Has the response to KANK turned out to be what you thought it would?
Far greater, in fact. The boxoffice figures are there to prove it. I've never been a part of such a success. I think the first week collection of KANK is larger than all my releases put together. This is a league I'm just not acquainted with. It's wonderful to be part of such a venture. But it's entirely Karan's baby.
Your smallish role has fetched you incredible praise.
First of all, I don't think I've a small role in KANK. I think I've a very important role to play in the film. Thank you, Karan!
Everyone wants to know how you know so much about marriages?
I've no knowledge of a marriage whatsoever. I just followed Karan's directions very obediently. The credit for whatever you consider to be my performance in KANK must go to Karan.
Tell me about the first-hand responses to your performance?
I don't know! I've been very busy working on Dhoom 2. I haven't had a chance to interact with people too much. But I'm always thrilled when my work gets noticed. But like I said I can't take any credit for it. I'm not trying to be modest. I'm not a modest person. I'm a realist. I know who's done what in KANK. The real hero of the film is Karan Johar.
Do you think the controversies are good for KANK?
What controversies? There's debate on KANK, not controversy. The good thing about debate is you get both negative and positive but always-healthy reaction to the film. Very few films get that. Whether you agree with KANK or not, it's taken Karan to a new level. I think he has unfairly been labeled 'a candyfloss maker'. The mistaken belief that he makes frivolous films has fallen to the ground. I think Karan is a very important director in the history of Indian cinema. KANK is a sensitive work.
Do you think Karan took a big risk in moving away from his comfort zone?
The best part is, Karan isn't judgemental, just observant on marriages and extra-marital affairs. He isn't telling people to leave their spouses. He just asks a harsh but real question - what if you meet your soul-mate after marriage? Shah Rukh and Rani are the protagonists. But Preity and I are never shown as negative characters. In fact I find the relationship between our characters quite fascinating.
What about your relationship with Rani?
I felt Karan should have given my character Rishi something negative to do. He loves his wife immensely. He's basically trying to be as perfect a husband and can be. And that's how the audience has perceived my character. Despite that, Rani's character moves away. So I felt Karan needed to give my character some dark areas. Whereas Shah Rukh's character does have reason to stray because his wife has no time for him, my character's wife has no such alibi. Why does Rishi-Maya's relationship break up?
Why?
That's exactly what I kept asking Karan. He told me, 'One could be in a seemingly perfect marriage. Still your spouse may not connect with you.' I thought that was a very intriguing thought, put forward beautifully in the film. We never thought everyone would unanimously love the film. We hoped they'd discuss it. And Karan has pulled it off .
Generally such discussions and debates are for art-house films?
For me such categorization makes no sense. To me a film is a film is a film….
Do you think an Indian wife would move off from a marriage to the ideal husband, the way Rani does?
Of course! Such things do happen.
Are extra-marital affairs an inevitable part of contemporary society?
No, they're neither inevitable nor justified. I'm totally against extra-marital affairs. I'd personally never have an affair after marriage. But I won't be judgemental about those who do.
Source: IndiaFM
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Curiosity builds over Ash and 'Umrao Jaan'
As the release date of J.P. Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan' nears, TV channels, newspapers and magazines seem to be falling over each other to present the first images of Aishwarya Rai from the film.
'We are inundated by calls from all the newspapers and channels for Aishwarya's pictures from 'Umrao Jaan',' said a source from Dutta's camp.
Dutta has kept Aishwarya's new avatar under wraps.
'So far Aishwarya has played a modern woman in films except in 'Devdas' where people liked her a lot. They are waiting to see her as the courtesan Umrao Jaan. People in the trade are positive about the film because of Dutta,' said Delhi-based distributor Sanjay Mehta.
'Aishwarya is not known as a bankable actor. People think of her as wooden. She can't emote. But Dutta is not only a good director, he is also a good technician. He knows how to extract work from his artist. We are confident that Aishwarya must have played the role convincingly,' he added.
Mehta couldn't be more right -- Dutta had put Aishwarya under rigorous training so she could play the role made famous by Rekha in the original.
'People are also curious to see Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan's chemistry on screen,' added Mehta.
The obvious question is whether Aishwarya can ever match up to Rekha?
Said Dutta: 'Aishwarya has given her best to the film.'
Dutta has gone into meticulous detail in costumes, jewellery and the look of the period film in terms of buildings and indoors too. He has used real jewellery for Aishwarya, Abhishek and other members of the main cast.
He has relied heavily on Mirza Mohammed Haadi Ruswa's novel 'Umrao Jaan' to add authenticity.
'He gave the minutest details to Anna Singh and his wife Bindiya. They have carried out his vision exactly the way Dutta wanted it to be,' said an insider.
In 1981, Muzaffar Ali directed the first screen adaptation of Ruswa's book. It was a masterpiece and Rekha's performance as an emotionally unfulfilled courtesan was appreciated with a National Award.
'Umrao Jaan', which marks Dutta's comeback after his damp squib 'LOC Kargil', is said to be his first women-centric film.
Dutta defends himself and says he has always given a lot of dignity to women in his films be it Smita Patil in 'Ghulami', Dimple in 'Batwara', Meenakshi Sheshadri in 'Kshatriya' or Kareena Kapoor in 'Refugee' -- all were strong, dynamic women.
'All my films have been on weapons, war and patriotism, so, a lot of people feel I make male oriented films.'
'Umrao Jaan' made on a budget of Rs.200 million was shot mainly in Jaipur. It also stars Shabana Azmi, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi and Kulbhushan Kharbanda.
If Asha Bhonsle was the voice of Rekha, Alka Yagnik will sing for Aishwarya Rai. Javed Akhtar has penned the songs for this classic tale and Anu Malik has composed it. Malik's daughter Anmol is learnt to have lent her voice to a young Aishwarya in the film.
Source: Indo-Asian News Service
'We are inundated by calls from all the newspapers and channels for Aishwarya's pictures from 'Umrao Jaan',' said a source from Dutta's camp.
Dutta has kept Aishwarya's new avatar under wraps.
'So far Aishwarya has played a modern woman in films except in 'Devdas' where people liked her a lot. They are waiting to see her as the courtesan Umrao Jaan. People in the trade are positive about the film because of Dutta,' said Delhi-based distributor Sanjay Mehta.
'Aishwarya is not known as a bankable actor. People think of her as wooden. She can't emote. But Dutta is not only a good director, he is also a good technician. He knows how to extract work from his artist. We are confident that Aishwarya must have played the role convincingly,' he added.
Mehta couldn't be more right -- Dutta had put Aishwarya under rigorous training so she could play the role made famous by Rekha in the original.
'People are also curious to see Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan's chemistry on screen,' added Mehta.
The obvious question is whether Aishwarya can ever match up to Rekha?
Said Dutta: 'Aishwarya has given her best to the film.'
Dutta has gone into meticulous detail in costumes, jewellery and the look of the period film in terms of buildings and indoors too. He has used real jewellery for Aishwarya, Abhishek and other members of the main cast.
He has relied heavily on Mirza Mohammed Haadi Ruswa's novel 'Umrao Jaan' to add authenticity.
'He gave the minutest details to Anna Singh and his wife Bindiya. They have carried out his vision exactly the way Dutta wanted it to be,' said an insider.
In 1981, Muzaffar Ali directed the first screen adaptation of Ruswa's book. It was a masterpiece and Rekha's performance as an emotionally unfulfilled courtesan was appreciated with a National Award.
'Umrao Jaan', which marks Dutta's comeback after his damp squib 'LOC Kargil', is said to be his first women-centric film.
Dutta defends himself and says he has always given a lot of dignity to women in his films be it Smita Patil in 'Ghulami', Dimple in 'Batwara', Meenakshi Sheshadri in 'Kshatriya' or Kareena Kapoor in 'Refugee' -- all were strong, dynamic women.
'All my films have been on weapons, war and patriotism, so, a lot of people feel I make male oriented films.'
'Umrao Jaan' made on a budget of Rs.200 million was shot mainly in Jaipur. It also stars Shabana Azmi, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi and Kulbhushan Kharbanda.
If Asha Bhonsle was the voice of Rekha, Alka Yagnik will sing for Aishwarya Rai. Javed Akhtar has penned the songs for this classic tale and Anu Malik has composed it. Malik's daughter Anmol is learnt to have lent her voice to a young Aishwarya in the film.
Source: Indo-Asian News Service
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Guru Releases on December 22nd
A Grand Finale for a year that created the biggest block busters in the history of Indian cinema. The year 2006 has turned out to be a year filled with the biggest films. The year that saw mega films like ‘Fannaa’, ‘Krrish’, ‘Omkara’, ‘KANK’ and with some more to go like ‘Don’, ‘Umrao Jaan’, ‘Janeman’, ‘Dhoom2’ and ‘Eklavya’, it’s only fitting that it ends with a film by the master Mani Ratnam titled ‘Guru’.
Staring Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, R Madhavan, Vidya Balan and Mithun Chakravarthy in the lead. This film will release on 22nd of December, 2006 and according to people who have seen the rushes of the film say, it marks another leap in the career of Abhishek Bachchan just like Yuva had catapulted him to an actor status.
Staring Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, R Madhavan, Vidya Balan and Mithun Chakravarthy in the lead. This film will release on 22nd of December, 2006 and according to people who have seen the rushes of the film say, it marks another leap in the career of Abhishek Bachchan just like Yuva had catapulted him to an actor status.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Abhishek Bachchan in LAGE RAHO...?
The audience is always in for some surprise these days. Filmmakers roping in actors for cameos seems to be an added advantage. After Arjun Rampal and Kajol in Karan Johar's KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA, Chunky Pandey in Farhan Akhtar's DON, it's Abhishek Bachchan in Rajkumar Hirani's LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI.
As per reports in a tabloid, Abhishek is the surprise package in the film. He plays Dia Mirza's husband who is Boman Irani's daughter. Boman plays a loud rich Punjabi builder, very different from his previous role in the film. So LAGE RAHO...has three additions this time...Dia Mirza, Vidya Balan (replacing Gracy Singh) and AB junior.
Incidentally Abhishek has done quite a few cameos in the past including RAKHT, HOME DELIVERY, EK AJNABEE, HUM TUM and SALAAM NAMASTE.
Source: Glamsham
As per reports in a tabloid, Abhishek is the surprise package in the film. He plays Dia Mirza's husband who is Boman Irani's daughter. Boman plays a loud rich Punjabi builder, very different from his previous role in the film. So LAGE RAHO...has three additions this time...Dia Mirza, Vidya Balan (replacing Gracy Singh) and AB junior.
