Muthoottu Mini's thought-provoking commercial makes Millions of Views in Record time!

India's leading NBFC Muthoottu Mini Financiers Limited’s powerful portrayal of a woman protagonist in its latest commercial has taken the internet by storm and has got the netizens talking about it.

With over 2 million views in youtube itself (Malayalam and Hindi) and counting, the newly launched commercial film's storyline centering around a confident young woman rocking the social status-quo is driving conversations on social media.

Helmed by award-winning director Martin Prakkat and magnificently captured by celebrated cinematographer Jomon T. John, this masterpiece was shot at some of the most picturesque locales in Ladakh. The duo, true to their reputation, has brilliantly articulated and captured the controlled emotions of the protagonist, her sly suitor's expectations and the bonding she shares with her open-minded progressive father, sans cliched theatrics or verbatim.

The strategically thought ad brings the essence of women to focus, not conforming to expectations, or letting barriers to their dreams, get in the way – as mirrored by a soul-stirring drive through the limitless expanse of the Ladakh.

The film goes on to establish a strong message that no dreams are beyond a woman's reach if she is focused, has strong convictions backed by a like-minded and progressive-thinking partner. This storytelling perfectly aligns with the brand Muthoottu Mini's slogan - Standing by you, always.

Speaking at the sidelines of the launch of the new commercial, Mr. Mathew Muthoottu, Managing Director, Muthoottu Mini Financiers Limited said, “we are thrilled and ecstatic at the overwhelming response to our new commercial which encourages women to dream and calls for shattering cultural stereotyping of women. The film makes a bold attempt to dispel outdated societal myths still in vogue and the need to bring-in a paradigm shift in our attitude towards women. Being a socially responsible company, with strong values, we are extremely proud in rooting for a socially relevant cause. Time has come to address challenges faced by women and stress on the importance of increased participation of women in mainstream activities, be it socio-cultural-politico-economical. We urge women of today to dream, stay financially independent and go places. Rest assured, we, the Muthoottu Mini, will stand by you always"

If you haven't yet watched the ad, watch it here...

Bengal's current Covid situation forces organisers to postpone 27th Kolkata International Film Festival

The 27th edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival, which was slated for January 7-14, has been postponed. The next date of the festival will be shared soon said the KIFF organising team. However, it was only yesterday, the organizing committee had announced that the 27th edition of the KIFF will go on albeit with a 50% capacity in cinema halls and a virtual inauguration ceremony. However, due to the current surge in Covid-19 cases across Bengal, especially in Kolkata, the festival has been postponed temporarily. 

The decision was announced by the West Bengal government through a statement. A number of Tollywood personalities attached to the organizing committee have tested positive over the past few days and the Covid-19 situation in Bengal is in quite an alarming state right now. While filmmaker Raj Chakraborty, the chairperson of 27th KIFF, had tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time, Actor Parambrata Chattopadhyay, chairperson of KIFF's short and documentary section has also tested positive as he revealed on social media. 

However, it was only on Tuesday, West Bengal Minister of State for Culture Indranil Sen had told the media that 10 venues across the city will host this year's film festival with a 50% occupancy. But now, after assessing the current situation the state government and the KIFF organizing committee have decided to cancel it for the time being. The ten venues which were supposed to screen the films were Nandan's three halls, Rabindra Sadan, Sisir Mancha, Nazrul Tirtha, Rabindra Okakura Bhavan, Chalachitra Satabarsha Bhavan, and the Kolkata Information Centre Conference Hall. A total of 161 films, including 46 Indian and 41 foreign films, were supposed to be screened during the 8-day film festival. 

When contacted KIFF officials said, “After assessing the present Covid situation of the State and taking into consideration the possibility of further contamination of Covid among the cine lovers and citizens and also owing to the fact that a number of cine personalities attached to film festival committee and many others have been affected by Covid, State Government, upon careful consideration to the safety of the citizens have decided to temporarily postpone the 27th Kolkata International Film Festival scheduled to be held between 7-14 January, 2022. Next date of the Festival will be communicated in due course.”

