Advaita Kala

Last updated

Advaita Kala
Personal information
Born
Advaita Kala
Nationality Indian
Occupation(s)Author, ScreenWriter
YouTube information
Channels Advaita Kala
Subscribers40.1K (Advaita Kala) [1]
24.6K (Advaita Kala) [1]
Total views4.9 Million (Advaita Kala) [1]

Last updated: 18 November 2021

Advaita Kala is an Indian author, screenwriter, and columnist. [2] She has written screenplays for films such as the romantic drama Anjaana Anjaani (2010) and the thriller Kahaani (2012). Apart from writing for films, Kala has also written two novels: Almost Single (2007) and Almost There! (2013). [3]

Contents

Biography

Kala's father is a former bureaucrat who retired as a secretary for the Government of India. Kala spent her childhood living in central Delhi. [3] She attended Welham Girls' School. [4]

She wrote her first novel Almost Single from the idea that germinated as a result of some of the experiences that surrounded her. Kala said: "The rapid way in which the concepts of love and courtship are evolving and continue to do so. Also the fact that the ‘hunt’ was not necessarily the fiefdom of the male of the species." Almost Single was a runaway bestseller and called "Bridget Jones in a saree" by the UK's The Independent. [5] She quit the job of a hotel executive to write her next novel Almost There!, which was a sequel to her previous novel. [6]

Director Siddharth Anand had approached Kala to develop the story of two suicidal strangers who fall in love into a feature-length script. Although a bit hesitant initially as she had not written a screenplay before, she accepted the offer. Intrigued by the premise of the story, Kala started sketching the characters over the next few days and began writing the script, which she found was different from writing novels. [7] Anand helped her in understanding the process of writing screenplays and co-wrote with her. [7] Kala wrote the first draft, approaching it like writing a book, and sent it as chapters to Anand, saying: "Writing a screenplay can also be a lonely process like writing a novel, but along the way when others get involved, it becomes a fun collaborative effort." [7] The film, starring Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor, proved to be a commercial success. [8]

Sujoy Ghosh approached Kala with the idea for Kahaani , starring Vidya Balan. [9] Kala took inspiration from her experience in Kolkata, where she had moved in 1999, akin to the protagonist in the film. [10] She reported that despite facing a language barrier and the chaos and poverty of the metropolis, she was charmed by the warmth of the people, which was reflected in the film. [11] Kala started writing in 2009 and finished the 185-page script by February 2010. [12] [13] Her research included reading the books Open Secrets: India's Intelligence Unveiled by Maloy Krishna Dhar and India's External Intelligence: Secrets of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) by V. K. Singh. [10] Made on a budget of 80 million (US$1.0 million), Kahaani grossed over 1.04 billion (US$13 million) worldwide after a 50-day theatrical run. [14] [15] The film proved to be a critical success as well and garnered several awards and nominations. Kala won the Screen Award for Best Story, Star Guilds Award for Best Story and Zee Cine Award for Best Story along with Ghosh. [16] [17] [18] [19]

Apart from writing for films and novels, Kala has also written the television serial Airplane which aired on Star Plus. [3] She writes a regular hospitality column for the Financial Express called Epicuriosity and has regular columns in the Financial Chronicle and on Yahoo as well as in Dainik Jagran(Hindi).She also writes a regular column for the Dhaka Tribune.

Philanthropy

During the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Kala ran a community kitchen, called Janta Rasoi, in Gurugram since the Janta Curfew was announced, to feed the poor in the city who have been the most affected by the lockdown.[ citation needed ]

Filmography

TitleYearRole
Anjaana Anjaani 2010Writer
Kahaani 2012Writer

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vidya Balan</span> Indian film actress

Vidya Balan is an Indian actress. Known for pioneering a change in the portrayal of women in Hindi cinema with her roles in female-led films, she is the recipient of several awards, including a National Film Award and seven Filmfare Awards. She was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vishal Dadlani</span> Indian singer, songwriter and music composer

Vishal Dadlani is an Indian singer, songwriter, actor and music composer. He is one half of the duo Vishal–Shekhar, Front Man and vocalist of one of India's leading rock bands Pentagram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shekhar Ravjiani</span> Indian singer

Shekhar Ravjiani is an Indian singer, music director, record producer and actor, who has been one half of the Bollywood composing/producing duo Vishal–Shekhar, since 1999.

