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Mumbai, Jul 12 (PTI) The 2025 edition of the Venice Film Festival is set to showcase a 4K restored version of "Do Bigha Zamin", the 1953 classic directed by acclaimed filmmaker Bimal Roy. The announcement coincides with the legendary filmmaker's 116th birth anniversary. Presented under the Venice Classics section, "Do Bigha Zamin", titled "Two Acres of Land" in English, has been selected among a distinguished lineup of restored cinematic masterpieces, which also includes "Matador" by Pedro Almodovar, "Roma Ore 11" by Giuseppe De Santis, "Przypadek" by Krzysztof Kieślowski and "Lolita" by Stanley Kubrick. The screening will be presented by Roy's children -- Rinki Roy Bhattacharya, Aparajita Roy Sinha, and Joy Bimal Roy -- along with Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, director of the Film Heritage Foundation. The restoration is a collaborative effort between the Film Heritage Foundation, The Criterion Collection, and Janus Films. Acclaimed lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar welcomed the announcement, calling the film "historic." "It's amazing that 'Do Bigha Zamin' is restored and will be shown in Venice. This film is historic as it changed the way films were made in India. After Chetan Anand's 'Neecha Nagar' which won an award at the Cannes Film Festival, this was the second Indian film to win at the Cannes Film Festival and receive international recognition. "The most important element is that all his films right from the Bengali ones which he made and the Hindi films which he made, all these films were based on literature. Not many people know that 'Do Bigha Zamin' is from a poem by Rabindranath Tagore, which was also called 'Do Bigha Zamin'. The script was done by Salil Choudhury," Gulzar said, recalling the time when he started working with Roy's 1961 production "Kabuliwala". The cinema icon said he has fond memories of the time. " People would say that Bimal-da was like a married print. In those days, the picture and sound negatives were separate and when they were brought together optically to make the release print, it would be called a married print. Bimal-da would shoot two shifts in a day - 7 am to 2 pm and 2 pm to 10 pm and would then sit in the editing room working till late night at Mohan Studios. People would say that he is married to films. Bimal Roy was the coolest director I have ever seen. I learnt not only filmmaking from him, but the art of patience and stamina," he added. Starring Balraj Sahni and Nirupa Roy, "Do Bigha Zamin" is considered an important film in the early parallel cinema of India. The film, which captured the plight of a poor farmer struggling with industrialisation, was based on Rabindranath Tagore's Bengali poem "Dui Bigha Jomi" and "Rickshawalla", a short story written by composer Salil Chowdhury. Dungarpur said he was introduced to the works of Bimal Roy when he was working under Gulzar. "When I was working as an assistant to Gulzarsaheb, he would often speak about his guru Bimal Roy. This spurred me to watch all his films right from the time he was a cameraman on P C Barua's 'Devdas' to his first Bengali film as a director 'Udayer Pathey' to 'Do Bigha Zamin'. "In his films I was struck by the poetic visuals, the silences, the deep humanism and compassion that he showed in the social themes of his films that highlighted the plight of the marginalized, the issues of migrant labour, and the urban-rural divide that are still so relevant today. For me 'Do Bigha Zamin' changed the face of Indian cinema that brought filmmakers out of the studio to begin shooting on the streets," he said. Dungarpur said he is glad to collaborate with The Criterion Collection and Janus Films to restore other classics of Bimal Roy such as "Devdas", "Madhumati" and "Bandini". The family of Bimal Roy said the premiere of "Do Bigha Zamin" at the Venice Film Festival is a "dream come true for us". "This would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Shivendra Singh Dungarpur of Film Heritage Foundation and Fumiko Takagi of the Criterion Collection. Our heartfelt thanks to both of them for their unwavering dedication to restoring and celebrating cinema. 'Do Bigha Zamin' is especially fitting for this prestigious platform, as it holds a unique connection with Italian cinema," Rinki Roy Bhattacharya, Aparajita Roy Sinha, and Joy Bimal Roy said in a joint statement. They said Roy was deeply inspired after watching Italian filmmaker Vittorio De Sica's 1948 film "Bicycle Thieves". "Our father hoped Indian cinema would follow its deeply moving humanist vision. 