Liar's Dice (film): Difference between revisions

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{{short description|2013 Indian film}}
{{short description|2013 Indian film}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2014}}
{{use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = Liar's Dice
| name          = Liar's Dice
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| caption        = Official film poster
| caption        = Official film poster
| director      = [[Geetu Mohandas]]
| director      = [[Geetu Mohandas]]
| producer      = Alan McAlex<br />Ajay Rai
| producer      = {{plainlist|
| writer        = [[Geetu Mohandas]]
* Alan McAlex
| starring      = [[Geetanjali Thapa]]<br />[[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]]<br />Manya Gupta<br />Vikram Bhagra<br />Murari Kumar
* Ajay Rai
}}
| writer        = Geetu Mohandas
| starring      = {{plainlist|
* [[Geetanjali Thapa]]
* [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]]
* Manya Gupta
* Vikram Bhagra
* Murari Kumar
}}
| music          = John Bosters
| music          = John Bosters
| cinematography = [[Rajeev Ravi]]
| cinematography = [[Rajeev Ravi]]
| editing        = [[B. Ajithkumar]]
| editing        = [[B. Ajithkumar]]
| studio        = [[Jar Pictures]]
| studio        = [[Jar Pictures]]
| country        = [[India]]
| distributor    =
| country        = India
| language      = [[Hindi]]
| language      = [[Hindi]]
| released      = {{film date|df=y|2013|10|5|[[Mumbai Film Festival|MAMI]]|2014|1|16|[[Sundance Film Festival|Sundance]]}}
| released      = {{film date|df=y|2013|10|5|[[Mumbai Film Festival|MAMI]]|2014|1|16|[[Sundance Film Festival|Sundance]]}}
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}}
}}


'''''Liar's Dice''''' is a 2013 Indian [[Hindi film|Hindi-language]] [[road movie]] written and directed by [[Geetu Mohandas]] and starring [[Geetanjali Thapa]] and [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://starblockbuster.com/nawazuddin%E2%80%99s-liar%E2%80%99s-dice-sundance-film-festival|title=Nawazuddin’s Liar’s Dice in Sundance Film Festival - Starblockbuster<!-- Bot generated title -->|publisher=}}</ref> The film tells the story of a young mother from a remote village who, going in search of her missing husband, goes missing herself. The film examines the human cost of migration to cities and the exploitation of migrant workers.
'''''Liar's Dice''''' is a 2013 Indian [[Hindi film|Hindi-language]] [[road movie]] written and directed by [[Geetu Mohandas]] and starring [[Geetanjali Thapa]] and [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://starblockbuster.com/nawazuddin%E2%80%99s-liar%E2%80%99s-dice-sundance-film-festival|title=Nawazuddin's Liar's Dice in Sundance Film Festival - Starblockbuster<!-- Bot generated title -->|publisher=}}</ref> The film tells the story of a young mother from a remote village who, going in search of her missing husband, goes missing herself. The film examines the human cost of migration to cities and the exploitation of migrant workers.


