'Curry Munchers' on the move
October 19 2009
The term “Curry Munchers” takes a whole new meaning with the making of a movie of the same name in Auckland.
Shooting for Curry Munchers gets underway in New Delhi at the end of the month by the makers, Mahayana Films, and the majority of the movie is expected to be shot in Auckland.
Mahayana Films is a joint venture between up-and-coming Auckland actor Anand Naidu and Auckland director Amarbir Singh, who is best known for his award winning movie 1 Nite (2005) which was shot entirely on K’Rd.
Curry Munchers is being directed by Cristobal Araus Lobos, an award winning director for Best Digital feature in 2001 for The Waiting Place.
Naidu, who also plays the lead role in the movie, said they settled on the name “Curry Munchers” to try and remove the racial and derogatory connotation it has been associated with in the past.
“We are giving it a positive vibe,” Naidu told Indian Weekender.
Naidu said they are putting all their resources together to come up with a classy product which will be enjoyed by all.
"We didn't want to do just a cheap product," he said.
Naidu is expecting shooting to finish by February, and another two months for editing, and another few months for test screenings before release proper in September / October next year.
Fiji-born Naidu plays the lead character (Prabhakar) in the movie which includes a stellar local cast including Leela Patel and Ajay Vashist of Shortland Street fame, and Tarun Mohanbhai (That Indian Guy).
And talks are underway to rope in a veteran Bollywood actor to play Prabkakar’s father, said Naidu who in real life is an Auckland financial executive. His mum is played by Leela Patel.
Aucklander Alison Titulaer (Mary) plays the lead opposite Naidu. Titulaer is a trained actress who has featured in several episodes of Shortland Street, and had a lead role in the TV drama Dreams of Death.
Set in Auckland, Curry Munchers is about the experiences and aspirations of an NRI man, Prabhakar, who wants to discover his happiness and in the process has to question his love for his family versus his own dreams – and also has to deal with the concept of displacement and with the culture shock of migration to a new country.
It’s being touted as a lighthearted comedy/drama (a la Bend It Like Beckham) that uses food, cultural masala and a fusion of New Zealand / Indian music and dance to deliver its message.
Prabhakar takes up a part-time job in a local Indian restaurant (Khazana) without the knowledge of his parents, while still continuing his engineering studies as expected by his parents.
He finds himself being more passionate about making food than being an engineer, and spends more time in the restaurant with his new found friends, especially a local girl named Mary.
Mary and Prabhakar connect despite cultural differences as they are both displaced individuals in conditions that are alien to them.
But, they find that life is not a bed of roses, and they have to overcome many obstacles that lead to self discovery.
Other cast include Alvin Maharaj (Sheik) of the Midnight on State Highway 01 fame, and Gagan Kaur (Geeta) who renowned dancer who recently won her first major role in a movie (After the Waterfall).
The Crew: Cristobal Araus Lobos, director; Padma Akula, first AD; Karl Schodt, director of Photography; Ruth Wynne, production designer; Ande Schur, head of sound; Amarbir Singh, Producer/ creative director; and Rajendran Naidu, general manager.
Mahayana Films has completed several major projects and has has several more lined up including Kiwi films Mirror and One Plus One.
The term “Curry Munchers” takes a whole new meaning with the making of a movie of the same name in Auckland.
Shooting for Curry Munchers gets underway in New Delhi at the end of the month by the makers, Mahayana Films, and the majority of the movie is expected to be shot in Auckland.
...
The term “Curry Munchers” takes a whole new meaning with the making of a movie of the same name in Auckland.
Shooting for Curry Munchers gets underway in New Delhi at the end of the month by the makers, Mahayana Films, and the majority of the movie is expected to be shot in Auckland.
Mahayana Films is a joint venture between up-and-coming Auckland actor Anand Naidu and Auckland director Amarbir Singh, who is best known for his award winning movie 1 Nite (2005) which was shot entirely on K’Rd.
Curry Munchers is being directed by Cristobal Araus Lobos, an award winning director for Best Digital feature in 2001 for The Waiting Place.
Naidu, who also plays the lead role in the movie, said they settled on the name “Curry Munchers” to try and remove the racial and derogatory connotation it has been associated with in the past.
“We are giving it a positive vibe,” Naidu told Indian Weekender.
Naidu said they are putting all their resources together to come up with a classy product which will be enjoyed by all.
"We didn't want to do just a cheap product," he said.
Naidu is expecting shooting to finish by February, and another two months for editing, and another few months for test screenings before release proper in September / October next year.
Fiji-born Naidu plays the lead character (Prabhakar) in the movie which includes a stellar local cast including Leela Patel and Ajay Vashist of Shortland Street fame, and Tarun Mohanbhai (That Indian Guy).
And talks are underway to rope in a veteran Bollywood actor to play Prabkakar’s father, said Naidu who in real life is an Auckland financial executive. His mum is played by Leela Patel.
Aucklander Alison Titulaer (Mary) plays the lead opposite Naidu. Titulaer is a trained actress who has featured in several episodes of Shortland Street, and had a lead role in the TV drama Dreams of Death.
Set in Auckland, Curry Munchers is about the experiences and aspirations of an NRI man, Prabhakar, who wants to discover his happiness and in the process has to question his love for his family versus his own dreams – and also has to deal with the concept of displacement and with the culture shock of migration to a new country.
It’s being touted as a lighthearted comedy/drama (a la Bend It Like Beckham) that uses food, cultural masala and a fusion of New Zealand / Indian music and dance to deliver its message.
Prabhakar takes up a part-time job in a local Indian restaurant (Khazana) without the knowledge of his parents, while still continuing his engineering studies as expected by his parents.
He finds himself being more passionate about making food than being an engineer, and spends more time in the restaurant with his new found friends, especially a local girl named Mary.
Mary and Prabhakar connect despite cultural differences as they are both displaced individuals in conditions that are alien to them.
But, they find that life is not a bed of roses, and they have to overcome many obstacles that lead to self discovery.
Other cast include Alvin Maharaj (Sheik) of the Midnight on State Highway 01 fame, and Gagan Kaur (Geeta) who renowned dancer who recently won her first major role in a movie (After the Waterfall).
The Crew: Cristobal Araus Lobos, director; Padma Akula, first AD; Karl Schodt, director of Photography; Ruth Wynne, production designer; Ande Schur, head of sound; Amarbir Singh, Producer/ creative director; and Rajendran Naidu, general manager.
Mahayana Films has completed several major projects and has has several more lined up including Kiwi films Mirror and One Plus One.
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