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Hirani’s next called ‘Hey Bhagwan!’?
Jul 24th
Superstar director Raju Hirani’s next is about 300 gods; called Hey Bhagwan!
Sonal Chawla and Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 24, 2010)
After creating box-office history in Bollywood, Raju Hirani seems to be aiming at even loftier heights, the realm of the divine in fact.
If the grapevine is to be believed, Raju’s next film will be titled Hey Bhagwan! Raju has just finished his first draft and will think of an apt cast once the script is fully done.
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| Raju Hirani |
Our source said, “Raju had met Abhijat Joshi a couple of months back in US and discussed the idea with him. Abhijat is Raju’s most trusted associate and he loved the idea; they started working on the script. Raju is already ready with his rough first draft.
The film deals with the issue of our multi-deity culture in India and how there are different gods for different problems. The film will be molded in a typical Raju Hirani format, with humour and an underlying message.”
After 3 Idiots, speculation has been rife about what Bollywood’s hottest director will make next. Hirani’s films are usually popular for their zany plots that strike a chord with all demographics of movie-going audiences.
Raju Hirani denied the story.
Apart from this film, Hirani is also working on Munnabhai Chale Amrika, a sequel to the massively successful Munnabhai series.
Abhishek, Sanju in RGV’s Department?
Jul 21st
Ram Gopal Varma’s next Department will be loosely based on the lives of encounter cops Daya Nayak and Pradeep Sawant; Sanjay Dutt and Abhishek Bachchan will play the lead roles
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 21, 2010)
It seems Ramu is veering away from making horror films now. For good reason we suppose. The director is all set to make his next film Department, which is apparently based on the lives of encounter cops. Apparently Sanjay Dutt will play a character that is loosely based on Sub-inspector Daya Nayak. Added to this, it is believed that Abhishek Bachchan will play a role that’s based on DCP of ATS Pradeep Sawant.
Our source said, “Department will explore the much-discussed subject of the relationship between the police and the underworld. The subject of this nexus has been the theme for many films but in Department, it will be portrayed in a more real manner. The film will deal with the forming of the encounter squad and will follow the lives of the encounter cops and their friendships and rivalries.”
It is believed that director Ram Gopal Varma has already spoken to Sanjay Dutt. They will be working together after ten years. They had worked together in Daud. Ramu has apparently spoken to Abhishek Bachchan as well and the necessary formalities are to be finalised.
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| Abhishek Bachchan | Sanjay Dutt | |
Apparently, the film will also have a character based on the current Director General of police D. Sivanandhan. Ram Gopal Varma had loosely fashioned the role of Commisioner Srinivasan (Mohanlal) in Company on Sivanandhan earlier. However, casting for the character Ramu plans to have in Department, is yet to be finalised.
When contacted Ram, Gopal Varma said, “I am working on the story of a film called Department and it’s not based on any existing characters. Nothing has been finalised.”
However Dharam Oberoi, Sanjay Dutt’s business manager, confirmed the news and said, “All I know is that Sanju sir (Sanjay Dutt) is doing Ramu’s next film. Since Ramu has directly spoken to Sanju I am not aware of the details of his role. The dates will be finalised once Sanju is back in India.”
Movie Review: TERE BIN LADEN by TARAN ADARSH
Jul 16th
By Taran Adarsh, July 14, 2010 – 14:33 IST
Osama Bin Laden. Just Google this name and I am sure, the results would be amongst the highest on the web. Post 9/11, terror has a new name and also a face. Now imagine Osama Bin Laden running a poultry farm and also running behind chickens. Imagine Osama Bin Laden ogling at a makeup woman. Imagine Osama Bin Laden urinating outside a television studio, but ready to hand-over his business card to the person urinating on the other side. Imagine Osama becoming a business partner in a tacky salon.
Smiling, are you? That, in a nutshell, is TERE BIN LADEN, a wicked comedy with an out-of-the-box concept that offers laughter unlimited. In fact, I don’t think I’ve flexed my facial muscles in any other film in the recent past as much as I did while watching this satirical comedy. What gives TERE BIN LADEN an edge over other comedies is that it’s not the slapstick humour that keeps you entertained. This one has a story to tell as well, which also delves deeply into the minds of today’s youth.
| BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM |
Final word? Grab a popcorn, sip your cola and get ready to laugh non-stop for the next two hours. You would love Osama Bin Laden, for a change!
