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Posts tagged Rock On 2
We haven’t decided to name it Rock On 2 yet-Abhishek Kapoor
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Abhishek Kapoor on his next film being based on a classic Charles Dickens novel and his motto to do something different from the rest
Shakti Shetty (MID-DAY; April 5, 2013)
Abhishek Kapoor is still basking in the warmth his latest release Kai Po Che has received from the audiences and critics alike. Incidentally, the director’s next is also based on a book — a novel penned by Charles Dickens. And thanks to his last film, Gattu has become an unlikely candidate to be invited at the upcoming annual South Asian advertising festival in Goa. Before embarking on his journey, we caught up with him to know more about his moviemaking style and the economics in Bollywood.
After Chetan Bhagat, your next film is based on Charles Dickens’ work. What is the difficult part about adaptations? Adapating a book for the big screen is always a challenge because you have to add your own inputs as well. You can’t rely on literature alone. For instance, half of Kai Po Che has filmi elements that weren’t originally in the book. Speaking of Dickens’ Great Expectations, several films have already been made on the same, so my plan is to do something different and exciting.
So the whole idea is to make people watch something different? Absolutely! We need to up our standards. At the end of the day, the slightly more intelligent films represent us on the global platform. That’s also where the money lies. We can’t be complacent with our rupees when dollars, the pounds and the euros are up for grabs. As More >
Farhan Akhtar misses premiere of Gattu’s Kai Po Che
03 months ago
Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 20, 2013)
It was the perfect opportunity for two of the most talented directors, Farhan Akhtar and Abhishek Kapoor, to bury the hatchet and share a hug—even if just for the cameras. However, it seems their bromance will have to wait. This was evident in the Kai Po Che premiere held on Monday. Although, Farhan was sent an invite by Abhishek, on D-Day, he pulled a no-show on his Rock On director. A source told Mumbai Mirror: “Abhishek has no bitterness towards Farhan, although his company Excel Entertainment put him on a long waiting list over the Rock On sequel. Not only that, Excel Entertainment also kept dilly-dallying with Kai Po Che and it was when Abhishek was about to tear up the script in frustration that UTV stepped in and offered to make the film.” Things got more awkward between Abhishek and Farhan when Javed Akhtar walked out of Kai Po Che at the last moment.
However, when contacted, Farhan clarified: “There is no rift between Gattu (as Abhishek is fondly called) and me. He is a dear friend and he knows my best wishes are with him. As for the premiere, I was busy with my film and couldn’t make it.”
Farhan Akhtar…I love that boy-Abhishek Kapoor
03 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Abhishek Kapoor on adapting Chetan Bhagat’s novel and every film having its own destiny
Kunal M Shah (MID-DAY; February 5, 2013)
Adapting Chetan Bhagat’s novel into a full-fledged film was never going to be easy. And Abhishek Kapoor kept his other project — sequel of Rock On!! — to concentrate on this big screen adaptation. Sitting in his Khar residence, he chats about his Sushant Singh Rajput- Amit Sadh- Rajkumar Yadav starrer Kai Po Che and his equation with Farhan Akhtar.
You had two films at the same time. Why did you choose this and not Rock On!! 2? When I took on this book to adapt it into a screenplay, I realised that it was not going to be easy. I had only worked on original screenplays before. There are different rules to the game when you are making a film but ultimately we cracked it. I can’t deny the fact that it is an adaptation but we have also added a lot of value to the script.
After Rock On!! you had the luxury to work with stars. Why newcomers? The film got me acclaim and I thought why not make my next one with stars? I had done my best work. But I realised that if I get one star then the other two would look like flunkies, which I did not want. After all it is a story of three friends. I firmly believe that every film has a destiny of its own and that is what has happened. If I can’t make a film now that I really want to, then I should not be in this business at all.
How have you dealt with the many riot portions in the novel? Were they tricky? See, the More >
I don’t chase stars or banners-Abhishek Kapoor
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Abhishek ‘Gattu’ Kapoor explains his departure from Excel, the future of Rock On!! 2 and his return venture Kai Po Che
Mehul S Thakkar (MID-DAY; December 19, 2012)
His first step into Bollywood was as a screenplay writer for Yash Chopra’s 2004 film Veer Zaara. The very year, Abhishek Kapoor turned director with Sohail Khan and Sneha Ullal starrer Aryan. But it was only four years later, that the awards (including the National award) and accolades started pouring in. Abhishek or Gattu (as he is fondly called) was catapulted into the big league with his 2008 blockbuster Rock On!!. After five years, the filmmaker is ready to mark his comeback with UTV Motion Pictures’ Kai Po Che – a film based on Chetan Bhagat’s The 3 Mistakes Of My Life.
The journey hadn’t been easy. He took over two and a half years to prepare the screenplay. And wrote 20 drafts before finalising it. Gattu even shot in the sweltering 50-degree heat of Gujarat for over 80 days. And learnt a new thing about the people there. “We were getting baked from 9 in the morning. But what attracted me was the spirit of Gujarat. There is something about the people – always bright and chin up. They are on top of their game. I think the cultural heart of India lies somewhere between Gujarat and Rajasthan,” the director told us minutes after screening the film’s promo exclusively for Mirror.
