Bollywood News

Shabana Azmi gets into fight with Ishq Ki Maa Ki lyricist

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3 days ago
by Fenil Seta in

Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 16, 2013)

 

Pallavi Mishra, who had won critical acclaim for her soulful lyrics in Gandhi to Hitler, is facing Shabana Azmi’s ire. The veteran actress has lambasted her on a social networking site for writing lyrics that demean women.

“I cannot believe that the song Ishq Ki Ma Ki… has been written by a woman Pallavi Mishra. Revolting, shameful, disgusting. Condemnable,” Azmi tweeted on Monday. The song in question is from Amit Kasaria’s I Don’t Luv U and is already climbing the charts. At the same time, many have found the line Ishq Ki Ma Ki… offensive and it was not surprising for Azmi to tweet her objection. Her only mistake was to attribute the song to the wrong person. Although Mishra has penned some of the songs of the film, this particular song has been written by Kasaria.

However, Mishra is not ready to take it lying down. When Mirror contacted her, she shot back: “I have always held Shabana Azmi in high regard. I am shocked by the allegations she has made against me on a social networking site. With due respect to her, I think she should have done her research first and found out who had written the song. I would like to know why she is getting personal.” According to Mishra, Azmi is blowing the issue out of proportion. “We made the song with no bad intention, depicting today’s youth. Moreover, after the Censor Board’s decision, the lyrics of the song have been changed from Ishq Ki Ma Ki to Ishq Ki Na Ki,” she More >

Ajay Devgn allows decade-old film Naam with his debut producer to release

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3 days ago
by Fenil Seta in

Subhash K Jha (DNA; May 16, 2013)

 

Dinesh Patel, who had produced Ajay Devgn’s debut movie Phool Aur Kaante is currently in a messy financial situation. To tide him over the monetary crisis Ajay has agreed to let him release a 10-year old film with him in the lead.

Old, long-forgotten films being fished out of the cans for release… these are every star’s biggest nightmare. Ajay, who is currently going through a very successful phase in his career, now has to confront the embarrassment of a 10-year old film entitled Naam (no relation to the Mahesh Bhatt film starring Sanjay Dutt) being released next week. The film directed by Anees Bazmee, stars Ajay, Sameera Reddy and Bhumika Chawla.

Anees agrees with Ajay’s decision. He says, “As a director, I feel uncomfortable about a 10-year-old film being released now. But the producer has put in the money and needs to recover his investment. I am told he’s  going through financial hardships. We have to respect  the producer’s financial interests.”

However, Anees agrees that the film may look dated. “Ajay and I are not what we used to be 10 years ago. But when we did the film it was a very well-written thriller. I’ve done another film Deewangee with Ajay later.  That too moved away from my forte, namely comedy. So we are both on a firm ground here.”

In Ekta’s absence, Tusshar plays perfect host at Shootout success party

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3 days ago
by Fenil Seta in

Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 16, 2013)

 

Tuesday night saw the cast and crew of Shootout at Wadala converge at a suburban venue for a bash thrown by Tusshar Kapoor, who played the perfect host in the absence of sister Ekta, who is currently pursuing a business course abroad.

Seen at the do were Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Sonu Sood, Kangna Ranaut and Sophie Choudry among others. Strangely though, John, who plays the pivotal role of Maanya Surve in the film, left soon after he arrived. Kangna’s presence came as a bit of a surprise considering there were reports she had been upset with the makers for promoting certain members of the cast more than the others. If she was feeling left out, she certainly didn’t show it. Or was it just a publicity stunt, we wonder!

A source present at the party told Mirror: “Tusshar more than made up for Ekta’s absence. He stood at the entrance, welcoming each guest. A huge crowd had gathered outside the venue to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars but there was no chaos.”

About the star guests, the source said: “John left very early though someone as senior as Anil stayed on for the longest time and interacted with everyone.”

Tusshar took care of the guests including organising a delectable spread for the guests, the source added.

Among the highlights of the evening was Sonu, who had recently undergone a leg surgery, appeared fully recovered. Funnily enough, the DJ kept playing ‘Manya Aala’ for hours after John had left the place. More >

Dhadkan 2 in the making

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3 days ago
by Fenil Seta in

Agencies (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 16, 2013)

 

The makers of Akshay Kumar-Shilpa Shetty starrer Dhadkan are planning a sequel to the romantic blockbuster. The 2000 romantic drama, directed by Dharmesh Darshan dealt with the love triangle between Akshay, Shilpa and Sunil Shetty. The film was produced by Ratan Jain of Venus.

“A lot of people have been constantly asking me about our plans of making Dhadkan 2. I am happy to announce that we plan to go on-floors this year. The essence of the film will remain same however, the new age sensibilities will be kept in mind,” Ratan Jain said in a statement here.

