Aamir’s Khan threw impulsive bash to celebrate Delhi Belly’s success

Aamir Khan broke free of his three years of no drinking rule on Friday night …actually Saturday morning, when he threw an unscheduled impromptu party for the spectacular opening of his production Delhi Belly at his residence in Bandra.
Yes, Aamir can be unrehearsed and spontaneous too, if he wants. He proved it on Friday night with his impulsive decision to have a party and an even more impulsive decision to drink after staying away from alcohol for three years.
Says an invitee at the party, “Yes, Aamir suddenly decided to host a party for all the cast and crew of Delhi Belly at his residence. He drank for the first time in three years. Aamir had champagne and Bacardi. We were all surprised when he phoned us to come over to his house post midnight on Friday evening. We thought it’d just be a small and brief celebration for the delightful opening of our film. But the celebration went on until morning. We left at 4 am.”
Significantly the film’s official director Abhinay Deo was missing from the bash. Apparently Abhinay is in London. More importantly the Delhi Belly writer Akshat Verma who, to everyone’s surprise, has been billed as the film’s associate director in the credit titles, was openly and wholeheartedly thanked by Aamir for his contribution to Delhi Belly.
Says the invitee, “Yes, Aamir thanked everyone. But it was Akshat whom he thanked first of all. And that was not a coincidence. We could see Aamir wanted to make public Akshat’s contribution to Delhi Belly.” While every member of the Delhi Belly cast had a blast.

Apple: White iPhone 4 to go on sale today

The white iPhone 4 will be available in the United States, United Kingdom and 26 other countries for US $199 to US $299 depending on the model.

Apple Inc. said that the prices are for phones purchased with a two-year contract from AT&T Inc. or Verizon Wireless in the United States. The black iPhone 4 went on sale last June.

Initially Apple had hoped to make the white phones available in July. After a delay, Apple announced the availability in late 2010 but later admitted that the production of the gadget was more challenging than expected. In October 2010, Apple said that the white iPhone would be available in the spring.

Libya oil output stops after attacks: rebels

BENGHAZI: Production at rebel-held oilfields in eastern Libya has stopped after they came under attack from forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, a rebel spokesman said on Wednesday.

Oilfields in Misla and the Waha area were hit by Gaddafi’s artillery on Tuesday and Wednesday, spokesman Hafiz Ghoga told reporters in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

“These oilfields are the ones that pump oil to Tobruk,” said Ghoga. “They stopped pumping today.”

Both fields are in the desert, hundreds of kilometres south of the rebel-held town of Ajdabiyah. Rebels have been trying to resume exports to raise revenue for their uprising.

Ghoga said Gaddafi’s forces hit Waha’s field 103 on Wednesday and Misla on Tuesday after a previous attack there at the weekend.

“These oilfields are the ones that pump oil to Tobruk. What we have marketed is what we have in reserve in Tobruk. We have one million barrels (in reserve).”

He added that until Tuesday the rebel-held east Libyan fields were pumping 100,000 barrels per day. Damage from the latest attacks was still being assessed.

“It was not an air strike, it was from the ground using vehicles. The vehicles had artillery on them,” he said.

“We are now providing more protection. We have even moved people from the front (to the fields),” Ghoga said.

He did not give details of the damage although when the first Misla attack was reported at the weekend, the rebels said a diesel storage tank was hit and the damage was not very serious.

The Liberian-registered tanker Equator sailed from Marsa el Hariga, near Tobruk, earlier on Wednesday apparently with the first cargo of crude sold by rebels since their uprising against Gaddafi began in February, shipping sources said.

Ghoga added: “We hope that production will continue at the rate of the past but because of the damage that has come to our fields because of Gaddafi’s military tools, our production has been affected.”

“We have a quantity of oil that needs to be marketed so that oil production does not stop and cause problems and it is in the port of Marsa el Hariga, but Colonel Gaddafi is trying to stop our efforts by hitting the oil fields.”

Libya was producing around 1.6 million barrels per day of oil and exporting some 1.3 bpd before the uprising. AGENCIES

Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji opens better than Bhandarkar’s biggest film Fashion

Continuing the winning trend in 2011 so far, Dil Toh Baccha Hai Jihas now joined the likes of Yamla Pagla Deewana, No One Killed Jessica and Dhobi Ghat, all of which have been successful at the box office. Now this Madhur Bhandarkar film too has taken a decent to good opening at the box office, hence ensuring that at the least it is on safe ground and is a winning preposition at the least.

“Exactly”, says an excited Bhandarkar who has been closely monitoring the film’s progress amidst the trade, audience and industry circles, “I was getting good vibes from those who had seen Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji prior to its release. However the way audience too has given a go-ahead to the film, as can be seen in the collections over the weekend gone by, I am quite pleased.”

He has all the right reasons to be elated. As per early estimates, the film has netted in the vicinity of Rs.15 crores just from India. This is just a Rs.3 crores less than what Priyanka Chopra starrer Fashion had netted in it’s entire first week when released a couple of years ago. Of course the print count was lesser there but in the times when quick bucks are the name of the game, an early recovery for this medium budgeted film featuring Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi and Omi Vaidya is being looked at pretty positively.

Says a source attached to the film, “The film has been made on very controlled budget despite big names being involved. There was no wastage involved as well as it was wrapped up in quick time. While the production cost was Rs. 22 crores, print and publicity was further Rs. 6 crores. To recover Rs. 28 crores is a cakewalk due to inherent merits that the film carries.”

