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Revision as of 12:59, 7 September 2009 by Shshshsh (talk | contribs) (→Awards: re)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) 2007 Indian film| The Last Lear | |
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 Movie poster | |
| Directed by | Rituparno Ghosh |
| Written by | Rituparno Ghosh, Utpal Dutt |
| Produced by | Arindam Chaudhuri |
| Starring | Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta Arjun Rampal, Divya Dutta, Shefali Shah & Jisshu Sengupta |
| Cinematography | Abhik Mukhopadhyay |
| Edited by | Arghya Kamal Mitra |
| Distributed by | Planman Motion Pictures |
| Release dates | September 9, 2007 (2007-09-09) (Toronto Film Festival) September 12, 2008 (2008-09-12) (Worldwide) |
| Running time | 130 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | English |
The Last Lear is an Indian, English language film directed by Rituparno Ghosh. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal, Divya Dutta, Shefali Shah and Jisshu Sengupta. It was produced by Planman Motion Pictures.
Production
Basing the script on Utpal Dutt's play Aajker Shahjahan, Rituparno Ghosh penned it in 2006, and turned to the actors in February 2007, all of whom accepted the offer. The film began shooting from February 28, 2007 to April 10, 2007; principal shooting took place in Kolkata and some shooting took place in Mussoorie, Uttaranchal. Dubbing for the film ended on August 31, 2007.
The Last Lear premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, and received a significant reception, earning many accolades after being showcased at a Gala Presentation.
The film was later showcased at the London Film Festival, and the International Film Festival of India in Goa. The film was received positively by critics with many saying that Bachchan has given a career best performance.
Story
Veteran thespian Harish Mishra (Amitabh Bachchan) is gravely ill. The punishments of a film shoot have left the old man in a coma. His co-star, Shabnam (Preity Zinta), is wracked with worry, but their director, Siddharth (Arjun Rampal), keeps strangely distant and refuses to visit his ailing star. In flashbacks, their story emerges.
Siddharth first had to woo Harish from the comforts of his retirement, and the interaction between the two yields some of the film’s most delightful scenes. The impatient young auteur attempts to win the trust and collaboration of the aged performer, who sits raging against the modern world from the sanctuary of his study. Sporting a silver mane, Bachchan is irresistible here – vain, forceful and impetuous. He trumpets the superiority of Shakespeare over anything cinema can create. And yet, the movies hold out a new challenge.
Once he agrees to act in the film, The Last Lear becomes a captivating reflection on the comparative artifices of stagecraft and cinema. As the outsider in the cast, Harish is hilarious in dismissing movie fakery. His theatre skills are grander. Standing on a hillside, he teaches Shabnam how to project her voice clear across a valley to the next hill.
Cast
- Amitabh Bachchan ... Harish Mishra
- Preity Zinta ... Shabnam
- Arjun Rampal ... Siddharth
- Divya Dutta ... Ivy
- Shefali Shah ... Vandana
- Jishu Sengupta ...
Awards
- 2009: Star Screen Awards, Best Film in English
- 2009: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in English
- 2009: National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress - Shefali Shah
References
- "Hindustan Times". The Last Lear based on play. Retrieved 2 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - "hindustantimes.com". Production schedule announced. Retrieved 2 March.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - "timesofindia.indiatimes.com". Dubbing ends on Ghosh's birthday. Retrieved 6 September.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - "hindu.com". The Last Lear to premiere at film festival. Retrieved 16 August.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Adarsh, Taran (September 11, 2007). "'The Last Lear' well received at Toronto film fest". indiaFM. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
- "cities.expressindia.com". Surily Goel designs for The Last Lear. Retrieved 6 September.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - "indiafm.com". Critics positive towards The Last Lear. Retrieved 11 September.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)
External links
| Films directed by Rituparno Ghosh | |
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