Posts Tagged ‘career’
Luck By Chance
Posted on: January 2, 2010
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; January 2, 2010)
Yet, the reality of the matter is something else. It is usually who is available; and sometimes who is more saleable.
Take the latest: Aamir Khan was never meant to be playing the idiot in his latest film. It was to be Shah Rukh Khan. Since SRK and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra had a difference of opinion, the Bollywood Badshah was replaced by Aamir. And while the rest is history, there are innumerable such examples in the film industry.
History knows that Amitabh Bachchan was not Prakash Mehra’s first choice for Zanjeer. It was meant to be Dev Anand or Raaj Kumar. When both actors said no, the Big B stepped in. Jaya Bachchan even thanked Dev saab for refusing the Zanjeer role. The film gave her — her real life husband and it gave Bollywood one of its most revered screen couples.
Today you wonder how Dev saab would ever have fit into the angry young man mould. But that’s an after-thought.
Hrishikesh Mukherjee wanted Raj Kapoor to play Anand. When he couldn’t, Hrishida sent for Shashi Kapoor but Rajesh Khanna wormed his way in. And till today Anand is synonymous with the 70s phenomenon.
Shatrughan Singh continues to smart that it was he who was to be Jai in the Jai-Veeru jodi of Sholay but because he was riding a crest of super-success then, he didn’t want to do a twohero film. Amitabh Bachchan got the role instead.
Aamir had been pencilled in for Yash Chopra’s Darr but at that point he ‘accused’ Yash of playing games. And SRK made a permanent place for himself in the YRF camp.
Saif Ali Khan had qualms about playing a pansy in Dostana so John Abraham was brought in. John got male and female temperatures rising with this fun flick and is now a part of its sequel.
Kareena Kapoor asked for too much money for Kal Ho Na Ho; result — Preity Zinta landed this memorable film. Shah Rukh was meant to be playing Munnabhai but since he walked out after some miscommunication, Sanjay Dutt became Munna. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was in Chalte Chalte till Salman dropped in as an uninvited guest forcing SRK to call Rani Mukerji to replace her… and Rekha and Jaya would never have had their screen face-off in Silsila had Parveen Babi and Smita Patil done their roles.
Unlike real history, reel history is often made by default.
Starring Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Padmini Kolhapure, the film’s being produced by Rishi’s elder brother Goldy, and has been written and directed by debutant director Rakkesh Chaturvedi ‘Om’, who is a well known theatre artist. “After reading the script and knowing the cast, I felt that this is that character with which I want to start my career,” says Rishi.
Rishi plays Raam in the movie. Speaking about the movie, Rishi adds, “It’s about a mother and son. The mother is mysteriously murdered leaving the son in a cage of silence.” Rishi, of course, plays the quiet son, Raam. He credits his brother, Goldy for pushing him into it. “He was the one who said I had the talent, and motivated me to be an actor,” says the actor who used to bunk classes to take part in school theatre.
Rishi admits that he was a bit nervous when the shooting began. He says, “But Naseer Sir, Om Puri Sir and Padmini Maa’m made me feel comfortable. I would say it has been a dream role for me as I got an opportunity to work with legends of our industry and that too in my first film, I had never thought about it. I hope that audiences like the film.”
Producer Goldy Bhutani adds, “I thank Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Padmini Kolhapure for coming together for this project and would say that Rakkesh has done some excellent work as a director. It is a must watch film for everyone to know how circumstances take over the good times.”
ROSHNI K OLIVERA Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; December 30, 2009)
What’s your take on one-night stands?
The problem with one-night stands is that you end up hurting so many people. As long as you are not hurting any one, it’s fine.
In Raat Gayi Baat Gayi you have a onenight stand with a married man…
There are seven characters in the film! Why do you assume it’s my character who’s had the one-night stand? Are you assuming that because I am attractive… Not fair!
Do you think the Indian audience is opening up to sex in movies?
Dev D was a big hit. Indian audiences are open to fantastic scripts. Raat Gayi… is a funny kind of a thrilling experience that takes you through a drunken night. You don’t really know what happened last night. The film is packed with a lot of emotions and it is very relatable. You can relate to one or the other character.
You’ve done movies of various genres… what’s your favourite?
It’s very hard for me to say that. Right from my roles in Singh Is Kinng, De Dana Dan, Mithya, Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local to Raat Gayi Baat Gayi, everything is challenging and at the same time everything is easy. I don’t over-intellectualise the whole acting medium. I’m not working because I have to work. I’m working because I really enjoy doing so.
Are you happy with the way your career has shaped up so far?
I am. I had made a few mistakes, but I don’t regret anything. They have been learning experiences. I have come a long way, but I also have a long way to go…
Neil Nitin Mukesh and his designer girlfriend Priyanka Bhatia will officially announce their relationship in 2010. They might also tie the knot in the coming year.
Neil is surprisingly candid on the matters of the heart. He says, “Priyanka and I spend so much time together, so making it official is hardly going to make a difference to our equation. There’s absolutely no family pressure on either of us. In fact, God forbid, if we ever decide not to carry our relationship further our parents will disown us.”
Neil and his girlfriend might soon get engaged. He tells us, “It’s just a matter of exchanging rings. Otherwise our relationship is as official as it gets.”
Neil doesn’t rule out the possibility of marriage in 2010 either. He reveals, “Neither Priyanka nor I see marriage as a hindrance to our career and ambitions. She’s a very talented designer. And we would both like to grow together and individually. Some of our most successful actors from Amitabh Bachchan to Shah Rukh to Hrithik are happily married. Gone are the days when heroes used to hide their girlfriends and wives.”
