Kangna all set to break free post Rascals?

Kangna may well be counting days till the release of Rascals post which she would be glad to break free. The Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn starrer hasn’t really left a good taste in her mouth

and with the makers clearly putting the film’s (distant) second lead Lisa Haydon much ahead of her; picture is quite clear on the wall. However, the end is

not as near as it seems. Reason being that Kangna still has one more film with Ajay Devgn – Tezz – up for release and there is still a sword hanging

on her neck, what with Sameera Reddy as another leading lady in the film, ready to hog all the limelight.

“Kangna has been quiet through all this mayhem and that has been with a reason. However, she would be on her toes when it comes to Tezz. No one can be

sure of how this Priyadarshan directed film works for her. Perhaps everyone would get an answer depending upon how she is treated in Rascals once the

film releases this weekend”, says a source who has been closely following Kangna’s career journey during last few months.

Though Ajay Devgn is hardly known for playing games when it comes to his films, one suspects if there would be other influences that may could be creating a

sense of apprehension for Kangna. In any case, she has competition in the form of Sameera Reddy who has worked with Priyadarshan before as a female lead in

De Dana Dana and an item girl in Aakrosh.

“Anything is possible”, the source continues, “Look at Lisa, she was a nobody when signed for Rascals and today she is almost being projected as the main

female lead. On the other hand, even though Kangna is a much bigger name and was signed for this very reason in Tezz, Sameera’s promotion for the film

has been on full swing for so many months. Makers have a ready female protagonist up there to be promoted as a main lead if the need arises. Obviously Kangna

can’t take it easy.”

For a multi starrer action thriller which in any case is testosterone driven with Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgn and Zayed Khan arriving with a mighty punch,

Mohanlal along with Boman Irani expected to add on to the drama and Sameera Reddy turning a biker girl with quite a fare dare devil stunts to her name, one

just hopes that Kangna’s worst fears don’t really come true.

Once a hot favourite with Sanjay and Ajay, Kangna could well be looking forward to her newer bunch of films like Miley Naa Miley Hum, Dedh Ishqiya and

Tanu Weds Manu Season 2. And then there is Sunny Deol starrer I Love New Year that should be released soon and may just about begin a New Year,

professionally at least, for Kangna.

Mukta Arts announces 3 new films on their 32nd Anniversary

One of the most well-known and prolific production houses in Bollywood is Subhash Ghai’s Mukta Arts. The banner, which has given us evergreen hits such as Karz, Ram Lakhan, Karma, Khalnayak, Taal, Pardes, and Aitraaz amongst others, recently celebrated its 32nd anniversary.

In true Mukta Arts tradition, 3 new films were announced on this joyous occasion to be directed by bigwigs such as Abbas Mustan, Priyadarshan and Ghai himself. Cast and credits are being finalised and all the films will begin shooting in early 2011.

Abbas Mustan, who are directing a film for Mukta Arts, sent a message all the way from Russia where they are doing recee for their remake of The Italian Job. Said the director duo, “Firstly we would like to congratulate Subhash Ghai on the 32nd anniversary of Mukta Arts. We’ve had a very long association with Subhashji and are very happy to be associated with him once again. We will be starting the film for Mukta Arts in 2011 and it is titled Garjann and is a fast paced thriller.”

Speaking on making a film for Mukta Arts and Subhash Ghai, prolific filmmaker Priyadarshan said, “I have a few gurus whom I learned film making from and one of the prominent teachers of mine has been Subhashji and my text book of entertaining and visual cinema comes from his films. It’s a great honour for me that I have been chosen as one of the directors to direct a film for him. It’s a great responsibility and a big water mark for my career and I believe I can do justice to the film.”

Besides the above mentioned two films and a film to be directed by Mr. Ghai himself, Mukta Arts will also release Paschim Express With Love, a romantic entertainer in February 2011. The film is being produced by Subhash Ghai and directed and acted by all the graduates from Whistling Woods International Film Institute.

Anil Kapoor will be seen as Indian Playboy in Mission: Impossible 4

There’s something phenomenal about this man called Anil Kapoor. Else, how would you explain the fact that even at the age when he is supposed to be playing father’s roles to heroines, he is one of the most sought after actor (read ‘hero’) in Bollywood…

Well, the histrionics of the global phenomenon (he can be called so, courtesy Slumdog Millionaire) doesn’t end there. Not too long ago we had reported that Anil was approached for a prominent role in the hit action series Mission: Impossible for its fourth installment. Though at that time, details of his role were a bit sketchy and with no confirmation from the studio or the actor’s end, it was rumoured that he would play either the villain or a major supporting role. However, now it is learnt that his role in MI4 will feature him playing the role of an Indian playboy called Brij Nath, who is armed with international connections in high places al la the original Playboy Huge Hefner! News is also afloat that Anil, who will be having some steamy scenes with Paula Patton, will be shooting for the film from next month in Dubai.

