RE: April 2008 - News - 6

April 11, 2008 3:12:02 PM IST
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

In the times when majority of films clock less than 2.5 hours with most looking at 2.25 hours as the cutoff duration, U ME AUR HUM has turned out to be an exception. This is because this Ajay Devgan - Kajol starrer is close to 3 hour-long film.

Marking the directorial debut of Ajay Devgan, the film has a gripping story which keeps the viewer involved in spite of it's length. What surprises though is that while a lot of hue and cry was made about the duration of JODHAA AKBAR (which clocked a little above 3 hours), U ME AUR HUM has been thankfully pardoned of any such baseless controversy.

Says a crewmember of U ME AUR HUM, 'Ajay has lived his passion with U ME AUR HUM and he knows what he is talking. After working in dozens of films, the least he would do is bore his audience. If he has let his film span for a longer duration, it is done with a purpose. Once the movie begins, you would stop looking at the watch to see if it is 2, 2:25, 2.5 or a 3 hour film!'

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08...ours-040802.asp

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

In einer Zeit, in der Filme meistens nur noch maximal 2,5 Stunden dauern, markiert UMAH mit seinen fast 3 Stunden eine Ausnahme. Aufgrund der ergreifenden Story erscheint das allerdings voll gerechtfertigt - deswegen gibt es bei UMAH auch keine Diskussionen über die Filmlänge wie bei JA.
Ein Crewmember von UMAH sagt dazu: "Nachdem er selbst dutzende von Filmen gemacht hat, ist das Letzte, was Ajay als Regisseur tun würde, sein Publikum zu langweilen. Wenn der Film so lange dauert, hat das alles seinen Sinn. Nachdem UMAH einmal angefangen hat, hörst du sowieso auf, dauernd auf die Uhr zu schauen, um zu sehen, ob jetzt 2, ... oder 3 Stunden vergangen sind!"

11th Apr 2008 16.07 IST
By Aparajita Ghosh

While shooting his directorial debut U Me Aur Hum , Ajay Devgan did not spare the film’s cast of his pranks.

He may exude all the seriousness of the world but beneath the somber demeanor of Ajay Devgan lies a prankster. And while shooting a song sequence for his film ‘U Me Aur Hum’, Devgan decided to give his co-stars a glimpse of his funny side.

It all began when Divya Dutta told Devgan that she had heard a lot about his pranks. Devgan, in response, feigned ignorance and innocence. But later on, after the day’s shooting got over, Devgan sent a last-minute message to the actors that one more shot needed to be taken.

Divya Dutta , Sumeet Raghavan , Isha Sharvani and Karan Khanna reported on the sets again to shoot the last scene in which they had to sit on a table in a bar and gulp down tequila drinks.

What the actors didn’t know was that their glasses had real tequila instead of water. It was Devgan’s idea to make everyone high.

Then what, the actors downed their drinks with abandon only to realize they had gulped real tequila. And as the spirit began to show its potency, the actors got tipsy.

Divya began to giggle endlessly. Isha went on walking in circles and Karan felt like throwing up. Only Sumeet remained sober to some extent.

On top of it, Devgan shot it all on a video cam and replayed the tape to the shooting unit. Everyone had a hearty laugh seeing the tipsy sides of the otherwise sober actors.

After that the actors in the movie became vary of Devgan’s pranks. Whenever he asked them to do something out of the ordinary, they immediately asked him if it was not another prank.

‘U Me Aur Hum’ marks Devgan’s debut as a director. The film has hit the theatres today.

Quelle: http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20080411-3.html

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Das ist die bekannte Geschichte, bei der Ajay seinen Schauspielern richtigen Tequila statt Wasser verabreicht haben soll ...

Ashwini Kumar, April 11

Ajay Devgan has done great service to himself and his profession by giving new dimensions to the action genre in Hindi cinema. His anger spewing, red eyed role in his debut film Phool Aur Kaante won him the Filmfare Award. Even comedy worked with the film Ishq being a super-hit. His stellar performances in The Legend of Bhagat Singh and Gangajal won him critical acclaim. All was going great on the professional front until he tried his hand at film-making and failed miserably.

