Posts Tagged ‘upset’
Aamir is very powerful man, but finally the truth has to prevail-Chetan Bhagat
Posted on: January 4, 2010
- In: Interviews
- 1 Comment
By Subhash K. Jha, January 4, 2010 – 14:18 IST
Those multitudes who have read Chetan Bhagat’s book novel Five Point Someone would agree there are uncanny resemblances between the novel and Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots. The film apparently set out to adapt Bhagat’s novel and then decided to go its own way, for whatever reason. Chetan Bhagat shouts foul as he finds his name missing from the opening credits of 3 Idiots, instead they are in the rolling credits in the end. On the other hand, the producers of the film claim that it was mentioned in the contract that Chetan had signed. Hurt and amused Chetan reacts.
You must be very upset by the latest proceedings?
You’re a writer. You should know how it feels to have credit taken away from you. And it’s not something only I’m saying. It’s out there. The book is there. The film is there. They’ve tried to take away from my contribution. My name is at the very end of the credit titles after the junior artistes and still photographers. From the time they started making the film, they’ve been stressing that their product is different. It’s like a systematic effort (to underplay my contribution). If you read the book and saw the film, you’ll see the similarities.
 My name is at the very end of the credit titles after the junior artistes and still photographers  |
So would you say 3 Idiots is an adaptation of your novel?
3 Idiots is a total adaptation of my book. Some things are direct lifts, others indirect adaptations.
Aamir thinks you are trying to take away credit from the film’s writer Abhijat Joshi?
I heard his comments. But then he says he hasn’t read the book. There’s no denying Abhijat has done the screenplay. What Abhijat has done with my book can only be known if you’ve read it. If Aamir is so concerned about Abhijat not getting the publicity, he should let Abhijat talk. I very much respect Aamir. He’s the reason I thought the project would have a lot of integrity. I know for a fact he was told not to read my book because they told him it’d affect his understanding of his story. I was told it was a different script.
| Even dialogues about matar-paneer and Maruti 800 cars are from my novel. The novel was set in the 1990s. Aaj Maruti 800 kaun bolega? |
How would Aamir’s perception have been affected if he read the book?
I don’t know. I’m on a firm footing with the facts. See the film, read the book. And judge for yourself. The whole plot-structure narrative, even dialogues about matar-paneer and Maruti 800 cars are from my novel. The novel was set in the 1990s. Aaj Maruti 800 kaun bolega? I mention 42 exams and 16 broken bones in my body. They have kept the same numbers in the film. Kareena’s brother committing suicide on the railway tracks…so many other things in the film; it’s all there in my novel.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Aamir have accused you of trying to make mileage out of their movie?
If I didn’t take up the issue properly, I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself. If someone else goes and collects the award for best story at the awards functions how will I feel? Only once I met Aamir. When I landed at Bangalore where they were shooting 3 Idiots they said, ‘Don’t come we’ve too many visitors.’ They prevented me from going on the set. The book has been selling for six years. There’re lakhs of fans of the book. It’s not about Chetan being naraaz and Aamir being naraaz. My issue is not with Aamir. When the other film Hello based on my novel One Night At The Call Centre came, did I say one word against the characterizations or treatment? I was credited properly for that. I haven’t been credited for 3 Idiots.
| When I landed at Bangalore where they were shooting 3 Idiots they said, ‘Don’t come we’ve too many visitors.’ They prevented me from going on the set. |
Have you become embittered towards Bollywood?
You could make up any kind of contract. But is there any contract that stops people from being petty? My last novel Three Mistakes Of My Life is being directed by Abhishek Kapoor. I am co-scripting it. There’s a lot of interest in adapting my latest novel 2 States: The Story Of My Life. I don’t think there would be any problem with future project. With 3 Idiots, I know I’m in the right. I’m just telling people to see the film and read my book. I know Aamir is a very powerful person. But finally the truth has to prevail, no? I’m no great artiste. But there has to be fair play. I’m being accused of trying to get mileage.10 lakh copies of the book have been sold. The book has been read by 1 crore readers. Wouldn’t they know the truth?
What do you intend to do?
The makers of 3 Idiots are busy with their victory tours all over the country. They’re naturally being asked about the similarities between my book and the film. Sorry I spoilt their celebrations. The truth had to be told. I’ve been told by them, ‘You’re just a writer. You don’t realize how big we are.’ Maybe I don’t realize how big they are. Main kya karoon? But the truth is above everything. Aisa nahin ke pura Bollywood kharaab hai.
