Urmila Matondkar is back to doing what she does best — the great Indian item number. Here’s a sneak peek at her Mehbooba look in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag
Urmila Matondkar and Ram Gopal Varma have always formed an explosive combination.
Now, they are back together in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, albeit only in a video.
Urmila will do some sexy moves in the item number Mehbooba Mehbooba, choreographed, directed and composed by choreographer-singer Ganesh Hegde.
HiTLIST brings you an exclusive look at Urmi in the sizzling number.
Eerie feel
Says Matondkar, “I was excited when I was asked to dance to the legendary dance number. Mehbooba is one of my all-time favourite numbers, and gets my foot tapping every time I hear it.
Our main priority was to ensure that it wasn’t identical to the original number, both in terms of the sound and the look. The mood we have created is very different. It’s not a remix but quite a techno sound.”
Urmila and designer Manish Malhotra agonised over the look and styling of the song for many days. Says the actress, “I wasn’t nervous during the shoot, but I was nervous during discussions for the costume and look.
The intention was not to ape Helen so it was different and very challenging. I play a modern performer against a jungle backdrop, where an arms deal is taking place. The entire feel is eerie.”
Public ke bharose
Urmila says dancing to Mehbooba has given her “unparalleled joy and satisfaction.” So what’s next? “I’m anxiously waiting for the people’s verdict.”
Mehbooba has been sung by Sunidhi Chauhan, Sukhwinder Singh and Sudesh Bhonsle.
Director Anubhav Sinha is a more relaxed man now as the decks are clear for the release of CASH, next Friday, and more importantly with the original title. The talented filmmaker is now planning his next two.
After flirting with a lot of animation in CASH (even Shetty's past is animated!), the first project that Anubhav has in mind is a full fledged animation film (his first), based on the adventures of a sensational teenage action hero, 'Shlok'. He will then move on to a project with macho-man Sunny Deol, playing a serial killer. Anubhav may even produce it, as he is very confident about the script.
While on the name 'Shlok', not many will know that Anubhav and Ratna Sinha's cute 5-year old son is also called 'Shlok'.
In the dark underbelly of Mumbai City a nihilistic new leader has risen to rule the fetid underworld. His name is Babban. Cruel beyond imagination, psychotically violent and far more devious than any gangster the city has ever known.
Nobody has ever seen him and if they did, they didn't survive to tell the tale. But one man believed in his existence. And that is inspector Narsimha, an encounter specialist who has a single-minded determination to finish Babban.
Character Synopsis:
Babban (Amitabh Bachchan): He perceives other human beings as objects to amuse or occupy him with. When he speaks, he does so to voice his own thoughts. He does not engage in conversation with anyone.
He likes to play with his victims.
When he is angry, his eyes take on a glazed look. He seems to be looking at you as you speak, but the focus of his gaze rests in the middle distance. It's as if he's looking right through you.
He loves people who challenge him, as then he can enjoy killing them more.
Tambe (Sushant Singh): If evil keeps company, none would be greater than the key henchman of Babban.
Hirendra Chavan - Heero (Ajay Devgan), Raj Ranade (Prashant Raj): Two young men from Latur, Hirendra Chavan and Raj Ranade arrive in the megapolis of Mumbai with as big sized dreams of buying out the city. It's another matter that they are jobless and don't have enough money even to buy a decent meal. Childhood friends, their loyalty is absolute with the younger Raj looking up to the elder Heero.
Narsimha (Mohanlal): Narsimha's eyes retain composure at all times. Dark circles collected over a sleepless nights betray the fact he is a man tormented by his own past. His thoughts have single point of focus: Babban
Durga Devi (Sushmita Sen): A trained nurse her life blossomed when love happened... and then tragedy struck. Stoic, dignified, silent, her demeanor hid an inner strength that at times raised itself beyond what one would expect from a woman.
Ghungroo (Nisha Kothari): She drives a 'rickshaw' named 'Laila'. Laila is her best friend and confidante. Ghungroo is Mumbai city's only woman rickshaw driver. She knows all the shortcuts in Mumbai city. She talks switching between Marathi, Hindi & English. She'd like you to believe she's a man. But deep inside, she is all woman.
