Posts tagged om puri

Bellucci, Gibson to shoot in India for film on Malala?

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1 month ago
by Fenil Seta in

Jyothi Prabhakar (BOMBAY TIMES; April 6, 2013)

 

If all goes as planned, Mel Gibson and Monica Bellucci will be spotted shooting in various parts of India for filmmaker Amjad Khan.He is making a film in English on Pakistani teenage education activist Malala Yousafzai. Says Amjad,“The film is currently titled Gul Makai. It means cornflower, and it’s the name Malala used for writing her blog. If at all this changes for permission reasons, it will just be Malala.” He adds, “We start on May 22 in Bhuj, India. Thereafter, we go to Bhedaghat in Jabalpur (MP) as it resembles the Swat Valley on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border (where Malala was shot at). Next,we go to Jaipur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer. After that,we go to Tehran, Iran and then come back to Mumbai for the fifth schedule. The last leg of shooting will be in London.” But who is playing Malala? “Her identity needs to be kept under wraps for security reasons. The minute the formalities for her to play the role are finalised, I will reveal her name. At this point,all I can say is she is not Indian,but South Asian.” Kay Kay Menon, Seema Biswas, Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah also feature in this film.

Om Puri in no mood for reconciliation; files for divorce

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2 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Mirror finds out that the veteran actor had filed for divorce last July

Yogesh Naik and Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 21, 2013)

 

It’s been a while since their marriage hit a rocky patch and the only reason why Om Puri and wife Nandita haven’t separated yet is their 15-year-old son Ishaan.

Yesterday though, Mirror was surprised to chance upon Om at the Family Court in Bandra. After all, the actor had told this newspaper in June 2011 that Nandita and he had signed a MOU, where she had asked for two years before an official divorce, putting up certain conditions related to property etc. which he had agreed to. Later, in July 2011, we had reported that Nandita and her lawyer had received a letter from Om’s lawyer, asking her for a divorce. However, she didn’t consent at the time and a few months down the line, the couple decided to give their marriage a second chance. All was well for a while but by end-2011, the cracks in their relationship resurfaced.

Given this context, we were left wondering as to what Om was doing in court. After some digging, we found he had already filed for divorce in July 2012. Just that “he didn’t want to make a noise about it and hadn’t even told his close friends, which is why it never made it to the headlines till date,” Om’s friend revealed.

When contacted, Nandita confirmed Om wants to end their marriage. “But Ï have still not signed the papers. I am not taking this lying down. I have filed a legal suit against him under the Hindu More >

Mallika embarrassed to get steamy in front of mom

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3 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

 

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; February 3, 2013)

 

Mallika Sherawat is shooting for Dirty Politics, a film on Bhanwari Devi in Indore. We’ve heard few portions in the film will be steamy, since it has been inspired by a scandal. And Mallika who has to do intimate scenes with Om Puri has got cold feet. Mallika says, “The film has intimate scenes. It will be awkward for me, considering Om Puri is such a senior actor. I am hoping not many people are present on set while these bold scenes are being shot.” Adding to her dilemma is the fact that her mother is accompanying her to the shooting. “My mother is here with me. She will be around for 4-5 days and I’m hoping she leaves before these scenes begin. I won’t be comfortable doing them in front of her for sure.”

We want to be NIRBHAYA, cry citizens, celebrities

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4 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

The silent protest led by Shabana Azmi resonated with angry sentiments against the administration and judiciary. With hundreds in attendance, the gathering urged the political class to take swift action

Garima Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; December 31, 2012)

 

The city that saw nurse Aruna Shanbaug turn into a vegetable 40 years ago after being sexually assaulted by a ward boy and more recently, 25-year-old Pallavi Purkayastha being murdered by a watchman for spurning his sexual advances, erupted in anger once again to the news of Nirbhaya’s death. The 23-year-old Delhi girl, brutally gangraped a fortnight ago, was christened Nirbhaya by The Times Of India for her will to live.

