RE: January 2008 - News - 9

It seems that taking potshots at your fellow Bollywood colleagues has become something of a norm in the industry. Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan have been doing it for ages, Bollywood actresses do it almost 4 times a day, and even the respectable Aamir Khan got down to slate a legend or two last month. They say this is all done deliberately for promoting a film… and promotion is what makes or breaks a film. But, we have never seen potshots and insults being fired during the film… i.e. within the film… or have we…

If you have managed to get yourself to the cinema to watch Ajay Devgan in Halla Bol, then you might have seen the actor’s character bad-mouthing Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan. The film is a journey of a Bollywood actor (Sameer Khan played by Ajay Devgan). In the film, Sameer Khan’s secretary pokes fun at a ‘Khan’ who is to dance at LN Mittal’s daughter’s wedding… this is something that Shah Rukh and Saif Ali Khan have done in real life. There is also mention, in passing, of a ‘Khan’ who is cheating on his wife.

Now insiders have said that both Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan are not happy with how they have been shown or depicted in Halla Bol. Both actors believe that Ajay Devgan has himself put these dialogues in the script of the movie, deliberately, to express his feelings towards them. The film’s director Rajkumar Santoshi has gone on record to say that the dialogues were part of the script from day-one and Ajay Devgan had no input.

What are your thoughts on this sensational story coming out of Bollywood? Do you feel that actors such as Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan are right to complain about how they are being depicted in this film? Do you believe that it was Ajay Devgan, who has always had reservations about the Khans, who got these dialogues put in the script of the film? If you have seen the film, do you think these scenes and dialogues enhance the film or could they have been done without? With last year’s mega-hit Om Shanti Om making fun of Bollywood actors left right and centre, is it now time for movies being used to express opinions? Please use the comments section below to leave your feedback.

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

15 Jan, 2008 03:02 am ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES

Starting out as an action hero, Ajay Devgan has come a long way. He first turned producer with Raju Chacha but unfortunately for him, the film did not do well. And now after seven years, he turns producer once and this time he wields the megaphone as well. Turning director for the first time, Ajay Devgan gives his notes as a director for his film U, Me aur Hum.

First and foremost, what was the reason why the actor chose to become a director at this point of time in his career? “People keep on asking me on how I decided that this was the right time to direct my own film”, says Ajay. “To be honest, I don’t really know whether this is the right time or not, but I know this is a story that I wanted to tell. A story I believed in and felt strongly about. As they say, one from the heart!”

He goes on, “Why this particular story? I can list many reasons. But the most important and primary reason why I wanted to make this is because of its positivity. I have realized that people have become more cynical and less optimistic than before. They tend to naturally have a negative outlook about things especially with regards to love, relationships, marriage, feelings and the works.”

Well, love seems to have changed in this world since the last time Ajay saw it. “In today’s scientific world, everybody seems to be looking out for tangible justifications for things they do. Even with regards to love, people spend hours theorizing about chemical reactions in the body, the impact of hormones and other such clinical things. My question is where has all our romance gone? Why this obsession with rationale? Why do we hesitate to accept that it is possible, that deep within that one soul makes a connection with another – instinctively, impulsively, immediately?”

Looks like we are going to get a two hour lecture on love and marriage in U, Me aur Hum ... “Now I sound like I’m preaching! This film is not made with the intention of being a sermon on relationships. Nor is it made to prove my talent as a director. And it is definitely not my intention to change the way people think or live their lives. A film is meant to entertain you. To give you your money’s worth. To give you a good time, at least, as long as it lasts. And that is what I have set out to do. I hope I succeed. And in addition to entertaining you, if it makes you spare a thought about the state of your relationship or encourages you to improve it, then my success will be much greater.”

Apart from Ajay Devgan himself, U, Me Aur Hum stars his wife Kajol in the lead as well.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/News__Gossi...how/2701837.cms

January 15, 2008 5:31:58 PM IST
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

It's just 10 days to go for the release of SUNDAY but its director Rohit Shetty is hardly nervous.

"I am so busy in the promotion of the film that there is hardly a time to feel nervous or get worried", says Rohit. Ask him about the ensemble cast of the film and he says, "From a senior star like Ajay Devgan to now internationally recognized actor like Irrfan Khan, it has been a dream mix."

