RE: January 2008 - News - 5

Call it competition or coincidence, but interestingly, the Ajay Devgan starrer 'Halla Bol' and the Nikhil Dwivedi debut movie 'My Name is Anthony Gonsalves' are hitting the screens on the same day. The movies have a common feature in them, both the protagonists act the role of aspiring stars with the only difference that Ajay becomes a street side artist and Nikhil happens to be a bartender. While it is not really sure how much each film can pose a threat to the other, one thing is clear. If the delivery is same, then audience may not relish them.

Quelle: http://bharatstudent.com/cafebharat/news...1&dt=2008-01-09

10 Jan 2008, 0000 hrs IST,TNN

Long before Ajay Devgan started his film innings, he was a music video star.

"Yeah, I used to make my own music videos when I was 14. I really started in Bollywood when I was eight. I used to sit with my dad and edit the scenes then. By 17, I was an assistant director," he says.

But doesn’t he think he missed out on much by starting working so early? "On the other hand, it helped me. I knew how things worked and I was much more comfortable than a lot of newcomers when I started acting," he says.

Learning is something that Ajay seems to be very fond of. His new tool of learning is blogs. "A lot of people think that I am following Aamir’s footsteps. But that’s not true. I had started interacting with my fans a long time back. I basically wanted to get closer to people who invest their time and money to see my movies. I get some very honest queries and critical reactions on the blogs. For instance, there was this comment that I should not do a movie like Cash again," he shares. And what was his reaction, considering he has himself said he regrets doing Cash? "I was just being honest. Cash was definitely a mistake. During the shooting of the movie, I realised that the makers did not have the passion and conviction to make the movie." And what about RGV’s Aag? "I would not call it a mistake. The intention of the movie was right and the script was right. It’s just that it did not get translated the way it should have," he says.

Talking of films and how they should be translated, how did it feel to direct Kajol in You Me Aur Hum? "When I am directing, I forget that my wife is in front of the camera. And thank God, Kajol is professional enough to understand this." But it is daughter Nysa who is the best performer in this family. "Oh, she can con both of us very well," he laughs.

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India...how/2685653.cms

January 9, 2008 12:56:03 PM IST
Bollywood Trade News Network

Raj Kumar Santoshi's film HALLA BOL is set on the background of Bollywood. Its protagonist Samir Khan is a super star. Naturally there are many film stars playing themselves in the film. HALLA BOL has Sayali Bhagat crooning a sexy number at a party. Jackie Shroff, Aarti Chabaria, Shridevi, Boney Kappor, Kareena Kapoor, celebrity anchor Prabhu Chawla, Ruby Bhatia, Tusshar Kapur and director Lekh Tandon also play themselves.

According to Ajay Devgan it is natural to have real film stars because as a hero within the story, he is shown shooting for different films as well as attending parties. "Instead of doing special shoot, whenever any artiste was shooting nearby, we would go and shoot their scenes," comments the director Rajkumar Santoshi.

HALLA BOL is produced by Abdol Samee Siddiqui under the banner of Sunrise Pictures Pvt Ltd. and directed/scripted by Raj Kumar Santoshi.

HALLA BOL is presented and distributed globally by Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd. Star cast includes Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan, Pankaj Kapur and Darshan Zariwala.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08...-bol-010803.asp

Posted online: Thursday , January 10, 2008 at 12:00:00

After Dor and No Smoking, one would expect you to act in ‘meaningful’ movies.
Sunday is an entertainer but it offered me a lot of scope in terms of acting. I play an artist who gives voiceovers for cartoon characters. It’s a very cute role but I had to work very hard on my voice. On the other hand, in No Smoking, I didn’t have much to do. I took up the movie because of my friendship with Anurag Kashyap and its wacky story. I want to act in all kinds of films. While I can boast of my serious films 20 years down the line, light movies are welcome now.

Were you nervous working with top-rung actors like Ajay Devgan in Sunday and Salman Khan in Boney Kapoor’s Pokhiri?
Not much. Salman is very sweet and patient. Ajay hardly has starry airs about him and is very comfortable with people who don’t have any connection with films.

