Day: August 1, 2013

  • ‘Chennai Express’ Satellite Rights Sold For Rs 480 Million!

    ‘Chennai Express’ Satellite Rights Sold For Rs 480 Million!

    CHENNAI010820!13

    MUMBAI: Looks like Shah Rukh Khan is already in profits with ‘Chennai Express’ even before the train arrives on 9 August. 

    With Vishal-Shekhar’s music already becoming a chartbuster and the music already riding high, looks like director Rohit Shetty, Shah Rukh Khan have more money coming their way, that too even before the film has hit the theatres.

    A new upcoming channel, End Films, have supposedly brought the satellite rights for ‘Chennai Express’ at a price of Rs 48 Crores (Rs. 480 million). Interestingly the channel management is also ready to pay more, if ‘Chennai Express’ reaches the elite ‘Rs 100 Crore club’.

    Jayantilal Gada CMD of PEN India, who facilitates the satellite rights for Zee Entertainment and now End Films says, “It’s a win-win situation for both producers and the channel.” He also adds that End Films plans to screen a lot many movies in due course. They plan to begin with a 10-film library.

    Meanwhile distributors are pretty upbeat about the Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone starrer and believe that UTV and Shah Rukh Khan will achieve their targets of satellite rights and reach the elite club.

    While the film was presented to a few channels before it was sealed with End films, there are reports that the makers were looking for a higher price. A source says, “Shah Rukh Khan has produced ‘Chennai Express’ and plans to recover costs through pre-release distribution revenues.”

    ‘Chennai Express’ produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and distributed by UTV Motion Pictures will release on 9 August.

  • Rakeysh Mehra’s Next Period Drama With Imran Khan?

    Rakeysh Mehra’s Next Period Drama With Imran Khan?

    IMRAAN01082013

    MUMBAI: Looks like Rakeysh Mehra has moved on from ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’. The film, which took four years to make, has tasted sweet success but the director is set to take his next step forward. 

    It was reported yesterday that the ‘BMB’ director is launching Sonam Kapoor’s younger brother Harshvardhan in a period drama titled ‘Mirza Sahiban’ (Read Story).

    But there’s more announcement to be made. Buzz is that the director is also making another period, mythological thriller on the lines of ‘Indiana Jones’. The film will supposedly deal with the discovery of Dwarka, believed to be Lord Krishna’s kingdom in Hindu mythology. (We wonder if it is ‘Raja Aur Krishna Ki Bansuri’? Read Story)

    And after directing maamu Aamir Khan in ‘Rang De Basanti’, looks like Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is all set to direct bhanja Imran Khan as the lead actor.

    It is reported that the film will be shot on an extravagant budget (quite likely) considering the era it is set in. We tried to contact Rakeysh Mehra for his confirmation but he was unavailable for comments.

    Whether it is ‘Mirza Sahiban’ or ‘Raja Aur Krishna Ki Bansuri’ or the new Imran Khan film, it will surely be exciting to see Rakeysh Mehra’s next grand vision.

  • Salman Khan To Produce Three Films, Star In One More

    Salman Khan To Produce Three Films, Star In One More

    SALMA01082013

    MUMBAI: Salman Khan co-produced ‘Chillar Party’ two years ago, and everything has been quiet on that front since then. But it looks like he has finally begun putting his production plans in action.

    It is already well knows that Salman Khan is producing the vehicle for the debuts of Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty. The film is a remake of Subhash Ghai’s 1983 Jackie Shroff-starrer ‘Hero’.

    Beside this film, buzz is that Salman Khan wants to remake the Punjabi film ‘Jatt and Juliet’, which has been a huge hit overseas too. This film will be co-produced with Himesh Reshammiya, and will star a newcomer (not Sooraj Pancholi).

    His collaboration with Himesh Reshammiya speaks well of their relationship. Even though Himesh started off with Salman Khan in 1998’s ‘Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya’, their relationship soured. Eventually, they let bygones be bygones and Himesh Reshammiya even composed the music for Salman Khan’s 2011 film ‘Bodyguard’.

    The third film that Salman Khan will be producing will be directed by Puneet Issar, who directed Salman Khan previously in ‘Garv: Pride And Honour’. The good news for Salman Khan fans here is that the superstar himself may act in this film. The highlight of the film is, reportedly, its action scenes.

    Both the films with Himesh Reshammiya and Puneet Issar will shoot in 2014. Meanwhile, the remake of ‘Hero’, which has tentatively been titled ‘The Hero’, will go on floors in November this year.

  • HUGS AGAIN? Shah Rukh Khan Invites Salman Khan For Iftar Party

    HUGS AGAIN? Shah Rukh Khan Invites Salman Khan For Iftar Party

    SRK01082013OG

    MUMBAI: The Big Khan Patch-Up is happening as we speak.

