Haasan’s wish

No filmmaker would want his movie to be aired on television before it hits the theatres, right? Wrong. Take actor-director Kamal Haasan. He has proposed that his latest film, Viswaroopam, be released on DTH (direct to home) television eight hours before its release in theatres. Of course, there are a few riders. The film, set to release on January 11, would be aired for a single viewing and people would not be able to record the movie due to encryption. Er, doesn’t Haasan want people to buy tickets for his movie? We don’t know the answer to that one. For now, theatre owners have opposed the move. The ball is now in Haasan’s court.

Creative call

Sudeshna Chatterjee seems to be carrying forward her rich legacy in myriad ways. The daughter of legendary Rabindrasangeet exponent Suchitra Mitra has opened a “creative studio” in Calcutta. It aspires to be a creative hub for artistes and fashion buffs. Chatterjee’s affinity with creativity is natural, of course. Raised in a musical environment, Chatterjee, who spent two decades in California, has performed with such musical geniuses as Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan, Kanika Bandyopadhyay and of course, Suchitra Mitra. In fact, she has nine music albums to her credit. But if you are wondering why fashion is also a part of her creative studio, it’s because Chatterjee is an accomplished designer as well, and has worked with filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh on costume designing. A part of her new studio is called “Suchitra” — dedicated to promotion of arts.

Lie detector

Do men and women have different ways of telling lies? Christopher Daruwala’s solo play, Lying but Honestly, explores this and other quirky things. To be staged this evening in Delhi, it deconstructs lies and how they play a role in our lives. While at it, Daruwala launches a book within the play — also called Lying but Honestly. Daruwala has been involved in theatre and television for the past 20 years. On the way, he has won the Green Panda Award for his television show Living on the Edge. Daruwala says he hopes to take Lying but Honestly to other cities across India. Hope that’s not a white lie.

Fest test

Mani Ratnam’s better half is no stay-at-home wallflower. While her husband is busy wrapping up his latest film, Suhasini Ratnam is doing her bit for cinema by organising the Chennai International Film Festival. Since she has been at the helm of affairs, the festival, which is now in its 10th year, has slowly built up a reputation for itself. A high point of the 2012 edition is the opening film, Amour, which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival this year. However, though the lady deserves credit for organising the festival, she certainly couldn’t keep politics out of it. All the speakers at the opening ceremony, including herself, indulged in a bit of political play by not just praising the Tamil language to the skies, but also eulogising “Amma” (chief minister J. Jayalalithaa) lavishly for making a handsome donation to the festival. No surprises there, really. In Tamil Nadu at least, cinema is never too far from politics.

Cool Kareena

Kareena Kapoor is hot! The new-minted Begum of Pataudi is clearly not just a favourite with Bollywood directors. She is also the ultimate choice when it comes to sarkari dos and state sponsored celebrations. Recently, the Chhattisgarh government paid her a staggering Rs 1.4 crore to perform at the state’s anniversary function. The lady obliged and wowed the audience at Naya Raipur, the state’s new capital. But guess how long her performance was for? All of eight minutes! Other artistes who featured in the show were Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Dia Mirza, Himesh Reshammiya and Pankaj Udhas. But it was Kapoor who was the sensation of the evening. Short, as they say, is sweet.