There is not much that has been shown in the first look of Contract so far, other than the pigeons flying the skyline of Mumbai. Still, even those few seconds with a haunting background score have immediately worked in the film gaining attention by the followers of Ram Gopal Varma's cinema.
So, are we going to see something more than 'just pigeons' over the next few weeks en route to the film's release?
Ramu says after a hearty laugh, "Don't worry, the film is not about pigeons. We wanted to create some excitement about the film coming after Satya and Company, and hence, we refrained from showing anything more than that in the first look. However, you would know more about Contract as the film's full length theatrical trailer would be out along with the release of Sarkar Raj."
With the film being less than week away, it should be double the excitement for cine goers, who would now also catch a glimpse of Contract that mainly stars relative newcomers. Stated to be third in the trilogy of his underworld films, Contract also explores the angle around what happens when underworld meets terrorism.
Promising to be another gritty affair, Contract marks the return of Prasad Purandare, who had enacted the role of 'Don Zameer' in Shimit 'Chak De India' Amin's Ab Tak Chhappan. In the film, he was quite a revelation as a don who shared a unique love-hate relationship with the 'encounter cop' played by Nana Patekar.
Surprisingly, he wasn't seen in any other film in the years gone by. Now after a gap of 4 years, Prasad is returning to the big screen Contract which also stars Sakshi Gulati, Vineet Sharma, Sadia Siddiqui, Saurabh Mahajan and Amruta Khanvilkar (from Mumbai Salsa).
Produced by PVR Cinema and Ace Movie Company, Contract is looking at a 18th July release. The film has music by Amar Mohile, Bapi-Tutul and Sana Kotwal, with action by Allan Amin. Source: Indiafm.com News | 31 May 2008 | 2:15 pm
Well, going by the current trend and speed in which the Bolly heroines are adorning the covers of the magazines, be it lifestyle, fashion and even realty ones, the day is not far when the models will become out of work entities.
The latest one to become the cover girl is Priyanka Chopra, for the magazine 'Hair'. She had only recently undergone a tress-stress during her shoot-stint in her forthcoming film Love Story 2050, in which she coloured her hair from black to red and vice versa. No doubt that her professionalism came to the forefront, but at her hair's expense! Latest news is that she has undergone a hair-cut since the colour took a toll on her hair.
The magazine gives the readers an insight of Priyanka's tress-care. It says that when Priyanka is on a day off, she likes her hair away from her face and loves to wear it loose. Also her hair-advice to the readers is that not to blow-dry your hair unless required and drink lots of water! Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 31 May 2008 | 12:57 pm
The Bollywood beauty Neha Dhupia will be soon seen in an international music video of the famous American R&B (Rhythm and Blues) artiste Ginuwine. While these days, it is not very rare to hear of Bollywood actresses being invited to do international assignments, this is however a big achievement for Neha Dhupia who seems to be showing an upward trend in her career graph.
Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, Jr. better known by his stage name Ginuwine, is an American R&B singer and an occasional actor. Ginuwine has been nominated thrice for the American Music Awards in the category of 'Favourite Male R&B Artiste'. With is next music video starring Neha Dhupia, Ginuwine makes a comeback after a short period of absence.
"I am super excited about the music video with Ginuwine. Getting an opportunity to feature in an international music video of a celebrated artiste like him is not an everyday story for Bollywood actresses. I feel extremely lucky to be a part of this project. Ginuwine was looking for an urban Indian face and had short listed four Indian actresses for his song 'Baby'", blushes Neha with immense humility in her tone.
Neha has finished shooting for the video, which will be released in India shortly. With this, Neha will surely become a recognized face amongst all R&B patrons across the globe. Source: Indiafm.com News | 31 May 2008 | 12:13 pm
In a country where the public memory is short-lived, there are just two names that will always be etched in gold in the decades to come: Abhijeet Sawant and Harshwardhan Nawathe. While the former was the first ever winner of 'Indian Idol', the latter went onto win 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (KBC), hosted by none other than Big B himself.
What seemed impossible a few years back has become a stark reality now and how! Gone are the days when the films stars were playing hard to even make an appearance on TV. It took an Amitabh Bachchan to create a revolution of the so-called 'Idiot Box' and declared to the world over that the same Idiot Box can make you a Millionaire instantly!
