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<ul><li>The 54-year-old actor passed away today leaving Bollywood with a vacuum that few can ever fill. </li><li>Khan who made his debut with a DD-era TV show ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ in 1988, became one of the very few actors who started with bit parts. </li><li>His first stint with that of Bollywood was light on-screen time as he did not even have a five-minute role in 1988 movie “Salaam Bombay” which went on to win a National Film award. </li></ul>Unlike the character of Badrinath he played in the fantasy TV series Chandrakanta, <keyword id="16207" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Irrfan-Khan">Irrfan Khan</keyword> will not be making a much-wanted comeback. Not anymore; as the 54-year-old passed away today leaving Bollywood and maybe even Hollywood with a vacuum that few can ever fill. Khan is survived by wife Sutapa Sikdar and kids Babil Khan and Ayan Khan. “Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him,” his family said in a statement. <div type="twitter" handle="SrBachchan" handlename="Amitabh Bachchan" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1138177088136011776/Rnp146CU_normal.jpg" favoritecount="102699" retweetcount="13997" status="T 3516 - .. just getting news of the passing of Irfaan Khan .. this is a most disturbing and sad news .. 🙏An incre… https://t.co/g6M8lUYukL" createdat="1588142616000" id="1255387239330263041"></div> Khan who made his debut with a DD-era TV show ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ in 1988, became one of the very few actors who started with bit parts to progress to character roles and finally to become a protagonist playing author-backed roles in movies like Hindi Medium, Qarib Qarib Singlle and many more. His first stint with that of Bollywood was light on-screen time as he played a role that lasted a few minutes in the 1988 movie Salaam Bombay, which went on to win a National Film award. But he became famous for his acting chops as he played the layered and complicated Macbeth in Maqbool. It was later followed with the role of a boorish Bengali man in Life in a Metro who left the audience in splits. But one of his first roles as a protagonist was in Lunch Box, a heart-warming love story along with Pan Singh Tomar, the tragic story of a national-level athlete turned rebel - a role that won him a National Award. Very soon, Hollywood came calling where he played key roles in Life of Pi and The Amazon Spider-Man and even the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire along with The Namesake. In a career that lasted 32 years, there were few characters he did not try and excel. The ₹300 acting job in a DD serial <div type="image" title="rursszqnrihuq3e2_1578377770." msid="75445806" hostid="261"></div>Credits: DD Khan hailed from Jaipur and graduated from National School of Drama in 1984. While he was still learning, he landed his first job in a DD show that paid him ₹300, and was ‘very excited about it’. “It was a good amount back then, as my monthly expenses then were at ₹400,” Khan told Kapil Sharma on his show. Khan was influenced by actors like Om Puri who never met the conventional standards of physique and looks to make it in a Bollywood movie. Khan himself mentioned many times that he would not prefer to be a conventional ‘star’. Yet top roles came calling in Bollywood and Hollywood. True to his word, he also rejected A-list Hollywood films like The Martian and Interstellar. ‘To live and be dead is worse than the fear of death’ <div type="image" title="D9E9F5D3-A8DC-4A9A-9CF4-DAB76934283C" msid="75445812" hostid="261"></div> Khan exhibited this very same grit and determination even after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2018. After that, he shot his movie Angrezi Medium which was released just before the Coronavirus lockdown. Even as he fought a long and lasting battle with cancer, his spirits were never down. “You know what’s worse than one’s fear of death? To live and be dead. I relate to everything which works against the odds. I have faith in miracles and I have faith in obtaining the unattainable with an undying spirit,"<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/irrfan-khan-on-angrezi-medium-film-new-bollywood-movie-6307242/"> Khan told media in March ‘20 while </a>talking about his movie Angreji Medium. Just before he passed away, the Padma Shri winning actor had to suffer through another personal tragedy. His 95-year-old mother Saeeda Begum had passed away in Jaipur on Saturday (April 25), and he was unable to attend the funeral because of the lockdown. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/disney-hotstar-amazon-prime-videos-zee-5-gained-a-lot-this-lockdown-and-it-might-not-be-temporary-either/articleshow/75443378.cms">Streaming platforms who are on a new high — are hosting web premiers and might even expand to gaming</a>

