10 mega films to watch out for in 2008

Shilpa Jamkhandikar

Now that it’s time to ring in the New year and look ahead, we might as well stop counting the sporadic hits in 2007, and look ahead to what we can expect in 2008. Since Shah Rukh Khan doesn’t have a single release lined-up (at least so far), perhaps our other stars will not face the threat of being outshined. Here are a few films that we think will be the bright spots of 2008.

‘Jodhaa Akbar’

This Ashutosh Gowariker magnum opus will give a royal start to 2008. After the success of ‘Dhoom 2’, the Aishwarya Rai-Hrithik Roshan starrer pairing will hit screens again. Though the release of the film has been delayed thrice, and has been the subject of many a controversy, it is one of the most anticipated films of the coming year.

‘Ghajini’

Aamir Khan will take a break from his newfound love for direction to star in A R Murugadas’s Hindi remake of his Tamil superhit ‘Gajini’. The film also stars actors Asin and ‘Nishabd’ hottie Jiah Khan. It is scheduled to release in September.

‘Tashan’

Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, four stars in one film itself is a good enough reason for audience interest. Add to the fact that Saif and Kareena — Bollywood’s hottest couple star star in this Yash Raj Films banner, and you can be sure that this is one film, which will have audiences flocking to the theatres.

‘Sarkar Raj’

There are a whole lot of reasons to watch this one, but the top one for most people will be watching forever inlove-can’t-believewe’re-married couple Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan with patriarch Amitabh Bachchan on screen for the first time since the big wedding. Plus, it’s going to be Ram Gopal Varma’s chance to redeem himself after the disastrous ‘Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag’.

‘Dilli 6’

More than two years after his cult classic ‘Rang De Basanti’ wowed audiences, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra will be back with ‘Dilli 6’ starring Abhishek Bachchan and Saawariya girl Sonam Kapoor.

‘Ugly and Pagli’

This one promises to be the quirky, kitschy romance from the PNC (Pritish Nandy Communications) stable, sure to remind us of ‘Pyaar Ke Side Effects’. It stars hottie Mallika Sherwat (who has been missing from the silver screen for some time now) and Ranvir Sheorey.

‘U, Me aur Hum’

One more actor succumbs to the baton’s seduction and turns director. Ajay Devgan will direct wife Kajol (and it is rumoured, daughter Nysa too) in this family production. ‘Singh is King’ Coming from the man who is now considered the new king of the overseas market, this Akshay Kumar thriller seems a wholesome entertainer, much in the ‘Namaste London’ and ‘Welcome’ genre. Produced by Vipul Shah, who has given Akshay earlier hits such as ‘Namaste London’ and ‘Waqt’, this one promises to be a bag of laughs.

‘Bhootnath’

We’re sure people will go out and watch this one just to see the Big B (Amitabh Bachchan) and King Khan (Shah Rukh) share the same frame after a long time, and certainly after their much-publicised cold war.

‘Drona’

After close buddy Hrithik Roshan, it’s Abhishek Bachchan’s turn to try his hand at superherogiri. Priyanka Chopra is his bodyguard. Ma Jaya Bachchan is also part of the star cast. With the heavy duty special effects, this one should be one to watch out for.

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Day in Memory | Hrithik Roshan

One makeover which is truly remarkable! When I first set eyes on Hrithik Roshan he was assisting dad Rakesh Roshan on the sets of King Uncle and Karobar. Polite and soft- spoken he was moving around with a clapper, board in his hand, calling the stars on the sets, and not even hesitating to sweep the floor when it came to it.

Lean and lanky, it was impossible to imagine him as the Greek God that he looks now. What did stand out in the boy was his sincerity, and unaffected manner.

The star in Hrithik shone during the promotion of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai.

Though the physical transformation was mind-boggling, his humility when he happily accepted Salman to be responsible for his bulging body was touchingThe only thing he was a bit finicky about was when it came to which photographs of his should be published.

Hrithik was very firm even then that only the best photographs be published.

And despite the world drooling over his looks today he still gets very anxious when it comes to his picture and the only reason for which he could get angry with a journalist! Otherwise the superstar is still a delight when it comes to being amicable, in fact he is better than before.


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Chak De Yaara With SRK Video

Chak De Yaara With Shahrukh Khan' s Video

There are lots of celebrity like Yuvraj Singh, MSDhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Shahid Afridi, Shoheb Akhter, Shishant, Sachin, Saurabh and lots of cricketer in india and pakistan.

Bollywood: - Kareena Kapoor, Koina Mitra, Shahrukh Khan

Watch this Video and Enjoy that show: -

Pay Rs 1 cr for Shah Rukh as celebrity guest

Want your favourite celebrity to shake hands with guests, dance or sing at your wedding? All you need to do is to burn a hole in the pocket - that is, to shell out anything up to Rs.10 million (Rs.1 crore).

Shah Rukh Khan may not agree to do a jig, but he might happily be a guest for Rs.10 million. Bollywood actors and item girls like Celina Jaitley, Malaika Arora Khan, Dia Mirza, Isha Koppikar and Rakhi Sawant charge nearly Rs.1 million each to perform.

