RE: January 2008 - News - 8

15 Jan 2008, 0000 hrs IST,TNN

Ajay Devgan, Pankaj Kapur and Halla Bol director, Raj Kumar Santoshi, were in the capital recently for its premiere.

Ajay Devgan, who was in the city sometime in the peak summers, was remembering those days and the unbearable heat. Laughing about it he says, “The last time I was here, this place was boiling. I remember, I asked someone to get me an egg and broke it open on the heated terrace thinking that I might get a cooked egg out of this. Well I am sure, they were at least partially done.”

Well this time around, Ajay didn’t you have something to say about the Dilli ki sardi?

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi...how/2698137.cms

January 14, 2008 5:29:59 PM IST
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

One look at the theatrical promo of U, ME AUR HUM and the picture is clear - this one is all set to have sugar coated romance and dollops of emotions a la PYAAR TO HONA HI THA!

7 years after the two were last seen together in RAJU CHACHA and 10 years after they made romance bloom in PYAAR TO HONA HI THA, Ajay Devgan and Kajol return with U, ME AUR HUM, their home production.

What's special about the film is the fact that it is directed by Ajay Devgan himself who has mostly been seen in action films and off late in comedies. This is why when he picks up a romantic subject for his debut venture behind the camera; it turns out to be a project to be watched out for.

Theatrical promo of the film has been out along with HALLA BOL and one can't miss the chemistry between the two actors who are all set to make an impression together once again. A romance saga, U, ME AUR HUM has canned 11th April as the D day of the release. The film has music by Vishal Bharadwaj and lyrics by Munna Dhiman.

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

January 14, 2008 4:55:17 PM IST
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

Promos of SUNDAY continue to arrive in new shapes and combinations every third day and in the current scheme of things, it appears that yet again Irrfan Khan would manage to steal the show from everyone else in this multi starrer.

In spite of presence of actors like Ajay Devgan and Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan threatens to hog all the limelight with his outright comic act in SUNDAY. In his inimitable deadpan dialogue delivery which has always worked in each of his films, whether his character has a villainous, satirical or comic shades, Irrfan Khan is turning out to be riot in the role of a struggling actor in SUNDAY.

Director Rohit Shetty concurs, "Irrfan has his own style and the film has utilized it to its full extent. Just watch out for him in different getups and personas that he takes; whether as a Dracula or a Ravan or a lawyer or a singer. He is simple outrageous as he has let himself loose big time for the film."

Releasing on 25th January, SUNDAY marks yet another important release of Irrfan Khan after LIFE IN A...METRO, A MIGHTY HEART and THE DARJEELING LIMITED.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08...show-010808.asp

By Joginder Tuteja, January 14, 2008 - 11:09 IST

Rohit Shetty directed Sunday is all set for release on 25th January. En route to the arrival of film at the screens, producers Kumar Mangat and Sunil Lulla are leaving no stones unturned to make the film as the most prominent release of the month. To give the film's publicity further impetus, a promotional music video has been shot which would be on air soon.

The song in question is 'Pyaar To Hona Hi Hai' which has been put to tune and sung by Pakistani band 'Suroor' that comprises of Kamran Bari and Mohammed Ali. While the original film version of the song featuring Ajay Devgan and Ayesha Takia has been on air for more than a fortnight, buzz is that the promotional video would be featuring Kamran Bari and Mohammed Ali as well.

Confirms Rohit Shetty, "Yes, we have shot a promotional music video of 'Pyaar To Hona Hi Hai'. This would feature Kamran and Mohammad while Ajay and Ayesha would be making an appearance in the video as well. Response to the film version has been great so far and this only made us further confident of getting an additional promotional music video out."

Incidentally, this would be the second promotional track shot for Sunday. The first to arrive was the title track 'Missing Sunday' which has been composed by Sandeep Chowta and crooned by Mahua Kamat (of VIVA fame), Suraj and Earl Edgar. The video features the entire star cast of the film including Ajay Devgan, Ayesha Takia, Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan and Anjana Sukhani along with character actors Mukesh Tiwari and Murali Sharma.

"I have been made aware by many that the music video of 'Missing Sunday' is a rage. In fact, the music is a big success already and has made an entry into the charts within one week of the album's release", says the elated film maker.