Irrfan Khan’s inspiring journey from Chandrakanta to Macbeth to a father struggling to get his child into a school

<ul><li><keyword id="16207" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Irrfan-Khan">Irrfan Khan</keyword> died of a <keyword id="447518" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="neuroendocrine-tumour">neuroendocrine tumour</keyword> (NET) — the 'forgotten cancer' — earlier today, April 29.</li><li>The cancer is rare and often misdiagnosed as other common ailments like IBS, asthma or anxiety. </li><li>According to the Neuroendocrine Tumour Research Foundation, NET is becoming more common but more than half the patients suffer from late diagnosis.</li></ul>Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan fought a two-year battle against a neuroendocrine tumour before he passed away earlier today, April 29, at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. India's favourite 'silent superstar' was diagnosed in March 2018. After he disclosed his condition, Khan flew to the United Kingdom for treatment, which kept him away from the Indian film industry for nearly a year. <div type="twitter" handle="irrfank" handlename="Irrfan" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1017698378220736512/gFO4OYTO_normal.jpg" favoritecount="47070" retweetcount="9302" status="🙏🏻 https://t.co/IDThvTr6yF" createdat="1521192641000" id="974578690066669568"></div> <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75445225" title="Irrfan Khan’s inspiring journey from Chandrakanta to Macbeth to a father struggling to get his child into a school" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> What is a neuroendocrine tumour? A neuroendocrine tumour (NET), simply put, is an umbrella term for a class of rare cancers. Not only is it difficult to diagnose, but it's also slow-growing and complex. Neuroendocrine cells are found all over the body — especially in the small bowel, pancreas, stomach, the adrenal gland, lungs and thyroid. As and when these cells receive signals from the nervous system, they release the corresponding hormones. <div type="image" title="neotumourUCMed" msid="75447424" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Here&amp;#39;s where neuroendocrine cells are found in the body&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> A neuroendocrine tumour is a tumour that forms within those cells. What makes them complex is that their behaviour is difficult to predict. More and more people are being diagnosed with NET — just not soon enough NET isn't understood very well and it can often be anywhere between five to seven years before a conclusive diagnosis is revealed. More than half the people suffer from late detection of the condition, according to the Neuroendocrine Tumour Research Foundation (<a href="https://netrf.org/for-patients/">NETRF</a>). By that time, NET has normally spread to other organs in the body. <div type="image" title="irrfan2" msid="75447468" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Irrfan Khan greets Rangayana director H Janardhana when the latter came to see him&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> NETRF data also shows that every 7 in 100,000 people are afflicted and that number is on the rise. To raise awareness, the International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance (INCA) created the World NET Cancer Day, which occurs on November 10 every year. Even so, it's not something that the common person will be familiar with until they're actually diagnosed. The tumours can occur almost anywhere in the body and don't differentiate between gender and age. NET symptoms disguise themselves Symptoms of NET often mimic other common ailments — like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), asthma, flushing or redding of the skin, and unexplained anxiety. Because of this patients are often misdiagnosed and NET has been labelled the 'forgotten cancer'. <div type="image" title="irrfan3" msid="75447480" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Actor Irrfan Khan during a session at Jaipur Literature Festival 2014 &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> In August 2018, Irrfan Khan revealed to the press that he had concluded four rounds of chemotherapy with six more cycles to go. He made a return to Bollywood to wrap up the final scenes of Angrezi Medium nearly a year later in April 2019. Ahead of the release, Khan told fans that he won't be able to promote the film in a way that he would have liked to, due to his medical condition. <div type="image" title="irrfan4" msid="75447499" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Irrfan Khan at the 61st Britannia Filmfare Awards 2015 at NSCI Dome &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> "My body's been gatecrashed by some unwelcome guests and I'm continuing to negotiate with them. Let's see where that conversation takes us," he said. Right before his own death, Khan's mother — Saeeda Begum — passed away on April 25 in Jaipur at the age of 95. Due to the ongoing lockdown and his own deteriorating health, he was unable to visit her. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/irrfan-khans-inspiring-journey-from-chandrakanta-to-macbeth-to-a-father-struggling-to-get-his-child-into-a-school/articleshow/75445225.cms">Irrfan Khan's inspiring journey from Chandrakanta to Macbeth to a father struggling to get his child into a school</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/checkout-the-day-of-holidays-in-bank-in-may-month-including-eid-may-day-and-buddha-purnima/articleshow/75441876.cms">List of bank holidays in May — Buddha Purnima, Eid and May Day</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/the-biggest-asteroid-of-the-year-will-zoom-past-earth-this-week-adhering-to-social-distancing-and-even-wearing-a-mask/articleshow/75399097.cms">The biggest asteroid of 2020 will zoom past Earth on April 29 — adhering to 'social distancing' and even wearing a mask</a>

