News (englisch) » January 2008 - News

After Aamir Khan, it is Ajay Devgan
January 1, 2008 6:51:56 PM IST
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

With Aamir Khan making a big mark as a story teller in his debut directorial venture TAARE ZAMEEN PAR, all eyes are now set on Ajay Devgan who would be having his first film as a director, U, ME AUR HUM, releasing on 11th April.

First high profile debut in the New Year when it comes to a director beginning his innings, U, ME AUR HUM is produced by Ajay Devgan as well and reunites the intense actor with his wide Kajol as a co-actress.

Also starring Karan Khanna, Isha Sharwani, Sumeet Raghavan, Rituparna Sengupta, Sarika and Divya Dutta, the film has music by Vishal Bharadwaj (who also composed for Devgan's OMKARA) and lyrics by Munna Dhiman for whom U, ME AUR HUM is his first big project.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08...-par-120709.asp

‘I’m glad I won’t have to beg for votes’
2 Feb 2008, 0000 hrs IST,DEEPALI DHINGRA ,TNN - sehr lustig, die sind wohl ihrer Zeit voraus

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Meanwhile, Sumeet’s happy acting on the big screen. He’s got Ajay Devgan’s directorial debut U, Me Aur Hum and also, Nandita Das’ directorial debut in his kitty. “It was great working with actors like Ajay and Kajol, they have such terrific chemistry. And in Nandita’s film, I share screen space with Naseeruddin Shah and Raghuvir Yadav. After working with such actors, you feel that you’re nowhere as an actor,” he avers. Well Sumeet, don’t be so modest!

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/TV_Bu...how/2666507.cms

Halla Bol is about hypocrisy: Santo
Tuesday, January 1, 2008: (Mumbai): Jivraj Burman

Nothing succeeds like success in Bollywood. Here, one is as good as his last movie. So director Rajkumar Santoshi, despite several hits earlier, is not considered hot property at present for obvious reasons.

His last movie, "Family", bombed at the box-office even though it had two of the most saleable stars, Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar, heading the cast.

But for the director, the past is passé and he wants to move ahead. He preferred to speak about his latest movie, "Halla Bol", due for release mid-January.

What is "Halla Bol" all about?

"The subject is political with direct relevance to modern-day happenings. But I would not call it a political movie. It has more to do with hypocrisy. The kind that people generally indulge in while trying to come to grips with the social reality," Santoshi revealed.

The film, starring Ajay Devgan, Pankaj Kapur and Vidya Balan, revolves around a movie star, who after living in a make-belief world is called upon to play the leader in real life. The movie depicts how he attempts to do that and the hurdles he encounters as he confronts reality on the ground.

"I mulled over the movie's story for a long time. But, due to my preoccupations, I could not sit down and write it."

According to Santoshi, Ajay, who plays the role of the movie star, will remind the audience of his sterling performance in Mahesh Bhatt's "Zakhm".

"In 'Halla Bol', he lives his role to give it a realistic portrayal," Santoshi said.

Santoshi is modest enough to admit that "Family" went kaput at the box-office. "The movie's content was novel. Maybe our audience was not ready to accept it. Or probably as a director I failed to strike the right chord with cinegoers," Santoshi confessed to IANS in an interview.

Why was the magic that Santoshi worked in movies like "Ghayal", "Damini" and "Ghatak", all released during the 1990s, missing from his subsequent films? Is it because he can give his best only in tandem with the macho Bollywood hero, Sunny Deol?

"Sunny is a very good actor, no doubt. But it is not right to say that I give my best only if he stars in my movies. Sunny did not feature in my last hit, 'Khakee'," Santoshi retorted.

He could not say when, if ever, Sunny and he would work together again. "May be, if we come across the right script, we may work together sooner than expected," he quipped.

"Halla Bol" will be released by Pyramid Symira (their first Hindi release across the globe).

For the first time, a galaxy of stars, filmmakers and a writer play themselves in the movie. They include Boney Kapoor and his wife Sridevi, Jackie Shroff, Tusshar Kapoor, Pahlaj Nihalani, Neeraj Vora and Lekh Tadon.