The makers are looking to release the film sometime next year.

“I feel humbled and honoured. To follow-up what is considered a classic is challenging,” Darshan said.

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Jigar Shah (MID-DAY; May 16, 2013)

 

Director Dharmesh Darshan caught the audience’s eye when he delivered box office hits like Lootere and Raja Hindustani, with Dhadkan (2000) being his last major hit.

However, since then none of the director’s films have managed to leave a mark, with his last project Bhawra not even managing to secure a release.

But looks like lady luck has smiled upon Darshan once more as buzz is he has landed a major project in his kitty.

Rumours are that the director’s next will be the sequel of Dhadkan and Ratan Jain, who also produced the original Akshay Kumar- Suniel Shetty- Shilpa Shetty starrer, has joined hands with him.

Confirming the buzz, Jain says, “A lot of people have been More >

Certain critics have loads of free time to think of me-Ameesha Patel

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3 days ago
by Fenil Seta in

MID-DAY (May 16, 2013)

 

Ameesha Patel and her business partner Kuunal Goomer, who recently announced the cast of their maiden home production, Desi Magic, are happy with the way their team is getting along. The film’s stars Zayed Khan and model- turned- actor Sahil Shroff are buddies in real life, so the teamwork is amazing. As Ameesha knows both of them personally, she is more like a friend than a producer to them.

It’s just a matter of days before the film goes on the floors. Says a source, “A 50- day non-stop schedule has been planned for Budapest and Venice and later in Punjab. Ameesha is presently busy for a month with her next release Shortcut Romeo opposite Neil Nitin Mukesh. She’s playing a strong character and is looking forward to the way her career is shaping up.”

When asked about her busy schedule nowadays Ameesha states, “I hope my critics read this. There are two ways to look at my career. One way is to see Ameesha still trying to get back and desperate. But the positive way of seeing it is Ameesha who was busy focussing on her personal issues or relationship is back in business with a bang, whether it’s doing a special appearance in Race 2 or my strong lead character with Neil in Shortcut Romeo or with my favourite actor Sunny Deol in Bhaiyyaji Superhit which also goes on floors in August or wearing the producer’s hat for my own home production Desi Magic. So I guess it’s how one takes it.” Ameesha also likes doing films outside her own banner along with her More >

There is something for every cinephile at 66th Cannes Film Festival

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3 days ago
by Fenil Seta in

Uma Da Cunha (MID-DAY; May 16, 2013)

 

The 66th Cannes has richness in store for movie lovers. The international jury makes a headstart here, led by a director of the stature of Steven Spielberg.

For the first time since 2005, his nine-member jury has a majority of film directors.

Steven Spielberg is joined by Ang Lee from Taiwan, the Romanian Christian Mungiu, Scottish Lynne Ramsay and Japanese Naomi Kawase. The four actors on the jury, Nicole Kidman, Christoph Waltz, Daniel Auteuil and from India, Vidya Balan, are also unusual, combining star power with critical acclaim.

Except for newcomer Balan, the others are Cannes regulars.

Palme d’Or winner Jane Campion will oversee the Cinéfondation and short film jury with Nandita Das as fellow juror. Danish director Thomas Vinterberg leads the jury for the popular Un Certain Regard sidebar, which opens with Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring. This section also features a Filipino film and the latest film by French auteur Claire Denis.

Cannes veterans Soderbergh, Polanski, Payne and the Coen brothers are part of the Competition line- up alongside other notables such as James Gray (The Immigrant), Alexander Payne (Nebraska) and from America Nicolas Winding Refn ( Only God Forgives), Arnaud Desplechin ( Jimmy P) and Baz Luhrmann with his opening night film ( The Great Gatsby). Out of competition films include J Chandor’s ( All Is Lost) which has no dialogue.

Following the universal hurrah for his film A Separation, Iranian director More >

Rituparna Sengupta’s next is on Article 161 A

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3 days ago
by Fenil Seta in

Ruman Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; May 16, 2013)

 

Bengali director Agnidev Chatterjee (right) and superstar Rituparna Sengupta are coming together for a Hindi film titled The Truth Behind Article 161. It deals with the only real-life case of pardon by a Governor, a power that is explained in Article 161 of the Indian Constitution.

Says Agnidev, “On May 12, 1978, a 23-year-old student was arrested for homicide, convicted and imprisoned. In 1999, after serving his sentence, he was pardoned by the Governor and absolved of his crime. Today, this man is leading a life of dignity and honour. He wants his story to be told so that people have a comprehensive understanding of Article 161 and people who deserve to get pardoned under this Article are able to lead a normal life. I went to Delhi to meet him and was completely overwhelmed after he narrated me his story. What struck me most was his wife’s silent struggle. While Rituparna will play the wife, Karron Mallik (left) will play the protagonist. He has an uncanny resemblance with this man and it will add to the authenticity of the character.”

