RE: November 2007 - News - 5

Meet the don who inspired B'wood for over 3 decades - November 20

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Since then, Haji Mastan has reappeared time and again in Hindi films. Notably, in director Ram Gopal Varma’s Company as the helpless old don who concedes his empire to Mallik, just like Dawood Ibrahim.
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Quelle: http://www.ibnlive.com/news/meet-the-don...es/52639-8.html

Not many people know that Ajay Devgan is a really good cook - November 21

Not many people know that Ajay Devgan is a really good cook. The entire cast and crewmembers are enjoying it on the sets of his directorial debut 'U Me Aur Hum'. He brings homemade food and also makes barbeque tikkas. A source says, "The last schedule was brilliant. The actors used to have a picnic of sorts every day during lunch. Ajay's chicken curry and grilled fish was quite a hit on the sets." The others casts of the film - Divya Dutta, Sumeet Raghavan, Isha Sharvani and Karan Khanna all brings their dabbas on the sets and get together for lunch.

Quelle: http://www.bollywoodpremiere.com/movies/...nov/ajay-20.php

Bheed based on true story

The movie Bheed directed by Milan Luthria and made for the banner Ajanta Arts is reported to be based on a true story.

The actors Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan have been signed for the movie and the actress are still not finalized by the director .The movie will be shot in Rajasthan and UP.

Quelle: http://movies.dcealumni.com/archives/bhe...-on-true-story/

Vidya is confident about her new look

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Speaking about her forthcoming venture Halla Bol, she says, “The story of this film is actually the journey of a man (Ajay Devgan) from being a reel hero to a real-life hero. I play his wife, who stands by him throughout this journey right from being an actor to his standing up for what he believes in. Though it is a difficult choice for him to make, I always hold up a mirror for him. There is a certain consciousness that my character carries for him. Our families often do this and that’s exactly what my character, Sneha does for him.” So how was it working with a serious actor like Ajay? “He carries a serious actor tag though he has also done some good comedies. That reflects more often in his offscreen behaviour on the sets when he is forever up to some pranks on his co-stars. It was good fun working with him.”

When asked about her role appearing to be smaller in this totally male-dominated film, Vidya says,“I agree it is a small character, but being associated with a film like this in itself was a very special proposition for me. Better subjects are coming to the fore now but the kind of films that Gulzaar saab or other makers attempted: movies with social consciences are not made very often in today’s times. Halla Bol is one such film. Rajkumar Santoshi is known for making such films and I enjoy being a part of it. Ideally, I feel films like Munnabhai, which are entertaining and yet carry a social message, should be made more often.”
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Quelle: http://www.bollywoodworld.com/news/bwnew...from=&ucat=&;

I don’t regret playing Jai: Prashant

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Do you regret doing Jai’s role in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag?
No, I don’t. There was no doubt in my mind before I signed the film. I still believe that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to essay a role which had been done by a legend. I’m grateful to Mr Varma, he could have chosen anyone else but he chose me to play Jai’s role. It’s unfortunate that the film flopped but I got a good response from the audience. The film was my entry into Bollywood and it opened many doors for me and helped me meet a lot of people. And it’s all thanks to Ramu.

But did you not think that you were taking big risk by doing this film?
Of course I did! But then, isn’t life all about taking risks?

How was it working with Ramu and the rest in the film?
Ramu’s an excellent mentor and a taskmaster. And of course, working with actors like Ajay Devgan and Sushmita Sen was a dream come true. These guys are at the top of their game but they never made me feel like a newcomer.

How was it working with Amitabh Bachchan? Did he ever advice you about how to play Jai’s character?
No, never! We talked a lot, but mostly we used to talk about cinema and the films we’ve watched etc. He knew that this Jai was a very different character as compared to Sholay’s Jai.
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Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India...how/2569562.cms

Interview: Raj Kumar Santoshi talks about Ajay-Vidya starrer Halla Bol - November 25

Some films make one ponder, some simply entertain. But there are some choosiest ones that combine both these essential elements of cinema and one director who is famed to dabble with this genre is Raj Kumar Santoshi.

Erstwhile assistant to filmmaker Govind Nihalani, Santoshi made a remarkable debut with Ghayal, followed by memorable films like Damini, Andaz Apna Apna, Khakhee, Pukar, The Legend Of Bhagat Singh and more.

If one notices, this director specializes in hard-hitting subjects and this time around he does the same with his next project Halla Bol (meaning attack) featuring Ajay Devgan.

How powerful this attack on the box-office is, let’s check with the director himself.

