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Posts tagged reliance entertainment
Onir, Tigmanshu making films inspired by the Hamlet?
01 week ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Subhash K Jha (DNA; May 13, 2013)
The proverbial Hamletian dilemma To be or not to be has now gone into a new zone of interpretation. Two directors Onir and Tigmanshu Dhulia have decided to direct films based on Shakespeare’s immortal tragic play Hamlet. Onir is very upset with Tigmanshu’s plans because he had announced his film first. Three years ago to be precise.
The director of I Am feels he has been betrayed by a colleague, “I’ve been working on Vedaa which is my take on Hamlet for three years.”
He is surprised that Tigmanshu didn’t bother to contact him before making a film on the same subject. “We know each other. And as a colleague and a fellow-filmmaker I’d at least expect him to speak to me about it. Reliance Entertainment has signed me to do Vedaa. Composer Mithoon has recorded three songs. My recce is done. I make my films with love and no power on earth can make me give up my dream. But I’d be very disappointed if Tigmanshu goes ahead with his own version of Hamlet. I plan to start shooting in August.”
Says Tigmanshu, “I am most certainly doing Hamlet. I am more qualified to make a film on that play than anyone else. I’ve not only studied that play minutely, I also studied Hamlet at drama school under a very famous Shakespearean drama teacher. Hamlet is part of my being. As for Onir, why should he be upset? There are so many different plays and films based on so many of Shakespeare’s works. All different from one another. That’s the beauty of Shakespeare. His More >
Vidyut Jammwal, Pooja Chopra gear up for Commando sequel?
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Parag Maniar (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 19, 2013)
The sequel to Commando is in the offing. The encouraging box office collections coupled with positive response from the opening weekend has instigated the makers, Reliance Entertainment and Vipul Shah, to give a shot to a franchise. And though they are yet to begin scripting, the makers plan to make the film on a larger and more lavish scale.
A trade source observed that both, the critics and the masses, appreciated this action-romance and the decision to make a follow up should not come as a surprise.
The trade source said, “Commando has created a new benchmark in the action space and has brought back the genre to the fore. Vidyut Jammwal’s mix martial arts and hand-to-hand combat action was something never seen before in Hindi cinema.
Interestingly, romance has been well blended into the theme too. The film continues to hold ground after its opening weekend and had an edge over others doing lucrative business in multiplexes and single screens.”
When contacted, producer Vipul Shah, confirmed saying, “The overwhelming response inspired me! People including the aged and even the women told me that the theme befits a sequel. Also, it’s not about success as much as it is about appreciation. There have been successful films made in the past but the audience response has been like, “iss mein kuch mazaa nahi.” That has not been the case with our film.”
Sanjeev Lamba, CEO, Reliance Entertainment added, “The befitting subject and apt More >
Most remakes made because it earns makers pots of money-Salim Khan
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Money, name and identity. We talk to Bollywood’s old guard on why they are upset with zippy remakes
Anand Holla (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 14, 2013)
Forty years after Amitabh Bachchan ushered in the angry young man to whistles and cheers in Zanjeer, its writers Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan are channelling the character’s inner rage. Furious and unrelenting, Bollywood’s most successful scriptwriter duo filed a suit in the Bombay High Court this month, seeking a stay on the release of its remake, Zanjeer 2.0.
Their grouse is that producers Amit Mehra (whose father Prakash Mehra directed and produced the original) and Reliance Entertainment didn’t seek their consent for the remake, even though they hold the copyright of the ‘literary work’. While the 1973 film starred Bachchan, Dadasaheb Phalke award-winner Pran and Jaya Bachchan, the remake stars Telugu star Ram Charan Teja (top) and Priyanka Chopra.
Salim-Javed claim they have been trying to resolve the matter for a year now. Says 68-year-old Akhtar, “We tried speaking to Amit. When that didn’t help, we first went to the Film Writers Association and then the Federation of Western India Cine Employees, which also agreed that the rights belonged to us. But the producers didn’t relent. When we own its rights, how can someone make it in Telugu and Hindi without our consent?”
It’s not that the legendary scriptwriters are against remakes. Khan, 77, points out that a remake is a win-win situation for writers. “If it works, it proves More >
Now, Zanjeer feud dragged to High Court
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 6, 2013)
This newspaper had reported that the stage had been set for a truce between Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, scriptwriters of the original Zanjeer, and Amit Mehra and Reliance Entertainment, makers of Zanjeer 2.0. Following a strongly-worded letter sent off by Khan to the Scriptwriters Association, the body had called for a meeting between all parties concerned, headed by FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees), with a view to ending the tussle.
