Let's talk of QUANTUM OF SOLACE first. The industry was hopeful that the James Bond flick would fetch an electrifying start, trouncing EMI in the process, and that's what it did. It led a strong box-office weekend by nabbing the top spot; however, the start of QUANTUM OF SOLACE was good, not great. It held on till Sunday, but thanks to average to below average reports, it came down heavily from Monday onwards.
EMI fumbled and stumbled on Day 1 itself. Imagine stepping out from the showroom with a new car and you realize that you already have a flat tyre. Well, EMI must've punctured all hopes of its producers and distributors [Sahara One], when they must've got to know the early trends on Friday. Despite attractive promos, EMI failed to do the trick. First KIDNAP, now EMI, Sanju Baba needs a Hit desperately.
Rajshri's strategy of releasing EK VIVAAH… AISA BHI at select single screens of select centres [in all, 87 physical prints were in circulation in Week 1 in India] paid off at some places [Rajmandir, Jaipur performed the best], but that vital jump was missing. The collections were in the 25% - 35% range all days, not showing a jump, not going down either. Most Rajshri movies show their true potential after 2/3 weeks of their release. Let's hope EK VIVAAH… AISA BHI creates ripples, like its predecessors.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Bond Runs, But 'EMI' Limps
Yash Chopra Receives FIAPF Award, Presented At 2008 Asia Pacific Screen Awards
Mr .Yash Chopra, founder of Yash Raj Films, has been awarded the FIAPF Award for his outstanding achievement as a filmmaker at the annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
The Awards were presented on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, on November 11, 2008, with more than 700 film industry luminaries from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the United States attending the ceremony.
The FIAPF Award is determined by FIAPF, the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, and awarded to an individual for outstanding achievement in films in the Asia-Pacific region.
In presenting the Award, President of FIAP, Mr Andrés Vincente Gomez, described Mr. Chopra as "a legend in Hindi cinema who has played a seminal role in making Indian films more popular the world over."
"Mr Chopra has also played a pioneering role in modernising the local industry and putting it on a more contemporary corporate footing," Mr Gomez continued.
Last year's inaugural FIAPF Award was presented to Australian producer and director George Miller.
The Asia Pacific Screen Awards is collaboration between CNN International, UNESCO and FIAPF - International Federation of Film Producers Associations and is an international cultural initiative of the Queensland Government, Australia, to acclaim films that best reflect their cultural origins and demonstrate cinematic excellence.
Commenting on the award, Mr. Chopra said, "It is a great honour to receive this award endorsed as it is by such respected names as CNN International, UNESCO and FIAPF. Our films have always shown a strong commitment to family values and have been rooted in Indian culture and I believe that this award is a recognition of that fact. In addition, we have over the last few years developed a strong relationship with the beautiful country of Australia and that makes this award even sweeter. Finally, I believe the award recognizes that our films have touched hearts in countries across the Asia-Pacific region, even while maintaining high levels of cinematic excellence, and that gives me - and all of us at Yash Raj Films - deep satisfaction and joy."
Anil Kapoor Is Autistic In Yuvvraaj
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| Anil Kapoor In Yuvvraaj |
And just as we heard of Shah Rukh Khan turning autistic for his role as the isolated Muslim in New York in Karan Johar's My Name Is Khan, comes the news that Anil Kapoor will be seen playing an autistic character in Subhash Ghai's Yuvvraaj.
Says a source, "Anil plays elder brother to Salman and Zayed Khan. Subhash Ghai had been meaning to incorporate a physically-psychologically challenged character into his script for a long time. It was Anil who told Subhashji the story idea for Yuvvraaj."
Apparently, Raj Kapoor at one time wanted to make a similar film written for him by his long-term collaborator Jainendra Jain.
Interestingly, this isn't the first time that Anil Kapoor is playing an autistic character. In K Vishwanath's Eeshwar twenty years ago, Anil was cast as a 'slow' saintly man (this was the closest we came to describing autism in those days) who wins over the village widow. Anil has self admittedly copied Raj Kapoor in Eeshwar. If sources are to be believed, Anil's reference point in Yuvvraaj is Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump.
