Piyush Jha
Encyclopedia
Piyush Jha is a film director and screenwriter of Indian origin, most known for his acclaimed films Sikandar
(2009), King of Bollywood and Chalo America
.
, U.P. At a very early age of 8, he came to Mumbai, Maharashtra with his parents. He grew up and studied there, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Mumbai
and following it up with an MBA.
. He later went on to work in Mudra
Communications in strategic account management with clients such as Procter and Gamble, Godrej Soaps, etc. At this point, he started getting interested in the creative aspect of advertising and began with directing in-house ad films for companies such as Godrej Hair Dye, Federal Bank Ltd., Kitply, etc., and soon moved to directing corporate films as well.
In 1998, he took this interest on further to start his own ad film production company Vitamin J Productions, where he made ads for Indian Oil, Hindustan Lever, Symphony Air Coolers, UB Group among many others.
's NFDC
produced his first feature, ‘Chalo America
’, a hilarious yet touching story of a group of three Indian college boys obsessed with the American dream, and how they concoct various schemes to find a way to the US. Although a laugh riot, the film addressed a serious issue sensitively, which is the obsessive aspirational desire for emigration. It was a selection at the prestigious Indian Panorama Section at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), and traveled wide to many international film festivals such as those in Shanghai, Cairo, San Diego, Dhaka, Atlanta, amongst others.
After continuing to make Ad films, Piyush Jha returned to the big screen in 2004, with the first Indian film in the "Mockumentary
" genre, ‘King of Bollywood’, starring Om Puri
and British supermodel Sophie Dahl
. It tells the story of an ageing Bollywood
Superstar, and the hilarity, colour and zany-ness of his many comeback attempts. Once again, an extremely funny film, yet was also regarded by critics as being a highly intelligent film, as was also selected at prestigious International Film Festivals in Bradford, UK; Tel Aviv, Israel; New York, USA; Toronto, Canada; Melbourne, Australia etc.
In 2009, after his extensive travels around India and the world, Piyush Jha decided to pick up on another serious issue; terrorism
in Kashmir
. Piyush’s unique idea was to show it in a light that brings out the humanity in that issue in a way that even a person who might not know or even be interested in a thing about Kashmir could find a connection. Sikandar
, the film was a story was about a young boy, who only wanted to play soccer but, one day finds a gun on his way to school, and how that affects his life, and the life of the little village he lives in.
Sikandar
was selected in the International Film Festivals, Dubai, IFFLA in LA, Edmonton in Canada, MIACC in New York, and Stuttgart in Germany, among others. Sikandar
was highly acclaimed by critics, including those of the mainstream popular media (for example, Nikhat Kazmi
, renowned film critic of the Times of India, India's largest selling English daily, gave it a 3.5 star rating)
is about young college boys and emigration, but it does not stray into having a typical Bollywood type love track. Similarly, Sikandar
has young teenagers as the leads, while King of Bollywood has a British Documentary filmmaker through whose eyes the story unfolds.
Technically too, Piyush has shown a flair for breaking new ground in the range of his works, from the innovative filming style that brings a unique flavor to King of Bollywood, to the classical approach he favoured for showcasing the grandeur and beauty of Kashmir, to the fresh energetic approach of Chalo America
and his ad-films, Piyush has always pushed the bounds of what is possible on celluloid.
Parzaan Dastur was nominated for Best Child Artiste for his eponymous role in 'Sikandar' at the 2010 Star Screen Awards.
Parzaan Dastur was nominated for BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE — MALE at The Max Stardust Awards 2010.
