Wes Anderson's 10 Best Movie Music Moments

Perfectly matching a song with a scene is nothing new (see: Scorsese, Martin), but Wes Anderson takes the movie soundtrack to new levels of artistry. In all his films, the young writer-director displayed a record geek's ability to wow viewers with a song that's not only enjoyable but, at its best, makes a scene instantly memorable. With the release of 'Fantastic Mr. Fox,' Anderson's first animated feature, Spinner picked the director's 10 best music moments.

The Who, 'A Quick One While He's Away' ('Rushmore')
While a ton of songs in 'Rushmore' enhance scenes, this revenge montage, where Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman feud over the love of a local teacher, is absolutely killer in that department. As icing on the cake, Anderson stops the Who's sonic assault (lifted from their amazing performance on 'The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus') for a moment, then kicks it back in with a cut to Schwartzman in handcuffs being dragged down a high school hallway. Meanwhile, the Who, rather ironically, scream, "You are forgiven!"



Elliott Smith, 'Needle in the Hay' ('The Royal Tenenbaums')
Despite the film's often staged feel -- it's the first time Anderson packed into one film so many quirky characters and settings -- this harrowing scene dunks viewers into cold water. As an homage to Roman Polanski's 'Repulsion,' Anderson uses a blue filter and quick cuts of Luke Wilson staring into the camera, creating a chilly vibe; and as Smith sings, "But you idiot kid/You don't have a clue," you can't help but feel for Wilson, who seems to realize -- headband and sunglasses and all -- what a caricature he's become. Sadly, it's tough to watch this and not think of Smith's suicide, which occurred two years after the film's release.



Love, '7 and 7 Is' ('Bottle Rocket')
Anderson turns up this punishing protopunk nugget by Arthur Lee and Co. as Owen and Luke Wilson ransack a suburban house -- which we learn is actually a "practice job" -- as well as the childhood home of Luke's character. The director's first feature has a lot going for it -- plenty of distinctly Andersonian touches abound -- but the Wilson brothers' childlike relationship is its backbone. Love's spastic song illustrates this nicely when Lee wails, "When I was a boy I thought about the times I'd be a man."

Listen to Love '7 and 7 Is' -


The Rolling Stones, 'I Am Waiting' ('Rushmore')
The Stones get more soundtrack time than any other band in Anderson's films. Supposedly, a huge chunk of the budget for 'Bottle Rocket' went to securing rights to '2000 Man' -- and two of the band's songs are even played back-to-back in 'Tenenbaums.' But this is our favorite: The vulnerable, less cocky Stones here capture Schwartzman's teen angst exceptionally well and show how all three main characters are, as Mick Jagger puts it, "Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere."



The Stooges, 'Search and Destroy' ('The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou')
Hell, yes! Iggy Pop and Bill Murray together? During a gun fight? This is one of those musical moments that makes you want to stand up and cheer. Wearing a Speedo and a bathrobe, Murray shoots at pirates as the Stooges' meaty riffs make things even more chaotic. Best bit: the ship's intern getting stabbed in the shoulder.



View the complete list HERE

Wes Anderson's 10 Best Movie Music Moments

Perfectly matching a song with a scene is nothing new (see: Scorsese, Martin), but Wes Anderson takes the movie soundtrack to new levels of artistry. In all his films, the young writer-director displayed a record geek's ability to wow viewers with a song that's not only enjoyable but, at its best, makes a scene instantly memorable. With the release of 'Fantastic Mr. Fox,' Anderson's first animated feature, Spinner picked the director's 10 best music moments.

The Who, 'A Quick One While He's Away' ('Rushmore')
While a ton of songs in 'Rushmore' enhance scenes, this revenge montage, where Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman feud over the love of a local teacher, is absolutely killer in that department. As icing on the cake, Anderson stops the Who's sonic assault (lifted from their amazing performance on 'The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus') for a moment, then kicks it back in with a cut to Schwartzman in handcuffs being dragged down a high school hallway. Meanwhile, the Who, rather ironically, scream, "You are forgiven!"



Elliott Smith, 'Needle in the Hay' ('The Royal Tenenbaums')
Despite the film's often staged feel -- it's the first time Anderson packed into one film so many quirky characters and settings -- this harrowing scene dunks viewers into cold water. As an homage to Roman Polanski's 'Repulsion,' Anderson uses a blue filter and quick cuts of Luke Wilson staring into the camera, creating a chilly vibe; and as Smith sings, "But you idiot kid/You don't have a clue," you can't help but feel for Wilson, who seems to realize -- headband and sunglasses and all -- what a caricature he's become. Sadly, it's tough to watch this and not think of Smith's suicide, which occurred two years after the film's release.



Love, '7 and 7 Is' ('Bottle Rocket')
Anderson turns up this punishing protopunk nugget by Arthur Lee and Co. as Owen and Luke Wilson ransack a suburban house -- which we learn is actually a "practice job" -- as well as the childhood home of Luke's character. The director's first feature has a lot going for it -- plenty of distinctly Andersonian touches abound -- but the Wilson brothers' childlike relationship is its backbone. Love's spastic song illustrates this nicely when Lee wails, "When I was a boy I thought about the times I'd be a man."

