RE: August 2007 - News - 6

Sanjay Dutt’s Bihaad shelved?

Sanjay Dutt and brother-in-law Kumar Gaurav were set to come together to revive their respective father’s banners Ajanta Arts and Aryan Films. In fact, their first project Bihaad was even announced which was to be directed by Milan Luthria of Taxi No. 9211 . However, soon after the announcement Sanjay Dutt was imprisoned due to his involvement in the 1993 Bombay riots and the film was on hold indefinitely. Now that Sanjay Dutt is out on interim bail, the question arises what is the status of Bihaad?
Indiatimes Movies spoke to director Milan Luthria to find out. “Essentially the film is on at the moment. We just have to figure out when to go on floors. The film is an action adventure. As and when the dates of the stars materialize, I will be able to give you a clearer picture.”
The film was to star Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan along with Vidya Balan in the lead.
The late Sunil Dutt’s Ajanta Arts has previously produced films such as Reshma Aur Shera (1971) Man Ka Meet (1968 ), Mujhe Jeene Do (1963) and Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke (1963). The late Rajendra Kumar’s Aryan Films had made Naam (1986) and Lovers (1983). This production banner also released Love Story (1981) which was the launch pad for Rajendra’s son Kumar Gaurav.
“A whole lot will depend on Sanjay Dutt’s status and availability”, says Milan.
So will he be waiting for this one to happen or is he planning anything else in the meanwhile? “No, I will be beginning a film with Adlabs soon. It’s still at the writing stage and the cast is being worked out. It is an action comedy”, says he.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2298685.cms

Sushmita Sen identifies with her character in 'Sholay' remake - August 21, 2007

Sushmita Sen says she found shades of herself in a new character she plays in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag – the much touted remake of the cult classic Sholay .

Sushmita says her character, Durga Devi, is a more vocal, modern woman than Radha, the character veteran actress Jaya Bachchan made famous in the 1975 original.
“Durga is today's woman. She is a doctor, not as silent as Radha,” Sushmita said in a recent interview.

“A lot of her is like me,” said Sushmita. “I believe in inner strength and being positive and I don't regress to the past.”

‘Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag’ has Sushmita playing a stoic, dignified, woman, whose demeanor hides an inner strength that at times raised itself beyond what one would expect from a woman.



Quelle: http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20070821-1.html

Hot Urmila found Mehbooba sensational

In a recent interview with Bollywood siren Urmila Matondkar, she admitted ‘Mehbooba Mehbooba’ number for Ram Gopal Varma’s Aag was a challenging experience.
She is aware of the comparisons that are bound to arise with the item number performed by Helen in the original.
Urmila expresses, “Absolutely sensational, fantastic, brilliant. I have no adjectives. I just think, this is a lifetime opportunity and I have really tried to make the most of it,” she said.

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com

It's difficult to accept Sholay's recreation – August 22, 2007

Ram Gopal Varma Ki Sholay, now rechristened Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, has been embroiled in controversies right from its launch.
From copyright issues to his characters' names, the film has been beset with problems and it looks like brickbats will continue to fly as it nears its release, next Friday, August 31.
But then Ramu is known to swim against the tide and the nonconformist in him is on the prowl yet again!
The cast of Aag has undergone a metamorphosis of sorts. Gabbar Singh (Amitabh Bachchan) is now Babban Singh, Thakur (Mohanlal) is now Narsimha, Jai (Prashant Raj) is now Raj, Veeru (Ajay Devgan) is now Heero, Basanti (Nisha Kothari) is now Ghungroo, Radha (Sushmita Sen) is now Durga Devi and Sambha (Sushant Singh) is now Tambhe.
The famous tanga is now a flashy autorickshaw.
Apparently, director Ramesh Sippy, who directed Sholay in 1975, is not too happy with his film being remade and is not willing to budge from the 'no comments' stance he has adopted.
"I have refrained from talking about this issue for the past one year because if I start talking, it will create a controversy. I simply don't wish to discuss this subject," he stated categorically.
Sippy's Sholay is undeniably an inherent part of our cinematic lexicon. Amjad Khan rose to fame with the role of Gabbar Singh and will always be remembered for his awesome performance. Gabbar's 'Arre O Samba, kitne aadmi the is still fresh in our minds 32 years later.
However, Ramu maintains that Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag is not a remake of Sholay. It is merely his interpretation of the timeless classic, the director says.
His decision to recreate the film has stirred a hornet's nest, thereby outraging millions of Sholay loyalists. Hema Malini, who essayed Basanti, has already recorded her dismay at Sholay being remade as has her husband Dharmendra, who played Veeru, and Jaya Bachchan, who played Radha.
Asha Bhosle, who sang Mehbooba Mehbooba, has also expressed her disapproval. "I am quite disgruntled with Ramu's idea of remaking Sholay," she said. "After seeing Sholay it seems quite difficult to accept its recreation because a remix is a remix and an original is an original."
"Dekhiye Taj (Mahal) to Taj he hain na, uske jaisa toh kuch nahin (There is nothing like the Taj Mahal, it is the ultimate)."
Nonetheless, she adds, "It may work, it may not work. And who knows, people may even like it."
Her husband Rahul Dev Burman composed the music for Sholay, and its songs resonate all these years later. Ramu has only retained Mehbooba Mehbooba in his version, sung by Sunidhi Chauhan with Sukhwinder Singh. Urmila Matondkar takes over from Helen.
Who's the hotter Mehbooba?
Asha Bhosle was supposed to do the honours, but eventually, Sunidhi was roped in. Ashaji, incidentally, sang Mehbooba for Mallika Sherawat in Himesh Reshammiya's acting debut Aap Kaa Surroor.
Will Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag sizzle or fizzle at the box office? We will know next week.

