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Jiah Khan was asked to leave Yahoo
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 14 Apr 2009 | 6:48 pm Aamir offers to clean toilets
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 14 Apr 2009 | 3:07 pm Murugadoss wants to direct Shah Rukh Khan
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 14 Apr 2009 | 2:24 pm Priyanka Chopra back to work
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 14 Apr 2009 | 2:11 pm Priyanka Chopra's triple treat with GraziaThis will definitely be the first time that any magazine, be it fashion or otherwise has ventured this un-trod path of having not one or two but three different covers! Yes...that's right folks. This month's 1st anniversary special issue of the well known fashion magazine 'Grazia' features three different cover pages. The leaf motif that links these covers together is none other than our very own Bollywood hottie Priyanka Chopra. There is no denying the fact that Priyanka has achieved the pinnacle of excellence be it in the world of modelling or in films. Bringing new found fame to the Indian fashion circuit, Priyanka has indeed beaten her competitors from the west to claim possession of all three cover pages. The special issue also features an exclusive interview with Priyanka as she talks about her chance tryst with fame, her romantic love for pepperoni pizza and what she knows about men. With 3 different, super-hot covers featuring Priyanka (including one with her personalized autograph) this anniversary special issue of Grazia is indeed a must-buy for all Piggy Chops' fans.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 14 Apr 2009 | 2:01 pm Spacetoon India announces animation IP Fafa & JunoKids Animation India, the publishing and merchandising division of Spacetoon India has announced the launch of its first intellectual property, Fafa & Juno. This fun loving cartoon girl and panda duo have been created in-house with the objective of appealing to audiences across all global demographics such as the Middle East and South East Asia. The launch was graced by the presence of renowned actress Vidya Balan and children from the Nanhi Kali Foundation. Speaking on the occasion Spacetoon - South Asia MD and CEO, Rajiv Sangari said, "This is indeed a proud moment for us today, as we have created new characters in the kid's world. I am sure Fafa & Juno with its cuteness and smartness will win the hearts of millions of children across the globe." Spacetoon will promote Fafa & Juno through licensing, publication, merchandising, events and animated TV serials. Initially, Fafa & Juno books will be available in 31 titles across various categories ranging from adventure to general knowledge. The merchandising products will consist of back to school, art sets, stationery, toys and home furnishing. KAI will contribute a part of its Fafa & Juno sales proceeds and help Nanhi - Kali in their mission to uplift and educate the underprivileged girl child across India. Commenting on the association with Spacetoon, Sheetal Mehta, Executive Director, Nanhi Kali, said, "We are pleased to join hands with Spacetoon media group and would like to thank them for adopting this noble cause of providing education to the underprivileged girl child. The Nanhi Kali project is working with 25 NGO implementation partners at the grass-root level to ensure that the girls receive academic and material support. It is our mission to reach out to every girl child across the county and such association go a long way in helping us achieve our goals."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 14 Apr 2009 | 2:00 pm Sonakshi Sinha to debut opposite Salman Khan in Arbaaz Khan's productionSonakshi Sinha, daughter of yesteryear's actor Shatrughan Sinha, is all set to make her entry into showbiz. The young actress must indeed be feeling on top of the world as she gets to share screen space with none other than Salman Khan in her very first film. The film in question (as yet untitled) is directed by Abhinav Kashyap (brother of Anurag Kashyap) and produced by Arbaaz Khan under his newly launched banner Arbaaz Khan Productions. The film is essentially a human relationship drama and is expected to go on floors in September. In the past as well, many actress have debuted opposite Salman Khan like Sneha Ullal (Lucky-No Time For Love) and Sonam Kapoor (Saawariya). One will have to wait and watch if Sallu's magic rubs off on Sonakshi too.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 14 Apr 2009 | 1:03 pm Priyanka Chopra gets discharged from hospitalClick above for more stills Signing films left, right and centre, diffusing the dark cloud of recession; one actress seems to be working really hard at it. She is none other than Priyanka Chopra. Her constant busy schedule however, took its toll on Piggy Chops when she reportedly fainted on the sets of a film while shooting recently. Later she was admitted at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital as she complained of severe stomach pains. The pretty lass was however discharged from the hospital on Monday. Priyanka had back to back releases last year and currently has two films Kaminey and What's Your Rashee? lined up for release. However, the recent hospital visit is surely and indication for the actress to take it easy.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:47 pm Sajid Khan's special rendezvous with Sylvester Stallone and Akshay KumarIn the past, Sajid Khan has interviewed some of the biggest stars in Bollywood on his popular chat show 'Sajid's Superstars'. However, never in his wildest dreams would he have thought that one day he would get to have a rendezvous with one of Hollywood's biggest action stars. Yes...we are talking about none other than Sylvester Stallone, legendary star of films such as the Rocky and Rambo series By now its common knowledge to any film buff that Sly (as he is fondly known as) is doing a special cameo in Sajid Nadiadwala's much-awaited Akshay-Kareena starrer Kambakkht Ishq. As a part of the making of the film, the makers decided to have Sajid Khan do a special kind of an interview featuring Hollywood and Bollywood's biggest action stars- namely Sylvester Stallone and Akshay Kumar. Sabbir Khan, the director of the film, confirmed this news, "Yes, we were shooting at the Kodak Theatre in L.A. when we decided to have a tongue-in-cheek kind of an interview with both Akshay Kumar and Sylvester Stallone. Luckily for us, Sajid Khan was also in L.A. at that time and we thought who better than Sajid with his vast knowledge of world cinema and incredible sense of humour to do the interview." As for Sajid Khan, he surely had a blast sitting amidst the two fitness freaks, one of whom (Stallone) is heavily into gymming and weight-lifting while the other (Kumar) doesn't touch weights. Sajid apparently impressed Stallone with his knowledge about the actor-director who also writes screenplays. Stallone, who is known as the ultimate action-hero has also directed the iconic musical Staying Alive starring John Travolta but hadn't acted in it. Khan has brought to fore many such little-known nuggets of the Rocky star. "I know them both inside-out", says Sajid Khan with a smile. "At the end of the interview, Stallone told me if he wants to know something about his own movie, he will call me before logging onto Google," laughs Khan. The interview is a part of the making of Kambakkht Ishq and very soon you would get a chance to see this one-of-a-kind interview only on Bollywood Hungama.