Waiting (2015 film)

Waiting

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Anu Menon
Produced by Priti Gupta
Manish Mundra
Written by Atika Chohan
(Dialogues)
Screenplay by Anu Menon
James Ruzicka
Atika Chohan
Starring Naseeruddin Shah
Kalki Koechlin
Rajat Kapoor
Music by Mikey McCleary
Cinematography Neha Parti Matiyani
Edited by Nitin Baid
Apurva Asrani
Production
company
Ishka Films
Drishyam Films
Release dates
  • 11 December 2015 (2015-12-11) (Dubai International Film Festival)
  • 27 May 2016 (2016-05-27) (India)
Running time
 1:38:00[1]
Country India
Language Hindi

Waiting is a 2015 Indian comedy drama film directed by Anu Menon, and produced by Priti Gupta and Manish Mundra under the banner of Ishka Films and Drishyam Films. The film stars Naseeruddin Shah and Kalki Koechlin in lead roles, with Rajat Kapoor, Suhasini Maniratnam and Arjun Mathur playing supporting roles.

The film is about the special relationship between two people from different walks of life, who befriend each other in a hospital, while nursing their respective comatose spouses. The story of the film divulges into the the themes of coping with grief and at the same time discovering hope. It was meant to be a representative of urban India and its ethos.

The film had its world premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival on 11 December 2015, and was well received by critics. The performances of both Koechlin and Shah and the narrative of the film was praised. The film was also screened at the closing gala of the London Asian Film Festival and Menon won the Best Director Award at the event. The film is scheduled for its theatrical release in India on 27 May 2016.

Cast

Production

Casting

Naseeruddin Shah plays the male lead in the film.

Entertainment website Bollywood Hungama reported that Koechlin was set to star opposite her That Girl in Yellow Boots co-star Naseeruddin Shah in Anu Menon's upcoming film. It was reported by the site that she would be playing the role of a young and brash social media-savvy Tara Kapoor.[2] Shah in an interview said that the script for the film is, "one of the most wonderful he has ever heard." [3] He plays the role of a college professor Shiv Kumar with a never say die attitude.[4] Koechlin in an interview with Gulf News said she loved about the film's vibe and added, “I liked Anu when I first met her. I knew that Waiting came from a personal space … she would keep giving the reference of Lost In Translation where two people find comfort in each other.”[5]

With the film National Award winning South Indian Cinema actress and director Suhasini Maniratnam made her debut in Hindi cinema, as she plays the role of Shah’s character's wife in the film. Menon talked about her experience of working with Manirathnam saying, "With her experience, she also helped me with a few difficult scenes behind the camera. When people watch the film they will know why we needed someone of Suhasini’s stature for this character."[6]

Development & Filming

The film was the production of Ishka Films and Drishyam Films.[7] It was Menon's second feature film after London, Paris, New York, and Menon started writing for the film since her other project O Womaniya didn’t start.[3] The director of photography for the film was the cinematographer Neha Parti Martyani, who had been previously associated with films including My Name is Khan and Yamla Pagla Deewana among others. The team of editors for the project included National Award winning film maker, film editor and screenwriter Apurva Asrani.[8] Shah reported that the shooting for the film will commence in December in the coastal town of Kochi.[3]

Menon talked about the film prior to its release to The National saying that the story of the film was close to her heart as it was inspired by one of her own personal experience. On working with Koechlin and Shah she said, "He (Shah) was punctual and always prepared, he gave his best performance in the first take. Kalki allows herself to be vulnerable. She is more porous and chilled out. In a way, there was a nice energy between them. Both of them were organised, committed and non demanding." She added that, "It’s a very gentle and poignant film with no melodrama. It would make the audiences want to reach out to the leading characters and help them find their answers."[6]

