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Halla Bol is not my film

By now, Vidya Balan has become used to taking centrestage. And if not centrestage, then somewhere close to it. In Raj Kumar Santoshi's Halla Bol, she gladly moves back to let her leading man take precedence.

Not in a rush

“It’s undoubtedly Ajay Devgan’s film. It’s the story of a man who goes from being a reel life hero to a real one, and I play his wife.”

Vidya unabashedly admits Halla Bol is not her film. “But sometimes, it’s important to do films that move the status quo ahead, like Guru. I hardly had a role, but I’d gladly do it again.

In Halla Bol, the relationship between Ajay and my character defines much of the screenplay, but I’ve no qualms about being the secondary character,” she says.
Vidya had four releases last year. “Three of my films came in a tumble. Now there’s a break, which will do me good. Now I’ve Halla Bol, Bhool Bhulaiya and Heyy Babyy! I’m not in a rush to sign more films. I hope people don’t get bored of watching me.”

Vidya says she goes by her gut feelings about which films to accept. “I don’t consult anybody in my family, maybe a little bit of the story with my sister but that’s it.

Sometimes, I sound the ideas off to my close friends to make up my mind but finally I go by my hunch. It’s important for me to make the right choices,” she says.

Quelle: http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/july/160557.htm

Wanna meet the Head of Security in CASH?

CASH is getting ready for release on July 27th and anticipation for watching the flick is only seeing exponential growth with every passing week.

So far the film has been noticed for its action sequences and some out of the box tracks by Vishal Shekhar. Come D-day and it would also be known for the actor who plays one of the key protagonists of the film.

Amongst all the characters that are out to grab the multi-crore worth diamond through their intelligence, courage and stunts, this is one character that has an ideal mix of beauty and brain.

She is Shamita Shetty who plays nothing less than the HEAD OF SECURITY at the Indian embassy in Cape Town, South Africa. Responsible for the safety of the diamond, her job is to transport the diamond safely to the airport from where it would be transferred to New Delhi.

Will she be able to do her job well? Well, this is where the suspense and the thrills lie because the man who is out there to rob the diamond is none other than Ajay Devgan, who incidentally plays her reel life boyfriend!

With an interesting premise like this and Shamita's oomph appeal to boast, CASH is surely going to soar the temperatures!

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

Sridevi goes came(o)-ra shy

Sridevi doesn't want her two-minute cameo in Halla Boll publicised. Certainly not as her 'comeback' role!

Sridevi and Boney Kapoor are upset that her miniscule appearance in Raj Santoshi's Halla Bol is actually being publicised. "It was never meant to be publicised!" exclaims Boney Kapoor. "And you can't really call it a guest appearance. After so many years, do you think Sri would return to the screen with a guest appearance in a Vidya Balan-Ajay Devgan starrer?"

Boney describes the exact extent of Sridevi's so-called role in the film. He says, "Since Halla Bol is set in the film industry, Sri and I make a joint appearance on stage and give an award to Ajay Devgan, who plays a star. Now, Sri and I give away such awards at several awards functions. Would that qualify as a guest appearance for Sri too? It's as much a guest appearance as Sri joining Karisma Kapoor in Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai on TV."

What's troubling Boney is that Sridevi agreed to come on screen for a couple of minutes for the sake of her old friendship with Santoshi. "There are some things that you just do for friends," says Boney referring to his long-term association with Raj Santoshi who made Pukar for Boney's banner. "That doesn't mean it should get used as a publicity gimmick. That's unfair."


Is Halla Bol based on Jessica Lal's murder?

If sources are to be believed, Rajkumar Santoshi has borrowed heavily from the 1999 Jessica Lal murder who was shot dead at the Tamarind Court, a restaurant owned by socialite Bina Ramani in Qutab Institutional Area in south Delhi, for his forthcoming film Halla Bol, starring Ajay Devgan and Vidya Balan. The plot of the film primarily revolves around a smalltown boy who wants to join the Bollywood brigade. His hard work and determination pays off and he acquires celebrity status in a short time. In keeping with his colleagues he indulges in a few vices that estrange him from his family. A conflict arises when a shocking murder at a party changes his life.

Sources close to Santoshi indicate that the murder in the film is no ordinary killing. Just as Jessica's killers Manu Sharma and his aide Vikas Yadav have strong political connections (Sharma's father was once a Union minister and is now a Haryana state minister and Yadav is the son of a don-turned-politician D P Yadav), the accused in the film too weilds political clout. He flees from the scene after shooting a model-turned-actress in a posh restaurant.

Santoshi, however, focuses on Devgan's troubled mind and his urge to stand up against the killer. His estranged wife (Vidya Balan) and mentor (Pankaj Kapur) help him to take a stand.

