News (englisch) » August 2007 - News

Akshay, Katrina in Vipul Shah's LONDON DREAMS? - August 1, 2007

Its now an open secret that Rajkumar Santoshi's aborted project, LONDON DREAMS, has been taken to Vipul Shah by the producer, P J Singh. The talented filmmaker, who has just completed a hat-trick of successes with AANKHEIN, WAQT - THE RACE AGAINST TIME and NAMASTEY LONDON, now has the bound script with him. Although he has loved the script, he has suggested a few minor changes. So, what�s the latest buzz?

If unconfirmed sources are to be believed, Vipul Shah wants a change in the old cast, comprising of Ajay Devgan, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta. In place of Ajay and Priyanka, it is Vipul's desire to rope in his favorite, Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. An interesting development indeed, if it does happen!

Of course Salman will be more than pleased but what about Akshay? For now we can just wait and watch.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07...eams_080706.asp

Remake v/s Remake on August 31

This may well be the first clash of its kind.

Come August 31 and there would be two remakes that would be clashing at the box office. Though Ram Gopal Varma claims his AAG to be more as a tribute to Ramesh Sippy's classic SHOLAY, Kamal Sadanah's VICTORIA NO. 203 is a direct remake of the namesake 70s comedy cum thriller.

While promotion of RAM GOPAL VARMA KE AAG is catching on full steam, one still waits to see the first glimpse of VICTORIA NO. 203. Jimmy Sheirgill, who plays the young lead in the film dominated by veterans Om Puri and Anupam Kher, is confident though.

He says, "Kamal has a great marketing acumen and knows how to place his film in the market. He is making sure that the film gets just the right push for its publicity and once the time is ripe, VICTORIA NO. 203 would be all over the place. Expect a bombarding of promos and other media campaigns soon. Things are looking good for the film and if everything runs as per the plan, it should arrive on August 31."

Meanwhile RAM GOPAL VARMA KE AAG has got into the third gear with Urmila's sizzling 'Mehbooba' act being the talk of the town. She has come up with a holds-no-bar dance performance in this Ganesh Hegde choreographed and composed tune which explains the true meaning of 'inspiration'. Meanwhile the character introduction promos continue to dominate the music channels hence making sure that the hype for the film only sees an elevation with every passing day.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07...t_31_080704.asp

Zayed Khan upset with makers of 'Cash'

If rumor mills are to be believed, then it is learned that Zayed Khan is not pleased with the promotional strategy adopted by the makers of 'Cash' to promote the film.

Khan feels that the makers are giving much prominence to Riteish Deshmukh in the promos and print publicity, letting Riteish overshadow him.

Khan was also part of Anubhav Sinha's last hit 'Dus'.

Quelle: http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/32/7901

You said it!

Raj Kumar Santoshi's Halla Bol has hard-hitting anti-establishment lines. Does this mean the Censor Board has its work cut out?

Raj Kumar Santoshi is used to getting into trouble with the Censor Board, thanks to his hard-hitting films. According to some unit members, there are several reasons for his next film Halla Bol getting into trouble with the Board.

"First of all it is inspired from two real-life characters like Jessica Lall and Safdar Hashmi, which are already controversial. Jessica Lall case is still not over as the witnesses have been pulled up by the court for lying. Secondly Safdar Hashmi was a theatre activist who was murdered. His death had political connotations to it and become a national issue as he was allegedly killed by BJP activists and that time the coalition government had BJP as one of the parties." says a source.

Rajkumar Santoshi says,'" Halla Bol is made on the lines of my film Damini which was hard-hitting but dealt with an issue. Similarly Halla Bol too deals with another burning issue."

When told that there are reports that the film has a lot of anti-establishment lines which may get him into trouble with the Censor Board, he says," ''Halla Bol means protest and the film says that one must not take injustice lying down. I am not advocating violence in my film but talking about raising our voice against injustice. The dialogues are hard-hitting but nothing that will get me into trouble with Censor Board."

