Halla Bol takes to streets

Rajkumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol has used an interactive marketing strategy. Since the film is vocal about man's inner conscious, Halla Bol is reaching the common man through street plays. Spokesperson from Pyramid Saimira comments, "Regular modes of marketing have been used over and again. Reaching the real viewer through street theatre will be direct interactive marketing. We are targeting on local issues, which will make people aware of it. We are taking these plays to eight cities and in each city one artiste will accompany the theatre group." One of the artistes from Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan, or Pankaj Kapur will be representing the film during the street play in each city.

The street plays are organized and conducted by senior theatre personality, Om Katare and his artistes. The theme of all the plays will gel with the core storyline of the film. "Basically we are taking issues of common man like the local Municipal Corporation, illegal constructions, hospitals and health, and sexual harassment. These are the most written about but least tackled issues because there is no unity amongst the citizens. I as sutradhaar (narrator) will tell them to use their voice together in unison, to go ahead and ‘Halla Bol’ against injustice. Be together in problems because what is one man's agony will become the second persons issue tomorrow. Do not keep quite," explains Om Katare about their script and plans. Producer Abdol Samee Siddiqui adds, "Our street theatre will take the reel to the level of real. We have gone with Om due to his experience and exposure to street plays.”

These plays will be taken to the cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Bhopal, Jaipur, Ahemdabad, Kolkotta and will culminate in Mumbai. Entire schedule will be held from January 1 to January 10 since Halla Bol is releasing on January 11, 2008. Halla Bol is produced by Abdol Samee Siddiqui and India News under the banner of Sunrise Pictures Pvt Ltd., and is directed and scripted by Raj Kumar Santoshi. Halla Bol is presented and distributed globally by Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd. The starcast of the film includes Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan, Pankaj Kapur and Darshan Zariwala.

Dilli 6 shoot starts in Jaipur today

Rakeysh Mehra's long-awaited Dilli 6 finally begins shooting today, December 20, in freezing Jaipur. Freezing cold notwithstanding, Rajasthan is currently the hot spot for two big film units from Mumbai.

While Rakeysh Mehra is busy recreating vignettes from New Delhi in Jaipur for his new film Dilli 6 with his lead pair Sonam Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan, debutant director Ajit Pal is busy shooting dramatic sequences in Jaisalmer for his cricket film Victory.

But Harman Baweja and the 'cricket' team aren’t shooting cricket scenes in Jaisalmer. The game part of the narration has been canned in Mumbai. “We’re shooting heavy-duty dramatic scenes in the freezing cold, and that too at nights when the temperature in below-Zero," informs Anupam Kher, who plays Harman's father.

Earlier he was shooting in equally harsh weather in Kashmir for Santosh Sivan. Anupam is all praise for Harman. "He reminds me of Hrithik Roshan, not just in looks but also in attitude and approach to his work. Like Hrithik, Harman has assisted his father on several productions. When he faces the camera he knows exactly what he's doing." Harman would be the first of the major debutants in 2008, and that too from a film family followed by Mimoh whose dancing skills are being compared with his father Mithun Chakbraborty and Subhash Ghai's new discovery Anurag Sinha who’s being described as a mixture of Amitabh Bachchan and Naseeruddin Shah by people from the unit of his debut film Black and White.

Yash Chopra eyes the small screen

The filmmaker Plans to launch a TV channel in collaboration with a media firm.

Filmmaker Yash Chopra, who has ruled the box office for decades with his romantic movies, is now heading towards the small screen.

Chopra is believed to be in talks with leading television broadcasters to air TV content produced under his banner. And that's not all - sources inform that the movie mogul is considering launching an entertainment channel.

It is learnt that Yash Raj Films has roped in Ravina Raj Kohli (of Sony and Star fame) to set up a television division. According to an industry source, the production house has been in talks with leading Hindi general entertainment broadcasters for its debut on television.

The company has been trying to negotiate for two-hour back-to-back airtime on weekdays. “Yash Raj Films has been talking to various television broadcasters. However, blocking two hours for one production house is a risk for any channel. Consequently, the production company is reworking its strategy,” said an executive from a broadcasting company.

Chopra is contemplating launching his own TV channel wherein the filmmaker will telecast programmes - both soaps and format shows - produced by his company. Besides, he will also feature movies that Yash Raj Films churned out over the years. According to the source, Chopra is most likely to partner with a television broadcaster for his channel.

With an aim to create an integrated entertainment company, Chopra is also getting into multiplexes. This seems to be the most logical extension given that multiplex owners have in the past earned almost 60-70 per cent of their box office revenues from the movies produced by Yash Raj Films, according to industry estimates.

