I am getting:

the promos cut
the posters designed
and

finishing off all the hectic preparations that precedes a film-festival.

Today, however, I get a breather - so much so that I am meeting a couple of actresses for 69 only today after a week of planning to meet them and postponing meet with me traveling to places like Goa, Baroda, Delhi and Bangalore!

I will be goiung to Goa for a day; for a friend's party before I go to Delhi for some formalities.

It was nice connecting to regular readers after a long time.

Theatrical Release for I AM A LOVE ADDICT!

2009-02-12T23:39:00.001-08:00

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Yellow Brick Road, The Ambassador, New Delhi, Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 8 pm

Hi... came to Delhi for dinner and since I am meeting friends at 9.30 thought I would have a quick helping of Mullingatawny Soup at YBR!

The weather was quite unexpected today with a slight drizzle that sort of helped dip mercury further. It is indeed quite amazing how in a matter of two hours you can experience two extremes of weather - hot in Mumbai, cold in Delhi :)

Seems it is awards galore these days on the pages of the news-papers - BAFTA, Grammy - et al.

Saw the new promo of Slumdog Millionaire - it says the film has grossed 360 crores world-wide; don't know whether it is really blowing one's own trumphet - because if Ghajini can earn 200 odd crores being a Hindi film - Slumdog with all its BAFTA and Golden Globe glory ought to earn more!

What say?

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2009-02-10T03:23:00.000-08:00

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Hey, eversince I started blogging in May 2008 - at the maximum I have been away from blogging - was for a week maximum; however, with two prime works taking control of my life - New York Film Festival and my new film '69' - in January 2009 - I hardly found time to blog.

Yesterday, however something unforeseen happenned and after much deliberation - I am pushing '69' for an April 2009 filming - yes it would mean some losses to me - but then it has also given me lot of peace and I am back to living life - king-size.

The work-pressure has suddenly vanished - and I am actually feeling quite good!

In fact, tonite or may be 2moro - I am leaving for Auli and Rishikesh for two of my favorite sports - skiing and white-water rafting.

The best part was, I got a call from US Consulate, just now regarding my Visa - which was sort of a matter of great concern to me!

Today I went to SBJ to get a tuxedo made for the premier night of I AM A LOVE ADDICT!

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2009-02-09T10:13:00.001-08:00

February 9, 09, Monday, Mumbai Airport 11.30 am

Hi taking a flight to Delhi, as I wait at the airport the news-channels tell me about the sweep Slumdog Millionaire made at BAFTA.

In the morning I got a call from NYFF asking me about the progress of IAALA and the various promotional campaigns I have for the film!

Well the plans are really big that will very soon be revealed.

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2009-02-08T20:57:00.000-08:00

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Hey was very busy as I had told.

Did a test shoot yesterday of 69 - the shoot was amazing I particularly liked the way we shot the song with Ankit and myself.

Rekvita, the actress who is playing Shaili's part is an amazing actress and given the right kind of roles can excel as an actress!

The night started off with a long party and in fact, I have just woken up!

The morning newspaper gave me news about barber being dropped from Billu Barber and talks about cheap publicity that Shahrukh is seeking.

Well, I have always maintained that publicity is publicity, even me mentioning Shahrukh on my blog is publicity for Shahrukh!

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2009-02-03T22:57:00.000-08:00

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Hey just got the news (yup no time to read even newspapers) that Mr. Amitabh Bachchan won the coveted World Economic Forum Award for his incredible contribution to the world of art!

Heartiest congratulations from everyone at popcorn flicks to the icon!

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2009-02-03T07:14:00.000-08:00

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Hi, flew in to Mumbai after 4 hectic days of work!

Hope to catch some sleep tonite.

After the meetings I saw Luck By Chance and I must admit that the film did present the facts of the film-industry; though I didn't like the movie much, as I found it to be slow and dragging at times.

The best act came from Rishi Kapoor - highly inspiring and very natural!

Konkana again was natural but she needs to do something about her widening girth. Anyways, guess I am gonna be very busy now onwards till about end-April. The posts might be infrequent, hope the regular readers will continue their appreciation (or criticism, a the case may be)!

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2009-02-02T08:57:00.000-08:00

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Hey,

Just returned after a hectic day at Jim Corbett drove yesterday night, reached in the morning; saw all the locations; finalized deal and returned back to Delhi all within less than 24 hrs.!

The best part is the film '69 - opposites attract' is on (though there are huge budgetary constraints) but like always it is my and my team's passion that will see 69 through - I am sure of that.