Incidentally Abhishek has done quite a few cameos in the past including RAKHT, HOME DELIVERY, EK AJNABEE, HUM TUM and SALAAM NAMASTE.
Source: Glamsham
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Umrao Jaan - Really coming on October 20th?
Less than a couple of months to go and October 20th finds itself to be a much discussed dates in the coming days!
Week of Diwali always brings with it an unprecedented hype about the movies releasing in the closest Friday. 2 years back there was one of the most interesting clash of Veer Zaara [superhit], Aitraaz [hit], Mughal-E-Azam [hit] and Naach [flop]. Last year too there were three films that released in the same period - 'Garam Masala' [hit], 'Shaadi No. 1' [below average] and 'Kyun Ki' [flop]. This year the scene is bigger and better with both 'Don - The Chase Begins Again' and 'Jaan-E-Mann' firmly placed to fight amongst them, though indications are that both should prove to be big hits.
While Neeraj Vora directed Arjun Rampal-Dia Mirza starrer 'Familywala' doesn't really seem to be a probable release on the same day due to tough competition, one is not sure about the release of 'Umrao Jaan'. Though there have been speculations galore during last 48 hours about its actual release day [while there were murmurs about film being postponed, film maker J.P. Dutta insists it is indeed October 20th], one wonders about the impact of the decision!
It's a known fact today that the film's opening week holds most weight [in fact more than 50% of the collections from an entire run come from first week itself for a biggie]! For this the magic formula is to flood the market with as many prints as possible. Gone are the days when 300+ prints were considered good. Now it is the 500+ count that drives the show. With neither 'Don' nor 'Jaan-E-Mann' being the kind of flicks that would settle for anything less than 500 each, where does that leave 'Umrao Jaan' for which even the publicity has not yet begun and also doesn't really boast of any hype or buzz whatsoever?
If Dutta is waiting for some publicity blitzkrieg to begin with a splash then well, that splash needs to happen sooner than later. In an age of on-your-face-publicity where one just can't afford to miss a single opportunity to reach out to the audience, just 7 more weeks to go for a film's release without any news is quite surprising.
This brings one to the question if 'Umrao Jaan' is indeed releasing on October 20th? And even if it does, would it come on the number of prints that could take it past the safety mark in a couple of weeks itself?
Or would the movie create more impact if it releases a couple of weeks after 'Diwali', though before 'Dhoom 2' that arrives on November 24th to avoid a clash?
In a game of wait and watch, this indeed is becoming a painful, though interesting watch!
IndiaGlitz
Week of Diwali always brings with it an unprecedented hype about the movies releasing in the closest Friday. 2 years back there was one of the most interesting clash of Veer Zaara [superhit], Aitraaz [hit], Mughal-E-Azam [hit] and Naach [flop]. Last year too there were three films that released in the same period - 'Garam Masala' [hit], 'Shaadi No. 1' [below average] and 'Kyun Ki' [flop]. This year the scene is bigger and better with both 'Don - The Chase Begins Again' and 'Jaan-E-Mann' firmly placed to fight amongst them, though indications are that both should prove to be big hits.
While Neeraj Vora directed Arjun Rampal-Dia Mirza starrer 'Familywala' doesn't really seem to be a probable release on the same day due to tough competition, one is not sure about the release of 'Umrao Jaan'. Though there have been speculations galore during last 48 hours about its actual release day [while there were murmurs about film being postponed, film maker J.P. Dutta insists it is indeed October 20th], one wonders about the impact of the decision!
It's a known fact today that the film's opening week holds most weight [in fact more than 50% of the collections from an entire run come from first week itself for a biggie]! For this the magic formula is to flood the market with as many prints as possible. Gone are the days when 300+ prints were considered good. Now it is the 500+ count that drives the show. With neither 'Don' nor 'Jaan-E-Mann' being the kind of flicks that would settle for anything less than 500 each, where does that leave 'Umrao Jaan' for which even the publicity has not yet begun and also doesn't really boast of any hype or buzz whatsoever?
If Dutta is waiting for some publicity blitzkrieg to begin with a splash then well, that splash needs to happen sooner than later. In an age of on-your-face-publicity where one just can't afford to miss a single opportunity to reach out to the audience, just 7 more weeks to go for a film's release without any news is quite surprising.
This brings one to the question if 'Umrao Jaan' is indeed releasing on October 20th? And even if it does, would it come on the number of prints that could take it past the safety mark in a couple of weeks itself?
Or would the movie create more impact if it releases a couple of weeks after 'Diwali', though before 'Dhoom 2' that arrives on November 24th to avoid a clash?
In a game of wait and watch, this indeed is becoming a painful, though interesting watch!
IndiaGlitz
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Guru based on Ambani? – Abhishek clarifies!
In a recent interview to a news channel, Abhishek clarifies the prevailing doubt about his recent movie Guru whether it is based on the life of the business tycoon Ambani. While slamming the reports about the story of the movie’s correlation with Ambani family, Abhishek says he is proud to be a part of the movie.
He also let out that he is portraying a businessman’s role in the movie in three different stages of life – young, middle aged and old. He further asserts that he is comfortable working with Aishwarya and Manirathnam since he has worked with them before.
On a question about marriage, Abhishek declares that he has not reached the stage of marriage in his life since he feels he has to do bigger things in life. Yes, his parents have left it to him, he further says. Well we agree, being the heartthrob of millions, let him have the time of his life and get the most out of his bachelorhood before getting hooked, what say?
IndiaFM
He also let out that he is portraying a businessman’s role in the movie in three different stages of life – young, middle aged and old. He further asserts that he is comfortable working with Aishwarya and Manirathnam since he has worked with them before.
On a question about marriage, Abhishek declares that he has not reached the stage of marriage in his life since he feels he has to do bigger things in life. Yes, his parents have left it to him, he further says. Well we agree, being the heartthrob of millions, let him have the time of his life and get the most out of his bachelorhood before getting hooked, what say?
IndiaFM
When Hrithik advised Abhishek
Over last few weeks, media has gone overboard in writing about so called wars between Amitabh Bachchan - Shahrukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan - Shahrukh Khan and even Hrithik Roshan - Abhishek Bachchan.
While Big B, King Khan and Aby Baby have clearly denied any rift between, this time it is Hrithik Roshan too who has got a clean chit from Abhishek himself. In one of the interviews when Abhishek was questioned if there was any controversy with Hrithik who is his professional rival, Abhishek denied it point blank. In fact on being asked if he cared about the role of his co-star in 'Dhoom 2', he said he had never worried about the length of the role of his co-stars in the film and mainly concentrated on his own performance.
He also narrated incidents where Hrithik had personally come over to him and told him point blank if he wasn't looking good in a particular shot or his make up/dress etc. were not in place. Hrithik's take was that since cinema is a visual medium one should be extra careful about how one presents himself on the screen. No wonder Abhishek can't forget this sweet gesture.
And some say that two film personalities sailing in the same boat cannot be friends!?
Source: IndiaGlitz
While Big B, King Khan and Aby Baby have clearly denied any rift between, this time it is Hrithik Roshan too who has got a clean chit from Abhishek himself. In one of the interviews when Abhishek was questioned if there was any controversy with Hrithik who is his professional rival, Abhishek denied it point blank. In fact on being asked if he cared about the role of his co-star in 'Dhoom 2', he said he had never worried about the length of the role of his co-stars in the film and mainly concentrated on his own performance.
He also narrated incidents where Hrithik had personally come over to him and told him point blank if he wasn't looking good in a particular shot or his make up/dress etc. were not in place. Hrithik's take was that since cinema is a visual medium one should be extra careful about how one presents himself on the screen. No wonder Abhishek can't forget this sweet gesture.
And some say that two film personalities sailing in the same boat cannot be friends!?
Source: IndiaGlitz
‘Umrao Jaan’ not postponed
The gossip mills are working overtime. Their latest ‘creation’ is that J.P. Dutta has postponed the release date of his Abhishek-Ash starrer UMRAO JAAN from October 20 to November 24 because J.P. didn’t want to clash with the two biggies [DON, JAAN-E-MANN] that are slated for release on October 20, the Diwali/Idd week.
“What rubbish!” J.P.’s tone says it all, “It’s all speculation. I haven’t postponed UMRAO JAAN, nor will I do so. Like I said earlier, the Idd week is crucial for my film. And why should I postpone my film to a latter date? I have already completed the film, so why delay it? October 20 is the date for UMRAO JAAN.”
That clears it: It’s DON versus JAAN-E-MANN versus UMRAO JAAN this Diwali/Idd.
Source: IndiaFM
“What rubbish!” J.P.’s tone says it all, “It’s all speculation. I haven’t postponed UMRAO JAAN, nor will I do so. Like I said earlier, the Idd week is crucial for my film. And why should I postpone my film to a latter date? I have already completed the film, so why delay it? October 20 is the date for UMRAO JAAN.”
That clears it: It’s DON versus JAAN-E-MANN versus UMRAO JAAN this Diwali/Idd.
Source: IndiaFM
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Exclusive: Abhishek, the rising son
Mumbai: He is the rising star of Hindi Cinema and a performer with immense potential. Say hello to the young and restless Abhishek Bachchan.
Rajeev Masand: Your new film Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna is one that everyone is talking about and your performance in the film is being discussed animatedly. I think it is safe to say that your performance in the film is one that most people have enjoyed immensely.
Your character portrays an ideal man and perhaps an ideal husband. He is one who loves his wife unconditionally, is betrayed by her and later forgives her and embraces her as a friend.
In your opinion, is it easy to forgive to someone who has broken your heart?
Abhishek Bachchan: I think it is. I have been asked this question several times during the making of this film that would be logical to love someone so dementedly that even being betrayed by her, you are ready to forgive and forget. It seemed logical to me because forgiveness is in the very grain of humanity.
Rajeev Masand: Success has come to you after a lot of hard work and perhaps after a spate of failures. Do you cherish it much more because it did not come to you overnight and perhaps all that easily?
Abhishek Bachchan: I don’t know how to react to all this success because I have not tasted it before. People ask me how does it feel to be that successful.
I only ask them, "Have you forgotten who I live with? " That is my standard of success. Everybody cherishes his success and so do I.
When I had started my career as an actor with J P Dutta, I was not ready for it. I was this 21-year-old kid, excited to get the chance to fulfill my dream of becoming an actor.
I trusted JP Dutta blindly and followed what he said. Whatever appreciation I got for my work was because of him.
I have been shooting for Dhoom II with my friends Hrithik (Roshan) and Uday (Chopra) whom I have grown up with. We often discuss our work and I have been sitting with Hrithik and talking about it.
