Its sequel and remake time at Bollywood. Shahrukh Khan is all set to cast his spell on his fans with Faran Akhtar’s Don, the remake of Amitabh Bachchan starrer Don. Aishwarya Rai, Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan appear in the Diwali release of Dhoom2, a sequel to Dhoom.
Bollywood has found a new formala. Just go after remakes and releases of superhit movies. This way, those who liked the older movie will surely turn up to see what happens in the newer version. Krissh was a Megahit recently and Phir Hera Pheri was a hit.
Ram Gopal is trying to remake Sholay with Big B Amitabh Bachchan as Gabbar. He knows remakes and sequels work these days and so he has named the Mohit Ahlawat and Nisha Kothari movie Shiva and labelled it as a newer version of Shiva.
Munnabhai Lago Raho releases in a few weeks in an attempt to create the same magic as MBBS.
Till now the remakes and sequels have been good... from Devdas to Krissh to Phir Hera Pheri. But with the Bollywood music industry getting flooded with remixes of old songs, one fears that this trend with movies will continue and soon will be over exploited by low quality remakes.
Atleast, this is much better than remaking (copying frame by frame) Hollywood movies !!
Source: Santabanta
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Kunal Kohli’s next with SRK?
After working with Hrithik Roshan [MUJHSE DOSTI KAROGE], Saif Ali Khan [HUM TUM] and FANAA [Aamir Khan], is Kunal Kohli working with Shah Rukh Khan next? That’s the buzz in the film industry. Kunal, who is turning producer with his next film [it’ll be presented by Yash Raj], sounded surprised when asked about SRK. “No… I haven’t signed SRK,” he pauses for a while, “Is that what people are saying?”
Reportedly, SRK and Kunal met recently and discussed the possibilities of working with each other. True? “Yes, we met at Ritesh’s [Sidhwani; producer of DON] party. But it’s wrong to assume that we are working together. I have just begun writing my new film. I don’t know whether the script I’m working on may excite me a few months later. The cast would follow only when I am convinced about the script,” he adds.
He continues in the same breath, “As of now, whom I cast, what I make and when I start filming are a mystery for me too,” he laughs.
Source: IndiaFM
Reportedly, SRK and Kunal met recently and discussed the possibilities of working with each other. True? “Yes, we met at Ritesh’s [Sidhwani; producer of DON] party. But it’s wrong to assume that we are working together. I have just begun writing my new film. I don’t know whether the script I’m working on may excite me a few months later. The cast would follow only when I am convinced about the script,” he adds.
He continues in the same breath, “As of now, whom I cast, what I make and when I start filming are a mystery for me too,” he laughs.
Source: IndiaFM
Friday, August 25, 2006
Shah Rukh is a hockey coach in 'Chak De'
Shah Rukh Khan finds himself playing a coach for a girls' hockey team in Shimit Amin's 'Chak De', filmed under the prestigious Yash Raj banner. The heroine of the film is Vidya Malvade (of 'Inteha' and 'Mashooka' fame). You may remember the two were paired earlier in a Santro ad.
Vidya has gone through an intensive two-month training at hockey camp, in order to be prepared for her role of a Sikh girl with strict parents. She wants to participate in an annual hockey tournament but her parents don't approve of it. It's somewhat similar to Parminder Nagra's role in 'Bend it like Beckham'.
Source: Bollyvista
Vidya has gone through an intensive two-month training at hockey camp, in order to be prepared for her role of a Sikh girl with strict parents. She wants to participate in an annual hockey tournament but her parents don't approve of it. It's somewhat similar to Parminder Nagra's role in 'Bend it like Beckham'.
Source: Bollyvista
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Mahesh Bhatt Supports SRK
Stars in the tinsel town can breathe easy as the Health Minister Ramadoss gave a clean chit to the Colas refuting claims by the Centre For Scientific Studies about high levels of pesticides. It may be a setback to the supporters of struggling politician Uma Bharti whose supporters lambasted actor Shahrukh Khan and tried to stop the screening of his latest blockbuster ‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’.
Film maker and activist Mahesh Bhatt has strongly objected to the resistance shown towards the star. According to him, the repeated attempts by political parties to subdue actors like Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan was because they belonged to a minority group. Shahrukh hasn’t reacted so far to the campaign launched against him as to why only he was singled out as there were other stars who endorsed the Colas. It would be interesting to note if he does say something, maybe it will give the voyeuristic TV audience something to feast on.
IndiaGlitz
Film maker and activist Mahesh Bhatt has strongly objected to the resistance shown towards the star. According to him, the repeated attempts by political parties to subdue actors like Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan was because they belonged to a minority group. Shahrukh hasn’t reacted so far to the campaign launched against him as to why only he was singled out as there were other stars who endorsed the Colas. It would be interesting to note if he does say something, maybe it will give the voyeuristic TV audience something to feast on.
IndiaGlitz
KANK is the biggest first week spinner ever
For all the appreciation, criticism, good/bad word of mouth and some mixed bad of press support that Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' was getting since its August 11 release, the facts and figures have indeed painted a brilliantly lit bright picture for the film.