After the Big B, the spotlights were on SRK and now its Salman Khan and his forthcoming show '10 Ka Dum'. And going by the reports, Sallu bhai is leaving no stone unturned to make this show a smash-hit! No wonder then, he had invited David Dhawan, his close friend for one of the mock rehearsals of the show. And The Perfectionist that David is, he took his time to think but gave correct answers. When Sallu asked him as to why is he spending too much time thinking, pat came the reply, "Your show is about common people. And I am here as a common man and not as David Dhawan. Hence, I need time to think."
Man! That was some answer. News also has it that David pocketed a cool one crore! Only if this wasn't a mock-show⦠What say David bhai? Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 31 May 2008 | 11:55 am
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The scientists all over the world are baffled over the 'discovery' of a new 'star'. And guess what! The 'star' has only been seen in glimpses and that too in the promos of the forthcoming film Haal-E-Dil. He is called Nakuul Mehta, yet another model-turned-actor who will be testing waters with this film. He is literally the Blue Eyed Boy, whose chocolate look became the talk of the town after his smash hit ad for Sprite. Bollywood Hungama spoke to him at length regarding his role in Haal-E-Dil and much, much more!
Nakuul Mehtaâ¦yet 'another star-in-waiting' in the world of Bollywood. How does it feel?
Of course I am excited, because, I never planned to be a model, it just happened. And you know what; acting on big screen is something that I always wanted to do. And modeling was probably a step into that direction, though not consciously for me. I have also done Hindi, Urdu and English stage shows in the past, for around three years. Stage was a step in that direction (towards films). I can today say that I am feeling great and that I am finally living my dream.
So, it was modeling that led to acting for the literal 'blue eyed boy' called Nakuul. What say?
It all happened with my first ad that I did for 'Sprite', that was directed by Satish Kaushikji, who, one day, had spotted me in the college and instantly offered me the ad. And I never planned anything in this direction. After the Sprite ad I got lot more ads. But since I was in college then, I started doing ads for pocket money and it was fun. I never really thought that modeling could actually lead someone to acting on a big screen!
I never really thought that modeling could actually lead someone to acting on a big screen
But you have done stage shows, which must have served you as a prelude to the silver screen, in terms of confidence and stage presence.
In theatre, I have worked for directors like Om Katare (Yatri Group). Besides him, I have worked extensively with Mujeeb Khan, who owns a group called 'Idea', which works primarily on the legendary Munshi Prem Chand's stories, in which, I have worked as a lead actor on around 25 scripts. Besides him, I have done English theatre with Sanjay Shrinivasan in the play called 'The Dressing Room'.
'Models can't act', the statement that haunts every model, both wannabe' and established ones. What's your take on it? Are you planning to break this jinx'?
If you look at it from an outsider's perspective, you will get to know that it's generally said for ramp models, because, they are meant to be looking like that. I have done TV commercials, a place where one has to act and express, very much similar to what an actor does, so what if it's just for 30 seconds. In that way, I do not consider myself as a model, as I always considered myself an actor doing a 30 sec job, and here (in Bollywood), I'm going to do a three hour job. And since I wasn't doing ramp, that tag doesn't apply to me. And even if it does, then, I think that my first film should break that notion.
What was your family's reaction when you announced your decision of joining films?
I hail from a family that's totally non-filmy. My father is in the Indian Navy and because of that, I have traveled the entire country and have changed ten schools in twelve years, which is a record in itself. But the fact remained that my family always loved watching films, which was my only 'connection' to Bollywood. So, when Satish Kaushik spotted me, I always knew him as an actor, and was unaware of the fact that he was a director too. So, when I spoke to my parents about Bollywood, I was really surprised to know that they were very thrilled that I am about to step into a field that's difficult to break in. And since I was tad sure about the completion of my studies, my parents were very forthcoming about my tinsel plans.
I don't consider myself as a model; I'm an actor doing a 30 sec job
The point also remained that while I was doing my degree college, I used to take time out and I started doing stage. I think that is when my parents noticed the spark in me, which was very important to me. It was very important for me to get the approval from my parents. And after my first promo went on air, I wanted to see how my parents were going to react, whether they'd like it or not. Luckily, they did and that gave me lot of confidence.
