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Why am I being targeted: Asin
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 18 Oct 2009 | 6:27 am Thousands bid farewell to Boyzone singer Gately - Sify
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 18 Oct 2009 | 4:31 am Naseeruddin-starrer to open NY film festNaseeruddin Shah-starrer Today's Special, a comedy set in New York City, will open the Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council Film Festival in New York next month that will have 47 screenings including 44 premieres of features, documentaries and short films.Source: | 18 Oct 2009 | 4:24 am Ganesh Pooja - Sify
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 18 Oct 2009 | 4:21 am Salman, I have very deep bonding: GovindaBollywood is famous for the real and reel life bonding between actors.Source: Entertainment News | 18 Oct 2009 | 3:43 am Why am I being targeted: AsinJust one film old in Bollywood, Asin Thottumkal has had more than her share of controversies.Source: Entertainment News | 18 Oct 2009 | 3:09 am Sudeep to work with Ram Gopal Varma again in 'Phoonk II'Actor Sudeep, who worked with director-producer Ram Gopal Varma in two of his films, will start shooting for the sequel of successful horror flick "Phoonk" in Mumbai later this month.Source: Entertainment News | 18 Oct 2009 | 2:57 am SRK, Gauri sizzle on ramp - Times of India
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 18 Oct 2009 | 12:04 am Aamir nervous about Three Idiots - Hindustan Times
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 17 Oct 2009 | 10:30 am Ajay Devgn's unnerving experience
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 17 Oct 2009 | 8:57 am Cinematography legend Amir Mokri watches 'Blue' in LAWhen Iranian cinematography legend Amir Mokri saw "Blue" on the Clint Eastwood Recording Sound Stage No.Source: Entertainment News | 17 Oct 2009 | 8:25 am Multiple releases for Bollywood actors this October
October 2009 would go down in the history of Bollywood cinema as the month when maximum number of stars had more than one film of theirs releasing in a single month.
As of now, there are 10 films which are confirmed for October release. Do Knot Disturb and Wake Up Sid clashed with each other on 2nd October. Acid Factory was the sole biggie on 9th October though smaller films like 3 Nights 4 Days and Love Ka Tadka have also managed to sneak in. Current week is the biggest ever week of this year with Blue, All The Best and Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna getting into a battle royale. There is some peace in store on 23rd October with no film slated to arrive. However, there is another big clash in the offering on 30th October with Aladin coming face to face with London Dreams.
Now let's have a look at the how some of the most prominent cast members would be seeing multiple releases in weeks to come. Beginning with Riteish Deshmukh, he is one of the leading protagonists in Do Knot Disturb which began the month for him. However, he would also end the month with his title role portrayal of Aladin.
Sohail Khan is also seen in a small role in Do Knot Disturb though he is the second lead in his home production Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna. On the other hand for Lara Dutta, this would be the biggest month of her career ever since she debuted with Andaaz since she was the centre of attraction as 'Bebo' in Do Knot Disturb. And now, she is painting the town Blue as the sole leading lady.
Coming to Acid Factory, this ensemble film featured quite a few actors sharing screen space. For Fardeen Khan, the film was special for more than two reasons. Not just that it brought him back with his Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena director Suparn Verma, it also featured him as a macho star. Its quite some image turnaround for him now though, since All The Best sees him putting his comic hat on.
Things intensify this week as Sanjay Dutt has a double bill in the form of Blue and All The Best. Enjoying the best of both worlds, he would be mixing action with comedy between both the films. That's not all as a fortnight down the line, he would be seen as a lovable villain a.k.a. 'The Ringmaster' in Sujoy Ghosh directed Aladin. In this regard, he would be the only leading actor in 2009 who would be seen in three major films as a principal protagonist in a single month.