The resort is fine but the rooms are very good and hopefully the service too should be good - atleast today it was, as I savoured some grilled delicacies. My friend and the Brazilian model, Luida - with whom I shot that crappy ad-film told me that the grilled fish was the best she has had in India.

Well, these are few of the blisses of Independent cinema.

Yesterday I said I would talk about Independent cinema.

To quote Aamir Khan from the article in ET on January 31, 09 verbatim -

Quote

When you say the film is an 'indie', the connotation in film parlance is someone who's struggled to make and sell the movie; someone who didn't have access to sufficient funds or the backing of the film industry. Which has certainly not been the case with Slumdog.

Unquote

Aamir took an exception when media referred to Slumdog Millionaire as an independent film!

My respect for Aamir Khan grows manifold, everytime I hear him speak on cinema - he has got the real understanding of cinema - hope he bankrolls some 'inde' features; as with him pooling in his creative 'juice' - the films would sure be a treat to watch!

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2009-02-01T08:13:00.001-08:00

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Hey,

Leaving for Jim Corbett in the night to see the locations for my next!

Guess won't be able to blog much!

Though I read a very interesting article on Independent Cinema in ET yesterday - a full page article and would definitely like to comment on it very soon.

Take care and a very good night :)

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2009-01-31T19:31:00.001-08:00

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January 31, 2009, Saturday, 9.30 pm, Dad's house

Hey,

Just finished shoot and came back. The shoot took too much of my time - so much that I couldn't even make it to PC Jewellers Miss India Worldwide Pageant for which I had invites.

The shoot was full of snags - probably the first shoot that was not only badly planned - but the production was lousy too; needs a crash-course in production - eh!

Imagine, the team was exhausted of mineral water!

The money I was getting kept me going; as I need the bucks to fund '69' - anyways I guess, I better forget about the shit oops shoot!

Just read that Manoj Kumar and Shahrukh Khan have finally reached a truce with latter agreeing to delete portions featuring Manoj Kumar from all the prints of Om Shanti Om - the point is after 15 months does anyone even remember OSO?

The film was forgotten after 15 days forget 15 weeks!

The other issue that perturbed me are the different cases filed against Slumdog Millionaire - c'mon when are we - the creative lot - spared of such frivolous cases.

I remember there was a case filed against a dear friend - she modelled for a jewelery brand wearing nothing (or such was the impression the ad gave) - the next thing she knew - a case was filed against her - vulagarity!

What is vulagarity?

Is there any definition for vulagarity?

Vulgarity is just a perception - something that might offend my sensibilities, might be perfectly fine with some other person and vice-versa. The point is how can a handful of people pass dictats or verdicts on vulgarity!

Guess, it is time law is spruced up to tighten noose around these elements - who in the garb of NGO's - file frivolous cases - thereby not only wasting time of the creative lot, but also the precious time of the h'ble courts.

Of course, the petrol wastage, the resulting jams, the delay in hearing of much more important and deserving cases - are the attributes these elements don't even think about!

Why not arrest these people group who file frivolous cases?

I remember, an NGO in Goa filed a case against Mr. Amitabh Bachchan - owing to a publicity hoarding of a film - where he is smoking.

Why?

There contention is, it propagates smoking.

Does it?

I might well be, Mr. Bachchan's biggest fan under the sun - I don't smoke!

Really, strange are the mind-set of people or groups or NGO's and the free-time they have to file these frivolous cases.

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2009-01-31T06:40:00.000-08:00

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2009-01-29T09:16:00.000-08:00

in the photo: filming I AM A LOVE ADDICT

January 29, 09, 11 pm, Thursday, Dad's house

Hey just returned back.

Just checking emails and a few friends expressed their wish to see more snaps from I AM A LOVE ADDICT!

"Whether, you blog or not, I am least bothered, but do post at-least 2-3 snaps from I am a love addict everyday", wrote Zooni from Chennai.

V. Raju says the blog-posts should be short.

Really!?

Mahesh from Hyderabad wants me to send a copy to him as he is one of the selectors at Hyderabad International Film Festival.

Hmmm.

Taking stock of things; from today onwards, till the day New York Film Festival concludes - I will be posting snaps from the making of I AM A LOVE ADDICT

Enjoy :)

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2009-01-29T03:23:00.000-08:00

in the photo: press-conference of I AM A LOVE ADDICT

January 29, 09, 5 pm, Thursday, somewhere in UP

Hey,

The day was hectic. I rushed to Rishikesh to see the locations for my next film "69 - opposites attract".

"The locations are very good" as per my friend, Suzzanne; who accompanied me to scout locations.

