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Live Chat: Sharman Joshi on Feb 10 at 1500 hrs IST
He tickled your funny bone with Style, Golmaal and Shaadi No. 1; played the high spirited guy in Rang De Basanti! Yes, we’re talking about Sharman Joshi. The actor, back in the limelight after a stellar performance in 3 Idiots, is ready with his next release Toh Baat Pakki with Tabu. To know more about his upcoming projects and life after 3 Idiots, catch up with the star in an exclusive Bollywood Hungama Video Chat on Wednesday, Feb 10, at 1500 hrs IST. Don’t miss this one!
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Live Chat: Sharman Joshi on Feb 10 at 1500 hrs IST
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Subhash K. Jha talks about Hide & Seek
about 2 days ago - No comments
So whodunit? Put a bunch of assorted dysfunctional men and women into a shopping mall, not to shop, but to get bumped off. And voila, the whodunit takes the characters to shop until they drop, one by one. There’s a Santa Claus with a hatchet in hand running around the deathly-still, sparkling -clean, spotless and eerily blood-thirsty mall. By jove! The polished surfaces of the mall glisten with a glorious promise of gore. This, we’ve got to see. Luckily the unravelling of the mystery of the murderous mall is not a disappointment Hide & Seek packs in a punch. Srikant Saroj’s camera stalks the corridors with a restless energy. The whole project seems to have been conceived and designed so that an emptied-out shopping mall could be used as a venue for some hardcore scares. Hide & Seek offers a terrain of mild terror, more in the thought (dark empty mall, no exit) than execution. Once the sextet of helter-skelter friends-turned-enemies is clamped shut in the lap of shivery luxury the plot thickens in rapid fire motions. The characters include a North-Indian- hating Marathi politician (ahem) played rather loudly by Arjan Bajwa and a nerd turned beefy film star played by Ayaz Khan, who create a stifling circle of tension, some of it palpable, others, pale. On the whole, the mayhem-in-the-mall holds together, generating a mix of the hazy crazy and sometimes just the lazy. On occasions the characters are driven into postures of terror more by exterior forces (scared people running in an empty mall is a great turn-on) rather than by a genuine sense of plotting urgency. The most heart-in-the-mouth moments feature debutante Amruta Patki caught alone in a movie theatre and later cowering in a ladies toilet as Santa With The Axe(‘axe’ no questions he tells no lies) stalks her down the squeaky-cleanwashroom. So what’s Hide & Seek really about? Is it about 6 ‘high’ school friends (everyone is high on some unnamed drug or the other) who once got caught in a party plastered with jealousy intrigue rape and murder? Or is it just mayhem in a mall caught on camera that knows how to zig-zag through the serpentine corridors without knocking into hard surfaces? Either way the film offers interesting possibilities of high anxiety. Debutant director Shawn Arranha displays skill and control in a way the individually aggravated characters are kept in check when they come into contact with one another. The performances are enthusiastic, Purab Kohli being particularly interesting to watch as a mentally disturbed young man who thinks love is just a wish away. Some of the acting does get over-the-top although the director seems to avoid excess as much as he can in a film belonging to genre where gore is glory. Grant the film a few extra points for inventiveness. Also for a slasher movie the slash-and-maim quotient is minimal. And the end-game where we the audience are played with as much wicked relish as the characters, is the kind of twist amateur whodunits revel in. For an evening of chills this one is sufficiently equipped. But don’t look for much more in the haunted shopping mall than meets the eye.
