News & Views

Ismail Merchant's Autobiography Released

          MUMBAI:  Ismail Merchant's autobiography, 'A Passage from India', was released here on Monday by thespians Dilip Kumar and Shashi Kapoor. The book records a 40-year journey of the famed film-maker who gradually shifted from Bollywood to Hollywood. Merchant, now based in the US, was present on the occasion. He started working on the book last year and the objective of documenting his experiences was to provide inspiration to the people.

           "Because it is such an interesting thing to inspire people. This book is nothing but a positive approach to life and work," said Ismail Merchant, who has an impeccable reputation as a quality film-maker and is held in high regard by actors who have worked with him. "I've known Ismail Merchant for 45-50 years, he is an enthusiastic cinema man, he continues to keep on going and in the process he made very good, successful films. I wish he reaches greater heights," said Dilip Kumar. Shabana Azmi, actress and member of the Rajya Sabha, said, "Ismail Merchant is synonymous with good quality work, that is painstakingly creative and that in itself is an achievement."

          Educated in Mumbai and in the US, India-born Merchant was set for a business administration career. But his interest in films took him to Hollywood, and the rest is history. Two people who have influenced him greatly are actress Nimmi and Satyajit Ray. It was when Merchant accompanied Nimmi to the premiere of her film Barsaat, at age of 13, that he knew that he wanted to spend his life in the world of colluloid. After 40 years in the business of movies, he is still there and the printed 160 pages are clearly not enough to say it all.
-February 24, 2003

Prakash Jha's 'Gangaajal' a Socio-political Drama

          MUMBAI: A small town called Wai, located close to Panchagani in Maharashtra, is abuzz with sounds of camera, clap and action as Prakash Jha is busy shooting his next film, 'Gangaajal - The Holy Weapon', in a start-to-finish schedule. But this is not the first time that he is shooting in this place. He has already shot major portions of 'Bandish', 'Mrityudand' and 'Rahul' in and around Panchagani and Mahabaleshwar, and now seems to have developed a liking for the place.

           'Gangaajal' is socio-political drama projecting the relation between the police and the society in the small town of Tejpur in Bihar. According to Jha, the word 'Gangaajal' has been used metaphorically as a weapon which is to cleanse the rot in a society by resorting to unusual methods like encounter, boycott etc.

           The lead role, that of a young IPS officer, is played by Ajay Devgan. He feels that although there is action in the movie, it goes with the script and thus it is not one of those out-and-out action dramas. This is the second time that he is working with Prakash Jha. The protagonist is a person who is gripped by a dilemma, a dilemma that disturbs his logic and puts him in a scenario where he has to choose his own heroism.

           Says Devgan: "The characters are policemen who have different principles. There are policemen who go by the book, there are also policemen who believe that if we follow law and order, nothing can be done. So it is about society, about the problem in the society and how we tackle it." Gracy Singh is in the female lead role, portraying Devgan's wife. The film has a total of 87 characters with artistes like Mohan Agashe, Mukesh Tiwari, Ayub Khan and Anita Kanwal doing the needful. It is being shot at Wai village since almost a month now and is supposed to be completed in a single 60-day schedule.

           Leading the negative bandwagon in the movie is the famous theatre actor Mohan Joshi who says that one-schedule shoots are very helpful in maintaining the much-needed continuity for an actor. "Basically there is a continuity in what you are doing. The main characters stay at a place for a particular time and thus they remember what they have been doing. If there is a break of six months between schedules, then you tend to forget what you had done on that last day. This doesn't happen over here," Joshi remarked.

           The film is supposed to be a long-lasting dream of Prakash Jha as he had conceived the concept right after his second film 'Damul' way back in 1984. Now, almost 50 to 60 per cent of the shooting has been done and it is scheduled to be completed by March-end. The director plans to release the film by July this year.
-February 22, 2003

'Ek Aur Ek Gyarah' Bollywood Awaits the Laugh With Bated Breath

          MUMBAI: Stung by a series of megaflops, Hindi film industry now pins its hopes on a laugh riot 'Ek Aur Ek Gyarah' (One and One is Eleven) due for release next month. The film features comic actor Govinda, along with Sanjay Dutt, who teamed up in hits like 'Jodi Number One'.

