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Abbas-Mustan's 'Italian Job' not a con jobWith Hollywood studios keeping a hawk's eye over the Hindi film industry, Bollywood filmmakers are growing copyright savvy and Abbas-Mustan say that their "Italian Job" won't just be a remake of the 2003 con-caper but a "mix n match" of the original film and its remake.Source: Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 3:42 pm Film industry hails Maharashtra anti-piracy ordinanceThe Maharashtra government has notified an ordinance to curb audio-video piracy, prescribing preventive detention and equating the pirates with drug offenders.Source: Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 3:37 pm Jackson's fire accident footage surfaces
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 3:05 pm Ukraine bans 'Bruno'
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 3:00 pm Shiney Ahuja's judicial custody extended till July 30
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 2:56 pm Harry Potter hits the jackpot with previews
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 2:12 pm Indian funding for Hollywood - Ambani & Speilberg ink $825 million deal
New York: Anil Dhirubhai Ambani, Chairman of Reliance ADAG and DreamWorks Studios' Steven Spielberg inked a deal of $825 million for film production under the joint
company formed between Reliance BIG Entertainment and DreamWorks in November 2008.
The initial phase of funding will include an equity investment from Reliance ADA Group, debt financing from a syndication of banks, as well as funding from Disney.
As per plans, DreamWorks will eventually make 5-6 films per year. The Walt Disney Company will handle marketing and distribution of the studio's films around the world,
except for India where Reliance BIG Entertainment will retain distribution rights.
DreamWorks anticipates starting its first film for the new studio later this year. They have been actively acquiring properties and developing projects for release in 2010, an official release said.
"This venture with Reliance opens a new door to our future," said Steven Spielberg. "Their visionary step has given us a new set of dreams to work toward. Stacey Snider
(CEO, DreamWorks) and I thank them for their faith in us and their faith in the movie business."
Anil Ambani responded, ''We are delighted to partner with such uniquely talented individuals as Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider. Ever since we looked at their business plan, I have never doubted that we would succeed in providing them with the financial muscle required to realize their dreams.''Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 16 Jul 2009 | 2:03 pm Once again, the Amitabh factorThere is really no getting away from Bollywood, of course.Source: Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 12:25 pm Anderson poses with her Playboy cover
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 12:21 pm Bangladeshi film bags top honour at London festBangladeshi filmmaker Murad Parvez's directorial debut "Chandragrahan" won the top award at the Rainbow Film Festival held in London.Source: Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 12:12 pm Rakhi Sawant observes Karva Chauth
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:29 am "I went to collect some school funds from Satish Kaushik and he offered me Teree Sang" - Sheena ...
Launch Vehicle
My debut film Tere Sang deals with a very serious issue of teenage pregnancy. I play a 15-year-old high school student in the film, who falls into serious trouble when she gets pregnant. The film is very simple and I am sure every girl will be able to relate to my character, Mahi. She is a happy-go-lucky, chirpy girl but everything changes due to this one incident, but her boyfriend (played by Ruslaan Mumtaz) stays by her side throughout. They face the situation bravely and deal with it in a responsible manner.
Casting Coup
I had to collect some funds for school and was at my family friend, lyricist Sameer uncle's house. He suggested that I go to collect funds from his friend Satish Kaushik. I agreed and when I went there he offered me the money along with a role in Tere Sang. He said he wanted to cast someone young and I suited the part perfectly. I loved the role and thought it would be the best role with which to start my career.
Stepping-Stone
I have done a three-month acting course and a couple of dance courses from Shiamak Davar and Ganesh Acharya. I am also learning Kathak under the guidance of Uma Dogra.
First Shot
I can't reveal much about the shot because that will give away the film's plot. It was a very serious shot and I was actually nervous. I had butterflies in my stomach and felt all jittery when I faced the camera for the first time. But things fell into place once the camera started rolling.
Stumbling Block
I actually didn't expect that I would get my break this easily. But there were a few scenes in the film, I was apprehensive about. Ruslaan and me had to do a couple of intimate scenes and I had my doubts about it. When Satish-sir got to know about this he assured me that the scenes would be aesthetically shot. Later when I saw the outcome I was absolutely convinced that the shot was far from being vulgar.
Lessons Learnt
I have just started out and have a long way to go. As an actor you have to keep learning. The day you say that you have learnt enough, you stop being self-critical. That attitude shouldn't be there. Everyday should be a new lesson for you.
Matinee Idol
I have always admired my mom, yesteryear's actress Sadhana Singh. She has been a great source of inspiration for me. I am also in awe of Shah Rukh Khan and am really keen on working with him. I also look up to Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor. They conduct themselves very well.
