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Tag: Kamal Haasan

  • Applications are open for The Film Preservation ​and ​Restoration Workshop India 2017 on www.filmheritagefoundation.co.in or www.fiafnet.org.​

    Viacom18 ​p​artners with Film Heritage Foundation to​ ​s​ave ​c​inematic ​h​eritage

    By A Correspondent​

     

    Film-maker Mani Ratnam, acto​r-​producer Kamal Hasaan, Viacom18 Group CEO Sudhanshu Vats and Shivendra Singh Dungarpur​, ​Founder Director of Film Heritage Foundation, unveiling the poster for Film Preservation & Restoration Workshop India 2017

    With ​an aim to preserve India’s cinematic heritage, Viacom18 ​ announced its support to the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) for the annual Film Preservation ​and ​Restoration Workshop India 2017. The workshop will be held from October 7 ​t​o 14 in Chennai. The partnership was flagged off for the third consecutive year at an event held ​in Chennai and was attended by Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO, Viacom18, legendary actor ​and producer Kamal Haasan, film-maker Mani Ratnam and film-maker, archivist and Founder Director of Film Heritage Foundation, Shivendra Singh Dungarpur.

    ​Said Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO, Viacom18​: “At the heart of it, civilis​ation is a chronicle of stories across generations. As India’s foremost storytellers we connect deeply with this ethos and our support to Film Heritage Foundation is a confluence of this shared belief. India’s culture and heritage is captured creatively and reflected through our films and these, therefore, become historical artefacts representative of the times they were created in. It is pertinent that this content is preserved for reference as well as archived for perusal by future generations​.”

    Applications are open for The Film Preservation ​and ​Restoration Workshop India 2017 on www.filmheritagefoundation.co.in or www.fiafnet.org. The workshop will take place from October 7 ​to 14 , 2017 in Chennai.

     

  • The two-day conclave, scheduledon January 9 and 10, 2017 will be held at ITC Grand Chola

    First edition of India Today Conclave – South 2017 to be held in Chennai

    By A Correspondent

     

    The first edition of India Today Conclave, South will see Chief Ministers and top ministers from the south, legends of cinema and southern heartthrobs, all on one platform. The two-day conclave, scheduled on January 9 and 10, 2017 will be held at ITC Grand Chola. Ready to set a new gold standard in summits, it is going to explore areas of politics, business, art, culture and sports.

     

    The Conclave will be inaugurated by VK Sasikala, General Secretary, AIADMK, by lighting a lamp. She will also launch a photographic tribute to the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. The impressive line-up of the distinguished stalwarts coming together will include Chief Ministers of the Southern States, O Paneerselvam, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu; PinarayiVijayan, Chief Minister, Kerala; Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister, Karnataka; N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh and V Narayanasamy, Chief Minister, Puducherry. Other political leaders include, M Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information and Broadcasting; K Pandiarajan, Minister for School and Sports and Youth Welfare, Tamil Nadu; Dr PalanivelThiagarajan, DMK MLA, Madurai Central (DMK); Jairam Ramesh, RajyaSabha MP, former Union minister, economist; OommenChandy, former Chief Minister of Kerala; DrAmbumaniRamadoss, LokSabha MP, former Union Minister; MK Stalin, former Deputy Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu; RV Deshpande, Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, Karnataka; Thiru MC Sampath, Minister for Industries, Tamil Nadu; MM PallamRaju, Former Union Minister; Priyank M Kharge, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Information Technology and Tourism, Karnataka; KadakampillySurendran, Minister for Cooperation, Tourism and Devaswoms, Kerala.

     

    The stars speaking at the event include the legend of cinema, Kamal Haasan and southern stars Tamannaah Bhatia, AmyraDastur, Shriya Saran, and ManjuWarrier. Other celebrity speakers include singer, Benny Dayal; playback singer, ChinmayiSripada; retired Indian Police Service officer, social activist, and current Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, KiranBedi; and actor and activist KhushbooSundar.

     

     

  • The controversial question of censorship saw participants engage in a lively discussion

    #Frames2013: Need for reforms to take centrestage

    L-R – Jay Panda, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Kamal Haasan, Chairman of FICCI Media & Entertianmnet Business Concalave (MEBC),Shoma Chaudhury, Managing Editor, Tehelka, Mahesh Bhatt, Film Director,Rahul Bose, Actor

     

    By Kshama Rao

     

    Day 2 of FICCI-Frames started with a session on ‘The Gag Orders: Are we stifling creative expression?’ Managing editor, Tehelka, Shoma Chaudhary moderated the session which had Kamal Haasan – who was recently at the receiving end when his ambitious 90-crore film, Vishwaroopam met with some opposition from certain religious quarters – MP Jay Panda, “liberal intellectuals” Mahesh Bhatt and Rahul Bose.

