In a major coup, Karan Johar's My Name is Khan has been selected in the Berlin International Film Festival. What's more, the film has been picked for the Official Selection of the festival, which takes place from February 11-21, 2010. Karan Johar is jubilant. "It will be my first time in Berlin, and I'm so excited," he says. "Of course, I'll be going with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol! There's nothing as prestigious as presenting my film at the Berlin film festival's official selection. Even more than awards, it's getting eyeballs at such a festival that is important."
Not many Indian films have made it to the official selection in Berlin the last decade except for Farah Khan's blockbuster Om Shanti Om was - it was part of the Berlinale Special. My Name is Khan will play in the 'Out of Competition' section. Johar said that Fox (which is distributing the film), is comfortable with the 'Out of Competition' slot, as it fits into their international release dates.
My Name is Khan raises the bar for a Karan Johar film, with a love story layered with two key non-romantic issues: Shah Rukh Khan plays Rizvan Khan, a Muslim living in the US post-9/11, and he suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.
"Regardless of the issues, I hope the film will find wide acceptance on the humanitarian aspect," Johar says. "Rizvan Khan makes very large points in the garb of simplicity and innocence. Only emotions connect, and they are universal, and I hope Rizvan Khan touches hearts everywhere. I try to raise the bar for Indian cinema with every film I make. I am young, I've got the infrastructure. Weekend box office numbers are no longer enough, I want to be acknowledged. My first concern will always be my domestic base. But within the parameters, we should try to reach a global audience by using our content, keeping the storytelling plausible, and syntax sensible."
As Hollywood major Fox Searchlight is distributing the film in the US, and Fox Star Studios in India, Johar had told the press, "This is the first time such a deal has been inked, where the film will release beyond the mainstream diaspora, and that is exciting."
As for Berlin, he adds, "I can't wait to be in Berlin, walk the red carpet, watch the film with the audience and interact with it afterwards!"
The Berlin film festival has already selected two more Indian films, Umesh Kulkarni's Vihir (The Well), produced by Amitabh Bachchan's AB Corp, and Laxmikant Shetgaonkar's Paltadacho Munis (Man Beyond the Bridge). Their selection is not yet closed.
Showing posts with label Amitabh Bachchan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amitabh Bachchan. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
This is HOW Amitabh Bachchan became PAA......
The most Herculean task about the latest release PAA was transforming a 67-year old Amitabh Bachchan into 13-year old child Auro, suffering from a rare disorder called progeria. So come let's take a short run-through over how Amitabh became Auro.
The prosthetic makeup, as we know, has been done by Hollywood's Christien Tinsley (THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, CATWOMAN) and Dominie Till (THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY).
According to the reports Bachchan's make-up cost 10 per cent of the total budget.
The prosthetic makeup, as we know, has been done by Hollywood's Christien Tinsley (THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, CATWOMAN) and Dominie Till (THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY).
According to the reports Bachchan's make-up cost 10 per cent of the total budget.
Bollywood's Big B 'deeply humbled' in Dubai
Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan said on Wednesday he was "deeply humbled" as the Dubai International Film Festival honoured him with a lifetime achievement award.
“It is a wonderful recognition ... and I am deeply humbled by it," said Bachchan, whose 40-year career in the world's largest film industry has won him several accolades.
Bachchan, 67, in Dubai for the spectacle, said he had no plans for the Arabic film industry as yet but was open to fresh ideas and talent.
Despite an alarming debt crisis, Dubai's sixth international film festival rolled out the red carpet on Wednesday with a mix of Bollywood, Hollywood and Arab celebrities. The fest will feature 168 films from 55 countries, with some being shown for the first time.
Bollywood film ‘Black’, in which Bachchan plays a teacher taking care of a challenged student, will also be screened at the festival.
The star, who has acted in more than 180 films, told reporters that the secret of his "undying energy" was chyawanprash, an ancient Ayurvedic herbal preparation - a sticky, brown, edidle paste - used across India to boost health.