Irrfan Khan died of a neuroendocrine tumour — here's what makes the 'forgotten cancer' so dangerous

<ul><li><keyword id="16207" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Irrfan-Khan">Irrfan Khan</keyword> passed away earlier today, April 29, after battling a rare form of cancer.</li><li>The last message posted by Khan was about how emotional he was from the inside, but happy outside. The dialogue is from his latest movie, Angrezi Medium.</li><li>Khan also posted a screenshot of a video call with his Angrezi Medium colleagues. Irrfan’s video stream is not visible, possibly due to his deteriorating condition in the hospital.</li></ul>Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan passed away earlier today, April 29, after a two-year battle against a neuroendocrine tumour, a rare form of cancer that developed in his colon. In his last ever tweet, Khan said how he’s emotional from the inside, but happy outside, reprising his famous dialogue from his last movie Angrezi Medium. Khan was an inspiration to many – his journey started from a Rs. 300 acting job in a Doordarshan serial to being the lead protagonist in award-winning movies like Hindi Medium. Over his 32-year acting career, there are but a few roles that Irrfan Khan has not played. His death leaves a vacuum that will be difficult to fill. <div type="twitter" handle="irrfank" handlename="Irrfan" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1017698378220736512/gFO4OYTO_normal.jpg" favoritecount="47407" retweetcount="9389" status="🙏🏻 https://t.co/IDThvTr6yF" createdat="1521192641000" id="974578690066669568"></div> Khan was not very active on social media, more so recently when he was battling the cancer. However, he did manage to post about his projects, the last one being about his movie Angrezi Medium. <div type="twitter" handle="irrfank" handlename="Irrfan" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1017698378220736512/gFO4OYTO_normal.jpg" favoritecount="15045" retweetcount="1492" status="Mr. Champak’s state of mind: Love from the inside, making sure to show it outside! 😍 #AngreziMedium now streaming o… https://t.co/JmeeHQcYZ3" createdat="1586686486000" id="1249279789254361088"></div> In retrospect, going through his recent posts on Twitter can lead to a rollercoaster of emotions, but it gives us a peek into what Khan was going through in his last few days. Also read: <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75445225" title="Irrfan Khan’s inspiring journey from Chandrakanta to Macbeth to a father struggling to get his child into a school" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="irrfank" handlename="Irrfan" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1017698378220736512/gFO4OYTO_normal.jpg" favoritecount="5992" retweetcount="649" status="I support this because I believe we need to change from the roots#gramsevasangha #oneworld https://t.co/ecgY9v4wud" createdat="1586423023000" id="1248174741854343171"></div> He also urged people to fast in support for migrant labourers who are going through an unprecedented crisis due to Coronavirus. <div type="twitter" handle="irrfank" handlename="Irrfan" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1017698378220736512/gFO4OYTO_normal.jpg" favoritecount="4660" retweetcount="222" status="Catching up with the #AngreziMedium family right before the #AngreziMediumPremiere was absolutely fun! Watch the f… https://t.co/blXWxprja3" createdat="1586340889000" id="1247830248541917184"></div> Khan also caught up with his fellow Angrezi Medium actors ahead of the movie’s premiere on Disney+ Hotstar. In what could be termed symbolic of his situation, Khan’s video stream is unavailable while the rest of the actors’ are visible. <div type="twitter" handle="irrfank" handlename="Irrfan" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1017698378220736512/gFO4OYTO_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1676" retweetcount="196" status="Time to reflect why #humancourse have pushed planet and human beings against each other. When #humansarequartined… https://t.co/Ry9m4H15Yt" createdat="1585381080000" id="1243804518577471489"></div> Khan also spread awareness about the need to preserve, highlighting how the world has come to a standstill due to the Coronavirus pandemic. <div type="twitter" handle="irrfank" handlename="Irrfan" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1017698378220736512/gFO4OYTO_normal.jpg" favoritecount="47481" retweetcount="8200" status="https://t.co/d4Osol3NvP" createdat="1554274402000" id="1113333655538208768"></div> Going further back in his timeline, Khan posted a message thanking his supporters for the love and support. <div type="javascript" title="Instagram" contenttype="Image"><cdata><![CDATA[ ]]></cdata></div> On his Instagram, Khan’s recent post said how you need to go on no matter the difficulties you face in life. Looking back, his posts tug at your heartstrings. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/irrfan-khans-inspiring-journey-from-chandrakanta-to-macbeth-to-a-father-struggling-to-get-his-child-into-a-school/articleshow/75445225.cms">Irrfan Khan’s inspiring journey from Chandrakanta to Macbeth to a father struggling to get his child into a school</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/how-irrfan-khan-died-of-a-neuroendocrine-tumour-what-is-it-symptoms-and-treatment/articleshow/75447539.cms">Irrfan Khan died of a neuroendocrine tumour — here's what makes the 'forgotten cancer' so dangerous</a>

