The studio selected him to direct Watermelon Man (1970), a racial satire that starred Godfrey Cambridge as Jeff Gerber, a bigoted white insurance salesman who goes to the bathroom in his suburban home in the middle of the night and discovers he’s Black. Van Peebles was living in Paris when the first feature he wrote and directed, The Story of a Three-Day Pass, attracted attention and put him on the radar at Columbia Pictures. The Chicago native also was a novelist, theater impresario, songwriter, musician and painter.
“His work continues to be essential and is being celebrated at the New York Film Festival this weekend with a 50th anniversary screening of his landmark film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song a Criterion Collection box set, Melvin Van Peebles: Essential Films, next week and a revival of his play Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death, slated for a return to Broadway next year.”Īnne Rice, Author and Screenwriter of 'Interview With the Vampire,' Dies at 80Ĭonsidered by many to be the godfather of modern Black cinema, Van Peebles was an influential link to a younger generation of African American filmmakers that includes Spike Lee and John Singleton. “In an unparalleled career distinguished by relentless innovation, boundless curiosity and spiritual empathy, Melvin Van Peebles made an indelible mark on the international cultural landscape through his films, novels, plays and music,” the statement read. His family, The Criterion Collection and Janus Films announced his death in a statement. Van Peebles, the father of actor-director Mario Van Peebles, died Tuesday night at his home in Manhattan. India Today.Melvin Van Peebles, the pioneering African American auteur behind the 1970s films Watermelon Man and Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, has died. "Chiranjeevi resumes Mohan Raja's Godfather shoot in Ooty". ^ "Salman Khan to make guest appearance in Chiranjeevi's next?".Director Mohan Raja shares pic with crew". "Chiranjeevi's Lucifer Telugu remake shoot begins. ^ "Nayanthara, Biju Menon, Satyadev in Talks for Chiranjeevi's 'GodFather '".^ "Mohan Raja's Chiru 153 titled Godfather".^ "Chiranjeevi's next with Jayam Mohan Raja launched".^ "Mohan Raja to direct the Tollywood remake of 'Lucifer' with Chiranjeevi in the lead".^ "VV Vinayak replaces Sujeeth as director for 'Lucifer' Telugu remake".^ "Saaho director Sujeeth roped in for Telugu remake of Mohanlal's Lucifer, confirms Chiranjeevi".
^ a b "Mega Collaboration! S Thaman Confirms Salman Khan, Chiranjeevi's Dance Number in 'Godfather '"." 'Godfather' team rubbishes the rumors". In November 2021, Thaman confirmed that actor Salman Khan will appear alongside Chiranjeevi in a dance number. The second schedule of the film began in September 2021 in Ooty. Filming took place in the outskirts of Hyderabad. Prinicipal photography of the film began on 13 August 2021. Nayanthara and Kancharana are confirmed to be part of the cast in November, who will be paired as a married couple. In September 2021, Nayanthara, Biju Menon and Satyadev Kancharana entered the talks to sign the film. The film's title was unveiled as Godfather in August 2021. It is jointly produced by Super Good Films and Konidela Production Company. Nirav Shah is signed as the cinematographer. The film marks the maiden collaboration of Chiranjeevi with composer S. The film was officially launched in January 2021 with a traditional pooja ceremony in Hyderabad. Hanuman Junction (2001) was his first and only Telugu film until then. However, in December 2020, Mohan Raja was confirmed as the director, marking his return to Telugu cinema after 20 years. Sujeeth opted out of the project in September 2020 due to creative differences, and V. Director Sujeeth was signed to helm the project who also started working on the script for the Telugu adaptation. The Telugu remake of Lucifer was announced in April 2020 with Chiranjeevi as the lead. Principal photography of the film began in August 2021 with filming taking place in Hyderabad and Ooty. The film is a remake of the Malayalam film Lucifer (2019) directed by The film stars Chiranjeevi in the titular role alongside Nayanthara and Satyadev Kancharana. Godfather is an upcoming Indian Telugu-language political thriller action film directed by Mohan Raja and produced by Konidela Production Company and Super Good Films.