|
|
|
|
"Audiences will bet during intermission to guess the killer" - Apoorva Lakhia
Throbbing may well be the perfect word to describe Apoorva Lakhia's frenetic world. He breathes cinema like we breathe air, and the only way to understand him is to understand his cinema. So to say that Apoorva changed the face of cinema with Ek Ajnabee and Shootout At Lokhandwala would be a tremendous understatement. What's more is the fact that he thinks that the media hates him or his films...who knows? But it's the truth that he makes more realistically inspired films. He loves reading books; he wants to make the remake of Gran Tarino with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan and assures us that he goes bananas when it comes to the budget of his films because he is an expensive director. All that adds up to making a hurricane of energy and a breaker of levees called Apoorva Lakhia. A man who is attracted to a world where morality doesn't exist, where it is impossible to sin. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent met the man on a mission, and a minute into our conversation, Lakhia was flying. His hands are moving as excitedly as he is speaking. One second his fingers meet as if in prayer, the next he is open-armed and embracing the world. He is conducting the conversation as he might, well, direct a movie. And then there are his eyes, which have their own power, framed by two black eyebrows set behind his rimmed glasses. Even in a blank living room you feel his force. Go ahead...feel this one!
Is Apoorva Lakhia a recluse?
I wouldn't say that Apoorva Lakhia is a recluse. But I'll also say that Apoorva Lakhia isn't Shah Rukh Khan or Aamir Khan. So even if I give forty interviews, I don't think more than five will be published. We all have a certain standing in Bollywood. As far as publicising this film, it's not the same as publicising the film that's been directed by me. The media connections are such that nothing is done for free these days. There is a strategy that we are going to go all out ten days before the release.
Apoorva Lakhia isn't Shah Rukh Khan or Aamir Khan. So even if I give forty interviews, I don't think more than five will be published
What is the reason for you to produce a film like Hide & Seek?
It is really because of Shawn Arranha. I had no intention of ever producing a film. I don't know if I'll do it again. He has been with me for ten years now. Even when I was an assistant, he used to be my assistant. Then when I turned director, he still was my chief assistant director. I've used him and abused him (laughs). I like promoting new talents and it was the right time for me to launch Shawn as I didn't want him to assist no more.
So how did the locked shopping mall idea came about?
The way the story came about was very interesting. We were in this mall in Johannesburg in South Africa. I and my friends had gone for a recce of my film and we went to watch the 11.15 pm show at the biggest mall in South Africa. So after the film finished, I went into the wash room and was locked in. It was the spookiest feeling because not a single person was there in the mall when we were locked in. There was no music too. But I and my friends were still joking that if we were to be locked up inside this mall for a year, we'd still survive because there were all the basic necessities inside the mall. Suresh Nair, Rajiv Batra and I gifted Shawn this script as writers and Hide & Seek was born.
Is Shawn ready to venture out from your shadows?
Yes, absolutely. I just hope that as soon as the film releases, people see his worth and sign him for ten films because there is nothing more great and satisfying than one of your own success, be it yours or anybody else's. We haven't even signed a contract that he has to work with me for the next three films.
What is more favourable - release a small budget film and make profit or release a big budget film and get the opening?
Firstly, I'd never produce a film that I'm directing. I am an expensive director and I'd go bananas. Secondly, it's a big risk even in this day and age to make a film without stars. I am realising it now, and by stars I mean big stars. Even if your budget is 30 crores, you can sell your film for 40 crores before the film is even made. Everything else after that becomes easier. Abhishek Bachchan can make a film and he will get publicity from Omega, Lux, etc. Same with SRK and Aamir. With the star cast I have, the step for publicity increases. More budget is required. When that rises, you have a question mark. You need to get people into the cinema in spite of having a good script. The word of mouth is important. The lifeline of today's films is one week and then the next week you see a huge film toppling yours.
I'd never produce a film that I'm directing. I am an expensive director and I'd go bananas
Is our industry going through its worst phase?
I won't say that because we are progressing at a very slow pace. We are going through the worst financially, yes. There are too many films coming out too soon. There are so many other things happening now that you don't release films during IPL and elections. So the backlog is huge. We have no option but to fight amongst ourselves. The alternate cinema which is now coming out has taken our industry ahead of what it was two years ago.
And aren't the ridiculous costs of film stars making it even more difficult financially?
To some extent, yes. It's a catch twenty two situation. Besides Amitabh Bachchan, who has got a life span as a star which is as long as him? Female actors' life is short. We don't have Meryl Streep's and Judi Dench's. If someone is giving you money, you won't say no. You have a time in your life when you're getting paid for talent and people think that you're worth that amount. I don't think that has anything to do with bad financial phase of our industry.
Do you agree with the line - Hide & Seek isn't a film...it's a game, and the audiences should be playing it?
Yes, it is a very apt line. The audiences are going to be loving the challenge of playing Hide & Seek. What's interesting is the fact that the audiences will be having bets during intermission on who the killer is going to be. A film like this is going to have many answers to one question, and that too is a game.
What's your next directorial venture?
I'm in talks with Shree Ashtavinayak, with whom I'm doing this film called Mumbai Taxi Service. We've almost got the star cast confirmed in the form of Anil Kapoor, Suniel Shetty, Sanjay Dutt. We are waiting for Amitabh Bachchan to get back and are in look out of a young new actor. That's a realistic film like Shootout At Lokhandwala.
What influences you to make cinema?
I get influenced by books, world cinema, get saddened by the daily events which happen in India, and if that charges me to make a film, I make it. If I could make a film on 26/11, I'd love to because that is something which people should know about in detail. When 26/11 happened, there were text messages flowing that people like Apoorva Lakhia, Sanjay Gupta and Ram Gopal Varma should be banned from making realistic cinema. I am surprised to know that if foreign channels can come here and make a film or a documentary on what happened on 26/11, why are we Indians stopped?