Ajay Devgan too won't be having a breather for the most part of October. While he is going all out to promote his home production All The Best which also features him as a leading man, he would also be seen in London Dreams where he would be working in a Vipul Shah film for the first time. The film also features Salman Khan who is already riding high on the success of Wanted. However, before the arrival of this musical, Khan features in a musical romantic drama Main Aurr Mrs Khanna this week.
In nutshell, this is how the current scenario looks this October:
Salman Khan - Main Aurr Mrs Khanna and London Dreams
Sanjay Dutt - Blue, All The Best and Aladin
Ajay Devgan - All The Best and London Dreams
Riteish Deshmukh - Do Knot Disturb and Aladin
Lara Dutta - Do Knot Disturb and Blue
Fardeen Khan - Acid Factory and All The Best
Sohail Khan - Do Knot Disturb and Main Aurr Mrs Khanna
Take your pick!Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 17 Oct 2009 | 6:32 am Sarkozy slams the Swiss for Polanski arrest
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 17 Oct 2009 | 6:17 am Uma Thurman excited about Kill Bill 3
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 17 Oct 2009 | 6:14 am Julia Roberts' film hit by protests in Bali
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 17 Oct 2009 | 6:11 am Vin Diesel quits xXx sequel
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 17 Oct 2009 | 6:06 am Cuba submits Los Dioses Rotos for Oscar
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 17 Oct 2009 | 6:01 am Will Blues end for Bollywood? - Economic Times
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 17 Oct 2009 | 5:14 am Pazhassi Raja gets bumper opening
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 17 Oct 2009 | 4:18 am Big B takes tips from his grandchildren
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 17 Oct 2009 | 4:09 am My grandchildren were my inspiration for 'Paa': AmitabhBollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who plays a 12-year-old progeric in "Paa", says he has taken cues from his grandchildren to adapt a child's mannerisms for the role.Source: Entertainment News | 17 Oct 2009 | 3:21 am Producers from Shree Ashtavinayak talk about Blue's big Diwali release
Blue has released and all eyes are set on this mega budget film to strike gold at the box office. Stakes are quite high, not just for the actors in the film but also the makers Shree Ashtavinayak. Since the film is touted to be the costliest film ever made in Bollywood, expectations are bound to be humungous. Joginder Tuteja catches up with Dhilin Mehta and Dhaval Mehta from Shree Ashtavinayak who comment on the expectations from Blue, the film's budget, release strategy, extraordinary promotional campaign, competition from All The Best and Main Aurr Mrs Khanna and production house's future projects.
Finally arrives, a two year old dream in the form of Blue. For Shree Ashtavinayak, this is indeed the biggest project since its establishment, right?
Yes its one of the unique and special project for the company and one of the best in terms of production value, style of making, concept, location etc. This multi-starrer is indeed big in terms of budget but the backbone of this film is the script & whatever is been done is according to the requirement of the story.
Yes its one of the unique and special project for the company
This film is pretty much being looked as the kind that would get at least 100 crores back in revenue for Bollywood. Confident about such figure being achieved?
We have worked hard for this project. Especially with the kind of response we are getting, we are hoping for the best that some of the records can be surpassed in the film; it does very well and is accepted by audience globally. We can't comment on the numerical figure of the revenue because it is too early a stage to talk about.
Talking about money, there have been speculations ever since the film came on floors. Numbers like 60 crores, 80 crores, 100 crores or 125 crores are being thrown around randomly. Do you wish to state the correct budget on the records that would help bring things in the right perspective?
Whatever is been done is as per the requirement of the movie. And as a company policy we generally don't declare the budget of the film. Whatever speculation is there in the industry, we cannot control that.
I am sure by means of sponsorship, endorsements, music rights etc. and other pre-release deals, you must have recovered a chunk of your investment. Do you wish to share details?
Yes to some extent we have recovered through selling of many rights like music and theatrical rights. We have pre- release tie-ups for endorsements, sponsorships etc. But details are something that we would share at a later stage.
There have also been talks that you are releasing the film on a commission basis. Is that true?