I was telling him about the time when I used to finish a scene and used to get excited that thankfully I did manage to remember the dialogues.
Whenever I would look at the script and see how many times my name has appeared on it, I used to panic to see so many dialogues to remember and so many scenes to complete.
My focus would not be on giving a performance or to best deliver a line, but it was simply to finish the work and meet the requirement. I think, that is the first indication that tells that you are not prepared and perhaps not even capable enough to do your job.
So, I set about working on it. Most of the reviews and most of them by you actually, were full of criticism about me.
I was told that I have bad hair, bad makeup, no dialogue delivery, couldn’t dance and so on. These were the things that were said about me. But I did not go defensive about them. I thought perhaps I need to work on my dialogue delivery, hair, make up and all those areas.
Whereas actors tend to take criticism in a negative way, I took it very seriously in a positive way. If you come to my room you will find three of your reviews on my wall.
But I highlighted portions where my performance has been criticized and decided to work upon it. My goal was to make sure that next time when someone writes a review about me; there should be a mention that I have improved.
Rajeev Masand: Dhoom was perhaps the turning point in your career as it was your first ‘undisputed’ hit film. How do raise the ante for its sequel?
Abhishek Bachchan: By hiring the services of Bipasha Basu, Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan!
Just kidding! I think the exciting thing about doing a sequel is if the actors have already been there in the prequel, you don’t have to do much. Uday and myself knew everything about the characters.
It’s the same unit and our chemistry and rapport did help. But the tension is about making it more interesting and taking that one step further.
I don’t want to sound pompous but Dhoom II is just bigger and better. One reason is because it has a bigger star caste. Our aim was to make a bigger action film, which is more entertaining, and take it to a higher level. So, I hope we achieve that with this film.
Rajeev Masand: Hrithik Roshan and you are friends of course, but the fact is that you are also contemporaries and rivals at the same time.
When you are signing a film with other actors in it, what do you look for apart from your own role in it? Is it really important to know what the other actor is doing in that film?
Abhishek Bachchan: It never has important been for me. I rightly or wrongly have always believed in the people that I have worked with.
I truly believe that whatever success I have achieved today has a lot to do with somebody like Hrithik who has called me once in a while and told me things like, ‘Hey! You are looking bit fat in this, you need to work at this portion, your visual appeal is important’ and things like that.
He is very giving with his advice and he has pushed me to improve. I owe a lot to him.
Rajeev Masand: Is it rare to find such generous co-actors?
Abhishek Bachchan: I have never had a problem there. In fact I have been very lucky to always get supportive and protective co-actors to work with. They always felt sorry for me for I was so bad. They always thought, "poor chap. He is the weakest link. Let’s just help him out."
Rajeev Masand: Were you always destined to be an actor?
Abhishek Bachchan: Can’t say if I was destined to, but yes, I always wanted to be an actor.
Rajeev Masand: Do you often wonder what you would have been doing, had you not become an actor?
Abhishek Bachchan: I don’t wonder, but perhaps I could have been a struggling actor. I would have been ‘pounding the pavement’ (as you call in actor’s lingo), outside producers’ office asking them for some work.
Abhishek says, he has always shared a special bond with father Amitabh Bachchan.
Rajeev Masand: But you could not have been anywhere else but in films, isn’t it?
Abhishek Bachchan: Yes, definitely. No doubts about it.
Rajeev Masand: You worked in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Yuva’ which people say has been your best performance so far. Now that you are again working with him in ‘Guru’, playing a character whose span from a young man to an elderly person has been covered as a journey, what else is special that you find in it?
Abhishek Bachchan: Mani Ratnam is indeed the most special aspect of Guru. When he is directing a film, an actor doesn’t need to ask for anything else.
I signed Yuva without even hearing its script. It was weird.
I knew Mani from the days when he made Bombay because ABCL Ltd then had distributed the film. Shad (Ali) arranged my meeting with him and there he asked me if I would be interested in working with him. I almost fell off my chair. Here I was sitting in front of Mani Ratnam and it he who was asking me, whether I wanted to work with him or not. I was almost going to ask him, “Do I have to pay you for giving me a role in your film?”
Getting the chance to work with him for a second time is truly a blessing, because you have got over with the fear of working with ‘ Mr Mani Ratnam’ and have become more comfortable with him. To add to it, Aishwarya (Rai) who started her career with Mani is also a part of the film. Everybody knew each other, so it was very comfortable.
Any role that Mani gives you is assured to be interesting, intriguing and very tough.
Guru has been a very tough film and challenging to do. I hope it turns rewarding, more so for Mani because he has worked very hard on it. He is truly a genius and deserves every bit of the credit that he gets.
Rajeev Masand: Is it true that Guru is inspired by the real life story of Dhiru Bhai Ambani?
Abhishek Bachchan: I don’t think I can rightfully comment on this because Mani would be answer this question. But I’m sure Mani has been inspired my many persons. I don’t think it is particularly based on any body’s life.
Many people have inspired Mani. He is somebody who is very ‘worldly wise’ and like most directors he too derives inspiration from different things. I think it could be an amalgamation of many inspirational stories. I’m sure he never wants to convey that such-and-such film is depicting so-and-so’s life.
Rajeev Masand: There is one question that I asked your father and now I’m asking you. Shah Rukh Khan is playing ‘Don’ in the remake of the yesteryear’s blockbuster hit film. So are Salman Khan and his brothers in a remake of Amar, Akbar, Anthony. Tell me if you have the choice to remake one of your dad’s films, which one would it be?
By the way, your father said Deewar could be the one fit for you.
Abhishek Bachchan: That’s really tough. Actually all of them are so great that they all could be remade. Most of the ones that I have wanted to be a part of have already been made.
But I think Kalia is one film that I would like to be remade with me playing the lead because I loved that film as a kid.
I can’t choose a film that needs to be remade but I can definitely tell one film that I would not want to be remade.
Rajeev Masand: Which one is that?
Abhishek Bachchan: I think Black is one film I would never want to be remade because I would not be able to match up to that level of acting.
Kalia and Kala Pathar are some of the films that I have seen inactively as a child. I used to see my dad beating up bad guys in these films. I used to get excited and beat up my sister enacting him.
These films would be fun to do but doing Black would be traumatic.
I think I would want to act in a remake of one of my dad’s film because I want to go through the enjoyment of just doing it. It would be fun to live a character ‘on-camera’ that I have seen and enacted as a child. I would also like to do it more on an emotional basis.
Rajeev Masand: As an actor, you have been working for eight-years now. I’m sure you must have known your strengths and weaknesses by now. What would you consider as your strength?
Abhishek Bachchan: I have a lot of good friends in the industry who continuously are willing to work with me. That’s lot of strength for me, seriously.
Rajeev Masand: How do you react to the tag of ‘most eligible bachelor’ being attached to you?
Abhishek Bachchan: That’s really embarrassing. I would much rather they call me a successful actor. I’m not complaining, as long as they look upon me favourably. But I would much rather that I’d be known for my work.
Rajeev Masand: Well, are you uncomfortable with all the attention that is being paid to your ‘romantic life’?
Abhishek Bachchan: Not really. It’s part and parcel of your job. When you become an actor, you must know that you are a ‘public property’. That’s fair enough, but what you make of your public image is up to you.
I keep my private life private because I don’t want people to know what pajamas I go to bed in, on what side of the bed I sleep, what I say to my dad or how I talk to my mother when I order my lunch. That is something personal and I want to keep it just to myself.
We conduct our lives on a public stage but please I would request people to leave ‘this’ bit to us so that we can keep our sanity. Am I uncomfortable? I would say no. Because I know that an actor’s life comes under immense scrutiny and observation.
If you don’t like it then you shouldn’t become an actor. If you want to be there, then you must know how to deal with it.
Rajeev Masand: With the growing interest, do you think that you have to hide increasingly?
Abhishek Bachchan: No. I have always led my life openly. My life is like an open book. As long as my family and loved ones know what’s going on in my life, nothing really matters to me. There is nothing worth hiding. I am not doing anything wrong.
Rajeev Masand:Are you amused by all the stories that you read everyday. Things have been said like horoscopes being matched, impending marriage and so on. Literally, it’s become a case when almost everyday there is a new story about your personal life.
Abhishek Bachchan: It makes some very interesting reading. I am impressed with the people who write them. Their creativity and power of imagination is truly incredible. I am actually looking for all such people to hire them as scriptwriters. They are brilliant in what they do.
Rajeev Masand: Do all these stories create any kind of awkwardness when you meet your co-stars that you have been linked with?
Abhishek Bachchan: No not at all. It’s not given all that importance, honestly. We are actors and know that this happens on a daily basis. It doesn’t affect us at all. You become immune to it.
If I meet a female co-star of mine who they have recently ‘married’ me off to or ‘divorced’ me with, or somebody I have ‘cheated’ upon or whatever of the sort, I don’t even talk about it. I think our friendships are far stronger to be affected by something like that.
Like recently there was a story about how Shah Rukh Khan and my father are having this huge war and that my father allegedly has ‘forced’ Karan (Johar) to add a song of mine in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.
First and foremost, my dad and I are not the kind of people who would do something like that. Secondly, we are in no position to do that. Thirdly, it’s sad that people who write such lies when witness that we all are together, must have been feeling very stupid and little.
Shah Rukh is very close to our family. He is somebody I have got to know through my father and mother. My mother is immensely close to him and he is a wonderful person.
When it comes to Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna I would like to state that I have no false illusions of a grandeur.
Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’s lead hero is Shah Rukh. I am just the supporting lead and perhaps the third main lead in the film.
I am not presumptuous or precarious enough to think of myself as equal to Shah Rukh yesterday, today or tomorrow. Shah Rukh is the biggest star that we have in the country. I think he is a fantastic person to look up to as an idol.
And I really don’t have the power to convince Karan to add a song of mine in his film. I am just happy being a part of the supportive caste in his film. In fact I am just happy to be a part of the film.
Rajeev Masand: Putting all the rumours and the controversies aside, being young, successful and popular, does the question about your marriage comes up in the family? It’s only natural for them to raise such a question, isn’t it? Is that something that they are waiting for?
Abhishek Bachchan: No, never thankfully. My parents have not been the sorts to pressurize me on something like that.
They have never been that narrow-minded to raise such a question. They know the kind of life actors’ lead and they respect that. They have always been very broad-minded and would not impose themselves upon me ever.
Even in terms of marriage, they have left it upon me to decide. They always say, "let us know when you are ready and we will be fine with it."
Rajeev Masand: So when do you think you would be ‘ready’ for marriage?
Abhishek Bachchan: Not in the near future at least. I have just started my career and there is a lot that needs to be done.
