RE: December 2007 - News - 7

More Haji Piya' added to HALLA BOL
December 26, 2007 1:14:44 PM IST
Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

It may come as a surprise to many that the much publicized and talked about 'qawwali', 'More Haji Piya', from HALLA BOL was initially planned to be only a part of the audio album, and was not suppose to feature in the film.

However seeing the good reactions to the promo (with the 'qawwali' in the background), the worldwide distributors of HALLA BOL, Pyramid Saimira, have decided to include the same in the movie. As per trade sources, 'More Haji Piya', rendered by Pakistan's Amjad Farid Sabri, has now been picturised on Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan and the singer himself, at Bombay's Haji Ali 'dargah'. It has subsequently been added to the film.

While on the much awaited Santoshi-Devgan venture, HALLA BOL, the movie is all set to release next month, (11th January) and if the rushes of the film are anything to go by, this venture too should receive a lot of critical acclaim.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07...abri-120701.asp

Halla Bol' to inspire people to raise voice against injustice
26th Dec 2007 16.01 IST, By Agencies

Noted filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi says that his upcoming film Halla Bol attempts to make people aware and react to developments happening around them.

Santoshi said, ''The biggest weapon in a democracy is the power to raise your voice against injustice and bring a change. You may not necessarily be directly affected, but some time it could be your turn.''

''My film aims to bring this fact to the attention of the audience. Today, I feel we are so disjointed and isolated from each other in country. People in one part of the nation do not seem to be bothered about what's happening in the other corner'', Santoshi said in Mumbai.

''Halla Bol'' starring Ajay Devgan as a protagonist is about a filmstar who has to choose between his fame and conscience when faced a truth. When asked why he chose Devgan to play the lead, Santoshi said Ajay's personality and look gels with his character of a common man who struggles to make it big in life. His transition looks convincing and real.

The filmmaker said the film was not far from what was happening around the country and made it clear that ''Halla Bol'', that also stars Vidya Balan and Pankaj Kapur , was not an inspired story. The incidents depicted are reflections and close to recent developments which have caught the nationwide attention.

The film has a dramatic story structure and handles an important issue about people in today's time who are not concerned about others.

''I have ensured that the film is not preachy. Films are for entertainment. Theatre is not a classroom and I am not a social reformer. I believe in engrossing, entertaining films which holds the people's attention'', he said.

He expressed happiness at the manner in which Chennai-based exhibitors and distributors Pyramid Saimira who have purchased the rights of the film have promoted it.

As a writer-director, Santoshi said he always felt that his films have not been promoted well. ''It is the job of the production house to market the film effectively and hype it. Marketing is extremely important these days because of which mediocre films are seen to be doing well at the box office,'' he felt.

Santoshi said his last film Khakee was a victim of bad marketing. The film had a magnificent cast line up who came up with fine performances.

'' Amitabh Bachchan for the first time perhaps played a realistic character portraying the dilemma and trauma of a cop on the verge of retirement. His performance was controlled and not overboard. While the film turned out to be the turning point in Akshay Kumar 's career. His character had a varied graph. He was humorous, corrupt cop and a matured policeman who faces death in a dignified manner. Even no leading lady has been shown in a menacingly grey character like that of Aishwarya Rai in the film,'' he recalled fondly.

Santoshi said he would like to work with Ash in future.

''I am waiting for a right subject. She is a fine actor and a human being. We share mutual respect for each other. I would like to bring out the new side of Ash in the film. I am grateful to her for doing 'Khakee'. She trusted me completely,'' he said.

Quelle: http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20071226-1.html

The alchemy of almanacs
Rashmi Hemrajani
Thursday, December 27, 2007 23:59 IST


Rashmi Hemrajani updates you on the ‘celebrity’ calendars for the year 2008

It’s the year-end and time to chuck your dog-eared diary and withered 2007 calendar for fresh new ones. Isn’t 2008 the right time to chuck all those blah looking calendars with the dates staring at your face in big black fonts along with pictures of flowers, monuments and pets on it? Just go ahead and acquire the best of calendars that has the whole nation drooling on them.

Wondering what are these calendars? Here’s a low-down to three among the best calendars launched this season.