Quelle: http://www.ndtvmovies.com/newstory.asp?s...NTEN20080037416

Getting lucky at the box office
Mumbai, January 01, 2008

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Hit or miss?
Which film will make it big in mid-January, 2008? Not much is expected from Chandrakant Singh's comedy Rama Rama Kya Hai Drama (Rajpal Yadav-Amrita Arora) but there's a buzz about Rohit Shetty's comic caper Sunday, a laugh-raiser with Ajay Devgan, Irrfan Khan and Ayesha Takia. Nagesh Kukunoor's romantic thriller Bombay to Bangkok could spring a surprise although the promos are on the tackier side.

The ‘lucky' January weeks will also witness the release of Rajkumar Santoshi's Halla Bol. E Niwas' My Name is Anthony Gonsalves introduces Nikhil Dwivedi and is being strongly promoted currently .

According to most trade pundits, moviegoers are usually busy with New Year bashes or away on vacations during the last week of December and early January. They return to the movies only in the second or the third week of January.

Initially Jodhaa Akbar was slated , for a January 26 release and the trade had great expectations from the Ashutosh Gowariker, Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai trio. But now that the release has been pushed back, their hopes have transferred to Sunday that has been pushed up.

Quelle: http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/...+the+box+office

VIVA connection with SUNDAY
January 1, 2008 5:02:36 PM IST
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

There is a strong VIVA connection with Rohit Shetty's directorial venture SUNDAY. And to think of it, this is not the first time that a VIVA girl has been associated with a film coming from this young director.

Mahua, one of the lead singers of now defunct pop band VIVA, has sung the title song MISSING SUNDAY. Her rendition along with Sandeep Chowta's groovy music has already enabled the album to make a quick move into the Top-10 charts. A strong contender for moving further up into the charts, MISSING SUNDAY is already making people jive to the tune in discotheques and clubs.

An interesting point to note is that earlier too, Rohit had worked with a VIVA girl in a film of his. Anushka Manchanda was the pop star who sung title song 'Golmaal Golmaal' for the film GOLMAAL. That time around, Vishal-Shekhar were the composers who held the baton. The song was a super success and is popular till date in spite of being released a year and half back.

Now it has to be seen if remaining two girls from VIVA (Neha and Pratichee) also croon a song for Rohit Shetty's upcoming films. What say Rohit?

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08...esha-120706.asp

Bringing the sexy back – the masculine way!
01st Jan 2008 23.15 IST, By Nikhil Kumar

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The Bollywood sex bombs are going dud. No doubts about it. So, Bollywood heroes are stepping in to fill the void and bring the sexy back.
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Even Ajay Devgan and Vivek Oberoi have begun toiling on treadmills to get in good shape.
If the Bollywood sirens have thrown in the towel, the men have taken the lead in bringing the sexy back on the silver screen. And they seem to be doing a heck of a job.

Quelle: http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20080101-4.html

Celina plays sari-clad Tamil Brahmin
Mumbai, Jan 01

Celina Jaitley plays a traditional Tamil housewife in Rohit Shetty's 'Phir Golmaal' - complete with a nine-yard sari, flowers in her hair and 'aiyyo appas' to boot.

She seems to have come a long way from her bikini-in-the-water avatar in Feroz Khan's 'Janasheen'.

'I guess that's true. For a long time, I couldn't find my bearings in Mumbai. I was too busy sorting out my life. And the opportunities just slipped past me. I had to take what was coming my way,' Celina told IANS.

But seeing Celina draped in a sari requires a lot of imagination.

'Why do you say that?' she laughed. 'Trust me, at heart and in my home I'm not at all the hot siren that I'm made out to be. Getting into a sari is no big deal for me.'

But the Tamil accent as she plays Shreyas Talpade's wife in 'Phir Golmaal' may not have been easy to master.

'I can't reveal details. But yes, watch what I've done in this film. People will be shocked.'

With Kareena Kapoor playing the lead, does Celina stand a chance of occupying decent space?

'It's not a walk-on part, I can tell you that much. And we're both cast opposite two of the leading men in the film.'

However, on location in Goa, it was Tusshar Kapoor and not any of her other co-stars that Celina bonded with.

