Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged india
No one charges Indian pilgrims a penny in Pak-Abida Parveen
19 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Abida Parveen and Runa Laila say that the political differences between India and Pakistan don’t affect the masses. Or the music.
Bharti Dubey (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 31, 2012)
They may have shot for the first ever India vs Pakistan singing reality show (Sur Kshetra) on neutral ground – Dubai. But to promote it, both Abida Parveen and Runa Laila came to Mumbai. Speaking to Mirror, the singers revealed that as far as music is concerned, there are no barriers and they would have happily shot for the television series in the subcontinent. Excerpts from the interview…
Both of you visit India frequently… RUNA: Yes, I mostly come here for my shows. And in all these years, have never faced any issue with visas. ABIDA: I come here once in a while as I am travelling around the world with my shows.
What were your thoughts when you were asked to judge this reality show that pitted India against Pakistan? RUNA: Music knows no border and no religion, we are here to spread love. ABIDA: Everybody is the same. We even look the same. I was a little scared because in this show there are just two ratings…0 or 10. RUNA: …and since there is no voting there is bound to be pressure on us judges. But I have been chosen to play the neutral judge in this contest. ABIDA: The reaction has been good so far as there are a lot of Pakistani musicians involved in the show; they are mentors for the kids. But a sense of competition has already creeped in. I have people asking me all the time as to who More >
Ashton Kutcher to shoot for jOBS in India
19 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
The That ’70s Show star, who plays Steve Jobs in jOBS,will shoot for the biopic in UP, Agra and Jharkhand next week
Jyothi Prabhakar (BOMBAY TIMES; August 29, 2012)
We’ve had all sorts of movies shot in India, and have seen the likes of Angelina Jolie and Liev Schreiber shoot big budget films here. But this one might probably take the breath away of both teenie boppers and hardened techies alike. Ashton Kutcher is all set to come to India. And not in some distant future — this week or the coming one. He will be here to shoot for jOBS — the movie on the late Apple founder Steve Jobs, in which he is plays the title role. It is already known that India was a big influence in the life of Jobs. He had come to India in 1974 to visit a seer called Neem Karoli Baba at his Kainchi Ashram with a friend, in search of spiritual enlightenment. But, unfortunately, when they reached there, they came to know the baba had passed away. They went in search of another person — Hariakhan Baba. “Both Jobs and his friend, Reed, spent a lot of time travelling between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. They used public transport, and also trekked to Himachal Pradesh and went to parts of Uttarakhand. They stayed here for seven months. At that time, Jobs had shaved his head, and worn Indian attire. Of course, no film on Jobs can be complete without a shooting schedule in India. Locations were scouted long before — they will shoot in parts of UP, Agra, Jharkhand and other areas,” reveals a source. The More >
Now I AM also plans global release
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Joginder Tuteja, May 4, 2011 – 11:30 IST
Inspired by the super success of My Name Is Khan which has become a global phenomenon and is still playing internationally despite it’s release in India a year ago, even I AM would be expanding it’s horizons. Even as the film has opened to rave reviews and is one of the best critiqued affairs in last so many months, this Onir directed flick is not resting on it’s laurels and would now be marketed for global platforms.
Says a close associate of Sanjay Suri, co-producer of the film, “Team of I AM has been closely followed how My Name Is Khan – a film that made statement on racism – has been doing wonders internationally. Of course that film has names of superpowers like Shahrukh Khan and Karan Johar being attached to it that has allowed it worldwide visibility. In comparison the challenge is immense for Sanjay and Onir to execute similar marketing plans.”
As is a known fact by now, My Name Is Khan, after its February release last year, is still travelling globally and is now a massive success in South Korea as well after making waves in Americas as well as Europe. Prior to that another issue based film Black had done phenomenal business there. Now since I AM too addresses issues like surrogate parenthood, paedophiles, terrorism and homosexuality, the makers believe that it carries great potential to penetrate international markets.
“Our film has a universal language”, says Onir, “Right now we have released the film in More >
Himesh in an MJ-based film
12 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Himesh Reshammiya marks his international debut in French director Christopher Lenoir’s film A* Is Killed, based on Michael Jackson’s death
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 14, 2011)
Recently there was a buzz in the industry that Himesh Reshammiya was about to embark on an international debut.
Well, Reshammiya has not only signed and sealed the international deal with French director Christopher Lenoir, but has also completed shooting for the movie.
The film, called A* Is Killed, which is reportedly based on the death of pop icon Michael Jackson, will feature Reshammiya essaying the character of Sidharth Patel.
Our source tells us, “The makers of the film have come up with a unique strategy and have just released the promo of the film on the web. In the promo of A* Is Killed, the mysterious circumstances leading to the death of a superstar has an uncanny resemblance to Michael Jackson’s death. Himesh has already shot for the film.
He was selected by producers ARI Films and director Christopher Lenoir, who felt that he would best suit the part of Sidharth Patel, the only Indian actor in the film.
Himesh’s character, Sidharth, is an Indian musician mesmerized by the superstar.”
