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Posts tagged javed akhtar
Priyanka hosts a rocking bash on papa’s bday
Aug 25th
Before leaving for Brazil, Piggy Chops organised a fab bash for her father’s birthday. Javed and Shabana were excited enough to break into song
Vickey Lalwani and Sonal Chawla (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 25, 2010)
Seems like Priyanka Chopra’s is quite a well-knit family, with daddy keeping track of beti’s diet charts and beti reciprocating the love by organising a lavish birthday bash for him at a five-star hotel. How lovely.
It turns out, before flying to Brazil for Fear Factor, Priyanka Chopra arranged for a grand party in a five-star hotel in Juhu for her father Dr Ashok Chopra’s birthday.
Like a loving daughter, Priyanka personally planned and supervised every little detail of the celebration, from arranging the invitee list, sending personal invitations to food etc. Priyanka ensured everything was in order before flying off to Brazil on Wednesday.
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| Yogen Shah |
Confirming this, Dr Chopra added, “I am blessed to have such a darling daughter. She even sent me a watch, which landed at my doorstep on Monday morning.”
The doting father took a moment to praise his son as well and said, “My son Siddharth played the perfect host. He has completed a course in Hotel Management, and that worked I guess.”
Dr Chopra’s close friends attended the party, which was held on Monday evening. Guests from Bollywood included the likes of Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Mona Kapoor, Shahid Rafi (Mohd Rafi’s son), Neetu Chandra and Khayyam amongst a few others.
Talking about the party, Dr Chopra said, “Shabana and Javed sang the song Chhod Do Aanchal Zamana Kya Kahega, from the film Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi). Then I sang Khayyam’s composition Jeet hi lenge baazi hum tum from Shola Aur Shabnam. It was a fun-filled evening. We were in the hotel singing and joking till 2 am. I don’t know how to thank Priyanka.”
And how old are you, Mr Chopra, we asked shamelessly. “Well, I just completed my 21st year,” he replied. Aww!
Amitabh says sorry to Salim
Aug 24th
The actor apologized to the peeved screenwriter, who felt that Big B never acknowledged his ‘angry young man’ invention
Noyon Jyoti Parasara (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 24, 2010)
The 35-year celebrations of Sholay came with a bitter aftertaste for Amitabh Bachchan when Salim Khan in an interview accused the star of never giving the writer his due. Getting into action pronto the veteran star deemed it important to clarify any miscommunication.
Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar had together written some of the biggest movie of Big B’s career charting the course to his stardom. Salim Khan remarked that the angry young man image of Big B was his creation – figments of which were gathered from his father’s career as a policeman.
He also remarked that he is willing to sort out differences but the actor does not see anything to sort out at all. To this Amitabh has responded, “Salim saheb is absolutely right.
It was he and Javed saheb who gave me Zanjeer and recommended me to Prakash Mehra and to so many other directors of the time – Manmohan Desai, Yash Chopra, Ramesh Sippy.
I have never ever failed to acknowledge this fact. Indeed in the early years of my career, when I was questioned what would happen to me if Salim-Javed were to stop writing for me, I had categorically stated that I would also stop and finish,” he says. “Their contribution has been immense in my film career and I will never stop accepting that.
I am extremely sorry if Salim saheb has felt otherwise. I wish to apologise to him and tell him that there has obviously been a miscommunication and that he should never feel that I have thought otherwise. He has been a respected senior for me and shall always remain one,” he adds.
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| Salim Khan |
Speaking of his legacy, inherited from the Salim-Javed era of filmmaking, and whether the younger generation matched up to his phenomenal success, the Big B added, “Films are not some kind of a kingdom where one looks for a successor.
Every artiste is big and important in their own world, especially the younger generation. I have admired them all.
They all have their distinct identities and are doing extremely well. No one should be bracketed as wanting to emulate someone. That is wrong. They must be left alone to set their own standards and marks,” adds the 67-year-old actor.
— Sanskriti Media and Entertainment
Naseer to do a cameo for Zoya
Aug 10th
On Javed Akhtar’s request, the actor has agreed to do a cameo in Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 10, 2010)
Though Naseeruddin Shah has avoided signing any new projects this year, mainly for health reasons, he could not refuse Zoya Akhtar’s offer.
The director offered him a cameo in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and when her father Javed Akhtar personally requested Naseer to do the role, the actor readily agreed. Apparently, this cameo role was specially written for Naseer.
Naseer is now off to Spain with his wife Ratna Pathak Shah for a three-day shoot for Zoya’s film.
Says a source, “Naseer is looking at this three-day stint as a holiday. His old friend Shabana Azmi will soon join Zoya in Spain for a holiday with Javed Akhtar.
So it’s going to be a reunion of old friends.”
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The film’s producer Ritesh Sidhwani confirms that Naseer is flying down to Spain for a cameo. “It’s a special appearance. But I can’t reveal what his role is about.”
