RE: February 2008 - News - 4

14 Feb, 2008 06:40 pm ISTlUrvashi Ashar/INDIATIMES MOVIES

I'm at Devgan's. It's a humble office. Even more humble is the 'boss' (read: Ajay) who is all smiles as his staff reports the response the trailers of his directorial debut have been garnering. The post-production is on in full swing. I can hear a lot of film jargon... prints, reels et al. Kajol enters the premises. And then something happens. Love is in the air!

No, the handsome Devgan couple don't show it. Public display of emotion is just not their style, but they sure feel it, and this I realise as I chat up with them on 'love', for a Valentine's Day special.

"Valentine's Day is for those people who have to keep one day aside to tell their loved ones that they really love them. It's for those who need to be 'reminded' that there is someone whom they ought to love. But it's just another day for those who show that they care throughout the year. For me, it's just another day." Saying this Ajay has managed to sweep Kajol off her
feet all over again! "That's wonderfully said J," she says.

Yes, 'J' is what 'K' lovingly calls her hubby. Her views on V-Day are ditto, but the actress quite likes the concept. "It's a sweet thing. But I don't see myself celebrating it," she confesses. Kajol is quite mush in the unreal world - a little secret given away by Ajay. "She reads a lot of romance fiction (we girls call that Mills & Boons), and that naturally makes her
more romantic of the two," avers Ajay logically. "I am more practical, and don't go out of my way to be romantic. I'm lazy in that department. And she doesn't ignore it. She complains on and off, and when it reaches a bottleneck, I take her out to dinner or something. That happens once in six months."

"But let me tell you, J is a doer," interrupts Kajol. "I love that about him. Can he be more romantic? Yes, he can! But honestly, I wouldn't change a hair on his head." So what happened when Ajay fell in love. Did he stop eating? "The symptoms of love differ from person to person. Some stop eating, some eat too much. For me, it was a gradual process. It wasn't like
one day I got up and realized I was in love. It happened over a period of time. And on all those days I ate just right!" he smiles.

Over to Kajol. "Love isn't a disease. So why look at 'symptoms'? It's a beautiful and natural phenomenon. It's the root of being happy. And no matter what happens - good or bad - when you can say 'I love somebody' at the end of every day, it makes life meaningful." 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."

"Romance doesn't need a day," believes Kajol. "What we try and celebrate every single day of our lives is not the You or the Me. It's the Hum! It's about We, it's about Us. The You and the I are inconsequential."And on this note I leave the Devgans, thinking *yeh pyar toh hona hi tha.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2780244.cms

Jetzt wird U, Me Aur Hum schon gleich im Vorhinein als Blockbuster bezeichnet... ich hoffe, daß sich das bewahrheitet
Es werden zu erwartende Filme aufgezählt, und gegen Ende des Artikels kommen auch die April Releases dran:
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Star City is full of the joys of spring
Feb 15 2008 By Manish Gajjar

Auszug:

...
What's more, April sees the release of two big blockbusters, Krazzy 4 and U Me Aur Hum.

An all out comic caper, Krazzy 4 takes you into the mad mad world of a crazy foursome played by Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan, Suresh Menon and Rajpal Yadav with support from veteran actress Juhi Chawla.

Meanwhile, U Me Aur Hum, a sweet romance looking at life after marriage sees real life husband and wife Ajay Devgan and Kajol on the silver screen for the first time.
...

Quelle: http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on...97319-20479724/

Für die Samstagssendung von SaReGaMaPa L’il Champs waren bei den Aufzeichnungen Ajay und Kajol dabei.
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Can action speak louder than music, or not?

Auszug:

...
If Friday’s episode left one feeling disheartened then Saturday’s episode is sure to cheer up all. For the first time Bollywood heartthrobs – the gorgeous Kajol and the charismatic Ajay Devgan will grace the sets of any reality show. Incidentally the charming couples are also a biggest fan of this popular show. Also, accompanying them is Kajol's li'l sis Taanisha. They were there to promote their movie, soon to be released "U Me and Hum" which is also Ajay Devgan's first directorial venture.

The stars were too excited about Ajay’s new venture and Kajol could not stop gushing about it. The Li'l champs all geared up to impress the stars and set the stage ablaze with some spell - bounding performances. The show stopper of the evening was Punjab da the Puttar - Rohanpreet, who made the otherwise fiery yet shy Kajol, literally dance to his tunes.
...

