RE: January 2008 - News - 7

After 'Rang De Basanti', 'Halla Bol' gives war cry against injustice
New Delhi, Jan 11

Close on heels of 'Taare Zameen Par' stirring the conscience of parents and teachers over ''carefree childhood lost'', its time for another Bollywood venture, after 'Rang De Basanti' in 2006, to appeal to the collective conscience of society by calling upon every individual to raise voice against injustice to bring about a change in the prevailing system.

Releasing in cinema halls across the world today is 'Halla Bol', a "war cry" for individuals to speak up against the injustice and corruption happening around them to bring about a just and equitable order in society.

Featuring versatile actor Ajay Devgan, the charming Vidya Balan and veteran actor Pankaj Kapoor in key roles, 'Halla Bol' is the latest in the line of films by Director Raj Kumar Santoshi mirroring the happenings of society, after 'Ghayal', 'Ghatak', 'Damini' and 'Lajja'.

'Halla Bol' deals with the inner conflict of an individual in society over whether to listen to the voice of his conscience and speak up against the prevailing injustice around him or remain ensconced in his own comfortable and cocooned world.

''The basic essence of 'Halla Bol', the literal meaning of which is "war cry", is that if injustice is being done to anyone or anywhere, then one needs to raise his voice against it in unison.

Today, it is happening to others. Tomorrow it could happen to you,'' Director of the film Rajkumar Santoshi said on a visit to the capital in connection with the red carpet premiere of the film on Wednesday night.

Like many of his earlier films, 'Halla Bol' also takes a leaf out of real life. Infact, with 'Halla Bol', Santoshi once again treads an unusual path as he tells the hard hitting story of a reel hero fighting the conflicting demons of stardom and conscience to emerge as a real hero.

Loosely inspired by the infamous Jessica Lal murder case, 'Halla Bol' is the story of a big star Sameer Khan, whose meteoric rise from a small town boy to a big star chages him as a person, making him lose his very identity.

He forgets his real self; corruption takes over his entire system, alienating him from all his loved ones including his wife Sneha.

Then, a shocking incident at a party changes everything, shattering Sameer's complacent world. He is caught between his conscience on one side and his stardom and success on the other.

'Halla Bol' is about how he is able to discard his corrupt image and emerge as a true life hero.

Says Santoshi,''the incident in the film is just a mean to put across the message of the need to raise one's voice against injustice in the system instead of watching things as a mute spectator.

Unfortunately, today what is happening is that every individual is protesting in small groups of his own when his own rights are trampled upon. However, when it comes to infringement of someone else's rights, he is seen to look the other way or watch from the sidelines. The result is little or no impact. Hence, there is an urgent need for people to raise their voice against injustice happening anywhere.'' For, it is when society raises its voice against injustice in unison, like in the Jessica Lal case that an impact is generated and change happens, Santoshi said.

In this context, he also points to the sacking of controversial umpire Steve Bucknor and reconsideration by the ICC of the charges of racism against Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh.

''Harbhajan Singh has been taken back into the series because the public protested and challenged the decision," said Santoshi.

Says the film's lead actor Ajay Devgan,''Halla Bol is not about corruption. Rather, it is an individual's fight with himself to overcome the demons within himself to emerge as a true life hero.'' Adds the film's female lead Vidya Balan,''a film like 'Halla Bol' is highly relevant in today's times when the public is being increasingly mobilised through television channels in cases like the Jessica Lal murder case (where the media pressure and focus led to the courts ordering reopening of the case).

The good thing is that in today's society, we are witnessing how public is being mobilised through TV channels and its serials, which has led to several cases being solved. I think 'Halla Bol' is a great step in this direction.'' Vidya said 'Halla Bol', a word whose literal connotation was 'war cry' was one often used to awaken the sleeping conscience of an individual. ''Hopefully, 'Halla bol' will inspire people to take a stand,'' she added.

Quelle: http://www.newkerala.com/one.php?action=fullnews&id=11401

Friday, January 11 2008

Known for his sharp and serious dialogues that mesmerize the audience, macho, but sober Ajay Devgan has two films set for release during this January. While the first film to hit the screen is Rajkumar Santoshi's much-talked about venture 'Halla Bol', the next is Rohit Shetti's comic thriller 'Sunday'. While Ajay himself has a lot of expectations from these two releases, the audience too is eager to watch them on the silver screen.

