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Tag: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

  • Bhansali acquires remaking rights of Ramana

    Bhansali acquires remaking rights of Ramana

    MUMBAI: Sanjay Leela Bhansali has clinched the remaking rights of the 2002 Tamil blockbuster Ramana that has a strong anti-corruption message.


    Several prominent producers were vying for the Bollywood rights of the film that would have had a significant effect at a time when Anna Hazare was hogging the limelight with his anti-corruption drive.


    The film will be directed by A R Murugadoss, who is said to have already approached Shah Rukh Khan to play the lead.


    It may be recollected that Bhansali’s on-the set film Rowdy Rathod is a remake of the Telugu film Vikramarkurdu that features Vijaykanth in the lead. It was also remade in Telugu and in Kannada.

  • Birju Maharaj to choreograph Kathak sequence for Kamal Hassan

    Birju Maharaj to choreograph Kathak sequence for Kamal Hassan

    MUMBAI: Birju Maharaj is all set to choreograph a Kathak dance sequence for Kamal Haasan in the Hindi-Tamil bi-lingual Viswaroopam that marks his return to Hindi films after nine years.


    Confirming the same, Haasan has reportedly said, “Yes, I am indeed doing a Kathak dance under the supervision of Birju Maharaj for Viswaroopam. It isn‘t going to be part of the film just for the heck of it. The dance is an integral part of the script. I thoroughly enjoy watching and performing the classical dance forms.”


    The last time Maharaj choreographed for a Hindi film was in Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s Devdas in which Madhuri Dixit‘s dance number “Kahe chede chede mohe…” was supervised by him.

  • Sarangi maestro Ustad Sultan Khan no more

    Sarangi maestro Ustad Sultan Khan no more

    MUMBAI: Sarangi maestro and singer Ustad Sultan Khan passed away on Sunday afternoon due to kidney failure. Khan, 71, was undergoing dialysis for the last four years, expired on his way to the hospital.

    Having learnt sarangi from his father Gulab Khan, his first performance was at the All India Conference when he was 11.

    An awardee of the Sangeet Natya Academy Award twice, he was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest Indian civilian honour in 2010.

    A Hindustani classical musician par excellence, Khan was renowned for his international collaborations and will always be remembered as the voice behind Piya Basanti Re and Albela Saajan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

  • Makers of Rowdy Rathore resort to hand painted posters

    Makers of Rowdy Rathore resort to hand painted posters

    MUMBAI: Reminiscing the olden days when posters of every film used to be hand painted, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and UTV, the makers of the Akshay Kumar starrer Rowdy Rathore, have roped in painters to hand paint the first posters of the film.

    The filmmakers are bringing back the style by roping in painters to make the first look of their film.

    The action-oriented film, starring Sonakshi Sinha, is directed by Prabhu Deva.

  • Bhansali’s Rowdy Rathore to release on 15 June

    Bhansali’s Rowdy Rathore to release on 15 June

    MUMBAI: UTV Motion Pictures will release Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s Rowdy Rathore on 15 June.
    Produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, UTV Motion Pictures and Hari Om Productions, Rowdy Rathore is a remake of Telugu film Vikramarkudu which was also made in Tamil as Siruthai.

    Directed by Prabhudeva, the film stars Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead roles.

    The film marks the return of Kumar in an action avatar, this time under the direction of the maestro of the masala action genre, Prabhudeva.
     

  • Busan fest to screen 307 films from 70 countries

    Busan fest to screen 307 films from 70 countries

    MUMBAI: The 16th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has announced the lineup of films that will be screened at the festival from 6 to 14 October.


    This year‘s programme has a total of 307 films from 70 countries with 135 World and International premieres.
     
    Among the films from India that would be screened in the ‘A Window On Asian Cinema’ section of the festival are the Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan-starrer Guzaarish. Other films that would be screened in the section are Santosh Sivan’s Urumi, Gurvider Singh’s Alms For A Blind Horse and Amol Gupte’s Stanley Ka Dabba.


    While South Korean director Song Il-gon’s Always will open the festival, Japanese film Chronicle Of My Brother by Harada Masato will be the closing film.

  • Big B on Zee’s Titan Antakshri

    Big B on Zee’s Titan Antakshri

    MUMBAI: The special episode of Titan Antakshri on Zee Television was made even more memorable for the visually impaired participants with the presence of Amitabh Bacchan. Big B regaled the audience with a rendition of Khalid Hashmi’s “Main Prakash Hoon, ajar amar andhakar ek nirav gunjan”. The poem specifically reflected the fact that blindness in not a drawback.

