Rushes

Kher’s Bariwali triumphs at Berlin fest
Anupam Kher’s debut film as producer, Bariwali, directed by Rituparno Ghosh and starring Kiron kher, has won plaudits and awards at its world premiere during the Berlin Film Festival. On February 19, the film collected the Netpac Award, given for the most outstanding Asian film at the festival. The award is given annually to the most
outstanding film.

Bariwali has also won rave reviews from the press and the public. The leading German daily, Die Tageszeitunger said the film was “as hypnotic as a Schubert sonata”, and that it flowed so smoothly and seductively that its 150 minute length was no drag at all. The paper also extolled Kiron Kher’s performance, saying it deserved the Golden Bear, and adding, “She sweeps through the film with the grace and tranquillity befitting the corpulent, lonely presence she represents in the film.”

Obscenity charges dismissed
The charges of obscenity framed against actresses Madhuri Dixit, Karisma Kapoor, Pooja Bhatt, Juhi Chawla, Raveena Tandon, Mamta Kulkarni and Tabu by ‘Narishakti Abhiyaan’, a women’s organisation, have been dismissed by the chief metropolitan magistrate, Mohan Puranik. In his ruling, Puranik observed the allegations were “vague and not specific”. Pooja Bhatt attended the court on the day the ruling was passed. The other actresses were represented by their advocates as they were out of Mumbai.

Varman’s rare gesture
R Varman, the art director of more than 300 films, with 35 films still on the floors, has found a genuine way to use his art to collect funds for the cyclone-hit in Orissa. 250 of his paintings (of a variety of flowers) of various sizes and textures done during the last four months have been put on an exhibition-cum-sale on the grounds of Kamal Amrohi Studios. The exhibition was inaugurated by Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray on February 20. The proceeds from the sale estimated at Rs 1.5 crore will go to the victims of cyclone in Orissa. Producer Pahlaj Nihalani has played a very important part in organising the exhibition. Incidentally, Varman had also designed the set for two editions of the SCREEN-Videocon Awards.

100 days of Rockford
Padmini Films’ Rockford has completed 100 days at several centres in India. The film is produced by Padmini Kolhapure and Nagesh Kukunoor, and directed by Kukunoor.

20-day shoot for Mission Kashmir
Writer-producer-director Vidhu Vinod Chopra has begun a 20-day shoot for Vinod Chopra Productions’ Mission Kashmir from February 15. Starring Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta, the film has music by Shankar Mahadevan.

Shariat Board’s pat for Kamal Haasan
Dr Amanullah Khan, chairman of the All India Muslim Shariat Board, has complimented Kamal Haasan for propagating Hindu-Muslim amity in his Hey! Ram. “Kamal Haasan has been honest in handling the subject. The film propagates the futility of hatred, violence and bloodshed in the name of religion,” he said.