Posts Tagged ‘thursday’
‘Kites’ release finally fixed
Posted on: January 4, 2010
By Taran Adarsh, January 2, 2010 – 09:05 IST
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| Click above for more movie stills |
Here’s a Breaking News and as always, it’s ONLY on Bollywood Hungama.
It’s finally confirmed! The past few months have witnessed tremendous speculation about the release date of KITES. Initially, it was said that KITES would arrive in Diwali. Later, it was January, coinciding with the release of Hrithik Roshan’s debut movie KAHO NAA… PYAAR HAI. Much later, news poured in that KITES would open during the onset of summer vacations, in April.
But the release date has been sealed finally. The film will be released worldwide on May 14. Interestingly, two more biggies are slated for release in May – HOUSEFULL on 20th [Thursday] and RAAJNEETI on 28th.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Aamir, author in ‘Idiots’ row
Posted on: January 2, 2010
BHARATI DUBEY Times News Network (THE TIMES OF INDIA; January 2, 2010)
New Delhi: Three Idiots may be creating box-office history. But all’s certainly not well between Chetan Bhagat, the author of the book Five Point Someone from which the movie has been adapted, and its hero Aamir Khan, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra and director Rajkumar Hirani.
An ‘idiotic’ controversy has broken out over accusations of credit poaching. The film credits the story to Abhijat Joshi and Hirani. Bhagat’s name appears at the film’s end.
Bhagat is miffed that the film does not give him due credit, but Khan claims that Bhagat is trying to take away credit from Joshi, the film’s scriptwriter. Agencies have quoted the actor as saying that he has advised Chopra and Hirani to file a case against Bhagat as he has defamed them with “false’’ allegations.
Reacting to this, Bhagat told a news agency, “For the past two years, I have trusted Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Aamir blindly and this is what I get in return. Now I am being threatened with legal action, but I am ready for it.’’
Chopra too jumped into the fray on Friday. When the controversy was brought up by journalists at a press meet in Noida, he thundered, “Have you read the book? I have read the book, so shut up!’’ He also charged Bhagat with trying to gain publicity for his book.
But Bhagat was quick to retort that he didn’t need this kind of fame and he couldn’t help it if millions of people who had read his Five Point Someone had spotted the issue.
The row erupted on Thursday, when Bhagat blogged, “Pre-release, the makers made press statements like the movie is only ‘very loosely’, ‘2%-5% inspired by the book’. After the release, those who have read the book and seen the movie (and frankly, I think those are the only people who have the right to comment) find the film to be an adaptation of Five Point Someone.’’
‘3 Idiots’ not an original story: Author Bhagat
New Delhi: Irked at the makers of ‘3 Idiots’ not giving him due credit, Chetan Bhagat, whose book Five Point Someone on which the film is based, has blogged, “The setting, characters, plotline, dramatic twists and turns, one-liners, theme, message—almost all aspects that make up the story are from FPS. Yes, there are some changes, any adaptation requires that—but it is no way an original story. Leading movie critics have admitted to me that the film is 70% the book. Still, don’t take my word for it—go read the book, watch the film.’’
But Aamir Khan’s thoughts are different. At a press meet on Thursday, he said, “It is unfortunate that Chetan is behaving in this manner.’’ The actor said scriptwriter Abhijat Joshi and director Rajkumar Hirani had “abided by the contract’’ entered into with Bhagat and the author had been given due credit as per the contract. “For three years, Joshi has been working on the script. It is unfortunate that Chetan is trying to take away the credit from someone not as famous as he is,’’ Aamir said. He also mentioned how Bhagat had dropped in on the sets of ‘3 Idiots’ one day. “During the course of the conversation, I told him that I was still to read FPS and I intended doing it sometime soon. Chetan then told me that Abhijat’s script is different and I need not necessarily read the book,’’ he said. In his blog, Bhagat has also said that “crores was poured into publicity on shutting me out and cementing the fact that ‘3 Idiots’ is not based on FPS. Bhagat added, “I wanted to see the final script—it was never shown to me. I wanted to see the film before release—it was not shown to me.” TNN
Ghaziabad theatre in dock for pirated DVDs
Reliance Big Pictures filed a police complaint against Galaxy Cinema suspecting it of helping in making pirated DVDs of the film 3 Idiots in Ghaziabad on Thursday. “The pirated DVDs of the film were available in the market from December 24 and it was from those prints that we got hold of the cap code marking which matched with this cinema hall. We then lodged an FIR against the hall,’’ Ghaziabad station road SHO Rashid Ali told TOI. It is learnt that the DVDs of the film were found in Delhi and UP which was tracked by Reliance. Kamal Gianchandani, COO (distribution) of Reliance Big Pictures, clarified, “The sleeves of the DVDs were available in the market but some of them did not have DVDs of the movie inside. Our enforcement team with the local authorities spoke to the local pirates and asked them not to sell the DVD for the first three weeks and also the MSOs asking them not to screen it for the first three weeks. Most of them honoured the commitment.’’ Nearly 2,000 DVDs were confiscated in raids conducted in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, and Sirsa in Haryana.