But Santoshi's track record with the Censor Board is long one. The director had cut several action scenes from China Gate when the violence could not be digested by the Censor Board. Even in Damini, there were a few court room dialogues of Sunny Deol that had to be deleted. A group of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Madhya Pradesh burnt effigies of Santoshi and posters of film actress Madhuri Dixit as they were protesting against "objectionable dialogues" against Hindu gods and goddesses in Santoshi's Lajja. The director was forced to cut the dialogue from the film.

Santoshi who has often chosen stories from newspaper clippings feels that Halla Bol is a film "that will awaken the conscience of many in the society."

He adds," I have been working on the subject for a long time and had narrated the same subject to Shah Rukh Khan at the time we were planning a film together, but it did not materialise then."

Quite a few stars like Sridevi, Boney Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Ruby Bhatia, Pahlaj Nihalani, Neeraj Vora, Tusshar Kapoor, Ranjit Kapoor, Mukesh Tiwari, Kareena Kapoor and Lekh Tandon are making special appearances in the film.

Quelle: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper....165228171dd7d6c

We’re there for you, Sanju

Sanjay Dutt’s closest friends are ralling behind him during this difficult time. A source in the industry says, “Several people in the industry adore Sanju and will always be there for him.”

Last Friday, Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar dropped by Sanju’s home and spent a few hours with the dejected actor when his spirits were at an all-time low last week.

Sunil Shetty flew in from Pondicherry on Tuesday night to be here for Dutt. Even Ajay Devgan cancelled media interviews for his film U, Me Aur Hum after he heard the news.

Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan, who are extremely close to Sanju, sent us a message from Hyderabad where they are shooting for Sarkar Raj, saying, “It’s very depressing news.

Sanju has always been a good friend, considerate human being and caring colleague. I do not know what the legal procedures will be.

I hear he can appeal to the Supreme Court. We pray and hope with bated breath that some reprieve comes his way.”

Quelle: http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/august/161706.htm

Bollywood Not In The Party Mood

Bollywood has been left in a state of shock over the TADA court sentencing of six years to Sanjay Dutt, and as a result Bollywood is in no mood to party.

Many of the premieres that were scheduled this week have been scrapped.

The premiere of the release of B.R. Chopra's colourized classic Naya Daur was first to be cancelled by Ravi Chopra.

That was follow by Anubhav Sinha calling off the premiere of his much awaited Cash.

Today the premiere of 'The Simpsons Movie' at PVR Juhu was scheduled, concerned authorities at the theatre were still unsure whether the premiere would be held or not.

In the meantime, fans, friends and producers are still trying to come to terms with Justice Kode's verdict agaist Sanjay Dutt.

Quelle: http://www.allbollywood.com/v2/bd/stc/nw...8/2/25562.shtml

October 12 gets crowded

Will JODHAA AKBAR arrive on October 12? Or is it postponed to January 2008? While UTV is maintaining that the film will hit the screens on the scheduled date, a section of the industry feels that the historical won’t make it on this date since, according to them, the shooting is not complete yet.

In the meanwhile, a number of biggies have set their sights on October 12. Bhushan Kumar has confirmed to this writer that he’s releasing BHOOL BHULAIYAA on this Friday. Yash Raj too has confirmed LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG, while Atul Agnihotri is also keen to bring HELLO on this date.

The latest is, the Rajkumar Santoshi-directed HALLA BOL is also arriving on 12th October, producer Abdul Sami Siddiqui confirmed to this writer. October 12 is indeed crowded!

Quelle: http://www.indiafm.com/news/2007/08/02/9842/index.html

Adlabs Films to release CASH with a BIG bang - August 2, 2007

Following its successful entry into the domestic distribution business with films like Guru, Black Friday, Bheja Fry, Spider-Man 3 and more recently, Aap Ka Surroor, Adlabs is releasing Anubhav Sinha's CASH on August 3 worldwide.

CASH is a high octane heist thriller set in Cape Town, South Africa and features top stars like Ajay Devgan, Suneil Shetty, Esha Deol, Dia Mirza, Zayed Khan, Shamita Shetty and Riteish Deshmukh in pivotal roles.