    Two weekends ago, Salman Khan took the initiative to hug Shah Rukh Khan at politician Baba Siddiqui’s Iftar party. The hug created huge ripples across Bollywood and among the fan base of both the stars. Shah Rukh Khan, too, tweeted about the hug.

    Everyone was still wondering whether the hug was just a publicity stunt. Even family members like Sohail Khan and Salim Khan asked the media to read less into the hug.

    And now, Shah Rukh Khan is returning the goodwill. We have learnt that Shah Rukh Khan is organising an Iftar party at his Dubai residence for all his close friends. This party will take place tonight and he has apparently invited Salman Khan for the party too.

    Will Salman Khan reciprocate by going to the party? No one knows as yet. Till then let us look at their relationship from years past and hope we could get more such moments added to the list! (See More Photos Here)

  • Katrina Races Ahead Of Priyanka For Kabir Khan Film

    Katrina Races Ahead Of Priyanka For Kabir Khan Film

    KATPC01082013

    MUMBAI: The cat is out of the bag. Katrina Kaif will be starring along-side Saif Ali Khan in director Kabir Khan’s next film. She races ahead of Priyanka Chopra and grabs the role. 

    There were speculations as to who would be cast alongside Saif Ali Khan in the thriller and choices shuttled between Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif. A source close to the film however, chooses to maintain that Katrina was always the first choice.

    Katrina Kaif initially had date issues, but with Hrithik Roshan’s accident and brain surgery the schedule of ‘Bang Bang’ has been postponed. She will be now accommodating dates for the Kabir Khan film. Meanwhile Priyanka Chopra is busy with the ‘Mary Kom’ biopic so it was impossible to get her on board, says the source.

    Saif Ali Khan who plays the male lead was finalised three months ago. But even his recent date issues with his upcoming films, ‘Bullet Raja’, ‘Humshakal’ and ‘Happy Ending’ apparently had director Kabir Khan reconsidering his options. He had wanted both Katrina and Saif to make adjustments in their schedules.

    Now, with Katrina Kaif’s ‘Bang Bang’ schedule postponed, things have fallen into place very comfortably.

    With this untitled film, it’s a hat trick for Katrina Kaif with Kabir Khan. The actress was last seen in ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ and ‘New York’ both helmed by Kabir Khan. The new film, supposedly a thriller will be shot in London, USA, Kashmir and Punjab. It will be produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.

    Kabir Khan, too, moves out of the Yash Raj Films as well after his stint of making three films for the banner.

    Saif Ali Khan and Katrina were last seen together in ‘Race’, in a brief moment of the film. This will be their first major on-screen pairing. Quite interesting!

  • Oops: Is Alia Bhatt Getting Chubby?

    Oops: Is Alia Bhatt Getting Chubby?

    Alia01082013in

    Being born with a silver spoon in your mouth is always a reason to rejoice for anyone in the Bollywood fraternity. Alia Bhatt, daughter of Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan, too has had that privilege.

    No one knew, though, that Alia Bhatt had plans to act in movies. Although maybe the atmosphere at home was suited for the decision. As Karan Johar stated in the making of ‘Student Of The Year’, he was very surprised to see Alia Bhatt’s name in the shortlist of 14 actresses auditioning for the lead role in the film. “I thought there was something about this girl that was going to connect and click with India, eventually,” Karan Johar said about Alia Bhatt, who danced to the song ‘Bahara’ from the movie ‘I Hate Luv Storys’ for her audition.

    But there was one issue, all that baby fat on Alia Bhatt, just had to go! So Karan Johar, called her in and asked her whether she was “Willing to go the whole hog, lose all the weight and get in shape. Three months later, I met Alia again, and she was a different person altogether,” he added.

    Must have taken a lot of effort to lose all that baby fat in three months, yes? But, anything for Bollywood!

    Let’s look at her life from the chubby child in ‘Sangharsh’ to the hot girl in ‘Student Of The Year’. But wait, is Alia Bhatt piling on the pounds again?

    Check out her latest pictures to find out:

  • He’s Innocent: Salim Khan Defends Salman Khan

    He’s Innocent: Salim Khan Defends Salman Khan

    SALMAN01082013

    MUMBAI: There isn’t any mincing of words when it comes to speaking about Salman Khan. Salim Khan, his father, has come to the superstar’s defense. He reveals that Salman Khan is an ordinary citizen. He isn’t above the law, but is being treated unfairly – prosecuted for being a celebrity, one might say.

    With the hit-and-run case being subjudice, and the hearing to start soon, he pleads that only law should decide the actor’s fate.

