Showing posts with label movie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movie. Show all posts

Kalimpong movie Appa to feature Daya Hang Rai

8:18 AM
SNS | Kalimpong | April 24, 2018 : A young filmmaker of Kalimpong, Anmol Gurung, has scripted a movie and named it ‘Appa’ (father) where renowned actors from Nepal like Daya Hang Rai, Tulsi Ghimiray and Aruna Karki is all set to play major roles.

“The idea behind the film is to change the way our society looks at a father-son relationship,” Mr Gurung says. The shooting is scheduled to begin on 25 April at the historic Ghoom Railway Station in Darjeeling, while portions of the movie will also be shots in places like Sandakphu and Kalimpong.



“The main characters will be portrayed by Daya Hang Rai who has changed Nepali cinema’s dimensions, the legendary Tulsi Ghimiray the popular actor and filmmaker Aruna Karki,” Mr Gurung told reports here on Monday.

According to him, the shooting may wind up in 60 days, but the post-production process may take a year. “As such, we plan to release the movie on Father’s Day next year,” he said.

Mr Rai, meanwhile, said he is officially acting in India for the first time and that the story line of the film compelled him to sign it. “I was mesmerized by the story I listened to after Anmol Gurung sent it to me in an audio message format, and I did not want to miss an opportunity to work in it.

The subject is universal and people from all across the world can get connected to it,” the Nepalese actor said. Iconic filmmaker, Mr Ghimiray, who had said in the past that Nepal’s cinema and the cinema in Darjeeling Hills had a huge gap, on Monday said the standard of filmmaking here had radically gone up, with good technicians and actors fast coming up.

“Political elements often break us like people start branding us Nepal’s Nepali, Assam’s Nepali, and Burma’s Nepali,’ but art and culture always brings us together,” he said.

सुपरहिट कलाकार दयाहाङ राई-को कालेबुङमा एन्ट्री

6:17 PM

सुपरहिट कलाकार दयाहाङ राई-को कालेबुङमा एन्ट्री ..... राईसँग चलचित्र काम गर्न चाहनेहरूलाई सुनौलो अवसर

✍डी.के.वाइबा,

कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 19 मार्च २०१८:
भारतको कालेबुङबाट निर्माण हुने ठूलो पर्दाको नेपाली चलचित्रमा काम गर्नका निम्ति दयाहाङ राईले नेपालकै एउटा चलचित्रको काम समेत त्यागेको हल्ला फैलिएको छ। नेपाली चलचित्रमा नयाँ आयाम दिने सुपरहिट कलाकार दयाहाङ राई भारतबाट निर्माण हुने चलचित्रको कथा सुन्ने साथ राजी भएपछि नेपालको एउटा चलचित्रको काम त्यागेको हल्ला फैलिएको हो।
‘भारतबाट निर्माण हुन लागेको नेपाली चलचित्रमा राई पहिलोपल्ट काम गर्न लागेका छन्। उनी त्यस चलचित्रको कथाबाट आकर्षित भएका हुन्। सोही कारण उनले चलचित्रको झट्टै कार्य थालनीका निम्ति नेपालको एक चलचित्रको कार्य छोडेका हुन्’ दयाहाङ राईका नजिकका स्रोत भन्छन्। उक्त हल्लासम्बन्धि राई आफैले भने कुनै पुष्टि गरेका छैनन्। 
दयाहाङ राईले भारतको कालेबुङबाट निर्माण हुने नेपाली चलचित्रमा काम गर्नेछन्। माउन्टेन पिक्चर्स्को ब्यानरमा निर्माण हुने नेपाली चलचित्रमा उनी मुख्य भुमिकामा रहनेछन्। भारतबाट निर्माण हुन लागेको ठूलो पर्दाको चलचित्रमा सुपरहिट नायक दयाहाङ राईको यो पहिलो चलचित्र हुनेछ। उनले भारतको कालेबुङबाट निर्माण हुन लागेको चलचित्रमा काम गर्नका निम्ति हस्ताक्षर गरिसकेका छन्। उक्त चलचित्रको छायाँङ्कन चाँढै आरम्भ हुने भएको छ। जसको निम्ति दयाहाङ राई कालेबुङ अप्रेल महिनाको पहिलो सातामा आउनेछन्। माउन्टेन पिक्चर्सका अन्मोल गुरुङले दयाहाङ राईसँग पहिलो पल्ट काम गर्ने अवसर पाएकोमा धेरै उत्साह जागेको बताएका छन्।
‘नेपाली चलचित्रमा प्राकृतिक कला प्रस्तुत गर्ने दयाहाङ राईको कला बेजोड छन्। उनीसँग काम गरेर चलचित्र निर्माण गर्नु सौभाग्य हो। यसैले धेरै उत्साहित छु’ अन्मोल गुरुङ भन्छन्। प्रेम, रोमान्स, बिछोड आदि कथा रहेको नेपाली चलचित्रमा दयाहाङको प्रस्तुती कस्तो हुने हो भन्ने चलचित्र निर्माता टोलिमा उत्सुक्ता जागेको छ।
यता चर्चित कलाकार दयाहाङ राईको भारतबाट निर्माण हुन लागेको पहिलो नेपाली चलचित्रमा कार्य गर्न चाहना भएकाहरूका निम्ति सुनौलो अवसर खुलेको छ। चलचित्र निर्माण टोलि ‘माउन्टेन पिक्चर्स्’ ले चलचित्रका निर्माण टोलिमा एकाधिक मानिसहरूको आवश्यक्ता रहेको भन्दै स्थानीय उत्सुक मानिसहरूलाई मौका दिने भएको छ।
हालमा दयाहाङ राईसँग निर्माण हुने चलचित्रमा काम गर्न चाहनेहरूका निम्ति 8 वटा रिक्त स्थानहरू रहेका छन्। जसमा इच्छुक व्यक्तिहरूले आवेदन गर्न सक्नेछन्। चलचित्र टोलिमा निम्न पदहरू रिक्त रहेका छन् – सेकेन्ड ए.डी (महिला), थर्ड ए.डी (पुरुष), निर्देशकका सहयोगी (पुरुष), सङ्गीत समुहका सहयोगी (पुरुष), ड्रेस पर्सन (महिला), कलाकार टोलिका सहयोगी (पुरुष/महिला), अनि स्पोट ब्योइ (पुरुष) चाहिएका छन्। आवेदकले फोनमार्फत् सम्पर्क गरेर जानकारी लिन सक्नेछ। सम्पूर्ण रिक्त पदका निम्ति आगमी 25 मार्च 2018 का दिन ‘सिनेमा क्याफे’ डेभिड ग्यास नजिक बिहान 11 बजेदेखि अडिसन सम्पन्न हुने भएको छ। यसकारण आगमी 24 मार्चभित्रमा ठूलो पर्दाको नेपाली चलचित्रमा सुपरहिट कलकार दयाहाङ राई अनि निर्देशक अन्मोल गुरुङसँग एकसाथ काम गर्न चाहनेहरूले आजनै आवेदन गर्न सक्ने माउन्टेन पिक्चर्सका अन्मोल गुरुङले बताएका छन्।

