Divya Prabha : I am like Silk Smitha - Sreeleela item song flop and DSP out of Ajith film

The photo is of the dress designed by actress Poornima Indrajith for Divya who wore it at Cannes festival. Poornima is sister in law of top draw Prithviraj.
 Divya Prabha one of the actors in All we Imagine as Light the Oscar entry says that all the criticisms against her showing nudity on screen was expected by her as Indians mental mindset was not going to change. Though the film received rave reviews , social media is debating about her frontal nudity and that of another actress Kani Kusruti in the film. We had reported that the film was passed by Censors without any cuts. All releasing theatres are witnessing good crowds.

In an interview to ETV Bharat, Divya said that she equated herself to the late Silk Smitha. Smitha when alive was misunderstood as a sexy symbol and her true worth was known only after her passing away. The nude scenes according what is gathered from chats is that the viewers have seen only the clips streaming online and few have gone to theatres. This piracy has affected the film.

As censors have allowed this would more films with nudity get made and Kerala once again lead the bandwagon with another soft porn wave ?.

The item song Kissk lyrical video has not excited the audience. Apart from that DSP the music Director of the film at Pushapa 2 audio event in Chennai said that he was not willing to give songs in a hurry and compromise. DSP is music director of Kanguva and the it has been disastrous. Now Good Bad Ugly producers of Ajith film has decided to do BGM with G V Prakash amd dumped DSP.

rue Vision Stories by Writer Ajith Menon and Lyricist Anil Varma: Release of Volume Six 'Hidden Agendas Shut-Ready'

'Hidden Agendas Shut-Ready', the sixth book in the book series True Vision Stories, edited by India's leading author Ajith Menon and lyricist Anil Varma, has been published. For this, a book launch ceremony was held at Nakshatra Hotel in the central part of Chennai. In this ceremony, the owner of the media company 'Asia Ville' and senior journalist Sasikumar, writers, Ajith Menon-Sunil Verma, producers Ramkumar Ganesan, Trinath Malhotra, D. Many people including Siva Dhananjeyan attended.

'Hidden Agendas' is a book that has been eagerly read by readers. The characters in this book captivate the readers from the very first page. While reading each page, you can visualize the scene and feel the pleasure of the story. Our readers..we are glad to have read the first volume of True Vision Stories series. And we are happy to see the support and interest of various film production companies for this book.

True Vision Stories is a six-volume collection compiled by writer Ajith Menon and lyricist Anil Varma. It introduces readers to a new era of Indian stories as 'Hidden Agendas should be film-ready'.

Ajith Menon, one of the top ten famous writers in India, has written True Vision stories to fulfill the demand of the Indian film industry with emphasis on high quality local stories. It is hosted by lyricist Anil Verma. This exciting sixth volume collection captures the richness of Indian life culture and original events and is crafted in a cinematic style. We call this 'Hidden Agendas Shut-Ready'. The stories of this series have already attracted the attention of film production houses. Anar Entertainment and Pinnacle Movies are planning to adapt the stories of the series. The first four stories of the popular Hidden Agenda written by them are thriller series.

This book is published by the famous Srishti Publishers. The publication has been offering 24 unique story domains in the last six years with a specific genre of stories called True Vision Stories every year. It has also given filmmakers the plot for different films. Each volume in this series is elegantly curated to provide a cinematic reading experience. And it also allows filmmakers to craft exciting stories.

“Every page in the True Vision Stories collection is a cinematic experience. This book has visual storytelling for the readers,'' says writer Ajith Menon.

Lyricist Anil Verma, who has compiled the stories in it, says, "Our aim is to create content for the Indian audience that resonates deeply with Indian culture in relation to film."

With True Vision stories, Ajith Menon and Anil Verma continue the success of the book series 'The Panther's Ghost' which started in 2023. And among this year's top 15 books to read..to read..along with two best-selling volumes...the eagerly awaited third book on his impact on Indian literature and cinema is due out in January 2025.

Anar Entertainment plans to create a landmark moment in Indian cinema with a visionary project. Prem Menon, who has 30 years of experience from the company, and Kannan, who has 24 years of experience in the film industry, plan to bring these unusual screen stories to Indian cinema. It also highlights that culturally rich indigenous storytelling is poised to rise to new heights.

Sasikumar, the owner of the digital platform 'Asia Ville' and a senior journalist, said, "Hello everyone! I am delighted to publish this book. Prem Menon sent the pdf version of this book online.

This moment is a moment of great change. It can bring about a conceptual change about cinema. Books like these have the power to effect positive and sustainable change.

Currently the film industry is taking a big leap. Its business horizons have expanded. New markets for film are also emerging, such as digital platforms. It is also possible to create in one language and publish it in multiple languages.

