Sajid Nadiadwala and Sajid Khan differ on item song for Housefull 2
There is a sizzling debate brewing between producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Sajid Khan over a pending item song in Housefull 2.
We’ve been hearing of an item song in the big-budget under-production film that according to the grapevine is to be performed by some A-lister.
Not so fast! Before the item girl has a blast on screen, she would have to go through close scrutiny by the film’s producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Sajid Khan.
While Khan favours the tried-and-tested formula of getting an A-lister actress on board, Nadiadwala feels the item song by a hot-and-happening actress has truly been done to death and to keep audiences’ interests alive in the cult of the item song, the phenomenon of the surprise dance must really and radically be re-invented.
“Really, after Munni and Sheila and all the others there’s not much that can be done with an item song with just a big-name actress dancing to it,” Nadiadwala argues and favours a new stunner to perform the item song in Housefull 2. Or else, the enterprising producer wants 2 A-listers for the item song.
However, Khan apparently feels that Jacqueline Fernandez who was a virtual unknown when she performed the item song to the remixed version of the Bachchan chartbuster ‘Apni To Jaise Taise’ in Housefull proves that an item song by a solo performer is very much a commercially viable proposition. The number was to be originally performed by Sushmita Sen.
And that brings us to the other bone of contention between the two Sajids. After the copyright-related harassment that Nadiadwala faced on using the old hit ‘Apni To Jaise Taise’ in Housefull, he wants to record a completely new item song for Housefull 2.
Says Nadiadwala, “Creating a new excitement in the item song has become very difficult. All the top actresses have been seen in item songs. What do we do?”
Khan was more guarded in his response, “It’s early to say anything about it. We’re shooting it after three months.”
Firoz Nadiadwala to set-up state of the art film studio near Pune
Firoz Nadiadwala is certainly one of the most lavish producers in tinsel town. After producing several hit films, Firoz now plans to open a state of the art film studio on the outskirts of Pune.
To be called Nadiadwala Entertainment Technology (NET), the studio will be built on a 460 acre property and would also feature other amenities like a 3 star hotel, a 5 star hotel and a convention centre. This dream project of Firoz Nadiadwala is expected to cost over Rs.1000 crores.
Must say the film industry is surely going to get a boost if producer Firoz Nadiadwala’s dream project materialises.
"I’m definitely making 2 States" – Sajid Nadiadwala
Off late there have been numerous speculations, rumours, gossips and hearsay circulating around the making of the newest Sajid Nadiadwala production which is an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s popular book 2 States.
The film was announced shortly after the release of Nadiadwala’s last production Anjaana Anjaani and though there was an official statement made in this regard, tongues have continued to wag around it’s director, star cast, timeline and other logistics. While Siddharth Anand is supposed to direct the 2 States adaptation, there have been constant murmurs around Saif Ali Khan walking in and out of project as well as the choice of heroine being either Priyanka Chopra or Deepika Padukone. Also, the film by itself has been a bone of contention as apparently the screenplay hasn’t been finalised yet, hence leading to further doubts around whether it would come on floors in near future.
“I am most definitely making 2 States. I have bought the rights so eventually I would be making the film,” says producer Sajid Nadiadwala.
At Bollywood Hungama, we bring to you all the bare facts right from Sajid Nadiadwala, the man at the hot seat.
The director
“Siddharth is on board as a director. He is already working on putting together the screenplay.”
The hero
“Saif Ali Khan is confirmed as the leading man for the film.”
The heroine
“No heroine is finalised, whether it is Priyanka or Deepika or anyone else. The screenplay has to be finalised first.”
The screenplay
“Most screenplays take time to be written. Sometimes it can be cracked in 15 days, sometimes it takes 6 months. Siddharth is working on it.”
The timelines
“There is no timeline decided yet. As I said, first the screenplay has to be finalised, then the remaining actors would be approached and its only after all of this is locked that we can make announcements around the shooting kick start.”
In the meanwhile…
“I am constantly asked if Siddharth can make any other film for another production house. Of course, why not? I can understand if there is some time that Siddharth needs to get the screenplay in place for 2 States. If he feels that he would want to use the interim time period to make another film, he can take a call. He is not under any contract with ‘Nadiadwala Grandson’ and make films for outside banners too, if he desires.
IT raid in Sajid Nadiadwala’s office
Producer Sajid Nadiadwala’s Anjaani Anjaani is not as big a success as Arbaaz Khan’s Dabangg. And yet after Arbaaz’s office a few days ago, it was Sajid Nadiadwala’s office on Yari Road which was raided by income tax officials on Thursday afternoon at around 3 pm.
