Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged rehearsal
Embarrassed to see 40+ wife as a heroine?-Farah Khan
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
That’s what choreographer Farah Khan asked her husband Shirish Kunder after getting an offer to play the female lead in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Shirin Farhad to be directed by his sister Bela
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 07, 2011)
Ace choreographer -filmmaker Farah Khan is all set to make her Bollywood debut as a lead actor. The woman who created Munni and Sheila has been signed on as the leading lady in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Shirin Farhad to be directed by his sister Bela.
A visibly glowing Khan met us at her Seven Bungalows flat and kickstarted a rather interesting and revealing tete-a-tete, saying, “Shoot your questions. My triplets just went to sleep, they sleep in unison.”
How did it feel when you were asked to play the female lead in Bhansali’s Shirin Farhad?
Thinking he was pulling my leg, I said, ‘You’re mad’.
Understandable, since the two of you have often taken digs at each other…
(Laughs) Yeah, we have trashed each other in the past. We have actually shared a very off-on relationship. We started our careers around the same time (pauses and stares at the ceiling).
Go on…
Yogen ShahBut we have been more than fine with each other for the past couple of years. We started bonding after my babies were born. He sent me a very sweet SMS and I sent biryani on his birthday. Since then we have been very cordial.
Did you say ‘yes’ to Bhansali instantly?
(Smiles) I asked Shirish if he would be embarrassed to see his 40-plus wife More >
Faruk, Rukhsar on their stage debut
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Deepali S Dhingra (BOMBAY TIMES; April 30, 2011)
“Rukhsar’s surprising me even after five years!” laughs film director Faruk Kabir. And the surprise stems from the director-actor’s observation of his wife during the rehearsals for their play. The real-life couple are making their stage debut with Falsafa and Faruk says Rukhsar, who’s a film actress, was a revelation for him. “I’ve worked with her in my film Allah Ke Banday but that was a very small role. On stage, I realised she has so much voice-modulation,” he says. But the comfort level while acting together was something they acquired after a few rehearsals. “Initially, we would burst into laughter every time we said our dialogues, but with time, we got the hang of it,” adds Rukhsar.
Talking about making her debut on stage, the actress continues, “I wanted to do stage since long, but was just waiting for like-minded people to work with. When director Pawan Uttam approached me, I realised this is a team I am comfortable with. My character is beautifully etched in the story.” The play, that also stars Sumeet Vyas, Abir Abrar, Imran Rasheed, BM Vyas and others, is a love story as well as a satire on society. “Initially, only Rukhsar was approached, but then they thought it would be interesting to include me in the play,” he says. Faruk adds that he would be involved in the writing process of future plays as well. “I’m writing a comic screenplay for a film, which I intend to show first as a play, in More >
Naseer to do dance number in Dirty Picture
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Naseeruddin Shah is gearing up for a full-fledged dance number with the Vidya ‘Silk Smitha’ Balan in Dirty Picture
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 27, 2011)
The last time he came close to dancing was in Ishqiya last year. And the only time Naseeruddin Shah really shimmied to none other than Saroj Khan’s moves was 22 years back in the superhit song Tirchi Topiwale from Tridev.
However, according to director Milan Luthria, “It’s ‘Oye Oye’ time for the Shah Of Actors again.”
Shah who plays an aging actor in the film, will have to perform a full-fledged dance number for Luthria’s Dirty Picture.
The project, which already has had Vidya Balan who plays Silk Smitha, feel a little out of her element with the kind of costumes and the required weight gain, has now demanded that Shah do what he has never been comfortable doing.
In fact, the last time Shah really danced in Tridev, the media quoted him saying, “I am not really suitable for the role”.
However, since filmmaker Luthria and producer Ekta Kapoor is adamant on Shah shaking a leg, he being the perfectionist actor he is, has demanded practice sessions for the same before the film goes on the floors.
A source informed us, “Naseer saab is rehearsing for his dance in Dity Picture every day at Milan’s office. He comes for the rehearsal every day at 8.30 am.”
“Naseer saab practices about two hours everyday. His wife Ratna comes along to boost him up a bit. And don’t forget that Vidya is playing Silk More >
Shotgun steps into Big B’s shoes
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Amitabh Bachchan’s rival Shatrughan Sinha has been signed to host the Bhojpuri version of KBC, Saurav Ganguly may take charge of the Bengali one
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 06, 2011)
Kaun Banega Crorepati, the show that revolutionized Indian television as well as Amitabh Bachchan’s career, is back with its Bhojpuri and Bengali versions.
And the producers Siddharth and Anita Kaul Basu have roped in Shatrughan Sinha, who never shared a comfortable equation with Big B, for one of them.
Nilesh WairkarShatrughan who is all set to step into Amitabh’s shoes as the Bhojpuri host for the show, has worked with the senior Bachchan in films like Kala Pathar, Dostana and Shaan.
But the two seldom got along with each other. The batlle has continued through media interviews and more recently, through blogs.
