RE: January 2008 - News - 6

Posted by Hanumant Bhansali

While Shah Rukh Khan’s latest production venture may not see the light of cinema theatres in Bihar and Kharkhand, Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol has got a green signal in the same territories.

E Niwas, director of My Name is Anthony Gonsalves isn’t happy with the way things are shaping up for his latest flick.

Noticably, even Aamir Khan’s directorial venture Taare Zameen Par did not release in Bihar.

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...0%99s-gain.html

10 Jan, 2008 12:31 pm ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES

After marriage, Ajay and Kajoj are caught together in an unusual evergreen romance. And this film is Ajay Devgan’s directorial venture U, Me Aur Hum .

And those who have seen the rushes of the film can’t stop raving about Ajay’s directorial expertise.

“Ajay sure has a winner in his hand this time and the chemistry between the real life husband and wife has to be seen to be believed,” says a unit member.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/Ajay_Devgan...how/2689201.cms

January 10, 2008 1:07:25 PM IST
Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

Irrespective of the box-office outcome of their projects, the Rajkumar Santoshi-Ajay Devgan combo has always impressed the critics, the National Award jury and of course the fans of intelligent cinema. A lot is expected from their upcoming Friday release, HALLA BOL, which sure looks quite promising.

The grand plans of the Santoshi-Devgan team will continue with their next project, ASHOKA THE GREAT, based on the three phases and two generations of Emperor Ashoka. The film is expected to go on the floors soon. An interesting aspect of the project is that the super actor, Ajay Devgan, is likely to be seen in a triple role - young Ashoka, the sixty plus Ashoka and also as the son of Ashoka, Kunal. He will have for company the dusky beauty, Bipasha Basu.

Well, we are definitely interested in the project and are keenly awaiting further details.

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

By Bollywood Hungama News Network, January 10, 2008 - 18:26 IST

It’s been two weeks since any major Bollywood release but this week sees two highly anticipated films, Rajkumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol and E. Niwas’ My Name is Anthony Gonsalves, clash at the box-office.

While a lot has already been written and spoken about the two movies, Bollywood Hungama gives you some exclusive first hand dope on the two films.

It’s now common knowledge that Ajay Devgan plays a film-star in Halla Bol but not many may be aware that the film has a string of special appearances by top stars like Sridevi, Jackie Shroff and even Kareena Kapoor. While Sridevi and her husband Boney Kapoor are seen giving Ajay’s character an award in the film, Kareena and Jackie play themselves (actors) in this flick.

Not one to be left behind , the other release of the week , My Name is Anthony Gonsalves, which stars debutant Nikhil Dwivedi in the lead role, also has some top names making a guest appearance. Priyanka Chopra is seen in one of the dream sequences in the film while Nikhil’s character bumps into Anil Kapoor on a film set where he gives Nikhil some valuable acting tips.

With such heavy-weights adding star presence to the two big films, movie-goers surely are in for a treat this weekend.

Quelle: http://www.indiafm.com/news/2008/01/10/10713/index.html

By Joginder Tuteja, January 10, 2008 - 15:48 IST

Tusshar Kapoor would be making his debut as an item boy in Rohit Shetty's Republic Day release - Sunday. He would be dancing to the tune of a song called 'Manzar', the promos of which would be on air soon.

Confirms Rohit Shetty who is going all out to ensure that his film catches enough eye- balls on its January 25 release, "Yes, Tusshar is my item boy for Sunday. While on one hand Esha's (Deol) item number ‘Kashmakash’ has got a great response, I have similar expectations from ‘Manzar’ as well. The song has turned out quite well and this being Tusshar's first item number appearance, it is anyways special."

Incidentally, Tusshar was one of the lead actors in Rohit's last directorial outing Golmaal. His hilarious mute act got him lot of appreciation as he clearly stood out from the rest of the crowd.

"He is fun to work with,” says Rohit who’s Sunday is being touted to be the first major release of 2008, "Once I worked with him in Golmaal, I had to have him in Sunday. Now he would also be seen in Golmaal Returns. I am sure audience would love him again."

