Uunchai wins 2 National Awards, Sooraj Barjatya expresses his feelings on the award

Uunchai wins two National Awards. Film's director, Sooraj Barjatya expresses his feelings on the award.Barjatya got the National Award for Best Director. He is busy in celebrating the double honor.In a question -answer session, he expressed he expressed his feeling very humbly.
How does it feel winning a National Award?
I am humbled to be honoured amongst the best that the country has seen in cinema during 2022. It takes me back 30 years, when Hum Aapke Hain Koun won the National Award for best film. The rush and happiness that I felt as a young director then was crazy! But today, as I get the National Award for Best Director - Uunchai, there is a sense of gratitude and calmness.. The joy and happiness are much more internal today! As a director, my job for the last 35 years has been to keep telling stories. And I'm not done yet, there's much more to come!
What does National Award mean to you?
Our National Film Awards unite our industry because they are a celebration of films made in every language! Winning the Best Director at this stage, makes me feel humbled and honoured to the core. I feel I have truly climbed my Everest today .This immense recognition belongs to my entire team of senior actors and technicians, who fought the pandemic and shot at unheard locations with me.
Whom would you like to dedicate the award to?
Uunchai was a special film..made in the 75th year of our production house. I would like to dedicate this award to Rajshri Productions and to all my elders in the family, under whom we continue to learn, to tell stories which can be inspiring, happy, and which help us trust each other and the power of goodness.

On World Photography Day, Celebrities reveal Their favorite shots and stories

On August 19th, World Photography Day celebrates the profound impact of photography on our lives. This art form is more than just snapping pictures; it’s about freezing time, preserving memories, and sharing the beauty of the world around us. In this, four celebrities — Celesti Bairagey, Shubhangi Atre, Hansa Singh, and Rashmi Gupta—share their personal reflections on what photography means to them and why it holds such a special place in their hearts.
Celesti Bairagey :
I've always felt a deep connection to the vibrant colors and rich textures of my surroundings. Nature has always been a great source of inspiration for me. There is something incredibly soothing and uplifting about being surrounded by the beauty of the natural world. Photography gives me the chance to capture the vibrant greens. Sunsets, in particular, hold a special place in my heart. Watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, reminds me of nature's ever-changing beauty and the promise of a new day. I love using photography to share these beautiful moments with all of you. It's a wonderful way to connect and inspire others to appreciate the natural beauty around us. I encourage you to look at the world through your own unique lens and capture the moments that matter to you.
Shubhangi Atre:
August 19th is a special day for photographers, as it celebrates their important role in capturing and preserving moments. Photography allows us to revisit special moments through pictures, making them very valuable.As time goes on, having even one picture from a special moment can help us relive it. For me, every picture is important because it captures a moment in time.
I recently had a photoshoot and there's one picture I really like. The main reason I love it is that I wasn’t thinking about anything at the time. The photographer just captured me in a moment when I was genuinely happy and enjoying myself. When you're doing something you love, you’re in your own world, and that’s what makes the moment beautiful.
Hansa Singh :
Photography is one of life's greatest gifts. It allows us to capture moments of life, people, places, and work. It's a tool that adds beauty to life. I used to take pictures with a proper camera, but now, with everything on our phones, it's more portable and handy. Whether capturing myself or shooting my work videos (tarot and auditions), I also capture places, as every place has its own character. I wonder what the world would be like without photography—memories captured for a lifetime.
Rashmi Gupta:
Photography has immense value as it: Captures life's precious moments and preserves memories. Tells stories and conveys emotions without words. Documents history, culture, and social changes connects people.

Rakhi is very special to me: Anushka Merchande

Anushka Merchande, who is seen as Koel in Prateek Sharma and Parth Shah’s Pukaar - Dil Se Dil Tak, which is produced under their banner, LSD Studios, is excited to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with her sisters and cousin brother. She said, “Rakhi is very special to me. No matter how tired I am, every year I celebrate it with my sisters and my cousin brother. After the shoot, we go to my mama’s house to celebrate and have lots of fun amidst all the celebrations.”
“I plan on celebrating Rakhi with my sisters (who literally are my soul sisters), whom I love the most, and also spending some quality time with my family,” she added.
She has never celebrated Raksha Bandhan on the set and added, “I never got the idea of doing so. I have two sisters with whom I celebrate Raksha Bandhan.” Though a lot of TV shows have special festive sequences, Anushka doesn’t feel that there is a pressure to work during the festival season. She said, “It depends on various factors, but most of the time we do get to celebrate festivals with our families.”

