Jollywood Music CD of Dogri film Reet

The regional cinema can only take roots in the State when filmmaking is declared as industry in J&K, and the State Government gives incentives to local film makers on the lines of policies followed by other states of the country, said Shabir Mujahid, Director Doordarshan Jammu.

He was speaking in the function held to launch the music CD of forthcoming Dogri film ‘Reet’, here today.

The gala function was presided over by Surjit Singh Slathia, Minister for Industries who praised the efforts of the entire team in making a film in Dogri. He said Dogri films can go a long way in re-connecting the younger generations with their roots and culture. He promised to talk to the Finance Minster for extending tax exemptions to the film. 

Produced and directed by well-known actor and media personality Pankaj Khjauria, under the banner of Navrudra Productions, ‘Reet’ is totally an indigenously made film in which all the actors and technical crew hails from Jammu.

Speaking to Excelsior, Pankaj Khajuria, who is also the main lead of the film, said that ‘Reet’ is the story of love that is betrayed by customs. 

He said that the Dogri film, which is getting final touches, would be released in June 2012, in Jammu. He hoped that the film packed with human emotions and by lilting music will be liked and appreciated by the audience and encourage him and others to making films in mother tongue Dogri. 

The film ‘Reet’ which comes on the heels of films like Maa Ni Mildi’, ‘Lakeer’ and ‘Kuggi Maar Duari’, is being seen as a boost for the regional cinema and the miniscule local film industry popular by called as Jollywood. 

The highlight of today’s function was showing of the promo of the film and live recital of the songs of ‘Reet’ by film’s playback singers like Suresh Chowhan and Surpal. On the occasion, film’s music director Arvind recited the song, which has been originally sung by Kamaal Hassan—of Bollywood fame for ‘Ishaq Mera Sufiana’.

The film ‘Reet’ has been written by Rajneesh Gupta, while other members of the team include cameraman, Rajesh Khajuria, editor (-) Taranjit Singh Saini, lyrics—Bishan Singh Dardi, Pankaj Khajuria, Rajneesh Gupta and Arvind, singers—Kamaal Khan, Lovely Chandra, Suresh Chowhan and Surpal, make-up Meenu Komal, art director Amarjeet Singh and production designer Akhil Gupta.

The members of the cast present on the occasion included female actor in lead role Riddhima Singh, R S Bali, Madan Rangeela, Janak Khajuria, J R Sagar, Santosh Sangra, Kusum Tikku, Shammi Malhotra, R K Bhat, Subhash Jamwal, Opinder Upadhyay, Harbans, Khabri Lal and Mohan Singh, 

Other than the cast, and technical crew of the film, number of filmmakers, actors, media personalities and members of the civil society were also present in the function.

Dogri film Kuggi Maar Duari

Dogri Artists Honoured

Karan Johar shoots in Kashmir

The year 2012 has kicked off on a fantastic note for Karan Johar. After producing back-to-back blockbusters — Agneepath and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, the filmmaker has added another feather to his cap — joining a select clique of directors, who have shot in the picturesque locales of Kashmir.

Currently, Karan is canning a love song for his upcoming directorial venture, Student Of The Year in the Valley. “I always wanted to shoot in Kashmir. And this time, it was a perfect opportunity when we got a love song to shoot,” says Karan, whose song is being choreographed by Farah Khan. “We were keen to capture the snow, so Farah and I decided that shooting in Kashmir would be great.”

The 39-year-old filmmaker feels that movies like Rockstar have helped bring back the beauty of Kashmir on celluloid. “What I am most happy about is that (Bollywood) cinema is revisiting such a stunning location all over again. And I am glad that we are also taking it a step further by presenting a different kind of beauty and energy,” he says.

The filmmaker, who has been shooting at places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar, finds Kashmiris “extremely hospitable.” “We have had the best experience ever (in Kashmir). Also geographically, it goes without saying, it’s stupendous. It’s close to how you would visualise ‘topography perfection,’” says Karan, whose Agneepath is currently making waves in the overseas market. In fact, the film recently crossed the $2 million mark in the US.

Karan, whose films My Name Is Khan (2010), Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006) and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) already feature in the biggest overseas-grosser list, says, “I have been fortunate to break overseas records at the beginning of my career. I’m glad that our banner (Dharma Productions) resonates well with overseas audiences. I feel proud to be part of movies that find a place in archives of overseas (film) business in terms of box office.”

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Kuggi Maar Duaari now at KC cineplex

The Dogri feature film 'Kuggi Maar Duaari', which due to very good public response started third-week run at Swaran Theatre, here today, has further got a shot in the arm with grant of exemption from Entertainment Tax by the State Government.

In order to provide a better cinematic experience to the audience, the film is also being shown in Audi one of KC cineplex from today in afternoon and evening shows. Thus 'Kugi Maar Duaari', has earned the distinction of becoming the first ever Dogri film to run simultaneously in two cinema halls of the winter capital.

