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Big B and Ashmit Patel roped in for a project
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Thursday, April 12, 2007]
Ashmit Patel would be grinning from ear to ear. After all he has bagged an opportunity to be a part of the same project where Amitabh Bachchan too has an important role to play. Their association happens for the music album titled MERE MANN MEIN DHADKAN MEIN.
The two do not share any screen space together since Ashmit Patel is the lead man in the music video for the album while Big B is heard in the role of a narrator. The album is a unique experience in itself since it has poems by Ravindranath Tagore put to tunes.
The album has Indrajit Dasgupta lending his vocals while Ujjwal Chatterjee has directed the music video which also features Rituparna Sen as the lead actress. |
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Box office analysis
Exclusive By Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Thursday, April 12, 2007]
First weekend performance of latest release
Two distinct films released last Friday - SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM and PROVOKED. While SLBB looked safe due to its multistarrer appeal, popular music and good vibes that the film's subject was generating, PROVOKED was always meant to be a dicey preposition due to its dark theme and minimal publicity.
Nonetheless, both the films failed to create any major impact at the box office as neither SLBB nor PROVOKED opened to a heartening response. While poor beginning to PROVOKED was as expected (it is a kind of film that would have worked mainly on word of mouth), the response to SLBB was disappointing to say the least.
SLBB was always expected to open in the middle range and then hope for better days ahead based on its merits. Hence a lukewarm opening was disappointing but not threatening since it was expected that the film would pull through by the time the first weekend was through. Sadly none of that happened as the film met with such horrific critic response that revival from that point on looked very difficult.
Coming to the merits of the film, it actually does boast of a good storyline but surprisingly 90% of the media was unanimous in calling it a dud. Call it a joint call or just a coincidence but the fact remains that SLBB has opened to the worst reviews this year, followed closely by only DELHII HEIGHTS, the film which released a week earlier. It is sad to see that the good effort put by both Bobby Deol and Upen Patel is not being seen by many and if the film's trending doesn't move towards stability soon, it would turn out to be a loosing venture for everyone involved.
Last week's movies
Jimmy Sheirgill, Sarwar Ahuja and Sanjay Suri, the lead actors of DELHII HEIGHTS, KHANNA & IYER and SAY SALAAM INDIA would certainly want to forget if these films ever happened to them. The biggest disasters ever of their career [except for debutant Sarwar who would be hoping that this was just a bad dream], each of the lead actors have a BIG flop to their name now.
The saddening part is that none of them is to be actually blamed for the poor response to their films since they did all they could to come up with good/convincing acts. It's the film/promotion that failed them which meant that 2007 had 3 straight losers added on to its tally.
While DELHII HEIGHTS failed to even cross 50 lakhs across the country, KHANNA & IYER is a mammoth disaster by just about managing to cross 5 lakhs! Regarding SAY SALAAM INDIA, the less said the better since the film's collections were in few thousands, let alone even touching 1 lakh at a single center!
From the past
With zero competition challenging its might, NAMASTE LONDON only grew from strength to strength as it went on to add on another 9.5 crore. Now this is just a 40% drop over its first week total of 15.5 crore, something which we predicted last week looking at the trending and a good word of mouth that the film has been generating ever since the first show of the film commenced.
Though first week indicated a final total in the range of 30-35 crores, an excellent second week combined with lack of any major competition till the arrival of TA RA RUM PUM on April 27 means that the film has good potential to cross 35 crores. The film is doing exceedingly well up North India as it collected further 1.5 crores in Delhi after an opening of 2 crores. Even in Mumbai, it has been on stable grounds as indicated by its 1.25 crore + second week figure after collecting 2.25 crores in the first week.
At 25 crores and still pulling in audience in hordes, the film is now already a semi-hit with a potential to be an all around hit if it maintains the trending as reflected in the second week.
Mira Nair's THE NAMESAKE has turned out to be a surprise box office success. Opening to a moderate response, the film recovered well by the time first week came to a close. After collecting 1.25 crores in the first week (decent), the film ended up garnering an even better response in its second week as it showed a jump in collections to bring in another 1.4 crores with its total now exceeding 2.5 crores.
The only film which has shown such consistency in the recent past has been VIVAH though the magnitude of collections has been a lot higher. Nevertheless, the success of THE NAMESAKE marks the acceptance of a new kind of cinema which actually cannot be classified into a particular genre. Boasting of superb performances from Irrfan Khan, Tabu and Kal Penn, the film also comes as a shot in the arm for UTV which didn't have a particularly good start to the New Year with the poor response to HAT TRICK.