Girls’ eye candy
Well, this one would certainly be a treat for the female species (it was for me!). You have 24 great looking men to ogle at for the next 12 months. And they are best a girl can get - Hrithik Roshan, Bobby Deol, Ranbir Kapoor, Upen Patel, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Ajay Devgan, Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Rampal, Ritesh Deshmukh, Askhay Kumar, Kunal Kapoor, Shiney Ahuja, Vivek Oberoi, Rahul Bose, Dino Morea, Shahid Kapoor, Salman Khan and John Abraham.

Now that he has succeeded in putting these many hunks together, we ask Dabboo Ratnani about how the experience was like?

“It was simply great. At every shoot we had loads of fun. While shooting Arjun Rampal, a huge crowd gathered to see him ride a chopper bike clad in a ganji. After taking couple of shoots, I insisted that he ride the bike bare-bodied. He initially refused but later gave in. By the time we finished the shoot, people were screaming and cheering for Arjun,” recalls Dabboo.

Babes on the beach
Here we are talking about Atul Kasbekar who has lined up for a treat for all the boys. He has got India’s best models clad in a bikini to shoot for the Kingfisher calendar. Says the photographer, “The entire shoot was done in Ladakh, Andamans and the Nicobar, Udaipur and Goa. It was challenging to shoot in India, because as a country we are not location-friendly and all our images promote the scenic locations more than the models.

Also movement of man and material was not at all an easy task. But I think this is one of the best calendars we have shot so far.” This calendar features names such as Deepti Gujral, Sheetal Menon, Monikangana Dutta, Shruti Agrawal, Preeti Desai, Melissa Mehra and Tamara Moss.

Anything but funny
Subi Samuel’s calendar has a unique concept this time around. He has shot 24 big Bollywood celebrities and has transformed each picture to look like a page out of a comic book. Well, how often would you get to see Shahrukh Khan cause a car explosion with a lighter, Hrithik Roshan arm wrestling, Abhishek Bachchan walking away after doing a hit job and Preity Zinta bashing her newly married husband. Ooh so much drama!

“It is a homage to comic books,” says Subi. He further adds, “The calendar is called Alchemy 2008 and features 12 male and 12 female actors. Shooting the calendar was exciting as we shot 24 celebrities in two months.”

Quelle: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1141808

Pakistani qawwali added to Halla Bol
Wednesday, December 26 2007

It may come as a surprise to many that the much publicized and talked about 'qawwali', 'More Haji Piya', from Halla Bol was initially planned to be only a part of the audio album, and was not suppose to feature in the film.

However seeing the good reactions to the promo (with the 'qawwali' in the background), the worldwide distributors of HALLA BOL, Pyramid Saimira, have decided to include the same in the movie. As per trade sources, 'More Haji Piya', rendered by Pakistan's Amjad Farid Sabri, has now been picturised on Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan and the singer himself, at Bombay's Haji Ali 'dargah'. It has subsequently been added to the film.

While on the much awaited Santoshi-Devgan venture, HALLA BOL, the movie is all set to release next month, (11th January) and if the rushes of the film are anything to go by, this venture too should receive a lot of critical acclaim.

Quelle: http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywo...bol-261207.html

Movies to look forward to in 2008
28 Dec, 2007 04:04 am ISTlGaurav Malani (with inputs by George Ignatius)/INDIATIMES MOVIES

2007 comes to an end and its time to look forward to 2008. Like every year, 2008 too, will come up with its wide range of films in the world of Bollywood. From around over a 200 films that are under making currently, what should one look forward to? Gaurav Malani makes your search easier listing the 30 films to look forward to in 2008.

Disclaimer : All that glitters is not gold. So we just claim these movies to be ‘promising’ ones. ‘Good’ or ‘Bad’ only time will tell....

Auszug:

...
9) Golmaal Returns
Director: Rohit Shetty
Producer: Asthavinayak Cinevision
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Arshad Warsi, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Amrita Arora

Golmaal in 2006 was such a huge roaring success that there is now a sequel coming up to it titled Golmaal Returns . The trio of Ajay Devgan, Arshad Warsi and Tusshar Kapoor has been retained from the original comic caper. Sharman Joshi has been replaced by Shreyas Talpade. Kareena Kapoor is the new addition along with good friend Amrita Arora. Expect a lot more fun unlimited.
...

