Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged 2007
Ahana Deol to make Bollywood debut?
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
After turning down several projects in the past, Hema Malini’s younger daughter has chosen to make a debut with Vikramaditya Motwane’s next
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 05, 2011)
While her younger sibling is still struggling to make a niche for herself in Bollywood, Ahana Deol has finally decided to take the plunge. And she arrived at the decision after much deliberation.
Here’s a flashback. A few years ago, Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s younger daughter Ahana refused to play the lead role in one of Dev Anand’s films. And apart from Dev Anand, she turned down several others who wanted to cast her in their films.
Her friends and relatives always said that she was shy of Bollywood. And now she’s gone and proved them wrong.
Last year, she opened a store that stocks clothes designed by her, paintings and photographs by other artists and also edibles like jams, pastries and other gourmet products.
In 2007 there were reports that Ahana was contemplating directing a film but that never materialised. But the Bollywood bug was lurking somewhere and has bitten her now.
If all goes well, Ahana will star in Vikramaditya Motwane’s next. Rumour has it that Anurag Kashyap, who produced Motwane’s directorial debut Udaan, may produce this film as well. The modalities are now being worked out.
Vikramaditya Motwane Anurag KashyapA very close friend of Ahana’s told Mumbai Mirror, “She is very close to Vikramaditya and his wife. Ahana is More >
Fans believe I can beat up 100 people-Sunny Deol
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Sunny Deol returns to action in his family drama with Dharmendra and Bobby Deol
Mark Manuel | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; January 5, 2011)
Sunny Deol is excited. Yamla Pagla Deewana, his film with father Dharmendra and brother Bobby Deol, releases on January 14. It is their second film together after Apne in 2007. But this one is different, the promos are promising, the Deols have been getting favourable reports from friends, fans and the industry. Sunny unloaded some of his excitement onto me. “The audience will see us like never before,” he said, “the film is wholesome entertainment, like a Manmohan Desai lost-and-found story, but our approach has been more logical. It is a neat and clean film, a good package that ladies, children, grown-ups will enjoy, the story revolves around us nicely, there are no gags for the sake of gags, there’s action — my image of a man who can beat up 100 people is there, but it’s not bloodlust, there’s no vendetta and wanting to hurt, we’ve made fun of ourselves… Yamla Pagla Deewana has got it all.”
He has reason to look forward to the film. Sunny has spent 27 years in Bollywood. But since 2004, it’s been a struggle for the proud and rugged Jat. “I don’t know why,” he admitted ruefully. “Things didn’t fall they way they ought to have.” And he’s not had a release since Right Yaaa Wrong in March last year. This has to be his comeback vehicle. With Pa Dharmendra driving. Naturally, Sunny has reason enough to be More >
Movie Review: BHOOT AND FRIENDS by TARAN ADARSH
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in External Reviews
By Taran Adarsh, December 31, 2010 – 10:48 IST
Okay, so we have one more ‘kiddie film’ hoping to catch the audience attention this Friday, after the watchable TOONPUR KA SUPERRHERO last week and the avoidable RAMAA – THE SAVIOUR a few weeks ago. I must confess, when I first glanced at the poster of BHOOT AND FRIENDS, I felt it would be an extension of BHOOT UNKLE [2006]. BHOOT UNKLE as well as BHOOT AND FRIENDS are produced by the same name [Aneesh Arjun Dev], feature the same actor as ghost [Jackie Shroff] and feature ‘Bhoot’ in their titles. Furthermore, both feature kids in pivotal parts. Quite a few similarities…
BHOOT AND FRIENDS, directed by Kittu Saluja [CHAIN KULII KI MAIN KULII; 2007], is extremely low on hype. In fact, the awareness is so minimal that you may not have heard of this one at all. And even if you’ve heard of it, chances are you may not be too willing to invest two hours of your precious life on this movie since kiddie films made in India, generally, haven’t been successful in cutting across the entire spectrum of movie-going audience – from kids to grown-ups.
BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COMAs a film, BHOOT AND FRIENDS surprises you sporadically [the animation in the second half and the pre-climax, when the kids are thrown in a dark cave, are absorbing], but the problem lies in the fact that it uses the usual stunts and tricks [of kids throwing marbles and nails to make the villains slip on floor/road, kids combating an entire army More >
Wickedest scandals of the decade
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Kunal M Shah chronicles Bollywood’s wickedest scandals from 2001 to 2010 with encyclopaedic rigour
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 31, 2010) 2001
Star secretary Ajit Diwani was murdered by the underworld in 2001. Cops caught producer Nazim Rizvi and later Bharat Shah for their alleged involvement with the underworld during the making of Chori Chori Chupke Chupke.
