MovieZen Bollywood Blog

Amitabh and Shahid in a movie together?

I guess that's a sign of moving up in the Bollywood industry, when you get to work with Amitabh Bachchan. Well, it's not confirmed yet but the story is that Shahid Kapoor will be starring with Amitabh Bachchan in Ravi Chopra's new movie Pocket Maar (Pickpocket).

Last year Ravi spoke about the role, but nothing was heard for a few months but stories have emerged that Shahid will be playing a role alongside Big B, although his avatar has not be confirmed.

For those who didn't know, Ravi Chopra directed Baghban and Baabul which both featured Amitabh in lead roles and he says,

"We've so far done Baghban and Baabul. And decades ago I directed him in Zameer. I couldn't plunge into another film with him just because of the rapport we share. The project has to be worthy of his presence. I'm now planning Pocket Maar with Mr Bachchan for early next year."

"No, this time he plays the victim of a pickpocket's designs. For the man who commits the crime it's just another job done, and finished with. But what about the man who loses, say 10,000 rupees? What repercussions does this loss have on his life? Mr Bachchan will play that man."

But now I'm really confused, because after some in-depth and strenuous research (a quick Google search), some sources report that the story is a remake of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. Even though Oliver is supposed to be 9 or so, he's grown up to the age of 22, and will be played by Shahid. His "mentor" and tormentor Fagin will be played by Amitabh. An interesting combination and since the film is supposed to start shooting in September, Ravi better get those signatures quickly!

Tigger
SoggyCornflakes - Bollywood

Sarkar Raj or "Bachchan Raj"

This Friday (6^th June) saw the release of Ram Gopal Varma’s much awaited flick “Sarkar Raj” starring the three Bachchans- the Big B, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. - in the lead role. The Bachchan family along with Jaya Bachchan have been working very hard the last few weeks promoting the film. The reserved and media shy Bachchans are all over the place whether it is the newspapers, magazines, or the television. Press conferences, posing for the media and making their presence at major events have been some of the events on the Bachchan agenda. Aishwarya and Abhishek have been posing for the camera as the lovey dovey pair and it has been weeks of displays of affection and making  impressions for the Bachchans.

Guess the Bachchans know how to do it in style. The family was also seen at the premiere of the film “Woodstock Villa” introducing Sikander Kher. The Khers are family friends and its celebration time for Anupam Kher and Kirron Kher with their son setting foot into the world of cinema. The Bachchans would definitely not miss this special occasion. The entire family was there with the Khers to celebrate their special moment.

Ram Gopal Varma is all set to make a come back with a big bang (especially after his previous disaster). “Sarkar Raj” is a political drama that is rumored to be based on the Enron Power project which was cause for a major controversy in Maharashtra. The film opened to packed houses. Looks like the Bachchans are having the last laugh after all .

Vandana
Go Bollywood

Of Conferences & Academia

Hi all,

As another year rolls and Bollywood gains in prominence in the global media, correctly attributed by Amitabh Bachchan to the rise and increasing openness of the Indian economy, it also gives rise to a whole  lot of film and media related conferences in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, LA, London, etc.

The question that often arises, similar to living here in Silicon Valley, is whether these conferences a) add any real value to the person(s) looking to do business with the Indian entertainment industry and b) on the capability of the people addressing these conferences.

The truth of the matter is that almost all of these conferences are conducted by people who probably are not in the real world of film commerce (more on the periphery) and also by career film school academics. The common thing to both of these sets of profile is that a) their knowledge is at best second hand and bookish and the common thing to both of these sets of profile is b) these people have probably not done anything in the real world. Hence they have all the time to be on these panels. Like in anything there are exceptions to the rule, but this seems to be my assessment of the norm.

Name the last conference or panel discussion that you attended that had the likes of Ram Gopal Varma, Yash Chopra, Rekha, or the CEOs of major production and distribution companies of India.

Now name the last conference or panel discussion that you attended that was full of people from the top film schools, journalists, etc, etc- the one thing in common with all these folks being....they are outsiders watching in, as opposed to be the "roll your sleeves up" types that really get down to business.

So that brings us to the question - How qualified are these outsiders looking in to address these conferences and also to the question, is there any value to attend these conferences?

The answer to the above are Not qualified and No.

Just as a great company is not formed by attending a networking event, similarly the business of film can best be learned by being in the business itself or from people who do this for a living. And remember there is a BIG, BIG, difference between the REAL world of film commerce (that only happens between the maker and the audience) and the UNREAL world of film commerce (that includes festivals, critics, parties, discussions, etc). So the next time you see a movie which has won over some sort of mass appeal, use that as a case study of the film business, as opposed to discussions mediated by the Unreal world.

Till then don't waste your hard earned money on hearing folks give out wisdom, when the very folks giving it are potential recipients.