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:45 pm Priyanka discharged from hospital, asked to take it easy! !Priyanka Chopra was finally discharged from the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:09 pm Hollywood struck Freida Pinto apes Gwyneth Paltrow!For a lady who is keeping such interesting company, Frieda is doing some non-ladylike acts.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:09 pm Mel Gibson`s wife of 28 years files for divorce!The wife of actor Mel Gibson filed for divorce on Monday after 28 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:09 pm Phil Spector found guilty of 2nd-degree murder!Phil Spector was convicted Monday of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a film actress at his mansion six years ago, a verdict that will send him to prison for at least 18 years barring a successful appeal.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:09 pm Fielder-Civil`s `love child` inspires Winehouse`s `Ultimate Betrayal` !Amy Winehouse has penned a song called ``The Ultimate Betrayal`` after hearing claims about her estranged husband Blake Fielder-Civil`s `love child`.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:09 pm Kroes writhes in exotic locales for an erotic photo shoot !Victoria Secret`s angel Doutzen Kroes exposed her devilish streak as she recently demonstrated just what makes her one of the highest paid supermodels in the world.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:09 pm Jennifer Aniston beats Jolie
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 14 Apr 2009 | 11:45 am David Dhawan says Rohit's film not delayedEven as David Dhawan prepares to shoot the next schedule of his Rensil D’Silva penned prison-break tale Hook Ya Crook, rumours abound that his son Rohit’s directorial debut has been delayed indefinitely.“That isn’t true,” clarified David, “Rohit's film was meant toSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 10:40 am Winstone, Keira team up for London BoulevardLondon (ANI): Ray Winstone and Keira Knightley have teamed up to play unlikely lovers in a new gangster movie. The pair has been joined the cast of Colin Farrell and Anna Friel to star in London Boulevard to be helmed bySource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 10:33 am Kerala celebrates Vishu with traditional gaiety - Hindu
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 10:29 am Leonardo DiCaprio warns Efron against drugsWashington (ANI): Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has warned Zac Efron against the use of drugs if he wants a long lasting career in Hollywood. The Titanic star met Efron at a Lakers game and advised him to avoid heroin.In an interview toSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 10:28 am Lily Allen was once secret voice of Atomic KittenLondon (ANI): Lily Allen was once the secret voice of Atomic Kitten, it has emerged. When Atomic Kitten members Jenny Frost, Liz Mclarnon And Natasha Hamilton were big names, they landed lucrative movie cameos 'singing' in 2001 Brit flick 'Mike Bassett:Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 10:15 am Lindsay gifted lifetime access to free tattoosWashington (ANI): Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan may be grief-stricken after her split from her lesbian lover, DJ Samantha Ronson, but her tattoo salon has some good news for her, as they have offered her a free lifetime supply of tattoos.The MeanSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 10:15 am Drew Barrymore's dog customises her jeans!New Delhi (ANI): Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore has a designer pet dog. The Charlie’s Angels star lets her yellow Labrador-Chow mix pet Flossie customise her jeans, reports China Daily. She lets Flossie rip up her new pairs of denim trousers toSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 9:54 am 'Professional' Priyanka back to work - Hindustan Times
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 9:47 am Aamir breaking vacation to voteThere is a saying “Good people let the bad people rule by not voting”. Aamir Khan, the Perfectionist, is doing his bit not to let bad people get to power. He has gone all out to encourage the people to voteSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 9:41 am Nandana Sen denied an international project as it required her to go toplessAfter the controversial nude scenes in Ketan Mehta's Rang Rasiya, Nandana Sen got another highly-prestigious offer that required her to go topless. Italian filmmaker Italo Spinelli offered Nandana the lead of a tribal woman who's surreptitiously shot nude by a photographer. The film is based on Bengali litterateur Mahashweta Devi's provocative and controversial story Choli Ke Peeche. The role offered to Nandana was pivotal tempting and challenging .Nandana was sorely tempted. But doing a full-on topless sequence which is a crucial part of the narrative, so soon after Rang Rasiya, was just not on Nandana's agenda. She has reluctantly and after much deliberation said No, throwing the whole project to be started later this year, into back gear. Nandana explains, "It's a good project directed by Italo Spinelli, produced by RAI, shot by Blasco Giurardo, the cinematographer of Cinema Paradiso. It's a powerful story and although I support it fully, I feel the subject matter is such that the tribal girl's nudity cannot avoid becoming unintentionally voyeuristic and eroticised even though that is definitely not the objective. If you remember, previously too I passed on various other international projects because of a similar concern." Nandana made an exception with Ketan Mehta's film. "Rang Rasiya focuses on the increasing critical topic of censorship of art. Remember what happened in Jehangir art gallery last month? Ketan's film deals entirely with the freedom to paint the human figure in its natural beauty. The emotional drama as well as the political message of the film revolve around one critical and excessively talked- about scene of Sugandha, the muse, having the courage to break the rules of the time to pose for Ravi Varma (Randeep Hooda) and create a masterpiece of art together." But having said this, Nandana says no to nudity, no matter how aesthetic. Could the fact that she intends to tie the knot with steady boyfriend Madhu Mantena have something to do with her decision to forego such a plum assignment?Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 14 Apr 2009 | 9:28 am Kendra's fiancee helping her find GodWashington (ANI): Kendra Wilkinson has taken to prayers from posing for Playboy, and revealed that her fiancée Hank Baskett is behind the change towards spirituality. The ‘Girls Next Door’ star’s bridesmaid and playmate Brittany Ginger revealed that Hank had made KendraSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 9:27 am Sanjay Dutt pulls Munnabhai to politics - Oneindia
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 9:18 am What makes Shahid-Priyanka click! - Oneindia