<i>Kahaani</i> 2012 film by Sujoy Ghosh

Kahaani is a 2012 Indian Hindi-language thriller film co-written, co-produced, and directed by Sujoy Ghosh. It stars Vidya Balan as Vidya Bagchi, a pregnant woman looking for her missing husband in Kolkata during the festival of Durga Puja, assisted by Assist Sub-Inspector Satyoki "Rana" Sinha and Inspector General A. Khan.

Parambrata Chattopadhyay is an Indian actor and director. Parambrata started his career with Bengali television and films. He has acted as the fictional character Topshe from Feluda under Sandip Ray's direction. He made his Hindi debut in Kahaani (2012), starring with Vidya Balan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. His notable works include Bhalo Theko (2003), Baishe Srabon (2011), Sold (2014) directed by Jeffrey D. Brown, Kadambari (2017), Anukul (2017), Pari (2018), Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi (2019), Dwitiyo Purush(2020), Bulbbul (2020).

Saswata Chatterjee is an Indian actor of television and films based in Kolkata. Born to actor Subhendu Chatterjee, Saswata Chatterjee began his career with a Hindi serial directed by Saibal Mitra, based on Samaresh Majumdar's Kaalpurush. He gained popularity by portraying the character of Topshe in a Feluda-based television series directed by Sandip Ray. His acting in many Bengali films has been praised by the critics, including his portrayal of a Ritwik Ghatak-inspired character in the 2013 film Meghe Dhaka Tara. He enjoyed success at the national level in Sujoy Ghosh's 2012 blockbuster Hindi film, Kahaani, where he played Bob Biswas, an assassin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neelesh Misra</span> Indian journalist, writer, and musician

Neelesh Misra is an Indian journalist, author, radio storyteller, scriptwriter and lyricist. He is most known for his radio show, Yaadon Ka IdiotBox with Neelesh Misra on BIG FM 92.7. He is co-founder-editor of Gaon Connection, India's rural newspaper. He has also founded a content creation company called Content Project Pvt. Ltd. He is currently working on "The Neelesh Misra Show" on Red FM 93.5 and "Kahaani Express" on Saavn. He has recently launched two shows on the audio platform Audible and another show called Zindagi Mobile] on BIG FM 92.7 He is also popular for his show on YouTube - The Slow Interview, produced by Gaon Connection, where he chats with the celebs from Bollywood in the rural retreat near Lucknow district.

<i>Ishqiya</i> 2010 film by Abhishek Chaubey

Ishqiya (transl. Passionate) is a 2010 Indian black comedy film starring Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi and Salman Shahid. It was directed by Abhishek Chaubey in his directorial debut, cinematography by Mohana Krishna, and was produced by Raman Maroo and Vishal Bhardwaj. The film was released on 29 January 2010.

<i>Anjaana Anjaani</i> 2010 film by Siddharth Anand

Anjaana Anjaani (transl. "Strangers") is a 2010 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy drama film directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. The film stars Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor as two suicidal strangers who meet and make a pact to commit suicide in 20 days on New Year's Eve. In the interim, the couple fulfil their personal wishes and eventually fall in love. The soundtrack of the film, composed by Vishal–Shekhar and lyrics by various artists including the duo themselves, received widespread critical acclaim and was a moderate commercially successful. It is a remake of Telugu film Itlu Sravani Subramanyam (2001).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sujoy Ghosh</span> Indian filmmaker

Sujoy Ghosh is an Indian film director, actor, producer, and screenwriter who works in Hindi films. He has directed Jhankaar Beats (2003), Home Delivery: Aapko... Ghar Tak (2005), Aladin (2009), Kahaani (2012), Kahaani 2 (2016) and Badla (2019). He has also written and directed short films like Anukul (2017) and Ahalya (2015). He has directed a series for Netflix, titled Typewriter (2019).

<i>The Dirty Picture</i> 2011 film by Milan Luthria

The Dirty Picture is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language biographical musical drama film inspired by the life of Silk Smitha, an Indian actress noted for her erotic roles. The filmmakers have clarified that the story is not officially or literally based on Smitha alone, but on many of her contemporaries such as Disco Shanti. It also resembles the personal lives of other women in popular culture, including actress and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe. The film was directed by Milan Luthria and co-produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor, after Ekta came up with the idea and asked screenwriter Rajat Aroraa to pen a story based on it.

