Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI
Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai changed my career-Emraan Hashmi
11 week ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Says Emraan about the character that now belongs to Akshay Kumar, even as he shoots for a Sufi song
Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 7, 2013)
When Mirror reached Filmistan Studio on Thursday, it resembled a busy Bombay Chawl where Emraan Hashmi was busy moving to a qawwali number for his upcoming film Ghanchakkar. We caught up with the actor in between shots. Excerpts from the conversation:
Do you ever feel you may have missed out cashing in on your popularity? (Nods) I think I have not built my brand like my colleagues. I like the fact that my popularity is restricted to films. It has worked for me so far. It’s only in the last three years that my career has got a big boost.
Can you elaborate? (Looks serious) In the initial phase, I was not even counted in the race of actors. I had successful films, but the industry didn’t count me as a saleable star. I was seen as someone who would only do Bhatt camp films. But now things have changed. I have figures to back my claim.
Have you seen the promos of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again? I have… (sits up).
Did you receive messages telling you that people wanted to see you in this film? (Looks at his phone, smiles) I have loads of messages man. See, I don’t have an answer.
Didn’t you want to take your character Shoaib forward? I am not against anything, but only because you are asking me for my opinion, I am telling you. Like I said, the film did very well and it changed my career. I think they took a very valid call. More >
Kangna Ranaut’s brilliant hat-trick as gangster’s moll
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; May 6, 2013)
Kangna Ranaut, who plays Mumbai gang-lord Manya Surve’s love interest in Shootout At Wadala (SAW), seems to be the all-time-favourite moll of gangster films. After earning acclaim for her performances in Anurag Basu’s Gangster and Milan Luthria’s Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai — she played a gangster’s girlfriend in both films — Kangna has scored a hat-trick with her latest portrayal in a similar genre, with critics and audience lauding her performance alike.
SAW director Sanjay Gupta especially chalked out the character of Vidya, Manya Surve’s love interest, after he learnt about her existence during his interaction with the police while researching on the subject.
Though her character was kept under wraps, Kangna ensured Vidya stood out with her portrayal and her on-screen chemistry with John Abraham. Bringing a certain tenderness to the raw machismo in the film, the actress essayed Vidya in a heart-wrenching, true-to-life manner that the National Award winner (Fashion) is known for.
All praise for his heroine, Gupta says, “Kangna is the tender soul of a very dangerous and violent world depicted in SAW. And it’s amazing how she has portrayed the character of Vidya minus any star trappings. She completely surrendered to the role and made it all her own.”
Besides being a powerhouse actress and eccentric style diva, Kangna is also among the most sought after leading ladies, proof of which lies in her line-up of films this More >
Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai almost got shelved-Milan Luthria
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Luthria reveals his plans for launching a production house even as he braces for the big Eid faceoff with Rohit Shetty
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 25, 2013)
He started off as an assistant director to Dharmesh Darshan in Lootere (1993), graduating to director with the 1999 action thriller Kachche Dhaage. However, it took a Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai (2010) and The Dirty Picture (2011) for the audience and Milan Luthria’s peers to sit up and take notice of his talent.
Mirror met up with the up and coming filmmaker, who is now gearing up to turn producer. Elaborating on his plans, Luthria said: “I will soon appoint new and young directors. I cannot be physically present at more than one place at a time and with the kind of talent around, why not go all out and form a big team. It’s a great feeling: being able to attract and nurture talent.”
However, he ruled out the possibility of investing in a sprawling office space. “Even a cottage will do,” he laughed, adding: “Actually, I am looking for a place to hide, where I won’t be disturbed. A place where story sessions will be sacred…”
From being a line producer in The Dirty Picture, this is simply natural progression for Luthria, whose first film as producer will be with Bhushan Kumar, followed by a joint venture with Ekta Kapoor, who has played a significant part in putting him in the spotlight in the first place.
But what took him so long, considering he has been around for a long time?
“I am a slow and steady kind More >
Ekta Kapoor lands in court for non-payment
08 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Advocate Rizwan Siddiquee had filed a complaint in the Andheri court alleging Balaji hasn’t paid him Rs 30,000 as professional charges
Bapu Deedwania (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 27, 2012)
Balaji head honcho Ekta Kapoor is caught in a legal wrangle and how!
Andheri-based advocate Rizwan Siddiquee had, in 2010, filed a complaint in the Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate Court, alleging non-payment of his professional charges on services rendered on certain agreements for Balaji Motion Pictures’ film, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. In response, Ekta moved the Bombay High Court for quashing the case and now, the High Court (HC) has stayed the proceedings in the Andheri court.
Siddiquee’s complaint says that in 2009,he drafted certain agreements for producer Ekta for her film, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. A year later, when, despite several reminders and two legal notices, the payment wasn’t made, he filed a complaint against her. “I had in good faith and on an absolute urgent basis, despite being on vacation with my family at that time, drafted several agreements for Balaji. Only after completion of work, did I raise an invoice for payment of a mere Rs 30,000. They did not make the payment even after that. My staff telephonically reminded them of non-payment for the first two months,” he told Mirror and said he was most disappointed that instead of appreciating his gesture and duly making the payment, the Balaji staff spoke rudely to his staff whenever they called.
Siddiquee More >
Imran’s look in OUATIM 2 inspired by Anil-Jackie?
