News (englisch) » August 2009 - News

Salman does have a friend, it's Ajay!

MARK MANUEL , TNN 2 August 2009, 12:00am IST

Who said Salman Khan hasn’t a friend in Bollywood?

Step up and be prepared to get knocked down by Ajay Devgan! The two actors are friends. Though they’ve done only one film together — Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 1999, with the lovely Aishwarya Rai torn between both men’s love on screen.

That was ten years ago... my, how time flies! Now they are working together again in Vipul Shah’s London Dreams. But their friendship has endured the passage of time. This is not a Bollywood kind of yeh dosti, hum nahin todenge friendship, with the actors hanging together and being in and out of each other’s homes.

They have no virtual presence in one another’s life, but rather an quiet influence from which each actor derives a calming strength. And this goes back a long time, because before them, their fathers Salim Khan and Veeru Devgan — old Bollywood’s famous writer and fighter, were friends.

“We are the second generation, Ajay’s debut film Phool Aur Kaante came out more or less the same time as I did Maine Pyar Kiya,” revealed Salman.

“It’s not that were are in touch,” added Ajay, “but when we meet, we are comfortable in each other’s company.”
Good enough, given that Bollywood throws up some strange bedfellows, and once the lights have been switched off, pack-up announced, and makeup wiped off... how the stars claw and snipe one another off the sets is the kind of stuff that gossip magazines are notoriously fond of writing.

“I know there are 10,000 things being said of Salman, but I’ve not seen that side of him,” argued Ajay. “He’s a great guy, he’s honest with people who he believes are genuine, and never has issues with those that are straight.”

Salman returned the compliment, “Ajay’s the most chilled out guy I know, a super friend, and strangely our film London Dreams is about the journey of two friends between whom there is no jealousy, no complexities.” They are not surprised that Bollywood hasn’t pitched them together after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’s success. “Actors don’t plan such things,” explained Ajay, “it’s not like I must do a film with Salman, we are hearing scripts all the time, this one seemed like the right one — so we went ahead.”

Their strong, silent and cherished dosti apart, the two actors have huge respect for each other’s work. “There’s no back-biting, no stealing of lines, no oneupmanship with Ajay, he concentrates on himself and does not interfere with his co-star,” said Salman, “it’s nice working with him, he’s not a chindi-chor, he won’t influence directors or grab your space.”

Surprisingly, this is more or less Ajay’s opinion on the famously difficult Salman, contrary to Bollywood’s experience of the actor being terribly cantankerous to work with. “There’s no stress, no tension, he’s funny on the sets,” insisted Ajay. There was just one question left: why didn’t they take their friendship to the next level?

“It’s because I hardly socialise,” replied Ajay. And Salman said, “Arre he’s a married man, he’s got a wife and child, and his own life... I’ve lots of time to reach that stage!”