I get influenced by books, world cinema, get saddened by the daily events which happen in India, and if that charges me to make a film, I make it
Name one film which has really influenced you and that you'd want to remake.
The one that has influenced me is The God Father 1 and 2. I can keep on watching again and again. Everything falls into place.
Describe your star cast in one word or a sentence please:
Purab Kohli - Brilliant actor
Mrinalini Sharma - Hard trier
Arjan Bajwa - Naturally talented
Amruta Patki - Hungry
Ayaz Khan - Mad
Sameer Kocchar - Extremely confidentSource: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 9 Feb 2010 | 7:11 am Oscars: A tale of two actressesThere are only two real races in this year’s Oscars. That among the Best Pictures and that among the Best Actresses. Like the Best Picture, the Best Actress Oscar is probably confined to two contenders, Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock.Source: | 9 Feb 2010 | 6:46 am 'My Name Is Khan' not preachy about religion, politicsHe made his first big screen appearance this year in a cameo in "Dulha Mil Gaya".Source: Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 5:53 am Love, Sex Aur Dhokha explores voyerism: Dibakar
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 5:39 am In Mausam, Shahid will surprise all: Pankaj KapoorSeasoned actor Pankaj Kapoor is all set to make his directorial debut with Mausam with son Shahid in the lead. The father is confident that Shahid's varied acting skills will surprise everyone.Source: | 9 Feb 2010 | 5:21 am Mumbai cops assure Karan Johar of security for 'My Name..'Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar is relieved after the Mumbai police commissioner gave him an assurance today that his movie "My Name Is Khan" will release in the financial capital without any disruption.Source: Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 5:18 am Failure teaches you everything: SRK
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 5:17 am Abhishek refuses to comment on Sena-SRK issue
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 5:16 am My Name Is Khan is on schedule: KJo
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 4:27 am 'Love, Sex Aur Dhokha will spark a healthy debate'The latest film features a bunch of newcomers with no mainstream trappings to it. Also, sex and voyeurism form a major driving force of the narrative which is now ready and marching forward in post production.Source: | 9 Feb 2010 | 4:24 am '3 Idiots' helped theatres out of strike slumpAamir Khan starrer "3 Idiots", that has gone on to become the biggest hit in Hindi film history, has helped theatres recover from the two-month strike last year.Source: Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 4:13 am Shahid will surprise all: Pankaj Kapoor
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:51 am Akshay continues to do dangerous stunts, this time for Action Replayy
The day after Akshay landed in Mumbai after his back treatment he was doing some of the most dangerous stunts affordable to a star. Before he left for his back treatment, Akshay Kumar was unsure if he could ever return to normal health-related activities that he liked, let alone action sequences. In fact, Vipul Shah's action-laden climax for Action Replayy which was to be shot after Akshay's return, was seriously jeopardized. But after the hydro- therapy that he underwent in Germany last week, Akshay Kumar returned to work, more confident than ever before, ready and eager to shoot heart-stopping stunts for Action Replayy. When Vipul offered to change the climax, Akshay laughed and told him to stick to the original plan.
Not only was Akshay seen hanging from cables doing stunts and flying through the air, he even cajoled his co-star Kirron Kher to try the aerial stunts. Speaking from Manori where director Vipul Shah shot Akshay's action sequences with action direct Allan Amin immediately after the actor's return from Germany, the director confided, "It's true we were very unsure about what shape Akshay's back would be in once he returned from his hydro treatment. The climax of Action Replayy required very complex and strenuous stunts on wire-cables. I offered to change the climax and do away with the cable stunts. After all, those are tough even for actors with normal healthy backs. Akshay told me to wait until his return before taking a final call."
The actor's recovery post his treatment has been far quicker and complete than imagined.
Vipul just can't stop gawking at the actor's recovery level. "Why just me? The entire cast including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav and others just can't believe Akshay's capacity to bounce back on his feet. Here we were thinking of doing away the cable stunts and somehow managing the climactic action without the planned aerial shots. But Akshay has been wired and suspended midair for almost a week now. Cable stunts are really tough on the back. But Akshay was super-confident on his return."
Akshay was so kicked by the idea of starting afresh on his newly-repaired back that he even encouraged Kirron Kher to join him on the cables in Manori.
Says Vipul, "A shot required her to join Akshay in the air. Kirronji was at first hesitant. But we ensured her it was fully safe to be suspended with cables. Akshay is so charged and enthusiastic, he will soon have the whole cast and crew on cables. We are shooting funny action sequences. But hanging midair from thousands of feet is as dangerous whether done for fun or otherwise."
Akshay who sounded discernibly pained before his restorative trip to Germany is raring to go. "I'm back on my feet and doing action scenes for Vipul's film. The treatment worked fully and I have completely recovered."
Apparently, Akshay has recommended the hydro-treatment to Sunny Deol who suffers a chronic back problem and has undergone to major surgeries to repair his back. For Akshay, surgery was never an option, even when his back had given way a decade back and he was laid up for six months.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:49 am "I'm scared of receiving a call from myself" - Deepika Padukone
I recall the day when Deepika Padukone walked the red carpet for the first time. It was ice cold outside the Empire Leicester Square. Om Shanti Om had its world premiere in London. Padukone was ready to paint the town red, and she did when she arrived in her beautiful red dress. Uff...that ada of hers I tell you! Anyway...to the current day. She is growing taller with every film of hers. Commercially speaking, you can't even get through her now-a-days. She is keeping so busy that not even the paparazzi can trace her. I mean, we got to give it to the lady...she is fast. Wearing that nine-acre smile all day long and still to not look fake is quite something. So we decided to call her the original babe of Bollywood as she embodies all the elements of originality. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent had a quick word or two with the tinsel town's tallest beauty Deepika Padukone on her first thriller, new energies, the Kajra Re step, Farhan Akhtar and why after all the success, she still feels unsatisfied.
