Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged Hrithik Roshan
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
Check Out: Hrithik, Farhan, Abhay running with the bulls
Jul 21st
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, July 21, 2010 – 12:22 IST
If there is something that almost guarantees to be a complete paisa vasool for an audience, then it is nothing short of watching the likes of Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol coming together on screen, with the backdrops ranging from Greece, Turkey and Spain. Now, if that isn’t complete feast for the eye, then, what is?
The actors are currently shooting for Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. If the shoot locations are anything to go by, then, this is one film which truly promises to be different to the core. Zoya took all the painstaking efforts to shoot the film in Spain for the bull-running matches. Well, for starters, each year, from the 7th till the 14th of July, millions jam-pack their way into Pamplona to kick-start Spain’s most famous bull-running fiesta to honour Navarre capital’s patron saint, San Fermin. The adjoining picture is taken from one such moment. No prizes for guessing, as to why this film was earlier titled as Running With The Bulls!
If the bull-fighting wasn’t enough, then, Zoya went ahead and shot yet popular custom – a match where they hurl and throw tomato at each other. Keep watching this space for more such exciting adventures from the sets of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara!
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Katrina gets the biggest birthday surprise ever
Jul 21st
By Subhash K. Jha, July 21, 2010 – 10:54 IST
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For her birthday this week Katrina Kaif, got a surprise she would never forget. While Katrina was shooting with Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol at the Running Of The Bulls festival in the crowded streets of Pamplona in Spain, director Zoya Akhtar shouted in the dictaphone for the shooting to be halted.
Suddenly the noisy festive bustle went quiet and Zoya announced it was Katrina’s birthday. Everyone was ordered to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Katrina.
Recalling the emotional moment with great pleasure Katrina says, “Suddenly there were 500 people Spanish, Indian and every nationality you can imagine, on this main street of Pamplona singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. It was an awesome moment and the best birthday gift I’ve ever had. It was very considerate of Zoya to arrange this surprise for me.”
The whole cast was shooting together in Spain for Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara by participating in one of Spain’s biggest festive events, the Encierro, or Running Of The Bulls festival.
Expains a source, “Since Zoya’s film is set in Spain the first thing that came to the team’s mind was a bullfight. But they all thought that was too predictable. So they hit upon the Running Of The Bulls festival.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
John khelega dandiya!
Jul 21st
Meena Iyer | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 21, 2010)
John Abraham in his current avatar, can easily do the desi version of The Incredible Hulk. But Bollywood producer Madhu Mantena has other plans for him. Sources say that the actor who had two left feet till yesterday, will be marketed as this year’s main Navratri garba attraction reportedly along with dandiya queen singer Falguni Pathak or someone equally famous.
How did this happen? It is said that John shot a dandiya song for the first time for Abbas Tyrewala. And though John is not as proficient a dancer as Hrithik Roshan or Shahid Kapoor, he did his dandiya steps correctly while the other youngsters in the film were struggling to get it right. For this, John has his college training to thank. The actor, who is well versed with Gujarati culture and speaks the language fluently too, used to go for a lot of dandiya functions and was a hit there too. So since he’s such a pro at it, his film’s marketing team has decided to make him the attraction at the various garba dos that will take place during October coz that’s when the film’s releasing too.
Hema having creative clashes with director of Tell Me..?
Jul 19th
Producer Hema Malini is having differences with the director of Tell Me Oh Khuda , Mayur Puri
Mauli Singh (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 19, 2010)
All isn’t working out like a dream between debutant director Mayur Puri and dreamgirl Hema Malini. Mayur is working on Tell Me Oh Khuda with Hema, who is producing the film. But Hema is also trying very hard to re-launch her daughter Esha after a long time, through this film.
Obviously, much like Rakesh Roshan working hard on reviving beta Hrithik’s career, Hema too is being the able parent. A unit member from Tell Me Oh Khuda informed, “There are some creative differences between the producer and the director, which have emerged after the unit returned from the Goa schedule.
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| Hema Malini |
When Hema saw the footage of the film she asked for some changes. She is not happy with a few things.”
Whilst the crew sings praises of Hema’s skills as a hands-on producer, they are aware of her creative clashes with the director. The source added, “Hemaji is taking keen interest in the film as it is her daughter’s re-launch and she doesn’t want to take any chances.
