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In this installment of Subhash K Jha’s This Day That Year series, he revisits Sanjay Puran Singh’s sports drama Lahore, which released in 2010.

Debutant director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan dares to visit the forbidden territory. Lahore is about sports and politics and characters from both India and Pakistan getting embroiled in a terrible fight to finish.

The script accommodates a great deal of the sporting spirit, as seen in the perspective of Indo-Pak politics. Within that ambitious framework, Chauhan weaves in the human relationships that leap for warmth and then stay stuck in semi-sterility. The film has too much to say on sports, politics, and human nature. It isn’t able to say all of it in lucid language.

Chauhan has chosen a unique sport like kickboxing to spotlight the process of cultural assimilation that underscores all the perverse politicking that goes on at the surface level between the two countries.

Canadian-Indian actress Lisa Ray is lending her voice to "Phoolan", an upcoming live-action and animated documentary about Phoolan Devi.

The feature documentary, to be directed by Iranian-Canadian filmmaker Hossein Martin Fazeli, follows Devi from being born into a poor village family, sold off as a child bride and enduring multiple gang rapes, before responding by leading a bloody gang of male bandits as a female Robin Hood, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

Upon being captured, she was charged with many crimes and was imprisoned for 11 years. But the government ultimately dropped all charges and she was released.

Devi then ran for and won an election to the Parliament of India to champion the rights of lower-caste women, only to be assassinated in 2001 by an upper-caste man.

Lisa, as the main voice-over artist, will also executive produce the project, which depicts Devi as a sexual abuse victim.

"It's a true honour to be...

Acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur says his directorial Bandit Queen, which released in 1994, is his best film because it was shot completely intuitively. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma on Wednesday had praised Kapur's film, which was based on the life of Phoolan Devi.

"Hey Shekhar Kapur, I see Bandit Queen every few years since it released. I always thought it was fantastic but everytime I see it again I realise that it's even more fantastic than what I last remembered. The only two films who did this to me is Godfather and Bandit Queen," Varma tweeted.?

To which, Kapur replied: "Thank you Ram Gopal Varma. You have always said that, and I appreciate your comment on Bandit Queen. I think its my best film because it was shot completely intuitively. And hope I can make another film like that."

Bandit Queen, which featured Seema Biswas and Nirmal Pandey, has won the National...

Vikalp Cast: Kranti Jha, Akshay Singh, Nirmal Pandey, Pankaj Berry, Abhijit Leher, Jyoti Singh, Omkar Singh, Deepal Shaw, Abhay Joshi; Director:Sachin P. Karande; Music: Dev Sikhdar, Vijay Narayan.

Preview:

Deepal Shaw, a docile, middle class & Marathi girl from an orphanage in Kolhapur is a sort of prodigy in the field of computer education. After a humiliating incident at work, she resigns from her job. At the same time her boyfriend’s family accuses her of exploiting.

Pune International Film Festival poster

The Pune International Film Festival 2011 will be held from 6 to 13 January 2011. Silent Souls / Ovsyanki directed by Aleksei Fedorchenko of Russia, a film competing in World Cinema section will be the opening film of the festival.

The Government of Maharashtra will present the “Prabhat” Best International Film award comprising of $20,000 and “Prabhat” Best International Film Director comprising of $10,000.

The other awards in the festival are: Government of Maharashtra’s – “Sant Tukaram” Best International Marathi Film (Rs 5Lac), Akhil Bhartiya Chitrapat Maha Mandal Best Marathi Film Director (Rs.25,000), Akhil Bhartiya Chitrapat Maha Mandal – Best Marathi Film Actor( Rs.25,000) and Akhil Bhartiya Chitrapat Maha Mandal – Best screenplay Rs.25,000.

Life Time Achievement Awards will also be presented for outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

For Whistling Woods International, Student Competition, the awards are: Best Film ($ 2000), Best Director ($ 1000) and Best Screen Play (Us $ 1000). There is a special award for student cinematographers...