The production is Mohandas' feature film debut; she had previously made the short film ''Kelkkunndo'' in 2008, which received wide acclaim.<ref name=var>{{cite web | title = 'Liar's Dice' Review: Geeta Mohandas' Quietly Effective Debut|publisher=Variety|author=Dennis Harvey| url = https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/sundance-film-review-liars-dice-1201064136/|date=18 January 2014| accessdate = 2014-04-18 }}</ref> ''Liar's Dice'' had its world premiere at the [[Mumbai Film Festival]] in October 2013, where it took part in the Indian competition section.<ref name=mint>{{cite web| title = Mumbai Film Festival Preview: Liar's Dice |publisher=Livemint| url = http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/xh1SIPCnd46EIdyWNzmQqM/Films--Game-of-choices.html |date= 5 October 2013| accessdate = 2014-04-18 }}</ref> In January 2014, the film was screened at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] and the [[International Film Festival Rotterdam]].<ref name=red>{{cite web | title = Sundance selection has changed everything for me |publisher=Rediff.com Movies| url = http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-sundance-selection-has-changed-everything-for-me-south/20140121.htm#1 |date=21 January 2014| accessdate = 2014-04-18 }}</ref> It won a special jury award at the [[Sofia International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dearcinema.com/news/liars-dice-wins-special-jury-award-sofia-international-film-festival/1922|title=Liar's Dice wins Special Jury award at Sofia International Film Festival|work=DearCinema.com|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321145527/http://dearcinema.com/news/liars-dice-wins-special-jury-award-sofia-international-film-festival/1922|archivedate=21 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/top-10-small-budget-independent-films-set-to-release-in-2015/15898169|title=Top 10 small-budget independent films set to release in 2015|date=9 January 2015|work=mid-day}}</ref>
The production is Mohandas' feature film debut; she had previously made the short film ''Kelkkunndo'' in 2008, which received wide acclaim.<ref name=var>{{cite web | title = 'Liar's Dice' Review: Geeta Mohandas' Quietly Effective Debut|publisher=Variety|author=Dennis Harvey| url = https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/sundance-film-review-liars-dice-1201064136/|date=18 January 2014| accessdate = 18 April 2014 }}</ref> ''Liar's Dice'' had its world premiere at the [[Mumbai Film Festival]] in October 2013, where it took part in the Indian competition section.<ref name=mint>{{cite web| title = Mumbai Film Festival Preview: Liar's Dice |publisher=Livemint| url = http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/xh1SIPCnd46EIdyWNzmQqM/Films--Game-of-choices.html |date= 5 October 2013| accessdate = 18 April 2014 }}</ref> In January 2014, the film was screened at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] and the [[International Film Festival Rotterdam]].<ref name=red>{{cite web | title = Sundance selection has changed everything for me |publisher=Rediff.com Movies| url = http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-sundance-selection-has-changed-everything-for-me-south/20140121.htm#1 |date=21 January 2014| accessdate = 18 April 2014 }}</ref> It won a special jury award at the [[Sofia International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dearcinema.com/news/liars-dice-wins-special-jury-award-sofia-international-film-festival/1922|title=Liar's Dice wins Special Jury award at Sofia International Film Festival|work=DearCinema.com|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321145527/http://dearcinema.com/news/liars-dice-wins-special-jury-award-sofia-international-film-festival/1922|archivedate=21 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/top-10-small-budget-independent-films-set-to-release-in-2015/15898169|title=Top 10 small-budget independent films set to release in 2015|date=9 January 2015|work=mid-day}}</ref>


''Liar's Dice''  went on to receive two [[National Film Awards|National Film Awards at the]] [[61st National Film Awards]]: [[National Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for Geetanjali Thapa, and [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] for Rajeev Ravi. The film was [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|India's official entry]] at the [[87th Academy Awards]] for [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]], but was not nominated.<ref>
''Liar's Dice''  went on to receive two awards at the [[61st National Film Awards]]: [[National Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for Geetanjali Thapa, and [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] for Rajeev Ravi. The film was [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|India's official entry]] at the [[87th Academy Awards]] for [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]], but was not nominated.<ref>{{cite web | title = Geethu Mohandas' 'Liar's Dice' is India's official entry to the Oscars|work=CNN-IBN| url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/geethu-mohandas-liars-dice-is-indias-official-entry-to-the-oscars/501199-8-66.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140924102713/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/geethu-mohandas-liars-dice-is-indias-official-entry-to-the-oscars/501199-8-66.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 24 September 2014|date=23 September 2014| accessdate = 19 October 2014 }}</ref><ref name="IndiaHWR">{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscars-india-selects-liars-dice-734967 |title=Oscars: India Selects 'Liar's Dice' for Foreign-Language Category |accessdate=23 September 2014 |work=Hollywood Reporter|date=23 September 2014 }}</ref>  Art director [[Happy Journey (2014 Marathi film)|Ajay Sharma]], who had worked on movies such as ''[[Happy Journey (2014 Marathi film)|Happy Journey]]'' (2014), won the Best Art Director Award at the [[Maharashtra State Film Awards]].
{{cite web | title = Geethu Mohandas' 'Liar's Dice' is India's official entry to the Oscars|work=CNN-IBN| url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/geethu-mohandas-liars-dice-is-indias-official-entry-to-the-oscars/501199-8-66.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140924102713/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/geethu-mohandas-liars-dice-is-indias-official-entry-to-the-oscars/501199-8-66.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 24 September 2014|date=23 September 2014| accessdate = 2014-10-19  }}</ref><ref name="IndiaHWR">{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscars-india-selects-liars-dice-734967 |title=Oscars: India Selects 'Liar's Dice' for Foreign-Language Category |accessdate=23 September 2014 |work=Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>  Art director [[Happy Journey (2014 Marathi film)|Ajay Sharma]], who had worked on movies such as ''[[Happy Journey (2014 Marathi film)|Happy Journey]]'' (2014), won the Best Art Director Award at the [[Maharashtra State Film Awards]].