She makes it a point to be present on the sets as often as possible and contribute to the film in every sense. But her over involvement in the project is adding to the woes of the director.”
Despite the fact that Hema has directed the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Dil Aashna Hai, she is believed to have a kind of sensibility that is different from that of other directors. The source added, “There is a certain way she wants things to happen.
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| Mayur Puri |
The director Mayur’s vision is different from Hema’s. However, all creative decisions are taken mutually.”
While director Mayur Puri remained unavailable for comment, Hema admitted, “Yes, there are some creative differences.” When asked to elaborate, she said, “I think this is enough from my side.”
Sonam-starrer Sahibaan is now history?
Jul 19th
With no producers agreeing to take on the film, Rakeysh Mehra’s film starring Sonam Kapoor has been shelved
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 19, 2010)
Rakeysh Mehra’s film Sahibaan based on the legendary love story of Mirza-Sahibaan is shelved. The ambitious project had Sonam Kapoor playing one of the lead roles but the film failed to get any producers.
After Krrish 2, his is the second project that has slipped out of Rakeysh Mehra’s hands, which happened immediately after Delhi 6 bombed at the box office. Earlier, Rakesh Roshan had chosen Rakeysh Mehra to direct Krrish 2 but after the Kites debacle, Roshan Sr changed his plans and decided to save his son Hrithik’s career himself; let’s see what comes of that.
Sonam Kapoor was apparently quite excited about Sahibaan. Talking about the film in an interview, Sonam Kapoor had said, “Rakeysh talks to me about so many films. Sahibaan is one of them.
Let us see which one of these works out. But I want to work with him for sure. He is extremely realistic, a good man and a great filmmaker. I want to play characters of conflict, like the ones in his films.
But the actress wasn’t aware of the kind of conflicts the film would have to face in future. Mumbai Mirror (June 4, 2009) had reported about Rakeysh wanting to make Sahibaan.
The article stated that the idea to make Sahibaan with Sonam came to him while he was working on Delhi-6. Rakeysh would address Sonam as ‘Bittu’, the character she played in Delhi-6.
Then suddenly one day he started calling her ‘Sahibaan’. With time, for Sonam, the historical perspective and the literary antecedents of the character began to seep in. She started getting excited about the project and began pestering Rakeysh about it. Like Delhi-6, for this film too, Rakeysh had decided to cast Abhishek Bachchan in the lead.
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| Rakeysh Mehra |
Apparently, Mehra wasn’t able to sell the concept to any producer and the film had to be shelved. When contacted, a source close to Mehra confirmed, “Sahibaan is not happening. Mehra is busy in a lot of production work.”
Mehra got a little agitated when we called, “Did I ever announce such a film officially? So where is the question of shelving it?”
Guess Mehra nicknamed Sonam ‘Sahibaan’, just by chance.
Roshan Sr to interfere in Krrish 2 script?
Jul 16th
Not wanting to take any chances with Hrithik’s Krrish 2, the filmmaker is now monitoring all that his writer is scribbling in the script
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 15, 2010)
Rakesh Roshan has been very worried for long. At a personal level, he has taken it upon himself to protect his family from harm and has installed nine CCTV cameras in his house.
Professionally, after the Kites debacle, he has sworn not to take a second chance in future; especially if his son Hrithik’s career is at stake. Papa Roshan wants his next film Krrish 2 to bring his company Filmkraft back on track, and to ensure this, he is monitoring what his writer Robin Bhatt is penning at the moment.
Believe it or not, Rakesh Roshan, who always allowed his writers the freedom to express their creativity, be it Khoon Bhari Maang, Koi Mil Gaya or Krrish, has now decided to lock himself in a room with his writer Robin Bhatt to pen the script of Krrish 2.
A source informs, “Rakesh sits with Robin every day from 10 am to 5.30 pm and supervises everything that is being written.”
In fact, Rakesh doesn’t even go out for lunch from his Andheri office. “He even keeps his mobile switched off most of the time during the day. “His social life begins now only after 6 pm, which includes meeting his friends like Prem Chopra and Jeetendra at a 5-star hotel in Juhu, which has been their regular adda since long. He has never been rattled so much before.”