Koena Mitra, Shefali Zariwala, Priti Jhangiyani, Payal Rohtagi, Neha Kakkar, Sanobar and Mandira Bedi charge between Rs.500,000-Rs.700,000 to perform at marriage ceremonies.

The schedule includes two high-voltage dance performances of eight-and-a-half minutes each.

"It was unheard of even a decade ago. But today it's different because people have more money. Weddings are no longer rituals for them," Rahul Nagpal, senior manager (entertainment) of event management firm Touchwood Entertainment, told IANS.

"It is a chance to stand out among others by calling in Bollywood stars. But a lot depends on the availability of the star," he added.

Singer Sonu Nigam charges Rs.3 million and Shaan's tag is nearly Rs.2.5 million. While Kailash Kher charges Rs.1.5 million, Daler Mehendi is ready to entertain guests for Rs.120,000, Sukhbir charges Rs.800,000, Mika Rs.500,000, and Harbhajan Mann Rs.400,000. They are in great demand at Punjabi weddings.

Praneeta, operations head of wedding planner Luxury Weddings, said: "Apart from making weddings distinctive, people also want to reflect their personality by inviting actors to their weddings."

Fifty percent of her firm's clients demand celebrities at their weddings every year. The demand also depends on the region a customer belongs to.

"The demand is more in north Indian cities like Delhi, Chandigarh and Ludhiana. Simply because these cities are away from tinsel town, stars are more sought-after. They also have more purchasing power," said Praneeta.

The mood of the wedding - subtle or elaborate - also dictates which celebrity will grace the occasion.

"For subtle extravaganzas, ghazal singers like Jagjit Singh charge Rs.800,000, Talat Aziz charge Rs.400,000 and Peenaz Masani charges Rs.250,000 - for an hour's concert.

"Where there are more youngsters, rock bands like Sukhbir, Jaggi D, Veronica, Bombay Rockers, Jal, Junoon and Raeth charge over Rs.1 million for an hour's show," she added.

The list also includes reality show celebrities, the Chak De! India girls and Bhojpuri actors. They charge no less than Rs.500,000.

"Bangalore, Mumbai, Aurangabad and Jaipur are the other cities where celebrities are required for marriages," Nagpal added. His company organises at least 10 star-studded marriages every season.

"It is difficult to convince cricketers. However, Kapil Dev and Yuvraj Singh come when event organisers request them personally," Nagpal said.

Other than paying for the appearance of celebrities, the client also has to pay for passage and the entourage of about 10-11 members.

"Clients pay around Rs.50,000 extra for pictures and video. Singers charge Rs.50,000 for singing live or else they just lip sync. Some celebrities request for special lights - dim or bright," said Praneeta, who is upbeat about the future of this trend.

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Shahrukh Khan more popular than Tom Cruise

A year ago, Shahrukh Khan was asked how he felt about a report that 3.2 billion people knew him, while only 2.7 billion across the world knew Tom Cruise. Replying with his trademark humility, Khan pointed out that Cruise still made more money thanks to Hollywood's marketing and pricing power. "So there, we do fall short," he had said.

But, recent indications show that King Khan will have less room to complain in the years to come. Bollywood cash flow has just begun to build up in tandem with its effort to build global scale and reach. And last month, there was an opportunity to guage the current market appeal of both Khan and Cruise. Lions for Lambs, directed by Robert Redford and starring Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep released about the same time as Om Shanti Om (OSO), directed by Farah Khan and starring Shahrukh Khan and debutante Deepika Padukone. Cruise's movie, which had consumed $35 million in production, garnered $10.3 million in 45 markets on its opening weekend. Khan's movie, also his home production, grossed $19 million worldwide in its opening weekend.

But the most thumping show of the rising might of Indian films came Tamil Superstar Rajinikant's Sivaji , which collected between Rs 100-150 crore worldwide — the highest for any Indian film so far. While OSO and Sivaji are just like oases in a desert, they show that Indian movies have it in them to be global offerings.

Bollywood is sure to make a determined bid to narrow its revenue gap with Hollywood, experts say. Advances in digital technology have brought down the cost of prints — a big cost element — by as much as 90%. That has made it easier for Indian film producers to put out many more prints for distribution. So a movie like OSO is today able to release with a simultaneous print run of 1,400, of which 500 are digital.

One reason is the improving economies of scale. Multiplex cinemas are spreading across the nation, even in smaller towns. In fact, multiplex halls average Rs. 150 per movie. "With increased prints come more collections, especially in the Bombay circuit, Central Province and Central India," says Rajesh Mishra, chief operating officer, UFO Moviez, which has installed digital outfits in 903 cinemas across 23 states. Digital distribution has raised revenue per film. If the last year's big ticket films were sold in the range of Rs 4-6 crore to distributors for Bombay, the territory with the highest earnings, the tag has gone up to Rs 11 crore this year. This can only increase considering industry estimates that the reach of multiplexes is going to increase from 400 to 2,000 by 2011.

The spread of Internet and mobile phone usage, coupled with the Indians' everlasting passion for music, will ensure new media revenues grow for Bollywood. Digital music revenue is expected to touch Rs 3,601 crore by 2009, compared with Rs 450 crore in 2005, according to a PwC study. More and more firms are tapping this potential. For instance, Eros Entertainment derived 11% of its April-September total revenue from new-media opportunities.

