Posts tagged illuminati films

Saif Ali Khan to launch Kareena Kapoor’s cousin

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3 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 15, 2013)

 

There were speculations that Saif Ali Khan’s production company is all set to launch Armaan Jain, son of Randhir Kapoor’s sister Reema and her husband Manoj Jain. And now Mumbai Mirror has a confirmation from the horse’s mouth. Talking to Mirror, Saif said: “My company, Illuminati Films, will produce a film that will be the launch vehicle of Armaan. The film, a love story, will be directed by Imtiaz Ali’s brother Arif. Imtiaz is also creatively involved with the project. My business partner, Dinesh Vijan will have more details on the project. Right now I am more involved in Go Goa Gone.

According to a source, this development has made Kareena very happy as she is quite close to Reema. The heroine opposite Armaan is yet to be finalised as are the other members of the cast.

Celebrities dabble into talent-spotting

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9 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Farhan Akhtar, John Abraham and Saif’s business partner take a cue from YRF, float talent management companies

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 14, 2012)

 

Since finding talent isn’t easy, nurturing newcomers and even managing their future has become a norm in the film industry. In the lines of Yash Raj Films’ 3-film-deals and Karan Johar’s coterie of assistants-turned-directors, John Abraham too had started managing the careers of two newcomers Ayushmaan Khurrana and Yami Gautam. A few days ago, Saif Ali Khan’s business partner Dinesh Vijan took the leap as well and started off a talent management division. This Illuminati Films division, a brain child of Vijan, is spear headed by Sharada Karki. Diana Penty, who debuted with their production Cocktail was Vijan’s first pupil. And now, Mirror has learnt that Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani have joined the bandwagon. They will manage not only film deals of newcomers but also oversee their commercial assignments and public appearances.

Reluctant to give away the names of the three youngsters they’ve signed, a source from Excel Entertainment confirmed, “Yes, Farhan and Ritesh have signed up three newcomers for the Talent Division they have started. This will be a full-fledged section of Excel Entertainment, which would be separate from filmmaking.”

Apparently, launching a talent wing was Farhan and Ritesh’s brainchild. Seeing the emerging trend followed by most production houses, the friends decided to start one of More >

Imran wasn’t sure if he wanted to do Cocktail-Homi Adajania

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10 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Homi Adajania is back after six years with a film about matters of the heart and tells Mirror why love must be reciprocated

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 5, 2012)

 

Where were you for all this time after Being Cyrus? I was living life. I went scuba diving. I travelled. I read. I wrote. I relaxed. Life is more than just work. One fine day, Dinesh Vijan, (Saif Ali Khan’s Partner in Illuminati Films, producer of Cocktail) found me and told me I should return to directing films.

We hear Imran Khan was supposed to play the lead before Saif was signed on. Imran wasn’t sure if he wanted to do this film. Meanwhile, Saif learnt about it and the rest just fell in place.

But it was reported Saif had Imran thrown out from Cocktail after he decided to produce it That makes for a spicy read. But it is not true. Saif was always the producer of Cocktail.

What if Imran had done the film? Well, then he would have done the film (smiles). But let me tell you Saif has done an amazing job. He is such a loveable guy, with a wicked sense of humour. You are shooting a very tense scene and he will end it by saying something so bizarre that everyone will just crack up, easing up the atmosphere in just a flash.

Was it easy to go through this film with friction between producers Saif and Dinesh? Not true. They just had a few separate companies within Illuminati Films, which I think led to all the speculation. But they are still very much together.

How did you manage to get Deepika Padukone More >

Pungi was liberating for me-Saif Ali Khan

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1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

Saif Ali Khan has hit the jackpot with his item number

Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; March 20, 2012)

 

Saif Ali Khan, who had great music in his last production Love Aaj Kal, is confident that Pritam’s music will work its magic on Illuminati Films’ Agent Vinod as well. Says he, “Music is luck. There are people who have a ear for it and work hard on their tracks. However, getting a track like Pyar Ki Pungi is like hitting the jackpot. Every once in a while, a juicy hit song falls into your lap, and the Pungi number is a bigger hit than the entire Love Aaj Kal bouquet. Whatever helps the movie at this stage is welcome.’’

