RE: November 2007 - News - 3

Vidya is harassed!

Vidya Balan can’t seem to get over a prank that her Halla Bol co-star Ajay Devgan played on her while shooting for the film!

"We were shooting for Halla Bol and in between two shots, I was discussing my scene with Rajji (maker of the film, Rajkumar Santoshi). Ajay came to us and started talking to Rajji discussing about a new song he recently recorded for Halla Bol. They both began praising the song endlessly," Vidya reveals.

"Looking at the excitement on my face, Ajay immediately took out his iPod and headphones from his pocket and offered it to me to hear the number stored in it," Vidya continues. "As soon I pressed the play button, I immediately got a mild shock! I noticed the entire unit laughing at me along with Rajji and Ajay, the mastermind of this prank, who had already told them all about this," the actor remembers.

She says, "After working with the Hindi film industry’s two biggest pranksters " Ajay Devgan and Akshay Kumar, and having been a victim of their pranks I have vowed that I will now become the prankster No 1 amongst female actors." Vidya says that Ajay has a serious image on screen but he is completely different off the sets.

During the shooting schedule of Cash in Cape Town, Ajay had gone shopping with Zayed Khan and purchased special toys to play pranks on female stars. He had made Shamita Shetty and Anubhav Sinha his targets. He used the iPod from the same trip to shock Vidya this time.

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Enter...how/2541379.cms

Om Shanti Om and Saawariya done, now the next battle… - November 14

It was supposed to be the biggest Bollywood battle ever… but it didn’t live up to the hype. Om Shanti Om thrashed Saawariya the whole world around. Now all eyes on this Christmas…

Three big movies are all set to fight over the festive season as Welcome, Halla Bol, and Taare Zameen Pe are scheduled in for release on 21st December. Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Feroz Khan, Katrina Kaif, Mallika Sherawat, Vidya Balan, Ajay Devgan, and Aamir Khan… big names all around.

All three films are of a different genre and overall it should be a bumper period for the Box Office.

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...ext-battle.html

Nana Patekar to direct film for Prakash Jha

Nana Patekar didn't take much interest in filmmaking after his directorial debut Prahaar. But he is planning to take up direction seriously, soon. His second film as director will be produced by Prakash Jha.

Jha who is currently contemplating four scripts for his banner informs that Nana's film will be one of the films that will be produced by his banner next year. "Nana is friend. We worked together in Apaharan. My production house is working on different kinds of films. I want to produce five films a year, and Nana will direct one of those five films that will commence next year," says Jha.

According to Prakash, Nana is still working on the script with his team of writers and once they complete scripting, he will announce the film. However as an actor, Nana will be a part of Jha's forthcoming film called Rajniti that will be directed by Prakash Jha himself.

"I am planning to start Rajniti at the end of January. The film deals with the understanding of democracy. The story is mine and we are still working on the script. Ajay Devgan and Nana will also be part of the film," he confirms, "We will cast three more actors, and two strong female actors for the film."

It is believed that Jha was keen to sign on Lara Dutta who opted out of his film Apaharan. "Yes we were in talks with Lara but she was busy with a foreign film and couldn't do Apaharan. We haven't finalized any actress yet. We will make an announcement once we have all our actors on board, and that will be sometime soon, hopefully."

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2537477.cms

Ajay the eternal prankster

Apparently Ajay Devgan who is known for the pranks he plays on his co-stars did another take only this time on Vidya Balan. The prank went like this when she was chatting with Rajkumar Santoshi, Ajay walked up and engaged Santoshi in a conversation about the song he recently recorded, Vidya was all ears and very pepped up to hear the track so Ajay ever-ready offered her his i-pod to listen to the track. However as soon as she hit the play button she got the shock of her life while the other unit members were in splits. So it’s another one for the list for Ajay.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/Ajay_the_et...how/2540539.cms

Bips in Ashoka: The Different

Yet another period film is coming up from director Rajkumar Santoshi.

Before commencing work on Ramayana , Santoshi will start work on his next which is based on the life of Ashoka, The Great .

Like in Santoshi’s other films, Ajay Devgan has been signed to play the protagonist in this film, too. Bipasha Basu will play the female lead.

Slated to go on the floors in early January, the film will be shot in various parts of Thailand, Malaysia, Bangkok and on sets in Mumbai. Santoshi confirms, “Yes, it is true that I am making a film on the life of King Ashoka and we have tentatively titled it Ashoka, The Great . It is a fascinating subject. We have already signed Ajay Devgan to play the lead role of Ashoka. As for the female lead, Bipasha has agreed.”

In 2001, Santosh Sivan cast Shah Rukh Khan in his Asoka, too, but it failed to make an impact on audiences.