‘Manzar’ is a potential chartbuster waiting to happen! Composed by Raghav Sachar, whose tracks in Kabul Express were quite well received, ‘Manzar’ comes with a style of it's own. Raghav brings in the kind of sound which is associated with him by mixing Western sounds with an Indian feel (as also witnessed earlier in many of Raghav's private albums).

The song picks up heat after a few lines set the pace for things to follow, as has been the composer/singer's style, takes some exciting twists, and turns throughout its near four-minute duration. Written by Aditya Dhar, this should be a song to watch out for as one waits to see how the choreographer has treated this high-on-beats number with Tusshar in tow.

Meanwhile, Rohit is ensuring that not just his song and dance sequences from the film catch on but his film too creates the kind of buzz which would make it irresistible for audience to make a beeline when Sunday hits the screens.

Laughs Rohit, "Main logon ko pareshan kar doonga! I will bombard all media forums day-in and night-out about Sunday. So much that audiences won't have any choice but to hop on the theaters to see ki yeh picture hai kya. There won't be any respite from this weekend and the fortnight to come would see a heavy splurge in the film's promotion!"

Quelle: http://www.indiafm.com/features/2008/01/10/3465/index.html

10th Jan 2008 22.10 IST
By Aparajita Ghosh

Director Rajkumar Santoshi describes his film Halla Bol as “a wake-up call to people” to raise their voices against injustice.

Santoshi is a director who doesn’t believe in making senseless entertainers. Though he realizes the value of entertainment, Santoshi always pitches it with some social message or social undercurrent in his films – be it ‘Damini’, ‘Ghayal’ or Khakee .

His latest film ‘Halla Bol’ deals with one such issue. The film’s story has an uncanny resemblance to the Jessica Lal murder case in which the killer and his accomplices were sons of politicians.

‘Halla Bol’ has Santoshi’s favourite actor Ajay Devgan playing a small-town theatre artist who goes on to become a big film star. However, stardom brings some obvious vices inside him, estranging him from his wife. But then, everything changes after he witnesses a murder at a party. The killer happens to be the son of an influential person. Devgan’s character has pangs of conscience and he decides to bring the culprits to justice, even if it means putting his life in danger.

Devgan, Santoshi and Pankaj Kapur were recently in Delhi to promote the film.

Speaking to reporters about the theme of the film, Pankaj Kapur said: “We are not trying to bring any major change through our film. All we want is people to start bringing small changes…to not be mute spectators to injustice. These small changes will add up and will one day lead to a bigger change.”

Rajkumar Santoshi said: “The film is a wake-up call to the people. Look at the molestation case in Juhu on New Year’s Eve. The public has collectively raised its voice and the police had to act. Look at the Harbhajan ban in Australia – we Indians have to make ourselves heard so that no wrong happens. Even though I first thought about this story a long time ago, it is still very much relevant today.”

Ajay Devgan was his monosyllabic self as usual: “The film asks people not to turn their back to injustice, or to think it doesn’t affect them. It can happen to anyone. And the film tells this in an effective way.”

Vidya Balan , who plays Ajay’s wife in the film, was not present at the promotional event.

The film releases on January 11. It has cameo appearances by many stars like Kareena Kapoor , Sridevi and Jackie Shroff .

Quelle: http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20080110-6.html

New Delhi, January 10, 2008

Last year, on his website he was blogging confessions about his disappointment with Cash and its box office failure.

This year kicks off for Ajay Devgan with Halla Bol, then Rohit Shetty's Sunday, followed by U, Me Aur Hum which marks his debut as a director.

About Halla Bol, he says it's a film in which he portrays a theatre actor who makes it big but strays from the path. "It's a real film but entertaining as well, which is very important to get one's point across," he says intensely.

Ask him why he's so laconic and Devgan actually smiles, "I do speak. But it's just that I don't talk unnecessarily. I talk when there's need to talk..otherwise I do think it's best to speak when you're spoken to."

Mass communication
On his blog, he's pretty chatty though: "That's because there's no agenda..it means making contact with the common people out there. I am often surprised by the kind of intelligent questions I am asked. I have received a lot of criticism too, which believe it or not, I can take."
- hab ich es nicht gesagt, Blog=Forum

Soon after the release of Cash, he was flooded with posts saying that he shouldn't have done the film.

