A STAFF REPORTER (Telegraph)
Last summer, Kajol’s comeback film did not make it to the multiplexes. This winter, Madhuri Dixit’s comeback film could also give multiplexes the miss.
Aaja Nachle looks set to follow in the footsteps of Fanaa with the slugfest between the Yash Raj film distribution channel and INOX turning ugly over the release of Chak De India. With no solution in sight — probably till the end of the year — the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer releases at one out of four city plexes — Fame (Hiland Park) — on Friday.
“The demands put forth by the multiplex owners were unacceptable. They don’t seem keen to release a movie which has patriotism and national integration, denying many the chance of watching it. I don’t think we will deal with them for the rest of the year,” said Pritam Jalan of Jalan Distributors, east India distributor of Chak De India.
Jalan distributes all Yash Raj films in the region and so the doors of INOX (Forum and City Centre) and 89 Cinemas could slam shut on the Puja release Laaga Chunari Mein Daag — with a strong Bong connection (director: Pradeep Sarkar; leading ladies: Rani Mukerji, Konkona Sensharma and Jaya Bachchan) — and winter biggie Aaja Nachle.
The exhibitors, too, have hardened their stand. “If we agree to the terms set by the Calcutta distributor of Chak De India, we will have to increase ticket prices drastically. We do not want to burden our patrons,” said Saurabh Varma, vice-president, programming and distribution, INOX.
The Jalan versus INOX tug-of-war over films from the Yash Raj stable started with the Aamir-Kajol starrer Fanaa in May 2006 and continued through Ta Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, before claiming Chak De.
The biggest loser, of course, is the city cinegoer. “Delhi and Mumbai have so many multiplexes, whereas Calcutta has just four. And if three of those don’t screen such high-profile films, then we have every right to feel cheated. We were planning to watch Chak De at INOX (Forum) this weekend, but now we will have to give the film a miss,” grumbled Pinky Agarwal, a resident of Lord Sinha Road and a big fan of Shah Rukh Khan.
Catch every rumor spreading around Yash Raj Films (YRF) - India’s biggest entertainment house.
Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor in Ladakh dustup
Mumbai Mirror
Posted on Tuesday, August 07, 2007 (EST)
Chhote Nawab Saif Ali Khan and haughty Kareena Kapoor were involved in a dustup in the cool and rarified environs of pristine Ladakh where the two are on the sets of Yash Raj Films' Tashan. Both the stars were unhurt but their bodyguards ended up bruised.
The fracas started when local 'fans' attempted to enter a restaurant where Saif and Kareena were having lunch, but were stopped by their bodyguards. Frustrated the 'fans' turned ruffians and began to abuse the stars. That didn't go down too well with one of the bodyguards who roughed up one of the hecklers.
The situation quickly deteriorated and a mob gathered and began to pelt the restaurant with stones
Saif then stepped out to placate the mob but perhaps a little too late. Faced with abuses he ended up loosing his own cool and a fracas ensued.
Eventually the manager and staff brought the situation under control but not before Saif and Kareena's bodyguards received injuries in the ensuing melee.
A unit member told Mumbai Mirror, "It was a scene straight out of a film. Saif got into a scuffle with local hooligans who claimed to be their fans. When Saif and Kareena refused to meet them, they created major chaos. Saif was infuriated when they started hurling abuses at them."
Following the incident, security for the stars has been spruced up and they have been asked not to venture too far away from the unit.
Posted on Tuesday, August 07, 2007 (EST)
Chhote Nawab Saif Ali Khan and haughty Kareena Kapoor were involved in a dustup in the cool and rarified environs of pristine Ladakh where the two are on the sets of Yash Raj Films' Tashan. Both the stars were unhurt but their bodyguards ended up bruised.
The fracas started when local 'fans' attempted to enter a restaurant where Saif and Kareena were having lunch, but were stopped by their bodyguards. Frustrated the 'fans' turned ruffians and began to abuse the stars. That didn't go down too well with one of the bodyguards who roughed up one of the hecklers.
The situation quickly deteriorated and a mob gathered and began to pelt the restaurant with stones
Saif then stepped out to placate the mob but perhaps a little too late. Faced with abuses he ended up loosing his own cool and a fracas ensued.
Eventually the manager and staff brought the situation under control but not before Saif and Kareena's bodyguards received injuries in the ensuing melee.
A unit member told Mumbai Mirror, "It was a scene straight out of a film. Saif got into a scuffle with local hooligans who claimed to be their fans. When Saif and Kareena refused to meet them, they created major chaos. Saif was infuriated when they started hurling abuses at them."
Following the incident, security for the stars has been spruced up and they have been asked not to venture too far away from the unit.
Yash Raj Films releases Chak De! India music
Yash Raj Films releases Chak De! India music NEW!
By Businessofcinema.com Team
MUMBAI: This August, as India celebrates its 60th Independence Day, Yash Raj Films' stable will release Chak De! India, a film that salutes the nation's national game – hockey. On 1 August the music of the film was released on Yash Raj Music.
The music of Chak De! India has been composed by Salim-Sulaiman. Lyrics are by Jaideep Sahni, who has also penned the story, screenplay and dialogues of the movie.
The title track of the film has been rendered Sukhwinder Singh, Salim Merchant and Marianne D'Cruz. Singers Hema Sardesai, KK, Anushka Manchanda, Krishna have been roped in for other songs.
Actor Shah Rukh Khan too has lent his voice for two songs in the film, Ek Hockey Doongi Rakh Ke and Sattar Minute. Khan isn't singing in them per se but is introducing the team of hockey players in one and is talking to the team before a crunch match in the other song.
The music CD also has the videos of Chak De! India and Ek Hockey Doongi Rakh Ke on it as a bonus feature and can be viewed on a PC.
The music is also available for download in a digital format (as a single song or entire album) through the Yash Raj Films Website and also on sites like iTunes, Rhapsody, Yahoo, among others.
By Businessofcinema.com Team
MUMBAI: This August, as India celebrates its 60th Independence Day, Yash Raj Films' stable will release Chak De! India, a film that salutes the nation's national game – hockey. On 1 August the music of the film was released on Yash Raj Music.
The music of Chak De! India has been composed by Salim-Sulaiman. Lyrics are by Jaideep Sahni, who has also penned the story, screenplay and dialogues of the movie.
The title track of the film has been rendered Sukhwinder Singh, Salim Merchant and Marianne D'Cruz. Singers Hema Sardesai, KK, Anushka Manchanda, Krishna have been roped in for other songs.
Actor Shah Rukh Khan too has lent his voice for two songs in the film, Ek Hockey Doongi Rakh Ke and Sattar Minute. Khan isn't singing in them per se but is introducing the team of hockey players in one and is talking to the team before a crunch match in the other song.
The music CD also has the videos of Chak De! India and Ek Hockey Doongi Rakh Ke on it as a bonus feature and can be viewed on a PC.
The music is also available for download in a digital format (as a single song or entire album) through the Yash Raj Films Website and also on sites like iTunes, Rhapsody, Yahoo, among others.
Aditya Chopra tightens the screws on the script department
Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network
It seems like Aditya Chopra is not a happy man these days. Not only has he and his family been targeted by gossip mongers, day in and day out, even on the professional front, things have not been looking bright. After the below expectations outcome of the Saif, Rani starrer, TA RA RUM PUM, the debacle of JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM, has shaken the Yash Raj empire.
As per sources, Aditya Chopra has tightened the screws on the script department of Yash Raj Films. We are also told that the low key (but systematic) publicity of the August 10 release, CHAKDE! INDIA, and also its late audio release, has been done as per a deliberate strategy. The Chopras want to keep the expectations low from their offbeat Shah Rukh Khan starrer and are hoping for the movie to seek its audience on its merit.
It seems like Aditya Chopra is not a happy man these days. Not only has he and his family been targeted by gossip mongers, day in and day out, even on the professional front, things have not been looking bright. After the below expectations outcome of the Saif, Rani starrer, TA RA RUM PUM, the debacle of JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM, has shaken the Yash Raj empire.
As per sources, Aditya Chopra has tightened the screws on the script department of Yash Raj Films. We are also told that the low key (but systematic) publicity of the August 10 release, CHAKDE! INDIA, and also its late audio release, has been done as per a deliberate strategy. The Chopras want to keep the expectations low from their offbeat Shah Rukh Khan starrer and are hoping for the movie to seek its audience on its merit.
Queen to attend Chak De! India premiere
By Riya V Anandwala
The Queen of England is scheduled to attend the premiere of Chak De! India in London. The movie has been produced by Yash Raj Films and stars Shah Rukh Khan. The premiere will also be attended by the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.
Says a source close to the development, “The Queen is expected at the premiere of Chak De! India in London. Apparently she said that it’s an honour for her to be associated with Yash Raj films and their film Chak De! India.”
The premiere will be held on 9 August at the Somerset Hall.
When contacted by Businessofcinema.com, Yash Raj Films marketing head Tarun Tripathi refused to comment on the development.
The production house has also roped in brands like P&G as sponsors for the event in London. Adds the source, “The evening will be very expensive, so the production house is tying up with big brands, which will take care of securities, rent etc.”
Their promotional strategy includes a tie-up with the Star group. Tripathi informs, “I can’t say much but yes, we have tied with them for our film’s promotion.”
Apart from Khan, the film also stars Aanjjan Srivastav, Javed Khan, Vibha Chibber, Mohit Chauhan, Nakul Vaid, Joyoshree Arora and Vivaan Bhathena. It has been directed by Shimit Amin and has music by Salim - Sulaiman.
(Source: BusinessofCinema )
The Queen of England is scheduled to attend the premiere of Chak De! India in London. The movie has been produced by Yash Raj Films and stars Shah Rukh Khan. The premiere will also be attended by the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.
Says a source close to the development, “The Queen is expected at the premiere of Chak De! India in London. Apparently she said that it’s an honour for her to be associated with Yash Raj films and their film Chak De! India.”
The premiere will be held on 9 August at the Somerset Hall.
When contacted by Businessofcinema.com, Yash Raj Films marketing head Tarun Tripathi refused to comment on the development.
The production house has also roped in brands like P&G as sponsors for the event in London. Adds the source, “The evening will be very expensive, so the production house is tying up with big brands, which will take care of securities, rent etc.”
Their promotional strategy includes a tie-up with the Star group. Tripathi informs, “I can’t say much but yes, we have tied with them for our film’s promotion.”
Apart from Khan, the film also stars Aanjjan Srivastav, Javed Khan, Vibha Chibber, Mohit Chauhan, Nakul Vaid, Joyoshree Arora and Vivaan Bhathena. It has been directed by Shimit Amin and has music by Salim - Sulaiman.
(Source: BusinessofCinema )
Yash Raj Films' Laaga Chunari Mein Daag in legal hassle
By IndiaFM News Bureau, July 31, 2007 - 10:43 IST
Pradeep Sarkar’s Laaga Chunari Mein Daag is in news for erroneous reason. Producers Himanshu Joshi and Hirachand Jogani of Bhoomi Shree Pictures have claimed that this particular title has already been registered by their company so Yash Raj Films can’t use the same title. The producers have already sent a legal notice to Yash Raj Films regarding the same and they also plan to write to the Producer’s Guild to probe into this issue. Speaking to IndiaFM, Shreepati Mishra, director of the film says, “This is our title as we had registered it first with AMPTPP.
Yash Raj Films had requested us to give this title but when we refused to give, they registered Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - The Journey Of A Woman. This title is very similar to our title. We are planning to write a letter to Guild regarding the same issue.” Shreepati also added that they sent a legal notice to Yash Raj Films and they replied with a letter saying that their title is Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - The Journey Of A Woman which has been approved by Guild. “I wonder if they have a supporting line, why they are not using it? Nowadays everywhere in news, in media reports and even in their publicity calendar they have mentioned Laaga Chunari Mein Daag which is wrong” he says.
When IndiaFM contacted spokesperson from Yash Raj Films, Monika Bhattarcharya, she informed that their title is Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - The Journey Of A Woman and they are using the same title everywhere. However, the title fight is not new for Yash Raj Films. Earlier they had to face similar problems for Saif and Rani starrer Ta Ra Rum Pum. Producers Himanshu Joshi and Hirachand Jogani of Bhoomi Shree Pictures have decided to fight for the title Laaga Chunari Mein Daag.
Being confident about their film, director Shreepati Mishra says that “Though ours is a small budget film, we are confident about the storyline. Our title goes well with the script and songs that we have in our film. Laaga Chunari Mein Daag is a story of three sisters’ and we are in talks with the stars. We will finalize soon as we plan to start the shoot in August. We are planning to finish it in October since we want to release with them.”
Pradeep Sarkar’s Laaga Chunari Mein Daag is in news for erroneous reason. Producers Himanshu Joshi and Hirachand Jogani of Bhoomi Shree Pictures have claimed that this particular title has already been registered by their company so Yash Raj Films can’t use the same title. The producers have already sent a legal notice to Yash Raj Films regarding the same and they also plan to write to the Producer’s Guild to probe into this issue. Speaking to IndiaFM, Shreepati Mishra, director of the film says, “This is our title as we had registered it first with AMPTPP.
Yash Raj Films had requested us to give this title but when we refused to give, they registered Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - The Journey Of A Woman. This title is very similar to our title. We are planning to write a letter to Guild regarding the same issue.” Shreepati also added that they sent a legal notice to Yash Raj Films and they replied with a letter saying that their title is Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - The Journey Of A Woman which has been approved by Guild. “I wonder if they have a supporting line, why they are not using it? Nowadays everywhere in news, in media reports and even in their publicity calendar they have mentioned Laaga Chunari Mein Daag which is wrong” he says.
When IndiaFM contacted spokesperson from Yash Raj Films, Monika Bhattarcharya, she informed that their title is Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - The Journey Of A Woman and they are using the same title everywhere. However, the title fight is not new for Yash Raj Films. Earlier they had to face similar problems for Saif and Rani starrer Ta Ra Rum Pum. Producers Himanshu Joshi and Hirachand Jogani of Bhoomi Shree Pictures have decided to fight for the title Laaga Chunari Mein Daag.
Being confident about their film, director Shreepati Mishra says that “Though ours is a small budget film, we are confident about the storyline. Our title goes well with the script and songs that we have in our film. Laaga Chunari Mein Daag is a story of three sisters’ and we are in talks with the stars. We will finalize soon as we plan to start the shoot in August. We are planning to finish it in October since we want to release with them.”
Aditya Chopra wanted to produce 'Gandhi My Father'
©2007 Bollyvista.com
Not many people know that this week's release 'Gandhi My Father' was earlier supposed to be produced by Aditya Chopra. The film's director Feroz Abbas Khan had approached Yash Raj Films with the subject and Adi was keen on making this film, but thought it may spark some controversy and hence dropped the idea.
It was later, that Anil Kapoor stepped in the producer's shoes to complete this film. Coincidentally, 'Gandhi My Father' and Yash Raj Films' 'Chakde India' are releasing back to back.
Not many people know that this week's release 'Gandhi My Father' was earlier supposed to be produced by Aditya Chopra. The film's director Feroz Abbas Khan had approached Yash Raj Films with the subject and Adi was keen on making this film, but thought it may spark some controversy and hence dropped the idea.
It was later, that Anil Kapoor stepped in the producer's shoes to complete this film. Coincidentally, 'Gandhi My Father' and Yash Raj Films' 'Chakde India' are releasing back to back.
Best in the business come together for CHAK DE INDIA
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network
On the face value, USP of CHAK DE INDIA may appear to be just Shahrukh Khan. Still, if one digs deep down, there is much larger effort that has gone in making this film truly different from what Yash Raj Films has made in the past. First and foremost the director at the helm is Shimit Amin who could easily be counted as the unlikeliest of all when it comes to associating a film maker with YRF.
Otherwise how could one imagine the man behind a gritty AB TAK CHAPPAN to be making a film for the production house which thrives on feel good entertainers? Well, this is not all as the major part of the film's crew also comprises of technicians who are easily the best in the business.
Jaideep Sahni, the man behind projects as diverse as 'Company', 'Bunty Aur Babli' and 'Khosla Ka Ghosla' pens the screenplay of 'Chak De India'. Amitabh Shukla, who has used his scissors to perfection in films like 'Namastey London', 'Krrish', 'Kabul Express' and 'Bluffmaster' has been roped in as an editor. Sudeep Chatterjee, who has captured the frames of 'Iqbal' and 'Dor' with as much élan as 'Jaan-E-Mann' is the film's cinematographer whereas art director Sukant Panigrahy has left the fantasy world of 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' behind to get more realistic with the real drama of 'Chak De India'. Usual suspects like Ganesh Acharya and Salim-Sulaiman hardly need an introduction as they come together for choreography and music of the film.
Last but not the least, with brains of producer Aditya Chopra behind the project, it makes it a 10 out of 10 for 'Chak De India' when it comes to setting the base right for the film. 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' may have bombed at the box office but that hasn't stopped Yash Raj Films from being busy. Neck deep into the promotion of 'Chak De India', the country's numero uno film making house has made sure that they deliver nothing but the best for this ambitious Shahrukh Khan starrer.
The film releases on August 10, 2007.
On the face value, USP of CHAK DE INDIA may appear to be just Shahrukh Khan. Still, if one digs deep down, there is much larger effort that has gone in making this film truly different from what Yash Raj Films has made in the past. First and foremost the director at the helm is Shimit Amin who could easily be counted as the unlikeliest of all when it comes to associating a film maker with YRF.
Otherwise how could one imagine the man behind a gritty AB TAK CHAPPAN to be making a film for the production house which thrives on feel good entertainers? Well, this is not all as the major part of the film's crew also comprises of technicians who are easily the best in the business.
Jaideep Sahni, the man behind projects as diverse as 'Company', 'Bunty Aur Babli' and 'Khosla Ka Ghosla' pens the screenplay of 'Chak De India'. Amitabh Shukla, who has used his scissors to perfection in films like 'Namastey London', 'Krrish', 'Kabul Express' and 'Bluffmaster' has been roped in as an editor. Sudeep Chatterjee, who has captured the frames of 'Iqbal' and 'Dor' with as much élan as 'Jaan-E-Mann' is the film's cinematographer whereas art director Sukant Panigrahy has left the fantasy world of 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' behind to get more realistic with the real drama of 'Chak De India'. Usual suspects like Ganesh Acharya and Salim-Sulaiman hardly need an introduction as they come together for choreography and music of the film.
Last but not the least, with brains of producer Aditya Chopra behind the project, it makes it a 10 out of 10 for 'Chak De India' when it comes to setting the base right for the film. 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' may have bombed at the box office but that hasn't stopped Yash Raj Films from being busy. Neck deep into the promotion of 'Chak De India', the country's numero uno film making house has made sure that they deliver nothing but the best for this ambitious Shahrukh Khan starrer.
