Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged rani mukerji
Celebrated lensman Jagdish Mali passes away
01 week ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; May 14, 2013)
Celebrated lensman Jagdish Mali, who was known by the less-informed only for his portraits on Rekha, passed away at noon on May 13. Bombay Times was fortunate to get some exclusive pictures shot by Jagi. A couple of months ago, the photographer was put in an embarrassing spot when a segment of the media reported that he was going through bad days. Fortunately, in his lifetime, he managed to regain some of his lost glory in print. Jagi lost his battle with life after he suffered a fall and was admitted to Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital. His actress-daughter Antara and son-in-law Che Kurien paid him frequent visits in the last week. The news of his death came as a rude shock to the Bollywood celebrities whom he had photographed in his halcyon days.
In his four-decade-long career, Jagi had a wide and illustrious portfolio. His father was an artiste and Jagi, who grew up in the middle-class bylanes of Bandra East, started his life shooting unusually sharp pictures of everyday life. Fate, of course, had other plans. Celebrities sought him out and got him to shoot their pictures because his camera often spoke more eloquently than he did.
Fastidious and moody like most artistes, Jagi would only shoot when he was inspired. While one will have to publish a tome to show his entire life’s work, the image that comes to mind as Jagi’s trademark shot is the black and white photograph of Aamir Khan’s Ghulam poster that shows the actor packing a More >
Timeless beauties who have romanced both father and son
01 week ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Jigar Shah (MID-DAY; May 13, 2013)
Madhuri Dixit has done an item number in the upcoming film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani with Ranbir Kapoor. Over a decade ago, Madhuri matched steps with Ranbir’s dad Rishi Kapoor in Yaraana and Prem Granth. Here’s an ode to these timeless actresses who managed to romance both father and son on the big screen…
MADHURI DIXIT: Rishi and Ranbir Kapoor were not the only fathers-on jodi that Mads got to romance. In Feroz Khan’s 1988 film Dayavan, she was paired opposite Vinod Khanna. At that time, Madhuri was 20 and Vinod 42 but their sensuous song together, Aaj phir tumpe, became a rage. Nine years later, Madhuri was paired opposite Vinod Khanna’s son Akshaye in Mohabbat which was directed by her then manager Rakesh Nath’s wife Reema.
DIMPLE KAPADIA: Sunny Deol and Dimple Kapadia came together in 1984 with Manzil Manzil. Later, Dharmendra acted with Dimple in Mast Kalandar in 1991 and, in fact, both of them even had a kiss in their next film Dushman Devta which also released in 1991.
SRIDEVI: This is a rare case when an actress worked with the son first and then the father. In 1990, Sridevi worked with Dharmendra as his lead in a film called Naka Bandi. Earlier in 1989, Sridevi worked with Sunny Deol in Chaalbaaz. In fact there are five other films in which Sridevi and Dharmendra were seen together.
RANI MUKERJ: It was 2001 when Rani Mukerji and Abhishek Bachchan worked for Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai. They later did films like Yuva, Bunty Aur Babli More >
Is Rani Mukerji’s Mardani inspired by Tejasvini?
02 weeks ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Jigar Shah (MID-DAY; May 7, 2013)
After Salman Khan hit the jackpot with his portrayal of a quirky cop Chulbul Pandey in Dabangg, everyone in Bollyood wanted to don the cop’s uniform.
This included Ajay Devgan (Singham), Akshay Kumar (Rowdy Rathore) or Shahid Kapur (in his next with Rajkumar Santoshi). Producer Aditya Chopra, however, went a step further when he decided to cast Rani Mukerji as a daring female cop in his film Mardani to be directed by Pradeep Sarkar.
However it seems that the film is apparently inspired by a yesteryear flick.
A source says, “Mardani is inspired by a 1994 film called Tejasvini which was directed by N Chandra and starred Vijay Shanti, Deepak Malhotra and Amrish Puri. The film also had a song called Mardani in it.”
The music of the film was composed by Lamikant Pyarelal and the track goes Ban Kar Aandhi Toofani Ladti Ja Zulam Se Mardani.”
A spokesperson of Yash Raj Films however maintains, “There is no truth to this.”