How spooky can a thriller like Karthik Calling Karthik get?
Well, the film is a thriller and it can get very spooky, all the more so, because I've never been a part of any thriller so far.
What sort of energy and newness do new comers like you and Farhan bring to the screen?
We both have complimented each other and have learnt from each other so much during the making of Karthik Calling Karthik. We both draw something from each others performances. And that was the same with all my co-stars, whether it was Shah Rukh or Ranbir.
No call from Deepika Padukone will be answered
Was your Kajra Re step and the many others you've done impromptu?
Absolutely yes. The steps that I do in the song 'Uff Teri Ada' were completely impromptu. My director Vijay Lalwani said that it does look like a fun song and doesn't look choreographed. He thought that we were having a ball of a time.
Every young actress entering Bollywood wants to become the next Deepika Padukone. You're being touted as the next big thing in the industry.
(Laughs) Yes, it took me just two years to come this far but there was a struggle of almost ten years into it I guess. I'm extremely happy but I am also not completely satisfied with my achievements. I still think I have a lot left to achieve and prove. My hard work has paid off to some extent and I have reached the level that I wanted to and hopefully will continue doing the same kind of work to reach higher levels.
Have you ever received any call from yourself?
Nope! I am quite scared of these things and I hope it doesn't. So sorry. No call from Deepika Padukone will be answered (laughs).
Producers and directors have targeted you as a completely commercial entity because you give hit films.
You know, I don't know about me being a commercial entity. I'm not really planning the kind of films that I want to do. For me, as long as it excites me, I do it. Then when I do it, it becomes a hit at the box office followed by critical acclaim. As long as that is working for me and I am enjoying the kind of roles I'm being offered, I'm not complaining.
What does the media not know about Farhan Akhtar?
That he has a great sense of humour. But I'm sure everyone knows that. So I don't know how well or not well the media knows him. He is meticulous and very proper. Everything has to be in order for Farhan or else he gets upset.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:44 am Valentine's Day sequel to hit screens 2011The romantic comedy, which boasts a stellar line-up including Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher, Anne Hathaway, Patrick Dempsey and Jennifer Garner, is set to hit cinemas on the occasion of Feb 14, 2010.Source: | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:39 am Sena breaks promise, hits Mumbai theatres - IBNLive.com
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:10 am Is Hrithik Roshan's Kites jinxed? - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:01 am Chocolate Day: Countdown To Valentine's Day - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:46 am Ajith becomes the ultimate superstar - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:45 am Is Hrithik Roshan's Kites jinxed?It has been more almost two years since Jodhaa Akbar hit the theatres in February 2008 and baring a small role in the movie Luck By Chance, Hrithik Roshan hasn't been seen on-screen. His much publicised movie Kites with Barbara MoriSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:44 am Lawyer: Pitt and Jolie sue over split claim
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:44 am Abhishek keeps mum on Shahrukh-Shiv Sena issue - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:41 am Regional rivalry tests security in MumbaiMUMBAI (Reuters) - A verbal battle between Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and radical Hindu group Shiv Sena has sparked worries the stature of Mumbai, India's financial hub, is being undermined by politics that are anti-migrant and polarising.Source: Reuters: Bollywood News | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:31 am MJ death probe: Doctor pleads not guilty
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:30 am Ajith becomes the ultimate superstarAjith Kumar becomes the ultimate superstar in real life with superstar Rajinikanth himself acclaiming him with a standing ovation during the felicitation ceremony for Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. As a matter of fact, almost all the celebrities of Tamil film industrySource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:28 am Abhishek keeps mum on Shahrukh-Shiv Sena issueMany Bollywood stars including Salman Khan have spoken in support of actor Shahrukh Khan over the Shiv Sena's threat to ban the screening of My Name is Khan in Mumbai, but Abhishek Bachchan has decided to keep mum on the issue.AskedSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:24 am DiCaprio gears up for Shutter IslandLondon (ANI): Leonardo DiCaprio studied the mentally ill and watched several dark documentaries to perfect his performance in the new thriller Shutter Island. The Titanic actor took to research to master his role of a detective who tries to solve aSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:22 am SnippetsFebruary 06, 2010After what happened between Salman Khan and Shahrukh at Katrina Kaif's birthday bash no one ever thought that they will make up and be on cordial terms ever, but seems like things are on a mend now. Apparently,Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:21 am Keith, Ronnie together cope with life without bottleLondon (ANI): Rolling Stones rockers Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood are giving each other “plenty of moral support” after they recently gave up booze. The two bandmates were reported to have fallen apart of late, with Keith believed to have beenSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:18 am In 'Mausam', Shahid will surprise all: Pankaj KapoorSeasoned actor Pankaj Kapoor is all set to make his directorial debut with "Mausam" with son Shahid in the lead.Source: Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:17 am Barbie gets Posh' style makeoverLondon (ANI): Iconic doll Barbie has been given a Victoria Beckham-style makeover. Girls’ favourite toy looks more like Posh, 35, than ever, courtesy the tiny waist and chic clothing. In order to give the girl a makeover, toymakers Mattel teamed upSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:15 am Gabriella Cilmi to cheer for Lewis HamiltonLondon (ANI): Australian singer Gabriella Cilmi has revealed she is keen on cheering for F1 champ Lewis Hamilton. The 18-year-old wrapped herself in a curve-hugging racing suit at a promotional event for the upcoming Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.The Sweet AboutSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:14 am Katy Perry calls raunchy photo of teenager 'fresh meat'London, (ANI): Katy Perry has been slammed by her Twitter fans