Quelle: http://www.india-forums.com/tellybuzz/article.asp?id=1898

AJAY'S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT LEADS KAJOL'S COMEBACK

By Eye TV India Bureau

In the News

Ajay Devgan isn't a star like his other colleagues; he is quite different. He is neither a socialite nor a talkative actor. But, he does have a subtle way of making his point, especially if the matter concerns quality of his product. And, he is very particular about the quality in his directorial debut, You, Me Aur Hum, starring him and wife Kajol. Since the movie is expected to release in April, quite close to Aamir's just released but much acclaimed Taare Zameen Par, he has a big challenge to face. Ajay is ready to meet it at this stage as he has already traveled a long way from the time he produced Raju Chacha.

When asked if Aamir hasn't raised expectations from all filmmakers Ajay replies, "I don't think you can pit us against each other. Both of us have our own stories to tell, our own experiences." In the same breath, though painfully, Ajay discounts rumors that his movie is based on the American blockbuster The Notebook. When confronted with a personal question if he had a very difficult task to direct Kajol in his latest, he candidly admits that she being a spontaneous actor did "react to situations in her own way". The actor availed the occasion to announce that this movie would lead her full time comeback into movies.

All News Material is Copyright © by SmasHits.com

Quelle: http://ww.smashits.com/news/bollywood/mo...s-comeback.html


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Übersetzung von sRuthle:

Ajay Degan ist nicht ein Star in der Art seiner Kollegen; er ist ziemlich anders. Er ist weder ein Gesellschaftslöwe noch ein gesprächiger Schauspieler. Aber er hat wirklich eine feine Weise, seine Argumente anzubringen, besonders wenn es die Qualität seines Produktes betrifft. Und er legt sehr viel Wert auf die Qualität in seinem Regiedebüt, "U, Me Aur Hum", das ihn und seine Frau Kajol in den Hauptrollen zeigt. Weil der Film für einen Release im April ansteht, ziemlich nahe an Aamirs kürzlich veröffentlichten und sehr gefeierten Film "Taare Zameen Par", ist das für ihn eine große Herausforderung. Ajay ist bereit dafür, sich ihr zu stellen, denn er hat schon einen langen Weg zurückgelegt seit der Zeit, wo er "Raju Chacha" produziert hatte.

Als er gefragt wurde, ob Aamir nicht die Erwartungen an alle Filmemacher steigen lassen hätte, antwortet Ajay, "Ich denke nicht, daß man uns aneinander messen kann. Wir beide haben jeder seine eigene Geschichte zu erzählen, unsere eigenen Erfahrungen." Im selben Atemzug, obwohl gequält wirkend, fegt Ajay Gerüchte vom Tisch, sein Film basiere auf dem amerikanischen Erfolgsfilm "The Notebook". Konfrontiert mit der sehr persönlichen Frage, ob er eine schwierige Aufgabe gehabt hätte damit, Kajol unter seiner Regie zu haben, gibt er aufrichtig zu, daß sie als spontane Schauspielerin "auf Situationen reagiert in ihrer eigenen Art". Der Schauspieler nutzte die Gelegenheit, um bekannt zu geben, dass dieser Film ihr vollständiges Comeback ins Kino einleiten würde.

Author: Tushar Joshi & Upala KBR Date: 16 Feb 2008

Toonpur K Superhero

Both Devgan and Khan are making films with eerily similar plots using special effects and animation

Ek Duje Se Hum Khafa Khafa: Ajay Devgan and Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan’s recent announcement in Variety magazine about producing an animated kiddie flick has stirred a hornet’s nest. According to the Ajay Devgan camp, the stories of SRK’s and Kumar Mangat’s animation film, Toonpur Ka Super Hero, are the same!

A source reveals that Ajay’s camp is miffed that Khan is going ahead with a project that is very similar to theirs in terms of ideation and plot. The similarity isn’t just about who the film is catering to, but also the treatment. Both the movies are using state-of-the-art effects and will have a video game feel.

Ajay’s angry

Apparently, Devgan was infuriated when Shah Rukh roped in Anubhav Sinha for the project. “Ajay has been conceiving Toonour Ka Super Hero even before he started work on U Me Aur Hum. In fact, during Cash, Ajay had discussed the project with Anubhav and now Anubhav is working with Shah Rukh on a suspiciously similar project.”

Kumar Mangat says, “I have heard that the stories of Anubhav’s film and Toonpur being similar. Some people in the trade have informed me but when I checked, I found out that Anubhav Sinha’s story is different. I know that he’s making an animation film but I am not sure if Shah Rukh has said yes to the film.”

Both Anubhav Sinha and Kumar Mangat are working at breakneck speed to complete their films they want to release their film first.

It’s a race

Mangat says, “I don’t know about Anubhav’s film but 80 per cent of our animation work has already been done. We will complete shooting by June and definitely plan to have a Diwali or Christmas release.

Doing an animation film is no child’s play. It takes months to work on a character — extensive knowledge and research.”