==Plot==
==Synopsis==
The canvas of the film stretches from a small village in the mountains called [[Chitkul]] on the border with China, to the big city of Delhi. Kamala, a young mother from a tribal community, her three-year-old daughter, and her daughter's pet goat, embark on a journey to find her husband who has been missing for the last five months. Along the way, they meet an army deserter, Nawazuddin, who accompanies them. They travel together until they reach the house of Kamala's husband's boss, but he is away. Kamala and Nawazuddin quarrel and part ways. Kamala decides to go to Delhi to search for her husband, and she runs into Nawazuddin at the train station. He decides to accompany her and her daughter once more, in order to keep them safe. They arrive in Delhi together and a series of mishaps ensues. Kamala keeps trying to call her husband's phone and finally hears a ringtone. The ringing appears to be coming from Nawazuddin's bag, however. Kamala opens the bag and finds her husband's wallet, his watch, and his belongings.
The canvas of the film stretches from a small village in the mountains called [[Chitkul]] on the border with China, to the big city of Delhi. Kamala, a young mother from a tribal community, her three-year-old daughter, and her daughter's pet goat, embark on a journey to find her husband who has been missing for the last five months. Along the way, they meet an army deserter, Nawazuddin, who accompanies them. They travel together until they reach the house of Kamala's husband's boss, but he is away. Kamala and Nawazuddin quarrel and part ways. She decides to go to Delhi to search for her husband and runs into Nawazuddin at the train station. He decides to accompany her and her daughter once more, in order to keep them safe. They arrive in Delhi together and a series of mishaps ensues. Kamala keeps trying to call her husband's phone and finally hears a ringtone. The ringing appears to be coming from Nawazuddin's bag, however. Kamala opens the bag and finds her husband's wallet, his watch, and his belongings.
At the end of the film, Nawazuddin is seen working in construction and Kamala is back in her village.
At the end of the film, Nawazuddin is seen working in construction and Kamala is back in her village.