The production house makes four-five films annually that run for an average of three weeks. The movie exhibition business will also be through a tie-up with a company.

Entry into television and theatre chain will complete Yash Raj Films' circle in the entertainment space. Formed in 1970, the production house has come a long way from running a studio to the recent foray into animation flicks. The company is producing Roadside Romeo, an animation film, in collaboration with Walt Disney. It will hit the theatres next year.

A few years ago, the production house launched Yash Raj Music and releases the DVDs of its films under the Yash Raj Films Home Entertainment label. The company last year ventured into film distribution with Bollywood blockbuster Krrish starring Hrithik Roshan, followed by Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.

Both the television and film exhibition projects will take form by 2008-09, according to the source.

On the film production front, Yash Raj Films has six-eight movies (including co-productions) slated for release in 2008. Other releases include Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor starrer Tashan and a co-production with filmmaker Kunal Kohli. Besides this, the company will also distribute Rakesh Roshan's Krazy 4.

Abhishek praised in Aamir Khan’s Movie

There is a sequence in Aamir Khan’s upcoming Taare Zameen Par in which Abhishek Bachchan is praised as one of the hottest stars of the country.

The reference is made in terms of him being one of the most successful stars and how he has created Dhoom, overcoming the reading difficulties that he had during childhood (dyslexia). “Aamir Khan, who plays an art teacher in the film, points to a photograph of Abhishek Bachchan and tells a kid, Aap toh inko jaante hain, inhe bhi padhne mein problem hota tha, lekin dekho aaj duniya mein Dhoom machaye hue hain. The entire class starts singing the song Dhoom Macha le after that,” says a source.

Aamir is doing this for publicity: Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan on taking criticism in his stride and why he skipped the Goa film fest.

It was a war of words between Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan throughout the week in the media. Here's Amitabh Bachchan doing some more frankspeak with Subhash K Jha...

Aamir Khan continues to justify his severe comments on Black and in the same breath he calls you the biggest star that Indian cinema hasever seen. Comment.
The only thing correct about this question is Aamir's justification of his severe comments on Black. It's his individual opinion and it must be respected. What I entirely disagree with is the largesse he offers me on being the 'biggest star of Indian Cinema'.

There he has gone totally wrong. We hear a lot of Aamir recently because he has a film to release and needs to promote it.

Madhuri Dixit has said that in today's day and age everyone needs to scream about their product. The age of subtle and soft marketing is over. And what is wrong if the subject of Aamir's film, which I believe deals with challenged children, needs for him to take a stand on his beliefs about the film.

He did the same post the release of Rang de Basanti. His beliefs could differ from the beliefs of other makers, so what? Black, which he had issues with, won huge laurels, both critically and commercially, nationally and internationally.

If his is a voice of lone dissent, it's his right as an individual, living in a free society. And if his comments attract debate, it can only help in drawing attention to the product he now promotes.

I think it to be very smart of him to be able to have achieved that. Is there a provision in law or society that states that one cannot be smart?

And why just Aamir... in today's available mediums we all do it. So what if Shah Rukh goes to a cricket match to promote his film? I see nothing wrong with that.

Does not themedia dress and decorate its pages and headlines to gain maximum attention and saleability? I will do it too, when my film comes up for release to assist marketing.

Your glowing comments on Saawariya have provoked a lot of debate and discussion.
The 'film not living up to expectations' has got nothing to do with my personal opinion. I stand by my comments and my observations about the film.

By comparing Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor's performances to a symphony...
Have you heard Beethoven's symphony? There's loud orchestra followed by a thin flute sound…This was the genius composer's interpretation of desire and destiny…It's like the two protagonists in Saawariya — Ranbir is the storm, Sonam the soft breeze.

That's not what the film critics had to say?
Film criticism is a part of journalistic freedom. And it is the freedom of the reader to accept or reject it. But it's a healthy practice. It gives a point of view. A view that at times gets camouflaged in the exuberance of the offering.

I read film criticism regularly. I learn from the mistakes that they bring out and also at times, disagree with their assessment. That is my prerogative.

At times I use it to challenge my own self, to beat or overcome the opinion expressed. So I am happy with that. I only wish, that the more recent – well, of the past 15 years or so – practice, of giving marks would not be there.

It's like being sent back to school, where your mark sheet at the end of a paper or term, would turn out to be the most dreaded embarrassment!

Some of your best works, including Sholay, Agneepath, Sooryavansham and Nishabd, were severely panned.
I have two views on this. The obvious is the immense hurt of reading disparaging analysis. Somehow if it was just a one-on-one it would be more tolerable.

But to know that millions will be exposed to it is like losing your pants in the middle of a crowded street. And two, to accept it in the right spirit. There is another more personal factor — despite the criticism, were we in a position to enjoy the work that we did?

