Leena Manimekalai

Leena Manimekalai is an Indian independent filmmaker, poet and an actor. Her works include five published poetry anthologies and a dozen films in genres, documentary, fiction and experimental poem films. She has been recognised with participation, mentions and best film awards in many international and national film festivals.
Films and activism.
After a brief period as an Assistant Director with mainstream filmmakers and an intensive experience as a Television Producer and Anchor, she debuted in 2002 with the short documentary film "Mathamma". The 20-minute-long docu-fiction is about devoting girl children to the deity, a practice prevalent among the Arundhatiyar community in Mangattucheri village near Arakkonam, Chennai. Her other films too deal with the issues of the marginalised. "Parai" is a film on violence against Dalit women. She went on the road with her films across hundreds of villages serving her videos a tool for participatory dialogue with the masses on compelling issues. "Break the Shackles" is about the effects of globalisation on rural Tamil villages. "Love Lost" is about changing relationships in urban space. It is an experimental five-minute video poem from her anthology. "Connecting Lines", which she did soon after she changed her style of film-making from "activistic" to "artistic", is about student politics in India and Germany. The documentary weaves through the student lives of four protagonists, two each in India and Germany. "Waves After Waves" explores how art rejuvenates the lives of children, devastated by the 2004 tsunami at the coastal villages of Tamil Nadu. Leena was inspired to do this project while she was serving as a volunteer in tsunami-hit regions of Tamil Nadu doing art therapy workshops for children. "Altar" is a documentary intervention on child marriage customs prevailing in the Kambalathu Naicker community in the central parts of Tamil Nadu. "A Hole in the Bucket" takes a look at the dynamics of water crisis in the city of Chennai in the context of families with different income levels. A Hole in the Bucket was showcased at International Water Symposium, Stockholm, 2007. "Goddesses" follows the lives of three extraordinary women who go against norms to succeed in usually male-oriented careers: a fisherwoman, a gravedigger and a funeral singer and it won her the prestigious Golden Conch at the Mumbai International Film Festival, 2008.
She has taken up a visual art fellowship with PSBT on Tamil Women Poetry and Desire through the ages of Sangam, Medieval and Modern periods."My Mirror is the Door" is her visual quest into the Sangam Age Tamil Women Poetry in which she traces her roots as a modern Tamil Poet. IAWRT [International Association of Women in Radio and Television] awarded her with a fellowship to make a video portrait "Still I Rise" on Dayamani Barla, the first Indigenous Adivasi Woman Journalist who turned into a dynamic political leader in Jharkhand. Her specialisation is on "Media and Conflict resolution" and she had been a European Union Scholar in art practice. She has Commonwealth Fellowship to her credits for "Woman in Cinema" and been a Charles Wallace Scholar with School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
Leena has expressed opposition to censorship in Indian cinema. "CBFC is an archaic institution and it has to go. It is as simple as that. It is such a sore in the skin of democracy. I do not know when filmmakers will realise the very existence of CBFC is an insult to our sensibilities and collectively come together to bring it down. The 1952 Cinematograph Act has to be challenged if we think we are not stupid."
Sengadal.
Leena's first feature film "Sengadal" completed production in 2011. The film shows how the ethnic war in Sri Lanka had affected the lives of fishermen in Dhanushkodi. The censor board has initially refused clearance certificate to the film, stating that it made denigrating political remarks about the governments of Sri Lanka and India, and uses unparliamentary words. She had appealed to the Appellate Tribunal authorities and contested the case legally for several months and finally got it cleared by July 2011 without any cuts.
White Van Stories.
Leena Manimekalai's "White Van Stories" is a 70 minutes documentary feature on enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka inspired by voices of those in search of their loved ones. Leena has a fresh set of challenges at her hand. She is now trying to get across the documentary, shot undercover in parts evading the constant gaze of the military, to a global audience. Leena was inspired to work on the subject of enforced disappearances when she visited Sri Lanka for a literary festival (41st Ilakkiya Santhippu) in July, and stayed back to travel. The stories she heard of people searching for their loved ones, thousands of whom vanished in the last stage of war in 2009, moved her to make the film.
Leena filmed the historical protests of the families of the disappeared in Jaffna and Colombo who were asking for justice, truth and reparation, declaring "No Peace" until their loved ones return. And She followed seven women who shared their stories across the east, south and north provinces. Access was incredibly challenging. North of Sri Lanka is heavily militarised and this is a story that had been largely impenetrable to the media as enforced disappearances also include journalists who are considered even slightly critical of state and its policies. Ultimately the film had to be made under severe vigilance and intimidation by the Lankan military. On one occasion Leena was asked to leave the country and on another detained for hours of questioning at a check post where they confiscated her tapes and denied her permission to film.
Personal life.
Leena identifies as bisexual and came out in her second poetry collection, Ulagin Azhagiya Muthal Penn (The Most Beautiful First Woman in the World).
Support for LGBT and Pride march.
Leena Manimekalai along with Anjali Gopalan supported the Asia's first Genderqueer Pride Parade organised by Gopi Shankar Madurai of Srishti Madurai on July 2012. Leena is the author of "Antharakanni", the first poetry collection in Tamil on lesbian love. Springing from Tamil folklore, her twilight poems are enchanting with lesbian sensuality. Along with her poems, it has free hand translations of "balaclave" poems of Pussy Riot, the feminist punk band of Russia whose rioters are right now in prison on 'sedition' charges which adds a guerrilla status to the anthology. A Tamil version of openly bisexual Afro American poet June Jordan's cult verse 'About my rights' is another highlight of "Antharakanni".
In 2016, she directed a documentary about the troubles faced by two transgender women while they look for a rental apartment in Chennai and the obstacles. It is titled "IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK?" and was first screened on 21 November 2016, and later many other film festivals all over the world.


Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam

Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam () is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Balu Mahendra. The film featured Dhanush and Priyamani , while Karunas and Delhi Ganesh played supporting roles. The music for the film was scored by Ilaiyaraaja, while Sai Suresh produced the venture. The film was loosely based on the director's 1982 Telugu film "Nireekshana" as well "Yathra" (1985). The film was released on 2 November 2005, coinciding with Diwali, and received a below average response commercially.
Plot.
Srinivasan (Dhanush) escapes from jail and hitches a ride on a truck to meet his love Thulasi (Priyamani). He reveals his flashback to the lorry driver, telling him of the disputes between his ambitious father and himself. When the parents leave home for a week, Srinivasan is left in the maid's care. Soon, he meets the maid's daughter, Thulasi, his childhood playmate, and they fall in love. As expected, his father objects to his son falling in love with Thulasi. One day, Srinivasan and his friends land up in prison for crashing their car on a police vehicle. While at the police station, Srinivasan locks horns with an inmate in jail and when he pushes him in a fit of rage, he sustains a serious head injury subsequently killing him. Eventually Srinivasan gets convicted for 10-year-rigorous imprisonment. His mother dies, and Thulasi's family goes bankrupt and leaves to their native village in Ooty. A dejected Srinivasan escapes from prison to meet Thulasi. Whether the two join together forms the rest of the story.
Production.
Following the success of "Kadhal Kondein" (2003), Balu Mahendra signed on Dhanush to appear in his next film in July 2003. Initially the director revealed that the film titled "Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam" would be an extension to his 1979 film "Azhiyadha Kolangal" stating that Dhanush would play a teenager infatuated by a woman who is fifteen years older than him to be played by Ramya Krishnan. However he opted against doing that story and decided to build his film around two of his Malayalam films from the 1980s – "Nireekshana" and "Yathra", and the title of the film was subsequently changed to "Unakkae Uyiranaen". It was later changed back to the original title before release.
The shoot for the film began in December 2003 with scenes featuring the lead pair shot in Chennai. The film was shot in Hogenakkal Falls in November 2004, with Dhanush marrying Aishwarya Rajinikanth in between schedules. He consequently also delayed his honeymoon, to commit to a fifteen-day schedule for the film in December 2004. During the making of the film, Dhanush also struck up a friendship with assistant director Vetrimaaran, and the pair have since come together for four films. The film was delayed through late 2004 after the director fell ill.
In August 2005, the film faced criticism for a promotional hoarding put up in Chennai which featured photographs of Priyamani and Dhanush in a compromising position. It became the second such film during the period, where they were forced to remove the hoardings due to public protest after Silambarasan's "Vallavan". Further trouble occurred in October 2005, Balu Mahendra approached the police seeking action to secure a sum of Rs 3.75 lakh, an outstanding amount of his salary for directing the movie, from the producer Sai Suresh and matters were resolved quickly. Although early reports suggested that Dhanush would be the distributor, producer Vishwas Sundar, bought the distribution rights and subsequently released the film in the Diwali season of 2005.
After the film's release, members of the regional censor board complained that the promos of "Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam" were being shown on television without mentioning that the film had an "adult" certificate. At the time of censoring, Balu Mahendra was not willing to cut the deep lip-to-lip kissing scenes between the lead pair of Dhanush and Priya Mani and opted for an "A" certificate, which he subsequently refused to note down in the promotions.
Release.
The film received mixed reviews, with Shobha Warrier of Rediff.com stating that the film "disappointed", criticizing the film in comparison to Mahendra's earlier work, "Yathra". The Hindu's critic noted that "excelling in technical aspects, the film falls short in the area of storyline." In comparison, Indiaglitz.com noted that "Balu Mahendra's direction is from the heart. Yet, there is a cerebral touch. He takes up subjects that are every-day, but infuses in them a special meaning. He gives his own interpretation" The critic also proceeded to praise the performances of the lead pair.
"Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam" opened alongside other big films like Vijay-starrer "Sivakasi" and the Vikram-starrer "Majaa" and thus took a lukewarm opening at the box office. The film was described by trade pundits as a "complete wash-out".
Soundtrack.
The soundtrack of the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.


Up Jumped the Devil

Up Jumped the Devil is a 1941 American comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring Mantan Moreland.
Plot.
Washington and Jefferson are two criminals who are just released from prison. They look for jobs to avoid being arrested for vagrancy. When reading an ad in the paper they find out that Mrs. Brown, a wealthy woman, looks for a butler and a maid. Jefferson decides to apply for the job as butler, while he convinces Washington to dress up as a woman in order to get the job as maid. As they work in her mansion they stumble upon Bad News Johnson, a crook they knew from their prison days and who eventually recognizes them. He tries to make them come along and trick Mrs. Brown.


Priyanka Barve

Priyanka Barve is an Indian playback singer and actress. Barve has sung songs in Hindi, Marathi and in some other Indian languages, however she is most active in the Marathi and Hindi industry. Barve is known for playing Anarkali in Feroz Khan's Broadway adaptation of Mughal E Azam.
Early life.
Priyanka is from Pune, India. Priyanka comes from a musical family. She is a granddaughter of veteran vocalists Padmakar and Malati Pande-Barve. Her grandmother guided her in classical singing.
Career.
Since 17, Priyanka has been singing professionally.
In Marathi films, Barve is a singer and she is credited in the film's music department.
Barve has sung songs for many Marathi Films such as Double Seat, Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai 2, Ajintha, Online Binline, Rama Madhav, and Lost & Found.
She has also sung for Marathi TV serial's title track, such as Mala sasu havi and Ithech taka tambu.
One of the leading music companies, Sagarika Music, launched her video singles "Patch Up", "Premala", and "Tuzyasave tuzyavina".
Priyanka is married to Sarang Kulkarni and together they have a musical channel PriyaRang where they collaborate with other musicians and artists to produce fusion music albums.


Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer

The Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer winners was commissioned since 1977:


Sini Anderson

Sini Anderson (born November 6, 19??) is an American film director, producer, performance artist, choreographer, dancer and poet, from Chicago, Illinois. Anderson is widely known for directing "The Punk Singer" (2013), a documentary about riot grrrl musician Kathleen Hanna's legacy and experience with late-stage Lyme disease.
Early life in Chicago.
Anderson did not attend high school or college. As a young adult, she began her artistic career as a professional dancer, studying contemporary modern dance with the Chicago Dance Medium. After some years of performing as a professional dancer in Chicago, Anderson desired a voice beyond choreography and began to write. At age 22, Anderson performed the first spoken word piece she had ever written at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge in Uptown, Chicago, and won the slam for that evening. This was more than enough to encourage Anderson to fully delve into the Chicago poetry slam scene, prompting her to begin her own spoken word group called "The Words to Swallow Poets". Anderson continued to perform with The Words to Swallow Poets at local clubs and venues opening up for musical acts before moving to San Francisco.
San Francisco.
Introduction to feminism.
Anderson is incredibly outspoken about her particular brand of feminism, which is entirely peer-taught, punk rock, and non-exclusionary. Having not have had the opportunity to attend high school or college and take women's studies classes, San Francisco was Anderson's creative college in terms of the feminist punk art scene. It was here in her early twenties that she first heard the phrase "feminist" and immersed herself into the works of feminist artists through zines and touring, falling in love with third wave feminism for its accessibility and protesting of popular culture. She cites Tammy Rae Carland, Kathleen Hanna, and Michelle Tea as her greatest peer influences. Anderson has said that her view of feminism has evolved over time yet still remains built around art, friends, and community. She has also said that vulnerability and a willingness to emote can be strengths rather than weaknesses for women, and are important aspects of feminism.
Sister Spit and Sister Spit's Ramblin' Road Show.
Upon moving to San Francisco, Anderson was enraged by the massive sexism in the city's poetry slam scene. Within her first few months of living in San Francisco, Anderson became close friends with Michelle Tea, with whom she would co-create an all-girl weekly open mic series, Sister Spit (1994–1997), and Sister Spit's Ramblin Road Show, a spoken word tour from 1997 to 2000. Anderson and Tea performed in San Francisco for three years before they began Sister Spit's Rambling Road Show, in which they took ten other queer performers on the road with them across the country for three consecutive six-week national summer tours. Sister Spit released several albums including I Spit on Your Country (1997) on Mercury Records, Sister Spit's Ramblin Road Show (1998), Sister Spit's Ramblin Road Show (1999), Greatest Spits!: A Spoken Word Compilation (2001) on Mr. Lady Records and Tribe Spit Deep (2002). Her work is also found in The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry (ThunderMouth Press) and Word Warriors: 35 Women Leaders in the Spoken Word Revolution (Seal Press).
Involvement in San Francisco's queer community.
Anderson spent much of her career in San Francisco’s queer community as Chief Curator/Artistic Director for The National Queer Arts Festival, a co-producer for the Nectar Stage at San Francisco's Pride, president of the board of directors for the Harvey Milk Institute, and co-chair of the board of directors for The Queer Cultural Center.
Career as an independent filmmaker.
Anderson always knew she wanted to be a filmmaker, but didn't believe it was possible without film school. Nevertheless, Anderson's interest in the underground San Francisco film scene in the late 90s prompted her to work with other artists and assist first-time directors in making films. Anderson then began to make her own short films, incorporating video to go with her stage performances, becoming a multimedia performance artist.
The making of "The Punk Singer" and Hanna's Lyme disease.
Anderson and Hanna had known about each other as fellow artists for years, but it wasn't until mutual friend Tammy Rae Carland introduced the two at the Michigan Women's Music Festival in 2000 that the pair became friends. In 2009, family and friends grew increasingly worried about Hanna's deteriorating health. Hanna had initially approached Anderson about directing the documentary "Who Took the Bomp?" (2010) for her band, Le Tigre, but Anderson was more concerned with preserving the legacy of her career as a whole. In the spirit of third wave feminism, Hanna agreed to have the documentary made only if Anderson would direct it; Hanna encouraged Anderson to make her first feature-length while Anderson encouraged Hanna to tell her story. Anderson has stated that it is important for people "to hear the deeper story of who [Hanna] is and where she came from, so that they could feel less alone." Halfway through filming, Hanna was diagnosed with late-stage Lyme disease.
The film initially was not about Hanna's Lyme disease. Anderson's purpose of making the film was to tell the story of Hanna's participation in the riot grrrl movement and career in punk band Bikini Kill through interviews conducted with Hanna's family and friends, and archival footage retrieved from personal archives. The story evolved on its own, giving it entirely new purpose. She has stated that Lyme disease is "such an isolating disease, quite often our own families don't even understand it." Anderson feels that Hanna's willingness "to show the vulnerability" of her illness can "potentially be of service to other people".
Film release and reception.
The film premiered in March 2013 at SXSW to positive reviews, and proceeded to be released in 73 cities across America.
The film was distributed by IFC films.
Anderson's film has won numerous awards such as the Seattle International Film Festival's "Lena Sharpe Aware for Persistence of Vision, Women in Cinema" and Mexico City's Distrital International Film Festival's "Best First Feature Director" and "ARCA Best Director Award", and POV's Humanitarian Award in Media.
In May 2014, BuzzFeed reported that some of the Kickstarter backers of "The Punk Singer" did not get the items they paid for, including signed posters, sneak previews and tickets to a private screening. Anderson said that since the documentary was now owned by IFC Films, she was unable to provide sneak previews or private screenings.
Anderson's Lyme disease.
Only six weeks after friend Kathleen Hanna's diagnosis of late stage Lyme disease, Anderson ended up in the hospital with signs of a possible heart attack or stroke, receiving an official diagnosis of late stage Lyme a month later. At first, doctors told Anderson that there was nothing wrong with her, despite her getting more ill with every passing day. Not wanting to complicate the story of "The Punk Singer" or detract the focus from Hannah's illness, Anderson was reluctant to admit publicly during the filming that she had been diagnosed as well.
As the making of the film went into post-production, Anderson grew more ill, ending up on an IV PICC line as a means of receiving intravenous antibiotic treatments. The treatments have strengthened Anderson's health and immune system, but today she still keeps a close watch for telltale signs of sickness, taking herbs and eating a healthy diet.
After "The Punk Singer" was made, Anderson learned of 17 other feminist queer artists in her inner-circle that had been diagnosed with late-stage Lyme disease as well. Today, the number of diagnosed feminist queer artists that Anderson knows personally has grown to 75.
Other works and future products.
Other independent film credits include first assistant director on Miggy n Lil (2006), Bare Knuckle (2007), Karma Calling (2009).
Directed the book trailer for the memoir Whip Smart by Melissa Febos, which won Best Short Documentary at the Fetisch Film Festival 2010.
Has directed numerous music videos including Jolie Holland's "All Those Girls" (2012), Lovers' "Girl in the Grass" (2014), and Girlpool's "Blah Blah Blah" (2014).
Has lectured at several universities across America such as Yale University, Wesleyan University, University of Pennsylvania, Smith College, Rutgers University, and Ohio Wesleyan.
"So Sick" (2016).
Anderson is currently in production of her second feature-film, a documentary titled "So Sick". The film is Anderson's vessel of exploring the epidemic of feminist artists, academics, and activists with late stage Lyme disease.
Personal life.
Lived in San Francisco, California in her 20s, and currently splits her time between Brooklyn, New York and Los Angeles, California.
Identifies as queer and lesbian.


Saleel Kulkarni

Saleel Kulkarni (born in Pune, Maharashtra) is a Marathi music composer, singer and author.
Early life.
Saleel Kulkarni sang the Marathi Prose 'Jayostute ' on All India Radio, Pune station at the age of three. Thereafter, he undertook key lessons in singing and music from eminent personalities like Gangadharbuva Pimpalkhare, Jaymalabai Shiledar and Pramod Marathe. Formal education wise, Saleel is a medicine graduate and was working as a doctor in the early part of his career. While working as a music director for the last ten years, he has composed songs for Hindi and Marathi albums, serials and films.
Musical associations.
As a singer, Saleel has rendered his voice for many composers for albums and shows. In the role of established music director, he had cast many singers to sing different genres of songs. Some of the artists that have sung/recorded for Saleel Kulkarni include Bela Shende, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal, Sandeep Khare, Hrishikesh Ranade, Suvarna Mategaonkar, Shubha Joshi, Madhura Datar, Vibhavari Apte Joshi, Avadhoot Gupte. Saleel played Judge for competitive singing reality show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" on Zee Marathi where along with assessing the performances of participants, he mentored and nurtured many upcoming talented individuals. Saleel is an accomplished music composer and singer. He has also written columns in leading Marathi daily. He is author of a maiden book "Lapavalelya Kaacha"
Saleel runs a Music School in Pune.
Ayushyawar Bolu Kahi (आयुष्यावर बोलू काही) (Musical Program).
Saleel has teamed up with Sandip Khare, with a talented & popular poet from Pune for the show 'Ayushyawar Bolu Kahi' (आयुष्यावर बोलू काही). Saleel was also a part of Marathi SaReGaMaPa as judge and mentor. Saleel has performed in musical concerts all over the world including UK, US, Singapore, Switzerland, and Shanghai. There have well over 1000 shows so far.
Maitra Jeevanche(Musical Program).
He is doing selected shows with veteran music director Hridaynath Mangeshkar for program 'Maitra Jeevanche' (मैत्र जीवांचे). After a long break of almost 12 years Lata Mangeshkar sang Marathi bhavgeeta when she recorded songs with him as a music director for the album "Kshan Amrutache".
As author.
In 2010, Saleel Kulkarni had written a fortnightly column 'Musically Yours' for leading Marathi daily "Loksatta". The articles got finishing touch, got some literature treatment by author and came out as his maiden book 'Lapawlelya Kacha' (लपवलेल्या काचा). Owing to insistent demands from Marathi readers all over the world, publication house 'Continental' produced 3rd & 4th edition of book.
Released his second book ‘ Shahanya manasanchi factory ‘ in 2017 and is been very received by the readers.
As TV show compere.
Kulkarni conceived and thematically designed the concept for weekly show 'Madhali Sutti' (मधली सुट्टी) being telecast on Zee Marathi. The show was about kids, their school life, memories from childhood and Saleel's swift but interesting take on school days.
As Director.
Kulkarni directed his maiden venture Wedding Cha Cinema, which released on 12 April 2019. Dr. Saleel Kulkarni has also written the story and screenplay for the movie. Kulkarni has donned many hats for the movie and is credited as Director, Producer, Story Writer, Screenwriter, Dialogues writer and Music Composer.
The film was received well by the audiences.
He announced his second film named Ekada Kaay Jhale to be released in year 2020. He will be writing the movie as well as will compose music for it
Personal life.
Saleel was married to National Award-winning singer Anjali Marathe, daughter of singer Anuradha Marathe. He has two children – son Shubhankar who sang for kids' movie 'Chintoo' (चिंटू), and daughter Ananya. Saleel got separated and now is a single father and is a single parent who holds the custody of his kids .