How about pretty lass Anjana Sukhani? How does she fit into the scheme of things? "As Ayesha's friend, she adds on to the suspense of the film. She has a good role in the film and creates another angle where viewer can be potentially diverted to get the suspense on."

SUNDAY is not the only film where Anjana acts under the baton of Rohit Shetty. The young film maker has also repeated her for his next venture GOLMAAL RETURNS. Career of Anjana has been shaping up well. After a humble beginning as a leading lady in HUM DUM 3 years back, she reached the pinnacle with SALAAM-E-ISHQ last year where she played the extra marital interest of Anil Kapoor.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08...nday-010811.asp

Mumbai, Jan 15: In his just released `Halla Bol`, director Rajkumar Santoshi has incorporated ideas on how religion is exploited by politicians but is confident that it won`t hurt the religious sentiments of people.

"I feel if a filmmaker addresses issues from his heart, no one minds it. In a country where we`ve had a Muslim president and have Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan as icons, 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," Santoshi said in an interview.

Just like his pervious films, Santoshi`s `Halla Bol` too is full of violence but the director is not bothered. He says the audiences aren`t used to seeing such things thanks to the news channels.

"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 human beings be so inhuman?"

Excerpts:

Q: `Halla Bol` returns to the theme of mob violence and public compliance?

A: I strongly feel a lack of sensitivity towards other human beings. We`ve become self-centred and are always seeking our own happiness. I`m appalled by the callousness.

Q: Women and children in the audience get put off by the savagery shown in your films?

A: 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 human beings 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 committing crime. All our mythological books - the Ramayana and the Mahabharata - speak about violence.

Q: Lately, only brain-dead comedies have done well?

A: 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 Charlie 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 up for copying, they put their own ideas into the rip offs. So the comedies look like a mish-mash.

Q: Some critics in Mumbai think `Halla Bol` is dated.

A: 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, who 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.

Q: Pankaj Kapur`s character is so larger than life and yet so real.

A: 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 scene-stealer just like Sunny Deol as the drunken lawyer in my `Damini`. I`m glad because Pankaj and I worked together for the first time.

Q: You`ve also incorporated ideas on how religion is exploited by politicians.

A: 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 had a Muslim president and have 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. And I`m not scared of saying so.

Q: The shootout at the party in `Halla Bol` seems to be inspired by the Jessica Lal incident.

A: 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 filmmakers has increased. One sequence that I deleted had politicians being described as collective diabetes.

Q: That would`ve incensed the politicians against you?

A: But it`s true. Like diabetes you can`t cure the corruption in politics. You can only check it.

Bureau Report

Quelle: http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=418332&sid=ENT

Posted On Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Ajay Devgan's scathing remarks about his contemporaries in Halla Bol haven't gone down well with the Khans

Ajay Devgan's not-so-pleasant dialogues about his fellow colleagues Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan in his latest release, Halla Bol may not go down well with the Khans. In circles where it really matters, the buzz is that the Khans are not too happy with the potshots taken at them. An industry insider reveals, “Ajay Devgan's recent interviews stating that he does not have any problem with Shah Rukh seemed completely untrue while watching Halla Bol. His observations about his contemporaries Aamir and SRK in the film are in bad taste.”

The film, which traces the journey of Sameer Khan (Ajay), has a bunch of references to Bollywood's famous Khans. Sameer Khan's secretary pokes fun at a particular Khan who is set to dance as a part of celebrations at LN Mittal's daughter's lavish wedding. In real-life, Shah Rukh and Saif Ali Khan had taken centre stage during the million pound wedding of Vanisha Mittal in Paris. Interestingly, Ajay Devgan has also been vocal about his displeasure at the prospect of singing and dancing at high-profile weddings all along.

There is also a passing mention about another Khan who is cheating on his wife. A trade analyst on condition of anonymity observes, “Devgan who plays Ashfaque aka Sameer Khan in the film has dialogues that only show our superstars in poor light. The director has made a collage of references to the not-so-good side of the Khans, as often felt and voiced by Devgan in his interviews. The growing stardom of Sameer Khan has references in context to all the Khans and certainly not in good taste.”

