Sneha, one of the most sought-after actresses in the South, made a bunch of kids happy when she happily spent a break in shooting to play bat and ball with them! Reportedly the actress was shooting for an important sequence for one of her upcoming movies at the YMCA grounds in Nandanam, Chennai.
During a break, the actress' attention was caught by a bunch of cricket-playing kids. She made their day by joining them for a few minutes, before she was called back to the shoot! The kids could hardly believe their luck and savoured every moment spent in the company of the beautiful actress!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Three biggies in a row for Vikram
Kanthaswamy is very much in the news how spectacular it looks and how well Vikram has performed. Vikram's next release is Raavan, directed by Mani Ratnam, and after that is a movie with Selvaraghavan. Vikram is in perpetual good spirits now because these big banners and great films are really challenging and should improve his popularity! 'If my performance is appreciated in Kanthaswamy as my best yet, it's thanks to the entire team.
Their dedication spurred me on, encouraging me to do more', he says. Likewise, working with Mani Ratnam must also be quite exhausting. 'Definitely, but it's a pleasure to work with the likes of Mani Ratnam. He is like a warrior on the battleground while shooting is on. He has his mission to complete it clearly charted out. This perfectionist will not settle for anything less',he exclaims. Adding, 'Ravanan has taught me alot and earned me new friends as well. Working with Abishek and Aishwarya has been a great experience.
On the sets, they contrast each other. He is quite jovial, while Aishwarya keeps it professional. But they are both very encouraging'. Coming to his flick with Selvaraghavan, once again he is very excited about getting that role! 'Without saying more, all I can say is that the story is very unique and my role even more so. I can't wait to get started on it! I have watched all his films, and admire his style of movie-making.
This is sure to be a good experience', he says. Then he hints that having worked with so many big names in the industry, he has learnt quite a bit, which he might put into use when he directs his own movie! And when will that be? Within the next five years!
Their dedication spurred me on, encouraging me to do more', he says. Likewise, working with Mani Ratnam must also be quite exhausting. 'Definitely, but it's a pleasure to work with the likes of Mani Ratnam. He is like a warrior on the battleground while shooting is on. He has his mission to complete it clearly charted out. This perfectionist will not settle for anything less',he exclaims. Adding, 'Ravanan has taught me alot and earned me new friends as well. Working with Abishek and Aishwarya has been a great experience.
On the sets, they contrast each other. He is quite jovial, while Aishwarya keeps it professional. But they are both very encouraging'. Coming to his flick with Selvaraghavan, once again he is very excited about getting that role! 'Without saying more, all I can say is that the story is very unique and my role even more so. I can't wait to get started on it! I have watched all his films, and admire his style of movie-making.
This is sure to be a good experience', he says. Then he hints that having worked with so many big names in the industry, he has learnt quite a bit, which he might put into use when he directs his own movie! And when will that be? Within the next five years!
NRIs celebrate Chiranjeevi's birthday
The US-based Pravasa Chiranjeevi Organization NRI Praja Rajyam Party organized a grant birthday celebration of mega star Chiranjeevi in association with Seera Theatres Management and Blue Sky Cinema (distributors of Magadheera in USA) on Vinayaka Chaturthi on Sunday at Seera Theatres, Milpitas. More than 400 NRIs attended the celebrations, which started with big fanfare of attendees wearing Chiranjeevi T-shirts and entering Seera Theatres to view the super hit Magadheera starring Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan Teja. During the intermission, a mega cake was cut by kids, singing the birthday song for Chiranjeevi.
Winning dance group gets rousing welcome in Orissa
Members of Orissa's victorious Prince Dance Group, all daily wage earners and none with professional dance training, got a rousing welcome in Berhampur railway station early Tuesday morning after winning the hotly-contested TV reality show 'India's Got Talent'.
The artistes reached Berhampur station by Konark express from Mumbai at about 1.30 a.m., a senior district police official told IANS. They won the grand finale in Mumbai Saturday night.
Residents of Berhampur and fans, including senior district government officials, were present at the station to welcome the contestants with flowers. The artistes were later taken to Berhampur town in a grand procession, the official said. Many of the fans burst crackers and shouted slogans praising the dancers.
The Prince Dance Group from Berhampur town, nearly 180 km from here, was selected out of 45,000 competitors to perform at the grand finale.
The group, comprising 26 artistes all below 22 years, held the audience and the judges spellbound with their performance, which was based on episodes from the Mahabharata.
Led by their 26-year-old dance teacher Krishna Mohan Reddy, who never had any formal training in dance, the group won the Rs.50 lakh (Rs.5 million) cash award and a Maruti Suzuki Ritz car.
Reddy, who arrived separately Monday, said all the artistes would now concentrate on dance.
'We are now planning to participate in international competitions,' he told reporters.
Reddy also thanked people of the state, the corporates, media and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for encouraging them throughout the competition.
The artistes reached Berhampur station by Konark express from Mumbai at about 1.30 a.m., a senior district police official told IANS. They won the grand finale in Mumbai Saturday night.
Residents of Berhampur and fans, including senior district government officials, were present at the station to welcome the contestants with flowers. The artistes were later taken to Berhampur town in a grand procession, the official said. Many of the fans burst crackers and shouted slogans praising the dancers.
The Prince Dance Group from Berhampur town, nearly 180 km from here, was selected out of 45,000 competitors to perform at the grand finale.
The group, comprising 26 artistes all below 22 years, held the audience and the judges spellbound with their performance, which was based on episodes from the Mahabharata.
Led by their 26-year-old dance teacher Krishna Mohan Reddy, who never had any formal training in dance, the group won the Rs.50 lakh (Rs.5 million) cash award and a Maruti Suzuki Ritz car.
Reddy, who arrived separately Monday, said all the artistes would now concentrate on dance.
'We are now planning to participate in international competitions,' he told reporters.
Reddy also thanked people of the state, the corporates, media and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for encouraging them throughout the competition.
LOVE AAJ KAL joins prestigious club
Saif Ali Khan has hit a sixer with his maiden production. Saif's first production, LOVE AAJ KAL has managed to enter the prestigious Rs. 30 crore nett collections mark.
Till date only 18 films in Hindi film history have managed to cross the 30 crore mark. Mind you we are not talking here about the gross collections which the producers generally like to pom pom about.
A trade source says, LOVE AAJ KAL crossed the 30 crore distributor share mark in its third weekend itself. The only other super hits that have successfully hit the 30 crore mark are GHAJINI, GADAR, HUM AAPKE HAIN KAUN, DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE, DHOOM 2, RAB NE BANA DI JODI, KRISSH, OM SHANTI OM, WELCOME, RAJA HINDUSTANI, KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI, SINGH IS KINNG, KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM, LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI, PARTNER, KAHO NAA PYAAR HAI AND KOI MIL GAYA.''
Till date only 18 films in Hindi film history have managed to cross the 30 crore mark. Mind you we are not talking here about the gross collections which the producers generally like to pom pom about.
