Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged abhinay deo
Bollywood & imaginations of a mad ad world
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
On the big screen, Hindi film actors may defy stereotypes but when it comes to TV commercials, things are a bit too clichéd
Shakti Shetty (MID-DAY; March 24, 2013)
Aamir Khan is all set to appear as a woman in an upcoming ad. However, it’s nothing new for the actor. He has donned this persona twice for TV commercials (TVC) back in 2005 and 2008. What’s worth noticing is the actor’s penchant for experimentation.
Interestingly, what it also indicates is a persona cultivated over the years.
It’s almost impossible to imagine a Shah Rukh Khan or a Salman Khan in sarees. On the advertising backdrop of the small screen, the battle seems to be between the stars and the products.
And the resulting campaign is a synergy between the two.
Bollywood actors may attempt to overcome stereotypes in their filmographies by choosing not to stick with one particular image for long. For instance, Akshay Kumar, who started off as an action star, gradually found his way into comedy films. But when it comes to the ads that he features in, it’s always the Khiladi who triumphs.
Why so? Theatre personality Rahul Da Cunha says, “Akshay recently did Special 26 where he is neither playing an action hero nor a comic character. But then, he isn’t known for serious roles. So to the populace, the image already set for him is that of a guy who can leap from buildings without injuring himself.”
Apparently, an onscreen image is the ultimate selling point. The actors are signed because the brands More >
Check out Anil Kapoor on Day 1 of the shoot of 24
02 months ago
Mirror gets a special pass for the first day first shoot of the spy series
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 27, 2013)
Anil Kapoor, who has bought the rights of the hit American TV series 24, started shooting the Hindi remake on Monday. Directed by Abhinay Deo, it will see the Slumdog star make his Indian television debut as special agent of the Counter Terrorist Unit, Jack Bauer—a character played by Kiefer Sutherland in the original. Anil is also producing the series.
When we caught up with the team at Thakur College Aviation, it was around midnight and Anil was just coming out of his vanity van. “Today is one of the biggest days in my life. 24 is a big responsibility. And I am all set to take it head-on,” the actor said, flashing us a thumbs-up, before disappearing inside an aircraft being used for the shoot.
But, it was not long before the ‘chief architect’ (as Abhinay Deo is fondly called by the crew), took over. “Anil has been reading up around eight hours each day to prepare himself for the scenes. During the 150-day shooting schedule, I will need him for around 120 days and on certain days, he may need to shoot for as many as nine scenes,” Abhinay elaborated. On this Anil, who had by then joined us, said that he will not be working on any other project till the shooting of the first season is over.
The director’s commitment to the project seemed as intense and a die-hard 24 fan, Abhinay was quick to add that he will love to come back for the next season More >
Anil Kapoor to undergo training in Kali for 24
04 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Jigar Shah (MID-DAY; January 9, 2013)
Looks like Anil Kapoor is going the whole hog when it comes to prepping for his role as a special agent in his upcoming TV show. And now buzz is that he will be undergoing training in a special form of martial arts.
Our sources say that the same training called Kali is also being given to the Indian Special Task Forces.
A source says, “The techniques of Kali was also used in films like Bourne Ultimatum, Mission Impossible, etc.” Kali expert Kanishka Sharma will be training Anil.
He says, “Series director Abhinay Deo introduced me to Anil. I am going to change his body language for the show.” The martial arts expert says Kali can help one subdue an opponent in three seconds.
Anil Kapoor to launch 30 new faces with 24
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Jayoti Soor (DNA; December 14, 2012)
Actor Anil Kapoor wants to launch 30 fresh faces and has already started conducting auditions. He is keen to bridge the gap between TV and films in the country by adapting the award-winning American TV series 24 to the Indian small screen. The show will be directed by Abhinay Deo.
Sources said that Anil, who has also played a cameo in the last season of the American show as Omar Hassan, president of the fictional Islamic Republic of Kamistan, will be playing the desi Jack Bauer. The special counter terrorist agent is played by Kiefer Sutherland in the original. “I had the privilege of observing the original team at work for eight months in Los Angeles. So I know what level of professionalism I need to maintain,” says Anil, who is keen to bring international standards of production to the Indian Television industry. “Now, I want to replicate whatever I saw them trying to achieve. The television industry in our country is still in its infancy. In the US, there are top actors who do television. Look at Keifer or Ashton Kutcher,” he adds.
The show will go on floors by early February, as soon as the cast and locations are finalised. The show is presented in the semblance of real time, with each of the 24 episodes of a season covering 24 hours in the life of Bauer. “I know I am playing the protagonist. The rest of the cast, I’ve no idea about and we have just started auditions to shortlist them. And please, there is no role for my daughter More >
Anil Kapoor launches his own studio
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
After shooting his production, the desi version of an US series, he will rent the facility out to other filmmakers
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 10, 2012)
There has been a lot of speculation about Anil Kapoor’s purchase of a property in Andheri East and his plans to start a new studio to shoot his first television venture, the desi version of the American series 24. And now, Mirror gets you exclusive pictures of the 7,500 sq ft studio, situated only five minutes away from a new multiplex in Kurla. To Mirror, a proud Kapoor confirmed, “Yes, I am starting my shoot of 24 in my own studio.”
We learnt that the sets for the television series would be built in the premises. “That will be the Anti- Terrorism Headquarters,” said Kapoor and added, “All decisions regarding the art-design and production set up will be taken by Abhinay Deo (of Delhi Belly fame), the director of the show.” After the show, the actor has plans to rent out the studio to other production houses. “He will do that for sure. Frankly, he had this property for some time. And he decided to start off the studio with his own production,” said a friend of Kapoor.
