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Posts tagged ritesh sidhwani
First day morning shows of Man Of Steel, Fukrey cancelled
14 days ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 15, 2013)
When in India, even Superman cannot reach anywhere on time.
On Friday, first shows of Man of Steel were cancelled because a certain code did not reach the theatres as scheduled. Without the code (called KDM), the multiplex servers couldn’t load the film, as a result of which several first-half shows across the country had to be called off, much to the dismay of the fans of the superhero.
Anand Vishal, Head of Operations, Fun Republic confirmed the story and said: “Shows were called off at several centres till 12.30, after which screenings were resumed.”
The much anticipated film would have run to packed houses, had it not been for the missing code. Though, multiplexes refunded ticket prices, it was not enough for disappointed fans who had to wait for seven years for this instalment of the Superman franchise.
Incidentally, not only Man of Steel showed up late, Fukrey too had its share of technical glitches leading to cancellation of several morning shows. Said Riteish Sidhwani, producer of the film: “Other than the code, there were server issues as well forcing multiplexes to cancel shows. I am very upset. It is a huge setback for us.”
Farhan Akhtar-Ritesh Sidhwani do jugaad for Fukrey song promotion
02 weeks ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; June 5, 2013)
To promote their new song, Karle Jugaad Karle, Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, the makers of Fukrey, have come up with an innovative idea. The rock qawwali number will be playing simultaneously across all networks of a popular television channel.
In the film, Hunny (Pulkit Samrat) and Choocha (Varun Sharma) do all sorts of jugaads with creative and quick ideas — like breaking a school wall to bunk classes or dancing at the local Ramlila to make a quick buck. Every time a situation arises where they require big money, the two plan a risky trick. The film also stars Ali Fazal and Manjot Singh.
Says Ritesh, “Keeping with the theme, we are hosting a Jugaad Showcase to felicitate the jugaadu geniuses from across India. It will honour people for their ingenuity. The event is taking place in Mumbai and the song will be launched simultaneously.” Director Mrigdeep Singh Lamba says, “We wanted a song which would be played throughout like a background score reflecting the theme. The aim of our promotional activity is to push those unknown people who have done jugaad into public domain.”
Fukrey releases on June 14.
Salman bhai is my brother-in-law-Pulkit Samrat
02 weeks ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; June 3, 2013)
Pulkit Samrat, 26, believes that while Delhi is his dharam bhoomi, Mumbai is his karma bhoomi. He grew up wanting to entertain people, be it through magic or through films. While he knew no one when he came to Mumbai eight years ago, he has built some life-long relationships, be it with his fianceé Shweta Rohira, his brother-in-law Salman Khan or his producer Ritesh Sidhwani. Ahead of his upcoming youth comedy Fukrey, he talks about the lessons he has learnt from Salman, what prompted him to file a suit against Ekta Kapoor and his desire to go back to magic some day. Excerpts:
How did you come into films? I am a Punjabi from Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, and am born to a business joint family, where my family is into real estate. We build as well as help MNCs to acquire properties, manufacture lighting fixtures and import them. I am the eldest child in the family and was pampered the most. I went to Manav Sthali School till Class X, until I was rusticated for bursting fire crackers outside the vice-principal’s office. I would never bunk my classes because my whole aim was to trouble my teachers. I would sit in the front row doing tricks that a back-bencher usually does. Even though I got 87% and was eligible, I was not given non-medical science in Class XI. So, I had to switch schools and prepared for the entrance tests for IIT and medical. But, I was obviously not interested in studying and I was playing inky pinky ponky in the entrance More >
Ranbir-Imran-Katrina-Anushka come together finally
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; May 11, 2013)
Mani Ratnam, Kunal Kohli and a couple of more filmmakers have reportedly tried casting Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan together in their projects. But attempts have failed because both actors have not shown any inclination. However, producer Ritesh Sidhwani has managed to get the two youngsters, along with Anushka Sharma and RK Junior’s special friend Katrina Kaif, to spread the good word on literacy. The Ministry of Education intends to promote free education and these four actors will pitch in their efforts to eradicate illiteracy by using a powerful forum.
Hrithik Roshan-Ranbir Kapoor in Farhan Akhtar’s next?
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 30, 2013)
Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani may bring together two actors who’ve never before shared screen space – Ranbir Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan – in a film that will be produced by their banner, Excel Entertainment. The buzz is that Hrithik has a cameo in the film while the director and the rest of the cast is yet to be finalised.
When contacted, Ritesh just said, “Nothing has been finalised.”
Meanwhile, a source close to the development said, “Excel will soon make an official announcement about the film that will go on floors sometime next year. Ranbir and Hrithik are very good friends who’ve never had the chance to work together before. Finally, it’s happening.”
