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Posts tagged priyadarshan
Don’t like to make vulgar comedies-Priyadarshan
07 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Priyadarshan on his latest comic outing
Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; September 28, 2012)
The audience will get to watch a comedy by Priyadarshan after a long gap… I have never believed in making comedies for the heck of it. I don’t like to make vulgar comedies with double meanings that cannot be watched by the entire family. Comical situations are naturally woven into my story. Ultimately, it is the story that hooks the audience. But Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal (KDM) is not entirely a comedy. There is high drama, too.
Go on… Humour and drama have always worked for me. Bhool Bhulaiyaa was a comedy blended with horror, Hera Pheri was a comedy with action and in KDM, I have combined comedy with suspense. Nana Patekar’s character, Sam, is a mystery. When this stranger comes to town, he sparks off chaos. And when he enters Johney’s life, (Shreyas Talpade), it goes through complete transformation. The story explores the Nana-Shreyas angle.
This is the first time you have worked with Nana. I have always wanted to make a film with Nana. I had even written stories, but they never got executed. He wanted to do something different. With the kind of persona Nana has, it suits him best to convey humour with a straight face. My film does that. He has only a few lines and speaks through his expressions and body language.
What kind rapport did Nana and you share off the sets? Ahhh… lovely! Most of the time, he was cooking (laughs). All my assistants were afraid because they had heard More >
Comedy came by chance-Paresh Rawal
07 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Jayoti Soor (DNA; September 27, 2012)
From a villain to a simpleton, whose deadpan expression is sure to tickle your funny bone, actor Paresh Rawal has donned different hats on screen. His wry tone while answering our questions shows that he does not have to try too hard to deliver comic dialogues with a straight face.
Asked whether comedy comes naturally to him, Paresh says, “It came by chance, it took a director of Priyadarshan’s calibre to discover the latent comedian in me. I am just a normal man at the end of the day and in real life I don’t go about delivering a string of jokes.”
The actor in him rebels at the thought of being typecast. He says, “The moment your film becomes a hit, you get the same kind of roles coming your way. I did Sardar with Ketan Mehta and a couple of films with Mahesh Bhatt that explored a very different facet of me.” He adds that as an actor you just have to go with the flow as the type of films offered are not under your control.
When prodded about the kind of roles that he would like to play, he says, “Sholay was just a commercial success. I relate more to films like Guide in which every character stands on his own,” and adds, “I am looking out for well-written roles that motivate and challenge me.” Speaking about his future projects, he seems excited about his upcoming release OMG Oh My God. “It’s a path-breaking film as it will shake you up and change your way of thinking. Such thought-provoking films really enthuse me.”
Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal to be postponed thanks to OMG?
18 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 18, 2012)
Akshay Kumar’s OMG Oh My God and Priyadarshan’s Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal (KDM) are slated for a September 28 release and producers of KDM have been inundated with ‘requests’ from the other camp to postpone release.
Interestingly, KDM director Priyan, who happens to be a close friend of Akshay, seems to have fallen in line with the postponement persuasion plan. And the latest is Anil Agarwal, a close associate of Ponty Chadha, whose company is the worldwide distributor of OMG, called the KMD producers with a ‘very serious request’ to postpone the film’s release.
“Mr Agarwal argued that releasing both films on the same day would be detrimental to the projects. The next thing Percept knew, word spread in the industry that KMD’s release was being postponed. But we are very sure we’re releasing on September 28,” said a source.
Shreyas-Madhhurima’s bittersweet moments
08 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; September 16, 2012)
Shreyas Talpade and Madhhurima, the lead pair of Priyadarshan’s Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal (KDM), had a blast shooting for the film.
Shreyas recalls a funny incident, “I challenged Madhhurima to have bitter gourd juice everyday on the pretext that it is the most potent health tonic. She, in all her adventurous spirit, took it on willingly and actually drank the juice everyday. This was one of many pranks I played on her and she took it all happily. Hats off to her sporting spirit!”
The actress later gave Shreyas and the unit members a taste of their own medicine. “She got us bitter gourd-flavoured ‘sweets’, which were in fact stuffed with chillies and passed these on as prasad. She had the last laugh too, I guess! She is the sweetest co-star I have worked with,” says the actor. The two are now looking forward to more fun during their forthcoming promotional tours.
Keeping the festive mood of Ganesh Chaturthi in mind, gold coins with KDM engraved on them, are going to be distributed during the promotional events of the film.
Produced by Percept Pictures, Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal releases September 28, 2012.
Paresh Rawal chooses OMG over Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal?
18 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
As Paresh Rawal zealously promotes his upcoming co-production, marketing plans around his film with Priyadarshan has hit a speed breaker
Jigar Shah (MID-DAY; September 13, 2012)
Paresh Rawal is known to be intensely media shy. However, this time he seems to have taken an exception for his upcoming film OMG Oh My God, which incidentally he is also co-producing. However in the bargain, his next film, Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal, with close friend Priyadarshan, (both films release on the same date) is apparently getting a step-motherly treatment from the veteran actor.
Our source says, “Paresh sir does not normally give interviews or believes in promoting his films. This time for his home production he is going all out to promote the film. He already has given interviews and has also gone on air on reality shows to talk about the project.”
Now the question is when will Paresh finally start promoting Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal. Sources from the marketing team of Priyan’s film say, “We are still awaiting Pareshji’s dates. We will start our promotions as soon as he gives us his dates.” Another source says, “Paresh has a lot more at stake with his film with Akshay Kumar as he is also the lead actor and the co-producer of the film.”
Locking horns? Incidentally, September 28 will also see the battle at the box office between two old friends Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar. Paresh Rawal features in both films. Akki and Priyan have worked in several films together before Hera Pheri, De More >
Priyan makes family films, thanks to embarassing childhood incident
08 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; September 2, 2012)
While most recent releases have been crime thrillers or mature comedies meant only for adults, Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal promises to be a film with universal appeal.
