I Am (2010 Indian film) explained

I Am
Director:Onir
Screenplay:Onir
Urmi Juvekar
Merle Kroeger
Story:Onir
Urmi Juvekar
Merle Kroeger
Producer:Sanjay Suri
Onir
Rajesh Kumar Jain (Co Producer)[1]
Starring:Juhi Chawla
Manisha Koirala
Rahul Bose
Nandita Das
Arjun Mathur
Pooja gandhi
Sanjay Suri
Anurag kashyap
Purab Kohli
Shernaz Patel
Radhika Apte
Manav Kaul
Abhimanyu Singh
Cinematography:Arvind Kannabiran
Editing:Onir
Irene Dhar Malik
Music:Amit Trivedi
Vivek Phillip
Rajiv Bhalla
Distributor:Anticlock Films
Runtime:110 minutes
Country:India
Language:Hindi
Budget:1.75 crore[2]
Gross:67 lakh

I Am is a 2010 Indian Hindi-language anthology film by Onir. It consists of four short films: "Omar", "Afia", "Abhimanyu", and "Megha". Each film shares the common theme of fear, and is based on real-life stories. The film was financed by donations from more than 400 different people worldwide,[3] many of whom donated through social networking sites like Facebook.[4] There are four stories but the characters are interwoven with each story. "Abhimanyu" is based on child abuse, "Omar" on gay rights, "Megha" is about Kashmiri Pandits and "Afia" deals with sperm donation. I Am was released with subtitles in all regions as six different languages are spoken in the film: Hindi, English, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali and Kashmiri.[5] [6]

Plot

Each film shares the common theme of fear, and each film is based on real-life stories. They are -

Cast

Afia

Megha

Abhimanyu

Omar

Production

Onir first developed an idea for a short film while in Berlin, Germany. He later decided to make four shorts as he had too many ideas to fit into only one film.[14] "Abhinmanyu" was originally written as a full-length film starring Karisma Kapoor in her comeback, but after she pulled out Onir changed the main character to a male and turned it into a short film.[15] The shorts were shot on location in Srinagar ("Megha"), Mumbai ("Omar"), Bangalore ("Abhimanyu") and Kolkata ("Afia"). The "Afia" segment was originally intended to explore corruption in NGOs, but Onir decided to focus on sperm donation instead. During location shooting in Srinagar for the "Megha" segment, the crew was attacked by rocks and received terror threats and had to shift to Karan Nagar. Onir returned later under the guise of a documentary filmmaker to capture additional footage.[16]

Sponsorships through social media

Onir raised financing from not only the film's stars, but also from members of the general public from around the world. Using Twitter and Facebook, Onir offered backers co-production credit in the film and a share in the profits. People who donated more than Rs. 100,000 became co-producers with a share in profits while those who contributed less than Rs. 100,000 received a mention in the credits. People have sent their contributions from Austria, the US, Nigeria and Australia.[17] I Am is the first mainstream Hindi film that is crowd-sourced through social networking sites. Over 400 people from 45 cities across the world made this film happen by volunteering or contributing financially.[12]

Celebrity contribution

Many of the participants in the film worked for free; Juhi Chawla, Manisha Koirala and Anurag Kashyap did not draw salaries and Manish Malhotra designed the film's costumes for free.[18] Fashion designers like Manish Arora and Aki Narula have made costumes available for free, while actors and his friends Juhi Chawla and Sanjay Suri, and director Anurag Kashyap have supported him with ideas.[17] Juhi Chawla and Purab Kohli also financially contributed to the stories in the movie.[19]

Release

I Am had its world premiere at the I View Film Festival in New York City. It screened at several other film festivals like the International Film Festival of Kerala and the Vancouver International Film Festival.[20] [21] I Am was originally scheduled for theatrical release in India and Australia on 22 April 2011, but Onir changed it to 29 April.[22] To promote the release of the film, Onir has started a script writing contest where the authors of the 10 best scripts will win a meeting with him to pitch their screenplays.[23] [24] I Am will have a staggered release internationally beginning in New Zealand, and then moving to the US, Canada and Europe.[25]

Home media

The DVD of I Am released on 31 May.