"Our industry is already 70% of the way there with the existing content. The balance 30% will come with better distribution, smarter marketing and astute positioning," Aditya Shastri, CEO of production house People Pictures, said. "It is the firms which are investing in content that will succeed in the long run."

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Deepika out of Roshan's film

Rakesh Roshan has turned down OSO girl Deepika Padukone. The film, starring Hrithik Roshan could have been Deepika's ticket to the A-list in Bollywood.

Our sources, however , say that Deepika was not suitable for the role so she was shown the door. When contacted Rakesh Roshan confirms that they are not going ahead with Deepika.

He says, "I am in the process of working on a film which will be directed by Anurag Basu. We may work with Deepika for some other film. "Anurag Basu, who is directing the film endorses, "We are yet scouting for the female lead."

As for Deepika, he says, "Deepika didn't fit the role. We'll definitely work with her in future for some other project. It's quite a complex character and we are looking out for a female lead."

After they dumped Deepika, Roshans are now looking at casting a non-Indian for the role. Says a source, "Roshan's production house and Anurag have been auditioning girls. The female lead needs to be a salsa dancer."

The film is a romantic-action-thriller which will be shot abroad. It is scheduled to go on the floors by March 2008. Apparently, the film is based on Latin dance forms and Hrithik will be seen performing a lot of salsa.

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Bollywood + Cricket = Advertising Accountability

Bollywood stars and cricketers are proving to be a winning combination for advertisers this year, resulting in an greater advertising accountability.

While film stars have always been in demand for ads, with Team India bringing home glory after winning the T20 series and the India-Pakistan Test series, the marketability of Indian cricketers has skyrocketed.

While Saif Ali Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Dhoni and Robin Uthappa talk about making life larger in one ad, Shah Rukh Khan and Dhoni celebrate the spirit of success in another.

Ad filmmaker Jay Mehta feels that the Bollywood-cricket combo works very well with the film audience here. "Bollywood always had a presence in ads; it's just that brands are now cashing in on the revival of the Indian cricket team. It's like having the best of both worlds," Mehta says.

Ad man Bunty Peerbhoy points out that sports and movies are high focus groups and when brought together, add to the glamour quotient of an ad. "This is a new phenomenon in the ad world and the reason is the emergence of innumerable brands. We have so many brands now that there is no novelty in using just Bollywood stars again and again. Using a cricketer adds to the novelty value." he says.

"Besides, cricket is like a religion in this country. Moreover, cricketers have become superstars in their own right with the sport being promoted on such a large scale even though we have only a handful of glam players," Peerbhoy says.

However, sports personalities in the ad world are in a more vulnerable position than film stars. Binod D'sa, an advertising professional, says, "Though cricket stars are big money, their value in the advertising market is totally performance-dependent."

Bunty agrees, adding that winning matches is more important than how they perform. "Let them lose one series and you will see them vanishing from the screens. We enjoy winning and not the sport. That is why we are a single sport country and hardly see stars representing other sports in ads," he says.

But ad consultant Vijayan Menon feels that the likeability factor of a brand ambassador is very important, irrespective of whether it's a Bollywood Star or a cricket player.

"The image of the person is more important than the performance. The audience has to like him. When you get called for an ad, it's because of how you are perceived by customers, not your recent performance," he says.

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Deepika Padukone has not put studies on back-burner

NEW DELHI: She has grabbed eyeballs with her performance in Om Shanti Om and is the latest Bollywood heart-throb.
But Deepika Padukone has not put academics on the back-burner and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts course at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

The 21-year-old rising star evidently has interest in socio-economic issues, as shown by her choice of subjects.

"Padukone is a student of BA course in IGNOU since 2005. She has opted for sociology as her major with economics as a subsidiary subject," Srikant Mohapatra, the varsity's Registrar told.

Padukone, who did her schooling from Bangalore, moved to Mumbai to pursue her career in modelling.

"She has appeared in five papers at the end of the first year in 2006. She has done well in the exams," Mohapatra said.
As part of her course, Padukone will appear in 13 papers with total marks of 1200.

The papers she would take in Sociology are: Study of Society, Society in India, Sociological Thought, Society and Stratification, Society and Religion and Social Problems in India.

Similarly, in Economics, which she has taken as a subsidiary subject, Padukone will study Fundamentals of Economics and Agricultural Development in India.

Apart from Sociology and Economics, Padukone has taken up Nutrition and Childcare as an application course.
She has been provided all the study material for the entire course spanning over three years.

The actress has obviously preferred to pursue studies in distance mode because of her busy schedule in her professional career.

"The distance mode gives you the flexibility to pursue education as per your convenience. You need not appear in any class nor do you need to clear the exam in one go," Mohapatra said.

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Salman Khan - The eternal lover boy of Hindi cinema

When he celebrated his 42nd birthday few days ago would Salman Khan have mused about the fact that he needs to undertake a change of image to shed away his image of a lover boy and graduate to being an actor of eminence. What started as a dream debut with MAINE PYAAR KIYA in the early 1990s (his first film as a solo hero, though he had made his debut in BIWI HO TO AISI) has indeed catapulted him to an orbit where it would indeed be difficult for any body to emulate the feet. But is it not the right time to move on?