I think there is a lot to achieve before one can settle down in life. But then again, you may never know. Tomorrow you might just turn around and walk into someone wonderful and say, "Wow, this is it."
Rajeev Masand: Finally, what is the best thing about being a movie star?
Abhishek Bachchan: The love that you get. You can’t really explain it. Anywhere you go, you have an audience that comes up to you to shake hands with you.
You don’t even know them but they are truly excited to see you. It’s an emotion that is hard to explain. It’s just an amazing experience.
And, secondly, I get to wake up every morning and live my dream. I can’t think of a better job.
Abhishek Bachchan: Well, best of luck. Let’s hope you can always live your dream. We will be looking forward to lots more exciting movies from you.
Abhishek Bachchan: Thankyou.
Source: IBNlive
Rajeev Masand: Your new film Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna is one that everyone is talking about and your performance in the film is being discussed animatedly. I think it is safe to say that your performance in the film is one that most people have enjoyed immensely.
Your character portrays an ideal man and perhaps an ideal husband. He is one who loves his wife unconditionally, is betrayed by her and later forgives her and embraces her as a friend.
In your opinion, is it easy to forgive to someone who has broken your heart?
Abhishek Bachchan: I think it is. I have been asked this question several times during the making of this film that would be logical to love someone so dementedly that even being betrayed by her, you are ready to forgive and forget. It seemed logical to me because forgiveness is in the very grain of humanity.
Rajeev Masand: Success has come to you after a lot of hard work and perhaps after a spate of failures. Do you cherish it much more because it did not come to you overnight and perhaps all that easily?
Abhishek Bachchan: I don’t know how to react to all this success because I have not tasted it before. People ask me how does it feel to be that successful.
I only ask them, "Have you forgotten who I live with? " That is my standard of success. Everybody cherishes his success and so do I.
When I had started my career as an actor with J P Dutta, I was not ready for it. I was this 21-year-old kid, excited to get the chance to fulfill my dream of becoming an actor.
I trusted JP Dutta blindly and followed what he said. Whatever appreciation I got for my work was because of him.
I have been shooting for Dhoom II with my friends Hrithik (Roshan) and Uday (Chopra) whom I have grown up with. We often discuss our work and I have been sitting with Hrithik and talking about it.
I was telling him about the time when I used to finish a scene and used to get excited that thankfully I did manage to remember the dialogues.
Whenever I would look at the script and see how many times my name has appeared on it, I used to panic to see so many dialogues to remember and so many scenes to complete.
My focus would not be on giving a performance or to best deliver a line, but it was simply to finish the work and meet the requirement. I think, that is the first indication that tells that you are not prepared and perhaps not even capable enough to do your job.
So, I set about working on it. Most of the reviews and most of them by you actually, were full of criticism about me.
I was told that I have bad hair, bad makeup, no dialogue delivery, couldn’t dance and so on. These were the things that were said about me. But I did not go defensive about them. I thought perhaps I need to work on my dialogue delivery, hair, make up and all those areas.
Whereas actors tend to take criticism in a negative way, I took it very seriously in a positive way. If you come to my room you will find three of your reviews on my wall.
But I highlighted portions where my performance has been criticized and decided to work upon it. My goal was to make sure that next time when someone writes a review about me; there should be a mention that I have improved.
Rajeev Masand: Dhoom was perhaps the turning point in your career as it was your first ‘undisputed’ hit film. How do raise the ante for its sequel?
Abhishek Bachchan: By hiring the services of Bipasha Basu, Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan!
Just kidding! I think the exciting thing about doing a sequel is if the actors have already been there in the prequel, you don’t have to do much. Uday and myself knew everything about the characters.
It’s the same unit and our chemistry and rapport did help. But the tension is about making it more interesting and taking that one step further.
I don’t want to sound pompous but Dhoom II is just bigger and better. One reason is because it has a bigger star caste. Our aim was to make a bigger action film, which is more entertaining, and take it to a higher level. So, I hope we achieve that with this film.
Rajeev Masand: Hrithik Roshan and you are friends of course, but the fact is that you are also contemporaries and rivals at the same time.
When you are signing a film with other actors in it, what do you look for apart from your own role in it? Is it really important to know what the other actor is doing in that film?
Abhishek Bachchan: It never has important been for me. I rightly or wrongly have always believed in the people that I have worked with.
I truly believe that whatever success I have achieved today has a lot to do with somebody like Hrithik who has called me once in a while and told me things like, ‘Hey! You are looking bit fat in this, you need to work at this portion, your visual appeal is important’ and things like that.
He is very giving with his advice and he has pushed me to improve. I owe a lot to him.
Rajeev Masand: Is it rare to find such generous co-actors?
Abhishek Bachchan: I have never had a problem there. In fact I have been very lucky to always get supportive and protective co-actors to work with. They always felt sorry for me for I was so bad. They always thought, "poor chap. He is the weakest link. Let’s just help him out."
Rajeev Masand: Were you always destined to be an actor?
Abhishek Bachchan: Can’t say if I was destined to, but yes, I always wanted to be an actor.
Rajeev Masand: Do you often wonder what you would have been doing, had you not become an actor?
Abhishek Bachchan: I don’t wonder, but perhaps I could have been a struggling actor. I would have been ‘pounding the pavement’ (as you call in actor’s lingo), outside producers’ office asking them for some work.
Abhishek says, he has always shared a special bond with father Amitabh Bachchan.
Rajeev Masand: But you could not have been anywhere else but in films, isn’t it?
Abhishek Bachchan: Yes, definitely. No doubts about it.
Rajeev Masand: You worked in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Yuva’ which people say has been your best performance so far. Now that you are again working with him in ‘Guru’, playing a character whose span from a young man to an elderly person has been covered as a journey, what else is special that you find in it?
Abhishek Bachchan: Mani Ratnam is indeed the most special aspect of Guru. When he is directing a film, an actor doesn’t need to ask for anything else.
I signed Yuva without even hearing its script. It was weird.
I knew Mani from the days when he made Bombay because ABCL Ltd then had distributed the film. Shad (Ali) arranged my meeting with him and there he asked me if I would be interested in working with him. I almost fell off my chair. Here I was sitting in front of Mani Ratnam and it he who was asking me, whether I wanted to work with him or not. I was almost going to ask him, “Do I have to pay you for giving me a role in your film?”
Getting the chance to work with him for a second time is truly a blessing, because you have got over with the fear of working with ‘ Mr Mani Ratnam’ and have become more comfortable with him. To add to it, Aishwarya (Rai) who started her career with Mani is also a part of the film. Everybody knew each other, so it was very comfortable.
Any role that Mani gives you is assured to be interesting, intriguing and very tough.
Guru has been a very tough film and challenging to do. I hope it turns rewarding, more so for Mani because he has worked very hard on it. He is truly a genius and deserves every bit of the credit that he gets.
Rajeev Masand: Is it true that Guru is inspired by the real life story of Dhiru Bhai Ambani?
Abhishek Bachchan: I don’t think I can rightfully comment on this because Mani would be answer this question. But I’m sure Mani has been inspired my many persons. I don’t think it is particularly based on any body’s life.
Many people have inspired Mani. He is somebody who is very ‘worldly wise’ and like most directors he too derives inspiration from different things. I think it could be an amalgamation of many inspirational stories. I’m sure he never wants to convey that such-and-such film is depicting so-and-so’s life.
Rajeev Masand: There is one question that I asked your father and now I’m asking you. Shah Rukh Khan is playing ‘Don’ in the remake of the yesteryear’s blockbuster hit film. So are Salman Khan and his brothers in a remake of Amar, Akbar, Anthony. Tell me if you have the choice to remake one of your dad’s films, which one would it be?
By the way, your father said Deewar could be the one fit for you.
Abhishek Bachchan: That’s really tough. Actually all of them are so great that they all could be remade. Most of the ones that I have wanted to be a part of have already been made.
But I think Kalia is one film that I would like to be remade with me playing the lead because I loved that film as a kid.
I can’t choose a film that needs to be remade but I can definitely tell one film that I would not want to be remade.
Rajeev Masand: Which one is that?
Abhishek Bachchan: I think Black is one film I would never want to be remade because I would not be able to match up to that level of acting.
Kalia and Kala Pathar are some of the films that I have seen inactively as a child. I used to see my dad beating up bad guys in these films. I used to get excited and beat up my sister enacting him.
These films would be fun to do but doing Black would be traumatic.
I think I would want to act in a remake of one of my dad’s film because I want to go through the enjoyment of just doing it. It would be fun to live a character ‘on-camera’ that I have seen and enacted as a child. I would also like to do it more on an emotional basis.
Rajeev Masand: As an actor, you have been working for eight-years now. I’m sure you must have known your strengths and weaknesses by now. What would you consider as your strength?
Abhishek Bachchan: I have a lot of good friends in the industry who continuously are willing to work with me. That’s lot of strength for me, seriously.
Rajeev Masand: How do you react to the tag of ‘most eligible bachelor’ being attached to you?
Abhishek Bachchan: That’s really embarrassing. I would much rather they call me a successful actor. I’m not complaining, as long as they look upon me favourably. But I would much rather that I’d be known for my work.
Rajeev Masand: Well, are you uncomfortable with all the attention that is being paid to your ‘romantic life’?
Abhishek Bachchan: Not really. It’s part and parcel of your job. When you become an actor, you must know that you are a ‘public property’. That’s fair enough, but what you make of your public image is up to you.
I keep my private life private because I don’t want people to know what pajamas I go to bed in, on what side of the bed I sleep, what I say to my dad or how I talk to my mother when I order my lunch. That is something personal and I want to keep it just to myself.
We conduct our lives on a public stage but please I would request people to leave ‘this’ bit to us so that we can keep our sanity. Am I uncomfortable? I would say no. Because I know that an actor’s life comes under immense scrutiny and observation.
If you don’t like it then you shouldn’t become an actor. If you want to be there, then you must know how to deal with it.
Rajeev Masand: With the growing interest, do you think that you have to hide increasingly?
Abhishek Bachchan: No. I have always led my life openly. My life is like an open book. As long as my family and loved ones know what’s going on in my life, nothing really matters to me. There is nothing worth hiding. I am not doing anything wrong.
Rajeev Masand:Are you amused by all the stories that you read everyday. Things have been said like horoscopes being matched, impending marriage and so on. Literally, it’s become a case when almost everyday there is a new story about your personal life.
Abhishek Bachchan: It makes some very interesting reading. I am impressed with the people who write them. Their creativity and power of imagination is truly incredible. I am actually looking for all such people to hire them as scriptwriters. They are brilliant in what they do.
