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Jeffrey Archer comes director hunting to IndiaJeffrey Archer, king of racy fiction, is coming to India to hunt for a director who could adapt one of his bestsellers into a movie.Source: Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 5:34 pm First short film from Jaipur goes to US
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 5:30 pm First short film from Jaipur goes to US, Thailand film festsA short film titled "Picnic" from Jaipur is traversing boundaries for screenings in Los Angeles and Phuket and director Gajendra S.Source: Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 4:24 pm Motion gaming: Why games are no longer about punching keys
Gaming brings users close to real life situations, be it your favorite sport, a war zone or the racing arena. Now, with the latest technology, we have a new trend of motion gaming that goes beyond high-end visuals and makes the game play real through physical involvement in the game.
Think tennis, baseball or bowling-games that were fun playing on one's PC and consoles, but never felt real enough sans the tactile stimulus. With motion gaming, this is now possible; you can swing, swish, bat, even run and jump while the motion controller transmits all this into the game on your screen.
The trend caught up in 2007 with the launch of gaming console Nintendo Wii, which released an array of sports: tennis, baseball, golf, bowling and boxing. From then on, motion sensing technologies have been incorporated in other consoles, mobiles and even PCs. Gamers can even use a simple webcam to play PC games using their hands! Let's see what this trend has in store for Indian gamers and gaming industry.
Consoles:
Sony Playstation very soon caught up with the Wii revolution and introduced EyeToy for PS2 and Playstation Eye for its next generation console, the PS3. The Eye is a digital camera device for the console, and is the successor to the EyeToy. It allows gamers to play a variety of interactive games including the famous card-strategy game, The Eye of Judgment.
Microsoft Xbox has a similar device in the Xbox Vision Camera which you can use to play You're in the Movie, where you are put in a 3D cinematic environment. The company, however, is as of now holding on to its core competency with its Xbox 360 controller and doesn't reveal any plans for motion controller at this moment. "We'll have some exciting announcement in E3 in Los Angeles in June so please watch out," a spokesperson for Xbox informed.
As far as consoles are concerned, Wii still leads the pack with its wireless controller which acts as a pointing device that can detect motion and rotation in three dimensions. So even if you are speeding your favorite Mario Karton the Wii, you just have to simply turn the wireless control left or right instead of pressing left or right. Wii has also launched Motion Plus, a peripheral that increases the controller's precision multiple times.
To find out the penetration of this technology in India, Bollywood Hungama spoke to Atindriya Bose, Country Manager, Sony Playstation India. "We are focusing on EyeToy which is doing extremely well globally and reasonably well in India. As the product is experiential, it requires a push in terms of setting up separate dedicated retail sections. That is a bigger challenge than the question if the concept will work well or not. Plus you really cannot advertise EyeToy on television as people won't understand anything and I might end up selling the competition."
Then there is the recently launched poor man's console, Mitashi Game-in which has motion sensing controllers but falls way short on game play and graphics. For now, it's Wii all the way.
Phones:
Just like the console market there is a clear winner in this category- the iPhone. The Apple device has an integrated motion sensor which you can use to run third party applications, games and even motion sensing ads. Sega's Super Monkey Ball has been one of the most successful iPhone games in this category.
The Sony Ericsson F305, which looks like the Wii controller and comes equipped with an accelerometer however fails miserably because it's almost impossible to follow what you're doing. If you swing the phone to bowl, you can't see where the ball is going.
LG Cookie, besides being the cheapest touchscreen phone around, also offers a decently good motion gaming experience. Moreover, mobile handset biggie Nokia is gearing up to enter the competition with an announcement that "most devices" coming later this year will include an accelerometer. Currently, the Nokia N79, N82, N85, N95, N95, N96 and the Nokia 6210 Navigator are equipped with the technology.
Even as motion gaming catches the Indian consumer's fancy, Indian gaming developers are yet to take a leaf out of their Western counterparts' book and have no plans of entering the mobile motion gaming space.