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 9:18 am Aamir offered to get single screen's toilets cleaned for industry's sakeIn demonstration of solidarity for the producers who are united in their battle with the multiplexes, Aamir Khan has now gone a step ahead. He has even offered to clean toilets in single screen theaters and make them hygienic enough for audiences to come in. This drastic step comes in the light of current situation in the industry where producers may well abandon multiplexes and release their films only in single screen properties if the stand off with multiplexes persists. "I was literally shocked when I heard that. For someone like Aamir Khan to make a statement like this is a big enough message for all of us out here", says Vashu Bhagnani with whom Aamir shared this idea of his. Aamir made this statement in light of Vashu's production Kal Kissne Dekha which has been postponed due to the ongoing tussle with the multiplexes. A launch pad of Jackky Bhagnani and Vaishali Desai, this was the only film that was all set to be released and it's promotion too had kick started before the strike was announced. "I had met Aamir Khan 10-12 years back and wasn't sure if he would really recognize me. I knew he would know me by my name but was doubtful if he would associate it with a face. This is why he coming to me and saying that he was behind my film is a huge thing for me", says Vashu who is sticking along with producers' decision of not releasing his film till there is clarity on the 50:50 revenue sharing issue. "Both Aamir Khan as well as Shah Rukh Khan have been pillars of support for my film", says an emotionally charged Vashu, "While Aamir said that for industry's sake, he would even be willing to clean toilets so that audiences could feel better about watching a film in the single screens, Shah Rukh said that he will publicly ask audience to show support for my film." Another producer who was with Shah Rukh, Aamir and Vashu when this conversation was in progress too nodded in agreement. "Aamir as well as Shah Rukh are very emotionally charged about this entire situation. They understand that so many of us out here have put crores on the backburner for the sake of the industry." "In reciprocation, they too are going all out in the middle of their hectic schedules and showing such great solidarity. Both of them are sure that if multiplexes do not relent, they will march towards single screen theaters and invite public to watch films there. No one is expected to hold on for long and if need arises, films would soon start releasing only in single screens," he concludes.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 14 Apr 2009 | 9:18 am Robert Plant beaten up by Duane Allman in USNew York (ANI): 'Led Zeppelin' singer Robert Plant was almost beaten up by Allman Brothers legend Duane Allman, when the former played in the US for the first time with his band. The revelation came from Allman drummer Butch Trucks duringSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 9:16 am Jade's hubby close to cracking up, say palsLondon (ANI): Pals of Jack Tweed, who has been struggling to cope with the tragic death of his wife Jade Goody, fear he may crack if he is sent to prison again. The grieving widower, who lovingly cared for his cancer-strickenSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 9:12 am Shah Rukh’s causing a din! - IndiaGlitz
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 9:08 am Murugadoss now wants to direct Shah Rukh Khan - Hindu
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 8:35 am Murugadoss now wants to direct Shah Rukh KhanAfter teaming up with Aamir Khan in the hit movie 'Ghajini', Tamil director director Murugadoss now wants to work with Shah Rukh Khan and says he is working on a story right now.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 14 Apr 2009 | 8:32 am Priyanka back to work after three days in hospitalBollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who was admitted to a hospital here for a stomach infection and exhaustion, has been discharged and is back on the sets of Ashutosh Gowariker's 'What's Your Rashee?'.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 14 Apr 2009 | 8:31 am Ee Nadu starts rolling - Galatta.com
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 8:17 am Aamir - SRK solidarity: This was no tamasha!I am shocked at the kind of stories a section of the film media cooks up to attract eyeballs, at times. Everyone knows that Aamir and SRK lent their complete and absolute support to the producers/distributors on the multiplex issue. But a section of the media has been discussing: [i] Who delivered a 'better speech', [ii] Who 'looked better', while a few others decided to call it a âpublicity stunt' [!!!]. It's disgusting! Aamir and SRK have never stooped so low ever, even when they needed hits to cement their status as superstars. One can vouch for Aamir, SRK, even Hrithik, Saif and Shahid; they'd never pull a stunt to stay in limelight or plug their new release. You can accuse a few top actors of doing so, not them. Also, why are we forgetting that both Aamir and SRK are producers as well and this solidarity was a step in the right direction? A section of the media loves to hallucinate at times. Had Aamir and SRK stayed away from this issue, the same media would've flogged them for not siding with their brethren. Now that they've rightfully stood by the producers/distributors, it's being described as a 'publicity stunt'. A few people also feel that the actors haven't buried their differences, despite the show of solidarity last week. Chalo, maan lo, even if they do have differences over certain issues, when did they ever proclaim that they would swear by each other henceforth? The fact is, they came together for a cause and we should genuinely appreciate the effort. It's about time the media gets its act right!Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 14 Apr 2009 | 7:26 am 'A Wednesday' prequel now?If there's one film of 2008 that continues to be a hot favourite of most moviegoers even today, its debutante director Neeraj Pandey's A WEDNESDAY. The film was a major critical and commercial success, winning accolades and box-office rewards simultaneously. The latest is, the makers are planning to make a prequel of this brilliant film. ''You've heard it right. We're toying with the idea currently. We're working out the modalities. How does it sound to you?'' an excited Neeraj Pandey asks. Of course, A WEDNESDAY was an outstanding effort and a prequel or a sequel is most welcome. Will the set of actors [Naseruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, Jimmy Shergill] star in the prequel as well? ''In all probability, yes. Plus, a few new actors might be added,'' Neeraj divulges. Prequel, sequel or a new project altogether, we look forward to your new film Neeraj.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 14 Apr 2009 | 7:16 am Bipasha performs despite wardrobe malfunction - Oneindia
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 6:10 am I prefer cinema to theatre any day: Anurag Kashyap - Hindu
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 4:46 am Ram Gopal Varma's two part biopic - Oneindia
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Apr 2009 | 4:44 am I prefer cinema to theatre any day: Anurag KashyapFilmmaker Anurag Kashyap may have produced the play 'The Skeleton Woman' featuring his real-life partner Kalki Koechlin, but he maintains that he prefers cinema as a medium to express his emotions.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 14 Apr 2009 | 4:31 am Every celebrity needs right branding: Atul KasbekarAce photographer Atul Kasbekar, whose name is synonymous with the Kingfisher swimsuit calendar, also keeps busy with his celebrity management firm and his client list boasts of Bollywood stars like Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor and Shilpa Shetty. But he maintains that photography continues to be his priority.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 14 Apr 2009 | 2:30 am Shah Rukh’s causing a din!One man’s construction is another man’s obstruction – such is the case at the Shah Rukh Khan household where ongoing construction work has shattered the neighbourhood’s peace. The worst affected by the noise is Retreat House that lies right behind Khan’s home, Mannat, and shares a common wall.