Iffi, 2010 while celebrating the Cinema from across the world also remembered and paid tributes to the filmmakers, actors and artists who bid goodbye to this world.As a tribute to them, Iffi celebrated their works, which made them unforgettable chapters of Indian cinema. The 11 artists and film makers which Iffi saluted by showcasing their works are Ravi Baswani, Pamela Rooks, Debu Deodhar, Tahir Hussain, K. Ashwath, Keshu Ramsay, Abrar Alvi, Sujit Kumkar, Bina Rai, Nirmal Pandey and Vishnuvardhan.Actor Nirmal Pandey, a graduate from the ...

Shraddha Das, who was last seen in Lahore, toplining Nafisa Ali, debutant Aanahad, Shraddha Nigam and the late Nirmal Pandey, will now romance Omi ‘Chatur’ Vaidya in Madhur Bhandarkar’s slice-of-life comedy, Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji. “I met Madhurji a month ago with my portfolio. Then, out of the blue, he called me this week to lock my dates. I’m really excited, it’s my first big assignment and that too with a National Award-winning director,” enthuses Das, who will be playing a radio jockey in the film. Several new and seasoned actresses had been auditioned for the ...

Starring Sushant Singh, Nirmal Pandey, Ashish Vidyarthi, Kelly Dorji, Nafisa Ali, Farooque Shaikh, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Saurabh Shukla, Shraddha Das, Shradha Nigam, Mukesh Rishi, Aanaahad and others. Direction Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan Story The plot of the film revolves around the sport of kickboxing as well as relationship between two brothers. Sushant Singh and Kelly Dorje play the sports persons who want to represent India. However, the selection process is being tempered with by minister K Jeeva as against the wishes of coach Farooque Shaikh.

Starring Sushant Singh, Nirmal Pandey, Ashish Vidyarthi, Kelly Dorji, Nafisa Ali, Farooque Shaikh, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Saurabh Shukla, Shraddha Das, Shradha Nigam, Mukesh Rishi, Aanaahad and others. Direction Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan Story The plot of the film revolves around the sport of kickboxing as well as relationship between two brothers. Sushant Singh and Kelly Dorje play the sports persons who want to represent India. However, the selection process is being tempered with by minister K Jeeva as against the wishes of coach Farooque Shaikh.

Genre: Social/ SportsDirector: Sanjay Puran Singh ChauhanCast: Aanaahad, Shraddha Das, Farooq Sheikh, Nafisa Ali, Saurabh Shukla, Mukesh Rishi, Nirmal Pandey, Sushant SinghSynopsis: The story starts with a brewing tension during the selection of the Indian national kick-boxing team. When a bilateral kick-boxing tournament with Pakistan is announced at a neutral venue in Kuala Lumpur, the aspirations are intensified. The opponents — Dheerendra Singh from India, an upcoming national champion, and Noor Mohammad, an ace performer from Pakistan — meet at the event for a result that makes the sports fraternity numb and the rest of the world a mute spectator. ...

Sai Om Film Pvt. Ltd. Production presents, the most critically acclaimed film of this season, Lahore is all set to make mark and open to the audiences, globally on 19th March, 2010. Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the film in India. Directed by debutant film director, Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan and produced by Vivek Khatkar and J.S. Rana, Lahore casts talented actors like Farouque Shaikh, Nafisa Ali, Sushant Singh, Shraddha Nigam, Saurabh Shukla, Kelly Dorji, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Mukesh Rishi and late Nirmal Pandey. The film also marks the Debut of Aanaahad & Shraddha Das in the lead pair. As the tag line of the film says, .Beyond borders, between Nations Lies a battle to end all wars., Lahore is based on Kickboxing Sport, and is a story about revenge personified. Shot in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lonavala, Malaysia and ofcourse at Lahore in Pakistan, the film Lahore has already won many international awards,...

A power house of talent, actor Nirmal Pandey's untimely death has definitely left a void that cannot be easily filled. The actor rose to prominence with a sterling performance in Shekhar Kapur's Bandit Queen, where he essayed the character of the famous dacoit, Vikram Mullah. Mostly associated with films belonging to the off beat genre, like Sudhir Mishra's Iss Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Daayra and Godmother, Nirmal received a lot of recognition for his work. His most coveted award...

