RE: April 2008 - News - 5

Geetanjali Prasad
Wednesday, April 9, 2008:

Kajol and Ajay Devgan had been a low key celebrity couple for a while now. Their own visibility outside their films was their ad campaigns together.

Now as they come together after a long time in U, Me, Aur Hum, which releases this Friday, the publicity campaign in the run up has been huge.

From media appearances to endorsing social causes to hosting television events, it's a subtle but strongly sustained publicity.

Here they don't talk about the film ad nausem instead, ensure that they are everywhere, seen, heard and remembered.

It may be called U Me Aur Hum, but on the ground it is more like U, Me and the whole world.

Why else would an otherwise reclusive and hard to be found Kajol and Ajay Devgan be launching a speed dating event?

They have flaunted their house for a magazine cover and also been talking about the dwindling tigers in our reserves.

''Hi this is Kajol and please join the NDTV campaign to save the tiger'', affirmed Kajol on the Save the tiger campaign.

While launching an education campaign for children, she proclaimed, "Children are our country's future, our future"

From judging a television talent hunt to even editing a city newspaper to assert the feminine power on Woman's Day, the celebrity couple did it all.

''The paper is generally focussing on women on doing different role and doing them beautifully. And at the same time having fun'', said Kajol.

All this looks like a rather multi-faceted promo, where you avoid directly talking about film but score on the visibility factor by being everywhere.

And when you do talk about the film you keep it short, sweet and off the beaten track. No rambling about the storyline here!

''I hope people feel the film as much as I feel the film'', says Ajay on U, Me Aur Hum

Is this simply a calculated overhype? And even if it is, does this kind of carpet-bombing publicity work?

According to Rajpal Yadav, "If it's a good film, it will work hundred per cent. If it's a bad film, it won't."

''Too much is being written about hit couples. And we know they are together. After a point, boredom might set in people's minds'', said Irrfan Khan.

Whether there will be boredom or not through this campaign, Ajay and Kajol are already creating interest for their next film, a part-animated part live action film.

"We are not toons in the film anyway. We are live characters", says Ajay, to which Kajol adds that it's been made and written with kids in mind.

After all, we forget that Kajol and Ajay may be stars, but they are also in the business of making cinema.

Quelle: http://www.ndtvmovies.com/newstory.asp?s...NTEN20080046345
Video dazu: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/vid...t.aspx?id=26490

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Kajol und Ajay haben sich bisher eher aus der Öffentlichkeit herausgehalten und waren zusammen nur in Werbekampagnen zu sehen. Das hat sich mit dem näherrückenden Erscheinungstermin vom UMAH diesen Freitag geändert ...
Die beiden sind auf allen Kanälen präsent und sorgen dafür, dass sie gesehen und gehört werden - und dass man sich an sie erinnert. Warum sonst in aller Welt würden das eher selten auftretende Paar Ajay und Kajol einen Speed-Dating-Event eröffnen? Sie haben sogar ihr Haus für ein Coverfoto fotografieren lassen und über die sinkende Zahl der Tiger in unseren Nationalparks gesprochen ... All das sieht sehr nach einem breitangelegtem Werbefeldzug auch, bei dem alles getan wird, nur nicht direkt über den Film zu sprechen, um den es eigentlich geht. Und wenn sie über den Film sprechen, machen sie das kurz, nett und auf abwegigen Pfaden. Bloß keine Äußerungen darüber, worum es wirklich geht! "Ich hoffe, die Menschen können das Wesen des Film gefühlsmäßig so erfassen, wie ich das auch tue," sagt Ajay über UMAH. Ist das einfach schnödes Kalkül? Und wenn es das ist, funktioniert es?
Rajpal Yadav zufolge "funktioniert ein guter Film immer zu 100 Prozent, ein schlechter nie". "Es wird zu viel über berühmte Paare geschrieben. Wir wissen ja schon, dass sie zusammen sind. Ab einem gewissen Punkt wird das langweilig," meint Irrfan Khan. Langeweile oder nicht - Ajay und Kajol ziehen bereits die Aufmerksamkeit auf ihre nächste Zusammenarbeit bei einem Animationsfilm ... Irgendwie haben wir wohl vergessen, dass Kajol und Ajay nicht nur Stars sind, sondern mit dem Filmgeschäft ihr Geld verdienen.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network, April 9, 2008 - 17:27 IST

After the success of Aankhen, Waqt, and Namastey London, Vipul Shah is all set to don the hat of a director with London Dreams which goes on floors in June this year. London Dreams has a huge shooting schedule in London with the principal cast Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan. Vipul Shah is also scouting for a fresh face for the girl to be starred opposite both the heroes.