A trade source says, LOVE AAJ KAL crossed the 30 crore distributor share mark in its third weekend itself. The only other super hits that have successfully hit the 30 crore mark are GHAJINI, GADAR, HUM AAPKE HAIN KAUN, DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE, DHOOM 2, RAB NE BANA DI JODI, KRISSH, OM SHANTI OM, WELCOME, RAJA HINDUSTANI, KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI, SINGH IS KINNG, KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM, LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI, PARTNER, KAHO NAA PYAAR HAI AND KOI MIL GAYA.''
Jet Li returns to Chinese film after 3 US movies
Jet Li is returning to Chinese film with a reportedly non-kung fu movie after three Hollywood productions, a publicist said Tuesday.
Li is due to start shooting the movie — tentatively called "Ocean Paradise" in Chinese — Edko Film publicist Zhang Hongyan told. The film, due to be released next year, will be directed by a newcomer, Zhang said, declining to give further detail before the official announcement at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
Hong Kong-based Edko Film is the Chinese distributor for the movie.
The Chengdu Shangbao newspaper reported Tuesday that Li will not fight in the movie, but Zhang declined to confirm the report, only saying, "It's a movie that's very different from his previous movies."
Li's last three films were all American productions. His two most recent releases are "The Forbidden Kingdom" — which marked his first on-screen collaboration with Jackie Chan — and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor." The 46-year-old action star just finished shooting the action thriller "The Expendables."
A former national martial arts champion in China, Li first made his name in the Hong Kong film industry with the "Once Upon a Time in China" series before moving on to Hollywood, where his credits also include "Lethal Weapon 4," "Romeo Must Die" and "Kiss of the Dragon."
Li is due to start shooting the movie — tentatively called "Ocean Paradise" in Chinese — Edko Film publicist Zhang Hongyan told. The film, due to be released next year, will be directed by a newcomer, Zhang said, declining to give further detail before the official announcement at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
Hong Kong-based Edko Film is the Chinese distributor for the movie.
The Chengdu Shangbao newspaper reported Tuesday that Li will not fight in the movie, but Zhang declined to confirm the report, only saying, "It's a movie that's very different from his previous movies."
Li's last three films were all American productions. His two most recent releases are "The Forbidden Kingdom" — which marked his first on-screen collaboration with Jackie Chan — and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor." The 46-year-old action star just finished shooting the action thriller "The Expendables."
A former national martial arts champion in China, Li first made his name in the Hong Kong film industry with the "Once Upon a Time in China" series before moving on to Hollywood, where his credits also include "Lethal Weapon 4," "Romeo Must Die" and "Kiss of the Dragon."
Shaam’s Tamil movie to be remade in Telugu
Shaam started off with lots of promise in Kollywood but could not sustain the success he garnered. He made his Telugu debut with “Kick” and the movie went on to be a smash hit. Many feel that he has the opportunity to make up in Tollywood.
His last Kollywood venture “Anthony Yaar” was also average. However according to latest news, this Tamil flick will be remade in Telugu as well but with more masala. This will also star Shaam and Mallika Kapoor in the lead. Will this movie turn out to be successful in Telugu needs to seen when it arrives.
For now, Shaam is said to be quite happy with the response he has been getting from the Telugu folks.
His last Kollywood venture “Anthony Yaar” was also average. However according to latest news, this Tamil flick will be remade in Telugu as well but with more masala. This will also star Shaam and Mallika Kapoor in the lead. Will this movie turn out to be successful in Telugu needs to seen when it arrives.
For now, Shaam is said to be quite happy with the response he has been getting from the Telugu folks.
Ajay's act in 'London Dreams' modelled on Bono
Ajay Devgan as a rock star strumming away the heated strings on stage is a hard act to swallow. Not for Vipul Shah who has modelled the Bollywood star's act on the Irish singer Bono in his forthcoming movie 'London Dreams'.
'So far we've only seen him in a sedate or comic image, never as someone who can cross the frontiers and do something outrageous,' Shah, who hasn't quite converted the actor in an outrageously punky rock star, told IANS.
'No, not quite the reckless renegade. I've modelled Ajay's rock act on Bono, the Irish lead singer from U2. Bono was never your quintessential rock star. He had a more sober and a less wild image. When Ajay gets on stage in 'London Dreams', he replicates the curbed tempered-down rock-star's image of U2. Yes, I modelled him on Bono.'
The gritty sweaty ambience, the riveting guitar licks, the angst-filled vocals and the screaming hysterical fans... Ajay goes through the rock motions in the film with elan.
Interestingly, Salman Khan has no particular image in 'London Dreams'. 'He plays a more improvisational musician whereas Ajay plays a more professional rock musician,' said Shah.
The director has already shot all the on-stage performances except one. 'I wanted to see how the other stage performances look before shooting the last one. I was afraid they'd all look the same. But they've all come out differently. And Ajay looks like a rock star in the truest sense of the word.'
'So far we've only seen him in a sedate or comic image, never as someone who can cross the frontiers and do something outrageous,' Shah, who hasn't quite converted the actor in an outrageously punky rock star, told IANS.
'No, not quite the reckless renegade. I've modelled Ajay's rock act on Bono, the Irish lead singer from U2. Bono was never your quintessential rock star. He had a more sober and a less wild image. When Ajay gets on stage in 'London Dreams', he replicates the curbed tempered-down rock-star's image of U2. Yes, I modelled him on Bono.'
The gritty sweaty ambience, the riveting guitar licks, the angst-filled vocals and the screaming hysterical fans... Ajay goes through the rock motions in the film with elan.
Interestingly, Salman Khan has no particular image in 'London Dreams'. 'He plays a more improvisational musician whereas Ajay plays a more professional rock musician,' said Shah.
The director has already shot all the on-stage performances except one. 'I wanted to see how the other stage performances look before shooting the last one. I was afraid they'd all look the same. But they've all come out differently. And Ajay looks like a rock star in the truest sense of the word.'
Bhoomika to be Prabhu Deva’s heroine
Prabhu Deva has made a long but successful journey in the cinema industry. He has been a successful choreographer and then went on to be an actor. Later he started directing and has already delivered few hits in Telugu and Tamil.
However, ever since he started directing, he has been staying away from acting. Now according to reports, he is making a comeback of sorts. He will be seen in an important role in a flick to be made by Thangar Bachchan.
Interestingly, the glowing beauty Bhoomika will playing the role of heroine while the highly talented and versatile Prakashraj is also playing an important role.
However, ever since he started directing, he has been staying away from acting. Now according to reports, he is making a comeback of sorts. He will be seen in an important role in a flick to be made by Thangar Bachchan.
Interestingly, the glowing beauty Bhoomika will playing the role of heroine while the highly talented and versatile Prakashraj is also playing an important role.
Bollywood on self-healing path with four hits
Energetic openings to Bollywood's four recent releases, 'New York', 'Kambakkht Ishq', 'Love Aaj Kal' and 'Kaminey', have succeeded in getting the business perk up. Wounded by a long strike earlier this year, the film industry is perhaps on a self-healing path now, say trade pundits.
The two-month-long stand-off between the producers-distributors and multiplex owners over revenue sharing, which was resolved June 5, led to a whopping Rs.300 crore (Rs.3 billion) loss to the Hindi film industry.
The dry spell was broken by Kabir Khan's 'New York' that released June 26 followed by the other three films -- 'Kambakkht Ishq' that came July 3, 'Love Aaj Kal' July 31 and 'Kaminey' Aug 14 -- raking in a net profit close to almost half the losses so far this year.