Quelle: http://in.rediff.com/movies/2007/aug/22aag.htm

Ram Gopal Varma has sex on his mind

He has explored the gory mob world and dabbled in the supernatural, but for Bollywood director Ram Gopal Varma nothing gets him excited like refined erotica.
By Indian standards, Varma is unconventional, even bold, and he raised conservative eyebrows last year with a film about love between a girl and a man old enough to be her grandfather.
Like most Bollywood cinema, titillation is integral to his films -- mostly explored through raunchy dance numbers by the heroines. But Varma says if there was one genre of cinema he wanted to explore honestly, it was the erotic.
"I think I can capture the subject through my camera," the filmmaker told Reuters. "I would love to direct an erotic film someday."
And, in India, more often than not that would mean courting controversy. "I honestly don't care about it," he said.
The 45-year-old filmmaker, an acknowledged Bollywood master at making gangster movies, is no stranger to controversy -- be it making a Lolita-esque film or remaking a Bollywood classic.
Varma's remake this year of the landmark 1975 film Sholay (Embers) -- which he calls Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag (Ram Gopal Varma's Fire) -- first had critics denouncing the attempt at tinkering with classics and then it got into trouble for trying to use the original title.
Varma says the flak actually gave him strength to finish the film -- which is due out this year and narrates the story of two reformed crooks who save a village from a blood-thirsty bandit.
"I have never taken so much care with my other movies," he said. "When I went ahead with the idea of remaking Sholay, I knew it was a classic and somebody else's masterpiece which I should take good care of."
Bollywood is remaking a slew of classic Hindi movies, egged on by what it says is the creative challenge of packaging old blockbusters for modern audiences. But many criticise the trend, saying it reflects creative bankruptcy.
Varma disagrees. "It's a new work at the end of the day," he said. "I think there's nothing wrong with someone getting inspired from a masterpiece and then going ahead and trying to recreate the film's spirit in a new time and space."
The style and look of the remakes are also obviously new.
For instance, Varma in his remake of Sholay stunned Bollywood by casting Amitabh Bachchan in the iconoclastic role of Gabbar Singh, the merciless villain, while in the original version he was one of the two heroes.
Such is his passion for cinema that Varma, who made his directorial debut in 1989 and has directed 27 films, says he would be dead if he wasn't making films.
"I think I would have been a big failure," he said. "I guess I would have been too bored with life and may have possibly died too. Seriously, I cannot imagine my life without films."

Quelle: http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/...sex+on+his+mind

Ajay denies false claims about his film

Some good-for-nothing people who crave for publicity and name in the film industry are trying their best to pull down Ajay Devgan’s directorial debut U, Me Aur Hum.
There is a rumour that the film is a copy of the Hollywood flick The Notebook.
However, Ajay claims “This movie is not based on The Notebook. The film written by Robin Bhatt, Sutanu Gupta and Akarsh Khurana is an original screenplay.”

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...t-his-film.html

RGV Ki Aag's music disappoints

Remaking Don was one thing, but tinkering with Sholay is another. This is not just another blockbuster. It's a movie legend.
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma is obviously up for the challenge.

His decision to pay a contemporary tribute to Ramesh Sippy's timeless classic has invited a lot of scepticism and controversy. But whether the gamble, ridiculously titled Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, pays off, only time will tell.

Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Mohanlal, Ajay Devgan, Sushmita Sen, Nisha Kothari and debutant Prashant Raj, RGV Ki Aag assigns four music directors -- Ganesh Hegde, Amar Mohile, Prasanna Sekhar and Nitin Raikwar -- to helm the soundtrack.