Future Projects
After Tere Sang I am working on a Telegu film. As for Hindi films talks are still on.
Screen IndiaSource: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:22 am Lara Dutta to slip into a bikini
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:19 am Coming soon, Bridget Jones 3
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:18 am Harry Potter's 3D version premiered in city - Press Trust of India
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:16 am Christian Bale sheds weight for new role
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:11 am Imran behind Luck test screeningTest screenings of unreleased films is a rarity in Bollywood. Test screenings are basically held to gauge the audience feedback prior to a film's release. Aamir Khan does it for all his films. He did it for Taare Zameen Par andSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:09 am Kardashian almost got stranded in South AfricaWashington (ANI): Socialite Kim Kardashian almost got stranded in South Africa after she misplaced her passport. She is grateful to her NFL player beau Reggie Bush who was there to save the day."They wouldn't let me out of customs line," PeopleSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:07 am Will Smith's wife talks about steamy limo rompNew York (ANI): Actress Jada Pinkett Smith and hubby Will Smith had a steamy sex session in the car while on their way to the Academy Awards this year. In an interview to Shape magazine, Jada revealed, “When you have threeSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:07 am Sandra Bullock was bullied at school
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:07 am Delhi CM unveils Teree Sang music - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:06 am Jamie Lynn Spears calls off engagementWashington, (ANI): Britney Spears’ younger sister Jamie Lynn has reportedly cancelled her engagement with boyfriend Casey Aldridge, saying she is too young to marry. The Zoey 101 star, who is just 18 years old, had accepted Aldridge’s proposal last year whileSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:04 am Dreamworks gets Indian cash boost - BBC News
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 16 Jul 2009 | 11:03 am "Bhatt saab can bring emotions out of a rock" - Adhyayan Suman
Adhyayan Suman is honest enough to admit that it was a scary experience to be working in Jashnn. No, not scary in a manner similar to that of working in a horror flick like Raaz - The Mystery Continues but 'emotionally and mentally' scary! After all, he got a platform where he was the sole lead in the film, was being backed by Bhatts who have launched quite a few careers and last but not the least, being aware of the fact that quite a few prying eyes were expecting him to fall down.
Talking to Joginder Tuteja, he shares his apprehensions about being the main lead in Jashnn, his relationship with Mahesh Bhatt, his conviction in director duo Raksha Mistry and Hasnain Hyderabadwala and how, in spite of a Haal-E-Dil and a Raaz - The Mystery Continues behind him, he still considers Jashnn as his real launch pad!
Win of an underdog, is that the best way to describe Jashnn?
I would probably say that. It is a small film as far as the budget is concerned. However, content wise it is big. It's a beautiful story put together which is emotionally quite rich. (Mahesh) Bhatt saab has extracted beautiful performances from everyone.
The film is being widely publicized as a film about 'a nobody who wants to be somebody'.
And that's just the apt way to describe the film. See, we all have dreams and want to become something in life. Aakash, the character I play, wants to become rock star. Jashnn is the story about his struggle, how he achieves success and his relationship with his sister (Shahana Goswami) who is someone's (Humayun Saeed) mistress.
I knew at the bottom of my heart that Raksha and Hasnain would be eager to give a hit
Raksha (Mistry) and Hasnain (Hyderabadwaala) have earlier suffered two setbacks in the form of The Killer and The Train. Weren't you worried about signing Jashnn?
For me there were three factors that made me sign Jashnn. a) It was a film being made under Vishesh Films banner, b) Raksha and Hasnain for sure know their job and c) My own debut film Haal-E-Dil was a flop. You know, people grow with experience and I knew at the bottom of my heart that Raksha and Hasnain would be eager to give a hit and they would work even harder in Jashnn. I believed in their conviction; I still do!
I am a part of the Bhatt camp, I am proud of that
So in a way, is Jashnn a launchpad for you?
Yes, this is indeed my launch pad. It's my first solo film and now I have got full opportunity to prove myself as an actor. (Mahesh) Bhatt saab has been an immense helping hand. In fact it was scary for me while doing the film because I had an entire film on my shoulders. I knew that I couldn't afford to mess up and I sincerely hope that the film does well. I am nervous and anxious because people would be scrutinizing me differently this time around. They are bound to say that Raaz - The Mystery Continues worked because it had bigger stars like Emraan (Hashmi) and Kangna.
With you continuing to work with Bhatts, is there a case of a 'camp' building in?
