[Showbiz News] 3 July 2008 bollywood

[.BZU.]

Akshaye Khanna in Farhan Akhtar's Voice From The Sky:

Farhan Akhtar has finally found the leading man for his next, Voice From The Sky. It's Akshaye Khanna with whom Farhan had teamed up with optimum creative satisfaction in his first directorial venture Dil Chahta Hai.

Saif who has also teamed with Farhan in Dil Chahta Hai and in fact acknowledges the film as a turning point, opted out of Voice From The Sky a couple of months ago. Revealing the change in cast Farhan says, "Yes, it is Akshaye Khanna. Naam lock kiya jaye. I'm confident. Both Saif and Akshaye are my buddies. I needed an actor of really good caliber, at the same time sensitive sophisticated, a guy who seems extremely hard from the outside but is soft from the inside. Both Saif and Akshaye fitted the bill. Saif didn't work out."

Continues Farhan, "There're many reasons why Akshaye works amazingly for the film. Akshaye is damn excited. He loves his role. And I love him in the role. It'd be great fun working with Akshaye again. Fortunately, all the actors I've worked with so far have been a pleasure."

The main role of a young boy is yet to be cast. "The story belongs to the boy. But three other characters played by Akshaye Khanna and two women (whom I'm yet to cast) play very important roles in the boy's life. Akshaye's story is integral to the plot. It's an extremely important role. And he's kicked by the script and by the part. Akshaye knows it's a very important part. Otherwise he wouldn't do it."

As for the boy? "We've a short-list of 12-15 boys now. And no, Darsheel Safary was not considered at all. I 'm looking for a totally untried face." Farhan starts filming Voice From The Sky in November. "Then there's Don 2. Which will have all the actors from the first Don including Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra, of course. The story and screenplay are done. Voice From The Sky was scripted right after Dil Chahta Hai. Don 2 I started writing a few months after Don released. So this year I only have releases as an actor. Next year I'll have two releases as a director."


Motorola, Abhishek and Aadesh tie up for 'Bollywood Meets Hollywood':


Aadesh's first international track 'Bollywood Meets Hollywood' with American rapper Wyclef Jean and Abhishek Bachchan hits stores in the India in July. To be released under the Sony ?BMG label, the song is expected to be a big hit.

To promote the song Aadesh has tied up for a commercial with Motorola, which will feature Abhishek, Aadesh and Wyclef Jean. Says Aadesh, "The track is part of my album with Wyclef entitled Carnival 2. As you know Wyclef and I flew down to Miami to record the number with Abhishek who was shooting there for Karan Johar's film. 'Bollywood Meets Hollywood' is already a craze abroad. Youtube is filled with the song. We've big plans for the song in India. I hope it would be like a singing launch for Abhishek."

Aadesh plans to tie up with other international super-artistes like Justin Timberlake in the near future. "I missed the chance recently because I was busy judging a reality show in India. Never mind. Justin's company is very keen to tie up with us

Himesh delivers music of Karzzzz on mother's birthday :

Trust Himesh Reshammiya to go back to his roots even when it comes to his professional journey. Ever so fond of his parents who shaped his career over the years, Himesh is particularly nostalgic when it comes to acknowledging the respect he has for his mother.

He has always believed in doing something auspicious on 29th June, the day when his mother's birthday falls. This is why last year he released his debut film as an actor, Aap Kaa Surroor - The Moviee on 29th June. The trend has now continued in 2008 as well since he has given the delivery of the music track of Karzzzz to Bhushan Kumar on the same day.

Informs Himesh's friend, "Himesh bhai wanted the music of Karzzzz to be blessed by his mom on her birthday. The film, music and the songs are extra special since Himesh's voice and music will be heard after a gap of one year. He is very excited about the way the project has turned out to be."

When contacted Himesh re-emphasized on the fact that 29th June is a special day for him. He said, "With the blessings of my mother, we saw Aap Kaa Surroor - The Moviee turning out to be such a huge success. The project helped my launch as an actor. Now I am really very happy to give the final delivery of the Master CD of the soundtrack of Karzzzz to Bhushan Kumar on my mother's birthday. With her blessings, I know that God is with me."

One hears that getting the right sound for Karzzzz was a painstaking experience. There were quite a few songs that were created before arriving at the final list. Is that true? Confirms Himesh, "Yes, the music of Karzzzz indeed took a long time but I have no regrets. It has given me a lot of job satisfaction. However, the challenge is huge and the expectations are quite high. I am now waiting for the songs to hit the stands so that audience reactions can be gauged."