:
http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19981226/36051044.html
Anna Vetticad writes in India Today
:
http://www.india-today.com/itoday/08031999/arts2.html
‘Chalo America’ screened as one of the cinema gems from India in Atlanta, USA:
http://www.iafs.us/AIAFF/Web/Forms/frmFilmSchedules2009.aspx
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/7370/index.html
Deepa Nair:
http://www.sawf.org/bollywood/reviews/kingofbolly.asp?pn=Bollywood&cn=26
The Toronto Star - Canada:
http://filmi.org/TheStar_com%20-%20A%20film%20festival%20for%20Bollywood%20and%20Brampton.htm?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=1123278613369&call_pageid=971358637177
Time Out - London:
http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/81417/King_of_Bollywood.html
Internet Reviews:
http://www.webindia123.com/movie/national/kob/index.htm
An Interview with Piyush Jha:
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2004/9/24/256/index.html
http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/6313/bollywood.hindi/sikandar/2292/review.html
‘The Village Voice
’, New York:
http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-08-18/film/sikandar-a-corking-narrative-and-cognent-sketch-of-violence/
Varied Internet Reviews:
http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/review.php?id=14905907&ctid=5&cid=2425
http://www.aol.in/bollywood-story/sikandar-movie-review/558056
http://blah.burrp.com/arts-entertainment/movies/sherrysekhon/2009/08/valley-of-dolls-sikander/?nc=true#article_apps
http://www.indiantvtoday.com/sikandar-shoots-straight-to-the-heart/2009/08/19/
http://news.avstv.com/2009/08/20/%E2%80%98sikandar%E2%80%99-from-kashmir-with-hope/
http://www.desibollywood.in/film-review/movie-review-%E2%80%93-sikandar/4966.html
http://www.caymanmama.com/2009/10/15/bollywood-movie-review-sikandar_200910155378.html
http://www.desimeet.com/entertainment-news/10790-sikandar-movie-review.html
Audience reviews:
http://thecommonmanspeaks.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/sikandar-movie-review/
DVD review from South Africa:
http://tonight.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5217654&fSectionId=474&fSetId=251
Sikandar (2009 film)
.Sikandar is a Hindi film. The film, which features Parzan Dastur in the lead role with R. Madhavan, Sanjay Suri, Ayesha Kapoor in pivotal roles amongst others is written and directed by Piyush Jha and produced by Sudhir Mishra. The film has terrorism in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir as its...
(2009), King of Bollywood and Chalo America
Chalo America
-Plot summary:The film chronicles the misadventures of three Lukkhas with just one dream preying on their minds - to get to the kingdom of Coca Cola and Clinton. They make attempt after attempt to flee from the drudgery and boredom in dreary India to the land of the free and the home of the brave...
.
Early life
Piyush Jha was born in JhansiJhansi
Jhansi Hindi:झाँसी, , Marathi: झाशी, is a historical city of India. Jhansi is the administrative headquarters of Jhansi District and Jhansi Division. The original walled city grew up around its stone fort, which crowns a neighboring rock. This district is on the bank of river Betwa.The National...
, U.P. At a very early age of 8, he came to Mumbai, Maharashtra with his parents. He grew up and studied there, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Mumbai
University of Mumbai
The University of Mumbai , is a state university located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was known as the University of Bombay until 1996 when the city of Bombay was renamed as Mumbai. The affiliated colleges of the university are spread throughout the city of Mumbai and four coastal districts in...
and following it up with an MBA.
Advertising
Jha began his career in 1995 in advertising as an Account Executive at Grey Worldwide, where he dealt with clients such as Ambuja Cement and Snowcem PaintsSnowcem Paints
Snowcem Paints is a leading manufacturer of exterior cement-based masonry paint in India. Established in Mumbai in 1959, the company suffered a period of financial uncertainty and possible takeover early in the first decade of the 21st century, but by 2008, sustained growth of the construction...
. He later went on to work in Mudra
Mudra
A mudrā is a symbolic or ritual gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism. While some mudrās involve the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers...
Communications in strategic account management with clients such as Procter and Gamble, Godrej Soaps, etc. At this point, he started getting interested in the creative aspect of advertising and began with directing in-house ad films for companies such as Godrej Hair Dye, Federal Bank Ltd., Kitply, etc., and soon moved to directing corporate films as well.
In 1998, he took this interest on further to start his own ad film production company Vitamin J Productions, where he made ads for Indian Oil, Hindustan Lever, Symphony Air Coolers, UB Group among many others.
Feature Films
In 2000, he decided to take a plunge into the world of feature film making, and the Government of IndiaGovernment of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
's NFDC
NFDC
The National Film Development Corporation of India is the central agency established in 1975, to encourage good cinema in India based in Mumbai...
produced his first feature, ‘Chalo America
Chalo America
-Plot summary:The film chronicles the misadventures of three Lukkhas with just one dream preying on their minds - to get to the kingdom of Coca Cola and Clinton. They make attempt after attempt to flee from the drudgery and boredom in dreary India to the land of the free and the home of the brave...