Excerpts:

Time and again we have seen Ajay Devgan essaying characters where he fights injustice. So what made you cast him for a similar role in Halla Bol?
I cast him mainly because he is a very good actor who can manage to get into any character very easily and comfortably. Secondly, we also happen to be good friends and share a good rapport.
This particular role of a film star is a common man’s journey of struggle. The character has a lot of complexity and to bring it out comfortably and easily, I thought Ajay is the right actor. He has done it very successfully without going over the top. He is very instinctive. When you see the film from the audience point of view you will second my opinion.

Can you elaborate on Vidya Balan’s role in the movie?
Vidya plays a girl next door, who anybody can relate too. We wanted somebody who is unlike a star. Vidya’s personality is very simple. She looks natural even though she is a big star now.

Halla Bol as you mentioned is about protest. Why did you choose to set it against the backdrop of the film industry?
To make the story interesting! It could have been anything- a successful doctor, a lawyer, a businessman. But everybody admires a star. Today in India, the media peeks and grabs on to only two professions, that of a film star or a cricketer, rest nothing is left. So we had to choose between the two, and we opted for the former.

A lot of films are being woven around the film industry … say Om Shanti Om, Khoya Khoya Chand and now Halla Bol….
Halla Bol is not a take on film industry. It is a drama which can happen with anybody. It is just a story and the protagonist happens to be a film star. OSO is not a story of the film industry. It an incarnation story, again it is only the film industry as a backdrop which they have used.
I think it’s only Khoya Khoya Chand hat is based on our film industry. It’s just a coincidence that all three films are more or less based the same backdrop.

Why do most of your films incorporate a social message?
Right from Ghayal and Damini my movies have conveyed strong messages. Whenever I start any new film project the first thing I want in my film is entertainment. I think it should be encouraging for a person to buy the ticket and see the film. All he comes for is entertainment; he is not coming to seek any advice from the film or to learn anything from the film.
First and foremost, the format has to be scripted well and after that’s done, I raise questions or give a take on some issue without harming the entertainment value, which is a hallmark of a good cinema.

Generally to depict a superstar on the screen one would cast an actor with chocolaty looks. Ajay Devgan’s looks are very unconventional.
Ajay Devgan is a star, nobody can deny this fact. Yes he is not a conventional looking star and he doesn’t have that so called ‘chocolate boy’ image. But it is okay. Even Amitabh Bachchan was not a conventional looking man when he entered the industry, but he was a big star and he still is.
I think if I would have cast a new comer, it would have been more difficult to convince the audiences that he is a superstar.

How far is true that you do not look beyond Devgan when you cast for your films?
It’s because most of the subjects that we are working on fortunately have an element and quality where Ajay fits in.

So what is that element and quality in Ajay Devgan?
The vital element is that he sinks into any character. For example, Ashok which is our next project is about a character who is a dark skinned person with sharp eyes, unlike Alexandra or any other emperor. I think Ajay’s plus point is that he can get into both rural and urban characters very well with ease. Like in Omkara, he looked so natural in those costumes and never said ‘what is this?’ or ‘I don’t think this character is working for me.’

What about working with Sunny Deol again?
Unfortunately, we have not come across the right subject which can be the worthy successor of a three hit films we made in the past.

When is Ashok going on floors? Who is cast opposite Ajay?
By the end of February. Bipasha and Ajay are the main character while the rest all are theater actors.

Have any visual effects studio been signed for either Ashok or Ramayan?
I do not want to announce it just like that. Some talks are on with Hollywood professionals.

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...-halla-bol.html

Being sexy is my USP:Bipasha

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The other project I’m excited about is Rajkumar Santoshi’s Ashoka...
Ajay Devgan plays Ashoka while I play his wife Kaurwaki. We’ll start shooting in January. I’ve never done a period film before and Mr Santoshi has given me the role of a lifetime. There are various shades to the character as it spans a vast time period. And there can’t be any comparisons with SRK’s Asoka as his film ended with the Kalinga war and our film begins only after that.
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Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Enter...how/2567581.cms

Naseer - Shabana to cast their spell in London Dreams - November 26

Diese News verwirren mich "etwas" 1gruebel London Dreams ohne Ajay und Salman? Oder ist das ein anderer Film mit gleichem Titel?

Reputated Rituparno Ghosh has cast Shabana and Naseer in his forthcoming venture titled London Dreams.

Shabana Azmi plays the character of Soha Ali Khan’s mother and Naseeruddin will play Soha’s support system in the film.

Likewise, the two may not appear in a single frame as Naseer says, “But I don’t think we’ve any scenes together at all.”

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...don-dreams.html

Riteish Deshmukh proud of 'Cash'

Riteish Deshmukh, who is known for his perfect comic timing on screen, is happy with his first action film 'Cash' even though it didn't do well at the box office.