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was supposed to inaugurate the film festival virtually from the Nabanna auditorium. Satyajit Ray's Aranyer Din Ratri was scheduled to be the opening film this year. 

International Kolkata Short Film Festival shifted to March 2022

With the 3rd wave of Covid Guidelines in force by the West Bengal Government,  most of the film screening events are either being postponed or are being conducted online. It was but natural of Evevntizer - the organisers of International Kolkata Short Film Festival to follow suit. However, the team has instead decided to postpone the event than conclude it online. Seeking to impress the cinephiles with a myriad of shorts and documentaries from the best of creative minds across the globe, the 2nd edition of International Kolkata Short Film Festival is one sought after festival that the makers and the audiences are keenly looking forward to.

According to the Festival Chairman Sourav Chakraborty, "Due to the development of the 3rd wave of COVID-19 Pandemic, and the restrictions imposed by the Government of West Bengal; we, with our responsibility towards the state and due to the lack of a festive environment have postponed all the events of the International Kolkata Short Film Festival 2022. While the online screening of the Short Films has been rescheduled from 5th March to 12th March, the Physical Screening and Award Ceremony has been rescheduled to 13th March 2022."

A hybrid festival organised by Eventizer, the festival will flag off with online screening on its website from 5th March to 12th March, 2022. The week-long fete will feature international documentaries, short fiction and non-fiction, animation as well as public service films. As decided, the festival will also have a physical screening followed by an award ceremony on 13th March 2022 at Rotary Sadan, Kolkata. 

According to an official of the IKSFF, the hybrid event is being conducted keeping in mind the Covid protocols and in adherence of the same. However, with so many wonderful films by talented young makers making its way to the festival, the authorities also planned to have a one day closing program with the Awards presentation to honour them for their work and to celebrate their talent. 

The online event will be a paid event, for the audiences to watch all the selected films at their own sweet time from the comforts of their home. “It will be one of the major cultural showcases for audiences from any part of the globe as they would no longer need to be physically available to savour the best of films showcased at the festival,” confirmed the source. 

Some of the films that are officially selected this year have come all the way from Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE, UK and the USA. They include Ek Achchi Naukri, Dining Table, Basanthi, Soch, Le Fantome du Cinema, Dugga Dugga, The Lounge, Aanshik, Corona Cuckoo, The Gift, Belle ele en Acadie, Ora, Last Poem, Warrant, Retribution and many others. 

For more details, log on to https://iksff.eventizer.co.in/

Sandesh Gour flags off 2022 with three interesting Web Series

Sandesh Gour, who has been a part of films and television shows like ‘Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya’, ‘Saraswati Chandra’, ‘Shapath’, and ‘Badi Dooooor Se Aaye Hai’, is gearing up to play a protagonist in the upcoming web series ‘Atrangi Ishq’, ‘Scar’ and ‘Free Ka Bunglow’. 

Speaking about his debut on the digital platform, the actor says: “I’m glad to start my new year with three big and interesting projects. In all the projects I’m playing the protagonist. ‘Atrangi Ishq’ and ‘SCAR’ are youth dramas and ‘Free Ka Bunglow’ is a sitcom. I’m making my debut on digital platform and I’m really excited about it. I feel 2021 is ending on a great point for me and 2022 might be turning point of my life.” 

Talking about his roles in 'Atrangi Ishq', Sandesh shares that he is playing Kabir who’s lazy, a dictator and a possessive guy. He is an orphan and lives with his friend and it is scheduled to release in February. In 'Scar', he’s essaying Siddharth, an aspiring actor who is not only passionately dedicated to his career but is also an innocent cute chap. ‘Free ka Bunglow’ is a comedy of errors and the audience will love my comic timings in sure.”

Here's wishing this young actor loads of luck and a very Happy New Year