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4845051.cms

übersetzt von soulsurfer:
[Der erste Satz macht für mich keinen Sinn: "Kommt her und lasst euch von Ajay überwältigen." Was soll das heißen? Falls das ein feststehender Ausdruck sein sollte - mir ist er noch nie untergekommen. Also weiter im Text ...]
Die beiden Schauspieler sind Freunde, trotzdem haben nur einen Film zusammen gemacht - HDDCS (1999), zusammen mit der schönen Aishwarya Rai. Das ist jetzt 10 Jahre her - meine Güte, wie die Zeit vergeht! Jetzt arbeiten sie wieder zusammen, in Vipul Shahs LD. Aber ihre Freundschaft hat die Zeit überdauert. Keine übliche Bollywoodfreundschaft, bei der die Schauspieler die ganze Zeit auf Gedeih und Verderb zusammenstecken.
Sie treffen sich nicht dauernd, sondern üben einen fast unmerklichen Einfluss aufeinander aus, der beiden Schauspielern eine ruhige Stärke verleiht. Das hat Wurzeln tief in der Vergangenheit - in einer Zeit, als ihre Väter Salim Khan und Veeru Devgan Freund waren, der eine Experte für Drehbücher, der andere für Actionszenen.
"Wir sind die zweite Generation. Ajays Debütfilm PAK erschien mehr oder weniger gleichzeitig mit meinem MPK", eröffnete Salman.
"Wir halten keinen ständigen Kontakt", fügt Ajay hinzu. "Aber wenn wir uns treffen, fühlen wir uns wohl in der Gesellschaft des anderen."
Das ist doch schon etwas, wenn man bedenkt, wie so manche Schauspieler in Bollywood miteinander umgehen, sobald die Lichter ausgeschaltet, die Sachen zusammengepackt und das Make-up abgewischt ist. Wie Stars einander in den Rücken fallen und sich auf dem Set bekämpfen, das ist das Lieblingsthema der Klatschpresse.
"Ich weiß, was Salman alles nachgesagt wird, aber ich kenne diese Seite nicht an ihm", beteuert Ajay. "Er ist ein guter Kumpel, ehrlich mit Leuten, die keine Hintergedanken hegen. Mit keinem, der geradeheraus seine Meinung sagt, hat er ein Problem."
Salman gibt das Kompliment zurück: "Ajay ist der koolste Typ, den ich kenne. Ein toller Freund, und seltsamerweise ist auch LD ein Film über die Reise zweier Freunde, zwischen denen es keine Eifersüchteleien und keine Hintergedanken gibt."
Sie sind beide nicht überrascht davon, dass sie nach dem Erfolg von HDDCS nicht mehr zusammengekommen sind. "Als Schauspieler plant man so etwas nicht", erklärt Ajay. "Es ist ja nicht so, dass ich unbedingt einen Film mit Salman machen wollte. Wir bekommen die ganze Zeit Drehbücher, und bei diesem hat anscheinend alles gepasst - also haben wir den Film gemacht."
Außer Stärke, Ruhe und gegenseitiger Wertschätzung verbindet die beiden Schauspieler ein gegenseitiger Respekt für die Arbeit des anderen. "Da gibt es keine Rangeleien, kein Zeilenzählen, kein Vordrängeln bei Ajay. Er konzentriert sich auf seine Arbeit und nicht auf seinen Co-Star", sagt Salman. "Es ist schön, mit ihm zu arbeiten, er ist kein Schleimer und würde nie den Regisseur beeinflussen oder deinen Raum beschneiden."
Überraschenderweise ist das mehr oder weniger auch Ajays Meinung über den als schwierig bekannten Salman. Damit steht er im Gegensatz zum Rest von Bollywood, das den Schauspieler bei der Arbeit schwierig und zickig findet. "Es gibt keinen Stress, keine Spannungen, er ist lustig am Set", findet Ajay. Da bleibt nur noch eine Frage: Warum haben die beiden ihre Freundschaft nicht vertieft?
"Weil ich mich generell kaum mit Leuten treffe", entgegnet Ajay.
Und Salman sagt: "Na, er ist verheiratet, hat Frau und Kind, ein eigenes Leben ... Ich habe noch eine Menge Zeit, bis ich soweit bin!"

Published: Sat, 01 Aug 2009 at 22:53 IST
Click Image to Enlarge
Mumbai:The trend to invite Hollywood actors in the Bollywood movies is catching up high.

In her directional debut Leena Yadav is going to feature a joint tenure of Hollywood and union Bollywood top ravishing actors the actor of the millennium Amitabh Bachchan and Sir Ben Kingsley who played a challenging role of "The Father of Nation- Mahatma Gandhi" in movie "Teen Patti".

