Manjari of Jaane Tu and Siddu From Seekakulam is on a roll. She has signed another Telugu film. Manjari has paired up with the young hero Raja in his new film to be directed by Suman Paturi and produced by Kalyan Palla.
Suman Paturi acted as the co-director for the successful film Vennela which also had Raja as the lead actor. He then left for San Francisco to study filmmaking for a while. Kalyan Palla has made a name for himself as a distributor and exhibitor of Telugu movies in USA.
This new movie with Raja and Manjari also has Richa Pollad as the second female lead. Story and screenplay is provided by Raj & DK and Mahesh Shankar of Vennela is scoring the music. Nagaraju Gandham of Gamyam fame is writing the dialogues. Cinematography is handled by Ranga who studied in the Pune Film Institute and worked under Santosh Sivan in the past. Shooting starts on December 2nd, and the movie is tentatively scheduled for a May 2009 release.
Raja, Manjari pair up together
Twenty:20 audio launched
The audio of AMMA’s multi-starrer Twenty:20 was launched successfully last week in Kochi.
Innocent the President of AMMA, gave the first CD album to Manju Dileep.
The audio has been purchased at a record price by Manorama Music. The audio has all the four songs from the film. As a bonus along with the music CD, a video CD of the ‘Making of Twenty: 20’ is also given free with the album. It is for the first time a video CD has been given along with a Malayalam film audio CD.
Those who attended the audio launch included Dileep, Shaji Kailas, Siyad Kokker and Manorma Music chief Sivaram Srikanth.
6 Days to Diwali!
Only six days to Diwali 2008! It looks like there are only three biggies - Aegan, Vaaranam Aayiram and Seval for Diwali this year!
There are simply no theatres to screen more than three biggies in many centers in Tamilnadu. As of now all the best screens in most areas have been taken up by these films.
Suddenly Vaaranam Aayiram has got a short in the arm as Gautham Menon and his team is aggressively marketing the film. Many theatres in the state have shown a marked preference for the film.
The release dates are as follows-
Aegan- Release date, October 25, Saturday, Advance Booking in Chennai city from Oct 22.
Vaaranam Aayiram- Release Date, October 27, Monday, Diwali Day.
Seval. Release Date, October 27, Diwali Day.
Prying cameras messed up Karva Chauth: Big B
Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan says that prying cameras disturbed the Karva Chauth, a festival that celebrates wedded bliss, at his house.
"The prying electronic media positioned themselves at vantage points to invade private space inside our home. It is callous, abhorrent act. Our privacy was invaded without our consent," Amitabh lashed out.
Karva Chauth was on Friday and Amitabh was discharged from Lilavati Hospital here the same day after being treated for six days for an abdominal condition. This was his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai's second Karva Chauth.
"Otherwise, the ladies of the house were happy and content. They involved themselves with all the rituals connected with the occasion and the evening went off delightfully well," he added.
On Aishwarya's first Karva Chauth too secret TV cameras planted behind bushes ruined the solemnity and sanctity of the occasion.
Ajay Devgan explains Golmaal Returns
Ajay Devgan returns with Golmaal Returns and reveals what he thinks about Shreyas Thalpade, making a sequel, the audience in Britain and much more.
You return with Golmaal again. Are you looking forward to it?
Of course I am, because the first part was really appreciated and still people come up to me and say that they've formed Golmaal Returns groups which is on the net also. When we started Golmaal Returns, we were very hesitant as it had to be funnier than or at least as funny as the first part. So there were many scripts we looked at but eventually we found one and we all thought that it was funnier than the first one.
Did Sharman Joshi's absence make you feel vulnerable?
Initially, we were wondering how we were going to fit in Sharman in the film. But the first day when Shreyas performed, we were all at ease. I think that Shreyas is fantastic.
Are you happy that you all have a woman in your life now?
Yeah, you're right. We were missing them in the first one. But the fact is that the script demanded it and female leads were not forced in Golmaal Returns.
You've worked with Kareena in Omkara and now in Golmaal Returns. How was it to unite back?
It feels great. I've known her since many years now. It is very important for the co-actors to get along especially in a film like Golmaal Returns because you improvise a lot where humour is concerned and when you keep jelling and then pulling each others leg, it works both ways, isn't it?
Tell us a bit about the comic song where Celina holds you on the ship.
That was really funny. You have to see it to believe it. It was a bit difficult to shoot that song but it all went well. It is the funniest song of the film.
Do you think Rohit Shetty making comedy instead of action is working for him?