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==Production==
==Production==
Director Geetu Mohandas is a noted actress in [[Malayalam cinema]]. She wrote the script to the film in 2007, before her debut short ''Kelkkunndo'' (Are You Listening) in 2008. However, she was unable to get the film financed due to the unusual storyline and a relatively unknown cast. Nevertheless, after the critical success received at the [[International Film Festival Rotterdam]] (IFFR) for her short film, she managed to get a project development grant of €10,000 (around Rs.8.45 lakh now) from the IFFR's Hubert Bals Fund.<ref name=mint/><ref>{{cite web |title=Liar's Dice: The tale behind india's official entry to the oscars |work=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/liar-s-dice-the-tale-behind-india-s-official-entry-to-the-oscars/article1-1277042.aspx |author=Ramesh Babu |date=19 October 2014 |accessdate=2014-10-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019121018/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/liar-s-dice-the-tale-behind-india-s-official-entry-to-the-oscars/article1-1277042.aspx |archivedate=19 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
Director Geetu Mohandas is a noted actress in [[Malayalam cinema]]. She wrote the script to the film in 2007, before her debut short ''Kelkkunndo'' (Are You Listening) in 2008. However, she was unable to get the film financed due to the unusual storyline and a relatively unknown cast. Nevertheless, after the critical success received at the [[International Film Festival Rotterdam]] (IFFR) for her short film, she managed to get a project development grant of €10,000 (around Rs.8.45 lakh now) from the IFFR's Hubert Bals Fund.<ref name=mint/><ref>{{cite web |title=Liar's Dice: The tale behind india's official entry to the oscars |work=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/liar-s-dice-the-tale-behind-india-s-official-entry-to-the-oscars/article1-1277042.aspx |author=Ramesh Babu |date=19 October 2014 |accessdate=19 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019121018/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/liar-s-dice-the-tale-behind-india-s-official-entry-to-the-oscars/article1-1277042.aspx |archivedate=19 October 2014 }}</ref>


The film faced difficulties in raising funds before Alan McAlex and Ajay G. Rai, producers from [[Jar Pictures]],  stepped in.<ref>{{cite web| title = Jar Pictures funded India's official entry to Oscar 'Liar's Dice'| url = http://www.joinfilms.com/true-facts/jar-pictures-funded-india-official-entry-to-oscar-liars-dice| url-status = dead| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141125114957/http://www.joinfilms.com/true-facts/jar-pictures-funded-india-official-entry-to-oscar-liars-dice| archivedate = 25 November 2014| df = dmy-all}}</ref> The final project was co-produced with Mohandas' own production company, Unplugged.
The film faced difficulties in raising funds before Alan McAlex and Ajay G. Rai, producers from [[Jar Pictures]],  stepped in.<ref>{{cite web| title = Jar Pictures funded India's official entry to Oscar 'Liar's Dice'| url = http://www.joinfilms.com/true-facts/jar-pictures-funded-india-official-entry-to-oscar-liars-dice| url-status = dead| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141125114957/http://www.joinfilms.com/true-facts/jar-pictures-funded-india-official-entry-to-oscar-liars-dice| archivedate = 25 November 2014| df = dmy-all}}</ref> The final project was co-produced with Mohandas' own production company, Unplugged.


''Liar's Dice'' was shot on a low budget using a small crew in under a month in March 2012.<ref name=mint/> It was filmed on location in the village of [[Chitkul]] in Kinnaur district, [[Shimla]], and various locations in Delhi, including the [[Jama Masjid, Delhi|Jama Masjid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2343621/locations?ref_=tt_dt_dt|title=Liar's Dice (2014)|work=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Liar's Dice being Geethu's film made no difference to me: Rajeev Ravi | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news-and-interviews/Liars-Dice-being-Geethus-film-made-no-difference-to-me-Rajeev-Ravi/articleshow/33866596.cms |date=18 April 2014| accessdate = 2014-04-18 | work = The Times of India}}</ref> The cinematography was done by Mohandas' husband, [[Rajeev Ravi]], who had previously worked on movies such as ''[[Dev.D]]'' (2009) and ''[[Gangs of Wasseypur]]'' (2012).<ref name=red/>
''Liar's Dice'' was shot on a low budget using a small crew in under a month in March 2012.<ref name=mint/> It was filmed on location in the village of [[Chitkul]] in Kinnaur district, [[Shimla]], and various locations in Delhi, including the [[Jama Masjid, Delhi|Jama Masjid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2343621/locations?ref_=tt_dt_dt|title=Liar's Dice (2014)|work=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Liar's Dice being Geethu's film made no difference to me: Rajeev Ravi | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news-and-interviews/Liars-Dice-being-Geethus-film-made-no-difference-to-me-Rajeev-Ravi/articleshow/33866596.cms |date=18 April 2014| accessdate = 18 April 2014 | work = The Times of India}}</ref> The cinematography was done by Mohandas' husband, [[Rajeev Ravi]], who had previously worked on movies such as ''[[Dev.D]]'' (2009) and ''[[Gangs of Wasseypur]]'' (2012).<ref name=red/>