     

    Ms Chaudhary who admitted to believe in “absolutist freedom” had the panelists talking about the very definition of freedom, the role of art in society, on whether the Indian constitution is robust enough to tackle the various groups and diverse ones at that who get easily offended by any piece of art – be it a book, a piece of music, film or art. Mr Panda talked about how while the constitution doesn’t provide us with absolute freedom it does come close. What worried him were the Supreme Court rulings being defied by high courts and state governments when they should be tried for contempt of court. “The job of leaders is to resist lynch-mobs and not pander to populist measures.”

     

    While Kamal Haasan confessed to have curbed his daughters from always following their minds, he said as a filmmaker, he felt “curbing creativity and freedom is not a dignified thing. It shouldn’t be just about me. It should be about anyone and everyone irrespective of where he comes from who shouldn’t be pushed to a wall like I was.”

     

    Mr Bhatt said that the notion of absolute freedom is still a fantasy. “Right from the time I made Arth, which had people from my own fraternity ganging up against me for making a film that threatened the institution of marriage, the very bedrock of our culture and our being, I am still waiting to be free.”

     

    He added how the “offenders who are most often than not engineered to disrupt and disturb things” ensured that a little fear went a long way and did an irreversible damage to the society. “Timidity has now become a philosophy and every filmmaker lives with that dread of facing a lynch mob outside his door,” he said.

     

    The discussion also veered to demanding a film certification board rather than a censor board. Kamal Haasan observed, “Why should there be representatives from political parties on film certification boards? They are in no way connected with the aesthetics of cinema.”

     

    Mr Panda called for an urgent need for political reforms which could only be put in place with the rising middle class. “Their sensibilities are worthy of emulation and I do see a hope in the middle class who have already begun a movement for change if you go by the protests they recently staged in the case of the rising rape and violence.”

     

    Mr Bhatt rubbished Mr Panda’s trust in the middle-class, who, he saids are interested only in fighting battles they are comfortable with. “They will stand up for a Kamal Haasan but not a Kamaal Khan, a big Hindi film but not a Bhojpuri one.” Mr Bose agreed with him saying, “The middle class will come out in large numbers outside the PM’s house to fight for a rape victim but I wonder if they will be equally passionate about an issue that’s bothering some other part of the country.” Kamal Haasan added that sensibility is not the sole bastion of the middle-class. “It can come from any strata of society, from anyone.”

     

    The rather interesting conversation was ended with Chaudhary calling for everyone to first define the very idea of freedom and if the entire nation was ready to fight for it every time it was threatened by a few offending groups. She also placed the onus on the film and television industry to rise above their roles of mere entertainers and instead bring about social change through cinema.

     

  • Kamal Haasan postpones the Vishwaroopam launch but says he will not his DTH partners

    Kamal Haasan puts off Vishwaroopam launch, will not pull out from DTH release

    By Sangeetha Kandavel

     

    Rumours floating online suggested on Tuesday that actor Kamal Haasan would drop his controversial move to release ‘Vishwaroopam’ on DTH as well as postpone its theatrical release. As of Wednesday, with Haasan addressing the media, at least one of those rumours seemed to have come true.

     

    The South Indian star said he was postponing the launch of his magnum opus, reportedly made at a cost of Rs 95 crore, while at the same time insisting he wasn’t going back on his DTH plans.

     

    “I will announce Viswaroopam’s release date. I will decide,” said Haasan, answering in the negative when asked if he was pressurized into this decision.

     

    Haasan’s plan to launch his movie on the DTH platform had raised a storm, with a section of theatre owners threatening a boycott of the film. They fear DTH will eat into their business as also give rise to piracy. Haasan has been saying he signed up a sizeable number of theatres already.

     

    This correspondent tried to speak with industry people, including theatre owners and DTH service providers, but they weren’t available for a comment immediately. “I will give them both (DTH and theatre) equal status and come on the same day,” Kamal Haasan said at a meeting at his office in Chennai. It wasn’t clear if he meant that DTH and theatrical release would happen at the same time. Because, according to the original plan, the DTH release was supposed to happen the night before the theatrical release.

     

    “I will not leave my DTH partners. Movie will come on DTH. Friends have requested that premiere should happen on same day. Will think and take a decision as this is my product,” he noted. DTH players, including Sun DTH, Dish TV, Airtel DTH, and Reliance DTH, have decided to stop taking bookings for the pay-per-view show that was to be telecast on January 10.

     

    He has also cautioned that he would be filing cases against people who have threatened to block the movie or show it in clubs and bars. Kamal Haasan said, “I am doing a honest and legitimate trade. No one has the right to stop me from going ahead. I will take legal action on those who threaten me and who try to prevent me from doing this. Do not take my kindness for confusion.”