’, a hilarious yet touching story of a group of three Indian college boys obsessed with the American dream, and how they concoct various schemes to find a way to the US. Although a laugh riot, the film addressed a serious issue sensitively, which is the obsessive aspirational desire for emigration. It was a selection at the prestigious Indian Panorama Section at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), and traveled wide to many international film festivals such as those in Shanghai, Cairo, San Diego, Dhaka, Atlanta, amongst others.
After continuing to make Ad films, Piyush Jha returned to the big screen in 2004, with the first Indian film in the "Mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
" genre, ‘King of Bollywood’, starring Om Puri
Om Puri
Om Puri is an Indian actor who has appeared in both mainstream Indian films and art films. His credits also include appearances in British and American films. He has received an honorary OBE.-Early life:...
and British supermodel Sophie Dahl
Sophie Dahl
Sophie Dahl , born Sophie Holloway, is an English author and former model. She was born in London, the daughter of actor Julian Holloway and writer Tessa Dahl. Her maternal grandparents were author Roald Dahl and actress Patricia Neal. Her paternal grandparents were actor Stanley Holloway and...
. It tells the story of an ageing Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
Superstar, and the hilarity, colour and zany-ness of his many comeback attempts. Once again, an extremely funny film, yet was also regarded by critics as being a highly intelligent film, as was also selected at prestigious International Film Festivals in Bradford, UK; Tel Aviv, Israel; New York, USA; Toronto, Canada; Melbourne, Australia etc.
In 2009, after his extensive travels around India and the world, Piyush Jha decided to pick up on another serious issue; terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
in Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
. Piyush’s unique idea was to show it in a light that brings out the humanity in that issue in a way that even a person who might not know or even be interested in a thing about Kashmir could find a connection. Sikandar
Sikandar
Sikandar is the Persian version of the name Alexander, after Alexander the Great. It is used as male first name in Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia...
, the film was a story was about a young boy, who only wanted to play soccer but, one day finds a gun on his way to school, and how that affects his life, and the life of the little village he lives in.
Sikandar
Sikandar
Sikandar is the Persian version of the name Alexander, after Alexander the Great. It is used as male first name in Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia...
was selected in the International Film Festivals, Dubai, IFFLA in LA, Edmonton in Canada, MIACC in New York, and Stuttgart in Germany, among others. Sikandar
Sikandar
Sikandar is the Persian version of the name Alexander, after Alexander the Great. It is used as male first name in Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia...
was highly acclaimed by critics, including those of the mainstream popular media (for example, Nikhat Kazmi
Nikhat Kazmi
Nikhat Kazmi is a senior correspondent and well-known film critic from India, who has been writing for The Times of India, since 1987.-Books:* If Shakespeare was a gun: a play. Writers Workshop, 1984....
, renowned film critic of the Times of India, India's largest selling English daily, gave it a 3.5 star rating)
Personal Style
Piyush Jha's films are noted for the unconventionality of the subject matter and treatment. For instance, Chalo AmericaChalo America
-Plot summary:The film chronicles the misadventures of three Lukkhas with just one dream preying on their minds - to get to the kingdom of Coca Cola and Clinton. They make attempt after attempt to flee from the drudgery and boredom in dreary India to the land of the free and the home of the brave...
is about young college boys and emigration, but it does not stray into having a typical Bollywood type love track. Similarly, Sikandar
Sikandar
Sikandar is the Persian version of the name Alexander, after Alexander the Great. It is used as male first name in Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia...
has young teenagers as the leads, while King of Bollywood has a British Documentary filmmaker through whose eyes the story unfolds.
Technically too, Piyush has shown a flair for breaking new ground in the range of his works, from the innovative filming style that brings a unique flavor to King of Bollywood, to the classical approach he favoured for showcasing the grandeur and beauty of Kashmir, to the fresh energetic approach of Chalo America
Chalo America
-Plot summary:The film chronicles the misadventures of three Lukkhas with just one dream preying on their minds - to get to the kingdom of Coca Cola and Clinton. They make attempt after attempt to flee from the drudgery and boredom in dreary India to the land of the free and the home of the brave...
and his ad-films, Piyush has always pushed the bounds of what is possible on celluloid.
Present Projects
Currently Piyush Jha is developing his upcoming films, a romantic–comedy based in Mumbai, a family fantasy-adventure, a dramatic-comedy about the state of the nation today and a hard-hitting political thriller.Writer and Director
- SikandarSikandarSikandar is the Persian version of the name Alexander, after Alexander the Great. It is used as male first name in Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia...