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/Features__E...334,curpg-3.cms

25) Sunday
Director: Rohit Shetty
Banner: Eros International
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Arshad Warsi, Ayesha Takia, Irrfan Khan, Anjana Sukhani
Release Date: February 1, 2008

Rohit Shetty combines the action and comedy genres of his earlier films Zameen and Golmaal in this film which has comedy with shades of suspense. Ayesha Takia plays Sehar who has a Sunday missing from her life and is confused with the recent spate of events when Inspector Rajveer (Ajay Devgan) comes to her rescue to put things back in order. But as the case prolongs he has a murder mystery to solve as well and the remaining cast of the film form an important part of this case. Arshad Warsi plays a taxi driver while Irrfan Khan plays a struggling actor who imitates Shahrukh Khan in the film.

Trivia:
- Esha Deol and Tusshar Kapoor will be performing two separate item numbers in Sunday .

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/Features__E...34,curpg-11.cms

28) U, Me Aur Hum
Director: Ajay Devgan
Banner: Eros International
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Kajol, Karan Khanna, Isha Sharvani
Release Date: April 11, 2008

Ajay Devgan was the last of actors one expected to make his directorial debut. And he surprises us all with his home production U Me Aur Hum . Ajay and wife Kajol play the lead in this romantic film which is about a love story. The film also stars Isha Sharvani and Karan Khanna. Apparently the shooting of the film is currently under way and part of the filming was on a cruise liner. Let’s see if director Ajay can compete with the actor in him.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/Features__E...34,curpg-13.cms

Wieso fehlt hier eigentlich "Halla Bol" 1gruebel

Flashback 2007: Tanu’s Top 20 of 2007
Posted by Tanushree Chatterjee

As the year 2007 bids us goodbye, like always, we bring you the successful films that rocked the box office this year. The year, unlike last year, wasn’t that successful in terms of collections at the domestic ticket counter but few films managed a great show, generally due to extensive marketing, large number of screenings and yes, a moving script in the end.

The top 20 for this year is a mixed bag including films from all genres which were successful at the box office and got great reviews. Some of the films which are seen at the lower spots are due to the less number of weeks they were screened for and the delayed date of release.

The films which have not been included in the countdown but deserve a mention due to their good collections and some being low-budget wonders are, namely; Bheja Fry, Dhol, Cheeni Kum, Life… In A Metro, Naqaab and Honeymoon Travel Pvt. Ltd.

The top 20 gives you a detailed account of the films’ business, reviews and its rating by the trade pundits.

The Top 20 Bollywood films for 2007 are:

Auszug:

...
16 – CASH
Starcast: Ajay Devgan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Zayed Khan, Shamita Shetty, Sunil Shetty, Esha Deol, Dia Mirza
Producer: Sohail Maklai, Anubhav Sinha,Anish Ranjan
Director: Anubhav Sinha
Music Director: Vishal-Shekhar
Lyricists: Vishal Dadlani, Panchhi Jalonvi
Cinematography: Ravi Walia
Editor: Amarjeet Singh
Story: Yash-Vinay

A big budget film with a huge star cast and all the masala to hit a bull’s eye missed the marquee as the film flopped at all the centers in the domestic circuit. The film got a major opening with the film showing at 660 screens but earned just Rs. 20.53 Crores in 5 weeks of its release. The film was declared a flop at the box office.

Synopsis: Cash is a high octane heist thriller set in Cape Town, South Africa. The film revolves around an ace con artist,(Ajay Devgan) who hires a set of top notch robbers (Esha Deol, Zayed Khan, Dia Mirza and Riteish Deshmukh) to steal a set of priceless diamonds in South Africa. The group also faces a threat from underworld don (Suniel Shetty), who is after the same diamonds and also the Head of Security (Shamita Shetty). How these three groups manage to thwart each other forms the rest of the story and makes it a nonstop adventure caper.

The lack of a good script and storyline couldn’t hold the film for long at the ticket counter. The music given by Vishal-Shekhar became immensely popular helping the film to get a decent opening. The film failed at most places and was labeled a flop due to the heavy budget of the film and the poor outcome. And the efforts to re-do Dhoom 2 was a complete disaster in the form of this film. No more robbery or thefts in storylines please!

