News & Views

Most expensive spy movie set for April release

          MUMBAI: From Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan to Vin Diesel ... they have all played the character with panache. Now giving an Indian touch to the "spy" is actor Sunny Deol in 'Hero', the love story of a spy. Co-starring dimpled-cheek Preity Zinta and former Miss World Priyanka Chopra, Hero is the most expensive Hindi film ever made. Budgeted more than 500 million rupees, the film has colossal sets and international action experts to coordinate breath-taking stunts.

           Living up to the title of the film, Deol has performed a death-defying stunt by jumping from a height of 11,000 feet. He also fights a six-feet eight-inch tall, 350-pound professional wrestler, the world famous Mike Lorio, in a daredevil action sequence. Interestingly, this is not the first time Deol has played a spy. His earlier movies 'Himmat' and 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' were both based on James Bond movies.

           Directed by Anil Sharma, Hero is the biggest Indian movie to hit screens in the United States, Canada and West Indies since 'Gadar' which had also starred Deol. "The film if I describe in one line is a story of a man for whom nothing else is important other than his country. The most important thing for him was his country. That's the only reason the name of the film is Hero. He is the hero of Hero," said Sharma at a press conference in Mumbai.

           The film tells the story of an army officer who is determined to fight cross-border terrorism and is aided in the mission by a fellow female spy, also his fiancee, who also brings an element of sensitivity in the otherwise insensitive afffair. Preity Zinta, who plays Reshma, a spy is quite satisfied with her role. "It's essentially a spy thriller. So how you see a spy thriller ... you have a puzzle. We fit into the various parts of that puzzle. It doesn't matter if you are a big part of that puzzle or a small part. What is important is that if you weren't in the puzzle, the whole puzzle wouldn't be complete," said the bubbly actress.

           According to industry sources, this film will definitely bail the sagging industry out of the red. Last year, most Bollywood mega-budget movies made huge losses and analysts estimate the film industry lost about four billion rupees on total spending of 10 billion rupees. The last spy movie to hit the marqee 'Tehelka', a rip-off from the 70's Hollywood hit 'Guns of Navarone', sank without a trace. The fate of this Deol-Zinta starrer will now be seen when the movie releases on April 11.
March 19,  2003

Bollywood Hopes Lara, Priyanka Will Revive Box Office

          MUMBAI:  Trapped in a rut of shabby scripts and candyfloss formulas, and besieged by pirates, India's Bollywood dream factory is stuck in a nightmare. After one of the worst years in its century-long run and massive losses in 2002, the movie kingdom is desperately looking for a turn-around. The latest to hit the silver screen next month will be 'Andaaz' (Style), a love triangle involving two former beauty queens and a macho action hero. Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta and Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra compete to win the love of Akshay Kumar. Dutta and Chopra are following the footsteps of their predecessors, Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai, two of the most successful actresses.

          "It's a completely different world. I think it's a lot more hard work. But I think having a modelling background definitely helps. I don't think it's a disadvantage because once you know how to face the camera and you are comfortable in front of it, then you can concentrate on your acting as an actress and give that 100 per cent. So far it has been good," 23-year-old Dutta said at the music launch ceremony of the film. For Priyanka, the youngest ever Miss World from India, Lara is a lucky mascot. "I would consider it a milestone. Lara has been always lucky for me and me for her. So I would much rather compete with her than anybody else. I think it's brilliant. Lara and I share a very good rapport," she said.

           'Andaaz' tells the story of three individuals - an Air Force officer, a tomboyish girl with a golden heart and a beauty queen - and how they fall in love and understand its true meaning. Produced by Suneel Darshan, a master of musical love stories, 'Andaaz', made at a mega-budget of Rs 140 million, has been entirely shot in beautiful locales of New Zealand and Australia. Last year, most Bollywood mega-budgeted blockbusters made huge losses and analysts estimate that the film industry lost about Rs 4 billion on a total spending of Rs 10 billion.

