SUDANESE MUSICIANS IN NOIDA FILM CITY

A group of eight artistes from the Republic of the Sudan, visiting India on an invitation of Indo-Sudanese Cultural Forum recently presented a musical extravaganza at Asian Academy of Film & TV. The talented singer Mr. Omer Ahmed Mohammed Mustafa kept the audience spell found by his melodious voice and the accompanying music enthused the students to break into dancing. Speaking on this memorable occasion, HE Abdal Mahmood Abdalhaleem Mohammad the ambassador of Republic of Sudan in India said that the language of music is indeed universal. He expressed his hope that the friendly this between India and his country will be further strengthened through the instrument of culture.

Sandeep Marwah & Mr. Omer Ahmed Mohammed Mustafa
Singer Mr. Omer Ahmed Mohammed Mustafa & HE Abdal Mahmood Abdalhaleem Mohammad the ambassador of Republic of Sudan & Mr . Sandeep Marwah

The ambassador wished to bring out the proposed periodical of Indo-Sudanese Cultural Forum ‘Nile-Ganges’ at the earliest. Thanking His Excellency the ambassador and visiting artistes from the Republic of Sudan, Chairman of the India chapter of the Forum Prof. Sandeep Marwah offered to organise more events of this nature in the time to come. Indo-Sudanese Cultural Forum was formed during the historic visit of the Minister of State of the Republic of the Sudan. H.E. Mr. Siddik Mugataba to Marwah Studios last June.

STAR STUDDED LAUNCH OF FILM’ S MUSIC

The music of feature film Khushi being produced under the living legend Surinder Kapoor’s banner Narsimha Enterprises‚ was formally launched in a glittering function held a few days ago at New Delhi’s Hotel Maurya. This memorable occasion was graced by the great showman of Indian Film Industry and producer of this film Boney Kapoor and Sridevi; its co-producer Sandeep Marwah of Asian Academy of Film & TV and Reena Marwah; stars of the film Fardeen Khan and Kareena Kapoor and Ramesh Taurani of Tips. The evergreen Sridevi was the centre of attraction at this function. Lyrics written for this film by Sameer have been sung by Hema Sardesai‚ Alka Yagnik‚ Sunidhi Chauhan‚ Udit Narayan and Sonu Nigam. The music for the film has been composed by Anu Malik. Finishing touches are being given to this film which is slated for release in the coming January. Feature film Khushi has been directed by S.J. Suryah

LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL HONOURS OUTSTANDING TEACHERS

Lions Club International which is actively serving the society in 185 countries across the globe, recently honoured three teachers of performing arts – Kathak – exponent Birju Maharaj Painter Jatin Das and Film educator Prof. Sandeep Marwah – for their sincere and dedicated selfless service towards new generations and the society and bestowed upon them organisation’s prestigious award. Addressing the large gathering of teachers from all over India and the distinguished invitees to the glittering function, the former union minister and currently the chairman of Delhi Public School Society Mr Salman Khursheed said that education is vital to the building of a happy, prosperous and balanced society. He also underlined the merits of great Indian guru shishya parampara in imparting effective training in various arts. Describing selfless social service as worship of god, Mr. Salman Khursheed urged the teachers to contribute their mite to the all round development of our beloved country.

FILM STAR ANIL KAPOOR’ S FILM RELEASED ON EID

Indra Kumar and Ashok Thakaria’s Maruti Pictures Pvt. Ltd. production Rishtey will be released on the coming 6th December which coincides with the auspicious occasion of Eid. The release of this film in the city of world famous monument of Tajmahal will make the Eid of 2002 a memorable occasion. The co-producer of the film Sandeep Marwah of Asian Academy of Film & TV said that film stars Anil Kapoor‚ Karishma Kapoor‚ Shilpa Shetty
Sandeep Marwah & Anil Kapoor

Actor Anil Kapoor & Mr. Sandeep Marwah
have played key roles in this wholesome family entertainer and this film is based on the father-son and husband-wife relationships. Anil Kapoor will be acting in a film being produced under the direction of Indra Kumar after a lapse of ten years he added. The music of this film has already been released by Anil Kapoor and Karishma Kapoor a few days back at Lucknow at Delhi. This film will have the Indra Kumar trade mark of successful films like Dil‚ Beta‚ Raja and Ishque‚ Sandeep Marwah added. He forcefully stated that dwindling number of theatre goes is a result of the technology push and piracy rather than the quality of the films being produced. Sandeep Marwah hoped that the year 2003 will be a successful & prosperous year for the film industry. Abbas Katka’s lyrics of Rishtey have been sung by Asha Bhosle‚ Anuradha Podwal‚ Sunidhi Chauhan‚ Mahalaxmi Iyer‚ Neha‚ Kavita Subrahmanyam‚ Shaan‚ Udit Narayna‚ Sandeev Rathod and Sonu Nigam. Sandeev-Darshan have composed the music of this film. Rajeev Kaul and Prafulla Parekh. Renowned Baba Azmi is the cinematographer of the feature film Rishtey.

