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Tere Bin Laden rejected by Pak censor
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2010 | 10:05 am Vivek to teach dance to autistic children
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2010 | 9:35 am IHLS director Punit wants to act
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2010 | 9:32 am Stella McCartney to design for British Olympic team
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2010 | 9:26 am Polanski returns to work with 'God Of Carnage'
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2010 | 9:18 am Kajol, Kareena to grace Koffee With Karan together
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2010 | 8:50 am Films, music can bridge Indo-Pak gap: Ali Zafar
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2010 | 8:30 am Yashpal Sharma turns to small screen
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2010 | 8:23 am "Bollywood writing is entertainment style, not cinema style" - Dibakar Banerjee: Part 2
So here's how Dibakar Banerjee describes Ram Gopal Varma - 'A game changer'. Next up, Mani Ratnam - 'Epic', Abhay Deol - 'Revolution' and Anurag Kashyap - 'Indispensable'. So the question - How does one describe Dibakar Banerjee? The answer - 'A mix of all the above'. Need I say more? UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent Devansh Patel brings you Part 2 of Dibakar's quest for cinema.
Film Festivals
Whenever I go to the film festivals around the world, I look out for the documentary type of films and small films which are alternate cinema. There were two films which caught my attention at the Munich Film Festival. One was an Italian film called Videocracy. It's about the power of television in trusting a political agenda down on the people of the nation as the political propaganda. The second one was a docu-drama called Defiant Brasilia. It's about a girl from a lower middleclass neighbourhood in Brasilia who wants to be a participant in Big Brother. It follows the journey of this girl. I was looking for films like these. Both these films prepared me for the political thriller I'm making next.
Bollywood writing is entertainment style, not cinema style
Writers in Bollywood
Writing in Bollywood is changing. I can say this because I am speaking from my personal experience. Let's say, Urmi, my co-writer on Oye Lucky... became the creative producer on LSD and she will be writing my next political drama. She will also be a producer on my future film which she and I are developing. When you see writers like Jaideep Sahni or Anjum Rajabali, who are on the top of their game since years. They have enough professional goodwill to dictate their terms on what they are doing. They are changing their style of writing too. Bollywood writing is entertainment style...not cinema style.
Political thriller
My next film is a political thriller. A true life incident that happened in Greece in 1963. A book was written about the same in the year 1966 and we have negotiated the rights for that book and are adapting that into an Indian story. It's about a political assassination but it also portrays an underlining message that how politics means different things to different people.
Approachability
Whoever calls me, I ask them to simply send me a registered screenplay. You will be surprised, only five to ten percent follow it up. Most of them are about the guys who want to narrate me a story or an idea or a concept. That doesn't work for me. I would rather work on my own concept and own story. It takes time to build a concept into a story and that into a screenplay. It takes a year and a half to do that. I am most welcome to new writers writing for me as long as I get what I want. Within six or seven months of reading the script, I definitely send a feedback. For the content to find the right form, the story has to be with me for a year at least. There are some films which shoot the script and there are some which filter the script. The latter is the kind of film I would like to make.
Imran Khan
Imran isn't a young protégé. He is a young talent of our industry. I wanted to work with him on a political thriller, but at that time, he was looking for a romantic comedy to work on. Therefore, it didn't work out. It doesn't also mean that because I've worked with Imran Khan on two Coke commercials, that I'll jump on to him to do a feature film together. The actor too has to look at his own career graph more than just say 'yes' to all films coming to him.
It doesn't also mean that because I've worked with Imran Khan on two coke commercials, that I'll jump on to him to do a feature film together
Abhay Deol
I really want to work with Abhay Deol on this one (political thriller) and am trying to work the dates out. There is a surprise casting that I'm hoping to pull it off opposite Abhay Deol. And that I will reveal when I find that person and lock him or her in.
Click here to read the first part of this featureSource: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 15 Jul 2010 | 8:11 am Lamhaa director to pen book on Kashmir
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2010 | 8:02 am Leonardo Dicaprio wants to don the director's hat
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2010 | 7:39 am Road, Movie screenplay goes to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The very name of the film Road, Movie raised many an eyebrow, thanks to the unique title that it enjoys. As you all know by now, that the film starred the suave dude Abhay Deol opposite the very talented Tannishtha Chatterjee alongwith the multitalented Satish Kaushik.
