News & Views

Anees Bazmee's mega plans

         Mumbai, May 28: Director Anees Bazmee is all set to start two projects, one of which will be produced by Boney Kapoor and Nitin Manmohan will produce the second. Nitin Manmohan's production is a bilingual, titled 'I Love My India' in Hindi and 'My American Bride' in English. The other venture which is to be produced by Boney Kapoor will star three heroes, one of them being Anil Kapoor. "Talks are on with Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan for the other two leads, while Tabu would be one of the leading ladies," Bazmee reveals. For the record Bazmee's last release was Ajay Devgan, Urmila and Akshaye Khanna starrer 'Deewangee'.

'Boom' time for Jackie

          Mumbai, May 27: Jackie Shroff's 'Boom' is being heavily promoted, not just in India, but throughout the world. The film stars Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan along with Jackie Shroff, Gulshan Grover, Zeenat Aman and Bo Derek. The production company behind the movie has hired a PR company to create a hype about the film in countries like the UK. The media has written a lot about the supposed exposure in the film but according to Jackie, "that's not enough to lure the audience because they are regularly exposed to such things now-a-days. As long as the end product is good the audience will watch it". The fact that lots of Hinglish films are being made these days is proof of the fact that the market has really opened up for such films and Boo' is all set to capture that market.

Naseer is an extraordinary gentleman

          Mumbai, May 27: Naseeruddin Shah is all set for his big day. This June, 'The League of Extraordinary Gentleman' will open in the US. Shah plays Captain Nemo in the film in which he shares screen space with the likes of Sean Connery and Stuart Townsend. This is a huge Hollywood production which makes Shah's crossover a major achievement. Of course, Shah is not the first Indian to star in a high profile Hollywood flick. Earlier, Om Puri was seen in Michael Douglas-Val Kilmer starrer 'Ghost' and 'Darkness'. Besides, Kabir Bedi and Persis Khambatta too have appeared in major US flicks.

Abhishek Bachchan's many shades

          Mumbai, May 27: Director Mani Ratham was in town recently to finalise the stars for his latest Hindi venture. He has already signed Vivek Oberoi and Ajay Devgan in the lead roles for the film. Rani Mukherjee and Kareena Kapoor will also be seen in the film. Abhishek Bachchan has been roped in too. Those close to the Abhishek revealed that the film requires Bachchan junior to play a negative role in it. Pre-Abhishek, most actors who have played characters with grey shades have been pretty successful. Perhaps this film might just do the trick for Abhishek!

Mumbai's don inspires Bollywood

          Mumbai, May 26: Mumbai's famous underworld don Daya Nayak seems to be a big inspiration for our Bollywood filmmakers. Apparently, his life has inspired big-time filmmakers like Ram Gopal Varma and N. Chandra. Ram Gopal Varma's new film 'Ab Tak Chappan' starring Nana Patekar is based on Daya's life. Buzz is that now N. Chandra too is making a film on the same subject. Titled 'Kagaar' the film will star Om Puri and Nandita Das in the lead.

Big B and SRK on same stage

          London, May 26: The London-based Asian Guild on Saturday night presented the Bollywood Lifetime Achievement Award to Amitabh Bachchan. Shah Rukh Khan was also honoured with the Bollywood Star of the Decade Award. Bachchan thanked the Asian Guild for recognising his achievements, which, he said, was possible because of the 'wonderful' opportunity that the Indian film industry has given him. Filmmaker Yash Chopra won an award for his outstanding contribution to the film industry. The Asian Guild Awards 2003 were presented at a gala dinner held at the Gosvenor House Hotel. Over 700 guests, including Lord Navneet Dholakia, Lord King, Lord Peter Archer, and businessmen SP Hinduja and GP Hinduja attended the function.

