Shah Rukh and Anubhav aren’t yet decided on 3D version for Ra. One

Hold on to your horses before you start jumping with joy around the prospects of watching Ra.One in 3D. Though Shah Rukh Khan has hinted that there would be some portions of the film in 3D, the fact is that a final decision on this is yet to be taken. The makers are currently testing the waters and trying to figure out whether it would indeed be feasible to bring the superhero multi crore action flick in 3D, especially since it was originally shot in 2D.

Informs a well placed source from the film’s technical team, “A few important scenes from Ra.One have been handed over to a couple of major studios who are currently working on applying 3D to these. This is currently in testing phase as all the 2D shots would be converted into 3D, unlike the recent hit Haunted which was originally shot in 3D.”

Both Shah Rukh Khan as well as the film’s director Anubhav Sinha are pretty excited though about the prospects of seeing their vision translate into 3D. Though this would further increase the film’s budget, they are not deterred. However before taking the final call they want to be dead sure that the effects are as per their expectations.

“More than half a decade has gone into bringing Ra.One from the ideation to the shape of a final product. Of course when the film was being designed, 3D wasn’t much in vogue but now there are studios, theatre owners as well as audience applying pressure on the team of Ra.One to bring the film in 3D”, continues the source, “Shah Rukh as well as Anubhav aren’t getting carried away though and would agree to the experiment only if the test results are on par or above their expectations. Otherwise they are pretty content with what they have managed to achieve with the original 2D version.”

On contacted, Anubhav confirms the news about some of the shots from the film being shared with the VFX studios for them to do their tests. He asserts though that this is one of the many things that are currently occupying everyone involved with Ra.One.

He says, “Decision on 3D is yet to be taken but we are having close look at our timelines. If things happen early enough then fine otherwise we are not budging from our Diwali release timeline. Whether it is Shah Rukh, the film’s editor, composers, VFX guys or I, none of us are sleeping more than five hours a day. There is no mind space to make any decision yet.”

SRK to do cameo in Always Kabhi Kabhi

It has been known for some time now that Karim Morani’s daughter Zoa is being launched by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment in Always Kabhi Kabhi. However, there was much speculation about SRK’s presence in the film.

Well, it has now been confirmed that King Khan will not be a part of the film but he will do a promotional video for it. The said promotional video will feature SRK talking about his school days.

With the backdrop of high school students, their issues and their relationships, the film is expected to hit the screens on June 17. Besides Zoa, the film also stars Love Aaj Kal damsel Giselle Monteiro, Ali Fazal and Satyajeet Dubey.

TMK in censor trouble; gets U/A certificate

These days it seems as thought the censor board has decided to toughen up on films. Just recently films like Aakrosh and Crook ran into problems with the censor board. This time it’s the much talked about, Akshay-Katrina starrer Tees Maar Khan that has hit troubled waters.

Bollywood Hungama has learnt that the censor board recommended certain cuts in the film to grant it a U certificate. Further it is learnt that the word ‘Sheila’ was asked to be removed from the song ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’. Some of the other cuts involved scenes where Katrina Kaif’s naval was visible.

Apart from these, the board even asked for the phrase ‘Maa Ki Aankh’ to be removed, as well as some other words like tawaif, etc. were also asked to be removed. Director Farah Khan did not accept these cuts and took the film to the revising committee in Delhi.

Post the censor board ruling, Farah Khan and Shirish Kunder approached the revising committee to get the certificate for the film. Contrary to the cuts requested for by the censor board, the revising committee passed the film without much debate.

The committee of seven members who saw the film on Thursday differed from the board finding nothing so momentous in the film to warrant 18 cuts. The film was passed with only a couple of cuts and a passing certificate will be issued to the film early next week.

Sanjay Dutt starts ‘Rascals’ tomorrow

Sanjay Dutt will launch his first project tomorrow Friday amidst friends and wellwishers. Titled RASCALS, the film will be produced by Sanjay Dutt Productions and Rupali Aum Entertainment and directed by David Dhawan, who, incidentally, began his career as director with TAAQATWAR, starring Sanjay Dutt in the lead.

RASCALS stars Sanju, Ajay Devgn, Arjun Rampal and Kangna Ranaut in pivotal roles. A Bharat Shah presentation, the film is produced by Sanjay Dutt, Sanjay Ahluwalia and Vinay Choksey.

Jhootha Hi Sahi inspired by American sitcom Friends?

The upcoming film Jhootha Hi Sahi, which is directed by Abbas Tyrewala and stars the Bollywood hunk John Abraham and Pakhi in the lead roles, has run into troubled waters.

Apparently, the popular Hollywood production house, Warner Bros has demanded a screening of the film, claiming that the film in question is a rip-off of their television series ‘Friends’. However, the producers of the film are finding this claim ridiculous.

Sources close to the matter have pointed out stating that apparently the film’s producer Madhu Mantena, got a call from the company’s officials saying that the film is similar to ‘Friends’, but Mantena explained that the claim was untrue as the film had nothing to do with series ‘Friends’. However, the company insisted and has now asked for a trial, failing which it will sue the producers.

Madhavan and Nandana Sen make guest appearances in Jhootha Hi Sahi

After an impressive directorial debut in the form of Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na, all eyes are now on Abbas Tyrewala’s next outing as a director- Jhootha Hi Sahi. The film stars John Abraham and Pakhi in lead roles with a host of supporting actors such as Raghu Ram, Manasi Scott and Anahita Nair.

