Lakshmi (2014 film)
| Lakshmi | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Nagesh Kukunoor |
| Written by | Nagesh Kukunoor |
| Screenplay by | Nagesh Kukunoor |
| Produced by | Nagesh Kukunoor Elahe Hiptoola Satish Kaushik |
| Starring | Nagesh Kukunoor Monali Thakur Satish Kaushik Shefali Shah Ram Kapoor Gulfam Khan |
| Cinematography | Chirantan Das |
| Edited by | Sanjib Datta |
| Music by | Tapas Relia |
Release date |
|
Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Lakshmi is a 2014 Indian Hindi-language biographical social problem film, written and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. The film deals with the harsh realities of human trafficking and child prostitution, which continue behind closed curtains in rural areas of India. It was earlier expected to release on 17 January 2014, but got delayed due to censorship issues.[1][2]
The film Won Best Film - Mercedes Benz Audience Award, for Best Narrative at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on 13 January 2014.[3] The film released on 21 March 2014.[4] The film was screened official selection at Toronto Reel World, Washington DC, New York Indian and Melbourne Indian Film Festivals.[5] It would open the 16th London Asian Film Festival in June 2014.[6]
Plot synopsis
Lakshmi, a 14-year-old girl is kidnapped and sold into prostitution. Thrown into this horrific, inhuman world where she is raped and brutally beaten she struggles to survive with the help of the other girls and her own will to never give in. [7]
Cast
- Monali Thakur as Bangaru Lakshmi
- Ram Kapoor as Avinash, lawyer
- Satish Kaushik as Ram Reddy
- Nagesh Kukunoor as Chinna
- Gulfam Khan as Corporator Radha
- Shefali Shah as Jyoti
- Asha Saini as Suvarna
- Vibha Chibber as Amma
- Vinita Joshi Thakkar as Asha
- Priyankaa Vir as Uma didi
- Ramkrishna Shenoy as Mohan
- Sumit Sharma as Opposition Lawyer
- Raju as Bangaru Raju, Lakshmi's father
- Subhash Gupta as Dr Murli
- Suresh Kumar as Judge
Production
Director Nagesh Kukunoor was inspired to make the film after visiting some NGO's in India, where he met victims of human trafficking.[8]
The film is produced by both Nagesh Kukunoor, his long-time collaborator Elahe Hiptoola who worked with him on all his films since Hyderabad Blues, and also by renowned actor Satish Kaushik. Kaushik stated the marketing campaign for the film was geared towards keeping "in tandem with the theme of the movie." The producers are planning to have private screenings of the film for Non-Governmental Organizations to promote awareness of the heinous crimes depicted in the film. They also hoped the film would be backed and sponsored by actor Salman Khan, who runs his own personal NGO called Being Human.[9]
The trailer for the film was released on 21 October 2013.[10]
The songs have been written by Manoj Yadav and composed by Tapas Relia. The four songs are 1) Sun Sugana Re sung by Suchi and Ankita Joshi 2) Sun Ri baavli sung by Papon 3) Aa Ghar Chale Hum sung by Monali Thakur and 4) Hain Reham Hain Karam sung by Kailash Kher.
Release and reception
The film was first viewed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in November 2013, which found some scenes "objectionable" and slated it to be next viewed by a revising committee. However, till early January the film did not receive a viewing by committee and thus missed its 17 January Indian premiere date.[11]
Ahead of its release in India, the film has its premiere on 13 January, at the 2014 Palm Springs International Film Festival,[12] where it received critical acclaim and won the Audience Award for Best narrative feature, which is based on viewers' votes.[13]
References
- ^ "Theater Release of Lakshmi". Times of India. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "Lakshmi Release Delayed". The American Bazaar. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
- ^ "Lakshmi wins Audience Award". India West. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ^ "Lakshmi". Times of India. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
- ^ Luminosity Pictures
- ^ "Lakshmi to be opening film of 16th London Asian Film Festival 2014". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ "Lakshmi Plot". IMDb.com. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "Kukunoor's 'Lakshmi' to Premiere at Palm Springs Film Festival". Indian West. 22 December 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ "Lakshmi Production". glamsham. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "Lakshmi Trailer". YouTube.com. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "'CBFC has no time to see my film'". Mumbai Mirror. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ "Nagesh Kukunoor's Lakshmi to premiere in US at Palm Springs International Film Festival 2014". Bollywoodlife.com. 7 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ "Kukunoor's Lakshmi wins award at Palm Springs festival". Hindustan Times. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.