Rushyendramani

Rushyendramani (; 1 January 1917 – 17 August 2002) was an Indian singer, dancer, and famous stage/film actress and playback singer from South India. She had more than 150 movies to her credit and acted in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi films from the 1935 to 1986.
Early life.
She was born in Vijayawada on 1 January 1917.
A trained singer in both the Indian classical music traditions and a trained Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dancer, she started her career on stage at the age of seven. She donned the mantle of Krishna and Prahalada by the age of ten. Later she joined Lakshmi Vilasa Nataka Sabha of Kommuri Pattabhi Ramaiah. She was trained under Kapilavai Ramanatha Sastry, Puvvula Ramatilakam and acted in the dramas "Chintamani" and "Savitri".
She moved to the silver screen and acted as Satyabhama in "Srikrishna Tulabaram", produced by Rajarao Naidu in 1935. It was a commercial failure, but she won acclaim for her singing and acting prowess. She joined the Rajarajeswari Natya Mandali of Kadaru Nagabhushanam and P. Kannamba and extensively toured entire Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, parts of Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu. She earned accolades for her portrayal of Prabhavati in "Rangoon Rowdi" and Narada in "Savitri". Her popularity and acting prowess crowned her as the "Rayalaseema Rani".
Married to Javvadi Ramakrishna Rao Naidu in 1939, an accomplished musician and composer who scored music to many stage plays, she accompanied him to Madras. Ramakrishna Rao worked as music director in the Tamil film "Mathru Bhoomi". As with many actors of that era, she was a great singer too.
Her first film was "Sri Krishna Tulabharam" (1935), where she played the role of Satyabhama. She acted in "Patni" (1942) as Kannagi based on the Tamil epic "Shilappadikaram". The Kovalan character was played by K. S. Prakash Rao. With the success of this film, she reached the pinnacle in the film world. She acted as Adilaxmi in "Chenchu Lakshmi", which was also successful. She was in "Seeta Rama Jananam" in 1944, followed by "Malliswari", "Vipra Narayana", "Maya Bazar", "Jagadeka Veeruni Katha", "Aggi Ramudu", "Sri Krishna Satya" and "Panduranga Mahatyam", and portrayed a variety of characters. With over 150 films in all the major South Indian languages and Hindi, she was awarded the title of "Madhura Gaana Saraswati" by the Raja of Karvetinagaram for her singing skills.
She also acted with her granddaughter Bhavani in the 1974 Kannada film "Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu", where Bhavani won the best actress award and Rushyendrami won the award for the best supporting actor.
She died on 17 August 2002 at Chennai. She was survived by two daughters and one son, grandchildren and great grandchildren.


Ghantasala Balaramayya

Ghantasala Balaramayya was a producer, director and actor in Telugu cinema. He is known for introducing actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao to the Telugu film industry in the Prathiba Pictures production, "Seetarama Jananam".
Biography.
Ghantasala Balaramayya was born in 1906 (Pottepalem, Nellore District) into a Brahmin family. He started his career as a stage singer and later started to produce and direct. He is the grandfather of the music director, S. Thaman.


Mari Selvaraj

Mari Selvaraj is an Indian film director and author who works in the Tamil film industry. He made his directorial debut with "Pariyerum Perumal", which opened to positive reviews and received many awards and accolades.
Film career.
Mari Selvaraj entered the Tamil film industry in 2006. He initially planned to become an actor, but later he joined film director Ram and worked as an assistant director in three films: "Kattradhu Thamizh" (2007), "Thanga Meenkal" (2013), and "Taramani" (2017). In 2018, he directed his first film, "Pariyerum Perumal", which garnered critical acclaim and was one of the successful films of the year.


Chitrapu Narayana Rao

Chitrapu Narayana Rao (born Chithrapu Narayana Murthy 1913) was an Indian film director and producer known for his works in Telugu and Tamil cinema. He received a Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Tamil Film for "Edhir Paradhathu" (1958) and "Annaiyin Aanai" (1962). He also won the Nandi Award for the 1967 Telugu film "Bhakta Prahlada".
Personal life.
He was born at Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh in 1913. Film director, Chitrapu Narasimha Rao, was his brother. He lost his son in 1962. He died in the year 1985.
Career.
He started his film career assisting his younger brother Chitrapu Narasimha Rao in films like "Seetha Kalyanam", "Sati Tulasi", "Mohini Rukhmangadha" and "Krishna Jarasandha". His directorial debut was "Bhakta Markandeya" starring Vemuri Gaggayya and Sriranjani. The film had done well establishing him as a director. He subsequently directed many movies like "Myravana", "Bhakta Prahlada", "Daksha Yagnam", "Bheeshma" in both Telugu and Tamil languages.
He has produced the film "Krishna Kuchela" in 1961. It was a failure and he went into financial problems. During the same period,
He wanted to direct a movie for AVM Productions to regain his financial status. They started working on "Bhakta Prahlada" in 1965, for the first time in Eastman color. It was technically far superior to the Black and White version he made 25 years earlier. D. V. Narasa Raju was the co-writer for the project. The film was a box office success.


List of Sri Lankan Tamil films

The Sri Lankan Tamil cinema history started from December 29, 1951 to date completed fifty-nine years.
The filmography of the cinema is as follows..
External links.
Ingirunthu ( Here and Now) by Sivamohan Sumathy on the plantation community, a feature film was released in 2013-14


Radhae Unakku Kobam Aagathadi

Radhae Unakku Kobam Aagathadi (Please don't be angry, my darling) is a Tamil song first sung by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar in his 1937 film "Chintamani". It is the first Tamil film song to become a cult classic. The song was parodied in the 1941 film "Sabapathy". An adaptation of the song was sung by T. M. Soundararajan in the film "Kulamagal Radhai" (1963).


Spirit of Chennai

"Spirit of Chennai" is a 2016 Tamil video song composed by C Girinandh and directed by Vikram. The song was made as a flood relief anthem in response to the 2015 South Indian floods which affected Chennai, and was stated by the makers to be a "tribute to all the volunteers".
Production.
Following the 2015 South Indian floods which affected Chennai in early December 2015, actor Vikram planned a flood relief anthem to pay homage to the volunteers during the crisis and to celebrate the spirit of the city. Titled "Spirit of Chennai", he worked on composing a song and approached C. Girinandh and his band, Oxygen, to work on a tune for the anthem. The song was composed within two hours, and Vikram called up several prominent singers to record their voices as a part of the track. The lyrics for the song were written by Madhan Karky, Gana Bala and Rokesh.
Vikram subsequently began directing a video song for the anthem featuring several actors from the Indian film industry. The song was unveiled online via Sony Music India on 2 January 2016.


Kalyani Nair

Kalyani Nair is a singer from Chennai, India (born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala). She is active in the Tamil cinema industry, Kollywood. As a schoolgirl, Kalyani first appeared on Television in an episode of "Symphony" on Kairali TV. One of her popular songs is "Dora Dora Anbe Dora", from the movie "Maasilamani" where she sang the duet with Balram.
She is an undergraduate student of Economics at Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Hariharan once described her voice as one with a bright future as she sang with him at a function.
She did her schooling mostly in North India as her father, Colonel U.G. Kumar, was posted in different places in India. So she had the chance to learn Hindustani music. Currently at Chennai, her teacher is Binny Krishnakumar. She married one of her co-singers, V. Pradeep Kumar, who has sung many songs in Tamil movies. Their wedding was in Chennai and attended by many singers.
Kalyani has sung for Vidyasagar in 'Satyam' and 'Kochi Rajavu', and for Ouseppachan in 'Thaskaraveeran' and the popular 'Moollai Thirugum' in 'Kana Kande'. She has sung "Sogathai Solli Aszha" in Karuvarai Pookkal (the very first film about transgender people in India), a film with music composed by Thomas Rathnam.
She recently sang the song "Aaraduguluntada" in the Telugu movie Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu.


Cop in Drag

Delitto al Blue Gay, internationally released as Cop in Drag, is a 1984 Italian "poliziottesco"-comedy film directed by Bruno Corbucci. It is the eleventh and final chapter in the Nico Giraldi film series starred by Tomas Milian.
Plot.
Rome, Italy early 1980s. A guy who worked at the Blue Gay, a transvestite cabaret, is found murdered, strangled. Marshal Nico Giraldi (Tomas Milian) is responsible for investigating, infiltrating in the Roman Gay community.


Mallikarjun

Mallikarjun is an Indian playback singer and composer who mostly sings in Telugu, Tamil and Kannada language films. After emerging as one of the semi-finalists in the first edition of singing competition Padutha Theeyaga, he went on to become a playback singer in the South Indian film industry. He is married to playback singer Gopika Poornima. He is very well known as an energetic stage performer and ardent fan of Telugu actor Chiranjeevi.
Personal life.
Mallikarjun's father is an engineer in the Andhra Pradesh Irrigation department. He originally hails from Anakapalle of Visakhapatnam district. Mallikarjun was born when his father got transferred to Srisailam, a temple town. He was named after the local god Lord Mallikarjuna of Srisailam temple. His mother is a housewife. He has started learning music at the age of 9 and got recognition by padutha teeyaga musical competition. He has one sister.
He met his co-singer Gopika Poornima and fell in love with each other and got married on 10 February 2008 in Simhachalam. They have one daughter named Samhitha. Currently they are living in Chennai.
Career.
Mallikarjun made his debut as a playback singer along with Gopika Poornima in Chennai for the movie Singanna on 23 February 1997 composed by Vandemataram Srinivas. He has sung more than 300 songs in films and 2000 private devotional albums. He also assisted renowned music composers like Koti for 1 year and Mani Sharma for 8 years. He has the prospect of singing for all the heroes in Telugu Film Industry. He made his debut as a Composer for the movie Kathi Kantha Rao in 2010. He is one of the core singer in the musical band "SUSWANA" along with Gopika Poornima and Parthu formed in 2016 and performed in countries like India (Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Tirupati, Hospet), United States (Dallas, Texas), Kuwait And Oman (Muscat).Mallikarjun regularly sings in "Swarabhishekam" program telecast in ETV on every Sunday.
Awards.
He got the Nandi Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 2003 for the serial Sukhadukhalu (ETV) in the TV Section .
Concerts.
Mallikarjun has done more than 200 shows across the world. He also participated in various musical concerts in the countries like United States of America, United Kingdom(England, Ireland, Scotland), Australia, New Zealand, Africa (South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania), (Germany), Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Arab World (Kuwait, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain) with legendary singers like Padmabhushan S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja and others.
Performances.
Music concerts for TANA (Telugu Association of North America) in 2007 and 2013 along with famous music composer Mani Sharma.


