The President Is Coming
Encyclopedia
The President Is Coming is a 2009 Indian
satirical
mockumentary
film directed by Kunaal Roy Kapur
based on his own popular play by the same title which premiered at the Royal Court/Rage Theatre Festival in Mumbai in January 2006. The film, written by Anuvab Pal, marks Kapur's debut as a director and features an ensemble cast
including Konkona Sen Sharma
as a Bengali writer and a social activist. The film explores a day in the life of 6 contestants who will stop at nothing as the US President is coming to town. Konkona plays Maya Roy, one of the six contestants who will represent New India in front of the President.
, President of the United States
, visited India. In addition to the many diplomatic and political things on the agenda was a rather unique event — a meeting with the young faces responsible for shaping "The New India". The six contestants are Maya Roy India's best young Writer, Ajay Karlekar India's best young Social Activist, Archana Kapoor India's best young Indian Entrepreneur, Rohit Seth Call Center Accent Trainer, Kapil Dev Dholakia India's best young Stock Investor, Ramesh S Software Engineer.
They have to undergo bizarre tests and activities to top the list. In the end only two are left Kapil and Maya. Kapil is caught cheating in the final round and Maya is selected. But with bizarre turn of events she is not the one who shakes the hand.
, the critically acclaimed US indie rock band, did the soundtrack for "The President is Coming" (2008), featuring songs such as "Paper Boats", "Under the House", and "Haath Mein Le Lenge". The film's music was written by Siddhartha Khosla and is available for download at www.myspace.com/goldspot.
from indiaFM gave the film a 3 out of 5 rating and concluded that it "...offers laughter aplenty and that is its biggest USP. Recommended for the multiplex junta."The Times of India
gave the film 3 out of 5 stars concluding, "The film has a raw look and lacks finesse when it comes to production values. But there is a delightful tongue-in-cheek tenor running through it, which makes you overlook the unpolished feel and the loose editing." Rajeev Masand
from CNN-IBN described the film as "... an enjoyable film that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling.Don't miss this film or you'll regret it."
Reviews were favorably directed towards director Kunaal Roy Kapur
and lead actress Konkona Sen Sharma
as well. Taran Adarsh
reviewed, "Director Kunaal Roy Kapur knows what he's talking and for a first-timer, makes a remarkable debut." Nikhat Kazmi
from The Times of India
wrote, "Performance-wise, it's the uptight and complex-ridden Ms. Konkona who walks away with laurels and laughs even as the film takes a healthy snigger at the desi self."
Cinema of India
The cinema of India consists of films produced across India, which includes the cinematic culture of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Indian films came to be followed throughout South Asia and...
satirical
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
film directed by Kunaal Roy Kapur
Kunaal Roy Kapur
Kunaal Roy Kapur is an Indian film actor and director.-Early life and education:Born in Mumbai, Kunaal Kapur did his schooling from G. D. Somani Memorial School, in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai and subsequently a drop out from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai...
based on his own popular play by the same title which premiered at the Royal Court/Rage Theatre Festival in Mumbai in January 2006. The film, written by Anuvab Pal, marks Kapur's debut as a director and features an ensemble cast
Ensemble cast
An ensemble cast is made up of cast members in which the principal actors and performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance and screen time in a dramatic production. This kind of casting became more popular in television series because it allows flexibility for writers to focus on...
including Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma is an Indian actress. She is the daughter of actress and filmmaker Aparna Sen. Sharma appears primarily in Indian arthouse and independent films, and her achievements in the genre have established her as one of the leading actresses of contemporary parallel cinema.Making her...
as a Bengali writer and a social activist. The film explores a day in the life of 6 contestants who will stop at nothing as the US President is coming to town. Konkona plays Maya Roy, one of the six contestants who will represent New India in front of the President.
Plot
In 2006, George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, President of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, visited India. In addition to the many diplomatic and political things on the agenda was a rather unique event — a meeting with the young faces responsible for shaping "The New India". The six contestants are Maya Roy India's best young Writer, Ajay Karlekar India's best young Social Activist, Archana Kapoor India's best young Indian Entrepreneur, Rohit Seth Call Center Accent Trainer, Kapil Dev Dholakia India's best young Stock Investor, Ramesh S Software Engineer.
They have to undergo bizarre tests and activities to top the list. In the end only two are left Kapil and Maya. Kapil is caught cheating in the final round and Maya is selected. But with bizarre turn of events she is not the one who shakes the hand.
