Posts Tagged ‘Sajid Nadiadwala’
Looking Ahead 2010
Posted on: January 2, 2010
| Karthik Calling Karthik
|
|
| My name is Khan
|
|
| Raajneeti A modern-day political rendition of the Mahabharata, Raajneeti boasts of an A-list star cast – Ajay Devgan, Arjun Rampal, Ranbir Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Vivek Oberoi, Manoj Bajpai and Katrina Kaif. The movie will use the dilemmas the characters in the book went through, and draw parallels with it in reel life. Katrina Kaif is reportedly playing the role of Sonia Gandhi in the movie. After all both of them are quite similar: accent – check; powerful woman – check; foreign descent – check; relationship with Salman Khan – no one really knows.
|
|
| Kites
|
|
| Raavana
|
|
Action replay  In Action Replay, a man ages backwards… Hmm, let’s see where have we heard this story before? A clear rip-off of the Hollywood hit, Benjamin Button, the film will feature Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai. Director Vipul Shah is back with Akshay Kumar and hopes his dream run will continue.
|
|
| Teen Patti
|
|
| Houseful
Akshay Kumar has a slew of releases lined up next year and Houseful, the laugh-riot is one of them. The story follows Akshay who is very unlucky in life and is trying to find true love. The women helping him achieve this goal are Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta and Jiah Khan. In real life, however, we think it’s the other way around. Akshay will end up teaching Deepika more than two expressions, Lara how to sign movies and Jiah Khan how not to be dropped from the one-odd film she has signed.
|
|
| No Problem
Anees Bazmee has three mega comedy films lined up next year. One of them is No Problem which has quite a star cast – Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Sushmita Sen, Kangna Ranaut, Paresh Rawal and Sunil Shetty. The film is a love story of impossible proportions. Another impossible proposition is Kangna actually makes people laugh after making them weep all these years.
|
|
| Well Done Abba
Shyam Benegal has been travelling the world with his latest film, Well Done Abba. The satirical movie sees Boman Irani play two roles. Fitting two Bomans in one shot is a feat in itself and a testament to Benegal’s directorial skills. The movie follows the journey of Armaan Ali, a driver from Mumbai, who is out to find his daughter’s (Minissha Lamba) beau. Minissha, who has been alternating between commercial and semi-art house cinema, is reportedly playing a strong role in the film.
|
|
| Guzaarish
|
|
| Road, Movie
Indian cinema has been through many fascinating twists and turns but none quite as romantic as touring cinemas. Essentially this means that the owner of one mounts the film projector on the back of a truck and the projectionist travels the length and breadth of a state with the truck, stops wherever there is a pilgrimage or a mela and projects the films he is carrying onto a white curtain which is then viewed by the locals sitting on both sides of the screen. Dev Benegal has made Road, Movie about one such projectionist (Satish Kaushik) and the young owner (Abhay Deol) and the adventures they have as they show their movies. The film has been very well received on the festival circuit.
|
|
| Anjaana Anjaani
After playing twelve characters in What’s Your Raashee?, we’re sure Priyanka Chopra has become a stranger to herself, especially after the film tanked. Siddharth Anand, director of Ta Ra Rum Pum and Salaam Namaste, tries a romcom with Anjaana Anjaani. Starring Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka, the film shows two strangers who fall in love and the journey they take together.
|
|
| Aisha
Abhay Deol’s love for Delhi continues with his Bollywood release, Aisha where he plays another spoilt, rich Delhi brat. His character is modelled on Mr Knightly from Jane Austen’s novel, Emma. The movie is a romantic comedy that explores horrible mismatches. It also has a strong female role that has been bagged by Sonam Kapoor. Whether Sonam is strong enough for the film after two failed films (read: Saawariya and Delhi-6) is another matter.
|
|
| Khelein hum jee jaan sey
Ashutosh Gowariker is no stranger to large canvasses (think Lagaan, Swades, Jodhaa Akbar) so it’s no surprise that he is now filming another humongous project, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, which revolves around the Chittagong Uprising in the pre Independence days. After What’s Your Raashee?, this is another film adapted from a book, Do and Die by Manini Chatterjee. Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone lead the star cast and Nitin Chandrakant Desai leads the crew. Hopefully Ashutosh’s version of history will not be challenged, the way Jodhaa Akbar was.
|
|
| Knock out
Inspired’ from the Hollywood masterpiece Phone Booth, Mani Shankar will look to re-create the magic in Bollywood. A man is trapped inside a phone booth, not because the door is stuck, but an assassin has a sniper rifle trained on him. Kangna plays the role of a journalist, Irrfan plays a cop and Sanjay Dutt the assassin.