Gorkha youth's film to be screened at the Cannes film festival

9:38 AM
Writes Vivek Chhetri

Darjeeling, April 18: A 28-minute short film made by a Darjeeling youth who studied at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Calcutta is set to be screened at the Cannes film festival.

Saurav Rai, who is from Bara Mangwa near Darjeeling, has named his film Gudh (Nest). Till now, it is the only film from India to be accepted by the cinefondation section of the Cannes festival that encourages budding filmmakers to showcase their work.

Gudh is based on Rai's childhood experiences.

"The film is the recollection of my childhood memories and my confusions," Rai said.

Rai, 30, is now based in Delhi and is working on a travelogue.

"When the hills were witnessing the statehood agitation in 1986, my family and I had to leave Bara Mangwa, about 40km from Darjeeling, first for Dharan and then for Kathmandu in Nepal. I grew up with my grandfather in Kathmandu and was away from my parents, who returned to the hills. Living away from my parents sowed the seeds of confusion in my life then," Rai said.

Saurav Rai
"I attended Mount Valley School in Kathmandu. Later, I studied in a school in Kalimpong where I failed thrice. I was then sent back to my village and from there, I went to Teesta Bridge High School," Rai added.

Rai joined St. Joseph's College (North Point) in Darjeeling as a student of mass communication and journalism and started making films.

"My experiences and observations from my village days helped me make my film," he said.

Till date, Rai has made eight short films, seven documentaries and three music videos.

In 2013, he was invited to Beijing to make documentaries on specific topics. In 2014, he was invited to the Munich Film Festival where his short film Barkhay Jhari (Monsoon Rain) was screened.

"I completed my film-making course this year. I will be leaving for Cannes on May 10," said Rai.

The film festival will be held in France from May 11 to May 22.



Via Telegraph

Saurav Rai's 'Gudh' only Indian entry in 69th Cannes Film Festival

12:56 PM
"Shout Out" to Mr. Saurav Rai whose film "Gudh" is the ONLY INDIAN FILM to be Officially Selected for the Prestigious 69th Cannes Film Festival.

Mr. Rai is from Mangwa village near Kalimpong and was brought up in Kathmandu in 1986. "That's the year when the Gorkhaland agitation began," he said. The son of a cardamom businessman, Rai moved to his grandparents' residence. "It was during vacations that I came to my village. I often had problems co-relating my memories with my surroundings," the 29-year-old said.

Describing his Kathmandu days, Rai said he was a "naughty and terrible" student. "If I was promoted, it was only as a favour. Finally, my grandfather sent me to a village school. I had to walk down four hours daily to go there. It was as bad as chicken poop. That's when I understood that things would need to be changed," he recalled.

A drastic transformation happened when he was in Class VIII. His grades improved. It was during this time he was smitten by the film bug. "Cinema was my escape route," he confessed.
Saurav Rai's  'Gudh' only Indian entry in 69th Cannes Film Festival
Saurav Rai

Little did he then realise that some years later, movies would offer him a ticket to limelight. His Nepali language film - 'Gudh' - is based on his childhood memories with his mother in Mangwa. "The political demand for a separate state had affected me. There is a hint of that in my film too. But 'Gudh' isn't a narrative-based film. It has a lot of long shots and surreal elements. I was even told that I had defied the grammar of film-making while making it," he recalled.

Back in Mangwa, his family members are ecstatic. "My grandfather used to say that as a child, Einstein was a stupid guy. That was to give an assurance to all those who used to write me off because I was very bad student," he said. Today, Rai wants to thank 'this 76-year-old man' for his achievements. "He now wants to offer a goat to treat the villagers!" Rai said with a smile.

However, international acclaim isn't new to Rai. In 2014, his short film titled 'Monsoon Rain' was officially selected at the Munich film festival. Having watched a lot of cinema at SRFTI and during his Munich trip, what is his opinion about Bengali cinema? "I watched Ray and Sen's classics during my graduation at Darjeeling's St Joseph College," he said. From the next generation of directors, he likes Rituparno Ghosh's movies. "Among contemporary makers, I find Arghya Basu's works very interesting," Rai pointed out.