TERE BIN LADEN is a tongue-in-cheek comedy about an ambitious young news reporter from Pakistan [Ali Zafar], who is desperate to migrate to the U.S. in pursuit of the American dream. His repeated attempts to immigrate are shot down as his visa is always rejected. But when things couldn’t look worse, he comes across an Osama Bin Laden lookalike. Ali then hatches a scheme to produce a fake Osama video and sell it to news channels as a breakthrough scoop.
Unfortunately, there are serious ramifications as the White House gets involved and dispatches an overzealous secret agent on Ali’s trail.
Although TERE BIN LADEN uses a surname that’s known across the globe, there’s not one serious moment in this film. Even the modus operandi of the Americans to nab Laden [which, frankly, could've turned the film serious] is so juvenile and crazy that you can’t help but smile at the sequence of events.
Again, in a film that has Osama Bin Laden playing the central role, you’re curious to know what its culmination will be like. Whether debutant writer-director Abhishek Sharma would settle for a realistic conclusion or an open ending. Thankfully, the film doesn’t get preachy at all, nor does it get serious in those penultimate moments. It’s as funny as the rest of the film and makes you wonder, kaash, the solution would be as simple in real life.
Debutant director Abhishek Sharma takes an offbeat story and gives it an interesting twist. Who would’ve ever thought of making a film on Osama Bin Laden and that too a comedy? This guy sure has courage to swim against the tide. Besides writing a crazy film and decorating it with madcap characters, Abhishek also does justice to the subject by handling it so well. Making people laugh is a herculean task and maintaining the tempo is, perhaps, the biggest challenge. One continues to smile from Scene A to Z and in two sequences specifically, I ended up laughing hysterically. One, when Piyush Mishra falls in the drain and lands straight on the hot seat and the second, when a bomb explodes inside the studio. Outrageously funny sequences, both!
The first-time director also deserves credit for recreating Pakistan in Hyderabad in India. Right from the look to the language to the costumes to the artefacts to the typical truck that you see in Pakistan, TERE BIN LADEN gets it right. Santosh Thundiyil’s cinematography is good. Dialogue are witty and the one-liners specially evoke mirth. The review would be incomplete if I didn’t highlight the invaluable contribution by its music composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. ‘Ullu Da Patha’ is already a rage, while ‘I Love Amreeka’ is foot-tapping as well.
Casting new, confident and most importantly, talented actors gives the film the right push. Ali Zafar is a star, no two opinions on that. The youngster is a package of good looks, super talent and the right screen presence. He charms his way into your heart with a super-confident performance and I strongly feel that there’s no stopping him after this film. In fact, TERE BIN LADEN heralds the arrival of a new star in Bollywood.
Pradhuman Singh is a replica of Osama Bin Laden and is in terrific form in the film. In fact, the film would’ve fallen flat had it not been for the actor enacting this part so convincingly. Piyush Mishra is exceptional, like always. Sugandha Garg [as Zoya] is first-rate. Nikhil Ratnaparkhi [as Gul, the cameraman, Ali's partner in crime] is very good. Rahul Singh [as radio jockey Qureshi] is perfect. Barry John [as Ted] is competent. Chirag Vohra [as Lateef, who writes the lines in Arabic language] supports well. Chinmay Mandlekar [as Barry John's sidekick] is decent. Rajendra Sethi [travel agent] is natural.
On the whole, TERE BIN LADEN is a fun-ride that makes you smile constantly and even laugh outrageously in those two hours. A thorough entertainer, this film has all it takes to not only make its viewers laugh in the aisles, but also its investors laugh all the way to the bank.
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
There’s unrest at home-Suniel Shetty
Jul 8th
The Suniel Shetty-Sameera Reddy film that won international acclaim releases tomorrow
TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 8, 2010)
It was a war waiting to explode… it was an issue waiting to be addressed… it was a film waiting to be made. For all those wondering where this war against the Naxalites is heading, Red Alert — The War Within hitting cinemas across the globe tomorrow, appears to have the answers.
