Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged experience
Gut Feel or Market Research the way ahead for Indian cinema?
12 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Nikhil Ramsubramaniam, March 25, 2011 – 09:24 IST
A lot of filmmakers internationally are using Market Research, Focus Group Discussions and Test Screenings as a tool to gauge initial feedback about their films. However, many of the Indian filmmakers still show reluctance towards Market Research/ Target Group Testing/ Title Testing etc. prior to movie production/ release and rely on their gut feel and experience. Hence it was rather apt to have a panel discussion on ‘Market Research for Indian Cinema’ on Day 2 of FICCI- Frames 2011 currently being held in Mumbai.
The interesting session was moderated by Mr.Vivek Krishnani- Head- Distribution, Marketing and Syndication at Fox Star Studios and saw some eminent personalities such as Siddharth Roy Kapur (CEO- UTV Motion Pictures), Sidhartha M Jain (CEO, iRock), Jaideep Sahni (writer of films such as Chak De India & Khosla Ka Ghosla), filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, Mr. Ram Mirchandani (Chief Creative Officer- Eros International) and Mr. Farshad Family (MD of Nielsen Media, India).
When asked on what they thought about Market Research for Indian cinema, Siddharth Roy Kapur said, “The trend of research is not new. In fact many years ago Mr.Raj Kapoor used to show his films to his close family and friends pre-release and ask for their feedback. Aamir Khan still does that with his films. It’s just that we don’t use the term Research for that. The objective of conducting Focus Group Discussions, Test Screenings etc. More >
Marriage is a deadly serious business-Tere Mere Phere director
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Deepa Sahi makes her debut as a film director
Roshni K Olivera | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; January 16, 2011)
When she did Tamas, she was known as Deepa ‘Tamas’ Sahi, and when she did Hum with superstar Rajnikant playing her husband, she was called bhabhiji for a while. But after she did Maya Memsaab with Shah Rukh Khan, the name stuck to her. The actress has now ventured into a new territory… she has turned director with Tere Mere Phere, a rom-com road-trip movie. A select few who’ve seen the film describe it as a ‘delightfully funny look’ at the idea of love and marriage. And if the audience expected a strong socially relevant subject from her, then she says, “Marriage is a deadly serious business! There is too much depression around… if you want to have a good laugh, what better way than seeing a couple of men and women like us thrown together? I think half the problems happen because we take ourselves too seriously. I find the man–woman relationship fascinating. A marriage is something that legitimises this relationship. But having married how legit are the workings between them? That is what the movie is about.”
Deepa, wife of filmmaker Ketan Mehta, has shot in the breathtaking locales of the Himalayas — lush green valleys, torrid streams, cold desert mountains. “For me those amazing mountains are as beautiful as love itself…. and very often their paths are as torturous as the paths of a relationship,” says the maverick director. More >
Gulshan to play Hayek’s hubby
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Bollywood baddie in Hollywood film with Will Smith, Janet Jackson, Whoopie Goldberg, Queen Latifa and others
Sharin Wader Butani | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; October 17, 2010)
Long before Anil Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, there was Gulshan Grover who crossed over to Hollywood. Now he’s doing it again. Bollywood’s goodhearted baddie has signed the film The Driver opposite Mexican hottie Salma Hayek. It’s being directed by Bill Duke and has Hollywood biggies like Will Smith, Janet Jackson, Whoopie Goldberg, Queen Latifa, NBA star Kobe Bryant and some famous comedians playing themselves in guest roles. Duke explained Gulshan’s presence, “Since the protagonist will be acting with a range of Hollywood stars, I wanted to cast an Indian actor with talent, range, experience and the ability to improvise.” The Driver is a comedy where Gulshan’s character is that of a rank-and-file accountant who is doing what’s expected of him, until he finally decides to risk it all, dragging his wife (Hayek) behind him on a journey to go after his dreams. “It will be a pleasure to work with Hollywood stars,” said Gulshan, who has just returned from the US after inking the deal.
Kajol’s mothering heights
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
About to have her second child, Kajol says the highs and lows of being a mum have made her a patient person
Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 29, 2010)
Embracing motherhood usually means braving experiences and challenges. But before a woman takes on her new role as a parent, it is the pregnancy that transforms her in more ways than she can explain. Kajol, who is pregnant the second time round, agrees completely.
“When I first found out I was pregnant, I was very scared and nervous and I wasn’t sure whether it would go through or not. It altered my self-perception completely. You become the centre of your own world and everything else around you becomes a blur,” Kajol says.
One always has an image of a mother, based on the social and cultural definitions. While it seems like an overwhelming role, it’s difficult to associate with it initially. Kajol faced a similar dilemma, “I’ve always thought that pregnant women were like goddesses. And in that perspective, I couldn’t picture myself as a goddess.”
