Newton (film)
| Newton | |
|---|---|
| The poster features Rajkumar rao Theatrical release Poster | |
| Directed by | Amit V Masurkar |
| Written by | Amit V Masurkar |
| Screenplay by | Amit V Masurkar Mayank Tewari |
| Produced by | Manish Mundra |
| Starring | Rajkummar Rao Pankaj Tripathi Anjali Patil Raghubir Yadav |
| Cinematography | Swapnil Sonawane |
| Edited by | Shweta Venkat Mathew |
| Music by | Naren Chandavarkar & Benedict Taylor |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Eros International |
Release date |
|
Running time | 106 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Box office | ₹8.2 crore[1] |
Newton is a 2017 Indian Hindi black comedy film directed by Amit V Masurkar.[2][3] Produced by Drishyam Films, the film is Masurkar’s second feature after his debut film,[4] the slacker comedy independent film Sulemani Keeda in 2013.[5] Newton had its world premiere in the Forum section of the 67th Berlin International Film Festival, and is set to have its North American premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival where it screens in the International Narrative Competition section. It was selected as the Indian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards.[6]
Plot
Newton Kumar, a rookie government clerk is sent on election duty to a naxal-controlled town in the conflict-ridden jungles of Chhattisgarh, India. Faced with the apathy of security forces and the looming fear of guerrilla attacks by communist rebels, he tries his best to conduct free and fair voting despite the odds stacked against him. He is disappointed when the voters do not turn up for the election. Later when a foreign reporter turns up at the polling station the security forces force the villagers from the constituency to turn up to cast their votes. Soon Newton realizes that they have no idea what the election is about. He desperately tries to educate them but the security head pushes him aside and tells villagers that voting machine is a toy. The foreign reporter gets a good news report about India's democracy Newton wants to sit at the polling booth for the stipulated time but is forced to flee due to a naxal attack which he realises later was staged by the police. On the way back he decides to collect votes of three villagers who suddenly turn up from nowhere inside the forest from which the security forces are escorting Newton back. The chief of security is reluctant to let them do so. Taking his duty very seriously, Newton steals his gun and points it on the chief of forces till the villagers cast their votes. He even keeps him at gunpoint after their voting for the remaining two minutes of his official duty. The security forces then beat him up out of frustration. The movie concludes with Newton who is shown in his office keeping up with his old ways before a visit by the local election officer Malko and they agree to have tea.
Cast
- Rajkummar Rao as Newton Kumar
- Pankaj Tripathi as Aatma Singh
- Anjali Patil as Malko
- Raghubhir Yadav as Loknath
- Sanjay Mishra (Special Appearance)
- Mukesh Prajapati as Shambhu
- Krishna Singh Bisht as Krishna
- Mayank Tewari as Journalist (Cameo)
Crew
- Swapnil Sonawane - cinematography
- Naren Chandavarkar & Benedict Taylor (musician) - Music Directors
- Shweta Venkat Mathew - Editing
Soundtrack
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Chal Tu Apna Kaam Kar" | Irshad Kamil | Rachita Arora | Amit Trivedi | 3:51 |
| 2. | "Chal Tu Apna Kaam Kar - Version 2" | Irshad Kamil | Rachita Arora | Raghubir Yadav | 3:34 |
Reception
Newton received a warm response at its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.[7] It also won the CICAE Award for best film in the Forum Section. The Huffington Post wrote "Newton is a touching, personal and very human film about the strength of one very resolute rookie election clerk to uphold the democratic process in a rebel-threatened area."[8] The movie is also India's official entry for the 90th Academy Awards which will take place on 4 March 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.[9][10] Newton is the first Indian film to to receive a grant of Rs 1 crore from the Central Government.[11]
Release
Newton released in 350 screens in India on 22 September 2017.[12][13]
[14]== Controversy == After the film's release, and to its entry into Oscars, Newton was criticized for its striking similarities with an Iranian movie Secret Ballot. Though in defense Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has voiced his support to the team of Newton stating "Newton is as much a copy of Secret Ballot as The Avengers is of Watan Ke Rakhwale".[15]
Producer and director of Secret Ballot further clarified that the film is not a copy of their film. Anurag Kashyap started an online chat with Marco Müller, the producer of the film and he stated "There's not even a hint of plagiarism" Kashyap then asked for his permission and shared an Screenshot of the conversation on his FB account. Later on, the director of the Iranian film stated in an online interview "I saw the film and there is no sign of plagiarism. These are completely different films,” said the Iranian director Babak Payami [16]
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Berlin International Film Festival | International Federation of Art Cinemas (CICAE) award[17] | Won |
| 2017 | Hong Kong International Film Festival | Best Film[18] | Won |
See also
- List of submissions to the 90th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
References
- ^ "Monday Update - Newton Gains On Monday". Box Office India. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- ^ "'Newton': Berlin Review". Retrieved 4 April 2017.
- ^ Huffington Post
- ^ "Newton movie review: Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Anjali Patil shine in a dazzlingly low-key dramedy".
- ^ "Deccan Chronicle". http://www.deccanchronicle.com/. 12 February 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help); External link in|work= - ^ "'Newton' is India's official entry to Oscars 2018". Times of India. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ "Rajkummar Rao-starrer Newton wins Art Cinema honour at Berlinale". Retrieved 4 April 2017.
- ^ "Huffington Post India". Huffington Post India. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/rajkummar-rao-s-newton-selected-as-india-s-official-entry-to-the-oscars/story-sKAJdo1dUi7GL4kQTjTfoK.html
- ^ "Is Newton Plagiarised From Iranian Film Secret Ballot?". Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- ^ "India's Oscar entry 'Newton' to get Rs 1 crore grant from Centre".
- ^ http://aajtak.intoday.in/story/rajkumar-rao-newton-nominated-for-oscar-releases-tmov-1-953949.html
- ^ http://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=3265
- ^ "'Newton' is different from 'Secret Ballot', confirms Iranian director". Gulf_News. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- ^ "Hrithik Signs A Biopic, Newton's Controversy: Top 5 Stories From Entertainment". HotFridayTalks. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- ^ "No specific stylistic, structural similarities between Newton, Secret Ballot: Director Babak Payami - Cinestaan.com". www.cinestaan.com. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- ^ "Berlinale 2017: Rajkummar Rao's Newton wins big at the film festival". Firstpost. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood (24 April 2017). "Rajkummar Rao's Newton wins 'Best Film' award at Hong Kong International Film Festival - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
External links