Sources close to Bollywood Hungama have said that the screenplay for Road, Movie has been selected by the permanent collection of The Margaret Herrick Library at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Speaking exclusively to Bollywood Hungama, Satish Kaushik confirmed the news and said, "It's a great feeling that I experienced when Dev Benegal told me the script of the film has been selected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I am aware of the fact that this is a place that's home to many big films. And with the inclusion of Road, Movie, our film has got an immense boost. Also, it's a great opportunity that the film has been appreciated all over the world. Lastly, I would like to say that Dev has got a great thing going for him with this achievement."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 15 Jul 2010 | 7:32 am Angelina is perfect spy: 'Salt' directorAustralian director Phillip Noyce of "The Bone Collector" fame loves telling spy stories.Source: Entertainment News | 15 Jul 2010 | 5:47 am Angelina Jolie to shoot film on Bosnian warOscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie is planning to direct her first film in the Balkans. She will also play a leading role in the movie, a love story set in the Bosnian war. Source: | 15 Jul 2010 | 5:28 am Angelina is perfect spy: Salt directorAustralian director Phillip Noyce of The Bone Collector fame loves telling spy stories. And in Angelina Jolie, he says, he has "the perfect spy" for his latest film Salt because she is so attractive.Source: | 15 Jul 2010 | 5:14 am Toronto film festival to kick off on September 9The Toronto International Film Festival will open on September 9 with the world premiere of the hit Canadian musical film Score: A Hockey Musical.Source: | 15 Jul 2010 | 5:02 am Pancham’s team member no moreR D Burman’s saxophonist and a music assistant, Manohari Singh, 79, passed away on Tuesday, following a cardiac arrest.Source: | 15 Jul 2010 | 5:01 am Milan Luthria's next will be thriller starring Emraan Hashmi
Milan Luthria the director of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai is simply on a roll. Deep into promotional activities for his film, he already has the platform set for his next. A project that is ready and slated to go on floors in September will feature Emraan Hashmi in the lead. Says Milan, "A lot of expectations are attached to Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai that carries on to my next. Emraan and my combination works and therefore he is a natural choice. This film will be a crime thriller set in contemporary Mumbai."
When asked about the story line of the film Milan says "It's a kind of a trilogy that started with Taxi No 2011. That too was a story set in Mumbai and so is Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. The three films are not connected but are separate stories, though they have the same feel of Mumbai city. This third story is quite interesting and has a novel and unexpected ending."
While this one is all ready to go on floors, there is another film with Ekta Kapoor that Milan is in the talks for. Says the director, "Yes Ekta discussed an idea with me for a story. It's called The Dirty Picture. Ekta and I are very comfortable with each other. So it was natural for us to work together."
But that isn't all; Milan has the ball rolling for yet another project as he talks about a prospective film with Ajay Devgn. "Good offers are coming my way. Ajay and I have always worked together. I shared the story with him and he liked it very much. It's too early to talk about it but I can tell you that it will be a multistarrer."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 15 Jul 2010 | 4:20 am "I'd like to act in a film next" - Punit Malhotra
Punit Malhotra who's just helmed a hit for Karan Johar's Dharma Productions is hoping someone would notice him and cast him as a leading man next.
"I won't cast myself in my next directorial project. I can't direct and act together. But I'd like to act in a film next. An actor is what I came here to be," says Punit.
Would he be willing to be cast in a film written by Shobha De? Punit passes. "I'd get spanked on the sets every day."
But before that, Punit is off on a holiday.
Is the I Hate LUV Storys (IHLS) director joining his leading Sonam Kapoor in Edinburgh where she is shooting for Mausam? The buzz about the director seeing his leading lady just got stronger with people close to the two whispering that after the film's success, the film's director is off to spend quality time with her in Edinburgh.
Though Punit, euphoric with the success of IHLS, admits he's off on a holiday, he completely denies he is love-bound.
