Acclaimed director Mrinal Sen will make a comeback after an eight-year hiatus with a film that he says depends on 'moments' rather than on the conventional plot.

The 79-year-old Sen will soon commence shooting for his Bengali film Swadesh, which is slated for an early 2002 release. The film will be shot in Bengali but will be dubbed in Hindi later.Swadesh will star well-known actress Nandita Das.

Sen, who began his film career at about the same time as Oscar-winning filmmaker Satyajit Ray in the 1950s, has numerous awards to his credit. He was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 1981, the French Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres title in 1983 and the Soviet Land Award in 1979.

The Darshan Duo

The Darshan Brothers, Darmesh and Suneel, teamed up to announce the completion of their mega film together.

Directed by Dharmesh Darshan and produced by Suneel Darshan the film, Haan Maine Bhi Pyar Kiya, stars Akshay Kumar and Abhishek Bachchan and is expected to hit theatre screens across the country shortly.

Naseeruddin Shah to adapt Ismat Chugtai works for screen

Naseeruddin Shah will make a film on stories written by Ismat Chugtai. ”I am making a film on one of her stories. But it is a bit too premature for me to discuss the subject,” the actor said.

Naseer is currently directing a play based on the stories of Manto and Ismat Chugtai. He also plans directing a film on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. ”The older I look the better it is for me to play Gandhi,” he tells us.

Naseeruddin is very excited about his forthcoming release Monsoon Wedding.

The going gets tough at the Oscars

There are 51 entries in the foreign film category at this years Oscars as compared to last year's 46. The new additions being Armenia, Uruguay, Kergiztan and Tanzania.

The chairman of the jury this year is Mark Robinson, the director of Rainman.

The screening of these 51 films will commence on November 28 and the five films nominated in the foreign film category will be announced on February 12.

The going is sure going to get tough for Lagaan.

Compiled by: Vivek Fernandes/Bharati Dubey
Design: Imran Shaikh