Gopala Gopala (soundtrack)

Gopala Gopala is the feature film soundtrack of the 2015 Telugu satirical drama film of the same name. Anup Rubens composed the soundtrack, which was released on 25 December 2014. It consists of 4 songs whose lyrics were penned by Chandrabose, Sirivennela Sitaramasastri and Anantha Sreeram.
Development.
In mid-April 2014, Sohail Sen was selected to compose the music for the film which was his Telugu debut. He also met the makers in Hyderabad for the music sittings later. But Anoop Rubens replaced him in June 2014 as the music director of the film. The makers said that he composed and recorded a song before the launch of the film and it was also said that all the songs would be recorded in a week's time from the launch. The film's soundtrack was reported to feature 3 songs in total and Pawan Kalyan was reported to appear in two of them. A unique audio launch was planned by the makers which was different from routine events. Kailash Kher completed recording for a special song in the soundtrack on 12 December 2014. Apart from the single track "Bhaje Bhaaje" written by Anantha Sreeram, the lyrics for the other two songs were penned by Sirivennela Sitaramasastri and Chandrabose; Sonu Nigam was the other playback singer apart from Kailash Kher and Haricharan. The album cover features Pawan Kalyan's character riding a bike with Venkatesh's character sitting behind terrified.
Release.
Lahari Music acquired the film's audio rights along with "Drushyam" for an amount of . In mid November 2014, the soundtrack album was announced to be released in the end of November 2014. The release date was confirmed as 5 December 2014 in late November 2014. But it was postponed later to 11 December 2014. The song "Bhaje Bhaaje" sung by Dhanunjay and Haricharan and penned by Anantha Sreeram was released on 15 December 2014 as a single track. The song was listened by 1 lakh viewers in YouTube within 10 hours of its release and received 2,500 likes. The audio launch event was held on 25 December 2014 at Ramanaidu Studios in Nanakramguda, Hyderabad.
Reception.
The soundtrack received positive reviews. Sasidhar A. S. of "The Times of India" rated the album 3 out of 5 and selected "Enduko Enduko" as the best song of the soundtrack. "Behindwoods" rated the album 2.75 out of 5 and stated "Gopala Gopala is a feel good album from Anup Rubens which works like a charm". "IndiaGlitz" rated the album 3.25 out of 5 and called it "An album that has two hummable and enjoyable songs, it has lyrics that are for the discerning as well as the casual listener".


Ekk Albela

Ekk Albela is a 2016 Indian Marathi language Biopic film, directed by Shekhar Sartandel and produced by Dr Monish Babre under the Kimaya Motion Pictures banner and presented by Manglmurti Films. The movie is biopic on the life of legendary actor Bhagwan Abaji Palav popularly known as Bhagwan Dada The film released on 24 June 2016 and will be the first ever Marathi film simultaneously released in India and UK. It will also be released globally.
This is also the first Marathi film in the UK to receive a BBFC rating.
The film stars Mangesh Desai in lead role as Bhagwan Dada and Vidya Balan in cameo role as Geeta Bali. The supporting cast features Vidhyadhar Joshi, Prasad Pandit, Swapnil Rajshekhar, Vighnesh Joshi, Shekhar Phadke, Shriram Kolhatkar and Arun Bhadsavle.
Plot.
The journey of Bhagwan Dada. A common man who rose to the top and became a legend in Indian Cinema.


Japanese Americans (miniseries)

 is a five-episode Japanese-language TV miniseries produced by TBS for its 60th anniversary announced in 3–7 November 2010, starring Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and Yukie Nakama, and sponsored by Toyota and Panasonic.
Plot.
In 2010, two Japanese Americans lon "HIRAMATSU FARM", Jiro Hiramatsu (Tsunehiko Kamijo) and his late older brother's wife Shinobu Hiramatsu (Kaoru Yachigusa) were watching Ichiro Suzuki play baseball at the stadium in Seattle. They were invited to meet their younger sister who was separated from the family in 1940, Sachi Ota (Meguko Kishi). Sachi's daughter-in-law, Keiko Ota (Keiko Horiuchi) made the case that Sachi will be able to meet Jiro and Shinobu for the first time in seventy years. Firstly, Sachi rejected meeting her family living in the U.S. again, because she was thinking that she and her late older sister were cast out from her parents. However, Sachi wanted to meet Jiro and Shinobu because of her having the operation for breast cancer. Sachi hadn't told her grandchild and Keiko's son Naoto Ota (Tsubasa Kato) who is a fan of the baseball player Ichiro Suzuki that she was born and raised in the U.S.
Japanese Americans tells the story of a family of Japanese immigrants who moved to the United States. In 1912, the end of the Meiji period, Chokichi Hiramatsu (younger role: Tsuyoshi Kusanagi) moved to the United States with Kazuma Nonaka (Ukon Ichikawa), his wife Kinue Nonaka (Yo Yoshida) and two children because of poverty. However, anti-Japanese immigrants sentiment and believing the Yellow Peril was raising in the U.S., because of not only the characteristics of Japanese immigrants like working too much and having many children but also the Japanese victory over the Russo-Japanese War.
Chokichi worked at the canning factory introduced by Isamu Okada (Nenji Kobayashi) who is a relative man of Nonaka, but he resigned that and worked various farmlands as a day laborer during seven years in order to send his salaries to his family living in Shimane.
Later, he married Tomo Murakami (younger role: Ayako Imoto) who came from Niimi, Okayama recommended by Nonaka who had run a laundry in Seattle with his wife and children after giving up farming. Properly speaking, her elder sister intended to marry Chokichi, but she moved to Tokyo with her partner, so Tomo married Chokichi as her elder sister's substitute. Chokichi and Tomo were given vast farmland by the American elderly woman whom a son lives in New York because her only son wouldn't become a farmer. However, Chokichi and Tomo who were Issei couple couldn't get U.S. nationality. They had first boy, Nisei child who could acquire the citizenship of the United States and they also wanted their first son to become a Japanese American man like a bridge between both countries Japan and the U.S.
Chokichi Hiramatsu (older role: Kiichi Nakai) and his wife Tomo Hiramatsu (older role: Pinko Izumi) had four children who could acquire the U.S. nationality as Nisei, two sons and two daughters, first son Ichiro Hiramatsu (double role: Tsuyoshi Kusanagi), second son Jiro Hiramatsu (Kenichi Matsuyama), first daughter Shizu Hiramatsu (Saki Terashima), second daughter Sachi Hiramatsu (Umika Kawashima). Ichiro had studying the law at the university to become a lawyer who helps Japanese Americans who are discriminated against by white Americans. He met Japan's consular official's daughter Shinobu Matsuzawa (Yukie Nakama) there.
Chokichi made his two daughters Shizu and Sachi go back to his home in Shimane, Japan, but Chokichi's older brother Ryosuke Hiramatsu (Toranosuke Kato) sent Shizu to her aunt Fusa (Eri Fuse) living in Hiroshima, he also sent Sachi to her aunt Toki (Kaoru Sugita) living in Okinawa separately from each other. When the war between Japan and the U.S. broke out, Shizu and Sachi were bullied by the school's students and their aunt's family, being told to "Go Back To America !" because of the enemy country's persons.
Shinobu's father consular official Matsuzawa was ordered to return Japan from the consulate in the US, but Shinobu ran away from the Japan-US exchange ship, swimming in the sea because she loved Ichiro and wanted to marry him, she engaged in the hard work of farming to become Ichiro's wife. Ichiro's mother Tomo allowed that, but Ichiro's father Chokichi didn't firstly.
When the attack on Pearl Harbor (Pacific War) broke out on 7 December 1941, Chokichi was arrested by the FBI as an enemy alien. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the policy of the internment of Japanese Americans living in the West Coast, not only Issei who couldn't acquire the United States nationality but also Nisei who obtained the U.S. citizenship, Japanese Americans encountered racism against Japanese diasporas and segregation. Tomo, Jiro, Ichiro and Shinobu were confined in the Manzanar internment camp, they shared one room with a gardener in California Daisuke Komiya (Takashi Sasano) and his son Hiroshi Komiya (Akiyoshi Nakao). Japanese Americans in the internment camps managed the environment of living like the toilets, the cafeterias, the schools and the farmland themselves.
The U.S. government asked two main questions so-called the 'Loyalty Registration', the Question #27 asked: "Are you willing to serve in the armed forces of the United States on combat duty wherever ordered?" and Question #28 asked: "Will you swear unqualified allegiance to the United States of America and faithfully defend the United States from any or all attack by foreign or domestic forces, and forswear any form of allegiance or obedience to the Japanese emperor, or any other foreign government, power, or organization?", for Japanese Americans in order to send them to the front in the WWII because of the shortage of the soldiers. Tomo wanted her children, especially Ichiro to answer "No" and "No". However, not only Tomo but also Jiro, Ichiro and Shinobu answered "Yes" and "Yes". Ichiro joined the 442nd Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army to live as Americans. After starting of his military exercises, Chokichi was discharged and sent his family confined in Manzanar. Daisuke Komiya and Nonaka couple were sent to the Tule Lake Segregation Center and were deported to Japan because they answered "No" and "No".
Ichiro was killed in the Vosges Mountains, France, Western Front of the European theatre of World War II as a soldier of the 442nd Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army. He received the Bronze Star Medal after his death in the battle. Shinobu had given birth of a boy Ken Hiramatsu, but Ken had never seen his father Ichiro.
In the ending of WWII, Sachi experienced the Battle of Okinawa as the member of the girls students' nursing. After the suicide of the General of the Imperial Japanese Army Mitsuru Ushijima, she was helped by Hiroshi Komiya who was a translator in Okinawa and the Corporal of the United States Marine Corps. Shizu experienced the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945. After the war, Sachi went to Hiroshima where devastated by the atomic bomb to look for Shizu in near hospital with Hiroshi during his ten holidays. Sachi run away from the hospital with Shizu, they went to Kyoto where wasn't devastated by the bombing. Sachi found her job that related with the clothing in Tokyo, but Shizu died by the illness caused by atomic bomb radiation in July 1947.
On 15 August 1945, Japanese Emperor made a radio address (Jewel Voice Broadcast) to announce that the Japanese Government had accepted the Potsdam Declaration demanding the unconditional surrender of the Japanese military at the end of World War II. Chokichi committed suicide for the pride of being a Japanese like believing the victory of Japan in the war because of the shock of the surrender of Japan.
Reception.
In the beginning of 2011, this drama's screening was held for three days in Seattle and Los Angeles which served as the stage for these works.
These two-episode digest versions produces by TBS were announced in 26–27 December 2011, because these works received "Tokyo International Drama Award 2011 Grand Prix".


Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry

Chembolu Seetharama Sastry (born 20 May 1955), known popularly as Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, is an Indian poet and lyricist known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre.
He has garnered eleven state Nandi Awards and four Filmfare Awards South for his lyrical works. He has penned lyrics for over 3000 songs until 2020. In 2019, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions towards the field of arts and aesthetics.
Career.
Seetharama Sastry was a lyricist for K. Viswanath with "Sirivennela". Although he debuted as a lyricist for "Janani Janmabhoomi" (1984), where he was introduced as Chembolu Seeta Rama Sastry, with his success, the title of the film, was added in front of his name.
A particular highlight of the movie is the song "Vidhata Thalapuna", sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela. The song is about Aum, the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, from which the Veda traditions originated. Other notable songs include "Adibhikshuvu Vadinedi Koredhi" and "Ee gali Ee Nela". The songs and their lyrics became hugely popular with Sastry subsequently winning his first Nandi Award for Best Lyricist for the song "Aadi Bhikshuvu". He won the Nandi Award for his first film.
He then wrote lyrics for many songs in films such as "Swayam Krushi", "Swarna Kamalam", "Samsaram Oka Chadarangam", "Shrutilayalu", and "Pelli Chesi Choodu". The lyrics for these songs met with positive reception. He won his second Nandi Award for Best Lyricist for the song "Telavardemo Swamy" from the film "Shrutilayalu" and his third Nandi Award for Best Lyricist for the song "Andela Ravamidi Padamuladaa" from the film "Swarna Kamalam" in 1988. He is the first person to have won Nandi Awards in three consecutive years in 1986, 1987 and 1988.
He then wrote the lyrics to many songs from the films such as "Swarakalpana", "Anna Thammudu", "Indrudu Chandrudu", "Alludugaru", and "Antam" with all songs garnering positive reception. His lyrics for the film "Gaayam" were particularly well received, and Sastry was awarded his fourth Nandi Award for Best Lyricist for the song "Surajyamavaleni" in 1993.
He then wrote lyrics for many songs for films such as "Kshana Kshanam", "Swati Kiranam", "Money", "Govinda Govinda", "Criminal", "Gulabi", "Love Birds" (Telugu Version), "Taraka Ramudu", "Shubhalagnam", "Srikaram" and "Little Soldiers". He won his fifth and sixth Nandi Award for Best Lyricist for the films "Shubhalagnam" and "Srikaram" respectively.
His next work was "Ninne Pelladata", in which he was the single card lyricist.
He followed up with lyrics for songs in films such as "Shubha Muhurtam", "Priya Raagaalu", "Aahaa..!", "Pelli Kanuka", "Sindhooram", "Aavida Maa Aavide", "Chandralekha", "Wife of V. Varaprasad", "Seetharama Raju", "Prema Katha" etc. His lyrics got received positive reception and won him his seventh and eighth Nandi Award for Best Lyricist for the songs "Ardha Shatabdapu" ("Sindhooram") and "Devudu Karunistadani" ("Prema Katha").
He started 2000s by writing lyrics for films such as "Murari", "Oh Chinadana", "Okkadu", "Nuvve Kavali", "Nuvvu Naaku Nachav", "Manmadhudu", "Ela Cheppanu", "Varsham", "Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana", "Chakram", and "Happy". Among these songs, "Hare Rama" ("Okkadu"), "Ekkada Unna" ("Nuvve Kavali"), "Aakasam Thakela" ("Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana") and "Jagamantha Kutumbam" ("Chakram") got positive reception with "Aakasam Thakela" winning him, his first Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu and "Jagamantha Kutumbam" winning him his ninth Nandi Award for Best Lyricist.
He followed up by writing lyrics for many songs from films such as "Bommarillu", "Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule", "Gamyam", "Sasirekha Parinayam", "Jalsa", "Parugu", "Kotha Bangaru Lokam", "Mahatma" etc. "Entha Varaku" from "Gamyam" is often described as one of his best works and won him his tenth Nandi Award for Best Lyricist and second Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Teluguis for "Inthavaraku" from "Gamyam", the third Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu is for "Konthamandi Sontha Peru" from "Mahatma" & the fourth Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu is for "Raa Mundaduguveddham" from "Kanche".
In 2011, he wrote lyrics for "Badulu Thochani" ("Mr. Perfect") which rave reviews for its lyrical content. He also wrote lyrics for many songs from the films such as "Oh My Friend", "Oosaravelli", "Tuneega Tuneega", "Onamalu", "Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum", "Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu", "Greeku Veerudu", "Paisa", "Om 3D", "Balupu", "Anthaka Mundu Aa Tarvatha", "Adavi Kaachina Vennela".
He is considered as one of the greatest lyricist in Telugu Film Industry along with Veturi and Aatreya. Most of the younger lyricists like Chandra Bose, Ananth Sreeram and Rama Jogayya Sastri consider him as their guru.
He has written over 3000 songs till date and was felicitated for this achievement in the Audio function of 2014 movie Mukunda. His lyrics for 2015 song "Mental Madhilo" from "OK Bangaram" has received praise, His lyrics for "OK Bangaram" has been considered very apt for a dubbed version.
He was the speaker at the Telugu Association of North America's celebrations held in Chicago Illinois, U.S. July 2–4, 2009. Recently, he was also felicitated by the Bay Area Telugu association.
Longtime Association.
He is known to have a long time association with banners Annapurna Studios and Sumanth Art Productions and directors K. Viswanath, Ram Gopal Varma, Krishna Vamsi and Trivikram Srinivas.
For Annapurna Studios he has written lyrics for most of the songs from films such as "Sisindri", "Ninne Pelladata" (Involving Krishna Vamsi), "Little Soldiers", "Chandralekha" (Involving Krishna Vamsi), "Yuvakudu", "Sree Seetharamula Kalyanam Choothamu Rarandi", "Prema Katha" (Involving Ram Gopal Varma), "Aahaa..!", "Manmadhudu". Among them, for most films he was the single card lyricist (lyrics for all songs written by a single lyricist).
For Sumanth Art Productions, he contributed lyrics for films such as "Manasantha Nuvve", "Okkadu", "Nee Sneham", "Varsham", "Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana", "Pournami", "Vaana" and "Aata" and for most of the films he was the single card lyricist.
For Ushakiran Movies he wrote lyrics in films like "Nuvve Kaavali", "Istam", "Anandam".
With Ram Gopal Varma, he has worked for many films, contributing lyrics, such as "Siva", "Antam", "Kshana Kshanam", "Gaayam", "Govinda Govinda", "Rangeli (Telugu dubbed version of Rangeela)", "Anaganaga Oka Roju", "50-50" (Telugu dubbed version of "Daud"), "Satya" (Telugu dubbed version), "Prema Katha" and form many production ventures by Ram Gopal Varma such as "Money", "Gulabi" etc. And for most of them, he was the single card lyricist.
With K. Viswanath, he has worked for many films including his debut venture "Sirivennela", "Sruthilayalu", "Swayamkrushi", "Swarna Kamalam", "Aapadbandhavudu", "Swati Kiranam", "Subha Sankalpam" etc. K. Viswanath is also known to have introduced Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry.
Krishna Vamsi is known to be a big fan of Sitarama Sastry. The films for which Sitarama Sastry wrote lyrics, which were directed by Krishna Vamsi include "Ninne Pelladatha", "Gulabi", "Sindhooram", "Chandralekha", "Murari", "Khadgam", "Chakram", "Mahatma" etc. and more recently "Paisa".
Trivikram Srinivas is a relative to Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry. Sitarama Sastry wrote lyrics to films directed by Trivikram such as "Nuvve Nuvve", "Athadu", "Jalsa" , "Khaleja", "Son of Satyamurthy" and "Agnyaathavaasi"
Style.
His lyrics are known to have extreme optimistic value. Through his lyrics, he has time and again conveyed the essence of life by giving simple yet powerful examples and motivated people into living a happy, meaningful life irrespective of the hurdles one encounters. Some examples for this kind of songs include "Aakasam Thakela" ("Nuvvostanantey Nenoddantana", Pradhu Deva's directorial debut), "Entha Varaku" ("Gamyam"). Some of his songs also have rebellious tendencies, criticizing the shortcomings and social evils of society in songs like "Niggadeesi Adugu" ("Gaayam"), "Ardha Satabdhapu" ("Sindhooram"). He also wrote songs which have humour like "Vaareva Emi Face uu" (Money).
He is often considered as the most versatile Telugu film lyricist currently working because he has contributed lyrics for songs comprising all kinds of genres like duets, hero introduction, romantic, devotional, thought provoking, lighter vein.
Other works.
Sitarama Sastri is a Celeb Actor for "Subhagruha", a real estate firm. His interpretation of his Lyrics & Poetry has been published as a book named "Sirivennela Tarangalu".
Sitarama Sastri attended Loksatta Party on 3 March 2014 in a public event in Tirupati.
In summer of 2014 along with singers Parthasaradhi (Parthu) and Sahithi, he toured many cities in United States presenting the concept behind the lyrics called "Sirivennela Antharangaalu".
Awards and honors.
Santosham Film Awards
South Indian International Movie Awards
Discography.
This is a listing of the songs and tracks Sastry has contributed as a lyricist to various feature films.


Pala. Karuppiah

Pala. Karuppiah or Chinna Karuppiah is an Indian politician, film producer, actor and author. He was a member of Legislative assembly in the 14th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from the Harbour constituency in the Chennai District. He is an actor in Tamil films, starting with "Angadi Theru". He is also an author who wrote "Pattinathaar Oru Paarvai", "Arasiyal Sadhirattangal", "Kaalam Kizhittha Kodugal", "Kannadhaasan", "Kaalathin Velippaadu", "Ellaigal Neettha Rama Kaadhai" and "Karunanidhi Enna Kadavulaa".
On 28 January 2016 Pala was expelled from AIADMK by party general secretary J. Jayalalithaa after being accused of indulging in activities contrary to party ideology and bringing it into disrepute. A day later he resigned from his assembly constituency. His house was attacked by unknown assailants following it. He later met the media and accused the AIADMK government of corruption.


Vasant Joglekar

Vasant Joglekar (1914–1993) was a film director and producer. He directed several Marathi and Hindi movies, including "Aanchal" and "Aaj Aur Kal".


Bob Christie (film director)

Bob Christie is a Canadian documentary film director from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He is best known for the 2009 documentary "", which he directed, co-wrote and co-produced.
Career.
Christie studied at Simon Fraser University graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in film. He won three production scholarships during his studies, and his films, one drama and one
documentary, were accepted to the national student competitions at the Montreal World Film Festival in 1995 with "The Other Thing", and in 1997 with "Auntie Culture".
After graduation, Christie worked in television commercial production coordinating, managing or producing over a hundred television spots. He also worked for a number of independent documentaries, short films and music videos. He also helped in co-producing many gay events such as Whistler Gay Ski Week, AIDS Walk, and Vancouver Pride and starting 2002, he directed and edited video installations, corporate, promotional and music videos.
In 2006 Christie began production on "The Royal Eight", a one-hour documentary about his father's family. It was awarded completion funds from the National Film Board of Canada and was released in early 2009.
"Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride" premiered at the Image+Nation film festival in 2009.


Sricharan Pakala

Sricharan Pakala is an Indian music composer who works in the Telugu film industry. Sricharan entered the film industry as a music director with the Telugu film "KISS" in 2013. He went on to become popular for his work as a music director. He made his acting debut with "Krishna and His Leela" (2020) for which he also composed music.
Personal life and career.
He was born in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, into a Telugu-speaking family.