Listen to Love '7 and 7 Is' -


The Rolling Stones, 'I Am Waiting' ('Rushmore')
The Stones get more soundtrack time than any other band in Anderson's films. Supposedly, a huge chunk of the budget for 'Bottle Rocket' went to securing rights to '2000 Man' -- and two of the band's songs are even played back-to-back in 'Tenenbaums.' But this is our favorite: The vulnerable, less cocky Stones here capture Schwartzman's teen angst exceptionally well and show how all three main characters are, as Mick Jagger puts it, "Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere."



The Stooges, 'Search and Destroy' ('The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou')
Hell, yes! Iggy Pop and Bill Murray together? During a gun fight? This is one of those musical moments that makes you want to stand up and cheer. Wearing a Speedo and a bathrobe, Murray shoots at pirates as the Stooges' meaty riffs make things even more chaotic. Best bit: the ship's intern getting stabbed in the shoulder.



View the complete list HERE

2009 Block-buster hopes dashed? Not yet

There was no war of the Khans, no Roshan heroism and no Bachchan magic. 2009 nears an end without having seen a blockbuster or a big hit. Experts say that the last blockbuster that Bollywood saw was Ghajini in December 2008.

Please read rest from here

2009 Block-buster hopes dashed? Not yet

There was no war of the Khans, no Roshan heroism and no Bachchan magic. 2009 nears an end without having seen a blockbuster or a big hit. Experts say that the last blockbuster that Bollywood saw was Ghajini in December 2008.

Please read rest from here

MY NAME IS KHAN: Silence creates huge hype!

Some movies remain in the news unintentionally (or deliberately) from announcement to the day of their actual release. 'Secret' inside scoops are leaked to the media/scribes, trade experts invited to the shooting, cast members seen on live shows and the main protagonists appear at public events in their (supposedly secret!) get ups to keep the film in the headlines, by hook or crook!

However, certain makers prefer to concentrate on their work and focus on the most important aspect of filmmaking, the script and its implementation. One such project is the Karan Johar directed, MY NAME IS KHAN, which marks the return of the hundred percent successful SRK-Kajol jodi.

Please read rest from here

MY NAME IS KHAN: Silence creates huge hype!

Some movies remain in the news unintentionally (or deliberately) from announcement to the day of their actual release. 'Secret' inside scoops are leaked to the media/scribes, trade experts invited to the shooting, cast members seen on live shows and the main protagonists appear at public events in their (supposedly secret!) get ups to keep the film in the headlines, by hook or crook!

However, certain makers prefer to concentrate on their work and focus on the most important aspect of filmmaking, the script and its implementation. One such project is the Karan Johar directed, MY NAME IS KHAN, which marks the return of the hundred percent successful SRK-Kajol jodi.

Please read rest from here

De Dhana Dhan - hathoda maar bheje par, bheja shor karta hai!

Priyadarshan strikes again with his usual brand of slapstick melded with a schtick finale that could have come from the Bazmee stable. The film was touted as the coming together of the grand trio (Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, Suneil Shetty) of Hera Pheri - the last genuinely funny film that Priyan made. Of course instead of the understated Tabu, we saw the non-acting Katrina. The previews showed the superstars Akki and Katrina, and lavish songs in SIK and Welcome style - like Paisa Paisa, and Bamulaiza. There were "comic" scenes in SIK style with the dog biting Akki's nose, peeing on him, and his tying his suit pants with a string. He and Suneil Shetty were poor working stiffs - just like in Hera Pheri. So what does the film serve up? Is it a worthy successor to Hera Pheri, or a funny ride like Welcome, or a crowd pleaser like SIK?

Unfortunately what Priyan serves up is a drab unfunny affair that is so messed up in the finale, it beats people rolling about in a house. The two friends Akshay and Suneil live off their rich girlfriends Katrina and Sameeera respectively. Akshay (Nitin) is chauffeur, servant, dog keeper for Archana Puran Singh, seen in the loudest avatar since Kirron Kher in Devdas. There is a crook in Paresh Rawal, his no good son is Chunky Pandey, there are hitmen masquerading as Chinamen (Asrani), unlikely assassins (Johnny Lever), there are fathers of both the girls looking for rich grooms, a drunk waiter (Rajpal Yadav in a wasted role), Neha Dhupia as a femme fatale who will do it for money or marriage, Shakti Kapoor as the aging lecher, and more and more and more.

Priyan knew that his aces in the hole were Akshay and Katrina so they were given maximum time in the previews and lavish songs. But every song in the film is one that is shoehorned in and a complete misfit, whether it be an abrupt introduction to the leads cavorting about in skimpy/dressy clothes, or a strange song in a casino with Neha Dhupia changing clothes in every stanza, or Bamulaiza that came out of nowhere, or even Paisa Paisa which was ditto. And then the rest of the time Akshay spent locked up in a cupboard, Katrina was there in six scenes and spoke 6 poorly articulated, awfully dubbed sentences. The rest of the time the multitude of cast members spent running into one room after another, hitting on the wrong person, giving money to the wrong person, or trying to bump off or arrest the wrong person. The confusion ended in a LOUD and stupid finale with the entire film washed down the drain.

Was anything funny in the film?

Read more here

De Dhana Dhan - hathoda maar bheje par, bheja shor karta hai!

