Ashok sends us this heads up via the Sepia Mutiny Tip Line (a red phone actually rings at our North Dakota headquarters). A new IMAX movie dealing with one boy’s spiritual journey across the landscapes of India is set to be released soon and boasts a cast of 45,000.

On June 29, 1792, Neelkanth begins his journey of awakening. Having resolved to embrace the challenges of nature, he leaves his home in the city of Ayodhya. Neelkanth walks alone into the cold stormy night, wearing nothing over his shoulders or under his feet, carrying nothing – no maps, no money, no food – except inner courage, confidence and a silent spiritual strength. At the Saryu River, he enters the cold, raging current. Neelkanth is swept away, leaving behind all that was familiar.

Neelkanth’s footprints begin to map the length and breadth of India – its dense jungles, fertile plains, majestic mountains, mighty rivers, and peaceful coastlines. Flourishing for more than 8,000 years, this land has been home to an ancient and highly advanced civilization. Neelkanth’s walk would last for 7 years, 12,000 kilometers, covering every corner of India.

I note with interest that the filmmakers have decided upon Ayodhya, which is at the center of all kinds of contemporary bloodshed, as the town where this young yogi comes from. Will the film try to be objective and promote unity, or will it stress the “Hinduness” of India instead of it’s diversity? The film is being produced by BAPS:

BAPS [Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha], an international NGO, has a rich experience of presenting Indian culture to over 55 million people worldwide through its 9 cultural festivals and 3 permanent exhibitions at Akshardham –Gandhinagar and Shri Swaminarayan Temple – London and Nairobi. As part of its continuing activities, In early 2001, BAPS decided to make a film that would show the true wealth of India – its culture, its heritage and its wisdom. To make the film more interesting and take the audience into it with a story, it was decided to present India through a unique inspiring person – Neelkanth. This would give the opportunity to present a docu-drama rather than a documentary.

As all IMAX movies, this one promises to be visually stunning. A preview of the film can be viewed here (although the link seems to be temporarily down).

Rediff.com is reporting today that film distributor Miramax has postponed the U.S. release of Gurinder Chadha’s "Bride and Prejudice."

The film is now scheduled to open during the second week of February, moving from its original release date on Christmas. The change is bad news for the film, because it essentially pulls it out of contention for most major awards.

On the bright side of things, the postponement offers potential viewers an extra couple of months to read the film’s source material, Jane Austen’s "Pride and Prejudice." For some of us, it provides an extra two months to think about maybe buying the Cliff Notes, but eventually relenting to a similarly-priced bottle of Thunderbird.

Rediff.com: Bride and Prejudice’s U.S. Release Postponed
Sepia Mutiny: The New York Times on Bride and Prejudice

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American actors in Bollywood find it famously disorganized and star-centric (the Brit actors in Lagaan complained bitterly):

[T]he industry is chaotic, in part due to film-makers being secretive about films and where they are shooting, in order to avoid others stealing their ideas. There are no call sheets, no shooting schedules and no shooting scripts. Crew are rung up the night before. In India labour is cheap, but there is a lack of organization; it is the biggest organized chaos in the world.

American actors in Japan think it’s spookily efficient and down-to-earth:

Shimizu looked at us, smiled and said, ‘Okay.’… Then I turn around and notice that the camera tracker’s already moved, the camera has shifted and everyone was already in place. It was the most efficient crew I have ever worked with.”… “For actors, the American film system is medieval. You’re either working and coddled or unemployed and ignored. But in Japan actors are just another member of the crew…”

But there are a couple of things both cultures agree on, the muharrat…

“In Japan, there is always a purification ceremony to ensure safety of the filming and the crew,” says Ichise. “We also pray for the success of the film…”

… and the shoes:

“There’s something wonderful about everyone paying their respects on the set by taking their shoes off when they enter,” observes [Sarah Michelle] Gellar.

‘Mera joota hai Japani, phir bhi dil hai Hindustani.’