Reception

Critical response

I Am received mainly positive reviews from critics. The Times of India called it "an important and intelligent film"[26] and The Film Street Journal named it "a must watch".[27] Taran Adarsh gave the film three and a half stars and named it "a motion picture of major significance" and "a landmark film".[28] Rajeev Masand praised I Am for "fine performances and its inherent honesty". Critics particularly praised Abhimanyu Singh and Nandita Das for their performances.[29] [30] [31] On the other hand, Shilpa Jamkhandikar of Reuters called I Am "painfully rehearsed" and "oversimplified".[32]

Box office

In its opening weekend I Am released on 67 screens in India and 7 in Australia, but failed to make an impact at the box office.[33] It was fourth in overall weekend collections, ranking ahead of only Zokkomon. The Times of India blamed the poor collections on the film's depiction of social issues, saying it was "restricted only to discerning audience".[34]

Soundtrack

I Am
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Amit Trivedi, Rajiv Bhalla, Vivek Phillip
Released:8 April 2011
Genre:Film soundtrack
Length:39:31
Label:Sony Music

The soundtrack for I Am was released on 8 April 2011 on Sony Music. The songs are composed by Amit Trivedi, Rajiv Bhalla and Vivek Phillip with lyrics by Amitabh Verma and Amitabh Bhattacharya.

Accolades

In 2012 I Am won the National Award for Best Hindi Film and Best Lyrics.[35] The scripts for "Abhimanyu" and "Omar"[36] were nominated for Triangle Media Group (TMG) Global Awards.[37] I Am also won the Audience Award at the 2010 River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival, the Best Asian Film Award at the International Film Festival of Kerala,[38] and the I-VIEW Film Festival's Engendered Award for Human Rights.

YearAward
2010NETPAC Award for the Best in Asian Cinema at the International Film Festival of Kerala
2010Special Mention by the International Jury at the International Film Festival of Kerala
2010The Engendered Award for Human Rights at the IView Film Festival
2010Audience Choice Award for Best Film at the River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival[39]
2010Sanjay Suri and Onir, Media for Social Justice Award at the Biennial Global Awards
2011Best Film Award at the London Asian Film Festival[40]
2011Juhi Chawla, Best Actress Award at the London Asian Film Festival[41]
2011Best Narrative Feature Film at the Kashish-Mumbai Queer Film Festival[42]
2011Onir, Best Director Award at Dainik Jagran Film Festival, New Delhi[43]
2012Onir, Best Director Award at IRDS Film awards for social concern[44]
2012Filmfare Best Supporting Actress-Juhi Chawla-Nominated
2012Asiavision Movie Awards-Juhi Chawla-Excellence in Hindi Cinema Award[45]
2012Asiavision Movie Awards-Onir-Excellence in Hindi Cinema-Creative
Official Selection
YearFilm Festival
2010Winner of I-View 2010s Engendered Award for Outstanding Contribution (Opening Film)
2010Vancouver International Film Festival (Canadian Premiere)
2010International Film Festival of Kerala
2010Hamburg QIFF
2010River to River Film Festival, Florence (Audience Choice Award, Best Film)
2010Chennai International Film Festival
2010Guggenheim Berlin
2011Kandy International Film Festival, Sri Lanka
2011Durban International Film Festival
2011Human Rights Film Festival, Syracuse, New York
I Am has also been opening or a closing film for the following festivals