Naseer says, “Yes, I am playing Farhan’s dad. Doing it because I like Zoya, though it’s not much of a role.”
Shabana in hospital thanks to Gurinder
Aug 9th
By Subhash K. Jha, August 9, 2010 – 11:28 IST
After four days in Jaslok hospital, Shabana Azmi is back, finally without pain. It was a membrane under her ear that caused acute pain and landed her in hospital.
What is not known is that this is one more near-catastrophic aftermath of her weight-enhancement for Gurinder Chadha’s disastrous It’s A Wonderful Afterlife. Ever since she saddled herself with 35 extra kilos to look like a well-fed Punjabi housewife in Chadha’s film, Shabana has been besieged by health problems.
Who would have thought the latest complication would land her in hospital? Though Shabana now weak and resting at home maintains a diplomatic I-am-now-fine stance, she continues to be extremely vulnerable to illnesses. After her latest health complication, she isn’t allowed to use the cell phone for some time.
Shabana’s husband Javed Akhtar says, “The doctors said that the pain was caused by a membrane imbalance triggered off by a drastic gain and loss of weight.”
Everyone knows Shabana was required to gain those kilos and then had to go through hell trying to shed them because of various weight-related health complications. Having nearly got back to her original shape and size, Shabana would now have to confront health ailments associated with drastic weight loss.
The membrane imbalance triggered off the worst pain suffered by Shabana in her entire life.
“And for what? The worst film of her career?” a close friend asked caustically.
Adnan Sami who has undergone drastic weight loss says the body goes through tremendous pressure once it starts losing the flesh. “It’s called body shock. The appetite remains because when you become fat the stomach also expands. But when you lose the weight the stomach remains the same size, so it has to be filled with non-fattening food. I don’t know whether Shabana took expert advice before gaining and losing that much weight. She should have.”
Adnan consulted nutritionists who advised him to go on a high-protein diet. “I could eat as much grilled chicken and other meat, even red meat, as I wanted. I was forbidden oily food and rice/bread. But it’s important to supplement your diet with the right food while losing weight drastically.”
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Deepika-from bikinis to Bengal sarees!
Jul 29th
…Deepika’s quite enjoying the ride
Nimisha Tiwari | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 28, 2010)
If in Housefull, her last film, the gorgeous Deepika Padukone wore bikinis and rode water scooters… get ready to see her in Bengal cotton sarees riding a bicycle in her next — Ashutosh Gowariker’s Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey.
The sexy actress plays freedom fighter Kalpana Dutta of the Chittagong Uprising of the 1930s. A role that has excited Deepika no end, because Kalpana was strong and feisty, among the first women freedom fighters of the country.
The film itself, jointly produced by Ajay and Sanjeev Bijli along with Sunita A Gowariker, is an epic period thriller based on the book Do And Die written by Kalpana’s daughter-in-law Manini Chatterjee. Acting opposite Deepika is Abhishek Bachchan. It is presented by AGPPL and PVR Pictures. Director Ashutosh Gowariker thought Deepika brought much energy to Kalpana Dutta’s character.
This film is being shot in Goa and Mumbai and is due for release on December 3. Javed Akhtar has written its lyrics with Sohail Sen doing the music. Designer Neeta Lulla’s designed the costumes. So if you see Deepika dressed in cotton sarees pedalling a cycle in the city… don’t be surprised. She’s quite enjoying the ride!
Music Review: AISHA by JOGINDER TUTEJA
Jul 12th
By Joginder Tuteja, July 12, 2010 – 10:24 IST
EXPECTATIONS
Peppy, frothy and quite chic – this is what one expects from the music of Aisha which is one of the few chic flicks that are coming out of Bollywood now. Since youth is the flavour of the season, one expects the music of Aisha to be carrying urban sensibilities that one expects from the film as well. Add to the fact that the film has an unusual combination of composer Amit Trivedi and lyricist Javed Akhtar and you know for sure that there is something really exciting round the corner.
MUSIC
| BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM |
The moment you hear the title song of Aisha, you know that the album is going to have a really interesting and engaging journey from this point on. An upmarket number with urban groove written all over it, ‘Aisha‘ is on the same lines as ‘Kabhi Kabhi Aditi‘ [Jaane tu Ya Jaane Naa] as far as the setting is concerned. A beautiful number which has Amit Trivedi coming behind the mike as well along with Nakash Aziz and Ash King, ‘Aisha‘ has chartbuster written all over it. More than the fact that it has an appeal to become popular in days to come, the very factor that goes in its favour is it’s loveable appeal. This one can’t be missed and is a win up the sleeves for Amit Trivedi.
