Y-Films – Taking the unconventional route

Y-Films have already made a splash. The youth film studio of Yash Raj Films, Y-Films have unveiled three films at one go – LUV KA THE END release: 6 May, MUJHSE FRAAANDSHIP KAROGE 12 August and VIRUS DIWAN 30 December. But have you noticed something? The last two films are slated for release on dates that are considered ‘risky’ by the film fraternity.

MUJHSE FRAAANDSHIP KAROGE is slated for release during Ramzan.
While a chunk of film-going audience is likely to stay away from movies, the movie also faces a strong opponent in Prakash Jha’s AARAKSHAN. At the same time, VIRUS DIWAN is releasing exactly a week after DON 2 and in a week that’s considered ‘dicey’ in filmi lingo because of New Year festivities. The general question is, who’d like to sit in a movie hall on 31 December or 1 January? That’s not all, for the first time, Yash Raj will have two releases in a single month – LADIES VS RIKKI BAHL and VIRUS DIWAN.

But Ashish Patil, Head of Y-Films, thinks differently. “I am no soothsayer who predicts what’s right or wrong. Let’s face it, the release window is so limited that we are left with very few choices/options while zeroing on a release date. Exams, cricket matches, availability of screens, sometimes heavy rains and even H1N1 can ruin the perfect plan. Hence, we’ve opted for dates that may not be patronized by the conventional film-makers,” Patil states.

But AARAKSHAN and DON 2 are mighty opponents. “Of course they are,” Patil adds instantly, “But we’re talking to a different audience. Sure, there would be a huge audience for the multi-starrers you just mentioned, but let’s not rule out the possibility that a segment of audience would be equally enthusiastic to watch the kind of cinema Y-Films is making. As far as MUJHSE FRAAANDSHIP KAROGE is concerned, we are targeting the Independence Day weekend. Also, a lot of colleges may have re-opened during that period. Even if we get two solid days in the weekend, we would be safe as far as the economics are concerned.”

Patil continues in the same breath, “As far as VIRUS DIWAN is concerned, not everybody is out on the streets during the 31 December/1 January celebrations. Yes, people are in a mood to party and I would like to believe that they would also like to frequent cineplexes, if given a choice. Hopefully, things should work in our favour.”

FICCI Frames ’11: Animation Co-Pro with Int’l markets & emerging opportunities

The session consisting of international industry heavy weights including A. K. Madhavan, A. P. Pargi, Laura Dohrmann and Johnchill Lee amongst others, touched upon the latest trends in global co-production in the animation arena, specially focussing on the Asia Pacific vis-a-vis global productions, hurdles and challenges therein. One issue that was unanimously agreed upon was the need for an increase in investment in the animation sector and directing these funds into R&D and training in India. Animation needs to grow via funding.

Until now most of the co-productions between Indian companies and those abroad have been in the realm of ‘outsourcing’, where Indian animators have helped execute creative content from abroad. Such an arrangement usually takes place as production in India is cheaper and results in no ‘credit’ given to the Indian animators involved. Therefore to build credibility of the Indian animation industry we will have to move beyond Mythological content and give room to other creative content. Yes, the possibility of a co-production where Indian creative content could be developed by animators abroad exists, but it needs working.

The key to a serious international co-production is setting an effective method of working and storytelling. One is to apply the thinking of a filmmaker and not that of an animator, getting the scripts looked at by someone who has nothing to do with animation could be helpful – as eventually its all about storytelling and the screenplays have to be good.

Another way ahead is by reforming the co-production treaties, so that all the parties involved can exploit profits and promote talent. When asked how India fared compared to the biggies like France, China and the US animators, the panel of the opinion that if not better we were at par with them all. The pros of the Indian industry is its ability to embrace new technology promptly, a flexible work culture and delivery of quality.

There’s a lot the Indian animation industry has to learn, especially from Canada. It’s leading worldwide because of the government support and the heavy spends on R&D instead of animation. The tax rebates are an added bonus to the co-ordinated approach their industry follows. The session ended with the panellists answering – “what’s so global about the western world?” They were of the belief that any content must reflect the human experience for a global appeal and that a good story is always global.