The source says, “Rakesh and Hrithik have been quite shocked by the fate of Kites at the box-office. They are putting up a brave front, but they just can’t forget how much the audience hated Kites. Both father and son want to fight back and keep the flag of their company flying.
They decided that while Hrithik is in Spain for Zoya Akhtar’s film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Rakesh should be hands on with the writing.”
“Pehle aisa nahin tha. The writer used to show him what he had written and if Rakesh felt, he asked for changes. Rakesh used to be involved more with the screenplay but never with the dialogue,” adds our source.
Robin Bhatt says, “I know Rakesh since Koi Mil Gaya days. He has always been actiively involved in all his films.” Rakesh Roshan remained unavailable for comment.
We’re coming of age, out of the closet, going global-Karan Johar
Jul 13th
In the last three years, Karan Johar has made his banner a tour-de-force
Meena Iyer | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 13, 2010)
If you conduct a popularity poll in Bollywood, Karan Johar will win hands down. He’s on every superstar’s wish-list. And it’s his cinematic genius that has contributed to making his banner, Dharma Productions, one of the top-five in Bollywood today. It was floated by Karan’s father — Yash Johar, three decades ago, but in the last couple of years, it has grown in stature because of Karan’s vision. Of course, he doesn’t think like that, “Movies are a passion. I know nothing else. I don’t even have a personal life anymore. But I can’t take the entire credit for taking Dharma where it has reached today. If we have made significant strides in the last three years, it’s because I’ve been supported by a very young, energetic and able team.”
Ecstatic about the success of his latest rom-com I Hate Luv Storys, Karan says while he kept a close watch on the budget, it is the young, yuppy team of director Punit Malhotra, lead pair Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor that made this date film a rage. “When my father was around, Dharma mostly made films directed by me. But post Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna we expanded and have dabbled with a coming out of the closet film like Dostana; a coming of age film like Wake Up Sid; a terrorist drama like Kurbaan; a global film like My Name Is Khan; and, now the date flick like IHLS,” he says.
Now there’s more. On September 10, Dharma will release the social entertainer We are Family with Kareena Kapoor, Kajol and Arjun Rampal. And by the year end, KJo will start two more productions —an Imran-Kareena rom-com and Agneepath. Ayan Mukherjee is also ready with his next script and so is Karan. Though rumours abound that Hrithik will reprise Amitabh’s role in Agneepath, Karan says, “The cast is yet to be finalised. I am yet to narrate the script to the actors. The only thing confirmed is that it will be directed by Karan Malhotra.”
Dharma is also poised for Stage 2 and Karan’s plans include multiple releases for his banner. “I’m waiting to exhale. I want to take the number of releases from two this year to four next year. But I’ll never compromise on quality. I’m sure Dharma will always be a company and not a factory.” And the one other thought that he is currently preoccupied with is leveraging the mileage My Name Is Khan got internationally. “It is the first truly global film that Bollywood made. The kind of mileage it got me, Shah Rukh Khan and our respective banners worldwide, is truly amazing. I want to ensure we continue making films that find global acceptance.”
IHLS draws worse than Raavan and Kites?
Jul 11th
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Much as a lobby in media papers and some affiliated portals have been reporting bloated figures and occupancies for I Hate Luv Storys as a commercial grosser, comparing it to All India hits like Ajab Prem Ki Ghajab Kahani and what not, the reality on the ground is much different, even at the multiplexes. The Karan Johar film featuring Imran Khan-Sonam Kapoor has lower figures and occupancies than even last month’s disaster Raavan in India (Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai), and less than Kites (Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori), which too was a disaster, and quite a lot worse than Prakash Jha’s Raajneeti which was a hit.
Even in overseas in North America where it released mid-week Wednesday itself looking to capitalize on 4th July holiday coming up there, IHLS the film’s collections were not upto expectation given it’s a Karan Johar production, collecting a subpar $375K over the 3 day weekend and $535k over the extended 6 day wednesday-monday period there. Raavan which was a disaster overseas also 2 weeks before fetched $482k over its 3 day opening weekend despite opening below expectations and crashing on Sunday. Rajneeti earlier in June did $850k in USA for its 3 day weekend despite supposedly being an Indian interiors themed film.