There is a lot more to come when it comes to the musical campaign of Sunday. Apart from 'Missing Sunday', 'Pyaar To Hona Hi Hai' and 'Loot Liya' - the three tracks that are currently playing on the music channels, the makers of Sunday would soon be unveiling the item numbers 'Kashmakash' and 'Manzar' soon. The two tracks are composed and rendered by Shibani Kashyap and Raghav Sachar respectively.

"For each of the six tracks in the album, different composers have been roped in. To compliment the love song 'Pyar To Hona Hi Hai', 'Loot Liya' acts as a masala number. On the other hand, for theme tracks 'Sunday Theme' and 'Missing Sunday', there are also item numbers like 'Kashmaksh' and 'Manzar'. We aimed at giving a multi dimensional flavor to the music of Sunday and I guess the experiment has worked," says Rohit.

This would be Rohit's third release since his directorial debut in action packed Zameen (2003). This was followed by Golmaal which came 3 years later. Incidentally, both these films also starred Ajay Devgan as a central protagonist.

Quelle: http://www.indiafm.com/news/2008/01/14/10729/index.html

The year 2008 has brought with it a busy schedule for Kajol. Besides doing ‘U, Me Aur Hum’ with hubby Ajay Devgan, Kajol will also be seen with Shah Rukh Khan in Karan Johar’s next film ‘Mr Khan’.

And now, the actress has bagged the female lead in Rajkumar Hirani’s next film ‘Idiots’. In all, it seems to be a very busy year ahead for Kajol.

According to reports, ‘Idiots’ is based on Chetan Bhagat’s story – ‘Five Point Someone’ – dealing with three IIT students.

The film also has Aamir Khan in the male lead and it is learnt that Hirani has approached Saif Ali Khan and John Abraham for different roles in the film that is to begin shooting in a few months’ time.

Quelle: http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=18495

January 14, 2008 By Subhash K Jha

Halla Bol returns to the theme of mob violence and public compliance?
I strongly feel a lack of sensitivity towards other humanbeings. We've become selfcentred and always seeking our own happiness. I'm appalled by the callousness.

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 from violence? We see it all around us. The 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. How can humanbeings be so inhuman? 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.

But I sincerely believe shutting your eyes to crime is as good as commiting crime. All our mytholigicals Ramayan and Mahabharat speak about violence.

Lately only brain-dead comedies do well?
It's very alarming. The comedies should be coherent, not gags strung together. I also made a comedy Andaz Apna Apna. It had a clean plot and a coherent narrative.

I like to laugh. I'm a big fan of Chaplin, the Marx Brothers and Buster Keaton. In Hollywood they come up with intelligent comedies. In Bollywood they just lift scenes and jokes from English films.

And then to not get hauled for copying they put their own ideas into the ripoffs. So the comedies look like a mish-mash.

Some critics in Mumbai think Halla Bol is dated.
I wouldn't agree with that. I've visited theatres in Mumbai. Audiences are responding according to the emotions. Finally it's the same audience that liked last year's comedies coming to see Halla Bol.

We've tried to talk about issues in an engaging manner to reach the masses. Audiences in Lucknow, Delhi, Gorakhpur and Patna are all for it. I hope other filmmakers are encouraged to take up issue-based films.

Style and form are important.But you've to talk to the junta in the language that's relevant to the theme. There's a difference between how you talk to your driver and your boss.

Pankaj Kapoor's character is so larger than life and yet so real.
I've never come across a dacoit converted into a street actor. But a lot of homework was done on his character. We worked on every detail of his get -up.

He's a scenestealer just like Sunny Deol as the drunken lawyer in my Damini. I'm glad. Because Pankaj Kapoor and I worked together for the first time.

You've also incorporated ideas on how religion is exploited by politicians.
But isn't that the case in real life? No, there was no fear hurting religious sentiments. I feel if a filmmaker addresses issues from his heart, no one minds it.

In a country where we've a Muslim president and Shah Rukh and Aamir as icons the Muslims don't need to feel isolated. Anyone talking about division on a religious basis is creating mischief. And I'm not scared of saying so.

The shoot-out at the party in Halla Bol seems inspired by the Jessica Lal incident.
There're distinct echoes. However this idea was with me for 10-12 years….the idea of the hero witnessing a crime and being in a dilemma about whether he should report it or not. I wasn't aware of the Jessica Lal case when I wrote Halla Bol.

However we deliberately incorporated Aamir Khan's incident from the Narmada andolan. We wanted to show how vulnerable an actor becomes when he joins a cause. Also there was a ghastly incident of molestation in Mumbai on New Year's eve.