Let's talk about Haal-E-Dil. Tell us did Nakuul happen to Haal-E-Dil, or is it the other way round?
What actually happened was that I had couple of romantic film offers before Haal-E-Dil also, but they all sounded like that they are going to make me the next star! The sad part was that the focus was not on the script. And as far as Haal-E-Dil is concerned, many things mattered. The first point is the producer of Haal-E-Dil also happens to be the maker of Omkara. It was also the script that worked for me. And when I heard my role, I just knew that I had to do this at any cost. I knew that I had to crack my audition for this role, and luckily it worked out well. When this script came along, the one thing that I realized that was that I can't be choosing my script and it's the other way round. And that is exactly what pushed me to Haal-e-Dil.
Did you get the jitters considering the fact that a Godfather-less hero was being pitched against two star-children whose real-life fathers have played 'God' to many?
It so happened when Haal-e-Dil was being made, I was the first one to be signed and that to before Adhyayan came on board. That way, I didn't know who the other guy was. That kind of gave me the confidence as to despite the presence of star-kids, they still chose to have a rank newcomer like me for the main lead. And truly speaking, there was no scope of feeling insecure because, eventually, when you come to the sets; you are a professional actor there. And if you are good at your work, you will get more work and if you are not, then, it doesn't matter whose son you are.
If you are good, you will get more work and if you are not, it doesn't matter whose son you are
The flip side of the same question. Amita and Adhyayan were rank newcomers while you were a known face. Do you feel that will work in your favour?
Though Amita was always in the picture, there was a guy who had to be casted opposite her. It was her film all the way as it was made keeping her in mind. The way I see this is the fact that I might be a known face, but people do not know me personally. It's like when I walk on the streets, people might give me a second look, but they don't know who I am.
Also that, all these days (since modeling) whenever I used to travel, the people around me used to call me as the '5-Star model' or 'Sprite's model'. With this film's promos on air, they are getting to know me the real Nakuul.
Tell us something about your character, Shekhar.
Shekhar is 24 years old guy, someone who is very charming and someone who has two loves in life, viz., music (he is big time guitar player) and women. He is a big flirt who has a line for every girl coming his way. But he is a good guy at heart, a zinda dil type of guy. Yet he is not your typical hero. When he comes on screen, he goofs up things and says the wrong thing at the wrong places. Yet he is a clean guy, who is very charming and people like to be around him and with him, yet he is immature somewhere. And Haal-e-Dil is basically a journey film and it's a story of how Shekhar meets the leading lady Sanjana at some point in the film and how life changes post that, including the way he looks at life. I think it's a story of a young immature carefree kind of guy to a young man eventually, yet his soul remaining the same. To me, Shekhar is the life of the film.
There is also a certain 'background' behind the name 'Shekhar'? Please share that with us.
My character is Shekhar and Amita's playing Sanjana. What's really interesting is the fact that till the last hour of shooting of the first day, my character was called Ajay, because my director (who also happens to be Ajay Devgan's cousin) is very close to this name. But my producer and Ajay Devgan wanted it to be Shekhar as they wanted to recreate the golden nostalgia of Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, where both of them (Ajay and Kajol) were called Sanjana and Shekhar. After we shot the first scene, Ajay called Kumar Mangat and told him to stick to the name Shekhar. That's how Shekhar and Sanjana were born. They were hoping that it works in the same way like Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha. Even I liked the name, as it not the typical Rahul or Raj!
How was it working with Adhyayan and Amita as co-stars?
Excellent to say the least. I know Amita more personally, due to the workshop that we had done together. She is very simple girl who is very spontaneous actor. She is very accommodating as a person. She went out of her way and she gave me those rehearsals even though she didn't need it, as she comes from a different school of acting. Frankly speaking, I couldn't have asked for a better co-star than Amita.
Amita is very simple girl who is very spontaneous actor
And with Adhyayan, we have done one song in the film together. What I know of him is that he is a great guy to work with and to be with. He has an excellent screen presence. I share a damn good rapport with him.
There are a million faces out there, just waiting to be launched in Bollywood. So, what do you feel, is the USP of Nakuul to make his presence felt?
