BLACK FRIDAY-Finally…
The media blitzkrieg has started..i am giving interviews everywhere..its all so strange..people ask the same questions..nothing new they have to ask me..its all so scary..i am told all the publicity we can get from the film is fine..i have started looking like a publicity hound..
Black Friday is finally releasing on 9th february..i am scared i just might breakdown..what will i say..what will happen..till now all that i have done was all speculation..now i am going to be exposed..just saw THE NAMESAKE..what a film..brilliantly written..brilliantly edited..i love Sooni Taraporewala..I adore Mira..they are going to watch my film..what will they think..how will they react..
The amount of heartaches everyone has gone through..the last time it was on the day of the premiere that they stopped us..when i was all ready to go to Eros..i remember getting that call from arindam, my producer, the true hero of Black Friday..the man who fought all the battles..he told me the high court has stayed the film but don’t worry it will all be sorted out soon..the “soon”turned into next two years..I remember how religiously i entered the court on every date..how many times i killed the urge to speak up..how many times i just wanted to bloody climb the dias and scream and tell them “see my film before you judge it”..had i done that i don’t know what would have happened..
I really don’t know what will happen..so many of them have seen it on the pirated DVD’s..will they go and watch it..will they pay for it..if the film does not make more money than was invested in it, will i make another film..will the political elements create another problem..will our film create healthy dialogue and debate or will it be used for other people’s political gains..what will happen..i don’t know.. i just hope it reaches to people the way it was intended to..i am so insecure..i was suppose to put on the blog about the people behind the scenes, but i got drunk..i am happy..THE POOL won some award at sundance..Black Friday is releasing..i saw namesake..Vishal has done a new song for No Smoking..No Smoking is over..i need to edit it faster and furiouser..i have got my ideas how to go about it.. but Black Friday first..
The amount of alcohol i have consumed because of it..the depression i went into, will it be worth it..the posters look fantastic..the trailers are good..its releasing only ten screens in USA..and some 200 in india..rest won’t release now..isn’t UK a good market for it..i don’t know the distribution plans..i really don’t know is the publicity thats on air is enough..i really really want it to work..it has to..have i made a good film..i am so insecure..why am i rambling so much..
I don’t know..but i bloody know i have done my best..i couldn’t have done better..may be i am not capable of more..i hope the honesty comes through..have a lot to write about everythimg..maybe tomorrow..good night and wish me luck
Tags: Black Friday
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Verma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
Good night and all the best Anurag!
I gave into temptation over christmas and watched a sneaky version of Black Friday, and I most certainly will be making the effort to watch it on the big screen if we get it screened here. I’m looking fwd to seeing the version in full and on big screen.
Good to see you ‘back’ (pun intended) in action! Of course everyone is going to watch the film! Of course the trailers are good. I simply loved the film but will still watch it in the theatre for the ‘big screen’ effect and also for the precious 45 minutes which were cut in the pirated version.
Obviously the film is going to evoke mixed and extreme reactions. There is no doubt about it that a lot of people are going to say a lot of things about the film and that you will have to stand your ground. This I say because I have already fought, argued and debated with a lot of people who had problems with the film.But what the hell, I loved it!
P.S.: The film should have been publicised more.Sob!
:((:((
Welcome back Anurag..hadnt heard from you for such a long time…..hope No Smoking in Russia went fine. Oz took a picture of BF poster at Naz8 yesterday when we went to watch salaam-e-ishq and saved it as his wallpaper.
Just 9 screens? no worries…Hyderabad blues was released on just one screen that too one noon show…and you know the outcome of the movie…
unfortunately, UK is not a big market… however, releasing the film in a couple of (Indian) Cinemas in London.. to name.. Southall, Harrow, i reckon, it would have done a good business, in my opinion.
Majority of UK audience is like front bench/masses of India.
finally my wait is also over, i distinctly remember the day when High court ruling filled me with so much anguish. shit in the name of movies can get released over here. anyway for last two years i have searched untiringly about the release date. when it comes it pours really.