Along with his sound designer Ankita Purkayastha, Rai will be off to Cannes on May 10. Before that, he is writing a script for a feature film that will narrate untold stories and taboos of rural India.

brought up in Kathmandu in 1986. "That's the year when the Gorkhaland agitation began," he said. The son of a cardamom businessman, Rai moved to his grandparents' residence. "It was during vacations that I came to my village. I often had problems co-relating my memories with my surroundings," the 29-year-old said.

Saurav is completing his schooling from Satyajit Ray Institute for Film and Television.

We wish Saurav GOOD LUCK for Cannes and are hopeful he will bring Laurels not only to our community, but also our country.

Take a bow Saurav!! You have earned it!!


Source TheDC With inputs from Times of India

New Movie 'Hawaghar' on Gorkhaland‬ Agitation

8:22 PM
New Movie 'Hawaghar' - Seeks to Tell the ‪‎Gorkhaland‬ Tale

We too have our stories to tell, like every society has its own.

These stories stand tall, deeply rooted with the hills and valleys, joys and sorrows, soils and flowers as a foundation to the way of life for generations to come. Realising the fact that our stories are not documented enough, through popular and efficient medium and feeling that the responsibility now rests over the shoulders of this generation, the youths from Mirik, Kurseong and Darjeeling are coming up with a feature film 'Hawaghar'.

The film has its plot in a typical village of Darjeeling while the time period goes back to 1980s, when the hill was burning with Gorkhaland Andolan. The sole intention is to recreate, reflect and dramatically document the social, cultural, and economic impact of the revolution among the Gorkha lives and livelihood. 'Hawaghar' is not aligned politcally or ideologically towards any group or party that existed during that time, not out of fear or indifference but realising the need for neutrality to tell the story as accurately as possible. Rather, the viewers can expect a raw and rooted love story at its core, that had no time for love, due to chaos and struggle.

The film is directed by Kushal Ghimiray, who has already acted in a feature film 'Dhurva Taara' which was released last year. He is a lecturer in Southfield College, Darjeeling and has left his mark as a Nepali writer and dramatist with numerous works at his credit.

Hawaghar is co-directed and editing and cinmatography as well is done by Pallawib Rai. He has already worked as cinematographer, editor and associate director for music albums of 2015 Grammy Award winners Ricky Kej and Wouter Kellerman one of which was recently launched at United Nations COP21 (Paris) by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and President of France François Hollande. He was previously working for startups Housing.com and Cavas.in in Mumbai and this is his third feature film as a part of cinematography team.

The lead role of the film is played by Kushal Ghimiray himself and Mansha Gurung, who have already rocked the screens as a lead couple around the hills with their film 'Dhurva Taara'. The other roles are being played by Dalleybhai Lepcha, Nasir Gurung, Bhawesh Lama, Naumta Pradhan, Hanak Thapa, Pushkar Singer, Sahil Lepcha, Pradeep Subba and Subeksha Rasaili some of whom have already acted in stage plays while some are freshers.

The story, screenplay and dialoue of film is created by Kushal Ghimiray and Pallawib Rai. Towards the technical side, the role of Chief Assistant Director is carried out by Utsav Pradhan while the cinematography team has extremely talented Abimanu Chettri and Benjamin Rai as associate Cinematographers with their rich experience of working for various production companies in Mumbai.

Fingers crossed!!! Hope they will be able to tell us our story.

Via TheDC


Gorkhey Film "Ek Dhakar Jiwan" makes to 20th International Short Film Festival

6:54 PM
After  bagging The Best Short Film Peace Award in the just concluded Gothenburg Independent Film Festival in Sweden Phurba Tshering Lama, a young filmmaker from Darjeeling, has made us all proud as his film "Ek Dhakar Jiwan" has been selected for the 20th edition of the International Short Film Festival. His film has been selected in the Indian Panorama Section. The festival will take place in Canada in march. It is a big honour for the Indian Gorkha community and country as a whole.

For Phurba who owns a production house in Darjeeling "FerryTale Pictures" this is like a dream come true. Phurba was born on 21st January, 1982 in Kurseong. He studied Literature from St. Joseph's College, Darjeeling and pursued Direction in Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. His debut short film ‘Ek Dhakar Jiwan / The Beaten Path’ won the Best Short Film Peace Award at Gothenburg Independent Film Festival and a Special Mention Jury at the Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Festival. He is currently working on his debut feature film titled as Macqee, in Darjeeling.
Gorkhey Film The Beaten Path (Ek Dhakar Jiwan) in 20th International Short Film Festival
Gorkhey Film The Beaten Path (Ek Dhakar Jiwan) in 20th International Short Film Festival
About the Film The Beaten Path (Ek Dhakar Jiwan)

India 2014; 27 min
Original version: Nepali
Genre: Drama, Short

Synopsis: In the face of an apparently meaningful world Balvir lives and coexists in the grand mosaic of nature like any other entity. However, his human spirit yearns to understand life especially from a sense of disorientation and confusion as a result of the material world.