CASH is one of the first films to be shot exclusively in the breathtaking locales of Cape Town in South Africa. The film has been supported whole heartedly by the South African Government and the local office of South African Tourism has been actively involved in promotion of the film. Looking at the trendy and stylish promos which are already making waves in Cinema Halls, audiences can expect never seen before action packed sequences like sky diving, kite surfing, skate boarding and fight scenes in the film.

CASH is the first film where Adlabs has ventured into centralized distribution and marketing of the film. The film is being distributed in territory of Mumbai, Delhi UP, Punjab and Overseas through distribution offices of Adlabs. Adlabs is targeting release of CASH on more than 800 screens making it one of the widest releases ever for Hindi films especially at a time when several big films from Hollywood and Bollywood are vying for screen space.

BIG Music & Home Entertainment has bought distribution rights of music and India Video while Reliance Entertainment has acquired worldwide satellite rights.

Director Anubhav Sinha's last film DUS generated rave reviews for its action sequences, cinematography and fabulous music. CASH is expected to further Anubhav's brand of sophisticated film making. Says the Director, 'We are extremely happy with tremendous efforts put in by the Adlabs distribution and marketing team for giving CASH an amazing pedestal from the perspective of distribution and marketing. CASH is a perfect example of how content, packaging, effective marketing and proactive teamwork across stakeholders can raise the awareness level and visibility of a film amongst the consumers.'

Says Sunir Kheterpal, COO � Adlabs Films Distribution, 'We are extremely happy with the way CASH has turned up and are fully geared to give a wide release to one of this year's most anticipated films. Apart from extensively leveraging Reliance ADA Group's presence across diverse distribution platforms, the marketing team at Adlabs has roped in multiple brands and media partners to build highly effective marketing campaign for CASH.'

Adlabs is gradually building a strong pipeline of releases in the current year. CASH will be followed by Willard Carol's Marigold, Priyadarshan's Dhol, Indra Kumar's Dhamaal, Sudhir Mishra's Khoya Khoya Chand, Manish Tiwary's Dil Dosti Etc, Manmohan Singh's Mitti Waajan Mardi and Mudassar Aziz's Dulha Mil Gaya.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07...bang_080706.asp

Anubhav and Anish had 16 titles reserved for CASH! - August 2, 2007

Now that CASH is releasing tomorrow, with around 800 (including digital) prints and definitely to a predictably good response, here is something interesting.

Sensing trouble over the film's title (thanks in no small measures to Sohail Maklai), director Anubhav Sinha and producer Anish Ranjan, had got sixteen titles registered, just in case, the court order was not in favour of giving them the title CASH.

Here are the contingency titles - CURRENT CASH, CASH-A FILM BY ANUBHAV SINHA, SEVEN ENTERTAINMENT LTD.'S CASH, ANUBHAV SINHA'S CASH, CASH TO THE LEFT, CASH TO THE RIGHT, CACHE, HARD CASH, EARN MONEY THE HARD WAY-STEAL IT!, EN-CASH, IN-CASH, MY CASH, OUR CASH, CASH-IN-HAND and, finally (believe it or don�t), ASH!

While that makes for interesting reading, we are happy to see the movie finally releasing with the original title, CASH.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07...cash_080708.asp

Cash – fun and fights

The making of Cash was a very joyful experience for the movie’s actors. But the production of the movie created a rift between its two producers.

The movie, directed by Anubhav Sinha , boasts of a colorful cast comprising of Ajay Devgan , Sunil Shetty , Zayed Khan , Ritesh Deshmukh , Esha Deol , Dia Mirza and Shamita Shetty.

For the movie’s actors, fun and work went hand-in-hand while shooting the film in South Africa. It was Ajay Devgan, Zayed Khan and director Anubhav Sinha, who pulled pranks on everybody on the sets.

Ajay and Zayed found a prank shop that had various prank items. The two stars bought a number of items, one of which was a mock iPod that gave out mild electric shock to its user when switched on.

The first target of Ajay and Zayed’s prank was Shamita. Ajay told her that he had downloaded a new song from the film into the iPod and gave the gadget to her. When Shamita took the iPod and switched it on, she literally got the shock of her life.