==Reception==
==Reception==
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==Awards==
==Awards==
*[[61st National Film Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|title=61st National Film Awards Announced: Live Update|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/and-more/61st-national-film-awards-announced-live-update_153657.html|publisher=[[Zee News]]|accessdate=16 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=61st National Film Awards For 2013 |url=http://www.dff.nic.in/List%20of%20Awards.pdf# |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals |date=16 April 2014 |accessdate=2014-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181218/http://www.dff.nic.in/List%20of%20Awards.pdf |archive-date=16 April 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[61st National Film Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|title=61st National Film Awards Announced: Live Update|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/and-more/61st-national-film-awards-announced-live-update_153657.html|publisher=[[Zee News]]|accessdate=16 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=61st National Film Awards For 2013 |url=http://www.dff.nic.in/List%20of%20Awards.pdf# |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals |date=16 April 2014 |accessdate=16 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181218/http://www.dff.nic.in/List%20of%20Awards.pdf |archive-date=16 April 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
**[[National Film Award for Best Actress]] - [[Geetanjali Thapa]]
** [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] - [[Geetanjali Thapa]]
**[[National Film Award for Best Cinematography]] - [[Rajeev Ravi]]
** [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography]] - [[Rajeev Ravi]]
*[[Sofia International Film Festival]], 2014  
* [[Sofia International Film Festival]], 2014
**Won Special Jury Award<ref>{{cite web |url=http://siff.bg/index.php?page=prizes&id=&lang=en |publisher=SIFF |title=Международен София Филм Фест 7-17-28 Март, 2019 |access-date=13 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930182954/http://siff.bg/index.php?page=prizes&id=&lang=en |archive-date=30 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
** Won Special Jury Award<ref>{{cite web |url=http://siff.bg/index.php?page=prizes&id=&lang=en |publisher=SIFF |title=Международен София Филм Фест 7-17-28 Март, 2019 |access-date=13 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930182954/http://siff.bg/index.php?page=prizes&id=&lang=en |archive-date=30 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[New York Indian Film Festival|NYIFF]] 2014
* [[New York Indian Film Festival|NYIFF]] 2014
**Won Best Actress<ref>{{cite web|title=Awards - New York Indian Film Festival 2014 | url = http://www.iaac.us/nyiff2014/awards.htm |publisher=IAAC }}</ref>
** Won Best Actress<ref>{{cite web|title=Awards - New York Indian Film Festival 2014 | url = http://www.iaac.us/nyiff2014/awards.htm |publisher=IAAC }}</ref>
**Won Best Film Award in international competition<ref>{{cite web |title=Liar's Dice named Best Film at New York Indian Film Festival |url=http://dearcinema.com/news/liars-dice-named-best-film-new-york-indian-film-festival/1458 |publisher=Dear Cinema |date=12 May 2014 |accessdate=2014-05-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514095533/http://dearcinema.com/news/liars-dice-named-best-film-new-york-indian-film-festival/1458 |archivedate=14 May 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
** Won Best Film Award in international competition<ref>{{cite web |title=Liar's Dice named Best Film at New York Indian Film Festival |url=http://dearcinema.com/news/liars-dice-named-best-film-new-york-indian-film-festival/1458 |publisher=Dear Cinema |date=12 May 2014 |accessdate=12 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514095533/http://dearcinema.com/news/liars-dice-named-best-film-new-york-indian-film-festival/1458 |archivedate=14 May 2014 }}</ref>
*Pesaro International Film Festival, 2014
* Pesaro International Film Festival, 2014
**Won Lino Micciche Award for Best Film<ref>{{cite web|title=Liar's Dice wins Micciche | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Liars-Dice-wins-Micciche-Award/articleshow/37707895.cms |publisher=Times of India | date= 3 July 2014|accessdate = 2014-07-03 }}</ref>
** Won Lino Micciche Award for Best Film<ref>{{cite web|title=Liar's Dice wins Micciche | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Liars-Dice-wins-Micciche-Award/articleshow/37707895.cms |publisher=Times of India | date= 3 July 2014|accessdate = 3 July 2014 }}</ref>
* [[Cines del Sur|Granada Cines del Sur Film Festival]]
* [[Cines del Sur|Granada Cines del Sur Film Festival]]
**Won Bronce Alhambra award<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/culturaydeporte/cinesurgranada/?p=2478&lang=en | date= 8 June 2014|accessdate = 2014-06-08}}</ref>
** Won Bronce Alhambra award<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/culturaydeporte/cinesurgranada/?p=2478&lang=en | date= 8 June 2014|accessdate = 8 June 2014| title= Consejería de Cultura - Junta de Andalucía}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:2013 films]]
[[Category:2013 films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:2013 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:2010s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:2013 Indian films]]
[[Category:Films set in Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Films set in Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Films shot in Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Films shot in Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Films set in Delhi]]
[[Category:Films set in Delhi]]
[[Category:Films shot in Delhi]]
[[Category:Films shot in Delhi]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actress National Award–winning performance]]
[[Category:2010s drama road movies]]
[[Category:2010s drama road movies]]
[[Category:Indian drama road movies]]
[[Category:Indian drama road movies]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actress National Award-winning performance]]
[[Category:Films set in Gurgaon]]
[[Category:Films about travel]]
[[Category:Indian road movies]]
[[Category:Films whose cinematographer won the Best Cinematography National Film Award]]
[[Category:Films whose cinematographer won the Best Cinematography National Film Award]]
[[Category:Works about human migration]]
[[Category:Works about human migration]]
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[[Category:2013 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2013 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2013 drama films]]
[[Category:2013 drama films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Gurgaon]]
[[Category:Films directed by Geetu Mohandas]]