Director: Phurba Tshering Lama
Writers: Phurba Tshering Lama, Gupta Pradhan (story)
Star: Man Bahadur Tamang
Cinematography: Ayan Saxena


His short film "Grey and Matter" went on to be project in Nepal Cine-Symposium, 2012 and SIGNS Film Festival / Kerela (India) 2013

Ek Dhakar Jiwan (The Beaten Path) has gone all the way to many festivals. Some of them are;
  • - Gothenburg Independent International Film Festival, 2014 / Sweden (Best Short Film Peace Award) 
  • - SIGNS International Film Festival, 2014 / India (National Competition Section)
  • - XX Film Festival Della Lessinia, 2014 / Italy (International Competition Section)
  • - IDFL Film Festival, 2014 /India (National Competition Section)
  • - Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Festival, 2015 / France (Special Mention Jury)
  • - JAGRAN International Film Festival / India (Top Shorts Section)
  • - WIZ-ART International Film Festival, 2015 / Ukraine (Special Screening) 
  • - Ajyal Youth Film Festival, 2015 / Doha (International Competition Section)
  • - International Short Film Festival, 2016 / Canada (International Competition Section)
Watch the Trailor of The Beaten Path (Ek Dhakar Jiwan)



His vast Experiences includes:-
  • - Visa Girl (Nepali Feature Film): Position: Chief AD / Casting Director / Supporting Role
  • - Sikkim University (Documentary): Chief AD / Post-production Supervisor
  • - Have made social documentaries for CARE International (in Nepal and Lucknow) and for 
  • - Himalayan Climate.
  • -Worked as a Chief AD for an IndiaMART Advertisement in Mumbai.
We wish him success in future.

Via-GYASA


‎Dhruva‬ Tara - Mirik's 1st Feature Film - Releasing on 3rd October 2015

1:42 PM
DhruvaTara is a maiden film of Mughlan Films and Arvind Raj Productions from Mirik. Shot extensively in and around Mirik Valley, it tells the story of four horsemen and the lives they lead. With unemployment and illiteracy all around, these men have no other option but to work as farm labourers and porters, ferrying local produce like squash, cardmom and potatoes to the plains. On the way, through the jungles, they meet all kinds of people and each one of them is a character unto himself. The effervescent Kancha, the stubborn Purnay, the stoic Pasang Jojo and the quiet Dhruva, who falls for the ethereal beauty Tara. Love, as they say, comes in various shades, it is their unique love story that holds the film together.

Made over a period of one and half years, this film is a labour of love of its makers who have overcome numerous odds to tell this story unfolding in our villages between two unlike souls.
‎Dhruva‬ Tara - Mirik's 1st Feature Film - Releasing in 3rd October 2015
DhruvaTara is a maiden film of Mughlan Films and Arvind Raj Productions from Mirik.
Because the film is shot extensively in real locations with a minimalist approach, it has gained a shade of an art house film with underplayed emotions and subdued acting. What uplifts the film, however, is the realistic protrayal of its lead characters and its soulful music which transports the film into another realm.

Releasing on 3rd October 2015, this film holds a lot of promise to its makers and also the discerning film viewing public in the hills as they will witness that local language films too have come of age and the standard is slowly but steadily improving which is a positive sign for our fledging film market in our hills.

Watch Dhruvatara Official Teaser

Synopsis:
In a far-flung village in the hills surrounding the Mirik Valley, where people are farmers and are dependent upon the mercies of nature and God, where young people work as farm hands or porters, a quite love story enfolds between two unlike souls. A quiet and a reserved man Dhruva and an equally beautiful and mysterious Tara. In this landscape of hills and rivers, men and their horses, joyous beats of Madal and Murali and far from the madding crowd, two people come to love each other as naturally as the forest spring, flowing eternally. But nature sets its own course and Time plays a helping hand. Will Dhruva and Tara be able to win over the adversities of love and be together forever? Is it possible to cross the limits set by time and nature upon love? Will love really concur all? Come and see for yourself...

Movie's official FB page: http://on.fb.me/1EZ3RoQ

Via Dhruva Tara FB page

Geetanjali Thapa to act in Macqee with local production house

11:06 AM
Ferry Tale Pictures - a local production company led by Mr. Phurba Tshering Lama has landed one of the Best female actors in India, Geetanjali Thapa, to act in his upcoming new movie 'Macqee."
Geetanjali Thapa to act in Macqee with local production house
Geetanjali Thapa to act in Macqee
Ms. Geetanjali Thapa is an internationally acclaimed actor and has won the National Film Award for Best Actress(2013) and Best Actress in the 14th Annual New York Indian Film Festival for her performance in Liar's Dice.

She has also won Best Performance, Los Angeles Film Festival 2013 and Best Actress, Imagine India Award 2013, Madrid for her performance in I.D. directed by Kamal KM.

Her recent movie titled Tigers (Indian-International film directed by Danis Tanovic), also starring Emraan Hashmi was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.

Mr. Phurba Tshering Lama has previously won the Best Short Film Peace Award at the Gothenburg Independent Film Festival in Sweden, for his movie "Ek Dhakar Jiwan"
This is what dreams are made of... an Award winning local actor, acting in a movie by an Award winning local Director.

Source:TheDC

Darjeeling born Dalai Lama's bodyguard turns film hero

10:25 AM
Lopsang Dokpatsang, born in India (Darjeeling), a Tibetan-American fit ness expert and former Mr New York has just wrapped up shooting for a film in which he plays the lead role for the first time.Dokpatsang has a long standing bond with Karnataka, having visited it many times before. The bond just got stronger as most of the shooting for the film New York Police Officer and The Monk was done in locations across Karnataka including Hubbali and Karwar. Dokpatsang has been a bodyguard for the Dalai Lama on a few occasions in India and the US.
Darjeeling born Dalai Lama's bodyguard, Dokpatsang, turns film hero
Darjeeling born Dalai Lama's bodyguard, Dokpatsang, turns film hero
Dokpatsang has acted in a few Hindi films before, including Talaash with Akshay Kumar, Qayamat with Ajay Devgan and Janasheen with Feroz Khan.In the Police Officer and The Monk, being made in English, Tibetan and Hindi, Dokpatsang plays a cop from America who comes to Karnataka for "soul searching." He meets a monk and his life changes. The shooting for the film was wrapped up a few days ago. In Bengaluru before going back to the US, Dokpatsang spoke to Mirror. "Bengaluru and Karnataka is another home for me. Just like His Holiness Dalai Lama, I have a deep connect with Karnataka and also Bengaluru. Though I have visited the state many times before, I find something new each time. This time during shooting, I found many new places near Hubballi and Karwar. My inlaws stay in Bengaluru and many people do not know that some part of Janasheen was shot in the city and I stayed in Feroz Khan saab's farm house. I have brought my son along with me for shooting this movie here."