Well, I've enjoyed immensely working in all the films you mentioned. I found opportunity in them that tested or challenged my creative senses. They may not have been accepted. But they were my little personal accomplishments. And that has been satisfying.

There's a distinct polarisation in the film industry with the Khans and the Bachchans said to be on different sides of the firing line. Once and for all, state the nature of your rapport with Shah Rukh Khan?
I disagree with you entirely and strongly. Our film fraternity is an excellent example of happy integration.

Please do not put it on a psephologist's drawing board, where expressions like this are used often to examine the political future of a party in an election process.

Finally, why weren't you at Goa Film Festival for the premiere of The Last Lear?
I was unaware of the protocol involved at the Goa Film Festival. My very busy and tight schedule keeps me away now from the premiere, since I was made aware of it at short notice.

Peeping-tom's Object of Desire!!!

Though Sameera says she doesn't care, the fact is she has replaced Mallika Sherawat at the last moment in Abbas-Mustan's Race.

"But who cares? Roles exchange hands all the time. Bipasha was supposed to do my role in Buddhadeb Dasgupta's Kaal Purush. Does it matter? I'm just too excited working with Abbas-Mustan for the first time.

Not just them. I'm also quite taken up with the idea of working with Saif, Bipasha, Akshaye Khanna all for the first time. And you know what? I play full-on bimbette in this film!"

Sameera must be the first actress on Planet Earth who's so happy to be playing a dumb broad.

"Yes, I am ! Because the fact is, from Musafir onwards I'm quite tired of doing dark serious roles. I want to just let my hair down and have fun.

Abbas-Mustan's Race will allow that because everyone has a character to play. No one is paired with anyone. It's just about having fun."

Fun in its own way is Sameera's second film with Budddadeb Dasgupta. "It's another Bengali film with a peculiar title Me, Yasim & Madhubala. It's about voyeurism and I play a kathak dancer called Madhubala.

But please don't jump to conclusions. There's nothing cheesy about the film. It's a serious study of a woman's space and how it's invaded by technology like mobile phones, etc."

Buddhadeb Dasgupta is planning another film with Sameera. The Dasgupta- Reddy trilogy?!

Sameera laughs, "Well…Dada did compare me with Smita Patil. So there. I'm just too happy doing such varied roles from Kaal Purush to Race. I think 2008 is going to be very special for me."

What about that someone special in my her life?

Subhash Ghai announces Hello Darling

Isha Koppikar, Javed Jaffrey

Showman Subhash Ghai announced yet another new project under his banner Mukta Arts Ltd. The film titled Hello Darling is an out and out comedy based on the lines of Hollywood blockbuster series Charlie’s Angels and revolves around three heroines and a villain.

Actresses Celina Jaitley, Gul Panag and Ishaa Koppikar have been roped in for playing the 3 lead roles while Javed Jaffery would be playing the villain in the film, which also stars Divya Dutta, Rajpal Yadav , Chunky Pandey and Sunny Deol in a special appearance.

The movie which went on floors on December 16, 2007 is directed by Ghai’s chief assistant Manoj Tiwari while Pritam would be composing the music.

Besides the above mentioned film, the coming New Year would also see the release of movies like Black and White, Bombay to Bangkok, Cycle Kick, and Right Yaaa Wrong from Ghai’s banner.

Subhash Ghai is currently busy directing his ambitious project Yuvraaj starring Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif and Zayed Khan in lead roles.

Isha Koppikar, Javed Jaffrey

Showman Subhash Ghai announced yet another new project under his banner Mukta Arts Ltd. The film titled Hello Darling is an out and out comedy based on the lines of Hollywood blockbuster series Charlie’s Angels and revolves around three heroines and a villain.

Actresses Celina Jaitley, Gul Panag and Ishaa Koppikar have been roped in for playing the 3 lead roles while Javed Jaffery would be playing the villain in the film, which also stars Divya Dutta, Rajpal Yadav , Chunky Pandey and Sunny Deol in a special appearance.

The movie which went on floors on December 16, 2007 is directed by Ghai’s chief assistant Manoj Tiwari while Pritam would be composing the music.

Besides the above mentioned film, the coming New Year would also see the release of movies like Black and White, Bombay to Bangkok, Cycle Kick, and Right Yaaa Wrong from Ghai’s banner.

Subhash Ghai is currently busy directing his ambitious project Yuvraaj starring Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif and Zayed Khan in lead roles.

Top Bollywood stars come together for UN cause

Top stars of Bollywood like Amitabh Bachchan, Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif have stepped for a good cause and will be a part of the United Nations’ effort to control human trafficking in India.

