Hindi
Festivals give independent filmmakers an opportunity to showcase talent: Nandita
The lady has always been admired for her skills in front of the camera but very few know that she received enough critical acclaim even for her directorial debut Firaaq. Yes, we are talking about actor Nandita Das.
She is often compared to the yesteryear actor Smita Patil for her looks and complexion, besides the kind of roles she has portrayed on the silver screen. Das will soon be seen with husband Subodh Maskara in upcoming Spanish film, Traces of Sandalwood that will go on floors in a month’s time. The film will be shot in Mumbai and Barcelona.
“I will be in Barcelona at the end of the month. The last time I was there I happened to have the best meal of my life at the Roca brothers’ El Somni,” said Das at the inauguration of the Mumbai Film Mart on 18 October.
Das added, “The most interesting part of the movie is that it has an all-woman crew, not just in front of the camera but also behind it. It’s so wonderful to see a woman cinematographer and a woman art director.”
Das finds it really encouraging to see this kind of a platform being provided to young talented filmmakers these days. “Having done close to 30 movies – of which the majority have been in the independent space – I don’t even have the DVDs for most of the films because of various issues around their release,” remarked Das.
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I always try and champion independent films and try and create more space for them says Nandita Das
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The independent filmmakers suffer the most because of either not having the skills; or because of being unaware of the know-hows; or lack of space or platform to release or showcase their films. “Even without having much knowledge of the market space, I directed Firaaq and faced a lot of hurdles. But having said that, I always try and champion independent films and try and create more space for them,” said Das. According to her, all these various festivals that are now becoming a common phenomenon in various parts of the country is a very good sign for upcoming filmmakers.
“We need to learn more about world cinema and get out of our little well. We do make nearly 1,000 films a year, but are we really proud of all of them?” she remarked and went on to state: “Just like how we learn about new places by travelling, films are a great way to open up the mind and be less prejudiced and get into people’s heads and hearts.”
“A festival is a great platform for independent filmmakers like us to meet people and understand how to go about taking our film to different parts of the world,” she added. Das went on to explain that there exists a mindset where only a few film festivals are considered prestigious and if the film makes it to that fest then it’s good, else it is not. “Well, that should not be the case, as any festival is a great place to showcase your creativity that you thought of and then translated it onto the screen,” she said.
Nandita says that she has been fortunate to travel with her films to various parts of the globe. “I don’t get to shoot in these beautiful locals but thankfully I do get to travel to numerous festivals be it big or small. And the one thing you learn is that human emotions and stories are universal,” Das remarked.
Hindi
Zee5 and Applause Entertainment team up for whodunnit ‘Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa’
Rajat Kapoor directs star-studded murder mystery streaming from 10 April.
MUMBAI: Zee5 is serving up another killer collaboration and this time, the murder mystery comes with a generous side of dark humour and family dysfunction. The streaming platform has partnered with Applause Entertainment and Mithya Talkies to bring Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, a fresh, twisted whodunnit written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker and actor Rajat Kapoor. The film will stream exclusively on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
The movie reimagines the classic murder mystery genre with a contemporary, darkly comic edge. It revolves around a group of friends and family who smile, drink, and celebrate together until the silence snaps and long-buried secrets spill out. The stellar ensemble cast includes Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waluscha De Sousa, Saurabh Shukla, Chandrachoor Rai, Neil Bhoopalam, Koel Purie, Palomi Ghosh, and Rajat Kapoor himself.
This latest offering continues the successful partnership between Zee5 and Applause Entertainment, which has previously delivered diverse hits such as Mithya, Bloody Brothers, and Jab Khuli Kitaab.
&TV Business Head of hindi Zee5 and chief channel officer Kaveri Das said, “Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment has consistently delivered distinct, high-impact storytelling. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa is a natural progression, reinforcing our focus on genre-led content with a compelling whodunnit premise and a strong ensemble cast.”
Applause Entertainment business head for movies Sunil Chainani added, “This film adds yet another compelling layer to our slate with Rajat Kapoor’s unmistakable voice.”
Rajat Kapoor shared, “What interested me was not just the mechanics of a whodunnit, but the emotional violence that precedes physical violence. These are people who smile at each other, but there’s so much that is not said.”
The film promises razor-sharp writing, layered performances, and simmering tension, inviting viewers not just to solve the crime but to unravel the complex relationships at its heart.
If you love a good murder mystery served with wit and emotional depth, Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa looks set to be your next addictive watch. Mark your calendars, the whodunnit drops on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