'Do Bigha Zamin', is an unspoken autobiography of Bimal Roy who was cast off from his home in East Bengal in a similar episode as the hero, peasant, Sambhu Mahato. He never recovered from this cruel separation from his beloved birthplace. "In the brief lifetime accorded to our father, he transformed the profile of Indian cinema and was able to stir collective consciousness with his cinematic parables. Our father was a silent cinema poet and a visionary of profound humanism whose work shall continue to act as a beacon whenever dark forces threaten," they added. The restoration process began in 2022 and took over three years. Initiated by The Criterion Collection and Janus Films, in collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation, the process involved extensive repair of damaged negatives stored at the National Film Archive of India. Missing elements were sourced from a 1954-55 dupe negative preserved at the British Film Institute (BFI). "Do Bigha Zamin" was the first Indian film to win the Prix International at the Cannes Film Festival in 1954. It also received honours at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and bagged best film and best director at the inaugural Filmfare Awards. The 82nd Venice International Film Festival will run from August 27 to September 6. PTI RB RB
Panaji (Goa) [India], November 27 (ANI): Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, known for his films with gripping storylines, shared his experience of being part of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and discussed his upcoming project, Wives of Bollywood. Speaking with ANI, he said, "I am very happy to be here. I have been attending for almost 20 or 22 years. I have been involved in various capacities -- sometimes as part of the standing committee, sometimes as a jury member, and sometimes as the chairman. It's a place where filmmakers from all over the world, as well as different sta ...Read More >
New Delhi: Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has officially revealed the release date for his much-anticipated horror-comedy, 'Bhooth Bangla.' The film, which marks his reunion with veteran director Priyadarshan, will be released on April 2, 2026. The actor shared the exciting news on his official Instagram account, alongside a new poster for the movie, which has already sparked a wave of enthusiasm among fans. In his Instagram post, Akshay Kumar wrote, "Beyond excited to be on set with my favourite @priyadarshan.official as we begin the shoot of our horror comedy #BhoothBangla today. Yeh darr ...Read More >
Kareena Kapoor Khan brought a deeply personal and touching element to her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi by requesting him to write a heartfelt message for her two sons, Taimur Ali Khan and Jeh Ali Khan, who were unable to attend the event. A memorable highlight from the gathering showcased Kareena watching intently, her expression radiating pride and warmth, as the Prime Minister inscribed a note dedicated to her children, affectionately called "Tim and Jeh."Kareena Kapoor Khan added ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Dilip Kumar, the 'Tragedy King' of Indian cinema, continues to be remembered for his unmatched contributions to Bollywood. Born on December 11, 1922, as Muhammad Yusuf Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, he ruled the silver screen with his impeccable acting skills, emotional depth, and charisma. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, let's take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the most iconic roles that made Dilip Kumar a cinematic legend, a man who left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. 1. 'Andaz' (1949) In 'Andaz', Dilip Kumar shared the screen with Nargis and Raj Kapoo ...Read More >
Mumbai: Nayanthara, popularly known as the Lady Superstar of Indian cinema, recently addressed her decision to debut in Bollywood with Shah Rukh Khan's blockbuster Jawan. While fans were disappointed with her limited screen time in the film, Nayanthara revealed her reasons for taking on the role during an interview with the Hollywood Reporter. "I did Jawan only because I love Shah Rukh sir," Nayanthara confessed, crediting the Bollywood superstar for encouraging her to step into Hindi cinema. She shared how Khan personally reached out to ease her concerns about making her Bollywood debut, ass ...Read More >
On the second anniversary of "Mardaani 2", Rani Mukerji along with Yash Raj Films' has officially announced that it is making the third installment of the franchise, where the actress is set to reprise the role of the daredevil cop Shivani Shivaji Roy.On the second anniversary of 'Mardaani 2', Rani Mukerji along with Yash Raj Films' has officially announced that it is making the third installment of the franchise, where the actress is set to reprise the role of the daredevil cop Shivani Shivaji R ...Read More >