As the buzz around Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag heats up, the latest promo of the film's version of the legendary Mehbooba Mehbooba has been added to it. And if we were to believe Urmila, this song is totally original.
It's the song everyone's been waiting to watch. A contemporary version of the much-hummed classic. The Mehbooba song from Ram Gopal Verma Ke Aag has a different sound, with typical Ramu camera angles and of course, his magic formula, Urmila Matondkar. And as we know it, there's very little of Abhishek Bachchan in the song, but expect to see sparks between the Big B and his Mehbooba.
"There's loads of chemistry and I will be giving away most of the song If I say more. But the chemistry exists between Babban and his Mehbooba,” says Urmila Matondkar.
"There are bits of Big B saying kabhie kabhie mere dil mein bhi khayal aata hai," says Choreographer Ganesh Hegde.
For Urmila, matching steps with the legendary Helen from the classic and competing with the oomph factor of Mallika Sherawat in Himesh's new version may be a tough task. But she believes that both the composition as well as the choreography by Ganesh Hegde is so original, that the song stands out on its own."
Keeping still was tough in 'Sholay' remake: Sushmita - July 29, 2007
For someone as restless in spirit and body as Sushmita Sen, the deathly stillness of her character in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Sholay' remake was a revelation.
"I virtually had to tie myself down. It's not that I don't speak in 'Sholay'. But I say whatever I've to through my eyes. I've more still moments in this film than in any other cinema that I've done. It's the quietest character I've ever played," Sushmita told IANS.
"It's not that my character Durga doesn't speak. It's that inner tranquillity. And hats off to Ramu for signing someone with a strong image like me to play someone like Durga ... it requires guts and hindsight. Ramu has both," she adds.
Sushmita rewinds to Jaya Bachchan who played Radha in Ramesh Sippy's "Sholay".
"It was one of the most difficult roles in 'Sholay'. Jayaji was fabulous. Very few people in our cinema understand the sounds of silences. But let me tell you, she played Radha. I play Durga. She was very passive. I'm very aggressive," the actress said.
The Bollywood diva is a huge fan of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and is elated about sharing screen space with him.
"I've stood in the same frame as Mohanlal. I'm honoured. To watch him perform is to watch a whole textbook on Indian cinema unfold in front of your eyes. He's that brilliant."
The "Sholay" remake is called "Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag" as Sasha Sippy, the grandson of G.P. Sippy who produced the 1970s hit, had problems with Varma releasing his film with the word 'Sholay' in its title.
Sushmita is all praise for her co-star Prashant Raj. "He's very good. In his very first film he has to stand next to stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, Mohanlal and Ajay Devgan. That isn't easy."
Tell her she has a head-start of at least seven years over Prashant, and Sushmita laughs, "Trust me he looks really nice with me."
However, she has no scenes with Amitabh Bachchan who plays dacoit Babban Singh in the film.
"Not this time. But we had lots of scenes together in two films we did earlier - 'Hindustan Ki Kasam' and 'Aankhen'. In 'Sholay' we don't come face to face at all."
Raj Kumar Santoshi is prepared to take on all the criticisms that await his much ambitious project Ashoka with Ajay Devgan in the lead.
Santoshi says, “Our story is completely different. It starts with the Kalinga war and continues to travel through the fascinating and exciting journey of Ashoka’s life, when from Chanda Ashoka he became Dharma Ashoka. It’s a rare and unique storyline.”
Santoshi claims that his film will work even in today’s modern world. “Of course it will. I have narrated the story to all my technicians and they are extremely excited about it. I believe a good film always works,” he said. 8)
Anubhav Sinha angry at the delay of his film's release - July 30, 2007
Mumbai, Director Anubhav Sinha, whose "Cash" was delayed by a week because of a financial and legal tussle between the producers of the movie, is not happy because his film will now be pitted against Anil Kapoor's "Gandhi My Father". Starring Ajay Devgan, Zayed Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, the film is a stylised crime thriller and will now release Aug 3.
"Until the last minute, I didn't think the release would be stalled. I'm very angry that such a thing happened. We worked very hard to get into this July 27 slot. And now I'm upset because I'll have to come next week with 'Gandhi My Father'. I never wanted that. That's the kind of film I'd like to support, not compete with," Sinha told IANS.