Neil would also like his future wife to design clothes in all his films. “She knows what looks good on me. And I take her advice about what to wear anyway. I don’t think I’d like to be dressed up by anyone else more than Priyanka.”
TIMES NEWS NETWORK (BOMBAY TIMES; November 13, 2009)
Karan Johar is back to doing what he’s best at! Grilling stars over coffee. And guess who he’s got in on the barbequecouch in front of him? India’s hottest pairings, Saif and Kareena. The king of coffeeconversation had the real-life jodi squirming in a special tête-à-tête for ZOOM. And from coffee to conversational chemistry, KJo rocked it along with Saifeena for this exclusive Date With Kurbaan, Excerpts from the conversation:
KARAN: Everyone is talking about your steamy scenes in Kurbaan. Would you guys have been able to do it with any other actor?
KAREENA: I’m a professional but since I have seen the scenes, I realise it may not quite have turned out this way with anyone else.
Saif: I would’ve done it, but then there would have to be more accountability and I would’ve had to explain to myself that this was a part of my job. Since it was Bebo, there was no accountability and it was done more intimately and with abandon.
KARAN: Does your past come up between you two?
SAIF: It can and it should come up. I think the most important thing to remember is every part of your past has brought you to your present. Instead of worrying about it, you should thank it for bringing you to where you are.
KAREENA: I felt the need to know everything about Saif first, considering the Casanova he was! I was petrified that I was getting into a relationship with him… but today, I can say, he’s a changed man.
KARAN: What about marriage?
SAIF: Some days she asks me, “Are you going to do that ever?” And I say “In time”. Marriage does impact an Indian acting woman’s career. Kareena has always worked; and very few want a focussed career as badly as she does. Sachin Tendulkar wanted to play cricket as badly as Kareena wants a career, that’s a fact! Emotionally we’re growing and we’re in love. Marriage is not a way to tie somebody down.
Deepika Padukone to star opposite Imran Khan, who happens to be her ex-boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor’s closest friend
Deepika Padukone, who recently split with Ranbir Kapoor, will star opposite his closest friend Imran Khan in a film produced by Kunal Kohli. The film is the directorial debut of Danish Aslam, Kunal’s assistant.
A source says, “Post her breakup with Ranbir, Deepika is taking on more and more assignments to keep herself busy. She now wants to focus on her career and make all the right moves.
She has signed films with Ashutosh Gowariker and Yash Raj Films. Danish’s film, which is jointly produced by Kunal Kohli and Big Pictures, is another big film in her kitty. Deepika is very excited about it.
She chose to sign the film despite Imran being Ranbir’s close friend as she has moved on. She doesn’t want to mix her personal life with her professional life.”
Confirming the news, Kunal Kohli says, “It’s true. We have finalised Imran and Deepika for the film. We are hoping to start the film early next year. It’s a love story and we are yet to find a title for the film. Danish will be making his debut as a director with this film.”
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| Ranbir | Imran Khan |
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; October 31, 2009)
Sussanne Khan’s birthday party, on October 24 and 25 respectively. And media reports that followed both events only spoke of her interaction with SRK, almost making it seem like an aberration. “I fail to understand why people must constantly focus on just one aspect of an event,’’ says Kat. “I’m not complaining because I know that if you are in the eye of the media, it only means that you are important enough to them. However, my bumping into Shah Rukh or spending time with him at an event is just a regular thing. I think people should stop trying to look for controversy in every nook and cranny. All of us are here to work. And we have common functions to attend. Naturally, when we’re under the same roof, we will interact. Why make a fuss? Who wouldn’t want to associate with Shah Rukh or Karan Johar?’’
Sanju in Ajay Devgn’s next
Posted on: October 16, 2009
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The camaraderie that grew between Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan during the making of All The Best will now spill over into a full-on action film to be directed by Ajay Devgan.
The film will have both the actors returning to their roots as action stars. Incidentally, both Dutt and Devgan started their respective careers with stunt-oriented films, Rocky and Phool Aur Kante, respectively. Confirming the news, Devgan says, “We’re working on it. Sanjay and I became really close during All The Best. The camaraderie that you’ll see in the film is not fake.” Ajay’s film will have stunts supervised by the best international action directors. Both Dutt and Devgan feel that they haven’t been able to tap their fascination for stunts to the level that they should have. This is their chance to really get cracking. The film is slated to begin early next year. It will be a complete change of pace for Devgan from his first directorial venture, U Me Aur Hum, which starred Devgan and wife Kajol, who was fighting memory loss. |
| • Why did you move out of your parents’ house and buy a new one for yourself? I got that house at a very economical price and it was next to my parents’ house. It was simply a great deal. So why not? • Has life changed after moving?
• Rumour has it that Salman Khan gifted your new house.
• What is your take on your father giving up on his businesses to manage your career? My mother, who is a doctor, also took voluntary retirement because she has to manage two homes here. I need her help as I travel often. I am their only child. They want me to give my best to whatever it is I want from life. I am from a very educated background, but they never forced me to follow their dreams. I can’t do without them. I call dad a ‘pillar’ and mom an ‘angel’.
• Are they strict? Do you still have a deadline to reach home?
• Are you willing to use foul language or expose if a role demands it?
• Are you in touch with Aamir Khan?
• What are your parameters while deciding to sign a film?
• Will marriage and kids figure in your life anytime soon? |