I think more then Nakuul to 'stand out' there, I feel that it will be Shekhar who is going to stand out I think when film comes out! Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 31 May 2008 | 11:24 am
One thing is for sure is the image of the leading lady in our cinema has changed beyond recognition. Barely months after watching Bipasha Bsau sleep her way to the Big O(opulence, not what you think) in Race , and weeks after Kareena Kapoor in Tashan showed us it's okay for nice small-town girl to covet that big villa in Vermont, we now have the ultra-confident semi-debutante Neha Uberoi (she has done a bit part in Dus Kahaniyan) who walks away from the mess she partly creates with a bagful of money.
No, she doesn't get away with it. And that's not because the screenwriters got cold feet in drawing that svelte line between Sati Savitri and Slutty Savitri.
But only because the 'hero '(if we may call the glib-tongued amoral dude from 'drown'-under a hero) turns out to be smarter shrewder and more ruthless than the lady who doesn't believe in glancing backwards.
Woodstock Villa isn't a great work of art. It doesn't aspire to be. Its affectations in visuals, treatment, background score and characterization are so nakedly unsheathed and freed of the elements of realism that the posturing becomes a form of artlessness.
The films have a specific look and style. Granite walls, rusted floors, screaming desires and smothered conscienceâ¦what would a Sanjay Gupta production be without these?
Vikash Nowlakha Anshum's cinematography and Wasiq Khans's art design bring a sense of imminent peril into the plot. As though, the characters were framed against a wall that separates humanity from doom. Hansal Mehta's films especially that underrated ode to Chinese actioners Chhal have always been created on the editing table. Bunty Negi cuts the material down to a stark minimum.
The people who populate Woodstock Villa are crowded not by a supporting cast but their inner worlds which simmer to the surface in swirls of indignation.
I specially loved the pre-titled ten minutes when Arbaaz Khan with his bagful of ransom money is tracked down by his wife's kidnapper.
There's something about Mumbai under siege. Mehta holds the suspense at an arms (and ammunitions) distance. An inherently violent film, Woodstock Villa doesn't have too much blood spilling on the expensive wooden floors. The ambience reeks of unchecked affluence where a wife takes off with a man who almost rapes her before he dumps her body in ravine where the slush and silence seem borrowed from Vikram Bhatt's Raaz.
The two newcomers execute their immoral unscrupulous distraught parts with a confidence that imparts an edge of erotica to the relentless action. Arbaaz Khan has one really difficult sequence where he has to break down at the end and bawl like a baby on the floor.
Meena Kumari in Guru Dutt's Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam had fallen to the floor with an anguished cry because her husband leaves her.
Arbaaz's screen wife and his mistress have left him at the end. He's the loser in this tightly-knitted game of cat and mouse.
And the 'hero' flies off with money that he didn't earn.
Gee, what a wonderful world we've gifted to the coming generations. Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 31 May 2008 | 9:22 am
The Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC) organised here a day-long animation film and education festival - Srijon (creation) 2008. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 31 May 2008 | 9:00 am
Making a periodical / mythological / historical film, which is hitherto not seen by the audiences, is easy and the audiences would take it straight as the story is moulded on the celluloid for the first time. Unless the people, who watched are thorough on the story and history, they ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 31 May 2008 | 7:09 am
Director Raviraja Pinisetty's new film has been titled as Andamaina Abadham. A lie told for the welfare of a family leads to some strange situations. What is the situation? How the family copes with it - is the thrust of the story. Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 31 May 2008 | 7:00 am
Nisha Rawal is candid enough to admit that before signing Hastey Hastey, she, too, dreamt of being launched in a huge banner. Like all girls trying to make it big in the Bollywood world, Nisha believed that working with Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali would be the ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 31 May 2008 | 6:51 am
Subhash Ghai has worked with many big actors in his illustrious career. He is now all set to bring together the hit pair of Govinda and Sanjay Dutt together again in his forthcoming film. Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 31 May 2008 | 6:43 am
Few scenes of Tamil film Vanakkamma have been changed due to the strong protestation of Hindu Munnani. According to the script, Saravanan and Vishnupriyan, who are playing the lead roles, go to jail at their young age in a murder case. One day, they escape from the jail and come ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 31 May 2008 | 6:26 am
Actrees Mreenal Deshraj, who was last seen in Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, will be soon seen romancing on the tube in Shh.. Koi Hai on Star One. The sequence required them to shoot in the majestic palaces of Jaipur in the sweltering hot weather but Mreenal didn't seem to mind ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 31 May 2008 | 6:25 am