"I agree with that," he remarks. "In fact, I was the first one from the cast to go on record to say that it was a bad film. Subsequently, I was accused of harming the film's commercial prospects. But sorry.. I can't promote a bad film."

Quelle: Hindustantimes

Article Updated 10 January, 2008 10:17:26 PM IST
By Our Correspondent ©2008 Bollyvista.com

Continuing with the latest trend of giving theatre going cinema lovers a sneak peek of forthcoming films, this week's release Halla Bol too has a surprise in store for Ajay Devgan's fans. Halla Bol will have sneak peek of Ajay Devgan's first directorial attempt U, Me Aur Hum.

Bollywood's much admired couple Kajol and Ajay Devgan will be seen sparkling on screen when the first look opens this January 11th! Produced and directed by Devgan, this emotional love story stars Devgan and Kajol in the lead along with Divya Dutta, Sumeet Raghvan, Karan Khanna and Isha Sharvani.

Quelle: http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/32/8461

Article Updated 10 January, 2008 12:26:54 AM IST
By Our Correspondent ©2008 Bollyvista.com

Long time business manager of Ajay Devgan, Kumar Mangat turned producer with Omkara successfully. His second film No Smoking may have bombed miserably at the box-office but that has not deterred him and he is all set to have five releases this year.

The Ajay Devgan, Arshad Warsi starrer Sunday releases on 25th January, his second film You Me Aur Hum, which also happens to be Ajay Devgan's directorial debut, releases on April 11th.

Money Hai To Honey Hai directed by Ganesh Acharya, features Govinda and will release on the 23rd of May. His fourth film One Two Three will also hit the screens in May. Last, but the most special film Haal-E-Dil which launches his daughter as heroine will release on 7th June. His hands are surely full we must say!

Quelle: http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/32/8454

January 10, by Deepa Karmalkar

17 years and a dozen films later, few things have changed about Raj Kumar Santoshi. Excepting that Meenakshi Seshadri is no longer his muse and that Ajay Devgan has replaced Sunny Deol as his blue-eyed boy, his priorities are pretty much the same. The portly director is fired up about narrating issue-based stories and his New Year resolution continues to be knocking off those extra kilos! Here’s the director’s take

What is the inspiration behind your 12th release Halla Bol?
The idea has been there at the back of my mind for over a decade now. It reflects on today’s fast times when nobody has the time for others. In a city like ours, we don’t even know our neighbours. If you keep yourself aloof and refuse to help out others, who will stand by you in your hour of need? Don’t be indifferent, raise your voice against any atrocity or injustice around you. Halla Bol urges the society to be alert, aware and involved.

How have you incorporated a film star’s story in this context?
Ajay plays Ashfaque, a small town struggler who becomes the famous star Sameer Khan. On his way to the top, he has made several compromises, now he’s arrived at crossroads in his life. He’s caught up in a moral dilemma, his star image is at stake. It marks the journey of a reel hero emerging as a real hero.

Reportedly, the film has been drawn from the Jessica Lal case.
There are shades of the case in the film but it wasn’t a conscious decision and the film isn’t based on it. It is just incidental. After all cinema reflects society.

Your protagonist is a film hero who shoulders his social responsibility. Hailing from a film fraternity, is it a deliberate attempt on your part to whitewash the much-maligned social image of the film industry?
Film folks aren’t aliens, we are also from this world. We have the same leaders and similar social values and film folks are as good or as bad as the rest of the society they live in. I needn’t salvage our image!!

Never mind that Ajay Devgan has had a bad box-office year with Cash and RGV Ki Aag, he continues to be your blue-eyed boy.
Ajay is a very good friend but that’s not the reason I am signing him for my films. He’s a most versatile actor who moulds himself convincingly in any role. For instance in Halla Bol, his journey from a common struggler to a superstar is very convincing. This is a different character with shades of grey to it. It is about his creative corruption on his way up in filmdom.
Ajay is co-operative, sincere and I have a great rapport with him. Working with him is always a pleasure and the box-office results don’t matter to me. Ajay is not a one-film hero!