And then, the novelties:
Motion gaming is finding many takers, with innovating companies introducing various motion control products for the good old personal computer. One the one hand you have technology major Lenovo's IdeaCentre A600 that features a motion controller and an air mouse that controls on-screen objects, and on the other the free-to-use software Camspace. Camspace allows gamers to use any ordinary PC webcam to track up to four objects-even as small as 5mm-in real-time and with very high accuracy and reliability, thus enabling one to play practically any game with a web cam and the software.
With the global marketplace abound with motion controlling devices of all sizes, shapes and forms; this trend is set to define the future of gaming. So, grab your nearest golf stick and putt your way into the virtual world.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 6 May 2009 | 1:42 pm Bollywood producers strike talks fail
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 1:26 pm Sneak Peek: Katrina Kaif on the sets of De Dhana Dhan
The general saying goes 'He came, he saw and he conquered'. Well, when it comes to the pairing of Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, a mere 'he' stands incomplete. That's' why it has to be rephrased as 'They came, they saw and they conquered', for this is one couple in Bollywood which has been rubbed by the magical 'Hit' formula. Examples of which are in the form of hits, superhits and smash hits like Namaste London, Race, Singh Is Kinng etc...
Well, the good news is that this red-hot pair is back to the front in yet another breezy flick titled De Dhana Dhan that's being directed by the man with the 'Madrasi' touch ...we mean...Midas touch... Priyadarshan. As per the reports, De Dhana Dhan is being extensively shot all over Singapore and Mumbai. We found these pictures on the internet which show the 'Barbie-dolled' Katrina ravishing as ever in a red saree as well as summarizing her lines. Her pairing with Akki yet again has brought down the rumor to zero about Sallu showing discomfort in them being paired together.
For the uninitiated, De Dhana Dhan brings back the superhit team of Hera Pheri viz., Akshay, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, and director Priyadarshan together once again. And the addition of Katrina Kaif, Neha Dhupia and Sameera Reddy is only going to make DDD, one of the most anticipated films of the year.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 6 May 2009 | 1:24 pm Blessings pouring in for Kolkata Knight Riders' - World News
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 1:21 pm Actress-politician Shruthi files for divorceSouth Indian film actress and politician Shruthi has filed for divorce from S.Source: Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 1:15 pm Playing a fundamentalist made Saif religious !Saif is gearing up to shock his fans once again.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 12:53 pm Barbara has finished all her work, we don`t need her: Rakesh!The Roshans seem to have had enough!Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 12:53 pm Madonna`s lawyer brands Malawian girl`s father opportunist !Pop diva Madonna`s lawyer has branded as an opportunist the man who claims to be the father of the girl the singer wants to adopt.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 12:53 pm Big B felicitates Resul Pookutty - Galatta.com
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 12:39 pm Artist recreates Jade Goody's last moments
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 12:36 pm Kareena Kapoor spotted crying - Oneindia
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 12:19 pm Shahid angry with Bebo's move-on statement
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 12:05 pm Hugh Jackman thought of himself as 'Wolverine' in gym to get new hot-bodWashington, May 6 (ANI): Hugh Jackman managed to get his 'Wolverine' physique by doing some extra reps in the gym, only because he imagined himself to be the real superhero while working out. The Australian actor, who has played muscle-bound mutant in 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine', has reinforced his reputation as the Sexiest Man in the World with his buff new physique in the film.
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 11:47 am Ola Ray sues Michael JacksonWashington, (ANI): The actress in Michael Jackson's smash hit 'Thriller' video is suing the popstar over unpaid royalties.Ola Ray, a former Playboy Playmate, is suing the King of Pop and his production company alleging breach of contract.According to TMZ.com, Ray's lawyer
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 11:47 am Paul McCartney 'helps woman with wedged carWashington, (ANI): Chivalry is not dead, that's what Sir Paul McCartney proved when he helped a woman outside his daughter's school when her car stood blocked in a parking lot, according to reports. A lady driver apparently landed herself in a mess
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 11:47 am Tell-all book about A-Rod flying off shelvesNew York, May 6 (ANI): Yankee fans have been plaguing stores to grab a copy of the tell-all book about Alex Rodriguez.