Sincerely,

Vivek "cinema is about mass communications and the true communicators are those who have interacted with the masses as communicators as opposed to folks who are not in the direct demand supply chain" Kumar

Abhi-Ash a Year On: Where are they now?

Well, physically, they’re in Miami, but last year at this time, the world (and Bollywood bloggers) were going crazy trying to report the impeding nuptials of the golden couple. After a lot of ‘dhoom tamasha’, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan were finally married and here we are again, still writing about them.

So what have they achieved this past year?

Family-wise: Not much has changed there, they are still only a couple and Amitabh Bachchan is still without a grandchild. How heartbreaking. I give them points for not being divorced though, in case Bollywood was following Hollywood.

Career-wise: Through the year, they have managed to act in two movies together (Guru and Sarkar Raaj) In fact; the premiere of Sarkar Raaj is on the same night of their wedding anniversary. I would make a wedding night joke, but I’m controlling myself here.

Did anyone plan it this way?

Director Ram Gopal Verma says he hadn’t.

"I didn't even remember it was Abhishek and Aishwarya's wedding anniversary on 20 April.”

”We decided to do the First Look party of Sarkar Raj on this day because it was six weeks before the release. It's just a coincidence. I don't keep track of anyone's birthdays and anniversaries, not even mine."

Weight-wise: A very wise person once said “A single man comes home, looks at what’s in the fridge and goes to bed, a married man comes home, looks at what’s in the bed and goes to the fridge.” Unfortunately this applies for Abhishek. Ash is not amused and will not be seen with a fat husband!

A source reports,

“For Abhishek, anything oily is prohibited. He has been asked to take more fruits and sprouts. Ash has consulted a dietician for this purpose too. Now, Abhi’s diet consists strictly of low carb foods. Ash always keeps a track of what he is eating. Besides that he works out regularly and weighs himself often—all instructed by his wife,”

Could this be termed as spousal abuse? Looks like Ash has Abhishek nicely under control. Well done Ash, may you have many more years of domination.

Tigger
Soggy Cornflakes - Bollywood

Amitabh Plays the Friendly Ghost in "Bhoothnath"

The noted actor Amitabh plays an entirely different role as the friendly ghost (Bhoothnath) in the movie titled "Bhoothnath". The film by the producer Ravi Chopra is an absolutely new experience for the actor. Having played several varied roles from the angry young man to the character roles, the popular star "Amitabh Bachchan" is on the way to explore new horizons.

The film is all about the relationship between a grandfather and grandson. The grandfather who returns as a ghost played by none other than Amitabh Bachchan is on a trip to discover the world from a whole new perspective. Actress Juhi Chawla plays the role of the widowed mother. The film has a guest appearance by the superstar Shahrukh Khan.

The film is scheduled for release on the 9th of May, 2008 and is well-timed for the holiday season. With  publicity efforts for the film it is only a matter of a few weeks before the fate of the movie is decided. Actress Juhi Chawla is making a guest appearance on the television serial "Baa, Bahu Aur Baby" for promoting the upcoming film "Bhoothnath." Is this movie really an experiment at something new or does he have to settle for just about anything now (as there are no longer roles written with him in mind) - remains an unanswered question for now.

Vandana
Go Bollywood

Shah Rukh and Amitabh Have Been Very Bad

So says Anbumani Ramadoss, the Indian Minister of Health, responding to the rising numbers of child smokers in India. He insists that it's time the Bollywood industry realised it's role in these numbers, especially big stars who light up on screen on a regular basis.

Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, he's talking to you! Shah Rukh has long been a notorious chain-smoker, frequently caught with a cigarette in his mouth (now you know why he doesn't kiss in his movies) and both him and Amitabh have been told off by the National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) for smoking at public events.

                                                         

Ramadoss tells the Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham stars to please step out of their bubbles of wealth to see what consequences their puffing has on impressionable minds.

“I would like to make an appeal not only to Mr Shah Rukh Khan but also to Amitabh Bachchan and to all the other personalities. Children are being affected,”

“There shouldn't be any smoking scenes in movies because we have statistics showing that 52 per cent of children have their first puff of a cigarette due to movie celebrities.”

Did I mention that Shah Rukh doesn't like being criticized? He quickly retorted that stopping him from smoking amounted to censorship and he wouldn't put up with it. Charming.

I think all those steroids (from his quest for a six-pack) totally messed with his brain. On occasion, he pretends to be responsible and insists,

“Every time I'm in front of a television channel I always say: 'Children, don't smoke. It kills you' ... It's the worst habit and I want to give it up.”

And then he lights up another one. I'm sure there's some irony in the fact that he's the host of the Indian Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader.

Tigger
Soggy Cornflakes - Bollywood