After producing and starring in the year 2000’s flop flick Raju Chacha, Ajay once again tries his hand in film-making with wifey dear Kajol in U, Me Aur Hum. The film didn’t move me a bit, am not sure if U should watch it and Hum should rather watch the Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore starrer ‘Fifty First Dates’. For U, Me Aur Hum is the Bollywood version of the 2004 Hollywood blockbuster.

U, Me Aur Hum is a story of love found and lost and found again! Ajay is a happy-go-lucky guy who is happy drinking like a fish and tries his luck on many nubile, coquettish girls until he bumps into Piya (Kajol) and falls in love. The boy meets girl routine. A mandatory chase by our hero later, Kajol’s heart also begins beating for Ajay. Song-and-dance sequences follow about a Saiyan being like a saheli. Or was that Bareily?

And then when you think its over, Piya starts acting weirdly. One fine morning she forgets the saheli or Bareily like saiyan. As Ajay discovers to his shock, Kajol has Alzheimer’s and tends to forget stuff. That includes Ajay. Again and again.

But Ajay, being the die hard romantic that he is, continues the love trip. Its all about the trip and how it ends on what shores.

The first half of the film is written loosely and makes you sway like you were in the same ship that is shown in it and that lead many to believe U, Me, Aur Hum to be a Titanic remake (no its Fifty First Dates!). Second half does offer a range of emotions and sequences that keep you inside the cinema hall till the gripping climax.

Like in Raju Chacha, the use of graphics and special effects is quite cool and the best that money can buy. Kajol is a darling as ever and her fans would love her ‘comeback.’ But she is clearly not the Kajol of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge or even the recent Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. Ashley Lobo and Ganesh Acharya are a lethal combo of choreographers that Ajay has banked upon to create some memorable sequences.

But dialogues leave much to be desired. It just adds to the feeble script with use of multiple abusive words, sickening adult jokes that would take the family audience away from a film that was being touted as a family oriented one. Clinking of wine glasses by Ajay after almost every two scenes is also a bit nauseating. Atleast for the teetotalers.

All in all Ajay’s directorial venture is just an average attempt at creating…well what exactly was he aiming at, I wonder. Two and a half stars for U, Me, Aur Hum.

Adaptation: Shashank Chouhan

Quelle: http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=436140&sid=ENT

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Das ist eine Review (mit Spoilern!): 2,5 Sterne für UMAH
Hauptkritikpunkte: Die erste Hälfte ist nichts Besonderes (Titanic!) und die emotionalen Momente der zweiten verhindern gerade, dass man das Kino verlässt. Grafik und Spezialeffekte werden gelobt, die Dialoge lassen beim Kritiker von ZEE eine Menge Wünsche offen. Außerdem beschwert er sich über die "adult jokes" und Ajays Alkoholtrinkerei, die den Film als Familienfilm für ihn untauglich machen.

While we have seen actors who await the result of their big releases, hero Ajay Devgan will be in a different mode altogether. Apparently, he is keenly looking forward to the reaction from the audience to his first directorial venture 'U, Me aur Hum'. The film also marks the comeback of his darling wife and popular actress Kajol back on screen. So it is like two tests waiting for their results to be out. Good luck for that Ajay!!!

Quelle: http://www.bharatstudent.com/cafebharat/...?id=22069&cat=1

New Delhi, April 11: Last year saw the war of the titans, with the likes of Bhool Bhulaiya and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and the much-hyped Om Shanti Om and Saawariyaa, making utmost efforts to make the box-office rolling. Who made it to the top and who was crippling, is now a history known to all.