A large number of IT officials swooped down on Nadiadwala’s office to check his accounts and records.
The producer whose last three films have been the flop Kambakkht Ishq, the super hit Housefull and the moderately successful Anjaana Anjaani sounded quite relaxed.
“It’s just a routine inspection. The IT people are here in my office checking my records. I am with them. I guess getting a visit from income-tax officials is one way of knowing how much a filmmaker matters,” joked Sajid, showing no outward signs of stress.
Big B, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn in Firoz Nadiadwala’s Power
Producer Firoz Nadiadwala, who recently announced his next venture titled Power, held its star-studded mahurat today. Attending the mahurat was Nadiadwala, director Rajkumar Santoshi along with the starcast which included Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Ameesha Patel, Kangna Ranaut, Lekha Washington, and Anuradha Patel (granddaughter of Kishore Kumar).
However, what’s interesting to know is that the story of the film, which is said to be an outright action film, is being kept tightly under wraps by Nadiadwala.
Power is scheduled to commence its shoot come October 4. The music for the film will be composed by Anand Raj Anand. It is rumoured that Anil Kapoor plays the villain in the film.
Big B, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn in Firoz Nadiadwala’s Power
Producer Firoz Nadiadwala, who recently announced his next venture titled Power, held its star-studded mahurat today. Attending the mahurat was Nadiadwala, director Rajkumar Santoshi along with the starcast which included Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Ameesha Patel, Kangna Ranaut, Lekha Washington, and Anuradha Patel (granddaughter of Kishore Kumar).
However, what’s interesting to know is that the story of the film, which is said to be an outright action film, is being kept tightly under wraps by Nadiadwala.
Power is scheduled to commence its shoot come October 4. The music for the film will be composed by Anand Raj Anand. It is rumoured that Anil Kapoor plays the villain in the film.
Nadiadwala announces release date of his musical Anjaana Anjaani
Celebrations are continuing for Sajid Nadiadwala. While his Housefull is holding on well at the box office after a terrific opening, he is also readying up plans for his first ever musical Anjaana Anjaani. The film is now all set for 24th September release.
“That’s right, 24th September is the confirmed release date for Anjaana Anjaani. This is the first ever 100% romantic musical film from my banner. I can proudly say that this is the best ever music made for a film of mine”, says Nadiadwala.
Coming from him, this is indeed a tall statement since traditionally; music has stayed on to be one of the highlights of his movies. Right from Jeet till Housefull, his movies have been remembered for their popular appeal. Whether it is Judwaa, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Jaan-E-Mann, Heyy Babyy or Kambakkht Ishq – movies coming from the house of Nadiadwala have boasted of at least one chartbuster track.
“Well, it’s going to be an entirely different experience in case of Anjaana Anjaani”, says Nadiadwala who certainly has an eye on mass entertainers, “Vishal-Shekhar, who have composed the music of my film, have touched a new high this time around. There are seven songs in the film and I can comfortably state that they have managed to do something which is on the lines of Aashiqui. Music created by Nadeem-Sharavan for that film is considered cult today. I am sure Anjaana Anjaani too will find similar space for itself in years to come.”
Association of Vishal-Shekhar and Siddharth goes back a long way. After creating music for Siddharth’s debut film Salaam Namaste, Vishal-Shekhar also collaborated with the young filmmaker for Ta Ra Rum Pum and Bachna Ae Haseeno.
While Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra are the obvious star attraction in Anjaana Anjaani, Nadiadwala continues to be mighty excited with the way music has shaped up for his film.
“For director Siddharth Anand as well as me, Anjaana Anjaani has been en entirely new experience. For some movies, the highlight factor is action or comedy; in case of Anjaana Anjaani it is music. Vishal and Shekhar have given their best ever score till date”, says Nadiadwala.
Other than being conscious about the way music has shaped up for his film, Nadiadwala also ensured that the best of the best was roped in for Anjaana Anjaani when it came to technical front. The film’s DOP is Ravi Chandran, Sharmishtha Roy has handled art direction while Nakul Kamte is the sound designer.
“We have roped in number of top technicians, most of whom are National Award winners”, says Nadiadwala proudly, ” Anjaana Anjaani was meant to be a quality fare and I am glad that it has lived up to my vision on how a romantic musical should be.”
Well, going by the confidence that Nadiadwala has in his film, one looks forward to see how the film has indeed shaped up. Come 24th September and we would know.
Housefull makers give press shows the skip
In what could be seen as a radical departure from the norm, producer Sajid Nadiadwala has decided to do away with any press screening of his new summer biggie Housefull which releases tomorrow.