As per a reliable box office source, the film has gone on to net close to Rs. 28 crore in a matter of one week across cinemas in India. This clearly beats the 26.5 crore record created by 'Krrish' just 7 weeks back. Not just in India but even in overseas the film has already broken a number of records set over last few years by margin of crores.
The trade is now obviously enthusiastic with the figures being out and has all eyes set in two big releases coming up soon - 'Don- The Chase Begins Again' and 'Dhoom 2'.
Would the records tumble again? Come October/November and we should have all the answers out in open!
IndiaGlitz
As per a reliable box office source, the film has gone on to net close to Rs. 28 crore in a matter of one week across cinemas in India. This clearly beats the 26.5 crore record created by 'Krrish' just 7 weeks back. Not just in India but even in overseas the film has already broken a number of records set over last few years by margin of crores.
The trade is now obviously enthusiastic with the figures being out and has all eyes set in two big releases coming up soon - 'Don- The Chase Begins Again' and 'Dhoom 2'.
Would the records tumble again? Come October/November and we should have all the answers out in open!
IndiaGlitz
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Hollywood helps SRK to defy gravity
Stunt director Joe Jennings tells us about SRK's 'daredevilry', which includes jumping from a height of 15,000 feet.
After Hrithik Roshan's gravity-defying stunts in Krrish, it is now the turn of Shah Rukh Khan to take a turn in the air. Among other action sequences, King Khan will be jumping from a height of 15,000 feet. It is the first time that SRK is doing his own stunts.
"It might take very less print space but 15,000 ft is not a small height. It can be a nightmare for a person who is scared of heights," says director Farhan Akhtar.
And to make sure that everything goes by the script, Hollywood stunt expert Joe Jennings is calling the shots. Joe has already directed stunts for movies like Charlie's Angels, XXX, Wild California, Last Holiday and Air Force One.
"I know a lot about Shah Rukh now, but before this shoot, I wouldn't have known him from my dentist. Of course, I noticed the buzz around him on the sets, and I felt star struck despite having no clue about who he was. But SRK was very professional and gracious throughout the shoot," says Joe.
And was the shooting difficult given SRK's back problem? "There were apprehensions in Farhan's mind before making SRK do the stunt because of this, but the actor was more confident than the rest of us," Joe reveals.
What difference has he seen between a Bollywood and a Hollywood film? "The budget of a Hollywood movie is much bigger but the production and coordination here are handled just as professionally. I was really impressed by the people whom I met on this project," he says.
With an experience of over 12 years in filming aerial stunts, Joe is quite impressed with Farhan Akhtar. "Farhan is a pro. He was quite relaxed throughout the shoot and didn't want to control our work. Creatively, he told us clearly what he hoped to see, and then sent us off to do our work. I had the same sort of experience with director Mic Gee on Charlie's Angels. He was clear about what he wanted, and then just sent us off to do the job," he says.
Source: The Times
After Hrithik Roshan's gravity-defying stunts in Krrish, it is now the turn of Shah Rukh Khan to take a turn in the air. Among other action sequences, King Khan will be jumping from a height of 15,000 feet. It is the first time that SRK is doing his own stunts.
"It might take very less print space but 15,000 ft is not a small height. It can be a nightmare for a person who is scared of heights," says director Farhan Akhtar.
And to make sure that everything goes by the script, Hollywood stunt expert Joe Jennings is calling the shots. Joe has already directed stunts for movies like Charlie's Angels, XXX, Wild California, Last Holiday and Air Force One.
"I know a lot about Shah Rukh now, but before this shoot, I wouldn't have known him from my dentist. Of course, I noticed the buzz around him on the sets, and I felt star struck despite having no clue about who he was. But SRK was very professional and gracious throughout the shoot," says Joe.
And was the shooting difficult given SRK's back problem? "There were apprehensions in Farhan's mind before making SRK do the stunt because of this, but the actor was more confident than the rest of us," Joe reveals.
What difference has he seen between a Bollywood and a Hollywood film? "The budget of a Hollywood movie is much bigger but the production and coordination here are handled just as professionally. I was really impressed by the people whom I met on this project," he says.
With an experience of over 12 years in filming aerial stunts, Joe is quite impressed with Farhan Akhtar. "Farhan is a pro. He was quite relaxed throughout the shoot and didn't want to control our work. Creatively, he told us clearly what he hoped to see, and then sent us off to do our work. I had the same sort of experience with director Mic Gee on Charlie's Angels. He was clear about what he wanted, and then just sent us off to do the job," he says.
Source: The Times
Shah Rukh Khan was uncomfortable as straying husband in new movie
Bollywood leading man Shah Rukh Khan says he felt uncomfortable taking on the role of a husband who leaves his wife and child for another woman in his latest film.
Khan usually plays the reliable son or the devoted father and said it was difficult to play a man who turned away from his family in ``Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna,'' or ``Never Say Goodbye,'' which hit theaters last week.
He told Cine Blitz magazine that infidelity wasn't what ``a good man'' would do.
``I was embarrassed doing some scenes of this film, I felt shy doing them ... I am not a prude but I felt odd,'' said Khan, who has been married for 14 years and has two children.
