Kissa Kursi Ka (Trans: Tale of Throne) is a controversial Hindi movie directed by Amrit Nahata. Released in 1977, the film was banned by the Indian Government and all prints were confiscated.

The plot revolved around a corrupt and evil politician, played by Manohar Singh, trying to woo personified public, depicted as mute and helpless looking (played by Shabana Azmi.) The movie is a humorous comment over the system and the selfishness of the politicians regarded as a motion picture version of the cartoonist columns that are the most brutal taunt over the politics.

Parzania

Parzania (translation: Heaven and hell on earth[2]) is a 2007 Indian drama film co-written and directed by Rahul Dholakia; David N. Donihue is the other co-writer. The film featured Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika in the lead roles, while Corin Nemec and Raj Zutshi played supporting roles. Made on a budget of US$ 700,000,[citation needed] the film was shot in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.

The film is inspired by the true story of a 10 year old Parsi boy, Azhar Mody, essayed in the film as Parzaan Pithawala in the film, who disappeared after the February 28, 2002 Gulbarg Society massacre, during the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002 in 69 people were killed. [3] The film traces the journey of the Pithawala family while trying to locate their missing son. The film only portrays a subplot during the riots, not the entire riots. But, since the film earned publicity as one based on the riots, it was criticized for showcasing only the Hindu attacks, while ignoring the Muslim retaliation and certain reviews termed it pro-Muslim.[4][5] Moreover, the film doesn't portray the Godhra train attack, and is only heard as piece of news from the radio. But, the perceived bias was because the plot only required the Hindu attacks to be shown.

The film was premiered at 36th India International Film Festival in Goa on 26 November 2005, before being released nationwide on 26 January 2007.
Plot

Allan (Corin Nemec), an American, arrives in Ahmedabad searching for answers, to find internal peace and to understand the world and his troubled life. He choses India as his school and Gandhi as his subject of his thesis. It is here that he meets the Pithawala family — Cyrus (Naseeruddin Shah), his wife Shernaz (Sarika), son Parzan (Parzan Dastur) and daughter Dilshad (Pearl Barsiwala). The Pithawalas being Parsis follow Zoroastrianism. Through them and the teachings of an Gandhian, Allan starts to find peace of mind.

The Godhra incident happens wherein 58 Hindu religious piligrims are supposedly burnt alive by a Muslim mob.[7] As a reaction to this incident, communal riots ensue shortly thereafter wherein Muslims were attacked by Hindu mobs,[8] followed by Muslim attack on Hindus.[9] Amidst these riots, 10 year-old Parzan disappears. Cyrus, Shernaz and Dilshad manage to escape the carnage. In the aftermath of the riots, Cyrus searches for his missing child while fighting for his own sanity. While assisting the Pithawalas in their search, Allan battles to uncover the reason behind the riots in an effort to try and make some sense of the incident. People start to question government's official explanation of the incident which downplays any conspiracy. As a result, a Human Rights Commission is formed. Through the commission, several witnesses and victims testify against the indifference of the police to protect them from the rioters. The film ends with a dedication to the victims of communal violence.

Production

In the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat, Los Angeles-based director Rahul Dholakia faced a personal tragedy. The riots left his friend's family shattered and this left an indelible mark on him. It hurt him all the more because the incidents happened in his home state. He felt responsible, both morally and socially, and wanted to speak up as a filmmaker.[10] Most of the US$ 700,000 budget came from two of his Indian friends in the United States.[11] Dholakia chose to make the film in English because he thought that communal riots was a global issue. Furthermore, he was unsure whether he could have the film released in India, given the sensitive nature of the film.

While deciding on the cast, Dholakia said that they were not looking at people's physical appearances. He added:

We didn't want glamorous people to play realistic roles. We've shot the film without any makeup, etc. We needed people who looked believable. So casting did play a major role, and I'm not even talking about the principal cast. Every actor in the film has been auditioned, and that includes people with one line to say or not even that.

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah was the first and obvious choice for the film. But Dholakia was very apprehensive about whether Shah would agree to do the film, and if he could pay his remuneration. His latter worry was because the film started out as a very low-budget film. After Dholakia narrated the script to him, Shah said, "I agree in principle, provided we make this sensitively and sensibly."[13] Shah thought that the film's story needed to be told, and he felt that he had to be part of it. After agreeing to join the cast, Shah did not actively research for his character. Being a parent himself, he felt that it was not difficult for him to emphathize with the family whose son was lost in the riots. After a 18 years of hiatus, Sarika chose to return to cinema with this film. Since the film dealt with a real and sensitive issue, she felt that Parzania went beyond than being just a film.[14] Despite facing the camera after a long gap, Sarika felt quite comfortable during the shooting.