The film releases on August 10, 2007.
Unfair game
TNN
Hockey is our national sport and it is going to get it's due, atleast on screen with the Yashraj film Chak de India, but not before the Women's Hockey Association of India is satisfied.
After three disappointing films, Kabul Express , Tara Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom , there is still no peace for Yashraj Films. Their trump card, Chak De India , reportedly, has run into trouble even before it has released. The Women's Hockey Association of India is pretty upset with Yashraj Films and has demanded a screening of the film to see if they have portrayed the players in the right manner. Vidya Stoke, President of the Women's Hockey Association of India says, "We want to see the movie before its release.
Couple of years ago, when the movie was in the planning stage, Yash Chopra sought help from us. We were more than happy to help them thinking that it would create awareness about the sport in the country. They took a lot of inputs from us and it has helped them big time in making the movie. It's only fair that we get to see it before the release." She added, "However, after we helped them out with research, we never heard from them. Now, we got to know that the movie is releasing very soon, but they have not kept us posted about it. We should have been given the script of the movie so that we could have an idea about how they have portrayed women's hockey in the film. We want a pre-release screening of the film. That's it."
Chak De India is based on women's hockey. The movie shows women players from different corners of the country . The entire team enacts a team of underdogs and how things change with a new coach (Shah Rukh Khan) at the helm of affairs. The team of underdogs gets their self-confidence , and finally wins a championship. Stoke lets us in on the reason behind her displeasure. "Our women's hockey team is doing really good. If they are showing that they are turning women hockey players from zero to hero, that's really unfair. That will reflect badly on our team. A coach enables players to perform well and never transforms them from zero to hero, not in our team at least," she said.
(CONTRIBUTED BY RANJIB MAJUMDER, SANDIPAN DALAL, DOMINIC FERRAO, URVASHI ASHAR, RUBINA A KHAN AND MADHUREETA MUKHERJEE)
Hockey is our national sport and it is going to get it's due, atleast on screen with the Yashraj film Chak de India, but not before the Women's Hockey Association of India is satisfied.
After three disappointing films, Kabul Express , Tara Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom , there is still no peace for Yashraj Films. Their trump card, Chak De India , reportedly, has run into trouble even before it has released. The Women's Hockey Association of India is pretty upset with Yashraj Films and has demanded a screening of the film to see if they have portrayed the players in the right manner. Vidya Stoke, President of the Women's Hockey Association of India says, "We want to see the movie before its release.
Couple of years ago, when the movie was in the planning stage, Yash Chopra sought help from us. We were more than happy to help them thinking that it would create awareness about the sport in the country. They took a lot of inputs from us and it has helped them big time in making the movie. It's only fair that we get to see it before the release." She added, "However, after we helped them out with research, we never heard from them. Now, we got to know that the movie is releasing very soon, but they have not kept us posted about it. We should have been given the script of the movie so that we could have an idea about how they have portrayed women's hockey in the film. We want a pre-release screening of the film. That's it."
Chak De India is based on women's hockey. The movie shows women players from different corners of the country . The entire team enacts a team of underdogs and how things change with a new coach (Shah Rukh Khan) at the helm of affairs. The team of underdogs gets their self-confidence , and finally wins a championship. Stoke lets us in on the reason behind her displeasure. "Our women's hockey team is doing really good. If they are showing that they are turning women hockey players from zero to hero, that's really unfair. That will reflect badly on our team. A coach enables players to perform well and never transforms them from zero to hero, not in our team at least," she said.
(CONTRIBUTED BY RANJIB MAJUMDER, SANDIPAN DALAL, DOMINIC FERRAO, URVASHI ASHAR, RUBINA A KHAN AND MADHUREETA MUKHERJEE)
The best of Yash Raj Films' music
By Subhash K. Jha.
From 'Daag' and 'Kabhi Kabhie' to 'Dil To Pagal Hai' and 'Veer-Zaara', the songs from Yash Raj Films' romantic sagas always had a dreamy quality and the haunting melodies captivate listeners even today.
Here are some of the best musicals from the Yash Raj banner:
1. 'Waqt' (1965) - Before Yash Chopra branched out on his own to form Yash Raj Films he regularly made films for his brother, the illustrious B.R. Chopra. 'Waqt' started the long association between B.R. Films and composer Ravi who came up with some of his choicest jingles for this one.
At the peak of the Lata Mangeshkar mania, Ravi audaciously got Asha to do 'Kaun aaya ki nigahon mein khanak' and of course, the evergreen 'Aage bhi jaane na tu'. But the pick of the lot was 'Ae meri zohra zabeen', Manna Dey's evergreen number that was also used by Aditya Chopra in 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' three decades later.
2. 'Daag' (1973) - Yash Chopra branched out as an independent filmmaker with this melodious menage a trois, remarkable for being the only time Laxmikant-Pyarelal teamed up with poet Sahir Ludhianvi. The end-result was there for all to hear in Kishore Kumar's 'Mere dil main aaj kya hai' and Lata's 'Jab bhi jee chahe nayee duniya' - the latter was appropriated from a Noorjehan ghazal.
But at the end of the endeavour, Ludhianvi vowed never to work with the mighty Laxmikant-Pyarelal again. 'They don't understand poetry,' Ludhianvi sneered. For his next project, Yashji had to choose between the poet and the composing duo. He chose Ludhianvi.
3. 'Kabhi Kabhie' (1975) - Yash Chopra's most poetic film and arguably his best musical to date, fished out Khayyam from semi-hibernation. Using Ludhianvi's poetry and Lata-Mukesh's vocals as crutches, Khayyam created a wonder world of poetry, passion and pain.
'Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein', 'Main pal do pal ka shayar' and 'Mere ghar aayee ek nanhi pari', are perennials. There were also some young tunes for Rishi and Neetu like 'Jaan-e-man tum kamaal karte ho', 'Pyar kar liya to kya' and 'Tera phoolon jaisa rang'. Lata went from being sweet 60 for Waheeda Rehman to sweet 16 for Neetu Singh without skipping a beat.
4. 'Trishul' (1978) - Yash Raj-Khayyam's follow-up to 'Kabhi Kabhie' suffered for being an action movie. But the magnificent theme song 'Tu mere saath rahega munne' lifted the whole score to the stratosphere of the sublime.
One of Amitabh Bachchan's favourite songs, 'Tu mere saath', is arguably the best song that Lata has sung for a Yash Raj film. Bachchan played the protagonist in the film. Also, up there among the greats is the Lata-Yesudas duet 'Aapki mehki hui zulf'.
5. 'Silsila' (1991) - Shiv-Hari and Javed Akhtar created quaint and compelling numbers like 'Yeh kahan aa gaye hum', 'Neela aasman so gaya' and 'Dekha ek khwab'. 'Silsila' painted as many shades of romance as possible.
The other scores that Shiv-Hari did for Yash Raj Films, namely 'Chandni', 'Lamhe', 'Parampara', 'Vijay', 'Faasle' and 'Darr' were no patch on that of 'Silsila'.
6. 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (1995) - Though they couldn't create a title tune to match the song of the name that Ravindra Jain composed in 'Chor Machaye Shor', there was nonetheless an everlasting swerve towards verve in 'Tujhe dekha to yeh jana sanam' and 'Ho gaya hai tujhko to pyar sajna'. Lata and Asha Bhosle belted out a solo each - 'Mere khwabon mein jo aaye' and 'Zara sa jhoom loom main' - for the effervescent Kajol.
7. 'Dil To Pagal Hai' (1997) - Uttam Singh's feisty songs were led by the foot-tapping 'Dil to pagal hai' where the then 70-plus Lata sounded no more than 20. Yash Chopra's utter devotion to the Lata's vocals came to full fruition.
8. 'Veer-Zaara' (2005) - Madan Mohan's dormant songs were rejuvenated by his son Sanjeev Kohli. The numbers had an incredible amount of melody quotient, especially in the number 'Tere liye'.
Udit Narayan's voice dipped to an incredible bass in 'Main yahan hoon yahan'. Every singer from Lata to Roop Kumar Rathod put his or her best foot forward to create a score that never bored.
9. 'Bunty Aur Babli' (2005) - 'Chote chotey shehron mein' the mood of lingering fun reached a full crescendo in this soundtrack. Gulzar put on his zany cap to write his sauciest song yet.
'Kajra re' ranks as one of the new millennium's most successful item songs. But the love ballad 'Chup chup ke' sung by Gaytari Iyer and Shankar Mahadevan ranks much higher.
10. 'Dhoom' (2007) - 'Dhoom machale' need we say anything more?
And the also-rans: 'Kala Patthar' - Rajesh Roshan's only tryst with Yash Raj contained the hit duets 'Ek rasta hai zindagi' and 'Bahon mein tere'.
'Mashaal' - On Lata's recommendation, Hridaynath Mangeshkar got the chance to do one score for Yash Raj. Remembered for the bhajan 'Om namah shivay'.
'Chandni' - 'Mere haathon mein nau-nau chudiya' pulsated with the power of Lata's vocal chords.
'Lamhe' - It had elegant though somewhat listless ballads by Shiv-Hari.
'Darr' - 'Tu mere samne' and 'Tu hai meri kiran' by Shiv-Hari were quite popular at that time.
'Mujhse Dosti Karoge' - Shiv Kumar Sharma's son Rahul composed some extremely pleasant melodies. Lata went from papa Shiv to son Rahul with age-defying fluency.
'Salaam Namaste' - the zing sting by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
And last but not the least, 'Fanna' - Jatin-Lalit got together for the last time.
From 'Daag' and 'Kabhi Kabhie' to 'Dil To Pagal Hai' and 'Veer-Zaara', the songs from Yash Raj Films' romantic sagas always had a dreamy quality and the haunting melodies captivate listeners even today.
Here are some of the best musicals from the Yash Raj banner:
1. 'Waqt' (1965) - Before Yash Chopra branched out on his own to form Yash Raj Films he regularly made films for his brother, the illustrious B.R. Chopra. 'Waqt' started the long association between B.R. Films and composer Ravi who came up with some of his choicest jingles for this one.
At the peak of the Lata Mangeshkar mania, Ravi audaciously got Asha to do 'Kaun aaya ki nigahon mein khanak' and of course, the evergreen 'Aage bhi jaane na tu'. But the pick of the lot was 'Ae meri zohra zabeen', Manna Dey's evergreen number that was also used by Aditya Chopra in 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' three decades later.
2. 'Daag' (1973) - Yash Chopra branched out as an independent filmmaker with this melodious menage a trois, remarkable for being the only time Laxmikant-Pyarelal teamed up with poet Sahir Ludhianvi. The end-result was there for all to hear in Kishore Kumar's 'Mere dil main aaj kya hai' and Lata's 'Jab bhi jee chahe nayee duniya' - the latter was appropriated from a Noorjehan ghazal.
But at the end of the endeavour, Ludhianvi vowed never to work with the mighty Laxmikant-Pyarelal again. 'They don't understand poetry,' Ludhianvi sneered. For his next project, Yashji had to choose between the poet and the composing duo. He chose Ludhianvi.
3. 'Kabhi Kabhie' (1975) - Yash Chopra's most poetic film and arguably his best musical to date, fished out Khayyam from semi-hibernation. Using Ludhianvi's poetry and Lata-Mukesh's vocals as crutches, Khayyam created a wonder world of poetry, passion and pain.
'Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein', 'Main pal do pal ka shayar' and 'Mere ghar aayee ek nanhi pari', are perennials. There were also some young tunes for Rishi and Neetu like 'Jaan-e-man tum kamaal karte ho', 'Pyar kar liya to kya' and 'Tera phoolon jaisa rang'. Lata went from being sweet 60 for Waheeda Rehman to sweet 16 for Neetu Singh without skipping a beat.
4. 'Trishul' (1978) - Yash Raj-Khayyam's follow-up to 'Kabhi Kabhie' suffered for being an action movie. But the magnificent theme song 'Tu mere saath rahega munne' lifted the whole score to the stratosphere of the sublime.
One of Amitabh Bachchan's favourite songs, 'Tu mere saath', is arguably the best song that Lata has sung for a Yash Raj film. Bachchan played the protagonist in the film. Also, up there among the greats is the Lata-Yesudas duet 'Aapki mehki hui zulf'.
5. 'Silsila' (1991) - Shiv-Hari and Javed Akhtar created quaint and compelling numbers like 'Yeh kahan aa gaye hum', 'Neela aasman so gaya' and 'Dekha ek khwab'. 'Silsila' painted as many shades of romance as possible.
The other scores that Shiv-Hari did for Yash Raj Films, namely 'Chandni', 'Lamhe', 'Parampara', 'Vijay', 'Faasle' and 'Darr' were no patch on that of 'Silsila'.
6. 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (1995) - Though they couldn't create a title tune to match the song of the name that Ravindra Jain composed in 'Chor Machaye Shor', there was nonetheless an everlasting swerve towards verve in 'Tujhe dekha to yeh jana sanam' and 'Ho gaya hai tujhko to pyar sajna'. Lata and Asha Bhosle belted out a solo each - 'Mere khwabon mein jo aaye' and 'Zara sa jhoom loom main' - for the effervescent Kajol.
7. 'Dil To Pagal Hai' (1997) - Uttam Singh's feisty songs were led by the foot-tapping 'Dil to pagal hai' where the then 70-plus Lata sounded no more than 20. Yash Chopra's utter devotion to the Lata's vocals came to full fruition.
8. 'Veer-Zaara' (2005) - Madan Mohan's dormant songs were rejuvenated by his son Sanjeev Kohli. The numbers had an incredible amount of melody quotient, especially in the number 'Tere liye'.
Udit Narayan's voice dipped to an incredible bass in 'Main yahan hoon yahan'. Every singer from Lata to Roop Kumar Rathod put his or her best foot forward to create a score that never bored.
9. 'Bunty Aur Babli' (2005) - 'Chote chotey shehron mein' the mood of lingering fun reached a full crescendo in this soundtrack. Gulzar put on his zany cap to write his sauciest song yet.
'Kajra re' ranks as one of the new millennium's most successful item songs. But the love ballad 'Chup chup ke' sung by Gaytari Iyer and Shankar Mahadevan ranks much higher.
10. 'Dhoom' (2007) - 'Dhoom machale' need we say anything more?
And the also-rans: 'Kala Patthar' - Rajesh Roshan's only tryst with Yash Raj contained the hit duets 'Ek rasta hai zindagi' and 'Bahon mein tere'.
'Mashaal' - On Lata's recommendation, Hridaynath Mangeshkar got the chance to do one score for Yash Raj. Remembered for the bhajan 'Om namah shivay'.
'Chandni' - 'Mere haathon mein nau-nau chudiya' pulsated with the power of Lata's vocal chords.
'Lamhe' - It had elegant though somewhat listless ballads by Shiv-Hari.
'Darr' - 'Tu mere samne' and 'Tu hai meri kiran' by Shiv-Hari were quite popular at that time.
'Mujhse Dosti Karoge' - Shiv Kumar Sharma's son Rahul composed some extremely pleasant melodies. Lata went from papa Shiv to son Rahul with age-defying fluency.
'Salaam Namaste' - the zing sting by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
And last but not the least, 'Fanna' - Jatin-Lalit got together for the last time.
Anil Kapoor removes chest hair for tattoos in new movie
MUMBAI, India (AP ): Veteran Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor shaved off his chest hair and got tattoos for a new movie in which he plays a villain, a news report said Thursday.
In his earlier movies, Kapoor often proudly showed his hairy chest.
"But reinvention and makeovers have been part of my acting repertoire long before they became fashionable,'' The Times Of India newspaper quoted Kapoor as saying. The movie "Tashan'' (Showoff) is being produced by Yashraj Films, one of the Bollywood's top production houses.
Kapoor, 44, recalled that he had put on a lot of weight for "Badhai Ho Badhai'' (Congratulations) and lost a lot of weight for "Musafir'' (Traveler) earlier.
His role in the new movie required him to get rid of his chest hair and get tattoos for the character.
"I have got them done on back, chest, you name it,'' the actor quipped.
"For every part that I play I want to create a new look for my character,'' Kapoor said.
Kapoor has acted in more than a dozen blockbusters, including "Mr. India,'' "Tejaab'' (Acid) and "1942: A Love Story.''
In his earlier movies, Kapoor often proudly showed his hairy chest.
"But reinvention and makeovers have been part of my acting repertoire long before they became fashionable,'' The Times Of India newspaper quoted Kapoor as saying. The movie "Tashan'' (Showoff) is being produced by Yashraj Films, one of the Bollywood's top production houses.
Kapoor, 44, recalled that he had put on a lot of weight for "Badhai Ho Badhai'' (Congratulations) and lost a lot of weight for "Musafir'' (Traveler) earlier.
His role in the new movie required him to get rid of his chest hair and get tattoos for the character.
"I have got them done on back, chest, you name it,'' the actor quipped.
"For every part that I play I want to create a new look for my character,'' Kapoor said.
Kapoor has acted in more than a dozen blockbusters, including "Mr. India,'' "Tejaab'' (Acid) and "1942: A Love Story.''
Kareena claims she is not anorexic
Kareena Kapoor is a typical Punjabi girl and loves food. The actress has also always had a healthy and curvaceous figure. However recently the actress decided to get fit and go for a svelte body type. Now the actress has lost oodles of weight and is looking extremely thin, this has prompted many within the industry as well as her fans to speculate that Kareena is anorexic. However the actress clearly states “I am far from anorexic. I have lost weight for my role in Tashan.
I’ve been training to do some action scenes and hence the sudden weight loss.”The actress wants to put an end to recent speculation about having several eating disorders etc. Kareena is extremely upset with recent rumours that she is anorexic; she says “Rumours that I have supposedly become anorexic have gone completely out of hand.
I don’t want people to panic, it’s a bizarre rumour.” Kareena confirms that the huge weight loss is for a unique role in the film Tashan, but she claims that she has been having a healthy diet and working out regularly which is how she lost oodles of weight. On her diet Kareena says “I’m following a healthy diet and a regular workout regime and feeling great.” The actress claims that the secret to her losing weight is staying completely off junk food. “I’ve stopped eating junk food till Tashan gets over in November.” Kareena point blankly states that she would never starve herself and claims that actually she is a complete foodie like every true blue Kapoor in her family.