I feel the responsibility of our filmmakers has increased. One sequence that I deleted had politicians being described as collective diabetes.

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

Quelle: http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=18479

14th Jan 2008 16.30 IST

Even though they were not paired together in the film, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor are keen to work in the prequel of the 2006 movie Omkara .

It looks like the love birds are finding reasons to be together at work. Whenever one of them is free, he or she flies to be on the sets of the movie the other one is shooting. Now, they want to be spared of even this trouble of commuting.

It is learnt that Saif is pressing producer Kumar Mangat to make a prequel of ‘Omkara’. Even Kareena wants the movie to be made soon.

Bebo has lost the leading role opposite Saif to Deepika Padukone in Saif’s home production to be directed by Imtiaz Ali . So she is keen to do another movie with Saif soon.

Producer Kumar Mangat confirms that there are plans to make the ‘Omkara’ prequel but he also adds in the same breath that the project won’t happen soon because director Vishal Bharadwaj is busy with other films. Mangat also adds that he is under no pressure from Saif or Kareena to make the prequel.

Meanwhile, Saif and Bebo are shooting Yashraj Films’ Tashan in Greece.

Quelle: http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20080114-2.html

While this has been one question that is eating the minds of many, actress Sridevi is still maintaining suspense on her comeback. However, she provided some delight to her fans when made a cameo appearance in the Raj Kumar Santoshi film 'Halla Bol'. The beautiful Diva will be flanked by her husband Boney Kapoor and interestingly both of them got to play themselves in the film who gives away an award to the hero of the film Ajay Devgan. The film also has stars like Jackie Shroff and Kareena Kapoor doing their bits.

Quelle: http://bharatstudent.com/cafebharat/news.php?id=16776&cat=1

15th Jan 2008 22.15 IST
By Nikhil Kumar

With unapologetic flamboyance, Shah Rukh Khan ’s home production Om Shanti Om had spoofed some Bollywood veterans. Now, King Khan finds himself at the receiving end of potshots in Bollywood’s latest release.

Whether you like Rajkumar Santoshi’s latest film Halla Bol or not, what you would surely enjoy is the unsubtle way in which the film takes potshots at some top stars of Bollywood.

There is a scene in the film in which Ajay Devgan ’s character (Sameer Khan, an actor) speaks about product endorsements by Bollywood stars. With a cynic tone in voice, Devgan mocks Bollywood stars who endorse products just for the sake of big bucks without caring to use the product themselves.

Devgan’s character even goes on to mock a Bollywood star who endorses hair oil without ever using the product.

The allusion becomes clearer when Devgan spoofs SRK and mimics him, saying: “Thanda Thanda, Cool Cool.

Now, we all know that this is SRK’s punchline in an advertisement of Navratna oil that he endorses.

In the similar scene, Devgan carries the joke further by ridiculing the stars who dance at weddings of rich people for money. This, again, is an indirect potshot at SRK who is known to have danced at some high profile weddings.

A source from the industry says: “Shah Rukh hasn’t yet seen ‘Halla Bol’ but he must have by now heard about the scenes in the film that seem to mock him. Given his sporty nature, he is not likely to get offended by the scenes.”

Even Rajkumar Santoshi says he hasn’t heard any complaint from Khan about the scenes.

It may be recalled that Bollywood veterans like Manoj Kumar and Dev Anand were spoofed in SRK’s home production ‘Om Shanti Om’. In fact, Manoj Kumar had openly expressed his displeasure over spoof scenes in the film. However, peace was made just in time and the issue was not taken to the courts.

Now, SRK finds himself at the receiving end of the trick he used at others. Perhaps now he would understand how Manoj Kumar must have felt.

Quelle: http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20080115-3.html

Updated: 01-15-2008

Rajkumar Santoshi's political commentary 'Halla Bol' has received a mixed response in its opening week. While the audiences in the western circuit have rejected the movie, it is doing reasonably well in some pockets in north India.

Box office collections in Mumbai started dropping from the second show of its opening day last Friday (Jan 11). The movie notched a lacklustre Mumbai territory opening with 70 percent collections, considered unusual for an Ajay Devgan starrer.

Bollywood trade circles were taken by surprise when the collections in cinemas in Mumbai dropped to as low as 42 percent after the opening day.