     

    The DTH release was priced at Rs 1,000 in a pay per view model. When asked whether the same pricing would be followed, the actor said he would look into that and take advice of industry peers.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2013, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

     

    Photograph: Fotocorp

     

  • Some Chennai theatre owners are upset by actor Kamal Hassan's decision to launch his upcoming movie 'Vishwaroopam' on the DTH platform eight hours before it is released in theatres worldwide

    Theatre-owners irked by Kamal’s plan to release ‘Vishwaroopam’ on DTH

    By Sriram Srinivasan

     

    Some theatre owners in Chennai are upset by actor Kamal Hassan’s decision to launch his upcoming movie ‘Vishwaroopam’ on the DTH platform eight hours before it is released in theatres worldwide.

     

    “We are upset with the decision,”” said Abirami Ramanathan, a key member of one of the theatre owners’ associations in the city, which met on Thursday on this issue.

     

    The association members want to meet Kamal Hassan on Saturday regarding this.

     

    “The movie may be good or bad. But why is Kamal taking a risk through the DTH route,” Mr Ramanathan said. The spokesperson for Kamal Hassan wasn’t available for comments.

     

    The big budget ‘Vishwaroopam’ is ready for release but the dates are yet to be announced. Its music will be launched in three cities – Coimbatore, Madurai and Chennai – today (on Friday).

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2012, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

     

  • Signs up exclusively with Alliance Media & Entertainment

    Kamal Haasan finally says ‘yes’ to endorsing brands

    By A Correspondent

     

    One of India’s most loved and popular superstars from South Indian and Hindi cinema, Padma Shri actor-writer-director Kamal Haasan will soon take up something he has never done in his 50-plus-years’ career. The superstar will take up brand endorsements, and has signed up exclusively with India’s leading celebrity and talent sourcing and management firm, Alliance Media & Entertainment Pvt Ltd.

     

    Sunil Doshi, Founder & MD, Alliance Media & Entertainment Pvt Ltd, said: “We are delighted that Kamal Haasan has signed up with us exclusively for our talent sourcing and Management services. He is a truly global Indian icon – a great actor, writer and film maker who is immensely respected, not only for his strong contribution to cinema, but also for his significant initiatives to help the underprivileged. We are honoured that a man of his stature has chosen us to represent his interests, and we look forward to working closely with him.”

     

    It is well known that that Kamal Haasan has converted his legions of fans and fan clubs into a social service organization. This has set a precedent that has percolated through the audiences and has resulted in a social service and awareness movement. All the activities are also self-funded by the fans themselves as a personal initiative, which is strongly supported by Mr. Kamal Haasan.

     

    Revealing why Kamal Haasan has decided to go in for brand endorsement, Mr Doshi said: “Mr Kamal Haasan has certain plans for his work in social service, but is also unwilling to rely on external sources of funding those plans. Therefore, he feels that endorsements with leading companies and brands that have a strong commitment to society and causes would be an appropriate and independent means of fulfilling his vision.”

     

    On why he has signed up exclusively with Alliance Media to represent him, Kamal Haasan said: “I have signed up with Sunil Doshi’s Alliance Media because I believe it is India’s most respected talent management firm and is known to provide excellent strategic counsel to several top celebrities and personalities. I look forward to yet another first – that of brand endorsement – in my creative life, and to keep being able to do my bit for society.”

     

    Mr Doshi said: “We shall soon announce which brand Mr Kamal Haasan will be endorsing. Mr Kamal Haasan is known for his ideals and principles, and needless to say, we shall advise him to pick a brand that fits with his values and stature, and will have a campaign to match.”

     

    Alliance Media & Entertainment Pvt Ltd has exclusively managed and been associated with some of the biggest celebrities and personalities of India, along with some of the most respected corporates. Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan are other superstars who have signed up exclusively with Alliance Media.

     

    Sunil Doshi, who has been advising superstar Amitabh Bachchan for close to two decades now, has also been associated with superstars like Shahrukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherji, Govinda, Fardeen Khan and Sonali Bendre, among others.

     

    Mr Doshi was instrumental in Amitabh Bachchan signing the historical Kaun Banega Crorepati deal, which completely changed fortunes in the Indian Cable & Satellite Television Industry. He has also been associated with ace writer-director-producer Karan Johar and was instrumental in suggesting his name for the popular multiple-series chat show Koffee with Karan.

     

    Alliance Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. is a Mumbai based media & entertainment company which, through the past 12 years has earned premium expertise and market stature in celebrity & talent sourcing & management, film production, acquisition and distribution; ad film and TV program production and home video distribution.

     

    It has also been associated with several top corporates, including Idea Cellular, Pepsi Co, ICICI Bank, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance,  Omega and Max New York Life Insurance, among others. The company has also been instrumental in the formation of the world cinema channel Lumiere Movies, which is part of Turner International (earlier known as NDTV Lumiere).