Now, her death seems to have awakened our society, which has been fighting passiveness for a long time. Simultaneous protests erupted in various parts of the country after news of her death spread. In Mumbai, Shabana Azmi called for a silent protest. The march, from Juhu Beach to Kaifi Azmi park, saw many Bollywood and theatre personalities, including Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Nadira Babbar and Om Puri show up. The unanimous sentiment at the march was that cities need to become safer for women and parents shouldn’t feel scared when daughters step out. Jaya Bachchan broke down as she spoke about the “horror” Nirbhaya had faced. Javed Akhtar suggested a few changes, including holding senior police officials accountable for such crimes. Others like Hema Malini, Ritesh Sidhwani, Goldie Behl, Sonali More >

Om Puri to make film on his own life

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7 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 2, 2012)

 

It was Shyam Benegal who planted the idea in Om Puri’s head. And now the actor is all set to make a film on his own life.

“Shyam Benegal told me: ‘I smell a film in your life’. The smell he spoke about has now reached my nostrils. I feel my life is composed of many chapters – of hardships, struggle, heartbreak, success and failure,” Om told Mirror.

Om, who thinks a book would perhaps been a better medium to tell his story, has chosen cinema only because of its reach.

“My mother was the biggest influence in my life. I watched her being physically abused by my father. Every week he’d slap her once or twice. I’d seethe in rage and wonder why my mother took it. Many years later I came to know the reason for my father’s anger. You see, my mother was from a wealthy family. When she inherited her father’s property she refused to take it and preferred to let her brothers have all the ancestral wealth. Her logic was simple. Once she married my father she was no longer her parents’ or her brothers’ responsibility. I bow to my mother and all the women and men who have left a deep impression on me,” the actor told us.

This film would be Om’s “microcosmic homage” to his own existence. Also, he will turn director with the film.

Says the actor, “It’s time for me to move to another level. I am acting in a Punjabi play with Divya Dutta. We’ll take the play all over the world beginning with Canada. I want to direct plays.”

Om intends to do a More >

Om Puri discharged from hospital

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7 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

The veteran actor, who was recently found to have typhoid and hospitalised in Barabanki, is back on his feet

Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 24, 2012)

 

Recently, veteran actor Om Puri went through a health scare when he was diagnosed with typhoid and had to be admitted to a local hospital in Barabanki for three days.

Ever since, there have been alarming reports concerning his health. Speaking to Mirror yesterday afternoon from Barabanki, where he has been shooting for the past fortnight, Om assured he was fine and back on his feet.

“A few days ago, on September 20, I woke up shivering from my afternoon siesta. It scared the hell out of me. I immediately called my assistant, who rang up my producer. Since I know many people in Barabanki, a doctor arrived in no time. After tests, I was found to have typhoid, and admitted in a local hospital for three days. And now I’ve been discharged and advised to take it easy. I plan to resume shooting from Monday,” he said, adding, “I didn’t inform my family members as I didn’t want to frighten them. I just want to eat right and stay fit now.”

I believe in buri nazar-Esha Gupta

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8 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Actress talks about her upcoming horror film ‘Raaz 3′, working with Bipasha Basu and carrying a tiger’s eye to ward off evil

Jigar Shah (MID-DAY; August 29, 2012)

 

Esha Gupta’s family has been a big fan of horror films over the decades. Little surprise that Esha grabbed the third film in the Raaz franchise with both hands. Speaking to us over the phone, the actress talks about sharing screen space with Bipasha Basu the original heroine of Raaz and keeping her own talisman to guard her from evil…

We’ve heard you were a fan of the original Raaz? Yes, also my parents are big fans of horror films. In fact, Zee Horror Show and Aahat were the only serials we were allowed to see late in the night. I remember seeing Raaz on cable though it was a very bad print. It was one of the best horror films that had been made in India and I still remember the scenes where Bipasha’s hair flies in the air… they were really scary! But I was very apprehensive about the current installment. I didn’t know if I would be able to act properly.

Do you believe in black magic? Buri nazar is something that I very much believe in. My make-up people and my stylist put a black tikka behind my ear when they find me looking good. I come from Delhi and people there believe a lot in buri nazar. In fact, ever since I joined the industry, I carry a tiger’s eye with me for safety.