Rajkumar Santoshi who is hunting location for his next in Greece says, “As far as the dialogues are concerned they were a part of the script right from the beginning. Ajay didn't make any inputs as far as the references are concerned.” Ask him if he has heard from the offended Khans and he says, “Have they seen the film? I haven't heard anything from them.”

Quelle: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper....2006812cd30b786

With his recent film 'Halla Bol' showering him with applauses and credit, actor Ajay Devgan is gearing up for another challenging role. He will soon be seen in the film 'Ashoka' which is being made by Raj Kumar Santoshi. Interestingly, Ajay will be playing a dual role in the film, that of father Ashoka and son Kunala. This is the first attempt by Santoshi to project the other side of historical facts that the public are not aware of and he is confident that Ajay will live up to the role with great standards.

Quelle: http://bharatstudent.com/cafebharat/news.php?id=16844&cat=1

IndiaGlitz [Wednesday, January 16, 2008]

Ajay Devgan who went all out roaring about injustice in society through Rajkumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol, has now taken a break from roles that require him to yell his lungs out. Devgan is now keen on showing his fans his softer side.

The usually macho Devgan will soon be swinging around with Ayesha Takia in Rohit Shetty’s Sunday which hits the screens in a few weeks from now.

But Ajay seems more excited about his directorial debut U,Me Aur Hum for obvious reasons. The film that stars Ajay’s sweetie pie Kajol has been the talk of the town with its very first promos on air. As Ajay and Kajol get together once again after the disastrous Raju Chacha, the audiences are looking for yet another Pyar Toh Hona Hi Tha .

Ajay wants to connect with the audiences directly and thus has launched a website for the film. Ajay has expressed his views on love and marriage on the site.

Addressing various issues such as love at first sight, soulmates and happy marriages; looks like Ajay will soon be Bollywood’s next love guru.

Quelle: http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/35926.html

The latest talk of the trade is that newbie director Ajay Devgan is all set to take on proven film master Rakesh Roshan come this April.

For it is April 11th when Ajay Devgan’s first film as director U Me Aur Hum will be unveiled on the big screen, and this is the very day that Rakesh Roshan’s production of Krazzy 4 will also see light. Ajay Devgan chose this date for release because it comes 3 days before Ram Navami, a national holiday. And this is the exact reasons why Rakesh Roshan has done the same.

An insider has revealed that Rakesh Roshan requested Ajay Devgan to delay the release of his film but Ajay said it was not possible because the film’s promotion has already been planned.

After a gap of two years, Kajol will be back in the limelight in husband Ajay’s light-hearted comedy, while Arshad Warsi and Irrfan Khan will try to create some comedy chemistry for the Jaideep Sen film.

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...oshans-dad.html

January 16, 2008 5:44:11 PM IST
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

Rajkumar Santoshi's HALLA BOL has managed to highlight not just some socially relevant issues; it has also hit hard at the politics of role cutting which is so prevalent in the world of Bollywood.

In a statement which is not-so-subtle, the super star character played by Ajay Devgan is shown clearly instructing his film director to cut the role of relative newcomer in one of the two-hero projects. For on-screen purpose, the young boy in question is Tusshar Kapoor (in a guest appearance) who in spite of being sincere, hardworking and true admirer of Devgan's work, is shown the door once the latter gets the director to weigh is options.

'Retain his role and make your next film also solely with Tushar or expect my services any further only if you change the film's script to strengthen my character' - is the message conveyed.

With last few years bringing out the issue of role cutting of co-actors in many a mainstream films, HALLA BOL picks up headlines from newspaper and tabloid gossips and throws it open to a viewer for consumption.

Quelle: http://glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08/jan...ting-010809.asp

After 2006, expectations were sky-high for the following year 2007. Though 2007 proved to be a mixed bag of hits and misses, 2008 is expected to be a good year for Bollywood.

The year promises: much-awaited comebacks from not only actors (Kajol-Ajay in U,Me Aur Hum) but also production houses (Rakesh Roshan’s production in Krazzy 4, Subhash Ghai for Main Yuvraaj); juicy casting (read pairings) in films like Race, Tashan (Saif- Kareena), Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azham (Mallika Sherawat-Rahul Bose), Bhootnath (Amitabh Bachchan as ghost friend), Kismet Konnections (Vidya-Shahid) and high profile releases in the form of mega budget ventures like Jodhaa Akbar, Sarkar Raaj, Heroes, Drona, Kambakht Ishq, Race, Tashan, Main Yuvraaj, Ghajini, Singh is King etc. And that’s a big etc.!!