Salman Khan has written new theories about lover boy and the choice of the name Prem that is given to him in nearly all the movies is symptomatic about the fact that Salman and love are two sides of the same coin. It was owing to this fact that Salman could reign over the audiences for more than fifteen years and gave hits of the order of HUM AAPKE HAIN KAUN, HUM DILL DE CHUKE SANAM, TERE NAAM, SAAJAN etc. which would be the frontrunners for all the romantic films made in the Hindi film industry for long time to come. It was his image of lover boy which even led to adoption of a new hairdo by his crazy fans after he displayed the same in TERE NAAM.

However, it is indeed the opportune moment to graduate to being a comedy star, as the timing of comedy which Salman has displayed right from the times of ANDAAZ APNA APNA to PARTNER is unparalleled.

The success that films based on humor have made during 2007 indeed indicates that the audience is starved of humor and would lap up anything that could mitigate the struggle for day-to-day survival.


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John and Bipasha will be seen in a sizzling item number

The much-in-the-news Bipasha-John pair is very much together. Though the duo refuses to comment on the relationship, Bipasha Basu confirmed they have come together for a sizzling item song in Anurag Kashyap’s No Smoking.

“I don’t think I want to talk about my personal life any more. What’s happening there is for me to know. But, yes, John and I have come together professionally again after Dhan Dhana Dhan… Goal, this time with an item song in Anurag Kashyap’s No Smoking,” Bipasha told IANS.

But, it wasn’t the presence of John Abraham that made her accept the song. “Certainly not! It was Vishal Bharadwaj, the man who gave me two of my best item numbers - Beedi and Namak in Omkara. He told me about the item song in No Smoking at an awards function in Yorkshire. After what the Omkara numbers did to my stage presence, I promptly said ‘yes’ to Vishal.”

What about the danger of being branded an item girl? “When have I cared about my image?” Bipasha shrugged. “And, besides I’ve full faith in the intelligence of the film industry, also my audiences. By now they know what I’m capable of, and it’s not just items.”

Bipasha is now looking forward to shaking a leg with John. “Though we’ve done songs before, John and I have never done this kind of sizzling number before. Vishal has pulled out all stops in the composition.” Bipasha is sure the number will be a rage. “John and I will have fun dancing to it. I love the tune. Hopefully, it’ll be another number to bring the house down at my stage concerts.”

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Akshay Kumar’s most expensive dance

Akshay Kumar is going places… that’s why there’s a virtual AK film festival happening everywhere these days. Now, soon at your nearest multiplex will be one of Akshay Kumar’s most expensive dances. Bhushan Kumar’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa, directed by South’s ace film-maker Priyadarshan has a special lavish song picturised on Akshay amidst sultry belles, a sports car, desert setting, wet beaches and a gigantic Buddha statue. And for this extravagant special title track, dancers were specially flown in from the UK to groove with Khiladi Kumar. Choreographed by Ganesh Acharya it was shot at different locations including Mumbai’s Film City and Aksa Beach. The title has Akshay sporting a totally cool look while crooning Hare Ram. “We can’t disclose the amount, but let me assure you, it’s one of the most expensive dances ever to be shot. We wanted to create something different and grand and that’s when along with my producers I stumbled upon this idea. Akshay has been given a cool new look,” says Priyadarshan.

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How Shah Rukh became absolutely fit

We’ve all witnessed Shah Rukh Khan’s awesome abs recently. Well, such things don’t happen overnight, and SRK too seems to have gone through the grind for it. And now the hard work seems to be worth every drop of sweat, and every morsel of cake that has been sacrificed. Shah Rukh, for more than three months went on a high protein diet and was disciplined with his workouts. Now the actor has the girls drooling over him in a different sort of way. From the chocolate boy to the sex symbol, our Badshah Khan seems to be enjoying his reign. And his fans seem to be enjoying it too.

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Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan played to the gallery recently

Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek were in full form recently. Father and son were shooting on adjacent sets, and unit members had a great time watching the two fool around.

Big B was shooting for his film, Bhootnath, when son Abhishek Bachchan, who was shooting for an ad next door, dropped in on the sets. In fact, the two kept paying each other mini-visits, sharing jokes and generally having fun. During one such break, Big B went to Abhishek’s sets to see him perform when the director sent an assistant to call Big B for a shot. The poor assistant didn’t realise that Abhishek’s shot was on and he simply walked across to call Big B, coming in the way of Abhishek and the camera.

Says a source , “Abhishek was at his jovial best, and declared in front of all that since the assistant had spoilt his shot, he too would go to the sets of Bhootnath to spoil their shot. And, he did actually go over to Big B’s sets during his break. What followed next was hilarious. Abhishek got into Big B’s costumes and got hold of the script. Next, he asked for the cameras to start rolling and started saying Big B’s dialogues from the script. The entire crew was in splits as they watched Abhishek. Even Big B was amused. He turned to the director and said, ‘Oh, You have got a new actor in my place, I should take your leave now.’”

When contacted, director of Bhootnath, Vivek Sharma, confirmed the incident, saying, “Abhishek did drop by on the sets frequently as he was shooting just next door. It was a great experience to watch the great rapport that the father and son share. And yes, Abhishek’s antics did have us all in splits.”