With 2008 reaching almost its mid-part, Bollywood has filled the viewers' appetite with almost all kinds of genres and the latest movies this week which are geared up to showcase themselves are - Ajay Devgan's directorial debut 'U Me Aur Hum', starring his real life lady, Kajol, and Rakesh Roshan's 'Krazzy 4'.

With the movies hitting cinema halls near you, you've the option of choosing from Devgan's love dipped 'U me Aur hum' and Rakesh Roshan's comedy flick 'Krazzy 4'.

Such an interesting clash is quite nostalgic, as in the recent past the same kind of atmosphere had developed before the release of two big budget movies Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Akshay Kumar's comedy Bhool Bhulaiya.

That battle turned out to a tame, one-sided affair, with Akki Baba winning audiences' hearts with his superb comic timing.

Later in 2007, the focus shifted to one of the year's most awaited films, 'Om Shanti Om' and 'Saawariyaa', which were released on the festival of Diwali.

Both well-publicized big banner movies with big names from Bollywood, hogged all the limelight before their release. But as everybody knows, general public is smart enough and it made its choice in the favour of SRK starrer OSO.

By the end of the year, another two movies released - Akki's comedy treat, 'Welcome' and Aamir Khan's directorial debut 'Taare Zameen Par', which received much appreciation from around the world.

Cut to 2008, U Me Aur Hum and Krazzy 4 will add another battle to Bollywood's list of much awaited films released at one fell swoop.

And yes, as far as their future is concerned, this time too the ball lies in audiences' court.

Copyright Asian News International

Quelle: http://www.dailyindia.com/show/231028.ph...x-office-battle

Story By: ROHINI BHANDARI; updated on: 12/04/08

MUMBAI: Ajay Devgan’s U Me Aur Hum has grown into a Kajol, Ajay Devgan and brands story. The film is going all out for branded marketing, whether it is in-film marketing or promotions of the stars' endorsements.

To start with, Devgan has hopped onto Alpenlibe, a product that was originally only endorsed by Kajol. At the same time, brands like Whirlpool and Sangini -- endorsed by both Kajol and Devgan -- have stepped forward to leverage their association with the star couple. Anchor Toothpaste, which Kajol endorses, is also reaping the benefits in terms of associations by lining up new ads aligned with the film.

"The TVC spends from Alpenlibe, Whirlpool, Sangini and Anchor amount to approximately Rs 5 crores and the sum of entire marketing activity from branded associations is close to Rs 8 crores," says Carving Dreams director Afsar Zaidi, who is Kajol and Ajay Devgan's celebrity manager.

Kajol has been seen in many ads lately but when it comes to films, U Me Aur Hum is the actor's release after two years post Fanaa in 2006. Hence four out of six brands endorsed by Kajol saw this as a viable opportunity and timing for an association. Only telecom brand Tata Indicom and jewellery brand Asmi gave this association a miss.

"Since Asmi is endorsed by only Kajol and Sangini is endorsed by both Kajol and Ajay, it made better sense to rope in Sangini for branded associations with the movie," adds Zaidi.

Apart from these FMCG, home appliance and jewellery brands, Star Cruise has a strategic placement in the film because major portions of the film have been shot on a cruise.

With U Me Aur Hum Whirlpool and Star Cruise have even come together for cross branded alliances wherein winners of Whirlpool's contest will win getaways to Star Cruise.

It’s U, Me Aur Brands all the way for Devgan’s directorial debut.

Quelle: http://www.businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=7847

