The Good Road, India's Submission for the Academy Award Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. U.S. : None Yet. Production Company: National Film Development Corporation : Cinemas of India
Mesmerizingly diverse India is a land of immeasurable contrasts, which cultural tapestry is breathtaking and too vast to compile into one single artistic work. Modern and in synch with the global economic competitiveness but also protective of its intricately varied ancestry, the country is a melting pot of religious beliefs, languages, and lifestyles. Hence the fact that it’s almost impossible to summarize what it means to be Indian and to determine what is the accepted national identity that applies to all the distinct fractions of the population. Nonetheless, Gyan Correa’s Gujarati-language feature The Good Road does an outstanding job at integrating people from all walks of Indian’s social stratum into a cohesive and absorbing film that honors such enriching multiculturalism.
Arranged in a multi-linear fashion the converging stories take place along highway 378, which runs near the Rann Dessert. Impertinent 7-year-old Aditya (Keval Katrodia) is a city boy on holiday with his picture-perfect suburban family from Mumbai. While wandering around a roadside store, the boy is unexpectedly left behind by his parents, which sets in motion a triptych road trip that turns into an introspective learning journey for all its participants. Ordered by his morally deviant boss, Pappu (Shamji Dhana Kerasia), a truck driver on his way to complete an illegal operation, is responsible for taking Adi to the nearest diner to wait for his parents. Helped by his suspicious assistant Shaukat (Priyank Upadhyay), the two men now have to accomplish their mission while caring for the irritating child.
At a distant point along the same path, starving and noticeably exhausted, Poonam (Poonam Kesar Singh) is a small girl trying to hitch a ride to her grandmother’s house when she stumbles upon a makeshift brothel in the middle of nowhere. Warned by the owner that she is too young to stay there, Poonam decides to stay long enough to rest and grab some food. Unaware of the sort of business that goes on there, she befriends teenage Rinkle, an experienced young woman who wants to show her the ropes of the trait. Meanwhile, David (Ajay Gehi) and Kiran (Sonali Kulkarni), Adi’s parents, are tormented by guilt and desperately look for him. Aided by police they launch a full-scale search that puts their own lives at risk, and shakes them into realizing the important things that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Linked together by the arid landscape of the Gujarati province, the ensemble cast conveys the unified spirit of he country’s people disregarding their origin or social status. The serendipitous events in their shared journey are a test, and require them to decide whether to take the road of virtue or one of hatred. Initially charged with animosity, Adi’s relationship with Shaukat develops into a genuine friendship. His presence becomes a refreshing cure for Pappu’s apathetic perception of life, the child’s ability for wonderment is reinvigorating for the frayed driver. Simultaneously, David and Kiran find in their parallel quest to find their son, a renewed hope in others. Receiving help from the least expected good Samaritans, they learn a lesson of trust and kindness. Lastly, the other intertwined drifter, Poonam, exemplifies self-respect and loyalty far beyond her age. Collectively the entire cast is effective at playing their respective piece of the puzzle.
This layered film proves that there are far more nuanced visions in the creative field of India that what Bollywood presents to the word. The characters are at a crossroads, physically and emotionally. At this crucial moment in their lives, their differences are irrelevant and they must walk together to seek a brighter future. Just as it is mentioned in Adi’s patriotic song, all of them form part of one multilayered but joined singular vision. Shot with entrancing luminosity The Good Road is a bracingly evocative collage of experiences connected by one road, this road is India.
Read more about all the 76 Best Foreign Language Film Submission for the 2014 Academy Awards...
Mesmerizingly diverse India is a land of immeasurable contrasts, which cultural tapestry is breathtaking and too vast to compile into one single artistic work. Modern and in synch with the global economic competitiveness but also protective of its intricately varied ancestry, the country is a melting pot of religious beliefs, languages, and lifestyles. Hence the fact that it’s almost impossible to summarize what it means to be Indian and to determine what is the accepted national identity that applies to all the distinct fractions of the population. Nonetheless, Gyan Correa’s Gujarati-language feature The Good Road does an outstanding job at integrating people from all walks of Indian’s social stratum into a cohesive and absorbing film that honors such enriching multiculturalism.
