Fenil and Bollywood
Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Deepika replaces Priyanka in Race 2
Oct 28th
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, October 27, 2010 – 14:36 IST
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It’s by far the most awaited and talked about sequel in Bollywood, to be produced by Ramesh Taurani and directed by Abbas- Mustan. Yes we are indeed talking about Race 2 which has been in the news ever since its announcement. is all set to thrill. The casting of Race 2 has been a hot topic in media for a while now. It was last head that Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and John Abraham are part of the project while Priyanka Chopra would be playing the female lead in the film.
However, times have changed and latest news is that Deepika Padukone will be replacing Piggy Chops in Race 2. Ramesh explains, “To be frank Priyanka was never actually in the film. Yes, we were in talks with her initially but due to date issues, since she is busy shooting for Don 2, we dropped the idea.”
Further he clarifies, “As of now we have finalized Deepika, who will be playing the female lead in the film. Apart from her, there will be two other actresses who will also be in the film, but they have not yet been locked.”
As for the script of the film, Ramesh chirps, “We have already finalized and locked the script, and are looking to start shooting next year. While for the music, it’s going to be Pritam.”
Race 2 certainly seems to be speeding its way to shoot floor.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
After Robot The Rajni, it’s Surya The Ghajini
Oct 28th
By Taran Adarsh, October 28, 2010 – 16:17 IST
The process to launch the superstar from Tamil films has begun. Ram Gopal Varma is going all out to launch the second installment of RAKHT CHARITRA. The second installment holds a lot of significance since it stars superstar Surya in the lead. In fact, RGV has thought of a novel strategy to announce the arrival of Surya in Bollywood. Massive hoardings are coming up at strategic points in Andheri and Juhu with focus on Surya alone. However, it’s the caption that catches your attention: ‘After Robot The Rajni, it’s Surya The Ghajini’.
It may be recalled that Surya had enacted the main lead in the Tamil version of GHAJINI, which was remade in Hindi with Aamir Khan. In the coming 21 days, the promotions of RAKHT CHARITRA 2 are only going to go bigger and better.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Verbal spat between Prahlad Kakkar, Abhishek Bachchan
Oct 28th
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, October 28, 2010 – 14:40 IST
Verbal spats in Bollywood are nothing new. Almost every second person from the industry has been into some verbal spat or the other. Examples of this are dime a dozen in the industry.
The latest one is something which can be called as a most unlikely one. It started off with the celebrated ad man Prahlad Kakkar speaking at the Mumbai Film Festival. He started off at the forum saying “Why use a good actor when you can have a nephew? And if you have to create stars anyway, why not from the family? It is hence very difficult for men to become stars. But since Bollywood does not want their women to be in films, females have a better chance of becoming stars or starlets. Men stars are usually useless nephews and sons,” he said at a forum. No. he did not end there. He went on to ‘cite an example’ in the form of Abhishek Bachchan. He said, “Abhishek Bachchan has 17 flops in a row and is still going strong. He is unique and should be in the Guinness Book of Records.” Needless to say that, this statement garnered an uproarious laughter from the gathering.
Retaliating to this, Abhishek tweeted “I love Prahlad Kakkar, he should be a stand-up comic not an ad-filmmaker. Maybe then someone will take him seriously! This coming from a man who makes commercials with his own son. Hmmm. Oh ya, Prahlad, I’m already in the Guinness book of world records and a very proud son. I hope you give your sons an opportunity to say the same someday.”
Bollywood Hungama will update you with ‘further developments’, if any, that is!
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
David Dhawan to bring Salman-Govinda back for Partner 2
Oct 28th
By Subhash K. Jha, October 28, 2010 – 11:52 IST
If there is one guy out there in the entertainment industry who can put an end to all the speculation on the status of the Salman-Govinda relationship, it is David Dhawan.
David who has been closely associated with both Salman and Govinda, has done the maximum number of films with the two stars. He’s now in the process of bringing them together for the sequel to Partner.
But the problem is with the stories about the Partners‘ real-life rift. They are taking a toll on David. And he has decided to do something about the crisis. He is toying with the idea of hosting a party to celebrate the Salman-Govinda friendship.
“And why just the Salman-Govinda friendship? It will be to celebrate the Salman-Govinda-David friendship. I get very disturbed when I hear about their so-called rift. Arrey yaar, both are far above such bickering. Look at Govinda’s track-record. He has been at the top for decades. As for Salman, with Dabangg he has proved he is beyond all competition. I hate to see people talking about two of my closest friends in this negative way. So yes a party celebrating Salman and Govinda’s friendship and my friendship with them seems a good idea,” says David emotionally.
