Posts tagged russia

What’s the real budget of Abbas-Mustan’s Players?

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1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

By Joginder Tuteja, November 10, 2011 – 11:44 IST

A couple of years back there was huge brouhaha around the budget of Akshay Kumar-Sanjay Dutt starrer Blue being pegged at a mighty Rs.100 crores. Very recently the same phenomenon repeated with Shah Rukh Khan-Kareena Kapoor’s Ra.One where it was widely publicised as the costliest Indian movie ever made with a budget in the excess of Rs.150 crores. It’s a different matter though that around the release, official numbers declared by the makers turned out to be much lower.

“Right through their making, Ra.One as well as Blue carried huge speculations around their actual budget. Sale holds good for other biggies in the past like Hrithik Roshan’s Kites or Salman Khan’s Veer. When it comes to superstars, trade as well as industry tends to get a little carried away. This results in inflated numbers floating around various sources”, says an industry expert, “The makers too refrain from making any official confirmation since talks centred on huge budgets only ends up keeping their films in the limelight.”

No wonder, the makers of the next big film Players aren’t willing to take chances and have promptly come forward to reveal the real budget of the film. Though rumour has it that this multi-starrer heist action thriller by Abbas-Mustan costs anywhere in the upwards of Rs.75 crores with some even pegging the film at Rs.90 crores, the makers have declared Players budget as much more reasonable Rs.45 crores.

“What’s the point in first More >

Felt like giving my 10th std exam again-Abhishek Bachchan

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Frankspeak with Abhishek Bachchan

Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; May 3, 2011)

 

Abhishek Bachchan is juggling three mobile phones. The actor has been getting kudos for his sensitive performance in Dum Maaro Dum from the industry, the media and friends. The superstar son is happy that despite the IPL craze, DMD has managed good numbers. AB junior, who has been travelling non stop to various cities for the film promotions, admits that it is the first time in weeks that he has actually managed to put his feet up and relax. Excerpts from the interview:

So with DMD’s success, brand AB is looking strong again? Honestly, I was very nervous before the film’s release. It felt like I was giving my 10th standard exams all over again. Of course, I’m happy with the congratulatory messages I got for my performance. Also the reactions on the social networking sites have been encouraging. DMD has already covered most of its costs. Satellite has taken care of a fair percentage; the rest has come from the box office.

Eleven years into the business; are you still affected by praise and criticism? That will always be the case. When people criticise you (I have been getting a lot of that until Dum Maaro Dum came) it shows that they still care. That is the sign of success. Indifference is what kills an actor. Extreme love and extreme hate are welcome. At least, you evoke a response. It means you still matter. What more can a performer ask for? You know that More >

Arrogance repulses me-Bobby Deol

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Bobby Deol on the see-saw called stardom

Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; April 26, 2011)

 

Life is coming up roses for Bobby Deol post Yamla Pagla Deewana and Thank You, but ill health has put a spoke in his celebrations. The actor was in a mellow mood just before he flew to Russia for a month-long schedule of Abbas Mustan’s Players. Excerpts…

Your career is going good, so why the low profile? Funny you should ask this. I was very happy with the success of Yamla Pagla Deewana and wanted to keep the celebrations going. But I’ve been facing some health issues or the other. So I’m happy, yet not able to celebrate. My dad (Dharmendra) always told us that health is true wealth and we should care for it above all else. I’m more careful now.

Despite bad health, you’ve packed in two releases in four months… Yeah, YPD came in January and the whole month went by with promotions and then celebrations. I also had a birthday (January 27) break. Then Thank You promotions began. Since I wasn’t well, my stamina was low. But success is a good thing. My spirits are high.

Your sons are said to be missing you like crazy? I’ve hardly been home from the start of 2011. Both my sons Aryaman and Dharam are missing me like crazy and vice versa.. When they heard I’m going off for a month to Russia, they were upset. Both of them take turns sleeping with me whenever I am home, because they want to be close to me.

Is success in this second round of your career More >

Love in Goa for Abhi-Ash

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

To celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary, Junior Bachchan planned an elaborate surprise for his wife

Noyon Jyoti Parasara (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 22, 2011)

Promoting his forthcoming film all over the country, Abhishek Bachchan has been really tied up lately. However, the loving husband did not let his busy schedule ruin his fourth wedding anniversary.