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

UMAH wird langsam zu einer exemplarischen Geschichte über Kajol und Ajays Werbestrategien, egal ob es sich dabei um die Vermarktung des Films selbst oder der Produkte im Film dreht, denen die Stars verpflichtet sind.
Zum Beispiel hat Devgan jetzt auch begonnen, für Alpenliebe zu werben, was erst nur Kajol getan hat. Gleichzeit haben Marken wie Whirlpool und Sangini ihre Bindung mit dem Paar gefestigt. Anchor Zahnpasta - Kajols Werbepartner - profitiert ebenfalls von UMAH, wenn es ihre Anzeigenkampagne mit dem Film kombiniert. Carving Dreams Manager Afsar Zaidi, der Ajay und Kajol Werbeaktivitäten steuert, schätzt den Gesamtertrag der Maßnahmen auf insgesamt 8 Crore. Vier von Kajols sechs Werbepartnern haben die Gelegenheit für Kampagnen im Zusammenhang mit UMAH genutzt. Nur TATA Indicom (Telekommunikation) und Asmi (Schmuck) wollten nicht. "Da Asmi nur von Kajol promotet wird und Sangini von beiden, machte es Sinn, nur Sangini mit dem Film in Verbindung zu bringen," fügt Zaidi hinzu. Außerdem ist Star Cruise strategisch als Werbepartner im Film lanciert worden - UMAH wurde zu großen Teilen auf einem Kreuzfahrtschiff gedreht.
Außerdem gab es gemeinsame Aktionen von UMAH, Whirlpool und Star Cruise. So z.B. gewinnen die Sieger eines Whirlpool-Wettbewerbs Kreuzfahrten auf Star Cruise Schiffen. So heißt es "Du, Ich und die Werbepartner" bei Ajay Devgans Regiedebut.

11 Apr, 2008 12:03 pm ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES

The first two summer? releases of 2008, Ajay Devgan’s U Me aur Hum and Jaideep Sen’s Krazzy 4 seem to be having an ill-fated start. In fact even before their start, lady luck doesn’t seem to be in their favour completely. Ok, we are not talking about the content quality of the film. From what we hear, the two releases of this week are sensibly crafted entertainers.

But as bad luck would have it, unfortunately Kajol was bereaved of her father Shomu Mukherjee just a day before husband Ajay Devgan is to make his directorial debut. It couldn’t have been a more difficult time for the family. While Ajay has successfully completed his ambitious film and it was expectedly time to celebrate, the family, on the contrary, is in deep mourning. There is no premiere or a pre-release bash for them. The sad part is that Shomu Mukherjee wasn’t there to see the opening day of his son-in-law’s debut venture. Our heartfelt condolences to the family!

The other release of this week, Krazzy 4 has run into legal hassles. A small time music director Ram Sampath (Khakee, Family) has issued legal notices to producer Rakesh Roshan, music director Rajesh Roshan and the Filmkraft banner. Sampath claimed that the music of one of the tracks from the Krazzy 4 album was clearly lifted from a jingle that he had composed for a Sony Ericsson cell phone advertisement. He also claimed damages worth Rs 2 crores. All this happened just days before the film was scheduled to release. As per the court hearing on Thursday, Rakesh Roshan can release the movie albeit chopping off two tracks from the film.

But the positive part is that despite the tragedy and the trouble that U Me aur Hum and Krazzy 4 had to face just when contentment was a stone’s throw away, they are still strong enough to take things in their stride and release their films.

As they say... the show must go on.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/News__Gossi...how/2943947.cms

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Es geht um die unglücklichen Startvoraussetzungen für beide Filme: Bei UMAH der Tod von Kajols Vater, bei KRAZZY 4 die rechtlichen Auseinandersetzungen wegen der Songs.

By Priyanka Khanna. Delhi, India, 04:30 PM IST, April 13

A common thread running through over-the-top comic caper 'Krazzy 4' and sombrely romantic 'U, Me Aur Hum' is the theme of mental illness.

While actor Ajay Devgan has chosen Alzheimer's, which leads to gradual memory loss, as the subject for his directorial debut 'U Me Aur Hum', actor-turned-filmmaker Rakesh Roshan has depicted the world from the eyes of four mentally unstable men in the much hyped 'Krazzy 4'.

In the former, Kajol, one of Bollywood's most talented female actors, essays the role of a young woman who suffers from Alzheimer's. How the aliment tests her marriage forms the core of the film, which tries to strike a balance with a breezy first half.