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 11:47 am Ben Stiller 'to star' in stalled comedy 'Used Guys'Washington (ANI): Actor Ben Stiller will reportedly star in the comedy Used Guys, three years after it was scrapped. The movie was to be directed by Jay Roach telling the story of the future of mankind.But it was shelved when the
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 11:47 am Kidman says comments on Cruise were 'taken out of context'Washington, May 6 (ANI): Nicole Kidman has claimed that she did not criticise ex-hubby Tom Cruise in a recent interview, and that her quotes about their relationship were "months old" and "taken out of context".
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 11:47 am Susan gives insight into her life to Oprah's crewLondon, (ANI): Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle reportedly showed her house around to a television crew for The Oprah Winfrey Show.The 48-year-old, who had wooed all with her jaw-dropping performance of the Les Misérables song ''I Dreamed a Dream'' on
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 11:47 am Gisele Bundchen sparks pregnancy rumoursLondon, May 6 (ANI): Newlywed Gisele Bundchen has sparked pregnancy rumours after she was photographed leaving an obstetrician's office with hubby Tom Brady.
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 11:47 am Paul Newman's widow hosting kids camp charityWashington, (ANI): Paul Newman's widow Joanne Woodward will play host in a star-studded gala for the kids camp charity founded by the legendary actor.Newman, who lost his fight to cancer last September aged 83, created the Hole in the Wall Camps
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 11:47 am Why Lennon and Ono weren't deported for anti-war activitiesNew York, (ANI): John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono managed to escape deportation by the Nixon White House for their anti-war activities, thanks to some high-powered New Yorkers. Previously unseen letters penned by then-Mayor John Lindsay, Dick Clark, Rep. Bella Abzug
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 11:47 am Arbaaz Khan plays mischief on new co-starBollywood actor Arbaaz Khan recently took his co-star, debutante Madhurri Bhattacharya for a ride.Source: Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 11:41 am Kidman claims she didn't criticise Cruise
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 11:25 am Actor Dom DeLuise dead at 75: reports
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 10:19 am Shiney, Soha meet secretly in Goa
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 10:08 am Niki Aneja of Astitva fame makes a comeback
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 10:02 am Ajay Devgan postpones All The Best schedule for Fardeen Khan
The immediate professional impact of Feroz Khan's death was on Ajay Devgan's production of Rohit Shetty's comedy All The Best.
A long schedule was supposed to start in Goa with Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu, Fardeen Khan and Ajay Devgan. However, after Feroz Khan passed away, Ajay immediately postponed the schedule.
Says a source close to the project, "It would be deeply inhuman to expect Fardeen to fulfill his professional duties, especially when it meant trying to act funny in front of the camera for a comedy at a time like this. Fardeen is yet to recover fully. But he will be joining the unit in Goa this week."
For Sanjay Dutt who has been out of acting for three months and was looking forward to getting back before the camera, this postponement meant some more waiting before returning to his favourite activity.
But Bipasha Basu proceeded to Goa anyway for an impromptu holiday to wait for Shetty's unit. Her entire family of parents, sister, brother-in-law and nephew and niece were with her.
Bipasha has now become a master at making optimum use of postponed schedules. When Rahul Dholakia's Kashmir saga Lamhaa got postponed by a month, Bipasha quickly signed on to learn driving and swimming.
"And now I'm putting my swimmimg skills to use in Goa as I wait for my film to start," says Bipasha from Goa.
The delay in the Goa schedule, incidentally, would cost Dutt dearly in terms of time. After a month of shooting for Ajay Devgan and director Rohit Shetty in Goa, he heads for South Africa to shoot with Anil Kapoor for another comedy No Problem directed by Anees Bazmee.