We are releasing in Mumbai and Overseas
There have also been talks about A.R. Rahman's music for Blue being released in Tamil and Telugu as well. Can you please confirm and also the kind of price on which the rights have been sold?
The price on which the rights have been sold would be kept as a trade secret but yes we don't deny that significant of revenue has come from music.
Is the film also releasing in Tamil and Telugu?
Yes its also releasing in Telugu being a new market to be exploited we have dubbed in Telugu and releasing it simultaneous.
What's the kind of release strategy you have in mind for the film? You may talk about number of prints, global release, number of shows, film's duration.
We are releasing this film in around 2200 screens globally. It will be a mixture of print & digital format.
It is being widely stated that Kidnap and Luck have been massive setbacks for Shree Ashtavinayak. Is that really the case or have you been able to keep the production house sail smoothly?
As far as Kidnap and Luck is concerned, we pre- sold all the rights and recovered the cost and made a significant margin which is reflected in financials of the company.
Meanwhile, what happens to your under production Mr. Fraud, Run Bhola Run and Mudh Mudh Ke Na Dekkh Mudh Mudh Ke?
Apart from all these films we are also making 10-15 projects in the upcoming year
and all these projects are under different stages of production.
The days have gone when a single film was releasing on Friday, the chance of success have increased and we are capitalizing to that
Is Bond really happening with Sanjay Dutt?
Yes, it's on the cards.
Coming back to Blue, there seems to have been some path breaking promotional campaign for the film. How much is after all too much for a movie of this grandeur, scale and budget?
We don't deny that we spent a little higher compared to other production house on sales promotion activities because we wanted to pull audience to theatres. Yes the strategies & style of promoting the film is totally different in case of Blue.
With the kind of promotional campaign that you have embarked on, are you satisfied with the hype, buzz and curiosity?
Yes, the hype and buzz along with the awareness amongst the public is high and hope we live up to the expectations. On Diwali, All The Best along with Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna is also arriving.
Which according to you is a bigger competition?
Competition is there in each and every business. If the product is good then it will do well & if all the products are good, all will fare better. The days have gone when a single film
was releasing on Friday, due to the revenue stream & multiplexes, the chance of success have increased and we are capitalizing to that.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 17 Oct 2009 | 3:19 am "Nowadays promoting a film has become as important as making it" - Ajay Devgn
Ajay Devgn, who has suddenly become far more accessible, affable and voluble, says he has been running around "like a madman" juggling several projects and hats.
"I was in Bhopal shooting for Prakash Jha's Rajneeti which was a completely different experience from shooting All The Best in Goa. Then I also completed London Dreams which is a third experience."
Interestingly, in both All The Best and London Dreams, Devgn had to overcome his stage fright to go on stage in front of thousands of people to play a rock star for a live audience. "It was an unnerving experience. So many people screaming and shouting trying to get your attention. Every day I am learning new things about myself. That's the only way to keep my interest as an actor and the audiences' interest in me alive. How would you like if you had to interview the same person every day? It's like that only. You've to keep changing the caller tune on your lifeline."
All The Best which opened this week is taking Devgn to far-flung places. "Half the time I don't know where I am. Nowadays promoting a film has become as important as making it."Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 17 Oct 2009 | 3:00 am Subhash K Jha speaks about Blue
First things first. The villain of the show is not Akshay Kumar. It's the screenplay. What was the writer thinking when he wrote this underwater escapade with well-toned bodies posing against the breathtaking Bahamian backdrops?
The treasure-hunt could be straight out of Enid Blyton's Famous Five...The quintet here are from an altogether different age group from what Blyton had intended.
Samjay Dutt and Akshay Kumar are friends. We are made to believe they are in the fishery business, though we don't ever see them doing a day's work. All they do is soak their lips in the bubblies and their toes in the pristine-blue waters.
