Enfold Partners with Abhimanyu

It gives me great pleasure to announce that after partnering with Tulhir, Abhimanyu has now a new partner in Enfold. Enfold Proactive Health Trust, Bangalore since its inception in 2001, has been working with school and college students, parents and teachers to increase awareness about child sexual abuse and empower children and adults to resist and report sexual abuse.


Enfold has promised to help Abhimanyu for raising financial aid and other support.

Many Thanks to Enfold for partnering with us and offering support.

WHY ABHIMANYU? II

Just returned from Bangalore after having completed the reccee for ABHIMANYU. We were looking at different locations where the images in my mind would finally have to take form. It’s a difficult task at time.... The mind is wild, it’s free to think to imagine and to desire. But then reality bites. I have to reconsider according to the budget, according to convenience in terms of time to travel from one spot to another, money needed to re design something.

Slowly I tame my imagery... careful so that the passion is not tamed.... that cannot be , because that’s the core. So despite the locations not being what my mind’s eye sees, because we cannot afford those.... the mind reshapes the images. And now I am reliving these new images. As I walk around I hum silently “Bhojal se in Lahmon ke Shyam hain.... Khali se in aankhon mein.....” imagining Abhimanyu sing this song rendered by KK and my eyes well with tears. I love this song. Somehow brings memories of “Le Chalein”.

In Bangalore I met Dr. Sangeeta, Enfold(NGO) where i made a startling discovery. My information was that every one out of five girls and every one out of ten boys are sexually abused in India. According to the latest reports The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India, Prayas and UNICEF, 2007 reported that out of 12,447 children (hailing from all strata of society), 53% reported sexual abuse. Out of 12,447 children, 21% reported severe sexual abuse.

Do you realise what we are talking about. This abuse is not necessarily happening from adults. A lot of porn is available to young teenage children who very often abuse their younger sibling/neighbours, etc.

Are we so callous that we do not want to acknowledge this? Don’t we want to protect our child. The other day I was wondering ever since I announced this series of films I had had so much support from all of you, but somehow the industry has been silent. No corporate house/financer has show interest. This perhaps reflects the sad state of our films which believes only in escapist cinema. Child abuse is not entertaining. Child abuse does not make a “project”.

ABHIMANYU is a project that wants to show that we all care. I have had many messages saying that we support the cause and cheers. But maybe it means a little sacrifice. Perhaps one night less at a night club.... not much. But that would be a gesture to say I care.... We care.

Leaving you with a line from the song....

".... Samandar yeh udasi ke.... hamein bheego jate hain....”

- Onir

Donors for Abhimanyu can now avail Tax Rebate

Yes guys, you've heard it right. All the donors for Abhimanyu in india will get Tax rebate. That's not it the donors from overseas can also avail tax rebate (details differs from country to country and will be explained by NGO thru which the donation is routed).

Isn't it great ? Now you get tax rebate like the one you get for investing in tax saving mutual funds/contributions for some charities, for donating for a film you care about. Another reason to contribute funds for Abhimanyu.

So what are you waiting for ? Join the contributors

PS: All those who've donated can write to us for their Tax benefit letters

Recee Pics

Here are a couple pics froms Abhimanyu's Recee in Bangalore and in case you don't know it by now, Abhimanyu will be shot in Bangalore from 20th July.

Onir, Sundeep(Asst Dir), Prakash and Arvind(DOP)


Sundeep and Onir

Thanks Mrs Padmavathy Reddy and Ms CG Saraswathi for cotributing and co-owning Abhimanyu

We've just received two more contributions for Abhimanyu from Bangalore. One from Mrs Padmavathy Reddy, in Rs 1,00,000 + category and other from Ms. C G Saraswathi for Rs 25,000 - Rs 1,00,000 category. Mrs Padmavathy Reddy and Ms C G Saraswathi are both associated with Tulhir, we recently announced our partnership with Tulhir.

Thanks a lot guys for coming forward and joining hands. Thanks for believing in us.

Check out the updated list of contributors here.