The movie about troubled marriages, directed by well-known filmmaker Karan Johar, also stars Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek, Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta.
Khan had some words of wisdom for those tempted by extramarital relationships: ``I think you have to work very hard after marriage to make it work. You can't go on believing that love will continue to take care of it.''
``Unreal expectations'' ruined relationships, he told the magazine.
Souce: The Hindu
Khan usually plays the reliable son or the devoted father and said it was difficult to play a man who turned away from his family in ``Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna,'' or ``Never Say Goodbye,'' which hit theaters last week.
He told Cine Blitz magazine that infidelity wasn't what ``a good man'' would do.
``I was embarrassed doing some scenes of this film, I felt shy doing them ... I am not a prude but I felt odd,'' said Khan, who has been married for 14 years and has two children.
The movie about troubled marriages, directed by well-known filmmaker Karan Johar, also stars Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek, Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta.
Khan had some words of wisdom for those tempted by extramarital relationships: ``I think you have to work very hard after marriage to make it work. You can't go on believing that love will continue to take care of it.''
``Unreal expectations'' ruined relationships, he told the magazine.
Souce: The Hindu
Shah Rukh Khan was embarrassed doing role in KANK
Bollywood leading man Shah Rukh Khan says he felt uncomfortable taking on the role of a husband who leaves his wife and child for another woman in his latest film.
Khan usually plays the reliable son or the devoted father and said it was difficult to play a man who turned away from his family in ``Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna,'' which hit theaters last week.
He told Cine Blitz magazine that infidelity wasn't what ``a good man'' would do.
``I was embarrassed doing some scenes of this film, I felt shy doing them ... I am not a prude but I felt odd,'' said Khan, who has been married for 14 years and has two children.
The movie about troubled marriages, directed by well-known filmmaker Karan Johar, also stars Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek, Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta.
Khan had some words of wisdom for those tempted by extramarital relationships: ``I think you have to work very hard after marriage to make it work. You can't go on believing that love will continue to take care of it.''
``Unreal expectations'' ruined relationships, he told the magazine.
Source: The Hindu
Khan usually plays the reliable son or the devoted father and said it was difficult to play a man who turned away from his family in ``Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna,'' which hit theaters last week.
He told Cine Blitz magazine that infidelity wasn't what ``a good man'' would do.
``I was embarrassed doing some scenes of this film, I felt shy doing them ... I am not a prude but I felt odd,'' said Khan, who has been married for 14 years and has two children.
The movie about troubled marriages, directed by well-known filmmaker Karan Johar, also stars Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek, Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta.
Khan had some words of wisdom for those tempted by extramarital relationships: ``I think you have to work very hard after marriage to make it work. You can't go on believing that love will continue to take care of it.''
``Unreal expectations'' ruined relationships, he told the magazine.
Source: The Hindu
Friday, August 18, 2006
Is Shahrukh a split personality?
Playing doubles roles in movie like Duplicate and the new Don must be confusing the King Khan. Well, Shahrukh Khan definitely must be feeling a bit nauseated from all this because of some of the accusations from members of the film industry claiming that he is indeed a split personality.
According to SRK, at the very beginning of his career Mahesh Bhatt had called him a split personality. That is probably because he acts differently to different people. In fact, Bhatt is not the only one to notice this problem. Noted lyricist Javed Akthar too has found a hint of this in Shahrukh. Javed goes a step further however, by calling his Shahrukh Khan 1 and Shahrukh Khan 2. What is even funnier is that whenever Javed phones up Shahrukh’s place he asks his wife whether SRK 1 or SRK 2 is at home.
Karan Johar too seems to have caught on where Javed left off. He asks Gauri which SRK liked a particular film and Gauri gets into the act by saying SRK 2.
SRK agrees to these claims of having two different sides of himself but also says that he acts all the time except the time when he is with his children.
Source: IndiaFM
According to SRK, at the very beginning of his career Mahesh Bhatt had called him a split personality. That is probably because he acts differently to different people. In fact, Bhatt is not the only one to notice this problem. Noted lyricist Javed Akthar too has found a hint of this in Shahrukh. Javed goes a step further however, by calling his Shahrukh Khan 1 and Shahrukh Khan 2. What is even funnier is that whenever Javed phones up Shahrukh’s place he asks his wife whether SRK 1 or SRK 2 is at home.
Karan Johar too seems to have caught on where Javed left off. He asks Gauri which SRK liked a particular film and Gauri gets into the act by saying SRK 2.
SRK agrees to these claims of having two different sides of himself but also says that he acts all the time except the time when he is with his children.
Source: IndiaFM
KANK breaks box office record in US
'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' (Never Say Goodbye), aka KANK, a new Bollywood film shot in New York city, has set a box office record for a Hindi film in North America with a $1.4 million collection in the opening weekend.
The previous record for a Bollywood opening was $1 million for 2001's 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham', which like KANK was directed by Karan Johar, according to Indian American film journalist, Gitesh Pandya, who runs BoxOfficeGuru.com
With a $21,122 average collection from 64 locations KANK scored the best per-theatre average of any film in the Top 40, he said in his weekly box office report calling it as part of a trend of Indian films being set and shot in the South Asian diaspora.