Newly emerging young creatives are entering the field with different creative thinking. For example films like Manjumol Boys - Banana. Such films are made with low investment and collect between 60 crores and 70 crores. So I call this a moment for change. This book lays the foundation for this.

Ajith Menon and Anil Verma who wrote this have written their experience in cinematic language easily. Ajith Menon - Anil Verma - Anar Entertainment - The three 'A's come together.
It is a good alliance.

In my experience I have recently selected and confirmed a story for Sony. The story should be strong first. This book reflects this idea.

I am basically a journalist. Media can tell what is possible. Truth can be spoken out loud. But the story is different.

Ajith: Why did you choose Chennai for the book launch? When asked.. He explained about the antiquity of the Tamil language.

Currently, many young creators from the Malayalam film industry are creating works with new ideas. Especially on digital platforms, I see a lot of talented people.. presenting their works.

Writing a story is not ordinary. Imagination alone is not enough for that. It requires a lot of skills.. sector knowledge.. experience. Only then can we write different stories.

Book publishing and writing are rising as a profession. So young talents should come forward to publish their thoughts and imaginations in books. Storytelling through writing is also a unique skill.

The book 'Hidden Agendas Shut-Ready' is a successful book. I consider it a joyous moment to publish this book. Many producers and film buffs will support this book.

I would like to thank everyone including Ramkumar Ganesan, Bollywood producer Trinath Malhotra, Tamil film producers D. Siva and Dhananjayan, and my friend Prem, who have come to participate in this festival.

Anar Entertainment's Kannan said, "A good story.. only if there is a suitable screenplay for it.. the movie will become a blockbuster hit. Srishti Publishers today confidently publishes the book 'Hidden Agendas Shut-Ready'. It's a motivational thing for writers. Anar Entertainment and Srishti Publishing are looking forward to welcoming a new generation of young creatives.

I would like to share with you something that I have been observing the Tamil film industry for the last several years. The success rate of Tamil cinema is only seven to eight percent. That means if 200 to 225 films are released in Tamil, only 15 to 16 films become blockbuster hits. If we introspect what is the primary reason for this.. the story.
The story should be correct. The screenplay should also be suitable for that. If these two are weak, the film is mediocre.

A lot of new producers are coming to the Tamil film industry.. If the producer association forms a committee and guides them only in the matter of story selection.. the success rate of Tamil cinema will increase.

The biggest talking point in Tamil cinema today is that movies made with small investment are not sold on digital platforms called OTT. The main reason for this is the weak story. Once the story is in order, everything else will fall into place.

In today's environment Tamil cinema is unable to sell 100 films every year. Even assuming a minimum of three crores for a film.. almost 300 crore rupees is paralyzed in Tamil cinema.

Those who are in charge of the Tamil Film Producers Association who are visiting here.. You should form a committee in this regard and find a way to give advice and guidance regarding the story. This can reduce the loss in Tamil cinema.

Producers should also read the book written by these writers. A lot of new generation of creators should come. They should be supported. Thank you to everyone who came here," he said.

FFI bets on Aamir Khan to get Oscars for Lapaataa Ladies

 Film Federation of India or North India ? . After selection of Laapataa Ladies as India’s official entry for Oscars , the goings on in the jury deliberation shows that the name Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan as producers just did the expected. If you read the shitty citation that FFI jury Chairperson put out ( even jury is misspelt) , you spot from where the mistake that started. “ “Indian women are a strange mixture of submission and dominance. It shows that women can happily desire to be home makers as well as rebel”. Now Ravi Kottarakara President of FFI and represents South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce gives his view on why the film was chosen – The goonghat or the veil that the woman wears and because of this the problem starts according to Ravi is something that is peculiar to Indian woman. He also admits that two bigger films Vaazhai and Thangalaan that came to finals were `too big’ to handle.

So the jury found in LL  the Indianness and the story  is  of a man married to a child bride and her being lost . Coming to the plot, Anant Mahadevan way back in May 2024 said that  that the mix-up and the ghunghatwala (face covered with veil) photo in Laapataa Ladies are straight out of his 1999 film Ghoonghat Ke Pat Khol. The endings differ. In Ghoonghat Ke Pat Khol, the two women correct the mix-up but realise they have feelings for the other’s partner. The four characters end their marriages, switch partners and tie the knot again.

The point that Jury deliberated was not about whether Payal Kapadia film that won Grand Prix in Cannes was not Indian enough or that Ullozhukku'. , Thangalaan ,Vaazha and Aatam were fit to be India’s entry.  Critic Rangan hit the nail - Submitting a film for the Oscars is not just about the film being good but also whether the producers have the funds / desire / know-how / contacts to mount the hugely expensive Oscar campaign.