Omar AV

Here's the AV for Omar, tell us how you find it

Thanks Valentina Erath for contributing and co-owning Abhimanyu

Just wanted to update you all that we've got another contribution from Vienna's Valentina Erath . Valentina's contribution falls in the Rs 5,000 - Rs 25,000 category.

Valentina happens to be the first foreigner to contribute for Abhimanyu. Thanks Valentina for believing in us and coming forward to show support.

Updated list of contributors: http://iamabhimanyu.blogspot.com/2009/05/category-wise-list-of-contributors-for.html

Tulir partners with Abhimanyu

It gives us immense pleasure to announce that "Tulir - Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse" has partnered with Anti Clock Films for the production of Abhimanyu. Tulir (meaning "the first tender leaves of a plant" in Tamil) is a registered, nongovernmental, non-profit organization committed to working against child sexual abuse in India. Tulir offers the following programs

• Personal Safety Education
• Training & Consultancy
• Healing & Intervention
• Research & Documentation
• Resource Development
• Advocay & Networking

You can find more about Tulir at http://www.tulir.org/about_us.htm and http://www.childsexualabuseinindia.blogspot.com/

Thanks Winnie Singh for contributing and co-owning Abhimanyu

Just wanted to update you all that we've got another contribution from Winnie Singh(Delhi). Winnie's contribution falls in the Rs 25,000 - Rs 1,00,000 category.

Winnie happens to be the 25th person to contribute for Abhimanyu.Thanks Winnie for believing in us and coming forward to show support.

Updated list of contributors: http://iamabhimanyu.blogspot.com/2009/05/category-wise-list-of-contributors-for.html

Pics from Music Recording Session

KK with Amitabh Varma


Sanjay Suri, Onir, KK, Eric and Rajiiv


Rajiiv Bhallla and KK


KK sings for Abhimanyu

Thanks Manish Talwar for contributing and co-owning Abhimanyu

Just wanted to update you all that we've got another contribution from Geneva's Manish Talwar. Manish's contribution falls in the Rs 5,000 - Rs 25,000 category.

Thanks Manish for believing in us and coming forward to show support.

Winnie happens to be the 25th contributor for Abhimanyu. You can checkout the updated list of contributors: http://iamabhimanyu.blogspot.com/2009/05/category-wise-list-of-contributors-for.html

Rajiiv Bhallla joins Abhimanyu Team as Music Director

Rajiiv Bhallla is the newest member in Abhimanyu Team. Rajiiv will be doing music for Abhimanyu. Here's what he had to say about this development

well before meeting onir....!

ive been into composing n producing jingle's.... albums n background score's etc......!

i grew up with the thing in my mind that i have to get into feature films...as a Music director.

i alwayz wanted to be with people who do....quality ....n real cinema!!!!!!! which onir is a master in.

just 1 fine lucky day....i waz surfing my facebook....n just thought of luking for onir's profile...so dat i could contact him.

and guess.....wat.....???? our man waz der! so i simply wrote him a message saying "m a music composer n i just need 5mins of urz to play u some of my tunes

plzzzzz reply if possible"

the very next day....the great thing happend to me.....Mr.onir replied with a contact number of Amar....! his astnt dir!!!

n asked me to fix up a meeting,n widout delaying i called........followed up as i waz asked!

it was great meeting onir for the first time....i played my work..he liked the stuff..!!!! n said very gently...dat he liked few tracks n he will get back!

after next few meeting's i got a chance to do ABHIMANYU's AV.as i told him any thing would do to start....!

dats how the ABHIMANYU theme was born....!

it has been a great journey while making of ABHIMANYU theme track!


n i really thank....ONIR,SANJAY SURI....n to the whole team for trusting me!

i feel m really lucky to start my first feature film as music director.....with a great team!


i hope that u all will love it! need ur support guyz!


peace,love

Rajiiv bhallla.

Welcome Rajiiv to the Abhimanyu Team

Onir's interview with IBNLive

Thanks Mahua De for contributing and co-owning Abhimanyu

Just wanted to update you all that we've got another contribution from New Jercy's Mahua De. Mahua's contribution falls in the Rs 5,000 - Rs 25,000 category.

Thanks Mahua for believing in us and coming forward to show support.

