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Posts tagged siddharth anand
Saif in ‘Ranbir-addict’ Siddharth Anand’s next
Jul 5th
While he’s ‘addicted’ to his pal Ranbir Kapoor, Siddharth Anand feels obligated to cast Saif Ali Khan in his next
Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 05, 2010)
Besides a link with Kareena Kapoor , Saif Ali Khan and Ranbir Kapoor have another factor in common. And the ‘link’, if we may call director Siddharth Anand that, is in a dilemma – his loyalty to the two stars, both pretty perfect for the films that he makes.
Both Ranbir and Saif stars are very close to Siddharth. In fact before Siddharth did two back-to-back films Bachna Ae Haseeno and Anjaana Anjaani with his childhood friend Ranbir, he’d done his first two films Salaam Namaste and Tara Rum Pum with Saif. So close were the two that the young director had vowed he would never make a film without Saif.
Spoken too soon! Ranbir and Bachna Ae Haseeno changed Siddharth’s priorities, much to the possessive Saif’s dismay.
Says a source, “Saif and Siddharth Anand were quite a team. And Saif had many ideas about how they could collaborate further. Then Siddharth’s family friend and childhood -buddy Ranbir came into the picture. Even Ranbir and Siddharth’s parents are friends. In fact the two are so close that Ranbir broke his one-film-one-director rule and did two films with him.”
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| Saif Ali Khan | Ranbir Kapoor | |
But then Siddharth is also very close to Saif and was troubled by the fact that he had alienated Saif for Ranbir.
Says the source, “After doing one film with Ranbir, Siddharth wanted to cast Saif and Ranbir together in the film to be produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. But that didn’t work out. Siddharth instead ended up making Anjaana Anjaani with Ranbir and Priyanka for Sajid.”
Siddharth admits working with Ranbir is addictive. He is already scripting a third film for Ranbir. But before that, a moral obligation gravitates Siddharth towards another film with Saif.
Says Siddharth, “Yes, working with Ranbir is addictive. Once you work with him you want to work over and over again. But Saif is also a favourite, and he’s also a close friend. So yes, I’m doing a film with Saif early next year, followed by another film with Ranbir.”
Having said that, Siddharth Anand seems to be caught in a perennial dilemma. Both Saif and Ranbir are his close friends and the twain shall never come together.
Remember Ranbir’s resolution to do only solo starrers? Saif too needs to consolidate his position as a solo hero. To tear away from Ranbir and do a film with Saif would be a tough call for the director.
Ajab Vishal Ke Ghazab Birthday Ki Kahani
Jun 28th
By Joginder Tuteja, June 28, 2010 – 11:31 IST
This can happen only in the world of Bollywood. And for the trivia happy, this one will certainly go down as the mother of all, at least in the current year.
Last week the readers were informed about how an altogether new song had been composed for Sajid Nadiadwala’s Anjaana Anjaani and was all set for picturisation today i.e. Monday. But wait, there is a lot more than meets the eye.
Today also happens to be Vishal Dadlani’s (of Vishal-Shekhar duo) birthday. ‘Well, happy birthday Vishal’, one immediately wishes and also adds in the same breath, ‘So how does this contribute to any trivia?’
Well, in a lot of ways actually! Here we go:
1. This is not the first time that a song with Vishal-Shekhar as the composers has been shot on Vishal’s birthday. Two years ago, a song from Bachna Ae Haseeno was also shot on the same day.
2. Both Bachna Ae Haseeno and Anjaana Anjaani have music by Vishal-Shekhar, Siddharth Anand as the director and Ranbir Kapoor as the leading man.
3. The song shot in both instances was the title track
4. Both are club songs
5. During the song composition for Bachna Ae Haseeno, Vishal-Shekhar were composing for Tarun Mansukhani’s Dostana. During the song composition for Anjaana Anjaani, Vishal-Shekhar were composing for Dostana 2.
6. In both instances, Tarun readily allowed his dates with Vishal-Shekhar to be utilised for Siddharth’s film.
7. Both the tracks feature relatively new singers. While Bachna Ae Haseeno track saw Sumeet Kumar, son of Kishore Kumar coming behind the mike, Anjaana Anjaani has newbie Nikhil D’Souza pairing up with Monali Thakur (of ‘Zara Zara Touch Me‘ fame).
8. Just as was the case with Bachna Ae Haseeno title track, even Anjaana Anjaani title track was the last to be recorded by Vishal-Shekhar. Naturally, in both the instances, these have turned out to be the last song from the film shot by Siddharth Anand.
