Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged abhay deol
I won’t let my girlfriend shoot me-Abhay Deol
02 days ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
The actor makes his telly debut as the host of a reality show
Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; May 19, 2013)
The youngest of the Deols, Abhay is the latest in the Bollywood brigade to veer to television. Here, he talks about his unconventional choices in life…
I’M NOT HATKE! “I haven’t stayed away from commercial cinema. It’s just a perception.”
TV DEBUT NOT IN A REALITY SHOW? “It’s not a reality show. It has six real women living their lives on television — a concept India has not experienced as yet. It’s not a competition. The idea is to get families to communicate more and understand relationships better.”
WHY TELEVISION? WHY NOW? “Television was never a part of any pre-planned agenda for me. I have no rigid rules in life. I just believe in seizing the moment. I have always gone with my gut as far as my choice of films is concerned and this show is no exception. I did not take on this assignment looking at it as a switch to television. It was the concept that appealed and television as a medium was only incidental. We need more shows like this in our culture.”
REAL ME ON CAMERA? NEVER! “Being constantly on camera is not an easy job. As an actor, I face the camera and lay my emotions bare for the world to see. After pack-up, taking it back home and living my life in front of the lens is something I could never do. I will not be comfortable putting anything personal in public.”
BUT… “If I have to give a camera, then I will give it to my mother, my sister and More >
Ekta Kapoor sues Siddhartha Jain over Rock The Shaadi mess
04 days ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 17, 2013)
Things just got worse for Rock the Shaadi, what with Ekta Kapoor slapping a case against the film’s co-producer, Siddhartha Jain.
The complaint filed by her alleges that “Siddhartha failed to execute the production in an organised manner, and the film went overbudget.” A source close to the development told Mirror: “The movie was in such a financial mess that after the first schedule itself, it became impossible for Balaji Motion Pictures to take it over and recover the investment.”
As things stand, with shooting having come to a standstill, the Abhay Deol-Genelia D’Souza starrer that had gone on floors in October 2011, may never see the light of day.
Matters have come to such a head that Siddhartha has been asked to cough up a compensatory amount and until he does so, Balaji will not get involved in the project.
When contacted, Balaji Motion Pictures CEO Tanuj Garg refused to comment and Siddhartha, who was at Cannes, said he’d call us back.
It’s not been a smooth sail for the film. First, it overshot the budget. Next, director Navdeep Singh got into a fight with VFX specialist Niraj Shanghai. Not too long ago, Siddhartha had alleged Abhay was responsible for the delay. To which, Abhay had reportedly said: “Both producer Ekta and me really want to complete the film. Forty minutes are ready and it is looking really good. The film has everything that a commercial pot-boiler needs. But Siddhartha has messed it up.”
Abhay Deol to make his small screen debut as reality show host
06 days ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; May 15, 2013)
Abhay Deol who has just wrapped up shooting for his home production, starring his girlfriend Preeti Desai, will soon begin hosting a TV show called Connected Hum Tum. The show will revolve around the every day life of six women contestants. All these participants have already recorded their routine for six months on the camera and popular radio jockey Malishka will be the only celebrity contestant in the show.
Abhay says that he did not have to think much before taking up the show. He says, “I will be the sutradhar and will try to establish the connect between audience and contestants every day. While choosing the show, I did have that question at the back of my mind if this will harm my image. But if you look at my films I have done many films which people told me not to do. I particularly had no image like my contemporaries so I did not have to worry about it. I think this show suits my personality so I decided to do it.” The show will have 65 episodes and it will air for 13 weeks. The actor had earlier stated that he does not like such shows.
He says, “If I would have been offered to participate in such a show, I would have never accepted it. I am not comfortable with the idea of showcasing and discussing my daily life on camera. I belong to a known family and I managed to stay out of the limelight before I joined the industry.
Ranbir is a person who I can do anything for-Imtiaz Ali
01 week ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; May 13, 2013)
Imtiaz Ali, 41, knows that while he is perceived as a sorted and intelligent person, he is socially awkward and grapples with his complexities and immaturities. He is extremely proud of his upbringing and has no confusion in his mind that he would not be here today, if not for the kindness of Sunny Deol, who gave him his first break as a director. Bombay Times caught up with him while shooting Sajid Nadiadwala’s upcoming film Highway that, coincidentally, was the first film he had written in his life. He talks to us about his complexed childhood, his special relationship with Ranbir Kapoor and how he has been made due to accidents and failures. Excerpts:
Let’s talk about your childhood? I was born in Jamshedpur. My father did irrigation jobs and I would sometimes accompany him and that gave me a taste of what was going on in the innards of India. Since he was in a transferable job, we stayed in Patna for many years and that became an influential factor in my life. I was extremely introverted, nervous and largely an underachiever. I was good at neither studies nor sports and would lie a lot. I was complexed and awkward that I was good for nothing and was always lying. I would lie to my school friends that I was a stud in my colony and to my colony friends that I was a stud in school cricket and football teams, though I was in no team. I was trying to show myself as a bigger person than what I actually was. In class IX, I came back More >
Abhay Deol to star in his first ‘live’ film
01 week ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; May 8, 2013)
Actor Abhay Deol is all set to shoot for his first live film titled Carmen -— apparently a first for Bollywood. The hourlong romantic musical, also starring Sofiya Hayat, will be shot on June 9 and will hit the tube immediately after. The crowd, too, will be a part of it. Sofiya, who was seen in the Udita Goswami-starrer, Diary of a Butterfly (2012), enthuses, “I’ve always wanted to work with Abhay ever since I entered Bollywood three years ago. We have a song in the movie, which will be shot at one go. We will rehearse for about two weeks and will be shooting in major locations across London.”