Sir Ben Kingsley will play a prominent part in this movie. Besides him, the movie has remarkable star cast of our Bollywood Daddy Amitabh Bachchan, R. Madhavan, Raima Sen, heart throb beauty of Bollywood Sushmita Sen, Boman Irani, Jackie Shroff and Ajay Devgan. Plus, some of newcomers will be seen in this movie. Baddie Shakti Kapoor's daughter Sharadha Kapoor will be among the others in the movie to make their debut.

Going behind the scenes, it seems that the movie team had tough time in getting the shooting permission from the famous Cambridge University. Later, when the authorities came to know that Big B and Sir Ben were the stars, they allowed the team to shoot.

This movie will be soon among the moviegoers on the silver screen, the production is undergone.

Quelle: http://www.samaylive.com/news/a-movie-of...tti/642268.html

KUNAL M SHAH , MUMBAI MIRROR 3 August 2009, 10:49am IST

Kajol , who celebrates her birthday on August 5, has already received a gift from husband, Ajay Devgan. It is a white Audi Q7, which was gifted to her on Saturday .

A source said, Kajol is very fond of cars. She has been driving a Mercedes, which was also gifted to her by Ajay, when their daughter, Nysa was born. The Audi was delivered at their Juhu bungalow on Friday. Ajay had parked it in the basement so that he could surprise his wife the next day. Next morning , on the pretext of taking her out, he surprised her with the gift.
Kajol was thrilled. Ajay, who is currently shooting for Milan Luthrias Once Upon A Time in Mumbai, will be taking a day off on August 5 to spend time with Kajol. The Devgans usually prefer to spend their special days with family and close friends and are planning to drive down to their Karjat farmhouse to celebrate Kajols birthday.

Ajay Devgans spokesperson confirmed the news but refused to give any further details.

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/enter...how/4850945.cms

By: Upala KBR Date: 2009-08-03 Place: Mumbai

The czarina of TV, Ekta Kapoor, is known to act on impulses and whims. She's been known to give away lakhs worth of gifts to people she likes, just on a sudden fancy.



Recently, she gifted Ajay Devgan, the male lead of her production, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, a vintage 1967 car. Ajay loves cars from fast, sleek modern ones to vintage ones. He has a good collection of various cars.

Character demands

Says a source from the sets of Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, "Ajay started shooting for the film a week ago. He plays a character which has been inspired by Haji Mastan and one of the scenes required him to use a vintage 1967 model of a luxury car. The car is owned by the producer, Balaji Motion Pictures Limited, who had purchased it from Shahnawaz of the Ali brothers. Ajay fell in love with the car.



"He was seen asking about the details and expressed his desire to buy the car to the production team. Ajay also asked them to check about the price of the car. When Ekta heard about this she decided to gift the car to him. But it's meant as a surprise gift to Ajay who has no clue about it. "

Ekta confirms, "Ajay liked the vintage car so much that he wanted to buy it after the shoot got over but I have decided to gift it to him. Though I love gifting people stuff this is not just a passing whim. It's great to have an actor like him be part of our film."

The film is being directed by Milan Luthria.

Quelle: http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/200...e-In-Mumbai.htm

Informer
By: Histlist Team Date: 2009-08-03 Place: Mumbai

…
Ajay Devgan has enrolled himself as part of the Mumbai's voter ID drive initiated by Yuva Foundation chairman Sanjeev Kalle.



The actor, who is also the Goodwill Ambassador for the Yuva Foundation of Mumbai, says, "This is a welcome initiative by Yuva Foundation to bring the drive to people's doorsteps.

I urge Mumbaikars to come forward to utilise this opportunity and enrol themselves and get their voter ID cards. These cards could become mandatory in the future and hence this is an excellent opportunity to get them registered."

Quelle: http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/200...-Kabir-Khan.htm

übersetzt von sylva:
Ajay war mal wieder in Sachen Yuva Foundation unterwegs. Hier ging es wohl um die Wahlkarten, welche in Zukunft wohl eine große Rolle spielen werden.