There are quite a few people who ask me if I believe in camps. Well, my answer to that is 'yes'. Indeed there is a camp system in the industry. It is in fact very difficult to break into camp and work with people there. So, if I am a part of the Bhatt camp, I am proud of that. In fact when I work in the outside banners, I would look at similar treatment in their films as well. I got a family like treatment from the Bhatts and they love and respect you like anything. I am spoiled now.
When you have Bhatt saab there on the sets to take care of acting, you don't get much worried
Raksha and Hasnain have been mentioned stating that Jashnn is an absolute original work by them. Is that indeed true?
Yes, it is a very-very original film and not a copy of anything. In fact it is also a lot about Bhatt saab's own experiences in life. He was very close to the story because it is about people who want to be somebody. He in fact even helped writing the scenes by bringing in his own personal experiences.
When Mukesh Bhatt commissioned Jashnn, what were some of the guiding principles for you before you got started with the film?
First and foremost, it was very important for me to be focused. I couldn't have let my focus get diverted. Jashnn is a very difficult film as far as acting is concerned due to heavy emotions and drama. However, when you have Bhatt saab there on the sets to take care of acting, you don't get much worried. After all he can bring emotions out of a rock.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 16 Jul 2009 | 10:57 am Lady Gaga finds new loveWashington, (ANI): Popstar Lady Gaga seems to have found love in the creative director of her tour. The 23-year-old singer was spotted canoodling with her new man on a recent night out in London. “Gaga headed to Balans in Soho forSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 16 Jul 2009 | 10:56 am Amy, Blake to be given quickie divorce todayLondon (ANI): Popstar Amy Winehouse and husband Blake Fielder-Civil will be given a quickie divorce today after a two-yearlong tumultuous relationship. The couple are to be granted Decree Nisi (non-absolute ruling) in the Family Division of the High Court.However, they needSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 16 Jul 2009 | 10:53 am Delhi CM unveils Teree Sang musicIt was a proud moment for director Satish Kaushik as political bigwigs came together on Tuesday to support his film on teen pregnancy - Teree Sang. Most prominent personality to grace the occasion was Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit who unveiledSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 16 Jul 2009 | 10:50 am Chat with Rajeev Khandelwal - Rediff
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 16 Jul 2009 | 10:47 am Anne Hathaway's pizza treat for her theatre fansLondon (ANI): Anne Hathaway has apparently shown how much she cares about her fans, for she treated people waiting in line to see her final performance in Shakespeare play Twelfth Night with pizza. According to reports, fans had to wait overnightSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 16 Jul 2009 | 10:46 am Pitt to Kutcher: Don't photograph your wife's buttWashington (ANI): Don't expect Brad Pitt to follow in Ashton Kutcher’s footsteps and take picture of his partner’s booty and post it online. In August's Wired magazine, the star is asked what he thought about Kutcher putting a photo of hisSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 16 Jul 2009 | 10:40 am History repeats itself for Paul McCartneyWashington, (ANI): Music legend Sir Paul McCartney returned to the famed Ed Sullivan Theater to stage an outdoor concert on Wednesday, as part of his appearance on the ‘Late Show With David Letterman’. The Ed Sullivan Theater is the same buildingSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 16 Jul 2009 | 10:36 am Raavan to launch Priyamani in Bollywood? - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 16 Jul 2009 | 10:23 am Abbas-Mustan's 'Italian Job' not a con jobWith Hollywood studios keeping a hawk's eye over the Hindi film industry, Bollywood filmmakers are growing copyright savvy and Abbas-Mustan say that their 'Italian Job' won't just be a remake of the 2003 con-caper but a 'mix n match' of the original film and its remake.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 16 Jul 2009 | 10:02 am Paul Schrader to make film on Mumbai slumsYet another foreign director has set his sights on Mumbai's slums.Source: Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 9:46 am Four Bollywood directors feature in Neil starrer Tera Kya Hoga Johnny
Anurag Kashyap has developed quite a taste for acting. After playing a director in Zoya Akhtar's Luck By Chance, he's back in Sudhir Mishra's Tera Kya Hoga Johnny. And Sudhir is so impressed by Anurag's acting abilities that he has already signed the Dev D director for a pivotal role in Mishra's next project later this year.
And Anurag isn't the only filmmaker playing a part in Mishra's film. "Tera Kya Hoga Johnny stars four directors, Anurag Kashyap, Aditya Bhattacharya, Ashok Pandit and of course me. I am not seen on screen though," informs Mishra.