Just like me, she too was enamored by the mystic and the beauty of Laxman Jhoola - though we can't shoot on Laxman Jhoola - I know I am going to shoot on it - come what may!

I guess the pristine rishikesh outdoors will provide a very striking contrast to the Mumbai OR Delhi interiors.

The drive was hectic - in the morning the SUV I was traveling in did manage to touch a speedy 150 - yup on the Indian roads that's quite a speed!

Though, as I return back all we can manage is a paltry 60-70 thanks to the famed traffic jams and the ecroachments along the road; enroute we gorged on aaloo-tikkis and glasses of lassi - yup in the winter chill.

Haven't yet read today's news-papers may be in the night; once I reach back and if I have time :)

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2009-01-28T08:13:00.000-08:00

in the photo: filming I AM A LOVE ADDICT

January 28, 09, 10 pm, Wednesday, Dad's House

Hey,

Just read the newspaper and got the news that Mr. Amitabh Bachchan and Jet Li are at Davos, Switzerland attending a forum.

Guess, it is good news indeed that the biggest icon of In dian cinema is leaving no stone unturned into making the presence of Indian cinema known at a global platform.

Whatever recent controversies, his comments on Slumdog Millionaire might have resulted in; the fact is there is no better known face of Bollywood (I now Mr. Bachchan hates this term - but for the common man - it is Bollywood) in the globe - other than Mr. Bachchan.

Being a globe-trotter myself - I have been witness to Mr. Bachchan's charisma. I went to Malaysia and then to Langkawi. In Langkawi, a cafe owner was so besotted with Mr. Bachchan that he didn't charge me a dime, as soon as he got to know that I am from India and he saw a photo of mine alongside Mr. Bachchan (who says it doesn't pay to be photographed with the icon!)

Or just take today's instance - as I dined at Radisson, Noida after the shoot got over, the captain got to know that I was a film-maker. The dinner became complimentary!

Guess, film industry has got it's own sweet charm that's as yet unmatched!

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2009-01-27T23:59:00.000-08:00

in the photo: Filming I AM A LOVE ADDICT

January 28, 09, 1.45 pm, Wednesday, Studio, Noida

Hi,

I am here in Noida to shoot an adfilm; budget adfilm :-)

Yesterday, a friend and a fan wrote, why have I uploaded sub-standard music-videos on my website or blog (as a few cynics would often correct me!)

He said, he felt I shouldn't put any sub-standard work, as it gives a wrong impression, about my creativity!

The point, honey is, work is work - no matter how big or how small - I don't want to wait eternally for that BIG music-video funded by BIG bucks; if I can show creativity, shooting 3 songs in 15 hours flat (yes, that's all I took) - just imagine what my team might do if we shot a song for 3 days OR if we canned a single shot in 1 day!

Guess, all this is immaterial when it comes to scrutinizing work!

My logic has always been, a person who wants to work with you will work with you irrespective of any other attributes.

This brings to my mind, the shoot of I AM A LOVE ADDICT - my friend, who assisted on Shravan's film (yup of Nadeem-Shravan fame) - the film (that starred Ash look-alike Seneha Ullal) released on 2nd January and went without a whimper - tried to convince me - that the kind of budget I have - is Shravan's film's budget to travel to Mauritius.

"You can never ever complete the film in Maldives, mark my words" He said.

"I will complete the film in Maldives and the film will be selected for international film festivals, mark my words" I responded.

I don't want to sound pompous but the fact is a fact!

So my dear friend and fan; don't loose sleep over my sub-standard work - because this work gives me good money to have bread and butter with jam and honey! and some extra bucks to produce the independent films, I have faith in!

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2009-01-27T09:08:00.000-08:00

In the photo: Filming I AM A LOVE ADDICT

January 27, 09, 10.45 pm, Tuesday, Dad's house, New Delhi

Hey,

It was a very busy day - just returned home.

I was too tired and like 'A Few Good Men', I just wanted to laze around - get into the bed and sleep; but then I thought not to break my resolve of blogging as promptly as God wills!

Won't write much - will leave you with a working still from I AM A LOVE ADDICT.

Bye :)

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2009-01-26T03:25:00.000-08:00

In the photo: Filming I AM A LOVE ADDICT

January 26, 09, 7 pm, Monday, YBR, New Delhi

Hi, first things first:

Heartiest congratulations to everybody as India celebrates Republic Day!

Much of today was spent counseling a friend. Her boyfriend dumped her and she was very low.

A model... and an amazing one at that, she is still trying to strike it big, while her boyfriend just signed a very big campaign last week.