Bachchan, who does not like the term Bollywood to describe India's film industry, said the moniker "was phrased by some eager journalist to please his boss ... but now has gone into the Oxford dictionary" and become a part of history.
"We are happy doing what we do in India," he added.
“It is a wonderful recognition ... and I am deeply humbled by it," said Bachchan, whose 40-year career in the world's largest film industry has won him several accolades.
Bachchan, 67, in Dubai for the spectacle, said he had no plans for the Arabic film industry as yet but was open to fresh ideas and talent.
Despite an alarming debt crisis, Dubai's sixth international film festival rolled out the red carpet on Wednesday with a mix of Bollywood, Hollywood and Arab celebrities. The fest will feature 168 films from 55 countries, with some being shown for the first time.
Bollywood film ‘Black’, in which Bachchan plays a teacher taking care of a challenged student, will also be screened at the festival.
The star, who has acted in more than 180 films, told reporters that the secret of his "undying energy" was chyawanprash, an ancient Ayurvedic herbal preparation - a sticky, brown, edidle paste - used across India to boost health.
Bachchan, who does not like the term Bollywood to describe India's film industry, said the moniker "was phrased by some eager journalist to please his boss ... but now has gone into the Oxford dictionary" and become a part of history.
"We are happy doing what we do in India," he added.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
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'.
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.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Bollywood Stars Compete With Hollywood For The Big Earnings
Forbes annually publishes its top celebrities list based on earnings and visibility. Top Hollywood earners make more than $100 million dollars annually. But how does its Bollywood brethren fair?
Depends on how you calculate earnings. India's most talented earns a tenth of that - according to the list of top income tax payers. India's top four actors paid $10mn in advance tax in 2009. Industry favorite Akshay Kumar paid $4mn in taxes and Bollywood King Shah Rukh Khan paid $3mn. Third on the list is superstar Hrthik Roshan, who paid $2mn followed by Aamir Khan who paid $1.3mn.
If advance tax receipts are accurate, it means that Akshay earned approximately $12mn last year, Shah Rukh Khan earned $9mn, Hrthik Roshan, $6mn and Aamir Khan, $4mn.
However, advance taxes often understate how much Bollywood stars actually pay as they are only an indication of the total income of a person. Bollywood stars have three major sources of income: (1) movies (2) endorsements (3) TV shows. And endorsements, for many, yield much more income than the movies.
Bollywood stars promote anywhere from 10 to 15 products a year and top stars make +$1mn per endorsement. Cola companies line up at the feet of Bollywood Stars with Coca-Cola and Pepsi paying top dollars for an endorsement. Not far behind, are the telecom companies who also shell out big bucks. These endorsements earn Bollywood stars more than movies.
Akshay Kumar endorses approximately 10 products at any given time. Conservatively, from his endorsements alone, Akshay makes $10mn. Add his salary from his movies, which averages $4mn per movie, and he makes an additional $12mn a year (given that he makes +3 movies a year). Finally, like many top bollywood stars, Akshay is on television. He is earning approximately $500k per episode as an anchor on the Indian version of Fear Factor. All in all, he is going to clear $20mn from the reality show for its forty episode run. That mean's Akshay's total earnings are $40mn dollars a year.
But that's not all Akshay earns in India, where Purchasing Power Parity (PPT) means that his earnings go along away. Take the standard PPT ratio of 5:1 and Akshay Kumar earns more than $200mn per year-adjusted dollars - more than any Hollywood Star.
Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan (also known as the King of Bollywood) are the two other movie stars who are doing the Bollywood trifecta: (1) movies (2) TV and (3) endorsements. A similar analysis of Shahrukh's pay would find him earning more than $50mn (in his top years). That's how the King of Bollywood can afford to pay a reported $30mn for a new house in London.
Bollywood stars aren't showing up in the Forbes list, but they should be.