The next target was director Anubhav Sinha, who, too, was shocked beyond his wits when he switched on the gadget.

But Anubhav was not to take the prank lying down. He decided to get even with Ajay. One day, Sinha found a foam brick that looked exactly like a real, heavy brick. Sinha took the brick to shooting and after one shot hurled it with full force at Ajay. Ajay thought it was a real brick and ducked with fear and shock.

Recalling the shooting experience in South Africa, Sinha says it was a party. And he prides over the fact that the team completed the shooting in just 51 days on an outdoor shoot.

However, while the actors were having fun, things were far from hunky dory between the two producers Sohail Maklai and Anish Ranjan. There was fallout between the two over some financial issues after which Sohail was dropped from the project and his name removed from the movie’s credits.

In response, Sohail slapped a lawsuit against the film’s presenters ADLABS, demanding recognition in the film’s credits. Sohail had an upper hand because the movie’s title ‘Cash’ was registered in the name of his company Essem Entertainment.

Even though a makeshift compromise was reached between the producers, the movie did not get clearance in time to release before its scheduled date in the last week of July. The release date then had to be postponed to August 3.

‘Cash’ is the story of a bunch of thieves who pull off a daring heist involving priceless diamonds.

Quelle: http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20070802-4.html

CASH IS COOL

What exactly are you doing in a boys-only film?
I play the head of a security agency whose job is to protect the diamonds that everyone is after. So it’s kind of a one-against-all role. The maximum I can reveal at the moment is that unlike others I am not doing any con job in the film.

Which is your toughest action scene?
I have done a lot of stunts in the film. There is one sequence where I hang on a harness. It was very painful doing it and I remained bruised for over a month. But at the end of the day when I saw the final result, it was worth the effort. Cash is different and very cool.

Your song ‘Mind-blowing maahiya’ is currently dominating Cash’s promotion. Is the film’s other female lead Esha Deol miffed about being sidelined in the promos?
I really wouldn’t know of that. ‘Maahiya’ is my song and because it’s out there in the promotions such insinuations may circulate. But I have no say in the promotion. Esha has her song too and once that’s out I am sure it too will be a hit. All our characters are well-etched out and the film looks incomplete if you take any one of us out.

You undoubtedly have one of the best bodies in the industry. How do you maintain it?
Thanks for the compliment. I just work out a lot and eat right. I don’t believe in dieting. I do weights for about four times a week and do pushing and cardio exercises three times a week. I avoid eating oily or fast food though I do indulge myself once a while.

Do you take any tips from Shilpa on fitness and acting? Are any films with the two of you on anvil in the near future?
Yes, of course. She is my sister first and I always take her advice in both my professional and personal life. However, there are no films planned with the two of us right now.

Quelle: http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=16655

Nisha Kothari goes 'different' with AAG

All those who have caught the promos of RAM GOPAL VARMA KI AAG would have witnessed Nisha Kothari playing an auto driver in the film. As Ghunghroo, she gets an opportunity to revisit the character that was immortalized by Hema Malini in SHOLAY.

But are you aware that with AAG, Nisha too has got an opportunity to play a different character in each of the 5 Bollywood films she has done so far? While in her debut film SARKAR, she had a small part to play as that of an upcoming actress, her first film as a lead, JAMES, had her playing a budding singer/performer. Later in THE KILLER she played a bar dancer while she donned a journalist's hat in SHIVA last year. Now by playing an auto rickshaw driver in RAM GOPAL VARMA KI AAG, she hits the streets as a 'tapori' character.

Now one waits to see a film where she gets an opportunity to play a conventional Bollywood heroine character with loads of 'naach-gaanas' around the trees!

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

Cash-ing it online with a racing game

After much confusion about the release date, director Anubhav Sinha's film Cash finally released on Friday.

But far from being worried, Anubhav is busy enjoying an online racing game based on the film and giving him company is the film's actress Shamita Shetty.

After some hits and misses at the game, here's how they finally rate themselves.

“As a player on a scale of 1-10, I will give myself a minus 10. Shamita is close to minus nine,” says Anubhav.

