Charlie Higson, British writer and actor, known for his “Young Bond” novel series, has boarded “Curse of the Kohinoor,” a recently announced Anglo-Indian heist series, as its co-writer. He will join Farrukh Dhondy (“Mangal Pandey: The Rising”), screenwriter and former Channel 4 commissioning editor for multicultural programming, on the project.
The thriller recounts a plot to steal the Kohinoor diamond, centerpiece of the British Crown Jewels. Featuring many of the biggest names from the Indian entertainment industry, “Curse” intertwines the history of the iconic diamond with the story of an incredible robbery attempt.
The series will be directed by Colin Teague, director of the BAFTA-winning BBC series “Dr Who” and ITV’s “Beowulf.” “Curse” will be shot on location in India and the U.K. from March 2020. Executive producers are Padma Galla for Amara Raja Media & Entertainment, Rahul Aggarwal for Star Entertainment Worldwide, and Bobby Bedi for Contentflow Studios.
Charles Thompson,...
The thriller recounts a plot to steal the Kohinoor diamond, centerpiece of the British Crown Jewels. Featuring many of the biggest names from the Indian entertainment industry, “Curse” intertwines the history of the iconic diamond with the story of an incredible robbery attempt.
The series will be directed by Colin Teague, director of the BAFTA-winning BBC series “Dr Who” and ITV’s “Beowulf.” “Curse” will be shot on location in India and the U.K. from March 2020. Executive producers are Padma Galla for Amara Raja Media & Entertainment, Rahul Aggarwal for Star Entertainment Worldwide, and Bobby Bedi for Contentflow Studios.
Charles Thompson,...
- 11/9/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
He was truly the doyen of Indian journalism. The grand old man of the written word who had become increasingly isolated and lonely and welcoming of death, passed away on Thursday at the ripe old age of 99. Actress Divya Dutta who played one of the leads in the screen adaptation of Khushwant Singh's Train To Pakistan, met the incorrigible Sardarji a few months ago. She says, "I've the fondest memories of him! We shared a bond ever since Train To Pakistan. I visited him at his home in Delhi a few months back. We had a heart-to-heart chat. He was full of life. He gifted me a book with a lovely message. It would be my cherished gift for life." Divya is now in the process of writing a book culling together the anecdotes she has gathered from Khushwant Singh. "We discussed life in general. I am writing down his anecdotes.
- 3/24/2014
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
Kolkata, Jan 11: Stating that Bollywood actors are popular only amongst the Indian diaspora in Britain, Indian-origin British author and scriptwriter Farrukh Dhondy says that the formula films churned out by the Hindi film industry "don't work in the West".
Dhondy has written screenplays for film and television, including "Split Wide Open" (1999) and "The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey" (2005).
"You can make Indian films like 'Slumdog Millionaire' today which can absolutely work and win Oscars, but Bollywood's mentality of having a particular formula just doesn't work in the West...people laugh at it," Dhondy told Ians on.
Dhondy has written screenplays for film and television, including "Split Wide Open" (1999) and "The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey" (2005).
"You can make Indian films like 'Slumdog Millionaire' today which can absolutely work and win Oscars, but Bollywood's mentality of having a particular formula just doesn't work in the West...people laugh at it," Dhondy told Ians on.
- 1/11/2014
- by Lohit Reddy
- RealBollywood.com
Mumbai, April 26: The war of the Charles Sobhraj epics has just begun. Even as Dar Motion Pictures have acquired the rights to film Farrukh Dhondy's book "Bikini Murders", allegedly based on the life and crimes of Charles Sobhraj, news comes that another Sobhraj film is all set to go on the floors this July.
This one entitled "Bad" (earlier entitled "Jailbreak") would be produced by Pooja Bhatt and directed by Prawal Raman, who directed thriller "404".
And hear this. "Bad", Raman clarifies, is not about Sobhraj.
"I am not interest in Sobhraj. A man who spent 40 years of his life in jail doesn't interest me. It is his daredevil prison escape from Tihar jail in Delhi in 1986 that gripped me. My film is based on Sobhraj's.
This one entitled "Bad" (earlier entitled "Jailbreak") would be produced by Pooja Bhatt and directed by Prawal Raman, who directed thriller "404".
And hear this. "Bad", Raman clarifies, is not about Sobhraj.
"I am not interest in Sobhraj. A man who spent 40 years of his life in jail doesn't interest me. It is his daredevil prison escape from Tihar jail in Delhi in 1986 that gripped me. My film is based on Sobhraj's.
- 4/26/2013
- by Leon David
- RealBollywood.com
The war of the Charles Sobhraj epics has just begun. Even as Dar Motion Pictures have acquired the rights to film Farrukh Dhondy's book The Bikini Murders allegedly based on the life and crimes of Charles Sobhraj, the news comes that another Sobhraj film is all set to go on the floors this July.
This one entitled Bad (earlier entitled Jailbreak) would be produced by Pooja Bhatt and directed by Prawal Raman who directed the brilliant thriller 404.