Well, if one would have thought that Aisha will settle down after a rocking opening number then that is not quite the case. That’s because Amit Trivedi comes up with an instant chartbuster which is all set to be highly popular, especially in North India. ‘Gal Mitthi Mitthi‘ is a new age Punjabi track and despite the folk flavour embedded into it, this Tochi Raina sung track is such a foot tapping track that it is tough not to fall in love with it in the very first listening. Rest assured, this one would have been an instant pick by the makers of Aisha once Trivedi would have played this one up. A ‘dhol mix’ version which follows next is just what the producer would have ordered her and it only adds more fun to the album.
There is a strong innocence factor in Trivedi’s music as evidenced in his earlier soundtracks and the same can be evidenced in ‘Sham‘ as well. Just the kind of track you want to sing with a bunch of friends around a bonfire, ‘Sham‘ is third straight terrific number in a row which has the potential to become hugely popular if the film does well at the box office. While Trivedi leads the show behind the mike once again, he has Neuman Pinto and Nikhil D’Souza for company who make sure that the youth factor stays on to be consistent right through the album.
There is some fun soon after with a 50s style ‘Behke Behke‘ that has Anushka Manchanda leading from the front with support from Raman Mahadevan and Samrat Kaushal. Anushka is one girl who has seldom disappointed in any of her outings so far and ‘Behke Behke‘ proves that given the right setting and platform, her unique voice can do wonders. With a celebration feel to it with an air of seduction all around, ‘Behke Behke‘ has a good tempo to it and should look good on screen.
Anusha Mani, in her limited Bollywood engagements so far, has always made a mark. Whether it is ‘Dil Mein Jaagi‘ [Dev D] or ‘Lazy Lamhe‘ [Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic], her voice has been noticed for it’s uniqueness. Same is the case with ‘Lehrein‘ as well which is truly an Anusha show all the way. Even though the song (with supporting vocals from Neuman Pinto and Nikhil D’Souza) is pensive and slow moving, it’s the melody which helps ‘Lehren‘ stand out. A track about happiness keeping some distance away and things not quite gone the way they were expected, this new age love song with a sad theme to it is extremely easy on ears and deserves a repeat hearing for itself. Surprisingly there is also a ‘remix version’ of the song but thankfully, it neither deviates the song from it’s theme nor does it see an overdose of added beats or other arrangements that would have otherwise killed an excellent impact that ‘Lehrein‘ had created.
Aisha ends on a peppy note though with Anushka Manchanda taking centre-stage all over again. Now this is what one terms as a killer track because there is so much fun, celebration and girlie factor that comes together in ‘By The Way‘ that it is difficult not to jive to the beats here. High on pace, spirit, attitude and rendition, ‘By The Way‘ (with support from Neuman Pinto) is the kind of number that one would love to listen to in a campus rock outing or a drive down the highway. Bring it on!
OVERALL
Aisha springs a pleasant surprise. Of course one did expect a good score here but what one gets to hear is complete album that is new age, different and yet so appealing to youth. There is not a single song which doesn’t work and each one tries to better the other. Ever since the release of music of Dev D, one wondered if composer Amit Trivedi would ever manage to come up with a wholesome album like that. He did compose for a few films in between and some of his work did impress. However, Aisha will clearly stand out as his best score since Dev D. Go for it and play it on with friends!
OUR PICK(S)
Suno Aisha, Gal Mitthi Mitthi, By The Way, Lehrein
Rating: 
Poor girl, she’s (Shabana) in so much pain-Javed Akhtar
Jul 4th
Javed Akhtar upset by Shabana’s hospitalisation
Sharin Wader Butani | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 4, 2010)
Shabana Azmi is in hospital. She’s been admitted to Jaslok since Wednesday.
According to husband Javed Akhtar, the actress complained of pain in the neck below her left ear. “We later found out this was caused by damage to some membrane,” the renowned Bollywood lyricist said vaguely. “Though it’s not life threatening, she has been in excruciating pain and it really hurts to see someone you love in so much pain. Poor girl, she went through a lot. She said that it was like as if current was passing through her body!”
Though her MRI reports and CT scan are clear, the doctors attending to Shabana are probing various reasons that could explain her pain. “It could also be because of the weight gain or because of spondylitis that she had many years back,” Javed suggested, referring to the physical discomfort his wife recently went through when her cholesterol and triglycerides levels shot up after she put on 25 kg for Gurinder Chadda’s It’s a Wonderful Afterlife. Shabana had to be hospitalised then, too. The actress is likely to be discharged today.
Akhtar gets death threat
May 16th
The lyricist, who called a cleric ‘insane’ for issuing fatwa against working women, has been provided with round-the-clock security
By Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 16, 2010)
Lyricist Javed Akhtar was on Saturday provided round-the clock security after he received death threats via email for calling an Islamic cleric ‘insane’ during a television debate about the fatwa against working women.
Akhtar informed the police about the messages which told him that “your countdown has begun”.