Saif adds that director Sriram Raghavan is not very Hindi music oriented, nor was he keen that Agent Vinod should sing songs. Says he, “A spy singing a song seems odd, and both Sriram and I felt it may take way from the character. Though, of course, the lead character singing songs is a popular idea in Hindi cinema.”

Since Agent Vinod still had to have songs, they managed an eclectic yet very convincing album, with Delhi-based rock band Parikrama even doing the title track. An excited Saif says, “Another track was born when my partner Dinesh Vijan came home and heard me reliving my childhood with Boney M playing loudly. He thought it would be great to have something that sounds like Rasputin. The music company did some research because we didn’t want to get sued, and then came up with our own version of a Turkish hit. It’s a good track and Maia Haydon has done More >

Saif Ali Khan-Deepika Padukone hug and make up?

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1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

The actors put Race 2 episode behind, shoot for Cocktail in Delhi

Mehul S Thakkar (BOMBAY TIMES; March 15, 2012)

 

It isn’t too easy to hold on to little tiffs in the industry. More so, against one who happens to be your co-star in a film. And thus letting bygones be bygones, Saif Ali Khan has decided to be friends again with his Cocktail heroine Deepika Padukone. In fact, we spotted the two actors chatting, hugging and generally having a whale of a time while shooting for the film’s climax in Asiad Village, New Delhi.

For those who missed the big Race 2 controversy, here’s a quick recap – Deepika dropped out of the film. Producer Ramesh Taurani declared war. Meanwhile, her co-stars of the film including old buddy Saif (who she had worked with in Love Aaj Kal) started ignoring her. The actress finally gave in and decided to return to the project.

Though Taurani may still not be entirely happy with Dippy, her co-actor Saif has surely forgiven her. On Wednesday morning, Saif and Deepika shot for the climax scene for Homi Adajania’s Cocktail in the national capital. The actors along with their co-star Diana Penty were spotted in the open area behind Siri Fort Auditorium.

The climax scene is also the last one being shot in the film and involved the characters of Diana, Deepika and Saif hugging. We noticed that the chemistry shared by the trio in front of the camera did not diminish off it. In fact, the three were having so much fun on the sets (Deepika was even spotted More >

Saif plans a sequel to Main Khiladi Tu Anari

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Khan also decides to come clean on promoting sister’s beau Kunal

Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 30, 2011)

It’s tough to forget the dance floor with blinking colourful lights, the whistle and the tough dance moves executed by one of the hit jodis Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar in the title track of the 1994 film Main Khiladi Tu Anari.

The story of an actor trying to help a cop out in a murder case became an instant hit. Saif, it seems, wants to go back to the action thriller once again.

The actor, after 17 long years has decided to make a sequel with his original co-star Akshay under the banner of Illuminati Films, his own production house.

“You know the funny part is that I wanted to make a sequel to Main Khiladi Tu Anari with Akshay when it had released but people asked me not to be silly since sequels don’t work in India. I however, kept saying that they do.

Sequels work all the time in America. Making a sequel to the the film is a pretty good idea and I might do it now,” confirms Saif.

Though Saif has too many films on hand as a producer at the moment, his plan to remake the 1994 hit is definitely on.

Meanwhile, after completing Agent Vinod, Illuminati Films is choc-a-bloc with films like Homi Adajania’s project tentatively titled Cocktail, a film with Raj and DK which will star his sister’s boyfriend Kunal Khemmu and a film with Fox Studios based on a comic book.

Clearing the air about him trying to give Kunal’s career a More >

Saif to produce film for Kunal Khemu?

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Saif Ali Khan has taken the responsibility of transforming sister’s love Kunal Khemu’s drooping career. He will produce a film for him

Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 18, 2011)

 

Bhai Saif Ali Khan, like a doting brother, has decided to take charge of sister’s beau, Kunal Khemu’s career. Soha, who has been dating Khemu for almost three years, now, wants her boyfriend to have a stable career.

And as a concerned bhai, Saif will do whatever it takes to put a smile on his baby sister’s face. He will produce a film for Kunal and will also do a cameo to add his star value to the project.