My friend just wanted to be by herself, I comforted her and didn't ask her the reason for her break-up; but my instinct tells me - it is definitely got to do with her boyfriend's sudden, new found fame!

With girls literally throwing themselves at him (I was the witness, at a party he threw to celebrate his new found success) it was just waiting to happen it seems!

This also brought to my mind a recent news-report in Mumbai Mirror that said the lead actress of Slumdog Millionaire - Freida Pinto - called off her engagement to a business-man (or was it a small-time model) based in Bangalore.

As I drove back - something hit me - why is it that as a person attains success and the other partner doesn't - the relationship crumble?

Or is the relationship so fake that as soon as the partner attains success; he or she starts looking for greener pastures?

Whatever! the point is, there is no denying the fact that today many a relationships are just a matter of convenience - to further ones career or may be - while away time till the person finds a 'perfect' partner!

Probably these relationships are a perfect material for a perfect story for the Hindi Film Industry that so very often relies on flimsy stories.

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2009-01-25T09:06:00.000-08:00

January 25, 09, 10.30 pm, Sunday, My office

Hi, working late in the office; as got a very crucial meeting on Monday - the Republic Day.

For most of the Indians, the day is a holiday - but for me the day holds a very crucial key to my new film '69 - opposites attract : can a boy and a girl just be good friends"

More on the film later on.

It seems slamming a film or a performance and then apologising for the remarks made has become a fashion.

First of all Aamir Khan did it - when he commented on Black and than backtracked, the latest is Shekhar Suman - who passed caustic remarks - on Akshay Kumar and then today he apologized for those remarks!

Seems his eyes opened, after the eye-popping performance of his 'dahling' son - Aadhyaman Suman in Raaz.

I saw Slumdog Millionaire today - and I feel the remarks by Mr. Bachchan and thereafter Mr. Bachchan telling that he has been mis-interpreted was more of a publicity blitzerkig!

I mean the way Danny Boyle portrayed Mr. Bachchan in the film - an icon who can make a person do even the most unthinkable - will make any Bachchan fan glee; so I guess, the film was a perfect show of the iconic-power Mr. Bachchan weilds in cinema to the western audiences - it is highly unlikely that any person would speak against a film that projects him as an unmatched ICON!

For one, if I were in Mr. Bachchan's shoes, I won't!

The point is even the comments and the backlash after that made news - it was only natural that in the metros Slumdog Millionaire opened better than Raaz!

In fact, the dubbed Hindi version Slumdog Crorepati is also finding takers (read audiences) - guess, the work has been done - to make SM a profitable investment!

Bye n take care :)

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2009-01-25T02:26:00.000-08:00

January 25, 09, 4 pm, Sunday, CCD, Shipra Mall

There are times when I feel why do we - us humans work so hard?

For those 15 minutes of fame and money?
Just to lead a good lifestyle?
Just so that the world knows about us?

There are other times when I feel hat is the most important thing for a human-being - wealth, friends, money, power - what is it, without which a human-being can't survive.

Having experienced all the luxuries of life in varying degrees - I am still yet to find an answer to this question - yet what I read in today's Times of India did give me an inkling into the most important aspect of human-being - health.

Personally, I have experienced it - this happenned when I was flying back from Singapore after work - the adjoining seat was occupied by a very beautiful young Australian woman, Suzie (I guess).

For a change it was the other way round - instead of me striking a conversation, she tried to strike a conversation with me - but since I was suffering from a terrible head-ache and an immensely disturbed-tummy - I was least interested in speaking to her - all I prayed to God was just to reach India and zoom off to my house to relax and be fit and fine!

The news-report I read in Times of India concerned a 20 year young Brazilian model - Mariana Bridi da Costa - she was a Miss World contestant and only last year participated in Miss Bikini International pageant!

She was diagnosed ailing from urinary tract infection. The infection as so severe that earlier in the month both her hands and her feet were amputated, when I read this news last week - I instinctively prayed for her well-being. Today, though, I read this shocking news.

May her soul rest in peace.

It seems though, I have found an answer to the most important aspect for any human-being, HEALTH - as the wise said "Health is wealth".

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2009-01-25T01:21:00.000-08:00

In the photo: Filming I AM A LOVE ADDICT

January 25, 09, 3.15 pm, Sunday, CCD, Shipra Mall

Hi, it is work mixed with coffee-time on this breezy Sunday afternoon.

An aspiring actress, just met me. She is based in Mumbai and is here on a shoot. After the usual formalities when I asked her what she was doing.

Pat came the reply "I am in talks with Mr. Mahesh Bhatt, for his new film."

