The 'formula' works equally effectively across the cultural divide. If in Bollywood Rahman was expected to do a series of Rukmani rukmani after Roja in the West they want more Jai ho from this composing genius after Slumdog Millionaire. But Rahman in his own quiet way is determined to not pander to western expectations. He made it very clear to the people behind his first full-fledged Hollywood film that he'd compose exactly what he thought to be the most apt music for the show. Says Rahman, "Couples Retreat will have music that suits an American rom-com there're no real Indian sound in it. But yes, there will be a touch of Indianness in the sound. Otherwise what is the point of bringing me into the picture?" Apparently there were numerous brainstorming sessions during which the sound of Slumdog Millaionire kept cropping up repeatedly. Rahman gently but firmly steered the music away from the expected. Chuckles the wizard of all composing things, "There's no point in doing something I've already done. I've reached a stage where I've to do new things. There're so many avenues to be explored. So Couples Retreat will be their (read: American) kind of music with my touch, done in my way." Secretly Rahman agrees with those of his admirers and fans who feel Slumdog Millioniare is not among his best work. Says a source, "He has done far superior work in films like Lagaan, Dil Se, Roja, Zubeida and the forthcoming Raavan and Blue. Friends keep telling him that. Slumdog was done in a hurry. In about 20 days flat. Rahman feels he could've done a lot better. He now wants the West to see some of his best." Rahman is looking at Couples Retreat as his real launch into the West.Sep 21, 2009
"Couples Retreat will have American rom-com music with a touch of my Indianness" - Rahman
The 'formula' works equally effectively across the cultural divide. If in Bollywood Rahman was expected to do a series of Rukmani rukmani after Roja in the West they want more Jai ho from this composing genius after Slumdog Millionaire. But Rahman in his own quiet way is determined to not pander to western expectations. He made it very clear to the people behind his first full-fledged Hollywood film that he'd compose exactly what he thought to be the most apt music for the show. Says Rahman, "Couples Retreat will have music that suits an American rom-com there're no real Indian sound in it. But yes, there will be a touch of Indianness in the sound. Otherwise what is the point of bringing me into the picture?" Apparently there were numerous brainstorming sessions during which the sound of Slumdog Millaionire kept cropping up repeatedly. Rahman gently but firmly steered the music away from the expected. Chuckles the wizard of all composing things, "There's no point in doing something I've already done. I've reached a stage where I've to do new things. There're so many avenues to be explored. So Couples Retreat will be their (read: American) kind of music with my touch, done in my way." Secretly Rahman agrees with those of his admirers and fans who feel Slumdog Millioniare is not among his best work. Says a source, "He has done far superior work in films like Lagaan, Dil Se, Roja, Zubeida and the forthcoming Raavan and Blue. Friends keep telling him that. Slumdog was done in a hurry. In about 20 days flat. Rahman feels he could've done a lot better. He now wants the West to see some of his best." Rahman is looking at Couples Retreat as his real launch into the West.
Om Puri to play a terror mastermind in Rensil D'Silva's Kurbaan
Naseeruddin Shah ostensibly played a terror mastermind in Neeraj Pandey's A Wednesday. But finally it turned out to be the role of messiah on a mission to 'cleanse the society'. Now, Naseer's arch-rival Om Puri has taken on the role of an unapologetic hardcore terrorist in Rensil D'Silva's Kurbaan. Bollywood characters derived from headlines specially ones that are taken from extremist news reports, are now being seen as tricky territory. In Rensil D'Silva's hushed and much talked-about Kurbaan, Om Puri plays a hardcore terrorist who masterminds a massive terror attack in the US. Surely a politically-incorrect role for an actor, if ever there was one! In fact, Irrfan Khan had said no to play a global terrorist in Kurbaan. Playing a terrorist automatically puts the actor in the suspicious list on the international airports. And so what if it's just a part? But Om is fearless. "I'm aware of the repercussions. I'm also aware others actors turn down parts of terrorists. But I've no such reservations. A role is a role. We cannot be moral and judgmental about the characters we play. In Kurbaan I play the terror mastermind, a fully committed jehaadi who is ready to sacrifice everything including his wife (Kirron Kher) for the cause." It's a role with deep reverberations. But Om is prepared for the backlash. "I played a radical mullah mouthing rabid dialogues in Jagmohan Mundhra's Shoot