|
|
| I Hate Luv Storys
A true-blue rom-com, I Hate Luv Storys brings together the very glamourous Sonam Kapoor and the man with the melting eyes, Imran Khan. Described as a love story not meant to happen but which does happen, it is the story of a man who does not believe in love and a girl who does. They meet on a film set; a milieu the director Punit Malhotra is very familiar with, having cut his teeth on Karan Johar’s sets as an assistant director; and sparks fly.
|
|
| 1-800-Love
When you have a tag line that says, ‘From the makers of Ghajini and Jaane Tu…’ you know you’re in for a commercial roller-coaster. Abbas Tyrewala dons the director’s hat for 1-800-LOVE again and the music score is Rahman’s handiwork. A telephone call connects two people – one who wants to die, the other who is searching for meaning in life. They meet, fall in love, yada yada… If you are watching the movie and you get bored of John Abraham’s three expression repertoire, close your eyes and maybe the music will do the trick for you.
|
|
| Tees Maar Khan
Tees Maar Khan has gotten more publicity that it ever dreamed of just because Shah Rukh Khan is not playing a role in Farah Khan’s film. But it does seem like SRK has rubbed off on the new lead actor, Akshay Kumar. Kumar plays a ‘stylish’ (metrosexual) conman in the film. He will be joined by Akshaye Khanna, but the female lead has not yet been confirmed.
|
|
| Hook Ya Crook
Finally, Bollywood gets a movie that shows hope in combining two things that Indians love best – cinema and cricket. Viraj Pradhan (John Abraham) dreams of being a cricketer but is a repeat offender who gets thrown into a maximum security prison. The jail is a haven for cricket players, but Viraj wants much more, he wants to be part of the men in blue. The film has reportedly roped in Indian cricketers for the movie but going by the ads on TV, the word ‘acting talent’ isn’t part of the Indian cricket team’s vocabulary.
|
Farhan Akhtar’s next film is a story of a lovable loser whose chance meeting with his namesake changes his life forever. Karthik Calling Karthik has a star-studded credit list which includes Deepika Padukone, Javed Akhtar and Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy. Considering Farhan acts in the movies he either directs or produces, it seems like he is bent on wanting to typecast himself as the underdog. Weird but true!
Bollywood’s biology lessons continue with My Name Is Khan. With 9/11 as the backdrop, the movie follows Rizwan Khan (SRK) who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome. This is an autistic disease that makes the victim devoid of empathy. This, of course will give rise to many comical situations, just like Paa did. The film brings together the electrifying pair of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol back on the silver screen. Add Karan Johar to the mix and you have a surefire hit. But come on, what is the film industry going to explore next, the common cold?
Kites follows the story of Hrithik Roshan, a salsa dancer who falls in love with his student. Language barriers don’t matter here, love conquers almost all. But ‘something’ happens and it’s up to another student Kangna Ranaut to save the day. Maybe Sussanne walks into the movie or some other terrifying event occurs, we don’t know yet. But we hope the movie does better than Hrithik’s personal life.
A modern day rendition of the mythological text, Raavana will get Aishwariya and Abhishek on the silver screen together for the first time after getting hitched. The movie has been plagued with problems – floods, elephants stomping around the set, maybe a higher power is sending a message through all of this. We won’t say anything, let the box-office decide.
As much as producer Ambika Hinduja denies it, Teen Patti’s plot seems like a rip-off of the Hollywood blockbuster 21. The film features three ace actors, Ben Kingsley (supposedly not doing a cameo), Big B and Madhavan. With the help of a unique algorithm, Amitabh who plays a mathematical genius leads a team of college students to make a lot of money. Does Amitabh hold the algorithm for the movie’s success or will this be just another failed spin-off?
The film that is loosely based on Whose Life is it Anyway? has Hrithik playing a paraplegic radio jockey. The film seems like a cry-till-your-tearbuds-dry-out movie – it explores the dilemma of euthanasia. Hrithik who believes in challenging himself till the cows come home, reportedly, spent hours in the wheelchair when not required to shoot, to get into the head of the character. Hrithik and Aishwarya reunite after Dhoom 2, and with Sanjay Leela Bhansali directing, it becomes one of the most awaited films in 2010, never mind Saawariya.
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; January 1, 2010)
The last decade in Bollywood has primarily been dominated by three Khans (Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman) and one Kumar (Akshay). And even as his brand equity is at an all-time high, Akshay Kumar’s business plan in the new year is to take his banner Hari Om Production (HOP) to greater heights.