Sudhir is not too pleased with his own acting skills. "I saw what I was capable of in Traffic Signal. Madhur Bhandarkar insisted on having me play the Don. I didn't like my performance at all. In Tera Kya Hoga Johnny only my back appears on screen."
Anurag Kashyap, however, has a full-fledged role. Informs Sudhir, "Audiences will get to see Anurag as a full actor, close-ups and all. Anurag has a great screen presence. In fact I've signed him for my next film as well."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 16 Jul 2009 | 9:44 am Wishing Katrina Kaif a very happy Birthday
Only a handful of years ago, exactly on this day, a phenomenon called Katrina Kaif was born to a Kashmiri Muslim father and a British Christian mother. Much before her graduation from the prestigious Harvard University, life gave her a lifetime opportunity to graduate from being a mere Katrina Kaif to THE Katrina Kaif! This opportunity came in the form of a casting agent, who, we are sure was far more farsighted than even Nostradamus, since he spotted Kats' futuristic full fledged romance with name, fame and fortune at the very moment he saw her!
Katrina, like any wise girl, traced her way to Bollywood, courtesy, the Boom-bastic director Kaizad Gustad. Boom, which happened to be her debut film, showed the world the 'face of the future Superstar'. What followed after Boom were an array of films like Sarkar, Namaste London, Singh Is Kinng, New York ... a few of the many names that gave Katrina her much deserving position that she was simply destined for: Numero Uno!
Folks, it's our heartfelt privilege of the highest order to invite you to please join Bollywood Hungama as we wish her a very happy Birthday, simply by posting your wishes below:Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 16 Jul 2009 | 9:44 am Adhyayan Suman: Mahesh Bhatt is like a drug - GlamSham
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 16 Jul 2009 | 9:36 am Sri Lankan beauty catches Bollywood filmmakers' eyeEven before her first film "Aladin" releases this Diwali, debutant actress Jacqueline Fernandez has caught the fancy of prominent directors like Siddharth Anand and Tarun Mansukhani, who are seriously considering signing the former Miss Sri Lanka for their future projects.Source: Entertainment News | 16 Jul 2009 | 9:17 am Saif ropes in Kareena for Race 2 - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 16 Jul 2009 | 9:04 am Katrina makes 25th birthday a family affair, without Sallu - Sify
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 16 Jul 2009 | 8:29 am 'Tum Mile' director slams rumours about Emraan's roleDirector Kunal Deshmukh's next outing 'Tum Mile' will show Emraan Hashmi portraying the role of a painter once again after 'Raaz...The Mystery Continues', but he denies any similarities in his role.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 16 Jul 2009 | 8:01 am 'Kambakkht Ishq' director is Kareena fanKareena Kapoor might be facing the flak for her 'bitchy' role in Sabbir Khan's directorial debut 'Kambakkht Ishq', but that hasn't deterred the one-film-old director from expressing a desire to work with her again.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 16 Jul 2009 | 8:00 am Katrina concerned about global warmingBollywood actress Katrina Kaif, who is riding high on the success of her recent hit 'New York', may not be worried about her career graph, but is sure concerned about global warming.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 16 Jul 2009 | 8:00 am Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hain: Test screenings!
Test screenings of unreleased films is a rarity in Bollywood. Test screenings are basically held to gauge the audience feedback prior to a film's release. Aamir Khan does it for all his films. He did it for TAARE ZAMEEN PAR and also JAANE TU... YA JAANE NA. A few days back, Imran Khan did it for LUCK. "The Ashtavinayak people are very conservative that way. They don't believe in screening their films prior to their release. But I wanted to gauge the feedback to LUCK and we did hold one screening," Imran tells me. He, of course, is ecstatic since "the feedback was tremendous."
Just recently, Warner Bros. also initiated a test screening of producers Nikhil Advani and Mukesh Talreja's JAANE KAHAN SE AAYI HAIN, directed by debutante Milap Zaveri. "We held the test screening at two venues [Roxy and Fame Adlabs]. The audience for the screenings were picked up from malls and coffee shops. People who've no connection with the film industry whatsoever. It was a rush print, with some incomplete patches, no dubbing, no background score. I was really nervous," Milap divulges.
