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Posts tagged apology
Bhatts ask for compensation for humiliation by Aus authorities
Jun 23rd
Despite a work permit and a line producer, Bhatt’s unit of Crook wasn’t allowed an easy passage in Australia. The producers have officially filed for damages
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 23, 2010)
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| Emraan Hashmi and Neha Sharma in a still from Crook |
Director Mohit Suri has returned to India very disappointed. His film Crook for Vishesh Films met with a big roadblock in Australia. Despite having taken all permissions, Mohit was not allowed to shoot at public places there. Naturally, Mohit, Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt are livid.
Mohit said, “I was appalled at the treatment meted out to us. We are not fools to go to Australia without having every legal thing in place. We had appointed a line producer, Anupam Sharma. And we had a work permit. Yet, we weren’t allowed shoot in public places.”
Mohit and his team reached Australia on May 21. “I was told that we needed to give them a seven-day prior notice before starting work. So, we started shooting only at private places and mostly indoors,” added the director.
An angry Mahesh Bhatt added, “This increased the cost of the film many fold. This is not done. I am very hurt that my crew has been subjected to such humiliation.”
Frustrated for not having completed the desired plan of shooting, Mohit and his team returned to India on June 2. When asked if the team of Crook was denied permission to shoot because the film is based on racial discrimination of Indians in Australia, Mahesh Bhatt, in his usual frank manner replied, “These are institutional biases and they can be covert, hidden and dangerous.”
The Bhatts have decided not to take it lying down. They have written to Anita Nayyar, the Indian Council General in Australia, demanding compensation and an apology.
On contacting Melbourne City Council yesterday, we were put on to a lady, Pack Angel, the officer in charge, who confirmed that Vishesh Films was denied permission to shoot Crook in Melbourne. “Yes, I am aware of that,” she said, adding, “This happened, but simply because Vishesh Films kept changing their choice of locations, which in turn would require a fresh seven-day prior notice. Moreover, they wanted to shoot during peak hours when the traffic is at its maximum.”
In response to this, Mukesh Bhatt said, “This is a blatant lie. We were very clear where we wanted to shoot. A point was reached when we threw up our hands in despair and asked them to identify some public places where we could shoot unhindered.
We even visited the Melbourne Film Office to resolve the matter and found out that there were 15 projects being freely filmed in their country, which implies that only we were boycotted for reasons that were never explained to us. According to our line producer, an official from the Melbourne City Council, Patricia, was asking other authorities to deny us shooting permissions even when it was beyond their jurisdiction.”
When contacted, Anita Nayyar simply said, “No comments.”
Mugdha Godse ‘rams into car, tries to flee’
May 6th
By Akela (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 06, 2010)
Film actress Mugdha Godse on Wednesday allegedly smashed her car into the car of a bank executive near Kokilaben Ambani Hospital in Versova.
Incidentally, she tried to run away. The executive, Madhukar Lahkar, 32, was going to his Lokhandwala residence in his Honda Civic when the accident took place. Lahkar chased Godse’s car and stopped her.
Lahkar’s wife Geetanjali alleged that instead of apologising, the actress said, “I do not talk to people like you. You should talk to my personal assistant.”
The Versova police said the incident occurred around 10 pm. “I was returning from the airport after receiving my wife. I was trying to take a left turn when suddenly a Skoda rammed into the front left of my car. Before I could gather myself, the driver tried to speed away. I chased the car for about 200 metres, overtook it and forced the car to stop. I saw Godse at the wheel,” Lahkar said.
The actress allegedly did not roll down her window at first, but when the Lahkar couple insisted, a visibly shaken Godse opened the door and shouted, “Main keede makodo se baat nahi karti. Talk to my PA.” It was then that the Lahkar couple called the police control room. The police reached the spot within five minutes and took Godse and the couple to Versova Police Station.
At the time of going to press, the two parties were still trying to resolve the matter. API S A Patel said, “It was not a major accident. Both Godse and the Lahkars are still here. No complaint has been filed as yet.”
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| Godse outside Versova Police Station on Wednesday (Pic: Raju Shinde) |
Vivek locks self in van to avoid Salman?