Vipul would be extremely busy with the shoot of two of his major films; Anees Bazmee's Singh Is Kinng, a schedule of which is in May and his own directorial venture London Dreams, which would commence in June. PJ Singh will be the Presenter of the film and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (SEL) would compose the music. This will be the first time that SEL and Vipul come together.

London Dreams will be releasing sometime next year.

Quelle: http://www.indiafm.com/news/2008/04/09/11199/

April 9, 2008

Auszug:

“Every film about a cruise cannot be a Titanic!” leading hero Ajay Devgan laughed when I asked him if his directorial debut, this week’s release ‘U Me aur Hum’, is the Bollywood version of the Hollywood blockbuster. “Only fifty percent of the film is on the ship.”

Like Aamir Khan’s ‘Taare Zameen Par’, which dealt with dyslexia, Devgan’s debut intends to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease in India. Is Ajay the new Aamir? “I wouldn’t want to compare myself to anybody. It’s now my turn but I started my film first anyway.” Is Ajay hoping that his film will widen his appeal to global Indian audiences? “I intended to market my film properly in the UK but work was delayed due to a technical problem which resulted in having to redo the sound.”

Devgan’s last four films have not done well at the box-office. Is he nervous about his film’s release? “Cash’ was a stupid and incomplete film; I have not seen ‘Aag’; ‘Halla Bol’ looked dated and ‘Sunday’ did well. Audiences appreciate good films; this is a positive feel good entertainer.”

Kajol’s little support

Lead actress and working mother Kajol appears opposite her real life husband Ajay Devgan in the aforementioned ‘U Me aur Hum’. The actress proved difficult to contact. “Kajol has just gone for a shot,” was the response I got from her manager whenever I phoned her up at my appointed time. What is it like being a super mom and being directed by her actor-husband? Kajol stated: “Nothing is effortless. Execution of the film would not have been easy had we not had such a supportive family especially from my little baby.”
...

Quelle: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/t...icle3716411.ece

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

"Nicht jeder Film über ein Kreuzfahrtschiff ist wie TITANIC!" Ajay Devgan lacht, als ich ihn frage, ob UMAH, sein Regiedebütfilm, der diese Woche erscheint, eine Bollywoodversion des Hollywood-Blockbusters ist. "Nur 50 Prozent des Films spielen auf dem Schiff."
SPOILER Anfang
Ähnlich wie Aamir Khans TZP, der sich mit Dyslexie beschäftigt, möchte Devgan den Augenmerk der Inder auf die Alzheimer Krankheit lenken. Ist Ajay also der neue Aamir? "Ich möchte mit niemanden verglichen werden. Davon abgesehen, habe ich zuerst mit dem Drehen begonnen."
SPOILER ENDE
Hofft Ajay, der Film wird ihn beim internationalen indischen Publikum bekannter machen? "Ich wollte meinen Film in Großbritannien richtig vermarkten, aber dann gab es Verzögerungen aufgrund technischer Probleme und wir mussten nachvertonen."
Devgans letzte vier Filme waren keine Kassenschlager. Ist er jetzt nervös? "CASH war ein ziemlich blöder und unausgereifter Film; AAG habe ich gar nicht gesehen; HALLA BOL sah etwas altmodisch aus und SUNDAY lief ganz gut. Das Publikum weiß gute Filme zu schätzen und UMAH ist ein unterhaltsamer Streifen."

Monty Agarrwal, 09 April 2008, Wednesday

The much-awaited directorial debut film of Ajay Devgan will soon hit the big screens. The film that talks about relationship is already creating the excitement for all fans. Hopefully the couple (Ajay and Kajol) can animate the spark.

AFTER AMIR Khan’s success as a director, its time for Ajay Devgan to debut as a director, with his recentup coming film U ME AUR HUM that is scheduled for release on April 11.

Every body knows that Ajay Devgan started his carrier as an assistant of Shekhar Kappor.

This two-time national award winner for his excellent acting knows what debuting is all about.
However, it is the extensive dialogue promo, which was recently released that has focused on the capabilities of Ajay Devgan as a director. a

U ME AUR HUM fully focuses on the impressive dialogue written by Ashwani Dheer.. The film is based on relationship. All characters are looking very lively.

Ajay paired with his real life partner (wife) Kajol. There are other two couples played by Sumeet Raghavan - Divya Dutta and Karan Khanna - Isha Sharwani.

Music is given by Vishal Bharadwaj and background score by Monty Sharma.

Film promo suggests that Ajay have done hard work in direction. This suggests that he has concentrated more on direction of the film.

On the other hand Assem Bajaj’s cinematography is excellent. Full mark goes to him.

Finally, technically the film is very good.

I am very sure that the critics and the viewers will like this film and it will become a major hit in the box-office. Hopefully it should bring both award and reward.

