Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged Mumbai Mirror
I am shocked with Lamhaa’s failure-producer
Jul 29th
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 29, 2010)
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| A still from Lamhaa |
All the fanfare and controversy around Lamhaa turned out to be a flash in the pan eventually. At least for producer Bunty Walia. And he has no qualms in admitting it and that too, quite vociferously.
“I don’t know why I’m confessing but people didn’t turn up to watch Lamhaa,” sighs Bunty. “I am shocked. Despite the strong line of stars and the relevant subject of Kashmir, the film didn’t get any eyeballs. It is clear that Indians are not interested in what is happening in their country.”
Turns out, Bunty isn’t the only one lamenting. Lead actors Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu and Kunal Kapoor, have not been paid.
While Walia doesn’t deny this, he says, “But how can I pay them fully when I haven’t got a single paisa from this film? I have lost Rs 30 crore. Lamhaa has taken my life back by 10 years.”
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| Bunty Walia |
Despite the loss, the producer stands up for director Rahul Dholakia and the actors. “They all did a fine job,” says Bunty, “I have no complaints with their work.”
Now that Walia is done rummaging for the silver lining, he’s starting afresh. He says, “I will definitely continue to make films but no issue-based ones hereafter.” Bunty and Karan Johar should probably catch up.
Here’s why Ranbir is meeting Rahman often
Jul 29th
To get under the skin of his character in Rockstar, Ranbir Kapoor is frequenting AR Rahman’s studio
Mauli Singh (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 29, 2010)
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| Rana Chakraborty |
While Aamir Khan is known to take interest in the music of a film, rather every film he’s acting in, Ranbir Kapoor is doing it for personal reasons. The actor plays a rockstar in Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar and is working hard to get under the skin of his character.
So, the actor decided to give it his best shot. Since music plays a very important role in the film and AR Rahman is composing it in this one, Ranbir wants to understand it thoroughly. That is why he has started making frequent trips to AR Rahman’s studio.
An insider says, “Ranbir is taking keen interest in the music of the film. The actor knows that music is the soul of this film and that he needs to understand its pulse to really get into his character.”
Apart from taking guitar lessons, Ranbir is also brushing up on his rock music knowledge. Talking to Saif Ali Khan might help?
But just being in the presence of AR Rahman, must prove to be a music lesson in itself for Ranbir.
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| AR Rahman |
Sure enough, the actor apparently just sits quietly at Rahman’s panoramic studio, while watching him work his magical fingers on his digitised equipment.”
Apparently, the character Ranbir plays is a Jim Morrison fan. But for a Rahman-besotted Ranbir, that might just prove to be another challenge.
A Mohd Rafi museum
Jul 29th
The music legend’s son Shahid Rafi is launching a music academy in his father’s honour on July 31
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 29, 2010)
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| Mohd Rafi |
All Mohd Rafi fans, pay attention. Shahid Rafi, son of the music legend Mohd Rafi, is all set to launch a music academy in his father’s memory on the 31st of this month, which is Rafi’s 30th death anniversary. An apt tribute indeed.
Shahid Rafi has joined hands with 11 other people from the industry to launch this academy, which will double up as a Rafi museum of sorts. A musical night will kickstart the launch and will see many prominent people from the film and the music industry.
When contacted, Shahid Rafi said, “I have been getting this request for the last 25 years. Everywhere I go, people come up and tell me that their love and respect for Rafisaab is immense. That’s why I decided that we should do something like this. We have zeroed-down on a place in Lokhandwala, Andheri.
We will renovate the place and then start the academy. We are planning to get prominent people from the music industry to come and teach students there.
Apart from this, we will host shows in honour of musical legends, who are not amongst us now and will also felicitate members of their families.”
And guess what? The museum will have exclusive pictures, videos, many of his unused songs and his musical instruments on display among other things. Shahid Rafi added, “The museum will be like a walk down memory lane for his fans.”
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| Shahid Rafi |
Apart from Shahid Rafi, the academy will have relatives of legends from the Indian music industry like Raju Naushad (Naushad’s son), Andalib Majrooh Sultanpuri (Majrooh Sultanpuri’s son), Ruhan Mahendra Kapoor (Mahendra Kapoor’s son), and Firdaus Shahid Rafi (Mohd Rafi’s grandson), amongst others in the governing body members of the Academy.