after posting a raunchy photograph of an emerging teenager and calling her “fresh meat”. The I Kissed A Girl singer posted a photograph of the 17-year-old singer Sky Ferreira thatSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:12 am Madhur Bhandarkar felicitated at WashingtonIf awards at a National platform were not good enough; Madhur Bhandarkar is now making a mark internationally as well. Recently, he was conferred yet another honour by the National Council of Asian Indian Association at Washington D.C. in USA. HeSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 9 Feb 2010 | 2:01 am Shiv Sena threat casts shadow over 'My Name is Khan'MUMBAI (Reuters) - Bollywood is jittery over the fate of "My Name Is Khan", one of its biggest films of the year, with lead actor Shah Rukh Khan facing the ire of the Shiv Sena.Source: Reuters: Bollywood News | 9 Feb 2010 | 1:50 am 'Rann' inspires Nepal's MaoistsTwo years after Ram Gopal Varma's remake of the Bollywood classic "Sholay" suffered censors' scissors in Nepal, the film director's new release "Rann" has met with an entirely different response here, with top Maoist leaders calling it "inspiring".Source: Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 1:48 am India refinery 'threatens health of local community' - BBC News
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 9 Feb 2010 | 1:28 am 'Slumdog Millionaire' worst film I have seen, says KarnadPadma Bhushan awardee and Jnanpith award winner Girish Karnad on Monday called "Slumdog Millionaire" the worst film he has ever seen.Source: Entertainment News | 9 Feb 2010 | 12:31 am The first promo of 'Koochie Koochie Hota Hai' with 'My Name Is Khan' prints
Watch out for the promo of KOOCHIE KOOCHIE HOTA HAI when you watch MY NAME IS KHAN. The animation version of KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI seems like one joy ride and promises to infuse life in the animation industry, if the first promo of the film is an indicator. Having star voices of SRK, Kajol, Rani Mukherji, Ritesh Deshmukh, Sajid Khan, Simi Grewal, Anupam Kher and Sanjay Dutt, KOOCHIE KOOCHIE HOTA HAI should be a fun watch when it hits the screens later this year.
KOOCHIE KOOCHIE HOTA HAI is directed by Tarun Mansukhani, who made his directorial debut with DOSTANA.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 9 Feb 2010 | 12:16 am 'Striker' strikes on You Tube
STRIKER may have proved a damp squib at the box-office, but Studio 18 is thrilled at the response the film has garnered on You Tube. The film was premiered on the net the same day it was released theatrically in India. A nominal fee [$ 4.99] was charged for viewers in U.S., while viewers across the globe [except India] got to watch the film for free. The revenue was generated via ad support on You Tube.
"Till Monday evening, the film had been viewed by around 2.25 lac viewers across the globe. Frankly, we didn't expect the film to generate such enthusiasm, but the numbers have brought cheer," Hemant Bhardwaj of Studio 18 confirms.
Bhardwaj is not in a position to state the kind of revenue the film has generated on You Tube. "We should get to know the exact numbers by the month-end. It's a first for us and the first for You Tube too," he states.
The strategy could pave for additional revenue for film-makers/studios. "That's right! A film like ISHQIYA doesn't get released in U.K. Similarly, STRIKER doesn't open in U.K. and U.S. due to absence of face-value. So what choice do we have? How do we beat pirates, who will anyway sell the pirated stuff in open? That's why we decided to premiere the film on You Tube and reach out to viewers at one go," Bhardwaj reveals.
The distributor feels that it's just the beginning. "We may explore newer horizons in times to come. Right now we're just testing the waters. But it could turn out to be a really big territory tomorrow," he confides.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 8 Feb 2010 | 11:47 pm Katrina's rickshaw ride - GlamSham
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 8 Feb 2010 | 11:14 pm Deepika and Shahid are in love? - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 8 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pm Pete opens up on TV breakdown - The Sun
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 8 Feb 2010 | 6:06 pm Pranab stands by Shah Rukh
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 8 Feb 2010 | 4:17 pm Chavan dares VHP, will watch SRK's MNIK
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 8 Feb 2010 | 4:16 pm I remember walking the ramp in lehenga: John
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 8 Feb 2010 | 4:14 pm 3 idiots making waves in USTwo American box office phenomena for 2010 appeared to end their spectacular runs this weekend. James Cameron’s Avatar was toppled from the number one spot and Raj Kumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots could well end its theatrical run in the United States within the next couple of weeks.Source: | 8 Feb 2010 | 3:15 pm I remember walking the ramp in a lehenga: John AbrahamIn his early days as a model John Abraham had even walked the ramp in a lehenga! The macho actor said though some in the audience had balked at his outfit, he is grateful to the designer Mona Lamba who gave him the opportunity in 2000.Source: Entertainment News | 8 Feb 2010 | 1:08 pm Bachchan ecstatic after wearing 'air-conditioned' dhotiBollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan believes in "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" and he followed suit while in Kerala recently by donning the local dress code - a crisp white shirt and "air-conditioned" dhoti, as he puts it.Source: Entertainment News | 8 Feb 2010 | 12:46 pm Orissa tribe to Avatar director: now you watch our filmMembers of a tribe in Orissa who have been battling against a multinational mining company now want the director of the Hollywood blockbuster 'Avatar' to join their high-profile campaign.Source: Entertainment News | 8 Feb 2010 | 10:56 am Bipasha is in the prime shape of her life: John - NDTV.com
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 8 Feb 2010 | 10:53 am Shah Rukh and I are connected to each other: Karan JoharIt is common knowledge that "My Name Is Khan" is going through a storm.Source: Entertainment News | 8 Feb 2010 | 9:36 am Hollywood Movie buffs await MNIK releaseAccording to a poll MNIK is there at the 11th place, garnering 0.8 per cent votes. The other films, mostly all Hollywood productions, in the list include Valentine's Day, the kid-lit adaptation, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief etc.Source: | 8 Feb 2010 | 9:32 am Live Chat: Sharman Joshi on Feb 10 at 1500 hrs IST
He tickled your funny bone with Style, Golmaal and Shaadi No. 1; played the high spirited guy in Rang De Basanti! Yes, we're talking about Sharman Joshi. The actor, back in the limelight after a stellar performance in 3 Idiots, is ready with his next release Toh Baat Pakki with Tabu.