The "Dus" director says he had deliberately exercised the option of coming in the last week of July because he didn't want to compete with Anil's film.
"I think Anil Kapoor's film looks so sensitive and deep. I don't want to cut into his audience at all. In fact, I'd buy a ticket and see 'Gandhi My Father' instead of my own 'Cash' on the first day, first show."
Tell him that the audience for "Cash" is very different from the one for "Gandhi My Father", and Sinha disagrees vigorously.
"No, at the end of the day the public's buying capacity is equally challenged by any two films that are released on the same day."
Sinha is mad as hell about the producers' - Anish Ranjan and Sohail Maklai - wrangle that stalled the release of "Cash" by a week.
"With everyone taking sides and having a point of view, it all became very messy. I just hope people realise how much losses one has to suffer when a film is delayed after the release is announced."
Live chat with Anubhav Sinha on August 1 at 1100 hrs IST - July 30, 2007
Anubhav Sinha shot to fame with his action flick Dus. Though he made his directorial debut with a super romantic film like Tum Bin, he moved on to make action films. His forthcoming film Cash is one more visual treat for action film lovers. The film stars Ajay Devgan, Sunil Shetty, Ritesh Deshmukh, Zayed Khan, Shamita Shetty, Esha Deol and Dia Mirza.
Log on to IndiaFM celebrity chat to chat with Anubhav Sinha and know more about his forthcoming film Cash. Catch him online only on IndiaFM chat on Wednesday, August 1 at 1100 hrs IST.
After going through lot of difficulty finally Cash has managed to get a final releasing date. The film will hit the cinema halls on August 3. This action packed multi-starrer film has an interesting star cast which includes Ajay Devgan, Zayed Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, Sunil Shetty, Esha Deol, Shamita Shetty and Dia Mirza. It turns out that the film also has a surprise element in it. It is learnt that Ayesha Takia will be seen in a guest appearance in Cash.
Talking about Ayesha’s cameo Anubhav said, “Yes, Ayesha will be seen in the film but it’s a very small role. It was not supposed to be revealed before the film’s release as it was one of the surprise elements in the film.”
Anubhav refused to divulge details about Ayesha’s character in the film.
CASH - Brazilian beauty Bruna sizzles in 'Reham Kare' - July 30, 2007
The wait is finally over.
Anubhav Sinha certainly has a thing or two about roping in foreign models/dancers in his films. He did this in 'Deedar De' (DUS) and now he repeats the act in 'Reham Kare' by roping in Brazilian beauty Bruna Abdalah.
The song was much awaited ever since this Vishal-Shekhar soundtrack was heard first. While 'Cash', 'Mindblowing Mahiya', 'Naughty Naughty' and 'Zara Bachke' were on the air for quite a while, wait for 'Reham Kare' was only becoming longer with every passing day.
It is now over with the song finally being aired on the small screen. Undoubtedly, the impact is nothing but breathtaking to say the least. Not just the beauty look extremely seductive and mind blowing in the song, it is also the overall setting of 'Reham Kare' which impresses in a big way. Be it the sets, lighting or choreography - each of the factors come together to ensure that the song becomes a rage as the film reaches closer to it's 3rd August release date.
This Rajiv Goswami choreographed song also features Riteish Deshmukh and Zayed Khan apart from Bruna. 'Reham Kare' is written by Panchhi Jalonvi with Sunidhi Chauhan and Vishal Dadlani coming behind the mike.
Now that it is certain that Anubhav Sinha's slick action thriller, CASH, is releasing this Friday, the makers have decided to add another 100 or so prints to the original 700 (as we had quoted from the producer). This has been done to counter the CHAKDE! INDIA effect, just after its first week.
While Anubhav was very lucky in getting his desired cast of Ajay Devgan, Suneil Shetty, Zayed Khan, Esha Deol and Diya Mirza, at the first instance itself, Riteish and Shamita Shetty were added later.
However, there is a surprise in store for the viewers, when the movie releases to a good response on August 3. It is in the form of Ayesha Takia, essaying a cameo. And sorry Anubhav for revealing it. As you know we have a job to do!
