Think of the most versatile actor in today’s Bollywood, only Aamir Khan comes to mind. When his colleagues are making total masala movies like Om Shanti Om and Partner, Aamir Khan chose to swim against the tide and made a sensitive Taare Zameen Par. Aamir Khan not only acted but also directed and produced the movie.
In conversation with all-rounder Aamir khan:
TZP is your first film as a director; tell us how was the overall experience?
The overall experience was good. I enjoyed directing as much as I enjoyed acting. For me work should be enjoying and that keeps me going.
Were you scared whether the film will fetch you the equal amount of appreciation as your earlier films did?
Yes, I was nervous, like any other new director. You are always surrounded by the anxiety about the kind of response that will be fetched. Appreciation is always acceptable and welcomed with open arms but as a producer I see that my films also have to do economically well.
Are you a result-oriented person?
For me process is more important, joyful. I like to have my entire concentration on the process right from step 1. It gives me pleasure.
Are you planning to continue with direction?
Yes obviously, I’ll continue with direction. Ideally if I am directing I won’t get into acting. I concentrate to put my efforts on one task at a time, I am not a man of multitasking, I enjoy the way I work and follow each step carefully after my past.
TZP is simple without any big element to go ahead & market with (apart from you)
Yes, it’s a very simple film with a simple cast. When I choose any particular film, I look from audience point of view, I observe a lot, what makes them happy or cry or rejoice, their reactions to situations. I rather look on the practical aspect of movie to promote; my ability to clearly communicate with audience in a story format is my strength.
You are considered a trendsetter, a visionary, changing scenario of Indian cinema, how do you manage to do different things every time? Also what do want say about current trend of cinema in Bollywood?
See, I don’t do different things; I try to do it in a different manner. I think every person should follow his/her dream and try and make it possible to create an ability to achieve it backed by its practicality. I think, what has really changed is the audience. They want to see different kind of films. They want variety. Today’s audience have matured and are practical, they don’t want the same old stuff to be played, that’s why films with unusual subject, films with some freshness are being hugely appreciated and accepted.
You are always in news for maintaining different looks for your movies, what is the next new look in your upcoming movies?
You’ll see a bald man in my new film (laughs), the title of the film (remake of Tamil film Gajni) is yet to be finalized.
How’s the overall response for TZP? In Gujarat? Within industry?
The response has really turned out really good. I am overwhelmed by the kind of response I am getting from my fans and the audience in general. The response that I have got for my very first directorial film is like a dream response. It’s been appreciated by all ages; from teenagers to youth to parents to oldies to teachers. Well, I was confident about this subject, but was not expecting such a mass response. Within industry almost everyone esteemed and acclaimed my work David Dhawan, Ashutosh Gowariker, Rakesh Roshan and many others prized my efforts through their appreciation.
If not actor what you would love to have been?
If not actor then I would have loved to be a sportsperson, I was a topper in lawn tennis at state level (played for Maharashtra) and I also love teaching, I would love to have a film school with small number of students who wants to know everything about filmmaking.
Sequel to SARFAROSH
Yes, I am interested to make a sequel of SARFAROSH as the characters are very much there to get utilized (strong characters). John Mathew Mathan (director of SARFAROSH) is also thinking on the same. We might come out with its sequel, but no fixed plans as yet.
[Via Glamsham.com / Bollywood Trade News Network]
Makers of My Name is Anthony Gonsalves are on a full spree promoting the movie. The lead pair is all over the place from press conferences to reality TV shows. My Name is Anthony Golsaves features Amrita Rao and a newcomer Nikhil Dwivedi as the lead pair. The movie also feature veteran actors like Mithun Chakraborthy, Anupam kher and Lilette Dubey. The movie is directed by ex-assistant of Ram Gopal Verma, E.Niwas, and produced by E Niwas Productions, Red Chillies Entertainment(makers of Om Shanti Om) and Sahara One Motion Pictures.
After Vivah, Amrita Rao is back with a complete glamorized role. Everyone is so excited about her new look that even Salman Khan called her to compliment.
From the promos it seems that Nikhil Dwivedi is impersonating Shahrukh Khan, but we have to wait for the release of the movie to exactly know his acting capability.
We have some exclusive photos of Amrita Rao and Nikhil Dwivedi from a press conference of My Name is Anthony Gonsalves.
