The film will have multiple screenings for a day at Mumbai’s Naya Cinema Film Festival
No. This is not abuse. Cineswami is simply referring to director Qaushik Mukherjee’s raw, kinetic, energetic and controversial film Gandu. Controversial, because the director, who calls himself just Q these days, has boldly included explicit sex in the film besides some expletives, but that’s not so shocking in these days of Delhi Belly. Having seen the film, Cineswami can safely say that the sex is not there just for prurient reasons or sensationalism – it’s just there, as it is part of everyday life anywhere in the world.
The good news for Mumbaikars is that they can finally see the film, for one day only. And no, it won’t be censored. In Q’s words: “AFTER WEEKS OF GOING UP AND DOWN THE CORRIDORS OF THE MINISTRY, NAYA FILM FESTIVAL IS FINALLY SHOWING GANDU. JULY 30. 5 BACK TO BACK SCREENINGS STARTING 12 NOON. BE THERE AND SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT.”
The capital letters are Q’s, not mine, as he is shouting to get attention to the fact that not only has he made a bold film, but he has finally got permission to show it, if only for a day, to members of the general public, as is and not butchered. The screenings are free and have already attracted tremendous attention. Amongst these will be self-appointed moral guardians who will no doubt create trouble at the venue. Let’s hope that Gandu supporters outnumber these guardians, who should be firmly put in their place – the gutter that is. After all, if their minds are already in the gutter, why not their bodies? The real reason why these guardians will show up is not to protest against the film, but secretly hoping to catch a glimpse of the sex on show.
Cineswami will put you out of your misery and give you details of the Mumbai screenings now:
Gandu – The Film – 30th July – 12.00 pm, 1.30 pm, 3.00 pm, 4.30 pm, 6.00 pm
Fun Republic Preview Theater, Fun Republic Building, Andheri (W)
Gandu Circus – The band performs – 30th July – 8.30 pm Mumbai Times Cafe – Bandra (W)
Priority will be given to Enlighten and Naya Cinema delegates.
This is an uncensored screening hosted by Naya Film Festival. Please carry a sign saying RELEASE GANDU. Support the indie movement. Spread the word.
The screening is open to all on a first come first served basis.
Gandu hasn’t been denied a censor certificate yet because Q hasn’t applied for one yet. He is waiting for a hopefully more liberal censor regime to come into force, as it is due to in August, and then apply. Q has plenty of vocal Bollywood supporters including Anurag Kashyap, who has already spoken at public forums and to the certification board chief Leela Samson about the film. Incidentally, Kashyap has also stepped in to co-produce Q’s next film, Tasher Desh, based on a Rabindranath Tagore dance opera. Will be interesting to see the Gandu director’s take on an Indian icon….
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