Madhur Bhandarkar and UTV have reason to worry. Whether they like it or not, every move manoeuvre pirouette and pout on the sets of Bhandarkar's ramp romp is religiously reported backâ¦And the director is in a panic.
Everyone associated with the film and all members of the cast and crew who attend the shooting regularly have signed a written contract swearing utter secrecy. So, protective and apprehensive are they about breach of confidentiality that the primary members of the cast have gone almost underground.
"If you thought Yash Raj Films are protective about the details regarding their films, then you've to see what levels of secrecy are being exercised for Fashion. All of us are virtually on tenterhooks trying to keep the characters, scenes and situations under wraps. But the more we try the more it seems people outside are trying to know what we're up to," says a very prominent part of the Fashion team.
Earlier this week when Neil Mathur dropped in to meet Madhur on the sets of Fashion, there was widespread speculation that Neil has been signed for a role in the film.
In fact, the actor had dropped in for a casual chat.
Reluctant to speak Madhur finally says, "We're all getting worried about the constant attention being given to Fashion. I admit it's the most glamorous film I've made. But I still find the curiosity about what we're doing to be a little unhealthy and scary."
The last straw was the reporting of Kangana Ranaut's wardrobe-malfunction sequence last week. The actress who's currently completely immersed in her role, freaked out when the news of the scene was reported the morning after it was shot. Security is further being tightened on the sets of Fashion, as there's a prevalent fear on the sets that someone or some people are planning a quickie to beat Fashion to the theatres.
Sighs Madhur, "We can't understand how our scenes are leaking out. The security is so tight even I am frisked every morning before entering the sets. We aren't insecure about others making fashion-related films. I'll shoot at my own pace and wrap up the film by May. But the curiosity about what I'm making is more alarming than flattering." Source: Indiafm.com News | 6 Feb 2008 | 3:31 pm
The fact that Baadshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, is popular world over is something which cannot be challenged. In fact, reiterating this is news that King Khan's latest smash hit from the Yash Raj films banner Chak De India would be screening on the opening day of the Asian Film Festival 2008 in Jeddah.
The 12 day long festival, which starts on Feb 9th and goes on until Feb 20th, is being organized by the Asian Consuls General Club.
The festival which begins with Chak De India and a Saudi Arabian documentary would also feature some popular Asian documentaries and films like Nitaboh (Japan), Mukhsin (Malaysia), Udu Gan Yamaya (Sri Lanka), Aha (Bangladesh), Jinnah (Pakistan) and Beautiful Homeland (China).
Invitations are being issued by the respective consulates for their movies. Source: Indiafm.com News | 6 Feb 2008 | 1:31 pm
Navdeep Singh, director of much-acclaimed Manorama - Six Feet Under, is currently working on the script of two films simultaneously. Leaving behind the unfortunate box office failure of his debut film, the writer-director is diverting all his energies to the two projects he is giving shape to.
"I have yet to zero in on which of the two scripts I would pick first to start shooting for. While one is an action thriller, other is an action comedy. From the drama of Manorama, I am now exploring the action genre," informs Navdeep Singh.
Has he finalized any names for the film? "To be honest, I am giving script the utmost priority here without pondering too much on the logistics. I will start freezing on the producers, actors and the film's title once these scripts are ready. There is no point getting an entire arrangement done without a script in hand", Navdeep remarks.
"In any case, we are seriously short of actors", he chuckles, "With corporate houses taking away majority of stars, filmmakers like me have to work extra hard to get the right combination." Continues Navdeep with a smile, "I guess we need to create more stars, considering most of the big ones are taken."
Meanwhile, how is the progress on the two scripts? "They are pretty much ready to be wrapped. Overall, I am happy with the progress being made. I guess in around a couple of months, I should have a kind of draft ready based on which I can start conversing with people I wish to rope in."
Originally hailing from Delhi, Navdeep Singh, who is in his early 40's, has studied film at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. It has been over a decade since he has been making advertising films in places as diverse as LA, London and Bombay.
Meanwhile the ad filmmaker turned movie director is happy with the response his debut film is fetching on the DVD circuits. "That's the beauty of the evolved DVD market. At least today a film is getting a second chance soon after its theatrical run. Thankfully, the film didn't die down over the months and is now doing well on DVDs. I am being informed that it is one of the Top-3 selling DVDs at major stores." Source: Indiafm.com News | 6 Feb 2008 | 12:12 pm
Friendship of Onir and Sanjay Suri continues to get thicker with every passing year. Touchwood!
