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Tuesday, 21 Sept, 2010
The Journey called ‘Khuda Khushi’
Travel
Parenting
Pg14
Ready to Trump it ...for Lorna
After attending eleven film festivals, ‘Khuda Kushi’, directed by Rakesh Mehta, finally made its way to the South Asian Film Festival in Goa. The film was well received and was requested to be screened for the second time within three days. Herald gets talking with the debut director about his film and his filmy journey BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES ow effective is word of mouth? Debut director Rakesh Mehta will vouch for it being an excellent medium to attract audiences, rushing to film festivals to watch his 70 minute film. “The film has only been screened at film festivals, the first being the Mexico International Film Festival in May 2010 where it was awarded the Silver Palm Award for best film. ‘Khuda Khushi’ was the first Indian Film to be screened at the Buffalo Film Festival, New York and Cyprus Film Festival, Greece. It is an overwhelming feeling to direct a film and win accolades for it too. I won
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HOROSCOPE Follow your urge to be alone. Ignoring the external world is a good idea today. You need to (21 Mar – 19 Apr) keep things close to home today -- in fact, it's best if you do as little as possible. Your energy is just right for quiet, domestic tasks or for just chilling in front of the TV.
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Today you'll achieve a fullness of life -- just for a moment -- that recharges you. You have (23 Aug – 22 Sep) to keep an open mind -at least about other people's feelings. The day's energy is all over the place, but you can learn a lot if you keep pushing people to tell you what's what.
the Best Debutant Director award at the International Youth Film Festival in UK and the film was awarded the Merit List Award at the Indie Fest of California, USA,” says Rakesh cheerfully. ‘Khuda Kushi - Birds of Prey’, starring Asif Khan, revolves around two Muslim youngsters who are in a dilemma regarding which way to choose when they face discrimination, injustice and inequality. One of the two boys, Imran, is in search of a job and lands up meeting Wali Sheikh, the second youngster. Wali is working for a terrorist organisation and has his own unlawful ways of getting his work done. They end up getting brainwashed by people who take advantage of their weaknesses and hatch a plan to wreak havoc in Mumbai .Both the boys later tread on the same path of destruction where there is no escaping back. The film received a great response at SAFF and was screened on September 18 and then due to public demand, on September 20. “SAFF is the right platform for South Asian countries especially those that don’t have a good market. It gives directors and actors a chance to showcase their films. I was very happy when I received the news that the film will be screened again,” says Rakesh. “The treatment and story did wonders for the film as the film is very emotional. I had people travelling 50-100 kms to come and watch the film. They heard about it as well as read the synopsis and found it interesting and decided to it,” says Rakesh Mehta who has signed a deal with Que Sera Sera Productions and will direct a comedy film, titled ‘Crash’. “You can understand Rakesh’s way of working, he turned me, an innocent looking person into a hardcore terrorist,” says Asif with a huge smile. “It was a great experience working with Rakesh as he was very supporting and had great confidence in me. I even had an accident on set and fractured my leg but Rakesh didn’t give up on me. This support drew a good performance on screen and I am happy that my acting career started with ‘Khuda Kushi’, a film that has been so well received by the audience.” He further adds, “I would love to work with Mahesh Bhatt or Anurag Kashyap. But I still have to prove myself as an actor for these directors to approach me. It is not easy for a newcomer without any filmy background to make way into Bollywood,” says Asif realistically. As for Rakesh, he has been running a Cargo and Aviation business in Germany for the past 14 years. He recently completed a six month film making course in Mumbai and then wrote the story and dialogues, produced and directed ‘Khuda Kushi.’ “Right from my school days I used to write stories which I dreamt of making into movies. I had my responsibilities so I ran the business. Now I have the time to complete my dream as a film maker and I can put all my dedication, commitment and passion into it without thinking of anything.” When asked about how easy it is to establish oneself as a director, he replies, “It depends on each person’s work. If a person is really dedicated and confident, it is possible to give a good film. Hard work is very important.”
h a legend eone shares the stage wit It is no small feat when som becomes eone in question is young, it like Lorna. But when that som the young, . The Pathfinder meets with a much bigger achievement my that will m the Etraud Music Acade 12 member brass band fro her crowd… be playing for the queen and
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BY THE PATHFINDER oung, extremely talented and raring to go! Those are the words that best describe the group of 12 young boys from Etraud Music Academy, Nuvem and Manovikas School. The group, which comprises of Harshed Solanki, Raunak Sadekar and Nathan Abranches on first trumpet, Kenrick Gomindes, Raunak Furtado, Indranil Sen and Savio Gama on second trumpet, Shane Gomindes on alto saxophone, Ajoy D'Silva and Avner Fernandes on baritone and Kohen Duarte on drums, has long been looking forward to sharing the stage with Lorna at the upcoming Konkani Rocks Goa! Celebrating Lorna and more… concert, and as they prepare themselves for their biggest show yet, they share their feelings with Herald. Says 13 year- old Harshed Solanki, “Though I have not seen or met Lorna before, I find her music very inspiring and refreshing and I feel very happy knowing that I will be playing with her tomorrow. It is a privilege!” Twelve year-old Kenrick Gomindes quips, “I fell great and very excited to perform with Lorna. I listen to her songs all the time because my parents have her CDs playing in both their cars and they are lots of fun to listen to!” Lone saxophonist of the group, Shane Gomindes adds, “Lorna’s songs are my favourite! I especially like Calangute as it is
Music of Superhit ‘Dabangg’ a Hit in Vasco’s Ganesh Festivities
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he latest mega hit ‘Dabangg’ is breaking all records at the box office in terms of revenue collection. Though all songs of the film are catchy and have received tremendous response, the song ‘Muni Badnaam Hui Darling Tere Liye’, that has Mallika Arora Khan and brother-in-law Salman dancing in utter gaiety, has become one of the most played songs, even becoming a topper at the colourful parades during the Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandal’s Ganesh immersion in Vasco. Both the five-day and seven-day Sarvajanik Ganesh celebrations had youth enjoying Bollywood tracks, with the favourite being ‘Munni Badnam Hui’. In an encouraging symbol of communal harmony that is characteristic of the people of Goa, the youth, cutting across all barriers of religion, joined together and added colour to the parade to immerse the clay idol of Lord Ganesh off the shores of Baina Beach. The sight of the young enthusiastic people shaking their legs to tunes of Bollywood songs was entertaining. While ‘Muni Badnam Hui’ topped the favourites, the second on list was the FIFA world cup song Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’. The tempo and beats of these songs really added to the fervour of the festivities. “While these two tracks were the most played this year, last year’s favourites included certain south Indian songs that had a very peppy beat to them,” said a youth from Ekta Ganesh Mandal. Some had opted to carry on immersion processions in a traditional manner with ‘Dindi’ performances rather than Bollywood songs, some of them while some others had invited ‘Lezim’ groups from Maharastra to add to the festivities. Whether it is lezims, dindi or bollywood tracks, one thing is certain that without music, an entity with no language barriers, no festivity can really be complete.