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:00 am Manmohan Shetty seeks to bring Disney Magic to IndiaFounder of Adlabs and Bollywood big wig Manmohan Shetty is bringing his Midas touch to the world of amusement parks. He is currently in talks to buy extensive property for the park and acquire the rights from Disneyland, California. If the project gets the green light, Shetty will be building he amusement park at a cost of Rs. 1500 crores.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:00 am Lara Dutta Launches Aircel GSM Mobile Services [Gallery]Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:00 am Bips is looking for action behind the camera!Bengali beauty Bipasha Basu has conquered the silver screen with her sultry looks and smoking hot screen presence. Now, the star is all set to don the director’s hat! Bips admits that she learned all that there is to know about making a movie only after she started in Bollywood, and so sees herself eventually becoming a director.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:00 am John pulls off a risky stunt!In the much-anticipated Yash Raj Film, New York, there is a scene which has John rappelling down a 40-floor skyscraper. If you look closely, you’ll see that it really is the star hanging by a rope and not a stunt double. Sources have it that the hunky model told director Kabir Khan he wanted to re-shoot the scene, which had already been done using a double.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:00 am Paritala Ravindran: Ram Gopal Varma’s blood-chilling heroProlific director Ram Gopal Varma has a strange attraction to violent men and feudal histories. One has to only look at his movies like Shiva, Satya, Company and the Sarkar series to know that nobody depicts gang violence and gangsters like Varma. So, it’s no surprise that he is already hard at work delving into the psyche and life of one of South India’s most dangerous rebels, Paritala Ravindran.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:00 am Priyanka’s health takes a beatingActress Priyanka Chopra has always been a busy girl, jetting between shoots and pageants in the blink of an eye. But her hectic schedule coupled with poor eating habits has finally taken a toll on the star, and she had to be admitted to a hospital at Lokhandwala, AndheriSource: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:00 am Mugdha Godse Launches Preeti Slim Clinic [Gallery]Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 14 Apr 2009 | 12:00 am Film titles from hit songsClick above for more movie stills Sajid Nadiadwala's Kambakhht Ishq and Mukesh Bhatt's Tum Mile are but the latest in a long list of film titles have been culled from hit songs over the years. Aa Dekhen Zara and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi are also recent examples. Screen checks out an interesting and sustained phenomenon When a sensuous serenade was needed for the obsessive temptress Urmila Matondkar in Ram Gopal Varma's Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Sandeep Chowta and lyricist Nitin Raikwar exercised their funky gray cells to come up with the chartbuster, Kambakth ishq. Though the film did only average business, the song zoomed to the top of the charts, giving Chowta's career a fresh fillip. That was seven years ago. Today, Sajid Nadiadwala, who had used the Sangam chartbuster Har dil jo pyaar karega as the film title for his version of While You Were Sleeping, has adopted Kambakth ishq - with some numerological modification (see intro)- to name his Akshay Kumar-Kareena Kapoor rom-com that will mark the entry of Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh, Denise Richards into Hindi cinema. Nadiadwala and new director Saabir Khan might have the best of stars, content and marketing, but they still needed a familiar title to establish a connect with the audience. Pitching it perfect But hit songs translating into movie titles are not new in our cinema. And often, the title amazingly fits the story. Aa Dekhen Zara, taken from the hit R.D.Burman-Anand Bakshi song from Sanjay Dutt's debut film Rocky, was just right for the recent Neil Nitin Mukesh-Bipasha Basu thriller about a camera that clicked photographs of the future. Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye may have been a cinematic disaster, but the story was about a fantasy man who inspired the heroine to strive for her goals. The title, as we all know, was derived from the Jatin-Lalit-Anand Bakshi chartbuster from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. And thereby hangs a tale. The title of that 1995 blockbuster that consolidated a long-lasting trend of feel-good movies and became Hindi cinema's longest-running film ever was itself derived from the hit song composed by Ravindra Jain and written by Rajkavi Inderjit Singh "Tulsi" for the 1974 blockbuster Chor Machaye Shor. So perfect was it for the theme and story that producer Yash Chopra inserted a special line in the film's credits that read "Title suggested by Kirron Kher"! Other songs that - obviously by chance rather than design - formed titles that suited the films completely were Aa Ab Laut Chalen (culled from RK's own film Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai's Shankar-Jaikishan-Shailendra stunner); Basu Chaterjee's Jeena Yahan from the S-J-Shaily Shailendra evergreen from Mera Naam Joker, Rakesh Roshan's Koi...Mil Gaya from Jatin-Lalit-Sameer's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai hit and Aditya Chopra's Laaga Chunari Mein Daag from the Roshan-Sahir evergreen from Dil Hi To Hai. A Yash Raj tradition? With Aditya Chopra taking over the creative reigns of Yash Raj Films, it became a musical tradition to cull names from hit songs of yore, beginning, as we said, with DDLJ. Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai was of course the Ravi-Verma Malik wedding song from Aadmi Sadak Ka that has now become a wedding anthem. The next film was Hum Tum, a title that has been associated with at least two famous Laxmikant-Pyarelal-Anand Bakshi mukhdas, Hum tum yug yug se yeh geet milan ke (Milan) and Hum tum ek kamre mein band ho (Bobby). Aditya presumably had the latter in mind, for he got Rishi Kapoor to come in as Saif Ali Khan's dad, singing a re-recorded Main shaayar to nahin from Bobby! Later came films like Ta Ra Rum Pum (from the Rajesh Roshan-Amit Khanna hit Uthe sab ke qadam from Baton Baton Mein), Laaga Chunari... of course and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom from the Aziz Nazan qawwali that rocked the '70s. Finally, it was time again for L-P and Anand Bakshi, whose bhangra from Manmohan Desai's Suhaag was just perfect for the Shah Rukh Khan blockbuster that ended their bad spell - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. And now in a reversal of sorts, Himesh Reshammiya stars, composes and sings in the forthcoming Pooja Bhatt production Kajraa Re, obviously derived from the YRF chartbuster from Bunty Aur Babli. Luck by chance? Hit songs that have also stayed the course make a very sensible option for instant recall when giving a name to a film. For one, it ensures a fresh name, unlike titles like Insaaf, Andaz and the likes that keep being repeated. For another, through its tenuous link with the storyline, it often is the only factor that gives some kind of a face-value to a small film - check Maine Dill Tujhko Diya (from the S-J-Shailendra Shree 420 chartbuster Ramaiya vastavaiya), Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne (taken from R.D.Burman-Majrooh's all-timer from Yaadon Ki Baraat), Dil Vil Pyar Vyaar (the L-P-Majrooh Shagird hit in a film whose music ironically comprised of RD's