Quelle: Zee News

‘I am not some social reformist’
Tuesday, January 01, 2008 23:59 IST

Even as director Rajkumar Santoshi has thought-provoking films ‘Halla Bol’, ‘Ashok-The Great’ and ‘Ramayan’ lined up, he tells Rashmi Hemrajani that he’s an entertainer first

Rajkumar Santoshi’s film ‘Halla Bol’ was scheduled to release in December 2007 but has been postponed to January 11. Santoshi explains, “The movie was scheduled to release on December 21 but the producers did not want it to clash with ‘Taare Zameen Par’ and ‘Welcome’. So we opted for a later date.” Incidentally, ‘Halla Bol’ traces the life of Ashquee (Ajay Devyan), a man who performs street plays in a small-town to later become a film-star. It also dwells on how stardom leads him to lose his identity. Vidya Balan plays his emotional wife.

Santoshi is also keen to begin work on ‘Ashok—The Great’ based on King Ashoka. The movie, which will feature Ajay Devgan, will go on the floors in June 2008. It will deal with Ashoka’s transition from a violent king to a peace-loving individual. Santoshi affirms, “Little has been known about the great king. My film starts with the Kalinga war and will talk about how he embraced Buddhism, faced obstacles and preached non-violence. Managing an entire empire without a sword must have been quite a task.” The movie will be shot in Thailand, Spain and Ladakh.

Santoshi is also in the midst of pre-production work for ‘Ramayan’, which will star Kajol and Ajay Devyan. Has Ajay become his favourite? With a smile Santoshi replies, “Ajay and I share a rapport and his personality fits into any role.”

Santoshi has also bought the rights of a famous play written by Dr Asgar Vajahat titled, ‘Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhiya, O Jamian He Nahin’. “It is an emotional story of a family during the India-Pakistan partition. But have not decided on the cast as yet.”

Santoshi, who has directed thought-provoking movies such as ‘Lajja’, ‘Khakee’ and ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh’ says he’s primarily an entertainer, “I am not some social reformist. I want to entertain people even as I raise issues. Today people are not concerned about each other. If your neigbhour’s house is burning you don’t bother.”

Interestingly, Santoshi has a penchant for humour too. Referring to the his film ‘Andaz Apna Apna’ he says, “The movie is beginning to attend cult status now. People have commented on each and every scene of the movie. TV shows too have adopted some element from the film. It is a compliment for me.”

So is he planning a comedy too? “Maybe, if I get an interesting subject,” he ends.

Quelle: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1142662

E Now Awards
1/2/2008 8:20:06 PM

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We could have given you a countdown of the hits and misses of the year 2007, however, on E NOW, we don't want to do the obvious. So we are giving out awards- bouquets and brickbats for what worked for us and what didn't.

Without fear or favour then, here are the E NOW Weekend Awards for 2007!

E Now Weekend Awards:
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The 'What was I Thinking!' Award: Ajay Devgan

Ajay Devgan gets our coveted 'What was I Thinking' award for his thoughtless selection of films this year. First Cash followed by 'Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag'. Really, Mr Devgan, what were you thinking?
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Quelle: http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=5238

New version of MISSING SUNDAY out
January 2, 2008 12:38:25 PM IST
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

SUNDAY continues to make news with every passing day.

Barely had the film's title song, MISSING SUNDAY, arrived on the music channels and made an instant impression, the music company unleashed two more songs in back-to-back weeks- PYAAR TO HONA HI HAI and LOOT LIYA.

While the dust is still settling down, makers have wisely also unleashed another version of the title song MISSING SUNDAY with a music video which intersperses shots from the original along with numerous talkie portions from the film. The remixed music is groovier as well which gives a definite edge to the video while additional special effects in the frames make MISSING SUNDAY much livelier and spicier.

Starring Ajay Devgan, Arshad Warsi, Ayesha Takia, Irrfan Khan and Anjana Sukhani in principal roles with item song appearances by Tusshar Kapoor and Esha Deol, SUNDAY is turning out to be a film to look out for with every passing day.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08...nday-010801.asp

Wired homes set new trends
Samriti Grover, Wednesday, January 2, 2008: (Mumbai):

All you need to do is to get home and then let your intelligent home take over well that is at least what the rich and famous are doing in Mumbai.