           This story is about two small town men who dream of becoming actors and how they always land themselves in funny situations. Out of all films produced in various genres of Indian cinema, only one per cent are comedies. Director David Dhawan, who has pioneered in producing comic- oriented movies, promises a fullsome entertainment through his film.

           Dhawan has so far delivered blockbusters like 'Aankhen' (Eyes), 'Raja Babu', 'Biwi Number One' and 'Haseena Maan Jayegi', among many others. The music of this film has been composed by the popular trio of Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy. Lead actor Govinda, who has often been compared to the famed Hollywood comedian Jim Carey, feels that the music gives an extra dimension and will be appreciated by the audience.
-February 21, 2003

Eighth Kolkata Film Festival Comes to an End

          KOLKATA: Kolkata's passion for cinema is to be seen to be believed. And nothing brings it out better than a film festival. With the eighth Kolkata film festival drawing to a close on Monday, the city's film loving crowd thronged cinema houses to catch the event. The city's cine-goers get to see films from across the globe. Although the sky was overcast and the weather gloomy, the enthusiasm of the audiences knew no bounds. They were seen crowding outside halls screeing the best of Indian and foreign films. As many as 137 films from about 30 countries were screened during the eight-day festival. The sections covering the Retrospectives, Cinema International, Tributes and other branches were also retained.

           The festival this year started with its usual glitter and glamour. Union information minister Sushma Swaraj inaugurated the festival and actress Konkona Sen Sharma helped her on the stage to lit the inaugural lamp. Among those present were West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and a host of other film dignitaries from India and abroad.

           The inaugration was followed by the screeing of Argentiana's Macr Bechis's film 'Sons and Daughters'. The film is a gripping tale of Rosa, a woman in search for her twin brother, Javier, separated from her during the 1977 Argentine military dictatorship.
-February 18, 2003

Yash Chopra, Tabu, Shobhana Receive Film Awards

          NEW DELHI: Yash Chopra, producer of Bollywood blockbusters like Deewar, Kabhi Kabhi and Dil to Pagal Hai, on Thursday received the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the top-most honour in the film industry, from President APJ Abdul Kalam amidst standing ovation.

          Yash said, "No one expects award when he makes the film. It is the work and your contribution which counts. If you have in your destiny the award will come of its own. It is not because I have been in this field and making films, that this award has been given to me rather it is after 50-51 years this has come to me and I think it's great".

           Kalam also gave away the 49th National Film Awards in several categories, eight of which went to Aamir Khan's Lagaan, which lost out in the race for Oscar last year. India's film glitterati gave a big hand as Kalam presented the best actor's award to regional Malayalam film actor Murali for his role in 'Neythukaran' (Weaver) as a committed political worker caught in a web of changing values.

           Actresses Tabu and Shobhana shared the best actress award. Tabu won the award for her portrayal of a dancing girl in Madhur Bhandankar's off-beat 'Chandni Bar'. Shobhana shared the same honour with her role in the Tamil-English film 'Mitr' (Friend). Incidentally both the actresses were receiving the award for a second time. Speaking to ANI, Tabu said, "Usually I use to select the films which come to me. And luckly they got the award and recognition".

           The award was set up in 1969 to commemorate the outstanding contributions made by the late Dada Saheb Phalke to the film industry. How could an event of this much importance be complete without a get together. It was New Delhi's Taj Mahal Hotel's Diwan-e-Aam which came full of Bollywood personalities, noted journalists and diplomats of various countries.