To know more about his upcoming projects and life after 3 Idiots, catch up with the star in an exclusive Bollywood Hungama Video Chat on Wednesday, Feb 10, at 1500 hrs IST. Don't miss this one!Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 8 Feb 2010 | 9:09 am Akshay Kumar's son Aarav makes a statement
On Friday evening, Akshay Kumar's son Aarav was awarded for 'Extraordinary Contribution by a Child'. The event took place at Delhi Sustainable Development Summit at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, where the 9 year old kid was awarded at the second edition of the Green Global Foundation Awards. As it turned out, Aarav held stage with some of the eminent dignitaries belonging to different spheres of life and occupying some of the highest positions in the corporate, political and environmental world. Each of them had a story to tell which led them to environment protection and Aarav had his own story to tell.
"These human beings are very bad. They are cutting trees'", Aarav remembers stating soon after seeing Avatar. Narrating the incident that impacted him, the young boy made this statement in response to the destruction, mainly pertaining to environment, which was on display in the James Cameron film which is now the biggest money spinner ever in the history of world cinema.
While majority of cine enthusiasts, trade experts and 'aam junta', were happy debating the technical marvel and brilliance that Avatar brought with it, Aarav (who could well be amongst thousands of others kids who had a similar thought) picked up the point around environment destruction.
A statement like this makes one think aloud - 'Have today's kids grown up faster than one thought?' In the world of unimaginable gadgets up for exploitation, hundreds of satellite channels, blogs, social networking sites and of course the exposure that kids, especially in urban India, are getting today, are we looking at an age where it would finally be kids, instead of grown up adults, who could well be the saviour of Planet Earth.
Of course this doesn't take away the effort of thousands of professionals with brilliant minds who are working round the clock and across the globe to save the world from dying down. However, the statement from a kid here is something that is not often heard from a common man and this is the reason why it manages to raise a voice that is seldom heard.
As a leading celebrity from the world of Bollywood comments, "People from our age group of 30-40 have more or less as many number of years left for us. May be we won't get harmed by what we are doing to our own world. But then our kids have wised up. They know for sure that if this destruction continues for another 30-40 years, their lives are doomed. And lesser said about the future of the generation that follows after them, the better."
No wonder, it appears that kids and teenagers have taken up the matter in their own hands and are doing whatever little that is possible to create awareness about fighting the menace of global warming. In fact Aarav was recently awarded for 'Excellent Contribution by a Child' for his involvement in the reduction of global warming. Apparently he asked Akshay Kumar to adopt a village that didn't have electricity and persuaded him to supply them with solar lanterns and other energy saving devices.
Not all kids can be expected to be this lucky to boast of a doting father who doesn't just sit on a pot of gold but is also understanding enough to grant a wish like this. On the other hand the very idea about kids of this age having at least a thought in this direction is a good enough reason to celebrate.
Perhaps there may be thousands of other kids like these who do believe in the cause. Perhaps a few hundred of them will eventually come up with a practical solution and get support, both emotionally and monetarily, from their parents as well. Perhaps this would lead to a widespread improvement in the way inhabitants look at Planet Earth. And perhaps then, there would be far better and positive statements being made.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 8 Feb 2010 | 8:44 am Sallu keeps his promiseActor Salman Khan, who had claimed to take all responsibility of Veer in case it fails is keeping his word and is making efforts to help the producer to make up for the losses.Source: | 8 Feb 2010 | 8:35 am SRK and I are connected to each other: Karan JoharShah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar are standing by each other. The director strongly believes that they are connected to each other more as brothers than being business partners.Source: | 8 Feb 2010 | 8:26 am Knightley nominated for theatre prize<BR>Hollywood beauty Keira Knightley has been nominated for the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award in the Best Supporting Actress category. The list of competitors for the coveted stage honours include...Source: | 8 Feb 2010 | 6:13 am Russell Crowe in A Star Is Born remakeRussell Crowe is set to share the screen with Beyonce in the remake of classic movie A Star Is Born, it has emerged. Earlier, Robert Downey, Jr. was pitted for the lead role, but the Gladiator star has apparently replaced him.Source: | 8 Feb 2010 | 5:57 am Tabu to feature in music video for Rashid Ali's debut album
Tabu, who is currently busy promoting her upcoming film Toh Baat Pakki, will soon be seen for the first time ever in a music video for Rashid Ali's debut album. In case you are wondering, Rashid is the same guy who sang the hugely popular 'Kabhi Kabhi Aditi' track from Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na. Tabu will be shooting for the music video soon in Hyderabad and noted ad filmmaker Trilok has been entrusted the task of directing the video.
Rashid's debut album is being released under KM Music label with mentor A.R.Rahman being the executive producer. Rashid, who is based in London, was in Chennai for almost 3 months busy with his maiden album. While he himself has composed and sung the songs, yet another Rahman protegee Raqueeb Alam has written the lyrics. The album is likely to release in a couple of months.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 8 Feb 2010 | 5:23 am Mallika Sherawat cast with 'Avatar' star Laz Alonso in Love, Barack
Mallika Sherawat has been cast opposite Avatar co-star Laz Alonso in the feature Love, Barack, a political romantic comedy set during the frantic and intoxicating days leading up to 2008 U.S. Presidential election.