One wonders whether this trivia could indeed by titled as ‘Ajab Vishal Ke Ghazab Birthday Ki Kahani’?
Laughs Vishal, “Well, this is some mad coincidence! Wild, ain’t it?”
Yes, we agree!
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Raajneeti success to benefit Ranbir’s next?
Jun 12th
By Joginder Tuteja, June 12, 2010 – 12:11 IST
What does a hit film do to you? Well, it ends up benefiting not just everyone associated with that film but also the next one which is in the pipeline. A certain Ranbir Kapoor will certainly vouch for that as the blockbuster success of Raajneeti has ensured that his very next release, Anjaana Anjaani (with Priyanka Chopra), hugely benefits from it.
Reasons are aplenty:
a) Raajneeti has made a statement loud and clear that Ranbir isn’t made just for candyfloss cinema. He has the range and if Wake Up Sid and Rocket Singh – Salesman of the Year were the starting points, Raajneeti has been a definite milestone in his career as far as working in offbeat cinema (if looked at from the perspective of what is expected from a young actor of his age) is concerned.
b) The entire balancing act is certainly going in his favour. Just after Wake Up Sid, Ranbir Kapoor returned with a major money spinner in the form of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. While it was always meant to be a so called ‘safe film’ (in Bollywood parlance), the fact remains that it was Ranbir’s charm (amongst some genuine comic moments, super hit music and Katrina Kaif’s continued luck) which helped it enjoy a long run at the box office.
c) With good critical acclaim as well as commercial success coming his way, Ranbir is pretty much being looked at as a package deal, something which has been nurtured to the fullest in Raajneeti. While his restrained performance has made everyone sit up and take notice of his inherent talent, the roaring box office success has proved that audience are willing to accept him even in those roles where he is not just a chocolate hero.
These are the factors that make Anjaana Anjaani an interesting case study on what to expect from Ranbir. He got an initial jolt after Saawariya, only to get a shot in the arm courtesy Bachna Ae Haseeno which had turned out to be a decent success. With Siddharth Anand as the filmmaker who gave Ranbir his first success, Anjaana Anjaani could well be life coming full circle for the director-actor ‘jodi’. Add to that the fact that the film comes from the house of Nadiadwala Grandsons which has been known for its successful record over the years and it can be confidently said that the hit run of Ranbir Kapoor is pretty much safeguarded.
Says a veteran industry follower, “The going couldn’t have been better for Ranbir as he seems to have planned it all quite well. Soon after a rather serious Raajneeti, he is looking at a young entertainer like Anjaana Anjaani. Sajid Nadiadwala is known for making big films which are family entertainers and feelers within the industry are already quite positive about Anjaana Anjaani. Then there are films with directors like Imtiaz Ali (Rockstar) and Anurag Basu (Silence). Though it is a common saying that one can’t plan things to perfection, especially in the unpredictable world of Bollywood, this is pretty much the case if one looks at the way Ranbir has gone about picking and choosing his projects.”
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Priyanka’s stylists make their acting debut
May 9th
By a stroke of luck, Priyanka Chopra’s personal hair and costume stylists got the chance to act with her in Anjaana Anjaani
By Sonal Chawla (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 08, 2010)
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| Priyanka Chopra |
They form the retinue of most Bollywood stars, but hair and costume stylists remain so much in the background that they lead an almost anonymous existence. But the same can’t be said now about Priyanka Chopra’s personal stylists who not only got the chance to face the camera, they were in the same frame as Priyanka.
Priyanka’s hairstylist Priyanka Borkar and costume design team member Anisha will be seen in Siddharth Anand’s forthcoming film Anjaana Anjaani.
A source form the unit reveals, “They were cast quite accidentally. In a climax scene that was shot in a posh lounge in south Mumbai, Siddharth Anand felt he needed more young girls in the frame. With time running out and no feasible options available, he asked Priyanka if he could use Priyanka and Anisha in the frame. Priyanka was game and the crisis was solved.”
The source continues, “Both the girls dressed up for the scene and turned out looking pretty chic.
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| Priyanka Borkar |
Siddharth was very happy as they suited the role, and did their job pretty well. Although they don’t have dialogues, they do get a decent amount of screen presence.”
Siddharth Anand remained unavailable for comment.
Anjaana Anjaani is my riskiest film-Siddharth Anand
Apr 27th
Believe it or not, Ranbir and Priyanka are the only two actors in Anjaana Anjaani
By Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 27, 2010)
With Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra starring together for the first time in Anjaana Anjaani, there is bound to be curiosity about the film. And adding to director Siddharth Anand’s nervousness is the fact that his forthcoming film has only two characters!