What other films are you doing?
Apart from Sunday and Pokhiri, there is Nagesh Kukunoor’s big-budget, psychological thriller Eight By Ten, in which I’ll be cast opposite Akshay Kumar. I will also be seen in E Niwas’s De Tali. It tells a story of friendship, with Riteish Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani and me in the lead. I hope I have a hit film to my credit. Every actor wants commercial success along with critical acclaim.

How did you manage to stay away from rumours?
I think everyone knows that Farhad (Azmi) and I are very serious in our relationship. Actors, who are single, tend to get involved in such rumours. I can be spotted anytime in Bandra driving around with Farhad or chilling out at his restaurant. So there is no confusion about me.

Quelle: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/...-Sunday/259821/

Published on Wed, Jan 09, 2008 at 21:49

Director Rajkumar Santoshi returns to the silver screen after almost a year with the Ajay Devgan-starrer Halla Bol that premiered in the capital on Tuesday.

Though the other actor of the film, Vidya Balan was conspicuous by her absence, Devgan was at his affable best, fielding questions about playing a role of a superstar in the film.

“It was hard playing someone flamboyant, etc. I tried to be what Rajkumar Santoshi wanted me to be,” says Devgan.

Halla Bol revolves around a Ashfaque, an actor, played by Devgan who starts out small with Pankaj Kapoor's street theatre troupe and goes on to become a superstar.

He however, starts losing his values and principles along the way, alienating himself from his loved ones.

Kapoor also plays a rather interesting character, that of a reformed terrorist.

“I play a baddie who's had a change of heart,” says Kapoor.

And if you were wondering about a Tuesday being chosen for a film premiere, it was simply a matter of convenience.

“There is no special reason for the film being premiered on Tuesday,” says Santoshi.

Halla Bol hits cinemas nationwide on January 11.

Quelle: http://www.ibnlive.com/news/delhi-rolls-...55995-8-17.html
Video: http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/55995/delh...l-premiere.html

"Halla Bol is not a take on the film industry." Rajkumar Santoshi
09 Jan, 2008 10:41 am ISTlReshma Kelkar/INDIATIMES MOVIE

He is the man behind films like Ghayal and Damini . Rajkumar Santoshi is known for films having a social undercurrent. He is all set to release his forthcoming film Halla Bol that has a strong social message. Santoshi speaks to Indiatimes Movies about Halla Bol

You have worked with Ajay Devgan earlier, what made you chose him again?
Ajay is a very fine actor; he just gets into any character very easily. He happens to be a good friend and we share a good rapport. It's about a common man becoming a superstar. There were lot of complexities in that character and he portrayed it very comfortably. That's why I feel Ajay is the right actor and he has proved it very successfully without over-acting.

He is undoubtedly a good actor, but the fact he is the most unconventional looking actor in Bollywood. Does he suit to that superstar image?
Ajay basically is a star even though he is not a conventional looking hero. Amitabh too was not very conventionally good looking actor when he began his career but later he emerged as big star. So that wasn't so difficult. If I would have taken a newcomer then it would have been a problem to convince people that he is a big star.

What made you to sign Vidya for Halla Bol?
Vidya is playing Ajay's beloved before he becomes a star and after he becomes a star he marries her. He wanted someone who doesn't carry the baggage of stardom, someone who can look like the girl next door. We wanted someone like Vidya Balan who doesn't carry very glamorous image so her girl next door helped.

Why did you choose an actor as the protagonist's profession when he could be anyone?
I chose an actor as the protagonist's profession to make my story interesting he could be a lawyer, doctor or a businessman but I chose an actor to make it more interesting. Bollywood and cricket only these two professions are getting attention. So I had to pick one and I chose actor.

