RE: November 2007 - News - 4

Triple Ace this December

If OM SHANTI OM, SAAWARIYA, GOAL and AAJA NACHLE in November and DUS KAHANIYAAN in the first week of December 2007 were not enough, 21st December is turning out to be one of the biggest Fridays of recent past. The day would see as many as 3 major films arriving at theaters with the common factor being the letter 'A'!

WELCOME, TAARE ZAMEEN PAR and HALLA BOL are the films we are talking about and each of them have their central protagonist with their initial as A. While Akshay Kumar is clearly aiming for his fifth big major success in a row (BHAGAM BHAG, NAMASTE LONDON, HEYY BABYY, BHOOL BHULAIYAA) with WELCOME, Aamir Khan gets into a triple role of an actor, producer and director with TAARE ZAMEEN PAR.

On the other hand Ajay Devgan and Rajkumar Santoshi, reuniting after LAJJA, THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH and KHAKEE, have finally plugged 21st December as the release date of their HALLA BOL.

It's time for a Triple Ace this December as biggies refuse to relent month after month.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07...iyan-110709.asp

Ajay Devgan pulls a 'shocking' prank

Co-star Vidya Balan was at the receiving end of actor Ajay Devgan ’s prank.

The impression of a brooding and serious persona that Ajay Devgan gives is in sharp contrast to his real personality. The actor is quite a prankster when it comes to pulling a fast one on his peers and co-stars.

He did it during the making of Cash and during the shooting of his directorial debut U Me Aur Hum .

Also, while filming director Rajkumar Santoshi ’s Halla Bol , Ajay did not spare his co-star Vidya Balan.

One day, on the sets, while Vidya was discussing a scene with Santoshi, Devgan came and began praising the latest song for the film they had recorded. Santoshi also praised the song in similar breath.

Noticing Vidya’s curiosity, Devgan flipped out an i-pod from his pocket and gave it to Vidya to listen to the song. As soon as the actress switched on the gadget she got a mild electric shock, strong enough to stun Vidya for a moment.

Seeing Vidya’s reaction, Ajay, Santoshi and the crewmembers had a hearty laugh. Vidya, however, took the prank sportingly.

Quelle: http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20071117-0.html

Katrina-Shahid starrer shelved!

Raj Santoshi is all set to start his epic on Emperor Ashoka in January 2008 with Ajay Devgan and Bipasha in the lead.

Plans to begin an intense love story in November with Shahid Kapoor and Katrina Kaif have fallen through.

The director currently putting finishing touches to his film about the individual and his conscience Halla Bol whch opens on December 21, reveals the details.

"We were all set to start the film. But then we saw some striking similarities between what we had in mind and Jab We Met. Doing two similar films with the same actor in the lead didn't make any sense. So now we're re-working the script and will surely come up with something soon. I really want to work with Shahid and Katrina."

As for his other film, the musical London Dreams, "Some differences cropped up between me and the producers. Also there was a lot of confusion over Salman's dates. So I really don't know where that project stands.

Yes, I do have a reputation for initiating several projects out of which some don't work out. But during the last 1 ½ years you must've noticed I've been focusing only on Halla Bol. I never go on the floors until I'm absolutely sure.

Quelle: http://www.indiatarget.com/cgi-bin/detailnews.cgi?id=5589

Cash was a bad film: Dia Mirza

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Where did Cash go wrong?
It was a bad film.The plot was confused. Everything went wrong in it. It’s sad because it was made with such good intentions. But sometimes the best of directors lose objectivity.
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Quelle: Cash was a bad film

Chill, dosti, etc

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Afzal had already been facing major problems because of the disrupted shooting schedule of his film Mehbooba starring Sanjay Dutt, following the actor's long running trial and subsequent arrest.
...