With films failing around it left, right and center, VIVAH marches on towards the silver jubilee mark as it collects 15 lakhs, exactly the same amount as in last week, in its 21st week. Coming back into the Top-5 charts, the film's marketing, release strategy and product placement deserve to be considered for a case study across management institutes. The film is still running at over 50 cinemas with its total inching towards 32 crores.
In the future
An action/drama, romantic/drama and a comic/drama makes for the offering that Bollywood has for the viewers coming Friday. The films we are talking about are BIG BROTHER, LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIIE and BHEJA FRY. There is some uncertainty over the proper release of BIG BROTHER across good chain of theaters and it may eventually arrive only on single screens. Long in the making and with not much promotion for the film except for the television promos, BIG BROTHER has its chances mainly up North.
LMKK is a Vikram Bhatt film and since he has a series of box office disappointments behind him, the film seems to be facing a hushed up release with not much promotion backing it up. There are not many expectations of an opening from this youth multistarrer. Third release of the week is BHEJA FRY and though the film comes with just 2 weeks promotion behind it, an attractive title followed by an impressive ensemble starcast may make this whacky film the first choice of moviegoers at least in city multiplexes [its target audience] |
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'March Of The Penguins' - A huge grosser worldwide
IndiaGlitz [Thursday, April 12, 2007]
By now, it is no more a secret that Amitabh Bachchan's voice as a narrator would be heard in the Indian release of 'March Of The Penguins' that arrives on screens all over today.
What is not known to a few is the fact that this documentary which tells the tale of penguins is also a box office smash hit across the globe. The film has proved to be a big money spinner wherever it has been released during last 2 years.
In fact by the time of the 2006 Academy Awards, this Best Documentary winner had out-grossed all 5 Best Picture nominees ($77 million vs. $75 million for Brokeback Mountain (2005)).
Now that's certainly no mean achievement! |
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Meet the ghostly friend
IndiaGlitz [Friday, April 13, 2007]
A co-production of Studio 18 and B. R. Films, 'Bhootnath' is an endearing tale of friendship between a mischievous child and a troubled ghost.
Banku and his family move in to their new house - the Nath villa, unaware of the fact that the house is inhabited by a ghost who is not too happy with his new housemates. But what the ghost is not prepared for is his unlikely friendship with Banku. Now Banku must uncover the reason his ghostly friend is stuck in limbo and help him to attain salvation.
Directed by Vivek Sharma, 'Bhootnath' has music by Vishal-Shekhar with Amitabh Bachchan, Juhi Chawla, Shahrukh Khan, Satish Shah and Rajpal Yadav as principal cast members. In addition, Aman Siddiqui is the child artist who plats the role of Banku. |
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Nadiadwala and Priyadarshan clash again after PHP and CCK
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Friday, April 13, 2007]
Last time when Firoz Nadiadwala and Priyadarshan clashed, it was the latter's film which got the most effected. We are talking about PHIR HERA PHERI and CHUP CHUP KE, both of which had clashed with each other on the same day last year.
History repeats itself this year too as Nadiadwala's FOOL N FINAL would be clashing with Priyadarshan's DHOL on June 1. While former is directed by Ahmed Khan, latter has Percept Picture Company as the film's producers.
Though DHOL boasts of being a young multistarrer with Tusshar Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Khemu and Tanushree Datta in the lead, FOOL N FINAL is perhaps the biggest multistarrer to be arriving this year with a huge cast in the form of Sunny Deol, Shahid Kapoor, Sunil Shetty, Vivek Oberoi, Jackie Shroff, Bipasha Basu, Ayesha Takia and Sameera Reddy.
While the release date of DHOL has been finalized as June 1 for months, FOOL N FINAL has got delayed by a few months but has finally penciled in June 1 as the final date of release. Now it has to be seen if one of the films decides to make way for the other and avoid yet another clash. |
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STUDIO 18 brings Emraan Hashmi overases with AWARAPAN
IndiaGlitz [Friday, April 13, 2007]
 
Among the industry's most prolific producers, Mukesh Bhatt and Mahesh Bhatt (Vishesh Films) have tied up with Studio 18 for the international release of the Bhatts' most ambitious and costly venture to date, Awarapan.