Depends on how you calculate earnings. India's most talented earns a tenth of that - according to the list of top income tax payers. India's top four actors paid $10mn in advance tax in 2009. Industry favorite Akshay Kumar paid $4mn in taxes and Bollywood King Shah Rukh Khan paid $3mn. Third on the list is superstar Hrthik Roshan, who paid $2mn followed by Aamir Khan who paid $1.3mn.
If advance tax receipts are accurate, it means that Akshay earned approximately $12mn last year, Shah Rukh Khan earned $9mn, Hrthik Roshan, $6mn and Aamir Khan, $4mn.
However, advance taxes often understate how much Bollywood stars actually pay as they are only an indication of the total income of a person. Bollywood stars have three major sources of income: (1) movies (2) endorsements (3) TV shows. And endorsements, for many, yield much more income than the movies.
Bollywood stars promote anywhere from 10 to 15 products a year and top stars make +$1mn per endorsement. Cola companies line up at the feet of Bollywood Stars with Coca-Cola and Pepsi paying top dollars for an endorsement. Not far behind, are the telecom companies who also shell out big bucks. These endorsements earn Bollywood stars more than movies.
Akshay Kumar endorses approximately 10 products at any given time. Conservatively, from his endorsements alone, Akshay makes $10mn. Add his salary from his movies, which averages $4mn per movie, and he makes an additional $12mn a year (given that he makes +3 movies a year). Finally, like many top bollywood stars, Akshay is on television. He is earning approximately $500k per episode as an anchor on the Indian version of Fear Factor. All in all, he is going to clear $20mn from the reality show for its forty episode run. That mean's Akshay's total earnings are $40mn dollars a year.
But that's not all Akshay earns in India, where Purchasing Power Parity (PPT) means that his earnings go along away. Take the standard PPT ratio of 5:1 and Akshay Kumar earns more than $200mn per year-adjusted dollars - more than any Hollywood Star.
Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan (also known as the King of Bollywood) are the two other movie stars who are doing the Bollywood trifecta: (1) movies (2) TV and (3) endorsements. A similar analysis of Shahrukh's pay would find him earning more than $50mn (in his top years). That's how the King of Bollywood can afford to pay a reported $30mn for a new house in London.
Bollywood stars aren't showing up in the Forbes list, but they should be.
Monday, May 4, 2009
IPL fever catches up with Big B
The IPL fever has not spared even megastar Amitabh Bachchan and he doesn't miss watching matches especially when his favourite team - Mumbai Indians is playing.
However, the actor is upset over the two successive defeats of Mumbai Indians and expressed his frustration to "EF" (Extended Family) as he refers to his readers on his blog.
"Doing nothing and sitting in front of the 'box' an entire day is a feat by itself and I just did it. Albeit a little frustrating because the home team lost in the final moments," Bachchan wrote after Mumbai Indians was defeated by Kings XI Punjab in a close match last week.
Sunday's loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore made Big B just say, "The Mumbai Indians lost!! AAArrrgraahhhhh".
Bachchan has just returned after a overseas schedule of his home production "Paa" and is presently recording a song for Ram Gopal Verma's "Rann".
Ever since his return, Bachchan has been glued to television watching the IPL.
During a media interaction to announce the 10th IIFA's venue last week, Bachchan asked the organisers to switch on the television in the hotel room, so that he could catch up with the ongoing match.
Bachchan said IPL was very popular abroad and people in Paris were also watching the cricketing event on television.
When he was asked about his favourite team in the IPL by journalists, the legendary actor refused to comment.
However, on his blog, subsequently, Bachchan has made his choice clear.
Bachchan, who is also a Chelsea fan, said football and cricket were great games of skill and they require television audience concentration.
Speaking for all the couch potatoes, Bachchan said, "we believe transformation of energydoes indeed scientifically take place when we shout, Go Chelsea or Mumbai Indians!!"
According to the Big B, "a loss is more clinical. We like to go to bed immediately and most certainly do wish to be disturbed."
He wondered what he would do when the "great patronage of IPL" ends later this month.
"I need to develop some skills. Play an instrument, learn a language. Have been saying this for years. But, never getting serious enough to actually doing it," he said.