Priyadarshan strikes again with his usual brand of slapstick melded with a schtick finale that could have come from the Bazmee stable. The film was touted as the coming together of the grand trio (Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, Suneil Shetty) of Hera Pheri - the last genuinely funny film that Priyan made. Of course instead of the understated Tabu, we saw the non-acting Katrina. The previews showed the superstars Akki and Katrina, and lavish songs in SIK and Welcome style - like Paisa Paisa, and Bamulaiza. There were "comic" scenes in SIK style with the dog biting Akki's nose, peeing on him, and his tying his suit pants with a string. He and Suneil Shetty were poor working stiffs - just like in Hera Pheri. So what does the film serve up? Is it a worthy successor to Hera Pheri, or a funny ride like Welcome, or a crowd pleaser like SIK?

Unfortunately what Priyan serves up is a drab unfunny affair that is so messed up in the finale, it beats people rolling about in a house. The two friends Akshay and Suneil live off their rich girlfriends Katrina and Sameeera respectively. Akshay (Nitin) is chauffeur, servant, dog keeper for Archana Puran Singh, seen in the loudest avatar since Kirron Kher in Devdas. There is a crook in Paresh Rawal, his no good son is Chunky Pandey, there are hitmen masquerading as Chinamen (Asrani), unlikely assassins (Johnny Lever), there are fathers of both the girls looking for rich grooms, a drunk waiter (Rajpal Yadav in a wasted role), Neha Dhupia as a femme fatale who will do it for money or marriage, Shakti Kapoor as the aging lecher, and more and more and more.

Priyan knew that his aces in the hole were Akshay and Katrina so they were given maximum time in the previews and lavish songs. But every song in the film is one that is shoehorned in and a complete misfit, whether it be an abrupt introduction to the leads cavorting about in skimpy/dressy clothes, or a strange song in a casino with Neha Dhupia changing clothes in every stanza, or Bamulaiza that came out of nowhere, or even Paisa Paisa which was ditto. And then the rest of the time Akshay spent locked up in a cupboard, Katrina was there in six scenes and spoke 6 poorly articulated, awfully dubbed sentences. The rest of the time the multitude of cast members spent running into one room after another, hitting on the wrong person, giving money to the wrong person, or trying to bump off or arrest the wrong person. The confusion ended in a LOUD and stupid finale with the entire film washed down the drain.

Was anything funny in the film?

Read more here

Manjrekar gets creative with 'City of Gold'

After two years, Bollywood filmmaker-actor Mahesh Manjrekar has returned to direction with crime thriller "City of Gold". He says the film's subject is so "compelling" that it set his "creative juices flowing all over again".

"With 'City of Gold', I have finally found a subject that has got my creative juices flowing all over again. Only once in a blue moon you get such a compelling script and that too based on real life incidents. It was such a great concept that I got back to direction without any delay," Manjrekar, whose last directorial venture was "Deha", said in a statement.

"The film is a no holds barred look at the birth of the true underbelly and organised crime in Mumbai and at the mill workers who had to sacrifice everything so that the 21st century Mumbai of swanky malls and glittering multiplexes could be built," he added.

"City of Gold" marks DAR Private Limited's (DAR Media) entry into showbiz. DAR Media, a subsidiary of investment advisory and private equity firm DAR Capital Group, has signed a three-film deal with Majrekar.

The film's principal shooting is expected to be over by December end. Tentatively slated for a May 2010 release, the screenplay has been co-written by playwright Jayant Pawar and Manjrekar.

Read more from HERE

Manjrekar gets creative with 'City of Gold'

After two years, Bollywood filmmaker-actor Mahesh Manjrekar has returned to direction with crime thriller "City of Gold". He says the film's subject is so "compelling" that it set his "creative juices flowing all over again".

"With 'City of Gold', I have finally found a subject that has got my creative juices flowing all over again. Only once in a blue moon you get such a compelling script and that too based on real life incidents. It was such a great concept that I got back to direction without any delay," Manjrekar, whose last directorial venture was "Deha", said in a statement.

"The film is a no holds barred look at the birth of the true underbelly and organised crime in Mumbai and at the mill workers who had to sacrifice everything so that the 21st century Mumbai of swanky malls and glittering multiplexes could be built," he added.

"City of Gold" marks DAR Private Limited's (DAR Media) entry into showbiz. DAR Media, a subsidiary of investment advisory and private equity firm DAR Capital Group, has signed a three-film deal with Majrekar.

The film's principal shooting is expected to be over by December end. Tentatively slated for a May 2010 release, the screenplay has been co-written by playwright Jayant Pawar and Manjrekar.

Read more from HERE

Rocket Singh Website.

Read the story, See the stills, Listen to the music, Watch the promos on ROCKET SINGH WEBSITE

Send smilies from FLY A ROCKET to your friends.

Rocket Singh Website.

Read the story, See the stills, Listen to the music, Watch the promos on ROCKET SINGH WEBSITE

Send smilies from FLY A ROCKET to your friends.

Accident On Hill Road - Theatrical Trailer

Accident On Hill Road - Theatrical Trailer

News of the Day!

Zoya looking for a Firang lead.....