Have oomph; will reveal one day-Parineeti Chopra
03 weeks ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Parineeti Chopra shoots from the hips when we quiz her about sex appeal, Maneesh Sharma and the perks of being an actress
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 26, 2013)
Parineeti Chopra was shooting at Film City for Hasee Toh Phasee with Sidharth Malhotra when Mirror caught up with her. With a special mention for her performance in Ishaqzaade at the 60th National Awards and a slew of rather interesting films on the anvil, she is never at a loss for words, even when we try to catch her off guard with the tricky questions. Excerpts from the conversation:
There was a time when you disliked actors and acting, isn’t it? (Laughs) Yes, I used to think that the profession was an excuse to wear too much makeup, travel far and wide, and make quick money. Let me be more candid. I thought actors were successful for no reason. And everyone at YRF would tell me what a big dramebaaz I was.
If we are not wrong, even Anushka Sharma used to address you the same way… Yes. Even Rani Mukerji used to tell me the same thing. (Pauses) Slowly I realised acting was no cakewalk. And I started nursing a strong desire to make a splash in Bollywood.
And your second film Ishaqzaade got you a speacial mention at the 60th National Awards… I am very excited at the thought of receiving this honour from the President of India. I will never forget that day when I started receiving a flurry of messages congratulating me for the same. But I couldn’t believe it until Karan Johar and my sister sent me a More >
Huma can give Konkona a run for her money-Kannan Iyer
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Well begun is half done. That applies to Kannan Iyer, whose Ek Thi Daayan seems to have kick-started his career as a director. Excerpts from a chat
MUMBAI MIRROR (April 22, 2013)
Ninety per cent of horror films made in India have the audience howling with laughter. How did you manage not to let such a thing happen with Ek Thi Daayan? I am not a horror buff. The script by Vishal Bhardwaj and Mukul Sharma had something very believable about it. More importantly, it had all the ingredients to keep the viewer guessing. Horror doesn’t intrigue me, drama does. What I mean is I have focused on just telling a story. No attempts were made to scare the audience. And that did the trick. If horror becomes comedy, it can be awful.
Ekta Kapoor was apprehensive of casting Konkona… We needed one of the best actresses for Konkona’s part. Ekta never doubted Konkona’s talent. Her concerns were simply commercial. She wanted to know if Konkona’s inclusion would make the film appealing to only a niche audience. Fair enough. Any producer who invests in a project has the right to pause, think, and debate before taking the final decision.
Were you considering Rani Mukerji for Konkona’s role? There were such reports in sections of the media, but those were wrong. We definitely had Rani in mind, but for Huma Qureshi’s role. But look at the way Huma has performed. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that she can give Konkona a run for her money. And a pat on the back to the three kids in the film- Vishesh More >
Govinda on why ‘Rani Mukerji’ factor won’t come between him and Aditya
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 18, 2013)
Govinda will be seen in Aditya Chopra’s next titled Kill Dil, directed by Shaad Ali and co-starring Ranveer Singh. The actor signed on the dotted line Monday night. Not only is this a rather unlikely pairing for both Govinda and Aditya, the actor, for the first time in his career, will play villain in the film being billed as his big comeback.
We spoke to the actor, currently in Kolkata, and he promised us that we will see him in a new and improved avatar: “I am going to change. You will see me being very casual…socialising at the first opportunity,” he said.
On a more serious note, he added: “My films have not released since the longest time. I have had enough of my share of tough days. And trust me, it’s not been easy. Don’t you think I need to have my good times back?”
Why Aditya Chopra? “Hmmm… he came home. He said that I must do the film,” said Govinda.
Isn’t he the man in Rani Mukerji’s life, an actress with whom Govinda was very close at one point? “Well, we are professionals at the end of the day,” he shot back.
Elaborating on his association with Shaad, Govinda said they had met during the filming of Mani Ratnam’s Raavan when Shaad was assisting the filmmaker. “Shaad and I became very close friends. He had spoken to me about the role at that time. But I really didn’t believe my luck when he recently asked me to do it,” he said. Quizzed about his role, he refused to divulge any details.
Rani Mukerji in Pradeep Sarkar-YRF’s Mardaani
11 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Several Bollywood actresses have donned the khakee in the past
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; April 10, 2013)
And Rani Mukerji will be the latest name to join the bandwagon. According to sources, Rani will be playing a cop in Yash Raj Films’ next project that will be helmed by Pradeep Sarkar.