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EPCH elects leading exporter and film producer Rajesh Kumar Jain as its Vice-Chairman . 10 November 2014 . . 4 June 2016 . 7 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160607075634/http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/print/news-sector-textile/epch-elects-leading-exporter-and-film-producer-rajesh-kumar-jain-as-its-vice-chairman-114111000102_1.html . live .
  2. Web site: I Am – Movie. Box Office India. 24 June 2022. 24 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220624224715/https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=962. live.
  3. Web site: Believe it or not, 600 co-producers for a film!. https://web.archive.org/web/20100622072431/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/believe-it-or-not-600-coproducers-for-a-film/124833-8-66.html?from=rhs . dead . 22 June 2010 . 19 June 2010 . CNN-IBN . Mehul Satish Thakkar.
  4. Web site: Onir raises funds through Facebook . 5 August 2010 . . Manali Shah . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110119020347/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Onir-raises-funds-through-Facebook/Article1-540900.aspx . 19 January 2011.
  5. Web site: Adarsh, Taran. Reasons why 'I Am' will be released with sub-titles in India. 15 March 2011. Bollywood Hungama.com. 4 April 2011. 2 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201202210355/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/award/filmfare-award/2011-2/. live.
  6. News: Independent filmmakers are wiped out in India: Onir. 5 April 2011. NDTV. 27 November 2010. Press Trust of India. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101128163933/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=ENTEN20100161394&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA. 28 November 2010.
  7. News: Onir in search of a fertility clinic . https://web.archive.org/web/20110811051308/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-06/news-interviews/28140384_1_sperm-donor-short-film-kolkata . dead . 11 August 2011 . 2 June 2010 . The Times of India.
  8. Web site: 'I Am Megha' is about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits: Juhi . 20 December 2009 . . 12 March 2011 . 4 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175706/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/i-am-megha-is-about-the-plight-of-kashmiri-pandits-juhi/ . live .
  9. News: Kumar. Sunaina. I Am, India's first truly indie film, gets ready for the Friday test. 8 April 2011. Tehelka. 2 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120919180654/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main49.asp?filename=Ws020411FILM.asp. 19 September 2012. dead.
  10. News: Therefore, 'I am' . 19 December 2010 . . Chennai, India . Chithira . Vijaykumar . 12 March 2011 . 23 December 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101223061632/http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article961085.ece . live .
  11. News: Mithai. Kamini. New film to open dialogue on taboo issue. https://web.archive.org/web/20120503102956/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-19/chennai/28216432_1_tulir-child-sexual-abuse-vidya-reddy. dead. 3 May 2012. 8 April 2011. The Times of India. 19 November 2010.
  12. Web site: I Am . 3 November 2011 . . 12 March 2011 . 4 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175614/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/i-am/ . live .
  13. Web site: Mira Nair impressed with I Am . 22 June 2010 . . 12 March 2011 . 8 February 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110208020840/http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/jun/220610-mira-nair-i-am.htm . live .
  14. Web site: Onir: I will expose nexus between male prostitution and cops. Yahoo! Movies. 4 April 2011. 28 October 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091028160618/http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail.html?news_id=53828. live.
  15. News: Singh. Mauli. Sanjay Suri replaced Lolo in I Am. 18 April 2011. Mid-Day. 16 April 2011. 20 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110420222330/http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2011/apr/160411-Karisma-Kapoor-You-And-I-Sanjay-Suri-child-abuse-Onir.htm. live.
  16. News: Onir's I AM team receives terror threats in Srinagar. 22 March 2010. Business of Cinema.com. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111107180205/http://businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=17953. 7 November 2011.
  17. Web site: A slice of the pie . Pallavi Jassi . 13 September 2009 . . 11 December 2009 . 4 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175615/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/a-slice-of-the-pie/ . live .
  18. Web site: To each their own sexuality, says Manish Malhotra . Soumyadipta Banerjee . 17 August 2009 . . 11 December 2009 . 21 August 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090821000743/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_to-each-their-own-sexuality-says-manish-malhotra_1283141 . live .
  19. Web site: Juhi & Purab are acting as well as funding my film: Onir . 7 June 2009 . The Indian Express.
  20. News: Top prize for Colombian film. https://web.archive.org/web/20110320021838/http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/18/stories/2010121862590400.htm. dead. 20 March 2011. 18 April 2011. 18 December 2010. The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  21. News: FB Status: Need money, making my film. 18 April 2011. The Economic Times. 12 December 2010. 3 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120403025217/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-12-12/news/27620300_1_film-festivals-independent-filmmakers-onir. live.
  22. News: Onir postpones 'I AM' release to April 29 . 8 April 2011 . The Times of India.