And hear this. Bad, Prawal clarifies, is not about Sobhraj. "I am not interested in Mr Sobhraj. A man who spent 40 years of his life in jail doesn't interest me. It is his daredevil prison escape from Tihar jail in Delhi in 1986 that gripped me. My film is based on Sobhraj's jail break. And the real hero of the film are the two senior cops Amodh Kanth and Madhukar Zhende who nabbed Mr.
This one entitled Bad (earlier entitled Jailbreak) would be produced by Pooja Bhatt and directed by Prawal Raman who directed the brilliant thriller 404.
And hear this. Bad, Prawal clarifies, is not about Sobhraj. "I am not interested in Mr Sobhraj. A man who spent 40 years of his life in jail doesn't interest me. It is his daredevil prison escape from Tihar jail in Delhi in 1986 that gripped me. My film is based on Sobhraj's jail break. And the real hero of the film are the two senior cops Amodh Kanth and Madhukar Zhende who nabbed Mr.
- 4/26/2013
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
Many filmmakers currently are fascinated with real life characters or books. The infamous killer Charles Sobhraj has captivated attention of filmmakers to make a full length movie based on his life. Noted directors have spoken with a glint in their eye about the life of this criminal, who made headlines through the 70s for his one dozen murders and also went under the name of the bikini killer. Recently, it has been heard that Arun Rangachari has acquired the rights of author Farrukh Dhondy's book titled The Bikini Murders that is reportedly based on the story of Sobhraj. The book represents the live of Charles to the core. Says our source, "Earlier attempts at making a Sobhraj biopic have failed because of the quick reaction from his lawyers. But now the hurdle seems to have been circumvented with the acquisition of rights." The hunt to find the perfect on-screen Charles is on.
- 4/23/2013
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Celebrities, cast and crew members of the first ever ‘BollyBrit’ film, Naachle London, graced the Red Carpet at the World Premiere on Wednesday 22nd February at Cineworld Feltham. In attendance were key cast and crew members from the groundbreaking film project, including: British screen heartthrob, Jake Canuso (ITV’s Benidorm and Shameless); actor/comedian Kulvinder Ghir (Rita, Sue and Bob Too, Goodness Gracious Me); model/actress Fagun Thakrar; sensational debutante Alyssa Sharma; junior artists Gursimran Deu, Aaron Pandher and Shiv Datta; writer/broadcaster Farrukh Dhondy; and the film’s producer and director Neville Raschid (Lost Dogs, Ealing Comedy).
Joining them the ensemble of talent on the Red Carpet were British Asian celebrities such as: Ag Dolla, Mc Special, Tasha Tha, Madhu (Signature), Asad Shan, Ameet Chana, Sunny, Shay and the Grewals (C4’s The Family). Following the World Premiere screening, guests were entertained at a post premiere party at Horizons,...
Joining them the ensemble of talent on the Red Carpet were British Asian celebrities such as: Ag Dolla, Mc Special, Tasha Tha, Madhu (Signature), Asad Shan, Ameet Chana, Sunny, Shay and the Grewals (C4’s The Family). Following the World Premiere screening, guests were entertained at a post premiere party at Horizons,...
- 2/25/2012
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Activist and author of a book about Phoolan Devi, the Indian bandit turned MP
Mala Sen, who has died of oesophageal cancer aged 63, was best known for her 1991 book India's Bandit Queen: The True Story of Phoolan Devi, which formed the basis for the critically acclaimed though controversial feature film Bandit Queen (1994), directed by Shekhar Kapur. Behind the personal story of Devi, which took Mala years to coax out of her subject, she explored the wider issue of the victimisation of women, especially in rural India, where they are often conditioned to believe that they are worthless. She continued this theme in a second pathbreaking book, Death by Fire: Sati, Dowry Death and Female Infanticide in Modern India (2001).
She came to writing through social activism, having taken up numerous causes in London in the 1960s, at a time when women's groups were emerging and there was a combined movement of black activist organisations.
Mala Sen, who has died of oesophageal cancer aged 63, was best known for her 1991 book India's Bandit Queen: The True Story of Phoolan Devi, which formed the basis for the critically acclaimed though controversial feature film Bandit Queen (1994), directed by Shekhar Kapur. Behind the personal story of Devi, which took Mala years to coax out of her subject, she explored the wider issue of the victimisation of women, especially in rural India, where they are often conditioned to believe that they are worthless. She continued this theme in a second pathbreaking book, Death by Fire: Sati, Dowry Death and Female Infanticide in Modern India (2001).
She came to writing through social activism, having taken up numerous causes in London in the 1960s, at a time when women's groups were emerging and there was a combined movement of black activist organisations.
- 6/13/2011
- The Guardian - Film News
Caste is a contentious issue in India, and one rarely commented on in Bollywood films. But political change is on the way, and Indian cinema will have to reflect that
Caste is a contentious issue in India, but not a predictable one. In 2008, I watched television footage of violent protests in Rajasthan, as rioters clashed with the police in battles that cost dozens of lives. Their outrage was driven by the government's refusal to categorise their caste as one of the lowest. They were fighting to be relegated to a lower social rank. India has the most comprehensive affirmative action programme in the world and downgrading would have qualified the protestors for valuable quota schemes in welfare, education and government jobs.