On Sight. It was just a role. I think our audiences are mature enough to understand this." However the audiences' level of maturity seems to have gone for a toss. Om has apparently started receiving warnings from fundamentalist organizations about playing an extremist. Om says he won't be deterred. "I played a Pakistani in Charlie Wilson's War and East Is East. And now, in October, I go into the sequel West Is West with the same cast. This time, Vijay Raaz and Ila Arun have been added. Is it dangerous to experiment with morality in your actors? Let it be. In my new release Baabarr, I played a corrupt colourful cop who doesn't think tweaking the law is a big deal. It's good to enter the hearts and minds of people who live by their own weird morality."Sanjay Dutt and Jackky in Vashu Bhagnani's Faltu
In Munnabhai MBBS, Sanjay Dutt had thumbed his nose at academic qualifications by fudging his way through a doctorate. Now in Faltu, he questions our educational system in a less satirical far more serious tone. When Vashu Bhagnani wanted to re-launch his son, he needed an A-lister as a box-office support. Every leading man declined politely. Only Bollywood dildaar, Sanju Baba, came forward to work with Jackky Bhagnani in a film that starts in September to be directed by choreographer Remo. It will star Sanjay Dutt and Vashu's son Jackky who made his debut this year with Kal Kissne Dekha. Jackky's second film is not an escapist entertainer. Says Vashu, "It's a film about the lacuna in present-day education. When I heard Remo's story, I was bowled over. It's about the failure of today's educational system to guide our youngsters into suitable careers. It's about how there's too much stress in and on academics and too little on actually tapping every child's potential. Remo has earlier made an award-winning Bengali film (Lal Paharer Katha with Mithun Chakbraborty)." Vashu's son's post-debut film going by the improbable title of Faltu sounds like a departure from convention. "It is," concedes Vashu. "But nothing conventional works any more. I want to bring new talent into the industry. And the title is an acronym. I can't reveal the full form. It will give away the plot.""I am not on Twitter or any other social networking website" - Katrina Kaif
Someone has been impersonating Katrina Kaif on Twitter and the actress shooting in Bhopal is not amused at all. "Something has to be done to stop this sort of vandalism. I am not on Twitter or any other social networking website. I plan to start my own website by the end of the year." Katrina Kaif doesn't believe in half-measures. It comes as no surprise to know that she intends to start her own website after months of research, preparation and build- up before the internet's most 'hit' girl delves deeply into her own domain. The actual launch will be by the end of the year. "I don't want this to be something I start and then leave to others to take care of. Of course there will be professional employed to oversee my website. But I'll be picking and choosing all the material and pictures that go into it." Katrina's website is being launched with maximum care. Katrina wants it to be a one-stop all-purpose stopover for all her fans on the net. Other websites using her pictures and quotes without proper consent would have to face legal consequences. Considering she's the most searched and googled Bollywood actress, surely telescoping and restricting the inflow of information and pictures would be tough. Says Katrina, "My website will be comprehensive. It will have my exclusive pictures. In fact I'll be doing photo sessions done specially by me. It will also have pictures taken by me on my sets and on location." What Katrina's website won't have is accounts and reports on her day-to-day activities. "I don't think it's cool to let people know where I am or what I'm doing throughout the day. I'm not on any of the social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. I guess my life is no an open Facebook," she puns. The design colours and format for her website are ready. "I looked at several designs presented to me. Then I saw a British actress' website which I quite liked, though it was too dark for my personality. My website will be fun, feisty, bubbly and colourful, to go with my image." Katrina's website has been designed by her sister's boyfriend and two professional designers from Great Britain. "There's nothing haphazard and everything official about it," she chuckles.Vidya Malvade replaces Urvashi Sharma in Aap Ke Liye Hum
