Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged jaan-e-mann
Evolution of Maa to Mom in Bollywood
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
BOMBAY TIMES (May 8, 2011)
Mere Paas maa hain… Javed Akhtar’s famous dialogue had Indians hooked since Deewar released way back in 1975. More than three decades after this scene became a part of Bollywood folklore, things have changed manifold as far as the role of mothers go. Maa ke haath ka banaya hua kheer isn’t staple in this age of Brand Bollywood. But that does not mean this industry has forgotten maa totally.
The avatar of maa has undergone mammoth changes. Today’s sexy, bold and confident single moms — as played by Vidya Balan in Paa, Priyanka Chopra in Pyaar Impossible, Kajol in My Name is Khan and We Are Family, Lara Dutta in Partner and Preity Zinta in Jaan-E-Mann — has shifted the spotlight completely from a Nirupa Roy in a crumpled cotton saree shedding tears over her morally corrupt son on the wrong side of law. The cool moms, as played by these actresses, are all fiercely independent characters who are in complete control of their lives without their man. In an industry often accused of misogyny, this is possibly the most positive change that’s slowly gaining ground.
The increasingly discerning audiences are looking for variety in scripts and maturity in characters as much as the directors are writing roles keeping this wider horizon of New Age India in mind.
The biggest affirmation of this change is the fact that mainstream actresses like Kajol, Priyanka Chopra, Vidya Balan, Preity Zinta aren’t shying away from More >
Nadiadwala pays extra 5 crs to Salman for Kick?
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Angry for being left out for the last five years due to Akshay Kumar, Salman demands additional money to start shooting for Sajid Nadiadwala’s Kick
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 08, 2011)
You never ever anger Salman Khan. And if you do, you pay for it. Sajid Nadiadwala has. He had to pay an additional Rs 5 crore to keep his lead actor from walking out on his film, Kick.
Nadiadwala’s much-awaited Salman-Sonakshi starrer that is supposed to go on the floors this September, faced a major roadblock in the form of Khan.
Sources revealed that Salman, in no uncertain terms, told Sajid that he would charge an additional Rs 5 crore for the film. That is, of course, if the producer wanted to go ahead with the shooting.
One would wonder why Salman would charge Sajid an additional amount for the film. Our source revealed that Salman was unhappy about the way the filmmaker had treated him over the last five years.
Nadiadwala had been casting Akshay Kumar in all his big budget films and Khan had never been approached for a film till he made a comeback with Wanted.
Salman wanted the producer to pay for his neglect. “Salman is one guy who expects total loyalty,” added the source.
Salman and Nadiadwala go back a long way. They hit it off with Jeet in 1996, followed by a superhit Judwaa (1997). The association continued with Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (2000) and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004).
The two had a fallout during their last film Jaan-E-Mann in More >
Salman, Katrina all set to come together for Joker
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Joginder Tuteja, March 15, 2011 – 12:08 IST
Now this has to be one of the biggest developments in tinsel world in recent times. Regardless of their on-off personal relationship, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif would be pairing up again. This would be for Joker where the two are all set to shake a leg with Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha in a specially designed song and dance sequence. Though both are yet to sign on the dotted line, sources claim that it would be a mere formality. The song would be picturised post monsoons once the principle shooting of Joker would be wrapped up.
Says a source attached to the film, “Joker is a big film and to substantiate the hype it is generating, it was obvious that there were more added attractions to it. The makers always had a place for a highlight song and dance sequence in the film. While Akshay and Sonakshi, the main leads in the film, obviously feature in the song, Shirish wanted to spice it up further. This is where he thought of Salman and Katrina.”
This would perhaps be the first time ever when two top superstars would be roped in for a guest appearance in an item number. Though earlier there have been numerous instances of big stars giving their nod of approval to participate in a jig (Salman recently did that with ‘Wallah Re Wallah‘ in Tees Maar Khan), one has seldom seen a couple coming together for a similar act.