Hit or miss? Let's find out.

The much-publicised Mehbooba is nothing like its hotly shot video showcasing Urmila Matondkar (in a special appearance) at her raunchy best. Ganesh Hegde's adaptation essentially relies on the sexy punch lines of RD's original and is quite content being a mediocre 'item' ditty.

Following Don's Yeh Mera Dil, Sunidhi Chauhan yet again steps into Asha Bhosle's inimitable shoes, to dish out the disappointing Mehbooba. This time as well, the husky singer tries too hard and in the process, mars her spontaneity.

Big B is in his element mouthing lines like, 'Kabhi kabhi mere bhi dil mein khayal aata hai, ke tujhe mein doob jaon, darr sirf itna hai ke tera kya hoga mehbooba.' He's got the million-dollar voice for sure. But when compared to his late pal and colleague, Amjad 'Gabbar Singh' Khan, it is not nearly as menacing.

For those of you interested in an encore, there's a pumped up remix of the same by DJ Amyth

Amar Mohile trades the lively banter of Sholay's utterly lovable track, Koi Haseena Jab Rooth Jaati Hai to concoct the tacky tapori cocktail, Ruk Ja. Vinod Rathod and Sunidhi Chauhan's piercing rendition only adds to the overall nuisance value. Also, why is the chorus doing a hostile 'Ho ho ho' in what is supposed to be a teasing romantic number? Sajid-Farhad's lyrics are rather mangy to pass off as playful.

Rathod returns with his trademark baritone to be pitted against the wispy tones of Shweta Pandit's chords in Cha Raha. It's fast-paced, all right, but not exciting enough to hit the rewind button.

An extensive line-up of singers -- Ravindra Upadhyaye, Shweta Pandit, Farhad Bhiwandiwala, Shreya Ghosal and Sudesh Bhosle -- gather around to celebrate the festival of colours. Keeping the wild festive spirit alive, this one's all about making merry and letting one's hair down. It's blithe rhythm and insouciant charm makes this Holi worth playing.

Hai Aag Yeh largely builds itself around the ominous albeit unforgettable Gabbar theme. But Mohile's goes overboard with the haunting percussion. The final product, no thanks to Sunidhi's pointlessly theatrical incantation, ends up sounding like a full-fledged horror score. To add more shiver to your spine, the soundtrack features an instrumental version of the track.

This one's no Yeh Dosti. But Jee Le, too, centres on the two best friends -- Raj and Heero and their flirtatious ambitions. Composer Prasanna Shekhar takes clear inspiration from Moby's James Bond theme and Slash's thrilling guitar-play.

Topsy-turvy beats coupled with a jumbled chorus and an overtly dramatic Rathod try to palm off cacophony for attitude in the irksome and dreary, Dum. Do not be deceived, contrary to what the title claims, this one has anything but that.

RGV Ki Aag employs four music directors to compile nine tracks. Yet, not one is fit enough to make history. Let's hope the film achieves that and not for the wrong reasons.

Quelle: http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/aug/23aag.htm

Amitabh Bachchan is not playing Gabbar: RGV – August 23, 2007

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma was in Hyderabad for the curtain raiser of the Telugu version of his film, Ram Gopal Varma Kii Aag. And though the verdict is still out on his tribute to Sholay, which releases next week, the filmmaker didn't look worried at all about the film's box office prospects.
CNN-IBN: This movie is like an acid test for you. What if it bombs at the box office?
Ram Gopal Varma: Well, it will explode! That’s exactly what happens when a movie bombs.
CNN-IBN: What have the initial reactions been like to the promos and the first look of the film?
Ram Gopal Varma: It’s been good, bad and ugly.
CNN-IBN: Apart from Amitabh Bachchan if you could cast somebody from Sholay who would it be and why?
Ram Gopal Varma: I don’t think I would have made the film if Mr Bachchan was not there because Gabbar is a legendary character and to play him we needed a legendary actor and that’s what Mr Bachchan is.
Having said that the point is that he is not playing Gabbar. The intention is to create a character, which would have a similar effect though not necessarily better. Like if there is a Superman, then there is a Spiderman and a Batman also. So, all three are intended for the same effect but obviously they are very different as characters.
CNN-IBN: Why a simultaneous Telugu film release considering that there is no Telugu actor? How do you think it will fare?
Ram Gopal Varma: Well, it’s going to be a dubbed film. Any film which you think has a subject value and a certain universal appeal to it then it is general practice across the world that you dub it in whichever language you may perceive that it can make a connect.