N. Maharajan

N. Maharajan is an Indian film director who directed Tamil and Hindi films. He made his debut with "Vallarasu" and directed other films "Anjaneya" and "Arasatchi". He had provided scripts for Hindi films "Zor" and Champion
Career.
Maharajan made his directorial debut with "Vallarasu" starring Vijayakanth. A scene shot was of Vijayakant and Devayani at a jewellery shop in T.Nagar in Chennai. The song was picturised near Pollachi and with the lead pair there were about 100 dancers. And choreographing the dance was dance master Haridas. A lavish set was erected at the A.V.M. Studios where a stunt scene was picturised between Vijayakant and Richard. Some stunt scenes were picturised between Vijayakant and Richard. Some stunt artistes who played as Richard's henchmen, also participated in the shot. Apart from Chennai, shooting locations were at New Delhi and Kulu Manali. The film receive positive reviews and became a box office success. The success of film led Maharajan to direct "Narasimha" which he later opted out.
Maharajan later remade "Vallarasu" in Hindi with Sunny Deol. His next directorial was "Anjaneya". The leading female role was eventually handed to Meera Jasmine even though Reemma Sen was also approached earlier for the film. The film featured Ajith Kumar in his first role as a police officer, before further appearances in "Kireedam", "Aegan", "Mankatha" and Yennai Arindhaal. The film was shot within 47 days, with Ajith reportedly working extra time to complete scenes. Producers downplayed any publicity for the film, releasing the audio with little fanfare and not releasing a teaser trailer. The film received negative reviews with the critic from The Hindu claiming that "the lack of consistency in the treatment affects the film no end", criticizing Maharajan's direction. There were rumours that Ajith didn't allow him to direct the second half properly. Too much intervention from Ajith led to a sub-standard product. And Maharajan could never recover back from the disaster.
Meanwhile, Maharajan announced his next project "Arasatchi" with Arjun playing the lead role. Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta made her acting debut in Tamil with this film. The film boasts of 14 villains played by Raghuvaran, Karan, Anandraj, Nasser, Nambiar, Ponnambalam, Delhi Ganesh, Mansur Alikhan, Devan, Rajan P Dev and Manivannan among others. Uma, Abitha, Vindhya and P Vasu play crucial roles in the film.
The filming was held at Le Royal Meridian Hotel, Chennai and the songs were picturised at locations in London, New Zealand and Canada.
The movie was completed in 2003 but got delayed due to financial problems and finally released in 2004, in between production delays Maharajan finished "Anjaneya" with Ajith.
Before release, poster featuring tagline "When Justice Fails" created controversy which caused a lawyer to file a case citing that the film would portray lawyers in bad light. After one week, case was finally won.


Kalaipuli S. Thanu

Kalaipuli S. Thanu is an Indian film producer and distributor, known for his films produced in Tamil cinema. He has produced several films through his two companies, V Creations and Kalaipuli Films International. Many of his films have been commercially successful, three of which are among the top-ten highest grossing Tamil films. He has won two National Film Awards and one Filmfare Awards South.
Personal life.
His son Kalaprabhu is a director who made his directorial debut with "Sakkarakatti" (2008).
Career.
S. Thanu began his career as a film financier and distributor, before becoming a producer and a partner at Kalaipuli Films with S. Thanu and Soori with "Yaar?" (1985), being their debut film as producers. He initially was a publicity designer being responsible for christening Rajinikanth as "Superstar" and creating 35 feet cutout of him in a theatre. He started his own company V. Creations and went on to produce commercially successful films like "Cooliekkaran" (1987), "Nallavan" (1988), "Vanna Vanna Pookkal" (1992), "Kizhakku Cheemayile" (1993), "Kandukondain Kandukondain" (2000), "Kaakha Kaakha" (2003), "Thuppakki" (2012), "Theri" (2016), "Kabali" (2016), "Asuran" (2019) and "Karnan" (2021).


Damascus with Love

Damascus with Love (), is a 2010 Drama film by Syrian director Mohamad Abdul Aziz. "Damascus with Love" was first screened in the Dubai International Film Festival. The movie holds some controversy in the fact that it is about a minor sect of Syrians, the Syrian Christians and Syrian Jews. "Damascus with Love" is a story about the life of a young Jewish girl whose father reveals some past secrets to, and so decides to look for the truth in magical Damascus. This movie was translated and aired in the UK on Wednesday October 19, 2010.
Synopsis.
As in his first film, "Half a Milligram of Nicotine" () there lies in the film "Damascus with Love" of young director Mohammad Abdul Aziz, a past that today records its reality and occurring. A story about a simple touch enough to revive an old genuine love. And another about the release of a deep secret that the past Damascene generations have tried over the decades to hide from their children, which restores the clarity and authenticity of the relationship between the city and its citizens regardless of their identity. A Jewish Syrian girl sets for departure from home city Damascus, but reverses her decision because her father discloses a secret that was kept for years. The secret being about a Lover who was thought to be dead. The girl reveals the mysteries of the past in search of another side of magical Damascus, hence falling in love with a Christian man who disappears in Lebanon’s civil war. She finds herself facing a difficult choice, but the city itself will keep the door of love and choices wide open to infinite possibilities. A story about the Levant city which regains its deep connection with its citizens leaving out any discriminations or exclusions.
Plot.
The journey begins when a Jewish old handicapped man (Khalid Taja) confesses to his daughter a secret at the airport while they wait for their departure to Italy. The secret being of her old love still alive after she thought he has been dead for years. Determined to return to Damascus and find her love, Hala (Marah Jaber) seems to discover the beauty, history, architecture, and magic that is hidden between the small neighborhoods of her beloved city. In the midst of her search for the old love Nabil Hanna Bshara (Milad Yousif) who has participated in the Lebanese civil war, Hala Mizrahi (Marah Jaber) is actually searching for an identity as well as a home land. Her family has immigrated to Rome in escape from the Zionist action in Palestine, and left behind the only city she has ever known, Damascus. Her father after reaching Rome, is in great misery and isolation because he feels he has been forced out and pulled out from his roots and his city. Ironically, while still on the way from Rome’s airport to see his family, the Jewish Father (Khalid Taja) undergoes a stroke and dies just as he smelled a jar of soil he had packed from his homeland, and so his family decides to return his body for burial at the place he loved the most, Damascus. The movie ends with Hala ( Marah Jaber) deciding on leaving to Italy again after a long vain search for Nabil (Milad Yousef), when she receives a letter from him to meet her at the same place that has witnessed all their wonderful past memories. That place being, in the beautiful old city of Damascus.
Controversy.
In an interview on Al Jazeera Documentary with the director of "Damascus with Love", Mohamad Abdul Aziz, he talks about the controversy of his film. He says that his film discusses the problems of minorities in the Arab community, and that the Jewish, Kurdish and many other Arab minorities that cannot be separated from the Arab culture because they are an integral part of the region’s culture and geography. He continues to explain how since the outbreak of the Great Arab Revolt in 1916, those minorities were not able to achieve equivalence with other major sects and so have suffered for many years of ruling regimes. From talking about past Arab outbreaks, Abdul Aziz moves on to connecting that idea to today’s Arab Spring. He believes that with the arrival of the Arab Spring and the success of the protests in some countries, those revolutions are a challenge to the culture of the Arab region, especially since one of the main objectives of those Arab revolts is to look for minority rights of equality and justice.


Sunny Joseph

Sunny Joseph (born 12 October 1957) is an Indian cinematographer and director from Kerala, most known for his work in Shaji N. Karun classic, "Piravi", for which he won the 1988 Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography. He has Post Graduate Diploma in Cinematography from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. Currently he is the President of Indian Society of Cinematographers, (ISC).
Early life and education.
Born in 1957 in Kerala to CV Joseph and Thressiamma, he grew up in the household of two brothers including a twin, and six sisters. Sunny did his P.D.C. from St. Michael's College, Cherthala (Kerala University) in Alappuzha district in 1974, followed by B.Sc. in Zoology from Deva Matha College, Kuravilangad (Mahatma Gandhi University), in the Kottayam district of Kerala in 1977. He joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune in 1979, where he did a Diploma in Cinema, specializing in Motion Picture Photography and graduated in 1983.
Career.
After graduating from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune in 1983, Sunny Joseph started working as a cinematographer in 1987. "Piravi" the film which he photographed for Shaji N. Karun became a landmark in his career and in Indian Cinema.
In 2002, Sunny assisted veteran cinematographer and Adoor Gopalakrishnan long-time collaborator, Mankada Ravi Varma, in his last work, "Nizhalkuthu" (2002) and eventually shot many scenes in the film for which Sunny is credited alongside Mankada Ravi Varma.


Ramesh Selvan

Ramesh Selvan is an Indian film director, who has made Tamil films.
Career.
Ramesh Selvan made his debut as a film maker with the action film "Ulavuthurai" (1998) starring Vijayakanth in lead role before making the revenge drama "Jananam" (2003) starring Arun Vijay. He then began directing a project titled "Runway" with Prashanth, but after a few schedules it had run into financial problems.
Ramesh announced that he would be making a comeback in early 2010, revealing that he was working a project titled "Kalavaram" with Sathyaraj in the lead role. "Kalavaram" was revealed to be based on a true story, that of the biggest riot that has ever taken place in Tamil Nadu, with Sathyaraj playing a deputy police commissioner who heads an investigation commission. The release of the film was pushed back several times, leaving the project which began in 2010, in development hell. Plans to release the film in August 2013 were also unsuccessful due to a high number of other films seeking theatres for release. Ramesh revealed that the producer of "Thalaivaa", Chandraprakash, asked him to delay the release of "Kalavaram" to get more theatre space for his film. In return, Chandraprakash reportedly told Ramesh that he would purchase and distribute his film under his Sri Mishri Productions banner. Ramesh then alleged that the producer backed out of his commitments. The film eventually released in January 2014 to below average reviews. In mid 2012, Ramesh was signed up to direct a film titled "Thalaivan" featuring newcomer Bas and filmed it after finishing work on "Kalavaram". In June 2013, he issued a press release distancing himself from the project, indicating that he had suffered health problems as a result of his strenuous work on the project and that he had to complete his other venture, "Kalavaram" (2014).