Rohit joined us as an assistant in Phool Aur Kaante. Since then, he has been with us. Then he joined Devgan Films. So as a kid brother, as a colleague and as a friend he has been with me for more than 15 years. I know he is good at action but right now he is doing good for himself by making comic films. I always knew that he had a great potential of becoming a director and that's why he started Zameen and now that he has proved himself, there is no looking back for Rohit.
U.K audiences are the most unpredictable. Good films are being rejected here. What have you to say?
That's all over the world. It's happening everywhere right now. But I think that good scripts eventually work and something must be terribly wrong with some films which don't work. What has happened is that people now a days only want to be entertained. So when they are depressed, they don't want to watch another depressing story. But if you show them comedy and family dramas, it works. The problem with such audiences is that they don't want to experiment. They want to forget their personal issues and want to go and enjoy with family. They aren't bothered in which way you entertain them, but they have to be and that's the bottom line.
After U, Me Aur Hum, what next Mr Director Devgan?
I am working on a script right now. I don't want to make films which are just regular films. It has to really come from my heart. The script has to move me. U, Me Aur Hum, in fact, did well in the U.K and now I'm working on something which is a little whacko. Devgan Films is also working on two or three more scripts which I won't be directing.
We also know that the inbox of your email is filled with more than 250 emails from fans across the globe. Hows the idea of interacting with your fans in the UK working?
I am interacting with everybody and not only the UK audiences. It's just that I am in the country right now shooting for London Dreams and I thought that this can be a fantastic way of interacting with one of Indian Film Industry's biggest market after India, London. U.K is like a second home to us.
Did Shreyas Talpade get along well with you?
He jelled in the first day itself. In fact you should ask him how he did that. He got so comfortable with all of us. Maybe everyone knew what to expect from everyone after having seen Golmaal, the prequel. I like the crew to sit down together and eat. I knew that Shreyas was the new one in the gang and if we did not make an effort of making him comfortable, I believe it could've messed up many things. It was just about breaking the ice on the first day and everything from then onwards was a smooth ride.
How was the experience of stretching your legs between two hummers?
I didn't stretch my legs in between the hummer, I was standing on it. The stretching was done in Phool Aur Kaante. It was comfortable and Rohit wanted to continue where I left from Golmaal part one where I was seen on bikes. He wanted to elaborate a more and thus, went for the hummers.
You've won the National Awards twice but we all know that they're under a big scrutiny. Do you think it's losing its national pride?
I really don't know what happens where, and what leads to what. But I hope things remain good so that the credibility of the National Awards is maintained. That gives you a high or else they'll fall flat.
You're happy that Studio 18 is marketing and distributing your film Golmaal Returns? Your last film saw Eros International doing the same.
It's not about name here. Both are good. There are so many films coming up and so many means of entertainment. Everybody is so busy. So you need to divert their attention and inform them that it's time for some light entertainment. Though this may sound simple and easy but it's not and Studio 18 knows it. But, ultimately it's all decided after that Friday night when reality hits you. So you really need to market your films to grab the audience's attention in today's time.
Golmaal is returning two years after its prequel. Did you see the first part before you started shooting the second?
No. The film has a very different story all together. It's got similar characters but their characterisation is different. It's another script at another level. It has nothing to do with part one but it will make you laugh more than part one, I'm sure.
How are you going to celebrate Diwali this year?
By watching Golmaal Returns I guess. Diwali is a time of happiness. That's why I think Golmaal Returns is releasing at the appropriate time. It's an entertainer. So go, watch and laugh this Diwali. It's going to be fun unlimited.
The day Akshay Kumar cried
A director had once told her that she cannot act. But years later, Hema Malini became famous as Bollywood's 'dream girl'. A composer once told him that he could never become a singer but Yeshudas went on to become a legendary singer. Similarly, some people from the ad world told him that he will never find success, but today he is known as the 'Khiladi of Bollywood'.
Akshay Kumar was the special guest in this week's episode of Sajid Khan's television show, Sajid's Superstars. The host, in his usual manner digs out facts about Akshay's struggling days.
The superstar talks about his first big break. "I remember I was chosen to go to Bangalore to do an ad. I was told to come to the airport at 5:30 and was signed for Rs. 11,000, which at that time was a big amount." Akshay confesseD that he was so happy about getting this assignment that he went and raved about it to his parents and sister.
"It was an opportunity of a lifetime for me. I was very excited," he states.