"I am not going to Scotland. I am going to the US for my holiday. I've lots of friends there, I want to catch up with before I begin to plan my next film. If you want, I can send you pictures of me posing at the Statue of Liberty," he offers.
Apparently, the success party has also been put off until Punit returns from his holiday. The fact that Sonam too will be back home in a month is just a coincidence. Once Punit returns, he will start work on his next film. "It won't be a rom-com," he promises. But yes it will star his pals Imran Khan and Sonam again.
And if you thought the young filmmaker would be embarrassed and apologetic about his run-in with columnist -writer Shobha De who threatened to spank him after watching IHLS, you are quite wrong.
In fact Punit says he removed his shrivelling retort to Shobha's comment only because his mother asked him to. "My mother gave me hell about my remark on Shobha De. She wanted to know how I could talk someone my mother's age that way. Of course I wouldn't say such a thing to anyone! I've been brought up to respect my seniors. But if you going to talk about spanking a 28-year old, you better be prepared to face the music."
Punit says he has no problems with the bad reviews for his film. "It's a free country. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. And I respect everyone's opinion. But you can't spank me if you didn't like my film. We aren't living in the Taliban. No, I am not at all apologetic about what I said."Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 15 Jul 2010 | 3:53 am Rani Mukherjee's golden presence on L'Officiel's cover
If the person who had coined the saying 'Photograph is worth a thousand words' was still alive, then, he would have surely converted 'thousand words' to 'infinity'... if he had seen Rani Mukherjee's pictures in the latest edition of L'Officiel.
Well, for those who think that Rani has become few on words these days, then, here is a fit answer for you. The article in the magazine reads, "If there was one thing that really stood out during the L'Officiel photo shoot with Rani Mukherjee, then, it was her sense of humor and her ability to lighten up the mood through the day." Well, that's Rani M for you, people. Even though the actor's recent films have not been glowing up at the BO, Rani makes up for it by glowing like never before in the photographs that speak a thousand words...well... we stand corrected... photographs that speak 'infinity'.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 15 Jul 2010 | 3:43 am Films, music can bridge Indo-Pak gap: Ali Zafar - NDTV.com
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 15 Jul 2010 | 3:12 am Lamhaa director to pen book on Kashmir - NDTV.com
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 15 Jul 2010 | 2:46 am Karan to make a fim with SRK-Aamir - Bollywood Mantra
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 15 Jul 2010 | 2:41 am Vijay's Velayudham set for grand launch - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 15 Jul 2010 | 2:37 am Akshay Kumar's mannat... - IBNLive.com
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 15 Jul 2010 | 2:31 am Aal is well between Aamir and Anusha...now - IBNLive.com
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:48 am Denise Van Outen gave up breastfeeding to avoid snappersLondon (ANI): Denise Van Outen has said that she gave up breastfeeding because she hated photographers taking pictures. In her first interview since her daughter's arrival in May, the 36-year-old actress said she gave up breastfeeding her daughter Betsy after lessSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:27 am "I am completely disheartened" - Bunty WaliaDirector Rahul Dholakia’s latest movie Lamhaa starring Bipasha Basu, Sanjay Dutt, and Kunal Kapoor, has been banned the Middle East. The film is releasing in India tomorrow on July 16. Lamhaa deals with the controversial Kashmir issue, which has been muchSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:24 am Ranbir and Kareena pair for CousinsBollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor and his cousin, the hot actress Kareena Kapoor are among the hottest list of the actors now. Audience has been waiting for a long time to see the brother-sister sharing the big screen. Now, the race hasSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:21 am Amy Winehouse's comeback album finally gets release dateLondon (ANI): Amy Winehouse’s long awaited comeback album has finally got a release date. With enough material for ‘three separate’ albums, the singer has given her record label the thumbs-up, promising an offering even more successful than her Grammy-award-winning classic BackSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:16 am Mel Gibson threatened to burn down house after demanding sexWashington (ANI): If audiotapes are to be believed, then Mel Gibson once demanded