We believe Zoya Akhtar is looking for a heroine to cast opposite Hrithik Roshan in her next. She’s run through the gamut of heroines that we have but none of them will do, it seems. She’s looking for a phirang look in her heroine, we hear. Hmmm. Shall we suggest a certain Barbara Mori? Her on screen chemistry with Hrithik is by now legendary. It’s the stuff tabloids are made of. What better bet than her?

http://www.filmfare.com/articles/zoyas-looking-for-a-firang-lead-239.html

Rajeev Khandelwal still a part of Chenab Gandhi

Contrary to rumours, Rajeev Khandelwal is very much a part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Chenab Gandhi. Sanjay Bhansali is only biding his time and sorting some date issues before this Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan and Rajeev starrer goes on the floor. Rajeev is also a part of upcoming director and Filmfare team member Purnima Lamchhane's debut project Just Love.

http://www.filmfare.com/articles/rajeev-khandelwal-still-a-part-of-chenab-gandhi-240.html

Dhobi Ghaat, Delhi Belly delayed

Aamir Khan to stagger the release of Delhi Belly and Dhobi Ghaat. He would like to essentially spend at least 3 to 6 months on the marketing and packaging of both the films. He hasn't even seen the final cut of Delhi Belly because he's been so busy with 3 Idiots. On the other hand, the promo of Dhobi Ghaat which is primarily aimed at international film festivals has wowed the audience.

http://www.filmfare.com/articles/dhobi-ghaat-delhi-belly-delayed-241.html

Wish Shahrukh was here, says Makrand Deshpande

Actor and director Makrand Deshpande would have loved to have superstar Shahrukh Khan for the premiere of his film "Shahrukh Bola Tu Khoohbsurat Hai" at the 40th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here.


"I had invited Shahrukh here for the premiere of my film, but he told me that he would attend the opening night instead," Deshpande told reporters.

Speaking about his film, Deshpande, known for his quirky roles like that of a gangling ascetic in Ashutosh Gowarikar's "Swades", said that the movie was about a girl who has a small brush with Shahrukh Khan in real life which completely transforms her life.

http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2009/nov/261109-makrand-deshpande-shah-rukh-khan.htm

News of the Day!

Zoya looking for a Firang lead.....

We believe Zoya Akhtar is looking for a heroine to cast opposite Hrithik Roshan in her next. She’s run through the gamut of heroines that we have but none of them will do, it seems. She’s looking for a phirang look in her heroine, we hear. Hmmm. Shall we suggest a certain Barbara Mori? Her on screen chemistry with Hrithik is by now legendary. It’s the stuff tabloids are made of. What better bet than her?

http://www.filmfare.com/articles/zoyas-looking-for-a-firang-lead-239.html

Rajeev Khandelwal still a part of Chenab Gandhi

Contrary to rumours, Rajeev Khandelwal is very much a part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Chenab Gandhi. Sanjay Bhansali is only biding his time and sorting some date issues before this Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan and Rajeev starrer goes on the floor. Rajeev is also a part of upcoming director and Filmfare team member Purnima Lamchhane's debut project Just Love.

http://www.filmfare.com/articles/rajeev-khandelwal-still-a-part-of-chenab-gandhi-240.html

Dhobi Ghaat, Delhi Belly delayed

Aamir Khan to stagger the release of Delhi Belly and Dhobi Ghaat. He would like to essentially spend at least 3 to 6 months on the marketing and packaging of both the films. He hasn't even seen the final cut of Delhi Belly because he's been so busy with 3 Idiots. On the other hand, the promo of Dhobi Ghaat which is primarily aimed at international film festivals has wowed the audience.

http://www.filmfare.com/articles/dhobi-ghaat-delhi-belly-delayed-241.html

Wish Shahrukh was here, says Makrand Deshpande

Actor and director Makrand Deshpande would have loved to have superstar Shahrukh Khan for the premiere of his film "Shahrukh Bola Tu Khoohbsurat Hai" at the 40th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here.


"I had invited Shahrukh here for the premiere of my film, but he told me that he would attend the opening night instead," Deshpande told reporters.

Speaking about his film, Deshpande, known for his quirky roles like that of a gangling ascetic in Ashutosh Gowarikar's "Swades", said that the movie was about a girl who has a small brush with Shahrukh Khan in real life which completely transforms her life.

http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2009/nov/261109-makrand-deshpande-shah-rukh-khan.htm

3 Idiots - Exclusive Making of the movie 3 Idiots

3 Idiots - Exclusive Making of the movie 3 Idiots

chance pe Dance: Pump it up

Heres new trailer of upcoming flick of Shahid, Chance pe dance

chance pe Dance: Pump it up

Heres new trailer of upcoming flick of Shahid, Chance pe dance

Paa Trailer

Trailer 1





Mudi Mudi



Gumm summ gumm



Paa Theme Remix

Paa Trailer

Trailer 1





Mudi Mudi



Gumm summ gumm



Paa Theme Remix

Aamir won't sign films for a year

It looks like it will be another year at least after 3 Idiots and his own home productions Dhobi Ghat and Delhi Belly before Aamir Khan will sign another new film.

Since the release of Ghajini in December 2008, Aamir has not signed on the dotted line for any project. In fact, Aamir had decided to take one full year off after Ghajini to rejuvenate himself .After the tough physical and emotional preparation for Ghajini, Aamir just wanted to relax and spend time with his wife and children.
That’s precisely what he has done for the last one year. But now Aamir would be taking one more year off. This next one year would be devoted to putting his three home productions in order. Says a source, “Aamir had earlier decided to take one year off. But now he has decided to extend his sabbatical by one more year. Filmmakers who have approached him with projects have been told that Aamir intends to take approximately one more year to supervise the post-production and final look of the three films that he has produced in 2009, namely Abhinay Deo’s Delhi Belly, Anushka Rizvi’s The Falling and Aamir’s wife Kiran Rao’s Dhobi Ghat.”