May 4th
Vivek Oberoi locked himself in his vanity van for over an hour to avoid bumping into Salman Khan recently
By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 04, 2010)
Recently, Vivek Oberoi had plenty of time to study the interiors of his vanity van. Having being alerted that Salman Khan was on the premises, he locked himself up in his van for a good 75 minutes.
In a historic fiasco, Vivek had taken on Salman years ago. Obviously, the memory is bound to rankle and he wouldn’t want a repeat performance of the same.
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| Salman Khan |
In this particular instance, he had just finished performing for a show and retreated to his van to change before leaving. Salman, who may or may not have known about Vivek’s presence, showed up and was chatting a few metres away with his friends before he went on stage for the grand finale.
Vivek’s pals rushed to his van to tell him about Salman’s presence. The former, having learnt the hard way that discretion is the better part of valour, decided to stay put in his van. He was in a rush to go partying with his friends but for over an hour, Vivek was left twiddling his thumbs and counting the minutes.
Only when Salman left to perform did Vivek emerge from his van. Obviously the same thoughtful aides played watchdog and gave him the green signal when the road was clear.
This is not the first time that Salman and Vivek have been present at the same venue at the same time. At Ramesh Taurani’s party last year, Vivek had exited in a rush when he saw Salman Khan arriving. He was in such a hurry to leave that he asked his driver to move so that he could take control of the steering.
We are not surprised that Vivek has been trying to keep away from the moody Salman. Repeated attempts to apologise have failed, so naturally he expects a confrontation when they come face to face.
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| Vivek Oberoi |
At an awards function in 2007, Vivek had taken the opportunity to show Salman how apologetic he was — Vivek had grabbed his ears and bowed, but Salman had just shaken his head.
Vivek remained unavailable for comment. But his manager Raj said, “Vivek left in time. He had to attend a get-together. After him, Lara and Shahid performed. Then came Salman. So there was no question of confrontation.”
Fenil’s Bollywood Talk # 97
Apr 22nd
UNETHICAL PRINT MEDIA REVEALS ‘CLIMAX’ OF KITES
Most of the moviebuffs were an angry lot last weekend when Mumbai Mirror newspaper carried an article wherein the climax of Kites was revealed. The article began interestingly as follows: “Much as we’d like to claim that we hate revealing the end of Kites, fact is that we are absolutely delighted to be the news breakers and letting out the climax (no pun intended) of the Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori starrer.”
Most of them I met made it a point not to read the article’s contents at all but humans being humans, they couldn’t control their curiosity and ended up reading what was written in the spoiler article. As far I am concerned, I forced myself not to look at that page but failed and glanced at the first para (mentioned above) and ended up glancing at parts of the rest of the paragraphs as well! The result: even I got the hint about Kites’ climax!
Dont blame the readers, it’s the tabloid which is to be blamed for doing something so unethical and immoral. Alright, they were the first ones to publish about it but so what? Are they getting paid for upsetting readers? And don’t they realize that such stupid gimmicks can affect the business of the film as well? Mumbai Mirror overall is really an amazing paper but it’s only the Entertainment section that is not functioning well and coming up with stupid gossip and spoilers.
It seems the Roshans were shocked when they learnt about the article. They quickly went into a damage control mode. Hrithik wrote on Twitter that the climax revealed is a fake one (and I believe him because a biggie like Kites helmed by Anurag Basu can’t have such a lame climax as mentioned in Mirror) and made it clear that he holds no grudge against Mirror and he forgives them! But his father seems to have given a scary earful to newspaper guys compelling them to publish an apology in their next day’s issue!
Hopefully, in future, all newspapers and tabloids will be careful when dealing with such issues. My only advice: Think about reader satisfaction and not the growth in sales!
P.S.: Being a responsible writer, I have made it a point not to reveal the so-called climax of Kites here. But those interested to know, DO NOT ASK OR M2M me coz I am not going to share!!
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RAAVAN PROMO ROCKS!!!
When Raavan promo was unveiled last Friday, I was almost dancing! This Mani Ratnam’s film is one of my most keenly awaited films this year and has a terrific casting-Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vikram and none other than Govinda! The teaser, however, doesn’t show much but still it’s immensely likeable. Abhishek is awesome as the wild and ruthless villain. Each scene in the promo seems unique and stunning.
Due to some stupid problem, I am unable to post the clip on Dekhona (facing the same problem since 2 weeks). Requesting you guys to check out the promo on YouTube. DO NOT MISS IT! And let me know your views!