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...-of-2007.html/6

Wer hätte das gedacht 1ambodenrollen

THE STAR PARADE

Auszug:

...
AJAY DEVGAN
Daredevil
Neither the big-budget bonanza Cash set the cash registers ringing nor did Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag create much heat at the box office. But nothing was going to dampen the Devgan's spirit as he mustered all his creative energies for his directorial debut with U Me Aur Hum. He also sharpened his comic timing and skills for Rohit Shetty's Golmaal Returns. All through the year, he was seen as the supportive spouse to Kajol and endearing father to his only daughter Nysa. "I hit the kitchen and start cooking as a stressbuster," revealed the alpha male.
...

Quelle: http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=18426

Santoshi had narrated HALLA BOL to SRK!
December 29, 2007 5:23:31 PM IST
Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

The next offering from the master filmmaker, Rajkumar Santoshi and his favourite actor, Ajay Devgan, is all set to hit the screens on 11th January 2008. The film also stars Pankaj Kapoor and Vidya Balan, in important roles. The connoisseurs of good cinema are keenly awaiting the project, supposedly based on the life of 'nukkad natak' pioneer, the late Safdar Hashmi.

These are some well known facts about the movie. But what many will not be aware of is that Santoshi had narrated the subject of HALLA BOL to Shah Rukh Khan, way back in 2000. SRK had liked the subject immensely and diamond merchant and the then leading producer Bharat Shah was all set to produce it. Unfortunately, nothing really materialized as Bharatbhai Shah got into legal hassles, SRK moved on to other projects and Santoshi got busy with THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH, KHAKHEE and his other projects.

Well, here is hoping that the twain (Santoshi-Shah Rukh) shall meet soon! And two great talents will combine to give us an equally great movie.

Quelle: http://glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07/dec...abol-120704.asp

UNLEASHED: Akki takes journo's case

Auszug: aus Interview mit Akshay Kumar

...
Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgan turned directors, then why can't you?
They are too good. I think both of them are one of the finest actors from Bollywood. I think direction is not my cup of tea… but yes, if Aamir and Ajay wants to cast me in their films then I am willing to act.
...

Quelle: http://www.buzz18.com/interviews/movies/...os-case/30021/0 (Seite 2)

Tanuja returns - as a ghost on TV
IANS - 12/29/2007

Auszug:

...
The actress has three films on the floor. One of them is being directed by Satish Kaushik. It is untitled and there's 'Hal-e-Dil'. I am also acting in a Bengali film."

Her daughter Kajol, who took a sabbatical from films after tying the knot with Ajay Devgan, is coming with her hubby in "U, Me Aur Hum".

Asked about the film, Tanuja said: "Ajay has been inviting me to see the rushes but I have told him I will watch it when it's complete and in the theatre on the day of the premiere. I can wait till then."

Quelle: http://www.nowrunning.com/news/news.aspx?it=13256

Zu Hal-e-Dil: macht Ajay jetzt den Film, oder nicht, ich zitiere mal aus seinem alten Forum

Zitat

---

QUOTE (AWAN @ Oct 9 2007, 07:16 PM)
Hi Ajay

How are you doing?

I remember you was looking for a guy to star in kumar mangat's film Hall-e-dil to be directed by your brother.

I just wanted to know is the film complete and when is the expected release date?
------------------------------------------------------
Posted: Oct 11 2007, 12:18 PM haal-e-dil

I GUESS HAAL-E-DIL WILL BE RELEASED BY EARLY NEXT YEAR..

GOD BLESS
AJAY

---

Ajay’s a fixer
Author: Upala KBR, Date: 29 Dec 2007

Devgan recently selected the second promo song of Sunday as the producer and director just couldn’t decide!

When Ajay Devgan talks, people listen. Even six squabbling composers let him choose the latest song to be aired with the promos of his next release Sunday.

Says a source from the production company, Big City Entertainment, “There are six music directors for Sunday – Daler Mahendi, Sandeep Chowta, Pakistani rock band Suroor, Shivani Kashyap, Raghav Sachchar and Amar Mohile has composed the theme song.”