This immediately brought to my memory, an actress, I met in Mumbai, I guess in October for a music-video - when asked what she was doing, she told me she was working in Raaz - the mystery continues. She is playing the role of Kangna Ranaut's younger sister and it is not a mere glorified extra; she has got a romantic track in it!

After watching Raaz - the mystery continues - I just smiled, she can do really well for herself, if not as an actress, at-least as a writer.

The girl I met today was like - I am taking part in Femina Miss India - and not some other crappy Miss India (there are 20 Miss India competitions right now in India!) - I was like, if you are a part of Femina Miss India, why do you want to work with me - I am mostly making independent cinema that can give you a very good role, probably fame and fortune (if the film makes money for me) - but no money before-hand.

She was like - no I want to give it a try and I want money to be a part of the feature film.

The point is, this industry is such that nobody pays you, unless you have proven yourself and to prove yourself you need a chance and for that chance you need to be cast - by the time the actresses get to know (a friend, an actress chipped in - actors already know this) of this reality - they have already spent a good year and a half in Bombay - the freshness that is required of a lead actress is gone as is the charm that onme exudes at the onset of one's chasing of the utopian dream.

Of course, there have been success stories like Kangna Ranaut - but how many and how close are these stories in this fiercely ruthless film-industry?

popcorn flicks - post 216

2009-01-24T23:35:00.000-08:00

in the photo - shooting I AM A LOVE ADDICT

January 25, 09, 1 pm, Sunday, My pad

Hi, after a hectic night yesterday - partying - woke up pretty late in the morning.

Today onwards, I will key in those issues, which I missed in one long week that I wasn't blogging!

Last week, just before the release of Chandni Chowk To China - there was a news-report in Mumbai Mirror which said that Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar are ganging up to bring Shahrukh Khan down.

The article further cite - the gesture by Akshay Kumar to give his award to Aamir Khan as a proof!

I felt like laughing at the article. Yes, the media does has its effect on the unsuspecting readers - but the fact is no two actors will gang up to bring another actor down - where the fact is, today both Aamir and Akshay have a bigger clout than Shahrukh. The proof are the openings of Ghajini and Singh is Kinng.

I will not be amused, if very soon there are reports that Shahrukh Khan sabotaged the chances of Chandni Chowk To China by manipulating media to give it bad reviews!

I know it for sure very many audiences stayed away from Chandni Chowk to China - just because they read the bad reviews.

I guess, oday it is imperative to manage the reviews - as the reviews do affect the general audiences. Also, Indians are a hugely opinionated lot - they don't have their own opinions. If a newspaper is crying hoarse propagating a thing - the thing is true.

How many people really apply their brains and have a conviction about their belief, about their actions - hardly 10% - a study conducted by a US university suggested.

I would actually put the figure much lower - as I am sure the study didn't take into account - common men and common women - people like us!

popcorn flicks - post 215

2009-01-24T07:33:00.000-08:00

In the photo: Food, to support hard-work for I AM A LOVE ADDICT

January 24, 09, 9 pm, Saturday, My pad

Hi everybody, hope this finds all the readers and vistors to the website in the best of spirits!

Guess, that is the correct terminology - today being a Saturday and booze really going down well with the famed winter chill (though I don't drink, my friends do!)

Today was a busy day - trying to put up my new film together; preparing for the New York Film Festival and of course trying various tie-ups for this upcoming film.

The British say (I hope I am right) that a hard day should be followed by some hard partying - I am going out with my friends to F bar and lounge - hope we enjoy the outing!

This outing was long due as a lot of my friends told me to atleast organize a small do with I AM A LOVE ADDICT selected for NYFF.

Guess, this small do will keep my friends happy, for a while - at least.

Enjoy the Saturday Night Fever.

Bye.

popcorn flicks - post 214

2009-01-23T07:05:00.000-08:00

photo: Filming - I AM A LOVE ADDICT

January 23, 2009, 7.30 pm, Yellow Brick Road, The Ambassador, New Delhi

Hi, as I sit at YBR waiting for a friend to join me for dinner; I thought why not utilise time and key in the blog.

There was a very interesting article in HT City today on page 4 "Sex Appeal" by Deepa Gahlot and Maithili Rao - both one of the few journalists, whose writing on cinema - make few of the good articles.

The article opened with Kangna Ranaut's bath-tub sequence in Raaz - the mystery continues (watched the film earlier in the day, not as engrossing as Raaz - will key in my review of Raaz later on). It further talked about Emraan's lip-locks (what else!?) and the fact that - which of our movies have really treated sex and sensuality with some sense and sensibility?