March 4 2010,: Nirmal Pandey, an epitome of versatility had ventured into singing with a music album Jazba, this is known to one and all. But his passion for music is not known to many. Always perceived more of a terrific actor, Nirmal was no less in singing.

Sunjoy Waddhwa (Sphere Origins), shares memories from the sets of ‘Raajkumar Aaryyan’. “His sudden and untimely death came as a shock, for just a few days ago we were in talks for another show. I remember after giving 100 percent to his work during shoots, he would keep musical evenings for us. He would sing and entertain us for hours;.

March 4 2010,: Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan’s ‘Lahore’ is all set to release on March 19, but there seems little celebration amongst the hardworking team of this film. The reason for glumness is the sudden demise of their co-star late actor Nirmal Pandey who played a pivotal role in the film.

Nirmal played Anwar Shaikh in the film, his co-actor, Nafisa Ali remembers him as an intelligent person who is going to be sorely missed by the film fraternity.

“Though I didn’t get to interact with him much during the shoot of ‘Lahore’; I must say we have lost a young life.

<span style="font-weight: bold;">Best Film: Vidhu Vinod Chopra for 3 Idiots</span>Vidhu Vinod Chopra received the Best Film Award for 3 Idiots<span style="font-weight: bold;">Best Director: Rajkumar Hirani for 3 idiots</span><br style="font-weight: bold;" />Rajkumar Hirani, expectedly, won the Best Director Award for 3 Idiots<span style="font-weight: bold;">Best Actor: Amitabh Bachchan for Paa</span><br style="font-weight: bold;" />Amitabh bachchan won the Best Actor Award for Paa. In his absence, Vidya Balan took the award.<span style="font-weight: bold;">Best Actress: Vidya Balan for Paa</span>Sri Devi and Boney kapoor presented the Best Actress Award to Vidya balan for Paa. Vidya Balan said, &quot;From nariyal to this Black lady, it.s been a great journey at the Filmfare. I thank Balki, my parents, Arundhati Nag. Also I would like to add that motherhood is a rewarding feeling, so I am greatly thankful to my son Auro who made me a mother..<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Egg-head Saif</span><br style="font-weight: bold;" />In a gag, Saif had an egg hatched on his head. When he and Shah Rukh went to meet Rekha,...

February 20, 2010: Humility is a virtue that is found in few and Late Nirmal Pandey was one such person who would be remembered for modesty. Nirmal left a deep impact on the conscious of actors he worked with by his down-to-earth nature.

Television artist and co-actor Rahil Azam who worked with Nirmal in the serial ‘Hatim’ remembers him as a man of dignity who never threw his weight around and was for fair treatment to all.

Narrating an incident which amplifies his sentiments, Rahil says emotionally, “I remember while we were shooting for ‘Hatim’ in Gujarat, he (Nirmal).

February 19, 2010: ‘Na Dard Theherta Hai…Na Aansu Rukte Hain…Tumhe Dhund Raha Hai yaar…Hum Kaise Karen Ikraar…Ki Haan Tum Chale Gaye…Chithi Na Koi Sandesh Janne Who Kaunsa Desh Jahan Tum Chale Gaye…’

As we wonder aloud, shell shocked by his untimely demise, we think, is Nirmal Pandey really no more. Leaving a void that is hard to fathom, especially for his wife and two kids, Nirmal’s death has sent shock waves across the film and television fraternity. Actors, directors, producers, crewmembers, people who have worked, shared memories and moments with.

Nirmal Pandey has died after suffering a major heart attack. Pandey passed away yesterday at Mumbai’s Holy Spirit hospital at the age of 48. The actor, who was a graduate of India's National School of Drama, was known for his performances in Bandit Queen, Iss Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Godmother and Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya. His last film Lahore will be released today. A number of Bollywood stars have paid tribute to Pandey commending his unique acting talents and his laid back manner. Shah Rukh Khan responded on Twitter: "Will miss Nirmal Pandey. Great talent. May his soul rest in peace. Simple and a nice guy. Wonderfully quirky actor. Wish had worked with him more." (more)...