Gianni Amelio

Gianni Amelio (born 20 January 1945) is an Italian film director.
Early life.
Amelio was born in San Pietro di Magisano, province of Catanzaro, Calabria. His father moved to Argentina soon after his birth. He spent his youth and adolescence with his mother and his grandmother. The absence of a paternal figures will be a constant in Amelio's future works.
During his university studies of philosophy in Messina, Amelio got interested in cinema, writing as film critic for a local magazine. In 1965 he moved to Rome, where he worked as operator and assistant director for figures such as Liliana Cavani and Vittorio De Seta. He also worked for television, directing documentaries and advertisements.
Amelio's first important work is the TV film "La città del sole", directed in 1973 for RAI TV and inspired to Tommaso Campanella's work. This was followed by "Bertolucci secondo il cinema" (1976) a documentary about "1900" shooting, and the thriller "Effetti speciali". Two years later he directed the mystery "La morte al lavoro", which won prizes at Locarno and Hyères festivals. "The Little Archimedes" ("Il piccolo Archimede") of 1979 was also critically acclaimed.
In 1982 he debuted for cinema proper with "Blow to the Heart" ("Colpire al cuore"), about Italian terrorism, presented at the Venice Film Festival. In 1987 Amelio released "I ragazzi di via Panisperna", about the lives of 1930 Italian physicists such as Enrico Fermi and Edoardo Amaldi, which won the award for best screenplay at the Bari Film Festival. 1989's "Open Doors" ("Porte aperte"), featuring Gian Maria Volonté, confirmed Amelio's status as one of Italy's best film directors and won a nomination as Best Foreign Film at 1991 Academy Awards. The film received also four Felix, two Silver Ribbon, four David di Donatello and three Golden Globes awards.
Also successful was "The Stolen Children" ("Il ladro di bambini") in 1992, which won the Special Prize of Jury at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival plus two Silver Ribbon and 5 David di Donatello. In 1994 "Lamerica", about Albanian immigration in Italy, repeated the fate and the success, with 2 Silver Ribbons and 3 Davids. Four years later, "The Way We Laughed" ("Così ridevano") won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Amelio gained another Silver Ribbon as best director for "The Keys to the House" ("Le chiavi di casa"), inspired to a novel by Giuseppe Pontiggia, of 2004.
Amelio was a member of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1995. In 2006 he released his eighth feature film, "The Missing Star" ("La stella che non c'è"), featuring Sergio Castellitto. From 2009 to 2012 he has been director of Torino Film Festival, Turin.
Amelio came out as gay late in life, shortly before the release of his 2014 documentary "Happy to be Different".


Kumarsen Samarth

Kumarsen Samarth () was an Indian film director. He belonged to a Marathi CKP family. His inclination towards the Marathi language led him to direct some great Marathi/Hindi movies such as "Nal Damyanti" and "Rupaye ki Kahani" (1948). His biggest success was the 1955 Marathi film titled "Shirdi che Saibaba" on the life of the 19th century holyman by the same name. He studied cinematography in Germany and came back to India. He married his distant cousin, Shobhna Samarth, an aspiring actress. They married on the condition that she would be allowed to continue her acting career. They had four children, including the famous film actresses Nutan and Tanuja. He and his wife even made some films together. After fourteen years of marriage, Kumarsen and Shobhana separated amicably but never divorced. After their separation, Shobhana lived with film actor Motilal. Kumarsen died in his mid-70s.


The Spanish Gypsy (film)

The Spanish Gypsy is a 1911 American short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Wilfred Lucas and featuring Blanche Sweet.


Bharat Bala

Bharath Bala is an Indian film director, screenwriter and film producer based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Career.
Bharat Bala produced the acclaimed album "Vande Mataram" and "Jana Gana Mana Video" and heads BharatBala Productions based in Chennai. He directed a short film "Hari Om" in 2004. He was set to direct and produce Indo-Japanese film, co-produced by Disney, called "The 19th Step", written by and starring Kamal Haasan, but the film was later shelved. He directed the music video of official song of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto and also the opening ceremony of the games. In 2013, he completed his first feature film, "Maryan", which opened to good reviews but turned out to be an average grosser.
Awards.
Bharatbala has won several awards in his career. These awards have been for advertising films, feature films and special film projects that include:


Reena Bhardwaj

Reena Bhardwaj is a British Indian singer, songwriter and recording artist best known for her collaborations with A. R. Rahman and Nitin Sawhney. Versatile to genre and language, her repertoire includes a variety of Indian Traditional, Bollywood, World and Popular styles sung in various Indian languages (Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu) and English.
Early years and education.
Reena Bhardwaj was born and raised in London. From a very young age she displayed an intrinsic flair for the Indian arts, especially music and dance. She trained in the North Indian Classical Dance form Kathak and started performing on stage from the age of 9. During her teens, focus shifted to singing and she began to impress audiences as she sang complex compositions effortlessly. It was her natural vocal talent that eventually drew the attention of some of the world's leading pioneers of music, both in India and the UK.
An avid academic, Reena Bhardwaj chose to pursue a professional career in Business Management, while continuing to develop her musical interests on the side. She won a sponsorship on the Windsor Fellowship Management program and went on to graduate with Bachelor's and master's degrees from the London School of Economics. She briefly worked in corporate marketing and communications in the City of London.
Musical career.
Reena describes her musical career as a "turn of fate" which came about while pursuing her master's degree at the London School of Economics, when she received an unexpected call from her most favourite Indian Composer, AR Rahman.
With Rahman, she recorded her debut song, "Yeh Rishta" for the Bollywood film soundtrack "" directed by MF Hussain, which catapulted her from the world of academics to the top of the Indian Music charts. She became the first British Asian Artist to be nominated for a Zee Cine Award for Best Playback Singer and the MTV Immies Award for Best New Talent of 2004.
Next she sang "Baba Kichhu Tha", a Tamil romantic duet with one of South India's most revered playback singers, S. P. Balasubramaniam for the Rajinikanth and Manisha Koirala starrer "Baba".
Reena has featured on a number of AR Rahman’s Bollywood and Tamil/Telegu film soundtracks including "", "Sakkarakatti" and most recently she sang the beautiful song "Khilli Re" for the Mani Ratnam, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan starrer, Raavan, also by Rahman.
Reena's has been a regular collaborator with British Asian Composer/Producer Nitin Sawhney, an association that began with her soulful rendition of the epic Indian poem "Heer" by Waris Shah for Sawhney's 2003 album "Human" (V2). She went on to co-write the popular song "Mausam" for Sawhney's 2006 album "Philtre" (V2) alongside memorable performances on "Koyal – Songbird" and "The Search". She appears again on Sawhney's "London Undersound" in which she expresses her feelings about growing up in London by co-writing the track "Ek Jaan" and sings alongside Sir Paul McCartney in "My Soul".
Reena has toured extensively with Sawhney and his band and has performed at some of the world's most culturally elite venues including the Glastonbury Festival, WOMAD in Taormina (Sicily), Jazz Café, The Barbican Centre, The Royal Festival Hall, The Roundhouse for the BBC Electric Proms in 2008. One of her most notable performances was The BBC Proms 2007 at The Royal Albert Hall where she appeared alongside Nitin Sawhney, Natacha Atlas, & Anoushka Shankar.
She has also lent her voice to Sawhney's film scores, including Channel 4’s "Second Generation", Bharat Bala Production's "Hari Om", and the 1929 Silent Indian Classic, A Throw of Dice by Franz Osten, which premiered with the London Symphony Orchestra and subsequently performed with national orchestras in the Netherlands, Italy, New Zealand, US and Canada.
She has collaborated with the UK's biggest dance duo Basement Jaxx, Basement Jaxx, renowned percussion king Trilok Gurtu, Talvin Singh and award winning British Songwriter Guy Chambers. Her songs feature on various compilation CDs (Ministry of Sound’s, "Angel Beach"; Pathaan's "Indian Sunset") and Sony Legacy's 2009 Compilation CD "The Best of AR Rahman".
Discography.
“Baba Kichchu", Music: A R Rahman, Film: "Baba" (2002)
“Tak Dheen" Music: A R Rahman, "Bombay Dreams" (2003)
“Heer", Nitin Sawhney, "Human" (2003)
“Falling" Aqualung & Nitin Sawhney, "Human" (2003)
“Yeh Rishta", Music: A R Rahman, Film: "" (2004)
“Mausam", co-written with Nitin Sawhney, "Philtre" (2005)
“Koyal (Songbird)", Nitin Sawhney, "Philtre" (2005)
“The Search", Nitin Sawhney, "Philtre" (2005)
“Dead Man", Nitin Sawhney, "Philtre" (2005)
“Sandesa", Nitin Sawhney & The London Symphony Orchestra, Film: Franz_Osten’s "A Throw of Dice" (2005)
“Everybody", Basement Jaxx, "Crazy Itch Radio" (2005)
“Main Vari Vari", Music: A R Rahman, Film: "" (2006)
“Naan Epodhu", Music: A R Rahman, Film: "Sakkarakatti" (2008)
“My Soul", Paul McCartney & Nitin Sawhney, "London Undersound" (2008)
“Ek Jaan", co-written with Nitin Sawhney, "London Undersound"(2008)
”Khilli Re", Music: A R Rahman, Film: "Raavan" (2010)
“Puli Gharshana", Music: A R Rahman, Film: "Komaram Puli" (2010)
Other film soundtracks and compilations in which Reena features:
"The Best of A R Rahman", Sony Legacy (2009)
"Aaoji: Classic Sufi Hits',' Sony Music (2009)
"Life Goes On" Music: Soumik Dutta, Storm Glass Productions (2009)
"In the Mind of Nitin Sawhney", District 6 (2007)
"Angel Beach", Ministry of Sound (2005)
"American Daylight", Amaan Ali Khan (2005)
Frank Osten's "A Throw of Dice", Nitin Sawhney & The London Symphony Orchestra (2005)
"Hari Om" Film Score: Nitin Sawhney, Bharat Bala Productions (2004)
"Second Generation", Film Score: Nitin Sawhney, Channel 4 (2003)
"Indian Sunset" DJ Pathaan (2003)
References.
Reena Bhardwaj OFFICIAL website
A Throw of Dice OFFICIAL website
Nitin Sawhney OFFICIAL website
AR Rahman OFFICIAL website
Reena Bhardwaj – Internet Movie Database
History Talking Database
BBC Electric Proms
BBC Proms
BBC Proms Review
Reena Bhardwaj on amazon.com


Deva Katta

Deva Katta is an Indian American film director and screenwriter who works in Telugu cinema. He has directed films such as "Vennela" (2005), "Prasthanam" (2010) and "Autonagar Surya" (2014). In 2010, "Prasthanam" was showcased in the Indian Panorama section at the International Film Festival of India. The film also won two Filmfare awards including Filmfare South Critics Award for Best film and Nandi Award for Best Feature Film in 2010.
Early life.
Katta was born in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh. His family moved to Chennai and Katta was brought up there. Katta studied in Chennai from 7th grade in Ramakrishna Mission School and did his mechanical engineering degree from Engineering College. He later moved to the United States for higher Engineering studies and film studies.progressed into film-making while working as a full-time engineer in the automobile industry in the US.
Katta is a naturalized American citizen.
Career.
Katta holds a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. He worked as a vehicle crashworthiness expert at General Motors. He graduated from film school before making a digital documentary film about Indian students in the United States, which was titled "Valasa". He then debuted as a successful writer and director with the romantic comedy flick "Vennela", portraying Indian students in America.


Bogda (film)

Bogda is a Marathi-language Indian movie presented by Nittin Keni, written and directed by Nisheeta Keni starring Suhas Joshi, Mrunmayee Deshpande and Rohit Kokate.
Bogda movie is one of the best movies in marathi flim industry. The story of this movie is based on the relationship of mother and daughter.
The movie is now being stream on NETFLIX.


Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong

Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong is a 2015 romance film written and directed by Emily Ting and starring real-life couple Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg. The film premiered at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival received a limited theatrical and VOD release in February 2016.
Plot.
Outside a bar, Ruby Lin (Jamie Chung), an American children's toy designer temporarily in Hong Kong, makes plans over her phone to meet her friends at another bar. Overhearing that her phone doesn't have GPS and she is lost, American expat Josh Rosenberg (Bryan Greenberg) offers to walk her to her destination. As they walk and talk they find a connection sparking between them. Josh tells Ruby that he works in finance but longs to be a writer and she encourages him to quit his job to write a novel. Once they reach the location where Ruby is supposed to meet her friends, Ruby offers to blow them off to get a drink with Josh. At the bar he confesses to Ruby that he has a girlfriend and the reason he was outside the bar and overheard Ruby's conversation was because he had left his girlfriend inside doing birthday shots and flirting with other men. Ruby is infuriated and leaves.
A year later, aboard the Star Ferry, Josh spots Ruby and re-introduces himself hoping to apologize to her. He tells her that their conversation affected him profoundly and he has quit his job in finance to work as a writer over the past year. Ruby tells him that she has been living in Hong Kong for the past year due to a promotion that temporarily relocated her there. In the spirit of honesty, Josh tells Ruby he and his girlfriend are still together while Ruby tells Josh she also has a long-distance boyfriend. The two spend the night reconnecting and gradually feel themselves drifting together romantically once more. While slow dancing at a lounge, Josh is spotted by a friend of his girlfriend's and Ruby is upset, feeling that they have been emotionally cheating with one another. Josh and Ruby split a cab to go home, and Ruby admits to Josh that her boyfriend is actually her fiancé and she is leaving Hong Kong within the week. They both admit that they do not want to cheat with each other but have feelings for each other.
The two sit in the cab outside Ruby's apartment trying to decide what to do.
Production.
Writer-director Emily Ting, an American of Asian descent, based the script on her own experiences as an ex-pat in Hong Kong. Ting was also inspired by Richard Linklater's "Before Sunrise".
Ting cast real-life couple Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg to play the couple in her movie after working with Greenberg on "The Kitchen".
Reception.
The film received generally positive reviews. Andrew Barker for Variety called it "a simple valentine to Hong Kong’s expat nightlife".


Adhineta

Adhineta ( "Leader") is a 2009 Indian Telugu-language political action film produced by K. K. Radha Mohan on Sri Satya Sai Arts banner and directed by V. Samudra. Starring Jagapati Babu, Shraddha Das, Hamsa Nandini and music composed by Srikanth Deva.
Plot.
Suryanarayana (Jagapati Babu) is an unemployed youth in a village but also a man who stands first when it comes to helping others and bashing baddies. His parents (Chalapathi Rao and Annapoorna) are worried because the girls refuse to marry him as he is unemployed. They approach the local leader Puttaguntla Sriramulaiah (Paruchuri Gopala Krishna), who recommends him for the job of Chief Minister Tirupati Nayudu's (Ahuti Prasad) personal secretary. As the secretary, Suri takes up several issues and answers them. In the process, he realizes that Tirupati is crooked. Meanwhile, he meets Rajeshwari (Shraddha Das). He falls in love with her, but as destiny would have it, his life takes a turn when Sriramulu is killed by Mahendra Bhupati (Anandaraj), his henchman (Supreeth), and Tirupati. Sriramulu is like the godfather for Suri, and before he dies, he takes a word from him that he would enter politics. True to his word, Suri contests as an independent from Sreeramulu constituency and wins with a huge margin, with a twist of change. He accumulates a group of 25 such independents. The results suggest a hung assembly. Suri offers to support whichever party that makes him the Chief Minister. The rest of the story is all about how Suri brings change with the power bestowed on him.
Soundtrack.
Music composed by Srikanth Deva. The music was released on Aditya Music.


A Dry White Season

A Dry White Season is a 1989 American drama film directed by Euzhan Palcy and starring Donald Sutherland, Jürgen Prochnow, Marlon Brando, Janet Suzman, Zakes Mokae and Susan Sarandon. It was written by Colin Welland and Palcy, based upon André Brink's novel "A Dry White Season". Robert Bolt also contributed uncredited revisions of the screenplay. It is set in South Africa in 1976 and deals with the subject of apartheid. Brando was nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Plot.
In 1976, in South Africa during apartheid, Ben Du Toit (Donald Sutherland) is a South African school teacher at a school for whites only. One day, the son of his gardener, Gordon Ngubene (Winston Ntshona), gets beaten by the white police after he gets caught by the police during a peaceful demonstration for a better education policy for black people in South Africa. Gordon asks Ben for help. After Ben refuses to help because of his trust in the police, Gordon gets caught by the police as well and is tortured by Captain Stolz (Jürgen Prochnow). Against the will of his wife Susan (Janet Suzman) and his daughter Suzette (Susannah Harker), Ben tries to find out more about the disappearance of his gardener by himself. Following the discoveries of the murders of both Gordon and his son by the police, Ben decides to bring this incident up before a court with Ian McKenzie (Marlon Brando) as lawyer but loses. Afterwards, he continues to act by himself and supports a small group of black people, including his driver Stanley Makhaya (Zakes Mokae), to interview others to promote social change.
The white police notice their intentions and detain some responsible persons. To file a civil suit, Ben collects affidavits and hides the information at his house. Ben lets his son in on his plans. His son and his daughter both get to know the hiding spots, and after the police search through Ben's house, there is an explosion next to the hiding spot because the daughter betrayed it to the police, but the son saved the documents. Gordon's wife, Emily (Thoko Ntshinga), is killed when she refuses to be evicted from her home. Ben's wife and daughter leave him. The daughter offers to her father to get the documents to a safer place.
They meet at a restaurant and Ben gives his daughter unbeknownst-to-her fake documents, which she delivers to Captain Stolz. Instead of giving her the documents, Ben passed her a book about art. At the end, Ben is run over by Stolz, who is later shot by Stanley in revenge.
Production.
Before production, Warner Brothers passed on the project and it went to MGM. Director Euzhan Palcy was so passionate about creating an accurate portrayal on film that she traveled to Soweto undercover, posing as a recording artist, to research the riots. Actor Brando was so moved by Palcy's commitment to social change that he came out of a self-imposed retirement to play the role of the human rights lawyer; he also agreed to work for union scale ($4,000), far below his usual fee. The salaries of Sutherland and Sarandon were also reduced and the film was budgeted at only $9 million. Euzhan Palcy became the first female director and the first black director, to direct Marlon Brando.
The film was shot at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, England and on location in Zimbabwe.
Soundtrack.
Dave Grusin composed the score that is mostly on the subtle side for the movie. There is no major theme here other than South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela's mournful flugelhorn passages during the film's saddest scenes. Kritzerland released the soundtrack on CD, featuring 15 songs from the film's soundtrack and four added "bonus tracks" (two alternative takes and two source cues). The CD of the soundtrack fails to mention contributing musicians, including Hugh Masekela, nor includes any of the three Ladysmith Black Mambazo songs (written by Joseph Tshabalala) used so prominently in the film.
Reception.
The film was released at a time when South Africa was undergoing great political upheaval and regular demonstrations. The film itself was initially banned by South African censors, who said it could harm President F.W. de Klerk's attempts at apartheid reform. The ban was later lifted in September 1989 and the movie was screened at the Weekly Mail Film Festival in Johannesburg.
Brando's performance in the movie earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and he received the Best Actor Award at the Tokyo Film Festival. For her outstanding cinematic achievement, Palcy received the "Orson Welles Award" in Los Angeles.
Box office.
"A Dry White Season" earned $3.8 million in the United States, against a budget of $9 million.
It earned £334,314 in the UK.
Critical reception.
The film received mostly positive reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 81% of 36 critics have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 7.1 out of 10. Brando, in his first film since 1980, was particularly praised for his small but key role as human rights attorney Ian McKenzie.
"Chicago Sun-Times" critic Roger Ebert called "A Dry White Season" "an effective, emotional, angry, subtle movie." The "Washington Post'"s Rita Kempley wrote that ""A Dry White Season" is political cinema so deeply felt it attains a moral grace. A bitter medicine, a painful reminder, it grieves for South Africa as it recounts the atrocities of apartheid. Yes, it is a story already told on a grander scale, but never with such fervor." And "Rolling Stone"'s Peter Travers wrote that director Palcy, "a remarkable talent, has kept her undeniably powerful film ablaze with ferocity and feeling."
Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a rare "A+" grade on an A+ to F scale.


Vedha (music director)

Vedha (S. S. Vedhasalam) was an Indian music director who started working in Sinhala films during the early 1950s when they were being produced in Madras. Then he worked mainly in Tamil films. He was active in the field for about 25 years since 1952.
He composed music for many films produced by Modern Theatres. He was popularly known to adapt Hindi tunes to Tamil songs.
Career.
He started his career by assisting music directors in films. He was a co-music director in the 1955 film Menaka along with T. G. Lingappa and C. N. Pandurangan.
The first film he was in-charge as music director is Marma Veeran released in 1956. The song "Thudikkum Vaalibame" sung by R. Balasaraswathi Devi in this film was a big hit. Usually R. Balasaraswathi is known for singing lullaby songs but this song is full of romantic love known as Sringaram.
"Nadakkaadhu Jambam Palikkadhu" a song sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela in the 1958 film Manamalai was a popular number in Radio Ceylon for a long time.
He composed music for another film in the same year. Anbu Enge was a successful film, music being one of the factors. Particularly, the number "Dingiri Dingale" sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela separately as two versions, was a mega hit. The tune is of Baila genre.
The song "Oraayiram Paarvaiyile" from the 1965 film "Vallavanukku Vallavan" was also a very popular number. Though the tune was lifted from Hindi, the lyrics by Kannadasan and the mesmerising voice of T. M. Soundararajan gave it a Tamil flavour.
A song from the 1966 film "Vallavan Oruvan", "Palinginaal Oru Maaligai" was an apt number for L. R. Eswari's singing talent. Her voice combined with Vedha's music took audience to great heights.
Singers.
The singers who sang for his composition are: T. M. Soundararajan, A. M. Rajah, Thiruchi Loganathan, K. J. Yesudas, T. A. Mothi, S. C. Krishnan, J. P. Chandrababu, Sirkazhi Govindarajan, V. N. Sundharam, A. L. Raghavan, S. V. Ponnusamy,
Mohideen Baig, Eddie Jayamanne, P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari, R. Balasaraswathi Devi, K. Jamuna Rani, (Radha) Jayalakshmi, P. Leela, Jikki, K. Rani, A. G. Rathnamala, B. Vasantha, M. S. Rajeswari, Mabel Blythe, Rukmani Devi and Manorama and Ghantasala.
Lyricists.
Lyricists who wrote lyrics for Vedha's compositions include Kannadasan, Sundar Kannan, A. L. Narayanan, Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, Villiputhan, A. Maruthakasi, Vaali, Karunaidasan, Nallathambi, Alangudi Somu and Panju Arunachalam.