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Kareena Kapoor desperate to act in Shankar’s ‘Robot’

From what we hear, Kareena Kapoor is very eager to be part of Shankar’s Shah Rukh Khan starrer, Robot. So much so that the actor paid a personal visit to SRK to convince him that she is just right for the role.

Known to prepare painstakingly for roles, Kareena doesn’t shy from doing what it takes to deliver her performances. Obviously, she’s going the whole hog to ensure that this plum role, too, falls in her lap. After Asoka, Kareena hasn’t had a chance to act opposite SRK. The buzz is that she really wants to act opposite SRK. Our source reveals, “Ever since Kareena heard that SRK was the leading man of Robot, she immediately made up her mind to do that film too. The actor visited SRK’s Bandra home, Mannat, and in the presence of Gauri Khan, said that she should be considered for the female lead in Shankar’s Robot.”

Kareena has always openly admitted that she is an ardent SRK fan. In fact, earlier, she went out of her way to accommodate Asoka in her schedule to be part of the SRK project. The source said, “She was last paired with SRK in Asoka. They were then seen in Karan Johar’s Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham but they weren’t opposite each other. Since then, she wanted to work with SRK. Shankar’s Robot, she felt, was a good opportunity to work with SRK once again.”

For those unfamiliar with Shankar’s Robot, the director had originally planned the film with Kamal Hassan in the lead. However, the role finally went to Shah Rukh. Although Shankar has chosen to remain secretive about the story of the film, but insiders have it that the film is a science fiction. “It is a futuristic and stylish movie,” our source says.

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Hrithik to star in Anurag Basu's next

There's bad and good news for Hrithik Roshan's fans in 2008. Hrithik's next starrer would not be directed by his father. In fact, papa Roshan has decided to take a long sabbatical from direction.

But hold on. Rakesh Roshan is producing a film to start in July 2008 that will feature Hrithik in a never-before avatar. "It's an action thriller with a strong love story at its heart. Anurag Basu, whom both I and Hrithik think very highly of, is directing the film for us," reveals Rakesh Roshan a week before year-end, thereby putting an end to all wild speculation about the seriousness of Hrithik's knee injury.

It's been a time of turmoil for Hrithik Roshan. A troublesome knew injury finally decided to act up seriously. "The doctors told him he needed to rest the knee completely, and I mean completely, otherwise it would give way. The injury got aggravated from all the stunts in his recent films including Krissh. It got to a point where his knee gave way completely. The doctors said he had to take complete rest for two months or face the consequences," says concerned papa Rakesh Roshan. Hrithik who has just returned from two weeks in Singapore now leaves for the Gold Coast for further recuperation.

He returns to perform an intricate item number for his father's first non-Hrithik production Krazzy 4. "Well, people always wondered how I could make a film without Hrithik. So here he is, all set to do his career's first item song. My brother Rajesh Roshan has already recorded the song and I'm putting up an elaborate set for the song to be shot in March 2008. However, let me warn Hrithik's fans, if I feel his knee is not up to it, I won't shoot the song."

Source: IndiaFM

Welcome and TZP benefit due to Jodha Akbar's delay

Welcome being a super-success and Taare Zameen Par showing steady escalation isn't news any more. What is news though is an extended great run at the box office for both the films, which is pretty much on the cards now due to Jodha Akbar being postponed to February. Though the official date being cited is February 15, there are still doubts if this would stick on to be the final date. With coming weeks boasting of mostly small/medium budget productions with a limited market and only a handful of films which could be taken seriously, it greatly helps the prospects of Welcome and Taare Zameen Par to enjoy a longish stay at the screens. Coming Friday sees Return of Hanuman and Showbiz. While Anurag Kashyap has been quoted as saying that "Return of Hanuman could be as big a blockbuster as Om Shanti Om,” Mukesh Bhatt has maintained that "Showbiz would work with word of mouth going in it's favor". The fact still remains that none of the two films are expected to embark on an earth-shattering opening, hence allowing Akshay and Aamir to stay strong even in the second week. A film like Manthan Ek Kashmakash that may release on January 4 (deadly first weekend of a year), spells Z grade from miles away and the only thing it guarantees is an inauspicious beginning to 2008. A week later things turn better but still not in a way which could announce Halla Bol at the box office. Bombay To Bangkok is a small film by Iqbal team of Subhash Ghai, Nagesh Kukunoor and Shreyas Talpade and would see a limited release. Raj Kumar Santoshi, who would be desperate for a box office, has announced, "Halla Bol is a wake-up call for our collective conscience" while also clarifying that this Ajay Devgan (who plays a superstar) starrer is not set in the film industry. The film again belongs to ‘wait and watch’ category, as is the case with the third release of the January 11-My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves, which marks the debut of Nikhil Dwivedi. Earlier this month, producer Surendra Bhatia had postponed his Rajpal Yadav, Ashish Chaudhary, Neha Dhupia starrer Rama Rama Kya Hai Dramaaa stating, "There are number of biggies slated for a release in December, and we would be forced to vacate theatres/multiplexes once these films release." The situation definitely has improved as January 18 currently stands as an open weekend for this comedy. Still, it is more or less a negligible competition for Welcome and Taare Zameen Par. The first major competition, which comes, the way of Akshay and Aamir is Sunday which hits the screens on January 25, 2008. "The film unabashedly promises to be a mix of action, comedy, romance, and thrills. Director Rohit Shetty appears to have a winner in hands," says a trade insider. A solo release, it is followed by small/medium budget films like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Superstar, promotion for which is still to begin. What this means for both Welcome and Taare Zameen Par is that both the films would now have more or less an uninterrupted run for an almost 8 weeks! Astonishing, since in the times when there is competition arriving every Friday, Akshay and Aamir would have as many as two open months for their films. Source