Do you think you’ll be ostracized by Bollywood after this incident?
I’m not dependent on Bollywood for my livelihood. I’m a big Krishna bhakt. I’ll follow the right path. If I’m wrong I’ll leave writing and join ISKCON. What does a writer want? That his words should make a change in society. Maybe by taking up this issue I hope to bring about a change in the way writers are treated. Vidhu Vinod Chopra assured me that he would treat me like a king. Kahan ka raja?
| Vidhu Vinod Chopra assured me that he would treat me like a king. Kahan ka raja? |
What do you hope to achieve?
When they go to pick up the story award I want people to know whose story it is. When they make eye contact with their children they should know they’re lying. We’ve to show that truth comes before everything else. I don’t write for money or glamour. I just need paper and pen. Lord Krishna takes care of the rest.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
MUMBAI MIRROR RUMOUR: Katrina upset after Ranbir moves away from her and gets close to Deepika!
Posted on: December 25, 2009
Will he get back together with Deepika Padukone, we had asked Ranbir recently? “I hope so,” he had replied with a smile (Ranbir Wants Deepika Back, Mumbai Mirror, December 4).
Encouraged by the ice that broke between the once-madly-in-love couple at a party recently (Mumbai Mirror, December 21, Table Manners), Ranbir has now decided to get his plan of getting back with Deepika in action.
Ranbir has started distancing himself from Katrina Kaif, his Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Raajneeti co-star, with whom he had got ‘very friendly’. He has reduced his interaction with Katrina. Earlier, he would message Katrina frequently, but of late, it is less frequent. The bonhomie, camaraderie and whatever he shared with Katrina seems to be over.
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| Ranbir Kapoor | Katrina Kaif |
A source says, “Ranbir is seriously considering getting back with Deepika. After he got talking to her at a recent party hosted by Maheep Kapoor and Nandita Mahtani, his desire to revive his relationship with Deepika has intensified.”
Explaining why he needs to take a few steps back in his ‘friendship’ with Katrina, the source adds, “Deepika cannot stand the sight of Katrina. Distancing himself from Katrina will only facilitate his getting closer to Deepika.”
Although the two girls have never worked together, there is a strong undercurrent of stress and discomfort, whenever they come face-to-face. In a TV interview, Deepika had candidly admitted to feeling insecure about her relationship 
with Ranbir, when rumours about his affinity for Katrina broke out. It may be recalled that she had even visited her then boyfriend while he was shooting for Raajneeti with Katrina in Bhopal and stayed there for 12 days.
Ranbir’s sudden aloofness towards Katrina, is taking a toll on the actress. “Katrina has been very upset about the recent turn of events,” says the source.
Vishal Bhardwaj is upset that the promo of his forthcoming film Ishqiya has not been passed by the censor board. The promo was to go on air from December 20. Only if Vishal agrees to beep the word ‘sex’ from a dialogue, will he be allowed to air it. The dialogue is spoken by Arshad Warsi and addressed to Naseeruddin Shah
Now Vishal has no option but to beep the apparently offensive word from the promo.
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| Ishqiya |
Vinayak Azad, Regional Manager, Censor Board says, “We had initially passed the promo with an ‘A’ certificate for a theatrical release. Now they want a U/A certificate as they wanted it to air on television, which we allowed. Since the impact of the promos is higher on television because it is shown repeatedly, we asked for the word ‘sex’ to be beeped out. I believe they are not happy about it and want to approach the revising committee.”
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| Vishal Bhardwaj |
The director, of course, doesn’t agree with the board’s views. Vishal Bhardwaj says, “It’s sad. Our society is regressing so much that we fear to even utter the word ‘sex’. And this is why India is the worst AIDS-affected country in the world. The people on the board who have objected to the word should remember they are in this world because of sex.”
By Subhash K. Jha, December 14, 2009 – 11:13 IST
Ken Ghosh admits he had loud arguments with Shahid Kapoor on the sets during the shooting of Chance Pe Dance.
But it had to do with Shahid’s suddenly-saturated schedules.
Says Ken, “For the first time in his career Shahid was doing three films at the same time-Kaminey, Dil Bole Hadippa and my film Chance Pe Dance. Naturally there was a conflict of interest.”
