Posts tagged newspaper

I can’t give hourly updates on my life-Rani Mukerji

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Anubha Sawhney Joshi | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; January 2, 2011)

I am a good girl, claims Rani Mukerji. A paradoxical statement from someone, whose latest film promos show her both smoking and swearing. But the light eyed actress can’t understand why such a ruckus is being created. “People curse when they’re very angry. Sometimes that’s the best way to express one’s emotions. I wonder why some people are acting all shocked at my character,” she questions, her eyes flashing in disapproval. “Also, anyone who’s seen my film “Bichhoo” would know that the words I use in “No One Killed Jessica” (NOKJ) are nothing compared to that.” Remind her gently that not many would have heard of — let alone seen — “Bichhoo” (2000), and she shoots back, “Trust me, all my fans remember that film.”

Rani talks a lot about her fans. That’s why, it’s surprising she’s not on any social networking website, giving them regular updates on her daily doings. “I just can’t keep up with that. Forget my fans, I can’t give anyone an hourly update on my life. I’ve never done it, I can’t begin now.”

Speak to her for a bit and her selfassurance is evident. The fact that she hasn’t given a hit since “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” (2006) hasn’t shaken her confidence. “Of course, I care about box office success. When you work hard on a film, you want people to watch it, you want the producer to make money, you want accolades for your performance. So yes, I am bothered about how More >

Abandoned woman inspires Antara’s film

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

So moved was Antara Mali with one of our articles on an abandoned woman that she decided to base the story of a character in her forthcoming film on her

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 12, 2010)

Merely a few days ago, Mumbai Mirror had reported on a mentally disturbed woman, Mekhla Mukherjee, who was rescued recently (Abandoned by family, woman rescued after 7 years of bail, Aug 3, 2010). Inspired by this, Antara Mali has decided to make it a subject of research.

The actress is scripting a film in which the story of one the characters will be based on Mekhla’s life.

After reading Mekhla’s ghastly tale of being abandoned by her husband and then her own family in our newspaper, Antara wanted to include a character in her film, which would be inspired by the kind of person Mekhla is and the life she has led.

Confirming this, Antara said, “I am writing a thriller. The track on one of the characters in the film has a similarity to Mekhla’s life. I would like to meet Mekhla very soon.”

Before meeting the victim though (which Antara plans to do soon), the actress will meet Mumbai Mirror correspondent Ram Parmar next week, so that he can brief her on the details of the case.

Antara has already begun researching on the abandoned girl. “A few days ago, I met a friend who knew Mekhla in her happy days. I want to gather as much information on her as possible,” said the actress.

What prompted her to write this? “I did a course in creative writing. More >

No plans to make Ishqiya 2-Abhishek Chaubey

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

By Taran Adarsh, July 27, 2010 – 08:24 IST

Is Vishal Bhardwaj planning a sequel to the much-acclaimed ISHQIYA? At least that’s what a section of the media would like us to believe. But the news is mere speculation. “No, there are no plans to make a sequel. I read about it in the newspapers and was quite amused. The fact is, there’s no truth to it. In fact, the thought of making a sequel hasn’t even crossed my mind,” ISHQIYA director Abhishek Chaubey clarifies.

So what is the talented director making next? “I have commenced writing my next script. This one’s set in North India. The screenplay will take another two months to complete and only then will we take it further,” Abhishek divulges. Is his mentor Vishal Bhardwaj producing the film? “Yes, he is. I will narrate the screenplay to Vishal-ji once I am done,” he adds.

BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM

Court denies stay on ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Rebecca Samervel | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; July 21, 2010)

Mumbai: Producer Ekta Kapoor can breath a sigh of relief. A city civil court on Tuesday refused to stay the release of the Ajay Devgn-starrer Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, after the adopted son of Haji Mastan filed a suit praying for a “permanent order of injunction’’ against the release of the film. The court, however, directed that a disclaimer clarifying that the film had no resemblance to the life of Mastan should be given at the beginning.

Colaba-based Sundar Shaekhar alias Suleman Mirza had alleged that Kapoor and the director Milan Luthria have “claimed in clear terms that the film is based on the character of Mastan along with other anti-social elements like Dawood’’. This, he said, would mar the reputation of Mastan, who died in 1994.

Kapoor’s lawyer Dinesh Gandhi argued that no such remark was made by Kapoor to any newspaper. “They can publish whatever they want Have they quoted us?’’ he said. He also stated that in a letter, they had denied all the allegations and also that the story was a work of fiction.