Latest revision as of 15:31, 2 March 2026


Liar's Dice
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Official film poster
Directed byGeetu Mohandas
Produced by
  • Alan McAlex
  • Ajay Rai
Written byGeetu Mohandas
Starring
Music byJohn Bosters
CinematographyRajeev Ravi
Edited byB. Ajithkumar
Production
company
Release date
  • 5 October 2013 (2013-10-05) (MAMI)
  • 16 January 2014 (2014-01-16) (Sundance)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Liar's Dice is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language road movie written and directed by Geetu Mohandas and starring Geetanjali Thapa and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.[1] The film tells the story of a young mother from a remote village who, going in search of her missing husband, goes missing herself. The film examines the human cost of migration to cities and the exploitation of migrant workers.

The production is Mohandas' feature film debut; she had previously made the short film Kelkkunndo in 2008, which received wide acclaim.[2] Liar's Dice had its world premiere at the Mumbai Film Festival in October 2013, where it took part in the Indian competition section.[3] In January 2014, the film was screened at the Sundance Film Festival and the International Film Festival Rotterdam.[4] It won a special jury award at the Sofia International Film Festival.[5][6]

Liar's Dice went on to receive two awards at the 61st National Film Awards: Best Actress for Geetanjali Thapa, and Best Cinematography for Rajeev Ravi. The film was India's official entry at the 87th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, but was not nominated.[7][8] Art director Ajay Sharma, who had worked on movies such as Happy Journey (2014), won the Best Art Director Award at the Maharashtra State Film Awards.