Ken admits there were loud arguments over Shahid’s schedules. “I’d ask for three days. He would have only one day to spare. I’d naturally be upset. Then understandably, Shahid wanted time off. He couldn’t be seen on my set straight after shooting for one of the other two films. This naturally led to heated arguments. For me as a director it was okay to come on the sets without sleep. But Shahid had to catch up on his resting time. Or the dark circles would have shown on camera. And since Shahid is fair-complexioned those dark circles would be even more visible.”
The last thing that Ken wanted was for his hero to fall ill. “Priyanka Chopra had to be hospitalized because of overwork and exhaustion. I didn’t want Shahid to go through the same experience.”
The effort has been worth it for both Shahid and Ken. “Shahid’s dancing in Chance Pe Dance is the film’s mainstay. But his performance is not just about dancing. Some of the things he has done with in the dramatic scenes took me by surprise. Shahid has brought subtle expressions into scenes which I didn’t catch while shooting. Only during editing I realized what he had done.”
Ken Ghosh who introduced Shahid Kapoor in Ishq Vishq five years ago admits the actor has changed. “Isn’t change inevitable? We all evolve with time. Shahid is no exception.”
So are the stories of a rift between the two true?
Ken doesn’t deny the fact that there were heated arguments and fights during the making of Chance Pe Dance. “But they were all for the betterment of the film. See when Shahid did his first film Ishq Vishq with me he only had that film on hand and was able to give me his full attention.”
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Bharati Dubey | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; November 30, 2009)The actor apologised to Shah Rukh and his family on a talk show on Saturday night. When he was told that Shah Rukh’s children, who were his fans, were upset with him because of his blog, Aamir said, “I really respect Shah Rukh, especially because he is a family man. He takes care of his family. If I have hurt their sentiments, I offer my unconditional apology to Shah Rukh and his family.’’
Aamir denied that he called Shah Rukh the number 2 star. “I had said I consider Sachin Tendulkar as the numero uno, but he does not say that himself.’’
On the remark about calling his dog SRK, Aamir said it was said as a joke. He no longer calls the dog Shah Rukh, but calls him Shaaki.
A few days back, Vivek Oberoi was woken up at 6 in the morning with an SMS. It was a text message from his Kurbaan co-star Saif Ali Khan, praising Vivek Oberoi him for his work in the film.
“I’ve craved for this kind of appreciation,” admits Vivek candidly, “I wanted people to see me for my work and not have a coloured perspective because of whatever’s transpired in the past.”
The actor’s gone through his share of trouble, both personally and professionally. “One thing I’ve learnt is that it’s easier to deal with failure than to deal with success. If you don’t know what to do with success, then you lose the plot. Success had gone to my head. I was surrounded by people who kept pushing me in the wrong direction and I kept going there, and when it finally hit me, I was like, how did this happen?
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| Vivek Oberoi |
Those four-five years were just a blur, then to understand and recover from that took time,” he says, wisened from the experience.
But yes, there were times when he was completely down in the dumps too. “There was a time when I felt that everything I did was going to backfire. It was difficult to keep my sense of reason or humour at a time like that. One day, I was really upset and my mom asked me what’s wrong. I said I just feel completely lost — there was so much professional and personal upheaval. Then she pulled out a copy of one of my first interviews during Company and said ‘start here’. I read that and realised this is what I was,” he recounts.
The journey to recover started with Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara and life seems to have taken a turn for the better since then. His performance in Kurbaan has been appreciated and the actor’s looking forward to Prince — It’s Showtime, where he plays a slick, stylish thief and his mentor Ram Gopal Varma’s Rakta Charitra.
Vivek realises he has been given a second lease in his career. “I think in my seven years, something I have realised pretty late is the value of opportunity. What stands between me and a lot of talented actors is a platform that Mr Varma gave me, and the second time around, I got it with Kurbaan. Then I’ve got Kumar Taurani backing me with a big film and it’s a dream to be working with my mentor Ramu again,” he says.
The smile on his face says it all when he adds, “I’ve realised the whole idea of carrying grudges, negativity, anger, hatred and enmity just bogs you down. I’m at peace now. When I started out, it was more of a high, right now, I’m humbled.” So Vivek’s finally grown up? He’s quick to answer, “I’ve a better understanding of who I am now.” That’s more than what most would say.