But the reaction to this Ritesh Deshmukh - Jacqueline Fernandes - Ruslaan Mumtaz starrer was "fantastic". The viewers were given a questionnaire soon after the screening ended. "They were asked various questions related to the film and the response was stupendous," Milap states. No wonder, Milap is grinning from ear to ear these days.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 16 Jul 2009 | 7:27 am Rakhi observes Karvachauth for five husbands - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 16 Jul 2009 | 7:26 am IFFI boots out Goa Law Commission from its officeThe newly formed Goa Law Commission has been asked to vacate its premises by July 31 by the state government to make way for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 16 Jul 2009 | 6:00 am Nature doesn't spare Amitabh Bachchan - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 16 Jul 2009 | 5:09 am Now Hollywood's Paul Schrader to make film on Mumbai slumsYet another foreign director has set his sights on Mumbai's slums. After Danny Boyle's dark and passionate look at the city in 'Slumdog Millionaire', it is American director Paul Schrader's turn to make a film here.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 16 Jul 2009 | 2:00 am Anil Ambani, Spielberg announce $825 mn funding for DreamworksIn one of the largest deals in global cinema in recent years, Anil Ambani's Reliance Big Entertainment and noted Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg today announced $825-million funding for their Los Angeles-based production house Dreamworks Studios to make six films a year for the global audiences.Source: Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2009 | 9:03 pm Delhi CM unveils the music of Satish Kaushik's Teree Sang
It was a proud moment for director Satish Kaushik as political bigwigs came together yesterday to support his film on teen pregnancy - Teree Sang. Most prominent personality to grace the occasion was Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit who unveiled the film's music at Constitution Club, New Delhi.
Says Satish Kaushik who has worked with Ruslaan Mumtaz and debutant heroine Sheena Shahabadi in Teree Sang, "We were quite tensed if she would be able to come for the event because of the 'Metro' tragedy in the capital. Still, she did fulfill her promise in spite of the fact that she was hard-pressed for time."
The music launch, which also saw good attendance from media, showcased promos and songs from the film. "Sheilaji loved the fact that the film deals with the issue of teen pregnancy", informs Satish Kaushik, "She had good words to speak about Teree Sang since we are bringing to fore a sensitive subject. She saw the promos and admitted that the kids were looking very good together. Since she herself is a film buff, she has promised to go and watch the film once it releases."
As per the filmmaker, the CM personally went to Ruslaan and Sheena and blessed both of them. "It was quite nice on her part as she wished them all the success. She is a great leader and I hold her in very high esteem. The people of Delhi love her and it is phenomenal to see the way she holds her dignity in front of lakhs of people", says Kaushik.
He also goes on to share an interesting anecdote. "Sheilaji was particularly impressed by the fact that our production house is called 'Karol Bagh Film and Entertainment'. Karol Bagh holds a special place in the heart of Delhites. I come from Delhi and my partner Anupam Kher too has spent so many years in the city when he used to have 'ghar-ka-khaana' at my place. It was just apt that we shoot our film in Delhi as well."
Satish Kaushik was accompanied by the lead pair of the film while his co-producer from Delhi, Manoj Mittal, joined him too. Other prominent names present at the event were High Court lawyer Sunil Mittal, Dhawal Gada from PEN, MP Rajeev Shukla and Girish Agarwal, a prominent name in the Delhi society circles, amongst others.
Also starring Satish Kaushik himself along with Sushmita Mukherjee, Rajat Kapoor, Neena Gupta and Anupam Kher in a special appearance, Teree Sang, which is produced by Bharat Shah, has music by new finds Sachin & Jigar and is all set for a 7th August release.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 15 Jul 2009 | 4:28 pm Mallika Sherawat 'tweets' at Twitter's Head Quarters at San Francisco
What will you do if someone tells you that the temperature and glamour quotient at our office has gone way up in the office because of your presence? Well, we know that you will surely be floored and must be rolling on the ground!
But, if you are Mallika Sherawat and the compliment came in from none other than Evan Williams, the CEO of Twitter, you will simply flash your smile at the compliment, as you know that your million dollar smile carries more worth than all the stocks in the NASDAQ put together! Mallika arrived at Twitter Head Quarters in San Francisco in a stretch limousine with fans and media channels waiting outside for her. The actress was mobbed for an hour by fans and press, signing autographs and doing interviews.
Not just an excited Mallika gushed saying, "I'm honored to be the first Asian star to be invited to Twitter. Jai Ho!" but also posed for pictures outside Twitter's headquarters and then gave some inspirational remarks to Twitter employees during the lunch break. If that wasn't enough, at the request of a Twitter executive, Mallika even showed the employees a few Bollywood dance moves, and then the whole company joined in for the jhatka-matkas, prompting a spontaneous company dance party!