Shortly thereafter, Shah, Sarika and Dholakia went through the script in great detail. Owing to their screen and real-life experiences, Shah and Sarika suggested changes and revised the script several times.

Because the film was about communal riots in Gujarat, the film was purposefully not released in Gujarat, as the cinema owners refused to screen it fearing backlash.

Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro

Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (English: Don't Cry For Salim, the Lame) is a 1989 Hindi film directed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza, with Pavan Malhotra as lead.
The film won the 1990 National Film Award for Best Cinematography.
Plot
The film is set in the period of the Hindutva mobilization of the 80s, the consequent explosive communal conflict, and its impact on the lives of the young men of the minority Muslim community, represented by an working class Muslim family in Mumbai. Salim Pasha (Langda or Lame), is a small time thief and goonda, and lives with his parents and sister in a shady neighborhood where crime and illegal activities are accepted professions

Anupama

Anupama is a 1966 Hindi film, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The movie stars Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Shashikala, Deven Verma and Durga Khote. The music is by Hemant Kumar.

The film critically acclaimed and nominated for several Filmfare Awards and did 'Above Average' business at the Indian Box Office [1]
Mohan Sharma (Tarun Bose) a successful businessman in Bombay, marries late in life, and is leading a happy married life. Unfortunately, his wife dies during childbirth leaving behind a young daughter, Uma (Sharmila Tagore), who he cannot bear to see her, expect when he is drunk! Naturally, the daughter grows up all by her self, traumatized and speaks to no one. As time passes, Mohan Sharma's health starts failing due to over work and alcoholism, doctors suggest change of weather, to hill-station, Mahabaleshwar.

Meanwhile, Arun (Deven Verma), son of Mohan Sharma's friend Hari Mehta and who is set to marry Uma, returns home after studying engineering aboard for five years, and joins them along with his friend, Ashok (Dharmendra), a writer and a teacher. Here things change when young Ashok enters Uma's life, but she cannot do anything to jeopardize already fragile relationship between her and her father

Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (translated as I Did Not Kill Gandhi) (2005), is an Indian film, directed by Jahnu Barua and produced by Anupam Kher. The film stars Anupam Kher and Urmila Matondkar in lead roles.
In the film, a poem by noted Hindi poet, Nirala, Himmat Karne Walon Ki Har Nahi Hoti (Those who have courage never fail) was depicted as the favorite poem of the main character [1]
Plot summary
The film explores the downward spiral of a retired Hindi professor, Uttam Chaudhary, (portrayed by Anupam Kher), as he falls victim to dementia. After he sees someone carelessly place a cup on a newspaper photograph of Mahatma Gandhi, his senility increases. One night his daughter Trisha, played by Urmila Matondkar, and son Karan discover his room on fire. Trisha takes him to a doctor who says nothing can be done.
Then Uttam believes he killed Mahatma Gandhi by accidentally playing with a toy gun which had real bullets and shooting Gandhi during his walk in Birla House. So they go see Uttam's brother for details. Uttam's brother says that when they were young, they played darts by filling ballons with red dye and placing it on someone's picture.
One day someone found Gandhi's picture and Uttam popped a ballon while their father saw who believed he killed Gandhi, with Uttam replying "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara" while his father hit him. Later they go to another doctor named Siddharth Parvin Dabas who helps Uttam when he thinks that his house is jail and people poisoned his food because he killed Gandhi. Siddharth eats the food so Uttam knows the food is not poisoned. Later they are in court and a gun expert says that a toy gun (which Uttam believes he killed Gandhi with) can not kill anyone.