On the ‘desi’ front, market is abuzz with the rumor that Anil will be seen in a negative character in Priyadarshan’s forthcoming thriller flick Tezz. Well, this man’s ‘roll’ does not end there, for rumor also has it that Anil might also star in Vikramaditya Motwane’s next which it to be produced by Karan Johar and Anurag Kashyap.

Aakrosh release shifted to October 8

Barely two days after vocalizing an ostensibly immovable determination to release their film this Friday and hardly hours after the newspapers announced September 24 as the release date, the Anjaana Anjaani team has done an about-turn on the release date.

On Monday afternoon it was decided that the film would now be released a week ahead of schedule on October 1. A huge setback for the film as it now has to compete for eyeballs with two other biggies Priyadarshan’s Aakrosh and Shankar’s Robot.

Director Siddharth Anand who had earlier stated that neither the Ayodhya-Babri Masjid verdict nor the Dabangg factor would prevent Anjaana Anjaani from releasing this Friday now has this to say about the postponement: “There are too many reasons for the postponement. The court verdict seems too much of a risk and danger to the release.”

What about the additional burden of keeping the marketing and promotion going for an extra week? Says Siddharth, “We’ve given two years of our lives to Anjaana Anjaani. What is one extra week? And the verdict (on the temple-mosque issue) is an important day for the entire country.”

The real reason for the postponement, says a source, is that neither Dabangg’s popularity nor the nation’s security bandobast (ref: the terrorist attack in Delhi on the two Taiwanese tourists) seems conducive to a favourable release of Anjaana Anjaani this Friday when the honourable court makes a historical decision.

In the meanwhile, Priyadarshan’s hard-hitting socio-political drama Aakrosh which was supposed to come on October 1 has now voluntarily been shifted by its producer Kumar Mangat by a week to October 8.

Says Mangat, “Neither the producer Sajid Nadiadwala nor the director Siddharth Anand of Anjaana Anjaani asked me to move forward. I chose to do so although it means an added burden of Rs. 1 crore to my marketing and promotion budget. But these compromises are essential in the entertainment industry. I’ve been a distributor and producer long enough to realize we all need to work in unity.”

Mangat has in fact distributed the current blockbuster Dabangg in Mumbai and is understandably upbeat about the box-office. “The decision to move Anjaana Anjaani was correct. And we couldn’t have three big films (Anjaana Anajaani, Aakrosh and Robot) on one Friday. We will now come with Mohit Suri’s Crook on October 8. Two big films on the same Friday is okay.”

Commenting on the need for producers to co-operate among themselves Kumar Mangat says, “When my comedy Atithi Tum Kab Jaaoge was to release, I got to know two other big films Teen Patti and Kartik Calling Kartik were releasing the day. I requested one of them to move forward. When they didn’t oblige, I moved my film. Chalta hai. We need to support one another’s films.”

Anjaana Anjaani to release on 1st October

There was slight uncertainty which was building up around the release date of Anjaana Anjaani. Though plans for 24th September were finalised months back, the latest developments around the court verdict to be passed around 60 year-old Ayodhya title suit has apparently led to some rethinking amongst the makers. Add to that the fact that the film’s lead Ranbir Kapoor has shared his thoughts around the film’s release pretty openly has led to further round of speculations.

During one of the promotional events of the film, Ranbir Kapoor went on record to state that it was improper to release the film on 24th September since such a big national level decision was being announced on the same day. He felt that it was more appropriate to release Anjaana Anjaani a week later. Though producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Siddharth Anand were supposedly not quite prepared for such comments, they have now been prompted to give it all a rational thinking and are finally releasing the film a week later on October 1st.

Says an industry observer, “The film has heated up quite well for this Friday release. The music is hit while promotional events have been going on full swing as well. No producer would actually want to move his film ahead when so much publicity has already taken place. A week’s delay would lead to more investment in the entire promotion and publicity machinery.”

“However, what is also of utmost importance is to pre-empt the sentiments across the country on 24th September. Really, one can never be too sure about how tense the situation could be then. It is not just about UP; it is about the whole country. Security is already pretty pressed up for the entire weekend. It may not be a bad idea after all for Anjaana Anjaani to hold on for a while and let 24th September pass by”, he continues.

