It is 1:30 am. We have just returned from the media centre at the Swissotel The Stamford. We have been sending the footage of all the events via emails to our team in Bombay. The premiere of Shanghai was a long event and it took a lot of time for transfer. I saw Shanghai and was impressed by the manner in which Dibakar told an oft-heard-before story of good vs bad. It is a technically brilliant film. The camerawork, the sound design, editing by Namrata Rao and music is exceptional. There are some wonderful performances by almost all the actors. Emraan Hashmi, Abhay Deol, Pitobash, Kalki, Prosenjeet and Farouque Shaikh have delivered great performances. Shanghai will appeal to those who cherish cerebral entertainment.
Earlier in the day, the opening ceremony of IIFA started almost two hours late. Liv Ullman, Kamal Hasan, Farhan Akhtar, Rishi Kapoor and Shabana Azmi were the prime attractions. I interviewed Usha Uthup, Hariharan, Sonu Sood-Neha Dhupia, Hazel Keech, Dhinka Chika and Aa Ante Amluram music composer Devi Sri Prasad. I enjoyed interviewing Prasoon Joshi who strongly defended Aamir Khan on the controversy surrounding the doctors who've asked for an apology for allegedly defaming the medicine profession in his show Satyamev Jayate. Joshi also spoke about the experience of writing lyrics for Teri Meri Kahani and his forthcoming film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar rehearsed for their IIFA Awards hosting at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. I have a gut feeling that both will be having a blast on the D day.
A guy from Uzbekistan came up to me and praised my work. At least four more people approached me from the crowd at the Shanghai Premiere. It always feels good to be appreciated for your work. This is a testimony to the wide reach of Bollywood Hungama all across the world.
So much for now. I really hope that i manage to catch up on some quality sleep. Good night folks!
Sent from my iPad
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ReplyDeleteI wish you a fantastic time in Singapur Faridoon!
ReplyDeleteCan´t wait for more updates and I´m looking forward to the IIFA´s with Shahid & Farhan.
I think that will be a fantastic Show!!!!!
EXCITED!!!!!!!
Bhai sahab,
ReplyDeleteAs an Indian, I get the creeps when I hear our "international" events begin late by more than two hours?!! We need to get more streamlined & disciplined...I am sorry if I sound harsh but we need to realize we are our country's ambassadors & this is a reason for shame, outrage and pure horror if our top-notch events begin two hours late, especially when abroad. What kind of professionalism & work ethic are we showing to the rest of the world?! How do we compete with other countries if our best have such a lackadaisical approach to getting things done on-time?
SaadatManto
Sounds like things are perking up...always nice to have people you wouldnt consider appreciate your work too..I agree
ReplyDeleteThanks Biaji :)
ReplyDeleteI agree Saadat Manto Sahab (kya aap Bhi light hain?)
Thnks Margaret
Best
Hey Faridoon! Didnt get a chance to see you at all in Spore! It seemed u had a super time! Eventhough I couldnt attend any of the IIFA events, I was very lucky to see the preview of Farhans and Shahids rehearsals at the stadium...got the gist of their hosting in the half an hour i was there...i can surely imagine the actual night must have been amazing! looking forward to seeing it on TV soon!
ReplyDeleteTake Care
Priya
Thanks Priya...Singapore was great fun
ReplyDelete