Ed Sheeran, Shah Rukh Khan, and Arijit Singh unite for a song?: Fans worldwide have been enthralled by British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran's recent trip to India, particularly because of his encounters with Bollywood's Shah Rukh Khan and Arijit Singh. Sheeran posted some sweet moments of friendship on Instagram, including Shah Rukh Khan jokingly repeating the hook of Sheeran's upcoming song "Sapphire," and a calm coffee conversation with Arijit Singh on a barge. Sheeran immersed himself in Indi ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Lyricist Irshad Kamil, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming project 'Saiyaara', has spoken up on the subject of love, and his scope of work in the emotion. The lyricist spoke with IANS in the run-up to the film, and shared, "I feel that love is the only emotion, which is immortal. If you get angry, then the anger goes away at some point. If you get irritated with someone, it goes away. The person you fall in love with, the love stays forever". He further mentioned that love is a very basic emotion, and such an everlasting emotion, that you can't d ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Bollywood fans are super excited, and the wait for Ramayana just keeps getting harder! Directed by Dangal fame Nitesh Tiwari, this upcoming film is turning into one of the biggest projects in Indian cinema. The movie promises to bring back the great Indian epic Ramayana with modern visuals, strong emotions, and a huge cast. One of the biggest reasons for the excitement is Ranbir Kapoor playing Lord Ram. Known for serious and emotional roles, Ranbir is now taking on one of the most important characters in Indian mythology. Fans are already in love with this casting and can't wait to ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 11 (PTI) A day after the members of Raj Kapoor's family met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan thanked him for inviting them to "commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy" of their grandfather ahead of the cinema icon's birth centenary. The Kapoor family, including actors Ranbir Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, and Neetu Kapoor, met the prime minister on Tuesday and invited him to the Raj Kapoor Film Festival to be held to celebrate the occasion. December 14, 2024 marks the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor, an actor, editor, a director, and ...Read More >
Itanagar, Jun 7 (PTI) The flood situation in Arunachal Pradesh improved on Saturday with water levels of most rivers receding, even as 33,000 people in 24 districts remained affected, officials said. Twelve people lost their lives and one person went missing in rain-related incidents, including landslides, after the monsoon set in, they said. In its daily report, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said 33,200 people in 215 villages remained affected due to floods and landslides in the state. The water levels of most major rivers and their tributaries were showing a receding trend o ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will undertake an official visit to France, the European Union (EU), and Belgium from June 8 to 14, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs announced in a press release on Sunday. The visit marks a significant step in further strengthening India's strategic partnerships with Europe. The EAM will first travel to Paris and Marseille, France, where he will hold bilateral discussions with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean Noel Barrot. Also Read | Indian Citizen Dies in UAE: Civil Engineer Issac Paul ...Read More >
Ludhiana, Jun 8 (PTI) Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Sunday asserted that his party will win the Ludhiana West assembly bypoll, scheduled to be held on june 19, with a "record margin". "Congress practically has no competition here", he claimed. Warring, who is also the Ludhiana MP, said that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was badly mistaken that the Congress would allow it to abuse power and misuse the official machinery for the elections. "First of all, we will not let any misuse of the official machinery and second, in case any official is found to be misusing ...Read More >
Mumbai, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) It's not every day that Janhvi Kapoor's candid side surfaces online, but her latest exchange with producer Rhea Kapoor did just that. In her latest post on Instagram, the 'Dhadak' actress jokingly pleaded with Rhea Kapoor, saying, "Don't kill me." On Friday, Janhvi shared a couple of her stylish photos in a black outfit and captioned it, Ready for the Mumbai rains ( @rheakapoor don't kill me for the caption)." In the images, she made a stylish statement in a chic black outfit that she paired with a hat and heels. Janhvi Kapoor completed her look with a subtle m ...Read More >