Directed by Mohit Suri of Zeher and Woh Lamhe fame, Awarapan features Emraan Hashmi, south superstar Shreya Saran (who will soon be seen opposite Rajnikanth in the mega Tamil blockbuster, Sivaji) and the Apaharan bombshell, Mrinalini Sharma (last seen in the sensational item number opposite Ajay Devgan.) In true Bhatt tradition, the romantic thriller, shot in Hong Kong, will boast of chartbusting music by Pritam, on Sa Re Ga Ma.
Awarapan will also be the Bhatts' and Emraan Hashmi's first principal theatrical outing in the overseas market. The International Division of Studio 18 has become synonymous with promoting and making a success of films with new names ( Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd., Kya Love Story Hai) internationally, and Awarapan will be their next from the 2007 line-up.
Remarked Ashoka Holla, Senior Vice President - International Business at Studio 18, "It is a known fact that the Bhatts are extremely passionate producers and work hard in promoting their films. It is unfortunate that many of their recent works have not made it overseas despite the enormous success of their music. Studio 18 is happy to initiate an association with them on Awarapan and work jointly towards giving it due visibility and a credible theatrical release internationally."
Stated Mukesh Bhatt, "We are proud to be associated with the Raghav Bahl-promoted TV 18 group. It is one of the best corporate houses in the business and the International Distribution team at Studio 18 comprises young, experienced and dynamic members who have repeatedly proven their credentials. We look forward to working with them on Awarapan."
Awarapan is due to release worldwide on June 29. |
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Esha : Thoda action, thoda emotion
IndiaGlitz [Monday, April 16, 2007]
 
Esha Deol will surprise her fans with some breath-taking stunts in her forthcoming film. Director Anubhav Sinha's movie 'Cash' has Esha doing many action sequences. The actress refused to use a duplicate and insisted on doing her own stunts.
Though Esha is not allowed to reveal much about her role in the film, she does spill a few beans. She will be seen delivering high-flying kicks and doing a high-speed car chase. Even though she is adept in driving, Esha had to undergo training under an expert in Cape Town, South Africa, before shooting her action scenes.
Esha says she likes action movies like 'Kill Bill' and wishes Bollywood would make more girlie action flicks.
Apart from action, she is also showing a new facet of hers as she is being recognised as a switch-off-switch-on actor.
They used to say Sridevi was a very shy and quiet person until put before the camera, when all of a sudden she'd undergo a complete transformation of sorts and light up all the moments. Amongst the new breed of actresses, we hardly have many like her, except for a Kajol or Rani Mukherji.
But now here comes Esha, which Bollywood can proudly add in the 'switch-on switch-off acting' league of performers. Ever since Esha started shooting for Ram Gopal Verma's 'Darling', the moment the camera rolls, she so effortlessly and spontaneously blends with her character, that everyone around is transported in a different world.
And as the director shouts cut, Esha suddenly becomes Esha; the carefree innocent happy-go-lucky girl that she is. Bollywood surely needs more of her kind. |
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"I want to live in a zoo" - Bhairavi (Bheja Fry)
IndiaGlitz [Monday, April 16, 2007]
She's got Bipasha's duskiness, Priyanka's poise, Mallika's bust and Sushmita's brain. Here comes the new addition to the hep Bollywood brigade.
Her name is Goswami, Bhairavi Goswami. She's been in the page-3 circuit for some time and is now making a subtle foray into films playing key characters in Sagar Bellary's comedy 'Bheja Fry' (released with rave reviews this week) and Rahul Kapoor's silent film 'My Daddy Strongest' which will mark the return of Kumar Gaurav. So make way for the new bombshell.
She also has her own sense of humor. Recently, at a television shoot for the promotion of 'Bheja Fry', all the lead actors decided to wear dark glares just for fun. But Bhairavi Goswami absolutely refused to don glares. She said, "I have spent half an hour curling my lashes and applying mascara, how can I hide it."
Understandably so, since she spent quite some time doing and redoing her make up. Since the cast was called two hours earlier for the press conference, Bhairavi was quite tired and her make-up was not so fresh.
Just before the screening was about to start she rushed downstairs to the MAC make-up counter and got the make-up artists to give her a makeover. Soon she breezed in along with the other guests looking fresh as a daisy.
On being asked where she sees herself five years from now, guess what she replied! No, she didn't have the clich |
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Ria Sen in 'Boondon Mein' once again
IndiaGlitz [Monday, April 16, 2007]
Soft drink enorsement is a world that is predominantly male dominated. Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan and Akshay Kumar have been known for their regular appearances in soft drinks belonging to rival cola companies while Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra too are seen making an occasional appearance.