The last time Kajol was seen on the big screen was in 'Fanaa' in which she portrayed the role of a visibly challenged Kashmiri girl to perfection. The actor has become very selective after her marriage to Ajay and it seems she is willing to take up only very special roles.

And such roles are coming by much more frequently in Bollywood, which is desperately seeking to break the mould in a bid to keep its increasingly discerning audiences hooked.

'After a spate of movies featuring roles of physically challenged people, including 'Black' and 'Iqbal' on one hand and slapsticks like 'Pyare Mohan' and 'Tom, Dick and Harry' on the other, Mumbai dream merchants now seem to be focusing on tales of the mentally challenged,' said a trade observer.

Ajay's film comes on the heels of superstar Aamir Khan's directorial debut 'Taare Zameen Par', which was based on autism. The film, a surprise blockbuster, took a sensitive view of the differently-abled and promoted inclusiveness.

On a less serious note, 'Krazzy 4', which also released Friday, brings together acting powerhouses like Irfan Khan, Juhi Chawla and Arshad Warsi in an attempt to trickle the funny bone and at the same time deliver a moral message.

Produced by Rakesh Roshan, the film is a comedy about four mentally unstable men and how their view of a world, which is going increasingly insane, makes more sense.

The film that features two special item numbers by Shah Rukh Khan and Rakhi Sawant, respectively, and one promotional number by heartthrob Hrithik Roshan has generated a lot of buzz but is also facing rough weather.

The controversy surrounding the film's music has died down but now the film has been branded as 'insensitive' for its portrayal of the mentally ill.

A concerned citizen, Rukmini Pillai, has filed a complaint with the Central Board of Film Certification, stating: 'The filmmakers need to be more attuned to the social fabric and appreciate that people with mental illnesses aren't just lying on the streets and in asylums.'

Earlier, Pillai had reportedly succeeded in securing three cuts to the film 'Woh Lamhe', which depicted schizophrenic film star Parveen Babi.

For long, the Mumbai-based Hindi film industry represented the mentally challenged as comic supporting characters that add an amusing sideshow to the central story.

Dinesh Bhugra, who has written a book that analysis depiction of mental illness in Hindi films, says that compared with Hollywood's portrayal of psychological ailments, Indian cinema is perhaps less enlightened.

'There are fewer Bollywood films that look at mental illness in a serious and sympathetic way,' he said.

This, he argues, gives an impression that 'Indian cinema may be 30 to 40 years behind Hollywood's image of psychiatry.'

Remember Salman Khan in 'Kyon Ki', where the lead's illness bears no resemblance to any realistic mental illness, Ajay in 'Main Aisa Hi Hoon', which tried hard to deal with autism, and Hrithik in 'Koi... Mil Gaya', where he has a developmental disorder about which almost nothing is known, except perhaps that it's 'cute'.

Most such films played up mental illness for pathos, trying very hard to make their protagonists earn the audience's sympathy, but came out as non-serious.

At the same time, films like '15 Park Avenue' and 'Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara' had their heart in the right place, but not the marketing power.

It remains to be seen whether films like 'U, Me Aur Hum' and 'Krazzy 4' can find the balance between marketability and sensitivity like 'Taare Zameen Par' did.