In India, contrary to opening average of 80-90% claims across all multiplexes last Friday for IHLS, the multiplex opening average for this ‘youth-centric’ fare was actually closer to 40%-50% opening average with single screens much much lower. And by Wednesday, with possible exception of Delhi metro, the same multiplexes were drawing hardly 10-20 people for this ‘multiplex hit’. This can be verified by visiting a multiplex like Cinemax in Andheri in Mumbai or Fame in Highland park in Calcutta. Coming up 2nd weekend too is equally shaky. The multiplexes have been asked to allocate large number of screenings again but the actual advance bookings are sad. Not even 1% in some cases.
The collections are barely over 26-27 crores (even less according to some distributors) with occupancies worse than the flops of recent past.
Next up this Friday, Shahid Kapoor-Kareena Kapoor make a comeback with Milenge Milenge. And also Red Alert a take on naxalism. The following week sees Sanjay Dutt’s Lamhaa and a comedy called Tere Bin Laden, apart from Udaan.
IBOSNETWORK.COM
Why does Bollywood thrive on distorting facts?
Jul 11th
Meena Iyer | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 11, 2010)
Director Anubhav Sinha (known for the super dud Cash) must have felt like King for exactly a day when rumour mills said that his Ra.One with Shah Rukh Khan was sold for Rs.175 crores. But a segment of Bollywood saw red. “How can a Anubhav-SRK project get Rs 175 croreswhen a SRK-Farhan Akhtar (Farhan’s box office record is much better than Anubhav’s) combination be negotiated for Rs 125 crores,’’ asked a trade guru. He added, “While neither the price of Don-2 is Rs 125 crores nor can Ra.One ever fetch Rs 175 crores (in these economically challenged times) it is ridiculous for vested interests to spread these stories.’’
Trade expert Taran Adarsh said, “Bollywood is going through a correction process. Now, more than ever, there is arithmetic attached to the acquisition process. And the price of a film is based on the combined equity of the director and the star. If Shah Rukh Khan and Raju Hirani were to come into the market with a project and you hear figures like Rs 125 crores being bandied about, it may seem more likely. Both are hot at the box office. But just to float random figures will once again be Bollywood’s biggest folly. ’’
It is said that after disasters like Raavan and Kites (both of which crossed the Rs 100 crore marks leaving their investors near bankrupt), the Hindi film industry is very sceptical about acquisition prices. Exaggerated reports say that reeling under the impact of huge disasters like Drona, Blue, Kites and Raavan, there are film corporations who are unable to float their own IPOs (initial public offerings). An insider said, “Some corporations have tightened their purse strings and are even keeping a count of how many cups of tea are being served each day in their offices. So where is the question of them acquiring movies for ridiculous prices?’’
Trade consultant Amod Mehra also warned that one irresponsible number can have a domino effect on the whole system. “Stars and makers will again start believing in their own supremacy theory. And if they make ridiculous demands, then the trade that is just about raising its head with correct pricing (as in the case of I Hate Luv Storys) will fall prey to its own greed.’’ However, he felt that the biggest superstars (Aamir Khan, SRK) and sensible filmmakers are very aware of the trade machinations. “And it is just a few ill-informed people who end up spreading rumours of crazy prices when the reality is something else,’’ said Amod.
While corporations conveniently keep saying “company policy doesn’t allow us to talk figures,’’ it is hinted that the deal for Don-2 will close at Rs 81 crores; Golmaal-3 is being negotiated for a similar amount; Akshay Kumar’s Tees Maar Khan will sell for Rs 55 crores despite the unbeatable combination of Farah Khan (whose last hit Om Shanti Om was huge) and Katrina Kaif (10 hits in a row); Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan also reportedly closed at Rs 81 crores. “This itself is a very big price to recover,’’ said a broker. It is hinted that SLB (whose Saawariya was a washout) has allegedly been paid Rs 30 crores for this film, and so has his hero Hrithik. But these are definitely the biggest deals as far as the current scenario goes. And even these may prove fatal for Bollywood. Ideally films that are in the Rs 55-70 crore bracket are the safe bets.
“Producers be warned. A 3-Idiots that grossed something to the tune of Rs 375 crores is a once-in-a-blue-moon phenomenon,” said Taran.