Cine-goers will watch a two minute video called ‘One Life, No Price’ aimed at raising awareness about the human trafficking situation, before the start of the movie Welcome in more than 1100 theatres.

The cast of Welcome, namely Feroz Khan, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar, and Katrina Kaif have lent their voice to support this cause.

Other than the Welcome gang, stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta and John Abraham also feature in the video. This is in collaboration with United Nations’ Office On Drug Control (UNODC) and the Indian film industry, as a part of a broader programme called UN GIFT(Global initiative to fight trafficking), which was launched this March to bring governments, the private sector, academia, civil society and the media together in the fight against human trafficking.

Hope this effort by the Bollywood bigwigs serves its purpose of improving the human trafficking situation in the country.

Welcome opens in the UK, UAE today

Anees Bazmee’s Welcome, is releasing today in the UK & UAE. This move was taken following a last-minute decision made by the distributors, Studio 18 and exhibitors to coincide the release of the magnum opus with Eid.

Select Cine World sites in London, Bradford and Birmingham will open Welcome later this evening, as will the independent cinemas in London.

In sharp contrast, Welcome opens this afternoon across full shows in Dubai, RAK, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Sharjah, Bahrain and other centres in the UAE.

Salman's statue unveils at Madame Tussauds on Jan 15

Salman Khan will start his New Year with a bang. The star will join Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Shah Rukh Khan at the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London on January 15, 2008.

His popularity makes it quite evident, that he is the right candidate for the Wax Museum as he topped the poll conducted by Madame Tussauds, which also had in the running, stars like Madhuri Dixit and Abhishek Bachchan. The poll was conducted in the month of August.

Tussauds’ sculptors have measured and photographed Salman Khan in Mumbai. In addition to that, Salman has also given his outfits for the wax figure.

Aamir talks about Raju Hirani's film

There’s tremendous speculation vis-à-vis Aamir Khan’s new film. With Aamir’s directorial debut TAARE ZAMEEN PAR releasing this week, the actor can go back to studios and take instructions from other directors. “I need to complete work on the remake of GHAJINI first. We’re halfway through with this film. The makers have been kind enough to wait for me,” Aamir tells me.

There’s talk that the actor has agreed to work in Rajkumar Hirani’s new film, to be produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. “Yes, we’re in negotiations,” Aamir confirms the development. But what about the news that Vidhu requested Aamir to suggest [any] changes in the script, before they start shooting, not once the shooting begins. “What can I say about such absurd allegations? Vidhu never said anything to that effect. Raju is someone I really admire as a film-maker and Vidhu is a great person,” Aamir sets the record straight.

Anil Kapoor will promote Welcome only with Nana

If you haven't been seeing much of Anil Kapoor in the promotional blitzkrieg of Anees Bazmee's Christ-massy comedy Welcome it's with good reason. The meticulous actor has decided to speak about his role in the film only in collaboration with Nana Patekar.

Says a source close to Anil, “Since Nana and Anil play brothers in the film and share equal space he only thinks it to be reasonable that they speak on behalf of their film together."

The inimitable Nana has been stationed in Pune for two weeks because of his foot injury. Anil plans to drive down to Pune to do a joint press conference with Nana. The two come together in Welcome 18 years after they starred in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parinda.

When asked about the year that was, Anil Kapoor says, "I'm very happy with the way my production Gandhi My Father was received all over the world. This isn’t one of those small films that come and go. I believe it has a fabulous shelf life. And the film’s impact will continue to be felt everywhere. "

Anil Kapoor promises several surprises as a producer in 2008.

Sourav Ganguly to endorse INX

The Prince of Kolkatta is all set to become the Prince of TV. Sourav Ganguly joins the ever increasing list of sportsmen turning to Television, by becoming the presenter of a show on the yet to be launched channel, NewsX, the English News Channel of INX Media.

Ganguly will not just be actively involved with the channel's programming, but also will be working closely with the NewsX sports team. If that’s not enough, wait till you hear this. Ganguly will also be brand ambassador for INX News and will eventually play a role in the entertainment programming for 9X, the network's Hindi entertainment channel.

Indrani Mukerjea, the Founder and CEO of INX Media Pvt Ltd and also the Chairperson of INX News Pvt Ltd. said that Sourav is one of the most loved stars from India's collective passion, cricket and that they are delighted to announce that he has signed up with them. She also added that Sourav, as a Brand Ambassador will reaffirm their commitment to go with only the best for NewsX.

Sourav was equally excited about this association. Sourav said that he was very glad to be associated with the INX network and that he is looking forward to his association with them.

Eminent Journalist Vir Sanghvi, who is now the CEO of NewsX, said that he was always to have Sourav on board and that he is pleased that they have signed him up for a long-term association.