Look at all the so called films from South and background of the Production companies. Suriya did an exception as the film Jai Bhim was produced by him and he put it up as a private entry. Now take Payal Kapadia’s film. It needed a Rana to get a theatre in Kochi and then fulfil the Oscar criteria. Beyond that what can Rana do ? The five production companies that are behind Kapadia film seem to have given up on it, at least when  it comes to Oscars. Business wise they have got real solid distributors across the globe. Rana is part of the RRR team and all that is fine but is he a  Aamir Khan ?

Track record of Aamir Khan who is co producer of the film. Earth, Lagaan, rang De Basanti, Tare Zameen Par, Peepli Live were all Iscar entry. Out of this Laagan made it to top 5 in Foreign Film Category. Khan hired a Hollywood promotion agency and took a serious shot at it.

Last year, RRR Producers with SSR- NTR jr- Ram Charan team that had the bucks to do Oscar campaign were overlooked for an arthouse film. It did not make it to final and we know what RRR got. In 2022 , Surya was prepared to spend on Jai Bhim if selected for Oscars but instead Koozhangal an arthouse film was selected. In 2023, we send Malayalam film 2018 and that too sank without a trace. Koozhangal was bought by Nayanthara’s banner and she and hubby did some ground work in USA. Even this year Payal Kapadia film that had Rana Daggubatti from D Rama Naidu family backing and a person who is part of S S Rajamouli team from Baahubali to RRR  , lost out to Aamir Khan.

 

Going by track record – jury decided to correct the mistake . It is why  a North Indian Production House and that too with a Bollywood Star backing  and experienced in handling Oscar ,comes with a film , it will just find it Indian enough for official entry. Oscars. If it is a South  banner with Tollywood  Stars , it will find Indianness in an art house film that too from Gujarat.. Three Cheers to Film Federation of India ( North). Also the jury spared the embarrassment of having to wish Payal a win at Oscars. Read l 

Will Sangh Parivar scuttle Payal Kapadia shot at Oscars ?

 

Kerala’s Shenoy Theatre  Kochi and Rana Daggubatti Spirit Media are making it possible for Cannes Grand Prix winner All We Imagine as Light to enter the Oscars as an Indian entry. We had written about how an Indian film is going to be Oscar entry as France’s read https://southfilmy.blogspot.com/2024/09/modi-stalin-vie-to-host-rajini-50th.html) and Kerala reactions to the Cannes win ( https://southfilmy.blogspot.com/2024/05/kerala-story-of-indias-win-at-cannes.html ) . Now what we dread is the political play that will likely play out when the film comes before the FFI ( Film Federation of India ) jury.

The reason for the film  to need a release in India is  that Oscars rule says that film in Foreign Language category should have 7 days screening and as paid ones at a theater in a country of origin or another eligible country, provided it is not USA. It should also have a release before September 30^th. Now the film is releasing in France only in October first week and so it cannot be submitted from that country. Instead, France has presented Emilia Perez which won the Jury prize. As the film has Malayalam – Hindi dialogue and fulfill the condition that more than 50% of track should be non-English and that one of the Producer is an Indian, the film with a Malayalam title will get released on September 21 in Shenoys. It will fulfill the rule that the film should be released before September 30 this year.

To beat the deadline, the film was certified on September 10^th and now the iconic Kochi theatre has come forward. Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha and Azeez Nedumangad are the three Malayalee actors in the film.

Now fulfilling this condition is not enough. For 86^th Academy Award, we overlooked The Lunchbox which was nominated at BAFTA and send The Good Road. In 95^th Academy award we send The Last Show and bypassed SSR RRR which was already creating waves in the West. RRR came with Best Original Song.

As a twitterati Yellow stone Dragon posted - Imagine if after everything that's happened, the desi jury sends...say Article 370 instead of All We Imagine as Light as India's Oscar nominee. Coz we did send Jeans that one year. And, also Reshma Aur Sheera before that.

Distributors generally treat such films as one for niche audience and do not buy them and no production company comes forward to bankroll such films. However given that Payal in 2015 as student of Pune Film Institute had gone on a hunger strike over appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as President, she was suspended and the money that was due to her as scholarship was not given . She had to move the court to get it. The jury could go by this background and not the Cannes story.

After the Grand Prix win, PM Modi and including Gajendra ( not anymore in FTII) had praised Payal. Joining the chorus was Madhavan present FTII President. Wonder why commie friends in Kerala did not open up State owned theatres for this film ? Anyway as we can hope now= jahanbakshi on X posted this :