When quizzed about it, director Santoshi however claims that the story is original and the similarity is purely co-incidental. He says: "The murders are similar in nature. But my film is not based on Jessica Lal's murder." He adds, "I had the story idea seven years back even before Jessica was shot." (Well, Jessica Lal was murdered eight years back in April 1999.)

Talking about special appearances in the film, Kareena Kapoor has one too. The actress just plays herself in the film. Says Santoshi, "Kareena makes a friendly appearance alongside Ajay. Both are superstars in the film.”

Quelle: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper....46411092af62102

Fire alarm!

It isn't Sholay at all. It's Ram Gopal Varma Ke Aag. Apparently, the promo shows smoke billowing out of a pancaked cleavage and gradually forming the letters of the title.
The hunt for the title of Ram Gopal Varma's remake of the classic Sholay is finally over. The eccentric filmmaker has zeroed down on 'Ram Gopal Varma Ke Aag' for reasons best known to him. Trade pundits and the rest of the film fraternity are obviously shocked as the film barely tells anything about the so-called original storyline. Sources close to Varma inform that his dispute with the Sippy's (makers of the original Sholay) prompted him to have an 'unconventional title'. Says a reliable source from the production house: "We had a few options and after much brainstorming we have locked in on Ram Gopal Varma Ke Aag."

If that isn't enough, Varma has already shot a bunch of supposedly not-so-tasteful teasers and promos for the film that hits the theatres next month. Smoke billowing out of a pancaked cleavage and gradually, forming the letters of the title is what you see, says an insider.

The teasers and promos are being edited at the Adlabs (co-producers for the film) Studios. "The promo looks rather shady. The opening shot is that of a cleavage and smoke rising from between the cleavage, which goes on to form the title of the film. It is rather funny. It's quit unfortunate as this is what Ramu has made out of the blockbuster Sholay," says a source from Adlabs.

When quizzed about it the filmmaker's representative says, "We are awaiting the final verdict on the title dispute. But we have a working title as we want to release the film by next month. Ram Gopal Varma Ke Aag stands a good chance." Talking about the teasers and other publicity material he says, "Yes we have made a promo featuring cleavage and smoke but then its just one of the options. Our team has been brainstorming and we should soon release the apt one."

Quelle: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper....46431251eb11606

Makers of 'Halla Bol' clarify

Contrary to market rumors, which have misread that 'Halla Bol' is a Studio 18 production, the producer of the film, Abdol Samee Siddiqui has clarified things for us. He is the sole producer of the film, and holds all the rights to the production.
When contacted, Mr. Siddiqui explains, "Studio 18 is an investor in my company for the film as a joint venture. They are not the distributors."
'Halla Bol' is directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and stars Ajay Devgan and Vidya Balan.

Quelle: http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/32/7799

The music of Cash worth the money

There was a time [around a decade or more back] when good music was primarily associated with love stories or family dramas. Neither the film makers made an extra effort nor 'aam junta' had major expectations from listening to something that could qualify as a chartbuster from the musical score of a hardcore action movie.
But not anymore!
Films like 'Mohra', 'Kaante', 'Musafir', 'Dhoom' franchise and last but not the least, 'Dus', changed the trend as at least of couple of major foot tapping tracks [read item numbers], became a basic requirement for an action film to be promoted aggressively. Not just these tracks were used for eye candy purpose, they were also used for promoting the action sequences of the film while playing in the background of the razor sharp promos. 'Mast Mast' [Mohra], 'Rama Re' [Kaante], 'Ishq Kabhi Kariyo Naa' [Musafir], 'Dhoom Machale' [Dhoom], 'Dhoom Again' [Dhoom 2], 'Dus Bahane' and 'Deedar De' [Dus] are some of the examples that immediately come to one's mind.
This is why the score of 'Cash' is expected to be special with expectation being pretty high, if not sky high. Reasons are aplenty.
First and foremost the film belongs to action genre which gives it's composer duo of Vishal and Shekhar ample opportunity to go wild in away only they can.