'These four films will do a net business of Rs.150 crore (Rs.1.5 billion) put together,' revealed an industry insider.
Said trade analyst Taran Adarsh: 'The industry is definitely on a recovery path... it is getting better now, but we do need a big number of hits to follow as even an A-list movie like 'Luck' bombed.
'Every movie has a luck of its own. For example, a small-budget film like 'A Wednesday' had a moderate release last year but proved to be a dark horse. At the end of the day it's the content that will win.'
Film critic Omar Qureshi had something similar to say.
'The industry is healing. Everyone was deprived of movies. There was a desperation to watch films and the audiences couldn't handle it. So they took multiplexes by storm once good movies hit the screens and the result is worth watching,' said Qureshi.
'But that doesn't mean mediocre movies will win the race too... it'll only take big-budget and big-banner movies with a good story to make up for the losses and bring in footfalls,' he added.
The stand-off between producers-distributors and multiplex owners started in February over revenue-sharing. While the producers demanded a flat 50 percent share of all film revenues irrespective of the stars, budget and box-office collection, the exhibitors stressed on sharing profits based on the movie's earnings.
As a result the producers declared a strike from April 4 onwards, which saw no big Bollywood releases in multiplexes across the country.
Now all eyes are set on an array of big releases after the lull.
The line-up includes Shahid Kapoor-Rani Mukerji starrer 'Dil Bole Hadippa', three movies of Salman Khan -- 'Wanted', 'Main Aur Mrs Khanna' and 'London Dreams' -- two Ranbir Kapoor-starrers 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' and 'Rocket Singh - Salesman of The Year', and Aamir Khan's '3 Idiots'.
Apart from these, there are also Hrithik Roshan's much-talked-about action thriller 'Kites', Priyanka Chopra's 'What's Your Raashee?', two movies starring Amitabh Bachchan -- 'Aladdin' and 'Pa' -- Akshay Kumar's 'De Dana Dan', Govinda's 'Hook Ya Crook' and Neil Nitin Mukesh's 'Jail'.
The two-month-long stand-off between the producers-distributors and multiplex owners over revenue sharing, which was resolved June 5, led to a whopping Rs.300 crore (Rs.3 billion) loss to the Hindi film industry.
The dry spell was broken by Kabir Khan's 'New York' that released June 26 followed by the other three films -- 'Kambakkht Ishq' that came July 3, 'Love Aaj Kal' July 31 and 'Kaminey' Aug 14 -- raking in a net profit close to almost half the losses so far this year.
'These four films will do a net business of Rs.150 crore (Rs.1.5 billion) put together,' revealed an industry insider.
Said trade analyst Taran Adarsh: 'The industry is definitely on a recovery path... it is getting better now, but we do need a big number of hits to follow as even an A-list movie like 'Luck' bombed.
'Every movie has a luck of its own. For example, a small-budget film like 'A Wednesday' had a moderate release last year but proved to be a dark horse. At the end of the day it's the content that will win.'
Film critic Omar Qureshi had something similar to say.
'The industry is healing. Everyone was deprived of movies. There was a desperation to watch films and the audiences couldn't handle it. So they took multiplexes by storm once good movies hit the screens and the result is worth watching,' said Qureshi.
'But that doesn't mean mediocre movies will win the race too... it'll only take big-budget and big-banner movies with a good story to make up for the losses and bring in footfalls,' he added.
The stand-off between producers-distributors and multiplex owners started in February over revenue-sharing. While the producers demanded a flat 50 percent share of all film revenues irrespective of the stars, budget and box-office collection, the exhibitors stressed on sharing profits based on the movie's earnings.
As a result the producers declared a strike from April 4 onwards, which saw no big Bollywood releases in multiplexes across the country.
Now all eyes are set on an array of big releases after the lull.
The line-up includes Shahid Kapoor-Rani Mukerji starrer 'Dil Bole Hadippa', three movies of Salman Khan -- 'Wanted', 'Main Aur Mrs Khanna' and 'London Dreams' -- two Ranbir Kapoor-starrers 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' and 'Rocket Singh - Salesman of The Year', and Aamir Khan's '3 Idiots'.
Apart from these, there are also Hrithik Roshan's much-talked-about action thriller 'Kites', Priyanka Chopra's 'What's Your Raashee?', two movies starring Amitabh Bachchan -- 'Aladdin' and 'Pa' -- Akshay Kumar's 'De Dana Dan', Govinda's 'Hook Ya Crook' and Neil Nitin Mukesh's 'Jail'.
Gopichand pairs with Anushka again
Aggressive hero Gopichand who has been scoring hit after hit is currently busy with the wrapping up of his new movie ‘Sankham’. Meanwhile, there is news that he has been roped in for a new venture by the famous RR Movie makers of ‘Kick’ fame.
The producer of this happens to be Venkat and he has announced that Gopi would be pairing up with none other than the luscious beauty Anushka. Both Gopi and Anushka have already delivered a hit with ‘Lakshyam’ and right now, the RR Team is working on deciding the other cast and crew for the film.
The movie is presented by K Atchi Reddy while Co- Producer is V Suresh Reddy.
The producer of this happens to be Venkat and he has announced that Gopi would be pairing up with none other than the luscious beauty Anushka. Both Gopi and Anushka have already delivered a hit with ‘Lakshyam’ and right now, the RR Team is working on deciding the other cast and crew for the film.
The movie is presented by K Atchi Reddy while Co- Producer is V Suresh Reddy.
Heroines in the one crore club
The whole world is harping about recession which seems to have affected our film industry as well. The producers are trying their best to cut costs and make movies with certain budget constraints.
However our heroes do not seem to be affected by what is going on and they are remuneration packages are sky high. Even our heroines are not left far behind.
According to sources actresses like Ileana, Anushka and Genelia charge more than a crore for their movies. Actresses like Trisha, Nayanthara and Hansika are not far behind. Wonder how the producers are going to address this issue and before that, how do they even manage to generate such sort of amounts.
However our heroes do not seem to be affected by what is going on and they are remuneration packages are sky high. Even our heroines are not left far behind.
According to sources actresses like Ileana, Anushka and Genelia charge more than a crore for their movies. Actresses like Trisha, Nayanthara and Hansika are not far behind. Wonder how the producers are going to address this issue and before that, how do they even manage to generate such sort of amounts.
Anushka not a bookworm
Buxom beauty Anushka is one of the most sought after actresses in the industry. After scoring a mega hit in Telugu, she is also making her mark in Kollywood.
The actress recently spoke about her likes and dislikes. She said that she is miles away from books. She added that even in college, she used to listen to lecturers but never read from books.
She surely should have other talents, though. One of them seems to be reading her fans’ hearts with ease. Anushka is presently busy with her Tamil assignments and she has also got ‘Vedam’ under the direction of the super talented Krish in Telugu.
So folks, books may not be the best friends for Anushka after all.
The actress recently spoke about her likes and dislikes. She said that she is miles away from books. She added that even in college, she used to listen to lecturers but never read from books.
She surely should have other talents, though. One of them seems to be reading her fans’ hearts with ease. Anushka is presently busy with her Tamil assignments and she has also got ‘Vedam’ under the direction of the super talented Krish in Telugu.