However your heroine Vidya Balan has had a great season!
Vidya plays Sneha, a small town girl who is married to a superstar. She is a down-to-earth girl for whom it isn’t easy to take his stardom. She plays his conscience keeper, who finally hollers at him,” Enough is enough”.

You are very much influenced by your mother. Is that why you always champion women’s cause through your films?
Well, I firmly believe that there is no limit to how much women can contribute to the betterment of family and society.

You have chosen Sukhwinder Singh over your favourite music directors AR Rahman or Ram Sampath this time.
Songs should never become a pause in your storytelling, that’s what I believe. I made a stark Ghayal when musicals were in vogue, Damini had only two songs. The background music is, however, like breathing - it keeps the film alive without being seen. Just watch Cinema Paradiso in which the background music builds up the emotional mood of the film.

Why are you known as the leisurely filmmaker who takes his sweet time to complete his films?
I don’t party, I don’t holiday, I am very much a workaholic. I am working on screenplays or shooting most of the times. The gaps that crop up during the filmmaking are due to uncontrollable reasons that are not in my control.
I am not a plagiarist, I am not copying DVDs but working on original story, screenplay and dialogues which takes me about six months and once I start shooting, it takes me only six to eight months to wrap up. Masters like Raj Kapoor, Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt also made just about a film a year. Quickies are for people who lift frame-by-frame scenes from DVDs. They are only after some quick bucks. They are bankrupt of ideas.

You are touchy about intellectual copyright.
I jolly well am! I am appalled to see icons of the industry working in such films, they ought to put their foot down and object. They must use their celebrity power to make producers buy remake rights. Otherwise they are party to theft. Known and respected stars have to pluck courage to shoot down such ventures without hiding behind excuses like ‘we are just performers’.

Won’t you make films with Sunny Deol again?
I will certainly approach him if I have the script for him, but as of now I have nothing to offer him.

Are you really making Ashok The Great? How different would it be from Shah Rukh Khan’s Asoka?
Shah Rukh Khan’s and Santosh Sivan’s film ended with the Kalinga war and mine takes off from there. It’s the transformation of chand (killer) Ashok to dharm Ashok. It records the trauma and stress of the monarch. It’s an adventure drama of the proportions of Gladiator and Braveheart.
Ajay plays Ashok and Bipasha Basu, the queen of Ashok. The battle sequences will be shot in Bangkok and Lahaul Spiti valley in Ladakh. Some chase sequences will be shot in Spain. We go on floors in July and wrap it up in four months.

And then will it be Mahabharat or Ramayana?
Mahabharat has been shelved as of now. It will be my adaptation of Ramayana where Ram and Sita will be flesh and blood characters. It will be the story of a man whose wife is abducted but it will have Indian sensibility. Ajay and Kajol will be Ram and Sita.

Who plays Hanuman?
The search is on for the ape-God. But I want to make it a grand spectacle on the lines of Lord Of The Rings.

Will it be London Dreams or something else next?
I am unclear about the production details of London Dreams right now. But I am keen to adapt the play Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya Woh Jamiya Hi Nahin, I have bought the right from the playwriter Asgar Wajahat. It’s based in times of Partition but the message of tolerence and love is very much topical.

At this stage when you already have a dozen films and a great acclaim to your credit, what’s your motivation in making films?
I am always looking for interesting ideas and different stories to tell people. I work hard at providing intelligent entertainment to discerning cinegoers. I am at the service of my patrons and without their support I couldn’t take the offbeat path I have taken. Some of my ideas have worked and some have failed. But for me it’s exciting to exploring new characters, new aspects of the society through my films.

Quelle: http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=18582

1/11/2008 6:08:22 PM

Bollywood's favourite couple -- Kajol and Ajay Devgan -- are all set to make a comeback in Ajay Devgan's directorial debut U, Me aur Hum. TIMES NOW brings you an exclusive peek into the movie.

They are one of the Bollywood's most rock solid couples off screen and after a gap of several years -- Kajol and Ajay Devgan -- are back together to share the screen space in Ajay Devgan's directorial debut U, Me Aur Hum. TIMES NOW brings you an exclusive peek into the movie. The sneak peek of U, Me Aur Hum will hit the theatres on January 11th with the screening of Halla Bol.