'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' (2001) is a romantic drama directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, marking the Bollywood debut of R Madhavan and Dia Mirza. At the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, actor R Madhavan opened up about the emotional journey of his iconic film 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' (RHTDM), which has achieved cult status over the years. The film, initially released in 2001, marked a significant milestone in Bollywood, both for R Madhavan and his co-star Dia Mirza, as it was their debut film. Directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, the romantic drama also starred Saif ...Read More >
In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Gurmeet Choudhary, who is the new entrant of season two, spoke about his character, the way he prepped for the role, and the importance of heroism in cinema Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein on Netflix is a campy and pulpy ode to the kind of cinema that faded away as we progressed towards what we call as 'realistic' cinema. It's a show that oscillates between restrained and heightened sense of drama and tension. It has a wonderful ensemble where every character has its own motivations and conflicts. You're likely to rekindle that essence of nostalgia as it remi ...Read More >
New Delhi: After a long absence from the Hindi film industry, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is getting ready to return with a new project, much to everyone's delight. With the highly anticipated film 'Jee Le Zaraa' co-starring Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif, the renowned actress is getting ready for a successful return after a six-year absence. Though Priyanka is currently occupied with shooting the Prime Video series 'Citadel season 2', she has recently disclosed thrilling details about her next Hindi film ventures. She met with producers and examined screenplays, hinting at a promising project in an i ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 4: Dreams do come true, says filmmaker RS Prasanna who went from being a cheerleader for Aamir Khan as the accepted an award for "Taare Zameen Par" in 2007 to finally directing him in its sequel "Sitaare Zameen Par". Prasanna, known for "Kalyana Samayal Saadham" in Tamil and its Hindi remake "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan", was still in film school in 2007 when he watched "Taare Zameen Par". "I remember bawling my eyes out while watching 'Taare Zameen Par' with my friends, and my then-girlfriend, now wife. When Aamir sir won the Best Debut Director award at the Gollapudi Srinivas Award, ...Read More >
IMAGE: Vikrant Massey in The Sabarmati Express. At 46, Quentin Tarantino said he would quit Hollywood at the age of 60 after he directs his 10th movie, reasoning he wouldn't want to linger on past his prime. He's 61 now and still deciding on the script of his much-hyped grand finale. Academy-award winner Daniel Day Lewis announced he would hang his boots in 2017 only to make an exception, seven years later for son Ronan's direction, Anemone. Back home, Vikrant Massey is grabbing headlines by his sudden decision to retire from films. 'Coming 2025, we would meet each other for one last time ...Read More >
This is a celebration of everyone who worked so passionately on the film, says the celebrated director. History was made as Payal Kapadia became the first Indian director to have won a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director. Her much talked about movie, 'All We Imagine as Light' has won two GG nominations in total. One for Best Director and the other for Best Motion Picture (Non-English). The two prestigious nominations at the 82nd Golden Globes mark a milestone in Indian cinema. After Canne ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) Telugu superstar Allu Arjun on Thursday said the humongous success of his latest release "Pushpa 2: The Rule" is a reflection of people's love and he hopes the box office record of the film, which has become the fastest movie to earn Rs 1,000 crore, is broken soon by another movie. A sequel to Arjun's 2021 Telugu blockbuster "Pushpa: The Rise", the film released on December 5 with dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, and Malayalam, and has emerged as one of the biggest hits of 2024. Also Read | RSIFF 2024: Nick Jonas Reveals Being Fascinated by Priyanka ...Read More >
Kolkata: Director Arun Roy, known for five feature films including 'Egaro', 'Hiralal', '8/12 (Binay Badal Dinesh)' and 'Bagha Jatin', died of a severe lung infection on Thursday morning at the RG Kar Medical College after battling cancer. Roy, who had an intense passion for making historical films based on the freedom movement, was 52. The one word that defines Roy as a director is "courage". It was manifested in his conviction of being able to direct period films in Bengal on a meagre budget and the resolution to direct films on freedom fighters while working in thriller-obsessed Tollywood. ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actor Sunny Kaushal has ventured into the world of music with the release of his debut urban Punjabi rap track, "Mid Air Freeverse." The actor-turned-rapper shared that the song is especially close to his heart, as he has poured his emotions and creativity into every line. Speaking about his rap song, Sunny stated, "It's a super fun track, and I've poured my heart into it. I genuinely had a great time creating it, and I really hope fans and listeners enjoy it just as much while listening." Navjosh Singh, Head of A&R at Mass Appeal, added, "When the opportunity ...Read More >