“What further makes it interesting is the fact that this couple is none other than Salman and More >
10 languages used in 1 song of Joker
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Joginder Tuteja, February 14, 2011 – 10:57 IST
He may have called his film Joker but director Shirish Kunder is dead serious when it comes to his second film. For this Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha starrer that goes on floor this month, Shirish is now all set to film a song which is made of – hold your breath – 10 languages. A dance number, it is sung by Daler Mehendi and is a fusion track.
“That’s right; we have already recorded the song and would be picturising it in the Chandigarh schedule which kick-starts on Valentines Day (14th February). The uniqueness about this song is that it has lyrics belonging to 10 languages – Hindi, English, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam”, says Shirish who has earlier directed Akshay in his debut outing Jaan-E-Mann.
Now an effort like this could well take the song in the record books because as far as Bollywood outings are concerned, the record so far is held by Angrezi Mein Kehte Hai from Amitabh Bachchan starrer Khud-Daar (1982) which had lyrics in five languages – English, Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali and Punjabi. With the song from Joker bringing in ten languages, it is miles ahead of the competition.
“Well, we are not thinking of any records as of now. What we want is that we should have fun while getting the song on screen and audience should be enjoying it”, says Shirish who is co-producing the film along with Akshay Kumar, “Farah would be choreographing the song.”
To be shot More >
Minissha Lamba joins Shirish Kunder’s Joker
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Joginder Tuteja, February 2, 2011 – 09:27 IST
Pretty girl Minissha Lamba is the newest addition to the cast of Joker. With her inclusion, the principal star cast of this Shirish Kunder directed film is complete. Joker now stars Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Shreyas Talpade and Minissha Lamba.
Confirms Shirish, “Minissha has been signed for the film. She would be playing a lead opposite Shreyas Talpade.”
There was some deliberation that happened before Minissha came on board. While Akshay had been confirmed in the middle of last year itself, Sonakshi’s name cropped up around the release of Tees Maar Khan. Early this year, Shreyas came on board and now Minissha has stepped in as well.
On asked to state the reason behind Minissha being the chosen one, Shirish (who has earlier directed Jaan-E-Mann) said, “I wanted someone who looks sweet and innocent. There had to be purity about her face and body language and this is what I got in Minissha.”
Though Sonakshi is the lead opposite Akshay in the film, Shirish says that Minissha’s character adds value to the film’s plot as well.
“She is what I call ‘an outside factor’ in the film”, says Shirish who would be kick starting the film’s shoot later this month, “Though the film has a village setting to it, Minissha is an urban girl who joins the characters there. It’s a performance oriented role instead of just being glamorous.”
On her part Minissha is happy that things are looking up for her. After gaining good More >
Shirish Kunder’s Joker to be a 3D film
22 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Apparently, the success of James Cameron’s Avatar inspired Shirish Kunder, the director
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 26, 2010)
There is a lot on Shirish Kunder’s plate all of a sudden.
Not only is he directing the Hindi remake of south super hit Kick with Salman Khan, he has also decided to turn his Joker into a 3D flick. Apparently, James Cameron’s Avatar inspired Kunder to make his film in 3D.
Our source informs, “Joker will be a big budgeted film in 3D. For the first time a top star like Akshay Kumar will be working in a 3D film. After the success of Avatar, Shirish saw ample of scope to play with visuals in Joker.
That’s why he decided to make the film in 3D. When Kunder suggested this to Akshay, he also loved it and they started working on the pre-production of the film.”
Apparently, there is another reason why Kunder is so excited about Joker; its script was the first one Kunder had ever written. In fact, he wanted to make the film even before Jaan-E-Mann but it didn’t work out.
So he attempted at making it after the release of Jaan-E-Mann but even that failed. Only when Akshay signed the film did things start falling into place.”
When contacted, Kunder confirmed the news but refused to divulge any information about it, “Yes, we are making Joker in 3D and work is in progress.
The film goes on floors in January and it is too early to give out any details.” It’s almost November, Shirish!
Shirish revives his ambitious project Joker?