Quelle: http://www.indiaenews.com/bollywood/20080413/110935.htm

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

SPOILER
Der rote Faden, der sich sowohl durch die überkandidelte Komödie KRAZZY 4 als auch durch die traurige Romanze UMAH zieht, ist das Thema der Geisteskrankheiten.
Während Ajay Devgan Alzheimer für seinen Debutfilm UMAH gewählt hat - eine Krankheit, die zu allmählichem Gedächtnisverlust führt -, zeigt uns Schauspieler-Regisseur Rakesh Roshan die Welt aus der Sicht von vier psychisch wenig stabilen Männern im mit großem Aufwand angekündigten KRAZZY 4.
Im ersten Film spielt Kajol, eine von Bollywoods talentiertesten Schauspielerinnen, eine junge Frau, die an Alzheimer leidet. Wie die Erkrankung ihre Ehre auf die Probe stellt, ist das Herzstück des Films, das versucht damit einen Ausgleich für die leichtlebige erste Hälfte zu schaffen. Zuletzt sahen wir Kajol in FANAA auf der großen Leinwand, wo sie die Rolle eines sehbehinderten Mädchens aus Kashmir mit großer Perfektion mimte. Nach ihrer Hochzeit mit Ajay war sie sehr wählerisch, und es scheint, dass sie nur bereit ist, wirklich besondere Rollen zu spielen.
Und solche Rollen gibt es in Bollywood immer häufiger, das verzweifelt nach Möglichkeiten sucht, das zunehmend kritische Publikum bei der Stange zu halten. "Nach einer ganzen Reihe von Filmen mit Körperbehinderten, wie BLACK und IQBAL auf der einen Seite und Komödien wie PYARE MOHAN und TOM DICK AND HARRY auf der anderen, scheint sich die Traumfabrik nun auf die Geisteskrankheiten zu stürzen," meint ein Beobachter der Szene.
Ajays Film folgt Superstar Aamir Khans Regiedebut TZP, das sich mit Autismus beschäftigt. [Autsch!] Der Film, eine Boxoffice-Überraschung, gewährte einen feinfühligen Blick auf das "Anderssein" und forderte dazu auf, niemanden auszugrenzen.
Weniger ernst bringt KRAZZY 4, der auch am Freitag herauskam, Schauspielstars wie Irfan Khan, Juhi Chawla und Arshad Warsi bei dem Versuch zusammen, witzig zu sein und gleichzeitig eine Botschaft rüber zu bringen. Produziert von Rakesh Roshan, ist der Film eine Komödie über vier geistig instabile Männer und ihren Blick auf die Welt, die immer verrückter wird. Der Film mit zwei Itemnummer von Shah Rukh Khan und Rakhi Sawant und einer Promo mit Herzensbrecher Hritik Roshan hat für eine Menge Aufruhr gesorgt und segelt jetzt in rauen Gewässern. Die Aufregung wegen der Filmmusik hat sich inzwischen wieder gelegt, aber er wird wegen der Darstellung geistig behinderter Menschen als "unsensibel" bezeichnet.
Ein betroffener Bürger, Rukmini Pillai, hat Beschwerde beim CBFC eingereicht. Dort heißt es: "Der Filmemacher sollte der sozialen Struktur mehr Aufmerksamkeit schenken und anerkennen, dass Menschen mit Geisteskrankheit nicht nur auf der Straße und in Irrenanstalten herumliegen."
Bereits früher einmal hatte Pillai Erfolg damit, drei Szenen aus WOH LAMHE herausschneiden zu lassen. Der Film zeigte die schizophrene Schauspielerin Parveen Babi.
Seit langem werden in Hindifilmen geistig Behinderte in komischen Rollen eingesetzt, die der Kerngeschichte einen lustigen Touch verleihen sollen. Dinesh Bhugra, der diese Rollen in einem Buch analysiert hat, sagt, dass im Vergleich mit Hollywood die Darstellung psychischer Erkrankungen vielleicht weniger einfühlsam ist. "Es gibt weniger Bollywoodfilme, die einen ernsthaften und mitfühlenden Blick auf die Geisteskrankheiten werfen," sagt er. "Und das," so sein Argument, "erzeugt den Eindruck, dass das indische Kino vielleicht 30 bis 40 Jahre in Sachen Psychatrie hinter Hollywood herhinkt."
Erinnern wir uns nur an Salman Khan in KYON KI, wo die Krankheit des Hauptdarsteller nichts mit der Wirklichkeit zu tun hatte, an Ajay in MAIN AISA HI HOON, der versuchte sich ernsthaft mit Autismus auseinander zu setzen, und an Hritik in KOI MIL GAYA, der eine völlig unbenannte Störung hat, über die wir nichts erfahren, außer vielleicht dass sie "niedlich" ist. Die meisten dieser Filme setzen geistige Erkrankungen ein, um Pathos zu erzeugen, um ihre Protagonisten in die Herzen der Zuschauer zu tragen. Herausgekommen ist dabei etwas, was nicht wirklich ernst genommen werden kann.
Gleichzeitig hatten Filme wie 15 PARK AVENUE und MAINE GANDHI KO NAHIN MARA das Herz auf dem rechten Fleck, konnten aber wegen fehlender Finanzen keine Durchsetzung auf dem Markt erreichen.
Es bleibt abzuwarten, ob Filme wie UMAH und KRAZZY 4 ein Gleichgewicht zwischen Markterfolg und Einfühlungsvermögen erreichen können, wie das TZP gelungen ist.