Rajkumar Santoshi's HALLA BOL, featuring Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan and Pankaj Kapoor, has now been rescheduled to release in September. We were the first to tell you that it is based on the life of 'nukkad natak' pioneer and social activist, late Safdar Hashmi. The fact has now been accepted by none other than Santoshi himself.
A small town man 'Ashfaque' (Ajay), aspires to be a film star in Bollywood. His chance meeting with reformed sikh dacoit 'Sidhu' (Pankaj Kapoor), who runs a street theatre group, sets him on course to achieve his dreams and he becomes actor 'Sameer Khan'. 'Ashfaque' and 'Sidhu' use street theatre as a medium to bring about an awakening and a social reform in the masses, till one day it all changes!
As Pankaj Kapoor plays a 'sardar' in the film, renowned Punjabi singer Sukhwinder Singh has sung (surprisingly) the first 'Gurbani' of his career. It is for an important sequence of HALLA BOL and has been picturised on Pankaj Kapoor, in a Gurudwara. Needless to add that Sukhwinder has put in a lot of feelings and has rendered it beautifully.
Studio 18 to distribute Cash in CP / Berar territory - July 31, 2007
Studio 18 is distributing Anubhav Sinha’s action packed multi-starrer film Cash in the CP / Berar territory set to release this Friday on August 3. The film has been in news for an interesting star cast that includes Ajay Devgan, Zayed Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, Sunil Shetty, Esha Deol, Shamita Shetty and Dia Mirza.
Studio 18’s distribution team has planned the widest ever release seen for a Hindi film in the CP / Berar territory.
Says Utpal Acharya, National Head Domestic Distribution, “We plan to aggressively release in 45 theatres across the territory. We have already booked prime location single screens as well as digital UFO’s screens. The idea is to capitalize on the hype the film has generated. We strongly believe that the content is good and has a great appeal in this market.”
Earlier Studio 18 has released Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd, Kya Love Story Hai and Awarapan. In India, the company distributed Vipul Shah's Namastey London in the Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad territories and 1971 (all India). Vipul Shah's Namastey London has done good business at the box office and is one of the very few movies that have been declared a hit this year.
Studio 18 is also co-producing Raj Kumar Santoshi's Halla Bol with Sunrise Pictures Pvt. Ltd. and Ravi Chopra's Bhootnath.
Additionally, Studio 18 has inked a two-year co-production deal worth Rs. 1 billion (Rs. 100 crore) in November last year with Shree Ashtavinayak Films for four movies. The filmmakers that have been signed in this deal are Priyadarshan, Abbas-Mustan, Rohit Shetty and Neeraj Vora.
Perry Patel - The man who gave colors to CASH - July 31, 2007
If you are wondering what makes the men in CASH different from the rest of their ilk, you know who deserves all the compliments. He is stylist Perry Patel who is responsible for giving unique hair color to all the guys in the film.
So while Ajay sports a blond-brown shaggy cut, Zayed has dark blue streaks while Riteish has a blond-black streaked look. In fact as per sources, so impressed was Ajay Devgan with Perry's work that he instantly roped him in for his directorial debut U, ME AUR HUM.
Perry is also excited about giving a unique look to Zayed since as per him; an electric blue shade on hair would be the first time ever in Indian cinema. He wasn't as successful though with Suneil Shetty since he couldn't apply color on his hair. Nevertheless, he was at least successful in using some gel for his eyebrows.
Ram Gopal Varma's version of Ramesh Sippy's classic, SHOLAY, now titled as RAM GOPAL VARMA KI AAG (some say AAG), has been in the news from the day of its announcement. It features some of the top names in the Industry, both from Bombay and South. The steller line up includes the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Mohanlal, Ajay Devgan and Sushmita Sen.
With newer promos being aired and especially after the 'Mehbooba' dance number, featuring Urmila Matondkar and Amitabh Bachchan (rendered by Sunidhi Chauhan and Sukhwinder Singh), the audio album has aroused curiosity. As per T-Series, the audio album will be out on August 8. While on the film's release date, the trade and distribution sources are divided between August 24 and 31.