Oh yes, they also get into the boxing ring. But their pugnacious proclivities never get beyond the first chapter of Enid Bylton's 'Famous 4 Get Frisky'. If Enid never wrote it, then here it is. The screenplay writer doing the needful. The two grownup boys who relentlessly talk about undersea treasure.
This is Dhoom going thousands of feet under.
We get very little insight into what motivates these overgrown boys to think green -backs in their blue environment. Fast cars and furious wheels just don't make for a meaningful existence. But who's going to tell these people they are interesting only to themselves?
Interestingly the only rounded and remotely cohesive character is that played by Zayed Khan. We first see him as a brat in Bangkok racing mo'bikes and wooing the puckish and punky Katrina Kaif with bed roomy looks. Zayed penchant for the two wheels give us two very lengthy and very stylish chase sequences which are among the best we've ever seen in Hindi cinema.
But do skidding wheels and somersaulting cars constitute a substantial film? Often in the midst of the breath-taking stunts you look for relevance beyond the cosmetic confection that Blue so insouciantly throws in your face. The characters' single-minded obsession with self-preservation in the most superficial sense, keeps us guessing about the true reason for their existence. By the time they find the treasure we still don't have a clue as to what motivates them to skim the surface of existence.
Director Anthony D'Souza is completely in control of the characters outside world. The underwater sequences are truly a plunge that Hindi cinema has never taken. The camera follows the characters underwater with a masterly aplomb.
It's the world above sea level that leaves us hankering for oxygen. The world that these characters inhabit is utterly devoid of a third dimension. A multiplicity of cameras are used to capture their rapidly-moving world. But that essential peep into the characters' hearts and minds eludes the keen camera lenses.
Blame the writing. Lara Dutta looks wow in a bikini. But the cast could do with a serious crash course in how to have a whale of a time without getting in the way of the sharks.
Sanjay Dutt should have lost 20 kgs before getting into underwater gear. Oh yes that's Kylie Minogue doing jiggwiggy to A R Rahman's music. Does anyone really care? These are scuba-diving hedonists busy having a ball. We really don't want to intrude on their very private world of cars, cruiser boats and water sports.
At the end Akshay Kumar speeds into the ocean on his mo'bike. We don't blame him for forgetting the difference between earth and water. Blue blurs the line between water and land somewhere in the first two reels.
And then it's just a plot less journey into the heart of the ocean.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 17 Oct 2009 | 2:55 am Bangalore kids to learn art of filmmakingIt's going to be a mini club of young and aspiring filmmakers.Source: Entertainment News | 17 Oct 2009 | 2:50 am Hollywood Cinematography legend Amir Mokri to shoot Anthony's next actioner
When Iranian cinematography legend Amir Mokri saw Blue on Oct 9 on the 'Clint Eastwood Recording Sound Stage No 6' at the Warner Brothers Studios in Los Angeles, director Anthony D'Souza, a huge self-confessed and unabashed fan of Mokri's work played a little game with Mokri.
Anthony quietly let his precious film unfold for his favourite cinematographer and waited for him to recognize the sequence that Tony had shot as per instruction from Mokri in LA. Of course Mokri immediately recognized the sequence whose shots were similar from Bad Boys 2 which Mokri had photographed.
Says Anthony, ''Of course Amir recognized the shots immediately. I had seen the way actors Will Smith and Martin Lawrence zigzagged through windows and doors for a particular sequence in Bad Boys 2. I wanted to use those shots for a sequence between Sanjay Sir (Dutt) and Lara Dutta in Blue. I got in touch with Mokri and he instructed me and my cameraman on phone and email on how to go about doing the shots in a way that the camera seems to be hurling at the same speed as the characters. I think we got it right. Amir seemed to think so.''
Anthony isn't saying it, but Mokri liked Blue enough to be a part of his next film, the aerial actioner with Akshay Kumar and John Abraham.
Though Anthony isn't telling, the news is Mokri would do the camerawork for that film.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 17 Oct 2009 | 2:47 am
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