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Enter...how/2539713.cms

Halla Bol: Shades of Jessica case

Director Rajkumar Santoshi's latest film about the murder of an actress may seem familiar, but the A-list filmmaker says it is not based on the 1999 killing of a model by a politician's son.

Halla Bol, starring Ajay Devgan and Vidya Balan, revolves around the murder of an actress by a group of influential men who use their political clout to cover up the crime.

After a seven-year highly publicised trial, Manu Sharma, the son of an influential member of ruling Congress Party was convicted of shooting model and celebrity bartender Jessica Lall at a crowded New Delhi bar in 1999.

Several media reports have said Halla Bol apparently is based on the shooting.

"Though the plot maybe similar to the true incident, my film is not inspired by it," he said referring to Lall's murder.

"The film is about an actor who thought he was a sort of a hero for the people and then realises one fine day when the actress is murdered that he is nothing but a screen identity. It is a story about how he stands up and fights for the actress against powerful people of society who try to silence his voice," said Santoshi.

Halla Bol is due for a December release.

Quelle: http://www.ndtvmovies.com/newstory.asp?s...NTEN20070032644

Das Video zur Sendung: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/vid...t.aspx?id=19394

HALLA BOL to follow GHAYAL, DAMINI route?

After being on the tenterhooks for last few months vis-a-vis its release schedule, HALLA BOL would finally be arriving at theaters on 21st December.

A social drama which promises to have picked up strings from some real life incidents that have made headlines over the years, HALLA BOL is touted to carry vintage Rajkumar Santoshi stamp. Starring Ajay Devgan, Pankaj Kapoor and Vidya Balan in lead, HALLA BOL is a release for Rajkumar Santoshi after close to 2 years. His last film was FAMILY-TIES OF BLOOD which came in January 2006 and was a major box office and critical failure.

However, with HALLA BOL, Santoshi seems to be treading the same hard hitting path that he followed in his initial films like GHAYAL, DAMINI, GHATAK, LAJJA and KHAKEE and make the audience stand up and take notice!

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07...ayal-110704.asp

Ajay and Vidya at Halla Bol Media meet

Pyramid Saimira Production Limited (PSPL), a part of Pyramid Group acquired the worldwide rights of Raj Kumar Santoshi's prestigious venture 'Halla Bol' starring Ajay Devgan and Vidya Balan in the lead. A press meets to announce the same was held at a glittering function at JW Marriott. The Starcast alongwith the director were present to interact with the media.

Venue: JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai, Monday night

Present: Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan, Raj Kumar Santoshi, Pankaj Kapoor and others

Quelle: http://nowrunning.com/news/slideshow.asp?newsID=12712

Bipasha Basu in a historical on king Ashoka

The Bengali beauty’s wish of working in a historical flick has finally come true.

Bipasha Basu is set to work in not one but two historicals. The first one will be a movie on emperor Ashoka, and the second one will be an international film on Taj Mahal.

The film on the Mauryan king was announced by filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi some time back. It will star Santoshi’s favourite Ajay Devgan in the title role. And now Bipasha has been confirmed for the project, which is tentatively titled ‘Ashoka, The Great’.

Bips says she is pretty excited about this film because her role is challenging and she would need to do a lot of homework before the film goes on the floors in January next year. Bipasha plays a girl called Kaurwaki in the film.

Santoshi himself has done extensive research for the project along with a team of writers and researchers. The filmmaker says his movie will be completely different from Shah Rukh Khan ’s Asoka .

‘Ashoka, The Great’ will begin with Kalinga war that the emperor waged to spread the influence of Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC. However, Ashoka’s life was transformed after the bloody battle that claimed thousands of lives. Thereafter, the repentant king turned to Buddhism for inner peace and based his political decisions and regulations for social conduct in his kingdom on the dictates of charity, justice and universal love.

Santoshi feels the story of king Ashoka is of great relevance in today’s times.

The film will be shot in the forests of Malaysia and Thailand next year.

Quelle: http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20071115-5.html

First Look: Vishal's Bourne girl

India, meet Franka Potente.

Yup, she's the German Bourne star who starred in Tom Tykwer's seminal, trippy 1998 sensation, Run Lola Run.

A widely acclaimed German actress, Potente hit stardom with Lola, and went on to do major films like Blow, opposite Johnny Depp and the Bourne trilogy, opposite Matt Damon.

Now, Franka is tipped to be playing the lead in Julia, Vishal Bhardwaj's upcoming project -- reportedly a biopic based on the life and times of Hunterwali star Fearless Nadia, India's first stunt-heroine.

Julia, set to go on the floors soon, is tipped to reunite Vishal with his Omkara cast of Ajay Devgan and Saif Ali Khan.

If all is confirmed soon, it should be quite a ride.

