<p><br />Bringing back independent cult cinema<br /><br />Back in 1989, a moody sci-fi thriller was released in India, which was the debut work of a team of talented actors and technicians who today rule the Hindi film industry. Raakh is the name of the film and it was directed by 23-year-old Aditya Bhattacharya (Bimal Roy’s grandson and Basu Bhattacharya’s son) made with backing from a staunchly supportive producer — 32-year-old Asif Noor, who is now based in Dubai. <br /><br />Set in a grimy urban setting in a dystopian future, Raakh was also the starring vehicle for an actor who is today, one of the biggest stars of our times — Aamir Khan. In fact, his vengeful character in Raakh is very similar to the one he plays in Ghajini. <br /><br />Raakh has now been acquired by home video company, Palador Pictures and Audacity International, a joint venture between Noor and Bhattacharya in an effort to bring independent cult cinema back. Raakh is releasing in mid June across India. </p>.<p>South of the border, down Mexico way<br /><br />Speaking of Mexico, it’s the setting for Bordertown, a movie starring the singing sensation Jennifer Lopez. Currently showing in India’s PVRs, the film is based on the real life rapes and murders of hundreds of young women factory workers in the Mexican bordertown of Ciudad Juarez.<br /><br />In the movie, Lopez, a Chicago-based journalist proceeds to Juarez to write an investigative article on the tragedy (which seems to have been given very little space in realtime US media.). One learns that since 1993 the number of young women raped and killed has increased from about three a year to three a month. Amnesty International and several women’s organisations have been actively campaigning for increased police investigation into the horrific murders. </p>.<p>Emraan Hashmi continues<br /><br />The first actor of the season to give the foremost hit of 2009 (Raaz the Mystery Continues), Emraan Hashmi is set to feature in Milan Lutharias’ next film produced by Ekta Kapoor titled Once Upon A Time in Mumbai. We learn that Emraan has hit the gym with a personal trainer to sculpt his muscles for the new movie where he plays the role of a young don. The film is set in the early 70s and Lutharia has given him two months to get the required look as shooting is scheduled to begin in June. <br /><br />Says Emraan, “Pumping iron is a challenge because I’m such a foodie and find it difficult to stay away from any cuisine that is lip-smacking.” Emraan is equally excited about yet another project Tum Mile by Kunal Deshmukh. He had learned the rudiments of painting for RTMC and has honed his art-shart skills for Deshmukh’s film. </p>
<p><br />Bringing back independent cult cinema<br /><br />Back in 1989, a moody sci-fi thriller was released in India, which was the debut work of a team of talented actors and technicians who today rule the Hindi film industry. Raakh is the name of the film and it was directed by 23-year-old Aditya Bhattacharya (Bimal Roy’s grandson and Basu Bhattacharya’s son) made with backing from a staunchly supportive producer — 32-year-old Asif Noor, who is now based in Dubai. <br /><br />Set in a grimy urban setting in a dystopian future, Raakh was also the starring vehicle for an actor who is today, one of the biggest stars of our times — Aamir Khan. In fact, his vengeful character in Raakh is very similar to the one he plays in Ghajini. <br /><br />Raakh has now been acquired by home video company, Palador Pictures and Audacity International, a joint venture between Noor and Bhattacharya in an effort to bring independent cult cinema back. Raakh is releasing in mid June across India. </p>.<p>South of the border, down Mexico way<br /><br />Speaking of Mexico, it’s the setting for Bordertown, a movie starring the singing sensation Jennifer Lopez. Currently showing in India’s PVRs, the film is based on the real life rapes and murders of hundreds of young women factory workers in the Mexican bordertown of Ciudad Juarez.<br /><br />In the movie, Lopez, a Chicago-based journalist proceeds to Juarez to write an investigative article on the tragedy (which seems to have been given very little space in realtime US media.). One learns that since 1993 the number of young women raped and killed has increased from about three a year to three a month. Amnesty International and several women’s organisations have been actively campaigning for increased police investigation into the horrific murders. </p>.<p>Emraan Hashmi continues<br /><br />The first actor of the season to give the foremost hit of 2009 (Raaz the Mystery Continues), Emraan Hashmi is set to feature in Milan Lutharias’ next film produced by Ekta Kapoor titled Once Upon A Time in Mumbai. We learn that Emraan has hit the gym with a personal trainer to sculpt his muscles for the new movie where he plays the role of a young don. The film is set in the early 70s and Lutharia has given him two months to get the required look as shooting is scheduled to begin in June. <br /><br />Says Emraan, “Pumping iron is a challenge because I’m such a foodie and find it difficult to stay away from any cuisine that is lip-smacking.” Emraan is equally excited about yet another project Tum Mile by Kunal Deshmukh. He had learned the rudiments of painting for RTMC and has honed his art-shart skills for Deshmukh’s film. </p>