    Zee TV Titan Antakshari has devoted a six-part mini series looking at socially relevant issues like problems faced by the visually impaired, shelter for senior citizens and rehabilitation of street children. The series called Music for a Cause. The telecast of the mini series will start from 23 March at 8:30 pm. The show featuring Amitabh Bacchan will be aired on 31 March.

    The show will also feature two visually challenged girls who presented a letter to Bacchan wishing his mother Teji Bacchan a speedy recovery.

    Bacchan had himself played the role of a teacher training a visually impaired student to understand the world and stand on her own feet in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black and was touched by the gesture.

    Zee Titan Antakshari was brought back on the channel this year after the original team led by Gajendra Singh moved to Star camp.

  • Catch Mallika Sherawat and Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Koffee with Karan on February 25th at 9 p.m

    MUMBAI: Karan loves to serve his coffee ‘hot’… and the next episode promises to be ‘piping hot’! His first guest is saucy, sexy and sensational… She is the unofficial brand ambassador of the show, having been mentioned in practically each and every episode of the last season! This Sunday, meet the quote-a-minute, bold and brash, Mallika Sherawat.

    Karan’s second guest is one of the finest filmmakers in Bollywood… a man behind many-a-masterpiece and Karan’s favorite director, meet Sanjay Leela Bhansali only on Koffee with Karan. Watch this unusual combination together for the first time, in an exciting and entertaining t?te-?-t?te, this Sunday, February 25th at 9 p.m. on Star One and Star World!

    Sanjay and Mallika hit it off instantaneously, as they meet for the first time on the sets of Koffee with Karan. Mallika talks about how glad she is to be on the show, after being discussed at length, last season! She opens her heart out on the show, discussing several topics varying from her sensational quotes, which make headlines and the various characters she’s enacted… from the sexy and sensuous role in Murder to the girl-next-door in Pyaar Ke Side Effects.

    She admits on the show that she suffers from a major superiority complex! Sanjay talks about how Mallika has proved him right; as he had predicted that she is the most promising newcomer, when he was on the show last season. He talks about his upcoming film Sanwariyan, his love-hate relationship with Aishwarya Rai and the fact that he is envious of his fellow-directors, to the extent of avoiding their films. Watch him give precious advice to Mallika on how to tackle rumours and how to deal with her superiority complex!

    And as always, the eagerly awaited rapid fire round results in some very interesting revelations. So which actors would Mallika like in her harem of hunks and how would she like to be pampered by them? Which older man would she like to seduce? Who does she think has the sexiest butt in Bollywood? Who does Sanjay think is the most over-rated actor and director in Bollywood? Who would he choose between Madhuri, Aishwarya and Rani? Who takes the hamper home? Sanjay or Mallika? Karan definitely has a tough time deciding the winner of the most desired possession on his show – the coffee hamper!

    Excerpts from the interview:

    Karan: Welcome to Koffee with Karan!!!

    Mallika: Thanks!

    Karan: So you are finally on the show. Everyone used to ask me when are you getting Mallika Sherawat on the show?

    Mallika: I’ve provided enough entertainment for Koffee with Karan. I’ve been made fun of… been ridiculed!

    Karan: No! No! That’s not what used to happen!

    Mallika: Of course! That was it! You think I don’t know!

    Karan: (Laughs)

    Mallika: No harm! I’m sitting here and as Robert De Niro said, “You didn’t knock me down! I’m still standing!”

    Karan: You were always the option when we asked the men, who was the sexiest woman they thought.. The answer was always you! You think you were a safe option for them?

    Mallika: I think I am a woman who dared!

    Karan: Oh really?

    Mallika: Yes! Probably that’s why the answer… but I take it as a compliment.. as a big compliment…

    Karan: What else can she ask for and when people say things about her and about her being honest and controversial… What do you have to say about that?

    Sanjay: I think… I just said… She is what she is. She doesn’t pretend herself as someone else. She speaks her mind out and to her I want to say “Kuch to log kahenge… logo ka kaam hai kehna. You just do what you are doing.. be what you are and keep working!”

    Mallika: Very encouraging Sanjay! Thank you so much! You know I must say something. Everyone told me that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is this intense Guru Dutt kind of director. ..don’t joke with him too much. Be very serious and Karan Johar is extremely sensitive… don’t offend him.. Keep your mouth shut!