Irrfan Khan's last few tweets before his death revealed the man behind the star

<ul><li>After the untimely and unfortunate demise of Syska’s first ever brand ambassador Irrfan Khan, the company was on a lookout for a dynamic and well-loved brand ambassador who is as homegrown and authentic as the brand Syska.</li><li>The brand has roped in <keyword id="1946388" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rajkummar-Rao">Rajkummar Rao</keyword> to be its face. </li></ul>Syska Group has roped in actor Rajkummar Rao as the new face of the brand. Rao will work closely with the company to promote the Syska products across LED and Fan segments. Rao enjoys mass appeal for his unconventional choice of movies and is one of the most versatile actors of today. He has a strong connect with urban audiences, as well as with those from Tier 2 and 3 markets, which make up the large segment of Syska’s target groups. <div type="Youtube" id="FNScMZNqXaw" title="Syska LED X Rajkummar Rao" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FNScMZNqXaw/mqdefault.jpg"></div> After the untimely and unfortunate demise of Syska’s first ever brand ambassador Irrfan Khan, the company was on a lookout for a dynamic and well-loved brand ambassador who is as homegrown and authentic as the brand Syska. Rao, made his debut in the Indian film industry and achieved nationwide recognition for his flawless performances. Similarly, Syska, has grown manifolds to become the pioneer of LED lighting in the country, within a short period of time. The parallel between the two, found the actor the perfect fit to endorse the brand. <div type="Youtube" id="pA66hjs67kI" title="INTRODUCING RAJKUMMAR RAO FOR SYSKA LED" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pA66hjs67kI/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Commenting on the onboarding of Rajkummar Rao, Rajesh Uttamchandani, Director, Syska Group said, “We are extremely excited to have Rajkummar Rao as the new face of <keyword id="10189566" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-syska-group">the Syska Group</keyword>. Rajkummar is an apt choice for the brand because of his discerning choice of work and roles which reflects a sensitive, and mature actor. We believe that our journey at Syska is mirrored in his work. We are confident that our association with Rajkummar Rao will grow from strength to strength and will aid in recreating magic in the hearts of Syska’s loyal consumer base.” Commenting on being the new face of the brand, Rajkummar Rao said, “For me, Syska is a high quality, 100% homegrown brand. It is a pioneering company whose story is truly inspiring and which I relate to easily. Syska has created a niche category which is good for the country and has been making great strides in successfully convincing users to switch from traditional CFL to LED lights. I believe this is a very confident stance to take, and to me it conveys that you must always work hard and give your hundred percent in order to stay light years ahead of the competition. As a customer, this acts as a promise that we can always look forward to the best from Syska.” The partnership will also see Syska Group launch a new ad campaign with Rajkummar focusing on LED and Fans, highlighting the many accolades that the brand has earned over the years. The campaign will begin shortly and will be executed strategically through leading TV channels in GEC and News genres in order to reach the masses across Metro, tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Its aggressive digital presence with publishers having high-traffic will further amplify the reach amongst the new-age customers and will only add to the momentum during the entire festival season right up to New Year.