The box office graph tilted downwards in all major suburban circuits.

The verdict is now clear. Though appreciated critically, 'Halla Bol' is the first debacle of 2008.

But the movie has been doing reasonably well in some pockets in north India. A leading Mumbai distributor attributes this moderate success to the political culture of the north.

'It was expected. The political undertone explicit in the movie is akin to the political culture of the North. Cine-goers in the north generally like movies that have a fair amount of action. 'Haala Bol' has it in ample measure. The action scenes in the movie, as in all Raj Kumar Santoshi movies, are nicely executed to boost the narration. Maybe, audience in other centres squirmed at the movie's political content,' a leading Mumbai distributor, not wishing to be named, told IANS Monday.

A group of young girls who watched the movie at the Fame-Andheri in Mumbai summed up the mood of the audience when they told IANS that in 'Halla Bol', director Rajkumar Santoshi assumed the role of a teacher, telling them what they should do and what they should not.

'Come on, we do not like to be talked to in such a silly manner,' said Sangita Sajlani, the most vociferous among them.

The debacle of 'Halla Bol' is also a major setback to Pyramid Symira. It was the theatre chain's first foray into the Hindi belt. It is too shell-shocked to comment on the film's poor show all over.

Though reports from overseas market are yet to be made public, trade circles believe that the movie may not fare well there either.

The verdict that the movie has received in the domestic market has set the overseas distributors wondering whether the NRI audience will be able to identify themselves with the Indian social milieu into which the issue has been woven.

'I am keeping my fingers crossed,' Nittin Keni, one of the overseas distributors, told IANS Monday.

Quelle: http://www.andhracafe.com/index.php?m=show&id=30779

January 15, 2008 4:51:25 PM IST
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

Ajay Devgan seems to be having a thing for Rajkumar Santoshi films.

From a cameo appearance in LAJJA to THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH, KHAKEE and now HALLA BOL, he has seldom put a wrong foot forward when it comes to being a part of high voltage drama, which is the forte of Santoshi, director of powerful films like GHAYAL, DAMINI and GHATAK.

HALLA BOL may have taken a slow start at the box office but those who have watched the film would certainly agree with the fact that yet again Ajay Devgan has come up with a bravura performance.

In the complex role of a simpleton turned superstar who sees a change in himself over a period of time as he witnesses fall of morals, values and ethics, Devgan has come up trumps once again. Though he is awkward in lighter scenes, especially in the flashback moments of the film, he is a powerhouse once again in each of the dramatic sequences.

His encounter with the corrupt minister (Darshan Jariwala) in his palatial mansion has got maximum 'taalis' and 'seetis' in each of the shows across the theaters in the country while the intensity he has projected through his eyes (once again) has revived memories of some of his best acts in films like COMPANY, OMKARA, APAHARAN and THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH.

Though there is a sword hanging on the eventual box office outcome of the movie due to audience slowly waking up to the power of the film, HALLA BOL would still go down as one of the better films in the repertoire of Ajay Devgan.

Coming months would see a lot more of Ajay Devgan as his SUNDAY releases on 25th January while his directorial outing U, ME AUR HUM would be out on theaters on 11th April. Also, in a few weeks back, he would also begin shooting with Santoshi again for ASHOKA.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08...-bol-010808.asp

January 12, 2008

HALLA BOL

(At Liberty and other theatres in Delhi and elsewhere)

Faith is a wonderful companion. It helps Rajkumar Santoshi leap across to safety with “Halla Bol”, a film that could have easily been reduced to an art-house show meant for multiplex audiences only. Alternately, it could have degenerated into a rabble-rouser. People would have whistled at every other dialogue, there would have been a sizzling item number thrown in for good measure too. That Santoshi embraces neither, walking the tightrope all along, is a tribut e to the man who believes films are a medium for entertainment. But that entertainment has to be accompanied by a lesson or two.

Often in his movies there is more than a gentle nudge about a society that has its anomalies. Films like “Damini”, “Ghayal”, “Lajja” and “Pukar” come to mind. Here now in “Halla Bol” Santoshi borrows handsomely from “Damini”, a film that moved many with its poignant tale of a rape victim. Here in “Halla Bol” too the protagonist is a witness to a rape and murder. Yet Santoshi is not so much as opening a page from a book read in the past as he is adding a new volume to the series.