However, the actor is upset over the two successive defeats of Mumbai Indians and expressed his frustration to "EF" (Extended Family) as he refers to his readers on his blog.
"Doing nothing and sitting in front of the 'box' an entire day is a feat by itself and I just did it. Albeit a little frustrating because the home team lost in the final moments," Bachchan wrote after Mumbai Indians was defeated by Kings XI Punjab in a close match last week.
Sunday's loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore made Big B just say, "The Mumbai Indians lost!! AAArrrgraahhhhh".
Bachchan has just returned after a overseas schedule of his home production "Paa" and is presently recording a song for Ram Gopal Verma's "Rann".
Ever since his return, Bachchan has been glued to television watching the IPL.
During a media interaction to announce the 10th IIFA's venue last week, Bachchan asked the organisers to switch on the television in the hotel room, so that he could catch up with the ongoing match.
Bachchan said IPL was very popular abroad and people in Paris were also watching the cricketing event on television.
When he was asked about his favourite team in the IPL by journalists, the legendary actor refused to comment.
However, on his blog, subsequently, Bachchan has made his choice clear.
Bachchan, who is also a Chelsea fan, said football and cricket were great games of skill and they require television audience concentration.
Speaking for all the couch potatoes, Bachchan said, "we believe transformation of energydoes indeed scientifically take place when we shout, Go Chelsea or Mumbai Indians!!"
According to the Big B, "a loss is more clinical. We like to go to bed immediately and most certainly do wish to be disturbed."
He wondered what he would do when the "great patronage of IPL" ends later this month.
"I need to develop some skills. Play an instrument, learn a language. Have been saying this for years. But, never getting serious enough to actually doing it," he said.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Big B hits out at critics for mixed Delhi 6 reviews
Mega star Amitabh Bachchan has hit out at film critics for judging the recently released Delhi 6 and the Oscar bound Slumdog Millionaire on different yardsticks.
Bachchan said Delhi-6 portrays the philosophy that the system needs strength, honesty and needs to look within.
"The system...needs strength..needs an honesty... needs to look within... a philosophy, ironically, portrayed so beautifully in Delhi-6 and an aspect, so mercilessly criticised in the reviews and opinions," the mega star wrote on his blog.
"Are we being reluctant and fearful then, of looking into the mirror?? he asked.
The actor said the same "learned critics" had derided those who had expressed negative opinion on Slumdog Millionaire, vociferously defending the contents of the film, by arguing, that those who opposed it, did so, because they were reluctant to accept someone who was showing them a mirror.
"So then, metaphorically speaking, or should it rather be, philosophically speaking, what are we saying - Slumdog.. is ok and Delhi 6 not?" the actor said adding that he was baffled at the reviews given by critics.
Taking a dig at critics for the mixed reviews of Delhi 6, Bachchan said, "they (critics) are masters of the game. They are trained and knowledged in the job. Their opinion counts and forms basis of analysis in attracting the customer to the theatre.
"So how feasible is their report when their observations differ to such an extreme and large extent?" he asked.
The actor said Delhi 6 is a mirror on today's society, its complications and its frailties. It addresses cultures and beliefs, human nature and influences.
The mirror to the society is cleverly and even physically demonstrated through the 'mad' baba who maniacally keeps appearing in the streets holding a mirror to the characters of the film.
The black monkey menace has been symbolically taken into the story as being that a hidden black monkey exists within all of us, Bachchan said.
On the eve of the release of Slumdog Millionaire in India, Bachchan wrote that the film had received global recognition because it was made by a westerner.
Bachchan said Delhi-6 portrays the philosophy that the system needs strength, honesty and needs to look within.
"The system...needs strength..needs an honesty... needs to look within... a philosophy, ironically, portrayed so beautifully in Delhi-6 and an aspect, so mercilessly criticised in the reviews and opinions," the mega star wrote on his blog.
"Are we being reluctant and fearful then, of looking into the mirror?? he asked.
