Posts tagged London Paris New York

Behind every successful hero is a woman with a pen

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11 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

A motley group of women writers in Bollywood give their male counterparts a tip or two on the new rules of scriptwriting

Shakti Shetty (MID-DAY; June 25, 2012)

 

What’s common between Agneepath, Vicky Donor and Shanghai? Other than the fact that they released this year and had strong male characters, all three were written by female screenwriters.

Given the longstanding tradition of employing male writers who took care of the story, dialogues and lyrics, it’s a pleasant shift from the usual track for Bollywood. Interestingly, however, none of the emerging ladies are prepared to point a finger at the industry. They’d rather welcome the change…

Urmi Juvekar After coming up with a heralded script like Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Urmi Juvekar went a step ahead and created Shanghai (both directed by Dibakar Banerjee). While penning a story, Urmi reveals that she keeps reminding herself that she’s a screenwriter first — not a novelist. “The role of a screenwriter is peculiarly different from a fiction writer. We are writing for a picture and words tend to change the image in my head to some other image when it enters the director’s head.” On being asked whether writers are given due credit in Bollywood, Urmi poses, “As long as we are getting paid, there shouldn’t be any issue. Anyway, do you care to know who the editor or the cinematographer of the film is? Nahi na? Then why bother with credit for writers only?”

Ila Bedi Datta Although Ila Bedi Datta has been actively involved in More >

Dilip Kumar praises Ali Zafar

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1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

Sayantan Dalal (DNA; May 15, 2012)

Ali Zafar

Singer-turned-actor Ali Zafar is currently riding high in his career. Venturing into acting has probably been one of his best decisions in life. Ali is still being applauded for his performance in his last film London Paris New York. But the icing on the cake was when legendary actor Dilip Kumar greeted and complimented him.

A source informs us, “Ali is doing great in his Bollywood career, especially for his acting skills. Though it’s unfair to compare Ali with anyone, many have complimented him and said that he is the Kishore Kumar of today’s generation,because he not only acts, but also sings, dances and composes songs.If we leave out the comparison, it’s safe to say that the versatility that Ali brings to the table, many Bollywood actors can’t.”

Recently at an awards function, Ali was even greeted by Dilip Kumar. “It was an awards show, where he had gone to collect an award. Dilipji was also there and he met Ali. He immediately identified him and started chatting with him. He wished Ali all the best and also said that he likes his work! Dilipji also praised him for his versatility as an actor,” the source informs.

I am overwhelmed; short of words-Ali Zafar

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1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

BOMBAY TIMES (May 10, 2012)

 

Ali Zafar is beaming with pride after bagging the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award on the doyen of cinema’s birth anniversary this year. Having flown down especially from Dubai and joining stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Vidya Balan and Ekta Kapoor — Ali was presented a trophy for his outstanding service to the film industry. The coveted 143rd Dadasaheb Phalke Awards were presented, honoring artists, behind the camera as well as on screen for their significant contribution to cinema. An elated Ali said, “This is a huge honour and I’m still very small for it… Dadasaheb was the Father of Indian cinema and I’d like to thank everyone for thinking me worthy of this — I’m overwhelmed and still falling short of words.” The occasion also gave Ali an opportunity to meet the legendary Dilip Kumar. “Dilipsaab for me has always been more than just an inspiration as an actor. He’s an ideology more than an idol. I couldn’t believe when I saw him there because I had always wanted to meet him. And when I actually did, I stood in awe of him and then instantly sought his blessings. I pray for his health,” he said. Interestingly, Ali is the first multi-faceted personality (besides being an actor, he is a lyricist, composer and singer too) from Pakistan to have been bestowed with this honour. After having won laurels for his performance in Tere Bin Laden, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and London Paris New York, the actor is all set to show funny side in More >

It’s raining new filmmakers in Bollywood

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1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

A whopping 150 new directors have made their Bollywood debut in the last two years

Bharati Dubey | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 7, 2012)

 

It’s an amazing statistic that Bollywood has probably never seen in its history. In the last two years, a whopping 150 directors have made their screen debut, giving renewed hope to others of their ilk.

In the last few weeks, five releases—Agneepath, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, London Paris New York and Blood Money—have all been made by newbies, and coming up are many more, thanks to production houses which have decided to invest money in new talent.

