Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged heroine
Katrina Kaif zooms ahead of arch rival Kareena Kapoor
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Upala KBR (DNA; March 13, 2013)
Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor always ran neck-and-neck for the number one position. Both vied for the same roles, same endorsements, wooed the same actors onscreen, and were on the wishlist of the same producers. Kareena always had an edge over her rival because along with being a pretty face, she has some solid performances behind her. (Chameli, Omkara). Katrina, who has always relied on her looks, more than made-up for the lack of talent with her hard work. The ‘lucky’ tag helped. Most heroes consider Kat lucky because she has had more ‘hits’ at the box-office than misses.
Until the beginning of last year, Bebo had a clear advantage because she had worked with SRK and Aamir Khan. But then Katrina landed Jab Tak Hain Jaan with Shah Rukh Khan and then came the announcement of her signing Dhoom 3 with Aamir. The field was leveled. Later in the year, Kareena tied the knot with Saif Ali Khan and there was a definite shift in Kat’s favour. Producers worry when an actress of a certain age gets married then comes the pressure to start a family. Producers are worried that the ‘heroine’ (pun intended) will get pregnant and their films will get stalled. No one wants to take the risk when big money is at stake. Almost overnight Kareena lost the edge she always had over Kat.
The signs… Kareena’s item song Fevicol Se in Dabangg 2 was received with less enthusiasm than Malaika’s item song in the prequel. That was the first blow. The second sign was More >
These are memories I will always treasure-Madhur Bhandarkar
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Madhur Bhandarkar talks about being part of the jury at the Cairo International Film Festival; says it’s a proud moment for him as an Indian filmmaker
Aakansha Naval Shetye (DNA; November 28, 2012)
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar who is currently in Egypt attending the Cairo International Film Festival as part of the international jury says that it’s a great honour to be a part of any festival that celebrates cinema. “It’s an even bigger honour for me as I am here as part of the jury. But what makes me really happy is the positive response our films find even on such international platforms. There’s so much buzz about Bollywood that I feel really proud about being a part of and representing Indian cinema here. We have come such a long way,” he says.
The 35th edition of the film festival that will go on till December 6 will have Indian films including Karan Johar’s Agneepath, Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Rituparno Ghosh’s Chitrangada, and Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Paan Singh Tomar screened at the fest. But ask him what are the films that he’s looking forward to catching up there and he shares that he’s not putting any limits to that. “As many as I can. It’s exciting to be a part of so much excitement and about so many people — actors, filmmakers — sharing one common passion, that is films. I want to watch a lot of world cinema and get acquainted with newer views and perspectives. It’s an interesting exchange of cinematic experiences and I will always treasure these More >
In Aamir Khan I trust-Kareena Kapoor
06 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Kareena insists that she’s not worried about the lukewarm promotions of her film ‘Talaash’ as long as the Khan leads the way
Shakti Shetty (MID-DAY; November 23, 2012)
Reema Kagti’s Talaash is finally releasing next week but the promotional activity continues to remain tepid. Perhaps it’s one of Aamir Khan’s well thoughout plans. Perhaps it’s not. In any case, Kareena Kapoor who is part of the film is not losing sleep as she has faith in the actor’s celebrated marketing tricks.
Moreover, Kareena has nothing but praises for her favourite actor. She has starred opposite Aamir in his last film 3 Idiots as well and adds she’s fortunate to be working in back-to-back films with him.
“I’m nobody to comment on Aamir’s marketing strategies. He’s a wizard in this field and we all know how a movie carries itself when his name is attached to it. I’m sure he must have come up with a distinct strategy after lot of brainstorming and even if there is just a week left, everything will work out in time. I’m quite certain of that happening,” she adds.
On being asked about the mystery surrounding the exact plot of the film, the green-eyed actress gushes that this is how it should be! “I genuinely think that’s the best part! Nobody knows anything about the film so it will automatically create curiosity. After all it is a thriller drama with a lot of suspense so people are more likely to say ‘Ab toh dekhne jaana hi padega’!”
