Finally, the film is releasing in the theatres today and that is enough reason for celebrations.

Viacom18 Motion Pictures Padmaavat directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is the first Indian film that will have a global IMAX 3D release. It has been cleared for release by the CBFC with a U/A release certificate post the incorporation of only 5 modifications.

Starring Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji, the film will also be released in Tamil and Telugu, in addition to Hindi. The film releases today in 2D, 3D and Imax 3D in India and the world.

Based on 16th century Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s epic poem Padmavat, the film showcases the valor of Rani Padmavati, Maharawal Ratan Singh and the famed Rajput ethos of honor, bravery and sacrifice.

Says Sanjay Leela Bhansali,“I have always been fascinated by the stories of honor, valor and vigor of our great Rajput warriors that have been captured so beautifully in our literature and this movie is my homage to those glorious stories. I thank the entire film fraternity for supporting Viacom18 and Bhansali Productions particularly Akshay Kumar and the team of Padman. I don’t think I will ever forget this gesture.”

@bhawanasoomaaya

Amitabh Bachchan unveiled the third edition of Mumbai Police calendar, shot by ace photographer Pravin Talan, at the glittering star-studded event Umang along with Commissioner of Police, Mumbai Mr. Dattatray Padsalgikar and other senior officials of the police force.

Bachchan was all praises for the families of the policemen who sacrifice their personal time so that police can serve the city. The efforts of the policemen have been well documented in the calendar.

This time the much-awaited calendar by Pravin Talan has more realistic photographs featuring the herculean tasks of Mumbai Police across various seasons and festivals, making it one of the most enriched and liveliest calendars yet.

Commissioner of Police, Mumbai Mr. Dattatray Padsalgikar said, “For Mumbai Police, 2017 has been 365 days of celebrating an undying bond with the citizens and rediscovering its power in helping us overcome any crisis.”

The calendar also gives a peek into the state- of- the- art Police control room and recently introduced Riot Control Police.

@bhawanasomaaya

Twinkle Khanna’s latest endeavour, Pad Man, the world’s first feature film on menstrual hygiene, is based on the life of social entrepreneur and activist Arunachalam Muruganantham, who revolutionized sanitary hygiene in rural India 20 years ago. Pad Man was to release in cinemas on 25 January but when Sanjay Leela Bhansali met up with Akshay Kumar to request him to delay his film by a week it did not take Kumar a minute to postpone his release in order to support Bhansali. It is a gesture Bhansali is not going to forget easily.

Akshay Kumar knows he has a good product and a little delay will not harm his film. The film has many victories to celebrate, the latest being that Twinkle Khanna, India’s bestselling female author, film producer, woman’s rights activist, interior design entrepreneur, and former actress, has been invited to speak at The Oxford Union, the world’s most prestigious debating society.

Pad Man is the first Indian film to be showcased at The Oxford Union, presenting a milestone for Indian cinema.

At The Oxford Union, Twinkle Khanna emphasized why it is imperative to spotlight issues relating to menstrual hygiene and breaking stigma attached to periods globally as a means to empower girls and women worldwide, “This is not a film it is a movement”.

@bhawanasomaaya

After the success of plays like Mareez, Master Phoolmani, Mohan’s Masala, Karl Marx in Kalbadevi, Dr. Anandibai – Like, Comment, Share, Hun Chandrakant Bakshi, Ideas Unlimited, director – Manoj Shah and Nehru Centre come together again in another exploration in theatre.

Gujarati theatre has survived every challenge posed by the performing world and emerged a winner and the proof of that is Manoj Shah’s new play Rang Gurjari. Unusually structured the play is designed to retell the history of Gujarati theatre and the narrator is who else but Lord Indra and Bharat Muni, the creator of Natya Shastra.

The time machine travels from the mythological dramas to Bhavai and the emergence of the urban Bhaangwadi, the influences of Sanskrit, Parsi comedies and Persian adaptations on Gujarati stage. Appropriately titled Ooncha Maylo Parogaram will present the entire journey of Gujarati Theatre from 14th century till present times.

Written by Satya Mehta and directed by Satchit Puranik the play premiers in Muumbai on 24 Jaunuary.