Kareena has been off some of her favourite foods like Chinese, junk food like sandwiches, noodles etc. However Kareena maintains that after the film is over in November she will gorge on junk food and get back to her healthy look, Kareena says “I promise that after the film is over, I will start eating everything. After Tashan, you will get to see a curvy Kareena once again.” Kareena’s dietician Roojuta helps her maintain a healthy diet chart and she also practises yoga, she says “I am doing lots of yoga to tone up my body.” Kareena says “I have lost five kilos and its all thanks to a healthy diet and regular exercise. Nonetheless Kareena is miffed with rumours of her being anorexic and she claims that when she puts on weight she is labeled fat and when she loses weight she is called anorexic, so either ways people always have something to say about her.
Kareena says “I have worked very hard in these last seven months to lose weight, so please don’t take away from it by calling me anorexic.”Well so hopefully all the rumours of Kareena turning anorexic will be dispelled especially after November when the actress finishes her film and binges on all that junk food.
I’ve been training to do some action scenes and hence the sudden weight loss.”The actress wants to put an end to recent speculation about having several eating disorders etc. Kareena is extremely upset with recent rumours that she is anorexic; she says “Rumours that I have supposedly become anorexic have gone completely out of hand.
I don’t want people to panic, it’s a bizarre rumour.” Kareena confirms that the huge weight loss is for a unique role in the film Tashan, but she claims that she has been having a healthy diet and working out regularly which is how she lost oodles of weight. On her diet Kareena says “I’m following a healthy diet and a regular workout regime and feeling great.” The actress claims that the secret to her losing weight is staying completely off junk food. “I’ve stopped eating junk food till Tashan gets over in November.” Kareena point blankly states that she would never starve herself and claims that actually she is a complete foodie like every true blue Kapoor in her family.
Kareena has been off some of her favourite foods like Chinese, junk food like sandwiches, noodles etc. However Kareena maintains that after the film is over in November she will gorge on junk food and get back to her healthy look, Kareena says “I promise that after the film is over, I will start eating everything. After Tashan, you will get to see a curvy Kareena once again.” Kareena’s dietician Roojuta helps her maintain a healthy diet chart and she also practises yoga, she says “I am doing lots of yoga to tone up my body.” Kareena says “I have lost five kilos and its all thanks to a healthy diet and regular exercise. Nonetheless Kareena is miffed with rumours of her being anorexic and she claims that when she puts on weight she is labeled fat and when she loses weight she is called anorexic, so either ways people always have something to say about her.
Kareena says “I have worked very hard in these last seven months to lose weight, so please don’t take away from it by calling me anorexic.”Well so hopefully all the rumours of Kareena turning anorexic will be dispelled especially after November when the actress finishes her film and binges on all that junk food.
'Chak De India' promos replaced
The trailers of the Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Chak De India', which were included in 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' and unceremoniously removed from theatres due to the negative flak generated, have now been replaced with new ones.
The new and exciting promos will be included in the forthcoming film 'Partner'. If insiders are to be believed, the fresh trailers are filled with a patriotic flavour and will mend the loss created with the initial promos.
Haven't we heard better late than never?
(Source : bollyvista)
The new and exciting promos will be included in the forthcoming film 'Partner'. If insiders are to be believed, the fresh trailers are filled with a patriotic flavour and will mend the loss created with the initial promos.
Haven't we heard better late than never?
(Source : bollyvista)
Shaad Ali's next with Yash Raj
Forget the fate of 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' at the box-office and move on. This is what Aditya Chopra must have told Shaad Ali the film's director.
Shaad Ali will be directing his fourth film for Yash Raj after Saathiya', 'Bunty Aur Babli' and 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom'. The film titled 'Tevar' will have Akshay Kumar in the lead role and will roll out in October of this year.
Interestingly, the title of the film has been suggested by none other than Salman Khan.
(Source : bollyvista)
Shaad Ali will be directing his fourth film for Yash Raj after Saathiya', 'Bunty Aur Babli' and 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom'. The film titled 'Tevar' will have Akshay Kumar in the lead role and will roll out in October of this year.
Interestingly, the title of the film has been suggested by none other than Salman Khan.
(Source : bollyvista)
2007 is a bad year for Yash Raj: Numerologist
July 05, 2007 14:47 IST
Numerologist Niraj Mancchanda had predicted long before the release of Yash Raj Films' Ta Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom that they would not open well at the box office.
Ta Ra Rum Pum [Images] totals number 38 and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom totals number 59, and both numbers do not vibrate with Yash Raj Films founder Yash Chopra [Images] and his son Aditya Chopra [Images], the studio's creative mastermind.
He adds that even though Yash Chopra is a number nine and Aditya Chopra is a number three; and both numbers vibrate with the year 2007, this year will not be good for Yash Raj Films.
He predicts the fate for the other YRF releases this year:
Yash Raj Films totals number 33, which is Laxmi's number and the number vibrates with both Yash and Aditya Chopra. But two planets, the retrogate Jupiter and the shifting of Saturn to another house will not only damage their banner's goodwill but will also give them monetary losses.
Since film distribution is my family business I know what kind of business Ta Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom has done in India.
Shimit Amin's Chak De India, which stars Shah Rukh Khan [Images], and will release in August -- totals number 32. It will do below expectations as well. The business will be on the basis of holidays only, and will be nothing great.
Pradeep Sarkar's Laaga Chunari Mein Daag is scheduled to release in October. It totals number 65. This will fare below average; and will not open to full houses.
Madhuri Dixit's [Images] comeback film, Aaja Nachle totals number 26. It will be a box office disaster, which will shock everyone.
Next year's Tashan will be a hit because of its lead actor, Akshay Kumar [Images].
Numerologist Niraj Mancchanda had predicted long before the release of Yash Raj Films' Ta Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom that they would not open well at the box office.
Ta Ra Rum Pum [Images] totals number 38 and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom totals number 59, and both numbers do not vibrate with Yash Raj Films founder Yash Chopra [Images] and his son Aditya Chopra [Images], the studio's creative mastermind.
He adds that even though Yash Chopra is a number nine and Aditya Chopra is a number three; and both numbers vibrate with the year 2007, this year will not be good for Yash Raj Films.
He predicts the fate for the other YRF releases this year:
Yash Raj Films totals number 33, which is Laxmi's number and the number vibrates with both Yash and Aditya Chopra. But two planets, the retrogate Jupiter and the shifting of Saturn to another house will not only damage their banner's goodwill but will also give them monetary losses.
Since film distribution is my family business I know what kind of business Ta Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom has done in India.
Shimit Amin's Chak De India, which stars Shah Rukh Khan [Images], and will release in August -- totals number 32. It will do below expectations as well. The business will be on the basis of holidays only, and will be nothing great.
Pradeep Sarkar's Laaga Chunari Mein Daag is scheduled to release in October. It totals number 65. This will fare below average; and will not open to full houses.
Madhuri Dixit's [Images] comeback film, Aaja Nachle totals number 26. It will be a box office disaster, which will shock everyone.
Next year's Tashan will be a hit because of its lead actor, Akshay Kumar [Images].
King Yash reads the signs, relents on revenue sharing
You wouldn't expect Yash Chopra, the reigning king of Bollywood, to indulge in such marketing tactics. But with Jhoom Barabar Jhoom tanking in the box office, last week, Chopra is believed to have offered discounts on the revenue he was sharing with multiplex owners to ensure that the movie is not masked out of theatres.
Only a few months ago, Tinsel Town’s badshaah had shown his clout by forcing most multiplex owners to fork out a larger part of their revenues as his share for all movies produced by his production company.
Admits Sanjeev Kohli CEO Yash Raj Films : “Jhoom did very well in its first week but in its second week it did not perform as expected; as a gesture Yash Raj Films has given a rebate of 5 per cent on the revenue sharing proportion with multiplexes.”
Only a few months ago, Tinsel Town’s badshaah had shown his clout by forcing most multiplex owners to fork out a larger part of their revenues as his share for all movies produced by his production company.
Admits Sanjeev Kohli CEO Yash Raj Films : “Jhoom did very well in its first week but in its second week it did not perform as expected; as a gesture Yash Raj Films has given a rebate of 5 per cent on the revenue sharing proportion with multiplexes.”
My film not adapted: Siddharth Anand
Mumbai, June 4 (IANS) There is a strong rumour that Ranbir Kapoor's post-debut film, to be directed by childhood friend Siddharth Anand, is a remake of Hollywood romantic comedy "The Bachelor". But the young Anand, currently scripting the movie, completely denies adapting it from Gary Sinyor's 1999 film."
My film is certainly not adapted from any source. It's as much 'The Bachelor' as my 'Ta Ra Rum Pum' was 'Reservoir Dogs'," Anand told IANS.Ranbir, the son of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, is debuting with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Saawariya" and the rumours of him doing Chris O'Donnel's role from "The Bachelor" originated from the casting of several prominent leading ladies opposite the young actor.
While Katrina Kaif plays one of the leading ladies, Deepika Padukone, who stars with Shah Rukh Khan in "Om Shanti Om", has been finalised to play another lead.
My film is certainly not adapted from any source. It's as much 'The Bachelor' as my 'Ta Ra Rum Pum' was 'Reservoir Dogs'," Anand told IANS.Ranbir, the son of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, is debuting with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Saawariya" and the rumours of him doing Chris O'Donnel's role from "The Bachelor" originated from the casting of several prominent leading ladies opposite the young actor.
While Katrina Kaif plays one of the leading ladies, Deepika Padukone, who stars with Shah Rukh Khan in "Om Shanti Om", has been finalised to play another lead.
Would you find Rani Mukherjee playing a middle class sex worker offensive?
In the film Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Rani plays a small town girl from a respectable middle class family who leaves her home lured by city life. However, confronted by adversities she is eventually forced to resort to prostitution to make a living.
Yash Raj Films (YRF), the production company, isn't sure the plot will go down well with the audience.
A girl from a poor family being forced into prostitution is a tried and tested plot that has readily been accepted by audiences in the past and based on which some of memorable and sensitive films like Amar Prem (1971, Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore) have been made.
However, the concept of a middle class woman resorting to prostitution is giving YRF honchos cold feet, because they feel it may not go down well with the predominantly middle class audiences.
Rattled by two lackluster releases this year - Ta Ra Rum Pum (Saif, Rani) and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (Abhishek, Preity, Lara, Bobby) - YRF does not want to take chances.
"We don't know how kindly the viewers are going to take the fact that a woman from a middle-class family becomes a sex worker in times of crisis. Surely, we are giving it a thought. After the Jhoom Barabar Jhoom debacle we want to play it safe," a source told Mumbai Mirror.
To conform with the YRF image the film has been kept family oriented by emphasizing the mother-daughter relationship in the plot. However, no one is sure if that is enough.
The problem of course is filming is nearly complete and all they can do now is tweak Rani's role through some deft editing.
"Yashraj films are always meant for family viewing. We don't want to outrage our viewers' sensibilities. Saying so, we can't have any last minute changes as the film has been mostly shot. We intend to release the film in September."
Yet another damper for YRF is the fact Rani also plays a sex worker in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya.
Yash Raj Films (YRF), the production company, isn't sure the plot will go down well with the audience.
A girl from a poor family being forced into prostitution is a tried and tested plot that has readily been accepted by audiences in the past and based on which some of memorable and sensitive films like Amar Prem (1971, Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore) have been made.
However, the concept of a middle class woman resorting to prostitution is giving YRF honchos cold feet, because they feel it may not go down well with the predominantly middle class audiences.
Rattled by two lackluster releases this year - Ta Ra Rum Pum (Saif, Rani) and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (Abhishek, Preity, Lara, Bobby) - YRF does not want to take chances.
"We don't know how kindly the viewers are going to take the fact that a woman from a middle-class family becomes a sex worker in times of crisis. Surely, we are giving it a thought. After the Jhoom Barabar Jhoom debacle we want to play it safe," a source told Mumbai Mirror.
To conform with the YRF image the film has been kept family oriented by emphasizing the mother-daughter relationship in the plot. However, no one is sure if that is enough.
The problem of course is filming is nearly complete and all they can do now is tweak Rani's role through some deft editing.
"Yashraj films are always meant for family viewing. We don't want to outrage our viewers' sensibilities. Saying so, we can't have any last minute changes as the film has been mostly shot. We intend to release the film in September."
Yet another damper for YRF is the fact Rani also plays a sex worker in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya.
Anurag Kashyap disowns Jhoom Barabar
BHARTI DUBEY Times News Network
Writer-director Shaad Ali's refuses to the blame for Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.
Shaad Ali's film Jhoom Barabar Jhoom has made Anurag Kashyap's head hang in shame. The writer-director refuses to take the blame. "I am fed up of people calling me and abusing me for the film. This is not the film I have worked on with Shaad Ali and Tigmanshu Dhulia who has also been given the credit or discredit as script consultant."
Kashyap says they had given Shaad a film by the title of Sangam Mail which had a story of two people waiting at New Delhi railway station. "All I can say is this film is a very sad derivative of the story idea of the script we gave Shaad."
According to sources close to the duo "Shaad Ali and the two writers know each other from the time of Dil Se . Tigmanshu was also an assistant of Mani Ratnam and at that time the idea was discussed with Shaad which was developed by Anurag and him later. In fact, has made two films out of that one script, Bunty's character of Bunty Aur Babli too originated from Sangam Mail ."
It maybe recalled here that Tigmanshu has not even been paid a single for the idea. When contacted Tigmanshu said, "I really don't want to get into this, all I can say is this is not the film we wrote for Shaad. He is a friend and I don't won’t to spoil it." Shaad refuses to comment on the issue. He sent a SMS saying, "I am in Kanpur and I don't speak to the media." Incidentally on the day Shaad left for Kanpur (which happened to be next day of the release of his film) he got into a scuffle with airport security.
Writer-director Shaad Ali's refuses to the blame for Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.
Shaad Ali's film Jhoom Barabar Jhoom has made Anurag Kashyap's head hang in shame. The writer-director refuses to take the blame. "I am fed up of people calling me and abusing me for the film. This is not the film I have worked on with Shaad Ali and Tigmanshu Dhulia who has also been given the credit or discredit as script consultant."
Kashyap says they had given Shaad a film by the title of Sangam Mail which had a story of two people waiting at New Delhi railway station. "All I can say is this film is a very sad derivative of the story idea of the script we gave Shaad."
According to sources close to the duo "Shaad Ali and the two writers know each other from the time of Dil Se . Tigmanshu was also an assistant of Mani Ratnam and at that time the idea was discussed with Shaad which was developed by Anurag and him later. In fact, has made two films out of that one script, Bunty's character of Bunty Aur Babli too originated from Sangam Mail ."
It maybe recalled here that Tigmanshu has not even been paid a single for the idea. When contacted Tigmanshu said, "I really don't want to get into this, all I can say is this is not the film we wrote for Shaad. He is a friend and I don't won’t to spoil it." Shaad refuses to comment on the issue. He sent a SMS saying, "I am in Kanpur and I don't speak to the media." Incidentally on the day Shaad left for Kanpur (which happened to be next day of the release of his film) he got into a scuffle with airport security.
Yash Chopra releases book on Madan Mohan
By Businessofcinema.com Team
MUMBAI: Filmmaker Yash Chopra released a book on late composer Madan Mohan in Mumbai.
The book was launched at a musical show held in memory of the late composer. Said Chopra, "I have been an admirer of Madanji's music but did not get the opportunity to work with him in his lifetime. It is indeed miraculous that my film Veer-Zaara could use his unused melodie 30 years after his demise, as the soundtrack. It was almost as if he had left behind a tune for every conceivable situation in my film."
The function featured 30 songs from the repertoire of Madan Mohan, rendered by singers. The hits sung on the occasion included Aapki Nazaron Ne Samjha, Hum Pyaar Mein Jalnewalon Ko, Lag Ja Gale, Tum Jo Mil Gayo Ho, Kaun Aaya Mere Man Ke Dware, Phir Wohi Shaam, Jhumka Gira Re, Dil Dhoondhta Hai and various others including Tere Liye from Veer-Zaara.
Approximately 40 musicians formed the orchestra that featured only acoustic instruments without electronics – to recreate the sound of the golden era of music.
The book titled, Ultimate Melodies, has been written and compiled by Vishwas Nerurkar and Bishwanath Chatterjee. It features write-ups on the legend by Yash Chopra, Gulzar, Manna Dey, Sadhana, Bhupinder Singh, and Madan Mohan's family members. The book also documents various facets of Madan Mohan's life, and all the songs and films for which he composed. It is a journey through his career spanning 25 years, which was cut short by his untimely demise at the age of 51.
Madan Mohan's elder son and Yash Raj Films' CEO Sanjeev Kohli said, "It is our privilege that 32 years after the demise of our father, he is being honoured by his fans through this book that will further perpetuate his memory and melodies. With Veer-Zaara, the younger generation got more familiar with his compositions, and through this book, his admirers will learn so much more about their favourite composer."
Madan Mohan composed for over a 100 films during his career, and won several posthumous awards for the music in Yash Chopra's film Veer-Zaara, including an IIFA Award.
MUMBAI: Filmmaker Yash Chopra released a book on late composer Madan Mohan in Mumbai.
The book was launched at a musical show held in memory of the late composer. Said Chopra, "I have been an admirer of Madanji's music but did not get the opportunity to work with him in his lifetime. It is indeed miraculous that my film Veer-Zaara could use his unused melodie 30 years after his demise, as the soundtrack. It was almost as if he had left behind a tune for every conceivable situation in my film."
The function featured 30 songs from the repertoire of Madan Mohan, rendered by singers. The hits sung on the occasion included Aapki Nazaron Ne Samjha, Hum Pyaar Mein Jalnewalon Ko, Lag Ja Gale, Tum Jo Mil Gayo Ho, Kaun Aaya Mere Man Ke Dware, Phir Wohi Shaam, Jhumka Gira Re, Dil Dhoondhta Hai and various others including Tere Liye from Veer-Zaara.
Approximately 40 musicians formed the orchestra that featured only acoustic instruments without electronics – to recreate the sound of the golden era of music.
The book titled, Ultimate Melodies, has been written and compiled by Vishwas Nerurkar and Bishwanath Chatterjee. It features write-ups on the legend by Yash Chopra, Gulzar, Manna Dey, Sadhana, Bhupinder Singh, and Madan Mohan's family members. The book also documents various facets of Madan Mohan's life, and all the songs and films for which he composed. It is a journey through his career spanning 25 years, which was cut short by his untimely demise at the age of 51.
Madan Mohan's elder son and Yash Raj Films' CEO Sanjeev Kohli said, "It is our privilege that 32 years after the demise of our father, he is being honoured by his fans through this book that will further perpetuate his memory and melodies. With Veer-Zaara, the younger generation got more familiar with his compositions, and through this book, his admirers will learn so much more about their favourite composer."