sex from his then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva and told her he would burn down the house afterwords. Raging and panting, Gibson tears into Grigorieva, berating her for apparently fallingSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:16 am Punit bringing Imran-Sonam together againPunit Malhotra who's just helmed a hit for Karan Johar's Dharma Productions is hoping someone would notice him and cast him as a leading man next."I won't cast myself in my next directorial project. I can't direct and act together. ButSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:13 am Drug claims were just for ratings says CavallariNew York, (ANI): ‘The Hills’ star Kristin Cavallari has said that the drug abuse allegations against her were just to boost ratings of the show. “I understand that they need drama for the show and I’m absolutely down to do whateverSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:11 am Rani Mukherjee looks hot on L'Officiel coverIf the person who had coined the saying 'Photograph is worth a thousand words' was still alive, then, he would have surely converted 'thousand words' to 'infinity'... if he had seen Rani Mukherjee's pictures in the latest edition of L'Officiel.Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:10 am 3 unconventional films storming theatres tomorrowThree distinct films release tomorrow - Lamhaa, Tere Bin Laden and Udaan. Incidentally, none of the three films are true blue conventional Bollywood outings. They are not romantic affairs, they don't boast the kind of comedy that Bollywood is known forSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:07 am 3 Idiots' Chatur to bring 'shudh' Hindi to Chhote Ustaad - Rediff
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:02 am Rahman thanks god that nobody killed in stage collapseLondon, (ANI): Music composer AR Rahman has thanked God that nobody from his crew was killed when his stage collapsed last month. Rahman’s staff was injured and instruments were destroyed when a lighting rig collapsed during preparations for a gig inSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 15 Jul 2010 | 12:57 am Assam plans Bill to regulate mobile theatresMobile theatre units operating in Assam will now have to get them registered with the state culture department to safeguard the interests of the artistesSource: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 15 Jul 2010 | 12:25 am Aamir Khan becomes drummer for Peepli LivePeepli Live is the fourth movie from Aamir Khan Productions Ltd and is directed by débutante director Anusha Rizvi. The movie is scheduled to release on August 13, 2010.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 15 Jul 2010 | 12:17 am Tyler Perry Films finally get SpoofedAfter the uproar over the Boondocks episode that parodied Tyler Perry, a new spoof film of Tyler Perry movies and TV shows has been announced.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 15 Jul 2010 | 12:04 am Fashion forward for Bollywood with Aisha - NDTV.com
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 14 Jul 2010 | 11:15 pm U2 group members recover fully, band is back in actionDublin supergroup U2's frontman has announced a full recovery from emergency back surgery in Munich in May and has apologized to ticket-holding North American fans.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 14 Jul 2010 | 3:59 pm Anjelina Jolie to make a come back in 'Salt' 2The hot and happening celebrity of Hollywood, Angelina Jolie is in news for her upcoming flick, 'Salt' 2.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 14 Jul 2010 | 3:41 pm Piers Morgan all set to join CNN as Larry King replacementPiers Morgan, judge of 'America's Got Talent' is all set to replace the legendry host Larry King from the CNN talk show. He won permissions from the broadcaster of talent show, NBC, to pirsue the CNN job.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 14 Jul 2010 | 3:37 pm Pakistan bans Bollywood movie 'Tere Bin Laden'Bollywood movie "Tere Bin Laden" has been banned in Pakistan over fears of a terrorist attack, a media report said today.Source: Entertainment News | 14 Jul 2010 | 3:14 pm Delayed payment was my fault: Aamir KhanBollywood superstar Aamir Khan, who got sucked into a controversy for not paying a musical group in a Madhya Pradesh village for using its folk song in his forthcoming production venture "Peepli Live", regrets that the payment got delayed.Source: Entertainment News | 14 Jul 2010 | 2:55 pm 'Lamhaa' banned in Middle East: Bunty WaliaAfter the "Lamhaa" premiere was cancelled in Kashmir, the film's release has been banned in Middle East, says producer Bunty Walia, who is extremely upset with the decision.Source: Entertainment News | 14 Jul 2010 | 1:02 pm Twitter brings Big B, Lata closerMicro-blogging site Tiwtter is a rage among clebrities and it played an important role in bringing together two living legends - Lata Mangeshkar and Amitabh Bachchan.Source: Entertainment News | 14 Jul 2010 | 1:01 pm 'Tere Bin Laden' a satire on OsamaHe might be the world's most wanted terrorist, but Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is going to get a Bollywood avatar this Friday in the tongue-in-cheek satire "Tere Bin Laden".Source: Entertainment News | 14 Jul 2010 | 11:36 am Bret Michaels not engaged to Kristi Lynn Gibson: What's the truth?Bret Michaels cleared up rumors that he presented girlfriend Kristi Lynn Gibson with diamond engagement ring.