Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged dabangg
SRK’s bodyguard was in Dabangg; Chennai Express developed by Ajay Devgn Ffilms…
22 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; March 18, 2013)
- Shah Rukh Khan’s bodyguard Ravi, the man closest to him at all points of time, has actually done a role in Salman Khan’s Dabangg.
- Shilpa Shetty’s husband Raj Kundra and her ex Akshay Kumar have the same birthday — September 9.
- The script of Chennai Express was developed by Ajay Devgn Ffilms. But it’s being made by his bête noire, Shah Rukh, under the latter’s banner — Red Chillies Entertainment. When ADF had planned it, the film was to be directed by Rohit Shetty and was to have either Ranbir Kapoor or Shahid Kapoor in the lead. It is still directed by Rohit, but now has SRK as protagonist.
- Kareena Kapoor and her closest rival Katrina Kaif are both managed by the same agency. The two actresses share the first two initials of their name, KK. And now that Kareena has a third K — Khan — to her name, Katrina, in all likelihood, may also add a third K — Kapoor, to her name.
- Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalow was called Mansa. It was later changed to Jalsa because Mansa was considered inappropriate according to Vaastu. Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow was called Jannat and this was later changed to Mannat because of a similar predicament.
- Sonu Nigam and Sonu Sood share their birthday (July 30). The Bollywood singer and the actor also hit a rough patch simultaneously. While the former lost his mother, the latter suffered multiple fractures and is bed-ridden for a month.
- A Britisher, Sir Richard Attenborough, made Gandhi (1982) a More >
Bollywood shoots boost Western Railway coffers by 1.5 cr
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Bharati Dubey | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; March 17, 2013)
Mumbai: Visibility of local trains in Hindi cinema has increased, so has Western Railways’ earnings from the entertainment industry in the last four years. Film and television shoots earned WR Rs 1.48 crore in 2012-13, up from a measly Rs 8.35 lakh in 2010.
Many recent releases like Dabangg, Gangs of Wasseypur, Agneepath and Kai Po Che have been extensively shot on WR property. “The Kaun Banega Crorepati promo with Amitabh Bachchan was shot at the Jogeshwari yard. Also Emran Hashmi’s Ghanchakkar, Ranbir Kapoor’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Akshay Kumar’s Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again too have been filmed on Western Railway property,” said a WR spokesperson.
WR sources said one of the main reasons for the increased business from cinema and television was streamlining of approval procedures. The spokesperson added, “A day’s shoot without any rolling stock costs about Rs 1.10 lakh while one with special rolling stock is about Rs 4.12 lakh. We have streamlined permissions for shootings and try to grant approvals in three to five days. We have identified scenic locales all over WR and are also approaching production houses to shoot on WR property.”
Arun Mathias, a film location director, said, “An engine with coaches on the platform and a moving train may go up to Rs 4.25 lakh (for 8 hours). But just a platform shoot or a sequence in a railway yard can be done for Rs 2 lakh.” The Kangana Ranaut-starrer Rajjo is More >
Why does Bollywood not name stars on posters like Hollywood?
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Priya Gupta and Bryan Durham (BOMBAY TIMES; March 7, 2013)
For several decades now, Bollywood’s movie poster design doesn’t include the names of stars. Hollywood, on the other hand, leads with it. Top-billed actors are named prominently. Ever wondered why this happens? Let’s consider a few facts…
In Bollywood, we believe our stars to be larger than life and hence, don’t feel the need to name them. Most stars have near-perfect recall with audiences, everyone knows them. That’s a sentiment echoed by Race 2 producer Ramesh Taurani. “The popularity of our stars is so high that we don’t feel the need to put their names,” he says.
And even though Hollywood goes out to a global market and a wider audience and their stars are more recognised than ours, they choose to name their stars. Is it that Bollywood has evolved with its own system? Arbaaz Khan, the producer of Dabangg and Dabangg 2 seems to think so. He says, “We have our own way of crediting and advertising our stars and it works beautifully for us. However, we are quite flexible with having the actor’s name or not having it. There are times when we name the star on the poster. For instance, when we need to introduce a new actor. Or when a big star is playing a big character we sometimes say ‘Star X in or as…….’”
