Make way for Planman Motion Pictures THE LAST LEAR!
August 17, 2007 1:18:25 PM IST
Bollywood Trade News Network
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Immediately in the heels of the Cannes spectacle, where Rituparno Ghosh's DOSAR, produced by Planman Motion Pictures was screened to an enthralled world audience, Planman Motion Pictures announces the biggest thing to happen to Indian cinema this year. Their film THE LAST LEAR, directed by Rituparno Ghosh, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal and Shefali Shah, is having its World Premiere at The Toronto International Film Festival this year. This Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri presentation will be premiered on September 9 at the Roy Thomson Hall, the largest and most important cinema theatre in Toronto. The film has been selected for the Gala Premiere, the most prestigious section and centerpiece of the illustrious Festival. Walking the Red Carpet would be Amitabh Bachchan, Rituparno Ghosh, Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri, Shubho Shekhar Bhattacharjee, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal and other cast and crew of the film. A jubilant Prof. Chaudhuri says, "THE LAST LEAR is indeed a very important and powerful film. The story, Rituparno Ghosh's magic and the performances are all world class. This is our next film in our commitment towards fine cinema. I am sure this film will be appreciated as much by the world audience as by the Indians."
THE LAST LEAR sees Amitabh Bachchan play an actor for the first time ever. Strange that the biggest living superstar of Indian cinema, who has played everything from a Coolie to a Don, from a SharaAbi to a Jaadugar, has never really played an actor! Also, this would be the superstars' first-ever full length English language film. Says Rituparno Ghosh, "It was a delight working with Amitda. All this while I have been hearing that he is a thorough professional. But now I realize that it was only a partial description of what he is. Amitda brings in so much warmth, sincerity and genuineness in his professionalism that the experience is truly endearing and enjoyable. Preity, Arjun and Shefali have also put in extremely sincere efforts into the film. The performances are indeed brilliant!"
THE LAST LEAR, as it is just completed, seems to be only beginning its run now. Over the last 32 years, the Toronto International Film Festival has grown into one of the most important film festivals of the world, showcasing the cream of world cinema. It is an honor for not only the makers, but for the entire nation to be present on such a revered platform. Of course, the entire team is extremely excited about the selection. Says Shubho Shekhar Bhattacharjee, CEO – Planman Motion Pictures, "THE LAST LEAR is a powerful Indian English film, mounted and styled in a way that it appeals to the global audience. We are planning and programming the campaign in such a way that it becomes a truly international presentation from India. We can assure that the Toronto Gala Premiere will just be the beginning of an ambitious original Indian presentation."
In the Mussoorie schedule of the film, there were some intense and difficult scenes that needed to be shot in the mountainous town. As the spellbound crew watched in amazement as Mr. Bachchan, Preity and Arjun enacted some tough scenes, even the animals seemed to have taken a break from their daily activities to watch the mavericks. The only roar that could be heard was of Mr. Bachchans, the only other sound was that of the rolling camera. Says a unit member, "It was amazing! We were all watching Mr. Bachchan perform in stunned silence. Suddenly, he breaks into the song 'The hills are alive with the sound of music', it was so unexpected that we all took a few seconds to realize it and join in. It was a welcome break in the otherwise strenuous schedule!"
The look in the film promises to be a pleasant surprise. Amitabh Bachchan's look is one that he has never before been seen in, Arjun Rampal gets an urban look that he hasn't got before either on the ramp or on screen, and Preity, for the first time, gets to play a modern Indian woman, replete with saris and salwaar kameez. The film is Rituparno Ghosh's most ambitious project yet. Having been shot extensively outdoors in and around Kolkata and in the scenic mountains of Mussoorie, it is a fresh kind of cinema that he is directing.
Planman Motion Pictures has been consistently making good cinema, since its inception in 2002. Good cinema, as they say, knows no boundaries. Their last release, DOSAR, is making waves at film festivals around the world. Since its release in Kolkata, DOSAR is now highly sought-after all across the world. It has already been an official selection in over ten prestigious film festivals and now after Toronto, it will be screened at Washington followed by a gala screening at The Indo-American Arts Council in New York. Still touring, the film is currently in Europe and in the USA, mesmerizing audiences all over. FALTU, yet another Planman Motion Pictures production was in competition at a Festival in Spain, where it stunned the Western audience with its dazzling visuals and distinct narrative. For Planman Motion Pictures, it's been an exceptionally busy year with Cannes also wanting to include MITHYA (Directed by Rajat Kapoor) in their official programme for 2007. However, the film was not complete then and they didn't want to compromise on the quality of post-production by rushing through it. But MITHYA was showcased at the recently held Osian Cinefan in New Delhi. The attendance there was tremendous, with the overfull auditorium having enthusiastic viewers sitting even on the stairways and blocking the gangways! The audience clapped, whistled and cheered all through the film, a sight that is very rare these days. After a bumper preview response, MITHYA is generating tremendous response in several 'A' league film festivals across the world, while in the home circuit; distributors are all too keen to lap up the film with their best offers.
While these films are already creating waves, Planman Motion Pictures has also just completed the shooting of it's next in the line-up, I M 24. This modern day laugh riot is written and directed by Saurabh Shukla. The next in pre-production right now is RANGEEN, which is a hilarious adaptation of Shakespeare's ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream'. The film is written and directed by Sharat Katariya of BHEJA FRY fame. Immediately after THE LAST LEAR's grand premiere in Toronto, Planman Motion Pictures would wrap up the post-production of Rituparno Ghosh's comic fantasy SUNGLASS starring Jaya Bachchan, Madhavan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Naseeruddin Shah and Raima Sen. This comic entertainer also promises path breaking music by Kolkata band 21 grams, the lyrics of which have been penned by Prasoon Joshi and the songs have been choreographed by Bosco-Ceaser. Quite a palette this is! Seems like THE LAST LEAR is only the first of many fine films coming from the Planman Motion Pictures stable!
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