Read more from HERE

Aamir won't sign films for a year

It looks like it will be another year at least after 3 Idiots and his own home productions Dhobi Ghat and Delhi Belly before Aamir Khan will sign another new film.

Since the release of Ghajini in December 2008, Aamir has not signed on the dotted line for any project. In fact, Aamir had decided to take one full year off after Ghajini to rejuvenate himself .After the tough physical and emotional preparation for Ghajini, Aamir just wanted to relax and spend time with his wife and children.
That’s precisely what he has done for the last one year. But now Aamir would be taking one more year off. This next one year would be devoted to putting his three home productions in order. Says a source, “Aamir had earlier decided to take one year off. But now he has decided to extend his sabbatical by one more year. Filmmakers who have approached him with projects have been told that Aamir intends to take approximately one more year to supervise the post-production and final look of the three films that he has produced in 2009, namely Abhinay Deo’s Delhi Belly, Anushka Rizvi’s The Falling and Aamir’s wife Kiran Rao’s Dhobi Ghat.”

Read more from HERE

Mira to make film on terrorism too

After the mixed response to her latest Hollywood big-budget film Amelia, Mira Nair is all set to plunge into a far more contemporary and headline-screaming work.

It’s going to be a thriller called The Reluctant Fundamentalist and will be set in Lahore, Chile and New York.

Mira had been angling for the filming rights of Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid’s novel by this name for some time now. The deal has finally come through. The Reluctant Fundamentalist is about the impact 9/11 had on the life of a young Pakistani Muslim in New York and requires an intense Muslim actor to play the protagonist, Changez, who can express bitterness, rage and acceptance within the same script-zone.

Read more from HERE

Mira to make film on terrorism too

After the mixed response to her latest Hollywood big-budget film Amelia, Mira Nair is all set to plunge into a far more contemporary and headline-screaming work.

It’s going to be a thriller called The Reluctant Fundamentalist and will be set in Lahore, Chile and New York.

Mira had been angling for the filming rights of Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid’s novel by this name for some time now. The deal has finally come through. The Reluctant Fundamentalist is about the impact 9/11 had on the life of a young Pakistani Muslim in New York and requires an intense Muslim actor to play the protagonist, Changez, who can express bitterness, rage and acceptance within the same script-zone.

Read more from HERE

'I am looking for great true stories' - Nagesh Kukonoor

Nagesh Kukunoor's films have cut across genres, and earned much critical acclaim. Unfortunately, the John Abraham-starrer Aashayein has been long delayed, and even though it's sitting complete, it does not have a release date yet.

The director seems to have moved on too. He talks to Radhika Rajamani about his new film Yeh Hausla.

What is Yeh Hausla about? Is it a story of grit and confidence as the title indicates?

It is loosely based on true events -- based on this guy who embarked on a project to teach women how to use the camera. It centres around five women. It's an uplifting movie. It shows the power of the camera, if used wisely. The film stars Sameera Reddy [ Images ], Karan Nath, Tanuja and Tanvi Azmi and two newcomers.

Karan plays a character, disillusioned with the world. He is from a television background. He goes to Rajasthan [ Images ] and decides to do something else. Originally, I had titled the film Five Women And A Camera.

You shot the film in Rajasthan. That seems to have become your favourite shooting spot.

Yes, it's shot entirely in Rajasthan. I shot essentially in two locations -- in the Kejarla fort and villages and deep the sand dunes around Manwar (a two-hour drive from Jodhpur).

When I shot Dor, I found no other places in India [ Images ] with degrees of pristine beauty like this state. Rajasthan has starkness that lends itself to dynamic locales. It has clung to tradition. The heritage properties are still there. If I shoot another film, I will complete the trilogy.

What triggered the idea for the film?

I am looking for great true stories. The human element excites me. I heard this true story of Satish, who taught women how to use the video camera in the Medak district. Those women told their stories through documentaries. I saw a documentary on that and used the core idea. I want to have the opening of Yeh Hausla on March 8 (International Women's Day) -- at least for the official launch.

Most of your films deal with one aspect of human strength...

There are stories of human triumph which makes for great cinema. It's a story which has to grab me. Tasveer 8/10 was a thriller, Bombay to Bangkok was a romcom.

Read more from HERE

'I am looking for great true stories' - Nagesh Kukonoor

Nagesh Kukunoor's films have cut across genres, and earned much critical acclaim. Unfortunately, the John Abraham-starrer Aashayein has been long delayed, and even though it's sitting complete, it does not have a release date yet.

The director seems to have moved on too. He talks to Radhika Rajamani about his new film Yeh Hausla.

What is Yeh Hausla about? Is it a story of grit and confidence as the title indicates?

It is loosely based on true events -- based on this guy who embarked on a project to teach women how to use the camera. It centres around five women. It's an uplifting movie. It shows the power of the camera, if used wisely. The film stars Sameera Reddy [ Images ], Karan Nath, Tanuja and Tanvi Azmi and two newcomers.