'The kind of action that we got to see in 'Cash' was never seen before. Me, Ajay Devgan, Zayed Khan, Suniel Shetty, Shamita Shetty, Diya Mirza and Esha Deol had a whale of time. We didn't even realise when the shooting got over,' said Riteish.

For him, acting in buddy Sajid Khan's unusual comedy 'Heyy Babyy' was great fun. 'I didn't do 'Heyy Babyy' only because it was made by a dear friend. It's a film I'd have liked to do even otherwise. There was a baby and three men. The child was the star in 'Heyy Babyy',' he said.

Riteish, who will now be seen playing as a genie for Sujoy Ghosh's 'Aladdin', isn't in a hurry to sign more movies. 'I'm taking it easy. I have a handful of films that I am happy with. 'Cash' proved I could do action. After 'Golmaal' no comedy has come. Hopefully audiences are ready for another one.'

He is giving some attention to his other career as an architect. 'I leave my architecture company's running in the hands of a very efficient team while I focus on my acting,' Riteish said.

Quelle: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/148525.html

REEL HERO TURNS A REAL ONE IN 'HALLA BOL'

Pyramid Saimira Productions, which is a part of Pyramid Group, has recently acquired the worldwide rights of 'Halla Bol', a Rajkumar Santoshi film. Ajay Devgan, who was casually dressed in a white shirt and jeans, seemed to be in a cheerful mood when he spoke about his film in Mumbai. This is a film about a reel-life hero who turns into a real-life hero.Produced by Abdol Samees Siddiqui and Indian Films, Vidya Balan looked refreshing in a black outfit. She was excited since 'Halla Bol' is her first film with Ajay Devgan and director Raj Kumar Santoshi.

She says, "I am looking forward to the film since it is a film which will inspire the common man to fight against injustice." Talented actors like Pankaj Kapur and Mukesh Tiwari who also play pivotal roles in the film made their presence felt at the venue. Director Anant Mahadevan and producer Babloo Pachisia attended the event. K.S. Srinivasan, CEO of Pyramid Saimira said, "Halla Bol is a commercial film with an excellent social message." Director Santoshi says, "I love to work with Ajay and our association goes a long way. As for Vidya, I always wanted to cast her for this film as she is beautiful, yet very simple. Though she is glamorous she has the girl-next-door look."

Quelle: http://ww.smashits.com/news/bollywood/mo...-halla-bol.html

Shahrukh Khan in bid to secure Indian Cricket League franchise - November 24

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Ajay Devgan is one of Bollywood’s leading pranksters, as his Halla Bol co-star, Vidya Balan, will testify. After joining director Raj Kumar Santoshi in praising one of the songs on the soundtrack, Devgan asked Balan if she would like to listen to it. When she plugged in his iPod earphones, she experienced a mild shock, and Devgan and Santoshi burst into howls of laughter. The impression of a brooding, serious actor is actually just good acting.
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Quelle: http://www.thetimes.co.za/Entertainment/....aspx?id=632925

Shringar in distribution tie up with Pyramid Saimira for Halla Bol - November 27

Shringar Films Ltd, a 100 per cent subsidiary and distribution arm of Shringar Cinemas, has tied up with Pyramid Saimara Theatre Ltd (PSTL) to distribute 'Halla Bol' in the Delhi and UP territory.

Pyramid Saimira Production Ltd (PSPL), a part of the Pyrmaid Group, had acquired the worldwide rights of Halla Bol.

'Halla Bol' which has been directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, is scheduled to be released on 21 December and has a star cast that comprises Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan among others.

Halla Bol is a Viacom 18 and Sunrise Picture venture. Produced by Abdol Samee Siddiqui, the film is slated for a 21 December release along with another Viacom 18 offering, Welcome.

Speaking on the announcement, Shringar Films MD Shravan Shroff said, "We are extremely proud to be associated with PSTL for 'Halla Bol.' We are confident that it would be the start of an extremely fruitful working relationship with PSTL. We look forward to greater alliances with them in future."

Quelle: http://www.indiantelevision.com/aac/y2k7/aac139.php

Bipasha Basu to sizzle with Ajay the Ashoka

Actress Bipasha Basu has been signed by Rajkumar Santoshi for his forthcoming film, Ashoka.

Bipasha will be seen in the role of Kaurwaki earlier played by Kareena Kapoor in Santosh Sivan’s Asoka.

Sas Santoshi, “We will begin shooting Ashoka at the end of February. It’s an historical film. Bipasha is paired with Ajay who plays the title role.”

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...the-ashoka.html