Yes, Sanjay Dutt is back to doing what he does the best.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 6 May 2009 | 9:42 am Ranbir Kapoor dons Sikh look - News Line 365
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 9:36 am Fardeen to play dad in 'Qurbani' remake - Times of India
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 9:10 am Neetu Kapoor to make her comeback with Imitiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal
The vivacious, bubbly, effervescent, ebullient and spontaneous Neetu Singh who gave up her career at her prime to be Mrs. Rishi Kapoor is back on screen.
She'll be seen doing a full-length role in a comedy entitled Do Dooni Chaar with her favourite co-star Rishi Kapoor who, as we know, also happens to be her husband.
But before that she'll be seen in a walk-on part in Imtiaz Ali's Saif Ali Khan-Kareena Kapoor starrer Love Aaj Kal.
"I've just one shot in Love Aaj Kal," Neetu confirms.
Apparently, she appears for a shot at the end of the film.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 6 May 2009 | 9:10 am Adnan's wife fight for divorcePakistani singer Adnan Sami's wife Sabah Galadhari is putting all effort in her fight for a divorce in Mumbai.Source: Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 9:05 am Saif and Deepika to play in a celebrity cricket match for Love Aaj Kal
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The IPL in South Africa may just be the reason why the following news carries so much star power. 'Cricket Aaj Kal toh kaafi news mein hain.' But so is Imtiaz Ali's next biggie Love Aaj Kal, starring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone.
The film which highlights the difference between love today and love during the yesteryears is in for some good promotional activities we hear in the overseas. And what better way to promote your film when the whole world will be present in the U.K to watch the world's top cricketing geniuses battle it out in the T20 World Cup. Not to forget, India, the reigning champions will be the ones to watch out for. So when you have the cricketers, frenzied crowd, crisp warm weather and strawberries with cream, and well, Bollywood stars promoting their film, what more can you ask for?
But we did miss out the commentators, didn't we? We at Bollywood Hungama bring one for you, not from the cricketing world though...but from the filmy world. A reliable source has just confirmed the latest news from London that Deepika Padukone will be joining in the commentary team for next month's 'T20 World Cup' as a guest commentator. The actress who was previously linked with the likes of Indian cricketing heroes, M.S. Dhoni and Yuvraaj Singh will now be sharing the same field as them once the match begins. But we'll have to wait and watch whether her 'Love Aaj'- Ranbir Kapoor will be a mere spectator to this exciting event. That was match one.
Match two brings you a special celebrity cricket match with teams headed by Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone which will be covered by the local and world journalists along the lines of Veteran (KAL) cricket team (1st & 2nd generations) Vs Novice (AAJ) cricket team (3rd and 4th generations). Again to wait and watch whether Rishi Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor will play opposite each other in this much awaited cricket match. Our sources have confirmed that Deepika and Saif will be in London during the first week of June. Time for some commentary lessons and net practice Deepika! That's all we have from the centre.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 6 May 2009 | 8:51 am Film stars, Dalai Lama join 'save rainforests' appealDaniel Craig, Harrison Ford, the Dalai Lama and football legend Pele are among the prestigious lineup in a YouTube film launched on Tuesday to promote a campaign to save the rainforest adopted by Britain's Prince Charles.Source: Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 8:38 am 'Slumdog' child stars' day out, courtsey Gerard ButlerHollywood actor Gerard Butler treated the child stars of Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire" to a day out at a five-star hotel.Source: Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 8:27 am Mugda hurts her neck - Times of India
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 8:15 am Niki Aneja hopes to recreate 'adult romance' on TVTelevision actress Niki Aneja of "Astitva - Ek Prem Kahani" fame feels TV shows nowadays lack adult romance and hopes to recreate it through her comeback show "Ghar Ek Sapna".Source: Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 8:14 am Barbara Mori not coming to India - Hindustan Times
