AR Rahman Fantasy and Saudi Arabian Retelling of ‘Macbeth’ Adorn Bobby Bedi’s Contentflow Production Slate (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned cinema enthusiast with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that Bobby Bedi’s latest production slate is nothing short of breathtaking! The diversity and depth of his upcoming projects are a testament to his unwavering commitment to storytelling and pushing the boundaries of cinematic art.


As I, a keen observer of the cinematic universe, I recently had the privilege of announcing an impressive array of upcoming international film projects. Among them is none other than Bobby Bedi, a renowned Indian film producer, who has successfully navigated the industry’s challenging landscapes. His latest endeavor spans various genres, from a compelling dance documentary to a breathtaking foray into high fantasy, demonstrating his commitment to delivering diverse and engaging stories on the global stage.

At a special gathering held during the International Film Festival of India in Goa, Bedi unveiled “Mudras,” a story about a Spanish dancer who ventures to India in the 1980s and discovers her essence by merging Flamenco, Bharat Natyam, and Kathakali. Approximately two decades later, the daughter of this woman embarks on a similar quest but ends up with contrasting outcomes.

At present, the feature documentary is undergoing post-production, which is being handled by Bedi and Anna Saura via Contentflow Studios. The duo, Bedi and Maria Salgado, are co-directing this project. Bedi characterizes the film as a narrative about two women, two nations, two cultures, and two generations. It delves into dance, personal introspection, and self-discovery.

The company is currently working on a pre-production phase for “Bandit Queen MP,” a film title that follows up on one of Bedi’s early career hits, “Bandit Queen.” This production revolves around the story of Phoolan Devi, a woman who defied all odds to become a member of parliament after spending 12 years in prison. She advocated for increased women representation and was later assassinated.

Bedi stated clearly that the story takes place when the nation wasn’t yet prepared for [women’s political representation], but it’s worth noting that parliament has reserved seats specifically for women. This film is intended to resonate with those striving to shatter the numerous glass ceilings still prevalent in various aspects of life.

Presented casually as a “transgender romance,” Bedi unveiled the pre-production project titled “Lala & Poppy.” This story revolves around a transsexual male character and a transsexual female character who fall in love. The question posed by Bedi is, “Can this world accept two transgender individuals expressing their love and living freely?

The project titled “Nasruddin Hoja,” conceived by Bedi, Rami Malek, and A.R. Rahman, is markedly unique in its ambition. For over a year, this cinematic endeavor has been under development, unfolding as a musical odyssey of a 13th-century enigmatic figure, celebrated from Turkey to China for his wit and wisdom. This character navigated the tumultuous periods of the Crusades and the Mongol invasion.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t wait to share my upcoming project titled “Artists & Assassins,” which will be presented next month at the Asia Television Forum in Singapore. This film is a unique tale that follows a deaf Indian artist’s quest for self-discovery, love, and artistic fulfillment within Mexico’s vibrant art scene during the 1950s.

Additionally, “Auto Bhagwan” is currently in development – it’s a pulse-pounding real-time thriller set within the context of a three-wheeled auto-rickshaw. The trio of passengers and the ensuing adventures that the rickshaw driver encounters throughout the movie’s span of two hours play a significant role in the storyline.

Mansur marks Bedi’s initial foray into film production within Saudi Arabia. Acknowledging the challenge of predicting which films might resonate in this rapidly evolving market, Bedi reveals that the movie is a reinterpretation of his existing work, “Maqbool,” which was itself an Indian rendition of William Shakespeare’s stage play, “Macbeth,” translated into Arabic.

With Rahman once more, Bedi is deep in the process of creating “The Blooming Tree,” an enchanting musical tale. According to the producer, this production mirrors today’s issues as profoundly as “Avatar” did in its time. Inspired by a poem by AK Ramunajam, it tells the story of a girl who transforms into a tree temporarily to allow her family to sell its blossoms for survival. As Bedi explained, this narrative tackles themes related to gender, prejudice, and the environment all at once.

Bedi’s impressive filmography boasts several groundbreaking films in Indian cinema, such as Shekhar Kapur’s globally acclaimed “Bandit Queen” (1994), Deepa Mehta’s provocative “Fire” (1996), the romantic drama “Saathiya” starring Rani Mukerji (2002), Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Maqbool” (2003), Stanley Tong’s action film featuring Jackie Chan, “The Myth” (2005), and Gurvinder Singh’s award-winning “Crescent Night” (2002).

This year, I’ve had the honor of orchestrating the launch of the innovative content market supported by Frames. It’s been an exciting journey!

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2024-11-23 17:47