A peek at the statistics shows that UTV launches at least four new directors this year. In 2011 Viacom gave a break to two—Luv Ranjan (Pyaar Ka Punchnama) and Bejoy Nambiar (Shaitan); this year, it is Vishal Mahadkar (Blood Money), Supavitra Babul (Bittoo Boss), Sachin Kundalkar (Aiyya) and Satish Rajawade (Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai). Vinod Chopra Productions is coming out with Rajesh Mapuskar’s Ferrari Ki Sawari in 2012, a film that is generating much buzz as EMET and Agneepath.

What accounts for this sudden generosity to newbies? “The foremost reason is the expansion of the market,” says Vikas Behl of Phantom Films. “More films need to be made, and hence more directors are needed. But, also, today making a film with a first-time director is not as much of a risk because film-making has become very organized. Once a production house is sure of a director’s sensibilities and script sense, s/he is provided More >

Action gives me a high-Ali Zafar

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1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

Chocolate boy Ali Zafar is all set to explore a new genre

Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; April 28, 2012)

 

After having won accolades playing the romantic hero in London Paris New York, Ali Zafar is all set to try his hand at some hardcore maar-dhaad. Buzz has it that the actor has been pencilled in to play one of the leads in the Hindi remake of the Tamil action flick Vettai, and will essay the role played by Madhavan in the original.

Zafar is training for the action sequences to prepare for his part. When asked about the venture, Ali diplomatically replies, “I can only comment on it in due time.” He, however, adds, “I would love to explore the action genre. In fact, I used to create and write comic books as a child. Action gives me a high.”

Meanwhile, the actor is looking forward to David Dhawan’s Chashme Buddoor, remake of the 1981 cult film. “I have just completed the film. I’ve seen the original, and though I have enacted Farooque Shaikh’s part in my own way, I’ve retained the character’s earthiness,” he smiles.

Zafar has also sung a few numbers in the comedy flick. “But why only sing? Didn’t I write, compose and sing for London Paris New York? I believe in being versatile,” he says. Talking about that film, was he comfortable doing the intimate scenes? “The scenes were shot in extreme close-up, so my discomfort did not come across on screen!” he laughs. “The kissing scene was done by somebody else too,” he grins.

Ah, finally a confession!

Bollywood sets eyes on Paris

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1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

More and more Bollywood filmmakers are choosing to set their stories in the city of eternal romance 

By Divya Unny (MID-DAY; March 24, 2012)

 

She’s romantic. She’s fashionable. At times, she’s even brutal. But nevertheless, she is the perfect palette for a filmmaker to draw from. The city of Paris has lured many storytellers to weave tales of heartbreaks, struggles, triumphs or even sheer tattle around her. And now, Bollywood is falling for her too. 45 years ago when Shammi and Sharmila walked hand in hand through the lanes of Champs Elysees in An Evening in Paris, it most definitely was a sign. But it is now that filmmakers are acknowledging the character this lovely city adds to their idea of entertainment. From the recent London Paris New York, to upcoming films like Paradise Street, Love in Paris and Chemistry, each of them tries to define the city of Paris in their own way.

Shreyas Talpade and Tanishaa in Chemistry

Shooting in Paris Says producer Goldie Behl who believes that it is one of the toughest cities to shoot in, “Though I have seen Paris in films and photographs, I did not realise it would be so alien to me when I went there to shoot my film (London Paris New York). It is by far the most beautiful city I have shot in, but Paris has a way of toughening up. The local regulations for film shoots are still old-fashioned and you need to work around their rigid ways. But having said that, it is the most creatively friendly space you can ever dream of.” The art and More >

Good old-fashioned romance dead in Bollywood?

1
1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

Bharati Dubey | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; March 11, 2012)

 

A blasé Kareena Kapoor speaks about having sex to Imran Khan in Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu. Imran and Katrina Kaif pair up, leaving Imran’s brother in the cold in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. Coyness, romance, sacrifice in love… none of these once-vital elements in Bollywood exist any more. Romance speaks a different language.

“The grammar of love has undergone a sea change,” says screenwriter Mushtaq Sheikh. “From the speed to the language, the entire process of falling in love has changed. The young are in a hurry. They have no time to wait to fall in love or even be selfless about it. They want results. And if they are spending time falling in love, they need to see what they are getting back in return.”