Amongst these, the only female who is an almost regular when it comes to soft drink endorsements is Ria Sen who has been associated with a lime flavored drink. Targeted at youth, the drink had Ria roped in a couple of seasons back and ever since then she has been one of their most popular faces on the telly.
With the punch words 'Boondon Mein', the advertisement has its strength lying in the instant recollection factor due to a lively video that captures the exuberance of youngsters in their late teens-early twenties.
Recently, Ria has shot for next in the line of advertisements for the current summer season. Making an impression yet again as an ever-so-young girl who is pretty much identified by the youth, she gets her girlish charm on full display yet again and makes you get all fresh and charged up - boondon mein! |
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It's time for SHOOTOUT
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Monday, April 16, 2007]
After months of a nail biting wait, Sanjay Gupta's next offering SHOOTOUT AT LOKHANDWALA is being readied for a release.
Slated to arrive on May 25th, the film has seen a kick start in its promotion by means of multiple teasers focusing on each and every cast member. Boasting of an ensemble starcast comprising of Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vivek Oberoi, Tusshar Kapoor, Arbaaz Khan and Rohit Roy, the film is definitely huge with promise of a well etched out character for each of them.
In addition to the impressive teasers on air, the promotion also sees an item song that features Viveik Oberoi and Tusshar Kapoor. SHOOTOUT AT LOKHANDWALA is produced by Sanjay Gupta, Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor while Apoorva Lakhia has directed the thriller. |
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Punjabi Pop Singer Ashok Mastie on occasion of Baisakhi
IndiaGlitz [Monday, April 16, 2007]
態aisakhi |
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"Don't make kiss an issue" - Shilpa Shetty
IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, April 17, 2007]
In a recent event held to promote the cause of AIDS awareness, Shilpa Shetty and Richard Gere came together in an event where the latter impromptu ended up kissing the gorgeous lady.
As expected, ever since then there is a furor being witnessed amongst media and political circles. Tired of all the unwanted attention and unnecessary accusations, Shilpa Shetty has come out in open.
In a statement issued through her spokesperson and publicist Dale Bhagwagar, she says, "The media should concentrate on the promotion of the cause of AIDS awareness, rather than make 'issues' out of Richard Gere's kisses." |
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Music promotion turns over a new leaf
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, April 17, 2007]
With the arrival of YBR Records, a T-Series company, music promotion has turned over a new leaf ever since the company debuted with USTAD & THE DIVAS.
While the album turned out to be a superhit, the company has intensified the promotion of the numerous labels it owns, starting with 'Bhajans'. While 'bhajan' promotion has traditionally been associated with videos shot in temples and other pilgrimage spots, the new age promotion campaign means that this is being done differently too.
So what we see is a series of ad films being shot that propagate the cause of 'Hanuman Chalisa', 'Gayatri Mantra' etc. by means of bringing out incidents which constitute slice of life.
These well received ads have given a new dimension to the 'bhajan' albums and should definitely result in an altogether new market being created for the music belonging to this genre.
About YBR-Records: It is a boutique label, which exclusively deals with Hindi non-film repertoire, international music and home video, children抯 repertoire and production of full-length Hindi feature films. |
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Meet the man who directs Adnan Sami
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, April 17, 2007]
In the recent times, most of the music videos featuring Adnan Sami have been shot by Bela Saigal. But for his latest album KISI DIN, an exception has been made as a new name MARLON RODRIGUES is seen on the credits for this job.
Well, the man is not entirely new to the world of showbiz as he has a series of promos and music videos behind him, most popular being 'Raat Baaki' and 'Dagala Lagli' from the album JALWA 2. And now here comes the shocker - The man has also directed a full fledged feature film called C U AT 9 which arrived 2 years back.
When released, the film was instantly dismissed as a sleaze flick. A violent thriller with liberal dose of flesh, sex and sleaze thrown in to good measure, the film starred newcomers Isaiah and Shweta and disappeared without a trace.
To his credit, Marlon has done a much better job with his opening video for Adnan's new album KISI DIN and brought alive the feeling of innocent love, romance and tragedy. |
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Aftab-Koel surprise with their on-screen chemistry in LMKK
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, April 17, 2007]
Dino Morea - Nikita Anand, Anuj Sawhney - Nauheed Cyrusi and Anjori Alag - Raj Zutshi were the three on-screen couples in Vikram Bhatt's just released LIFE MEIN KABHIE KABHIEE. But guess which is the pair that is being said to have turned out to be most charming on screen? Aftab Shivdasani and Keol Purie.