Anu this year is going to give you all that your tears deserved. i will be their catching up the first show, want to see Paanch and it will come soon.
wishing you luck and hope the courage never gives up. cheers
Best of Luck, Anurag. This is your year!
I was near the tail of my vacation in India when the soundtrack was released. Got it the day it hit the stores; knowing the distribution system in India, I knew I was lucky to snag it then (coincidentally, I managed to complete my collection of Indian Ocean CDs during this same vacation). The film was slated to release on the same friday as Bhansali’s Black; the media was making much ado about the nominal similarities; and then the film was withdrawn. I wish I had caught it at the film festival, but alas. It’s been a long wait, but it will be worth it. I wonder how many people will realise how precious it will be to see a directorial credit for Anurag K on the big screen
It’s all gonna work out just fine. Big or small release and whatever the reasons for Adlabs’ low key publicity and limited release… this is a film that has the potential to grow and become a hit even in the US along the lines of My Big Fat Greek Wedding… How I wish I could handle the marketing of Black Friday… perhaps another project
Let me know if Adlabs would like to see some association with PFC to organize Indian and American cine-philes to come and see Black Friday. 2 weeks… we can still create a movement.
Best of Luck and Congrats!!
wow Black Friday and No Smoking all in 1 year?\:d/
Get used to those questions Anurag sir, you’ll have to face them when No Smoking releases also
Anurag,Last year I was discussing with a film maker/actor friend of mine about the outstanding films, which have come out recently..we talked about 3 films.. They were Bandit Queen, Satya and Black Friday..Everybody, who has seen it has loved it including the non filmi public, they want to see it on big screen and they recommend it to others..Thanks for honestly sharing the state of mind of a film maker before a release of his film!
Anurag, i have seen the film at the mumbai film festival,i have seen it on pirated vcd and as a silent movement i used to give to any & every cinema lover to watch it.i feel elated that the film is releasing.it is not a film to go unnoticed.& i will watch it again on the 9th of february.good night, and good luck.(saw it recently : brilliant)
om, what a co incidence.i also clicked the poster of black friday and saved it as a wallpaper when i went to see salaam-e-ishq.only that i saw the film at fun republic.
Anurag, would love to know what you thought of Salaam-e-ishq. i like the film but i have seen & heard lot of people pulling down the film. it pains me when someone just want to talk about the bad points of a film and never see the good thingsin it.maybe we can do a listing of favourite stories on pfc.
HI ANurag,
I have seen Black Friday in PIFF, 2 years ago, and when i saw that movie, I was Flabbergasted(srry adjectives fail me right now) it was incredible, it surpassed all the boundaries of parallell cinema and commercial cinema and blah blah….it is a great movie, realistic at the same time equally entertaining…i still remember the way Daood Ibrahim comes on screen…for the first time in Indian Cinema a look a like was so credible that people started cheering for him…
Anurag, Black Friday will change the outlook of indian audience towards Films…
Thanks for making Black Firday Anurag. Its a landmark in indian film industry, and aspiring Directors like me will be indebted to you forever for creating a new kind of movies, consequently a new kind of audience base that will be more open by the time we enter in the industry…
I am not scared now…and its all because of Black Friday!!!
Thanks Again!
All the best Anurag…
Saw your interview on CNN-IBN – a very short segment… wish it was longer, much longer.
The publicity for the film needs to be much more.
I am doing my bit… forcing all my friends to watch it… nothing beats word of mouth!!!
Hey Anurag.. it seems like ppl who saw the film love it already.. so i dont think you should worry so much.. eveything will work out fine… you did all you could…so congrats ya and best of luck!!… (ok now i should study for my finals which is in few hours :| )…
>- ..lookin fwd to watchin it..
An open plea to all PFCiets.
Please collect as many tickets as you can when you see Black Friday and send it to Mr. Kashyap.
Sir, Black Friday ki opening woh hi hogi jab woh Black saath release hone wali thi…..sab ko paani pila degi.
