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Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic Could Emerge Surprise Success

Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic opened to poor response of 35-40%. There were single screens at around 20-25% but some multiplexes were 50% and this was not great but better than many had expected as the film has come with virtually no publicity and music has not done well.

It had seemed that the film would go unnoticed prior to release but that has not happened. The collections for the early shows today have improved with 60%+ at multiplexes though single screens are same as yesterday.


The reports are fair and it looks like the film may actually succeed where the more hyped films like Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Aaja Nachley and Tashan have failed for Yash Raj Films. Although universal success will be difficult due to very poor start at single screens the film may emerge an earner on the strength of multiplexes especially in the bigger cities. It is quite likely that multiplexes will hit 75% today and tomorrow should be 90% and decent follow through on Monday will mean the film will sustain and success for Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic. The makers have also cleverly kept release costs low as they probably knew the initial response was going to be lukewarm. Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic has had a fairly small release for a 20 crore film as multiplexes are giving it 6-8 shows and the all India release is around 600 prints going to 525+ cinemas.

(Box office india)

Few takers for Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic

Audiences are no longer queuing up for movies from the Yash Raj Films banner. Its last film Tashan sank without a trace and advance booking for the Rani Mukerji-Saif Ali Khan starrer Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic that releases this Friday is slow.

But experts say that all might not be lost. The presence of the two stars might turn it into a surprise hit. Co-produced and directed by Kunal Kohli, who earlier made the hit Hum Tum, Thoda Pyaar... is a comparatively low budget film.

Compared to its earlier films like Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and even Tashan that had budgets of Rs 300 million and more, Thoda Pyaar... has been made on just Rs.200 million and is being released with about 800 prints worldwide.

Despite the general despondency with several films flopping at the box office, traders are hoping that Thoda Pyaar... will work some magic.

"The film has not been extraordinarily hyped. But since there are stars like Saif and Rani in it, the response might be positive. It is a big banner film. Besides, it also has an angle of children in it, so it might do good business," said Surinder, a Delhi-based distributor.

Fun Cinemas, a popular multiplex theatre, is hoping that the film breaks the dry spell.

"June has been a bad month in terms of hits. There has been a complete lull. So I hope Thoda Pyaar... does well. The advance booking is almost 20 to 25 percent till now, so I feel the film will have a slow start like Chak De! India! and will grow on word-of-mouth publicity gradually," said Bhumika Tewari, assistant vice president Fun Cinemas Programming.

Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic revolves around the lives of four children forced to live with a man (Saif) they hate. Then a nanny (Rani) comes to their rescue.

Industry experts say that the film has failed to create the sort of hype that was created when Yash Raj Films' last offering Tashan was due for release.

"Even though Tashan did not do well at the box office, it did well from the distribution aspect since there was a lot of hype for it," added Surinder.

Matloof, who distributes films in Meerut, is not happy with the distribution. He added: "I think the film would only release in multiplexes."

On the flipside, Kohli, who has also written the film, says that he has been promoting the film extensively.

"I've been promoting the film a lot. I've been going for press meets and media talks. I have also been visiting different cities for the promotion and giving interviews for features," said Kohli.

Unlike other films Thoda Pyaar... has not taken part in any merchandising gimmicks as a part of the promotion campaign. The director first wants to wait for the box-office results to go further.

"We have no merchandise as of now. First, lets see how the film does and may be then we'll think about creating some merchandise," he added.

Regarding the profits, Kohli maintained: "I'm in the business of cinema and am not that good with figures. I do want big business but before that I want the film to touch the hearts of people."

How the title 'Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic' was finalized!

A lot of brainstorming went into deciding the title of Kunal Kohli’s latest film Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic .

In all of his previous films like Hum Tum and Fanaa , Kunal had zeroed down on the title before even beginning to shoot the film. But TPTM did not have the title even after the film was completely shot.

Clock began ticking on the director when Yashraj Films decided to screen the promos of the film with their April release Tashan .

Kunal asked the film’s crew, technicians, even actors, to think of a suitable title. Not just this, he also offered a lucrative prize – a Mac Book pro computer – for anyone who comes up with the right title.

So how was the title finalized?

There is a dialogue by Rishi Kapoor in the film. It says: 'Hum sab ki zindagi mein thodi pyaas honi chahiye, usey mitane ke liye humein chahiye thodi si madat, thoda sa pyaar, thoda sa magic'.

