Nandita Das and Kapil Sharma's 'Zwigato' is all set to premiere at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), which will take place from December 9 to December 16.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 7 (ANI): After the World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Applause Entertainment and filmmaker Nandita Das's highly anticipated film 'Zwigato' has now been officially selected for its Asian Premiere at the 27th Busan International Film Festival.

New Delhi [India], March 18 (ANI): Comedian Kapil Sharma on Thursday met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as he started shooting for filmmaker Nandita Das' untitled project in Bhubaneswar.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 17 (ANI): After featuring in movies 'Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon' and 'Firangi', comedian Kapil Sharma is all set to enthrall the audience with his acting skills once again with a new film, which is presented by Applause Entertainment and Nandita Das Initiatives.

Mumbai Dec 21 PTI Actor Naseeruddin Shah filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane and lyricist-writer Varun Grover were among 850 signatories to a letter on Tuesday opposing the merger of public institutions including the Films Division FD and the National Film Archives of India NFAI with the National Film Development Corporation NFDCThe letter sent to the ministry of information and broadcasting has also been signed by academics students and members of the civil society among othersIt opposed the governments proposed move to restructuremerge the Childrens Film Society of India CFSI Directorate of Film Festivals DFF FD and NFAI with NFDC which was announced in December 2020The letter stated that the move which was taken without consultation with the stakeholders is a matter of concern due to the lack of clarity and transparency in the process of this mergerIn December last year the Union Cabinet had approved the merger of four government film media units with the NFDC with an aim of converging activities and resources and better coordination to ensure synergy and efficiency in achieving the mandate of the bodiesSince the MIBs announcement of re-assessment of these units in January 2019 we have followed several notices issued by the government We hoped that an exercise as important as this will involve detailed discussions with the stakeholders including members of the film fraternity and the employees of the above mentioned institutions amongst othersHence it was a surprise to know that the High Powered Committee under Shri Bimal Julka submitted its report without engaging with the primary stakeholders The fact that this report has not been made publicly available despite an RTI application raises further questions about the legitimacy of the whole process the letter readIt raised concerns over the inaccessibility of the report especially in light of the recent announcement of the government to shut down three of these units as early as January 2022According to the letter drafted by filmmakers Prateek Vats and Shilpi Gulati the decision of the government has led to speculation that it eventually aims to privatise film archives and government propertiesIt called the ministrys decision to close the FD and NFAI as a catastrophe in the name of Indian film heritageAs critical stakeholders in the matter we are concerned about the lack of clarity and transparency in the process of this merger There is widespread speculation in the media that the entire exercise is a precursor for future privatisation of our film archives and government propertiesGiven the urgency of the matter we request the MIB to clarify doubts to assuage the suspicions arising at this stage and take immediate action to safeguard the history of Indian cinema and the future of Indian filmmakers who have been closely associated with these institutions in varied capacities The signatories to the letter include filmmakers actors writers editors from the country such as Nandita Das Anand Patwardhan Gitanjali Rao Nimisha Nair Nishtha Jain Shama Zaidi among othersThe letter listed grievances including a request to release the report of the High Powered Committee headed by Bimal Julka immediatelyPublic funded institutions like FD NFAI and CFSI must not be merged with a corporation like NFDC Consultations in a transparent and open manner should be undertaken with various stakeholders including filmmakers and employees vis a vis these institutions and how they see them with full autonomy enhanced state funding and commitment to their original mandatesThe government must declare the FD NFAI CFSI archives as National Heritage funded by public money and belonging to the general public It must commit to protecting the archives and give written assurances in the Parliament that they will not be sold or auctioned either now or in the future Concerns and anxieties of the employees working at these public institutions should be addressed at the earliest it readThe letter emphasised that the said government institutions will function efficiently when they have enhanced autonomy and greater state fundingThe government must take up the responsibility to empower them and actively work towards the preservation nourishment and propagation of the countrys cinema heritage and culture painstakingly built by government employees filmmakers archivists students and film enthusiasts of our country it further readIn view of the above we demand the current process of re-structuring of these public institutions should be put in abeyance till the pending issues of transparency and public consultation are addressed We sincerely hope the Ministry will take cognizance of our grievances it added PTI JUR RB ZMN RB RB

New Delhi Sep 25 PTI Actor Shabana Azmi said on Saturdaythat celebrities in the film world face strong repercussions if they question the establishment and this deters them from coming forward to speak out on issues Asserting that everyone has the right to dissent she said people who are coming out of their comfort zone to say something should get protection Participating in a virtual session on Celebrities Stardom The Good the Bad the Ugly at theIndian Student Parliament Azmi said art should be used as a medium to bring change If you raise questions to the establishment you face such strong repercussions that we will ban your film will not let your film get released law of the land must provide that all human beings everybody has a right to dissent You can disagree but this does not mean you shut my pictures because then you are not just affecting me but also a producer and a poor spot boy You cant pollute the entire atmosphere she said It is very important for our country to make sure the rule of law is strengthened because people who are coming out of their comfort zone to say something should get protection That is why at times celebrities at times dont come forward she said Actress Nandita Das said there are so many unsung heroes who are not well known but the impact they have is much more than those in public space Whatever influence we have we should use it for the betterment of others We should expand the definition of celebrity to include those who are doing something truly to be celebrated Art is a reflection of reality and truth There have been films made that make us think with their social message Cinema is a means of entertainment but also a means of engagement she said PTI UZM RT RT

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 21 (ANI): Actor Tahir Raj Bhasin, who made his Bollywood debut with 'Mardaani', recently opened up about the 2018 movie 'Manto' as it clocked three years today.