After working together on films like My Brother Nikhil and Bas Ek Pal followed by late 2007 announcement of Kill Chhabra, the duo has now announced the launch of Sorry Bhai. The film is already on floors and is being considered special since it also marks the comeback of Chitrangada Singh.
For those who came in late, Chitrangada Singh is the same gorgeous lady who had made waves when she fetched immense appreciation for her work in Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi. Later, she announced a premature retirement from films after doing just one more project Kal - Yesterday and Tomorrow. Both the films had arrived way back in 2005 and though Bollywood followers were left wondering if the Delhi woman would ever make a comeback, Onir made it happen.
Says Onir, "I wanted a young woman for a lead role in my romantic comedy Sorry Bhai and was thinking of casting Chitrangada Singh. Still, honestly speaking I wasn't sure if she would even be willing to hear out the script as she had announced her premature retirement. This is when someone suggested me to at least get in touch with her as there was a buzz around her planning a comeback."
Elaborating the change of events, he adds, "To my pleasant surprise, once she read the script I just had to make a quick visit to Delhi to meet her. Soon everything was locked and pronto we moved on with the project. Rest of the cast comprising of Sanjay Suri, Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani and Shabana Azmi was already in place so that helped us in beginning the shoot of the film."
Talking about the shooting plans, Onir says, "We are already canning some scenes in Mumbai and would be off to Mauritius in a week's time. There we would have a start to finish schedule till March end as the majority of film is set there. Sorry Bhai is likely to have a summer 2008 release."
Title of Sorry Bhai seems like a conscious move away from the heavy-duty stuff he subjected the audience to in his first two films - My Brother Nikhil and Bas Ek Pal. Laughs Onir, "You could say that. I guess it was the right time for me to shift genres and make something which was truly different from what I have done in the past. It's a first romantic comedy for me and I am looking forward to a lot of fun."
Along with Sanjay Suri, Jaspreet Walia (brother of Bunty Walia) is also co-producing the film with Onir. Source: Indiafm.com News | 6 Feb 2008 | 12:03 pm
London (ANI): Dame Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar for her role in 2006 hit 'The Queen,' is desperate to take the part once again in a sequel. The 62-year-old actress, who played the Queen in the account of royal life the week after the death of Princess Diana in ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 6 Feb 2008 | 10:52 am
Bold and hot Bollywood actress Sherlyn Chopra is in the news. She shocked everyone by revealing her sex romps not long ago. She had recently announced her special video for the adult. Yet again, she has revealed that she had gone under the knife to make her butt bigger and ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 6 Feb 2008 | 10:51 am
Director Shoojit Sircar, who's currently shooting his Amitabh Bachchan - Sarika starrer marital drama in Shimla, has been facing a casting issue. He needs two actors to play his protagonists at the age of 24-25, to play young Amitabh Bachchan and Sarika, just like Smriti Mishra who had played Kirron ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 6 Feb 2008 | 10:47 am
Washington(ANI): The details of how Heath Ledger died have been delayed. According to a source in the New York City Medical Examiner's office, the actor's toxicology test results have been postponed. "They definitely will not be released. They were supposed to be released [Tuesday] but they will instead be released ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 6 Feb 2008 | 10:46 am
Melbourne (ANI): Funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen took advice of his own Italian coiffeur for his role as flamboyant Italian barber Adolfo Pirelli, in the film 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street'. In order to make sure that his hand with a razor was up to the mark, the ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 6 Feb 2008 | 10:42 am
Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi's diehard fan committed suicide Sunday allegedly over the actor's delay in joining politics. Devabattina Parthasarthi ended his life by consuming poison at his home Togugudem village near Manuguru, the police said. He was 30 years old and by profession he was a home-guard in Bhadrachalam in Khammam district. ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 6 Feb 2008 | 10:40 am
By: Raymond Ronamai Friday, 23, November, 2007 Deepika Padukone: Wallpapers | Gallery It sounds like reincarnation happening in real life but watching Deepika Padukone in Om Shanti Om made me search for something I saw in the ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 6 Feb 2008 | 10:32 am
Hero Ravi Teja is now reported to have hiked his remuneration. He had been charging in the range of 2 to 2.50 crores and he is now asking for 4.00 crores. Ravi Teja gave a big hit with Krishna this year. His Dubai Seenu was also a commercial hit. The actor ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 6 Feb 2008 | 10:29 am
Veedu Maamoolodu Kaadu is all set for release on February 9. The film is directed by Ravi Sharma, presented by Sri Kalpana Arts and produced by Dinesh Brothers. Rishi, Samrat and Gopika are in the lead. Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 6 Feb 2008 | 10:23 am
Washington(ANI): Jennifer Lopez is expecting twins, her dad has confirmed. In a recent interview, David Lopez broke the happy news. "Yes, twins. The thing is in my family, my sister also had twins, so it's a hereditary thing," People quoted him, as saying on Spanish-language show Escandalo TV. "I'm very ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 6 Feb 2008 | 10:23 am
Besides the Overseas territory, the satellite rights of successful films have been fetching a hefty amount for producers/right holders. Sometime back, there was talk that the satellite rights of WELCOME had been sold by Studio 18 for Rs. 20 crores. Of course, it was a blatant lie since Studio 18 hadn't even decided on a price for the blockbuster hit.