           Host Subbirami Reddy, a film-maker and law-maker of main Opposition Congress party, said "The party was organised to acquaint south Indian artistes with the north. Mr Yash Chopra, 50 years of film-maker. Five decades he has worked. We both made Chandni, Lamhe and Vijay- three great films and my partner in 50 years have got Dada Saheb Phalke award. And also our south stars - Shobhana and Saundarya - they have got national awards. So I thought that let the Delhi friends share the happiness". The cynosure of all eyes at the party was Shobhana, the award-winning best actress from the south. One main thing about these parties is to bring people from various walks of life under one roof and have fun. It is also a place where one can hobnob with celebrities.
-February 18, 2003

'Ek Aur Ek Gyarah': Subhash Ghai Launches Music from a School

          MUMBAI: Showman Subhash Ghai, who tries to do it differently every time he comes up with a movie, launched the music of his forthcoming movie 'Ek Aur Ek Gyarah' in a new manner. Instead of calling the big shots from Bollywood, he decided to do it in a small municipal school in Mumbai, amidst the young and relatively neglected kids from the school. He also donated 11000 sets of stationery to students from various schools from Mumbai.

           Music of the movie is done by 'Dil Chahta Hai' fame trio Shanker, Ehsaan and Loy. According to the music directors, the album has a very peppy feel to it with more emphasis on rock. This happens to be the first film directed by David Dhawan under the banner of Subhash Ghai. One of the lead actors of the movie, Govinda, feels that the music has turned out to be way beyond his expectations. The movie has six songs with the lyrics penned by Sameer. It stars the Jodi No1 Sanjay Dutt and Govinda once again. They are paired with new glamorous beauties Amrita Arora and Nandini Singh as the leading ladies to join them in this humorous, action drama, which is slated to release on the 11 April.
-February 14, 2003

'Valentine Days' All Set To Hit Theatres

          MUMBAI: "Each day is Valentine's Day", sang Frank Sinatra in 'My Funny Valentine'. Come February 14 and India's very own Bollywood, as the film industry is known, will offer a movie reflecting similar emotions. Aptly named 'Valentine Days', the film is all set to hit theatres across India on the D-day, hoping to cash in on the love fever. '

           'Valentine Days' tells the story of an American girl who comes to India to find her roots and is struck by cupid in the process. The film marks the debut of New York-based model Sita Thompson and three other Indian wannabes - Manoj Bidvai, Nikhil Sakhrani and Samir Kocchar - all of whom play her three suitors. Made on a modest budget, the film aims to cater to the young urban crowd and has been made in 'Hinglish' - a mix of Hindi and English - to further add the hip-hop appeal. Justifying the title, director of the film, Sameer Sabarwal, says that the plot is not directly related to the popular belief of what February 14 is all about. "Our subject is not on 14 February, our subject is about once that you are in love, every day of your life is a Valentine's Day. We talk about it in plural. It's not a singular title as such", he said.

           For Thompson, a trained jazz and ballet dancer, being ceaselessly chased around trees in typical Bollywood style has been different but exciting. "I am very excited. It was a lot of hard work. Lots of locations - buses, trains and planes, and dancing. It's kind of exciting. It's like a baby being born, know what I mean? ... kind of being carrying it for nine months and it's like is it a boy or a girl", said an excited Thompson. The other artistes in the film are equally excited and satisfied with the way their debut roles have been crafted.

          Samir Kochar, a former TV anchor and the film's second lead, essays the role of a spoilt brat ultimately cured by love. Kochar says this is the best debut he could have asked for. "I got to play all the various emotions - romance, comedy, action, good, bad, wicked, sinister", said a satisfied Kochar. If 'Valentine Days' rings the cash register, then there will be no stopping this talented foursome. And it will further reinforce the popularity of films made in the lingo used by the youth today.
-February 13, 2003

A Shah Rukh Khan Look-alike

          LUDHIANA: With the duplicates of Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag finding their way to the advertising world in Mumbai, it's now the turn of Shah Rukh Khan. The 22-year-old Sandeep Kumar Sehgal almost resembles the superstar of the Bollywood. May it be the style of speaking, acting or the body language. All matches the Khan. Sehgal resembles more of the younger Shah Rukh, one seen in his first teleserial 'Fauji' than what he looks like today. Sandeep sits with a cold drink and utters words with the same effortless coherency as Shah Rukh did in 'Devdas'.