The source adds, “While everyone thought that Himesh is down and out, he has now surprised everyone with a film, which is sure to make headlines all over, especially in India due to its controversial subject.” Despite repeated attempts to contact Christopher Lenoir and More >
Vashu Bhagnani to release F.A.L.T.U on internet
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, March 9, 2011 – 14:24 IST
Bollywood has all the glitz and glam, and quite like its western counterpart enjoys a wide audience base. You may be wondering why we are talking about international audience, well its coz producer Vashu Bhagnani has developed a whole new platform to release Indian films.
Speaking to Mr. Bhagnani we learn the details, “In collaboration with Zee Communications, we will be releasing my film F.A.L.T.U not just in theatres but also on the internet.” Yes folks you heard it, Vashu has been absolutely pepped with the film’s release, and is trying a new kind of film distribution model. By releasing his next film on the internet it looks like he’ll be paving the path for futuristic film releases.
When quizzed about the idea of such a release, Vashu states, “It wasn’t a while ago, I was in Hong Kong to visit a few friends, after getting a warm welcome and being well tended, I asked them rather sincerely, ‘Why they barely watched any Bollywood films?’ In fact it was a total eye opener and I realized that in the overseas, our Indian film audiences pay hefty sums to watch a film, while here in India, we can get a ticket for a mere Rs. 150.”
Further he adds, “In the US, the Indians pay about $12 to watch a film, which in our terms would amount to approx Rs. 500 per ticket! So I decided to give them the same viewing experience while keeping the cost the same as that they would normally pay in India. Hence, we More >
Mehra about to close on Bhaag Milkha Bhaag lead
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Joginder Tuteja, March 8, 2011 – 11:00 IST
Will it be Akshay Kumar? Or is Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra looking at Ranbir Kapoor to play the title role of Milkha Singh in his dream biopic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag? And in case he says no as well, will it be new find Ranveer Singh (of Band Baaja Baaraat fame) who will make the cut? These are some of the many rumours that are amusing Mehra no end.
“I guess everyone is coming up with his wish list here and I am the last person to know”, teases Mehra when asked if rumours around Akshay, Ranbir and Ranveer being approached for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag were indeed true, “Other than Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, every other top name has been discussed. Not a bad idea actually, let me try approaching them.”
While he is happy to joke about the current situation that he is in, Mehra was convinced that instead of waiting any longer for a superstar to give a nod of approval to his project, even a debutants or a relative newcomers won’t be a bad choice either.
“That’s right, I broadened my search from India to even UK and Canada”, says the Rang De Basanti director whose last film was Delhi 6, “What I wanted was someone who is totally raw and fresh or has perhaps done just one or two films.”
For someone who has worked with the likes of Amitabh Bachchan (Aks), Aamir Khan and Abhishek Bachchan in the past, won’t it be akin to taking a step down?
“I would be happy to go with an actor who doesn’t have an established image. Look at so many More >
Penelope-Shekhar part ways?
02 years ago
The actress who wanted him to direct her pet project is now looking for a Hollywood director
Prithwish Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; March 5, 2011) Shekhar Kapur was approached by Penelope Cruz to direct her ambitious venture, based on an adaptation of award-winning novelist Javier Moro’s Passion India. The sexy siren got the rights of the novel four years ago. However, the acclaimed filmmaker came into the picture early last year, when they talked about him handling the project. Impressed with his work in the Oscar-winning Elizabeth, she entrusted him with her pet project.
But now Kapur is no longer part of the film. It will be directed by a top Hollywood filmmaker, who’s likely to be finalised soon. Apparently, Shekhar got too busy with Paani, a film that might star Hrithik Roshan and Twilight star Kristen Stewart. Informers claim that it is the director’s dedication to Paani that has cost him Penelope’s project. “After they spoke on Passion India, Shekhar did not actively pursue the project with the Spanish bombshell. She felt he was not interested or committed enough and decided to approach other directors.”
The film was to be shot in Spain and India and Shekhar was to hunt for locations for the same, but it never got to that point. “No contract was signed between them and his ‘ouster’ wasn’t a jolt. Just that they both have different priorities at this point,” says the source.
According to the buzz in Hollywood, Shekhar might soon More >
Cricket slumps Bollywood
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
The tie between cricket and Bollywood has turned into a no-contest. Forget fielding potential biggies, Bollywood has refused to take strike!
Misha Paul (BOMBAY TIMES; March 2, 2011) Some would say this was inevitable. Others would say Bollywood could have done better and released a few movies even while the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was on. Responses would vary, but that takes nothing away from the hard fact that Bollywood will release merely two films in March. That Bollywood — even Bollywood — has had to take the escape route by lining up its releases for April, shows the impact of the tournament on the common man.
Not everybody would agree that this needed to happen. But most believe that cricket on a grand stage plays havoc with the industry’s release timings. Add to that, exams that will place during March, and you have a situation in which the new releases are faced with the threat of running inside half-empty theatres.
Trade analyst and critic Taran Adarsh says, “WC and exams play the spoilsport during the release of a film. The proof is the latest Vishal Bharadwaj release, which opened in theatres on the same day as India took on Bangladesh. It did not get a good opening anywhere.” Is not releasing the films during such cricketing extravaganzas a smart move? “After WC, there will be IPL. From July to August, we will have rains. Then we have the Shraddh and Ramzaan time, when films are not released.”
Trade analyst Vinod More >