            For Akshay Kumar, an outright action star, working in a mushy love story with two beauty queens was entirely a different experience. "What I did in maybe after my ten years, they've done it in their first year. They've been very good and they don't look like they are new," said Kumar. For the "dying" Hindi film industry, where everyone speaks, looks and acts the same way, 'Andaaz', which hits the cinemas across the country in mid-April, might just come as a saviour. As some analysts say - 2003 will be a make-or-break year for Bollywood.
March 7,  2003

'Dev' Latest from Govind Nihalani

          MUMBAI: Govind Nihalani, known for hard-hitting offbeat cinema, launched his new film 'Dev' at Mumbai's Raj Kamal Studios. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan playing the role of a cop with Om Puri, Kareena Kapoor and Fardeen Khan. The film was launched with a traditional 'pooja' by Govind Nihalani with the whole star cast offering the "ahuti". The pooja ceremony was followed by the muhurat shot .This shot was taken on Amitabh Bachchan and Om Puri at an elegantly designed set by Sharmistha Roy. Govind Nihalani being a cinematographer himself is directing as well as photographing the film. The muhurat shot included an interlude between Om Puri and Amitabh Bachchan. They both play cops in the film who are great friends as well.

           It is the first time Amitabh Bachchan is working with Govind Nihalani and also with Om Puri. Amitabh said: "I have been seeing Govind's films since early age and always desired to work with him but nothing worked out. But I am really excited to work with him in 'Dev'. I am playing the role of a cop". Om Puri had a long association with Govind Nihalani but is working with Amitabh Bachchan for the first time. Ironically both Om and Amitabh started off their career playing cops and now again they are playing cops in their first film together. Om Puri is very excited working with Amitabh who has always been his inspiration since his NSD days.

           Om Puri said: "Govindji and I have a long association, who has drawn the best from me, and I am hopeful and sure that this film will achieve the same level. It is a happy reunion. I am overwhelmed working with Amitabh. I'm his admirer since I saw Anand at Golcha cinema in Delhi. I can even recall when and where I saw Amitabh's films, in which year and in which theatre. I am happy to work with him. We are playing cops of the same rank in the film and share the same professional and personal joys and pangs of life."

           Film director Govind Nihalani always makes films that are hard hitting, real and touches topical issues. After 'Ardhasatya', 'Aaghat', 'Aakrosh', 'Tamas', 'Drohkaal' , 'Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa' and the latest 'Thakshak' he is back with another hard hitting subject in 'Dev'. A different film with a totally different approach with a terrific casting. Surely the film will make a mark in the history of Indian cinema.

           Govind Nihalani: "Amitabh and Om are the best talents in India. Same goes with the rest of the cast. My film is very realistic but does not compromise on content. In fact I have integrated human predicament with human emotions without resorting to cliches." Another hallmark of the film is the presence of today's hottest teen idols Kareena Kapoor and Fardeen Khan who also have important roles in 'Dev'. By this film both the stars who happen to be today's youth icons would be attempting serious cinema.

           Fardeen Khan has this to say: "I still consider myself at the threshold of my career and this film is a part of my journey as an actor. 'Dev' is a very topical film. It is truely an honour working with Amitabh and this is the right opportunity. It is a dream come true for me. Hope I justify that". Dev would go on the floors soon and would be ready for release by next year. Music of the film is given by Aadesh Shrivastava and lyrics by Nida Fazli. Other stars of the film include Rati Agnihotri, Amrish Puri, Sharad Kapoor, Milind Gunaji and new-comers Amrita Subhash and Suhita Thatte.
March 6,  2003

Amitabh Comes up With Another Deewar

          MUMBAI: Many more such unforgettable dialogues, a taut story, incredible acting and great songs were what gave Yash Chopra's 'Deewar' its immense repeat value. The film had another distinction: it consolidated Amitabh Bachchan's super-successful 'Angry Young Man' image. Twenty-eight years later, Bachchan will be back with another film with the same title 'Deewar'.

           Produced by Gaurang Doshi, 'Let's Bring Our Heroes Home' also stars Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye Khanna. The heroines are yet to be finalised, but Shilpa Shetty, Bipasha Basu and Lara Dutta appear to be in the reckoning. The presence of Shilpa Shetty and Priti Jhangani set a buzz with everybody guessing who would make it to the top slot. The shooting of the film will commence in March. Deewar is aiming for an April 2004 release. At a lavish function at Taj Land's End, in Bandra, a Mumbai suburb, Doshi launched his film with a unique audio-visual promotion revolving around 54 prisoners of war.

