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Adi-Rani’s 'rock-ing' pyaar?

It seems that the Aditya Chopra-Rani Mukherji romance is in full bloom. If sources are to be believed, the reticent Adi is all out to woo his ladylove. Apparently, he has just bought a 10 carat diamond ring for Rani. And there are multiple reasons behind this gesture.

A well-placed source says, “Rani has always been loyal to Yash Raj Films. She agrees to star in most of their projects without any starry airs. Moreover, despite her reigning status, she chose to limit herself mostly to the Yash Raj banner. Also, despite her recent films with the banner (Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Ta Ra Rum Pum) not doing too well, Rani trusts Aditya’s instincts completely.”

Incidentally, Aditya’s directorial venture Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi does not feature Rani as the storyline does not have a role for her.

“Aditya is planning another sports-based movie on cricket where she might play the role of a captain. Aditya who is very media shy prefers his work to do the talking. Rani has opted to do the same,” says the source. He adds, “Of late, she has become a recluse. She chose not to talk to the media even when her brother’s show was being launched.”

The source reveals further, “Aditya is happy that Rani agreed to be a part of Yash Raj’s Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, despite having differences with Saif Ali Khan. Director Kunal Kohli wanted to repeat the Hum Tum jodi, which had crackling chemistry. It was only Aditya who could convince Rani to agree to co-star opposite the Khan. Aditya being overwhelmed by her support bought this expensive ring as a token of affection and gratitude,” the source ends.
m_ranjib@dnaindia.net

(DNA)

Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic´ : Lots Of Poetry And Lots Of Music

There’s a lot expectations from the Music of Yash Raj Films and Kunal Kohli productions’ Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, and the expectations are not without reason. In the last 3 years the highest selling album has been ‘Fanaa’ - ‘Chand Sifarish’ and ‘Mere Haath Mein’ were blockbuster hits that are still popular even today. Before that in ‘Hum Tum’ too Kunal Kohli gave us super hit music with ‘Ladki Kyon’, ‘Saanson ko Saanson Mein’ and ‘Mere Dil Vich’. Now after the super success of ‘Hum Tum’ and ‘Fanaa’ the hit musical team of Kunal Kohli-Prasoon Joshi, this time teams up with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to being to you the music of ‘Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic’.

In the immitable style of Prasoon Joshi are the lyrics of the film that touch your heart, tag at your emotions, bring a smile to your face, and the sheer poetry just brings out a ‘wah’.

Shankar Ehsaan Loy have given a range of different melodies in this album, that has something for every kind of listener. Whether its, love, fun, naach, sexy, entertaining it’s all there in ‘Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic’.

The album opens with 'Pyaar Ke Liye', sung by Shankar Mahadevan, which sums up the mood and spirit of the film. Evocative lyrics by Prasoon Joshi provide the base for a contemplative yet uplifting romantic song that is given an extra zest by a superb background chorus of voices and a strong guitar line that is weaved in at places throughout the song.

The next track Nihaal Ho Gayi combines eastern and western beats like only perhaps Shankar Ehsaan Loy can. Alternating and combining jazzy guitar chords at the start with qawwali infused vocalization, percussions and handclaps and sometimes carried along mainly by the soulfulness of Shankar’s voice, 'Nihaal Ho Gayi' is a mélange of musical influences that truly works like magic.

'Lazy Lamhe', which comes up next, would not be out of place in a night club in New York or Barcelona, not to mention Mumbai, Delhi or Ludhiana. The opening hook is one of the most insanely catchy ones heard in recent times and Anusha Mani does full justice in conveying the lazy sensuousness of the song picturised on Ameesha Patel. The DJ Aqeel remix of the song, which closes the album, adds on some more thumping electronic beats and riffs and draws out the vocals in places, making sure that the already catchy song becomes an irresistible dance floor hit.

'Lazy Lamhe' is followed on the album by 'Bulbula', picturised on Rani Mukerji, and voiced by Sunidhi Chauhan and Shankar Mahadevan. It describes Rani’s character in the film, and like her, is fresh and vibrant. One of Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s trademarks – superb harmonies – are used to fantastic effect in this peppy song which, incidentally, is one of the first songs in Hindi film history to be completely shot with eye popping visual effects and graphics. Shreya Ghosal and Sneha Suresh, helped by a background of children’s voice, proclaims the confident and assertive spirit of the new India even while proclaiming its determination to not forget the lessons of the past. It’s a new spin on the patriotic song, inspirational yet trendy and catchy. Visually too the song is a landmark, as it touches on important moments in India’s history, going back and forth in time. 'Beetey Kal Se', is more than a patriotic song, its more than an educative song, it’s a social comment on where we are today and where we’re going tomorrow.