Madan Mohan composed for over a 100 films during his career, and won several posthumous awards for the music in Yash Chopra's film Veer-Zaara, including an IIFA Award.
Premiere tickets for Chak de India in UK
27/6/2007
WIN! A pair of tickets for the premiere of Chak de India, starring Shah Rukh Khan.
The CHAK DE INDIA – ‘INDIA NOW’ PREMIERE takes place on Thursday 9th August.
In celebration of the India Now season, Chak de India premieres as part of the Film4 Summer Screen, with top Indian star Shah Rukh Khan as a coach, who is fighting his personal demons as he takes a motley group of girls to the pinnacle of world hockey.
This giveaway is on a first-come, first served basis, so hurry! Email your name and postal address to: editor@blink.org.uk
Winner(s) must collect their tickets on the day from Somerset House, Strand, London WC2.
WIN! A pair of tickets for the premiere of Chak de India, starring Shah Rukh Khan.
The CHAK DE INDIA – ‘INDIA NOW’ PREMIERE takes place on Thursday 9th August.
In celebration of the India Now season, Chak de India premieres as part of the Film4 Summer Screen, with top Indian star Shah Rukh Khan as a coach, who is fighting his personal demons as he takes a motley group of girls to the pinnacle of world hockey.
This giveaway is on a first-come, first served basis, so hurry! Email your name and postal address to: editor@blink.org.uk
Winner(s) must collect their tickets on the day from Somerset House, Strand, London WC2.
Shaad files for divorce!
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom's poor show at the box-office has only added to director Shaad Ali's misery.
On the personal front, the filmmaker is still reeling under the effects of his broken marriage. Shaad married childhood sweetheart Shahzneen Hussian in a grand ceremony on January 28, 2006 at Lucknow.
However, the strain in their relationship began showing soon after, which led the couple to live separately. Sources inform that the couple has already filed for divorce. Reportedly, the couple was at loggerheads even when Shaad was filming Jhoom Barabar Jhoom in London, last October. Although Shahzneen was not part of the crew, she used to give creative inputs.
Once the couple had a fierce showdown and eventually, Shahzneen packed her bags and walked out.
A cast member, on condition of anonymity, says, "We witnessed regular fights and arguments between the two on the sets. They just couldn't get along. One day, Shahzneen left from the sets in a huff after she fought with Shaad. It's very unfortunate as they have known each other since their school days." Shaad's parents - filmmaker-designer Muzaffar Ali and former MP and CPM leader Subhasini - are yet to come to terms with the break-up of their son's marriage that barely lasted for eight months. "His parents are unable to comprehend the cause for the split," says a close family friend. Shaad has found solace in religion these days.
Of late, the bohemian film-maker has been reading religious books. A close friend of the filmmaker adds, "He has been going through a personal crisis. He has just discovered his spiritual side. He reads a lot of religious books, which gives him peace of mind."
When quizzed about it, close friend and choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant says, "Shaad has been pretty close to Sufism. As for his broken marriage, it's very difficult to comment. You never know what happens between two adults."
A self-confessed recluse, Shaad was not available for comment.
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom's poor show at the box-office has only added to director Shaad Ali's misery.
On the personal front, the filmmaker is still reeling under the effects of his broken marriage. Shaad married childhood sweetheart Shahzneen Hussian in a grand ceremony on January 28, 2006 at Lucknow.
However, the strain in their relationship began showing soon after, which led the couple to live separately. Sources inform that the couple has already filed for divorce. Reportedly, the couple was at loggerheads even when Shaad was filming Jhoom Barabar Jhoom in London, last October. Although Shahzneen was not part of the crew, she used to give creative inputs.
Once the couple had a fierce showdown and eventually, Shahzneen packed her bags and walked out.
A cast member, on condition of anonymity, says, "We witnessed regular fights and arguments between the two on the sets. They just couldn't get along. One day, Shahzneen left from the sets in a huff after she fought with Shaad. It's very unfortunate as they have known each other since their school days." Shaad's parents - filmmaker-designer Muzaffar Ali and former MP and CPM leader Subhasini - are yet to come to terms with the break-up of their son's marriage that barely lasted for eight months. "His parents are unable to comprehend the cause for the split," says a close family friend. Shaad has found solace in religion these days.
Of late, the bohemian film-maker has been reading religious books. A close friend of the filmmaker adds, "He has been going through a personal crisis. He has just discovered his spiritual side. He reads a lot of religious books, which gives him peace of mind."
When quizzed about it, close friend and choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant says, "Shaad has been pretty close to Sufism. As for his broken marriage, it's very difficult to comment. You never know what happens between two adults."
A self-confessed recluse, Shaad was not available for comment.
No war between Bunty and Babli!
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
For those who were waiting to see deathly tension to erupt on the sets of Pradeep Sarkar's Laga Chunri Mein Daag after what's widely been labelled the wedding snub, there was disappointing news.
There were absolutely no cold vibes between Rani Mukerji and Abhishek Bachchan when he returned two work after a two-month break. "How can there be?" says a close friend of both the stars. "Rani and Abhishek have done four films. They're seen as the new Amitabh-Jaya pair. And forget that.
They're so comfortable with each other. Yes, not being invited to the wedding did hurt Rani. She always thought of the Bachchans as a part of her extended family and hoped they considered her the same.
Initially, she was upset about not being invited. But the minute she met Abhishek last week after all grievances dissolved instantly." Rani and Abhishek are back having fun on the sets as though nothing has happened. "Nothing about Abhishek has changed after marriage. He's still a major prankster filled with masti. When Rani realised this, she immediately dropped her defences. The party spirit that prevails every time Abhishek is around is back. The set for Laga Chunri Mein Daag resembles a picnic spot," says the source. Joining the revellery are Kunal Kapoor and Konkona Senshar ma. "In fact Abhishek has known both the director Pradeep Sarkar and Kunal for years. Abhishek often jokes that he wants to be as thin as Kunal," says the source.
The buzz on the sets of Laga Chunri... is that Abhishek hasn't changed one bit. "Marriage hasn't made him less bratty. It would take a lot more than marriage to the most beautiful woman in India to change Abhishek," jokes Abhishek's buddy
For those who were waiting to see deathly tension to erupt on the sets of Pradeep Sarkar's Laga Chunri Mein Daag after what's widely been labelled the wedding snub, there was disappointing news.
There were absolutely no cold vibes between Rani Mukerji and Abhishek Bachchan when he returned two work after a two-month break. "How can there be?" says a close friend of both the stars. "Rani and Abhishek have done four films. They're seen as the new Amitabh-Jaya pair. And forget that.
They're so comfortable with each other. Yes, not being invited to the wedding did hurt Rani. She always thought of the Bachchans as a part of her extended family and hoped they considered her the same.
Initially, she was upset about not being invited. But the minute she met Abhishek last week after all grievances dissolved instantly." Rani and Abhishek are back having fun on the sets as though nothing has happened. "Nothing about Abhishek has changed after marriage. He's still a major prankster filled with masti. When Rani realised this, she immediately dropped her defences. The party spirit that prevails every time Abhishek is around is back. The set for Laga Chunri Mein Daag resembles a picnic spot," says the source. Joining the revellery are Kunal Kapoor and Konkona Senshar ma. "In fact Abhishek has known both the director Pradeep Sarkar and Kunal for years. Abhishek often jokes that he wants to be as thin as Kunal," says the source.
The buzz on the sets of Laga Chunri... is that Abhishek hasn't changed one bit. "Marriage hasn't made him less bratty. It would take a lot more than marriage to the most beautiful woman in India to change Abhishek," jokes Abhishek's buddy
Tata Elxsi to partner Yash Raj Films for the Walt Disney JV
Monday - Jun 25, 2007
Televisionpoint.com Correspondent
Tata Elxsi has announced that its animation and visual effects arm Visual Computing Labs (VCL), will be the partner of Yash Raj Films (YRF) in their collaboration with Walt Disney, which will create a series of original and exclusive 3D animated feature films.The first in the series is an animated film 'Roadside Romeo' directed by Jugal Hansraj, which is slated for release in 2008.
This will be India's first original full-length 3D animated film. As part of the alliance, VCL will bring the animation capability to this and other future projects, in close collaboration with YRF's creative team. VCL and YRF enjoy a close working relationship with VCL having done all of the visual effects for YRF films in the recent years including Fanaa, Kabul Express and Dhoom 2, in which VCL pioneered the 'Virtual-Set' methodology for Indian cinema and was the largest special effect work till date for any movie, Ta Ra Rum Pum, which was the most interesting Indian feature project to date, in terms of scope, length of work and complexity and also marked the first time that such a significant 3D Animation sequence was introduced in a mainstream film on Indian screens.Pankaj Khandpur, Creative Director, VCL said, "This alliance is a step up in the long standing relationship between VCL and YRF. We were a natural choice for YRF given our experience in International projects, the corporate nature of our set up and our stability, expertise and the credibility of the Tata brand name.
VCL has been continuously raising the bar as far as animation and special effects are concerned.""Having worked with Yash Raj in all their recent productions, they did not have to look beyond VCL when it came to selecting a partner to provide animation and special effects in our future projects under the Walt Disney alliance.
We are confident in our ability to create entertaining projects for the Indian audience, which will be on par with other Disney productions as far as the quality of computer animations go. We hope to deliver original animated hits which are as iconic as any of Disney's characters in India," added Khandpur.
Televisionpoint.com Correspondent
Tata Elxsi has announced that its animation and visual effects arm Visual Computing Labs (VCL), will be the partner of Yash Raj Films (YRF) in their collaboration with Walt Disney, which will create a series of original and exclusive 3D animated feature films.The first in the series is an animated film 'Roadside Romeo' directed by Jugal Hansraj, which is slated for release in 2008.
This will be India's first original full-length 3D animated film. As part of the alliance, VCL will bring the animation capability to this and other future projects, in close collaboration with YRF's creative team. VCL and YRF enjoy a close working relationship with VCL having done all of the visual effects for YRF films in the recent years including Fanaa, Kabul Express and Dhoom 2, in which VCL pioneered the 'Virtual-Set' methodology for Indian cinema and was the largest special effect work till date for any movie, Ta Ra Rum Pum, which was the most interesting Indian feature project to date, in terms of scope, length of work and complexity and also marked the first time that such a significant 3D Animation sequence was introduced in a mainstream film on Indian screens.Pankaj Khandpur, Creative Director, VCL said, "This alliance is a step up in the long standing relationship between VCL and YRF. We were a natural choice for YRF given our experience in International projects, the corporate nature of our set up and our stability, expertise and the credibility of the Tata brand name.
VCL has been continuously raising the bar as far as animation and special effects are concerned.""Having worked with Yash Raj in all their recent productions, they did not have to look beyond VCL when it came to selecting a partner to provide animation and special effects in our future projects under the Walt Disney alliance.
We are confident in our ability to create entertaining projects for the Indian audience, which will be on par with other Disney productions as far as the quality of computer animations go. We hope to deliver original animated hits which are as iconic as any of Disney's characters in India," added Khandpur.
Amitabh Bachchan in another cameo appearance
By Our Correspondent ©2007 Bollyvista.com
Amitabh Bachchan was last seen in Yash Raj Films' 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' in a guest appearance, singing the title song throughout the film. Big B will again be seen in another cameo role in Yash Raj Films' next 'Laga Chunari Mein Daag'.
Amitabh will be seen in a small but important role in this Pradeep Sarkar directed film. The film also stars Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee.
Surprising to see Big B in small roles, isn't it?
Amitabh Bachchan was last seen in Yash Raj Films' 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' in a guest appearance, singing the title song throughout the film. Big B will again be seen in another cameo role in Yash Raj Films' next 'Laga Chunari Mein Daag'.
Amitabh will be seen in a small but important role in this Pradeep Sarkar directed film. The film also stars Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee.
Surprising to see Big B in small roles, isn't it?
Garam Masala actress Neetu missed being SRK’s gal
Neetu missed being SRK’s gal
This is how small banes cross you at times.Garam Masala actress Neetu Chandra was supposed to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Yash Raj Films’ upcoming venture, Chak De India, but Yash Raj Films and director Shimit Amin decided to cast Vidya Malavade. Neetu was the first choice for the role. Shah Rukh plays an ageing hockey coach in the film, who takes a group of girls to the heights of world hockey. Neetu was supposed to be a girl keen to play with the hockey team but not getting the approval of her parents.Everything seemed to be going well when Neetu met Shimit a couple of times, but then out of nowhere one day she was told that she was being replaced by Vidya.”
Neetu admits that she had auditioned for Chak De and Shimit was considering her for the role but apparently after the release of Traffic Signal, the makers felt that she deserved a bigger role. All the eleven girls in the film have an equal role. Also Shimit required a fresh face and she respected his requirement. Chandra is not feeling bad at missing a chace to cast opposite Shah Rukh but she is optimistic to wotk with SRK in the future! Meanwhile, Neetu has signed a three-film contract with Ashtavinayak Films.
This is how small banes cross you at times.Garam Masala actress Neetu Chandra was supposed to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Yash Raj Films’ upcoming venture, Chak De India, but Yash Raj Films and director Shimit Amin decided to cast Vidya Malavade. Neetu was the first choice for the role. Shah Rukh plays an ageing hockey coach in the film, who takes a group of girls to the heights of world hockey. Neetu was supposed to be a girl keen to play with the hockey team but not getting the approval of her parents.Everything seemed to be going well when Neetu met Shimit a couple of times, but then out of nowhere one day she was told that she was being replaced by Vidya.”
Neetu admits that she had auditioned for Chak De and Shimit was considering her for the role but apparently after the release of Traffic Signal, the makers felt that she deserved a bigger role. All the eleven girls in the film have an equal role. Also Shimit required a fresh face and she respected his requirement. Chandra is not feeling bad at missing a chace to cast opposite Shah Rukh but she is optimistic to wotk with SRK in the future! Meanwhile, Neetu has signed a three-film contract with Ashtavinayak Films.
SIVAJI versus JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM ???
Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network
All through the week, the media went berserk reporting about how there was a clash between two titans - Amitabh Bachchan in JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM and Rajnikanth in the Tamil film, SIVAJI - THE BOSS. Whether it was the newspapers or satellite channels, the story was everywhere. But is it really a clash?
No! Firstly, the main market for Tamil films is Tamil Nadu, where Hindi films have a limited release. And Tamil films are released with a few prints in circuits other than Tamil Nadu.
Agreed, SIVAJI - THE BOSS is a very prestigious (and expensive) film for Rajnikanth and is, therefore, being simultaneously released in Bombay (in fifteen cinemas), but how do 15 prints of SIVAJI in Bombay city and suburbs (including Thane) compare with 75 prints of JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM?
Secondly, Amitabh plays a special appearance in JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM (he is seen in just one song), whereas Rajni is the central character in SIVAJI.
(Glamsham)
All through the week, the media went berserk reporting about how there was a clash between two titans - Amitabh Bachchan in JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM and Rajnikanth in the Tamil film, SIVAJI - THE BOSS. Whether it was the newspapers or satellite channels, the story was everywhere. But is it really a clash?
No! Firstly, the main market for Tamil films is Tamil Nadu, where Hindi films have a limited release. And Tamil films are released with a few prints in circuits other than Tamil Nadu.
Agreed, SIVAJI - THE BOSS is a very prestigious (and expensive) film for Rajnikanth and is, therefore, being simultaneously released in Bombay (in fifteen cinemas), but how do 15 prints of SIVAJI in Bombay city and suburbs (including Thane) compare with 75 prints of JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM?
Secondly, Amitabh plays a special appearance in JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM (he is seen in just one song), whereas Rajni is the central character in SIVAJI.
(Glamsham)
The expected saviour flops
The year has not seen any big success at the box office but all was expected to change with the saviour being Jhoom Baranar Jhoom but it was not to be.
The writing was on the wall over the weekend. Normally a film improves collections on Saturday and Sunday over Friday especially when a biggie registers sub par collections on day one.
A not so great opening coupled with no improvement over the weekend and then collections crashing on Monday means the film is going to be the first losing film for Yashraj films since 2002 even when taking all the revenues into account.
The 600 approx cinemas with multiple shows at multiplexes gave it a nett gross capacity of around 40 crore but the film will only get around 50% of that which is around 20 crore in the first week. The average collections from Fri-Sun was 65-70% while from Monday onwards collections have been around 30-35%.
The multiplexes in big cities will keep the film at 6-8 shows in week 2 as there is no major release but they do not hold any hope for a turnaround. The prints are coming back from many small centres after a one week run as it faces complete rejection there especially in the Eastern and Central parts of India. The producers took the same risk of excessive prints with their November release Dhoom 2 but it paid of handsomely then but this time the extra cost has meant extra losses.
As for the circuit business. The film has only done decent business in two markets and those are UK and Punjab and even in Punjab it was only due to the great opening
The Overseas market did not do much better than India as only UK showed good collections while USA and Middle East were poor.
The Tamil film Sivaji has become the first real regional success (not dubbed) in the hindi film market. The film has held near 100% collections on limited prints in Mumbai and Delhi/NCR all week and the prints are being increased in week two.
In its own markets in the South the film has broken all records and this also made a dent into Jhoom Baranar Jhoom's collections in cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai.
(source : Box office India)
The writing was on the wall over the weekend. Normally a film improves collections on Saturday and Sunday over Friday especially when a biggie registers sub par collections on day one.
A not so great opening coupled with no improvement over the weekend and then collections crashing on Monday means the film is going to be the first losing film for Yashraj films since 2002 even when taking all the revenues into account.
The 600 approx cinemas with multiple shows at multiplexes gave it a nett gross capacity of around 40 crore but the film will only get around 50% of that which is around 20 crore in the first week. The average collections from Fri-Sun was 65-70% while from Monday onwards collections have been around 30-35%.
The multiplexes in big cities will keep the film at 6-8 shows in week 2 as there is no major release but they do not hold any hope for a turnaround. The prints are coming back from many small centres after a one week run as it faces complete rejection there especially in the Eastern and Central parts of India. The producers took the same risk of excessive prints with their November release Dhoom 2 but it paid of handsomely then but this time the extra cost has meant extra losses.
As for the circuit business. The film has only done decent business in two markets and those are UK and Punjab and even in Punjab it was only due to the great opening
The Overseas market did not do much better than India as only UK showed good collections while USA and Middle East were poor.
The Tamil film Sivaji has become the first real regional success (not dubbed) in the hindi film market. The film has held near 100% collections on limited prints in Mumbai and Delhi/NCR all week and the prints are being increased in week two.
In its own markets in the South the film has broken all records and this also made a dent into Jhoom Baranar Jhoom's collections in cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai.