02 years ago
After the Jaan-e-Maan debacle in 2006, Shirish Kunder will finally direct Joker, his ambitious next
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 14, 2010) Akshay Kumar
Finally Shirish Kunder is all set to make his ambitious project Joker early next year. The project which Shirish wanted to make immediately after Jaan-e-Mann could not take off for various reasons.
Considering that it was the project closest to Shirish’s heart he tried making it for the last four years. However now finally things have now fallen into place and the film will start in January 2011 with Akshay Kumar playing the lead role.
Our source said, “Joker is a script which is very dear to Shirish. In fact he had planned to make it much before he made his debut with Jaan-e-Mann in 2006. However after the not-so-encouraging response to his debut film, things didn’t go as planned for Shirish. He had written the script of Joker in 2003 and it’s a film with the Joker as the superhero and has a heavy dose of special effects and stunts.
After things didn’t work out between Akshay Kumar and Shirish Kunder four years ago, Shirish planned the film with Salman Khan. However the talks didn’t materialise then. There were also reports that John Abraham had signed the film.
But Shirish kept mum and was quietly working on his project. In between Shirish was also supposed to make a film for Ashtavinayak Cine Vision and SRK; both projects never saw the light of day.
Shirish More >Nadiadwala announces release date of Anjaana Anjaani
03 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Joginder Tuteja, May 15, 2010 – 13:43 IST
Celebrations are continuing for Sajid Nadiadwala. While his Housefull is holding on well at the box office after a terrific opening, he is also readying up plans for his first ever musical Anjaana Anjaani. The film is now all set for 24th September release.
“That’s right, 24th September is the confirmed release date for Anjaana Anjaani. This is the first ever 100% romantic musical film from my banner. I can proudly say that this is the best ever music made for a film of mine”, says Nadiadwala.
Coming from him, this is indeed a tall statement since traditionally; music has stayed on to be one of the highlights of his movies. Right from Jeet till Housefull, his movies have been remembered for their popular appeal. Whether it is Judwaa, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Jaan-E-Mann, Heyy Babyy or Kambakkht Ishq – movies coming from the house of Nadiadwala have boasted of at least one chartbuster track.
“Well, it’s going to be an entirely different experience in case of Anjaana Anjaani“, says Nadiadwala who certainly has an eye on mass entertainers, “Vishal-Shekhar, who have composed the music of my film, have touched a new high this time around. There are seven songs in the film and I can comfortably state that they have managed to do something which is on the lines of Aashiqui. Music created by Nadeem-Sharavan for that film is considered cult today. I am sure Anjaana Anjaani too will find similar More >
What made Farah settle for Akshay-Kat?
03 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
EXCLUSIVE! Farah Khan, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Akshaye Khanna and Shirish Kunder pose for the BT lens
The first surprise was ‘No SRK’… the second, Katrina opposite Akshay in Farah Khan’s film
SHARIN WADER BUTANI Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; January 31, 2010)
Now the story can be told. You know about Farah Khan’s big entertainer Tees Maar Khan, for which the director-choreographer, breaking tradition, signed on Akshay Kumar over all-time favourite Shah Rukh Khan. The dust over that dhamaka had not quite settled down when Farah took on Katrina Kaif to play the female lead opposite the Khiladi, thereby casting Bollywood’s most successful jodi together again and surprising the film industry immensely.
Farah has an explanation. She searched high and low among a hundred new faces hopeful of breaking into Bollywood to find a girl for Akshay. And she even considered all of Bollywood’s top rung actresses for the role, but came away dissatisfied. “You know, I had been telling people that I want a girl just like Katrina,” reveals Farah. “How silly of me! I then went on to sign Katrina herself.”
Katrina, who has done maximum number of films with Akshay, plays a wannabe item girl in TMK. Industry pundits whisper that Katrina’s determined to do serious films like Rajneeti in future because she wants to win the National Award. “That’s not true. I’m an actress and do what my director tells me to do. This role is something I’ve never done before. I’m excited about it and More >