Strong Connection between ‘Panne’ film and Bangladesh political unrest

The world over, currently everyone is talking about the turmoil being faced by the people of Bangladesh due to the ongoing civil unrest, which led to Bangladesh’s longest-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. Bangladesh has faced similar situations time and again in its history. Coincidentally, international filmmaker Ram Alladi's upcoming release 'Panne' has depicted one such crisis in his film.
"When I see the news on what's going on in Bangladesh, I feel surprised. I feel the saying History repeats itself fits well with poor Bangladeshis. Two years back, when I was shooting for the Noakhali riots scene for my film, I couldn't even imagine in my wildest dream that something similar is going to happen when I will be releasing the film. I have a real picture of that time but they are so violent it will make your soul shiver from inside." Ram Alladi shared, while talking about film Panne's connection with Bangladesh riots.
Elaborating on the historical connection with Bangladesh riots in the film Ram Alladi said, “The seeds of Noakhali riots were planted during first elections in India in pre pre-independence era 1935 when Muslim community came into power in Bengal. Earlier, under British rule, Hindu zamindars were mainly in power, who were forced to follow new government rules, which created frustration and anger in the society. As a result, differences started in between both the communities in Bangladesh but it became big when the British rule was ending. On 11 October 1946, the Noakhali district in Bangladesh set on fire as riots started. If you see the political history of Bangladesh after this incident also, they have faced many such challenges and rose from the ashes."
Ram Allad who has won many awards for his documentary films Chiseled (2017) and ‘Ra’s Metanoia’, is all set to release his first full film 'Panne' on September 6th on 'InTalkies'. 'Panne' is the story of India's post-independence period. A daughter of a war widow pursues to achieve her social identity after the dawn of her step grandfather’s political empire. The story travels from the period of border partition to 1960’s independent India.

Ulajh's 'Ilahi Mere Rubaroo': A modern qawwali that blends devotion with patriotism

The latest track from the film Ulajh, titled "Ilahi Mere Rubaroo," has been released, and it’s already creating waves. This modern qawwali, composed by Shashwat Sachdev, features the soulful voices of Shahzad Ali, Sanjith Hegde, and Shashwat Sachdev himself, with lyrics penned by Kumaar "Ilahi Mere Rubaroo" is more than just a song; it’s a powerful tale of perseverance and duty to one’s nation. The track masterfully combines elements of devotion and patriotism, creating a melodious harmony that resonates long after the music stops.
The video of the song features Roshan Mathew and Janhvi Kapoor’s characters engaged in a high-stakes investigation and mission, with scenes of them racing on a bike. Gulshan Devaiah's character is seen embroiled in his own intense plot, involving guns and strategic planning. The song’s visuals are set against the backdrop of a dargah, where qawwali singers deliver a soulful performance amidst the chaos that unfolds between the characters. The video also captures the tension and thrill of a chase, as the three protagonists are caught up in a mission-driven game of cat and mouse.
Director Sudhanshu Saria expressed his thoughts on “This song comes at a crucial juncture in ULAJH and artfully captures the sense of repentance and rebirth that Suhana is craving at the climax. The idea of being able to add our modern and soulful twist to the Qawwali form and become part of the legacy of films that have used the Qawwali was tremendously exciting to me as a filmmaker and Shashwat has truly outdone himself with 'Ilahi Mere Rubaroo’. Sensitively written by Kumaar and sung with devotion and gusto by Shahzad and Sanjith, I couldn’t be more grateful to have this timeless track on our film’s album.”

Composer and singer Shashwat Sachdev added, “‘Ilahi Mere Rubaroo’ showcases the power of music to evoke emotion and tell a story. The process of composing and performing this qawwali has been one of the highlights of my career, and I am eager for listeners to experience the depth and passion we've poured into this song.” "Ilahi Mere Rubaroo" is now available on Sony Music India's official YouTube channel, offering audiences a glimpse into the intense and patriotic spirit of Ulajh.
Presented by Junglee Pictures, "Ulajh" follows the journey of a young diplomat from a prominent family of patriots who becomes embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while far from home at a career-defining post. Starring Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew, Meiyang Chang, Rajesh Tailang, Adil Hussain, and Jitendra Joshi, the film promises to be a thrilling ride. The film was released on the 2nd of August 2024