The film is directed by Tenzing Phuljung, an award-winning Tibetan filmmaker living in India. Dokpatsang has multiple national identities. "I am a Tibetan. I was born in India (Darjeeling) and they call me Hindustani.I have a US citizenship and I represented Nepal in SAF Games on the insistence of the then prince of Nepal who was my friend. But my life's mission is to inspire the Tibetan youth. The Dalai Lama has advised me to help youngsters with my expertise and I do everything possible in that direction."

Dokpatsang is the first Asian to win the Mr New York bodybuilding competition."When I visited the venue for the first time, they told me no Asian can have a body like those who were competing.It inspired me to take up bodybuilding and fitness training," recalls Dokpatsang.

Dokpatsang is not too keen on a career only in films. "My son was born when I was offered the villain's role in KKrish 3. I could not accept the film because of that. I am very selective in doing films. There are so many other things to do. The foremost is to inspire young Tibetans and Indians."

TOI

Geetanjali Thapa's "Liar's Dice" India's entry to Oscars 2015

11:32 AM
Indian Gorkha Geetanjali Thapa's "Liar's Dice" has been selected as India's entry to the Oscars in 2015.
Geetanjali Thapa's "Liar's Dice" India's entry to Oscars 2015

National award winning film "Liar's Dice", directed by Geetu Mohandas, has been selected as India's entry to the Oscars for the Best Foreign Language Film category, the Film Federation of India has announced.
Winner of two National awards earlier this year - Best Actress for Geetanjali Thapa (in the picture) and Best Cinematography for Rajeev Ravi, the film narrates the story of a young mother, who migrates to the city in search of her missing husband. The film also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
In a new record, Liar's Dice was selected from a total of 30 contenders, the largest number FFI has ever considered, which included Kangna Ranaut starrer Queen, Hansal Mehta's acclaimed Shahid and Riteish Deshmukh-produced Marathi film Yellow, among others.

Source: rediff

Nepali films director Bonny Pradhan to comeback with two new movies

12:55 PM
Veteran actor and director of Nepali films industry, Bonny Pradhan, is now going to make a comeback in the Nepali film industry after a gap of more than six years with two new movies, which will be shot in America.
Veteran actor & director Bonny Pradhan in Kurseong.
Veteran actor & director Bonny Pradhan in Kurseong.
Pradhan maybe an unknown entity these days, but he is an artist who has already acted and worked in several popular Hindi movies, such as Safed Haati, Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, Gharwali Baharwali and Pukar, along with Nepali films mainly in the 80s & 90s, including Bansuri, Tilahri and Jhora among others.

Bonny Pradhan is a resident of Kurseong, but for the past few decades he had been living and working in the US, Mumbai and in Nepal.

Before leaving for America, he interacted with local reporters here. Pradhan informed that for the past several years, he also worked at a private company in Verginia, US as a cashier.

Sharing the reason for working in America, Pradhan said around six years ago, he made a Nepali film “Priyatama”, which was predominantly shot in Sikkim. However, the film had to be cancelled following threats and extortion calls from the Maovadi in Nepal. Following the debacle, Pradhan moved to the US and started working there. He also screened a Nepali documentary movie in the US, which led to the idea of making the two Nepali movies. On being asked why he wishes to shoot the two movies in the US, he said, “There are many Nepali people in the US, who are eager to show their talent. I am helping them get a platform to showcase their talent.”

“One of the movie is based on Lord Buddha and another is based on a Sherpa mountaineer, who conveys a message that mountaineers are not greedy for money and fame,” he added

He also emphasized that even though he had kept himself isolated from making films in the past six years he had never forgotten his friends and well wishers in Nepal and Mumbai. This is the reason, he had visited the two places frequently despite being in the US.

Source: EOI

Cinematographer Binod Pradhan to debut as director with Wedding Pulao

7:34 PM
Eminent Indian Gorkha Bollywood cinematographer Binod Pradhan has decided to make his directorial debut with film Wedding Pulao. He has already proved his skills in cinematography by winning awards for films like 1942: A Love Story, Devdas, Rang De Basanti, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and 2 States

Cinematographer Binod Pradhan to debut as director with Wedding Pulao
Cinematographer Binod Pradhan to debut as director with Wedding Pulao
The film, which launches Anushka Ranjan in the lead, goes on floors mid-September and will be shot at exotic locales. Binod says, "It's a tale of young love and friendship with a blend of promising fresh talent. The newcomers have been trained at The ITA School of Performing Arts, with an assembly of veterans like Rishi Kapoor, Satish Kaushik, etc."

Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, who has worked with the cinematographer on RDB and BMB, says, "Movies that we've done together have gained cult status. He has been my companion in everything from structuring to shooting, from screenplay to the final edit."

Adds director Rajkumar Hirani, who has collaborated with Binod on Munna Bhai MBBS, "I've always wondered why he has never directed a film. He is not just a great cinematographer, but also a great storyteller who understands cinema deeply."

‘Wedding Pulao’, which is a story about young love and friendship, will be shot at several exotic locales of India and abroad. Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, who has worked with Binod in ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, was happy for the cinematographer to have taken to direction. Even Rajkumar Hirani, who was associated with Binod for his debut movie ‘Munnabhai MBBS’, was full of praise for Binod’s vast and deep knowledge of cinema.