âWe haven't opened the pricing yet. Nor have we discussed with any channel so far,â Priti Shahani, Senior Vice President, Indian Films informs me. In fact, Shahani and her core team have decided to air the film on various channels, instead of assigning the rights to one channel for a contracted sum and period.
âWe started the practice with JAB WE MET, which was premiered on Zee and will be aired on 9X, Sony and Bindaas. The strategy is to go for limited telecasts on multiple channels, but retain the rights ourselves. We'll be adopting a similar strategy for WELCOME,â Priti adds. The corporates are doing the business their way and doing it successfully too! Source: Indiafm.com News | 6 Feb 2008 | 6:59 am
Picture this: A princess, banished from her magical land, suddenly lands up on the streets of modern-day Manhattan. The story takes a turn when the princess falls in love with a man, a charming lawyer. Interesting idea, isn't it? That's the plotline of three Hindi films, all in various stages of pre-production.
Bollywood has, most of the times, looked at Hollywood for inspiration. A number of dream merchants in Mumbai have plagiarized Hollywood films successfully. The latest Hollywood film that has captured the imagination of Mumbai-based makers is the recent hit ENCHANTED.
A top maker is keen on casting a top Khan in the role of a lawyer and has three choices for the role of the princess: Kajol, Aishwarya Rai and Kareena Kapoor. The other maker wants to make the subject with newcomers, since he feels that procuring the dates of saleable actors will be time-consuming. The third maker has already signed two medium-budget stars for the film and is expected to begin filming shortly. He has also altered the script slightly.
Let's see who wins this race⦠and which film 'enchants' the viewer the maximum? Source: Indiafm.com News | 6 Feb 2008 | 6:55 am
Is he an actor? Or is he a politician? Two-time MP Sarath Kumar, 54, is trying to be both. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 6 Feb 2008 | 4:30 am
'Bheema' might not have done well at the box office, but Harris Jayaraj has scored enthralling music and the album tops the charts. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 6 Feb 2008 | 3:31 am
Former Indian aviation baron Parvez Damania has entered movie production and floated his own banner, One More Thought Entertainment. The first production, a Marathi film called 'Tingya', has already fetched critical acclaim. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 6 Feb 2008 | 3:31 am
Is he an actor? Or is he a politician? Two-time MP Sarath Kumar, 54, is trying to be both. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 6 Feb 2008 | 3:31 am
Director duo Abbas-Mustan have always done their bit for charitable causes, albeit quietly. During a recent visit to an orphanage in Gujarat for a shooting, an example of their largesse came to light. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 6 Feb 2008 | 2:00 am
'Indralogathil Naa Azhagappan' is Vadivelu's next release as a hero after the highly successful 'Imsai Arasan'. The film is a big letdown but tops the charts. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 6 Feb 2008 | 2:00 am
True to his satirical ways - even on the sensitive issue of north Indians versus Marathis playing out in Mumbai - comedian Jaspal Bhatti says he will soon organise a 'Divide India' film festival here. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 6 Feb 2008 | 2:00 am
Neil Mathur of 'Johnny Gaddaar' fame is in an extremely angry mood. The provocation for the young grandson of legendary singer Mukesh is director Tigmanshu Dhulia's reportedly accusing him of unprofessional and starry behaviour. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 6 Feb 2008 | 1:30 am
Noted film producer Azam Khan who has been associated with films like Sarkar, Risk, Partner, Golmaal, Darna Mana Hai etc and one of aviation industries big
names, Mr. Parvez Damania, launched One More Thought (OMT) Entertainment, a film production company at a gala function at J.W. Marriott in Mumbai on Tuesday
(Feb 5) evening.