As with so much in India, caste is an ancient institution that pervades everyday life, the mechanics of which remain a convoluted mystery. There was a buzz in 2007, when...
Caste is a contentious issue in India, but not a predictable one. In 2008, I watched television footage of violent protests in Rajasthan, as rioters clashed with the police in battles that cost dozens of lives. Their outrage was driven by the government's refusal to categorise their caste as one of the lowest. They were fighting to be relegated to a lower social rank. India has the most comprehensive affirmative action programme in the world and downgrading would have qualified the protestors for valuable quota schemes in welfare, education and government jobs.
As with so much in India, caste is an ancient institution that pervades everyday life, the mechanics of which remain a convoluted mystery. There was a buzz in 2007, when...
- 12/16/2010
- by Nirpal Dhaliwal
- The Guardian - Film News
Why the continent is the most sexually contradictory place on earth. By Nirpal Dhaliwal
India is the most sexually contradictory place on earth, the most prudish and permissive. There, holy men proudly exhibit elongated penises they've painfully stretched over years by tying them to boulders, and parents take their children to temples full of sculpted figures locked in graphic and gymnastic copulation. Nonetheless, furious protests take place each year against the "western festival" of Valentine's Day, and making a gentle pass at a woman can easily start a riot.
All of these contradictions are manifested in Indian cinema, for which rape, infidelity and romance have been staple storylines since its inception, though showing the merest onscreen kiss has been a taboo. Last week saw the first London screening of Love, Sex Aur Dhoka (Love, Sex and Pain), Bollywood's belated attempt at addressing India's increasing sexual openness. The film caused a...
India is the most sexually contradictory place on earth, the most prudish and permissive. There, holy men proudly exhibit elongated penises they've painfully stretched over years by tying them to boulders, and parents take their children to temples full of sculpted figures locked in graphic and gymnastic copulation. Nonetheless, furious protests take place each year against the "western festival" of Valentine's Day, and making a gentle pass at a woman can easily start a riot.
All of these contradictions are manifested in Indian cinema, for which rape, infidelity and romance have been staple storylines since its inception, though showing the merest onscreen kiss has been a taboo. Last week saw the first London screening of Love, Sex Aur Dhoka (Love, Sex and Pain), Bollywood's belated attempt at addressing India's increasing sexual openness. The film caused a...
- 7/22/2010
- by Nirpal Dhaliwal
- The Guardian - Film News
Ayush Khedekar, who played the youngest Jamal Malik in Slumdog Millionaire will play a rescued child slave, Iqbal Masih, in a film titled Carpet Boy. The movie, inspired by the true story of a child working as a bonded labourer in a carpet factory in Pakistan, will mark the directorial debut of Giles Nuttgens, the cinematographer of Deepa Mehta’s Earth, Fire and Water. The film will be shot in India, Canada, the Us and Pakistan, in April-May, on a budget of Rs 32 crore. Writer Farrukh Dhondy who wrote Bandit Queen and The Rising, has written the screenplay for Carpet Boy. ...
- 2/20/2010
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Films based on real-life characters always seem to get into trouble. Whether it was the real life Bandit Queen who wanted to be compensated by Shekhar Kapoor or Bhanwari Devi who created a Bawandar in Jagmohan Mundhra's life, biographical films almost always court trouble in this country. Quick on the heels of Charles Sobhraj threatening to sue author Farrukh Dhondy for borrowing from his life, Utv and director Dibakar Banerjee have clammed shut on the origins of the car-stealing protagonist Abhay Deol in Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! Apparently, the character is inspired by the life and crimes of Devender Singh alias Bunty who's currently in jail for stealing posh cars from the elite circles of Delhi. Doing a complete volte face on the earlier stance that the producers have received a letter from the real-life crime-dude asking for monetary compensation for creative cannibalization, Utv's Siddharth Roy-Kapoor says, "We've received...
- 12/3/2008
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
- In Red Mercury, three young members of a terrorist cell - Asif (Navin Chowdhry), Shahid (San Shella) and Mushtaq (Alex Caan) - are warned of an impending police raid and flee their flat with the makings of a bomb. When they discover that their car has been clamped, they take refuge in a nearby restaurant, and the establishment's well-to-do diners become hostages. Before long, a sophisticated police and security services operation has been assembled outside, taking on added urgency when its leader, Sofia Warburton (Juliet Stevenson), discovers that the three young men are in possession of red mercury, a potential ingredient for what the London security services fear most: a 'dirty' bomb, capable of causing far greater death and destruction than an ordinary explosive device. Like Dog Day Afternoon, Red Mercury explores the shifting dynamics of the relationship between the three young Muslims, as well as those between the
- 8/29/2005
- IONCINEMA.com
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