Govinda and Sanjay Dutt - the hit pair of 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi', 'Jodi No.1' and 'Ek Aur Ek Gyarah' - team up again to tickle the funny bones of fans. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 31 May 2008 | 4:31 am
Newcomer Sikander Kher, who debuted with the just released 'Woodstock Villa', is on a relationship-building spree. He hit it off instantly with business tycoon Vijay Mallya during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Bangalore. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 31 May 2008 | 4:31 am
The cast and crew of romantic comedy 'Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam' turned vegetarian while shooting the film. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 31 May 2008 | 4:31 am
The success of 'Jannat' has surprised one and all, including the film's leading man Emraan Hashmi who has wasted no time in hiking his price from an estimated Rs.15 million to Rs.50 million. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 31 May 2008 | 4:30 am
The Indian film fraternity is yet to be convinced about banning scenes showing tobacco consumption. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 31 May 2008 | 2:32 am
Young and chirpy actress Ayesha Takia considers Nagesh Kukunoor's 'Dor', a poignant tale of two women, as the path-breaking film of her career. She says after the movie, people started taking her seriously as an actor. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 31 May 2008 | 2:31 am
"You ... complete me" - these 3 words, which Tom Cruise said to Renee Zellweger in `Jerry Maguire`, are more than enough to make your dream girl`s heart melt. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:49 pm
Sikander Kher has done a good job in the thriller that promises lot of twists and turns – an interesting watch for those who love Hollywood`s dark and shady movies. No points for guessing! Yes! We sure are talking about Jr Kher`s acting debut – Woodstock Villa, which released this Friday. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:49 pm
Singer Amy Winehouse says she will perform at a concert next month in honour of Nelson Mandela. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:49 pm
Another film in the long-list of recently released hopeless Bollywood comedies, Hastey Hastey, fails to tickle your funny bone and you leave the theatres almost `rote rote` for wasting those bucks on a very forgettable flick. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:49 pm
A behind-the-scenes film of Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable on the set of their last feature film `The Misfits` is set to be auctioned in Las Vegas. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:49 pm
"Sarkar Raj" has become the first feature film in India to release its background score. "Power of Sound", the background score album has 32 tracks featuring various moods and situations from the film. Amar Mohile has composed the background score. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:49 pm
Troubled pop star Britney Spears is still incapable of making decisions for herself, the Los Angeles Superior Court commissioner reviewing her case has ruled. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:49 pm
Stunning Gisele Bundchen is back in news, and this time it`s all for `sexy and splashy` reasons. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:49 pm
Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie has given birth in France to twins fathered by actor Brad Pitt, bringing the Hollywood couple`s brood to six children, according to the celebrity television program "Entertainment Tonight." Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:49 pm
A young reporter of Indian-origin working with the BBC, has won a prestigious European journalism award, for her documentary exposing the bogus universities in Britain. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:49 pm
For Prime Minister Manmohan Singh it was flash back in time as he met his childhood friend from Pakistan, Raja Mohammed Ali, after nearly six decades here Friday evening. Both warmly hugged each other and talked of their childhood. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 30 May 2008 | 6:31 pm
Subhash Ghai has worked with many big actors in his illustrious career. He is now all set to bring together the hit pair of Govinda and Sanjay Dutt together again in his forthcoming film.
Bollywood Hungama spoke with the Showman himself to get some more details. "Yes, this project is on the proposal stages .We have signed Govinda, but have yet to confirm Sanjay's dates for this film. The film is titled Dil Mein Baji Guitar and would be directed by Hadi Ali Abrar, a new and talented director. He has got a brilliant script, full of comedy and emotions. So I liked the film."
It may be recollected that Govinda and Sanjay Dutt were earlier seen in Mukta Arts' Ek Aur Ek Gyarah, directed by David Dhawan. So we quizzed the Showman, how different is this film going to be? "This is a different script altogether. It's a new kind of film and not on the lines of other films which Govinda and Sanju have done before. Besides, they do get along very well and would be playing friends in the film too," says Mr. Ghai.
So when does the film go on floors? "We are yet to finalize the female cast. Music will be either by Pritam or Sajid-Wajid. The film should go on floors in July this year."