"After Yuvvraaj…I need a big HIT" – Subhash Ghai
about 3 days ago - No comments
He is known as the ‘Showman of Bollywood’ and has been in this industry for over 3 decades. He is none other than Subhash Ghai, filmmaker of blockbusters such as Hero, Ram Lakhan, Karma, Saudagar, Khalnayak, Pardes and Taal to name a few. His production house Mukta Arts is now ready with its latest release Right Yaaa Wrong that stars the lethal combination of Sunny Deol and Irrfan Khan for the first time ever. As the film opens across cinema halls today, we caught up with Mr. Ghai and spoke to him about this edge of the seat thriller. Is Mukta Arts producing or presenting Right Yaaa Wrong? Mukta Arts has funded the movie as world right controller and are the distributors all over India. We are a public company and we do enter into joint ventures with various production houses. In the past too, we have had such deals with Anil Kapoor, Satish Kaushik etc. Right Yaaa Wrong is a thriller directed by debutant director Neerraj Pathak and it is presented by Mukta Arts. Right Yaaa Wrong is a permanent question in every human being’s life. We always question our actions whether it is right or wrong, be it legal, moral, ethical, or social. What is the significance of the title Right Yaaa Wrong to the context of the film? Right Yaaa Wrong is a permanent question in every human being’s life. We always question our actions whether it is right or wrong, be it legal, moral, ethical, or social. We all take Right and Wrong actions knowingly or unknowingly at some point or the other. Today this debate of Right Yaaa Wrong has taken a whole new meaning hence we thought it would be the apt title. This is the first time that Mukta Arts has worked with actors like Sunny Deol, Irrfan Khan and Konkona Sen Sharma. How has the experience been? The experience has been wonderful. They are real and natural actors and bring a new breeze in acting in Right Yaaa Wrong …You have to see it to believe it. What made you a fund a thriller like Right Yaaa Wrong considering comedies are the flavor of the season? I don’t think so. People love thrillers. Race was a thriller which did well, even Ghajini was an action thriller. Personally, I liked the script of Right Yaaa Wrong and had full faith in director Neerraj Pathak’s abilities since he has written some good films like Pardes and Apne. The bedroom scenes that you are referring to were always part of the script. Eesha had read the script and was fully aware of this. So there is no question of her being upset. Is it true that Eesha Koppikhar was upset about retaining some her steamy bedroom scenes in the film that she shot before her marriage? Both Eesha and Konkona have given a tremendous performance. The bedroom scenes that you are referring to were always part of the script. Eesha had read the script and was fully aware of this. So there is no question of her being upset. The film is releasing on March 12th – the day when the IPL commences. Do you think it will hamper the business? IPL will be there but people’s love for watching good films is never-ending. No IPL can stop a good film from running to packed houses. What are some of Mukta Arts’ future projects? We have Hello Darling releasing next, and there is also a romantic comedy called Paschim Express-With Love that is made by all the actors and technicians of Whistling Woods International. What about your next directorial venture? When does that start? I am still scripting. I just finished the first draft but have to make a few more changes. In my last film Yuvvraaj, I focused more on the visuals part of it which didn’t work with the audience. This time around I have to be extra careful. I need a Big Hit. It will take me around 6 months more to finish scripting. I plan to start sometime during Diwali this year On a closing note will you like to direct Sunny Deol in one of your films? Surely…If I have a right script for him then why not? Sunny has given a mature and intense performance in Right Yaaa Wrong and he is sure to surprise you with his acting.
Hide & Seek
about 3 days ago - No comments
Generally speaking, a film starring relative newcomers and helmed by a first-time director comes with zilch expectations. And if the film in question happens to be a suspense-thriller, the debutante director has to walk a tight rope. One false step and chances are he’d fall on his face. Debutante director Shawn Arranha surprises you in his very first outing. It may not be the most captivating thriller you’ve watched, but there are moments that keep you hooked to the proceedings. Also, a suspense saga works if you continue to play the guessing game till the end and in this case, you can’t tell who the culprit is. That is nothing short of a victory for this film! On the flip side, the making could’ve been better in terms of production values and at times, it does give an impression of being a rushed job as far as the writing is concerned. Love slasher movies? Watch HIDE & SEEK. It has ample adrenaline pumping moments! They were kids – Om, Abhi, Jaideep, Imran, Gunita and Jyotika. And it all started as a game on a chilly Christmas night. But little did they expect that night that the game would change their lives forever. Twelve years later, while some still wrestled with memories of that fateful night and others left it buried deep within them, it was a past that came back to haunt them again. Twelve years later, someone was bringing them all together. To play that game all over again. Six best friends turn into worst enemies when trapped in a shopping mall. If you let logic take a backseat, chances are you’d enjoy this ride more. Just don’t question how one person, single-handedly, kidnaps his friends the same night and assembles them at one location, without any help whatsoever. If you skip this gaffe, the journey ahead would be riveting in most parts. It takes time to get used to the plot. It does get confusing when the film goes back and forth with regularity and you wonder, what is the director trying to say? But the jigsaw puzzle slowly gets solved in the post-interval portions, although the end sends out confusing signals. In view of the fact that it is his first film, Shawn does a commendable job. Only thing, he should’ve simplified a few things, especially the end. The songs are okay, while the camerawork lacks finesse. The performances by the lead actors are neat, with every member putting his/her best foot forward. Purab Kohli is super-efficient, as always. Arjan Bajwa gets the look and feel of the character right. Samir Kochhar leaves a strong impact. Ayaz Khan is decent. Mrinalini Sharma springs a pleasant surprise with a ’spirited’ performance. Amruta Patki impresses as well. On the whole, HIDE & SEEK is a gripping suspense drama that keeps you guessing till its end. Go for it, if a good suspense thriller is what you’re looking at!