Last year many filmmakers made films on a similar line.
Halla Bol is not a take on industry. It's a drama. It's a story and its backdrop happens to be films. Om Shaniti Om was not a story on film industry rather it was about reincarnation. KKC was a take on the film industry and inspired by Guru Dutt's life. It's a co-incidence that film's backdrop is same. Halla Bol is about today and tomorrow. The kind of movies we're making today will decide our tomorrow.

When you talk about messages how difficult it is for a filmmaker to balance social issues and entertainment value of the film.
All my films have entertainment value with a social undercurrent to it. Whenever I start a project, first thing is that it should be entertaining. The person who is buying the tickets and coming to see the film should be entertained. He is not coming there to see a lecture. He is not coming to learn anything from you so the first and foremost thing is the entertainment value. There you can successfully add your ideas and raise questions, also talk on some issues without spoiling its entertainment value. That is the art of good cinema. That used to happen with Raj Kapoor's films like Shri 420 and Awara .

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2685239.cms

“I don't look like an item and I am sure I won't look good in a mini skirt either!” - Arshad Warsi
09 Jan, 2008 03:15 pm ISTlRenuka Vyavahare/INDIATIMES MOVIES

Auszug:

...
Goal received a mediocre response at the box office. Sunday is your next release. Nervous?
I have passed that stage where inhibitions and insecurities catch hold of an actor before his film’s release. I have started to believe that every film is just another film. However, some amount of fear is always there as an actor puts in a lot of effort in his work and expects it to be appreciated through the medium of his film. Unfortunately if the film fails, very few bother to acknowledge his efforts.

Sunday is again a multi-starrer, rather a film where you’ll be sharing the screen with ‘three’ other co-stars. Do you have a fetish for multi-starrers, rather foursomes?
Foursomes? (laughs). You can call it a ‘four-play’ (pun intended). (Pauses) On a serious note, I don’t choose a film looking at its banner or my co-stars or its budget. If the role offered to me is different and substantial, I go ahead and do it besides, its fun doing multi-starrers. I never feel insecure about my co-stars.
...
Hopefully Sunday has no such issue?
Not at all! Rohit Shetty is a director who is always extremely clear about what he wants from his actors. Working with him is always an enjoyable experience. I play a cabbie in Sunday . My role is exactly like what I had done in my lesser known old film Hero Hindustani . Irfan Khan, Ajay Devgan and Ayesha Takia are my co-stars in the film.
...

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2686313.cms

January 9, 2008 3:27:14 PM IST
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

After LIFE IN A...METRO, Irrfan Khan would be seen performing a light hearted role once again in SUNDAY. While in Anurag Basu's film, Irrfan's character was such that even his deadpan humor raised quite a few chuckles, the actor with a rare brilliance lets his hair down completely in SUNDAY, promises Rohit Shetty, film's director.

"You would see Irrfan the way he is, and isn't that good enough to be assured quite a few laughs", counter questions Rohit when asked about Irrfan's comic role in the film.

"Yet again, he has acted the way only he can; he is simply superb. In the role of a struggling actor who never got a chance to make it big in the film industry, he has got the pathos of the character out quite well. The humorous part here is that instead of feeling empathy for the character, you laugh along with his antics."

Promos indicate that Irrfan has also done spoofs on Himesh Reshammiya and the likes in the film. Is that true? "Watch the film and tell me. I am not gonna say anything right now", says Rohit with a wink, "I can assure you though that you won't find a single dull moment in the film. Isme action bhi hai, comedy bhi hai, romance bhi or drama bhi - yup, it all sounds clich�d but then the film is all about that - an out and out entertainer!"

After SUNDAY, Irrfan would be seen in at least two more comic outings in near future - KRAZZY 4 and DUBAI RETURN. SANKAT CITY, an Anubhav Sinha production with a quirky feel to it, would be another of his releases this year.

