Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged Bombay Times
Bhajji still bowled over Geeta?
Jul 29th
The grapevine says Harbhajan Singh is reportedly good friends with starlet Geeta Basra even now…
Meena Iyer | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 29, 2010)
Harbhajan Singh, the Team India offbreaker, has bowled a googly to the media which is still wildly speculating over his reported relationship status with Bollywood starlet Geeta Basra.
The two, if some media reports are to be believed, are no longer an item. But that is baffling, because the ace spinner has been taking a keen and undue interest in Geeta’s Bollywood career of late.
BT has reason to believe that between his very recent and truly hectic Zimbabwe and Sri Lankan cricket tours, Bhajji found time to actually hobnob with a couple of important Bollywood personalities. And the reason for his networking is simple. A source says, “Harbhajan is keen to see that Geeta’s career which virtually ground to a halt after her appearance in Mukesh Bhatt’s The Train with Emraan Hashmi, gets back on track again. Harbhajan has spoken to a few people who he knows in Bollywood requesting them to take Geeta in their projects.”
Now if a A-list cricketer is going out of his field to give a maidenin-distress such importance, it could only add up to one thing. That the bowler and the Bollywood beauty continue to be friends. Harbhajan, who is in the midst of the Sri Lankan tour, couldn’t be reached for comment. But Geeta said, “He’s a well-wisher but that doesn’t mean he’s helping me in my career.
Dutt’s a rockstar at 51
Jul 29th
The actor, who’s turned producer, is busy working on his b’day
Subhash K Jha | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 29, 2010)
How is Sanjay Dutt celebrating his 51st birthday today? By getting more involved in the production of Knock Out, the action film he is working on, even while holidaying in South Africa. Dutt, who so far has been a hassle-free, noninterfering actor on the sets, now apparently takes an active role in every department of filmmaking. This is believed to be in preparation for his new role as a hands-on producer.
And so, he asked director Mani Shankar to shoot a music video featuring himself and Kangna Ranaut. This is not Dutt’s birthday gift to himself. Apparently in the film, Dutt and Kangna never meet, though the characters they play are attracted to one another. They don’t have a single shot together. Knock Out also has no songs and music. So Dutt suggested a music video to kill two birds with one stone. It would bring the lead pair together and add some music and rhythm to the gritty real-time thriller. Overnight, all arrangement were made. Gurav Das Gupta was asked to compose a rock number. Ahmed Khan was roped in to choreograph it. And the actor sat with the team to work out all the details for the music video. According to sources, the look, tune, clothes and concept were all decided by Dutt. The Dutt being Dutt, he also played the electric guitar for the track on screen with Kangna!
Kajol-Kareena call a truce
Jul 29th
Only Karan Johar could have managed this…
Meena Iyer | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 29, 2010)
Can two mothers make a home? And can two powerhouse actresses exist peacefully on the same set? Yes, if you have Karan Johar trouble-shooting. Once again Bollywood’s premiere filmmaker has managed to pull off another first. Dharma Productions’ We Are Family that will hit the screens on September 3, is an intimate, emotional film. “UTV and I decided to release it on September 3 because it’s a film meant for women and family audience, and we wanted an opposition-free clean week,” says Karan. He adds, “It’s the first official adaptation in Bollywood of a Hollywood film — Step-Mom in this case.” He points out that Dharma is fortunate to have a good equation with Hollywood giants such as Fox (My Name is Khan) and now Sony Pictures (We Are Family).
And whether it is getting the lyrics of a song — like he did with Pretty Woman for Kal Ho Na Ho or whether it is adapting the 1998 Susan Sarandon-Julia Roberts film Step-Mom, Karan believes it must be done officially. “There is just no other way to do it than in collaboration with the foreign studio or with getting the official remake rights,’’ says he. He is happy, too, that UTV Motion Pictures is also on board this project that brings together two of his favourite actresses — Kajol and Kareena Kapoor.
“These two return as a pair after they worked with me in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Siddharth Malhotra, my director, has brought these two women of substance, in substantial roles, for the first time. And, as a viewer and a cinegoer, I was truly excited to see their pairing. I’m also happy that Arjun Rampal has solidly held his own despite being thrown in with these two solid performers in what I describe as an intimate family experience.’’ Karan is particularly proud of the fact that the debutante director has managed to get the desired performances from his actors. “I personally think WAF will provide the audience a happy laugh and a good cry.’’