Incidentally, the faith Rajkumar Santoshi placed on Ajay since the shooting of 'Lajja' continues even to this day. RajKumar Santoshi has not only cast Ajay in 'Halla Bol', but has him in all his forthcoming ventures too. However, a popular saying in Bollywood goes like this, 'Neither friendship, not enmity lasts long in this industry. This issue cropped up recently when Ajay was conspicuous by his absence during the promotion of 'Halla Bol'. While this makes certain that Ajay is offended with Rajkumar Santoshi on some issue or the either, no one, not even Rajkumar Santoshi, knows for certain what the actual reason is.

A section of people in the industry is of the opinion that these days Ajay is so busy with the shooting of his own film 'You, Me aur hum' that he was unable to squeeze any time for 'Halla Bol's' promotional. But then, if this is true, how was it possible for Ajay to take out time for the promotion of Rohit Shetti's 'Sunday'?

Incidentally, Rajkumar Santoshi has thought of a novel way to promote 'Halla Bol'. In a unique move, he plans to promote the film by performing 'nukkad natak' with his artistes at different places like Delhi, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bhopal and Juhu in Mumbai. The film's promotional activities kicked off at Delhi on January 5 and ended with a 'nukkad natak' at Juhu on January 10. The film is scheduled to be released on Friday, January 11.

According to Rajkumar Santhoshi's plans, most artistes of the film would be present at these promotional 'nukkad nataks', but not take part in them. While other leading actors of the film Vidya Balan and Pankaj Kapoor actively participated in the 'nukkad natak' shows, Ajay was surprisingly missing from the promotional schedule! It is surely a misfortune for the audience to have missed Ajay at these shows.

Quelle: http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywo...ble-110108.html

Saturday, 12 January 2008

Rohit Shetty, the son of legendary fight master Shetty, grew up on a staple of action movies and started his career by directing a film in the same genre. But now he is focusing on comedies.

'Comedy was always there and will stay because of the stress in our lives. Unconsciously, we are leading a very stressful life and light-hearted comedies are a respite for the common people. People lap up comedies. For more than 20 years, people have been making comedies and they will continue to do so,' Rohit told IANS on phone from Mumbai.

His forthcoming movie is 'Sunday' which stars Rohit's favourite actor and friend Ajay Devgan. Releasing Jan 25, it stars Ayesha Takia, Arshad Warsi and Irrfan.

''Golmaal - Fun Unlimited' was an out-and-out comedy but 'Sunday' is more of a thriller laced with humour. I like making masala movies,' Rohit told IANS.

Asked about his camaraderie with Ajay, Rohit said: 'We like each other. We have been working together for 16-17 years. He started his career with 'Phool Aur Kaante' and I worked as an assistant director in the movie.

'He is quite comfortable with me, but once he starts shooting for his scenes, he works like a newcomer. He is sincere and honest. He never takes things for granted,' said Rohit, who forayed into filmdom with 'Zameen' in 2003.

'It was my first film and everybody praised it, but it wasn't a box office hit. We planned it as Ajay's comeback film.'

The common factor between Rohit and Ajay is that both their fathers were stunt directors - while Ajay's father Veeru Devgan remained behind the scenes, Rohit's father worked both off and on screen.

But the young director has no intention of facing the camera. He says: 'Why do you want me to close shop (laughed)? I am doing fine as a director.'

He has already started shooting the 'Golmaal' sequel 'Golmaal Returns'.

'The film will release in July. We have shot in Goa and Mumbai. I will now shoot in South Africa in April.'

Quelle: http://www.nerve.in/news:253500122925

It has been a while since we last saw Ajay Devgan in a double role… but the wait wont be long now…

Sources say that Ajay Devgan will be playing the roles of Ashoka and his son Kunala, in Rajkumar Santoshi’s epic flick on the legendery warrior. Research has been completed on two different looks for Ajay and Santoshi has told Ajay to start changing his hair and weight accordingly.

2008 is expected to be a big year for Ajay as in April his directorial debut will hit the big screens. The romantic boat drama U Me And Hum, where he has casted himself opposite his wife Kajol.