I am not dating Anurag Kashyap-Huma Qureshi
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; April 19, 2013)
Huma Qureshi, 26, ensures she gets what she sets her heart on. She is more emotional than practical and would rather take her decisions based on gut, if not for her younger brother Saqib, who is more mature and is her best friend and advisor. Ahead of her upcoming film Ek Thi Daayan, she talks to Bombay Times about her conservative family background, her mentor NK Sharma and why she would never give up her friendship with Anurag Kashyap. Excerpts:
Let’s talk about your childhood? I was born and brought up in Delhi. While my dad is from Delhi, my mom is Kashmiri. My dad Saleem Qureshi owns a chain of restaurants called ‘Saleems’ for the past 30 years and it has eight outlets. While we lived in GK 1 in South Delhi, we were always sent to our grandparents’ house at either Nizammuddin Basti near the dargah or Rakabganj at Old Delhi on the weekends. My grandparents were extremely conservative and my brother Saqib and I had to be well-behaved and I had to be dressed in a salwar kameez. My father had seven siblings and we had a huge family. We also had a huge house with a tree in the centre of the courtyard. We used to love going there as we were all a riot. As I grew up, I was suddenly not allowed to play being a girl and I resented that. I am more girlie now, but at that time, I was a bit tomboyish and a brat. Though I now kick myself, I did not want to learn Urdu at that time as I found it uncool. We would also go to Kashmir for More >
Dharmendra blesses Abhay Deol on sets of his first production
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Kunal M Shah (MID-DAY; March 18, 2013)
Recently Abhay Deol had a special guest on the sets of his upcoming co-production, co-starring his girlfriend Preeti Desai. His uncle Dharmendra dropped by to attend a puja that was organised at the venue and meet the producer Amit Kapoor.
A source says, “Dharmendra is not known to interfere in anyone’s career and this is the first time he was seen on the sets of Abhay’s film, directed by Devika Bhagat. The puja marked the beginning of the shoot.”
The veteran actor apparently had a long chat with the producer and spoke at length about the film.
“With Dharamji’s blessings for Abhay and Preeti, not to forget Abhay’s co-producer Amit, the film is sure to hit all the right notes,” adds the source.
Abhay Deol gets nervous as he starts film opp Preeti Desai
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; March 5, 2013)
The pre-production work on his first-ever production venture is over and Abhay Deol is looking to begin shooting with his reallife girlfriend Preeti Desai for the first time. Albeit the actor is nervous but says working with friends on the project is a source of comfort.
He says, “It is my director Devika Bhagat’s debut project too. I am happy and thankful that I have got a good team to work with.” Speaking about the upcoming rom-com, Abhay says it’s Preeti who’s had to work really hard. “ We have finished all preparation, though I didn’t have to do much. Preeti really had to work hard as she is playing a dancer in it. There is one peppy number in it on the lines of Emotional Attyachar (Dev D). I am sure it will become the next youth anthem.” Incidentally, according to the actor Devika didn’t approach him to play the lead in the film. Abhay says, “When Devika narrated the script to me, I really liked it and we were looking for an actor opposite Preeti. Eventually I fell in love with this character so much that I convinced my director to let me essay the role.”
Abhay Deol to romance girlfriend Preeti Desai in One By Two
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
For his first home production, Abhay Deol will be paired with Preeti Desai
Aakanksha Naval-Shetye (DNA; March 2, 2013)
Abhay Deol is all set to romance his real life girlfriend on reel. For his maiden production venture the youngest Deol has chosen live-in girlfriend Preeti Desai. They will be paired on the screen for the first time.
“The comfort equation definitely shoots up,” says Abhay about sharing screen space with girlfriend. The romcom titled One By Two will have writer Devika Bhagat mark her directorial debut with it and will go on floors from March 9. Abhay says that he’s looking forward to taking a break from the darker films. “For the time being,” he is quick to add. “Yes, it’s actually been a while since I have done a full-on romantic film since my debut, so this should be interesting. I have worked with this team earlier too so it feels like one big family affair.”
About his debut as a producer, he reveals that unlike his image, he believes in popular entertainment and that’s what his films will reflect. “I know that my reputation is otherwise, but I do believe in films being massy. I don’t think films can compromise on the entertainment factor.”
As for the genre, he believes, “People don’t think of genres anymore. The script is all that matters. And as long as it appeals to my sensibilities as an actor-producer, I’m on.” He isn’t worried about choosing a inexperienced director for his home production. Having worked with first-time directors right from his More >
I’m happy to have launched Dhanush in Bollywood-Krishika Lulla
04 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; January 17, 2013)
Producer Krishika Lulla is confident about her forthcoming film Raanjhanaa, starring Sonam Kapoor, the Kolaveri Di sensation Dhanush and Abhay Deol. She states, “Raanjhanaa is a love story and I loved the script. I am very passionate about what I do. I do offer creative inputs when needed and discuss ideas with director Aanand Rai. Filmmaking is team work. I am very happy to have launched Dhanush in Bollywood. He rarely needs retakes. The story needed a guy who looks simple, someone people can identity with and Dhanush fit the bill. Sonam plays a simple girl from Banaras. Abhay has a good role, too. The film has been shot in Delhi and Banaras. This movie will give a new meaning to love stories in Hindi cinema.”
Raanjhanaa, produced by Eros International, releases June 28, 2013