Mumbai’ madness makes waves at NY Shorts Fest!

Varadraj Swami, director, Akhbar Ka Ek Panna
Varadraj Swami and Shahzad Ahmad, the writers of Manjhi The Mountain Man recently tasted sweet success again when their short film Akhbar Ka Ek Panna won at the New York short Film Festival and Rasika Agashe won the Best Actor Award. The shorts is written by Shahzad Ahmad and Varadraj Swami and directed by Varadraj Swami as well.

A Still from Akhbar Ka Ek Panna
Interestingly, the film seems to be straight out of the life of the writers, who even after Manjhi await the world to know that they have been responsible for the research and dialogues of the acclaimed film.  Says the duo, “Metropolitan life brings with it urban chaos.  The stress and the need to prove oneself at every step is not just painful but at times suicidal. Success in a metro spells the beginning of a stressful journey, not the end. Here, at every step one needs to go through so many complications that it is not easy living the life. We are glad our feelings on the metro madness made sense even in New York.”
The writers plan to take the film on a world festival tour before embarking on their next. “This time it will be a feature,” discloses Varadraj. “You can say Akhbar Ka Ek Panna was the fourth leaf from our book, replete with exciting stories waiting to hit the celluloid.” The other short films by the duo are The Endless, Shades and Recession. "Our short films are our short stories coming to life," avers Shahzad Ahmad.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Move Over IPL, PPL Is Here!

Image
Pro-Panja League India’s Only Arm-Wrestling League, at Radio Club Mumbai on Feb 14 One of the most iconic sports of all times, Arm Wrestling is often referred to as India’s favourite pastime! The sport now has a competitive avatar that has successfully drawn people across all ages and the followers including genders, thanks to this competition. In a unique bid in athletics to let your forearms do the talking, Pro-Panja is emulating the league format for arm-wrestling! “Panja is an internationally acclaimed sport seeped in Indianness! That’s what the Pro-Panja League stands for,” expresses actors Parvin Dabas and Preeti Jhangiani, the brains behind Pro-Panja League, set to take arm wrestling to the next level in India! The maiden venture, with ardent followers including 5,000 male and 2,000 female arm wrestlers in the amateur levels saw 400 athletes from 18 states, with Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Padma Shri Olympic Boxer Vijender Singh with an undefeated streak, not just making th...
Read more

Sonu Nigam To Hold Online Concert For Every Indian In Support Of PM Modi’s “Iconic” Request For Janta Curfew/Social Distancing; Takes To Social Media

Image
If there is one singer that can stand out, it is none other than the talented and extremely versatile Indian playback singer  Sonu   Nigam ! Having won hearts the world over,  Sonu   Nigam , as a celebrity and an influencer, has always made it a point to be vocal about issues concerning his fellow countrymen. In a 30-minute address to nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the citizens of India to prepare so that the nation can combat challenges posed by the COVID-19 viral outbreak. Emphasizing on the urgent need of the hour – Social Distancing, National Film Award recipient  Sonu   Nigam  supported the PM’s move as he took to social media, requesting the masses to adhere to the PM’s “iconic” address. “During this curfew, we shall neither leave our homes, nor get onto the streets or roam about our localities,” addressed the Prime Minister, adding that to be prepared to combat challenges posed by viral outbreak, there is an urgent need and ...
Read more

Bringing Back The Humane In Humanity – Mukkti Foundation – A Smita Thackeray Foundation

Image
Smita Thackeray helmed Mukkti Foundation has been instrumental in distributing over 8,500 meals to the needy along with 2,000 face shields for our frontline COVID-19 warriors! Mukkti Foundation, under the aegis of firebrand social activist Smita Thackeray, has always been on a forefront on making a difference in everyone's lives. ….. taking a stand against discrimination and social awareness of HIV/AIDS patients and the trauma they go through, empowerment of women and children, the cause of education, welfare and environment activism, the foundation hasn't shied away from doing the right things in these trying times ! COVID-19 has disrupted everything across the world! Battling a pandemic that no one has battled in their lives before, Smita Thackeray believes that we are suddenly facing a scenario that we could not really fathom. With everyone trying to cope with the anxiety and uncertainty in their lives, many are trying to survive with their limited resources as t...
Read more