The actor said the same "learned critics" had derided those who had expressed negative opinion on Slumdog Millionaire, vociferously defending the contents of the film, by arguing, that those who opposed it, did so, because they were reluctant to accept someone who was showing them a mirror.
"So then, metaphorically speaking, or should it rather be, philosophically speaking, what are we saying - Slumdog.. is ok and Delhi 6 not?" the actor said adding that he was baffled at the reviews given by critics.
Taking a dig at critics for the mixed reviews of Delhi 6, Bachchan said, "they (critics) are masters of the game. They are trained and knowledged in the job. Their opinion counts and forms basis of analysis in attracting the customer to the theatre.
"So how feasible is their report when their observations differ to such an extreme and large extent?" he asked.
The actor said Delhi 6 is a mirror on today's society, its complications and its frailties. It addresses cultures and beliefs, human nature and influences.
The mirror to the society is cleverly and even physically demonstrated through the 'mad' baba who maniacally keeps appearing in the streets holding a mirror to the characters of the film.
The black monkey menace has been symbolically taken into the story as being that a hidden black monkey exists within all of us, Bachchan said.
On the eve of the release of Slumdog Millionaire in India, Bachchan wrote that the film had received global recognition because it was made by a westerner.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Bollywood pays homage to national heroes
Bollywood joined the nation in paying homage to all the security personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty as well as the hostages and the innocent citizens who fell victim to terrorists' strike.
Finally the commando operations in Mumbai were over after 62 hours seige. Security personnel laid down their lives to to bring back normalcy to the city. A grateful country is paying homage to these slain and and surviving heroes. Bollywood stars too joined in to pay their last respects to the slain heroes.
"I have had the greatest pride in those from the forces that have and continue to fight for our freedom. Brilliant officers and police personnel have laid down their lives for us. I can only but salute them and respect their sincerity in the call of duty," wrote Amitabh Bachchan on his blog.
Aamir Khan also chose to express his feelings through his blog, "My heartfelt condolences to the family of the brave officers of the Mumbai Police who lost their lives leading from the front to take on these terrorists. Especially Hemant Karkare of the ATS who in the recent past was being targeted by various political parties for the work that he was doing."
The tinsel town has been expressing extreme anger over the incident through their blogs, radio and TV channels and newspapers.
Finally the commando operations in Mumbai were over after 62 hours seige. Security personnel laid down their lives to to bring back normalcy to the city. A grateful country is paying homage to these slain and and surviving heroes. Bollywood stars too joined in to pay their last respects to the slain heroes.
"I have had the greatest pride in those from the forces that have and continue to fight for our freedom. Brilliant officers and police personnel have laid down their lives for us. I can only but salute them and respect their sincerity in the call of duty," wrote Amitabh Bachchan on his blog.
Aamir Khan also chose to express his feelings through his blog, "My heartfelt condolences to the family of the brave officers of the Mumbai Police who lost their lives leading from the front to take on these terrorists. Especially Hemant Karkare of the ATS who in the recent past was being targeted by various political parties for the work that he was doing."
The tinsel town has been expressing extreme anger over the incident through their blogs, radio and TV channels and newspapers.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Bollywood pays homage to national heroes
Bollywood joins the nation in paying homage to all the security personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty as well as the hostages and the innocent citizens who fell victim to terrorists' strike.
Finally the commando operations in Mumbai were over after 62 hours seige. Security personnel laid down their lives to to bring back normalcy to the city. A grateful country is paying homage to these slain and and surviving heroes. Bollywood stars too joined in to pay their last respects to the slain heroes.
"I have had the greatest pride in those from the forces that have and continue to fight for our freedom. Brilliant officers and police personnel have laid down their lives for us. I can only but salute them and respect their sincerity in the call of duty," wrote Amitabh Bachchan on his blog.
Aamir Khan also chose to express his feelings through his blog, "My heartfelt condolences to the family of the brave officers of the Mumbai Police who lost their lives leading from the front to take on these terrorists. Especially Hemant Karkare of the ATS who in the recent past was being targeted by various political parties for the work that he was doing."