14 Apr 2008, 0000 hrs IST,TNN

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 Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi , Vipul is looking for one for his 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 doing a lot of auditions and asking people to recommend whoever they know. The requirements are that the girl should have innocence on her face and be a classic beauty.” All those looking for a ticket to Bollywood can contact these filmmakers.

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India...how/2948748.cms

12 Apr, 2008 04:13 pm ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES

On the teesra (third day after death) of Shomu Mukherjee, daughter Kajol has gone to Pune to immerse her father’s ashes in the holy Triveni Sangam. Undoubtedly this is a testing phase for the family.

Ajay Devgan’s directorial debut U Me aur Hum has released almost simultaneously. Fortunately for the actress and her family, U Me aur Hum has opened to a good response by the audiences and very positive reviews by the critics as well. Ajay Devgan has been lauded for the undiluted essence of romance that he has brought to life in the film.

We pray to the almighty to give strength to the family in trying times. Success to the film will be following soon.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/News__Gossi...how/2947181.cms

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

An Teesra (dem dritten Tag nach dem Tod) von Shomu Mukherjee ist seine Tochter Kajol nach Puna gefahren, um seine Asche dem Wasser zu übergeben. Es ist zweifellos eine harte Zeit für die Familie.
Fast gleichzeit hatte Ajay Devgans Regiedebut UMAH Premiere. Zum Glück für die Schauspielerin und ihre Familie bekam UMAH viel Zuspruch vom Publikum und gute Kritiken. Ajay Devgan wurde für die Art und Weise, wie er die Romanze im Film zum Leben erweckt hat, gelobt.
Wir beten dafür, dass Gott der Familie in diesen Zeiten Stärke verleihen möge. Der Filmerfolg wird sicher folgen.

April 14, 2008

Auszug:

It was an irony of sorts.

Ajay Devgan's critically acclaimed directorial debut, U Me Aur Hum had an average response while Krazzy 4, despite it's poor content, had a good opening, thanks to the publicity generated by its item numbers.

U Me Aur Hum

Cast: Ajay Devgan, Kajol.
Director: Ajay Devgan.
Good performances
Abrupt start. Devgan decidedly has some way to go as a director, especially visually.

Number of weeks: New.
BO Verdict: Poor opening.

Quelle: http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/apr/14box.htm

14 Apr, 2008 06:00 am ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES

After the release of U, Me Aur Hum , and the good reviews, Ajay Devgan is thankful to the people behind the scenes for making it all happen.

The media-reticent actor specially thanked his PRO for getting him to try and be media savvy and in the news for the last couple of months. Well, let's hope Ajay continues to be in this communicative mood for a long time. Wishful thinking? We hope not!

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/News__Gossi...how/2947425.cms

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

Ajay Devgan ist dankbar
Nach dem Release von UMAH und den guten Kritiken bedankt sich Ajay Devgan bei all den Menschen hinter den Kulissen, die ihm diesen Erfolgt ermöglicht haben.
Der medienscheue Schauspieler dankte besonders seiner PR-Agentur dafür, dass sie ihn in den letzten Monaten bei der Stange und in den Schlagzeilen gehalten haben. Also lasst uns hoffen, dass Ajay lange in dieser kommunikativen Stimmung bleibt. Wunschdenken? Wir hoffen nicht.