However, the latest development is that Mehra has slapped a legal suit against Salim-Javed, who have been demanding royalty for their script ever since the Zanjeer remake went on floors. At last count, the duo had sought compensation to the tune of Rs 6 crore from Mehra and Reliance. Apparently, Mehra decided to take them to court only when he realised they were not going to relent.
While Mehra, who attended the High Court proceedings yesterday, remained unavailable for comment, Khan said: “No order was passed by the judge. I am told by my lawyers that the case is as good as dismissed.”
“I am appalled that Amit doesn’t seem to understand our stance, which is crystal clear. We have told him he is not using Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan or Pran’s performance in the film. All he is using is the script, which was written by Javed and I. Hence, he should take our permission and compensate us for the same.”
Added Khan: “The matter is still very much with the FWICE. We shall abide More >
FWICE attempts to end Salim-Javed vs Zanjeer 2.0 war
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 28, 2013)
Salim Khan has been fighting a pitched battle for intellectual rights over the Zanjeer remake, which stars Ram Charan and Priyanka Chopra.
The veteran, along with his creative partner Javed Akhtar, had demanded a compensation package of Rs 6 crore from the makers of Zanjeer 2.0 – Amit Mehra and Reliance Entertainment.
In fact, it’s been a while now since the duo, who wrote the script of the original Zanjeer, have been demanding royalty from the makers of the new Zanjeer.
The latest development being Khan has sent off a strongly-worded letter to the Scriptwriters Association in this regard. And, with the situation having turned rather ugly, the body has arranged for a meeting between the parties in question.
This newspaper has learnt that early next week, Salim-Javed will meet Mehra and officials from Reliance in the presence of senior members of the Scriptwriters Association, headed by FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) President Dharmesh Tiwari and General Secretary Dinesh Chaturvedi. The meeting is likely to take place at the FWICE office in Andheri.
A source close to Salim-Javed told Mirror, “All parties concerned have been informed and they have agreed to attend the meeting. FWICE wants the battle to end. FWICE will pull out all stops and make both parties see light. Such tussles in Bollywood are totally uncalled for.”
Meanwhile, director of the Zanjeer remake Apoorva Lakhia is fast finishing the More >
Zanjeer is re-imagined, not remade-Ram Charan Teja
13 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Despite the controversies dogging it, Ram Charan pins his hopes on his ambitious Hindi debut
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 18, 2013)
With just five films to his credit, he has established himself as one of the most keenly followed stars of Telugu cinema. Ram Charan, son of actor-politician Chiranjeevi, is now all set to make his presence felt in Hindi cinema. Even as he gears up for Apoorva Lakhia’s remake of Amitabh Bachchan’s Zanjeer, he has been inadvertently drawn into the controversy over royalty due to the original scriptwriters, Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. However, the 27-year-old is confident the new Zanjeer will keep its date with the slated May 10 release. Excerpts from an interview:
The Zanjeer remake (Zanjeer 2.0) is scheduled to hit theatres on May 10. But with all the issues around it, will it keep the deadline? Hopefully yes.
But the scriptwriters of the 1973 film, Salim-Javed, have said they won’t allow the remake to release till they get paid Rs 6crore as compensation. Yes. This is an issue. Salim Saab and Javed Saab have been in the film industry for a long time and they both know what they’re doing. The good news is the shooting hasn’t stopped. We’ve been filming in Mumbai peacefully, and I’m sure they will soon sit down with producers Amit Mehra and Reliance Entertainment and resolve the issue. We are on schedule and both the Hindi and Telugu versions will open on the same day.
What was your reaction to Lakhia’s offer to play the More >
Salim Khan puts 6-crore hurdle before Zanjeer remake
04 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
The time for negotiations is over, says the veteran scriptwriter, who has now demanded a hefty compensation from the producers remaking the Salim-Javed classic
Soumyadiptya Banerjee and Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 24, 2013)
Salim Khan has vowed to keep up the fight for his intellectual rights over the Zanjeer remake. Mirror has learnt that the veteran scriptwriter, with the support of his creative partner Javed Akhtar has demanded a compensation package of Rs 6 crore from the makers of the remake – Amit Mehra and Reliance. He has sent off a strongly-worded letter to the Scriptwriter’s Association which is expected to pursue the matter in all seriousness. Sources say, the trinity of Salman, Arbaaz and Sohail are likely to add muscle to thier father’s fight.
Ever since the Zanjeer remake went to the floors, Salim-Javed have been demanding their ‘royalty.’ Amit Mehra, son of the late Prakash Mehra, the original producer, has been arguing that since the writers had already been paid once, they were not liable to be paid again. However, citing the intellectual property and copyright acts, Salim-Javed had argued that as writers, they ought to be compensated. It was not enough to merely seek their ‘blessings.’