Fenil’s Bollywood Talk # 81
Posted on: December 31, 2009
ANY LESSONS LEARNT FROM 2009 MISTAKES?
Overall 2009 was a disappointing period for Bollywood. As what Ak_India mentioned in his DP that only 8% of films succeeded in this year which is very shocking. Many films got a nice opening and were well received by audiences as well as critics. Still, the films were hailed as Flop or Average due to their high costs. And that was one of the biggest reasons behind the debacle of many films. Films like Billu, Delhi-6, Kambakkht Ishq, Kaminey, Wake Up Sid, All The Best, London Dreams, De Dana Dan etc could had been super hits were they not produced and sold for such high prices. The problem of sky-high costs was accelerated by the wrong release time. Due to the producer-multiplex feud, no movies were released in the lucrative April and May period. As a result, as soon as strike ended, films after films started pouring every Friday. Obviously, common man cannot be expected to watch all films that release and thus, many films failed or did low business. For instance, All The Best could had been successful if it had not released with Blue. Aladin would have fared better had it not clashed with London Dreams. Jail would have got lots of audience if it had not released with the super hit Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.
Unfortunately, there is no concrete solution for the 2nd problem. Due to the strike, there is still a huge backlog that needs to be cleared and hence, in 2010 too, one might find multiple releases on lots of Fridays. But the cost of the film can definitely be cut down and the best solution is that the actors slash their prices. Why do superstars like Akshay Kumar charge 20+ crores? And why do producers agree to pay them? Biggie actors should not be given more than 8 or 9 crores. And if this upsets them, then they should be paid more but only if their film succeeds at the box office. This kind of arrangement would benefit all. Movies that are made for 40-50 crores at present would be finished in less than 30 crores. Thus, such film will have high chances of recovering their costs too.
Sadly, no one is thinking of enforcing such an alternative. And as the chapter of 2009 closes, we could see multiple releases even in the last week. Today (i.e. last day of 2009), 3 small films are slated to release-Raat Gayi Baat Gayi (RGBG), Accident On Hill Road (AOHR) and Bolo Raam (BR). It is obvious that all 3 of these films are going to flop. If only one film had hit the screens today, it would have chances of profiting. But no film will profit in this rat race. Not to forget, the 3 Idiots craze is still going on. Hence, all these films have dug their own graves by releasing today. RGBG looks like a complete entertainer; AOHR may work if it has a well-written climax. BR may be hard hitting but it will surely have lowest collections. When will these people learn?
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MOVIES THAT WILL ROCK IN 2010-PART 1
The following are the films that have big stars and have highest chances of succeeding at the box office. 2 of them are listed below and the rest will be discussed next week [lack of space 😦 ]:
MY NAME IS KHAN: A winner for sure! Although the film looks serious, it has managed to arouse curiosity. And anyways, the name of Shah Rukh Khan is enough to make almost everyone sit up and take notice. Kajol being paired opp SRK is like an icing on the cake. Also it has talented actors like Jimmy Shergill which, I don’t think, will be revealed in promos till the flick releases on Feb 12. The first look of the film made people assume that it’s based on terrorism. However, it’s not! To quote SRK, “It’s a love story with an epic feel” (Bombay Times). MNIK is thus expected to work not only in India but overseas too.
RAAVAN/RAVANA: Mark my words; this one would rock big big time! Unfortunately, when Bolly websites are discussing 2010 biggies, they aren’t mentioning this flick. There are many reasons as to why this film is special. Firstly, it is directed by talented-creative Mani Ratnam who never goes wrong. Secondly, it’s a present day version of Ramayana. And thirdly and the best part, the star cast and the characters that they play are just out of this world! Aishwarya Rai Bachchan plays Sita but Abhishek Bachchan isnt playing Rama! Instead, he’s Raavan in the film, i.e. the villain! Southern actor Vikram is Rama! Guess who plays Hanuman? None other than apna Govinda! Just imagine-Govinda in Mani’s film! Cool isnt it? Nikhil Dwivedi and Southern beauty Priyamani completes the main cast. The film is bi-lingual-it was shot in Tamil too but with slight change of cast. Vikram who plays Rama in Hindi version is Raavan in the Tamil version (hats off!). Prithviraj Sukumaran instead is Rama in Tamil version! Aishwariya Rai is acting in both the versions! The film is expected to release in May. Make sure you don’t miss it at any cost!