Sonakshi breaks up with boyfriend of 2 yrs?
Jul 29th
Sonakshi Sinha has broken up with boyfriend Aditya Shroff and is trying hard to not be affected professionally
Sonal Chawla (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 29, 2010)
Shatrughan Sinha’s daughter Sonakshi Sinha, who will be seen romancing Salman Khan in Dabangg, may be happy professionally but her personal life has come to a grinding halt. The actress called it quits with her boyfriend Aditya Shroff (the Head of Programming and the advertising division of Fame multiplexes) two months ago.
A source reveals, “Sonakshi and Aditya were dating each other for over two years. They parted ways two months ago. The couple had a major fight over some internal problem.
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| Sonakshi Sinha |
Aditya’s behaviour really angered Sonakshi and she decided to part ways with him.
Moreover, the actress didn’t want her personal life to affect her work. So she ensured the relationship ended on a good note.”
Apparently, both Sonakshi’s and Aditya’s families were aware of their relationship, but Sonakshi’s father Shatrughan Sinha never openly acknowledged their relationship.
The couple spent a lot of time with each other despite that and hence have a lot of common friends. Although they have parted ways, they still maintain their friendship and are in touch on and off.
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| Aditya Shroff |
The source adds, “Recently, Aditya was seen at many Dabangg-related events but Sonakshi has now asked him not to be a part of any in future.
She does not want the media to see them together.”
While Aditya remained unavailable for comment, Sonakshi declined to say anything about this.
Sonam a fashion victim?
Jul 29th
The up-and-coming fashionista in fact chose the wrong gear, forcing a near wardrobe malfunction at a promotional event for the film Aisha
Sonal Chawla (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 29, 2010)
Recently, we had posted how Sonam tends to copy Blair Waldorf of Gossip Girl fame for her sartorial flourishes. But this latest truly pushes the envelope as far as the ‘fashion victim’ tag goes.
Our lady, usually well turned out, miscalculated perhaps what girth her pants needed to be. Add to this the fact that she might have lost weight (again, more vanity?).
Either way, the pants kept slipping off, and Mademoiselle Kapoor was quite preoccupied with her slipper pantaloons.
Yesterday afternoon, at a promotional event of her film Aisha at a radio station, Sonam Kapoor was dancing and interacting with her fans and the usual crowd of admirers and technicians, when her pants started slipping.
She kept pulling them up again and again, but finally had to resort to pinning her trousers.
In the meanwhile, do have fun with our pictures.
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Eijaz Khan to play Khalid Mohamed
Jul 28th
Film critic Khalid Mohamed is penning a play on his life and times; TV actor Eijaz Khan has been chosen to portray the role
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 28, 2010)
Not so long ago, film critic-turned-director Khalid Mohammed announced that he was making a film on his own life. The film in question was titled Rutba and Vikram Bhatt had agreed to produce it. Model-turned-actor Rajneesh Duggal had been signed to play Khalid.
But Khalid and Vikram had creative differences and the deal fell through. However, Khalid still nurses a desire to put his life up on stage — the endeavour is to be monikered Kennedy Bridge. TV actor Eijaz Khan, Anita Hasanandani’s ex-boyfriend, has been signed to play Khalid.
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| Eijaz Khan |
Pooja Bedi’s ex-boyfriend Hanif Hilal, who participated in the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3, plays an equally pivotal part in the play.
“Kennedy Bridge is a close version of some incidents, which took place in Khalid’s life. The play is very close to Khalid’s heart. There are some very delicate moments in the story. Some changes will be introduced in Eijaz’s look to suit the character,” says a source.
Khalid has called Eijaz and Hanif to his residence several times to narrate portions of his life to help them get under the skin of their characters.
All the meetings have lasted for nearly three to four hours. Eijaz, who is currently out of the country, remained unavailable for comment.
However, Hanif confirmed that he is acting in Khalid’s play Kennedy Bridge. “I cannot reveal my part, but it is integral to the script.
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| Khalid Mohamed |
We have started rehearsing. We should be coming out with the first show in September,” he said.
When contacted on Monday, Khalid said, “I am very busy. I am having dinner,” and hung up. After that, he did not respond to our calls or text messages.
Rahl Mahajan stalking Payal?
