NEW BIO PIC ‘NEVER GIVE UP’ CELEBRATES THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER OF CULTURE IN SOUTH AFRICA
The new biographical feature film, Never Give Up, celebrates the extraordinary life of Pinky Mothie, one of the icons of the country’s entertainment industry. From her humble beginnings in Durban, KZN to an international impresario, hers is a story of pain, resilience, determination, and faith. Pinky’s is the ultimate triumph over adversity story.
Written for screen by Sarah Mahabir, Never give up is helmed by Amit Chheda (Road to Sangam),executive produced by Jay Ramnundlall and produced by Big M Productions (Hip Hop to Bollywood,
Influential Women of the Year). The film was shot by Indian cinematographer, Bibhuti Busan Biswal (Ms Dhoni, Ladies vs Rickie Behl).
Pinky’s story starts in 1960s Durban, where at the tender age of 16, she marries Mothie, against the wishes of her single-parent father. Despite their difficult start, Mothie and Pinky soon become a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry during the height of apartheid.
A natural empresario, Mothie produces spectacular live shows that soon became a hit with audiences and lead to Mothie and Pinky becoming celebrities in their community. The newly minted, entertainment power couple are embraced by fans and the media alike. Mothie is particularly celebrated for his
groundbreaking introduction of diversity of talent across racial divides in his ‘fusion’ extravaganzas.
Tragedy strikes when Mothie dies at the tender age of 40, leaving Pinky to raise four children single-handedly. Faced with a mountain of debt and little support, through sheer determination, and
against the odds, Pinky puts her children through school, and provides for their tertiary education.Determined to build on Mothie’s legacy, she hustles to keep the business they created afloat and to
ultimately expand it. Throughout her many trials and tribulations, Pinky never gives up and, when she is finally able to, she pays it forward by creating the Youth and Film Development Project for the
development of talent in the industry.
Pinky has always used her position to empower women and serves
as director of the annual Influential Women in Artes Awards.
The casting of Never Give Up features a fusion of local and international actors. Indian actress Samvedhna
Suwalka (Drishyam 2, Bey Yaar) stars as Pinky and Rajiv Mothie (Hip Hop to Bollywood) plays the dual roles of Mothie and himself. They are supported by Mumbai superstar Mentalist and Mind Reader, Ashkay Laxman (Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi) and Pranesh Maharaj (Material, Bhagwan Gave Me Life). There are also appearances by Tanya Gibbs and Romeo Elgrabo. Shaan, one of India’s most renowned playback singers sings one of the hit songs for the film. The movie also has a power-packed audio track to keep viewers entertained from start to finish.
The film is distributed in South Africa by Indigenous Film Distribution and will open at selected cinemas on 27 October 2023
Watch the trailer HERE
Credit: Indigenous Film Distribution