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT THURSDAY!
(AND WISHING EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!)
This post first appeared on MouthShut.com: http://www.mouthshut.com/diary/hdbhmtlmp/Fenils-Bollywood-Talk81
By JOGINDER TUTEJA (GLAMSHAM.COM)
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| RAAT GAYI BAAT GAYI |
RAAT GAYI BAAT GAYI releases on the last day of the year, 31st December. If this wasn’t surprising enough, the fact is that the date also falls on a Thursday. Wait, there is more. There are two more films slated for release on the same day – ACCIDENT ON HILL ROAD and BOLO RAAM, hence adding on to the crowd. Moreover, there is this entire 3 IDIOTS euphoria which is expected to spill over well into the second week. With so much happening around the release of this Neha Dhupia, Rajat Kapoor and Vinay Pathak starrer, was it a justified decision to arrive on this day?
“Yes, coming on 31st December is a very good decision”, says director Saurabh Shukla who has earlier made MUDDA – THE ISSUE and CHEHRA, “I will give you two reasons for that. First and foremost the film is actually about a party. Since it would be party mood for all on 31st Dec and 1st January, the story in the film fits in perfectly well with real life too.”
He goes on to explain the second reason. “Those who may not catch it on 31st December night would want to do so on the next day since it’s a holiday. And that’s because after 31st December hangover, there are only two ways to fight it. One is to drink again and another is to actually go for a movie. This is why our suggestion is ‘Why to drink again when you can have some good time in theaters while watching a movie?’
By Subhash K. Jha, December 28, 2009 – 13:03 IST
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| Click above for more movie stills |
Why did Genelia D’Souza rush to meet her director Ken Ghosh at midnight on Christmas Day when her family waited for her at home for the festivities?
At midnight on Thursday when Christmas day started, Ken Ghosh finished editing and post-production of Chance Pe Dance and was feeling like sharing the moment with his lead pair. Shahid Kapoor however, was unavailable. Genelia, Ken thought, would be busy celebrating Christmas with her family.
Says Ken, “Even I was supposed to be back home with my wife and kids for Christmas opening gifts (I love doing that). But since it was the final day of post-production, I had no way of avoiding work even on Christmas. I really wanted to share that moment with my actors.”
On an impulse Ken called up Genelia. “And guess what? She agreed to come down to Pixion in Bandra where I was editing straight from midnight mass which was in a Church nearby. I never thought she’d do this, what with Christmas being an important day in her home. But she did. But then Genelia has been hand-on with this project, almost like a part of the production team.”
Genelia’s enthusiasm for the editing and post-production of Chance Pe Dance was due to her proximity to the project, in more way than one. Explains Ken, “Genelia lives down the road from Pixion where we edited Chance Pe Dance. And her gym is in the same building as Pixion. So throughout the editing and post-production Genelia has been dropping in. But on Christmas midnight she outdid herself.”
Genelia rushed to the editing studio after midnight mass, saw the complete film and rushed home to join the family for Christmas. Says Ken emotionally, “Before she left she gave me the best Christmas gift ever. A big hug. Throughout the shooting of Chance Pe Dance she has been our sunshine girl. So much so that when she wasn’t on the sets, all of us would actually get depressed and perk up the minute she came back.”
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
On Thursday evening, a major fire broke out on the sets of Anees Bazmee’s No Problem. The unit was shooting in the middle of the sea for a vital action sequence. Suniel Shetty and Vishwajeet Pradhan almost became a victim of severe burns. However, prompt action saved them.
The fire extinguishers on the sets proved to be very handy. Suniel burnt his hands while Pradhan’s left leg suffered from major burns.
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| Vishvajeet Pradhan | Sunil Shetty |
Rajat Rawail, the producer of the film, said, “It was an important sequence that was being shot with all the main actors of the film, including Suniel Shetty and Vishwajeet Pradhan. We were shooting in the middle of the sea at the Yellow gate, when a sudden gush of wind led the fire to spiral out of our control. Sunil anna and Vishwajeet were trapped, but the production guys showed great presence of mind. They put out the fire with the extinguishers on the sets. We also had a doctor and a first-aid box on the sets, which made things better. Everything was under control in minutes. It is our job to take care of these things as a production unit. Anna’s hand is burnt, while Vishwajeet’s leg is burnt from his knee to the calf muscle. Thankfully, nothing serious happened.”