Meanwhile, Ghai's next magnum-opus Yuvraj is 75% complete and would release in October later this year coinciding with Mukta Arts' 30th anniversary.
As they say there is simply no stopping the Showman. Source: Indiafm.com News | 30 May 2008 | 5:06 pm
Govinda is all geared up to play a 40 year old virgin in an untitled venture directed by Jagmohan Mundhra. The film will be co-produced by Sanddeep Kapur and Anuj Sharma under Promodome and Sishty Creations.
Putting an end to the rumour about the film being made in English language, one of the producers Sanddeep Kapur informs, "The film loosely inspired by Hollywood comedy The 40 Year Old Virgin is a comic caper which will be made in Hindi." He goes on to add, "We will have Amrita Rao playing the hot chick of UK based Govinda who plays a 40 year old virgin."
Apart from Govinda and Amrita Rao, Anupam Kher and Shakti Kapoor will also star in the film. In fact, the cast and crew have already moved to London to shoot the first schedule. To which Sanddeep says, "We have zeroed in on London where 60% of the film will be shot and rest 40% will be in India." Monty Sharma will be doing the music for the film and Pony Verma is the choreographer.
The film is expected to release this year. Source: Indiafm.com News | 30 May 2008 | 4:49 pm
Director Sanjay Gadhvi's Kidnap starring Sanjay Dutt, Imran Khan, Vidya Malvade, Minissha Lamba and Rahul Dev has been in the making for quite some time now.
However, the director of the popular Dhoom series must now be heaving a sigh of relief as the dubbing of Kidnap has been completed. All the actors, including Sanjay Dutt have finished with their dubbing and the post production of the film is going on at the moment.
In fact, this also puts rest to the rumours of Sanjay Dutt refusing to dub for the film. A tabloid went on to say that Sanjay wasn't happy with Imran Khan debuting with Jaane Tuâ¦Ya Jaane Na and hence refused to dub. But with this confirmed news of the Deadly Dutt having finished dubbing for Kidnap, another rumour bites the dust.
Kidnap is being produced by Shree Ashatvinayak Cinevision Ltd. Source: Indiafm.com News | 30 May 2008 | 4:04 pm
After actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Govinda and Salman Khan, it is now Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan's turn to join the reality show bandwagon. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 30 May 2008 | 3:02 pm
The success of the Bhatts' Jannat released right in the middle of stiff competition from the IPL matches has shocked one and all, including the film's leading man Emraan Khan who has wasted no time in hiking his price from an estimate1.5 crore rupees to 5 crores.
"And why not?" Emraan argues happily. "Equations change every Friday. The sun has started shining for me. I seem to have had a solo hit at a time when only Akshay Kumar and the Khans seem to be getting the audiences in," he.
"Ya, my price has gone up. I won't say drastically. Right now I can quote a higher price with some justification." There's celebration in Emraan's house. "I've cut about fifteen cakes in the last one week. And I've just bought a new BMW. I was so confident about Jannat that I had it delivered to my home on the day of its release."
Emraan has even backed out of a film that Warner Brothers was to produce in association with Tandav Films (of Khosla Ka Ghosla). Here Emraan gets evasive. "I wouldn't like to comment on which project I backed out. But yes, we were in serious negotiation. I only had to sign the contract. But as is the rule in the entertainment industry, they were waiting to see how Jannat would perform. But now the ball is in my court. Since I'm in a negotiable position now, why should I sign the film at a price I was supposed to? They were playing the wait-and-watch game. Now that they've watched it's my turn."
Emraan says his price also goes up for his mentors the Bhatts. "I haven't spoken to them about my price now that Jannat has done so well. But they've always been very fair as far as the price goes. We share a professional relationship first, we're relatives later. Eventually, the film stands on its own, no matter who makes it. I only sign Bhatt Saab's films when I'm convinced about them. It isn't as if I've said yes to all his offers. I was picky earlier. I'm being more picky now."
Emraan says he was always getting offers outside the Bhatt camp. "But yes after Jannat the offers from outside are better. This is probably the best time as an actor for me." His next release is Raaz 2. "Like Jannat and the earlier films that I've done with Bhatt Saab, it tries something different. No one wants to touch the horror genre. It hasn't been explored sufficiently except in the first part of Raaz which came five years ago. I've again done the unexpected in Raaz 2. I feel the different will always work. I guess the same applies to me as an actor. I always go for the unconventional roles."
