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Posts tagged slumdog millionaire
Trishna is no Shah Rukh Khan or Salman film-Freida Pinto
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 24, 2013)
Although Freida Pinto’s international career has been on an upward swing ever since the release of Slumdog Millionaire, back home, she is yet to be regarded as someone capable of ensuring a decent box office opening – or so is the opinion of Sunil Bohra, whose Hindi version of Trishna is yet to see the light of the day. And according to him, it is due to the absence of a star in the film.
When Mirror caught up with Bohra, the producer of the film, and asked him about the reason behind the delay, he said: “Ï have been waiting to release the Hindi version of Trishna since the longest time. I have to choose the right Friday when there are few films releasing. I don’t want my film to get lost in the crowd. I am looking at a June release. Only Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan’s films don’t get lost in the crowd.”
The bilingual, directed by Michael Winterbottom, is an adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s classic Tess of the D’Ubervilles and is co-produced by Anurag Kashyap. The English version of the film was premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9. The Hindi version of the film was scheduled to release in December 2012, which was postponed to March 2013.
Freida, who was willing to come down to India to promote the film , today, has no clue about the developments. A friend of hers told us: “It is surprising why Bohra has not released the Hindi version when the English version has already come and More >
I am fit but not delusional-Anil Kapoor
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; January 17, 2013)
At 50-plus, you’ve become the epitome of fitness… In the last 10 years, wherever I go, people seem to notice how fit I am. But it started when I was doing Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 1942 A Love Story (1994). That film made me physically conscious. I didn’t want to do a romantic film, because I felt I was too old for it. But then, people around me convinced me to go ahead. To play the young romantic hero, I worked extra hard on my physique. Slowly, people began to take notice that I have stayed lean and fit.
When you entered a party with Sonam recently, an actor joked that you look like her brother… I am very proud to be Sonam’s father. I’m thrilled to be the father of three children. I like being fit, but I’m not delusional. A part of my fitness can be attributed to the fact that my children, who are very health-conscious, urge me to keep fit. Also, post Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and 24 (television series), I’ve travelled extensively across the globe for my professional commitments. Meeting varied people has made me conscious about keeping fit, dressing well, talking nicely and looking good.
How tough is it for an actor to maintain a disciplined lifestyle? The desire to keep fit just gets into your subconscious mind and starts dictating a lifestyle. For years now, I have led a boring existence. No controversies. Even when there were parties in my house, I would hit the bed by 11.30 pm, while Boney Kapoor, Javed Akhtar, Shekhar More >
There remains nothing distinctive about our cinema-Anupam Kher
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
The actor whose Hollywood film has eight Oscar nominations shares his experience and points out why the coveted prize has eluded Bollywood
Jayoti Soor (DNA; January 17, 2013)
Anupam Kher is thrilled that his role of Dr Patel in Silver Linings Playbook directed by David O Russell is being appreciated. He talks about the experience of working with the likes of Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence and is gearing up to root for his film.
How does it feel to be part of a film that has eight Oscar nominations? It is definitely the greatest moment of my life. I feel that I have been able to bring out my experience of 28 years of working in Hindi cinema in front of an international audience. I just got the news that we won the Critics Choice award for Best Acting Ensemble Award and Bradley Cooper said that he couldn’t have been there collecting the award if I and the rest of the team had not given such stellar performances. I have also booked my ticket and am looking forward to attending the Oscar function at LA on February 24.
How was the experience of working with such an excellent team? The journey has been amazing so far and I have learned so much. Seeing veteran actors like Robert De Niro start from scratch for every scene pushed me to better my performance. The work culture was more than professional as not only everyone worked in tandem with each other but the actors would make it a point to be there even if their scenes were not being filmed.