(source : Box office India)
Uday Chopra and Tanisha to marry this year?
21 June 2007 (Sawf News) - Even before the dust settles on the controversy over the Aditya Chopra -Rani Mukherjee "roka" ceremony on Monday, there are reports that Yash Chopra's younger son Uday is all set to marry Tanisha, sister of Kajol and daughter of Tanuja.
After having failed to stir Bollywood with her roles in Sarkar (2005) and Neal 'N' Nikki (2006), Tanisha is probably reconciled to a lesser loftier goal in life.
While Yash Raj Films’ Neil n Nikki may have been an unmitigated flop, considered sleazy by many, it appears to have lit a spark between Uday and Tanisha.
Following the making of the film, news filtered out of the Chopra home that Uday and Tanisha were an item.
Accroding to the Mumbai Mirror, at the Abhi Ash wedding, Kajol and other friends started cajoling the couple to get married.
Uday and Tanisha are taking the thought seriously and an engagement could take place soon.
At the moment, Tanisha has no films on hand though Kumar Mangat is said to have penciled her in for a film with Upen Patel.
Uday Chopra has worked only in some films made by Yashraj Films.
After having failed to stir Bollywood with her roles in Sarkar (2005) and Neal 'N' Nikki (2006), Tanisha is probably reconciled to a lesser loftier goal in life.
While Yash Raj Films’ Neil n Nikki may have been an unmitigated flop, considered sleazy by many, it appears to have lit a spark between Uday and Tanisha.
Following the making of the film, news filtered out of the Chopra home that Uday and Tanisha were an item.
Accroding to the Mumbai Mirror, at the Abhi Ash wedding, Kajol and other friends started cajoling the couple to get married.
Uday and Tanisha are taking the thought seriously and an engagement could take place soon.
At the moment, Tanisha has no films on hand though Kumar Mangat is said to have penciled her in for a film with Upen Patel.
Uday Chopra has worked only in some films made by Yashraj Films.
Rumours of a showdown between Yash Chopra and son Aditya Chopra
On the surface everything seems to be running smoothly for Yash Raj productions, in fact there is a lot of excitement with the recent tie up between the production house and Walt Disney to make animation feature films. However insiders claim that there has been personal trouble brewing between father Yash Chopra and son Aditya Chopra for quite some time now.
The trouble between the father-son duo is due to Adi’s impending divorce from his separated wife Payal. She is the daughter of the Chopra’s close family friends and papa Chopra seems against the idea of Adi divorcing her. Meanwhile it is rumoured that Aditya and actress Rani Mukherjee who have been seeing each other for some time now have secretly got engaged .Over the years, the Yash Chopra production house has grown in stature and it is due to son Aditya’s foresight and business acumen.
Both father Yash Chopra and son Adi do maintain a professional and cordial relation whilst working. But personally the father-son duo has had several showdowns and now are not even on talking terms. Father Yash seems to be extremely fond of Adi’s estranged wife Payal and has even warned Adi that he will disinherit him from the prestigious Yash Raj name if he carries on with the divorce proceedings. Nonetheless, son Aditya seems keen on going ahead with his divorce and sources claim that the reason for his divorce is his growing relationship with actress Rani Mukherjee. Pamela Chopra, wife of Yash Chopra says “If he has chosen to marry Rani, we have absolutely no problem, we will welcome whoever he gets home. We are fond of Rani, as she is a sweet girl and I am also close to her mother.” However Yash Chopra’s wife claims that none of the rumours circulating regarding Adi and Rani’s engagement or those of a rift between father-son are even true.
Of the engagement between Rani and Aditya, Pamela says “It’s absolute nonsense, at least it’s not happened at the Chopra house.” Also regarding the father son-bond, Pamela maintains “Their love for each other is so strong that nothing can come between them. Adi will do anything for his father and vice-versa.” The lady of the house claims that Rani and Aditya were first linked together after they began to work together in the film Veer-Zara and since then the two have done many films together and hence the rumours have grown stronger.
Well, although this is a personal matter for the Chopras, everyone including the bollywood industry is speculating about the future of Yash Raj Films if Aditya Chopra gets disinherited. Will Adi start his own personal empire perhaps in direct competition to his father’s company? Will the film industry accept Adi without the support and backing of his father Yash Chopra? All this remains to be seen during the coming few months and it remains a crucial time for the Yash Chopra production house.
After their last film Tara Rum Pum received a luke warm response, even their recent film Jhoom Barabar Jhoom seems to have got a lot of flak from critics as well as at the box-office.
The trouble between the father-son duo is due to Adi’s impending divorce from his separated wife Payal. She is the daughter of the Chopra’s close family friends and papa Chopra seems against the idea of Adi divorcing her. Meanwhile it is rumoured that Aditya and actress Rani Mukherjee who have been seeing each other for some time now have secretly got engaged .Over the years, the Yash Chopra production house has grown in stature and it is due to son Aditya’s foresight and business acumen.
Both father Yash Chopra and son Adi do maintain a professional and cordial relation whilst working. But personally the father-son duo has had several showdowns and now are not even on talking terms. Father Yash seems to be extremely fond of Adi’s estranged wife Payal and has even warned Adi that he will disinherit him from the prestigious Yash Raj name if he carries on with the divorce proceedings. Nonetheless, son Aditya seems keen on going ahead with his divorce and sources claim that the reason for his divorce is his growing relationship with actress Rani Mukherjee. Pamela Chopra, wife of Yash Chopra says “If he has chosen to marry Rani, we have absolutely no problem, we will welcome whoever he gets home. We are fond of Rani, as she is a sweet girl and I am also close to her mother.” However Yash Chopra’s wife claims that none of the rumours circulating regarding Adi and Rani’s engagement or those of a rift between father-son are even true.
Of the engagement between Rani and Aditya, Pamela says “It’s absolute nonsense, at least it’s not happened at the Chopra house.” Also regarding the father son-bond, Pamela maintains “Their love for each other is so strong that nothing can come between them. Adi will do anything for his father and vice-versa.” The lady of the house claims that Rani and Aditya were first linked together after they began to work together in the film Veer-Zara and since then the two have done many films together and hence the rumours have grown stronger.
Well, although this is a personal matter for the Chopras, everyone including the bollywood industry is speculating about the future of Yash Raj Films if Aditya Chopra gets disinherited. Will Adi start his own personal empire perhaps in direct competition to his father’s company? Will the film industry accept Adi without the support and backing of his father Yash Chopra? All this remains to be seen during the coming few months and it remains a crucial time for the Yash Chopra production house.
After their last film Tara Rum Pum received a luke warm response, even their recent film Jhoom Barabar Jhoom seems to have got a lot of flak from critics as well as at the box-office.
ADI without SRK !!!
by Saurav Mittra
After a seven-year break, Aditya Chopra is going to direct his next venture from September. And the surprise news is he is directing without his most favorite King Khan. Aditya's past all ventures had SRK in the lead role. The yet untitled venture will feature Hrithik Roshan and Aamir Khan.
Sources from the Yash Raj confirm "Aditya has already started working on pre-productions plans for the movie. Rani Mukherjee and Preity ZInta have been considered for lead roles. This will be Yash Raj's costliest venture till date, with Aditya himself penning down the story. Lot of Foreign crew being hired for directing action sequences." The movie will hit the floor from September onwards.
After a seven-year break, Aditya Chopra is going to direct his next venture from September. And the surprise news is he is directing without his most favorite King Khan. Aditya's past all ventures had SRK in the lead role. The yet untitled venture will feature Hrithik Roshan and Aamir Khan.
Sources from the Yash Raj confirm "Aditya has already started working on pre-productions plans for the movie. Rani Mukherjee and Preity ZInta have been considered for lead roles. This will be Yash Raj's costliest venture till date, with Aditya himself penning down the story. Lot of Foreign crew being hired for directing action sequences." The movie will hit the floor from September onwards.
'Rani won't do anything secretly' - Rani's father Ram Mukherjee
Even as some Mumbai newspapers claim that actress Rani Mukerji and filmmaker Aditya Chopra are engaged, Rani's father Ram Mukherjee issued a press release on Wednesday, denying the speculation.
'This is a rumour; the news is not true at all. Rani is busy with her work and she will not do anything secretly,' he said.
Some newspapers claimed Rani and Aditya were engaged on Monday. The couple have never commented on the relationship and have never been seen together in public.
Aditya's marriage with Payal Chopra reportedly went sour, and the couple are said to have filed for divorce.
On Tuesday, a Mumbai tabloid reported that Aditya's father Yash Chopra was upset with his son's relationship with Rani and had threatened to disinherit him.
'Yash Chopra and Aditya talk to each other in office when required but as far as their personal equation is concerned, I wouldn't know anything,' Yash Raj Films spokesperson Monika Bhattacharya is quoted as having said in the tabloid report.
'This is a rumour; the news is not true at all. Rani is busy with her work and she will not do anything secretly,' he said.
Some newspapers claimed Rani and Aditya were engaged on Monday. The couple have never commented on the relationship and have never been seen together in public.
Aditya's marriage with Payal Chopra reportedly went sour, and the couple are said to have filed for divorce.
On Tuesday, a Mumbai tabloid reported that Aditya's father Yash Chopra was upset with his son's relationship with Rani and had threatened to disinherit him.
'Yash Chopra and Aditya talk to each other in office when required but as far as their personal equation is concerned, I wouldn't know anything,' Yash Raj Films spokesperson Monika Bhattacharya is quoted as having said in the tabloid report.
HAVE RANI-ADITYA GOT ENGAGED ?
Rumours were rife on Tuesday about the engagement of producer-director Aditya Chopra to actress Rani Mukherjee. According to industry sources, the two got engaged on Monday with only close friends attending the engagement.
Rani reportedly wore an outfit designed by designer Pallavi Jaikishen. However, while Rani and Aditya were not available for comment, Yash Raj Films spokesperson Monika Bhattacharya denied any such event.
“It is not true,’’ she said. Actor Anupam Kher, who was supposed to be on the guest list of the engagement, also rubbished the rumour. Aditya, who got married to Payal Malhotra in 2001, filed for divorce early this year.
However, his family was not happy with the separation which even led to reports of a showdown between Yash Chopra and his son. Yash Raj Films denied these reports as well, saying the father-son duo shared a cordial relationship.
(TOI)
Stay with us for more updates on this....
Rani reportedly wore an outfit designed by designer Pallavi Jaikishen. However, while Rani and Aditya were not available for comment, Yash Raj Films spokesperson Monika Bhattacharya denied any such event.
“It is not true,’’ she said. Actor Anupam Kher, who was supposed to be on the guest list of the engagement, also rubbished the rumour. Aditya, who got married to Payal Malhotra in 2001, filed for divorce early this year.
However, his family was not happy with the separation which even led to reports of a showdown between Yash Chopra and his son. Yash Raj Films denied these reports as well, saying the father-son duo shared a cordial relationship.
(TOI)
Stay with us for more updates on this....
Jhoom boom time
Good news for all citywallahs forced into snobbery and thus forcibly removed from the pleasures of popular culture.
In spite of the nasty reviews given to the multi-starrer dance extravaganza Jhoom Barabar Jhoom by local critics, no less an authority than the New York Times has given it the thumbs up, saying that the film has all the signatures of a Bollywood classic with “a charming can-do, why-not-the-kitchen-sink spirit”.
Glowing review apart, the newspaper’s daily web update on what to do in New York every day, has this film as its top recommendation. and listed the two theatres where it’s playing in New York. So now, everyone can legitimately rush to see it, though presumably not all the way to NY?
(Source : DNA)
In spite of the nasty reviews given to the multi-starrer dance extravaganza Jhoom Barabar Jhoom by local critics, no less an authority than the New York Times has given it the thumbs up, saying that the film has all the signatures of a Bollywood classic with “a charming can-do, why-not-the-kitchen-sink spirit”.
Glowing review apart, the newspaper’s daily web update on what to do in New York every day, has this film as its top recommendation. and listed the two theatres where it’s playing in New York. So now, everyone can legitimately rush to see it, though presumably not all the way to NY?
(Source : DNA)
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom : Opening Box Office
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom coming from the all conquering Yashraj banner was expected to take the country by storm but instead it has left the industry in shock. The opening is not bad and it still may notch up the highest first week billing of 2007 but the hype generated especially by the superhit music could not translate into the expected bumper opening. The film did get the bumper 90%+ opening at some stations of Punjab and Haryana, this could be because that the music had a major punjabi feel or the Deol name which works in the circuit initially even for rank bad films like Big Brother and Shaka Laka Boom Boom.
If the opening was not upto the mark then the reports were even worse and this started to tell at places like Gwalior and Patna as collections started to drop further. The reports suggest it will find it very hard to hold up even in Punjab and Haryana where the opening was strong.
As far as opening is concerned it was best in East Punjab followed by Mumbai(75%) and then Delhi/NCR(70%). In the South the opening was poor due to the Tamil film Shivaji releasing on the same day. Some centres in Nizam showed just 40% opening. The Central India circuits also showed just a 50% opening.
The silver lining is that despite poor reports the banner has a lot of goodwill with the public so they may still go for the film. Also YRF get a great chain of theatres for nearly all their films. These high grossing theatres with multiple shows should enable the film to recover costs as long as it does not completely crash from Monday onwards.
(Box office India . com)
If the opening was not upto the mark then the reports were even worse and this started to tell at places like Gwalior and Patna as collections started to drop further. The reports suggest it will find it very hard to hold up even in Punjab and Haryana where the opening was strong.
As far as opening is concerned it was best in East Punjab followed by Mumbai(75%) and then Delhi/NCR(70%). In the South the opening was poor due to the Tamil film Shivaji releasing on the same day. Some centres in Nizam showed just 40% opening. The Central India circuits also showed just a 50% opening.
The silver lining is that despite poor reports the banner has a lot of goodwill with the public so they may still go for the film. Also YRF get a great chain of theatres for nearly all their films. These high grossing theatres with multiple shows should enable the film to recover costs as long as it does not completely crash from Monday onwards.
(Box office India . com)
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom : Film Review Links
http://www.indicine.com/movies/bollywood/jhoom-barabar-jhoom-movie-review/
http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReview.php?id=061507070332
http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20070616-0.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/16/movies/16bara.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print
http://movies.indiatimes.com/Reviews/Jhoom_Barabar_Jhoom/articleshow/2127436.cms
http://www.fullhyderabad.com/scripts/profiles.php3?section=Movies&name=Jhoom+Barabar+Jhoom&ID=4681
http://www.mtvindia.com/mtv/movies/reviews/07/jhoombarabar/index.php
http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archives/4610/movie-review-jhoom-barabar-jhoom-2007.html
http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/june/159378.htm
http://www.timesnow.tv/Sections/Entertainment/Jhoom_BarabarHmmm/articleshow/2126928.cms
http://cinemaa.indya.com/reviews/jbj.html
http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/15jhoom2.htm
http://www.moviewalah.com/review/2007/06/16/movie-review-jhoom-barabar-jhoom
http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp;jsessionid=DC2D000777F2957B874CF581A27201F2?articleID=125358
http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=fromthepress&subsection=inbombay&xfile=June2007_inbombay_standard13268
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article§id=30&contentid=20070616025637921b8eb1eb0
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=88253
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1103568
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/masands-verdict-jhoom-barabar-jhoom/42988-8.html
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Movie_Reviews/J-N/Review_Jhoom_Barabar_Jhoom/articleshow/2127129.cms
http://www.musicnmovies.info/index.php/2007/06/reviews/jhoom-barabar-jhoom-2007-movie-review-a-dumb-musical/
http://www.businessofcinema.com/?file=story&id=3920
http://glamsham.com/movies/reviews/jhoom_barabar_jhoom.asp
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=22780110-7de4-4db5-9e3a-8471ab0cce2d&&Headline=REVIEW%3a+EMJhoom+Barabar+Jhoom%2fEM
http://www.nowrunning.com/film/review.asp?movieNo=3843
http://ww.smashits.com/news/bollywood/movie-review/6247/jhoom-barabar-jhoom.html
http://indiafm.com/movies/review/12947/index.html
http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/15jhoom1.htm
http://www.andhracafe.com/index.php?m=show&id=24130
(All Bollywood.com)
http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReview.php?id=061507070332
http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20070616-0.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/16/movies/16bara.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print
http://movies.indiatimes.com/Reviews/Jhoom_Barabar_Jhoom/articleshow/2127436.cms
http://www.fullhyderabad.com/scripts/profiles.php3?section=Movies&name=Jhoom+Barabar+Jhoom&ID=4681
http://www.mtvindia.com/mtv/movies/reviews/07/jhoombarabar/index.php
http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archives/4610/movie-review-jhoom-barabar-jhoom-2007.html
http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/june/159378.htm
http://www.timesnow.tv/Sections/Entertainment/Jhoom_BarabarHmmm/articleshow/2126928.cms
http://cinemaa.indya.com/reviews/jbj.html
http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/15jhoom2.htm
http://www.moviewalah.com/review/2007/06/16/movie-review-jhoom-barabar-jhoom
http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp;jsessionid=DC2D000777F2957B874CF581A27201F2?articleID=125358
http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=fromthepress&subsection=inbombay&xfile=June2007_inbombay_standard13268
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article§id=30&contentid=20070616025637921b8eb1eb0
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=88253
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1103568
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/masands-verdict-jhoom-barabar-jhoom/42988-8.html
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Movie_Reviews/J-N/Review_Jhoom_Barabar_Jhoom/articleshow/2127129.cms
http://www.musicnmovies.info/index.php/2007/06/reviews/jhoom-barabar-jhoom-2007-movie-review-a-dumb-musical/
http://www.businessofcinema.com/?file=story&id=3920
http://glamsham.com/movies/reviews/jhoom_barabar_jhoom.asp
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=22780110-7de4-4db5-9e3a-8471ab0cce2d&&Headline=REVIEW%3a+EMJhoom+Barabar+Jhoom%2fEM
http://www.nowrunning.com/film/review.asp?movieNo=3843
http://ww.smashits.com/news/bollywood/movie-review/6247/jhoom-barabar-jhoom.html
http://indiafm.com/movies/review/12947/index.html
http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/15jhoom1.htm
http://www.andhracafe.com/index.php?m=show&id=24130
(All Bollywood.com)
Brands to cash in on Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Indiantelevision.com Team
(16 June 2007 5:30 pm)
MUMBAI: With the mushrooming of multiplexes and new media, Bollywood is extracting mileage through brand associations in the form of integrated campaigns and ground activities.
Brands like Lays, Parle Mango Slice, Godrej Interio and Calvin Kare's Spinz have associated themselves with this week's Yashraj Films' release Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.