While working on the film’s promos, Kunal noticed that the publicity designer used the last words “thoda sa pyaar, thoda sa magic” as the punchline.

There, in an instant, Kunal Kohli got the title of his film – ‘Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic’.

The director thinks it is a very apt title because it not just suits the film’s theme but also is applicable to our lives.

The movie, starring Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherjee in lead roles, is set to hit the theatres on Friday. Amisha Patel has a guest appearance.

(apunkachoice)

Yash Chopra gets top French honour

Bollywood filmmaker Yash Chopra has been conferred with the 'Officier de la Legion d'Honneur', the highest French distinction, for his contribution to the Indian cinema.

The 'King of romance', whose films have also been released in French cinema halls will be decorated in a special ceremony at the French Embassy in the national capital on July 5.

With nearly 50 year old association with Bollywood, Yash Chopra would join the likes of late Satyajit Ray, Lata Mangeshkar and Amitabh Bachchan among other Indian film personalities to be honoured by the French government with the Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour.

"France has a tradition of supporting artists from all over the world. Bestowing the insignia of the Legion of Honour on Mr Chopra, is a recognition of his international artistic career, and his notable efforts in the promotion of cultural exchanges and Indian cinema in the world," said Jerome Bonnafont, Ambassador of France to India.

Bonnafont would confer the award to Yash Chopra at the French Embassy here during an official ceremony.

Chopra , known for making romantic movies has delivered hits like 'Deewar' 'Kabhi Kabhi,' 'Darr,' 'Chandni' and 'Silsila.' He has so far been associated with around 40 films.

Siddharth on nostalgia trip with ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ title song

By Subhash K. Jha

Director Siddharth Anand is shooting a promotional video for his film “Bachna Ae Haseeno” with Ranbir Kapoor and likens it to reliving a melodious past. The title of Siddharth’s film is taken from the 1980s chartbuster from the film “Hum Kissi Se Kam Nahin” and retains the original song’s opening.

“We have used the song from ‘Hum Kissi Se Kam Nahin’ by Kishore Kumar at the beginning of the track. Then we got Kishore and Leena Chandavarkarji’s son Sumeet to sing the rest of the song as an original composition. So it’d be quite an emotional and nostalgic trip. Kishoreda’s son sings for Chintuji’s son,” Siddharth told IANS.

Siddharth said that the rest of the track has been completely re-worked by Vishal-Shekhar.

“It’s not a remix at all. The track takes off from the original in a totally different tangent. We had taken a conscious decision not to use the song unless it turned out as special as we wanted it to be. We are really proud of the outcome,” added the director of the hit romantic comedy “Salaam Namastey”.

And yes, for nostalgia’s sake, yesteryears dancing star Rishi Kapoor may team up with his son Ranbir to shake a leg “though I’m too scared to ask him (Rishi) as yet,” laughed Siddharth.

Producer Yash Raj Films is going the extra mile to promote this romantic comedy.

“The only time Yash Raj has done separate music videos for their films is for ‘Dhoom’. It’s the project that determines the promotion. I think we had a great title song and it was waiting to be used as a music video,” said Siddharth.

Siddharth will shoot it with choreographer Ahmed Khan.

“All of us - Ranbir, Bipasha Basu, Minissha Lamba, Deepika Padukone and Ahmed - are getting completely engrossed in shooting the video.”

Interestingly, Ranbir tried to sing his father’s song but gave up the idea.

“We did try Ranbir’s own voice for the track. He does have a great singing voice. But we were in a hurry and we didn’t want to make it overly gimmicky. I think I’ll keep Ranbir’s singing for posterity.

“I’m actually really nervous about ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’. Everyone talks about his film being different. So I’m hesitant to use that word. Like ‘Salaam Namastey’, ‘Bachna Ae Haseenon’ is a true blue romantic comedy. But I’m confident. Ranbir is exceptionally talented.”

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Rani: Branded?




The insinuation that Rani Mukerji is a resident Yash Raj heroine has the talented actress fuming.

A source close to Rani says it takes the actress all her willpower to stop herself from bursting a blood vessel when she referred to as the ghar ki heroine of Yash Raj.

What do people mean by this ?asks a source very close to Rani. Agreed Rani has done comparatively more films with the Yash Raj banner. But thats because any heroine in Bollywood would be foolish to turn down an author-backed, heroine-centric part like the one in Laga Chunri Mein Daag .