Says David, “I’m committed to direct a film Rascals for Sanjay Dutt Productions from next month. Dutt is one of my oldest and closest friends. The first film I directed had Sanju in it. Then I’m committed to directing Partner 2 for Salman Khan and Govinda. So my career is devoted to friends.”
Family would naturally have to look elsewhere. David’s younger son Varun is being launched as a leading man by Karan Johar.
Says David, “All I can tell you at the moment is that my elder son Rohit is directing his first film Desi Boyz and my younger son Varun is going to be an actor. I’d have liked to launch both in their respective careers. But I am committed to making films with my friends.”
Rascals will feature Dutt, who is one of David’s oldest and dearest friends, with Ajay Devgn and Kangna Ranaut. It will be a typical David Dhawan comedy.
Argues David, “Why not? Why open the car bonnet to check the motor when the vehicle is running just fine? When others are copying my style why should I move away from it?”
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Subhash Ghai to open Whistling Woods in Haryana
Oct 28th
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, October 28, 2010 – 12:55 IST
Whistling Woods International (WWI) is all set to branch out and set up its campus at Jhajjar in Haryana. This will be the institute’s second facility in India, after its campus at Filmcity in Mumbai.
During his recent visit to Mumbai, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister, Haryana along with his delegation of high-level government officials visited the institute and interacted with Mr. Subhash Ghai and the team at WWI. Mr. Hooda was impressed with the filmmaking techniques, the course structure and the state-of-the-art facilities offered at WWI and described the institute as an excellent place for students to learn from the best. He said that Mr. Ghai was marching ahead of time as he felt strongly that the real competition for resources would be in the field of education and skill development; and that the areas and states blessed with quality education would be the real leaders in the time to come. He was delighted that a campus with this vision would be available to the students of Haryana and adjoining states.
Speaking on the occasion and complimenting Mr. Hooda for his visionary approach in the field of education and other areas, Mr. Subhash Ghai, Founder and Chairman, Whistling Woods International said, “Haryana has made tremendous progress under the leadership of Mr. Hooda and the whole of India is appreciating it. Haryana is a state with huge potential, with young budding talent. This institute will give an opportunity to these young aspiring film-makers to chase their dreams.”
The institute is being set up in a 20-acre sprawling campus at Jhajjar in Haryana and will provide world-class film, television, animation and media education. The integrated model will also include space for shooting floors, studios and various commercial complexes. With a planned investment on the project of over Rs.100 crore, the institute campus will be ready within three years. This institute will cater to the whole of North India, including Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jammu & Kashmir besides Haryana.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Delhi boy to star in Ang Lee’s next
Oct 28th
Delhi boy Suraj Sharma, 17, will play Pi Patel in Ang Lee’s upcoming adaptation of Yann Martel’s best-seller ‘Life of Pi’
MUMBAI MIRROR Online Bureau (October 28, 2010)
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| Suraj Sharma, 17, will be playing the lead role in Ang Lee’s upcoming Life of Pi |
Yes, India has much to rejoice about as Ang Lee has chosen 17-year-old newcomer Suraj Sharma to essay the role of Pi.
Suraj lives with his mathematician parents in Delhi. He has no previous acting experience and was cast following an extensive, months-long search. Over 3000 young men auditioned for the part.
Lee, whose many other honors include an Oscar nomination for his direction of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and whose Sense and Sensibility was a Best Picture nominee, will shoot Life of Pi in 3D, utilising groundbreaking techniques to capture the story’s epic scope.
Life of Pi is based on Yann Martel’s beloved book, one of the biggest publishing events of the past decade. The book has sold over seven million copies worldwide and continues to sell over 1,000 copies per week and has won the prestigious Man Booker Prize, and was a New York Times bestseller for over a year.
Yann Martel had this to say: ”I’m thrilled that Ang is adapting Life of Pi to film. He’s a brilliant, versatile director, with a stunning visual sensibility. He can capture the most intimate emotion as well as the most dynamic action. He’s the perfect filmmaker to bring Pi’s epic journey to the screen”
Life of Pi will take the audience through a young man’s incredible adventure – at turns thrilling and spiritual; joyous and harrowing; humorous and tragic. Audiences will follow Pi Patel as he travels from an exotic zoo in India on a voyage across the Pacific, where he survives a shipwreck and is cast adrift in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger as his only company. Adrift in an endess expanse of ocean, Pi struggles to survive and train his companion, landing on a magical island that offers the two their only respite on their desperate journey.