P9 Integrated Cinema Activation has introduced furniture line Godrej Inferio for the first time into the movie space. DGM Cinema Activation Abhijeet Thakar says, "Godrej Inferio has till now used only traditional media for communication. Since it's a big-budget film from Yashraj, we're expecting maximum footfalls in the multiplexes."
Over a period of two weeks, the Godrej Inferio TVC will be shown at multiplexes in the metros onscreen as well as in the foyer. Within the premises, a 6x6 feet wall set-up will display pictures of an old kitchen and an office setup.
Phase one of the survey will kick off in December 2007 covering Chennai and Ahmedabad. The second phase will be launched in March 2008 and will cover cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow and Hyderabad.
The next batch of four cities will be decided and covered in the second year of the plan and four more will be included in the third year.
Before the movie starts, patrons would be invited to draw graffiti on the pictures. During the interval, the setup that had graffiti drawn all over them would be replaced and converted by the new setup of Godrej Interio office and kitchen furniture.
Godrej Interio associate manager advertising and sales promotion Khushnuma Jamasji says, "It's a big release and our target audience would be interested to experience both office and kitchen furniture within the premises."
Spinz range of deodarants would try to gain visibility in the form of kiosk set up within the multiplex premises. Says Thakar, "Over the two consecutive weekends, a couple will be dancing to the tunes of the film, on the 6X6 feet kiosk with a platform. Couples who match steps best with the dancers would be given Spinz gift hampers."
Calvin Kare Spinz product manager Sanghamitra Rath says, "The objective of the activity is to promote the two new fragrances of Spinz, namely hip hop and salsa. Both the names are in tune with the music of the film and our target audience."
Meanwhile, Group M ESP has conceptualized a campaign around Parle Mango Slice and Lays using television, print, radio and outdoor media.
Group M ESP general manager content and entertainment Rajeev Berry says, "We're involving users of these two products for an online contest where they would get a chance to meet the stars and watch the movie with them. Also, a code on the packets of Lays will entitle users to download wallpapers and win merchandise related to the film."
(16 June 2007 5:30 pm)
MUMBAI: With the mushrooming of multiplexes and new media, Bollywood is extracting mileage through brand associations in the form of integrated campaigns and ground activities.
Brands like Lays, Parle Mango Slice, Godrej Interio and Calvin Kare's Spinz have associated themselves with this week's Yashraj Films' release Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.
P9 Integrated Cinema Activation has introduced furniture line Godrej Inferio for the first time into the movie space. DGM Cinema Activation Abhijeet Thakar says, "Godrej Inferio has till now used only traditional media for communication. Since it's a big-budget film from Yashraj, we're expecting maximum footfalls in the multiplexes."
Over a period of two weeks, the Godrej Inferio TVC will be shown at multiplexes in the metros onscreen as well as in the foyer. Within the premises, a 6x6 feet wall set-up will display pictures of an old kitchen and an office setup.
Phase one of the survey will kick off in December 2007 covering Chennai and Ahmedabad. The second phase will be launched in March 2008 and will cover cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow and Hyderabad.
The next batch of four cities will be decided and covered in the second year of the plan and four more will be included in the third year.
Before the movie starts, patrons would be invited to draw graffiti on the pictures. During the interval, the setup that had graffiti drawn all over them would be replaced and converted by the new setup of Godrej Interio office and kitchen furniture.
Godrej Interio associate manager advertising and sales promotion Khushnuma Jamasji says, "It's a big release and our target audience would be interested to experience both office and kitchen furniture within the premises."
Spinz range of deodarants would try to gain visibility in the form of kiosk set up within the multiplex premises. Says Thakar, "Over the two consecutive weekends, a couple will be dancing to the tunes of the film, on the 6X6 feet kiosk with a platform. Couples who match steps best with the dancers would be given Spinz gift hampers."
Calvin Kare Spinz product manager Sanghamitra Rath says, "The objective of the activity is to promote the two new fragrances of Spinz, namely hip hop and salsa. Both the names are in tune with the music of the film and our target audience."
Meanwhile, Group M ESP has conceptualized a campaign around Parle Mango Slice and Lays using television, print, radio and outdoor media.
Group M ESP general manager content and entertainment Rajeev Berry says, "We're involving users of these two products for an online contest where they would get a chance to meet the stars and watch the movie with them. Also, a code on the packets of Lays will entitle users to download wallpapers and win merchandise related to the film."
Yash Raj to offer song video downloads
Indiantelevision.com Team
(16 June 2007 5:45pm)
MUMBAI: Yash Raj Films (YRF) will leverage Microsoft's DRM (Digital Rights Management) platform to offer song video downloads of select catalogue titles through its website.
The offering was launched by Microsoft GM application development and platform marketing Steve Guggenheimer at TechMela 2007, a technology event.
Song videos from Yash Raj's latest release Jhoom Barabar Jhoom will soon be available for downloads through this platform.
The facility is presently available only for consumers outside India. To promote the site, exclusive song video from YRF's forthcoming film Chak De India will be available on the site.
Guggenheimer said, "This marks a new era in Bollywood's use of technology to connect better with its audiences. We are very excited about this association, as it has not only given us an opportunity to work with one of India's most respected production houses, but also enabled us to improve the movie experience for a billion Indians."
Yash Raj Films is also in the process of evaluating Microsoft Silverlight for its website www.yashrajfilms.com for providing media interactive features in the future.
Microsoft Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform implementation of .NET for delivering the next generation of media experiences and Rich Interactive Applications (RIAs) for the web.
(16 June 2007 5:45pm)
MUMBAI: Yash Raj Films (YRF) will leverage Microsoft's DRM (Digital Rights Management) platform to offer song video downloads of select catalogue titles through its website.
The offering was launched by Microsoft GM application development and platform marketing Steve Guggenheimer at TechMela 2007, a technology event.
Song videos from Yash Raj's latest release Jhoom Barabar Jhoom will soon be available for downloads through this platform.
The facility is presently available only for consumers outside India. To promote the site, exclusive song video from YRF's forthcoming film Chak De India will be available on the site.
Guggenheimer said, "This marks a new era in Bollywood's use of technology to connect better with its audiences. We are very excited about this association, as it has not only given us an opportunity to work with one of India's most respected production houses, but also enabled us to improve the movie experience for a billion Indians."
Yash Raj Films is also in the process of evaluating Microsoft Silverlight for its website www.yashrajfilms.com for providing media interactive features in the future.
Microsoft Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform implementation of .NET for delivering the next generation of media experiences and Rich Interactive Applications (RIAs) for the web.
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom: Interesting tidbits
June 2007 23.00 IST By Nikhil Kumar
You may be surprised to know that director Shaad Ali never visited London before he shot his movie Jhoom Barabar Jhoom there.As another big Yashraj Films presentation is about to hit the theatres, here is presenting some interesting tidbits about the flick.
LONDON DREAMS
The movie’s director Shaad Ali is basically from a small town (Kanpur) in India. He went to London for the first time to shoot JBJ. It was a big task as everyone in the movie’s cast had been to the metropolis a number of times and Shaad, a first timer, had to direct them in a city he was visiting the first time. But Shaad is such a strong self-believer that he did not let London’s modern cityscape overwhelm him. Rather, he used his small-town sensibility to capture the milieu of London on celluloid.
LARA’S LUCK
Initially, the film’s producer Aditya Chopra and Shaad Ali had approached Vidya Balan to play the female lead opposite Abhishek Bachchan in the film. But Vidya developed cold feet when she learnt that she would have to dance in skimpy western outfits in a number of songs in the film. That’s when Shaad sent an SMS to Lara Dutta , asking her for a meeting to discuss the role. Unfortunately, Lara was at that time looking after her parents who were in hospital because of poor health. So Lara replied Shaad that he would have to wait for a week. During this time, Lara hoped Shaad would not misunderstand her response as high-headedness. Lara’s hope wasn’t in vain. Shaad waited until Lara was free to spare time for him. And Lara got hooked to her role after just a single narration.
PAKISTANI CONNECTION
In ‘Jhoom Barabar Jhoom’, both Lara Dutta and Preity Zinta play Pakistani girls. Preity Zinta plays Alvira Khan, a girl from Lahore. Lara plays Anaida, a British-born Pakistani girl. Both Abhishek Bachchan and Bobby Deol play Indians. The film’s story is a complicated love quadrangle between two engaged couples.
BIG B AND THE FEATHERED HAT
It is by now common knowledge that Amitabh Bachchan plays a sutradhar in the film. He appears in the song ‘Jhoom’ for which designer Aki Narula designed a special outfit made from several torn pieces of shawls, durries and carpet sown together. Big B is made to look like a rockstar in the song. But there is one addition in the outfit that happened at the last moment – the feathered hat. When Bachchan was going to face the camera he saw the hat lying around and asked director Shaad Ali if he can wear it for the song. Shaad happily said yes.
BOBBY AND ABHI’S BIKE RIDE
One sequence in JBJ has Bobby and Abhi riding a bike. When the scene was to be shot, Shaad Ali came upon the idea of shooting the scene with a similar motorbike that Amitabh and Dharmendra had rode in Sholay . A similar bike was arranged. Like their fathers, Bobby was made to sit on the driver’s seat while Abhi sat in the attached buggy.
You may be surprised to know that director Shaad Ali never visited London before he shot his movie Jhoom Barabar Jhoom there.As another big Yashraj Films presentation is about to hit the theatres, here is presenting some interesting tidbits about the flick.
LONDON DREAMS
The movie’s director Shaad Ali is basically from a small town (Kanpur) in India. He went to London for the first time to shoot JBJ. It was a big task as everyone in the movie’s cast had been to the metropolis a number of times and Shaad, a first timer, had to direct them in a city he was visiting the first time. But Shaad is such a strong self-believer that he did not let London’s modern cityscape overwhelm him. Rather, he used his small-town sensibility to capture the milieu of London on celluloid.
LARA’S LUCK
Initially, the film’s producer Aditya Chopra and Shaad Ali had approached Vidya Balan to play the female lead opposite Abhishek Bachchan in the film. But Vidya developed cold feet when she learnt that she would have to dance in skimpy western outfits in a number of songs in the film. That’s when Shaad sent an SMS to Lara Dutta , asking her for a meeting to discuss the role. Unfortunately, Lara was at that time looking after her parents who were in hospital because of poor health. So Lara replied Shaad that he would have to wait for a week. During this time, Lara hoped Shaad would not misunderstand her response as high-headedness. Lara’s hope wasn’t in vain. Shaad waited until Lara was free to spare time for him. And Lara got hooked to her role after just a single narration.
PAKISTANI CONNECTION
In ‘Jhoom Barabar Jhoom’, both Lara Dutta and Preity Zinta play Pakistani girls. Preity Zinta plays Alvira Khan, a girl from Lahore. Lara plays Anaida, a British-born Pakistani girl. Both Abhishek Bachchan and Bobby Deol play Indians. The film’s story is a complicated love quadrangle between two engaged couples.
BIG B AND THE FEATHERED HAT
It is by now common knowledge that Amitabh Bachchan plays a sutradhar in the film. He appears in the song ‘Jhoom’ for which designer Aki Narula designed a special outfit made from several torn pieces of shawls, durries and carpet sown together. Big B is made to look like a rockstar in the song. But there is one addition in the outfit that happened at the last moment – the feathered hat. When Bachchan was going to face the camera he saw the hat lying around and asked director Shaad Ali if he can wear it for the song. Shaad happily said yes.
BOBBY AND ABHI’S BIKE RIDE
One sequence in JBJ has Bobby and Abhi riding a bike. When the scene was to be shot, Shaad Ali came upon the idea of shooting the scene with a similar motorbike that Amitabh and Dharmendra had rode in Sholay . A similar bike was arranged. Like their fathers, Bobby was made to sit on the driver’s seat while Abhi sat in the attached buggy.
Chak De India to premiere in London
MUMBAI: The world premiere of Yash Raj Films' forthcoming movie, Chak De India (Go for it India), starring Shah Rukh Khan, will be held on 9 August 2007 at Somerset House, London.
The premiere, which forms part of the Film 4 Summer Screen programme, will be held as one of the highlights of India Now, a three-month season celebrating London's growing relationship with India.
The event will see London's Somerset House transformed into a full-scale open-air cinema, complete with a state of the art giant screen, 35mm projection and surround-sound. Khan is expected to attend the premiere. Following a red carpet arrival, up to 2,000 moviegoers will enjoy the film's debut within the setting of Somerset House's courtyard.
Produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Shimit Amin, Chak De India is the comeback story of an ageing hockey player (Shah Rukh Khan). The film sees Khan starring as coach, fighting his personal demons as he takes a motley group of girls to the pinnacle of world hockey.
The India Now season is set to launch on 17 July 2007 with a visual display of India and London's most iconic landmarks. The event will be attended by a selection of famous Indian and London cultural ambassadors. Over 150 of London's cultural organisations and attractions will participate in the India Now season, which will showcase India's contribution to world culture, its rich tradition and celebrate new Indian trends across business, art, film, theatre, food, music and fashion.
The premiere, which forms part of the Film 4 Summer Screen programme, will be held as one of the highlights of India Now, a three-month season celebrating London's growing relationship with India.
The event will see London's Somerset House transformed into a full-scale open-air cinema, complete with a state of the art giant screen, 35mm projection and surround-sound. Khan is expected to attend the premiere. Following a red carpet arrival, up to 2,000 moviegoers will enjoy the film's debut within the setting of Somerset House's courtyard.
Produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Shimit Amin, Chak De India is the comeback story of an ageing hockey player (Shah Rukh Khan). The film sees Khan starring as coach, fighting his personal demons as he takes a motley group of girls to the pinnacle of world hockey.
The India Now season is set to launch on 17 July 2007 with a visual display of India and London's most iconic landmarks. The event will be attended by a selection of famous Indian and London cultural ambassadors. Over 150 of London's cultural organisations and attractions will participate in the India Now season, which will showcase India's contribution to world culture, its rich tradition and celebrate new Indian trends across business, art, film, theatre, food, music and fashion.
Disney enters venture with India's Yash Raj Films
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Walt Disney Co. is set to announce a joint venture with India's Yash Raj Films to make animated films voiced by Indian movie stars, the Wall Street Journal said in its online edition Monday.
In Mumbai, a spokeswoman for Yash Raj declined comment on the specifics of the report, but said a press conference was scheduled for Tuesday and that it concerned Disney
The report said the venture will make at least one animated film per year. A spokeswoman for Disney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Disney is looking for a bigger share of India's rapidly growing media and entertainment market.
Last year it bought Hungama, a Hindi-language children's entertainment channel from UTV Software Communications Ltd.and also took a 14.9 percent stake in the broadcaster
In Mumbai, a spokeswoman for Yash Raj declined comment on the specifics of the report, but said a press conference was scheduled for Tuesday and that it concerned Disney
The report said the venture will make at least one animated film per year. A spokeswoman for Disney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Disney is looking for a bigger share of India's rapidly growing media and entertainment market.
Last year it bought Hungama, a Hindi-language children's entertainment channel from UTV Software Communications Ltd.and also took a 14.9 percent stake in the broadcaster
Deepika set to fly high
Bollyvista.com
Deepika Padukone is surely another star aspiring to make her mark in a big way on the silver screen. She will be debuting with Shah Rukh Khan's 'Om Shanti Om', but before that she has already got two plum assignments in her kitty.
If rumor mills are to be believed, then she is one of the main contenders for the role of leading lady opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Yash Raj Films next to be directed by Siddharth Anand..
Deepika Padukone is surely another star aspiring to make her mark in a big way on the silver screen. She will be debuting with Shah Rukh Khan's 'Om Shanti Om', but before that she has already got two plum assignments in her kitty.
If rumor mills are to be believed, then she is one of the main contenders for the role of leading lady opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Yash Raj Films next to be directed by Siddharth Anand..
JBJ to be advertised on phone boxes
by Sarah Crawley-Boevey Media Week
LONDON - NWP Media, the payphone advertising contractor, has signed up Yash Raj Films, one of the largest Bollywood film studios and distributors, to run advertising for its latest movie across its portfolio.
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom will be advertised on 175 panels throughout the UK's major cities ahead of its opening next Friday (15 June) in what is believed to be the first payphone advertising campaign for a Bollywood studio.
Avtar Panesar, head of operations at Yash Raj, said kiosk advertising seemed a "very interesting opportunity".
"The kiosks are ideally placed close to the relevant cinemas and so should reach people in the right place at the right time," he said.
NWP has seen its revenues rise by 50% in the last year with recent campaigns including those for Yazoo drinks, theatrical agency Media Junction and record label Concept Music, which promoted the latest Louie Vega album through NWP
LONDON - NWP Media, the payphone advertising contractor, has signed up Yash Raj Films, one of the largest Bollywood film studios and distributors, to run advertising for its latest movie across its portfolio.
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom will be advertised on 175 panels throughout the UK's major cities ahead of its opening next Friday (15 June) in what is believed to be the first payphone advertising campaign for a Bollywood studio.
Avtar Panesar, head of operations at Yash Raj, said kiosk advertising seemed a "very interesting opportunity".
"The kiosks are ideally placed close to the relevant cinemas and so should reach people in the right place at the right time," he said.
NWP has seen its revenues rise by 50% in the last year with recent campaigns including those for Yazoo drinks, theatrical agency Media Junction and record label Concept Music, which promoted the latest Louie Vega album through NWP
Aditya Chopra’s casting coup
Aditya Chopra’s casting coup
FILMMAKER ADITYA Chopra, is on the verge of pulling off a casting coup! He’s all set to bring in two self-styled perfectionists of Bollywood —Hrithik Roshan and Aamir Khan together for his next project and for the first time.
Even though there is no formal confirmation regarding the same from any of the concerned parties, sources close to the Chopra camp insist that the ‘coming together of Hrithik and Aamir is almost certain’.
Though Hrithik, who is busy shooting for Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Jodha Akbar could not be contacted, his secretary Ashok Vasodia gave his usual diplomatic answer: “Hrithik and Adi are good friends. They keep talking as they are friends. And they have been talking about something. If Adi makes a film, Hrithik will surely feature in it.”
However, he doesn’t fail to mention that nothing has been formalised as yet! Hrithik is totally involved with the shooting of his magnum opus Jodha Akbar, says Ashok. After which Hrithik will fly to the UK for IFFA and then take a holiday with his parents, wife and son till July 25, when he returns to Mumbai to complete the shooting and dubbing of Jodha Akbar to be released in October.