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...er-and-son.html

January 12, 2008 8:16:33 PM IST
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

Known for making films at a grand scale with good technical finesse in place, Rohit has ZAMEEN and GOLMAAL behind him. Surprisingly, he is still waiting to get his due.

Though people woke up a fortnight after the release of GOLMAAL to finally acknowledge that this comedy was indeed turning out to be a hit, his ZAMEEN never had such luck. In spite of making decent money (over 10 crores just from India), it was labeled as flop by many in the trade.

'And to think of it, this was quite some money 5 years back when the film released. Unlike the economy of today, things were different in 2003', says the young film maker who can always be seen bubbling with excitement. 'But I guess that's life, everyone involved with the film made money. So what if the film didn't get the kind of recognition it deserved; audience liked it.'

In fact while ZAMEEN was one of the Top-15 grossers in 2004, GOLMAAL went many a steps ahead and was placed at #11 in the list of biggest success stories of 2006. He must be aiming for Top-10 with SUNDAY, right? 'If only such things could be predicted so easily, life would have been quite easy, isn't it', laughs Rohit.

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

By Bollywood Hungama News Network, January 12, 2008 - 12:30 IST

Ajay Devgan after giving a spellbinding performance in Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol is all geared up with the director to play a double role in a film titled Ashoka.

Ajay agreed to do the film as soon as Raj Kumar Santoshi approached him. Ajay will be playing both the role of father (King Ashoka) and son (Kunala) in the film. Santoshi was convinced that Ajay is an apt choice for the roles and definitely would do justice to them.

Ashoka revolves around the reformation of brutal King Ashoka to a divine body. Raj Kumar Santoshi will be highlighting the relationship between Ashoka and his son and thus, will be giving new dimension to the story altogether.

Quelle: http://www.indiafm.com/news/2008/01/12/10723/index.html

By Subhash K. Jha, January 12, 2008 - 12:05 IST

Some filmmakers entertain. Others tend to inform. A handful of celluloid visionaries do both. Raj Kumar Santoshi belongs to that rare breed of filmmakers who opens up thought- processes about the state of the nation without losing the 'cinematic' element in his cinema.

Halla Bol belongs to the same unique hard-hitting gut-wrenching genre of cinema as Santoshi’s Damini, Ghatak and the under-rated Lajja. The overall product lacks finesse, yes. And parts of the plot (e.g Devgan peeing on the primary paapi's Persian rug) purport to be purely puerile. But the message that the masses need to arise from slumber, rings out loud and largely clear. Brutality is often superimposed on a laidback lyricism in Santoshi's not-so-mellow-dramas. He sees the middleclass as a collectively cowardly mass waiting to be prodded awake. Earlier Sunny Deol used to serve up these wakeup calls. Now it's Ajay Devgan for Santoshi.

In Halla Bol the actor gets to grab a glorious graph as he goes from committed street –theatre performer to corrupted celluloid superstar to a socially -conscious citizen who stands up to fight a worthy cause…or shall we, say a wordy cause? Rhetoric (articulately written by Santoshi) flows out of the script with unstopped passion. Scenes come alive through the characters' ability to transcend the occasionally trite material and communicate the gripping drama of social awakening through words and expression that suggest a link between pop art and a socio-political manifesto. Disembodied news clippings from news channels coalesce urgently with the larger picture as Santoshi takes stinging wipes at the establishment.

The rise and fall and rise again of the small-time actor ‘Ashfaque’ to ‘Sameer Khan’ is peppered with arresting interludes from the entertainment business. The buzz and the bitching, the hypocrisy and the promiscuity….they all get a wide margin in the cannily written plot that weaves a conscience into a tale with a frisky flair. While Devgan gets seriously explorative once again, playing a character who goes from vain and libidinous to repentant and heroic, it's Pankaj Kapoor playing Devgan's guru and conscience-keeper who gives a sterling stand-out performance. Supremely confident in his space, Kapur plays a street-theatre artiste who once was a dacoit. It's by far one of the most interesting and multi-layered characters written for a character actor, and one that gives this under-used actor a chance to deliver rabble rousing rhetoric without getting pulpit-friendly.