Deepika-from bikinis to Bengal sarees!
Jul 29th
…Deepika’s quite enjoying the ride
Nimisha Tiwari | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 28, 2010)
If in Housefull, her last film, the gorgeous Deepika Padukone wore bikinis and rode water scooters… get ready to see her in Bengal cotton sarees riding a bicycle in her next — Ashutosh Gowariker’s Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey.
The sexy actress plays freedom fighter Kalpana Dutta of the Chittagong Uprising of the 1930s. A role that has excited Deepika no end, because Kalpana was strong and feisty, among the first women freedom fighters of the country.
The film itself, jointly produced by Ajay and Sanjeev Bijli along with Sunita A Gowariker, is an epic period thriller based on the book Do And Die written by Kalpana’s daughter-in-law Manini Chatterjee. Acting opposite Deepika is Abhishek Bachchan. It is presented by AGPPL and PVR Pictures. Director Ashutosh Gowariker thought Deepika brought much energy to Kalpana Dutta’s character.
This film is being shot in Goa and Mumbai and is due for release on December 3. Javed Akhtar has written its lyrics with Sohail Sen doing the music. Designer Neeta Lulla’s designed the costumes. So if you see Deepika dressed in cotton sarees pedalling a cycle in the city… don’t be surprised. She’s quite enjoying the ride!
It’s a tough life for most Bollywood beauties
Jul 29th
WHERE’S THE MONEY, HONEY? (Clockwise) Jacqueline Fernandez, Ameesha Patel, Celina Jaitly, Dia Mirza and Lara Dutta
Meena Iyer | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 28, 2010)
Blame it on recession, blame it on male superstars who’ve decided to become choosy. Blame it on the reduced number of films Bollywood now makes. Whatever the reason, the fact is that three-quarters of the film industry’s beauties live life in the shadows. Filmmaker Priyadarshan, who gets a knock on his door from many of these actresses, says he feels helpless but there is “only those many actresses who I can accommodate in my movies… and though I’d ideally like to create roles for the number of actresses I meet, it isn’t possible”. A leading producer confirms that when he spread the word that he is auditioning for his new film starting this September, he got calls from a dozen actresses. “Such is the paucity of good projects that when you announce one film, at least 10 good actresses turn up for the same role,” says he.
Sanjay Bhattacharya, a film financier, says that since medium budget movies have become fewer, roles for the middle-order guys and girls have completely dried up. “We’re either making top-order projects done by the A-list actors like the five Khans (Aamir, Shah Rukh, Salman, Saif and Imran), Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Ajay Devgn and Ranbir Kapoor, or we are making arthouse cinema like Udaan, Tere Bin Laden and Love Sex Aur Dhokha. The typical medium-budget film has become so rare.”
Whether it’s the himbos or the bimbos, with the exception of the top seven guys or girls in Bollywood, most of the others are sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring. Priyanka Kothari admits that after her beneficial stint with Ram Gopal Varma films — James, Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, Sarkar and Agyaat — she is still to find the right break. She admits that post Agyaat she has only shot for regional cinema and a couple of commercials because she is still waiting for a good Bollywood film to materialise. And though many of the other actresses aren’t as candid as her, the fact is that life in the movies has become arduous for many.
It is no exaggeration that the girls who show up in pretty clothes at premieres, survive mainly on dance shows in smaller cities, ribbon cutting, commercial endorsements refused by the more-in-demand actresses, ramp-walking, catalogue shoots and appearances at events. What’s more is that unlike in other professions, where the wait invariably takes its toll on their patience, here in Bollywood, waiting for movies also takes its toll on their pockets. Just check out the list of expenses even the “in-waiting” actresses have to definitely spend on.