So folks, books may not be the best friends for Anushka after all.
Perarasu takes dig at heroines
Not just Perarasu’s heroes, but the filmmaker too is good at delivering ‘punches’. Speaking at the audio launch of ‘Aadhinarayana’, a movie starring newcomer Gajan and Meera Jasmine in lead roles, he came down heavily on actresses who fail to show interest on the films they are acting in.
“Heroines are not interested at attending the audio launch of the movies they are part of. Their only aim is to climb the ladder and cross the Rs one crore mark. Apart from showing interest at getting more salary, they should also concentrate on their movies,” the director said.
Hailing Sandhya for attending the event, Perarasu said, “The situation is different in Telugu industry, where actresses actively take part in the events related to their films. Things should change in Kollywood.”
In his address, lyricist Snehan urged filmmakers to give due importance to lyricists. Others attended the event include Silambarasan, producer of the film Balaji, director Vetri Vendhan, Tamil Film Producers Council president Rama Narayanan and Distributors association chief Kalaipuli G Sekaran.
“Heroines are not interested at attending the audio launch of the movies they are part of. Their only aim is to climb the ladder and cross the Rs one crore mark. Apart from showing interest at getting more salary, they should also concentrate on their movies,” the director said.
Hailing Sandhya for attending the event, Perarasu said, “The situation is different in Telugu industry, where actresses actively take part in the events related to their films. Things should change in Kollywood.”
In his address, lyricist Snehan urged filmmakers to give due importance to lyricists. Others attended the event include Silambarasan, producer of the film Balaji, director Vetri Vendhan, Tamil Film Producers Council president Rama Narayanan and Distributors association chief Kalaipuli G Sekaran.
Nagarjuna 's 'Payanam'
Radha Mohan has just started his journey in the film industry but has already become popular in the circuit. His last movie 'Aakasamantha' was not only appreciated by critics, it also became a commercial success.
Now the director who is known for humor based narration of serious storylines is all set with his next venture. The movie titled 'Payanam' will star Nagarjuna in the lead.
The music will be composed by Devi Sri Prasad. This movie is supposed to be a bi-lingual. Many expect this movie to be similar to his other movies.
This would also be a comeback of sorts for Nag into Kollywood after a long gap.
Now the director who is known for humor based narration of serious storylines is all set with his next venture. The movie titled 'Payanam' will star Nagarjuna in the lead.
The music will be composed by Devi Sri Prasad. This movie is supposed to be a bi-lingual. Many expect this movie to be similar to his other movies.
This would also be a comeback of sorts for Nag into Kollywood after a long gap.
Tweets speak, Hollywood listens, warily
Although word of mouth could always make or break a movie, it usually took days to affect the box office. But the rise of social networking tools such as Twitter might be narrowing that time frame to hours. And that has Hollywood on edge.
This summer, movies such as "Bruno" and " G.I. Joe" have had unexpected tumbles at the box office -- just within their opening weekends -- while "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" survived blistering critical reaction to become a blockbuster.
Box-office watchers say the dramatic swings might be caused by Twitter and other social networking sites that can blast instant raves -- or pans -- to hundreds of people just minutes after the credits roll.
"Almost every time after I go out [to a movie], I'll tweet about it," says Lindsay Wailes, a cook and barista from Westminster, Md. "I tweeted about 'G.I. Joe' as soon as I left the theater."
Her take: "If you like science or plot, this isn't a movie for you; if you like explosions for no reason, you'll love it."
She also listens to what others have to say: She turned her back on "Bruno" because of downbeat Twitter reviews. Studios are trying to gauge the impact of an avalanche of tweets and how it affects the staying power of a movie. Was the 39 percent box-office drop of "Bruno" from Friday to Saturday a case of disappointed moviegoers tweeting from theater lobbies? Or did a limited fan base for "Bruno" exhaust itself on that first day?
"I think Twitter can't be stopped," says Stephen Bruno, the Weinstein Co.'s senior director of marketing. "Now you have to see it as an addition to the campaign of any movie. People want real-time news, and suddenly a studio can give it to them in a first-person way."
Eamonn Bowles, president of Magnolia Pictures, says studios are worrying about a time when "people will be Twittering during the opening credits -- and leaving when they don't like them." But he also warns, "the next step [for the Twitter Effect] is for studio marketing to manipulate it."
The Weinstein Co. has done that big-time for the Friday release of the Quentin Tarantino- Brad Pitt World War II epic "Inglourious Basterds."
The company packed a screening at San Diego's Comic-Con with people who won access via Twitter. It also staged "the first ever Red Carpet Twitter meet-up" during the movie's premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, generating celebrity tweets, including Sarah Silverman's "just made me smile forever" and Tony Hawk's "another Tarantino classic."
Twitter has broadened the reach of bloggers and other aspiring opinion-makers.
"Just two years ago, if I saw a movie I loved or I hated, I'd be able to tell a dozen friends, tops," says John Singh, who works for the movie and social networking Web site Flixster. "Now I can be walking out of a theater as the credits are rolling and immediately tell 500 people what I thought. ... It's never been this easy to be this influential."
Take "The Proposal," a film that had little buzz, yet has become one of the summer's most profitable productions. (It cost $40 million and is grossing upward of $159 million.) Flixster, which runs the Movies application for iPhones, worked with Disney/Touchstone to promote the Sandra Bullock- Ryan Reynolds romantic farce. Singh credits the campaign with increasing the film's opening-weekend haul by 30 percent.
Positive reviews from her Twitter friends can persuade Wailes to attend a film if she's "undecided." If it "gets raves from people I network with, since I know I have something in common with these people, I figure there must be something in the movie that I might want to see."
Gregg Kilday, film editor of The Hollywood Reporter, notes that it's impossible to separate the factors that would explain a film's drop or rise in box office.
"Even if you don't have Twitter, a lot of people, especially kids, have long had the ability to text each other, sometimes from within the theater," he says. "And for a lot of the mass-market movies, the potential audience will go whether friends tell them they're good or not."
Brandon Gray, president and founder of boxofficemojo.com, notes that the hit teen-romance vampire film "Twilight" dropped 41 percent from Friday to Saturday without any discussion of the Twitter Effect.
"There have been many indications through the years that films targeting teens and young adults will have a huge Friday and a more front-loaded weekend," Gray says. "That's just kind of how it goes."
Movietickets.com recently ran a poll in which 88 percent of the voting sample said Twitter had no effect on them. Joel Cohen, the company's executive vice president and general manager, thinks "we may be putting too much weight onto the Twitter Effect. But you can see Twitter's benefits as a communications tool that spreads the word about a film, and the negatives have yet to be proven."
Bowles, who distributed the documentary "Food, Inc.," acknowledges that "we did some Twitter-specific things, including a Twitter-cast with the movie's director, Robby Kenner."
But he's cautious when it comes to describing Twitter as a "revolutionary" force.
"Revolutionize moviegoing? No," he said. "But all the tiny little bits together [Twitter, MySpace, Facebook and others] can add up to something meaningful."
This summer, movies such as "Bruno" and " G.I. Joe" have had unexpected tumbles at the box office -- just within their opening weekends -- while "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" survived blistering critical reaction to become a blockbuster.