Jul 28th
Newly-wed Rahul is harassing Payal Rohatgi with too many tinkles, she alleges
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 28, 2010)
Indeed, Rahul Mahajan’s metrosexual-but-oh-so-sensitive attitude towards Dimpy Ganguly’s middleclass-bordering-on-bovine simplicity won a lot of hearts but the truth had to surface. Seems like Rahul and Dimpy’s national marriage is troubled already. Else, why is Rahul pursuing his ex-girlfriend Payal Rohatgi?
Apparently, Rahul has been calling Payal incessantly at odd hours for over a month now. He has also been sending her text messages. A source says, “He (Rahul) is indeed pursuing her (Payal), texting her that he’d like to meet her. It seems he can’t forget her.”
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| Payal Rohatgi |
That Rahul had even asked Payal to be a part of Swayamvar cannot be forgotten. At the time however Payal refused Rahul’s offer and told the media, “Please! He is a married man and I am not in touch with him. We used to be friends but that was a long time ago. He also offered to pay me Rs 1 crore to be a part of it. You see, he wanted a friend around. But I was used enough in Bigg Boss 2 to know better.”
Convoluted… yes. But Payal is not willing to take Rahul’s advances lightly anymore. She is not amused, the source adds, “Payal is not liking it at all. She is quite surprised by the number of messages she has received from him in the past few days.
She has categorically told Rahul to stop connecting with her. But he is adamant.” But then again, when it comes to ‘connecting’ with others (from this world or not), Rahul excels in it.
When contacted, Payal says, “What Rahul is doing by calling and sending me messages is very irritating. I am done with him. I don’t live in the past.” It is common knowledge that Payal was very close to Rahul until his roving eye chanced upon Monica Bedi in Bigg Boss 2. Did Payal take time to recover from that? “Not at all,” says Payal, “The most difficult period was when I was housed in Bigg Boss 2. I realised his true colours there.”
Rahul had called Payal “a time-pass” in the show; she has reason to be miffed. As for the house Rahul had gifted her, she had to vacate it after Bigg Boss 2. “Let’s not go there,” sighs Payal.
Despite repeated attempts, Rahul Mahajan remained unavailable for comment.
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| Rahul Mahajan with his wife Dimpy Ganguly |
Isha and Zaheer back together?
Jul 28th
Now that the couple is trying to give love a second chance, Isha is willing to make amends even at the cost of her career
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 28, 2010)
Not all cricket-Bollywood link-ups go the Harbhajan Singh-Geeta Basra way. India’s fast bowler Zaheer Khan and Bollywood actress Isha Sharvani are back together and are trying to make things work, come hell or high water. In fact, Isha is making serious amendments to her list of priorities, now that Zaheer and she are giving their relationship a second chance.
Isha and Zaheer dated for nearly two years before calling it quits in 2007, post which they didn’t stay in touch. Both of them quietly stepped out of the media glare to get back to their respective careers. Interestingly, neither Zaheer nor Isha was linked with anyone else in these two years of separation from each other. Obviously, the two couldn’t sever emotional ties. Now, they’ve decided to give love another chance.
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| Isha Sharvani |
Though no one knows who initiated the reconciliation, a source close to the couple tells Mumbai Mirror, “Despite splitting up, Isha and Zaheer could never forget each other. Friends in their circle knew that a reunion was inevitable.”
But it’s come at a cost. Though Isha can’t stop smiling after Zaheer came back into his life, she has started taking liberties with her career. Recently, she bunked the shoot of Kingdom Of Dreams in Delhi and she was eventually asked to leave the cast of the musical play.
A source says, “Isha and her fellow actors had been housed in Delhi to shoot for the musical play Kingdom Of Dreams. None of the actors from the play is supposed to leave the set, but Isha did not pay heed to this instruction.
She kept meeting Zaheer in Delhi. Now Isha is out of the project. Producers of Kingdom Of Dreams, Wizcraft International Entertainment, are talking to a new actress Kashmira (she acted in the TV show Amber Dhara) to play Isha’s role now.”
Viraf Sarkari, Director of Wizcraft International Entertainment, confirmed that Isha is out from Kingdom Of Dreams. He said, “She quit Kingdom Of Dreams because of personal reasons.”
So be it. Throwing light on how the reconciliation happened between Isha and Zaheer, a source says, “During one of their meetings in Delhi, they decided to take a call on their personal life.