COMPULSORY EXPENSES:
Driver
Valet
EMIs for House & Car
Trendy wardrobe
Latest accessories
Beauty Parlour visits
Spa treatments
Gym
Dance class
Net-working lunches
Gifting key people
PR expenses to stay in news
MONEY MATTERS: Neetu Chandra, Priyanka Kothari and Neha Dhupia
I don’t know if it’s Aamir or Shah Rukh-Rajkumar Hirani
Jul 27th
Bollywood’s number one director Rajkumar Hirani won’t reveal who his next leading man is
Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; July 27, 2010)
Rajkumar Hirani is generous to a fault. At his office in Bandra, he is busy distributing books to the people around him. Having just returned from New York after a heavy-duty scripting session, the filmmaker is in a gregarious mood. Filmfare has chosen him the top-ranking director. And the trade is waiting with bated breath to know what Raju will make next, especially since his 3 Idiots is the biggest hit in Bollywood history.
Raju dismisses speculation about making a movie called Hey Bhagwan on 300 Gods. “We have 33 crore Gods,’’ he says, “Why would I choose 300 of those? Unless of course, people think that in three hours I can only accommodate 300. Anyway the important issue here is that I will be making a movie on religion. But media reports saying it deals with 300 Gods is wrong. My writer Abhijat Joshi is here. And we have just got a fix on the idea. The script itself is still to be written. I’m also writing Munnabhai.’’
Asked whether he was flattered to be voted the number one director, Raju says, “My parents will be happy for sure. I will mail them a copy of the latest Filmfare. However, I don’t want to fall into this trap of numbers. I believe that today I’m on top because of 3 Idiots. Tomorrow there may be no film or there could be a film that has not done very well. This can happen. So why fall into this trap? I believe that each film is my first film and I give it all I have. Just because I have three good films behind me, it doesn’t make me allpowerful. I have to still strive to give my best to whatever I undertake. A filmmaker is only as good as his last film.’’
He also dismisses constant media speculation on whether he will make his next with Aamir Khan or Shah Rukh Khan. Says he, “I have worked with the best — Aamir. However, I can’t say who the leading man in my next film is unless I have a ready script. I don’t write films keeping an actor in mind. It goes the other way around.’’
Raju believes that Bollywood is going through the best phase. “While ten years ago we only made love stories with the song-dance fix, now we have makers like Vishal Bhardwaj, Anurag Kashyap and Imtiaz Ali doing different work. Each has his own style and strength. And Hindi cinema is certainly poised for a great take-off.’’ And finally is the world really his oyster? “Yes it is… but I can’t eat it all as the phrase says. I must still be content with eating only a small morsel. In other words, I will continue to make one film in two years. If I get greedy, I will fall flat on my face.’’
Salman’s a chhata badmaash!-Vidya Balan
Jul 27th
Vidya Balan answers 10 questions to BT
Garima Sharma | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 27, 2010)
Vidya Balan has a lot happening in her life right now. She’s the latest muse of M F Husain and has also been voted as the most appropriate bride for Rahul Gandhi. But it’s the romantic SRK and lover boy Salman Khan, Vidya hopes will woo her someday…
Last year’s been a joyride professionally. How was it personally?
I can’t draw a line between my personal and professional lives. My profession gives me great joy in my personal life.
Is it time now for a break?
I’ve been on a break past few weeks, since I came back from Delhi after the shoot of No One Killed Jessica. I’ve been helping decorate my new house, reading, watching films, meeting friends and going on dates.
Dates?
No, I’m kidding. I just wish, I just said aise hi. Honestly, there’s nothing.
Okay, so how many boys do you reject every day?
I wish I had such good fortune. But, where are the boys, really?
A recent survey said that you are the most appropriate bride for Rahul Gandhi, provided he buys you a lifetime’s supply of Sabyasachi sarees…
If that happens, I won’t wave at people. I’ll just raise The Hand. But I’m not thinking of marriage right now. It’s not even on the agenda because I haven’t met anyone who has inspired that in me. First, I need to be with someone for a while and have to romance without the bindings of marriage.
What kind of romance?
Long drives with music that I enjoy in the rains, and maybe buy ourselves cups of chai from a thela.
You don’t discuss your relationships…
A relationship is between two people and should remain like that. The problem is that today, everyone is discussing relationships so openly. Anyway, I think I should become a writer besides being an actor. A romantic novel, perhaps, or actually a romantic film. Maybe I’ll start the film in five years when I have more experience with romance in my life.