While the film is all set for 17th October release, the music of Karzzzz would be hitting the stands 2 months in advance i.e. in the month of August. Directed by Satish Kaushik, the film sees Shweta Kumar as the film's leading lady with Urmila Matondkar playing the vamp's part. The film also stars Dino Morea, Danny Denzongpa and Gulshan Grover.

Has Kunal Kohli branched out of Yash Raj?
Now that the results of THODA PYAAR THODA MAGIC are out [the film has performed well at multiplexes over the weekend, after a slow start], are producers Aditya Chopra and Kunal Kohli regretting the decision of not selling the film to a corporate house that had offered an astronomical amount [62 cr?] for its global rights?

"It's true that we were offered a big amount, but I wouldn't like to reveal the exact figure. We refused the offer because Yash Raj wanted to distribute the film themselves. They've a strong distribution network, plus they have the music and Home Video departments as well. It was Adi?s call completely," Kunal informs me, "Adi has always taken the business decisions, while the creative call was mine in all the four films. It has always been that way."

Meanwhile, rumours are rife that Kunal isn't too happy with the way Yash Raj has promoted the film and has decided to join hands with a corporate entity for his new film. Translated into simple words, it means Kunal and Aditya have had a fallout. True? "There's no truth to it. Even if you meet them [corporates] casually, people tend to blow it out of proportion. It's assumed that you've inked the deal, which is far from true," he laughs. Point noted!

Love Story 2050's grand world premiere on July 2 in London :



One of the hottest newcomers of Bollywood, Harman Baweja, is gearing up for his big day or should we say big night- Wednesday, July 2. Yes that is the day when Harman will be present along with the cast and crew of his debut film Love Story 2050 at the grand premiere of his film scheduled to take place in London.

Bollywood Hungama spoke to an excited Harman who shared all the details of the grand premiere, "I am really looking forward to the world premiere of my film Love Story 2050 in London. The premiere is on Wednesday July 2, 2008 at the Cineworld theatre in Feltham. This is the same place where the premiere of Krrish was held few years ago"

But why London for the premiere? "It was something which we had planned six months in advance. I believe my entire team has already done a lot of promotions in India. There are many Indians living in London who are as much into Bollywood as we are and we thought it would be absolutely unfair for us not to come there and share our film with them and hence we decided to have the world premiere in London. So far I have received an extremely warm response from people in London, be it through e-mails or phone calls and I am really looking forward to the premiere"

So who all are going to be present for the special night? "Well myself, Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani, Dad (Harry Baweja) and Mom (Pammi Baweja) would be there along with Mr. Khetarpal from Adlabs (who are also the producers of the film). Besides, I have a lot of family members in London. I am a Punjabi so there are lots of distant relatives of mine who stay in and around London. They are all really excited about the premiere happening there and even I am looking forward to catching up with some of my cousins after a long time."


"My next film is called Deewana Must Die" - Guddu Dhanoa:
His Sunny Deol starrer Big Brother may have released more than a year back but Ziddi director Guddu Dhanoa has continued to work on newer projects. Come September and he would begin first of his many projects that he is planning to get on floors in next few months.

Interestingly, after making majority of films with established actors like Sunny Deol (Ziddi, Salakhen, 23rd March 1931 Shaheed, Jaal-The Trap, Big Brother) and Akshay Kumar (Elaan, Tu Chor Main Sipahi, Aflatoon), he doesn't have any qualms working with rank newcomer Adhyayan Suman who just made his debut with Haal -e-Dil.

As per Adhyayan, the film would be a sequel to Shah Rukh Khan starrer Deewana which was produced by Dhanoa.

"But the film isn't really a sequel to Deewana", says Guddu Dhanoa who has been known for his action films, "Yes, I did produce Deewana but the only similarity here is that my new film is called Deewana Must Die."

Deewana Must Die? Now that pretty much rings a bell! Is it a remake of Hollywood flick John Tucker Must Die?

Laughs Guddu, "Not at all. This has a different story altogether and features one leading heroine. In fact we are still going through narrations and are yet to close on the girl and the main villain. For the girl's role, I am looking at someone who can enact the part of a 16 year old. Any contenders?"

Produced by Zee, the film would begin either in the month of September'08 or January'09. What keeps Guddu busy in the meanwhile?