The day I More >
24 unleashed the businessman in me-Anil Kapoor
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
As told to Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 12, 2013)
Slumdog Millionaire introduced me to Hollywood. The film went on to become a phenomenon. I was amazed by the kind of business it did, the slew of awards it won, not to mention the critical acclaim it garnered. I say this because there are so many films that do either: good business or awards plus critical appreciation but rarely both. Then again, how a film fares at the box office does matter to a large extent.
The film took me to my next Hollywood venture – Mission Impossible. Mind you, I didn’t even audition for it. But then I wasn’t made to audition for Slumdog… either. And somewhere between the two films, 24 happened to me.
After playing Omar Hassan in the American series, the businessman in me started thinking: “I must take this show to India”. I was confident I would be able to deliver 100 per cent. Back home, I had received offers to host two shows: Dus Ka Dum and Sach Ka Saamna but I hadn’t taken them up.
However, doing the original 24 changed my attitude toward television. I started enjoying it. And to tell you the truth, I consider every assignment as a learning experience.
Thanks to my tryst with Hollywood, I have made many friends there. I have many more fans as well. Foreigners come up to me now and it’s all thanks to these films. But I make it a point to ask them which country they are from. If they say something like Peru, Japan, South America, then I know it’s only due to my Hollywood More >
Freida Pinto finally signs her first Hindi film
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Jigar Shah (MID-DAY; January 1, 2013)
Freida Pinto became an overnight sensation after her first film Slumdog Millionaire won a bevy of international awards, be it the BAFTAs or the Academy Awards. The actress went on to star alongside Hollywood hottie James Franco and even inked a film with Woody Allen. But what remained on everyone’s mind is when she would actually sign a Bollywood film.
Looks like Freida is gearing up for her first Bollywood film. And according to sources, filmmakers Vikramaditya Motwane and Navdeep Singh have been working on a script that they have offered to her. A source says, “While her films abroad haven’t really worked wonders for her career, she has managed to stay in the spotlight thanks to her immaculate dressing sense and her so-called exotic looks. But this film could change her fortunes.”
Earlier apparently, Shoojit Sircar had approached Freida for Madras Cafe, his upcoming John Abraham starrer. Our sources add that Motwane asked his friend Navdeep (Manorama Six Feet Under) to make a film for his production house. We hear that the film will be heroine-oriented and the script has been penned by Navdeep.
A source close to Freida says, “Both Vikram and Navdeep felt that Freida would suit the role. She has liked the script and will take a call soon.” While he doesn’t deny the buzz, all that Navdeep says is, “It is too early to comment.”
There’s noo hierarchy in Hollywood-Resul Pookutty
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
As told to Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 28, 2012)
My first tryst with Hollywood was in 1997 when London Studios offered me a job. Thereafter, offers poured in but I didn’t accept any; not even a very lucrative one in Los Angeles in 2003. I didn’t want to settle down in any foreign country. I didn’t want second citizenship. I always wanted to do my work and return home. In hindsight, had I stayed back in 1997, I wouldn’t have reached so far in my career. I wouldn’t have won an Oscar. I would never have got the kind of adulation and respect I got here on foreign shores.
However, I learnt a lot from Hollywood and will always be grateful for that. The work culture there is simply fantastic. Unlike here, they allow you to expand your knowledge and discover yourself. They give you space. It’s amazing how punctual they are every single day. Back home, people have a very constricted view of things: Sirf aisa karo, sirf waisa karo. That can get on your nerves at times. I got to know Hollywood rather closely when I started working on the film Blue.
The other thing about Hollywood is there is no hierarchy. They recognise you for your talent and not for who you are. It’s so different here. I am amused how you are called a superhero if you have three hits…
And while on the subject of Hollywood, how can I forget Danny Boyle and Slumdog Millionaire? Trust me, while working on the film, I could ‘hear’ my mistakes. But Boyle transcended all such barriers. He never More >
My films are worth much more than 100 cr-Irrfan Khan
07 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; November 8, 2012)
Irrfan, who’s currently shooting for Nikhil Advani’s next film D-Day in Gujarat, reveals why he is happy not being a highly paid actor and why he is not part of 100 crore club, but 1000 crore films!