Author: Amul Sharma; Date: 14 Apr 2008

The newcomer has been cribbing that his role in U Me Aur Hum was chopped by Ajay Devgan

Actors who are just starting off their B-Town innings don’t usually badmouth their own projects. But according to sources, Aditya Rajput who features in Ajay Devgan’s directorial debut U Me Aur Hum (UMAH) isn’t too pleased with his role being chopped in the film.

Seriously offended

An industry source reveals, “Roles are chopped in practically every movie nowadays to keep films under the three-hour mark. But Aditya aka Addy is seriously offended with his role being chopped off. He appears in the movie for barely five minutes.”

Adds the source, “Addy saw U Me Aur Hum at one of the trials and was overheard telling a co-star in the lift that he got a raw deal in the movie. He was banking on this project as it was a prestigious one.”

Addy earlier featured in Anupam Kher’s Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005). The actor, however, says, “I am very happy with the film and my part came across exactly the way it was narrated to me. I was told from day one that it was going to be a cameo.

I had known from the start that this was going to be the exact screen time I’d have in the movie, we even did workshops and Hazel (his co-actress) and I were clued in. It was a great honour for me to share screen space with Ajay Devgan and Kajol.”

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

A modern day Mahabharata is being planned and a modern day actor has been chosen for it.

New Bollywood heartbreak kid Ranbir Kapoor has signed on the dotted line to enact the character of Arjun in Prakash Jha’s film titled Rajniti. Says an industry insider, “Ranbir is new to the industry, but he is very professional and very sorted out. He does not keep the filmmakers waiting for long, irrespective of whether he wants to do the film or not. This time was no exception, and he clearly told Jha’s office that he will soon allot his dates for Rajniti.”

The film will be shot in Jamshedpur and USA and will co-star Ajay Devgan and Manoj Bajpai.

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...jay-devgan.html

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übersetzt von soulsurfer:

In allen Artikeln steht nicht viel drin, was wir nicht schon wüssten über die Mahabharatha-Verfilmung: Ajay spielt den Lead, Nana Patekar und Manoj Bajpai sind auch dabei und jetzt wurde Ranbir als Arjun engagiert. Gedreht wird in Jamshedpur und in den USA.

16 Apr 2008, 0000 hrs IST,TNN

We were the first to tell you that Ajay Devgan is expected to play Karan and Manoj Bajpai to play Duryodhan in Prakash Jha’s modern version of the Mahabharat titled Rajniti.

Our source reveals the actor who will play another key character — Arjun — Ranbir Kapoor is expected to play Arjun. Apparently Ranbir had read the script before leaving for Italy to shoot for Siddharth Anand’s Bachna Aye Haseeno, and he loved the role. Ranbir has informed Jha’s office that he is willing to do the film. Says an industry insider, “Ranbir is new to the industry, but he is very professional and very sorted out. He does not keep the filmmakers waiting for long, irrespective of whether he wants to do the film or not. This time was no exception, and he clearly told Jha’s office that he will soon allot his dates for Rajniti.”

Rajniti, which will be extensively shot in Jamshedpur and the USA, will have all the political twists of the Mahabharat, but will be set in contemporary times. When contacted, Prakash Jha, who has made highly acclaimed films like Mrityudand, Apaharan and Gangaajal brushes aside all claims and says, “Why are so many people talking about Rajniti when I haven’t made an official announcement yet?”

However, a friend of Ranbir confirms that he is indeed doing Rajniti. “Ranbir will soon allot the dates to Prakash Jha,” Ranbir’s friend says.

After completing his shoot in Italy, Ranbir will proceed to France and join girlfriend Deepika Padukone to shoot a song for Bachna Aye Haseeno.

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India...how/2953929.cms