Quelle: http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/nov/15look.htm

Significant Sharman refused Dhamaal & Golmaal Returns - November 15

According to actor Sharman Joshi, he did not do Dhamaal as he didn’t like the role that was offered to me.

Says Sharman, “As for Gol Mal Returns I’d have loved to do it. But my dates were clashing with another project.

If money was an issue how am I doing another film to be directed by Neeraj Vora for the same banner of Asthvinayak?”

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...al-returns.html

Ajay Devgan inaugurates YUVA Foundation of Mumbai - November 15

Ajay Devgan, on Wednesday was seen trying to do his bit for the youth of the country. He was the first member of the new youth initiative taken up by the Congress Party. He inaugurated a social organization for the youth called "YUVA Foundation of Mumbai" floated by Sanjeev Kalle (Billu) to fight against corruption. Over 2500 children were given gift hampers and were left spell bound with the variety of entertainment programs.

Inaugurating the forum Ajay Devgan said, “I am glad that Sanjeev has taken this initiative to guide the youth. Coming from a responsible politician this is a very welcome step, which will help integrate the younger members of society to the mainstream. It is important to guide the younger generation and help mould them into better individuals. I offer my best wishes to YUVA and hope that it succeeds in its cause to weed out corruption from our society. I will always be available for such noble causes and do my part in contributing to the betterment of our neighborhood."

Ajay Devgan plays a similar role in Raj Kumar Santoshi’s film, Halla Bol, - the one who fights corruption to regain his own identity. He had earlier played a role in Yuva, which encourages youngsters to be a part of politics. Finally, an actor who practices what he preaches.

Quelle: http://www.indiafm.com/news/2007/11/15/10427/index.html
ACHTUNG mit Bilder

“Vidya Balan doesn’t look like a star”

Many a times message oriented films tend to get extremely preachy and tend to be categorized as being arty. Making the film entertaining and at the same time putting across the message is a director’s skill. Well director Raj Kumar Santoshi who is known for his message oriented films definitely poses this skill. Anger is always predominant in his films. The characters in his film always stand up for their rights and fights against injustice, may it be a frustrated Sunny Deol in Ghayal or a wronged Meenakshi Sheshadari in Damini or a rebellious Ajay Devgan in The Legend of Bhagat Singh – all of his characters have expressed themselves with extreme and strong emotions. And now Raj Kumar Santoshi is ready with his next project Halla Bol and the title says it all. Like all Santoshi films this one too is a film based on struggle, injustice and gives out a strong message. We at Indiatimes spoke to this talented director and found out more about the film

Halla Bol which is predominantly used as a war cry is the title of Rajkumar Santoshi’s film. So what made the director use it as the title of the film? “It signifies the fact that when one feels something is wrong one should stand up and raise their voice”, says Santoshi. Even if we live in an over populated city many a times we feel lonely. We as citizens should raise our voice and bring about the change. The problem is that we follow the divide and rule policy. We always tend to fight in groups. It is important to come together and fight for the injustice. And Halla Bol is a call to stand up and fight.

A lot of thought seems to have gone into deciding the title which makes us even more intrigued to know what the film is all about. The director adds, “ Halla Bol is about today. The film doesn’t only deal with corruption but also with ones consciousness. The film is about how a star comes out and raises a voice against injustice which is not quite easy for the actor knowing that he is a big star”.

The star in the film is played by Ajay Devgan who has been a favourite of Raj Kumar Santoshi. The duo have worked together in several films including Lajja, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Khakee, Insan and London Dreams (which is currently on hold). “Ajay is a very good friend of mine. He is a versatile actor and merges into any role given to him as his persona suits every kind of a role”, explains Santoshi.

Vidya Balan plays Ajay Devgan’s wife in the film. So what made Santoshi cast Vidya for the film? “We chose Vidya because we wanted someone who doesn’t look like a star and Vidya fitted the character perfectly.” Another actor who will be seen along with Vidya and Ajay is Pankaj Kapoor who is playing the role of a reformed dacoit turned street theatre artist who brings about awakening amongst the masses through his plays. According to Santoshi, Pankaj was the right choice for the role “Pankaj is a very popular actor. He has a background of street theatre which was a plus point. So we thought that he would be perfect for the role.”

Being a message oriented film, does Halla Bol tends to get preachy at times? “The main aim of the film is to entertain and if you can also give out a message through it then why not.” Doesn’t the director feel that sometimes his films aren’t commercially viable? “I know for the fact that unfortunately my films don’t work commercially. Halla Bol is my twelfth film. We have worked hard on the film with an aim to entertain people. Whenever I could convey a message through my film I have without any fear. I always try and make films which are not only entertaining but will also raise questions about oneself and their conscience. I am not a social reformer. I make films and take money for it.”

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2538220.cms