Reel imitates real

Developing India Mirror » EntertainmentPosted at: Aug 31 2016 5:05PM

By Correspondent Prem Kumar

Directing biopics is a trend in Bollywood and it’s observed that such movies earn name and fame though business is average.

The year 2012 witnessed such hits including ‘Paan Singh Tomar’, which was released domestically after premiering at the British Film Institute London Film Festival in 2010. Directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia and starring Irrfan Khan, the movie is based on the life of a soldier who won gold at the National Games but transformed into a rebel. Khan received the National Award for Best Actor. ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ (2013) got the Filmfare Best Actor Award for Farhan Akhtar and the Best Director Award for Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. Priyanka Chopra received critical acclaim for her performance in ‘Mary Kom’ (2014) directed by Omung Kumar. Recently, ‘Azhar’ -- inspired by the life of Mohammad Azharuddin -- was released. The cast includes Emraan Hashmi, Prachi Desai and Nargis Fakhri.

There’s a lot more in stock for fans of Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The former is making his acting debut in ‘Sachin: A Billion Dreams’ directed by James Erskine. In ‘M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story’, the lead role is played by Sushant Singh Rajput. The movie highlights the journey of ‘Captain Cool’ from a small town to the international level.

The life of grappler Mahavir Singh Phogat forms the subject of ‘Dangal’. Talks are on for movies focussing on Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal. One involves Gama Pehlwan, played by Sohail Khan. A film may also be made on Major Dhyan ‘Chand’ Singh. Cricketer Yuvraj Singh is a subject. Sonam Kapoor’s performance in ‘Neerja’ was marvellous. ‘Aligarh’, by Hansal Mehta, centres on a former professor of the Aligarh Muslim University. The Aishwarya Rai Bachchan-starrer ‘Sarbjit’ received mixed reviews. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Gustakhiyan’ focusses on the relationship between legendary poets Amrita Pritam and Sahir Ludhianvi.

Cinegoers may look forward to productions on ‘People’s President’ A.P.J Abdul Kalam, Meena Kumari, Kishore Kumar and Viswanathan Anand. Nandita Das is making a movie on writer Saadat Hasan Manto to be played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. ‘1911’ by Shoojit Sircar tells the story of footballer Shibdas Bhaduri.

A GOVERNMENT THAT ACCEPTS CHALLENGES

Even as a question mark is being placed on whether the Namami Gange Programme will actually succeed, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat tells ‘Developing India Mirror’ Correspondent Sanjay Pathak how his regime is comprehending pitfalls and overcoming hurdles that lie along the welfare path

NO COUNTRY CAN DEVELOP SANS NATIONALISM

More than necessity, it’s a new dream that is most often life’s biggest driver. Running around sites across three metros and monitoring increase of business volume have truly come as unpredictable to Ani Ray as has been his metamorphosis into an accomplished real estate-and-construction magnate. Given his middle-class background, a well-paid job should have kept the man from Kolkata contended. But Ani Ray (49) turned new pages, donned an entrepreneurial hat and launched the Indian chapter of the Arabian Construction Company with support and guidance of his Lebanese friend Rasheed Mikati. After Burf Khalifa, the A.C.C. is creating the 117-storey World One – to be India’s tallest building – in Mumbai.

TILLER’S SON PENS ENGLISH NOVEL

By Chief Copy Editor Abhijit C Chandra ‘If you can believe, then you can achieve’ seems to be the overriding sentiment conveyed through the countenance of 40-year-old Binod Mairta – a humble Bihari ryot’s boy who is employed as a translator in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat and whose first book – a 264-page romantic thriller – was released on August 30, 2016.

P.L.I.P.: Boon for Rayalaseema

VIJAYAWADA: In the first major interlinking of Indian rivers, the dream of connecting the Krishna and the Godavari has been achieved through the medium of the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Project, constructed to convey the Godavari’s water to the Krishna and commissioned by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandra Babu Naidu on July 6, 2016.

Reel imitates real

More than necessity, it’s a new dream that is most often life’s biggest driver.

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh’s first chief minister Ajit Jogi, who launched the Janata Con¬gress Chhattisgarh last year to challenge the state’s ruling B.