His logic for this somewhat historic move is simple. Why allow adverse comments to go out when the film is about to be released?
Admitting he has aborted press screenings for Housefull, Nadiadwala says, “When my last film Kambakkht Ishq was released, the reviews were up on a day before, on Thursday. None of them did my film any good. Now we have Twitter where comments are spread faster than viruses on the computer. It may sound arrogant but I’m not holding press shows because my film can’t afford the criticism.”
But why is Nadiadwala so sure the press won’t like the film?
Says the producer, “My film has a monkey slapping Akshay Kumar, a dog, a tiger and sleepwalking father who suddenly comes awake to sing, ‘Papa Jag Jayega’. It isn’t the most logical of films. It’s for the masses. So let the critics watch it with the masses on Friday.”
However, Nadiadwala has been gracious enough to call up every critic in Mumbai personally to explain his position. “I hope they understand. They’re all my friends. In fact I have made the stars of my next film Anjaana Anjaani sign a NDA (non disclosure agreement) to keep information away from Twitter. If critics are willing to do the same I’d be happy to show them my film in advance. But the habit of tweeting and posting comments on new films on Facebook has to stop. It’s very damaging.”
Adds Housefull director Sajid Khan, “I have no clue why the press screening is not on. I’m not the producer, merely the director.”
"No one better than Eros in overseas" – Sajid Nadiadwala
“There’s no one better than Kishore Lulla (Eros) in overseas,” says long time associate Sajid Nadiadwala who has joined hands yet again for his hot-n-happening next release Housefull. “Kishore is one of the finest human beings I have met and a very fair person. There’s an outstanding chemistry between me and Kishore. He’s not merely a businessman but he’s also very sensitive about his films,” Nadiadwala adds.
Sajid-Kishore bonding goes back to successful films like Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega, Heyy Babyy, Kambakkht Ishq and now Housefull which is carrying excellent reports. “Whenever we’ve worked, we’ve created a buzz. Heyy Babyy grossed Rs. 50 crores and it was the biggest grosser of Akshay’s career then. The first day collection of Kambakkht Ishq was No. 1 as it had Rs 8.5 crores.” Alright, how was your experience of working on Housefull? “Fantastic. Kishore gives a free hand in making the film. He has a brilliant office infrastructure in Mumbai handled by his brother Sunil Lulla. Hope our association works well in Housefull as well and it breaks all records.”
Housefull will be having one of the “biggest, widest releases. It will release in 2000 + screens across the world,” Nadiadwala informs. As for his superhit combo with Eros, Sajid hopes that it will continue to reap rich dividends even for their eagerly anticipated project Anjaana Anjaani starring Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor which is releasing in a few months time.
Nadiadwala to hire private jets to transport Housefull prints to Europe
In the absence of commercial flights to European countries producer Sajid Nadiadwala has no option but to hire private jets to take the prints of his on-release summer comedy Housefull to England and other European countries.
The volcanic ashes from Iceland has floated all the way to Bollywood…and nearly crashed into one the most mammoth summer release.
Sajid Khan’s multi-starrer Housefull which releases next Friday (April 30) is in delivery doldrums. As per release rules the delivery overseas has to be made a week in advance of the release day.
Since most of the air traffic to Europe was still shut on Tuesday (with no sign of a partial let alone full recovery of flights for some days to come) Sajid Nadiadwala is in a state of panic.
“This is most unforeseen,” he said on Tuesday, stressed and sleepless running helter-skelter looking for non-airborne means of transporting prints of Housefull to Europe.
Said the harrowed producer, “In all my years as a producer I’ve never encountered such a crisis. There’re about a 100 prints to be taken into the Europe. Air traffic has come to a standstill. I’m hiring private jets to carry the prints to the nearest city with an open air base. From there the prints will be taken to various European cities by train or road. I’m so desperate I’m ready to employ any means of transportation…planes, trains, automobiles, whatever is available.”
The added expenditure incurred by the paralysis of air traffic in Europe is the least of Nadiadwala’s worries. “It doesn’t really matter how much money it would cost. The important thing is to get the prints to the European centres on time. Or else the entire overseas release would be affected.”
The harassed producer won’t rest easy until a solution to the transportation deadlock is found. “It’s been one crisis after another for me. First the underworld threats then this volcanic eruption.”
So stressed is Sajid that he hasn’t been able to enjoy the completion of his next project Anjaana Anjaani.
Says Sajid, “Ranbir Kapoor had a wrap-up party for Anjaana Anjaani. But I wasn’t able to attend because of these two back-to-back crises at my workplace. Now I’ll celebrate only when Housefull is released properly everywhere.”