The tinsel town has been expressing extreme anger over the incident through their blogs, radio and TV channels and newspapers.
Finally the commando operations in Mumbai were over after 62 hours seige. Security personnel laid down their lives to to bring back normalcy to the city. A grateful country is paying homage to these slain and and surviving heroes. Bollywood stars too joined in to pay their last respects to the slain heroes.
"I have had the greatest pride in those from the forces that have and continue to fight for our freedom. Brilliant officers and police personnel have laid down their lives for us. I can only but salute them and respect their sincerity in the call of duty," wrote Amitabh Bachchan on his blog.
Aamir Khan also chose to express his feelings through his blog, "My heartfelt condolences to the family of the brave officers of the Mumbai Police who lost their lives leading from the front to take on these terrorists. Especially Hemant Karkare of the ATS who in the recent past was being targeted by various political parties for the work that he was doing."
The tinsel town has been expressing extreme anger over the incident through their blogs, radio and TV channels and newspapers.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Bollywood "shocked" and "scared" over terror strike
The Indian film industry Thursday expressed a deep shock over the nightmare that unfolded on Wednesday night as terrorists targeted various importantlocations in the Bollywood capital of Mumbai.
The industry people also appealed for sanity and called for unity after one of the biggest terrorist strikes rattled the country's financial and dream city.
"Terrible! terrible situation!," a shaken Amitabh Bachchan wrote in his blog. "Mumbai under terrorist attack!! Several locations bombed and terrorist firing all over the city. Major hotels under siege. Taj hotel battle going on inside the hotel," says Bachachan, whose post reads like a doomsday account.
"I am scared! shocked! I don't have words to describe my feelings. It seems unreal to me almost like a film. I don't know who are they and why they have resorted to suchruthlessness," film director Anurag Kashyap, who is in Goa said.
"They just enter the city like that and hold it hostage. It is unbelievable. Obviously Mumbai will bounce back but it has been hurt badly and it will take time to heal,"says Kashyap, who has directed films like 'Black Friday' based on the 1993 terror strike and the ensuing riots.
Lyricist Javed Akhtar appealed for unity,"I am completely shocked and surprised. It is an unprecedented attack that the country has ever witnessed. It has turned out to be one of the most horrific attacks. "...but there is no time to blame any system or anyorganisation. It is time to stand unitedly behind our security forces and flush out these culprits," Akhtar added.
Similar sentiments were echoed by national award winning director Rahul Dholakia, "It is insane! We need to sit down as a society and understand how to prevent this."
The director of 'Parzania' also appealed for everyone to stick together in time of such crisis.
"Politicians should put aside their differences and agendas and think about India for a change. It is the time to show our grit and character ...to stand together and be one,"Dholakia added.
"I have no words. How do you describe something like that. India is such a huge country, obviously some people like to shift the blame to the security but so many of them have already been killed.
"There is no end to such things unless we find the root cause of the problem," said actor Irrfan Khan of 'Mumbai Meri Jaan', a film based on the blasts in Mumbai local trains.
The shooting of various films and serials have been cancelled as life stood still in the city. Ajay Devgan and wife Kajol were to shoot for their animation film 'Toonpur Ka Superhero' in suburban Chembur today but the programme has been called off, Devgan's spokesman said.
Shooting of several television serials have also been put on hold in view of the grim situation prevailing in the megapolis in view of the attacks that have left at least 100dead till now, industry sources said.
With a holiday declared in Mumbai Thursday, heads of television channels have asked employees to stay indoors.
"Television shootings are going slow. Many of them are not happening today," they added.
The industry people also appealed for sanity and called for unity after one of the biggest terrorist strikes rattled the country's financial and dream city.
"Terrible! terrible situation!," a shaken Amitabh Bachchan wrote in his blog. "Mumbai under terrorist attack!! Several locations bombed and terrorist firing all over the city. Major hotels under siege. Taj hotel battle going on inside the hotel," says Bachachan, whose post reads like a doomsday account.