Karan plays a character, disillusioned with the world. He is from a television background. He goes to Rajasthan [ Images ] and decides to do something else. Originally, I had titled the film Five Women And A Camera.

You shot the film in Rajasthan. That seems to have become your favourite shooting spot.

Yes, it's shot entirely in Rajasthan. I shot essentially in two locations -- in the Kejarla fort and villages and deep the sand dunes around Manwar (a two-hour drive from Jodhpur).

When I shot Dor, I found no other places in India [ Images ] with degrees of pristine beauty like this state. Rajasthan has starkness that lends itself to dynamic locales. It has clung to tradition. The heritage properties are still there. If I shoot another film, I will complete the trilogy.

What triggered the idea for the film?

I am looking for great true stories. The human element excites me. I heard this true story of Satish, who taught women how to use the video camera in the Medak district. Those women told their stories through documentaries. I saw a documentary on that and used the core idea. I want to have the opening of Yeh Hausla on March 8 (International Women's Day) -- at least for the official launch.

Most of your films deal with one aspect of human strength...

There are stories of human triumph which makes for great cinema. It's a story which has to grab me. Tasveer 8/10 was a thriller, Bombay to Bangkok was a romcom.

Read more from HERE

Deepika-Hrithik in Krissh 2?

Although ‘Kites’ and ‘Guzaarish’ are often in the news, ‘Krrish 2’, Hrithik’s another project, too is seen making its way in front these days.

Earlier we had it that Rakesh Roshan will be featuring his son in double roles in Krrish 2, including a negative role. It was also mentioned that there had been a tie, over the choice heroines, between Deepika and Katrina. Now the latest sources revealed that the director-producer is considering Deepika Padukone to play the lead replacing Priyanka Chopra from the original film. But there has been no confirmation over this yet.

Stating about Hrithik’s role, sources said that Rakesh wants Hrithik to play a grey character after being impressed with his performance in Dhoom 2. It is said that Krrish will be saving the Seven Wonders of the World, thus covering various foreign locales. The shooting of Krrish 2 is expected to go on floors in September 2010.

Meanwhile our hero is busy with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Guzaarish’ with Aishwarya Rai.

Source here

Deepika-Hrithik in Krissh 2?

Although ‘Kites’ and ‘Guzaarish’ are often in the news, ‘Krrish 2’, Hrithik’s another project, too is seen making its way in front these days.

Earlier we had it that Rakesh Roshan will be featuring his son in double roles in Krrish 2, including a negative role. It was also mentioned that there had been a tie, over the choice heroines, between Deepika and Katrina. Now the latest sources revealed that the director-producer is considering Deepika Padukone to play the lead replacing Priyanka Chopra from the original film. But there has been no confirmation over this yet.

Stating about Hrithik’s role, sources said that Rakesh wants Hrithik to play a grey character after being impressed with his performance in Dhoom 2. It is said that Krrish will be saving the Seven Wonders of the World, thus covering various foreign locales. The shooting of Krrish 2 is expected to go on floors in September 2010.

Meanwhile our hero is busy with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Guzaarish’ with Aishwarya Rai.

Source here

The Kid Stays in the Picture! (2002)

This award winning film on the life of the legendary Paramount Pictures producer Robert Evans is a must for those interested in the inner workings of cinema. The film is based on an autobiography by Evans and traces his life from the time he came to Beverly Hills to set up the LA branch of Evan Picone, fashion designers who got women into slacks! At the poolside he was spotted by Norma Shearer, convinced by her to act in a film. He then juggled the clothing business and an acting career for a few years. He was offered an acting gig to play a matador in The Sun Also Rises and put in lots of practice in Mexico. But Hemingway was horrified to hear that a two bit actor would portray a character he had based on himself. A telegram flew from the man, was co-signed by Tyrone Power, and Ava Gardener asking that Evans be fired from the film. But the 20th Century production giant Daryl Zanuck saw his matador act and shouted into his megaphone “No way! The Kid stays in the picture!” Evans was smart enough to know that his acting career was pathetic and going nowhere. He thought he’d rather be the one deciding that the kid could stay in the picture. Thus began the hunt for a product he could sell – he finally found s story and pitched it to 20th provided he could produce it, and got the job. But even before the film could begin he was called to the Big Apple and offered the job of CHIEF of Production at Paramount pictures, a near defunct outfit that was the lowest on the rung of production houses!

The film traces the meteoric rise of Evans as he first identified a riveting story (Rosemary’s Baby), then found a suitable producer (the “Polack” Polanski) and started off on his first production. Roman was a maverick and the film ran into delay after delay. Mia Farrow was to star in a film with Frank Sinatra (and she was then married to him), but she needed to finish Rosemary’s Baby before that. Frank threatened divorce if she did not show up on the appointed date, Mia went into hysterics! Evans then showed her the rushes and convinced her to stay as she “was a shoo in for an Academy Award”. She stayed, was served divorce papers, but the film was completed and turned into a mammoth success. To Mia’s glee it was much bigger than the Sinatra venture that had ended her marriage. The film is peppered with such vignettes and actual footage of these individuals – Mia bouncing off the walls as she hears of Rosemary’s success.