I’ll try and do a video outside the theater where I will watch he film and post it. There may not be clear voices….but I hope the faces say it all. In fact you all can take Digi cams i.e those who have it and have them sent to Oz and we can Publish a collage of Black Friday
Hi Anurag,
Insha Allah, ‘Black Friday’ will mark the dawn of countless ‘Golden Fridays’ (nudge-nudge-wink-wink)in your life. I am desparately looking forward to ‘No Smoking’ and something inside me says that it’s gonna be a friggin cult film. My prayers are all with you & am fcukin sure all those sleepless nights & all the depression will pay off. Amen.
Hey,,
am so glad the movie is releasing .. i have seen it before, i had also booked it first day bot 2 yrs back and again am bookin it for first day and this time my whole office is goin for the movie.. and dude don worry eventhough pepl have seen it on dvds but i know a lot of them r gonna go to the theatres 2 support u.. but one question i hope they are not cutting any scenes tht are their from the original..
all the best
All the best for the film anurag !!
I hope the film becomes a biggie. An atheist like me will break a cocunut at Dadar Siddhivinayak temple if it happens.
I saw the theatrical promo during the intermission of “Guru” and I must say that I distinctly remember the face of Pawan Malhotra as Tiger Memon more than that of any actor (well, maybe just Mithunda) during the 3-hr show.
All the best!
all the best anurag…i’ve seen it and its brilliant… it’ll rock!
Its a known fact that most if not all of us have seen the film, and have loved it, talked about it, recommended it.
There is many factors the film can commercially work wonders in, the colors that are seen in the promos were never seen before on DVD’s, Aditya Srivastava is a respectable and known face in the industry now, there is a huge market for good cinema, people are willing to spend for quality,ANURAG KASHYAP is almost a brand now.
NOW is the time all of it will ‘kaam aayega’. ADLABS is promoting the film well, and the sequences selected for the promos are more at capturing the ‘controvery’ elements. There might be doubts why only such sequences are being showcased, but heck, its a film that is the Mother of all controversial films, The Film has become a story in itself. I wonder if they could have capitalised on this aspect of the film in the campaign-the trials it has been through to reach the silver screen. But then I think, it would be good if the film just releases like any other film with decent publicity, a positive vibe, and as the word-of-mouth picks up, the film will well make all its fans(here, at PFC, and more all around very very proud and happy.
Here is the sincerest of good wishes for BLACK FRIDAY becoming a SUPER HIT!
(I am watching it FDFS)
Dear Anurag,
I will watch the film first day first show.
But tell ur producers to do thoda publicity.
It is required in today’s times.
GOD bless u n hopefully all of ur movies release on time
Regards,
kartik
Anurag:
Congratulations on your pre-release anxities.
There is time for everything and perhaps film will be taken in mature wway now. Though nobody can understand the real pain you passed through. Its like you had to bear labour pain, not for only 9 months like women, but for years where you were denied to deliver the baby.
Commercial success or not but you surely will get enough accolades for your directorial vision.
Nothing will go waste!!!!!
congrats again.
Downloaded and saw part of t he film, but had to give up because the print I found was really bad…you bet I’ll be in a multiplex sometime in the first week watching this movie!
Best of luck, Anurag. But the film definitely needs more publicity. Lot many still dont know about its release. Feel u need to do much much more. Clearly remember when it was supposed to release last time, Mid day was carrying one article every day till its release. that was good strategy.