  23. News: Want to be a scriptwriter? Here's how!. 18 April 2011. Rediff. 18 April 2011. 21 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110421034346/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-write-your-script-and-send-it-to-director-onir/20110418.htm. live.
  24. News: Onir's 'I am' to release with English sub-titles. 18 April 2011. The Indian Express. 2 March 2011. 3 March 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110303034836/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/onirs-i-am-to-release-with-english-subtitles/756787/. live.
  25. News: Tuteja. Joginder. Inspired by MNIK, now I AM also plans global release. Bollywood Hungama. 4 May 2011.
  26. News: Malani. Gaurav. I AM: Movie Review. https://web.archive.org/web/20121105091208/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-29/news-interviews/29486775_1_manisha-koirala-ancestral-property-purab-kohli. dead. 5 November 2012. 2 May 2011. The Times of India. 29 April 2011.
  27. News: Review of I Am . 2 May 2011 . Film Street Journal . 29 April 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110502082425/http://www.thefilmstreetjournal.com/2011/04/review-of-i-am/ . 2 May 2011.
  28. News: Adarsh. Taran. I Am. https://web.archive.org/web/20090522090308/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/14128/index.html. dead. 22 May 2009. 2 May 2011. Bollywood Hungama. 29 April 2011.
  29. News: Masand. Rajeev. Masand: 'I Am' is an honest film. https://web.archive.org/web/20110501132028/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masand-i-am-is-an-honest-film/150786-47-84.html. dead. 1 May 2011. 2 May 2011. CNN-IBN. 30 April 2011.
  30. News: Guha. Aniruddha. I AM is a small film with a big heart. 2 May 2011. DNA. 28 April 2011. 3 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121003024600/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review_i-am-is-a-small-film-with-a-big-heart_1536829. live.
  31. News: Gupta. Shubhra. I Am. 2 May 2011. The Indian Express. 29 April 2011. 4 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110504071241/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/i-am/783511/0. live.
  32. News: Jamkhandikar. Shilpa. I Am: Intentions good, not execution. https://web.archive.org/web/20110503075304/http://blogs.reuters.com/indiamasala/2011/04/29/i-am-intentions-good-execution-not-so-good/. dead. 3 May 2011. 2 May 2011. Reuters India. 28 April 2011.
  33. News: Adesara. Hetal. Box Office: Six Hindi movies fail to make an impact. 2 May 2011. Business of Cinema. 2 May 2011. 5 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110505061241/http://businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=18238. live.
  34. News: 6 releases, 2 below average, 4 flops. https://web.archive.org/web/20121105091216/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-03/box-office/29498596_1_horror-films-box-office-prominent-releases. dead. 5 November 2012. 3 May 2011. The Times of India. 3 May 2011.
  35. News: Vidya Balan wins National Award for 'The Dirty Picture'. https://web.archive.org/web/20130430015945/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-07/news-interviews/31131831_1_lyrics-award-chillar-party-nitesh-tiwari . dead . The Times of India. 2013-04-30 .
  36. Web site: Onir's next ventures into issues of gay sex, child abuse. 8 December 2009. The Indian Express. 11 December 2009. 4 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180620/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/onirs-next-ventures-into-issues-of-gay-sex-child-abuse/. live.
  37. Web site: Rahman, Onir bags TMG Global Award Nominations . 19 May 2009 . . 11 December 2009 . 20 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121020072926/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/news/2009/onir-rahman-tmg-nominations-190509.html . dead .
  38. News: Rahul Wows Florence. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104053418/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-15/news-interviews/28257454_1_florence-film-rahul-bose-audience-award . dead . 4 November 2012 . The Times of India. 15 December 2010.
  39. News: Rahul wows Florence - Times of India. The Times of India. 2018-05-11. 11 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180511160245/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Rahul-wows-Florence/articleshow/7098733.cms?referral=PM. live.
  40. Web site: Onir, Juhi felicitated - Hindustan Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20110407023333/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Onir-Juhi-felicitated/Article1-681106.aspx. dead. 2011-04-07. 2011-04-07. 2018-05-11.
  41. Web site: News18.com: CNN-News18 Breaking News India, Latest News, Current News Headlines. https://web.archive.org/web/20110410082325/http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/onirs-i-am-awarded-best-film-in-london-asian-film-festival/636307.html. dead. 2011-04-10. News18. en-US. 2018-05-11.
  42. Web site: I Am wins Best Narrative Feature at Kashish Film Festival . NewsDesk . May 30, 2011 . IMDB . February 27, 2021 . 13 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230413205051/https://www.imdb.com/news/ni11160533 . live .
  43. News: Accolades galore for Jagran Film Festival on concluding day. Jagran Post. 2018-05-11. 30 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121030084028/http://post.jagran.com/Accolades-galore-for-Jagran-Film-Festival-on-concluding-day-1316975472. live.
  44. Web site: IRDS Awards: Vidya Balan wins best actress for THE DIRTY PICTURE. Glamsham. en. 2018-05-11. 21 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120221203429/http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/12/jan/16-irds-awards-vidya-balan-wins-best-actress-for-the-dirty-picture-011208.asp. live.
  45. Web site: Latest news, comments and reviews from The Gulf Today gulftoday.ae. gulftoday.ae. 2018-05-11. 10 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121110024028/http://gulftoday.ae/portal/f3754c79-d7b7-4b23-84ba-efe67894c301.aspx. dead.

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