After the huge success of their romantic movie 'Pyar To Hona Hi Tha' in the year 1998, the duo are all set to enthrall the audience again with another evergreen romance. If the first trailer of the movie 'U, Me aur Hum' is anything to go by, Ajay-Kajol romance set on an ocean liner is surely going to an exciting watch.

Along with Kajol and Ajay Devgan, the movie also stars Divya Dutta, Sumeet Raghvan, Karan Khanna and Isha Sharvani.

Quelle: http://timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=5395 - dazu gibts auch ein Video

1/11/2008 10:43:09 AM (By Amrita Puri)

As the first big movie to be released in 2008, the film 'Halla Bol' directed by Rajkumar Santoshi has some high expectations riding on it. The film fraternity is hoping that the movie will set the cash registers ringing. Lead actors in the movie, Ajay Devgan and Vidya Balan told TIMES NOW what they think is the USP of the movie which is based on the Jessica Lall murder.

The premiere of 'Halla Bol' in Mumbai on Thursday (January 10) was a quick affair with only actors from the film walking the red carpet - which was odd cosidering the buzz the film has been generating, and considering that the film fraternity is overtly superstitious and the film being the first big film releasing this year.

According to the lead actor, Ajay Devgan, the film will satisfy everyone.

"It's a film which has got everything - it's got humour, drama, emotions - sticking to the commercial format I think the director has tried to say something which I hope everybody from the public to the media will identify with," said Devgan.

On the other hand, actress Vidya Balan had something interesting to say when asked why one should go watch 'Halla Bol'.

"Why should they not watch the film? They have every reason to, because it shows you exactly what is happening in society in a way that is very identifiable, not preachy. Just the way it happens in the film is beautiful. Besides," she added, "they have me... so I think they have every reason to watch it!"

Despite the no show from the filmy crowd, here's hoping that the aam junta does Halla Bol at the box office!

Quelle: http://timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=5387 - hierzu gibt es auch ein Video

10 January, 2008 10:17:26 PM IST

Continuing with the latest trend of giving theatre going cinema lovers a sneak peek of forthcoming films, this week's release Halla Bol too has a surprise in store for Ajay Devgan's fans. Halla Bol will have sneak peek of Ajay Devgan's first directorial attempt U, Me Aur Hum.

Bollywood's much admired couple Kajol and Ajay Devgan will be seen sparkling on screen when the first look opens this January 11th! Produced and directed by Devgan, this emotional love story stars Devgan and Kajol in the lead along with Divya Dutta, Sumeet Raghvan, Karan Khanna and Isha Sharvani.

Quelle: http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/32/8461

12 Jan 2008, 0000 hrs IST,TNN

Kajol may be one of the actresses everyone’s looking forward to seeing on-screen again in U, Me Aur Hum.

The actress says that she’s not in a hurry to sign other films. "I was always choosy and I’ve become choosier about scripts. I need to find something that is worth leaving home because I have a great time at home," she says.

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Enter...how/2692652.cms

Posted On Saturday, January 12, 2008

Ajay Devgan will play King Ashoka as well as his son Kunala in Rajkumar Santoshi's next

Ajay Devgan will play a double role that of father and son in Rajkumar Santoshi's Ashoka.

Our source says, "Although, Santoshi's story basically focuses on Ashoka's transformation from a cruel king to a spiritually inclined person, it also looks into the relationship between Ashoka and his son, Kunala."

Santoshi suggested that Ajay should play both the characters. Ajay immediately agreed to paly the double role as this is the first time that he will be playing two different characters in the same film.

The research work on Devgan's look and hair for Ashoka has already begun.

The source added, "Rajkumar Santoshi, along with his team, has come up with two different looks for Ajay- one where he will play the father, Ashoka and the other where he plays Kunala. They are still working out the other details. Santoshi will also soon work out details with Ajay's make-up artiste."

When contacted, director Rajkumar Santoshi confirms that Ajay is playing a double role in Ashoka. "I felt that Ajay could completely do justice to both the characters hence I decided to cast him as Ashoka as well as Kunala in my film," the director says.

Quelle: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper....5110125fb5e3fe0