Well, I couldn't miss the marketing tool Raaz utilized to make it known to readers that Raaz opens today - nothing bad with that - for the fact that the bath-tub sequence in Woh Lamhe - directed by Mohit Suri and brilliantly enacted by Kangna Ranaut was much more sensual and much more aesthetic than the one in Raaz - tmc!

Guess, all this hulla-boo is very important to create the right kind of hype for the film.

My friend has just arrived and winked at me, knows I am at it - blogging.

Bye.

popcorn flicks - post 213

2009-01-22T10:41:00.000-08:00

photo caption: Hard work pays - I AM A LOVE ADDICT goes to New York Film Festival

Hey friends,

After a hectic, gruelling and often taxing one week - wherein I sought appointment for US visa, met post-production head to cut promos of IAALA; supervised new poster-designs of IAALA; shot a new music-video; edited it; met 6 actresses; to finalize 2 out of them for my new feature; met the head-honcho of a film-production house for a co-production deal - my life got some semblance today (rather in night) as I sit keying in the blog.

Arrived with an early morning flight that landed way late; around noon. Headed straight for a shoot. Packed up around 8 and rushed to join my bro and sis in law for her birthday party at the Great Indian Kebab Factory in Noida (Park Plaza)

The food was tasty (GIKF is famed for it) and the cake was yummy.

It felt really nice to blog after a week; there is so much to write - probably in a day or two the flow will be back :)

Good Night :)

popcorn flicks - post 212

2009-01-15T02:06:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for your unstinted support!

The biggest news is - my first experimental comedy film I AM A LOVE ADDICT is the OFFICIAL SELECTION at the prestigious New York Film Festival.

I just got the news via email in the morning.

I want to thank at this juncture; apart from whole of the family and the friends - Ranjeet Guptara and Sanjay Saagar - who, more than the subject of the film, reposed faith in me and my creative skills as a film-maker.

Many more bigger projects are yet to come as this is just a small step taken by popcorn flicks and its associates!

The universal balance is: all good things are followed by not so good things in life!

Guess, with hectic preparations for NYFF, I won't be able to blog for a week or so... too much work

Gotta make promos, posters, cut snippets for taking I Am A Love Addict to NYFF.

Hope the regulars will bear with me :)

popcorn flicks - post 211

2009-01-13T06:41:00.000-08:00

in the photo:
I Am A Love Addict - working still

Tuesday, January 13 2009, 8.10 pm, My pad

The morning newspapers - TOI, HT, Indian Express - gave me a high as they scribbled ink after ink on the high A.R. Rahman gave to Indian cinema and music.

My heartiest congratulations to A.R. Rahman for winning the Golden Globe Award at the prestigious awards ceremony!

At this juncture, I would like to put a very interesting anecdote that happenned with A.R. Rahman and me.

I was supposed to interview A.R. Rahman and the famed Mumbai traffic got me - it was really tough for me to get an appointment, first of all - and now I could see the chance of meeting him go up in smoke - thanks to, oodles of vehicles forming a never-ending serpentine queue, emiting out smoke!

I called up A.R. and briefed him about the fix I was in - he very coolly asked me - what was my suggestion to sort out the mess!

A reschedule of interview.

The next thing I knew was the interview was rescheduled - not for another week or another day - but for the very same day - two hours later!

Having interviewed almost the who's who of Cinema worldwide - I know, it is practically impossible to reschedule the interview for the same day. A.R was the first guy who went all out to squeeze in the interview for the same day. The gesture touched me, moreover, when I met him in person; the person that A.R is touched me!

With the award season kicked off and A.R. bringing in laurels at Golden Globe - I hope my film - I AM A LOVE ADDICT - too bring in cheers and laurels to my beautiful country - India; at all the major film festivals it goes to!

popcorn flicks - post 210

2009-01-12T07:39:00.000-08:00

in the photo:

interesting pose, interesting incident

Monday, January 12 2009, 9 pm, My pad

Apologies first of all for forgoing the blog-post yesterday!

What happenned was very interesting - in fact, within two Sundays - 4th Jan and 11th Jan - two very interesting incidents happenned with me!

I will recount both the incidents in seperate posts.

The first incident concerns a dear friend.

On Saturday - a very dear friend, a wonderful human being and a hugely talented actress came to meet me in person, traveling the entire distance to Delhi.

We had coffee and we talked about the upcoming film, I am casting for.

The meeting was about an hour' affair!

Sunday 11th Jan.

In the morning, I got a call from my travel agent informing me the cancellation of the trip to Rishikesh and Auli owing to some unforeseen circumstances.