“I started getting a barrage of hate mails post my comments about the fatwa. They are of the opinion that by opposing the fatwa on Muslim working women, I am being anti-Islamic. I have informed the police and they have acted quickly and provided me with security,” Akhtar said.
He added, “I was getting long emails asking how I dared to say such things. Finally, I received a letter on May 12 that said this was my last warning. On May 13, I had to go for a writers’ conference in Trivandrum. But when I returned on the 14th, I reported the matter to ATS chief Rakesh Maria. I don’t know how serious the threats are, but all of my friends have advised me not to take the threats lightly.”
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| An unfazed Javed Akhtar told media on Saturday he won’t be restricted in speech |
Not that he is daunted. Speaking on Saturday morning, Javed was characteristically vocal on the latest extremist diktat against him. “These elements have no reason or logic. They can only serve threats because they’ve no rational discussion or debate to offer. In today’s day and age, how can any man ask women not to step out of their homes, not to find a job, not to go out and earn a living? It’s ridiculous.”
Akhtar isn’t asking for extremist elements to shut up. “Let them speak. They have the right to say what they like. But we have the right to not listen to them and to protest against them. Kyon na bola jaye? (Why should we not speak up?) Nobody is going to listen, let alone obey such orders. Kya auraten ghar se nikalna band kar dengi? Kya auraten naukri karna band kar dengi? Zindagi kitni mehngi ho gayi hai.”
At the moment, Akhtar has been provided with heavy security. “But I won’t be restricted in movement or speech. I’ve always spoken up for what I think is right. I’ll continue to do so.”
Hussain replaces Vivek in Kingdom Of Dreams
Apr 24th
By Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 24, 2010)
Frantic efforts were made to feature Vivek Oberoi in Kingdom of Dreams, the Rs 200-crore staged version of a Bollywood extravaganza. But after the surprisingly good opening of Prince, Vivek is in no mood to do the play based on Bollywood in the 1970s.
Despite many attempts Vivek said no. He has finally been replaced by TV star and trained dancer Hussain Kuwajerwalla.
Hussain was in the limelight after winning the dance reality show Nach Baliye 2 and with his proven Bollywood dancing skills, he was the perfect candidate to replace Vivek. Apparently, Javed Akhtar, who has written Kingdom of Dreams series, recommended Hussain.
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| Hussain | Vivek | |
Vivek turning down the play is also surprising as he was initially gung-ho about returning to his theatre roots. Even two days after the encouraging opening of Prince he said he had worked out the dates for the play, which were clashing with his next film to be shot in London. But now Vivek is suddenly finding it impossible to work out the dates.
Tickets had already been sold for the shows featuring Vivek Oberoi, Gauhar Khan and Isha Sharvani. Vivek says, “The tickets were not sold on my name. They were sold for the play. I did try to work out the dates, but I finally had to opt out as I need to focus on my forthcoming film.”
An elated Hussain says, ” I can’t believe this exciting opportunity has come my way. I’ll make the best of it as I love Bollywood dance. My character is a typical Bollywood hero. I’ve been rehearsing like crazy. I am zapped after seeing the auditorium.”
Evergreen melodies on stage in Vivek Oberoi’s play
Mar 23rd
By Subhash K. Jha, March 23, 2010 – 12:39 IST
A large number of Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi’s evergreen melodies from the 1950s will be used in the Bollywood-inspired play ‘Kingdom Of Dreams’ featuring Vivek Oberoi, Isha Sharwani and Gauhar Khan. It will be staged in May at the newly constructed theatre in Gurgaon near Delhi.
Informs Javed Akhtar, “The first-half will have 11 evergreen melodies. The second-half will have 8-9 songs. We’re still locking in on the final songs. There’s dispute about some of the songs to be included.”
Javed has been on stage before. “I had seen a lot of theatre; I’ve written Kaifi Aur Main. But that is not pure theatre. And besides I’ve hardly used my own words in Kaifi Aur Main. I’ve either taken excerpts from Shaukat Azmi’s book or interviews on video. ‘Kingdom Of Dreams’ is unlike anything done on stage in India. The kind of facilities I was provided was mind-numbing. I’ve seen the theatre in Gurgaon. India has never seen anything like this. There will be horses and elephants running on and off stage.”
In the meanwhile, Vivek left for Delhi on Friday for a month-long rehearsal with his two leading ladies Isha Sharwani and Gauhar Khan who play the princess and the gypsy fighting for Oberoi’s attentions. Considering the fireworks that Gauhar generated with Shazahn Padamsee in Rocket Singh Salesman Of The Year, there’s bound to be a lot of behind-the-curtains excitement between Gauhar and Isha.
Says Vivek, “I guess I’m a very lucky guy. I got to woo three ladies in my new film Prince and now these two ladies in my play. ‘Kingdom Of Dreams’ is unlike anything we’ve seen in this country.”
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