In fact, the actor planned a surprise for his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and swept her off to Goa for a romantic night out.

A source revealed that on Wednesday, the actor surprised his wife by taking her directly to the airport where a chartered flight was already waiting for them. “They reached the airport around 6 pm and took the flight to Goa.

Ash was in for a surprise as Abhishek had booked a suite in one of the Taj hotels in Goa,” added our source.

After a romantic night together in Goa, the couple was back in Mumbai around 11 am the next morning.

Considering, Abhishek has to leave for Russia today, with the rest of the cast of Abbas-Mustan’s Players, stealing one night with his wife to celebrate four years of marriage seems like an extremely cute though somewhat filmy gesture on the actor’s part.

Japan will fight back-Rajinikanth

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

The superstar enjoys a huge fan base there

V Lakshmi (BOMBAY TIMES; March 24, 2011) What legendary actor Raj Kapoor is to Russia, superstar Rajinikanth is to Japan. The actor enjoys as much popularity in Japan as he enjoys here. In fact, his film Muthu is reportedly the first Tamil film to have been dubbed in Japanese and released as Muthu Odoru Maharaja. So, when his fans in Japan fell victim to nature’s wrath, it was but natural that Rajini came out in public to pledge his support for them. At a meet organised by business tycoon Veeramani, Rajini said his heart went out to those who have suffered losses, both personal and material, as an aftermath of tsunami and earthquake.

He said, “The people in Japan are known for bouncing back and fighting. But, how many times will they fight nature’s wrath? I pray to God to give them strength.” Added the superstar, “No aid is bigger than heart-felt prayers and no medicine is as powerful as meditation. I know my friends there will bounce back to life soon.” Rajini has received many invitations from Japan for a friendly visit before this natural calamity. “But I wasn’t able to make a trip then. Now, if I can, I’d like to visit Japan to show my solidarity,” he said.

Inert Agent active again

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

MUMBAI MIRROR; March 19, 2011

Agent Vinod is back on track. All the hiccups pertaining to this Saif Ali Khan Dinesh Vijan film are over.

Recently, it had been rumoured that large chunks of the film had been shot, but there were crucial links missing in the screenplay.

This was causing tension between Saif, who is also the producer of the film, and Sriram Raghavan, its director. The latest is that Sriram Raghavan is very much in charge of the film.

Saif and Kareena start shooting for this film by end of this week. The couple is flying down to Delhi. “We are shooting for the climax in Delhi. Then we have a schedule in London and Russia. Everything has been chalked out.

We had a few issues with Kareena and my dates. I, in particular, got very busy with Aarakshan. But now, we are full-on with Agent Vinod,” said Saif.

Issues cropped up between the co-producers Saif Ali Khan and Dinesh Vijan last November and one schedule of the film was cancelled.

Sriram Raghvan

Director Raghavan had then told us, “The reason why we aren’t shooting in November is because I wanted to concentrate on the exhaustive action sequences.”

A source close to the film told Mumbai Mirror yesterday, “Agent Vinod is a hardcore action film and not an easy project to shoot.

A few delays were imminent.” Let’s hope mission impossible becomes mission incredible.

There’s no marriage in my kundli-Karan Johar

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Putting industry rumours to rest Karan Johar reveals why he is destined to remain a wedding planner all his life

Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 10, 2011)

So many hats. Now you’re a wedding planner for Imran Khan?

I happily helped Avantika and Imran with their wedding. They’re friends. And considering there’s no wedding in my own life, helping others with their shaadi is my way of living that experience.

So are you one of those sad wedding planners with nothing for themselves?

No. I aspire to be a wedding planner. I live out my own wedding vicariously. There’s no marriage in my kundli.

Why the finality?

I love my single existence. I love living with my mother. I feel I am married to her.

You are launching three new actors in your film Student of The Year?

Yes, two of them Aliya Bhatt and Varun Dhawan are industry kids, while another Siddharth Malhotra has no connections with the industry. Siddharth and Varun were assistant directors on My Name Is Khan (MNIK).

How do you cope with so many Malhotras at Dharma Productions? There are two Siddharth Malhotras, there are Karan and Punit Malhotra…

I think I was a Malhotra in my previous life. We actually have a Malhotra wing at Dharma. There’s Dharma Productions. Then there’s Dharma-Malhotra Productions. There’s a karmic connection between the Johars and the Malhotras.