Updated on Monday, August 03, 2009, 20:28 IST
Spicezee Bureau

Mumbai: Who says romance dies in a marriage after a period of time? Ask the talented couple Ajay Devgan and Kajol. Their love is still going strong after years of marriage.

Latest news has it that hubby Ajay Devgan has gifted his wife Kajol with the luxury vehicle SUV for her birthday, which falls on August 5. He reportedly surprised her by presenting an elegant white Audi Q7, which goes with her personality.

The Devgan
family has plans to drive off to their Karjat farmhouse for Kajol’s birthday. Kajol’s previous vehicle – a Mercedes has also been a gift from hubby dearest on the occasion of the birth of their daughter Nysa.

Ajay Devgan has also received a car - 1967 model Mercedes as a gift - not from wife, but from TV tycoon Ekta Kapoor. The actor is currently working in her film, ‘Once Upon A Time In Mumbai’, based on the life of smuggler Haji Mastan. Reports say that when Ekta came to know that Ajay was enquiring about the car, she decided to gift him.

Quelle: http://spicezee.zeenews.com/articles/story37093.htm

Posted on August 04th, 2009

Mumbai: Guess what was the surprise Ajay Devgan planned for his lovely wife for her birthday? A pretty expensive Audi Q7 was parked in the basement of Kajol and Ajay’s Residence waiting for Kajol to see this beauty.

Ajay pretended as if nothing has happened till he saw his wife scream with joy.

Kajol celebrates her birthday on 5th August and was very happy to get another car as her gift.

Ajay had gifted a Mercedes on the birth of their daughter Nysa. Kajol loves cars and hubby Ajay didn’t find anything else to woo wifey dear.

The Devgan family always likes to celebrate their family function within close family members and friends, so this year they would be visiting their Karjat farmhouse with family to celebrate the day.

Quelle: http://www.duniyalive.com/?p=51301

August 2nd, 2009

Priyadarshan is done with comedy, at least for the time being. The director, who shot to fame for his sensitive films like Virasaat, is now returning to that genre after long innings with comedy.

The untitled film is based on the caste war in the north. Talking from Chennai to Businessofcinema.com, Priyadarshan said, “I read about the stories in a newspaper where two separate couples were killed after they fell in love and got married. This so enraged the people from their caste that they were hanged. An enquiry into the killings is still currently on. I was deeply moved by the stories and decided that I would make it into a film.”

Talking at length about the film, he added, “This is not going to be an art film. It is a hard hitting entertainer. The story will revolve around a political party and two CBI officers.”

This is an original script, which has been written by Robin Bhatt. The casting for the film is complete and features Priyadarshan’s favourite Akshaye Khanna in the lead. Ajay Devgan and Bipasha Basu have also been signed to play pivotal roles along with Paresh Rawal.

Priyadarshan adds with a chuckle, “I have had enough of Paresh playing the comic character or the buffoon. I am casting him as a villain and it will be great to see Paresh go back to his evil ways.”

Quelle: http://www.naachgaana.com/2009/08/02/dir...m-on-caste-war/

Zitat von FoxyX

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Dutt versus Dutt Diwali clash averted!

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Wir werden warten. Bei GR tauschten das Datum der Premiere auch.

Posted: Aug 07, 2009 at 1545 hrs IST

Kangna Ranaut, who is currently shooting in South Africa for Anees Bazmee’s No Problem, will return to Mumbai next week for a major schedule with the unit of Once Upon A Time In Mumbai. The actor, who plays the role of Ajay Devgan’s wife in the film, has just shot for one day since the film went on the floors on June 3. Once she is back, she will be shooting several romantic sequences with the actor, including a song that will be shot against real-life location, much like the rest of the film, revealed director. Talking about her as well as other actors’ look, Luthria said, “It’s taken us months to create a look inspired from the ’70s fashion. We are ensuring that it is closely-guarded.” The unit, which has been shooting at several indoor locations as well as a major outdoor sequence on the ship, has been instructed to park vanity vans as close as possible to the field of shoot, not allow curious on-lookers to click any pictures on their cellphones and even keep the clapper board free from the film’s title to keep curiosity at bay!

