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JURY

Hindi

Ramesh Sippy - Chairperson of Jury
Producer- Director

Ramesh Gopaldas Sippy was born in Karachi on January 23, 1944. His father, GP Sippy continues to be an active producer of Hindi films. Starting at the age of 17, Ramesh worked as an apprentice before turning executive producer with the Shammi Kapoor-Rajshree-starrer Brahmachari. He made his directorial debut with Andaz starring Shammi Kapoor, Hema Malini and Rajesh Khanna. Followed the superhit Seeta Aur Geeta with Hema in a double role opposite Dharmendra and Sanjeev Kumar. Sholay in 1975 was the first Indian film released in 70mm with 6-track stereophonic sound. Shaan was another big-budget, star-studded production. And Shakti, Sippy’s first film for an outside producer, brought together Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan while Sagar in 1985 brought back Dimple Kapadia.

Shifting focus to the small screen, Sippy directed the 104-episode tele epic Buniyaad on Doordarshan and Kismet that was aired on DD Metro.

His other films include Bhrashtachar, Akayla and Zamaana Deewana while his serials are Kya Baat Hai and Gaatha.

In 2003, Sippy produed Kuch Naa Kaho that marked the directorial debut of his son, Rohan. He is presently working on a project for which the cast and credits are being finalised. A number of other productions are in various stages of scripting.

Waheeda Rehman
Actor

Born on May 14, 1936 in Hyderabad, Waheeda Rehman made her acting debut at the age of 13 in the Telugu film, Rojulu Marayi. Guru Dutt saw a dance of hers in the film and signed her for CID. There was no looking back after Pyaasa and the actress won accolades for her sensitive performances in films like Kaagaz Ke Phool, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam, Bees Saal Baad, Guide, Neelkamal, Khamoshi, Reshma Aur Shera, and Teesri Kasam to name a few. She also starred in Satyajit Ray’s Bengali film Abhijaan.

After marrying her Shagun co-star Kamaljit, she shifted to Bangalore. She was last seen in Anupam Kher’s directorial debut Om Jai Jagadish. Presently she is doing Girish Karnad’s Brides Wanted and another venture starring Milind Soman and Gul Panag. Today, she loves spending time with her two children, Kashvi and Sohail.

R Mohan
Producer

R Mohan started out with ‘Goodknight’, an electronic mosquito repellant that revolutionised this market. Goodknight mosquito mats went on to become the largest selling mats ever in the world and were followed by the insect killer aerosol spray ‘HIT’ along with India’s first international quality baby diapers ‘Snuggly’.

In 1994, Mohan made corporate history when he sold off the rights of his top-selling brands ‘Goodknight’ and ‘Hit’ to Godrej.

He entered film production and distribution in 1987. Goodknight Films, now known as Shogun Films Ltd., was started the same year. He has been a part of the entertainment industry for more than a decade now. He had taken steps towards corporatising the business years ago. Shogun Films Ltd. has produced over 45 blockbuster films in different Indian languages.

Shogun Films is the leading film production and distribution company in the state of Kerala. Some of its noted South films are Kilukkam, Spadikam and Kaala Paani. It has distributed international films like Mortal Kombat and Mira Nair’s Kama Sutra, in India. And produced Gardish, Kabhi Na Kabhi, Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya and Chandni Bar in Hindi.

Smita Thackeray
Producer

She married into Maharashtra’s first family, the Thackerays and over the years has groomed herself into a successful businesswoman with a film production house of her own. Haseena Maan Jayegi, her first Hindi film made under the banner of Rahul Productions, was a smash hit. She has also produced serials like Khel on Sony TV, Jhep and Bhagya Vidhaata on ETV Marathi and a feature film for Sahara TV.

For two years consecutively she has been elected President of IMPPA, the oldest body of film producers in India. She is known for her anti-piracy campaigns and her efforts to curb the menace. She hosted IMPPA’s first ever concert to raise funds for the welfare and medical relief for its members.

