| Directed by | Kranti Kanade |
|---|---|
| Written by | Kranti Kanade Kedar Dharwadkar |
| Produced by | Children's Film Society, India |
| Starring | Shreya Sharma Madan Deodhar Anuya Bhagwat Lalan Sarang Anuja Borkar Dhiresh Joshi |
| Cinematography | Mrinal Desai |
| Edited by | Suchitra Sathe |
| Music by | Mathieu Lamboley
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi English
|
Mahek is an Indian children's film by writer-director Kranti Kanade.
Synopsis
It's about 11-yr old dreamer Mahek who wants to be the best at everything, but is unsure of how to achieve her goals.
Production
Development
The film was produced by the Children's Film Society of India (CFSI).
Crew
Legendary artist and cartoonist Mario Miranda did the illustrations for the film. The crew was FTII alumnus who subsequently did notable work. Mrinal Desai, the DOP, was the second unit director of photography on 'Slumdog Millionaire' and later shot universally acclaimed film 'Court'. Editor Suchitra Sathe and Sound designer Anmol Bhave worked on National Award-winning films.
Release
It premiered at the BFI London Film Festival to affectionate reviews. Invited to over twenty International film festivals including Chicago, Munich, Toronto, St Louis and Cleveland, it won awards in Hollywood and Houston. It was Best Children's film nominee at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Australia and was shown as part of "Modern India" studies syllabus at the Otterbein University.[1]
Reviews
This film received positive with British Film Institute terming it as "An inspiring family film from India". The Sprockets Toronto Film Festival noted that "The film celebrates imagination, self-confidence and perseverance." One of India's most respected critics Maithili Rao, in the Frontline (magazine) said that the film was "A rare combination of sensitivity and gentle humour".[2] Similarly, Rachel Dwyer, University of London termed the film as "Totally delightful". Cleveland Film Festival, USA noted it a "Gem of a film". St.Louis Film Festival, USA described Mahek as a "Beautifully filmed with a nice eye for color and very funny", whereas the Syracuse New Times, New York applauded that the film "Certainly matches Truffaut’s cinematic spirit."
Mahek has been included in the curriculum of Otterbein College, one of the oldest universities in the US.[3][4]
- Outlook - A new filmmaker on the horizon[5]
- Indian Express - Imagery of childhood[6]
- Mahek's first screening in India[7]
- Interview with Kranti Kanade[8]
- Indian children's film win accolades in Houston[9]
References
- ↑ अमेरिकी यूनिवर्सिटी के सिलेबस में भारतीय फिल्म. Navbharat Times(28 May 2008).
- ↑ Reality and dreams. Frontline, Hindustan Times(25 October 2008).
- ↑ Cinematic Kranti!. Business Line(6 June 2008).
- ↑ A philosopher and a film-maker. Hindustan Times(28 June 2008).
- ↑ A new film-maker on the horizon. Outlookindia.com(6 July 2008).
- ↑ Imagery of childhood. The Indian Express(30 April 2008).
- ↑ The fragrance spreads. The Indian Express(24 October 2008).
- ↑ Interview with Kranti Kanade - Director of Mahek. Navtarangam(23 May 2008).
- ↑ Indian children's films win accolades in Houston. Indiantelevision.com(25 April 2008).