Latest news with #PuneInternationalFilmFestival
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did you know long before the Raanjhanaa AI edit controversy, Hema Malini was upset over the Sholay climax 50 years ago?
The film industry faces debates over creative control. Hema Malini expressed displeasure with changes to 'Sholay's' climax. Ramesh Sippy revealed the Censor Board altered the original violent ending. Recently, 'Raanjhanaa' faced backlash for an AI-edited climax. The altered ending replaced the tragic death of Kundan with a hopeful scene. This sparked discussions about the ethics of modifying films post-release. Long before the recent uproar over the AI-edited climax of Raanjhanaa, Hema Malini was already vocal about her displeasure with a major change in the climax of the 1975 classic Sholay. Decades ago, the film's original ending was altered without the director's approval, sparking debates about creative control—issues that resonate strongly today amid fresh controversies in the film industry. Ramesh Sippy explains the changed ending Back in 2018, filmmaker Ramesh Sippy spoke about the changed ending of the 1975 film Sholay at the Pune International Film Festival. He said that originally, the villain Gabbar (played by Amjad Khan ) was supposed to be killed by Thakur (Sanjeev Kumar), who would crush him under his feet. But the Censor Board didn't like this ending and asked for it to be changed to reduce the violence. Although Ramesh Sippy was unhappy about it, he had no choice but to agree. Hema Malini's views on creative control Hema reacted to the changes by saying there was much discussion around the film's ending. She pointed out that in the final version, Thakur does not kill Gabbar; instead, the police take him away. The original ending was altered after the film's release without the director's approval, which she disagreed with. She believes that the director should have a say in such decisions since the creativity of the film comes from the director, even though the producer funds the project. The Raanjhanaa AI edit controversy In July this year, Eros International, the producers of Raanjhanaa, announced plans to re-release the film in South India with an AI-altered climax. This decision received mixed reactions and sparked a broader debate about the ethics of changing an artist's work after its release—especially without the creator's permission. In the original version, Dhanush's character, Kundan, dies. He goes to Delhi to meet Zoya (played by Sonam Kapoor), the woman he loves, and takes part in a political rally for her, knowing there's a risk to his life. In the final moments, Kundan dies but imagines his younger self walking through the familiar streets of Varanasi, ending the story on a poetic note. We also see Zoya finally understand how deeply Kundan loved her and the sacrifices he made for her. The AI-modified version removes the tragic ending. Instead of dying, Kundan wakes up on his deathbed and sees his friends—Bindiya (Swara) and Murari (Zeeshan)—smiling tearfully. The scenes of him walking through Varanasi and meeting his younger self are still there, but the film ends on a more hopeful note.
Broadcast Pro
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Surrealist refugee drama ‘Xoftex' to screen at Pune International Film Festival
'Xoftex' is set in a Greek refugee camp named Xoftex, where Syrian and Palestinian asylum seekers anxiously await news of their refugee status. Noaz Deshe's surrealist refugee drama, Xoftex , is set to screen at the Pune International Film Festival in India. The film will be showcased in the Global Cinema section on February 17 at 5:30 PM. Meanwhile, Xoftex has been acquired by MAD World, with MAD Distribution, the MENA-based sales and marketing arm of MAD Solutions, handling its distribution across the Arab-speaking region. The film has received positive critical reviews, with Damon Wise of Deadline praising it as 'an unorthodox, often oblique, but emotionally powerful attempt to recreate onscreen the disorientation of the stateless mind.' Laurence Boyce of Screen Daily commended its eccentric storytelling, noting its departure from heavy realism and traditional narratives in refugee stories. Similarly, Susan Gottlieb of Cineurope applauded Deshe's innovative approach and effort to include the voices of those affected. Xoftex centres on Palestinian Syrian teenager Nasser and his older brother Yassin, who are living in a Greek refugee camp while awaiting a decision on their asylum application. They pass the time by recording comedy sketches, dreaming of making zombie films, and fantasizing about moving to Sweden. The film's blend of realism, surrealism, and art-house experimentalism captures the essence of the global refugee crisis. Deshe not only wrote, directed, shot, edited, scored and produced the film but also shares production credits with Andro Steinborn, Jordan Tappis and Beau Willimon. The film is co-produced by Christophe Audeguis and executive-produced by Majd Hafiry, Osama Hafiry, Babak Jalali, Patrick Schorn, Grischa Sautter, Gabriel Stavenhagen, Zachary Guglin, Julian Chavez, Eve Gabereau, Maria Drandaki and Didar Domehri. The cast features first-time actor and rapper Abdulrahman Diab, actor and director Osama Hafiry and includes Jalal Albaroudi, Hazem Saleh, Mouataz Alshaltouh, Mohamad Al Rashi, Amal Omran, Lujain Mustafa, Ramadan Hamoud, Mohammad Dibo and Yasin El-Harouk.