China paper blasts Middle East protest movements

BEIJING: A Chinese Communist Party-run newspaper on Saturday attacked anti-government protest movements in the Middle East and dismissed the possibility of something similar happening in China.

Such movements have brought nothing but chaos and misery to their countries’ citizens and are engineered by a small number of people using the Internet to organize illegal meetings, the Beijing Daily, published by the city’s party committee, said in a front-page editorial.

“The vast majority of the people are strongly dissatisfied (with the protests), so the performance by the minority becomes a self-delusional ruckus,” the newspaper said.

The editorial appeared amid anonymous calls posted on the Internet for Middle East-inspired protests in dozens of Chinese cities the past two Sunday afternoons.

While drawing few outright demonstrators, the appeals have deeply unnerved authorities constantly on guard for any sign of challenges to Communist rule. Police and security agents shooed away onlookers and assaulted and detained journalists who turned up at the designated protest sites in Beijing and Shanghai.

Foreign reporters have been repeatedly warned to stay away from the sites this weekend and threatened with unspecified consequences if they disobey.

China’s censors have carefully shaped local coverage of the protests in the Middle East to discourage Chinese citizens from drawing inspiration from them. State media emphasize the protests’ negative effects on the societies and economies of the countries involved and give prominent coverage to the woes of Chinese workers evacuated from Libya and elsewhere.

In its editorial, the Beijing Daily attempted to draw a sharp distinction between China and the Middle Eastern countries roiled by unrest, where disdain for long-serving autocratic rulers has frequently been fueled by high unemployment and economic woes.

Chinese people, it said, support their nation’s political stability, economic development, and favorable government policies. Those looking to create or discover news of Middle East-style protests in China will come up empty, it said.

“However, we must clearly recognize that there are always people inside and outside the country with ulterior motives who want to seize on the problems we have encountered over the course of development in order to incite unrest,” the newspaper said. AGENCIES

No martial law likely in Pakistan: Musharraf

LONDON: Former president General (rtd) Pervez Musharraf on Sunday ruled out the possibility of any imminent military action or martial law in Pakistan under present circumstances.

Talking to media after nomination of office-bearers of All Pakistan Muslim League here, he said the government of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has brought situation under control, adding he was not seeing elections before six months.

Musharraf stressed he would contest elections on public desire, remarking he would garner votes by organizing country’s youth together.

It is a political game on the part of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif to give deadline to the government, he added. TrendPK

We won’t be intimidated by Melbourne crowd: Strauss

MELBOURNE: England will not be intimidated by a Melbourne Cricket Ground packed with a hostile Australian crowd for the fourth Ashes test, captain Andrew Strauss said on Saturday.

The test gets underway on Sunday and officials have talked up the possibility of a record attendance for a cricket ground at the cauldron-like MCG on the first day.

Strauss’s counterpart, Ricky Ponting, took a psychological swipe at England’s youthful side, saying he thought they could find the atmosphere intimidating with the five-test series delicately poised at 1-1.

“I’m sure he does,” Strauss said of Ponting following England’s final training session at the MCG. “I don’t think we will, no. One of the things that’s important is that you’re ready for it and you’re not surprised by it.

No play before lunch in first Test

CENTURION: Heavy rain prevented any play before lunch on the first day of the first Test match between South Africa and India at SuperSport Park here on Thursday.

Steady rain fell overnight and continued until mid-morning. But it eased an hour before lunch and the sky started to brighten shortly before the scheduled interval, although it remained cloudy with the possibility of more rain.

Umpire Steve Davis said the ground staff would need at least an hour-and-a-half after the rain stopped before any play would be possible.

Pools of water which had formed on the outfield drained quickly when the rain stopped, although the field remained soggy.

