WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
"NYU has produced some amazing filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Ang Lee, Spike Lee, M. Night Shyamalan, among others. The industry has always kept an eye out for the award-winning directors and writers that showcase their talent here, and I think that Manish will definitely be someone who will get a lot of attention from the Hollywood powers-that-be. “LOINS OF PUNJAB PRESENTS” is an extremely-likable and funny movie, and I fully expect American audiences to embrace it, and catapult it into a major international hit."
- John Tintori, Chair of the Graduate Film Program, Tisch School of the Arts, NYU
"LOINS OF PUNJAB PRESENTS" was utter fun for my whole family, with clever writing and good cheer. The director, Manish Acharya, is a unique voice."
- Mira Nair, Director (Salaam Bombay, Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake)
“I really enjoyed working on this film—a very observant script, a talented cast, and an extremely-clever director. Manish Acharya is a walking-talking encyclopedia of films, and I predict that he will be one of our industry’s top directors. Watch out for him, and for this movie.”
- Shabana Azmi, Actor/Activist (Read bio)
"LOINS OF PUNJAB PRESENTS” is a joyous celebration of the Indian-American community and its love for music and competition. With a clever script, warm and likeable characters, who aren't caricatures, the film is well acted and a big success for first time filmmaker, Manish Acharya."
- Aseem Chhabra, Columnist/Writer (Publications include The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Time Out, etc.)
“LOINS OF PUNJAB PRESENTS” provides a hilarious insight into the competitive world of Indian singing competitions, and while Indian audiences will recognize or identify with some characters, non-Indian audiences will get a flavor of the music and the larger-than-life quality of this community. It was great to be part of a cast as eclectic and talented as this one.”
- Ayesha Dharker, Actor (Read bio)
LINKS TO NEWS ITEMS:
“Comedy ‘Loins Of Punjab Presents’ Wins Festival Award”
India-West, 18 May 2007
“A new English-language comedy set in the ego-driven world of money- and fame-chasing NRIs, “Loins of Punjab Presents,” was named Best Feature Film at the 65th annual First Run Film Festival in New York in April. … Early buzz about the film has been extremely positive …”
“A new English-language comedy set in the ego-driven world of money- and fame-chasing NRIs, “Loins of Punjab Presents,” was named Best Feature Film at the 65th annual First Run Film Festival in New York in April. … Early buzz about the film has been extremely positive …”
“Desi Idol in New Jersey”
Mumbai Mirror, 13 May 2007
“The idea of a desi singing contest emerged during regular meetings at a Starbucks coffee shop near Manhattan’s Union Square Park …”
“The idea of a desi singing contest emerged during regular meetings at a Starbucks coffee shop near Manhattan’s Union Square Park …”
Shabana-starrer wins prestigious honour in New York
Hindustan Times, 15 April 2007
“Shabana Azmi and awards have almost become synonymous. So it comes as no surprise that her new film, Loins Of Punjab Presents, has won the best feature film honour at the 2007 First Run Festival in New York.”
“Shabana Azmi and awards have almost become synonymous. So it comes as no surprise that her new film, Loins Of Punjab Presents, has won the best feature film honour at the 2007 First Run Festival in New York.”
‘Loins of Punjab’ tickles New York’s funny bone
DNA, 3 May 2007
“’I may be beaten up for saying it, but there is this notion that immigrant stories have to be very serious. The conversation can’t be very witty, intelligent or funny. I have been in many environments where Indians say very funny things which have great comic dramatic potential.”
“’I may be beaten up for saying it, but there is this notion that immigrant stories have to be very serious. The conversation can’t be very witty, intelligent or funny. I have been in many environments where Indians say very funny things which have great comic dramatic potential.”
In With the New at NYU
The Reeler, 10 April 2007
"I just happen to be someone who loves making features, and I think I am better at that than at making short films."
"I just happen to be someone who loves making features, and I think I am better at that than at making short films."
Indians in U.S. Find New Sideline: Bollywood Moguls
Wall Street Journal, 21 February 2007
“It's the story of a Bollywood-style singing contest, written in English and set in America. Most of the crew was professional, says Mr. Acharya. But "10% was incompetent -- and that was a nightmare."
“It's the story of a Bollywood-style singing contest, written in English and set in America. Most of the crew was professional, says Mr. Acharya. But "10% was incompetent -- and that was a nightmare."
Shabana’s chic new haircut
Mid-Day, 17 March 2006
“Manish is an insanely talented filmmaker.”
“Manish is an insanely talented filmmaker.”
Now for the next act
DNA, 4 March 2006
“Whatever the political underpinnings of The Contest.. that's the working title.. they are disguised under the garb of comedy. It's a clever script …”
“Whatever the political underpinnings of The Contest.. that's the working title.. they are disguised under the garb of comedy. It's a clever script …”
Life after ‘Sins’
DNA, 14 June 2006
“For Seema Rahmani, the actor from the controversial ‘Sins’ and ‘Banana Brothers’, the journey has just begun. Fortunately, there are some good projects in her kitty.”
“For Seema Rahmani, the actor from the controversial ‘Sins’ and ‘Banana Brothers’, the journey has just begun. Fortunately, there are some good projects in her kitty.”
Actress Extraordinaire
Deccan Herald, 4 Nov 2005
“The latter is about a group of people participating in Desi Idol contest. It’s very tongue-in-cheek.”
“The latter is about a group of people participating in Desi Idol contest. It’s very tongue-in-cheek.”
OTHER LINKS:
Blog: Ultrabrown
“It’s Wes Anderson-like in the loopiness, absurdity and lack of score, but moves faster — a bit more Tom Stoppard. … Loins of Punjab raises the bar for all subsequent films. Whether or not you end up liking the movie, it marks the end of the era where anyone takes badly-written first wave comedies seriously.”
“It’s Wes Anderson-like in the loopiness, absurdity and lack of score, but moves faster — a bit more Tom Stoppard. … Loins of Punjab raises the bar for all subsequent films. Whether or not you end up liking the movie, it marks the end of the era where anyone takes badly-written first wave comedies seriously.”
Blog: Tatvam
"One of the things I loved about the movie was the instant association. You feel you know some of these people. You start laughing from minute one because you know what they are going to say and it is just the perfect thing for them to say! "
"One of the things I loved about the movie was the instant association. You feel you know some of these people. You start laughing from minute one because you know what they are going to say and it is just the perfect thing for them to say! "
Blog: Passion For Cinema
" ... the best part of the movie lies in two small packages - Jameel Khan playing the role of Mr. Bokade, the event manager for the entire contest and the Pork Loins itself ... This character is enough to take the movie to a different orbit altogether."
" ... the best part of the movie lies in two small packages - Jameel Khan playing the role of Mr. Bokade, the event manager for the entire contest and the Pork Loins itself ... This character is enough to take the movie to a different orbit altogether."
Internet Movie Database (IMDB)
"The greater, and more lasting, joy of the film is the manner in which it springboards off the several dramas to comment on a range of contemporary obsessions. In a genre that is weighed down by cliché and triteness, this film stands out for being fresh, warm and, happily, the right length."
"The greater, and more lasting, joy of the film is the manner in which it springboards off the several dramas to comment on a range of contemporary obsessions. In a genre that is weighed down by cliché and triteness, this film stands out for being fresh, warm and, happily, the right length."