Syska Group onboards Rajkummar Rao as its brand ambassador

Welcome to another action-crime thriller with big dollops of <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> masala that has earned a decent response at the <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword>. But if you are expecting a movie featuring <keyword id="6354925" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kolkata">Kolkata</keyword> in the troubled 70s or a big-time gangster flick that reveals a human core, it will be better to skip <keyword id="6427325" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gunday">Gunday</keyword>. Directed by <keyword id="6368814" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ali-Abbas-Zafar">Ali Abbas Zafar</keyword>, this gun-goon-and-gal flick has loads of twists and turns, follows a long-winded <keyword id="1097560" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="storyline">storyline</keyword> and stars big names including <keyword id="106133" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ranveer-Singh">Ranveer Singh</keyword>, <keyword id="114453" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arjun-Kapoor">Arjun Kapoor</keyword>, <keyword id="1655" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Priyanka-Chopra">Priyanka Chopra</keyword> and <keyword id="16207" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Irrfan-Khan">Irrfan Khan</keyword>. But that’s where its claim to fame should end unless you are ready to ogle some brawn and oomph, a pseudo-historical account of the times and a glimpse of the City of Joy as the background. 
 
Gunday was released on the Valentine’s Day (February 14) and tries hard to explore the <keyword id="1541122" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="bromance">bromance</keyword> between the male leads – the <keyword id="1739443" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="outlaw">outlaw</keyword> duo of <keyword id="19013" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="bikram">Bikram</keyword> (Ranveer) and <keyword id="17684" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bala">Bala</keyword> (Arjun). While that is commendable to some extent, the contrived love triangle involving Priyanka (<keyword id="70837" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nandita">Nandita</keyword>) looks scarcely convincing and her main utility seems to be getting the eyeballs. 
 
Yet, the movie has done fairly well at the box office, netting around Rs 43.93 crore at home after the first weekend. Gunday has, however, failed to race past another action thriller, Salman-starrer <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Jai-Ho-Salman-FightsThrough-Clichs-Fails-To-Create-A-Dhoom/articleshow/29505187.cms">Jai Ho</a>, which earned around Rs 60 crore in the debut weekend. Overseas collections of Gunday stood at $2.16 million gross. But there was a drop in collection on the crucial Day 4 (February 17) and the movie netted around Rs 6.5 crore as per industry estimates. Still, we are seeing some steady traction and Gunday may soon enter the coveted Rs <keyword id="6567206" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="100-crore-club">100 crore club</keyword>. The flick, made on an approximate budget of Rs 50 crore including promotions, has reportedly hit over 2,000 screens across India. 
 