The three-match series pits India, rated number one in Test cricket, against their nearest challengers on the International Cricket Council rankings. AGENCIES

Esha Deol learns direction and editing on sets of Tell Me Oh Khuda

By the end of her re-launch film Tell Me Oh Khuda, Esha Deol is a skilled film technician. Says Esha, “Throughout the making of Tell Me Oh Khuda, I was learning on the job. Today I am ready to direct. But I first need to build my position as an actress.”
Says Esha, “I’ve learnt plenty on the technical side of filmmaking during Tell Me Of Khuda. But it’s a bit early for me to change lanes.”
Esha who become a bit of recluse, is ready to strike back. Her home production Tell Me Oh Khuda is being put together by Esha’s mom Hema Malini and Esha frame by frame to make sure the re-launch is just right.
While Hema confirms that Esha is indeed sitting on the film’s editing, Esha admits, “I’m helping mom out. Yeah I am sitting on the editing. Throughout Tell Me Oh Khuda, I was an assistant. I’ve learnt so much from behind the camera. Now I’m learning how to edit. So this film has been a perfect training ground for me.”
Esha doesn’t rule out the possibility of direction.
One advantage of a home production is, you can learn on the job. Esha Deol is not just the leading lady of her mother Hema Malini’s production Tell Me Oh Khuda, she’s also the assistant director and her mother’s chief technical advisor.
“I know I can direct a film anytime,” says Esha who celebrated her birthday in November with a theme party.
Says Esha, “Everyone was supposed to dress up in the 1980s style. It was great fun. Usually I am not the party-party kind. But for the last year because of my involvement with our home production, I’ve been so cut off from all my friends I just decided to re-connect with them for my birthday.”

Esha Deol learns direction and editing on sets of Tell Me Oh Khuda

By the end of her re-launch film Tell Me Oh Khuda, Esha Deol is a skilled film technician. Says Esha, “Throughout the making of Tell Me Oh Khuda, I was learning on the job. Today I am ready to direct. But I first need to build my position as an actress.”
Says Esha, “I’ve learnt plenty on the technical side of filmmaking during Tell Me Of Khuda. But it’s a bit early for me to change lanes.”
Esha who become a bit of recluse, is ready to strike back. Her home production Tell Me Oh Khuda is being put together by Esha’s mom Hema Malini and Esha frame by frame to make sure the re-launch is just right.
While Hema confirms that Esha is indeed sitting on the film’s editing, Esha admits, “I’m helping mom out. Yeah I am sitting on the editing. Throughout Tell Me Oh Khuda, I was an assistant. I’ve learnt so much from behind the camera. Now I’m learning how to edit. So this film has been a perfect training ground for me.”
Esha doesn’t rule out the possibility of direction.
One advantage of a home production is, you can learn on the job. Esha Deol is not just the leading lady of her mother Hema Malini’s production Tell Me Oh Khuda, she’s also the assistant director and her mother’s chief technical advisor.
“I know I can direct a film anytime,” says Esha who celebrated her birthday in November with a theme party.
Says Esha, “Everyone was supposed to dress up in the 1980s style. It was great fun. Usually I am not the party-party kind. But for the last year because of my involvement with our home production, I’ve been so cut off from all my friends I just decided to re-connect with them for my birthday.”

Osama might be in Bajaur, Musharraf tells McCain

WASHINGTON: Musharraf told Senator McCain that Osama might be in Bajaur.

WikiLeaks has disclosed the conversation between US Senator John McCain and former president Pervez Musharraf in which latter talked about the possibility of the presence of al Qaida top leaders Osama Bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri in Bajaur tribal region.

The US embassy cables disclosed Musharraf as saying that although he had no direct evidence, he thought al Qaeda leaders Osama Bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri were hiding in Bajaur Agency, bordering Afghanistan’s Kunar province where US forces were not deployed.

Malaysian by-elections to test mood ahead of polls

KUALA LUMPUR: Polling opened on Thursday in two Malaysian by-elections seen as a gauge of voter sentiment ahead of national elections that could be held as early as next year.

Strong wins by the ruling National Front coalition would signal a turnaround for the government after its record losses in the 2008 general election, and allow Prime Minister Najib Razak to hold early national polls which aren’t due until 2013.

Najib also needs to score a convincing win in both races to secure a mandate to pursue economic reforms which would put Malaysia back on the map of foreign investors.

“If the National Front wins strongly in both seats then the possibility for snap elections next year is there as it would signal that voters are indeed beginning coming back to them,” said political analyst Shaharuddin Badaruddin.

A thin margin of victory or losses in one or

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