The film, produced by T P Aggarwal and Rahul Aggarwal of Star Entertainment with Suniel Shetty and Sameera Reddy in the lead, has an uncanny resemblance to headlines of late. It traces the true story of a farm labourer, played by Suniel, who finds himself trapped in a Naxal group. It becomes a lifechanging experience for him as it affects his family and even rocks the government, much in the same fashion as is happening in real life.
Red Alert — The War Within marks a departure for its director, Ananth Narayan Mahadevan. “It’s a graduation of sorts for me, this is my attempt to speak a global cinema language,” says Ananth of his film that has already garnered international acclaim and raises the all important question… will it help find a solution to India’s killing fields? Its political and social relevance has been echoed in Home Minister’s R R Patil’s wholehearted recommendation.
Suniel considers the Naxal issue akin to “an unrest in your own home, which needs to be addressed”. For Sameera, this was “a big step ahead as an actress after the award winning Kaalpurush”. Producer Rahul Aggarwal added, “I wanted to move away from mindless cinema and make something which matters not only to India, but to the whole world.” While producer T P Aggarwal hoped that after the film was appreciated elsewhere in the world, Indian audiences were “mature to intelligent cinema”.
The bottomline is a spellbinding human thriller that marks a new high for political cinema in the country. That the film has its volatile dialogue culled from actual interviews with cops and Naxals, is another first. It is being billed as a cinematic experience too close to reality for comfort. Whose comfort, the Naxals or government?
SRK and kids head to the World Cup finals
Jul 6th
The love for sports runs in his family and they are all heading to South Africa to catch the action
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 06, 2010)
Football fever has hit tinsel-towners now. Apart from following each and every match a few of them are flying down to South Africa to watch the finals. And Shah Rukh Khan tops that list. SRK would be taking his kids Aryan and Suhana along all the way to South Africa.
Our source said, “Aryan is an ardent football fan, like his father and will be flying to South Africa to watch the finals. At the moment, the entire family is holidaying in London. Shah Rukh was on a Europe tour and cruise with his family spending quality time with his kids, his wife and a couple of friends.
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Shah Rukh and the kids have been following football religiously even there and are very keen to watch the finals at the stadium in South Africa because all the action will now be live.”
Apparently, Shah Rukh’s mother was a big football fan as well and they both used to stay up all night watching football matches. Clearly, the genes have passed on to the next generation. The source added, “Both Shah Rukh’s kids love football SRK also plays and coaches his daughter and her friends in football.
The family’s favourite teams are Argentina, Spain, Germany, and Brazil amongst which Germany and Spain will be playing against each other to qualify for the finals.”
Imran Khan too plans to fly down for the finals, to celebrate the success of his film I Hate Luv Storys (Ohkkayy!). The actor will be flying there from India and would be accompanied by his childhood friends.
But unlike SRK’s vacation trip, Imran’s would be a professional commitment towards a brand he endorses.”
While SRK didn’t revert to our text messages, Imran confirmed, “I’m flying for the finals with friends on Friday. I’m supporting Germany.”
Krantiveer director’s Juhu office sealed
Jun 28th
A bank has sealed Krantiveer maker Mehul Kumar’s office for non payment of dues
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 28, 2010)
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| Mehul Kumar |
Filmmaker Mehul Kumar (Krantiveer, Tiranga, Mrityudata), whose new film Krantiveer-The Revolution which takes off where the earlier film of the same title ended, released last Friday is in serious trouble. Over time, a number of debt-related legal cases were filed against him in various parts of India. Recently, Samata Bank, from where he supposedly borrowed approximately Rs 50 lakhs and failed to return it, has sealed his Juhu office.
Apparently, Kumar has been in debt for a very long time . Six months ago, a leading financer in Bihar, Shyam Bahadur, filed a case against Kumar in Munger Court. “He (Kumar) took Rs 15 lakhs from me. When he did not pay up, I went and met him. I didn’t like his behaviour. With all the ghapla he did, he made a multiplex in Jamnagar. This is just not done,” said a furious Shyam Bahadur. “I was helpless. That’s why I took the help of the law. I pray that justice is done.”