Strangely, Emraan has always been working with new leading ladies. "I don't see that as a burden. I think the audience wants to see me with new heroines and yes, I did kiss my heroine in Jannat too, though this time it was more furtive than torrid. If the director feels the kiss has to be shown, I won't object to a kiss in future too."
Emraan's wife loved Jannat. "She's zapped by its success. Suddenly to have your spouse blossom into a starâ¦it completes our circle of happiness. The prolonged period of failure has been good for me. It made me realize I wasn't invincible. If people don't earn money out of you in the entertainment industry they don't want you. As simple as that."
Says Emraan, "We were warned not to release Jannat with the IPL. Biggies like Tashan and Paachvi Paas on TV had failed. I was very confident about Jannat. We got a phenomenal opening. The collections have only been going up. Eventually, a film stands on its own, and the promos helped. The past one year was really tough on me. If Jannat didn't work I'd been really frustrating. I was bitter and angry. So Jannat was a do or die project for me. If it failed I had told myself nothing else will work." Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 30 May 2008 | 12:20 pm
Dashi, one of the fast upcoming music directors in Tamil Cinema, has scored music for an album titled Kalaignar Kavasam and the same will be released on the eve of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Dr. Kalaignar Karunanidhi's 85 birthday. Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:54 am
Actress Ravali, who got married with Neelikrishna, gave birth to a baby girl in Hyderabad on Thursday evening. Ravali, a popular actress in Tamil and Telugu Cinema, had played as lead lady in many films with popular actors including Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj and Parthiban among others. Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:48 am
London (ANI): If Madonna's daughter Lourdes gets her way, then she will soon be joining the iconic singer on her tour. Madge's daughter has already started having lessons at London's famous dance studio, Pineapple, and is reportedly desperate to join the singer when she goes on tour this autumn. "Lola ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 11:15 am
The reason why a majority of films go unnoticed is courtesy the weak storyline first. The other factors come later. Hastey-Hastey - Follow Your Heart also suffers for this reason. The story idea, credited to one Rohit Batra, is so tacky, so banal, so obsolete, so lifeless that you break ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 30 May 2008 | 10:37 am
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Everyone loves Nisha Rawal. And that's because they love to remember her as the 'Chanda Ki Doli' girl who was serenaded by Sonu Nigam in the namesake music video a few years back. Carrying on the same image of a beautiful young woman who knew where to draw the line when it came to on-screen exposing, Nisha Rawal makes her big screen debut opposite Jimmy Shergill with Hastey Hastey this weekend.
"I am happy with the way I have been presented in Hastey Hastey, says Nisha Rawal, "I have my own identity and the way I want to dress. I know that whether I wear Indian or Western costumes, they would never breach the limits I have set for myself. I like my wardrobe and am fine to be seen as a sweet and cute girl. If that's the image people want to see me in, I don't have any issues with that."
But does she feel that the plain Jane image would indeed work for long? With Bollywood showing a constant escalation in the different subjects it is exploring and even normally coy girls (read Amrita Rao, Soha Ali Khan) going all out to build a different image of themselves, doesn't she feel that she may loose out in competition?
"It's just my first film and I would rather play by the character than worry about the competition," says Nisha with a matter of fact, "If I am playing a college student in the film, I can't suddenly start shedding off my clothes. I play a girl who hails from a Catholic-Indian family and is down to earth yet emotionally driven. My wardrobe goes perfectly fine with the character I play and I have no qualms with the way I look on screen."
But what about future?
Laughs Nisha, "I know, as years pass by, market dynamics change too. If I am really fed up, the way I look, and people too feel that they want to see me in a different 'avatar', I may possibly start thinking about presenting myself differently. Today I am this way but what can one say about tomorrow?"
With music by Anu Malik, Hastey Hastey is directed by Toony and produced by the duo of Ashutosh Bajpay and Shivaram Kumar. The film is a lighthearted entertainer, which also marks the debut of another girl Monishka who plays a young woman with shades of black. Hastey Hasteyv is said to have Rajpal Yadav's triple role performance as it's USP. Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 30 May 2008 | 10:11 am
