Posts Tagged ‘october 16’
Friday 16th October 2009 15.30 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
The Diwali showdown between All The Best, Blue and Main Aurr Mrs Khanna has turned out to be a one horse race as far as the opening day goes. Blue has recorded a fantastic opening all over be it multiplexes in metros or small single screen in C centres. The first day business should come out better than the other two films combined.
All The Best has opened to an average response with some places being decent with others on the lower side. The film had a late release in Gujarat as the distributor defaulted on payment therefore prints were not sent on time and the first show in Gujarat was after 1pm.
Main Aurr Mrs Khanna has seen a dull response all over and will have to pick up hugely to make any impact at the ticket counters.
Bhai & Bebo unplugged!
Posted on: October 16, 2009
MARK MANUEL Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; October 16, 2009)
I bumped into the Khannas at Mehboob Studio where they were shooting an ad together. On screen, despite the 14-year age difference, they are said to make an adorable couple and handsomely complement each other. But both are consummate actors. And Salman, I know, is far more fond of her elder sister Karisma with whom he’s had several big hits. While Kareena, despite Salman’s boyish charm and ruggedness, knows she makes the best jodi of all in Bollywood only with Saif Ali Khan. Wait for Karan Johar’s Kurbaan next month and you will know what I mean. Still, and I don’t know what it is, there is a sizzling connect between the two. And the conversation between them sparked and hissed like this:
SALMAN: Extraordinary!
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. |
Deepika in Main Aurr Mrs Khanna
Posted on: October 16, 2009
Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan are at loggerheads, but that doesn’t stop the former’s discovery, Deepika Padukone, from being a part of a Salman-starrer. Deepika does a cameo in Sohail Khan and UTV Spot Boy’s Main Aurr Mrs Khanna that releases today. Our source reveals, “Deepika achieved star status with her first film itself, courtesy, Shah Rukh Khan. And now, the Om Shanti Om actress makes a guest appearance in Salman and Kareena Kapoor’s Main Aurr Mrs Khanna. That SRK and Salman aren’t exactly friends has not deterred her from taking this step. A large part of Bollywood is all about camps, but looks like Deepika certainly isn’t restricting herself to any.” |
The much-awaited Hera Pheri sequel is finally taking shape. Interestingly, this third installment in the Hera Pheri series is called Hera Pheri 4. A source says, “After the super success of Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri, producer Firoz Nadiadwala has been planning the third installment. However, the film was taking its own time. The promos of the forthcoming film De Dana Dan starring Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty and Paresh Rawal are being shown with Blue (which releases today) at the trail shows. The industry insiders have begun talking about the winning combination of Akshay, Sunil and Paresh. Firozbhai saw the promos and immediately got in touch in Akshay for the much-awaited installment. Although Akshay’s date diary is packed, he came to Firoz’s rescue by accommodating the film. However, the interesting bit is that the film will be titled Hera Pheri 4 and not 3. The reason for the same will be revealed in the promos of the film, once it is ready.” Although Hera Pheri was directed by Priyadarshan and Phir Hera Pheri by Neeraj Vohra, Hera Pheri 4 will be directed by Anees Bazmee. The source adds, “Akshay, Firoz and Anees last came together for Welcome (2007). Katrina Kaif will play the female lead in Hera Pheri 4, which is slated to go on the floors in March next year.” Akshay Kumar remained unavailable for comment. |
Four years after he launched his first album, G, Ganesh Hegde is ready with his next. For this album, Ganesh wanted Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra to star in a video titled Let’s Party. Hrithik and Priyanka not only agreed, but also refused any sort of remuneration for the video. That’s what friends are for. Our source said, “When Ganesh spoke to his friends Hrithik and Priyanka, they immediately agreed. They did not charge a single penny. Priyanka has finished shooting her part and Hrithik has shot on Wednesday and will continue for a couple of days. Shah Rukh Khan had supported Ganesh for the launch of his debut album.” Priyanka confirmed the news. She said, “Ganesh and I have worked together many times in the past few years. When he asked me to be a part of the video, I was happy to help out. I have already shot my part.” Hrithik Roshan remained unavailable for comment. However, Ganesh Hegde’s spokesperson refused to divulge any details. He said, “Nothing has been finalised. We will make an announcement when everything is in place. Ganesh has very good relations in the industry and that was seen during his first album as well.” |
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 The shooting of Sohail Maklai’s Knockout came to a standstill last evening when a lightman, Purushottam, fell from a height. The lightman injured his head severely and was immediately rushed to Lilavati hospital by Sanjay Dutt and producer Sohail Maklai. Sanjay personally escorted him to the hospital and ensured the best care for the technician.