    Karan: You can offend us! We won’t mind too much!
    Sanjay: We’re used to not feeling like you! And it really doesn’t make a difference!

    Karan: Aren’t you seeking love in your life?

    Mallika: I want to seek love! Lots of love!

    Karan: Love from a man, darling! Not from the masses.

    Mallika: Am talking about love from a man, yes!

    Karan: There’s never a lonely moment, you want to share?

    Mallika: There are lots of lonely moments. I am alone. I live alone in the city. Family is not here. It gets excruciating being lonely. But I have to learn to deal with it. I genuinely haven’t met a man who doesn’t believe that women are superior to men. The day I meet a man…

    Sanjay: But Mallika… Why should a woman be superior to a man?

    Karan: Exactly!

    Mallika: I somehow have a clinical disorder!

    Sanjay: I don’t think you should suffer anymore from it because its important to know that men are women are equal! Men should not say that women are inferior and women should not think so either..

    Mallika: Are both of you’ll ganging up on me?

    Sanjay: No!

    Mallika: Yes! You are ganging up on me!

    So, make sure you book your couch space for this Sunday as Karan catches up with the sizzling Mallika Sherawat and the master-director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, on Koffee with Karan this Sunday, February 25th on Koffee with Karan, on Star One and Star World, at 9 p.m.

  • Sony Pictures India crosses Rs 1 billion mark for third time in four years

    Sony Pictures India crosses Rs 1 billion mark for third time in four years

    MUMBAI: The Indian operations of Sony Pictures Entertainment are going from strength to strength. Following a disappointing 2005, the studio has rebounded and has announced that it has crossed the Rs 1 billion mark in ticket sales for the third time in four years.

    This milestone was previously crossed in 2002 and 2004 and is a record for Hollywood in India. For 2006, Sony broke its own record. It made Rs 1,056,856,024 compared to Rs 1,019,240,000 in 2002 and Rs 1,001,693,000 in 2004.

    The record was helped by the latest Bond film Casino Royale, probably the best Bond film since Sean Connery. As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the film opened across 427 prints and 452 screens, largest print and screen count. In the opening weekend it made Rs 149 million almost twice that of Spider-Man 2, which had made Rs 78 million in 2004.

    This year Sony also had four films in the top 10 list for opening weekend for Hollywood films. Besides the Bond film, Pirates of the Caribbean 3 made Rs 31 million. Thanks to the controversy surrounding its release The Da Vinci Code made Rs 30 million and The Chronicles of Narnia made Rs 24 million.

    Sony also became the first Hollywood studio to foray into local production with Saawariya. The film, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, will be released next Diwali.

    Casino Royale was the first Hollywood film to cross the Rs 100 million mark. It did that in two days. Sony anticipates it to be the second largest grosser of all times for any foreign language film in India. It made Rs 330 million as of 29 November 2006.

    Sony Pictures releasing of India MD Uday Singh says, “We are extremely proud to be the only studio to ever reach this box office pinnacle and that too thrice in a short span of four years. This inspired performance has been due to a fabulous line-up put together by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Buena Vista International and our partners in India and of course the stupendous efforts put in by our talented and dedicated marketing and distribution teams across India. This is truly a historic and a memorable moment for all of us.

    “The future looks exciting with highly anticipated tent pole products like Ghost Rider, Pursuit of Happiness, Spider-Man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Surf Up, Resident Evil 3 and National Treasure 2. 2007 is also a special year as it marks the launch of our first Hindi title, Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Saawariya on 9 November, 2007.”

    In a year, approximately 70-72 films are released by the Hollywood Studios in India. Releases from other sources (the Independent Importers) is not known. More and more titles are being released day and date with the US – to kill piracy at one end and to cash in on the global marketing campaign at one shot at the other end.

  • Sony Pictures gets ready for a new sensation

    Sony Pictures gets ready for a new sensation

    MUMBAI: “40 per cent for you, 60 per cent for me. While others promise the world we deliver the earth. Your support has been great and we look forward top continuing this relationship”.

    These words were spoken by Sony Pictures Releasing of India MD Uday Singh at a trade gathering with film exhibitors and distributors. SPR unveiled its lineup till October 2007 and the message to the trade fraternity was clear – “Get Ready For a new sensation”.

