Shoot On Sight: Is it a Crime to be Muslim?
London. 17th March 2007. 'Shoot On Sight', directed by Jagmohan Mundhra and produced by Aron Govil of Cine Boutique, is in the final stages of being released. The film after a premier screening at the 4th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has been invited for the forthcoming Stuttgart India Film Festival, confirms Mundhra.
"We are planning a global release for our film in its original language English, possibly in May this year," however, he adds " we have decided to release 'Shoot On Sight' in a Hindi version as well for the masses of India."
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Naseer and Great Scacchi in 'Shoot On Sight'Excerpts from a story published in December 2007
"I have a special relationship with Dubai as my last film 'Provoked' was screened at the IIFA 2006 in Dubai. Interestingly, I explored the idea of 'Shoot On Sight' with my film-friends in Dubai. It's an honour to be invited for a gala screening," says a beaming Mundhra.
The selection of 'Shoot On Sight' for a screening at Dubai Festival seems appropriate as the film tackles one of the most divisive issues of modern times- Islamic Terrorism.
Since its first edition in 2004, DIFF has established itself as an important cultural event in Dubai and the UAE. There has been a remarkable growth in the number of films presented and an increased interest in audience numbers. The festival has also seen a similar growth in the attendance of key international and regional filmmakers, industry professionals and members of the local, regional and international press.
According to organisers, 114 film were screened in 2006 and the registration of delegates rose from 948 to 1966. 47 countries were represented with attendance reaching up to 36,000. Organisers are expecting another cracking year.
India-EU Film Initiative can also confirm that Hollywood's sought after composer John Altman has agreed to compose for the film.
Altman, pictured, a winner of BAFTA (Hear My Song) and EMMY (RKO 281) became quite popular for his score in Miramax's worldwide smash hit ‘Shall We Dance', starring Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez.
"We are delighted to have John Altman on board. He's going to score background as well as some Sufi music with a lot of soul and fusion. In fact, right now, we are working on a Qawwali," says Jagmohan Mundhra.
The film, a thriller set in London, features Naseeruddin Shah, Greta Scachi, Brian Cox, Om Puri, Gulshan Grover, Laila Rouaas and Mikaal Zulfiqar.
Is it a crime to be a Muslim?
"My film is about raising difficult questions in these turbulent times when an image of extreme Islam, it seems, is being hijacked to dictate the world agenda. During the London bombings of 2005, I saw so much Islamophobia on the streets of London. I address this aspect as well as the threat posed by the emergence of extreme Islam," says Mundhra, pictured above, between actors Om Puri, Mikaal and Naseer, Gulshan.
He adds "One of the characters in the film asks 'Is it a crime to be a Muslim?' I sincerely believe Islam is a religion of peace and Muslims all over the world want to live in harmony."
Shoot On Sight is produced by the US-based Aron Govil whose company Cine Boutique says it's committed to producing crossover cinema for the diversified audiences. Govil confirms that he has started negotiations with some major distributors in order to screen 'Shoot On Sight' worldwide in 2008.
"Currently, I am in talks with several distributors and sales agents. I must say that everyone so far has loved the film. Most of them have told me that the non-stop pace kept them glued to their seat till the end, and quite a few of them said that the issues which my film raises are very real in today's society where Muslim population is being racially segregated due to terrorism and no other film has dared to address them," says Govil.
However, he refuses to give a date of release, but suggests that he will be able "to finalise a deal soon and have a world-wide release sometime early next year."
Jagmohan Mundhra is elated as well as anxious. "I'm proud to have raised a real award-winning cast and crew. Between them they have won a number of National and International Awards. Take, for example, Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri who are most fearsome actors in India. I'm anxious, because the film is set for release. This could be the most unnerving moment for any film director. However, my gut feeling says 'Shoot On Sight' is going to be an altogether path-breaking take on the rise of Islamic fundamentalism."
The Director of Photography for the film is Madhu Ambat who worked with Mundhra on 'Provoked '. A National Award winner for his photography in G V Iyer's Adi Sankaracharya, Ambat has worked with Manoj Night Shyamalan on Wide Awake. But the film that brought him accolades from every one in India was Mani Rathnam's Anjali.
Read a detailed account of the making of Shoot On Sight