Siddharth Anand s
ays, “The expectations are high and frankly, I’m scared. It looks like a romcom. But it’s actaully a love story. I’ve made my riskiest film.”
Commenting on what Anjaana Anjaani is about, he says, “It’s a very real look at love. There’s no third character. So, we needed two actors who could hold the audience’s attention without props and a supporting cast.”
Siddharth says that the film won’t work if Ranbir and Priyanka’s performances don’t click. “When Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge released, you wanted to feel and touch Raj and Simran. That’s how I want audiences to feel about Ranbir and Priyanka.”
Anjaana Anjaani has been scripted by Advaita Kala. “She wrote the chick-lit Almost Single. I asked her to develop a story by my wife Mamta. Ranbir and Priyanka had no reference points for their performance in my film, which is about a few days two strangers spend together,” adds Siddharth Anand.
Priyanka in Ranbir-Katrina starrer Khamoshi?
Mar 29th
Priyanka Chopra to play a mentally challenged role in the Katrina Kaif-Ranbir Kapoor starrer Khamoshi
By Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 29, 2010)
Be it their films or their friendship, Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor are the flavour of the season. After starring in the romcom Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Prakash Jha’s soon-to-release Raajneeti, the two youngsters will be seen together in Anurag Basu’s Khamoshi.
However, the two will be far from being a cosy twosome both on and off the screen. Buzz is that Priyanka Chopra will also be playing a lead role in the film. According to sources, Priyanka, who makes an entry only after the interval and plays a mentally challenged character, loved the script and immediately agreed to star in it. This will be Priyanka’s second film with buddy Ranbir with whom she also stars in Siddharth Anand’s Anjaana Anjaani.
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| Priyanka Chopra | Ranbir Kapoor | Katrina Kaif |
Among the long list of filmmakers who are keen to get Katrina and Ranbir to star in their film is director Imtiaz Ali. But Katrina turned down the offer to star in his film Rockstar opposite Ranbir and chose to star in Anurag Basu’s film instead.
However, considering that Imtiaz Ali is known to always let his lead actresses take centre stage in his films, Katrina could have second thoughts after she hears of the latest addition that she isn’t the only actress to star in Khamoshi, which has Ranbir playing a deaf and mute role.
Anurag Basu is currently trying to finalise the dates as Priyanka is also committed to Don 2 with Farhan Akhtar and Shah Rukh Khan.
Priyanka’s spokesperson said, “We cannot confirm or deny the news right now. Priyanka is currently evaluating several scripts.”
Khamoshi is produced by UTV.
Priyanka turns down Hollywood film offer?
Mar 26th
Priyanka Chopra didn’t think twice before turning down a Hollywood offer for Vishal Bhardwaj’s Saat Khoon Maaf
By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 26, 2010)
She might be one of the most ambitious actresses in Bollywood today, but Priyanka Chopra knows what her priorities are.
While most of our Bollywood actresses would never miss a chance to star in a Hollywood film, Priyanka recently refused to star in Dawn of War. And it wasn’t because she didn’t like the script. The only reason Priyanka turned down the offer was because she chose to star in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Saat Khoon Maaf instead.
A source said, “The dates of Dawn of War and Saat Khoon Maaf were being worked out at the same time and Priyanka was asked to allot her dates in early April.
Left with no choice but to choose one of the two projects, Priyanka didn’t think twice before agreeing to star in Bhardwaj’s film. Priyanka was given a copy of the script of Dawn of War while she was shooting in the US for Siddharth Anand’s Anjaana Anjaani.”
After Priyanka refused the offer, director Tarsem Singh signed Freida Pinto to star opposite British actor Henry Cavill. Priyanka is currently shooting in Gulmarg and Srinagar for Saat Khoon Maaf and remained unavailable for comment.
Priyanka in but no more Katrina, Deepika, Vidya and Anushka in JKSAH
Mar 17th
By Joginder Tuteja, March 17, 2010 – 11:01 IST
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Debutant director Milap Zaveri has been forced to drop his big plans of roping in a dozen odd big names from the industry in his feature film Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. Till about a fortnight back, he had made his intentions very clear about getting Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Vidya Balan and Anushka Sharma for a shot or two in his ‘alien love story’. It all seemed just perfect and apt as well since his film has a Bollywood background with Riteish Deshmukh playing an assistant director and Ruslaan Mumtaz enacting the role of a superstar. This is why; it wasn’t difficult to justify the presence of numerous leading men, ladies and other filmmakers in Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai.