The game of musical chairs that has been plaguing the Jaya Bachchan-Raveena Tandon-Ayesha Takiya-Madhavan starrer Aap Ke Liye Hum has finally ended. Urvashi Sharma who was supposed to play Ranvir Shorey's wife has been replaced by Vidya Malvade, last seen as Sanjay Dutt's wife in Sanjay Gadhvi's Kidnap. But the battle it seems has just begun. While the director Revathy S Varma accuses Urvashi of un-professionalism the young actress isn't sitting idle either. She has her own story to tell. ''I can't understand how I can be accused of un-professionalism when the makers of this film have been the most unprofessional. Their very first cheque bounced even before the first schedule. This wouldn't happen to Jayaji's cheque because she's a legend, or Raveena Tandon or Ayesha Takia because they're both established names. Only my cheque bounced. Why?'' Urvashi however absolves the director of all blame. ''I've nothing against Revathy. I blame the producers for being so unprofessional.'' In the meanwhile there's another twist to the tale with the director accusing Sonal Chauhan of spreading false rumours and causing problems for the project. Says Revathy, ''Sonal was never approached for Ayesha's role.She was asked to do Urvashi's role. When she opted out we asked Priyanka Kothari who loved the character. But somehow it didn't work out. Now we've got Vidya Malvade to do it. I wish people would let me make my film in peace. Urvashi behaved as though she's a big star. We couldn't really afford her tantrums.''Anupam Kher invited to speak at Cambridge University
After having put Bollywood on the global map with his impeccable acting skills, the legendary actor Anupam Kher has come a long way since his Saaransh days. On the international front, after having worked with the likes of the Hollywood greats Ang Lee and Woody Allen, Anupam has now been invited by the prestigious Cambridge University to give a talk on 'How to Build and Orchestrate Trans-National Creative Networks'. Anupam is expected to fly down to the conference on 'Globalisation of Indian Cinema: Opportunities for the West' at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, on September 19. Speaking exclusively to Bollywood Hungama, Anupam said, "It's a great honour for me to be invited to speak about Indian cinema and the globalization of Indian cinema. For a person like me, who hails from a Hindi medium school, 'terms' like Cambridge and Oxford were all Greek and Latin during childhood. And today, with Cambridge University inviting me to deliver a lecture there, only means that Bollywood has ultimately arrived and how! Not just that, this also reflects the philosophy of my play 'Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai', that nothing is impossible." Anupam Kher, it's not just Bollywood, but also Bollywood Hungama that is equally proud of you and your achievements.Priyadarshan's next is action flick starring Ajay, Akshaye and Bipasha
Now it can be told. Ajay has set up a makeshift gym in far-off Karaikudi for more than just recreation. For his role in Priyadarshan's hard-hitting tale of honour killing in Bihar, Ajay Devgan needs to have an especially toned-up physique. The film is yet untitled and stars Ajay Devgan, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu and Paresh Rawal. Talking about the film, Priyan says, "I've turned the horrific tale of an actual incident in Bihar of an inter-caste romance into a full-on actioner. See, I wanted to keep it real. At the same time I wanted to make it riveting for the audience. So while shooting on an authentic location (Karaikudi is like a small town in Bihar) I've made my two heroes Ajay and Akshaye Khanna into full-on action heroes. This film has the kind of real stunts never seen in Hindi cinema." Priyan has roped in his old action director B. Thyagarajan and a stunt director from South Africa, Frances to devise action scenes which would take the director's Bihari drama into the region of riveting realism. Says Priyan, "When I say real action, I mean fight scenes that are the opposite of cable-wired flips somersaults jumps and leaps. This time Ajay has gone as raw as it can get." The action sequences have both Devgan and Khanna locked in hand-to-hand combats, and other very basic forms of physical aggression that went out of vogue with the old Kung Fu films. For this, Devgan needed to get into a different shape, and so did Akshaye. In fact, Akshaye is a new convert to the gym. Till this schedule in Karaikudi started, Ajay persuaded Akshaye to head for the gym. "Yes we've a set up a terrific gym in this wilderness. It's been set up in an under-construction building. It has all the equipment," says Bipasha. "We all work out in it. Ajay and I, of course. Paresh Rawal also works out. Akshaye Khanna only used to play squash for exercise. Now he's started going to the gym. They need to get into a specific shape for this film." Before producer Arbaaz Khan can shift Bihar to Vai near Mumbai for the shooting of Abhinav Kashyap's Dabangg, Priyadrashan has relocated a village of Bihar in Karaikudi, a Tamilian small-town 80 kilometers away from Madurai to shoot for his very real headline-derived inter-caste love story that shook rural Bihar some time ago.Big Pictures sells movies to Korea, China
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