    Salim Khan has come out emotionally defending his son and says that its time to speak up because Salman Khan has been misrepresented in many ways. Recalling the details of the fateful night, says Salim, “Hit-and-run has the implication of being callous and a coward. You become an insensitive person and a coward if you want to run away in such a situation. The car skidded and hit the footpath at 2.30 in the night and thereby, people who were sleeping on it. It is unfortunate that apparently, it was the first day they were sleeping on the footpath as it was the month of September when the monsoons had just got over. The accident happened 100 meters away from the house and the car was stuck there and was removed only in the morning. Coincidentally, Salman had a police constable (Ravinder Patil) with him at that time given to him for his protection.

    “There was a crowd and there were stones being thrown at the car at which point, the police constable whose job it was to protect Salman, took him away from there and brought him home where his statements were recorded and then he was taken for the alcohol test. So where is the question of running away?

    Salman Khan had been asked to give 20 lakhs when he got bail; his passport was confiscated and was asked to stay away from witnesses. Father Salim Khan says that this is proof that Salman has been tried as a normal citizen and not been given any concessions on account of his star status. Infact, no one has been asked to give so much money and only because it’s Salman Khan has the court been harsh, he further explains.

    The trial is yet to begin. The verdict isn’t out yet. But Salman Khan seems to be on the path to mending relations and bettering friendships.

    Has Salman Khan accepted the realities of life?

    Here’s a glimpse of his numerous court appearances over the years…

  • TRAILER REVIEW: Ben Stiller Daydreams In ‘The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty’

    TRAILER REVIEW: Ben Stiller Daydreams In ‘The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty’

    MOVIE31072013

    When Ben Stiller last directed a film, it resulted in an Oscar nomination for one of its actors. Robert Downey Jr. received Best Supporting actor nomination for his role in 2008’s ‘Tropic Thunder’. Could it be that Ben Stiller is finally aiming for an Oscar for himself and his film now?

    The trailer for Ben Stiller’s new film ‘The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty’ is out, and it is almost entirely wordless. Set to a song ‘Dirty Paws’ by Of Monsters And Men, the trailer has an epic feel to a coming-of-age cum love story.

    Ben Stiller’s character Walter Mitty is used to flights of fancy. He takes off into his daydreams any time of the day. Even at work, he pines for his colleague played by Kristen Wiig. But a time comes when Walter Mitty has to use his daydreaming abilities to greater effect when a problem arises.

    What that problem is, we don’t know yet. The trailer for ‘The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty’ is more intent on creating a mood and showing off the scope of the film, and in that it is greatly successful.

    Featuring many top-angle shots a la Wes Anderson (‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’, ‘Moonrise Kingdom’), and a very dreamy setup a la Michel Gondry (‘Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind’), ‘The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty’ may just get Oscar bells ringing at the end of the year. This is an adaptation of a short story by James Thurber, and had a film adaptation too in 1947.

    Featuring Sean Penn and Patton Oswalt beside Ben Stiller and Kristen Wiig, ‘The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty’ sees a release in the US on Christmas day, 25 December, 2013. The India release is yet undecided but would most likely be around the same time.

  • Threat For ‘Chennai Express’ Before Release?

    Threat For ‘Chennai Express’ Before Release?

    CHENNAI01082013

    MUMBAI: There is just a week left for ‘Chennai Express’ to arrive at our movie halls. But even before the Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone starrer hits theatres, looks like there is controversy already.

    A leading political party in Maharashtra has allegedly threatened to disrupt the release of ‘Chennai Express’. Apparently its reported that ‘Chennai Express’ has demanded more prime-time slots in single screen cinemas at the cost of some Marathi films being screened.

    This has not gone down well with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and they have supposedly threatened to disrupt the film’s release. Amey Khopkar, Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena (film wing), spokesperson has said, “If the producers of ‘Chennai Express’ attempt to dislodge any of the ongoing or forthcoming Marathi movies, we shall not tolerate it and deal with it in MNS style.”

    It’s a mandatory rule in Maharashtra to screen Marathi films, be it single screen cinemas or multiplexes. While in the recent past, in view of the big releases, the rules have been tweaked and many Marathi films haven’t had their due worth at the box-office.

    Currently ‘Duniyadari’ is running to packed houses in single-screen cinemas in non-metro cities and small towns.

    Khopkar also has said that he has taken a written word from all single cinema halls and others seeking that ‘Duniyadari’ wouldn’t be taken off to accommodate ‘Chennai Express’. Neither will new Marathi releases be compromised.

    This isn’t the first time that Shah Rukh Khan is facing controversy over his film’s release. When ‘My Name Is Khan’ released, the film was banned for a few days over SRK’s anti religious statements. The film went to became the biggest HIT that year.

    ‘Chennai Express’ produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and directed by Rohit Shetty releases on 9 August. The film is distributed by UTV Motion Pictures and also stars Deepika Padukone in the lead.