News (englisch) » October 2007 - News

Manish ready for films - October 1

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He’s got his hand full with a bridal collection, a couple of movies he’s designing for and a film that he plans to direct. I just did a bridal collection. That apart, I have designed for OSO, Aaja Nachle, the Ajay Devgan-Kajol starrer You, Me aur Hum and another film starring Rani Mukherjee and Ameesha Patel which is being shot now, he reveals.
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Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India...how/2420216.cms

Remaking Shola was a mistake: Nisha

Nisha Kothari’s career is in the doldrums after Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag. On a sabbatical right now, the actress promises to choose more carefully henceforth

She’s still recovering from the debacle of Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag. And Nisha Kothari is in home town Mumbai, “sitting at home doing nothing”. “I haven’t signed any films and I don’t intend doing any right now,” says Nisha, who played Ghungroo , a modern take on the Basanti character in the original.

And now that Aag has been panned so badly by both critics and audiences, does Nisha regret doing the film? “I don’t regret it, because every film I do is close to my heart. But even though I try to console myself that it’s destiny, the reactions of the people have hurt me. It’s okay, we can’t do anything about it now or change people’s opinions. I’ll take this failure in a positive way and improve my performance in future,” says a determined Nisha.

The actress claims to have foreseen the fate of the film way before its release. “We had a private screening for prominent people in the industry. Halfway through the film, I knew deep inside that this wasn’t going to work. And the vibes I got from the people around weren’t at all encouraging. I walked out at the intermission, but my mum stayed on and she just laughed throughout — she hated the film,” she says frankly.

And what about all those scathing reviews of the film? “I read all of them and they were quite entertaining. I didn’t know there were so many words to describe a film! But nothing hurts me anymore,” says Nisha.

She adds, “I know people were upset that I took on Hemaji by playing Basanti; but when have I said that I am Basanti in Aag ? I can’t even think of it, and Ramuji was very clear that we can’t touch that role because it’s so iconic. So there’s no question of a comparison between us,” argues Nisha.

So does she agree with her mentor, RGV, that it was a mistake making Aag ? “Yes, I agree remaking Sholay was a mistake. It’s a cult film and people are very attached to it. Besides, when you remake a classic, expectations are bound to be high. We did our job, but I guess people weren’t too happy with it,” explains the actress.

Meanwhile, Aag joins the slew of recent flops by RGV. And Nisha, who’s reported to have been the director’s muse for a while, has been a part of all these films, including Darna Zaroori Hai , Shiva and James.

Nisha’s quick to defend herself — “I can’t go beyond my destiny and it’s not easy to establish yourself as an actress. While the glamour is appealing, the hard work is not appreciated. Now Go is up for release, but it’s been in the cans for the past three years, so I have no expectations from that. From now on, I’m only going to do sensible films. I’m going to try my best to revive my career,” she says.

And what does she have to say about her ex-beau Bharath Thakur’s marriage to Bhoomika Chawla? “I had nothing to do with him and wish them both all the best,” she says.

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Enter...how/2416564.cms

Meanwhile... Devgan to play Ashoka

Raj Kumar Santoshi, who earlier cast Ajay Devgan as Bhagat Singh, is all set to transform his favourite actor into King Ashoka.

The film goes on floors in early 2008, and will be jointly produced by Santoshi and the owners of the PVR chain of multiplexes. Santoshi is undaunted about comparisons to the Shah Rukh-starrer Asoka.

He says, “My approach to this subject will be very different. My Ashoka will open during the battle of Kalinga, and move forward into the emperor’s life and also recreate pre-Kalinga war events through flashbacks.”

Elaborates Santoshi, “Though he was born in 265 BC, today Emperor Ashoka’s message of Buddhist peace at the time of terrible strife and war is more relevant than ever.

I want my Ashoka to reach out to the young hip-and-happening generation. It won’t be a costume drama like Mughal-e-Azam.

It will be a happening epic on the lines of Hollywood’s Spartacus, Braveheart and Gladiator. Technicians from all over the world are now being finalised.” The film will have no songs, but a background score by A R Rahman.

Quelle: http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/october/164880.htm

AB Jr saves the day

Aparna Sen will start her first Hindi film Guleil with Abhishek Bachchan, after Ajay Devgan backs out

Aparna Sen is all set to direct her first Hindi feature film Guleil with Abhishek Bachchan as the main protagonist. The film will also star Saif Ali Khan and Bipasha Basu.

Though Ajay Devgan was initially part of the film, sources inform, “Ajay wanted to do the film but somehow he was not too sure about the role. He didn’t want to act in another ‘arthouse’ cinema film after Rituparno’s Raincoat.”