Quelle: http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=132160

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Ein sicherer Hit

Nach Aamir Khans Regieerfolg kommt jetzt Ajay Devgans Debut UMAH in die Kinos. Jeder weiß, dass seine Karriere als Regieassistent von Shekhar Kappor begann. Der zweifache Schauspiel-Nationalpreisgewinner hat also eine Vorstellung davon, worum es geht.
Obwohl sich die Werbung für den Film sehr auf Ajays Regiearbeit konzentriert hat, basiert UMAH in der Hauptsache auf den beeindruckenden Dialogen von Ashwani Dheer. In dem Film geht es um Beziehungen, und die gezeigten Charaktere wirken sehr lebensnah.
Ajay spielt zusammen mit Kajol. Es gibt zwei weitere Paare, gespielt von Sumeet Raghavan - Divya Dutta und Karan Khanna - Isha Sharwani.
Die Songs sind von Vishal Bharadwaj und die Hintergrundmusik von Monty Sharma.
Ajay hat sich wohl sehr auf die Regiearbeit konzentriert, was auch die Promos zeigen. Gleichzeitig ist Assem Bajajs Kameraarbeit ausgezeichnet - volle Punktzahl dafür. Technisch gesehen ist der Film sehr gut.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network, April 10, 2008 - 11:06 IST

Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome

The whole of Bollywood has come to a sudden standstill with the most unexpected news that broke out today morning. Shomu Mukherjee, the proud father of bubbly and effervescent Kajol, father-in-law to Ajay Devgan and Tanuja's husband passed away today morning. Death could not have been stone-hearted to have taken away the man, when his darling daughter and son-in-law's magnum opus film (U, Me Aur Hum) is just a day away from its gala release.

Hailing from a family headed by his father, Sashadhar Mukherjee (famously known as the founder of Filmistan studios), Shomu was the youngest of the three siblings, the other two being Joy Mukherjee and Deb Mukherjee. While Joy and Deb were on to become actors; Shomu took the plunge to become a director and producer.

We at Bollywood Hungama sincerely pray to the Lord Almighty to rest Shomuji's soul in eternal peace.

Quelle: http://indiafm.com/news/2008/04/10/11204/index.html

Author: PTI; Date: 10 Apr 2008

Filmmaker Shomu Mukherji, father of actor Kajol passed away on Thursday following a massive cardiac arrest, family sources said. He was 65.

Mumbai: Filmmaker Shomu Mukherji, father of actor Kajol passed away here on Thursday following a massive cardiac arrest, family sources said. He was 65.
Mukherjee is survived by actor-wife Tanuja, daughters Kajol and Tanisha.
Sources said Mukherji was unwell for quite some time and had to be hospitalised. He breathed his last at 8.20 am at home.
The funeral will take place at the Santa Cruz crematorium at 2 pm, sources added.
Mukherji’s passing away comes on the eve of the release of U Me Aur Hum, the directorial debut of son-in-law Ajay Devgan.
Family sources said the film will be released on schedule. Devgan had not organised a premiere for the film.
Shomu, youngest son of late Sashidhar Mukherji, founder of the Filmalaya studios was a producer-director of films like Ek Baar Muskura Do (1972), Nanha Shikhari (1973), Chaila Babu (1977), Fifty Fifty (1981), Pathar Ke Insan (1990) and Sangdil Sanam (1994).

His siblings Joy and Deb were actors.

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

Thursday, Apr 10, 2008

Auszug:

Costume designer Anna Singh tells P. ANIMA what inspires her

Anna Singh dabbles with the finery of a Moghul empress and the look of a chic girl next door with equal finesse. With over 700 films behind her in a career spanning two decades, costume designer Anna admits it is difficult to find inspiring work. But it is the challenge that a “Taj Mahal” or an “Umrao Jaan” poses that makes her day. She took home the National Award last year for bringing alive an era in costumes for “Taj Mahal.” Now, it is another project that has taken her back “to work.” The much-hyped directorial venture of Ajay Devgan, “U, Me or Hum”, to be released this Friday, has revived Anna’s spirits. Working for a long-time friend and a committed director who gave her all the creative freedom makes “U, Me or Hum” special.

Excerpts from a conversation with the designer.

There is a lot of hype around “U, Me aur Hum.” Besides being Devgan’s directorial venture, it also brings back Kajol and Devgan together on screen after a considerable gap. From a designer’s point of view, how have you approached the film?
“U, Me or Hum” has been a fantastic experience. Firstly, I have been taking care of Ajay’s personal wardrobe for over five years now. He is a person who leaves it to you totally. The colours used in the film are extremely refreshing. We sat and worked on each character’s look. The characters have a very real appearance as imagined by its director.

Whom have you designed for in the film and what is the look you have given them?
I have done the entire cast, except Kajol, whose clothes were done by her personal designer Manish Malhotra. I made the costume for the primary and secondary cast and also the junior artistes. In terms of costume, Ajay’s character is divided into two phases. I have given him a happy and bright, sun-coloured look for the cruise phase, and as a medical professional, he is mostly dressed in nice suits. Since he plays a person in the medical field, I had very little liberty designing for that phase.

