Clever and Lonely

Low budget 86 minute DV colour feature currently showing on the internet and at film festivals internationally. Shot in Mumbai, India, by Trishflicks, represented in the UK by Coffee Films.

Previously shown at the Dahlonega International Film Festival 2002 (Georgia, USA) (Best Actress awarded to Nilanjana), the Birmingham Film and TV Festival 2002 (UK), the Karafilm Festival 2002 (Karachi, Pakistan), the Digital Talkies Film Festival 2003 (India), and the 3btv net streaming site.

Notes

Not a Coffee Film as such, director/producer Ashwini Malik has asked us to represent his project in the UK, and help get it seen internationally. The film follows Aditya, a systems analyst, and Akanksha, an upcoming actress, who sleep together soon after he rescues her from another man at a party. Initially they seem to have an understanding that this is not the beginning of a committed relationship, but soon, Akanksha starts hoping for more. Aditya tells her about how he broke up with an earlier girl friend, due to his insecurity at her ambition and success. Akanksha asks him to leave, apologizing for having asked for more, but over the following days they both find themself thinking about the other, and hoping to find a way to make their relationship work.

This is a fascinating feature debut featuring some excellent performances from the two actors, and owing more to classic European cinema than that of Bolly or Hollywood. Created by a cast and crew of TV professionals frustrated with the limitations of Indian TV, the film has been shot in English and we hope to show it at as many festivals and screenings in the UK and internationally as possible.

Here's what the Birmingham Film and TV Festival had to say about it;

"Amongst all the Bollywood hype, you may have been wondering what happened to independent Indian cinema. Well, look no further than Clever and Lonely, a low-budget love-story which marks the arrival of a genuine talent.
The title describes our two main characters, who meet driving home from a party, and despite their affluent Bombay lives it quickly becomes clear that both systems analyst Aditya (Aamir Bashir) and aspiring actress Akanksha (Nilanjana) are looking for something more. Over the course of a weekend, they try and work out whether they have found that something more in each other, and thanks to a confident script and two excellent actors we are pulled right in with them.
Unlike many Indian movies, Clever and Lonely is sharp and honest about the way men and women treat one another, creating a convincing picture of modern courtship and capturing that scary, giddy moment when we first fall for someone."

Stills

Stills from Clever and Lonely ©2004 Trishflicks/Ashwini Malik

Cast and Crew

Aamir Bashir (Aditya) Nilanjana (Akanksha)

Director/Writer; Ashwini Malik Executive Producers; Ashwini Malik, Irene Dhar Malik Cinematography; Jatinda Sharma, Arun Varma Sound; Mohandas VP Editing; Irene Dhar Malik

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