The album is brought to a close by the DJ Aqeel remixes of 'Nihaal Ho Gayi' and 'Lazy Lamhe' that are sure to be playing in car stereos and discos throughout the summer this year. If you want music that both engages the mind and touches the heart, and makes summer a lot more pleasurable, you need to listen to the soundtrack of 'Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic'. And when you do, you will know its one album that delivers a lot of Pyaar and a lot of magic!

'Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic' is co-produced by Yash Raj Films and Kunal Kohli, directed by Kunal Kohli, Music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Lyrics by Prasoon Joshi and stars Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji and the music has been released on YRF Music.

(Couretsy : Yash Raj Films)

Shah Rukh Khan to sport a spiky look in 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi'

After flaunting his long silky hair in Om Shanti Om to sporting a ponytail for Krazzy 4 , Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has chosen for himself the in-thing - a trendy spike cut.

The first movie in which SRK is going to appear with his spiky hair cut would be Aditya Chopra ’s next flick Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi .

SRK’s hair stylist Dilshad seems happy with his work and speaking to a newspaper said, “When I started out I had a different look for him in my mind but when I finished I felt amazed and as he looked stunning and trendy."

Going by the looks, the new hairstyle seems out to have worked out fine as King Khan has never looked sexier and the new look is for sure going well with his ultra stylish image.

All those of you who thought that Aamir Khan is the only actor who loves to experiment with his look would now have one more Khan to watch out for.

Bangalore based 19-year-old model, Anushka Sharma has been roped in under the Yashraj Films banner to play the lead opposite King Khan in 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, whose shooting began with SRK and Anushka joining the first day of the shoot last weekend with Aditya, who is returning to film direction after a gap of eight years with this film that is scheduled for a December release.

After a long hunt for heroines, debutant Anushka was finalised to play the lead of a small town Punjabi girl by Yashraj Films, who are hoping to revive the magic of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge with 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi'.

The film, a love story, is rumoured to be a desi version of Hollywood's classic romantic film 'My Fair Lady'.

(Apun ka Choice)

Revised promotional strategy for YRF's next?

Would Yash Raj Films be having a re-look at the promotional strategy of their next release THODA PYAAR THODA MAGIC?

That's a question looming large in industry circles which is still shell shocked by the failure of country's biggest production house's latest release TASHAN. Yash Raj Films has traditionally believed in a low profile promotional campaigns for each of their films, whether it is big or small. Whether it is TASHAN or LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG or CHAK DE! INDIA or AAJA NACHLE, they have always allowed the audience to explore their films rather than handing them everything on a platter even before the film's release.

Though in majority of recent cases this hasn't worked (in any case they were badly made movies), in a one off instance - CHAK DE! INDIA - this worked in a big way. Point to be noted here is that the film was also the best of the lot served by Yash Raj Films in the years gone by. The Shah Rukh Khan starrer had taken a shockingly low opening but held its ground as Friday came to a close and only found its way up in the popularity charts with every passing show.

Now with THODA PYAAR THODA MAGIC coming up, one wonders what kind of campaign is the production house targeting at. Will they be following the same approach as that of movies gone by where a low key promotion would be followed by audience giving their final verdict? Or would they be following the same approach as that of majority of other big production houses which publicize their films to such a huge extent that audience is left with no other option but to rush to their nearest multiplex / theatre and catch the film; most recent example being RACE?

Monica Bhattacharya, spokesperson of Yash Raj Films, however chose to downplay the entire promotional campaign re-look talk. She said, "It is too early to be commenting upon the promotional campaign strategy for THODA PYAAR THODA MAGIC. The film is still a little away."

THODA PYAAR THODA MAGIC marks the return of Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherjee as a pair for the third time after HUM TUM and TA RA RUM PUM. Incidentally both these films were also productions of Yash Raj Films.

(Glamsham)

Contract for Yash Raj heroines

A contract that details not just financial details but also clothes and specified weight at the time of shoot is what makes a Yash Raj contract different from any other.

Yash Raj’s unique deals with heroines and not the latter’s obsession for anorexic bodies may well be the reason behind Bebo’s zero-size figure and Ash’s ultra-toned down look at 54 kilos.

The brand ‘Yash Raj’ strikes a romantic chord in every Bollywood lover’s heart. Those breath-taking snowy locations, grand sets, hi-stylized characters and ultra-sensuous heroines wrapped in pastels are what make their films a class apart. But as the super-hero Spiderman says, ‘With power comes responsibilities’ and so, in order that there’s no compromising for its patrons when it comes to the ‘glam’ quotient in its their movies, Yash Raj has been signing detailed contracts with each of its heroines.

