INDIAN-AMERICAN DOCU-FILMMAKER GETS NOMINATION

Indian-American filmmakers Smriti Mundhra and Sami Khan's St. Louis Superman will be competing in the Documentary Short Subject category at the 92nd Academy Awards next month.

The 33-minute MTV documentary film, revolves around rapper Bruce Franks Jr.'s journey from an activist to a Missouri lawmaker.

Bruce Franks Jr. is a 34-year-old battle rapper, Ferguson activist and state representative from St. Louis, Missouri. Known as Superman to his constituents, although he remained a controversial political figure. He was elected in 2016, won re-election in 2018 and in 2019 announced his resignation for mental health and family reasons.

“I fought a lot of battles,” he said recently. “Growing up on the streets. As a battle rapper. On the streets of Ferguson. Running for office. As a legislator. As a husband. As a father. But the toughest battle I fought was with myself.”

Mundhra and Khan’s documentary shows Bruce at his most vulnerable, as he deals with the trauma of his 9-year-old brother’s death who was shot dead before his very eyes. It led him to become a leader for his community, in a White-dominated legislature.

The 92nd Academy Awards ceremony will take place on 10 February.

Salman Khan is fifth in the list with total of over Rs 356 crore (for two films, Bharat and Dabangg 3), who is followed by actor Ayushmann Khurrana with business of Rs 324.520 crore (Article 15, Dream Girl and Bala).

"Akshay comes out with four films in a year - that is why he can reach a new target,” trade expert Rajesh Thadani told IANS while breaking it down.

“It is difficult for one individual with one release in a year to get that figure. He played smart by picking up different subjects. The choice of scripts were good."

It was in 2015 when Salman established the “Rs 500 crore-in-ayear club” with the success of Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. Bollywood's eclectic Ranveer Singh joined Salman in the club in 2018, with the help of Padmaavat and Simmba.

And it's not all about having more releases in a year.

"There has to be acceptance as well because overexposure can backfire. Akshay picks right projects, which are entertainers," trade expert Vinod Mirani told IANS.

With films like 83, Baaghi 3, Angrezi Medium, Chehre, Radhe, Coolie No. 1, Laxmmi Bomb, Shamshera, Laal Singh Chaddha and Bachchan Pandey in pipeline, Indian cinema in 2020 will be a moving portrait of diverse stories, with projects led by superstars like Akshay, Aamir Khan and Salman set to clash at the box office.

The year 2020 will not only test the might of stardom, but also whether the Rs 700 crore-in-a-year club is here to stay.

AN ANTI-WAR WAR FILM Indian anti-war movie titled Bunker, which aims at narrating the stories of millions of soldiers, will hit the screens on 17 January.

The film helmed by Jugal Raja tells the tale of Lieutenant Vikram Singh (played by actor Abhijeet Singh) as lone survivor with a fatal injury in a secret bunker at the LOC in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, which has been hit by a mortar shell during a ceasefire violation.

The makers of the film have announced 100 percent of the profits to be donated to Bharat Ke Veer and Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) as homage to armed forces.

Writer-director Jugal Raja said, "I have tried to make an 'anti-war' movie which is relevant in today's age of unrest all over the world."

"The movie draws instances from lives of several army officers and depicts a biography of millions of souls serving our country," he added.

Abhijeet underwent a strict regime while prepping for the movie. "I had prosthetics on my face for nearly 18-20 hours a day. The entire movie experience has been a difficult and a transitional journey for me," he said.

"The character of Vikram Singh is like every other soldier whom one can relate to, making it human and organic," he added

TABU: ALL-TIME FAVE

She’s everybody’s favourite, and not just among the audiences. The beautiful Tabu has fans from among her co-stars too, ranging from the young Ishaan Khattar to the not so young Saif Ali Khan.

Actor Saif Ali Khan who will soon be seen with Tabu in his home production Jawaani Jaaneman, feels she is immensely talented and compelling to watch on screen.

"She's also extremely funny and such a delight to work with. She's an amazing actor and I'm so grateful that she's a part of this film," Saif said.

Ishaan Khatter says it was easy to romance Tabu in Mira Nair's anticipated A Suitable Boy.

Asked why, Ishaan replied: "Because it’s Tabu - it really does half the job for you!”

Ishaan plays Maan Kapoor, the rebellious son of politician Mahesh Kapoor (played by Ram Kapoor), who develops an attraction to the beautiful courtesan Saaeda Bai (essayed by Tabu).

“I have said this before during Dhadak as well, it is always easy for me to play the besotted lover. And Tabu’s mesmerising, especially in this character. I am really excited for people to see Saaeda Bai."

Ishaan’s favourite nickname for Tabu is Tabasco. “Because she’s mirchi !” he says cheekily.

WORTH WAITING FOR? YOU DECIDE!

Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra returns next month after a hiatus of 13 years. His Shikara tells the story of the Kashmiri Pandit exodus of 1990 from Kashmir owing to Islamic terror. Flowing through it, is the story of a love that remains unextinguished through 30 years of exile. Produced and directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the film stars debutant actors Sadia and Aadil Khan. While the recently released trailer is gripping to say the least, many are wondering if the film will add to the cultural divide already creating chaos nation-wide. Shikara is set to hit the screens on 7 February. Meanwhile, on the small screen for your next binge, try the web series Metro Park, starring Ranvir Shorey, Pitobash, Purbi Joshi and former Sydney girl Vega Tamotia, returning soon for a second season. The series begins by showcasing the quirks and eccentricities of the everyday life of desi Indians living abroad. A newlymarried couple, Kannan and Kinjal, who're expecting a baby, live in an apartment in New York and plan to move to Metro Park in New Jersey, which is close to Kinjal's sister's house. Kalpesh, Kannan's brother-inlaw runs an "American" convenience store called "Pay and Run" in the heart of India-town in New Jersey and lives with his wife Payal who runs her beauty salon. As Kannan and Kinjal move into a neighbourhood where most of the residents are Indians, they find it difficult to adjust with the suburban atmosphere. The story takes the audience through various stages when the two couples find it hard to deal with different situations in their environment. Is it like an inner city Indian-Aussie couple moving to Harris Park NSW, or Tarneit VIC?

On Twitter This Week

Match the following stars to the tweets below.

Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Deepika Padukone

Announcing my next film, Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali. Story & produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, directed by Farhad Samji... Eid 2021.

Andhera chahe kitna bhi ho, roshni apna raasta dhund hi letihai...

Suniye#Khulne Do...

One night that changed everything in the lives of more than 4,00,000 Kashmiri Pandits. Witness their untold story: Shikara

Just when you thought that the news couldn’t get any better, it got more entertaining! #MrLele aka Varun Dhavan along with Shashank Khaitan are going to start 2021 with a bang! Releasing 1st Jan, 2021.