Secondly, the film has eye candy in the form of Shamita Shetty, Dia Mirza and Esha Deol which means ready ammunition waiting to explode if there are right ingredients in place to make them dance to the beats.
Thirdly, the film brings together Anubhav Sinha and Vishal-Shekhar after 'Dus' (they did have a 'qawalli' in 'Tathastu' though). Nothing works like a tried and tested combination!
Fourthly, on checking the credit details one realizes that Vishal Dadlani is present throughout the album in the capacity of a singer. Well, he has sung a song or two in his earlier albums too but an entire soundtrack is a first! In fact except for a solo track by Panchhi Jalonvi, Vishal also writes the remaining tracks.
So without waiting any further, one jumps into 'Cash' with the volume being raised to the maximum possible.
It was not a bad choice after all to have pumped up the volume since the opening track 'Cash' has just about everything that one expects from Vishal Shekhar when they are in the mood to go unconventional and create a new sound. An out and out western track with elements of rap-n-reggae thrown in good measure for creating a rocking feel, 'Cash' is sung by both Vishal and Shekhar. What impresses further is Sunidhi Chauhan who modulates her voice once again and makes a smashing entry by taking the song to a different level altogether.
An item song that is expected to play in the opening title rolls, 'Cash' follows the theme of the movie as it talks about how 'cash' makes the life go around. Another version of the song comes later with the sound of a hovering helicopter in the background creating an action feel.
R.D. Burman would have been proud today on hearing 'Naa Puchho' as it is a homage to the maestro's style of composing a melody. Vishal-Shekhar keep the feel of the late 70s/early 80s intact but while doing so they add on their own bit of the technology available in 21st century and create a smashing impact out of 'Naa Puchho'. Hear the manner in which fast forward technique is used (or has Vishal actually sung it that fast?) to make the opening words of 'Naa Puccho' flow rapidly and you would know what we mean!
While Vishal continues to have fun with innovation being the key mantra, Sunidhi Chauhan follows the path of melody set for her. Be rest assured that when the song will appear on the screen, it is bound to be a rage.
The same cannot be said though for 'Zara Bachke' which is coming together of hip-hop, rap, reggae and bhangra-pop! In short, a mix of just about everything that makes for an item number.While lyrically there isn't much that registers an impact (at least in the first couple of hearings), even the rendition (mainly in Punjabi) is just about ok with the much required punch missing in the proceedings. One doubts if the song would have a full fledged appearance in the film since the song doesn't have much scope outside the music video circuits.
There is an extended musical piece that comes at the beginning of 'Reham Kare' before Sunidhi Chauhan comes into the scene. The dark-n-sensuous-haunting mood comes close to the style that was adopted in 'Aaj Ki Raat' [Don] but the similarity just ends here. Overall 'Reham Kare' written by Panchhi Jalonvi has the 80s style disco arrangements filling in the space between the 'antaras' even as music continues to change its flavor with regularity throughout it's 5 minutes duration. Meanwhile Vishal does his trademark take as a back ground voice by mainly singing along in English.
Unlike the title song and 'Naa Puchho', 'Reham Kare' is not an instant winner in the very first listening and also doesn't have long enough legs to reach to the top. Nevertheless, glitzy choreography would ensure that the tune does get it's due with the combination of style and rhythm ensuring decent eyeballs.
On the other hand 'Naughty Naughty' is a song that makes you wonder why is it not on the tube yet? Yet another track that takes it's inputs from the R.D. Burman school of music, 'Naughty Naughty' is indeed naughty, especially due to the way Anushka Manchanda goes about singing it. After 'Golmaal Golmaal', Vishal-Shekhar and Anushka come together yet again and the magic is visible.
With mix of Hindi and English lyrics creating an ideal mood for some naach-gaana-thumka, 'Naughty Naughty' is perhaps one of the rare dance numbers that are western in arrangements and yet so rooted and earthy in appeal. The backup male voice along with chorus only add on to make 'Naughty Naughty' a number that would be played long after the movie is off the theaters. A winner!
Taking over from where 'Deedar De' [Dus] left, 'Mindblowing Maahiya' can easily qualify as yet another dance hit for Shamita Shetty after 'Baras Jaa' [Fareb]. Sunidhi Chauhan is good as always and gets just the right punch in place whenever the key words 'Mindblowing Mahiya' are heard. The song may not boast of fast pace or elaborate musical arrangements but it is an overall packaging, rythm and the tune's base in Indian melody that makes 'Mindblowing Mahiya' a song that is bound to set your feet tapping. The item song is out on the telly and if the initial response is anything to go by, the number is expected to scale the charts in just a few days to come.
The idea behind creating 'Cash' is simple i.e. to create 5-6 tunes that keep the adrenalin flow intact as one takes a break from action sequences. The score was required to match the high tech action and some unbelievable stunts and from that perspective the synopsis was good enough for Vishal and Shekhar to create tunes that would ensure that coupled with good visuals, the soundtrack keeps you hooked on to the screens.
You have seen the title song and 'Mindblowing Maahiya' to be aware about 'Cash'. Now watch out for 'Naughty Naughty' and 'Naa Puchho' and you would surely have your hands full.

Quelle: http://in.movies.yahoo.com/070710/24/6hw1b.html