New Delhi, Feb 19 – The film fraternity is mourning Nirmal Pandey of ‘Bandit Queen’ fame, who died of a heart attack Thursday. While superstar Shah Rukh Khan says he would have loved to work more with Pandey, veteran actor Anupam Kher says he was fond of his ‘casual stance towards life’.

‘Will miss Nirmal Pandey. Great talent. May his soul rest in peace. Simple and a nice guy. Wonderfully quirky actor. Wish had worked with him more,’ Shah Rukh posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.

A.

February 19, 2010: Actor Nirmal Pandey passed away on 18 February 2010 following a cardiac arrest. According to family sources Nirmal was not keeping well for some time, still this has come as a shock to them.

A graduate from the prestigious National School of Drama, the actor did his schooling in Almora and Nainital, Uttarakhand. He first shot to fame as Vikram Mallah in Shekhar Kapur’s much acclaimed Bandit Queen (1996). Nirmal was much appreciated in Amol Palekar’s Daayara where he played the role of a transvestite and Sudhir Mishra’s Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya, One.

In the afternoon of 18th February actor Nirmal Pandey passed away. The actor reportedly suffered a major heart attack. He was only 48 years old. He was rushed to the Holy Spirit hospital in Andheri, Mumbai but could not make it. He is survived by his wife Archana Sharma, whom he married in 2005.

Nirmal was a graduate from the National School of Drama and started his career in theatre. He got a break in Bollywood with his role of Vikram Mallah in Bandit Queen. After that he was known for his roles in Iss Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Godmother, One Two Ka Four and Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya amongst many others. He was mostly known for his portrayal of the negative character on screen as on television. His next release Lahore is planned for a release next month.

We at BollySpice offer our heartfelt condolances to the actor's family and friends.

Nirmal Pandey, the dashing actor of bollywood who had made memorable the dacoit character of Vikram Mallah in Shekhar Kapur.s acclaimed flick .Bandit Queen. opposite Seema Biswas in year 1996, left for his heavenly abode after a severe heart attack on Thursday. The dashing actor was only forty -eight years of age and scheduled to go for the shoot of Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan.s flick .Lahore. on Friday and Saturday. Nirmal Pandey was alumnus of National School of Drama and had started his career as a theatre artist. He was associated with around one hundred- fifty plays, including that of .Heer Ranjha. and .Antigone.. Shekhar Kapur, who had directed him in .Bandit Queen., was shattered at the demise of Nirmal as they were very close after working together in the film. Sources say that Nirmal.s body will undergo post mortem as his death was completely natural. Hospital says...

Nirmal Pandey, the dashing actor of bollywood who had made memorable the dacoit character of Vikram Mallah in Shekhar Kapur.s acclaimed flick .Bandit Queen. opposite Seema Biswas in year 1996, left for his heavenly abode after a severe heart attack on Thursday. The dashing actor was only forty -eight years of age and scheduled to go for the shoot of Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan.s flick .Lahore. on Friday and Saturday. Nirmal Pandey was alumnus of National School of Drama and had started his career as a theatre artist. He was associated with around one hundred- fifty plays, including that of .Heer Ranjha. and .Antigone.. Shekhar Kapur, who had directed him in .Bandit Queen., was shattered at the demise of Nirmal as they were very close after working together in the film. Sources say that Nirmal.s body will undergo post mortem as his death was completely natural. Hospital says...

After playing a mother in 'Lahore', a film that she feels will improve relations between India and Pakistan, social activist and actress Nafisa Ali will be seen as Hrithik's mother in 'Guzaarish'.'I am doing 'Guzaarish' where I play Hrithik's mother. It's a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film and to work with him is a magical experience because it is a totally different world of sets and lighting and attention to detail, which is truly magnificent,' Nafisa told Ians in an interview here.Nafisa, who has acted in several Bollywood films like 'Junoon' with Shashi Kapoor, 'Major Saab' with Amitabh Bachchan and 'Life In A... Metro' with Dharmendra, is sharing screen space with versatile Farooque Shaikh in 'Lahore'.Talking about her role in 'Lahore', she said: 'In the film, I play a mother whose both sons are Indian sportsmen and successful at the international level.