Jodha Akbar first song - jashn-e-bahaaraa

Marhabaan Marhabaan (Song of Jodha Akbar)

Sony Pictures doesn't regret making 'Saawariya'

A top official of Columbia-Tristar has said that sibling company Sony Pictures, which forayed into India as a producer with "Saawariya", is extremely proud of the film and will continue making films in Bollywood.

In a candid conversation from the US, Columbia-Tristar vice-chairman Gareth Wigan said: "We're very proud of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Saawariya'. It's earned a lot of money. We're delighted to have made this film.

"The profits haven't been outstanding. The film was made at around $8 million. We sold nearly $20 million worth of tickets. Plus the television, DVD rights and merchandise," Wigan, who supervises non-American films on behalf of Sony Pictures, told IANS in an interview.

Wigan seemed unsure of how much "Saawariya" was affected by adverse reviews.

"I'm not sure how much Indian audiences pay attention to critics. I think it's very easy when a film performs less well than we hoped to look for a culprit. When a film doesn't do as well as expected the marketing and movie people blame each other."

In the last 10 years, Columbia-Tristar and its sibling company Sony Pictures have made movies in 12 different countries.

"In some countries we've succeeded with our first film. In others we haven't. There're no textbook rules on how to make films. Films come out of a passion of the heart."

The company is in negotiation with several major Indian filmmakers.

"We look forward to making more films with Sanjay Bhansali and other filmmakers in India. Two years ago we knew nothing about filmmaking in India. Today, we know more. We'll never stop learning."

Wigan reiterates there's no disappointment over "Saawariya".

"I personally feel more experienced after 'Saawariya'. Many people in the popular media were looking at 'Saawariya'. If it had been a huge success, they'd have seen it as the success of Hollywood.

"Now having judged the box office performance of 'Saawariya' incorrectly they say, Hollywood failed. We did neither. We certainly didn't fail with 'Saawariya'. Nor was it a huge triumph. We'll continue making films in India as planned."

As for the suspicion that a major foreign company elicits in the Indian business circle, Wigan is confident about finding a place for Sony Pictures.

"The film industry in India is highly successful. And we want to become part of it. I think we'll be accepted. Yes, there will be a slight rivalry with other production houses. That's healthy. We don't hope for or expect any enmity."

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Hrithik turns item boy with 'Krazzy 4'

Hrithik Roshan, who is recuperating from a knee surgery, is all set to appear in the comedy "Krazzy 4", his father's first production without him as a hero.

Hrithik, who has just returned from two weeks in Singapore, now leaves for Australia for further recuperation. He will return to perform an intricate item number for "Krazzy 4". To be directed by Raja Sen, the film is a comedy and stars Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan, Suresh Menon and Rajpal Yadav.

"Well, people always wondered how I could make a film without Hrithik. So here he is, all set to do his career's first item song," Rakesh Roshan told IANS.

"My brother Rajesh Roshan has already recorded the song and I'm putting up an elaborate set for the song to be shot in March 2008. However, let me warn Hrithik's fans, if I feel his knee is not up to it, I won't shoot the song," added the concerned father.

In fact, senior Roshan too has decided to take a long sabbatical from direction. But hold on. He is producing a film that is to start in July 2008 and will feature Hrithik in a never-before avatar.

"It's an action thriller with a strong love story at its heart. Anurag Basu, whom both me and Hrithik think very highly of, is directing the film for us," revealed Rakesh.

It's been a time of turmoil for Hrithik. A troublesome knee injury finally decided to act up seriously.

"The doctors told him he needed to rest the knee completely, and I mean completely; otherwise it would give way. The injury got aggravated from all the stunts in his recent films, including 'Krrish'.

"It got to a point where his knee gave way completely. The doctors said he had to take complete rest for two months or face the consequences," said Rakesh explaining the problem.

The year 2007 has been a quiet year for Rakesh as a director.

"And so it will remain in 2008. I'm not directing any film. As I said Anurag Basu will direct my son in our next production. I've spent 40 years in the movie business and enjoyed every second of it, but now I need to devote time to my family, and to myself.

"I want to watch my grandson grow up. My hands are as full with production work as I want it to be."

He promises "Krazzy 4" will be unlike the avalanche of comedies that have hit us in recent times.

"It's a funny film. But it's neither slapstick nor vulgar. Very frankly, I am very confused by the kind of films that are doing well. Audiences don't want us to make anything that pushes the envelope. I'd rather not direct films than make the kind of films that click these days."

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Sonam, Abhishek in Jaipur after bereavement

It's been a trying time for the lead pair of "Dilli 6". First Abhishek Bachchan lost his grandmother and had to rush back from Jaipur to Mumbai.