Finally lucky

Recently, Aparna had a tough time chasing Govinda for his dates for her bilingual film Jewellery Box. Finally, she has decided to put that film on hold and go ahead with Guleil.

Aparna was keen on making Guleil with AB Jr after Ajay backed out. She got lucky this time. Abhishek had earlier committed his dates to Ismail Merchant’s nephew Naeem (producer) but the film didn’t happen due to Merchant’s sudden demise.

The source reveals, “It was Rituparno Ghosh who played mediator and informed Jaya Bachchan about Aparna’a wish to cast Abhishek in her film. The meeting was fixed and Abhishek loved the script. Now, she is waiting for Abhishek’s dates.”

Only Abhi

When contacted, Aparna Sen says, “Abhishek did hear the narration of Guleil and he liked it very much. And yes, he will be doing Ajay’s role whenever the film is made. I’ll be making the film only when I get dates from him.”

The film is based on the life of a convict. Saif also plays a pivotal role, and the hunt for a leading lady opposite him is still on.

The grapevine has it that Saif has recommended ‘good friend’ Kareena. Let’s see how far this recommendation works for Kareena, who has won critical acclaim for her role in offbeat films like Omkara, Chameli and Dev.

Quelle: http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/october/164879.htm

Ajay Devgan quits 'Gulel'

It is reliably learnt that Ajay has walked out of Aparna Sen's next film 'Gulel'.

Sources close to the filmmaker reveal that the Devgan has citied date adjustment problem and has asked Sen to relieve her. Aparna Sen has also finalized a big star to feature in the film reveals the source. Aparna Sen has made films like 15 Park Avenue, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, and the famous 36 Chowinghee Lane.

Quelle: http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/32/8149

Ajay Devgan: I think everyone matures over the years - October 2

Ajay Devgan joined Bollywood as an action hero. But now he is doing various kinds of roles. He used to be an angry young man in real life too. "When I was younger, I might have been a little hot-tempered but that's in the past. I think everyone matures over the years and it is the same with me," laughs he.

Quelle: http://www.bollywoodpremiere.com/movies/.../oct/ajay-2.php

Ajay plays Ashoka in Santoshi film

It looks like 2008 is going to witness a fierce battle of historical warriors on the Indian screen.

While Sushmita Sen is all set to raise a sword to the Rani of Jhansi in her international homage to the warrior queen, Raj Kumar Santoshi who earlier cast Ajay Devgan as Bhagat Singh is all set to now transform the actor into Mauryan emperor Ashoka.

The film goes on the floors in early 2008 and will be jointly produced by Santoshi and the owners of the PVR chain of multiplexes.

Cinematographer-filmmaker Santosh Sivan had made a commercially unsuccessful film on the life of Emperor Ashoka with Shah Rukh in the lead.

Says Santoshi, "I'm aware of Sivan's film. He's a fine craftsman. But my approach and treatment to this fascinating subject will be very different. My Ashoka will open during the Battle of Kalinga and move forward into the emperor's life and also recreate events pre-Kalinga through flashbacks.

"Though he was born in 265 BC, today Emperor Ashoka's message of Buddhist peace at the time of terrible strife and war is more relevant than ever. I want my Ashoka to reach out to the young hip-and-happening generation. It won't be a costume drama like 'Mughal-e-Azam'. It will be a happening epic on the lines of Hollywood's 'Spartacus', 'Braveheart' and 'Gladiator'.
Technicians from all over the world are now being finalised."

Santoshi, a versatile epic maker with films as far-ranging as "Ghayal" and "Lajja" to his credit, is toying with the idea making the film as a bi-lingual.

"Or maybe we could just have English subtitles to the Hindi dialogues since that would look more authentic," Santoshi says.

The film will have no songs, but a background score by A.R. Rahman who has earlier done music in period films like "Lagaan", "Zubeida", "Jodhaa-Akbar" and Santoshi's own "Legend Of Bhagat Singh".

This would be the second of the three historical-mythological characters that Santoshi is recreating with Ajay. After Bhagat Singh and Ashoka, the creatively compatible combination moves into the Ramayan where Devgan plays Rama.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/Ajay_plays_...how/2424019.cms

Devgan versus SRK: Santoshi promises a different Ashoka - October 2

The versatile Raj Kumar Santoshi will start shooting his new epic on Emperor Ashoka in January. His other epic on the Ramayan with Ajay Devgan has now been postponed to the end of 2008.
Though he is not saying it aloud, Raj Kumar Santoshi's decision to make a film on the life on Emperor Ashoka with Ajay Devgan in the lead was prompted more by the failure of Santosh Sivan's Asoka than any other consideration. "I am aware of Sivan’s film. He is a fine craftsman. However, my approach and treatment to this fascinating subject will be very different. I want my Ashoka be a happening epic on the lines of Hollywood's Spartacus, Braveheart and Gladiator. Technicians from all over the world are now being finalized," says Santoshi

Santoshi, a versatile epic maker with films ranging from Ghayal and Lajja to his credit is toying with the idea making the film as a bi-lingual. "Or maybe we could just have English subtitles to the Hindi dialogues since that would look more authentic," Santoshi wonders aloud, as he prepares for the biggest challenge of his creatively fecund career.

