Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged 'Billu'
We’re more transparent than Americans-Sharmila Tagore
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Sharmila Tagore is only the second person to chair the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for two full terms. A three-month extension enabled the I&B ministry to find a successor, giving Tagore the distinction of the longest tenure in that office. The legendary actress, who debuted 52 years ago in Satyajit Ray’s “Apur Sansar”, continues her film career with the just released “Life Goes On”. She spoke to Ratnottama Sengupta on her last day in office at the CBFC. Excerpts:
Ratnottama Sengupta (THE TIMES OF INDIA; April 3, 2011) What do you think you achieved as CBFC chief and what have you learnt? • I realized that we’re far more transparent than the Americans. We speak to the press whenever they want to discuss a decision; we’re not “all white”’ nor all of “a certain age”. Their debate is about “why X, not A”; ours is about “why UA, not U”. Except for “Ghajini” which fell through the net, we give ‘UA’ if there’s violence, item songs, expletives… Tell me honestly, is “Kaminey” watchable by a 12-year-old?
Sometimes a single dialogue tarnishes the dignity of women. One character in “Raajneeti” gave the impression that every woman sleeps around to get a ticket (in elections). Sometimes friendly relations with a country can’t be jeopardized. As an insider, I understand the compulsions of both the industry and the audience. I also know that some people take advantage of our openness and go to the press for publicity. Still, and More >
Sex, shock, skin and sensibility
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Joginder Tuteja, February 28, 2011 – 13:05 IST
K A S H M E R A S H A H‘I’ve gone topless in one of the pictures………….Every guy will have it in his bathroom’
Now this declaration from Kashmera Shah could well join the ranks of some of the most scandalous quotes of 2011. And to think of it, the year has just begun. Having said that, with Kashmera proudly making an announcement while keeping her head high (while giving a good ‘insight’ into what is being promised), it has made Neha Dhupia’s ‘Sex v/s SRK’, Mallika Sherawat’s ‘Once upon a time in Bollywood there were 17 kisses’ and Sherlyn Chopra’s ‘What I demand from my man on bed’ quotes seem like kindergarten talk.
In this week’s ‘Reflections’, let’s explore what it takes for the ‘S’ word to make an appearance in different shape and format either by being ‘shocking’ or by affecting one’s ‘sensibilities’ in different ways.
The headline
Recently, when a top national newspaper carries Kashmera Shah’s dare-bare picture on its front page, it was apparent that there is a definite direction that media is taking. ‘There has to be sales. Period’ – Now this could well be the diktat here. And what best way to focus an entire segment of a newspaper on celebrities and an insight into their personal and professional lives.
Scandals, affairs, break-ups and cat fights have always been the best selling flavours. They would continue to be and there would be no stopping that. After all it does make for an More >
Would love to work with Farah again-Akshay Kumar
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Subhash K. Jha, January 24, 2011 – 12:16 IST
Before another film with Farah, Akshay is being directed by Farah’s husband Shirish Kunder. “Why just her husband? I’m doing a second film with her brother Sajid Khan and a second film with Shirish. Shirish and I are producing his Joker. But it has nothing to do with the circus.”
Akshay co-stars with Sonakshi Sinha in Joker. “I saw her in Dabangg. It didn’t look like her first film. She was so confident and complemented Salman perfectly. I hope we look as good together.”
Defending TMK Akshay says, “No matter what some people have to say the fact is, our film had the biggest opening of the year along with Dabangg and Golmaal 3. Audiences go to a Farah Khan film to see a Manmohan Desai kind of full-on masala entertainment. To that extent, she hasn’t disappointed. I was doing what Austin Powers does in the Hollywood slapsticks. People seem to love that.”
However, Akshay admits the collections dropped from Monday. “I’m happy that TMK took a great 3-day opening. But I’d have been happier if there wasn’t a drop in the collections on Monday. Only 8-9 other films got such an overwhelming opening this year. That I featured in two such openers this year – Housefull and TMK – is a matter of great happiness.”
Akshay defends Tees Maar Khan. “I don’t regret doing anything. I can’t see the weaknesses in TMK. I respect what Farah does in her cinema. .Why are the trade pundits comparing the collections of TMK with 3 Idiots and More >
Ra.One pushed to Diwali 2011?
02 years ago
SRK’s next, already in the shadow of Robot’s astounding success, has been postponed to next Diwali, so that King Khan can buy the best SFX money can buy
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 15, 2010)
Fans of King Khan, who are eagerly awaiting the release of his next film, might have to wait even more as RA.One has now been pushed to a Diwali 2011 release.
The film was scheduled to be released in June next year. However it seems that the SFX won’t be complete by then.
Our source said, “RA.One is Shah Rukh’s most ambitious film till date. He is leaving no stone unturned for the production values of the film.
Already there are strong rumours that Rajni’s Robot is similar to RA.One; it is a known fact that SRK was the one who was scheduled to star in Robot before he had differences with Shankar and Shankar went on to make the film with Rajnikanth.
Now people are saying that both the films have lots of similarities. That apart, Robot is already a huge hit and the SFX of the film are being talked about. Keeping all this in mind, SRK wants the film to be nothing less than the best.
He will not settle for anything but the best and he wants the special effects of the film to be of the top order, making it a technical feat in Bollywood.
SRK himself had tweeted that the film will release on June 3 sometime ago but he now knows that it is not going to be possible. The SFX will take time.”