The company is all set to make its mark in Bollywood with around a dozen films over the next two years. What makes this venture all the more interesting is
the fact that around 9 top directors have been signed to direct these projects.
Speaking on the occassion, Mr. Azam Khan said, " OMT is conceived with the idea of producing out of box movies, concepts that are unique, but which have
entertainment as the core element. We intend to produce 12 movies in the next 2 years"
Mr. Parvez Damania for whom this is a new industry said," Market forces will determine our choices but at the same time we would do our bit to promote
socially relevant cinema as well, like our Marathi film Tingya."
One More Thought (OMT) Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.'s first film is a Marathi film, Tingya which is already making the rounds of various prestigious festivals.
The film directed by noted television personality, Ravi Rai, would release in theatres on Feb 29th this year.
Their second project is currently on floors titled Khalbali Hai Khalbali starring Nikhil Dwivedi, Sadaa, Chunkey Pandey and Rajpal Yadav. The film is
currently being shot in Mumbai and is directed by Ajay Chandok. Ajay Chandok would also be directing one more film apart from this.
Some of the other noted filmmakers associated with OMT and their projects are as follows:
-Jagmohan Mundhra who will direct his film for OMT which will go on floors from June 1.
-Mahesh Kothare (well known Marathi film personality) will direct 2 films for OMT (one Hindi and one Marathi)
-Ashwini Chaudhary will be making 3 films for OMT (the first one starting in April)
-T. Rajiv Kumar will direct 2 films for OMT starting from May
-Sashi Sudagala will be directing one film starting in July
-Veteran filmmaker Kundan Shah will direct his film in 2009
-Sangeeth Sivan, however, will produce 2 films for OMT.
All the nine directors were present on the stage at the launch and thanked OMT for giving them the opportunity while Mr Damania said in his humorous style,"I
hope the flight which has taken off does land safely." Source: Indiafm.com News | 5 Feb 2008 | 9:38 pm
There are stars, there are heroes and there are actors and Vinay Pathak has slowly and steadily evolved as one of the finest actors in tinsel town today. The actor who started out as a VJ on the small screen made his mark with small cameos in films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Jism. However it was his unbelievable portrayal of the irritatingly likeable Bharat Bhushan in last year's surprise hit Bheja Fry that truly made one and all stand up and take notice of this bundle of talent.
Now the versatile actor is back in a different role in this week's release Mithya. This is your chance to ask all that you want and more to the extremely funny and talented Vinay Pathak as he chats live only on Bollywood Hungama on Wednesday, February 6, at 1600 hrs IST. Don't miss it. Source: Indiafm.com News | 5 Feb 2008 | 4:51 pm
He has been the superstar, since ever and now he will appear in the film with the same name. Sanjay Dutt adds star quality to the Kunal Khemu starrer Superstar. He will be seen doing a cameo in the film as the plot revolves around the film industry.
Director Rohit Jugraj, however, denies selling the movie on Sanjay's credibility. Apart from Sanjay, it is said that some other stars will also be seen in the film.
This would be Sanjay Dutt's first celluloid presence in 2008. Source: Indiafm.com News | 5 Feb 2008 | 4:07 pm
Reality shows are on a constant rise. After the success of Kaun Banega Crorepati 3, Shah Rukh goes ahead to host his next reality show which is on the lines of the US-based show, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader.
The game show is tentatively titled as Bade Hue Tho Kya Hua - featuring adult contestants who will be questioned on subjects learnt by the children from first to fifth grade. Siddharth Basu, Head of Synergy Adlabs, confirms the news that Shah Rukh would be hosting the show. Synergy Adlabs would produce the reality program. The show was a grand success in US and hence is being re-created in an Indian version.
There will be five rounds in total and would be participated by both kids and adults. Seems like SRK is getting geared up to also rule the small screen. Source: Indiafm.com News | 5 Feb 2008 | 4:05 pm
Controversy seems to hound the Bachchan family wherever they go. The grand birthday bash planned Tuesday for Abhishek in Jaipur had to be cancelled after a Rajput community protested in front of their hotel and Amitabh fell ill. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 Feb 2008 | 2:30 pm
E-City Ventures, the corporate brand representing interests in cinema exhibition and retail estate business of the Essel Group, Tuesday announced the appointment of Ajay Mehra as chief executive officer of Fun Cinemas. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 Feb 2008 | 12:01 pm