           Bachchan, who was accompanied by son Abhishek, was quite at home with in his latest venture. He said, "I had earlier worked with Gaurang in the movie Aankhen and I think he has done a very nice job in it. The story of Aankhen was different and beautiful. And this film is again an important effort of Gaurang. This story deals with the truth and is based on it, and I think that Gaurang has done a beautiful job again here". Sanjay Dutt seemed optimistic about the movie. He said, "It's raw emotional power and it's India-Pakistan again and we win. India wins"

           The film is directed by Milind Luthria who had assisted Mahesh Bhatt on films like 'Gumrah', 'Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke', 'Naajayaz' and 'Sir'. Describing the storyline, Milind said, "It's about an escape - one of the great escape ever and it's essentially an action thriller. But now I am unable to reveal much, but it's great star cast coming together and we have great producer backing. I think our confidence shows from the promo that before starting the major schedules we are showcasing the film to media". Producer Gaurang's latest venture 'Deewar' is based on the subject of prisoners of war, those who are still languishing in the jails of Pakistan and their so-called escape.

           The film is inspired by the life story of the 1954 POWs and their families. Gaurang said, "It's a first-time achievement - what all we have thought about it, have done and have achieved. Nobody in this industry has done this kind of muhurat launch." The film is scheduled to be shot in locales of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat (Bhuj) and Mumbai. The film is about a wall between a father and son, between two countries. Therefore no other title could have been more apt.
March 6,  2003

Milind Soman Turns Producer of 'Rule for Love' Film

          MUMBAI: Those who believe love can be bound by no rules, think again. Bollywood will soon be out with a flick which offers some rules to help one find a happy and secure love life. 'Rules - Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula' (Rules - Love's Superhit Formula) is a new Hindi film that hopes to explore more dimensions of love, a formula used by the industry directors time and again. But the film is pegging its marketibility not so much on the theme but on Milind Soman, India's first supermodel-cum-actor, who now turns producer after failing to create waves with his histrionics.

           Soman, who suffered a string of flops in the past few years, following his decision to join the film world, plays the lead role, that of a popular model, in his first production venture. "I felt it was a good time to actually contribute myself. If I could get good writers together, if I could get good directors together, get the right people with the money interested, create good films right from scratch, that would be much better for me, whether I act in the film or not. Because I love cinema, I don't have to act in a film that I produce. Just getting a good film together would be fun in itself," said Soman here.

          Directed by debutant film-maker, Parvati Balagopalan, the film also stars another first-timer, Meera Vasudevan, opposite Soman. "This girl is so sweet, very simple, very individualistic and strong as well. She is a person whom you will find anywhere, probably you've come across such instances in life. These are everyday experiences, very common experiences that a person can really relate to," said Vasudevan, while talking about her character in the film.

           The movie revolves around a photographer who follows certain well thought out strategic rules to win the man of her dreams, a debonair supermodel who is a hit with all women. Music, an important aspect of a popular Hindi flick, has been provided in the film by Sandesh Shandilya, who earlier struck gold with blockbusters like 'Kabhie Khushi, Kabhi Gam' and 'Road'. Soman's production is being shot at a time when the Indian Hindi film industry's candy-floss romances are floundering at the box office and film collections are at an all-time low.
March 6,  2003

'Andaaz' Music Launched' in Style

          MUMBAI: It was an evening to remember. The music launch of Suneel Darshan's 'Andaaz', directed by Raj Kanwar and starring Akshay Kumar, Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles, last week at Hyatt Regency was a grand affair. The music launch also coincided with the launch of the audio label Shree Krishna Audio. Besides the principal cast and the technical team behind the project, the who's who of the entertainment industry were also present to grace the occasion. Amitabh Bachchan, Smita Thackeray and Kareena Kapoor were the chief guests, while a number of producers and distributors were there to wish producer Suneel the very best.