Mallika will play the female lead and central character Aretha Gupta, a devoted, local Obama volunteer coordinator. The story, a snapshot of a moment in time that was filled with hope, change, and passionate debate, follows the romantic and political rollercoaster that develops when, the month before Election Day, Democrat Aretha unexpectedly falls for her Republican counterpart (Alonso), a handsome, dynamic African-American working for the local McCain office.
On signing up for the film, Mallika said, "Laz Alonso is a talented and exciting actor. I'm very lucky to be working with him."
To be directed by Doug McHenry, the film will also feature acclaimed actress Ruby Dee (Best Supporting Actress Oscar Nominee for 2007's American Gangster) and comedy veteran Gerry Bednob and Loretta Devine.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 8 Feb 2010 | 5:20 am Rahman's music to ring in 'Sultan The Warrior'Oscar and now Grammy winner Rahman's music for the animated version of Tamil megastar Rajnikanth's 'Sultan the Warrior', to be released soon.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 8 Feb 2010 | 4:21 am Arshad denies hand in recommending Pakistani co-star The cat is out of the bag. Though it was supposed to be a well guarded secret, it doesn't remain anymore with the revelation of one of the principal actors in Ishqiya. Though all this while the film was smartly publicised as the story of Naseeruddin Shah, Vidya Balan and Arshad Warsi, the fact remains that amongst many other principal actors in the film, there is also an actor from Pakistan who has a substantial role to play in the film.
His name is Salman Shahid who enacts the role of the chief baddy in this Vishal Bhardwaj production. Another major revelation is that he was worked in only one Hindi film before, Kabul Express, and incidentally his co-star there was Arshad Warsi. Though one is tempted to believe that he (Arshad) may have played a role in the actor being roped in, Arshad denies any insinuation.
"No, no, I wasn't involved in the casting decision at all", says Arshad, "There was an audition held for each of the supporting actors in the film and Salman went through the same process as well. I am glad though that he made it to the cast eventually."
He was pleasantly surprised though when he met Salman on the sets of Ishqiya. "I wasn't aware about his casting and when I saw him on the sets, I exclaimed - 'arrey, aap yahaan?' It was nice to reconnect with him once again after Kabul Express. Apart from being a fantastic actor, he is also a very nice human being."
One wonders why the man was left behind in the entire promotional campaign of Ishqiya which has been on for over six months now. While a lot has been heard and written about the three main actors in the film, presence of Salman has been completely kept under the wraps. Was it the prevailing tension between India and Pakistan that turned out to be a major reason behind this exclusion?
"Nothing like that", says a source attached to the film's production, "The film revolves around its three principal characters and publicising anything else would have been an unnecessary distraction. Yes, Salman is important to the film's plot but it made sense to bring audience primarily on the basis of Naseer, Vidya and Arshad."
In Kabir Khan's debut directorial effort Kabul Express (2006), Salman had enacted the role of a Pakistani who kidnaps the characters played by Arshad Warsi and John Abraham. He received quite some acclaim for his role and even though he had featured in another critically appreciated film Khamosh Paani: Silent Waters earlier, he didn't bag too many roles in the Hindi film industry. One hopes that with Ishqiya turning out to be a good success, Salman will get back into the reckoning once again and bag some meaty roles for himself in films to come.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 8 Feb 2010 | 4:05 am "Entire Zarine-Katrina look-alike episode was dimaag ka khel" - Anil Sharma
Veer has released and more or less gone from the theatres. Along with it has subsided the topic that made for screaming headlines for most part of the film's promotion i.e. debutant Zarine Khan being the look-alike of Katrina Kaif. Filmmaker Anil Sharma was never too happy with the comparisons and continues to maintain that it was more a game of perception building than anything else.
"It was all a media perception that Zarine looked like Katrina. So much was written, said, heard and gossiped around for months that when people saw Zarine for the first time, the instant question that came to their mind was - 'Kya yeh sach mein Katrina jaisi hai?", says Anil Sharma who did make a mega film in Veer but couldn't quite keep the pace (and the conflict) intact for its entire duration.
Remembering the times when Zarine had come first on board, Sharma says fondly, "She is a nice Mumbai girl with her middle class values intact. The luck was on her side that Salman spotted her, showed us her photographs and we liked them. She worked hard to reach the position where she is in today. She got Veer through a screen test and it's sad if some still choose to call her as a Katrina look-alike."
Through the very first pictures of Zarine that were revealed to the media, the perception building game began which carried on for weeks at stretch. Ultimately she came close to being a Katrina clone though due to her good luck, she didn't fall into the Sneha Ullal trap who could never come out of the 'Aishwarya Rai look-alike syndrome' even years after Lucky - No Time For Love. A good performance in Veer meant that after a while, she came on her own and even audience started looking at her as Zarine rather than someone who bore some similarity to Katrina.
"Aisa hi hota hai", smiles Sharma, "When a magician shows us something, we get an illusion. However, the moment you are able to get that out of your mind and take control of yourself you don't fall under any illusion. The same happened with Zarine too. After all, naak, baal, aankh, sab hi toh alag hain! Jab parda uthta hai to sab saaf dikhayi deta. Yeh sab dimaag ka khel hai!"
This is the reason why it would only be helpful for the newcomer if there is some restraint shown in bringing up the topic of any similarity that she bears with Katrina Kaif. It may be natural or perhaps designed but for any newcomer, it may get her a moment of recognition but not necessarily huge benefits in the long run. We have seen Sneha Ullal going into oblivion after her brief 'hey, check her out, doesn't she look like Aishwarya Rai' phase.
With Zarine promising to be much more than just a Katrina Kaif clone and looking extremely confident as an actor for her very first film, it only makes sense to see her 'as-is' rather than any preconceived notion of diverting the conversation towards a topic that may not necessarily be conducive for her status as an actor performer.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 8 Feb 2010 | 3:48 am Akshay and Aishwarya go retro; will sport 70's look in Action Replayy
On the sets of Vipul Shah's time-travel caper Action Replayy, Akshay Kumar's retro-wig which he wears for his 1970s look is his most prized possession. Apparently, the wig designed by one of Hollywood's biggest makeup artistes Paul Pattison (who's done films like Braveheart and Mission Impossible 2) made Akshay paranoid. He was petrified of losing it.