Other members of the cast like Karan Khanna have a flamboyant look. He dresses like any young guy today with lots of accessories. Isha Sharvani looks very funky but not over the top. Sumeet Raghavan and Divya Dutta have been dressed keeping in the mind the different situations. The look is not glossy but realistic. The costumes are done in such a way that the audience can relate to the characters. Even for the dance sequence with the Salsa dancers, the outfits are authentic. There is a deliberate attempt at looking fresh and happy. Colours have been used intelligently.
...

Quelle: http://www.thehindu.com/mp/2008/04/10/st...41050190100.htm

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Anna Singh hat die Kostüme für Umrao Jaan und Taj Mahal designt und für letzteren Film einen National Award bekommen. In UMAH hat sie mit ihrem langjährigen Freund Ajay zusammengearbeitet.
Auszüge aus dem Interview:
*Wie sind Sie vom Standpunkt des Designers aus an den Film herangegangen?
UMAH war eine fantastische Erfahrung. Zum einen kümmere ich mich seit über fünf Jahren um Ajays persönliche Garderobe [aha - die Hemden!!!]. Er überlässt mir völlig die Auswahl. Die Farben, die wir im Film verwendet haben, sind sehr erfrischend. Sie wurden passend zu ein einzelnen Charakteren ausgewählt. Die wiederum schauen genauso aus, wie der Regisseur sie sich vorgestellt hat.
*Wen haben Sie für den Film eingekleidet und was für einen Look haben Sie gewählt?
Ich war für die ganze Truppe verantwortlich - außer für Kajol, die ihren persönlichen Designer Manish Malhotra hat. Was die Kostüme angeht, durchläuft Ajays Charakter zwei Phasen. Ich habe ihm einen fröhlichen, hellen und sonnigen Look für die Kreuzfahrt-Phase gegeben, später trägt er meistens kleidsame Anzüge. Für einen Menschen im medizinischen Umfeld hat der Designer auch wenig Freiheiten.
Die anderen Schauspieler wie Karan Khanna sind sehr modisch. Er zieht sich wie jeder junge Mann von heute an, mit einer Menge Accessoires. Isha Sharvani sieht sehr funky aus, aber nicht übertrieben. Sumeet Raghavan und Vivya Dutta wurden der jeweiligen Situation entsprechend eingekleidet, ziemlich realistisch. Die Zuschauer sollen eine Beziehung zu den Charakteren entwickeln können. Sogar bei der Salsa sind die Kostüme wirklichkeitsnah.
Im weiteren Interview spricht sie noch über ihre Arbeit für Werbeproduktionen ("für Filme zu designen ist eine willkommene Abwechslung") und wie sich das Kostümdesign in Bollywood in den letzten Jahren geändert hat (früher hatte jeder Schauspieler seinen eigenen Look, wie Jackie Shroff, Sunjay Dutt, Madhuri). Zur Zeit arbeitet Anna Sigh für Subash Ghais YUVRAJ.

By R.M. VIJAYAKAR; April 10
Special to India-West

Auszug:

...
Excerpts from an interview:

Q: “U, Me Aur Hum” is not just your home production but marks your husband’s directorial debut. So was it designed around you?
A: No way. But as Ajay was working with his writers, I was aware of how the script was progressing and at one point I said, “I am doing this film!” The heroine had to be cast according to the script.

Q: Maybe they subconsciously did work with you in mind.
A: Maybe. (Smiles enigmatically)

Q: Ajay wants to give a message through the film on the permanence of love and marriage.
A: I do believe in that too. “U, Me Aur Hum” is the story of three couples, each in a different relationship. The film is about how we must work on relationships and how we usually stop doing that. And we have to work daily, not just on one Valentine’s Day! In theory I believe completely in that. Man creates his own problems, but no problem has ever been bigger than man.

Q: Any examples on how Ajay and you work at this?
A: There are no examples that I can give, for if you give importance to your relationship you keep doing it. You can’t put a finger on something and say “I do this” or “I avoid doing that.”

Q: Has Nysa’s arrival strengthened the efforts? And have you two changed as human beings after making this film?
A: No, the only change may be that Ajay and I have one more topic to talk about — Nysa! I think that our relationship grows every day. And the film’s message is about every relationship — with your mother, sister or friend too.

...

Q: To come back to the film, how do you rate Ajay as a director?
A: He’s very good. Ajay wanted to be a director since he was 8 years old. I think that he was sidetracked into acting! Still I think that he is a better director for having been an actor. He’s worked very hard on the film. Ajay was very clear of what he wanted, and of course we had a bound script. And so he was very convincing on the sets.

