Thursday, April 28, 2011
Monday, March 22, 2010
Oscar winner Julia Roberts Eat, Pray, Love has been announced
Release date for Oscar winner Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman) starrer ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ has been announced, its trailer is out, but now Hindus are concerned about the authenticity of the depiction of Hinduism objects-rituals-beliefs-concepts-traditions-philosophy in it.
Directed by Emmy nominated Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck), its India part was shot in/around Pataudi, about 60 kilometers from India``s capital Delhi. Starting with USA release on August 13, it will be released in India on August 27 by Sony Pictures. It is yet to be rated.
Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Hinduism and its belief system were quite often incorrectly depicted outside India and he hoped that filmmakers in this case would stick to authentic traditions in order to avoid misrepresenting the already misunderstood religion, which was oldest and third largest in the world. Film, being a powerful medium, misrepresentation would not be fair to Hindus and Hinduism.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that Hindus welcomed Hollywood to explore the spirituality and rich philosophical thought of Hinduism but taking it seriously and depicting it authentically. Refashioning it for mercantile greed or to fit the Hollywood machine created more confusion and hurt the Hindu sentiments.
Zed pointed out that if the filmmaker needed any help concerning depiction of Hinduism or related issues, he or other Hindu scholars would be glad to assist.
Based on Pushcart Prize winner Elizabeth Gilbert``s spirituality/travel memoir (played by Roberts), "Eat, Pray, Love" is about her self-discovery and soul-searching after her nasty divorce, exploring through India, Italy, and Indonesia. Gilbert goes to India to learn the "art of devotion". A critic has defined it as "the worst in Western fetishization of Eastern thought and culture".
Meanwhile Bhavna Shinde of Forum for Hindu Awakening has said that filmmakers still have time before the August release to make a final visit to the movie and edit it accordingly so that authenticity of Hinduism is not compromised, and thus honoring the feelings of billion Hindus.
People of India will be anxious to see how perfectly Roberts does her job of cleaning ashram (hermitage) floors as a part of her devotional duty, trying to recite 182-verse Sanskrit chant, and going through grueling hours of meditation while being feasted on by mosquitoes. Gilbert reportedly spent four months in an India ashram few years back, trying to find her spirituality.
Besides Roberts, other cast of this drama film includes Golden Globe winner James Franco (Pineapple Express), Oscar winner Javier Bardem (Before Night Falls), MTV nominated Billy Crudup (Almost Famous), Oscar nominated Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), and Oscar nominated Viola Davis (Doubt). Dede Gardner (A Mighty Heart) is the producer, while Oscar nominated Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) is the executive producer.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire choreographer roped in Julia Roberts movie
Longinus Fernandes , fondly known as Longi, has now been roped in to choreograph a Hollywood film titled ’Eat Pray, Love’ staring none other than Pretty Woman Julia Roberts . Longi who had choreographed the famous song sequence ’Jai Ho’ from ’ Slumdog Millionaire’ was in the city of Mirzapur village near the Pataudi farm house for a tree day shoot for a dance sequence.Longi had to choreograph a dance sequence for a wedding function in the village. The scene had Julia Roberts sitting in the crowd and watching a group of baratis dancing.
When asked whether he got to interact with Julia on the sets?, he said "She is an amazing person and is extremely humble. I was surprised that she knew a lot about me. She complimented me for my work in Slumdog Millionaire .
Also, she was very patient throughout the shoot and was present on the sets every day." He added, "I also met the director of the movie, Ryan Murphy. He said, ’Longi, I’m proud to see your work and you’ll definitely go a long way.’ I consider myself very lucky to have worked with such renowned artists and filmmakers."
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Julia Roberts is impressed with the film Dhuaaan
Roberts watched vignettes of Dhuaaan with Claire Raskind, the publicist of her film Eat, Pray, Love, while she was shooting for the film at the Ashram Hari Mandir in Pataudi, Haryana.
"Julia is very excited about Dhuaaan because it’s based on a true story of a female protagonist like Erin Brockovich, which is a film very dear to her,” said Raskind. “Secondly, because the filmmaker is a woman."
"It is a universal story of the fight against injustice, of a single individual against erring institutions. Julia has complemented director Mrunalinni on a commendable effort and wishes the film every success," she added.
Mrunalinni invited the Pretty Woman to attend the Dhuaaan premiere on December 18. The actress won’t be able to attend it, but she has requested her Indian spiritual guru Swami Shri Dharam Devji Maharaj, of Ashram Hari Mandir in Pataudi, to attend on her behalf.
"Julia, however, regrets being unable to accept the invitation to personally attend the premiere in Mumbai in December and has requested her spiritual Guru Shri Swami Dharam Devji Maharaj to attend on her behalf," said Raskind.
Dharam Devji Maharaj, who has anointed her children with Hindu names, has confirmed his attendance.
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