New Delhi: Assamese filmmaker Manju Borah, who headed the committee entrusted with selecting India's official entry to the Academy Awards, said she is tired of defending 'Barfi', the jury's choice this year, and angry that her credibility is being questioned. The film is now under scrutiny because of charges of plagiarism but Borah said the 11-member jury was entirely justified in picking 'Barfi'.
"I lost my temper that day when someone asked me if we were paid for this (the selection exercise). Can you imagine? No, we weren't paid for this. We are all professionals. I left behind my work for 10 days to be on the selection committee. It's part of my duty," she said.
When told that Basu has been accused by bloggers and film critics of directly lifting scenes from several films, Borah said it is common among filmmakers to be influenced by the works of talented colleagues.
"Anurag Basu is a creative person and he should be honest to himself. There is nothing wrong in being influenced by great filmmakers. Many directors before him have been. Our issue was only to select the best film and Ranbir Kapoor portrayed 'Barfi' so well with his Chaplinesque act," Borah said. Most of the jury members were apparently moved when they saw 'Barfi'....
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08:57 AM, Sep 28, 2012
Mumbai: The film industry is likely to go on a strike on February 23 to protest against the the central government's proposal to levy service tax of nearly 10.3 percent on the industry. Producer Mukesh Bhatt says nothing is confirmed yet and that an announcement will be made in a week's time. The strike, called by the Film Federation of India (FFI), will see a nationwide shutdown of the film...
12:46 PM, Feb 03, 2012
Mumbai: Noted lyricist Javed Akhtar has been banned by the Film Federation of India. As row over whether composers and lyricists should get royalty gets uglier. It's a move that may well change India's outdated copyright laws. But it has also divided the film industry in two groups. Hindi hit songs could soon earn their composers and lyricists big bucks. But the proposed amendment to the copyright bill which will...
04:13 PM, Dec 27, 2010
Mumbai: Hit Hindi songs could soon earn their composers and lyricists big bucks. But the proposed amendment to the copyright bill, which will secure royalty share for them, has the film industry divided. And in a move to oppose the amendment, Film Federation of India (FFI), the mother body of all film associations, has banned lyricist Javed Akhtar. "We have taken a decision at Film Federation of India that we...
01:31 PM, Dec 26, 2010
Mumbai: Hit Hindi songs could soon earn their composers and lyricists big bucks. But the proposed amendment to the copyright bill, which will secure royalty share for them, has the film industry divided. And in a move to oppose the amendment, Film Federation of India (FFI), the mother body of all film associations, has banned lyricist Javed Akhtar. "We have taken a decision at Film Federation of India that we...
01:31 PM, Dec 26, 2010
The FFI met to decide if the film will continue to be India's official entry. ...
10:50 PM, Oct 14, 2007
B'wood is talking Oscars again. Speculation is rife as to which film will be India's entry to the Oscars this year. ...
01:03 PM, Sep 19, 2006