Following the Indian tradition, a coconut was broken in true desi style, by her producers in front of the Twitter office. Even the superhot promo of Mallika's forthcoming film Hissss was also shown to the Twitter employees during their lunch break, which received a tumultuous applause. Twitter staff members informed Mallika's producers that "Since Mallika joined the Twitter service, membership in India has skyrocketed." Can anyone 'dare' to argue on that! Jai Ho, Madame Mallika!Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 15 Jul 2009 | 4:08 pm Anil Ambani, Spielberg announce $825 mn funding for DreamworksIn one of the largest deals in global cinema in recent years, Anil Ambani's Reliance Big Entertainment and noted Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg Wednesday announced $825-million funding for their Los Angeles-based production house Dreamworks Studios to make six films a year for the global audiences.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 15 Jul 2009 | 3:30 pm In the world of Imran Khan - Part 2
Imran Khan folds his leg and sits on his sofa and starts off by saying, "This Condemned thing is going to kill us all. Luck is not 13 Tzameti nor is it The Condemned. It is Race, Dhoom and Dhoom 2." The last time I was in a room with Imran Khan, he was giving interview for Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na in London, sitting on the carpet stretching his legs, sitting cross legged and changing his sitting positions. We could've understood the reason because the film in question was Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, a romantic film about friendship. One year on, his latest film Luck will see him play a tough guy with a lean look and a tough body language. The actor looks chiselled when I meet him but is still sitting with his legs stretched and sometimes cross legged on his sofa. He hates changes but yet it seems there are two contradicting Imrans: entrusting and circumspect Imran, and gregarious, up-for-anything Imran. He's been careful to display both, so I'll never pin him down as one or the other. He's answered everything. He's played a perfect game. He keeps you smiling and he's laughing, even. He doesn't let you get too close, but he doesn't let you notice the distance. "Man can be destroyed but not defeated" is what reads on his t-shirt when I meet him for the second part of this special interview featuring his film Luck. For starters, the actor does not believe in it, yet he is considered the Indian Film Industry's luckiest new entrant with one flop and one hit. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent meets the rarest of breeds in the Indian Film Industry. Lucky me!
Luck
"It's a tricky thing because I don't really believe in luck. I am a very pragmatic and a very practical person. My head tells me that there is no such thing and there can't be such a thing. At the same time, I also feel that if there is something called luck, then I'm a very lucky person. Good things happen to me and bad things don't happen. In a bad traffic jam, somehow I will be able to make it to the theatre to watch the film before it starts. But whatever it is, I've been blessed with good things all my life."
Casting of Luck
"Casting of Luck is bang on. I've seen the film and that's the reason I'm telling you. Shruti is perfect for her role. The second my director Soham said that I want Mithun in the film, I said, "Correct" because it fits him perfect. We were thinking of a younger actor like me to play the role which Ravi Kissen plays in Luck, but eventually it worked for Ravi. As a poster, the cast might look strange and a little weird, I know that, but when you watch the film you'll get lucky."
Inspiration from 13 Tzameti and The Condemned
"This Condemned rumour is going to kill us all I guess. Yes, I agree that the gun sequence in Luck is inspired by 13 Tzameti and Soham has admitted that. We all know that. The talks about Luck is inspired by The Condemned is crap. Soham had written the script long before The Condemned was ever made. He wanted to make Luck in 2006. At a very simple level, if I wanted to rip off a Hollywood film, I'll rip off a successful one and not The Condemned. A tabloid carried some screen shots from both the films and compared them. But I can also find screen shots from How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days that would match Luck as well. Visually, many films can look the same but they're not."
Lucky bet
"The film is based on the reality betting but at the very core level, it is about luck. Betting is about luck, agreed. But it also depends on the people who are playing, the contestants. The games we are playing in the film has nothing to do with the skill. It also depends on the contestants luck. Which to me was a very cool concept. You see, good things can happen to bad people and bad things can happen to good people. That's the fact of life and luck."
Luck in the overseas
"Bollywood films have got a big territory in the UK, US and UAE. Australia is a smaller territory compared to the ones mentioned. Each one of these has different tastes for the same Bollywood film released there. I think Luck has a good chance in the UK. The UK audience tends to like these kinds of pot-boilers. They like the classic Bollywood films. I know they've liked Dhoom and Dhoom 2 and so I can say that they'll like Luck."
Action
"Action films take a lot out of you physically because you are not doing a lot of character work. Say 30% of your scenes in the film are the actual talky scenes. Action takes a lot of time to shoot. A three minute sequence will take two weeks to shoot. You spend the entire day running, jumping, falling, getting beaten up, beating someone, having explosions go off, you dive and roll for cover. You do that all day, then go home and wake up the next day and repeat the same strenuous stuff till it gets over. At the end of it, everything hurts. We shot the climax of Luck in twelve days involving a plane, jumping off the plane onto the train, explosions, and running through the train on fire."