Meanwhile, even Prachi Desai, who is very much in the city, has shot just about three to four days of work. This, as the first schedule saw the filmmaker shooting major individual sequences with Ajay Devgan and Emraan Hashmi, whose character is inspired from that of Dawood Ibrahim. The two actors have started shooting with each other only about a week ago, according to Luthria, who added that the film is being shot in a manner that blends realism with flamboyance.

Quelle: http://www.screenindia.com/news/kangna-t...upon.../497917/

VICKEY LALWANI , MUMBAI MIRROR 10 August 2009, 08:45am IST

Two-and-a-half months after the historic judgment between producers and multiplexes the first cracks within have begun to appear.

Ajay Devgan, who wants to release All The Best, may have to shell out Rs 50 lakh if he wants his film to hit the theatres on October 16, the same day as Aladin, Blue and Main aur Mrs Khanna.

According to our source, the United Producers and Distributors Forum (UPDF) had decided that they will fix the release dates of films till November this year and anybody who goes against their decision will be fined.

Commenting on why Ajay is keen on releasing All The Best on October 16, the source said, "Diwali is the best time to get the audience to the theatres."

Ajay's spokesperson said, "We cannot comment on this issue." However, an insider from Ajay's office said, "We are releasing All The Best on October 16. 50 lakh bharna pada, toh bhar denge. Yes, we are aware there is a clause, which states that if we go against the UPDF's decision we'll have to cough up Rs 50 lakh. But we hear that one of the three films may not release on that day, in which case we will be free to release our film."

Distributor Ramesh Sippy, who is part of UPDF, said, "After the producer-multiplex fight was resolved, it was agreed that the release dates will be decided by the principal body. There is a certain amount of fine that has to be paid to UPDF, but the amount has not been fixed. If Ajay releases All The Best, he will have to pay the UPDF. The makers have been told all this clearly but they believe that Main Aur Mrs Khanna will not release on October 16, and that is how they will be able to release their film on that date."

President of Association of Motion Picture & TV Programme Producers, Ratan Jain, who too is part of UPDF, said, "I don't think Ajay will release All The Best on October 16. He has given us in writing that he will go ahead only if one of the three releases scheduled for October 16 falls through. Even I am ready with my film, De Dana Dan and would like to release it on October 16. But we do need to understand that every big film needs a decent release in terms of screening."

Mukesh Bhatt, Chairman of UPDF, said, "Why should Ajay pay us? We are here to help people and not for extortion. Some of our people have advised Ajay not to release All The Best on October 16. Where will he release the film? On the roads? Moreover, how many films can a person see on a Friday or over the weekend? But if somebody has decided to commit suicide, you can't stop them, can you?"

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/enter...how/4876101.cms

übersetzt von Diwali:
Das Release-Termin-Hin-und-Her um All The Best geht weiter. Laut Mumbai Mirror will Ajay doch an dem 16. Oktober festhalten - in der Hoffnung, dass einer der für Diwali angekündigten Filme (Aladin, Blue, Main aur Mrs Khanna) noch ausfällt. Und selbst wenn nicht - er ist angeblich bereit, sogar den anfallenden Strafbetrag zu bezahlen, denn seit dem Multiplex-Produzenten-Streit behält es sich das United Producers and Distributors Forum (UPDF) vor, die Release-Termine festzulegen; wer darüber hinaus noch einen Film herausbringt, muss Strafe zahlen. Und das UPDF hat ATB offenbar nicht auf seiner Diwali-Liste stehen.