Quelle: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper....58454377368f843

Celina Jaitley in a de-glamorised avatar in Golmaal Returns! - November 17

Audiences who have been seeing Celina in her glam roles will now see her in a completely different light as she has been roped in to star opposite Shreyas Talpade in the sequel to Shree Ashtavinayak's hit laugh riot Golmaal, "Golmaal Returns" directed by Rohit Shetty. The actress will be joining the likes of Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade and Anjana Sukhani in the lead for the film with supporting cast being Mukesh Tiwari, Murli Sharma, Sanjay Mishra and Vrajesh Hirjee.

Says Rohit Shetty, "We were looking out for a girl who is very glamorous in real life but the role would be that of a completely opposite person in the film. Celina will be playing a very normal, simple and different girl in Golmaal Returns, opposite Shreyas Talpade. She is the sort of girl who for some reason everyone is searching for in the film!"

And when asked why she chose to do this film Celina says, "Rohit and Ashtavinayak have created magic with Golmaal and I loved the film! No way was I going to give up the opportunity of being a part of the magical return of Golmaal!"

Well, this sure looks like a fun film!

Quelle: http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/34702.html

Ajay’s support for yuva

Actor Ajay Devgan is busy with work, especially with his own directorial venture U, Me Aur Hum.

But the actor is worried about his father-in-law’s health.

Kajol’s dad is unwell and in hospital and its for this reason that the couple attend dos only if it’s absolutely necessary.

At the same time, Ajay is extending his help for committee-driven organisations.

He recently inaugurated Yuva , politician Sanjeev Kalle’s social organisation. Ajay says, “I am glad that somebody 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 mould the younger generation 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 society.”

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India...how/2550090.cms

Struggle has always been part of my life

Vidya Balan has done a variety of roles. After Bhool Bhulaiya , the actress' next release will be Raj Kumar Santoshi's Halla Bol .

Unlike her previous films, Halla Bol gives her little scope to perform. Vidya plays a wife and mother in the movie. "It is a small role but still I chose to do it because not too many films of this kind have been made," explains Vidya. "When a film of this kind is made, you want to be part of it especially because it is helmed by a filmmaker like Rajkumar Santoshi."

She further continues, "It's my first film with Santoshi. I have seen all his movies and I think him to be a very versatile director. I like the way he deals with relationships, and the way he weaves the story is amazing. It's been a very enriching experience to work with someone who not only good at his art but also very well read."

With Ajay playing the protagonist of the film, won't he outshine other characters? " Halla Bol is the journey of a man from being a reel hero to a real hero. I believe that each and every character in a story makes a movie and it's the collection of resources that makes a movie. However small my role, my character is also very integral to the story.

"This is my first film with Ajay Devgan. I like his intensity. And though he is very intense actor, he is absolutely natural and understated. I love to work with such effortless actors. For me sharing screen space with Ajay Devgan, Pankaj Kapoor is a big thing," confesses Balan.

How has Vidya's journey been so far? "Struggle has always been part of my life. I had to struggle to become an actress but today I consider myself quite lucky. I got a chance to prove my talentand today have the luxury of choice."

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2551472.cms

Ajay Devgan:A good son-in-law

Actor Ajay Devgan is busy with work, especially with his own directorial venture U, Me Aur Hum.

But the actor is worried about his father-in-law’s health. Kajol’s dad is unwell and in hospital and it’s for this reason that the couple attend dos only if it’s absolutely necessary. At the same time, Ajay is extending his help for committee-driven organisations.

He recently inaugurated politician Sanjeev Kalle’s social organisation. Ajay says, “I am glad that somebody 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 mould the younger generation into better individuals.

I offer my best wishes to Kalle 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 society.” Taaliyan!

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India...how/2552003.cms

When Bollywood plays the muse

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Rajkumar Santoshi’s forthcoming ‘Halla Bol’ has also drawn from Bollywood. It traces a small-town boy’s (Ajay Devgan) rise to stardom with Vidya Balan playing a traumatised star wife with some apparent allusions to the slain theatre activist Safdar Hashmi and the Jessica Lal murder case.
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Quelle: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1134178

Salman and I get along very well

Let there be more lights, action, camera. Sixteen years after his Sensational Actor Debut, he has turned director with You, Me aur Hum which is being finessed at this very moment. Plus, as an actor he will soon be seen in Halla Bol. A man of few interviews, Ajay Devgan is inveigled into one by Hiren Kotwani

You seem to have become inaccessible after Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag.
I've been preoccupied with You, Me aur Hum. We've almost completed the film... except for a song sequence.

