"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.
Action Replayy all set to enter Oscar library
The makers of Action Replayy have a reason to smile. After all the screenplay of their film has been invited by the Library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences which wants it for its permanent script collection. Producer-director Vipul Shah got intimation on this regard early this week and he is making the necessary arrangements to ensure that a copy of the screenplay reaches Margaret Herrick library of the Academy.
Confirms Vipul, “Yes, they have shown a keen interest in preserving the screenplay of Action Replayy. They send out the invites for those films which they need for research purpose. Even earlier, a copy of screenplay of Namastey London was shared with them when they had expressed their desire for that. I am glad that they feel Action Replayy is worthy enough for students of cinema to read and learn.”
Screenplay of Action Replayy has been written by Vipul Shah and Aatish Kapadia. While the film has managed to make an impression at the Academy, ironically in ‘apna Bollywood’, many critics were far away from being kind to this Akshay Kumar-Aishwarya Rai film.
“It only shows that how far detached are quite a few of our esteemed critics are from grasping the real content of cinema”, shrugs away Vipul here, “Academy has shown so much good interest, those from the audience who have seen the film have liked it but then some really scathing comments from the critics did come as a shocker. Now that the screenplay is going to the Oscars library, it is definitely redemption of sorts.”
Saif & Priyanka in Siddharth Anand’s adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s ’2 States’
By now its common knowledge that after Anjaana Anjaani, the producer-director team of Sajid Nadiadwala and Siddharth Anand are collaborating together on another project. While not much was known about this project, it’s now revealed that the film will be an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s popular book ’2 States’. What’s more, the makers have managed a coup of sorts by getting Saif Ali Khan and Priyanka Chopra for the lead roles.
Confirming the news to Bollywood Hungama, Siddharth Anand said, “Yes…my next film is an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s book ’2 States’. It’s being produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and stars Saif and Priyanka. I was actually having another script in mind with Saif when Adi Chopra asked me to read ’2 States’. He felt I could do justice to the book. I am not much of a reader but since Adi insisted, I began reading the book and honestly it made for such a great read that I couldn’t put the book down. I immediately spoke to Chetan Bhagat and we decided to acquire the rights to the book. We plan to take the film on floors sometime in March 2011.”
Ask him how similar or different his film will be to the book and Siddharth replies, “As I said earlier, it’s an adaptation of ’2 States’. However, like in the case of any adaptation, there will be some changes to suit the cinematic experience. There may be certain portions which will be dramatized for cinema while some portions may not be included to keep the length at bay. So all in all there will be a few changes but the film will have the core essence of the book. In fact, we plan to shoot in the same cities in which the book is set namely- Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai and Goa.”
Siddharth also adds that his actors were a bit taken aback when he first told them that he was making an adaptation of a book. “Saif was a bit surprised as we were planning on working on something else but when he too read the book, he felt that we should go ahead with this project. As for Priyanka, she is also going to read the book very soon.”
Meanwhile author Chetan Bhagat too is excited about this collaboration. Says Chetan, “Among all my books, the maximum offers to make a film has come for this book ’2 States’. Considering I am known as a mass writer, I wanted to make sure that it gets made into a big mass entertainer with a reputed banner. The platform that Sajid Nadiadwala’s production house gives is a very big platform, they only do big films. Moreover, Siddharth too is a nice, upcoming director whose films have found an appeal. So, I guess it was the perfect combination this time around.”
Considering that last time Chetan had a bitter experience with the makers of 3 Idiots over due credit, is he making sure that he gets all the terms and conditions clear this time around. “Well…just because you have a fall playing football once, it doesn’t mean you completely stop playing football right? The question of credit doesn’t really arise in this case as from the very first day, they are announcing the film as an adaptation of ’2 States’. I am very happy and satisfied with what I’ve been offered by Sajid Nadiadwala and Siddharth Anand in terms of credit and the whole contract. I must add that they made an extra effort to make sure that the writer is happy and gets due respect for his work which is really great on their part. I am really excited about this project.”
