The Dev Benegal Weblog

14 Responses to “English, August more information”

1. 1 Sudhir Khanger
   Jul 30th, 2009 at 7:38 am

   Any update on when DVD is going to be released in USA?

2. 2 Sujoy
   Jul 31st, 2009 at 3:40 pm

   Mr.Benegal,

   I had seen just glimpses of English, August long back when it was aired on Star Movies in India. Could not complete watching the movie because Dad wanted to watch WWE. Yes, I am being honest.

   And then, I went to Engg. college, and one of my friends gave me the paperback version of the book. And I was awestruck.

   I have searched everywhere in my capacity and could not dig any information about the DVD of English, August.

   WHEN, oh please WHEN will it be released?????

   And please oh please, make it available on Amazon or major retailers.

   Cheers,
   Sujoy

3. 3 Pradip Atluri
   Aug 28th, 2009 at 10:28 am

   Dear Mr. Dev,

   A question – I am writing a feature length English script and its about the style of writing. I know rough drafts, Acts and plots surgery, emotional beats and dialog structuring with piling drafts after drafts. Some how when I first started writing script.. I had a plain paper with 10 points scribbled on it, each impacting the story line. Some what like key frames in an animation. Of course this was not an adaptation so kinda easy when you are running your own thoughts. I finished that script in 3 months but some how I became more spontaneous around those 10 points. The bones remained the same.. but the meat.. was flexible and innovative with every line considering the fact that I was writing a comedy. The story is about an Indian guy who turned 30 and how life changes around him and within him. I would like you advice on 1. Is script writing all about unique style or we have to follow the Usual norm of drafts after drafts after drafts? I wrote one draft and then I made it sharper in the next draft along with proof reading. Few strangers who have nothing to do with film making.. loved the script. 2. What is your style of writing? Please let me know, I will be grateful.

   Thanks and Regards

   Pradip Atluri

4. 4 Dev Benegal
   Sep 1st, 2009 at 3:44 am

   @ Pradip: Good question.
   I’m going to address this sometime soon.
   @ Minal: Working on this now.

5. 5 waiter
   Sep 4th, 2009 at 9:32 pm

   I’ve been waiting for the release of English August DVD for more than 3 years now. I know it isn’t in your hands but it’d be great if you could use your influence or something.

   I’m sick of seeing the coming soon sign in that website too!

6. 6 Dev Benegal
   Sep 4th, 2009 at 11:52 pm

   @Waiter: I’m sick of this too. But looking at the state of the negative and the enormous work required to restore it – and its something we have no final answer to, is plain daunting. Add to that are the costs which are more than what it cost to make the film.
   I hope this gives you an idea of what we are up against.

7. 7 Sudhir
   Sep 5th, 2009 at 1:17 am

   Very sad to hear that will possibly not see one of the most marvelous novel in motion.

   SK

8. 8 Dev Benegal
   Sep 5th, 2009 at 4:11 am

   @Sudhir:I’m not giving up so soon. Once the new movie is out I’ll begin looking into English, August again.

9. 9 Shreyas
   Sep 5th, 2009 at 10:24 am

   Dev,

   Have heard so much about Englisg, August… please do your best to make it available to us… hope you find the right people and resources to help you do so…!!!

   I have always maintained that as a society we have such a poor sense of history so quality archival never seems like a prority. I HATE the LAB at Chennai for spoiling it for all of us

   I wish there was something I could do to help..!!

   Cheers
   Shreyas

10. 10 Kuntal Joisher
    Sep 7th, 2009 at 2:28 am

    Dev –

    Road teaser looks fantabously awesomamaing!!! Looking forward to the release in India. In btw, When does it release in India?

    Also I’ve been emailing tropic film folks, and dropping by your blog since Dec 2005 in hopes that someday English August will see light. Hopefully it will.

    ~kuntal

11. 11 Nidhesh
    Sep 14th, 2009 at 1:14 am

    Hi Dev,
    Good to know that u are still trying to get the English, August DVD out.
    I have been searching for the movie since 2005 when i first the book. I did even asked my friends from kolkatta to find it as well. But all in vain. Hope some day the the movie be out…Best of Luck.

12. 12 Nidhesh
    Sep 14th, 2009 at 1:15 am

    Hi Dev,
    Good to know that u are still trying to get the English, August DVD out.
    I have been searching for the movie since 2005 when i first read the book. I did even asked my friends from kolkatta to find it. But went all in vain. Hope some day the the movie be out…Best of Luck.

13. 13 Saurabh
    Mar 8th, 2010 at 11:43 am

    Hi Dev

    It has been exactly 11 years since I saw English August on Star Movies but now when for the last seven years I have been trying hard to get my hands on the DVD and I cannot get it anywhere across India.

    Please let me know a way through which I can possibly buy it?

    Regards
    Saurabh

14. 14 Dev
    Mar 8th, 2010 at 12:48 pm

    Saurabh: if you dig around this weblog you’ll see why it is taking so long. The negative is damaged beyond repair. We are trying to restore it.
    Once I have a sense of what is happening I’ll post an update.
    Until then do go watch Road, Movie

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