Here his hero, Ajay Devgan is a Bollywood superstar, given to the heady ways of the blessed. With intoxicating success, the days of struggle when he used to learn at the feet of his guru – Pankaj Kapur as a theatre sage who was once a sinner – are but a faded memory. It all changes as the hero’s conscience is merely asleep, not dead. As he decides to cooperate with the cops as a witness to the murder, his life changes forever. Throw in the stardom angle, the producers shying away from a man whose films won’t be easily released – shades of real life there? – and political outfits ready to fish in troubled waters, and you have a film that has enough substance to last a couple of hours.

That the film does, keeping the viewer engaged in the proceedings. Occasionally, it lags, needing some crisp editing in parts of the second half. It all ends a bit hastily.

Will save you the end, though. However, do remember that this film is meant to be consumed by the first weekend crowd who like their cinema light but care for a message. With some deliberately loud dialogue and melodrama, it fulfils their needs though it leaves the discerning viewer a shade disappointed. The pathos of “Damini” is not there, nor the tight grip of “Ghayal”. Also mercifully missing is the sermon of “Lajja”. Devgan, as one said, is good without being outstanding while Vidya Balan as his wife does her best not to distract you from the proceedings, leaving the field all clear for Pankaj Kapur to score with his seasoned craft.

A word about Darshan Jariwala who plays a wily politician whose son in involved in the crime. He is understated, and proves that his much talked about performance in “Gandhi, My Father” was no flash in the pan. So, look at your glass. Half full or half empty? Santoshi the activist filmmaker knows where his heart is. Importantly, he keeps his head and comes up with a film that has some masala for the box office. And some food for thought for those who talk films with passion and watch with discretion.

Quelle: http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/13/stories/2008011356990200.htm

Wednesday, January 9, 2008: (Mumbai):

Das kann ich mir jetzt nicht verkneifen, das zu posten, wenn auch nur auszugsweise !

Auszug:

...
"It's not very surprising if in sometime my name will feature in record books for my alleged romantic relations with my co-actors. Everyday there is a rumour of a new affair. If I get into one love relation, people make it 10. I don't know how to convince people that I don't change boyfriends everyday."

Riya says that her alleged romantic involvement with Asmit Patel, Vivek Oberoi, Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Khanna, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan and couple of other actors have now become a thing of past.

"I don't say that I was never involved with anyone ever. But I haven't had an affair with all of them. Most of them were just rumours. In coming days I am looking forward to be rumoured to involve with more new names. So, nowadays I have stopped denying or countering these rumours. If people come and ask me that whether I am going around with an actor I confirm it rather than dismiss it. I know even if I deny people will write what they want to write so there is no point trying to convince," she said.
...

Quelle: http://www.ndtvmovies.com/newstory.asp?s...NTEN20080038127

14 Jan 2008, 0000 hrs IST,TNN

Auszug:

Sudha Chandran
...
Ajay Devgan is the hottest hero around and so is Sharman Joshi, they belong to a different genre. Also Amitabh Bachchan was an ordinary looking man, a common man's hero!
...

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/TV_Bu...how/2696204.cms

January 12, 2008

If it had happened for the first time, one would have dubbed it as a coincidence. But the latest confrontation between Rajkumar Santoshi and ‘Pinjar’ fame Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi seems to suggest otherwise.

Well, we will definitely elaborate on what we are talking about. Around three years back, Dr. Dwivedi had announced a project based on the eternal love story between Prithviraj Chauhan and Sanyukta, featuring Sunny Deol. But at the same time Santoshi jumped into the fray announcing a project on the same subject, featuring his favourite Ajay Devgan. At that time, it was dubbed as an ego clash between Sunny Deol and Rajkumar Santoshi. But that was far from the truth. The obvious outcome was that both the projects were shelved.

However, that was not the end of the story. Sometimes back Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi disclosed his desire of making a film based on the life of Emperor Ashoka, where the post-sixty years of his life was to be portrayed on celluloid. Apparently, megastar Amitabh Bachchan was to have essayed the title role, and had agreed in principle.

But before the idea became practical, Santoshi has once again once again jumped the gun and announced a project, based on the same subject (and time period of the emporer's life). And yes, you have guessed it right, yet again featuring his favourite Ajay Devgan in the lead role.

Well, we must say old habits die hard and Santoshi has the same stereotype answer- He was not aware of Dr. Dwivedi’s plans. Any takers for that ?

Quelle: http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayAr...d=n011208104236