Hindi
Indian themes documentaries gain attention at IFFI ’12
MUMBAI: Two documentaries in the World Cinema section portraying Indian themes attracted attention at the 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) currently being held in Goa.
One of the films is ‘Algorithms‘ by Ian McDonald which is a documentary on the thriving but little known world of blind chess in India. It has been filmed over three years from just before the World Junior Blind Chess Championship in Sweden in 2009 to just after the next championship in Greece in 2011. The film follows the lives of three talented boys from different parts of India and a totally blind player turned pioneer who not only aims to put India on a global stage but also wants all blind children to play chess. ‘Algorithms‘ is the first ever feature documentary on blind chess.
McDonald said at the festival that the documentary is not about teaching or preaching, it‘s not entertainment either. He was motivated by the real life saga of the blind chess players with whom he worked closely to make this film. The purpose of making this documentary is not to whip up emotion or ‘romanticizing‘ blindness. He simply wanted to focus on the dream of a group of blind boys driven by a man with a vision.
The other film that caught the fancy of attendees is ‘Chitranjali‘. Made by Malgarzata Skiba, who is a member of the Polish Film Makers‘ Association, the film is a documentary on the forgotten story of Polish artist Stefan Norblin(1892-1952). Norblin was a celebrity painter in Poland before World War II and the last court painter of the Maharajas in India. The Polish Art Deco painter influenced by rich cultural background of India created a number of exotic oil paintings, murals and interior designs for his royal clientele. His work, hidden from the world in royal enclosures was recently recognized and restored by Polish conservators. The film brings back to light the fascinating landscape of Art Deco period of Poland and the days of the Maharajas in India. The film celebrates the art and its spirit that prevails over shadows of decadence and tragedy.
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.