However, besides the above mentioned names there is a surprise element. One would also get to see R.Madhavan and Nandana Sen in guest appearances in the film. In fact, there were talks that even Kajol would be seen in the film. What’s more, the film’s official website also mentions her name as part of the cast. However, when we contacted producer Madhu Mantena, he confirmed Maddy and Nandana Sen’s presence in the film but denied the rumour that Kajol is in the film.

Salim Khan to distribute Dabangg in CI and Rajasthan territories

Title We Are Family is not just apt for the Karan Johar production, it pretty much holds true for Khan family as well. With Dabangg looking piping hot and all set to be a huge earner at the box office, the Khan family has now come together to rake in some good moolah as well. Rather than selling the film to outside distributors, Khans have decided to keep a major chunk of it within the family and extend the adage of ‘all in the family’.

As per the latest developments, Salim Khan (father of Arbaaz, Salman and Sohail) would be distributing the film in CI and Rajasthan territories. This is not all as producer Arbaaz himself would distribute the film in Delhi, UP and East Punjab – some of the most lucrative territories that the country has after Mumbai.

Says a trade observer, “It was imperative that the family sticks to the film right through the release as well as post that rather than just releasing it for money and being happy with whatever they earned. Ensuring that distribution stays with them is also a means of telling the world that they are mighty confident of the film’s prospects.”

Arbaaz doesn’t deny that he is confident about the film but also adds that distributing a film is nothing new for the family.

“Yes, the film is turning out to be huge and congratulatory messages have started coming in advance. It is always a good sign”, he says while keeping his excitement in check, “However, we have always been into distributing films. When it comes to the CI territory, dad has distributed most of Salman’s films there in the past. He has a distribution concern there so whether it is an in-house production or even outside productions, Salman’s films are released in CI through him. But yes, this time he has picked up Rajasthan as well.”

He also confirms that he too is stepping in to distribute the films in some important territories. “I wanted to exploit Delhi, UP and East Punjab territories and hence have personally stepped in for distribution as well”, says Arbaaz.

The trade observer has the final word, “With the film seeing such huge hype, the makers could have made huge profits on the table by selling off all distribution rights. However, other than the monetary value, Dabangg also carries a huge emotional value for Khans there. Not just it stays on to be Arbaaz Khan’s debut production; it also sees Salman Khan going all out to promote the film like never before. Malaika Arora Khan’s ‘Munni Badnaam’ is a rage while Sohail Khan has silently worked in the background as well.”

No wonder, one can see the entire family circle of Khans as well as film fraternity in general coming together in support of Dabangg, hence ensuring a huge release for the film. 10th September was never this hot.

Akshay’s ‘turban look’ controversy in ‘Patiala House’ dismissed

The makers of Patiala House are just not amused. Even as the team is busy wrapping up this biggie that features Akshay Kumar in the lead and has been shot primarily in the UK, there are tit-bits floating around the lead actor’s look, something that threatened to turn into an (unnecessary) controversy.

Says a senior crew member, “It was a harmless still from the film which was uploaded by us on Twitter. It showed Akshay Kumar in (seemingly) a celebration mode as he donned a traditional North Indian outfit with a ‘pagdi’ on top. Nothing wrong with that as men in North India do wear a pink turban when there are certain festivities or celebrations at home.”

However, what caught the eye of a few was only half the fact. Since Akshay is said to be playing a Sikh in the film, his clean shaven look in the film was being challenged. Though no one knows the exact storyline of the film, there were insinuations galore around cinematic liberty being taken in Patiala House with Akshay and director Nikhil Advani not quite respecting the religious sentiments here.

No wonder, the director is disturbed with the film’s still leading to a controversy when the fact is that he along with his creative team had walked an extra distance to ensure that every minute detail was being looked at before bringing Patiala House on floors.

“Why can’t people just check facts before coming to a conclusion”, questions Nikhil who has already spent close to a year and a half working on the film, “Without knowing the context of the film, the scene, the characterisation and the story’s background, it is totally unfair if someone makes a declaration that we didn’t do our job well or we did something intentionally despite knowing the facts.”

In such a situation, why doesn’t Nikhil just spill the beans and let the world become aware about the reason behind Akshay’s look in the film.

“Firstly I will tell you this is not Akshay’s look per se in the film”, retorts Nikhil, “He is not wearing a turban throughout and the still that you see is from the scene where Akshay’s sister is getting married. Ask any Punjabi and he will tell you that it is a traditional thing for a man to wear a ‘pagdi’ when a close relative is getting married. Though I don’t want to divulge into any further details as of now, what I can confirm is that we have taken utmost care to respect the traditional, religious and social sentiments in mind. There is no false step that has been taken.”

With confirmation coming from the man of the house, this should well be an open and shut case for the residents of Patiala House now!

Will Aisha add on to cult following of Abhay films?

MUMBAI: Abhay Deol is happy to be associated with cinema which is different and breaks quite a few rules when it comes to Bollywood diktats.

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Will Aisha add on to cult following of Abhay films?

Ajays love for action continues

MUMBAI: In his recently released hit movie Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Ajay once again teamed up with his Kachche Dhaage director Milan Luthria.

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Ajays love for action continues

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