Meanwhile, one of the producers of US 24, Michael Klick is coming with a few of his team members to Mumbai. He is expected to arrive in January and will be put up in a Juhu 5-star hotel. We found out, a conference room will also be booked in the hotel since Anil has invited Klick to discuss the logistics, look and the mood boards related to the More >
Adapting 24 to Indian sensibilities the biggest challenge – Anil Kapoor-Abhinay Deo
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Anil Kapoor and Abhinay Deo on their new mission
Roshni K Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; December 3, 2012)
There’s something about the number 24 and Anil Kapoor. Not only is it his birthdate, but he also made his television debut with the international show 24, based on counter-terrorism drama. Now, he is bringing this popular American series to India, paving the way for a new hybrid genre, which will have both fiction and reality. Coincidentally, every significant meeting pertaining to this took place on the 24th. And that includes the final deal with Raj Nayak, CEO of Colors, the channel that will exclusively air the show in summer next year. “It’s uncanny,” remarks Anil, “I guess all this was meant to be. A few years ago, I had many channels trying to woo me to host shows, but I just didn’t feel like taking up any. And soon after, I was offered Slumdog Millionaire, where I played a TV host! That movie became a phenomenon and I bagged my next project there, which was the TV show 24. And while I was shooting for it, it just came to my mind that this should be brought to India and I should be acting in it. After all, acting is my forte.”
And there’s a lot of effort going into this. Playing the iconic character of Jack Bauer — played by Kiefer Sutherland in the original — is no mean feat. “I’ve taken up Tai Chi and other forms of exercise to build my inner strength, which is needed for this role. I have never been thinner and fitter,” says an elated Anil.
But is there cause for More >
Would love to have Sonam Kapoor in 24-Anil Kapoor
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; November 29, 2012)
Shootout At Wadala, Race 2 and now your TV series 24 — you seem to be back in ‘action’… Yes, but before 24 you’ll get a taste of it in my films as the series goes on floor only towards the end of January next year. I have done fights, hand-to-hand combats with John Abraham in Shootout… and am looking forward to people’s feedback. For my TV series, I have been working out for the past three-four months and have lost around seven-eight kilos. I still have a long way to go. I want to be as fit and as good as I have ever been.
Will we see Sonam acting in your show? I would love to have her act in it. It depends on the role though, and if she wants to do it. If she suits the role, why not?
Unlike your contemporaries, you are making your TV debut as an actor. Aren’t you apprehensive? Not at all! I just love doing things that are slightly out-of-the-box whether it’s roles, films or other ventures. It makes life exciting. Also, people should not get bored of you. I constantly reinvent myself. Frankly, whenever I have taken risks, I have been successful.
As an actor, right from the beginning you have been changing your look and style to suit the character. Today it has become a trend… Those days we didn’t get publicity, but I have done everything from growing a beard or a mustache to shaving it off, but nobody wrote about it. Now, even if actors change their pants, it’s news…
Are you doing the sequel to Mr India? Yes, and am also doing More >
Anil Kapoor loses weight to look dapper for 24
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; November 29, 2012)
Anil Kapoor calls his first television venture — the Indian adaptation of the American action series 24 as one of his most passionate projects. The actor, who will be playing the role of a special agent that is essayed by Kiefer Sutherland in the US show, has apparently undergone a massive physical transformation to look his best. Kapoor has lost a lot of weight and feels that he is at his most fit form.
Sources associated with the TV series say that Kapoor has been following a strict fitness regime for a while now and will even be seen performing some exciting stunts on the show. The actor tells us, “I am trying to be as fit as possible and ready to do whatever is suitable for me and the show. In fact to boost me, everyone right from Abhinay Deo (series director), the writers, my co- directors, the production team have been working out with me.” The actor adds that it is too early to reveal his look right now and prefers to keep it under the covers.
Incidentally, Kapoor also says that if an opportunity arises, his daughter Sonam too could make an appearance on the show. He says, “Rensil D’Silva is casting for the show and they have decided to give a chance to fresh faces. But if they think Sonam is suitable for a role, then she will do it. Though, nowadays I have to talk to her via her manager.” For the next nine months, Kapoor has not taken up any other work except this telly show and says he will start working on the More >
TV release still eludes Delhi Belly
06 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 31, 2012)
It’s been a year since the film got stuck at the Censor Board. So what’s going wrong?
Mirror broke the news of how Delhi Belly, which hit theatres on July 1, 2011, had reportedly been denied a U/A certification by the censor board for its TV premiere. Despite director Abhinay Deo’s attempts to re-edit and re-dub the content of the film to suit the guidelines of TV censorship, the board has been adamant about their decision to stall the satellite release. A year down the line, the film is still waiting for its small screen debut.
Mirror has learnt that Aamir Khan’s office approached the Revising Committee to clear the Hindi version about two weeks ago. According to sources, Aamir even re-dubbed several portions of the film to make it fit for universal viewing on national television. But to no avail.
Though the Revising Committee green-lighted the English version after significant chop and change, the Hindi version is still considered too bold for Indian TV, say sources. However, there are no takers for the English version and Aamir has reportedly shown keen interest in towing the Revising Committee’s line in order to take his film to the audience.
Aamir Khan and UTV Motion Pictures (the co-producers of Delhi Belly) remained unavailable for comment.