Updated list of contributors: http://iamabhimanyu.blogspot.com/2009/05/category-wise-list-of-contributors-for.html

What about me ?

The story of a little boy, who goes through hell,
With no memories of when he fell.
Tear in his eye and a fear behind,
Knocked to the ground and pushed around.

Scuffles and muffles for a need to survive
With pain and sorrow left as a desire.
Enough is enough all that he says
Makes up his mind, to dream his desire.

A query for Him and the world around him,
With a wait for his share, of a better fair.
He asks himself and the world around him

What about me?
What about me? - Ganesh Nallari

Some stories are told…and some left untold. To fearlessly tell an untold story needs a lot of courage and determination. Its time to break the silence and speak up to create awareness about child abuse.

After knowing Onir and his sensitivity towards cinema, I am sure all the Abhimanyu’s around us will find a new direction in Life.

It's an honor to be a part of this cause and request everyone to contribute generously for the making of Abhimanyu .

Ganesh is a contributor/co-owner of Abhimanyu and has been an inspiration for Abhimanyu's script. You can find more about Ganesh here

Welcoming Sriram Iyenger and Sujeet Sawant

Hello All,

We've been joined by Sriram iyengar and Sujeet Sawant as Production Designers. The duo will be handling Production Design for Abhimanyu and Omar. Here's the update crew list

Welcome aboard guys, Cheers !!

Why OMAR ?

I am back to Mumbai after inaugurating the Kolkatta Annual LGBT film festival( 12th to 14th June 2009). I am overwhelmed by the experience of the last few days. The city and the people are just so warm and amazing and of course the food rocks.

When I decided to come for the LGBT film festival some people told me “you are very brave”. My answer was “I am not going to Afghanistan.(Not that that is something that would have stopped me either!), and why should I be insecure about going to a film festival that celebrates good cinema and love.

The film festival venue was Max Muller Bhavan. A venue that is special for me. I started my journey as a film maker way back in 1990 at this same place. It felt so good to once again see familiar faces. Sit in the same lawn and sip hot coffee over cinema. The charm is the same, the people as loving.

Later at the auditorium I was pleasantly surprised to see it packed. There were people sitting on the stairs and waiting outside to be allowed in. The organisers were already thinking of multiple venues for the next year. I watched young men sitting holding hands, women leaning against each other smiling and not worried about what the world would say. All they desire is the right to love without fear.

That is what brings me to our short film OMAR. Omar is again a film based on real life stories that we got from the research material Vikram Doctor sent us. Its a film that shows how the police misuses their power and blackmails Gay men by using article 377.

Article 377 , a law by which homosexuality is criminalised in India. When I look around myself I see so much hatred. I see divide because of religion, caste, class, colour and gender. And I wonder why anyone should have a problem with two adults expressing their love. After all love is a positive energy, and it does not harm anyone. On the lighter note. Neither do we need to panic about what will happen to procreation and the future of the universe. After all looking at the way the world is going we could do with some population control if we have to save the world.
OMAR is a film about unheard voices. Voices that society refuses to acknowledges. Omar is about the right to love. It’s about the right to freedom and right to self respect.

- Onir

Thanks Hiyaa, Sunil and Saikat for contributing and co-owning Abhimanyu

We've got a bunch of new contributions to share.

We'd like to thank Anon(Chicago), Hiyaa Aashish Israni(Nigeria),Sunil R Nair(Mumbai), Saikat Roy(Bangalore) for contributing and co-owning Abhimanyu. All the contributions mentioned above were made in the Rs 5,000 - Rs 25,000 category.

Thanks a lot friends for believing in us and showing your love and support :)

Entries for Name The Film Contest

The response to the Name The Film Contest has been great. The contest is still running, if you haven't submitted your entry yet, please do so by either dropping a comment below or sending us an email to abhimanyu.anticlockfilms@gmail.com. The winner gets credited in the film, wins an invite to the movie premier and (if interested) gets to be an intern for three months in Onir's next film. Here's a list of the names that people have suggested so far.

