Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged cocktail
Not only older heroines, just-arrived heroines are jobless too
14 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Where does our male superstars’ obsession with young co-stars leave our just-arrived debutants?
Kunal M Shah (MID-DAY; February 15, 2013)
So Salman’s found a new face opposite him for Sohail Khan’s film while SRK is hunting for one for Farah Khan’s next. Rumours are also abuzz that Nawab Saif Ali Khan is also looking for a fresh face for his home production. So what happened to Diana Penty who debuted in his home production, Cocktail, just last year? Last season’s flavour? Maybe yes.
2012 saw the grand debut of as many as a dozen newbies. But only a handful of them have any films on their plates this year. So why are our 40- something A-list male superstars so fussy about their co-stars’ age? Is it because of their insecurity about looking older or is it the fear of being overshadowed? After all, their A-list female counterparts too have their platter laden with too many meaty projects. Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Sonakshi Sinha, Priyanka Chopra, Vidya Balan, Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma have no dates to spare for the entire year.
Tricks of the trade
Trade experts attribute this to a couple of factors. First of all, the lack of top actresses in Bollywood right now.
Trade analyst Amod Mehra says, “Kareena is already married and Priyanka is very busy. Sonakshi has already done two to three films with Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. Stars prefer to go for new girls who bring freshness to the project.” This is the reason that every year sees the influx of three to four More >
Deepika Padukone the ‘centre of attraction’ in her film posters
04 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Deepika Padukone seems to be a lucky mascot for filmmakers who place her in the centre of their film posters
Aakanksha Naval-Shetye (DNA; February 1, 2013)
She may not have played the solo lead in her last few releases, but that has not deterred filmmakers from featuring Deepika Padukone prominently on the posters of their films. What’s more, the posters have the actress right in the centre when it comes to placing the stars. Interestingly the two recent films, with posters like that, did good business at the box-office. This has triggered a buzz in the industry that placing the actress’ photo in the centre may actually be lucky for the films.
An insider points out that though Race 2 had an ensemble cast, one of the most widely distributed posters of the film featured Saif Ali Khan and John Abraham with Deepika alone in the centre. Earlier too, posters of Cocktail had Deepika feature between Saif and Diana Penty. “Bollywood’s a very superstitious industry, especially when it comes to lucky mascots. And when one thing works, then it’s not surprising to see others follow it. Not that the filmmakers bank on it completely, but doing something, that can perhaps add a dash of luck, is nothing new. So, it won’t be surprising to see if many more films starring Deepika follow it too,” say industry observers.
The actress, however, waves it off. “What can I say,” says Deepika when asked about her lucky run at the BO. “As an actor, you just do your best. Beyond the hard work, nothing More >
Eros International: A mix of masala movies and new-age cinema
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; January 15, 2013)
The year 2012 saw Eros International come up with a mix of potboilers and outof-the-box films. While there was masala entertainment like Housefull 2, Cocktail and Khiladi 786, there were thought-provoking films like Chakravyuh, Vicky Donor and English Vinglish, too.
Says Sunil Lulla, MD, Eros International, “We want to cater to all kinds of audience and therefore the diverse mix of films, across scales, genres and budgets. We aim to be a true studio model by not only co-producing films, but also acquiring and distributing Hindi and other regional language movies. For instance, last year we acquired the worldwide distribution rights of Son Of Sardaar and Ferrari Ki Sawaari and the overseas rights of Dabangg 2. This year, we have an eclectic blend and also plan to launch new faces.”
On her association with the company, filmmaker Gauri Shinde says, “I showed them English Vinglish and after watching it, they instantly decided to be involved. For me, as a director, it was a very satisfying association.” Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is currently shooting the Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone-starrer Ram Leela, feels this film corporation has the network to take his film to its deserved potential. “Together we hope to present some great cinema on the global platform,” Bhansali adds.
The corporate house began 2013 with the Paresh Rawal-Rajeev Khandelwal film Table No 21. Now, they plan to pursue their new-age concept with co-productions More >
Deepika Padukone keen to take Imtiaz Ali out for dinner
06 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Aakanksha Naval-Shetye (DNA; December 8, 2012)
Actor Deepika Padukone is keen to take filmmaker Imtiaz Ali out for dinner. But don’t let naughty thoughts run wild with imagination. The Bolly hottie is quick to reveal that the real reason to treat him is the success of her last outing Cocktail. And knowing what a big foodie Imtiaz is, Deepika thinks it would be the best way to thank him.
According to sources, Deepika’s role in the film as the sexy Veronica had won her accolades from critics and had even resonated with the audience. And to think of it, the actress was initially set to play the docile Meera instead, which seemed like a safer bet in comparison to the feisty Veronica, according to production insiders.