Says Vipul, "Since we haven't copied our 1970s look from Hindi films, Akshay and Aishwarya sat down to look at real- life footage from the decade to get the look right. They specially looked at television footage of live cricket matches in the 1970s. Akshay was busy peering at the pavilion of spectators, what they wore, how they spoke moved their body language. That's how he conceived his character in the 70s. That's where Paul Pattison's wig came in."
There are 400 other wigs all done under Pattison's supervision for junior artistes posing as people in the 1970s.
Says Vipul, "We were very particular about the 1970s look recreated at the Nitin Chandrakant Desai's studio in Karjat. We needed the cars from the 70s which we had to get from all over India from private owners at a very heavy price. The BEST buses in the 1970s were very different from their counterparts today. Getting authentic BEST buses from the 70s was the hardest part of the whole era-recreation. Getting Akshay and Aishwarya to go retro was the easiest thing. They had a ball getting into their wigs clothes and body language."
We saw Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone travelling back to the 1970s in Om Shanti Om.
But Akshay was adamant about doing his retro-look very different from SRK.
Director Vipul Shah takes serious umbrage to the suggestion that the retro look in his film is similar to Om Shanti Om.
"We haven't copied anything from the films of the 1970s (as Om Shanti Om has). If we got into that 35 mm space, we'd have ended up copying only Mr. Bachchan's clothes and style. Akshay insisted we do more authentic research. We dug into archival material on the clothes mannerisms and people of the 1970s."
And now Vipul Shah is paranoid about his 1970s look going out. "We, Akshay's designer Shabina Khan, Aishwarya's designer Manish Malhotra and all of us have worked really, really hard to give Action Replayy a unique look. If that look is leaked out we'd lose our biggest USP."
Much like the Big B's Paa look which was given out prematurely.
"We're taking stringent steps to ensure the confidentiality of our look," says Vipul. And what does he have to say to Action Replayy being compared with Back To The Future?
"Well earlier my film was supposed to be The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. Now that accusation has been wrongly passed on to another film (Paa). Now I'm supposed to have copied Back To The Future. Again, untrue. If anything all time-travel films including mine are inspired by H.G Wells' Time Machine."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 8 Feb 2010 | 2:32 am Subhash K. Jha speaks about Striker
Striker, as we can well see, was not an easy film to make. It's not an easy film to see either. The vast near-epic scale scope and expanse of the slum saga stretches into two hours of a non-linear narration where time passages are made without borders.
The lack of punctuation marks in the telling of the tale of the coming of age and rage of the protagonist Surya (Siddharth, strikingly in-character) is a major determent in identifying the swarm of characters as people who go beyond the immediate job of living their grass root-level lives and try to repair their lives and restore a method of morality behind the madness of a fringe existence.
The madness of slum-life, its eccentric crime modalities as seen through the eyes of the growing and aimless Surya, is brought out in the way editor Sajit Unnikrishnan cuts the material.
It is quite evident that director Chandan Arora (swerving effectively if not neatly, away from the quirky comedy of errors in Main Madhuri Dixit Ban-na Chahti Hoon to the grim and taut narrative of this film which can be subtitled 'Main Don Corloene/ Bhikhu Mhatre Nahin Ban-na Chahta Hoon') has bitten more than the editor can finally chew. There're stretches of undisclosed narrative material that seems to have been sacrificed to a serious economy of expression that borders on an austerity-over-drive.
Characters such as the Muslim girl next-door (newcomer Nicolette Bard) vanish from Surya's life (as they often do in real life) . But not before Surya does his own Mere Mehboob with the girl, even throwing a letter into her balcony...This is the Mumbai slum in the 1980s, in case you've forgotten.
Quite strangely and inexplicably director Chandan Arora makes no use of the film songs from the 1980s to create the correct ambience. Except for one cheesy song-and-dance inside a movie theatre, no film song plays on the soundtrack. Is this a pointed refusal to pay a predictable homage or just an oversight in the narrative?
Many questions that crop up in the course of the narrative remain unanswered to the bitter brutal end. All we know is that Surya wants a better life. He gets the bitter instead.
Striker opens and closes with the tension around the slums during the 1992 riots. The on-location shooting brings to the proceedings a kind of clipped and cutting edge and an intimate immediacy to the proceedings. You feel you are there in the slums with Chandan's characters. But you aren't sure you want to be there.
We never stay long enough with the characters to get to know them well. Taking the other Mumbai slum epic Slumdog Millionaire, it worked so effectively because life at the basic level was dealt in a linear progression and restricted to the two easy reference points of crime and grime.
In Striker the references are a little more complicated, the ambience not that easy to categorize and the moral values that accentuate the dramatic tension are not that easy to identify.
The performances keep us moving kicking and dragging with the seamless unpunctuated narrative. Almost every characters seems to get the point, Siddharth more so than the most with a performance that creates contours in the climate of chaos. His layered performance is balanced and even. Siddharth hits the high notes without getting shrill.
Aditya Panscholi as his chief adversary on the carrom board and off it is menacing sinister yet restrained managing the age-leaps with startling ease. Ankur Vikal in the oft-seen role of the hero's hyper-ventilating best friend, who comes to a sticky end, plays the part with relish. Yup, he too gets the point.
There're some other fine actors who prop up in the narrative including Anupam Kher, Seema Biswas and Anoop Soni. There's no room for them to make an impact. The same goes for the two leading ladies. Quiet and wordless Nicolette comes before interval, verbose and aggressive Padma Priya comes after.