In a plot that favors the male actors Vidya Balan makes silent space for herself. She has just three major sequences and she embraces all of them with unconditional pride. Halla Bol towers over the average potboilers. It puts across home truths in a language that tends to get shrill but never shallow. The caucus of villains strike distinctly caricatured poses (and it's embarrassing to see Darshan Jariwalla who was Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi My Father give a hammy account of his talent). But the impotent silence of the mute junta as it watches mob injustice on the streets comes across in sweeping movements of pain and anger.

All of Santoshi's films have scenes showing the brutal mauling of an individual in a public place. The war cry comes in a raging spurt of indignant creativity in Halla Bol. Effectively scripted and with dialogues that propel the plot to a climax without moving ahead of itself, the narrative simmers with discontent.

On this occasion, Santoshi has a lot to say about the conscience and the celebrity. Also about, the misuse of the minority card by politicians makes a rather subtle entry into the second half of the drama. Though shot with an eye for personality-defining details by cameraman, S. Natarajan Subramaniam some portions of the tale appear tacky when compared with the enormity of the theme. Maybe the editor Steven Bernard needed to exercise more economy of expression.

Halla Bol may not strike you as being the epitome of subtle social reformism. Its tone is more of a street play than a Sunday-evening curio at Prithvi Theatres. What's truly remarkable about Santoshi's cinema is the multiplicity of ideas and themes on contemporary India that come into play through distinctly cinematic devices. If on one end you hear Jackie Shroff discussing Aamir Khan's run-in with the Gujarat government on the other end we have Sayali Bhagat popping in for an item song. The spectrum is vast and baggy. And yes there are strong words against the politics of minorities and the cult of celebrity-bashing.

You may think Raj Kumar Santoshi has bitten more than he can chew. But that's a fatal mistake. This filmmaker can create tensions in the plot without allowing the pressures of balancing the 'formula' with 'ideas' to show up in the end product.

The product never actually ends. For Santoshi's morally conflicted protagonists there is always another beginning.

Quelle: http://www.indiafm.com/features/2008/01/12/3469/index.html

As Bollywood refuses to churn out just potboilers, the cinema content is certainly improving. Rajkumar Santoshi's 'Halla Bol' carries on the mood and feel of 'cinema activism', which of late began with 'Rang De Basanti' and has in some ways continued till 'Taare Zameen Par' recently.

'Halla Bol' not just entertains you but also makes you think. It asks for a social uprising against 'the wrong' that we see around us.

The film is about reel verses real heroism. Sameer Khan (Ajay Devgan) is a superstar. He has everything at his feet and his popularity is at its peak. But one day, at a high profile Page 3 party, a girl is killed in front of him by two people, the two killers one being the son of a politician and the other of a liquor baron.

But none, including him, present at the party, come forward to help the police nab the culprits. And this insensitivity towards fellow human beings is what Santoshi questions through this film as he shows Sameer go through a change of heart.

The story is well told. Right from the start till the end, it manages to keep you glued to the screen, basically for two reasons. First: The film's story is, in some ways though bleak, is fresh and parallels can easily be drawn to a few films including Raj Kapoor's Shri 420. Second: Santoshi has weaved many real life incidents in the film which the audience could relate to, may it be the inspiration from Jessica Lall murder case or the protests against Aamir Khan after he spoke in favour of Narmada Bachao Andolan. Many of them are enjoyed while some force us to think.

In the film, Santoshi ridicules filmstars who sell off their conscience for big-price endorsement ranging from toothpaste to undergarments to hail oil etc. He also takes pot shots at a superstar who doesn't mind dancing at high-profile wedding for the sake of money. Moreover, Santoshi exposes the film industry's star 'dirt' rather well and honestly than any other film recently.

The film has some quite powerful dialogues and scenes - a trademark of Santoshi films - where one claps and whistles, and wishes there were more of them.

Known for his sensible and hard hitting films like 'Ghayal', 'Damini', 'Lajja', 'Pukar', 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' etc., Santoshi's latest offering is a cinema with a difference. It urges people to be compassionate human beings than just materialistic and insensitive creatures.

The film, besides an interesting story, has a tight script and fast-paced narration. Moreover, you have some really good performances by Pankaj Kapur, Ajay Devgan, Darrshan Jariwalla and Vidya Balan.