09 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Imran Khan’s ‘tapori’ role in ‘Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai’ sequel is modelled on the looks of Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff from the 1980s
Jigar Shah (MID-DAY; September 7, 2012)
For his upcoming gangster film, Imran Khan had been busy doing his research to come up with the perfect look of a tapori. Buzz is that the look has now been finalized and it is going to be inspired by Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor, straight out of the 1980s.
A source says, “After doing films like I Hate Luv Storys and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, Imran was hell bent on getting a makeover. His look in the upcoming film with Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha will be very different from the past.”
Imran had even sent several members of his entourage to pick up clothes and other things that ooze of the tapori look. The source says, “It was finally decided that his look would be a blend between Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff of the ’80s when each of them epitomised the tapori look through their films.” Imran’s friend tells us, “Imran feels Anil and Jackie were the most stylish men from that era.”
I was on Ram Gopal Varma’s payroll for 4 yrs-Randeep Hooda
19 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Randeep Hooda in a candid chat with BT
Garima Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; August 23, 2012)
With all the notions about jats from north India, how did you find your place in Bollywood? Being a jat was my undoing in my initial years. I wasn’t tactful enough for this place. If I didn’t like a shot, I’d bluntly say that it was sh*t. This was misconstrued as arrogance. People said I was impossible to work with. Now I’m more tactful.
How long has your journey been to box office acceptance? For very long, I wasn’t able to find a place for myself in movies. After my initial success, I didn’t know how to capitalise on it. Gangster roles in movies became my thing… But I have gained acceptance now and the journey seems short. But, it came close to that not being the case.
How close? A few years ago, when I had no work and started believing that films weren’t a viable career, I thought of finding another job. I started training and riding horses and got consumed by that. It was a boon in disguise. It was at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse that I met Milan (Luthria). At the time, I felt my movies were topical, but they were releasing very late. I realised that you need someone in the industry, who you can speak to, about your choices.
Is it critical to have a mentor or a godfather to succeed in Bollywood? Let’s say that an advisor is important. Naseerbhai gives me good advice. He once told me that ‘you’re trying to plan your career too hard… your script should make a mark’, and that’s when I More >
Is Sonali Bendre changing sides?
010 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Actress may not be judging the new season of a TV reality show, but apparently she will be a part of another on a rival channel
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; August 8, 2012)
Sonali Bendre may not be judging another season of a talent-based reality show with the channel she has been associated with for the past few years. Buzz is that she will now judge a similar talent show on a rival channel.
Ever since it was announced that the actress would be making a comeback on the big screen with Milan Luthria’s film, the sequel to Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, starring Akshay Kumar, it was assumed that the actress was opting out of doing the television show. However a source maintains, “This was not the reason she has decided to give another season of the show a skip. Several names have been tossed around as judges for the new season.
But Sonali has been offered a lucrative deal with this channel that was revamped with a new name in December. At the moment things are under wraps and an announcement will be made shortly. They have already started inviting participants from across the country.” The upcoming talent-based show showcases the skills of children and their amazing acts.
Imran Khan learns Haryanvi for Vishal Bhardwaj’s next
010 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Shakti Shetty (MID-DAY; July 24, 2012)
Aamir Khan has been known for his perfectionism and now it appears Imran Khan is keen on following mamujaan’s footsteps. Imran — who recently made news for making an attempt to master the tapori lingo for his upcoming gangster saga — has hired a language teacher to perfect the finer nuances of the Haryanvi dialect.
Our source says, “Popular for his chocolate boy looks and rom-coms, Imran is all set to break free from stereotyping with his portrayal of sturdier characters on screen. He is playing a villager in director Vishal Bhardwaj’s forthcoming project, based in Haryana.
Understandably, the language is going to differ and the 29-year-old actor doesn’t wish to leave any aspect of his performance to chance.” As a result, the actor has taken upon himself to learn the finer nuances of the language and has hired professional help for the same.
Imran apparently is finding the whole experience amusing as well as enriching. The actor is also undergoing training in the kind of language spoken in Mumbai by goons the sequel to Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai with Milan Luthria. Our source adds, “Imran absorbs well and is really quick at picking up languages. He wants to be fluent in them.”
Emraan Hashmi on a rejection spree?
011 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
The actor’s apparently declined films by Nadiadwala cousins Sajid and Firoz
Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; July 2, 2012)
Following his recent box office success, Emraan Hashmi is ensuring that he doesn’t make any wrong moves. And that translates into him not wanting to be a part of ensemble films with more than two leading men. That’s why he has refused projects backed by both Nadiadwalas — Sajid and Firoz. Sources say the actor nixed the latter’s offer to step into Akshay Kumar’s role from the original, under the direction of Anees Bazmee.
According to our source, Bazmee met Emraan at the behest of his producer. “After Akshay stopped working with Firoz, reportedly over monetary issues, he has been trying to get other actors to play Akshay’s part in his movies. Abhishek Bachchan was roped in for Hera Pheri 4 and then Emraan was offered the sequel to Welcome,” reveals our informer, adding that Hashmi has become a much sought after actor courtesy his commercial viability. “While Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar will continue to play the characters they essayed in the original, Anees and Firoz thought Emraan would be apt for the role done by Akshay in Welcome, taking the franchise ahead with a new story.” However, it turns out that Hashmi wasn’t too keen. As our source divulges, “Emraan is doing very well as a solo hero. So, unless the script is strong, like in the case of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai and The Dirty Picture, he’s not interested in multi-actor films. So, when Anees More >