Synopsis[edit | edit source]

The canvas of the film stretches from a small village in the mountains called Chitkul on the border with China, to the big city of Delhi. Kamala, a young mother from a tribal community, her three-year-old daughter, and her daughter's pet goat, embark on a journey to find her husband who has been missing for the last five months. Along the way, they meet an army deserter, Nawazuddin, who accompanies them. They travel together until they reach the house of Kamala's husband's boss, but he is away. Kamala and Nawazuddin quarrel and part ways. She decides to go to Delhi to search for her husband and runs into Nawazuddin at the train station. He decides to accompany her and her daughter once more, in order to keep them safe. They arrive in Delhi together and a series of mishaps ensues. Kamala keeps trying to call her husband's phone and finally hears a ringtone. The ringing appears to be coming from Nawazuddin's bag, however. Kamala opens the bag and finds her husband's wallet, his watch, and his belongings. At the end of the film, Nawazuddin is seen working in construction and Kamala is back in her village.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

Director Geetu Mohandas is a noted actress in Malayalam cinema. She wrote the script to the film in 2007, before her debut short Kelkkunndo (Are You Listening) in 2008. However, she was unable to get the film financed due to the unusual storyline and a relatively unknown cast. Nevertheless, after the critical success received at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) for her short film, she managed to get a project development grant of €10,000 (around Rs.8.45 lakh now) from the IFFR's Hubert Bals Fund.[3][9]

The film faced difficulties in raising funds before Alan McAlex and Ajay G. Rai, producers from Jar Pictures, stepped in.[10] The final project was co-produced with Mohandas' own production company, Unplugged.

Liar's Dice was shot on a low budget using a small crew in under a month in March 2012.[3] It was filmed on location in the village of Chitkul in Kinnaur district, Shimla, and various locations in Delhi, including the Jama Masjid.[11][12] The cinematography was done by Mohandas' husband, Rajeev Ravi, who had previously worked on movies such as Dev.D (2009) and Gangs of Wasseypur (2012).[4]

Reception[edit | edit source]

Variety called the film a "quietly effective debut".[2]

Awards[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Nawazuddin's Liar's Dice in Sundance Film Festival - Starblockbuster".
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dennis Harvey (18 January 2014). "'Liar's Dice' Review: Geeta Mohandas' Quietly Effective Debut". Variety. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Mumbai Film Festival Preview: Liar's Dice". Livemint. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Sundance selection has changed everything for me". Rediff.com Movies. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "Liar's Dice wins Special Jury award at Sofia International Film Festival". DearCinema.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "Top 10 small-budget independent films set to release in 2015". mid-day. 9 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "Geethu Mohandas' 'Liar's Dice' is India's official entry to the Oscars". CNN-IBN. 23 September 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  8. ↑ "Oscars: India Selects 'Liar's Dice' for Foreign-Language Category". Hollywood Reporter. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  9. ↑ Ramesh Babu (19 October 2014). "Liar's Dice: The tale behind india's official entry to the oscars". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  10. ↑ "Jar Pictures funded India's official entry to Oscar 'Liar's Dice'". Archived from the original on 25 November 2014.
  11. ↑ "Liar's Dice (2014)". IMDb.
  12. ↑ "Liar's Dice being Geethu's film made no difference to me: Rajeev Ravi". The Times of India. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  13. ↑ "61st National Film Awards Announced: Live Update". Zee News. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  14. ↑ "61st National Film Awards For 2013" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. 16 April 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  15. ↑ "Международен София Филм Фест 7-17-28 Март, 2019". SIFF. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  16. ↑ "Awards - New York Indian Film Festival 2014". IAAC.
  17. ↑ "Liar's Dice named Best Film at New York Indian Film Festival". Dear Cinema. 12 May 2014. Archived from the original on 14 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  18. ↑ "Liar's Dice wins Micciche". Times of India. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  19. ↑ "Consejería de Cultura - Junta de Andalucía". 8 June 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.

External links[edit | edit source]

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