Quiz him on whether he would be actively involved with the screenplay of the film and Chetan says, “It’s still too early and Siddharth is yet to decide on who would be writing the screenplay. But I am available to them if they require my assistance on that front too.”
Incidentally, Chetan’s 3rd book ’3 Mistakes Of My Life’ is also being made into a film by Abhishek Kapoor of Rock On fame. Speaking about its status, Chetan says, “Abhishek, Pubali and I have almost finished scripting the film. I think Excel Entertainment is yet to take on a call on when and how to slot the film considering they have a couple of projects on floors already. They have to even begin casting for the film. My guess is that the film based on ’2 States’ will go on floors first though one can’t really tell as of now.”
Court orders Knock Out producers to share screenplay with Fox Studios
The Sanjay Dutt, Irrfan Khan and Kangna starrer Knock Out is facing major trouble just days before its release. The Mani Shankar directed film is facing plagiarism allegations from a reputed Hollywood studio.
The case so far in question cropped up when 20th Century Fox moved the Bombay High Court alleging a copyright infringement, and seeking an injunction on the release of Sohail Maklai’s Knock Out. The basis for this petition being that the film Knock Out is a blatant copy of their Hollywood film Phone Booth starring Colin Farrell.
What’s interesting to know is that both films show the protagonist taking a victim hostage within a phone booth and forcing him to reveal certain dark secrets.
Yesterday, the High Court directed Sohail Maklai Entertainment Private Limited (SMEPL), producer of Knock Out, to give Fox Studios a copy of their screenplay and adjourned the case till Oct 13.
What is to be seen now, is if this case will delay the release of the film from its scheduled release date of Oct 15.
Court orders Knock Out producers to share screenplay with Fox Studios
The Sanjay Dutt, Irrfan Khan and Kangna starrer Knock Out is facing major trouble just days before its release. The Mani Shankar directed film is facing plagiarism allegations from a reputed Hollywood studio.
The case so far in question cropped up when 20th Century Fox moved the Bombay High Court alleging a copyright infringement, and seeking an injunction on the release of Sohail Maklai’s Knock Out. The basis for this petition being that the film Knock Out is a blatant copy of their Hollywood film Phone Booth starring Colin Farrell.
What’s interesting to know is that both films show the protagonist taking a victim hostage within a phone booth and forcing him to reveal certain dark secrets.
Yesterday, the High Court directed Sohail Maklai Entertainment Private Limited (SMEPL), producer of Knock Out, to give Fox Studios a copy of their screenplay and adjourned the case till Oct 13.
What is to be seen now, is if this case will delay the release of the film from its scheduled release date of Oct 15.
Imran & Deepika shoot special music video for Break Ke Baad
Click above for more movie stills
What happens to an on-screen couple in love after the film is over? It seems filmmaker Kunal Kohli won’t make us wait for a sequel to get an answer.
For Break Ke Baad, the film Kohli is producing with Deepika Padukone and Imran Khan in the lead, the team recently shot an additional epilogue, after the screenplay had its say.
Explains Kunal Kohli, “When I made Hum Tum, everyone wanted to know what happens to Saif and Rani after THE END. Do they live happily ever after? I’ve lost track of how many people have suggested a sequel to Hum Tum. That’s something I won’t do. Why go back to a film when there’re so many virgin stories waiting to be broken into?”
What Kunal would henceforth do is add an “after-story”.
“In Break Ke Baad, we’ve shot a story beyond the screenplay narrating a small improvised screenplay about the life that Deepika and Imran lead after the film is over. I could be using the same device in my other films in future if the characters seem to have a life after the film.”
Last week, Kohli and his Break Ke Baad director Danish Aslam also shot a music video which was initially cut down by Kunal Kohli. But the director and his lead pair Deepika and Imran insisted on it.
