MUMBAI: UTV’s co-production, Harishchandrachi Factory is now India’s official entry for the 82nd Academy Awards. The film has been co-produced with Paprika Media and Mayasabha Production. UTV has recently kicked off its campaign for the Academy Awards, which will include a targeted and aggressive media burst and extensive screenings in Los Angeles in October and November.
Harishchandrachi Factory, written and directed by Paresh Mokashi, is an account of the incredible journey undertaken by Dadasaheb Phalke to make India’s very first motion picture, Raja Harishchandra. This is a film about Phalke and tells the wonderful story of a man whose passion for movie-making turns his life, and the lives of all those around him, into an adventure.
UTV Motion Pictures CEO Siddharth Roy Kapur said "Over the years, movies that have received recognition by the Academy have been those with unusual themes and uplifting stories of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. With a tight running time of a little over 90 mins, HCF has the ability to reach out to international audiences in a grammar of film-making they are conversant with. We will go all out to ensure that it gets the best chance possible to do India proud."
UTV Motion Pictures chief creative officer Vikas Bahl said, "HCF has all the hallmarks of those very few special films that can cut across barriers to touch a chord amongst audiences, regardless of cultural background or language. We are proud to be bringing worldwide audiences a film that tells the story of the birth of film making in India – the world’s most prolific film producing nation."
According to Mokashi, What better than to have ones debut film about the making of Indias debut film. My search for the subject of my film was over when I first read the adventures of Dadasaheb Phalke in trying to make his first film. It was a story that was full of hope, inspired awe and optimism, and Ive tried to bring these elements alive in the film. Selection to Oscars is a very sweet surprise and now Im hoping for the best. And Im really glad to have the support of UTV and Paprika Media in this venture
Paprika Media Pvt. Ltd. founder & chairperson Smiti Kanodia said, After hearing Pareshs narration of the script, we were totally gung-ho about co-producing such a splendid portrayal of Dadasaheb Phalke in Harishchandrachi Factory. This movie effortlessly captures the essence of his character, showcasing some of the finest performances given by the actors, the music composer and those behind the camera, making it complete Oscar material!
UTV will also be entering the film for the Golden Globes and BAFTA awards this year.
