Indie no more...
Warner Brothers brings Americanizing Shelley full circle!
I am SO proud to announce today that AS will be distributed by Warner Brothers in the US and Canada on 05 February 2008!
(3 months from now to kickoff Valentine's Season 2008).
And although many, many before AS have attempted...the ONLY other films to have gained Major Hollywood Studio distribution from the so called "Indo-American Crossover Market" are:
Bend It Like Beckham (FOX)
Bride and Prejudice (MIRAMAX)
Monsoon Wedding (FOCUS)
and now...
Americanizing Shelley (WARNER BROTHERS)
As a kick-off to their publicity campaign...lotsa real cool stuff happening (incl my Actress-Of-The-Week Celebrity Feature at AskMen.com)...check it out at:
www.NAMRATA.info
(If its hard to log on; it's just too many folks trying log in at the same time...)
As a side note, AS will open in theaters & TV across the globe in 2008 through major distributors like the HBO's of the world and many more...
And as most of you already know, iDream (Distributors of Monsoon Wedding; Bend It Like Beckham) are onboard for International and India release of the film.
Ya'll...God has showered so many graces on me and I just want to take this opportunity to thank each one of my supporters personally for sharing this journey with me and my baby "Americanizing Shelley"!
I wish your coming days are filled with the emotions I feel right now...it just ROCKS to be on top of the world...
As far as '08 is concerned, my company APFG is financing/developing some mindblowing projects in the next year and my other newly formed company, UniGlobe Entertainment (crucial to AS distribution) is going to be acquiring outsie projects.
With all of this, I hope to keep bringing my audiences great fare...please do check for updates periodically on any of our sites.
God Bless and thank you for being there for me!
Namrata Singh Gujral
Writer/Producer/Actor- Americanizing Shelley
President -American Pride Films Group
CEO - UniGlobe Entertainment
And, as usual, lots more at:
www.NAMRATA.info
AMERICANIZING Shelley
HIGHLIGHTS
AS opened as a limited theatrical release in 10 U.S. cities against Spiderman 3 in 2007. It will be further released in the U.S. and Canada by WARNER BROTHERS on 05 Feb 2008.
In its 3rd week, AS was the #15 PG RATED COMEDY of 2007 after “Shrek the Third”, “Bridge to Terabithia”, “TMNT”, “Are We Done Yet?” and others.
AS “Behind The Scenes” premiered on E! Channel’s hit show “Dr. 90210” (viewership: app. 50 million) in August 2007. Hits to the film’s website skyrocketed!
AS is the FIRST “homegrown” Hollywood project featuring Bollywood elements. Similar films such as “Bend It like Beckham”, “Monsoon Wedding” and “Bride and Prejudice” were all set overseas, in India and the UK.
The film’s soundtrack boasts mega hits from around the world:
1) “Love You Out Loud’ by country music stars RASCALL FLATTS, “French Kissin’ In the USA” by BLONDIE
2) “Dekh Ley’ and "Yeh Fizaayen” from Bollywood Blockbusters MUNNA BHAI MBBS and MAIN HOON NAA.
In June 2007, AS earned the coveted spot of “FEATURED FILMAKER” on MySpace for the entire month. This resulted in thousands of extra hits on MYSPACE, app. 20,000 extra views on YOU TUBE and thousands of hits on the film’s website.
India’s popular trade digest declared the TEN MOST BUZZED INDIAN FILMS AT CANNES. Along with Americanizing Shelley the list included the likes of Aishwarys Rai starrer "Jodha Akbar" and more...
With its PG rating, AS is a great family comedy but also an excellent date movie.
Troy Takaki, the Editor of blockbusters like HITCH and SWEET HOME ALABAMA has worked his editorial magic on AS. “Editing by Troy Takaki is first-rate, finding great jokes in unlikely juxtapositions” reviews John Anderson of VARIETY
Along with American and Bollywood elements, the film also includes plot twists that encompass the LATIN world and other cultures. In his review, John Anderson of VARIETY writes: “Rob decides to remake her (Shelley) as Hispanic, which is probably the slyest joke in the movie”.
The soundtrack also includes 3 never-been-done-before “Country Rock meets Bollywood” style duets like “Dancin’ in the Clouds” from Steve Azar and Namrata Singh Gujral, which has garnered much publicity (including coverage on CMT’s websites and blogs).
“Dancin’ In the Clouds” is currently playing on CMT. This is the first single in THE HISTORY OF CMT to feature:
A) Lyrics from an Eastern language. (English w/ Hindi).
B) An Eastern Artist. (Namrata Singh Gujral's duet w/ Steve Azar). (See INFO KIT for details).
Although the film screened as an Out-Of-Competition “work-in-progress” at San Diego Film Festival 2006, it was voted the “TOP RATED FILM” by audiences, amidst the likes of Miramax’s “The Queen”.
To kick start its U.S. theatrical release, Americanizing Shelley premiered as CLOSING NIGHT FILM at NASHVILLE FILM FEST 2007! Attending the fest:
AL GORE, TIM McGRAW, FAITH HILL, BEAU BRIDGES and NAMRATA SINGH GUJRAL.
REVIEWS so far…
Sweet-natured, often charming twist on the assimilation comedy - VARIETY
Sweet, soulful and full of heart… IRRESISTIBLE! - The Washington Times
Sunny, likable romantic comedy…Star-making performance by Namrata Singh Gujral - Michael Medved, Film Critic
Upbeat, feel-good film - San Francisco Examiner
The vigor comes chiefly from watching the gorgeous Shalini transform into a city girl - a process that never feels rushed or false…brings warmth and cheer…
LA Weekly
Excellent romantic comedy…- SanDiego.com
Bollywood comes to Hollywood via Americanizing Shelley - Entertainment Today
TOP RATED FILM – SAN DIEGO FILM FESTIVAL 2006
(OFFICIAL SELECTION)
** CLOSING NIGHT FILM** – NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL 2007
(OFFICIAL SELECTION)