Aamir Khan at present has just started shooting for the remake of Tamil superhit Ghajini (yet untitled) and Mani Ratnam’s Lajjo. Lajjo had been mired in controversy for long, owing to alleged creative differences between Aamir and Ratnam. However, the project has finally kick-started. And according to sources close to the Khan, ‘it would take almost a couple of months for the completion of both the projects.’
So, that means both Hrithik and Aamir will be free to consider films and start talks by post September.
Aamir’s last project with the Yash Raj was Fanaa while Hrithik’s was Dhoom II. And both the projects have earned the production house rich dividends. Dhoom II and Fanna were amongst the highest grossers of last year, and the successes of both the films have been attributed to a great extent to the power-packed performances of Aamir and Hrithik respectively. Now, if Aditya —who is one of the most successful producers in the industry and who has taken the Yash Raj banner to new heights —manages to bring together these powerhouse performers together, it won’t be anything short of sheer magic!
FILMMAKER ADITYA Chopra, is on the verge of pulling off a casting coup! He’s all set to bring in two self-styled perfectionists of Bollywood —Hrithik Roshan and Aamir Khan together for his next project and for the first time.
Even though there is no formal confirmation regarding the same from any of the concerned parties, sources close to the Chopra camp insist that the ‘coming together of Hrithik and Aamir is almost certain’.
Though Hrithik, who is busy shooting for Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Jodha Akbar could not be contacted, his secretary Ashok Vasodia gave his usual diplomatic answer: “Hrithik and Adi are good friends. They keep talking as they are friends. And they have been talking about something. If Adi makes a film, Hrithik will surely feature in it.”
However, he doesn’t fail to mention that nothing has been formalised as yet! Hrithik is totally involved with the shooting of his magnum opus Jodha Akbar, says Ashok. After which Hrithik will fly to the UK for IFFA and then take a holiday with his parents, wife and son till July 25, when he returns to Mumbai to complete the shooting and dubbing of Jodha Akbar to be released in October.
Aamir Khan at present has just started shooting for the remake of Tamil superhit Ghajini (yet untitled) and Mani Ratnam’s Lajjo. Lajjo had been mired in controversy for long, owing to alleged creative differences between Aamir and Ratnam. However, the project has finally kick-started. And according to sources close to the Khan, ‘it would take almost a couple of months for the completion of both the projects.’
So, that means both Hrithik and Aamir will be free to consider films and start talks by post September.
Aamir’s last project with the Yash Raj was Fanaa while Hrithik’s was Dhoom II. And both the projects have earned the production house rich dividends. Dhoom II and Fanna were amongst the highest grossers of last year, and the successes of both the films have been attributed to a great extent to the power-packed performances of Aamir and Hrithik respectively. Now, if Aditya —who is one of the most successful producers in the industry and who has taken the Yash Raj banner to new heights —manages to bring together these powerhouse performers together, it won’t be anything short of sheer magic!
Saif, Siddharth miss working with each other
Saif, Siddharth miss working with each other
By Subhash K. Jha
Saif Ali Khan and director Siddharth Anand bonded well in two films - "Salaam Namaste" and "Ta Ra Rum Pum" and became seemingly inseparable. But Anand has cast childhood friend Ranbir Kapoor in his next movie, though he says he misses working with Saif.Once Saif had jokingly said he'd "kill" the young filmmaker if he made a film without him. So what happens to their tacit mutual agreement to never work separately?"I know Sid is doing a film with another actor. And I'm already missing him. But the consolation is that we're both working for Aditya Chopra and Yash Raj Films," Saif told IANS.
Saif is about to start shooting for Yash Raj Films' "Tashan" with Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor."And Sid will start his film soon. So it's like both of us being part of the same family. So maybe I won't miss him that much."Having said brave things about the parting of ways with the only director Saif claims to share an indelible bond, the actor remarked: "Look I'll will miss him. Maybe we'll be back together with his next project."Our last project 'Ta Ra Rum Pum' really worked for us, no matter what some trade pundits say. It has grossed almost Rs.800 million. So it's a hit, right? Who would want to break up a hit pair?"Except Anand's childhood friend Ranbir! In fact, Anand is so close to Rishi and Neetu Kapoor's son that he named his son after him."I guess I'll be missing Saif more than he'll be missing me. I've made only two films and both starred Saif.
For the last four years Saif has been a part of my professional as well as personal life. He's more a habit for me than a friend. I'm already missing him."
--- IANS
By Subhash K. Jha
Saif Ali Khan and director Siddharth Anand bonded well in two films - "Salaam Namaste" and "Ta Ra Rum Pum" and became seemingly inseparable. But Anand has cast childhood friend Ranbir Kapoor in his next movie, though he says he misses working with Saif.Once Saif had jokingly said he'd "kill" the young filmmaker if he made a film without him. So what happens to their tacit mutual agreement to never work separately?"I know Sid is doing a film with another actor. And I'm already missing him. But the consolation is that we're both working for Aditya Chopra and Yash Raj Films," Saif told IANS.
Saif is about to start shooting for Yash Raj Films' "Tashan" with Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor."And Sid will start his film soon. So it's like both of us being part of the same family. So maybe I won't miss him that much."Having said brave things about the parting of ways with the only director Saif claims to share an indelible bond, the actor remarked: "Look I'll will miss him. Maybe we'll be back together with his next project."Our last project 'Ta Ra Rum Pum' really worked for us, no matter what some trade pundits say. It has grossed almost Rs.800 million. So it's a hit, right? Who would want to break up a hit pair?"Except Anand's childhood friend Ranbir! In fact, Anand is so close to Rishi and Neetu Kapoor's son that he named his son after him."I guess I'll be missing Saif more than he'll be missing me. I've made only two films and both starred Saif.
For the last four years Saif has been a part of my professional as well as personal life. He's more a habit for me than a friend. I'm already missing him."
--- IANS
Chak De India video along with Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
By IndiaFM News Bureau,
So gear up for a double treat when you go to watch Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. | |
Ranbir Kapoor signs a Yash Raj film
Mumbai, June 03: It's official. Siddharth Anand, whose new film "Ta Ra Rum Pum" has done decently at the box-office, is on to a much bigger project. He has been given the task of directing Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh's son in his post-debut film.
Confirming this, Siddharth says: "Yes I'm definitely directing Ranbir in his and my next film. We're currently locking on the rest of the cast. In fact Ranbir is the only actor we've decided on." Ranbir's debut film is the eagerly awaited Sanjay Leela Bhansali opus "Saawariya" which opens this Diwali. But doesn't Siddharth feel burdened with the responsibility of directing this much-anticipated debutant in his crucial post-debut film? "No! That's the challenge that I look forward to. I agree it's a big responsibility to direct the follow-up film to such a big debut. But I'd like to treat every film, mine or my actor's, as a debut and give it my best shot."
The director and the newcomer are family friends. "I've known Ranbir since childhood. We've virtually grown up together. We had decided we'd work together. Ranbir is the best-suited actor for the role that I've in mind. He's as excited about the script and the film as we at Yash Raj are. "It's very motivating for a filmmaker to have an actor so enthusiastic about a project. I'm loving every moment of this new challenge."
Yash Raj Films has done some of Ranbir's father, Rishi Kapoor's, finest films like "Kabhi Kabhie", "Hum Tum" and "Fanaa". Now it's the son's turn. Bureau Report
Confirming this, Siddharth says: "Yes I'm definitely directing Ranbir in his and my next film. We're currently locking on the rest of the cast. In fact Ranbir is the only actor we've decided on." Ranbir's debut film is the eagerly awaited Sanjay Leela Bhansali opus "Saawariya" which opens this Diwali. But doesn't Siddharth feel burdened with the responsibility of directing this much-anticipated debutant in his crucial post-debut film? "No! That's the challenge that I look forward to. I agree it's a big responsibility to direct the follow-up film to such a big debut. But I'd like to treat every film, mine or my actor's, as a debut and give it my best shot."
The director and the newcomer are family friends. "I've known Ranbir since childhood. We've virtually grown up together. We had decided we'd work together. Ranbir is the best-suited actor for the role that I've in mind. He's as excited about the script and the film as we at Yash Raj are. "It's very motivating for a filmmaker to have an actor so enthusiastic about a project. I'm loving every moment of this new challenge."
Yash Raj Films has done some of Ranbir's father, Rishi Kapoor's, finest films like "Kabhi Kabhie", "Hum Tum" and "Fanaa". Now it's the son's turn. Bureau Report
Hockey Hall of Shame to Gold via Shah Rukh Khan
Laxmi Negi
Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chak de India is based on the fall and rise of former India hockey goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi:
For years, Indian fans have been unable to shut out two traumatic sporting memories of the ‘80s. Chetan Sharma’s last ball low full toss to Javed Miandad who hit it for a six in that 1986 Sharjah game against Pakistan is the more famous Hall of Shame nominee. But old timers still think that hockey goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi’s porous defence, in India’s humiliating 1-7 loss to Pakistan in the 1982 Asian Games at New Delhi, was a bigger heart break.
Twenty-five years after those 70 minutes at the jam-packed National Stadium and subsequent unsubstantiated allegations of match-fixing, Bollywood is ready with a film that captures Negi’s life and game. Yash Raj production’s Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chak de India, due for an August 10 release, isn’t just about the angst of the troubled goal-keeper but also about his redemption.
Produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Shimit Amin of Ab Tak Chhappan fame, the bio-pic also captures Negi’s hour of glory that ensures a typically Bollywood happy ending. As coach of the national women’s team, Negi helped the team capture the gold at the Manchester Commonwealth Games, exactly two decades after the game where he let in seven goals.
Negi, who is part of the usual pre-release contractual oath of secrecy that goes with every big banner films, is tightlipped but does confess that King Khan’s character is based on him. “The film captures my life story,” he told The Indian Express.
The cast and crew have been instructed to keep the plot under wraps, but fragmented information has given enough indications about the storyline. The Yash Raj website’s one-line synopsis of Chak de India is: The film follows a coach who is fighting his personal demons as he takes a motley group of girls to the pinnacle of world hockey.
Pre-release film material shows Shah Rukh sporting a slight stubble, a look that resembles Negi. Cine magazine sneak previews talk about the protagonist whose only aim is to see the Indian Tricolour hoisted with flags of all other countries.
But at the Bombay Hockey Association ground, it’s no secret that Negi accompanied the film unit to Australia to provide technical assistance for action on the hockey field, and also provide insights about his own life. There are whispers about how Shah Rukh, a college level hockey player himself, didn’t take much time in regaining his touch during the shoot.
Helen Mary, who was the goal-keeper of the Negi-coached team that won the Commonwealth gold in 2002, has heard about her mentor rubbing shoulders with Shah Rukh and can’t wait for August’s second Friday. “I know about it as I am constantly in touch with Sir. I still discuss my game at length with him,” she says.
Mary recalls the days in Manchester when the coach had long discussions with the team. “Even when we meet these days, we recall those days. We have some great memories. Sir used to tell us how important the victory was to him. At times, I felt that he was more motivated than us,” she says.
Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chak de India is based on the fall and rise of former India hockey goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi:
For years, Indian fans have been unable to shut out two traumatic sporting memories of the ‘80s. Chetan Sharma’s last ball low full toss to Javed Miandad who hit it for a six in that 1986 Sharjah game against Pakistan is the more famous Hall of Shame nominee. But old timers still think that hockey goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi’s porous defence, in India’s humiliating 1-7 loss to Pakistan in the 1982 Asian Games at New Delhi, was a bigger heart break.
Twenty-five years after those 70 minutes at the jam-packed National Stadium and subsequent unsubstantiated allegations of match-fixing, Bollywood is ready with a film that captures Negi’s life and game. Yash Raj production’s Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chak de India, due for an August 10 release, isn’t just about the angst of the troubled goal-keeper but also about his redemption.
Produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Shimit Amin of Ab Tak Chhappan fame, the bio-pic also captures Negi’s hour of glory that ensures a typically Bollywood happy ending. As coach of the national women’s team, Negi helped the team capture the gold at the Manchester Commonwealth Games, exactly two decades after the game where he let in seven goals.
Negi, who is part of the usual pre-release contractual oath of secrecy that goes with every big banner films, is tightlipped but does confess that King Khan’s character is based on him. “The film captures my life story,” he told The Indian Express.
The cast and crew have been instructed to keep the plot under wraps, but fragmented information has given enough indications about the storyline. The Yash Raj website’s one-line synopsis of Chak de India is: The film follows a coach who is fighting his personal demons as he takes a motley group of girls to the pinnacle of world hockey.
Pre-release film material shows Shah Rukh sporting a slight stubble, a look that resembles Negi. Cine magazine sneak previews talk about the protagonist whose only aim is to see the Indian Tricolour hoisted with flags of all other countries.
But at the Bombay Hockey Association ground, it’s no secret that Negi accompanied the film unit to Australia to provide technical assistance for action on the hockey field, and also provide insights about his own life. There are whispers about how Shah Rukh, a college level hockey player himself, didn’t take much time in regaining his touch during the shoot.
Helen Mary, who was the goal-keeper of the Negi-coached team that won the Commonwealth gold in 2002, has heard about her mentor rubbing shoulders with Shah Rukh and can’t wait for August’s second Friday. “I know about it as I am constantly in touch with Sir. I still discuss my game at length with him,” she says.
Mary recalls the days in Manchester when the coach had long discussions with the team. “Even when we meet these days, we recall those days. We have some great memories. Sir used to tell us how important the victory was to him. At times, I felt that he was more motivated than us,” she says.
Ranbir, Katrina to pair up?
Noyon Jyoti Parasara
‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’ is yet to get off the theatres, but director Siddharth Anand is already busy readying the cast of his next movie.
Anand has just finished the script of his next movie which will also be produced under the Yash Raj banner. This will be the third film and final for him under Yash Raj after ‘Salaam Namaste ‘and ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’ as part of the contract.
We tracked him down for a couple of answers. “Yes, I have just finished my script a couple of days back. But it’s too early to talk about it right now,” says Anand. But what about rumours that he has already signed in Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif for the lead roles? “Well… talks with Ranbir are very premature right now to declare anything. It should finalise in a week’s time,” says Anand.
Well, the reply certainly clarifies that he is indeed keen on signing up Ranbir for the lead role. After all even Ranbir’s daddy dearest Rishi Kapoor did mention that they were trying to sign up a good fresh director to take Ranbir’s career ahead. That’s one more film for Rishi Kapoor’s son who will be making his debut with Bhansali’s ‘Saawariya’. He has already been signed for at least two more films even before his first release.
Seems like the industry is pretty impressed with the latest Kapoor from the famous Bollywood family!
‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’ is yet to get off the theatres, but director Siddharth Anand is already busy readying the cast of his next movie.
Anand has just finished the script of his next movie which will also be produced under the Yash Raj banner. This will be the third film and final for him under Yash Raj after ‘Salaam Namaste ‘and ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’ as part of the contract.
We tracked him down for a couple of answers. “Yes, I have just finished my script a couple of days back. But it’s too early to talk about it right now,” says Anand. But what about rumours that he has already signed in Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif for the lead roles? “Well… talks with Ranbir are very premature right now to declare anything. It should finalise in a week’s time,” says Anand.
Well, the reply certainly clarifies that he is indeed keen on signing up Ranbir for the lead role. After all even Ranbir’s daddy dearest Rishi Kapoor did mention that they were trying to sign up a good fresh director to take Ranbir’s career ahead. That’s one more film for Rishi Kapoor’s son who will be making his debut with Bhansali’s ‘Saawariya’. He has already been signed for at least two more films even before his first release.
Seems like the industry is pretty impressed with the latest Kapoor from the famous Bollywood family!
Yash Raj Films’ statement on Daler Mehendi
Bollywood Trade News Network
Yash Raj Films had got Daler Mehendi to sing for one of the Jhoom (Punjabi version) songs, but the terms and conditions did not work out, and thus we (Yash Raj Films) were informed by Daler’s secretary that we should remove his voice, which we then did and preceded with Shankar Mahadevan’s voice.
This matter was thus concluded approximately 11 months ago, and we (Yash Raj Films) are surprised that Daler Mehendi is bringing this matter up now.
Yash Raj Films had got Daler Mehendi to sing for one of the Jhoom (Punjabi version) songs, but the terms and conditions did not work out, and thus we (Yash Raj Films) were informed by Daler’s secretary that we should remove his voice, which we then did and preceded with Shankar Mahadevan’s voice.
This matter was thus concluded approximately 11 months ago, and we (Yash Raj Films) are surprised that Daler Mehendi is bringing this matter up now.
Getting slim with a little help from Madhuri
By ApunKaChoice
Madhuri Dixit shed lots of weight to get into a girlie figure for Yash Raj Films Aaja Naachley . During the film’s shoot, Madhuri encouraged her co-stars to follow suit.
Divya Dutta befriended Madhuri during the making of the film and was completely enamored by Madhuri’s caring and humble persona.
For one, Madhuri inspired Divya to shed the extra flab. Drawing from her own experience, Madhuri suggested Divya a diet regimen that comprised of cereals, vegetables and fruits. The regimen even included the times at which meals had to be taken during the course of a day.
Apart from this, Madhuri encouraged Divya to hit the gym and do regular workout.
Divya followed Madhuri’s advice and reportedly lost 5 kilograms an a few days.
Divya says she has become very fond of Madhuri while working with her in the film.
Madhuri Dixit shed lots of weight to get into a girlie figure for Yash Raj Films Aaja Naachley . During the film’s shoot, Madhuri encouraged her co-stars to follow suit.
Divya Dutta befriended Madhuri during the making of the film and was completely enamored by Madhuri’s caring and humble persona.
For one, Madhuri inspired Divya to shed the extra flab. Drawing from her own experience, Madhuri suggested Divya a diet regimen that comprised of cereals, vegetables and fruits. The regimen even included the times at which meals had to be taken during the course of a day.
Apart from this, Madhuri encouraged Divya to hit the gym and do regular workout.
Divya followed Madhuri’s advice and reportedly lost 5 kilograms an a few days.
Divya says she has become very fond of Madhuri while working with her in the film.
Yash Raj Films scripting role for multiplex biz
MUMBAI: Yash Raj Films (YRF) is all set to muscle its way into the multiplex space. The strategy is in keeping with the company’s attempt to straddle the entire value chain and maximise revenues.
It is believed that YRF is in talks with the US private equity player, Comm Ventures, for the same. Besides pumping money into YRF’s expansion plans, Comm Ventures will also help YRF meet requirements for the expansion plan of its production business as well.
While YRF refused to comment on either of these developments, sources reveal that Comm Ventures is looking at picking up a 15%-20% stake for about Rs 150-200 crore. The attempt to straddle the entire value chain has been on the anvil. The attempt was made earlier this year when Yash Raj Films marketed its own music in the overseas territories under its own label, Yash Raj Music.