Q: How was the feeling of shooting a sequence without a living cameraman looking at you?
A: (Laughs) Oh you mean the helicam? Well, it was exciting! I remember that the whole unit came to watch on that day! I clicked a picture of Nysa standing next to the helicam, and though she is five, the helicopter came only up to her shoulder! I remember looking at its two operators who looked like two boys playing a video game together, but when we watched the shots, we were awestruck. No cinematographer in a helicopter could have quite managed anything like that. It was Ajay’s idea to use a helicam because he had visualized the shots that way. It’s a first in Indian cinema.

Q: Ajay and you have done seven films and so many ads. But “Rock-N-Roll Family” is your first television show together. What made you take it up?
A: We have been offered shows in the past and we have become judges and guests on a few. But what we liked about the show was the concept and the family values in it. We especially liked the message that age is not a deterrent for anyone to contribute to a family’s growth and achievements.
...

Quelle: http://www.indiawest.com/view.php?subact...rt_from=&ucat=7

Posted On Friday, April 11, 2008

Kajol's father suffered from a massive cardiac arrest yesterday

Somdev Mukherjee (65), father of actors Kajol and Tanisha, passed away following a massive cardiac arrest on Thursday morning. Better known as Shomu, the filmmaker was discharged from the hospital recently after a brief period of illness and was also writing a film script. His unexpected death has come as a shocker to the entire Mukherjee family and actress wife Tanuja, who was inconsolable. "Shomuda was a wonderful person. He was very ambitious and wanted to direct a film later this year. His script was almost ready and he was about to start casting for the same," says younger brother Subir Mukherjee.

Earlier in the day, daughter Kajol and Tanisha, estranged wife Tanuja, son-in-law Ajay Devgan, niece Rani and her family rushed to the Mukherjee bungalow in Santa Cruz (West). Later industrywallahs including Shammi Kapoor, Karan Johar, Bappi Lahiri, Moushumi Chatterjee, Divya Dutta and designer Anna Singh turned up to play their last respects. The last rites were performed at the Santacruz crematorium in the afternoon.

The late Shomu Mukherjee was one of the directors of the Filmalaya Studios at Andheri West. He was a producer-director of films including Ek Baar Muskura do (1972), Nanha Shikhari (1973), Chaila Babu (1977), Fifty Fifty (1981), Pathar Ke Insan (1990) and Sangdil Sanam (1994). It was on the sets of Ek Baar Muskura Do that he fell in love with Tanuja. After a courtship of one year the two tied the knot in 1973 and Kajol was born in 1975. The filmmaker was particularly attached to Kajol, and was understandably thrilled when Kajol had debuted with Bekhudi in 1992.

Quelle: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper....116490ae5125a2#

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übersetzt von sRuthle:

Kajols Vater (65) war ja schon mal ziemlich krank, hatte sich aber gut erholt und sogar an einem Skript für einen neuen Film gearbeitet - seine bisherigen Werke sind ja Ek Baar Muskura do (1972), Nanha Shikhari (1973), Chaila Babu (1977), Fifty Fifty (1981), Pathar Ke Insan (1990) und Sangdil Sanam (1994). Am Donnerstag Morgen bekam er einen Herzinfarkt und ist daran völlig unerwartet verstorben, ein Schock für die Familie.

Für dieses Foto im Mumbai Mirror muß der Reporter aber schon irgendwelche Kletteraktionen auf sich genommen haben, wenn ich so über die Perspektive nachdenke...

Ajay Devgan and Kajol

Okay, so their chemistry may not be as crackling as the one shared by Kajol and another leading man, Shah Rukh Khan.

Nonetheless, the jodi is endearing.

The chatty actress saw the tall, dark and handsome, Devgan, during the making of their first film, Hulchul, which turned out to be a box-office dud. Ditto for their next film Gundaraj. Fortunately, Ishq and Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha fared better.

Personally too, things couldn't get any better for the Bollywood dulhania and the Omkara hero when they tied the knot. Post-marriage, however, the intense pair has only delivered eminently forgettable flops like Raju Chacha and Dil Kya Karen.

We hope their new love story, U, Me Aur Hum, which marks Devgan's directorial debut, breaks the jinx.