Rajeev Masand: Do all these stories create any kind of awkwardness when you meet your co-stars that you have been linked with?
Abhishek Bachchan: No not at all. It’s not given all that importance, honestly. We are actors and know that this happens on a daily basis. It doesn’t affect us at all. You become immune to it.
If I meet a female co-star of mine who they have recently ‘married’ me off to or ‘divorced’ me with, or somebody I have ‘cheated’ upon or whatever of the sort, I don’t even talk about it. I think our friendships are far stronger to be affected by something like that.
Like recently there was a story about how Shah Rukh Khan and my father are having this huge war and that my father allegedly has ‘forced’ Karan (Johar) to add a song of mine in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.
First and foremost, my dad and I are not the kind of people who would do something like that. Secondly, we are in no position to do that. Thirdly, it’s sad that people who write such lies when witness that we all are together, must have been feeling very stupid and little.
Shah Rukh is very close to our family. He is somebody I have got to know through my father and mother. My mother is immensely close to him and he is a wonderful person.
When it comes to Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna I would like to state that I have no false illusions of a grandeur.
Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’s lead hero is Shah Rukh. I am just the supporting lead and perhaps the third main lead in the film.
I am not presumptuous or precarious enough to think of myself as equal to Shah Rukh yesterday, today or tomorrow. Shah Rukh is the biggest star that we have in the country. I think he is a fantastic person to look up to as an idol.
And I really don’t have the power to convince Karan to add a song of mine in his film. I am just happy being a part of the supportive caste in his film. In fact I am just happy to be a part of the film.
Rajeev Masand: Putting all the rumours and the controversies aside, being young, successful and popular, does the question about your marriage comes up in the family? It’s only natural for them to raise such a question, isn’t it? Is that something that they are waiting for?
Abhishek Bachchan: No, never thankfully. My parents have not been the sorts to pressurize me on something like that.
They have never been that narrow-minded to raise such a question. They know the kind of life actors’ lead and they respect that. They have always been very broad-minded and would not impose themselves upon me ever.
Even in terms of marriage, they have left it upon me to decide. They always say, "let us know when you are ready and we will be fine with it."
Rajeev Masand: So when do you think you would be ‘ready’ for marriage?
Abhishek Bachchan: Not in the near future at least. I have just started my career and there is a lot that needs to be done.
I think there is a lot to achieve before one can settle down in life. But then again, you may never know. Tomorrow you might just turn around and walk into someone wonderful and say, "Wow, this is it."
Rajeev Masand: Finally, what is the best thing about being a movie star?
Abhishek Bachchan: The love that you get. You can’t really explain it. Anywhere you go, you have an audience that comes up to you to shake hands with you.
You don’t even know them but they are truly excited to see you. It’s an emotion that is hard to explain. It’s just an amazing experience.
And, secondly, I get to wake up every morning and live my dream. I can’t think of a better job.
Abhishek Bachchan: Well, best of luck. Let’s hope you can always live your dream. We will be looking forward to lots more exciting movies from you.
Abhishek Bachchan: Thankyou.
Source: IBNlive
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Zee Muzic brings Abhisekh Bachchan on 'Bollywood Tonight'
First part of the interview will witness Abhisekh talk about his latest movie Kabhi Alvida Na kehna with Komal Nahata on Friday 18 August at 8 pm.
Few excerpts from the interview -
Abhishek in his true humble style says " I agreed to do the film despite such great actors cos I knew nobody would be watching me and so I wouldn't be shouldering the responsibility." A fine actor who has been appreciated for his brilliant performance in KANK says " I am not a modest person at all infact im very realsitic". According to him, two great performances in KANK were those of Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan and he explained why - "Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan totally deserve the No1 status that they enjoy because they work vere very hard at it.."
Catch Abhishek Bachchan speak about his role in the biggest film of the year, only on Bollywood Tonight at 8 pm, on Zee Muzic.
The second part of the interview on Monday 21 August on Bollywood Tonight at 8 pm where Abhishek talks on personal issues.
Abhishek admits to being a Mamas boy but his Dad is his best friend. When asked about his journey from Refugee to KANK, he says "The most humiliating part of my line of failures early in my career was to see the crestfallen faces of my parents at the end of every trial show. Two such great actors and their son was failing film after film." When asked which role of Amitabh Bachchan would he like to see himself doing, he says "Don't ask me which role of my dads film I would like to repeat. Ask me which role I wouldn't like to play and that is BLACK" . To know why, tune in to Bollywood Tonight @ 8PM.
Few excerpts from the interview -
Abhishek in his true humble style says " I agreed to do the film despite such great actors cos I knew nobody would be watching me and so I wouldn't be shouldering the responsibility." A fine actor who has been appreciated for his brilliant performance in KANK says " I am not a modest person at all infact im very realsitic". According to him, two great performances in KANK were those of Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan and he explained why - "Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan totally deserve the No1 status that they enjoy because they work vere very hard at it.."
Catch Abhishek Bachchan speak about his role in the biggest film of the year, only on Bollywood Tonight at 8 pm, on Zee Muzic.
The second part of the interview on Monday 21 August on Bollywood Tonight at 8 pm where Abhishek talks on personal issues.
Abhishek admits to being a Mamas boy but his Dad is his best friend. When asked about his journey from Refugee to KANK, he says "The most humiliating part of my line of failures early in my career was to see the crestfallen faces of my parents at the end of every trial show. Two such great actors and their son was failing film after film." When asked which role of Amitabh Bachchan would he like to see himself doing, he says "Don't ask me which role of my dads film I would like to repeat. Ask me which role I wouldn't like to play and that is BLACK" . To know why, tune in to Bollywood Tonight @ 8PM.
Tete-e-tete with Jr. Bachchan
From a hero who tanked at the box office to KANK, Abhishekshek Bachchan has come a very long way indeed. Aby's baby chats up with our correspondent Autreyee Choudhury about his next big projects and more.
TN : Are you a woman's guy?
Abhishek : I'd like to be. I hope I am. I strive to be if you are asking me if I am like Rishi Talwar - my character in KANK, I'd like to be.
TN : KANK is a mature love story. Do you think Indian audiences are finally ready to accept sex and extra marital affair as a fact?
Abhishek : Coming from the civilization that gave birth to Kamasutra, I don’t think we've been alien to the concept. Indian audience have always accepted a good film - it's not what story you tell, it's how well you tell it.
TN : Personally, do you agree with an extra marital affair?
Abhishek : No I don't.
TN : In KANK, your father plays kind of a raunchy character?
Abhishek : Raunchy? I will be sure to tell him you called him raunchy (smiles).
TN : He's playing a very open minded character, but there is a certain section of his fans who are offended or who've got mixed response
Abhishek : You will have to ask me, he has not said any such thing to me but I think he's done a wonderful job once again.
TN : You’ve two films coming up - Dhoom II and Umrao Jaan. One is more of a guys' film, macho and the other one is a little mellow. Which role was more comfortable for you?
Abhishek : They both are great fun, I don’t think any role is easy to perform and I would not want to do a role which is easy. I've enjoyed doing both films immensely.
TN : But which image are you more comfortable with?
Abhishek : Neither, I am just happy with the Big B standing in the background.
TN : You're also doing Guru with Mani Ratnam. Considering, Yuva with Mani was a turning point in your career, now has there been a change in equation with Mani Ratnam?
Abhishek : No, it hasn't changed, it's the same. Mani is a genius and according to me he's one of the most talented directors we have and it's an honour to work with him. I was blessed to be given another opportunity to work with him. I am really excited about Guru and am looking forward to its release.
TN : Between you and your father, you have endorsed many products. Have you left anything at all for the other stars?
Abhishek : There is no competition. I do the work that is offered to me.
Source: Times Now
TN : Are you a woman's guy?
Abhishek : I'd like to be. I hope I am. I strive to be if you are asking me if I am like Rishi Talwar - my character in KANK, I'd like to be.
TN : KANK is a mature love story. Do you think Indian audiences are finally ready to accept sex and extra marital affair as a fact?
Abhishek : Coming from the civilization that gave birth to Kamasutra, I don’t think we've been alien to the concept. Indian audience have always accepted a good film - it's not what story you tell, it's how well you tell it.
TN : Personally, do you agree with an extra marital affair?
Abhishek : No I don't.
TN : In KANK, your father plays kind of a raunchy character?
Abhishek : Raunchy? I will be sure to tell him you called him raunchy (smiles).
TN : He's playing a very open minded character, but there is a certain section of his fans who are offended or who've got mixed response
Abhishek : You will have to ask me, he has not said any such thing to me but I think he's done a wonderful job once again.
TN : You’ve two films coming up - Dhoom II and Umrao Jaan. One is more of a guys' film, macho and the other one is a little mellow. Which role was more comfortable for you?
Abhishek : They both are great fun, I don’t think any role is easy to perform and I would not want to do a role which is easy. I've enjoyed doing both films immensely.
TN : But which image are you more comfortable with?
Abhishek : Neither, I am just happy with the Big B standing in the background.
TN : You're also doing Guru with Mani Ratnam. Considering, Yuva with Mani was a turning point in your career, now has there been a change in equation with Mani Ratnam?
Abhishek : No, it hasn't changed, it's the same. Mani is a genius and according to me he's one of the most talented directors we have and it's an honour to work with him. I was blessed to be given another opportunity to work with him. I am really excited about Guru and am looking forward to its release.
TN : Between you and your father, you have endorsed many products. Have you left anything at all for the other stars?
Abhishek : There is no competition. I do the work that is offered to me.
Source: Times Now
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Promo review - Dhoom 2
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz
Is it going to be the biggest sequel of all?
After 'Phir Hera Pheri' went on surpass the business of 'Hera Pheri' by leaps and bounds, 'Krrish' turned out to be one of the top blockbusters of all times and hence in process broke the records set by 'Koi..Mil Gaya'. While 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' is looking set to be the third sequel success in quick time, 'Dhoom 2' [now popularly known as D2] too is turning out to be yet another exciting and high adrenaline drive from the makers of the original 'Dhoom'.
If having Abhishek Bachchan in the lead was not enough, the sequel now also stars Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu as the added attractions with the usual suspect Uday Chopra completing the mega starcast of the film. With the coming together of Yash Raj Films and Sanjay Gadhvi, the director of 'Dhoom', expectations are only sky high from the film. Also with Hrithik having scaled the heights of action with 'Krrish', it is but natural to expect a much BETTER, a much BIGGER and a much GRANDEUR affair from D2.
