RE: February 2008 - News - 3

08th Feb 2008 16.30 IST

Mahesh Bhatt wants to make a documentary on his mentor UG Krishnamurthi. And he wants Ajay Devgan to play the role.

After his hard-hitting film ‘Zakhm’ Bhatt had bid adieu to direction and he is still sticking to his vow. For, even though he is returning to direction once again, it is for a documentary and not a fictional feature film.

In fact, Bhatt has already been making documentaries on various subjects. Now, he is picking a subject most close to his heart – his guide and mentor UG Krishnamurthi, who passed away in March last year. Bhatt was with his mentor in his last days.

As a tribute to the man, Bhatt will direct a four-hour long documentary on the life of Krishnamurthi and he wants Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan to play the part.

In Bhatt’s words, Devgan has humility and an emotional point to allow a character to overtake him. That is why, Bhatt believes, Devgan is most suited to play the philosopher in his film.

However, Bhatt has so far only approached Devgan. The actor hasn’t yet given his consent to the project.

Quelle: http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20080208-2.html

10 Feb 2008, 0000 hrs IST,LEENA GHOSH ,TNN

What’s common between Sunday, Lakshya, Fanaa and Rang De Basanti? Their most romantic moments all occur amid historical ruins. The song Pyar To Hona Hi Hai from the recent movie Sunday has been shot at the Red Fort and Qutub Minar in Delhi.

The song from Lakshya in which Karan Shergill (Hrithik Roshan) attempts to express his love for Romi Dutta (Preity Zinta), or when Rehan (Aamir Khan) says “subhan allah ” to Zooni Baig (Kajol) in Fanaa all feature famous monuments in the background. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, known for larger-than-life movies, felt that the bridge in Hungary was just the symbol he needed for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam . The scene from Cheeni Kum in which Amitabh Bachchan hugs the iron pillar to make his wish come true is another example. While the Taj Mahal is the eternal and ultimate monument of love and many movies have been shot around it, BT asks readers to pick other favourite ‘romantic’ monuments.

Actress Chaya Singh feels that it’s the Pyramids of Egypt. “I love the dunes and the mysticism of the place. If the heroine wears black, it would look sexy against that background,” she says. The Mysore Palace is also a beautiful place to shoot a love scene. “Mehbooba, featuring Hema Malini, was shot here and it looked great on screen,” she says.

For Namratha Narayan, an engineering student, the historical inn in Doraha, Punjab, which features in Rang De Basan ti is a great romantic location. “The ruin is surrounded by lush fields and looks beautiful. The inn was seen on screen for the first time. The scene in which all the friends sit quietly and enjoy the view was very romantic,” she says.

Actress and singer Vasundhara Das feels Alhambra in Spain is a very romantic place. “It’s a huge Turkish Palace on top of a cliff and there is a fountain near it. You can listen to the sound of flowing water throughout the palace. It’s just the place you’d fall in love in and with,” she says and quickly adds that he’d prefer if it remained a secret to Bollywood.

Explaining the romanticism of old monuments, secretary of Karnataka Tourism, IM Vittalamurthy says that the nostalgia surrounding these places makes them attractive to filmmakers. “The architecture and craftsmanship make them look great on screen,” he says. He adds that when a monument is captured in a movie, it instantly adds to its popularity. “After Mani Ratnam shot the movie Guru in Badami it became a hotspot for visitors; and of course we have Hampi, Aihole, and Pattadakal, which are all favourite shooting places for filmmakers.

Director Yograj Bhatt feels that old monuments have been overused by directors. “So many movies have been shot at these places that they have raped the monuments. I like the Lal fort, Hawamahal and Gol Gumbaz but I would never shoot around them,” he says.

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Enter...how/2769291.cms

´Taare Zameen Par´ And ´Sunday´ To Follow ´Welcome´ In Pakistan! - February 11

After Bollywood's blockbuster hit, 'Welcome', starring Feroz Khan, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, having been released in Pakistan, last Friday, there is more good news for Pakistan's Bollywood fans!

As per media reports, the next couple of Indian movies to be released in Pakistan are likely to be Aamir Khan's directorial debut blockbuster, 'Taare Zameen Par' and Rohit Shetty's Ajay Devgan-Ayesha Takia starrer, 'Sunday'.

Quelle: http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayAr...d=n021108102518

12 Feb 2008, 0000 hrs IST,Vishwas Gautam ,TNN

Auszug:

...
Mansoor Khan once told me, ‘Finally, we have some ugly faces becoming heroes.’ I told him, ‘Are you talking about Ajay Devgan?’ Jokes apart, I think Ajay and I are the two ugliest heroes around.
...