<i>Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh</i> 2016 Indian film directed by Sujoy Ghosh

Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language thriller film directed by Sujoy Ghosh, A spiritual sequel to the 2012 film Kahaani, the film features Arjun Rampal and Vidya Balan in lead roles, and Jugal Hansraj and Kharaj Mukherjee and Tunisha Sharma in supporting roles.

<i>Anaamika</i> 2014 Indian film

Anaamika is a 2014 Indian mystery thriller film directed by Sekhar Kammula, starring Nayanthara in the titular role, alongside Vaibhav Reddy, Pasupathy, and Harshvardhan Rane. A remake of the Hindi film Kahaani, the film was simultaneously shot in Telugu and Tamil, the latter titled Nee Enge En Anbe.

<i>Hamari Adhuri Kahani</i> 2014 film directed by Mohit Suri

Hamari Adhuri Kahani is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Mahesh Bhatt under the banners of Vishesh Films and Fox Star Studios. The film stars Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan, and Rajkummar Rao. It is based on the love story of Bhatt's parents, Nanabhai Bhatt, Shirin Mohammad Ali and his stepmother Hemlata Bhatt.

Kausar Munir is an Indian lyricist and screen writer in Bollywood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vidya Balan filmography</span> List of films of Indian actress Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan is an Indian actress known for her work in Hindi films. She made her acting debut in 1995 with the sitcom Hum Paanch, following which she made several unsuccessful attempts at a film career. Vidya then appeared in music videos for Euphoria, Pankaj Udhas, and Shubha Mudgal all directed by Pradeep Sarkar. She had her first film release with a leading role in Goutam Halder's Bengali film Bhalo Theko (2003). In 2005, she played the heroine in Sarkar's Parineeta, an adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel of the same name. Vidya won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for the film. Rajkumar Hirani's Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006), a successful comedy sequel, saw her play a radio jockey opposite Sanjay Dutt.

<i>Sherni</i> (2021 film) Hindi film directed by Amit Masurkar

Sherni (transl. Tigress) is a 2021 Indian Hindi-language thriller film directed by Amit V. Masurkar and produced by T-Series and Abundantia Entertainment. The film stars Vidya Balan in the leading role of an Indian Forest Service officer, alongside Sharat Saxena, Vijay Raaz, Ila Arun, Brijendra Kala, Neeraj Kabi and Mukul Chaddha in supporting roles. The film premiered on Amazon Prime Video on 18 June 2021.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Advaita Kala". YouTube.
  2. Ravi, S. (23 November 2017). "Words that bind". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Sattar, Saimi (19 October 2014). "A writer's retreat". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  4. Chitkara, Vanita; Singh, Ayesha (1 March 2010). "Off the beaten track". India Today. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  5. "Advaita Kala". Good Reads. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  6. "Advaita Kala". Outlook. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (28 September 2010). "Advaita scripts a new chapter". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  8. "Anjaana Anjaani". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  9. "Vidya Balan is the hero of Kahaani, says scriptwriter Advaita Kala". Zee News. Press Trust of India (PTI). 16 November 2010. Archived from the original on 6 July 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  10. 1 2 Mitra, Ipshita (16 March 2012). "Vidya's journey was my own: Advaita Kala". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  11. "Kahaani story inspired from real-life experiences". Zee News. PTI. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  12. Dasgupta, Priyanka (15 January 2012). "Vidya's Kahaani to release as novel". The Times of India . Times News Network (TNN). Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  13. Bhardwaj, Malvika (7 March 2012). "Kahaani: Advaita Kala says she had to tell Vidya's story right". CNN-IBN. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  14. "Vidya Balan's Kahaani declared a hit". CNN-IBN. Indo-Asian News Service. 12 March 2012. Archived from the original on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  15. "Vidya Balan's Kahaani completes 50 days, grosses Rs. 104 cr worldwide". Hindustan Times . 27 April 2012. Archived from the original on 28 April 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  16. "Screen Awards 2013: Hall of Fame". The Indian Express . 18 January 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  17. "Winners Of Renault Star Guild Awards 2013". Bollywood Hungama . 18 February 2013. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  18. "8th Apsara Guild Awards – Nominees". Film Producers Guild of India. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  19. "Kahaani (2012) — Awards". Bollywood Hungama . Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2014.