With 3 months to go before the release of the film, Yash Raj Films in there true tradition have unveiled the promo of the film along with the screening of 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' that has been distributed by them. And doesn't the promo just promise a rollicking ride of your lifetime ahead?
This 100 second promo of D2 begins with an announcement of a female newsreader in the background who speculates over the next line of action of this big time thief/robber! A couple of shots later that show some glimpses of some cool gadgets, a larger than life aerial view of a full length train in the middle of a desert successfully manages to bring you on the edge of your seats. A razor sharp shot of a man tied to ropes while skating along with a train running at a speed on the upwards of at least 100 km/hours [yes, you read it right] is enough to set the adrenaline rushing for any normal living soul!
After setting the context of this actioner in 25 seconds flat, it's time to introduce the 'cool' characters of the film. A sound of whistle with trademark Pritam beats brings Hrithik Roshan at the center of the frame who is shown walking with a carelessly unbuttoned blue shirt and a white vest underneath! Look of the film remains blue throughout when Abhishek Bachchan is the next to come as he walks in a blue outfit in a place that resembles a railway platform. Aishwarya's deep neck blue top is surely going to invite a lot of sighs as she looks western'chic while Uday Chopra prefers to go topless with outstretched arms inviting love with twinkle in his eyes. Bipasha is the last to appear and she does well to hold herself amongst the crowd with a skin hugging top and a gun holster to boost, hence giving herself a very western look.
Introductions over and there is time for some real action to begin that starts with Hrithik Roshan skating in black leather outfits while beating the fast moving traffic behind. Rearranged version of the title song 'Dhoom Machale' forms the part of the background score as everyone from Uday, Abhishek to Hrithik join the action on road [bikes] and water [skate boats]. It's not just the action but a lot of eye candy that keeps you glued to the screen with an arrival of Bipasha Basu in a two piece striped bikini on a beach. Ash too is not far behind as she dances along in a club while attired in mini. There are some more song'n'dance shots to follow that feature the trio of male leads.
A minute into the promo and mood shifts to high voltage drama with Abhishek looking forward to picking up the challenge. The words uttered by him ['Tumse Milke Bahaut Maza Aayega...we will have fun'] set the ball rolling with shots of some daredevil action filling in the gaps between his sentences. A jump atop the train through a glider followed by a cool looking Hrithik getting ready for his plan of action in his gadget laden lab bring the action back in form. The song in the background continuous as well with a gravity defying fight amongst the two men at the top of the train. But the cake is taken by a sequence where Hrithik is gliding once again on the road, this time doing so under a large carrier truck. Some more gadget assisted stunts follow before Abhishek and Uday stamp their authority with a gun each pointed towards the frame.
Well, is that all? Certainly not, as indicated by Hrithik when he conveys the message to Ash - "The Game Is Not Over"! Check out for the heart stopping glimpses of a collage of shots that feature the two hanging down steep mountains, a sequence that has never before attempted in an Indian movie before.
One thing is clear after the promo ends - the film is going to put Allan Amin, the action director of the film, firmly on the map of International class action choreographers. In spite of all the big names involved with the film, 'D2' seems to be an Allan Amin film all the way.
The wait should be worth it for this sure shot success in the making that arrives all over on November 24th!
Is it going to be the biggest sequel of all?
After 'Phir Hera Pheri' went on surpass the business of 'Hera Pheri' by leaps and bounds, 'Krrish' turned out to be one of the top blockbusters of all times and hence in process broke the records set by 'Koi..Mil Gaya'. While 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' is looking set to be the third sequel success in quick time, 'Dhoom 2' [now popularly known as D2] too is turning out to be yet another exciting and high adrenaline drive from the makers of the original 'Dhoom'.
If having Abhishek Bachchan in the lead was not enough, the sequel now also stars Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu as the added attractions with the usual suspect Uday Chopra completing the mega starcast of the film. With the coming together of Yash Raj Films and Sanjay Gadhvi, the director of 'Dhoom', expectations are only sky high from the film. Also with Hrithik having scaled the heights of action with 'Krrish', it is but natural to expect a much BETTER, a much BIGGER and a much GRANDEUR affair from D2.
With 3 months to go before the release of the film, Yash Raj Films in there true tradition have unveiled the promo of the film along with the screening of 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' that has been distributed by them. And doesn't the promo just promise a rollicking ride of your lifetime ahead?
This 100 second promo of D2 begins with an announcement of a female newsreader in the background who speculates over the next line of action of this big time thief/robber! A couple of shots later that show some glimpses of some cool gadgets, a larger than life aerial view of a full length train in the middle of a desert successfully manages to bring you on the edge of your seats. A razor sharp shot of a man tied to ropes while skating along with a train running at a speed on the upwards of at least 100 km/hours [yes, you read it right] is enough to set the adrenaline rushing for any normal living soul!
After setting the context of this actioner in 25 seconds flat, it's time to introduce the 'cool' characters of the film. A sound of whistle with trademark Pritam beats brings Hrithik Roshan at the center of the frame who is shown walking with a carelessly unbuttoned blue shirt and a white vest underneath! Look of the film remains blue throughout when Abhishek Bachchan is the next to come as he walks in a blue outfit in a place that resembles a railway platform. Aishwarya's deep neck blue top is surely going to invite a lot of sighs as she looks western'chic while Uday Chopra prefers to go topless with outstretched arms inviting love with twinkle in his eyes. Bipasha is the last to appear and she does well to hold herself amongst the crowd with a skin hugging top and a gun holster to boost, hence giving herself a very western look.
Introductions over and there is time for some real action to begin that starts with Hrithik Roshan skating in black leather outfits while beating the fast moving traffic behind. Rearranged version of the title song 'Dhoom Machale' forms the part of the background score as everyone from Uday, Abhishek to Hrithik join the action on road [bikes] and water [skate boats]. It's not just the action but a lot of eye candy that keeps you glued to the screen with an arrival of Bipasha Basu in a two piece striped bikini on a beach. Ash too is not far behind as she dances along in a club while attired in mini. There are some more song'n'dance shots to follow that feature the trio of male leads.
A minute into the promo and mood shifts to high voltage drama with Abhishek looking forward to picking up the challenge. The words uttered by him ['Tumse Milke Bahaut Maza Aayega...we will have fun'] set the ball rolling with shots of some daredevil action filling in the gaps between his sentences. A jump atop the train through a glider followed by a cool looking Hrithik getting ready for his plan of action in his gadget laden lab bring the action back in form. The song in the background continuous as well with a gravity defying fight amongst the two men at the top of the train. But the cake is taken by a sequence where Hrithik is gliding once again on the road, this time doing so under a large carrier truck. Some more gadget assisted stunts follow before Abhishek and Uday stamp their authority with a gun each pointed towards the frame.
Well, is that all? Certainly not, as indicated by Hrithik when he conveys the message to Ash - "The Game Is Not Over"! Check out for the heart stopping glimpses of a collage of shots that feature the two hanging down steep mountains, a sequence that has never before attempted in an Indian movie before.
One thing is clear after the promo ends - the film is going to put Allan Amin, the action director of the film, firmly on the map of International class action choreographers. In spite of all the big names involved with the film, 'D2' seems to be an Allan Amin film all the way.
The wait should be worth it for this sure shot success in the making that arrives all over on November 24th!
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Big B/AB - A brand to reckon with
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz
Has the coming together of Big B and son AB become a brand?
Looking at the box office outcome of the three films where they have acted together, it certainly seems to the case. Their first time coming together in 'Bunty Aur Babli' last year created a storm and brought the movie to the second biggest hit of the year after 'No Entry'. Immense curiosity and hype about the film reached a turning point when they were actually cast as father and son in Ram Gopal Verma's homage to 'Godfather' - 'Sarkar'! The 'chemistry', if one can call it that way, was phenomenal to say the least in 'Sarkar'.
With two successes in hand, it was but natural to see more of the pairing in the coming months. Karan Johar jumped on the very idea of it and cast the two together in 'Kabhi Alvida Ne Kehna'. No wonder the story of a party-lover boy with an equally colorful father to boast was a draw that none could resist.
Since there are all indications that KANK would turn out to be yet another BIG success story of 2006, it marks the hat-trick of winners for the father-son duo hence establishing them as the MOST reliable brand!
Has the coming together of Big B and son AB become a brand?
Looking at the box office outcome of the three films where they have acted together, it certainly seems to the case. Their first time coming together in 'Bunty Aur Babli' last year created a storm and brought the movie to the second biggest hit of the year after 'No Entry'. Immense curiosity and hype about the film reached a turning point when they were actually cast as father and son in Ram Gopal Verma's homage to 'Godfather' - 'Sarkar'! The 'chemistry', if one can call it that way, was phenomenal to say the least in 'Sarkar'.
With two successes in hand, it was but natural to see more of the pairing in the coming months. Karan Johar jumped on the very idea of it and cast the two together in 'Kabhi Alvida Ne Kehna'. No wonder the story of a party-lover boy with an equally colorful father to boast was a draw that none could resist.
Since there are all indications that KANK would turn out to be yet another BIG success story of 2006, it marks the hat-trick of winners for the father-son duo hence establishing them as the MOST reliable brand!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Abhishek takes away Shah Rukh's film
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna has had a mixed reaction from the trade
While the new age people from film industry has been talking about the richness of the making and the thought behind the film, the old timers are shocked to see the unfamiliar ending given in the film stating that this was the big reason why the film has failed to touch hearts in the Indian belt. The film has some outstanding collections from the Overseas territory as Karan tells us. But in India, the film has taken a bit of a beating. "It is a great thought, but because of the subject smaller centres in India haven't liked the film so much. The film will make loads of money from bigger cities and overseas," says Vashu Bhagnani who feels that Abhishek Bachchan has emerged a star from the film.
Does that mean that the film did not benefit the man for whom it was made for – Shah Rukh Khan?
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Abhishek and Rani : always married on screen!
ApunkachoiceIt is an unusual coincidence that whenever Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee have acted together in a film they have played married couples.
They may not have made a romantic couple in real life, but Abhishek and Rani are indeed the inseparables on the silver screen. In all the films they have acted together – be it Goldie Behl’s Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai or Mani Ratnam’s Yuva or Shaad Ali’s comedy Bunty Aur Babli – Abhi and Rani have played married couples.
And in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna , the two stars play spouses again. However, this time, not all is hunky-dory in their marriage. Abhi plays a temperamental husband who at one point in the film even accuses Rani, his wife, of not being able to bear a child. Rani, on the other hand, plays a woman whose marriage with Abhi has been more of a compromise. Their marriage is full of self-doubt and lack of passion.
Speaking about Rani, Abhi says it was most easy working with her as he has shared the screen space with her many times in the past.