Then Chinatown was made with a unique story and Jack Nicholson in the lead. Jack went to bat for Evans later in life and help him over a tremendously rough patch. Evans was to be associated with such films as Love Story – and to marry Ali McGraw before the filming even began. He also produced Godfather – and talks of the pitched battle with Coppola in the making of that film. The rough cut was 2 hrs long and he recalls telling Coppola to go and turn this trailer into a movie! Their later collaboration on The Cotton Club led to lawsuit where Coppola tried to restrain Evans from “interfering” with the film.

Read more here

The Kid Stays in the Picture! (2002)

This award winning film on the life of the legendary Paramount Pictures producer Robert Evans is a must for those interested in the inner workings of cinema. The film is based on an autobiography by Evans and traces his life from the time he came to Beverly Hills to set up the LA branch of Evan Picone, fashion designers who got women into slacks! At the poolside he was spotted by Norma Shearer, convinced by her to act in a film. He then juggled the clothing business and an acting career for a few years. He was offered an acting gig to play a matador in The Sun Also Rises and put in lots of practice in Mexico. But Hemingway was horrified to hear that a two bit actor would portray a character he had based on himself. A telegram flew from the man, was co-signed by Tyrone Power, and Ava Gardener asking that Evans be fired from the film. But the 20th Century production giant Daryl Zanuck saw his matador act and shouted into his megaphone “No way! The Kid stays in the picture!” Evans was smart enough to know that his acting career was pathetic and going nowhere. He thought he’d rather be the one deciding that the kid could stay in the picture. Thus began the hunt for a product he could sell – he finally found s story and pitched it to 20th provided he could produce it, and got the job. But even before the film could begin he was called to the Big Apple and offered the job of CHIEF of Production at Paramount pictures, a near defunct outfit that was the lowest on the rung of production houses!

The film traces the meteoric rise of Evans as he first identified a riveting story (Rosemary’s Baby), then found a suitable producer (the “Polack” Polanski) and started off on his first production. Roman was a maverick and the film ran into delay after delay. Mia Farrow was to star in a film with Frank Sinatra (and she was then married to him), but she needed to finish Rosemary’s Baby before that. Frank threatened divorce if she did not show up on the appointed date, Mia went into hysterics! Evans then showed her the rushes and convinced her to stay as she “was a shoo in for an Academy Award”. She stayed, was served divorce papers, but the film was completed and turned into a mammoth success. To Mia’s glee it was much bigger than the Sinatra venture that had ended her marriage. The film is peppered with such vignettes and actual footage of these individuals – Mia bouncing off the walls as she hears of Rosemary’s success.

Then Chinatown was made with a unique story and Jack Nicholson in the lead. Jack went to bat for Evans later in life and help him over a tremendously rough patch. Evans was to be associated with such films as Love Story – and to marry Ali McGraw before the filming even began. He also produced Godfather – and talks of the pitched battle with Coppola in the making of that film. The rough cut was 2 hrs long and he recalls telling Coppola to go and turn this trailer into a movie! Their later collaboration on The Cotton Club led to lawsuit where Coppola tried to restrain Evans from “interfering” with the film.

Read more here

De Dana Dan - Reviews (Nikhat Kazmi, Khalid Mohd., Raja Sen, Taran Adarsh, Rajeev Masand)

Nikhat Kazmi's Review -

Rating - 2.5/5

Blame it on the director, but they're mostly missing in action: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Suniel Shetty. And it's hard to fathom why! Why in moviedom's name would a filmmaker sign the three most thoroughbreds of comedy and waste them away with a vanishing act? Haven't the threesome -- Akshay, Suniel and Paresh -- passed the litmus test at the box office and given contemporary cinema some of its best comedies in the Hera Pheri sequels? So why would anyone want to brush aside their crackling chemistry for a load of chaos created by a bunch of side characters who dominate the entire second half of the film? More importantly, why would a director lock his lead player, Akshay Kumar, in a cupboard, for reels and reels of the film, specially when he has been responsible for most of the laughs in the first half?

Hara-kiri, did we say! Or is it simply a case of bad judgement. Whatever be the case, De Dana Dan is a film that begins soundly and then slips into cuckoo land, only because the primary characters and their story is side-tracked for a compendium of tertiary tales. And these too, are so confusing, you keep losing the plot and the character count even though you desperately try and keep pace with the mayhem in this marriage that mostly transpires in a hotel in Singapore.

Read more from HERE

De Dana Dan - Reviews (Nikhat Kazmi, Khalid Mohd., Raja Sen, Taran Adarsh, Rajeev Masand)

Nikhat Kazmi's Review -

Rating - 2.5/5

Blame it on the director, but they're mostly missing in action: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Suniel Shetty. And it's hard to fathom why! Why in moviedom's name would a filmmaker sign the three most thoroughbreds of comedy and waste them away with a vanishing act? Haven't the threesome -- Akshay, Suniel and Paresh -- passed the litmus test at the box office and given contemporary cinema some of its best comedies in the Hera Pheri sequels? So why would anyone want to brush aside their crackling chemistry for a load of chaos created by a bunch of side characters who dominate the entire second half of the film? More importantly, why would a director lock his lead player, Akshay Kumar, in a cupboard, for reels and reels of the film, specially when he has been responsible for most of the laughs in the first half?