Pak bans release of Indian film
Mar 18th
Meena Iyer | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; March 18, 2010)
Mumbai: Indian films are a huge craze across the border. But film aficionados in Pakistan won’t be able to enjoy the latest Bollywood offering—Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan’s Lahore. The authorities in Pakistan have imposed a ban on the film’s release, reportedly because they are not happy with the title—Lahore.
Ironically, the film, which releases on March 19, talks of a peace initiative between the two countries and some portions were shot in Lahore in 2009. Based on kickboxing, the critically acclaimed film has made it to several international film festivals (Houston, Singapore).
The Pakistani authorities, while denying Lahore’s release, also claimed that all Indian films show Pakistan in a negative light.
The film’s director, Sanjay, said that leading Pakistani exhibitor Rashid Khwaja was very happy with the film and was keen on showcasing Lahore in his country. However, Sanjay was later told that the Pakistan censor board had objected to certain scenes, especially the one which shows a Pakistani girl ask for forgiveness from an Indian.
Lahore’s producer Vivek Khatkar said, “Our film doesn’t have anything negative about Pakistan. We called it Lahore because the climax is set in Lahore. Our intention was not to hurt anyone’s sentiments.” The makers of the film now plan to organise a special screening for the Pakistan High Commissioner to India in New Delhi. “I hope the Pakistani authorities will allow the film to release,” said Sanjay.
MNIK release: Disrupted in Gujarat, smooth in Delhi, sell-out in Kolkata
Feb 12th
REDIFF.COM (February 12, 2010) 14:40 IST
Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists on Friday tore down the posters of Shah Rukh Khan [ Images ] starrer My Name is Khan and caused ruckus in a bid to halt the release of the film in Ahmedabad [ Images ] and Jamnagar in Gujarat.
The VHP on Wednesday had backed the Shiv Sena’s [ Images ] protest against Shah Rukh Khan, saying there was ‘nothing wrong’ in it as the country is not prepared to tolerate a ‘Pakistani sympathiser.’
“Multiplexes have decided not to screen the film for the first couple of shows, which have been cancelled. But if the situation improves, they will be screening the film later,” Multiplexes Owners’ Association (MOA) President Ashok Purohit told PTI.
VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia, however, opposed Sena’s ‘Mumbai for Marathis’ campaign.
Meanwhile, some multiplex owners in Mumbai [ Images ] have decided to screen the film, post noon. However, several single screens have decided against the release till the issue is resolved between the Sena and the actor.
Over 1,800 Sena activists, including functionaries, have been arrested in the last three days to thwart protests by the Sena, which is demanding an apology from Shah Rukh for his remarks favouring Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League [ Images ] 3.
MNIK got a smooth release in Delhi [ Images ], amid beefed-up security.
Isolated cases of protest against the film’s screening were, however, reported last night when five persons claimed to be Shiv Sainiks tore posters of the film and damaged window panes of Satyam [ Get Quote ] cinema hall in west Delhi. They have been detained by the police.
“Policemen are deployed near the theatres in adequate numbers to avoid any violence. We are keeping close watch,” a senior police official said.
The film, which is banking on the chemistry of Shah Rukh and Kajol [ Images ], recieved a good response in Delhi theatres. “Morning shows have 85 percent occupancy but the post noon shows are all sold out. Our theatres are booked till Sunday,” Jayendra Banerjee, Vice President Satyam Cineplexes told PTI.
“Some 75 screens in Delhi are screening the movie. The film has also benefited from the Shivratri holiday today. On an average, multiplexes are running 11 to 12 shows a day,” a distributor said.
Meanwhile, a sell-out crowd greeted MNIK in West Bengal [ Images ], which released in 131 cinema halls across the state without any trouble.
Police sources said that there was no untoward incident in any cinema hall or multiplex when the film released.
“The only crowd we can see is that of cine-goers. There has been no protest of any sort,” an officer of Kolkata [ Images ] Police said. “Security arrangements have, however, been beefed up at the halls and multiplexes in view of the controversy.”
A multiplex in Nagpur screened the morning show of MNIK amid tight security arrangements. However, uncertainty prevailed over the film’s screening in most single screen theatres, as they refunded the tickets of the noon show.