And while the Indian argument could quite simply be that we are “like this only”, it just shows that we treat our stars more than just names and rather like heroes beyond celluloid. Aakhir, apne choice ka maamla More >
Fenil’s Bollywood Talk # 235
04 months ago
CHULBUL PANDEY IS BACK!
While Dabangg was being made, it was hardly considered as ‘a movie to watch out for’ or inserted in the ‘anticipated films of the year’ list by various entertainment houses. However, all changed as the theatrical trailer of the film came out which blew away the audiences. Salman Khan never looked so dashing before. Sonakshi Sinha too caught attention while the item song Munni catapulted to chartbusters. Film opened with a bang and in no time and rightfully, became one of the biggest hits of Indian Cinema. Hence, when Dabangg 2 was announced, the curiosity and excitement set right there itself.
The film hasn’t had an aggressive promotion which is absolutely fine as buzz for the film is tremendous. From the first trailer, Dabangg 2 looks faadu to say the least in terms of action and Salman Khan’s jalwa. The item song, featuring Kareena Kapoor, isn’t as exciting as Munni arguably, but nevertheless makes for a splendid watch. Prakash Raj plays the negative lead in the film and it will be a treat to watch his clash with Salman. From the box office point of view, Dabangg 2 releases on a working Friday. But with Xmas round the corner, the holiday season has already commenced. Hence, December 21-23 would be huge and so would be Monday December 24 since it’s a day before Christmas. Needless to mention, the Chirstmas Day, December 25, would be extraordinary. Film will fall on December 26 and 27 but will pick up again on the second weekend, December 28-30. More >
I will never quit South cinema-Sonu Sood
07 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
The Punjabi munda on his loyalty towards the industry that shaped him and being choosy in Bollywood
Urmimala Banerjee (MID-DAY; October 10, 2012)
Post Dabangg, Sonu Sood has been on a roll. With four projects in his kitty, the handsome hunk is happy to be in a space where he can “pick and choose”. In a freewheeling chat with HitList, he talks about his upcoming projects and more…
How has life changed post Dabangg? The best part was that both critics and the audiences loved my performance. People accepted me as an actor. It has also given me the freedom to choose the best roles possible.
Are you deliberately being choosy? Yes, I want to do only good work from now on. I will never quit working in South Indian films because that’s where I started, and they complement my Bollywood career. In fact, I am doing three Telugu films right now. It’s exciting to be a part of the South film industry. In Bollywood, I want to do versatile roles in varied genres.
Tell us about your upcoming projects? As of now, I am very kicked about Sanjay Gupta’s Shootout At Wadala and Prabhu Deva’s film with Tips. Then of course, there’s Zanjeer. I have exciting roles in all these projects, and that’s all I can ask for.
What’s the latest on Rana, your film with Rajnikanth? That project has been postponed due to Rajni sir’s poor health. It is a privilege to work with him. In fact, I had done a film with him in 2007 called Chandramukhi, and now we are together again. The very fact that he recognised More >
Six Salman Khans in Bigg Boss 6 first episode?
07 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
The actor will sport different looks from his recent films for the opening episode of Bigg Boss 6
Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 6, 2012)
Salman Khan has already started shooting for the first episode of the much awaited season six of Bigg Boss, the reality show he hosts. And like his other recent projects, this too shall bear more than a touch of the actor’s creative side. Mirror has found out that the first episode will have not one, but six Salman Khans. And though we tried to sneak in to the studio in Lonavala to capture the different looks of the actor, the heavy security (plus, Salman’s personal guards) prevented us. But here’s a description of what you can expect in the first episode.
An insider, on the condition of anonymity let slip that Salman would be sporting six looks from some of his famous films. “Salman himself shortlisted the films. He came to the set around 3 pm on Friday and started shooting an hour later. The first change was the look of Ready. He also sported a pair of glasses and appeared rather excited about the shoot,” said the source. The shot was ‘okayed’ in one take. And then the actor changed into his Bodyguard uniform. “One after the other, without wasting time, the shots were completed,” the insider added.
The other looks Salman sported was from Ek Tha Tiger, Wanted, Dabangg and the final look he’d be sporting for the reality television series this year.