A source close to the production house says, “This film titled Mardaani will be the boldest till date under the YRF banner. Pradeep had directed Rani in Laaga Chunari Mein Daag too.”
The source adds, “Rani has played versatile roles from being a grieving mother in Talaash with Aamir Khan to portraying a headstrong journalist but this time, she will be seen in an all-new bold avatar.”
Buzz is that Rani’s rumoured beau Aditya Chopra and his team handpicked the actress, as the script requires a strong heroine. The source adds, “Aditya and his team were scouting around and thought Rani seemed to be an obvious choice, for more than one reason. Plus, the production house is really fond of her.”
A spokesperson from the production house confirmed Rani’s presence in the film.
Bombay Talkies: Celebrating new-age cinema
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Sneha Mahadevan (BOMBAY TIMES; March 27, 2013)
Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Karan Johar and Zoya Akhtar have joined hands to make Bombay Talkies — a series of four 20-minute short films that culminates into a movie — to celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema.
Says KJo, “My film is about three individuals (Rani Mukerji, Randeep Hooda and Saqib Saleem) and how the emotional baggage they carry comes in the way of their relationships. Brevity is not my strength, but I have never felt as alive as I did on those nine days. The best part obviously, was hanging out with Zoya, Dibakar and Anurag.”
Adds Zoya, “We had a lot of fun together. They’re all my friends and though it was a nerve-wracking process, the competition was healthy.” Her film revolves around the life of a little boy and has two child actors along with Katrina Kaif.
!! CHECK OUT THE TRAILER OF “BOMBAY TALKIES” HERE !!
For Anurag, it was a dream come true as his film was the first-ever script he had written. “My film, which is about Amitabh Bachchan and his house Prateeksha, was written in 1995. I pitched it to every filmmaker, and today, I’ve finally made it. It is a huge moment for me as Mr Bachchan and I weren’t on talking terms for 14 years.”
Dibakar insists that his film is a complete departure from anything he has done before. He went to Kolkata to get the rights of this movie, which is adapted from a short story by Satyajit Ray. “This one has very little social subtext unlike my other films. It is about More >
Rani Mukerji sports a solitaire; sparks off wedding rumours
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Soumyadipta Banerjee (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 16, 2013)
So Rani Mukerji was recently spotted wearing a hard-to-miss solitaire. The brilliance of the rock, and Shatrughan Sinha’s socalled gaffe of referring to her as Mrs Chopra at a recent event, has just made us believe in the power of love all over again – Yash Raj style.
There are rumours that Miss Mukerji became a Missus at a quiet temple ceremony in London in April last year. In a matter of weeks, she was photographed leaving the international airport here, with the ever-reclusive Aditya Chopra following her. There was Uday Chopra too and according to reports, the faithful brother was the sole witness to the ceremony from this part of the family. We hear there was a small party at Rani’s house in Juhu, attended by her closest friends.
Rani’s official spokesperson rubbishes all reports. “A good Bengali middle-class woman does not get married this way,” she says (though we fail to understand what’s wrong with a private ceremony). “Besides, every year there is a fresh wave of rumours about her marriage, and every year it turns out to be untrue. She is still very much single.”
We would have believed her, had it not been for Mr Sinha, who not only made us sit up with his address, but stuck to his shotguns by saying, “I have said nothing wrong (by calling her Rani Chopra).”
So what gives? Is it true that Pam Chopra is still hesitant about accepting Rani, who has been with the family through thick and thin? Or is it because More >
Rani Mukerji holds no grudge against Shatrughan Sinha?
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
BOMBAY TIMES (March 8, 2013)
At a recent event when veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha addressed Rani Mukerji as Rani Chopra, the entire industry went into a tizzy, starting a fresh round of speculations about Rani’s relationship with film-maker Aditya Chopra.
Funny it is, that the studio owners sent out a release making it look like the veteran actor-politician had made a blooper. Consequently, he made it clear that he had made no mistake when he addressed Rani as Rani Chopra.
One knows Rani does not entertain personal questions. But an insider informs that the actress was the only one who was not unduly perturbed with Shotgun’s ‘slip of the tongue’.