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 7:39 am Shiney, Soha secretly shoot for 'Accident' in GoaActors Soha Ali Khan and Shiney Ahuja are back together as a pair on screen after "Khoya Khoya Chand", but their new film is being shot secretly and as quickly as possible in Goa.Source: Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 7:29 am Bollywood stars do their bit to rouse votersMUMBAI (Reuters) - Bollywood stars, usually roped in by political parties for poll campaigns, have turned election activists this time around -- urging people not to forgo their right to vote.Source: Reuters: Bollywood News | 6 May 2009 | 7:20 am Arbaaz Khan plays mischief on new co-starBollywood actor Arbaaz Khan recently took his co-star, debutante Madhurri Bhattacharya, for a ride - literally.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 6 May 2009 | 6:31 am Manoj Bajpai wants to share Bhandarkar's success with 'Jail'Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpai says he gave the nod to filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar for 'Jail' because he wanted to share the director's success.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 6 May 2009 | 6:31 am Neha Dhupia is crazy about cricketBeauty queen-turned-actress Neha Dhupia says she is a die-hard cricket fan and doesn't miss even one match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) these days.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 6 May 2009 | 6:31 am Kangana Ranaut appearing without clothes? - Oneindia
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 5:38 am Oprah Winfrey disappoints Mallika SherawatNot alone Mallika Sherawat, but it’s a great disappointment for everyone who were eagerly waiting for the arrival of Oprah Winfrey in India. World’s most famous lady was supposed to visit India after she was bounded with much fascination for mythological figureSource: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 6 May 2009 | 12:00 am A Man who called ‘Hemu’ and VanishedWhen much ennobled with respectful terms, it’s quite enjoyable. But when it exceeds what it shouldn’t be, you turn to be more irksome. Certainly, Ace Actress Hema Malini has been adhered to similar panoramas. The 60-yr old glorious actress doesn’t want people to call her ‘Hemaji’ all the time and she prefers to be ‘Hemu’ atleast hence forth.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 6 May 2009 | 12:00 am Bhootnaths are back to preach BuddhismA year ago, Vivek Sharma pitched a commendable thriller-entertainer ‘Bhootnath’ with Big B. Genuinely, the filmmaker has straightaway has signed one more deal with Amitabh Bachchan. Produced by Vivek Sharma himself, the film titled ‘Buddham Sharanam Gachcchami’ will feature Big B in lead role. It’s been named after a famous Buddhist chant and will shower the message of non-violence. Certainly, theSource: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 6 May 2009 | 12:00 am Big B Felicitates Resul Pookutty [Gallery]Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 6 May 2009 | 12:00 am Heard on the Street- Multiplex stocks surge on clearer picture - Economic Times
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 5 May 2009 | 10:07 pm Producer-multiplex revenue sharing talks end in stalemateA Bollywood film producers and multiplex owners meeting today ended in a deadlock over revenue sharing row.Source: Entertainment News | 5 May 2009 | 9:47 pm Crucial meeting held: Stalemate continuesThe stalemate continues! The crucial meeting between producers/distributors and multiplexes, which took place on Tuesday [5th May] afternoon, has yielded no results. The producers have been insisting on a 50% revenue share for all weeks, while the multiplexes have offered 50%, 40% and 30% revenue share, it is learnt. The meeting ended with the two sides not arriving at a solution. Meanwhile, the producers and distributors have decided to make a plan to release the films in single screens and independent multiplexes, but not in the national chain of multiplexes. The producers and distributors would now sit together and chalk out the release strategy and also the release dates in the next 10 days, so that the producers can go ahead and releases their films subsequently, after the plan is announced.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 5 May 2009 | 5:55 pm Newcomer Sonakshi rejects Salman Khan
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 May 2009 | 4:58 pm Producer-multiplex revenue sharing talks end in stalemateA Bollywood film producers and multiplex owners meeting Tuesday ended in a deadlock over revenue sharing row.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 May 2009 | 4:03 pm Mugdha Godse gets injured in a road accident
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Now this ain't what you want to hear first thing during the afternoon. After hearing stories about Mugdha Godse doing rounds that she was the first choice after Neetu Chandra got cast in Ram Gopal Varma's Rann, we decided to call the actress to confirm the news. 'Yes' came the reply. Of course, RGV seems to be too fascinated with Madhur Bhandarkar's dusky beauties, and why not.