The Emotional Rollercoster
Eventually you begin to accept the role, but it’s just the beginning of the journey. One that is packed with insecurities, anxieties and uncertainties. “You think twice about everything. Even with simple things like taking a walk, I would wonder if it would harm my baby or hurt me in any way. Every third day I’d call the doctor to check if I’m doing it right. You’re frightened to do anything and I learnt how to deal More >
Why Akshay learned Marathi…
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Akshay Kumar may be a staunch Punjabi munda in real life and may have that mandatory Punjabi song in all his movies, but it’s a little known fact that he knows Marathi very well. And the reason he learnt it was because of a nasty experience with a bus conductor. He told ZoOm why exactly too. “Years ago, when I was new to Mumbai, I was travelling in a BEST bus and I didn’t know Marathi at all. I was a young boy and I was a bit nervous. Suddenly the conductor began screaming, pudhe chala, pudhe chala, which means move ahead. I couldn’t understand. Then while passing he yelled again. I shrunk in one corner. So he asked me ‘ticket, ticket?’ I still didn’t understand. Then he yelled, ‘Marathi mahit naahi? Marathi maaloom nahin?’ I said no. So he shouted, ‘Toh phir maage jaa. In Mumbai you don’t know Marathi? Very bad.’ That’s when I decided I’d learn. And today I’m fluent in it. That’s what helped me in Khatta Meetha. I could speak like a pro. So every experience helps.” He couldn’t stop grinning. Well Akki, you’re a world citizen. How about some fluent English now? Ouch, just kidding bro.
BOMBAY TIMES (July 30, 2010)
Kajol taking personal interest in Tanisha’s career
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Kajol takes a personal interest in Tanisha’s career, will help her select the right films before it dives further
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 09, 2010)
// // // Tanisha Mukerji may not have made her mark in Bollywood like her sister Kajol, but that is about to change soon. If she continues on the same path, her career is likely to come to a premature halt very soon. So, Tanisha’s career now will be closely scrutinised by her mother Tanuja and sister Kajol.
Her doting sister has taken charge of selecting the right films for her and also recently fixed up a photo session for Tanisha. Kajol ensured that the styling and the details were perfect.
Our source said, “Tanisha was said to be one of the most promising faces when she made her debut. But unfortunately for her, she did not bag the right films and now she wants to give her career a boost. To ensure that, her sister Kajol and mother Tanuja have decided that they will now take over and make sure that she makes all the right moves. Recently, she has been in news because her film Be Careful has run into trouble. Apparently, she is not happy with the film.”
Certainly after some of the turkeys that Tanisha has been part of, she could do with some guidance. And who better than her very successful sister to do so? Tanisha said, “Recently, I was misled and when my mom and sister Kadz saw the difficulties I was facing, they became overly protective. We have decided as a family that all my More >
Profit is not my priority-Udaan producer
03 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Producer Sanjay Singh, whose movie Udaan will be competing at Cannes Film Festival, talks to BT about his filmi plans
Sanjay Singh is on cloud nine these days. His first production Udaan (produced along with Anurag Kashyap and directed by Vikram Motwane) is competing in the Un Certain Regard, official selection section of the Cannes Film Festival. The festival honours the best in cinema across the globe, and Udaan happens to be the first Hindi film to make the grade after Salaam Bombay. Sanjay, who believes in meaningful entertainment, is obviously thrilled with the development. He says, “We are representing India and that is the biggest achievement possible. To make your country proud is the greatest feeling in the world.” But Sanjay is no taking it easy. The producer has now launched his own production house — Manji that focuses on making real, meaningful films instead of opting for commercially viable projects. “Money or profit is not my priority. I want to produce films that will have the audience thinking about an issue even after they leave the theatre. Of course the movies will be entertaining too,” he says.
He had already planned to produce his next film — Mountain Man. “Mountain Man is the story of a man who fought with nature to create a easier life for people in his village,” he reveals. The movie will be directed by a Cannes festival winner — Mahesh Jha. Sanjay confesses that Mountain Man has him even more excited More >
Bachchan ‘verses’ Bachchan
03 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
AT HIS BEST: Amitabh Bachchan
Big B to recite Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s poems for Aman Ki Asha on Monday; Pakistan screen legend Zia Mohyeddin to do Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s…
MARK MANUEL Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; February 6, 2010)
In March 1998, one evening while his father was admitted to the ICU of Breach Candy Hospital, Amitabh Bachchan recited Hindi poems by Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan before a distinguished audience for the British Council. The Big B, then in retirement, was nervous because this was one of the first times he was doing this publicly. But it went down well. And early next morning, charged by the experience, he returned to the hospital to find his father propped up in bed waiting expectantly. “How did it go,” Dr. Harivansh Rai inquired. “Good,” replied his son, “would you like me to go over the evening for you?” And there in the ICU, before amazed doctors and nurses, he recited his father’s poems one by one. Dr. Harivansh Rai listened attentively. When the Big B had finished, he said, “Thank-you, now when am I going home?” Dr. Farokh Udwadia discharged him the same morning.
It is 12 years since then, and Dr. Harivansh Rai is no more, but Amitabh Bachchan has taken his father’s poems to discerning and appreciative audiences far and wide. On Monday evening, at the Bandra Fort, he will do so again, this time for Aman Ki Asha — the Indo-Pak peace initiative by Times of India and the Jang Group of Pakistan. Sharing the stage with him will be Zia Mohyeddin, More >