Arranged in a multi-linear fashion the converging stories take place along highway 378, which runs near the Rann Dessert. Impertinent 7-year-old Aditya (Keval Katrodia) is a city boy on holiday with his picture-perfect suburban family from Mumbai. While wandering around a roadside store, the boy is unexpectedly left behind by his parents, which sets in motion a triptych road trip that turns into an introspective learning journey for all its participants. Ordered by his morally deviant boss, Pappu (Shamji Dhana Kerasia), a truck driver on his way to complete an illegal operation, is responsible for taking Adi to the nearest diner to wait for his parents. Helped by his suspicious assistant Shaukat (Priyank Upadhyay), the two men now have to accomplish their mission while caring for the irritating child.
At a distant point along the same path, starving and noticeably exhausted, Poonam (Poonam Kesar Singh) is a small girl trying to hitch a ride to her grandmother’s house when she stumbles upon a makeshift brothel in the middle of nowhere. Warned by the owner that she is too young to stay there, Poonam decides to stay long enough to rest and grab some food. Unaware of the sort of business that goes on there, she befriends teenage Rinkle, an experienced young woman who wants to show her the ropes of the trait. Meanwhile, David (Ajay Gehi) and Kiran (Sonali Kulkarni), Adi’s parents, are tormented by guilt and desperately look for him. Aided by police they launch a full-scale search that puts their own lives at risk, and shakes them into realizing the important things that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Linked together by the arid landscape of the Gujarati province, the ensemble cast conveys the unified spirit of he country’s people disregarding their origin or social status. The serendipitous events in their shared journey are a test, and require them to decide whether to take the road of virtue or one of hatred. Initially charged with animosity, Adi’s relationship with Shaukat develops into a genuine friendship. His presence becomes a refreshing cure for Pappu’s apathetic perception of life, the child’s ability for wonderment is reinvigorating for the frayed driver. Simultaneously, David and Kiran find in their parallel quest to find their son, a renewed hope in others. Receiving help from the least expected good Samaritans, they learn a lesson of trust and kindness. Lastly, the other intertwined drifter, Poonam, exemplifies self-respect and loyalty far beyond her age. Collectively the entire cast is effective at playing their respective piece of the puzzle.
This layered film proves that there are far more nuanced visions in the creative field of India that what Bollywood presents to the word. The characters are at a crossroads, physically and emotionally. At this crucial moment in their lives, their differences are irrelevant and they must walk together to seek a brighter future. Just as it is mentioned in Adi’s patriotic song, all of them form part of one multilayered but joined singular vision. Shot with entrancing luminosity The Good Road is a bracingly evocative collage of experiences connected by one road, this road is India.
Read more about all the 76 Best Foreign Language Film Submission for the 2014 Academy Awards...
- 12/12/2013
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
New Delhi, Nov 20: Model-turned-actor Ajay Gehi, seen in a pivotal role in the Gujarati movie "The Good Road", India's official entry to the best foreign film category section at the Oscars this year, is sure that it will embark on the road to glory.
"I'm confident about 'The Good Road' as its narrative is unique," Gehi said.
"It has an original, well-crafted script and a very enthusiastic and talented team. I'm very confident of 'The Good Road' making it (to the Oscars), but at the same time keeping my fingers crossed and counting all the wishes sent to me," Gehi told Ians in an e-mail interaction.
The directorial.
"I'm confident about 'The Good Road' as its narrative is unique," Gehi said.
"It has an original, well-crafted script and a very enthusiastic and talented team. I'm very confident of 'The Good Road' making it (to the Oscars), but at the same time keeping my fingers crossed and counting all the wishes sent to me," Gehi told Ians in an e-mail interaction.
The directorial.