From Salman Khan to Preity Zinta to Shah Rukh Khan to Sanjay Dutt, everyone was deposed before the MCOCA court.
2002
Salman Khan creating a ruckus with his then girlfriend Aishwarya Rai on the sets of Shah Rukh Khan’s Chalte Chalte following which SRK replaced Aishwarya Rai with Rani Mukherji.
In September, Salman Khan’s car mowed down some pavement dwellers in Bandra. Salman was allegedly drunk.
The case is still pending. By October the same year Abhishek and Karisma’s engagement was announced, but was soon called off. Aamir Khan and his wife Reena Dutta filed for divorce.
2003
Aishwarya Rai moved on from Salman Khan and started dating Vivek Oberoi. Vivek Oberoi called for a press conference to announce that Salman Khan was threatening him over the phone and had allegedly made 41 calls to him.
Mallika Sherawat announced her debut with 17 kisses in Khwahish.
2004Starlet Preeti Jain filed a rape case against director Madhur Bhandarkar.
Madhur went underground for some days before appearing in front of cops and the More >
Richard Gere looking to return to India
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Hollywood superstar continues helping Dalai Lama and Tibetans from outside the country
Prithwish Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; December 30, 2010)
Hollywood superstar Richard Gere, who is set to start shooting for Goutam Ghose’s Lala, might be disliked by radical political outfits in India post his kissing row with Shilpa Shetty — but that does not mean that he is persona non grata in the country. BT has learned that Gere, through his philanthropic organisation — The Gere Foundation, is providing free medical aid and other healthcare assistance to the people of Dharamshala. Gere is keeping the operations hush-hush given the flak he got during a 2007 AIDS promotion outside New Delhi when he kissed Shilpa on her cheek.
The Hollywood actor is one of the most high-profile disciples of Tibet’s spirital leader in exile — the Dalai Lama. And even though Gere hasn’t been travelling to India as religiously as he was doing some years back (fearing arrest), he is making quite a statement by being a close friend of our country. He has also been very vocal about Tibet’s freedom struggle with China. His foundation site confirms this as a statement reads that the body “aims to alleviate suffering and help to restore autonomy to the people of Tibet”.
A top source from Dharamshala informs, “Gere does not need to be here to help the people of the land and especially the Tibetan refugees. He has been actively working every single day for the rights of More >
Rohan Sippy to produce Happy Birthday
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Gaurang Doshi loses the film Happy Birthday, courtesy his dubious record of domestic violence. Rohan Sippy has been asked to step in to save the project
Mauli Singh (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 08, 2010)
Sriram Raghavan’s film, Happy Birthday, is back on track but with a difference.
Gaurang Doshi, who was in the news recently for being arrested on charges of domestic violence, will not produce this film any more. Instead, Rohan Sippy will.
Gaurang Doshi Rohan SippyHappy Birthday, starring John Abraham and Aishwarya Rai, was supposed to commence in mid-2007.
Aishwarya stormed out of the project. Then, Doshi ran into controversies for his alleged affair with Flora Saini and then for allegedly assaulting his wife Madhuri.
The latest is that Raghavan confirmed that he will start Happy Birthday as soon as he completes Agent Vinod.
However, he refused to confirm whether or not the original cast, John and Aishwarya will be retained.
When contacted, Raghavan said, “Yes, Happy Birthday is back on track. And now Rohan Sippy is on board.”
Sippy said, “I am looking forward to work with Sriram Raghavan. Right now, I am busy with Dum Maro Dum. I would love it if Happy Birthday is my next one. Even John is excited about this development. However, a few modalities are yet to be worked out.”
Tabu might bag Life of Pi
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Ang Lee’s adaptation of Yann Martel’s 2001 bestseller is likely to have the actress play the role of Pi’s mother
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 01, 2010)
Post our report on newcomer Suraj Singh playing the protagonist in Ang Lee’s adaptation of Yann Martel’s bestseller Life Of Pi there is better news.
The latest buzz is that while the Academy Award winning director is auditioning actors like Sushant Singh and Sonu Sood to cast Pi’s father, he has apparently signed Tabu to play the role of Pi’s mother in the film. The makers of the film will start shooting in Pondicherry in January 2011.
Our source said, “Ang Lee was in Mumbai some days ago and stayed in a five star hotel in Bandra. His casting director and he had shortlisted some actors who were called for auditions.”
Confirming this, Sushant Singh said, “Yes, I met Ang Lee and his casting director. I had sent them a tape and they called me to meet them. They have shortlisted a couple of people and I am one of the contenders. I am hoping for the best.”