"Another project that should go on floors is Handsome Four. And guess what, in spite of four handsome men around; there is just no requirement of a leading lady. Now don't get any ideas though because my boys out there are pretty straight", smiles Guddu.

With no leading lady, how would be incorporate the glam quotient in the film? "The film would have a couple of item songs to take care of that. Meanwhile the plot revolves around these four men and a 5 year old kid. Handsome Four is going to be an out and out entertainer with lot of action and emotional value attached. This film too would be a Zee production."

Months back he had expressed his desire to make a film called Gulabi with Sunny Deol in the lead. Whatever happened to that?

"The film is certainly in the pipeline and I am going to direct it for sure. However, I am not sure if the film would star Sunny now. With incoming of corporate houses, star prices have shot up in a big way. What was economically viable two years back is not really the same today. I am yet to close on the cast for the film. Gulabi is a brilliant subject and a film on that deserves to be made", concludes Guddu Dhanoa.

Himesh's double role film titled Hhey Gujju



After Sajid Khan called all the babies for Heyy Babyy last year, it is now the turn of Himesh Reshammiya to get not just all his Gujarati brethren together but also rest of the country with his cry of Hhey Gujju.

Hhey Gujju - Well, that's indeed the title of his next film with Studio 18 which has Himesh's Karzzzz director Satish Kaushik at the helm of affairs once again. The film has Himesh Reshammiya playing a double role for the first time and has been designed as an out and out comedy.

Says a source close to Satish Kaushik, "The film is titled Hhey Gujju for the simple reason that Himesh plays a Gujarati character. Since he plays a double role in the film, one of the characters is shown as a localite from Rajkot (Gujarat) who is settled in Delhi's Chandni Chowk region. You won't believe it but he is called Karsanlal Trikamlal Gandhi. Isn't that an unusual name for a mainstream hero?"

Well, indeed it is an unusual name. How about the other part that Himesh plays in the film? "The other guy is also a Gujarati and his character is that of a cool Gujarati Casanova called Akash Patel who stays abroad", informs the source, "The film is a complete entertainer from the word go and has been designed as a comedy of errors. As is the tradition with Himesh's films, this one too would be introducing two new leading ladies opposite him."

Incidentally, Hhey Gujju was launched on 29th April this year with a song recording while the shooting would begin this month.

When quizzed about the film, Himesh said, "I am doing a lot of folk fusion music in this comedy. About the cast which is being brought together for the film, we have already signed a large number of leading comedians and character artistes."

"I am very excited to play a Gujarati for the first time", said Himesh who is apparently already enjoying his comedy stint on the sets of Bhushan Kumar and John Mathew's A Love Issshtory where he is playing a tapori, "I am gaining in experience since in Karzzzz and Kajraare I am playing intense characters. Now it should be fun working with Satishji once again after Karzzzz for Hhey Gujju."

[.BZU.]

Jaane Tu? has taken 3 years to reach where it is today" - Manjari Phadnis:


There are two big films releasing this Friday and somehow the only talks that one has seen about these films are the ones revolving around Harman Baweja and Imran Khan! In the battle of big guys, one pretty face which seems to be waiting to making a surprise announcement is none other than that of petite Manjari Phadnis.

Some may ask, Manjari Phadnis who?

Well, she is the same girl who made her debut as a teenage school kid 4 years back in Rok Sako To Rok Lo, only to be seen as a Senior Executive in Mumbai Salsa last year. Though none of the two films really made an impression at the box office, Manjari was noticed for her spirited act. Now she would be seen in Jaane Tu?Ya Jaane Na.

"JTYJN has taken 3 years to reach where it is today,? Manjari smiles, "This was the first film which I signed after Rok Sako To Rok Lo but in the interim my Bengali film, Faaltu and later Mumbai Salsa released. Of course, the film's shooting took a lot lesser time but from conceptualization to actual realization, JTYJN has been quite a journey. Now that I really see the film coming to theaters, I get such a surreal feel."

How did she keep her chin up in spite of such huge gaps between her films? "It wasn't difficult since I was constantly meeting people and learning newer things. Moreover, Planman Motion Pictures, the first production house with which I worked, have been a constant pillar of support. They have always guided me and I too have made sure that I do not sign any irrelevant projects in spite of a long wait. I was signed by them for three films and after Rok Sako To Rok Lo and Faaltu, I have also finished shooting for I Am 24 which stars Ranvir Shorey, Neha Dhupia and Rajat Kapoor."