           Leaving many on the roads and shops a little amused, Sandeep gets a kick out of it once too often. All the same, it wasn't till around five years back that he realized how much he resembled the Bollywood actor. Till recently Sehgal worked as a salesman in a ready-made garments showroom at Jalandhar and performed on-stage mimicking Shah Rukh Khan. It was Sakhi Chand of Devi orchestra who noticed him and got him to Ludhiana to work with him. He now performs at weddings and other functions all over the State. Besides, he has done many shows in other States as well.

           He says he would love to go to Bollywood if he gets a chance. But his biggest dream is to perform live a dance-and-mimick show on stage, where Shah Rukh and some of his other favourites like Amitabh Bachchan and Sunny Deol are among the audience. Sandeep takes care to keep his appearance similar to what his hero looks like in the latest movies. Now he looks sober as does Shah Rukh in his latest film Mohabatein.
-February 12, 2003

Kaante All Set To Explode Before Australian Cine-goers

          SYDNEY: After its spell over the Indian cine-goers, 'Kaante', which offered an irresistibly fun of movie-going experience, is all set to be launched in Sydney by a Melbourne company. It will be the first Indian film to receive a big, mainstream release here. Oddly enough, despite being inspired by Hollywood's gritty thriller Reservoir Dogs, where a gang of crooks robs a bank and spills litres of blood.

           In Kaante, the Indian gangsters are just as greedy and blood-thirsty, with one difference: they have a habit of bursting into songs. "An Indian film without songs is unthinkable. Music is such an integral part of our story-telling. The men singing a song before robbing a bank is the most natural thing," explains Mitu Lange, executive director of MG Distribution, the company which will next week launch an ambitious programme of Bollywood films, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

           Kaante will open nationally on Thursday in Sydney and will screen at Broadway, Chatswood, Mount Druitt and Auburn and over the next 12 months, MG will distribute another dozen Bollywood features. "India is the largest film-producing country in the world," says Lange who moved from Mumbai to Melbourne 18 months ago. "So you can imagine how many films we're being offered." Her timing is good, with Indian themes proving popular in Australian cinemas. Last year Bend It Like Beckham earned 13 million dollars here in an impressive five-month run. Earlier in 2002, Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding was a two-million art-house hit, earning roughly the same as the Guru - a mainstream Hollywood comedy inspired by Bollywood - released in November.

           Lange has another reason to distribute Bollywood films: no one else is doing it. Until now, she says, most Bollywood junkies have obtained their fix via videos from grocery store owners. "They are the grocery pirates," says Lange. "They make copies of Bollywood films and sell them. But now Kaante will be the first Indian film that receives a big, mainstream release." Speaking of pirating, what about Kaante's theft of the Reservoir Dogs storyline? Apparently that's something of a Bollywood trade mark. Has anyone ever sued? "I've never heard of any legal action, though I could be wrong. In drama, so few things can be truly original," she says.

           Unlike the stars of Reservoir Dogs, the cast of Kaante will be largely unknown to Australian audiences, even if they are some of the biggest names in Bollywood, such as Sanjay Dutt. "The whole thing is like a proper evening out. All these films are three hours long, with an intermission, when people eat and talk. Seeing one is a real occasion," Lange stated.
-February 8,  2003

Manisha Plays a Sex Worker in 'Market'

          MUMBAI:  Fifty-million rupee budget Hindi film 'Market' will feature Manisha Koirala, a leading actress of Nepalese origin, as a sex worker. Inspired by a real life incident, the story revolves around a woman who takes up prostitution after being forced into marriage to an Arab who divorces her, leaving her to fend for herself.