NATURE PROVIDES BEST NOURISHMENT FOR BODY AND MIND DR. ABID HUSSAIN

n his thought provoking address the former Indian ambassador to the USA, Dr. Abid Hussain described the nature as god’s best gift to the living beings. He was addressing the students of Asian Academy of Film & TV after formally releasing the first anniversary issue of the monthly ‘Nature & Wealth’. Dr. Abid Hussain urged the students to have faith in god almighty‚ develop a deep sense of commitment to their work and lead a purposeful life. He advised them not to be discouraged by setbacks and failures and to move forward in life with determination.
sandeep marwah & Dr. Abid Hussain

Former Indian ambassador to the USA, Dr. Abid Hussain & President Of AAFT Mr. Sandeep Marwah

He reminded the lucky ones with wordly possessions that they owe something to the not so lucky faceless and voiceless people. Describing music‚ poetry‚ fine arts and above all the nature as the base of all visual arts‚ the renowned painter Jatin Das said that there is aesthetic sensibility in all works of art. Defending creative persons who may appear to be lost in thoughts‚ Jatin Das said that they are actually ever engrossed in search of something new.

NATIONAL AWARD CONFERRED ON AAFT

The Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Mr. Ramesh Bais gave away on behalf of Indian Society for Industry & Intellectual Development‚ the Rashtriya Nirman Ratan Award to Prof. Sandeep Marwah of Asian Academy of Film & TV for imparting world class and cost effective education without governmental support. Congratulating the award winners‚ the honourable minister stated that human resource is the real asset of any nation. Conceding that the govt. alone can’t develop this resource‚
Sandeep Marwah & Mr. Ramesh Dais ( Minister od state for information & Broadcasting)
Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Mr. Ramesh Bais & Prof. Sandeep Marwah
Mr. Ramesh Bais called upon non-governmental organisations to lend their support to the govt. in the task of building a prosperous India though the development of its human resource. Talking about the massive dose given to the road building work in the country by the Prime Minister‚ the honourable minister said that availability of effective communication infrastructure and proper use of the powerful mass communication mediums will lead to economic growth. The former minister of Haryana state Dr. K.R. Punia and Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. Deepak Mishra were among the awardees who were present on this occasion.

NEW COMMERS ARE WELCOME IN FILM INDUSTRY- BONEY KAPOOR

Addressing the students of Asian Academy of Film & TV‚ the great showman of Indian film industry Boney Kapoor advised them to focus on their chosen field of creative work with perseverance‚ take things in their stride and be patient. The renowned film producer who is a member of the academic council of the academy‚ was there to discuss training related matters with the Director Prof. Sandeep Marwah.
Sandeep Marwah & Boney Kapoor
Film maker Boney Kapoor & Mr. Sandeep Marwah
Deftly fielding the questions put to him‚ Boney Kapoor said that largely due to satellite television channels‚ todays audience is very demanding and can’t be taken for granted. Conceding that presently there are greater opportunities to work‚ he added that the modern film and television professionals have to be well prepared to face the challenges of a fast changing environment in the entertainment industry. Boney Kapoor said that audience acceptance of screen presentation is uppermost in his mind while looking at the story line or script of a film. Success and failures are a part of growing and everyone including a filmmaker has his ups and downs‚ he said. Describing competitiveness as a natural feeling‚ he pointed out that nothing worthwhile in life is achieved easily. Boney Kapoor said that films and television presentations are essentially the same and shall continue to coexist. Mistaken by a foreign student as a film star of yesteryear‚ Boney Kapoor remarked in a lighter vein that a film school like AAFT did not exist where he could receive training for acting when he was young like him and‚ therefore‚ he had to move into film production department. He informed that the music of his latest film Khushi which will be released in January next year‚ has just been launched. On this occasion Boney Kapoor also formally released a book on film and television production published by the documentation division of the academy.