“If Haji Mastan was not an underworld person as you say, then why are you connecting him to a film based on the underworld?’’ Gandhi argued. He remarked that Mirza should approach the censor board to register his objection there.

The suit is filed by Mirza and the Bharatiya Minorities Suraksha Mahasangh, an organisation founded by Mastan, of which Mirza is the chairman. He alleged More >

Movie Review: PAATHSHALA by TARAN ADARSH

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3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

By Taran Adarsh, April 16, 2010 – 11:00 IST

Pick up a newspaper or surf news channels and I’m sure, atrocities being committed on students by teachers/principals wouldn’t escape your attention. Also do a Google and so many results on this topic would open up in a fraction of seconds.

Educational institutions – not all, but a few definitely – are in a crazy rush to create a brand for themselves and even parents [not all, again] are keen that their kids become scholars and whiz kids overnight. Resultantly, the child is not just burdened with a bulky school bag on his back, but also carries the burden of ambitions, aspirations and unfulfilled dreams on his tiny, frail shoulders.

BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM

PAATHSHAALA merely touches the tip of the iceberg. It attempts to answer questions related to the sanctity of today’s education system. It sheds light on the shortcomings in today’s schools and how morals and ethics associated with the teaching profession seem to have taken a complete backseat. Let’s not compare it with TAARE ZAMEEN PAR or 3 IDIOTS, although a few sequences, in these two trend-setting films, threw light on the pressures on students.

On the brighter side, the acting is distinguished. Nana underplays beautifully, Ayesha adds to the sunshine moments, but it’s Shahid who pitches in a commendable and convincing act.

PAATHSHAALA, penned by Ahmed Khan and directed by Milind Ukey, is well-intentioned. It has a lot to say, but the predicament More >

Mani Ratnam films a real life inspired dangerous action scene

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3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Taking inspiration from real life, Mani Ratnam asks action director of Raavana to shoot a scene, which could have had devastating results had the timing gone wrong

By Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 30, 2010)

One of the finest filmmakers in India, Mani Ratnam is nearly ready with his most ambitious film Raavana. While shooting for an extremely risky action scene for the film, he took inspiration from a real life incident, which almost killed him in 1995.

A source said, “Mani wanted stunt director Sham Kaushal to shoot an action sequence where a petrol bomb was being used. The scene was being shot with Vikram and Aishwarya Rai. It was a difficult scene to execute as Mani wanted the bomb to blast midair, a few feet away from Vikram, just seconds before it would hit the ground.

If there was even a slight error in the timing of the blast, Vikram would get seriously injured. Mani insisted that the scene should be executed just the way he wanted it and that too with Vikram, Aishwarya and rest of the actors in the frame.”

Commenting on why Mani was so adamant on making the scene as precarious as possible, the source said, “Mani himself had been in a similar situation when his film Bombay had released and a bomb had blasted midair and he was saved by just a few seconds in 1995.”

Sham Kaushal, action director of the film, confirmed the news and said, “Yes, it was an extremely difficult scene but Mani sir was very clear about the way he More >

Riteish says Tilgul ghya godd godd bola

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3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

FLYING HIGH: Riteish Deshmukh

Riteish Deshmukh plays Kite Runner and shares fond memories of Makar Sankranti

MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; January 14, 2010)

What’s Riteish Deshmukh going to be doing today? We can tell you. The actor, who is in a festive mood because of Makar Sankranti and his forthcoming films Rann and Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai, will be flying kites from the terrace of his apartment block in Worli Seaface. Makar Sankranti today, or the Kite Festival, marks the end of winter and the onset of spring. It is also the Maharashtrian harvest day and one of the many (Lohri in the North, Pongal in the South) in India. And Riteish says that as a child he eagerly looked forward to this day in the Hindu calendar.

“Dad (Vilasrao Deshmukh) was a minister even during the phase when I was growing up. And I remember waiting for the sankranti festival. It meant I could collect all the children in the workers’ quarters and go on to the terrace to fly kites,” says Riteish. He remembers attempting to make his own kites out of newspapers. “And those kites would invariably turn out to be too heavy and wouldn’t fly,” he laughs. The manja that was sharpened with grated glass and other such elements cut his hands… but the excitement of the kite-flying was so high, that little mishaps didn’t matter. Riteish also remembers the other important tradition of distributing til ka laddoos. “We would greet every guest and house member saying, “Tilgul ghya godd godd bola.’ More >

Movie Review: ACCIDENT ON HILL ROAD by TARAN ADARSH

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3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

By Taran Adarsh, January 1, 2010 – 12:30 IST

What do you do when you, accidentally, bang into someone on the road? Flee from the spot? Call for help? Dial the cops? Rush the victim to the hospital?