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 14 Jul 2010 | 10:54 am Indian Ocean back to Bollywood with 'Peepli Live'Fusion-rock band Indian Ocean returns to Bollywood after six years with Aamir Khan's production venture "Peepli Live".Source: Entertainment News | 14 Jul 2010 | 10:13 am Bristol Palin and Levi Johnson engagedSarah Palin's adolescent unmarried daughter-cum-mother Bristol Palin has confirmed the airs of being engaged to Levi Johnston.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:59 am Vivek to teach dance to autistic childrenBollywood actor Vivek Oberoi continues his humanitarian work by associating himself with a social cause where he will interact with autistic children and teach them dance steps.Source: Entertainment News | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:40 am FIFA fever gave Lara Dutta a bad cold!] Lara Dutta blowed the vuvuzela and cheered so vigorously at the just-concluded FIFA World Cup 2010 that she has ended up with a cold.Source: Entertainment News | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:20 am Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem tied in the Wedding knotActress Penelope Cruz has married with her boyfriend Javier Bardem wed in front of a small group of family members at a friend's house in the Bahamas in the beginning of July. The Spanish actors were dating since 2007.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:16 am Kajol, Kareena to grace 'Koffee With Karan' togetherBollywood actors Kajol and Kareena, who last shared the screen space as sisters in Karan Johar's "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham", will be seen together in a special episode of the chat show "Koffee With Karan".Source: Entertainment News | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:14 am Lindsay Lohan dead: Is it True or just a RumorAs she has huge fan following, this has been a breaking news for them and they are crazily searching for the news on the internet and looking for the right answers.But in reality there is nothing like it,Lohan dead news is totally a rumor and there is noSource: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:02 am Kangna to star opposite Chirag Paswan in One And Only
Maharashtra has witnessed it. Now, it's turn for Bihar to follow suit. We are referring to the 'Bollywood Calling' phenomena that strikes the sons of the politicians. First it was Riteish Deshmukh, the son of Maharashtra's ex-Vilasrao Deshmukh. Now, it's Chirag Paswan, the son of the Bihar MP and former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who is all set to make his acting debut with One And Only.
The film, that's being directed by Tanveer Khan (Deadline: Sirf 24 Ghante), has the curvaceous Kangna Ranaut playing one of the lead roles. If the reports are to be believed, then, the film happens to be a love story, which has Chirag paired opposite three actresses, viz., Kangna Ranaut, Sagarika Ghatge and Neeru Bajwa. One And Only is being produced by producer Anuj Saxena's Maverick Productions.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 14 Jul 2010 | 8:36 am Omi Vaidya to host reality show Chhote Ustaad
Only recently did we inform you of 3 Idiots actor Omi Vaidya bagging two plum projects with top filmmakers namely Madhur Bhandarkar and Abbas-Mustan. Now Omi has bagged yet another big assignment, this time on the small screen.
Omi would be seen hosting the music and entertainment reality show 'Chhote Ustaad'. The show, which will be aired on Star Plus, will see talent from both India and Pakistan vying for top honours. Acclaimed playback singers Sonu Nigam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will be seen as judges on the show.
Considering that Omi has hosted award functions in the past, it will be interesting to see how he manages this task at hand.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 14 Jul 2010 | 8:32 am F.A.L.T.U shoot shifted to Shimla due to rains in Mumbai
Unpredictable weather has made shooting in Mumbai like Russian roulette. After Madhur Bhandarkar who had to postpone his outdoor schedule in Mumbai for Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji, it is Vashu Bhagnani's turn to suffer due to erratic and heavy rains.
A part of the shooting to meant to be in Mumbai would now have to be done in Shimla.