Gorkhaland Film and Television Organisation expressed heartfelt condolence for Krishna Shrestha

8:54 AM
The Gorkhaland Film and Television Organisation has expressed their heartfelt condolence on the demise of noted Nepali actor Krishna Shrestha. The GFTVO convener Vikram Parajuli through a press release said the untimely death of Shrestha has created a huge dent in Nepali cini world. “He has been a great contributor to Nepali film industry since the 1980s and has acted in a number of films. He will always be remembered and we send our condolences to the grieving family in this time of sorrow,” Parajuli stated.

Shree Krishna Shrestha
Shree Krishna Shrestha

Source: EOI

Sagarika Chhetri to make her acting debut with `Fun Freaked Face Booked`

10:51 PM
Former beauty pageant contestant Sagarika Chhetri from Darjeeling hill will make her acting debut with `Fun Freaked Face Booked`, and she is looking forward to the journey.

Sagarika Chhetri to make her acting debut with `Fun Freaked Face Booked`
Sagarika Chhetri all set to star on `Fun Freaked Face Booked`
Sagarika, who participated in the 2013 Femina Miss India contest and had been awarded the Miss Glowing Skin title, was pleasantly surprised to land a part in the movie.
`Fun Freaked Face Booked` is about social media addiction and the model-actress readily agreed to be part of the project after reading the script.
Sagarika is not new to the camera. She had earlier featured on TV to host a music request show.


Tuwalo public response and review - video

3:00 AM
Nepali thriller film "Tuwalo The mystery mist" directed by Bhawesh C Thakuri is running successfully at Inox in Darjeeling. Tuwalo is the first Nepali film from Darjeeling that was released in Inox.

The audience at Inox Darjeeling appreciated the new kind story and technical parts of the film.

 "super excited with the public response of my film TUWALO the mystery mist ....Today "s show was a great success with packed audience. am feeling so relaxed and happy ...thank you GOD AND MY AUDIENCE" -Bhawesh C Thakuri

Watch the video of  public response and review of the Nepali film  "Tuwalo The mystery mist"


Nepali thriller film "Tuwalo The mystery mist"
Nepali thriller film "Tuwalo The mystery mist"

Binod Pradhan an Indian Gorkha Bollywood cinematographer put on Dhaka topi on IIFA

9:34 AM
Binod Pradhan an Indian Gorkha Bollywood cinematographer from Kalimpong who have worked on award winning movies like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, 1942 A Love Story, Devdas, Rang De Basanti, Mission Kashmir, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S At his recent award at the India International Film Festival held in Florida (IIFA ), he was wearing the symbol of Gorkha identity, our pride and honour - Dhaka topi, while picking up his 2nd IIFA Best Cinematographer award for the movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Binod Pradhan an Indian Gorkha Bollywood cinematographer
Binod Pradhan put on Dhaka topi, while picking up his
2nd IIFA Best Cinematographer award for the movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

‘Punarjanma’ a film by budding filmmakers from Darjeeling hills

8:04 AM
A team of budding filmmakers from Darjeeling have debuted with a youthful love story titled ‘Punarjanma’ or ‘reincarnation’ recounted in the backdrop of the Himalayas.

Veteran filmmaker Pratap Subba with the ‘Punarjanma’ crew
Veteran filmmaker Pratap Subba with the ‘Punarjanma’ crew
The project, one of the team members joked, “has been in the making since some time as one of the main and senior characters used to be a hero”. Shooting is slated to commence from the first week of July. The feature film is being produced under the Red Panda Movies banner and is directed by debutant Adithya Rayaa.

Hinting at the storyline, Rayaa said, “I know people will want to link ‘Punarjanma’ with rebirth and revenge. But the film is an entertaining love story with no twist and turns. I basically wanted to capture on celluloid the present-day youths of the hills and the things they run after including love.”

The mahurat shot was taken this morning at Mahakal Mandir near Chowrastha where the cast and crew also offered prayers along with veteran filmmaker Pratap Subba.

“We had the mahurat at the temple premises. It was great to have ‘Subba sir’ clap the first shot as he has been our inspiration,” said Rayaa, who has worked in three of Subba’s films – ‘Timro Hamro Jindagani’, ‘Mero Uthne Palo’ and ‘Yaad Timro Aayo’ - as chief assistant.

The production house that comprises members engaged in the fields of music, drama and theatre admitted it would not be a cakewalk completing the movie even as it declined to divulge about the film’s budget given the paucity of sponsors and producers.

“We have pooled in money from various quarters to take forward the shooting. It is difficult to make a film without a producer and sponsors, but we were eager to make a beginning under any circumstance. As for the budget of the film… let’s not get into that at the moment,” said Rayaa.

He added, “But we will definitely pay the actors. Our main worry is transportation and outdoor filming expenses as we will be shooting in various locales of the hills.”

Fortunately, the team has its own filming equipment and the artistes and technicians are all locals, which will help in cutting down major expenses.

“For example, we do not have to hire cameras and lights as they can be expensive. Our technicians and crew members are co-partners as well,” said the debutant director.

Darjeeling boy Kapish Sharma, the film’s hero, is at present struggling in Mumbai to make it big. Meanwhile, Divya Chhetri, the heroine, is an award winner. She has won the best actress award in the Ladakh International Film Festival 2013 for her role in ‘Oasis’. The film’s cinematographer Binay Shanker has also won the best cinematographer award in the North Bengal Film Festival 2008.

‘Punarjanma’, conceptualised and written by Rayaa, who will also score its music, is expected to hit the floors this Diwali. The production house has also roped in Lhamu Sherpa, the director of Triveni Sangitalya, as the film’s choreographer. Sherpa’s institute tutored Anushka Chhetri, the runner-up in the Dance in Dance reality dancing show.