Do you regret doing.. Aag?
No. It's not Ramu's fault, we're all to be blamed. But I do regret taking up Cash.

I believe you have warned (director) Anubhav Sinha to stay out of your sight after the Cash fiasco.
Nothing like that. We're all sensible and grown-up professionals. As long as I'm not working with him, I've no issues. If we ever work together in the future, we'll have to sort out some issues.

How come you didn't appear in the Om Shanti Om starry number? Was it because Farah Khan some made unpleasant remarks about you on Koffee with Karan?
It's not about that. To begin with, Farah didn't approach at all. Shah Rukh Khan had told Kajol to ask me.. and I would have made the appearance for sure. But I wasn't in the country when it was being shot. I would have definitely shot for Shah Rukh. I didn't even think that Farah was a part of it.

So, finally you're okay with Shah Rukh Khan now?
Okay in the sense that there are no issues. We don't exactly call each other regularly and chat, but there are no issues at all.

Incidentally, P J Singh, the producer of London Dreams, has been crying that he has lost Rs 10 crore.
Rajkumar Santoshi didn't even shoot 10 minutes of the film. If you ask the people associated with the film, it is PJ Singh's fault, and no one else's. Why don't you ask Rajji and him what happened? I'm just an actor. About 100 days of mine have already been wasted. I can't give any more dates because the producer is still not ready.

Reportedly, there's a cold war between you and Salman Khan over the shelving of London Dreams.
Salman and I get along very well, thank you. Why should there be a cold war? Just because it's PJ Singh's fault?

News is that Salman is trying to get the same film made by Vipul Shah.
I don't know about this. I'm not a part of the film any more. PJ Singh is the producer. If he wants to go ahead and make it with others, it's his wish.

How come you don't feature in the Tata Indicom commercials any more?
I requested them to give me a six-month break.. so I could complete my film. Now that the film is almost over, I'll be shooting for them soon.

You play the role of an actor in Halla Bol. Which actor is the reference point?
Why should there be a reference point? It's a fictitious story.

Isn't the movie star-politician rivalry in Halla Bol sourced from the real-life friction between Rajnikant-Jayalalitha, Shah Rukh Khan-Amar Singh and Aamir Khan-Narendra Modi?
Not really. The conflicts aren't from any actor's differences with politicians. The film revolves around an actor who struggles to achieve his dreams.
But somewhere down the line, he loses touch with his conscience. He ignores his values to realise his dreams. And then he has to make a choice between his fame and his conscience.

Can actors take up a cause without political consequences?
If we worry too much about repercussions, then we can never stand up for our beliefs. If a department of the government machinery is corrupt.. it's because the people have made it that way.

Do you expect fierce competition from Taare Zameen Par and Welcome which will also be releasing like Halla Bol on December 21?
I'm not sure if Halla Bol is releasing on the same day. Each one of the films is different. Ideally, I'd appreciate if the films didn't come in a bunch.

Since you have now worked with Rajkumar Santoshi in four films (Lajja, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Khakee, Halla Bol ), have you picked up any pointers to apply as a director?
Raj is a fantastic writer, he believes in high voltage drama, humour and action. Actually, it's difficult to pinpoint what one learns and from whom.

Apparently, You, Me aur Hum is inspired from Hollywood's The Notebook.
Apparently, it's not. I'lljustify this after the film's release. Where did you get this from? No one knows about the script. Get me an official statement which proves what you have said.
If someone says so, please see the worth of the informer. Is he or she associated with the movie in any which way? Whoever claims it is based on The Notebook is a fool.

I've heard that Kajol was her fiery self on the sets of You Me aur Hum.
Was she? Now, who told you this? This is news to me.