"I am scared! shocked! I don't have words to describe my feelings. It seems unreal to me almost like a film. I don't know who are they and why they have resorted to suchruthlessness," film director Anurag Kashyap, who is in Goa said.
"They just enter the city like that and hold it hostage. It is unbelievable. Obviously Mumbai will bounce back but it has been hurt badly and it will take time to heal,"says Kashyap, who has directed films like 'Black Friday' based on the 1993 terror strike and the ensuing riots.
Lyricist Javed Akhtar appealed for unity,"I am completely shocked and surprised. It is an unprecedented attack that the country has ever witnessed. It has turned out to be one of the most horrific attacks. "...but there is no time to blame any system or anyorganisation. It is time to stand unitedly behind our security forces and flush out these culprits," Akhtar added.
Similar sentiments were echoed by national award winning director Rahul Dholakia, "It is insane! We need to sit down as a society and understand how to prevent this."
The director of 'Parzania' also appealed for everyone to stick together in time of such crisis.
"Politicians should put aside their differences and agendas and think about India for a change. It is the time to show our grit and character ...to stand together and be one,"Dholakia added.
"I have no words. How do you describe something like that. India is such a huge country, obviously some people like to shift the blame to the security but so many of them have already been killed.
"There is no end to such things unless we find the root cause of the problem," said actor Irrfan Khan of 'Mumbai Meri Jaan', a film based on the blasts in Mumbai local trains.
The shooting of various films and serials have been cancelled as life stood still in the city. Ajay Devgan and wife Kajol were to shoot for their animation film 'Toonpur Ka Superhero' in suburban Chembur today but the programme has been called off, Devgan's spokesman said.
Shooting of several television serials have also been put on hold in view of the grim situation prevailing in the megapolis in view of the attacks that have left at least 100dead till now, industry sources said.
With a holiday declared in Mumbai Thursday, heads of television channels have asked employees to stay indoors.
"Television shootings are going slow. Many of them are not happening today," they added.
Amitabh Bachchan sleeps with gun after attacks
He may have acted as an outlaw several times on the screen but the terror attacks in Mumbai were enough to shake Amitabh Bachchan up who kept his revolverunder his pillow while sleeping.
"Last night, as the events of the terror attack unfolded in front of me I did something for the first time and one that I had hoped never ever to be in a situation to do. Before retiring for the night, I pulled out my licensed .32 revolver, loaded it and put it under my pillow. For a very disturbed sleep," the megastar wrote on his blog.
Bachchan was glued to TV screen as security personnel battled the militants Thursday, also the birth anniversary of his father. Bachchan, known for his on-screen 'Angry Young Man' image depicting the rebellious youth, fumed with anger at the "ineptitude of the authorities" who were supposed to take care of the country.
"My pain has been the sight and plight of my innocent and vulnerable and completely insecure countrymen, facing the wrath of this terror attack. And my anger has been at the ineptitude of the authorities that have been ordained to look after us," Big B expressed in his blog.
Lauding the efforts of troops in tackling the terror situation, he wrote "brilliant officers and police personnel have laid down their lives for us. I can only but salute themand respect their sincerity in the call of duty."
Bachchan was disgruntled over the cliche "spirit of Mumbai" which he said people were using to cover the traumatic experiences that every merry city underwent in recent years.
"Yes Mumbai is strong and resilient and shall not be cowed down by any such occurrence. But let us not conveniently use it as our cover sheet, pull it over our heads and go off to sleep," he said.
Despite repeated requests by electronic channels to issue a statement on the tragedy, Bachchan refused to do so.
An irked Bachchan wrote in bold, "Tell me and order me instead that we require every Indian to get up and walk into the facilities where the action is on and I will be the firstto walk.
"But, please do not ask me to come and make sloppy statements that will do nothing more than create viewer interest."