Explaining the sudden change in location which would mean an added cost of at least Rs. 20 lakh for his son Jackky's re-launch, film producer Vashu explains, "We had planned some songs and scenes in Khandala. But the weather Gods did us in. The monsoon in Maharashtra has become dangerously moody. It is impossible to shoot outdoors in the rains. Earlier when we had downpours, shooting used to delayed for an hour and then it used to be fine."
But this monsoon is different. "We just can't shoot in the rains. When the downpour begins, it goes on the whole day. We discovered it was impossible to shoot in Khandala. So we're moving to Shimla which looks a lot like Khandala. Believe me, Shimla which was supposed to have erratic weather conditions is far more predictable than Maharashtra these days."
Luckily, Vashu has a director who doesn't delay shooting.
Says the producer, "Remo is as disciplined in direction as he's in dancing. He doesn't waste time or resources. When our schedule in Khandala didn't work out, he quickly relocated to Shimla. I am done with wasteful directors."
The Shimla -as- Khandala schedule starts as soon as Vashu's son Jackky returns from the World Cup Finals.
Says Vashu, "I met my son at the airport. I landed from Bangkok. He was on his way to South Africa."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 14 Jul 2010 | 8:04 am "I'm going to London to see if LSD has world audience" - Dibakar Banerjee: Part 1
For most of the audience in India, LSD would've been an entertaining film. For me, it was a true life story. Yes, true life stories of thousands, who want to do things their way, their style. And that's when they experience Love, Sex Aur Dhokha (betrayal). The film mirrors what many go through in their day to day lives. But the film's true test is just a day away when LSD opens at the London Indian Film Festival (July 15). Banerjee will be walking the red carpet along with one of his leading men from LSD, Anshuman Jha. An interview which could've lasted the usual ten to fifteen minutes went into forty five minutes of film discussions, debates and trivia. And that's what describes Dibakar. He is an alternate person in our film fraternity making alternative cinema and with no alternate route to go, he comes back to what he believes in - cinema, films, and movies. Wanting to know how LSD will fare at the festival, the director asks questions. He looks like a young Woody Allen, except that he is taller than him. But here's what makes him one - he believes in his type of cinema, he believes that our Indian films should find the world audience and that Bollywood, just like Hollywood, is a show; a show where entertainment thrives on the big screen and at the box office. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent Devansh Patel brings you the exclusive Part 1 of the two part series on Dibakar Banerjee's quest for cinema and more.
LSD at the London Indian Film Festival (LIFF)
It's a great way for me to satisfy my curiosity. We, the makers of alternative films in India hope for one thing and one thing only - We hope to get the world audiences for our kind of films. When I visit London, I want to find out whether we do have a world audience or not, and if so, are they interested in Indian cinema. By Indian cinema, I don't mean Bollywood. Bollywood for me is a show. It's like saying that Broadway is American theatre. Broadway is Broadway. Bollywood is Bollywood.
We hope to get the world audiences for our kind of films
World cinema audience
LSD was never made for an international audience. LSD was made for an Indian audience. By chance, its technique and style has certain things which can be of some interest for the international cinema going audience. I don't know anything about the world cinema audience. Looking at the response coming after the screening at LIFF in London, it'll be my second step towards understanding whether LSD fitted that audience or not.
LSD in Munich
The Munich Film Festival was amazing. It was our first step. There, the reception was mind bogglingly encouraging because we had 99% German audience. Most of them had not seen any Indian film before. They were not the kind of people who'd come to see a Bollywood film for a novelty value because they see such films on their TV channels and on DVDs. They know what Bollywood is. They came to see LSD because it was a part of the film festival which is known for its select few films. The Germans said that this was the first film of its kind that they had seen evolve from India. They couldn't have imagined that such kind of films exist in India. They were impressed with the acting too. For an alien culture to understand that someone is acting well, says a lot of things. I got my answer though - The human story and the cultural aspects of the film got them connected to LSD.