Coming back to the story, let’s have a close look at what makes Gunday kind of unpalatable. Interestingly, <keyword id="2217" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Big-B">Big B</keyword>, who had watched the film at its Mumbai premiere, told the media that it’s “an adrenaline-packed movie.” That’s true and Gunday tries to capture the saga of angry young men who get on the wrong side of the law on their way to a glamorised life of crime. Does it remind you of Deewaar? The broad <keyword id="50138" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Theme">theme</keyword> of Gunday is not unlike that old classic but then, everything else has gone awry – be it storyline, acting, periodicity or dialogues. 
 For one, the entire journey of Bikram and Bala looks patchy. The movie fails to give us a realistic version of the metamorphosis they have undergone – from orphan kids (migrants from <keyword id="6354759" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Bangladesh">Bangladesh</keyword>) to big-time coal mafias who are always on the run from the law. But in doing so, Ranveer-Arjun display loads of bromance; get involved in <keyword id="2065117" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shirtless-fights">shirtless fights</keyword> à la <keyword id="6354583" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Salman-Khan">Salman Khan</keyword>, and show off their biceps &amp; waxed 6-packs (imagine that in the 70s) quite unabashed. Are they the new <keyword id="2065120" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Male-eye-candy">male eye candy</keyword>, we wonder? But more than that, they are the brainless brawn type who can be easily trapped by the cops. 
 The duo duly falls in love with the <keyword id="2065114" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="gorgeous-cabaret-dancer">gorgeous cabaret dancer</keyword> Nandita (Priyanka Chopra) who obviously can’t be what she seems. So she turns out to be an <keyword id="2065123" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Undercover-police">undercover police</keyword> officer, in league with <keyword id="2065121" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="ACP-Satyajeet-Sarkar">ACP Satyajeet Sarkar</keyword> (Irrfan Khan). A look at Nandita’s get-up makes us wonder whether Kolkata had ever seen such flamboyant fashion trends during that period. Still, Priyanka is playing the role of a seductress and <keyword id="77110" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Undercover-agent">undercover agent</keyword>. So she must look lethal, even when she is clad in the traditional saree. In contrast, Irrfan does a commendable job and does the voiceover, too. 
 What you may love about this movie is the easy-flowing chemistry between Ranveer and Arjun, some good punch lines and Irrfan’s great acting. But the flick falls flat by the end as clichés abound and not even the suspense ending can save it. Protagonists/anti-heroes of this sort can attain a different height if the storyline and the characters are handled with subtlety and sensitiveness. But <keyword id="303" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Director">director</keyword> Ali Abbas Zafar gives as something as crass and over-the-top as his earlier movie, <keyword id="440305" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Mere-brother-ki-Dulhan">Mere Brother Ki Dulhan</keyword>. And the outcome? As Mohar Basu of Koimoi says, it’s a “sexy show gone dull.” All because talented actors are made to struggle to find their rhythm in a cliché-laden <keyword id="6371619" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="plot">plot</keyword>. 
 
Image: Indiatimes

Box Office: Gunday Leaves
You Clueless But Cash Register is Ringing

​The Oscar fights never go out of fashion in India. We have not made our mark there yet in spite of many Indian connections with movies like Life of Pi and <keyword id="32892" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Slumdog-Millionaire">Slumdog Millionaire</keyword>. But when it comes to selecting India’s official entry for the Foreign Language Film category at the <keyword id="9344" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Academy-Awards">Academy Awards</keyword>, the heat is full on. This time, there were as many as 22 contenders and some entries like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, English Vinglish, Celluloid, Shabdo, Ship of Theseus and <keyword id="6354603" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Kamal-Haasan">Kamal Haasan</keyword>’s Vishwaroopam created a lot of buzz. But the final battle royal seemed to have boiled down to just two – Mumbaikar <keyword id="1539946" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ritesh-Batra">Ritesh Batra</keyword>’s <keyword id="1678680" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="The-Lunchbox">The Lunchbox</keyword> and Goa-born <keyword id="1602536" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gyan-Correa">Gyan Correa</keyword>’s <keyword id="1602537" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="The-Good-Road">The Good Road</keyword>. However, The Lunchbox lost to The Good Road, which earlier bagged the national award for the best Gujarati feature film. Correa’s flick was picked by a 19-member jury, appointed by the <keyword id="291689" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Film-Federation-of-India">Film Federation of India</keyword> (FFI). 
 
What they tweeted 
A Press release said the decision had been unanimous, but congratulatory and disgruntled tweets followed. Here’s a look at some of the significant ones. 
 
Gujarat chief minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>: Delighted to know that Gujarati film The Good Road has been chosen to represent India at Oscars. My best wishes. 
 
<keyword id="7929" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anurag-Kashyap">Anurag Kashyap</keyword> (the film-maker co-produced The Lunchbox with <keyword id="197931" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Guneet-Monga">Guneet Monga</keyword>): Feeling very, very disappointed, can’t comment on the film I have not seen, but it better make it to final five… I don’t know who the federation is. But it goes to show, why we completely lack the understanding to make films that can travel across borders… I hope and pray I am wrong and it actually is a film that knocks the socks off everyone… We should then make a clean policy, you want to send the best film, then send the national award winner. Or send the one most likely to win... Anyway, disappointment and anger aside… let’s go back to make cinema… 
 
<keyword id="3778" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Karan-Johar">Karan Johar</keyword> (The director-producer turned presenter for The Lunchbox): Really shocked and disappointed… #LUNCHBOX had every factor working in its favour... we may have just lost our golden chance… SAD!!! 
 