The banner which is a late bloomer, swung into action with Waqt — The Race Against Time in 2005, but has already notched up hits like Namastey London, Singh is Kinng, the entertaining grosser De Dana Dan, and is now ready for its next three productions — Priyadarshan’s Khatta Meetha, Farah Khan’s Tees Maar Khan and Nikhil Advani’s Patiala House.
Says Priyan, a close associate of Akshay and the HOP, “Khatta Meetha is a satire on the system. It is about the road-mafia which is prevalent all over but more so in Bihar and eastern UP. The main plot line is inspired by R K Laxman’s famous common man. Based on a true incident, this film unveils the travesty of the common man. I have made this film in Malayalam earlier and it was wonderfully received. I’m sure it will be a winner in Hindi too.’’ Both Hari Om Productions and Akshay will move by leaps and bounds in 2010. While the banner will have two releases in Khatta Meetha and Tees Maar Khan, the actor will also be seen in Sajid Nadiadwala’s Houseful and Vipul Shah’s Action Replayy. Of course, it is not all work and no play for this superstar. He is currently on vacation in Goa with his family. Asked what was uppermost on his mind when the clock struck 12, he says, “I sincerely want 2010 to be a year of peace and harmony. I wish BT readers a Happy New Year.’’
Rewinding to his recent Canada trip where he represented India at the Winter Olympics, the superstar says, “I can’t tell you what a proud moment it was when I was handed the Olympic Torch in Canada. It was very moving. In my opinion films and sports are the two passions that can bind any nation.’’ Having talked about his moment of glory on foreign soil, Akki adds, “I’m proud that New Delhi is the chosen destination for the Commonwealth Games. I pray for peace because I want this sporting event to go off really smooth. I want the world to know that India is safe and capable of hosting an event of this magnitude. As a true sports lover this is something uppermost on my mind.’’
By Sonal Chawla (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 30, 2009)
While the whole world believes that Katrina is recuperating in London with her family, a reliable London source tells us that she is actually in New York. Incidentally, Ranbir Kapoor is also in New York shooting for Sajid Nadiadwala’s Anjaana Anjaani. Coincidence? We don’t think so.
Post her surgery in Mumbai, Katrina flew off to London claiming to spend New Year’s Eve with her family. Katrina, who ushers in the New Year with her mother and siblings each year, was particularly thrilled about the family reunion this time round, because she was looking forward to playing with her sister’s little son. But apparently, family has been sidelined in favor of some companionship.
One can’t help but wonder how she planned to keep her jaunt to New York a secret. It’s a small, small world after all. When we called her grandmother’s place in London, a relative said, “Oh, but Katrina is in New York.”
However Katrina said, “I’m very much in London. It’s a joke in my family about me being in New York because I’m harassed by many calls.”
Kaif also skipped beau (or is it seriously ex-beau now) Salman Khan’s birthday in favour of New York. Ranbir and Katrina met on the sets of Raajneeti but their friendship really took off when they shot Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. For the last few months, Ranbir has been in an on-off relationship with Deepika Padukone while Katrina’s relationship with Salman Khan has slowly ground to a halt.
Sallu has low-key all-boys bday party after his ‘break-up with Katrina’!
Posted on: December 28, 2009
Salman Khan is well-known in Bollywood circles for his wild parties. If the party happens to be his birthday bash and that too at his farmhouse at Panvel, it promises to be double the fun. However, yesterday night, Salman had a low-key celebration for his 45th birthday. He had a stag party.
A source says, “Bhai is known to have fun during his parties at Panvel. His parties are much awaited and talked about by his guests. Salman’s large-heartedness ensures that all of them have a blast. However, this year, Salman is not in one of his merry moods. After his break-up with Katrina Kaif, he is not in the mood to go all out and celebrate. So, on his special day, he did not send invitations to any female. He did not feel the need to have a girlfriend by his side or even bask in the glory of any other female company. Incidentally, Katrina is in London to celebrate Christmas and New Year with her family. Salman has invited only his close male friends. Also, unlike every year, the celebration this time is not on a lavish scale. Yesterday’s party was held only for his close friends music composers Sajid Wajid, hairstylist Aalim Hakim, his bodyguard Shera, his close associate Nadeem, his filmmaker friends Vijay Galani and Sajid Nadiadwala among others. Salman has already celebrated his birthday with his family on Saturday night.”
Let’s hope that by next year, the tide turns and the large-hearted Khan gets back to hosting lavish parties.
Producer Sajid Nadiadwala, director Siddharth Anand and music composers Vishal Shekhar asked Ranbir Kapoor to lend his voice for a song in Anjaana Anjaani. Not only did Ranbir sing, but he also finished recording it in 45 minutes.