• Kaleidoscopes
• Immortal
• CRY
• kramshah
• Soch
• HIGH FIVE
• silent tears
• siskiya
• pentagon
• tears of silence
• dark chocolate
• sshhhh
• whisper
• the untiltled
• MY FEARRY TALES!
• My soul started talking
• Soul Dilemma
• DANSH
• Who Am I?
• . (just a dot)
• five demises
• Kuchh Baatein Ankahee
• Black Oleander
• Shunyatha
• Whispers to Shouts
• CHHITEIN
• CHAL CHALE MERE SAATH
• Guhaar
• Alakh
• Antarnaad
• P A N C H A T A N T R A
• chakravyuh
• Kuchh Ankahee
• Antardhwani
• Goonj
• TANZ
• Prayaas
• Kathastu
• colors of life
• Sannatta
• HIDDEN TRUTH
• Sawal Paanch?

updated 19th June

• ANDEKHEE, ANKAHEE...ANSUNEE
• Sitam
• REMOTE VOICES
• Adhoori Kahaniyan!
• Incomplete Stories
• Qatra Qatra Awaazein

So which name do you like most ?

Abhimanyu Group on Facebook is now 1,000 member strong

Hey All,

I am happy to share with you all that the Abhimanyu group on Facebook, which started about a couple months back is 1000 member strong and getting bigger by the day.

If you are on Facebook, you might want to join the group to get latest updates.

Click here to join the Abhimanyu group

Thanks Deep and Aniruddh for contributing and co-owning Abhimanyu

We've just received two more cheques for Abhimanyu. One from Deep Basu, a student from Kolkata for the upto Rs 5,000 category and other from Aniruddh from Chicago for Rs 5,000 - Rs25,000 category.

Thanks a lot guys for coming forward and joining hands. Thanks for believing in us.

Check out the updated list of contributors here.

AFIA Poster

Hi Guys,

We've just got the poster for Afia and here it is.


So how do you find it ?

Meet Onir in Kolkatta

Onir's current status message on Facebook

IS HAPPY ABOUT GOING TO KOLKATTA FOR TWO DAYS (12TH -14TH JUNE) TO ATTEND The Annual Calcutta Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Film and Video Festival 2009

Yes, Onir will be in "the city of joy" for a 3 day trip to attend the Annual Calcutta LGBT Film and Video Festival and guess what ? He's available and willing to meet his friends and fans(especially the online ones from Facebook, Blog and Twitter). So if you enjoyed any of Onir's works (My Brother Nikhil, Bas Ek Pal, Sorry Bhai) and want to meet the man behind it, here's an exclusive chance to catch up with Onir.

If you are interested in meeting Onir, drop a comment so that we have a tentative idea about the numbers and we can work out the time n place for the meeting. You can also inform us by emailing at abhimanyu.anticlockfilms@gmail.com

Thanks Ganesh Nallari and Pawan Dhal for co-owning Abhimanyu

Guys,

Join us in Thanking Ganesh Nallari and Pawan Dhal for contributing funds for Abhimanyu.
Pawan Dhal from Kolkatta contributed funds in the upto Rs 5,000 category and Ganesh Nallari from Hyderabad contributed funds in the category Rs 25,000 - Rs 1,00,000.

Check out the updated contributors list here

You too can co-own Abhimanyu by contributing money online(widget on right top)/paypal/sending your cheques for Anticlock films pvt ltd to Bunglow No181, Parikh Bungalow, First Floor,Aaram Nagar II, J.P Road, Andheri west, Mumbai 400061, India.

Akhil Chaudhary joins Abhimanyu Team as Production Assistant

Guys, we have another addition to our team. Akhil Chaudhary from Mumbai joins the Abhimanyu Team as a Production Assitant. Here's what Akhil had to say about the "why and how" of joining Abhimanyu.

I completed my film course from NewZealand and came back to Mumbai in January. Then in this month only I contacted Onir at Facebook and asked him if there's any work. Very humbly he asked me to mail him my CV. I did that and then suddenly the next day he called me for a meeting. So I came all prepared. Onir told me what is Abhimanyu all about and i immediately requested him to put me on board.