Ritesh Batra (Director, The Lunchbox): Congrats to The Good Road. Hope it makes it all the way, else it will be a lost chance by FFI-appointed jury that lacks vision. Hope I am wrong… 
 
The Good Road and The Lunchbox: Head-to-head 
Some industry experts are not too enthusiastic and feel that The Lunchbox would have been a better Oscar choice for several reasons. So here is a head-to-head for our readers, along with some lesser-known facts. 
 
Auteur cinema is gaining prominence. Written by Correa himself, The Good Road is a documentary-style collage of stories woven around the highway where the protagonists lose their way, struggle on their personal quests and evolve in a way that touches the heart. The Lunchbox, on the other hand, brings to life the ever-present Mumbai dabbawalas (tiffin carriers) and a bitter-sweet story of bonding that starts with a misplaced lunchbox (according to a Harvard University study, the delivery system is so excellent that just one in a million lunch boxes will go to a wrong address). Each film reflects its director’s vision instead treading the beaten path. 
 
Both Correa and Batra did it hands-on. It was real-life research for both the directors. Correa got into a truck and went on a journey, getting to the core of things before he created his story. Batra worked as a <keyword id="415857" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dabbawala">dabbawala</keyword> for a week to get the hang of it. 
 
But they come from different industries. That’s right. Batra studied Economics and worked as a consultant for Deloitte. He left the job to join the Graduate Film Program at New York University, but dropped out after a year and a half due to fund crunch. Correa is from the advertising space but decided to have a go at film-making. 
 
In spite of debacle, The Lunchbox gets a bite of the global pie. According to media reports, it has already been sold to 30 different territories globally and could be the first Indian film with 3 foreign producers – ASAP Films of France, Rohfilm of Germany and Cinemosaic of America, along with <keyword id="66984" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="NFDC">NFDC</keyword>, Sikhya <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="entertainment">Entertainment</keyword>, Dharma Productions and DAR Films from India. It can also be the first Indian movie to be released across 100 screens in Germany. Incidentally, the film was made on a shoestring budget of $1.5 million. On the other hand, NFDC produced The Good Road, but it doesn’t have an <keyword id="1878880" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="American-distributor">American distributor</keyword> yet. 
 
But what about Oscar compatibility? The Lunchbox might have got a favourable push at the Oscars, had it been chosen. For one, <keyword id="16207" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Irrfan-Khan">Irrfan Khan</keyword> is a familiar name (his roles in The Warrior, Mighty Heart, Slumdog Millionaire and The Amazing Spider-man certainly helped) and the movie has already received some rev reviews at Cannes, Telluride, Toronto and India. Moreover, <keyword id="6411012" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sony-Pictures">Sony Pictures</keyword> Classics will be distributing the film in the US and that could have been another plus. The Good Road has one Oscar connection, though. Its sound designer Resul Pookutty has already won an Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire in 2009. 
 
Bottom line: Till date, only three <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> movies made it to the nomination stage of the Oscar. These include Mehboob Khan’s Mother India (1957), <keyword id="7999" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Mira-Nair">Mira Nair</keyword>’s Salaam Bombay (1988) and <keyword id="17233" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Ashutosh-Gowariker">Ashutosh Gowariker</keyword>’s Lagaan (2001). The Good Road belongs to the art house pack, but going by the poor track record of other ‘arty’ films (Salim Ahamed’s Abu, Son of Adam in 2011, <keyword id="82569" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Anusha-Rizvi">Anusha Rizvi</keyword>’s Peepli Live in 2010 and <keyword id="33044" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Kalpana-Lajmi">Kalpana Lajmi</keyword>’s Rudaali in 1993), will Gollywood’s (a concoction of Gujarat and Bollywood) tryst with Oscar produce something more fruitful this time? Also, will it be possible for the Lunchbox team to push the movie at the Oscars even without the government’s backing? Let us wait and watch how ‘independent’ our independent cinema is in reality. 
 
With additional input from Agencies 
Image courtesy: Indiatimes

‘Good Road’ Tops India’s Oscar Race; Will ‘Lunchbox’ Get The Global Pie?