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| (From left) Ang Lee with Suraj Sharma |
Commented Ang Lee: “It has been a daunting and exciting process to develop a motion picture that brings Yann Martel’s fascinating, mind-boggling story to the big screen. Casting the sixteen-year old Pi was particularly challenging. We searched throughout India for a young man who had the innocence to capture our attention, the depth of character to break our hearts, and the physicality needed to embody Pi on his journey.
“Suraj is Pi,” Lee continued. “During his audition, he filled the room with emotion, much of which he conveyed simply through his eyes. His natural ability to believe and stay in the world of the story is a rare treasure.”
Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox Star Studios India says, “We are hugely excited that Ang is adapting the international best -seller Life of Pi. The fact that it will project Indian talent on the Global platform makes it doubly special. We are glad to have the young and talented Suraj Sharma on board for this exciting project. With it’s thrilling plot and groundbreaking 3D techniques, Life of Pi will be a hugely anticipated film in India.”
The film will begin production in January 2011 in India and Taiwan. Twentieth Century Fox will release the film on December 14th, 2012.
Here’s why Rahul’s indebted to Mumbai Mirror
Oct 28th
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 28, 2010)
Barely days after Mumbai Mirror reported on Indian Idol singer Rahul Vaidya filing a case at the Versova police station against TV producer Gajendra Singh for non-payment, the singer has been paid his dues.
When contacted, Rahul Vaidya said, “Yes, I have got my balance dues. So many people called me when they learnt about this issue. The money was delivered to my house.
I have always believed in the power of the pen but you get to know it better when it happens to you personally.
Today, I believe in the power of the pen even more than before.”
There are ‘pen’alties for repeating yourself, Rahul! Just kidding.
Akki is only being human
Oct 28th
Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 28, 2010)
Akshay Kumar is in ‘payback’ mode. According to a source close to Akshay has already donated nearly Rs 50 lakh to Being Human in one swoop.
And we hear that Akshay intends to double that amount before the year is through. Reveals a source, “For years, Akshay has been working for various causes.
But he has always been wary of transferring funds to charitable institutions. Now in Being Human, Akshay has found a charitable trust that he can trust.”
The story goes that Akshay’s decision to donate such a big amount stems from the fact that Salman did a cameo in his co-production, Tees Maar Khan, free of cost.
Furthermore, Akshay has even informed Salman of his availability for any event related to Being Human. “Bas mujhe bolna aur main haazir ho jaaonga,” he has told him.
Deepika’s mothering heights
Oct 28th
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 28, 2010)
Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore is known to be picky with signing films but a lesser-known fact is that she makes exceptions for people she is fond of. And it turns out, Deepika Padukone is one of them.
Sharmila will be seen in the Imran Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer, Break Ke Baad, in which she plays a single mother to Deepika. Deepika and Sharmila share a very special mother-daughter relationship in the film.
And acting must come naturally to both since both Deepika and Sharmila are very fond of each other. The two first met on the sets of Love Aaj Kal, which Saif Ali Khan produced.
Deepika bonded with Sharmila and apparently when the mother’s role was being finalised for Break Ke Baad, Deepika suggested Sharmila’s name.
When contacted, Deepika said, “I was very excited to know that Sharmilaji will be playing my mother in the film. I respect her immensely, and feel she is one of the finest actors of India.
I am humbled that I got a chance to share screen space with such a great actor.”
Tusshar and Kareena gang up against Lovely
Oct 28th
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRRROR; October 28, 2010)
The Director Lovely Singh will remember his recent trip to Hyderabad for some good reasons, but more importantly, some very unpleasant ones.
When he landed up on the sets of Golmaal 3 in Hyderabad to meet his friends Kareena Kapoor and Tusshar Kapoor, Lovely was oblivious that the two had planned to gang up against him.
Later that day, both Kareena and Tusshar told Lovely that the hotel he was supposed to stay in, was haunted.
That night, minutes before falling asleep, Lovely found two `Nimboos’ on his bed. The next day, he found blood in his toilet. And on the third day he started hearing weird noises, like that of a girl crying.
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| Lovely Singh |
Only later did Lovely realise that these were all pranks and that Kareena and Tusshar had planned them.
A petrified Lovely said, “I could not sleep for three nights. Even Ajay Devgn teamed up with Tusshar and Kareena. The worst was when they hid a walkie-talkie behind the AC that made weird noises.” Wait, that’s not been mentioned; are you sure there was a walkie-talkie Lovely?