A source close to the show told Mumbai Mirror, “Shatrughan was the first choice to host the Bhojpuri version of KBC. Isn’t he the ultimate Bihari babu?”
Well, the ultimate Bihari babu, we hear, has taken his role in the show rather seriously. Reveals the source, “Shatrughan has also started rehearsing for the same.” Maybe, he wants to give his old rival a bit of competition.
As for the Bengali version, talks are on to rope in India’s former cricket captain Saurav Ganguly as the host.
The same source revealed, “Ganguly is in two minds. Thoda dates ka problem hai. Let’s see kya hota hai. The producers are quite keen to have him on More >
Ranveer wants to shed his Delhi image
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Ranveer Singh is in intense workshops at Yash Raj to get rid of his Delhi accent and mannerisms, since his next goes on the floors in 10 days’ time
Sonal Chawla (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 18, 2011)
After a Yash Raj launch and a hit with his debut film Band Baaja Baaraat, Ranveer Singh has a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders now.
For his next Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl, produced by Yash Raj, the actor has locked himself in Yash Raj Studio and has been undergoing intense training for his role to shed his ‘Delhi boy’ image.
A friend of Ranveer said, “It’s been over two weeks that Ranveer has been practically living in Yash Raj Studio. In less than 10 days his next, Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl is going on floors.
The actor is playing a cool young boy, not from any particular region, but surely he cannot be carrying the image of ‘Bittu Sharma’ from his debut film.”
The friend continues, “He has been taking workshops for his character in regard to his body language and body movements. He has also been taking diction classes to get rid of his Delhi accent.
Ranveer is actually from Mumbai but everyone thinks of him as a Delhi-ite. In the past two weeks he has been practising and rehearsing for over 14 hours and only goes home to sleep.
He is working very hard to change his image, so the audience can also perceive and see him in a different light.”
“During the making of Band Baaja Baaraat he rode the Delhi buses, ate at roadside stalls, visited the local colleges, More >
Shabana talks about her toughest scene
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
In which actors and directors speak about the toil behind the tinsel
Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 11, 2011)
The telephone conversation I had with my screen-soutan Smita Patil in Mahesh Bhatt’s Arth, I regard it as the most crucial and difficult, challenging yet satisfying sequence of my career so far. I’ll tell you why.
We had finished the entire shooting of Arth and I was supposed to leave the country when Mahesh Bhatt told me to drop in for some patch-work at the Sunaina bungalow (a prominent shooting venue at Juhu) which is near my house.
Now, patchwork means just random shots. So I went thinking I’d be in and out. Once I got inside the bungalow, Mahesh gave me a 10 minute scene with dialogue saying, I’ve to plead on the phone with my husband’s mistress to get him back.
I was aghast! I threw a tantrum. How could I do this in such a short notice? Mahesh said not to create ‘artificial conflict’ and get down to it.
So I had no choice but to do the entire sequence in 10 minutes.
I don’t know how it turned out the way it did because there was absolutely no rehearsal. You know, the way a sitar sounds depends on how the instrument is tuned and how it is played. In this scene I was left completely to myself.
And in a way that was a blessing because I don’t think I could’ve brought in that feeling of urgency and desperation if I had rehearsed.
So in some cases preparedness is not all. This sequence was doubly difficult because I had to plead More >
Deepika bowls out
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 08, 2011)
Rohan Sippy and Fox Star Studios had envisioned to launch the item song, Dum Maaro Dum, with Deepika Padukone at the India vs South Africa cricket match on March 12, at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur. However, the actress is busy filming for Aarakshan and is unable to rehearse enough for the event.
Our source tell us, “With more than 45,000 people attending the match, Rohan Sippy requested Deepika to perform live in front of the audience.
Unfortunately, she is shooting for Aarakshan in Bhopal and doesn’t have time to rehearse as she would land only on the day of the event in Nagpur.
The song is dance-oriented and needs to be well-orchestrated with a troupe of dancers. So the Dum Maaro Dum team will launch during the break between the first and second innings.”
When contacted Rohan Sippy said, “Well, it would be exciting if she would have had time to rehearse and perform live in front of the audience.
It would have given the song a new energy. But we understand and have decided to show case the song during half time of this very important match.”
Organisers refuse Sameera to dance on Munni Badnaam
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
She was to do a shimmy to the ‘Munni’ number at the National Games, but authorities thought it too vulgar
Sonal Chawla (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 16, 2011)
“Munni Badnaam Hui” might be the rage, but not in Jharkhand. Sameera Reddy realised when she reached to perform this song for the 34th National Games in Ranchi.
The organisers of the show found the song to be too bawdy for such a solemn moment. The actress had no option but to perform her own song ‘Tere Ishq Se Meetha Kuch Bhi Nahi’.
It was deemed less vulgar by authorities. A source present there said, “Sameera was performing for the ceremony in Ranchi.
She had rehearsed for Munni Badnaam Hui, but when she reached the venue, the organisers did not want her to shake a leg to this particular song.
They told her that it is too not appropriate for this function.” Sameera was sporting enough to comply.