With the release of these three films, Irrfan would be through with the films which he signed before or around the release of his much acclaimed THE NAMESAKE. Currently, he is choosing his roles after much consideration and has rumoredly also raised his price to touch the 8 digit figure. His Hollywood releases A MIGHTY HEART and DARJEELING LIMITED have given a further impetus to his career which has made him a hot property across both mainstream and offbeat cinema.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08...nday-010810.asp

January 9, 2008 12:44:47 PM IST
Bollywood Trade News Network

Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan and Pankaj Kapur are using a unique technique to publicize their film HALLA BOL being released later this week.

Since the film is supposed to present the voice of the inner consciousness, it is being publicized with street plays in different cities in which one of three stars will be present.

Presented and distributed globally by Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd., the film HALLA BOL was publicized over the weekend in the capital with the presence of Vidya Balan.

A spokesperson for Pyramid Saimira said, "Regular modes of marketing have been used over and again. Reaching the real viewer through street theatre is direct interactive marketing. We are taking the local issues and awakening the people about them. We are taking these plays to eight cities and in each city one artiste will accompany the theatre group."

The street plays are organized and conducted by senior theatre personality Om Katare and his artistes. The themes of all the plays are aimed at touching the core story line of the film.

"Basically we are taking issues of common man like the local Municipal Corporation, illegal constructions, hospitals and health, and sexual harassment. These are the most written about but least tackled issues because there is no unity amongst the citizens. I as sutradhaar, will tell them to use their voice together in unison, to go ahead and HALLA BOL against injustice. Be together in problems because what is one man's agony will become the second persons issue tomorrow. Do not keep quiet," explains Om Katare about their script and plans.

The producer Abdol Samee Siddiqui adds, "Our street theatre will take the reel to the level of real. We have gone with Om due to his experience and exposure to street plays."

These plays will also be taken to Chandigarh, Lucknow, Bhopal, Jaipur, Ahemdabad, Kolkotta and will culminate in Mumbai before the release of the film on 11 January.

HALLA BOL is produced by Abdol Samee Siddiqui and India News under the banner of Sunrise Pictures Pvt Ltd. and directed/scripted by Raj Kumar Santoshi.

HALLA BOL is presented and distributed globally by Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd. Star cast includes Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan, Pankaj Kapur and Darshan Zariwala.

Pyramid Saimira Group is one of the Asia's largest entertainment groups with business interests in film production, TV content production, theatre (exhibition), food & beverages and more. Its network includes 703 screens across 4 countries. It is currently Asia's largest theatre chain company. HALLA BOL is their first presentation of a Hindi Film.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08...lays-010802.asp

Author: Shaheen Parkar, Date: 09 Jan 2008

Balan has shown interest in doing a play after her recent brush with street plays for Halla Bol

Vidya Balan went back to her roots during the staging of the street play Halla Bol as part of the promotions of Raj Kumar Santoshi’s film. Vidya's first brush with acting was at Ramnath Tharwal’s theatre craft workshops for the youth at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu, which she attended in 1995.

Encouraged by her performance, Vidya has now developed an inclination to do theatre as well. “She has shown interest in acting in a play,” says theatre personality Om Katare who is staging the Halla Bol street plays across the country.

“She is keenly interested in the floorboards and I was surprised to know that Vidya was familiar with theatre names, plays and the happenings at Prithvi. After Halla Bol, she will decide which play she wants to do,” he adds.

Mumbai showing

The actress was part of the street plays at Lucknow and New Delhi. Halla Bol will also be staged in Mumbai at Juhu Beach on Friday evening the day the film releases. Ajay Devgan is expected to join Vidya for the Mumbai performance.

Due to time limitations, the Parineeta star had to rehearse for her lines in the hotel room. “I met her just hours before the first show and she picked it up fast. Vidya is part of the finale and her dialogues include a wake-up call to the people to fight for what they think is wrong by making a collective voice,” says Katare.

Adds an onlooker, “Vidya was unruffled by the huge crowd present at both Lucknow and Delhi. She mouthed her lines for five minutes sans any hiccups. In fact the others in the troupe were greatly impressed by her stage histrionics. Though she was the heroine of the drama she did not display any starry airs and mingled with the crowds."