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India...how/2772501.cms

2008-02-12 14:15:33

Auszug:

...
BIG 92.7 FM - Mumbai, BIG FM has arranged a special program where Sonu Nigaam will be present at BIG FM studios to sing romantic dedications and provide V-Day proposal tips followed by interactions with his listeners. 5 lucky couples will also get to go on a special dinner date with Ajay Devgan and Kajol on 13th Feb and 10 lucky couples will also get to dine with RJs Archana and Rohit at a posh restaurant on 14th Feb. Other on air programs include comedian Raju Srivastav giving away diamonds, based on contests played during the breakfast hour till the 13th February along with fashion tips for Valentines by Rocky S and Neeta Lulla, followed by dancing and hairstyling tips by Sandeep Soparkar & Hakims Alim respectively.
http://www.big927fm.com/valentines/
...

Quelle: http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/p...fm/15/28/325786

13 Feb 2008, 0000 hrs IST,AKASH WADHWA ,TNN

Talk of killing two birds with one stone. Chances are that when you next take a look at the posters announcing Ashutosh Gowarikar’s magnum opus, Aishwarya’s exquisite neckpiece will instantly remind you of a popular jewellery brand, for that’s exactly how the filmmakers and the brand wanted it.

Again, actor-turned-director Ajay Devgan has taken the concept of ads promoting films to another level, with the news just out that he will be directing an advertisement for another well-known jewellery brand which will feature Kajol, where the theme of the commercial will be similar to that of his movie U, Me aur Hum.

As Aseem Bajaj, director of photography for the film, who has also done the cinematography for the ad says: “A director will go every mile to promote his movie. And that is exactly what Ajay has done. He never wanted anyone else to direct the ad which will directly promote the film, as he wanted the ad to have a feel of U, Me aur Hum, which was only possible if Ajay handled the project.” In fact Bajaj is positive that once the ad is on air, every other director will resort to similar measures for their films’ promotion.

Seems the world of advertising and Bollywood have come that much closer to merging, with this new concept. As promotion of films through ads and vice-versa gains ground in the industry, ad gurus and film directors applaud this emerging tool of advertising.

Ace ad guru Alyque Padamsee agrees that the idea could revolutionise the advertising of films. “From cricket to movies, every field involves advertisement. And if this ad succeeds, in no time the concept will become a rage amongst other directors to promote their movies through this medium”, says Padamsee.

Agreeing with Padamsee is admaker Prasoon Joshi, who avers: “A joint promo like this will act as an additional mileage for the movie. The best part here since two parties are involved, the promotion happens on a large scale.” Recalling an earlier effort to experiment with the concept, Joshi informs that “A popular FMCG brand too tried to promote their biscuits taking the characters of Munna bhai and Circuit from the film Lage Raho Munna Bhai. That ad too became quite popular.”

In sync with Padamsee and Prasoon is director Vipul Shah who’s confident that “Using a film’s theme while promoting a brand is an intelligent concept which will soon be copied by other directors. It is going to have a tremendous impact on the audience.”

Imtiaz Ali, director of the blockbuster Jab We Met, while agreeing that “Cross advertising is a unique way of promoting movies and brands. No doubt Ajay has come up with an idea which has never been explored so far and will soon be replicated by other directors,” is averse to comment on Devgan’s efforts. According to him: “I don’t think it will be fair to say whether Ajay’s ad will be a hit or a flop before it hits the screen.”

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India...how/2776846.cms

13 Feb 2008, 0000 hrs IST,TNN

Do you know what is common between Nikhil Advani’s last year-release Salaam-E-Ishq and Rohit Shetty’s recent release Sunday? A lot! If you believe astro-numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi there are some shocking similarities between the two. Here it goes...

The names of both films start with ‘S’, the previous films made by both the directors were super hits (Nikhil Advani’s Kal Ho Na Ho and Rohit Jugraj’s Golmaal). Salaam... and Sunday were released on the same date (January 25). Both films were presented by the same company, both films featured actresses Ayesha Takia and Anjana Sukhani, the name of Ayesha’s hero in both films began with ‘A’ (Salaam-e-Ishq had Akshaye Khanna and Sunday had Ajay Devgan) and both turned out to be disasters at the box office.

Interestingly Bhavikk points out a number of similarities between Ayesha and Anjana too. The names of both actresses begin with ‘A’, both are ruled by number 1 (Ayesha’s birthday is on April 10 and Anjana’s birthday is on December 10) and both actresses have yet to have a major hit at the box office. Just a coincidence?

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India...how/2776561.cms

February 12

Auszug:

...
What is your role in U, Me aur Hum?
Primarily it's the story of Ajay and Kajol but me, Ajay and Karan are great pals in the film. All I can say is go and watch the film to get to know more on it.

How did you get the opportunity to work with Ajay?
All I can say is I owe my role in this film to Robin da who is the writer of U, Me aur Hum.

How is Ajay as a Director?
I have heard that Ajay always had an inclination towards direction. But really, he is awesome. But you got to see the film to believe it. Ajay has the kind of sensitivity and sensibility that is required for making such kind of films.

Ajay is known as a prankster, so any incident you can recollect that happened on the sets of the film, U, Me aur Hum?
In fact there are many. There is one such incident where there is a party like song sequence where Ajay is dancing with the dancers and I, Karan, Isha and Divya are having tequila shots. What Ajay did was he placed real tequila shots in place of fake ones.
So that was terrible for Divya, Isha and Karan, because they were not prepared for this. After the shot was done, we were told that it was a prank which became quite funny.
...