"Last night, as the events of the terror attack unfolded in front of me I did something for the first time and one that I had hoped never ever to be in a situation to do. Before retiring for the night, I pulled out my licensed .32 revolver, loaded it and put it under my pillow. For a very disturbed sleep," the megastar wrote on his blog.
Bachchan was glued to TV screen as security personnel battled the militants Thursday, also the birth anniversary of his father. Bachchan, known for his on-screen 'Angry Young Man' image depicting the rebellious youth, fumed with anger at the "ineptitude of the authorities" who were supposed to take care of the country.
"My pain has been the sight and plight of my innocent and vulnerable and completely insecure countrymen, facing the wrath of this terror attack. And my anger has been at the ineptitude of the authorities that have been ordained to look after us," Big B expressed in his blog.
Lauding the efforts of troops in tackling the terror situation, he wrote "brilliant officers and police personnel have laid down their lives for us. I can only but salute themand respect their sincerity in the call of duty."
Bachchan was disgruntled over the cliche "spirit of Mumbai" which he said people were using to cover the traumatic experiences that every merry city underwent in recent years.
"Yes Mumbai is strong and resilient and shall not be cowed down by any such occurrence. But let us not conveniently use it as our cover sheet, pull it over our heads and go off to sleep," he said.
Despite repeated requests by electronic channels to issue a statement on the tragedy, Bachchan refused to do so.
An irked Bachchan wrote in bold, "Tell me and order me instead that we require every Indian to get up and walk into the facilities where the action is on and I will be the firstto walk.
"But, please do not ask me to come and make sloppy statements that will do nothing more than create viewer interest."
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Bill Clinton invites Amitabh Bachchan to conference
Former US president Bill Clinton has been trying to convince Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan to attend the annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting to be held in Hong Kong next month.
“Bill Clinton writes in to ask me to join their global conference for the betterment of the world in Hong Kong,” Amitabh posted in one of his recent blog entries.
The latest update on the same from Amitabh has been that Clinton called him up "to request" him to come for the event.
The veteran actor mentioned the CGI more than once on his blog.
In one of the posts, he wrote: “I need to prepare also for the CGI - Clinton Global Initiative. Global warming, solar energy, lighting villages….”
The CGI was established in 2005 by Clinton to bring together global leaders from various backgrounds to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.
“Bill Clinton writes in to ask me to join their global conference for the betterment of the world in Hong Kong,” Amitabh posted in one of his recent blog entries.
The latest update on the same from Amitabh has been that Clinton called him up "to request" him to come for the event.
The veteran actor mentioned the CGI more than once on his blog.
In one of the posts, he wrote: “I need to prepare also for the CGI - Clinton Global Initiative. Global warming, solar energy, lighting villages….”
The CGI was established in 2005 by Clinton to bring together global leaders from various backgrounds to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.
Aamir gave me the best compliment ever: Jiah Khan
British-born Nishabd actress Jiah Khan says she has received the best ever compliment in her life from her "Ghajini" co-star Aamir Khan.
“Aamir told my mother that if I was a part of 'Ghajini' it was because of my own achievement and talent. It was the best compliment I have received that too from the best actor of the country - Aamir Khan. What more could I ask for,” Jiah said.
Jiah says getting selected for “Ghajini” was the most memorable moment for her because she feared rejection.
"When Aamir and the director told me I was in, I couldn't believe it! I was in tears and overwhelmed,” she said.
Jiah stole the limelight for her role in Ram Gopal Varma's “Nishabd” opposite Amitabh Bachchan in 2007.
“Aamir told my mother that if I was a part of 'Ghajini' it was because of my own achievement and talent. It was the best compliment I have received that too from the best actor of the country - Aamir Khan. What more could I ask for,” Jiah said.
Jiah says getting selected for “Ghajini” was the most memorable moment for her because she feared rejection.
"When Aamir and the director told me I was in, I couldn't believe it! I was in tears and overwhelmed,” she said.
Jiah stole the limelight for her role in Ram Gopal Varma's “Nishabd” opposite Amitabh Bachchan in 2007.
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