The recording took place at Vishal Shekhar’s studio in Bandra at 1am on Wednesday. Ranbir was on his way home before 2am. “He shocked both, Vishal and Shekhar. His singing was so smooth and comfortable. This facet of Ranbir was completely unknown and untapped,” says an industry source.
The scene which required Ranbir to sing isn’t a random input. Ranbir breaks into the song with a band playing behind him. The song is shown for a little over one-and-half minute.
Ranbir’s leading lady, Priyanka Chopra, was also present in the studio at around 10pm. Priyanka will also sing a solo for the same film, if everything goes well.” She heard the tune last night and brainstormed with Siddharth and Vishal Shekhar about her comfort level with the pitch of the song. She is yet to muster up the courage to sing. As things stand today, she should be singing the song in the next couple of days,” added the source.
It was the director of the film who wanted Ranbir to sing that particular song. Siddharth said, “Ranbir improvised a lot and did a brilliant job. It was my idea to make him sing. He knew about it from the time he read the script. But the scene where he sings remains to be shot. It will be canned in the next schedule in the US.”
Vishal thinks that Ranbir’s voice was necessary for credibility. He said, “Though it’s a song, it’s also a scene. We had to get Ranbir to do it for authenticity and he totally rocked!”
 |
|
| Shekhar and Vishal (Pic: Raju Shinde) |
|
 |
|
| Ranbir Kapoor | Priyanka Chopra |
Bebo or Ranbir?
Posted on: December 22, 2009
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; December 21, 2009)
The same dilemma has come back to haunt two major filmmakers now. Rumours have it that Sajid Nadiadwala, who is making his next film Anjaana Anjaani with Bollywood’s current heartthrob Ranbir and Priyanka Chopra, was heard telling an insider from the Kareena Kapoor camp that he would have ideally liked to work with Bebo and Ranbir. But, of course, since they are first cousins the pair would get audience rejection.
It is also reported that the Mehtas of Ashtavinayak will go on the floors with their film directed by Imtiaz Ali with Ranbir on April 1, 2010. Once again, this banner that loves Bebo because she is their Jab We Met heroine, wanted her in the lead. However, since they have had to choose between Ranbir and Kareena — both of whom are the current hot favourites — they have chosen to cast Ranbir.
But Bebo is not entirely at a disadvantage. There is a third film corporation that wants to cast her with the light-eyed youngster Imran Khan, who is another Bollywood hottie.
Judwaa sequel being planned
Posted on: December 15, 2009
| |
Salman Khan is finally ready to play the quirky Raja and the sober Prem in the sequel to his 1997 hit Judwaa. The actor has given his nod to team up once again with director David Dhawan and producer Sajid Nadiadwala for the sequel to the twin-comedy only after he was completely convinced with the script.
So far the idea of a sequel to Judwaa had been quelled mainly because the story ideas did not appeal to Salman. Now, David has finally come up with an idea that the team feels is worth pursuing.
Producer Sajid says, “We’ve been going back and forth with David on the story of Judwaa’s sequel for years. Since Judwaa released there have been innumerable films about twins and their adventures, so films about twin heroes had become stale. Before making Judwaa 2 we first had to make sure the plot not only went further than the first Judwaa but also goes beyond all the other double-role films that have come lately.”
Fact of the matter is that double roles have not been doing well lately. Sajid says, “We’ve gone back to the story board repeatedly to ensure Judwaa has very high novelty value.”
“David is working on giving Salman’s character a special new spin. We’ll give the two Salmans a very different look and the story moves ten years ahead but Salman is still as boyish as he used to be,” adds Sajid.
 |
Judwaa 2 won’t feature either Karisma Kapoor or Rambha who were lead actresses in the first film.
But yes, Kareena Kapoor is being considered to star in the sequel.
About Judwaa
Directed by David Dhawan, Judwaa is about identical twins (Salman Khan) who get separated at birth. The quiet and mature Prem, one of the twins, and his father visit India to get Prem married to Mala (Karisma Kapoor).
Prem also meets his twin brother in India and a series of comic situations follow. The highlight of the film was Anu Malik’s music especially the songs Chalti hai kya nau se baraah and Unchi hai building lift teri bandh hai, which were an instant hit and are popular even today.
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; December 10, 2009)
Life has come a full circle for former Miss World Priyanka Chopra. On December 12, nine years after she picked up her own crown, PC will be on the beauty pageant podium in Johannesburg as a judge for the final round of this year’s Miss World contest. “When Julia Morley, who is in charge of the beauty pageant, invited me to be a judge, I was ecstatic. There I was a teenager all those years ago, nervous as a help on the same platform. Now I’m going in a totally different capacity,” said Priyanka. The actress is happy she could work her busy shooting schedules around to accommodate this contest, which she considers a very prestigious one.