Then actress Sonam Kapoor, with whom director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra was doing solo shots in Abhishek's absence, lost her maternal grandfather and had to return to Mumbai too.

However both Abhishek and Sonam flew back to Jaipur Friday to resume shooting.

The director has a huge cast assembled in Jaipur, including Rishi Kapoor, Tanvi Azmi, Divya Dutta and Waheeda Rehman, whom Mehra coaxed out of retirement.

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What are Bollywood stars planning for New Year?

While Priyanka Chopra, Suniel Shetty and Sonam Kapoor plan to make it a family affair, Bipasha Basu, Malaika Arora will entertain their fans with performances and others like Tusshar Kapoor are going to welcome the New Year with work.

Priyanka Chopra: I'm shooting till the Dec 30. Then I have one day to spend with my family. After the New Year, I am off to Bangkok to shoot a commercial for a beauty soap. My wish? That my father remains well and my films do well!

Suniel Shetty: I'm off to spend the year-end with my family in our Khandala home, and that includes my parents, of course. I'd want my family to be happy and complete in 2008. On the professional front, I want my production company Popcorn Entertainment to march ahead.

Bipasha Basu: I'm working on New Year's Eve. I'll be performing at the Marriott. Then I'm heading to Kenya for a week's holiday. I hope in 2008 I've loads of fun and I do great work. I'd like more travel for myself and less violence for the world.

Tusshar Kapoor: I can't travel out of Mumbai for the New Year because I'm shooting. So it'd be just close friends home on the Dec 31. My only wish for 2008 is to see my films get a smooth release.

Sonam Kapoor: I'm actually working this New Year in Jaipur. But my parents, sister and my best friend are coming to visit me.

Arshad Warsi: I'm off to the mountains in Uttaranchal with my family. I wish the world would take global warming seriously in 2008.

R. Madhavan: I'm off on a cruise with my wife and son in Singapore. My wish? I want to spend lots and lots of time with my family in Chennai in 2008. In 2007, I was home for all of 28 days.

Raveena Tandon: I'll be with my husband, my two children and friends at a friend's house in Alibaug. I want to get back to some work in 2008.

Esha Deol: On the 31st I'm with my old school friends. In 2008, I want a role that will challenge me as an actress. Waiting with fingers crossed. I've kept my dates free. For the rest of world, I pray for peace.

Urmila Matondkar: I'll be working during New Year's Eve. As for my wish list for 2008, do you have the time?

Shabana Azmi: I've no plans for the New Year. I guess I'll go with the flow in the coming year.

Mona Singh: This may sound boring, but I'll visit gurdwaras for the New Year's Eve to thank god for all he has given me. Then I'll spend the day with the family. I'll party at night with friends. In 2008, I hope I get that one big role in Bollywood.

Perizaad Zorabian: This New Year is special because it's my first as mummy to baby Zaha. Playing mummy, daddy and baby is like living in a fairytale. In 2008, I want to balance out my family life with my career.

Rahul Khanna: I'm spending the New Year with friends in the US and looking forward to a year of interesting and fun-filled roles.

Arbaaz Khan: This year for the New Year's I'll be at our family farmhouse in Panvel with my parents and brothers. Earlier, during the year-end we'd head to Goa or Dubai. In 2008 I want to quit smoking. My son is growing up and I don't want him to feel it's okay to smoke because daddy's doing it.

Malaika Arora: I'll be in Delhi performing for Country Club. In 2008 I want my new TV show and my feature film "EMI" to do well

Koena Mitra: I'll be dancing at the Sahara Star Hotel. Afterwards I'll party. I'm glad I'll be working and I'll bring in the New Year with work. In 2008, I want better work and more love from everyone. At the end of the day all we want is happiness.

Dino Morea: I'm spending the New Year with my family and closed friends. My parents are down from Bangalore. In 2008, all I want is to work every day.

Celina Jaitley: My brother got engaged Dec 27. So we'll have a family dinner on New Year welcoming his fiancée to the family. That apart I want my career to finally take off in 2008. I've worked hard. I want my dues.

Amrita Rao: Since January 2007 I've been living out of suitcases. I've just returned from a month's schedule in Jaisalmer. So now I'm looking forward to spending time in Mumbai. My cousins have come down from America and we'll be partying together.

Irrfan Khan: My tall and long plan is to explore the interiors of Maharashtra. It's very important to be in touch with one's roots. Anyone who wants to accompany me is welcome to do so.

Rahul Bose: It's a sombre New Year for my sister and me. We lost our father recently. We're in our ancestral home in Kasauli going through his things, putting finishing touches to his life. But I don't grieve for my father. I celebrate his passing forth. Happy New Year!

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Bollywood filmmaker GP Sippy dead

Sholay broke all Bollywood records

Veteran Bollywood film producer GP Sippy has died in the western Indian city of Mumbai at the age of 93.

Mr Sippy was best known as the producer of Bollywood's biggest ever commercial success, Sholay (Flames).

Sholay broke all previous records in India, earning the equivalent of $60m (£30m) at the box-office.

The film, starring Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and a number of other stars, ran continuously for more than five years at one cinema in Mumbai.