Talking about his next venture, we were intrigued by his move away from Excel Entertainment – that too after a successful project. More >
Farhan Akhtar-Ritesh Sidhwani to start 6 projects in 12 months?
11 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
The friends quash rumours of a fallout by planning to launch half a dozen projects over the next ten months, under their banner Excel Entertainment
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 20, 2012)
Contrary to reports that have been doing the rounds for a while now, we can tell you that all is indeed well between Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Siddhwani. Proof: the duo’s production house Excel Entertainment is putting out not one but six films on floors in the next ten months. And if rumours are to be believed, the both of them are also putting their money where their mouth is: apparently, a whopping Rs 300 crore is being invested in these films.
When contacted Ritesh confirmed the story.
The six projects are: One, Zoya Akhtar’s next after Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara that would go on floors by end December 2012 with Zoya working on the script that would be ready in the next four months. Two, Excel is almost done with the the Aamir Khan-Kareena Kapoor-Rani Mukerji starrer Talaash with Reema Kagti already planning her next film, jointly written by her and Zoya. Three, Farhan’s next after Don 2 that would go on floors in early 2013 where he plans to translate the idea he has in mind into a script during breaks from the shoot of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Four, Rock On 2 whose script Abhishek Kapoor has completed and has started working on it’s screenplay along with Pubali who wrote Rock On!! Five, a story given by Abhinay Deo of Delhi Belly fame to Farhan and Ritesh which they have approved. More >
Rock On 2 to begin after Talaash
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Joginder Tuteja, November 19, 2011 – 14:30 IST
After months of speculations, it is finally confirmed. Rock On 2, sequence to immensely popular Rock On, is definitely happening. The film is all set to go on floors next year and would be directed by Abhishek Kapoor, the man who had originally directed Rock On. Incidentally, this is the only film which Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, producers at Excel Entertainment, have finalised before announcing their newer set of films next year.
“Yes, Rock On 2 is on”, confirms a source connected to the production house, “In fact pre-production of the film is already on and Abhishek too is working on bringing this one on floors. Though he was also working on Chetan Bhagat’s The 3 Mistakes Of My Life to bring it on celluloid, it would now be Rock On 2 first. We begin shooting next year.”
Ever since Rock On (2008) turned into a good hit and started finding cult status amongst the youth, there was pressure on the makers to bring out a sequel soon. However, they had commissioned work on other films as well due to which Rock On 2 had to be put on backburner.
“Last year they had to get Karthik Calling Karthik going while this year was particularly busy with Game, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Don 2. Each of them has been a very big film for Farhan and Ritesh while Talaash too has taken over a year to be made. Now that the Aamir Khan starrer has been finalised for June next year, there are plans being finalised for other films. First to More >
Sanjay turns Sharman’s driving instructor
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 07, 2011)
Before Sharman Joshi’s stint as a rockstar for the sequel of Rock On!!, the actor will be going on a joy ride for producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Ferrari Ki Sawari. And to get into character to drive the luxury sports car, the actor has reportedly been taking driving lessons from Sanjay Dutt.
A source informed Mumbai Mirror that Chopra asked his good friend Dutt, who owns a Ferrari himself, to teach Sharman how to handle the vehicle.
The source told us that Sharman has been taking driving lessons from Dutt, since Sunday. “Sanjay instantly agreed to teach Sharman. He has been teaching the actor in his own Ferrari. They take the car out in the late hours of the night,” said the source.
The source added, “Vidhu could have hired a professional trainer to teach Sharman the same, but he chose to ask Sanjay instead. He is very close to Sanjay, especially after the actor starred in his films – Munnabhai MBBS (2003) and Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006).” Apparently, Sharman has until the end of the month to learn to drive the luxury sports car, as that is when he is scheduled to shoot the Ferrari sequence for the film. The film, which is directed by Rajesh Mapuskar, is expected to release in April 2012.
Coming soon: Rock On 2?
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal and Purab Kohli to come back again with the sequel to their 2008 blockbuster Rock On!!
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 01, 2011)
Katrina Kaif shedded her miss goody two shoes image to don the ripped denims and a guitar. Following her grunge rock avatar, Ranbir Kapoor is ready with Rockstar. And now, the original rock boys (at least the ones who made the term popular in Bollywood) are back for their second gig. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment have asked Abhishek Kapoor to direct the sequel to the 2008 blockbuster Rock On!!
According to sources, the two leading actors of the film – Farhan Akhtar and Arjun Rampal were ready to start a sequel right after the film released in 2008. However, director Abhishek Kapoor had his reservations back then.
Kapoor had told a news daily, “I don’t want to rush into a sequel just because it is a commercially viable thing to do. The sequel has to stand on its own feet and not just be a carryover of the original.”
The following three years seem to have helped him change his mind. “Now the entire cast and crew are ready. Same applies to the script. The film will be called Rock On!! 2,” revealed a source close to the film.
Kapoor was reportedly working on the adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s latest novel The 3 Mistakes Of My Life and another original screenplay, a few months back. “Abhishek Kapoor is now totally focused on Rock On!! sequel. He wants it to be as big as the More >