Halla Bol is definitely worth a 'good' watch.

Watch it for some real good performances.

Quelle: http://www.hinduonnet.com/holnus/009200801130324.htm

Actor Ajay Devgan seems to be upset Halla Bol director Rajkumar Santoshi. Due to which the actor has distanced himself from the promotion of the film.

Filmology says that the actor may be busy working on his home production and directorial debut U, Me Aur Hum.

Likewise, the actor has made appearances in all the promotional events organized by Rohit Shetty for ‘Sunday’.

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...ils-sunday.html

‘Halla Bol’ deals with the inner conflict of an individual in society over whether to listen to the voice of his conscience and speak up against the prevailing injustice around him or remain ensconced in his own comfortable and cocooned world.

According to director Raj Kumar Santoshi,”The basic essence of ‘Halla Bol’, the literal meaning of which is “war cry”, is that if injustice is being done to anyone or anywhere, then one needs to raise his voice against it in unison.

Today, it is happening to others. Tomorrow it could happen to you,”

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

13 Jan, 2008 01:12 pm IST

Leading lady of Halla Bol, Vidya Balan, had heard a lot about the immense faith and power of belief in the holy dargah of Haji Ali baba off the Mumbai coastline. And she'd wanted to visit the shrine for a long long time, but had never got the opportunity. It was only while filming for Raj Kumar Santoshi's Halla Bol, that she got the opportunity to visit the revered spot for the very first time. It was during the shooting of the song piya haji by Pakistani singer Amzad Farid Sabri. Like she told us, "I have lived in Mumbai for such a long time but it was the first time that I physically visited the dargah. I knew that it has lot of power and did wonders for those who believe - irrespective of religion or caste - 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." Hopefully, her faith will also help push the film to do wonders at the BO. Or is that being to materialistic in asking?

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2694733.cms

Author: Subhash K Jha, Date: 13 Jan 2008

Halla Bol director Rajkumar Santoshi talks about the response to his film

Does Halla Bol return to the theme of mob violence and public compliance?
I strongly feel that there is a lack of sensitivity towards other human beings. We’ve become self-centered and always seeking our own happiness.

Some critics think Halla Bol is dated.
I wouldn’t agree with that. I’ve visited theatres and I can say that audiences are responding according to the emotions. We’ve tried to talk about issues in an engaging manner to reach the masses. I hope other filmmakers are encouraged to take up issue-based films. Style and form are important. But you’ve to talk to the janta in a language that’s relevant to the theme. There’s a difference between how you talk to your driver and your boss.

The scene of shootout at the party in Halla Bol seems inspired by the Jessica Lal incident.
There are distinct echoes between the two incidents. However this idea was with me for 10-12 years. I wasn’t aware of the Jessica Lal case when I wrote Halla Bol.

However, we deliberately incorporated Aamir Khan’s incident related to his involvement with the Narmada Bachao Andolan. We wanted to show how vulnerable an actor becomes when he joins a cause.
I feel the responsibility of our filmmakers has increased. The one sequence that I did delete from the movie had politicians being described as collective diabetes.

That would’ve incensed the politicians?
But it’s true. Like diabetes you can’t cure the corruption in politics. You can only check it.

You’ve also incorporated ideas on how religion is exploited by politicians.
Isn’t that the case in real life? There was no fear hurting religious sentiments. In a country where we have had a Muslim president and Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan as icons, the Muslims don’t need to feel isolated.
Anyone talking about division on a religious basis is creating mischief.

Pankaj Kapoor’s character is larger than life and yet real.
I’ve never come across a dacoit converted into a street actor. But a lot of homework was done on his character. He’s a scene stealer just like Sunny Deol in Damini.

Women and children in the audience get put off by the savagery shown in your films?
Why should they get put off? Today, which section of people is immune to violence? We see it all around us. News channels are showing it all the time. Just the other day, we saw policemen brutally assaulting two children in Chandigarh. It made me very sad. If you want to close your eyes and believe life to be as rosy as shown in the comedies, then you’re welcome to it.

Lately only brain-dead comedies do well?
It’s very alarming. The comedies should be coherent, not just gags strung together. I also made a comedy Andaz Apna Apna. It had a clean plot and a coherent narrative. In Hollywood, they come up with intelligent comedies. In Bollywood, they just lift scenes and jokes from English films.