T-Series inks 5 Film Music deal with Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd.
about 5 days ago - No comments
The bond between T-Series and Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd. just got stronger. T-Series has acquired Music Rights of Shree Ashtavinayak’s Khatta Meetha directed by Priyadarshan starring Akshay Kumar and Trisha Krishnan, Golmaal 3 being directed by Rohit Shetty starring Ajay Devgan, Kunal Khemu, Shreyas Talpade and Kareena Kapoor, Tees Maar Khan starring Akshay Kumar, Akshye Khanna, Katrina Kaif directed by Farah Khan. Run Bhola Run starring Govinda, Tushar Kapoor directed by Neeraj Vora and an untitled film starring Saif Ali Khan directed by Kunal Kohli. With this mega deal T Series once again proves that they are the biggest player in the music industry.
Nandita Das in Kolkata to shoot for Onir’s film Afia
about 6 days ago - No comments
After winning multiple Filmfare awards for her directorial debut, it was a grand homecoming of sorts of Nandita Das in Kolkata which is not really her hometown. Nandita is an Oriya by parentage. But because of the number of films she has done in Bengali she’s often mistaken for a Bengali. So it was when she landed in Kolkata last Sunday. Armed ecstatically as she was with her 4 Filmfare awards for Firaaq, the city greeted her with open-armed ovation. “The last film I shot in Kolkata was Paddakhep (Footsteps) with Soumitra Chatterjee,” she says from the sets of Onir’s Afia. “We’re now shooting all over the city.” Nandita is naturally overjoyed with the Filmfare awards for Firaaq. “To be honest I was surprised to find Firaaq’s nomination in so many categories. It shows that even the popular space is acknowledging a film like Firaaq that tends to be slotted as a niche film. But getting 4 awards for costume, sound, editing and finally the Critic’s Choice Award for the best film of the year! It sure was a surprise.” This was the first time Filmfare award function that Nandita attended. And she’s impressed. “I had gone expecting nothing, had come to see the much talked- about spectacle, which is sure was.” Nandita feels Firaaq which was clumsily released would now get a new lease of life. “These awards are a big help to a film that was so badly released and so many people just didn’t get to see it. They create a curiosity in people’s mind. I met so many people from the fraternity who said the first DVD they were going to get is that of Firaaq!” The impact of Firaaq has stunned Nandita. “What matters to me is that people see the film as a story I keenly wanted to tell and wanted it to reach the audiences. Thankfully a film’s shelf life is much longer than a release. All those who have seen it, friends and strangers have championed the film and I am so grateful for that. I am really thankful to Filmfare and the critics who are known to be difficult to please, for helping spread Firaaq.” Nandita is now looking at directing another film. “Having won about 10 awards each internationally and in India, and getting an overwhelming reaction from those who have seen it, it is time I start my next project. I have begun thinking of a story, although the journey of bringing it to life is long.” In the meanwhile, there’s Onir’s Afia where she plays a wife desperate to be a mother. Nandita has done her own research on sperm banks before plunging into the part. “I did a bit of homework on the net and had a long chat with Onir who has done extensive research on the net…But it’s more about the space to make your own choice. And that’s a universal desire!”