As indicated by the promos of the film, in Jaane Tu?Ya Jaane Na, Manjari is supposed to be playing Imran's love interest. Is this another love triangle in the making with Genelia Dsouza involved?

"That's for you to check out once the film releases on Friday. As for me the only thing I know is that currently I am a lot nervous. I have never been like this before so don't be surprised if you suddenly find me getting really cranky in the course of this conversation," concludes Manjari with a nervous laugh.

The Hindi feature film Suno Na revolves around an unwed mother. After being spurned by her lover, Tara takes an extreme step and decides to commit suicide. But soon she realizes that she is carrying a her child and would be killing it in the bargain as well. Why kill the innocent unborn for no reason? Tara decides to move to a city, find work, give birth to the child, and start a new life.

The film takes a humorous turn when the mother and the child in the womb start talking to each other; even sing a duet. The child wants to know many things, including about the father. The story also revolves around three men who come in her life during these nine months.


Aamir-Imran on Cine Blitz cover:
With just a few days to go for the release of Jaane Tu?Ya Jaane Na, Aamir Khan and his nephew Imran Khan are all over the place. The duo is now seen in this month's issue of Cine Blitz magazine. Both mamu Aamir and his bhanja Imran are seen dressed in their formal best wearing dapper suits.

Imran shares an interesting anecdote of how this is only the second time that he has worn a suit in his life (the first time being during the premiere of mamu Aamir's debut film QSQT). The duo seems to be enjoying each other's company and by the looks of it, this is one mama-bhanja jodi who are going to be spoken about for years to come.



"My first film may have been a mafia drama" - Harman Baweja :By Joginder Tuteja, June 30, 2008 - 11:16 IST
He may have been seeing an unconventional launch for himself in the form of Love Story 2050 but a few years back there was a strong possibility that Harman may have debuted with a film which was a 'mafia' drama.

"Can you believe that", exclaims Harman who is now only close to 100 hours away from his big screen debut, "There were so many ideas that dad and me were bouncing off for my launch. We were looking at films belonging to comedy genre or some kickass action but nothing seemed to be overtly exciting."

"The closest that we reached was a mafia drama but that also was kept aside. Guess how it would have been if my first film was a mafia drama? Especially so when I you see me dancing at places separated by decades in Love Story 2050", says Harman who realizes that the world is looking at how his dad Harry Baweja has established a strong base for him with the multi-crore film.

"Dad had this idea around making a film set in future way back in 1999-2000. He hadn't forgotten it over the years and spoke about it again during one of our brainstorming sessions. Once we thought that this was it, he pronto called in his team of writers, bounced the idea to them and they began work along with us", recollects Harman who would be the first ever Bollywood hero to see a launch with a subject like this.

"Let's not make it sound as if the film belongs to a different planet. No pun intended", jokes Harman, "Love Story 2050 is as mainstream as it gets. Yes, we have done something that hasn't been attempted before but isn't it really cool to get something new on?"

Harman goes on to justify the choice of the subject, "See, if I would have arrived in a routine love story, people out there would have said - 'Chalo naya ladka hai, dekh aate hai kaisa hai'. That's about it. In case of Love Story 2050 we are looking at a paradigm shift. We are talking about time travel, robots, flying cars etc. There is so much out there which makes the film exciting."

Throughout his career, Harry Baweja has been involved in hardcore action films with Dilwale, Diljale and Qayamat being his biggest successes. Though he did attempt a different subject like Main Aisa Hi Hoon, it didn't impress the audience. Doesn't Harman believe that a subject like Love Story 2050 which deals with time travel would take his father into an unknown territory?

"You have to look at his track record over the years and you would see that he has been continuously delivering successful films. He has also been moving with time and constantly evolving himself. I have never seen him as excited as I saw him during the last 4 years when we were putting together Love Story 2050", says Harman in admiration for his father.

"As I said earlier, it isn't as if this idea struck dad overnight. He has been carrying it for close to a decade and just because the funds, technology and audience taste didn't warrant that he made such kind of cinema in those days, he continued making formulaic commercial cinema."

"Today we have all of that in abundance. We can ask for funds and we can get it. We have some great technology capability and thankfully audience too is looking at newer films. Dad has given it all to Love Story 2050 and in a few days from now, you would see that for yourself on screen", concludes the proud 'beta'.