IFFI 2017 International Cinema Catalogue

PANEL DISCUSSION
Children’s Cinema in India
“Children’s films in Indian Cinema - Is there enough content which connects to Children” this session will be moderated by Prasoon
Joshi, Chairperson, Central Board of Film Certification.
Moderator Prasoon Joshi CBFC, CEO
One of the most respected names in the Indian film industry, Prasoon Joshi is more than just a talented lyricist. He is the chief
of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Born in Uttarakhand’s Almora, the 45-year-old poet and screenwriter is a
successful ad man. A science graduate, Joshi started his career with Ogilvy and Mather and went on to become the executive
vice-president of McCann-Erickson. He began writing lyrics in 1999 with Bhopal Express, but his big break in films came with the
song Kaun dagar, kaun shehar in Rajkumar Santoshi’s 2001 film Lajja. He became more prominent after penning songs for films
like Fanaa, Rang De Basanti, Black, Delhi 6 and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. In 2007, Joshi won the National Award for Best Lyrics for
Taare Zameen Par and a second one for Chittagong in 2013. Recently, his lyrics for Neerja songs were also well received. Joshi
was awarded the Padma Shri in 2015.
Anurag Basu
Anurag Basu is a Bollywood director and writer. He directed several television serials, including Tara, one of India’s first soap
operas. He also directed Balaji Telefilms’ Koshish Ek Aasha and Miit, which was based on Rabindranath Tagore’s Noukadubi. He
made his debut in movies with Kucch Toh Hai. His next film Saaya belonged to the supernatural genre. Murder was based on the
Hollywood hit Unfaithful. During the filming of his next film Tumsa Nahin Dekha (2004), Basu was diagnosed with blood cancer.
The movie was later completed by Mohit Suri and Mahesh Bhatt. In 2006, Anurag Basu came back to make Gangster. It was
followed by the critically acclaimed Life in a Metro. Basu wrote the screenplays for Gangster, Life in a Metro and Kites.
Nitesh Tiwari
Nitesh Tiwari spent his childhood in various towns of Madhya Pradesh. In 1992, he came to Mumbai to pursue his B. Tech at the
prestigious IIT Bombay. At IIT-B he was very active on the sports as well dramatic fronts. He represented IIT-B in cricket and his
contribution to dramatics in the institute got him the Dramatics Roll Of Honour. He spent 17 years in advertising and he was the
Chief Creative Officer of Leo Burnett India before becoming a full time director. During these years he and his team did many
memorable campaigns and won numerous advertising awards, domestic as well as international. Tiwari started his journey in
Bollywood with Chillar Party which he co-wrote and co-directed. Chillar Party went on to win three National Awards. He then cowrote
and directed Bhoothnath Returns. His latest venture, Dangal, which he co-wrote and directed, is one of the most successful
Bollywood movies ever.
Rajiv Chilaka
Rajiv is the Founder and CEO of Green Gold Animation. He has created and built India’s biggest animation brand Chhota Bheem,
which currently has a viewership of over 40 million children, and is the first ever Indian animation character to have its own line of
branded merchandise. Under him, over the past 14 years, Green Gold has produced over 550+ episodes of animation content, 75+
television movies and four theatrical movies. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering
from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Chilaka holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from University of Missouri Kansas
City. He also studied animation at the Academy of Art, San Franscisco.