Mugdha replied back to us half an hour back saying that she was busy travelling at the moment and would chat in detail once she reaches her destination Pune. But as she was on her way to meet her parents, a near fatal accident happened on the Mumbai-Pune express highway where her car got hit by another car. We have confirmed just a while back that Mugdha Godse's driver was lucky not to have hurt himself as he pulled the brakes on time. But the sad part is that Mughs has got a few bruises on her hand and feet and is in pain. The actress left early morning today and decided to have a nap in the back seat and before she could understand what happened, in no time a big crash was heard which made the actress propel forward with a bad jerk. On getting in touch with Mugdha, she said, "I am fine but have bruised my hands badly. I am slowly getting to feel the pain from my neck too. It's badly injured. Thank God, nothing has happened to my driver and me. We both are safe but the car is completely out of shape."
She added further, "I was on my way to meet my mom and dad before I start my third film All The Best. I just thought of paying them a visit as I did not get much time while I was shooting for Jail." However, in spite of an accident like this which could've turned fatal (touchwood it didn't), before she hung up the phone on us, the ever smiling actress put a smile on our face by saying, "Well, this is just another excuse I've got to buy myself a new car this summer."
We at Bollywood Hungama wish Mugdha Godse a speedy recovery and hope she finds herself a sparkling new car soon. All the Best Mughs!Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 5 May 2009 | 3:31 pm Bollywood releases in limbo as stalemate continuesMUMBAI (Reuters) - Fresh talks between film producers and multiplexes broke down on Tuesday with no solution in sight to a month-long crisis that has stalled new Bollywood releases.Source: Reuters: Bollywood News | 5 May 2009 | 3:28 pm Anil Kapoor's first pitch at Dodgers game
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 May 2009 | 3:24 pm John, Priyanka and Ashutosh Rana in Alibaba and the 41 Thieves
UTV's 3D animation fantasy Alibaba And The 41 Thieves - the story of a boy who gets embroiled in the legendary Arabic tussle - is currently under production at Chennai based Accel Animation Studios and is expected to be ready by the year end.
Written and directed by Soumitra Ranade of Jajantaram Mamantram fame, the film boasts of a voice cast including John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra, Ashutosh Rana, Atul Kulkarni, Saurabh Shukla and others. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Soumitra shares his vision behind the film and tells us why he believes animation will catch on as a medium of storytelling.
Tell us about the Alibaba And The 41 Thieves.
I have taken the legendary Arabian tale of 'Alibaba And The 40 Thieves' and added a modern angle to it, wherein a kid from Mumbai reaches the fantasy land. The film is about his interaction with Alibaba (John Abraham) and the villain Abu Hasan (Ashutosh Rana), the evil and brutal leader of the 40 thieves.
You have assembled a star-studded voice cast for the film.
We have John Abraham as Alibaba, Priyanka Chopra as Marjinah; Ashutosh Rana, Atul Kulkarni, Raza Murad, Saurabh Shukla and Mukesh Tiwari. In fact, the voice-overs are the first thing we finished, as they have to be complete for the animation to begin.
Animation is a new medium for the Indian audience and filmmakers. It will take a while to catch on
In your opinion, is the Indian movie-goer warming up to animation?
Yes. It is true that some recent films have not worked, but there are other smaller projects that have. Animation is a new medium for the Indian audience and filmmakers. It will take a while to catch on.
Anyway I am used to this cynicism. When I was making Jajantaram Mamantram, a lot of mainstream Hindi film producers laughed at me and ridiculed me. They thought children's films were the sole responsibility of CFSI. Why would anyone in his right mind want to make a film for children? They wondered.