Box-office watchers say the dramatic swings might be caused by Twitter and other social networking sites that can blast instant raves -- or pans -- to hundreds of people just minutes after the credits roll.
"Almost every time after I go out [to a movie], I'll tweet about it," says Lindsay Wailes, a cook and barista from Westminster, Md. "I tweeted about 'G.I. Joe' as soon as I left the theater."
Her take: "If you like science or plot, this isn't a movie for you; if you like explosions for no reason, you'll love it."
She also listens to what others have to say: She turned her back on "Bruno" because of downbeat Twitter reviews. Studios are trying to gauge the impact of an avalanche of tweets and how it affects the staying power of a movie. Was the 39 percent box-office drop of "Bruno" from Friday to Saturday a case of disappointed moviegoers tweeting from theater lobbies? Or did a limited fan base for "Bruno" exhaust itself on that first day?
"I think Twitter can't be stopped," says Stephen Bruno, the Weinstein Co.'s senior director of marketing. "Now you have to see it as an addition to the campaign of any movie. People want real-time news, and suddenly a studio can give it to them in a first-person way."
Eamonn Bowles, president of Magnolia Pictures, says studios are worrying about a time when "people will be Twittering during the opening credits -- and leaving when they don't like them." But he also warns, "the next step [for the Twitter Effect] is for studio marketing to manipulate it."
The Weinstein Co. has done that big-time for the Friday release of the Quentin Tarantino- Brad Pitt World War II epic "Inglourious Basterds."
The company packed a screening at San Diego's Comic-Con with people who won access via Twitter. It also staged "the first ever Red Carpet Twitter meet-up" during the movie's premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, generating celebrity tweets, including Sarah Silverman's "just made me smile forever" and Tony Hawk's "another Tarantino classic."
Twitter has broadened the reach of bloggers and other aspiring opinion-makers.
"Just two years ago, if I saw a movie I loved or I hated, I'd be able to tell a dozen friends, tops," says John Singh, who works for the movie and social networking Web site Flixster. "Now I can be walking out of a theater as the credits are rolling and immediately tell 500 people what I thought. ... It's never been this easy to be this influential."
Take "The Proposal," a film that had little buzz, yet has become one of the summer's most profitable productions. (It cost $40 million and is grossing upward of $159 million.) Flixster, which runs the Movies application for iPhones, worked with Disney/Touchstone to promote the Sandra Bullock- Ryan Reynolds romantic farce. Singh credits the campaign with increasing the film's opening-weekend haul by 30 percent.
Positive reviews from her Twitter friends can persuade Wailes to attend a film if she's "undecided." If it "gets raves from people I network with, since I know I have something in common with these people, I figure there must be something in the movie that I might want to see."
Gregg Kilday, film editor of The Hollywood Reporter, notes that it's impossible to separate the factors that would explain a film's drop or rise in box office.
"Even if you don't have Twitter, a lot of people, especially kids, have long had the ability to text each other, sometimes from within the theater," he says. "And for a lot of the mass-market movies, the potential audience will go whether friends tell them they're good or not."
Brandon Gray, president and founder of boxofficemojo.com, notes that the hit teen-romance vampire film "Twilight" dropped 41 percent from Friday to Saturday without any discussion of the Twitter Effect.
"There have been many indications through the years that films targeting teens and young adults will have a huge Friday and a more front-loaded weekend," Gray says. "That's just kind of how it goes."
Movietickets.com recently ran a poll in which 88 percent of the voting sample said Twitter had no effect on them. Joel Cohen, the company's executive vice president and general manager, thinks "we may be putting too much weight onto the Twitter Effect. But you can see Twitter's benefits as a communications tool that spreads the word about a film, and the negatives have yet to be proven."
Bowles, who distributed the documentary "Food, Inc.," acknowledges that "we did some Twitter-specific things, including a Twitter-cast with the movie's director, Robby Kenner."
But he's cautious when it comes to describing Twitter as a "revolutionary" force.
"Revolutionize moviegoing? No," he said. "But all the tiny little bits together [Twitter, MySpace, Facebook and others] can add up to something meaningful."
Madhuri is mad about Mumbai
It's been a decade since she left Mumbai to live in Denver with her husband Sriram Nene, but Madhuri still craves for the fervour of Ganpati festival back home. "It is a huge thing, especially for us Maharashtrians. There are so many lovely memories attached to this festival. Apart from being a Ganpati bhakt of course, I miss all the preparations that go in days before the festival used to start."
While her mother used to be busy preparing modaks and puran poli, Madhuri and her siblings would be at Shivaji Park, looking out for all the Ganpati idols being carried to various destinations of the city.
"It was so thrilling to watch all those huge idols pass by," she says with the same child-like excitement. At Denver, she tries replicating the same festive spirit in her own little way. "We have pooja in the morning at home and bring modaks from anIndian store. It's obviously not the same, so when my mother is here, I ask her to make it for us. She is an expert," Madhuri adds.
Even in Denver, the small Indian community keeps a Ganpati idol which they worship for 10 days, before it is taken for visarjan in a nearby lake. "This place is not like Chicago or LA where there is a huge Indian community and they celebrate these festivals with a lot of pomp," Madhuri rues. "But we make an effort here too."
And that's why she makes sure that sons Arin and Ryan are aware of the significance of the festival.
Hollywood action director bowled over by Akshay's stunts
Hollywood action director James Bomalick of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift fame is completely bowled over by Bollywood actor and stuntman Akshay Kumar's passion and enthusiasm for action.
The Die Hard 4 actionman, who worked with Akshay in soon to be released Blue, was so impressed by the star that he could not stop but approve of his hunger and fetish for action scenes.
"James felt that Akshay was the answer to Hollywood action heroes. What impressed him further was Akshay's meticulous dedication to performing action scenes in the film.. The way he took interest in knowing details about the action scenes.. how he always was more interested in making it safe for unit members rather than himself," a unit member said.
"James was stunned by Akshay's confidence in doing some of the most dangerous stunts that main heroes would not do otherwise," the member said.
The action director also felt that Akshay was one of those rare actors who performed his own stunts. The efforts that Akshay put in his stunts really impressed James, he added.
Bomalick's filmography includes movies like Mr and Mrs Smith (2005), The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift(2006), Die Hard 4 (2007) and Mummy 3: The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) among others.
The Die Hard 4 actionman, who worked with Akshay in soon to be released Blue, was so impressed by the star that he could not stop but approve of his hunger and fetish for action scenes.
"James felt that Akshay was the answer to Hollywood action heroes. What impressed him further was Akshay's meticulous dedication to performing action scenes in the film.. The way he took interest in knowing details about the action scenes.. how he always was more interested in making it safe for unit members rather than himself," a unit member said.
"James was stunned by Akshay's confidence in doing some of the most dangerous stunts that main heroes would not do otherwise," the member said.
The action director also felt that Akshay was one of those rare actors who performed his own stunts. The efforts that Akshay put in his stunts really impressed James, he added.
Bomalick's filmography includes movies like Mr and Mrs Smith (2005), The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift(2006), Die Hard 4 (2007) and Mummy 3: The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) among others.