- 11/20/2013
- by Abhijeet Sen
- RealBollywood.com
There has been an ongoing debate over India's Oscar entry this year since the time The Good Road was selected as an Oscar nominee by the jury. And many of them even took on twitter to vent out their feelings. But The Good Road which is a social drama based on child prostitution in the interiors of Kutch is now facing an opposition from the Gujarati community too. Popular celebrities like producer Abhilash Ghoda and writer lyricist Vinay Dave aren't happy with the selection because of the concept of the film. While one feels that the film represents a false impression of Gujarat, the other feels that the language used in the film is very abusive. According to director Deepak Antani, such films should not be promoted by Nfdc or any other government organization. The Good Road stars Ajay Gehi, Sonali Kulkarni, Keval Katrodia, Shamji Dhana Kerasia and many others.
- 9/25/2013
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
India’s entry for the Oscars has been decided, and it is debut filmmaker Gyan Correa’s The Good Road that has made it as an entry in the Best Foreign Film category. This National award winning Gujarati film about a small lost-and-found boy competed with films like The Lunchbox, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, English Vinglish, Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam and Malayalam film Celluloid.
Gautam Ghosh, chairman of the Oscar selection committee said that there were 22 entries from different parts of the country to be considered for this, like The Lunchbox and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag “The 19 member jury had a 5 hour long discussion and then finally decided to select The Good Road. Even though it is a new film, the story explores a different side of India,” he added. The chairman also went on to admit that The Lunchbox was a strong contender.
The Good Road is produced by the National...
Gautam Ghosh, chairman of the Oscar selection committee said that there were 22 entries from different parts of the country to be considered for this, like The Lunchbox and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag “The 19 member jury had a 5 hour long discussion and then finally decided to select The Good Road. Even though it is a new film, the story explores a different side of India,” he added. The chairman also went on to admit that The Lunchbox was a strong contender.
The Good Road is produced by the National...
- 9/24/2013
- by Samreen Tungekar
- Bollyspice
India has selected Gyan Correa’s The Good Road as its entry for the best foreign-language film category of the Academy Awards, while Bangladesh has submitted Mostofa S. Farooki’s Television.
The Indian selection came as a surprise as Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox had appeared to be a frontrunner in recent months. Warmly received at this year’s Cannes and Telluride film festivals, Batra’s Mumbai-set love story has been sold widely by sales agent The Match Factory and has a Us distributor, Sony Pictures Classics, on board.
Produced by the National Film Development Corp (Nfdc), the Gujarati-language The Good Road tells the story of three sets of people travelling through the Kachchh region of Gujarat. The cast includes Sonali Kulkarni and Ajay Gehi, while technical talent includes Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty and DoP Amitabha Singh.
The film was selected by a committee appointed by the Film Federation of India (Ffi), which was headed by Bengali...
The Indian selection came as a surprise as Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox had appeared to be a frontrunner in recent months. Warmly received at this year’s Cannes and Telluride film festivals, Batra’s Mumbai-set love story has been sold widely by sales agent The Match Factory and has a Us distributor, Sony Pictures Classics, on board.
Produced by the National Film Development Corp (Nfdc), the Gujarati-language The Good Road tells the story of three sets of people travelling through the Kachchh region of Gujarat. The cast includes Sonali Kulkarni and Ajay Gehi, while technical talent includes Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty and DoP Amitabha Singh.
The film was selected by a committee appointed by the Film Federation of India (Ffi), which was headed by Bengali...
- 9/23/2013
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Gujarati-language film The Good Road directed by Gyan Correa is India’s official entry to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
The film was picked by a committee appointed by the Film Federation of India (Ffi) led by Bengali filmmaker Gautam Ghose.
The film, produced by the National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc), won the 60th National Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati and released in Gujarat under PVR Director’s Rare on July 19, 2013.