Quelle: http://www.ibnlive.com/news/amitabh-bach...gv/47345-8.html

'Eye-dentity' crisis for Big B in Sholay remake – August 23, 2007

It was a complicated procedure to fit him with those lenses, given his age.

Amitabh Bachchan has worn different-coloured eye lenses in Ram Gopal Varma’s Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag . The colour of the lens in the right eye is blue, while the left one is brown.

Though the idea of Bachchan wearing lenses of two different colours in the eyes was conceptualised by director Ram Gopal Varma, it was Bachchan’s family eye surgeon Dr Himanshu Mehta who got the soft lenses made especially for the Bollywood superstar.

Our source tells us that Bachchan tried out lenses of various hues for which he had over 50 sittings with Dr Mehta and finally settled for the brown and blue coloured ones because it went well with the negative character he is playing in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag.

The source also reveals, Amitabh Bachchan would usually arrive in the morning at the clinic and put on the lenses with the help of Dr. Mehta before leaving for shooting Ramu’s film.

The source also says that taking into consideration Bachchan’s age, making him wear the soft lenses was a lengthy process and required a lot of skill. As one ages, it is not only the eyesight, but also the organs connected with the eyes that tend to become weak. It becomes difficult for the eye to hold the lenses for a longer period of time then. It was only super willpower and a drive for perfection that made Amitabh Bachchan sport those lenses for hours, our source adds.

When contacted Dr Himanshu Mehta admitted that it was he who had designed and worked on Amitabh Bachchan’s lenses in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag . He said, “Yes I have done Amitabh Bachchan’s lenses and I used to help him put them on too. But I don’t want to talk further about it.”

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Eye-d...how/2301724.cms

RGV on Aag

“I owe my whole film-career to Sholay.”
How did the idea for Sholay emerge?

I owe my whole film-career to Sholay. The movie intrigued me beyond anything else and within 4 months, I had watched it 27 times. I didn't know what film-making was about, but got fascinated by the magic of the masterpiece , and that's how it all started. The word 'remake' holds true when you are recreating the exact scenes, dialogues and characters. My idea was to take the main plot of the cop who hires someone else to carry out his plans of revenge, and then adapt it in a contemporary setting.

Are you prepared for the comparisons?

Aag can never better Sholay, so any such aspirations would be foolish. My Aag is only a tribute to the great movie. It brings Sholay from the village to the city of Mumbai, and the whole dynamics of the plot changes accordingly . Whether I like it or not, people are going to draw comparisons and that I am prepared for it. There have been many attempts to borrow from Sholay throughout these 27 years. It's just that I went ahead and declared my attempt.

Who's the main character?

Sholay wasn't about any one hero, but a collection of brilliant scenes, moving at a breathtaking pace. Aag is not one character's perspective, neither are the characters the same. Babban is a new version of Gabbar, without the same body language or coarseness. As someone from Mumbai, he is familiar with happenings around the world. Again, unlike the Radha who evoked sympathy, Sushmita's character is a strong personality, hardened by the city and the times. Ajay (Devgan) again does not imitate Dharamji , but has his own style.

Will Aag leave the same indelible mark on the audience ?

Sholay was years ahead of its times, in terms of direction , cinematography, and technological brilliance. With the technology available to all now, and many good movies being made, this movie cannot have the same impact. For that matter, had Sholay released today, it could not have been as successful.

Were you disappointed that you couldn't use Sholay in your title?

I did not want to wait for the legal hassle to be sorted out. Since Aag was too small, I decided to let Ram Gopal Verma ki be prefixed to it. And since I already have a reputation in the industry of being halfmad , I can get away with such an attempt. People will remember me for sure, either as the man who could make Sholay all over again, or as the man who destroyed Sholay.

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Enter...how/2305228.cms

Revealed - The 'mausi' of RAM GOPAL VARMA KI AAG – August 24, 2007

While it is a known fact that each of the characters in Ramesh Sippy's SHOLAY has earned an immortal status, one can never forget the lovable 'mausi' from the film. Portrayed by Leela Mishra, the character went on to be a part of many a joke books and humor sessions.

If sources are to be believed, actor Rasika Joshi may just find herself to be in elite company.

In RAM GOPAL VARMA KI AAG, she gets to enact a similar character albeit with a different name - Gangu Mummy! Though as of now not much is known about the way she has played her part, looking at the different kind of roles she has done in the past, one expects her to do a convincing job.

While she has mainly played serious-n-dramatic characters in films like VAASTU SHASTRA and DARNA ZAROORI HAI, her funny side too has been visible in GAYAB and last year's MALAMAAL WEEKLY. In fact Priyadarshan has also repeated her in a funny part once again for his soon to be released DHOL.