With good reviews coming the film’s way and audience reaction too ranging from decent to good with no one having anything contrary to say, Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji pretty much seems en route to turning into the biggest grosser ever for Madhur Bhandarkar after Fashion (which had netted Rs.27 crores).

“Well, I hope so”, smiles Bhandarkar who can shrug away the under performance of his last release Jail, “We have anyways recovered quite a lot from satellite (Rs.16 crores) and music rights (Rs.2 crores). The theatrical too was sold at Rs.13 crores which will be quite easily recovered by all involved.”

As for the audience, Bhandarkar is happy that he could successfully move away from the serious cinema that he has made in the past and give them some light hearted entertainment as well.

“In addition to that this is my first major success for a male oriented film”, adds Bhandarkar, “The film has only picked up further over the weekend. With quite a few open days ahead, we should only be benefiting further from word of mouth.”

Venezuela landslides leave 21 dead

Heavy rains and landslides in Venezuela have left at least 21 people dead as meteorologists predict even more stormy weather and possible landslides.

The floods, triggered by heavy raining, have destroyed houses and blocked roads, forcing thousands to flee their homes.

The government has declared an emergency in three flood-hit states and in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, canceling school and opening hundreds of storm shelters. It is expected to continue raining for the next three days in the South American country.

Torrential rains struck northern Venezuela last week, interrupting the production in two of the three refineries in the Paraguana Refining Center, which processes almost half of Venezuela’s crude oil.

In 1999 severe weather caused a devastating landslide that killed more than ten thousand Venezuelans.

Break Ke Baad proves to be profitable venture for its makers

Break Ke Baad starring Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone opened to mixed response when it released last Friday (Nov 26). However, the film produced by Kunal Kohli in association with Reliance Big Pictures and directed by debutant director Danish Aslam, seems to be on safe grounds mainly thanks to its correct economics.

In fact the production costs of the film (excluding P & A), 18 crores, had largely been recovered through the sale of satellite and music rights itself and despite the film opening to weekend collections of Rs. 10.5 crore nett, it does seem like a profitable venture for its makers.

Also Break Ke Baad has had some refreshing marketing tie ups, with brands such as Kit Kat, Close Up, Zen Mobile, Venus soaps and Da Milano. These brands have spent money close to the tune of Rs. 2 crores on TV spends in prime slots. The marketing has been innovative, and different, thereby making an impact.

Thanks to its youth appeal, fresh pairing coupled with the right amount of marketing and publicity, the film has even opened to a good response in the overseas market. USA has responded well to the film and Dubai too has received the film well.

Says Priti Shahani of Reliance Big Pictures, co-producer of Break Ke Baad, “It’s true that Break Ke Baad has already recovered it’s production cost, including marketing costs. Being a hype project, the digital rights (satellite, music and video) were sold at a lucrative price. Marketing and promotions have been effective with brand synergy with Kit Kat, close up and other brands. Break Ke Baad has released across 750 screens in India.”

With even some big star-cast films flopping at the Box Office this year, pricing a film correctly has become paramount to avoid huge losses.

‘Koffee With Karan’ in trouble?

Karan Johar’s show ‘Koffee with Karan’ is one show that has always maintained a status of being an “it” celebrity talk show. So much so that in the film

Salaam-E-Ishq, Priyanka’s character feels that she would be considered a star the day Karan invites her on ‘Koffee with Karan’.

Well, rumour has it, that stars are no more keen on being on the show unless they have a film to be promoted. So much so that Karan is having trouble

scheduling stars according to what he finds fit, as they wouldn’t face the camera unless they are looking for extra publicity. With Karan’s health on the

decline, sources say, this is adding to the concern.

To add on to KJo’s troubles, for his upcoming production starring Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan, Karan was trying to organise the US visas but the Mumbai

consulate, reportedly, has declined saying that they have too many requests already. This has apparently forced the production to take the entire unit to

Chennai to get visas. With so many issues in KJo’s life, we wish him best of luck.

‘Koffee With Karan’ in trouble?

Karan Johar’s show ‘Koffee with Karan’ is one show that has always maintained a status of being an “it” celebrity talk show. So much so that in the film

Salaam-E-Ishq, Priyanka’s character feels that she would be considered a star the day Karan invites her on ‘Koffee with Karan’.

Well, rumour has it, that stars are no more keen on being on the show unless they have a film to be promoted. So much so that Karan is having trouble

scheduling stars according to what he finds fit, as they wouldn’t face the camera unless they are looking for extra publicity. With Karan’s health on the

decline, sources say, this is adding to the concern.

To add on to KJo’s troubles, for his upcoming production starring Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan, Karan was trying to organise the US visas but the Mumbai

consulate, reportedly, has declined saying that they have too many requests already. This has apparently forced the production to take the entire unit to

Chennai to get visas. With so many issues in KJo’s life, we wish him best of luck.

"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.

Yash Chopra to inaugurate IFFI 2010

He has given us countless hours of entertainment and continues to do so with his production house Yash Raj Films, he is none other than the famous Yash Chopra. The veteran Bollywood filmmaker will be inaugurating the 41st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) this year in Goa.

IFFI will also be felicitating several actors whose names will be disclosed at a later stage. The festival which begins Nov 22 and goes on till Dec 2, has already received a record number of 450 entries for the Cinema of World section and the final list will be chalked out soon, while 15 movies from several countries will be up for the competition in the international competition section.

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