Rani holds no different view.
I was bowled over by Shah Rukh: Abhishek Bachchan
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News ServiceAbhishek Bachchan has two major releases lined up for August, 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' (KANK) and 'Umrao Jaan', and they are vastly different from each other. But he is not worried.
'As my luck would have it, both 'Umrao Jaan' and 'Kabhie Alvida...' are being released back-to-back. I'm curious to see how audiences react to these completely different characters. As long as they're entertained, I'm happy,' Abhishek told IANS in a chat.
Apparently it was easier for Abhishek to get under the skin of his character in Karan Johar's romantic drama 'Kabhi Alvida...' than J.P. Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan', a period film.
'Actors always bring a lot of themselves into their characters. At the end of the day the character is being performed by the actor and the character must therefore have elements of the actor. It's very important for me to identify with the character I play. Otherwise, I can't play him convincingly,' said Abhishek, who confesses he is bowled over by co-star Shah Rukh Khan's humility and hard work.
'When you work with him you realise he's Shah Rukh Khan not because he tries to be, but because he's amazingly good at what he does. I was bowled over by him as an actor and a human being.'
Excerpts:
Q: Why are you suddenly so out of the media loop?
A: It wasn't intentional. It's just unfortunate. I've been travelling abroad and in India, shooting. I haven't had the time to sit and talk to anyone lately.
Q: Your plate certainly looks full.
A: I've always worked at this pace. I've to work with what I've got and deal with it to the best of my abilities. I'm still trying to complete one film before moving on to the next.
Q: You've two acutely antithetical films - 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' (KANK) and 'Umrao Jaan' coming up one after the other.
A: It's only after I did my first period film 'Umrao Jaan' that I realised how modern we tend to be in our everyday conduct as individuals. I had to try and forget my natural body language and demeanour and re-acclimatise myself. That was a challenge.
Then again, when you've a director like J.P Dutta saab, he guides you through any complexity. Interestingly, I came to 'Umrao Jaan' straight from KANK, straight from as 'Karan' in New York to Lucknow in the 19th century.
Q: A very challenging time for you as an actor?
A: No different from how it has been in the past. I've chosen a challenging job. As my luck would have it, both 'Umrao Jaan' and KANK are being released back-to-back. I'm curious to see how audiences react to these completely different characters. As long as they're entertained, I'm happy.
Q: Apparently in Johar's film you play a character very close to your heart?
A: Actors always bring a lot of themselves into their characters. At the end of the day the character is being performed by the actor and the character must therefore have elements of the actor.
Karan knows me so well. He has used a lot of my personality for my character in KANK. But let me tell you, it's very important for me to identify with the character I play. Otherwise, I can't play him convincingly.
Q: How was it working with Shah Rukh Khan in KANK?
A: Only after you work with Shah Rukh do you truly understand why he is who he is and why he enjoys his position. He's such a humble and unassuming person in real life.
When you work with him you realise he's Shah Rukh Khan not because he tries to be, but because he's amazingly good at what he does. My advice to any actor who works with him is to interact with him off the sets for a week before shooting begins. I was bowled over by him as an actor and a human being. I've never seen a more hard-working actor.
Q: You seem totally bowled over.
A: I really hope I get to work with him again and again. Shah Rukh is an immensely generous actor. He almost concentrates more on getting the other actor's performance right in a scene than his own!
When I was stuck in a scene he readily helped me out. The amount I've learnt from him about conduct as a person and an actor is insurmountable. He truly deserves his superstardom.
Q: And Preity?
A: KANK was our first film together apart from a little bit of work together in 'Salaam Namaste', when she was just lying on an operation table and screaming. She was no longer lying down in KANK. But she was still shouting at me. She's brilliant in KANK.
Q: She claims you can out-chatter her.
A: With Preity it's a bit of an ego problem. Since I'm a very sore loser, I've to try and outdo her in talking. I love Preity. She's one of the nicest persons I've met. So I'm looking forward to working with her again in Shaad Ali's 'Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom'.
It's exciting because of the cast. Preity, of course, is one of my favourite people on earth. Then there's Bobby Deol whom I've known since I was a kid. I've had a deep desire to work with him. There have been many projects in the past together, which didn't work out.
Q: You're also doing the sequel to 'Dhoom'?
A: One of the plus points of doing a sequel is you already know the character. I play the same character. Then there's an equation already built with the crew. So, you automatically get into the groove.
The exciting part is to build a new mood in the given parameters. We can't serve the same thing to the audience. It's a new cast and a new plot. Hopefully, it will be much better and bigger than the first 'Dhoom'.
Q: And Hrithik Roshan?
A: 'Dhoom 2' is my second film with Hrithik after 'Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon'. He isn't just hardworking, he's seven notches above that. Through his hard work he pushes me to work. What's wonderful about actors like Shah Rukh and Hrithik is they aren't just concerned about their own performance but also their film. It's great fun just hanging out with him. 'Dhoom 2' is a party.
Q: How's it working with R. Madhavan in Mani Rathnam's 'Guru'?
A: We got to know each other really well when I was doing a remake of his Tamil film 'Run'. I'm very fond of Maddy and his wife Sarita. It's wonderful to get in front of the camera with Maddy.
Q: How's it working with Rathnam again?
A: 'Yuva' was a turning point in my career. And all credit to Mani for this. 'Guru' is a challenge. Mani likes to push his actors. He likes to break conventions. He gives you a scene, then you work it out as logically as you can. He then takes it and flips it around completely. He likes to go against the grain. The actor had better rise to the occasion.
Q: What's on the anvil?
A: After Shaad's film is over I'm doing a film with my friend Goldie Behl. 'Drona' is the working title. After Goldie's film I go on to Ram Gopal Varma's 'Sarkar 2'. Then I move on to Rakeysh Mehra's 'Delhi-6'. After that it'd Rohan Sippy's film next year.
Q: You and Mehra go back a long way.
A: Yes, I'm very excited to finally work with him. Rakeysh and I were supposed to do our first feature film together. It never worked out. We've been trying to collaborate for 10 years now. I'm glad we finally cracked it. 'Delhi-6' is a very interesting subject.
Q: Finally, suddenly you're in so many endorsements?
A: My criterion to endorse a brand is simple. Would I use the product and am I comfortable endorsing the product? It's very important for the brand ambassador to have faith in the product. I believe in the products I endorse.
Q: Are you conscious of your public conduct?
A: You've to be true to yourself in your private and personal conduct. We have to realise we've a huge responsibility towards the public. They look at us to set examples and we've to be conscious of that. Having said that, I must say I'm what I am and I behave the way I've been brought up to behave.
Preity and I've an ego problem: Abhishek Bachchan
santabantaAbhishek Bachchan Talks Shop With Subhash K Jha
Q: Why are you suddenly so out of the media loop?
A: It wasn't intentional. It's just unfortunate. I've been travelling abroad and in India shooting. I haven't had the time to sit and talk to anyone lately.
Q: Your plate certainly looks full.
A: I've always worked at this pace. I've to work with what I've got and deal with it to the best of my abilities. I'm still trying to complete one film before moving on to the next.
Q: You've two acutely antithetical films Umrao Jaan and Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna (KANK) coming up one after the next?
A: It's only after I did my first period film Umrao Jaan that I realized how modern we tend to be in our everyday conduct as individuals. I had to try and forget my natural body language and demeanour and re-acclimitize myself. That was a challenge.
Then again, when you've a director like J.P Dutta Saab he guides you through any complexity. Interestingly I came to Umrao Jaan straight from KANK, straight from 'Karan' times in New York to Lucknow in the 19th century.
Q: A very challenging time for you as an actor?
A: No different from how it has been in the past. I've a chosen a challenging job. As my luck would have it, both Umrao and KANK are being released back to back. I'm curious to see how audiences react to these completely different characters. As long as they're entertained I'm happy.
Q: How was it working with Shah Rukh in KANK?
A: Only after you work with Shah Rukh do you truly understand why he is who he is and why he enjoys his position. He's such a humble and unassuming person in real life. When you work with him you realize he's Shah Rukh Khan not because he tries to be, but because he's amazingly good at what he does.
My advice to any actor who works with him is to interact with him off the sets for a week before shooting begins. I was bowled over by him as an actor and a humanbeing. I've never seen a more hard-working actor. On the sets he was always there for Karan and for his co-stars…He made sure everyone ate and performed properly.
Q: You seem totally bowled over.
A: I really hope I get to work with him again and again. Shah Rukh is an immensely generous actor. He almost concentrates more on getting the other actor's performance right in a scene than his own! When I was stuck in a scene he readily helped me out.
It's been a fantastic experience. The amount I've learnt from him about conduct as a person and an actor is insurmountable. He truly deserves his superstardom. He works hard for it, and he makes sure others work equally hard. I'm truly overwhelmed by Shah Rukh.
Q: And Preity?
A: KANK was our first film together apart from a little but of work together in Salaam Namaste, when she was just lying on an operation table and screaming. She was no longer lying down in KANK. But she was still shouting at me. She's brilliant in KANK.
Q: She claims you can out-chatter her.
A: With Preity it's a bit of an ego problem. Since I'm a very sore loser I've to try and out-do her in talking. I love Preity. She's one of the nicest persons I've met. I'm so looking forward to working with her again in Shaad Ali's Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom. It's going be a fun film.
It's exciting because of the cast. Preity, of course, who's one of my favourite people on earth. Then there's Bobby Deol whom I've known since I was a kid. I've had a deep desire to work with him. There have been many projects in the past together which didn't work out.
Q: You're also doing the sequel to Dhoom ?
A: One of the plus points of doing a sequel is you already know the character. I play the same character. That makes it easier for me to play him. Then there's an equation already built with the crew. So you automatically get into the groove.
The exciting part is to build a new mood in the given parameters. We can't serve the same thing to the audience. It's a new cast and a new plot. Hopefully it will be much better and bigger than the first Dhoom.
Q: And Hrithik?
A: Dhoom 2 is my second film with Hrithik after Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon. He isn't just hard-working. He's seven notches above that. Through his hard work he pushes me to work. He's only bothered with how best to do his job, and how to push harder towards excellence with every role, and that's infectious.
What's wonderful about actors like Shah Rukh and Hrithik is they aren't just concerned about their own performance but also their film. It's great fun just hanging out with him. Dhoom 2 is a party.
Q: How's it working with Madhavan in Mani Rathnam's Guru?
A: We got to know each other really well when I was doing a remake of his Tamil film Run. I'm very fond of Maddy and his wife Sarita. It's wonderful to get in front of the camera with Maddy.
Q: What's on the anvil?