The company is already engaged in theatrical distribution, both domestic and overseas and distribution of DVDs besides owning other home entertainment formats in the overseas territories. The only area where the company does not have a presence is the exhibitor (in film industry parlance the cinema hall) space, and this move would close the loop.
However, straddling the value chain is only part of the reason for YRF’s keenness to enter the exhibition space. Many observers believe that a big reason for launching its own brand of multiplexes stems from the recent spate of differences YRF has been having with exhibitors.
The row first came to the forefront when the Aamir Khan-Kajol starrer Fanaa released in May 2006. Yash Raj Films demanded a 7-10% hike in its share from multiplex owners to garner a larger share of the profits. Their rationale being that YRF films put more people in multiplex seats.
A similar demand was also made to single-screen cinemas with the ultimatum being — pay up or you cannot screen the film. The move raised hackles among exhibitors and a certain section of the paying public. Ever since the relationship between Yashraj and the exhibitors has been a fractious, similar rows have occurred with Dhoom 2, late last year and more recently with the last YRF release Ta Ra Rum Pum, with the production house demanding 50% share of collections.
For YRF, the move is an important one because it intends to ramp up the number of films it produces significantly and ownership of cinema halls would mean it could avoid this stand-off with exhibitors. Also, with YRF controlling the entire value chain, it will not only be able to yield better revenue but also have a much stronger voice in the industry.
It is believed that YRF is in talks with the US private equity player, Comm Ventures, for the same. Besides pumping money into YRF’s expansion plans, Comm Ventures will also help YRF meet requirements for the expansion plan of its production business as well.
While YRF refused to comment on either of these developments, sources reveal that Comm Ventures is looking at picking up a 15%-20% stake for about Rs 150-200 crore. The attempt to straddle the entire value chain has been on the anvil. The attempt was made earlier this year when Yash Raj Films marketed its own music in the overseas territories under its own label, Yash Raj Music.
The company is already engaged in theatrical distribution, both domestic and overseas and distribution of DVDs besides owning other home entertainment formats in the overseas territories. The only area where the company does not have a presence is the exhibitor (in film industry parlance the cinema hall) space, and this move would close the loop.
However, straddling the value chain is only part of the reason for YRF’s keenness to enter the exhibition space. Many observers believe that a big reason for launching its own brand of multiplexes stems from the recent spate of differences YRF has been having with exhibitors.
The row first came to the forefront when the Aamir Khan-Kajol starrer Fanaa released in May 2006. Yash Raj Films demanded a 7-10% hike in its share from multiplex owners to garner a larger share of the profits. Their rationale being that YRF films put more people in multiplex seats.
A similar demand was also made to single-screen cinemas with the ultimatum being — pay up or you cannot screen the film. The move raised hackles among exhibitors and a certain section of the paying public. Ever since the relationship between Yashraj and the exhibitors has been a fractious, similar rows have occurred with Dhoom 2, late last year and more recently with the last YRF release Ta Ra Rum Pum, with the production house demanding 50% share of collections.
For YRF, the move is an important one because it intends to ramp up the number of films it produces significantly and ownership of cinema halls would mean it could avoid this stand-off with exhibitors. Also, with YRF controlling the entire value chain, it will not only be able to yield better revenue but also have a much stronger voice in the industry.
'Aaja Nachle was a memorable experience' - Madhuri
Coming to Aaja Nachle, what was it like shooting for this film after so long?
After a gap of six years, I was hesitant. When (producer) Aditya Chopra offered me the script, I asked him if people would still want to watch me. I was also worried that people will judge me as a mother of two kids now!
But once I came back here, the greeting that I received from fans was so warm. At every event, people wished me luck.
Yash Raj Films, which were always organised, have become super-organised now! They facilitated things for my sons Arin and Ryan too. So Aaja Nachlewas a memorable experience
What about dance? This film is sans choreographer Saroj Khan.
Sarojji is in her own league, and she isn't just my dance teacher, she is like family to me.
As for Vaibhavi Merchant, she has worked very hard on Aaja Nachle. I have also considered it my responsibility to give my best. We will have to wait and see the audience's reaction, but I think we have done a good job.
After a gap of six years, I was hesitant. When (producer) Aditya Chopra offered me the script, I asked him if people would still want to watch me. I was also worried that people will judge me as a mother of two kids now!
But once I came back here, the greeting that I received from fans was so warm. At every event, people wished me luck.
Yash Raj Films, which were always organised, have become super-organised now! They facilitated things for my sons Arin and Ryan too. So Aaja Nachlewas a memorable experience
What about dance? This film is sans choreographer Saroj Khan.
Sarojji is in her own league, and she isn't just my dance teacher, she is like family to me.
As for Vaibhavi Merchant, she has worked very hard on Aaja Nachle. I have also considered it my responsibility to give my best. We will have to wait and see the audience's reaction, but I think we have done a good job.
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Character Sketch
Abhishek Bachchan as Rikki Thukral
Baadshah of Bhatinda, now Sultan of Southall... Rikki Thukral! Confront him and he pulls out his most lethal weapon... "I got class"... Can't mess with Rikki after that. Classy he is, in his own earthy way... Just watch him engineer a deal... selling pirated films, illegal antiques, rented property, second hand fridges... if need be even the Queen's crown... Rikki makes it look like a cakewalk with his canny cheekiness and charm. Rikki came to Southall with a dream... of acquiring windfall riches. He would do all it takes... The moment he met Huffy Bhai it was like love at first sight. It didn't matter that Huffy Bhai was from Karachi or that he would lift his kurta at the most inappropriate moment... they got on like a house on fire. Him and Huffy live life with the attitude and spunk that shouts out, "We're here now... and now that we're here, Southall is ours!" They stay themselves everywhere... and wherever they go, they set up an independent republic! Together, both of them can arrange anything under the sun... from the best seats at the Cricket World Cup to a fridge at the cheapest price... after all, it's not fashionable for a modern day entrepreneur to have all fingers in one pie. They haven't got a permanent mailing address... and even if they did, nothing would ever get sent there... Always on the move, Rikki's clients' needs are such that he can't contain his business in an office... so the whole of Southall is his oyster.
Rikki doesn't consider himself a crook, but rather a maverick who just makes the calls... talks the talk... brings people together... walks the walk... makes his commission and stays happy. Like everything in Rikki's life, even falling in love was 70mm cinemascope. Only Rikki could have fallen in love with his dream girl Anaida when the legendary love-birds Princess Diana and Dodi were leaving The Ritz for the last time.... And then like sparkling magic, as Rikki says, "when two lovers die, another two are born"... they dance... they sing... they're in love!
Lara Dutta as Anaida Raza
Anaida Raza is the sizzling nymph with a soft core. Brought up in the City of Love as a pragmatic, rooted and razor-sharp woman... Assistant Manager at The Ritz Hotel in Paris... she runs her beat with metronomic efficiency and keeps everybody including her staff happy. She's dealt with all types and can be as friendly as she can be foxy. She'll manage a huge hotel and make it look like a breeze... despite thousands of photographers jumping all over the place... but also find the time to pick up Rikki's handkerchief from the floor and return it to him... How was she to know the hanky would turn out bait... and she'd be hooked, in love with Rikki in the flicker of a moment.
Like so many around the world... she gave her heart to Princess Diana. So much so, that despite her otherwise no-nonsense exterior, she cried when she couldn't visit Diana's funeral. She has that alluring combination of passion and charisma that would make any guy go ga-ga... And Rikki is no exception.
Preity Zinta as Alvira Khan
Picture a three foot six inch girl. She stands alone in the middle of a church. Merely six years old, Alvira Khan takes an oath before God. "I'll never marry a brownie kaalakalutaa. Please find me a good-looking gora boy like yourself. Amen." Cut to 20 odd years later. Alvira is your typical Pakistani Brit. She would hate to acknowledge the Pakistani part... She's more Brit than the Queen herself. Despite living in a ghettoized Lahori household, Alvira has that stiff upper lip attitude towards the riffraff... especially those crass Southalliyas with their lack of polish and their over-friendliness. That job she has as Manager at the House of Fraser's is a godsend. She can hobnob with the hip Bond Streeters any time she likes... Yea, that's what she calls 'class'...
She has a princess personality and a virtually rebellious opinion of everything. And on a fated day at Madame Tussaud's, the princess is daringly rescued by her knight in shining armour... her prince Steve, who grabs her from under a falling Superman model... And she's swept off her feet, heels over head in love... Her dream come true!
Bobby Deol as Steve Singh
Steve Singh is the immensely rich and treacherously handsome joint partner of London's reputed Singh & Smith Law firm. Steve is the man's man... the man about town... powerful, intense and very self-effacing... Born to a British Mum and Punjabi Dad, he's a balance of Punjabi impulse – not thinking twice before heroically saving Alvira's life - and he's got suave ritzy genteel from his Brit Mum. Classy. Seemly. Chivalrous. That's Steve.
He has a palace for an office matched only by Mandrake's Xanadu. And wears those dashing suits and up-market cuts like Bruce Wayne. What's more... one meeting and he seemed to know everything about Alvira her religious rituals, where she worked, her pet name... Is he Clark Kent or Superman? He even seems to appear and disappear at will... Yes... That's Steve. He has those natty rugged looks... a scar on his cheek that he got while rescuing a girl who was being forced to dance... But even that Steve doesn't wear on his sleeve. He's Alvira's knight in shining armour... her millionaire lover... her hero...
Storyline
Busy London station. Delayed train from Birmingham. Two strangers waiting for the train... Rikki Thukral (Abhishek Bachchan) born in Bhatinda, living in London; and Alvira Khan (Preity Zinta) more Brit than the Queen herself, however with Lahori blood in her veins.
Crowded café. One table to share. Two hours to kill. Perfect setting for the start of a love-story. Hitch? Both Rikki and Alvira are engaged and have come to pick up their fiancés who are coming by the same train. To kill time, they end up telling each other their “how I met my fiancé” stories.
Rikki met his fiancé Anaida (Lara Dutta) at The Ritz (Paris), the same night that Princess Diana and Dodi walked out of the hotel and into the paparazzi. As Rikki says, “When two lovers die, another two are a born”. They dance... they sing... they're in love!
Alvira, a princess by nature discovers her prince at Madame Tussaud’s. When a gigantic wax model of Superman falls from the ceiling, Alvira is a sitting target. But Steve the Prince (Bobby Deol), a lawyer by profession saves her life but steals her heart! They also sing, they also dance and they also fall in love...
Stories unfold, time passes, the two strangers start enjoying each other. That Alvira is a Pakistani Brit and Rikki originally from India... that Rikki is crooked, earthy, and rakish: dabbler in various businesses; that Alvira is prim-n-proper, wannabe blue-blood, stiff upper-lip: Asst. Manager at House of Fraser’s... none of these details matter. They have gotten alarmingly attracted to each other!
Their brief encounter has created a complicated quadrangle... Rikki Thukral and Alvira Khan have gotten themselves and Steve and Anaida into a lovely mess... To get out of it both of them bend over backward, thinking quickly on their feet, dancing around each other’s emotions... After all when you’re playing musical chairs with love, there’s nothing you can do but Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (Dance Baby Dance)!
Abhishek Bachchan as Rikki Thukral
Baadshah of Bhatinda, now Sultan of Southall... Rikki Thukral! Confront him and he pulls out his most lethal weapon... "I got class"... Can't mess with Rikki after that. Classy he is, in his own earthy way... Just watch him engineer a deal... selling pirated films, illegal antiques, rented property, second hand fridges... if need be even the Queen's crown... Rikki makes it look like a cakewalk with his canny cheekiness and charm. Rikki came to Southall with a dream... of acquiring windfall riches. He would do all it takes... The moment he met Huffy Bhai it was like love at first sight. It didn't matter that Huffy Bhai was from Karachi or that he would lift his kurta at the most inappropriate moment... they got on like a house on fire. Him and Huffy live life with the attitude and spunk that shouts out, "We're here now... and now that we're here, Southall is ours!" They stay themselves everywhere... and wherever they go, they set up an independent republic! Together, both of them can arrange anything under the sun... from the best seats at the Cricket World Cup to a fridge at the cheapest price... after all, it's not fashionable for a modern day entrepreneur to have all fingers in one pie. They haven't got a permanent mailing address... and even if they did, nothing would ever get sent there... Always on the move, Rikki's clients' needs are such that he can't contain his business in an office... so the whole of Southall is his oyster.
Rikki doesn't consider himself a crook, but rather a maverick who just makes the calls... talks the talk... brings people together... walks the walk... makes his commission and stays happy. Like everything in Rikki's life, even falling in love was 70mm cinemascope. Only Rikki could have fallen in love with his dream girl Anaida when the legendary love-birds Princess Diana and Dodi were leaving The Ritz for the last time.... And then like sparkling magic, as Rikki says, "when two lovers die, another two are born"... they dance... they sing... they're in love!
Lara Dutta as Anaida Raza
Anaida Raza is the sizzling nymph with a soft core. Brought up in the City of Love as a pragmatic, rooted and razor-sharp woman... Assistant Manager at The Ritz Hotel in Paris... she runs her beat with metronomic efficiency and keeps everybody including her staff happy. She's dealt with all types and can be as friendly as she can be foxy. She'll manage a huge hotel and make it look like a breeze... despite thousands of photographers jumping all over the place... but also find the time to pick up Rikki's handkerchief from the floor and return it to him... How was she to know the hanky would turn out bait... and she'd be hooked, in love with Rikki in the flicker of a moment.
Like so many around the world... she gave her heart to Princess Diana. So much so, that despite her otherwise no-nonsense exterior, she cried when she couldn't visit Diana's funeral. She has that alluring combination of passion and charisma that would make any guy go ga-ga... And Rikki is no exception.
Preity Zinta as Alvira Khan
Picture a three foot six inch girl. She stands alone in the middle of a church. Merely six years old, Alvira Khan takes an oath before God. "I'll never marry a brownie kaalakalutaa. Please find me a good-looking gora boy like yourself. Amen." Cut to 20 odd years later. Alvira is your typical Pakistani Brit. She would hate to acknowledge the Pakistani part... She's more Brit than the Queen herself. Despite living in a ghettoized Lahori household, Alvira has that stiff upper lip attitude towards the riffraff... especially those crass Southalliyas with their lack of polish and their over-friendliness. That job she has as Manager at the House of Fraser's is a godsend. She can hobnob with the hip Bond Streeters any time she likes... Yea, that's what she calls 'class'...
She has a princess personality and a virtually rebellious opinion of everything. And on a fated day at Madame Tussaud's, the princess is daringly rescued by her knight in shining armour... her prince Steve, who grabs her from under a falling Superman model... And she's swept off her feet, heels over head in love... Her dream come true!
Bobby Deol as Steve Singh
Steve Singh is the immensely rich and treacherously handsome joint partner of London's reputed Singh & Smith Law firm. Steve is the man's man... the man about town... powerful, intense and very self-effacing... Born to a British Mum and Punjabi Dad, he's a balance of Punjabi impulse – not thinking twice before heroically saving Alvira's life - and he's got suave ritzy genteel from his Brit Mum. Classy. Seemly. Chivalrous. That's Steve.
He has a palace for an office matched only by Mandrake's Xanadu. And wears those dashing suits and up-market cuts like Bruce Wayne. What's more... one meeting and he seemed to know everything about Alvira her religious rituals, where she worked, her pet name... Is he Clark Kent or Superman? He even seems to appear and disappear at will... Yes... That's Steve. He has those natty rugged looks... a scar on his cheek that he got while rescuing a girl who was being forced to dance... But even that Steve doesn't wear on his sleeve. He's Alvira's knight in shining armour... her millionaire lover... her hero...
Storyline
Busy London station. Delayed train from Birmingham. Two strangers waiting for the train... Rikki Thukral (Abhishek Bachchan) born in Bhatinda, living in London; and Alvira Khan (Preity Zinta) more Brit than the Queen herself, however with Lahori blood in her veins.
Crowded café. One table to share. Two hours to kill. Perfect setting for the start of a love-story. Hitch? Both Rikki and Alvira are engaged and have come to pick up their fiancés who are coming by the same train. To kill time, they end up telling each other their “how I met my fiancé” stories.
Rikki met his fiancé Anaida (Lara Dutta) at The Ritz (Paris), the same night that Princess Diana and Dodi walked out of the hotel and into the paparazzi. As Rikki says, “When two lovers die, another two are a born”. They dance... they sing... they're in love!
Alvira, a princess by nature discovers her prince at Madame Tussaud’s. When a gigantic wax model of Superman falls from the ceiling, Alvira is a sitting target. But Steve the Prince (Bobby Deol), a lawyer by profession saves her life but steals her heart! They also sing, they also dance and they also fall in love...
Stories unfold, time passes, the two strangers start enjoying each other. That Alvira is a Pakistani Brit and Rikki originally from India... that Rikki is crooked, earthy, and rakish: dabbler in various businesses; that Alvira is prim-n-proper, wannabe blue-blood, stiff upper-lip: Asst. Manager at House of Fraser’s... none of these details matter. They have gotten alarmingly attracted to each other!
Their brief encounter has created a complicated quadrangle... Rikki Thukral and Alvira Khan have gotten themselves and Steve and Anaida into a lovely mess... To get out of it both of them bend over backward, thinking quickly on their feet, dancing around each other’s emotions... After all when you’re playing musical chairs with love, there’s nothing you can do but Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (Dance Baby Dance)!
Yash Chopra honoured at House of Commons
LONDON: Bollywood filmmaker Yash Chopra was honoured at the House of Commons here for his outstanding contribution to the Indian film industry.
The function was organised on Thursday by Indian origin MP Keith Vaz, MPs Tony Baldry and John Barett, to recognise the contribution of Yash Chopra in not only producing films with a message but also his role as Patron of the 'Roko Cancer
Campaign' in India.
"Indian cinema has made its mark in the world during the last 60 years. The honour is not for me but for the entire Indian film industry," Chopra said.
"Cancer is curable if there is timely detection. A great deal of work had to be done in rural areas in creating necessary awareness among the people," he said about his cancer related charity efforts.
The function was organised on Thursday by Indian origin MP Keith Vaz, MPs Tony Baldry and John Barett, to recognise the contribution of Yash Chopra in not only producing films with a message but also his role as Patron of the 'Roko Cancer
Campaign' in India.
"Indian cinema has made its mark in the world during the last 60 years. The honour is not for me but for the entire Indian film industry," Chopra said.
"Cancer is curable if there is timely detection. A great deal of work had to be done in rural areas in creating necessary awareness among the people," he said about his cancer related charity efforts.
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