Quelle: http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/apr/10slide6.htm

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Ajay Devgan and Kajol - okay, obwohl ihre Chemie vielleicht nicht so überschäumend ist wie die zwischen Kajol und einem anderen Topschauspieler, Shah Rukh Khan. Nichtsdestotrotz ist das Paar einander zärtlich zugeneigt.
Die gesprächige Schauspieler traf den großen, dunklen und gutaussehenden Devgan während ihres ersten gemeinsamen Films, HULCHUL, der sich dann als Boxoffice-Niete herausstellte. Dasselbe passierte mit dem nächsten, GUNDARAJ. Glücklicherweise entwickelten sich ISHQ und PTHHT dann besser.
Auch im persönlichen Bereich hätte sich die Dinge für die Bollywood Braut und den OMKARA Helden nach dem Wechsel der Ringe nicht vorteilhafter fügen können. Aber in beruflicher Hinsicht hat das Paar ab diesem Zeitpunkt nur überflüssige Flops wie RAJU CHACHA und DIL KYA KAREN abgeliefert.
Wir hoffen, dass ihre neue Liebesgeschichte UMAH, gleichzeitig Devgans Regiedebut, den Fluch bricht.

Thank God I am not a film reviewer. I again thank the Mighty Lord that I am not a film critic. And I thank him yet again for making me a humble audience so that I can watch a film without having to judge it.

Saying this, I sit in my plush seat at a suburban multiplex in Mumbai, with my standard cheese popcorn and cola to keep me company. For a lark, my husband decided to accompany me. I wondered how long would he sit in the theatre, since we were watching Ajay Devgan’s romantic love story, U, Me aur Hum. He has walked out in the past of several such films and come interval, the look on his face was no different. Nothing special...

One look at my face, he again subsided on his seat, doing yet another “favour” for me... Some 15 minutes into the second half, there is a hush quality in the theatre. The rustling has stopped, the air is still and Kajol’s histrionics take over the 70mm screen under the guidance of her husband, Ajay Devgan, a first time director.

Slowly and steadily, Kajol becomes you.. and you are sitting there engulfed in the emotions that are buffeting inside you. Questions that need to be answered, feelings that you don’t want to feel, emotions that rise to the fore and you are surrounded by it all... The dolby system reverberating inside the packed theatre has caught everybody in its spell as the visuals unfold. And the tears start falling... then pouring... and then the glorious feeling of letting it all go...

Welcome to the world of Ajay Devgan and Kajol Devgan. It was a world that was created by an uptown girl of a filmi khandaan when she married a suburban guy from the working class of the film industry. It was the story of a princess of Bollywood with the biggest hits under her belt marrying a man who had not yet established his credentials in the industry. The wedding was doomed and so was the pair, predicted all.

But a resilient Kajol created her fantasy world into a reality. She carved a niche for herself in downtown Juhu, gave up the tag of the townie for a nicely settled married life, with her husband, in laws and daughter.. just like the romances she has been reading since a child.

The romantic Kajol continued following her dreams of romance via her films and so did her husband.. but with a slight difference. Ajay believed in reality and hard hitting films.. Gangajal or Apaharan. The twain could never meet.. at least that’s what we thought.

Through U, Me aur Hum, Ajay has answered all the unanswered questions. It’s a gift to a wife for all those years of nurturing his family. The film reveals the sensitive, emotional side of Ajay which only Kajol had seen and believed in, all those years. U, Me aur Hum celebrates the love of Ajay and Kajol Devgan. A romance that started 9 years ago... and yes, on a film set.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2941597.cms

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Ich und UMAH
Gott sei Dank bin ich kein Filmkritiker. Und ich danke ihm dafür, dass er mit zu einem einfachen Zuschauer gemacht hat, sodass ich einen Film einfach anschauen kann, ohne ihn gleich beurteilen zu müssen.
Während ich das sage, sitze ich mit Käsepopcorn und Cola in meinem weichen Sitz in einem Vorstadtmultiplexkino in Mumbai. Lustigerweise hat sich mein Mann entschieden, mich zu begleiten. Ich fragte mich, wie lange er es wohl im Kino aushalten würde - schließlich sahen wir uns Ajay Devgans romantische Liebesgeschichte UMAH an. Aus den letzten paar Filmen dieser Art ist er rausgegangen, und als jetzt die Pause kam, sah sein Gesicht schon wieder so aus. Nichts Besonderes ...
Beim Blick auf mein Gesicht sank er wieder in seinen Sitz zurück, um mir einen "Gefallen" zu tun ... Ungefähr 15 Minuten nach der Pause wird es totenstill im Theater. Das Rascheln hat aufgehört, kein Lüftlein regt sich und Kajols Theatralik beherrscht unter der Führung ihres Gatten Ajay Devgan, einem Regieneuling, die 70mm-Leinwand.
Langsam, aber sicher verwandelst du dich in Kajol ... du sitzt da, gefangen in den Gefühlen, die in dir kämpfen. Fragen, die beantwortet werden wollen, Gefühle, die du nicht haben willst, Emotionen, die aufbrodeln - und du mitten drin.
Das Dolby-System im vollen Kino hat jeden in den Bann gezogen, während die Geschichte auf der Leinwand ihren Lauf nimmt. Tränen beginnen zu tropfen ... und dann zu strömen ... und dann kommt das tolle Gefühl, wenn alle Dämme brechen ...
Willkommen in der Welt von Ajay Devgan und Kajol Devgan. Es war die Welt eines Mädchens aus der Aristokratie der Filmwelt, die entstand, als sie einen Vorstadtjungen aus dem Fussvolk der Industrie geheiratet hat. Es war die Geschichte einer Bollywoodprinzessin mit unzähligen Erfolgen, die einen Mann geheiratet hat, der seinen Platz in der Filmindustrie noch nicht erkämpft hatte. Die Ehe und das Paar waren nach Meinung aller zum Scheitern verurteilt. Aber eine durchsetzungsfähige Kajol machte aus ihren Wünschen Wirklichkeit. Sie schuf sich eine Nische im Herzen von Juhu, gab den Glamour auf für ein friedliches Eheleben mit Mann, Schwiegereltern und Tochter ... genau wie in den Romanen, die sie seit frühester Jugend liest.
Kajol folgte ihren romantischen Vorstellungen auch in ihren Filmen, das tat auch ihr Gatte, allerdings mit einem kleinen Unterschied: Ajay glaubte an realitätsnahe und brutale Filme wie Gangajal or Apaharan. So konnte das Paar auf der Leinwand nie zusammenkommen ... zumindest haben wir das geglaubt.
Mit UMAH hat Ajay alle bisher unbeantworteten Fragen geklärt. Der Film ist ein Geschenk an seine Frau, die ihr Leben der Familie gewidmet hat. Der Film enthüllt die sensible und gefühlvolle Seite Ajays, die nur Kajol bisher wahrgenommen und verstanden hat. UMAH feiert die Liebe von Ajay und Kajol Devgan. Eine Liebe, die vor neun Jahren begann ... natürlich auf einem Filmset.