Source: EOI

Ganesh Thapa an Indian Gorkha is a Kannada Superstar

1:42 PM
The Kannada Superstar Ganesh is an Indian Gorkha, making waves across the state with his films . Ganesh, however, is hesitant to recognize his roots, preferring to say that he is from Adakamaranahalli, a village on the city’s outskirts. “I have already clarified that I am not a Nepali. I am an Indian,” he says. The family also has a Darjeeling connection, but he does not want to talk about it.


Ganesh Thapa an Indian Gorkha is a Kannada Superstar
Ganesh Thapa an Indian Gorkha is a Kannada Superstar 

Ganesh grew up in Karnataka and is fluent in Kannada. He got his first break as an anchor of an interactive TV show,” an industry insider said. “There is no stopping this romantic hero now.” With his chocolate-hero looks, Ganesh is set to climb higher on the popularity charts with his third film being released this week. Gurkhas can serve in the Indian Army and are free to enter India without a passport and work without visas or permits. For several decades, Gorkhas have been working as watchmen in Bangalore while their children attend government schools. 


Actor Ganesh 

Born July 2, 1977
Bangalore, Karnataka, India 

Other name(s) Role Gold Star Ganesh
Comedy Time Ganesh 

Occupation - Actor, Producer 

Years active - 2001 – present 

Spouse(s) Shilpa (2008 - present) 

Early Life and Education

He was born in Adakamaranahalli near Nelamangala town in Karnataka, India. His father's name is Kishan, and mother, Sulochana, and grandmother Sithamma. He is the first son in his family, the younger brothers being Mahesh and Umesh. He currently resides in Banashankari, Bengaluru. He excelled in education and earned a diploma in Electronics in Nelamangala. Ganesh's family hails from Nepal, though Ganesh has resided in Karnataka for a long Time

Marriage 

Media initially reported that the actor was getting married on the 18th of February 2008. But the actor got married in a hurry on the 11th of February to his girlfriend of two years, Shilpa Barkur

Television Career
Guttu was Ganesh's first on-camera project (see Films section below). Though it was made as a telefilm in Karnataka, it ran into difficulties getting a timeslot to air, and the frustrated producers played it as a feature in festivals and select theaters in the USA, incurring heavy losses. Ganesh played the hero, Deepak, a hapless software systems analyst, who gets caught up in the ambitious adventure of an NRI girl (played by Chaya Singh) who visits India to try and re-trace her family tree. His flair for comedy and knack for timing showed through in this first role, which caused the director (Priyabharati) to promote him heavily to directors of many TV series. In his early days, Ganesh bagged a few TV roles by referencing his collaboration with an NRI director.  He acted in several TV serials, including Yadva Tadva, Vataara (directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar) and Pa Pa Pandu (directed by Sihi Kahi Chandru).

As a TV artist he popularised the television program Comedy Time. The program was telecasted on Udaya TV from Monday-Friday at 5PM-5.30PM in the beginning and later at 5.30PM-6PM. The program concept was unique: viewers would write a letter to the anchor describing their family and mentioning their telephone number. Then the anchor would call their number, disguising himself as someone else and fool them. After reading each letter a comedy scene from a chosen Kannada film was telecasted in the interim. His unique style of greeting the viewers at the start and end of the program was popular, especially with children.  Following the success of this TV show, fans started to call him "Comedy Time" Ganesh.

Films

 His first film was Guttu, a telefilm directed by India's youngest female film director, Priyabharati Joshi, an NRI who came to India with the intention of entering the Indian film industry. Priyabharati offered Ganesh Guttu just as he was about to graduate from Adarsh Film Institute, against the advice of industry insiders who criticized her choice of a newcomer with unconventional looks and no industry ties. Guttu was Ganesh's first time facing the camera, before moving on to his TV career and later, feature films.Ganesh's first feature wide-release film, Chellata, was a moderate success and ran up to 125 days in some theatres. Chitra Rekha, who had already acted in quite a few films, acted opposite Ganesh in this film.

Then came the 2006 film Mungaru Male, which was a roaring success. The film was directed by Yograj Bhat. Yograj had narrated the script to Puneeth Rajkumar, who rejected it. Ganesh had been involved in the script development process and was curious to act in the movie. He got director Bhat to meet his acquaintance E Krishnappa. Since Krishnappa knew Ganesh (both hailed from Adakamaranahalli, Nelamangala), he agreed to finance the film. Since Yograj Bhat couldn't get dates from any Kannada actress, he signed a relatively unknown actress, Pooja Gandhi. The film's lyrics were penned by Jayant Kaikini and music was composed by part-time music director Mano Murthy. Jayant Kaikini, son of renowned writer late Gourish Kaikini, was a well-known columnist and writer. The film was mainly shot during the rainy season in places like Madikeri, Sakaleshpura, Jog Falls and Gadag.

Mungaru Male opened to a good response among audiences and went on a record-breaking spree. The film garnered Rs. 75 crores (US $16 million) at the box office. It released with 150 prints all over Karnataka, and was the only film that ran to packed houses on weekdays in PVR Multiplex for 400 days. The remake rights of the movie were acquired by Suryaprakash Rao of SP Entertainers India Private Limited for Rs. 1.5 crores for Tamil and Telugu combined. The film received lukewarm to average reviews. Rediff.com awarded a three-star rating and praised its cinematography, technical values and acting, but opined that the story was flawed. Nowrunning.com felt that the film lacked a credible story line and gave too much importance to music and song picturisation. Kannada portal Thatskannada.com praised the film for its content, narration and usage of rain as a metaphor for love. His third film as hero, Hudugaata, was released on 8 June 2007. His subsequent films have included Cheluvina Chithara (2007), Gaalipata (2008), Krishna (2008), Aramane (2008), Bombaat (2008), Sangama (2008), Circus (2009), Ullasa Utsaha, and MaLeyali Jotheyali (2009).