Will we hear the cries of 'sssusssieede' once again? Come 31st August and it would be interesting to watch what does Ajay Devgan's character of Veeru, oops Heero, has to tell 'Gangu Mummy'.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07...i%20_080707.asp

Remake v/s remake next Friday

It may well be the first ever for Bollywood next Friday.

While remakes and sequels have been the order of the day, it would probably be the first time ever when two remakes of Bollywood flicks would be clashing with each other at the box office. They are RAM GOPAL VARMA KI AAG and VICTORIA NO. 203.

It's a known fact that Ramu's film has been in the news, for reasons both good and bad, ever since it went into inception stage. On the other hand the announcement of VICTORIA NO. 203 did create a buzz but its pre release hype is near to zilch. The film's release date has been hurriedly announced while the promotion has been kept low key as well.

Says a highly placed executive responsible for the film's marketing, "We are consciously keeping the hype low since we want the film to find its own audience. With all eyes set on AAG, we are looking at surprising the audience who go in to watch this comic caper."

But in the days of big release, bigger promotion and quicker returns, isn't it counter productive to go low? "Subject of VICTORIA NO. 203 is the King here while we have complete trust in veterans Anupam Kher and Om Puri. Also with Jimmy and Sonia around, we are confident of getting the youth interested in the film. I am sure once that our VICTORIA would manage to withstand Ramu's AAG, he laughs.

Meanwhile there is one more film, DHOKHA, which is hoping for a miracle as it releases on the same Friday as RAM GOPAL VARMA KI AAG. Easily the least hyped film coming from the house of Bhatts, it has nothing working in its favor, whether from the music, promos or the subject point of view. One wonders what was the need for the film to release amidst the crowd!

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07..._aag_080706.asp

RGV Ki Aag gets southern makover

There is another chapter in the Sholay tale. Next Friday, people will get to hear a menacing Amitabh Bachchan in Tamil and Telugu as well in Ram Gopal Varma's dubbed version of RGV Ki Aag.

Amitabh Bachchan as Babban is ready to terrorise audience in Tamil and Telugu when RGV Ki Aag releases as Agni in Tamil and Aggi in Telugu.

Dubbing artist Ravi Shankar will be Big B's voice down South.

"Any kind of film that has a universal appeal in terms of story content,it is a natural practice across the world to do it in languages, where you think there will be a strong connect to the story element," said

This will be Amitabh's maiden foray into Telugu and Tamil though in a dubbed avataar.

And given the mutual admiration between Amitabh and Rajinikanth, over who is emperor and who is king, how well this movie does in Chennai and Hyderabad, should settle that.

Quelle: http://www.ndtvmovies.com/newstory.asp?s...NTEN20070023731[/code]

Ram Gopal Varma: I don't like clean shaven men! – August 25, 2007

You seem to have a very dark side to you, because you only make dark films...
Not true. Darling is a scary comedy and RGV Ki Aag is a fun film. It has its sense of humour and of course there is the infamous cabaret thrown in. That's as commercial as it can get. I'm a fun person.

You haven't stopped being linked to your actresses...
I don't know what it is about me...

People have been speculating on your financial instability. While some say you are bankrupt, others insist you have been wandering around to buy houses and cars for a privileged few like Jiah Khan and Nisha Kothari.
Yes, I've heard those rumours, too. It's great that I can entertain people even when I am not making films. I keep making news thanks to other people's imagination. While people lose out on their life by speculating on my 'downfalls', I'll simply continue to live mine the way I want to, doing the things I enjoy doing."

All your actresses look raw and rugged. What kind of a fetish is that?
I make realistic films and my characters are everyday people. Raw and rugged women appeal to me more, so I assume they'll appeal to the masses in general as well. I'd rather my women be caked in coal than with make-up. I wouldn't like to kiss lipstick, I'd like to kiss real lips. Also, I like my actors to be rugged. I don't like clean shaven men, the backdrops of my films are also rugged and natural, unlike Sharmishta Roy's designed sets.

You said you'd have liked to run a harem...
With the number of link ups, I'm left with little choice. My biggest fantasy, however, is to be able to control women with a remote control. I can control them when they are in front of the camera, but when not in front they most often go haywire."

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2309427.cms

Three Girls and a Shetty

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty is a busy man these days. He's busy with the post-production of Sunday , and is also writing the script of Golmaal Returns. The director may have already cast Kareena Kapoor in the film, but he is on the lookout for three more actresses. After the release of his film Sunday , Rohit and team will take off to Dubai for a forty-day shooting schedule. So, the people of Dubai can well look forward to some golmaal out there.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/News__Gossi...how/2310363.cms