The human story and the cultural aspects of the film got them connected to LSD
Peepli Live and Lafangey Parindey
Dibakar Banerjee will watch both these film, why not? The interesting thing about India is that there is no subculture. The audience which make LSD a hit is the same audience which makes 3 Idiots a hit too. In Europe, it's a slightly different kind of a segmentation, where the art house cinema has a separate audience and a separate business model altogether. In India, my small budget film competes with another film which has a budget ten times that of my film and plays in the same theatre with the same hoarding space and pulls me out. In a way, there is no segmentation in India. So I will see both Peepli Live and Lafangey Parindey.
The audience which make LSD a hit is the same audience which makes 3 Idiots a hit too
Balaji Motion Pictures
I am a businessman and that's the whole solution. I know that my kind of films needs to work doubly hard financially and to sustain itself. Let me tell you, I didn't approach Balaji for LSD. They approached me on my strengths of Khosla Ka Ghosla and Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye. Both were commercially viable. My reputation in Balaji was that Dibakar makes slightly different films but they make commercial sense. Whereas, the fraternity thinks that Dibakar Banerjee is absolutely miser with budgets. Balaji thought that I'd be doing my next film with big stars with budget constraints. But I told Balaji an idea which costs 200,000 US $ which was very interesting. So when I narrated the story to Ekta, I could see that she didn't have any doubts in her mind and from her eyes, you could tell that LSD was a film already made. She knew how the film was treated. LSD was a provocative film for all. LSD is the most investment friendly film I've ever made.
Ad films v/s Feature films
Ad filmmakers are slightly more creative in their technical virtuosity with visuals, post production, colours and all. Ad films have to grab your attention in thirty seconds and therefore the visual aspects and sound aspects have to be very well developed. Because of the lack of duration, they don't get time to develop the character, product, or connectivity sometimes. So it's a hit and miss types. Most of the ad filmmakers like, Sir Ridley Scott, Shyam Benegal, etc have done well for themselves in feature films.
Part 2 continues tomorrow. Watch this space!Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 14 Jul 2010 | 6:34 am RDBurman's close associate Manohari Singh dead - NDTV.com
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 14 Jul 2010 | 5:29 am "Even Paathshaala and Chance Pe Dance couldn't garner collections like Milenge Milenge" - ...
Milenge Milenge has turned out to be the surprise success of 2010. Not a single soul was hopeful about the film clicking for the makers (producer Boney Kapoor and director Satish Kaushik). However, this is where costing came into picture and even though the collections aren't monumental, the return v/s investment factor means that everyone has gone home smiling. The one who is (expectedly) grinning the most is Satish Kaushik because along with Boney, he was the lone man standing in defence of his '5 year old kid' whom he could not afford to 'abandon'. With the theatrical business of the film proving to be a bonus, it's time for celebration in Kaushik household. However, he doesn't mince any words when he admits that this Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor starrer could have become a much bigger success had the actors supported the film for its promotion.
Is it a state of 'kabhi khushi kabhi gham' for you?
(Says after a hearty laugh) You know what, the way Milenge Milenge has seen decent collections coming for it over the weekend, I definitely get a sense of redemption. I know how much effort went into the making of the film. I still kept quite all these months because no one would have understood why I was supporting this movie. Everyone used to say - 'stale hai picture, purani ho gayi, nahi chalegi' etc. etc. But tell me one thing, agar aapka bachcha 5 saal ka ho jaaye aur phir bhi apne aap chal naa paaye, toh kyaa aap usko apni zindagi se alag kar doge? You will still support it, right?
Audience saw the film for its own merits even though the actors didn't urge them to do so
You are hinting at your lead actors withdrawing themselves from the film as years passed by?
I am not hinting at that; I am directly stating that. If I would have spoken about this before the release of the film, it would have looked like some cheap publicity. Unnecessary ki controversy ho jaati which I didn't want. I wanted to keep a dignified stance rather than throwing any muck around. I don't even want anyone to be hurt even now. But yes, the quantum of people who went and saw the film makes me feel good that we did something right in the making. Audience saw the film for its own merits even though the actors didn't urge them to do so.
Paathshaala and Chance Pe Dance - couldn't garner such collections
Do you feel that Shahid and Kareena may be wondering whether they did the right thing in not talking about Milenge Milenge at all? After all the film could have added on to their repertoire as a success?