Sometimes feel there is something wrong with the words only “BLACK FRIDAY”. One word u didt like(black)and the other(friday)doesnt seem to like you. Oh god,i m talking a lot like manglik/non-manglik things. Blame it on too much of A3B all over!! Have resisted the temptation of watching the pirated one. Its still there on my rommate’s comp. Will catch it on big screen for sure!!!
hi sir,
first n foremost congrats 4 the release of Black Friday..its a gr8 film..of course it will work…it has to..no two ways about it….congrats on completion of No Smoking as well…wanna join in for the Black Friday Premiere….wanna meet u too….has been very long…the posters of BF look brilliant…dawood everywhere…vijay maurya in the spotlight…Mid-day in the spotlight…adlabs kudos…hope my fav Mid-day produces more films…hope for us emerging filmmakers…fingers crossed….Cheers..
luv,
Premal
Hi Anurag
i had seen the film and really loved it…i am following your work from satya and last train to mahakali…hope this film and no smoking open up a lot more followers of your film…all the best…
“Prateeksha” khatam AB “Jalsa” :-)
hey anurag..
congratulations dude…everybody will watch ur film in the cinema hall…u have done a great job..you are the future of the indian cinema….
All the best sir!
Regards,
Kuldeep
Hey Anurag
I have also watched the Black Friday on DVD and am planning to see it again with my whole family …given the fact that it releases in my city…
BTW Black Friday is one of the classics I have seen eventhough it was 40 to 30 min short and bad print…!!!!
All the best Anurag!!!
Atul
Anurag,
Good Luck
Raaj
Hi anurag,
I’m glad that I bumped into your blog just because of Black Friday advt. I’m so desperate to watch Black Friday, as I can see the amount of efforts my journalist-friend Hussain Zaidi has put in and the amount of efforts your team has put in. And I want to see the movie because our judiciary is still not transparent enough. We, the people of this nation still dont have the basic right to know the truth. The truth that shattered our lives, the truth that changed the religious equations of the most tolerant city called MUMBAI. goddamn…we need to watch it!
= PFC Gang, Commenter Satish just mentioned “I bumped into your blog just because of Black Friday advt.”… WHAT ADVERTISEMENT??? WHAT’S GOING ON HERE??? PFC IS ON BLACK FRIDAY’S AD???? SOMEBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN!!!!!!!!! Sorry for the caps… excitement!!!
hey anurag,
dont worry…its a greaqt film and it deserves to be seen!!!!
we’ll all be supporting it wherever we are
Good luck!
oz relax! the url of this blog was on the Black friday advt…which led me to this blog.
Hi Anurag,
I’ve seen Black Friday on DVD a year back. I will see it again in the theatre. Why are you so worried. Its going to kick ass big time. Your time has come!
I have just stumbled upon your blog. Let me just say I’m a big fan of the films you have written (let’s not consider films like Main Aisa Hi Hoon). And I admire you as a writer. I must also admit that I have seen a pirated version of your Black Friday; whatever I saw of it was amazing. You said in some interview that the copy that was leaked out had a lot of scenes edited out. I wish your Black Friday had a US release. But alas, that’s not how Bollywood works; we have to make do with Baabul and Salaam-e-Ishq :D What bloody difference does it make – it’s already been appauded by all the film festivals it was shown at. And all that aside, it’ll be an awesome movie – that’s all that matters!
I’ll watch the ‘complete’ version of Black Friday at the first opportunity I get.
Awesome blog btw!! Lage Raho Anuraj Kashyap!
hey anurag i have watched black friday on dvd n i absolutely loved ur film n eagerly waiting 2 watch it again post its release…n btw is no smoking inspired from the RUSSELL CROWE,AL PACINO flick THE INSIDER.
Hi Anurag,
Congrats to you!
More than your exhilaration and anticipation, i am excited that the movie which has been made by one of our most talented directors and screenwriters is finally releasing!
Honestly speaking,i have seen the pirated version of black friday but tht does not compensate for watching this powerful movie on the big screen. Dont you worry anurag, there will be loads of people just like me who will line up on friday to watch this movie made by you…
I think you have done a wonderful job and nobody else could have directed this movie apart from you…
Best of luck to you for No Smoking and hope you give us a crackerjack of a movie…
Wishes to you…
Anurag,
hi!