How did it happen?

I certainly didn’t go looking for Malhotras.

Your chat show got embroiled in a controversy when Deepika Padukone and More >

My Name Is Khan is Bollywood’s first global blockbuster

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; December 27, 2010)

As 2010 draws to an end, Karan Johar — whose February release My Name Is Khan has been Bollywood’s first global blockbuster, is sitting op top of the world and says proudly, “I am overwhelmed, the film was made by Dharma Productions with a global perspective to connect with audiences in India and overseas in a way that no film has ever done before. And it has exceeded expectations and broken box office records in most markets.”

Of this, there is no doubt; not after MNIK released in 70 countries over nine months and across 2,600 screens, to also become the first Indian film to make inroads in China and Italy. In China, its theatrical release in over 350 screens in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Dalian since its launch on November 30, is a landmark achievement. And Shah Rukh Khan as Rizwan Khan – a man affected by Asperger’s syndrome, made his way into the hearts of the Chinese.

Of Fox Star Studios’ phased distribution strategy, its CEO Vijay Singh explains, “This is in unique contrast to existing Bollywood practices where the theatrical life of a film is limited to four weeks. MNIK has opened many new territories for Bollywood. This success would not have been possible without the amazing connect of global audiences with SRK and Karan, coupled with our worldwide distribution strength.”

It is true, MNIK is the first Bollywood film to have a theatrical release in Egypt, More >

Russian Prez visits Ra.One sets

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

The likes of a Russian president and a world famous magician were spotted hobnobbing with the stars on the sets of RA.One

Mauli Singh (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 23, 2010)

Lately the unit of Shah Rukh Khan’s much awaited next RA.One seems to have a lot of high profile visitors.

On Wednesday evening, the Russian President, Dmitri Medvedev, who is in town on a political visit, dropped by on the sets of the film. Medvedev wanted to meet SRK and Kareena Kapoor, the grand daughter of the legendary actor Raj Kapoor.

Shah rukh Khan and Anubhav Sinha Magician Franz Harary

It may be recalled that the legendary actor Raj Kapoor is the most popular Bollywood actor in Russia till date. Shree 420 and Awaara were big hits in Russia and songs from the films can still be heard in restaurants in and around Moscow.

A reliable source reveals, “The president was very keen to meet Shah Rukh Khan. Since he is a huge fan of Raj Kapoor, he also expressed his desire to meet the two grandchildren of Raj Kapoor Kareena and Ranbir. He couldn’t meet Ranbir since the actor is shooting in Delhi for Rockstar, but he did catch up with Kareena and SRK while they were shooting a song sequence at the Yash Raj studios. The President saw one shot, chatted with the stars and left.”

A while ago the world’s best magician, Franz Harary, who made the Taj Mahal disappear years ago, was in B town. Since he was in Bombay he was very keen to see a Bollywood film shoot.

The huge More >

Mukta Arts announces 3 new films on their 32nd Anniversary

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

By Bollywood Hungama News Network, October 25, 2010 – 12:23 IST

One of the most well-known and prolific production houses in Bollywood is Subhash Ghai’s Mukta Arts. The banner, which has given us evergreen hits such as Karz, Ram Lakhan, Karma, Khalnayak, Taal, Pardes, and Aitraaz amongst others, recently celebrated its 32nd anniversary.

In true Mukta Arts tradition, 3 new films were announced on this joyous occasion to be directed by bigwigs such as Abbas Mustan, Priyadarshan and Ghai himself. Cast and credits are being finalised and all the films will begin shooting in early 2011.

Abbas Mustan, who are directing a film for Mukta Arts, sent a message all the way from Russia where they are doing recee for their remake of The Italian Job. Said the director duo, “Firstly we would like to congratulate Subhash Ghai on the 32nd anniversary of Mukta Arts. We’ve had a very long association with Subhashji and are very happy to be associated with him once again. We will be starting the film for Mukta Arts in 2011 and it is titled Garjann and is a fast paced thriller.”

Speaking on making a film for Mukta Arts and Subhash Ghai, prolific filmmaker Priyadarshan said, “I have a few gurus whom I learned film making from and one of the prominent teachers of mine has been Subhashji and my text book of entertaining and visual cinema comes from his films. It’s a great honour for me that I have been chosen as one of the directors to direct a film for him. It’s a great More >

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