Yaar, main abhi bilkul nahi soch raha ki woh kya soch rahe hoge (smiles). It's the facts and figures doing the talking, not me. The film has made 7.5 crores in just the opening weekend. Last couple of films of Shahid - Paathshaala and Chance Pe Dance - couldn't garner such collections. I don't have anything against these films or Shahid's acting there. All I am referring to here is that these are the films which he believed in and promoted heavily. He didn't believe in Milenge Milenge and look at the kind of appreciation the boy is fetching. He is so loveable in the film and is being liked by all who are seeing it. Main pehle bolta yeh sab toh lagta that I am trying to gain mileage and flattering him into promoting the film. But now I am just reiterating what audience and critics are saying.
But really, didn't you ever feel like having a heart to heart chat with him before the release of the film?
There was no point in doing that. Being someone who started off so young with me five years back, Shahid should have reached out to me and offered all his support. I have seen him grow right in front of me. When he was a kid, all of us used to motivate him that he would be a star one day. I had started work on Milenge Milenge after Tere Naam. After Salman Khan, I could have worked with anyone but I chose to rope in Shahid because I sensed a potential in him. Now that he was flying high, he disowned the film. Aise thodi hi hota hai. We stay in the same building but I keep my professional and personal life aside. I didn't step into his place for any help. When I am off the sets, it's a different life for me. My dignity is very important to me.
After Salman Khan, I could have worked with anyone but I chose to rope in Shahid
In the past, there have been number of examples when stars have supported their old movies as well. Shah Rukh Khan went all out to bail out Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam while Salman Khan too fulfilled his commitment for the promotion of Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya...
(Interrupts) This is the reason why someone was telling me the other day that there should be a law that ensures the producer that his actors will definitely stand by the release regardless of the time period that goes into the making of a film (smiles). Jokes apart, the fact is that Shah Rukh and Salman are there because of what they are. Superstar log aise hi nahi ban jaate. This was a film where Shahid could have easily followed the path of Shah Rukh and Salman and gained further goodwill for himself.
Coming back to the economics of Milenge Milenge, the fact that still cannot be denied is that theatrically, it hasn't done bumper business in the lines of other recent romantic films like say for example I Hate LUV Storys?
Why are you comparing apples with oranges and that too of a different breed (smiles)? Milenge Milenge was made 5 years back, had a treatment which was from that era and most importantly was made at a cost which used to be prevalent then. Aaj ki tarah crores mein remuneration nahi hoti hai. Everything combined together, whether it's the making of the film, print, publicity, promotion and interest, brings the film's total investment to 15-16 crores. Today, if you count satellite rights, home video, overseas, music and
of course Indian theatrical, the final sum is going to 21 crores. Tell me which film today is getting his producer 30%-40% profits? You decide for yourself if this kind of recovery makes it coverage, average, semi-hit or hit. It's your call.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 14 Jul 2010 | 3:38 am Mangeshkar-Bachchan connection: Twitter brings the two legends together
Though social networking has its advantages and disadvantages the entertainment business has nothing to complain about. Not when Bollywood's two living legends Lata Mangeshkar (LM) and Amitabh Bachchan (AB) are brought closer through their interaction on Twitter.
No doubt LM and AB have been very fond of each other for decades. In fact when AB reluctantly turned singer in the 1970s one of his first major songs was 'Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum' with Lataji in Silsila. Sadly the two legends could not record the song together.
Unable to meet frequently because of their individual commitments, the two super-icons met sporadically at functions and public events where they got along like a house on fire. Both individually expressed their fondness for one another's company and their regret at not bonding more often.
That lack of connectivity between AB and LM has changed. Thanks to Twitter where they exchange messages. So delighted was AB to find his favourite singer on the micro-blogging site says, "The most gratifying moment on Twitter came when I got to interact with Lataji."
The singing legend reciprocates by saying, "I am really happy to connect with Bachchan Saab through Twitter. I must admit it feels good to be in touch with him again."
Says Lataji, "I don't know if they know this. But I'm very fond of the Bachchans. I'm most grateful to both Amitji and Jayaji for always showering me with their love and affection. I'm glad I got an opportunity to connect with Amitji and the parivar through Twitter."Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 14 Jul 2010 | 2:55 am
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