Continues the source, In fact, Rani makes it a point to remind people that lately she did Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna , Ravi Chopra's Babul and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya . None of these is a Yash Raj film.

Rani on her marriage that didn’t happen

Bollywood actress Rani Mukherjee says she initially thought her marriage rumours with Aditya Chopra were funny, but was later disturbed by the same as people in London started congratulating her for the wedding, which had not even occurred!

The dusky beauty was speaking to a channel before the release of her latest flick Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic. “This was a media rumour. It was funny to begin with. Then it got weird and finally scary,” she said.

The actress was apparently shooting the wedding scene of Konkana Sen for the movie Laaga Chunri Mein Daag (a Yash Raj production) when the rumour mills started churning out Rani’s wedding story.

“Getting married is great but rumours about it are harmful,” said the Bong beauty, adding that it had lead some Londoners to congratulate her for a blissful married life!

But is she really going around and has marriage on mind in the near fututre?

“I am not even into a relationship, let alone getting married,” Rani quells the rumour. Point taken.


(Zee News)

Can magic reverse Yash Raj Films’ fortunes?

From a production house that could do no wrong to a banner that is in desperate need of a hit, Hindi film industry’s most consistently performing entertainment conglomerate Yash Raj Films is going through a bad patch, to say the least. As Yash Raj Films readies to unveil its second release of the year 2008 - “Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic” - after the box-office debacle of its first offering “Tashan”, the stakes cannot be any higher.

“Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic” that once again brings together Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji on the silver screen will be an acid test for veteran Yash Chopra and his son Aditya, who helms this film along with producer-director Kunal Kohli.

A Yash Raj loyalist, Rani essays the role of an angel sent to earth to unite four orphan children with their legally-appointed guardian played by Saif. The film is conspicuously similar to Hollywood blockbuster “Mary Poppins”.

But Kunal has gone on record to say that it is not a rehash of “Mary Poppins”. The director, however, did admit that it is not an absolute original and stated that it is inspired by Shekhar Kapur’s hit film “Mr India”, which was inspired by “Mary Poppins”.

While YRF productions are usually associated with great music but the few tracks of the film that have been released so far are not so impressive.

Given that the corporation has got more thumbs down than ups over the last two years, the film’s box-office performance will be a deciding factor for the course ahead.

The banner has committed to pump in Rs.3.5 billion into filmmaking over the next year. Though this is not big money when compared to the moolahs that corporate houses like Reliance Entertainment and Indian Films are pumping in, Yash Raj still commands undying loyalty of A-list stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan.

But the flops have been piling up and with their latest release, “Tashan”, not living up to the hype, the banner’s supremacy has been severely undermined.

Most damagingly, the promotion and distribution strategy of the film which starred formidable crowd puller Akshay Kumar and Saif and Kareena Kapoor has come under criticism.

For a production house that is known to have its finger on the pulse of the nation, it is getting more and more difficult to gauge what audiences want.

Perhaps that is why the company is now spreading itself out. They recently announced its multi million dollar joint venture contract with Dubai Infinity Holdings. The partnership will bring Yash Raj Films to Dubai and will build a large scale entertainment district dedicated to the film brand.

The Yash Raj Films Entertainment District will comprise of theme park, a movie palace, unique hotel concepts and many other unique Indian genre entertainment concepts. All the components of the Yash Raj District will be themed around the Yash Raj banner.

There will of course be a lot to tell. Yash Chopra had set up this banner in 1979 after breaking away from his brother’s production company B.R. Films. He scaled unheard of heights with films like “Daag”, “Deewar”, “Trishul”, “Vijay”, “Mashaal”, “Chandni” and “Darr”.

His son Aditya kept the flag flying high after debuting with “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”. Starring Shah Rukh and Kajol, it was one of Bollywood’s most complete entertainers.

But over the last 10 years, while commercial success has come in fits and starts for Yash Raj Films, it is hard to pick one exceptionally good cinematic offering which is unforgettable.

Films like “Hum Tum”, “Veer Zaara”, “Dhoom”, “Bunty Aur Babli”, “Fanaa” and others are wholesome entertainers, but would not make for memorable cinema.

Somewhere around 2005 onwards, the banner has been floundering. “Neal ‘n’ Nikki”, “Kabul Express”, “Ta Ra Rum Pum”, “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom”, “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag” “Aja Nachle” and this year’s “Tashan” have eroded the banner’s brand equity.