However, as is the current situation today, Milap would have to be content with half his wish list turning out to be true and the reason behind this is an age old issue – date problem – something that has always shown its ugly side ever since the inception of Bollywood.
“Really, all these women were so nice and supportive of me right from the time I had requested them to come on board. Verbally, there was an understanding that they would feature in the film. But then I was the man in hurry, though for all the right reasons. Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai goes for Censors this Friday and I had to get the final cut ready. I couldn’t have afforded to delay that by waiting for any further shoot. Though everyone from Katrina and Deepika to Vidya and Anushka did assure me that they could be available at a later date, I couldn’t have waited further. Ultimately, I had to let go”, says Milap who is hurt due his shattered dream.
Meanwhile, there was silver lining in the form of Priyanka Chopra who readily gave her shot for Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai soon after her return from US shoot of Anjaana Anjaani. Though it has just been a few days since she landed in Mumbai after a marathon shoot of her Siddharth Anand directed film, Priyanka was game to shoot for the guest appearance.
“Isn’t that fantastic? Now, I have at least half my wish been granted. Along with my beautiful alien (Jacqueline Fernandez) and the looser-in-love (Riteish Deshmukh), I have some great folks like Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, Karan Johar, Farah Khan, Sajid Khan, Boman Irani and Amrita Rao as a part of my very first film. As for the rest (Katrina, Deepika, Vidya and Anushka), I will make sure that they are in the film’s premier at least. By no means can I afford not to have them connected to Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai in some way or the other”, smiles Milap.
Also starring Ruslaan Mumtaz, Sonal Sehgal and Vishal Malhotra in principal roles, Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai has music by Sajid Wajid and lyrics by Sameer. Presented by Warner Bros and a co-production of Nikhil Advani and Mukesh Talreja, the film releases all over on 9th April.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Ranbir-Priyanka at the last day’s shoot of Anjaana Anjaani
Mar 10th
Mr Suril and Mrs Dipti Patel, a big movie buff couple, captured some interesting pics of the last day’s shoot of the upcoming film Anjaana Anjaani at San Francisco. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and directed by Siddharth Anand, this hugely awaited film stars Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.
As per the information relayed by the production guys to Mr & Mrs Patel, the premise of the scene is ‘Heroes’. As part of this song sequence, Ranbir appears dressed up as Batman, Santa Claus and Superman! Fortunately, the couple captured Ranbir in different get ups on their camera and undoubtedly, the actor looks damn cute in his various avatars.
Mr & Mrs Patel also captured some sweet moments, the cutest of them being Priyanka playing with Siddharth Anand’s adorable son Ranveer. Ranbir also joins in and also interacts and entertains the other kids present on the sets!
Suril gets a pic clicked with Priyanka while Dipti gets an autograph of Ranbir and gifts him a box of chocolates made specially for him! How sweet of her! This cute gesture lands her a hug and kiss from Ranbir!
Uploaded below are some of the pics from the couple’s prized collection. To check the complete collection, CLICK HERE!
Ranbir in a Santa suit, ready to jump out from behind the tree!
Director Siddharth Anand
Ranbir Kapoor, aka Mr Claus
Priyanka Chopra playing with Siddharth Anand's Son, Ranveer
Suril Patel with Priyanka Chopra
Next scene - Ranbir Kapoor in a Batman costume
Priyanka clicking the pic while Ranbir and the baby's mother flash a cute smile!
Ranbir all set to enact the jump sequence
Pooja, Ranbir and Dipti
IMAGES AND INFORMATION DERIVED FROM SURILDIPTI.COM
Ranbir-Priyanka-The Great Gamblers
Feb 11th
GAME FOR IT: Priyanka Chopra and (inset) Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir and Priyanka play their cards right in Las Vegas
SUBHASH K JHA Times News Network (FEBRUARY 10, 2010)
It wasn’t part of the script of Anjaana Anjaani, but then there’s a bigger scriptwriter up there than the one who spins stories for characters in films. As producer Sajid Nadiadwala discovered in Las Vegas where he is shooting with Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. According to sources, the virgin pair (we’re talking strictly about their onscreen collaboration) have turned out to be closet gamblers not above enjoying a small flutter at the casinos of Vegas. They have the devil’s own luck at the tables and slot machines where both actors were frequently spotted during off hours with director Siddharth Anand and choreographer Ahmed Khan.
Encouraged by this trend and the fact that B-wood has never been to Vegas before, Sajid incorporated some impromptu scenes in Anjaana Anjaani showing Priyanka and Ranbir gambling. He’s playing his cards right, hopefully, because his film releases during Diwali… and Sajid is gambling on a good opening.