Actor Nirmal Pandey passed away today afternoon. Nirmal, a graduate from the National School of Drama, is known for his performances in films like Bandit Queen, Iss Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Godmother and Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya amongst many others. His next release is Lahore which comes out next month. Pandey, reportedly, suffered a major heart attack which caused his unfortunate demise. We at Bollywood Hungama offer our humblest condolences to the actor's family and friends.

Actor Nirmal Pandey passed away today afternoon. Nirmal, a graduate from the National School of Drama, is known for his performances in films like Bandit Queen, Iss Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Godmother and Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya amongst many others. His next release is Lahore which comes out next month. Pandey, reportedly, suffered a major heart attack which caused his unfortunate demise. We at Bollywood Hungama offer our humblest condolences to the actor's family and friends.

Bollywood has lost another versatile actor, Nirmal Pandey. When he passed away, he was 48. The reason for his dead is said to be a massive heart attack. He died on the way to Holy Spirit hospital in Andheri, Mumbai. Bollywood has expressed shock and grief over the departure of the actor. Sudhir Mishra who directed Nirmal Pandey in ‘Is Raat Ki Subah Nahi’ says, "Nirmal was a gentle guy, and very comfortable with his softer side. That's how I remember him. I can't comment profoundly because I was out of touch with Nirmal for the past seven-eight years. I'm very sorry and guilt-ridden." Actor Jackie Sh...

Nirmal Pandey, known for his role of Vikram Mallah in "Bandit Queen", died Thursday morning following a massive heart attack. He was 48.

He is survived by his wife Archana Pandey.

Nirmal's "Lahore" is releasing Friday and director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan says he was shocked to hear the news.

"I just got to know from Sushant Singh that he is no more and I'm rushing to the hospital... I had a word with him two days ago and he was supposed to come tomorrow (Friday) to shoot the making of 'Lahore' alongside Sushant, Saurabh Shukla and Mukesh Rishi," Chauhan told Ians over phone.

"He plays a soft-hearted Pakistani Anwar Sheikh in the movie. He has a very meaty and powerful role in the movie. But unfortunately, I will not be able to show him the film," he added.

A National School of Drama alumnus, Nirmal began his career with theatre.

Nirmal Pandey, known for his role of Vikram Mallah in Bandit Queen, died Thursday morning following a massive heart attack. He was 48.He is survived by his wife Archana Pandey. Nirmal's Lahore is releasing Friday and director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan says he was shocked to hear the news. &quot;I just got to know from Sushant Singh that he is no more and I'm rushing to the hospital... I had a word with him two days ago and he was supposed to come tomorrow (Friday) to shoot the making of Lahore alongside Sushant, Saurabh Shukla and Mukesh Rishi,&quot; Chauhan told Ians over phone. &quot;He plays a soft-hearted Pakistani Anwar Sheikh in the movie. He has a very meaty and powerful role in the movie. But unfortunately, I will not be able to show him the film,&quot; he added. A National School of Drama alumnus, Nirmal began his career with theatre.

Mumbai, The release of controversial film “Deshdrohi” has been banned in Maharashtra as the subject of the film is similar to the current stir between Maharashtra Navnirman Seva (Mns) and north Indians living here. After watching the film at a special screening, the Mumbai police had suggested that the Maharashtra government impose a ban on the film fearing it may affect law and order in the state.The film has now been banned for two months after which it will be reviewed again, a source said."We are going to appeal in the court to remove the ban," said Bhojpuri producer-actor Kamaal R. Khan.Khan also plays the lead in the film. Apart from him, “Deshdrohi” stars Gracy Singh, Hrishita Bhatt, Rosa Catalano, Aryan Vaid, Ranjit, and Nirmal Pandey, among ...