Reality is the most coveted theme in Bollywood right now. From churning out biopics to drawing inspiration from real-life incidents, movies are riding the ‘reality’ wave in a bid to rake in big moolah. Although it is not a box office hit, the recently released Gulaab Gang, starring Madhuri Dixit Nene and Juhi Chawla, is said to be inspired by Sampat Pal Devi and her Gulabi Gang, a group of Indian women vigilantes and activists. Another biopic based on Olympic medallist Mary Kom is coming up soon and promises to make waves. But before that, let us take a look at some of the most popular movies inspired by real life. 
 
1. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag One of the biggest hits of 2013 starring <keyword id="5015" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Farhan-Akhtar">Farhan Akhtar</keyword>, this is a biopic of Milkha Singh, the Flying Sikh of India. The flick goes beyond the obvious and highlights the lesser-known facts of the legendary athlete’s life, thus introducing the Indian sports hero to the Gen Y. Farhan is spectacular in his role while Milkha Singh has sold the rights of the movie for Re 1. However, a share of the profits goes to <keyword id="1937557" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Milkha-Singh-Charitable-Trust">Milkha Singh Charitable Trust</keyword>. 
 
2. The Attacks of 26/11 
Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, this docudrama is based on the gory Mumbai attacks of 2008. The movie focuses on the series of events that took place on this fateful day. The movie revolves around the terrorist attacks and Ajmal Kasab, the prime radical, who was caught. RGV relies on police statements, eyewitnesses and the court evidence to bring in a pretty close presentation of reality. 
 
3. Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara 
A sequel to 2010’s Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, the movie is inspired by the animosity between gangsters Dawood Ibrahim and Chota Rajan. Despite a lot of hype, this gangster saga turned out to be a flop. Akshay Kumar, <keyword id="14676" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Imran-Khan">Imran Khan</keyword> and Sonakshi Sinha played lead roles in the film. 
 
4. The Dirty Picture 
Starring Vidya Balan, this one is a biopic of the southern sex siren, Silk Smitha, and offers a heavy dose of entertainment. Vidya has done an admirable job here and played a perfect seductress. She did her best to get into the skin of the character, which also required her to put on oodles of flab. 
 
5. Special 26 Starring Akshay Kumar and Anupam Kher, this film was inspired by a real life incident that took place in Mumbai’s Zaveri Bazaar in 1987. In the movie, a group on conmen posing as CBI officers executes a daylight income tax raid. The film also stars <keyword id="7637" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Manoj-Bajpayee">Manoj Bajpayee</keyword> and Jimmy Shergill, and has won plenty of critical acclaim. 
 
6. Paan Singh Tomar 
Another gem of a movie starring Irrfan Khan. This is a biopic of an athlete, Paan Singh Tomar, who was employed with the Indian Armed Forces. The film weaves the real life incidents that forced Paan Singh to quit the defence services and his dream of becoming an internationally acclaimed athlete, and take to guns instead. 
 
7. Satyagraha – Democracy Under Fire A political thriller starring Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor, this flick is loosely based on <keyword id="57766" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Anna-Hazare">Anna Hazare</keyword>’s fight against corruption. While Big B plays the role of Anna, Kareena’s character is inspired by the international journalist, Christian Amanpour. 
 
8. No One Killed Jessica This political crime thriller is a screen adaptation of the much publicised <keyword id="14009" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Jessica-Lal">Jessica Lal</keyword> murder case. While Vidya Balan plays Jessica’s elder sister, Rani Mukherjee is the spunky news reporter. The film has been widely appreciated for making the point quite poignantly and has bagged many prestigious awards. 
 
9. Not a Love Story 
This film starring Mahie Gill and Deepak Dobriyal is based on the ghastly murder of Neeraj Grover that led to the arrest of Maria Susairaj and M.L. Jerome. Director Ram Gopal Varma shot the movie in just 20 days at Dheeraj Solitaire building, which is the prime location of the incident. 
 
10. Guru 
It has not been stated officially but Guru, starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, takes inspiration from the life and times of India’s celebrated business tycoon, <keyword id="6418409" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Dhirubhai-Ambani">Dhirubhai Ambani</keyword>. It portrays the journey of an ordinary man growing up to become one of the most powerful businessmen, with absolute faith in his dreams. 
 
Image: Indiatimes

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