The new version of Zanjeer, starring Ram Charan Teja and Priyanka Chopra, is nearly complete and several rounds of talks between the warring parties have failed. However recently, Salim-Javed met the producers again and suggested an ‘amicable’ end to the More >
Shah Rukh Khan snaps ties with Eros?
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
He is reportedly upset with his former friends for pitting Ajay Devgn’s Son of Sardar against Jab Tak…
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 12, 2012)
The box-office battle between Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn over their last releases may be over, but the war is still on. A fresh wave of offensive has been mounted, and this time it is SRK who has decided to snap ties with Sunil and Kishore Lulla of Eros International.
Apparently, he is upset with them for pitting Ajay’s Son Of Sardaar against Jab Tak Hai Jaan and has signed up with UTV Motion Pictures for Chennai Express and while talking to Reliance for Happy New Year. SRK and Eros have worked together in Ra.One and Om Shanti Om. And over the years the actor has maintained very warm ties with the Lulla brothers.
According to sources, the seeds of discontent were sown when Ra.One failed to generate the kind of returns Eros had expected and the distributors inked a deal with Ajay in London for Son oO Sardaar. “SRK would have shrugged it off, had it not been for the aggression with which Eros and Devgn went for Yash Chopra’s swan song,” says the source, adding, “The nail in the coffin was the complaint they tried to lodge with the Competition Commission.”
A source close to Eros has a slightly different take on the issue. “When Ajay pitched his film to Kishore Lulla, he could not refuse him, even though he was only mildly interested. Ajay and the Lullas go back a long way. They had worked with his most trusted lieutenant More >
Makkhi is insanely innovative, has the rawest emotion-S S Rajamouli
07 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; October 11, 2012)
Revenge and reincarnation, two of Bollywood’s most successful themes, are at the forefront in SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film, Makkhi, the revenge story of a super fly. In the film, the protagonist, played by Navin Babu, gets killed only to be reborn as a fly to avenge his death and save the love of his life.
Says the director, “Films can be divided primarily into two genres — those with innovative ideas and those with raw emotions. The uniqueness of Makkhi is that it has both. The idea is insanely innovative (the lead character is a ‘housefly’) and the basic emotion is the rawest of all: ‘revenge’.”
Apart from a gripping storyline, Makkhi also features a special song, where the housefly mimics Bollywood actors Ajay Devgn, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan. The film has already grossed over 130 crore worldwide in three languages — Eega (Telugu), Naan Ee (Tamil) and Eecha (Malayalam).
Sanjeev Lamba, CEO, Reliance Entertainment, says, “Led by the vision of SS Rajamouli and D Suresh Babu, the film has become a huge success in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. We’re extremely pleased to bring the film to Hindi audiences as Makkhi and hope that it will get the huge success it deserves.”
Here’s what Bollywood has to say:
RAJKUMAR HIRANI: “I’m completely amazed by Makkhi — scripting, performances, soundtrack and the way it’s been shot. I was completely entertained throughout the film.”
SHAH RUKH KHAN (on a microblogging More >
No body double, wires, cables for Vidyut Jamwal in Commando
07 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Vipul Shah on choosing his Force discovery for Commando
Garima Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; October 2, 2012)
Vipul Shah ardently believes in Vidyut Jamwal. After Force, the producer-director has signed the actor for his next, titled Commando — The War Within directed by debutant director Dilip Ghosh and launches former Miss India Pooja Chopra opposite the actor. Shooting is currently on in Manali. Reveals Vipul, “I’d seen Vidyut’s showreel while making Force and realised that I have to make a unique action film with him in the future. It’s his skill-set, so evidently oriented for action films.”
Therefore, in essence, the film is being made solely for Vidyut? “Yes, in a way. Also, we’ve got renowned Hollywood action choreographer Franz Spilaus to design the film’s action.” Vidyut, in fact, has been training for over three months for it since he plays a special-ops secret agent of the Indian Armed Services in the film.
Adds Vipul, “There are no wires, no body doubles and no cables. Vidyut has done every single thing himself.”
Reliance Entertainment CEO Sanjeev Lamba, says, “Since the audience is taking to action films like never before, a high concept gritty film is sure to showcase Vidyut’s unparalleled talent in Indian mixed martial arts. The scale of the action and the execution of the combat sequences are on par with Hollywood standards.”
Commando, produced by Reliance Entertainment and Vipul Shah’s Sunshine Pictures, is expected to release early 2013.