After sufficient thought, they felt that they should give their relationship another shot.” Isha’s mother, dancer Daksha Seth, was apparently never happy about her daughter’s relationship with Zaheer. That hasn’t stopped Isha.
Zaheer and Isha first met at a function in 2005. The touring Australian team was leaving India and Isha was performing at the event. They got talking and exchanged numbers.
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| Zaheer Khan |
Later, they kept bumping into each other at parties and social dos and were soon drawn to each other. Reportedly, Zaheer even helped Isha find a place in Khar. It was reported that they were even living-in for a brief period.
When contacted, Isha asked what the story was all about. When told to comment on her reconciliation with Zaheer, she chose to remain quiet. She didn’t, as they say, play ball. And neither did Zaheer, who also chose not to comment.
Kundan Shah speaks about Ravi Baswani
Jul 28th
Kundan Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 28, 2010)
Ravi Baswani was a rare talent. I remember being in the pre-production stage of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, scouting for actors. That’s when I saw a play called Vallabhpur Ki Roopkatha at Prithvi in 1982, in which Ravi acted. I had already watched Chashme Buddoor and was hugely impressed by Ravi’s performance. But the play reconfirmed my belief that Ravi would be lucky for Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro.
Then he was living in an apartment called Tudor in Santacruz East, which had developed a cult status for struggling talent in Bollywood: Alok Nath, Rakesh Bedi, David Dhawan were all residing there. I went over to that apartment. I wasn’t expecting Ravi to accept the film but I knew that he was struggling despite the success of Chashme Buddoor.
Working with Ravi and Naseer was like magic. Ravi brought to life a theory I had conjured about directing comedy. I called it the ‘comic cement’. If one actor has it in him, the other will follow. In this case, I always believe that it was Ravi Baswani whose stellar performance goaded Naseer to shine as well, for Naseer I never thought of as an out-and-out comic actor. Ravi though was.
At a pre-release screening of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, famed playwright Vijay Tendulkar told me that it was Ravi’s stupendous performance that stood out. And it was true. But there was no denying the hard work Naseer and Ravi had put in as a team. During the making of the film, the two of them would keep improvising, re-working their dialogues at a perturbing regularity, the professional chemistry between the two actors was incredible, no matter what.
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| A still from Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro |
Those were socialist times and there was a funding structure based on hierarchy. At first Ravi’s fees had been slotted higher up on the ladder; later we felt the need to reduce this because we had to pay some extra crewmembers. Ravi was informed of this and he took it in his stride.
Given the unbelievable success of the film, we even starting working on a sequel, which was supposed to be a commissioned project. I tried to write a script but never actually got around to doing it.
Ravi was keen on making cinema; he became in the later years more preoccupied with the social aspect, the responsibility that comes as an actor and a director. “You can only be what you want to be if you give up your past,” he would often say to me. I would wonder if this was some nostalgic reference to his most recognized success in the film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro.
But I never asked him, considering this could have been quite an emotional for him. And now I never can.
What a fine and unique gentleman he was.
RIP Ravi Baswani
Jul 28th
MUMBAI MIRROR; July 28, 2010
(29 September 1946 – 27 July 2010)
Ravi Baswani, acclaimed actor, who shot to fame with the cult comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), passed away in Shimla yesterday when shooting for a film he was planning to direct.
He was 64. Having debuted in the Sai Paranjpe’s Chashme Buddoor in 1981, Ravi Baswani did many films as a character artiste.
His performance in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro earned him a Filmfare Best Comedian Award.
The film he was planning to direct was about a 10-year-old orphan who lives with his grandmother in the hills.
The actor died of a massive heart attack, last afternoon, in Haldwani, near Nainital.
Ravi Baswani’s friend actor Zakir Hussain told Mumbai Mirror, “I believe he was coming from Nainital back home to Delhi.
He was accompanied by a couple of people who were working with him on a children’s film, which he planned to direct in the near future.
Ravi had spoken to a few people who had agreed to produce the film. The team had gone to Nainital to scout for locations. The plan was to shoot the film in the hilly regions in and around Nainital.”
Explaining what transpired, close friend Ashok Pandit said, “Ravi suffered a cardiac attack. By the time they could get medical aid in Haldwani, he had passed way. His death has come as a big shock.”
Sudesh Sayal who produced a TV show directed by Ravi Baswani, called Panchi said, “Ravi had no bad habits like smoking or drinking. He was a very simple man.”
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