           Shooting of a crucial scene of 'Market' was held in Mumbai on Saturday. Director Jaiprakash along with leading ladies Koirala, Suman Ranganathan and former Miss India Shweta Menon shot the scene in an upmarket hotel where a pimp introduces Koirala, who had featured in various controversial films like 'Bombay' and 'Ek Choti Si Love Story'. Her forthcoming movies include real life celluloid ventures like 'Escape from Taliban' and 'Indira Gandhi'. The unit will now be flying to Dubai to shoot the last and the final schedule of the film, slated for release in June.
-February 1,  2003

Chadha's 'Bride and Prejudice'

           MUMBAI: 'Pride and Prejudice' makes a transition from books to celluloid with the Bennett family of Hertfordshire becoming the Bakshi family of India. Portraying the life in the genteel rural society of the day, and the initial misunderstandings between Elizabeth and Will Darcy, the original version of the novel, 'Pride and Prejudice', was written way back in 18th century under the title 'First Impressions'. Making this adapation come to life, like Bollywood style is director Gurinder Chadha of 'Whats Cooking', 'Bhaji on the Beach' and off lately 'Bend It Like Beckham' fame. The film 'Bride and Prejudice' shot between UK, US and India will combine the spectacular visual extravagance of Bollywood with commercial Western story-telling.

           And making her international debut is Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai , who is to play the lead role of Lalita (Elizebath ), Namrata Shirodkar, Meghna Kothari and Piya will play the other sisters and Nadira Babbar, their mother. And instead of Mr Bingley, the movie will have a British Asian character called Balraj, who studied at Oxford with his friend from the US, Will Darcy. However, no actors have been cast, but Chadha is in talks with "very exciting" names.

          Speaking to ANI during a press conference in Mumbai, Chadha said that she hoped the film would open Bollywood up to mainstream international audiences. Chadha added that the project is in early pre-production and will start shooting next March. To be made in English, the film will have seven songs in all composed by none other than Anu Malik.

          Chadha has previously shown her ability to bridge cultural divides with 1993's acclaimed 'Bhaji on the Beach' and her last film 'Bend It Like Beckham' which received an encouraging response. But 'Pride and Prejudice' is her most ambitious project yet, and will be her first Bollywood-style film. But, there is always a huge fuss over films being compared to novels. "The book is always better," people say.Will Gurinder's new endeavour break from this jinx only time will tell.
-January 28,  2003

'Stumped', Raveena's Maiden Film

          MUMBAI: With the World Cup fever fast catching on, there could not have been a more apt time for producer Raveena Tandon to launch the music of her maiden film 'Stumped', which is set to hit the silver screen next month. The music composed by Pritam, Dhruba Jyoti Phukan and Shamir Tandon is available on Virgin Records (India) and the album was released by Smita Thackeray in Mumbai.

           The film, as the title suggests, is based on the 1999 World Cup against the backdrop of the Kargil war and promises to stir patriotism among the audience. There's a lot of speculation about Raveena's role as a producer. But the National Award-winning actress would rather move on than speculate. In fact, she's producing yet another film, Pehchaan. We caught up with her just after the music release of Stumped.

          But the actress-turned-producer now has two great films lined up for release. While Madhur Bhandarkar's Satta is all ready to be released on February 7, Raveena's home production Stumped too will be released two weeks later on the 21st. Raveena said, "Actually the initial release was on 7th, but due to my other film named Satta which was also scheudled to be released on the same date, we delayed this. Satta is also a very strong film. Then there is Stumped, then there is Pehchan, Ek Se Bad Kar Ek. So slow but steady we will try hard".

           Stumped talks about war and how futile it is. And it shows how much the soldiers' loss of life means to us. Cricket is a topic in the film, but Stumped is centred around an army major and his wife and their lives. Written and directed by Gaurab Pandey, the film has Raveena in the lead opposite television actor Aly Khan. A part of the film's proceeds will go to the Army Wives Welfare Association.
-January 28,  2003

Chura Liya Hai Tumne - The Usual Twists and Turns

Veteran Sanjay Khan's son Zayed Khan, the new kid on the block, opens his Bollywood account with Sangeet Sivan's movie starring Esha Deol in leads

          MUMBAI: After working for one-and-a-half years to transform his scrawny frame to hunk material ... stepping up in Bollywood is one more Khan from the Khan brigade ... Zayed Khan, son of the veteran film and serial maker Sanjay Khan and Hritik Roshan's brother-in-law. Zayed makes his debut in Pantaloon Fashion House and Rave Entertainment's second venture 'Chura Liya Hai Tumne', a romantic thriller about a thief who gets away with a priceless booty. And romancing the actor in the film is Esha Deol.