Now while this is becoming the norm in B-town as it attains a ‘global’ and subsequently more professional avatar, Yash Raj deals with its heroines in a manner that’s one step ahead of all production houses in Bollywood.

Apparently, since every Yash Raj flick has atleast that one ‘sizzling’ scene where the actresses are expected to oblige the director by getting under those satin sheets, swim suits or just about anything that would allow for a low neckline, there’s a high chance of last-minute costume shockers that might leave our A-grade actresses in a sour taste and the audiences high and dry.

But the smart businessmen that the veterans of Yash Raj are, they have managed to keep all hassles at bay by including a sketch of the actress’s outfit in the film’s contract. Not just that, but the ‘deal’ also mentions the mandatory weight for the actresses during the time of shoot. And if you think we are exaggerating, here’s letting you on a li’l inside story.

Our very tall and slender Aishwarya Rai who has never really had weight issues ever, found her ‘Dhoom 2’ contract reading ‘required weight at the time of shoot: 54 kgs’. So while that ultra-toned look that may have appeared ‘pale’ to some of her fans and Bebo’s new zero-size figure in ‘Tashan’ may not appeal to most, it’s high-time we stop blaming our lovely ladies for doing away with all that flesh in the right places. After all, Yash Raj – the King of Romance – reigns supreme when it comes to calling the shots in Bollywood.

Anushka Pic




(TOI)

‘My movie is not a copy’ - Kunal Kohli

Kunal Kohli claims that his next film is not a remake of a Mary Poppins even though the story sounds similar, reports Prithwish Ganguly

Kunal Kohli’s Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, which releases on June 27, is under the scanner for various reasons.

It all started after his announcement of the title of the Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji starrer which sounded similar to that of actor-turned-producer Sahil Chadha’s Thodi Life Thoda Magic. Sahil claimed that the he had registered the title way back in 2006.

Now, Kunal has bigger worries as speculations are rife that by the look of the plot of the film, it seems to be a carbon copy of the 1964 Hollywood film Mary Poppins.
However, Kunal, who has previously directed films like Hum Tum and Fanaa is not on the defense.

“I think it is very premature for anyone to say that my film is a copy of Mary Poppins,” he said.

He goes on the front foot and challenges that the movie is entirely different from the Hollywood blockbuster.

“I advice people to see my film first and then draw conclusions. I’m telling you openly that my film is not a remake of Mary Poppins. It is an entirely different movie and has nothing to do with the English film,” Kunal said.

In the Hollywood film, a magic nanny (Mary Poppins) comes into the life of a banker and bails him and his family out of trouble. On the other hand, interestingly, Kunal Kohli’s film has Saif playing a rich man with four orphans and Rani plays an angel who comes in their lives to save the day. Sounds similar doesn’t it?

“Just wait for the film to release. You will understand,” says Kunal.

Directed by Robert Stevenson, Mary Poppins is a fantasy musical that cast Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and David Tomlinson in the lead. Mary Poppins is originally a series of children’s books written by PL Travers and illustrated by Mary Shepard which was made into a movie.

Ok. The title of your film also came under a lot of scrutiny.

“There was no complication or anything. We have a process of applying for the title in our country and can acquire it only when the proposed title is cleared by the body. We followed the same route and things are fine,” he said.

By the way, Sahil Chadha’s Thodi Life Thoda Magic is a feel good film about a man who tries to do good deeds and believes in spreading magic in the lives of others. Jackie Shroff plays the protagonist in the film.


(DNA)

Rab Ne Bana Di Shahrukh-Anushka’s jodi

Getting an opportunity to work with King Khan in the first film is an achievement of a lifetime. It’s a dream come true for any debutantes. Many established actors yearn to work with him but fail to get the chance. Luckiest of the lucky person only gets the golden opportunity to work with King Khan in their first break and one among them is the 19 years old Anushka Sharma who will play Shahrukh’s lady love in Rab De Bana De jodi.


Anushka is a model and hailed from Bangalore. She caught everyone’s sight during the last fashion week where she was chosen for the Wendell Roderick’s finale. Ever since, she has been flooded with endorsements. She will play a small town Punjabi girl in one of the biggest release of 2009. For quite sometime, Yashraj has been hunting for a fresh, new face to be paired opposite SRK and ultimately their search ended with Anushka. They feel she is the perfect girl for Shahrukh.


Though Anushka does not have any previous acting experience, Yashraj is sure that she will shine bright opposite the Baadshah. Many names like Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Kajol were suggested for the role. Sonam was even signed for the role but something did not work out and ultimately the golden break fell in Anushka’s lap.

(bollywood mantra)