According to the source, Salman’s sister Alvira Khan accompanied him to the More >
Ranbir walks out of Abhinav Kashyap’s next?
08 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Dabangg director’s second film, Besharam is in fresh crisis after his lead actor opts out over commercial reasons
Bharti Dubey and Prachi Kadam (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 3, 2012)
His directorial debut Dabangg was a box office success. However, Abhinav Kashyap’s second film Besharam that was already in trouble with Viacom18 Motion Pictures having decided at the last minute not to produce it, has now hit a fresh roadblock.
This time round, Ranbir Kapoor, who had been roped in as leading man, has walked out of the film, leaving Abhinav high and dry. We hear a frustrated Abhinav has decided to shelve his project, which was supposed to go on floors by end this year.
An insider told Mirror, “One of the reasons Ranbir walked out is because Viacom18 had pulled out, after which, there wasn’t much happening on the film. Yes, Abhinav tried taking the project to many other producers. However, with Ranbir’s busy schedule and too many film offers, the actor didn’t want to further block his dates for a project that isn’t even taking off.”
According to trade sources though, there has been a fallout between Abhinav and Ranbir over the latter’s fees.
The industry source revealed, “Abhinav was to negotiate Ranbir’s fees with the producers, but he went back to Ranbir with a price that is one-third of what the actor commands. This upset his father Rishi Kapoor, who refused to agree on those terms.”
Like most other actors, Ranbir too, has hiked his fees and currently charges Rs 15 crore More >
Salman Khan offered Rs 100 crore for a film?
18 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Apparently, that is the mind-boggling amount that Ramesh Taurani has offered Salman Khan to sign his next film
Kunal M Shah (MID-DAY; August 24, 2012)
With his recent record at the box office, looks like Salman Khan’s career is on an all-time high. Buzz is that there is already a queue of filmmakers waiting at Sallu’s door to sign him for their upcoming films.
We have heard that filmmaker Ramesh Taurani of Tips is apparently heading the pack and has offered a whopping amount of Rs 100 crore to Salman to sign the production house’s next film. Interestingly, if their deal goes through, Salman will become the highest paid actor in Bollywood!
Our source says, “As expected Ek Tha Tiger has sent the cash registers ringing and many filmmakers have been seen visiting Salman’s residence to make a film with him. However, Taurani, who has earlier worked with Salman and has had him signed since the past couple of years, is very keen that they do a film together.
A couple of days back, he met Salman and offered him Rs 100 crore for a film. Taurani is aware that the actor’s last three films have done business near to Rs 150 crore net and that’s why he is ready to take the gamble.”
However, Taurani denies to us that he has offered Rs 100 crore to Salman and states, “Salman is already signed with me and this is not the right figure. He will be doing a film in 2013 with us and details are being worked out.” Our source added, “Salman’s last three films Dabangg (Rs 145 crore), Ready (Rs More >
Not without my crew: Abhinav wants a new deal
09 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
The inside story why the Dabangg director hasn’t yet finalised a production house for his next, Besharam that stars Ranbir Kapoor in the lead
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 21, 2012)
His directorial debut Dabangg set the cash registers ringing. However, Abhinav Kashyap seems to have hit a roadblock with his second project Besharam.
Abhinav has succeeded in getting Ranbir Kapoor to star in his film. However, he hasn’t been as lucky in terms of a production house. Viacom18 Motion Pictures were willing to produce the film however reportedly, they decided to withdraw support. Undaunted, Abhinav has taken his project to Reliance and is believed to be in discussions with Fox Studios, UTV and Eros International as well. However, none of them have signed on the dotted line. So, what gives?
A source close to Viacom 18 told Mirror last night, “Viacom18 is still keen to do Besharam with Abhinav. But his style of functioning is a problem. We have no issues with him and would love to renegotiate with him if he decreases our burden.”
Apparently, Abhinav not only wants profit sharing benefits for himself, as this newspaper had earlier reported, but also for his entire set of writers, music directors and technicians.
“This happens, if at all, only in Hollywood. Bollywood mein aisa kabhi nahi hua. Sharing profits with his crew would completely upset the applecart,” the source said and added, “No doubt Abhinav has a big hero like Ranbir in his fold. One can understand he wants More >