Jennifer Aniston feels 'screwed over' by Bradley Cooper
Jennifer Aniston is deeply disappointed that her date with The Hangover star Bradley Cooper did not end in a relationship, it has emerged.
It is believed Aniston "honestly feels screwed over" after her date with Cooper. Fox News quoted a source as telling US Weekly: "She wanted to turn her date with Cooper into something."
The former Friends star was very upset on seeing Cooper with Renee Zellweger a few weeks later. Aniston "doesn't see what Renee has that she doesn't," the insider said.
"She just does her thing, has her friends and her life and is cool. She's really happy and doesn't need anyone to feel complete," another source said.
However, Aniston's pals say she will be okay soon. A pal said: "She's used to rejection."
It is believed Aniston "honestly feels screwed over" after her date with Cooper. Fox News quoted a source as telling US Weekly: "She wanted to turn her date with Cooper into something."
The former Friends star was very upset on seeing Cooper with Renee Zellweger a few weeks later. Aniston "doesn't see what Renee has that she doesn't," the insider said.
"She just does her thing, has her friends and her life and is cool. She's really happy and doesn't need anyone to feel complete," another source said.
However, Aniston's pals say she will be okay soon. A pal said: "She's used to rejection."
Film stars celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi
Bollywood stars commenced the celebration of the ten-day-long Ganesha Chaturthi festival here.
Actor Jeetendra celebrated the festival with his daughter Ekta Kapoor.
"For the last 32 years, that was when my daughter Ekta Kapoor was born, I brought Ganapati to my house for the first time and since then we have been praying in front of the Ganapati idol," said Jeetendra.
"I wish everyone happy Ganesha Chaturthi and would advise everyone to look after oneself because one is precious for one's family and one's country," said Nana Patekar.
Actor Govinda also celebrated the festival with his family.
Ganapati festival is a ten-day long event at the end of which the idol of Lord Ganesha is taken in a grand processions and immersed in water bodies such as rivers, tanks, ponds and wells. In Mumbai the idol is immersed in the sea.
Lord Ganesha, is one of the most revered Gods of Hindus, and is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious occasion.
Ganesha, as the God of knowledge is described as "Vinayaka"and as remover of obstacles he is called "Vighanharta". He is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious occasion for blessings of luck and success.
Actor Jeetendra celebrated the festival with his daughter Ekta Kapoor.
"For the last 32 years, that was when my daughter Ekta Kapoor was born, I brought Ganapati to my house for the first time and since then we have been praying in front of the Ganapati idol," said Jeetendra.
"I wish everyone happy Ganesha Chaturthi and would advise everyone to look after oneself because one is precious for one's family and one's country," said Nana Patekar.
Actor Govinda also celebrated the festival with his family.
Ganapati festival is a ten-day long event at the end of which the idol of Lord Ganesha is taken in a grand processions and immersed in water bodies such as rivers, tanks, ponds and wells. In Mumbai the idol is immersed in the sea.
Lord Ganesha, is one of the most revered Gods of Hindus, and is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious occasion.
Ganesha, as the God of knowledge is described as "Vinayaka"and as remover of obstacles he is called "Vighanharta". He is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious occasion for blessings of luck and success.
Amitabh Bachchan, Dutt at loggerheads in Aladin
Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt, known for their tremendous screen presence, are at loggerheads in Aladin, an adventure film in which the Big B plays a genie.
In recent times, the two stars have worked together in half a dozen odd films like Shoot-Out At Lokhandwala, Eklavya - The Royal Guard, Deewar - Let's Bring Our Heroes Home, Viruddh and Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin.
However, the one which clearly stands out amongst the crowd is Kaante [2002] which when released seven years back had given a different dimension to their on-screen rivalry.
Now the two veteran actors will be at loggerheads again in Eros International's Aladin.
"Both the actors are fighting it out in Aladin. It's a different energy altogether when actors like these are pitted against each other. This time around it is 'Genius - The Genie' (Big B) v/s 'Ringmaster' (Sanjay Dutt)," director Sujoy Ghosh said.
Kaante was known for Sanjay Dutt's dialogue - 'Major, Tu Sirf Bhaukega Ya Kaatega Bhi [Major, are you only going to bark or even bite]?' In real life, Sanjay is known for respecting the Big B, he said.
Bachchan in one of his blog had mentioned how Sanjay stops smoking and even hides his lighted cigarate if he (Bachchan) walks into his room.
"When two actors like these are pitted opposite each other, there are bound to be fireworks. Now whether these would be through power packed dialogues or some intense scenes or symbolic gestures is something that would be for audiences to see once the film arrives in October. However, I can assure that those looking for a man-to-man combat, whether physically or verbally, won't be disappointed", said Sujoy who is said to have created enough dramatic sequences featuring the two.
"I couldn't have wasted this opportunity for anything," he said.
"Both of them have appeared in quite a few movies together but their characters have more often than not shared cordial relationship with each other. In Aladin, they are on different sides of the fence and have fought it out in the middle," Ghosh said.
Starring Amitabh Bachchan as Genius - The Genie, Ritiesh Deshmukh as Aladin and Sanjay Dutt as 'Ringmaster', Aladin also marks the debut of Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandes who is paired opposite Ritiesh.
With music by Vishal and Shekhar, Aladin is produced by Eros International in association with Sujoy Ghosh's production company Boundscript.
In recent times, the two stars have worked together in half a dozen odd films like Shoot-Out At Lokhandwala, Eklavya - The Royal Guard, Deewar - Let's Bring Our Heroes Home, Viruddh and Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin.
However, the one which clearly stands out amongst the crowd is Kaante [2002] which when released seven years back had given a different dimension to their on-screen rivalry.
Now the two veteran actors will be at loggerheads again in Eros International's Aladin.
"Both the actors are fighting it out in Aladin. It's a different energy altogether when actors like these are pitted against each other. This time around it is 'Genius - The Genie' (Big B) v/s 'Ringmaster' (Sanjay Dutt)," director Sujoy Ghosh said.
Kaante was known for Sanjay Dutt's dialogue - 'Major, Tu Sirf Bhaukega Ya Kaatega Bhi [Major, are you only going to bark or even bite]?' In real life, Sanjay is known for respecting the Big B, he said.
Bachchan in one of his blog had mentioned how Sanjay stops smoking and even hides his lighted cigarate if he (Bachchan) walks into his room.
"When two actors like these are pitted opposite each other, there are bound to be fireworks. Now whether these would be through power packed dialogues or some intense scenes or symbolic gestures is something that would be for audiences to see once the film arrives in October. However, I can assure that those looking for a man-to-man combat, whether physically or verbally, won't be disappointed", said Sujoy who is said to have created enough dramatic sequences featuring the two.
"I couldn't have wasted this opportunity for anything," he said.
"Both of them have appeared in quite a few movies together but their characters have more often than not shared cordial relationship with each other. In Aladin, they are on different sides of the fence and have fought it out in the middle," Ghosh said.
Starring Amitabh Bachchan as Genius - The Genie, Ritiesh Deshmukh as Aladin and Sanjay Dutt as 'Ringmaster', Aladin also marks the debut of Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandes who is paired opposite Ritiesh.
With music by Vishal and Shekhar, Aladin is produced by Eros International in association with Sujoy Ghosh's production company Boundscript.