Jhankar Beats creates history

          Mumbai, May 25: Bollywood is finally becoming a favourite destination of Hollywood. Major international studios are taking a lot of interest in mainstream Hindi cinema. Buzz is that Hollywood's leading distribution company 20th Century Fox has acquired the all-India distribution rights of Sujoy Ghosh's 'Jhankaar Beats'. Produced under the banner of Pritish Nandy Communications, this is the first Hindi film to be acquired by 20th Century Fox. The film stars Juhi Chawla, Riya Sen, Rinke Khanna, Rahul Bose and Sanjay Suri and will be released on June 20.

Aamir dropped from John Mathew Mathan's film

          Mumbai, May 25: Industry is abuzz with the news that John Mathew Mathan's latest film will star Vivek Oberoi instead of Aamir Khan. Aamir had earlier starred in John's debut film 'Sarfarosh', which was a blockbuster. It was expected that John would definitely repeat Aamir in his next. Mathan says that he had approached Khan but the actor did not commit himself because he was busy Mathan even waited for Khan but when nothing materialised he had to sign Vivek Oberoi for the film.

Bengal's superstar will now direct Anil Kapoor

          Mumbai, May 25: Bengal's reigning superstar and yesteryear actor Biswajit's son Prasenjit Chatterjee, is all set to direct a period drama called 'Vande Mataram', with Anil Kapoor in the lead. The movie is being financed by Sahara India Pariwar and many Bengali actors will be sharing the screen space with Anil Kapoor. The film is said to have a very strong script and most of it will be shot in and around Calcutta. Incidentally, Biswajeet played Anil Kapoor's elder brother in Anil Ganguly's 'Saaheb'.

Bipasha and Dino are happy to be together once again

          Mumbai, May 24: After 'Raaz' and 'Gunaah', the hot couple Dino Morea and Bipasha Basu, were planning not to do any films together for sometime. But it seems that they have changed their mind, for the ex-lovers will soon be seen in actor Saurabh Shukla's film 'Ajnabee Ban Jaaye'. Like 'Raaz' and 'Gunaah', this film is also a psychological thriller and Dino plays a psychologist while Bipasha plays his patient. The industry is hopeful that the couple will again give another smash hit like 'Raaz'.

Chandni Bar will be screened in Moscow

          Mumbai, May 19: Madhur Bhandarkar's award wining film 'Chandni Bar' is in news again. This film was both a critical and a commercial success in India and now it will be screened in Russia. The prestigious Golden Knights Moscow Film Festival will screen the film on 22nd May. Bhandarkar was quite surprised when the film was selected and will himself represent the film in the festival. Russians are already aware of Indian cinema and Indian culture through the likes of Raj Kapoor and Nargis and this film too will definitely impress them once again.

A film on Taj Mahal to hit theatres soon

          Mumbai, May 19: Currently at least three movies are being made on the story of Taj Mahal. The first one to hit the screens will be 'Taj Mahal - A Monument of Love', which is being directed by Robin Khosla and is an Indo-Canadian joint venture. Bhagyashree's sister, Poornima, is making her debut in this film, which is being made in English and will be dubbed in Hindi. According to Robin, he has concentrated on the interactions between the two central characters in the film, namely, Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. The film has been shot in Kashmir and is of less than two hours duration.

Salman turns down Mahesh Manjrekar's offer

          Mumbai, May 19: Mahesh Manjrekar's first choice for his yet untitled directorial venture, a 90-minute experimental film revolving around a single character, was Salman Khan. However, Salman has turned down the offer and now Mahesh himself is doing the role. The film will be made in Hindi and English. Mahesh had initially announced that the film's protagonist would be a leading Bollywood actor in order to increase its commercial viability. However, now he has to rely on his own star value to sell the film.

' Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon' banned on radio

          Mumbai, May 18: Rajshri Films are desperate for their latest movie 'Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon' to become a massive hit. The film stars Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan and is one of the most awaited releases of the year. The soundtrack recently hit shops around the world and whilst the likes of MTV and Channel V are airing the songs, Rajshri have decided to ban Indian radio channels from playing the tracks. This has been done with the aim to make the listeners actually go and buy the album rather than listening to it on the radio for free. This move has, however, been criticised by various parties who believe that people won't buy the soundtrack until they have heard and liked the songs.