I was busy calling up friends and fixing up the program (before returning to the squalor of Mumbai!) - when I got a call from this friend of mine - she was boarding train back to her city and as we chatted; she told me about her discontent, with the kind of time we spent together!

The things, rather talks - so transpired; that she embarked from the train and we decided to catch up!

We met for coffee - went to YBR, at Ambassador and chatted for a while - after two hours (or was it three!?) I asked her, what were her plans.

Do you want to stay with your relatives or friends?

Do I book a hotel for you?

Or any other plans?

After much pondering, we mutually decided to while away the time at YBR - imagine we were at YBR - right from 6 in the evening to 4 am the next morning!

10 hours... phew

I still distinctly remeber, the look of the captain at YBR - Mr. Hemchand - when I told him that we plan to sit for 10 hours and we don't want to be disturbed.

The look was a mix of surprise and wonder - is he actually going to do it?

:-)

We sat, we ate, we chat and we sang - yup we played antakshari - much to the amusement of the curious guests!

Finally at 4, we moved out of YBR and as we proceeded to the car - I could see the same mix of surprise and wonder - on the captain's face!

popcorn flicks - post 209

2009-01-10T09:54:00.000-08:00

in the photo:

Million Dollar Baby

Saturday, January 10 2009, 11.30 pm, My pad

First things first, I am making a huge exception by not putting a snap related to popcorn flicks (though with my resolve to direct Kangna sooner or later, I feel she is related to popcon flicks!) - Kangna Ranaut's picture finds space; because I've never hid my admiration for her from anybody - and she looks piping hot in this snap (more words on Kangna are keyed in later on the blog)

Saturday Night Fever!

There was a time (not much back in distant past!) when Saturday's meant parties and night clubs.

I was pleasently surprised then; that I now spend Saturday's mostly discussing work.

The exercise has two pronged effect - work and outing.

The day was hectic; met a friend and an actress; but most importantly a very warm human-being at Intercontinental, Delhi (now rechristened - Lalit); followed by dinner with a friend; followed by a meeting with an investor.

Came back home, just about 15 minutes back and as I switched on the laptop, saw a mail sent by my dear friend (she knows the fascination I have for Kangna Ranaut). She sent a picture of Kangy in Dabboo's 2009 cal.

I must confess; I was bowled over by the photo - this is the EXACT look I want for the actress I am looking for my first English and French bilingual that should, in all probability be a part and a much acclaimed film at CANNES 2010.

HOT is an under-statement for - the attitude, the charm, the poise, the sensuality - Kangy exudes in the pic. She is indeed a Million Dollar Baby!

I don't really know whether I did the right thing by posting Kangna's photo on the blog - but blogging is all about sharing the feelings, the inner-most thoughts (as true as they can be) with the readers and I am doing just that as honestly as I can!

Bye 'n' take care :-)

popcorn flicks - post 208

2009-01-09T05:33:00.000-08:00

in the photo:

framing up a shot; crew-members look animatedly

Friday, January 9 2009, 7 pm, My pad

Hi, hope this finds everyone at peace - the new year is already a week old - just think about it, how time flies!!!

In the day, I had a couple of meeting with a few prominent distributors of Delhi-U.P.; the talk veered to the upcoming Akshay Kumar flick Chandni Chowk to China and whether it will be able to break the record of Aamir Khan's Ghajini?

What shocked me didn't concern any of these movies - it concerned the releases of today!

The President is coming and Bad Luck Govind - there are two more films that don't deserve a mention. I was appalled when an exhibitor said he is not putting President is coming or Bad Luck Govind - as they are C-grade films.

What are C-grade films?

I asked the gentleman.

He looked at me with a question and I pressed a business card in his hand. The whole reaction of his changed when he read I am a film-maker.

He said films that are made on shoe-string budget.

I couldn't just control my sarcas-streak; as I corrected him!

C-grade films, I guess - is a terminology used more for the content rather than the budget.

Some C-grade films have better budget than cross-over films - going by the exhibitor's perspective or definition - the said cross-over films are C-grade films.

The point was the exhibitor has 10 screens in 2nd tier centre and such crossover films don't work over there - C-grade films work!!!

It was quite an enriching experience to interact with the said exhibitor.

I missed out on The President is coming; which I was so eagerly waiting for - because the film is playing only at a few select screens in Delhi - hope to catch it up in Mumbai!

My friend has invited me for a party, but I feel I am too tired for it - with traveling, shooting, editing and a small press-conference - I guess my body needs some quality rest; let me see!

Bye n take care :-)

popcorn flicks - post 207

2009-01-08T08:55:00.000-08:00

In the photo:

Shooting at the beach

Thursday, January 8, 10.30 pm, My pad

The feeling a soothing hot shower gives after a hectic day of work - is I feel, unique in the world!