Other screen heroes to suffer psychological disorders include Sanjeev Kumar in Anhonee and Khilona, Jeetendra in Jyoti and Amol Palekar in Solva Sawan.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
"Karan Johar loves me too much" - Tarun Mansukhani
Yash Raj Films has been doing it for years and Karan Johar too has joined the fray i.e. giving new directors a chance to wield the megaphone under his banner Dharma Productions. In the past Nikhil Advani and Soham Shah have made Kal Ho Naa Ho and Kaal respectively, for Karan Johar. Now Tarun Mansukhani, an erstwhile assistant director to him, has been given the 
responsibility to helm Dostana. Joginder Tuteja catches up with the 31 year old filmmaker who is just days away from what is pretty much, in his own words, his 'baby' being delivered!The film is less than a week away from release. Nervous? Frankly, I am not even trying to think about the release date. If I start doing so, I am sure I would collapse (laughs). I am taking one step at a time and am expecting audience to walk in for some good fun. After all, it is a Karan Johar production. Was it like 'Let me shock the audience with a theme never explored' that led you to make Dostana? Not at all! It was mainly the quest to do something new for my debut film. I wanted to make a film that has an identity of its own. One thing was sure; it had to be about friendship. When it comes to themes like marriages, extra marital affairs, living in, then honestly, they all have been over and done with. I said to myself - 'What am I bringing new to the table'? But again, I didn't want to make a very serious film since today youngsters are ready to hear you only if you don't preach. This is where Dostana came in since it has its own light hearted moments where audience can come, enjoy and have a blast.
I wanted to be true to the film and ensure that Dostana doesn't turn out to be about gay bashing. None of us want to make any fun of the gay community A movie with a strong gay angle to it - Wasn't it a risky theme to begin with? Well, I always knew that I was walking on a thin line. And no, it wasn't like I was wondering how Censors would react to the film. My challenge was for myself. I wanted to be true to the film and ensure that Dostana doesn't turn out to be about gay bashing. None of us want to make any fun of the gay community. So the film mainly remains as sweet and naughty? (Smiles) True, I treated Abhishek and John as a couple for the film. Of course, in its essence, Dostana showcases chemistry between two friends. Anyways, looking at both of them, they are the epitome of being macho. So ultimately it boils down to friendship. You seem to be enthused with the spirit of friendship? That's right, and the germ for that comes from my own childhood memories of school time friends. I have lived in boarding school for most part of my childhood and the friends that I
have today are the ones whom I got in touch with during 4th/5th standard. I may not speak to them for years but they are a family whom I can call up at 4AM without any hesitation. Then, when I look at my friends in the industry, I see them doing so much in this film world. Being inspired by them, I had to bring in something different that hadn't been touched before. Karan Johar too is your friend. But with him as a producer and an accomplished director, wasn't it intimidating? I have worked with Karan for too long now and together we have a very good understanding of each other's requirement. I can complete his sentences. Moreover, he loves me too much and I am almost like a child and a spoilt brat. I have a chip on the shoulder and ensure that I get what I want.
Karan loves me too much and I am almost like a child and a spoilt brat You mean to say there was no interference whatsoever? I will give you an example. He came to Miami for the first time when 10 days of shooting had already been done. Moreover, he admitted that he was in the city to chill out since he was an unemployed producer at that time and just wanted to relax. He went to his hotel room, shopped around the city and later I showed him the rushes offline. He pointed out something where he could see an improvement could be made but never once did he overshadow me. Abhishek Bachchan, for all his worth, has been going through a horrible patch, especially after Drona. Doesn't it worry you? I am not worried as I don't think flops changes anything for anyone. So many times it happens that a new actor gives a huge hit while an established actor could give the biggest flop of the decade. I guess at the end of the day for audience all of this doesn't matter at all. They want to watch a good film with good performances and the past record of an actor or a film doesn't have any bearing whatsoever. Yuvvraaj comes a week later. Do you feel it could prove to be a spanner in your wheel? I am a first time filmmaker and not even the league of big directors. In any case what do I have to loose? I am not even looking at competition let alone being worried about it.