Halla Bol was also staged at Ahmedabad with Darshan Jariwalla who features as a politician in the film.

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

New Delhi, January 09, 2008

Different storyline is the common thread that bound most Bollywood blockbusters last years. To cash in on the trend, Rajkumar Santoshi has rolled out "Halla Bol" that has a "strong" social message and the director is quite hopeful about its success.

"It is a good film, which discusses important social issues. It has all the elements to entertain the viewers," Santoshi told reporters here Tuesday.

Ajay Devgan, who is playing the lead role in the film, added: "Through our film we have tried to urge people to raise their voice against injustice. I hope it leaves an impact and people like it."

The film is based on the late Safdar Hashmi, who was killed by political goons while trying to stage the street play "Halla Bol" in Delhi in 1989.

Ajay, whose forthcoming projects include "Sunday", "Golmaal Returns" and "U, Me Aur Hum", says as an actor he wants to do varied roles.

"It is not that I want to do only serious roles or comedies. As an actor I want to do an array of roles. In fact, it is not for me to decide which character suits me and which doesn't, audience decides it all."

Commenting on selecting street play to promote the film, Santoshi said: "Since the time of freedom struggle, street plays have been the most important medium to create awareness."

"What could have been a better medium than this to promote our film? Also, we had thought that it would give a new life to one of the oldest art form of our country."

Quelle: Hindustantimes

Wednesday, January 9 2008

After the runaway success of Golmaal Rohit Shetty is now not only busy shooting for its sequel Golmaal Returns, but also waiting to hit the screen in a big way with his latest venture Sunday. The film is a blend of comedy and thriller and presented in an altogether new way. Recently, we caught up with Rohit, who is all excited about Sunday and talked at length on various aspects. Here are the excerpts.

Q: First of all, I would like to ask you why the film has been titled Sunday.
A: In fact, everyone is asking me the same question. It has been titled Sunday because the story of the film is based on Sunday. When we sat down to keep the title of the film, we were at a loss. We neither wanted to project it as a dark film, nor as a slapstick comedy. At the same time, we did not want people to assume the film to be a hardcore action film. Thus, we settled on the name Sunday.

Q: What was your experience doing Sunday? Has the film lived up to your expectations?
A: Believe me; the film has turned out to be far better than my expectations. I have had so many good actors in the film that my experience has been a marvelous one. All the actors Ajay, Ayesha , Arshad and Irfaan have performed extremely well in this film. Everyone has put their lives into their respective roles.

Q: These days too many comedy films are being made in Bollywood. What is your take on your comedy film?
A: All that I can say about my film is that this is not a comedy film like the others, but there is a blend of thrills and a bit of action too. While watching my films the audience will not just be laughing, but also thinking about what will happen next. Thus, my films present two different aspects and cannot be called slapstick comedies, but terrific humors.

Q: What was the basis of selecting the artistes in Sunday?
A: In this film Ajay is portraying a corrupt police office who does not talk about the system, but about bribery. When I first narrated the role to Ajay, he immediately agreed to work in the film. Similarly, Arshad, who has a very good understanding of comedy and he has proved this again in Sunday, is doing a role of an intelligent cab driver. Irfaan is a surprise package in this film and he is doing the role of a struggling actor who is idiotic, but cute too. On the other hand, Ayesha has done a wonderful role in this film; just keep an eye on her performance.

Q: What has been the most memorable incident during the shooting of the film?
A: I must admit that shooting in the hot Delhi climate that often reached 47-48 degree Celsius was really a daunting task. I remember what Ajay had told me when I asked the unit to shoot in such intense heat. 'Yaar, yahan to anda phor dene se omelet ban jayega' (If you break an egg in this temperature it will soon be an omelet). In fact, to prove his point, Ajay got an egg and broke it on the street. We all kept waiting to see if it turned into an omelet, but nothing such happened. In fact, the audience will see many such scenes once the film is completed.