I was shooting, as well as had three important meetings - lined up back to back.

The evening got me cheer, as I got the news that my film I AM A LOVE ADDICT has made to the final rounds at not one, but two - prestigious inernational film-festivals.

Henceforth, I will leave the readers with a snap from I AM A LOVE ADDICT - till the aforementioned film festivals culminate - with the walk on the red carpet! (hopefully I should post the 'red-carpet' snaps too, in due time).

Bye 'n' take care!

popcorn flicks - post 206

2009-01-07T05:50:00.000-08:00

In the photo -

Blast from the past - shooting in Maldives

Wednesday, 7 pm, My car, January 7, 2009

Driving down to my house in Ghaziabad - I guess, today's shoot was one of the best I had in a long long long point of time!

Though, Delhi has a reputation of being complete chaotic as far as shooting is concerned - this by far was one of the most organized shoots I did.

For one, the models were ready with make-up when I reached the sets; the light-boys were almost done with the lighting; the set-dressings were not gaudy or shoddy :-) The costumes were tagged as per the shots and the coffee was perfectly brewed - boy was I on a Hollywood set!

I wondered aloud!

And now I wonder how on the earth is the battery of my laptop is running low!?

Guess, it's a sign to let go... off the post, I guess!

Bye 'n' take care :-)

popcorn flicks - post 205

2009-01-05T22:23:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody, leaving for New Delhi today!

Gotta shoot a music video and start preparations for the new movie; hence not much of blogging today!

Take care 'n' enjoy!

popcorn flicks - post 204

2009-01-05T07:58:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone

I am still dazed, went to the release of Bachchanalia and must admit it was one of the GRAND affairs

The best part was I had two of my favorite actors over there

Amitabh Bachchan

Aamir Khan

The way they went all out complementing each other - was well, amazing!

Amazing because just last year we had some stories in the media about the so called war over Black and Taare Zameen Per; or was it just another media-blown story!

Anyways, I leave for Delhi 2moro for a shoot and a couple of meetings... gotta prepare for it and also get over the daze - to see the Delhi haze!!!

Well, well, well - that's a bad one, I know!

Bye 'n' take care

popcorn flicks - post 203

2009-01-04T05:56:00.000-08:00

January 4, 2009; Sunday; 4pm; my pad

Hi, just came after a strenuous shoot and the subsequent dump for edit. The product was tiles manufactured by a Gujarat based company.

Good omen! I guess to start the new year – working!

Yesterday, I also narrated the script to the actor; I am thinking of finalizing as the main lead – if everything falls in place – and the response his mother and he gave was more than overwhelming; though they let me clearly known that the title needs to be worked upon!

Accepted!

Just yesterday; or was it the day before (I am still in a trance post hectic partying and round-the clock work) I read in DNA about the busting of reported Britney Spears – Sandip Soparrkar ‘love story’?

The story claimed that during the time Britney was ‘supposed’ to be with Sandip in Jodhpur; the international websites carried reports that Britney was confined in her home by her father for sneaking out on a secret sexual tryst.

Furthermore, DNA’s After Hrs – also carried an interview with Sandip Soparrkar where Sandip is quoted as saying that he is very much with Jesse (Randhawa) and is very happy with her.
The story further reported that Britney’s pictures in the media seemed to be doctored and in the box they had a picture of Britney with Neil Patrick Harrison and alongside – the supposedly doctored picture (same picture, only difference being Sandip in place of Patrick).

The point is: was the story, yet another case of media lapping up a publicity blitzkrieg?
Seems so, with the sudden splash of the story in all the leading dailies and then this breaking-news by DNA!

I feel media should show restraint and exercise a code of conduct not only when it is reporting on the celebrities; but also when it is reporting on other issues.

Bye ‘n’ take care.

popcorn flicks - post 202

2009-01-02T09:27:00.000-08:00

Hi, my heart broke when today I got to know the news that Vincent Ford, composer of the classic song - No Woman No Cry - is no more.

The writer of this immortal song that has wowed generations over and over again and Bob Marley together made this song a classic.

Though, there are reports that it was actually Bob Marley who wrote the song and credited it to Vincent to help him out; the point is Bob considered Vincent worthy enough - that in nutshell transpires to that Vincent was deserving!

I, in fact, drew out the CD and have been listening to the song over and over again!

I have no shame in admitting that even while blogging, I am humming it - No Woman No Cry...

Songs like these are eternal creations that never die or fade - they just get more famous!