With his next film Halla Bol ready to hit the screens director Raj Kumar Santoshi has some time to relax and watch a movie in his own private theatre.

But even by the standards of a private theatre it's no ordinary theatre. Everything in this theatre is automated. From the hundreds of dvds, the lights, the sound system all responding to his touch.

It's a sample of the new age intelligent home, where everything in it responds to the needs of its occupants.

The lights, the climate control systems, the security systems are all customised to the way you want it.

"I have Kaliedescope home theatre and it is the best," said Rajkumar Santoshi.

Wired homes like Santoshi's are expensive to come by and cost $20,000 and upwards.

Given the price, for now its only accessible to the rich.

Like industrialist Kumaramangalam Birla or actors Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla.

This is her South Mumbai home where the house is wired to showcase her husband Jay Mehta's art collection better and the office to make communication easier.

The entire technology to run an intelligent home is imported along with the manpower to install it. And that means big business for entrepreneurs like Sanjiv Malvi.

There are projects which are about $1-2 million you can do something in $500,000 or $200,000 or even come lower depending on what you are providing and no if you're wondering the numbers don't always trouble the users.

"If I will think about the cost I won't be able to enjoy my cinema experience. If you want to use it somewhere," said Santoshi.

Quelle: http://www.ndtvmovies.com/newstory.asp?s...NTEN20080037500

Irrfan apes SRK
02 Jan, 2008 11:10 am ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES

Actor Irrfan Khan will be seen playing an interesting role in Rohit Shetty's Sunday. The actor, in the film, plays a struggling actor who goes for an audition of Don 3 and actually apes Shah Rukh Khan. Everyone wants to be SRK, eh? Now, we're sure Irrfan is thanking his stars that Shah Rukh didn't obtain a six-pack and bare it all for Don, else he'd sweating it out right now!

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/News__Gossi...how/2668041.cms

Meet Ajay Perfect Devgan
02 Jan, 2008 11:27 am ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES

Actor Ajay Devgan may come across as a serious, intense, no-nonsense guy, but the actor has a sense of humour, ok. When we met him on the sets of Golmaal Returns , we spoke to him about New Year and his New Year resolutions among other things. About his New Year resolutions, he said laughing, "I have no vices, so what New Year resolution can I keep?" Now that's one 'perfect' guy for you!

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/News__Gossi...how/2668074.cms

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Enter...how/2668106.cms

unbedingt auf den Link klicken, ein nettes Bild von Ajay

Is he our next Rs 1 crore star

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In the same week, "Halla Bol" will mark the return of maverick director Rajkumar Santoshi, who was burrowing after "Family", starring Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar, bit the dust.

This time Santoshi has teamed up two veterans - Pankaj Kapur and Ajay Devgan. The film, inspired by murdered theatre activist Safdar Hashmi, sends a social message. It urges people to raise their voice against injustice.

At the end of the first month of the year, Rohit Shetty of "Golmaal - Fun Unlimited" fame will serve another comic recipe garnished with thrills. Titled "Sunday", the film stars Shetty's favourite actor Ajay Devgan,along with Irrfan Khan and Ayesha Takia.
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The first half of the year will be dominated by Ajay Devgan, who will release his home production "U, Me Aur Hum" in April. Ajay stars with his wife Kajol in the movie.
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Quelle: http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=18345

I didn't give Vidya glam look: Rajkumar Santoshi

Being rooted in the practical social problems, Rajkumar Santoshi's films truly touch each and every human heart and implore them to think about them. Santoshi himself believes in that.

With his present project, Santoshi has now decided not to touch or show any problem, but go for a revolution in the society that may change the entire societal system. Let us have a look at his agenda in 'Halla Bol' and know about his plans from the man himself.

Q.: You have always made movies keeping the common people in mind. How is "Halla Bol" different from your earlier films?
A.: 'Halla Bol' is different in many ways. The story of this film is absolutely new and no one has ever tried to make a movie on this subject. It's the story of responsibility of one human being towards the other.

These days, people are only interested in their own matters and think they have nothing to do with others’ problems. Once upon a time, I read a few lines that told me "if someone is torturing your neighbor and you are silent, it will be your turn to suffer next".