Gyan Correa’s debut feature The Good Road is about a journey of three sets of people who are travelling on a highway, cutting through the Banni, bordering the Rann in Gujarat. They are all on a journey to achieve their respective pursuits, but over the next twenty-four hours, will discover something altogether different, something new and unexpected about their lives.
Sonali Kulkarni plays a pivotal role in the film alongside Ajay Gehi,...
The film was picked by a committee appointed by the Film Federation of India (Ffi) led by Bengali filmmaker Gautam Ghose.
The film, produced by the National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc), won the 60th National Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati and released in Gujarat under PVR Director’s Rare on July 19, 2013.
Gyan Correa’s debut feature The Good Road is about a journey of three sets of people who are travelling on a highway, cutting through the Banni, bordering the Rann in Gujarat. They are all on a journey to achieve their respective pursuits, but over the next twenty-four hours, will discover something altogether different, something new and unexpected about their lives.
Sonali Kulkarni plays a pivotal role in the film alongside Ajay Gehi,...
- 9/21/2013
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
A still from “The Good Road”
The Good Road, winner of the 60th National Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati will release in Gujarat under PVR Director’s Rare on July 19, 2013.
Produced by the Nfdc (National Film Development Corporation), the film has been directed by debutant Gyan Correa.
The film will release in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Baroda, and Gandhinagar, across PVR cinemas.
A modern Gujarati tale, The Good Road is a journey of three sets of people who are travelling on a highway, cutting through the Banni, bordering the Rann. They are all on a journey to achieve their respective pursuits, but over the next twenty-four hours, will discover something altogether different, something new and unexpected about their lives.
Sonali Kulkarni plays a pivotal role in the film alongside Ajay Gehi, Keval Katrodia, Shamji Dhana Kerasia, Priyank Upadhyay and Poonam Kesarsingh Rajput. Oscar winning Sound Designer Resul Pookutty has worked on the film.
The Good Road, winner of the 60th National Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati will release in Gujarat under PVR Director’s Rare on July 19, 2013.
Produced by the Nfdc (National Film Development Corporation), the film has been directed by debutant Gyan Correa.
The film will release in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Baroda, and Gandhinagar, across PVR cinemas.
A modern Gujarati tale, The Good Road is a journey of three sets of people who are travelling on a highway, cutting through the Banni, bordering the Rann. They are all on a journey to achieve their respective pursuits, but over the next twenty-four hours, will discover something altogether different, something new and unexpected about their lives.
Sonali Kulkarni plays a pivotal role in the film alongside Ajay Gehi, Keval Katrodia, Shamji Dhana Kerasia, Priyank Upadhyay and Poonam Kesarsingh Rajput. Oscar winning Sound Designer Resul Pookutty has worked on the film.
- 6/29/2013
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Ram Gopal Varma wants to make sure that his forthcoming film Not A Love Story doesn't face any unnecessary objection close to its release on August 19. The maverick filmmaker has filed a caveat in the court to a avoid stay on the judgment on the release of his film. It is a caveat against an unknown person. The film starring Mahie Gill, Deepak Dobriyal and Ajay Gehi, is based on the life of Kannada actress Maria Susairaj who was accused of allegedly murdering Neeraj Grover along with her lover Emile Jerome Mathew. Not A Love Story has already faced a few hurdles and this move to file a caveat seems like a move to make sure that no party objects the release of the film on any grounds whatsoever.
- 7/30/2011
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Ram Gopal Varma wants to make sure that his forthcoming film Not A Love Story doesn't face any unnecessary objection close to its release on August 19. The maverick filmmaker has filed a caveat in the court to a avoid stay on the judgment on the release of his film. It is a caveat against an unknown person. The film starring Mahie Gill, Deepak Dobriyal and Ajay Gehi, is based on the life of Kannada actress Maria Susairaj who was accused of allegedly murdering Neeraj Grover along with her lover Emile Jerome Mathew. Not A Love Story has already faced a few hurdles and this move to file a caveat seems like a move to make sure that no party objects the release of the film on any grounds whatsoever.