re-works!), Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (S-J-Hasrat Jaipuri's Aah) and others. In some of these cases, the films struck gold, even failing to remind us immediately of the songs from which their titles were derived. One such recent example remains Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na (from the RD-Sahir refrain of the song Tera mujhse hai pehle ka naata koi from Aa Gale Lag Jaa), while another was Aashiq Banaya Aapne (from the last words of the mukhda of L-P-AB's Karz hit Dard-e-dil). The top 'achievers' It is clear that certain names like Raj Kapoor, Shankar-Jaikishan, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Anand Bakshi, Shailendra and R.D.Burman have already featured with great frequency even in the limited examples given above. The LP-Bakshi film Karz has the highest record - of spawning six titles from five of its six songs - besides Aashiq Banaya Aapne it inspired Dard-E-Dil, the small Rajshri Productions film, Paisa Yeh Paisa starring Jackie Shroff, Ek Hasina Thi with Urmila and Saif Ali Khan, Dev Anand's Main Solah Baras Ki and of course Om Shanti Om. The last-mentioned film, indeed, was unique - for Farah Khan used it as the ingenious base for a Karz-like tale by naming the principal characters Om, Shanti and Om again! Ek Duuje Ke Liye gave rise to Dada Kondke's Tere Mere Beech Mein, the Chennai melodrama Bali Umar Ko Salaam and Akshay Kumar's Mere Jeevan Sathi. And probably the older Mere Jeevan Saathi (also a flop) with Rajesh Khanna came from the Naushad-Majrooh hit from the 1969 South weepie! Rocky had also Kya yehi pyaar hai and the television show Kis mein kitna hai dum as well. Shammi Kapoor made it a habit of getting titles culled from his hit songs. The Shammi-S-J hit score of Janwar generated Jawan Mohabbat (Jawan mohabbat jawan rahegi) and Tumse Accha Kaun Hai, while Junglee's Kashmir ki kali became the title of his hit film that launched Sharmila Tagore even as the Junglee song had introduced Saira Banu! However, long after he quit playing lead roles, his songs continued to generate movie titles, like Sunny Deol's Saveray Waali Gaadi (from Laat Saheb), UTV's film debut Dil Ke Jharonkhen Mein (from Brahmachari) and Aamir Khan's Deewana Mujhsa Nahin (Teesri Manzil). Rishi Kapoor had a high score even otherwise, with songs like Jhoot Bole Kauwa Kaate (LP-Vitthalbhai Patel/Bobby) becoming director Hrishikesh Mukherjee's last film, Ek Main Aur Ek Tu (RD-Gulshan Bawra/Khel Khel Mein) as Ravi Tandon's ill-fated production (Tandon himself had directed the earlier film), Chal Mere Bhai (LP-AB/Naseeb) as the David Dhawan flop with Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt, with the LP-AB Sargam spinning Rajiv Kapoor's flop Hum To Chale Pardes and the small film Parbat Ke Us Paar and of course the RD-Majrooh song from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen spinning Bachna Ae Haseeno, son Ranbir Kapoor's first success. The new avatars Of late, of course, it is not just enough to name a film from an old film song, but the proven hit must also be used in a "re-created" version, like in Aa Dekhen Zara and Bachna Ae Haseeno. It remains to be seen whether this grows into a full-blown trend, because whenever films have been named from old hit songs, they have usually avoided making fresh title numbers to skip uncomfortable comparisons. On the other hand, Shantanu Moitra re-created the title-song with rare innovation for the new Laaga Chunari Mein Daag on the matrix of the older classic. And there were those who dared to make fresh title-songs too - names like A.R.Rahman who composed the Daler Mehndi-Chitra hit for Rang De Basanti (the real-life Bhagat Singh's favourite song Mera rang de basanti chola used in Shaheed and all its later versions) and Shantanu Moitra again scored the unusual Khoye khoye chand ki talash mein from Khoya Khoya Chand, the Sudhir Mishra film whose title was culled from SD-Shailendra's Kala Bazar hit. Shankar-Jaikishan too tried out a new title song in Tumse Accha Kaun Hai while Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy moved away completely from the qawwali-terrain to create the peppy new title-song of Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Small-screen Seven Television serials named from hit songs Aati Rahengi Baharen (Kasme Vaade) Burey Bhi Hum Bhale Bhi Hum (Banarasi Babu) Bol Baby Bol (Meri Jung) Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (Aksar) Kismein Kitna Hai Dum (Rocky) Mere Ghar Aayi Ek Nanhi Pari (Kabhi Kabhie) Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai (Khatta Meetha) Screen IndiaSource: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 13 Apr 2009 | 5:22 pm "My son Rohit's film is not postponed" - David DhawanEven as David Dhawan prepares to shoot the next schedule of his Rensil D'Silva penned prison-break tale Hook Ya Crook rumours abound that David Dhawan's son Rohit's directorial debut has been delayed indefinitely. "That isn't true," clarifies David, "Rohit film was meant to start at the end of the year or January 2010. The schedule is unchanged. As for the cast the only person decided on is Akshay Kumar. The rest is yet to be finalized. Everyone in the industry is so supportive of Rohit. I suppose somewhere I've generated enough goodwill for him to make a smooth entry as a director." Revved up about the last schedule of Hook Ya Crook in Hyderabad on a set representing a prison, David says, "Rensil's script is a totally new experience for me. Hook Ya Crook is non-comic territory for me. And I'm having a ball. Everyone from the scriptwriter to all the actors including John Abraham is new to me. It's important to keep re-inventing myself." Laughing off the rumour that the film is actually based on the Adam Sandler comedy - The Longest Yard, David says, "If it's a prison, it's bound to look a certain way. It can't be helped. But Hook Ya Crook is not The Longest Yard." Earlier, David's Partner got into an adaptation argument with Sony Pictures when it was found that the film was similar to the Will Smith film Hitch. More recently, Warner Brothers were on 'read' alert when it was printed that Vipul Shah's new film Action Replay had similarities to the Brad Pitt starrer The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 13 Apr 2009 | 4:42 pm Anne Hathaway goes all orange
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 13 Apr 2009 | 4:26 pm Nepal enters Cannes with Chaukath
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 13 Apr 2009 | 2:39 pm Mukesh Bhatt meets PM to discuss producers-multiplex tiffIn the wake of the Bollywood producers-multiplex tiff over revenue sharing, filmmaker Mukesh Bhatt met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here Monday to discuss various issues concerning the film industry.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 13 Apr 2009 | 2:30 pm Goody's mother wants Tweed to remarry
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 13 Apr 2009 | 1:28 pm Jiah Khan signs two-film deal with UTVAfter being reportedly asked to leave UTV Motion Pictures' 'Yahoo', Jiah Khan has now signed a two-film deal with the company.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 13 Apr 2009 | 1:01 pm Tendulkar has date with 'himself' - courtesy Madame TussaudsIt was another record but of a different kind for master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. Madame Tussauds flew the cricketer's wax figure some 7,000 km to meet the legend in person here Monday and made him the first Indian sportsman to be featured by the London-headquartered studio.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 13 Apr 2009 | 12:31 pm Will Freida be world's most beautiful?