Cine exhibitors and distributors met up this morning to discuss the situation. Heavy police was deployed in all the theatres where the film was slated to be screened.
In the picture: An MNIK poster on a Kolkata theatre gets garlanded. Photograph: Indian Blooms News Service.
Katrina reacts to her sis sex video story
Feb 12th
MUMBAI MIRROR (February 12, 2010)
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| Katrina Kaif with Isabelle |
Katrina Kaif and her mother Susana Mary Turcotte have categorically denied that the picture of the girl seen in the explicit MMS clip titled ‘Isabelle Kaif’ has anything to do with Katrina’s sister Isabelle.
The look-alike’s video clip, which has been around for some time now, has caused enough grief in the past for the Kaifs.
The 17-year-old Isabelle, Katrina’s youngest sister, is currently studying acting in New York and shortly expected to join Katrina in Mumbai to pursue a career in films.
In the story ‘Sex Lies and Videotape’ (READ HERE) carried yesterday, Mumbai Mirror regrets the reference to Katrina’ sister and apologises for the trauma it has caused Katrina and her family.
Plexes: 1 film not worth risk
Feb 12th
FILM UNDER A CLOUD: CM Ashok Chavan feels plex owners are unduly afraid
THE TIMES OF INDIA (February 12, 2010)
Mumbai: The multiplex owners’ apprehensions, besides being a major embarrassment for chief minister Ashok Chavan and his government, put huge pressure on Shah Rukh Khan to make it up to the Thackerays as a film’s performance in Mumbai can make or mar its overall fortunes. A teleconference between the actor (in Berlin) and the producers came off in the evening, when Khan was formally told of the theatre owners’ decision.
Khan stuck to his decision not to “apologise’’ to anyone but the ‘tweets’ he sent out during the day were markedly conciliatory. “(I) feel awful that Balasaheb and Uddhav have misconstrued my words. The reactions of the Sena workers seem to make me believe that. Don’t want mayhem, anger and violence ‘cos of our beautiful film which talks about repairing a bruised and divided world. I hope my tweets clear this cloud of confusion. I hope peace prevails and the city is at rest. Nobody wants Mumbaikars or their property hurt and destroyed, least of all me. This also is the last time I clarify or say anything on this topic. This is not a justification, it’s just reiterating the facts,’’ he said. But he seemed to have resigned himself to the no-show. “Now what happens with the release, the film, is the film’s fate,’’ he tweeted.
Mumbai’s multiplex owners, too, seemed to have resigned themselves to living with the Sena. “I think the uncertainty over the release of one film and the risk we would have taken by releasing it, is not worth it. Several other films are showing in my multiplex and I don’t want to lose that revenue as well,’’ a multiplex owner in the central suburbs said. His was one of the cinemas targeted by the Sena on Tuesday.
Another multiplex owner from Navi Mumbai admitted the government’s assurances paled in comparison to the fear factor. “A plex screen costs between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 11 lakh and one stone can damage it irretrievably. Why should we take the risk?’’ he added.
There is another huge fact that plex owners had to bear in mind when they decided that life without MNIK probably made more sense in the current circumstances. Most multiplexes run on leased property and owners say they can’t bear the consequences of damage to that property for one film. “We have to live with the Sena and don’t have the confidence that cops can give us blanket security cover 365 days a year,’’ a western suburbs mall owner admitted. “We will wait till Friday morning to take a final call,’’ he added.
Chief minister Chavan and home minister Patil, however, felt the plex owners were chickening out without reason, regretting that cops, trained to tackle terrorism and the Naxal threat, had to be diverted to take care of problems that did not have “any solid issue’’. “I said the issue should be settled amicably but people misconstrued it as softness,’’ he said.
Congress circles, however, felt the government had been backstabbed by Patil’s leader, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. “The decision to meet Bal Thackeray immediately after Rahul Gandhi’s whirlwind tour of the city, which had the Sena squirming, gave Balasaheb that much-needed lifeline,’’ a senior Congress functionary said. The Sena did not take too much time to latch on to that lifeline. Leaders bragged on Friday that the decision to go after MNIK had, in one stroke, exposed the “soft’’ chief minister, brought the Congress down to earth after the Rahul Gandhi-provided high and “showed Raj Thackeray his place’’.