Quelle: http://www.indiafm.com/news/2007/10/03/10189/index.html

Ajay back in news

The actor has returned on the scene

Ajay Devgan hasn’t been very accessible in the last one month. After all he was busy as hell with his directorial venture, U Me Aur Hum. But now things are different.

Ajay’s film is almost complete and will soon enter the post production stage. The actor has returned on the scene now and is completing some unfinished business prior endorsement commitments et al. So it’s not going to be long before you see AD living up to his initials, doing ‘ads’ and stuff.

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Enter...how/2428854.cms

Ajay Devgan is a complete perfectionist

Well its great to see Ajay Devgan back in action once again. The man who had been busy past couple of months working on his directorial debut project U, Me Aur Hum seems to be taking it easy these days with the movie almost ready now. Ajay and Kajol keeping up to their old commitment recently shot for an ad film for Whirlpool at the Yash Raj Studio.

Shouldering double responsibility of acting and directing the movie, the perfectionist that he is, Ajay had cut off from the rest of the world, focusing his attention to only on the making of the film.

U, Me Aur Hum is now almost complete with only one song left to be shot, which will be picturised abroad early next month. Insiders who have seen rushes from the movie apparently seem to be very impressed with the hotshots.

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...fectionist.html

Ajay is a very good cook, says wife Kajol

Hubby Ajay Devgan is a wonderful cook and dishes up mouth-watering Mughlai and Chinese cuisine, vouches Bollywood actor Kajol, while admitting that she is a "bad cook".

Talented actress Kajol told IANS here: "I am a bad cook! My husband cooks really well and makes mouth-watering food varying from Mughlai to Chinese. He is a multitalented person."

Kajol said her idea of a perfect home is one that has loads of harmony.

"A perfect home is one which has 60-70 percent of harmony. You can never have 100 percent of it, as small tiffs are inevitable. Moreover, if the kitchen is great what else can you ask for," said Kajol, whose daughter Nyasa is four years old.

The actress, who was last seen on screen in Fanaa with Aamir Khan, is teaming up with her husband in their home production U Me Aur Hum, which also marks Ajay's directorial debut.

Their last film together, Raju Chacha (2000), sank without a trace. But Kajol said: "It is true that while working together we are more comfortable."

Elaborating on the difference between working in ad films and feature films, she said: "Working in ads is a little more difficult than doing a (feature) film because you have to convey so much in a time span as short as 30 seconds."

And to what extent do endorsements boost the popularity of a star?

"Endorsements have enormous reach and one can connect to a wider and varied audience. It proves beneficial to a star."

Kajol gave a spirited performance in hits like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, to name a few. Apart from her home production, Kajol will be seen in Yash Raj Films' upcoming venture Tashan, which also stars Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

Quelle: http://www.nowrunning.com/news/news.asp?id=12325

Wanna watch CASH in Tamil now?

CASH may have come and gone after being an opening weekend wonder, but it' investors are still trying to give it a push for a wider reach.
Though the film was a loser at the box office, it was by a small margin as a very good opening salvaged it to a great extent. The film did disappear from the theaters in three weeks flat with the DVDs being out in the market around a fortnight back. But are you aware that the film is also exclusively available in Tamil now?
To enhance it's reach in the market down South, this stylish action film directed by Anubhav Sinha has been dubbed in Tamil with it's DVDs floated all around the Southern market.
The film is also en route to be making a satellite premier soon.

Quelle: http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/33956.html

Ajay Devgan’s debut U, Me Aur Hum

Well it’s great to see Ajay Devgan back in action once again. The man who had been busy past couple of months working on his directorial debut project U, Me Aur Hum seems to be taking it easy these days with the movie almost ready now.

Shouldering double responsibility of acting and directing the movie, the perfectionist that he is, Ajay had cut off from the rest of the world, focusing his attention to only on the making of the film.

U, Me Aur Hum is now almost complete with only one song left to be shot, which will be picturised abroad early next month. Insiders who have seen rushes from the movie apparently seem to be very impressed with the hotshots.

Quelle: http://www.b4utv.com/showtime/gossip/071008ajay.shtml