Mukesh Bhatt vom UPDF bringt seine Ansicht dazu auf den Punkt: "Ein paar von uns haben Ajay von dem Diwali-Release abgeraten. Wo will er ihn zeigen? Auf der Straße? Und abgesehen davon, wie viele Filme kann ein Mensch an einem Freitag bzw. an einem Wochenende anschauen? Aber wenn jemand beschlossen hat, Selbstmord zu begehen, dann kann man ihn nicht aufhalten, oder?"

August 10th, 2009 - 8:06 pm ICT by sampurn

Ajay Devgan is all set to give up anything to see his forthcoming venture All The Best to release on October 16. And to achieve this desire he is ready to pay a whooping 50 lakhs to United Producers and Distributors Forum (UPDF).
Actually, the recent fight between multiplexes and producers brought both down to a conclusion- it would be the discretion of UPDF to ink upon the release dates of forthcoming films. Since already three films are releasing on the same date, so UPDF had decided a date somewhere in November for Devgan’s All The Best. However, sources close to Devgan reveal that the latter is keen to release the film on October 16 because of Diwali.
Also, there is a possibility that one of the other three films named Main Aur Mrs. Khanna might back out for the issued date. So, even if Devgan is ready to pay exuberant amount much will depend on the fate of Main Aur Mrs. Khanna.

Quelle: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/ente..._100230385.html

TNN 11 August 2009, 12:38am IST

It could only be sheer coincidence. Ajay Devgan, Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, all of who share a common hair-stylist Aalim end up getting their hair snipped on the same day.

Ajay is playing a don in Once Upon a Time in Mumbai and has a special hair-do from the 70s; Salman is sporting a pony-tail because it’s the look from his film Veer and Ranbir’s hair is actually in a turban because he is in Rocket Singh.

Aalim, who is responsible for the three different looks of the three stars was seen driving from the docks where Ajay was shooting, to a suburban studio to check out Ranbir’s hair; and then zooming to Salman’s residence to give finishing touches to the superstar’s long locks!

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4877331.cms

By: Shaheen Parkar Date: 2009-08-11 Place: Mumbai

Prakash Jha insults 'Bad Man' Grover on sets for showing up without police cap, he takes offence

Gulshan Grover is refusing to shoot any further for Prakash Jha's Rajneeti. The character actor is also not paying heed to any calls and messages from the unit folk.

It is learnt that the B-Town baddie feels his behaviour is justified considering the way the filmmaker insulted him in front of the entire unit during the shoot.

Says a source, "During one of the schedules, Gulshan arrived on the sets without his cap. He plays a cop. Jha made a big fuss about it. He reprimanded him in front of the unit for showing up without his headgear."
Adds the source, "Everyone was taken by surprise by the director's sudden outburst. Co-actors Ajay Devgan and Arjun Rampal were also present."

At the time, Grover did not indulge in a verbal duel with the director as he did not want to hamper the shoot considering other stars were also involved. Now he's taking sweet revenge by refusing to heed calls from the unit folk.

In a fix

Adds the source, "Prakash Jha is in a fix now. He has to either change his role accordingly or reshoot with another actor and incur the additional cost. Gulshan is now adamant and wants the filmmaker to realise that what he did was wrong and unjustified."

But Jha maintains, "Gulshan Grover is not a part of Rajneeti. We never stated that he was in the cast. So there is no question of me telling him anything about his costume."

He adds, "I wanted him to be in Rajneeti as he is a fine actor. But things did not work out. He might be a part of my future projects."

When asked about his refusal to shoot, Grover initially asks, "Who told you this?" And then adds, "I'm not in the film. Prakash is a dear friend and I was helping him cast an American actress for Rajneeti. If there is something for me in his projects, he will cast me. I am known for being extremely accessible."

About his presence in Bhopal where the film was shot he says, "I had dropped in to meet Prakash. It is common for actors to drop in at the shoots of friends. I had gone to meet Grover when he was in Gujarat shooting for Lagaan. And Aamir had dropped in when I was shooting for Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena."

Quelle: http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/200...er-Rajneeti.htm