The Last Lear

Infobox_Film
name = The Last Lear


caption = Movie poster
imdb_id = 1039969
writer = Rituparno Ghosh, Utpal Dutt
starring = Amitabh Bachchan,
Preity Zinta
Arjun Rampal,
Divya Dutta,
Shefali Shah &
Jisshu Sengupta
director = Rituparno Ghosh
producer = Arindam Chaudhuri
cinematography = Abhik Mukhopadhyay
editing = Arghya Kamal Mitra
distributor = Planman Motion Pictures
released = flagicon|Canada September 9, 2007 (Toronto Film Festival)
flagicon|World 12 September, 2008
country = flagicon|India India
runtime = 130 minutes
language = English
music =
awards =
budget =

"The Last Lear" is an Indian, English language film directed by Rituparno Ghosh. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal, Divya Dutta, Shefali Shah and Jisshu Sengupta.

Production

Basing the script on Utpal Dutt's play "Aajker Shahjahan", Rituparno Ghosh penned it in 2006, and turned to the actors in February 2007, all of whom accepted the offer. [cite web|title=Hindustan Times|work=The Last Lear based on play|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1935541,001100030009.htm|accessdate=2 March|accessyear=2007] The film began shooting from February 28, 2007 to April 10, 2007; principal shooting took place in Kolkata and some shooting took place in Mussoorie, Uttaranchal. [cite web|title=hindustantimes.com|work=Production schedule announced|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1935541,001100030009.htm|accessdate=2 March|accessyear=2007] Dubbing for the film ended on August 31, 2007. [cite web|title=timesofindia.indiatimes.com| work=Dubbing ends on Ghosh's birthday|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/India_Buzz/_Unique_gift_for_Rituparno/articleshow/2329202.cms|accessdate=6 September|accessyear=2007]

"The Last Lear" premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, [cite web|title=hindu.com|work=The Last Lear to premiere at film festival|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200708162240.htm|accessdate=16 August|accessyear=2007] and received a significant reception, earning many accolades after being showcased at a Gala Presentation. [cite web|author=Adarsh, Taran|publisher=indiaFM|title='The Last Lear' well received at Toronto film fest|date=September 11, 2007|url=http://www.indiafm.com/news/2007/09/11/10090/index.html|accessdate=2007-08-16]

The film was later showcased at the London Film Festival, and the International Film Festival of India in Goa. [cite web|title=cities.expressindia.com|work=Surily Goel designs for The Last Lear|url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=254235|accessdate=6 September|accessyear=2007] The film was received positively by critics with many saying that Bachchan has given a career best performance. [cite web|title=indiafm.com| work=Critics positive towards The Last Lear|url=http://www.indiafm.com/features/2007/09/11/3020/index.html|accessdate=11 September|accessyear=2007]

Story

), keeps strangely distant and refuses to visit his ailing star. In flashbacks, their story emerges.

Siddharth first had to woo Harish from the comforts of his retirement, and the interaction between the two yields some of the film’s most delightful scenes. The impatient young auteur attempts to win the trust and collaboration of the aged performer, who sits raging against the modern world from the sanctuary of his study. Sporting a silver mane, Bachchan is irresistible here – vain, forceful and impetuous. He trumpets the superiority of Shakespeare over anything cinema can create. And yet, the movies hold out a new challenge.

Once he agrees to act in the film, The Last Lear becomes a captivating reflection on the comparative artifices of stagecraft and cinema. As the outsider in the cast, Harish is hilarious in dismissing movie fakery. His theatre skills are grander. Standing on a hillside, he teaches Shabnam how to project her voice clear across a valley to the next hill.

Cast

* Amitabh Bachchan ... Harish Mishra
* Preity Zinta ... Shabnam
* Arjun Rampal ... Siddharth
* Divya Dutta ... Ivy
* Shefali Shah ... Vandana
* Jisshu Sengupta ...

References

External links

*imdb title|id=1039969
* [http://www.tiff07.ca/filmsandschedules/filmdetails.aspx?ID=706041448041386 Toronto International Film Festival - The last Lear entry]