"The background score of Road Movie is non-Indian" – Michael Brooks
about 1 week ago - No comments
How many of us ever thought that a Bollywood film would have music by a complete foreigner? Well that’s exactly the case with the film Road, Movie. Famous Canadian Guitarist, Michael Brook has given background score for Dev Benegal’s Road, Movie. Michael has contributed to U2’s famous album The Joshua Tree in the form of his invention – the infinite guitar and was also nominated for Grammy Awards in 1996 for his production work and as co-artist on Pakistani singer Nusrat fateh Ali Khan’s album, Night Song. Apart from these, he has also contributed for the album Rock Paper Scissors. While for Hollywood, Michael has done a number of film sound tracks including the music for Albino Alligator, Mission Impossible 2, Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and Sean Penn’s critically acclaimed, Into The Wild. Bollywood Hungama spoke to Michael to find out more about his compositions and of course his experience of working in Bollywood. The first question on everyone’s mind is, how did Bollywood happen to you? I had some connection with the producers from the past, and I believe that Dev Benegal, the director was aware of my music. What made you sign Road, Movie? A combination of the beauty and emotional resonance of the film and Dev’s deep musical knowledge and creative ideas was enough cause and reason for me to say yes and sign the film. What according to you is unique about its background music? I’d say that the dominant aspect of the music is that it is quite distinctly non-Indian and strongly influenced by African music. This was Dev’s concept to try and create an exotic but non-specific atmosphere. So in a way yes this is some unique kind of music. The dominant aspect of the music is that it is quite distinctly non-Indian and strongly influenced by African music From making music for popular bands, creating breakthroughs like inventing the Infinite Guitar, to making music for Hollywood big wigs to Bollywood now, how has the journey been? Pretty good really. I’m extremely lucky to be able to do what I love to do and to earn a living. It’s a very privileged position and I appreciate it. Also having a 2 1/2 year old son is an equally rewarding experience. Tell us about your experience of Bollywood now that you have had a first hand taste of it? I’m not sure that I really experienced Bollywood as all of the work was done in my studio at home and we didn’t have the big dance and singing production numbers. Maybe my clichéd view of Bollywood is outdated. I have however played a concert in Chennai with Mandolin U. Srinivas and we did rehearse in some of the film studios, which was a very cool experience. How different is Bollywood from its western counterpart? My, again possibly not quite valid, impression is that Bollywood filmmaking is much more spontaneous and improvisatory than Hollywood. But I gather that Indian films are getting larger and more structured in their productions and that some film e.g. District 9, are being made more through an improvisatory process. What was the biggest challenge while doing the music for an Indian film? A big challenge was in trying to be other worldly without being unfocussed emotionally with the score. Was the language a barrier? The challenging part was that I don’t have the same cultural history as Dev, or probably most Indians, and so some aspects of the film had a different resonance for him e.g. Scherazade. You have also worked with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, how did that come about? I was asked by Peter Gabriel to work with Nusrat, probably based on what Peter heard in my first solo record Hybrid. When I was in Pakistan, about 12 years ago, I saw some really great singers at a concert, but I really don’t have much awareness of what is going on there now. So what are your future plans about Bollywood, does it look promising and would you like to do more work here? I don’t have plans, but certainly would love to do more projects with Bollywood. Certainly would love to do more projects with Bollywood Do you think there is now more interaction between the Asian and American / European markets than before or is it just the ‘Slumdog effect”? I think that there has been a gradual increase in awareness of the richness and depth of Indian culture over the last 40 years. Slumdog gave a kind of turbo boost to that process and I hope that it continues. I think that there has been a gradual increase in awareness of the richness and depth of Indian culture over the last 40 years You’ve composed scores for Mission Impossible 2 & Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth too. Can you share some special moments from these experiences? These two films are probably at opposite ends of the spectrum of my experiences. Both were good. On MI2, I was part of a very large team assembled by Hans Zimmer. It was great to work with so many people and I really enjoyed the kind of community of musicians and composers that I was part of. AIT was a much more delicate and solitary process, a great deal of which was trying to figure out where music should go. It turned out that we couldn’t really have music when AL Gore was lecturing as it made it seem propogandish. So there is only music when he is talking about his life or events outside the lecture. Having invented something like the Infinite Guitar, you must have a thing for instruments. What’s your favourite Indian instrument? My two favourite Indian instruments are the Shenai, particularly when played by Bismallah Khan, and the Veena. Which one (Indian instrument) have you used the most in Road, Movie? We didn’t use Indian instruments. The background score is one of the most important character of any film. Which film’s background score has impressed you the most till date? Recently I’ve come to appreciate the work of David Newman in his many scores, Wall-E, American Beauty, Cliff Martinez, Solaris, and of course the early work of the great Ennio Morricone. More recently, I thought that the score to Sherlock Holmes was really good You must have been one of the first people to see Road, Movie – what was your reaction? My first impression was of stunningly beautiful imagery and rich, intriguing characters. Did Abhay Deol impress you as much as Tom Cruise? Undoubtedly Which other Indian artist (Music or Films) have you been introduced to and like hearing or watching? I have been enjoying The Bombay Connection Volumes 1 and 2, collections of music from Bollywood films of the 60s and 70s
Live Chat: Abhay Deol on March 5 at 1545 Hrs IST
about 1 week ago - No comments
“Nobody can be exactly like me. Sometimes even I have trouble doing it.” Said hollywood’s most notorious and outspoken actress of the yesteryear Tallulah Bankhead, the same stays true for Abhay Deol in Bollywood. He surprises us with his versatility and courage to do away with the norms. A Deol no doubt, but still he went ahead and tread the lesser taken paths. His line of films are a clear picture of his talent and need for the unconventional, whether it was Manorama Six Feet Under, Dev D, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! or Ek Chalis Ki Last Local. He stayed away from being a typecast and went ahead and reinvented himself in each of his films. No wonder with his upcoming film Road Movie, his fans wait with bated breathe to see what he pulls out of his sleeve this time. Bollywood Hungama gives you an outlet for all those anxious questions you might have for the dimple faced Deol, chat with him live today, March 5 at 1545 Hrs IST and let the questions roll.