The three-hour-plus extravaganza relating the tale of two soul mates, married to other people, who tackle the notion of true love, was given the widest release ever for a Bollywood film in North America opening on 95 screens in 64 theatre locations.
The previous record was 88 screens for 2004's 'Veer-Zaara', which also starred Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherji, Preity Zinta, and Amitabh Bachchan, Pandya told South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) Forum.
KANK was especially impressive at New Jersey's Regal Commerce Center in North Brunswick where the film grossed an astounding $61,470 over the weekend from two screens.
Typically, grossing $10,000 on a weekend is a major achievement. This 18-screen multiplex plays mostly Hollywood films, but also does phenomenal business from Bollywood films thanks to its location in the heart of one of America's largest South Asian communities.
Hopefully, KANK's strong numbers will encourage other American multiplexes in major markets to start programming Bollywood pictures, Pandya said.
It has been a big comeback year for the industry. Screen counts for 2006's other big Bollywood films were 61 for January's 'Rang De Basanti,' 72 for May's 'Fanaa,' and 59 for June's 'Krrish'. For the most part, the marketing push has been about the same for all of these big hits this year.
But freelancer Aseem Chhabra thinks it still makes no sense for him to pitch a KANK story to the mainstream press in the US as most editors will have no idea what this film is about.
KANK has opened only in the Indian market in the US. It's not just a question of box office. Bollywood films have not crossed over into mainstream or even art house theatres in the US, he told SAJA forum.
The Sony Classics experiment with 'Lagaan' that was released in a few art house theatres, including Film Forum in Manhattan, was just that - an experiment, with no significant results.
So far the only Indian/South Asian films that have succeeded in the US mainstream - more like art house- market are 'Bend it Like Beckham' that grossed over $32 million and 'Monsoon Wedding' ($13.9 million) and maybe 'Water', Chhabra said. He doubted if KANK will come anywhere near these films.
Asked why some Bollywood films get acronyms that catch fire, Chhabra said he thinks these are the creation of the new hip film-going generation in India.
'Did you know that Karan Johar is now referred to as KJo, like that woman who we call JLo here, and of course, everyone knows that Shah Rukh Khan is referred to as SRK. Amitabh is AB and Abhishek is AB Jr,' he said.
Everything is recycled in Bollywood- films, stories, titles, Chhabra said. Bollywood is currently remaking the classic films 'Umrao Jaan' and 'Sahib, Bibi Aur Ghulam'. There have been two 'Barsaats' since Raj Kapoor's original; one 'Barsaat Ki Raat', after the original Madhubala film.
Bollywood is also notorious for recycling successful Hollywood, and now even Asian films, said Chhabra suggesting the recent 'Zinda' was an exact copy of the award winning film 'Old Boy' from Korea.
Chhabra believes some non-desi Americans will watch Bollywood films like KANK. But the number of non-desi Americans watching Bollywood films is still very small -- especially if you look at Americans who go for other foreign language films -- European and most recently Asian films.
Source: Indo-Asian News Service
The previous record for a Bollywood opening was $1 million for 2001's 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham', which like KANK was directed by Karan Johar, according to Indian American film journalist, Gitesh Pandya, who runs BoxOfficeGuru.com
With a $21,122 average collection from 64 locations KANK scored the best per-theatre average of any film in the Top 40, he said in his weekly box office report calling it as part of a trend of Indian films being set and shot in the South Asian diaspora.
The three-hour-plus extravaganza relating the tale of two soul mates, married to other people, who tackle the notion of true love, was given the widest release ever for a Bollywood film in North America opening on 95 screens in 64 theatre locations.
The previous record was 88 screens for 2004's 'Veer-Zaara', which also starred Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherji, Preity Zinta, and Amitabh Bachchan, Pandya told South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) Forum.
KANK was especially impressive at New Jersey's Regal Commerce Center in North Brunswick where the film grossed an astounding $61,470 over the weekend from two screens.
Typically, grossing $10,000 on a weekend is a major achievement. This 18-screen multiplex plays mostly Hollywood films, but also does phenomenal business from Bollywood films thanks to its location in the heart of one of America's largest South Asian communities.
Hopefully, KANK's strong numbers will encourage other American multiplexes in major markets to start programming Bollywood pictures, Pandya said.
It has been a big comeback year for the industry. Screen counts for 2006's other big Bollywood films were 61 for January's 'Rang De Basanti,' 72 for May's 'Fanaa,' and 59 for June's 'Krrish'. For the most part, the marketing push has been about the same for all of these big hits this year.
But freelancer Aseem Chhabra thinks it still makes no sense for him to pitch a KANK story to the mainstream press in the US as most editors will have no idea what this film is about.
KANK has opened only in the Indian market in the US. It's not just a question of box office. Bollywood films have not crossed over into mainstream or even art house theatres in the US, he told SAJA forum.
The Sony Classics experiment with 'Lagaan' that was released in a few art house theatres, including Film Forum in Manhattan, was just that - an experiment, with no significant results.