Back home, too, Priyanka is in a very happy place. Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and she are the top three Bollywood beauties who wield a certain power over the box office. Naturally, the best projects are divided between them. “This was a good year,” said the actress, “and hopefully 2010 will be as good if not better.”
She happily starts the year with Pyaar Impossible in January while also shooting with hotshot Ranbir Kapoor for Sajid Nadiadwala’s Anjaana Anjaani and with Bollywood supremo Shah Rukh Khan for Farhan Akhtar’s Don-2. “Besides these films, I’m scheduled to do a film with my Kaminey director Vishal Bharadwaj,” said the dusky beauty.
The low point of 2009 was when she cried herself to sleep after Ashutosh Gowarikar’s What’s Your Rashee came unstuck at the box office. “When you put blood, sweat and tears into a project and it doesn’t fetch you the kind of box office you hoped for, it hurts,” Priyanka admitted. But she did not rise to the bait when asked what she feels about co-star and ‘ex’ Harman Baweja making his feelings public for her long after they had split. Guess when things are looking up for her the way they are right now, she has every reason to be gracious.
The self-effacing AR Murugadoss, who directed Aamir Khan in Ghajini, has now been signed on to direct Salman Khan in producer Sajid Nadiadwala’s next action-romance Kick, a remake of the 2009 Telugu film directed by Surender Reddy, starring Ravi Teja.
What comes as a surprise is that Deepika Padukone, who has till now been close to the Shah Rukh-Farah Khan-Karan Johar group, will star opposite Salman in the film.
 |
||
| Deepika Padukone | AR Murugadoss | Salman Khan |
Although Deepika has just wrapped up Houseful with Sajid Nadiadwala, he was hesitant when he approached her for Kick wondering if she would have any reservations about working with Salman. According to reliable sources, Deepika made it very clear to Nadiadwala that she is open to working with every actor.
Nadiadwala doesn’t deny the presence of Murugadoss and Deepika in the Hindi remake of Kick. “Murugadoss I’ve met and Deepika of course is already my leading lady in Houseful. I loved Murugadoss’s work in Ghajini and so did Salman. We were very clear about not getting the original Telugu director as I don’t believe in letting the South Indian directors do the Hindi remakes,” he says.
The challenge now is to make Salman’s action sequences in Kick different not only from Ghajini but also Wanted. Nadiadwala says, “I don’t want Kick to look like Wanted 2. We’ll be shooting the action scenes in Tokyo.”
Salman will be doing a lot of martial arts and kick-boxing in Kick and Murugadoss wants to make sure the action quotient in his next film is on par with the action sequences in Ghajini.
Sajid has roped in the Munnabhai writer Abhijat Joshi to script the Hindi adaptation of Kick. “He lives in the US but is expected to be in India during the release of 3 Idiots (co-written by him). That’s when we will lock in on the script,” adds Nadiadwala.
Kainaat Arora, late actress Divya Bharti’s second cousin, will soon make her acting debut with Gup Chup Gup Chup. She also has an item number in Priyadarshan’s Khatta Meetha, starring Akshay Kumar.
Kainaat was born in the same town as Divya (Sarangpur). She went on to study in the same school as Divya (St Mary’s) and then shifted base to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting. “Two years ago I came to Mumbai from Delhi after completing a course from NIFT and after doing some modeling assignments. I met OP uncle (Divya’s father) as soon as I came to Mumbai. I will never forget the way their family stood by me when I decided to become an actress. OP uncle said that after Divya, it was my turn to make everyone proud. He introduced me to Sajid Nadiadwala (who Divya was married to),” said Kainaat.
 |
| Kainaat Arora |
Talking about her debut film, Kainaat said, “Gup Chup Gup Chup happened by chance and I am the only actress in this comic thriller. Later, I met Priyan (Priyadarshan) sir at a function in Kerala. He told me that I looked familiar; he had forgotten that I had done three ad films with him. Soon, he offered me a song in Khatta Meetha, which I immediately agreed to do. When I first met Sajid, he told me a lot of things about Divya didi.”
When asked if she remembers anything about Divya, Kainaat said, “I was very young when didi passed away. I remember her coming to Sarangpur after her film Vishwatma had released. A crowd had gathered outside our house. I hope I make it. I want didi to be proud of me. She was a fantastic actress and if I become half of what she was, I will be very happy.”
Fenil and Bollywood 