An untested pairing that has gained good appreciation from everyone who has watched the film, Aftab and Keol look good together mainly due to their uninhibited natural act. Right from the moment when the two start off on a wrong note [they meet through a matrimonial website and Aftab lies about his social status] followed by Aftab's frequent wooing of Koel to their eventual marriage, struggle to run their household and experiencing parenthood, everything happens with a smile which only aids in bringing on lighter moments in this emotion-packed film.
To the credit of Aftab, his performance shines in the film in spite of its multistarrer appeal which proves yet again that the young actor never fails to deliver when it comes to a film by Vikram Bhatt. Their track record of having worked together in 7-8 films so far only proves so!
On the other hand Koel Purie, in spite of being handicapped by an inconsistent makeup in the first half, does well to let Bollywood know once again that she is capable of enacting diverse roles even when it comes to mainstream cinema. |
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Exclusive synopsis - TA RA RUM PUM
IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, April 17, 2007]
 
This is the story of one man, his family and how they overcome the obstacles that life puts in their way, together. It is the story of human spirit and how it ultimately prevails.
Rajveer Singh (Saif Ali Khan) is a pit-crew worker in a racing team with a passion for driving who gets discovered by a team manager, Harry (Jaaved Jaaferi). The same day he accidentally meets a music student, Radhika (Rani Mukerji), who he falls for instantly.
He gets drafted into 慡peeding Saddles |
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Kissing controversy: Shilpa calls a press conference
IndiaGlitz [Wednesday, April 18, 2007]
There is a national debate building up on Rochard Gere - Shilpa Shetty kiss controversy. To set the stage clear before she moves on in her life to wrap up the work for her upcoming release LIFE IN A....METRO, Shilpa Shetty held an impromptu press conference.
Addressing the media at Koparkhirane Railway Station in Navi Mumbai where she was shooting for this Anurag Basu film, she defended Gere and gave him a clean chit. She added that he had not done anything obscene and media was unnecessarily creating an issue out of an inconsequential incident.
She yet again pleaded for the fact that the bigger picture should be looked at pertaining to AIDS awareness rather than something as trivial as an innocent kiss. |
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'Bheja Fry' breaks the Bollywood jinx
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Wednesday, April 18, 2007]
Friday, the 13th, has always been considered unlucky for the release of films. Movies released on this day and date have either fallen into all sorts of trouble or bombed.
But recently released 'Bheja Fry' has clearly broken the jinx. Inspite of releasing on Friday the 13th of April, the film has not only received rave reviews for its rip-roaring brand of comedy, but has also done decently at the box-office all over the country.
Like its debutant actress Bhairavi Goswami rightly puts it, "Goes to prove a good film always works." |
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Ayesha Takia has an eventful weekend
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Wednesday, April 18, 2007]
Young Ayesha is keeping extremely busy. She is currently involved with two of her films that are spread apart just about a month and a half and is busy with their promotion.
This Friday sees the release of her KYA LOVE STORY HAI where she would be seen with Tusshar Kapoor. Participating in an intense promotional campaign, she has been busy giving interviews, spend time for satellite promotion and give sound bytes via press conferences.
Soon after the release of KLSH, she heads straight into the promotion of her next release FOOL N FINAL where she is paired opposite teen heartthrob Shahid Kapoor. Beginning with the music launch which happens on 21st April, she would be actively seen and heard over the next one month as her Ahmed Khan directed action/comedy/thriller gets set for a June 1 release. |
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Aarti's persistence pays with SOAL
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Wednesday, April 18, 2007]
It has been almost a year since Aarti Chhabaria was seen on the big screen.
Her last release was TEESRI AANKH - THE HIDDEN CAMERA where she stole the show with her action moves in spite of Amisha Patel being the bigger name in the Sunny Deol starrer. Impressing the audience with her karate kicks, she did get noticed by the film makers and went on to bag two prestigious projects - SHOOT OUT AT LOKHANDWALA and ANAMIKA.
Late May, her first of the biggies - SOAL - would be releasing which has created a tremendous pre-release hype within 4 days of the kick start of film's promotion. In fact Aarti has gained extensive coverage in the film's promos as the item song picturised with Tusshar Kapoor and Viveik Oberoi matching steps with her is one of the major attractions of SOAL.
To be recognized in spite of an all male starcast dominating the proceedings is no mean achievement. Still Aarti has just about managed to do that with her persistence paying off ever since she made her debut 6 years back with LAJJA. |
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Post time 13-4-2007 01:25 AM