While a truly disgusted Shamita says, “For a change he is right. Am horrible in this. Am telling you I can’t even get into the tracks. It’s just so frustrating.”

Like Anubhav's last film Dus, Cash also promises to be a fast-paced action thriller with lots of bikes, babes and diamonds. And the online racing game also promises just that.

But are Anubhav and Shamita gaming freaks?

“Not into video games. But yes, I am majorly into sports. I was a very good athlete and volleyball player but as you can see gaming is not my cup of tea,” Shamita says.

Meanwhile, Anubhav takes a trip down memory lane and says, “When I was in school and college, there used to be no video games. People used to have radio and tape recorders.”

So, if you are into online racing games, here’s your chance to check out the new one and beat Shamita at it too.

Quelle: http://www.ibnlive.com/news/cashing-it-o...me/46163-8.html

I hope Aag will recreate Sholay's magic: Ramu - August 4, 2007

Bollywood director Ram Gopal Varma is hoping to recreate the enduring magic of the 1975 super hit Sholay with his remake Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, featuring Amitabh Bachchan as the feared dacoit Babban (Gabbar) Singh.

"The original Sholay created an excitement by giving the audience one slammer of a scene after another. I hope to do the same," Varma told IANS.

Varma also confesses his take on Sholay is the "only original film" that he has made so far.

"I haven't made a single original film till Aag. Every scene shot and frame of my earlier films have been copied from some source or the other. It could be a novel, a Hollywood or an old Hindi film."

"If I haven't been caught out it's because people haven't been able to locate my sources. Aag is my first original film."

The film had nothing to do with the underworld, says Varma.

"It's almost a throwback to the kitschy films of the 1970s, like Nasir Husain's Yaadon Ki Baraat or Chori Mera Kaam. It isn't a gangster film nor is it a dacoit drama."

Varma, currently in Hyderabad shooting for the sequel to Sarkar, says he has made Aishwarya look different for Sarkar 2. The film also stars the two Bachchans - Amitabh and Abhishek.

"Aishwarya plays a very strong part with shades of negative in it. I'm completely changing her image. I'm cutting her beauty down. I've gathered a large supporting cast of ugly people and have put her in the middle, so she'd come out looking stunning in her naturalness."

"Sarkar 2 is far more original than Sarkar. It will have far less of Godfather 2 than Sarkar had of Godfather 1. Sarkar 2 isn't about the mafia. It's a family drama."

In Sarkar 2, Ramu is showcasing the senior and junior Bachchans keeping their image in mind. "Only Aishwarya gets the privilege of revamping her image," Ramu adds.

Ramu feels Amitabh's role in Nishabd, in which he romances a 16-year-old girl, was the actor's most accomplished performance till date.

"I personally think Sarkar was a cakewalk in comparison. To carry off a subject matter like that isn't very easy. However, making Nishabd was a mistake.

"When Cheeni Kum did an old man-young woman love story there was a tongue-in-cheek element to it. Nishabd was too dark. There was resistance against seeing the film."

He ponders: "Mr. Bachchan in Nishabd was over-cast. It should've been done with an actor with a much less strong image. When Victor Bannerjee fell in love with a much younger woman in Joggers' Park, it didn't matter. Whereas there was outrage about Amitabh Bachchan falling in love with his daughter's friend."

Quelle: http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/...EMmagic%3a+Ramu

Shilpa and Shamita watch Cash

Director Anubhav Sinha held a special screening of his latest movie 'CASH' for the Shetty family. Shilpa and Shamita were present alongwith their mom and dad. Shamita stars in the movie alongwith Ajay devgan, Esha Deol, Dia Mirza, Zayed Khan and Ritesh Deshmukh. Anubhav Sinha was not present but his brother Anupam played the perfect host and looked after the guest present at the preview. Aftaab Shivdasani was also present.

Preview was held at the Fun Preview theatre in Andheri. Model Amit Gaur came alongwith Shilpa and Shamita but refused to be photographed for reason well known to him.

Quelle: http://nowrunning.com/news/news.asp?it=11454&t=1