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 13 Apr 2009 | 11:41 am Freida Pinto features on the cover of April issue of People magazineAfter the success of Slumdog Millionaire, one can easily say that 'Since fame cannot be everywhere, Freida Pinto was created'. And the reason for this is the simple fact that there's hardly any magazine for which this actress has not graced the cover. The magnitude of her success is so magnanimous, that the magazines do not even mind repeating her again as the cover girl. This is exactly what the people at the 'People' magazine have done. Gracing the cover with her by-now-trademarked smile, Freida goes on to plunge into a territory, whereby she talks about her mantra for life, her debut on the LFW ramp, her dream actors and directors with whom she wants to work, and also her crush on Leonardo DiCaprio! Well, she also steps ahead by talking about her definition of success, fan mails, marriage, her pick on luck or destiny, and a million other questions. Lastly, she also goes on record about Dev Patel. Well, does she deny or accept her alleged romance with her Slumdog Millionaire co-star is what you can read about in the latest issue of 'People'!Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 13 Apr 2009 | 11:24 am Putting 'India' in the game: Sony Playstation's Atindriya BoseSony Playstation recently released its first localized Indian game, Hanuman: Boy Warrior for the PS2. According to Sony, the game clocked a sale of 10,000 units on the first day itself. Riding on this recent success, Sony is working with a number of Indian gaming studios on a slate of localized games. In an in-depth tête-à -tête with Bollywood Hungama, Sony Playstation Country Manager Atindriya Bose talks about why he is adding gilli danda, kabbadi, and dance and gang wars to his games; how Sony can help game developers go global and why Bollywood is still a tough game... Tell us about the other games after Hanuman. We have quiz-based games for the joint entrance exams for engineering and medical on the PS2. I had to go back to my college days and figure out what a student could want. It's quite interesting actually; if you are in class 8-12 preparing for any competitive exams. With these games, we are checking out education genre for the India market, and if we can crack the genre, these games will work as a content management system (for further games). Which Indian gaming studios are you working with? For the quiz game we are working with Candela, Bangalore. Besides, Hyderabad-based Gameshastra is working on a title based on Indian games for the PS2 and PSP. The game will have an Indian village setting, where a boy (the player) will come across people competent at different local Indian games, right from simple board games to pasha to kite flying, gilli danda and kabbadi. As with every true Indian storyline, you will get the chance of winning the most beautiful girl in the village besides dancing with her. We are working on the dance; it'll either be bhangra or garba. Another PSP game by Gameshastra will be based on a gang war theme, like the gangs on Mumbai. There is lot on the platter, at various level of materialization and it will take us some time to make the announcements. Moreover, we are working with Aurona (Hanuman), Candela and Gameshastra and are in talks with several other studios as well. Hanuman is the first localized game on any console. Do you think that the market here is mature enough for local content? There are two things. We internally say that India is the largest untapped gaming market in the world and with the literate, internet-savvy youth attuned to what's happening in the world it's just a question of when they will start adapting to games. We have done our experiments and they have resulted in a number jump in sales. Whether it is (change in) the price point, distribution enhancement or marketing on TV, all our efforts have received a positive response. Secondly, we feel this is the time ripe for studios to invest in local content development- as a platform owner, we have decided to take the lead. Neither is the market easy and big nor is the government starting to support such game development effort, because it is not seeing game development as an industry yet. Does that imply that game development is not a viable option? Someone has to take the lead. As a platform owner we felt that the onus is ultimately on us, let's take the lead. If this thing starts happening, the government will realize its huge potential. It's a two way process. Which is why we are taking on the onus of publishing the games. We look at it as an investment because in a couple of years, there will be a huge market for gaming consoles. In fact, if our competition also becomes more active, the consumer gaming market will grow even more rapidly. At the same time if I look as what has happened with Hanuman; there were pressures and questions. We had estimated a day one sales number of 5,000 units, which is better than what a FIFA does. We decided to give it a push. We ended up with a good figure of 10,000 units for day one. Now, the distribution channel is ready to stock and position the game. If we give it a push, the game will do 50,000 units in one year, which is fantastic. If many such titles come in and the market grows, 50,000 units will be an easy number. We would definitely expect more projects with the Aurona Technologies after the success of the Hanuman: Boy Warrior. The second objective of the projects will be to fast forward the skills of the game development studios for the Playstation platform. We have seen that competence, process and talent-wise Indian studios are right at the cutting edge of what they do. Many of them can also jump into the international platform and add value to the global game development market. And in the process I get some good Indian content, it will allow us to broad base the market in India. This is our long term objective, developing the game development market. We do not want studios to take on projects and then outsource them. What about next generation consoles, don't you think these will overshadow the PS2? The PS2 lifecycle is long; India will give a long tail to the PS2. The PS2 is an entry level console and is very important for India as the country has entered the gaming cycle very late. If someone has just started playing games, he doesn't want to invest 25K for a next gen. He enters through the PS2 route and checks it out. With this huge range of PS2 games he will remain interested in the gaming habit. Give him another 2-3 years and this guy will move to the PS3, because it's not like an economically backward guy is buying a cheap product. The gaming habit in India is still very elitist. Any guy who is not internet savvy does not play a console game. It is the English speaking guys (who are driving the market). The PS2 is happening because it is a very good experimental entry level console for the consumer. The (proposed) Indian games will broaden the market with language options. What about doing localized PS3 titles? We had never expected that Indian studios will give us next gen games, whereas they are already working on games for the PSP. The PS3 with 35,000 only units in India is too much investment and time to push studios. But if everything goes well, nothing will stop us from green lighting localized games for the PS3. There are certain storylines which we want to do on the PS3. For instance, why waste a Mahabharata on PS2 than saving it for the PS3? Bollywood is big property these days. Are you planning anything on that front? Bit of a problem on the Bollywood side, although we are in talks with producers and directors. Maybe one or two projects may come in just for experimentation. See, even with the huge investment in a game at 50,000 units the money that will go to the producer will still be tiny. Producers are right now habituated to the typical mobile game, where they handover the storyline or the ring tone 15 days before release of the film and pocket their share. For the mobile VAS companies also, it's important to keep refreshing the contents for their business and valuation