I wanted to learn from Onir and I was excited to join a group who has made some good sensible films. My main motive is to work with a good team and learn the aspects of filmaking. So Onir told me to join the production team and here I am working as an Production assistant. I am thankful to Onir who gave me this chance and I would put in my best efforts to make Abhimanyu a strong film.

You can connect with Akhil on Facebook here

Welcome Akhil to the Abhimanyu Team.

You too can volunteer for Abhimanyu. To discuss drop an email to abhimanyu.anticlockfilms@gmail.com

Shooting to commence in July

Here's another update for you all.

We are tightening our seat belts and ask you all to do the same as we plan to begin shooting for short films in the first week of July. We are in the process of finalizing the shooting details and charting out the plan of action. While we sort things out at our end to begin shooting you don't wait any further to send in your contributions, as getting the required funds at the earliest will ensure that our schedule goes smoothly and timely as planned.

Thanks once again !!!

Name The Film Contest

Hello Guys,

We've been thinking for a while about the name of the collective feature film that'll be made of the five short films and then in one of our talks with Onir, he thought of putting the question out in public so that everyone whose following developments with Abhimanyu can use their creativity to come up with a nice name for the collective film. So here we are announcing the one of it's kind

Name the Film Contest:

What you need to do:
All you need to do is to think of a nice name that reflects the overall feel/essence of the film i.e.
"Unspoken Words" or "The Sound of Silence" or anything appropriate to that the films stand for: Untold stories of fear and hope and send it to abhimanyu.anticlockfilms@gmail.com or leave it as a comment here along with your email id.

What you get:
The winner gets credited in the film and invited for the premiere with the actors. That's not it if you are into film making you also get a chance to work on a three month internship on Onir's next project.

So let your creative juices flow and send as a name you think is apt for the collective film.

Terms & Conditions
1) Only entry allowed per person
2) The prize includes just the invite(not other expenses)
3) The internship would be an unpaid one i.e. without any remunerations.
4) All terms and conditions are subject to change

Press

This post is to share all the mentions of Abhimanyu in press

1) Onir Anirban wants your help with his new film - BollySpice.com

2) You can be a producer too - Times of India

3) I want to make a difference as an artist - Ilovekolkata.in

4) Onir to Expose Nexus Between Male sex Workers and Police - octanentertainment.com

5) Onir's Omar brings to fore the plight of gay men - GlamSham.com

6)Abhimanyu, Omar get nominated for TMG Global Awards - BollywoodHungama.com

7) Onir extends a unique offer, makes audiences shareholders in his next film - BollywoodHungama.com

8) Onir has big plans - RealBollywood.com

9) Onir: I wanted to make a film on child abuse for a long time - Glamsham.com

10) Audience Appreciation - Yahoo News

11) After RGV and Sanjay Gupta, Onir tells his short stories - HindustanTimes.com

12) Funding a movie - Filmmaker Onir tries the Facebook way - Water, No Ice

13) Want to turn Producer ? Invest in Onir's film - Ibnlive.com

14) Want quality cinema ? Pay up - HindustanTimes.com

15) Good deed for the day - TimesofIndia.com

16) Abhimanyu’s coming to town - TimesofIndia.com

17) "Juhi & Purab are acting as well as contributing financially to my film": Onir - Bollywoodhungama.com

18) Abhimanyu in Bengaluru Times

19) Kannada Actress Pooja Gandhi in Abhimanyu - entertainment.in.msn.com

20) Abhimanyu: Reeling the real - passionforcinema.com

21) Social Media Case Study: Abhimanyu - deskaway.com

22) Anurag to play Abuser -DNAIndia

23) Now, a film funded by the people - EconomicTimes

24) I am should entertain you as a film but at the same time make you think - glamsham.com

Thanks Rahul Datta and Nandini for co-owning Abhimanyu

Update Time:

Guys, just wanted to update you on the recent contributions that we received from Rahul Datta and Nandini. Rahul Datta from Dubai contributed in the Rs 25,000 - Rs 1,00,000 category and Nandini from Texas contributed in the Rs 5,000 - Rs 25,000 category.