The worst affected is PEN (Popular Entertainment Network), from whom Mehul Kumar borrowed Rs 8 crores. Jayantilal Gada, of PEN said, “Mehul Kumar’s films say that government chor hai, police chor hai, lekin yeh aadmi khud kya hai? I have been fighting cases in court against him for a very long time but I still haven’t got justice. He started paying a little money in the form of interest to me some time ago, and then stopped. Later, I learnt that he wasn’t even paying my deducted TDS to the government. If you add the interest on my principal amount, it would amount to Rs 25 crores.”
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| Mehul Kumar’s sealed office |
That’s not all. Apparently, Mehul Kumar also took money from Tips (Kumar Taurani) and a financer in Mumbai, Narendra Hirawat. While Hirawat remained unavailable for comment, Taurani said, “Mehul Kumar took approximately Rs 50 lakhs from us. He returned about 5-10 lakhs. He still has to pay me Rs 40 lakhs at least. However, I haven’t filed a case against him.”
But General Manager, Development, of Samata Bank, Mr Sammi is firm in his resolve. He said, “I cannot tell you the exact amount Kumar borrowed. But yes, we have attached his Juhu office.”
Sammi did not rule out the possibility of sealing his Raj Classic flat too if Mehul Kumar does not pay up before his deadline. “That’s the usual procedure. An auction might also take place. However, if Mehul Kumar manages to pay up, everything would be fine,” he added.
Despite repeated phone calls and text messages, Mehul Kumar was unavailable for comment.
Salman, the friend in need
Jun 25th
Salman Khan convinced a grief-stricken Paresh Rawal to return to India to perform his mother’s last rites
Vickey Lalwani, Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 25, 2010)
Few have been witness to the softer, more sensitive side of Salman Khan. Salman has been shooting for Anees Bazmee’s Ready in Sri Lanka along with Asin and Paresh Rawal. On Wednesday morning, the unit heard about the sad demise of Paresh Rawal’s mother. Rawal broke down on the sets.
A little later though he decided to finish shooting before returning to India to perform the final rites of his mother’s death. He was adamant and was insisting that he would finish his work first. Only on Salman’s insistence did Paresh Rawal finally change his mind.
Our source said, “It was the first day of shoot in Colombo. The unit had started working at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel there when news arrived that Paresh Rawal’s mother had expired. Rawal broke down on the sets and was inconsolable.
However, Pareshbhai said that he would finish the shoot and then go to perform the final rituals. The situation was grim and although everyone spoke about Paresh’s professionalism, it would have been unfair to shoot with him in this situation. Pareshbhai insisted that he would shoot and no one had a say in this matter.
When Salmanbhai learnt about it, he went and offered his condolences to Pareshbhai and explained to him that the shoot would go on unhindered even if he went back to India, and that he must go. After a brief chat with Salman, he agreed and an evening flight was booked for him. He soon left for Mumbai. The unit has now changed the combination scenes of Pareshbhai to those of Salman and Asin’s, which are being shot right now.”
Rajat Rawail, one of the producers of the film present in Colombo, said, “Yes we got to know about the sad demise of Pareshji’s mother. Everyone paid their condolences and Pareshji said that he will finish the shoot and the show must go on. He was crying and was extremely upset.
Salmanbhai came and met him and urged him to go back to India. He told him that we all are with him and he understands that it is a huge loss. He convinced Pareshbhai to take the evening flight back home. Pareshji will join the unit after he finishes the final rites back in India.”
Salman, a VVIP in Lanka
The Sri Lankan government has provided 24-hour Z security to Salman Khan, who is currently shooting there for Anees Bazmee’s Ready . Salman’s manager Vikas Kapoor said, “Yes, Salman has been given Z security. When we went to Sri Lanka for an awards function last month, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told Salman that if he ever comes back and decides to shoot in Lanka, he would give him the best possible facilities.” After returning to India, Salman suggested to Anees that they should go to Lanka for the first schedule of Ready. Producer of Ready, Bhushan Kumar, said, “We will be shooting in the jungles of Sri Lanka. Salman has identified some lovely outdoor locations there. We have a 27 day schedule there.”
Check out: Deepika Padukone jumps off a plane from 10000 ft.