Lucky girlfriend and friends
"I like to keep my work and personal life separate. Once I'm done with work, I want to pull out of the movie business. When you are in the film industry, you tend to hang out with the industry people and you become a part of that film world. The rest of the world does not exist for you and you forget what real life is. I'm very weary of that and don't want to be in that position. So when I hang out with my friends, I talk about them. One of my friends is doing a t-shirt business. One of them is launching a company called 'Pani Puri'. It's a cool concept. One of my friend is a commodity trader, one of the most boring s**t in the world man. He talks about his pepper trade business. All this reminds you that there is much more than just films."
Danny Denzongpa
"He is a cool dude man, is sixty five and can kick your a** and my a** right now, which means that if two of us attack him from the back, he would still bring both of us down. He has rippling muscles. I had a scene with him in Luck where I am suppose to grab his collar, slap him and slam him against the wall. Now while doing this, his chest muscles were so hard that I hurt my knuckles. It's 'kadak'. He knows that he is a dude. He comes to the gym in a sleeveless t-shirt, does his massive weight training and you can see his biceps popping up and down. There is something about him which is so damn difficult to term. You will always see him walking tall, suited, pushed back hair, no slouching and his firm hand shake. I'd describe him as a cliff."
Mithun Chakraborty
"If Danny is full of attitude, Mithun is completely the opposite. He is a little relaxed, chilled out, has a good couple of drinks, etc. Mithun turns on when the camera is on. I've seen him exhausted and sea sick and falling during the filming of the shark sequence. He is not as fit as Danny. He is tired, his muscles are hurting him and suddenly the camera turns and he is someone else. Even if Mithun is bleeding, he'll do the scene. Moment you say 'cut', he will fall down."
Shruti Haasan
"There is still an inherent fear and lack of confidence when you are a first timer in Bollywood. I know I had it during Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. But I should say this, Shruti proved me wrong. She has surprised me in the film. I had faith in her but she proved better than what I thought of her. Her language has come out quite clean after the dubbing."
Chitrashi
"Now what I'm going to say is real. You must've seen Chitrashi talk in Chak De India. Well, that is exactly how she talks off screen too. Chitrashi brings in a lot of emotional angle and a comic relief to Luck. Now the part she plays in Luck was originally written for a male and somewhere something happened. Soham told me that he wanted to cast the Chak De girl Chitrashi. I told him, "What're you doing man. You want to cast a female in a role which is written for a male actor?" He then brought her in, auditioned her and the result is that it works much better than the guy playing it. She is so real."
Satisfaction and celebration
"I am satisfied and celebrate my satisfaction too sometimes. Not always. I don't come home after doing a great scene and say that I am going to celebrate tonight. I do it only when I've done something successful. Like I celebrated with my friends and family after the success of Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. I celebrated after Ranbir and I got a good response being hosts during the Filmfare awards, etc."
Transformation
"Talk of transformation; I've been doing exactly that in all my films. Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na was sweet. Kidnap was rough, Luck is tough and you won't believe if you see my look in Delhi Belly. I've lost all my weight in Delhi Belly like Tom Hanks and Christian Bale in Cast Away and The Machinist. It's a complete transformation. But the sad part is that you tend to become like a loser when you play such roles. You feel bad about yourself. You'll feel unpleasant when you look at my picture from Delhi Belly because all my hero-giri has gone for a toss."Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 15 Jul 2009 | 3:11 pm Kareena will be part of 'Race 2': SaifBollywood star Saif Ali Khan was so keen to revive the "Race" magic with Abbas-Mustan that he has convinced the producers to rope them in as directors.Source: Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2009 | 3:11 pm I inherited flair for dramatics from my mom: Kirron KherKirron Kher lost her mother Diljit Thakar Singh recently.Source: Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2009 | 2:14 pm Katrina's 25th birthday a family affair in LondonKatrina Kaif has many reasons to smile. First her recent release 'New York' became a huge success and now comes her birthday, which the British-born actress will celebrate with her entire family in London Thursday.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 15 Jul 2009 | 1:33 pm Rakhi Sawant observes 'Karva Chauth' for five menHere is one more instance of Rakhi Sawant's crazy stunts. Karva Chauth -- a festival that celebrates wedded bliss -- is a few months away, but the item girl has already observed the fast for not one but five men in the run up to her 'swayamvar'.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 15 Jul 2009 | 1:32 pm Kareena Kapoor to interact with her fans on Facebook
Kareena has never been net savvy. But thanks to the clamor for her glamour on social-networking sites, she has decided to get on the net. But just for a bit.