Author: Upala KBR; Date: 10 Apr 2008

The actress kept beating her screen husband Sumeet Raghavan till Ajay Devgan and Karan Khanna had to pull her away

Divya Dutta is known to be a peacenik but while shooting for U, Me Aur Hum the talented actress got so carried away with her scene that she just couldn’t stop beating up co-star Sumeet Raghavan.

Carried away

Says Divya laughingly, “Sumeet and I play a couple who are unhappily married. People will love the chemistry between us as there is a lot of namak and masala in our relationship. In a particular song I was to jump on Sumeet and pull his hair in frenzy. Ajay told me to start fighting with him and then beat him up.”

All in fun

She adds, “Sumeet was very sweet about it. It was all in fun but when I sat on his back and pulled his hair, I got a little physical with him. I got so carried away in the act, that Karan and Ajay had to forcibly lift me up and carry me away. I just wouldn’t let go of Sumeet. It’s one of the highlights of the film.”
Divya is all praise for Ajay, the director.

“It’s a refreshing film dealing with relationships differently. Sushma Swaraj loved the film but I got my best compliment from Kajol when she told me I was her favorite actress. I’m very proud of Ajay and the way he’s directed the film.

When I saw it last week I was overwhelmed. Ajay has always been known to have a good eye for direction but in UMAH, he has shown a good balance of being sensitive and technically savvy. UMAH will make you laugh and cry.”

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

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Divya identifizierte sich beim Dreh einer Szene so sehr mit ihrem Charakter, dass sie wild auf ihren Filmehemann einschlug und von Ajay gestoppt und von ihren Kollegen weggezogen werden musste. Für Ajay ist sie voll des Lobes: "Ich bin sehr stolz auf Ajay und seine Regieleistung. Als ich den Film letzte Woche gesehen hatte, war ich überwältigt. Ajay hat schon immer ein gutes Auge für die Regiearbeit gehabt, aber bei UMAH fand er eine außergewöhnliche Balance zwischen Gefühl und dem Einsatz der Technik. UMAH lässt einen lachen und weinen."

With Ajay Devgan’s directorial debut, U, Me Aur Hum, about to hit theatres, promotions are in full swing. Recently, Ajay, Kajol and the entire cast flew to Delhi for a press conference and had a fun discussion about the film and their experiences. “First of all, I would like to say I only wanted to make a commercial film,” says Ajay. “I want audiences to enjoy and be entertained.” The film is not radically different from other Hindi movies, but U, Me Aur Home is special because it takes off from where most other films end.

Ajay plays a psychiatrist and Kajol, a waitress on a cruise liner. “My character Pia is a working girl,” says Kajol, “She’s a very normal sort, which is probably the most special thing about her! There’s no characteristic in her that makes her special. So, it was not very easy to portray her. But eventually, I had a good director, so we managed,” she laughs.

Hubby Ajay is quick to repay the compliment: “I don’t care if you think I’m just praising her, I’ll say it anyway. I think her character was the most difficult to perform in the film. Maybe all directors feel like this when it comes to their films, but I think this is Kajol’s best performance yet.”

