Television will continue to change: Govind Nihalani

By Anjuri Nayar National Award-winning director Govind Nihalani feels the movie and television industries will keep changing because they act as a mirror to society, which constantly changes.“Television will continue to change. TV and cinema are media, which respond to the times, which they are made in. They are not static,” Nihalani told IANS in an interview. Although he hasn’t indulged in TV soaps, the filmmaker was instrumental in bringing controversial mini-series Tamas, about the migration of Sikh and Hindu families to India during partition, on the small screen.It was beamed on Doordarshan and now it will once again be relayed on History TV 18. He feels his show is relevant even in today’s time, when such attempts are not made. “The difference is that Tamas is not a daily soap. It deals with the issue of national importance. The emphasis is on the characters and evoking of the period when the partition took place makes it different from other soaps. I think it will have a small relevance even today. These programmes are not even being made today,” he said.Nihalani feels there is dearth of such shows because the current generation seems to be indifferent to history. “People seem to be indifferent to history because of globalisation. The new mindset is taking over. There is a great emphasis on acquiring material benefits of the economy and everything else is secondary,” he said.Also, filmmakers and viewers do not want to remember the traumatic time in 1947 when hundreds of thousands were killed and there was mayhem everywhere during the partition.“That period was also very traumatic for our country and its people. It’s not very pleasant to remember all that. Also, the generation who fought for independence has passed away,” he said and added that perhaps the younger generation is unable to connect to that era. “The young people, for them, freedom was given; so for them it is just an episode in the history of India,” he said. But at the same time he said that the issue of communalism is still there and his TV show Tamas will make sense to those who are conscious.“That is something that no one can ignore. I feel that the young generation would response to it much more as it could be an eye-opener for them. We have tried to depict the whole thing very authentically,” he said.In the past, Nihalani went behind the camera to tell gritty and poignant tales on the big screen through Aakrosh, Vijeta, Ardh Satya, Party, Drishti, Rukmavati Ki Haweli and Drohkaal.He also directed Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa and mainstream movies Thakshak and Dev.  – IANSLondon beckons Illayaraja

Come August 24, music maestro Illayaraja will perform live at The O2 arena in London along with a host of playback singers from southern India and 75 orchestra members. Filmmaker-actor Kamal Haasan, a die-hard fan of the composer, will grace the event too.The show, titled ‘Raja the Raja’, is being hosted by Lyca Mobile in association with Ayngaran International, a Tamil films distribution company. Playback singers such as S P Balasubramanyam, Chinmayi, Karthik, Jayachandran, Madhu Balakrishnan and Sadhana Sargam are expected to perform at the event.Illayaraja will also be accompanied by his sons Yuvan Shankar Raja, Karthik Raja and daughter Bhavatharini. – IANSAt some point, I will direct:

Bollywood actor Imran Khan, who is trained in directing films, intends to go behind the camera someday. “At some point, I will direct. I have trained for that and studied for it,” Imran, the grandson of late filmmaker Nasir Hussain, told IANS.His next is Milan Luthria’s underworld saga Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara and right now he enjoys honing his acting skills.“I am very excited with what I am getting to do as an actor. I am getting to work with some very interesting people, people who I like and respect. And I am getting to learn so much,” he added.Nephew of Aamir Khan, known as a perfectionist in the Hindi film industry, Imran said his experience as an actor will help him in direction.“Just by being on the set and working with different directors, you learn a lot ... For me, as someone who aspires for direction, I get to learn something from everyone,” he said.When asked about the kind of roles he would like to take up, the 30-year-old said that one cannot decide that. “You can’t function like that. That role, which I have (in my mind), how will a writer and director get to know about that? You have to take a role offered to you and see what you like,” said Imran, who was seen in films like Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, I Hate Luv Storys, Delhi Belly among others. – IANSStars join hands for I-Day event

Indian cinema’s living legend Amitabh Bachchan and some of the greatest musical minds are coming together for the first time to make music and join Star India in wiping the tears of survivors of the Uttarakhand floods.Amitabh will be joined by the talented composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and versatile writer and poet Prasoon Joshi to enthrall the audience at Star India’s seven-hour marathon fund-raiser for Uttarakhand this Independence Day at the NSCI Grounds, Worli, Mumbai.The musical performance will be a part of a joint initiative by Star India, Wizcraft, the Film & TV Producers Guild and the Hindi film fraternity — ‘Saath Hain Hum Uttarakhand’ — to raise funds for rehabilitation work in Uttarakhand, where flash floods in June claimed hundreds of lives and left thousands homeless.Amitabh will lend his mesmerising voice to recite couplets from Prasoon’s magical poetry that’ll be set to Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music. The musical act will weave Prasoon’s event anthem – ‘Mera Desh’ — into an enchanting song performance by acclaimed classical singer Shankar Mahadevan and a poetic rendition by Amitabh.“Mera Desh is an invocation by India’s most revered artists with a simple and clear message to fellow citizens — to look at tragedy squarely in the eye and overcome it by joining hands.” Uday Shankar, CEO Star India, said: “Star India is humbled to receive support from Hindi cinema’s biggest icons,” Shankar added.Indian cinema’s biggest names and celebrities from top television shows of the Star network have pledged their unconditional support to Star’s initiative.