A still from RA.OneThe source further said, “The next More >
Movie Review: BUMM BUMM BOLE by FENIL SETA
03 years ago
Adapting a worldwide renowned film is a risk. Not only does the filmmaker have to retain the charm of the original, he also has to make sure that the adapted version suits the capabilities of the audience of his country. Priyadarshan’s Bumm Bumm Bole, adapted from Majid Majidi’s classic Children Of Heaven tries its level best to raise to the level of the original and succeeds. Also it is beautifully Indianised to make sure the desi audiences likes it! This weekend, this seems to be the ideal film!
The story of the movie: Pinu (Darsheel Safary) lives with his father Khogiram (Atul Kulkarni), mother (Rituparna Sengupta) and sister Rimzim (Ziyah Vastani) somewhere in North-East India in a region infested with ULFA terrorism. The family leads a hand to mouth existence. Khogiram has just lost a job and is trying his best to get a new one. One day, when Pinu is sent to cobbler to mend Rimzim’s shoes, he misplaces it. Those were the only pair of Rimzim’s shoes. Pinu tells Rimzim about the loss but requests not to tell about it to their parents as they might scold him and also they won’t be able to afford a new pair for her. Pinu then comes with the idea-he tells Rimzim to wear his shoes during her school time in the morning. As soon as her classes are over, she should return back and meet Pinu at a lonely patch of the route. Pinu will then wear the shoes and go for his afternoon classes in the school! In this way, both can share the same pair until the More >
Fenil’s Bollywood Talk # 92
03 years ago
THREE INTERESTING FILMS THIS WEEKEND! Tomorrow, three small-budget but very interesting films are all set to hit the screens. My take:
LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA: The film has a title which more than half of the population would hesitate mentioning! Thankfully, to make things easier, the makers of the film has emphasized more on the abbreviation of the title-LSD! India’s first digital film, LSD is based on a voyeurism and from the promos it seems to be a truly path-breaking film. The film has no famous actor at all and yet the film has scored because of its title, theme and promos. Also it is directed by Dibakar Banerjee who has impressed many by his last 2 films-Khosla Ka Ghosla and ‘Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!’. However, LSD is a completely new territory and there are high chances that the makers might not come with a film that meets the expectations. Let’s hope for the best!
SHAAPIT: Vikram Bhatt is back after the successful 1920 with another horror flick, Shaapit. It marks the acting debut of Aditya Narayan and also television actress Shweta Agarwal. Promotion could have been better but still the film has made many curious. Also it has Aditya who has a considerable fan following. Like for every other film, Shaapit needs to be well-made to get box office success. 1920 also had newcomers and it clicked wonderfully with the audience and was a hit too. And the same is expected from Shaapit too. It would definitely get the best opening out of the three!
LAHORE: More >
SRK to do a film with Leonardo Di Caprio
03 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Joginder Tuteja, March 12, 2010 – 11:43 IST
The big news
Now this development really gets the antennas stand right up with all attention reserved for what next is really in the offing. Believe it or not but a major Hollywood-Bollywood collaboration is right up in the anvil and two of the bigger superstars from different ends of the world are all set to share screen space. The film in question is Xtrme City and the men in question – hold your breath – Shah Rukh Khan and Leonardo Di Caprio.
Yes, even though all of this seemed like a dream till a few years back, it is indeed turning out to be a reality since work is progressing on brisk speed to get the scripting in place for the film. There is quite some action on pre-production front as well and Xtrme City is looking positive at going on floors by end of 2010. If that indeed happens, Shah Rukh can well be expected to be really busy all through 2010 and 2011 with Ra 1 and the sequel of Don required to be wrapped up before Xtrme City starts taking a shape.
How it happened
Informs our source, “Not many know but when Shah Rukh visited Berlin for the premiere of My Name Is Khan, his agenda also included a groundbreaking movie deal. He was power-dining with Hollywood bigwigs like director Martin Scorsese and screenplay writer Paul Schrader over the project which is touted to star Bollywood’s reigning superstar with Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo Di Caprio. Karan Johar, David Weisman and screenplay writer More >
He ‘Khan’ Do It
03 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
THE MAGICAL TRIO: Kajol and SRK in a still from the film
Bollywood trade experts say Karan Johar’s film will create history
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; February 8, 2010)
The countdown has begun. There are just four days left for the release of Bollywood’s most-hyped flick, filmmaker Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan, and the uproar is deafening.
The factions trying to put a spoke in the wheel of MNIK will be clearly outnumbered by a community called SRK junkies who are parched for a full-fledged Shah Rukh Khan flick. MNIK, coming as it is after SRK’s Om Shanti Om (2007) — if you don’t count Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) and Billu (2009) — is being touted by trade experts as a blockbuster even before it opens.
Says Komal Nahata, “From what I know about this film, its script is bound to resonate with a global audience. Without giving away anything from the story, I can tell you that it is the first time that mainstream cinema has addressed the Hindu-Muslim issue in such a sensitive way. And yet, the film has entertainment at its core. It is a fabulous script… and I just get the feeling that the recent controversies that have surrounded it will help rather than hamper its box-office appeal.”
Vikas Mohan says, “How big a hit MNIK will be, can only be talked about after one has seen the film. But, with my eyes closed, I can say it will get a historic opening especially with a multiplex audience. The Karan-SRK-Kajol combination is lethal and it has so far worked.” More >