A: After Shaad's film is over I'm doing a film with my friend Goldie Behl. Drona is the working title. After Goldie's film I go on to Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar 2. Then I move on to Rakeysh Mehra's Delhi –6. After that it'd Rohan Sippy's film next year.
Q: You and Rakeysh Mehra go back a long way.
A: Yes, I'm very excited to finally work with him. Rakeysh and I were both supposed to do our first feature film together. It never worked out. We've been trying to collaborate for ten years now. Every year we'd think of an idea. It never worked out. I'm glad we finally cracked it. Delhi 6 is a very interesting subject.
Q: Finally, suddenly you're in so many endorsements?
A: My criteria to endorse a brand is simple. Would I use the product and am I comfortable endorsing the product? It's very important for the brand ambassador to have faith in the product. They've choose me, then I choose them. I believe in the products I endorse.
Q: Are very conscious of your public conduct?
A: You've to be true to yourself in your private and personal conduct. We have to realize we've a huge responsibility towards the public. They look at us to set examples and we've to be conscious of that. Having said that I must say I'm what I am and I behave the way I've been brought up to behave.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Your new film Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna is about extra-marital relationships. Do you approve of the subject?
The basic question that director Karan Johar has asked in this film is: What if you meet your soulmate after you are married? But he hasn't put across an opinion, he has just asked the question.
What if you faced a similar situation?
If I meet my soulmate after marriage, I will be really disappointed.
So you see nothing wrong in extra-marital affairs?
I think it's wrong to have an extra-marital relationship.
But what if you find your soulmate after marriage?
I don't think I'll get married until I find my soulmate.
What if your parents don't approve of her?
My parents will always approve of my relationship. I will not do anything without their approval; and if there's such a situation, I will seek their approval.
You've been linked to Rani and Preity...
I was torn between their love; I found it hard to balance my affection towards both. Both were vying for my attention and they had huge fights over me. (Laughs) Unfortunately nothing as exciting as that happened. Both Preity and Rani are close to me and will always be.
The Bachchan-SRK rivalry is taking up reams of paper.
Whoever dreamt up this story? If the person who did so is happy spreading such stories, I'm happy to make him content. Unfortunately, however, it is not true; they should come and see how we are together. But they wouldn't want to see that part of our lives, as they are hell-bent on spreading rubbish.
Your equation with SRK?
Shah Rukh is a senior. I can't call him my friend; he is too senior a person for me to be casual with. I have immense respect for him, enjoy his company and hope I get an opportunity to work with him in the future too.
You seem a bit conscious in the Rock 'n roll soniye song with your father.
I am a weak artiste compared to my dad. Anyone who stands in the same frame is going to look uncomfortable and slightly out of sync. When you are standing in front of an actor like my dad, you are going to look like a fool.
The quest is to try and match him so that you don't disrespect his talent and dedication. I try but I don't think I manage to achieve that.
What about Ash?
She's a wonderful co-star and person to have on your set. She's a professional; we have done two films and are comfortable with each other.
How true are the stories of a relationship between you and her?
My life's been an open book. I don't hide things. But I don't like talking about these things, as it is disrespectful to women. I don't think you would like it if your personal life were up for judgment on a daily basis.
My private life is my private life and I'd like to keep it that way. When I have something to say I'll be the first person to say it.
But aren't you more than just friends?
I am more than friends with all of them — male or female — which includes Preity, Rani and Ash.
Don't you resent the fact that the life of the Bachchans is under scrutiny all the time?
One should be thankful that people find you interesting enough to talk about. Unfortunately, some of them have an extra-fertile imagination. I know what the truth is and as long as I know and my family knows, nothing else matters to me.
The basic question that director Karan Johar has asked in this film is: What if you meet your soulmate after you are married? But he hasn't put across an opinion, he has just asked the question.
What if you faced a similar situation?
If I meet my soulmate after marriage, I will be really disappointed.
So you see nothing wrong in extra-marital affairs?
I think it's wrong to have an extra-marital relationship.
But what if you find your soulmate after marriage?
I don't think I'll get married until I find my soulmate.
What if your parents don't approve of her?
My parents will always approve of my relationship. I will not do anything without their approval; and if there's such a situation, I will seek their approval.
You've been linked to Rani and Preity...
I was torn between their love; I found it hard to balance my affection towards both. Both were vying for my attention and they had huge fights over me. (Laughs) Unfortunately nothing as exciting as that happened. Both Preity and Rani are close to me and will always be.
The Bachchan-SRK rivalry is taking up reams of paper.
Whoever dreamt up this story? If the person who did so is happy spreading such stories, I'm happy to make him content. Unfortunately, however, it is not true; they should come and see how we are together. But they wouldn't want to see that part of our lives, as they are hell-bent on spreading rubbish.
Your equation with SRK?
Shah Rukh is a senior. I can't call him my friend; he is too senior a person for me to be casual with. I have immense respect for him, enjoy his company and hope I get an opportunity to work with him in the future too.
You seem a bit conscious in the Rock 'n roll soniye song with your father.
I am a weak artiste compared to my dad. Anyone who stands in the same frame is going to look uncomfortable and slightly out of sync. When you are standing in front of an actor like my dad, you are going to look like a fool.
The quest is to try and match him so that you don't disrespect his talent and dedication. I try but I don't think I manage to achieve that.
What about Ash?
She's a wonderful co-star and person to have on your set. She's a professional; we have done two films and are comfortable with each other.
How true are the stories of a relationship between you and her?
My life's been an open book. I don't hide things. But I don't like talking about these things, as it is disrespectful to women. I don't think you would like it if your personal life were up for judgment on a daily basis.
My private life is my private life and I'd like to keep it that way. When I have something to say I'll be the first person to say it.
But aren't you more than just friends?
I am more than friends with all of them — male or female — which includes Preity, Rani and Ash.
Don't you resent the fact that the life of the Bachchans is under scrutiny all the time?
One should be thankful that people find you interesting enough to talk about. Unfortunately, some of them have an extra-fertile imagination. I know what the truth is and as long as I know and my family knows, nothing else matters to me.
More bikini show in Dhoom 2
IndiafmDhoom 2 is what everyone wants to know about. The sequel to the 2004 hit Dhoom, this film will also be full of action, style and hot women. And here’s some exclusive dope on the film. Earlier, there was a buzz that Aishwarya Rai will be seen in a bikini in the film. Now, adding to it, we have known that even Bipasha Basu will be sporting a bikini in Dhoom 2.
Besides, the promo of Dhoom 2, which will be going live on Indiafm.com very soon, ends with a scene where Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai jump from a very high mountain cliff. Looking at the shot we could surely say that nothing like this has been seen in an Indian film before. Also, the overall promo looks very sleek and has an international look. Now, if the promo itself is so promising, we can’t wait to see how the movie is going to be like.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Abhishek could get more accolades than SRK in 'KANK'
UNIAll eyes may be on Shahrukh Khan on the eve of release of Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' but a major share of the accolades for the film could well go the way of Bollywood's new teenage heartthrob Abhishek Bachchan, if initial reaction to the television promos and trailors of the film are anything to go by.
Shahrukh Khan may be playing the central character in 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' but if trade sources are to be believed Abhishek may prove to be the ultimate dark horse who gets all claps from the kids, youths and front benchers as well as the sympathy of the family audiences.
Those who have seen the rushes of the film say that Shahrukh's "overwhelming presence" in the film notwithstanding, several sequences in 'Kabhi Alvida na Kehna' which present Abhishek as the "architypical angry young man" may endear him to the cinegoers in the same way as Amitabh's angry young man persona in films like "Deewar'", "Zanzeer" and "Trishul" did in the 70s.
In the film, Shahrukh play the character of a person who, caught in a loveless marriage, falls in love with the character of Rani Mukherjee, who, while married to Abhishek Bachchan, too finds herself stifled in her marriage.
Sources in the film trade say that though the film, essentially, revolves around Shahrukh as is the case with most films by Karan Johar, the sympathies of the audiences, specially the kids and family audiences who form a major proportion of the cinegoers could well go to the character played by Abhishek Bachchan in the film.
This, coupled with the immense popularity of the two songs "Rock N Roll Soniye" and "Where's the Party tonight" in which Abhishek appears, could result in Junior Bachchan adding to his already big fan following among the kids and the youth after "Kajra Re" and "Right Here Right Now" songs in "Bunty Aur Babli" and "Bluffmaster".
Infact the song "where's the party tonight" picturised on Abhishek Bachchan and Preity Zinta in the film, as also the "Rock and Roll Sonie" song picturised on Amitabh, Abhishek and Preity, are a huge rage among all sections, specially the youth and the children.
While both Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan come across as exquisite in the "Rock N Roll Soniye" song, which has been appearing in television promos of the film on various satellite channels for quite some time now, Abhishek is simply fabulous in the song "where's the party tonight" which already has the youth dancing to its groovy beats reminding the viewers of "Say Na Say Na" and "Right Here Right Now' from "Bluffmaster".
"Rock N Roll Soniye" could well prove to be as popular as the "Kajra Re" song in "Bunty Aur Babli" which had the whole nation dancing to its beat. Trade sources say Bollywood actress Kajol and hunk John Abraham will also be seen in this video. While Kajol's will be a fleeting appearance in the song, John is said to feature in a scene as a Disc Jockey.
Further, "What's the party tonight", which was picturised by Karan Johar recently, could create the same buzz as the "Right Here Right Now" song.
Analysts say that going by the way even the brief glimpses of the songs, in television promos of the film, have the kids and the youth going crazy, Abhishek could well run away with all the "seetis" of the front benchers as well as young boys and girls, who today constitute a major proportion of the cinegoers in the country.
Abhishek-Ash all the way this winter
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitzAs soon as Q4 of year 2006 begins, it would be time for fans of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai to rejoice. That's because they would be seen together in not one, not two but as many as three flicks.
From October onwards, practically every month there is a Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai film lined up. First to come would be J.P. Dutta's take on 'Umrao Jaan' that releases this Diwali/Eid on October 20th. The film would be facing the might of Salman-Akshay-Preity starrer 'Jaaneman' and King Khan's 'Don'.
Exactly a month later the two would be seen in 'Dhoom 2'. Since Ash is paired opposite Hrithik Rishan in the film, it is uncertain if Abhi-Ash would have any scenes together. Still, going by their off screen liaison, it is expected that the two to have a face off. Last but not the least, after a gap of 4 more weeks, Mani Ratnam's 'Guru' would arrive that has the two playing a couple surviving the test of times.
'Umrao Jaan', 'Dhoom 2' and 'Guru' - there is a lot of variety to catch up for Abhishek-Ash fans this winter!
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