Quelle: http://www.mid-day.com/web/guest/enterta...XT_5_groupId=14

Posted online: Friday, January 11, 2008 at 0000 hours IST

Both films this weekend, Halla Bol and My name is Anthony Gonsalves have a gamut of special appearances.

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, there’s more.

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 heavyweights adding star presence to the two big films, moviegoers surely are in for a treat this weekend.

Quelle: http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=18610

At a time when people in the cosmopolitan cities have developed a strange habit of turning deaf just when they are most needed, the new-age cinema seems to be jolting society to stand up and be counted against rogues with a resounding echo...Halla Bol!!!!Director Rajkumar Santoshi and his star cast involving Pankaj Kapur, Ajay Devgan and Vidya Balan deserve kudos for raising many serious concerns affecting just about anyone and everyones life in their latest movie Halla Bol.

By Sandeep Datta

At a time when people in the cosmopolitan cities have developed a strange habit of turning deaf just when they are most needed, the new-age cinema seems to be jolting society to stand up and be counted against rogues with a resounding echo...Halla Bol!!!!Director Rajkumar Santoshi and his star cast involving Pankaj Kapur, Ajay Devgan and Vidya Balan deserve kudos for raising many serious concerns affecting just about anyone and everyone's life in their latest movie Halla Bol.

The movie revolves around the murder of a little known girl in Mumbai during a celeb party. Her family is found wanting for any witness, despite the fact that she is killed in front of so many eyes. Despite initial hiccups for the fear for its negative effect on his filmi career, how the protagonist finally listens to his conscience is all there to watch.

Besides its tiny entertainment quotient, Halla Bol is basically a serious comment on the 'who cares' attitude of the public that leaves so many innocent and honest people all alone to fight injustice in courts and police stations. Halla Bol puts the audience in the confession box for playing mute spectators despite such grave instances of crime, and pushes them hard to introspect for nearly three hours. The film dares to be distinct and is a slap on public face for rapidly becoming a dead society to sound 'practical' at the cost of someone's life or modesty. The film attempts to showcase the upwardly mobile and so called educated class, a mirror that they invariably avoid fearing a loss of face.

Though the film has its share of abrupt endings or beginnings of sequences, the film director deserves appreciation for limiting unwanted sex or romance and valuing the audience's serious mood. Still, he would have done fair justice to the issues raised in Halla Bol had the film tried to be more exact and elaborate in hitting at the ills of 'modern' society.

Pankaj Kapur, playing a dacoit-turned-a stage drama director called "Sidhu", impresses the audience with his inimitable dialogue delivery. Despite his shorter than expected role in the film, he successfully mesmerises with his acting magic that he displayed in films like "Ek Doctor Ki Maut", "Maqbool", "Dharma" and comedy serials like "Zabaan Sambhal Ke" and "Office Office".

"Sidhu" questions the public, the media, the system for their irresponsible roles in society. He asks why is that everyone starts pretending to be deaf, dumb and blind whenever it comes to standing up for justice for others? The film won everyone's loud approval with noisy rounds of claps almost every 15 to 20 minutes mainly for its dialogues. But a little too much on the face adjectives perhaps derived from the roadside could have been avoided.

Be it a scene where the protagonist Ajay Devgan, who plays hero named Samir Khan a.k.a Ashfaaq, is shown urinating in the villain's drawing room in the open or Vidya Balan, who plays his wife in the film, expressing her angst before a media crew using words like "because my husband has got balls" or Pankaj Kapur saying: "Apnon ke dard per to har koi ro leta hai ....Asli insaan to wo hai jise doosron ke dard par bhi dard ho" won the thunderous applause of the audience.

Ajay Devgan, who impressed in the recent "Omkara" and Pankaj Kapur of the recent "Dharma" fame, showcase how they can do their country proud even at the Oscars, provided their work is given a fair opportunity to contest in their own country.

If '07 saw Shahrukh Khan starrer Chak De...India earning everyone's appreciation, '08 may be remembered for Halla Bol, which leaves a deep impact on awakening a dead society and encouraging people to take hoodlums to task with a roaring.....Halla Bollllllllllllllllllllllll!!