With so much to expect from, it won’t be a bad idea to play a guessing game with the big releases that will hit the screens this year. Hopefully, like last year, we hit the bull’s eye again!

The predicted top 20 Bollwyood films for 2008 are:

Auszug:

20 – U, Me Aur Hum
After watching the film’s first promo, I’m compelled to think of this as yet another tale about the undying spirit of love. With such a clichéd concept all I can hope is that the real life couple can actually exude some spark on screen, unlike their earlier attempts.

With this film, Ajay Devgan is not only back as a producer but also dons the director’s cap for the first time ever. The romantic flick stars Kajol, Karan Khanna, Isha Sharwani, Sumeet Raghavan, Rituparna Sengupta, Sarika and Divya Dutta. The music for the film has been done by the soulful composer, Vishal Bhardwaj.

Honestly speaking, the chances of the film at the box office are minimal, but you never know when the marital bliss thrown on-screen can work in one’s favor. The film is scheduled to release on April 11th. Good Luck to Devgan family.
...

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...-out-for.html/2

Ajay Devgan starrer Halla Bol has clearly emerged as the first debacle of 2008 with collections falling on the very second day of the release.

The Raj Kumar Santoshi film took a decent first day opening at 70% in Mumbai circles but the collections in cinemas in Mumbai dropped to as low as 42 percent.

It is rare for a Ajay Devgan flick to fall flat on the box office but the graph of Halla Bol is falling steeply, making it the first mainstream commercial flop of the year.

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...op-of-2008.html

16 Jan, 2008 03:10 am ISTlRenuka Vyavahare /INDIATIMES MOVIES

Auszug:

Sharman Joshi not being a part of Rohit Shetty’s sequel to his hit laughter riot Golmaal is no news. Ask the actor about the issue and he diplomatically answers, ““I had date issues. I had already committed myself to another film. I was really hoping to be a part of Golmaal 2, but it didn’t work out. Well, there’s always Golmaal 3 where I can return.”

However, talk to the maker of Golmaal , Rohit Shetty and he has a different story to tell. “It’s true that I had approached Sharman after Golmaal to work in the sequel. He rejected the film on the grounds of date issues. He said since he was involved in Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra’s Dilli 6, he won’t have time for my film. I thus went ahead and chose Shreyas Talpade to play his part. Surprisingly later I got to know that Sharman is not even in Dilli 6. I wonder what he is doing!”
...
We asked Rohit about the possibility of Sharman’s return in his third instalment of Golmaal (if and when he makes it), since in a chat with Indiatimes Movies, Sharman had showed interest in working with him post Golmaal Returns. However, Rohit sounded rather disinterested about Sharman showing interest! “Shreyas has gotten into Sharman’s shoes perfectly and in fact he has done a better job. I don’t think I would ever feel the need of replacing Shreyas in future”, said Rohit confidently.

Also we asked the director of the chances of making Golmaal 3 and he said, “I made Golmaal Returns since the producers of Golmaal approached me and insisted I make a sequel since the prequel was a hit. After all which director wouldn’t want to cash in on the success of his original hit film? If Golmaal Returns does as well as its prequel, I won’t mind making a third instalment of Golmaal !”

Sharman’s loss definitely seems to be Shreyas’ gain, however according to our inside sources, it wasn’t date but money issues that made Sharman reject Golmaal Returns. “Sharman’s Rang De Basanti and Life in a Metro proved to be blockbusters after which the actor hiked his fees. The producers of Golmaal weren’t okay with his new hiked fees and thus they chose to make Golmaal Returns without him”, says our source.

We wonder what the truth is!

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2701859.cms

Author: Upala KBR; Date: 16 Jan 2008

For the action scenes in Sunday

Action just got bigger. Rohit Shetty has spent a whopping
Rs 1.5 crore blowing up 19 cars while shooting for a chase sequence for his film Sunday.