Sholay, loosely styled on Akira Kurosawa's The Seventh Samurai and Hollywood's The Magnificent Seven, is commonly described as India's first "curry western".

GP Sippy's film career spanned four decades, beginning with his first film, Marine Drive, in 1955.

He produced some 20 films and directed many of them. But Sholay made him a household name.

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Bollywood, Beehives & Burlesque

A history of Bollywood spills out as Benjamin Gilmour speaks. Marriages are tucked next to stylistic changes and discussion of the influence jazz had on the genre's Western awakening. The co-producer of the entertainment company Sugartime is like an amateur historian.

"As a DJ, I have an extensive Bollywood collection and have travelled to Bombay many times to look for the elusive perfect record," says Gilmour, who performs as Mr Mai Tai. "It is difficult over there, with the way they lay them out in the sun."

But Bollywood, until now, has been a side interest burlesque is the bread and butter of Sugartime, which bills itself as a vintage entertainment company.

"We've been tossing up how to do [Bollywood burlesque] in the best way, that is culturally sensitive," Gilmour says. "Bollywood screen stars don't even share a kiss but we're combining that with something that is a little risque and that's something we weren't brave enough to do in the beginning."

Bollywood, Beehives & Burlesque a one-off show to mark the company's second birthday will try to capture the atmosphere of Bombay in the late-1960s, throwing in a little burlesque and a genuine snake charmer, legal in NSW but not other states.

Some of Sydney's best-known vintage performers, including Mishka la Mink and La Vivianna, will perform as the Go-Go Army and Bollywood troupe Melange will appear.

"The show will channel a kind of '60s psychedelic Bollywood thing, that kitsch '60s angle," Gilmour says. "Renny Kodgers is going to go to India and become a love guru. He's going to take the audience on a pilgrimage."

Gilmour says burlesque has flourished in the past three years, moving out of the gay scene and into clubs and art venues, with his preferred unseated shows allowing for greater rawness and interaction with the audience.

"It is very boring to sit in a pub and drink beer after beer and be momentarily distracted by TV screens mounted to the ceiling and dull conversation. I think people are ready to embrace performance again."

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Benazir's Bollywood connection

Years ago, when a shy, 18-year-old Benazir visited India for the first time, she was bowled over by an unusual proposal.

Well-known Bollywood comedian, the late I S Johar, offered her the lead role in a Hindi movie.

"The incident happened in 1972 when Benazir had accompanied her father Z A Bhutto for the historic Shimla talks in the wake of the India-Pakistan war the previous year," recalled Bollywood historian Amar Solanki on Friday.

A veteran Gujarati film director himself, Solanki said that Johar always courted controversy.

"By making the offer to Benazir, he shot to prominence in India, Pakistan and even Bangladesh which had been created in the aftermath of the war," he said.

However, Benazir politely declined Johar's proposal, saying she was destined for a different role in life.

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Nepal moves to counter Bollywood piracy

When Shah Rukh Khan's new blockbuster Om Shanti Om was released in India and Nepal, it took less than a week for pirated audio and video cassettes to hit the streets.

The same thing happened with another much-anticipated Bollywood release, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya.

It was not a new phenomenon, nor limited to these two films.

A flourishing racket in pirated Bollywood films has been spanning India, Nepal, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia, causing both the Hindi film industry and Nepalese cinemas to lose billions of rupees each year.

After mounting complaints by Nepalese cinema owners, who screen Hindi films, Nepal's film authorities have now woken up to the perils of the underground business.

Nepal Film Development Board recently formed a five-member committee headed by debutant film director and board member Shivaji Lamichhane to study the issue and other problems hindering the growth of Kollywood - Nepal's film industry - and come up with solutions.

"The piracy of Bollywood films is not just India's problem, it affects Nepal's theatres as well," said Lamichhane.

"People have stopped going to cinemas because they can watch a newly released film at home by paying much less than the ticket prices."

The committee has tabled a report to the Board, asking it to seek laws with teeth to deter piracy.

It has suggested that all video parlours should be registered or face a shutdown.

There should be periodic raids by law enforcement agencies and anyone found dealing in pirated CDs and VCDs could be slapped with a fine of around $3,150 (Nepalese Rupees 200,000) and a jail term of three to five years.

It has also suggested that genuine VCDs and CDs carry a hologram to distinguish them from the fakes that can be bought for less than NRS 50 openly on Kathmandu's streets.

The committee is also asking for an interaction with Bollywood authorities so that they can fight the menace together and more effectively. However, it will take a long time for the measures to be implemented.

Grappling with political instability and growing lawlessness, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's government is currently struggling to hold a critical election in Nepal.

With the constituent assembly election scheduled for mid-April, parliament and security agencies will remain preoccupied with poll preparations and the legislation of new laws is certain to take a long time.

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Bollywood calling

Shriya Saran

Shriya Saran recently signed up a Hollywood flick named The Other Side of the Line.

The buzz is that the ravishing actress has offers pouring in from Bollywood too.

Of late, her trials have yielded results. She has already been signed up for Mission Istanbul. If sources are to be believed, she is also in discussion with biggies like Yash Chopra and Rakesh Roshan for their upcoming ventures.

It sure looks like it will be sometime before we see her in a Tollywood venture.


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