Quelle: http://www.andhranews.net/Entertainment/...ffers-29571.asp

By Devansh Patel, January 14, 2008 - 17:43 IST

Rang De Basanti, Chak De India and the more recent Taare Zameen Par are one of those very few films churned out from our Indian film industry which have not only changed the way we make our films, but have also brought about a new revolution in the hearts and the minds of the aam janta. Will Halla Bol, 2008’s first big release succeed, in creating the same impact? Will the film win more awards than just rewards? And will the film work in the overseas market? Were just a few of the many rapid fire questions, I asked the fiery director Raj Kumar Santoshi after he walked out of the star studded Mumbai premiere. So, after a major box office disappointment of his earlier film, Family - Ties of Blood, in 2006, the director who is known to make bold and gutsy cinema is now back with a vengeance and is ready to Halla Bol.

Chak De India, Rang De Basanti and Taare Zameen Par have raised their voices against certain issues existing in the real life. Do you think Halla Bol will also follow the same path?
Yes. The film really means 'to raise ones voice' or 'to protest'. Halla Bol is actually talking about raising of a conscience in the people to wake up and see as to what's happening around them. To raise one’s voice is the major tool to fight against all the odds. Through Halla Bol, you can protest and make the change happen.

Did you face any fear, opposition or interference while making such a bold film?
Not really. The concept of this film isn't controversial but the truth, as they say cannot be stopped, it just has to be heard.

Sunny Deol's name will always crop up whenever your name is mentioned. Your first film Ghayal, then Damini and then Ghatak were super hit films with him. Do you miss working with him?
I definitely miss Sunny. He is a good actor and a good friend. In the near future, there is a plan of doing a film with him.

What made you cast Ajay Devgan and Vidya Balan in Halla Bol?
In our film industry, the only intense actor who could have done justice to this role was Ajay Devgan. He plays a simpleton from a small town who struggles and becomes a major super-star. For that, his personality suited the role. We did not want a glamorous face and the moment we think of that, Ajay's name comes first. The good thing about Vidya Balan is that after a long time in Bollywood, we have a face which looks like a traditional middle class woman. Her role in the film is of a middle class woman who falls in love with a small town man and then becomes a wife of a superstar. Vidya doesn't look like a girl next door but a woman next door and she was the undisputed choice for the role.

You are known for making films targeting the aam janata while not making the family entertainers. And with such co-incidence, your last film Family - Ties of Blood did not work at the Box Office. To whom is Halla Bol targeted at?
Halla Bol is a film for the entire family. It's a family drama and a family story. The film talks about people and it's not an action film like my earlier films. It's a very intense film which entertains and at the same time, highlights certain issues.

The overseas market totally depends on the Box Office results, no matter how good or bad the film is. Even the rating of individual films is given top priority. Do you then make a film bearing in mind the overseas audience or the Indian audience?
The idea is to make a film for one and all. It is entirely up to the people to decide whether they like the film or not. Some prefer family dramas; others prefer action, some romance, etc. I make films in which I believe in and have always made films which have brought about some kind of an issue in front of the common public. Yes, Box Office results do matter for everybody. It helps you to make better films and gives you the motivation if your film does well. Box Office, though, is not a good friend. It will only stand by you only in good times, not in bad ones.

Andaz Apna Apna was a benchmark film in terms of its excellent one liners and quality humour used. So when are we going to see the funny side of Raj Kumar Santoshi?
Hopefully very soon. There are some ideas which I'm working on and by the end of next year; I'll start working on the film.

What's next in the pipeline?
There is London Dreams which is on hold at the moment. Then there is a film on King Ashoka called Ashok - The Great, where Ajay is playing the principal role of King Ashok and Bipasha is cast opposite him. And then I'm making Ramayan, where Kajol is playing Sita and Ajay Devgan is playing Lord Ram.

Do you believe in awards or rewards?
I believe in both. Rewards are the fact but awards are only encouraging if given by a good and an effective organisation which has some kind of integrity and honesty in them.

Any message for today's youngsters who want to become tomorrow's super-stars?
I will tell them to listen to their conscience and not sell it.

Quelle: http://www.indiafm.com/features/2008/01/14/3475/