INSIDE STORY: How MNIK managed to get a release in Mumbai
Feb 13th
Posted by Fenil Seta in Bollywood News
No comments
The State Government has claimed that My Name is Khan was screened at 13 multiplexes and single screen theatres. Sena claims its protest was successful. While Shah Rukh Khan claims he has stood his ground.
How did an impasse that did not look resolvable any time soon and threatened to throw the city out of gear, end on a truce within a day? According to sources, it took some massive backroom negotiations and a little bit of arm twisting by the government to achieve that.
It was a matter of political prestige and the Democratic Front government had to put in all its might. Multiplex chains and theatre owners were threatened that if despite all security assurances they did not screen the SRK-starrer, the tax rebates they enjoy currently would be withdrawn.
Shiv Sena was allegedly cajoled to an understanding that it had had enough time in the sun and it was in the best interest of the party that it ceded ground.
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan’s office assured that the government would provide Sena an environment to claim a successful protest. A bit of pressure in the form a threat to treat arrested Shiv Sainiks as criminals and not political workers sealed the deal.
As for Shah Rukh, he was reportedly asked to send another tweet regretting his comments that may have hurt sentiments without changing his stand.
The impasse all through was closely monitored by the Congress High Command in Delhi.
Backroom tactics
According to sources in the establishment and the theatre industry, when on Thursday evening it appeared that despite heavy force deployment theatre owners were reluctant to release the film, the government decided to take a strong step.
An exhibitor told Mumbai Mirror, “On Thursday evening a message was sent to all the exhibitors from the government that they could lose their tax benefits if the film was not released. It was reiterated on Friday.”
Similarly backroom negotiations with Sena were held. A senior functionary in the establishment said, “The Sena was told that it had had its protests and now it was a question of the government’s prestige.
If agitations were not stopped, it would take unprecedented harsh action against Sena workers. So it was in the best interest of Sena to withdraw the agitation and the government would let it claim success.”
By Friday afternoon, SRK too was instructed to subtly apologise and so the tweet of regret: “If I have said anything wittingly or unwittingly, have disturbed any sentiments, I express wholehearted regret.” Even though he later said this was meant only for his fans.
The result: kudos for CM Chavan from the Congress high command. Rajiv Shukla, Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra said, “If at all, full credit goes to the Chief Minister who handled the situation firmly.”
Elsewhere, the Sena issued a statement, claiming a successful agitation. “We never insisted Shah Rukh to apologise to Sena. Our stand was that he should apologise to the nation. The country is bigger (than anybody). We stood up against Khan out of patriotic fervour,” said a press statement.
What happened on the ground
However, the government had to move a lot of things on the ground as well to make the backroom negotiations successful.
To ensure minimal damage to the theatres, some 48,000 policemen were on the streets as it had become a prestige issue for Chief Minister Ashok Chavan who was seen struggling with the political juggernaut coming his way in the last two-three days.
The CM, who appeared fighting his personal battle with no Congress minister except Narayan Rane and Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe speaking on his side, got some respite with Home Minister R R Patil coming in for help.
Sources said, Patil asked senior police officers to speak to the theatre owners and assure them of state protection even after the release of the movie. That made a significant difference, as it is the Home Department and the police that handles issue of the cinema licences.
To restore the confidence of the theatre owners, CM Chavan, Patil and Bagwe visited a few cinema houses on Friday afternoon. MP Sanjay Nirupam went along with his supporters to watch the movie at Fun Cinemas in Andheri.
When contacted by this newspaper, the CM refused to elaborate on his plans for the release of the movie. “The government has made every effort to protect the theatres and the viewers who wanted to enjoy the movie,” he said. Though he did not speak much, he seemed a much relieved man as a non-release would have had an adverse effect on his chair.
Patil told this newspaper that the movie was released in almost 13 multiplexes and single screen theatres. “Our policemen have taken every care to stall any effort to disrupt the screening,” he said.
According to police sources, the movie released at Fun (Andheri), Inox (Nariman Point), PVR (Goregaon), Fame (Malad), Cinemax (Ghatkopar and Kandivali), Big (Wadala), Regal (Colaba), Ashish (Chembur), Kalpana (Kurla), Shreyas (Ghatkopar), Premier (Dongri and Parel).