Imphal, June 7 (UNI) Three militants were nabbed in separate incidents during the last 24 hours in Manipur, police said on Saturday. Manipur Police arrested a militant from Moidangpok Awang Leikai from Khumbong Bazar under Imphal West District, they said. Security forces arrested a militant from the Elangkhanpokpi Mayai Leikai area under Kakching district. Security forces apprehended a militant from Wangoo Samushang in Bishnupur district and elected members from Kumbi area. In an operation, one M16 rifle, one bolt-action rifle, three pull-mechanism rifles, three improvised mortars, and fiv ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 7 (UNI) Bollywood luminary Deepika Padukone is set to share screen space with South Indian superstar Allu Arjun in an upcoming high-octane pan-India film backed by acclaimed filmmaker Atlee and Kalanithi Maran's company Sun Pictures. The announcement teaser offers a tantalising glimpse into the epic scale of the film, portraying Padukone in a compelling exchange with Atlee before donning resplendent warrior regalia and stepping onto an elaborate set, exuding poise, power and readiness for battle. Tentatively titled Project AA22x A6, the film unites four formidable forces in Indi ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone has officially signed on for director Atlee's upcoming film AA22xA6, starring Telugu superstar Allu Arjun in the lead role. The announcement was made on Saturday, June 7, 2025, when the makers of the film released a video on their X (formerly Twitter) handle. This magnum opus is the first collaboration between Deepika Padukone and Allu Arjun, two of Indian cinema's biggest stars. The film also sees Deepika reuniting with director Atlee after their collaboration on the 2023 hit film Jawan, starring Shah Rukh Khan. Sharing the announcement video, the ...Read More >
New Delhi: A viral YouTube video recently claimed that Rs 500 currency notes will stop being used from March next year. However, the Central government has dismissed these claims. In a post on X, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made no such announcement, and Rs 500 notes will continue to be valid for transactions. A video posted on the YouTube channel 'CAPITAL TV' has created confusion by claiming that Rs 500 notes will be discontinued by March 2026. Clearing the air, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) shared a fact-check post on X, saying ...Read More >
Major blast outside Badshah's nightclub in Chandigarh, glass window shatters; no casualty Amid linkup rumours with Abhishek Bachchan, Nimrat Kaur says 'that spotlight belonged to you': 'Main ta bahut lucky..' 'One Nation One Subscription': Centre's scheme to ensure access to research articles, journals EXPLAINED Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 26, 2024: Check winning numbers here Meet woman who has become the youngest to travel all 195 countries, she is from... Kerala lottery TODAY November 26 Live Sthree Sakthi SS 443 Tuesday, check winning ticket, prize money here The Matrix villa ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Netflix is set to release a highly anticipated documentary series titled The Roshans, offering an intimate glimpse into the world of Bollywood's most influential family, the Roshans. This powerful docu-series traces the remarkable journey of the Roshan family, whose legacy has significantly shaped the Indian film industry. The series delves into the lives of the patriarch, legendary music composer Roshan, and his sons: filmmaker Rakesh Roshan and composer Rajesh Roshan, along with their famous grandson, actor Hrithik Roshan. Hrithik Roshan, sharing the update on his Instagram, expr ...Read More >
s the romantic comedy "Khoobsurat" turned 25 in Hindi cinema, the film's lead actress Urmila Matondkar said that she loved playing an underconfident, unsure girl who, with the help of Sanjay Dutt's character, slowly finds herself and blossoms into someone strong. Released on November 26, 1999, the film, directed and written by Sanjay Chhel, the film also stars Sanjay Dutt, Paresh Rawal and Om Puri to name a few. Urmila said: "'Khoobsurat' will always be a special film for me because of its beautiful and relatable story. It's not about an ugly girl becoming beautiful -- it's about a young wom ...Read More >