This week Kareena plans to give her fans on a hugely popular social-networking website (Facebook) a big surprise.
Kareena plans to get on the networking site for about 30 minutes "to say hello" to her fans. She may even break her resolve not to become a member of the networking site. And who knows, she may even get over her reservations about starting her own website.
Says Kareena, "I've been repeatedly told that I've the maximum number of fans and well-wishers on Facebook. I could never find the time to connect with them. More importantly, I was too shy. I can't bring myself to answer over-specific questions on my activities, where I am, what I do, eat, etc."
It was Saif Ali Khan and director Imtiaz Ali who informed Kareena of the massive fan following she has on Facebook and how imperative it was for her to reach out to those trying to reach out through social networking.
"I now realize it's a whole large global community out there on the computer. I can't blog about my life. But I need to understand and connect with the internet community. In fact," reveals Kareena, "It was Saif who introduced me to the computer. He does practically all his work on the internet. He coaxed me into understanding the basics. And then I got hooked, though not to social networking because I'm too private a person to share my day-to-day movements and activities even with my closest friends."
It was Imtiaz Ali who pointed out the importance of reaching out on the social networking site. "Imtiaz said the number of people on Facebook who put up my pictures and messages about me had to be seen to be believed. I'll now be going on Facebook in a few days to interact with my friends there."
Not that Kareena wants to be regular on social networking. "That's not me. But I respect and love the thousands of people who want to reach out to me through the internet."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 15 Jul 2009 | 1:23 pm Germany's Indian film fest opens with 'Luck By Chance'Zoya Akhtar's directorial debut "Luck by Chance" inaugurated Germany's only annual festival of Indian cinema here on Tuesday amidst great fanfare.Source: Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2009 | 11:16 am Leading lady of Aladin, Jacqueline Fernandes, unveiled
It's time for the red carpet to be laid out. Aladin is aiming for a Diwali release and as the film hits the screens, Bollywood would also see the arrival of its 'most exotic' import ever - Jacqueline Fernandes.
All set to regale the audience with a lethal mix of cute persona and some sensuality, Jacqueline is finally being unveiled by the makers of Aladin. "Well, the journey has just begun. Last one year was quite happening but now it is going to be even more exciting times with Aladin being round the corner", she says.
Over the last few months, Jacqueline was closely guarded for all the right reasons. 2008 had seen quite some noise being made around the number of newcomer girls (Asin, Anushka) while Aladin was still quite some distance away.
Says Sujoy Ghosh, the film's director and co-producer, "There was no point for anyone associated with the film to gaga over Jacqueline because of two major reasons. First and foremost she had just stepped into the industry and she wanted to focus on doing a good job in her debut film. Secondly, it was felt that her being 'exposed' to millions out there so soon would have resulted in an over exposure."
The protective director goes on to add, "Since Jacqueline is one of the four major protagonists of the film, other than Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Riteish Deshmukh, she has always been someone special. Now is the time for her to reach out to the world and I am sure Bollywood followers out there would be stunned with what they see of her."
Jacqueline gets nostalgic while remembering the times she spent on the film's sets, "Playing Jasmine was all fun and frolic with just the right ingredients of quintessential Bollywood 'naach gaana' routine and countless romantic and dramatic moments. It couldn't have been a better start."
Considering the fact that 2009 is perking up now after a dry beginning, it only makes Jacqueline's arrival in the industry even more precious.
An import from Sri Lanka who already has a beauty pageant crown in her kitty (she was Miss Sri Lanka 2006), Jacqueline has been academically inclined as well, as apparent from her degree in Media and Communications from Sydney, Australia. Ambitious to the core, she had once stated - "Being independent and accomplished was imperative to me and I always demanded the best of myself. Perfectionism is my strongest asset."
That's something which is pretty much on display, as clear from her choice for her debut film Aladin which is a co-production of Eros and Sujoy's 'Boundscript' and stars none other than Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt along with Riteish Deshmukh.
Says Jacqueline while spreading out that million dollar smile of hers, "The way Riteish's character is fleshed out in the movie, it was all rather cute. However, nothing can beat the excitement of working with Mr. Bachchan and Mr. Dutt. In a way, they were just the antithesis of Riteish. I couldn't have been luckier."Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 15 Jul 2009 | 10:44 am
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