Q: What is the reason behind including an item song with Esha Deol and Tushaar Kapoor in the film?
A: Look, I am very fond of the Hindi movies of the 70s which included romance, action, thrills and a villain in the end. Amidst such tensions, Helen's dance number would be a relief for the audience. Keeping this in view, I have included two separate item songs with Esha and Tushaar in this film.

Q: What are your expectations from this film?
A: Well, it is very natural that I would want my film to be a super duper hit. Is there any filmmaker anywhere who would like his film to be a flop? I am hoping that this film too will be a super hit as I am not only its director, but the film also has all the ingredients of a good film and everything thats required to make a movie ring at the box office.

Q: This film is a blend of comedy and thrills. Will you ever make a hardcore action movie?
A: I have not thought anything in this regard. Presently, I am busy making Golmaal Returns and I am keen to make an identity as a filmmaker who always makes good films. I would want the people to say, look whether he makes a comedy, thriller or action film, he makes them well.

Q: Ajay Devgan's first comedy film was your production Golmaal. Do you take the credit for this?
A: Not at all (laughs). Actually, nothing like this happens. If my next film does not prove to be a hit at the box office, people will throw their slippers at me. In fact, while making Golmaal we never thought that the film would turn out to be such a hit. It is not like this that Ajay Devgan has begun acting in comedies because of me. He is a good actor and will do anything better than most.

Q: Personally, what kind of filmmaking do you prefer?
A: I only make films that touch my heart.

Q: Do you think that the film industry is ready for a different genre of movies?
A: Not the film industry, I feel that the audience is ready for different types of films. The film industry has been ready for a long time, and now it is the audience who are ready for a change. The audience often segregated films as art and commercial films, but never thought that good films could also be hits. Today, the scene has changed. Along with Sunday many more films are being made these days and people are watching them all. Today there are only two kinds of films – good and bad.

Quelle: http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywo...day-090108.html

Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Thursday, January 10, 2008]

Leading lady of Halla Bol, Vidya Balan visited shrine of Hazi Ali for the first time during the shooting of song 'Piya Hazi' by Pakistani singer Amzad Farid Sabri.

As Vidya says, "I have lived in Mumbai for such a long time but it was the first time that I physically visited the dargaah. I knew that it has lot of power but the minute I set my foot there, I felt so much at peace with myself. It was like an instant connection. My faith increased tenfold."

This scene is an integral part and turning point of the film. Visiting the shrine works as a shot of adrenal for Ajay's character Samir Khan.

Halla Bol is produced by Abdol Samee Siddiqui under the banner of Sunrise Pictures Pvt Ltd. and directed/scripted by Raj Kumar Santoshi. Halla Bol is presented and distributed globally by Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd. Star cast includes Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan, Pankaj Kapur and Darshan Zariwala.

Quelle: http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/35815.html

After spending a while being directed, it isn't a surprise several actors gain an understanding of the medium and decided to take on the helm themselves.

As Aamir Khan prepares to go for it with Taare Zameen Par, we decided to take a look at other actors who are trying to take on the challenge, as well as those who've been the most memorable:

Ajay Devgan

Devgan's currently helming his first film, U, Me Aur Hum -- with wife Kajol helpfully starring -- and setting it up for a 2008 release. There is positive buzz about the film as Devgan, like Aamir, enjoys the reputation of a no-nonsense perfectionist, and it is interesting to imagine him directing a romantic comedy.

Quelle: http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/dec/19sld1.htm

January 10, 2008

Who would you prefer to watch -- Ajay Devgan in action or Amrita Rao in a mini skirt?

Okay, maybe that is too frivolous a question, but then these two stars are the only big draw this weekend with both Ajay's Halla Bol and Amrita's My Name is Anthony Gonsalves releasing on Friday.

Lending Ajay company is Vidya Balan while Amrita has to contend with newcomer Nikhil Dwivedi.

Curiously, both the films have a similar premise -- the lead actors (Ajay and Nikhil) both start off as aspiring film stars!

So which one will it be? Which film would you rather watch first this weekend?

Quelle: http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jan/10msg.htm