- 7/30/2011
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Hyderabad: Whether for good reasons or bad, Ram Gopal Verma always finds a place in the news especially when he announces a new movie. His latest venture, “Not A Love Story” is apparently based on the gruesome murder of Neeraj Grover. Known for his authentic style of making a movie, Rgv’s even shooting the film in the same building where the horrific event took place. He has chosen Ajay Gehi to play the role of Neeraj, “Dev D” actress Mahie Gill to play the role of Maria Susairaj and Deepak Dobriyal, to portray Jerome.
Its Deepak’s first venture with Ram Gopal Verma and he is thoroughly enjoying.
Its Deepak’s first venture with Ram Gopal Verma and he is thoroughly enjoying.
- 7/22/2011
- by Ahana Chakraborty
- GoBollywood
Actor Deepak Dobriyal, who has acted for the first time with filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma in forthcoming film .Not A Love Story., says the director is a genius when it comes to filmmaking..He is an institute in himself when it comes to cinema. In fact, I feel every newcomer should work with him at least once,. Dobriyal said..He is so clear about his work. One can have disagreements about his personal opinions but in cinema-making he is a genius,. he told Ians..Not a Love Story. is a crime thriller based on the gruesome murder of Neeraj Grover in 2008 that led to the arrest of Emile Jerome and Maria Susairaj. Starring Mahie Gill along with Deepak and Ajay Gehi, the movie is set to be released Aug 19. Rgv has announced that the film is not a biopic but is inspired by the case.
- 7/14/2011
- Filmicafe
Ram Gopal Varma
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has changed the title of his upcoming film A Love Story to Not a Love Story
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has decided to change the title of his upcoming film that is under production at the moment. The film A Love Story, which is based on the Maria Susairaj case, will now be called Not A Love Story.
Reported a source ?Ramu had titled the film A Love Story, which is based on the murder of Neeraj Grover by Maria and her boyfriend Emile. The filmmaker initially thought that it was an apt title, however, during filming he decided that Not A Love Story suited the theme better?.
When Ram Gopal Varma was asked to comment on the same he said ?I was under the impression that the horrifying crime primarily arose out of the emotion of love. However, what remained at the...
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has changed the title of his upcoming film A Love Story to Not a Love Story
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has decided to change the title of his upcoming film that is under production at the moment. The film A Love Story, which is based on the Maria Susairaj case, will now be called Not A Love Story.
Reported a source ?Ramu had titled the film A Love Story, which is based on the murder of Neeraj Grover by Maria and her boyfriend Emile. The filmmaker initially thought that it was an apt title, however, during filming he decided that Not A Love Story suited the theme better?.
When Ram Gopal Varma was asked to comment on the same he said ?I was under the impression that the horrifying crime primarily arose out of the emotion of love. However, what remained at the...
- 4/27/2011
- Chakpak
When Ram Gopal Varma (Rgv) announces a film, there are a million eyebrows that are bound to go up, courtesy, the subject of the film. So, when he announced A Love Story, all knew that this is bound to be a film that's not for the weak hearted. Rgv went onto announce that this film will be based on the murder of Neeraj Grover and the key accused in the case, Maria Susairaj. While he chose Mahie Gill to play the role of Maria Susairaj, news has it that Deepak Dobriyal has been roped in to play Mahie Gill's boyfriend who helped her with the murder and Ajay Gehi will play the role of the victim Neeraj Grover. When one speaks of authenticity, Rgv simply takes the cake, as the shooting of the film is being done in the same building where the murder happened! Wonder what will be the end of the film,...
- 4/19/2011
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
What: Music launchWhere: Del Italia, Juhu The music of the film Madholal Keep Walking was launched on Friday. It was also the birthday of co-producer, Ajay Gehi. The crowd went berserk, on hearing Altaf Raja live after a long time. Celina Jaitly walked in with a posse of bodyguards and spoke at lenght about the film. Anil Sharma was there to lend his support. ...
- 8/1/2010
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
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