Vishwajeet tells us, “These things happen and despite all the precautions, the fire was just uncontrollable because of the sea breeze. My trousers were very thin. I guess it’s part of the game, but I am in pain right now. After the incident, I went to a doctor and even a skin specialist for treatment.”
– By Taran Adarsh, December 25, 2009 – 14:20 IST 
3 IDIOTS has embarked on one of the biggest starts ever. The film collected an enormous approx. Rs. 2.5 crores in paid previews on Thursday, which is the highest ever for a Hindi film. On Friday morning, the film started with a bang, opening to an extra-ordinary response from East to West, from North to South. Early indications are that the film will have a solid first day, at par, or perhaps more than GHAJINI. The industry feels that the Day 1 figures would be more than Rs. 10 crores nett. Fingers crossed.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
The first Indian ever to have got the opportunity to run with the Olympic torch, Akshay Kumar made all efforts to be a part of the run. He had to request director Priyadarshan to allow him to go to Toronto for the Olympic run on Thursday, December 17. While his excitement was palpable, he was also worried about dropping the torch while running.
Akshay said before leaving, “As I am getting ready to leave for Toronto, I just keep telling myself one thing over and over again, ‘No matter what happens Akshay, don’t drop that torch. Naak kat jayegi.’ It would be so embarrassing. I would never be allowed to visit Canada.”
Akshay regretted not being able to take along his son Aarav. “It’s just for a day so I somehow managed to squeeze it in my schedule. But it would be too tiring for Aarav. If I was going for 5-6 days I would have taken my wife and son along.”
Akshay was working round the clock to beat the deadline for his departure to Toronto last night. The untiring actor said, “Only when I go home in the night do I allow myself the luxury to feel tired. On December 17, I run with the torch then I return to Canada next year to see some of the Olympic’s sports. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
On November 16, the Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper handed over the Olympian torch to Akshay in Mumbai. “When I was given the torch some kids came running to just to touch that torch. I can’t tell you what a proud moment that was. I remember, as a child I used to watch sportsmen carrying the torch on our black-and-white television,” said an elated Akshay.
| When Akshay Kumar went to see the Farah Khan-choreographed lingerie show, little did he know that the models would flaunt more than the products. They decided to convince him of their other skills as well – acting and high drama, for they almost got into a catfight. If the lingerie wasn’t enough, this was a great way to ahem, arouse interest.
Akshay is starring in Farah Khan’s Tees Maar Khan and they rightly deduced that he would need a leading actress. This was a perfect opportunity to market themselves to the star. Farah is already inundated with calls from actresses to play the role, so this was their chance and they started on the ramp itself.
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Says a source who attended the show, “Akshay and his wife Twinkle were seated in front of the stage. Those girls were smiling at Akshay from the ramp itself.”
As soon as the lingerie show was over, three girls from the show walked up to Akshay and said, “Tees Maar Khan mein fit kara do.” Akshay smiled and casually told them that there was only one female lead in that film. At this, all three of them started insisting that they were better than the other two.
Realising that the girls were in no mood to relent, Akshay palmed them off to Farah Khan, who was mingling with the guests at the time.
Yet the girls followed Akshay, who soon got a bit embarrassed because Twinkle was with him. This time, he turned to them and said rather categorically, “Please understand. It doesn’t work like this. You have to speak to Farah only.”
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Sensing that they better follow his advice, the girls then went over to Farah. Says an eyewitness, “They even gave her their portfolio.”
We called Farah, who dryly remarked, “Yes, I know about this. Those girls were auditioning for Akshay.”
“All the girls who participated in the show had great bodies. I have collected quite a few portfolios in the last few days. Let’s see who gets selected eventually,” added Farah.
By Taran Adarsh, December 10, 2009 – 08:58 IST
Everyone thought 3 IDIOTS was the final release of 2009. Sure, the film is the final biggie to hit the screens on 25th December, but three more films – all medium-budget fares – are lined up for release in the subsequent week.
In view of the fact that the first week of new year is considered jinxed by industry people and producers refrain from releasing films in the first week, three independent producers have decided to release the film on Thursday, 31st December, which makes these three the final releases of 2009.
As things stand today, the three films, RAAT GAYI, BAAT GAYI?, BOLO RAAM and ACCIDENT ON HILL ROAD, have been confirmed for release on 31st December. The question is, will they stick to that date? And if they do, how will the audience react to them given the fact that its celebration time across the globe? Let’s wait and watch!
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