I was apprehensive facing the camera after so many years: Amol Palekar
Amol Palekar, who considers filmmaking as his first love, was so fascinated by the protagonist in Samaantar that he was lured to act in the Marathi movie after a gap of nearly 25 years.
Palekar, essaying the role of industrialist Keshav Vaze in the soon-to-be-released film, which also stars Sharmila Tagore, says he was very apprehensive to face the camera after so many years.
"I was very apprehensive. I still am. When you have not used your craft for so many years it tends to get rusty but I could not resist the temptation to play Keshav in the movie," 64-year-old Palekar said in an interview.
"Bollywood is not the end of Indian cinema. There is lot of experiment happening in regional cinema. It is huge, diverse and no country other than India can offer so much in a platter. I believe that good regional cinema can be more binding and Samaantar is one such film," the actor, who was last seen in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Khamosh in 1985, says.
"When I read about Keshav, I immediately got drawn to the character which has a complexity and is multi-layered. I took up it as a challenge. I wanted to know whether I could do it or not," says Palekar, who immortalised the quintessential 'middle class man' of Hindi cinema of the 1970s with films like Golmaal, Chitchore and Ek Chhoti Si Baat.
The film by Big Pictures will be released on September 4 and with English sub-titles in the metros.
The film, written and co-directed by Palekar's wife Sandhya Gokhale, revolves around the story of Keshav, who achieves success but in the process ends up wrapped in his own melancholy prompting him to look back at his life.
He finds his lost love Shama (Sharmila), who is now leading a life of recluse. As Keshav strives to know more about Shama, he realises that though both had drifted apart they have been leading a parallel life sharing their loneliness.
"His (Keshav's) is a success story. He is leading hectic life but at the same time when he returns to his bed at the end of the day he is a very lonely man. This aspect was so fascinating and so challenging for me that I told myself that I want to try this out," the filmmaker says.
This role is not new to Palekar, who started his career as a director with Akriet (Misgotten) in 1981 and has tackled many unconventional themes in his journey -- be it a woman's decision to support her gay husband (Thaang) or a transvestite's struggle for a decent survival (Daayraa).
Palekar, who calls himself actor by accident and director by choice, says he found it challenging to shuffle between the duel responsibility of a director and actor in Samaanter.
"Directing the film was not easy because I had stopped doing that (acting and directing) after Ankaahi (1984). I still remember that my entire focus at that time used to be on direction."
"I used to get so consumed in my job as a director that I used to give least time to the actor Amol Palekar. When I realised that, I decided to let the actor rest and work as a filmmaker. But it was easier this time because I shifted the pressure to Sandhya," he says.
Palekar, whose last Hindi film (as a director only) was Dum Kata (A Tale of a Tail) starring Om Puri and Shernaz Patel in 2008, says he never felt the need to compromise with his craft.
"My film making process is very simple. I decide to make a film only if I love the subject and the theme. So much so that it becomes almost an obsession with me and I want to share it with people. Every subject comes with its own demands like the language, whether there should be songs or only music -- things that are dictated by the subject."
On whether he was under pressure to compromise with his craft, he says: "I came at a time when the industry had actors like Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna and Jitendra with larger-than-life images. No one thought that a hero like me could find success but I was loved by the audiences. As long as I am not trying to be a Rajesh Khanna or someone else there is no risk involved.
"I know what I want to do and how best I can do beyond that what is the fear? Whether the audiences will like it or not is perennial question that will always remain. I also don't believe that there is any success formula," he added.
Palekar, essaying the role of industrialist Keshav Vaze in the soon-to-be-released film, which also stars Sharmila Tagore, says he was very apprehensive to face the camera after so many years.
"I was very apprehensive. I still am. When you have not used your craft for so many years it tends to get rusty but I could not resist the temptation to play Keshav in the movie," 64-year-old Palekar said in an interview.
"Bollywood is not the end of Indian cinema. There is lot of experiment happening in regional cinema. It is huge, diverse and no country other than India can offer so much in a platter. I believe that good regional cinema can be more binding and Samaantar is one such film," the actor, who was last seen in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Khamosh in 1985, says.
"When I read about Keshav, I immediately got drawn to the character which has a complexity and is multi-layered. I took up it as a challenge. I wanted to know whether I could do it or not," says Palekar, who immortalised the quintessential 'middle class man' of Hindi cinema of the 1970s with films like Golmaal, Chitchore and Ek Chhoti Si Baat.
The film by Big Pictures will be released on September 4 and with English sub-titles in the metros.
The film, written and co-directed by Palekar's wife Sandhya Gokhale, revolves around the story of Keshav, who achieves success but in the process ends up wrapped in his own melancholy prompting him to look back at his life.
He finds his lost love Shama (Sharmila), who is now leading a life of recluse. As Keshav strives to know more about Shama, he realises that though both had drifted apart they have been leading a parallel life sharing their loneliness.
"His (Keshav's) is a success story. He is leading hectic life but at the same time when he returns to his bed at the end of the day he is a very lonely man. This aspect was so fascinating and so challenging for me that I told myself that I want to try this out," the filmmaker says.
This role is not new to Palekar, who started his career as a director with Akriet (Misgotten) in 1981 and has tackled many unconventional themes in his journey -- be it a woman's decision to support her gay husband (Thaang) or a transvestite's struggle for a decent survival (Daayraa).
Palekar, who calls himself actor by accident and director by choice, says he found it challenging to shuffle between the duel responsibility of a director and actor in Samaanter.
"Directing the film was not easy because I had stopped doing that (acting and directing) after Ankaahi (1984). I still remember that my entire focus at that time used to be on direction."
"I used to get so consumed in my job as a director that I used to give least time to the actor Amol Palekar. When I realised that, I decided to let the actor rest and work as a filmmaker. But it was easier this time because I shifted the pressure to Sandhya," he says.
Palekar, whose last Hindi film (as a director only) was Dum Kata (A Tale of a Tail) starring Om Puri and Shernaz Patel in 2008, says he never felt the need to compromise with his craft.
"My film making process is very simple. I decide to make a film only if I love the subject and the theme. So much so that it becomes almost an obsession with me and I want to share it with people. Every subject comes with its own demands like the language, whether there should be songs or only music -- things that are dictated by the subject."
On whether he was under pressure to compromise with his craft, he says: "I came at a time when the industry had actors like Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna and Jitendra with larger-than-life images. No one thought that a hero like me could find success but I was loved by the audiences. As long as I am not trying to be a Rajesh Khanna or someone else there is no risk involved.
"I know what I want to do and how best I can do beyond that what is the fear? Whether the audiences will like it or not is perennial question that will always remain. I also don't believe that there is any success formula," he added.
Shahid Kapur's big RISK
With movie theatres in Mumbai remaining shut on Sunday, Shahid Kapoor's plan to mingle with his fans had gone for a toss. However, the actor has made it up as he has hit the ticket counters when they reopened post the swine flu panic in the city.
Speaking about the rave reviews of the film, he says, "The reaction from the audience has been amazing and I want to interact with them. People have given me great reviews and I feel very lucky and happy that my hard work has been noticed," he says.