Hara-kiri, did we say! Or is it simply a case of bad judgement. Whatever be the case, De Dana Dan is a film that begins soundly and then slips into cuckoo land, only because the primary characters and their story is side-tracked for a compendium of tertiary tales. And these too, are so confusing, you keep losing the plot and the character count even though you desperately try and keep pace with the mayhem in this marriage that mostly transpires in a hotel in Singapore.

Read more from HERE

De Dana Dan - Boxoffice

De Dana Dhan Has A Good Start


Friday 27th November 2009 12.30 IST

Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network



De Dana Dhan opened well in its morning shows. The collections for the first few shows were on average in the 70% region. At many places the collections were excellent with full and near full houses while some places in Bengal and South had collections in the 50-60% region.



more

De Dana Dan - Boxoffice

De Dana Dhan Has A Good Start


Friday 27th November 2009 12.30 IST

Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network



De Dana Dhan opened well in its morning shows. The collections for the first few shows were on average in the 70% region. At many places the collections were excellent with full and near full houses while some places in Bengal and South had collections in the 50-60% region.



more

SRK, Aamir make it for Paa - Amitabh Bachchan Interviewed

There’s no stopping the juggernaut that Amitabh Bachchan is. His latest, Paa, is close to his heart as it’s son Abhishek’s production, and Big B is leaving no stone unturned as far as the promotion of the film is concerned. In this interview, he gives TOI a peek into a world - a li’l more than that of the 13-year-old Auro (the character he plays in the film). Excerpts from an interview:

Were you shocked, stunned, dumbfounded when Balki (the director of Paa) spoke about a role reversal?
Not really. I liked the concept and knew what was being thrown at me was a lovely challenge. Balki also needed an actor of Abhishek’s calibre to pull off the role of the father. The role reversal was just fine. About my character, Auro, Balki introduced me to such cases through books, manuals and DVDs. It also took him long to decide on the look. Newer stuff was also improvised once the camera started rolling. The angles too were distinct, so that the size of the head is not exposed. About me, I was rather happy, wondering all the while how a 13-year-old would react in my situation.

Did it feel like a trip back to childhood?
I tried my best to remember how I was at 13. There’s a lot of difference between kids then and kids now. I’ve closely observed my grandchildren - the mannerisms and the way they conduct themselves. Beyond that, it was all Balki’s doing. He gave me the lines, decided on my clothes and told me how to react to situations.

And didn’t memories of Abhishek’s childhood rush to your mind?
Not so much, I would say. As a child, Abhishek was quite a brat.


Abhishek has said that he got to bully you as long as the camera was rolling...
The film, which deals with this father and son, has a lovely screenplay. There’s a lot of camaraderie between Abhishek and me. Yes, we did fool around on the sets, when we were not shooting, but that’s expected when the two of us are together.

You played a progeric, the make-up for which would take you four-and-a-half hours and to take it off, another two hours. There’s also a song from you in a child’s voice. As an actor, you are constantly making and breaking records. After Paa, what’s the next big challenge?
I hope there’s one. I’m fortunate to be challenged like this and would certainly want more coming my way. If there’s none, creativity would start stagnating. I hope I’m never satisfied. Once there’s complacency, you stop looking for fresher avenues. This is something I do not want ever.

Read more from HERE

SRK, Aamir make it for Paa - Amitabh Bachchan Interviewed

There’s no stopping the juggernaut that Amitabh Bachchan is. His latest, Paa, is close to his heart as it’s son Abhishek’s production, and Big B is leaving no stone unturned as far as the promotion of the film is concerned. In this interview, he gives TOI a peek into a world - a li’l more than that of the 13-year-old Auro (the character he plays in the film). Excerpts from an interview:

Were you shocked, stunned, dumbfounded when Balki (the director of Paa) spoke about a role reversal?
Not really. I liked the concept and knew what was being thrown at me was a lovely challenge. Balki also needed an actor of Abhishek’s calibre to pull off the role of the father. The role reversal was just fine. About my character, Auro, Balki introduced me to such cases through books, manuals and DVDs. It also took him long to decide on the look. Newer stuff was also improvised once the camera started rolling. The angles too were distinct, so that the size of the head is not exposed. About me, I was rather happy, wondering all the while how a 13-year-old would react in my situation.

Did it feel like a trip back to childhood?
I tried my best to remember how I was at 13. There’s a lot of difference between kids then and kids now. I’ve closely observed my grandchildren - the mannerisms and the way they conduct themselves. Beyond that, it was all Balki’s doing. He gave me the lines, decided on my clothes and told me how to react to situations.

And didn’t memories of Abhishek’s childhood rush to your mind?
Not so much, I would say. As a child, Abhishek was quite a brat.


Abhishek has said that he got to bully you as long as the camera was rolling...
The film, which deals with this father and son, has a lovely screenplay. There’s a lot of camaraderie between Abhishek and me. Yes, we did fool around on the sets, when we were not shooting, but that’s expected when the two of us are together.

You played a progeric, the make-up for which would take you four-and-a-half hours and to take it off, another two hours. There’s also a song from you in a child’s voice. As an actor, you are constantly making and breaking records. After Paa, what’s the next big challenge?
I hope there’s one. I’m fortunate to be challenged like this and would certainly want more coming my way. If there’s none, creativity would start stagnating. I hope I’m never satisfied. Once there’s complacency, you stop looking for fresher avenues. This is something I do not want ever.

Read more from HERE