           The movie which is produced by Suneel Darshan has music by Nadeem Shravan and introduces both Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra. And working opposite them is one-time Bollywood's Casanova Akshay Kumar. Gone are the days when Akshay was more interested in the fighter rather than the actor roles. Having sailed smoothly with 'Aankhen', 'Awara Paagal Deewana' and 'Jaani Dushman', he has projects which include Suneel Darshan's 'Talash', Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Aan' and Rajkumar Santoshi's 'Khaki'.

          'Andaaz' is a passionate love story that revolves around the three characters and a twist of fate that changes the very direction one leads his life. Commenting about the storyline and the script, Director Raj Kanwar said, "I have been planning this script for a long time and when I wrote this subject producer Suneel said let's make this movie and that's how we started. Music, picturesque locales and two new stars is what spells to be the USP of this movie. And the film is expected to be released shortly.
March 4,  2003

'Oops!' : The Forbidden Fruits

          MUMBAI: As Bollywood and its candy-floss romances flounder, a new breed of "potentially disturbing" films are wooing Indian audiences with taboo tales of incest and homosexuality. Dubbed Hinglish - a mix of Hindi and English - these low-budget productions are cashing in on the growth of a large urban elite whose first language is English and newer, smaller cinemas that give niche movies a longer shelf-life.

           Come April and theatres across the country will be hit by an Indian version of Hollywood hit 'Full Monty' which hopes to follow the trend of offbeat films drawing large crowds. A 30-something actor Deepak Tijori recently completed his first directorial venture 'Oops!', a film about male dancers resorting to professional stripping to earn money. 'Oops!' attempts to enter that part of people's personal lives which no one in the usual orthodox Indian society has explored. The film tackles issues and projects the happenings behind closed doors in a deeply conservative society where nudity is yet to make it on screen and a kiss can still stir controversy.

           Tijori acknowledges the fact that the phenomenon exists in Indian society which one needs to accept. "Basically, it's a very contemporary story, what is exactly happening in today's society. I'm not portraying anything which is unusual. It is something behind closed doors. So, I am just opening the doors for a lot of people to come and see it," said Tijori at a party of the film held in Mumbai.

           'Oops!' is in contrast with the staple Bollywood blockbuster, a three-hour extravaganza of a boy-meets-girl told with lavish sets and costumes and spectacular song-and-dance routines. But the tried and tested Bollywood formula is struggling. Far from making money, mainstream Indian cinema spent about 10 billion rupees in 2002 and lost about four billion in 2002. The film, shot within a span of 44 days, with a minimal budget of 25 million rupees, stars new-comers who hope to make it big in the tinsel world.

          For first-timer Kiran Janjani, playing a stripper, was embarrassing initially but gradually he accepted it. "Actually, he (the character) is a dancer but he wants to live in style, wants to be outgoing. So, how he becomes a male stripper after getting into dancing to earn more money. How he gets into a lot of problems being a male stripper, how he gets out of it - that's what 'Oops!' is," said Janjani. Mink Singh, a regular in small-time Hindi movies has bagged a plum role that of a "star" in the film. "He wanted a girl who already looks like a star and who doesn't have to work so hard on her looks and her attitude to be a star. He thought that I was really accurate, later when he offered me the film", says an excited Mink.

           A record number of 15 Hinglish movies are due out in 2003 - only a tiny fraction of the almost 1,000 films due to be churned out across the country. And for their successes, the scale of their profits always matches their low costs.
March 2,  2003

India Fascinates Hollywood Starlet

          SYDNEY: Budding Hollywood starlet Kate Fischer is looking towards India for inspiration and perhaps a break into Bollywood. She features on the front page of the latest edition of Indian Link, a paper for Indians living in Australia. Fischer, who lived in India for about a year when she was a child, is featured dressed in a resplendent sari at a beachside location, reports News.com.au. XXXXXXX "I'd move to India briefly, stay at the Oberoi (love that hotel) and learn some Bollywood movies. Now that would be heaps of fun!", she is quoted as saying in the report.

March 1,  2003
India Overseas

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