Quizzed about the possibility of Ranbir and Hrithik also starring in Farhan’s sister, Zoya’s next, Ritesh did not reply.
There has been speculation that real-life siblings Kareena and Ranbir are set to play reellife sister and brother in Zoya’s forthcoming film. The yet-untitled project is rumoured to be an autobiographical tale of Zoya and Farhan.
I&B ministry to introduce PG-12, PG-15 ratings; industry sees red?
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 10, 2013)
On March 29, Mirror had reported that the I&B Ministry had called for a meeting with film producers and the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between April 3 and April 5 to set the pace for necessary amendments to the Cinematograph Act 1952.
We can now tell you that the meeting which took place as scheduled had the Ministry put forth the proposal of categorising Indian films in a manner different to what has been hitherto followed. Which means if the Ministry has its way, films will no longer be certified as U, U/A, A. Instead, they will fall under any one of the following categories: Above 12 years of age (Under Parental Guidance), Above 15 years of age (Under Parental Guidance) or Above 18 years of age.
Among those present were Ritesh Sidhwani, Ramesh Sippy, President of the Producers’ Guild Mukesh Bhatt, President of the Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programme Producers (AMTPP) Sajid Nadiadwala, Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association Chief TP Agarwal, CBFC Chief Leela Samson, CBFC CEO Pankaja Thakur, and senior members of the special panel instituted under the chairmanship of judicial expert Mukul Mudgal to review the functioning of the Board.
Filmmakers are not too happy with the proposal as they feel it will deflate their audience. CEO of the Film & Television Producers Guild of India, Kulmeet Makkar, said: “Yes, there is a proposal by the I&B Ministry but it would be very subjective in a country More >
Aamir Khan loves Sindhi Kadhi at Ritesh Sidhwani’s house
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
BOMBAY TIMES (April 5, 2013)
Aamir Khan loves the Sindhi Kadhi and Aloo Tuk made in his Talaash producer Ritesh Sidhwani’s house. Aamir and his wife Kiran, both of who, are one of the nicest celebrity couples, are happy to enjoy a meal cooked in Ritesh’s house whenever opportunity arises. Incidentally Aamir is usually on a strict diet and can only indulge very rarely. His mother Zeenat is also a fantastic cook and when the actor wishes to be pampered, he runs up to his mum’s house for a meal cooked by her.
Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani unveil animated jingle of Fukrey
12 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; March 30, 2013)
Fukrey is not an easy title to pronounce or perhaps even to explain to the hoi polloi, except in North India. In their attempt to make the task of understanding their title easier for everyone involved, the evolved producers — Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar — have actually come up with an animated jingle composed by Ram Sampath and written by Swanand Kirkire.
Coming back to Fukrey, Ritesh and Farhan, who have led the way many a time in their decade-long career — be it making path-breaking cinema like Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) — have this time come up with the marketing innovation of giving the viewer a highenergy video that describes the recipe of being Fukrey (that is colloquial for good-for-nothing or someone who’s perpetually broke).
Says Ritesh, “This is the language of the film. It’s the first time a filmmaker is doing a jingle to promote the title. We were thinking of the best way to explain the meaning of Fukrey. And that’s when we came up with the idea of this jingle. In the digital world, animation works very well. We thought it would be a nice way to introduce our Fukras. Ram is a renowned talent in jingles.”
Farhan says, “Fukrey is a word that the people of Delhi and certain sections of North India are very familiar with. Of course, it is alien to a lot of us who are from elsewhere. Hence, the need to explain its meaning is important. Getting an animated jingle seemed like a fun way More >
Farhan Akhtar & team to rename Fukrey to avoid controversies?
03 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Soumyadipta Banerjee (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 20, 2013)
Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani are in a predicament. After much deliberation they had named their film Fukrey, which means ‘good-for-nothing’. However, a strange problem cropped up when the film went on floors after the poster launch on November 5, last year. To their dismay, they found people, including the crew, mispronouncing the name. It was its similarity to the ‘F word’ that created the entire problem.
“Everywhere Farhan and Ritesh went, people addressed the film as ‘Fuk-rey’ instead of ‘Phookrey’. They had to explain each time how to pronounce the word and the fact that the film is anything but a sex comedy. However, all this confusion led Farhan to realise that it would be difficult to retain the title,” a source said.
Farhan also anticipated censor board problems because there was a general perception that the title was a deliberate attempt to use the ‘F word’ in the title. “Many in the industry opined it was a smart attempt to escape the scissors of the censor board,” the source added.
Hence, although the film’s poster was already launched and the name was registered, hunt for a new name began. “Farhan and Ritesh had a meeting yesterday where they have came up with a new name. They want to rename the film before marketing begins,” the source added.
When we tried to get in touch with Farhan, his spokesperson got back to us saying: “Yes, there is some confusion over the title and we are thinking of it. But More >