But wasn't he apprehensive to sign this pulp genre film which has a very quirky plot? Such films either dazzle audiences or get completely rejected. "It was a gamble definitely as such films either shock people or they reject it but I'm happy that the risk has paid off well. I really had to get out of my comfort zone and break my boy-next-door image. The difference in my look is also great. I'm really happy that Vishal trusted me with the film," he says.
On the industry front, Saif Ali Khan in an interview had said he wants to patch up with Shahid. He also went back on his comment that he was offered Kaminey before Shahid. Is Shahid looking to bury the hatchet too?
"I never started anything with him. I learnt that he had commented to a paper that he was offered the film first and now he has clarified that he wasn't. I really appreciate that he clarified. It really takes a lot to clarify oneself after saying something different," he ends.
Speaking about the rave reviews of the film, he says, "The reaction from the audience has been amazing and I want to interact with them. People have given me great reviews and I feel very lucky and happy that my hard work has been noticed," he says.
But wasn't he apprehensive to sign this pulp genre film which has a very quirky plot? Such films either dazzle audiences or get completely rejected. "It was a gamble definitely as such films either shock people or they reject it but I'm happy that the risk has paid off well. I really had to get out of my comfort zone and break my boy-next-door image. The difference in my look is also great. I'm really happy that Vishal trusted me with the film," he says.
On the industry front, Saif Ali Khan in an interview had said he wants to patch up with Shahid. He also went back on his comment that he was offered Kaminey before Shahid. Is Shahid looking to bury the hatchet too?
"I never started anything with him. I learnt that he had commented to a paper that he was offered the film first and now he has clarified that he wasn't. I really appreciate that he clarified. It really takes a lot to clarify oneself after saying something different," he ends.
Janet Jackson eyes personal tell-all book
Janet Jackson is reportedly planning to write a personal tell-all book, in order to help herself cope with the grief of her brother Michael's death.
The songbird will purportedly also detail her own battle with issues like self-esteem and weight, along with the family's struggle to come to terms with the loss of the King of Pop.
"She is going to talk about Michael's death and how it's affected her and his children and the rest of the family... A lot of it will focus on her battle with self-esteem and weight," Contactmusic quoted a source as having told In Touch Weekly.
"She's a huge success. But that's not always what she has seen when she looks in the mirror, so the book will talk about how she has coped, and about her family relationships. She wants to help other young women out there," the source added.
The songbird will purportedly also detail her own battle with issues like self-esteem and weight, along with the family's struggle to come to terms with the loss of the King of Pop.
"She is going to talk about Michael's death and how it's affected her and his children and the rest of the family... A lot of it will focus on her battle with self-esteem and weight," Contactmusic quoted a source as having told In Touch Weekly.
"She's a huge success. But that's not always what she has seen when she looks in the mirror, so the book will talk about how she has coped, and about her family relationships. She wants to help other young women out there," the source added.
Catherine Zeta-Jones to star alongside Angela Lansbury in Broadway musical
Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones is all set to star in Broadway musical A Little Night Music, directed by Stephen Sondheim.
The romantic musical is about the love lives of several couples, alongside British-born actress Angela Lansbury, reports Contactmusic.
The 83-year-old TV, film and theatre star Lansbury only accepted the role on the premise that she would be working with a highly-rated co-star in New York's celebrated theatre district.
According to the New York Post: "The great Angela Lansbury agreed to play Madame Armfeldt, provided the producers lined up another star to play her daughter, Desiree. Lansbury didn't want to shoulder a multi-million dollar Broadway revival by herself."
The paper further reported that Catherine accepted the role after receiving a personal call from Sondheim.
The romantic musical is about the love lives of several couples, alongside British-born actress Angela Lansbury, reports Contactmusic.
The 83-year-old TV, film and theatre star Lansbury only accepted the role on the premise that she would be working with a highly-rated co-star in New York's celebrated theatre district.
According to the New York Post: "The great Angela Lansbury agreed to play Madame Armfeldt, provided the producers lined up another star to play her daughter, Desiree. Lansbury didn't want to shoulder a multi-million dollar Broadway revival by herself."
The paper further reported that Catherine accepted the role after receiving a personal call from Sondheim.
After SRK, Deepika desires Salman Khan
Deepika Padukone might have kick-started her Bollywood career with Shah Rukh Khan and since then is known to be part of his inner circle, but she claims she is more than open to branch out and work with King Khan's arch enemy Salman Khan.
"I'm so new in the industry and I have been very lucky to have got the opportunity to work with the biggest names in the industry. I have worked with SRK, Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan and now I would like to work with Salman," says Deepika, who is currently basking in the success of Love Aaj Kal.
She adds, "I feel Salman is a very honest person. He is genuine about what he feels and what I have read and known about him, he seems to be very caring."
Deepika admires AamirKhan too. "He has been extremely selective and it has worked so amazingly for him. I don't know whether he does it purposely or things turn out to be like that but he is a perfectionist."
Deepika might be game to talk about Sallu but she is not cool when it comes to talking about his girlfriend Katrina Kaif with whom she's been apparently sharing bad vibes. It's been reported that Deepika didn't approve of beau Ranbir Kapoor and Kat's growing bond on the sets of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and that she is responsible for the duo being no longer on talking terms.
"I wouldn't want to comment on Katrina," was her short and snappy reply when quizzed. But was her relationship shaky when rumours about Kat were on the rise? "Ranbir and I trust each other and we are going well. I realise that when there is no movie releasing people focus on other things and that people will even talk about personal things. All this used to affect me a lot before, it doesn't anymore."
Post their box-office bomb Chandni Chowk to China, ironically Deepika is now teaming up with Akshay Kumar for a comedy called Housefull. "I love the passion and drive that Akshay has. With him around, you get to learn a lot on the sets. I know our first film together didn't work out but there's nothing called an unlucky jodi," she says.
"I'm so new in the industry and I have been very lucky to have got the opportunity to work with the biggest names in the industry. I have worked with SRK, Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan and now I would like to work with Salman," says Deepika, who is currently basking in the success of Love Aaj Kal.
She adds, "I feel Salman is a very honest person. He is genuine about what he feels and what I have read and known about him, he seems to be very caring."
Deepika admires AamirKhan too. "He has been extremely selective and it has worked so amazingly for him. I don't know whether he does it purposely or things turn out to be like that but he is a perfectionist."
Deepika might be game to talk about Sallu but she is not cool when it comes to talking about his girlfriend Katrina Kaif with whom she's been apparently sharing bad vibes. It's been reported that Deepika didn't approve of beau Ranbir Kapoor and Kat's growing bond on the sets of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and that she is responsible for the duo being no longer on talking terms.
"I wouldn't want to comment on Katrina," was her short and snappy reply when quizzed. But was her relationship shaky when rumours about Kat were on the rise? "Ranbir and I trust each other and we are going well. I realise that when there is no movie releasing people focus on other things and that people will even talk about personal things. All this used to affect me a lot before, it doesn't anymore."
Post their box-office bomb Chandni Chowk to China, ironically Deepika is now teaming up with Akshay Kumar for a comedy called Housefull. "I love the passion and drive that Akshay has. With him around, you get to learn a lot on the sets. I know our first film together didn't work out but there's nothing called an unlucky jodi," she says.
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