Click here for the My Name is Anthony Gonsalves Photo Gallery
Jodha Akbar is up for release very shortly and expectations have reached sky high. The hit pair of Dhoom2 – Hrithik Roshan and Aishwara Rai – are back together with the acclaimed director of Lagaan, Ashutosh Gowarikar and genius music director A R Rahman. To top it all, the story is based on the mogul king Akbar and his wife Jodha.
Hrithik Roshan – Aishwarya Rai Pairing
Some say they are going to rock as they did in Dhoom2, but we think otherwise!
We found no chemistry between them in Dhoom2, but we must say they looked absolutely stunning as a pair. In Jodha Akbar they need more than ‘looking good’ to make an impact.
Aishwarya Rai
No doubt Aishwarya Rai is a great actress, and most importantly the prettiest of all bollywood actresses, but she goes over the top most of the time. For example the way she says ‘sunheri’ in Dhoom2. For heaven’s sake she should stop all that stupid acts. In Jodha Akbar we hope she does what she did in Guru – a controlled performance.
Aishwarya Rai has many things to cheer about in Jodha Akbar. One of them is that she looks the part. Jodha Akbar is going to be very crucial for Aishwarya Rai’s future in bollywood.
Hrithik Roshan
By now everyone must have understood that Hrithik Roshan is a director’s actor. He is not someone who can carry the movie entirely on his shoulders. We saw movies like Mujhse Dosti Karoge, Mein Prem Ki Diwani Hoon and Yaadein, where he was reduced to a joker because of director’s inability. He always fared good in his father’s movies because his father knows exactly what to do with him.
In Jodha Akbar, Hrithik Roshan needs to elevate his acting capabilities few notches higher to make people take him seriously as an actor.
Surprisingly, Hrithik Roshan looks good with moustache in the mogul costume.
Ashutosh Gowarikar
Everyone started to recognize Ashutosh after he directed Lagaan. Very few know that he is in bollywood from a very long time. He has acted in movies like Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na with Shahrukh Khan and directed a disaster called Pehla Nasha. His last movie Swades met with failure even though it had country’s biggest star, Shahrukh Khan. This time he has chosen a bigger canvas. Can he pull another Lagaan?
Period movies don’t work in bollywood as they do in Hollywood. We have seen some mega disasters in form of Shahrukh’s Ashoka and Aamir’s Mangal Pandey. Hope Jodha Akbar does not suffer the same fate.
According to reports, Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistani cricket fast bowler, would play the main lead alongside Hansika Motwani in Mein Aur Meri Himmat.
With the current trend it seems that anyone who is a bit famous can become a bollywood hero. We have seen an example with Himesh Reshammiya playing the main lead in Aap Ka Suroor, and to everyone’s shock, the movie went on to become a blockbuster.
Haniska is setting another trend. She is happy acting opposite actors with zero-acting capabilities. Maybe she thinks that only then people would notice her acting talent.
Himesh Reshammiya had his nasal voice and rocking music to support his movie, but what does Shoaib Akhtar have?
Update:
Hansika Motwani denies reports that she would star opposite Shoaib Akhtar in Mein Aur Meri Himmat. Hansika adds that she never met Shoaib Akhtar, and was never approached by the production company. Haniska Motwani is currently working in a telugu movie with Jr. NTR and Money Hai Toh Honey Hai with Govinda.
Deepika Padukone attended the press meet of Levis Strauss Signature.
Star of the biggest blockbuster of this year Om Shanti Om, Deepika Padukone will continue to be Levi Strauss Signature’s national brand ambassador. Levis Strauss also announced their new contest called “Dart-to-Win”. The contest will provide winners to meet and greet Deepika Padukone.
“Our association with Deepika is a perfect brand fit and we are delighted to partner with her. She signifies style, good looks, youth, fun and universal appeal - attributes that resonate with our brand values and positioning.” said ATP Ramani, Business Head, Levi Strauss Signature™.
Deepika Padukone said, “It is my pleasure to be associated with a brand that provides such an extensive range of clothing for the urban youth. I look forward to working with Levi Strauss Signature® and am happy to endorse the brand.”
With brand endorsements like Parachute, Kingfisher and Levi Strauss, Deepika becomes the biggest name among the new bollywood entrants.
Pictures from Levi Strauss Signature press meet
Reports are floating in the media that Salman Khan has declined a 100 crores deal. The deal was for 3 movies.
We fail to understand why somebody would pay 33 crores to Salman khan for one movie. Earlier we had reports that Hrithik Roshan, Akshay Kumar and Neel Nitin Mukhesh have signed multi-crore deals, but this takes the cake.