Oscars no barometer for us: Kamal Hasan

          Chennai, May 16: Actor-turned-director Kamal Hasan is of the opinion that a nomination for Oscars should not be considered a barometer for the Indian film industry as it is "predominantly American". The rest of the world has a share of just two per cent in the Oscars, according to him. He said it was high time the producers and the audience start giving a serious thought to it. "If we want to excel at the international level, we have to cheer for the films like we cheer for the cricketers. Only then we will become international," the versatile actor added.

           In an exclusive interview with ANI recently, Kamal Hasan said, "Oscars is an excellent award for American films; and just two per cent is for the rest of the world. So we have a reservation there. It should not be considered a prime award. It is an American gauge and not a world gauge." He further said, "My barometer probably lies in India. We are the largest audience, only next to China. And, besides that, we are the largest film-makers in the world."

          About his latest venture 'Sandiyar', a Tamil film, he said it's about those people who are short-tempered; those who have their own sense of justice and injustice who are quick to anger, quick to a challenge and late to repent. "This terrain of people has been there for about many 100 years, but slowly converting to 21st century. Such people are about 60- 70 years behind the rest of the world. They form a small portion of the total populace," he said while talking about his new film. Hasan further said, "I chose this theme because I have a great compassion for such people who mostly believe in battle, valour and victory. In my film I have lovingly criticised them, thereby portraying them with great respect."

Warrant against Shilpa Shetty's parents

          New Delhi, May 16: The parents of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty have been issued a non-bailable warrant by a court in Surat. The two allegedly have connections with the underworld, according to a TV channel. It reported that they sought the help of a man called Fazlur Rahman, belonging to the criminal class, to recover money due on Parag Saree manufacturers. Police from Surat have reached Mumbai to execute the warrant. At this moment, Shilpa's mother is with her at Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend a Bollywood awards function, but the police feel that her father SD Shetty is in India.

Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan will tour the world together

          Mumbai, May 16: Fans of Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan will now have the opportunity to watch the two actors in real life rather than on the big screen. They have appeared together in films like 'Saajan' and 'Chal Mere Bhai' and this time around they have signed to appear in a world tour titled 'Jalwa 2003'. Before committing himself to the event, Sanjay Dutt was forced to ask a special court in India for permission to leave the country. Other stars who will also take part in the tour include Bobby Deol, Bipasha Basu and Amisha Patel. The group will tour US, Canada and UK in May and June.

Raveena Tandon in holiday mood

          Mumbai, May 16: Raveena Tandon has decided to take a two- month sabbatical from work. She feels she has been working round the clock and it was time to take it easy, before her body gives up. Hence this holiday. In the past few months Raveena was essaying a variety of roles, on and off the screen. Besides completing her various assignments, the actress had been busy with her first home- production 'Stumped'. And now that 'Stumped' will open in a few days, the actress has decided to start two more films under her banner Reel Life Entertainment. The first film will be directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, while E. Niwas will direct the second one.

Mahesh Bhatt to shoot next film on Pak soil

          Mumbai, May 16: Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has revealed plans to shoot his next movie in Pakistan. The film is set in 1947 and will be yet another Hindu-Muslim love story, which has been covered several times in Indian cinema. Bhatt hopes to achieve the level of success that Mani Ratnam had achieved with 'Bombay', based on a similar topic. His film will feature a cast of both Indian and Pakistan actors. The idea has been put forward to the governments of both countries and their feedback is awaited. The UK production company Asian Pictures International is backing the project.

Jadeja in 'Khel' - of love, not game

          Mumbai, May 11: Former vice-captain Ajay Jadeja is all set to make his debut in a Bollywood potboiler 'Khel'. Directed by debutant Yusuf Khan, the movie has Jadeja pitted against seasoned actor Sunil Shetty and former beauty queen Celina Jaitley. But despite its rather suggestive title, 'Khel' is anything but a sports story. The film in fact is an emotional saga about two close friends in love with the same girl. Though enjoying the new challenge, Jadeja, who is now facing a five-year suspension for his alleged involvement in match-fixing scandal, is quick to retort that cricket will always be his first love. "Yes, that has always been the first priority and it will remain so. It's just that I did not have the option earlier, I could not play. But now I can. Even now when there is a match these people cancel my shoot and allow me to go. Cricket has always been my first priority," said Jadeja, who has got a reprieve from a local court. Jadeja filed a case in Delhi high court for reconsideration of his ban orders by the Indian cricket board. An arbitrator appointed by the court ruled Jadeja could play local matches. The case is to come up again later this month.