Quelle: http://www.zoomtv.in/view/news/ajaykajol-on-u-me-aur-hum-0 hier ist wieder das Video entscheidend

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Es geht um die UMAH-Pressekonferenz: Ajay und die Crew berichten über den Film. Er spielt einen Psychiater und Kajol eine Kellnerin auf einem Kreuzfahrtschiff. Kajol sagt über ihren Charakter, dass Pia ein ganz normales, arbeitendes Mädchen sei, ohne Besonderheiten, was sie nicht einfach zu spielen machte. "Aber ich hatte einen guten Regisseur, also haben wir das geschafft," lachte sie. Und Ajay gab das Kompliment zurück: "Egal wenn Ihr jetzt denkt, ich übertreibe. Ihr Charakter war schwierig zu spielen ... ich denke, dass Kajol damit ihre bisher beste Leistung bietet."

11 Apr, 2008 06:00 am ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES

The industry lacks the beauties with talent. Either that or then the script demands a fresh new exciting face! Just when you thought that Bollywood is too crowded, let us tell you, that there is place for many more.

Two dynamic filmmakers Vipul Shah and Aditya Chopra are busy scouting for a newcomer for their respective romantic directorial ventures. While Adi is busy looking out for a talented newbie for his film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi , Vipul Shah is looking for one such for his film London Dreams starring Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan.

For this, Vipul is even globe trotting. "Boundaries, regions and countries aren't important for me. I'll travel the world to get my actor. I'm dong a lot of auditions and asking people to recommend whomever they know. The criterion is that the girl should have innocence on her face and should be a classic beauty."

Is this your ticket to Bollywood?

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2941710.cms

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Nichts Neues, Vishal sucht immer noch nach einer "unschuldigen, klassischen Schönheit" für die weibliche Hauptrolle.

11 Apr, 2008 09:56 am ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES

It seems that when Ajay Devgan decided to make his debut in U Me Aur Hum he was looking for a young lead actor who would play a crucial role in the film. Incidentally, he didn't get a single actor who would suit the cameo. Meanwhile Ajay's age old friend Kumar Mangat was also planning to launch his daughter in a film and he wanted to cast a new comer opposite his daughter.

Kumar Mangat met Aditya Singh Rajput aka Addy during the audition and he loved his performance. He decided that whenever he would start the film, he would sign him as the lead actor. But man proposes and god disposes. During the same time Ajay Devgan was also looking for this young actor who would play an important cameo in his directorial debut. Right at that moment, Kumar Mangat came as a savior and recommended Addy's name to Ajay Devgan.

The next day Addy got a call from the production house and he was asked to report on the first day of the shooting. Incidentally, Ajay Devgan didn't even take any audition and when Addy asked him, he said, "Kumarji has recommended your name so I have confidence in you." This Delhi boy Addy just couldn't believe his luck that he was acting with Ajay Devgan and Kajol.

Extremely tight lipped about his role, the actor says, "I can't reveal my role, because that will reveal a lot about the film. I have signed a contract where I can't talk about my scenes and my role. But I am very happy that I have worked with Ajay Devgan and that too under his direction."

The actor had a blast shooting with the Devgan family and he is excited about the film. Aditya Rajput Singh aka Addy is a Delhi based super model who has acted in more than 100 commercials. "I started my ad-films with Hrithik Roshan and Sourav Ganguly," he says. Recently he has shot in an ad featuring Shah Rukh Khan. He made his debut as an actor last year in National Award winning director Jhanu Barua's film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara. "The film fetched me a lot of accolades and most of the critics mentioned my role in the film. When I mentioned Ajay about my role in Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara he was very impressed and he promised that he would watch the film," he says.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/News__Gossi...how/2943392.cms

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Sein alter Freund Kumar Mangat hatte Aditiya an Ajay empfohlen, und der hat den Wunderknaben gleich für ein wichtiges Cameo gebucht - ohne ihn sich vorher anzusehen. "Kumar hat dich empfohlen, also habe ich Vertrauen", soll Ajay gesagt haben.
Über seine Rolle verrät er kein Wort - wegen der Geheimhaltung. "Aber ich bin sehr froh, dass ich mit Ajay Devgan und unter seiner Regie arbeiten durfte."
Aditya aka Addy kommt aus Delhi und ist ein Supermodel mit mehr als 100 Werbespots auf der Drehliste. Zuletzt hat er sogar mit Shah Rukh Khan zusammengearbeitet. Sein Debut als Schauspieler hatte er in dem National Award gekrönten Film MAINE GANDHI KO NAHIN MARA. "Der Film hat mir eine Menge Anerkennung von den Kritikern eingebracht. Als ich die Rolle Ajay gegenüber erwähnte, war er sehr beeindruckt und versprach mir, sich den Film anzusehen."