Rituparna, who has delivered back-to-back hits last year with the director, says, “Portraying a real-life character is very challenging and we are looking forward to making a social impact with this film.”

Raj-DK to initiate campaign for aesthetic no-smoking short films

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3 days ago
by Fenil Seta in

Ram Kohli (DNA; May 16, 2013)

 

The nauseating unaesthetic statutory warnings against smoking that prelude every feature film could well be a thing of the past. Co-directors Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK intend to initiate a campaign to get young aspiring filmmakers to make innovative anti-smoking short-films.

Says Raj, “These anti-smoking films can be showcased at the beginning of feature films. We can make cancer propaganda an aesthetic experience. We’ll first call for entries from aspiring talented filmmakers and then select the ones who’d actually make the films. These films can be screened in lieu of the current anti-smoking propaganda films that we see before every film. The film can be changed every few months to give newer talent a chance. This would not only add an aesthetic element so lacking in the anti-smoking short films we see at the moment before every film, it would also provide aspiring filmmakers a platform to express themselves.”

Kickstarting the proposed series was a three-minute anti-smoking message directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D K themselves. A shorter version of Saif’s message-oriented film is shown along with the directorial duo’s new film Go Goa Gone. Explains Raj, “We contacted the ministry of Information and Broadcasting and offered to do a cooler and yet effective anti-smoking film in place of the one that is screened by them.”

Saif’s it’s-not-cool-to-smoke message that we see at the beginning of Go Goa Gone was initiated by the actor More >

Ranbir Kapoor: A superstar too soon?

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4 days ago
by Fenil Seta in

Just five years in the industry and Ranbir Kapoor might already be zooming ahead of the Khans

Jigar Shah (MID-DAY; May 15, 2013)

 

Rishi Kapoor might have been appareciated for his chocolate boy looks, his style and his acting calibre, but unfortunately he never got elevated to the superstar status. Looks like his son Ranbir will compensate for all that and more. Even though Ranbir’s debut film, Saawariya bit the dust, everyone knew that this boy has a special spark. But no one perhaps imagined him to grow at the kind of speed that he is growing.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is just the 10th film of Ranbir’s five year long career. Given the buzz of the film high bucks are being offered to pick up the rights of the film. Starting with Saawariya, which bombed, over the last five years and nine films he has slowly and steadily gained the confidence of the audience.

Sources inform us that his next film Yeh Jaawani Hai Deewani is already being picked up at a record high amount, and in a circuit like CP, which contributes around five per cent of all-India collection has paid a staggering Rs 3.15 crore as minimum guarantee for the film. A source informs, “The last film that was picked up in this circuit was at least a crore less then Yeh Jaawani, such amount of price is unheard of..”

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh: says, “With due respect to other actors, the kind of charisma and charm Ranbir possess no one else does. The breath in which we takes names of Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman, we More >

Sanjay Dutt controls his emotions on the last day of shooting

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4 days ago
by Fenil Seta in

Subhash K Jha (DNA; May 15, 2013)

 

The last day’s shooting for Zanjeer 2.0 on Monday (13 May) was also the final day of Sanjay Dutt’s shooting before he goes into prison. Understandably it was a very emotional moment, laden with much talk of assumed bravado, false optimism and genuine nostalgia.

Says an eyewitness from the set. “The final shots of Zanjeer were taken at the Chandivali Studio in suburban Andheri. Look at Sanjay Dutt’s spirit! He drove all the way from his residence in Pali Hill to the studio which is a good two-hour drive, leaving behind his wife and kids with whom he wants to spend the final days of freedom. But since everyone else had flown in for the final shot from different cities Sanjay had to be there.”

For that final day of shooting Priyanka Chopra had flown in from Goa, Ram Charan Teja from Norway and Srihari, who plays Sanju’s role in the Telugu version of Zanjeer, came in from Hyderabad. The atmosphere on the set was ‘emotionally charged’ but controlled.”

Says the eyewitness, “Everyone kept the spirit light. We all felt the weight of what we were doing. I mean, sh*t man! This was Sanjay Dutt’s final shot for the next three years. I don’t know how we all kept laughing and joking. Gifts were exchanged and everyone tried to keep calm. But everyone was disturbed. Many times we saw tears welling up in Sanjay’s eyes. It was very sad moment.”

Apparently Sanjay left the shooting with a smile asking everyone to pray for him.

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