But things were not destined to work out the way Akshay had planned. The actor added: "Suddenly, early morning next day, I got a call asking, kahan hai tu bewakoof, we are all waiting at the airport. Where are you?' Actually, there was some confusion. They told me to report at the airport at 5:30 in the morning and I misunderstood it. I thought I had to reach there in the evening."
But what happened after that made the Singh Is Kinng star cry. "They told me that people like me who are so unprofessional in life can never make it big. I cried a lot, all my dreams were shattered," revealed Akshay.
Meet Sonu Sood, the new Prem
Rajshri productions has found its new Prem, a character immortalised by Salman Khan over the years thanks to films like Maine Paar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hai Kaun and Hum Saath Saath Hai. As Sonu Sood steps into the shoes of Salman Khan in Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi, a lot is being expected from the new Prem who is all excited to play this role.
Oh yes, after Salman Khan and also after Shahid Kapur. Even Shahid did a great job as Prem. This is one character I have always loved to watch since Maine Pyar Kiya, but never thought I would be playing Prem one day. So it's a great feeling.
So finally you are getting your dues as an actor…
You know something… (pauses). I somehow feel that patience pays and may be it's my mother's blessings who passed away last year. I have put in so much in this industry and have learnt it the hard way and suddenly things have started paying off. So I can only be happy.
You mean your last two films, Jodhaa Akhbar and Singh Is Kinng, which have gone on to become the biggest hits of the year?
Of course what else can I ask for and I am sure Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi is again going to be a hit… probably a bigger hit. Everyone, every actor waits for things to happen. Even I waited and now I think it's my turn to enjoy things and I am doing it.
So you accept that this is the best phase of your career so far?
Why deny it? This is by far the best phase. I am playing Prem, a romantic lead. I have done action films, comedy but not a romantic hero. So this will be a big thing for me.
Okay, but doesn't that also make you nervous?
Oh no…not at all. As an actor I am ready to play all kinds of roles. The audiences might not have seen me in a romantic role but that doesn't mean I am not fit for playing a romantic hero. Rajshri is known for making romantic, family dramas. Prem has always been a loveable character and this Prem too would be liked by everyone.
But don't you think comparisons will be drawn with the earlier Prem too?
This is something that is unavoidable. And I don't have any problems with that. I am ready to accept whatever one has to say. Right now I am happy that I am playing this character that has been accepted and loved by the Indian audience. You won't believe, when the trials were going for Prem, Sooraj-ji and his father Raj babu said, "The industry is going to get its next romantic hero in the form of Sonu". That was the most encouraging compliment for me.
That sounds really interesting!
(Laughs). You won't believe since then I have been getting offers, quite a few and all are from the biggest banners and they are only coming up with romantic leads. I am going through a few of them… (sighs) I really don't know what's going to happen next.
So how different is this Prem from the earlier ones?
Like the earlier ones this Prem too is a very lovable character, someone with whom every common Indian can connect… but this Prem is not just a lovey-dovey character only. I have tried to incorporate the humorous side of Prem too but at the same time Prem is a very practical man.
Tell me something, what is playing in your mind right now? Are you going to give it a go?
Why not? I am ready for romantic leads. And it's not just romantic films I am doing a lot of comedy. In fact my next film Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge is a comedy with Soha Ali Khan and Paresh Rawal.
In fact Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi will also see you as a solo lead for the first time?
Yes, and that is what has given a boost to my confidence. Even Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge will have me as the solo lead. Then next year I start for J P Dutta's film. And as I said now the offers are only for romantic leads. I hope everything goes fine for me from now on. I have done good films earlier too but now I am getting offers for playing a variety of roles.
Aamir returns to blog with 'ants'
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan who has been missing from cyber space for over two months, has posted on his blog his strange encounter with a colony of ants that bit him en mass while he was sleeping.
“After a long day at work, I went to bed at around 3 a.m. A couple of hours later, deep in sleep I had this vague feeling of being bitten on my ear. Gradually I was being bitten on my stomach, legs, neck. I was so sleepy that I just kept cursing, scratching, turning and tossing. Finally it got really unbearable, and I kind of woke up to see my bed filled with ants,” Aamir wrote on his blog www.aamirkhan.com on Friday.
“There were hundreds of them! Crawling all over and giving me hell. I had to jump under the shower and then went and crashed on my couch,” he added.
Considering that ants swarm around anything that has some sugar level as they feed on it, the actor joked: “I guess they found something really sweet on that bed, and since K (wife Kiran) was out on a night shoot I am assuming it was me.”
Aamir also apologised for his uninformed absence from writing regularly on his blog.