'Halla Bol' is made on that subject. It says that if anything wrong happens in front of your eyes and you don't ever think that you have anything to do with that, it’s wrong. If you don't support others then no one will come forward in your support also.

Q.: What's the reason behind one super star always standing up against the wrongs in your film?
A.: That's the base of our story. It only says that the superstar also has some responsibilities towards the people who have made him a superstar.

Moreover, his position and status in the society make people take notice of what he does and says. That's why he stands against every odd. Unfortunately, the actual scenario in our practical life is a complete contrast. The bigger the icon is, the more silent he is.

He is always afraid that his words may destroy his image. In the film Pankaj Kapoor’s character delivers an important dialogue which says "when animals are hurt they cry, but it is the human beings who understand others’ pain". You can take as the bottom line of the story.

Q.: While others are trying to give Vidya Balan a glamorous look, you kept her very simple….
A.: It's the demand of the story. She is from a small town and she marries a super star. Though she becomes a star in that way, but her life’s values remain the same. She is an inspiration for Ajay.

Ajay keeps changing all through the movie, but she remains the same and that's why we kept her simple.

Q.: Ajay is working in most of your films. How do you look at that?
A.: He is a good friend of mine. At the same time, he is a versatile actor, too. His personality has a lot of variety and so whatever role I offer him, he not only plays it perfectly, but justifies it too.

Q.: Ajay is also known as a prankster. Has he ever tried any prank on you?
A.: (Smiling) Never. I always used to run away from the scene. I can still remember that day during the shooting of ‘Lajja'. No sooner I came to know that he has planned to play a prank on me, I got away from the set and stayed out for two hours. But these approaches keep the exhaustion of shooting away and make things quite dynamic.

Q.: These days comedies are very popular. What's the reason that you didn't try making a comedy movie after ‘Andaz Apna Apna’?
A.: I have a few comic stories to be made into films, but I'm waiting for better casting. Once I get proper casting I'll start making them. But you have to understand that now people are making just anything in the name of comedy.

Q.: What's the reason that you didn't make any female oriented film after 'Lajja'?
A.: Actually I don't have any such story right now. I'm trying to make such films again. Even in ‘Halla Bol’ Vidya's character is too well depicted. Women will appreciate her character, which is emotional yet very powerful.

Q.: Please tell us about your forthcoming films.
A.: I'm now busy making two films namely ‘Ashoka the Great’ and ‘Ramayan’. Besides, I have recently bought the rights of all characters of a play ‘Jis Laahor Nehi Vyakkhya’ and am now working on them.

Q.: You were making two other films – 'Prithviraj Chauhaan' and 'London Dreams'. What happened to those projects?
A.: No, I'm not working on them now. Actually other people are also thinking of making films on the same subject. So I dropped the idea. I don't want the repetition of issues like 'Legend of Bhagat Singh'. I cannot say anything about 'London Dreams' as I couldn't get dates of any actor for the film.

Q.: We have heard that Salman Khan wants to make that film with Vipul Shah….
A.: Yeah, I have also heard about that. If Salman wants it that way then I have to objection to it. On the other hand, these days I'm very busy, too.

Q.: Shahrukh also made ‘Ashoka’, but that couldn't get success. What will you do with your film to make people like it?
A.: See, the first thing is it's such a huge subject that it needs more research. Even though you are ready to try a hand at that job your mettle must be praised.

No doubt they researched on that subject and we also are researching on it. But there's a hell lot of difference between their and my films. They ended their film with the war of Kalinga and our story will start from that point.

The story of our film and the treatment of the story are quite unique. I think the audience will enjoy a different historical movie mainly women-oriented. It's actually based on Ashoka's last wife Tisya Rakshita portrayed by Bipasha Basu.

Q.: How do you look at your journey in Bollywood?
A.: Well, it has been quite interesting. I have seen both failures and successes. I feel proud of my films because despite being based on social issues they were appreciated by the audience.

I never tried to copy any English movie and have always tried to go for unique subjects. It's an open secret that many well-known directors are simply copying English movies.

And at the same time, stars are acting in them. And the most hilarious part is that they copy films even frame to frame and also never hesitate to say that they have been inspired by those foreign films. -Rajnee Gupta

Quelle: http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=18337