And the hero would be?
Salman Khan. He’s a chhata badmaash, he’s the quintessential lover. Perhaps, Shah Rukh. He’s the ultimate romantic. Ufff ! I’m a clichéd romantic!
How?
I’d love for him to look into the mirror when I ask him, ‘Chand dekha?’ and he’d say, ‘Haan, aaine mein dekho….’ I know, it’s corny!
You’ve got an ardent fan in MF Husain…
I know that Husainsaab wants to narrate a script to me, but it depends on when we meet. I’ve spoken to him on the phone, though. He was extremely generous. I was very flattered. He’s probably the best judge of sensuality.
Salman loses it!
Jul 26th
…not his cool, but his six-pack to play Bihari cop
Sharin Wader Butani | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 26, 2010)
Imagine the agony Salman Khan had to go through when he was asked to lose his sixpack abs for Dabbang. Putting him through this torture was his own brother, producer Arbaaz Khan. Salman, the shirtless, original macho man of Bollywood, is playing a Bihari cop in the film, and the paan-chewing cops of Bihar are nowhere near being that fit. Sallu had to look the part so he went on a special diet, probably gave in to all his cravings and got rid of his super abs. The actor, who doesn’t miss his exercise routine, learned table tennis in a day to keep himself fit as he didn’t want to completely go from being all fab to all flab.
Akshay enters Hollywood
Jul 26th
TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 26, 2010)
At a time when the chaska for Bollywood stars to act in Hollywood films is slowly dying down, comes the news that Akshay Kumar is ready take a step in that western direction by co-producing an Indo-Canadian film called Break Away.
The Khiladi, who enjoys an enviable reputation in Canada, recently played host to a dinner meet between the premiers of both countries, our Dr Manmohan Singh and their Stephen Harper. His film will have the Canadian-born Emily Van Camp (who shot to fame with the television series Brothers and Sisters) and be directed by Robert Lieberman who recently completed The Tortured. According to a source, Akshay had plans to step into Hollywood as a producer with his banner Hari Om Productions for a while now. This is his first western production but his banner intends to continue scouting for more suitable collaborations in the West. Akshay himself is not acting in Break Away. But who knows about the future?
Imran’s got Katrina and Priyanka panting
Jul 26th
Both hotties are now eyeing the light-eyed boy
Meena Iyer | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 26, 2010)
In the flaky world of films everyone is as good as his last Friday. And the light-eyed Imran Khan, who had a hit in I Hate Luv Storys, is suddenly the object of Bollywood’s desire. Super-hotties Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra, who were chasing Ranbir Kapoor fast and furiously, completely over-looked Imran who was standing in the bylanes post those disasters Kidnap and Luck. In fact, when Sanjay Gadhvi’s 7 Days in Paris with Imran and Kat fell by the wayside after these two actors reportedly had “issues”, Kat didn’t even blink her mascaraed lashes. And PC, too, seemed in no hurry to come to the rescue of the pariah called Imran.
But all that stands changed post IHLS. And, why aren’t we surprised that the hoity-toity actresses now have a different stance on Aamir Khan’s light-eyed nephew. Reliable sources say that after Karan Johar announced his Short Term Shaadi (working title) with Kareena Kapoor and Imran, he reportedly got a message from Kat asking him why she was not selected for the Imran film. It is said that Karan assured her that his banner would be making many more films with Imran and, of course, Kat would be definitely considered for a role with the boy.
Sources close to Priyanka say that she has to choose between two films currently. One is said to be with Imran and the second could be Kunal Kohli’s film with Saif Ali Khan. PC is now in a dilemma on which of the two she should green-light. Her feelings for Imran are ditto that of Kat’s. Post IHLS the boy has the halo.
So, the clever PC is expected to do a photo-session with Imran to check out how good they look together. It clearly means that without saying anything, PC is making her preference evident. Or she may say yes to the Saif film, as well as the Imran one. Till yesterday, Kareena was envious of the fact that Kat and PC had a Ranbir in their kitty. Today the shoe is on the other foot. Both these girls want what Bebo has. Honestly, in this dog-eat-dog industry, the bone of contention is constantly changing. Now Imran has them all panting!