At the time of going to print, the lightman had multiple stitches on his head. Hussain Shaikh, the executive producer of the film confirmed the news, “The lightman Purushottam was injured. We are still unclear about how he fell, but it was probably due to an electric shock. He is out of danger, but he received multiple stitches on his head. Thankfully, he was in his senses till we took him to the hospital. Sanju and Sohailbhai were also present when he was in Lilavati hospital. We have now shifted him to Nanavati hospital, to be kept under observation.” |
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; October 14, 2009)
Anthony D’Souza is the man behind Bollywood’s costliest film — Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd’s Blue that’s releasing this Diwali (October 16). And he admits that his producers have actually let money flow like water to make this big screen spectacle. “It is the first Bollywood film to be shot in the Bahamas,’’ says Tony, adding that he chose the location despite the heavy cost because it was the only place in the world where he could shoot with live sharks. The budget skyrocketed further because the food and drinking water had to come from Florida.
However, on the eve of the film’s release, the debutant director is hardly worrying his head over the accounts. Instead, he is excited about having made India’s first under-water film and says he is completely indebted to his producer Dhilin Mehta for partaking in his vision. He has also had Hollywood technicians like Amir Mokri (Bad Boys-II) to give him expert advice. Tony is also all praise for his actors. “Sanjay Dutt was the first one who I gave a narration to — and he agreed almost immediately. In fact, he will also be in my next film titled Bond.’’
About Akshay Kumar, the film’s backbone, the director says, “Akshay is the most unselfish, punctual, dedicated, uncomplicated actor I have ever met. Stories about his interference are a myth.’’ But Tony is partial to his leading lady Lara Dutta whom he salutes because she learnt to swim in three months and was then swimming with the sharks like a pro. The film’s youngest actor Zayed Khan is a friend, he says. “I love Zayed because he is frank, forthright and the perfect choice for my film.’’
But even Tony admits that Blue wouldn’t be complete without those magical seven minutes of Katrina Kaif. Says the director, “Katrina is a thorough professional. She takes her work very seriously. Katz is the female Akshay and, like him, she is a very punctual actor.’’
meena.iyer@timesgroup.com
Reserve the best for this Diwali
Posted on: October 14, 2009
ON A ROLL: Ajay Devgn
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; October 13, 2009)
The experts are working overtime. As the festive season closes in, the trade pundits and the film distributors are hedging their bets on who according to them will set theatres ablaze this Diwali. Rajeev Malhotra, the Mumbai distributor for Ajay Devgn’s All the Best says, “We pulled it off last Diwali with Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal Returns, hopefully this Diwali we can do the same with All the Best.’’
Rajeev feels this Devgn Films’ October 16 release is a fun, light, clean entertainer and it is the best bet for families who usually come out in droves during the festival season. Taran Adarsh, who is a trade expert, is ready to back Rajeev as well. He says, “I consider Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty an unbeatable combination. Ajay is a powerful actor, who has proved his mettle in diverse roles. Rohit knows the pulse of the audience. Together, this combo is sure to rock with All the Best. The promos are truly eye catching and by the looks of it, it should set the box office on fire this Diwali.” Raj Bansal, who is one of the leading names in the Rajasthan territory says, “If you check the history of the last decade, you will note that Diwali is the season for full-on comedies or romantic films. People hate to see grey, brooding films during festival time.’’ Raj also feels that last Diwali, a film like Golmaal Returns surpassed distributors’ expectations, so once again the trade is inclined to back a comic caper like All the Best. Now an interesting trend spotted by Delhi distributor Sanjay Ghai is that massy action-films like Wanted work around Eid; and madcap situational comedies like All the Best should work around Diwali. “This is a worldaccepted logic by the distributor community,’’ says Sanjay. Well, then with so many money-minded men thinking alike, we guess the best movie will make its mark. meena.iyer@timesgroup.com
Every character is involved in a series of madcap situations, but Sanjay says he was hesitant to do a scene that had slight overtones of a gay relationship. Praising director Rohit Shetty, he says, “He assuaged all my apprehensions and before you knew it, I was actually enjoying the scene.’’ Well, and what is that famous scene? Sanju reminisces, “There is a scene in which I’m fast asleep, and an equally drowsy Ajay, who mistakes me for his girlfriend Bipasha Basu, climbs on top of me and tries to seduce me.’’
Laughing his guts out, Sanju adds, “Like I said, I’m also fast asleep in the scene with my head covered, so initially I’m enjoying Ajay’s affections but when I realise what is happening, I freak.’’
The smile doesn’t leave his face. “It’s something I’ve never done before. But like I said, All The Best is a complete fun film and there are many such funny situations. Despite all my initial reservation about some of the comic scenes, once I got into character, I just decided to go ahead and have a ball shooting for it.”
For someone who looks so casual about his work, Sanjay is said to have an elephant’s memory, he can mouth three page dialogues after just glancing through it a couple of times. “When you’re doing comedy, the first take is invariably the best because most often it comes straight from the heart. Trying to replicate the same magic over and over again sometimes doesn’t work,’’ he reveals.