Live Chat: Abhay Deol on March 5 at 1530 Hrs IST
about 1 week ago - No comments
“Nobody can be exactly like me. Sometimes even I have trouble doing it.” Said hollywood’s most notorious and outspoken actress of the yesteryear Tallulah Bankhead, the same stays true for Abhay Deol in Bollywood. He surprises us with his versatility and courage to do away with the norms. A Deol no doubt, but still he went ahead and tread the lesser taken paths. His line of films are a clear picture of his talent and need for the unconventional, whether it was Manorama Six Feet Under, Dev D, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! or Ek Chalis Ki Last Local. He stayed away from being a typecast and went ahead and reinvented himself in each of his films. No wonder with his upcoming film Road Movie, his fans wait with bated breathe to see what he pulls out of his sleeve this time. Bollywood Hungama gives you an outlet for all those anxious questions you might have for the dimple faced Deol, chat with him live on…at… and let the questions roll.
Ranbir Kapoor chases President’s Pepsi bottle in new commercial
about 1 week ago - No comments
Ranbir is the present face of Pepsi, which is perfect as Ranbir is the only guy in the industry who’s known to make it big in such a short time. His easy smile, youthfulness, charming persona, and lively spirit is famous with the ladies and the men alike. He projects Pepsi belief with conviction. The freshness and audacious self belief that the brand stands for is exactly what Ranbir is popular for. Presently shooting for his next film Anjaana Anjaani in Los Angeles, Ranbir was also required to do the upcoming commercial of Pepsi that has new tag line Youngistaan ka Wow! Not wanting to waste time, the crew flew down to L.A. to shoot the TVC with the young actor in a mansion there. The TVC that would be coming out shortly highlights the Wow factor of the youth. The film revolves around Ranbir, who’s playing a butler, chasing the Pepsi bottle that has been reserved for the President and how he uses his smartness to get it past the security… pretty audacious isn’t it? Ranbir says ”For me Youngistaan ka Wow reflects what we see around us, the youth making things happen, achieving things their own way and on their own terms like ‘Sid’ in the movie Wake Up Sid.” We think Ranbir couldn’t have put it aptly.
Sharman Joshi and Adah Sharma to endorse Nokia’s X range
about 1 week ago - No comments
Just yesterday, we had reported about Sharman Joshi being signed up as the Brand Ambassador of Airtel. Today, the man is richer (literally) by yet another endorsement in his kitty. This time round, it’s the telecom major Nokia, who have signed up Sharman and Adah Sharma as their latest brand ambassadors for their latest X series range, for a period of one year. Sources close to Bollywood Hungama say, “Post the success of 3 Idiots; Sharman is definitely in a roll. Sharman bought time from Nokia officials before finally saying yes to the deal. Sharman and Adah have even shot for an ad for the same at Filmistan. The ad has Sharman and Adah as a young couple who are out to shop dresses for Adah. For every dress that Adah tries, Sharman plays a new song on the cell, as a sign of approval, which irritates Adah. And towards the end, while Adah walks out in anger, Sharman again plays a track to pacify her.” The source also adds that the ads will be out really soon while the said range of phones is expected to hit the market in a month’s time from now. The overall concept of the ad is that, “There is a song on your X-Phone for every occasion.” Repeated attempts to establish contacts with both Sharman as well as Adah proved futile.