@bhawanasomaaya

Rage in association with the Traverse theatre from Edinburgh presents a first of its kind, unique and exciting evening of staged readings from the next generation of Mumbai playwrights. The group has challenged 60 senior school students from twelve Mumbai schools to become playwrights. 20 of their original scripts, mentored by acclaimed professional Scottish & Indian playwrights, directed by a mix of professional Scottish and Indian directors and performed by professional Mumbai actors will be staged over these two days – 10 plays per day.

These young 14 to 16-year-old playwrights will be very much a part of the rehearsal process and will, therefore, have the unique experience of watching their words come alive in the hands of professional directors and actors. The mentors include an impressive list of Nicola McCartney, Stef Smith, Akash Mohimen, Irawati Karnik, Karishma Attari and Shaili Sathyu and the acts will be directed by Emma Callandar, Nicola McCartney, Anahita Uberoi, Dhanendra Kawade and Sheena Khalid.

“We at Rage have been championing new writing for the past fifteen years through our playwriting project Writers’ Bloc”, says Shernaz Patel. “Rage is thrilled to be partnering with the Traverse for this absolutely unique project. How many kids have an opportunity to learn how to tell stories for the stage and then be an intrinsic part of the theatre process, watch their characters come to life in the hands of professional directors and actors and then have their plays performed in a professional theatre. We are certain that this initiative will, in the long run, lead to a new generation of playwrights”

On 14 January was Kaifi Azmi’s birthday and on 17 January is Javed Akhtar’s birthday.  In today’s blog the son-in-law pays tribute to the father-in-law.

Ajeeb Aadmi Tha Woh

Ajeeb aadmi tha woh
Mohabbaton ka geet tha
Baghavaton ka raag tha
Kabhi woh sirf phool tha
Kabhi woh sirf aag tha

Ajeeb aadmi tha woh…

Woh muflison sey kehta tha ke din badal bhi sakte hain

Woh jaabiron sey kehta tha tumhare sar pe sone ke jo Taj hain kabhi pighal bhi sakte hain
Woh bandishon se kehta tha main tumko tod sakta hoon
Hawaaon se woh kehta tha main tumko mod sakta hoon
Sahoolaton se kehta tha main tumko chhod sakta hoon
Woh khwab se yeh kehta tha ke tujhko sach karunga main
Woh aarzoo se kehta tha main tera humsafar hoon tere saath hi chaloonga main
Tu chahe jitni duur bhi bana le apni manzilein kabhi nahi thakoonga main
Woh zindagi se kehta tha ke tujhko main sajaoonga
Tu mujhse chand maang ley main chand leke aaoonga
Woh aadmi se kehta tha ke aadmi se pyar kar
Ujad rahi hai yeh zameen
Kuch iska ka ab singar kar

Ajeeb aadmi tha woh

Woh zindagi ke saare dukh tamam gham har ik sitam se kehta tha main
tumse jeet jaaoonga
Ki tumko tto mita  hi dega ek roz aadmi
Bhula hi dega ye jahan
Meri alag hain dastaan
Woh ankhein jinmein khwab hain
Wo baazu jin mein hai sakat
Woh hont jin pe lafz hain
Rahoonga unke darmiyaan ke jab beet jaaoonga

Ajeeb aadmi tha woh….

Jyoti Dogra’s Notes on Chai is devised as a solo experimental that explores urban isolation and struggle for meaning in everyday life. The play has travelled all of Europe and returns to India on public demand after a gap of two years.

In these two years, the play has evolved organically through its interactions with all kinds of audiences.  The writing comprises echoes of everyday conversations interwoven with abstract sound explorations inspired by Tibetan chanting and also ancient Christian singing. The thought process initiated on the stage travel the inner and outer landscape of urban life and becomes a personal experience for all in the audience.

We are all familiar with Chai Pe Charcha now it is time to make notes on Chai.

@bhawanasomaaya

14 Januuary is poet, activist, lyricist Kaifi Azmi’s birthday and the family celebrates the date at his home in Janki Kutir amidst friends and litterateur. In the garden of Janki Kutir festooned with trees and fairy lights unfold a mushaira where poets from Mumbai and outside gather to recite their poetry. Organized by Kaifi Azmi’s son Baba Azmi it is an enlightening evening of music and poetry. This time there was a classical dance rendition performed on Azmi’s nazm Aurat as a finale followed by chai and batatawadas.

It is perhaps the only day when there are no protocols and enthusiastic audience from all walks of life brush shoulders to enjoy poetry and celebrate their hero.

@bhawanasomaaya