Deepika admits that playing Veronica seemed more of a challenge. “I knew that the film would be liked, but didn’t think that my character would be loved so much. I owe it to Imtiaz, as it was he who coaxed me to choose Veronica when I had the choice of both the characters. Had it not been for Imtiaz I would have chosen to play Meera,” says Deepika, who is now keen to thank Imtiaz for it. Point out that her bikini avatar had also gotten her extra brownie points and she says that though donning a bikini onscreen was no big deal, getting into that perfect shape and looking bikini-perfect was, she laughs. “But I trusted Homi (Adjania) and Imtiaz completely,” added Deepika.
And now she is keen to express gratitude towards Imtiaz, who insiders reveal is equally fond of More >
Diana Penty turns down 40 lakh first stage performance offer?
06 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; November 27, 2012)
Diana Penty, who made her B-Town debut in Cocktail opposite Saif Ali Khan, was recently approached by an event agency for her first stage performance. The model-turned-actress was requested to perform to her film’s tracks — Tumhi Ho Bandhu and Daaru Desi — at an upcoming awards gala.
She was apparently offered Rs 40 lakh for the show that the organisers claimed was the highest amount offered to any debutant for a stage act.
However, according to the sources Diana turned down the offer! Says a source, “ As she was contractually obligated to attend a brand event during the same time frame, there was no way she could have accepted it. Diana wouldn’t have had any time to rehearse for it. She had to decline the offer as she wanted her first appearance on stage to be perfect and needed time to rehearse which she would have been unable to during the same duration.”
Adds the source, “Diana was extremely keen on making her debut in a stage show. She has always enjoyed dancing and is a trained Kathak dancer.” Diana who has yet to sign her second B-Town outing meanwhile keeps busy with her endorsement deals. With awards events getting underway in January, she is among the contenders for the Best Debutant award.
Hit songs of Bollywood; Made in Pakistan
07 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Most Pak artistes who sing for Hindi films record their songs outside India
Piyali Dasgupta (BOMBAY TIMES; October 24, 2012)
Roping in Pakistani singers to sing for Bollywood movies is nothing new, but it is still very rare to find a Pakistani artiste recording a song in India. Most of them record their songs in Pakistan, Dubai or London, and that too, via internet tools. While some artistes believe that it is more economical to record songs in Pakistan, some believe that issues like visas and permissions come in the way. BT talks to some of these Pakistani artistes to understand this process.
I WASN’T CALLED FOR THE RECORDING Arif Lohar, who gained popularity in Bollywood with tracks like Jugni-Dum Gutgoo (see right) from Cocktail, says, “Jugni was already a hit, so it was because of the popularity of this song that I got entry into Bollywood. When I was offered to sing for Cocktail I didn’t know the recording schedule. Unhone kaha ki bas aap gaana bhej dein phir hum usse film mein fit kar lenge. I wasn’t called to Mumbai to record the song. Humne Lahore se hi hamare gaane ka thoda sa modified version banakar music composer ko de diya.”
WE DON’T KNOW WHICH ACTOR WE ARE SINGING FOR Shafqat Amanat Ali (left) says that most often, the singers are told about the situation of the song, but not who they are singing for. He tells us, “It is sometimes difficult to modulate the voice according to a song requirement as we don’t know whom we are singing for. Most of the times More >
My chimta-turban ethnic wear keeps reminding me of my roots-Arif Lohar
18 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Jugni singer Arif Lohar says his chimta-turban ethnic wear look isn’t a deliberate attempt to look different
Amin Ali (BOMBAY TIMES; September 28, 2012)
It’s hard to imagine this today but Arif Lohar was snubbed by organisers when he asked for ‘star attraction’ billing not too many years ago. “You must be kidding”, he was told.The Punjabi folk musician from Pakistan’s Kharian Tehsil in Punjab was informed that his style of singing didn’t appeal to the younger generation, that he was fit for only cultural programmes and only the exceptions in his genre broke into the mainstream. With Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a Sufi great that appealed to masses as his role model, Arif continued to strive till he, too, became that exception. His devotion to his music and hours of riyaaz paid off.
Armed solely with his talent, trademark grin and chimta, he delivered the performance of a lifetime on a televised music show in 2010. The song went viral, getting over 10.4 million views online making him one of the subcontinent’s most sought-after performers since.
MUSICAL MOORINGS Born in a family of musicians, folk icon Alam Lohar’s son feels music was his destiny. “I guess Allah had destined that I take my father’s legacy forward. My father once told me that I was an infant when I started swaying to this kind of music. That’s when he started to train me. I started to explore Punjabi folk earnestly,” says the soft-spoken singer. As he started mastering his art, news of his talent spread More >