This self-consciously sought-out symmetry seems strangely at odds with a world of ceaseless anarchy and chaos run by laws that govern the fearless.
Striker uses the metaphor of the strike on the carrom board with a fair amount of inner conviction that unfortunately gets substantially lost in a welter of crowds and noises signifying the fury of nulled lives. You can't fall in love with Chandan Arora's carefully-crafted world of slum-dogged obduracy where swords still rule and guns are a distant boom. Valentine's Day is not on the cards for these desperately driven people.
See the film for its frenetic characters who seem to have distant links with the people we saw in Vikram Bhatt's Ghulam and Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire. Happily the tragic outcome of the lives lived on the edge in Chandan Arora's film is strictly their own.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 8 Feb 2010 | 2:26 am Movie Review: My Name is Khan
MY NAME IS KHAN makes two strong statements...
The first: B.C. and A.D. are designations used to label years in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. There's a third designation now - 9/11.
Post September 11, the world stands divided. Terrorist outfits continue to strike in the name of religion and the common man, not even remotely associated with these groups, is bearing the brunt. The world is not a safe place anymore.
The second statement: There're two sets of people in this world - the good and the bad. No matter how strong the evil forces are, good always triumphs.
Write your own movie review of My Name Is Khan
MY NAME IS KHAN mirrors the era we live in. Not a day goes by when you haven't heard/read/watched news of terror attacks and innocents being killed. We live in turbulent times. Also, the movie states - and states very strongly, without mincing words - Not all Muslims are terrorists.
Karan Johar's cinema got more real from KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA onwards. In MY NAME IS KHAN, the storyteller attempts to make a social statement and succeeds completely. At the same time, it takes no sides. If the protagonist says 'My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist', it also exposes those who misadvise the youth with inflammatory and rabble-rousing speeches.
Karan's take on the issue deserves the highest praise, since a subject like this is difficult to attempt. Final word? MY NAME IS KHAN is Karan, SRK and Kajol's best outing to date. Do I need to add anything more?
Rizvan Khan [Shah Rukh Khan moves to San Francisco and lives with his brother [Jimmy Shergill] and sister-in-law [Sonya Jehan]. Rizvan, who has Asperger's syndrome, falls in love with Mandira [Kajol]. Despite protests from his brother, they get married and start a small business together. They are happy until September 11, when attitudes towards Muslims undergo a sea-change.
When tragedy strikes, Mandira is devastated and they split. Rizvan is confused and upset that the love of his life has left him. To win her back, he embarks on a touching and inspiring journey across America.
Let me alert you. The story unfolds feverishly from the very start itself. So if you miss a scene or two, chances are you would've missed some vital links in the story. The fact is, there's too much happening in the first half. Although the narrative tends to get leisurely-paced at times, the wheels continue to move from one episode to another.
A number of sequences are endearing. For instance, the romance between SRK and Kajol is subtle, yet charming. But it's SRK's relationship with Kajol and their kid that's one of the best parts of the movie. Your heart bleeds when an accident occurs and their lives are torn apart. Kajol's outburst - first, when her son meets with a catastrophe and second, when she confronts SRK - are truly shattering.
MY NAME IS KHAN's strength lies in the fact that you root for Khan all through. At the same time, you are weighed down when he's in a vulnerable situation, especially when he's labelled a terrorist and thrown behind bars. You don't realize it, but the fact is that you, as a spectator, have already got entwined in Rizvan and Mandira's lives.
There's a slight hitch in the second hour, when SRK returns to Georgia to save a hurricane-ravaged hamlet. Also, the media exercise tends to add to the length of the film. Nonetheless, it's a minor hiccup that doesn't rob the film of its punch.
There's just one word to illustrate Karan's direction - exemplary. One of the finest storytellers of our generation, he deserves brownie points for deviating from 'Karan Johar brand of cinema' and attempting a film that knocks on your heart and stimulates your mind. With MY NAME IS KHAN, Karan takes rapid strides as a storyteller.
Shibani Bathija's screenplay is truly arresting. Shibani and Niranjan Iyengar's dialogues are noteworthy and many a times, applaud-worthy. Ravi K. Chandran's cinematography is awe-inspiring. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music gels well with the nature of the film.
When a film stars two of the finest talents of the country, you expect nothing but the best. SRK, well, how does one describe his performance? To state that this is his best work so far would be cutting short the praise he truly deserves. In fact, no amount of praise can do sufficient justice to his portrayal of Rizvan Khan, who has Asperger's syndrome. His latest work is several notches above anything he has done before. The only compliment that I can think of is, SRK has a new screen-name now. Raj is passe, Rizvan it is.
Kajol is pure dynamite and casting her for this character was the most appropriate decision. No other actress could've matched SRK in histrionics the way Kajol has. In fact, SRK and Kajol compliment each other wonderfully well and this film only proves it yet again. It's a powerhouse performance from this supremely talented actress.
The film boasts of a number of capable actors, but the ones who leave a rock-solid impact are - in this order - Zarina Wahab, Sonya Jehan, Jimmy Shergill, Arjun Mathur, Parvin Dabas and Arif Zakaria. Sugandha Garg is confident. Navneet Nishan supports well. Vinay Pathak leaves a mark in a brief role. Tanay Chheda [young SRK] and Yuvaan Makaar [SRK and Kajol's son Sameer] are excellent. The American actors, especially the kid who plays Sameer's friend, deserves mention.
On the whole, MY NAME IS KHAN is a fascinating love story, has an angle of religion and a world-shaking incident as a backdrop. It not only entertains, but also mesmerises, enthrals and captivates the viewer in those 2.40 hours. At the same time, a film like MY NAME IS KHAN is sure to have a far-reaching influence due to its noble theme. I strongly advocate, don't miss this one!
Rating:Â   Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 8 Feb 2010 | 2:22 am
|