Soundtrack
GoldspotGoldspot
Goldspot is a Los Angeles-based band first introduced by tastemaker DJ Nic Harcourt on his morning show, KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic". The Sunday Times UK hailed Goldspot as "the best band to come out of America in years"...
, the critically acclaimed US indie rock band, did the soundtrack for "The President is Coming" (2008), featuring songs such as "Paper Boats", "Under the House", and "Haath Mein Le Lenge". The film's music was written by Siddhartha Khosla and is available for download at www.myspace.com/goldspot.
Reception
The President Is Coming opened to generally positive reviews. Critic Taran AdarshTaran Adarsh
Taran Adarsh is an Indian film critic, journalist, editor and film trade analyst. He is also a former producer and screenwriter. He is the son of film director and producer, B.K. Adarsh....
from indiaFM gave the film a 3 out of 5 rating and concluded that it "...offers laughter aplenty and that is its biggest USP. Recommended for the multiplex junta."The Times of India
The Times of India
The Times of India is an Indian English-language daily newspaper. TOI has the largest circulation among all English-language newspaper in the world, across all formats . It is owned and managed by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd...
gave the film 3 out of 5 stars concluding, "The film has a raw look and lacks finesse when it comes to production values. But there is a delightful tongue-in-cheek tenor running through it, which makes you overlook the unpolished feel and the loose editing." Rajeev Masand
Rajeev Masand
Rajeev Masand is an Indian film critic and entertainment reporter for CNN-IBN. Masand started his career as an entertainment correspondent at the young age of 16...
from CNN-IBN described the film as "... an enjoyable film that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling.Don't miss this film or you'll regret it."
Reviews were favorably directed towards director Kunaal Roy Kapur
Kunaal Roy Kapur
Kunaal Roy Kapur is an Indian film actor and director.-Early life and education:Born in Mumbai, Kunaal Kapur did his schooling from G. D. Somani Memorial School, in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai and subsequently a drop out from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai...
and lead actress Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma is an Indian actress. She is the daughter of actress and filmmaker Aparna Sen. Sharma appears primarily in Indian arthouse and independent films, and her achievements in the genre have established her as one of the leading actresses of contemporary parallel cinema.Making her...
as well. Taran Adarsh
Taran Adarsh
Taran Adarsh is an Indian film critic, journalist, editor and film trade analyst. He is also a former producer and screenwriter. He is the son of film director and producer, B.K. Adarsh....
reviewed, "Director Kunaal Roy Kapur knows what he's talking and for a first-timer, makes a remarkable debut." Nikhat Kazmi
Nikhat Kazmi
Nikhat Kazmi is a senior correspondent and well-known film critic from India, who has been writing for The Times of India, since 1987.-Books:* If Shakespeare was a gun: a play. Writers Workshop, 1984....
from The Times of India
The Times of India
The Times of India is an Indian English-language daily newspaper. TOI has the largest circulation among all English-language newspaper in the world, across all formats . It is owned and managed by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd...
wrote, "Performance-wise, it's the uptight and complex-ridden Ms. Konkona who walks away with laurels and laughs even as the film takes a healthy snigger at the desi self."
Cast
- Konkona Sen SharmaKonkona Sen SharmaKonkona Sen Sharma is an Indian actress. She is the daughter of actress and filmmaker Aparna Sen. Sharma appears primarily in Indian arthouse and independent films, and her achievements in the genre have established her as one of the leading actresses of contemporary parallel cinema.Making her...
as Maya Roy - Shernaz PatelShernaz PatelShernaz Patel is an Indian film and theatre actor, who works in Hindi and English films, most known for her roles in films like Black and Guzaarish and English language theatre in Mumbai. She made her theatre debut with The Diary Of Anne Frank in 1984...
as Samantha Patel - Shivani Tanksale as Ritu Johnson
- Anand Tiwari as Kapil Dev
- Namit Das as Ramesh S.
- Vivek Gomber as Rohit Seth
- Satchit Puranik as Ajay Karlekar
- Ira DubeyIra DubeyIra Dubey is an Indian actress who appeared on the small screen and in Bollywood films.Dubey was born in Mumbai to Lillete Dubey, a popular Bollywood actress. She graduated in theater studies from Yale. Her sibling Neha Dubey is also an actress, who starred in the Mira Nair movie Monsoon Wedding...
as Archana Kapoor - Imran Rasheed as Mohammed Aslam (Security guard)
- Manish AcharyaManish AcharyaManish Acharya was an Indian film director and actor. Acharya was best known for Loins of Punjab Presents, which marked Acharya's debut as a film director. Loins of Punjab Presents, which was released in 2007, starred Shabana Azmi...