Gandhi, My Father

Gandhi, My Father is a 2007 Indian film by Feroz Abbas Khan (not to be confused with actor Feroz Khan [1]). It was produced by Bollywood star, Anil Kapoor, and released on 3 August 2007.
The film explores the troubled relationship between Harilal Gandhi (portrayed by Akshaye Khanna) and his father, Mahatma Gandhi.
Background
It is based upon the biography of Harilal Gandhi-Harilal Gandhi: A Life [2] by Chandulal Bhagubhai Dalal. [3] Khan's play, Mahatma vs. Gandhi,[4] while different from this film, had a similar theme. [5] It was shot in South Africa and in several Indian cities including Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Plot
With Gandhi My Father, producer Anil Kapoor and director Feroz Abbas Khan have shed light onto Gandhi the person, rather than Gandhi the icon. Using Gandhi’s political career as a canvas, the film paints a picture of his intricate, complex, and strained relationship with son Harilal Gandhi (Akshaye Khanna). From the onset, the two had dreams directed in opposite directions. Harilal wanted to study abroad and become a barrister like his father, while Gandhi hoped that his son would join him and fight side by side for his ideals and causes. When Gandhi doesn’t give Harilal the opportunity to study abroad, it comes as a huge and almost unforgivable blow to Hari. He decides to abandon his father’s vision and leaves South Africa for India where he joins his wife Gulab (Bhoomika Chawla) and kids. He goes back to school to earn his diploma, but fails three times in a row, leaving him in a financial dump. Each of his schemes to make money falls through and he ends up building a horrible reputation for himself, all the while tarnishing his father’s name. Sick of his failure, Gulab returns to her parent’s house with the kids and Hari stumbles and eventually falls. He turns to alcohol for solace and shuffles back and forth between Hinduism and Islam, in a never ending search for peace. With political tension heating up, the rift between Gandhi and his eldest son grows until it’s beyond repair. This is the story of a man who lived in the enormous shadow of his father, striving to discover his own identity till his last breath.
Awards
2008 National Film Awards
• Special Jury Award - Feroz Abbas Khan & Anil Kapoor [1]
• Best Supporting Actor - Darshan Jariwala
• Best Screenplay - Feroz Abbas Khan
2008 Zee Cine Awards
• Critics Award (Best Film) - Anil Kapoor
• Critics Award (Best Actress) - Shefali Shah
2008 IIFA Awards
• Best Art Direction - Nitin Chandrakant Desai
2007 Asia Pacific Screen Awards
• Best Screenplay - Feroz Abbas Khan

Harishchandrachi Factory

Harishchandrachi Factory (Marathi: हरिश्चंद्राची फॅक्टरी, "Harishchandra's Factory") is a 2009 Marathi film, directed by theatre-veteran Paresh Mokashi, depicting the struggle of Dadasaheb Phalke in making Raja Harishchandra in 1913, India's first feature film, thus the birth of Indian cinema.[1][2].
Harishchandrachi Factory is the directorial debut of Paresh Mokashi who won the Best Director award at Pune International Film Festival, where the film was shown. In September 2009, it was selected as India's official entry to Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language Film Category, making it the second film, after Shwaas (2004), in Marathi cinema to receive this honour .
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Overview
The film is the story about the beginning of the Indian film industry, set in 1913, when two business partners fall out resulting in one leaving the company. As the family struggle to survive Phalke (Nandu Madhav) decides to make his own silent motion picture along with the support of his family.He travels to England to learn about the new medium and after he returns brings together a team of actors and technicians to produce his first film about the story of Raja Harishchandra. Through all the hard work the movie becomes a hit thus marking the beginning of one of the world's biggest film industry.

The film is a light comic entertainer which is well received by the common audience as well. It's light comic narration makes it an enjoyable movie.