Though the promos of “Chak De! India” were pulled out of theatres because Yash Raj Films felt that there was no point in promoting a sports-based film, it surprised all and sundry by becoming a blockbuster. In fact, this Shah Rukh starrer was the only saving grace for the banner last year.

Half way into year 2008, the banner is pegging its hopes on “Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic” to turn things around.

Their next release will be “Bachna Ae Haseeno” starring newcomer Ranbir Kapoor in a film that once again sounds disappointingly predictable. The banner will also enter animation with “Roadside Romeo”, for which they have a tie-up with Disney.

Before the year rings out, Yash Raj will play its one last trump card, which is Shah Rukh romancing a pretty young starlet in “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi”. Wonder why it already feels like a yawn.

Amisha dares to bare!


Amisha Patel is poised to set the silver screen on fire with her sizzling act in the upcoming Yash Raj production film Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic.




The glamorous actress, who is paired opposite actor Saif Ali Khan in a scorching item number Lazy Lamhe admits it is really a hot number.

"Well, whether I am looking sexy or not, you have to watch the film, but yes for the first time I am wearing clothes that I never wore before," says the sultry actress, who made her acting debut with the blockbuster Kaho Na Pyar Hai in 2000.

"This song is really hot and will be the turning point of the film. You will see much more of me. My character Mallaika is different, but entertaining in this movie," she says.

Amisha, who has stayed away from the big screen for quite sometime, will be seen together with Rani Mukherji and Saif Ali Khan. This film would also be the first time that Amisha and Saif Ali Khan would be seen together on-screen.

The beautiful actress also declined that she is following the 'dare bare' trend set by other actresses like Soha Ali Khan who posed for a magazine shoot or Kareena Kapoor who was seen in a sexy bikini avatar in Yash Raj's recently released Tashan.

"No, it has no connection with all those dare bare trend going on in Bollywood," she clarifies adding that 'It was the demand of the character.

The actress claimed that her character in the movie has a different body language and mannerism and it will certainly create an impact among cine lovers.

'It is one of the very different character I am enacting as I had to learn certain acts of mannerisms,' says Amisha.

The actress, who has won the best female debut at the 2000 Zee Cine awards for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai and the Filmfare Special Performance award for Gadar: Ek Prem Katha in 2001 has not been seen since her last movie Bhool Bhulaiyaa in October last year where she was cast opposite Akshay Kumar.


This is Kunal Kohli's fourth directorial venture after Mujhse Dosti Karega, Hum Tum and Fanaa , and the actress is all upbeat about its success. 'It will definitely click with cine lovers,' she says.



(rediff)

Rani gains weight after Thoda Pyaar...

All those who felt that Rani Mukerji looked fat on the special episode of Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain where she was featured with director Karan Johar, don't blame your eyes. She has actually gained a few kilos.

While shooting with the four kids in her forthcoming film Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, Rani says the atmosphere became very childlike.

"There used to be a lot of goodies to eat on the sets and you can see a bit showing on me too," said the actress.

"I have put on three kg and the credit goes to Kunal (Kohli). He used to keep telling me that he wanted me to look chubby for the film," she added.

In the film, Rani plays an angel to four children who are forced to stay with a man they hate played by Saif Ali Khan.

Song of the superstars

Aditya Chopra is leaving no stones unturned to make his ambitious film, Shah Rukh Khan starrer- Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi- a grand success. He has recorded an 11-minute song for the film which will have Sonu Nigam paying tribute to five different generations of yesteryear stars. The song tracks the journey from 1950s to the 90’s and to the present era and will be picturised on Shah Rukh Khan. The song will be a tribute that SRK gives to the stalwarts like Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna and Rishi Kapoor. Music composers Salim Suleiman and Jaideep Saini were asked to compose the song.

Yash Raj to create Entertainment District in Dubai


Yash Raj Films has entered into an agreement with Dubai Infinity Holdings, the innovative and empowering investments enterprise of Dubai. The partnership signed by Yash Chopra and Samira Abdulrazzak, CEO, Dubai Infinity Holding is to build a large-scale entertainment district dedicated to the film brand.

The Yash Raj Films Entertainment District will comprise of theme park attractions, a movie palace, unique hotels and many other unique Indian genre entertainment concepts. All the components of the YRF District will be themed around the YRF banner. The first phase of the YRF Entertainment District is scheduled to be completed by 2012.