“They all wanted their song to be in the promo. But the title track, by Sandeep Chowta, was selected because it reflects the storyline. But finalising the second song was impossible as none of the music directors would give up. Finally Ajay intervened and chose Daler Mahendi’s song Loot liya, a hip-hop bhangra track,” adds the source

Decisive

Rohit Shetty, the director agrees, “Yes it’s true that Ajay took the final call about the second song, as there was a lot of lobbying going on. I signed six different composers, as I wanted different songs for the different situations in the movie. Each music director has sung in his or her song and that’s the uniqueness.”

Producer Kumar Mangat from Big City Entertainment adds, “We wanted six different composers as we liked all the songs. When we couldn’t decide which song to air first; Ajay, Rohit and I chose Sandeep’s song. It vibes really well with the shots we’ve shown of the stars jumping from one building to another in Delhi’s busy streets. For the second song, Ajay helped us out by picking out a song that really fit in with the next promo.”

Quelle: http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bol...XT_5_groupId=14

Into the future
30 Dec 2007, 0224 hrs IST,Meena Iyer,TNN

Auszug:

Come 2008 and Rs 6,000-odd crore will ride on Bollywood, say trade pundits. Almost 150 movies will light up the marquee next year but, of course, only 15-20 are slated to provide the adrenaline rush. The year will start with Raj Kumar Santoshi's controversial Halla Bo l which stars Ajay Devgan and Vidya Balan and is ‘loosely borrowed' from the Jessica Lall murder case. In February, Devgan will also make his directorial debut with U, Me Aur Hum . The film is budgeted at around Rs 22 crore.
...

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Into_...how/2661516.cms

Ayesha gets pranked
By Stacey Yount - BollySpice.com, 30 Dec 2007

Ayesha Takia fell prey to a prank on the set of her new movie and I will give you one guess who it was. If you said master prankster, Ajay Devgan, you are right! The prank was done during the shooting of the movie Sunday and not only Ajay but also the whole crew including director Rohit Shetty were in on it.

Shetty said, “We were shooting for an action sequence at a hotel in Delhi. Ayesha was supposed to stand with her back to the camera and turn when a car came close to her. When Ayesha was standing with her back to the camera, I quietly signaled all the crew members to leave. One by one, everyone left the sets till the place was completely deserted. As Ayesha was unaware of the prank, she continued to stand with her back to us. After a long time she realised that nothing was happening and there was complete silence. She suddenly turned and was extremely shocked to find nobody around. As there were no cameras or crew members, she started screaming.”

Of course afterwards Ayesha was laughing but was very careful to make sure she knew what was going on around her for the rest of the shoot!

Quelle: http://www.bollyspice.com/view.php/827-a...ts-pranked.html

I'll spend the eve with Farhan: Ayesha
31 Dec 2007, 0000 hrs IST,VINITA CHATURVEDI ,TNN

Auszug:

“Along with action-comedy Sunday, I am doing projects like De Taali, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Blood Brothers and Nagesh Kukunoor’s Tasveer,” shares Ayesha.

On the scary prank
“Recently for my film Sunday, we were supposed to shoot in a dark lane and I had to turn my back to the camera. The shot was okayed but director Rohit Shetty said ‘let’s do it again.’ Suddenly I realised that I was alone in the dark alley! Then everyone came back and started laughing. Ajay Devgan had planned that prank on me. I still can’t get over that eerie moment!”

On Ajay’s acting prowess
“I think he’s a fabulous actor, a great co-star and a wonderful person. It has been fun working along with him.”

On her projects
“Along with action-comedy Sunday , I am doing projects like De Taali, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Blood Brothers and Nagesh Kukunoor’s Tasveer .”
...

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India...how/2662669.cms

Arshad Warsi back to taxi driving ways
30 Dec, 2007 03:46 am ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES

Auszug:

After a good performance in Dhan Dhana Dhal Goal , Arshad Warsi is back once with Rohit Shetty’s Sunday .

The film slated to release in February will have Arshad playing Ballu, a taxi-driver who owns a red ambassador taxi. One night, he takes Ayasha Takia in his taxi but everything is unclear after that. Ayesha loses her memory and for some reason Arshad shouts ‘ Bhoot Bhoot ’ whenever he sees her. The film being a comedy and knowing Arshad’s penchant for the genre, this one is bound to be rocking.
...

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2660608.cms