points. When we approach producers, we face two problems. They do not want to come on to the co-production model as of now, which is what happens internationally. And even if we are ready to pick up the license, they do not want to share the story, or give us a parallel story for the game. They just won't give it 10 months in advance. Due to this, you cannot have a meaningful game launch with the film. In which case, you have to adapt a few successful stories like Dhoom, and create a Dhoom 2.5 before Dhoom 3. What about games on celebrities? There have been some attempts at this, like a game on Bipasha. Bollywood celebrities are larger than life, if Sony comes on board this idea will work. Although it doesn't usually happen that you take a celebrity but not the film story. In India if I get a Shah Rukh or Hrithik, I can create a pseudo-film sort of game, but the stars cannot come in with the kind of price tag that works for Bollywood. They have to realize that it's still a lower budget model. Getting back to Hanuman when do you expect break-even on the game? We will break even this year. We are taking Hanuman to UK and South Africa. We are also looking at Dubai, but are apprehensive about people's sensitivities there. See, when we are trying to break even, we are looking at developmental costs only not the marketing costs. While we are doing a lot to support this game it is also a platform pusher. It will also push the PS2 platform strongly. Your competitors have reduced prices? It is good if competitors do good marketing, because the market will grow. We need to work together to push the console platform. Three years down the line we should be cutting each others throats but at this point of time we should focus on growing the market. I still find Xbox prices are more despite the number of games they bundle with it. On the other hand, the PS3 or PS2 bundles work well as the Indian consumer begins with one game. Besides the gaming market, there is also a service sector market for game development. It's a very consumer durable approach. You reduce the duty structure and grey sales will fall. If duties are reduced, while the console markets will grow definitely. But this will also pave way for the game development market in India to grow into a $5 billion industry (around 10 - 15% of Global game development market estimate). We are taking some risks, but with successes we will perhaps notching numbers in the range of 1 lakh units for PS2. Initial success is always toughest base is small and new concept. Once that happens u are on a roll. When is your outlook for the gaming market and community? Research is showing that the vibrancy of the gaming market is good. There are a lot of people ready to get into the gaming habit. The community will happen in 3 years time. 17-18 year olds are deeply into gaming. When they start earning, the market will spurt. There is a huge amount of excitement. People are taking up gaming as a career. Early adopters (of a trend) must also be early promoters but the gaming community is creating a wall around themselves. Communities can also be built on the net. We have not been actually used the net to the core. My immediate challenge is to get more peripheral gamers get in the habit which requires a concerted effort.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 13 Apr 2009 | 11:09 am Book Review: Shah Rukh CanThis one is a voluminous book. A real voluminous one at that. If Shah Rukh Khan has been known for his non-stop talk then writer Mushtaq Sheikh too doesn't appear far behind when it comes to translating his thoughts into words. He writes, and writes and then further writes about Shah Rukh, something that makes one feel that more than a friend and a colleague, Mushtaq looks at Shah Rukh as a hero. Someone who is not just his hero but also an entire country's - correction, entire world's hero! It is this very 'fan factor' that makes 'Shah Rukh Can' a read that seems to be coming straight from an admirer's heart. For a writer, such scenario has two sides to it: a) Because you are so much in love of a celebrity, you want to explore anything and everything that you had always wanted to know about him. b) Because you are so much in love of a celebrity, everything about him is taken entirely positively. It all becomes quite one-dimensional and even when there is something remotely negative that pops up, as a writer you have defences available even for that! This is exactly what one senses after reading 'Shah Rukh Can'. If the book is to be believed, Shah Rukh has never taken a step wrong, he is the smartest actor/performer around and if at all there are some areas of improvement for him, he doesn't need to work in that direction because he can be loved even with the weaknesses continuing to persist. Now this could well be true; after all it may all be a solid fact that Shah Rukh Khan is a fantastic human being after all. It's just that one feels the lack of a single written word which is 'not-so-good' about the King Khan. Is he a perfect human being, may be, but we do not get to know about it 100% through this book. Leaving aside this factor, 'Shah Rukh Can' explores those facets about the actor and so many other tangents in his life, both pre and post his stardom. The kind of detailing that Mushtaq explores in this 350 page book (which by the way is pure text with hardly any pictures) is a testimony to the fact that the writer would have spent quite some time not just with the actor in question but also quite a few other prominent members from the film industry. Not just that, there are clear indications that he did extensive research on the biggest actor in the country today and was fully prepared before beginning to pen down 'Shah Rukh Can'. From a book that claims to talk about 'The Life and Times of Shah Rukh Khan', the least you expect is some trivia from the actor's life, both personal and professional, about which not much has been written about in the past. The kind which makes you wonder if something like that had really happened in the actor's life. Thankfully, Mushtaq extracts quite some trivia out of the actor's life and surely there would have been in numerous instances that even Shah Rukh may not have remembered unless specifically pointed in that direction. So you get to know how Shah Rukh was offered the role of Anil Kapoor's car driver in 1942 - A Love Story, which he rejected (of course!). Eventually Raghuvir Yadav did that role. Or how Shah Rukh completely surrendered to the director's vision and withdrew himself when he couldn't follow the trajectory of Subhash Ghai's Pardes. It's a different matter though that Shah Rukh was appreciated for his performance in the film but so was he in Karan Arjun too, which by the way he dared not watch over the years because he didn't connect with the role. There are number of such little instances that make 'Shah Rukh Can' an interesting read. But is it just about the actor and the trivia around his life? Not at all. One of the unexplored facets of Shah Rukh that is covered in the book in extensive detail is his views around acting v/s performances. There are reams and reams that are spent on the actor's philosophy around acting and other finer nuances of filmmaking. Now does that make for an interesting read? Well, not exactly and that's because this entire episode in the book not just becomes a lot verbose but also hugely technical. Credit goes to the writer of the book to have got Shah Rukh into such conversation which has seldom (or shall I say never) been covered by any other journalist/author in the past. In this regard, Mushtaq deserves a pat on the back for bringing in something which no one ever thought earlier. After all so excited have audiences been about Shah Rukh's personality and stardom over last decade and a half that seldom has anyone bothered to know about what makes the superstar tick in front of the camera. However, one fact that still needs to be considered is that majority of readers of this book would be the same set of audiences who love to see him as Rahul and Raj on screen. For them, how does Shah Rukh differentiate between acting v/s performance