    After all with competition in the market it is important for the firm to reinvent itself. The tagline has been influenced by an INXS song. The Sony lineup culminates with the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saavariya next Diwali. This marks Sony’s first co-production effort in India. Singh says that while the company is exploring other possibilities but nothing else has been firmed up as of now.

    Singh says that Sony Pictures is looking at a 70 per cent revenue growth. This marks a strong comeback for the company after 2005 which he concedes was a weak year. Compared to 2004 when Sony had Spiderman 2 this year’s revenues are expected to be at least 20 per cent more. This year in each quarter Sony has had at least one big film. It started with The Chronicles of Narnia.

    Then the controversy around The DaVinci Code ensured that perople watched the film some of whom wanted to see what the fuss what all about. Then thanks to its distribution deal with Disney in India Sony reaped the benefits of Cars and the second Pirates of The Carribean film. Now the big one for thia quarter is Bond. Daniel Craig dons the mantle of the superspy in Casino Royale which opens in India next month. The trailer which drew the anticipation of the industry gathering sees Bond as cool and yet ruthless. Next year Sony Pictures has three huge tentpole properties. These are Spiderman 3, Pirates of The Carribean 3 and The Chronicles of Narnia 2. Spiderman 3’s trailer shows that perhaps the superhero is being corrupted by the evil that he fights.

    There are also other big films lined up for next year including Déjà Vu. This has the potentially explosive teaming of producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Tony Scott and actor Denzel Washington. There is also National Treasure 2 with Nicholas Cage returning.

    Before that though Cage stars in another big film Ghost Riders which Sony hopes will do well in the first quarter of next year. One film it is hoping will get the families into cinema halls is The Pursuit of Happyness with the ever dependable Will Smith. Heer Smith plays a A struggling salesman who takes custody of his son (played by his son in real life Jaden Smith) as he’s poised to begin a life-changing professional endeavor.

    The animation segment is also looking strong. This year Sony releases Open Season and Monster House. Open Season features Boog, a domesticated Grizzly bear who finds himself stranded in the woods three days before Open Season. Forced to rely on Elliot, a fast-talking mule deer, the two form an unlikely friendship and must quickly rally other forest animals if they are to form a rag-tag army against the hunters.

    Next year Sony releases Ratatouille which has been directed by Brad Bird who made The Incredibles. Ratatouille is all about a rat who dreams of eating gourmet French food. It is not just about blockbusters though. Singh takes pains to point out that Sony Pictures looks at itself as a full media services firm. This means that it shows a wide ranjge from blockbuster action films to animated films to serious films. It is to push serious films better that it started a new unit a few months ago.

    The first two films that will be pushed are All The Kings Men and Marie Antoinette. All the Kings Men has a top notch cast including Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Sir Anthony Hopkins. It is a remake of an Oscar winning film from 1949. The other film comes from Oscar winner Sofia Coppola and stars Kirsten Dunst who readers might remember plays Spiderman’s love interest. In this film Dunst plays the famous French queen. Through this unit Sony Pictures is also looking to push niche films of other firms that might otherwise fall beneath the radar. The target is the crème de la crème viewer. It is also looking at the possibility of bringing in foreign language films for distribution into the country.

    While it is a challenge to convince exhibitors to show these kinds of films Sony is counting on the strong relationships that have been built over the years to help its cause. Singh adds that 10 years ago India was 72 out of 76 global markets for the parent firm on the film front. Today India is close to being a top 10 market. In total by the end of this year Sony would have released around 36 films. 20 would have come from the Sony stable, 10 from Disney and the rest are from other firms.

    Another area where Sony has picked up the pace has been in the home entertainment arena. This division was launched a year back. Now it has 200 DVD titles and 225 VCD titles. It released The Da Vinci Code last evening. Other new titles include Click with Adam Sandler as a man who with a remoter control can fast forward his life and Friends With Money with Jennifer Aniston and is about how wealth affects friendship between women. The firm points out that older titles like Mackennas Gold still sell and sometimes do better than the new releases.

    Sony also has released the Hindi versions of 80 titles including the Jim Carrey comedy Fun With Dick And Jane. It will release Lawrence of Arabia in Hindi. It also has 20 Tamil dubbed titles. It is looking to expand into the Telugu and Bengali languages with dubbed versions. One key area for Sony here are the direct to video releases. These include sequels that were not released in theatres like Stuart Little 3 and I Always Know What You Did Last Summer. Then it has deals with action stars like Steven Seagal and Wesley Snipes. They make films that go straight to video. Sony has its own manufacturing plant for this.