responsibility to helm Dostana. Joginder Tuteja catches up with the 31 year old filmmaker who is just days away from what is pretty much, in his own words, his 'baby' being delivered!The film is less than a week away from release. Nervous? Frankly, I am not even trying to think about the release date. If I start doing so, I am sure I would collapse (laughs). I am taking one step at a time and am expecting audience to walk in for some good fun. After all, it is a Karan Johar production. Was it like 'Let me shock the audience with a theme never explored' that led you to make Dostana? Not at all! It was mainly the quest to do something new for my debut film. I wanted to make a film that has an identity of its own. One thing was sure; it had to be about friendship. When it comes to themes like marriages, extra marital affairs, living in, then honestly, they all have been over and done with. I said to myself - 'What am I bringing new to the table'? But again, I didn't want to make a very serious film since today youngsters are ready to hear you only if you don't preach. This is where Dostana came in since it has its own light hearted moments where audience can come, enjoy and have a blast.I wanted to be true to the film and ensure that Dostana doesn't turn out to be about gay bashing. None of us want to make any fun of the gay community A movie with a strong gay angle to it - Wasn't it a risky theme to begin with? Well, I always knew that I was walking on a thin line. And no, it wasn't like I was wondering how Censors would react to the film. My challenge was for myself. I wanted to be true to the film and ensure that Dostana doesn't turn out to be about gay bashing. None of us want to make any fun of the gay community. So the film mainly remains as sweet and naughty? (Smiles) True, I treated Abhishek and John as a couple for the film. Of course, in its essence, Dostana showcases chemistry between two friends. Anyways, looking at both of them, they are the epitome of being macho. So ultimately it boils down to friendship. You seem to be enthused with the spirit of friendship? That's right, and the germ for that comes from my own childhood memories of school time friends. I have lived in boarding school for most part of my childhood and the friends that I
have today are the ones whom I got in touch with during 4th/5th standard. I may not speak to them for years but they are a family whom I can call up at 4AM without any hesitation. Then, when I look at my friends in the industry, I see them doing so much in this film world. Being inspired by them, I had to bring in something different that hadn't been touched before. Karan Johar too is your friend. But with him as a producer and an accomplished director, wasn't it intimidating? I have worked with Karan for too long now and together we have a very good understanding of each other's requirement. I can complete his sentences. Moreover, he loves me too much and I am almost like a child and a spoilt brat. I have a chip on the shoulder and ensure that I get what I want.Karan loves me too much and I am almost like a child and a spoilt brat You mean to say there was no interference whatsoever? I will give you an example. He came to Miami for the first time when 10 days of shooting had already been done. Moreover, he admitted that he was in the city to chill out since he was an unemployed producer at that time and just wanted to relax. He went to his hotel room, shopped around the city and later I showed him the rushes offline. He pointed out something where he could see an improvement could be made but never once did he overshadow me. Abhishek Bachchan, for all his worth, has been going through a horrible patch, especially after Drona. Doesn't it worry you? I am not worried as I don't think flops changes anything for anyone. So many times it happens that a new actor gives a huge hit while an established actor could give the biggest flop of the decade. I guess at the end of the day for audience all of this doesn't matter at all. They want to watch a good film with good performances and the past record of an actor or a film doesn't have any bearing whatsoever. Yuvvraaj comes a week later. Do you feel it could prove to be a spanner in your wheel? I am a first time filmmaker and not even the league of big directors. In any case what do I have to loose? I am not even looking at competition let alone being worried about it.
'Ghajini' will cross 'Singh Is Kinng'
Aamir Khan's GHAJINI is expected to set a record of sorts. While the promotion of the film kick-started during Diwali, the Indian distributors, Studio 18, have decided to go that extra mile and ensure that the biggies rakes in big moolah when it opens during the Christmas week. While SINGH IS KINNG was released with 1,050 prints [physical and digital] in India, GHAJINI will have close to 1,200 prints in circulation in India alone."GHAJINI will be the biggest and widest release ever, breaking the record set by SINGH IS KINNG, which was also distributed by us," Aman Gill, Director, Domestic Theatrical Distribution, Studio 18 divulges. Adds Priti Shahani, Sr. V.P., Marketing & Distribution, Studio 18, "With SINGH IS KINNG, we set a precedent in the way the films are marketed and with GHAJINI we tend to go beyond that." GHAJINI is expected to fetch an earth-shattering start.
Deepika Padukone features in the launch issue of Jade
To start with, lets us tell you that she is hot, so much so that people just pause when they look at her as they just can't get their eyes off her! She is none other than the Om Shanti Om girl, Deepika Padukone, who also happens to be the cover-girl of the newly launched magazine called 'Jade'! That she looks a million bucks on the cover will be an understatement. Instead let us tell you that the publishers of 'Jade' did not go wrong by choosing her to be the cover-girl of their launch issue! Poetically put, will launching a magazine be tough for a face that launched a thousand ships (read 'products')! This issue has got the Padukone babe speaking all about her upbringing, her roots, her favourite food, places etc... She also explains as to why and how Mumbai is different from her hometown Bangalore! And even before you could ask for it, the 'Jade' guys did quiz her about Ranbir Kapoor, to which, the lady in red, replies, "Finding the right person makes a lot of difference. We don't need anyone else, we just love being with each other!" Touche baby, now, we surely know that what it means to be Deepika Padukone, the name that will be echoing in every award ceremony this year! Till then, Happy Reading and happy Jade-ing'.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Abbas Tyrewala's Wife Pakhi To Debut Opposite John Abraham
Now here's the latest development! Pakhi, who has penned the script, will also play the leading lady opposite John in this film. "When Pakhi narrated the script to John, all of us felt that no one else would understand and relate to the role better than Pakhi. That's how all of us suggested that Pakhi should act in the film as well. She needed time to think about it. A few days later, she replied in the affirmative," Madhu Mantena informs me.
Now that's a novel casting indeed, what say? 1-800-LOVE is expected to take off early next year!
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