Besides the obvious need for indigenous children's films they completely missed the commercial angle. Today children's entertainment is one of the biggest industries in the world. Animation will arrive here in India too...it HAS to. That's the historical inevitability.
Alibaba has a strong script and we are pretty confident about the output
What is Alibaba's USP?
Every film needs a good script. The rest depends on how you transform the script into the moving image. If you are able to do that successfully, then you have a good film on hand. Alibaba has a strong script and we are pretty confident about the output. Animation, in this case, is just a form of storytelling.
What is the visual treatment for the film, given its Arabian moorings?
Animation does need a lot of detailing. We have, in our attempt to model a fantasy Arabian world, created extensive architecture, costumes and make-up for the characters. The Islamic/Arabic look-and-feel is one space which has not been explored much internationally, besides a few films like Aladdin, etc.
We have used motion capture for the film. This technology gives you the realism of the human body and abstraction of animation. It's a wonderful form and only about ten films in the world till date have used this technology as extensively as we have.
Making any animation film is not an easy task. In Alibaba, we are attempting something that hasn't yet been achieved in India and will not be repeated at least for a few more years.
We have used motion capture for the film
What is the producer's involvement in the project?
UTV is an amazing production house. Once they take on a project, they believe in it completely. In the last few years they are the ones who have given us Rang De Basanti, Jodhaa Akbar, Aamir, A Wednesday and Dev D besides so many other very interesting and commercially viable films. They give you adequate creative space. There is a certain civility with which they make their films. And believe me they will make a serious mark in animation too. Both Alibaba and Arjun are very high end films not just formally but more importantly content wise.
Are you working on any other projects?
Alibaba is keeping me busy right now, though it's impossible to keep your mind away from new stories. One is obviously thinking of the next one.
Your expectations from the film?
Superhit.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 5 May 2009 | 3:11 pm Shantaram author asks Irrfan Khan for an autograph on his GQ copy
A very unlikely candidate for a cover-boy, but yet, he did it and how! We are indeed talking about the 'won and only' Irrfan Khan, who is THE cover-boy of the latest issue of GQ. Having silently maneuvered his way through films, theatre and television, Irrfan Khan is today a household name, more so in Hollywood than on the home turf.
At the release function of the issue, it was delightful to see Irrfan Khan being surrounded by a bunch of his fanbase that has been on a meteoric rise ever since Slumdog Millionaire. What was really heartening to see was the presence of Gregory David Roberts, the famed author of Shantaram. The reason? Well, the down-to-earth author had come there for an autograph from the cover-boy and the latter instantly obliged. Indeed a proverbial Kodak moment for one and all!
With Irrfan on the cover, one can very simply say that 'The book can surely be judged by its cover'.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 5 May 2009 | 3:07 pm Gangtok sends 50,000 votes for Baichung's victory on 'Jhalak'As many as 50,000 SMS votes have been cast in the past two weeks for Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia from this Sikkim capital alone to ensure his win on Sony TV's reality dance show 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa'.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 May 2009 | 1:32 pm BR Films denies Fox studio's plagiarism chargesBollywood production house B.R. Films has denied plagiarism allegations made by Hollywood studio Twentieth Century Fox for lifting the latter's film 'My Cousin Vinny' for a Hindi spin-off 'Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai'.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 May 2009 | 1:31 pm Sridevi glams up Phalke awards - Rediff
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 5 May 2009 | 1:14 pm Catholic Church for cuts in film 'Angels and Demons'The Catholic Church has voiced its unhappiness over certain scenes in the film 'Angels and Demons', based on a book by Dan Brown, and proposed the scenes be deleted as they portray the church in poor light.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 May 2009 | 1:01 pm Akshay, Kareena to walk red carpet with Stallone at CannesAkshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, the lead pair of 'Kambakht Ishq', are all set to walk the red carpet with Sylvester Stallone at the Cannes Film Festival starting May 13. The Hollywood action star makes a guest appearance in the actioner.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 May 2009 | 1:00 pm
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