Awards
Best Actor, 56th Filmfare Awards: Gaalipata 
Best Actor, 57th South Filmfare Awards: Maleyali Jotheyali 
Most Popular Actor, 2008 Ujala Suvarna Film Awards


 IN  LEADING  ROLE 

Year Film Music Director Co-star
2006 Chellata Gurukiran M. D. Shidhar Rekha,
2006 Mungaru Male Mano Murthy Yograj Bhat Pooja Gandhi
2007 Cheluvina Chittara Mano Murthy S. Narayan Amoolya
2007 Hudugaata Jassie Gift Sanjay K Rekha
2007 Krishna Harikrishna M.D. Sridhar Pooja Gandhi
2008 Aramane Gurukiran Nagashekhar Roma
2008 Bombaat Mano Murthy D. Rajendra Babu Ramya
2008 Gaalipata V. Harikrishna Yograj Bhat Daisy Bopanna,
2008 Sangama Devi Sri Prasad Ravi Verma Vedhika
2009 Circus Emil Dayal Padmanabhan Archana Gupta
2009 Ullasa Utsaha G. V. Prakash Kumar Devaraja Palan Yami Gautam
2010 Eno Onthara V Harikrishna Mussanje Mahesh Priyamani
2010 Maleyali Jotheyali V. Harikrishna Preetham Gubbi Anjana Sukhani
2011 Maduve Mane Manikant Kadri Sunil Kumar Singh Shradha Arya
2011 Cool...Sakkath Hot Maga V. Harikrishna Ganesh Sana Khan
2011 Shyloo Bhama S. Narayanan Bhama,Rangayana Raghu
2012 Munjane S. Narayan S. Narayan Manjari Phadnis
2012 Romeo Arjun Janya PC Shekhar Bhavana, Avinash
2012 Mr. 420 V. Harikrishna Pradeep Raj Pranitha, Rangayana Raghu
2013 Auto Raja Arjun Janya Uday Prakash Bhama, Deepika Kamaiah
2013 Sakkare V. Harikrishna Abhaya Simha Deepa Sannidhi ,Ananth Nag
2013 Shravani Subramanya - Manju Swaraj Amoolya

Source: theveergorkha

Nepali short film Ek Dhakar Jiwan bags international Best Short Film Peace Award

9:58 AM
A short Nepali film “Ek Dhakar Jiwan / The Beaten Path” produced and directed by a Kurseong lad, Phurba Tshering Lama has won the Best Short Film Peace Award in the just concluded Gothenburg Independent Film Festival in Sweden.


Phurba Tshering Lama, Producer and Director of 'Ek Dhakar Jiwan' from Kurseong.
Phurba Tshering Lama, Producer and Director of
 'Ek Dhakar Jiwan' from Kurseong.
Lama informed a total of 65 films from 30 different countries were screened in the inaugural or the first Gothenburg Independent Film Festival from May 22 to 25, in Sweden. "There were three films from India. The films from India were Vivek Budakoti’s 'Pied Piper', Utpal Borpujari’s 'Songs of the Blue Hills' and 'Ek Dhakar Jiwan / The Beaten Path'. These films were selected and nominated for the film festival on different categories," he added.

Lama also informed that his 27 minute Nepali-language film is based on a short story ‘Manchhey Manchheyko Busty Bhitra’ written by Gupta Pradhan, a renowned Nepali littérateur from Ghoom/Darjeeling. The story revolves around Balvir, a porter, who lives and coexists in the grand mosaic of nature like any other entity. However, his human spirit yearns to understand life especially from a sense of disorientation and confusion as a result of the material world.

It was learnt that Phurba Tshering Lama’s short film “Ek Dhakar Jiwan” has also been selected for screening at the upcoming SIGNS Film Festival to be held in Kochi from May 28 - June 1.

Notably, after completing his graduation from NP College, Darjeeling, Lama completed the course of direction in the Films & Television Institute of India, (FTII), Pune in 2010 and for the past few years he has been involved in different films on different aspects in Mumbai and in Nepal. His 27 minute short film was shot in Sikkim last year and after mixing and editing in Mumbai the film was completed in the month of February 2014. Lama is also targeting to participate in more film festival.

Lama has credited his success to his father Jay Prakash Lama and mother Prabha Lama.

Source: EOI

Geetanjali Thapa bags Best Actor (Female) in 61st National Film Awards

11:11 PM
Sikkim's daughter Geetanjali Thapa ,model turned actress, bags the Best Actor (Female) or Best Actress award in the 61st National Film Awards for her flawless role in  Liar's Dice on Wednesday (April 16).


Geetanjali Thapa in Liar's Dice  hindi film movie poster
(Right ) Geetanjali Thapa in Liar's Dice poster
Geetanjali was a model based in Kolkata before joining the films.She had won the Mega Miss North East 2007 beauty pageant held at Guwahati, Assam.

Her first film was  Myth (2006) which was made in Sikkim when she was in school. Her first major film was Tina Ki Chaabi, however, it was her second major film I.D. which got her two international awards for best actress at the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Madrid Film Festival.

Rajkummar Rao won the Best Actor (male) for ‘Shahid', also a Hindi movie. Similarly the best director award was given to Hansal Mehta.

Here are the some of the Photos of Geetanjali Thapa


Geetanjali Thapa Mega Miss North East 2007
Geetanjali Thapa Mega Miss North East 2007
Sikkim's daughter Geetanjali Thapa
Sikkim's daughter Geetanjali Thapa


 
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