Crowded space

He continues, “Kirit is an experienced ad filmmaker with his own animation company. One wrong frame and the entire shooting gets wasted. We have been working on Toonpur since last 15 months and now only two songs including one with Ajay and Kajol need to be shot. Ajay and Kajol’s song is called Chal baliye chal Toonpur chaliye and will be shot with 5000 animated characters.”

Mangat is roping in noted animation specialist Charles Darby for TKSH. Kumar Mangat says, “We are in talks with a Hollywood technician who has worked with Steven Spielberg in his films. Everything will get finalised in a few days.”

When asked if his film is similar to TKSH Shah Rukh says, “No.”

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

Mumbai, February 15, 2008

Auszug aus dem Interview:

(...)
He has two films as a writer coming up on the same day - Rakesh Roshan's Krazzy 4 and Ajay Devgan's directorial debut, U, Me Aur Hum.

"Both are very different films. While Krazzy 4 is loony entertainer, U, Me Aur Hum is the love story of a husband and wife with some light moments," he argues.

Director's cut
There's talk that the latter is inspired by the Hollywood hit, The Notebook?

"No, it's not a copy, it's completely original. Both the film and Ajay will surprise you. He's as good a director as he's an actor and that's saying a lot given that he's a two-time National Award winner," Dheer raves.
(...)

Quelle: http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/...ns+to+direction

KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 17, 2008

Soon-to-be-released “U Me Aur Hum” really deserves that name. Looking at the project it seems Ajay and Kajol have decided to take care of all the fields of film making. Ajay is directing for the first time and he is directing Kajol.

Ajay-Kajol are acting in it. Kajol is debuting as producer with this film. Okay, no more introductions. It’s now the time for Kajol, me, you and the eve of music release of “U Me Aur Hum”.

Q.: Ajay Devgan directed Kajol. How was the experience?
A.: As an actress I would like to say that Ajay is the real director material. He was one of the best directors I have ever worked with. And as his wife I would say that I am proud of the fact that my husband directed me as the leading actress of “U Me Aur Hum”. He is really a director to the core.

Q.: You are the producer of the film. How was the chemistry between the director and the producer? Did you discuss the film in home also?
A.: No, we didn’t go for any extra effort on that. We worked together on every stage of the making of “U Me Aur Hum”. And the credit goes to all the crew members of the film. They all worked hard for the film. But all throughout the process we enjoyed every moment.

We used to chat and develop new ideas. And there was little chance of improvisation as we had a bound script to follow. Since we are in the stage of post production our discussion over the film has increased. Ajay speaks only about the film.

Q.: From acting to producing film. Would there be the next step of directing film?
A.: Not at all. I am still happy as an actress. I feel most comfortable in that field. Ajay acted in the shooting like the principal of the school.

And it’s obvious that if principal is not disciplined then school goes haywire. He made sure everyone on the sets feel who the captain of the ship was. He has a completely different working pattern.

Well, for the record though he was the director of the film I was also the producer so he couldn’t scold me (smiling). He was so clear with his ideas that he never got a chance to reprimand me.

Q.: Vishal Bharadwaj sang the title track of the film. How do you think the music will work?
A.: I believe to bring in new talents. As newcomers we were also given a break. As far as Vishal Bharadwaj is concerned, he is a great music director and has a great voice. We asked him to sing the title track, it is my most favourite number in the film.

The album has lovely tracks for the audience. There is a slow romantic number, a naughty number and a fast Punjabi track. So it is a mix of everything so that people of every taste can enjoy that.

Q.: As an actress what kind of roles are you looking forward to?
A.: Here I must inform that I've tentatively said yes to Karan Johar. I have not yet went through the script. Everything is at the starting level.

As for my roles I am completely dependant on the scripts. It has to be a good script and a good director must be ready to direct that. I won't say yes unless I like the script.

Q.: Did Nyasa come to the sets of U Me Aur Hum? How does she enjoy your earlier films?
A.: Nyasa was with us on the cruise but not on the sets. She didn’t enjoy shooting. She also had to go to school so I didn’t take her around much.

When she is around on the set my motherly instinct comes forward and that prevents me concentrating on my work. (Smiling) I tried showing her my films. You know, when she sees me crying she starts crying too and asks us to change the channel. She can’t tolerate tears in my eyes.

Maybe she will enjoy my films when she grows up and can understand that I am just acting.

Q.: Do you think the coming back of married heroines in the film is a trend now?
A.: Yeah it looks like a trend but it's not a recent trend. Heroines from Sairabano days have made a comeback after marriage. But yes the taste of audience has changed since then. Audience’s viewpoint has been changed.

Films on different subjects are being experienced. I think I am lucky to be in such an age where I can experiment on different kinds of films. It’s now no more a 16 year old heroine’s leading time.


Quelle: http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/GuffShu...teDate=20080217