MEDIA SHOULD STRENGTHEN UNITY OF THE NATION – H.D. DEVE GOWDA

Unhappy with the attempts of the political and religious leaders to divide the society‚ the hon’ble former prime minister of India Shri H.D. Deve Gowda urged the print and electronic media professional to try and unite the Indian society through their work. He was delivering valedictory to the students of Asian Academy Of Film & TV. Pointing out to the unique power of the films and television to influence even the illiterate‚ the hon’ble former prime minister said these two media must be used with utmost care.
Sandeep Marwah & Shri. H.D. Deve Gowda
Former prime minister of India Shri H.D. Deve Gowda & Prof. Sandeep Marwah
Shri H.D. Deve Gowda said that all religious prescribe the correct way of life and preach toleident and any competition between them is incorrect and unfair . Commending the outstanding work being done by Asian Academy of Film & TV in the field of media education and training ‚ the hon’ble former prime minister remarked that Prof. Sandeep Marwah indeed deserves national recognition. Speaking on this occassion‚ the former chief election commission of India Dr. GVG Krishnamurty said that it is unethical to play the religious‚ regional‚ cast or language card which tend to divide the society ‚ under any pretext. Describing television as a hard taskmaster which does not permit any mistake to be committed by anyone the former secretary‚ ministry of information and broadcasting ‚ Mr. P. Murari who was the guest of honour‚ called upon the television journalist to maintain highest professional integrity and standard . Major General Kailash Chander and Sahara media group’s Dr. Aziz Burney also addressed the gathering.

FILMS HAVE DONE COMMENDABLE WORK IN UNITING THE COUNTRY DR. B. SATYANARAYAN REDDY

Stating that outsiders know India through Indian films former governor of several states including UP‚ Dr. B. Satyanarayan Reddy‚ acknowledged the commendable contribution of films in uniting the country. The hon’ble former governor was addressing the students after formally inaugurating the new session of Asian Academy Of Film & TV. Emphasising the importance of systematic training in the art and craft of screen presentation‚ Dr. Reddy urged the filmmakers to be a good human being too.Speaking on this occasion the president of the PHD Chambers of Commerce & Industry Mr. P.K. Jain said beside being the medium of knowledge sharing and influencing the society‚ films are indeed a product which can be a potential source of earning the foreign exchange
Sandeep marwah & Dr. B.P. Satnarayan Reddy
Indian films former Governor UP‚ Dr. B. Satyanarayan Reddy‚president of the PHD Chambers of Commerce & Industry Mr. P.K. Jain & Mr.Sandeep Marwah
.Describing films as an ambassador of the country‚ he said that people abroad associate India with Raj Kapoor and Satyajit Ray. Conceding the need for modifying the archaic film taxation policy of the states‚ Mr. Jain announced that it is proposed to add the film chapter to PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The president of the All Indian Human Rights Association Mr. M.U. Dua also addressed the students.

FILM MAKING IS A PASSION – SAMARJEET DAS GUPTA

Sharing his views‚ concerns and experiences in the industry‚ the distinguished IAF fighter pilot turned filmmaker Samarjeet Das Gupta impressed upon the would be filmmakers the importance of business aspects of filmmaking. The producer/director of the feature film Pyar Ki Dhun made with four AAFT alumni Swati‚ Hena‚ Anita and Nicolous‚ was addressing the students of Asian Academy of Film & TV. He said that the knowledge of art and craft of screen presentation is absolutely necessary before embarking upon making of films.
Sandeep Marwah & Samarjeet Das
filmmaker Samarjeet Das Gupta & Mr. Sandeep Marwah
Stating that filmmaking is much more than just making use of techniques‚ he said that a film professional has to be passionate about his or her work. Samarjeet Das Gupta disclosed that the production work of his next two feature films‚ one with Shabana Azmi and another with Amitabh Bachchan in the lead roles together with AAFT alumni Hena & Swati‚ will begin very shortly. Later Prof. Sandeep Marwah honoured the talented film producer director with the prestigious life membership of International Film & Television Club. Internationally renowned and the noted exponent of Hindustani classical music Mrs. Sumitra Guha appealed to the filmmakers to try and preserve the Indian classical music through their work of art. United Nation’s expert Timo Niklas-Salminen also addressed the students on the potentials of the Indian cultural heritage.