Thanks Rahul and Nandini for believing in us

Manan Katohora from US Volunteers to do Overseas PR for Abhimanyu

Guess what, we have another Overseas Volunteer for Abhimanyu. Yes, in another pleasing development Filmmaker Manan Singh Katohora from US has volunteered to take care of the Overseas PR for the film.

Here's what Manan had to say about what made him volunteer

As a fellow-indie-filmmaker, I am a big fan of Onir's work - every film he has made reflects entertainment and cinematic sensiblities...

This was a perfect chance for me to join hands with 2 visionaries - Onir and Sanjay Suri, and contribute to their story-telling journey...

You can read more about Manan's works here

Thanks Manan for coming forward and joining hands for the project.

You too can volunteer for Abhimanyu. To discuss drop an email to abhimanyu.anticlockfilms@gmail.com

Introducing special contribution category for students

The story behind Abhimanyu and the concept of co-owning the film seems to have struck a chord with studends. We've been getting a lot of queries from the student community about Abhimanyu and the amount that can be contributed. Keeping in mind the interest shown by students we've added a new category for contributions i.e Rs 1000 - Rs 5000.

The contributions in this category will get credits on our site and other web properties(facebook etc) and will also be a part of the DVD booklet that will be released. So if you are a school or college student what are you waiting for ? Join hands with us in making Abhimanyu by contributing funds in the students category. Also, if you are really keen to have your name appear in the credits of the film you can consider collecting Rs 5000 or more and make the contribution under your group, school, college name For ex: Theatre group, Miranda College or Hindu Cricket Team

Feel free to let us know if you have any queries for us.

Film maker Sundeep Malani from Bangalore Joins Abhimanyu Team

Guys in another interesting development Film maker Sundeep Malani from Bangalore has joined Abhimanyu Team as a volunteer in the direction team. Here' Sundeep's testimonial

I have watched all the 3 films of Onir. And I have immensly liked them. Onir's films touch to the heart. And I always wanted to be a part of his films. As I am a director myself, I thought of approaching him to be his assistant for his future films. Facebook made me easy. I added him, he accepted my request. And since then (say January this year), I have been pushing myself - requesting Onir to give me a chance to be his assistant. He did respond back to me, asking why do I want to be his assistant as I am a director myself (have directed 3 films till date in South). Well, me being a director has nothing to do with not being someone's assistant. Working with someone whose films I have loved, would be my honour. Onir told me to contact him in May.

I made a visit to Mumbai and approached him again, thats when I got to know that - Onir is planning to make 5 films together. What more can I ask for? I loved the idea of all his short subjects. Having known the thread of Abhimanyu and Omar, I am more than happy to be a part of these subjects, that would be definately viewed in an International Platform and would be appreciated, applauded and rewarded in years to come for sure!

Onir's films are for a cause and many of them are grabbing the opportunity to OWN the film. I am blessed that - I am ONE of the luckiest to be with ONIR.

Sundeep Malani

You can connect with Sundeep on facebook here

Thanks Sundeep for coming forward and joining hands for the project.

You too can volunteer for Abhimanyu. To discuss, drop an email to abhimanyu.anticlockfilms@gmail.com

Mayank Dhingra to do "Online Marketing" for Abhimanyu

A couple of weeks back we had another addition to the Abhimanyu Team in form of Mayank Dhingra from Delhi. Mayank will be taking care of film's Online Marketing. Here's his testimonial for the same:

I have been in touch with Onir(on facebook and email) since I saw "Sorry Bhai". I loved the film for it's story and depiction of complexities of relationships. Onir was easily approachable and friendly which I really liked.

One fine day while surfing Facebook, I saw some activity about "Abhimanyu" and it immediately caught my attention. I loved the whole concept of co-owning a film and the socially relevant subjects of short stories further convinced me that I should be a part of the project. Being an online marketer I thought offering my services would be the best way to contribute and here I am.

My best wishes to the Abhimanyu Team

Mayank Dhingra blogs about Social Media and Marketing here, you can find out more about his work here . You can connect with Mayank on Facebook here

Thanks Mayank for being a part of the Abhimanyu Team.

You too can volunteer for Abhimanyu. To discuss, drop an email to abhimanyu.anticlockfilms@gmail.com