Flash back to the days when love did not declare itself. Lovers then chose to convey their emotion silently—a shy note, a quiver of the lips… and an endless wait. Recalls writer Dilip Thakur, “There used to be a build-up to the first eye contact between the hero and heroine, be it Rajendra Kumar’s hand brushing against Mala Sinha’s in Dhool Ka Phool, Rajesh Khanna singing Mere sapnon ki rani in Aradhana or Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol crossing each other’s path before meeting on Eurorail in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.”

Films like Break Ke Baad, Delhi Belly or the recent Rockstar are anything but love at first sight or virginal. However, the last did have a resonance later of the self-destructive Devdas, an old favourite. But More >

London Paris New York gets ‘U/A’ despite adult content

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1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; March 2, 2012)

 

Speculation was rife that the Censor Board would pass London Paris New York with an Adult certificate, thanks to various situations in the film with adult references. The Board’s decision to go with a U/A (Under Adult Supervision) certification has come as a relief to the film’s makers.

Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox Star Studios India says, “The U/A certificate shows that the Censor Board has been progressive in its attitude. London Paris New York was never targetted at an adult audience but a younger age group. The film has been given a contemporary treatment keeping them in mind. It’s a sincere attempt to bring something different to the romantic comedy palette.”

Producer Goldie Behl of Rose Movies adds, “The board has been kind in passing certain content in the film. It was an integral part of the plot as it conveyed the thoughts of today’s youth. I am glad that a creative and modern genre is being accepted.”

Director Anu Menon says, “By exploring new ideas, Indian cinema is going through an exciting phase. London Paris New York is my attempt to push the boundaries and make a mark.”

For lead pair Ali Zafar and Aditi Rao Hydari, today is a day of nervous excitement. “The film defies stereotypes and dares to be different,” says Ali. Aditi adds, “It is different from conventional romcoms that people have seen so far.”

London Paris New York hits theatres today.

Ali is good in bed-Aditi Rao Hydari

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1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

BOMBAY TIMES (February 28, 2012)

 

Ali Zafar recently shared bedroom secrets with Aditi Rao Hydari. Before your imagination runs wild, let’s clarify that it was not personal but purely professional. The duo shot for some eyebrow-raising love making scenes for Fox Star Studios’ London Paris New York produced by Rose Movies.

Aditi admits that Ali was “the nicest and most decent in bed”. She adds, “I was nervous. But Ali put me at ease. I could not have asked for a better costar to take me through the scene that too so convincingly,” she smiles.

Interestingly, while shooting the ambience on the sets was absolutely calm and serene and not tense as expected. “It was shot in a hotel in Paris. The room overlooked the Eiffel Tower. And what made the scene even more romantic was the magical double rainbow in the sky. There was a very feel-good vibe in the air.” Aditi says that the love-making scenes are a crucial part of the film. She says, “It is very natural for a couple in love to be physically intimate. It is a natural progression. The scenes have been shot aesthetically and are lovely to watch.”

Ali Zafar talks about London Paris New York

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1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in
Anjuri Nayar | MM Online Bureau (September 15, 2011)

 

Ali Zafar in London, Paris, New York

Mumbai: Rose Movies and producer Goldie Behl along with Fox Star studios announced their upcoming flick London, Paris, New York here on Wednesday. The film stars Pakistani musician Ali Zafar and Aditi Rao and has been directed by debut director Anu Menon.

The film is a romantic comedy and it’s a story about a couple who fall in love while visiting three of the most romantic places on earth; London, Paris and New York. “The story is very fresh. We have tried our level best to make it as realistic as possible. It deals in different emotions that people experience when they’re in love. It is believable because it also talks about the pain and suffering of heartbreak,” said Goldie.

The title is simple and says a lot about the movie. When asked about its significance, Ali Zafar said, “The title is an integral part of the film. It provides a backdrop to the love story and helps in portraying the characters’ journey of love. It’s all very natural and realistic. The movie is about Nikhil and Lalitha, two very different people who fall in love.”

The music of the movie has been composed by Ali Zafar himself. In fact both the stars, Ali and Aditi, sing well and have sung in the film.

The movie has some intimate scenes between the two actors. But, according to Aditi, it is very different from the usual bollywood movies. “The scenes are very organic in nature. They are there because More >

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