Besides, the actress who recently married Saif Ali Khan is not a More >
Bold roles, last ditch attempt of single actresses?
06 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Cleavage shows, bold scenes, cringe-worthy belly dance moves, histrionics, melodramatic roles; are they all desperate attempts for a last hurrah by top notch actresses before getting married, asks Meena Iyer
TIMES NEWS NETWORK (TIMES LIFE; October 28, 2012
BLAME it on marriage or mid-career menopause. If you observe closely, you will notice a certain desperation in an actress’ film avatar before she is about to marry and move on to the next phase of her life.
It happens to the best of them. Recent examples are Kareena Kapoor in Heroine and Rani Mukerji in Aiyyaa, who went risqué, but the experiment fell flat on their faces.
Trade analyst Amod Mehra says, “Both are actresses of substance, but their last movies belie their faith in their acting abilities. Rani’s No One Killed Jessica was a class act; Kareena’s Jab We Met and 3 Idiots made her the reigning Bollywood diva. And yet these girls chose movies like Heroine and Aiyyaa.’’
Yes. Here they are, two hugely talented girls in their early 30s, one married; one about to be married; making what their skeptics call disastrous career moves.
Honestly, why would Kareena, who is just-married; or Rani Mukerji, who will reportedly be the bahu of a respected film family, choose films that don’t do them justice at the end of Act I?
Bold direction Those who have seen Heroine will see that besides displaying some terrific histrionics in this melodramatic film, Kareena has exposed skin and partaken in steamy bedroom scenes; definitely More >
Arjun Rampal angry over axed love scene in Chakravyuh
07 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
The actor, who usually avoids on-screen intimacy as a rule, was unhappy when the sequence was omitted
Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 25, 2012)
Arjun Rampal is angry and upset after seeing the first print of his new starrer Chakravyuh. Reason being his much talked about love-making sequence with Esha Gupta, shot over three long days, has been scrapped. Arjun and director Prakash Jha were heard having a heated argument over the scene that was edited out. A source revealed, “When Arjun saw the scene had gone missing, he was unhappy. When he asked Prakash about it, he was told it wasn’t required. This explanation further annoyed Arjun and he asked Prakash why the scene had been shot in the first place if it wasn’t required.” According to the source, Arjun is upset about the omission of a sequence that took a lot of painstaking concentration on his part. Significantly, it went against his principle of avoiding on-screen intimacy as far as possible.
When contacted, Jha simply said, “When I shot the love-making sequence with Arjun and Esha, I thought it would make for a tender interlude in a story that otherwise has no room for tenderness. But finally it didn’t fit into the narrative. So I edited it out.”
This isn’t the first time Arjun has faced such a situation. In Raajneeti, the actor had shot a graphic love-making sequence with Shruti Seth that was edited to a fraction of the original. However, Arjun took it in his stride at the time. In Heroine as well, “What More >
UTV signs Bhandarkar for next despite Heroine debacle?
07 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
While their last film together failed to make magic, Madhur Bhandarkar has already been locked in by Ronnie Screwvala’s production house for his next
Kunal M Shah (MID-DAY; October 6, 2012)
Heroine may not have received a thumping response at the box office, but word is that director Madhur Bhandarkar has already signed his next project with the production house behind the film, owned by Ronnie Screwvala. The film is expected to roll this year. Our source says, “People are saying Heroine has fallen short of expectations. But the film made on a limited budget has managed to become a moderate success at the box office.”
A source from the production unit points out, “Madhur is well aware that there were huge expectations from the film as he and Kareena Kapoor were coming together for the first time. However, the film has managed to collect decent collections and it is also for the first time that his film has made inroads in the overseas market. Kareena has also been applauded for her performance just like all of Madhur’s previous heroines.”