How was it working with Bipasha Basu? When I met Bipasha for the first time I was scared but she was just like a friend. I have seen More >

Mallika Sherawat to seduce Om Puri

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8 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Her role in Dirty Politics is based on Bhanwari Devi

Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 25, 2012)

 

Om Puri, while filming an item song with Mallika Sherawat in Bin Bulaye Baraati, had said, “Contrary to her image she is so decent, she should be called Mallika Sharaafat.” The actor had also expressed his wish to work with the actress ‘at length’. And now his prayers have been answered. Mirror learnt that Mallika has been cast opposite Puri in KC Bokadia’s Dirty Politics, a film based on the alleged murder of Bhanwari Devi by a politician from Rajasthan.

While Om plays the politician, Mallika is cast as the temptress who seduces the politician and then gets sucked into a murky political game culminating in her murder.

Apparently the actress was Bokadia’s first choice for the role. But the remuneration played the villain.

According to a source close to the project, “Mallika quoted a fee that was way too high for Bokadia’s budget. Every actor in the film from Om Puri to Jackie Shroff and Atul Kulkarni is working at a subsidised rate. But Mallika wouldn’t budge on her price. Finally Bokadia did something really smart. He sent Mallika 20 mins of the shot footage.”

The footage bowled her over. She apparently agreed to compromise on her price.

Producer-director Bokadia confirmed Mallika’s presence in the film and added, “I did have some problems in convincing her . But she has finally agreed. Because her role is very powerful. Mallika plays a Rajasthani street dancer whose More >

30 years later, Govind Nihalani to revisit Ardh Satya

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9 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

He’s ready with a sequel to his 1983 cult film. Shabana may reprise late Smita Patil’s role

Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 6, 2012)

 

Govind Nihalani’s 1980 cop film Ardh Satya that spawned a series of me-too ventures in the decades to follow, will finally have a sequel. The filmmaker confirmed the news and added, “What happened to Om Puri’s character of a cop after he killed the villain, Sadashiv Amrapurkar and surrendered to his superiors in the police force? That’s a question I want to answer.”

Nihalani had earlier made a film that was meant to be a follow up to Ardh Satya. “Dev starring Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Kareena Kapoor and Fardeen Khan was in spirit a follow-up to Ardh Satya. But it wasn’t a formal sequel. Now it’s time to continue the story of the cop Anant Welankar forward,” he said.

Nihalani revealed that his good friend Manmohan Shetty, who had produced Ardh Satya, had been asking him to direct a sequel to the classic cop saga. “Quite honestly, I’ve run out of excuses for not doing so. Manmohan Shetty and I have spoken about it recently,” admitted the filmmaker.

Explaining how he would take the story forward, Nihalani added, “Given the changed socio-political circumstances, what happens to Anant Walenkar when he comes out of jail as an old man after serving his sentence for killing the goon Rama Shetty? That would be the story.”

Nihalani is confident about having his lead actor Om Puri in the sequel. “Om ko to pakad hi lenge,” he told Mirror.

As for More >

Canada calling ‘English Vinglish’

0
9 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Sridevi’s comeback film is all set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival

Shakti Shetty (MID-DAY; July 26, 2012)

 

Looks like the cine-goers of Canada are ready to look past the major gaffe by the makers of Mausam at the Toronto International Film Festival last year. After the Shahid Kapoor starrer was pulled out of the festival just a day before it was scheduled to be screened, people wondered if the festival would ever again entertain another Bollywood project. But buzz is that the past has been forgotten now, and Sridevi’s comeback film English Vinglish is all set to have its world premiere at the event on September 14.

The film is scheduled to be part of the ‘Galas’ selection for a premiere but is not part of the competition. Our source says, “It will be showcased alongside films by Billy Bob Thornton, Roger Michell, Robert Redford, Mike Newell and Ben Afflek, amongst others. Along with Sridevi, co-star Adil Hussain and French actor Mehdi Nebbou who is part of the project, director Gauri Shinde and producer R Balki will be part of the team that’d be travelling to the premiere.

Incidentally, none of Sridevi’s earlier films have ever before screened internationally. According to the source, the film’s lingual characteristic played a huge role in its selection. In the film, Sridevi portrays a woman who does not know English, and in turn, is made to feel insecure by her family and society at large. The story follows her transformation and how she eventually More >

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