Pick up a newspaper and chances are you might glance upon a hit-and-run case only too often. ACCIDENT ON HILL ROAD, a remake of STUCK [Mena Suvari, Stephen Rea], raises a few questions in its own way. Perhaps, the intentions were right, but what eventually unfolds on screen isn’t.

The problem with ACCIDENT ON HILL ROAD is that it loses focus after a point and that takes away the seriousness from the issue.

BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM

Sonam [Celina Jaitly] is a nurse who accidentally steers her car into the harmless Prakash [Farooque Shaikh], sending him flying through the windshield. Not wanting to jeopardize her future, Sonam, along with her drug-peddling boyfriend Sid [Abhimanyu Singh], chooses not to get him medical help, leaving him clinging to life in her garage.

But soon her psyche begins to unravel as the captor and captive are pitted against each other in a battle for survival.

ACCIDENT ON HILL ROAD had the potential to be a thought-provoking film that pricks your conscience, but what comes across is a half-baked attempt that runs out of steam soon after the intermission. In fact, the film begins quite well and a few moments as well as the twists and turns in the first half do keep you on the edge.

But the writing [screenplay adapted by Mahesh Nair and Siddharth More >

Akki in search of a 17 year old!

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3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in
Nikhil Advani will hold a nation-wide contest to choose a teenager, who will play the 17-year-old Akshay Kumar in Patiala House By Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 17, 2009) Akshay Kumar

Although Nikhil Advani’s Patiala House is set to go on the floors next month, his casting troubles are far from over.

After roping in Akshay Kumar and Anushka Sharma for the lead roles, Nikhil is now looking for a youngster who will play the 17 year-old Akshay Kumar.

Our source said, “The film’s team was tired of auditioning and watching show reels. None of the boys fulfilled the requirements. So, Akshay suggested that they conduct a nation-wide hunt. The participants essentially have to match Akshay’s height and body language.”

The contest will begin from December 1. The advertisements announcing the same will be published in newspapers across India. Moreover, the filmmakers have tied up with two news channels, one entertainment channel and a multiplex chain for the contest. The entries will be collected from December 1 to December 15. Director Nikhil Advani, will select ten semi-finalists. The winner will then be chosen by Akshay Kumar.

Talking about Akshay’s determination, Nikhil said, “Akshay is very keen on casting someone who comes from a real background. At 17, Akshay was a typical middle class boy; he wants some of his qualities to show in the boy who will play him in the film.”

Patiala House will be produced by Bhushan Kumar and Mukesh Talreja. The film More >

Movie Review: MOHANDAS by TARAN ADARSH

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3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

By Taran Adarsh, September 4, 2009 – 11:31 IST

Browse a newspaper or surf news channels and I am sure, you’d be enlightened with more than a hundred stories in the course of a day. But not all stories have the potential to be adapted for the big screen. MOHANDAS suffers due to this reason.

MOHANDAS is a poignant tale and is well shot too, no doubt, but the question is, does it hold your attention for the next 2 hours? In parts, yes, not in totality. At best, MOHANDAS might strike a chord in the film festival circuit, that’s it! Catering to a really miniscule audience.

BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM

Meghna [Sonali Kulkarni], a correspondent working at a news channel in New Delhi, receives a videotape from a remote place in Madhya Pradesh. On the tape, a battered young man claims to be the real Mohandas [Nakul Vaid] and alleges that someone else has stolen his identity. Someone else is living as ‘Mohandas’.

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Intrigued by what looks like an unusual small-town scam, Meghna makes a trip to that place. There, she unearths the true story. Mohandas is a topper in studies and is overjoyed when he is selected for a job in Oriental Coal Mines. But he is kept waiting and waiting to actually get the job. Long afterwards, when he has given up and reconciled to it, he learns that someone else has assumed his name and has already taken his job. When he rushes to protest, he is beaten up and thrown out.

Meghna places this story in the media. Harshvardhan [Aditya Srivastava], a More >

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