So far the only Indian/South Asian films that have succeeded in the US mainstream - more like art house- market are 'Bend it Like Beckham' that grossed over $32 million and 'Monsoon Wedding' ($13.9 million) and maybe 'Water', Chhabra said. He doubted if KANK will come anywhere near these films.
Asked why some Bollywood films get acronyms that catch fire, Chhabra said he thinks these are the creation of the new hip film-going generation in India.
'Did you know that Karan Johar is now referred to as KJo, like that woman who we call JLo here, and of course, everyone knows that Shah Rukh Khan is referred to as SRK. Amitabh is AB and Abhishek is AB Jr,' he said.
Everything is recycled in Bollywood- films, stories, titles, Chhabra said. Bollywood is currently remaking the classic films 'Umrao Jaan' and 'Sahib, Bibi Aur Ghulam'. There have been two 'Barsaats' since Raj Kapoor's original; one 'Barsaat Ki Raat', after the original Madhubala film.
Bollywood is also notorious for recycling successful Hollywood, and now even Asian films, said Chhabra suggesting the recent 'Zinda' was an exact copy of the award winning film 'Old Boy' from Korea.
Chhabra believes some non-desi Americans will watch Bollywood films like KANK. But the number of non-desi Americans watching Bollywood films is still very small -- especially if you look at Americans who go for other foreign language films -- European and most recently Asian films.
Source: Indo-Asian News Service
Thursday, August 17, 2006
SRK danced to the tunes of a Marathi number!
By Manissha Despaande, Glamsham
Music directors Vishal-Shekhar are on cloud nine and this time it is not the musical success of the film that they are excited about but an ad film featuring ‘King Khan’, which has become the hot topic of discussion in the ad fraternity and also the film industry. The duo who have done the music for several jingles and ad films in the past, were in for a big surprise when choreographer friend, Farah Khan, recently requested them to compose a Marathi folk tune for an ad featuring Shahrukh Khan.
Recalls Vishal, “We have worked with Farah Khan on several ad films in the past but this time we were stunned because we had never recorded a Marathi song before. The ad was for a popular range of biscuits to be launched in Maharashtra and was to be essentially targeted at the Marathi-speaking crowd but having lived in Mumbai. We thought we knew the essence of Marathi culture. That’s why we chose the popular ‘lavani’ or tamasha music for the ad and gave it a very catchy tune.”
Needless to add, the ad agency which had given the lyrics to the duo were absolutely delighted with the results, so was Farah Khan and above all Shah Rukh, whose company, Red Chillies, has produced the ad.
The dance steps that Farah later chose for Shah Rukh were completely in sync with the beats of the music and the ad, which has just been released on all the Marathi channels, has become one to watch out for. Says Vishal, “The ad reflects a new beginning for the Maharashtrian community and the music and its looks go well with this concept.” So are they open to composing the music of a Marathi film in the future? “Why not, if the project interests us and is something above the ordinary? After all creativity, has no barriers,” smiles Vishal.
Music directors Vishal-Shekhar are on cloud nine and this time it is not the musical success of the film that they are excited about but an ad film featuring ‘King Khan’, which has become the hot topic of discussion in the ad fraternity and also the film industry. The duo who have done the music for several jingles and ad films in the past, were in for a big surprise when choreographer friend, Farah Khan, recently requested them to compose a Marathi folk tune for an ad featuring Shahrukh Khan.
Recalls Vishal, “We have worked with Farah Khan on several ad films in the past but this time we were stunned because we had never recorded a Marathi song before. The ad was for a popular range of biscuits to be launched in Maharashtra and was to be essentially targeted at the Marathi-speaking crowd but having lived in Mumbai. We thought we knew the essence of Marathi culture. That’s why we chose the popular ‘lavani’ or tamasha music for the ad and gave it a very catchy tune.”
Needless to add, the ad agency which had given the lyrics to the duo were absolutely delighted with the results, so was Farah Khan and above all Shah Rukh, whose company, Red Chillies, has produced the ad.
The dance steps that Farah later chose for Shah Rukh were completely in sync with the beats of the music and the ad, which has just been released on all the Marathi channels, has become one to watch out for. Says Vishal, “The ad reflects a new beginning for the Maharashtrian community and the music and its looks go well with this concept.” So are they open to composing the music of a Marathi film in the future? “Why not, if the project interests us and is something above the ordinary? After all creativity, has no barriers,” smiles Vishal.
SRK's son loves Preity more than Rani
Bollyvista
Wait till you hear this! Shah Rukh had organized a special screening for his kids, but didn't show Aryan the second half of the film because he knew Aryan would feel bad about the climax.
Aryan is very fond of Preity and he would not understand why his father ditches Preity aunty for Rani. Rani, are you feeling left out? Well, to gain something you have to lose something!
Wait till you hear this! Shah Rukh had organized a special screening for his kids, but didn't show Aryan the second half of the film because he knew Aryan would feel bad about the climax.
Aryan is very fond of Preity and he would not understand why his father ditches Preity aunty for Rani. Rani, are you feeling left out? Well, to gain something you have to lose something!
