The 2015 edition of National Film
Development Corporation of India's Film Bazaar in Goa presented some
fascinating works from all over the country.
Konkana Sen Sharma in a still from Lipstick Under My Burkha
The movies and documentaries, some of them curated by the Film Bazaar
team, make for an interesting array of different stories and
sensibilities. It was at the Film Bazaar that films like 'The Lunchbox'
(2013) and 'Titli', which released last month, were showcased before
they made rounds of the festival circuit and bagged awards. hitlist
mentions a few promising works that caught our eye this year:
'Burqa Boxers'
Written,
directed and produced by Alka Raghuraman, this Hindi-Bengali
documentary is about three young women from Kolkata who fight society
and stereotypes to learn boxing.
'Chidiya'
Directed
by Mehran Amrohi, the Hindi fiction film highlights the aspect of child
labour; it focusses on two kids forced to work as spot boys on a film
set, when all they want to do is play badminton.
'Cinemawala'
A
Bengali feature film directed by Kaushik Ganguly which explores the
relationship between a father and son, who have both chosen films as
their passion.
'Ghoomketu'
Written
and directed by Pushpendra Mehra with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead
role, the film is about the hope and disappointments of an aspiring
writer who flees his hometown to prove himself as a film writer.
'Mantra'
An
urban tale inspired by the India of early 90s when the country's
economy opened up to the world. The film talks about the repercussions
of a desi company bought out by a multinational brand. The film stars
known names like Rajat Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin and Adil Hussain.
'G-A Wanton Heart'
A
film in Haryanvi and Hindi, written and directed by Rahul Dahiya. It
boldly talks about the taboos of love and lust as the protagonists get
caught in the web.
'Haaduk'
Helmed
by Jaicheng Jai Dohutta, this film is set in the 90s when extremist
groups had a stronghold on Assam. It's about a woman called Heramoni
missing her son Mukti, who's joined an insurgent group. The film is in
Assamese, Moran and English languages.
''I' Pad'
This
Hindi film has an interesting storyline of the male protagonist wanting
to start a business of producing sanitary pads. Even as the society is
eager to dub him as a pervert, Natraj is sure that he can strike gold.
It is written and directed by Amit Rai.
'Lyari Notes'
A
story of liberation that talks of a rock star in Pakistan who teaches a
group of girls to express themselves freely through music; written and
directed by Miriam Chandy Manachery and Maheen Zia.
'Lipstick Under My Burkha'
This
Hindi film chronicles the lives of four women who end up doing things
secretly to attain more freedom than they are allowed. Starring Konkana
Sen Sharma in a pivotal role, the film is written and directed by
Alankrita Shrivastava.
'Nila'
A
contemporary Tamil film about unrequited love and unexplored desires,
this one is centered on a love rekindled between a young man and his
childhood sweetheart. It is written and directed by Selvamani Selviraj.
'Raghu Rai: An Unframed Portrait'
The
famed photographer has his life chronicled in a documentary by his
daughter, Avani Rai. This is produced by Anurag Kashyap for Phantom
Films.
'Right Forward'
A
documentary that encapsulates the moving and magical story of 12 young
Indian girls from a slum in Mumbai to San Francisco, in pursuit of their
passion for soccer.
'Moh Maya Money'
An
urban tale that talks about the early things that materialistic greed
can bring along with it. Ranveer Shorey and Neha Dhupia star in this
film directed by Munish Bharadwaj.
'The Threshold'
In
a world which always talks about young people, here's a film that deals
with the issues of an old couple. Veteran actors Neena Gupta and Rajit
Kapoor play the lead couple. The Hinglish film is directed by Pushan
Kriplani.
'Tu Hai Mera Sunday'
This
feature film revolves around five young men who have one thing in
common: their Sunday ritual of playing football on the beach. But when
they are banned from playing on Juhu beach, it is a challenge for them
to find an alternate space in the crowded city of Mumbai. Milind Dhamade
has directed the film.
'Chauthi Koot (The Fourth Dimension)'
Set
in the Punjab of 80s, this Punjabi film connects two incidents to
present the helpless situation of a common man caught between military
and the militant movement for a separate Sikh nation.
Kabir Khan and Mini Mathur
The filmmaker will himself spearhead these projects along with
'Jungle Book', who has produced the Hindi film will also be producing
these along with the international counterparts.