doesn't quite make for an interesting read. Probably, they don't even care. All they want is his arms going up in the year with the dimpled cheeks facilitating a smile that continues to make millions look at him in awe. Now how does he achieve that? Well, that thesis is left for the intellectually inclined, which actually forms a miniscule part of the readers. Hence the reason why 3-4 chapters have been dedicated to this very aspect of Shah Rukh make for a quick skip read! But ignore this part of the book and you have so much to know about Shah Rukh. Views about him come from the biggest of the makers, some of them being the kinds who have never ever given an interview. Case in point is Aditya Chopra who opens up in a big way while talking about his association with Shah Rukh. He remembers how he had to literally chase Shah Rukh to make him consent to do Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Apparently the actor was not too keen on doing love stories and wanted to stay away from that until Aditya convinced him otherwise and paved the way for a dozen odd love stories to follow over the years. Some of the other interesting stories the books talk about: - Why Shah Rukh went ahead and did an atrocious movie called Guddu - His appearance in TV serial 'Waage Ki Duniya' as a rash driver - Shah Rukh coming into Chamatkar after Deepak Malhotra (who had a one film career in Lamhe) rejected the film - Viveck Vaswani being Shah Rukh's pillar of support during his initial years in Mumbai - His struggling period in Mumbai when along with wife Gauri, he had to keep working hard in order to pay rent for his house - His admiration for Amitabh Bachchan and how he considered him to be THE hero when compared to Dilip Kumar (there is great detailing that he gives around this - visit Page Nos. 206 and 207) - His lack of understanding with Devdas when Sanjay Leela Bhansali narrated the script for the first time - How he motivated Karan Johar even though the first shot that he took for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was terrible - Aditya Chopra believing that Dil To Pagal Hai wasn't great cinema - How Farah Khan had reached the point of frustration when Shah Rukh Khan had made her wait for three years before saying yes to Main Hoon Naa. And last but certainly not the least (after all this is most topical in the current scenario), how years back Shah Rukh had made a candid confession before stepping into filmdom - "I'll destroy Aamir Khan. I'll take over Aamir. Main jab filmon mein aoonga na, baja doonga sabki"! Ahem ahem! Price: Rs. 395 Rating:Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 13 Apr 2009 | 10:24 am "My next film is a biography - Rakta Charitra" - Ram Gopal VarmaRam Gopal Varma is continuing to make films in heap. In 2008, he made a hat trick with Sarkar Raj, Contract and Phoonk. And now in 2009, he has completed shooting Agyaat, his India 24/7 (earlier titled Rann) is already underway while plans have been formalized to kick start the shoot of yet another film that has been interesting titled Rakta Charitra. Over to Ramu who divulges what Rakta Charitra is all about and the reasons that prompted him to make this film. Rakta Charitra - Now that's quite an interesting title for a film. "Yes, that's the name of the film I am intending to make as my next after India 24/7. It's inspired by the story of Paritala Ravi from Andhra Pradesh who got assassinated in January 2005. Even though the actual incidents of the story happened and the related characters existed in south India, I decided to make it in Hindi because I strongly felt that the sheer uniqueness of the story deserves to be told to a much wider audience." Who was Paritala Ravi? "Not many people seem to be aware about his existence in the past! Paritala Ravi was arguably the most feared individual ever in the history of the blood-ridden faction politics of South India. He was a prime accused in innumerable murder cases and also survived numerous assassination attempts, the most brutal of which happened on a quiet Friday afternoon in November 1997 when a road near Rama Naidu Studio in Hyderabad was turned into a death field by a bomb which killed 26 people but failed to get its intended target Ravi." A quick Google search reveals that he was one of the most dreaded men then. "Yes, he was. I, in the course of my life have read biographies of various people and have also come to know through various sources the life stories of many highly dangerous men including that of Velupalli Prabhakaran - the LTTE Chief, to Pablo Escobar - the Columbian drug lord to our very own Dawood Ibrahim but all those stories pale in comparison to Ravi's life story!" Do you want to share some information about Ravi's background? "He was a soft-spoken shy guy who under a force of certain circumstances retreated into the jungles and then became a rebel. How he mounted a volcano of violence to avenge his father's and brother's deaths and how in time he became a folklore legend and eventually a minister in N.T.Ramarao's Cabinet reads more grippingly than any fiction writer anywhere in the world can ever imagine." Please carry on... "Ravi's name sent shivers up the spines of not only his rivals but even the law enforcement agencies. He was a rebel, a feudal lord, a robin hood, a killer of hundreds and saviour of thousands till the day he was gunned down by a death squad allegedly put together by his arch rival Suri who wanted to avenge his father's and brother's deaths, in a bizarre déjà vu." Suri? Now this seems to be another important individual in Ravi's life. "That's true. I have been following Ravi's rise to power since long, but I first heard of Suri only after the bomb explosion at Rama Naidu Studios. I was both amazed and chilled to see that even after being confined to a prison cell, how the fire of Suri's vengeance continued to burn unabated for 7 long years till he finally succeeded, armed with nothing but a severe desire to kill Ravi as his one and only weapon." Since the film is based on a real life tale, did you go through some rigorous research? "In my research for the film I have met various associates of Paritala Ravi and Suri and also their family members. I have also met Suri who is presently lodged in Anantpur jail on trial for the killing of Ravi and what I finally managed to piece together from all the various police records and eye witness accounts is the most fascinating story I have ever heard or could hope to hear in my life. This is the story of a man's phenomenal rise to power and a story of the most intense blood curdling conflict ever heard of between two individuals and it is also the ultimate statement on the oft heard disastrous consequences of a fatal mixture of caste, crime, family feuds and politics." I have also heard that you are making this film in two parts. Is that correct? "Absolutely! I decided to film this story at one stretch and release it in 2 parts about 3 months from each other, a first of its kind ever attempted in the history of Indian cinema. I want to call the films Rakta Charitra- I and Rakta Charitra-II. Why I want to make it in 2 parts is because, the sheer drama and content the story possesses is so incredibly rich and of such high magnitude that it is not possible to do justice to do it in a film which is lesser than 5 hours. Also Ravi's life can be broadly divided into 2 parts from the time how circumstances created his rise to how he created circumstances that felled him." Still feel challenged while making movies? "I believe that Rakta Charitra is going to be the most defining film of my career not because of how well I will make it but mainly because of the material I have at my hand. To put it simply I don't have to work hard to make it well but I have to work hard to spoil it." When does the film get on floors? "In the month of August this year. By that time, I should have also finalized the cast in the film."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 13 Apr 2009 | 9:53 am Bipasha wants to be a director
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 13 Apr 2009 | 9:50 am
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