Release

The film was released on 11 December 2015 at the 12th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival.[4][9] At the release of the film executive producer Priti Gupta founder of Ishka Films said, "It is an endearing and beautiful movie for not just Indian, but the world audience, as it is essentially about the universal human circumstances, which are deftly portrayed in a tender yet humorous way."[10] Manish Mundra, founder of Drishyam Films added, "Dubai is one of the biggest overseas markets for Hindi cinema [...] We are honoured to have Waiting screen there." The film was also screened at the closing gala of the London Asian Film Festival, and at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.[11][12]

The official trailer was released on 21 April 2016, one day after the release of a motion poster for the film, revealing the first look. The poster featured Koechlin and Shah with a smile. The trailer was well received by critics and audiences.[13][14][15] The film is scheduled for its wider release on 27 May 2016 in India.[15]

Reception

The lead pair of Koechlin and Shah received praise for their performances

The film received positive reviews from critics who praised the narrative of the story, Menon's direction, and the performances of the lead pairing of Koechlin and Shah. Gautaman Bhaskaran of Hindustan Times called the film a "is a tragic, witty affair" and praised the humour with which the contrast between Natraj and Tara was presented. He added that the film "succeeds in holding viewer attention". He praised Shah calling him "brilliant as ever".[4]

Fionnuala Halligan of Screen International praised the film and in her review wrote, "Waiting simmers in its locales without being brash or boastful; the colours of India are there, glowing at the sidelines, thanks to Neha Parti Mtiyani’s dignified lenswork. This is a handsomely-realised production which will resonate with viewers." She also lauded Koechlin's and Shah's performances saying that the film "benefits greatly from Koechlin’s appeal [...], she has an expressive face to match her talent" and added that Shah's presence "lends the film its grace-notes".[16]

Deborah Young of The Hollywood Reporter also gave a positive review to the film calling it a "A tender, often humorous tale with sparkling performances". She further praised the lead duo saying, " Koechlin does an exceptional job navigating the shoals of this as a kooky drama queen" and added that, "Shah, brings great feeling and complexity to the role of the wise, tolerant Shiv."[17]

Accolades

Anu Menon - Best Director at the London Asian Film Festival[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Waiting". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah to star in Waiting". Bollywood Hungama. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "Naseeruddin Shah Thrilled About His Next ‘Waiting’ With Kalki". Koimoi. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Bhaskaran, Gautaman (13 December 2015). "Naseeruddin-Kalki-starrer Waiting is a tragic, witty affair". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  5. ↑ Radhakrishnan, Manjusha (12 December 2015). "Diff 2015: Kalki Koechlin on her indie film ‘Waiting’". Gulf News. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  6. 1 2 Salian, Priti (9 December 2015). "Anu Menon’s new film Waiting explores the anatomy of grief". The National. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  7. ↑ Ravi Sharma (3 February 2016). "Naseeruddin Shah and Kalki Koechlin’s Waiting releasing on 29th April". BollywoodHelpline.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "Waiting". Ishka Films. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah's film 'Waiting' to premiere". Times of India. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  10. ↑ "Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah's film 'Waiting' to premiere in Dubai". Times of India. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  11. ↑ "LAFF 2016 Schedule Released". London Asian Film Festival. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "'Angry Indian Goddesses' & 26 other Indian films to be showcased at IFFLA". The Economic Times. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  13. ↑ Pathak, Ankur (22 April 2016). "The Trailer Of Kalki Koechlin-Naseeruddin Shah-Starrer 'Waiting' Is Making Us Impatient For The Film". The Huffington Post India. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  14. ↑ "Wait Almost Over With Kalki's 'Waiting' Trailer". The New Indian Express. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  15. 1 2 Chandel, Rajani (22 April 2016). "WATCH: Trailer of 'Waiting' will move you to tears". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  16. ↑ Halligan, Fionnuala (11 December 2015). "'Waiting': Review". Screen International. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  17. ↑ Young, Deborah (14 December 2015). "'Waiting': Dubai Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  18. ↑ Trivedi, Hiten (16 Mar 2016). "Anu Menon bags Best Director award for 'Waiting' at LAFF". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 April 2016.

External links

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