Matrubhoomi

Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women (Bhojpuri/Hindi: मातृभूमी, translation: Motherland) is an Indian film that was released in 2005. Directed by Manish Jha, this film examines the impact of female foeticide and female infanticide on the gender balance, and consequently the stability and attitudes of society. Its storyline bears some resemblance to real-life instances of gender imbalance and economics resulting in fraternal polyandry and bride buying in some parts of India [1]. It depicts a future dystopia in an Indian village populated exclusively by males.
The film begins in a rural setting, with the delivery of a baby girl to a village couple. Her disappointed father, who was hoping for a boy, drowns her in vat of milk in a public ceremony. Many years later, this unchecked trend leads to the village being populated solely by males. The now uncouth and aggressive young men of the village are desperate for wives, and release their frustration through group screenings of imported pornographic films, cross-dressed dance performances, and even bestiality. They are shown to be willing to go to the lengths of human trafficking in order to procure spouses for themselves.
The father of five boys finds out about a single young woman, named Kalki, living some distance from the village, and literally buys her from her father. She is then married to all five sons. Each night of the week, she is forced to sleep with one of the sons, and even the father gets his weekly night with her. Of all the men in the boorish lot, only the youngest son treats her with respect and tenderness.
When the youngest son is killed by his jealous brothers, and an escape attempt with a sympathetic domestic servant goes lethally awry, she becomes a pawn of revenge in an inter-community conflict, and an unwilling object of sexual release for even more men. She is chained to a post in the cow shed and raped mercilessly night after night. The film ends on a violent but hopeful note, as she bears a baby girl while the men of the village kill each other off over rights to her and her child.
Awards
• FIPRESCI Award in Parallel Section at the Venice Film Festival 2003
• Audience Award for Best Film at the Kozlin Film Festival 2003, Poland
• Audience Award for Best Foreign Film at Thessaloniki Film Festival, 2003
• Audience Award for Best Film at Florence Indian Film Festival, 2003
Cast
• Tulip Joshi - Kalki
• Sudhir Pandey - Ramsharan
• Sushant Singh - Sooraj
• Vinamra Pancharia - Raghu
• Aditya Srivastava - Raghu's Uncle
• Piyush Mishra - Jagannath
• Pankaj Jha - Rakesh
• Sanjay Kumar - Brijesh

Dombivali Fast

Dombivli Fast (Marathi: ङोंबिवली फास्ट) is a critically acclaimed Marathi film by director Nishikant Kamat. It is the story of a middle class bank employee, Madhav Apte, who becomes so disgusted with the corruption he faces in his day to day life that he loses it one day and become a vigilante. The film stars Sandeep Kulkarni, Shilpa Tulaskar and Sandesh Jadhav.

Kamath remade the film in Tamil as Evano Oruvan with R. Madhavan playing the lead.
[edit] Awards and Storyline

* 2006 Star Screen Awards - Best Actor Male (Marathi) - Sandeep Kulkarni

It was heavily influenced by the Michael Douglas starrer 1993 film Falling Down.

A lower-middle age house in the Mumbai Suburb of Dombivli, an alarm rings in the morning, the household goes into a frenzy of activities where the man of the house, Madhav Shreedhar Apte gets ready for work, goes to work travelling in the Mumbai Locals, works and then comes back in the evening, feeds his young daughter and then goes to sleep. The next morning the same routine starts again, and the next morning.

The Marathi movie “Dombivli Fast” (DF)starts with the above routine scene about a middle class home but ends with the most under-rated climax of all, simple yet hard-hitting.

Madhav Apte is a common man with strong principles. He has strong values and he does not believe in bending any rules for anybody, even when the future of his children is involved. He fights with people around when he sees injustice and corruption, which include his colleagues, his boss, the shop keepers, man who delivers water in a water tanker, school principal and even his wife. His principles and his behavior is a cause of fights between his wife and him. She is tired of him only preaching of changing the world but not doing anything about it.

He is pushed to a corner by everybody who finds his policy of righted ness too difficult to handle and one day he snaps. He goes on a rampage trying to do right, everything that goes against his principles and then starts a mayhem on the street of Mumbai, ultimately ending in a tragic climax.

The story is very similar to Michael Douglas’s starrer Falling Down but DF stands out because of good acting and brilliant direction. There are many characters in the movie but the three main characters are Madhav Apte, His wife and a police Inspector.

The film has a cult status in Marathi cinema.

NEW YORK TIME REVIEW

In the tradition of Death Wish, Falling Down and Fighting Mad comes the urban vigilante drama Dombivli Fast - a tough, bitter dissection of the rage that lies at the core of contemporary society. The story concerns Madhav Apte (Sandeep Kulkarni), an Indian banker whose firm moral principles are constantly challenged by friends, family and associates. Ultimately, they goad him over the edge, and he suddenly cracks, physically attacking a street vendor in broad daylight for refusing to give him change. Apte then arms himself, wandering the streets and scouring the neighborhoods for any sign of wrongdoing that he can "correct," but leaving a nasty trail of destruction in his wake. The police are promptly alerted, but cannot decide whether to arraign Apte or treat his actions as necessary heroics. Co-writer-director Nishikant Kamat utilizes rapid fire editing and frenzied camerawork to capture the story's high-wire, cutthroat tension. Shilpa Tulaskar and Sandesh Jadhav co-star. ~ Nathan Southern.