Meanwhile, Lee apparently also met Tabu and signed her on for the role of Pi’s mother. Tabu has been very selective with her choice of films of late. She was last seen in Toh Baat Pakki earlier this year and in Cheeni Kum in 2007.
Though the actress has worked in a couple of films down South, she has not signed on any new Bollywood films in the meantime.
Another source close to the film said, “Ang Lee had been watching Tabu’s work and More >
Kareena has record number of festival period releases
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Joginder Tuteja, November 25, 2010 – 11:42 IST
Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar may have set their eyes on Christmas with Taare Zameen Par/Welcome [2007], Ghajini/Jumbo [2008], 3 Idiots [2009] and Tees Maar Khan [2010]. Salman Khan may have captured his Eid slot with Wanted [2009], Dabangg [2010] and Bodyguard [2011]. But Kareena isn’t content with just one festival. She wants them all and is pretty much having her way as well.
Says a veteran trade observer, “After all Diwali and Christmas have turned out to be most beneficial for filmmakers due to long holiday period as well as general mood of celebrations and festivities. People don’t mind spending money and if a film is indeed made well, the makers and the actors benefit the most. It is crystal clear that while all the men are fighting it out amongst themselves when it comes to festive releases, Kareena is enjoying the best of all seasons. Well, literally.”
There are facts to substantiate this claim. This year her Golmaal 3 released on Diwali. Last year her 3 Idiots had arrived on Christmas while Main Aurr Mrs Khanna had released on Diwali. In 2008, her Golmaal Returns had made a splash on Diwali while Jab We Met in 2007 too had released just a few days before Diwali. Even earlier, her films like Don – The Chase Begins Again [Diwali 2006], Dosti – Friends Forever [Christmas 2005] and Aitraaz [Diwali 2004] had benefited by arriving in the festive season.
“Somehow this fact never got highlighted as all the More >
RGV all set to resume productions
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Joginder Tuteja, November 23, 2010 – 14:18 IST
After a hiatus, Ram Gopal Varma would be back into the business of making films with a vengeance. He would soon be flagging off multiple films in the year 2011 where he won’t necessarily be coming behind the camera as a director.
“That’s true, I can’t sit quite for long. I have to start new productions now”, confirms Ramu whose last production without him as a director was ill fated Go (2007). On the other hand, his other production Shabri is stuck in the cans for years.
There was a time when Ram Gopal Varma was busy giving breaks to number of first time directors. They could have ranged from spot boys to assistant directors to writers but anyone with promise who caught fancy of Ramu had a good enough opportunity to get a film for himself.
“However, the results weren’t always favourable”, comments an industry veteran, “Look at the line up of such films with first time directors. Except for Shimit Amin (Ab Tak Chappan), Sriram Raghavan (Ek Hasina Thi) and to some extent Chandan Arora (Main Madhuri Dixit Banana Chahti Hoon) and E. Niwas (Shool), none of the others managed to make any niche for themselves.”
His argument does make sense. After all, post their debut films, the makers of Pyaar Tuyne Kya Kiya, Road, Gayab, My Wife’s Murder, James, Mr Ya Miss and Go have hardly made much mark in Bollywood over the decade gone by.
“Ramu went back to directing each of his last few productions, whether Rakht Charitra, Agyaat, More >
Nikhil Advani wants to get back in KJo’s camp?
02 years ago
After their fallout in 2007 and a recent patch up, Nikhil Advani is making extra efforts to get back in the Karan Johar camp
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 12, 2010)
After working on Kal Ho Na Ho (2003) with Karan Johar, director Nikhil Advani went on to make Salaam-E-Ishq (2007) with another producer. Karan was left high and dry and was hence upset with him.
The two were not talking to each other for a long time until they finally patched up. Karan then directed the mahurat shot of Nikhil’s next, Patiala House.
Karan JoharThe latest is that Nikhil has now decided to tread very cautiously with his mentor Karan. With his last film Chandni Chowk To China (2009) having bombed at the box office, Nikhil wants to show Patiala House to Karan, in the hope of criticism. The film is almost ready and stars Akshay Kumar and Anoushka Sharma. And Nikhil wants to ensure all goes well with the film.
So, a few days ago, Nikhil showed at least a good half hour of Patiala House to Karan Johar. The meeting took place at Karan’s Dharma Productions office in Khar.
When contacted, Nikhil confirmed and said, “Yes, I did show parts of Patiala House to Karan. He saw them at his office.”
Nikhil AdvaniAs for constructive criticism, Karan loved Anoushka’s look in the film, Nikhil told us. He added, “Karan also felt that there is some very good drama in the film and Akshay has delivered a very fine performance.”
Bygones are indeed bygones More >