SRK wows the Maharashtrians!
By IndiaFM
Now this is something which has never been seen before. If you tune in to the Marathi TV channels, you just might see Shah Rukh Khan dancing to traditional Marathi lavani and tamasha music! It's for an ad for Sunfeast Marie biscuits which will be launched in Maharashtra. Other Bollywood biggies associated with this ad include Vishal-Shekhar who have composed the music and Farah Khan who has done the choreography. It has been produced by Shah Rukh Khan's company Red Chillies.
It was Farah who approached the musical duo to compose a Marathi folk tune, since the ad was targeted at the Marathi speaking crowd. They were quite excited since they have never done something like this before. They decided to use 'lavani' or 'tamasha' music to bring the quintessential Marathi flavor. Says Shekhar, "Even in the past, we have done a lot of work for Red Chillies. The funda of the ad was to forget the old Marie and start off with the new Sunfeast Marie. It was something very interesting because we have never done such work, before. It's a very cool lavani meets hip hop score, targeted at the Marathi speaking population."
The King Khan will be seen doing traditional dance steps in tune with the music. That's SRK for you, always up for trying something new! Well, they don't call him the King Khan for nothing, do they?
Now this is something which has never been seen before. If you tune in to the Marathi TV channels, you just might see Shah Rukh Khan dancing to traditional Marathi lavani and tamasha music! It's for an ad for Sunfeast Marie biscuits which will be launched in Maharashtra. Other Bollywood biggies associated with this ad include Vishal-Shekhar who have composed the music and Farah Khan who has done the choreography. It has been produced by Shah Rukh Khan's company Red Chillies.
It was Farah who approached the musical duo to compose a Marathi folk tune, since the ad was targeted at the Marathi speaking crowd. They were quite excited since they have never done something like this before. They decided to use 'lavani' or 'tamasha' music to bring the quintessential Marathi flavor. Says Shekhar, "Even in the past, we have done a lot of work for Red Chillies. The funda of the ad was to forget the old Marie and start off with the new Sunfeast Marie. It was something very interesting because we have never done such work, before. It's a very cool lavani meets hip hop score, targeted at the Marathi speaking population."
The King Khan will be seen doing traditional dance steps in tune with the music. That's SRK for you, always up for trying something new! Well, they don't call him the King Khan for nothing, do they?
SRK’s security guard kills fellow guard
By IndiaFM
A real life drama unfolded at Shah Rukh Khan’s residence, Mannat, late Monday night. One of the security guards, Hitendra Singh, fired at his colleague, Chandra Pratap Singh, who was part of the TOP security agency. Hitendra Singh fired with an imported firearm which took the life of his fellow guard. Hitendra Singh was arrested by the police. The weapon was also confiscated. The two guards were at the entrance of Mannat when the incident occurred. It is still unclear whether the firing was accidental or not.
A real life drama unfolded at Shah Rukh Khan’s residence, Mannat, late Monday night. One of the security guards, Hitendra Singh, fired at his colleague, Chandra Pratap Singh, who was part of the TOP security agency. Hitendra Singh fired with an imported firearm which took the life of his fellow guard. Hitendra Singh was arrested by the police. The weapon was also confiscated. The two guards were at the entrance of Mannat when the incident occurred. It is still unclear whether the firing was accidental or not.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
SRK's fondness for beginning and end of his film
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz
As 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' has released and is busy minting money all over, all eyes are now set on Shahrukh Khan's next 'Don - The Chase Begins Again' where he goes for a complete makeover from being a cynical Dev Saran to the suave'n'stylish 'Don'!
When asked about his upcoming film he said, "Don of 2006 is 'similar', though not 'same' as Don from the past. The subject remains the same but Farhan has given the film a completely different treatment." On being questioned on what was so different about the new 'Don', he said with a twinkle in his eye, "The best part of the film is its beginning and its end. It is going to completely take you by surprise, believe me! The rest of the film has great moments too but it is the beginning and the end that makes it's special."
Well, we are certainly waiting for the D-day, October 20, to catch the film King Khan!
As 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' has released and is busy minting money all over, all eyes are now set on Shahrukh Khan's next 'Don - The Chase Begins Again' where he goes for a complete makeover from being a cynical Dev Saran to the suave'n'stylish 'Don'!
When asked about his upcoming film he said, "Don of 2006 is 'similar', though not 'same' as Don from the past. The subject remains the same but Farhan has given the film a completely different treatment." On being questioned on what was so different about the new 'Don', he said with a twinkle in his eye, "The best part of the film is its beginning and its end. It is going to completely take you by surprise, believe me! The rest of the film has great moments too but it is the beginning and the end that makes it's special."
Well, we are certainly waiting for the D-day, October 20, to catch the film King Khan!
SRK – Karan rift: Karan talks
By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM
Not all’s well between Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar. At least that’s what the gossip mongers in Mumbai would want us to believe. The [loose] talk doing the rounds of the industry is that SRK and Karan have had a major tiff. Reason: Trouble erupted soon after SRK watched KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA and was upset with Karan for sidelining him in the film. With Abhishek getting interesting sequences and Rani walking away with a meatier role, SRK, the gossip mills swore, was extremely upset with Karan for giving him a raw deal in the film.