Rohit laughs, “People are now calling me the car blow-up director as in Golmaal too I had blown up 12 cars. Producers Ashtavinayak (Golmaal) and Kumar Mangat (Sunday) are now mentally prepared every time I shoot. They know I will blow up cars. I guess I have a genetic problem. My dad (action director Shetty) loved blowing up cars and now I am following in his footsteps. My son Ishaan, too, at 18 months only talks about cars!”

Capital call

Rohit says the 19 cars were blown up on different sets in Pragati Maidan in Delhi, and on the streets. “It will be one of the biggest car chase sequences you have ever seen.

It involves Ajay Devgan, Arshad Warsi and Irrfan Khan being followed and after the cars blow up, there is a handfight with the goons. This time I think I went overboard,” Rohit grins. Rohit says each car cost between Rs 2 to 8 lakh. “The total cost of the car sequence would be about 1.5 crore.

There was lots of equipment, six camera set-ups, fighters and 100 cars to create traffic. We set up various sets a market, a restaurant, a street full of traffic etc. There was this car chase that required 100 cars daily to create traffic as it’s a very big action sequence.”

Masaledaar

Sunday is a comedy thriller with lots of action or a “total masala film,” as the young director likes to call it. The car chase gave Rohit many anxious moments, “We had to be careful as human lives were involved. During a few scenes, I had my heart in my mouth one of the three cars had Arshad and Irrfan inside.

In one scene when a gas cylinder bursts, both of them fly 25 feet above. Then there were guys in a van that was being dragged by a cable car; I was tense but took precautions and fortunately there were no accidents.”

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

By MovieTalkies.com, 16 January 2008

The promos of the Ajay Devgan-Ayesha Takia starrer Sunday are on air. However, what is not known to many is that the film is a remake of Telugu film, Anukokunda Oka Roju, made in 2006.

The Telugu version was directed by Chandrashekhar Yeleti and starred Jagpathy Babu and Charmi in lead roles. Now Ajay and Ayesha are enacting their roles in Rohit Shetty’s Hindi version. Shetty confirms that the film is a remake of a Telugu blockbuster. He says that he never tried to hide the fact that Sunday is a remake. He says that it was better people knew about this fact, then face embarrassment later. In fact, the rights of the original have been purchased from the producer. But Shetty makes one thing clear. He says that his film is not an out-and out remake of the original Telugu. His film, he says, is a complete entertainer. He says that they have just taken the germ of the story and innovated on the theme and treatment. The original, he maintains, tends to get a little dark and depressive but Sunday has none of that. In fact. He promises that the climax will catch everyone by surprise. Incidentally, the film’s music has been composed by six composers, Sandeep Chowta, Shibani Kashyap, Daler Mehndi, Raghav Sachar, the Pakistani band Suroor and Amar Mohile, all coming together to create a song a piece. Sunday is produced by Kumar Mangat and Sunil Lulla (Eros).

Quelle: http://www.movietalkies.com/bollywoodnew...asp?NewsId=1866

By MovieTalkies.com, 16 January 2008

If reports are to believed, then both Ajay Devgan’s U, Me Aur Hum and Rakesh Roshan’s Krazzy 4 are expected to release on April 11. According to sources, Devgan zeroed in on this date as April 14 is a holiday on account of Ramnavmi, making it one long weekend. That is also the reason why producer Roshan too has also set his eyes on the second Friday of April.

U, Me Aur Hum, will see actor-producer, Devgan make his directorial debut. It will also be the first time since 2001 that he and Kajol will again light up the screen together. They were last seen in Raju Chacha. Krazzy 4 is also directed by a debutant, Jaideep Sen and features Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan Rajpal Yadav, Suresh Menon, besides featuring item numbers by Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Rakhi Sawant. Both films are comedies. Apparently, Roshan had requested Devgan to delay his film by a week but Devgan is said to have refused since U, Me Aur Hum’s promotions had been planned keeping the release date in mind. He plans to release the film’s music on February 14, two months before the film’s release. Roshan has denied that he spoke to Devgan, insisting that he has no clue about the other films releasing on April 11. He maintains that he will go ahead with his plan of releasing Krazzy 4 on the said date. So, we are set for another clash of the biggies at the box office?

Quelle: http://www.movietalkies.com/bollywoodnew...asp?NewsId=1868