I heard this term”BLACK FRIDAY” 2 years back.just a cursory glance in the newspaper and the word popped into my line of vision.since then been ,busy with life.
wanted to know all along, what happened with this movie!y guys in black overalls poke their noses in this personal expression?y do v boldly
claim that ,India is a democratic country………….!y? y? y?Y? there were so many “whys”? but never got the answers of my seekings.
Now ,when this film is about to go public,the anticipation is killing.i want all the people ,who believe in hard work and toil,please go and watch the movie,this is my request , dont know about the verdict,,u also dont care about that. u do!
u made this film with your soul and it will touch everybody’s life.
all the PFC readers “happy viewing”
and for you anurag, lots of sneh
and, take care of yourbody, that is perfect tool to achieve total harmony.
i have managed to curtail my excitement for the film and restricted myself from watching it on pirated cd’s for two yrs now. will watch it on the big screen …just like it was meant to be
hey anurag, congratulations!!
today i have got my advance bokoking done for the film and i am urging all my friends to go watch the film… doing a lot of PR for u and ‘Black Friday’. Posters and publicity is less than what its supposed to be but i m sure word of mouth will do the magic. gajraj poster is specially very intriguing.
wish u luck!!
hey anurag……………..im so happy that i can finally see black friday on the big screen! trust me the battle will be worth it! nothin like the big screen ya. i couldnt resist……also i read the book……….so saw the pirated version……..! i hate these pirated versions…………………..!!!!!! the print was ao bad……….and sound quality …..horrible………!!!
neway……..all the best!!!! ye dil maange more!
Saw the movie yesterday…It rocked man!!! The only movie which I loved scene to scene or remembered every scene for so long after watching the movie b4 this was ‘Satya’. KK n Aditya were too good…but, I loved Pavan Malhotra a lot. He is just an awesome actor. The scenes like The time lag b4 the first blast, the silence after the blast(It had a chilling effecton me), Asgar Mukadam’s confession scene, scene where Badshah Khan watches while a man is playing wid a dog…and the take where they find RDX in the creek. I didnt c the movie eventhough I got its Pirated DVD…just coz I wanted to watch it first in theatre. I m happy tht I was treated wid more than I expected. Thanks for such a treat!!!
n Ya…I forgot to mention…the whole journey of Badshah Khan…the emotions he goes thru…was terrific man…I loved tht.
Iwatched the film twice on the most expensive ticket so that you recover your cost.Toodle-ooo. Good luck.:d
All the best and if its honestlyly sincere, it has to work…not an iota of doubt there!
I watched it on a CD, i liked it but i am going for a show in the theater…20 tickets from me.
Thats my gesture towards your efforts.
Keep blogging.
Hiiii
Ur promotional interviews were really irritating.I even talked to some of my fellow professionals.They said, ye aadmi bolne ko taiyyar nahi yaar, he is too arrogant.
Mujhe laga tha is neend se jaage huye director ki sunega kaun? Aise to pahunch gaye log theatre tak.Sirf Arty-Sharty log hi jayenge. Banarasi to paidayashi badbole hote hain.Ye kaisa banarasi hai? But after watching the film I realised that why the publicity of this film was that calculated.
And after reading this I am more clear about it. Its not an issue tht deserves too much discussion.Its just that I love reading a creative mind.
Wishes
Where can i get to watch “LAST TRAIN TO MAHAKALI”
Hi Anurag!!
watched ur movie last nite.. its a BRILLIANT movie.. i’m short of words for it.. its MUST watch for every indian..it a very unbiased view which is depicted.. been recommending this to everybody i know.. Sad i couldnt watch it on the big screen.
I think it needs more than jus balls to make a movie of this kind.. i was a kid when the bomb blast happened n now when ur movie gave me all the finer details about the blast.. i was totally moved by it..
once again GREAT work.. you are the sign that the indian cinema is coming of age.. you make the kinda movie that ppl like me can relate to and appreciate.. wishing u luck for ur coming movies..
n yeah.. its music was fabulous..
adios
only thing i want to say to anurag is “u r martin scorscee of bollywood”