Karan laughs at the rumors when I broached the topic last evening. “Shah Rukh is very happy with his role and also with the film in totality. He’s not upset positively,” the film-maker clarifies, “In fact, he’s happy that he’s got a chance to play a role that’s not stereotype. And also a role that he hadn’t essayed earlier. Not just SRK, each member of the cast is more than proud of K.A.N.K.”
But how did these rumors originate in the first place? “A section of the trade is indulging in loose talk. Instead of encouraging a film from the fraternity, they are trying to pull it down by sending rubbish text-messages. I seriously feel I’ve become a veteran listening to all the muck being spread about my films. The industry wrote off KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI and KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM in their initial weeks. It doesn’t bother me anymore,” Karan hits back.
KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA too has had its share of back-biting. “The business of the film should silence the detractors. See, KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA is not the usual Karan Johar film. It’s raked up a lot of debates and discussions. I knew it all along that it would take time for the film to settle down. It’s an unusual film that comes as a jolt when you watch it the first time. It’s a reflection of reality, it’s not about unreal worlds. And a film like this grows with time,” he smiles.
Not all’s well between Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar. At least that’s what the gossip mongers in Mumbai would want us to believe. The [loose] talk doing the rounds of the industry is that SRK and Karan have had a major tiff. Reason: Trouble erupted soon after SRK watched KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA and was upset with Karan for sidelining him in the film. With Abhishek getting interesting sequences and Rani walking away with a meatier role, SRK, the gossip mills swore, was extremely upset with Karan for giving him a raw deal in the film.
Karan laughs at the rumors when I broached the topic last evening. “Shah Rukh is very happy with his role and also with the film in totality. He’s not upset positively,” the film-maker clarifies, “In fact, he’s happy that he’s got a chance to play a role that’s not stereotype. And also a role that he hadn’t essayed earlier. Not just SRK, each member of the cast is more than proud of K.A.N.K.”
But how did these rumors originate in the first place? “A section of the trade is indulging in loose talk. Instead of encouraging a film from the fraternity, they are trying to pull it down by sending rubbish text-messages. I seriously feel I’ve become a veteran listening to all the muck being spread about my films. The industry wrote off KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI and KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM in their initial weeks. It doesn’t bother me anymore,” Karan hits back.
KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA too has had its share of back-biting. “The business of the film should silence the detractors. See, KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA is not the usual Karan Johar film. It’s raked up a lot of debates and discussions. I knew it all along that it would take time for the film to settle down. It’s an unusual film that comes as a jolt when you watch it the first time. It’s a reflection of reality, it’s not about unreal worlds. And a film like this grows with time,” he smiles.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Abhishek takes away Shah Rukh's film
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna has had a mixed reaction from the trade
While the new age people from film industry has been talking about the richness of the making and the thought behind the film, the old timers are shocked to see the unfamiliar ending given in the film stating that this was the big reason why the film has failed to touch hearts in the Indian belt. The film has some outstanding collections from the Overseas territory as Karan tells us. But in India, the film has taken a bit of a beating. "It is a great thought, but because of the subject smaller centres in India haven't liked the film so much. The film will make loads of money from bigger cities and overseas," says Vashu Bhagnani who feels that Abhishek Bachchan has emerged a star from the film.
Does that mean that the film did not benefit the man for whom it was made for – Shah Rukh Khan?
Monday, August 14, 2006
Would there be fire due to SRK's smoke?
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitzRemember the hoopla that was caused a few months back when the government proposed a ban on depiction of onscreen smoking? While Bollywood was more or less unanimous in their objection against the ban, there was always uncertainty around the actual timeline when the ban would come into action.
Now one fears if the makers of Shahrukh Khan's next release 'Don - The Chase Begins Again' would be required to answer some questions due to depiction of 'smoke' in their latest promo of the film. The 1 minute song promo of 'Main Hoon Don' ends with a cloud of smoke around SRK's mouth as he looks at the screen. While the camera cleverly avoids showing any cigarette stick hanging in the frame, the cloud of smoke remains on screen for a good 5-7 seconds hence adding to the style appeal of SRK.
One wonders if this smoke would give rise to some more fire in the coming days. Wait and watch as the film's release is still a good 2 months away!
SRK not a King Khan anymore
SantabantaThe Hindi film industry has entered the second half of the year feeling triumphant as it has managed to get the audiences back into the halls without much extra effort.
But the audiences are still unpredictable. Critically acclaimed multi-starrer "Omkara" is holding well only in Mumbai and Delhi while Sanjay Dutt-starrer "Anthony Kaun Hai" is hovering between average and flop categories.
Going by early reports, this year's most-awaited mega-starrer "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" by the industry's blue-eyed boy Karan Johar has not had as spectacular an opening as was hoped.
The box-office collections of the film are likely to pick up after the five-day extended weekend but the film's characterisation and plot have not enthused critics much.