nice to listen to and it makes me smile. I am really looking forward to playing for Lorna. If she sings with us, then I will definitely play my best!” Drummer Kohen Duarte, who is 15 years old and the eldest in the group, states, “Lorna, for me, is the greatest Goan female singer of all time. She, and her songs, inspire Goans all over the world. If she sings with us tomorrow, I will immediately go and tell all my friends and family!” The gifted group’s trainer, music arranger and conductor, Antonio J G Coutinho has dedicated himself, heart and soul, to getting the boys ready for the big day. He says, “This is a dream come true, not only for the boys, but also for me as their trainer and conductor. I was a part of a show that Lorna did in Kuwait in 2005 and I loved every minute of it! I’m now looking forward to doing this for the boys’ introduction and exposure to Lorna and Goan music. Some students are not even from Goa but they are enjoying her music, the practice session and the harmony. Someone took the trouble to train me all those years ago and I want to pass it on and do the same for others.” So with such a talented, hardworking and animated group sharing the stage with the legendary Lorna, you can rest assured of the fact that Konkani Rocks Goa! Celebrating Lorna and more… concert will be an unforgettable one!
36th Tiatr Competition commences Today HERALD FEATURES of art and competitions like these only ctors, directors, singers of the facilitate the growth of this passion. Konkani tiatr stage from all This competition has built up huge across Goa are busy gearing up expectations among the senior tiatrists to face the challenge of competing across the state. “I hope that the paragainst each other for the title of the ticipants improve the standard of tiatrs best tiatr at the 36th Tiatr Competition in Goa and put up a good performance. that kicks off today at the Kala Acad- I am expecting high quality and innoemy. The competition, which contin- vations in the tiatr,” says Tomazinho ues till October 27, will feature 21 Cardozo of TAG. About the competitiatrs performed by various cultural tion as a platform, Tomazinho says, “It is a good platform for the tiatrists. groups in the state. The growing number of participants It is pertinent for non-commercial in the competition only shows the artists to be encouraged in this manpassion of people for tiatr as a form ner.” Date Tiatr Group September 21 ‘Montri’ Konkani Kala Mogi, Carambolim September 22 ‘Faleam Konnem Poilam’ Shri Ganaraj Sangeet Sanskritic Mandal, Quitula September 27 ‘Besaum’ United Dramatic Association, Carambolim September 28 ‘Tuji Vokol Moji Bail’ Konkan Kalavistar Kendra, Vasco September 29 ‘Kal Ani Aiz’ Kala Mogi, Candolim October 4 ‘Bondkonn’ St Anne’s Cultural Troupe, Agonda October 5 ‘Soimbhacho Khell Ani Shri Guru Kala Patkiancho Mell’ Sangum, Priol October 7 ‘Goykaramcher Dustt Porinam’ Mogi Morjim Cultural Sanskrutic Saunstha, Morji October 8 ‘Thembe’ Krist Kreations–Goa, Divar October 11 ‘Vadoll’ Serula Art & Culture Academy, Penha-De-France October 12 ‘Kalliz Dukoilem’ Youth Creations, Taleigao October 13 ‘Morosor’ Shantesh Kala Sauskrutik Saunstha, Goa Velha October 14 ‘Matiechi Girestkai’ Associacao Academica de MajordaUtorda-Calata, Majorda October 18 ‘Korta Ti Vat’ Goykaranchi Konkani Bhas, Sangit, Kala Ani Sanskrutai Kendr, Merces October 19 ‘Moronn’ Veer Hanuman Natye Mandal, Merces October 20 ‘Pacharem’ Alfi Art Productions, Divar October 21 ‘Kantteamcho Turo’ St. Michael Taleigao Socio-Cultural Association, Taleigao October 22 ‘Kusvo’ Ami Daizi – Fatorda October 25 ‘Udorgot’ B r i t o n a D r a m a t i c A c a d e m y, Penha-De-France October 26 ‘Tuka’ Sao Gonsalo Dramatic Group, St. Cruz October 27 Don Vatte Sao Minguel Club, Dona Paula
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