An active social worker, every year, the NGO she heads, Mukti Foundation organises a concert for promoting AIDS awareness in India. Film stars, sport icons, business houses and celebrities from other walks of life come together to spread the message.

Rumi Jafri
Writer

Bhopal-born Rumi Jafri came to Mumbai in 1997 and was involved with Hindi theatre for three years before he started writing for films. His Rang and Waqt Hamara Hai were hits. Till date, he has penned about 40 films, of which 18 have been with David Dhawan.

Some of his films are Awaam, Aur Pyar Ho Gaya, Aa Ab Laut Chale, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega and Chalte Chalte.

Raju Singh
Music Composer

Raju Singh is one of the most gifted melody makers of the modern era. Today, the 30 something Raju is the name behind the title songs and background scores of nearly 200 television serials and over 30 jazzy ad-jingles. Raju has also proven his caliber with scintillating background scores for over 25 mainstream Hindi feature films. Prominent amongst these is the rivetting score of the National Award winning film Chandni Bar. He is adept at the piano besides his main instrument, the acoustic guitar. His work with stalwarts like Asha Bhosle, Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Javed Akthar, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Jagjit Singh cements his place as a young composer from whom the industry has high expectations. His title music for the serial Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin won critical as well as popular acclaim. Some of his films are Paagalpan, Satta, Chot and Charas. The forthcoming films include Shaadi Dot Com, Kisi Se Na Kehna and School while his albums are Tum Yaad Aaye, Tum Aaye, Koi Baat Nahin, Viva, Sangam and Shairaana.

Marathi

Smita Jayakar - Chairperson of Jury
Actor

She is a lawyer-turned-actress. Smita Jayakar, who has modelled for household products like VIP, Complan, Maltova, Crompton Greaves and Dabur Vatika, began her acting career with Hindi serials like Ghutan, Raahat, Junoon and Adhikari. She was first seen on big screen in the Dilip Kumar-Rekha starrer Quilla followed by Sarfarosh, Prem Aggan, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain, Mast, Phir Bhi Dil Hain Hindustani, Hadh Kar Di Aapne, Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke, Kyon?, Devdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. The actress has, to her credit, several plays in English, Hindi, Urdu and Marathi. Currently she is seen in Piya Ka Ghar on Zee and the Marath serial Adhuri Ek Kahani. Dil Maange More was her recent Hindi release.

Neena Kulkarni
Actor

Neena Kulkarni has been associated with theatre, television and films, since 1973. She has trained under eminent teachers like Vijaya Mehta and Pt Satyadev Dubey. Her acting experience includes Marathi, Hindi and English theatre on an experimental, amateur and professional level. Awards have come her way from individual institutions as well as the State. She has performed in over 4,000 shows at home and abroad.

Some of her popular Marathi plays have been Guntata Hridaya He, Andarachya Parambya, Hamidabaichi Kothi, Vatva Savitri, Akhercha Parva and Prempatra. Her Hindi plays include Sambhog Se Sanyas Tak, Aadhe Adhure and Doctor Aap Bhee, to name a few. It’s All Yours’s Janaab, Educating Rita and Mahatma versus Gandhi are some of her English plays.

She has done several Hindi and Marathi serials and her Hindi films include Purush, Daayra, Daag - The Fire, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Dhhai Akshar Premke, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai and others.

Savita Prabhune
Actor

An NSD graduate, Savita Prabhune began her career with Marathi theatre before moving on to Marathi films and then serials. Some of her popular films have been Tuzhi Mazhi Jamali Jodi, Lek Chalali Sasarla, Dhakti Soon, Khara Warasdaar, Wahini Saheb and Lapandav. She also has a Tamil and Telugu film to her credit. She was seen in Hindi films like Filhaal and Tere Naam. Currently, the actress is seen in an important role in Kkusum aired on Sony.