           The plot, however, of Sangeet Sivan's movie appears to employ run-off-the-mill twists and turns, with people turning out to be not who they say they are. The film revolves around Tina (Esha Deol), who when summoned to Bangkok finds out that her uncle has been killed in an accident who was wanted in India for a Rs 10 crore gold heist from t

he RBI. She also finds out that three of her late uncle's accomplices - Om (Gulshan Grover), Sheena (Rakhi Sawant) and Chingaar (Vijay Raaz) - are freed from prison and now are in Bangkok to get the money. Then comes Vijay (Zayed Khan) to protect her from the hands of the three villains. But things change when Tina discovers that Vijay is not the original one, instead, is a crook and that he too was after the money. Now Tina doesn't know whom to turn to as two of the shadowy trio, Chingaar and Sheena, show up dead and the mystery deepens with Vijay and Om being the main suspects.

           The newest kid on the block ,who has great passion for acting, says it is the multi-facet character that made him take up the role of Vijay in the film."My character is very contemporary and very very practical. He's a happy-go-lucky guy who wants a happy life. I wouldn't call it an out and out negative or a positive role, but the role has its gray shades,"said Khan. A graduate from London School of Drama, Zayed while recounting his experience working with Esha Deol said that she and the whole crew had been very supportive and caring during the shooting of the whole film. The film is extensively shot in the rich locales of Bangkok and Pattaya in Thailand. "At times, it didn't feel like we were actually working and was fun," asserted Khan .

           The music for the film was scored by Himesh Reshmiya, whose previous efforts in Humraaz showed quite well. After 'Churiya Liya Hai Tumne', the actor has Shahrukh Khan's home production 'Mai Hoon Na' in the pipeline, shooting of which is currently on.With Zayed having pedigree on his side, he would also be seen in, uncle Akbar Khan magnum opus 'Taj Mahal' which stars Manisha Koirala, Pooja Batra and Kabir Bedi in prominent roles.With the promos of 'Chura Liya Hai Tumne ... a romantic thriller "looking smashing on air, what fate holds for it at the box-office is to be seen.
-January 16,  2003

Love at Times Square - Dev Anand Shares His Exeperience

          NEW DELHI: Though none of his films have made to the top, actor-director and also the heartthrobe of millions in India and abroad, Dev Anand commands a magical lure and popularity that would make many a star turn envious. Few stars of the entertainment industry anywhere in the world would have the untiring drive and zest like him. Even at the age of 78 Dev Anand shows no sign of slowing down. The recent failure of 'Censor' has not dampened his spirits and he's already moved on to his next project 'Love at Times Square'.

           Dealing with a cliche theme, the film is a story of a boy meeting a girl at New York's s Times Square on the New Year's Eve. Also the story winds up one year later at the Times Square. It is his exeprience at Times Sqaure which he intends to share with others through 'Love at Times Square'. And bringing those precious momnets to life is the young starscasts Henee Kaushik (a Dev Anand discovery who made her debut in 'Censor'), Shoaib Khan and Chaitanya, the two young men who fight for her attention.

           Khan plays Raj, a wealthy young Silicon Valley businessman, and Chaitanya plays a nice, middle class Indian boy. Produced by his Navketan International Films company, Anand appears in the film as well, playing a Silicon Valley billionaire. The music of the film was launched by information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj at a glittering function held in New Delhi. After 'Love at Times Square' "it is 'Raj Mahal Mein Hatyakand', a film based on the massacre of Nepal's royal family earlier this year that the actor is plannig to work on.

           But first let's see whether his love triangle proves to be a landmark at the box-office. Whatsoever may be the result, success has never been a destination for him, instead, it is a never-ending journey.

-December 16,  2002
India Overseas