Have you changed in any which way after directing the movie?
What does change have to do with film direction? But yes, with age one becomes more responsible. I don't react to circumstances today the way I did when I was in my 20s. Look, I'm not making a classic.. it's a commercial film, straight from the heart. I'm not saying this is the gospel truth in film direction for anyone. I'm not showing off.

Are you worried about detractors who'll be ready with daggers drawn?
No. Because even if you make a fabulous film, daggers will be drawn. As an actor too, I've faced this.. there has never been a shortage of daggers to rip me apart. Today film marketing is key.

Can you play the hype and hoopla game?
I'm aware of the changing market scenario. Hype is important. The producer has to explore every avenue besides creating new ones to ensure that his film reaches every corner of the world.
I know I need to do that as a producer-director. As an actor, I could have just turned around and said that it's the producer's job. Not any more.

Will you visit reality show sets?
I'll do everything that's worth the effort.

Quelle: Salman and I get along very well

Rajkumar Santoshi announces HALLA BOL in style

As expected, HALLA BOL is turning out to be a mega event even as there is just a little over 1 month to go for the film's release.

The first teaser of this Ajay Devgan film is out and it has made head turns in awe as the Devgan-Santoshi combo promises to ignite the proceedings yet again after KHAKEE, THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH and LAJJA.

A highly dramatic venture by producer duo of Suresh Sharma and Abdol Samee Siddiqui, HALLA BOL has its plot based on some real incidents in the recent past that have made headlines and resulted in country wide agitation and revolution.

Knowing Santoshi's penchant for translating such issues on cinematic frames and bringing them alive for the audience, HALLA BOL is expected to be a hard hitting high voltage drama which comes to screen on 21st December.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07...ajja-110703.asp

Why Celina gave up makeup?

Celina Jaitley has always been a glamorous actor, in all the movies that she has done so far. So it comes as a surprise to know that she has accepted Rohit Shetty's proposal to deglamourise herself for the sequel to Shree Asthavinayak's laugh riot 'Golmaal'.

"Rohit and Ashtavinayak have created magic with 'Golmaal' and I loved the film! No way was I going to give up the opportunity of being a part of the magical return of 'Golmaal'!" says Celina, justifying her acceptance of the role.

According to Shetty, "We were looking out for a girl who is very glamorous in real life but the role would be that of a completely opposite person in the film.

Celina will be playing a very normal, simple and different girl in 'Golmaal Returns', opposite Shreyas Talpade. She is the sort of girl who for some reason everyone is searching for in the film!"

Titled 'Golmaal Returns', the movie stars Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade and Anjana Sukhani, and, of course, Celina Jaitley.

Quelle: http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=17775

Ajay Devgan and Vidya Balan at 'Halla Bol' press meet - November 13

Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan and Pankaj Kapoor attended a press meet Monday, 12 Nov 2007, at JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai, to announce that Pyramid Saimira Production Limited (PSPL), a part of Pyramid Group, have acquired the worldwide rights for for their film Halla Bol.
Also present at the event were Rajkumar Santhoshi, Yashpal Sharma, Kulraj Randhwa, Mukesh Bhatt, Darshan Jariwala and Anant Mahadevan.
Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi (Lajja / Andaz Apna Apna / Pukar), the film is due for release on December 21.

It revolves around the murder of an actress by a group of influential men who use their political connections to cover up the crime. Press reports have suggested that the film is inspired from the Jessica Lal murder case.

However, Santoshi demurred saying, "Yes, there is a character like Jessica Lall in my film but it is not entirely inspired from the case." .

"In Halla Bol my character evolves from playing a reel life hero to a real life hero. It's about how an ordinary man's life changes," Devgan said.

Vidya Balan who has had a very successful year with back to back hits in Partner, Heyy Babyy and Bhool Bhulaiyaa says the film is Ajay Devgan centric and sends a message "that one should always say halla bol when something wrong happens."

Quelle: http://news.sawf.org/Bollywood/44991.aspx