Talking to Excelsior, Neealm Phull, producer/director of the film said that the positive response of the audience of Jammu and Udhampur where the film is also showing at City Light Cinema Hall has proved that there is a great scope for making more of such social theme based films in our mother tongue.

He said, the story of the film in which a young talented musician from a village who has gone to the city to earn name and fame although becomes successful but driven by his filial duty towards his widow mother forsakes the glitter of money and glamour and returns back to his roots, has struck the cord with the audience and has been highly appreciated by the masses.

While thanking the State Government for granting exemption to the film from Entertainment Tax, he said that with reduced ticket price, now more and more people could watch the film and enjoy a story, which is set in the backdrop of Dogra culture and ethos.

Dogri film Kuggi Maar Duari

Kuggi Maar Duari, the second feature film in Dogri language, is all set to be released simultaneously in Jammu and Udhampur on December 16.

Talking to Excelsior, Neelam Phull, the producer, director of the film said that ‘Kuggi Maar Duari’ is the second big screen film in Dogri after the first film ‘Gallaan Hoyian Bitiaan’ that was made some 45 years ago.

He said that ‘Kuggi Maar Duari’, is a cinemascope film that has been granted by "U" certificate by the Regional office of the Censor Board Film Certification, New Delhi, and will be released simultaneously in two major cities. In Jammu it will be screened at Swarn Theatre and in City Light cinema in Udhampur.

The audio CD of the film’s music was launched by Raman Bhalla, Minister for Revenue, at Press Club, here today. The music of film has been composed by Surinder Singh Manhas and singers are Suraj Singh, Deepali Wattal, Julekha Fareed, Jeevan Sharma, Upma Sharma, Marina Jamwal and Surinder Singh Manhas.

Produced under the banner of Shree T Creations, excepting the film’s camera crew which was from Mumbai, all other members of the production team including writer, music director, art director, singers, dancers and actors are from Jammu.

The film is written by Basant Biyogi and lyrics are by Payasa Anjum.

In today’s CD release function, the chief guest, Raman Bhalla, praised the producer, director, for making a film in Dogri and giving a beautiful present to the people of Jammu. While appreciating the lyrical music of the film, he appealed to the Jammuites to watch this colorful and musical film and make it a success.

Bid to set ablaze Firdous cinema

Police this evening foiled a bid by some youth to set ablaze Firdous Cinema, vacated by Central Reserve Police (CRPF) last week, in Srinagar’s sensitive down town area.

Scores of youth entered the compound of the Cinema in Hawal area and tried to set it ablaze but timely intervention by the police saved the building. However, a wooden hut used as a bunker by the CRPF personnel was gutted.

The CRPF last week vacated the building after the security forces used it as a security camp for past two decades of militancy to fight militants in this area. The CRPF had taken over this building from Border Security Forces in 2003 when they replaced them to fight urban militancy. BSF had occupied the Cinemas in 1993 and used it as their camps.

The attack on the building comes when the statement of NC president and Union Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on re-opening of Cinemas and liquour shops in Kashmir valley resulted in a controversy here.

CRPF Left Firdous cinema

After 2 decades of occupation, CRPF vacates Firdous cinema

After removing at least 38 makeshift bunkers  from Srinagar last year, CRPF today officially vacated Firdous cinema building in Hawal area of old city.

The cinema was under the occupation of different security forces since the eruption of armed militancy across the state. CRPF officially said a troop cut of one more battalion has been done in Srinagar city.

Suspected militants had hurled grenades on cinema houses dozens of times and during a fidayeen attack in 2005 two militants were killed in the premises of the cinema.

On November 23, 2005 two militants and three Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed when the CRPF foiled the militant bid to storm their camp in the Firdous cinema. A member of the fidayeen squad was killed when CRPF guards opened fire to prevent them from storming their camp.

The cinema was first occupied by Border Security Forces (BSF) way back in 1993 and was handed over to CRPF in 2003 during replacements of forces across the Srinagar city.

Public Relations Officer CRPF, Mohsin Shahidi, told Kashmir Times that a troop cut of one more battalion has been made in Srinagar. “162 CRPF battalion has been withdrawn from the area and relocated to Kupwara. It will replace 152 CRPF battalion there in Kupwara,” he said and added that he has no information about any troop withdrawal in future. “These are decisions from higher ups. Yet there is no twinkle about any further withdrawal. We handed over the cinema to local police and civil administrations officially,” PRO said.

Here it a needs a mention that after the last years massive protest rage against the civilian killings, at least 38 bunkers were removed from various parts of Srinagar city.

The bunkers of CRPF  were removed from the densely populated Rainawari, Rajouri Kadal, Karan Nagar, Batmaloo, Barzulla and some other areas of the city.

Removing of bunkers was part of the 8-point CBMs announced by the Centre on September 25 last year after the massive unrest across the valley. The CBMs were meant to provide relief and instill a sense of security and confidence in the people of the state.