Madhur confirms to us that he would be making his next project with the production company but refuses to give details on the film’s subject. He says, “Ronnie, Siddarth Roy Kapur and I make a formidable team.” The filmmaker adds, “We are just locking the subject. All I can say right now is that my fans won’t be disappointed with my next film.”
Ameesha Patel all praise for Kareena’s Heroine performance
07 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
MID-DAY (September 28, 2012)
Ameesha Patel who recently saw Madhur Bhandarkar’s film Heroine loved Kareena Kapoor’s performance. Bebo and she haven’t been best of friends for years. But Ameesha feels that in life everyone moves on and all should be happy in what is there in the present and not remember what happened years ago.
Presently Ameesha is only moving ahead after taking a break and is very happy with her own career as well. But after seeing Heroine, she feels that Kareena truly has put in her heart and soul in the character. Ameesha has herself given her best in her films and will try doing the same again in her upcoming projects. According to a source “Ameesha has taken upon one more project which she’s very excited about.”
But Ameesha maintains, “It’s too early for me to comment on it as of now but yes, I’m very happy with the way things are moving ahead in my life and hopefully another announcement is in the pipeline pretty soon.” Race 2 is all set for release in three months and hopefully Shortcut Romeo too will release around the same time. Adds the source, “Ameesha and Kuunal Goomer’s home production Desi Magic will go on the floors on November 14 followed by a 30-day schedule in December in Dubai.” Ameesha will have five releases between January and June 2013.
Smoking in Bollywood: Health takes a back seat
07 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
New notification dilutes rules governing smoking scenes in films
Bapu Deedwania and Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 27, 2012)
The laws governing the depiction of smoking in films have created friction between the filmmakers and the censor board in recent past. But not any more. A new notification issued on Friday, September 21, by the Government of India has diluted the rules issued last year. The new regulations will come into effect from October 2.
According to the new notification, old films and television programmes will have to screen a mandatory ‘health message’. The owner or manager of a cinema hall will have to ensure the display of an anti-tobacco health spot of minimum 30 seconds at the beginning and the middle of the film. The health spots will be made available to the Central Board of Film Certification by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Associate Professor, Tata Memorial Hospital, who has been fighting against the ill effects of tobacco at all levels told Mumbai Mirror that the government has bowed to pressure from film and TV industry. “They have diluted the rules notified last year. It is because of year-long agitation by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Central Board of Film Certification. The Ministry has withdrawn several provisions, including the grant of Censor Board’s U/A certification to films that display tobacco,” he said.
Dr. Chaturvedi told us that the ministry has withdrawn another More >
Aren’t there gays in the industry?-Madhur Bhandarkar
18 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
No matter what the critics say, Madhur Bhandarkar stands up for his latest flick and his brand of cinema
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 25, 2012)
His latest film Heroine has opened to a mixed response but National Award winning filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar seems unfazed. Speaking to Mirror at his old Andheri office, he reclines and says, “Honestly, I am happy. The film has grossed Rs 25 crore in India in the first three days of its release. Add overseas collections to this. I made the film in Rs 21 crore. The collections imply it is in the safe zone and that people have gone to see it. The total collections of Fashion were Rs 27 crore.”
Doesn’t people’s opinion matter? Madhur shoots back, “There are over 100 crore people in India. Some people won’t like my film, which is okay. I am not angry or disappointed. Critics termed Chandni Bar a depressing saga but praised it when Page 3 hit the theatres. At the same time, they said Page 3 was a waste of time. When Corporate released, they said I had done good work with Chandni Bar and Page 3. They ran down Traffic Signal, which fetched me a National Award for direction. And when Slumdog Millionaire released, they said, ‘our Madhur has already made a similar film in Traffic Signal’. How can I forget Fashion that was dismissed as ‘better see FTV than this ramp talk’? I was hurt only when some very personal remarks were made in the reviews of Heroine.”
The general perception is his films are beginning to look More >