The film stars Shah Rukh Khan who claims to be the "icon of the industry". In the teaser of his new movie "Don", Shah Rukh says: "I am the king".
But box-office returns of his solo films are a clear indicator that even he cannot guarantee box-office success the way Amitabh Bachchan could in the good old days.
Though the audience has changed, a large movie-going population is still very much into hero-worshiping enabling some south Indian actors to command more money than Bollywood's "A-list" stars.
Scepticism tends to creep in when one hears Shah Rukh say: "This is King Khan. I'm the Ronaldinho (ace Brazilian footballer) of acting. I'll be there for another five to six years, then maybe you can think of some other actor."
Elsewhere, he can be heard saying: "No newcomer is around to oust me. It's terrific. I'm respected, recognised. Many magazines call me the icon of the country. The fact is I'm blessed, it has been a charmed life."
He has ruled the roost coming a long way from days of television series "Fauji" in 1988 to scale spectacular heights after "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge".
But in today's scenario Shah Rukh needs to be accompanied by an ensemble cast including Amitabh, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta and Abhishek Bachchan as in "Kabhi Alvida..."
It has been a while since his solo-hero films made cash registers ring. In fact, a film starring a herd of stars cannot ensure a box-office success either.
Ram Gopal Varma's horror flick "Darna Zaroori Hai" could not stay on the marquees in spite of the presence of almost every star of the industry - Amitabh, Anil Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Mallika Sherawat and Bipasha Basu.
Most of the multi-starrers in the past have witnessed great success. But when it comes to guarantee, there is none. Stars will only help, if the film is supported by a strong script and decent execution along with impressive performances.
Trade watcher Deepa Gehlot says: "Now that the audience is in a mellow, welcoming mood, this is the time to welcome new talent with fresh ideas into the industry."
Unfortunately, a lot of big-money corporate houses, who are getting into film production, are only looking at huge projects with stars.
So, it is left to a few like Pritish Nandy Communications, iDream Productions, Crossover Films and Metalight Productions, plus some enterprising individuals, to fund smaller films, apart from the old trouper National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
"It is unfortunate, again, that a lot of small budget offbeat films turn out to be unwatchable. There is still a crisis of content, which, in this current self-congratulatory phase, the industry is not addressing," adds Gehlot.
One hears of a little blip of change here and there. Subhash Ghai has set up a script workshop and is looking at new ideas; iDream already has a script bank; UTV is getting scripts developed; NFDC is planning something on the lines of a script bank too.
Everyone complains of the shortage of good writers but no one seems to do anything about it.
"Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" with its enviable stellar star-cast is first of this year's multi-starrer big-budget productions to hit the marquees.
Johar has spent Rs.500 million on the film and brought together Shah Rukh, Amitabh, Rani, Preity, Abhishek and Arjun Rampal.
Coming up soon will be "Eklavya" (Amitabh, Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan), "Umrao Jaan" (Aishwarya, Abhishek, Shabana Azmi, Suniel Shetty), "Salaam-e-Ishq" (Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Govinda, Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, John Abraham, Vidya), "Jaan-e-Man" (Akshay Kumar, Salman, Preity, Anupam Kher), "Dhoom 2" (Abhishek, Bipasha, Aishwarya, Hrithik) and "Lage Raho Munnabhai" (Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Vidya, Boman Irani)
Stars and script apart, getting an apt release date has become another important criterion of box-office success.
A favourable release date for Johar's "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" is expected to play a key role in deciding the fate of the movie. The film will benefit from the two national holidays in the week ahead.
Similarly, the release of "Omkara" was planned keeping in mind that it must not clash with "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" while "Golmaal" producers made sure "Krrish" was not released the same week.
In fact, gone are the days when certain months were considered taboo for releasing films. News reports say that in September, UTV will release "Khosla Ka Ghosla", Ashtavinyak will unveil "Dil Diya Hai" and Vidhu Vinod Chopra will return with his "Lage Raho Munnabhai".
But good months are packed as always. So Oct 20 will see the release of J.P. Dutta's "Umrao Jaan", Farhan Akhtar's "Don" and Sajid Nadiadwala's "Jaan-E-Mann", reports say.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
It's 'Main Hoon Don' again
Joginder Tuteja IndiaglitzGet set for a rocking action again as fireworks happen all around this Diwali!
After a rocking beginning to the promotion of 'Don' with a 20 second teaser, Farhan Akhtar has now unleashed a one minute song promo of the title 'Main Hoon Don'. And no, it is not a remix version of popular 'Arrey Deewani Mujhe Pehchano' but a brand new track by Shankar Ehsan Loy with the only similarity being the song's conclusion with the words 'Main Hoon Don'.
A swanky looking song picturised on an elaborate set with a dark yet flashy look throughout', 'Main Hoon Don' is an extravagantly shot number with Shahrukh Khan coming across as a style guru! His gyrates along with Isha Kopikar while partying around with a few men (who appear to be baddies) as Priyanka Chopra watches the proceedings.
A song with a retro feel to it, it mixes the spirit of the original Don with a dash of new age lounge effect to come across as a highly intriguing track!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)