Quelle: http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=18920

13 Feb, 2008 09:56 am ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES

When we visited Kareena on the sets of Golmaal Returns last, she had some deadly cravings! Now, the girl is definitely not going the mommy way and didn't binge on kairi or anything khatta , but was craving to eat something sweet, chikki or til ka laddoo to be more precise. Bebo then sent co-actor Ajay Devgan's Man Friday to get her some from a shop nearby.

We're sure Bebo believes in being Saif (oops...safe, we mean) rather than sorry. Ok, that was 'cheaky' and corny alright!

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2778484.cms

Enkayaar, Bollywood Trade News Network, February 13

Auszug:

It is indeed interesting that three films that released within a gap of one and a half months has tried to look into the whole gamut of film making and the way the persons associated with performance art operate in the day-to-day life. If we move the period of reference to about four months, then one more film joins the category. Be it, KHOYA KHOYA CHAND, HALLA BOL, MITHYA or SUPERSTAR they all have tried to focus into one nuance or the other and the way system of film making operates. While KHOYA KHOYA CHAND focussed on the insecurites that a female star faces in the film industry and the struggle between right and wrong associated with her life, HALLA BOL tried to juxtaposition the graduation of a star from being a star to a politician or a public figure. KHOYA KHOYA CHAND also quastioned the existentialist dilemma that a star faces when his films start tumbling at the box office.

HALLA BOL also tries to bring into relief the dilemma that an actor faces by fictionalising the character of Ajay Deogun as being a street performer fighting for the rights and then returning once again to the streets for the cause of the publci. HALLA BOL's focus on the theme was an interesting so-incidence when a debate had been initiated in the public as to whether the stars who step into politics after winning the elections go back once again to the trade of entertainment or use their charisma to mitigate the drudgeries that common public faces.

...

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/features/...rade-020808.asp

Ajay Devgan

An action hero, he gained another level of fame after marrying Kuch Kuch Hota Hai girl, Kajol. Known as a rough and tough guy and a strong believer in the institution of family, he is someone the conservative Indian middle-class identifies with. This made Tata Indicom rope him as their brand ambassador along with wife Kajol.

While we do not doubt his role in popularising the telecom company’s services, there’s another FMCG product that would definitely see a drop in sales if they hired Ajay for endorsements. Yes, its apna very own suraksha chakra – Colgate. Completely different from Kajol in this regard, the actor doesn’t have a clean good set of teeth nor a sparkling smile to boast of.

On the contrary, his smile is mostly a forced one.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/quickies/msid-2777196.cms

14 Feb 2008, 0000 hrs IST,URVASHI ASHAR ,TNN

The handsome Devgan couple doesn’t show love.

Public display of emotion is just not their style, but they surely feel it, and this I realise as I chat up with Kajol and Ajay about Valentine’s Day.

“It is for those who have to keep one day aside to tell their loved ones that they love them. And who need to be ‘reminded’ that there is someone whom they ought to love. But for those who show that they care throughout the year, it’s just another day,” says Ajay, sweeping Kajol off her feet all over again! “That’s wonderfully said, J,” she admits. ‘J’ is what ‘K’ lovingly calls her hubby. Her views on V-Day are ditto, but the actress likes the concept. “It’s a sweet thing. But I don’t see myself celebrating it,” she confesses. Kajol is quite mush. “She reads a lot of romance fiction, and that naturally makes her the more romantic of the two,” reasons Ajay. “I am more practical, and don’t go out of my way to be romantic. I’m lazy in that department. She complains on and off, and when it reaches a bottleneck, I take her out to dinner or something.”

So, any gifts planned for today, I ask Ajay. “Love isn’t about the gifts you give or receive. You may give ten thousand things to somebody, and yet not love that person enough and fool her by your generosity. I believe that the little things I do for my family, I do out of love. That’s my gift to them,” he replies. Adds Kajol, “What we try and celebrate every single day is not the You or the Me. It’s the Hum!”

With the Devgans, pyar toh hona hi tha!

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Enter...how/2779445.cms

by Divya Nair, February 13

One rarely hears of disagreements between powerhouse couple Kajol and Ajay Devgan. It looks like trouble is brewing in the Devgan household though. The fiery Kajol is reportedly offended with hubby Ajay for discussing her personal messages with outsiders.

Recently, Kajol was hopping mad when she heard Ajay shared her personal messages with his good friend Kumar Mangat. Kajol had told Ajay about a few text messages she had sent to Shah Rukh Khan regarding an offer she got from Rajkumar Hirani. But when she saw the messages going public, she was extremely upset. Ajay, meanwhile, claimed it was a misunderstanding and Kajol was just overreacting. Things were finally sorted out when Kumar Mangat intervened and explained the situation to Kajol. Let’s hope all gets back to normal in the Devgan household.

Achtung: mit Video

Quelle: http://www.zoomtv.in/view/news/kajolajay...ver-a-message-0