          Jadeja has also been signed to play the lead in another romance 'Pal Pal Dil Ke Pas' which is about the relationship between a grandmother and her grandson. Known for his stylish strokes on the field, Jadeja said he was enjoying his innings as an actor. "They are completely different fields you can't compare. One is all about reality and the other is absolute fiction. These are two different worlds and they should not be compared as both are important in their own way," said Jadeja. And as far as his acting histrionics go, close friend and co- producer of 'Khel Sunil Shetty was more than happy to bet on Jadeja's abilities.

          Cricketers being smitten by Bollywood is not new. Former batsman Vinod Kambli has acted in a film titled 'Anarth' and cricket legend Mohinder Amarnath has also reportedly agreed to do a role in an untitled foreign language film. In the seventies, Sunil Gavaskar acted in two Marathi films at the peak of his cricketing career- 'Svali Premachi' and 'Zakol' while wicket-keeper Salim Durrani set the screen on fire in a family drama 'Charitra'. Sandeep Patil, the man who hit Bob Willis for six fours in an over, was paired opposite Bengali beauty heroine Debashree Roy in 'Kabhi Ajnabee Theh'. Skipper Saurav Ganguly also has an offer to act in a Bengali movie 'Chandramalika'.

'Chalte Chalte': Losing Bollywood tries a different romance

          Mumbai, May 10: After a series of debacles, Bollywood pins its hopes on a new romantic film starring leading superstar Shahrukh Khan and bubbly Rani Mukherjee, 'Chalte Chalte.' It's all about money ... says the promotional catchline of Bollywood's latest romance. Well at least that's what the film producers hope it is. After a series of duds the Indian film industry has its eyes all set on this mushy rich-girl meets poor-boy tale who after a turbulent marriage realise that it's not love but monetary logic that governs relationships.

          Directed by Aziz Mirza, 'Chalte Chalte' stars heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan, who is also the film's co-producer, and Bollywood's latest romance queen Rani Mukherjee. The duo are teeming together for just the third time but are known for their on-screen chemistry. Khan, who has invested heavily in this 200 million rupee venture is selling the film rights much below the market rate in India, hoping to recover the costs in the overseas or NRI segment.

         "It is commercially viable in the overseas market as were my earlier ventures like 'Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani' and 'Asoka'. We have been helped by our partners in production UTV (United Television). I think on our own we would not have made it. The music company T-Series has been more than magnanimous in buying at the price that they have done. Overseas I think my films do well. So I think it will have a good market there and we will try to keep it as cheap as possible in India as a business decision. I think there is a viability of such films in such times," Khan said.

         Seventy five per cent of all major films released in 2003 bombed, the only saving grace being the marginal success of 'Saathiya' and the controversial 'Jism'. Even the 'Chalte Chalte' for all its big names and sleek production value is not going to have it easy. Love is the flavour of the season and it will face tough competition from at least three big banner romances: Honey Irani's directorial debut 'Armaan', family drama speicialist Sooraj Barjatya's 'Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon' and Rakesh Roshan's 'Koi Mil Gaya' which are readying for release.

          But the film's lead actress Rani Mukherjee is unfazed. She says the film's unconventional treatment of love and marriage will make it click. "This film is basically dealing with a mature relationship between a man and a woman. It deals with a lot of emotions which are not primarily on a superficial level, it is much deeper than that. It is very different from 'Saathiya'. It's not at all similar. I would say it's a romantic film, a love story but with different shades and a lot of levels of emotions," said Mukherjee. But for all the film's unconventionality, Mukherjee's optimism lies on thin ice.

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