Jun 24th
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, June 24, 2010 – 16:10 IST
What’s the best way to feel an unprecedented adrenaline rush? Well for Deepika it’s taking a plunge out of a plane at 10000 feet. Yes, that’s exactly what the actress did on her last day in Mauritius where she was shooting for Break Ke Baad. Deepika tweeted saying, “Last day off in Mauritius before I head back to India. Guess where I’m headed-SKYDIVING!!rats in my stomach again!”
The actress who missed the experience the last time she was there, due to bad whether, was clearly overjoyed to take the dive and more so with clear skies offering a beautiful view of the surroundings.
Taken on the ascent to the appropriate dive height, Deepika tweets saying, “Ok so managed to get some pictures-here’s what it looks like when we were just half way up…that’s 5000 ft.”
“Just out of the plane…FFRREEEE FALLIINNNNGGGG!!!” says Deepika on taking the deathly terrifying plunge with the terrain at a distant 10000 feet.
Part of the thrill in sky diving is the free fall which usually last for about 60% of the entire dive height. Deepika post the thrill of the free fall pops the parachute, “Parachute opening at 4000ft after free falling for 6000 ft…!!”
On the way down, it’s the best view with scenic landscape sprawling across the horizon and the rush on wind in you hair, by far the best experience possible, “After it all sinks in…I enjoy the view of Mauritius for a few seconds…” says Deepika.
Overjoyed and yet never happier to be firmly planted on the ground, Deepika finds it hard to believe what she just attempted saying, “No words will ever explain what I’ve just experienced!!!” However still a bit tizzy she finds it hard to believe tweeting, “Did I just jump off a plane!!?” But reliving the incomparable experience, “OMG!!!!I’m numb!speechless!WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!! feeling FEARLESS now!! bring it on…:-)WOW!!!ok I got to stop this..”
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Bhatts ask for compensation for humiliation by Aus authorities
Jun 23rd
Despite a work permit and a line producer, Bhatt’s unit of Crook wasn’t allowed an easy passage in Australia. The producers have officially filed for damages
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 23, 2010)
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| Emraan Hashmi and Neha Sharma in a still from Crook |
Director Mohit Suri has returned to India very disappointed. His film Crook for Vishesh Films met with a big roadblock in Australia. Despite having taken all permissions, Mohit was not allowed to shoot at public places there. Naturally, Mohit, Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt are livid.
Mohit said, “I was appalled at the treatment meted out to us. We are not fools to go to Australia without having every legal thing in place. We had appointed a line producer, Anupam Sharma. And we had a work permit. Yet, we weren’t allowed shoot in public places.”
Mohit and his team reached Australia on May 21. “I was told that we needed to give them a seven-day prior notice before starting work. So, we started shooting only at private places and mostly indoors,” added the director.
An angry Mahesh Bhatt added, “This increased the cost of the film many fold. This is not done. I am very hurt that my crew has been subjected to such humiliation.”
Frustrated for not having completed the desired plan of shooting, Mohit and his team returned to India on June 2. When asked if the team of Crook was denied permission to shoot because the film is based on racial discrimination of Indians in Australia, Mahesh Bhatt, in his usual frank manner replied, “These are institutional biases and they can be covert, hidden and dangerous.”
The Bhatts have decided not to take it lying down. They have written to Anita Nayyar, the Indian Council General in Australia, demanding compensation and an apology.
On contacting Melbourne City Council yesterday, we were put on to a lady, Pack Angel, the officer in charge, who confirmed that Vishesh Films was denied permission to shoot Crook in Melbourne. “Yes, I am aware of that,” she said, adding, “This happened, but simply because Vishesh Films kept changing their choice of locations, which in turn would require a fresh seven-day prior notice. Moreover, they wanted to shoot during peak hours when the traffic is at its maximum.”
In response to this, Mukesh Bhatt said, “This is a blatant lie. We were very clear where we wanted to shoot. A point was reached when we threw up our hands in despair and asked them to identify some public places where we could shoot unhindered.
We even visited the Melbourne Film Office to resolve the matter and found out that there were 15 projects being freely filmed in their country, which implies that only we were boycotted for reasons that were never explained to us. According to our line producer, an official from the Melbourne City Council, Patricia, was asking other authorities to deny us shooting permissions even when it was beyond their jurisdiction.”
When contacted, Anita Nayyar simply said, “No comments.”