(2009) - King of Bollywood (2004)
- Chalo AmericaChalo America-Plot summary:The film chronicles the misadventures of three Lukkhas with just one dream preying on their minds - to get to the kingdom of Coca Cola and Clinton. They make attempt after attempt to flee from the drudgery and boredom in dreary India to the land of the free and the home of the brave...
(2000)
Festival Official Selections
- Chalo AmericaChalo America-Plot summary:The film chronicles the misadventures of three Lukkhas with just one dream preying on their minds - to get to the kingdom of Coca Cola and Clinton. They make attempt after attempt to flee from the drudgery and boredom in dreary India to the land of the free and the home of the brave...
: Indian Panorama Section at the International Film Festival of India, 1999; The International film festivals of Shanghai, Cairo, San Diego, Dhaka, Atlanta, amongst others. - King of Bollywood: International Film Festivals in Bradford, UK (Bite the Mango Festival); Tel Aviv, Israel; New York, USA; Toronto, Canada; Melbourne, Australia etc.
- SikandarSikandarSikandar is the Persian version of the name Alexander, after Alexander the Great. It is used as male first name in Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia...
: International Film Festivals, Dubai, IFFLA in LA, Edmonton in Canada, MIACC in New York, and Stuttgart in Germany, among others.
Award Nominations
'Sikandar' was nominated for the Ramnath Goenka Award for 'Movies That Make a Difference' at the 2010 Star Screen Awards.Parzaan Dastur was nominated for Best Child Artiste for his eponymous role in 'Sikandar' at the 2010 Star Screen Awards.
Parzaan Dastur was nominated for BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE — MALE at The Max Stardust Awards 2010.
Chalo America(2000)
Director Rohan Sippy writes in The Indian ExpressThe Indian Express
The Indian Express is an Indian English-language daily newspaper. It is published in Mumbai by Indian Express Group. After Ramnath Goenka's death in 1991, the group was split in 1999 among his family members into two with the southern editions taking the name The New Indian Express, while the old...
:
http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19981226/36051044.html
Anna Vetticad writes in India Today
India Today
India Today is an Indian weekly news magazine published by Living Media India Limited, in publication since 1975 based in Mumbai. India Today is also the name of its sister-publication in Hindi...
:
http://www.india-today.com/itoday/08031999/arts2.html
‘Chalo America’ screened as one of the cinema gems from India in Atlanta, USA:
http://www.iafs.us/AIAFF/Web/Forms/frmFilmSchedules2009.aspx
King of Bollywood(2004)
Taran Adarsh writes:http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/7370/index.html
Deepa Nair:
http://www.sawf.org/bollywood/reviews/kingofbolly.asp?pn=Bollywood&cn=26
The Toronto Star - Canada:
http://filmi.org/TheStar_com%20-%20A%20film%20festival%20for%20Bollywood%20and%20Brampton.htm?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=1123278613369&call_pageid=971358637177
Time Out - London:
http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/81417/King_of_Bollywood.html
Internet Reviews:
http://www.webindia123.com/movie/national/kob/index.htm
An Interview with Piyush Jha:
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2004/9/24/256/index.html
Sikandar(2009)
Subhash .K Jha writes:http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/6313/bollywood.hindi/sikandar/2292/review.html
‘The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
’, New York:
http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-08-18/film/sikandar-a-corking-narrative-and-cognent-sketch-of-violence/
Varied Internet Reviews:
http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/review.php?id=14905907&ctid=5&cid=2425
http://www.aol.in/bollywood-story/sikandar-movie-review/558056
http://blah.burrp.com/arts-entertainment/movies/sherrysekhon/2009/08/valley-of-dolls-sikander/?nc=true#article_apps
http://www.indiantvtoday.com/sikandar-shoots-straight-to-the-heart/2009/08/19/
http://news.avstv.com/2009/08/20/%E2%80%98sikandar%E2%80%99-from-kashmir-with-hope/
http://www.desibollywood.in/film-review/movie-review-%E2%80%93-sikandar/4966.html
http://www.caymanmama.com/2009/10/15/bollywood-movie-review-sikandar_200910155378.html
http://www.desimeet.com/entertainment-news/10790-sikandar-movie-review.html
Audience reviews:
http://thecommonmanspeaks.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/sikandar-movie-review/
DVD review from South Africa:
http://tonight.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5217654&fSectionId=474&fSetId=251