Now that this Ranbir Kapoor- Priyanka Chopra starrer has decided to come on 1st October, it won’t be a bad deal after all. The only major competition for the week is with Aakrosh but given the dramatic genre of this Priyadarshan directed film and hence a different target audience, it won’t be an issue for any of the two films to do well. Rajnikanth and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer Robot also releases on 1st October but again, its audience base is primarily down South.

While neither Sajid Nadiadwala nor Siddharth Anand were available for comments, the lead actors were continuing to promote the film in a business as usual manner.

No more comedies for Priyadarshan

The prolific Priyadarshan who in many ways spawned the entire culture of modern-day comedies in Bollywood has decided to take a sabbatical from the funny stuff. No more comedies, says Priyan. And he makes a barbed comment on the new breed of comic filmmakers. “Let the others dabble in comedy. I’ve had my fill for a while.”

So adamant is he on staying away from comedies that he has told Subhash Ghai whose banner needs immediate revival that he won’t be able to do a funny film for the producer. Ghai had gone to Priyadarshan in the hope of his production house securing a De Dana Dan, if not a Hera Pheri.

Priyan made it clear that he won’t indulge in any funny business. Says the director, “Subhashji came to me to sign me for a film. I made it very clear that I won’t be making a comedy. I’m working on a few scripts. He has left it to me to decide what to make.”

In fact Priyan has put aside the desi version of the Walt Disney film Freaky Friday for this very reason. The idea of making a funny mother-daughter film doesn’t enthuse the director at this point of time. Freaky Friday is being adapted into Hindi by Devika Bhagat who wrote Aisha for Sonam Kapoor and Anil Kapoor Productions, in that order.

Says Priyadarshan, “I’ve committed myself to doing a film with Anil Kapoor Productions. But it needn’t be Freaky Friday. It could be something else. I have told them to finish the scripting then come to me.”

Priyan means serious business at the moment. His next release Aakrosh is a sombre look at honour killing. And the film he starts in September is a terrorist thriller featuring Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Tusshar Kapoor, Kangna Ranaut, Sameera Reddy and Manoj Bajpayee.

The film has no title as yet. And Priyadarshan is looking for one. “It should begin with ‘A’ or ‘F’,” says Priyan firmly.

Interestingly, Priyadarshan’s favourite actor Akshay has gone on-record to say he would like to do only comedies since audiences get enough rona-dhona at home on television. Does that mean no more films featuring the De Dana Dana star-director team?

Not quite! Priyadarshan is planning to convince Akshay to do a non-comic film. If there’s a film on AIDS that might bring the 2 together again.

Live Chat: Priyadarshan on August 27 at 1430 hrs IST

He is one of the most prolific filmmakers of our country whose films have even been awarded the prestigious National award. He is none other than Priyadarshan, director of films such as Hera Pheri, Hulchul, Virasat, Gardish, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and De Dana Dan.

Priyadarshan is now ready with his latest flick titled Aakrosh and starring Ajay Devgn, Akshaye Khanna and Bipasha Basu in lead roles. Bollywood Hungama gives you an opportunity to have a live video chat with the man himself- Priyadarshan on Friday, August 27, at 1430 hrs IST. Don’t miss!

Khatta Meetha opens to a good start

MUMBAI: You are bound to have a winner on hand with director Priyadarshan and the star with impeccable comic timing Akshay Kumar showcasing to audiences in the light hearted manner that they’ve mastered the various facets and levels of bribing and crooked tricks required for a common man to survive the system.

Original post: 
Khatta Meetha opens to a good start

Priyadarshan comes to Akshay’s rescue

MUMBAI: Some duos just spell magic at the box office and one such is the teaming of comic ace director Priyadarshan and the actor with impeccable comic timing Akshay Kumar.

The rest is here: 
Priyadarshan comes to Akshay’s rescue

Katrina Kaif in Hera Pheri 3

Katrina Kaif in Hera Pheri 3, Producer Firoz Nadiadwala is relieved. The third part to the Hera Pheri series is finally set to be made. The third part will have Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty and Paresh Rawal coming together yet again. This time, the heroine of the film will be Katrina Kaif and it will be directed by Anees Bazmee, unlike the previous two films that were directed by Priyadarshan and Neeraj Vohra respectively. The film will be called Hera Pheri 4 instead of 3. The reason for doing so will be given in the promos of the film when it is ready. Akshay Kumar was earlier having date issues but he managed to fit in Hera Pheri into his schedule anyhow. Meanwhile, he is going to be seen with Sunil Shetty and Paresh Rawal.

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Katrina Kaif in Hera Pheri 3 was first posted on October 21, 2009 at 1:57 pm.

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