Says director Priyadarshan, “With Censor Board authorities getting miffed with filmmakers and satellite channels over adult entertainment, I am sure my film will be a delight for all. The whole family can watch it together.”
The film is packed with a formidable star cast — Nana Pateker, Paresh Rawal, Shreyas Talpade, Om Puri, Shakti Kapoor, Neeraj Vora and debutante Madhhurima.
Priyan, a filmmaker for three decades now, with over 86 films to his credit, says, “As long as my films excite the audience, I am happy. I have understood that people expect comedies from me. But, besides being funny, KDM also boasts of romance and action.”
Interestingly, it was an embarrassing childhood incident that made Priyan stick to clean entertainers. The director reveals, “As a child, I went to watch a film with my parents. There was an objectionable scene in it and I did not know where to look. I felt uncomfortable and so did my parents. This incident stayed in my mind. When I decided to become a filmmaker, I vowed never to make a film that a family cannot watch together.”
Paresh Rawal says it was the character that made him say ‘yes’ to the film. “I loved my role in the film. It is of a man totally in love with a woman he cannot marry, but still harbours feelings for her. Priyan More >
Priyadarshan to rework AIDS film sans stars
09 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 22, 2012)
Priyadarshan’s original plan of doing a film on AIDS with Akshay Kumar has fallen through. The miffed filmmaker has taken eight months off from direction and will focus on rewriting the script. This time, without any A-lister top-lining it.
Reportedly, Priyadarshan wants the script and not the star to be the focus of the film. A source close to the project said, “The subject of AIDS is close to Priyan’s heart. He approached his favourite actor Akshay Kumar for the role who showed a keen interest towards the issue. But for now nothing is materialising.”
Apparently, Akshay wanted the script to be jazzed up a little so that it could connect to the masses. Priyan, on the other hand did not want to turn a serious issue into a street play just to get audiences coming to theatres.
When contacted, Priydarshan said, “Yes, I am writing my film on AIDS all over again. After Kamaal Dhamaal Malaamal, I am not directing anything else for at least eight months. It’s a film that needs special treatment. I want to take it into the same zone as my Kancheevaram.”
When asked about the star-quotient, Priyan said, “I wouldn’t compromise. Please underline that. The subject would be the star of the film. I will make it with newcomers. I don’t want the theme to become a slave to a star’s image.”
Check out the poster of Anil Kapoor’s 24
09 months ago
Moreover, three filmmakers offer directorial services as Guest Editors on Kapoor’s 24
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 10, 2012)
The latest on Anil Kapoor’s ambitious desi version of the popular American television series 24 is that even as Abhinav Deo of Delhi Belly fame continues to hold the directorial reins, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Apoorva Lakhia and Priyadarshan have volunteered to be guest directors on the mega serial.
Deo will be, what a source close to the show informed, the Head of the Directorial Board. And the final call on inducting the three filmmakers in question will rest solely with him.
The trio may end up directing a few episodes of the Indian avatar of 24. This is not the first such instance in the television industry, where it is a known fact that no one director shoots the entire programme from the first to the last episode. Moreover, desi 24, like its American counterpart, will run for eight seasons with each season comprising 24 episodes.
According to the source, Mehra, Lakhia and Priyadarshan are familiar with the original 24. “They have a fabulous working relationship with Anil. When they offered their services, Anil felt really honoured,” said the source.
It is learnt Anil met up with each of the three filmmakers separately in his Juhu office and Deo was present at all the meetings. Interestingly, Anil is trying out various looks in his upcoming series and the actor’s fans have been sending him suggestions as well. “The shoot of 24 begins More >
Nana Patekar makes Priyadarshan quit smoking
09 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 10, 2012)
He used to be a chain smoker but managed to kick the butt (and alcohol) nearly four years ago. And now, Nana Patekar, who is working closely with director Priyadarshan on Percept Pictures’ Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal, has succeeded in influencing Priyan (as Priyadarshan is fondly called), who used to be a heavy smoker, to give up the habit.
Self-professed teetotaler Nana told Mirror, “Priyan is like a little child. He is so excited by his film that he lives and breathes it, and doesn’t take care of his health. I had asked him to quit smoking but when Priyan met me this time and told me he is indeed quitting the addiction, I felt very happy. Smoking kills you.”
Asked how he managed to quit smoking and drinking, Nana said, “It happened suddenly. One morning, I just got up and said, ‘No more cigarettes.’” We do hope Priyan sticks to his decision.
Jackky Bhagnani in Priyadarshan’s next
09 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; July 30, 2012)
Ditching high speed chases a la Tezz, Priyadarshan’s next is about love. The film’s still untitled, but the director has signed Jackky Bhagnani for the lead. The film’s about youngsters who fall in love and get married in haste, and then get divorced equally recklessly. South actress Priya Anand plays the lead with Jackky. Priyan has already started shooting in Mumbai and says, “Keeping the story in mind, I’m shooting in a natural environment. A few scenes have been shot in the rains too, and 30 per cent of the film is done.”
About Jackky, Priyan says, “I watched a song from Ajab Ghazab Love and the ease with which he danced impressed me. He wasn’t camera-conscious; he was quite at ease.”
In the movie, Jackky plays a college student who, like boys his age group, experiences love. “But the real meaning of love is what my story conveys. Jackky has the boynext-door, college kid look and he was just right for the part. In the film, his character hails from a middle-class family in Mumbai who travels by bus and lives a normal life,” said Priyan, adding, “We will finish the Mumbai schedule soon and then go to Mysore for the next one. I plan to release the film by January next year.”