“I suppose you all want to know why I have been away so long. Well I'm not sure I can explain. I guess I needed to be by myself for a while. Still, I should have expressed that. My apologies,” the actor wrote.
Sanju Baba turns expensive
Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt is on a signing spree and accepting new projects at a price he never commanded before - a staggering Rs.15 crores/150 million per film.
Even at his new price the actor is now booked till the end of 2010 for 28 assignments, so much so that director Rohit Jugraj will be able to start his bio-pic with the actor only in 2011.
The new rate is thanks to good friend and colleague Suniel Shetty, who generously hiked Sanjay's price when he signed on the actor for a multi-film deal for his production house Popcorn Entertainment.
Dharam Oberoi, CEO of Sanjay Dutt Productions, said: "It is true Anna (Suniel) raised Baba's (Sanjay) price in the market. Before that Baba was being taken for granted price-wise by all and sundry. Anna was adamant about Baba's price and started a new precedent by paying him far above what Baba got from others."
He added: "Suniel is one of his dearest friends and responsible for initiating the remuneration that you've quoted."
Having completed EMI with Suniel, Sanjay has now signed another big project with his company that will feature the two actors as warring heroes locked in a dramatic conflict. The big-budgeted Sanjay-Suniel action drama is to go on the floors soon, all thanks to Sanjay who magically accommodated the new assignment into his schedule even if it meant working a little harder.
"Anything for Suniel is Baba's motto," said Oberoi. "Baba has accommodated a new assignment with Anna into his schedule at a time when he couldn't afford to. It means he has to work harder."
Suniel is co-producing EMI with Ekta Kapoor and the film is being directed by debutant Saurav Kabra.
Sanjay recently suffered a leg injury in the gym, but he left for Bangkok to do action scenes for director Anthony D'Souza's Blue against doctors' orders. He was advised by doctors to let the limb heal itself out.
"Baba can't afford to delay any project. In fact, he was really concerned when he had to cancel a small portion of the dubbing for Anna's EMI on the day he injured his leg. While he was on the cycle, something gave way in his leg and Baba was in acute pain. In his typical way, he tried to brush it off as no big deal. But then the pain got unbearable and it came to a point where he could barely walk.
"With his tight schedule and his typical attitude of bravado, Baba refused to take the injury seriously. But he was forced to undergo tests. It was revealed that there was severe swelling in his leg that would take quite some time to heal."
Disregarding doctors' diktats Sanjay flew off to Bangkok to join the already-waiting cast of Blue even if the stunts slowed down the healing process of his legs.
"That's Baba for you. Even when going underwater was potentially harmful to his already weak lungs he went 40-feet under for Blue in the Bahamas. And now he's doing stunts in Bangkok with his injured leg with Akshay Kumar."
Amitabh thanks fans, hits out at media on blog
Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who was discharged Friday from the Lilavati Hospital here after being treated for an abdominal condition, has thanked his fans for their good wishes but has hit out at the media for being "insensitive" while reporting on his illness.
“My sincerest thanks to all who gave me strength to fight another medical battle. The fans and well-wishers. The media friends who wrote in on my mobile. Friends who visited me at the hospital and those that wrote in. Strangers who I never met or know,” Amitabh wrote on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com Friday.
“Your love overwhelms me. Your concern for my well-being humbles me. I owe so much to you,” the blog further read.
Amitabh slammed the media in the blog and mocked at their paparazzi approach when he was being taken to hospital in an ambulance after he had complained of abdominal pain on his 66th birthday on October 11.
“There is a muted silence outside. No one says a word, except the media. They clamour and scream for that exclusive shot, invading the sanctity of the ambulance. They would never understand the sensitivity of the situation,” he wrote.
He added: “Media is an added hindrance to a smooth, quick emergent ride to Nanavati. If they had their way they would ideally want to be seated on the stretcher with me and have me answering questions - 'What would be the celebrations for the birthday sir and will you be inviting Shah Rukh'. Insensitive. Callous.”
Posting two back-to-back notes Friday evening, Amitabh also explained his hospital experience in detail from the time he was rushed first to Nanavati Hospital and followed by his stay in Lilavati hospital where he was shifted the same day.
Diagnosed with incisional hernia, the Big B had been in hospital for a week. He went back home in his own car and was accompanied by son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai.
The star said he had plans of “rest and recuperation” at home apart from giving company to the women in his house for a quick glance of the moon from the roof to break their fast on Karva Chauth, which he termed a “torturous practice”.