Says Kunal, “I really didn’t want to do a music video. I was the first one to do music video in our films for Hum Tum. But now everyone is doing it. So I was against doing one in Break Ke Baad.”
What convinced Kunal were the lyrics. “I wanted a song about separation. But I didn’t want the words, ‘Break Ke Baad’. Prasoon Joshi came up with such a wonderful line. ‘Dooriyan Zaroori Hai’. I was like, wow! All our love songs talk about separation being not worth considering. And separation was seen as important in every relationship. Every relationship needs space. I liked that concept.”
The music video would be part of the newly-shot epilogue in Break Ke Baad.
Raajneeti’s screenplay goes to Oscar archives
What can be better than having your film ‘acknowledged’ not just within the country, but also overseas! Its case with director Prakash Jha, who is obviously on cloud nine, as his film Raajneeti’s screenplay has been chosen for the Oscar archives.
Raajneeti, for starters, was a political thriller which starred Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Katrina Kaif, Arjun Rampal and others. Jha, recently, has been approached by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, to acquire the copy of the screenplay of the film, for their permanent core collection.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s premiere movie-related organization which is best known for its annual Oscar awards celebrations. The scripts in their collection are made available to all for research purposes only and in the premises of their reading room.
Other Indian screenplays that have made it to the Oscar archives include Rock On!, Heroes, Lagaan, Devdas, Munnabhai M.B.B.S., Kal Ho Naa Ho, Chak De! India, Sarkar Raj and Gandhi My Father.
Jhootha Hi Sahi Songs
September 20, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under Entertainment
‘Hello Jhootha Sahi’, a film director famous Tyrewala Abbas was released music Friday September 17, 2010. And began singing in the music reality show on Zee TV, Sa Re Ga as Pennsylvania, were all present at the launch of Abbas Tyrewala’s wife Pakhi, is debuting as an actress with ‘Jhootha Sahi hello’, and also wrote the screenplay. And John Abraham, the chief representative of the film and one in India to the best music directors AR Rahman, who composed the music of the film is also present at the launch.
And Ibrahim Abdel-Rahman is already serving as guests largely on supply and entertainment audiences with funny answers to questions raised by the contestants on ‘love and lies.’ Music ‘Jhootha Sahi hello’ is available on the Internet.
Those who intend to listen to music and should click on the link provided below. It has all the songs of the movie.
‘Ishqiya 2′: Is a sequel on the cards?
Is Vishal Bhardwaj planning a sequel to the much-acclaimed ISHQIYA? At least that’s what a section of the media would like us to believe. But the news is mere speculation. “No, there are no plans to make a sequel. I read about it in the newspapers and was quite amused. The fact is, there’s no truth to it. In fact, the thought of making a sequel hasn’t even crossed my mind,” ISHQIYA director Abhishek Chaubey clarifies.
So what is the talented director making next? “I have commenced writing my next script. This one’s set in North India. The screenplay will take another two months to complete and only then will we take it further,” Abhishek divulges. Is his mentor Vishal Bhardwaj producing the film? “Yes, he is. I will narrate the screenplay to Vishal-ji once I am done,” he adds.
Road, Movie screenplay goes to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The very name of the film Road, Movie raised many an eyebrow, thanks to the unique title that it enjoys. As you all know by now, that the film starred the suave dude Abhay Deol opposite the very talented Tannishtha Chatterjee alongwith the multitalented Satish Kaushik.
Sources close to Bollywood Hungama have said that the screenplay for Road, Movie has been selected by the permanent collection of The Margaret Herrick Library at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Speaking exclusively to Bollywood Hungama, Satish Kaushik confirmed the news and said, “It’s a great feeling that I experienced when Dev Benegal told me the script of the film has been selected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I am aware of the fact that this is a place that’s home to many big films. And with the inclusion of Road, Movie, our film has got an immense boost. Also, it’s a great opportunity that the film has been appreciated all over the world. Lastly, I would like to say that Dev has got a great thing going for him with this achievement.”