As reported by us earlier, Raj and DK who made 99 and are awaiting the release of Shor in the City, will direct this film by Saif’s Illuminati Films. A source close to Saif said, “Saif thinks, both Raj and DK are extremely talented.

He will also do a cameo in the film, which is a two-hero project. Contrary to speculations, it is unclear if Soha will be a part of the film.”

Raj confirmed, “Yes, Kunal is doing our film. There are two leads in the film and Kunal is one of them. The rest is yet to be finalised. It is a very out of the box comedy thriller and something very different from 99 or Shor… It’s like a brand new high for us.”

Kunal Khemu (above) and Saif Ali Khan’s (right) sister Soha (below) have been in a steady relationship for almost three years

Speaking about Saif and Soha being part of the film, Raj said, “We are discussing a part with Saif. More >

Saif in Raj & DK’s next

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 05, 2011)

Raj and DK, the directors of the upcoming Shor In The City, are all set to make their next film with Saif Ali Khan, under his banner Illuminati Films. Reportedly, the film is an action comic thriller.

Our source tells us, “Raj and DK, who had earlier made 99 and are now making Shor In The City, are keen to have Saif in their next film.

They have already had meetings with him and everything is working out well. Saif likes the storyline.

However, everything will be finalised once Shor In The City is released. Saif will also be producing the film under his banner Illuminati Films. It’s an action-comedy, with a dose of thrill as well. The film will targets the youth demographic.”

When contacted Saif Ali Khan said, “Yes, we will sign Raj and DK to direct a film for us. The script is being finalised.”

Raj and DK

I’m as committed as I am to Kareena-Saif Ali Khan

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Says Saif Ali Khan, of his relationship with Kareena, while leaving her to decide when she wants to take the final plunge

Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 22, 2010)

We managed to pin down the otherwise media-shy Saif Ali Khan for an interview. Running a little late for it, the actor showed up at his Bandra office and apologised first. Talking about his next scripted by Imtiaz Ali and directed by Homi Adajania, Saif admits that he has wanted to do a romantic comedy for long now.

We ask him if he is referring to the same film his partner Dinesh Vijan was making with Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone. Saif doesn’t deny this and adds, “At one point Dinesh and I decided that we would do different things but I felt that it is not a good idea anymore.

Of course there were differences like every relationship has; it goes through a period of discussions, trust, questioning, fights and then it settles down.

But everything was sorted out. Now I think it’s better to put our energies in the same production house. I do the creative part and Dinesh structures things well for us.”

So, no releases under the Saif Ali Khan Productions banner? Saif replies, “Why should I? Illuminati (the production house Dinesh and he co-own) is my production house as well. We have decided to be partners together for the future and give everything to this production house.”

It seems Saif’s professional life is in order. At this point you can’t but ask him to More >

Saif and Deepika in Homi Adajania’s next

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

By Bollywood Hungama News Network, December 13, 2010 – 15:53 IST

The Love Aaj Kal couple, Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan, is back. They will star in a film to be produced by Saif’s banner Illuminati Films and will start shooting in April 2011. The film was earlier supposed to star Imran Khan in lead and was to be produced by Dinesh Vijan but as it turns out, Saif is back in the project in the capacity of both, producer and actor. The untitled project has been scripted by Imtiaz Ali (Love Aaj Kal, Jab We Met) and will be directed by Homi Adajania (Being Cyrus). It will be shot in London, Spain and Delhi.

On bringing up parallels between this film and Love Aaj Kal, director Homi Adajania says, “It’s a similar space from where Love Aaj Kal left off and then it roller-coasters from there. Imtiaz has given us a hysterical and open-minded celebration of relationships that explore the various choices that life may offer… and what people are willing to surrender for love or sacrifice for friendship.”

Saif admits, “I was waiting for a script as contemporary and relevant as this to come my way and it has been worth the wait. I’m very excited about this story; it is romantic, funny and has a great balance of drama and entertainment. I’ve wanted to do a love story with a modern sensibility and treatment and I know that Homi will give us exactly that. I’m also looking forward to my pairing with Deepika again. She has a fantastic role in this and I think she has grown More >

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