You had a humble beginning with films like Drishti and then moved on to character roles, comedy. Now you are doing some interesting work in the West. I think my work in the West is perhaps my compensation for not getting lead roles here. Our Bollywood stars talk of being part of 100 crore films. I think I belong to the 1000 crore club. If you consider the kind of business Slumdog Millionaire, The Namesake and The Amazing Spider-Man did or the kind of budget Life Of Pi has, then my films are much beyond 100 crores. But I am still not a highly paid actor and I am not demanding that kind of money either, because the kind of people I am associated with are not spending money on frills, they are making quality cinema.
You recently mentioned that you’d love to do romantic roles. I don’t want to do romantic roles where I have to lip sync to a song. A role that explores romance on a new level would suit me. Indian cinema is open about intimate scenes, but I don’t want to be part of a film where women are showcased as commodity and nude scenes are shot to attract audiences. That’s not my idea of romance!
What kind of cinema excites you? I think the Bollywood filmmaker is in two minds as to whether he should make an out-and-out masala More >
Was shattered for a month when the malfunction happened-Gauahar Khan
08 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Kathika Kandpal (iDIVA; September 28, 2012)
Having ruled the Indian fashion ramp for four years (2002-2006), Gauahar Khan came to B-town with similar dreams. She did win notice as Koena Shaikh in Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year. But it was as Chaand Baby in Ishaqzaade, that Gauhar caught the fancy of movie enthusiasts. Right now, she’s in the midst of several things, doing up her new house and also being by her close friend’s side whose pet dog has undergone a surgery. Before we begin the chat, she goes through an invite to a high-profile glam party. She tosses aside the invitation and says…
“I don’t like to party” If I could be at home all day, I’d be happy! When I entered the industry, people told me, ‘Oh you’ve got to do your PR, you have to party and be seen.’ But I’ve never been to an after-party of a fashion show, even when I was an A-list model. I never attended a party, drank or flirted. I’d rather spend those hours with family and friends. I seem reserved but for those who know me, I am a full-on nautanki.
“Miss India meant no more studies” I was born in Mumbai but brought up in Pune. I was a good student but was not keen on academics. I enjoyed extracurricular activities instead. The moment my father showed me the Miss India ad, I jumped with excitement and said, ‘Yay! No more studies.’ I couldn’t imagine myself doing a 9-5 job. I needed to do something creative, maybe designing or having my own clothing line.
“I’m closest to Nigaar” I was an outgoing child More >
Danny was calm, patient but occasionally stubborn-Ishika Mohan Motwane
010 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
A man who got what he wanted is how Ishika Mohan Motwane remembers Danny Boyle
Tunali Mukherjee (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 19, 2012)
The first sentence that Danny Boyle, director of eight Academy Awards-bagging film, Slumdog Millionaire said to Ishika Mohan Motwane, best describes what her job as stills photographer for films demands of her.
“‘Glad to have you on board. Grab what you can’,” were Danny’s first words to me. I was on my own, free to capture what I fancied, and with no time to lose,” says Motwane about the 2008 film that became the darling of the Oscar jury the following year.
For her, being the silent documenter on set meant living every moment of the film, photographing during actual takes, making sure she didn’t distract actors or disrupt production.
Her favourite picture is one of Boyle lost in work while shooting a sequence at the Taj Mahal in Agra, where little Jamal Malik, the protagonist, and his brother Salim pose as tour guides in a bid to steal visitors’ shoes. The image made it to the cover of Danny Boyle: In his own words, a book by Amy Raphael, where Boyle chronicles his experience of shooting the film.
Motwane calls watching the director at work nothing less than a treat. “He was calm, patient but occasionally stubborn. He got what he wanted,” Motwane remembers.
Feeding off the British director’s passion and his cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle’s craft of visual storytelling proved a handy lesson when she began shooting husband Vikramaditya More >